Scott, William:

O TEMPORA! O MORES! OR, THE BEST NEW-YEAR'S GIFT FOR A PRIME MINISTER. BEING THE SUBSTANCE OF TWO SERMONS PREACHED AT A FEW SMALL CHURCHES ONLY, AND PUBLISHED AT THE REPEATED REQUEST OF THE CONGREGATIONS. BY THE REV. WILLIAM SCOTT, M.A. LATE SCHOLAR OF ETON.

[London]: Printed for J. Wilkie, St. Paul's Church Yard; G. Robinson, Pater Noster Row; H. Parker, Cornhill, near the Change; J. Swan, opposite Norfolk-Street, Strand; J. Fox, Westminster Hall; and to be had of Mr. Eugene Allen, Grocer, No. 136, White Chapel. N.B. The pulpit was refused at eight of the most capital Churches in the City. - Above a thousand copies were ordered before it was sent to press; and two hundred more by a Gentleman for one of our North American Colonies. Entered at Stationers Hall, [1773]. xvi, 32 pp. Disbound, blank inner margin stab holes, lightly toned and lightly worn. Good+.

The Sermons are preceded by a long dedication to Lord North, dated 'New Year's Day 1774' at page x. ESTC records two other London editions, one in 1774 and the other in 1775. In America, printings issued from Philadelphia and Norwich CT in 1774. Ours is evidently the first.
Scott's dedication charges Lord North with "all those evils, distresses, grievances, and oppressions, which have befallen this poor, unfortunate Kingdom, not long after the year One thousand seven hundred sixty," when George III ascended to the throne. "Oh England! how art thou fallen! and how shamefully and basely corrupted are thy sons and daughters from their primitive piety, virtue, and integrity!" Corruption in the Church and in Politics, and the absence of religion and virtue call for "A NATIONAL REPENTANCE AND REFORMATION."
Adams, American Controversy 73-13a. Sabin 78384. ESTC T7352 [10 locations]. Item #37835

Price: $1,250.00