REFLECTIONS ON THE REVOLUTION IN FRANCE, AND ON THE PROCEEDINGS IN CERTAIN SOCIETIES IN LONDON, RELATIVE TO THAT EVENT. IN A LETTER.

Burke, Edmund

Published by Printed by D. Humphreys., Philadelphia, 1792

256pp. Contemporary calf, spine gilt. Calf moderately worn. Staining in lower margin of first four leaves. Overall very good. Second American edition (preceded by a New York, 1791 printing by Hugh Gaine) of one of the most important political works of the late 18th century, Edmund Burke's fierce denunciation of the French Revolution. Burke was a staunch supporter of the American side during the American Revolution, but it was conducted on a philosophical basis with which he was in sympathy, and was notably free of atrocity. The excesses and slaughter which began to characterize the French Revolution were different, and the deposing of Louis XVI opened up a gulf of possibility which struck fear into the hearts of conservative powers throughout Europe. Burke's REFLECTIONS. crystallized the opposition to the French Revolution on philosophical as well as political grounds. "His anger and disgust were exacerbated by the dread that the aims, principles, methods and language which he detested in France might affect the people of England." In America, Burke's conservative attack on the French Revolution and his opposition to the Whig support of it was mirrored by the conflict between the Republican faction led by Jefferson, who supported the Revolution, and the Federalist faction led by Hamilton, who agreed with Burke that it was an outrage. The supporters of the French revolutionaries found their best counter-argument in Thomas Paine's RIGHTS OF MAN, written specially to reply to Burke, while Burke remained the best spokesman for his side. The present edition is of particular interest, since it was issued in Philadelphia - the political center of the American Revolution and then seat of American government - under the imprint of "D. Humphreys." Humphreys was not a printer but Washington's former aide-de-camp, a founder of the Society of the Cincinnati and an ardent Federalist and close friend of Hamilton. That this edition was expressly designed to aid the Federalist cause in its struggle with Jefferson is clear. An attractive edition and copy of a seminal work of equal importance to political thinking in America and Europe. EVANS 24157. PRINTING AND THE MIND OF MAN 239. TODD, BURKE 53gg. Seller Inventory # WRCAM13317

Bibliographic Details

Title: REFLECTIONS ON THE REVOLUTION IN FRANCE, AND...
Publisher: Printed by D. Humphreys., Philadelphia
Publication Date: 1792