29
29 BURET, Eugène. De la misère des classes laborieuses en Angleterre et en France. Paris: Chez Paulin, 1840 Among the earliest sociological analyzes of Pauperism First edition of Buret’s study of the French and English poor, among the earliest sociological analyses of pauperism, placing the existence of pauperism as a necessary result of the industrial state. Buret influenced the formation of socialist thought, and was referred to by both Proudhon and Marx. 2 volumes, octavo. Uncut in original yellow wrappers. Plate from separate publication (a well-to-do couple visiting the sick) loosely inserted into vol. II. Tiny chip to rear cover of vol. I affecting a couple letters, wrappers firm and fresh without restoration, light foxing to contents, an excellent copy. £1,500 [149581] 30 BURN, Richard. The History of the Poor Laws. London: Printed by H. Woodfall and W. Strahan, for A. Millar, 1764 First edition of the first history of the poor laws, proposing extensive reform of the laws, and giving a review of the existing literature on the subject, the most important prior to Eden’s State of the Poor . Burn’s account of the failings of the current overseers of the poor laws is important with regard to future debates on welfare laws – in Burn’s account the overseers are chiefly concerned with minimising expenditure and admitting as few as possible to receive funds, and threatening recipients to prevent complaints. Arguments that the enforcers of welfare laws were more concerned with minimising costs and discouraging welfare claimants rather than maximising the
30
benefits of the system would be a common complaint among welfare reformers in the coming centuries. Adam Smith made several references to the work in his Wealth of Nations , and it was a key reference for Sidney and Beatrice Webb’s study on the English poor laws in 1927. Octavo (209 × 126 mm). Contemporary calf, red morocco label. Very minor splits at head of spine, light peripheral rubbing, binding firm and clean, contents fresh; an excellent copy. ¶ ESTC T70490; Goldsmiths’ 10030; Higgs 3291. £750 [150976] 31 BUXTON, Thomas Fowell. An Inquiry, whether Crime and Misery are produced or prevented, by our present system of Prison Discipline. London: John and Arthur Arch, Butterworth and Sons, and John Hatchard, 1818 First edition, in the original boards, of an important survey of various prisons and an exposé of the failings of prison discipline. “Its reception in India indirectly led to an inquiry into the scandalous management of Madras gaols. In England its publication led to the formation of the Society for the Reformation of Prison Discipline, of which Buxton was a committee member” ( ODNB ). Octavo. Uncut in the original grey boards, printed paper spine label. Engraved armorial bookplate of Sir Thomas Gory Callum Bart F.R.S. to front pastedown. Spine ends chipped, paper label darkened and chipped, front joint cracking but still very firm, corners worn; occasional light spotting. A crisp clean copy in its original
WEALTH AND WELFARE
18
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker