Religion of the Northmen.
New York: Charles B. Norton, 1854. First Edition Thus. Hardcover. Small octavo. 346pp + (+iipp, corrections and additions). Original black cloth with gilt lettering & blind rules to spine, appendices & index, one page list of Corrections and Additions. The first edition of this translation of "Nordmændenes Religions-Forfatning I Hedendommen," which was drawn from a series of lectures on old Norse religion, mythological and occult practices delivered before the University of Norway. Contents: Chapter I: The Restoration of Icelandic Literature; Chapter II: The Eddas and Sagas of Iceland; Chapter III: The Discovery of America by the Northmen INTRODUCTION: PART FIRST: DOGMAS OF THE ASA-FAITH; Chapter I: Origin of the World; Chapter II: Preservation of the World; Chapter III: The Gods and Their Abodes; Chapter IV: Propagation of Evil; Decline and Fall of the World; Chapter V: The Destruction of the Gods and the World; Chapter VI: Gimli and Nastrond; Regeneration of the World; PART SECOND: EXPOSITION OF THE ASA DOCTRINE; Chapter VII: Of the Interpretation of the Asa Doctrine in General; Chapter VIII: Of the Theory of Creation; Chapter IX: Of Yggdrasill; Chapter X: Of the Mythic Divisions of the World; Chapter XI: Of the Gods; Chapter XII: Of the Downfall of the World; Chapter XIII: Of the State of Being After Death; Chapter XIV: Of the Destruction and Regeneration of the Gods and the World; Chapter XV: General View; PART THIRD: INFLUENCE OF THE ASA-FAITH ON THE POPULAR LIFE AND CUSTOMS OF THE NORTHMEN; Chapter XVI: Ministers of Religion; Chapter XVII: The Aesir as Objects of Worship Among the Northmen; Chapter XVIII: Inferior Deities as Objects of Worship; Chapter XIX: Images of the Gods; Chapter XX: Sacred Edifices; Chapter XXI: The Divine Service of the Heathens; Chapter XXII: The Worship of the Dead, and of Natural Objects; Chapter XXIII: Oaths; Duels and Berserksgang; ordeals or Judgements of the Gods; Chapter XXIV: Sorcery; Chapter XXV: Exploring the Future; Divination; Chapter XXVI: Other Superstitions; Chapter XXVII: Influence of the Asa-Faith Upon the National Spirit of the Northmen; Chapter XXVIII: Decline of the Asa-Faith; Appendices. Cloth a bit rubbed and lightly faded, spine ends and corners lightly bruised and chafed with a few tiny chips at tears at spine ends, page edges darkened, endpapers unevenly darkened and foxed, light scattered foxing throughout with heavy foxing to final dozen or so pages, text unmarked. Overall a tight, clean VG copy (no dust jacket issued). Item #63796
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