Donovan: A Modern Englishman — Edna Lyall, c. 1895, Lotus Series, Syndicate Trading Co. (Antique Hardcover)

The title page carries an epigraph from Elizabeth Barrett Browning:

“And I smiled to think God’s greatness flowed around our incompleteness — Round our restlessness, His rest.”

That’s the book in a sentence. Donovan: A Modern Englishman was written by Edna Lyall — the pen name of Ada Ellen Bayly — and first published in 1882. It was one of the most widely read novels of the late Victorian era: the story of a young agnostic who wrestles with faith, doubt, and the question of what it means to live an honest life in a world that demands conformity. It was controversial when it appeared. It was also enormously popular.

This edition was published by the Syndicate Trading Company of New York, circa 1895 — part of the Lotus Series, identified by the ribbon banner embossed on the upper right corner of the cover. The binding is a deep purple-brown cloth, embossed with a dense floral vine border running the full length of the left panel and a Tudor rose medallion centered on the front board. The spine carries the title and author’s name in raised gilt letters: DONOVAN / LYALL. The cloth has the warm, slightly iridescent quality of late Victorian decorative bindings at their best.

The pages are complete and legible throughout. The binding shows honest wear at the spine ends and corners consistent with 130 years of age. The interior is clean.

• Title: Donovan: A Modern Englishman
• Author: Edna Lyall (Ada Ellen Bayly)
• Publisher: Syndicate Trading Company, New York
• Series: Lotus Series
• Edition: c. 1895
• Binding: Deep purple-brown embossed cloth — floral vine border, Tudor rose medallion, gilt spine lettering
• Epigraph: Elizabeth Barrett Browning
• Condition: Good for age — spine wear, boards intact, interior clean
• One available