Les Livres classiques de l'Empire de la Chine, recueillis par le père Noël; précédés d'Observations sur l'origine, la nature & les effets de la philosophie morale & politique dans cet empire

New edition of the French translation, this one by Abbé Pluquet (see Cordier, Sinica 1395-1396).

Contemporary half tan calf bindings over corners, smooth spines decorated with double gilt fillets, black calf title-pieces, some rubbing to spines and headcaps, marbled paper boards with some surface wear, a few corners slightly bumped, speckled edges, period bindings.

This French translation of Father François Noël’s Latin work includes the Observations on the moral and political philosophy of the Chinese legislators, The Great Learning, or the Science of Adults, The Doctrine of the Mean, The Book of Sentences, Meng Tsee or The Book of Mencius, Hiao-king, or The Book of Filial Piety, and Siao-hio or The Book of the School of Children.

Born in Hestrud in the North of France in 1651, the Jesuit Father François Noël departed for China in 1684, where he spent the greater part of his life.

He was twice deputed to Rome on matters concerning the Chinese rites and spent his final years in Lille, where he died in 1729.