The True Means of Establishing Public Happiness. A Sermon, Delivered on the 7th of July, 1795, before the Connecticut Society of Cincinnati, and Published at their Request.
New Haven: Printed by T. & S. Green, 1795. 40 pp. 8vo. Stitched paper wrappers. First edition. A very good copy with loose stitching, untrimmed, some offsetting and browning at edges of leaves, without half title. Sabin 21561. Evans 28610. Trumbull 635. BAL 5050. NAIP w29596. Item #38651
Timothy Dwight (1752-1817) was President of Yale College from 1795 until his death in 1817 and a grandson of Jonathan Edwards. "The primary mean of originating and establishing happiness, in free communities, is, I imagine, the formation of a good personal character in their citizens. Good citizens must of course constitute a happier community than bad ones, and must better understand the nature and causes of their happiness. They may safely be governed by a milder policy, and cannot but be better judges of the desirableness of such policy. More the children of reason, and less the slaves of appetite and passion, they will naturally be more satisfied with real happiness, and less allured, by that, which, however showy, is unsubstantial; will need fewer restrictions, and be more contented under such as are necessary; will prize more highly such liberty, as is suited to the condition of man, and proportionally disregard that, which is Utopian. Hence, such citizens may probably be governed by justice, and common sense; and will not necessitate the adoption of force and oppression, or the employment of circumvention and statecraft."
Price: $200.00