Rivers of Life. Or Sources and Streams of The Faiths of Man in all Lands; Showing the Evolution of Faiths from the Rudest Symbols to the Latest Spiritual Developments. (2 Volumes plus Chart in separate slipcase and printed Explanatory Note to Chart).
London: Privately Printed, 1883. First Edition, Second Issue. Hardcovers, Large Quartos, xlii+ 568pp & vi + 662pp, plus the scarce linen-backed chart in separate cloth slipcase. Green cloth with gilt titles, etc. to spines and front boards, black rules. One (of two) colored maps, 17 full-page illustrations, 339 illustrations in-text, four part fold out "Synoptic Chart." The colur chart in its separate folder is massive: 7.5 feet by 2.25 feet (2286mm x 686mm when unfolded). The single page sheet "Explanatory Note to Chart of Rivers of Life" - which is often lacking - has been neatly pasted to the back of the chart. The Second Issue of the First Edition, which is almost identical to the first save for some slight changes to the text of the title-page (the first issue was very small and distributed by Forlong himself to friends etc.). The author of the work, Major-General James George Roche Forlong (1824-1904) was a soldier, engineer and surveyor, who used his free time during more than thirty years of service in India, and his retirement thereafter, to delve into the study of comparative religion and archaeology. The fruits of his labour appeared in several works, including this massive study of comparative religion and the origin and inter-connectedness of beliefs. Although now generally rejected in scholarly circles, Forlong's theories, which often stressed the sexual origins of various religious and initiatory rites and customs, found some favour at the time. Amongst those who held them in high regard was Aleister Crowley, who called the work "An invaluable text-book of old systems of initiation," and listed Forlong amongst the Saints of his Ecclesiae Gnosticae Catholicae.
Cloth somewhat lightly rubbed and discoloured, with largish darkened areas on the bottom corners of both the front and back boards of Vol. I, and the upper corner of the front board of Vol II. Corners of boards bumped, and edges rubbed in places. There is a small chip from the bottom corner of the title-page of Vol. I, there is some old damp discoloration to the bottom margin of the last ten leaves, and the rear endpaper hinge is cracked, but the board holding firm. Edges of both volumes foxed with occasional light flecks and small grubby marks throughout. Vol II is lacking the front free endpaper and a folding map that should precede the title-page (a "Map of World, as Known About Second Century B.C...") thus the volume opens straight onto the title-page. The removal of the endpaper has caused the inner hinge to crack, so the board is a little wobbly, though still very firmly attached. Previous owner's stamp on the recto of the title-page of Vol. I, and verso of title-page of Vol. II. Handwritten number on the recto of the t/p of Vol. I, and a quote about knowledge neatly written on its verso, some further stamps on the map. The slip case for the folding chart has some shelf-wear and bubbling to the cloth, which is typical, but the chart itself is in VG+ condition, with just a little darkening to the reverse of the linen. Because of its age and massive size the set is seldom encountered in better condition, but largely because of the missing map and blank we would rate it as a Fair copy only, and it is priced accordingly. Obviously a large heavy set, that will require additional shipping fees to those automatically quoted, depending on destination. Item #69349
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