Hayden, William B[enjamin].

On the Phenomena of Modern Spiritualism . . . Second Edition. [Bound with, as issued:] [Oliver Prescott Hiller.] Some Account of Emanuel Swedenborg. Boston: Otis Clapp, 1854.

Boston: Otis Clapp, 1855. Stated second edition, published the same year as the first. 2 vols in 1, 12mo, original blind-stamped brown cloth, gilt lettering, 137, [1], [2], 32 pages + 15-page publisher’s catalogue bound in. Somewhat bumped and rubbed; some foxing and internal dust-soiling; a good, sound copy. Item #14066

The Swedenborgian New Church minister attacks modern Spiritualism, comparing the model of New Jerusalem to the current craze of spiritual revelation; Hayden of course grants the existence of a spirit world but cautions against taking “the lead and direction of spirits not half so wise, perhaps, as themselves; and whose company, could they but be brought *visibly* face to face with them, they would no longer be in desire to keep; and filling the insance asylums all through the land with the victims of a new kind of mania.” (Hayden adds a footnote to this perhaps sensationalist claim, explaining “We allow this latter allusion to stand as it is, because it is fully sustained by the facts of the case. Nevertheless, it ought in justice to be remarked in this connection, that the production of insanity is not a very distinguishing mark of the spiritual manifestations. Men are likewise continually being rendered insane by various religious excitements, as well as by close application to study, and unremitted attention to mercantile business in our large cities.”) Contemporary neat ink ownership signature on the front free endpaper.

Price: $150.00