Usong. An eastern narrative. Written in german...in two volumes

London: Printed for the Translator; and sold by F. Newbery, 1772. In two volumes. viii, 256; [2], 256, 253-307pp, [1]. Contemporary richly gilt-tooled calf, contrasting red and green morocco lettering-pieces. A trifle rubbed. Contemporary inked ownership inscriptions to head to both titles. A handsome copy, in contemporary speckled calf, of the first of several English editions/translations of Swiss physiologist, bibliographer and author Albrecht von Haller's (1708-1777) utopian novel, set in a fictional Persia under the rule of Uzun Hasan (1423-78) in which the prevailing political organisation is based on eastern theory. First published in German in 1771, this English edition was met with mixed reaction; the Critical Review devoted more than three pages to a synopsis and conclusion that was praiseworthy of both the work and its translation, suggesting that the author has 'happily imitated the animated spirit of Fenelon', whilst William Woodfall in the Monthly Review complained that the romance is let down by want of an authorial 'warm imagination'. Scarce, with ESTC locating only four copies in British Libraries (BL, Longleat, Oxford and Rylands), and ten elsewhere (Chicago, Countway Library, Dutch State Library, Harvard, McMaster, Pennsylvania, Saskatchewan, UCLA and two copies at Yale). ESTC T133185, Garside, Raven and Schowerling 1772:33.. First English edition. 8vo.