Night Thoughts on Life, Death, and Immortality

Description:

Edward Young’s Night Thoughts on Life, Death & Immortality, Volume II was published by Richard Scott of New York in 1816. The work is a poem that is divided into nine sections, one for each night. Each night has its own title: “Life, Death, and Immortality," "Time, Death, Friendship," "Narcissa," "The Christian Triumph," "The Relapse," "The Infidel Reclaimed" (in two parts, "Glories and Riches" and "The Nature, Proof, and Importance of Immortality”), "Virtue's Apology”, and "The Consolation." Scott published the work in two volumes;volume two contained the second part of “The Infidel Reclaimed” onward. The melancholy epic poem in blank verse was well received, but is most well-known because some volumes were illustrated by William Blake.

The Copp Collection contains about 150 books of early American imprint and shows a wide range of reading matter typical of a New England Puritan family living in a port town. Literacy was expected of many New Englanders, as Puritan doctrine required everyone to read the Bible. The abundance of multiple Bibles, psalms, hymnodies, sermons, and morality tales reflects the Copp’s religious beliefs. Other highlights of the library include the works of Shakespeare, almanacs, historical and political texts, and travel narratives.

The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.