Author: [JENYNS Soame)]
Title: Disquisitions on Several Subjects
Description: London: Printed for J. Dodsley..., 1782. FIRST EDITION. Small 8vo, 153 x 89 mms., pp. iv, 182. BOUND WITH: TURNER (Baptist Noel): Candid Suggestions in Eight Letters to Soame Jenyns, Esq. On the Respective Subjects of his Disquisitions, Lately Published: With Some Remarks on the Answerer of his Seventh Disquisition, Respecting the Principles of Mr. Locke. London: Printed by W. Harrod for T. Lowndes..., 1782. FIRST EDITION. Small 8vo (in 4s), 153 x 89 mms., pp. iv, 194. 2 volumes in 1, recently bound in quarter 18thcnetury stly calf, gilt spine, red morroco label. A fine copy. Jenyns' topics are "On the Chain of Universal Being," "On Cruelty to Inferior Animals," "On a Præ-existent State," "On the Nature of Time," "On the Analogy between Things Material and Intellectual," "On Rational Christianity," "On Government and Civil Liberty," and "On Religious Establishment." The book was republished several times in the 18th century. The Monthly Review reviewed the work at length, in two parts, with endorsements such as thls one: "[I]t will generally be thought by those who are sincere believers in Christianity, that the explanation of the Scriptures, which makes them agree with our natural ideas of religion and morals, is as likely to be the true one, as that which ascribes them doctrines contrary to the principles of reason." The Monthly was a little less enthusiastic about Turner's volume: "This writer appears to be more skilful in the arts of ridicule than of argument.... But in attacking Mr. J.'s more serious doctrines concerning government and religion, he is himself too much under the shackles of system, to possess either the inclination or the power of demolishing the structure, which the Disquisitor's ingenuity, aided not a little by prejudice and bigotry, has raised."

Keywords: animals religion prose


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