An Account of Corsica,
the Journal of a Tour to that Island; and Memoirs of Pascal Paoli... Illustrated with a New and Accurate Map of Corsica.
Glasgow: by Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly in the Poultry, London, 1768 Stock Code: 129018
First edition of Boswell's first important publication; "with its reports of the gallant islanders and a Plutarchan depiction of General Pascal Paoli paralleled with several classical heroes, it was an immediate success. The work was widely read and translated, stimulated great interest in Paoli and the Corsican cause, brought its author wide fame in Britain and Europe, and found an interested readership among the Americans. It attracted the notice of the French government (which had a translation made), and though Boswell's ambition for British intervention was not to be fulfilled, he probably influenced Britain's decision to send secret supplies of arms to the Corsicans" (ODNB). It was Rousseau who had piqued Boswell's interest in Corsica when the two met at Môtiers in the winter of 1764. "Boswell did not at first react to the news, but it clearly struck a romantic chord in the young Scot" (Robert Zaretsky, Boswell's Enlightenment, 2015, p. 207). A very appealing copy in the original boards, as issued.
Description
Octavo (220 x 150 mm). Original boards, uncut. Housed in a black quarter pebble-grained morocco solander box.
Illustrations
Large engraved folding map of Corsica (in the first state, without the imprint, and in an excellent, strong impression); engraved rococo title vignette incorporating the Moor's Head arms of Corsica.
Condition
Map with short closed-tear at stub, partial loss of paper to spine, some rubbing and general signs of handling but a very good, well-preserved copy with both half-title and final blank, D2 in first state (with "John Home" incorrectly placed following the first quotation), E2 and Z3 both in second state.
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