The Weymouth Guide: exhibiting the Ancient and Present State of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis; with a Description of Lulworth Castle, the Island of Portland, and other Places Worthy the Attention of Strangers who visit Weymouth. To which is added, an Account of the Mineral Water of Nottington, about two Miles distant.

[WEYMOUTH.]

Edité par Weymouth: Weymouth, for the Author, [1785].

A propos de cet article

First Edition. in contemporary marbled wrappers, a little dusty with some slight dampstaining to top edge of upper cover and a small hole, corners slightly dog-eared, spine a little chipped: an unsophisticated copy, internally fresh. 8vo (210 x 128 mm), pp. iv, [5]-96, A scarce provincially printed tourist guide to the seaside town of Weymouth and surrounding areas, published in response to ?repeated enquiries? from visitors for a guide to the locality. The editor?s advertisement explains that much of the material is taken from Hutchins? History of Dorset, but that Hutchins? work, being not only scarce but also bulky, would not be suitable to the tourist on a short visit. In addition to the history of the town and its environs (extending as far as Sherborne and Guernsey), the author gives the principal buildings of the town, including the Assembly Rooms, the Town Hall, the Theatre and the Circulating Library, in St. Thomas? Street. The latter has been enlarged and runs to several thousand volumes; a footnote explains ?This Library is rather calculated as a collection of books of elegant amusement than a selection for the use of the learned; it is proper, however, to add, that nothing licentious or immoral is admitted? (p. 59). An interesting section of the work discusses the origins of Weymouth as a fashionable resort and lists the ?Rules and Orders? to be observed in the public rooms. These include some charming anachronisms, such as: ?I. That Gentlemen are not to appear in the Rooms on Tuesday or Friday Evenings, in boots, or Ladies in riding habits. IV. That no Lady or Gentleman be permitted to dance in coloured gloves. VII. That Gentlemen will be pleased to leave their swords at the door?, and, regrettably, ?VIII. That no dogs are admitted? (pp. 61-62. A second, enlarged, edition followed in 1789, with the addition of plates, and a third in 1792, both now scarce. ESTC t66351, at Brighton, BL, Guildhall, Bodleian and Somerset; NYPL, Illinois, Penn and Yale Center for British Art.

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Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: The Weymouth Guide: exhibiting the Ancient and Present State of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis; with a Description of Lulworth Castle, the Island of Portland, and other Places Worthy the Attention of Strangers who visit Weymouth. To which is added, an Account of the Mineral Water of Nottington, about two Miles distant.
• Éditeur: Weymouth: Weymouth, for the Author, [1785].
• Reliure: Couverture souple
• Édition: Edition originale
• Catalogues du vendeur:
  • History and Society