Prayers Written at Vailima

Concordia Publishing, 1999. In 1889, Robert Louis Stevenson and his family moved to Vailima, their homestead in the South Sea island of Samoa. The Scottish novelist and poet's health had been failing, and his doctors had hoped that this change in climate might prove beneficial. Stevenson was a great believer in the power of prayer and composed many of his own. He held evening prayer services at his home, attended by his family members and his Samoan servants, since the Samoans themselves also believed in closing the day with prayers and hymns. Stevenson lived another four years, and died in 1894, at the age of 44. He had been much loved by the Samoans, who had nicknamed him "Tusitala" or "Teller of Tales." For his funeral, 60 Samoans bore his body to its final resting place on top of Mount Vaea, overlooking the Apia harbor. It had been Stevenson's own desire to be buried in this new land among people he loved. In 1910, Stevenson's widow, the American-born Fanny Osbourne, had her husband's beautiful prayers published in an ornately bound and printed book, of which this is a hardcover reproduction with dust jacket (First Edition Thus, First Printing). The book includes an Introduction by Mrs. Stevenson, in which she describes the prayer services and their importance to her husband and to the Samoans themselves. And, of course, there are the prayers. These include a prayer for success and for grace. There is a morning and two evening prayers. There are two prayers in time of rain. There is a prayer before a temporary separation. There is a prayer for friends and a prayer for the family. There is a special prayer for Sunday. There is a prayer for self-blame and one for self-forgetfulness. And finally, there is a prayer for the renewal of joy. The pages were designed, written out in exquisite calligraphy, and illuminated by Alberto Sangorski for the London publisher, Chatto & Windus. The book includes decorative cover boards, with the same design as the dust jacket. Additionally, the top, sides, and bottom edges are a bright gilt. The interior has decorative end papers that are the same pattern as the cover illustration's background. The book is not paginated but is a slim volume. It measures roughly 8 ¾ by 10 ½ inches. Stevenson's melodious, uplifting words in this appropriately handsome setting would make a thoughtful gift not only for others, but for oneself. See photo. . First Thus. Hard Cover. New/New. Illus. by Alberto Sangorski. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. Bound Illustrated Prayers.