La science naturelle, dégagée des chicanes de l’ecole

Paris: Antoine Cellier, 1679. FIRST EDITION. Contemporary calf, spine gilt, edges sprinkled red; lightly toned, but otherwise a very good copy. First edition of this course in natural history “free from the quibbles of school.” It provides an atomistic outlook on the origins and principles of nature, couched in divine purpose. The author addresses the principles of life and death, astronomy, the composition of bodies, metals and compounds, natural elements, human physiology, and, briefly, psychology. The author, a medical doctor, peppers the discussion with clinical observations and suggestions on health and hygiene. He attributes all things to an omnipotent God and postulates on the existence of immaterial spirits. Throughout, he includes references to ancient and contemporary scientists such as Descartes, Aristotle, and Gassendi.

OCLC records 8 copies in the U.S. (Cornell, Berkeley, UCLA, Chicago, Harvard, NLM, Oklahoma, Wisconsin-Madison).

Dorbon ainé, Bibliotheca Esoterica 4325; Murr, Gassendi et l’Europe, 1592-1792 384.