Le Spectateur ou le Socrate moderne, où l'on voit un portrait naïf des Moeurs de ce Siécle

New edition adorned with seven frontispieces by Scotin the elder. The journal first appeared in volume form in 1712.

Contemporary full speckled brown sheep binding. Spine with five raised bands, red morocco title and volume labels, gilt compartments and floral fleurons. All edges red. Head caps of volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 and foot caps of volumes 2, 3, 4 and 9 abraded (some damaged). Corners slightly bumped. Four joints cracked. Pale marginal dampstains to the second volume.

The Spectator was one of the first English periodicals to appear daily from 1711 to 1712. Intended for the Middle Class, Addison believed that despite its daily print run of 4,000 copies, it was read by approximately 60,000 Londoners. The Spectator was very popular and reprinted many times during the 18th century. It cast an ironic eye on English society and left a lasting mark on the press through its novelty. Each issue ran to around 2,000 words, with Addison and Steele sharing editorial duties. The Spectator in its current version is today a well-known newspaper to the English.