[Rarebooks] fa: REFLEXIONS UPON RIDICULE - 1739

[Ardwight Chamberlain]

Listed now, along with other 17th- & 18th-century titles, auctions  
ending Monday, June 20. More details and images can be found at the  
URL below or by searching under the seller name arch_in_la.

http://shop.ebay.com/arch_in_la/m.html?_trksid=p4340.l2562

Many thanks,
Ardwight Chamberlain
L.A.

[Jean Baptiste Morvan de Bellegarde:] Reflexions Upon Ridicule; or,  
What it is that makes a Man ridiculous; and the Means to avoid it.  
Wherein are Represented the Different Manners and Characters  of  
Persons of the present Age. London: Printed for D. Midwinter [et al],  
1739. Fifth edition. Two volumes, small 8vos (17 cm), bound in recent  
half leather and marbled boards; 298 + [22] pp.; 243 +  [33] pp.;  
woodcut initials and decorations. ESTC T110129.

Some browning to the edges of the first and last few leaves from the  
original binder's glue, chipping to the edges of the front free- 
endpapers, mild toning to the leaves, otherwise clean and sound in a  
handsome new bindings. An appealing example of the English translation  
of this popular work, an examination of contemporary mores as well as  
a a guide to behavior, by l'Abbé de Bellegarde, a sort of French  
precursor to Lord Chesterfield. Early owner's signatures and  
inscriptions: "Dorothy Myddleton her Book given her by Mrs. Lee April  
ye 6th 1762."

A sampling of the section headings includes: Of Unpoliteness. Of  
Indiscretion. Of Affectation. Of Foolish Vanity. Of The bad Taste. Of  
Imposture. Of The Morose Humour. Of Impertinence. Of Prejudice. Of  
Interest. Of Sufficiency. Of Absurdities. Of Caprice. Of False  
Delicacy. Of Decorum. Of Politeness. Of Genteel Behavior. Of Maxims  
for Civil Society; etc.