JANIN Jules. Barnave. Paris, Alexandre Mesnier et Levavasseur, 1831; 4 vol. in-12 of [2]-xlviii-244 pp; 4-285-[3] pp; [4]-240 pp; [4]-268 pp, contemporary bindings in blond half calf, smooth spines decorated with gilt and cold fillets, blond morocco title-papers, speckled edges. First edition. This historical novel is an indictment of Antoine Barnave, a supporter of the constitutional monarchy who tried to win over Queen Marie-Antoinette to the new ideas and ended up on the scaffold in 1793. "M. Jules Janin placed himself, through the publication of Barnave, in the ranks of our leading writers... His Barnave was the talk of the town, the book and its author were praised to the skies; no one had praise enough to praise the courage, energy and masculine vigour displayed by the young writer in the preface" (E. de Grenville, Histoire du Journal La Mode). Carteret, I, 450.