Miscellaneous Thoughts, in Prose and Verse, on Natural, Moral and Divine Subjects: Written chiefly in younger years. By I. Watts, D. D.

Elizabeth-Town: Printed and Sold by Shepard Kollock, 1796. Hardcover. 18mo (17 cm), brown calf. Vii, 240 pp, [3] pp. Early inscribed bookplate inside lower cover, early notations in ink on two sides of back flyleaf, owner signature on verso of upper cover. Stated first American edition. A volume of reflections by Isaac Watts, a British theologian best known for the writing of popular hymns such as "Joy to the World" and Come Ye that Love the Lord." It is said that Emily Dickinson adopted her meter style from Watts' hymns, which were sung in her Amherst church. Affixed to the rear paste-down is a hand-made decorative bookplate reading "Alanson Rittenhouse this book Presented to him by his Friend the Rev.nt James McLaughlin. December 6, 1809" A note on the endpaper opposite reads "Bought at the Vendue After the death of Alanson and Mary Rittenhouse December 5th, 1844 by John T. Risler, price 20 cents." Inside the back flyleaf reads: Found in Shanty Shop, Trenton, N. J. Oct 19, 1948. Price 20 c.! J. R. Vitelli." REFERENCES: Evans 31580; Felcone, J.J. Printing in New Jersey, 1754-1800, 853. CONDITION: Good, rubbed, upper third of hinges split but binding still tight and sound, contents toned.