Le Breton on R.-Fr. Damiens

(LE BRETON, A. A.). Pieces originales et procedures du proces, fait à Robert-Francois Damiens, tant en la Prévôte de l'Hôtel qu'en la Cour de Parlement. Paris (chez Pierre-Guillaume Simon) 1757.4:o (about 248x187 mm.). (2), iii-xlii, 1-610 pp. Title printed in red and black.Contemporary brown mottled full calf, worn, faded gilt spine in six compartments, redspeckled edges. Some foxing or spotting. Robert-Francois Damiens (1714-1757), French soldier, attaempted to assassinate Louis XV, allegedly at the behest of the Jesuits. On January 4, 1757, he went to Versailles, nest day followed the King about everywher, and about 6 p.m., as the king was entering his carriage, stabbed him. He was seized, and nearly three months later slowly tortured to death, being finally torn to pieces by four horses.