An Enquiry Into The Causes Of The Late Increase Of Robbers, &c...
Fielding's Proposals to Reduce Crime Fielding, Henry [1707-1754]. An Enquiry Into The Causes Of The Late Increase Of Robbers, &c. With Some Proposals For Remedying This Growing Evil. In Which The Present Reigning Vices Are Impartially Exposed; And The Laws That Relate To The Provision For The Poor, And To The Punishment Of Felons Are Largely And Freely Examined. London: Printed for A. Millar, 1751. xv, [1], [1]-127, [1] pp. Octavo (7-3/4" x 4-3/4"). Recent quarter morocco over cloth, gilt title to spine, endpapers renewed. Light toning to text, somewhat heavier in places, light foxing to a few leaves, light soiling to title page and verso of final leaf. A handsome copy. $500. * First edition. This tract by the great writer draws attention to the social evils of the time, gin consumption among the poor especially. An influential piece, it inspired a bill to restrict gin production and Hogarth's famous engraving, "Gin Lane." The advertisement on the last page, possibly written by Sir John Fielding, is headed "To the Public." It advertises a domestic employment agency that offers servants free of "the rude Behaviour and Insolence of Servants of all Kinds" that has "become a general complaint." A second edition with minor revisions was published in 1751. There is also a Dublin imprint of the first edition issued in 1751 by M. Faulkner. English Short-Title Catalogue T89870.
Price: $500.00
Book number 72529