[Abbé Théophile DUVERNET]. Les Devotions de madame de Betzha - Lot 40

[Abbé Théophile DUVERNET]. Les Devotions de madame de Betzhamooth, et les Pieuses Facéties de monsieur de Saint-Ognon. S.l., 1789. In-8, plum-colored half-maroquin with long-grain corners, ribbed spine decorated with double gilt caissons and fillets, gilt date at foot, untrimmed (Purgold binding). vi, 131 pp. engraved frontispiece. First edition. This lively book is a condemnation of debauched bigots. It is attributed to Abbé Duvernet (1730-1796), who states "I was in the Bastille, when I wrote these truths & this nonsense, & I laughed while writing them." "This novel, very finely written and one of the best of its kind, is directed against the cagots covering themselves with the cloak of religion to give free rein to their occult debaucheries." Pia, 330-331. Hardback [Abbé Théophile DUVERNET]. La Retraite, les tentations et les confessions de madame la marquise de Montcornillon. Histoire morale Posthumous work by the late M. de S. leu, Colonel in the Polish service. S.l., 1790. xvi, 87 pp. with frontispiece engraving. First edition. Another lively text by Duvernet, revealed in the foreword: "de l'Ab. J. du V.". A piquant "critique directed against the rigidity of the Jansenists". Slight rubbing to spines, covers and corners. Gay I, 886; Pia, 1264. A good collection of two piquant works by Duvernet in first editions.