Dissertations Moral and Critical. On Memory and Imagination, On Dreaming, The Theory of Language, On Fable and Romance, On the Attachments of Kindred, Illustrations on Sublimity

London / Edinburgh: W. Strahan, T. Cadell / W. Creech, 1783. First Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine. Quarter calf and marbled paper, gilt-stamped lettering in dark brown leather spine label; 4to; pp. x, [6], 655. A few tiny scuff marks at spine tips, otherwise book is fine. Text block somewhat tanned, and first and last few leaves a little bit brittle along the edges; otherwise text is nice and bright. An excellent copy.

Beattie was a distinguished Scottish poet, essayist, and moral philosopher (much at odds with Hume), described by Cowper as "the only author whose critical and philosophical researches are diversified and embellished by a poetical imagination that makdes even the driest subject and the leanest a feast for epicures."