The Persian Letters : with Introduction and Notes, Now Completely Done Into English, from the Original by Montesquieu [With Nine Etchings by M. A. Laluze]

London: Printed for Subscribers Only [By Athenæum]. Very Good+. 1897. First Edition. Leatherbound. Corners are rubbed. Small chip to bottom of spine. ; Book is in excellent condition - exceptions noted. Beautifully bound in full leather with marbled boards and endpapers. Five raised bands on spine. Gilt lettering and decorations on spine. Scarce copy, particularly in this condition. "This richly evocative novel-in-letters tells the story of two Persian noblemen who have left their country—the modern Iran—to journey to Europe in search in wisdom. As they travel, they write home to wives and eunuchs in the harem and to friends in France and elsewhere. Their colorful observations on the culture differences between West and East conjure up Eastern sensuality, repression, and cruelty in contrast to the freer, more civilized West—but here also unworthy nobles and bishops, frivolous women in fashion, and conceited people of all kinds are satirized." [goodreads] "The seraglio (harem) serves as a setting for presenting Montesquieu’s views on power and agency. He uses the politics of the seraglio to symbolize despotism. His characters’ interactions with one another demonstrate the reach and limits of governmental authority, constraints imposed by social customs, and identity politics based on class, gender, religion, race, ethnicity, and nationality." [Jennifer Epley Sanders -Sage] ; Small 4to 9" - 11" tall; 297 pages .