Three discourses of Sir Walter Ralegh

RALEIGH, Sir Walter (1554-1618).
Three discourses of Sir Walter Ralegh. I. Of a war with Spain, and our protecting the Netherlands. II. Of the Original, and fundamental cause of natural, arbitrary, and civil war. III. Of Ecclesiastical power. Published by Philip Ralegh...
London: Printed for Benjamin Barker, 1702.
Comparable: Sotheby's, 2006 - GBP 1,440.
8vo (7 1/4 x 4 1/4 in.; 8.4 x 10.8). Engraved frontispiece portrait of Raleigh by E. H. van Hove, title within double-ruled frame, separate title for “A Discourse of the Original and Fundamental Cause of … Unnatural War” dated 1701, p. 98 misnumbered 89, pp. 160–174 misnumbered 190–201, 102–103, 204, but text and register are continuous, publisher’s advertisement leaf at the end. Contemporary speckled calf, smooth spine; pastedowns lifted.
FIRST EDITION, AN ATTRACTIVE COPY WITH A DISTINGUISHED PROVENANCE, FROM THE LIBRARY OF THE EARLS OF MACCLESFIELD. Raleigh argues for the protection of the Netherlands from the Spanish since an occupied Netherlands or France would be a likely base of attack on England. The second and third discourses were first published in 1650. “It is hop’d that the following Disccourses may be of some use towards enflaming that Zeal which is already kindled in the Breasts of all True English Men, and Protestants, for the Preservation of the Liberties of Europe, and the Defence of th Reformed Religion; and theArguments which our Author makes use of in favour of holland will be of the great Force, because as much a Friend as he is to the States, he lies under no Suspicion of preferring their Interest to that of his own Countrey (Phillip Raleigh, in the preface).
PROVENANCE: The Earls of Macclesfield, Shirburn Castle, Oxfordshire (19th century South Library bookplate on front pastedown; discreet blindstamp on preliminaries; sale, Sotheby’s London, 26 October 2006, lot 2945).
REFERENCES: ESTC T50262; Sabin 67589.