Essays on Rhetoric, Abridged Chiefly from Dr. Blair's Lectures on that Science

A very scarce abridged edition of this collection of essays on rhetoric, compiled from one of the first great theorists of written discourse, Hugh Blair. With an engraved title page and frontispiece, retaining the original tissue guard.This work is a very scarce abridged edition of Hugh Blair's 1783 work 'Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles Lettres'.The volume features essays from Scottish minister of religion and rhetorician, Hugh Blair, who is considered one of the first great theorists of written discourse.He offers a prescriptive guide to composition.With the inscription of Thomas Sheldrake, 1850, to the front pastedown. In a full calf binding with gilt detailing to back strip. Minor loss of leather to back strip tail, with light rubbing to back strip head and joint heads. Head of front hinge, and rear hinge strained, with boards firmly held. Inscription to front pastedown. Internally, firmly bound. Significant spotting to title page, frontispiece and engraved title page. Pages otherwise generally clean and bright, with only the odd spot. Very Good.…