[BYRON] JUVENAL, Decimus Junius.
The Satires, Translated and illustrated by Francis Hodgson.
London, T. Bensley, 1807.
Quarto; a fine copy, complete with the list of subscribers and errata-slip, in a splendid contemporary russia binding with heavy sides, ornately decorated in blind and gilt, with the Newstead Abbey coat-of-arms heavily stamped on the cover, spine gilt between double raised bands, marbled edges, matching marbled endpapers; joints neatly repaired, occasional light foxing or faint soiling.
First edition of Hodgson's verse translation of Juvenal's Satires; Lowndes quotes Byron's opinion of this version as 'displaying unquestionable genius'. This especially handsome copy was bound for one of the subscribers, Thomas Wildman, Byron's schoolfriend who purchased Newstead Abbey from Byron's family at about the time of this book's publication.
Newstead Abbey, Nottinghamshire, was Byron's ancestral home; he wrote Hours of Idleness there in 1806. After he left Newstead, and England, for ever (leaving instructions that he should eventually be buried there in the family vault, near his dog, Boatswain), the property was sold to his former schoolfellow, Colonel Thomas Wildman. Wildman spent a vast amount of money on restoration of the estate, and also built a notable collection of Byron artefacts and memorabilia. Newstead Abbey is also famous for its connection with David Livingstone, the missionary and explorer, who wrote his journals there.
