Lyra Elegantiarum: A collection of some of the best specimens of vers de societe and vers d'occasion in the English language by deceased authors. Edited by Frederick Locker. LOCKER LAMPSON (FREDERICK) [1821-1895], editor. Landor (Walter Savage). *The poet William Johnson Cory's copy* Association copies, Signed copies, etc.,Poets and Poetry,Victorians

London: Edward Moxon & Co., 1867. First edition, first issue. xx,360pp. §This is the original issue, hastily recalled by the publisher, containing poems by Walter Savage Landor issued without permission. The anthology was immediately reissued without them. §The schoolmaster and Uranian poet William Johnson Cory's (1823-1892) copy, with ink inscription to half-title reading, 'Wm Johnson from Lady Winchilsea received two days after leaving Haverholme Jan[.]y 9 1867'. Cory was dismissed from Eton under a cloud of scandal in 1872, publicly changing his name from Johnson to Cory at the same time. "In April 1872 Johnson suddenly resigned at Eton, and no one can be quite sure of the exact circumstances of his resignation. There is no question, however, that he was dangerously fond of a number of boys. Although he probably did not allow his affections to take any physical form, he permitted intimacies between the boys. This conduct was brought to the notice of the headmaster, James Hornby, who demanded Johnson's resignation, and Johnson retired quietly to the family home, Halsdon, which he had leased from his brother. He also resigned the fellowship of King's [College, Cambridge]; his influence there had been on the side of opening up the college from its traditional Etonian exclusiveness. Wanting a fresh start, he changed his surname to Cory" - ODNB. Front free endpaper bears the inscription 'William Johnson, Halsdon' in black ink - hard to discern as the endpapers are a shade of dark green. Four brief pencilled annotations to text, and lengthy pencilled note to verso of front free endpaper concerning the bibliographical details of this suppressed edition - apparently in Cory's hand. Original brown cloth with gilt fleur-de-lys decoration to spine & upper cover, and the same design in blind to lower board. Old clipping from bookseller's catalogue pasted to upper corner of front pastedown. An unsophisticated copy, spine showing wear, lower hinge slightly weak. (There are no poems by Cory in the anthology).