Author: LUCAS (Richard):
Title: An Enquiry after Happiness. In Three Parts. The Tenth Edition.
Description: 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).

Keywords: happiness Christianity prose


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