Two Letters Addressed to a Member of the Present Parliament, on the Proposals for Peace with the Regicide Directory of France

Edmund Burke

Published by London: Printed for F. and C. Rivington, St. Paul’s Church-Yard, 1796, London, 1796

About this Item

Octavo. Early full calf binding, worn but sound, with remnants of original gilt tooling to spine. Boards heavily rubbed and marked, with loss to spine ends and corners. Joints tender but holding. Internally complete.

Title page present with early ownership inscription (?Louisa Arckfield? [as appears], dated 1840). Light to moderate foxing throughout, heavier in places, but text remains legible and structurally sound. A well-used but honest copy retaining its original character.

Story:
This is one of Edmund Burke?s most forceful and politically charged works, written at a critical moment during the French Revolutionary Wars. In these letters, Burke argues vehemently against peace negotiations with Revolutionary France, condemning what he terms the ?Regicide Directory? and warning of the ideological and moral dangers posed by the Revolution.

The work forms part of Burke?s later political writings, expanding on themes first developed in his landmark Reflections on the Revolution in France. It stands as a powerful articulation of conservative political philosophy and resistance to radical change.

Why This Matters:
Burke?s writings shaped the intellectual foundation of modern conservatism. This 1796 publication captures his thinking at its most urgent and polemical, written as Britain debated how to respond to revolutionary France. Original editions of these political tracts are increasingly scarce in commerce, particularly in unsophisticated early bindings.

Despite condition issues, this remains a desirable and authentic 18th-century imprint with strong historical relevance.

Condition:
Good only. Worn contemporary calf, spine damaged, boards rubbed. Internally complete with foxing throughout. Ownership inscription to title. Structurally sound.

Seller Inventory # ABE-1775940476868

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Two Letters Addressed to a Member of the Present Parliament, on the Proposals for Peace with the Regicide Directory of France
• Publisher: London: Printed for F. and C. Rivington, St. Paul?s Church-Yard, 1796, London
• Publication Date: 1796
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Good