Essays: social, moral, and political. (Presentation copy from the author)

/ By Richard Birnie, Esq., M.A., Barrister-at-Law. [Selected and reprinted from “The Australasian”]. Melbourne : Alex M’Kinley & Co., Printers & Publishers, 61 Queen Street, 1879. Octavo (187 mm), publisher’s gilt-stamped red cloth over boards (scattered ink marks and small stains), spine lettered in gilt (softened at ends); a presentation copy from the author, inscribed in ink on the title page ‘With the Author’s kind regards’, and with a second inscription in the same hand to the first blank ‘Robert Walsh, from his friend. St. Patrick’s Day, 1884’; pp vii, [1 blank], 222, [1 publisher’s advertisement]; hinges cracked, spotting to edges, title with mild offsetting, contents clean.

The essay titles are: Christmas / Cleanliness / Conceit / Common sense / Classical Literature / Diet / Early closing / Fact and fiction / Flattery / Interference / Imagination / Marking time / Nonsense / Noblesse oblige / Old age / Pride / Ridicule / Rivalry / Suicide / Sarcasm / The puddingbag / Tact / The convict expires / Vanity.

Ferguson 7047.