The Coppy of a Letter Written to the Lower House of Parliament Touching Divers Grievances and Inconveniences of the State.

First edition (pp. [24], mispaginated at p.14). Small quarto (18 cm) in 19th century three-quarter blue morocco over complimentary marbled paper; gilt titles and decoration, t.e.g., sprinkled edges, marbled epps. The writer, an erstwhile Member of Parliament who may or may not have been JS, reminds the House of the utility of free speech in the search for truth (as did Milton) and of the inadvisability, fiscally and morally, of frivolous wars. This short work has been attributed to the poet John Suckling (1609- 1641?), a man of many parts not all of which were congruent. Suckling was of course a more than middling poet in the lineage of Donne but, as he says of himself, “... loved not the Muses so well as his sport;/ And prized black eyes, or a lucky hit/ At bowls, above all the Trophies of Wit”.  He was at once a spendthrift cavalier (He sold a great tract of land in order to finance the arming and outfitting of a sort of Praetorian guard whom he thought to lead into battle), a courtier who financed and produced suitably expensive and elevated entertainments for Charles I,  an ardent but easily distracted lover, and a famous wit. Certain of his letters, however, portray a thoughtful and well-disposed writer of marital advice (as to his sister) and sound political principle (as, for example, in his letter of 1640 to Henry German advising “the king on how to deal with widespread popular disquiet”).  He is also credited with inventing, if that is the word, the game of cribbage (anything for a bet, Sir John). See Tom Clayton’s biographical sketch of Suckling in ODNB for a great deal more. A handsomely bound, bright copy.  Quite scarce.