Les caractères ... suivi des caractères de Théophraste, traduits du Grec par le même. 2 vols.

Paris, Lefèvre, 1824. With engr. portrait of the author. 2 leaves, 432 pp., 1 leaf; 2 leaves, 408 pp. Large 8vo. 19th-century polished calf over four raised bands, spines gilt with 2 gilt-lettered black morocco labels, inner and outer edges gilt, covers surrounded by black fillet with tiny gilt corner fleurons and blind-stamped ornamental border, rhomboid blind-stamped center ornament, partly uncut (two light stains, black fillet parly rubbed). Paris, Lefèvre, 1824. "Collection des Classiques François". Valuable 19th-century edition of La Bruyère's "Caractères" with the preliminary notes on the author and his work by L. S. Auger and J. Schweighaeuser, which were first published in the 32mo edition of the previous year. La Bruyère's (1645-1696) work (1688) is a vivacious and lucid satirical description of the French aristocracy up to the end of the reign of King Louis XIV. Starting with a translation of Theophrast's "Characters", La Bruyère added more and more of his own critical observations with each edition, thereby making numerous enemies. Nevertheless, he was accepted as a member at the "Académie Française" in 1693. - Very slight brownig to the uncut margins. A wide-margined copy in a fine binding. - Quérard, La France littéraire 352; Vicaire IV, 786. LITERATURE: FRENCH ;