Samuel Johnson; [Ellis Cornelia Knight]

Rasselas: A Tale by Dr. Johnson [and] Dinarbas: A Tale Being a Continuation of Rasselas

London: C. and J. Rivington [et al.], 1823. Good. Item #6742

London: C. and J. Rivington [et al.], 1823. 12mo; 266pp. Two full-page engravings, one for each of the tales.

Original printed publisher's boards with paper spine label and advertising list on back. Textblock untrimmed, but all pages opened. About 2/3 of spine label in place, the bared crown and foot of the sewn gatherings were coated, probably early in the volume's life, with a glossy solidifying glue. Very mild foxing throughout.

Dr. Johnson's famous tale inspired several sequels. Ellis Cornelia Knight (1757-1837) moved among the British great and good throughout her life, and published her Dinarbas anonymously in 1790 when she and her mother faced genteel impoverishment in Italy. She would eventually return to England in the company of Lady Hamilton and Lord Nelson—high-minded Miss Knight was somewhat alarmed at their amours—and later became a Companion to Princess Charlotte.

Dinarbas was a success in its day. The title character is the warrior son of a castellan in whose fortress Rasselas's party takes shelter at the start of Knight's sequel. By the end of the tale, after adventures both military and sentimental, he receives the ultimate in praise from Rasselas: "To thee, Dinarbas, we owe the tranquillity of the empire; and in thy friendship I have found more than a recompense for all my searches after happiness." One can just imagine the harrumphing of Dr. Johnson.

Price: $45.00