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MATHIAS,, Thomas James (1754?--1835)
A copy of a letter occasioned by the death of the Rev. Norton Nicholls, LL.B. rector of Lound and Bradwell in the county of Suffolk. Written privately to a friend.
London (Place), printed by W. Bulmer and Co.,, [1810].
[2], 30, [2] p. ; 20.8 cm. (8°)

Imprint from verso of title-page. The 'Letter', which is dated 'London, Dec. 10, 1809.' and signed on p. 22 'T.J. Mathias.', is followed by 'the Italian Ode, or Tuscan Canzone' addressed to Nicholls, composed by the author at Nicholls's 'villa at Blundeston' in 1807 and first 'prefixed to a publication in three volumes, entitled Aggiunta ai componimenti lirici de' più illustri poeti d'Italia scelti da T.J. Mathias, published in London in 1808 (p. 22). In part a discussion of Nicholls' friendship with Thomas Gray. Although the present edition was limited to 'A few copies ... printed privately by the particular desire of some of Mr. Nicholls's friends', Mathias's letter and 'Canzone' received in fact very wide circulation, being reprinted not only in the Gentleman's Magazine (1810, pt. 2, pp. 346--51) but also in Mathias's Poesie liriche (1810), the first volume of his edition of The works of Thomas Gray (1814), in his Observations on the writings and character of Gray (1815), in the 1843 edition of the correspondence of Gray and Nicholls, and in John Nichols's Illustrations of the literary history of the eighteenth century (1817--31), vol. V, pp. 65--83. The final leaf is blank.

Copy Notes With the original C19th brown paper printed wrappers present, the upper reading as for the title-page. Title-page inscribed in ink From the Author. With a single-page ALs from the author dated 17 March 1810, presenting this work to Soane.

Binding Bound in a numbered series of late 19th century half calf pamphlet volumes. (Archive, Trustees' Minutes 18 June 1866). With binder's stamp 'Bound By Mansell' on front pastedown.

Reference Number 2744

Additional Names Nicholls, Norton (1742?--1809); Gray, Thomas (1716--1771) - Elegy in a country church-yard; Mathias, Thomas James (1754?--1835)


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