A Complete and Permanent Science of Morals: Founded on Transcendental Philosopy. [or: drop title: Moral philosophy reduced to a complete and permanent science on the principles of transcendental philosophy: as contained in Kant's "Critic of Practical Reason."]

n.p. [London 1817] Quarto original wrapper titled in gilt with printed label; printed back wrapper; title leaf, pp763-784 and separately printed index leaf numbered 785, four hand coloured plates. A presentation from Wirgman inscribed to Wm Constable Esqre on the front wrapper and annotated throughout as a guide to the reader. This a separate printing of Wirgman's article on Kant's moral philosophy in Encyclopaedia Londinensis - a perfect example of enthusiasm on it's way to being mania. Wirgman did four articles altogether covering the array of Kant and these could be bought from him coloured or uncoloured. He then went on to write and publish a formidable line of Kantesian solutions to everything. Along the way he spent the fortune he had made as a goldsmith. As John Timbs - retailer of dusty gossip - described him, "the eccentric Thomas Wirgman, the Kantesian, as a goldsmith and jeweller, made a considerable fortune, which he squandered as a regenerating philosopher." Wirgman was introduced to Kant by Friedrich Nitsch in the 1790s along with Godwin, Henry Richter and Coleridge. Unlike fellow traveller Coleridge, Wirgman didn't run for cover confronted with the indifference or hostility to German philosophy in England. It may have been exactly Wirgman that made Coleridge write "I am no Zealot or Bigot for German Philosophy" to a friend at the same time he wanted to found a German library - just not called German - in London. As said, Wirgman, advertised these for sale but this is a special presentation copy exhaustively made easy to navigate by numerous captions and pointers. William Constable is a too common name to place but there was a Scottish goldsmith William Constable at work around that time.…