A Specimen of Arbitrary Power; in a Speech Made by the Grand Seignior to his Janizaries

Anon

Published by W Pepper, London, 1731

About this Item

An extremely scarce political pamphlet from 1731, written anonymously and regarded as attacking the Prime Minister Robert Walpole. The first and only edition of this work. Written anonymously and purtporting to be a speech given by 'The Grand Seignior to his Janizaries'. This work uses many forms of rhetoric to discuss war and the role of a 'Sovereign Judge' in a satirical manner. Walpole's own foreign policy was to avoid wars so that he could lower taxes. With a frontispiece of a Turkish infantryman. Walpole was the first British Prime Minister, and held the position for twenty years. This pamphlet was published in 1731, and has been regarded by critics to be an attack on Walpole with the ESTC notes on this work support this view. Walpole had many enemies who were prominent in the literary scene such as John Gay, Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope, Henry Fielding and Samuel Johnson. With only one entry of this work in the ESTC. no. T106325. Pamphlets became a powerful source of strife in the seventeenth and eighteenth century, with dozens being published about each any every political, moral, or social situation. They were often printed anonymously, providing a sense of protecting for the person writing it. Disbound, without both boards, but with evidence of having been previously bound. Externally, generally smart. Light bumping to the extremities. Small contemporary ink inscription to the head of first page. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are slightly age toned to the edges. Blind stamp to the title page. Chip to the head of pages five and nine, not affecting text. Otherwise, just the odd spot. Very Good.

Seller Inventory # 600P21

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Specimen of Arbitrary Power; in a Speech Made by the Grand Seignior to his Janizaries
• Publisher: W Pepper, London
• Publication Date: 1731
• Binding: Disbound
• Illustrator: None
• Edition: First edition.
• Condition: Very Good
• Book Type: book
• Seller catalogs:
  • British History