Beautiful Extremely Rare French Political History Published in 1758 in London

This is book two of Charles Irenee Castel's political history of France, Annales Politiques. Castel (1658-1743) was the fifth child of the Marquis de Saint-Pierre. He was educated by the Jesuits and he became a priest, chaplain to the king's sister-in-law, abbot of Tiron, and an influential Enlightenment author. He was among the first political philosophers to advocate for an international organization for peace. He was elected to the French Academy in 1695, but later ran afoul of King Louis XIV and was removed. This volume covers the years 1698-1739 and was posthumously published in London in 1758. It is in French. It is hardbound in speckled calfskin with gilt border, edge, and spine decoration. Lovely polychrome free end papers. 18th-century handwritten notes on blank endpaper at end. Light toning and some old finger smudges in volume, otherwise clean. Some leather loss and chipping on covers. Weight 10.1 oz. Measures 6.5" high x 3.75" wide x 1.125 thick. Wonderful antique tome.