BINGLEY (William):

Animal Biography; Or, Authentic Anecdotes of the Lives, Manners, and Economy of the Animal Creation, Arranged according to the System of Linnaeus. Second Edition, With considerable Additions and Corrections.

London: Printed for Richard Phillips..., 1804. 3 volumes. 8vo, 210 x 130 mms., pp. xxiii [xxiv blank], 504 [505 - 512 indexes]; [ii], 554; [ii], 580, folding engraved plate of lioness and whelps in volume 1, recently rebound in black hard grain quarter morocco, marbled boards, red leather label; labels defective, but a very good set. Bingley (1774 - 1823) first published this work in 1802, and it was immediately popular. By 1842, it had reached six editions and had been translated into several European languages. He also published a dictionary of Musical Biography in 1814. The British Critic and Quarterly Theological Review noticed the work in 1803, commending it and remarking that "A desire to render his work useful to the female sex, and cause the study of biology to become a branch of their acquirements, has led Mr. B. to abstain from entering on those subjects which might be dangerous to the purity of the female mind; in this respect his work is more valuable than the writings of Buffon and his followers; among whom a contrary proceeding is so conspicuous. Partial collections of zoological collections are, from their delicacy and beauty, adapted to the manners of the sex; but we are doubtful if an attention to living animals (the part here principally illustrated) can, notwithstanding every caution, be recommended with propriety to female students."

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Book number: 8693

Catalogue: Natural history

Keywords: natural history birds prose

CHILDREY (Joshua):

Britannia Baconica: Or, The Natural Rarities of England, Scotland, & Wales. According as they are to be found in every Shire. Historically related, according to the Precepts of the Lord Bacon; Methodically digested ; and the Causes of many of them Philosophically attempted,M With observations upon them, and Deductions from them, whereby divers Secrets in Nature are discovered, and some things hitherto reckoned Prodigies, are fain to confess the cause whence they proceed. Usefull for all ingenious men of what Profession or Quality soever

London, Printed for the Author,, and are to be sold H. E. at the sign of the Greyhound in St. Pauls Church-yard , 1661. Small 8vo, 162 x 102, pp. [xxxii], 184, including initial blank, contemporary sheepskin, gilt rules across spine, black leather label; spine slightly dried, top and base of spine chipped, corners slightly worn, but a good to very good copy, with a number of notes in pencil on the front end-papers.. In his early life, the antiquary and astrologer Joshua Childrey (1625–1670) maintained himself by keeping a school, but he was also later appointed by Henry Somerset, later marquess of Worcester, as one of his chaplains, and was later Archdeacon of Sarum. "In Britannia Baconia, or, The Natural Rarities of England, Scotland and Wales (1660), also published in French in Paris in 1662 and 1667, Childrey relied mainly on descriptions of curiosities taken from other writers, but there are occasional references to his own observations. In it he alludes at least twice to what he had seen in his native Kent, and mentions visits to Wiltshire, Witney, and Gloucester Cathedral. He also restates his belief that astrology's reform, as Bacon had suggested, 'will not only try the truth of old Principles, but adde new ones: such (it is very likely) as the sons of [the] Art do not yet dream of' (Childrey, B5v–6v). However, it is significant that, after a decade of such efforts on his part, he was still relying principally on a rhetorical call to arms. None the less, the work was undoubtedly popular, and allegedly inspired Robert Plot's Natural History of Oxfordshire (1677)" (ODNB). ESTC distinguishes among three issues of this work, dated 1660, 1661, and 1662, but all with the same register. This one, ESTC R25345, seems to be the most common, and is, according to ESTC, an "imprint variant of the edition dated 1662."

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Book number: 9787

Catalogue: Natural history

Keywords: natural history astrology prose

[MOORE (John)].

A Treatise on Domestic Pigeons; Comprehending all the different species known in England; describing the Perfections and Imperfections of each, agreeable to the Improvement and great Perfection they are at this Time arrived at; together with the Method of Building and Furnishing a Lost, Area, Trap, &c. The Method of Breeding the most curious and valuable Sorts, as practised by the best Fanciers. The Generation of Pigeons in general, with a Philosophical Description and Progress of the Egg. With Observations and Remarks on their Diet. The Distempers they are chiefly subject to, and the Method of Curing them as practised with Success. The fraudulent Methods used in the Sale of bad Pigeons, clearly and fully demonstrated, &c. &c. &c. Carefully compiled from the best authors. To which is added, a most ample description of that celebrated and beautiful Pigeon called The Almond Tumbler. The whole calculated, as well for the Use of those Gentlemen who are Fanciers, as those who are utterly unacquainted with their Perfections and Properties, which are here set forth in the clearest Manner. Illustrated with a frontispiece, and cuts elegantly and accurately engraved from Life by the most able and eminent Artists, under the immediate Inspection of very experienced Fanciers

London: Printed for and Sold by C. Barry..., P. Stevens..., A. Wesley..., and J. Walters..., 1765. 8vo, 193 x 128 mms., pp. xvi, 144, engraved frontispiece, 13 other engraved plates, contemporary sheepskin (very worn and wormed, or perhaps ravaged by a hungry pigeon), but joints firm. John Moore (d. 1737) published this work with the title Columbarium in 1735. William Bowyer printed 750 copies, but this apparent second edition was soon in print with a longer title and the addition of the engraved plates. Although ESTC and other sources attribute the work to John Moore, this is a different work. For example, on page 140, the author, writing about the pigeon called "The Mahomet" refers to "Mr. Moore, in his columbarium...." He adds that "Mahomet, the impostor prophet of the Turkish religion...is reputed...to converse frequently the holy spirit" with said pigeon.

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Book number: 7036

Catalogue: Natural history

Keywords: natural history fowls prose

PLUCHE (Noel-Antoine):

Spectacle de la Nature: Or Nature display'd. Being Discourses On such Particulars of Natural History As were thought most proper to Excite the Curiosity, and From the Minds of Youth. Illustrated with Copper Plates. Translated from the Original French, By Mr. Humphreys. The Seventh Edition, Revised and Corrected.

London, Printed for R. Francklin, C. Davis...[et al], 1750. 2 volumes. Large 12mo, pp. xxiv, 323 [324 - 335 Index, 336 - 340 adverts]; viii, 312, engraved frontispiece in each volume, 24 other engraved plates (most folding) in volume 1, 34 folding engraved plates in volume 2, contemporary calf (dried and rubbed), gilt spines; some plates in volume 2 soiled and adversely affected at folds. With the contemporary armorial bookplate of The Honble. James Berkeley Rodney on the front paste-down end-paper of each volume and his autograph on the title-pages. The complete set of this translation, which Humphrys completed in 1784, eventually ran to seven volumes. There is a section on vines and wine in volume 2, pp. 214 - 257, with engraved plates of wine presses. Most of the plates have to do with the natural sciences or technology in some way. Pluche's work was first published in French in 1732.

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Book number: 3718

Catalogue: Natural history

Keywords: natural history technology prose

ROUSSEAU (Jean Jacques):

Letters on the Elements of Botany. Addressed to a Lady. Translated into English With Notes, and Twenty-Four additional Letters, fully explaining the System of Linnaeus. By Thomas Martyn...The Second Edition, with Corrections and Improvements.

London: Printed for B. White..., 1787 Large 8vo, 214 x 127 mms., pp. xxv [xxvi blank], 500 [501 - 530 indexes], contemporary calf, red leather label; front joint cracked and tender. The letters were addressed to Madame Delessert. Martyn's edition of Rousseau's work was first published in 1785. Despite Rousseau's name on the title-page, only eight of the letters are by him, and the rest are by Martyn. The plates were separately published by Martyn in 1788 and were not included in the first or second editions. Blanche Henrey, British Botanical and Horticultural Literature before 1800, no. 1283.

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Book number: 10406

Catalogue: Natural history

Keywords: natural history prose

WAKEFIELD (Priscilla):

Domestic Recreation; Or Dialogues illustrative of Natural and Scientific Subjects.

London: Printed for Darton and Harvey..., 1805 FIRST EDITION. 12mo (in 6s), 136 x 85 mms., pp. vi [vii Contents, viii printer], 215 [216 blank], 4 pages adverts, including half-title, 4 engraved plates (ex 6) at pp. 77, 83, 89, and 96, contemporary quarter green sheepskin marbled boards (rubbed); corners worn, spine creased. Wakefield (1750 - 1832) began her literary career as an author of books for juveniles in the early 1790s and produced at least 17 books. Most of these were in the familiar dialogue form.

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Book number: 7411

Catalogue: Natural history

Keywords: natural history juvenile women