History of Paganism In Caledonia, with an Examination Into the Influence of Asiatic Philosophy, and the Gradual Development of Christianity in Pictavia.
London: Trubner & Co., 1884. First edition. Hardcover. Quarto. xxvi + 260pp. + [12pp Appendix & index]. Original decorated green cloth lettered in gilt on spine. Color frontis. B/w illustrations. "Corrections and Errata" leaf tipped in at rear. The author, Thomas Alexander Wise (1802–1889), was a Scottish doctor of Medicine and avid antiquary and historian, who spent nearly a quarter of a century in the Indian Medical Service before retiring back to Scotland in 1851. He was an keen scholar, whose whose works including "Commentary on the Hindu System of Medicine" (1845) and
"Treatise on the Diseases of the Eye, as they Appear in Hindustan (1847)" were both pioneering and considered of lasting significance. The "History of Paganism in Caledonia" was his final work. In it the Wise focuses particularly on the symbols carved in ancient standing stones, particularly those attributed to the Picts in the North-east of Scotland, and notes the similarities between them and the Buddhist designs he had seen engraved or painted on the walls of temples he had visited Bengal. He conjectured that there must have been a common iconographic source, and speculated that the designs may have been brought to Britain by ancient Buddhist travellers. Contents: Book I: "Social Character of the Inhabitants of Caledonia," Social Character Of The Inhabitants Of Caledonia During The Megalithic Age; Domestic Manners And Customs Of The Inhabitants Of Caledonia During The Megalithic Age, Primitive Symbolic Stone Monuments In Asia And Europe, With And Without Inscriptions: Descriptions And Uses; Primitive Monuments With Archaic Markings In Asia And Europe; Early Celtic Architecture And Pillar Towers; Laws And Institutions Of Celtic Races; Nature Worship Among The Primitive Races Of Asia And Europe; Religious Symbols And Ideas Among Primitive Races In Asia And Europe; Celtic Usages After Death In Asia And Europe; Book II: "Buddhism: Its History and Tenets," Buddhism; Tenets, Organization And Symbols Of Buddhism; Symbols Of Buddhism In Pictland; Sacred Places And Monuments; Sacred Buddhist Organic Symbols On The Sculptured Stones Of Pictland; Book III "History of Christianity in Pictland" Pagan Symbols Of The Deity Adopted By Primitive Christians; Form Of The Ancient Incised And Bas-Relief Greek And Latin Crosses In The British Islands; Uses Of The Christian Crosses In Pictland: Preaching Crosses, As Well As Prayer And Memorial Crosses; Christian Symbols, With Ornaments And Animals On The Crosses; Processions And Aegis, Or Sacred Shields; Christian Communities, Ritual, And Churches. Corners of boards bumped and and a little frayed at the points, some crazing to surface of rear board, overall general modest shelf-wear for a book of this vintage. Front endpaper cracked at hinge, but holding firmly. Moderate pale foxing to first and last half-dozen leaves, pages evenly toned. Overall a solid, tight, clean VG+ copy. Item #69305
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