< Back

From the library of the Dukes of Aremberg: essays by pamphleteer of the Enlightenment

[COYER, Gabriel-Francois].
Bagatelles morales. ...... ridentem dicere verum / Quid vetat? ....... Horat.

With woodcut vignette on title and woodcut head-pieces.

With woodcut vignette on title and woodcut head-pieces.

With woodcut vignette on title and woodcut head-pieces.



London (for sale in Paris with Duchesne), (Paul Vaillant?), 1754. 12mo. Contemporary sheepskin with gilt coat-of-arms of the Dukes of Aremberg on both sides, spine gilt in compartments with red title-label lettered in gold. With woodcut vignette on title and woodcut head-pieces. 349 (=249) pp.

First edition of the collected essays of Gabriel François, abbé Coyer, which had appeared before 'sur des feuilles volantes', as he writes in his preface. There he adds that only the first eassay, 'Le siècle present' (pp. 9-38) is published here for the first time. The other essays include: 'Découverte de la pierre philosophale' (pp. 39-56), 'L'année merveilleuse' (pp. 57-78), 'La magie démontrée' (pp. 79-108), 'Plaisir pour le peuple' (pp. 109-126), 'Lettre à un Grand' (pp. 109-146), 'Découverte de l'isle frivole' (pp. 147-226), and 'Lettre à une dame Angloise' (pp. 227-249). The Bagatelles morales, published anonymously, were rather successful: a second edition appeared in 1755 and a third in 1758. The essays are important as they treat the actual problems of the economy and trade. Coyer tries to popularize useful ideas and to take away preconceived notions.

Gabriel François, abbé Coyer, was a French man of letters and worldly cleric born in 1707. He entered the Society of Jesus, studying humanities and philosophy until he left the order in 1736. He then became private tutor to the young Duke of Bouillon (Prince of Turenne at the time) in 1741. There followed public functions that saw him in attendance at some battles of the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-48). His many works include a history of the Polish king Jan Sobieski, travel accounts of Holland and Italy, a study of ancient religions, belles-lettres, and a popular attack on the guild system, Chinki. He became a member of the Royal Academy of England and the Academy of Nancy. It is said that when he visited Voltaire at Ferney and announced his desire to return each year for three months, Voltaire replied that whereas Don Quixote had mistaken inns for castles, Coyer was mistaking castles for inns. He died in 1782.

Good copy with a great provenance: with the engraved book-plate by E. Vermorcken after A.F. Schoy with the coat-of-arms of the Dukes of Aremberg with their motto 'Christus protector meus', and the ex-libris of Lucien d'Ursin from Antwerp with his coat-of-arms.- (Spine sl. shaved).
Barbier I, col. 376; L. Adams, Coyer and the Enlightenment (1974).

Related Subjects: 18th Century  Enlightenment  France  Jesuits  Treatises 

Add to Shopping cart
€ 1.250,00

Prices in EUROS (€), shipping and BTW/VAT extra.

< Back

Terms of sale

All items are offered subject to prior sale. Prices are nett and in (€) EURO. VAT/BTW, postage, and insurance are not included. 

Free shipping for orders over € 2,500.  EU customers: if applicable, please quote your VAT number when placing orders.

Preferred mode of payment: by credit card through our secure online payment service, which is facilitated by Ogone. If you wish to make other arrangements, please contact us. Terms of sale

E-mail this to a friend







This is a captcha-picture. It is used to prevent mass-access by robots. (see: www.captcha.net)

Type the characters that you see in the box (5 characters). The code can include characters 0..9 and A..F.*

  


Antiquariaat FORUM B.V.
Tuurdijk 16
3997 MS t Goy-Houten,
The Netherlands
Phone: (+31) (0)30 601 1955
Fax: (+31) (0)30 601 1813
E-mail: info@forumrarebooks.com
Web: http://www.forumrarebooks.com