A LETTER To Her GRACE The DUCHESS Of DEVONSHIRE.
London: Printed for Fielding and Walker, 1777. 1st Printing (ESTC T103855; NCBEL II, 647). [4], 16 pp. 4to. 10-3/8" x 8-1/8". Disbound, now housed in an archival mylar sleeve. Some soiling to A1r, otherwise VG+. Item #47752
"Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire was an English socialite, political organizer, style icon, author, and activist. Of noble birth from the Spencer family, married into the Cavendish family, she was the first wife of William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, and the mother of the 6th Duke of Devonshire.
As the Duchess of Devonshire, she garnered much attention and fame in society during her lifetime. With a pre-eminent position in the peerage of England, the duchess was famous for her charisma, political influence, beauty, unusual marital arrangement, love affairs, socializing, and gambling." [Wiki]
"To be the first Priestess in the Temple of this capricious Diety ['Female Error'], seems to be the principal object of Your Grace's wishes.." [p. 2] The author of this libel, Combe, known for his vicious personal attacks, with The Diaboliad, published in the year prior, being a prime example. Four years later, in 1780, debts brought him into the King's Bench Prison, and much of his subsequent life was spent in prison. He is, perhaps, best known today for his Doctor Syntax titles, illustrated by Rowlandson.
Price: $225.00