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England, Ireland, and Scotland. In defence of the Common-
wealth, and for information of the people. From Thursday, May
27. to Thursday, June 3. 1652.
(Colophon: Printed by Tho.
Newcomb)
(1652)
(16)-pp (numbered 1625-1640), 4to, disbound, fore and lower
edges uncut: very good-nice.
Originally edited by Marchamont Nedham and John Hall, then by
Nedham alone, and finally by John Canne; throughout 1651 it was
licensed by John Milton. Milton has been described as co-editor for some
issues; this is, however disputed. In its early months Politicus was the
doyen of the Commonwealth’s radicals, making remarkable proposals for
political reform, including, in January 1651, political union with the
Netherlands. From October 1651 until August 1652 Nedham included a
new series of editorials (in this number the seventh rule is covered on the
first three pages: “That Children should bee educated and instructed in
the Principles of Freedom …) which were later published, in subtly
revised form, as The Excellencie of a Free State (1656), a key text in
British republicanism, and one which may have endangered his
rapprochement with the increasingly anti-republican protectorate
government. None the less, through the ten years of Politicus (a period
which made it the most enduring news periodical before the London
Gazette) this radicalism declined, particularly when Nedham was called
upon to support an entrenched protectorate. The bulk of four pages is
devoted to Irish affairs, beginning “ For news in Conaght I cannot say
more, then that since the Rendition of Galway, all that Country and
Mayo have both submitted to Contribution. The whole Force of the
Enemy is marching into the County of Sligoe, on the borders of Ulster &
Clanrickard with them, where they intend a conjunction with the Ulster-
forces; and if they can keep their men together, will attempt something on
Ulster. I have a considerable body of Horse attending them; and next
week the Commissary-gen. and my self resolv to march directly after
them.. “.
ALSO WITH THIS LOT:
[SHERIDAN (Thomas), FRS].
or,
old elements of creed and class conciliation in Ireland. Edited by
Saxe Bannister. 1870. a very good to nice copy.
Essentially a reprinting of Sheridan’s `A Discourse on the Rise and
Power of Parliaments, 1677’, which the DNB characterises as “of
especial interest, both on account of the light it throws on Irish political
life, and because of the singularly bold and enlightened manner in which
the author proposes to meet the difficulties of administration by a system
of conciliation and toleration. “.
(2)
€100-€120 (£80-£96 approx.)
1104
.
MERVYN (Sir Audley).
A speech made before the Lords
in the upper house of Parliament in Ireland, by Captaine Audley
Mervin. March the 4th. 1640. At the impeachment of Sir
Richard Bolton knight, L. Chancellour; Iohn L. Bishop of Derry;
Sir Gerrard Lowther knight, Lo. Chiefe Justice of His Maiesties
Court of Common Pleas, and Sir George Ratcliffe knight, of
high-treason. By the knights, citizens, and burgesses of the
Commons House of Parliament: with the articles against them.
And a schedule of those grievances of that kingdome, which
were voted in the Lords House, this 18. of February, 1640.
[London:] Printed in the yeare of our Lord,
1641
FIRST EDITION, pages (2),27, (1, blank), 4to, recent stiff
wrappers: a very good copy.
Wing M 1888A. “Sweeney, 3027, describing it as important and
extremely scarce. Mervyn (1603-75), Protestant lawyer and politician,
prime serjeant at law in Ireland, one of the thirty-six commissioners
charged with implementing the declaration of Charles II for the post-
Restoration settlement of Ireland, was appointed speaker to the Irish
House of Commons in May 1661. “Opinions concerning him, both in
his own day and since, have been various, but rarely complimentary,
with frequent accusations of corruption, lack of scruple, or the pursuit of
self-interest above principle. There is no denying his propensity to
safeguard his own position, yet there remain elements of consistency in
his opinions, not least concerning the powers and rights of the
parliament of Ireland. Perhaps the twists and turns of his career indicate
not only an individual of some ability and resilience but also the complex
dilemmas facing any individual seeking to pilot a political career through
the turbulence of mid-17th century Ireland and Britain. ” – ODNB.
€180-€250 (£144-£200 approx.)
1105
.
MERVYN (Sir Audley).
A speech made by Sir Audley
Mervyn his Majesties prime serjeant at law in Ireland, the 11th
day of May in the House of Lords, when he was presented
speaker by the Commons, before the right honourable Sir
Maurice Eustace Knight, Lord Chancellour of Ireland, Roger
Earl of Orrery, and Charles Earl of Mountrath, his Majesties
Lord Justices of this kingdom of Ireland.
Dublin, printed by
William Bladen, by special order,
1661
FIRST EDITION, pages (2), 14, 4to, disbound, uncut, mostly
unopened: a crisp copy.
Wing M 1890. Sweeney 3028. ESTC locates ten copies (C/D/Dt/O:
WNc/C-S/CU-C/MH). The Protestant lawyer and politician Sir
Audley Mervyn (1603-75), already prime serjeant at law in Ireland, was
one of the thirty-six commissioners charged with implementing the
declaration of Charles II for the post-Restoration settlement of Ireland.
He was appointed speaker to the Irish House of Commons in May 1661
and this pamphlet, printed in Dublin, reproduces his opening speech,
made at a time when the difficult matter of how to proceed in settling
questions of Irish land ownership was prominent. As a landowner
himself he was not indifferent to the debate, and would go on to
articulate Protestant concerns about the process.
€300-€400 (£240-£320 approx.)
1106
.
[MICANZIO (Fulgenzio)].
The life of the most learned
Father Paul, of the Order of the Servie. Councellour of State to
the most Serene Republicke of Venice, and author of The
History of the Counsell of Trent. Translated out of Italian by a
person of quality [John Saint-Amard].
Printed for Humphrey
Moseley, and Richard Marriot,
1651
FIRST EDITION OF THIS TRANSLATION, with engraved
portrait frontispiece of Paolo Sarpi by P. Lambart, pages (7), (1,
blank),204, (16, adverts), pagination erratic but complete, small
8vo, neat 19C half calf, gilt ruled spine, with label, gilt: old
soiling to title-page, but otherwise a sound and very good copy.
Wing M 1959. The 16-page catalogue of books printed for Humphrey
Moseley is signed A and begins “Courteous Reader …”, with the first
book title line reading “Historical Relation of the united Provinces of ”.
180 numbered books are listed. The penultimate leaf lists “Books newly
printed this Terme for me …” and the final leaf, “These books I do
propose to print very speedily.. “. ESTC locates three editions of this
catalogue: [1650] of 8-pages, [1653] of 16-pages, and, [1654?] of 16-
pages: ours most closely resembles the last of these three.
€180-€220 (£144-£176 approx.)
1107
.
MILLER (Philip), FRS.
The Gardeners Dictionary.
Containing the methods of cultivating and improving all sorts of
trees, plants, and flowers, for the kitchen, fruit, and pleasure
gardens; as also those which are used in medicine. With
directions for the culture of vineyards, and making of wine in
England. In which likewise are included the practical parts of
husbandry. Abridged from the last folio edition, by the author …
In three volumes. The fourth edition, corrected and enlarged.
Printed for the Author; and sold by John and James Rivington …,
1754
With an engraved frontispiece and 3 plates, unnumbered pages
but complete with the advert leaf at the end of the third volume,
3 vols, 8vo, strongly and attractively bound in contemporary calf,
with labels, gilt: a nice copy. (3)
€150-€180 (£120-£144 approx.)
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