Description

[004853] Laurence, Edward. The Duty of a Steward to His Lord, Represented Under Several Plain and Distinct Articles; Wherein May be Seen the Indirect Practices of Several Stewards, Tending to Lessen, and the Several Methods Likely to Improve Their Lords Estates. ill. Burton, J. [Engraver]. London: John Shuckburgh, 1727. First Edition. 4to. Hardback. Good. [12], ix-xv, [1], 212pp. Contemporary panelled calf, raised bands, spine in six panels, title label to second panel

Covers rubbed, slight loss to head of spine, joints slightly split but holding well, corners bumped. Endpapers and edges of text block foxed, running around on to margins, some light browning to plates, but internally generally clean. Pencilled note that the volume comes from the Ombersley Court Library of the Sandys family, but no evidence of this

With double page map frontispiece, engraved by J.[ohn] Burton after the author, of Dun Boggs Farm in Herefordshire, and one double page plate of a hedge

The engraver John Burton (fl. 1725-1727) also engraved the proposal for Batty Langley’s Pomona (see Alexander, A Biographical Dictionary of British and Irish Engravers, 1714-1820, page 175)

Edward Laurence (d. 1740?) was the brother of John Laurence (d. 1732), himself the author of several books on gardening. Edward was a writer “who was in the spirit of the times, if he was not indeed prophetic of the spirit of the future developments that were to take place more and more speedily as the eighteenth century advanced … Laurence was a strong advocate of inclosure … He also believed in consolidating smallholdings into larger farms and suggests means of getting rid of tenants” (Fussell, The Old English Farming Books, pages 103-104)

Goldsmith’s 6510; Perkins 949; Rothamsted, page 74