JOHNSTONE (Charles).

The Reverie: or, A Flight to the Paradise of Fools.

London, T. Beckett and P.A. Da Hondt. 1763. First edition. Two volumes. Contemporary calf. 12mo. pp. [xii]. 280; [x]. 286. [i]. Block p.124. Educated as a lawyer but unable to practise on account of deafness, Charles Johnstone turned to literature to support himself. In 1782 he travelled to Calcutta where he became a journalist and later a prosperous newspaper proprietor. His best known work, "Chrysal, or the Adventures of a Guinea" (1760-65), considered to be "the best scandalous chronicle of the day" (DNB), started a vogue for linked fiction of this kind. A contemporary political satire, "The Reverie" attracted a good deal of critical opprobium. Rebacked with new spine labels, covers rubbed. Terminal errata leaf present at end of volume two.

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