The Works of Peter Pindar

London: Wood, Vernon, H. Walker and P. Bell, 1801-5. Leather. Very Good. 8" by 5". Various. A three volumes set of the poetical works of Peter Pindar The satirical poetical works of Peter Pindar. Peter Pindar was the pseudonym of John Wolcot. Born in Dodbrooke (1738) near Kingsbridge, Devonshire, Wolcot was educated by an uncle, and studied medicine. In 1767 he went as physician to Sir William Trelawny, Governor of Jamaica, and ended up taking over a parsonage. He eventually returned to England permanently after the death of Sir William. Wolcot then turned once again to the medical practice, establishing a practice in Truro. He began writing satires in 1780. His first attempts were well received. As his success grew, he aimed for increasingly higher targets, with the King and Queen becoming frequent marks for his satirical work. Wolcot"s other targets include Boswell, the biographer of Johnson, and Bruce, the Abyssinian traveller. A skilled satirist, Wolcot"s work is full of charm, wit and wisdom. Volume I contains A Supplicating Epistle to the Reviewer, Lyric Odes to the Royal Academicians for 1782, 1783, 1785, Farewell Odes for 1786, The Lousiad Canto I-IV, Congratulatory Epistle to James Boswell, Bozzi and Piozzi, Ode Upon Ode, Apologetic Postscript to Ode Upon Ode, Instructions to a Celebrated Laureat, Brother Peter to Brother Tom, Peter's Prophecy, and Sir Jos. Banks and the Emperor of Morocco. Volume II contains Epistle to a Falling Minister, Subjects for Painters, Expostulatory Ode, A Benevolent Epistle to Master J. Nicholls, A Rowland for an Oliver, Advice to the Future Laureat, Epistle to J. Bruce, The Rights of Kings, Odes to Mr Paine, The Remonstrance, More Money, The Tears of St Margaret, Odes of Importance, Epistle to Lord Longdale, A Pair of Lyric Epistles to Lord Macartney, Odes to Kien Lond, and Celebration. Volume III contains The Lousiad Canto V, Ode to the Livery of London, Hair Powder, Royal Tour and Weymouth Amusements, Royal Visit to Exeter, Pindariana; or, Peter's Portfolio, Epistle to the Pope, Pathetic Odes, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Six, The Convention Bill, Tales of the Hoy, Liberty's Last Squeak, Nil Admirari. In full calf bindings, with gilt detailing. Externally, smart. There is some wear to the extremities including bumping to the corners and heavy rubbing to the spines. The titles are visible although Volume III has suffered some loss to the spine label. There are business cards stuck to the front pastedowns of all three volumes. internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally clean and bright with the occasional handling mark and odd spot. Very Good