8V Alexander Chalmers THE SPECTATOR 1864 Gilt Scottish Writer Journalist Essays Letters

Title: The Spectator: With a Historical and Biographical Preface
Author: Alexander Chalmers - Alexander Chalmers was a Scottish writer born in Aberdeen. Trained as a doctor, he gave up medicine for journalism, and was for some time editor of the Morning Herald. Besides editions of the works of William Shakespeare, James Beattie, Henry Fielding, Samuel Johnson, Joseph Warton, Alexander Pope, Edward Gibbon, and Henry St John, Viscount Bolingbroke, he published A "General Biographical Dictionary" in 32 volumes (1812–1817); a "Glossary to Shakspeare" (1807); an edition of George Steevens's "Shakespeare" (1809); and the "British Essayists," beginning with the "Tatler" and ending with the "Observer," with biographical and historical prefaces and a general index.

A quotation is often attributed to him: "The three grand essentials of happiness are: Something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for."

His papers are held at the National Library of Scotland.

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
City: Boston
Year: 1864
Binding Style: Hardcover
Number of Volumes: 8 Full Set: Yes
Width: 4.75" Height: 7"
Book Details: This complete eight-volume set is bound in blindstamped red cloth with gilt spine lettering and ornamentation. Volume one contains a tissue-guarded frontispiece portrait. From the preface: "Succeeding Essayists have presented to the world labours of a similar kind both in purpose and accomplishment, which have justly entitled them to distinguished fame, but none of them have provoked, or wished to provoke, any comparison with the general merit of the 'Spectator.' It has subsisted in the plenitude of its original popularity for above a century, and no composition, merely human, has been so frequently printed and read."
Condition / Notes: This handsomely bound set is in exceptional condition, with minimal indications of age and wear. The bindings and text blocks are sound. Text is clear and crisp through mild uniform age toning.

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