Author: BLAND (James);
Title: An Essay in Praise of Women: Or, A Looking-glass for Ladies To see their Perfections in. With Observations how the Godhead seemed concerned in the Creation: what respect is due to them on that account; how they have behaved in all Ages, particularly in four Saviour's time. Our modern Ladies proved no less virtuous and industrious than those in King Solomon's Time. Several Observations of their Virtue's surpassing those of Men's. Their Dress commended. The use of the Tea-Table vindication. Remarks upon Music and Dancing, and other Recreations fit for Ladies. Proper Advice for the Ladies to beware of Fortune-hunters. Exhortations to keep good Company, and Cautions to refrain bad, &c. &c.
Description: Edinburgh: Printed for, and sold by W. Darling..., 1767. FIRST AND ONLY EDINBURGH EDITION. 12mo (in 6s), 150 x 82 mms., pp. xi [12 - 13] 14 - 249 [250 blank, 251, adverts, 252 blank], contemporary sheepskin, raised bands between gilt rules on spine, dark red morocco label; top portion of title-page excised, removing the word "An," some slight general wear to binding, but a good copy. Earlier editions carried the familiar "Printed for the Author" designation on the title-page and Bland was described as both M. D. and Professor of Physic. In the Preface Bland, whoever or whatever he was, nails his feminist colours to the mast: "A virtuous woman is the most valuable and inestimable of all terrestrial beings; and for her better distinction, she ought to wear a drown of laurel.... And whoever are the authors of satires against her, they act the part of antipodes to human reason; and 'tis little less than a piece of blasphemy against her unblemished virtue...." Does the author have his or her tongue firmly in his or her cheek, and this is a mischievously misleading satire itself? Answers on a postcard. This was the last edition published in the 18th century, but the first to be published in Edinburgh. The first edition was published in 1733 in London, with reprints in 1736 (Curll's re-issue of the sheets of the 1733 edition, with a cancel title-page), 1735,

Keywords: women behaviour prose


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