BANIÈRES Jean Examen et réfutation des Elemens de la philosophie de Neuton de M. de Voltaire, avec une Dissertation sur la Réflexion & la Réfraction de la Lumiere. Dedié à Monseigneur le Duc de Chartres.

Wallis, 44 ; Babson (cat.), 39.

First edition of the works by Voltaire refusing the Newtonian system.

The dissertation on reflection and refraction, inserted in the preface is numbered in roman numerals.

“He defines light, explains its properties, measures distances, and feels that Newton’s system is a very gratuitous supposition. He shows that there are indivisible atoms and these are the elements of light. He believes that the seven primary colours correspond with the seven tones of music” (Babson).

The vignettes and 5 copper plates depicting scientific instruments are engraved by Scotin after Croisat.

From the library of “J. Compain” (blind-stamp on title).