246 Proofs from old English Books, that the 



mylcs off declared what hath beene doone at that instant m 

 priuate places. Hee hath also sundrie times, by the sunne 

 beames, fired powder and dischargde ordinance halfe a mile 

 and more distante; which things I am the boulder to report, 

 for that there are yet liuihg diuerse, of these his dooings 

 oculati testes*, and many other matters farre more strange 

 and rare, which I omit us impertinent to this place." 



4. On looking fin her into this interesting old treatise, I 

 find, in the 21st chapter of " the fyrst booke," the fol- 

 lowing curious paragraph : 



" Thus much I thought good to open concerning the ef- 

 fects of a plaine glassef, very pleasant to practise, yea most 

 exactly seruing for the description of a plaine champion 

 country. But rnarueillous are the conclusions that may be 

 performed by glasses concaue and conuex of circuiaire and 

 parabolicall formes, using for multiplication of beames 

 sopsetimethe aide of glasses transparent, which by fraction 

 should unite or dissipate the images or figures presented by 

 the reflection of other. By these kinde of glasses or rather 

 frames of them, placed in due angles, yee may not onely set 

 out the proportion of an whole region, yea represent before 

 your eye the liuely image of euery towne, uillage, &c. and 

 that in as little or great space or place as ye will prescribe, 

 but also augment and dilate any parcell thereof, so that 

 whereas at the first appearance, an whole towne shall pre- 

 sent itselfe so small and compact together that vee shall not 

 discerne anye difference of streates, yee may by application 

 of glasses in due proportion, cause anv peculiare house or 

 roume thereof dilate and shew itself in as ample forme as 

 . the whole towne first appeared, so that yee shall discerne any 

 trifle, or readc any letter lying there open, especially if the 

 sunne beames may come unto it, as plamely as if you were 

 corporally present, although it be distante from you as farre 

 as eye can discrie: But of these conclusions I minde not 

 here more to intreate, hauing at large in a uolun)e by itself 

 opened the miraculous effects of perspcctiue-glasses J. And 

 that not onely in matters of discouerie, but also by the sunne 



* Eve-witnesses. 



+ By glasses the author here means any plane reflecting surfaces; for 

 ho begins this 21st chapter of his first book wirh these words—" The 

 best kirde of glasse for this purpose is of stecU lintiy polished, neither 

 conuex nor concaue but fist, &:c." 



J Most prohably this work is lost among the " several mathematical 

 treatises ready for the press, wiiich, by reason of iaw-suits and other avo- 

 t3tions. he was hindered from pubhbhing." See Dr. Hulton'b Dictionary, 

 article Digga. 



beanies 



