1st Edition 1828. Hand Coloured Frontis. Includes Southey's Poem and a 23 page dialogue on the story. Mary the Maid of the Inn; An Affecting Narrative; Detailing, Her Unfortunate and Ill-Requited Attachment, Her Singular Courage, and the Miraculous Manner in Which She Becomes An Instrument in the Discovery of a Murder, and Bringing One of the Perpetrators to Condign Punishment Describing Also The Wanderings of the Unfortunate Mary, Who Becomes a Wretched Maniac. This ballad was written in 1796 by the poet Robert Southey (1774-1843). It tells a haunting tale that is more unusual and complex than many featured in broadside ballads. Beginning with an image of Mary as a 'poor maniac', the story then moves back in time to when Mary was a carefree young girl. To settle a wager, she agrees to visit an old abbey on a stormy night, and in so doing discovers that her fiancé Richard is a body-snatcher. Richard is hanged, and Mary's life is ruined The original covers are age toned, creased, thumbed but complete. Taken from abound up book. 26 pages. Condition is quite good with age toned pages.