OF VICISSITUDE OF THINGS 143 



in China above two thousand years. The conditions of 

 weapons, and their improvement, are, First, the fetching 

 afar off; for that outruns the danger; as it is seen in 

 ordnance and muskets. Secondly, the strength of the per- 

 cussion; wherein likewise ordnance do exceed all arietations 

 and ancient inventions. The third is, the commodious use 

 of them ; as that they may serve in all weathers ; that the 

 carriage may be light and manageable ; and the like. 



For the conduct of the war : at the first, men rested 

 extremely upon number : they did put the wars likewise 

 upon main force and valour ; pointing days for pitched 

 fields, and so trying it out upon an even match : and they 

 were more ignorant in ranging and arraying their battles. 

 After they grew to rest upon number rather competent 

 than vast ; they grew to advantages of place, cunning 

 diversions, and the like : and they grew more skilful in 

 the ordering of their battles. 



In the youth of a state, arms do flourish ; in the middle 

 age of a state, learning ; and then both of them together 

 for a time ; in the declining age of a state, mechanical arts 

 and merchandise. Learning hath his infancy, when it is 

 but beginning and almost childish : then his youth, when 

 it is luxuriant and juvenile : then his strength of years, 

 when it is solid and reduced : and lastly, his old age, when 

 it waxeth dry and exhaust. But it is not good to look too 

 long upon these turning wheels of vicissitude, lest we 

 become giddy. As for the philology of them, that is but 

 a circle of tales, and therefore not fit for this writing. 



