X. B. Saintine – Le Chemin des Écoliers: Promenade de Paris à Marly-le-Roy en suivant les bords du Rhin With 450 vignettes by Gustave Doré, Foster, and others. Paris: Librairie de L. Hachette et Cie, 1861. 25 × 17 cm., 634pp. Handsomely illustrated first edition of this literary travel narrative by Xavier Boniface Saintine, author of Picciola, featuring an abundance of wood-engraved illustrations — nearly every page decorated with a vignette, headpiece, or tailpiece. The illustrations are the work of Gustave Doré, Foster, and several other well-known artists of the period. Publisher’s contemporary brown half leather binding, raised badns, gilt title and decorative panels on spine, all edges gilt. Saintine takes the reader on an imaginative “schoolboy’s stroll” (chemin des écoliers) from Paris to Marly-le-Roy, continuing along the banks of the Rhine, combining local history, travel sketches, and humorous reflections on society and landscape. The text is enlivened by the wealth of engravings — a true example of mid-19th century French illustrated bookmaking. Binding sound, lightly rubbed at corners and edges, minor wear at head and tail of spine. Occasional light foxing and mild age toning, mostly to margins. Small paper losses to the lower corners of a few pages, not affecting the text or illustrations.