The Constitution of England,

A very handsome copy in contemporary tree-calf of Jean-Louis de Lolme's (1741-1806) study of the English constitution.

Lolme was born in Geneva on 28th October 1741 and educated in law, qualifying as a notary and advocate in the 1760s. He became a prominent member of the sovereigntist movement, which advocated for Genevan constitutional reform and greater independence from France, for which he was expelled from the city, later taking up residence in England.

'De Lolme now began a lifetime's study of the British government. His interest in this subject was stimulated, he later claimed, by the peculiarity of the system and by his earlier political experiences, which had given him "insight into the first real principles of governments". His views were heavily influenced by Montesquieu, whose writing he had encountered in Geneva. In 1769 he began work on a major study of the British constitution that aimed to show the benefits of a balanced constitution, and claimed to have identified in British government the practical means by which freedom could be reconciled with political stability. He praised the jury system in particular, and admired the way in which monarchical authority had been effectively and beneficially limited by the settlement of 1688' (ODNB).

From the library of Colonel Henri Tronchin (1794-1865), whose family came to occupy Voltaire's Geneva home, Les Délices, following the philosopher's move to Ferney in 1760.

Fourth edition; 8vo (21.5 x 13.5 cm); engraved portrait frontispiece, armorial bookplate and old library label to front pastedown, offsetting to title, textblock slightly toned with some light spotting; contemporary tree-calf, gilt spine in 6 compartments, contrasting red morocco lettering-piece to second, head cap chipped with slight loss, joints slightly split at head of spine, very good; [8], xvi, 540, [20]pp.