ANTIENT METAPHYSICS: or, the Science of Universals. With an Appendix, containing an examination of the principles of Sir Isaac Newton's philosophy.

Edinburgh, J. Balfour and Co.; London, T. Cadell, 1779.. Volumes I and II only of 6 volumes, FIRST EDITIONS 1779 and 1782. 4to, approximately 280 x 210 mm, 11 x 8¼ inches, pages: xxi, [3], ix, [1], ix, [1]-555; xii, [20], [1]-461, bound in modern quarter calf over marbled boards, raised bands, gilt ornament in compartments, contrasting gilt lettered morocco labels, new endpapers. Volume I: 2 small signatures, 1 crossed through and a number on title page, tips of corners of first 3 pages slightly soiled and neatly repaired, lower corners of last 20 leaves slightly creased and dust-soiled, 8 of them neatly repaired with old paper at tip, final 5 leaves have larger crease at lower corner just affecting text, no loss of legibility, closed tear to inner margin of 1 prelim page, neatly repaired, 1 text page torn across and neatly repaired, no loss of text, contents otherwise very clean; Volume II: same inscription to title page as in Volume I, contents very clean. Bindings tight and firm. Very good copies of Volumes I and II in first edition. Volume I contains 59 pages devoted to the principles of Newton's philosophy in the Appendix and Chapter XIX expresses some of the author's criticism of the Newtonian system. Volume II is subtitled "containing a further examination of the principles of Sir Isaac Newton's philosophy" and Book V is entitled Of the Principles of Sir Isaac Newton's Astronomy and consists of 146 pages in which the author finds fault with various aspects of Newton's Principia. The 6 volumes were issued over a period of 20 years from 1779 to 1799 containing criticism and commentary on Newton's work. They are considered a defence of Greek philosophy and are firmly attributed to Lord Monboddo (1714-1799), a Scottish judge and scholar who is remembered today as the founder of modern comparative historical linguistics. See: G.J. Gray, Sir Isaac Newton A Bibllography, page 30, No.121; Peter and Ruth Wallis, Newton aand Newtoniana 1672-1975, A Bibliography, page 35, No. 554.6. MORE IMAGES ATTACHED TO THIS LISTING, ALL ZOOMABLE. FURTHER IMAGES ON REQUEST. POSTAGE AT COST.