Contemporary manuscript copy signed J. Tapner [John?]. Two epistles in heroic couplets, each with an Argument and extensive prose notes keyed to line numbers, of descriptions of flora, fauna, cuisine, arts and architecture, and anecdotes on religion, customs, and history. Epistle I includes discussion of: the "riches of the Kingdom of Madura under its Hindoo Kings;" the "magnificence and sanctity of the Pagodas;" the "strong resemblance between the Hindoo and Egyptian deities." Epistle II includes: "Eulogy of Trimul Nag King of Madura before the Conquest and Division of that Kingdom by the Tartars" and other anecdotes about his palace, wives, and reign; descriptions of the Royal Gardens; "Transition to the present happy situation of the Carnatic under the British Government;" a "hint of what remains to be done for the prosperity of India;" and praise for Lord Macartney for giving "a system of life which tun'd to harmony a land of strife." Notes refer to various East India Company officials including Lords Clive and Hastings, and quote from letters by other "high persons" to Macartney
Description:
Binding: red sprinkled edges, contemporary vellum over boards, with title on spine: 46 Irwin's Hindoo Garden; and inscription on front cover: Hayley., In English., and No illustrations. The text contains only blank frames with captions for the intended content.
Subject (Geographic):
India, Carnatic (India), and Madurai (India)
Subject (Name):
Hayley, William, 1745-1820., Irwin, Eyles, 1751?-1817., Macartney, George Macartney, Earl, 1737-1806., and East India Company.
Subject (Topic):
Epistolary poetry, English, English poetry, Hinduism and politics, History, Description and travel, and Religious life and customs
"Frontispiece from Wolcot's 'Benevolent Epistle to Sylvanus Urban alias Master John Nichols, Printer, . . . 1790'. Nichols (left) has just risen in anger from his chair and looks to the left, resting his clenched fists on two large volumes placed on a small roughly made table, on which is also an ink-pot with pens. These are 'Q. Eliz: Prog:' and 'Anecdotes of Mr B.' [Bowyer]. In the background is Parnassus, with the Temple of Fame, on which is poised a figure of Fame blowing a trumpet. Against the mountain rests a tall ladder up which a dog has scrambled, but is still far from the summit. A man on stilts advances towards the mountain, an 'Essay on Old Maids' projects from his pocket, showing that he is William Hayley; a paper inscribed 'Eudora' falls from him. On the ground are: a letter 'ToMr.N--c--ll'; a book: 'Gentlemans Magazine', and papers; 'Charade', 'Conundrum Riddle', 'Rebus', 'Mr Badcocks Letters'. Beneath the design is engraved:'With anger foaming and of vengeance full, Why belloweth John Nichols like a bull?'"--British museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Frontispiece from: A benevolent epistle to Sylvanus Urban, alias Master John Nichols ... / by Peter Pindar. London : Printed for G. Kearsley, 1790., Temporary local subject terms: Allusion to The Gentleman's magazine -- Mythology: Parnassus -- Figure of Fame -- Temple of Fame., and Mounted to 33 x 21 cm.
Publisher:
G. Kearsley
Subject (Name):
Pindar, Peter, 1738-1819., Hayley, William, 1745-1820, and Nichols, John, 1745-1826
"Portrait of William Hayley; half-length leaning against a book; state after 'London 1779' added."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title supplied by cataloger., State from: Russell, C.E. English Mezzotint portraits and their states., Sheet trimmed within plate mark on lower edge., Window mounted to 51 x 36 cm., and Mounted before page 219 (leaf numbered '41' in pencil) in volume 2 of an extra-illustrated copy of: Moore, T. Memoirs of the life of the Right Honourable Richard Brinsley Sheridan.