Burn Bad Books
[BRAUS, Giovanni Antonio.]
De lectione pravorum librorum. Oratio habita Regii Lepidi in studiorum instauratione ineunte anno MDCCCXXI ab rhetorices praeceptore Societatis Jesu. Reggio Emilia, ex typis Davolii, 1821.
8vo, pp. 77, [3]; Latin and Italian on facing pages; a few leaves slightly loose; a good copy in contemporary drab wrappers; very worn, spine wanting, areas of loss and marks to covers; old shelfmark label at foot of spine.
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De lectione pravorum librorum. Oratio habita Regii Lepidi in studiorum instauratione ineunte anno MDCCCXXI ab rhetorices praeceptore Societatis Jesu.
Rare first edition of this Latin lecture on depraved books, with a facing Italian translation, delivered by the Jesuit Giovanni Antonio Braus (1772–1823), professor of rhetoric and Greek at Reggio Emilia, at the opening of the academic year 1821.
Addressing publishers, teachers, and the youth of the town, Braus warns his audience of the dangers of amorous literature, facetious comedies, fantastic novels, and lascivious poetry. Thoroughly warmed up by p. 72, he cries ‘Obscenas, oro, impiasque chartas abjicite, lacerate, comburite’ (I beg you, throw away, tear up, and burn obscene and impious writings).
The Italian translation was prepared by Braus’s fellow Jesuit Giovanni Marchi.
Melzi II, p. 72; Sommervogel II, col. 95. Only one copy traced in the UK (BL) and one in the US (Georgetown).