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Dodsley, Robert (1703--1764)
[The oeconomy of human life. Part 1]
The oeconomy of human life. Translated from an Indian manuscript, written by an ancient Bramin. To which is prefixed an account of the manner in which the said manuscript was discover'd. In a letter from an English gentleman, now residing in China, to the Earl of ****. The fourth edition.
London (Place), printed for R. Dodsley; and sold by M. Cooper,, 1751.
xxiv, 96 p., frontis. pl. ; 16.0 cm. (12º)

First published in 1750. In fact by the bookseller and writer Robert Dodsley, but sometimes attributed to Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield. This collection of moral maxims was probably the most printed work of the eighteenth century, with some two hundred editions and translations appearing by the end of the century, as well as numerous imitations and continuations whose authorship was repeatedly rejected by the author. A second part, first published in 1750, is attributed to Dr John Hill and was printed integrally with many editions after 1760. See Donald D. Eddy, 'Dodsley's Oeconomy of Human Life, 1750-1751', Modern Philology, Vol. 85, No. 4 (May 1988), pp. 460--479. ESTC n22252; Eddy, no. 7.

Copy Notes Inscribed in ink on the title-page S. Norris (later altered in ink) and Eliz:th Soane. Pencil page references on the table of contents (pp. [xx]--xxi). Bound (1) with the second edition of the second part, 1751 (q.v.). Front pastedown inscribed in pencil 2s.

Binding C18th calf, gilt double-ruled borders, gilt-tooled spine compartments.

Reference Number 4761

Additional Names Soane, Elizabeth (1760--1815) - Tomb; Norris, S.; Chesterfield, Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of (1694--1773) - Correspondence


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