[Rarebooks] fs: Hold Your Tongue!! (1814)

[Joslin Hall Rare Books]

[Bordelon, Abbe Laurent]. THE MANAGEMENT OF THE TONGUE...  Boston; 
Published by Isaiah Thomas, Jun.; John Elliot, Printer: 1814. 2nd edition.

The first "Theophrastan" character-study to be published in America. 
Theophrastus, a student of Aristotle and famous scientist and author in his 
own right, wrote a series of character studies of Athenians which has been 
used as an inspiration by modern authors since at least the 16th century. 
Theophrastan character studies, while generally sharp-edged and with 
satiric overtones, are usually not overtly satirical.

"The Management of the Tongue" was written by the Abbe Laurent Bordelon 
[1653-1730] and first published in France in 1705. It includes such 
characters as The Babbler, The Silent Man, The Droll, The Jester, The 
Disputer, The Swearer, The Reprover, The Adviser and many more. He also 
includes a chapter on conversation in general, and the Language of Love, 
and focuses his text on self-help- "The reader will not find here any 
metaphysical abstractions, any advices more spiritual than practicable, nor 
any idea of a perfection so sublime, that men do commonly despair to attain 
to them. This book contains nothing but familiar truths, and such practices 
as are not above the reach of those who will make trial of them... I writ 
this book, and this book improves me every day. The more I reflect on what 
it contains, the more I polish and perfect myself".

The first English edition was printed in 1706 and the first American 
edition in 1783. There are Isaiah Thomas Jr. editions of 1813, 1814, and 
1817. OCLC locates 10 copies of this, the 1814 edition.

Hardcover, 3.75"x6.5", 250 pages; bound in the original publisher's blue 
paper-covered boards, boards very rubbed, some soil; spine partially 
perished along the head and base; front hinge split and hanging on by two 
cords; scattered light to moderate internal foxing. Embossed stamp of the 
American Antiquarian Society, and embossed "duplicate sold" stamp of the 
A.A.S. [04920] $200.00

Illustration-
<http://www.joslinhall.com/images03/th-04920.jpg>


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