The British Mercury; or Historical and Critical Views of the Events of the Present Times. Volumes 2, 3, and 4 The 2nd Edition, Corrected

London: T. Cadell Jun. and W. Davies. Good with no dust jacket. 1799-1800. Second Edition. Hardcover. 517 pp, 512 [9] pp, 500 pp. This is a three volume set, volumes 2, 3 and 4, in good antiquarian condition. In what appears to be the original very attractive tree calf full leather bindings with 5 raised bands on the spine, floriated gilt compartments as well as red and black morocco labels. Moderate wear to the bindings, joints and corners, some rubbing, one red label has a chip and a crack. Interiors have the signature of a father, then later the signature of the son (the family were descendants of Joan of Beaufort and John of Gaunt). Some minor foxing, spotting and wear to the interiors, but in general sound and clean. The English edition is very scarce in commerce - we could find no record of any other copies for sale or at auction - and relatively scarce in holdings. Most libraries have only the digital resource, not the actual books (Worldcat's recordkeeping on this is abysmal). A highly sought after - and scarce! - English language edition of the periodical from renowned French journalist and the 'spokesman' for the refugees of the French Revolution, Jacques Mallet du Pan. Contains brilliant analyses on the rise of Bonaparte and the Republican wars. Mallet du Pan defends the principles of a constitutional monarchy for all of Europe, taking inspiration from the British model. Du Pan (1749-10 May 1800) was a French journalist, who took up the Royalist cause during the French Revolution. He was sent on a mission (1791-1792) by Louis XVI to Frankfort to try and secure the sympathy and intervention of the German princes. From Germany he travelled to Switzerland and from Switzerland to Brussels in the Royalist interest. He published a number of anti-revolutionary pamphlets, and a violent attack on Bonaparte and the Directory resulted in his being exiled in 1797 to Berne. In 1798 he came to London, where he founded the Mercure britannique. He died at Richmond, Surrey, on the 10th of May 1800, The Mercury was initially published in French, but the English edition followed shortly. It was published with the support of subscribers and the books contain an advertisement advising subscribers that their dues for additional volumes should be sent in if they want to continue receiving the numbers. Du Pan also warns that the book is being published on the Continent but any such edition is pirated and not to be trusted, only the London editions should be purchased. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall .