RUMFORD, Benjamin (1753-1814). Essays, Political, Economical, and Philosophical by Benjamin, Count of Rumford. The First American, from the Third London, Edition.

Boston: Printed by Manning & Loring, for David West, 1798-1799, and 1804.
3 Volumes with illustrations and portraits.

A third volume, including an essay on the construction of kitchen utensils, and further remarks on heat and fire-places, was printed at Philadelphia in 1804.

v. 1. I. An account of an establishment for the poor at Munich. II. Of the fundamental principles on which general establishments for the relief of the poor may be formed in all countries. II. Of food; and particularly of feeding the poor. IV. Of chimney fire-places. V. A short account of several public institutions lately formed in Bavaria. Appendix. 1798.--v. 2. VI. Of the management of fire, and the economy of fuel. VII. Of the manner in which heat is propagated in fluids. (In two parts) VIII. Of the propagation of heat in various substances. IX. An experimental inquiry concerning the source of the heat which is excited by friction. 1799.

v. 3. X. On the construction of kitchen fire-places and kitchen utensils ... (In three parts) XI. Supplementary observations concerning chimney fire-places. XII. Observations concerning the salubrity of warm rooms in cold weather. XIII. Observations concerning the salubrity of warm bathing, and the principles on which warm-baths should be constructed. XIV. Supplementary observations relating to the management of fires in closed fire-places. XV. Of the use of steam as a vehicle for transporting heat from one place to another. 1804.

Volumes 1 & 2 bound in mottled leather, Volume 3 bound in speckled leather, red leather spine label, gilt spine title.


H: 8 1/2 W: 5 1/2 in.

Volume 1 with bookplate, “Essex Institute,” on front pastedown endpaper, Volumes 2 & 3 with bookplate, “Public Library of the Town of Beverly.

Sabin 95466.
Evans 34656 (vol. I).
Good, edges and covers rubbed, corners bumped, some slight foxing throughout, offsetting of both text and prints. Volume 1 spine cracked.