B.L. gives note: 'Issued , with other specimen pages, as a prospectus of the edition of Defoe's "History of the Union" published by John Stockdale in 1786'. Lowndes states: 'This Life was prefixed to his [Stockdale's] edition of De Foe's History of the Union ... and to Robinson Crusoe, a few copies of which were taken off separately'. Fourteen-page list of 'Books printed for John Stockdale' follows text; these are preceded by a single inserted leaf headed: 'An elegant edition of Robinson Crusoe'; '[this leaf inserted]'in ms note on recto.

'Advertisement', on recto of p.[3], reads: The ensuing Life was written for amusement, during a period of convalescence in 1785; and published anonymously by Stockdale, before The History of the Union, in 1786. As the Author fears no reproach for such amusement, during such a period, he made no strong objections to Stockdale's solicitations, that it might be annexed, with the Author's name, to this splendid edition of Robinsoe Crusoe. The reader will now have the benefit of a few corrections, with some additions, and a List of De Foe's Writings'.

'A List of Writings, which are considered as undoubtedly Defoe's' on pp 71-86 [compiled by Chalmers (B.L.)].

ESTC1394C14; ESTC865D1 [under Defoe]; Boston P. L. Catalog 1288.