The Maniac, a Tale; or, a View of Bethlem Hospital: And the Merits of Women, a Poem from the French: with poetical pieces on various subjects, original and translated.

BRISTOW, A.

Published by London: Printed for J. Hatchard, 1810

About this Item

First edition of this scarce collection of 27 new poems and 5 translations from the French originals, an early work of Irish romanticism by a little-known female author. Bristow's Maniac dwells at length on the consequences of the 1798 Irish Rebellion and subsequent Acts of Union (1800). Based on the subscriber's list, Bristow was likely from the north of Ireland, itself one of the centres of the 1798 rebellion. The Maniac itself deals with the aftermath of the rebellion, as the titular madman (a northern Protestant) suffers the death of his wife and children and the looting of his house. The Monthly Review notes that Bristow "possesses a respectable portion of talent, and her little volume affords proofs both of correct judgment and of poetic fancy" (p. 211). Subscribers include Anna Russell, Duchess of Bedford (1783-1857), notable for her claim to have invented afternoon tea. Jackson, pp. 38-9. Monthly Review, or Literary Journal, vol. 61, 1810. Octavo (182 x 116 mm), pp. xvi, 145, [1]. Contemporary black quarter morocco, spine lettered and decorated in gilt, marbled sides and endpapers, edges gilt. Ink ownership inscription ("A. Ellis, 1816") to front board, later 19th-century ink stamps of one "I. M. Catt" to front free endpaper. Loosely inserted leaf from the Gentleman's Magazine, vol. lxxii. Light bumping and wear, minor stripping to boards, slight foxing and offsetting to contents: a very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 179265

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Maniac, a Tale; or, a View of Bethlem Hospital: And the Merits of Women, a Poem from the French: with poetical pieces on various subjects, original and translated.
• Publisher: London: Printed for J. Hatchard, 1810
• Edition: 1st Edition