David Hume

The first edition of this intriguing collection of essays by the Scottish enlightenment philosopher David Hume (1711–1776), complete with half title, dedication to the playwright Reverend John Home, and cancellation stubs. Four Dissertations was among Hume’s last major works of philosophical inquiry, and he never permitted the collection to be reprinted.

• David Hume (Scottish).
• Four Dissertations. I. The Natural History of Religion. II. Of the Passions. III. Of Tragedy. IV. Of the Standard of Taste.
• London: Printed for A. Millar, 1757.
• [6], vii, [1], 240pp. 
• Duodecimo.
• Includes letter from National Library of Scotland dated 19th December 1952, giving bibliographic information.
• Bound in contemporary calf, gilt spine, contrasting red morocco lettering-piece.

Originally the collection was to include the first three essays listed and two further dissertations on "Suicide" and the "Immortality of the Soul." However, recognizing the incendiary nature of these latter two works and fearing the very real threat of prosecution for blasphemy, Hume recalled the collection just as it reached the proof stage. In their place, he substituted in his work on aesthetics, "Of the Standard of Taste," which formed the final fourth essay in the collection.

Four Dissertations includes the first publication of Hume’s important treatise on religious belief and practice, The Natural History of Religion. Comparing polytheistic beliefs to monotheistic, Hume found that the former "not only preceded monotheism but was much less dangerous, being less liable to join a philosophical enthusiasm to a religious superstition. This error he attributed specifically to the Stoics; but all theists were implicated. The only remedy, he concluded, was to set one species of superstition against another, 'while we ourselves... happily make our escape into the calm, though obscure, regions of philosophy'" (ODNB).

With provenance for David Scott (d. 1844) of the Brotherton branch of the Scott family, and the linguist Robin Lorimer (d. 1992), known for completing his father William Lorimer’s translation of the Greek New Testament into Scots. A letter from J.H. Loudon, assistant keeper in the department of printed books at the National Library of Scotland, is loosely inserted to the front free endpapers. Dated 19th December 1952, it gives bibliographic information relevant to the work.

R.L.C. Lorimer, 1952 (inscription).

David Scott of Nether Benholm (bookplate).

ESTC T4011.

Rothschild 1176.

Todd pp.200-201.