Title: Methode Pour Assister les Malades et les Ayder a Faire une Bonne Mort, 1693. An Extremely Scarce French Edition of this Jesuit Ars Moriendi or Art of Dying Well Text
Author: Juan-Alfonso de Polanco
Publisher: A Paris, Chez Claude Barbin
Condition: Very Good
An extremely scarce late 17th century French translation of de Polanco’s method for assisting the sick and helping them to have a good death, drawn from the writings of the Fathers, several doctors, and several pious people, and based on long experience.
Also known as Ars Moriendi, or the Art of Dying well, the work offers advice on the protocols and procedures of a good death, explaining how to "die well" according to Christian precepts, drawn from works by prior Church Fathers and other figures, as well as additional input by de Polanco himself.
A Jesuit priest of the 16th century, de Polanco was secretary of Ignatius of Loyola (one of the founding members of the Jesuit Society) and one of his closest advisers.
There is an exlibris bookplate for one Nicolai Jennesseaux, possibly an 18th century owner, judging by a dated inscription of 1764 above it.
USTC records 1 existing copy of this edition in libraries
One finely bound volume in 12mo, (24)+277 [actually 283]+(3) pages
This volume is in very good shape, with some rubbing and wear to the binding, and some splitting to the hinges. There is soiling and browning throughout.