Astronomical Dialogues between a Gentleman and a Lady: Wherein the Doctrine of the Sphere, Uses of the Globes, and the Elements of Astronomy and Geography Are Explain'd

John Harris

doi:10.1017/CBO9781316105955

An Anglican clergyman and fellow of the Royal Society, John Harris (c.1666–1719) was an important promulgator of Newtonian science, through private teaching, public lectures and published writing. His Lexicon Technicum (1704) may be considered the first encyclopaedia in English. In the present work, published in 1719, Harris presents for his well-to-do readership a series of didactic conservations between a gentleman of science and an aristocratic lady. He aims to induce 'persons of birth and fortune' to dedicate some of their 'happy leisure … to the improvement of their minds', and uses quotes from poets such as Samuel Butler and John Dryden to help elucidate scientific concepts. In particular, Harris explains the use of contemporary scientific apparatus (and expensive status symbols) such as terrestrial and celestial globes. The book ends with a description of the ultimate contemporary symbol of scientific refinement: the orrery, a working model of the solar system.

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-ii
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Dedication
pp iii-iv
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THE PREFACE
pp v-viii
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Astronomical Dialogues BETWEEN A GENTLEMAN and a LADY. pages 1 to 100
pp 1-100
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Astronomical Dialogues BETWEEN A GENTLEMAN and a LADY. pages 101 to 184
pp 101-184
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Astronomical Dialogues between a Gentleman and a Lady

Wherein the Doctrine of the Sphere, Uses of the Globes, and the Elements of Astronomy and Geography Are Explain'd

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-ii

Dedication
pp iii-iv

THE PREFACE
pp v-viii

Astronomical Dialogues BETWEEN A GENTLEMAN and a LADY. pages 1 to 100
pp 1-100

Astronomical Dialogues BETWEEN A GENTLEMAN and a LADY. pages 101 to 184
pp 101-184

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Astronomical Dialogues between a Gentleman and a Lady

Wherein the Doctrine of the Sphere, Uses of the Globes, and the Elements of Astronomy and Geography Are Explain'd

Book description

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Contents

Frontmatter pp i-ii

Dedication pp iii-iv

THE PREFACE pp v-viii

Astronomical Dialogues BETWEEN A GENTLEMAN and a LADY. pages 1 to 100 pp 1-100

Astronomical Dialogues BETWEEN A GENTLEMAN and a LADY. pages 101 to 184 pp 101-184

Metrics

Full text views

Book summary page views

Accessibility standard: Unknown

Why this information is here

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Frontmatter
pp i-ii

Dedication
pp iii-iv

THE PREFACE
pp v-viii

Astronomical Dialogues BETWEEN A GENTLEMAN and a LADY. pages 1 to 100
pp 1-100

Astronomical Dialogues BETWEEN A GENTLEMAN and a LADY. pages 101 to 184
pp 101-184