"The mind of man has been by some authors called a <i>tabula rasa</i>, and compared to a sheet of clean paper."
Encyclopaedia Britannica; or, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, &c. [2nd ed.]
At least 6 entries in ESTC (1771, 1773, 1775, 1778, 1790, 1797).<br>
<br>
Text from the 2nd edition: <u>Encyclopædia Britannica; or, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, &c. On a Plan Entirely New: By Which, the Different Sciences and Arts Are Digested Into the Form of Distinct Treatises or Systems, Comprehending the History, Theory, and Practice, of Each, According to the Latest Discoveries and Improvements; and Full Explanations Given of the Various Detached Parts of Knowledge, Whether Relating to Natural and Artificial Objects, or to Matters Ecclesiastical, Civil, Military, Commercial, &c. Together With a Description of All the Countries, Cities, Principal Mountains, Seas, Rivers, &c. Throughout the World; a General History, Ancient and Modern, of the Different Empires, Kingdoms, and States; and an Account of the Lives of the Most Eminent Persons in Every Nation, from the Earliest Ages Down to the Present Times. The Whole Compiled from the Writings of the Best Authors, in Several Languages; the Most Approved Dictionaries, As Well of General Science As of Particular Branches; the Transactions, Journals, and Memoirs, of Learned Societies, Both at Home and Abroad; the MS. Lectures of Eminent Professors on Different Sciences; and a Variety of Original Materials, Furnished by an Extensive Correspondence. The Second Edition; Greatly Improved and Enlarged. Illustrated With Above Two Hundred Copperplates. Vol. I. Indocti Discant, Et Ament Meminisse Periti.</u> (Edinburgh: Printed for J. Balfour and Co. W. Gordon, J. Bell, J. Dickson, C. Elliot, W. Creech, J. Mccliesh, A. Bell, J. Hutton, and C. Macfarquhar, 1778). &lt;<a href="http://estc.bl.uk/T145358">Link to ESTC</a>&gt;<br>
<br>
See also <u>Encyclop&aelig;dia Britannica; or, a Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, Compiled Upon a New Plan. ... Illustrated With One Hundred and Sixty Copperplates. By a Society of Gentlemen in Scotland. In Three Volumes.</u> (Edinburgh: Printed for A. Bell and C. Macfarquhar; and sold by Colin Macfarquhar, 1771). &lt;<a href="http://estc.bl.uk/T145357">Link to ESTC</a>&gt;<br>
<br>
See also <u>Encyclopaedia Britannica; or, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature on a Plan Entirely New.</u> (Dublin: Printed by James Moore, 1790-98). &lt;<a href="http://estc.bl.uk/T197400">Link to ESTC</a>&gt;<br>
<br>
Also <u>Encyclopædia Britannica; or, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature; ... The Third Edition, in Eighteen Volumes, Greatly Improved. Illustrated With Five Hundred and Forty-Two Copperplates.</u> (Edinburgh: Printed for A. Bell and C. Macfarquhar, 1797). [18 vols., vols. 1-12 edited by Colin Macfarquhar; vols. 13-18 by George Geig] &lt;<a href="http://estc.bl.uk/N6642">Link to ESTC</a>&gt;<br>
<br>
Compare the American edition (many articles revised or rewritten): <u>Encyclopaedia; or, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature ... Compiled from the Writings of the Best Authors, in Several Languages ... Illustrated With Five Hundred and Forty-Two Copperplates.</u> The first American edition, in eighteen volumes, greatly improved. (Philadelphia: Printed by Thomas Dobson, at the stone house, no 41, South Second Street, 1798). &lt;<a href="http://estc.bl.uk/W31873">Link to ESTC</a>&gt;