BREWSTER, David.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Letters on Natural Magic, Addressed to Sir Walter Scott. First edition of the scientist's response to Walter Scott's Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft (1830). Brewster discusses "those prodigies of the material world which have received the appellation of 'Natural Magic'", including optical illusions, ventriloquism, and "smoke and mirrors", in order to show how science has been manipulated and misunderstood throughout history (pp. 1-2).As a scientist, Brewster (1781-1868) is best known for his work on optics and the discovery of Brewster's Angle. He was also a pioneer of photography and the inventor of the kaleidoscope.

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