[Rarebooks] fs: Europe- United or Dis-United? (1765)

[Joslin Hall Rare Books]

A SPRING-CLEANING SPECIAL-

[Argenson, Rene-Louis de Voyer de Paulmy, marquis d']  CONSIDERATIONS SUR 
LE GOUVERNEMENT ANCIEN ET PRESENT DE LA FRANCE.

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 the 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.  and-marbled endpapers.  Some very minor wear, but overall a very nice 
copy.  Regularly $450 // Today's SPRING-CLEANING SPECIAL $275 net.

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