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HERBERT ALMY : 1871 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT NOTEBOOK FILLED WITH LECTURE AND STUDY NOTES ON A VARIETY OF SUBJECTS WHILE AT ONE OF AMERICA'S OLDEST INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING

4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. On offer are the lecture notes of a mid-19th century university student at one of the oldest universities in the United States, founded decades before the American Revolution. Measuring 10 inches by 7.75 inches, the hardcover notebook has 220 pages and is 100% complete. The handwriting is copperplate and is easy to read. The author is Herbert Almy and he is a student at Brown University in 1870's. From a course outline affixed to one page, it appears that these notes were written in the winter of 1871-72. Almy graduated from Brown in 1873 and entered the legal profession. He was Assistant Clerk of the US Supreme Court from 1876 to 1885. Subsequently, he practiced law in Providence, RI. Brown University, located in Providence RI, is the 7th oldest university in the United States and one of the 9 that were chartered before the American Revolution. It is a private, Ivy League university with a good reputation for research. Its alumni number many successful graduates in a wide range of fields. This lecture notebook contains Almy's notes for chemistry, geology and philosophy. His chemistry professor was likely John Appleton. There is a small pamphlet written by Appleton attached a a page. It describes him as 'Professor of Chemistry, Brown University'. Appleton in the late 1870s published several books on chemistry and laboratory work for application in the classroom. The notes cover a range of topics within the field of chemistry. They include notes, explanations and formulae: "Peroxide of Hydrogen H2O2 ; Oxygen and hydrogen form a second compound; it is a liquid which easily decomposes leaving water and liberating oxygen, it has active bleaching powers but it is difficult of preparation; Compounds. Chlorine forms several compounds with oxygen 4 of which belong to the class of anhydrides. Cl2O Hypochlorous anhydride Cl2O3 Chlorus " Cl2O5 Chloric" " Cl2O7 Perchloric" [p. 47]. Altogether, there are 70 pages of such notes and explanations. His Geology lecture notes identify his professor as John Appleton, describing him as a Chemist At Brown [p. 71]. The notes show that the course was divided into 5 topic areas: physiographical, lithographical, historical, dynamical and economical [pp. 72-73]. The course tackled among many topics, the origin of mankind. His notes refer to evolution per Darwin and also creationism; "2 Time of Man's Appearance. There is but one of the sources of information upon this subject that gives us knowledge with respect to absolute time, this is the Historical source the Bible ..." [p. 126]. The philosophy course is entitled Intellectual Philosophy and was taught by President Ezekiel Robinson. Robinson was a Baptist clergyman and noted educator. He was Brown University's 7 President, serving from1872 until 1889. The lectures on philosophy are mainly concerned with the "Science of Mind" -- psychology, consciousness, cognitive faculties, space and time, etc. Questions on moral philosophy are handled in separate part of the course, following the sections on mind. "The science of mind [ ] known in our language as mental philosophy embodies some of the results of two distinct branches of knowledge, namely Psychology and Ontology ..." [p. 136]. His notes go on to explore the nature of the mind and intellect. Taken as a whole, this lecture book gives an excellent snapshot of the state of current thinking on these topics at a major American university. It is a fine reference work for a researcher looking at the state and progress of higher learning in America. It certainly provides an insight into the type of education offered by Brown in these subject areas at this time.. Illustr.: /. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

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