Originally a poem, The Grumbling Hive of 1705, The first volume of Fable of Fable of the Bees was published in 1714, becoming controversial in 1723 with the second edition and the essay on charity schools and charity. Comparing charity schools to a passing fashion of the rich like hooped petticoats was not showing appreciation of their great philanthropic works and his views continue to be condemned by some, if for very odd reasons (especially Scandinavians). The concept of private vice and public benefit was re-expressed in a more palatable format by Adam Smith. Volume I is a fifth edition, Volume II is a first edition. Bound in half leather, the books are from a Franciscan library with a small stamp to endpaper. Part II has a further stamp to title page and a very faint and larger stamp to final page of index. Binding visible to top of p193 in Part I, else tightly bound and clean