[Griffiths, Ralph] ASCANIUS; OR, THE YOUNG ADVENTURER CONTAINING AN IMPARTIAL HISTORY OF THE REBELLION IN SCOTLAND IN THE YEARS 1745, 1746 IN WHICH IS GIVEN A PARTICULAR ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF PRESTONPANS, AND DEATH OF COLONEL GARDNER. WITH A JOURNAL OF THE MIRACULOUS ADVENTURES AND ESCAPE OF THE YOUNG CHEVALIER AFTER THE BATTLE OF CULLODEN.

Edinburgh, Ogle Allardyce and Thomson, 1818

8vo, (17cm),  216pp.   Frontispiece and three other engravings.  Battle of Falkirk lines illustrated in text on p.40, and there is a folding plate of the lines of the Battle of Culloden.  Contemprarly sprinkled calf with gilt rules to boards and spine compartments.  Marbled endpapers.  Bookplate of John Waldie and library plate to the front pastedown.  Minor wear only to covers. Binding sound.  Internally bright with very little foxing.  Occasional soiling mark. Moderate to heavy offsetting from plates.  No inks.

An excellent copy of this rare early 19th Century reprint of this Jacobite work first printed in 1746.  Ascanius is often categorised as “Jacobite propaganda” published to raise funds for the Young Pretender’s cause, but this is not the case.  Ralph Griffiths was not a Jacobite by any measure, but the ostensibly glowing portrayal of Bonnie Prince Charlie in Ascanius landed him in hot water.  Griffiths, his printer William Faden and his  publisher, William Owen were all examined at Whitehall Cockpit on January 9th, 1746/7 (O.S.) for seditious libel following the appearance of this “Pamphlett”.  Griffiths claimed here that he had composed it from “accounts of the Rebellion published in the London Gazette”.  The book was enlarged and became immensely popular, remaining a best-seller throughout the 18th and 19th century.  This unusual illustrated edition is seldom encountered in commerce.

 

[ref:1536]£225