Darton, publisher.- [Darton (William)] Little Truths Better than Great Fables, 2 vol., second edition with vol. 1 plate 2 reading "...let those goslings alone!", engraved frontispieces and 5 plates (of 6, lacking 1 plate from vol. 2), vol. 1 lacking C1, F1&2, and also F7&8, ink inscription "Abraham Scales" dated 1790 to vol. 2 frontispiece verso and front pastedown, vol. 1 frontispiece laid down to front pastedown, cracking at gutters and some pp. loose or becoming so, surface soiling and scattered spotting, a few marginal nicks, hinges and vol. 1 gutter reinforced, original paper-backed boards, old rebacking, vol. 1 with printed label to upper cover, ink ownership inscriptions to upper covers reading "Henry Lesley", spines chipped, rather rubbed and bumped, William Darton, [Darton G224 (2) & (3)], small 4to, 1788.

⁂ "William Darton's first written work, probably begun if not finished before he left Tottenham, and perhaps his first publication...There is a homely feel about this book with its advice to children to wear their clogs as the grass may be damp with dew and its remarks about table manners on their return...It was probably written in the first instance for the author's own children..." - Darton p.63.

Exceptionally rare, with no known examples having been sold at auction.