Oliver Goldsmith — The Vicar of Wakefield

London, Methuen and Co, 1904. First edition. Vellum. A first edition of this issue of Oliver Goldsmith's novel, 'The Vicar of Wakefield&apos. After Goldsmith gained renown as a poet, John Newbery finally published 'The Vicar of Wakefield' in March 1766. The book was printed by Benjamin Collins of Salisbury, who had brought one-third of the copyright back in 1762, for Francis Newbery. Second and third editions, each consisting of 1000 copies, appeared in May and August respectively, printed by William Strahan; three editions were produced in Ireland in 1766 as well. Though the initial reception was mostly favourable questions immediately arose about its narrative structure. The Monthly Review commented: "Through the whole course of our travels in the wild regions of romance, we never met with anything more difficult to characterize than the Vicar of Wakefield" (Monthly Review, 34, 1766, 407). The Critical Review praised its "genuine touches of nature, easy strokes of humour, pathetic pictures of domestic happiness and domestic distress" (Critical Review, 21, 1766, 440) but faulted the awkward plot reversals in the second half. (DNB) With twenty-four beautifully coloured plates. In original publisher's paper vellum binding with original spine label affixed. Externally smart. Some minor shelfwear only. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright with some scattered spotting throughout. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .