Antedating of "Social Science"

[Mark A. Mandel]

Fred Shapiro wrote:

        >>>
social science (OED 1785)

1746 William Collins _Odes on several descriptive and allegoric
subjects_
(1747) 43  Alluring him from a safer Rule, To dream in her enchanted
School; Thou Heav'n, whate'er of Great we boast, Hast blest this social
Science most.
        <<<

Without more context, including the antecedent of "this social science",
I think it impossible to tell here whether "social science" is being
used in anything like the current sense.

-- Mark A. Mandel