A Dissertation on the Rise, Union, and Power, the Progressions, Separations, and Corruptions, of Poetry and Music. To which is prefixed, The Cure of Saul, a sacred Ode [.].

BROWN, John

Published by Printed for L. Davis and C. Reymers … Printers to the Royal Society., London, 1763

About this Item

First edition: ?a pioneering work of conjectural history reminiscent of [Vico?s] Scienza nuova? (Oxford DNB). It was printed by William Bowyer, his records showing that 1000 copies were printed (Maslen & Lancaster, Bowyer Ledgers, 4393). 4to (26 × 20.5cm). iv, [5]?244 pp., plus an advertisement leaf at the end; title printed in red and black; a little light browning to the title, but an attractive copy, with wide margins, in well-preserved contemporary full calf, rubbed at extremities, a couple of marks to the sides, short crack to front joint at foot, spine decorated gilt in compartments, contrasting labels, one with the Suffield crest; engraved armorial bookplate of Edward Harbord, third Baron Suffield (1781?1835; politician, anti-slavery campaigner, and prison reformer). Known as ?Estimate? Brown for his popular Estimate of the Manners and Principles of the Times (1757; six editions within a year), the Northumbrian clergyman?a favourite of William Warburton, the literary Bishop of Gloucester?was also a keen musician. He soon turned The Cure of Saul, a poem on the healing powers of music and nature, into an oratorio, selecting the music himself. ?Brown?s Dissertation, which can be regarded as a sequel to his Estimate, sets forth the historical background to the musical conditions that Brown thought existed in his own day. It is one of the earliest published general histories of music in the English language ?? (Kassler, p. 119). Eddy 76; RISM Écrits, p. 181.

Seller Inventory # 000646

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Dissertation on the Rise, Union, and Power, the Progressions, Separations, and Corruptions, of Poetry and Music. To which is prefixed, The Cure of Saul, a sacred Ode [.].
• Publisher: Printed for L. Davis and C. Reymers ? Printers to the Royal Society., London
• Publication Date: 1763
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Catalogue No. 3
  • Aesthetics