LETTERS ON SCIENTIFIC SUBJECTS. 9 



Water to make the skynne and fleshe fay re and brighte. 



Waters to dense and keepe brighte the skynne and fleshe, 

 and preserve it in his perfitt state. 



SPECIALL OBSERVATIONS CONCERNINGE THE PREPARA- 

 TIONS FOR FIREWORKES. 



An excellent e kinde of salt-peter of greate force. 



Saltepeter mighte be so refyned that the powder made 

 therof mighte be of double the force, so that one pounde 

 maye serve as manye shotte and as stronge as two pounde 

 of that that is comonly used, and lesse chardge in cariage ; 

 and many other wayes apter and better for service. 



A notable peece of service for your Majestic and the Realme. 



That saltepeter, minerall sulphur, pitche, aspaltum, licqui- 

 dion, and drye, and many other like drugges, mighte be 

 founde in the domynions of your Majestic, which we wante 

 and paye most extreamely for ; and God knoweth what gayne 

 and glorie mighte redownde to your Majestic and countrey, 

 if skilfull and honest men were imployed therein. 



Oyles for fireworkes. 



Oyles bothe simple and composed to be distilled for fire- 

 workes, there is none to be boughte or had; he that will ha\e 

 them must make them. 



A strange kinde of flyinge fire many wayes serviceable. 



A flyinge fire which shall, without ordynance, and farre of, 

 wonderfully annoy e any battayle, towne, or campe, and di- 

 sperse even as if it did rayne fire ; and the devydinge fires, 

 being coted and made flyinge, maye touche many places, and 

 leave them all burninge; very terrible both to men and 

 horse. 



A tridant or mace newly invented. 



A tridant or mace for many notable effectes, bothe for 

 shotte, and to sette any thinge on fire ; a very apte instru- 

 mente, and moste soldierlike bothe for horsemen and foote- 

 men. 



Balls of mettle serving to many purposes. 



Balles of mettle to throwe into shippes, to enter in campes 

 in the nightes, likewise in streightes or breaches, especially 

 in battayles ; and to have the said balles of all heightes, dia- 



