The Traveller's Guide, and, the Country's Safety.

The first edition of this scarce legal guide offering advice to weary travellers on the roads of Stuart England during the great age of highwaymen.

The text opens with a definition of robbery — 'the felonious taking of any thing from the person or another against his will' — and advice on how to report the crime and gain restitution of the stolen goods. Further sections deal with the raising of the 'Hue and Cry', the alarm whereby bystanders are summoned to assist with the apprehension of an offender, the various statutes concerning robbery, and the oath to be taken before a Justice of the Peace by the complainant.

Little is known of the author 'J.M.', who also published an account of the Bloudy Murther of Thomas Thyn, Esq., a politician attacked and killed whilst riding in his coach on Pall Mall the year before.

First edition; 12mo (15 x 9 cm); 5pp ads to rear, dated MS inscription in pen to front pastedown, hinges reinforced at endpapers, small waterstain to upper gutter margin of first two gatherings; contemporary blind-ruled sheep, rebacked, original spine laid-down, later red morocco lettering-piece, corners a little rubbed, slightly bowed, very good; [10], 127, [5]pp.

ESTC R2818; Wing 50; Arber Term cat. II p.7; Bibliotheca Legum p.89; Bibliotheca Cooperiana 74.