Le grand porte-feuille politque

Beaufort, Louis de (d. 1795). Le grand port-feuille politique: A l'usage des princes et des ministres . . . Large folio. [4], xv, [3]pp., plus 19 double-page folding tables. Paris: chez l'auteur; Maradan, 1789. 605 x 445 mm. (uncut). Original plain wrappers, worn, portion torn from front cover. Light soiling, edges a bit frayed, but very good uncut copy. Half-title signed "Beaufort," possibly by the author.

First Edition of Beaufort's 19 tables summarizing the political and economic conditions in Europe and the United States just prior to the French Revolution. "Chacun des ces tableaux renferme sur une seule surface divisée en 22 colonnes, la population, la Constitution militaire de terre et de mer, ses revenus, sa dépense générale, sa dette publique, sa forme et son organisation, sa constitution legislative, l'administration de la justice, les religions, sectes et leur principaux dogmes ; le caractère national, la hiérarchie ecclésiastique, les sciences et les arts, l'agriculture et les productions du sol, le commerce, la navigation, les monnaies, et enfin les observations sur ses interets particuliers et sur ses relations avec les autres puissances" [Each of these tables contains 22 columns with information on a country's population; armed forces on land and sea; revenues; expenses; public debt; form and organization; legislative constitution; administration of justice; religions, sects and principal dogmas; national character; ecclesiastical hierarchy; sciences and arts; agriculture; commerce; navigation; monetary system; and finally observations on its particular interests and its relations with other powers]. The 19th table is on the United States. Beaufort was France's Secrétaire de Légation; he was also a historian. INED 330. 7836