An Essay on a Course of Liberal Education for a Civil and Active Life. With plans of lectures on I. The Study of History and general Policy. II. The History of England. III. The Constitution and Laws of England. To which are added Remarks on a Code of Education, Proposed by Dr. Brown, in a late Treatise, intitled, Thoughts on Cvil Liberty, &c.
London: Printed for C. Henderson... 1765. First edition. Folding engraved plate "A Specimen of a Chart of Biography", woodcut initials. Front hinge a bit rubbed, but a very good copy. Contemporary calf, covers and spine ruled in gilt, burgundy morocco label. Octavo. . [4], iii, [1], 213, [1], [10] pp. Item #15971
Priestley wrote this book while working at Warrington Academy, where he had gone in 1761 as tutor of languages and belles lettres. He worked to reorganize the curriculum at Warrington to benefit those intending to work in civil, active and commercial life rather than the professions. His ideas were outlined in the Essay and then developed more fully in his Miscellaneous Observations relating to Education, 1778.
Crook, Bibliography of Priestley, H.387, but omitting to mention the plate.
Price: $1,750.00