Lectures on the Philosophy of History by the Reverend Ezekiel Blomfield, published by Black, Kingsbury, Parbury and Allen, London 1819. 1st edition. In stiff original boards size 28 by 23 cm. 161 pages of text, an 18-page introduction, 12 full page maps with contemporary hand-colouring plus a 9-page subscription list that contains the likes of William Wilberforce, members of the royal family and the odd bishop. Some pages are uncut. The series of lectures are an attempt to synthesise the history of the world, its faiths, economic systems and its geography. The maps are all world maps or hemispheres and have an emphasis on religions (3 maps); ethnicity, skin colour and economic activity (5 maps); empires and colonies (2 maps) and 2 others that are intended to show the extent of the knowledge of the world amongst ancient western civilizations. Signature of the original owner and the date 1820 appear in ink above the title page. Minor foxing throughout but binding sound and all maps in VG condition. Front free endpaper has signs of an old repair and corners have some rubbing. Later spine.