39
Glover’s Leonidas.
2. v.
12
mo.
1815 Catalogue, page 135, no. 11, as above.
GLOVER,
Richard.
Leonidas: a Poem. By Richard Glover. Adorned with plates . . . The
Seventh Edition.
London: Printed by
C. Whittingham, for
Cadell and
Davies [and others],
1804.
2 vol. 12mo. 12 books, each with a half-title, plates; a copy of this edition was not available for collation.
This edition not in Lowndes.
Richard Glover, 1712-1785, English poet, first published
Leonidas in 1737. The first edition had nine books only, and passed through four editions in the first year of its publication. The
first edition with twelve books appeared in 1770.
Leonidas, King of Sparta, succeeded to the throne circa 489 B.C. His heroism in the war against Xerxes was the source of many epic
poems.
[4300]
40
Barlow’s Columbiad.
4
to.
1815 Catalogue, page 135, no. 33, as above.
BARLOW,
Joel.
The Columbiad a Poem. By Joel Barlow . . . Printed by
Fry and Kammerer for
C. and A. Conrad and Co.
Philadelphia;
Conrad, Lucas and Co.
Baltimore.
Philadelphia:
1807.
E120 .B255
First Edition. xvi and 454 pages (no signatures), engraved portrait frontispiece by A. Smith after R. Fulton, engraved plates by various engravers after R. Smirke.
Sabin 3416.
Wegelin, no. 854.
Dexter IV, 14, no. 8.
Howard, page 422.
Jefferson’s copy was sent to him by the author who wrote from Georgetown on January 23, 1808: “I beg your acceptance of a specimen of the typographical art which I think equal to any that Europe has produced. The paper
type & ink are made in Philadelphia, and I regret that the engravings had not likewise been committed to American artists.
"I cannot hope that you will soon find leisure to read the poem with that attention which would be requisite to obtain from
you your opinion of its merits, I mean in a moral & political view. As a poem of the Epic character it can never rank high.
As a patrotic [sic] legacy to my country I hope it may prove acceptable.”
A note in another hand explains that the specimen of typographical art is the Columbiad.
Jefferson replied from Washington on the following day, January 24: “
Th: Jefferson returns thanks to m(
~
r)
Barlow for the copy of the Columbiad he has been so kind as to send him. the eye discovers at once the excellence of the Mechanical
execution of the work, and he is persuaded that the Mental part will be found to have merited it. he will not do it the injustice
of giving it such a reading as his situation here would admit of a few minutes at a time & at intervals of many days. he will
reserve it for that retirement after which he is panting, & not now very distant, where he may enjoy it in full concert with
it’s kindred scenes, amidst those rural delights which join in chorus with the poet, and give to his song all it’s magic effect.
he salutes m
(
~
r)
Barlow with friendship and respect.”
Jefferson had the copy bound by Milligan on April 30, 1808, in calf, gilt, cost 4.00.
Jefferson is mentioned in Book V, with others of the Revolutionary patriots:
| Each generous Adams, freedom’s favorite pair, |
| And Hancock rose the tyrant’s rage to dare, |
| Groupt with firm Jefferson, her steadiest hope, |
| Of modest mien but vast unclouded scope. |
| Like four strong pillars of her state they stand, |
| They clear from doubt her brave but wavering band . . . |
