The Letters of Mrs. Elizabeth Montagu, Parts I and II, by Matthew Montague, 1810 third and 1813 first editions.

Written by Matthew Montagu, Esq. M. P. Part the first, Volume I, third edition, 1810; Part II, Volume III, 1813 first edition. Printed for T. Cadell and W. Davies, Strand; by W. Bulmer and Col, Cleveland-Row, St. James's.

Letter from Elizabeth to the Duchess of Portland, from Horton, November 3, 1734:

"One common objection to the country is, one sees no faces but those of one's own family; but my papa thinks he has found a remedy for that, by teaching me to draw; but then he husbands these faces in so cruel a manner, that he brings me sometimes a nose, sometimes an eye at a time: but on the King's birthday, as it is a festival, he brought me out a whole face with its mouth wide open. If I could draw well enough, I would send Miss W. her own musty face. I am sorry Le Brun has not seen it, that he might have put it in his book of drawings among the faces that express several passions; but he has none that express mustiness."

Letter to the Duchess of Portland, from Mount Morris, October, 1745:

Dear Madam,

"I am afraid my friend condemns me as a negligent correspondent, and, indeed, I own the charge too true. It was some years before I found out that writing letters was but a better kind of idleness, and a civil sort of impertinence; but the longer we live in the world the wider the social engagements spread; and the more business we enter into, the more we learn to esteem our own leisure, and respect that of others. I have been, of late, a very remiss correspondent, but not the more careless or forgetful friend; my health has of late required so much care, and such continual exercise, that my hours have been too much dedicated that way; indeed, by doing my utmost not to die, I have hardly lived."

Elizabeth Robinson Montagu (1718 – 1800) was a distinguished British social reformer, patron of the arts, and a central figure in the Blue Stockings Society. Born into a family with strong ties to the British peerage, Elizabeth was well-educated, mastering Latin, French, and Italian, and delving deeply into literature from a young age. Her marriage to Edward Montagu, a wealthy landowner, further elevated her social standing, allowing her to use her fortune to support English and Scottish literature and to aid the poor. Elizabeth's salons were famous for their intellectual discourse, attracting the likes of Samuel Johnson and Sir Joshua Reynolds. Her written works, including an essay on Shakespeare's genius, contributed to the literary criticism of her time. As a salonnière, she fostered a space where men and women could converse as equals, a radical notion that help promote women intellectuals.

Matthew Montagu, Esq. M. P., a Member of Parliament, was the nephew of Elizabeth Montagu and the executor of her estate.

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Volume I II overall condition: Good. Each volume lacks dust jacket, as issued. Quarter-bound red marbled cover boards with decorative brown leather backstrip.

Volume I. Covers: Light to moderate rubbing, front and back; small spot on the front; light to moderate edge wear, including tail of the spine; darkened along top edge; corners are bumped; rubbing along spine edges, small scuff below the title, bumped at the head. Top stain; marbled bottom and fore edges. Marbled front and back paste-downs and fly leaves, with a small spot and narrow strip of rubbing along the front fly leaf. Previous owner's name on reverse of front fly leaf, dated July, 1840, and notes about the set and an early price on the facing blank page. Foxing favors the frontispiece and title page and the blank pages immediately before and after, with occasional foxing throughout. Pages are undamaged and complete.

Volume II. Covers: Light to moderate rubbing, front and back; small scuffed spot on the front; light to moderate edge wear, including tail of the spine; corners are bumped, with darkening at the edges; dampstain along backstrip edges, with rubbing at spine edges, title, and volume number; bumped at the head. Top stain; marbled bottom and fore edges. Marbled front and back paste-downs and fly leaves. Previous owner's name on reverse of front fly leaf. Foxing favors the first and last pages but is scattered throughout. Pages are undamaged and complete.