Destouches

1736 · 36977 — à Paris: Chez Prault père 1736. Fine. Chez Prault père à Paris 1736 9.50 x 17 cm relié Publisher's composite collection the title pages of the various pieces spanning from 1734 to 1742; the fourth volume being dated 1745. It should be noted that the first piece of the first volume comes after the general title page without a particular title page with no apparent lack in the collation; the same applies to volume II the first piece being preceded only by a half-title while all other pieces have a particular title page this without any lack in the pagination and collation. The publisher added in each volume a leaf listing the titles of the various pieces contained in each volume. These particularities are inherent to the process employed by the publisher to form this collection of 16 pieces. Contemporary marbled full calf binding. Smooth decorated spine. Title-label and volume label in red morocco. Triple fillet frame on covers. Headcap of volume I worn. Restoration at foot of volume II. Small lacks to upper joints of volumes I II and IV. Scuffing on covers. Some corners slightly bumped. Paper more fragile on the first leaves of volume IV. Destouches' plays had undeniable success in their time some were immediately adopted by the Académie française. Destouches forms a figure of early eighteenth-century theater. Here is what Voltaire writes of him in ""Le siècle de Louis XIV"": ""One does not find in his plays the strength and gaiety of Regnard still less those depictions of the human heart that naturalness that true wit that excellent comedy which makes the merit of the inimitable Molière; but he has not failed to make a reputation after them. He has some plays that have been successful although the comedy in them is somewhat forced. He has at least avoided the genre of comedy that is merely languid of that kind of bourgeois tragedy which is neither tragic nor comic a monster born of the impotence of authors and the satiety of the public after the golden days of the century of Louis XIV. His comedy Le Glorieux is his best work and will probably remain in the theater although the character of Le Glorieux is it is said flawed; but the other characters appear to be treated superbly."" The fourth volume published in 1745 contains the entrance speech to the Académie française and Fontenelle's response. Chez Prault père unknown