Essays.: Collecta revirescunt.

London: printed for W. Griffin,, 1765. First collected edition, the preferred edition, with 236 pages and an engraved title page. A cheaper edition, perhaps pirated, was issued the same year with 187 pages, a letterpress title page, and the typography "in a poorer form" (Tinker) than the present edition. There is no consensus on priority. In these 25 essays and two poems, Goldsmith discusses anecdotes, history, and social phenomena, for example, the epidemic of "Terror" that plagues Britain (Essay XIII). In his preface, the author notes the ephemeral nature of these pieces, which previously appeared in various periodicals throughout his career. Looking to his future reputation, he writes, "Mr Posterity. Sir, Nine hundred and ninety-nine years after sight hereof, pay the bearer, or order, a thousand pound's worth of praise, free from all deductions whatsoever" (pp. vi-vii). Duodecimo (162 x 99 mm). Early 20th-century speckled calf by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, spine lettered in gilt, raised bands, covers, and turn-ins ruled in blind. Engraved title page with vignette. Bound with rear advert leaf; bound without L12 rear blank. Extremities slightly rubbed, offsetting to endpapers from turn-ins, contents generally clean. A very good copy indeed. ESTC T146065; Rothschild 1027; Tinker, pp. 156-8; Williams, p. 136.