The Ancient and Present State of Orkney, particularly the Capital Borough of Kirkwall. To which are added, the petty tyrants; or, grinders of the poor. The characteristic new year's gift, or Lawrie's Elections .... by George Eunson - 1788

Newcastle upon Tyne: Printed for the Author, 1788 A good copy of the scarce 1st edition. Written as a protest - the author's preface states 'the design of publishing....is rather to make more clearly known the hardships and unconstitutional government of this Burgh'. Eunson has an interesting history: some accounts state that he was a smuggler who turned 'gamekeeper' being made an Officer of Excise by an influential patron. His zeal made him enemies who then had him arrested and locked up. The book is said to be his revenge and he does not hold back - accusing the nobility of rigging elections in favour of their cronies; and that the legal profession were involved in smuggling. This copy is in a half leather binding with raised bands and title label to spine and marbled boards. It is in good clean condition with some wear to the front spine joint and general rubbing and wear to corners and edges. There is the bookplate of John Davie Manson Robertson, a noted Orcadian, to the front pastedown and a pencilled signature to the fep. Contents: blank; title page; dedication; general preface 4pp; and text to p127 - which includes some poetry (eg 'Petty Tyrants, or Grinders of the Poor'); finis. The title page has some paper repair; there are a couple of small repaired edge tears at pp 30 and 82; the corner tip of p99 is missing; there is small loss to the bottom of p109; and light worming notice from p102 with very slight loss of text.