Columella; or the Distressed Anchoret: A Colloquial Tale.

FICTIONAL PORTRAYAL OF SHENSTONE
first edition 2 vols. 12mo. iv, 240; [4], 248pp., frontispiece plate in each volume, contemporary Irish sprinkled calf, spines panelled by gilt highlighted raised bands, large bunch of flowers tool at panel centres, red morocco labels gilt, edges dyed green, frontispieces trifle shaved at their fore-edges, else a fine fresh copy.

ESTC t10229
Richard Graves (Glocestershire, 1715-1804), poet and novelist, educated at Oxford, graduated B.A. in 1736, became a fellow of All Soul's College, took his Master's Degree at Oxford, 1740 and was ordained in the same year. He obtained a curacy near Reading but lost his fellowship and offended his relations by marrying an uneducated sixteen year old farmer's daughter. He remained very poor for some years but later through the interest of Sir Edward Harvey became Rector of Claverton, Vicar of Kilmersdon and Chaplin to the Countess of Chatham. For thirty years he took pupils whom he educated with his own family. His pupils included Ralph Warburton, the bishop's only son, the author, Henry Skrine, the artist, Prince Hoare, and Malthus who claimed to have been "taught little but Latin and good behaviour". Graves was the author of many works including novels, essays and verses.This novel which praises the active life as being superior to that of the small country gentleman is based on his old friend from college days, William Shenstone (1714-1763). So thinly veiled indeed is the portrayal that he calls the book 'A Colloquial Tale' rather than the more usual 'Novel' or 'Romance'. A coach journey from Oxford to London forms the setting for a discussion, often amusing, between old college friends on the nature and purpose of life. The character modelled on Shenstone has from early life been an enthusiast for Columella's De Re Rustica and hence the title. Christopher Anstey and Elizabeth Montagu were amongst the novel's admirers. Jane Austen was also probably familiar with it judging by what is probably a reference to it in Sense and Sensibility [vol. I, 19].