An essay on electricity, explaining the principles of that useful science; and describing the instruments, Contrived Either to Illustrate the Theory, or Render the Practice Entertaining. Illustrated with six plates. To which is added, a letter to the author, from Mr. John Birch, Surgeon, on the Subject of Medical Electricity. By the late George Adams, Mathematical Instrument maker to his Majesty, &c. The fifth edition, with corrections and additions, by William Jones, Mathematical Instrument Maker [Uncut]

London: printed by J. Dillon, and Co. for, and sold by, W. and S. Jones, Opticians, Holborn, 1799. Early Reprint. Paper-Covered Boards. Fine. Fifth (and most desirable) Edition of this seminal work on electricity and its applications (first published 1784), with corrections and additions by William Jones. 8vo: xiv[bound out of sequence],594pp, with six copper-engraved plates. Tall, uncut, wide-margined copy, completely unsophisticated, in original drab grey boards, beige paper spine, printed paper label. An exemplary example, binding square and tight; pages, clean fresh and bright. Wheeler Gift 519b. Adams came from a family of makers of scientific instruments and globes, and was Mathematical Instrument-Maker to His Majesty George III. In the 1780s, he began publishing a series of illustrated texts dealing with the physical sciences. Following close on the heels of Essay on Electricity were Essays on the Microscope (1787), Astronomical and Geographical Essays (1789), Geometrical and Graphical Essays (1791), and Lectures on Natural and Experimental Philosophy (5 vols., 1794). The six engraved plates, including a new frontispiece, contain 105 figures, mostly illustrating various experimental instruments constructed by Adams, often at the request of the king in line with his interest in the practical applications of science. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).