ARNAUD (François) - SUARD (Jean-Baptiste-Antoine). Variétés littéraires, ou Recueil de Pieces tant originales que traduites, concernant la Philosophie, la Littérature & les Arts. Paris : Lacombe, 1769. - In-12, marbled calf, smooth spine decorated with gilt cats, red edges (period binding). "Fourth and last volume alone of this collection of articles taken from the "Journal étranger" and the "Gazette littéraire de l'Europe", retouched and with a few new pieces attached. This publication, published in 1768 and 1769, provided a panorama of European literature. EXEMPLAIRE DE LA MARQUISE MARIE DU DEFFAND (1697-1780), bearing her emblem on the spine depicting a seated cat. Marie du Deffand, born Marie de Vichy-Champrond, was a woman of letters. She married the Marquis Du Deffand, Lieutenant General of Orléans, on leaving the convent. After her husband's death, she moved into the apartment formerly occupied by Mme de Montespan, where she entertained great lords, witty and cultured, as well as men of letters and science, such as the Duc and Duchesse de Choiseul, the Boufflers, the Duchesse de La Vallière, Turgot, Loménie de Brienne, as well as Fontenelle, Voltaire, Marmontel, Marivaux, Diderot, D'Alembert, Horace Walpole and others. The large number of letters she addressed to many of these personalities form a unique record of the history of society in the 18th century. In addition to Marie du Deffand's emblems, this copy includes the printed label of the Marquise's bequest to the Prince de Beauvau (1720-1793). Restorations to the binding, but cracks to the hinges. Provenance: Marie du Deffand, with her emblem repeated on the spine. - Charles-Juste de Prince de Beauvau-Craon, with label from Marie du Deffand's bequest."