London, Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, 1834-1847. First Edition. 7 Volume complete set. Bound in full natural tan calf lether with gilt tooled spines and red labels. 8vo. xxxi/ 312 pages + xxviii/ 351 pages + xxiv/ 345 pages + xxvii/ 392 pages + xxx/ 387 pages + xxxvii/ 386 pages + xli/ 630 pages. This is Southey's only known attempt at fiction. Vol 4 includes the first appearance of "The Story of the Three Bears" with different size type distinquishing each speaker. An interesting collection of stories that Southey thought contained a little Rabelais plus more of Tristram Shandy and some Burton and Montaigne. Vol. 1-5 published 1834-1838; vol 6 and 7 were published posthumously in 1847. Some edge wear and general rubbing. Slight knick to one label. Minor foxing to end pages. A few small tear to page edges. Does not affect text. hinges just starting to crack. Bindings are firm. Association copy: Sir Henry Taylors (1800-1886). Personal friend of Robert Southey. Each volume is signed. There is a 37 word (+ corrections) hand written poem/verse on the last page of volume 7. This is the only book with pencil writing. The end page reads "H Taylor 37 South Street, Park Lane, London". Sir Henry Taylors: Poet, essayist and civil servant; given an appointment in the Colonial Office, 1824, and advocated the melioration, as opposed to the abolition, of the slave trade. An acquaintance of Southey and Wordsworth, Taylor also pursued an active career as a poet. Good + to Very Good condition