Conversations on Chemistry; in which The Elements of That Science are Familiarly Explained and Illustrated by Experiments, and Sixteen Copper-Plate Engravings

The Eighth American from the Sixth London edition, revised, correct and enlarged. To which are now added, Explanations of the Text--Questions for Exercise--Directions for Simplifying the Apparatus, and a Vocabulary of Terms--Together with a List of Interesting Experiments. Original work entitled "Mrs. Bryan's Conversations." Preface comments extensively on and justifies the methods of the popular fictional "Mrs. Bryan" acting as tutor to two students. Some attribute the original work to Benjamin Silliman, one of the first American professors of science and the first science professor at Yale. Silliman was an early supporter of coeducation in the Ivy League, and he allowed young women into his lecture classes. Perhaps this explains the creation of Mrs. Bryan and her two female students. The main work was first published anonymously in London in 1806. It was also published in Philadelphia in 1809 with different additions. Illustrated with vintage engraved figures and diagrams. Moderate-to-heavy scuffing and wear to covers. Upper third of front cover starting to detach from spine. Top inch of upper spine creased and detached from bound pages. Small original spine label, hand-printed, affixed to spine. [Dewey Decimal System numbers.] Small, faint residue of penciled initials to inside front cover. Prior owner O. Inst. Library No. 842 handwritten in old ink on first (blank) front endpaper. [This may indicate New Haven's Institute Library, which cataloged books using DDS until William Borden developed a new classification system for the library’s collection during the first six months his engagement in 1897. This system is unique to the Institute Library and remains in use today.] Except for occasional age-related foxing browning, interior is clean, intact, and unworn. …