Journal: From the age of enlightenment, eighteenth century writings

Journal: From the age of enlightenment, eighteenth century writings

• ca. 1770s (Creación)

"[ France, 1770s ] - 'Extraits de divers ouvrages que jaij [j'ai] lus, entiers et en prose..." [Excerpts from various works that I have read, whole and in prose]. Manuscript journal of philosophical, entertaining, and politically important texts published mid-eighteenth-century books, specialized journals, private letters, and decrees, the lot compiled by a learned man whose range of interest includes theatre, nobility, politics, and war, as he engages in the period of enlightened thinking. Text is in French. 8vo. 162 pages in manuscript. In the writer's custom-made, elegant full calf binding, four raised bands, ornate tooled borders, titled 'Excerpta' and initialed 'V. F. St.' to front... This uncommon assortment of extracts from eighteenth century works, many of which are scarce or inaccessible today, provides a glimpse into the style of seventeenth century literature and theatre, as well as political and social interests of the period, a time when Europeans challenged themselves to steer away from tradition and to embrace diverse philosophies for betterment. Several texts are drawn from volume three of 'Epitres diverses sur des sujets differens,' by Georges Louis de Baar, published in London between 1750 and 1756 by Philippe Changuion whose shop was on the Strand near Somerset House. The earliest work that the writer had in hand, and partly transcribes in his journal, is a notice dated 18/28 December 1621 during the Thirty Years' War, from the Lord of the Duchy of Bouillon [Henry de la Tour d'Auvergne (1555-1623), Duke of Bouillon]. 'Avis de Monseigneur le Duc de Bouillon...' This manuscript extract of 18 pages concerns the religious wars as the Duke is rallying the inhabitants to stand together and fight for the public cause. He instructs them to create an army, selectively choosing their men for battle, to prepare defenses that will render their land inaccessible to invaders, to guard the forts, to select a legation to join an embassy representing seventeen cantons, and so forth."- Voyager Press