The history of English poetry, from the close of the eleventh to the commencement of the eighteenth century. To which are prefixed two dissertations. I. On the origin of romantic fiction in Europe. II. On the introduction of learning into England

London: J. Dodsley [et al.], 1775. First edition of volumes 2 and 3, second issue of volume 1; 3 volumes, 4to, full contemporary diced calf, perfunctorily rebacked, gilt paneled spines, red morocco labels; very good, sound set. To volume 3 is prefixed a third dissertation on the Gesta Romanorum. Lowndes, p. 2847, calls the work "a most curious, valuable, and interesting literary history," and reports the existence of a fourth volume (which consisted of a Fragment and a general index) published in 1806. But see Rothschild 2525-2527 where it is inferred that volume IV never got beyond proof sheets, and DNB emphatically states that the fourth volume "never (truncated) appeared." In spite of its defects and the fate the work suffered at the hands of contemporary critics, the diligent scholar will quickly discover that "nowhere else has he at his command so well furnished an armory of facts and dates about obscure writers; while for the student of sixteenth century literature, while Warton's results have been at many points developed, but have not as a whole been superceded. His style is unaffected and invariably clear. He never forgot that he was the historian and not the critic of the literature of which he treated. He handled with due precision the bibliographical side of his subject, and extended equal thoroughness of investigation to every variety of literary effort. No literary history discloses more comprehensive learning in classical and foreign literature, as well as in that of Great Britain" (DNB). (Inventory #: 23065)