The Praise of Hell: Or, A View Of The Infernal Regions. Containing some Account of the Advantage of That Place, with Respect to Its Antquity, Situation, and Stability. Together with a description of Its Inhabitants; their dresses, manners, Amusements...
London: For G. Kearsly, 1760. 1st English Edition. Hardcover. 12mo. Fine. Item #007653
2 vols. First edition in English; originally published the previous year as Eloge d'Enfer. Modern quarter calf, marbled boards. [16], xvi, 191 pp.; [8], 224 pp. Two engraved frontispieces, 6 plates. Minor sporadic foxing, else fine. A very curious work in which the author appears determined to make Lucifer's establishment seems more attractive than the alternative. He tells of the numerous important figures of the church who reside there, such as Alexander VI, and the many learned divines including Albertus Magnus and Duns Scotus. THe justices, he says, such as Beelzebub and Belial, cannot be bribed and are impervious to entreaty. Hell is easy to get to, and one meets all the most important people there. [Cioranescu 11385; Gay-Lemonnyer II, 88.].
Price: $1,500.00