Add MS 78335

EVELYN PAPERS. Vol. CLXVIII. Notes on chemistry, with the title, `Chymistry or [As my Master Monsieur Barlet of Paris under whom I went my first curriculm(?) ...] Ergotechnica' (the words in square brackets have been crossed through by Evelyn), and the note on the fly-leaf, `E libris manuscriptis Evelyni. Parisiis 1646'; 1646. Autograph. See F. Sherwood Taylor, `The Chemical Studies of John Evelyn', Annals of Science, 8 (1952), pp. 285, 290-292, who points out that the text is in part based on a course of chemistry under Annibal Barlet and suggests that Evelyn probably intended publishing it. It appears to be derived from lecture notes and is not a translation of Barlet's Cours, published in 1653; Evelyn's preliminary list of `Writers of Chymistry' (f. 5v) includes `Monsr Barlet not yet in print'. Although it begins in Evelyn's book-hand, much of it is in his more rapid cursive hand. Contents include `The Names of the Instruments to be placed & had in the Elaboratory', illustrated with numerous pen and ink illustrations of equipment and processes; chemical symbols (ff. 18v, 100v), and operations involving animal, vegetable and mineral matter; several of the vegetable operations are crossed through, possibly a sign that Evelyn later copied them into chapter 2 of the now lost third book of the `Elysium Britannicum' (see Add. MS 78342 below). Amongst the specfic processes are some attributed to Sir Kenelm Digby (ff. 107v, 113), and (108v), how to make salt peeter'. Beal EvJ 152. Formerly Evelyn MS 32.

ff. iii + 129. Quarto with original binding of mottled calf, gilt-stamped; rebacked. 225 x 180mm.