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Fine Editions Ltd

Fine Editions Ltd
Item #BB2301 Drunken Barnaby’s four journeys to the north of England. In Latin and English metre. Wittily and merrily (tho’ an hundred years ago) compos’d; found among some old musty Books that had lain a long time by in a Corner, and now at last made publick. Together with Bessy Bell. Richard CORYMBAEUS, 1588?-1673, Brathwait[e.
Drunken Barnaby’s four journeys to the north of England. In Latin and English metre. Wittily and merrily (tho’ an hundred years ago) compos’d; found among some old musty Books that had lain a long time by in a Corner, and now at last made publick. Together with Bessy Bell
Drunken Barnaby’s four journeys to the north of England. In Latin and English metre. Wittily and merrily (tho’ an hundred years ago) compos’d; found among some old musty Books that had lain a long time by in a Corner, and now at last made publick. Together with Bessy Bell

Drunken Barnaby’s four journeys to the north of England. In Latin and English metre. Wittily and merrily (tho’ an hundred years ago) compos’d; found among some old musty Books that had lain a long time by in a Corner, and now at last made publick. Together with Bessy Bell

London: printed for S. Illidge, under Serle’s Gate Lincolns-Inn New-Square, 1723. Quarter-Calf. The Third Edition, "illustrated with several new copper cuts," of Brathwait’s most famous work, a mischievous doggerel featuring perhaps "the world’s most celebrated pub crawl.” (Bowes). Foolscap 8vo (149 x 89mm): [20],175,[11]pp, with frontispiece (reproducing the original engraved title page), five further copper-engraved plates (four, by J. Clark, are new to this edition, one placed at the beginning of each part), and decorative head- and tail-pieces. Text printed in parallel Latin and English on facing pages. Recent brown polished quarter-calf over marbled paper-covered boards, spine in six compartments divided by gilt-ruled raised bands, red leather lettering piece gilt, end papers renewed. An excellent example, tightly bound and clean throughout, with bright plates. Wither to Prior 79. Near Fine+. Item #BB2301

Originally published in Latin and pseudonymously as Barnabae itinerarium, or, Barnabee's Journal, by Corymbaeus, in 1638; first printed under this title in 1716. Brathwait was only identified as author in the edition of 1818. Most of the verses omitted in the second edition are here restored; the plate in the second edition representing Barnaby's departure from the inn has been altered and here serves as frontispiece to Bessy Bell. "This didactic and satirical text describes four journeys between Kendal (Brathwaite's home) and London. The route taken is different in each instance. It is a remarkable example of the trend for topographical writings in the 1630s, but in its rollicking style it also prefigures some of the picaresque novels of the eighteenth century." (ODNB) Brathwait’s highly improper doggerel attracted little attention in its own day, but became wildly popular in the eighteenth century (Southey described Barnabee’s Journal as "the best piece of rhymed Latin in modern literature."). Bessy Bell is a genteel ballad of courtship between two rustics. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).

Price: $635.00

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