Interesting historical events, relative to the provinces of Bengal, and the Empire of Indostan.

With a seasonable hint and perswasive to the Honourable the Court of Directors of the East India Company. As also the mythology and cosmogony, fasts and festivals of the Gentoo’s, followers of the Shastah. And a dissertation of the metempsychosis, commonly, though erroneously, called the Pythagorrean Doctrine. 

London : T. Becket and P. A. De Hondt, 1765 – 1767. Parts 1 and 2 (of three, a third part was issued in 1771). Octavo, full polished calf, spine in compartments with raised bands, ruled in gilt, gilt emblem of a rampart lion holding an axe over its shoulder to foot of spine, contrasting morocco title label lettered in gilt, edges rubbed, bookplate to front pastedown, ownership stamp to title page (G. Buck. I, 69), pp. [iv], 210, [8], errata leaf, 152; four folding maps at the end of the first volume, five folding plates and the end of the second volume, a fine copy.

John Holwell (1711-98), was Governor of Bengal and a surgeon for the East India Company, he was also a survivor of the Black Hole of Calcutta. Holwell was one of the first Europeans to study Indian antiquities and Hinduism, and was an early advocate of animal rights and vegetarianism.

Provenance :

Clive Coates, Helperby, his bookplate to from pastedown, inscribed by him on the front free endpaper. Coates has annotated in pencil it was acquired from English bookseller Stanley Crowe on 18 June, 1942.