Folio. [8], 330pp. With an engraved portrait frontispiece. Without terminal leaf of publisher's advertisements. Extra-illustrated with 97 leaves comprised of engraved portraits of Catholic luminaries and scenes depicting papal ceremonies. Sumptuously bound in nineteenth-century richly gilt-tooled calf, A.E.G., gilt doublures, red silk endpapers. Lightly rubbed, lettering-piece chipped. Recent bookplate of Robert J. Hayhurst to verso of FFEP, frontispiece laid down, inked inscription to verso: James Northcote / to / William Hillman / 1836'.

A handsome copy of the first edition in English - profusely extra-illustrated and with illustrious provenance - of Italian Protestant historian Gregorio Leti's (1630-1701) vitriolic attack on Roman Catholic hierarchy and associated nepotism, first published in 1668.

From the library of pupil and biographer of Joshua Reynolds, artist James Northcote (1746-1831); latterly presented to William Hillman of Argyle Street, presumably according to Northcote's will, one of the 'fifty volumes of books, such as he may be pleased to select out of his library, after the death of his sister ' (Annual Biography and obituary, 1832, p.379). Other recipients of legacies included Sir William Knighton, William Godwin, and William Hazlitt.