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Beckford, Peter : Familiar Letters from Italy, to a Friend in England Vol 1

J Easton, Salisbury, 1805

450 pages (complete). A hugely entertaining, observant and gossipy selection of letters from Beckford's various travels to Italy at the end of the 18th Century. Hand pressed paper. Printer numbers/ codes. Volume One only. Beckford's letters were light-hearted and spirited. He met many 'celebrities' on his journeys. Of Voltaire he wrote: "his features were ugly in the extreme, but the activity of his mind was expressed in his countenance . I am sorry to add that he was an enemy to Shakespeare, whom he both copied and condemned." He judged Milan and Turin to be colder than London. Of the Milanese: "you will find more German hospitality than Italian frugality". Of a more direct nature he noted of Italian mourning: "I have known a husband marry two months after his wife's decease./ It is true he was an elderly gentleman and had no time to lose." A so this waspish highly engaging book continues. For being over 200 years old this book is in good condition. The board covers are scuffed and worn but are full of character. The cloth spine is the result of historic repair that is also evident within. The book is benign and comforting. Inside, there is some foxing. There is light annotation throughout in pencil. However, the contents are very clear, genial and welcoming. The pages are tight, fresh, very friendly, well ordered, pertinent and wonderfully addictive. fk. Book Condition: Good. Binding: Hardcover. Jacket: No Jacket

1st Edition.

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