Large 4to [313 x 230 mm] of (2) ll., one portrait, V to XII, 153 pp., 11 plates out of pagination. Beautifully bound in straight-grained red morocco, with Greek Key design in gilt to borders on boards, title in gilt to spine, spine also ribbed and attractively decorated, delightful inner gilt dentelles with blue silk end leaves, all edges gilt. Half-title and frontispiece. Contemporary binding attributable to Boz. A lovely example of this work in good condition. The bookplate of "Emmanuel Martin" on verso of front free endpaper. First published by Montesquieu (1689-1755) in 1725, The Temple de Gnide is a prose poem in seven songs. Initially, Montesquieu would only publish the work under the strict condition of anonymity due to the work's voluptuous, if not downright licentious character! Plates after Regnault, etched by Bertaux. Plates are not captioned. Coloured plates in order: Le Temple de Gnide. 1. Frontispiece. 2. Illustration to Premier Chant. 3. Illustration to Second Chant. 4. Illustration to Troisieme Chant. 5. Illustration to Quatrieme Chant. 6. Illustration to Cinquieme Chant. 7. Illustration to Sixieme Chant. 8. Illustration to Septieme Chant. Cephise et L'Amour. 9. Illustration 1. 10. Illustration 2. Arsace et Ismenie, Histoire Orientale. 11. Illustration 1. 12. Illustration 2.