INSTRUMENTS OF KNOWLEDGE 271 



sight, in figures, magnitudes, motions, colours ; all 

 demonstrations of shadows. We find also divers means 

 yet unknown to you, of producing of light, originally 

 from divers bodies. We procure means of seeing objects 

 afar off, as in the heaven and remote places ; and repre 

 sent things near as afar off, and things afar off as near ; 

 making feigned distances. We have also helps for the 

 sight, far above spectacles and glasses in use. We 

 have also glasses and means to see small and minute 

 bodies, perfectly and distinctly ; as the shapes and 

 colours of small flies and worms, grains, and flaws in 

 gems which cannot otherwise be seen, observations in 

 urine and blood not otherwise to be seen. We make 

 artificial rainbows, halos, and circles about light. We 

 represent also all manner of reflections, refractions, and 

 multiplications of visual beams of objects. 



We have also precious stones of all kinds, many of 

 them of great beauty and to you unknown ; crystals 

 likewise, and glasses of divers kinds ; and amongst them 

 some of metals vitrificated, and other materials, besides 

 those of which you make glass. Also a number of fossils 

 and imperfect minerals, which you have not. Likewise 

 loadstones of prodigious virtue : and other rare stones, 

 both natural and artificial. 



4 We have also sound-houses, where we practise and 

 demonstrate all sounds and their generation. We have 

 harmonies which you have not, of quarter-sounds and 

 lesser slides of sounds. Divers instruments of music 

 likewise to you unknown, some sweeter than any you 

 have ; together with bells and rings that are dainty and 

 sweet. We represent small sounds as great and deep ; 

 likewise great sounds, extenuate and sharp ; we make 

 divers tremblings and warblings of sounds, which in 

 their original are entire. We represent and imitate all 

 articulate sounds and letters, and the voices and notes 

 of beasts and birds. We have certain helps, which set 

 to the ear do further the hearing greatly. We have 

 also divers strange and artificial echoes, reflecting the 

 voice many times, and as it were tossing it ; and some 

 that give back the voice louder than it came, some 



