Letters and Poems on Several Subjects, viz. I. Familiar Letters to several Gentlemen and Ladies. II. Poems on several Occasions. III. Letters to the Authors of the Spectator, Free-Thinker, Censor, Journal, Plain-Dealer, &c. IV. Their Answers, and Remarks. V. A Character of the Celebrated Beauties In Manchester, &c James Heywood LITERATURE,POETRY

A very good copy of an extremely scarce work by James Heywood (1687-1776). Heywood was a successful linen-draper in Austin Friars, London and was well connected and respected in the City. In addition to his business, he was a Governor on the Boards of St Bartholomews, Christs, Bridewell and Bethlem Hospitals. He had a number of letters published in The Spectator. The 1st edition of this work was published in 1722; this is the 'second with additions'. The first section contains his poems and the remainder - with a Preface - is his correspondence on a variety of subjects including sobriety, women and relationships, writers and daily challenges. In the preface he states that some of them are written as a female character and that he has 'personated a Maid, a Wife, a Batchelor, a marry'd Man, a School-Boy, a Bankrupt &c'. They are very entertaining. The full calf binding has gilt lined raised bands to the spine which is without titles (with no indication that they have been lost). There is general rubbing to the spine and wear to the ends, particularly the top where there is some fraying. The boards have 2 gilt ruled lined borders and the board edges have a blind stamped design. They are very clean with rubbed corners which are turned inwards. Contents: initial blank; title; dedication 2pp; Index pp i-xii; Poems pp 1-30; Preface 2pp; Letters pp 33-249 Finis; final blank. Text with decorative initial capitals and head and tail-pieces in a variety of designs. It is very clean internally. From the endpapers to the Index, and from p 247 to the rear pastedown, there is a browned section round the edges. There is a small old ink doodle on p 114 and an ink note adding in a missing word on p 245. The rear free endpaper has a small section shaved from the top edge at the corner. Please enquire if you would like to see additional images.