[Pope, Alexander.]

8vo, first edition, half-title (A Letter to Mr. Rowe Concerning the Non-Juror"), bound last in a volume of twelve pamphlets [see below], contemporary panelled calf, spine gilt, red morocco label ("Pamphlets"), a fine copy

[Pope A clue to the comedy of the Non-Juror:] Griffith Add. 90a; Lowe (Arnott and Robinson) 3851

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

An extraordinary volume of pamphlets, in very fine condition, containing at the end a rare prose tract by Pope. Colley Cibber's comedy, The Non-Juror, based on Molière's Tartuffe, was a cheap piece of propaganda and political opportunism, designed to curry favour with the Hanoverian court. Branding all nonjurors as either hypocrites or dupes, if not outright Jacobites,the play catered to the worst instincts of the mob, and many found it offensive. It was initially a great success, but in time it came to be seen as a blot upon Cibber's reputation. Included were a number of casual references to the writings of Pope. "These three allusions, not very meaningful in themselves, were probably meant to suggest that Pope's verse would be popular in homes disaffected to Hanoverian interests and to remind the audience or reader that Pope himself was a Catholic and, all too probably. . . . a Jacobite."  (Guerinot, p. 70). Pope was never slow to respond to such hints. This pamphlet is addressed to Nicholas Rowe, whose prologue to Cibber's play was particularly vitriolic with regard to the Jacobites. The text is a kind of sneering commentary, scene by scene, concluding with remarks upon Cibber's motives, and his limitations as a writer. Griffith and others at first wrongly assigned to Pope a pamphlet with a similar title which was in fact by John Breval, one of Curll's hacks, writing under the pseudonym "Joseph Gay" (see below); the error was first spotted in an article published in 1923, as Griffith acknowledges in his appendix.

Bound in at the front of this volume are: [Salt, Aylmer.] A letter to Mr. Timothy Goodwin, 1717, first edition--M., L. A short narrative of the life and death of John Reinholdt Count
Patkul, a nobleman of Livonia...1717, first edition--[Russia.] A memorial presented to the King of Great-Britain, by M. Wesselofski the Czar's resident at London, on the 14th of December, 1718...1720, first edition--[Gordon, Thomas.] Considerations offered upon the approaching peace, and upon the importance of Gibraltar to the British empire..., 1720, fourth edition--Steele, Sir Richard. The crisis of property...1720, first edition, written in response to the South Sea Bubble--[Dennis, John.] The characters and conduct of Sir John Edgar...1720, first edition [Lowe (Arnott and Robinson) 3566]--[Rag, Timothy, pseud.] An answer to a whimsical pamphlet, call'd, The Character of Sir John Edgar, 1720, first edition, very scarce,  [Lowe (Arnott and Robinson) 3570]--[Raleigh, Sir Walter.] The tryal of Sir Walter Raleigh Kt. With his speech on the scaffold. 1719