Author: PRIOR (Matthew):
Title: Poems on Several Occaions.
Description: Aberdeen: Printed and Sold by F. Douglas and W. Murray..., 1754. 12mo in 6s), 165 x 93 mms., pp. 194 [195 - 196 Contents]; vii [viii blank], [9] - 185 [186 blank, 187 - 188 Contents], contemporary cat's paw calf, morocco labels, gilt spines (faded); lacks numbering label on volume 1, boards sprung, some wear to extremities, but a good set. Samuel Johnson commented on his "occasional poems": "His occasional poems necessarily lost part of their value, as their occasions, being less remembered, raised less emotion. Some of them, however, are preserved by their inherent excellence. The burlesque of Boileau's Ode on Namur has, in some parts, such airiness and levity as will always procure it readers, even among those who cannot compare it with the original." The publishers in Glasgow seemed to have a greater appreciation for Prior's poetry than those elsewhere in Scotland: the Foulis Press published editions of his poetry in 1751, 1759, 1769, and 1771; and Urie published editions in 1744 AND 1750. There were editions in Edinburghin 1773, 1777, and 1784.

Keywords: poems provincial imprint literature


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