[HUMPHREYS (R.)]. The Amusing Instructor, or, Tales and fables in prose and verse, for the improvement of youth: with useful and pleasing remarks on different branches of science... adorned with cuts.1777

London: Printed for F. Newbery, Second edition, 12mo, [4], 198pp., engraved frontispiece and 7 engraved plates, 3 full-page wood-engraved, 1 illustration within the text, some offsetting from plates, a couple of gatherings standing proud, cont. calf, joints cracked, untitled spine with raised bands outlined in gilt, corners bumped, head and foot of spine chipped. "Philander, a rich gentleman, sick of dissipation and amusement, retires to the country to devote himself to benevolence, taking as his motto "Virtue alone is happiness below." Hen entertains each Monday six young gentlemen—Master Steady, Master Featherbrain, Master Speakwell, etc.—and each Thursday six young ladies—Miss Allgood, Miss Prattle, Miss Haughty, etc. After one of them has told a story or recited a poem, the remainder of the visit is devoted to the study of the sciences in which each pupil speaks his piece in nauseating sententiousness interlarded with piety."—NBL. Provenance: Early ownership signature of Ann & Elizabeth Harrison on front paste-down. Roscoe, J12; NBL 446; First published in 1769, both edition are rare, ESTC locating four copies of the first (L, O; CLU-S/C, CtY-BR) and five of this second edition (L, O, LEu; CaOHM, CLU-S/C).