4to, from Phil. Trans., 1797, p222-292, 3 tables, 2 fldg plates including one of a cannon. (Preceded by 3p 'On the action of nitre upon gold & platina' by Smithson Tennant). Neatly rebound at some time in cloth, gilt lettering on spine, by Henry Sotheran. Sl browning to first page & plates, red edges. DNB: Count Rumford founded the Royal Institution in 1799. He made mechanical inventions with a view to ameliorating domestic life, and was the first to determine that 'heat is a mode of motion', after observing 'the immense amount of heat generated when cannon were bored'.