Beschreibung:

Charles Morris A collection of autograph manuscript verse, comprising: i) Lyra Urbanica, autograph manuscript collection of poems, the copytext of the collection published posthumously under this title, fair copies with occasional corrections, divided into two sections (described as "volumes") each with separate address "To the Publick" (volume two "To the Members of the old Beef Steak Society"), dedication (both "To the Hon.ble Mrs Lxxxxxx"), and address "To the Reader", a small number of poems cancelled in ink and marked "Not to be printed" (such as an obscene "Masquerade Song, as Prior of a Brotherhood of Grey Monks from Carlton Palace", and "On a New Pump placd in the Stable Yard [...] the water of which has so urinous a smell that it coudn't be us'd"), a small number of annotations in a second hand, printer's manuscript with casting off marks noting the beginning of each gathering (corresponding to the 1840 printed edition), paginated (535 and 122 pages), 657 pages, 4to (240 x 195mm), contemporary cloth with spine labelled "Lyra Urbanica | Capt. C. Morris", covers detached and stained, first gathering of 20 leaves loose, printer's ink smudges and fingerprints ii) "Lyrica Festiva or The Mirthful Effusions of Charles Morris Esqr. 1st Vol.", autograph manuscript volume of poems, with index of first lines, preface "To the Reader" explaining the circumstances in which he has asembled this collection, followed by c.84 poems, with place and date of composition of each poem (1780s-1810s), revisions and corrections throughout, 246 numbered pages, 4to (235 x 192mm), early 19th century, contemporary parchment boards lettered on upper cover ("MSS for Pub... | 1 Vol..."), light damp staining iii) Untitled collection of verse, with preface (acknowledging that "Many of the little pieces in this Volume may appear as virulent invectives & furious Party rancour against a minister, now departed") signed and dated 28 April 1824, c.180 pages, revisions and corrections throughout, some leaves excised and other pasted down, 4to, 1824, contemporary parchment boards with label on the upper cover ("Ready for Publication if deem'd advisable"), one poem ("A parting word To my beloved Brethren of the old Beefsteak Society") on a separate bifolium loosely inserted, light staining[with three further volumes compiled by later family members:] iv) Manuscript poetic miscellany, including many poems written by Captain Arthur Morris of the 73rd Foot whilst on active service in India and elsewhere, c.50 pages, 8vo, early 19th century v) Manuscript poetic miscellany, including many poems written by Captain Arthur Morris of the 73rd Foot whilst on active service in India and elsewhere in the early 19th century, c.120 pages, 8vo, compiled c.1890, straight-grained black morocco, loss at spine, some leaves excised vi) Sequence of 17 numbered pastoral poems, headed Eidyllion (Idyll), 88 pages, 4to, early 19th century, calf gilt, some leaves excised and first leaf loose "Boy, bring my glass! - It lights a gleamO'er Life's too gloomy shade.There, still, through Hope's illusive meam,The world's in charms array'd..." (The Balm of Life) "Having been much urg'd, by my Friends, & well-wishers, to publish, the little, worthless produce of my Pen, which task, I design'd to have left, to the judgement, & decision, of those, who might survive me; I have, at length, from very unexpected, tho' not unexampled disappointment, in worldly hopes assented, to their kind entreaty; & have selected, all the little popular, & approved convivial effusions, & festive recreations, which the good-humoured World, has been pleasd to admit, as a lively help, to the social glow, of the Table, & the friendy hilarity, of Life -" (Lyrica Festiva, 'To The Reader'). A LARGE COLLECTION OF AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT VERSES BY A SIGNIFICANT LYRIC POET OF THE LATE-EIGHTEENTH AND EARLY-NINETEENTH CENTURY. Charles Morris (1745-1838) was a prolific and much admired songwriter and performer whose work was a part