Description
[J. Olivier, abbé] Memoirs of the Life and Adventures of Signor Rozelli, Late of The Hague. Giving a particular Account of his Birth, Education, Slavery, Monastic State, Imprisonment in the Inquisition at Rome, and the different Figures he has since made, as well in Italy, as in England, France and Holland. With the CONTINUATION of the same to the Day of his Death. Written by Himself, just before his Decease And committed to the Care of an intimate Friend. The Whole being a Series of the most distressing History, and surprising Events, ever yet made public. Adorn’d with curious Copper Cuts. The Fourth Edition, Corrected. Vol. I. [and the same title for Vol. II.] London, Printed for J. Osborn, at the Golden Ball, in Pater-noster-Row, J. King, in Moorfields, and C. Corbett, at Addison’s Head, Fleet-street. M.DCC.XL. [1740].
12mo. Lowndes III: 2148a. See also Hadas-Lebel, Mireille, Juifs et protestants du Languedoc d’après un romain anonyme du XIIIe siècle. Frontispiece and 4 plates in Vol. I; frontispiece and 4 plates in Vol. II. [Vol. I: frontispiece; 5 leaves; 274 pages; plates bound in at pp. 46, 97, 191, 265; Vol. II: frontispiece, 5 leaves; 231 numberesd pages; postscript on the verso of p. 231; plates bound in at pp. 1, 114, 138, 190] Rebound in modern marbled boards with tan leather spine, gilt-stamped red label, 16 cm. Ex libris Kansas City Missouri Public Library, pages block stamped, perforation stamp on the title page, ink stamp and call number on the verso of the titlepage. The title page, frontispiece and introductory pages of Vol. I have been repaired, as have introductory pages of Vol. II. Both volumes have had the text block trimmed, sharply across the top. Introductory page edges of both volumes worn.
Upon inquiry, the Kansas City Public Library replied: “Unfortunately I did not locate documentation related to your copy of Memoirs of the Life and Adventures of Signor Rozelli. I know that the Kansas City Public Library deaccessioned a portion of its rare books collection and sold through Swann Auction Galleries in the 1990s. I had assumed the title could be located among their catalogues, but a listing for the book could not be found. I can tell you that this is an item for which we have no record indicating how it was removed from the library, nor are we seeking its recovery.” A picaresque novel, written for amusement, the adventures and exploits of Signor Rozelli, “Colli,” include observations on the accession of Queen Anne to the throne of England, “The English are never better govern’d than when they have a Woman at the Helm.” (II, 200) Colli consults the cabala, is cured by a Jewish physician, and feigns conversion to Judaism to win Esther.
George Frederick Meier The Merry Philosopher or Thoughts on Jesting 1764
Handel Jest Book LAUGH and be FAT or The MERRY COMPANION 1720
Jest Book The Merry-Droll or Pleasing Companion MDCCLXIX 1769
