1807. At the foot is written 'we three, fools be.' The character on the left seems to have a jester's hat on.
On May 13th, 1807, William Wilberforce, Lord Milton, the Hon. Henry Lascelles (afterwards Earl of Harewood), and Mr. Walter Fawkes were nominated as parliamentary candidates in the Castle-Yard at York. This was the first contested election in the seat for 66 years. The struggle was also memorable on account of the vast expense that Lascelles incurred.
William Wilberforce, whose party almost entirely lacked organization, was head of the poll. There were concerns that Wilberforce allied himself with a candidate whose wealth was based on the slave trade, and he was forced to write to the electors to explain himself. Perhaps it is Lascelles and Wilberforce who are mocked as the electors here.
The caricature has been drawn onto the reverse of a scarce caricature engraving, of "Mr Riley in Solomon". This is most probably Samuel William Ryley (1759-1837), actor, and author of The Itinerant, or Memoirs of an Actor, 1808. 208mm x 248mm. Wilberforce, William (1759–1833), politician, philanthropist, and slavery abolitionist. Following the abolition of the slave trade, the Tories called an election. for the first and only time in his career he faced a poll for Yorkshire. Confronting as he did the great wealth and influence of both the Fitzwilliam and the Harewood interests, it was a testimony to the personal esteem in which he was held, and to his effectiveness in representing the county over the previous quarter-century, that he was returned at the head of the poll. It was alleged, however, that Wilberforce had compromised his independence by a coalition with Henry Lascelles, the Tory candidate. Wilberforce denied the charge and defended himself in a published letter to the electors.
He acknowledged that some of his supporters had indeed also solicited votes for Lascelles, but this was without his sanction, and it would have been improper for him to constrain their actions.
Lascelles, Henry, second earl of Harewood (1767–1841), Politician. His family wealth came from the slave trade in Barbados. After being elected twice as MP for Yorkshire, he stood again in 1807 - Lascelles, who was opposed by clothiers threatened by the removal of protection for their trade, and subjected to polemic about his family's slavery interests, was beaten by Lord Milton.
Ryley [formerly Romney], Samuel William (1759–1837), Actor and author.
Educated in Kensington & Fulham, although apprenticed to the woollen trade in Yorkshire, he eloped with his master's daughter and the married at Gretna Green. He was a jobbing actor, who later won a little more fame with his autobiography. "Ryley's life exhibits, with painful clarity, the precarious existence of the supporting actor of his day—snatching, at one moment, at dreams of fame and, at the next, facing the reality of poor shelter and meagre rations" (ODNB). This caricature seems true to life, as he was described as being very thin.

London: T. Warner, 1727. First edition, second issue without the words "Conjugal Lewdness" in the main title. Daniel Defoe (ca. 1660-1731) published this essay under the original title of "Conjugal Lewdness or Matrimonial Whoredom" (1717) before being asked to rename it for the sake of propriety. This copy shows the cancel title mounted to a stub (as it should be!) Contemporary full calf, gold-tooled filets, fleurons on boards and coat of arms of Earl Stanley on upper board, ribbed spine with gold-tooling, inner filets in gold-tooling, all edged gilt. Boards have been repaired and the spine re-laid onto the back. Internally clean and tidy throughout, with just a touch of foxing to the pages. vi, [2], 406 pp. 195 x 125mm (7¾ x 5 inches).

Despite changing the title, Defoe's text is unchanged. In this essay "concerning the Use and Abuse of the marriage bed", Defoe deals with contraception and compares it with infanticide, "the diabolical practice of attempting to prevent childbearing by physical preparations". He also maintains that marriage should be a state of equality and companionship, and considers the fatal consequences of clandestine or forced marriages, unequal matches etc.

The coat of arms with the motto "Honi soit qui mal y pense" are from the Earl of Derby, Edward Stanley (1799-1869), member of the Order of the Garter. Ex-libris of "G.O.M."

Leiden & Rotterdam: Hakkens, 1669. Contemporary vellum with handwritten title to spine. Engraved title page. Owner's name to the front end paper. A much enlarged edition of a famous argument for commercial and industrial freedom originally published in 1662 (and reissued several times after) as a small volume with the title 'Interest van Holland'. "The only Dutch best selling economics book" if such a thing is possible! "The True interest and political maxims of the Republick of Holland" (the title of the English edition) expresses much of the ideological background of the Dutch Republic in the seventeenth century. Wildenberg 1111. Knuttel, Verboden boeken' 4. Carpenter, The economic bestsellers before 1850' 6. Goldsmiths'-Kress 01895.1 Vellum boards are in good, clean condition. slight cracking to binding at the title page, but not significant. Quite a few lines have been underlined at some point (not contemporary but not recently). [XLIV], 523, [1 errata] pp. 210 by 160mm (8¼ by 6¼ inches).

Boston: Russell & Cutler, 1808. Pamphlet, disbound. Title with printer's vignette, "vote of the town", text. Orations were given annually in Boston, often called "municipal Orations"; typically two or more addresses were given. The impetus for the tradition of municipal orations in Boston stemmed from an act passed at a town meeting in March 1783, when it was decided that the annual celebration of commemorating the Boston Massacre of March 5, 1770, be replaced with a yearly Independence Day celebration. The local newspaper reported following this oration:

"The Repertory tells us that Mr. Ritchie delivered an excellent Oration. So much the better for Mr. Ritchie! The Oration was doubtless federal, else it could not have been excellent, and it must have abused the President, else it could not have been federal, and it was delivered on the anniversary of independence, a fit federal occasion for abusing the government of our choice! " (American Mercury, 11 August 1808, 2) 19, [i] pp.

London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, 1806. First edition. Half brown leather with black labels to the spine. Marbled boards. Title, advert & preface. The work is in four parts. (1) Containing a view of civil government in its influence on virtue and happiness, chiefly from the relation it bears to liberty and property. (2) On the importance of Religion, both to society and the individual, with reflections on Religious establishments and toleration. (3) On the Conduct of the good citizen, particularly under any moderate government. (4) On the way to live happily under all governments, and in all situations. The boards and spine are clean, but there is a little rubbing to the spine, with a closed tear to the top edge of the spine. Inside, the book is clean and tidy throughout. The text block is bright and there is minimal darkening. Overall a nice copy. xvi, 445 (1) pp.,

Dublin: David Hay, 1772. Very scarce. First Edition. Hardback. In full brown calf with tooled gilt spine, raised bands. Two half titles, complete. Contains detailed parish records to the last 35 pages. Original brown full leather. Some chipping, particularly to the head and tail of the spine. Remnant of labels to the spines. One label is retained with clear tape. Internally in good shape, with light foxing throughout. A press cutting in Latin from 1888 is tipped into the front board of Volume I. Pagination: Volume I - xii, 516 pp. Volume II - viii, 533, [36] pp. Full title: Desiderata Curiosa Hibernica; Or, A Select Collection of State Papers; Consisting of Royal Instructions, Directions, Dispatches, and Letters; to which are Added, Some Historical Tracts; the Whole Illustrating and Opening the Political Systems of the Chief Governors and Government of Ireland, During the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth, James the First, and Charles the First. 210 x 130 mm (8¼ x 5 inches).

Den Haag: Samuelis Broun, 1649. Three works bound in one, in a contemporary French binding. Works are: Eikōn basilikē, vel, Imago Regis Caroli, in illis suis aerumnis et solitudine Hagae-Comitis (Den Haag) Samuelis Broun. 1649. Conforms to OCLC 60405083. Beautiful double page frontis engraving by Hollar. Text in Latin. Translation by John Earle. Attributed to Charles I and John Gauden. [12], 272 pages.

[Bound With] [SALMASIUS, CLAUDIUS] Defension Regia Pro Carolo I Ad Serenissimum Magnae Britannia Regem Carolum II. Filium natu majorem, Heredem & Successorem legitimum. Anonymous author & printer. 1649 Conforms to OCLC 70699080. 468 pages. Seems to be first edition but not clear. Claude Saumaise (Salmasius) was a French Humanist (1596-1653). This work is a defense of Charles I, (written shortly after his execution), supporting Absolute Monarchy and the Divine Right of Kings.

[Bound With] MILTON, Joannis [John Milton], Angli Pro Populo Anglicano Defensio Contra Claudii Anonymi, alias Salmasii, Defensionem Regiam. Londini: Typis Du Gardianis, 1652. 192 pages. OCLC 933136975. Second (?) edition of this rebuttal of Saumaise (printed 1651) which was an important work for Milton, establishing his reputation, and celebrated as a victory over Salmasius's writing. The work, written in Latin is noted for its colourful invectives such as a 'dung-hill Frenchman' and indignant attacks on the French scholar. (With thanks for this Pat Marrin!) Wing, M2169.

Binding has leather spine and vellum boards. These are somewhat bowed with age. Spine, with gilt titles and decoration is still attractive, but has a couple of small holes to the binding. Pages are clean and tidy throughout, with just a few foxing spots. Attractive French bookplate to the inside board. All works are 125 by 70mm (5 by 2¾ inches).