Description:

Because of his "present engagements with Swift's works," Walter Scott purchases Jonathan Swift's first major work, "Tale of a Tub," from a local bookseller - Scott published volume one of his "Life of Jonathan Swift" in 1814

WALTER SCOTT (1771-1832) Autograph Letter Signed "Walter Scott," 1 page, 7.5" x 9.75". Edinburgh, June 28, 1808. Unnamed recipient. Infill in blank upper left corner, one mend at fold edge on verso. Fine condition.

In full, "I have this morning your favour of the 22d & esteem I a favour that you have the politeness to give me the Refusal of the Tale of a Tub with Bentleys note. The price is somewhat high for one not in the habit of buying books as curiosities. But my present engagements with [Jonathan] Swift's works prevent my hesitation at the price. Will you be so good to send the volume down by the Edinburgh mail coach properly packed & without delay addressed to me 'Castle Street Edinburgh.' & if possible without losing a post. On the other side is an order on Mr. Miller Albemarle Street for the price. Be so good as to mention whether (to your knowledge) the book has been consulted for any other edition. I am gentlemen Your obedt Servant Walter Scott Will you be good enough to put up one of your Catalogues with the book in question."

As far as Scott's comment "the price is somewhat high," his epic poem Marmion was published just four months earlier, on February 22, 1808, in a quarto edition of 2,000 copies and sold out in a month. This oft used couplet comes from Marmion: "Oh! what a tangled web we weave / When first we practise to deceive!"

Sir Walter Scott's The Memoirs of Jonathan Swift (originally included in Scott's 19 volume The Life of Jonathan Swift; Vol. 1 published in 1814) was published in 1826.

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