A Collection of Several Pieces of Mr. John Locke, Never before printed, or not extant in his Works. Publish’d by the Author of the Life of the ever-memorable Mr. John Hales, &c.
London: Printed by J. Bettenham for R. Francklin... 1720. First edition, first issue, with engraved vignette of a seated muse with cherubs. Includes “The Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina,” which Sabin notes is “the first instrument ever digested and written out, for the entire and perfect government of a political body.” Yolton now believes this essay is by Anthony Ashley Cooper, the first Earl of Shaftesbury, rather than Locke, though Locke may have helped draft it while a member of his household (See Yolton, p.364-368). Nonetheless, this is the first publication of this important piece. Copper-engraved plate of the solar system opposite p. 186. Binding extremities lightly rubbed and scuffed, text with some light foxing and browning. A good copy. Nineteenth-century half calf, gilt spine with black morocco label. Foot of spine with gilt stamp of the Lincoln’s Inn Library. Octavo. [36], xxiv, [2], 362, [18, index], [1, errata], [3. ads] pp. Item #17057
This collection was put together from manuscript papers in the hands of Anthony Collins, Samuel Bold, and others, with the help of Locke’s nephew Peter King. The editor was Pierre Desmaizeaux (1673?-1724), a Frenchman living in England, who had also edited Saint-Evremond and Bayle. He contributes a long preface, stating why each piece was selected. The pieces in this work include “Remarks upon some of Mr. Norris’s Books, Wherein he Asserts F. Malebranche’s Opinion of Our Feeling All Things in God;” “Elements of Natural Philosophy,” a short outline intended for students; and “Some Thoughts Concerning Reading and Study for a Gentleman;” as well as over one hundred pages of previously unpublished letters of Locke.
Yolton 316A. Sabin 41726.
Price: $1,500.00