1757 The History of Cleanthes, an Englishman of the highest Quality, and Celemene, the Illustrious Amazonian Princess: Interspersed With a Variety of most entertaining Incidents and surprizing Turns of Fortune; and a particular Account of that famous Island, so much talk’d of, but hitherto so little known.

Description

First Edition, Rebound, Very Scarce

The very scarce first edition of the first published work from English novelist Anna Meades, present here in two volumes. This is the first of two novels written by Meades and published anonymously, her works are very scarce in all editions.

In her preface, Meades explains that she publishes this work not for 'the desire of applause, but merely for amusement', and that her 'reading has been both ancient and modern, as my Work is a Composition, founded upon both Plans'.

Born in Hampshire, Meades was a correspondent of Samuel Richardson during the year of the publication of this work, and used the name 'Cleomira' when communicating with him. She had initially approached him with the request that he publish this work. He declined, but continued the correspondence, reading her novels and giving her comments and suggestions.

Collated, with H11 and H12 lacking to volume I.

ESTC reference no. T57442