Bonhams 1793 : ASSHETON (WILLIAM, rector of Beckenham in Kent) A Discourse against I. Drunkeness. 2. Swearing & Cursing. Published (Pursuant to his Majesty's Injunctions) to Suppress Debaunchery and Profaneness, 1693; bound with another

A Discourse against I. Drunkeness. 2. Swearing & Cursing. Published (Pursuant to his Majesty's Injunctions) to Suppress Debaunchery and Profaneness, extensive early ink annotations on imprimatur leaf (recto and verso), blank verso of title and head of A5, a few leaves stitched at inner margin affecting a few letters on p.41, neat later ownership inscription on imprimatur leaf [Wing A4031], Printed by Tho. Braddyll, and are to be Sold by Richard Sympson, 1692; Directions in Order to the Suppressing of Debauchery and Profaneness, typographical device on title, imprimatur leaf dated April 26, 1693, endpaper adhered to final leaf of text at inner margin (seemingly with no loss) [not in Wing], [no publisher], 1693, 2 works in one vol., FIRST EDITIONS, a few pagination numerals just shaved in upper margin, blindstamps on first and final leaves of volume, modern cloth, upper joint split, 12mo

Sold for £1,062 inc. premium

Footnotes

Two scarce pamphlets concerning the evils of drunkenness, swearing, and debauchery. COPAC locates only three copies of A Discourse, written by the Lancashire-born clergyman William Assheton (1642-1711), and ESTC does not record any in America.

Directions is unrecorded by either COPAC or ESTC: published anonymously it is perhaps also the work of Assheton. In it, the author recommends A Vindication of an Undertaking of Certain Gentlemen, in order to the Suppressing of Debauchery (1692) by Edward Fowler, Bishop of Gloucester, "an enthusiastic proponent of the societies for the reformation of manners which sprang up in the wake of the revolution" (ODNB).

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