Meric Casaubon: A Treatise concerning Enthusiasme, as it is an Effect of Nature: but is mistaken by many for either Divine Inspiration, or Diabolicall Possession. Second edition: revised, and enlarged. London: Printed by Roger Daniel, and are to be sold by Thomas Iohnson, at the Golden Key in St. Paul’s Church-yard, 1656. Small 8vo (17 cm) in recent marbled boards with gilt-lettered leather spine label; [16] + 297 pp. (bound without the four terminal leaves of advertisements). ESTC R14827; Wing C813.
A ground-breaking and fascinating treatise on \"enthusiasm\" — possession, rapture, inspiration, etc. — both of the supernatural (whether divine or diabolical) and psychological kind. The work is divided into six sections: Enthusiasme in generall; Divinatorie Enthusiasme; Contemplative and Philosophicall Enthusiasme; Rhetoricall Enthusiasme; Poeticall Enthusiasme; Precatory Enthusiasme. This \"revised and enlarged\" edition is almost 70 pages longer than the first edition published the year before. Though Casaubon does not deny the possibility of religious or supernatural enthusiasm — the soul quitting the body, etc. — he argues that most examples of such mystical experiences are in fact pathological in nature, often the result of mental illness, and in many ways his treatise can be viewed as a pioneering psychiatric work. He argues, for example, that the famous Sister Katharine of Jesus, whose Life had been published in Paris in 1628, might have been spared the \"trances and ecstasies\" that ultimately destroyed her mind and body if she\'d only received proper medical treatment. He also has interesting things to say about the enthusiasm-inducing effects of wine on poets.
Title-page with browning to the edges and a small chip from the lower corner. mild toning to the leaves with a few stray small spots; otherwise clean and sound. A very good copy of a fascinating and uncommon work.
Follow our other sales, this week and in coming weeks, for more antiquarian HISTORY, LITERATURE, SCIENCE, LAW & GOVERNMENT, AMERICANA, &c.Feel free to email with any questions before offerding. Winning buyer to pay $4.00 media rate or $5.00 priority rate shipping and handling in the U.S. International shipping rates quoted on request. Reduced shipping for additional items won. Insurance extra, if desired. WE ACCEPT PAYMENT METHODS OTHER THAN PAYPAL, by arrangement. Many thanks.
