Monachologia: or, Handbook of the Natural History of Monks: arranged according to the Linnaean System

Edinburgh/London: Johnstone and Hunter; Simpkin, Marshall, & Co., 1852. Victorian anti-Catholic/anti-European satire or parody written in pseudo-scientific natural history jargon, complaining of the laziness, odd dress & weird habits (literally!), strange hours & stranger noises of various orders of monks, deposited of British shores by Papist Europeans of little merit and bad intent. Each major order of Monk is depicted & described in most unflattering terms. "Hence it is evident, that the monk forms a distinct class of mammalia, which holds a middle place, and forms a connecting link between man and monkey." "Dominican Monk.... Demeanor, hypocritical; gait, lascivious; expression of the countenance, perfidious; barks or yells, at midnight, with a harsh, discordant voice. The olfactory senses of this species are developed in the most wonderful manner, so that it will smell at any distance wine and heresy. Says more about British Protestant xenophopia than Catholic religious orders: an important look at attitudes of the period. Original edition, hardcover, full red cloth with gilt decoration. Professionally rebacked with leather spine label, new endsheets; original boards showing some wear, corners bumped & frayed, stain/stripe to front board; pencilled name and note on flyleaf. Text clean; 77 pages plus decorated lithographic title page, 14 two-tone litho plates, 12 depicting various orders, plus 4 pages of illustrations of specialized robes, habits, tonsures, scapulars, & sandals.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Good/No Jacket. Illus. by A. Arnst. 5¾" by 8¾".