THE UNIVERSAL PASSION. Satire I. To his grace the Duke of Dorset … London: printed for J. Roberts in Warwick-Lane. 1725. Folio, pp. [iv], 15; disbound. Foxon Y122; May B27-8. [with:] THE UNIVERSAL PASSION. Satire I. To his grace the Duke of Dorset. London: printed for J. Roberts in Warwick-Lane. 1725. Folio, pp. [iv], 15; sewn, as issued. Another edition: Foxon Y124. [with:] THE UNIVERSAL PASSION. Satire II … London: printed for J. Roberts in Warwick-Lane. 1725. Folio, pp. [ii], 17; sewn, as issued. Foxon Y125; May B39. [with:] THE UNIVERSAL PASSION. Satire III. To the right honourable Mr. Dodington … London: printed for J. Roberts in Warwick-Lane. 1725. Folio, pp. [iv], 15; sewn, as issued. Foxon Y128; May B31-2. [with:] THE UNIVERSAL PASS

[YOUNG, Edward.]

Edité par London: printed for J. Roberts in Warwick-Lane, 1728

A propos de cet article

Folio, pp. [ii], 30; disbound. Foxon Y136; not in May. The group together in a half blue morocco folding case. A complete set of first editions. Included as well is the second printing of Satire I, identifiable by the single press figure 11-4 (as opposed to 2-4, 8-4, 14-2 in the first printing); the second edition is entirely reset except for the half-title and title-page, and the order of the two printings is established by the fact that deposit copies all have the array of three press figures. The second edition of Satire I, and Satires II-IV, are unusual as being in entirely original condition. The first printing of Satire I, along with 'Satire the last' and Satires V-VI, are from other sources, to make up the set. Satire V is uncut, but shows signs of prior binding; Satire VI bears the contemporary signature of Sarah Kennet. This unusual set has the bookplate of the sixth Duke of Portland; it was later in the collection of William Rees-Mogg, sold at Sotheby's in 1971, since when the proper first edition of Satire I has been added. Rees-Mogg has noted that Satire VI is much rarer than the other parts, no doubt because a collected edition in octavo was available within a few weeks. With these satires Young became a poet of the first rank; their influence can be seen even in the work of Pope, especially in his Moral Epistles. Samuel Johnson's assessment is still pertinent: The Universal Passion is indeed a very great performance. It is said to be a series of epigrams; but if it be, it is what the author intended: his endeavour was at the production of striking distichs and pointed sentences; and his distichs have the weight of solid sentiment, and his points the sharpness of restless truth. His characters are often selected with discernment, and drawn with nicety; his illustrations are often happy, and his reflections often just. His species of satire is between those of Horace and of Juvenal; he has the gaiety of Horace; without his laxity of numbers, and the morality of Juvenal with greater variation of images. He plays, indeed, only on the surface of life; he never penetrates the recesses of the mind, and therefore the whole power of his poetry is exhausted by a single perusal; his conceits please only when they surprise. By the end of the century Young was more highly regarded for his Night-Thoughts, and this is no doubt still the case. Some dust-soiling and slight signs of use, but generally in very good condition. All necessary half-titles are present.

N° de réf. du vendeur 23910

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: THE UNIVERSAL PASSION. Satire I. To his grace the Duke of Dorset … London: printed for J. Roberts in Warwick-Lane. 1725. Folio, pp. [iv], 15; disbound. Foxon Y122; May B27-8. [with:] THE UNIVERSAL PASSION. Satire I. To his grace the Duke of Dorset. London: printed for J. Roberts in Warwick-Lane. 1725. Folio, pp. [iv], 15; sewn, as issued. Another edition: Foxon Y124. [with:] THE UNIVERSAL PASSION. Satire II … London: printed for J. Roberts in Warwick-Lane. 1725. Folio, pp. [ii], 17; sewn, as ...
• Éditeur: London: printed for J. Roberts in Warwick-Lane
• Date de parution: 1728
• Édition: Edition originale
• Catalogues du vendeur:
  • Poetry