DUNTON, John. The Dublin Scuffle .... also some account of his conversation in Ireland - London: 1699. 8vo. pp. [viii], 16, 544. A very good copy in old panelled calf rebacked. Wing D 2622A....

DUNTON, John. The Dublin Scuffle .... also some account of his conversation in Ireland - London: 1699. 8vo. pp. [viii], 16, 544. A very good copy in old panelled calf rebacked. Wing D 2622A. The single copy carrying the printer's name i.e. G Larkin is known by a British Library titlepage only. Few if any 17th century booksellers can have matched Dunton's enthusiasm for travel and by the time he came to Dublin, he had already visited America. To him goes the credit for introducing to this country the practice of selling books by public auction. He arrived in Ireland with ten tons of books, on which he placed a value of £1500. This was not a popular innovation with the established book trade and he tells how Patrick Campbell went to great lengths to ensure his downfall, finally taking the auction room off him by offering double the rent. Dunton cut his losses and went touring throughout the country. Amongst the novelties he reported in this very fine travel book was the growth of organised horse racing: In a sequel to the recommendation of Sir William Temple, Dunton wrote ''His Majesty, for Encouragement to breed large and serviceable Horses in this Kingdom, has been pleas'd to give an hundred Pounds per Annum out of his Treasury here, to buy a Plate, which they run for at the Curragh in September; the Horses that run, are to carry twelve Stone each: and therefore there are several fine Horses kept here-abouts for the Race, in Stables built on purpose.'' These are the original ''Lodges'', which to this day are associated with the training of thoroughbreds on the Curragh plain, the acknowledged headquarters of Irish racing. Sweeney 1618. Provenance: The estate of Tony Sweeney

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