PRESENTATION COPY
A series of plays: in which it is attempted to delineate the stronger passions of the mind: each passion being the subject of a tragedy and a comedy.
London.
Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, [1806-1812]
Vol. I. fifth edition; Vol. II third edition; Vol. III, first edition.
8vo.
In three volumes. [4], 410; xi, [1], 478; xxxi, [1], 314pp, [6]. With half-titles to Vols. I and II, three terminal leaves of publisher's advertisements to Vol. III. Contemporary panelled calf, later rebacked, contrasting black morocco lettering-pieces. Boards rubbed, corners exposed. Scattered spotting. Inked ownership inscriptions of Robert Milligan to titles of Vols. II and III, manuscript notes to front and rear blank fly-leaves of Vol. III. Presentation copy, inked inscription to half-title of Vol. I.: 'To Robert Milligan Esq. / with the Author's kind regards'.
An inscribed set of Joanna Baillie's (1762-1851) immensely successful Plays on the Passions, with annotations relating to the recipient’s military service.
Baillie published the first volume, anonymously, in 1798, ambitiously announcing her intention to issue further volumes, the whole to be a 'series of Plays; in which it is attempted to delineate the stronger passions of the mind, each passion being the subject of a tragedy and a comedy'. The second volume appeared in 1802, and the third and final in 1812.
The set is inscribed by the author to Robert Milligan (1787-1875) veteran of 11th Regiment of Light Dragoons, wounded at Waterloo. Milligan was married to Elizabeth Margaret Baillie (1794-1876), Joanna Baillie's niece; her father was Matthew Baillie, physician to George III.
The manuscript notes to the third volume, in Milligan's hand, relate in part to
Wellington's entry into France in 1814, specifically an account of the execution of
a Spaniard:
'In the year 1814 just before the Duke of Wellington crossed the Garonne to enter France at the head of his victorious army, a young Spaniard about eighteen years of age, was brought before him accused of having broken into the house of a Frenchman, from whence he had stolen a bottle of wine'.
Having been convicted and condemned to be shot, the Spaniard was tied to a stake. However, after 'many circumstances of pomp and solemnity, he was found to be quite dead before the sentence could be executed'.
Milligan notes that this anecdote was related by Colonel George Napier in Grosvenor Street on the 16th February 1815 and that 'He was not himself present on the occasion, but he was at the time attached to the Duke of Wellington's army'.
£ 2,500.00
On Sale:
£ 1,500.00
Antiquates Ref: 29991
Baillie published the first volume, anonymously, in 1798, ambitiously announcing her intention to issue further volumes, the whole to be a 'series of Plays; in which it is attempted to delineate the stronger passions of the mind, each passion being the subject of a tragedy and a comedy'. The second volume appeared in 1802, and the third and final in 1812.
The set is inscribed by the author to Robert Milligan (1787-1875) veteran of 11th Regiment of Light Dragoons, wounded at Waterloo. Milligan was married to Elizabeth Margaret Baillie (1794-1876), Joanna Baillie's niece; her father was Matthew Baillie, physician to George III.
The manuscript notes to the third volume, in Milligan's hand, relate in part to
Wellington's entry into France in 1814, specifically an account of the execution of
a Spaniard:
'In the year 1814 just before the Duke of Wellington crossed the Garonne to enter France at the head of his victorious army, a young Spaniard about eighteen years of age, was brought before him accused of having broken into the house of a Frenchman, from whence he had stolen a bottle of wine'.
Having been convicted and condemned to be shot, the Spaniard was tied to a stake. However, after 'many circumstances of pomp and solemnity, he was found to be quite dead before the sentence could be executed'.
Milligan notes that this anecdote was related by Colonel George Napier in Grosvenor Street on the 16th February 1815 and that 'He was not himself present on the occasion, but he was at the time attached to the Duke of Wellington's army'.
