The busy body: a collection of periodical essays, Moral, Whimsical, Comic, and Sentimental, by Mr. Oulton, author of several fugitive pieces

OULTON, [Walley Chamberlain]

Published by Printed by William Porter et al., Dublin, 1789

About this Item

[6], 322pp. Contemporary calf, contrasting red morocco lettering-piece. Extremities rubbed and soiled, joints cracked, surface loss to spine. Foxed throughout, ink inscription to recto of FFEP, 'Wm. Pollock (?) 2 Augt. 1796'. The collected satirical and humorous essays of Walley Chamberlain Oulton (1783-1820), Irish playwright and theatre historian. The Busy Body, a pamphlet published by Oulton three times a week in January and February of 1787, was an attempt to establish himself as a periodical essayist in the tradition of Addison and Steele. The 25 issues did not garner the attention which Oulton hoped for and the run was discontinued. Not until two years had passed were they collected for publication in a London edition of 1789, with this Dublin printing appearing soon after. Rare, with ESTC locating only two copies of this Dublin edition worldwide: Chicago and Lancaster. ESTC N26514. Size: 12mo. Seller Inventory # AQ12429

Bibliographic Details

Title: The busy body: a collection of periodical ...

Publisher: Printed by William Porter et al., Dublin

Publication Date: 1789

Edition: First Dublin edition.