James Hervey — Meditations and Contemplations

London, Printed for John and James Rivington, 1749. Leather. A unique early copy of this poetical religious work from James Hervey, gifted by the author to his sister. This copy presented as a gift by the author to his sister, Mrs. Mary Hervey. Charming inscriptions pertaining to this to the front free endpaper and rear paste down. Fifth edition. Uniformly bound in full calf, with raised bands and gilt to the spine. 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 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. With an engraved frontispiece to both volumes.  Uniformly bound in full calf, with raised bands and gilt to the spine. Externally, with rubbing to the extremities and cracking to the joints, which remain firm. With traces of wax to the front paste down of Vol I. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are toned, with light scattered spotting throughout. With a few ink marks to S7 of Vol I. Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Good .