12mo. xii, 382pp. Handsomely bound in later green half-morocco, marbled boards, gilt, T.E.G. Extremities a trifle rubbed. Marbled endpapers, armorial bookplate of Thomas Gaisford and later typed bookseller's description to FEP, later bookplate of William Crampton to recto of FFEP, inked ownership inscription to recto of front blank fly-leaf, lightly spotted.

A handsome copy of a rare collection of amusing anecdotes and succinct witticisms marketed as relief of melancholy. The more extensive narratives (225 in total) on 'celebrated characters' include Dryden, Bonaparte, Newton, Milton, and Walpole. The amusing contents include the story of 'A literary lady expressing to Dr Johnson her approbation of his dictionary, and, in particular, her satisfaction at his not admitting into it any improper words; 'No, Madam,' replied he, 'I hope I have not daubed my fingers; I find, however, that you have been looking for them.'

COPAC records a single copy (NLS); OCLC adds three further (Newberry, North Carolina, and San Francisco Public).