[Purported First English Novel About A Dog]. The History Of Pompey The Little; Or, The Life And Adventures Of A Lap-Dog [Coventry, Francis] 18Th Century British Literature,Politics,Women Authors

London: , 1751. First edition. Purportedly the first English novel about a dog. Grolier notes this work is "one of the earliest examples of that type of satirical novel in which abuse is hurled at real persons through the medium of animals or inanimate objects. The characters of Pompey were intended to portray well known ladies of the time." Grolier, History of English Prose Fiction 56. Edmund Gosse later backhandedly complimented the work stating "Coventry's romance does not deserve the entire neglect into which it has fallen. It is sprightly and graceful from the first page to the last. Not written, indeed, by a man of genius, it is yet the work of a very refined observer. . ." Gosse, Collected Essays II (1913, pgs. 155-56). 16mo. frontispiece, viii, 272pp. NCBEL II, 996. Sabin 32149. About very good in period calf with gilt rule, raised bands, morocco spine label lettered in gilt with heavy wear particular at spine, hinges starting, contents clean though with notation "Written by Frank Coventry Esq." hand-written in ink by previous owner on title page.