MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE OF PRINCE POTEMKIN, FIELD MARSHALL AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE RUSSIAN ARMY; GRAND ADMIRAL OF THE FLEETS; KNIGHT OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDERS OF PRUSSIA, SWEDEN, AND POLAND, AND OF ALL THE ORDERS OF RUSSIA; &c. &c. COMPREHENDING ORIGINAL ANECDOTES OF CATHARINE THE SECOND. AND OF THE RUSSIAN COURT.; Memoirs of the Life of Prince Potemkin, Field Marshall and Commander in Chief the Russian Army, Grand Admiral of the Fleets, Knight of the Principle Orders of Prussia, Sweden, and Poland and of All the Orders of Russia Original Anecdotes of Catharin
London: Printed for Henry Colburn, 1812. Leather-bound. Octavo. Half-bound over marbled boards. Both front and rear covers detached. Frontis engraved portrait of Potemkin by J. Swaine. . 8-1/4 in. 256pp. Toning to textblock throughout, but overall, clean copy internally, except for a few occasional marginal bracketing in pencil. Some pages show through the text on verso, making reading possible, but
to some eyes, potentially somewhat challenging. READING COPY ONLY 'Potemkin's great qualities were obscured by many vices, which we have not disguised.' The Count was ambassador to Russia and knew Potemkin well. Fair. Item #83354
"...In his person were combined the most opposite defects and accomplishments of every description. He was avaricious and ostentatious, despotic and popular, inflexible and beneficent, haughty and obliging, politic and confiding, licentious and superstitious, bold and timid, ambitious and indiscreet: lavish of his bounties to his relations, his mistresses, and his favourites; yet oftentimes obstinately refusing to pay either his household or his creditors: always attached to some female and always unfaithful. Nothing could equal the vigour of his mind, or the indolence of his body. No dangers could appal his courage; no difficulties force him to abandon his projects: but the success of an enterprise never failed to disappoint him...he was fatigued with the burden of his existence, envious of everyh thing that was not done by himself, and disguested with all he did. To him rest was not grateful, nor occupation pleasing. Every thing with him was desultory; business, pleasure, temper, carriage. In company, he looked embarrassed; his presence was a restraint wherever he went. He was morose to all that stood in awe of him, and affable to those who accosted him with familiarity..."
"...Ever lavish of promises, seldom performing them, and never forgetting what he had heard or seen. None had read less than he; few were better informed..." (Introduction).
Price: $95.00