An Account of Corsica,: the Journal of a Tour to that Island; and Memoirs of Pascal Paoli. Illustrated with a New and Accurate Map of Corsica.

Glasgow: by Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly in the Poultry, London,, 1768. Establishing Boswell's fame and advancing the Corsican cause First edition of Boswell's first important publication, an account of his travels to Corsica in 1765, where he took up the cause of Corsican independence and befriended the leader Paoli. The publication established Boswell's reputation, and did much to promote the Corsican cause both in Britain and across Europe. "With its reports of the gallant islanders and a Plutarchan depiction of Paoli paralleled with several classical heroes, it was an immediate success. The work was widely read and translated, stimulated great interest in Paoli and the Corsican cause, brought its author wide fame in Britain and Europe, and found an interested readership among the Americans. It attracted the notice of the French government (which had a translation made), and though Boswell's ambition for British intervention was not to be fulfilled, he probably influenced Britain's decision to send secret supplies of arms to the Corsicans" (ODNB). Octavo (205 x 129 mm). Early 20th-century calf to style, red morocco labels, gilt in compartments, plain endpapers. Large engraved folding map of Corsica (second state, with imprint); engraved rococo title vignette incorporating the Moor's Head arms of Corsica. Bound without terminal blank. Ownership signature to title page dated 1771, early 20th-century bookplate to front pastedown of T. H. Parnell, Mounton. Binding fine, light toning to endpapers, head of central leaves, half-title, and terminal leaf, short closed tear to folding map in gutter, scattered light foxing. A very good copy. ESTC T26157; Gaskell, Foulis, 473; Pottle 24; Rothschild 442.