An essay on the physical, moral, and political reformation of the Jews;

First published in 1789 as Essai sur la regeneration physique, morale et politique des Juifs.

Henri Jean-Baptiste Grégoire (1750-1831, a.k.a. the Abbé Grégoire) was a French Catholic priest, Constitutional bishop of Blois and a revolutionary leader. He was an ardent slavery abolitionist, supporter of universal suffrage and was considered friend of the Jews.

Grégoire argued that in the French society, the supposed degeneracy of Jews was not inherent, but rather a result of their circumstances, namely: the way they had been treated, their persecution by Christians, and their ridiculous religious teachings. Grégoire believed the Jews could be reformed and become an integral part of mainstream society.

James Whatman the Elder (1702-1759) was the inventor of wove paper used for high quality printing, calligraphy, and art purposes. His son, also James Whatman (1741-1798), continued his father's work making further developments. The bookplate in this book is of James Whatman Junior.

First English edition, 8vo; 19th-century violet cloth, slightly faded, amateur yellow paper label to spine lettered in ink. viii, 288 pp.

ESTC N31258.