Books

First edition of this classic of social and economic analysis, the first major study of the English poor; "it has proved the basis of sociological investigation ever since" (PMM). "The State of the Poor is one of the classical works in the history of economics. Eden was led to embark on the subject by the high prices brought on by the war in 1794 and 1795, and the effect they had on the living conditions of the poorer classes. He established the framework of his investigation by lengthy visits to several parishes; the rest was filled in by his many correspondents up and down the land... The results were published in three volumes; the first contained a description of the condition of the labouring classes and an analysis of its causes; the other two the supporting facts in the form of parochial reports on the administration of workhouses and houses of industry, friendly societies, and other charitable organizations, with a lengthy series of appendixes, including tables of prices and wages and a list of works on poverty and its alleviation. Eden's own work, notwithstanding its originality, might now be forgotten if it were not for the invaluable collection of facts attached to it, which can never cease to be of importance. More valuable even than these, however, is the method he adopted of obtaining and systemizing statistically the details of so diffuse a problem" (ibid.). It is important to note that "it was written from a perspective that reveals Eden's general adherence to Adam Smith's system of natural liberty in economic affairs... Eden should be described as an enlightened philanthropist with considerable practical knowledge of poor-law administration, friendly societies, and the insurance principle. He was judiciously unfavorable to legislative provision and government regulation in the Smithian manner, placing his faith in the self-improvement motive" (ODNB). In Das Kapital, Marx claimed that Eden was the only eighteenth-century disciple of Smith to produce a work of any significance (pointedly including Malthus). READ MORE Three volumes, quarto (274 x 214 mm). Recent half calf to style, red morocco labels, marbled sides, top edges gilt, fore edges trimmed, bottom edges uncut. Bound without half-titles, with terminal binder's direction leaf, and all the extra leaves (3L3, vol. 2; 5B*-5B†4, vol. 3). With folding letterpress table in vol. III. Bindings firm, light spotting, slight loss at lower outer corner of vol. I leaf 3K4 without loss to text; a very good copy. Einaudi 1714; ESTC T145895; Goldsmiths' 17107; Kress B.3384; McCulloch, pp. 285f; Printing and the Mind of Man 249.