140 
the orderly division of the subjects, is sub-divided into four 
sections, and the fourth of these is headed “ Of the use and 
invention of the Mariners Compasse or sea-card, as also of 
another excellent invention sayd to be lately found out upon 
the Load-stone, together with the conclusion of this com- 
parison touching Arts and Wits, with a saying of Bodius, 
and another very notable one of Lactantius.” 
It is in the account of this “ excellent invention sayd to 
be lately found out upon the loadstone” that the curious 
prevision or dream, so to speak, of the application of 
electricity as a means of communication occurs, and there is 
small wonder that the old philosopher called it as he does 
further on, “an excellent and secret conclusion upon the 
stone,” for, whilst perusing his description, one can hardly 
imagine that the writer has not in his mind’s eye one of our 
most modern telegraphic instruments. I quote the paragraph 
in its entirety : — 
“ Another excellent and secret conclusion upon this stone, 
pretended to be found out in these latter times, is, that by 
touching two needles with the same stoue, they being 
severally set so as they may turne upon two round tables, 
having on their borders, the Alphabet within circlewise, if 
two friends agreeing upon the time, the one in Paris, the 
other in London (having each of them their table thus 
equally fitted) be disposed upon certayne dayes and at 
certaine houres to conferre, it is to bee done by turning the 
needle in one of the tables to the Alphabet, and the other, 
by Sympathie will turn itself in the same manner in the 
other table though never so farre distant : which conclusion 
if infallibly true, may likewise proove of good and great con- 
sequence ; howsoever I will set it down as I find it described 
by Famianus Strada in imitation of the stile and vaine of 
Lucretius'^ 
Magnesi genus est lapidis mirabile, &c., &c, 
