BELL, Robert. A Description of the Condition and Manners as well as of the Moral and Political Character, Education, &c. of the Peasantry of Ireland, such as they were between the years 1780 & 1790, when Ireland was supposed to have arrived at its highest degree of prosperity and happiness.

London: Printed for the Author by C. Barber, 1804. First edition. Octavo. pp. 4, 43. Contemporary full polished calf, title in gilt on red morocco label on gilt decorative spine.
Some spotting throughout. A very attractive copy. Extremely rare in commerce.

COPAC with 8 locations. Goldsmiths’-Kress no. 18787. Bradshaw, 7648; Black, 2419. With contemporary manuscript note at front with extract from Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s Speech in the House of Commons, 13 August 1807, in which he defends the character of the Irish, and recommends reading this book: “The character of the Irish peasants has been grossly misrepresented. Instead of being that barbarous, turbulent, idle, and vicious race of people which some supposed them to be, they were in general the reverse; they were benevolent, peaceable & industrious. This he knew from various sources of information. It could be proved from many valuable books and pamphlets; and among these be was particularly interested in reading “Mr Bell’s description of the Peasantry of Ireland”.