ESPIARD DE LABORDE, François Ignace]. L'Esprit des nations. Published in La Haye by Beauregard, Gosse and Nicolas van Daalen in 1753. 2 volumes in 1 volume in-8, full tawny mottled calf, guilloche ribbed spine, double gilt framing and gilt fleurons to the entrenerfs, title in gold lettering on red morocco, gilt fillet to the edges, red edges. Contemporary binding. VIII, 4 ff.(table), 296 pp. ; 5 ff. 274 pp. typographical ornaments (title vignette, headbands, lettering and endpapers). Title printed in black and red. Minor rubbing, corners slightly worn. Very rare spotting. First edition under this title, the work having first been published in 1743 under the title "Essai sur le génie et le caractère des nations". In the vein of Montesquieu's Esprit des lois, the author investigates the origins of the diversity of morals among different peoples, and stresses in particular the influence of geography and climate on the character of nations. Quérard, la France littéraire, III, 35. Copy of Talleyrand with armorial bookplate of his château de Valençay and his motto Re que Diou on the flyleaf; heraldic bookplate of Gérard Souham on the first endpaper. A pleasant copy of fine provenance.