The Collected Works of Descartes, Volume 1: Correspondence

at the shop of Charles Angot, Sworn Bookseller A "libraire juré" was a bookseller officially recognized and sworn in by the University of Paris, often granted specific privileges for scholarly works., on Saint-Jacques Street, at the sign of the Golden Lion (the second printing was completed on March 30, 1663); finally, in 1667 (completed on January 2), a third edition appeared, which is merely a reprint of the second. The title changed slightly: the first edition stated, "where the most beautiful questions are treated"; the second says only "several beautiful questions." The first edition consists of 663 pages, while the second has only 540, which is due to the difference in typefaces—30 lines per page in one, and 36 in the other. However, the number of pieces remains the same: 119 on both sides. Here are the main differences: the series of letters to Regius Henricus Regius (Henry le Roy), a Dutch physician and early, though later controversial, follower of Descartes. (letters LXXXI-XCIX) Letters 81–99. is not arranged in the same order; letter C Letter 100., concerning Balzac Jean-Louis Guez de Balzac, a famous French essayist., is found only in Latin in the 1657 edition, whereas in 1663, it is followed by a French version, letter C bis; finally, two letters, LV and LVI Letters 55 and 56., between Descartes and Father Ciermans, are also only in Latin in the first edition, whereas in the second, the Latin has disappeared: in its place, one finds a French version, likewise numbered letters LV and LVI.

The 119 letters of the first volume are distributed as follows:

51 to the Queen of Sweden Queen Christina, who invited Descartes to Stockholm., to Mr. Chanut Pierre Chanut, the French ambassador to Sweden and Clerselier's brother-in-law., and to Princess Elizabeth Elisabeth of the Palatinate, one of Descartes's most intellectually significant correspondents., etc. (I-LI).

3 to a Lord (LII-LIV).

2 between Descartes and a Reverend Jesuit Father of the Netherlands Father Ciermans (LV and LVI).

7 between Descartes and Morin (LVII-LXIII).

9 between Descartes and Mr. More, English Gentleman (LXIV-LXXII); the first two are between Clerselier and More. Henry More, the Cambridge Platonist.

2 to Mersenne, on the geostatic question A scientific debate regarding whether the Earth has a center of gravity or weight in a fixed position. (LXXIII-LXXIV).

6, of which 2 are between Descartes and "Mr. de Berouic," followed by 4 others between Descartes and "a Physician of Louvain" (LXXV-LXXX).

19 to Mr. le Roy, Doctor of Medicine and Professor (LXXXI-XCIX).