Poems on several occasions. /
Robertson, J.,active 1770-1790.
Rosebery, Archibald Philip Primrose,Earl of,1847-1929,former owner.StEdNL
Boswell, James,1740-1795,former owner.StEdNL
Barnbougle Castle.Library,former owner.StEdNL
London: : Printed for T. Davies, in Russell-Street; G. Robinson, in Pater-noster-Row; and T. Cadell, in the Strand.,
1773..
ESTC
Armorial bookplate of the 5th Earl of Rosebery on the front pastedown, beneath which is pasted a sale catalogue description. Stamp of Barnbougle Castle Catalogue at the head of the front free endpaper. Manuscript inscription at head of recto of front flyleaf "James Boswell York 1776." The rest of the leaf, recto and verso, contains Boswell's comments: "These Poems were written by Mr. James Robertson a Comedian for a great many years in the York Company, a favourite in old comick characters. The most of them were first published under the title of Poems by Nobody. I liked some of them which I read in the Newspapers, paricularly 'The Poet and Straw' and told my friend Davies the Publisher so, one day when I was dining with him, & saw Robertson's Portrait hanging on his Chimney piece. In May 1776 I saw Robertson play at York, & bought this collection. I was offended with strains of infidel levity which I found in it. As Mr. Davies had written to him that I liked the genius of 'Nobody' I called on him and had him to sit with me a while at a coffeehouse. He seemed to have little knowledge or vivacity in conversation but was a very modest man & when I found fault with his infidel [s]allies[?], appeared to know not what he meant[?]".
England London.