ANON. ( SCOTT. SARAH.) — A DESCRIPTION OF MILLENIUM HALL.

A DESCRIPTION OF MILLENIUM HALL. And the country adjacent: Together with the Characters and inhabitants. And such historical anecdotes and reflections, as may excite in the reader proper sentiments of humanity, and lead the mind to the love of virtue. By A Gentleman on his travels. T. Carnan, and F. Newbery. London. 1778. Fourth edition. 8vo. (6.9 x 4.4 inches). Engraved frontis showing two men viewing Millenium Hall through several trees, engraved by A. Walker. ii, 262pp. Some very light spotting to a few pages but overall a very good copy in a recent period style binding of half tan calf. Spine with raised bands. Compartments ruled, lettered and decorated in gilt. Red and green labels, gilt. Marbled paper on boards. ---- An important early feminist utopian novel. The most famous work of Sarah Scott (1720-1795), 'Millenium Hall' describes a female utopia, free from male violence, where property is held in common and a community of women conduct lives devoted to artistic pursuits and education, Christian virtues, and philanthropy. Through its focus on female equality, education and friendship, and with the Hall forming a model of mid-century reform ideas, it provided a fictional embodiment of the ideals of the Blue Stockings Society, of which Scott was a member and of which her sister, Elizabeth Montagu, was leader. A successful work in its time, it went through four editions by 1778, and in recent years has undergone a resurgence of scholarly and public interest, with a renewed focus on its early feminist meaning. [ESTC: T107679].