LETTERS ON SCIENTIFIC SUBJECTS. 7 



our moovable horizon and meridian, together with ther ma- 

 nifold configurations, with the twoo cheefe lights. Where- 

 upon sundry conclusions, both pleasant for varietye of know- 

 ledge and necessary ffor common use, are grounded. Wherof 

 I have in 50 conclusions digested the greater part, with ther 

 historyes poeticall, and judgementes astronomicalle ; the 

 which, into a little treatize reduced, I am bould to offer unto 

 your Lordship, hopinge, ere it bee longe, to ffinishe a columne 

 sustayninge a regular body platonicall, garnished with solar 

 dialls, sutche as I thinke hitherto in this land hath not beene 

 scene, to bee placed in soome of your Lordshipps gardeyns, 

 as aptly serving for uses diurnall as that other frame for con- 

 clusions doon by night ; whose archetype was longe sithens 

 in mind conceyved, and have now at the last also attayned 

 the hand of an hable woorkman to exsequute the same in 

 ffoorme materiall. In the meane, I shall humbly desire your 

 Lordshipp in good part to accept this triflinge testimony of 

 a carefull mind desirouse soom waye to signifye the reverent 

 affection I have and shall duringe life beare toward you, no 

 lesse for private then publike respectes ; Always, as becoometh 

 mee, restinge, 



At your Lordshippes commandment, 



T. DlGGES. 



To the right Honorable my Lord Burghley, 

 the Lord highe tresurer of England, these. 



RALPH RABBARDS TO QUEEN ELIZABETH. 



[MS. Lansd. No. 121. Art. 14.] 



A coppie of notes delivered to her Majestie by Raphe 

 Rabbards*. 



Speciall breife remembrances of such moste pleasante ser- 

 viceable and rare inventions as I have, by longe studdie and 

 chardgeable practice, founde out, the whiche I holde my- 

 selfe bounde in dutie to offer with this learned worke unto your 

 Majestie, as the firste fruites of my labor : the which, or any 

 parte thereof. I shal be reddy to performe and put in execu- 

 tion, at as smalle chardge and to as greate purpose as any 

 other ingeniors or practitioners of Christendome, when it 

 shall please your sacred Majestie to commaunde me, not he- 

 therto performed by any before my selfe. 



* Ralph Rabbards is not a name that has much relation with the history of the 

 science or literature of this period. He edited Ripley's " Compound of Alchemy," 

 4to, Lond. 1591. 



