Letters on rhetoric and belles lettres . In three volumes. To which is added a life of the author

Blair, Hugh

Published by printed by Thomas Turnbull, Old Assembly Close, Edinburgh, 1819

About this Item

3 volumes, 12mo, pp. [2], xv, [1], 325, [1]; [4], 350; [4], 282, [26] index; original drab paper-covered boards, printed paper labels on spines; labels quite rubbed but still legible; cracks along the joints exposing underlying blue paper, spots on the back cover of volume I; all else very good and sound. Bookplates of the Broughton Baptist Library in each volume and their number label at head of each spine - 1288, 1289, 1290. A late edition of an influential book, first published in 1783. Hugh Blair (1718-1800) the famed Scots divine and professor of rhetoric was very successful with this book which "could boast ten editions in England between 1783 and 1806, not to mention the American reissues and one French (1797), one Italian (1801), and one Spanish (1816) version." (Aarsleff). He was a friend of Hume and Adam Smith, the latter of whose lectures inspired Blair in this endeavor. Citing the first edition Alston (VI, 239) notes that this is "A comprehensive discussion of rhetoric and style with wide-ranging comments on language in general, and English in particular.".

Seller Inventory # 66481

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Letters on rhetoric and belles lettres . In three volumes. To which is added a life of the author
• Publisher: printed by Thomas Turnbull, Old Assembly Close, Edinburgh
• Publication Date: 1819
• Seller catalogs:
  • Language
  • English Literature