London: W. Nicol for John Murray, 1835.
Two volumes, octavo, extra-illustrated with 71 plates by Hogarth and others (inlaid to size or pasted down); in contemporary dark green pebble grain morocco gilt, all edges gilt.
A very handsome extra-illustrated copy of Butler's famous mock epic, in fine condition. This edition begins with a short preface describing the work of Nash, whose life of Butler and voluminous notes on Hudibras are reproduced here. Nash (1725-1811) was a clergyman who spent his time in historical research rather than preaching to his parishioners. He wrote a definitive work on the history of Worcestershire, where he lived, and the fact that Butler was born in the same county induced him to do this edition of Butler, which DNB describes as 'splendid' and 'entertaining'.
A very fine fresh and clean copy.