Introduction to the Literature of Europe In the Fifteenth Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries

London: John Murray, 1843. Leather. Good. 9" by 6". None. The complete three volumes of Henry Hallam's Literature of Europe. Collated, complete. The Second edition of this popular work. Henry Hallam was a barrister before he formed his historical writing career. His first published book was his View of the State of Europe During The Middle Ages which he described himself as a series of historical dissertations from the 5th to the 15th century. To this work he gives the history of several empires and countries such as France, Italy, Spain and Germany in addition to the Greek and Saracenic empires. Hallam also reflects on the social history of medieval times through discussions on the feudal, the ecclesiastical and political systems of England. His Introduction to the Literature of Europe continues a topic briefly broached in his Middle Ages. The work gives an analysis of the state of literature from the Middle Ages to the Seventeenth Century. The work begins with an introductory overview sketching the state of literature in Europe to the end of the fourteenth century. He mentions the extinction of ancient learning after the fall of the Roman empire, and the rise of Christianity. Hallam also reviews classical learning and the works produced at this time. For each time period the work has separate chapters on literature, theology, science, speculative philosophy and jurisprudence. In half calf bindings with paper covered boards. Externally, sound with patches of slight rubbing to the joints and to the head and tail of spines. Backstrip to volume I is lifting at the front joint where there is a small crack. Small loss to the head and tail of spine to volume II and to the third raised band. Small patches of rubbing to paper covered boards. Small tidemarks to page edges to volume II due to water damage. Gift inscription to title pages of volume I dated Christmas 1847 addressed to Thomas Fisher. Thomas Fisher's signature to title page of volumes II and III. Internally, all volumes are firmly bound. Pages are slightly age toned with Spotting to the first and last few pages and the odd spot throughout. Good