James Hervey — Meditations and Contemplations

Edinburgh, Denham and Dick, 1804 . Leather. A fascinating collection of devotional meditations and contemplations by James Hervey, including his reflections among the tombs, on flower gardens, creation, night, the starry heavens. In a contemporary full roan binding.  First published in 1746, Meditations and Contemplations was a highly influential work that reflects on life, the afterlife, nature and divine providence. Its Meditations among the Tombs is considered a key example of "graveyard poetry".  The contents include meditations on churchyard monuments, death, the vanity of worldly pleasure, flowers as emblems of divine wisdom, the moon and stars, providence, redemption, and the moral lessons of the created world. The earliest work by English clergyman James Hervey, which is said to have been modelled on Robert Boyle's Occasional Reflexions on various Subjects, passing through as many editions within fourteen years. Hervey had a lasting impact on art through William Blake, who was an admirer of his, and influenced Blake's poem 'The Tyger&apos. In a contemporary full roan binding.  Externally, a little worn. Slight rubbing and bumping to extremities resulting in minor loss to roan. Slight rubbing to boards resulting in slight surface loss. Previous owner's ink inscriptions to front paste down. Discolouration from binder's glue to endpapers. One or two threads loose to gutter of front hinge, but holding. Previous owner's pencil inscriptions to recto of rear free endpaper. Internally, generally firmly bound. Pages characteristically age toned with the odd spot, heavier to fore edge. Light soiling to first few leaves and fore edge. Small 1 inch closed tear to upper fore edge of A6 with very slight loss. Previous owner's small ink inscription to lower margin of p. 275. Good . Ill.: None. Good .