Humorous Ethics: or, an attempt to cure the vices and follies of the age by a method entirely new. In five plays, as they are now acting to the life at the great theatre by His Majesty's company of comedians.

PSEUDO DRAMA. BACON, PHANUAL.

Verlag: London Printed for W. Owen, 1757

Beschreibung

8vo, 5 separately printed plays with general title page and preface, pp [8],56;[4],43,[1][4],48;[8],80;[4],76, bound in slightly later diced calf, spine gilt, upper board inelegantly reattached, slight corner wear but sound and secure, internally fine, FIRST EDITION; it is clear that this series of anonymous plays was never intended for acting, but rather to satirise the social malaise of the age through dramatic representtaion in prose and blank verse. Quite what the difference between this and actual stage representation is in the eye of the beholder, but Bacon calls them 'the cure of moral disorders, adapted to the several cases of the patients.to bring them acqainted with their civil connections. The titles of the five plays - which were also issued as separate pamphlets at 1/6 - are suggestive of their social purposes viz: The Oculist, The Taxes, The Moral Quack, The Tryal of the Time Killers [ a long and obscure allegory on law], The Insignificants [ a satire on undertakers]. They are presumably unactable, but unreadable is a matter of opinion. Challenging would be a fair assessment. The Rev Phanual Bacon [1700-1783], a very minor poet of Bramber in Sussex, would be remembered for nothing more than these, if at all. 'His literary efforts won for him a reputation which, small as it is, is now difficult to understand' [DNB]. But rarity plays its part, and this volume is not at all common.

Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers 30725

Bibliografische Details

• Titel: Humorous Ethics: or, an attempt to cure the vices and follies of the age by a method entirely new. In five plays, as they are now acting to the life at the great theatre by His Majesty's company of comedians.
• Verlag: London Printed for W. Owen
• Erscheinungsjahr: 1757
• Einband: Hardcover
• Auflage: 1. Auflage
• Verkäuferkataloge:
  • eb81