Zelucco [sic], the Sicilian Hypocrite; to which is introduced, the real Character of Laura, the grateful German. From the Works of Dr. Moore. SCARCE [PIRATE?] VARIANT

12mo., First Edition thus, with an engraved title-vignette, some light age-soiling; later boards, calf back lettered in gilt, a very good, firm copy. With 1p. publisher's advertisement at end. Scarce variant of the popular novel and moral tale by John Moore, physician, writer and biographer of Smollett, his friend and patient. The hero is a Sicilian, brought up without restraint, who begins by squeezing a pet sparrow to death and who, after a selfish career, dies of a wound received in a duel. 'Tracing the windings of vice and delineating the disgusting features of villainy are unpleasant tasks, and some people cannot bear to contemplate such a picture. It is fair, therefore, to warn readers of this turn of mind not to pursue the story of Zeluco' (DNB). The work was first published in 1786; CBEL gives at least seven editions by 1800. This variant, with the alternative spelling of the title, appears to be scarce; we have been unable to trace any institutional copy (including BL, Bodleian, CUL, NLC, NLS, Trinity Dublin and others). It may well be an unrecorded pirate. See CBEL II, p.549; DNB.