Originally a novel comprised of 4 volumes. However, an advertisement is placed at the end of vol. 4 promoting a forthcoming fifth book not included in this set. Irish author, Henry Brooke (1703-1783) was a well respected author and poet in his day; Alexander Pope had commented upon his works. However, today, he has largely been forgotten. The novel follows its protagonist who, resisting the aristocratic privilege of his family, examines ideas of the Enlightenment, Roseau, John Locke, and Methodism. The novel's plot is fairly loose, being mostly a philosophical allegory. John Wesley would later abridge the novel into a 2-volume version.
