AN EXAMINATION OF DR. REID'S INQUIRY into the Human Mind of the Principles of Common Sense, DR. BEATTIE'S ESSAY on the Nature and Immutability of Truth, and DR. OSWALD'S APPEAL to Common Sense in Behalf of Religion.
London: Printed for J. Johnson, No. 72, St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1774. First Edition. Hardcover. Octavo (8vo). Very good+ condition. Item #020244
lxi, [iii], 371 pages of text, followed by [iii] pages of publisher's advertisement; final leaf of advertisement contains errata. Full calf binding with minor shelfwear. Minor foxing to first and final few pages of text. Rare first edition of this work, critical of the views of three leaders in the Scottish School of Common Sense. The polemic feel of Priestley's attacks on Reid, Beattie and Oswald published in this work did provoke some sharp replies and Priestley actually issued an apology for the tone he had struck. Persons named: Locke, Hartley, Hume, Bishop Berkley, Price, Harris, etc. Affixed to the inside front board is the Armorial bookplate of Thomas Munro with motto "Dread God." The Munro baronetcy, of Lindertis in the County of Forfar, was created in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on 6 August 1825 for the soldier and colonial administrator Thomas Munro. He was a major general in the Army and served as Governor of Madras between 1820 and 1827. Before his death by cholera as he made his farewell tour of his districts. Munro's son assembled an important book collection, which included a first folio of Shakespeare.
Price: $1,500.00