Dionysius Longinus; William Smith [trans.] — Dionysius Longinus on the Sublime

London, J. Watts, 1739 . First edition. Leather. An attractive example of the very scarce first edition of William Smith's translation of Longinus's treatise on writing, 'On the Sublime&apos. The vanishingly scarce first edition of William Smith's English language translation of the ancient Greek critical treatise 'On the Sublime&apos. Examining the qualities that give literature and oratory grandeur  emotional power and the capacity to transport an audience, Smith"s edition combines the translation with extensive notes and observations and an account of the life, writings and character of Longinus. Illustrated with a frontispiece. ESTC T121442 The work discusses passion, figures of speech and composition within literature, with examples drawn from Greek and Roman literature. In a full calf binding with gilt detailing. Significant rubbing to binding. Front joint head and tail and rear joint starting, but boards firmly held. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Good .