Athenian sport: or, Two thousand paradoxes merrily argued, to amuse and divert the age: as a paradox in praise of a paradox. Corporeal affections remain after separation. The eye beholds as much when it looks on a shilling, as when it speculates the whole Heaven. Inconstancy is a most commendable virtue. Every man is corporally born twice. No man sees but he that is stark blind. The restor'd maidenhead, or a marry'd woman may be twice a virgin. Athenian, or intellectual, sport is the recreation of pre-existent spirits. 'Tis the pleasantest life to be always in danger. The same numerical voice of a preacher is not heard by any two of his auditors. What we call life, is natural death. Content is the greatest misery. He is the happiest man who has neither mony nor friend. Fruition's nothing, or a paradox proving there's no pleasure in copulation. To imprison a debtor is to set him at liberty. Green come from the dead, or no man lives but he that is hang'd. The virgin-paradox, or a young lady may love and hate the same person at the same time. The loving shrew, or the kindest women are the most cruel. And so on, to the defence of 2000 paradoxes (or pleasant theses) which seem strange, and contrary to the common opinion. With improvements from the Honourable Mr. Boyle, Lock, Norris, Collier, Cowley, Dryden, Garth, Addison, and other illustrious wit. By a member of the Athenian Society.
John Dunton (1659-1733)
Category
Books
Date
1707
Materials
Place of origin
London
Collection
Blickling Hall, Norfolk
NT 3222669
Summary
Bibliographic description
xxxii, 544 p. ; 8vo. Running number: 7532. Provenance: manuscript initial on front fly-leaf: "M." [i.e. catalogue code of John Mitchell (ca. 1685-1751), librarian to Sir Richard Ellys (1682-1742)]. Manuscript nineteenth-century[?] shelfmark in pencil on front fly-leaf: "24 F 20". Binding: eighteenth-century Cambridge-style blind-panelled calf (front board detached); sewn on three supports; five raised bands; gilt roll pattern along board edges; gilt title on dark burgundy goatskin label on spine. Red sprinkled textblock edges.
Makers and roles
John Dunton (1659-1733)