A New system, or, an analysis of ancient mythology: wherein an attempt is made to divest tradition of fable; and to reduce the truth to its original purity by BRYANT, Jacob - 1774

Large 4to. 3 volumes (1774-1776). Volume I. pp. xx, [2], 516. 8 Copper engraved plates and 2 engravings with the text. Volume II. pp. vii, [3], 537. 18 plates and 1 illustration with the text on the final page. Volume III. pp. viii, 601, [1]. 3 maps, 2 of which are fold-outs. Illustration with text on the final page. Bound in modern half calf with marbled boards. Original spine labels are preserved. Periodic scattered marginal foxing – generally light with spots of minor age toning and soiling; some offsetting present from the plates; an occasional small marginal tear is carefully sealed; edge chipping is visible on blank fly leaves. A few words of text are neatly crossed out or corrected in an early hand. Each volume contains a small numerical shelf stamp on the verso of the title and in the bottom margin of p. 101. The outer edge of the half title in volume I is trimmed with bottom corner chipping neatly repaired. Wax spots are present on p. 356. Volume II lacks a half title. Jacob Bryant (1715-1804) was an English antiquarian who served as tutor to the duke of Marlborough and the Marquess of Blandford. Bryant’s book is an interesting product of English Romanticism. The author tries to uncover a unifying tradition among the pagan myths of different peoples. The book pr0poses that memories of the Biblical deluge are the source of universal mythology. William Blake, the English poet, mystic and artist is thought to have contributed to the design of the illustrations. These are heavy books please inquire about postage. [ESTC T88928 and T214664; Brunet I, 1363; Graesse I, p.561; Lowndes, p.296 ].