(CELNARD, ELIZABETH.) Des Machines, de leur influence sur la prosperité de la nation et le bien-être des ouvriers. Paris, de l’Imprimerie de David, 1831. – (Followed by:) (TURCK, L.) Dialogue entre plusieurs ouvriers, sur les avantages des machines. Paris, de l’Imprimerie de David, 1831. – (Followed by:) (BERENGER.) De l’influence des mécaniques sur le prix des salaires et le bien-être du peuple. Paris, Imprimerie de David, 1831. Three works bound in one volume. [4], 67, [1] pp.; 32 pp.; 76 pp. 12mo. Original blind paper wrappers, partly loose and damaged, kept in a half morocco slipcase with marbled boards and gilt lettering to spine (Atelier Laurenchet).

€ 725

Kress C.2780; Goldsmiths’ 26948; not in Einaudi. Here collected are three prize winning essays offered to the Société d’Instruction Elémentaire and dealing with the advantages (or disadvantages) of machines in the production processes. The preface to the first work mentions these three works as the winners. All three works argue in favour of industrialization and the advantages of the introduction of mechanical production as means to improve the condition of labourers, combat mendicity and poverty and as having a positive effect on workers income. The Society for Elementary Instruction was founded in 1815 and encouraged free, nondenominational elementary schools. The society was founded by Lazare Carnot during his brief tenure as minister of the interior in the Hundred Days. Under the Restoration, it attracted the support of such prominent liberals as Benjamin Constant, François Guizot, and Alphonse de Lamartine and served as a moderate and respectable lobby for secular primary education. It was declared a public utility in 1831, which permitted it to raise and disburse funds and to establish independent schools. Publishing a review (Journal de l’éducation populaire), the society concerned itself with new methods of teaching, obtaining decent pay and working conditions for elementary school teachers, and awarding medals to outstanding instructors (see: Historical Dictionary of France from the 1815 Restoration to the Second Empire, vol. ii, pp. 994-995). – A bit loose but cords and stitching intact, uncut.