Georgian Satire · Second Edition · Illustrated Books
The Pleasures of Human Life — 1807 Second Edition, Georgian Satire and Rowlandson Illustrations
Hilaris Benevolus & Co. [John Britton] · London: Longman, Hurst, Rees & Orme, 1807
Catalogue details
Description
An early Georgian satirical work published in London in 1807, second edition, attributed to John Britton writing as Hilaris Benevolus & Co. With an illustrated title, a striking satirical frontispiece and a suite of illustrations associated bibliographically with Thomas Rowlandson. Preserved in period full calf with gilt Greek-key borders and an ornamental central wreath. The owner reports the copy complete.
- Dimensions
- Measurements gladly provided on request
- Author
- Hilaris Benevolus & Co. (pseudonym associated with John Britton)
- Full title
- The Pleasures of Human Life: investigated cheerfully, elucidated satirically, promulgated explicitly, and discussed philosophically
- Edition
- Second Edition
- Date
- 1807
- Publisher
- Longman, Hurst, Rees & Orme, London
- Pagination / collation
- Reference copies: xvi, 223–224 pages (pagination varies by catalogue convention). The page sequence of this particular example has not yet been collated.
- Illustrated plates
- Bibliographical references describe five hand-coloured etched plates by Thomas Rowlandson, with a frontispiece and additional engraved title. All plates in this particular copy require individual checking.
- Format / reference size
- Small-format illustrated volume, approximately 17 cm in height in library records. Measurements are available on request.
- Place of origin
- London, England; published by Longman, Hurst, Rees & Orme in 1807.
- Completeness
- Reported complete by the owner. Final confirmation requires collation of text, engraved title, frontispiece and plates.
- Illustrations
- Title page calls for five illustrative etchings and two head-pieces; complete according to owner. Rowlandson is associated with the plates.
- Binding
- Period full calf with gilt Greek-key border and oval floral tooling
- Condition
- Please consult the photographs for condition. Additional photographs are available on request.
Bibliographic reference data are distinguished from observations of the actual Ten Bells copy. Exact dimensions, plate count and ownership evidence remain subject to physical verification.
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Historical context & sources
Georgian humour and social satire
Published as a spirited satirical response to James Beresford’s The Miseries of Human Life, this work playfully explores the amusements, affectations, and contradictions of contemporary society through twelve dissertations on male, female and neuter pleasures, accompanied by anecdotes and comic observations. Its satirical mode and lively illustration place it within the flourishing culture of early nineteenth-century London caricature and humorous publishing.
The illustrated plates and frontispiece
The title page specifies five illustrative etchings and two head-pieces. The work is associated in the book trade with illustrations by Thomas Rowlandson (1757–1827), a major figure in Georgian caricature. The provided photograph displays the striking illustrated introductory spread, incorporating the comic face on the pictorial title and an upside-down image satirising the miseries of human life. Individual plate signatures and hand-colouring throughout are not independently verified from the three available photographs.
