Book Description

The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration and rapidly growing technology and expanding record-keeping made possible by advances in the printing press. In its determination to preserve the century of revolution, Gale initiated a revolution of its own: digitization of epic proportions to preserve these invaluable works in the largest archive of its kind. Now for the first time these high-quality digital copies of original 18th century manuscripts are available in print, making them highly accessible to libraries, undergraduate students, and independent scholars. This collection reveals the history of English common law and Empire law in a vastly changing world of British expansion. Dominating the legal field is the Commentaries of the Law of England by Sir William Blackstone, which first appeared in 1765. Reference works such as almanacs and catalogues continue to educate us by revealing the day-to-day workings of society. ++++ The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to insure edition identification: ++++ British Library W014318 Though Evans attributes this series of almanacs through 1795 to Ezra Gleason, the present one, like that for 1784, is the work of Benjamin West. The eclipse predictions (p. [3]), the ephemeris (p. [8]), the astronomical notes on the calendar pages, and the columns on these pages giving calculations for the moon's place and its rising and setting, are all either identical or practically so with those in West's The North-American calendar for 1785 (Providence). The remainder of the calendar page calculations vary slightly for the most part, reflecting the difference i meridian between Providence and Boston. In a letter to Isaiah Thomas, dated Aug. 13, 1784, in the manuscript collection of the American Antiquarian Society, West states that he has completed and sent to Thomas the manuscript of the 1785 almanac, and discusses the subject of remuneration. The preface to the almanac, signed "Philomathes," is the work of the publisher. Advertised in the Massachusetts spy, Worcester, Oct. 28, 1784. Parentheses substituted for square brackets in imprint transcription. Bookseller's advertisement, p. [36]. Printed at Worcester [Mass.]: by Isaiah Thomas. (Price 40 s. per gross. 4 s. per dozen. Six-pence single.), [1784]. [36]p.: ill.; 12°