Online text: GOOGLE BOOKS - Bayerische Staatsbibliothek 

In the treatise, one of the more complete works on the history and theory of dance, Ménestrier inaugurates a type of research that is almost scientific, describing his idea of the "ballet de cour", the rules that govern it and the way to represent the "passions de l'âme".

LATER EDITIONS:
Published by Robert Pépie in 1684, 1685 and 1686.

RECENT EDITIONS:
Facsimile of the first edition: Genève, Minkoff, 1972 and 1985.