257-METRA (François). Correspondance secrète, politique et littéraire, ou mémoires pour servir à l'histoire des Cours, des Sociétés et de la Littérature en France, depuis la mort de Louis XV. London, John Adamson, 1787-1790, 18 vol. in-12, blue half-maroquin, smooth spine, gilt fillets, arms at foot, marbled edges (late 19th century binding). A remarkable chronicle of the late 18th century, containing literary articles, political observations and a few scandalous anecdotes. It was mainly written by Metra, banker and literary correspondent to the King of Prussia, assisted by Guillaume Imbert, who was considered such an ardent polemicist that he was imprisoned three times. It is a key work in the history of this period, comparable to Bachaumont's Mémoires secrets, but much rarer than the latter. A fine copy bearing the arms of the Marquis Des Roys, with his bookplate.