1781 – THE ENGLISH GARDEN: A Poem. In Four Books. By W. Mason. 
 
RARE and ANTIQUARIAN Full LEATHER Book. Bound in FULL CALF and a panelled spine with a gilt title, and a FRONTISPIECE PORTRAIT of Mr. Mason. 
 
YORK PRINTED BY A. WARD: And fold by J. Dodsley, Pall-Mall; T. CADELL, in the Strand; and R. FAULDER, in New Bond-Street, London: And J. TODD, in York. M.DCC.LXXXI (1781).  
 
In four parts, bound in one book, each with a separate title page, pagination and register; book 1 is of the second edition, London, 1777; book 2 has no edition stated, but published in 1777, York; book 3 has no edition stated, but published in 1779, London; book 4 has no edition stated, but published in 1781, York. 
 
ALL PAGES ARE PRESENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR: 35pp book 1, 33pp book 2, 32pp book 3, 38 pp book 4, plus ‘General Postscript’ at the rear. Please note that the pages for book 2 are out of the correct order and are as follows: Page 3, 4, 1, 2, 7, 8, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and then correctly through to page 33 (although all present). 
 
William Mason (1724–1797) was an English poet, author, and Glergyman, best known for this poem "The English Garden." He was the vicar of Aston, Yorkshire in 1754 and the Canon of York in 1762. Between 1772 and 1781 Mason wrote ‘The English Garden’.
 
This poem, written in blank verse, reflects Mason's appreciation for nature and landscape gardening, emphasising the beauty of the English countryside. William Mason was friend of ‘Thomas Gray’ (Gray’s Elegy).
 
THE COVER IS INTACT, although fragile and there is age-related wear. This includes bumping and rubbing at the corners, rubbing at the edges, patches of rubbing, marks and scratches on the boards and spine, rips at the top and bottom of the spine, and splits down the long edges of the spine, although the cover is still complete. Please see the photographs provided for further reference. 
 
Inside, the pages are lightly tanned, with some light marks (which do not obscure the text), but overall, for a book of this age, the pages are in a neat state, and predominantly uncreased (see photos as examples). There are just some creases on the pastedowns and only the very occasional other small or light crease on the pages. Just a handful of pages have small rips at their edges. Several further pages have pinprick sized holes near their inner edge, but these do not affect the text. Between the pastedowns and free endpapers there are cracks in the gutter. However, all the main pages themselves are secure and tightly bound. On the front free endpaper and half title page there are small pen inscriptions. However, there are no further pen or pencil marks inside this book. 
 
PLEASE STUDY THE PHOTOS CAREFULLY AS TO THE CONDITION OF THIS BOOK, AS THEY DO FORM PART OF THE DESCRIPTION. 
 
This measures approximately 27 cm by 22 cm and 1.6 cm wide. It weighs approximately 635 grams. 
 
Thank you for looking.