THE PROMPTER: OR, A COMMENTARY ON COMMON SAYINGS AND SUBJECTS; WHICH ARE FULL OF COMMON SENSE, THE BEST SENSE IN THE WORLD

165 x 102 mm. (6 1/2 x 4"). 95 pp. Late(?) 19th century brown half roan over marbled boards, smooth spine divided into panels by gilt fillets, each with gilt daisy, red morocco label, marbled endpapers. Sabin 102386; Evans 31599; ESTC W28973. Very light rubbing to joints and extremities, mild foxing throughout, but unusually clean and bright for a book printed on 18th century American paper, and in a convincing retrospective binding showing almost no wear. This is a very pleasing copy of a work that demonstrates an important early American lexicographer's philosophy toward the impact of language. After graduating from Yale and briefly studying law, Noah Webster (1758-1843) established an elementary school and discovered the need for spelling and grammar books in the new country. According to ANB, "Webster believed that the new nation needed a feeling of identity, a consciousness of self that bound it together and distinguished it from others. Not surprisingly, Webster concluded that this revolution of mind and heart should begin with children and with the acquisition of books that would reflect the American language, culture, and history." He produced textbooks on spelling and grammar, as well as his famous dictionary, a book PMM tells us "marked a definite advance in modern lexicography." In the present work, Webster goes beyond the words themselves into a concern with their usage, telling us in the preface that he is attempting "to find the method of writing calculated to do the most general good" in society. The author serves as "prompter," giving lines to "the numerous actors upon the great theatre of life"--that is, providing discussion on "common sayings" to help improve writers, and by extension, the "world at large." "The Prompter" was published anonymously in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1791, and enjoyed considerable popularity in New England well into the 19th century. Webster revealed his authorship in a 1796 advertisement in the federalist newspaper "American Minerva," which he had helped to found and edited from 1793-98. Our copy, in a pleasing replica binding and quite fine condition internally, is particularly appealing since many copies that have appeared on the market are in the condition expected of a book meant for the schoolroom.…