Lettres sur l'histoire

New edition, after the first edition published in 1749. One portrait as frontispiece. Les réflexions sur l'exil has its own title page, in volume I, as does the Lettre à Mylord Bathurst in the second.
Contemporary full glazed blonde calf binding. Spine with raised bands decorated. Red morocco title and volume labels. 4 corners bumped, one trimmed. Volume II slightly worn at foot. Rubbing. Rather handsome copy.
Secretary of state, then English Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lord Bolingbroke was an influential statesman who experienced both notoriety and disgrace. He pursued a literary career alongside his political activities, beginning by contributing to the writing of the journal The examiner (against the Whig party). The 2 volumes gather the author's philosophical works, which would have a lasting influence on philosophers such as Pope or Voltaire, or even Mirabeau. His philosophy is inherited from Locke, and the author shows himself in his writings to be anti-clerical and anti-religious, but deist. In the second volume we find a historical work on the state of Europe before the Treaty of Utrecht, of which Bolingbroke was one of the architects.
Bookplate: Bibliothèque de Belay.