THE JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE TO LISBON

London: Millar, 1755. First published edition, first issue. 12mo, pp. [iv], iv, [xviii], [19]-240, 193-228. Bound in leather backed contemporary marble boards, a fine copy with contemporary bookplate of Mongague Shearman. Bound with the half title. Rothschild 857. CBEL II, p 519; Cross III, p. 326. "There are two editions of this book, one drastically altered from the original, partially by John, Henry Fielding's half-brother, were printed in January 1755. The unedited version was printed first and suppressed in favor of the edited text, but was issued later in response to the demand promoted by the Lisbon earthquake in November." In an attempt to improve his health in a warmer climate, Fielding left with his wife for Lisbon in June of 1754. "The incidents of his voyage are detailed with great humor and with undiminished interest in life ... Mr. Austin Dobson rightly says that it (The Journal) is one 'of the most unfeigned and touching little tracts in our own or any other literature'"[DNB]. Fielding died in Lisbon after a stay of two months.