8vo. [16], 309pp, [10]. With five preliminary contents leaves (Aa-5) bound at end. Contemporary panelled sheep. Rubbed, with some surface loss, short split to upper joint at head of spine. Early ink inscription 'Glynn' to FEP, some browning/marginal staining to text.

The second published work of Tamworth Reresby (b.1670), the second son of Sir John Reresby, English politician, traveller and diarist, A collection of letters includes English translations, with the French original in parallel, of correspondence by 'Some French Authors, who excell'd most in this Manner of writing', including Vincent Voiture (1597-1648) and Fontenelle (1657-1757). The younger Reresby had previously published New dialogues of the gods; or, reflections upon the passions: with a discourse upon the nature of dialogue (London, 1713), also 'Translated from the French'; both of which explore the nature of writing (in the case of this work, letters, in the earlier, dialogue). He is better known for his third: A miscellany of ingenious thoughts and reflections, in verse and prose; with some useful remarks (London, 1721).

Rare, with ESTC locating only five copies in the UK (BL, Cambridge x 2, NLS and Oxford), and just three elsewhere (Chicago, Rice and UCLA).