Attractive copy of a rare work, with a Belgian imprint, relating the "mysterious voyage" to a "Land of Virtue".

Attractive copy of a rare work, with a Belgian imprint, relating the "mysterious voyage" to a "Land of Virtue".

First published in Rouen in 1684, this rare spiritual romance is an educational novel written as an allegorical voyage to the imaginary island of 'Virtue' on the River Orontes, the chief Syrian river, and the standard route to Egypt since antiquity. The island proves to be a peaceful religious utopia, presented as a model for the reader.

The work is attributed to Palafox y Mendoza (1600-1659), a Spanish bishop and writer, who was a Viceroy in New Spain (in Mexico) in 1642. His attempts to improve conditions for Native Americans led to clashes with the Jesuits and his ultimate excommunication. Attempts to have Palafox y Mendoza beatified were routinely blocked; in fact it was only in March 2010 that Pope Benedict XVI finally approved a miracle, and Palafox y Mendoza's beatification is now expected.

This was a popular work over the next century. This has been considered the third edition, but may in fact be the sixth or seventh; whatever the case, this provincial edition is very rare.