Ball room votaries; or, canterbury and its vicinity - 1810

London: Printed for Henry Colburn, 1810. [3], vi-xiv, [1], 16-76pp. Without half-title. Later gilt-tooled dark green half-morocco, marbled boards, black morocco lettering-piece to upper board. A trifle rubbed. Leaves toned and spotted, some loss to FFEP. Presentation copy, inked inscription to head of title: 'For Miss Fletcher - from the author / (?) 14th Oct.' Later manuscript biographical and bibliographical notes in the hand of a descendent of the recipient of this copy to verso of FFEP. Occasional marginal references, in the hand of the author, to persons mentioned anonymously in the text - including Miss Fletcher (p.62). A revised and expanded edition of poet Edward Quillinan's (1791-1851) first published work, a series of verse satires affectionately lampooning Kent high society. Quillinan is perhaps best known as an avid defender of the poetry of William Wordsworth. Following Quillinan's retirement from the army and his move to the banks of the Rotha river, between Ambleside and Rydal in 1821, he struck up a close friendship with his famous poet neighbour. Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy were both godparents to the Quillinan's second child, named after the nearby river. Following the tragic death of the child's mother less than a year after Rotha’s birth, the two families became even closer. Wordsworth composed an epitaph to Jemima Quillinan, and after much initial opposition, was eventually to become Edward’s father in law when he consented to allow Quillinan and his daughter Dora to marry, in 1841. Jackson p.335.. Second edition, with considerable alterations and additions. 8vo.