< Back

Dream of a free Europe & a court of arbitrage

[CULANT-CIRE, Le Marquis René Alex DE].
Recueil de fables, contes, epigrammes & pensées diverses de monsieur le M. de C… C… avec le symbole raisonné du philosophe, un discours sur la cavalerie & la comédie de l'impudent pièce en vers & en cinq actes. Le tout mis au jour par ***.

With woodcut vignettes on the main title and on two separate titles, large woodcut in text and 2 folding engraved plates showing positions of the cavalry on the battlefield.

With woodcut vignettes on the main title and on two separate titles, large woodcut in text and 2 folding engraved plates showing positions of the cavalry on the battlefield.

With woodcut vignettes on the main title and on two separate titles, large woodcut in text and 2 folding engraved plates showing positions of the cavalry on the battlefield.



The Hague, 1767. 5 works in 1 vol. 8vo. With woodcut vignettes on the main title and on two separate titles, large woodcut in text and 2 folding engraved plates showing positions of the cavalry on the battlefield. (4), 42; (6), 72; 8; 34; 126 pp.

Rare first collected edition of the works of Marquis René Alexandre de Culant-Ciré (1718-1799), French military tactician and literary author, born at the Castle of Angerville, near Angoumois. The Dutch publisher, remaining anonymous, apologizes in the preface for publishing these works sent to him for reading, but he judged them rather naïve and pleasing.
The collection starts with 'Symbole raisonné du philosophe', in which the author confesses to the 'natural religion' and reflects on a better world with all states of Europe free, like the Swiss Cantons, so there will be no more war, and an international Court of Arbitrage installed in a free German city in the middle of Europe. This is followed by the author's book of fables, here published for the first time. In the preface the author discusses the perfect fable, like those of La Fontaine. They should start with a clear title or motto, worked out in the fable itself, and they should end with a clear moral. Twenty-three fables are present, and four 'contes' in verse, six epigrammes and several aphorisms or wise thoughts. Then follow two very short treatises on military matters, introducing a new system of manoeuvres for the cavalry and dragoons, the author himself having been a dragoon master, first published at Paris in 1757 and 1761.
When his ideas were rejected by the minister of Defence, the author withdrew from active service and decided to devote his time to writing. The last work is a 'enlightened' theatre play in five acts, which had actually been performed at The Hague in 1757.

Good copy, with the bookplate of Desains, Notary at St. Quentin.
Quérard II, 353-354; Cioranescu 22082.

Related Subjects: Fable Books  French  Militaria  Religion 

Add to Shopping cart
€ 1.950,00

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