Strasbourg, imp. de la Société typographique ; Paris, chez La Villette, libraire, s.d. [1790].
12mo, viii-258 pp., (1) errata leaf. Red morocco, gilt fillets and fine gilt dentelle decorating the covers, smooth spine decorated in gilt, green morocco title-piece, blue watered-silk endleaves, gilt edges. Contemporary binding.
177 x 106 mm.
First edition.
An officer and man of letters, A.-H. Cabet de Dampmartin (1755-1825) was librarian of the Dépôt de la guerre. Here he bears witness to the atmosphere of Parisian salons shortly before the beginning of the Revolution, describing with cynicism a society of privileged people in decline.
“Signed (page 239) A.-H. Dampmartin. Written in the form of letters, numbering 37 in total; this work constitutes an interesting picture of Parisian manners and habits at the end of 1789; here and there one encounters a few political judgments. On the title of the volume appears this epigraph: ‘Oh! Paris is a place of tumult and brilliance.’” (Reganrd).
Overview of the subjects discussed in the volume: Letter I. The author’s program; political customs – II. The man of society, civility, meals, fashions – III-IV. Customs. – V. The Marais district. – VI. The Faubourg St-Antoine, the Opéra, a visit. – VII. The Court. – VIII. Women, fashions. – IX. Visit to an important personage. – X. Visits, children’s education, the use of familiar address. – XI. Literary manners. – XII. Journey to Versailles, means of transport, the court. – XIII. Entertainments. – XIV. Gallantry. – XV. Politics. Various customs of high society. Anglomania. Parisian women. – XVI. Visits. – XVII. Entertainments. – XVIII. Literary manners. – XIX. Gallant customs. – XX. Gambling. – XXI. Women, marriage. – XXII. The Tuileries, the Luxembourg, the boulevards, various pleasures. – XXIII. Appearance of the streets, carriages. – XXIV. Minor theatres. – XXV. Fashions and adornments. – XXVI. The Palais-Royal. – XXVII. Théâtre de Monsieur. – XXVIII. Dining, wines. – XXIX. Etiquette. – XXX. Literature. – XXXI. Justice. – XXXII. Opéra Ball. – XXXIII. General considerations. Conversation. – XXXIV. Society women. – XXXV. Poverty. – XXXVI. The great, the clergy, the nobility, and the Third Estate. – XXXVII. Conclusion.
The author’s style, often naïve, is sometimes amusing. There is another edition from 1790.”
(Lacombe, Parisian Bibliography, 319).
“The scenes, anecdotes, and observations contained in this volume almost all combine the merit of truth with that of interest.” (Journal encyclopédique).
Fine copy preserved in a carefully executed contemporary decorated red morocco binding, from the author’s personal library with his bookplate.
Provenance: Broglie library / Dampmartin (bookplate).
This work was reissued in 2017 by Hachette Livre and the B.n.F.
