CHEYNE, George. An Essay of Health and Long Life. The sixth edition. London: Printed for George Strahan, at the Golden Ball, over-against the Royal Exchange in Cornhill; and J. Leake, Bookseller at Bath, 1725. Octavo.
An attractive early edition of Cheyne's popular treatise on health and longevity, in contemporary calf, with early ownership inscriptions suggesting provenance from the library at Newton Ferrers House, St Mellion.
First published in 1724, the work offers a revealing account of eighteenth-century approaches to preserving health through diet, exercise, rest and moderation. Cheyne, a Scottish physician practising in London and Bath, addresses the relationship between everyday habits and physical well-being, combining practical advice with observations drawn from his medical experience.
The volume retains its Latin commendatory verses and preliminary publisher's advertisements, the latter listing other works by Cheyne alongside related medical publications. Decorative headpieces, initials and tailpieces ornament the text.
Binding
Contemporary full brown calf, the boards framed by gilt double fillets and a decorative blind-tooled border. Spine with five raised bands and gilt rules; unlettered. Speckled page edges.
Provenance
Early ink ownership inscriptions to the title page, apparently reading "Jno. Coryton" and "Weston Helyar"; ink shelfmark "L.10.3" to the front pastedown. The conjunction of these names suggests that the volume belonged to the library at Newton Ferrers, St Mellion, the Cornish estate associated with both families. Sir John Coryton married Rachel Helyar of East Coker, Somerset, and the estate subsequently passed into the Helyar family. The precise identity of the Coryton signatory remains unconfirmed.
Condition
Boards with light surface marks and scuffing; rubbing to edges, corners and raised bands. Splitting along the joints, with loss at the head of the spine exposing the headband. Internally very clean overall, with light age-toning and occasional minor spotting. Early ink inscriptions as described above.
Bibliographical details
Octavo. [4], xx, [24], 232 pp., including preliminary publisher's advertisements; two additional blank flyleaves at the front.
Reference
ESTC N2157
