i 
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BVI"5:] 7" THE SECOND BOOK, 169 
And of the servile expressing antiquity in an unlike and 
an unfit subject, it is well said, Quod tempore antiquum 
videtur, td incongruitate est maxime novum. 
6. For ciphers, they are commonly in letters, or alpha- 
bets, but may be in words. The kinds of ciphers (besides 
the simple ciphers, with changes, and intermixtures of 
nulls and non-significants) are many, according to the 
nature or rule of the infolding, wheel-ciphers, key-ciphers, 
doubles, &c. But the virtues of them, whereby they are 
to be preferred, are three; that they be not laborious to 
write and read; that they be impossible to decipher; 
and, in some cases, that they be without suspicion. The 
highest degree whereof is to write omnia per omnia ; which 
is undoubtedly possible, with a proportion quintuple at 
most of the writing infolding to the writing infolded, and 
no other restraint whatsoever. This art of ciphering hath 
for relative an art of deciphering, by supposition unpro- 
fitable, but, as things are, of great use. For suppose that 
ciphers were well managed, there be multitudes of them 
which exclude the decipherer. But in regard of the raw- 
ness and unskilfulness of the hands through which they 
pass, the greatest matters are many times carried in the 
weakest ciphers. ' 
7. In the enumeration of these private and retired arts, 
it may be thought I seek to make a great muster-roll of 
sciences, naming them for show and ostentation, and to 
little other purpose. But let those which are skilful in 
them judge whether I bring them in only for appearance, 
or whether in that which I speak of them (though in few 
words) there be not some seed of proficience. And this 
must be remembered, that as there be many of great 
account in their countries and provinces, which, when they 
come up to the seat of the estate, are but of mean rank 
