ENFIELD, William (1741-1797). Institutes of Natural Philosophy, theoretical and practical. First and Third American Editions, from the second London edition.
Publisher of first edition: Thomas and Andrews, Boston. 1802.

Publisher of third edition: Cummings and Hilliard, Boston. 1824.

Full leather bound. 4to. Red ruled and gilt title.

First edition: xvi, with errata, 428 pp. appendix 20 pp.

Third edition: xv, with errata, 395 pp., 16 folding plates.

Each volume is H: 10 1/2 x W: 9 1/8 x D: 1 3/4 in.



Transcription of silver ink inscription, by anonymous, likely in response to Daniel Webster's Senate debate in January, 1830:

"Was the Hartford Convention Justified
Argued April 15, 1830
People have a right to Assemble to deliberate upon pubilc affairs - also their duty - but it has not established the fact that every convention is justifiable - a convention for divising [sic] weather [sic] unjustifiable - with respect to the Hd [Hartford] convention it is to show that they plotted against the [illegible] of the people, the sources of knowledge respecting it. The instruction of the members. & their report & journal - the members are] accountable only for their acts & [illegible] - not their conduct, no member can be charged in his [illegible] conduct of anything treasonable - their object was to defend their land - not for traitors - it cannot be proved that they obstructed the peace of general government - with their resolutions - It was proper that when their troops were withdrawn to decease means to defend their cost - they had [struck through] a right to recommence resolutions, without being culpable - no resolution of theirs was objectionable, but, their accounting a congress at Boston it is true a time of war was a bad one to recommend resolutions - whatever they level in view could be obtained at another time - it is the duty of all at such a time to support the measures of general government with [illegible]
decided by jestor [sic] & leyman [sic] their altho [sic] not unjustifiable - yet unexpedient being held at such a time
a true copy of record for the benefit of some brainless now [inserted] so full" Poor. Front board of first edition detached. Losses on corners and edges. Corners bumped, covers scuffed and cracking. Stains from pressed plant leaves throughout plates of third edition.

Silver ink inscription on rear flyleaf of 1802 volume.

Bookplate: "John A. Davidson"