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Contains BOOKPLATE of THOMAS MOORE (details below). SECOND EDITION, though called "an entirely new work" by the author. First published in 1795 in two volumes, this is the ONE VOLUME edition, published 1808, in which the author enlarged the articles or re-wrote them entirely. Extensively revised. Lacks title page & frontispiece, though contains ALL additional PLATES & TABLES as issued. Includes 12 engraved plates (3 folding) & 13 folding tables, plus further tables in text. All plates & tables are placed correctly as per "directions to the binder" page at rear. Three plates are folding (plates III + IV parts 1+2). Also includes all 13 folding tables (all double-sided). Plus additional table at rear "Correspondence of Thermometers" (not folding). Plates are dated 1808. Contains the important 15-page Appendix, which is followed by the Tables explanation page, bound in prior to the tables at rear. The Appendix reprints Sir Humphry Davy's (1778-1829) second Bakerian Lecture in the same year (1808) as it was published in the Philosophical Transactions, which includes Davy's discovery of sodium & potassium. From the introduction to the Appendix: "As a full account of a discovery, that will form an epoch in the history of chemistry, that of the metallic bases of the fixed alkalis by Mr. Davy, could not be obtained when the article Soda was sent to press, the statement of it at large, as given by that gentleman in the Philosophical Transactions for 1808, Part 1, p.1, is here inserted". The appendix article is titled: "The Bakerian Lecture, on some new Phenomena of chemical Changes produced by Electricity, particularly the decomposition of the fixed Alkalis, and the Exhibition of the new Substances which constitute their Bases; and on the general Nature of alkaline Bodies; by Humphry Davy, Esq. Sec. R.S. M.R.I.A. Read November 19, 1807". The entire volume is unpaginated (circa 820pp). NOTE: Contemporary BOOKPLATE affixed to front pastedown of THOMAS MOORE. Which "Thomas Moore" we are not sure, however Thomas Moore, the famed Irish poet, lived from 1779 to 1852, so the book was certainly published during his lifetime. Further research has not determined whether it is in fact from the library of the poet. Also includes laid-in card with "Lew, with many thanks, Denis O'D" handwritten in ink on front. Pencilled on the reverse is "Mr O'Donnell". Presumably Denis O'Donnell (1875-1933), well-known entrepreneur in County Kerry, Ireland, in the early 1900s. O'Donnell was one of the first graduates of Ballyhaise College, County Cavan, Ireland, with a Diploma in Dairy Science. He was the first to introduce the pasteurisation of milk, much against the prejudice of dairy farmers at the time. He also wrote poetry as a hobby (see O'Donnell's details on Wikipedia), so it's feasible that he would possibly own a book from Moore's collection. The book was acquired from the library of a prominent Melbourne Professor. Author of the work, William Nicholson (1753-1815), was a renowned English chemist and writer on "natural philosophy" and chemistry, as well as a translator, journalist, publisher, scientist, and inventor. Bound in half-leather & marbled boards, gilt lettering & design in compartments to spine, raised bands. Spine title is "Nicholson's Dictionary of Chemistry". A POOR to FAIR copy only with several major defects, as follows. Lacks title page, lacks frontispiece, front board & ffep & first three leaves detached but all present, book block entirely split into two pieces, spine detached from book block & hinged only to rear board, closed tear to lower section of one page (remaining piece appears on the "second book block"), covers heavily worn & rubbed, moderate foxing & browning to pages, plates stained, tables foxed, otherwise despite all the major faults a complete copy of an important & scarce book (with intriguing bookplate of Thomas Moore). RARE. SB-16.
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