STADLER, Daniel.

Tractatus de Duello Honoris Vindice ad Theologiae, et Juris Principia Examinatio. Ingelstad - Würzburg, J.F.X. Crätz - Th. Summer, 1751. 4to. Title-page printed in red and black, full-page engraved frontispiece and engraved headpiece, many woodcut tailpieces. Contemporary blind-stamped pigskin binding, with floral rolls, brass catches, blue edges.

      - (30), 464 pp. De Backer-Sommervogel VI, col. 1469. Attractive copy this study of duels with special attention for judicial aspects. The author basically rejects a duel in favour of solving conflicts in court, but allows it under three conditions: grave offence, serious damage, and blatant miscarriage of justice. Stadler's apparent approval of duels under certain circumstances brought him in conflict with Pope Benedict XIV, who "ayant condamné trois propositions favorables au duel, des PP. Reiffenstuel, Sporer et Milante, deux desquelees le P. Stadler avait aussi soutenues, celui-ci lui écrivit pour prouver qu'il ne les soutenait pas. Le Pape lui répondit, par un bref, du 3 mars 1753, que son ouvrage n'avait pas été nommé dans la condamnation" (De Backer-Sommervogel). Several small corrosion spots, good copy in attractive binding.