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BELSHAM (WILLIAM): Essays Philosophical and Moral, Historical and Literary.
London: Printed for G. G. and J. Robinson..., 1799. 2 volumes. 8vo, pp. viii [ix - xi Contents, xii blank], 403 [404 blank]; [iv], 560, contemporary half calf, gilt rules across spines, black morocco labels, marbled boards (slightly rubbed); joints volume 1 slightly rubbed, joints volume 2 very slightly cracked (but firm). A good set. Belsham (1752 - 1827) took an early interest in politics and literature, and the first volume of this collection was published in 1789. John Cannon in the Oxford DNB notes that "The essays were pleasant, discursive, and miscellaneous, but owed most of the attention they received to Belsham's comments on other writers. James Boswell, though regretting Belsham's nonconformist sympathies, quoted approvingly from the essay on dramatic criticism and conceded that the essays showed 'much reading and thinking, and good composition' (Boswell, Life, 1.389 n.). Essay 18, 'Strictures on Walpole's catalogue of royal and noble authors', complained that Horace Walpole sacrificed judgement to 'a fanciful and affected turn of thinking' (Walpole, 31.293–4). In essay 10, 'On the study of metaphysics', Belsham attacked Vicesimus Knox, who had condemned that discipline as idle and useless, fit only for mere speculation; Knox subsequently complained to Boswell that Dilly ought not to encourage his authors to attack each other. Several of the remaining essays reflected Belsham's religious views. He demanded repeal of the Test Act, dismissing those 'malevolent and senseless bigots' who maintained it (essay 41), wrote cogently on unitarianism, which 'seems to advance with accelerated force and vigour' (essay 23), disliked ecclesiastical establishments (essay 28), and gave an ecstatic welcome to the early days of the French Revolution, maintaining that 'in that short space of time … since the National Assembly was convened, more has been accomplished for the glory and happiness of the community than could previously have been imagined possible' (essay 40). Essay 23, on the African slave trade, which he denounced as 'the height of moral and political depravity', was reprinted in 1790 as a separate pamphlet." The second volume was published in 1791 and contains a long criticism of Edmund Burke's Reflections on the Revolution in France. He also writes on genius, Shakespeare, style, epic poetry, poor law, etc.
Offered for GBP 275.00 = appr. US$ 449.90 by: John Price Antiquarian Books - Book number: 5480
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