MORDANT, John.

The Complete Steward: or, the Duty of a Steward to his Lord. Containing Several New Methods for the Improvement of his Lord's Estate, and Shewing the indirect Practices of Stewards, tending to lessen any Estate. Also a New System of Agriculture and Husbandry, wherein are laid down General Rules and Directions for the Management and Improvement of Farms. With Tables for the Measurement of Timber, Interest of Money; and the Value of ancient and modern Coin compared. Together with several Law Precedents relating to the Duty and Office of a Steward.

One folding printed table & numerous tables in the text. iv, [4], 496, [14] pp.; 2 p.l., 432, [3] pp. Two vols. 8vo, cont. polished speckled calf, spines gilt, morocco lettering pieces on spines (lacking a label from Vol. I). London: Printed for W. Sandby, 1761.

First edition. “Mordant, of whose life nothing is known, makes the usual excuse for issuing his book, though why an excuse should be necessary puzzles me; there was no recent good book on the subject, although Mr. Lawrence had in some measure treated of it before him. Mordant admits that Lawrence was a very able man to have handled the subject in a full and general way and to advantage, but his reflections and observations were too few and concise. Mordant cast his own book in alphabetical form, and includes trees, animals, crops, building, &c., making an effective and useful dictionary for landowner and steward alike. The second volume contains a large number of diverse tables for ready-reckoning areas, timber, board measure, &c., and a comprehensive set of specimen documents like leases, re-leases, and so on.”–Fussell, II, p. 51.

Fine set of a scarce book, with the signature of “Mr. Lewis Borthwick, 1791“ on front paste-down of Vol. I and on first title.

Price: $1,950.00

Item ID: 2745