YARKER, John.

Continuation of the Comte de Gabalis, or New Discourses Upon the Secret Sciences; Touching Upon the new Philosophy. Posthumous Work. Amsterdam, Pierre de Coup, M.D. CCXV [Alternative title:] Part 2. A Continuation of the "Comte de Gabalis"

Bath, England: Robert H. Fryer, 1897. First Edition. Softcover. Small quarto (8 1/8 x 6 1/2 inches). 102pp. (+iipp. - eratta) Original buff colored printed wrappers. Edition limited to 100 numbered copies. The first part of this work (actually an independent text) attributed to the famous Comte was translated by P. A. Gent as "Sub-mundanes; or, The Elementaries of the Cabala: being the History of Spirits, Reprinted from the text of the Abbe de Villars, Physio-Astro-Mystic ..." with the alternate title "The Count of Gabalis, or, The Extravagant Mysteries of the Cabalists Exposed, in Five Pleasant Discourses on the Secret Sciences." It was privately published by Robert H. Fryer in 1886. On the strength of a glowing recommendation of the text by the Rosicrucian scholar Hargrave Jennings, Yarker decided to translate the second part into English. According to Yarker this second part "is metaphysical ... and covers some witty satire upon the more extravagant doctrines of the Sectaries of the 17th century. It turns almost entirely upon the physics of Giordano Bruno and René Descartes .." Yarker (1833-1913), was an active Freemason, with an interest in the esoteric, who attracted controversy by promoting degrees which he said predated those of regular Freemasonry, and in particular devoted himself to the revitalization of the Rites of Memphis and Mizraim. His work drew the attention of, and arguably had influence upon, some members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Both Theodur Reuss and Aleister Crowley were personally acquainted with Yarker, and the former reviewed his works with uncharacteristic fervor in "The Equinox" series. The paper spine of this volume - and others in the series - typically flakes away, which probably accounts for their rarity. In this case someone has reinforced the spine with clear tape (now browned) which extends about 3/8th of an inch onto the front and back wrappers. A few chips to the tape, the wrappers are intact save for a sliver missing from the bottom point of the front wrapper, and just a little browned. Tiny "dog-ears" to bottom points of first few leaves. Overall a VG copy of a very fragile and scarce work. Item #60025

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