Beschreibung:

Babbage (Charles) Observations on the Temple of Serapis at Pozzuoli near Naples, with an attempt to explain the causes of the frequent elevation and depression of large portions of the earth's surface in remote periods, and to prove that those causes continue in action at the present time. with a supplement. conjectures on the physical condition of the surface of the moon, first edition, presentation copy with ink inscription "To Professor Sismonden from the Author" to front free endpaper, 2 double-page lithographed plates (1 hand-coloured), illustrations, 4pp. advertisements, original pictorial cloth, gilt, light bumping to spine ends and corners, but a bright and fine example overall, [Origins of Cyberspace 63; Tomash & Williams B48], 8vo, Privately Printed, [By Richard And John Taylor For The Author], 1847. ⁂ A presentation copy of Babbage's survey of the ruins near Naples. Angelo Sismonda (1807-1878), an Italian geologist, had supported Babbage in his election as a "socio corrispondente" at the Accademia della Scienze di Torino. . Correspondence between Babbage and Sismonda survives in the Academy's archives and also in the British Library (Add Ms 37191).