Beschreibung:

Title: A Review of the Works of the Royal Society of London; Containing Animadversions on Such of the Papers as Deserve Particular Observation. In Eight Parts: Under the Several Heads of Arts, Antiquities, Medicine, Miracles, Zoophytes, Animals, Vegetables, Minerals Author: Hill, John Place: London Publisher: R. Griffiths Date: 1751 Description: viii, 265, [3] pp. (4to) 10¼x8, contemporary full calf. First Edition. Hill (1714-1775) published prolifically and was known for scientific work in the fields of medicine and botany. He was dismayed at the Royal Society's decline into a gentleman's club for amateurish dilettantism and its focus on antiquarian studies instead of experimental and observational science. Hill's critiques were important in the development of the modern scientific method and were also noteworthy examples of the art of literary pillory on the golden years of the 'Age of Satire.' The present essays poke fun at the pseudo-science that passed muster in Hill's day and some target specific examples of the more inane publications accepted by the Society. As a result, Hill was effectively blackballed from the Society despite the merit of his scientific work. Masonic bookplate [c. 1900] on front pastedown; letter from the Royal Society declining an offer of this volume in 1904, tipped to flyleaf. Lot Amendments Condition: Front joint and hinge cracked and cover loosely attached; edges rubbed; else very good. Item number: 186358