VIEWS OF SOCIETY AND MANNERS IN THE NORTH OF IRELAND IN A SERIES OF LETTERS WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1818
London, England: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, 1819. First Edition. Leather-bound. Octavo. Half leather over yellow and black tartan-designed boards, ruled in gilt chain. Four raised bands to spine with elaborate filigree to each. Rubbing to extremities. Slight separation to front hinge and two inches of rear, but not affecting solid binding in the least. 34 letters. 423 pp. printed in London by Strahan and Spottiswoode on nice, supple, bright paper, with large type and wide margins. A wee bit of spotting to first and last few leaves. Previous owner's names to yellow front free endpapers. Very Good. Item #85315
"...nor probably by the most elaborate dissertation, could I better describe my countrymen, than by an unreserved display of my own feelings, and by shewing myself as I am. On this subject let me remark, that these letters are, in many parts, transcripts of real ones written to a distant and very dear friend, and therefore that some interminglement of self was unavoidable..." (from author's preface (advertisement)
John Gamble (circa 1770-1831) was a physician/surgeon,and "is best known for his narratives of three tours of Ulster he made in 1810, 1812 and 1818, published as Sketches of history, politics and manners taken in Dublin and the north of Ireland (1811), A view of society and manners in the north of Ireland (1813) and Views of society and manners in the north of Ireland (1819). Travelling sometimes on foot, he engaged in conversation men of different ranks in society and religious allegiances. His accounts contain observations on food, dress, social customs, Irish and other music as well as some lengthy retelling of anecdotes; they are invaluable for the light they throw on relations between catholics, presbyterians and protestants in Ulster and on the nature of Irish national awareness. His personal knowledge of Ulster and familiarity and sympathy with the poor distinguish his accounts from those of other tourists..." (Dictionary of Irish Biograph).
Price: $450.00