8vo. Two volumes bound as one. 199pp, [1]. With six engraved plates. Contemporary gilt-ruled calf-backed, vellum-tipper marbled paper boards, contrasting black calf lettering-piece. Heavily rubbed. Armorial bookplate of Francis Hall and recent inked ownership inscription to FEP, plates browned, scattered spotting.

A volume of essays by Hugh Kelly (1739-1777), Irish playwright and poet employed as a propagandist for the British government. The Babler was first published anonymously in book form in 1767, the same year as Louisa Mildmay, or memoirs of a magdalen, a novel which brought Kelly widespread success.