116 leaves, 8vo (170 x 100 mm). Written in cursive in black ink. Two full-page astronomical illustrations. Contemporary calf-backed marbled boards (joints starting, some wear). Provenance: Thomas Pearse (inscription on p.4: “Tho. Pearse, Erius Liber, Anno Dom: 1720 May 3th”).

 

Thomas Pearse lived at Sidbury manor, South Devon, from 1690 to 1758. The manuscript covers the nature of Earth, astronomy, fire, thunder, lightning, light, colors, plants, vegetables, the human body, and includes a description of “aether.” It mentions Ptolemy, Copernicus and Newton, including a chapter entitled “An Appendix concerning Newtons Improvement on Copernicus.” Many of the chapters are laid out with bullet points.