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Published in two volumes
by J. Debrett, Piccadilly, London, 1801

 

It was my good fortune recently to acquire a copy of George Hanger's memoirs. Since they have not, so far as I know, been reprinted since their original publication in 1801, I would like to share them. I'm not an especially good typist, so there are bound to be errors in these transcriptions. I will happily double check and make corrections to the text if someone points out dubious passages to me.

The memoirs are spread through two volumes of delightfully strange, wandering narrative, interspersed with tongue-in-cheek essays on a variety of topics. Supposedly it took the intervention of an editor to get them even this succinct and readable, which truly boggles the mind.

One of the reasons I was able to afford this copy of the book is that some previous owner pasted an advertisement for a book sale into one of its pages, thereby ruining its value as a "collectable". (And whoever did it has my gratitude!) The advertisement, which probably dates to around 1900 or earlier, is amusing in itself. Take a look.

Volume I

  1. The Life, Adventures and Opinions of Col. George Hanger. (Pg 1-52)
     
  2. Chapter I: Advice to the Prelates and Legislators, how to correct the Immorality and Jacobinism of the present Age, and at the same time increase the Revenues of the Country. (Pg 53-126)
     
  3. Chapter II: Advice to the lovely Cyprians, and Fair Sex in general, how to conduct themselves in future, and to practise with greater satisfaction the three cardinal virtues, namely, Drinking, Gambling, and Intriguing. (Pgs 127-246)
     
  4. Chapter III: On Matrimony and Polygamy. (Pg 247-339)
     

Volume II

  1. The Life, Adventures and Opinions of Col. George Hanger [cont.]. (Pg 1-73)
     
  2. Chapter I: Advice to the Prelates and Legislators, how to correct the Immorality and Jacobinism of the Age [cont.]. (Pg 75-132)
     
  3. Chapter II: Continuation of Advice to the Lovely Cyprians. (p133-241)
     
  4. Chapter III: On the Misery and Wretchedness of Female Prostitution. (p243-280)
     
  5. Chapter IV: History of the King's Bench. (P281-349)
     
  6. Chapter V: Interesting Particulars relative to Col. George Hanger when in America; being a Continuation of his Life and Adventures. (Pg 351-475)
     

 
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