A philosophical dialogue concerning decency. To which is added a critical and historical dissertation on places of retirement for necessary occasions, Together With an Account of the Vessels and Utensils in use amongst the Ancients, being a Lecture read before a Society of learned Antiquaries. By the author of the Dissertation on barley wine

London: printed for James Fletcher in the Turl, Oxford; and sold by J. and J. Rivington in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1751. Stiff Wrappers. Fine. First (and only) Edition of this rare and curious treatise on scatology, with numerous references from classical sources illustrating various cultural attitudes toward "lavatorial behaviour." The second part describes various historical types of receptacles for human excrement and urine. (Sometimes attributed to Benjamin Buckler.) Demy 4to (248 x 192mm): 47,[1,Index]pp. Beautifully bound by Fitterer in stiff hand-marbled paper wraps, white paper label printed in black to upper cover. A Fine copy of this scarce pamphlet, tightly pound and clean throughout. Bibliotheca Osleriana 6409. Not in Bibliotheca Scatologica. A dissertation in the form of a dialogue on the history of public toilets, in which Rolleston coins the word "water closet." Rolleston relates textual evidence from biblical and classical sources to observations of present-day (eighteenth-century) behaviors, combining the literary and the scientific. The philosophical dialogue is a lighthearted but serious debate centered cultural differences and nature vs. nurture in toilet habits through history. The main theme is shame. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).