85 - (Hennings, JC). Deceitfulness Described in Examples. A Proof of Some Reflections on Torture and Punishment. Altenburg, Richter, 1781. 8 leaves, 186, 340 pages, 1 leaf. With 1 engraved title vignette by J.H. Meil. Small octavo. Marble binding. Contemporary half-leather binding with spine label and back cover (slightly bumped, a few small wormholes).

(Hennings, JC). Deceitfulness Described in Examples. A Proof of Some Reflections on Torture and Punishment. Altenburg, Richter, 1781. 8 leaves, 186, 340 pages, 1 leaf. With 1 engraved title vignette by J.H. Meil. Small octavo. Marble binding. Contemporary half-leather binding with spine label and back cover (slightly bumped, a few small wormholes). Hayn/Gotendorf I,114; not in Holzmann/Bohatta; only Heinsius, Allgemeine Bücher-Lex, 1793, II, page 234 names Justus Christian Henning(s) as author. - First edition. - Hennings (1731-1815), to whom this work is attributed, is known today primarily for his writings against superstition. In his time, he was a respected professor of philosophy, who in 1763 was given preference over Kant when the chair at the University of Frankfurt/Oder was filled. The work contains discussions on punishment practices, which in large part is a passionate plea against torture as a means of ascertaining the truth, but also includes a detailed account of the case of the 'Cannibal of Eichelborn' J.H. Goldschmidt, as well as a lengthy section with 36 criminal cases in which malice is the essential characteristic. The first and last leaves are somewhat stained with glue.