Publisher's Synopsis
Speculation Or A Defense Of Mankind: A Poem (1780) by Christopher Anstey is a satirical poem that critiques the social and political climate of 18th century England. The poem is divided into three parts and is written in rhyming couplets. The first part addresses the dangers of speculation and the speculative bubble that had recently burst in England. Anstey uses this as a metaphor for the greed and corruption that he sees in society. The second part of the poem defends mankind against accusations of being selfish and immoral. Anstey argues that humans have the capacity for virtue and that society should encourage and cultivate these qualities. The final part of the poem is a call to action, urging readers to reject selfishness and work towards the betterment of society as a whole. Anstey's poem is a witty and insightful commentary on the social and economic issues of his time, and remains relevant today.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
