Description

Title: The Pleader's Guide, A Didactic Poem in Two Parts: Containing the Conduct of a Suit at Law, with the Arguments of Counsellor Bother'um and Counsellor Bore'um in an Action Betwixt John-a-Gull and John-a-Gudgeon, for Assault and Battery, at a Late Contested Election. Author: J. J. S. Esquire (John Surrebutter, a pseudonym for John Anstey) Publisher: Printed for T. Cadell, and W. Davies, London Publication Date: 1804, Fourth Edition Format: hardcover; full leather; band gilt decoration and titles on spine. Length: 212 pages Size: approximately 5" by 7 1/4" Description: John Anstey was an English poet and barrister. First published in 1796 under the pseudonym of John Surrebutter, Anstey satirizes lawyers and their procedures; as well as the behaviors of civilians in court. According to a contemporary review, published in 1803 in The Poetical Register "'The Pleader's Guide' is the production of Mr. Anstey, a son of the celebrated author of the Bath Guide. From the merit of this volume, we might almost be tempted to believe that wit is hereditary. The same wit, the same humour, the same playful satire, that adorn the Bath Guide are to be found here. To render the jargon of the law at all bearable in verse, seems at first sight impossible, but Mr. Anstey has proved the fallacy of such an opinion. The man who can read the pleader's Guide without laughing, must be in possession of most inflexible muscles, or a more than common share of stupidity." Provenance: A beautiful engraved bookplate (or binder's plate) featuring a dove with laurel branch and the name "T. Larkins" is on the inside front cover. According to a gift inscription on the first front facing endpaper this rare antiquarian satirical look at the British legal system was given to Justice John W. Shenk by Everett W. Mattoon for Christmas of 1953. John Wesley Shenk (1875-1959) was a city attorney in Los Angeles, California, a Superior Court judge and a member of the California Supreme Court. Everett W. Mattoon was California's Assistant Attorney General under future Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren. Mattoon gave this book to Shenk while Shenk was a member of the California Supreme Court. Condition: The binding is tight and secure. There is some evidence that this book may have been rebound in the 1st half of the 19th century. If it was rebound, the binder appears to have used the original cover, but may have inserted new endpapers. The Title Page, Publication Page, and text block are age-toned and lightly foxed, which contrasts with the endpapers. The papers used as endpapers clearly date to the early 19th century and are consistent with a possible early rebinding. The bookplate or binder's plate is also on early paper and exhibits clear plate marks from hand pressing. "T. Larkins" may have been an early owner of this book or the craftsman who rebound this book in the early 19th century. If rebound, the workmanship is outstanding. The joints show minor weakness and some cracking (please see photos). The cover shows wear, including rubbing and bumping. There is a tear/roughness at the base of the spine. Overall, a really nice early satirical look at the British legal system.