Plongee

First edition, 8vo (195 x 120 mm), [16], 4, 323, [25]pp., with errata leaf and advert leaf at end, cont. ownership inscription of "Christ's Hospital English Library 1787" written in ink on title, crossed through in red ink with the word "cancelled" at head of title page, 9 engraved plates, dedicated To the Right Honourable Thomas Thynne, Lord Viscount of Wetmouth with his engraved coat of arms on dedication leaf, slight brown stain to fore-edge of first four leaves, cont. calf, upper cover detached, split down central spine. With the variant imprint of "London: Printed for Edward Symon, over-against the Royal-Exchange in Cornhill". This esteemed and popular book on hydrostatics and pneumatics is an enlarged version of the private lectures given by the author. The section on hydrostatics contains chapters on syphons and pumps, as well as two chapters on fire-engines. The second part on pneumatics has chapters on the barometer, the heart and circulation of the blood, smoky chimneys, the causes of thunder and meteors, &c. There is also, an interesting chapter (pp.159-170) "On the Art of Diving", with a description of a diving bell and suit and the auxiliary apparatus required, all illustrated on plate VIII. Alston, 111, 507; Bibliotheca Mechanica p. 72; Rouse, Historic Writings on Hydraulics, 120.