The Tryal of Thomas 1st Earl of Macclesfield

We just got in a lovely 1725 copy of the proceedings in the trial of Thomas Earl of Macclesfield. Not having much knowledge about this trial, I decided to do some research.

Thomas Parker was the son of an attorney (of the same name), who stayed in the family business. In 1691 he was called to the bar, and became a Member of Parliament. He served under the monarchs Queen Anne and King George I, and was was a favorite of the King; so much so, he was knighted in 1705 and made Privy Counsellor in 1710 after refusing the office of Lord Chancellor.

The Earl of Macclesfield, as depicted by Sir Godfrey Kneller.

Thomas was Lord Chief Justice, the second-highest judge of the Courts of England and Wales, from 1710 to 1718, during which time he was elevated in title to Baron Parker of Macclesfield. His movement up the ladder did not stop there. When Queen Anne died on August 1, 1714 her successor, George I, was in Germany, so Baron Parker was designated Regent until the new king could take the crown. Parker ended up governing until September 18, 1718, and even gave the King's Speech in the House of Lords since the new monarch could not speak English.

In 1718, he became Lord Chancellor, and was eventually advanced to the title of Earl of Macclesfield in 1721 with an additional title of Viscount Parker. However in 1725, fortune averted her gaze from Parker. In this year, Parker was impeached and tried in the House of Lords. The ruling was found unanimously to convict him of corruption. It turns out, Parker took more than £100,000 in bribes, which is somewhere in the range of  £11,000,000 today. He was jailed in the Tower of London and required to pay a £30,000 fine before being released. This conviction lead Parker to resign as Lord Chancellor, and to be struck off the roll of the Privy Council.

Unfortunately for Parker, his money was confiscated as part of court proceedings, and thus, this once wealthy man had no resources to quickly pay his fine. Once released from the Tower, Parker spent the rest of his life at his son's estate, Shirburn Castle. 

1852 Proceedings of the Annual Communication of the Grand [Masonic] Lodge of Alabama

Today is conspiracy theory gold! Had the 1852 Proceedings of the Annual Communication of the Grand [Masons] Lodge of Alabama come through my desk today. Snapped a few pics that include the Masonic calendar for that year. It's a gorgeous, yet delicate, book. However, some of the wording inside the book definitely gave me the heebie jeebies. THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE!

The Cutter

The Cutter in Five Lectures Upon the Art and Practice of Cutting Friends, Acquaintances, and Relations
- this particular copy is from 1808, and just arrived bubble-wrapped to the heavens! It really is gorgeous (and quite the funny read)! 

Witchcraft in Old and New England

Had this lovely book from 1929 come in this morning. I'm so excited to read through it!The accessible materials for a history of Elizabethan witchcraft are scattered and fragmentary. Much is lost. We cannot hope to understand the prosecutions of the last sixty years of the 17th century, whether in Old England or New, until we arrive at a substantially accurate comprehension of what was thought and done at the close of the great queen's reign. Contents; typical case; English witchcraft before 1558; image magic and the like; love and hate; madness, curses and the elfshot; Venefica; charms ghoulish and profane; wind and weather; witch in the dairy; metamorphosis; mirrors and thieves; treasure trove; haunted houses and haunted men; the seer; cold water; company and the witches; Sabbath; King James I; witchcraft and the Puritans.

Complaints and Disorders: The Sexual Politics of Sickness

This awesome 1973 pamphlet graced my desk -

Complaints and Disorders: The Sexual Politics of Sickness

Introduction paragraph:
"The medical system is strategic for women's liberation. It is the Guardian of reproductive technology-birth control, abortion, and the means for safe childbirth. It holds the promise of freedom from hundreds of unspoken fears and complaints that have handicapped women throughout history."

It has some pretty awesome photos and cartoons inside. (see photo)

Thomas Ashe's First Work - 1588

This Christmas miracle is a beautifully preserved first edition of Thomas Ashe's first work titled:

"La Table al lieur des Reports del tresreuerend Judge Sir Iames Dyer Dhiualer, iades chiefe Iustice del common banke: per quel facilment & troueront toutes choses conteinus in icel ore tarde compose per T[homas] A[she]"

Ashe was an English legal writer who entered as a student of he Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, one of the four professional associations for barristers and judges in London, in 1574. He was called to the bar on January 24, 1582-3 and finally became pensioner of his inn on October 17, 1597.

This work is the first abridgment of any reports of a named reporter, and launched Ashe's career as the master and pioneer of this genre of legal literature.

The work is bound in contemporary calf. 

Minimal cracking, and firm joints

American Bandits

A 1938 copy of "American Bandits" which is a really fun, short read! The deeds of Jesse James, Bonnie and Clyde, as well as other notorious American outlaws, rebels, and gangsters are highlighted in this book!

Dr. Welwood's Memoirs

A copy of Dr. Welwood's Memoirs printed in 1702. The cover has beautiful blind stamping, and inside there are signs of pesky bookworms (yes, they're real)!

A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of the Sublime and Beautiful

Today we got in a 5th edition of Edmund Burke's "A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful" from 1772. This was the first complete philosophical work contemplating the separation of the sublime and beautiful into their own respective categories. This was a very controversial work, and was commented on by Immanuel Kant and drew the attention of Denis Diderot.

Memoirs of Sir Robert Peel

A copy of the "Memoirs of Sir Robert Peel" from 1857. What a beauty! The gilded edges are not only decorative, but serve a purpose. They help protect the pages from browning, moisture, and dust.

A little about the subject: Sir Robert Peel twice served as Prime Minister of the U.K. (December 1834 - April 1835 & August 1841 - June 1846). He is thought of as the father of modern British policing and a founding member of the modern Conservative Party.