XVI. S-] THE SECOND BOOK. 169 



And of the servile expressing antiquity in an unlike and 

 an unfit subject, it is well said, Quod tempore anliqmim 

 uidelur, id 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 



