Bertholon de St. Lazare, (Pierre). De l'électricité des météores. Ouvrage dans lequel on traité de l'Eléctricité Naturelle en général, & des Météores en particulier; contenant l'explication des principaux phénomenes qui ont rapport à la Météorologie Electrique, d'après l'observation & l'expérience; avec figures. Two volumes. XXVIII, 446 (recte 436) p.; 2 Bl., 391, 1 Bl. With 6 folded, stung plates from L. Le Grand. 19 x 11,5 cm. Spotted calf leather ribbons d. C. (lightly rubbed and slightly bumped) with gold-embossed RSchild, rich gilding and gold-embroidered standing edges. Lyon, Bernuset, 1787. Ronald's p. 54. Mottelay p. 258f. Poggendorff I, Sp. 167f. – First edition. Bertholon (1741-1800) was a member of the Order of the Lazarists and was active in Lyon and Montpellier. For this region, he has a similar importance in researching electricity as did Abbé Nollet in Paris. "Three principal works brought him fame 'De l'électricité des météores' is a study of all atmospheric manifestations, as well as of volcanoes and earthquakes; Bertholon proposed to overcome the later by sinking metals hafts into the ground. Influenced by his friend Benjamin Franklin, he supplied southern France with lighting rods.' (DSB II, p. 83). The first volume deals with thunderstorms, earthquakes and volcanoes. The second volume deals with atmospheric light phenomena, clouds, fog, rain, waterpants, wind as well as tools for electricity measurement, etc. The panels depicting a northern light, a volcanic eruption, ice crystals, windpants and physical devices. – Some stick spots. Overall very nice and decoratively bound copy of the rare original edition.