This compilation of essays on women’s conduct, attributed to Lady Mary Wray, is dedicated to the Countess of Burlington, with a preface by Richard Steele dated 21 July 1714. Attribution of the essays is also given to Lady Mary Wray’s grandfather Jeremy Taylor, with them passing from her to Richard Steele, with editing along the way. While lacking pages, this copy is notable for family and extended ownership inscriptions with dates, including John Carr of Yorkshire, possibly the architect, Willem Carr and Robert Carr. The Carr family practiced their penmanship on any spare bit of paper. The sixth edition, similar to this, was in the estate library of Jane Austen’s brother Edward Austen Knight.

(xvi)3-544 (18) pages. 17 x 10 x 4cm, 12o. Lacking title page, frontispiece and pages 1,2 of the Introduction. Worn but lovely calf binding with distinctive decoration to front and back, also of interest the larger panel on the spine is on the bottom. Bainbridge Conservation reattached front board. Ink on dedication page and a few small areas of darkening to page edges. Misnumbering of pages 536-540. In good condition.