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First edition of Lettres, together with the presumed first edition of Théorie. These controversial tracts oppose political reform in the run-up to the Revolution. Simon Nicolas Henri Linguet (1736-1794) argues that free workers are worse off than enslaved people in a market economy and that despotism is a more effective protector of the poor than liberalism - arguments which would lead to his execution under the Reign of Terror in 1794. This collection comprises the Théorie des loix civiles, arguably Linguet's major political work, and his Lettres sur la théorie, a response to criticisms of Théorie. These works outline a stinging attack on Montesquieu's theories on laws and the state and challenge physiocratic arguments, including their objection to grain regulation. Linguet, a habitual controversialist, was among the most renowned lawyers in France during the 1760s and 1770s, until his attacks on other lawyers led to his expulsion from the bar in 1775. Initially a friend of the philosophes, he gradually came to reject much of their philosophy - in the Lettres, he rejects the argument that English liberties provide a model for France, a popular claim among philosophes. Linguet's critique of Enlightenment liberalism in these works has been identified as an influence on Karl Marx. Two distinct editions of Théorie have been identified with a London/1767 imprint. This edition runs to 507 and 532 pages and includes three pages of errata following First edition of Lettres, together with the presumed first edition of Théorie. These controversial tracts oppose political reform in the run-up to the Revolution. Simon Nicolas Henri Linguet (1736-1794) argues that free workers are worse off than enslaved people in a market economy and that despotism is a more effective protector of the poor than liberalism - arguments which would lead to his execution under the Reign of Terror in 1794. This collection comprises the Théorie des loix civiles, arguably Linguet's major political work, and his Lettres sur la théorie, a response to criticisms of Théorie. These works outline a stinging attack on Montesquieu's theories on laws and the state and challenge physiocratic arguments, including their objection to grain regulation. Linguet, a habitual controversialist, was among the most renowned lawyers in France during the 1760s and 1770s, until his attacks on other lawyers led to his expulsion from the bar in 1775. Initially a friend of the philosophes, he gradually came to reject much of their philosophy - in the Lettres, he rejects the argument that English liberties provide a model for France, a popular claim among philosophes. Linguet's critique of Enlightenment liberalism in these works has been identified as an influence on Karl Marx. Two distinct editions of Théorie have been identified with a London/1767 imprint. This edition runs to 507 and 532 pages and includes three pages of errata following the "Discours Préliminaire". Many of these errata have been corrected in the other edition, which runs to 496 and 528 pages. READ MORE Three vols, duodecimo (165 x 98 mm). Contemporary mottled calf, spines with panelling and floral decoration in gilt, raised bands and red, brown, and yellow morocco labels, covers ruled in blind (Lettres), marbled endpapers, edges red, red and blue silk bookmarkers. Woodcut ornament to title pages, head- and tailpieces. Contemporary engraved bookplate of "C. T. Noel du Payrat" to front pastedown of Lettres. Light bumping and rubbing, a couple of spots of foxing to endpapers and content margins: a very good collection. Einaudi 3420, 3415; Goldsmiths' 10377; INED 2919; Kress 6459.