TO THE CENTURY. 347 



So far, therefore, from u The Century of Inventions 

 of the Marquis of Worcester, from the Original MS.&quot; 

 being what it thus distinctly professes, it is an amalga 

 mation of the Harleian MS. copy, and the first printed 

 edition. This obliges the introduction of two Nos. 88 5 

 but unfortunately there is neither mark, note, nor obser 

 vation to guide or guard the reader even as to the editor s 

 numerous emendations ; and the result has been such 

 as to render this the most unreliable of all the reprints 

 of the &quot; Century,&quot; which will appear more evident by 

 the unauthorised readings, marked P, in the notes. 



The &quot; Century&quot; remained in manuscript from 1655, 

 the period of its author s release from the Tower, until 

 1663, the date of the first printed edition 5 the title page 

 of which repeats the date of its composition, adding, 

 &quot; my former notes being lost ;&quot; as he was, however, 

 the inventor of many ciphers or kinds of short-hand, 

 it is probable his lost notes would be written so as to 

 be unreadable without the key. It was printed soon 

 after the passing of the Act for his &quot; Water-commanding 

 Engine,&quot; which his mentioned in the Dedication to the 

 Houses of Parliament. 



It has been frequently reprinted singly, as well as 

 produced entire in larger works, of all which publica 

 tions a list is hereunto annexed. 



We subjoin the title pages of the &quot; Century&quot; : 



From the Harleian MS. in the Bri 

 tish Museum. 



&quot;From August ye 29th to Sept. ye From the printed edition of 1663. 



21st, 1659. 



4 A Century of the names A Century of the Names 

 and scantlings of such In- and Scantlings of such In 

 ventions as att present I ventions, As at present I 

 can call to mynde to have can call to mind to have 

 tryed, and perfected ; (my tried and perfected, which 



