The Warbling Muses, or Treasure of Lyric Poetry:

containing Seven Hundred and Thirty-one Songs, on all sorts of subjects, and in every measure of verse; a great many of them from Manuscripts, and scarce and found in the Collections. Compiled for the Use of Musical Composers; as likewise for the Entertainment of Youth in our polite schools.

 

First Edition. 12mo (160 x 95mm). xii, 300pp. Some minor spotting in places and a little browned but otherwise fine. Contemporary calf, covers ruled in gilt, spine divided by five raised bands and ruled in gilt, red sprinkled edges, plain endpapers (very lightly rubbed in places).

 

London: for G. Woodfall, 1749

A very nice copy of an 18th century book of songs intended for school children. Dedicated to the Princess of Orange and printed in a small format so as to be "four Times as cheap as I could otherwise have made it, and of a size proper for the Pocket". 

 

The compiler, Benjamin Wakefield, notes in his preface that he has collected songs from various sources including those from our "most celebrated poets, from Shakespear down to Pope" (vi). He also informs the reader that he has omitted "leud ones" to make the collection appropriate for children and so that "this Collection may claim a place in the study of the chastest Matron; and that Diana, might, without a blush, have it found lying on her toilet" (xii).

 

Stock Code: 244418