362 INTRODUCTION 



finally he filled a piece of a cannon three-quarters full 

 of water, which, after making a fire under it, &quot; burst 

 and made a great crack.&quot; The aim and object of all 

 his laborious experiments was now attained, and from 

 the day when he thus burst the cannon, steam power 

 was realized, its application pursued, various kinds of 

 machines constructed, and the strangeness, novelty, and 

 power of the new engine were such that he declared, as 

 in an ecstacy of delight, &quot; I call this A Semi-omnipotent 

 Engine, and do intend that a model thereof be buried 

 with me.&quot; Nay, more, he bowed down^ in adoration 

 before his Maker, rendering him most humble thanks 

 for vouchsafing him u an insight in so great a secret 

 of nature.&quot; 



It is worth remarking, that the very form of the 

 u Century&quot; was rather due to a custom among scientific 

 inventors than to any whim on the part of its author. 

 In the 13th century, Wilars de Honecort had given a 

 statement of fourteen inventions. In like manner 

 Leonardo da Vinci, of ten various schemes for bridges, 

 ditches, fortifications, and others, military and naval. 

 So again Ealph Rabbards in 1574, Edmund Jentill in 

 1594, and Henry Marshall in 1595, gave notices of 

 their several discoveries in medical waters, fire-works, 

 and mechanical devices. In 1583, appears a MS. note 

 of twenty u sundry sorts of engynes. In 1596, Lord 

 Napier wrote concerning his four &quot; secret inventions,&quot; 

 concluding : &quot; These inventions, besides devices of 

 sailing under water, with divers other devices and 

 stratagems for harming of the enemies, by the grace of 

 God, and work of expert craftsmen, I hope to perform.&quot; 

 In James the First s reign was published a tract entitled, 

 u Cornu-Copia : a miscellaneum of lucriferous and most 

 fructiferous experiments, observations, and discoveries, 

 immethodically distributed ; to be really demonstrated 

 and communicated in all sincerity.&quot; The suggestions, 



