WEST BROMWICH
West Bromwich Enclosure Act. An Act for dividing, allotting, and inclosing the several open common fields, common pastures, commons, and waste lands, within the Manor and Parish of West Bromwich, in the County of Stafford.
West Bromwich printed by W. Salter. ca. 185-
- $199
8vo., 114 + (2)pp., wide-margined, in tan linen-covered boards, unlettered, a very good copy. Signature on p.5 of 'James Bradshaw 1852'. 'The Enclosure Acts were essentially the abolition of the open field system of agriculture which had been the way people farmed in England for centuries. The ownership of all common land, and waste land, that farmers and Lords had, was taken from them. Any right they had over the land was gone. New fields were designed, new roads were added, and the land was eventually re-allocated to different farmers and Lords. Originally this process was agreed upon through informal agreement but Parliament took over during the 17th century. Between 1604 and 1914 there were over 5,200 bills enacted by Parliament which equates to a little more than one fifth of England. England utilized an Open Field system for much of its history before the start of the Enclosure. This system worked well because it suited what was needed by society at the time. Agricultural and cultivation systems were not very advanced, but it allowed each village to be self-sufficient. This was extremely necessary because transportation was still very primitive. However, over time things began to change. Transportation became much easier with the implement of new roadways, canals and waterways were easier to navigate, and agricultural knowledge increased. In the end, the open field system was not capable of reaping all of the benefits of the newly industrialized England. Therefore, by taking control of the land, the government was able to decide the uses for the land based on what suited it best. This increased the efficiency and profitability of farming. Efficient agriculture was greatly needed at this time due to the fast increase in population; demand for food was at its all time highest.' [Wiki]
More from John Drury Rare Books
The Revised Code of the Committee of Council on Education dispassionately considered. An address to the clergy of the Deanery of Doncaster.
VAUGHAN, Charles John 8vo., 46 + (2)pp., the number '8' in ball point pen, circled, in blank margin of title, recently well bound in linen-backed marbled boards lettered. A very good copy. First edition. A commentary on the Newcastle Report. The author was, from 1844 to 1859, Headmaster of Harrow School.- $53
- $53
A collection of eight pamphlets illustrating the controversial debate about the viability of the Manchester Ship Canal from Liverpool to Manchester.
MANCHESTER SHIP CANAL The collection comprises: 1. [ENGINEERS' REPORTS]> Manchester Ship Canal. Engineers' reports and report of the provisional committee to the subscribers to the guarantee fund.> Manchester, John Heywood. 1882. 8vo., 55pp., disbound. 2. 'A MANCHESTER BARRISTER'> Some legal considerations in relation to the proposed Manchester Ship Canal; and the duty of Municipal Corporations to support the undertaking.> Manchester: John Heywood. 1882. 8vo., 10pp., disbound. 3. 'MANCUNIENSIS'> Facts and figures in favour of the proposed Manchester Ship Canal: showing how to solve the cheap transport problem for the great import and export trade of Lancashire and the West Riding.> Manchester: John Heywood. 1882. 8vo., 32pp., folding map, disbound. 4. THE MANCHESTER SHIP CANAL> The London daily and periodical press on the question. The 'Colliery Guardian' on the advantages on the canal to the Yorkshire coal fields.> Manchester: Guardian Letterpress and Lithographic Works. 1882. 8vo., 15pp., disbound. 5. 'COTTONOPOLIS'> The Manchester Ship Canal. Why is it wanted! And Why it will pay! With observations in reply to recent objections, and including appendix relating to the Bridgewater Navigation Company. By 'Cottonopolis'.> Manchester: John Heywood. 1882. 8vo., 40pp., disbound. 6. 'LUMBER'> Manchester Ship Canal. Manchester a timber port. By Lumber.> London: William Rider and Son. [1882]. 8vo., 15pp., disbound. 7. [PROVAND, A.]> The Manchester Ship Canal scheme. A criticism.> Manchester, John Heywood. 1883. 8vo., 48pp., disbound. 8. 'SUPPORTER OF THE CANAL'> The Manchester Ship Canal. A reply to Mr. A. Provand's adverse criticism, by a supporter of the canal.> Manchester, James F. Wilkinson, [1883]. 8vo., 162pp., disbound. The Manchester Ship Canal is a 36-mile inland waterway linking Manchester to the Irish Sea. This major civil engineering project was completed in December 1893. The canal is now privately owned.- $496
- $496
War proved to be the real cause of the present scarcity, and enormous high price of every article of consumption, with the only radical remedies.
WAITHMAN, Robert 8vo., 80pp., including the half-title, bound in the 20th century in quarter cloth over marbled boards, spine lettered gilt. A very good copy. First edition. The first of five editions: all 1800. The author observes that war causes waste, inflated currency, heavy taxes and high prices. In the same year (1800), at least three other major contributions to the debate on high food prices. These included Charles Long's A temperate discussion of the causes which have led to the present high price of bread>: T.R. Malthus's An investigation of the cause of the present high price of provisions>: and Arthur Young's The question of scarcity plainly stated.> Robert Waithman (1764-1833), political reformer, was solidly anti-war. In January 1795, as a Liveryman of the Framework Knitters' Company, he had seconded a successful motion at a common hall against the war with France. Maintaining his position on peace, a petition for an end to the revolutionary war presented by Waithman was approved by the livery on 19 February 1800. The arguments he presented then were those here published.- $178
- $178
Reports: or, new cases; with divers resolutions and judgements given upon solemn arguments, and with great deliberation. And the reasons and causes of the said resolutions and judgements.
MARCH, John 4to., (2) + 218 + (2), blank, + 20pp., wormhole(s) in lower margins from p.63 to end, occasionally affecting a letter or two from about p.217 (i.e. last leaf of text + index), with several neat ms amendments and additions, mainly to the index, contemporary plain ruled sheep. A very good, crisp, copy. First edition. Wing M.576. Sweet & Maxwell I, p.304(87). The 'new cases' are cases heard in the King's Bench and Common Pleas between Easter Term 15 Car.I to Trinity Term 18 Car.I., a total of 250 cases. John March (1612-1657), the author of a number of legal works, was employed by the Council of State during the Commonwealth in various capacities.- $430
- $430
An essay on wastes in general, and on mosswold in particular.
[KETT, Henry] 8vo., (2) + 25 + (1)pp., original blue wrappers, uncut but torn at fold and edges rather frayed. A very good copy now preserved in a cloth portfolio. First and only edition. ESTC states 'Anonymous. By Henry Kett.' This copy contains a manuscript inscription on verso of title-page 'See Kent's Agriculture of Norfolk. 1796. p.81-85. It would seem probable that Mr. Wagstaff - whose opinion on Wastes and especially Mousehold, is given at pp.84-5, - was the author of this pamphlet.' Anonymous in Goldsmiths' which gives an account of the text: 'A plea for partial enclosure by consent of waste-land for cultivation, with particular reference to Mousehold.' Mosswold or Mousehold is described in the pamphlet itself as 'a large district in Norfolk' and the essay seeks to show that the supposed loss to the poor by the enclosure of Commons is more than compensated for by an increase in paid work and a consequent diminishment of 'the nuisance of beggars, and a more confirmed extirpation of sloth amongst some parts of the peasantry'.- $432
- $432
Exemptions from tolls as fixed by the General Road Act for Scotland dated 15th October 1831.
[EXEMPTIONS] 8vo, 8pp, as printed, folded as issued, unbound. A very good copy. Not in Goldsmiths, Kress or Black and not in NSTC. Numerous exemptions enumerated but also confirmation of tolls on such as post chaises, carriages, stage coaches etc. Sets out penalties for toll evasion.- $40
- $40
The decay of traditional faith, and the re-establishment of faith upon philosophy: two lectures delivered at Finsbury Chapel, South Place.
IERSON, Henry 8vo, 47 + (1)pp, recently well bound in linen-backed marbled boards lettered. A very good copy. First edition. Very scarce.> [bound with], EADIE, John> Inspiration in conflict with recent forms of philosophy and scepticism. The lecture delivered at the opening of the United Presbyterian Divinity Hall, session 1849. Second edition. >Edinburgh: William Oliphant and Sons, 1849. 8vo, 42pp, a very good copy. Very scarce: NSTC locates only the Harvard copy of the 1st ed. (1848) and the Nat. Lib. of Scotland copy of this 1849 2nd edition. John Eadie (1810-1876), the distinguished theologian, was Professor of Biblical Literature in the United Secession Divinity Hall, Glasgow, from 1843-1876.- $59
- $59
Third vindication of the General Penitentiary, shewing that there is no ground whatever for supposing that the situation of that prison had any share in producing the late disease among the prisoners confined there. Being an answer to some observations contained in a work published by P. Mere Latham, M.D. entitled ‘An account of the disease lately prevalent at the General Penitentiary.’
HOLFORD, George [Peter] 8vo., (2) + 155 + (1)pp., bound recently in plain boards, spine lettered, margins of initial blank and the title-page just a bit soiled else a good copy. First edition. George Holford M.P. (1767-1839), a prominent prison reformer, was centrally involved with the creation and early development of Millbank Prison (the so-called General Penitentiary) and evidently felt that any criticism was almost a personal affront to him. Peter Mere Latham (1789-1875), a successful London physician, along with Peter Mark Roget, had been asked by the government to investigate an epidemic of scurvy and dysentery among the prisoners at Millbank penitentiary. They concluded that it was due to an inadequate diet. In the view of Latham's biographer, however, 'the cause was more likely to have been cholera'. [Peter R. Fleming in ODNB].- $178
- $178
Constitutional queries, earnestly recommended to the serious consideration of every True Briton.
[PERCEVAL, John, 2nd EARL OF EGMONT] broadside (35 x 17.5 cms.), caption title, short marginal closed tear, margins cut with loss but not affecting printed surface, folded and unbound. An attack on the Duke of Cumberland on the dangers of too much power in the hands of the army, the author opposing the appointment of the Duke as captain-general of British land forces. The broadside was ordered to be burnt by the common hangman in 1751.- $132
- $132
A letter to His Royal Highness the Duke of York, or an exposition of the circumstances which led to the late appointment of Sir Hew Dalrymple, and an inquiry into the question, whether he, His Royal Highness, as Commander-in-Chief, or His Majesty’s Ministers, be most responsible to the country.
HAGUE, Thomas 8vo., 42pp., preserved in modern wrappers with printed title label on upper cover. A very good copy. First edition. A letter, highly critical of both the Prince Regent and of Sir Hew Dalrymple (1750-1830) who, at the time (October 1808), had been ordered home from Portugal following the so-called Convention of Cintra. The Convention, which had allowed the French to evacuate Portugal, was regarded by many in England as a disgraceful and unnecessarily lenient agreement, particularly as it followed Junot's defeats by Wellesley at Roliça and Vimiero. Dalrymple was deprived of his command and replaced by Sir John Moore.- $46
- $46
Walter Wiltshire’s Flying Waggons, set out from Peter-Street, Bristol, and arrive at the White Swan, Holborn-Bridge, London, as follow Also, his Slow Waggons set out on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday noon: arrive Saturday, Tuesday and Friday For further particulars enquire of John Boley, at Walter Wiltshire’s Compter, opposite the church in Peter Street aforesaid. No plate, money, or jewels, accounted for, unless delivered as such.
WILTSHIRE, Walter 16mo, 9.5 x 6.5 cms printed on card within a typographical border, verso blank except for black printed central spade device (like the ace of spades playing card), in fine state of preservation. A rare Bristol trade card advertising a company offering a regular timetable of a three times a week goods service between Bristol and London.- $258
- $258
Essays and fragments on various subjects.
STANLEY, Jacob 12mo., vii + (i) + 171 + (1)pp., contemporary, perhaps original, boards, a little grubby, rebacked and lettered, entirely uncut and partially unopened. A very good copy. First collected edition: apparently very rare. Only BL in LHD, and 2 copies in US. A disparate, but interesting, group of essays previously published 'in some of the respectable periodicals of the day'. The essays include: 'On the credulity of infidels'; 'Strictures on an article in the Quarterly Review on Wesleyan missions'; 'Case of Fauntleroy' [i.e. Henry Fauntleroy, 1785-1824, the banker and forger]; 'An argument in favour of a Society of Thieves, demonstrating their right to retain stolen property'; an 'Essay on defamation'; 'Stage coach, an essay on vanity'; and an 'essay on fashion'.- $218
- $218
Extract from Swinney’s Birmingham Chronicle, April 22, 1802. To the Editor of Swinney’s Birmingham and Stafford Chronicle. Sir, Edward Allen, one of the unfortunate men who suffered on Washwood Heath on Monday last, and accused me of being his murderer, I think it a justice due to myself to state to the public, through the medium of your paper, the circumstances which led to his detection and conviction, and to leave them to decide how far Allen was justified in the rash assertions he has made .
SPURRIER, W[illia]m large broadside, 50.5 x 33.5 cms, paper watermarked 1796, paper is fragile in places and grubby on the reverse and with a few contemporary ink mathematical workings, but all the strongly printed and fully readable. This broadside is a contemporary copy of a letter written by William Spurrier (the prosecutor in the trial?) to the Birmingham Chronicle explaining why he believed Allen to be guilty. At the foot of the broadside is a sentence by William Hicks (Editor of the Birmingham Chronicle?), stating, 'I think it my duty to state, that the evidence given before me previous to Allen's commitment, as stated above by Mr. Spurrier, I believe to be correct; and Millington and Wildsmith's evidence was given in the most positive manner.' The second paragraph states: 'Allen had long been known to be an extensive dealer in forged Bank of England notes. This appeared from the confession of Atkinson and another, who lately suffered at Nottingham for the utterance of forged bank notes they had purchased of him, and from the confession of other unfortunate persons, who, by means of such notes purchased from Allen, had forfeited their lives, - He was also suspected to be a principal fabricator of such notes; and the Bank of England, anxious to detect the fabricator, as the root of the evil, I was directed, as their agent, to employ two men of the name of Wildsmith and Millington .'. Forging banknotes was a capital crime in Britain in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Only during the Romantic period, however, was the death penalty routinely enforced. In 1796, no one in Britain was hanged for forgery. By 1818, 313 people in London alone had been sent to the gallows. A further 512 were transported to Botany Bay for passing forged notes. Considering that more than a thousand people were arrested for forgery, the conviction rate was very high. But that figure pales in comparison to the 300,000 forged notes the Bank of England received between 1797 and 1834.- $787
- $787
A new song sung by Mr. Bartholomew Platt at Sadlers Wells ‘Ye beaus of pleasure .’.
PLATT, Bartholomew broadside song sheet, 31 x 19 cms, with words and musical notation, unbound as issued. In excellent state of presentation. 'Ye beaus of pleasure whose wit at leisure, Can count loves treasure, it's joy and smart, at my desire, with me retire, to know what fire, consumes my heart at my desire, with me retire, to know what fire, consumes my heart .' With eleven lines of musical notation, some of which 'For the Flute'. Known as the 'Bat' Bartholomew Platt was a favourite singer with the vulgar at Sadler's Wells where he sang such songs as New Mad Tom composed by George Hayden. Platt was used to sing at Sadler's Wells where he dressed in the character of a madman 'to the great delight of all who mistook roaring for singing' [Hawkins, General History of Music>.]- $390
- $390
A short view of the frauds, and abuses committed by apothecaries; as well in relation to patients, and physicians: and of the only remedy thereof by physicians making their own medicines. . The second edition more correct.
MERRETT, [Merret] Christopher small 4to, 78pp (A - K4) including both the initial imprimatur leaf and the final blank, with some neat marginal repairs to imprimatur leaf, and with a few old rust marks on a couple of leaves, bound in the 20th century in green quarter morocco over marbled boards, spine gilt lettered. A very good crisp well-margined copy. Christopher Merrett (1614-1695), physician and writer on natural philosophy, had settled in practice in London about 1640. Thereafter he was awarded a fellowship of the College of Physicians and, through the sponsorship of William Harvey, became a founder-member of the Royal Society. In 1669, Merrett published the first edition of A Short View of the Frauds and Abuses Committed by Apothecaries>, in which he urged the physicians to outflank those increasingly influential professional rivals by drawing on the discoveries of the new experimentalism to dispense remedies that were thereby superior. That was hardly an argument likely to prevail, however, for it appeared to require the physicians to concede their enemies' case by concentrating on therapy.' [D.E. Allen in ODNB].- $1,917
- $1,917
Observations on the present state of the Highlands of Scotland, with a view of the causes and probable consequences of emigration.
SELKIRK, [Thomas Douglas 5th] Earl of 8vo., vii + (1) + 223 + (1) + lvi pp., including the half-title and with the errata slip, with the contemporary ownership signature of 'John Hamilton' on title page, uncut, bound in contemporary paper boards, manuscript 'Lord Selkirk' written in ink on spine, corners bumped, boards and extremities a little worn, joints starting but still a very good sound copy. This was the author's principal work. Thomas Douglas, 5th Earl of Selkirk (1771-1820) was an ardent proponent of colonisation in North America. Widely travelled and politically sophisticated he made an eye-opening tour of the Highlands in 1792. After toying with a proposal to set up a colony for Irish Catholics in Louisiana - a plan not supported by the British government, Selkirk turned his attention to British North America and began to pay attention to the needs of Scottish, rather than Irish, families. The Prince Edward Island project was launched in 1803. Selkirk's biographer, J.M. Bumsted in ODNB, is far from alone is suggesting that the 1805 Observations> was Selkirk's 'major contribution to political economy and the debate over emigration. In it', Bumsted continues, 'he emphasized the illogical self-interest of the various objections against highland emigration to North America, arguing that highlanders were entitled to move to preserve their language, culture, and manners'.- $331
- $331
The husband’s complaint.
WOOLWORK small broadside, 17 x 10.5 cms, the text all in rhyme, 11 verses of 4-lines each, with decorative border, a couple of small brown marks, but otherwise in very good condition. [together with], THE EXCULPATION> (In answer to the husband's complaint in the matter of his WIFE'S WORSTED WORK).> same printer and suggested date as above, same size and with the same border, a small piece torn from the bottom corner, removing the name of the printer, and with a few smudges but not obscuring any of the text. Eleven verses with 4 lines of verse in each. [together with], AN INJURED WIFE'S LAMENT> (Being a second answer to the Husband's Complaint in the matter of his wife's worsted work).> [Bristol], H.H. King, printer, saint Augustine's Back. [ca. 183-]. Same size as above, with a more intricate border, 8 verses with 4 lines in each, an excellent copy. The Husband's Complaint> begins: 'I hate the name of German wool, in all its colours bright; Of chairs and stools in fancy work, I hate the very sight; The shawls, and slippers that I've seen, the Ottomans and bags, Sooner than wear a stitch on me, I'd walk the streets in rags. The other day when I came home, no dinner got for me, I asked my wife the reason, - she answered, 'one, two, three;' I told her I was hungry, and stamped upon the floor, She never even looked at me, but murmured, 'one green more.' . And so on. The Wife's replies explain how she manages to do all the housework, look after the children, ask friends to dine, as well as making useful woolwork items for the home and for sale: 'I've practised that concerto thing you thought so very fine; I've written all the notes to ask our friends to come and dine; I've filled my vases with fresh flowers, I've scolded all the maids; And after that I will confess, I sorted out my shades. I've read that paper setting forth the sweet confiding trust Husbands should cherish for their wives, and I think it very just; I've settled all my weekly bills, and balanced my account, With a little lot of German Wool,> to make up the amount.' And from A second answer,>: 'He says that I neglect his clothes, his collars have no strings; When counting stitches in my work his gloves he often brings, Requesting me to mend them, for they are so full of holes And if ever I refuse him, Oh, dear me, how he scolds! The men so often talk of what they do not understand, They are so puffed up with self conceit, so anxious to command, They state their will with so much pomp, they talk so long and loud; They are a set most arrogant, most selfish, vain, and proud. Must I give up my fancy-work, my darling occupation, To attend to all the drudgery of domestic calculation? Indeed, I shall do no such thing, and my husband, if he please, May put in practice what he says, and go across the seas.' 'Berlin wool work patterns were first published in Berlin, Germany, early in the 19th century. The first were printed in black and white on grid paper and then hand-coloured. Previously, the stitcher was expected to draw the outlines on the canvas and then stitch following the colours on the pattern. Counted stitch patterns on charted paper, similar to modern cross-stitch patterns, made it easier to execute the designs, because amateur embroiderers were able to follow the patterns using just a simple tent stitch. They were published mostly as single sheets which made them affordable to middle-class women. Soon they were exported to Britain and the United States. The patterns were used sparsely in the United States until the 1840s, when they started to appear in women's magazines, after which 'Berlin work' became all the rage. Indeed, Berlin work became practically synonymous with canvas work. In Britain, Berlin work received a further boost through the Great Exhibition of 1851, and by the advent of ladies' magazines such as The Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine. The popularity of Berlin work was due largely to the fact that, for the first time in history, a fairly large number of women had leisure time to devote to needlework.' [Wikipedia]- $1,124
- $1,124
Capital, currency, and banking; being a collection of a series of articles published in The Economist> in 1845, on the principles of The Bank Act of 1844, and in 1847, on the recent monetarial and commercial crisis; concluding with a plan for a secure and economical currency.
WILSON, James 8vo., (8) + xxvi + 294pp, including the half-title, small brown stain in a few margins, a crisp uncut copy sometime in the library of The Faculty of Actuaries in Scotland;> in the original cloth, spine rebacked but worn, internally good. A good working copy. James Wilson (1805-1860), politician, political economist, founder and owner of The Economist> was the father-in-law of Walter Bagehot. When Wilson was returned to Parliament (in 1847) he published Capital, Currency, and Banking,> pleading for a sound currency and opposing sections of Peel's Bank Charter Act> of 1844. 'He also argued for the repeal of the Navigation Laws. Soon given government office in 1848, Wilson was an able Financial Secretary to the Treasury from 1853 to 1858; and in 1859, after briefly holding the Vice-Presidency of the Board of Trade, he served in India as first financial member of the Viceroy's Council with the task of reforming finances. His 1860 budget introduced a controversial income tax and later in the year, just before his death, he established a paper currency.' [Asa Briggs in New Palgrave>, vol. 4 p.923].- $99
- $99
An inquiry into the state of the finances of Great Britain; in answer to Mr. Morgan’s facts. . The second edition.
VANSITTART, Nicholas 8vo, (4) + 75pp, with 7 folding tables, and including the half-title, recently well bound in plain boards, spine lettered. A very good copy. Nicholas Vansittart [1766-1851] was to be Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1812-1823, and was created Baron Bexley in the latter year. The present is one of a number of pamphlets written in support of Pitt's administration and particularly his financial reforms. He concludes that the prosperity of the country had not in fact been seriously damaged by the war.- $198
- $198
Belief and commandments on the rights of women. To be read by all married women to their husbands, and by all single ones to their sweethearts.
RIGHTS OF WOMEN one sheet (25 x 19cms), printed in two columns, double-sided, the text on both sides being the same, the printed surface slightly faint in places although absolutely readable. Disley was active ca. 1850-1880. Douglas Jerrold's Mrs. Caudle's curtain lectures appeared in 1866. All the commandments are marvellously tongue-in-cheek. E.g. '5th. If any of the children should have the mneasles, or the blessed baby should require weaning, you must get up without a murmer and give it the bottle, lest I might be disturbed by its crying. 7th. You must not get in a state of beer on any pretence whatever, or I shall compel you to sleep at the foot of the bed for six weeks. 10th. You must not covet to be trusted with the latch key in the evening, you must not covet to visit the Alhambra or the Oxford, nor any other such like place; you must not look at the girls legs on a windy day, nor rule your house or your spouse, or anything that is within, but be a good boy and keep my commandments.'- $2,611
- $2,611
West Bromwich Enclosure Act. An Act for dividing, allotting, and inclosing the several open common fields, common pastures, commons, and waste lands, within the Manor and Parish of West Bromwich, in the County of Stafford.: https://rarebookinsider.com/rare-books/west-bromwich-enclosure-act-an-act-for-dividing-allotting-and-inclosing-the-several-open-common-fields-common-pastures-commons-and-waste-lands-within-the-manor-and-parish-of-west-bromwich-in-t/