[Rarebooks] fs: European Union- 18th C. French Internationalist

[Joslin Hall Rare Books]

                His dream was for nothing less than a
                "European Republic", with France acting
                 as an impartial arbiter of international disputes.


" CONSIDERATIONS SUR LE GOUVERNEMENT
ANCIEN ET PRESENT DE LA FRANCE "

[Argenson, Rene-Louis de Voyer de Paulmy, marquis d']
Amsterdam; Marc Michel Rey: 1765.

A survey of French political history, with information on the diplomatic 
relations between France and other countries, by one of the greatest unsung 
and unluckiest reformers in 18th century France.

The Marquis d'Argenson (1694-1757) was a councilor at Parliament and 
councilor of State, in which post he developed a reputation for being 
conscientious and well-meaning, but incapable of the intrigue which swirled 
through the French court. He had attended the Jesuit college Louis-le-grand 
with Voltaire, and remained a friend of both Voltaire and his reformist 
circles. He wrote, but did not publish, this history around 1743-44, just 
before being appointed French Foreign Minister. A man who dreamed big 
dreams, the Marquis endeavored to reform the system of international 
relations. His dream was for nothing less than a "European Republic", with 
France perhaps acting as an impartial arbiter of international disputes. He 
also advocated a federation of Italian states.

At the same time, however, he found himself involved in the War of Austrian 
Succession, along with his brother, the Secretary of War. Although Voltaire 
declared the Marquis to be "the best citizen that had ever tasted the 
ministry", intrigues and secret schemes hatched by French generals, 
courtiers and the King himself were simply too much for this 
high-principled man who spent more time working for international harmony 
than watching his back.

He was dismissed by the King in 1747, and spent the rest of his life 
writing his Memoirs, associating with the Encyclopedists and other 
reformers, and happily functioning as President of the Academy of 
Inscriptions. His son published several of his manuscripts after his death, 
including this one in Amsterdam in 1764. This is a pirated edition actually 
(despite to Amsterdam imprint) printed in Paris. There are many 
typographical errors in the French, including, most prominently, 
"gouvernement" miss-spelt as gouvernemnet" on the title-page.

Hardcover. 5"x8", xvi + 328 pages, engraved vignette on the title-page. 
Bound in full contemporary polished calf, spine gilt, all edges red. 
Hand-marbled endpapers. Some very minor wear, but overall a very nice copy. 
[01948] $450.00

Pictures-
    <http://www.joslinhall.com/th-01948.jpg>
           <http://www.joslinhall.com/th-01948a.jpg>


JOSLIN HALL RARE BOOKS, ABAA
Fine books of the 16th-20th centuries
Post Office Box 516, Concord, Massachusetts 01742 USA
telephone (617) 492-5367
email <office at joslinhall.com>;
~~
Our full-service website features 82 separate subject
categories, is updated daily and has full search
capabilities. http://www.joslinhall.com
~~
Subscribe to our free email News List and get special
discounts and offers on selected books! Send e-mail to
<JHRBnews- at joslinhall.com>; and put the word
"subscribe" (without quotes) in the Subject line of your note.
~~
Check out our "Featured Book"
http://www.joslinhall.com/today1.htm
~~

TERMS:
All payments must be in U.S. funds and negotiable through a U.S. bank;
We accept checks, money orders, American Express, Visa and Mastercard.
Books may be reserved pending payment; Institutions may be billed;
Standard courtesies to institutions and the trade; Postage charges
are $5.00 for the first book, and $1.50 for each additional book.
Shipments outside the U.S. will be billed at cost. We accept returns
if we are notified within ten days of your receipt of the books-please
ask for full instructions and terms. Massachusetts residents must add
5% state sales tax.

As members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of
America we are committed to upholding high professional
standards and making sure your bookbuying experience is
enjoyable.

Subscribe to the free Rare Books Mailing List
http://www.rarebooksmailinglist.com