The Satires of Persius. Translated by William Drummond, Esq. M. P

London: Printed by W. Buler and Co. for J. Wright..., 1797. FIRST EDITION OF THIS TRANSLATION. Small 8vo, 157 x 92 mms., pp. [ii], xxxii, [7], 8 - 111 [112 blank], vignette on title-page, contemporary tree calf, spine gilt to a bird motif, black leather label; some slight foxing of text, top and base of spine chipped, very slight wear to joints, but generally a good copy. Sir William Drummond, of Logiealmond (1770?–1828) was educated at St. Andrews and Christ Church, Oxford; he had been a Member of Parliament when he published this volume. He published a number of other scholarly works on classical literature. However, it was his Academical Questions (1805), in which his scepticism, derived from David Hume, about various claims in the Jewish and Christian religions outraged many readers, not to mention those who hadn't read the book but had heard that it was "heretical." In a private letter to Lord Aberdeen, he wrote, "I have attempted to veil its real meaning; but I am afraid that our bigots will take the alarm … I have avoided all remarks upon our peculiar religion. The constitution of the country has given us a creed … We must expect the hoi polloi to be under the guidance of some superstition or another; and I do not think ours the most mischievous I know" (ODNB). It is at least curious to see a classical scholar writing "the hoi polloi."