GALE'S CABINET OF KNOWLEDGE OR MISCELLANEOUS RECREATIONS
Book Details + Condition: Printed by J.W.H. Payne (Norwich, UK), 1808. Scarce. Hardcover. 363 pages. Three-quarters leather binding with marbled boards. Unusual book containing chapters on a variety of subjects, including earth science and astronomy, morality and religion, card tricks and magic, optical illusions, magnetism, and more. Subtitled "containing moral and philosophical essays, propositions, natural and metaphysical maxims, and observations on select subjects of general utility: with a series of easy, entertaining, and interesting mechanical, magnetical, and magical experiments; including the most celebrated card deceptions; together with about seven hundred serious, comic, and humorous queries, paradoxes, &c. with pertinent and ingenious answers; comprising the essence of the Lady's, Gentleman's, and Carnan's Diaries: Ozanam and Hooper's Recreations; Martin's Philosophical magazines, &c. Illustrated with copperplate engravings. To which are added, a great number of originals. Likewise an appendix; containing various propositions tending to prove light and heat two distinct beings; with some curious definitions in optics." Tables and illustrations throughout. A sound and clean copy of a scarce edition, with firm binding; rubbed corners and edges; title page appears to be missing (perhaps during rebinding process); interior is clean and free of markings.
