Nautical and Hydraulic Experiments, with Numerous Scientific Miscellanies. Volume I (only volume published).

Folio (12 1/2" x 10"), original cloth embossed with floral motif, paper spine label, 16 engraved plates, engraved presentation page, cxix, 688 pp. Covers worn and scuffed, both joints cracked, front endpaper torn and partially detached, paper spine label stained and rubbed, library plate on front pastedown, some foxing to plates, a little browning, internally mostly unopened and uncut, text generally bright and clean; overall a good copy. Mark Beaufoy (1764-1827) was an astronomer and physicist who was taught by William Bayly, an astronomer on Cook's third voyage. At a very young age he began experimenting with the resistance of solids moving through water. In 1791 he was the founder of the Society for the Improvement of Naval Architecture. The publication of his experiments was done many years later by his son. This copy contains an engraved presentation leaf to Robert Viscount Melville (Robert Saunders Dundas, 1771-1851). His bookplate is on the front pastedown. ODB. # 103116