Imaginary Conversations of Literary Men and Statesmen, Volumes I - III.
London: James Duncan and Henry Colburn, 1829. Second Series. Hardcover. Presentation inscription to the "Hon. G. Hilton Scribner, with kind regards of his friend Elijah Curtiss, Yonkers, April 27th, 1878". Scribner was New York Secretary of State (1872-1873) and a Republican member of the state Assembly (Westchester Co., 1st D.) before that.
Conversation XIII is titled 'King of the Sandwich Isles, M. Peel, M. Croker and Interpreter", in which [Robert] Peel, in answering the island king's question as to whether he is a high priest to the English King, replies, "Not exactly that neither, Sire; but I make him do and say what I order. I dictate all the forms of prayer, tell him when to use them, when not to use them: if he dies I appoint a successor." (p430).
8vo, xxxii, 527pp; vii, 548pp; xiv, 546pp, errata [2]. Volumes bound by R. W. Smith & Co., 46 Marion Street, in New York City, with the circular binder's stamp. Three quarter dark brown calf and red marbled boards. Gilt titles and raised bands at spines. Extremities gently rubbed. Internally, very good. Very good condition. Item #21480
Price: $375.00