[DESLISLE DE SALES (Jean-Baptiste Isolard)]:

Philosophie du Bonheur. Manuscrit de Platon publié par l'Auteur de la Philosophie de la Nature; Et servant de Supplement a ce dernier Ouvrage. Nouvelle Edition, Rectifiée de Augmentée d'un Tiers.

A Paris, Chez Goujon fils..., L'An VIII de la Republique, 1800. 2 volumes. 8vo, 204 x 118 mms., pp. [ii], [3] - 15 [16 blank], cclviii, 182 [183 - 184 Contents]; [ii], [1] 2 - 385 [386 blank], 387 - 390 Contents], including half-title in volume 2, engraved portrait, engraved title-page and five other full-page engraved plates in volume 1, engraved title-page and 6 other engraved plates in volume (with several of the plates suggesting that erotic endeavour plays a role in bonheur), attractively bound in full contemporary calf, with a central gilt-bordered lozenge on each cover, surrounded with gilt stars, gilt borders, spines rather plain with gilt rules and title in gilt; binding rubbed an very slightly worn, corners worn, but still an attractive set. Jean-Baptiste-Claude Delisle de Sales (1741 - 1816) published what seemed to be an interminable series of volumes bearing the title De la Philosophie de la Nature, with the first volume appearing in 1770. Few of his contemporaries seemed to feel that the number of volumes and the overall length of the project produced insights or innovations.

John Price Antiquarian BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 9441

Catalogue: Happiness

Keywords: happiness philosophy prose

LUCAS (Richard):

An Enquiry after Happiness. In Three Parts. The Tenth Edition.

London: Printed for J. Buckland, J. Rivington...[et al], 1764. 2 volumes. 8vo, 203 x 121, pp. xvi, 240, [8]. 184; [viii], [i] ii - viii, 456, contemporary calf, morocco labels; front joint volume 1 slightly cracked, lower front joint volume 2 slightly cracked, but a good to very good set, with the pencil ownership "C. H. Moody, 1819" on the front paste-down end-papers, the florid autograph "J Sampson Tattershall" with dated "1786" on recto of front free end-paper in volume 1, on the recto of the front front free end-paper the inscription "Tho Bamtree Courridge/ March the 14 1772," and a further note in his hand recording the birthdate, 14 January 1775, of his daughter Mary. The Church of England clergyman Richard Lucas (1648/9–1715) published this extended commentary in 1685, and this appears to be the last edition published in the 18th century. The work is "divided into three parts, the first showing the possibility of obtaining happiness, the second the true notion of life, and the third treating religious perfection. These works are dominated by the notion that happiness is attainable on earth via the exercise of right reason and, as in his Practical Christianity, there is an emphasis on the importance of an active life. Lucas stated that the whole work was inspired by his friend Dr Thomas Lamb's dictum that 'the life of man is to be estimated by its usefulness in the World'. The work was very popular and went through a number of editions. John Wesley, who had had the book recommended to him by his mother, remained an unshakeable admirer of Lucas's writing" (Edward Vallance in ODNB).

John Price Antiquarian BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 8770

Catalogue: Happiness

Keywords: happiness Christianity prose