BOESNIER DE L'ORME (Paul). De l'esprit du gouvernement écono - Lot 81

BOESNIER DE L'ORME (Paul). De l'esprit du gouvernement économique. Paris, Delalain, 1775. In-8, marbled basane, ornate smooth spine, red title page, red edges (Period binding). INED, n°549. Very rare first edition of the main work by the author, one of Malthus' precursor physiocrats. The economist Boesnier de L'Orme (1724-1793), who was maître particulier des Eaux et Forêts de la généralité d'Orléans, gives a faithful summary of the doctrine of Quesnay's school: property rights, agriculture as the source of all wealth, freedom of trade, etc. His book includes a conception of the economy as a whole, as well as of the economy as a whole. In his book, we find a conception of the economic optimum, perhaps best expressed here than anywhere else: A people more or less numerous than its position allows, would not be as happy as it should be either. [...] A people too numerous would be exposed to a shortage of subsistence; a people too few in number would lack the means that constitute strength and wealth. The happiness of the people therefore presupposes the middle ground between these two extremes; & it alone determines the only view worthy of an enlightened Government (p. 54) (cf. Alfred Sauvy, "Deux techniciens précurseurs de Malthus : Boesnier de L'Orme et Auxiron" in Population, 1955, n°4, pp. 691-704). Handwritten bookplate on title: ex-libris De Milly, accompanied by a glued butterfly bearing a woodcut coat of arms (18th century, blazon azure à trois fleurs de lis et au bâton péri en barre). Some brown spots. Binding badly restored. 9785/266