Two on a Tower.: A Romance.

London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington,, 1882. Two infinitesimal lives against the stupendous background of the stellar universe First edition in book form of this work "glancing towards contemporary science in juxtaposing a young astronomer's rapt contemplation of the stars with his inattentiveness towards the older woman who loves and assists him" (ODNB). In his preface to the 1895 edition, Hardy explains his goal was to "set the emotional history of two infinitesimal lives against the stupendous background of the stellar universe". It was initially serialized in both America and the UK in the Boston-based Atlantic Monthly between May and December 1882. Some readers of the magazine "objected to the spurned heroine's marrying an unsuspecting bishop in order to provide a father for her unborn child, and the magazine's editor complained that he had been promised a family story but supplied instead with a story in the family way" (ODNB). Three volumes, octavo (180 x 120 mm). Contemporary red half morocco, spines lettered and ruled in gilt, floral gilt device in compartments, sides and corners ruled with twin gilt fillets, marbled sides and endpapers, top edges gilt. Bound with half-titles. A little rubbing and wear to extremities, neatly retouched, foxing to outer leaves, margins mildly toned, short closed tear to fore margin of vol. II, p. 18, small splash mark and neat paper restoration to upper margin of vol. III, p. 19, not affecting text. A very good copy indeed. Purdy, pp. 41-4; Sadleir 1116; Wolff 2996.