An Introduction to Astronomy in a Series of Letters from a Preceptor to His Pupil, in Which the Most Useful and Interesting Parts of the Science are Clearly and Familiarly Explained
London: For J. Jonson, 1786. First Edition. Octavo. Item #021586
. Engraved frontispiece, 431pp., (1)pp directions to the binder and a short list of the author's other works, Contains 20 plates: 19 copper engraved plates (most folding) and 1 engraved map. The author was a professor of mathematics and author of several mathematical work. He believed that the approach to geometry exhibited by Euclid provided an outstanding method for teaching young people logical and precise thinking and he followed his work closely. His greatest mathematical contributions were The Scholar's Guide to Arithmetic (1780) and Algebra (1782). He had written several other works. The previous original owner had written notations within the margins correcting a few paragraphs or mathematical equations of the author's work. Page 183 he writes in a very neat hand "The following account is copied verbatim from Ferguson who is here free from embarrassment as in most other cases", on page 74 he makes corrections to the author's word "circulations" and writes "revolutions". Page 46 he writes " Ferguson says in page 339sect. 360 that the whiteness of the milky way is owing to some other cause than what is here assigned". There are also a few mathematical equations he had corrected or agreed with. We cannot desipher the previous owner's name his the last name is Taylor and he noted attending to King's College. While the book had been rebound, probably mid 20th century or earlier in full calf, internally the book is fresh and bright, no foxing, plates are in beautiful condition. An excellent copy.
Price: $545.00