Letters Concerning the Northern Coast of the County of Antrim. Containing a natural history of its Basaltes: with an account of such circumstances as are worthy of notice respecting the antiquities, manners and customs of that country. The whole illustrated by an accurate map of the coast, roads, mountains, &c. In these letters is stated a plain and impartial View of the Volcanic Theory of the Basaltes. London: Printed by G. Robinson and Co, 1786. First Edition. Pp viii, 195. Bound in recent quarter linen paper boards, title label to upper cover. A fine bright copy.

Hamilton’s a landmark work that blends natural history, geology, and cultural observation. His observations of the Giant’s Causeway and surrounding basalt formations contributed significantly to the early understanding of volcanic geology. His work supported the vulcanist theory, which proposed that basalt was formed by volcanic activity.

The letters also delve into the customs, antiquities, and daily life of the people in Antrim, offering a rich ethnographic snapshot of 18th-century Ireland.