LA VALLIERE Réflexions sur la miséricorde de Dieu. Par une dame Pénitente. Septième édition augmentée.

Barbier, IV, 152 ; Brunet, III, 885 ; Verlaque, 96-97.

Work traditionally attributed “to Madame de La Vallière, who became a Carmelite nun, and named in religion Louise of Mercy” (see Brunet).

This text was a huge editorial success (the original dates from 1680), and for a long time corrections found on a copy of the 1688 edition were attributed to Bossuet. “It was not until 1852 that these handwritten notes, traced on a copy of the Réflexions of 1688 (8th edition) and belonging to the Bibliothèque du Louvre, were published and attributed to Bossuet. Mr. Floquet is not of this opinion: because although the writing is from 17th century it does not resemble that of the bishop of Meaux. These notes had been known for a long time, because they are cited in the 1700 edition” (see Verlaque).

The work, composed of 24 Reflections, was written by a Lady of Mercy “after emerging from a dangerous illness… as much as she is today ablaze with the love of her God… These holy Reflections form now ‘a work which can be very useful to sinners who want to convert & make good use of the time that the mercy of God gives them to think seriously about their salvation’ (introduction).

Attractive copy, perfectly preserved in its contemporary jansenist red morocco binding.