(Picturesque Controversy)    STEWART, Dugald.   PHILOSOPHICAL ESSAYS.       &nbspEdinburgh: for William Creech...,   1810.          First edition of an important work by this revered Scottish philosopher and Edinburgh professor of moral philosophy. It addresses the key elements of the picturesque controversy through essays on the Beautiful, the Sublime, and Taste, citing and criticizing the literature of Burke, De Lille, Price, Gilpin, etc. and expressing the author's own strong views on the designed landscape and on painting. "As to the application of the knowledge thus acquired from the study of paintings, to the improvement of natural landscape, I have no doubt that, to a superior understanding and taste, like those of Mr. Price, it may often suggest very useful hints; but if recognized as the standard to which ultimate appeal is to be made, it would infallibly cover the face of the country with a new and systematical species of affectation, not less remote than that of Brown, from the style of gardening which he wishes to recommend." The first part of the essays are largely concerned with Locke and Berkeley; it is the lengthier second part that is devoted to discussion of the Beautiful and the landscape controversy. With advertisement and errata slip; no half title.   Quarto (27.3 x 21.2 cm); lxxvi + 590 pp. + errata slip bound in after p. lxxvi; with advertisement; without half title.            Original half calf, marbled end papers over boards, matching marbling on all edges; raised bands on spine gilt with embossed design in panels, gilt lettered leather title piece in one panel; wide margined text with scattered, mostly light foxing, primarily to margins. A very good copy. $250.00

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