first edition [ii], vii, [i], 37, [1, ad] pp. 4to
1714 · London
by Steele, Sir Richard
London: Printed by Sam. Buckley; and sold by Ferd. Burleigh, in Amen-Corner, 1714. First edition, second issue. [ii], vii, [i], 37, [1, ad] pp. 4to. Original stab-sewing, uncut and unopened. Some soiling and spotting to outer leaves and margins. In a custom red cloth case. First edition, second issue. [ii], vii, [i], 37, [1, ad] pp. 4to. First edition, second issue, with the imprint dated 1714, not 1713; the setting of type is the same throughout in both issues. With Queen Anne's health worsening, Steele wrote this anonymous attack on the Tory ministry for its seeming lack of concern over rumors of a possible Catholic succession; his pamphlet was answered by The Publick Spirit of the Whigs, by Jonathan Swift, and shortly thereafter Steele was expelled from Parliament on charges of sedition. Ashley V, p. 201; ESTC T34402; Rothschild 1950. Provenance: Louis & Anne Marie Davidson (bookplate on verso of final leaf) (Inventory #: 308162)