Novel 

(GEN) The Oxford English Dictionary lists this work as the earliest textual source for the use of 'literally' in a figurative sense: "to indicate that some metaphorical or hyperbolical expression is to be taken in the strongest admissible sense, ‘virtually, as good as’; (also) ‘completely, utterly, absolutely’ ". The quotation given comes from Volume IV, Letter CCXIX: "He is a fortunate man to be introduced to such a party of fine women at his arrival; it is literally to feed among the lilies." |(CON) Vol I; a4, B-L12, Contents. a1r Half-title, verso blank; a2r Title, verso blank; a3r-a4r Dedication, a4v blank; B1r-L12v Text.Vol II; [A]2, B-L12, Contents. [A]1r Half-title, verso blank; [A]2r Title, verso blank; B1r-L12v Text.Vol III; [A]2, B-K12, L4, Contents. [A]1r Half-title, verso blank; [A]2r Title, verso blank; B1r-L4r Text, L4v blank.Vol IV; [A]2, B-I12, K11, L1, Contents. [A]1r Half-title, verso blank; [A]2r Title, verso blank; B1r-K11v Text; L1r Errata, verso blank.||(REF) Block p. 165; Hardy 269; Raven 1258; Forty-two copies in ESTC;|(PRV) With a handsome contemporary ink signature on each of the preliminaries. (BIN) Vol. IV is bound strangely, and though the collation appears to show that K12 is missing, the text is complete. Presumably L1 should have been labelled K12. Contemporary calf, spines gilt, red and green labels. 

4v. 12mo.