8vo. [14], 139, [8], 4-120, 82pp. With half-title and divisional title page to each of the 'lives'. Contemporary gilt-tooled sprinkled calf, recently rebacked, with contrasting red morocco lettering-piece. Rubbed and marked, with wear to corners. Armorial bookplate of Sir John Rolt to FEP. Leaves browned, with staining to endpapers, light scattered spotting.

An anthology of three short biographies, authored by Scottish philosopher and Bishop of Salisbury Gilbert Burnet (1643 – 1715) and published posthumously, recording the lives of Chief Justice Sir Matthew Hale (1609 – 1676), the rakish John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester (1647-1680) and the late Queen Mary II (1662-94).