[ESOTERISM]. SALVERTE (Eusèbe). Des sciences occultes ou essai sur la magie, les prodiges et les miracles. Paris, Sédillot, 1829. 2 volumes in-8, xxiii, 412 p. ; 382 p., [1] f., paperback. First edition of this treatise by Eusèbe Baconnière de Salverte (1771-1839) whom Caillet holds in high esteem: "a treatise commendable for its numerous researches and which happily completes the excellent work by Dutens". It contains remarkable statements on hieroglyphics and sacred writing, the enigmatic language of evocations, Freemasons as successors to the theurgist philosophers, sorcerers as followers of Egyptian priests, secrets for protecting oneself from fire and snake venom, magic anointing, the art of extracting lightning from clouds, etc. Dorbon even demonstrates that the ancients already knew about electricity and lightning rods. Paperback as issued with p.d.t. pasted to spine, adhesive reinforcement to upper spine of volume one, omnipresent and sometimes heavy foxing, old Malaret bookplate on reverse of title page. (Caillet, 9867; Dorbon, 4382; Guaita, 2099 for a later edition).