A Free Translation of the Preface to Bellendenus; Containing Animated Strictures on the Great Political Characters of the Present Time.

An uncommon first English translation of Samuel Parr's Preface to Bellendenus. First Edition. Uncommon. Of the Preface to Bellendenus controversy, the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography writes, "Henry Homer, a classical scholar, wished to publish a new edition of three treatises by William Bellenden, a sixteenth-century Scottish professor and diplomat, and asked Parr to write a Latin dedication and preface for the book. Bellenden's unfinished treatise "De tribus luminibus Romanorum" suggested to Parr that Britain had its own luminaries, and Homer agreed that the venture should be used to support the contemporary whig cause by having the treatise dedicated to the "tria lumina Anglorum"Burke, North, and Fox. The preface was then enlarged into a political tract supporting the coalition of these three politicians and attacking the younger Pitt and his government. The Praefatio ad Bellendenum appeared anonymously in 1787, but gradually the authorship became known first to scholars and then was more widely publicized when the work was translated into English." Samuel Parr, 1747 1825, was an English schoolmaster and writer. He was educated at Harrow school and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, however was forced to leave the University owing to financial difficulties. Needing both funds and intellectual stimulus, he decided to return to Harrow. From February 1767 to the close of 1771, Parr served as head assistant at Harrow. He was also ordained in 1769. Parr later served as master and headmaster of various schools. He received an honorary degree from Cambridge, and later received the degree of LL.D in law. "His interest in public affairs and prominent pamphleteering made him a minor ecclesiastical and political figure." (DNB) In the publisher's original binding. Externally, a trifle rubbed. There is some wear to the extremities, including some bumping and discolouration. The card from the spine is missing. The hinges are held by the cords only, and could possibly detach during transit, even after careful packaging. Internally generally firmly bound. Pages are generally bright with scattered spotting. There is a small section missing from the top right-hand corner of the title page. Very Good.…