Pitt's Ghost. Being an account of the Death, Dissection, Funeral procession, Epitaph, and Horrible Apparition, of the much lamented late Minister of State.
London: Citizen T. G. Ballard, 1795. First Edition Thus. Softcover. Pamphlet. 8pp. (inclusive of wrappers). A popular - if gruesome - political satire with added satirical ghost story. The radical work known as "Pitt's Death" was first published in the London paper "The Telegraph" on 20th, 21st, and 24th of August 1795, and subsequently reprinted as an "Admirable Satire on the Death, Dissection, Funeral procession & Epitaph of Mr. Pitt" later that year. At some time shortly thereafter this new edition was published. It was retitled "Pitt's Ghost [etc.]" and comprised that last six pages (of sixteen) of "Pitt's Death" with an added two-and-a-half page "ghost story" which recounts sightings of the spectre of the former Prime Minister dragging itself down Downing Street whilst burdened with great "weights of iron, inscribed with Taxes, Poor-Rates, Oppression, etc." Obviously more political than supernatural at heart, but an interesting early use of some of the standard motifs of the ghost story that would later become well known through the works of Dickens and others. Edges darkened, rear leaf is a bit grubby, light foxing and creasing to pages, the word "Death" in title and the price at the bottom of front cover have been struck through, otherwise a clean & complete VG copy of this fragile pamphlet. Quite scarce. Item #52480
Price: $200.00