Panegyrique du Sieur Jacques Mathieu Reinhart, Maitre Cordonnier, Prononce le 13e Mois de l'an 2899. Dans la Ville de l'Imagination, Avec Permission de Mgr. l'Archeveque de Bonsens.

44 pp. 12mo. A^12, B^10. Navy blue leather, gilt titles, gilt dentelles on turn-ins, marbled endpapers, ribbon marker bound in. French text. This work by Frederick II, the King of Prussia (also known as Frederick the Great), presents his political philosophy, including thoughts on morality, social structure, and individuals/citizens and their role in the health of nations. It is perhaps most important for the response it elicited from Voltaire, who wrote a satirical letter in response, in which he ironically praised the ruler for his ability to simultaneously applaud the humble virtues of the everyman (represented here as a cobbler) while sending many such men to their deaths in military campaigns (specifically the Seven Years War). While Voltaire mocked this particular effort, the two corresponded regularly, and Voltaire even called Frederick a 'philosopher king.' Frederick published other political works as well, including a rebuttal to Machiavelli's The Prince.