The clergyman William Derham published several papers on his interests in natural history and mechanics. He also edited several works in the same field. This collection provides a good illustration of the breadth of scientific inquiries of the time and summarises experiments undertaken by Robert Hooke and his contemporaries. Topics discussed include the most sensible proportions for carriages, the nature of amber, the strength of ice, and recipes for pomade. This copy formed part of King George III’s Windsor library.