Love-Letters between a Nobleman and his Sister ... under the borrowed names of Philander and Silvia

[BEHN (Aphra]: Love-Letters between a Nobleman and his Sister ... under the borrowed names of Philander and Silvia. Done into verse by the author of Letters from a Nun to a Cavalier. London: Charles Corbett, 1734. Engraved frontispiece of Silvia in bed with the entry of her brother, small rectangular woodcut headpiece at B1. 12mo, [14]pp possibly lacking a half-title, 162pp + [2]advert closely trimmed, first few leaves a bit raggedy at right margin but not seriously affecting any printed area; blind decorative calf, titled label on spine.

Second edition, originally first published 1684 and exploring the genre of the epistolary novel, Aphra Behn later abridged these texts into verse (as in this case). An early inscription in the book refers to a 1683 trial for adultery and incest between Lord Grey and his wife's sister "Lady Harriet Berkeley". The Lady's name is incorrect but the events were genuine. Despite violence breaking out in the courtroom between the family and Grey's supporters, Grey was found guilty of misdemeanor and seduction, but evaded serious punishment due to overlapping political chaos. Being aristocratic it had been labeled the trial of the century.