Le théatre de l'idolatrie, ou La porte ouverte, pour parvenir à la connoissance du paganisme caché et la vraye représentation de la vie, des moeurs, de la religion, & du service divin des bramines, qui demeurent sur les costes de Chormandel, & aux pays circonvoisins [...]. Enrichies de plusieurs figures en taille douce. Traduite en françois par le sieur Thomas La Grue [...].

4to: [16 incl. engr. title]-371-[4] pp.; 1 pl. (occ. spotting, some browning, sm. tear in f. Hh3).

Contemp. sheep, gilt-titled spine with raised bands, marbled edges (rubbed, head and tail missing).

First French edition by the doctor, grammarian and linguist Th. Lagrue (1620-1680) of a work on Hindus religions. Ill. with a front., 1 fold. plate, 3 full-page and 2 in-text ill. The Dutch clergyman Rogerius (1609-1604) worked from 1633 as a chaplain among the Tamil people in Pulicat, the capital of Dutch Coromandel. He studied the Hindus beliefs and more particularly those of the Brahmins, varna composed of priests and spiritual teachers.
Ref. Caillet 9560. - Dorbon 4208. - STCN.
Prov. Engr. bookpl. - Ms. entry dated 1828.