Willsford, Thomas

8vo (155 x 95 mm). Engraved frontispiece portrait by R. Vaughan, full-page woodcut on p. 150. Extensive contemporary marginalia, especially to paste-downs and fly-leaves, some minor dampstaining and soiling, frontis. laid down, small loss to inner margin of title-page (not affecting text), some headlines just clipped, lacking advertisements. Contemporary sheep with gilt red label to spine; somewhat worn.

ESTC R204119; Wing W2875

FIRST EDITION OF THIS ARISTOTELIAN COSMOLOGY AND EXPLANATION OF COMETS AND METEORS.

With numerous and enthusiastic contemporary notes from a previous owner, including a consideration of the Devil's various exploits ("The Devil who haveing great Skill in natural caufes, & a large command over the Air and other elements, may afsist those that are in league ... with him to do many strange and astonishing things"), physiological responses to lightning ("Do not stand gazing upon lightning for it may hurt the sight, swel the face, or make it break out with scabs or leprosy with its sulphuros poysonous substances"), and astrology ("Superstitious observation of the stars, attributing to them the power of overruling as well our mind as our bodies and that inevitably too, without leaving us any power to decline their influences, is perniciously abominable"). An interesting relic of an early would-be scholar seeking to understand the heavenly bodies, and the world around him.