Beattie, James

i) Essays. On the nature and immutability of Truth, in opposition to Sophistry and Scepticism. Edinburgh: William Creech, 1776, 4to, contemporary calf [Sir William Forbes, signature on title] [ESTC T138734];

ii) Essays on Poetry and Music. London: E. and C. Dilly, 1779, 8vo, third edition, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED "To Sir William Forbes Bart from the author" in two different hands, half-title, folding engraved frontispiece, contemporary calf [ESTC
T137390];



iii) Dissertations Moral and Critical. London: W. Strahan, 1783, 4to, FIRST EDITION, half-title, contemporary marbled calf [ESTC T97900], watercolour depicting the Ruins of Pitsligo and signed "M. Beattie, 1795" loosely inserted;



iv) The Theory of Language. London: A. Strahan, 1788, 8vo, contemporary tree calf, [Sir William Forbes, signature on title] [ESTC T136208];



v) Elements of Moral Science. Edinburgh: printed for T. Cadell, London, and W. Creech, Edinburgh, 1790-1793, 2 volumes, 8vo, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED on verso of title pages ("from the author" in volume one and "To Sir Will^m Forbes Bart from the author" in volume two), errata at end of volume one, page vi and viii in volume 2 transposed, contemporary tree calf [ESTC T138973]; together with a second copy of volume one only;



vi) Essays and Fragments. Edinburgh: J. Moir, 1794, 8vo, PRESENTATION COPY inscribed "from the editor'' on verso of title, errata slip pasted to p.340, contemporary speckled calf [ESTC T128504];



vii) The Minstrel; or, the Progress of Genius. Edinburgh: James Ballantyne, 1803 (Advertisement dated May 1, 1804), 4to, half-title, frontispiece, red straight-grained morocco gilt;



[together with:] Forbes, William. An Account of the Life and Writings. Edinburgh: Archibald Constable and Co., 1806, 2 volumes, 4to, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED "To William Forbes Esq^r, by the Author" in volume one, half-titles, engraved frontispiece, original green boards, printed labels on spines, some loss to p.425-end, 3 boards detached;



Some spotting, browning and soiling, occasional water staining, hinges on a few volumes starting, some light wear to bindings (11)

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Sir William Forbes' 1806 biography of his friend James Beattie featured several of his letters, including one where he lamented the Scots' "greatest difficulty in acquiring the art of writing English": "We are … continually afraid of committing gross blunders; and, when an easy, idiomatical phrase occurs, dare not adopt it … for fear of Scotticisms" (vol. 2, pp.16-17).