[Jesuit] [Gaubil, Antoine]; Etienne Souciet, editor Observations mathematiques, astronomiques, geographiques, chronologiques et physiques, tirées des anciens livres Chinois; ou faites nouvellement aux Indes et a la Chine, par les Peres de la Compagnie de Jesus. Redigees et publiees par le P.E. Souciet, de la meme Compagnie. Paris Chez Rollin Libraire, au Lion d'or 1729
First edition. 4to (26 x 20 cm), pp.[viii], xxv, [6], [1, blank], 294, [2, corrigenda], 8 plates and plans, 6 folding. A very good copy bound in contemporary speckled calf. Edges a little rubbed, one short split at top of spine, spine label detached. Contents clean and fresh.
Cordier BS 211; Löwendahl 364; Lust 1159; Morrison II, p.247; see Needham, Science & Civilization, III, pp.760-1

A remarkable collection of studies and reports made by Jesuits in China. The first 106 pages provide detailed astronomical observations recorded by Gaubil and his fellows in China, of the 1722 eclipse and other astronomical events. The next section provides geographical data, including a survey and plan of Peking. This volume contains Gaubil's edited translation of the mandarin Tulisen's Chinese account of his exceptional journey to Russia and visit to the Kalmuck Khan in 1714. Tulisen's account had first been published at Beijing in 1723. This was its first appearance in any European language. Two further volumes, not present here, were published in 1732. The second volume provides a history of Chinese astronomy and the third a treatise on Chinese astronomy.