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BIBLE. ENGLISH, PSALMS
A new version of the Psalms of David, fitted to the tunes used in churches - London: 1698.
8vo. A good copy finely bound in old morocco, gilt. Wing B 2607. This was a landmark in the
history of the English Psalter and was the work of two Irish poets Nahum Tate and Nicholas
Brady. Although there was to be no Irish reprint until after 1700, it soon became the standard
version in the Church of Ireland just as it did in the Church of England and ruled unchallenged
up to the middle of the 20th century. Sweeney 402 quoting the 1696 1st edition.
€150 - €200
25
BLITH, WALTER
The English improver improved or the survey of husbandry surveyed - London: 1652. 4to. pp.
[lii], 262, [20]. Engraved frontispiece on which the author is described as “A lover of ingenuity”
and four plates. A very good copy in old panelled calf, spine elaborately tooled in gilt. Wing B
3195. Rare.
A Yorkshireman who published his original work in 1649, Blith served as a captain in
Cromwell’s army in Ireland. He was paid for his services in land and it was while farming in this
country that he produced this important revision.
According to Canon Hart - Essays on Husbandry (published in 1767) - “Ireland, it must be con-
fessed had a wretched method of husbandry, and strong prejudices in behalf of that method
till about 1650 when Blith alone .... was sufficient to open’s men’s eyes by his incomparable
writings.” Donald McDonald who devotes a chapter to Blith in his work, “Agricultural Writers
from Sir Walter of Henley to Arthur Young, 1200 - 1800” observed that “his writings touch
every branch of the industry, and he seems to have entertained the first systematic concep-
tions of the benefits that would attend the Alternate Husbandry.” Sweeney 444. Provenance:
Library Lilford bookplate. The two extra leaves that are called for are present in this copy. The
first offering extra information on “woad and its usage” separates pages 230 and 231 and the
second dealing with “The discovery of Rape and Cole-Seeds husbandry” is inserted between
pages 248 and 249.
€150 - €200
26
BOATE, GERARD
Ireland’s natural history, being a true and ample description of its situation, great-
ness, shape and nature .... conducing to the advancement of navigation, husband-
ry, and other profitable arts and professions - London: 1652. 8vo. pp. [xv], 186 [5].
A very good copy in modern full calf. Wing B 3372. Rare in this condition.
€400 - €600
Lot 24
Lot 25
Lot 26