[Quentin Durward by Sir Walter Scott]@TWC D-Link bookQuentin Durward CHAPTER I: THE CONTRAST 5/10
The second property, with which the first is sometimes found strangely united, was a disposition to low pleasures and obscure debauchery.
The wisest, or at least the most crafty sovereign of his time, he was fond of low life, and, being himself a man of wit, enjoyed the jests and repartees of social conversation more than could have been expected from other points of his character.
He even mingled in the comic adventures of obscure intrigue, with a freedom little consistent with the habitual and guarded jealousy of his character, and he was so fond of this species of humble gallantry, that he caused a number of its gay and licentious anecdotes to be enrolled in a collection well known to book collectors, in whose eyes (and the work is unfit for any other) the right edition is very precious. [This editio princeps, which, when in good preservation, is much sought after by connoisseurs, is entitled Les Cent Nouvelles Nouvelles, contenant Cent Histoires Nouveaux, qui sont moult plaisans a raconter en toutes bonnes compagnies par maniere de joyeuxete.
Paris, Antoine Verard.
Sans date d'annee d'impression; en folio gotique.
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