Reviews Of The Waverley Novels, From Rob Roy To The Chronicles Of The Canongate Inclusive, With Some Miscellaneous Articles. Senior, Nassau William.

First edition, a specially bound presentation copy inscribed on the title page: "Mr A. Thibaudeau, from the author". This edition includes Senior's July 1821 review of the state of British agriculture - his first published analysis of any economic question, and a relatively orthodox discussion of free-trade doctrine. Senior's dedicatee is probably Adolphe Narcisse Thibaudeau (1795-1856), the editor of the radical Paris newspaper Le National who spent time in England after 1832 and corresponded with John Stuart Mill, a contemporary of Senior at the Political Economy Club. In an 1834 commissioner's report, Senior thanks "M. Thibaudeau" for providing information on foreign labourers and poor relief. This edition collects seven offprint articles from 1821 to 1835, with a new title page and with the material not by Senior obscured by overslips. Senior's literary criticism of the Waverley novels remains frequently cited in studies of Scott's work. The reviews in this collection cover several of Scott's lesser-known works, including The Fortunes of Nigel (1822) and Peveril of the Peak (1823). Karl Marx judged Senior the "bel-esprit of English economists, well-known, alike for his economical 'science' and for his beautiful style" (Capital, vol. I, sect. III). This binding is found on the other inscribed copies which have come to market. Goldsmiths' 31901. Octavo (213 x 132 mm). Contemporary straight-grain calf, smooth spine ruled in gilt and decorated in blind, with red morocco label, covers panelled in gilt, brown coated endpapers, edges sprinkled brown, Light bumping and wear, minor browning and foxing to endpapers and contents: a very good copy.