An Enquiry into the Origin of Honour, and The Usefulness of Christianity in War.
by MANDEVILLE, Bernard
- Used
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
London, United Kingdom
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: Printed for John Brotherton,, 1732. First edition of the author's last book. The final instalment of a long string of incendiary treatises which so incensed his contemporaries, following his tracts attacking Christian ethics, defending brothels and opposing charity schools, Mandeville here turns to the readiness with which Christianity can be perverted to militarism, and asserts that honour is no more than pride. As with his Fable of the Bees, Part II (1729, an entirely different work to the first part) the treatise takes the form of a dialogue between two interlocutors, Cleomenes and Horatio. "Mandeville repeated his view that the passions of pride and shame are both forms of self-liking. Honour and (worldly) religion are treated as devices that are useful for socializing humans. Honour is discovered to be even less demanding than virtue or the artificial courage discussed in the Fable of the Bees. The work again reveals Mandeville's anti-clericalism in his account of how a perverted version of the truly peaceful doctrine of Christianity can be used to motivate soldiers" (ODNB). Octavo (197 X 123 mm). Contemporary panelled speckled calf, red morocco label, sprinkled edges. Ownership inscription of J. Arscott dated 1732 to title, engraved armorial bookplate of Sir William Molesworth to front pastedown. Small chip to head of spine, joints and corners a little rubbed; a crisp clean copy. ESTC T59021; Kaye pp. 440ff.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Peter Harrington (GB)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 158851
- Title
- An Enquiry into the Origin of Honour, and The Usefulness of Christianity in War.
- Author
- MANDEVILLE, Bernard
- Book Condition
- Used
- Place of Publication
- London: Printed for John Brotherton,
- Date Published
- 1732
Terms of Sale
Peter Harrington
All major credit cards are accepted. Both UK pounds and US dollars (exchange rate to be agreed) accepted. Books may be returned within 14 days of receipt for any reason, please notify first of returned goods.
About the Seller
Peter Harrington
Biblio member since 2006
London
About Peter Harrington
Since its establishment, Peter Harrington has specialised in sourcing, selling and buying the finest quality original first editions, signed, rare and antiquarian books, fine bindings and library sets. Peter Harrington first began selling rare books from the Chelsea Antiques Market on London's King's Road. For the past twenty years the business has been run by Pom Harrington, Peter's son.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Morocco
- Morocco is a style of leather book binding that is usually made with goatskin, as it is durable and easy to dye. (see also...
- Crisp
- A term often used to indicate a book's new-like condition. Indicates that the hinges are not loosened. A book described as crisp...
- Octavo
- Another of the terms referring to page or book size, octavo refers to a standard printer's sheet folded four times, producing...
- Calf
- Calf or calf hide is a common form of leather binding. Calf binding is naturally a light brown but there are ways to treat the...
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Edges
- The collective of the top, fore and bottom edges of the text block of the book, being that part of the edges of the pages of a...
- Bookplate
- Highly sought after by some collectors, a book plate is an inscribed or decorative device that identifies the owner, or former...