Epea Pteroenta or, the Diversions of Purley

London: J Johnson, 1798. Leather. Good. 11" by 9". None. John Horne Tooke's linguistic treatise on English grammar and language. Second edition of the first volume (1798), and first edition of the second (1805). With an engraved frontispiece to the first volume. On his return from Huntingdonshire he became once more a frequent guest at Tooke's house at Purley, and in 1782 assumed the name of Horne Tooke. In 1786 Horne Tooke conferred perpetual fame upon his benefactor's country house by adopting, as a second title of his elaborate philological treatise of "Epea Pteroenta" — the expression épea pteróenta ("Winged words"), comes from Homer — the more popular though misleading title of The Diversions of Purley. The treatise at once attracted attention in England and the Continent. The first part was published in 1786, the second in 1805. Complete in two volumes. In half-morocco bindings. Externally, sound, though rubbed. Cloth repairs to hinges. Internally, firmly bound. Bookplate of the City of Westminster to front pastedown, with some instutitional ink stamps throughout the text. Pages are bright, though with some occasional patches of foxing. Good