An Account of the Manners and Customs of Italy; with Observations on the Mistakes of Some Travellers, with Regard to that Country
Dublin: W. Colles, 1769. Scarce Dublin edition. Giuseppe Marc'Antonio Baretti ( 1719 - 1789) was an Italian literary critic, poet, writer, translator, linguist and author of two influential language-translation dictionaries. During his years in England he was often known as Joseph Baretti. Baretti's life was marked by controversies, to the point that he had to leave Italy, for England, where he remained for the rest of his life. Baretti wrote this book after being outraged by an account written by a Samuel Sharp about the customs and manners of Italy, which he considered ignorant, careless, and prejudiced. Baretti discusses the flaws of Mr. Sharp's book throughout his own, sometimes to the point of lapsing into the humorous rather than serious. Bound in three quarter red leather with black title label to spine. Marbled boards Rubbing and bumping to leather and slight tears along board edges. Foxing to title page and last couple of pages with publisher's list of new books, and occasional light spots. Still very good condition.Measures 3.5 x 6.5 inches. 225 pages plus publisher book list. More
