4th edition, 160 pages. With 15 copperplate plates in two states. Hand-painted original parchment with a large, inlaid colored medallion on the cover, gilt edges. One of 100 numbered copies on Whatman paper. With 15 full-page copperplates after Eisen and Le Barbier in two states, each in bistre and black. Le Temple de Gnide is a poem from seven prose poems, published anonymously by Montesquieu in 1725. "The purpose of the poem," states the preface, "is to show that we are happy through the feelings of the heart and not through the pleasures of the senses." Bound in an exceptionally richly painted parchment. Large, inlaid colored medallion on the cover, executed in fine miniature painting. The poet in half profile on a gold medal, surrounded by Justitia and heavenly hosts. Large, floral, partially gold-highlighted cover border. The back is decorated with rich arabesques and cornucopias, with nesting doves of peace in the center. The delicate, highly sensitive gold and color application is almost completely preserved, except for minimal flaking. An exceptional copy in an excellent binding with enclosed original brochures.