1827-1830 Our Village: Sketches of Rural Character and Scenery Vols. II-IV

Description

Early Edition, First Edition, Leather Binding

This set contains volumes II-IV from the five-volume series, 'Our Village'. Incorrectly bound, with the spine to volume IV stating 'Vol. I'. 

First edition of the third and fourth volumes. Second edition of the second volume. 

Uniformly bound in half calf, with marbled boards. 

'Our Village' is a collection of literary sketches about rural life, written by English essayist, novelist and poet, Mary Russell Mitford. The series first appeared in The Lady's Magazine, and is based upon life in Three Miles Cross, a hamlet in Shinfield where she lived.

The essays offer a unique picture of country life in the early nineteenth century, with vivid details of the village events, the scenery she would see on walks and the people she would meet. 

These copies are from the library of Christopher Cole (1770-1836) an officer of the British Royal Navy who served in the American Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars. Highly praised and well rewarded for his service, Cole entered politics at the end of the war and twice sat as a member of parliament before his death in 1836. With his bookplate featuring his coat of arms and motto to the front pastedowns of each volume.