Studies of Nature. Translated by Henry Hunter.
Worcester: Printed for J. Nancrede [by Thomas, Son & Thomas], 1797.
Price: $500.00
About the item
First American edition. Five engraved plates (4 folding), engraved by S[amuel] Hill of So. Boston and [William] Rollinson of New York. 3 vols. 8vo. Contemporary tree sheep, red and black morocco labels and volume numbers (volume labels lacking in vol. I &Ii). Joints rubbed or starting, signatures erased or excised from title-pages, some sporadic foxing. Shipton and Mooney 32796.
Item #254828
The description of this work in the publisher's advertisements states “No book displays a more sublime Theology; inculcates a purer morality, or breathes a more ardent and expansive philanthropy. St. Pierre has enabled us to comtemplate this universe with other eyes, had furnished new arguments to combat atheism; has established, beyond the power of contradiction, the doctrine of a Universal Providence … ” The publisher published separate editions of portions of this work as : "A Vindication of Divine Providence;" "Botanical Harmony Delineated" and "Paul and Virginia." "Paul and Virginia" was also available in French. Samuel Hill, was an engraver, mostly in Boston, and known for his views and portraits, several done for the "Massachusetts Magazines." William Rollinson, was an engraver and miniaturist. He was probably a silversmith as well and is credited with having ornamented the silver button on the coat worn by Washington at his inauguration as President. (Fielding "Dictionary of American Painters … " p. 786).
