A system of familiar philosophy : in twelve lectures...

London: Printed for the author, 1802. SECOND EDITION. Illustrated with 49 folding copperplates. Contemporary calf, worn and rubbed; scattered browning, spotting and offsetting from plates, some waterstains. From the library of Arnold Thackray with his bookplate on the paste-down of each volume. Second edition, first published in 1799. Walker (1731-1821) was an inventor and celebrated lecturer of natural philosophy. He traveled throughout England, Scotland and Ireland lecturing on numerous scientific subjects, including all the latest developments and discoveries in mechanical constructions and the materials used. He was encouraged by Priestley to set up a series of lectures in London which were quite successful. Among the topics included in the lectures were light and planetary distances, particles of matter, chemistry, atmosphere, hydraulics, electricity, optics, and Newtonian doctrines on astronomy. He is credited with various mechanical inventions. “Among others he devised engines for raising water, carriages to go by wind and steam, a road mill, a machine for watering land, and a dibbling plough” (DNB, XX, p. 499).