Principles Astronomy Navigation Clear Short by Sinclair George (2 results)

Small 8vo, 3 parts in 1 volume with continuous signatures, pp. (viii), 85, (1) blank, 49, (1) blank, 14. Separate title-page to the second part, without the final blank leaf as in other copies seen. Misprint ?Carpenter? for ?Co-partner? on the last p. 3 corrected probably in the author?s or printer?s hand. Title-page and last page a little browned and soiled. Contemporary panelled sheep, rather rubbed but nicely rebacked and restored, spine unlettered, initials AC on sides beside a central device, later endpapers. FIRST EDITION of the last published work of George Sinclair, formerly professor of philosophy at Glasgow and one of the first experimental scientists in Scotland. The first and largest part of this book is an introduction to astronomy and the rotation and composition of the world. The second part is on the use of the barometer, in which Sinclair was a pioneer of its use to establish altitudes and the depths of mines. Sinclair graduated his barometer at a time when few makers calibrated their instruments in a measurable scale. This is also the first book cited by Middleton (History of the Barometer) to use the now familiar terms Rain, Change, Fair, etc. In 1665 Sinclair had been involved in the use of a diving bell to salvage a wreck off the Scottish coast, and in 1669 he published the most important account of the diving bell of the seventeenth century in his Ars Nova Gravitatis et Levitatis. In the third part of the present book he returns to the subject with a discussion about how sunken ships can be raised with the use of caissons (which he calls ?Arks?) filled with air while under water. Phillips, Diving, pp. 335?340.

First edition, comprising three separately paginated texts, each with their own title page or drop-head title, but with a continuous register. The second work is titled "Proteus Bound with Chains", the third simply headed "Postscript. To Buoy up a ship, of any Burden, from the Ground of the Sea". The natural philosopher George Sinclair (d. 1696?) "described himself as from the Lothians and possessed property in Haddington, Haddingtonshire. He and his brother John were probably educated at the University of St Andrews. George Sinclair taught at St Andrews before moving to Glasgow in 1655, where he was admitted master and appointed professor of philosophy. In 1656 he gave 100 marks towards the building of Glasgow College, and lent a larger sum which was repaid with interest in 1659. During this time the marquess of Argyll obtained rights to the wreck of the Spanish vessel Florida, which had foundered in Tobermory Bay after the defeat of the Armada. Sinclair, 'almost the only cultivator of physics during this age' as Stevenson generously described him (Stevenson, xi), assisted when a diving bell was brought to the site, possibly by Archibald Millar of Greenock. Several pieces of ordnance were recovered before stormy weather ended the exercise. Sinclair subsequently devised his own diving bell and described its use in a stylized classical debate in his Ars nova et magna gravitatis et levitatis (1669, pp. 220-44)" (ODNB). Sinclair published several works on mathematics and practical physics, much of it based upon his own experience as a surveyor and engineer. Wing S 3857. Octavo (147 x 90 mm). Woodcut initials. Contemporary limp vellum, with two (of four) deerskin ties. Housed in a brown cloth flat-back box by the Chelsea Bindery. Contemporary ownership inscription and pen trials of James Stewart to front and rear endleaves with some sketches of a face, early purchase note to front free endpaper stub. Lower outer corner of front board worn away, two ties missing. Some general wear to covers, title page with 2 mm of lower margin cut away, lower corner a little dog eared, pale damp mark to the last few leaves; withal a very good copy.