A highly popular book, a publishing sensation said to have been printed in hundreds of editions in eighteenth century.

[T]his elegant little morsel of morality has always been a favorite of mine.

-Letter to DeBordes (translator), July 7, 1807

The author, Robert Dodsley, lieved 1703-1764. The full title of this piece is: The economy of huamn life / Translated from an Indian manuscript written by an ancient Bramin. To which is prefixed, an account of the manner in which said manuscript was discovered, in a letter from an English gentleman, residing in China, to the Earl of ****.
A blank page facing the title page bears the signatures, one dated 1836, of former owners. This book was first published under title: The economy of human life. Over 100 editions have been published, most before 1900. Part 2 has a special title page. Book contains maxims on the conduct of life. Spine title: Human Life. Robert Dodsley was a London bookseller, publisher, playwright and editor who was influential in med-18th century literary England. He is credited with first suggesting and then publishing Dr. Samual Johnson's "Dictionary of the English Language". Authorship of part 1 has also been attributed to Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th earl of Chesterfield, 1694-1773. The authorship of part 2 has also been attributed to John Hill, 1714?-1776. Both these men have interesting biographies in the Encyclopaedia Britannica.