An Essay Upon Civil Government: wherein is set forth, the necessity, origine, rights, boundaries, and different forms of sovereignty. With observations on the ancient government of Rome and England. According to the principles of the late Archbishop of Cambray. Translated from the French.

RAMSAY, Andrew Michael.

Published by London: printed for Randal Minshull, 1722

About this Item

First edition in English, following its first appearance in French the previous year, of the author's first work, his most important contribution to political theory; with the bookplate of the English peer Henry Bowes Howard, 4th Earl of Berkshire (1686-1757). The Scottish émigré Ramsay (1686-1743) spent most of his life in France. A Jacobite, he was briefly the tutor to the young Bonnie Prince Charles at the exiled court. Well connected in Enlightenment circles, a deist and a freemason, his writings present an interesting contribution to early enlightened political thought, steeped in British political tradition and the struggles of the country in the 17th century. "In the Essay Ramsay praised the virtues of monarchy, condemned rebellion, and argued that the proper practice of love for one's neighbour and one's self would overcome the danger of political revolution, which was caused by an excessive love of power on the part of rulers or of independence on the part of their subjects" (ODNB). Nonetheless, it remains a Jacobite work reflecting the author's role espousing the cause of James Stuart, and his proposal for the removal of the House of Commons in favour of an aristocratic senate advising the king. ESTC T107685. Duodecimo (145 x 78 mm). Contemporary panelled sheep. Slight loss at foot of rear joint and spine, else binding fresh, contents clean with a few page corners creased, a well-preserved copy.

Seller Inventory # 160337

Bibliographic Details

• Title: An Essay Upon Civil Government: wherein is set forth, the necessity, origine, rights, boundaries, and different forms of sovereignty. With observations on the ancient government of Rome and England. According to the principles of the late Archbishop of Cambray. Translated from the French.
• Publisher: London: printed for Randal Minshull, 1722
• Edition: 1st Edition