Uncommon, four copies on COPAC only with variable imprints, “London 1803” on occasion obscured by a label giving the place of publication as The Hague, from where the Preface is apparently addressed. Edinburgh and Leeds records suggest “Wyndham” as the author, which suggests that this may be William Windham, Secretary at War, 1794-1801 and again 1806-7. However, in his lengthy, but not entirely approving, review of the book in the Edinburgh Review of 1804 Henry Brougham makes a number of remarks which make this seem unlikely; “This is altogether a very singluar work. The language is that of a foreigner pretty well acquainted with English, or of an Englishman who, by long residence abroad, has lost the free use of his native tongue and mingled it with foreign idioms. From internal evidence we are inclined to believe the author’s own assertion, that he is a Briton, and generally of that description which we usually compliment with the epiphet of British , an appellation more honourable, if possible, in the present day, than at any former period of our story.” A copy of this illuminating review, disbound, is included with this item.
The author assesses the threat posed by Napoleon and suggests possible methods by which to oppose it; “If Bonaparte… be able to maintain an unlimited authority at the head of the French nation, and keep alive, upon interior improvement, that energy and vigour which the revolution has brought forth amongst that people, the intrinsic sources of the European dominions of France are such, that their produce may enable the chief consul to carry into effect the most gigantic projects of his revolutionary predecessors… We have recommended a friendly intercourse and close political connexion between Great Britain, Russia and America. Such may yet be brought about notwithstanding Bonaparte’s late declaration to the contrary; and such is perhaps the only combination that can now be formed sufficient to bridle the domineering audacity of the French republic.”
Armorial bookplate of William Pleydell Bouverie, Viscount Folkestone, 2rd Earl of Radnor to the front pastedown. Folkestone entered Parliament at the age of 23, and early aligned himself with Windham in a fairly moderate stance, but fairly quickly adopted the more extreme positions of Radicals such as Burdett and Whitbread. In 1809 he was principal prosecutor in the trial of the Duke of York in the Mary Anne Clarke “commissions for sale” scandal, somewhat undermining his moral position when evidence of his own dalliance with Clarke emerged.
In this copy the Preface is signed “Swenska” in MS at its conclusion, which may challenge Brougham’s granting of the “honorable epiphet” of British in his review. A number of pencilled marginal markings throughout.