PERIODICAL. (SMELLEY, William.) The Man in the Moon. Consisting of essays and critiques on the politics, morals, manners, drama, &c. of the present day. No. 1, 12th Nov. 1803 - no. 24, 26 Jan. 1804. Printed for S. Highley. 1803-04
Collective titlepage, 24 small 12mo issues, signed in 4s, stamped; a little browned in places. Expertly rebound in drab boards, printed paper label.
¶BL, NLS & Oxford only on Copac with a short run of three issues at Manchester. The last copy to appear at auction in 1983 was incomplete and defective. An alien observer who casts judgement on earthlings (and in particular the English) was an established frame for satire by this time. The lunar gentleman is pithily critical of the theatre, observing that the title of John Till Allingham's Hearts of Oak 'would have suited any other play just as well', and insightful about the brotherhood of man, declaring 'I confess that when I see the Protestant in his church, the Roman Catholic in his chapel, or the Bramin in his mosque, all addressing the same deity, I feel love and respect for each, and venerate the duty they are engaged in'. He ends by discussing the role of logic in ethics, and the final issue - penned by his earthly editor - discusses the concept of 'enemies' and those who play a disruptive role in society.