Anecdotes of the Manners and Customs of London from the Roman Invasion to the Year 1700 3 Volume Set

Published in 1811, this second edition is a very personal review of the history and customs of England and London.

James Peller Malcolm (Author)

9781108081573, Cambridge University Press

Multiple-component retail product, published 2 April 2015

1148 pages, 6 b/w illus. 12 colour illus.
21.6 x 14 x 7 cm, 1.41 kg

Born in Philadelphia, James Peller Malcolm (1767–1815) travelled to London in 1787, remaining there until his death. Initially hoping for a career as a landscape painter, he became well known for his engravings, which appeared in the Gentleman's Magazine from 1792, and for his books on history that made extensive use of original local records. First published in 1808, Anecdotes gives a typically personal and often light-hearted account of the history and customs of Malcolm's adopted city. Illustrated with his engravings, the work ranges from considering the diet and dress of the ancient Britons to suggesting that the Great Fire of London was state-sanctioned to rid the city of plague. This is the 1811 second edition of a valuable and often entertaining insight into English social history. The volumes cover such topics as the origin of English character, religion and superstition, and amusements and popular pastimes.

Volume 1: Introduction
1. Origin of British society, customs, and manners. Volume 2: 2. Religion
3. Superstition
4. Dress. Volume 3: 5. Amusements
6. Illustrations of the changes in our language, literary customs, and improvement in style and versification
7. Libraries
Appendix
Index.

Subject Areas: British & Irish history [HBJD1]