first edition
1800 · Paris :
by BRISSON, Mathurin-Jacques (1723-1806).
Paris :: Bossange, Masson Besson, An VIII, 1800., 1800. 8vo. [4], XIV, 412 pp. Half-title, 6 engraved folding plates of apparatus, furnaces and crystal forms. Contemporary blind- and gilt-stamped speckled calf, spine embellished handsomely with 5 decorative florets, rules, green leather spine label; foot of spine mended with kozo, corners showing, shelf-wear. Very good. [67] First edition of the first manual of physical chemistry. – Zeitlinger. "This comprehensive elementary textbook was written by Brisson for his students. He drew on the works of Lavoisier, Guyton de Morveau, Chaptal, Berthollet, Fourcroy, and others. Although it is a continuation of the author's Traite elementaire ou principes de physique, 3 vols, 3rd edition. Paris, 1800 it is complete in itself. References generally mistake the title of the work for the title of the Traite elementaire thereby giving the 4 volumes an incorrect title." – Cole. / "The place I occupy imposes several duties on me to fulfill: not only must I teach the science with which I am responsible, but I must also teach it, as much as is in my power, in the most profitable way for my students that I provide them with the means to facilitate their studies; that I tell them they think of research which would require too much time; finally, that I clearly before their eyes, and as briefly as possible, the knowledge with which I must entertain them. I have already fulfilled this task with regard to physics, by publishing my Principles of Physics: it remained for me to do the same in relation to chemistry: this is what I have just done by publishing my Principles of Chemical-Physics. The goal of my entire life's work has been to make myself useful." – author's preface. / After having given up on entering the orders, Brisson become the assistant to Ferchault de Reaumur and his cabinet of curiosities. From this rich collection of specimens of the natural sciences, and also from studying other private collections, Brisson developed his famous Ornithology, published in 1760-1763, before Buffon's Natural History of Birds. This six-volume work, which marked an important milestone in the scientific study of birds, presents a classification system that was used for nearly a hundred years. On the death of Reaumur, his collections were integrated into the King's cabinet and Brisson lost his job. With the support of Father Nollet, he obtained a position as physics professor at the College of Navarre. REFERENCES: Cole 201; DSB II, pp. 473-75; Duveen p. 100. Not in Neville.
(Inventory #: S14196)