Rare early Rouen edition, with the main text in civilité type, of a famous French courtesy book by the French priest Jean-Baptiste de La Salle (1651-1719), who was beatified in 1888. It opens with a preface, a privilege, and a table of contents, set in roman type. The main text, in civilité type, is divided into two parts, each containing several chapters teaching not only good manners and politeness in society, but good and balanced conduct in all things, out of respect to oneself, one's neighbour and God. Modesty, respect, unity and charity, all dependent on the context of time, place and person are here presented as the "Christian Courtesy". The book was mostly intended for use at the schools of the Christian Brothers (Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools), founded by La Salle.
Binding slightly rubbed, spine slightly damaged; old ink notes in a child's hand on first endpaper; slightly stained and thumbed. In good condition. Sudoc (1 copy); WorldCat (1 additional copy); not in Carter & Vervliet; CCFr; Heltzel, Courtesy books in the Newberry Library; cf. Gumuchian 1766 (ca. 1800 Rouen ed.); Oberlé, La Bibl. Bleue 422 (1774 Rouen ed.).