MONTJOIE, Christophe Felix Louis Ventre de Latouloubre, called Galart de. ~ Histoire d’Inès de Léon. Paris: Le Normant, 1805.
6 vols, 12mo (165 × 90 mm), pp. [6], xx, [21]-312; [4], 322; [4], 376; [4], 330, complete with half-titles, plus engraved frontispiece to vol. 1. Contemporary half calf, spines ruled in gilt, tan lettering pieces and black circular numbering pieces, green edges. Spines faded, corners bumped. An attractive set.
First edition of the last of Galart de Montjoie’s several novels on a Spanish theme. A Royalist throughout the Revolution, the author spent several periods in hiding, but emerged as a prolific journalist and novelist after the fall of Robespierre, contributing to the Journal des débats, and Journal général de France. Histoire d’Inès de Léon navigates territory between the gothic novel and the novel of sensibility. Inès’ father is accused of murder, but the plot is more concerned with the psychological fallout of the social stigma attached to the family than with the crime itself. Margaret Rees, French Authors on Spain, 1800-1850 A Checklist (1977), As 37. Rare: OCLC lists copies at Bn, National Library of Sweden and Michigan State University only.