THE SECOND BOOK 149 



(besides the simple ciphers, with changes, and inter 

 mixtures of nulls and non -significants) are many, ac 

 cording 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 in 

 folding to the writing infolded, and no other restraint 

 whatsoever. This art of ciphering hath for relative an 

 art of deciphering, by supposition unprofitable, 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 rawness 

 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 pro- 

 ficience. And this must be remembered, that as there 

 be many of great account in their countries and pro 

 vinces, which, when they come up to the seat of the 

 estate, are but of mean rank and scarcely regarded ; so 

 these arts, being here placed with the principal and 

 supreme sciences, seem petty things ; yet to such as 

 have chosen them to spend their labours and studies in 

 them, they seem great matters. 



XVII. 1. For the method of tradition, I see it hath 

 moved a controversy in our time. But as in civil 

 business, if there be a meeting, and men fall at words, 

 there is commonly an end of the matter for that time, 

 and no proceeding at all ; so in learning, where there is 

 much controversy, there is many times little inquiry. 



