SOLOMON'S HOUSE. 135 



For the several employments and offices of our fellows; we have 

 twelve that sail into foreign countries, under the names of other na- 

 tions, (for our own we conceal;) who bring us the books, and abstracts, 

 and patterns of experiments of all other parts. These we call Mer- 

 chants of Light. 



We have three that collect the experiments which are in all books. 

 These we call Depredators. 



We have three that collect the experiments of all mechanical arts; 

 and also of liberal sciences ; and also of practices which are not brought 

 into arts. These we call Mystery-men. 



We have three that try new experiments, such as themselves think 

 good. These we call Pioners or Miners. 



We have three that draw the experiments of the former four into 

 titles and tables, to give the better light for the drawing of observa- 

 tions and axioms out of them. These we call Compilers. 



We have three that bend themselves, looking into the experiments 

 of their fellows, and cast about how to draw out of them things of use 

 and practice for man's life, and knowledge as well for works as for 

 plain demonstration of causes, means of natural divinations, and the 

 easy and clear discovery of the virtues and parts of bodies. These we 

 call Dowry-men or Benefactors. 



Then after divers meetings and consults of our whole number, to 

 consider of the former labours and collections, we have three that take 

 care, out of them, to direct new experiments, of a higher light, more 

 penetrating into nature than the former. These we call Lamps. 



We have three others that do execute the experiments so directed, 

 and report them. These we call Inoculators. 



Lastly, we have three that raise the former discoveries by experi- 

 ments into greater observations, axioms, and aphorisms. These we call 

 Interpreters of Nature. 



We have also, as you must think, novices and apprentices, that the 

 succession of the former employed men do not fail; besides a great 

 number of servants and attendants, men and women. And this we do 

 also : we have consultations, which of the inventions and experiences 

 which we have discovered shall be published, and which not : and take 

 all an oath of secrecy, for the concealing of those which we think fit 

 to keep secret: though some of those we do reveal sometimes to the 

 state, and some not. 



For our ordinances and rites: we have two very long and fair gal- 

 leries : in one of these we place patterns and samples of all manner of 

 the more rare and excellent inventions : in the other we place the 

 statua's of all principal inventors. There we have the statua of your 

 Columbus, that discovered the West Indies : also the inventor of ships : 



