LIFE OF MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

London: John Murray, 1864. 2 volumes. First Edition. Featuring a charming set of engravings depicting views of Arpino, Cicero's hometown, Rome, and Formia, where he was murdered, as well as portraits of him and other great Roman statesmen on coins and medals. With frontispieces to each volume and 12 plates; title pages printed in red and black within ornate border. 8vo, antique tan calf of the early 20th century by Root & Son, spines with raised bands, compartments ruled in gilt, red morocco labels, double gilt fillet frame on covers, gilt decoration on board edges and turn-ins, red endleaves, top edges gilt, yellow silk book markers. viii, [2], 310; [2], 299 pp. A handsome set, light evidence of age to the bindings, the headcap to Vol. II a bit rubbed, the text-blocks are clean, the illustrations are all in fine condition, a near fine copy. FIRST EDITION OF THIS FINE BIOGRAPHY OF CICERO. William Forsyth was a Scottish poet and journalist, editor of the "Aberdeen Journal", one of the oldest and most influential Scottish newspapers. His LIFE OF CICERO was praised by the "Yale Literary Magazine" as "the most complete and interesting account that we possess of any of the ancient classical authors. It presents to us new attractions for acquiring a more correct and intelligent appreciation of the character and genius of one who gained an almost unrivaled position among the great masters of oratory" (Review, p. 138)