70
weak principle’) and instinct (which guides morality). Gregory wrote that ‘The task of improving our nature, of improving man’s estate, involves the proper development and exercise of the social principle and the other principle of instinct, with reason subordinate to instinct and serving as a corrective on it’ (McCulloch, 150). The study of nature is then, according to Gregory, the best means of cultivating taste (‘a good taste and a good Heart commonly go together’) and religious understanding, the aim being to produce morally well-formed individuals (ibid., 154)” ( ODNB ). Octavo (152 × 96 mm). Contemporary calf, rebacked in tan calf, spine ruled gilt and with gilt motif in compartments, black morocco labels. Engraved armorial bookplate of Edward Glovern, bookplate of Robert J. Hayhurst, Lancashire retail chemist and bibliophile. Corners worn, occasional light spotting; a very good copy. ¶ Jessop, p. 133. £750 [147476] 70 GROTIUS, Hugo, & William Evats (trans.) The Most Excellent Hugo Grotius, His Three Books Treating of the Rights of War & Peace. London: for Thomas Basset and Ralph Smith, 1682 The foundation of international law First complete edition in English of the Dutch philosopher, jurist, and theologian’s legal masterpiece, De Jure Belli ac Pacis , first published in Paris in 1625. Grotius’s treatise is considered to be the first expression of the “droit naturel”, the first theorisation of “just war”,
and the foundation of modern international law; it had a profound influence on 18th-century political theorists such as Locke as well as on the arguments which supported the Glorious Revolution and the American Revolution. In his treatise Grotius puts forth his definitions of war and natural law (Book I), then argues for the identification of three just causes for war (Book II), and finally examines whether war and its combatants are bound by rules (Book III). “The questions which he put forward have come to be the basis of the ultimate view of law and society. This was the first attempt to lay down a principle of right, and a basis for society and government, outside Church or Scripture” ( PMM ). The translation is by William Evats ( c .1606–1677). There had been one previous English translation prepared by Clement Barksdale (1654) which was considered by later translators a “small and worthless abridgment” (Nolan & Robertson, p. 190). Folio (319 × 197 mm). Contemporary calf, spine lettered in gilt. With the additional engraved vignette title page with portraits of Grotius and Evats by Thomas Cross, title page printed in black and red. A few contemporary manicules in margins. Joints cracked but firm, light wear to extremities, patch of discreet repair to calf on rear cover and general minor refurbishment, light insect damage to calf, front pastedown peeling, small chip without loss to engraved title, a few trivial chips to pages never affecting text, damp stain at head throughout varying in severity and in places making the paper a little friable. A good copy. ¶ Goldsmiths’ 2491; Kress 1557; Ter Meulen & Diermanse 630. Printing and the Mind of Man 125 (for the first edition); Donal Nolan & Andrew Robertson, Rights and Private Law , Bloomsbury, 2011. £3,250 [128871]
39
Peter Harrington
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker