Philosophical and Political History of the British Settlements

RAYNAL, Abbe [Guillaume]

Data di pubblicazione: 1776

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RAYNAL, Abbe [Guillaume]. A Philosophical and Political History of the British Settlements and Trade in North America. Edinburgh: Printed by C. Macfarquhar, 1776. 1st ed. in English. 2 vols. 240; 231pp. Rebacked in full calf, raised spine bands in gilt, red morocco spine label. Minor wear and cracking to boards, contemporary ownership signatures in both volumes, else a very good copy. HOWES R-84. ESTC N20613. Reese, Revolutionary Hundred 68 (ref.). Excerpt and translation from the most significant work by Raynal (1713-1796), the Histoire philosophique et politique des etablissements et du commerce des Europeens dans les deux Indes (1770), which enjoyed 44 distinct French editions before 1789 and had the honor of being censored by the French crown. The English translation printed in Edinburgh is usually attributed to J. O. Justamond (1737-1786), a Huguenot surgeon and assistant librarian at the British Museum. This version includes a "eulogy of Pennsylvania, a segment with a pronounced utopian flavor. Pennsylvania the Histoire extolled as proof that mankind can after all dwell in peace and prosperity without 'masters,' 'priests,' or 'slaves'." - J. Israel, Democratic Enlightenment, p. 428. Raynal's opposition to colonialism and slavery was part of what led to his trouble with the political and religious establishment in France. The picture of Pennsylvania presented here was detailed enough to include mention of Doctor Franklin's library and handful of other civil institutions; Franklin and Raynal even met while the former was living in Passy. This edition has only been offered twice at auction in the last hundred years; this is the first copy we have handled. Codice articolo 83086

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Titolo: Philosophical and Political History of the ...

Data di pubblicazione: 1776

Legatura: Brossura

Edizione: prima edizione