Letters written by the late right honourable Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield, to his son Philip Stanhope, Esq

CHESTERFIELD, Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of

Edité par London: Printed for J. Nichols; W.J. and J. Richardson? , 1800

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"Insightful and sophisticated advice on how a gentleman should navigate the social conventions of etiquette and good manners" CHESTERFIELD, Lord. Letters written by the late right honourable Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield, to his son Philip Stanhope, Esq. Late envoy extraordinary at the Court of Dresden. Together with several other pieces on various subjects. Published from the originals by Mrs. Eugenia Stanhope. In four volumes. London: Printed for J. Nichols; W.J. and J. Richardson. 1800. The Eleventh Edition. Four octavo volumes (8 3/8 x 5 inches; 213 x 127 mm.). Engraved portrait frontispiece in volume one. Full contemporary tree calf, smooth spines with red and green morocco labels lettered in gilt, gilt decorated board edges sprinkled yellow. Armorial bookplate "Sub Libertate Quietem' (Under Liberty) on front paste-downs. Neat, early ink signature of "Geo. Parker" on top of title-pages. Corners a little rubbed, otherwise a fine set. Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694-1773), was a British statesman, diplomat, man of letters, and a celebrated wit of his era. Eugenia Stanhope, the destitute widow of Chesterfield's illegitimate son, Philip Stanhope, was the first to publish Letters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman (1774). This collection consists of over 400 letters written over three decades, beginning in 1737 and continuing until his son's death in 1768. Chesterfield's letters, primarily instructive in nature, covered subjects such as geography, history, and classical literature, with later correspondence shifting towards politics and diplomacy. Written in French, English, and Latin, they aimed to refine his son's command of these languages. As a guide to worldly success in the 18th century, Letters to His Son offers insightful and sophisticated advice on how a gentleman should navigate the social conventions of etiquette and good manners. Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694-1773) was a British statesman, diplomat, man of letters, and an acclaimed wit of his time. In politics, he is best known for the time he was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. As a writer, he is best known for his Letters to his Son. Those letters were not really written to be read by the general public. His widow Eugenia Stanhope first published them in 1774. Letters to his Godson was published in 1890. Both sets of letters are written with great style and knowledge. Eugenia Stanhope, the impoverished widow of Chesterfield's illegitimate son, Philip Stanhope, was the first to publish the book Letters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman (1774), which comprises a thirty-year correspondence in more than 400 letters. Begun in 1737 and continued until the death of his son in 1768, Chesterfield wrote mostly instructive communications about geography, history, and classical literature, with later letters focusing on politics and diplomacy. The letters were written in French, English and Latin to refine his son's grasp of the languages. As a handbook for worldly success in the 18th century, the Letters to His Son give perceptive and nuanced advice for how a gentleman should interpret the social codes of etiquette and good manners.

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Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: Letters written by the late right honourable Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield, to his son Philip Stanhope, Esq
• Éditeur: London: Printed for J. Nichols; W.J. and J. Richardson? , 1800
• Catalogues du vendeur:
  • English Literature
  • Sets (Bound)