Essays on Philosophical Subjects: To Which is Prefixed, an Account of the Life and Writings of the Author; by Dugald Stewart...

London: Printed for T. Cadell Jun. and W. Davies, etc., 1795. London: Printed for T. Cadell Jun. and W. Davies..., 1795.

First edition. Quarto (10 3/4 x 8 1/2 inches; 273 x 215 mm). xcv, [1, blank], 244 pp.

Contemporary speckled calf. Board edges ruled in gilt. Spine ruled in gilt. Red morocco spine label, lettered in gilt. Edges speckled brown. Green silk page-marker. Board edges a bit rubbed and corners bumped. Previous owner's old ink signature on title-page, not affecting text. Occasional minor foxing or staining. Otherwise a fine copy.

A posthumously published collection of essays, mainly of a scientific and philosophical nature. Smith had instructed lis literary editors, Joseph Black and James Hutton, to destroy almost all of his manuscript material, amounting to some sixteen volumes. These essays were exempted because the editors perceived them to "be part of a plan he had once formed for giving a connected history of the liberal sciences and elegant arts," even though Smith had to abandon the plan because it was too extensive.

The essays illustrate the diversity of Adam Smith's interests and comprise: "The Principles which lead and direct Philosophical Enquiries; illustrated by the History of Astronomy;" "The Principles which lead and direct Philosophical Enquiries; History of the Ancient Physics;" "The Principles which lead and direct Philosophical Enquiries; History of the Ancient Logics and Metaphysics; "Of the Nature of that Imitation which takes place in what are called the Imitative Arts;" "Of the Affinity between Music, Dancing and Poetry;" "Of the Affinity between certain English and Italian Verses;" "Of the External Senses."

ESTC T33499 . Goldsmiths' 16218. Kress B. 3038. Rothschild 1902.

HBS 68261.

$9,500.