De la manière d'enseigner et d'étudier les Belles Lettres
“First treatise on the education of belles-lettres in French”, first treatise of its kind in French.
Sumptuous copy printed on fine paper bound in contemporary morocco with the arms of Madame Adélaïde, who gave it to the governor of the Children of France, the Marquis de Sinety (1712-1773).
4 volumes in-12, red morocco, triple gilt fillet frame on covers, coat of arms in the center, ribbed spine finely decorated, fleur-de-lys rolls at head and tail of spines and on the volume labels, gilt fillet on board edges, inner roll, gilt edges over marbling. Contemporary binding.
170 x 95 mm.
Rollin (1661-1741). On the Method of Teaching and Studying the Humanities. Regarding the mind and the heart by Mr. Rollin, former Rector of the University of Paris, Professor of Eloquence at the Royal College.
Paris, chez les Frères Estienne 1755, 1748.
The famous 18th-century literary education treatise bound for Madame Adélaïde(1732-1800)and presented by her to the governor of the children of France, the Marquis de Sinety (1712-1773).
Madame Adélaïde is the only one who earned a place among true bibliophiles.
Of a very quick mind, she had an insatiable desire to learn, knew English, Italian, higher mathematics, and played every musical instrument from the horn to the jaw harp. She had only one concern, to keep herself safe, and was among the first to leave France.
“In this famous work, Rollin wishes to provide young teachers with useful precepts inspired by his long experience at the University of Paris. A preliminary discourse deals with the aims of teaching: intellectual training, moral formation, Christian education, in which all teachers must participate; finally, the development of judgment and of literary and artistic taste.
The history is limited to antiquity and serves educational purposes; philosophy, in which he includes the sciences, is seen as an element of moral education.
This work remains within tradition, yet Rollin is in favor of a certain renewal in educational methods. He gives more importance to studying the native language than to dead languages, to readings and examples over themes and rhetorical exercises.”
“This treatise is the first of its kind in French. The last part is the most interesting; it is made up of personal memories and experiences; there, he analyzes the psychology of the child, and shows how, with knowledge and gentleness, bonds of sympathy are established between teacher and student, which is the surest way to make study profitable.”
Superb copy on fine paper bearing the arms of Madame Adélaïde.
