INSULANUS, Theophilus [ pseud. Donald MacLeod ], & John Aubrey.

Treatises on the Second Sight [ including: "A treatise on the second sight" ].

Glasgow: J. Wylie & Co., 1819. New Edition. Hardcover. Small octavo. 228pp. [(3) of (5)]. xxvi-xxviii, 5-8, xxiii, (1), 227pp, (1). Nineteenth century quarter cloth: black linen spine, with gilt titling, over marbled paper boards. Front free endpaper & half-title page missing from this copy: the first page is the main title-page, followed by Contents [xxv-xxviii], then Preface (written by "W.") runs from page 5-8; this follows a facsimile of the title-page from the 1763 Edinburgh edition, then its Preface [i-xxiv], followed by book proper (1-228). The greater part of the work is a reprint of the text of "A treatise on the second sight, dreams and apparitions; with several instances sufficiently attested; and an appendix of others equally authentic; the whole illustrated with letters to and from the author on the subject of his treatise; and a short dissertation on the mischievous effects of loose principles" (1763). This recounts a large number of examples of second sight - the ability to foresee the future, or to sense events occuring in far off places - a form of clairyoance particularly associated with Scotland.This copy from the library of Alasdair Alpin MacGregor (1899–1970), a Scottish writer and photographer, who compiled several books of "true" ghost stories, as well as a number of travel books. MacGregor probably used this volume in researching one of his works as in addition to his name and address being pencilled on the front free-endpaper it has a number of his ink annotations throughout. Boards heavily rubbed at corners, page-edges browned, annotations to text and in margins of some pages as noted throughout, lacking front free endpaper and half- title page. An old damp exposure has left a faint "tidemark" across a number of pages. Overall a solid, serviceable G+ copy, priced in accord with its condition. Item #49611

Sold