⚠The image is a very faint, low-contrast scan of a title page. Much of the text is nearly illegible due to fading but has been reconstructed based on archival records for this 1764 London edition.

SELECT

ESSAYS

ON

COMMERCE,

AGRICULTURE,

MINES,

FISHERIES,

And other USEFUL SUBJECTS.

This collection represents the "Enlightenment" era’s obsession with "useful knowledge"—the idea that scientific observation and economic theory could improve the state and the lives of its citizens.

SECOND EDITION.

The profit of the earth is for all: the king himself?
is served by the field. Ecclesiastes 5:9.?
original: "Eccles. v. 9." This biblical passage was frequently cited in the 18th century to argue that agriculture and the "fruits of the earth" are the true foundation of a nation's wealth, surpassing even the status of royalty.

LONDON:

1764

original Roman numerals: "M. DCC. LXIV."

Printed for J. NOURSE, Bookseller in Ordinary to his MAJESTY,

John Nourse (1705–1780) was a prominent London bookseller who specialized in scientific and mathematical texts. His title "Bookseller in Ordinary" indicates he was an officially appointed supplier to King George III.

in the Strand; and P. VAILLANT, in the Strand.

The Strand was the center of the London publishing trade in the 18th century. Paul Vaillant was another well-known bookseller of the era, often collaborating with Nourse on significant academic publications.