Political Tracts: Consisting of I. A Proposal for the Liquidation...
Essays Calling for the Abolition of Tithes, Reduction of the Public Debt and Other Matters Blake, Francis, Sir, [1738?-1818]. Political Tracts: Consisting of I. A Proposal for the Liquidation of the National Debt; An Explanation of the Proposal; An Appendix, Containing a Narrative of Proceedings Thereon at Various Public Meetings; II. The Efficacy of a Sinking Fund of One Million Per Annum; the Propriety of an Actual Payment of the Public Debt; The True Policy of Great Britain; The Conclusion; III. The Abolition of Tithes and the Reform of the Church Revenue; The Doctrine of Prescription Considered; a Narrative of Proceeding at a County Meeting Held at Morpeth December 22, 1784, Respecting the Payment of Tithes; A Letter to the Freeholders of the County of Northumberland, On the Same Subject; The Conclusion. London: Printed for J. Debrett, 1789. [iv], [13], 14-355, [1] pp. Includes one-page publisher list. Octavo (8" x 5"). Original paper boards, hand-lettered title to spine, untrimmed edges. Light soiling, moderate edgewear, spine heavily abraded, front board detached. Toning and light foxing to text. Gift inscription from the author's son, Francis Blake Jr., dated 1876 to front free endpaper, interior otherwise clean. $450. * First edition. Blake, a member of Lincoln's Inn, was a political reformer who called for the abolition of tithes and, later, repeal of the Corn Laws. Political Tracts collects his principal essays, which were composed between 1786 and 1787. This title was re-issued the following year with some additions and a somewhat different collation, but with the same publication date on the title page. Francis Blake, Jr. was a notable inventor and photographer. OCLC locates 5 copies, all of the later 1789 edition. English Short-Title Catalogue N39972.
Price: $450.00
Book number 54536