Transcriber's Notes

Changes to the text (in the case of corrections to typographical errors) are listed at [the end of the book].

On page [45], in the reference "Beccheri's Physica Subterranea, Lipsiæ, 1738 (with supplement), 8vo., 1681-80;", no satisfactory explanation of "1681-80" has been found. Note that the publication date of Physica Subterranea is 1669.

On pages [83] & [84] in the explanation of Plate III, a single quote is used to denote the decimal point: this convention has been retained.

From a Bust by Mr. James Loft, Sculptor, exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1867; and now in the Sculpture Gallery of the Crystal Palace, Sydenham.


SCIENTIFIC STUDIES:
OR
PRACTICAL, IN CONTRAST WITH CHIMERICAL PURSUITS;
EXEMPLIFIED IN TWO POPULAR LECTURES.

I.
THE LIFE OF EDWARD SOMERSET,
SECOND
MARQUIS OF WORCESTER,
INVENTOR OF THE STEAM ENGINE.

II.
CHIMERAS OF SCIENCE:
ASTROLOGY, ALCHEMY, SQUARING THE CIRCLE,
PERPETUUM MOBILE, Etc.