The Life of Richard Nash, of Bath, Esq; Extracted from His Original Papers
by GOLDSMITH (Oliver):
- Used
- Hardcover
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
LONDON, United Kingdom
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: Printed for J. Newbery..., and W. Frederick..., 1762. FIRST EDITION. 8vo, 190 x 113 mms., pp. [ii], 234 [235 - 238 adverts], C6 in cancelled state, recently rebound in quarter calf, red morocco lable, marbled boards, gilt rules across spine; an attractive copy, but lacking the portrait. "Much has been written on Goldsmith's Life, partly in terms of its historical accuracy, but more particularly in an attempt to determine its dominant tone. For some Goldsmith's criticism prevails. And yet, notwithstanding the biography's reservations regarding Nash's character, it seems reasonable to see the Life as generally appreciative of an ambiguous subject who, as Goldsmith realized, was flawed because of his humanity in a town given to temptation, and was rendered complex by the matter-of-fact approach taken by his biographer: as he explained in the preface, 'I chose to describe the man as he was' (Goldsmith, 3.289). Thus Goldsmith's account ultimately develops themes identified in more ostentatious commemorations by William Oliver and William King: Nash as innovative reformer of social conduct and as benefactor, even a man of feeling'None felt pity more strongly, and none made greater efforts to relieve distress' (ibid., 3.333). But as an early celebrity biographer, Goldsmith also appreciated the dangers of such exposure. Consequently the lasting theme of this, still the most valuable account of Nash's personality, is sympathy for a subject who sacrificed happiness, integrity, and independence for immediate fame and popularity within a community of which he was equally master and servant" (ODNB).
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Details
- Bookseller
- John Price Antiquarian Books (GB)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 8039
- Title
- The Life of Richard Nash, of Bath, Esq; Extracted from His Original Papers
- Author
- GOLDSMITH (Oliver):
- Book Condition
- Used
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Publisher
- London: Printed for J. Newbery..., and W. Frederick..., 1762
- Keywords
- biography manners prose literature
- Bookseller catalogs
- biography;
Terms of Sale
John Price Antiquarian Books
Payment by cheque, credit card, cash. New customers will be invoiced pro forma. Books may be returned within two weeks for any reason; refund within 1 month for any reason; negotiable after that, but no returns after one year.
About the Seller
John Price Antiquarian Books
Biblio member since 2006
LONDON
About John Price Antiquarian Books
I work from home, but I am happy to see customers at almost any time by appointment.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Marbled boards
- ...
- Rebound
- A book in which the pages have been bound into a covering replacing the original covering issued by the publisher.
- Gilt
- The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
- Morocco
- Morocco is a style of leather book binding that is usually made with goatskin, as it is durable and easy to dye. (see also...
- Calf
- Calf or calf hide is a common form of leather binding. Calf binding is naturally a light brown but there are ways to treat the...