A philosophical enquiry into the origin of our ideas of the sublime and beautiful and other pre-revolutionary writings (Rev. [ed.])

A selection of Burke's pre-revolutionary writings (prior to 1790 and the publication of "Reflections on the Revolution in France), which includes "The Sublime and the Beautiful", which had a great influence on later aesthetic theory, particularly on the Romantics; "A Vindication of Natural Society", an ironical indictment of artificial society and Burke's first important work; the speeches on "American Taxation" and on "Conciliation with America", high points of 18th-century political oratory; "The Present State of the Nation", his first controversial publication on political manners; "Present Discontents" and the "Letter to the Sheriffs of Bristol", a critique of the handling of the American war.