Secreta Monita Societatis Jesu: The Secret Instructions of the Jesuits

[ZAHOROWSKI, Jerome] / [Zaorowsky, Jerome]

Published by London John Walthoe 1723

About this Item

First edition thus. Full leather binding with six raised bands to the spine (no titles). Two thin gilt lines to the edge of the boards. The front board is detached. It has been lightly reattached with archival tape, but needs a permanent repair. Title page has an owner's name to the top edge. Internally clean and tidy with a little marking / foxing only. A scarce book with text in both Latin and English on facing pages, decorated head and tailpieces. The dedication of this edition is to Robert Walpole. He was de facto the first British Prime Minister from 1721. At the beginning of his time in office were Jacobite risings, and anti Catholic sentiment was strong. vi [6] i-v, 6-127. The book is complete, but lacks a 12 page publisher's catalogue that is often attached to the rear. 155 by 95 mm (6 by 3¾ inches). The Monita Secreta was a guide allegedly written by the Jesuits explaining how to gain riches and make influential friends; bibliographers often attribute it to a Pole, Jerome Zahorowski, exiled from the Society in 1611. It was first published in Crakow in 1612. Despite immediate denials from the Society that it was a forgery, it proved popular. It was later claimed to be influential in achieving the expulsion of the Jesuits from France in the 1760's. Seller Inventory # 2818

Bibliographic Details

Title: Secreta Monita Societatis Jesu: The Secret ...

Publisher: London John Walthoe 1723

Binding: Hardcover

Edition: 1st Edition