John Keble: The Christian Year; Transcriptions of title pages and prefaces, from a facsimile edition 1897 (in possession).
In this file:
The first edition of the "Christian Year" was published in the summer of 1827 in two small thin volumes, in what would now be considered an old-fashioned form: it is these two quaint-looking volumes which are here presented in facsimile, giving the exact form, text, and appearance which characterized the first issue. The publisher believes that there are very many who would be glad to possess an exact replica of this now classical book, which is so well known and highly valued by English-speaking people throughout the world.
Some of the pieces, in this their first form, present notable variations from subsequent editions; as it will be interesting to those who know the "Christian Year" to see what changes Keble made in it as it went onward, a list of these alterations is given in the present reprint, with the page and line in which they occur.
A FACSIMILE
OF
The Edition Princeps published in 1827.
With a Preface by
AUTHOR IN THE TEXT OF LATER
EDITIONS.
ELLIOTT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C.
1897.
[1897 Preface by Bishop of Rochester: additional paragraph break inserted for clarity (para.1) ]
The fancy to reproduce the exact form in which a favourite book first appeared cannot, perhaps, make any very weighty pleas in its defence. Yet in the case of such a book as the "Christian Year" it may be thought to have some justifying cause. It is not an altogether trivial pleasure and interest to the men of a later generation to hold in their hands, and look upon with their eyes, the very thing in the very shape which in their fathers' days wrought so deeply upon the life of many souls and of the Church at large.
But there is also in this particular case a special consideration. There was a character not to be mistaken about the movement in the Church of England to which, as we now know, the Author of the "Christian Year" contributed more than any other single man. It was a character of simplicity, of strong and austere reserve, of grave quietness: and the underlying secret of these qualities was that, in the truest sense and in a high degree, it was an unworldly character. There can hardly be a greater mistake than to suppose, if any do so, that the dominant motive of Tractarian times was keen interest in matters of archeological, or even of ecclesiastical, correctness. The movement was one of moral and spiritual intensity rarely equalled, perhaps never surpassed. And, because it ran so deep, it ran quietly. There was very little show about it. There was almost a contempt of elaboration in externals, as being too near akin to display.
Perhaps it is not too fanciful to see a reflection of this even in the minor accessories and products of the movement. The very form of its books was modest and unpretending; and this little volume, with its neat, clear and refined, but utterly undemonstrative, printing and shape, has, perhaps, in this connection a real interest which justifies its publication.
It may remind us of beginnings laid under cloudy skies, amidst dark forebodings, in profound humility, with the quiet courage of sure faith and unreserved devotion.
If it does so, it may do its little part to help a time like our own, gifted with its own excellences of restless energy and tolerant receptiveness, yet needing to remember the secrets of strength that belong to concentration and depth and quietness.
That great growth with which God has blessed our Church since the days when her most loyal son "walked round her towers in fear," and "told her jewels o'er with jealous eye," will ever be one of the witnesses - and to true children of the Church of England a witness specially dear - of what such strength may carry in its bosom.
EDW. ROFFEN.
IN
LATER EDITIONS OF "THE CHRISTIAN YEAR"
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[note at end of list]
In the later Editions, pronouns, &c., having relation to the Almighty, are printed with a capital initial letter, and the word "even" is printed with an apostrophe ("e'en") when the rhythm requires that it should be read as one syllable. Variations of punctuation have not, for the most part, been noted.
FOR THE
SUNDAYS AND HOLYDAYS
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
-------
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.
Isaiah xxx. 15.
OXFORD
PRINTED BY W.BAXTER,
FOR J.PARKER;
AND C.& J.RIVINGTON, ST PAUL'S CHURCH YARD,
AND WATERLOO PLACE, LONDON.
1827.
_._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._
[Keble's Preface, 1827. After the title page, on pages numbered (v) to (vii), is printed the following (unsigned, but presumably by Keble himself). In later editions minor alterations were made, as indicated below.]
Next to a sound rule of faith, there is nothing of so much consequence as a sober standard of feeling in matters of practical religion: and it is the peculiar happiness of the Church of England to possess, in her authorised formularies, an ample and secure provision for both. But in times of much leisure and unbounded curiosity, when excitement of every kind is sought after with morbid eargerness, this part of the merit of our Liturgy is likely in some measure to be lost, on many even of its sincere admirers: the very tempers, which most require such discipline, setting themselves, in general, most decidedly against it.
The object of the present publication will be attained, if any person find assistance from it in bringing his own thoughts and feelings into more entire unison with those recommended and exemplified in the Prayer Book. The work does not furnish a complete series of compositions;
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{for many of them are} |
rather adapted with more or less propriety to the |
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{being, in many parts,} |
[later correction] |
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{volumes} |
to exhibit. |
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[later correction] |
{pages} |
May 30, 1827.
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