the language of abuse
"GINGLICUTT, John," pseud.
A brief account of Mr. John Ginglicutt's treatise concerning the altercation or scolding of the ancients. By the author.
London: for J. Roberts, 1731.
Small 8vo (154 × 92 mm.), pp. 24, without half-title. First and last leaf quite soiled, the latter torn with slight loss (affecting a few letters of text on pp. 23-4), old lateral crease where formerly folded. Disbound.
First edition of a nice little satire attributed variously to Swift or (more likely) John Arbuthnot. In the form of an advertisement for a forthcoming work (never issued) the Account described the author's heritage as son of a London purveyor of "fishes of a testacious kind, which exert their stimulating Quality on the Constitutions of such as eat them, and in the Discourse of such as vend them." The fish-wife's son then proceeds to sing the praises of the language of abuse as the true heir to the debating style of the ancients.
£275.00
US$546.67*
* Given as a guide only. Based on an exchange rate of £1 = US$1.987896 for the day 5 July 2008 but liable to fluctuate.
5 July 2008