Artificial 'Things* 323 
ftnoothly Engraved ftrokes and points, when examined by 
the microfcope, look but like fo many furrows and holes; 
and their printed impreflions, but like fmutty daubings 
on a mat, or uneven floor, made with a blunt extinguifhed 
brand. Several pieces of fmall writing, reckoned very 
curious of their kind, Cine of which in the breadth of a 
filver two-pence, comprized the Lord’s prayer, the apoftles 
creed, the ten commandments* and about fix verfes be- 
fides out of the bible, being examined by the microfcope* 
fhewed what the writer had afferted was true, but withal 
difcovered it to be compofed of as fhapelefs, barbarous, 
and uncouth letters, as if written in Arabian and Chinefe 
characters. 
A part of the edge of a very keen razor was fo placed 
between the microfcope, and the light, that there appeared 
a reflection from the very edges, and was perceived to be 
lharper in fome places than in others, indented at others, 
broader and thicker at others, and unequal and rugged ; 
that part of the edge which is polifhed by the hone, ap¬ 
peared to be prodigioufly full of fcratches, croffing each 
other every way; befides it had feveral deep furrows. 
That part of the razor which was polifhed upon the 
Wheel, looked almoft as rough as a plowed field 3 . 
Mr. Leeuwenhoek caufed himfelf to be fhaved with the 
(harpeft razor he could pick cut of five by the help of a 
magnifying glafs. At firft it was very foft and eafy, but 
at laft it grew fo painful he could not endure it, and 
upon viewing it with his microfcope, he found in it many 
more notches than at firft. In another he found little 
holes in fix feveral places near the edge. He wafhed the 
back of his hand with plain water, and then with this 
fame razor fcraped cff the little hairs, and on obferving 
Y 2 the 
♦ 
s Hook’s Mtc. p. 4, 
