The Newest, best, and very-much esteemed book of knowledge: Being very necessary and useful for the instruction and benefit of all persons. Shewing the effects of the planets and other astronomical constellations; with the strange events that happen to men, women, and children, born under them. Together with The husbandman's practice: or, Prognostication for ever. And the Shepherd's perpetual calendar for the weather. Also A brief discourse of the natural causes of meteors; with an account of several remarkable earthquakes, rains, thunders, thunder-bolts, lightnings, comets, blazing-stars, &c. And Observations on the weather, and signs foretelling rain. A brief collection of all the members of man physiognomiz'd. Signification of moles on man or woman. Interpretation of dreams. And Pythagoras's Wheel of fortune. With a particular account of the earth and sea: and a description of the most magnificent Temple of Solomon: also of the Seven Wonders of the World. London, printed for A. Wilde in Aldersgate Street: Sold also by the booksellers in town and country, 1764.
In 16° (16 cm), pp. 166, cc. [6]. Incisione a piena pagina: un astrologo scruta il cielo con un cannocchiale. 12 incisioni nel testo.
L’edizione è tarda, ma è evidente l’evocazione del classico Book of knowledge, per il tentativo di identificazione del quale rinvio alle schede delle Pronostycacions di “Erra Pater”e di Strangehopes (nn. 2411 e 7730). L’anonimo autore, inoltre, si serve di altri temi antico-popolari, quali la Ruota di Pitagora, lo Sheperd’s almanack, il Tempio di Salomone, l’interpretazione dei sogni.
Esemplari: Bodleian Library, Oxford; British Library; Wellcome University; Newcastle University; Staatsbibliothek Berlin; Det Kongelige Bibliotek, Copenhagen; The National Library of Medicine of the USA; Library Company of Philadelphia; Penn State University Park; Princeton University.