OSBORNE, Francis (1593-1659). Advice to a Son. Or Directions for your better Conduct, Oxford & London, 1658, 2 parts in one volume, 12mo, 19th-century limp calf (rubbed, upper inner hinges broken).

OSBORNE [or OSBORN], Francis (1593-1659).  Advice to a Son. Or Directions for your better Conduct, Through the various and most important Encounters of this Life. Under these Generall Heads. I. Studies, &c. II. Love and Marriage. III. Travell. IV. Government. V. Religion. Conclusion. By Francis Osborn. The Sixt [sic] Edition [Part II:]  Advice to a Son. The Second Part. Oxford [Part II:] London: Printed by H. H. for Tho: Robinson [Part II:] Printed for Tho. Robinson, [both parts:] 1658. 2 parts in one volume, 12mo (144 x 85mm). Woodcut initials and typographical ornaments (without the advertisement leaf at the end, first title repaired at margin without loss of letters, some mainly marginal spotting, staining and browning). 19th-century limp calf gilt, marbled endpapers, red edges (extremities rubbed, upper joints splitting at head, upper inner hinges broken). Provenance: Joseph [?]Soucon (old signature on first title); Edward H. Legge, [followed by an illegible place-name], 1892 (signature on front free endpaper); later pencil highlighting and annotation to the text. In this controversial, but entertainingly misanthropic, work, first published anonymously in 1656 (and without the second part present here), the author takes issue with marriage, the monarchy and religion. It was suppressed by the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University in 1658 and declared treasonous by the House of Lords following the Restoration. "The book's pragmatism and cynicism may have furthered its rapid acceptance. Its frank and practical aim was to guide the reader to material success in a treacherous, self-seeking world. Popular with Oxford scholars, it enjoyed a wide readership outside the university as well. The tone of worldliness in the Advice contributed to Osborne's reputation for atheism. In 1658, after complaints from local ministers that the Advice 'did instil principles of Atheism into young Gentlemen', a formal complaint was brought to the vice-chancellor and a proposal put forward to have Osborne's books publicly burned" (DNB). Madan The Early Oxford Press. A Bibliography III, 2278; The Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books I, p.134; Wing O508.