A Familiar Explanation of the Poetical Works of Milton. To which is prefixed Mr Addison's Criticism of Paradise Lost. With a Preface by Rev Mr Dodd.

DODD, WILLIAM [ET AL].

Published by London J & R Tonson and J Newbery, 1762

About this Item

12mo, pp vii, [3, blank], 144, [96, including the 2 final advert leaves], contemporary speckled calf, spine gilt ruled with raised bands and red label, upper joint broken and repaired, front endpaper replaced, a small neat library stamps else internally sound and clean, FIRST EDITION, and evidenty the only printing of this strange compilation, where Tonson joins forces with Newbery [A360], aided by Dodd, who claims in his preface to be writing for 'the common reader', and in particualr youth and young women, though the bulk of the text is simply a reprint of Addison's long established critique from the Spectator of Paradise Lost. What Dodd does supply [perhaps encouraged and even paid by dictionary mad John Newbery] is a glossary of words and names from the whole of Milton's poetry which relies heavily on Mr Johnson's 'useful' dictionary - Dodd was already indebted to Johnson as editor of his poetry. The glossary alone necesitates Alston's inclusion in his bibliography [III.104]. Seller Inventory # 29529

Bibliographic Details

Title: A Familiar Explanation of the Poetical Works...

Publisher: London J & R Tonson and J Newbery

Publication Date: 1762

Binding: Hardcover