[Theosophy] Cousins, James H.

Surya-Gita (Sun Songs) [with] The Shrine and Other Poems [and] The Path to Peace [3 Volumes]

Madras: Ganesh & Co., 1922-1928. First editions. 3 Vols, 8vos, 144, [6]; 10, [1]; and 60pp. Publisher's bindings of red cloth with printed paper labels; limp blue cloth covers with french flaps, lettered in black; and blue cloth with printed label. Generally very good with chipping and toning to labels, soiling to boards, some scattered foxing. Owner's name in Surya-Gita else all clean internally. The Shrine partially split along spine of limp covers.

Three scarce works from James Henry Cousins (1873-1956), Irish-Indian playwright and actor who left Ireland for India in 1915 at the behest of and funded by Annie Besant, president of the Theosophical Society.  The collection of poems, Surya-Gita, is actually three sequences of poetry which includes the first edition of the title sequence, and second editions of The Garland of Life, and Moulted Feathers, which were published in 1917 and 1919.   The Path to Peace is "An essay on cultural interchange and India's Contribution Thereto, with a Prefatory Note on 'Mother India.'"

Besides writing and publishing poetry and plays, Cousins also became involved in theosophy, vegetarianism, and women's suffrage.  His writings were heavily influenced by Blavatsky and he became close with then president of the Theosophical Society in Adyar, Annie Besant.  He wrote widely on theosophy, Hinduism to which he converted in 1937, and the idea of "shared sensibilities" between Celtic and Indian peoples.  Cousins' poetry is reflective of these ideas and beliefs, and quite mystical in flavor. Item #6448

Price: $200.00