THE PRECEPTOR: CONTAINING A GENERAL COURSE OF EDUCATION. Wherein the first principles of polite learning are laid down in a way most suitable for trying the genius, and advancing the instruction of youth. In two volumes. The second edition, with additions, and improved.

[JOHNSON, Samuel, contributor.]

Published by London: printed for R. Dodsley at Tully's-Head in Pall-Mall, 1754

About this Item

Two volumes, 8vo, pp. [ii], l, [5]-466; [ii], 560, [16] advertisements; with an engraved frontispiece in each volume, plus a total of 32 plates (wanting number 6 of the 'drawings' at the end of volume I); nearly all the plates folding, but many rather frayed at edges, and one of two loose; contemporary sheep, somewhat worn, but nonetheless sound, with green morocco labels, green edges. Second edition: first published by Dodsley in 1748. Samuel Johnson wrote the preface in volume I and contributed The Vision of Theodore the Hermit of Teneriffe (II 520-30). Tyers said that this piece was composed in one night 'after finishing an evening in Holborn'; and Percy related that he had heard Johnson say it was the best thing he ever wrote (see Courtney p. 22). Other contributors include Nathaniel Hooke, Anthony Blackwall, William Duncan, Joseph Spence, David Fordyce and Robert Lowth. Hazen notes that in this second edition Johnson's preface is 'extensively revised', with 'about thirty important verbal changes. That these revisions are by Johnson I am convinced'. Courtney pp. 21-2; Hazen, Prefaces and Dedications, 171-9; Fleeman 48.4DP/3 (pp. 153-5). Fleeman calls for engraved title pages in each volume, but this seems to be a mistake no such plates are found either in this set or that reproduced by ECCO. ESTC locates just twenty copies, of which only six are in the UK. (The British Library copy lacks volume II.) Provenance: Inscription in volume I recording the gift of H. Classon to her fifth son George Fredrick Classon in 1804; and then, he having died the following year (at the age of 21 years and 11 months) her subsequent gift of the books to her daughter Eliza Classon in March 1806. Eliza Classon has written her name on both titles: on the title to volume I, it is over an erased inscription of David B[remainder illegible]. Given the fact that this book was with an Irish bookseller in 1969, and that the volumes have green edges, it was probably bound in Ireland, and remained there for all of its first two centuries.

Seller Inventory # 27141

Bibliographic Details

• Title: THE PRECEPTOR: CONTAINING A GENERAL COURSE OF EDUCATION. Wherein the first principles of polite learning are laid down in a way most suitable for trying the genius, and advancing the instruction of youth. In two volumes. The second edition, with additions, and improved.
• Publisher: London: printed for R. Dodsley at Tully's-Head in Pall-Mall
• Publication Date: 1754
• Seller catalogs:
  • Education