A work on natural philosophy, mixing contemporary science (Descartes, Gassendi) with traditional philosophy (Aristotle, Malebranche). The author, unlike Descartes, maintains the distinction between form and matter; he also follows scientific discoveries such as that objects of different masses fall at the same rate. Other topics include the infinite divisibility of matter and the possibility of a true vacuum. Manuscript appears to be part of a series, with alternate titles Pars secunda philosophiae seu phisica (f. 7r) and Prima pars phisicae generalis (f. 115r).
Language:
Latin
Provenance:
"Paris, Blaisot & Cie. 1880" inscribed on f. 1r.; Collector's stamp in blue ink on several pages: "Société Franc̦aise de Physique, Bibliothèque."
125 leaves : paper, illustrations, portraits; 166 x 113 (135 x 90) mm bound to 171 x 121mm
Rights:
https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Notes:
Ms. codex.; Title from title page (f. 4r).; Foliation: Paper, 125 + i (contemporary paper); contemporary foliation in ink, upper right recto, [vi], 1-5, [i], 6-12, [i], 13-20, [i], 21-28, [i], 29-61, [i], 62-65, [i], 66-69, [i], 70-83, [i], 84-105, [106-114]; modern pencil foliation, lower right recto, [1-125].; Layout: Written in 25-30 long lines; text block outlined in drypoint.; Script: Written in a cursive script.; Watermark: Churchill Huchet 319 (1732); several unidentifiable marks: crown with letters "...ANT," letters "L [heart] V...," letters "...AME" with date below," fleur de lis.; Decoration: Various mathematical diagrams relating to geometry (f. 69r, 71r, 73r, 93v); engraved portraits of Nicolas Malebranche (f. 12r), Aristotle (f. 20r), René Descartes (f. 29v), and Pierre Gassendi (f. 38v) by E. Desrochers; doorway with columns on title page (f. 4r), "La Phisyque" the goddess observing herself in a mirror held by a cherub (f. 5r), and various scientific and mathematical diagrams from another book (pasted in between f. 71-72, 75-76, 79-80, 93-94), all attributed to Baour (some are labeled "A Toulouse chez Baour, rue S. rome," others simply with "chez Baour").; Binding: Contemporary calf with gilt floral designs stamped on spine and partial title "PHISI."; Origin: Written in Toulouse in 1751 (f.4r).; Latin with some notes in French.
Physical Location:
Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, Manuscripts, Ms. Codex 1180
The Penn Libraries makes materials accessible to improve information equity and enhance teaching, research,
and learning. See our Sensitive Materials Statement
for more information.