Voyage Descriptif et Philosophique de l’Ancien et du Nouveau Paris by Louis Prudhomme
P[RUDHOMME], L[ouis]. Voyage Descriptif et Philosophique de l’Ancien et du Nouveau Paris. Miroir fidèle qui indique aux étrangers et même aux Parisiens ce qu'ils doivent connaître et éviter dans cette Capitale. Paris: Chez l’Auteur, rue des Marais, F.S. Germain, 1815.
‘Contenant des faits historique et anecdotes curieuses sur les monuments et sur la variation des moeurs de ses habitans, dupuis vingt-cinq ans; La Physionomie des maisons de jeux et de joueurs; Le piéges que tendent les matrones, les prostituées, les filous et les voleurs, etc. Suivi de la description des environs de Paris; D’un Dictionnaire des rues, places, quais de cette capitale, etc.’ [Containing historical facts and curious anecdotes on the monuments and on the variation of the mœurs of its inhabitants, over the past twenty-five years; The Physiognomy of gambling houses and players; The traps set by matrons, prostitutes, tricksters and thieves, etc. Followed by the description of the surroundings of Paris; a Dictionary of the streets, squares, quays of this capital]
Nouvelle édition, corrigée et augmentée. New edition (second) corrected and enlarged. Complete in two volumes (bound in one), all plates present. Gregorian calendar for 1815 at front. Also bound in with 52-pp dictionary of the Parisian arrondissements (markets, arcades, squares, quays, streets, etc) dated 1814.
2 volumes in one: [xiv], xii, 251, [1]; 52; [iv], xii, 316. With 1 folding colour map of Paris, and 50 engraved plates. 12mo (5.3x8.2 cm), contemporary calf, slightly rubbed/worn, old gentle repair to top of front board; spine gilt ruled, gilt geometric design, red leather title pieces. Marbled endpapers. Scattered light foxing. One short marginal tear to the colour map.
An engaging and attractive pocket guide to the Paris of 1815 organized in four itineraries, two per volume. Filled with fascinating detail relating to museums and monuments, streets and squares, cafés, restaurants, theatres, and shopping arcades. Emphasis on the city’s transformation through the French Revolution and the reign of Napoleon I.
Louis-Marie Prudhomme (1752-1830), printer-bookseller, journalist and political writer. He was the author of numerous works relating to the French Revolution, and actively participated in the political events following 1789. In 1796 he was arrested for his support for the movement of the Gracchus Babeuf who conspired to overthrow the Directory.