Books

London: W. and J. Richardson for John Murray 1773 Second edition, enlarged, of an important sociological and anthropological study by John Millar (1735-1801), Professor of Law at the University of Glasgow and friend of Hume, Adam Smith and other members of the Scottish enlightenment. The first edition, in quarto format, appeeared two years earlier.. Contemporary polished calf. Gilt-ruled spine with red morocco label. Octavo. One inch split along front joint near head of spine. Offsetting to first and last couple of leaves from binding. Overall a very good, clean copy. The present work "contains a number of ingenious, progressive and penetrating ideas. It begins with the history of the station of women. Millar was by no means a primitivist, but he points out the equal and qualified station of women in primitive societies, thus making him a precursor of Bachofen. The advancement of civilization or the progress of labour and wealth, had formerly served to reduce the station of women,…