The Principles of Mechanics. Explaining and Demonstrating the General Laws of Motion, the Laws of Gravity, Motion of Descending Bodies, Projectiles, Mechanic Powers, Pendulums, Centers of Gravity, &c. Strength and Stress of Timber, Hydrostatics, and Construction of Machines. A Work very necessary to be known, by all Gentlemen, and Others, that desire to have an Insight into the Works of Nature and Art. And extremely useful to all Sorts of Artificers; particularly to Architects, Engineers, Shipwrights, Millwrights, Watchmakers, &c. or any that work in a Mechanical Way

contemp. halfleather, red leather tag with title in gold on spine, marbled boards, small 4to x+284 pp., 43 folded plates William Emerson (1701-1782), an English amateur scientist who spent most of his life in seclusion, Emerson was mainly interested in mathematics, astronomy, physics, and medicine; he is known for his so-called "Emerson Paradox"; the Mechanics was very popular and went through several editions; it deals with the general laws of motion, descent of bodies, centers of gravity, mechanical powers, comparative strength of timber and its failure, forces of engines and their motion, as well as friction, hydrostatics, and pneumatics; overall good condition (skillfully rebacked, marbled boards with leather edges, boards chafed, edges bumped; ca. 40 pages with neat annotations in pencil and ink in margins, light foxing on title page, folded plates sl. foxed and yellowed at edges); PICTURES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.