Mémoires Sur La Vie De M. De Laval, Premier Évêque De Québec

Cologne: Jean Frédéric Motiens, 1761., 1761. l2mo. pp. vii, 2l5. A fine copy, bound in two volumes with three other memoirs by La Tour. 18th century tree calf, gilt backs. First Edition of this elusive book, the earliest biography of François Xavier de Laval de Montigny [1623-1708], first bishop of Quebec (1674-88) and one of the most powerful and influential figures in seventeenth century New France. Ordained in 1647, Laval was in 1658 consecrated bishop of Petraea in partibus and appointed by the Pope apostolic vicar in New France. The following year he arrived in Quebec, which was to remain his home until his death. In 1674 he was consecrated bishop of Quebec and from 1663 he was a member of the Sovereign or Supreme Council. During his tenure as bishop, Laval exerted tremendous influence over the secular as well as the spiritual affairs of the colony, and managed to secure the recall of several governors with whom he quarrelled, among them Davaugour, de Mezy, and Frontenac. He vigorously opposed the sale of spirits to the Indians, organized the parochial system of the colony, and founded in 1663 at Quebec a seminary for the education of a native clergy (the future Laval University). Ill health forced Laval to resign in 1688, and it was at the Quebec seminary that 'Monsieur l'Ancien', as he came to be known, passed his last twenty years. The author, Louis Bertrand De Latour, a Sulpician, was dean of the chapter of Quebec for the Seminary for Foreign Missions and ecclesiastical councillor on the Conseil Supérieur of New France. He wrote the biography during his stay in Canada, where he had the opportunity of consulting original documents at first hand and questioning people who had actually known Laval. Only one volume of the Mémoires (to 1694) was published; both Barbier and Faribault call, in error, for two. The present copy is bound in two volumes with three other memoirs by La Tour as follows: (1) Vie De Monsieur L'Abbé De Caulet, Nouvelle Edition. 12mo. pp. 1 p.l., 172 [i.e. 272]. Cologne: Jean Frédéric Moriens, 1762. Barbier IV 966; (2) Vie Et Lettres De Mademoiselle D'Etcheverry, Première Supérieure de la Maison d'Hasparrein, Et De Mademoiselle Cazabon, Seconde Supérieure. 12mo. pp. xii, [blank leaf], 252. Avignon: Marc Chavé, 1773. Barbier IV 976; (3) Vie Du Frère Irénée Des Écoles Chrétiennes [Lancelot Dulac De Montisambert]. Éloge historique de Mr. de Champflour, Évêque de Mirepoix, & Abrégé de la vie de Mr. Bourdoise, premier Prêtre à St. Nicolas du Chardonnet. 12mo. pp. 1 p.l., 228. Avignon: Joseph Domergue, 1774. Barbier IV 985. Barbier III 257. Dionne II 653. Faribault 378. Sabin 35216. TPL 6487. Vlach 447. Not in Bell, Gagnon, JCB, or Lande.. F. Hardcover.