PERRAULT, Charles (1628--1703)
Paralelle des anciens et des modernes, en ce qui regarde les arts et les sciences. Nouvelle edition augmentée de quelques dialogues. Par M. Perrault, de l'Académie Françoise. ...
A Amsterdam chez George Gallet, 1693.
2 vols ; 15.4 cm. (12°)
I: [46], 418 p., add. engr. t.-pl.
II: [12], 228 p.

First published in Paris in 1688--96. Volume I includes a catalogue of books following the author's preface. The Parallèle can be said to have triggered the important literary and philosophical debate, the 'Querelle des Anciens et des Modernes'. In opposition to the irrational blind worship of the ancients demanded by the Académie Française and the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture, Perrault maintained that the moderns had made great advances on the ancients in both the arts and the sciences.

Copy Notes Volumes I and II inscribed in ink on front free-endpapers John Soane. With the armorial bookplate of 'The Rev. [illegible] St. Clair' obscured by Soane's bookplate on the front pastedown of vol. II.

Binding C18th sprinkled sheep with C19th rebacking in calf, gilt double-rule spine, red spine-label.

Reference Number 5934