[philosophy] earl of Macclesfield's copy. A beautifully bound set of The Works of Francis Bacon edited by the poet David Mallet (d.1765), with an introductory life of the Elizabethan statesman and philosopher by the editor, which was admired by Fielding for its 'nervous manly style', and Gibbon who praised Mallet's 'vigorous sense' as a historian.

'Vivid character sketches and spirited narrative make the Life of Bacon the most readable of Mallet's writings and induce regret that he could not or would not complete his life of Marlborough' (ODNB).

Second edition; 3 vols, folio (37 x 24 cm); armorial bookplate to front pastedown and blindstamp to front free endpaper and title of each vol., MS library mark in pen to rear endpaper vol. I, engraved frontispieces by Vertue, vignette titles in red and black; contemporary calf, ruled in gilt, gilt spine in 7 compartments, raised bands, tan title-pieces to 2nd, numbered in gilt direct to 3rd compartment, lozenge library labels to head and tails of spines, joints cracked but holding, occasional light spotting, otherwise a very handsome set; [12], xxxv, [3], 762; viii, [4], 614, [54]; xx, 750, [38]pp.

ESTC T89046; cf.Gibson 256.