Sacred History in the form of Letters addressed to the Pupils of Edinburgh Sessional School, 1830-1835

Sacred History in the Form of Letters was written as an engaging introduction to Biblical history for the pupils of the pioneering Edinburgh Sessional School, one of the most influential educational institutions of early nineteenth-century Scotland. Compiled by the Scottish educational reformer John Wood, the work presents the principal events of Scripture as a series of accessible letters, combining religious instruction with historical narrative. Intended to encourage both literacy and moral education, the series reflects the progressive teaching methods adopted by the Edinburgh Sessional School, whose approach to the education of children from poorer backgrounds attracted widespread attention and influenced educational reform well beyond Scotland.

Sacred History in the form of Letters addressed to the Pupils of Edinburgh Sessional School. By the Author of the Account of That Institution, &c. Volumes I - VI (of VII).

The anonymous "Author of the Account of That Institution" is John Wood, an Edinburgh advocate and one of the founders and principal supporters of the Edinburgh Sessional School. He also wrote the Account of the Edinburgh Sessional School, to which the title alludes.

Printed for John Wardlaw, Edinburgh and William Collins, Glasgow; James Duncan, and Whittaker, Treacher and Co., London; and W. Curry, Jun. and Co., Dublin (list varies a little by volume). Volumes I-VI of VII. Part I is the second edition (1835); Parts II-VI are first editions, published between 1830 and 1833.

Provenance: Signed by Anthony Murray of Crieff. Murray, known as “Auld Dullerie,” was part of a scholarly Scottish lineage with connections to the University of Leiden, the Jacobite rising, and military and scientific service through the 18th and 19th centuries.

A good (minus) set of hardback volumes - bound with green leather spine with gilt titles and rules. Boards with marbled paper. The covers of Part I are almost detached and just held by binding cords. Front cover of Part Vi is also fragile, but holding. The other 4 parts are more soundly bound. Covers with scuffing and bumping. Some with worn heads of spine.

Text is generally bright and clean with no spotting. Some cracking to gutters in places between gatherings. Part IV with some damp staining to first few pages. Still a very usable set.

Text in English.

Dimensions: each volume approx 148mm high x 92mm wide x 22mm deep.

Weight: approximately 1104g (the set - unpacked).