FREDERICK MARRYAT

The reputation of Captain Marryat has suffered at the hands of time somewhat differently from that of many of his contemporaries. Superficially he has fared better than they, for, if little read except by boys, he is at least acknowledged as a classic, and there are few adult novel readers who could not from their own childhood gather sufficient memories to characterize in summary some of his best known books.

Nevertheless, it is arguable that the forgotten author is happier than he who is accepted but unread. A revival of interest in the books of a man not already docketed and filed in the appreciation of his age may develop a new perspective. The body of his work may be exhumed and permanently lodged in its proper niche of the catacombs of literature. More hardly shall this befall such a one as Marryat, who is “placed” already as a writer of sea stories for boys and as an instructor in adventure for young people.

Who shall deny that he is all of this? His fame as a novelist of naval escapade, of risk and makeshift among pirates and barbarians, is fame deserved. The difficulty for one concerned to reappraise his work lies in the fact that there is more to him than is here implied. He is the only writer in the tradition of Fielding and Smollett who can claim consideration on the same plane as these famous authors. That he is overtopped by Tom Jones no one will dispute, but that he ranks with and not after Smollett is a contention that permits of argument.

The first result of an attempt to classify the books of Captain Marryat is a realization that two of his finest works are—the one wholly, the other mainly—unconcerned with ships or seafarers. Japhet in Search of a Father (1836) is a picturesque tale of vagabondage and social escapade. The Pacha of Many Tales (1835) is an adaptation of “The Arabian Nights,” a series of narratives held together by a framework of Oriental despotism.

Japhet is partnered by two later novels—Joseph Rushbrook; or, The Poacher (1841) and Valerie (1849). All three are land as opposed to sea novels, and the first two show the fertile invention of the author, his power of describing rogues and fashionable grotesques. But whereas Japhet is the best book Marryat ever wrote, The Poacher is a little weary, for it dates from the last period of the writer's life, when ill-health and money troubles were pressing hardly on a man already exhausted by a reckless youth; while Valerie, the autobiography of a French girl cast on her own resources in Paris and in London, had better have been left, as Marryat left it, a fragment cut short by sickness and by death.

The Pacha of Many Tales stands quite alone and stands proudly. Marryat's humour is in this book congenial to the modern reader, while of fantastic happening few works of fiction can show so rich a store. It is hard to understand why this admirable parody of the “Thousand and One Nights” is to-day so little read. Perhaps some enterprising publisher will extract the story of Huckaback and issue it, grotesquely illustrated. It should find its market.

The sea stories proper need little comment. They are eleven in number:

The first of these titles is pure autobiography and, as the author himself admitted, lacks most of the essentials of fiction. The story is of the slightest and most perfunctory, the book being little more than an account of Marryat's own early adventures at sea. David Hannay, in his excellent little Life of Marryat, remarks acutely on the peculiar meanness of the hero's character—a meanness that makes an even more repellant appearance in the last but one of the sea stories—Percival Keene. Seeing that Marryat was writing of himself and that the events in the life of Frank Mildmay must have been easily recognizable by naval contemporaries, it is remarkable that he should present his central figure so unsympathetically, unless he failed to realize the young man's shortcomings. Perhaps in part he saw his mistake, for in the five novels that followed The Naval Officer he offers the reader more respectable but more colourless heroes. When the time came for writing Percival Keene, either he had forgotten the warnings of twelve years before or else he was tired of erecting dummy humanity to placate the idealism of his readers.

The constructional weakness of The Naval Officer Marryat took pains to correct in his succeeding books. Peter Simple, Jacob Faithful and the rest may depend for their vitality and attraction on the excitements encountered by their heroes while voyaging the seas or fighting in the wars. Certainly the by-plots are unimportant and conventional. But the author was careful in them all to give to the course of the heroes' adventures a real prominence and coherence, so that we read with an anxiety to know what happens next and are not, as in The Naval Officer, continually brought up by naval “shop” or invited to feel indignant sympathy with the members of a noble but scurvily treated service.

The Pirate and The Privateer's-Man are exciting tales of ocean brigandage, the latter having in addition an antiquarian interest, for the first portion of the story is based on the actual life-record of an old time sea-rover. Poor Jack, although told in the first person and comprising scenes on shipboard and adventurous happenings at sea of a kind to suggest comparison with Mr. Midshipman Easy, has an historical interest apart from its value as fiction, because it is an account of Greenwich Hospital, in those days a retreat for wounded seamen.

Two groups remain among the stories of Frederick Marryat. Snarleyow (1837) and The Phantom Ship (1839) stand definitely apart from the rest of the novels. Both tell of Dutch seafaring in the old days and both introduce a strong element of the weird and the mysterious. That Marryat should in these books have come under the influence of the “terror” motive in fiction is surprising and interesting. After reading Japhet or Mr. Midshipman Easy one would declare that nothing was farther from the talent of their author than an excursion into the “horrid.” And yet both Snarleyow and The Phantom Ship are excellent books, which rank high among Marryat's novels for liveliness and for characterization and, in addition, merit notice for their fearsomeness. Of their value as historical documents I am unqualified to speak, but it may be presumed that before writing them the author studied the lives and methods of seventeenth and eighteenth century Dutch mariners, for both books are circumstantially staged and show no desire to shirk description of contemporary fact.

Of the stories written definitely for children the best known (and rightly) is Masterman Ready (1841-1842). It was followed by The Travels and Adventures of Monsieur Violet (1843); The Settlers in Canada (1844); The Mission; or, Scenes in Africa (1845); The Children of the New Forest (1847); and The Little Savage (1848-1849).

Monsieur Violet is an improbable and tedious tale of Red Indians and Mormons. The rest—with the exception of The Children of the New Forest, which is a story of Cavaliers and Roundheads—tell in one form or another the eternal tale of young adventurers in wild countries.

Marryat loved children and knew how to tell stories that they could like and understand. This to-day is undisputed. But that he is equally a novelist for the critical sorely needs reaffirmation. His juvenile public has been more faithful to him than that of maturer years, and one can only hope that time will restore him to the affection of the adult. Masterman Ready is as fresh to-day as when, eighty years ago, it first appeared; but the freshness is due as much to Marryat as to his youthful admirers, and that same freshness is no less present in the best of his other books than it is in this children's classic. Let the modern novel reader have no fear. In taking up Japhet, or Peter Simple, or A Pacha of Many Tales, he will take up a fine book and good literature, and not merely a poker with which to rake among the ashes of his own vanished childhood.

BIOGRAPHY

Two books have appeared dealing with the life and work of Frederick Marryat:

LIFE AND LETTERS OF CAPTAIN MARRYAT. By Florence Marryat. 2 vols. London: Bentley, 1872.

Like so many loyal and affectionate biographers, Mrs. Ross Church is too casual a user of dates and too summary an adherent to chronology to allow to her book great reference value.

LIFE OF FREDERICK MARRYAT. By David Hannay. London: Walter Scott. 1889.

This is an admirable little book so far as the main text is concerned. Its bibliography, however, although valuable for the list given of biographical and critical articles devoted to Marryat, as well as for facts regarding subsequent editions of Marryat's works, is very unreliable as an authority on first editions.

1817

A CODE OF SIGNALS FOR THE USE OF VESSELS EMPLOYED IN THE MERCHANT SERVICE. By Captain Marryat, R.N. Dedicated to the Committee of the Association of Shipowners of the Port of London. London: J. M. Richardson, 23 Cornhill. 1817. 1 vol. Royal 8vo (6? × 9¾). No pagination, the book consisting wholly of tabulated code. Frontispiece, folding plate, and one full-page plate in colours. Paper boards, paper label on side only, printed in black. White end-papers.

Note—I have only been able to consult the sixth edition of this book as issued revised in 1837 and a seventh edition, further revised, as issued in 1840; but that it appeared originally in the same form and over the same imprint is proved by the retention in the later edition of the author's original prefatory letter, dedicating his work to the Association of Shipowners.

1822

SUGGESTION FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF IMPRESSMENT IN THE NAVAL SERVICE. By Captain Marryat, R.N. (Quotation.) London: Printed by W. Hughes, Maiden Lane, Covent Garden. Published by J. M. Richardson, Cornhill and sold by all booksellers. 1822. 1 vol. Demy 8vo (5½ × 8¾). Pp. (iv) + 64. The half-title serves as front wrapper and bears the words “Price 2/6d.” No back wrapper, p. 64 being the outside back page of the pamphlet.

THE NAVAL OFFICER: Or Scenes and Adventures in the Life of Frank Mildmay. (Quotation from Don Juan.) London: Henry Colburn, New Burlington Street. 1829. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4? × 7?).

Vol. I. pp. (iv) + 297 + (3). Publisher's advertisements occupy pp. (299) (300).

Vol. II. pp. (iv) + 310 + (2). Publisher's advertisements occupy pp. (311) (312).

Vol. III. pp. (iv) + 270 + (2).

Paper boards, paper label. White end-papers.

Note—This book was published on March 14, 1829.

1830

THE KING'S OWN. By the author of The Naval Officer. (Quotation from Shakespeare's Pericles.) London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street. 1830. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4? × 7?).

Vol. I. pp. (iv) + 324. Note of erratum occupies verso of half-title.

Vol. II. pp. (iv) + 325 + (1). Note of errata occupies verso of half-title.

Vol. III. pp. (iv) + 327 + (5). Note of errata occupies verso of half-title. Publishers' advertisements, paged (1), 2, 3, (4), occupy pp. (329) to (332).

Paper boards, paper label. White end-papers.

Note—This book was published on April 15, 1830.

1832

NEWTON FORSTER: Or The Merchant Service. By the author of The King's Own. “Honesty is the best policy.” London: James Cochrane and Co., 11 Waterloo Place, Pall Mall. 1832. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4? × 7?).

Vol. I. pp. (iv) + 270 + (2). Publishers' advertisements occupy pp. (271) (272).

Vol. II. pp. (iv) + 295 + (1).

Vol. III. pp. (iv) + 260. Publishers' advertisements occupy pp. (253) to (260).

Paper boards, paper label. White end-papers.

Note—Although dated 1832, this book was actually published in December, 1831.

1834

PETER SIMPLE. By the author of Newton Forster, The King's Own etc. London: Saunders and Otley, Conduit Street. 1834. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4¾ × 7?).

Vol. I. pp. vii + (i) + 328. No half-title.

Vol. II. pp. viii + 343 + (1). Half-title to this volume.

Vol. III. pp. viii + 380 + (4). Publishers' advertisements dated November, 1833, occupy pp. (381) to (384). No half-title. Inserted in Vol. III. should be a list of errata.

Paper boards, paper label. White end-papers.

Notes—(i) Although dated 1834, this book was actually published in December, 1833. The story ran serially in the “Metropolitan Magazine” from June, 1832, to December, 1833. Marryat edited this magazine from 1832 to 1836.

(ii) An edition of the book, illustrated by R. W. Buss, was published by Saunders and Otley, in 1837, in three volumes. Extra cr. 8vo. Dark green embossed cloth, gilt. Yellow end-papers.

1834

JACOB FAITHFUL. By the author of Peter Simple, The King's Own etc. London: Saunders and Otley, Conduit Street. 1834. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4¾ × 7¾).

Vol. I. pp. viii + 304. Advertisement of Peter Simple occupies p. (ii). No half-title.

Vol. II. pp. vii + (i) + 301 + (3). Publishers' advertisements occupy pp. (303) (304). No half-title.

Vol. III. pp. vii + (i) + 307 + (1). No half-title.

Paper boards (half cloth), paper label. White end-papers.

Notes—(i) This book was published in November or December, 1834. The story ran serially in the “Metropolitan Magazine” from September, 1833, to December, 1834.

(ii) An edition of the book, illustrated by R. W. Buss, was published by Saunders and Otley in 1837 in three volumes. Ex. cr. 8vo. Maroon embossed cloth, gilt. Yellow end-papers.

(iii) It was the intention of the publishers to bring out an illustrated edition of all Marryat's novels, one novel to appear each month, beginning on April 1, 1837; but only Jacob Faithful and Peter Simple were issued, and the series was abandoned, doubtless because in that year Marryat quarrelled with Saunders and Otley and found a different publisher.

1835

THE PACHA OF MANY TALES. By the author of Peter Simple, Jacob Faithful etc. London: Saunders and Otley, Conduit Street. 1835. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4? × 7¾).

Vol. I. pp. (iv) + 308 + (4). Publishers' advertisements occupy pp. (309) to (312). Advertisement of books by the same author occupies p. (ii) facing title.

Vol. II. pp. (iv) + 300.

Vol. III. pp. (iv) + 312.

Paper boards (half cloth), paper label. White end-papers.

Note—This book was published in May, 1835. The stories appeared intermittently in the “Metropolitan Magazine” between June, 1831, and May, 1835.

1836

THE PIRATE, AND THE THREE CUTTERS. By Captain Marryat, R.N. Illustrated with twenty splendid engravings from drawings by Clarkson Stanfield Esq., R.A. London: Published for the Proprietor by Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green and Longman. 1836. Large Med. 8vo (5? × 9?). Pp. (viii) + 315 + (1). The book contains twenty full-page illustrations in steel engraving, of which two—an engraved portrait frontispiece and picture title-page—precede printed title. Cream paper boards, gilt, lettered on spine in gold The Pirate by Capt^n. Marryat. Yellow end-papers.

Notes—(i) Although dated 1836, this book was actually published in December, 1835.

(ii) Copies are more frequently met with in maroon cloth, blocked in gold and lettered on spine Marryats Pirate and the Three Cutters. This cloth binding (of which two styles at least are extant) is probably not so early in date as the paper-board binding described above. Definite information is impossible to obtain, but the evidence of similar illustrated books of the period (e.g., Lytton's Pilgrims of the Rhine) supports the theory here laid down.

(iii) A large paper edition, imperial 8vo (11 × 7½), was issued simultaneously, with plates printed on India paper and bound in green paper boards, half dark-green figured cloth, cream paper label, the last being lettered in gold: The Pirate by Capt^n. Marryat. White end-papers. Copies of the large paper edition also exist in maroon cloth, blocked in gold and blind and lettered on the spine: Marryats Pirate and the Three Cutters. As with the ordinary edition, these full cloth copies are of later issue than those in boards.

(iv) In all Longman's first editions the plates bear the following legend: 'Published Dec^r. 1, 1835 for the proprietor by Longman and Co., Paternoster Row.' The book was, however, never issued with a printed title of that year. That the actual plates were published prior to the Longman book edition is proved by the fact that I have myself a set, both before and after “letters,” bearing the legend: 'London. Published Oct^r. 1835 for the proprietor by Charles Tilt, 86 Fleet Street.' In every other respect, even down to the page references, the wording on these early dated plates is identical with that used for Longman's book edition.

(v) A curious feature of this book's publishing history is its issue in parts, nine years after its appearance in book form. In 1845 there appeared over the imprint A. Fullarton and Co., 106 Newgate Street, London; 67 Abbey street, Dublin; Steads Place, Leith Walk, and 5 Nicholson Street, Edinburgh, fifteen shilling parts (6 × 9½), bound in buff paper wrappers printed in red-brown, and illustrated with steel engravings after Clarkson Stanfield. These engravings are twenty in number and identical with those in the first book edition, except that the Longmans imprint has been substituted on the plates by that of Fullarton, and the printer's name and the date of issue have been expunged. The distribution of plates among the fifteen parts is as follows: Parts I. IV. VI. VIII. X. contain two plates each; Parts II. III. V. VII. IX. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. and XV. contain one plate each. Publishers' advertisements occupy outside back wrappers. No date appears on the parts, but a title-page (with other preliminary matter) enclosed in Part XV. is dated MDCCCXLV.

The text of the book was clearly reset for this part issue, so there can be no question of a refurbishing of Longman sheets. It may be noted that, according to the wrappers, the plates were “engraved under the superintendence of Mr. Charles Heath.” (This person was responsible for the principal Books of Beauty, Keepsakes, and similar gift publications issued in large numbers toward Christmas time between 1840 and 1850 and distinguished by their beautiful steel engravings.)

There being no indication that the plates were re-engraved for the Fullarton edition, it may be presumed either that Heath superintended their original production in 1835 but had not at that time the “selling name” that by 1845 was his, or that Fullarton, anxious to give to their reissue something of novelty, paid Heath for a supervisory activity of a nominal kind in order to have the use of his name on their wrappers.

1836

JAPHET IN SEARCH OF A FATHER. By the author of Peter Simple, Jacob Faithful, etc. London: Saunders and Otley, Conduit Street. 1836. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4? × 7?).

Vol. I. pp. viii + 304. Advertisement of other works by same author occupies verso of half-title.

Vol. II. pp. viii + 299 + (1). No half-title.

Vol. III. pp. viii + 319 + (5). Publishers' advertisements occupy pp. (321) to (324). No half-title.

Paper boards (half cloth), paper label. White end-papers.

Note—This book was published early in January, 1836. The story ran serially in the “Metropolitan Magazine” from October, 1834, to January, 1836.

1836

STORIES OF THE SEA. By Captain Marryat, R.N. author of Peter Simple, Japhet in Search of a Father etc. New York: Published by Harper and Brothers, No. 82 Cliff Street. 1836. 1 vol. Sm. Cr. 8vo (4½ × 7¼). Pp. (236) [paged as 232 + (2)]. No printed half-title, but 2 pp. blank precede title and form part of the book, although omitted from page reckoning. Advertisement to the American edition, dated January, 1836, occupies p. (3). Figured maroon cloth, paper label. White end-papers.

Note—This book is the American edition of The Pirate and the Three Cutters. It also contains Marryat's story Moonshine, which originally appeared in The Keepsake and was not published in book form in England until its inclusion in Olla Podrida in 1840.

MR. MIDSHIPMAN EASY. By the author of Japhet in Search of a Father, Peter Simple, Jacob Faithful etc. Saunders and Otley, Conduit Street. 1836. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4? × 7?).

Vol. I. pp. vii + (i) + 291 +(1). Advertisement of author's previous works occupies verso of half-title.

Vol. II. pp. vii + (i) + 306 + (2). Publishers' advertisement occupies verso of half-title, and 2 pp. publishers' advertisements, dated July, 1836, occupy pp. (307) (308).

Vol. III. pp. viii + 314 + (2). Publishers' advertisement occupies verso of half-title and pp. (315) (316).

Paper boards (half cloth), paper label. White end-papers.

Note—This book was published in September, 1836. One instalment was printed in the “Metropolitan Magazine” in July, 1836, but serialization was never completed.

1836

THE DIARY OF A BLASÉ. By the author of Jacob Faithful, Peter Simple etc. Philadelphia: E. L. Carey and A. Hart. 1836. 1 vol. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4¾ × 7¾). Pp. 197 + (1). Paper boards, paper label. White end-papers.

Note—I cannot establish the month of publication of this book, but twenty-eight chapters of a work entitled The Diary of a BlasÉ appeared serially in the “Metropolitan Magazine” to July, 1836, at which point the narrative was left incomplete. It made no separate appearance in book form in England, being included under the title Diary on the Continent in Olla Podrida (see below—1840).

1837

SNARLEYOW or The Dog Fiend. By the author of Peter Simple, Frank Mildmay etc. London: Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13 Great Marlborough Street. 1837. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4¾ × 7?).

Vol I. pp. viii + 307 + (5). Publisher's advertisements occupy pp. (309) to (312).

Vol. II. pp. vii + (i) + 299 + (1).

Vol. III. pp. viii + 307 + (1).

Paper boards (half cloth), paper label. White end-papers.

Note—This book was published in June, 1837. The story ran serially in the “Metropolitan Magazine” from February, 1836, to July, 1837. Marryat changed his publisher with this novel, because Saunders and Otley refused to pay an advance on royalties.

1839

THE PHANTOM SHIP. By Capt. Marryat, R.N. Author of Peter Simple, Jacob Faithful, Frank Mildmay etc. London: Henry Colburn, Publisher, Great Marlborough Street. 1839. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4¾ × 7¾).

Vol. I. pp. (iv) + 300.

Vol. II. pp. (ii) + 289 + (1). No half-title.

Vol. III. pp. (ii) + 266. No half-title.

Paper boards (half cloth), paper label. White end-papers.

Note—This book was published in April, 1839. The story appeared serially in the “New Monthly Magazine” during 1837.

1839

A DIARY IN AMERICA: With Remarks on its Institutions. By Captain Marryat, C.B. Author of Peter Simple, Jacob Faithful, Frank Mildmay etc. London: Printed for Longman, Orme, Brown, Green and Longmans, Paternoster Row. 1839. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4? × 7¾).

Vol. I. pp. (iv) + 321 + (3).

Vol. II. pp. (iv) + 319 + (1).

Vol. III. pp. (iv) + 311 + (1). Note of errata to Vol. I. occupies p. (312) of Vol. III.

Paper boards (half cloth), paper label. Also full green grained cloth, paper label. White end-papers.

Note—This book was published in October, 1839.

A DIARY IN AMERICA etc. Part Second. By Capt. Marryat, C.B. Printed for Longman, Orme, Brown, Green and Longmans, Paternoster Row. 1839. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4? × 7¾).

Vol. I. pp. (iv) + 304.

Vol. II. pp. (iv) + 293 + (1).

Vol. III. pp. (iv) + 362.

Vol. II. contains two folding maps, which precede p. 1. Paper boards (half cloth), paper label. White end-papers.

Note—This book was published in December, 1839.

1840

POOR JACK. By Captain Marryat, C.B. With illustrations by Clarkson Stanfield, R.A. London: Longman, Orme, Brown, Green and Longmans, Paternoster Row. 1840. 1 vol. Large Med. 8vo (5? × ¼). Pp. x + 384. Because the volume is composed of bound-up parts, the half-title is p. 1 of the story itself and does not precede frontispiece. The book contains forty-seven wood engravings after Clarkson Stanfield, of which thirty-six printed separately and eleven in the text. Dark green cloth, blocked in gold. Yellow end-papers.

Notes—(i) This book was published on December 1, 1840.

(ii) Poor Jack first appeared in twelve monthly shilling parts (5? × 9), bound in buff paper wrappers, printed in black. The first was published at the beginning of January, and the last at the beginning of December, 1840. Each part (subject to the variations stated below) contained three full-page wood engravings after Clarkson Stanfield, printed separately. Eleven small engravings appear throughout the text.

Included in Part XII. were title-page and preliminary matter (x pp.).

Parts I. to III. were undated; Part IV. was dated April 1; and each succeeding part was dated similarly with the month of its appearance.

Part I. should contain at front or back publishers' catalogue, 8 pp., dated January 1, 1840, and entitled “Poor Jack's Advertising Sheet.” Also at back an illustrated advertisement of Paul Periwinkle.

Part II. should contain at front publishers' 4 pp. list, dated February, 1840, and a prospectus (8 pp., enclosed in buff wrappers) of McCulloch's Geographical, Statistical and Historical Dictionary.

Parts III. to XI. contained (so far as I can discover) no advertising matter apart from that printed on the wrappers themselves.

Part XII. should contain 2 pp. publishers' advertisements both at front and back, printed on the buff wrapper paper.

(i) No plates were issued with Part IX., but six instead of three with Part X. A slip should be found inserted in Part IX. calling attention to the arrangement. My own set shows a similar happening in the case of Parts VII. and VIII., but there is no sign of a slip having figured in the former to explain the absence of illustration.

(ii) In two cases there are variations in underline between part and book issue: (a) One of the plates included in Part XI. is entitled “The Euphrosyne in the Downs,” but this legend is omitted altogether in some copies of the book. (b) Included in Part XII. is a plate entitled “The Prize at Sheerness.” This underline reads in most copies of the book “The Prize in The Medway.” Collectors anxious to possess the actual first issue of the book—i.e., that bound up from actual parts—should examine these two points in copies they consider purchasing.

1840

OLLA PODRIDA. By the author of Peter Simple etc. etc. London: Longman, Orme, Brown, Green and Longmans, Paternoster Row. 1840. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4¾ × 7¾).

Vol. I. pp. vi + (ii) + 310.

Vol. II. pp. (iv) + 362 + (2).

Vol. III. pp. (iv) + 332.

Paper boards (half cloth), paper label. White end-papers. Also issued in ribbed maroon cloth, gilt. Yellow end-papers.

There is no contents list to Volume I. The complete contents are: Diary on the Continent—The Monk of Seville (a play)—S.W. and by W. ¾ W.—Ill-Will (a charade)—The Sky-Blue Domino—Modern Town Houses—The Way to be Happy—How to Write a Fashionable Novel—How to Write a Book of Travels—How to Write a Romance—The Legend of the Bell Rock—Moonshine.

Note—This book was published on December 1, 1840. Of the contents the “Diary on the Continent” appeared serially in the “Metropolitan Magazine” (see above, Diary of a BlasÉ, 1836), and the shorter pieces partly in the same journal, partly in the “New Monthly,” and one (“Moonshine”) in The Keepsake (see above, Stories of the Sea, 1836).

1841/2

MASTERMAN READY or The Wreck of the Pacific. Written for Young People. By Captain Marryat. London: Longman, Orme, Brown, Green and Longmans, Paternoster Row. 1841 (Vol. I.), 1842 (Vols. II. and III.). 3 vols. in all. Fcap. 8vo (4¼ × 6¾).

Vol. I. pp. viii + 287 + (1). Publishers' catalogue, 16 pp., dated February, 1841, bound in at end.

Vol. II. pp. (iv) + 269 + (3). Publishers' catalogue, 16 pp. (maybe two catalogues each of 16 pp.), dated April, 1842, bound in at end or, in some cases, after first front end-paper.

Vol. III. pp. (iv) + 225 + (3). Publishers' catalogue, 30 pp., dated October, 1842, bound in at end.

Each volume contains frontispiece (that to Vol. III. is a map) and several text illustrations, wood engraved and printed on text paper. Dark green cloth, gilt, blocked in blind. Yellow end-papers.

Notes—(i) Vol. I. was published in May, 1841; Vol. II. in April, 1842; and Vol. III. in December, 1842.

(ii) Because the book was first planned to occupy one volume only, there is no indication on Vol. I. of its being the first of a series. Vols. II. and III., however, are so described on title-page and on binding.

(iii) Vol. I. was catalogued on its publication as bound in “boards.” This indicates that copies were first issued with paper label and in half cloth, but I have never seen one so bound.

JOSEPH RUSHBROOK: Or The Poacher. By the author of Peter Simple. London: Longman, Orme, Brown, Green and Co., Paternoster Row. 1841. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4¾ × 7¾).

Vol. I. pp. viii + 275 + (1).

Vol. II. pp. viii + 293 + (3).

Vol. III. pp. viii + 269 + (7). Advertisements of works by the same author occupy pp. (270) to (276).

Paper boards, half cloth, paper label. White end-papers.

Note—This book was published in June, 1841. The story appeared serially in “The Era.”

1842

PERCIVAL KEENE. By Captain Marryat, author of Peter Simple, Jacob Faithful etc. etc. London: Henry Colburn, Publisher, Great Marlborough Street. 1842. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4¾ × 7¾).

Vol. I. pp. (iv) + 293 + (3).

Vol. II. pp. (iv) + 279 + (1).

Vol. III. pp. (iv) + 315 + (1).

Paper boards, half cloth, paper label. White end-papers.

Note—This book was published in August, 1842.

1843

NARRATIVE OF THE TRAVELS AND ADVENTURES OF MONSIEUR VIOLET IN CALIFORNIA, SONORA AND WESTERN TEXAS. Written by Captain Marryat, C.B. London: Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans, Paternoster Row. 1843. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4¾ × 7¾).

Vol. I. pp. viii + 312.

Vol. II. pp. (iv) + 318 + (2).

Vol. III. pp. (iv) + 299 + (1).

Folding map faces title-page of Vol. I. Paper boards, half cloth, paper label. White end-papers.

Note—This book was published in October, 1843.

1844

THE SETTLERS IN CANADA: Written for Young People. By Captain Marryat. London: Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans, Paternoster Row. 1844. 2 vols. Fcap. 8vo (4? × 6¾).

Vol. I. pp. (iv) + 356. Publishers' catalogue, 32 pp., undated or dated September, 1844, or earlier, bound in at end.

Vol. II. pp. (iv) + 374 + (2).

Each volume contains frontispiece in wood engraving printed on text paper. Grey-brown cloth, gilt, blocked in blind. Pale yellow end-papers.

Notes—(i) This book was published on September 7, 1844. It is possible that the earliest issue contained an undated catalogue, but this can only be established by comparison between a larger number of copies of the book than I have contrived to examine, and a careful investigation of the books listed in any such undated catalogue.

(ii) I have seen an announcement of this book as in “boards,” but have never met with copies so bound.

1845

THE MISSION: Or Scenes in Africa. Written for Young People. By Captain Marryat. London: Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans. Paternoster Row. 1845. 2 vols. Fcap. 8vo (4¼ × 6¾).

Vol. I. pp. (vi) + 328. Publishers' catalogue, 32 pp. and undated, bound in at end.

Vol. II. pp. (iv) + 374 + (2).

Each volume contains frontispiece in wood engraving, printed on text paper. Vol. I. contains, following title and also on text paper, a map. Brown cloth, gilt, blocked in blind. Pale yellow end-papers.

Note—This book was published in June, 1845.

THE PRIVATEER'S-MAN: One Hundred Years Ago. By Captain Marryat, R.N. London: Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans, Paternoster Row. 1846. 2 vols. Fcap. 8vo (4¼ × 6¾).

Vol. I. pp. (iv) + 379 + (1). Publishers' catalogue, dated July, 1846, or earlier, bound in at end.

Vol. II. pp. (iv) + 361 + (1).

Grey-green cloth, gilt, blocked in blind. Yellow end-papers.

Note—This book was published in July, 1846. The story appeared serially in the “New Monthly Magazine,” which periodical had just been purchased by W. Harrison Ainsworth.

[1847]

THE CHILDREN OF THE NEW FOREST. By Captain Marryat, R.N. London: H. Hurst, 27 King William Street, Charing Cross. 2 vols. Fcap. 8vo (4¼ × 6¾).

Vol. I. pp. (iv) [enclosing inset title-page printed in red and green] + 288 + (2).

Vol. II. pp. (iv) [enclosing inset title-page printed in red and green] + 298 + (4).

Vol. I. contains eight and Vol. II. four steel-engraved illustrations by Frank Marryat, printed separately.

Notes—(i) This book was the first story in The Juvenile Library. Vol. I. was published in July and Vol. II. in October, 1847. In all the copies I have been able to examine pp. (299) to (302) of Vol. II. are occupied by an announcement of this library and by reviews of The Children of the New Forest itself. Whether the book, on its actual first appearance, had these pages blank or otherwise occupied I do not know, but it is certainly curious to find press notices of a story in any but subsequent issues of that story. It should be noted that the pages in question are not inset, but form the last quarter of a 16 pp. sheet.

(ii) It is rumoured in some quarters that the book, as originally issued, was dated on the title-page. I have never seen a copy so dated.

THE LITTLE SAVAGE. By Captain Marryat, R.N. In Two Parts. Part I. First edition. London: H. Hurst, 27 King William Street, Charing Cross. 1848. Part II. First edition. London: H. Hurst and Co., King William Street, Charing Cross. 1849. 2 vols. Fcap. 8vo (4¼ × 6¾).

Part I. pp. (iv) [enclosing inset title-page printed in red and green] + 298 + (4). Advertisements and reviews paged 1-4 of The Juvenile Library and The Children of the New Forest occupy pp. (299) to (302).

Part II. pp. (iv.) [enclosing inset title-page printed in red and green] + 280 + (4). Advertisements and reviews of Part I. and of The Children of the New Forest paged 1-4 occupy pp. (281) to (284).

Each volume contains four line engravings printed separately. Grey-green cloth, blocked in gold. Uniform with The Children of the New Forest.

Notes—(i) Part I. was published in December, 1848, and Part II. in February, 1849.

(ii) The second edition of Part II. differs from the first in that there are preliminary pages (viii), of which p. (v) bears a note by the author's son referring to Captain Marryat's death. Frontispiece and title-page are, as previously, inset on different paper, and the latter printed in red and green.

(iii) Of Part II. only two chapters were written by Marryat.

1849

VALERIE: An Autobiography. By Captain Marryat, R.N. Author of Peter Simple, Frank Mildmay etc. London: Henry Colburn, Publisher, Great Marlborough Street. 1849. 2 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4¾ × 7¾).

Vol. I. pp. (iv) + 312. Publisher's advertisements, 2 pp., printed on text paper bound in at end.

Vol. II. pp. (iv) + 287 + (1). Advertisement of Frank Mildmay occupies p. (288).

Paper boards, half cloth, paper label. Also grey-green cloth, gilt, blocked in blind. White end-papers.

Note—This book was published in June, 1849. The story—to the end of Vol. II., chap. iii.—appeared serially in the “New Monthly Magazine” during 1846 and 1847. Owing to illness, Marryat was unable to complete the book, which was finished by another hand.

1836

THE FLORAL TELEGRAPH: A New Mode of Communication by floral signals. With Plates. London: Saunders and Otley, Conduit Street. MDCCCXXXVI. 1 vol. Fcap. 8vo (4¼ × 6¾). Pp. xv + (i) + 307 + (11). Publishers' advertisements occupy pp. (309) to (318)—others face title-page. The book contains six hand-coloured plates, printed separately. Olive-green cloth, blocked in gold and blind. Yellow end-papers.

Notes—(i) This book was published in December, 1836. It was reissued, probably in 1850, with a cancel title-page reading: “The Floral Telegraph or Affection's Signals” by the late Captain Marryatt [sic] R.N., author of Peter Simple etc. London: Saunders and Otley, Conduit Street. The pagination reads: xv + (i) + 324. Pp. xv + (i) + 189 + (1) are identical in the two editions, which are probably to this point composed of the same sheets. The second half of the book has, however, been reset, altered, and extended. The illustrations are the same as in the earlier edition, but they are much more coarsely reproduced and mechanically coloured. Olive-green cloth, similar to the first edition, but differently blocked in gold. Yellow end-papers.

(ii) It is a moot point whether or not Marryat was the author of this rather foolish little book. That he had, however, definite connection with it is suggested by the fact that on its first publication the “Metropolitan Magazine,” at that time closely identified with Marryat, devoted to it a three-quarter-page highly laudatory review, of which, after praising the introduction, the writer said: “Though no name is found on the title-page, it is evident that the work is from a practised and popular writer.” Further, if Marryat were not the author, it is difficult to understand the publishers' motive in reissuing it immediately after his death with his name on the title-page. If he deserves responsibility for the book, the manoeuvre is comprehensible enough, especially on the part of a firm with whom he had severed relations in 1837, and thus deprived them of the profitable exploitation of his established reputation.

1836

RATTLIN THE REEFER. Edited by the author of Peter Simple. “All hands reef top-sails—Away, Aloft!” London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street, Successor to Henry Colburn. 1836. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4¾ × 7¾).

Vol. I. pp. xii + (ii) + 301 + (3). Note by Marryat stating his connection with the work occupies p. (iv). Publisher's advertisements occupy pp. (303) (304).

Vol. II. pp. viii + 300. No half-title to this volume.

Vol. III. pp. viii + 344. No half-title to this volume.

Each volume contains three full-page etched illustrations by A. Hervieu, of which one is a frontispiece and the other two in the course of the text. A list of illustrations for the three volumes occupies p. (xiii) of Vol. I. The illustrations are dated 1836. Paper boards, paper label. White end-papers.

Note—This book, which was written by Edward Howard (see p. 100), was published on July 23, 1836. A second edition appeared on August 5 of the same year. A dramatic version by J. T. Haines (who also dramatized Jacob Faithful) was issued in February, 1893, as No. 2008 in French's Acting Editions of British Plays.

Two-thirds of the story appeared serially in the “Metropolitan Magazine” under the title, The Life of a Sub-Editor. Reviewing the book in its three-volume form, Marryat himself explained fully how and to what extent it had been transformed from a record of autobiographical fact to a frank experiment in fiction.

The six items that follow are, like Rattlin the Reefer, the work of Lieut. the Hon. Edward Granville George Howard, who worked as sub-editor to Marryat on the “Metropolitan Magazine.” At one time the actual authorship of Howard's books was ascribed to Marryat himself. This is now proved to be a mistake. Indeed, apart from the note of recommendation to Rattlin the Reefer and Marryat's review of that book in his magazine, there is no printed evidence that he had any share whatever in the composition of any one of them. On the other hand, he and Howard were very intimate; the stories of the latter are clearly influenced by the work of his chief; and Marryat collectors have been in the habit of regarding Howard's books as desirable adjuncts to a Marryat collection. For which reasons, and because it is no less probable than improbable that Marryat, in conversation if not by actual pencraft, helped to give his sub-editor's books their final shape, I have thought well to include them in this bibliography.

1837

THE OLD COMMODORE. By the author of Rattlin the Reefer. “Nestroque!” London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street. 1837. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4¾ × 7?).

Vol. I. pp. (iv) + 306.

Vol. II. pp. (iv) + 304.

Vol. III. pp. iv + 307 + (1).

Paper boards, paper label. White end-papers.

Notes—(i) This book was published on September 16, 1837.

(ii) The above reckoning was made from a rebound copy from which clearly flyleaves were missing.

OUTWARD BOUND: Or A Merchant's Adventures. By the author of Rattlin the Reefer, The Old Commodore etc. London: Henry Colburn, Publisher, Great Marlborough Street. 1838. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4¾ × 7¾).

Vol. I. pp. (iv) + 299 + (1). No half-title.

Vol. II. pp. (iv) + 308 + (2). Half-title to this volume. Publisher's advertisements occupy pp. (309) (310).

Vol. III. pp. (iv) + 326. Half-title to this volume.

Paper boards (half cloth), paper label. White end-papers.

Note—This book was published in March, 1838. The story appeared in part as a serial in the “Metropolitan Magazine” under the title Ardent Troughton.

1839

MEMOIRS OF ADMIRAL SIR SIDNEY SMITH, K.C.B. ETC. By the author of Rattlin the Reefer etc. London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street, Publisher in Ordinary to Her Majesty. 1839. 2 vols. Demy 8vo (5½ × 9).

Vol. I pp. vii + (i) + 400.

Vol. II. pp. vii + (i) + 411 + (5). Publisher's advertisements occupy pp. (413) to (416). No half-titles.

Steel-engraved portrait frontispiece to each volume, printed separately. Pale blue ribbed cloth, gilt, blocked in blind. Yellow end-papers.

1840

JACK ASHORE. By the Author of Rattlin the Reefer, Outward Bound etc. etc. London: Henry Colburn, Publisher, Great Marlborough Street. 1840. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4¾ × 7¾).

Vol. I. pp. xvi + 310.

Vol. II. pp. viii + 300.

Vol. III. pp. vii + (i) + 323 + (1).

Steel-engraved portrait frontispiece to Vol. I. printed separately. Paper boards, paper label. White end-papers.

1842

SIR HENRY MORGAN: The Buccaneer. By the author of Rattlin the Reefer, Outward Bound, Jack Ashore etc. London: Henry Colburn, Publisher, Great Marlborough Street. 1842. 3 vols. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4¾ × 7¾).

Vol. I. pp. vii + (i) + 295 + (1).

Vol. II. pp. vi + 307 + (1).

Vol. III. pp. vii + (i) + 315 + (1).

There is a portrait frontispiece to Vol. I., lithographed and printed separately. Paper boards, half cloth, paper label. White end-papers.

1859

TALES FROM BENTLEY. Vol. I. London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street, 1 vol. Pott 8vo (4 × 6¼). Pp. (iv) + 96. Buff paper wrappers printed in black. Also in boards. The Marine Coast, a story by the author of Rattlin the Reefer, occupies pp. 55 to 88.

Note—This first series of Tales from Bentley was published in September, 1859.

A NOTE ON MARRYAT AS ARTIST

It is well known that Captain Marryat was a painter as well as a writer. Collectors of his written work will perhaps also be interested to know of a published book containing in reproduction some of his drawings. In 1825 or 1826 there appeared the following work:

ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BURMESE WAR. Both Series. With twenty-four plates after drawings by Captain Marryat, Thornton and Moore displaying the Operations of the British Forces. London: Published by Thomas Clay. (N.D.) The volume measures 20½ × 13¼, is bound in thick grey paper wrappers lettered in black as above, and contains five engravings of pictures painted by Stothard and D. Cox after drawings by Captain Marryat. The name Kingsbury and Co., 6 Leadenhall Street, appears at the foot of the engravings as their publisher, together with the date 1825.