A System of Familiar Philosophy: in Twelve Lectures, being the course usually read by Mr. A. Walker, containing The Elements and the Practical Uses to be from the chemical properties of matter; the principles and application of mechanics; of hydrostatics; of hydraulics: of pneumatics; of magnetism; of electricity; of optics; and of astronomy. Including every material modern discovery and improvement to the present time.

WALKER, Adam (1730/31-1821).

Published by Printed for the author, at his house; G. Kearsley. Edinburgh: Bell and Bradfute, 1799., London:, 1799

4to. [iii]-xviii, 571 pp. 47 copper-plates (many folding), errata, list of subscribers, index; foxed, lacks half-title. Original boards, with original calf replaced with recent half-calf, gilt-stamped spine, brown spine label. Edges unevenly trimmed. PROVENANCE: J. Cook (early signature, corner of title-page; note ΓΆΒ Β" his name is not among those on the subscriber's list). Very good. First edition. The arrangement of the book follows what the author describes as 12 lectures (chapters), including: I. System of Nature. II. Particle of Matter, their minuteness, hardness, extension, divisibility, inertia, and cohesion, and on magnetism. III. Mechanics. IV. On Chemistry. V. On the Atmosphere. VI. Hydrostatics ΓΆΒ Β" hydraulics. VII. Electricity. VIII. Electricity continued. IX. Optics. X. Astronomy. XI. On the Moon. XII. Astronomy continued. Walker illustrates Watts new patent steam engine along with a steam engine of his own invention, also an early fire extinguisher. / Adam Walker knew Joseph Priestley and through Priestley he began a series of scientific lectures, of which this book reviews these lectures. / "The work having been written at various times, and in various places, tautology has crept into many parts of it; and I fear some are more condensed than they should be in a system of familiar philosophy. Originality, or the pride of discovery, has not led me beyond the bounds of what I believe to be truth. The identity of fire, light, heat, caloric, phlogiston, and electricity, or rather their being but modifications of one and the same principle as well as their being the grand agents in the order of nature; these are the leading problems of the work; and the parts which have, in a great measure, any pretensions to novelty. They do not militate against the Newtonian system; and are presented to the reader more in the form of queries, than as doctrines fully established: they do not interfere with the elementary part of the work; or influence those conclusions that have been sanctified by time and experience. Whether I am right or wrong in my ideas of them, I doubt not but they will have a fair and candid reading. The theory was not sought, but has obtruded itself through an experience of near forty years: and though it differs in many points from the late received and adopted system of chemistry, my admiration of that simple and elegant system is not at all diminished; I rather lament that its worthy and ingenious founder [Lavoisier] did not live to have perfected so excellent and promising a beginning." ΓΆΒ Β" Hmolp. / The subscriber's list is interesting in that it includes a title for most every name, thus it is possible to determine (for example) how many subscribers are men or women (more than a few), doctors or Reverends, booksellers, societies and even a book-club. See: Jan Golinski, "Sublime Astronomy: The Eidouranion of Adam Walker and his Sons," Huntington Library Quarterly | vol. 80, no. 1, 2017. Teddi Chichester Bonca, Shelley's Mirrors of Love: Narcissism, Sacrifice, and Sorority, 1999. Seller Inventory # S14140

Bibliographic Details

Title: A System of Familiar Philosophy: in Twelve ...
Publisher: Printed for the author, at his house; G. Kearsley. Edinburgh: Bell and Bradfute, 1799., London:
Publication Date: 1799
Binding: Hardcover
Edition: 1st Edition