Traite de l'opinion, ou memoires pour servir a l'histoire de l'esprit humain

Second edition, after the first published by the same publisher in 1733. One folding plate in volume II and 4 astronomical figures in volume III.
Contemporary full speckled brown sheep bindings. Spines with raised bands decorated with 4 fleurons, roulette at tail. Red morocco title labels, gilt volume numbers. Headcaps of volumes II, IV and VI with losses. Tailcaps of volumes I and II partly worn. 5 corners slightly bumped. Paper throughout fresh. Spines rubbed. Rather good set.
The Marquis de Saint-Aubin established in this work a history of ideas and theories in all domains of knowledge, the essence of his purpose being to place before readers' eyes the errors and prejudices that prevailed at a certain moment in history. Volume four deals with magic and occult sciences, which earns the work its listing in Caillet. The other volumes contain a study of history and belles lettres, mathematics, astronomy, medicine and physics, chemistry, astrology and divination, morals and politics. The treatise necessarily begins with a study of its subject, opinion. The whole forms a remarkable epistemological work that reveals the precariousness of human knowledge, highlighting the succession of human errors both in the most serious sciences and in morals, victims of cultural changes and ideological tendencies.
18th-century engraved armorial bookplate of Francois Morel, with the motto Custodes nostri. Second bookplate P. de Riencourt.