Author: PYE (Henry James):
Title: Poems on Various Subjects. Ornamented with Frontispieces.
Description: London: Printed for John Stockdale..., 1787. FIRST COLLECTED EDITION. 2 volumes in 1. 8vo, 206 X 123 mms., pp. vi, 294; [iv], 335n [336 blank], engraved frontispiece of poetic muse in volume 1, engraved frontispiece of Faringdon Hill in volume 2, contemporary quarter calf, gilt spine, black morocco label, marbled boards, A very good copy. Pye (1745 - 1813) is conventionally described as England's worst poet laureate, a post he held from 1790 until his death. However, he exhibited a range of abilities, as translator, literary theorist, and textual critic, that later laureates would not have been able to emulate. One of his more interesting poems is Aerophorion, first published in 1784, probably the first poem in English to celebrate hot-air ballooning. It is reprinted in volume 1 and commemorates "Mr. Sadler, the first English Aeronaut, [and his ascent] in his Balloon from the Physic Garden in Oxford, in November 1784." James Sadler (1753 - 1828) ascended on 4 October 1784 in a hot-air balloon to 3600 feet and landed some six miles away, having designed, built, and flown the balloon entirely by himself. There is also a poem on shooting, which was not a sport that attracted many poetic encomiums in the 18th century. The reviewer in The Critical Review for 1787, concluded, "our judgment is, that he possesses and eminent share of classical taste, that his diction is correct and elegant, and his numbers harmonious. His invention is not equal to his judgment; whatever he adopts he embellishes, and almost makes his own, by the propriety of its application, and felicity of his expression."

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