England and France: A Comparative View of the Social Condition of Both Countries

A very scarce complete two volume edition of Mary Berry's comparative study of the social condition of life in both England and France prior to the Revolution. A 'New Edition', complete in two volumes. In handsome morocco bindings.With a frontispiece to volume I.Her most famous work, Berry published the first volume in 1828 under the title 'A Comparative View of the Social Life of England and France from the Restoration of Charles the Second to the French Revolution', and a second volume in 1931, titled 'Social Life in England and France from the French Revolution in 1789 to that of July 1830'.Berry offers a comparison of English and French society throughout history, contrasting the aristocratic culture of France prior to the Revolution with the more restrained British society, particularly in relation to manners, governance, and the role of women.Berry is notable for her association with close friend Horace Walpole, whose literary collection she, her sister, and her father, inherited. In full morocco bindings, with gilt detailing to back strip, and blind tooling to board perimeters. Light rubbing to back strip heads and tails, and a touch of rubbing to front joint of volume II, otherwise externally excellent. Internally, firmly bound. Pages exceptionally clean and bright. Very Good Indeed. …