Infancy, or The management of children, : a didactic poem, in six books. The fourth edition. /
Downman, Hugh,1740-1809.
Nugent, Charles Edmund,Sir,approximately 1759-1844,former owner.StEdNL
Downman, Hugh,1740-1809,inscriber.StEdNL
Siddons, Sarah,1755-1831,dedicatee.StEdNL
Bell, John,approximately 1736-1806,bookseller.
Kearsley, George,-1790,bookseller.
G. G. and J. Robinson (Paternoster Row, London, England),bookseller.
G. & T. Wilkie (Firm),bookseller.
Edinburgh: : Printed for John Bell, Parliament Close: G. G. J. & J. Robinson, G. & T. Wilkie; and G. Kearsley, London.,
M,DCC,LXXXVIII. [1788]
ESTC
With the bookplate of Admiral Nugent on front free endpaper and a lengthy twenty line rhyming couplet  presentation inscription in the author's hand, headed 'To Mrs Siddons' and initialed H.D. at  foot. Downman was well known as a presenter of copies of his books to friends and wider acquaintances; he also presented to leading eighteenth-century tragic actress Sarah Siddons (1755-1831) a copy of his 1781 "Poems to Thespia".  There is no ownership indication to prove this copy ever reached Siddons, and no obvious connection between Downman and Siddons; however, the manuscript poem entitled 'To Mrs Siddons' which begins with the line 'To praise those wondrous talents wch. command' leaves little doubt that she was the intended recipient.
Scotland Edinburgh.