£1,500
SECOND ISSUE, 8vo, pp. vii, [5], 700. Modern full brown morocco, boards bordered in blind rules and gilt rolls, spine divided by raised bands, black morocco label lettered in gilt, other compartments tooled in gilt, marbled endpapers, edges sprinkled blue. Some spotting and dampmarks, first leaves expertly reinforced. Ink ownership inscription of J. Dalmeny to title-page.
The slightly less common Glasgow issue of this extensive survey of occultism, divination, sorcery, superstition, and witchcraft by Scottish antiquary and naturalist John Graham Dalyell (1775-1851). First published in Edinburgh in 1834, Fergusoon notes in his Bibliographical Notes on the Witchcraft Literature of Scotland that this version dated the following year is the same sheets with a new title-page.
Ferguson also points out that Dalyell focuses on instances of occultism around the world as well as in Scotland, stating that 'for any one desirous of comparing the form which superstitious beliefs and occult customs, divination, sorcery, spectral illusions, and so on took in Scotland with that of other countries, it is a useful summary' (Ferguson, p.51). While the text does not deeply explore witchcraft cases, it does touch upon some famous ones such as those of Agnes Sampson and Euphame Macalyane.
Dalyell was disabled from infancy, and became an advocate after studying at St Andrews and University of Edinburgh, and made significant contributions to marine science. ODNB notes that 'Lack of robust health, doubtless combined with a probing curiosity, led Dalyell to immerse himself in the manuscript treasures of the Advocates' Library', and that he was 'a meticulous scholar, often revising his texts four or five times before sending them to the printer.'
