The eight volumes of letters writ by a Turkish spy,

An eight-volume collection of fictional letters claiming to have been written by an Ottoman spy named 'Mahmut' in the court of the French king Louis XIV. Mahmut sends reports from Paris to Constantinople on politics and current events in France, but corresponds privately on other subjects including religion, and adds stories and anecdotes for diversion. His observations range from those on political figures such as Richelieu and Mazarin to speculations on the status of women, advice about state policy, and major interventions in controversies about religious doctrine and their consequences.

Vol. 1 is a translation of L'Esploratore turco by Giovanni Paolo Marana (1642-1693) originally published in Paris in 1684. Subsequent volumes have been variously attributed, but were probably edited by Robert Midgley from William Bradshaw's translation of the original Italian manuscript.

8 volumes, 12mo, engraved frontispiece, contemporary sprinkled calf gilt, red morocco lettering pieces, a little rubbed, one label defective, a very good set.