Three Memorials on French Affairs

The Volume is in Very Good Condition in Modern wraps, the leaves are generally clean, with clear print and ample margins throughout. The stab-marks from the original 18th century sewing are visible in the blank gutter margin throughout. The half-title, title and final leaves are lightly toned.

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On the Three Memorials

An important book-end to any collection of Burke’s writing. On Burkes’ death his assigned executors (King and Laurence) had to hastily issue this early posthumous collection to forestall several pirate editions which had started to appear in 1796. They had intended to release any additional material in an orderly fashion.

“The friends, to whose care and judgement Mr. Burke confided the selection and use of his manuscripts, are no longer at liberty to exercise their own discretion. They are not masters even of the time, order, and method to be observed in the execution of their trust.”  (preface, Three Memorials, Pg. III)

The Three memorials contain supplemental material drawn from other sources and notes, arranged to form a better plan. As Todd notes: “Thus begins the practice, later deplored by the reviewers, of ‘constructing’ from random notes and sketches, a connected Burkean discourse.” Todd Pg. 215.

Of the four editions of the Three Memorials, the third and fourth – Todd 69C and 69D (our copy) are identical except for the Half Title. The Half Title’s inclusion is therefore important to help identify editions as the title page does not indicate any edition.