Psalms and Hymns. I[saac] Watts. Bungay, C. Brightly & T. Kinnersley, 1805.

380 pages. 24°. All edges gilt. Original marbled endpapers. Printed by C. Brightly, Bungay. Contemporary ink ownership inscription on verso of front free endpaper, dated October 2nd, 1805. Provenance: Miss Saunders. Each psalm is set out in different metres, This is followed by a section of Hymns and Spiritual Songs, pages193-380. Pages uniformly age-toned. 45 x 95 mm. Bound in contemporary richly patinated full calf, the gilt rules to the upper board are heavily rubbed. Some mild edge-wear. Spine slightly rubbed.  Stored in a contemporary soft leather matching case, the case is tight fitting but the leather clasp is absent. The inscription is dated nineteen days before the Battle of Traflagar, in the era of the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte. 

Isaac Watts (1674-1748) is remembered for his hymns – which are still sung to this day. His works include "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", "Joy to the World", and "O God, Our Help in Ages Past". Watts lived at Abney Hall in Stoke Newington until his death in 1748; he was buried in Bunhill Fields. In his lifetime, Watts' hymns were highly controversial, marking a transition away from the practice of psalm-singing. Coupled with his theological views, which brought widespread criticism, Watts can rightly be seen as a radical. 

Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. OCLC 557641980. WorldCat locates only two copies worldwide (British Library, and Cornell University Library). Very uncommon - no copies found in commerce and not included in many bibliographies of Watts.