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How to become an enlightened ruler

MIRABEAU, [Honoré Gabriel Victor RIQUETI] Comte DE.
Conseils a un jeune Prince, qui sent la nécessité de refaire son éducation, et lettre remise à Frédéric-Guillaume  II, Roi régnant de Prusse, le jour de son avénement au thrône.

With woodcut vignette on title of the first work and some woodcut vignettes in text.

With woodcut vignette on title of the first work and some woodcut vignettes in text.



(No place), 1787-1788. 2 parts in 1 vol. Sm.8vo. Contemp. marbled calf, spine gilt with red title-label, red painted edges. With woodcut vignette on title of the first work and some woodcut vignettes in text. (6), 88; 84 pp.

First edition of the Conseils a un Jeune Prince and new edition of the Lettre Remise à Frédéric-Guillaume II, which is added here with separate title, dated 1787. The book was probably published at Amsterdam. According to the publisher's preface both works belong to the same genre, although the first work is of quite a different tone and intended for another world. Still, the publisher is convinced that both pieces were written by the same hand.
The 'Conseils' in fact, belonged to a larger work, Introduction à l'étude de l'Histoire, abandoned by its author. Both works advice and instruct two quite different princes, the 'conseils' advicing on the right character and conduct of a prince in the position of a Louis XIV. It contains the traditional advice of moderation and good sense, and advices for instruction: the observation of men and the study of history.
The 'Letter to the  Prussian King on the first day of his accession to the throne' on the other hand, contains more revolutionary instructions and advices intended for a 'modern enlightened' prince. It advices the Prussian King to abolish feudal rights, diminish the large differences between military and civil functions, establish independent justice, organise public workshops, abolish censureship and allow freedom to the press, get rid of the state-lotto, declare a general tolerance for all religions, including full civil rights for the Jews, and finally to reform the system of political economy of his predecessor, Frederick II.
The new  economic system to follow is fully explained in five points and England is held up as the world's model. This letter is fully in accordance with the views of its author, the famous French political author and revolutionary, Honoré Gabriel Victor de  Riquetti, Comte de Mirabeau (1749-1791). In the years 1786-1787 Mirabeau had visited Berlin on a diplomatic mission.

Fine copy.
Cioranescu 45219.

Related Subjects: 18th Century  Courtesy Books  French  Royalty 

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