Barrett's the Magus, or Celestial Intelligencer; being a complete system of Occult Philosophy; in three Books: containing the Ancient and Modern Practice of the Cabalistic Art, Natural and Celestial Magic, &c.; showing the wonderful Effects that may be performed by a Knowledge of the Celestial Influences, the occult Properties of Metals, Herbs and Stones, and the application of Active to Passive Principles. Exhibiting the Sciences of Natural Magic; Alchymy, or Hermetic Philosophy; also the Nature, Creation, and Fall of Man; his natural and supernatural Gifts; the magical Power inherent in the Soul, &c. with a great variety of rare Experiments in Natural Magic: the Constellatory Practice, or Talismanic Magic; the Nature of the Elements, Stars, Planets, &c.; the Construction and Composition of all Sorts of Magic Seals, Images, Rings, Glasses, &c.; the Virtue and Efficacy of Numbers, Characters, and Figures, of goodand evil Spirits; all kinds of Cabalistic Figures, Tables, Seals, and Names, with their Use, &c. The Times, Bonds, Offices, and Conjuration of Spirits. To which is added Biographia Antiqua, or the Lives of the most eminent Philosophers, Magi, &c. By Francis Barrett, F.R.C., Professor of Chemistry, Natural and Occult Philosophy, the Cabala, &c. &c. 4to. with 23 curious engravings, comprising coloured portraits of Apollyon, Belial, Ophis, Antichrist, Asmodeus, Astaroth, Abaddon, and other diabolical Spirits, magical and cabalistical figures, &c. hf. morocco, Roxburghe style, gilt top, £1.58 1801 An absolutely necessary book for all who believe or think they believe in a communication between the spiritual and material worlds. "In the eighteenth century books of magic are few and unimportant, and we have probably said enough to give an idea of their contents in the preceding period, which changed little, and to be able to pass on to a very notable contribution to the literature of the subject, which appeared in the first year of the nineteenth century. This was 'The Magus or Celestial Intelligencer,' by Francis Barret (London, 1801). Written in the true spirit and style of the magician, it is a resumé of all that has preceded it in the occult sciences. It is curious to see in comparatively modern type, all the old familiar signs and phrases, for none are wanting. It gives the system of alchemy, with its array of chemical and metallurgical terms, of astrology and cabalistic magic, and even of magnetism, which was then in its infancy and still partook of the miraculous. The work is illustrated with plates giving various formulæ, and with coloured portraits of fallen angels, such as Apollyon and Belial, evil spirits such as Opbis, Antichrist, Ashtaroth, Abaddon and Mammon, all of whom were conjured by witches. It is a monument to the ingenuity of mankind in building up a science to suit the desire after foresight which is inherent in it. If any one were seized with a wish to make himself acquainted with the whole study (for the occult sciences are not acquired without much labour), no better work could be recommended to him. The book ranges over a wide field: it shows that natural magic is Divine character, it teaches the power of talismans, and the way and the times in which they are to be used, showing that the spirit of a human being is the real agent in imparting virtue to an inanimate object. "It describes all the instruments used by the old magicians, and sets forth the power of numbers when arranged mathematically. It illustrates the mysteries of the Cabala, by which a man may be a recipient of Divine light and knowledge and be able to heal diseases. "At the end there is a 'Magical Biography,' which gives, in an exaggerated form the lives of a few celebrated philosophers. This, we believe, is the last work of its kind."-The Bibliographer, March, 1884. Beechey's (Capt. F. W.) Zoology of his Voyage TO THE PACIFIC: MAMMALIA, edited by Dr. RICHARDSON; ORNITHOLOGY, by N. A. VIGORS; FISHES, by G. S. LAY and E. T. BENNETT; CRUSTACEA, by Professor R. OWEN; REPTILES, by J. EDWARD GRAY; SHELLS, by W. SOWERBY; and GEOLOGY, by Dr. BUCKLAND 4to. 47 plates, containing many hundred figures beautifully coloured by Sowerby (pub. at £5. 5s in cloth), half morocco extra, £2. 12s 6d 1839 Bhagavad-Gita (The); or a Discourse between Krishna and Arjuna on Divine Matter, a Sanskrit philosophical poem, translated with notes, and an introduction on Sanskrit Philosophy, by J. Cockburn Thomson, square small 8vo. original unabridged edition, pp. cxix and 155, cloth, 6s 6d Hertford, 1855 The Bhagavad Gita, which was written probably some time before the birth of Christ, and was inserted in the great epic poem Mahabharata, is not only a poem but also the greatest philosophical work which India has produced. It belongs to the Sankhya system-the most important of Hindu schools of philosophy-and is Pantheistic in its character. When we consider that the busy intellect of mankind has been engaged upon metaphysical inquiries for thousands of years, and that no advance has been made in real discovery, the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita is as valuable now as it ever has been, and offers a study as attractive as any other which exists for the student of the History of Religions. The introduction by Mr. Thomson, which gives with admirable condensation an analysis of the doctrines of all the Hindu systems of Philosophy, has long been acknowledged to be a masterpiece. Binns (R.W.) Century of Pottery in the City of Worcester, being the History of the Royal Porcelain Works, from 17511851; to which is added a short account of the Celtic, Roman and Medieval Pottery of Worcestershire; SECOND EDITION, with 109 plates and woodcuts, hf. morocco, £2. 12s 6d 1877 the same, 4to. LARGE PAPER, with 12 extra photographic plates, only 12 copies printed for sale, £7. 7s 1877 Bibles: Biblia Sacra Polyglotta, complectentia Textus Originales, Hebraicum (cum Pentateucho Samaritano, Chaldaicum, Græcum, versionesque antiquas Samaritanam, Græcam, Chaldaicam, Syriacam, Arabicam, Æthiopicam, Persicam, et Vulgatam Latinam, cum omnium Translationibus Latinis, et apparatu, appendicibus, tabulis, etc. edidit Brianus WALTONUS, 6 vols. fine portrait by Lombart, engraved title and other plates by Hollar, with the Royalist preface but, as usual, without the royal dedication, Lond. 1657-E. CASTELLI Lexicon Heptaglotton, Hebr. Chald. Syr. Sam. Ethiop. Arab. et Pers. cum omnium Grammaticis, 2 vols. portrait by Faithorne, ib. 1669-together 8 vols. large folio, ruled with red ink, very fine large copy in old English blue morocco, with some leaves UNCUT, £42. 1657-69 With the book-plate of "Sr. Robert Clayton of the City of London, Knight, Alderman and Mayor thereof, Ano. 1679." I ask mournfully how many Lord Mayors of London since Sir Robert Clayton's tenure of office have been book-collectors? O tempora! For a long account of this great work, see my Catalogue of Bibles, page 911. A magnificently illustrated copy of the HOLY BIBLE, Baskerville's splendid edition, folio, ruled with red lines, bound in 4 vols. AND ILLUSTRATED WITH 830 ENGRAVINGS, fine impressions, some proofs, with ornamental titles of architectural design, drawn in Indian ink, russia extra, gilt edges, the sides tooled in the Harleian style, by Clarke and Bedford (from the Library of Alexander Barker, Esq.), £84. Cambridge, 1763 The illustrations consist of MORTIER'S SERIES, twelve maps and two plates on a page by PICART and others, fine impressions. AVANT LES CLOUS," i.e. before the damage to the last plate of the Apocalypse, late impressions of which bear the mark of the plate having been mended with nails, over 400 plates. PICART, HOUBRAKEN and HOET's fine series, 200 plates, some double, brilliant impressions. VISSCHER (J. C.) Engravings after RUBENS, TINTORET, Nic. de Bruyn, Martin de Vos, Jordaens, Bloemant, Heemskirck, Diepenbeeck, etc. 90 plates, nearly all of large size, ruled with red lines, a fine set. MACKLIN'S Series, after STOTHARD, OPIE, Loutherbourg, Westall, Smirke, Hoppner, West, &c. engraved by BARTOLOZZI, Sharp, Fittler, 75 plates. CASTIGLIONE (G. B.) designs engraved by Coypel, also Prints after RAPHAEL, C. Maratti, Fra Bartolomeo, Dürer, Le Sueur, Le Brun, G. Poussin, Sadeler, &c. The whole of the prints have been selected with great care, and the inlaying of them has been so beautifully done, as almost to defy detection. This magnificent set of books is offered at considerably less than the original cost. BIBLIA LATINA. Insigne veteris nouiq3 testamenti opus. cum canonibo euangelistar'q3 concordantijs, large folio, finely painted initials, a border to the first page, very large copy with rough leaves, slightly water-stained, UNIQUE COPY, containing ten preliminary leaves of Chronological and Genealogical Tables, with woodcuts, not known to exist elsewhere, in the original oak boards, covered in stamped pigskin, with brass bosses and clasps, £100. In regia ciuitate Nurnbergn. p. Antonium Coburger, 1477 Besides the cartouches for names and the arabesque border, there are FORTY-ONE WOODCUTS in the unique preliminary leaves mentioned above. One of the designs is a plan or picture of Jerusalem and its suburbs, which occupies the entire length of a page. There is also a woodcut (coloured, like most of them, by a contemporary hand) of the Rainbow, which had probably never been depicted before. Bible Myths, and their Parallels in other RELIGIONS: being a comparison of the Old and New Testament Myths and A summary of all the heterodox opinions about the Bible based upon such writers as Higgins, Inman, Bishop Colenso, Darwin, Hume, Josephus, Tylor, Volney, etc. Highly Important Work on Oriental Magic, Literature and Religions, nearly 1400 pp. cloth, 2 stout vols. 8vo. £2. 2s. BLAVATSKY (H. P.) Corresponding Secretary of the Theosophical Society. Isis Unveiled: A Master Key to the Mysteries of Ancient and Modern Science and Theology. "Isis Unveiled," written by MADAME H. P. BLAVATSKY, and published by J. W. Bouton, New York, is one of the most remarkable works, for originality of thought, thoroughness of research, depth of philosophic exposition, and variety and extent of learning, that has appeared for very many years. It purports to be "A Master-key to the Mysteries of Ancient and Modern Science and Theology." The print, paper, engravings, and binding show the taste and care for which its publisher is distinguished, and the author, besides writing a work of high merit, took great pains to make it a work of reference also, by supplying one of the best indexes that we have seen for a long time, occupying fifty-two pages."-Philadelphia Press, October 9, 1877. No subject of investigation is more attractive and less understood than the Religious Philosophy of the Orientals. The religious and scientific wealth of the oldest peoples on the earth has been so jealously guarded from inquisitive foreigners by mysteries and jargon, that the many have denied the existence of anything worth seeking; and the few so discouraged by the obstacles in the road that, for the most part, they have been compelled to abandon the search. The author, Mme. BLAVATSKY, enters the field well equipped. A native of Asia-her childhood passed among the Calmucks, Tatars, Persians and other Eastern peoples; her maturity among Hindus, Cingalese, Thibetans, and Egyptians-Oriental traditions, languages, literature and mythology, have long been her chief study and occupation. The immense fund of information stored up during years of thoughtful study and of observant travel in all lands, enable her to throw more light upon the esoteric philosophy of Eastern nations than perhaps, any other writer who has contributed to the literature of this important subject. The work is divided into two volumes: one devoted to Science, one to Religion. The author is most careful in stating facts and opinions, always presenting quotations of undeniable authenticity. Numerous translated extracts from the Kabala, the Hermes, the Vedas, etc., are interspersed through the work, bearing at times upon themes treated by high authorities, whom she is often obliged to criticize. Among the subjects dilated upon, the review of Platonism, the discussion of the Genesis of Humanity, the Submerged Continents, the conflicting theories upon the Emigrations of Peoples, the relation of Myths of India, Persia, Scandinavia, Mexico, Peru, and other nations, to modern science and dogma, may be mentioned to give a faint idea of the scope of the work. Startling revelations respecting many physical and psychological phenomena heretofore wrapped in mystery and doubt, frequently occur, at once instructing and amusing the reader. It will be remembered with what avidity the public received and devoured a narrative of the acts of the Thugs unearthed by the English authorities in India some years ago. Our author describes, in a charming manner, the marvellous performances of Fakirs, Magicians, and Sheiks, whose "juggling tricks" delude the senses, and force upon the unwilling mind the conviction that the sources of this bewildering magic must not be sought in mere mechanical legerdemain. To the scholar and the specialist, to the philologist, and the archeologist, this work will be a most valuable acquisition, aiding them in their labours and giving to them the only clue to the labyrinth of confusion in which they are involved. To the general reader it will be especially attractive because of its fascinating style and pleasing arrangement, presenting a constant variety of racy anecdote, pithy thought. sound scholarship, and vivid description. Mme. BLAVATSKY possesses the happy gift of versality in an eminent degree, and her style is varied to suit her theme with a graceful ease refreshing to the reader, who is led without weariness from page to page. The author has accomplished her task withability, and has conferred upon all a precious boon, whose benefit the scientist as well as the religionist, the specialist as well as the general reader, will not be slow to recognize. "In regard to the Oriental societies, I am under deep obligations to H. P. Blavatsky, the learned author of 'Isis Unveiled,' published last year by Mr. Quaritch, of London, a work that should be in all Masonic libraries. This erudite lady is secretary of the Eastern Society of Theosophists, consisting of thrice three degrees.”—The Rosicrucian and Masonic Record, July, 1879. BIRCH (Walter de Gray) and Henry JENNER, Early Drawings and Illuminations: an introduction to the study of illustrated MSS. with a Dictionary of subjects in the BRITISH MUSEUM, 8vo. with 12 photographic facsimiles from pictures in old Greek, English, French, Italian, German, and Flemish MSS. (pub. 16s), cloth, 5s 1879 An Index to the Iconography of the MSS. in the British Museum; extremely useful for students and artists. Any one who desires to know how any given subject or conception was treated in the Middle Ages (a.d. 400— 1500), or where the portrait of any historical or celebrated personage of those times may be found; or, what was the authentic form of any utensil, article of costume, weapon or piece of armour in any of the centuries comprised therein, -has only to look into this DICTIONARY to find an INSTANT REFERENCE to what he wants. BIRCH (Walter de Gray) History, Art, and Palæography of the Manuscript commonly styled the UTRECHT PSÅLTER, 8vo. 3 facsimile plates in autotype (pub. 12s), cl. gilt, 2s 6d 1876 A work of far greater value than the title would indicate to a cursory observer. An account of the development of Palæographical knowledge, and rules for its proper application in general, are combined with a special study of a MS. of unique importance, which from the peculiar character of its writing, the beautiful designs for pictures which it contains, and the fact that it exhibits the Athanasian Creed in an older text than any hitherto known, is especially valuable to the student of the history of Christianity, and to him who would investigate the science of Palæography and the history of Art. LA BONITE VOYAGE round the World: Voyage autour du Monde, 1836 et 1837, sur la Corvette La Bonite, commandée par M. VAILLANT: ZOOLOGIE, par M.M. EYDOUX et SOULEYET, 2 vols. royal 8vo. and royal folio Atlas of 101 beautifully COLOURED PLATES, depicting Fish, Reptiles, Birds, Crustacea, Insects, Mammals, Mollusca, Zoophytes, etc. for the most part INEDITED SPECIES, their anatomy being richly illustrated, offered a bargain, £4. Paris, 1841-52 1841-52 the same, 2 vols. hf. bd. morocco, £6. "About 70 inedited species of Birds, Mammals, and other Vertebrata are described in the work, several being types of new or little known Genera." Amongst the Invertebrata mention must be particularly made of the division Mollusca, the most copious of all, to which is devoted more than half the plates of the Atlas. This part is more particularly noteworthy for, firstly, the full treatment of the Pteropod mollusks, in which the anatomy is fully exposed of every genus of this group, still so little known to naturalists; secondly, a similar comprehensive description of the Heteropoda of Lamarck; thirdly, the complete Anatomy of the Nudibranchiate Mollusca (Phlebentera) whose curious organization has excited already such numerous comment and observation. Still more, this section contains the anatomical description of several almost unknown genera, and a great number of species equally remarkable. The exact configuration of the animals forms an important feature of the Atlas." |