[Z] Trusler (Rev Dr.) The Progress of Man and Society

Trusler (Rev Dr.) The Progress of Man and Society for the Use of Schools ... Second edition, Bath: by M. Rye, n.d. [circa 1795], full polished mottled calf gilt with morocco title labels, aeg, illustrated by Bewick, vignette title and further woodcut vignettes to text, bound by F. Bedford, armorial bookplate for Lord Battersea and later bookplate for Edmond Hogan, three leaves of publisher's advertisement to back

[ESTC lists only 2 copies worldwide: 1 UK (National Trust), 1 US (UCLA) ESTC N20474] The title is shortened from the first edition in 1791, but the cricket references are the same. They are in two early chapters, those on “childish sports” and “boyish sports”. In the first: “As boys grow up, it is necessary that they should be inured to difficulties; taught to avoid danger and become useful in society. To this end they learn to run, jump, run, ride, swim, and defend themselves. Hence the introduction of leap-frog, cricket, dancing, fencing, etc.” When we progress to “boyish sports”: “Dancing, tennis, cricket, bowls, billiards, and ninepins are such amusements as even men are not ashamed of.” The illustration to the section on boyish sports shows ninepins.