[MANUSCRIT]. Memoire concernant la navigation des galeres, et les fonctions de chaque officier. S.l.n.d. [circa 1700]. Small folio of [2]-83-[4] pp. in red morocco, double framed with gilt fillets with fleurs-de-lis at the corners, spine decorated with gilt fleurs-de-lis, decorated edges, gilt edges (period binding). A very interesting manuscript, apparently unpublished, on the navigation of galleys. The work consists of 41 chapters, the first of which deal with the usefulness of galleys in the Mediterranean and their piloting (when to make a canal, whether to costoy, races, anchoring, departures, sea warfare). Then 29 chapters describe the role of each crew member (chiourme, soldiers, seamen, major officers, pilot, committee, argousin, helmsman, barrilat, remolat, calfat, axe-master, writer, gunners, surgeon, chaplain, reaux officers, etc.). The penultimate chapter, by far the longest, deals with naval combat and the strategic role of galleys (pp. 46-77), and the final chapter with their usefulness in peacetime (pp. 77-83). The 1691 siege of Nice is mentioned in the text. An exceptional manuscript in remarkable condition. Two attractive 18th century wash drawings of galleys (14 x 9 cm each) have been added to the frontispiece. From the libraries of Édouard de Laplane (1774-1870), historian and mayor of Sisteron (of which he published a History in 1843), with bookplate; and A. C. Lascarides, with Ham Common bookplate.