A Journey to Paris in the Year 1698.

Not in the British Library. The first edition of the zoologist and physician Dr. Martin Lister's (d.1712) A Journey to Paris, an account of the author's trip to the city in 1698 in the company of the diplomat William Bentinck, the Earl of Portland.

The book was lampooned at the time by the poet William King (1663-1712) for its supposed triviality. Despite this it performed well, and ran to three editions within a year. It offers an interesting firsthand account of Parisian scientific society at the turn of the century as seen through the eyes of a naturalist who would 'much rather have walked a 100 paces under the meanest Hedge in Languedoc, than any the finest Alley at Versailles or St. Clou' (p.3). Illustrated with six engraved plates on natural historical themes.

Not in the British Library. ESTC records just four copies in institutional collections, two in the British Isles (Cambridge University Library and the Royal Society) and two in North America (Countway Library of Medicine and Smith College).

First edition; 8vo (18.5 x 13 cm); 6 engraved plates (including 2 folding), errata to A4 verso; 20th-century French red crushed morocco in Jansenist style, raised bands, lettered in gilt with small monogram to foot of spine, broad gilt inner dentelles, all edges gilt, minor wear to extremities, very good or better; [6], 245, [1]pp.

ESTC R179886; Wing L2524A.