This 1755 second edition of Bagatelles Morales offers a graceful example of mid eighteenth century French moral writing, printed in London and distributed in Paris by Duchesne. The work belongs to a strand of Enlightenment literature that blended ethical reflection with a lightness of tone. Its title evokes the paradox at the heart of the genre: seemingly small pieces that carry considerable intellectual weight.
Drawing inspiration from Horace’s dictum that truth may be spoken through laughter, the author uses short essays to reflect on human behaviour, vanity, social convention, and the art of judgment. These texts formed an important part of the literary landscape of the Enlightenment, sitting between philosophical treatise and salon conversation. They reveal a world in which moral philosophy was not confined to academic discourse but circulated among educated readers seeking both entertainment and insight.
This copy is preserved in its contemporary full leather binding with gilt decoration along the spine and patterned boards. The leather displays the warm patina of age with gentle wear along the edges. The interior remains clean and attractively printed, with crisp type and decorative headpieces characteristic of quality eighteenth century presswork. The red sprinkled edges emphasise the book’s elegance and reflect contemporary practices in finishing and presentation.
As a historical object the volume illustrates the international flow of Enlightenment ideas, produced in London yet firmly rooted in French intellectual culture. It offers a window into the moral sensibilities of the period and provides a charming example of how eighteenth century readers encountered philosophical reflection in accessible and engaging form.
For collectors of French literature, Enlightenment thought, or finely bound eighteenth century books, this edition represents a thoughtful and appealing acquisition.
This 1755 second edition of Bagatelles Morales offers a graceful example of mid eighteenth century French moral writing, printed in London and distributed in Paris by Duchesne. The work belongs to a strand of Enlightenment literature that blended ethical reflection with a lightness of tone. Its title evokes the paradox at the heart of the genre: seemingly small pieces that carry considerable intellectual weight.
Drawing inspiration from Horace’s dictum that truth may be spoken through laughter, the author uses short essays to reflect on human behaviour, vanity, social convention, and the art of judgment. These texts formed an important part of the literary landscape of the Enlightenment, sitting between philosophical treatise and salon conversation. They reveal a world in which moral philosophy was not confined to academic discourse but circulated among educated readers seeking both entertainment and insight.
This copy is preserved in its contemporary full leather binding with gilt decoration along the spine and patterned boards. The leather displays the warm patina of age with gentle wear along the edges. The interior remains clean and attractively printed, with crisp type and decorative headpieces characteristic of quality eighteenth century presswork. The red sprinkled edges emphasise the book’s elegance and reflect contemporary practices in finishing and presentation.
As a historical object the volume illustrates the international flow of Enlightenment ideas, produced in London yet firmly rooted in French intellectual culture. It offers a window into the moral sensibilities of the period and provides a charming example of how eighteenth century readers encountered philosophical reflection in accessible and engaging form.
For collectors of French literature, Enlightenment thought, or finely bound eighteenth century books, this edition represents a thoughtful and appealing acquisition.
