William Enfield's Scientific Amusements in Philosophy and Mathematics is an engaging early nineteenth-century introduction to science and recreational mathematics, combining instruction with experiments, puzzles and scientific entertainments intended to stimulate the curiosity of younger readers. Its wide-ranging contents encompass arithmetic, acoustics, electricity, magnetism, optics and pneumatics, together with assorted scientific "secrets" and demonstrations that could be attempted or observed by the reader. Published posthumously in 1821 and expressly recommended as a school book, it reflects the growing contemporary enthusiasm for presenting scientific principles through practical experiment and amusement. This is the first edition, complete with its engraved frontispiece. Scientific Amusements in Philosophy and Mathematics: Arithmetic, Acoustics, Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, Pneumatics, together with Amusing Secrets in various branches of Science, The Whole calculated to form An Agreeable and Improving Exercise for the Mind. Particularly recommended as a Useful School Book. By W. Enfield, M.A. Printed for A.K. Newman and Co., Simpkin and Marshall, T. Tegg, and Edwards and Knibbs, London, and Griffin and Co., Glasgow. Printed by Plummer and Brewis, London. 1821 first edition. A very good hardback with brown leather spine and corners and marbled paper over boards. Covers scuffed and bumped, with rubbed joints, but all soundly bound. Text is bright and clean throughout with just the occasional corner crease or light usage mark. Mild offsetting to endpapers. With pictorial frontispiece opposite title, with light staining. Previous owner's name to top corner of title page in margin. Text in English. xii + 276pp.  Weight approximately 266g. Dimensions: Approximately 180mm high x 108mm wide x 21mm deep.