The Christian Hero : An Argument Proving that no Principles But those of Religion are Sufficient to Make a Great Man.

(16), 68 pages. 140x80mm. Contemporary blind stamped calf. Sir Richard Steele (1672-1729) essayist, dramatist and politician. Born in Dublin, Steele's father was a well known attorney in that city, with a country house at Monkstown. On the death of his parents, Steele passed at an early age into the care of his uncle Henry Gascoigne, private secretary to James Butler, first Duke of Ormond. Educated at Oxford, he pursued a career in the army until able to support himself through a combination of advantageous marriage, political appointment and literary endeavor. The writing of 'The Christian Hero' was occasioned by his involvement in a duel, where he seriously injured a fellow Irishman named Kelly. Its style is unlike that of the devotional or inspirational manuel of the time and gives strong hints of Steele's later celebrated essay style. This is a very attractive little copy of the fifth edition with the blind stamped initials BB on front cover and a contemporary bookplate with crest of pierced mullet and fleur de Lis, initialed E S R. Advertisement at front for 'Books lately Printed and Sold by Owen Lloyd.' Without any damage, library stamps, inscriptions or other markings.…