MISCELLANEA IN TWO PARTS
London, England: Jacob Tonson at the Judge's-Head in FleetStreet, and Awnsham and John Churchill, at the Black-Swan in Pater-Noster-Row (Part I); Richard Simpson, at the Three Trouts, and Ralph Simpson at the Harp in St. Paul's Church-Yard (Part 2). 1697 & 1696. Fifth and Fourth (Respectively). Leather-bound. Octavo (7 1/2" x 4 1/2"). Brown paneled and sprinkled calf in Cambridge style. Five raised bands, with contrasting spine label. Rubbing to extremities, very clean textblock, printed on still-bright laid bond. Previous owner's name written to front free endpaper, as well as stamp ("Property of BM/NPCN, London, W.C.I.") and (another previous) owner's name, to top of general title page.
Two parts bound in a single volume,with general title page for both works ([A]1v) and separate title pages for each discrete part.
Collates to [4], 232; [4], 120, 123-365, [1] p.
The First Part (which is the Fifth Edition) contains: I) A Survey of the Constitutions and Interests of the Empire, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Holland, France and Flanders; with their Relation to England,in the Year 1671; II) An Essay upon the Original and Nature of Government; III) An Essay upon the Advancement of Trade in Ireland; IV) Upon the Conjuncture of Affairs in Octob. 1673; V) Upon the Excesses of Grief; VI) An Essay upon the Cure of the GOUT by Moxa.
The Second Part (which is the Fourth Edition, published in 1696) consists of Four Essays: I) Upon Ancient and Modern Learning; II) Upon the Gardens of Epicurus; III) Upon Heroick Virtue; IV) Upon Poetry.
ESTC R33907; Wing T651;T655. Very Good Plus. Item #79881
Sir William Temple, baronet (1628-1699) was a British writer, diplomat, (later) ambassador. His "literary standing owed much to Swift, who published many of his letters, memoirs, and miscellanea in 1700-1709 and immortalized Temple as the hero of The Battle of the Books. He gained further plaudits from Dr. Johnson, the combined efforts of two such literary giants seemiung to immortalize Temple as one of the great pioneers of English prose style..." Some claimed him to be vain "both as statesman and writer" claiming "he constantly presented himself as an honest plain speaiker, albeit one who could be excessively fawning towards those whom he wished to impress..." Still others claimed him "somewhat authoritarian, as in his statement, reported by his sister Lady Giffard (his first biographer) 'that nobody should make love after forty, nor be in business after fifty'..." (ODNB).
Price: $500.00