Anna Seward; Horace — Original Sonnets on Various Subjects

London, Printed for G. Sael, 1799 . Leather. The very scarce second edition of Seward"s major collection of original sonnets and imaginative adaptations of Horace. In a half calf binding with marbled paper boards, endpapers renewed. The second edition, one of three editions published in 1799.  Illustrated with a vignette engraving to the title page. Collated, complete.  A collection of original sonnets, followed by Seward"s poetic paraphrases and imitations of selected odes by Horace. The Horatian poems favour artistic adaptation over literal translation, making the odes more immediate to contemporary English readers.  With the armorial bookplate of Sir Edward William Watkin, 1st Baronet (1819-1901), prominent Victorian railway entrepreneur and politician, to the front pastedown. Anna Seward (1742-1809), known as the "Swan of Lichfield", was an English romatic poet.  ESTC No.: T454.  In a half calf binding with marbled paper boards, endpapers renewed. Externally, generally smart. Slight rubbing and bumping to extremities, resulting in minor loss to calf. Bookplate of Sir Edward William Watkin to front paste down. Slight rubbing to boards with minor loss to paper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages characteristically age toned, more so to margins. Light scattered spotting to fore edge with light soiling, heavier to first and last few leaves. Small spot of damp staining to lower corners. Very Good . Ill.: None Stated. Very Good .