Bonaparte and the French People under his Consulate.
[SCHLABRENDORF, (Gustav, Graf von)]
Translated from the German. Prelims. foxed, light browning, otherwise very good in contemporary half black morocco on drab boards, raised bands, alternate cross patté and dog rose devices gilt in compartments, a little rubbed, a.e.g [viii], 380pp. Printed 1804
Only four copies of this edition on COPAC.
The "Advertisement" makes claims that this work "... had appeared in Germany a short time since; its sale was uncommonly rapid; but no sooner did it reach the First Consul, than he exerted his influence with the continental Powers, and every where succeeded in obtaining its suppression."
Schlabrendorf lived most of his life in France and was a great, if critical, admirer of the Revolution, being acquainted with many of the principal figures. His suspicion of some of the more extreme manifestations of the revolutionary spirit brought him close to execution during the Terror. In his view Napoleon is a "degenerated child of the revolution" whose tyranny most resembled those of Ancient Rome, a standpoint unlikely to find favour with the emperor.
This copy sold as Lot 1047 in Part 1 of the Beckford Sale, one page of Beckford's neat pencil annotations to a free endpaper.
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