Description
One of the XX rarest Pyrenean books ARCET (Jean Pierre Joseph DARCET ou d') Discours en forme de Dissertation sur l'État Actuel des Montagnes des Pyrénées et sur les causes de leur Dégradation : Prononcé par M. D'ARCET, Docteur-Régent de la Faculté de Médecine de Paris, Lecteur & professeur Royal, pour son Installation & l'Inauguration de la Chaire de Chimie au Collège de France, le 11 décembre 1775. Expériences & Observations sur les Variations du Baromètre, sur le Thermomètre & autres Morceaux de Physique, d'Histoire Naturelle et de Chimie, avec une Note de M. le MONNIER, sur l'Aiguille Aimantée. Paris, Cavelier 1776. In-8: 60pp. 1f. (privilege). Central brown stain in central part at head partially reaching text but not affecting reading. Modern Bradel-style boards signed LOBSTEIN LAURENCHET. One of the XX rarest Pyrenean books according to Labarère; one of the most important in Pyrenean history. A very rare and sought-after first edition. Note the peculiarity of this mounted copy, with only the first part concerning the Pyrenees ("Dissertation sur l'Etat Actuel des Montagnes des Pyrénées", 60 pages). The second part, on the barometer and thermometer, is missing. D'ARCET's speech on the Pyrenean mountains (Beraldi calls it "the precursor"), delivered at the Collège de France, was memorable for being the first time a speech in French had been heard at the venerable institution. D'ARCET taught there for 27 years (Labarère 450)( Labarère les 20 livres pyrénéistes les plus rares - N° XV, p. 21). Born in Doazit in the Landes region, his choice to study science rather than jurisprudence indisposed his father, who transferred his birthright to the son of a second marriage. The young d'ARCET did not lose heart, however, and taught Latin to support his studies in Bordeaux. He met Montesquieu, became his protégé and later his friend. He helped the philosopher gather material for "L'Esprit des Lois". Through his research on fire, he discovered the method used by Boetticher to make porcelain, a secret jealously guarded by the Duchy of Saxony, which forbade any export of the product. He also discovered other combinations. He demonstrated the complete combustibility of diamonds and was the first to set out "the methodical and reasoned series of a chemical analysis by fire". As tutor to the young Secondat, d'ARCET cultivated his literary skills, and the style of his "memoirs" reflects this. Director of the Manufacture de Sèvres, inspector of the Gobelins, d'Arcet rendered immense services in the application of physics to the arts.
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One of the XX rarest Pyrenean books ARCET (Jean Pierre Joseph DARCET ou d') Discours en forme de Dissertation sur l'État Actuel des Montagnes des Pyrénées et sur les causes de leur Dégradation : Prononcé par M. D'ARCET, Docteur-Régent de la Faculté de Médecine de Paris, Lecteur & professeur Royal, pour son Installation & l'Inauguration de la Chaire de Chimie au Collège de France, le 11 décembre 1775. Expériences & Observations sur les Variations du Baromètre, sur le Thermomètre & autres Morceaux de Physique, d'Histoire Naturelle et de Chimie, avec une Note de M. le MONNIER, sur l'Aiguille Aimantée. Paris, Cavelier 1776. In-8: 60pp. 1f. (privilege). Central brown stain in central part at head partially reaching text but not affecting reading. Modern Bradel-style boards signed LOBSTEIN LAURENCHET. One of the XX rarest Pyrenean books according to Labarère; one of the most important in Pyrenean history. A very rare and sought-after first edition. Note the peculiarity of this mounted copy, with only the first part concerning the Pyrenees ("Dissertation sur l'Etat Actuel des Montagnes des Pyrénées", 60 pages). The second part, on the barometer and thermometer, is missing. D'ARCET's speech on the Pyrenean mountains (Beraldi calls it "the precursor"), delivered at the Collège de France, was memorable for being the first time a speech in French had been heard at the venerable institution. D'ARCET taught there for 27 years (Labarère 450)( Labarère les 20 livres pyrénéistes les plus rares - N° XV, p. 21). Born in Doazit in the Landes region, his choice to study science rather than jurisprudence indisposed his father, who transferred his birthright to the son of a second marriage. The young d'ARCET did not lose heart, however, and taught Latin to support his studies in Bordeaux. He met Montesquieu, became his protégé and later his friend. He helped the philosopher gather material for "L'Esprit des Lois". Through his research on fire, he discovered the method used by Boetticher to make porcelain, a secret jealously guarded by the Duchy of Saxony, which forbade any export of the product. He also discovered other combinations. He demonstrated the complete combustibility of diamonds and was the first to set out "the methodical and reasoned series of a chemical analysis by fire". As tutor to the young Secondat, d'ARCET cultivated his literary skills, and the style of his "memoirs" reflects this. Director of the Manufacture de Sèvres, inspector of the Gobelins, d'Arcet rendered immense services in the application of physics to the arts.
