Ignorant Learned; or, Researches after "The Long Lost" Mysteries of Free-Masonry. Also the Eleusinian Mysteries, as they relate to Royal Arch-Masonry.
London: T. C. Newby, 1863. First Edition. Hardcover. Small octavo (6.75 x 4.25 inches). iv + 118pp. Green textured cloth decorated in blind, gilt title on upper board. A scarce work on the mysteries of Freemasonry, and the relationship between the Eleusinian Mysteries and Royal-Arch Masonry. The author, Henry Melville (Henry Saxelby Wintle: 1802-1873) became quite widely known in nineteenth century esoteric and Masonic circles for his posthumously published work "Veritas: Revelation of Mysteries, Biblical, Historical and Social, by means of the Median and Persian Laws" (1874). English born, he spent much of his life in Tasmania, where he worked as a journalist, publisher and author, although he is said to have spent much of the last forty years of his life devoted to his occult and Masonic researches. Bookplate of Quatuor Coronati Lodge (the well-known London Masonic Lodge devoted to Masonic research) on the front pastedown. Cloth somewhat rubbed, corners bruised and a lightly chafed. Owner's names on front free endpaper, pages a little darkened with merest hint of foxing, a one inch pale ink line in margin on p. iv, otherwise a clean, solid VG or better copy. Scarce. Item #50008
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