Description

FIRST AND ONLY EDITION of this very rare collection of letters to and from Rousseau, and of works by and about Rousseau, many of which were considered scandalous (which explains why this collection was published in the Hague). 8, 200, 12, 24, 48, 11 pp. Staatman, the publisher, thought up the idea of selling this book under two different titles. He printed two title-pages and two prefaces. One title-page reads: "Recueil d'opuscules concernant les ouvrages et les sentiments de nos philosophes modernes sur la religion, l'education et les moeurs." The preface that follows that title-page begins: "Les Ouvrages & les Sentimens de nos Philosophes modernes, sur la Religion, l'Education & les Moeurs, ont fait tant de bruit, qu'il seroit superflu de vouloir y attirer l'attention du Public. D'habiles gens, en divers pais, ont pris la plume pour les refuter, & leurs Livres, plus ou moins repandus, se trouvent par-tout." The other title-page reads: "Recueil d'opuscules concernant les ouvrages et les sentiments de monsieur J.-J. Rousseau sur la religion et l'education." And the preface that follows that title-page begins: "Les Ouvrages & les Sentimens de Mr. Rousseau, sur la Religion & sur l'Education ont fait tant de bruit, qu'il seroit superflu de vouloir y attirer l'attention du Public. D'habiles gens, en divers pais, ont pris la plume pour les refuter, & leurs Livres, plus ou moins repandus, se trouvent par-tout." There is also an "Avis aux libraires", advising booksellers that, if someone asks for the "Recueil contre M. Rousseau", he (the bookseller) should excise the first title-page and preface. Otherwise, he should excise the second title-page and preface. The original customer for the copy at hand apparently fell into the second category. 8vo. A PRISTINE COPY, ENTIRELY UNCUT, IN THE ORIGINAL stiff drab WRAPS. Light wear to wraps, with a piece missing from the spine, else FINE AND BRIGHT. A rare and fascinating book.