Author: FREND (William):
Title: Evening Amusements; Or, The Beauty of the Heavens Displayed. In which Several Striking Appearances, to be observed on various Evenings in the Heavens, During the Year 1809 are described. And several Means are pointed out, by which the Time of Young Persons may be innocently, agreeably, and profitably employed within Doors. Intend to be Continues Annually.
Description: London: Printed for J. Mawman..., 1809. 12mo, 190 x 1090 mms., pp. iv, four full-page engraved plates, engraved vignettes within text, original boards, uncut; some leaves unopened; spine exposed, boards soiled and worn, front joint fragile. The religious writer and actuary William Frend (1757–1841) began this periodical in 1803, and the last volume was published in 1829, according to OCLC. The entry by Nicholas Roe in ODNB asserts that, "His series of volumes on the night sky, Evening Amusements, or, The Beauty of the Heavens Displayed, proved so popular that it ran from 1805 to 1824." The Monthy Review, in 1805, was pleased with the work and the prospect of future editions: "We have been very remiss in our notice of this performance: which, in justice to the author, and for the benefit of the public, we ought sooner to have recommended. The plan, which the title-page sufficiently sets forth, is extremely good; and the author, in acting on it, has with great success combined amusement with instruction, and has stated objects exactly and familiary. It is to be hoped that Mr. Frend has not relinquished his plan...."

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