Rare poetical work combining Catholic theology with a mnemonic method of instruction. It explains Catholic doctrinal principles using Spanish décimas (ten-line stanzas) to make them easier to memorise. Each page is arranged in two columns, with the poems in roman type on the left and the corresponding references and quotations from Scripture in italic on the right. The work is divided into two parts, covering death, judgment, hell, purgatory, sin and salvation, as well as the Passion of Christ, the mercy and love of God, the imitation of Christ and devotion to the Virgin Mary.
The Jesuit Francisco Xavier Lozano (1721-1801) was born at Valdepeñas and entered the Society of Jesus in 1737. He subsequently went to Mexico, but returned to Europe following the expulsion of the Jesuits from the Spanish territories by Charles III in 1767. He initially settled in Italy and later returned to Spain, where he died at Elche. The present work, apparently his only publication, first appeared at Cesena in 1788 under the title Recuerdos de las eternas verdades. The present edition is the second; a third followed in 1800.
With the crossed out bookplate of the Sutro library in San Francisco mounted on the front pastedown. The boards and spine are somewhat rubbed. A wormhole in the gutter of the first few leaves, not affecting the text, and an occasional stain. Otherwise in very good condition. De Backer-Sommervogel V, col. 130; Medina, La Imprenta en Mexico IV, 8389; WorldCat 1034504468 (5 copies); not in CCPB; Palau.