SABBATH RECREATIONS. ~ The healing balm of many a weary hour. [England or France, 1829].
Manuscript, small 4to (195 × 156 mm), pp. [96], plain and pale green paper water marked 1829, including a few blanks, but mostly completed in neat manuscript, plus nine cut and mounted engraved plates and two fine monochrome watercolours. Contemporary red straight grain morocco, gilt. Slightly rubbed, but most attractive.
An unusual New Years’ gift from an unnamed compiler ‘for my dearly beloved Isabella Sophia Ochando de la Vanda. January one, 1830’; a manuscript compilation of patriotic verse and pious texts by hymnodist Edmeston, Shepherd, Southey (’The Victory’), Millman, Bowring, Burden, Emmerson, and Carlyle’s ‘Hymn before public worship translated from the Arabic’. Most of the texts are in English but a couple, by the Mechitarian cleric Nerses Clajense, are in Spanish and French respectively.
The two fine watercolours show HMS Victory in battle and a fallen arab horseman.