...considered in their relation to vice, misery, happiness, unhappiness and progress. The factors considered: theological, educational, governmental, politico-economical. 

Brown cloth with beveled edges; 8vo, 359pp + 3pp anticipating the contents of volume one, which was still forthcoming at the time of publication.  Very Good with light sunning and rubbing to extremities; "Beirne Library" written on pastedown and first page of text (likely the Virginia newspaper family of Richard Beirne, also famous as the last man to duel in the U.S.) "R. B. C." to pastedown. Bailey's stamp to rfep, directing inquiries to him in Atlanta "Or" Little Rock.

Volume 2, produced, unusually, before volume 1 in a projected 3-volume “common-sense exposition of the bases of a practical system of sociology.” A broad-reaching and selectively progressive treatise dismantling social, religious, political, and economic systems exacerbating poverty and inequality.

Dubbed, “A curious and significant book” by the Chicago Times, and, “One of the most remarkable works ever issued by a Southerner,” by Atlanta Post-Appeal, Bailey enjoyed some notoriety among intellectual circles. His book garnered comment from economist Henry George, whose Progress and Poverty (1879) influenced Bailey's proposed ideas regarding land distribution as the primary means of rectifying inequality. George wrote, “While we do not agree on every point. I regard it as a very valuable contribution to the discussion of the social questions rapidly becoming of the first importance.”

Bailey believed the urgency of his topic required the second volume to be the first published. An errata with publisher's note emphasizes the hurried and seemingly chaotic push to print. Volume 1 was issued in 1883, but Volume 3, The Analysis of Happiness, never appeared. Bailey committed suicide in 1884, before it was published--or perhaps even written.