An Essay on the Nature of the Human Body, and the Singular Respect and Veneration shewn to it, After Death, among all People and Nations Whatsoever. In Consequence of which, on the Growing Evil Of profaning and defiling Kirks, and Kirkyards, And other Burying-Grounds. Occasionally interspersed with several Thoughts, little regarded now-a-days, though important and interesting. The whole Intended, for assisting the Judgment, and awakening the Attention, of all true Scotsmen, to guard the Sepulchres of their Forefathers, with Vigilance and Care, against all impious Attempts of Abuse and Pollution, particularly Alienation. By a ruling Elder of the Church of Scotland.

Author: [FORBES (Robert)]:
Title: An Essay on the Nature of the Human Body, and the Singular Respect and Veneration shewn to it, After Death, among all People and Nations Whatsoever. In Consequence of which, on the Growing Evil Of profaning and defiling Kirks, and Kirkyards, And other Burying-Grounds. Occasionally interspersed with several Thoughts, little regarded now-a-days, though important and interesting. The whole Intended, for assisting the Judgment, and awakening the Attention, of all true Scotsmen, to guard the Sepulchres of their Forefathers, with Vigilance and Care, against all impious Attempts of Abuse and Pollution, particularly Alienation. By a ruling Elder of the Church of Scotland.
Description: Edinburgh: Printed by David Paterson, For John Wilson..., 1767. FIRST EDITION. 8vo (in 4s), pp. 56, contemporary boards (rubbed and faded), recently re-spined, morocco label on front cover; text browned, name scribbled on title-page almost obliterating upper portion of text. Forbes (1708 - 1775) was Bishop of Ross and Caithness. His curious little pamphlet, full of quotations from the Bible as well as classical authors to prove the necessity of maintaining in so far as possible the integrity of the corpse. The author also cannot resist complimenting himself on the daring principles he has enunciated: "Awed not by the great, nor dazzled by the rich, I desired to live unnoticed, to enjoy my beloved retirement, and lie snug in obscurity." This social solipsism is somewhat undermined a few sentences later: "For aught I know, at present, I walk single and alone in this untrodden path; but I hope, upon this representation to the public to have numbers to join issue with me in so laudable and opposition to this growing evil." ESTC T56736 locates several copies in UK libraries, and the Huntington, University of Miami, Coral Gables; University of Minnesota; University of Pennsylvania Libraries; and Brigham Young University Lee Library in United States libraries.

Keywords: anthropology religion prose Scottish Enlightenment

Price: GBP 330.00 = appr. US$ 471.24 Seller: John Price Antiquarian Books
- Book number: 3090

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