[ALMEIDA, Teodoro de] SILVIO, Theodosio Eugenio Recreaçaõ filosofica, ou dialogo sobre a filosofia natural para instrucçaõ de pessoas curiosas, que naõ frequentaraõ as aulas. 3 vols. Lisbon Na Officina de Miguel Rodrigues 1751
Small 8vo. I: (14) ff., 350 pp., with attractive frontispiece drawn by C. Eisen & engraved by Sornique, 2 vignettes & 5 engraved folding plates; II: (4) ff., 424 pp., with 1 vignette & 2 engraved folding plates; III: (3) ff., 423 pp., with 1 vignette & 4 engraved folding plates. Contemporary calf, spines gilt. With the Macclesfield bookplate and small embossed stamp on preliminary pp. of each volume, f. R8 in Vol. II slightly discoloured, otherwise a fine copy.
The rare first edition. “An erudite and voluminous writer, one of the original members of the Academy of Sciences . . .” (Bell, Portuguese Literature, p. 285). Father Teodoro de Almeida’s work was the most extensive project in Portuguese in the second half of the 18th century to promote the ideas of the encyclopaedists, and such was its success that the first volumes sold out rapidly. It was immediately translated into Spanish and enjoyed wide acceptance in Spain. He was among the most talented and learned priests of the Congregation of the Oratorians, and was one of the first to introduce the study of experimental physics and the ideas of Newton into Portugal. The Order made an important and significant contribution to education in 18th century Portugal, but later incurred Pombal’s wrath. Father Almeida was forced to flee to France in 1768 owing to Pombal’s persecution of the Jesuits and other religious orders, only returning in 1778. Innocêncio VII, 302.
£500
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