The Wisdom of Looking Backward, to Judge the Better of One Side and T?Other by the Speeches, Writings, Actions, and other Matters of Fact on Both sides, for the Four Years Last Past.

KENNETT, White (1660-1728).

Published by London, J. Roberts, 1715.

About this Item

First Edition. otherwise an excellent copy in contemporary panelled calf, spine gilt in compartments with raised bands, red morocco label lettered in gilt, paper shelf mark labels in upper and lower compartment, headcap chipped, the Macclesfield copy with South Library bookplate and blind library stamps. 8vo (120 x 195 mm), pp. [iv], iv, 383, [1], [8] index, the text printed in double column throughout, signature B (the first of the text proper) rather browned, A retrospective of political and religious controversies during the last years of Queen Anne?s reign, printed in two columns presenting the ?One Side? on the left and ?And t?Other? on the right. Swift makes several appearances, with mention of his Miscellanies, April 1711, and his only signed work, A Proposal for correcting, improving, and ascertaining the English Tongue, February 1712, with extracts accompanied by Oldmixon?s Reflections in reply (pp. 193-198). Numerous other authors and works are cited, including letters, newspapers (and gossip columns) and printed works. Despite the clear attempt at providing a balanced argument, Kennett?s Whig sympathies are clearly set out: ?the One Side [the Tories]. were Agents or Tools in supplanting a good Ministry, abusing a good Queen, and inflaming a rash Clergy?, while ?t?Other side?, or the Whigs, were ?for the most Part, a good old Sort of Sober Sensible Men, who were all along for the Honour of the Monarchy, the Peace of the Church, and the true Interest of their Countrey? ESTC t52588.

Seller Inventory # 3784

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Wisdom of Looking Backward, to Judge the Better of One Side and T?Other by the Speeches, Writings, Actions, and other Matters of Fact on Both sides, for the Four Years Last Past.
• Publisher: London, J. Roberts, 1715.
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • English Literature