Lettre sur la possibilité de faire de la grammaire, un art-science, aussi certain dans ses principes, et aussi rigoureux dans des demonstrations, que les arts-sciences physico-mathematiques … et soumise au jugement de MM. les grammairiens et de MM. les mathematiciens…
Paris: l’editeur, Nion [et al], imprimérie de Cordier, 1806. First and only edition of a rare book. RLIN lists only a microfilm copy; the 2 copies in OCLC are both in France; not in NUC. A fine copy. Contemporary French calf. Spine elaborately gilt, with green morocco label. Octavo. [4], xii, 418, [2] pp. Large folding table of verbs. Item #11826
An attempt find a scientific basis for the rules of grammar, in a period influenced by the writings of Locke and Condillac, and by Diderot’s Encyclopédie. This plan of a grammar is explained with reference to the Porte-Royale grammars, and the works of Beauzée(1717-1789), contributor of the articles on grammar to the Encyclopédie and author of several books, whom Lemercier sees as the most important of all grammarians. Lemercier, who apparently wrote no other works, ran a private boarding school in Paris, and the final ad includes the fees for boarding, and a list of items prospective students should bring with them.
Price: $2,500.00