Memoirs of the Present State of the Court and Councils of spain. In Two Parts. With the true Reasons why this Vast Monarchy, which in the last Century made so considerable a Figure in the World, is in this so Feeble and Paralytick. Done into English by T. Brown.
London.
Printed for D. Brown et al., 1701.
First edition in English.
8vo.
[8], 192, 187pp, [5]. With two final advertisement leaves. Contemporary speckled calf, tooled in gilt and blind, contrasting red morocco lettering-piece. Rubbed, chipping to lettering-piece. Armorial bookplate of Mary Hamilton Nisbet Ferguson to FEP, leaves toned/spotted, marginal ink-stain to p.13.
The first edition in English of Marie-Catherine, Madame d'Aulnoy's (1650 or 1651-1705) Memoires de la cour d'Espagne (1690). Known primarily as an author of fairy tales, indeed she originated the term, d'Aulnoy also produced a series of pseudo-memoirs centred around the courts of England, France, and as here, Spain.
The translator, Thomas Brown of Shifnal (bap. 1663, d. 1704), was a playwright, poet, and satirist, known for his friendship and literary collaborations with English Restoration writer Aphra Behn (1640?-1689).
From the library of Mary Hamilton Nisbet (1778-1855), only child of William Hamilton Nisbet, of Dirleton, and heir to a large fortune. In 1799 Nisbet married diplomat Thomas Bruce, seventh Earl of Elgin (1766- 1841) shortly before his appointment as ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, together they had two sons and three daughters. Bruce divorced her for adultery by legal actions in 1807 and 1808 in the English and Scottish courts, which caused much public scandal. Nisbet later married Robert Ferguson of Raith (1768-1840) who had been cited in the divorce.
The translator, Thomas Brown of Shifnal (bap. 1663, d. 1704), was a playwright, poet, and satirist, known for his friendship and literary collaborations with English Restoration writer Aphra Behn (1640?-1689).
From the library of Mary Hamilton Nisbet (1778-1855), only child of William Hamilton Nisbet, of Dirleton, and heir to a large fortune. In 1799 Nisbet married diplomat Thomas Bruce, seventh Earl of Elgin (1766- 1841) shortly before his appointment as ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, together they had two sons and three daughters. Bruce divorced her for adultery by legal actions in 1807 and 1808 in the English and Scottish courts, which caused much public scandal. Nisbet later married Robert Ferguson of Raith (1768-1840) who had been cited in the divorce.
ESTC N12956.
£ 450.00
Antiquates Ref: 16710
