Life and Adventures of Peter Wilkins, Volume 1-Robert Paltock
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What does the Preface and dedication introduce about the book?
Preface, Dedication, and Introduction of the Life and Adventures of Peter Wilkins, Volume I. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox dot org Recording by James K White Chulavista The Life and Adventures of Peter Wilkins by Robert Paltuck. Preface In one of those bright racy essays at which modern dullness delights to sneer, Hazlet discussed the question whether the desire of posthumous fame is a legitimate aspiration. And the conclusion at which he arrived was that there is something of egotism and even of pedantry in this sentiment. It is a true saying in literature, as in morality, that he that seeketh his life shall lose it.
The world cares most for those who have cared least for the world's applause. A nameless minstrel of the North Country sings a ballad to the That shall stir men's hearts from age to age with haunting melody. Southe, toiling at his epics, is excluded from Parnassus. Some there are who have knocked at the door of the Temple of Fame, and have been admitted at once and forever. When Thucydides announced that he intended his history to be a possession for all time, there was no mistaking the tone of authority. But to be enthroned in state? To receive the homage of the admiring multitude and then to be rejected as a pretender That is indeed a sorry fate. And one that may well make us pause before envying literary despots their titles.
The more closely a writer shrouds himself from view, the more eager are his readers to get a sight of him. The loss of an arm or a leg would be a slight price for a genuine student to pay if only he could discover one new fact about Shakespeare's history. I will not attempt to impose on the reader's credulity by professing myself eager to acquire information about the author of Peter Wilkins at such a sacrifice, but it would have been a sincere pleasure to me if I could have brought to light some particulars about one whose personality must have possessed a more than ordinary charm. The delightful voyage imagine here presented to the reader was first published in seventeen fifty one. Some copies are said to be dated seventeen fifty.
It appears on the list of new books announced in the Gentleman's magazine for november seventeen fifty. End of footnote. An edition appeared immediately afterwards at Dublin. So the book must have had some sale. The introduction and the dedication to the Contess of Northumberland, to whom it will be remembered Percy dedicated his relics and goldsmith the first printed copy of his Edwin and Angelina. are signed with the initials RP. And for many years the author's full name was unknown. In eighteen thirty five, Nicole, the printer, sold by auction a number of books and manuscripts in his possession. Which had once belonged to Dodsley, the publisher. And when these were being catalogued, the original agreement for the sale of the manuscript of Peter Wilkins was brought to light.
Footnote. It is now in the collection shortly to be dispersed of the late Mr James Crossley of Manchester, a gentleman who was esteemed throughout his long life not less for unfailing courtesy than for rare scholarship. Mr Crossley promised to search for the document and send me a transcript of it. But his kind intention was frustrated by his death. Poltich's name is sometimes written pultak or poltock. There is no ground for identifying the author of Peter Wilkins with the RP Gentleman, who published in seventeen fifty one memoirs of the life of Parnessa, a Spanish lady, translated from the Spanish Manuscript. End of footnote. From this document, it appeared that the author was Robert Paltic of Clements Inn, and that he received for the copyright twenty pounds, twelve copies of the book, and the cuts of the first impression.
Proof impressions of the illustrations. The writer's name shows him to have been, like his hero, of Cornish origin. But the authors of the admirable and exhaustive biblioteca cornubiensis could discover nothing about him beyond the fact that he was not a bencher of Clements N.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
What does the Preface and dedication introduce about the book?
0:00–2:51:15
2
What preparations does Peter make for his new voyage and the construction of his grotto?
2:51:15–4:21:42
3
How does Peter discover the giant beast‑fish, extract oil from it, and use it for lighting and cooking?
4:21:42–5:05:53
4
How does Peter’s relationship with Yorki develop after their marriage, including the birth of their children and the mysterious disappearance?
5:05:53–5:25:20
5
What treasure does Peter discover and how does he describe its contents?
5:25:20–6:20:47
6
How do Peter and Yorky solve the problem of sealing and transporting the chests using pitch?
6:20:47–7:20:31
7
What reflections does Peter share about his family, faith, and future plans?
7:20:31–7:31:05