THREE BOOKS OF COLLOQVIES CONCERNING THE ART OF SHOOTING 〈◊〉 GREAT AND SMALL PIECES OF ARTILLERY, VARIABLE randges, measure, and weight of leaden, iron, and marble stone pellets, mineral saltepeeter, gunpowder of divers sorts, and the cause why some sorts of gunpowder are corned, and some sorts of gunpowder are not corned: Written in Italian, and dedicated by Nicholas Tartaglia unto the Royal Prince of most famous memory HENRY the eight, late King of England, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith etc. And now translated into English by CYPRIAN LUCAR Gent. who hath also augmented the volume of the said Colloquys with the contents of every Colloquy, and with all the Corollaries and Tables, that are in the same volume. Also the said CYPRIAN LUCAR hath annexed unto the same three books of Colloquys a Treatise named LUCAR APPENDIX collected by him out of divers Authors in divers languages, to show unto the Reader the properties, office, and duty of a Gunner, and to teach him to make and refine artificial saltpetre, to sublime brimstone for gunpowder, to make coals for gunpowder, to make gunpowder of divers sorts and of divers colours, to make gunmatches, touchwood, and fire stones, to know the weight and measure of any pellet, to make carriages, ladles, rammers, scourers, and cartredges for any great piece of artillery, to know the proportioned length, due thickness, and weight of every great piece of artillery, to know what number of men, horses, or Oxen will draw any great piece of artillery, to make platforms for great ordinance, to make gabbions of earth for the defence of gunner's in time of service, to charge every great piece of artillery with his due charge in serpentine gunpowder, and also in corn gunpowder, to shoot well at any mark within point blank, to shoot well at any mark upon a hill, or in a valley without point blank, to shoot well at a mark in any dark night, to mount mortar pieces to strike any appointed mark, to tell whether a thing seen far of doth stand still, come towards him, or go from him, to make and use divers Trunks, and many sorts of fire works, to make mines, to measure altitudes, longitudes, latitudes, and profundities, to draw the true plat of any place, and to do other commendable things which not only in time of war, but also in time of peace may to a good end be practised. La possessione delle ricchezze non è sicura, se la non si salva con la difensione della 〈◊〉. depiction of a piece of artillery ●…NTED AT LONDON FOR ●ohn Harrison. 1588. royal blazon or coat of arms HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DROIT ET LOYAL TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, ROBERT EARL OF LEICESTER, BARON OF DENBIGH, LORD STEWARD OF HER majesties HOUSEHOLD, CHIEF JUSTICE, in Oyer, of all her majesties Forests, Parks, Chases, and Warrens, by South Trent, and Knight of the most honourable orders of the Garter, and Saint Michael in France, and one of the Lords of her majesties most Honourable Privy Counsel. divers men (Right noble & most renowned Earl) according to the diversity of their natures do diversly seek to excel others: as in the ancient Roman state, Crassus the rich by wealth, Pompey the great by honour, Caesar the meek by friends, Cicero the eloquent by learning, Cato the wise by counsel, Fabritius the temperate by integrity, Brutus the stout by fortitude, and Scipio Affricanus by bounty, and liberality: In all common weals are like dispositions: And verily riches well used are ornaments of peace and sinews of war: honours well got & true nobility are of peerless price, especially in a comely parsonage, and manly countenance: friends unfeigned a treasure than the which nothing more trusty: what is more sweet than learning? highlier to be prised than wisdom? rather to be used than temperance? more valued than magnanimity? & neerlier resembling the bounties of God than true liberality? As each of these though desired for private praise, and singled from others is a singular ornament, so being joined with more of the rest, and employed to the public good, cannot but make a man to be admired. But if all these together were inspired into one as though all the planets had agreed by their gracious aspects, and sweet influences to furnish a man at all assays, would not the eyes of all men's minds be as it were dazzled at the bright beams of the right peerless nobility of such a man? especially if they shall see it wholly dedicated to the glory of God, the good of the Church and common wealth. I dare not apply this directly to your Honour, lest it may seem to savour of flattery. But if it may please your wisdom to survey the excellent gifts, wherewith God hath singularly graced your honourable estate, if it appear that you have employed your wealth to the good of God's Church, in this are you like the wise rulers of Israel, who freely offered precious stones, and costly perfumes to the work of the tabernacle: so far as you have used your honourable estate to countenance the Gospel, and the professors thereof, therein have you resembled the provident joseph, whom God exalted above all Pharaohs house, that so he might relieve his old father Israel, and the families of all his brethren: wherein your Lordship hath used her majesties favour to the building up of the walls of God's Church, therein have you lively represented the right noble Courtier Nehemiah, whose countenance was sad be-before Darius his king, until he had obtained letters, leave, & furniture, to repair the walls of the holy City: So often as your godly policies, grave counsels, & wise speeches, have directed for the peace of England, have confounded the counsels of our Romish Achitophel's, have disappointed the treasons of our Absoloms, so often hath your Honour been found faithful to your Prince, to your Counrie, to the Church, as Hushai the Archite David's friend. If by prayer and fasting you have called for the help of God, as Ezra: if your hand have been as the hand of joab against the enemies of your Prince, and for the people of God in the lo countries: if you have enlarged your heart and hand in gifts to many, who have travailed to benefit their country and profit the Church, as Solomon rewarded Hiram, & those who wrought all skilful works for the Temple. If in all these things God have inhabled your Lordship in some measure, or in most of them in great measure, to his glory, the peace of the Church, the wealth of the land, and honour of the Prince, then both have you wherein to rejoice, and the eyes of all men whom to behold, as a common Patron of all those, who in any zealous desire employ their pains to profit their country and the Church of God. Wherefore licenced to dispose (as I will) of this English work made by Master Cyprian Lucar with a dutiful zeal to benefit his native soil, I thought it my duty to offer it to your noble patronage, as a present most fit for your Honour, & most profitable for these times. Your L. her majesties lieutenant in the lo countries hath endured great travails in the cause of God, and your Prince, and can any thing be more acceptable to your Honour than that which may be both for chief defence of the friends, and greatest annoyance of the enemies of God and your Prince. Again, when can such a present be more seasonable than now, that so many Princes of the earth have conspired against the Lord & our Prince the Lords anointed? and what can more astonish the eyes, and ears of the profane hearted and earthly minded enemies of God's religion, and our Prince's peace, than the lightning gunpowder and the thundering Camnon? what can more encourage & strengthen soldiers who shall fight the battles of God & our Prince, then skilful shooting in great and small pieces of artillery? than artificial making of saltpetre, gunpowder, mines, and many sorts of fireworks? than right use and practise of all those and many other serviceable devices? Then to whom rather than to your Honour? when rather than now? What rather than this martial book may I offer for a present in these martial times? seeing it is not only a rich storehouse gathered by the forenamed Master Cyprian Lucar out of the famous Nicholas Tart●glia and divers other Authors in divers languages, but also by divers of Master Lucar his devices greatly furnished and enriched. Most humbly therefore I beseech your Honour according to the wont nobility of your well affected mind, to accept of this my present, as a sure pledge both of my zeal to your L. and loyal care to further whatsoever may benefit my Queen and country. The Lord of his mercy still protect our Prince, defend our country, and preserve your Honour that long you may advance your wealth, fame, honour and friends, your person and power, your temperance, wisdom, fortitude, affability and liberality, to the maintenance of our happy peace, propagation of true religion, defence of the holy Church, the Gospel, and the glory of God. Your honours most humble and dutiful Orator john Harrison Stationer. TO THE MOST PVISANT AND MERCIFUL Prince Henry the eight by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland, etc. MOST RENOWNED AND EXCELlent King, I have been alured by questions which grave and wise men at sundry times did ask of me, to consider of many matters, and to know many things which I should not have known, nor thought, if the same questions had never been demanded. For it was never my profession, nor at any time have I delighted to shoot in an arquebus, handegunne, or in any other small or great piece of Artillery, nor do intend to shoot hereafter in any of them, but one only question which a skilful Gunner in Anno Domini 1531. did ask of me in Verona, provoked me at that time to think thereupon, and by that occasion to find out the order and proportion of shoots at marks near hand, and also at marks far of, according to the variable elevation of the piece which doth shoot, whereof I should never have had any care, if that Gunner had not with his said question stirred me up to deal in the same. Moreover in Anno Domini 1537. It was reported that Soliman the Turkish Emperor made great preparation to war upon the Christians, wherefore I did writ and publish in haste a short Treatise of shooting in Guns to the end that my devices in the same might be considered of, seen, and proved whether or no they would be profitable for the defence of the Christians. And although my said book did no good, and that I also made little account thereof because as it happened the report of that war did afterwards vade away like smeke, yet my said book made many wise men of great estimation, and also some of the common people, to trouble me with other questions of Artillery, Pellets, Saltepeeter, and Powder, and to 'cause me to enter again into a deep consideration of their said particular questions, whereby I found out and know (as I have said before) many things of which (except the same questions had been asked of me) I should never have had any Consideration or knowledge. After this, thinking with myself that he who hath by knowledge, labour, or chance invented any notable thing doth merit great blame if he will not impart his devise unto others (for if all our forefathers had kept their knowledge secret from us, we should at this time have little differed from bruit beasts) I determined to be herein blameless, and to publish the same questions or inventions, and for that purpose have now collected them out of one part of my memorial, in which I use for my better remembrance to writ every notable thing that I know. This collection is divided into nine several books according to the quality of the matter expressed in the same. And because I do remember that my Worshipful Gossip M. Richad Ventuorth (who is one of your sacred majesties Gentlemen) hath told me of the noble courage, liberality, royalty, humanity, and clemency which are in your Highness, and that your Excellency delighteth much in all manner of warlike devices, I am emboldened although I lack the pithy eloquence and fine phrase of speech which is meet for you to hear, to offer and dedicated unto your Majesty the said questions and my resolute Answers unto them, not as a convenient thing for your Majesty (for insomuch as the things of the most profoundest doctrine being expressed with eloquence and in a pure style cannot come near unto the lowest step of your Highness, these our inventions which are mechanical and common things told and declared in a blunt and barbarous style, may much less approach unto the same) but I do offer and dedicated my said inventions unto you as nwe things according to a custom by which some use at the beginning of the year to present unto noble and honourable people unripe and sour fruits, not for that any goodness is in them, but for dainty and new things which do naturally please men's minds: whereby I am persuaded to think that though all my Inventions shall not like you, yet some of them will delight you, which coming to pass as I desire, will embolden me to attempt hereafter more greater matters. At your majesties feet lying prostrate upon the ground with my head uncovered, and my hands joined together, I do humbly recommend myself unto your Highness. Nicholas Tartaglia. AD LECTOREM. ARdua damnosae, praeponas, praelia paci, Pax mala saepe nocet, bellaque justa iwant. Sunt longae pacis comites luxusque dolusque, Corpora dura ducum mollit amica venus. Plus gula quam galea, & plus lanx quam lancea, vini Pocula quam ferri spicula, cuique placent. Sed cum bella fremunt, sonat & taratantara praeco, Cum simul armato milite castra scatent. Mutantur mores hominum, mutantur amores, Magnus & est subito, qui modo parvus erat, Excubiae somnum superant, labor otia vincit, Tunc Dea vana venus, vinaque spreta jacent. Hic ducis assumit partes, hic militis arma, Iste mucrone potens, hic eques, ille pedes. Alter bombardis inimicas dissipat aedes, Eminus hic hastis, cominus hic gladijs. Si cupis a longé globulis terrere superbos, Hic discas hostes perterebrare tuos. Tartaglia arte sua multos ad tartara mittit, Transtulit hunc nuper Lucar & arte sua. Non lucrum quaerit Lucar, non munera magna, Laudem non fraudem, doctus habere studet, Sed pro regina, pro relligione fideque, Pro Christo Angligenas instruit arte sua. G. B. Cantabrigiensis. IN DEI NOMINE AMEN. The first book of Nicholas Tartaglia his Colloquys, concerning the Art of shooting in great and small Pieces of Artillery, translated out of Italian into English, by Cyprian Lucar Gentleman, who hath also augmented the volume of the said Colloquys for the benefit of his Readers, with the Contents of every Colloquy, and with the Corollaries, and Table that are in the same volume. The first Colloquy. How a Gunner's Quadrant should be made and used, and how a Piece of Artillery doth shoot more ground when it is elevated at the mouth, than it will do when it lieth level: and how Pellets do make long and short Ranges according as the Pieces which shoot them are elevated, and how a Table of randoms may be made for any Piece, and how he which hath a true Table of randoms for a Piece, shallbe thereby able to make with that Piece a perfect shoot at any mark within the reach of his said Piece, and teach any unskilful Gunner to do the same: and how he that wanteth such a Table shall never learn to shoot well at any mark without point blank, and how the outer sense telleth truth in particular things but not in universal things. Interlocutors Francesse Maria Duke of Urbine. Nicholas Tartaglia. DUKE. What reasons are they which (as you say in your book dedicated unto me) you have found out concerning the knowledge of shooting in Guns? Nicholas. The proportion & order of shoots not only at marks far of, but also at marks hard by, with what Piece you will, and with what sort of pellet you will. Duke. Speak more plainly, and give me an example thereof, for I do not understand what you say. Nicholas. I am content to show unto your Excellency, an example of my said invention, but first I must speak of that material instrument which I have devised & set forth in a picture at the beginning of my said book dedicated unto you: the which instrument is made of a square piece of wood or of metal like unto this figure B A C, and containeth a quadrant, that is to say, How a Gunners quadrant may be made. one fourth part of a circle like unto the figure H I G K, which is to be described with a pair of compasses upon the centre H, I mean one foot of the compass aught to be fixed in the point H the inward angle of the said square, and the other movable foot of the compass must describe I G KING the crooked side or ark of that quadrant: also another crooked line equidistant from the first, as is the line E F, aught to be drawn with the said compasses: but for this purpose the compasses may not be opened so wide as they were before, and all the space which is between the two crooked lines, that is to say, between the ark I G K, and the ark E F, must be divided into 12. equal parts drawn by the edge of a ruler from the point H the centre of that Quadrant, so as every of the same divisions (which I call points) may be perceived to look or lie right upon that centre H as they do in this figure. depiction of a gunner's quadrant IN the same manner every of the aforesaid parts or points should be divided into 12. A Type of the Gunners quadrant. other equal parts: Although I have not divided this figure into so many parts, because they would here mar the same: but a Square of an ordinary bigness (as before I have said) may be so divided, as that all the whole Square shall contain 144. equal parts which I call minutes. These minutes are to be marked with more shorter lines than are the lines of the points, to this end that they may be more easily numbered by the half or midst of the points depicted with the greater lines, & that we may also know how that every point containeth twelve minutes. This done, a pin of iron or of latin is to be fixed precisely in the point H the centre of the quadrant, and upon that pin a movable thread of silk or of some other thing with a plummet at the end of the same must hung down like unto the perpendicular H M D. The use of the Gunnets quadrant. This Instrument will help us to judge of all the variable positions or elevations that may happen in any Piece of artillery whatsoever. And now concerning the same positions or elevations, this is to be noted, that the first position of every Piece is to be understood when it is laid level, for then (the longest leg of the said instrument being put into the mouth of the said Piece, and rightly extended towards the bottom of his concavity) the thread and plummet which is fixed in the centre of that instrument, will fall precisely upon the line H F KING as it doth in the figure next following. depiction of a piece of artillery A piece lying level. And a Piece shall be said to be mounted one point, when (the longest leg of our said instrument being in the mouth of the said Piece) the said thread and plummet doth fall precisely upon the division of the first point, as it doth in the figure nex following. depiction of a piece of artillery A Piece mounted at one point or 12. mints. Also a Piece shall be said to be elevated two points, when the said thread and plummet doth fall precisely upon the division of the second point: and when the said thread & plummet doth fall precisely upon the third point, than the Piece is elevated at three points: and so we must say of the fourth, fift, and sixt points. But when a Piece is mounted at the sixt point, than the said Piece is mounted to the greatest elevation that it may be at. I speak this of a Piece of Artillery, because the mortar pieces may be elevated unto all the other points following: I mean even unto the 12. point. This which we have spoken of points, aught also to be understood of minutes: that is to say, when a Piece is so mounted that the said thread and plummet falls Precisely upon the division of the first minute, that Piece shallbe said to be mounted one minute. And when the said thread and plummet shall fall upon the division of two minutes, it shall be said to be mounted at two minutes. In like sort it shall be said of all the rest even to the greatest elevation, that is to say, to the elevation of the sixt point, or of 72. minutes, as this figure next following doth manifestly show. The other minutes from thence to the end are for mortar pieces, depiction of a piece of artillery A piece mounted at 6. points or 72. minutes. How a piece doth cast more ground when it is elevated at the mouth, than it will do when it lieth level. How pellets do make long and short ranges according as the pieces which shoot them are elevated. Duke. What will you infer upon this? Nicholas. Hereupon I will first infer that a piece of Artillery mounted at one point shoots more farther than it will do when it lieth level, and that a piece mounted at two points will shoot more farther than at one point, and a piece mounted at three points will shoot more farther than at two points. Also a piece being mounted at 4. points, will shoot much more farther than it will do at 3. points. Likewise a piece mounted at 5. points, will shoot somewhat farther than at 4. points. And a piece mounted at 6. points, shoots a pellet of lead a little farther than it doth at 5. points. For reason teacheth us that the range of a pellet shot out of a piece mounted at 5 points, and the range of a like pellet shot out of the same piece mounted at 6. points do so little differ, as that upon any small advantage happening either by force of powder, or by any other means, the piece being mounted at 5. points, will shoot so far as it can do when it is mounted at 6. points, and perchance farther: but when one doth mount such a piece, so as they do mount mortar pieces, that is to say at 7. points, with out doubt by mounting the piece at 7. points, he shall not shoot so far as he did when that piece was mounted at 6. points, also at the 8. Point, he shall not shoot so far as he did at the 7. point. Likewise at the 9 point he shall shoot much shorter than he did at the 8. point, & at the 10. point he shall shoot less ground than at the 9 point, & so at the 11. point he shall shoot much shorter than at the 10. point, finally at the 12. and last point he shall not shoot so far by a great deal as he did at the 11. point. But in this last elevation it may be thought, that by natural reason the pellet should return back again into the mouth of the piece, yet by many accidents which do commonly happen in that instant when the piece is discharged, the Pellet will not precisely return into the very mouth of the piece, but fall down near unto the same. Duke. This is to be granted as all that which you have beside spoken, but what will you infer upon this? Nicho. I will secondarily infer that I have found out in what kind of proportion or order the said shoots do increase by every elevation, and that not only from point to point of our said instrument, but also from minute to minute, even to the end of the elevation of the 6. point or of 72. minutes, yea & that with every sort of pellet whether the same be of lead, iron, or stone. Likewise I have found out in what proportion the shoots do decrease when pieces are elevated beyond the said 6. point as mortar pieces are elevated, How a Table of randoms may be made for any piece of Ordinance. How he which hath a table of randoms for a piece, shall be thereby able to make with that piece a perfect shoot at any mark within the reach of his said piece, & teach any unskilful gunner to do the same, and how he that wanteth such a table shall never learn to shoot well at any mark without point blank. and that not only from point to point, but also from minute to minute, even to the end of all the 12. points, or of the 144. minutes. Duke. What profit will come by this your Invention. Nicho. The profit of this invention is such, as that by the knowledge of one only shoot out of any piece of ordinance whatsoever, each man may make a table of all the shoots that such a piece will shoot at any elevation, that is to say from point to point, and from minute to minute in our said instrument: the which table shall be of such virtue and property, as that any person having the same with him shall not only know how to shoot, but also be able to teach every unskilful Gunnar to shoot in such sort of guns at any mark so many paces, and so far of from him as he will, so that the mark be not farther than such pieces will reach: and this notwithstanding he which is so taught lacking such a table, cannot learn any part of this invention, for this secret shall be known only to him that hath such a table and to none other. Duke. If he that hath such a table will not shoot himself, but 'cause one other person to shoot, shall not that other person learn this secret? Nicho. Not (most excellent Lord) but that other person may be likened unto the servants of Appotecaries which continually compound medicines according as they are appointed by Physicians to do, and learn not thereby to be Physicians. Duke. This seemeth to me a thing incredible, because you say in your said book that you did never shoot in any gun, and for that he which will judge of things in which he hath had no proof or experience, is oftentimes deceived. The eye is that which giveth us a true testimony of things imagined. The outer sense reileth truth in particular things, but not in universal things: for universal things are subject only to understanding and not to any sense. For the eye is that which gives us a true testimony of things imagined. Nich. It is true that the outer sense doth tell us the truth in particular things, but not in universal things: for universal things are subject only to understanding, & not to any sense. Duke. You have said enough, & if you can make me to see this which I do not believe, you shall work a wonder. Nich. All things happening by nature or art are thought to be wonders, when no reason is given for the same, but your Excellency shall found my sayings herein to be true if you will 'cause them to be tried with a Piece of Artillery. Duke. I must go now unto Pesaro, but at my return from thence I will 'cause all this which you have told me to be proved. The second Colloquy. Where a Piece of Artillery which is elevated at the mouth, will do a greater exploit than a Piece which lieth level, and where a Piece which lieth level will do a greater exploit than a Piece which is elevated, & how a Piece which lieth level will never shoot so far in an insensible crooked line, as it will do when it is somewhat elevated at the mouth, or embased at the mouth: and how Tartaglia in this Colloquy, by these words in a right line, means an insensible crooked line, & how it may be proved by the science of weights that a pellet flieth more heavily out of a Piece lying level, than it will do out of the same piece any whit elevated: and how a pellet shot out of a piece lying level, rangeth in a more crooked line, & more sooner beginneth to decline downwards to the ground, than it will do when it is shot out of a piece somewhat elevated: & how a pellet shot out of a piece lying level, will strike with less force than it will do when it is shot out of the same piece any whit elevated: and how as a piece is elevated from point to point, or from minute to minute, the pellet of that piece doth augment his range in an insensible crooked line: and how the pellet of the culvering which in this Colloquy is planted on the plain at the foot of the hill, & at his hitting of the object would have go more farther than the pellet of the other culvering on the top of the hill (not meeting with an object to resist it) shall do the greatest exploit upon the fort which is his resisting object. Interlocutors Francesse Maria, Duke of Urbine. Nicholas Tartaglia. Duke. Tell me briefly as you think, whether a piece of artillery when it lieth level will do a greater effect, or pierce farther into the thing at which it doth shoot, than it will do when it is elevated? Nich. that I may answer your question without blame, it is needful for your Excellency to propose this question by an example or figure, and to tell me the distance between the artillery and the thing to which it shall shoot: and also to show unto me the quality or situation of the thing at which it shall shoot. Duke. Suppose for an example that it doth so fall out that you must batter a fort, which is on the top of a hill, being 60. paces high, and that at 100 paces distant from the said hill, there is another hill of 60. paces in height, which is equal in height with the said fort as it may appear by the figure next following. And suppose that upon the top of this second hill you may commodiously plant artillery to batter the said fort, and to shoot level with your artillery from thence against that fort, as it may also appear by the said figure next following. And finally suppose that you may also commodiously batter that fort with like ordinance placed on a plain at the foot of the said second hill one hundred paces distant from the hill upon which the said fort doth stand, & that the said ordinance on the said plain is much elevated before to shoot from below upwards to the said fort, as also it may appear by the said figure next following. Now I ask of you whether the Piece of artillery placed on the said second hill, will be to more effect, and pierce farther into the said fort than the said like piece of Artillery which is placed on the plain at the foot of that second hill? depiction of two pieces of artillery Nicholas. Without doubt that Piece which is on the plain at the foot of the hill will be to more effect, and pierce farther into the said fort, than that piece which is planted on the top of the hill. Duke. If I should be a judge thereof, I would judge all to the contrary, because the Piece which is to be shot from the top of the hill, is much more nearer to the walls of that fort, than that Piece is which must be shot from the foot of the hill: and forasmuch as this thing at which you shoot is more nearer to that piece, by natural reason the pellet should pierce more farther into it. Nichol. When like pieces of Artillery are planted after one like manner in unlike distances against an object, that followeth which your Excellency doth say: but by probable reason I do find it to be otherwise in this your question, A piece which lieth level will never shoot so far in an insensible crooked line, as it will do when it is somewhat elevated at the mouth or embased at the mouth. Tartaglia in this Colloquy by these words in a right line, means an insensible crooked line. The science of weights dependeth upon Geometry & natural Philosophy. for a Piece which lieth level will never shoot so far in a right line, as it will do when it is somewhat elevated at the mouth: and by how much the more a Piece is elevated at the mouth, by so much it shoots the more farther in a right line. Likewise we must understand that a Piece will shoot farther in a right line when the mouth thereof doth lie but a little downwards, than it will do when it stands level, and that by how much the mouth of the Piece doth lie more downwards, by so much it will shoot the more farther in a right line. Duke. This is a strange and incredible tale, that one and the same quantity and power of powder will expel more violently one and the same weight of pellet, by one way more than by an other: therefore I desire to know the reason which causeth you to be of that opinion. Nicholas. The reason thereof is declared by the accidents happening in shooting, in the last proposition of the second book of our nwe science: but I have omitted there to show the very cause of such effects, for that I would not be tedious unto your Excellency, and because that is plainly showed in the science of weights, the which science is of no small speculation, and dependeth upon Geometry and natural Philosophy: but if it will please you now to hear me, I will presently declare the same. Duke. Do so with as much brevity as you may. Nicholas. To declare this well, and that I may be the better understood, I am compelled to set down first the definitions of some fit terms, and also some suppositions, as the use is to do in every Science, and because the things will be better understood by an Example than by words, I will suppose for an Example that A.B. is a pair of Balance with two arms A.C. and C.B. which are of a like length, and of an equal weight, and that the point C. is the centre upon which the said beam or arms do turn, & that two bodies of equal weight named by these two letters A. and B do hung at the ends of the said arms. The which two bodies being supposed to be of equal weight, and to hung at an equal length upon the said two arms A.C. and C. B. of the supposed balance which are also supposed to be of one lust length, by the first petition alleged by Archimedes in his book which he made of the centre of weights, should incline equally, that is to say, they should stand strait outright, so as one end of that beam do lie no higher than the other, as it may appear by the figure next following. Also about C the centre, a circle aught to be described according to the quantity of one arm of the said balance, and let that circle be E. A. F. B, and then the centres of the said bodies will always go in the circumference thereof when the said balance is turned about upon his centre C. depiction of a pair of balances The first Definition. The said two bodies standing in the line of equality (as they do in the figure next following) are said to be in the place of equality. The second definition. A perpendicular being drawn from the top, and passing by the said centre C (as doth the line E C F) is called the line of direction. The first Supposition. Also this is needful to be noted, that a heavy body is supposed to be more heavier in the place where it lieth, by so much as his descending is less obliqne, that is to say, less crooked in the same situation or place, the example of this supposition is declared in the figure next following. The second supposition. The descending of a heavy body is supposed to be so much the more obliqne, by how much in his descent it doth take a less part of the line of direction, or of an other line equidistant to it in the same quantity, that is to say, in the same quantity of the circles circumference where it turneth or goeth. Every kind of weight which being weighed departeth from the place of equality, is made thereby so much the more lighter, by how much it is more departed from the said place of equality. But this shallbe better understood by the figure following. Now the aforesaid supposition being admitted, I bring forth this proposition and say, that every kind of weight which being weighed departeth from the place of equality, is made thereby so much the more lighter, by how much it is more departed from the said place of equality. And for example of this proposition, let the balance A B (of the figure precedent) be turned upon the said centre C, and let the same two equal bodies A and B hanging or joining to the two ends of the two arms of the said balance, be in the same place of equality (as above was supposed) now I say that removing the one and the other of the said bodies from the said place of equality (that is to say, one end of the said beam, or of one of the said arms being put down, and the other end of the said beam, or of the said other arm being elevated) the one and the other of those two bodies shall be thereby made the more lighter, and they shall be by so much the more lighter, by how much they are the more farther from the said place of equality. Demonstration. For a Demonstration hereof let the body A in the figure precedent be put down even unto the point V, as in the figure following, and let B being the other opposite body be elevated to the point I, and let the one and the other of the two arks A FIVE and I B be divided into so many equal parts as you will. Howbeit in this figure the one and the other of these two arks is divided but into three equal parts in the points L N and Q S, and from the three points N L I, draw the three lines N O, L M, and I KING equidistant from the diameter B A, the which will cut E F the line of direction in three points Z Y X. Likewise from the three points Q S V draw three lines Q P, S R, and V T equidistant from the said line A B, the which likewise will cut the said line of direction in three points & ♄ ♃ and so the whole descent A V made with the said body A descended into the point V, is divided into three desentes or equal parts the which are A Q, Q S and S V, likewise the whole descent I B which is made with the said body B in descending or returning to his first place (that is to say in the point B) shall be divided into three equal parts, the which are I L, L N, and N B. And every of these three and three parts or descents do take one part of the line of direction, that is to say, the descent from A to Q doth take from the line of direction the part C &, the descent Q SAINT doth take the part & ♄, and the descent S V doth take the part ♄ ♃. And therefore the part C & is greater than the part & ♄ (as by Geometry it may be easily proved) wherefore by the said second supposition the descent Q S shall be more obliqne than the descent A Q: wherefore by that supposition the said body A shall be lighter in weight at the point Q, than at the point A. Likewise because the part ♄ ♃ of the line of direction is less than the part & ♄, the descent S V by the said second supposition shall be more obliqne than the descent Q S. And consequently by the said first supposition the said body A shall be more lighter in the point S, than it shall be in the point Q. And all this in the self-same manner may be demonstrated by the opposite part of the body B. That is to say, the descent of it from the point I to the point L, is more obliqne than that which is from the point L to the point N by the said second supposition. Therefore the part X Y which is taken out of the line of direction, is less than the part Y Z. Wherefore by the said first supposition, the said body B hanging at the point I, is more lighter than when it doth hung at the point L, and by the same reason it shall be more lighter when it hangs at the point L than when it hangs at the point N. Likewise it shall be more lighter when it doth hung at the point N than when it hangs at the point B the place of equality which is the thing that was proposed. Duke. What will you infer upon this? Nicholas. Every piece lying level is intended to be in the place of equality. I will prove thereby that every Piece lying level is intended to be in the place of equality, A pellet flieth more heavily cut of a piece lying level, than it will do out of the same piece any wit elevated. And a pellet shot out of a piece lying level rangeth in a more crooked line, and more sooner beginneth to decline downwards to the ground than it will do when it is shot out of a piece somewhat elevated, & it striketh with less force than it will do out of the same piece any whit elevated. and by the aforesaid reasons that a Pellet flieth more hevilye out of a Piece lying level, than it will do out of the same piece any whit elevated or separated from that place of equality. And therefore in that place of equality, the pellet doth range with more difficulty and more sooner beginneth to decline downwards to the ground and declineth in a greater quantity than when it is shot out of a piece somewhat elevated, that is to say, it goeth then (as the Gunners term it) much less in a right line than when it is shot out of a piece elevated, wherefore in this question, the effects of shoots made in that place of equality, will be of less force, and to a less effect than in any place of elevation. Objection. But here your Excellency may say with good reason, that although it is manifest by these demonstrations, that in equal distances a shoot out of a piece lying level will do a less effect than a shoot out of a piece elevated, yet it is doubtful whether a shoot out of a piece elevated will do a greater effect than a shoot out of a piece lying level in unequal distances, because in our question this is to be considered whether the piece which is on the plain at the foot of the hill be more distant from the Fort than the other Piece which is on the top of the hill. For such a difference may be much greater than the difference of his shoot in a right line, or the difference of his effects in equal distances, and then the piece from the top of the said hill will do a more greater exploit than the Piece which is on the plain at the foot of the said hill. To this doubt I answer thus. Answer. The distance from the Fort to the piece which is on the plain may so much differ from that distance which is between the said Fort and the said piece, which lieth upon the top of the hill, that the same will come to pass which was of you doubted. Duke. To make me understand your meaning, give me an example by a figure. Nicho. That I may show unto you my meaning herein by a figure, I will suppose that the pellet of a culverin doth way 20 pound weight, A culverin which lying level shooteth about 200. paces, will at the elevation of 45. degrees, or of 6. points, or of 72. min. shoot about 800. paces. and that the culverin according to that experience which was made at Verona (as I have declared in the beginning of my book of nwe science dedicated unto your Excellency) in the place of equality, that is to say lying level, will shoot in a right line about 200. paces, and that such a culvering at the elevation of 45. degrees, that is to say, at the 6. point, or at 72. minutes of our Quadrant (by the reason alleged in the last proposition of my second book of our nwe science) will shoot in a right line about 800. paces. Duke. Do you say that a culverin being elevated at 45. degrees, or at the 6. point, or at 72, minutes, will shoot about 800. paces, and that the same Piece lying level will shoot but about 200. paces? Nicho. By reason I am taught so to say. Duke. It seemeth to me that there is a great difference between those shoots. Nicho. It cometh so to pass because that elevation of 6, points doth differ much from the place of equality, and according as the Piece is elevated from minute to minute, According as a Piece is elevated from minute to minute, or from point to point: so from minute to minute, and from point to point the pellet of that Piece doth augment his range in an insensible crooked line. so from minute to minute the pellet of that piece doth augment his range in a right line: it doth also the like in the points, but that is in a greater quantity. For the piece being elevated to the first point of the Quadrant, shoots more farther in a right line than when it is laid level: Also the Piece elevated to the second point of the said Quadrant, shoots much farther in a right line than it doth when it is elevated but at one point. Likewise the Piece being elevated to the third point, shoots farther in a right line than it doth at the second point, & so successively the Piece being elevated to the fourth point, shoots farther than at the third point, and at the fifth point farther than at the fourth point, and at the sixt point (as is aforesaid) farther than at the fifth point and if the Piece should by degrees be elevated above the sixt point, the pellet would fly more farther in a right line: that is to say, the Piece elevated to the seventh point would shoot farther in a right line than at the sixt point, and at the eight point, farther than at the seventh point, and at the ninth point, farther than at the eight point, and at the tenth point farther than at the ninth point: and at the eleventh point, farther than at the tenth point: and at the twelfth point farther than at the eleventh point. And at this twelfth point the pellet will fly wholly in a right line, The pellet which is shot out of a piece mounted at 90. degrees, or at 12. points, flieth in a more perfect right line, than when it is shot out of a piece mounted at any other degree or point. Note that Tartaglia calleth that a right line, which is insensibly crooked, and that a crooked line, which is evidently crooked, to this end that the common people may the better understand him. and it will be a perpendicular above the horizon. And this pellet shot out of a piece mounted at the twelfth point, will fly in a more perfect right line than any of the former pellets did, because in truth the going or violent moving of a body equally heavy which is without the perpendicular of the horizon, can never have any part perfectly right as it hath been said in our said second book of our nwe science. Duke. Why do you call that a right line which is not perfectly right? Nicho. That the common people may the better understand me I call that a right line which is insensibly crooked, and I call that a crooked line which doth evidently appear to be crooked. Duke. Proceed on. Nicho. Now to return to our purpose, I say that if the distance between the said fortress, and the Piece lying on the plain at the foot of the hill be 760. paces, and that the distance between the same fortress and the piece lying on the top of the said hill be but 130 paces, in this case the said culvering which is planted on the top of the hill will do a greater exploit against the walls of that fortress, than that culverin shall do which is planted on the plain at the foot of the said hill: the cause hereof is, for that the said culvering lying level, doth shoot about 200. paces in a right line as before hath been said. Then for so much as the distance between that culverin and the Fortress is but 130 paces (as it hath been supposed) the pellet of that culverin will strike the walls of that Fortress near about 70 paces before it would end his range in a right line, but the culvering which is planted on the plain at the foot of the hill being distant from those walls 760 paces in a diametral line, and elevated to 45 degrees (that is to say, to the 6 point of our quadrant) doth shoot about 800 paces in a right line, and therefore it will strike those walls only about 40 paces before it would end his way in a right line, or be sensibly perceived to decline. In the question proposed in this Colloquy the pellet which at his hitting would have gone most farthest (not meeting with an object to resist it) shall do the greatest exploit upon that object which resisteth. And so that pellet which at his hitting would have gone most farthest (not meeting with an object to resist it) shall do the greatest exploit upon that object which resisteth, by the reasons alleged upon the fourth proposition of our first book of our nwe science. Therefore insomuch as the pellet of that culvering which is planted on the top of the hill at the hitting of those walls had to fly more farther about 70 paces in a right line, and that the pellet of that culvering which is planted on the plain at the foot of the hill at his hitting, had to fly more farther but only about 40 paces in a right line, I conclude in this case by those reasons, that the pellet of that culvering which is planted on the top of the hill shall do a greater exploit against those walls than the pellet of that culvering which is planted on the plain at the foot of the hill, and elevated to the sixth point of our quadrant. And if the pellet of this culvering mounted to the sixt point be of a less force, the pellet of that piece mounted at any other point under the 6 point is of much lesser force. But if the distance from the said Fortress unto the Artillery on the plain had been 600 paces in a diametral line, Note. and that from the Fortress unto the Artillery on the top of the hill it had been 150 paces, the Artillery on the plain mounted to the 6 point would have strooken those walls with more force than the Artillery upon the top of the hill could have done: for the pellets shot out of the Artillery on the plain will beat those walls about 200 paces before the full end of their ranges in a right line, and the pellets of the Artillery on the top of the hill will beat those walls 50 paces before the end of their full course in a right line. And therefore the difference of the said effects that is from 50. paces to 200. paces, (which they make before they do sensibly decline) is about 150. paces, and therefore the said culvering not only at the elevation of the sixt point of our quadrant, but also at the elevation of the fift point doth make that effect to be more greater. But concerning this I will not stand to make any demonstration for that I will not be tedious unto you. Then if in so great a height (as in the last case we have supposed) the culvering upon the plain being mounted to the sixt point, and also to the fift point will do a more greater exploit than the culverin upon the top of the hill, such great effects will much more evidently follow in the first case which was proposed by your Excellency, where the hill and also the Fortress were supposed to be of equal height, and each of them to be 60 paces in height, and the distance from the foot of one hill to the foot of the other, or from the top of the one hill to the top of the other to be 100 paces, & the diametral or diagonal line, that is to say the distance from the said Fortress to the place at the foot of the hill, where the Artillery is supposed to stand on the plain, by the 47 proposition of the first book of Euclid to be about 116 paces leaving out the Fraction which should be added unto that number) and therefore the pellet shot out of the culvering which is planted on the top of the hill will strike those walls about 140 paces before the full end of his range in a right line, & the pellets of the Artillery which is planted on the plain at the foot of the hill and mounted to the 6 point will strike those walls about 684 paces before the full end of their ranges in a right line. Note. And because here is so great a difference in that one of those pellets doth hit the fortress 140 paces before the full end of his range in a right line, and the other pellet doth hit the same fortress 684 paces before the full end of his range in a right line, therefore in this question it is a plain and evident thing, that the culvering planted on the plain at the foot of the hill mounted to the 6 point, 5 point, or to any other point of elevation, will do a greater exploit against the said fortress than that culverin will do which is planted on the top of the hill. Duke. You have answered well to this Question. The third Colloquy. How a pellet doth never range in a right line except it be shot out of a piece right up towards Heaven, or right down towards the centre of the world, and by how much more swifter a heavy body driven violently through the air flieth, by so much in that moving it is made the more lighter: and how the more lighter a body is, the more easily will the air bear it, and by how much a heavy body violently moving doth go more swifter, by so much it doth work the more greater effect in all things which resist the same: and by how much the swiftness thereof doth more decrease, by so much in that moving the weight thereof which draweth the said heavy body towards the ground doth more increase: and the more swifter a pellet flieth in the air, the more lighter it is & contrariwise the more sloer a pellet flieth, the more heavier it is: and how the one part of a right line cannot be more or less right than the other part: and how the more swifter a pellet flieth, the less crooked is his range. And how we be oftentimes deceived by judging according to the sense of seeing, and how a piece is said to shoot at point blank, when it lying level or equidistant to the horizon is discharged, and how the waigt of the pellet draweth the pellet out of his way and right passage perpendicularly towards the ground when it is shot out of a piece lying level, and also when it is shot out of a piece elevated or embased, except it be shot right up towards Heaven, or right down towards the centre of the world. Interlocutors Francesse Maria, Duke of Urbine. Nicholas Tartaglia. Duke. By your arguments you have brought me into an other great doubt: for you have said (if you do well remember) that the Pellet which doth fly out of the mouth of a piece doth not fly in any part of his way in aright line, except it be shot right up towards heaven. Nicho. Or right down towards the centre of the world. Duke. I grant this, that shooting right up towards Heaven, or right down towards the centre of the world, the pellet doth fly altogether in a right line, and also that in both those ways the pellet doth fly much more in a right line, than at any other elevation of the piece, or in any other way whatsoever: but I do not believe for it is unlikely, that in all other ways except in those two, the pellet doth in no part of his way fly in a right line, for if you do well remember, Verona is a City in Italy in the country called Marchia Taruisina. you have told me that by two shoots proved in Verona, you found that the said culvering lying level, & carrying a pellet of 20 pound weight, shot at point blank, that is to say in a right line (as you judged) about 200 paces. Now if you have found by reason that the said range of 200 paces was not altogether in a right line, I will believe you and grant that which you have spoken, but if such a piece cannot shoot 200 paces in a right line, will you not grant that such a piece may shoot 100 paces, or at the lest 50. paces in a right line? A piece of Artillery cannot shoot one pace in a right line. Nicho. A piece will not shoot 50 paces, nor one pace in a perfect right line. Duke. This is one of your conceits. Nicholas. Reason will satisfy men's minds, and by it, truth is discerned from falsehood. Duke. That is truth. Nicho. Insomuch as your Excellency is of this opinion, that the pellet shot out of the culverin lying level, must in some part of his way or violent passage go in a right line, and in the rest of his way go in a crooked line, suppose that this were true, I would know hereby what is the proper cause why the pellet goeth so in a right line in that part where it is supposed to go so right, and likewise what is the cause that it goeth so by a crooked line in that part where your Excellency doth suppose that it doth go so crookedly? A pellet goeth out of the mouth of a piece with great swiftness which is the cause why that pellet for a little time rangeth in an insensible crooked line, but after the force and swiftness thereof doth any whit abate, it than beginneth to fly more weakly and more slowly, and afterwards to decline towards the ground and in that sort continueth until it doth light upon the ground. Duke. We found that a pellet goeth out of the mouth of the piece with great swiftness which is the very cause why that pellet for a little time or space goeth right in the air, but after the force & swiftness thereof doth any whit abate, it than beginneth to weaken, and to fly more slowly, and afterwards to decline towards the ground, and in that sort continueth until it doth light upon the ground. Nicholas. By how much more swifter a heavy body driven violently through the air flieth, by so much in that moving it is made the more lighter. The more lighter a body is, the more easily will the air bear it. Truly your Excellency could not have better answered than you have done in saying that the great swiftness is the proper cause to make the Pellet fly (if it be possible) in a right line, and likewise that the lack of swiftness in the Pellet is the proper cause to make it go and decline crookedly in his way towards the ground, and that by how much the said swiftness decreaseth, by so much it maketh his declination or crookedness the greater, for all this cometh so to pass because every heavy body driven violently through the air, by how much the more swifter it flieth, by so much in that moving it is made the more lighter, and therefore it goeth more rightly in the air, because the more lighter a body is, the more easily will the air bear it. Notwithstanding to work his effects in that moving it taketh a more greater weight than his own. Therefore by how much a heavy body moving doth go more swifter, By how much a heavy body violently moving doth go more swifter, by so much it doth work the more greater effect in all things which resist the same: likewise by how much the swiftness thereof doth more decrease, by so much in that moving the weight thereof which draweth the said heavy body towards the ground doth more increase. by so much it doth work the more greater effect in all things which resist the same. Likewise by how much the swiftness thereof doth more decrease, by so much in that moving the weight thereof doth more increase, the which weight provoketh and draweth the said heavy body towards the ground. But to work his effects in that moving it is more lighter, or of less weight, and therefore it maketh the less effect. Duke. I do like well of this your discourse, The more swifter a pellet doth fly in the air, the more lighter it is: & contrary wise, the more sloer that the pellet flieth, the more heavier it is. therefore proceed on in the same. Nicho. Then I say that of these aforesaid things which by natural reason have been proved, this conclusion doth spring that the more swifter the pellet doth fly in the air, the more lighter it is, and contrariwise the more sloer that the pellet doth fly the more heavier it is. Duke. All this is true. Nicho. I say also that when there is more weight in the pellet, then is there a more provocation thereby to shoot the said pellet towards the centre of the world, that is to say towards the ground. Duke. It is so as you say. Nicho. Now to conclude our said purpose we will suppose that all the range which the pellet being shot our of the culverin may make or hath made, is all the line A B C D. And if it be possible for any part thereof to be perfectly right, I will suppose the same part to be A B, and divide the same part into two equal parts in the point E. and because the pellet will fly more swiftly in the space A E (by the third proposition of the first book of our nwe science) than in the space E B, therefore the said pellet doth fly more rightly (by the reasons afore alleged) in the space A E, than it doth in the space E B. Wherefore the line A E, shall be a more straighter line than E B, The one part of a right line cannot be more or less right than the other part. the which is a thing impossible. For if all the whole line A B be supposed to be a perfect right line, the one half thereof cannot be more or less right than the other half, and if the one half of that line should be more righter than the other, it would of necessity follow that the other half should not be right, and therefore of necessity it followeth that the part E B is not perfectly right. depiction of the firing of a piece of artillery And if any man be of this opinion, that the part A E is a perfect right line, his said opinion may be reproved for false by dividing the said part A E into two equal parts in the point F, and then by the reasons above alleged it will be manifest that the part A F is more righter than the part F E, so that the said part F E of necessity cannot be perfectly right. Likewise by dividing the part A F into two equal parts, it is manifest by the same reasons, that that half thereof which is next to A is more righter than that which is next to F and so by dividing that half into two other equal parts it will follow that the part ending in A is more righter than the other part. And because these proceed are infinite, it followeth of necessity that not only all the part A B is not perfectly strait, but that no part thereof (how little soever it be) can be perfectly strait, which is that which was required to be proved. Then it is to be seen how that the pellet shot out of that culverin in such sort, doth not fly in any part of his range in a perfect right line, although it doth fly as swiftly as may be desired, The more swifter a pellet doth fly, the less crooked is his range. because the swiftness (how great so ever it be) is never sufficient in such sort to make the pellet fly in a right line. But this is true, the more swifter that the pellet doth fly, the more nearer it doth approach to fly in a right line, and yet it will never be made to fly in a right line. Therefore it is more convenient to say in such a case, that the more swifter the pellet doth fly, the less crooked is his range. Duke. Objection. Whence cometh it then that many times the pellet doth precisely strike a thing that is level with the piece, which thing would not have chanced if the pellet had not flyed right. Nicho. Answer. My Lord, that doth not prove that the pellet flieth right, for many times it strikes above the mark of level which is a thing impossible when the level sights are of an equal height, I mean that the pellet should cut the visual line equidistant to the concavity of that piece. But such effects do not come for that the pellet flieth in a right line, or for that it doth ascend above that rightness, but they come wholly by reason of the said sights or marks through which the level is taken. And in deed he which seethe the pellet ranging will judge without any doubt that the said pellet for a certain space flieth right because our said sense is not apt nor able to discern such an obliqne line, as it cometh to pass in beholding the water of the Sea when it is quiet, We be oftentimes deceived by judging according to the sense of seeing. the which for a great distance doth appear unto us for to be very plain, and yet by reason we know that it is spherical: Wherefore we be oftentimes deceived by iudgging according to the sense of seeing. Duke. Your reasons are very good, yet I marvel to hear you say that a pellet being shot out of such a piece with so great force doth not any whit fly in a right line, but considering also that in such an obliqne way the weight of the pellet is much more apt to make it decline or to draw the same pellet towards the ground, than in any other elevation, I think your sayings are true. Yet when a pellet is shot out of a piece somewhat elevated at the mouth, I do think & verily believe, that the pellet will range through the air for a while in a right line, because the weight of such a pellet shot out of a piece elevated at the mouth, is less apt to make that pellet decline towards the ground, than when it is shot out of a piece lying level. Nich. It is truth (as your Excellency doth say) that the weight of a pellet is not so apt to hinder the range of the same when the pellet flieth out of a piece elevated, as when the said pellet flieth out of a piece which lieth equidistant to the Horizon, A piece is said to shoot at point blank when lying level or equidistant to the Horizon it is discharged. that is to say level, or as the gunners term it, at point blank for two causes, whereof the first is for that, (as hath been proved) the greatest weight is in the place of equality or level: The other cause is for that the said weight draweth the pellet out of his way or passage perpendicularly towards the ground, The waigt of the pellet draweth the pellet out of his way and passage perpendicularly towards the ground when it is shot out of a piece lying level, and also when it is shot out of a piece elevated or embased, except it be shot right up towards Heaven, or right down towards the ground or centre of the world. the which kind of drawing is more vehement and stronger in that place, than in any other elevation. For the piece being elevated by degrees, the said weight also by degrees doth go nearer towards his said way or passage, that is to say, it doth not fall there so perpedicularlie from the said passage, but comes always more near unto the same, and so is of less strength and force to draw the pellet out of his way or passage, besides this (as before hath been declared) by how much a piece is more elevated, by so much the range of his pellet is less crooked, and yet the range of that pellet cannot in any part thereof be perfectly right, except in the two ways before specified, that is to say, when it is shot directly up towards heaven, or directly down towards the centre of the world: Because in every other way some part of the weight draws always the said pellet out of his way or passage, except in the aforesaid two ways that is to say, directly up towards heaven, or directly down towards the centre of the world: in which two ways, the said weight (if any weight be there) draws the pellet right according to the order of his passage or way and not out of the same as by this figure you may easily without any other demonstration perceive. And so it is in shoots flying downwards aswell as in shoots flying upwards, supposing A to be the mouth of the piece out of which B the pellet issueth, & in the form of a perpendicular, C to be the weight of that pellet B: the which perpendicular or weight C doth always draw the pellet towards the centre of the world that is to say, down towards the ground. Whereupon by reasoning as we have done of shoots made in a right line, it will be manifest, that a pellet shot out of a culverin or out of any other piece, cannot go in any small part of his range in a perfect right line, except in the two ways aforesaid, which is that which was required to be proved. Duke. You have defended well your reasons, and have said enough for this time, and at my return from Pesaro I will 'cause your said Inventions to be proved. The 4. Colloquy. When a piece is twice discharged, one time after an other, at one self-same elevation, and towards one self same place with equal charge of powder and like weight of pellet, the second pellet will outfly the first. And it is more easy to move and penetrate that which is already moved and open, than that which is closed and quiet. And a piece when it is dry and temperately warm, doth dry up the moisture in the powder which is put into the concavity of the same piece, and maketh the same powder to take fire quickly, and to be of more force than it was when it was moist. Interlocutors L Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. When a piece of Artillery is twice discharged, one time after an other, at one self-same elevation, and towards one self-same place with equal charge of powder, & like weight of pellet, I ask of you whether these two shoots will be equal? Nicho. Without doubt they will be unequal, because that piece will shoot farther at the second discharge than at the first. Prior. By what reason? Ncho. This reason is also alleged in the 7. Colloquy of the 2. book of Nicholas Tartaglia his Colloquys. For two reasons, of which the first is this. At the first shoot the pellet finds the air quiet, and at the second shoot it doth found the air not only wholly stirred with the pellet of the first shoot, but also much tending or going towards the place at which it is shot, It is more easy to move and penetrate that which is already moved and open, than that which is closed and quiet. and because it is more easy to move and penetrate that which is already moved and open, than that which is closed and quiet, it followeth that the last pellet finding in his range a less resistance than the first pellet did in his range, will outfly the first pellet. The second reason is this. At the first shoot the powder being put into the piece, doth oftentimes find the same piece somewhat moist, Moist powder will not take fire so soon as dry powder, nor work so forcibly as dry powder will do. And a piece when it is dry and temperately warm, doth dry up the moisture in the powder which is put into the concavity of the same piece, and maketh the powder to take fire more sooner, and to be of more force than it was when it was moist. and especially when such a piece hath not been shot in for certain days before, through which the powder will not fire so quickly as it will do when the piece is dry and temperately warm, for this warmth or heat will somewhat dry up the moisture which is in the powder, and 'cause the powder to fire more sooner. Wherefore the powder doth not work so forcibly in the first shoot as it doth in the second, so that also by this second reason the piece will shoot farther at the second discharge than at the first. Prior. Your reasons like me well, and here we will end our talk for this evening. The 5. Colloquy. When a piece made very hot with continual shooting for a long time together is discharged, it shoots not so far as it did when it was less hot, and when a piece by continual shooting waxeth more hotter, then by how much the more hotter it is, by so much the concavity of that piece is made the more attractive, and when a hot piece made cold with water cast into the concavity thereof is discharged, it shoots not so far as it would have done if it had been suffered to cool of itself. And how dankish powder doth weaken the force of the piece that is charged with the same, and how the pellet is not expelled forth of a piece with any other thing than by the airy exhalation or wound which the Saltpetre causeth. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. Yesterday in the evening you concluded and by good natural reasons proved, that one piece being twice shot of, one time after an other, at one self-same elevation, and towards one self-same place with equal charge of powder and like weight of pellet, shooteth farther at the second time than at the first: now I ask of you if that piece should be continually shot of for a long time together at one self-same elevation, and towards one selfe same place, whether or no the same often shooting will continually 'cause every one of those shoots to outflie the other. Nic. My Lord that will not follow thereupon. Prior. You did say yesterday in the evening that a piece shooteth farther at the second time than at the first, for that the pellet doth then found the air moved and going towards the place at which it is shot, and for that the powder put into the piece doth then find that piece to be dry, and somewhat warm: therefore the more oftener that the piece is shot of, the more doth the pellet by reason of the former shoots found the air open, penetrated, & going towards the place at which it is shot, likewise the powder wherewith the piece is recharged finds continually the concavity thereof more drier, & more warmer (the which warmth as you also said) drieth all the moisture in the powder, and maketh it to take fire quickly, and to be of more force than it was before. Nic. All this is true which your Lordship says, yet oftentimes the contrary doth happen, By how much more hotter a piece is, by so much the concavity thereof is made more attractive. The pellet is not expelled forth of a piece with any other thing than by the any exhalation or wound which the Saltpetre causeth. for by continual shooting the piece waxeth more hotter, and by how much the more hotter it is, by so much the concavity of that piece is made the more attractive, even as a cupping glass which is made hot with tow burned in the same. Now for that the pellet is not expelled or driven forth with any other thing than by the airy exhalation or wound caused through the saltpetre, therefore by making such a piece continually more attractive as I have said with that more heat which suppeth & retaineth continually more of that wound which should serve to expel the pellet, the virtue expulsive in that piece doth continually more decrease, & the pellet by that reason flieth with less swiftness or less force, and consequently maketh continually a less or shorter range. Prior. I like well of your reasons, but who doth not know that the two first accidents which give furtherance and aid to the range of the pellet (I mean the great combustion or running of the air towards the place which is continually shot at, and the force which increaseth in the powder through the heat) are sufficient, & perchance more than enough to supply that attractive defect caused by the great heat of the piece? The which thing being so, it followeth that the same piece shooteth always in one like sort, that is to say, it shooteth no farther at onetime than at an other, because that which the said two accidents add thereunto, is so much as that which the third accident doth diminish, or else it shoots continually more farther, for that the increase of the said two first accidents is more than the detraction of the third accident. Nic. Certainly I must confess that the said two first accidents (that is to say the breaking of the air, and the force which increaseth in the powder) do aid & help much the range of the pellet, which aid & help as it is to be believed that sometimes it supplieth and perchance gives advantage by that expulsive virtue which continually the piece doth diminish or sup in according as it heateth so as peradventure the third & fourth shoot will be as it were equal in balance or all one with the second shoot, Note. or little differing, nevertheless it is to be affirmed, that in continuance of time the said two accidents cannot supply the defect of the third accident, by reason of the great heat which continually increaseth in that Piece, Through continual shooting for a long while together, a piece in the end will shoot a less distance than it did in the beginning. A hot piece cooled with water shooteth not so far as it will do after it hath been suffered to cool of itself. & continually makes the same Piece as before hath been declared to be thereby more attractive: and therefore continually the said piece decreaseth or suppeth in more of that exhalation which should expel the pellet & therefore this third accident through continual shooting for a long time together comes to be superior to the two first accidents, & so through continual shooting for a long while together, the Piece shoots a less distance than it did before. Prior. If any body shall cool that Piece by casting water into the concavity thereof, do you not think that thereby it will shoot more farther towards the said place? Nicho. Without doubt when the Piece is perfectly dry & cold, it will shoot more farther: but cooled so with water, the metal being hot doth sup up of that water, & resolveth that water so supped up into an airy vapour, which cannot continued in the hollonesse of the Piece, but is forced to go out of it by little & little: and when this vapour doth not carry with it any moisture, and the concavity of the Piece is very dry, than that vapour will rather augment the range of the same Piece than diminish the same, because the power attractive which was in that Piece, is expelled through the often going out of that vapour. But forasmuch as that vapour is altogether moist it must needs be (notwithstanding the Piece seemeth for to be dry when the powder is put in to recharge the same) that such a moist vapour will make the powder somewhat dankish, Dankish powder will weaken the force of the pellet which is shot out of a piece charged with the same powder. & that thereby the effects of that powder will not be so forcible as they would have been if that Piece had been suffered to cool of itself without putting any water into the same. Prior. You have well satisfied me for this evening, and because it is now late, I pray you let us make here an end of this talk. The 6. Colloquy. How a piece of Artillery charged with his due charge of powder did shoot his bullet right upon the place to which the level was given: and how the said piece charged with more powder than his due charge did shoot his bullet above or over that place, because the said bullet shot with more powder than his due charge flied more swiftly and in a more righter way than the other bullet did which was shot with his due charge in powder, and by that reason will always strike above that place where the other bullet shot with less powder shall strike. And how a bullet will never fly in a right line unto the mark at which the level is given, except it be shot right up towards heaven, or right down towards the centre of the world. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. What was the cause that a piece charged with his due charge of powder did shoot his bullet right upon the place to which the level was given, and that the same piece charged with more powder than his due charge did shoot his bullet above or over that place? Nicho. It came so to pass by reason that the bullet which was shot out of the piece charged with a more quantity of powder than his due charge, did fly in a way less crooked than the other bullet did, The way which is least crooked always extendeth and goeth above that way which is more crooked, and by how much a bullet flieth more farther, by so much the bullet which flieth in the less crooked way will strike more higher, and come more nearer to the right way than the bullet which flieth in the more crooked way. The right way of a bullet is above all the obliqne ways of any bullet violently issuing out of a piece towards any place. and that the difference of both their crooked ways is more perceived in the end of their ranges than in any other place: for the way which is least crooked always extendeth and goeth above that way which is more crooked, and by how much the bullet flieth more farther, by so much the bullet which flieth in the less crooked way, shall strike more higher than the bullet which flieth in the more crooked way. And the way which is less crooked, cometh more nearer to the very right way, than that way doth which is more crooked. Also because that right way, I mean that right way which is rightly extended, and lieth right with the concavity of the Piece towards any place that you will, is always above all the obliqne ways of any bullet issuying violently out of that piece towards any place whatsoever. Therefore that way which is most nearest to the right way, is always above that way which is farther of from it. A bullet shot out of a piece with more powder than his due charge flieth more swiftly and in a more righter way than a like pellet will do which is shot out of the same Piece with his due charge in powder, and the pellet shot out of a piece with more powder shall strike above that place where the other pellet shot with less powder will strike. And because the bullet shot out of a piece which is charged with more powder than his due charge, flieth more swiftly than that bullet doth which is shot with a lesser quantity of powder, & also flieth in a more righter way than the other, therefore it did strike above that place where the other bullet did hit. Prior. I do not well understand this which you have told me: I mean, that the bullet shot with a less quantity of powder will not fly in so right a way as that bullet will do which is expelled with a more quantity of powder. Will you not grant that a bullet shot out of a Piece charged with his due charge and quantity of powder, doth fly right upon that place or mark unto which the level is given within a convenient distance? Nicholas. I do also deny that a bullet will fly in a right line unto the mark at which the level is given: A pellet will not fly in a right line unto the mark at which the level is given, except it be shot right up towards heaven, or right down towards the centre of the world, as you may also read in the second and third Colloquy of this book. And of the very same matter I did once dispute with the Duke of Urbine of famous memory, the father of the Duke of Urbine that now is, I mean that a bullet shot out of any piece of Artillery by any manner of means, doth never go, nor can go in any small part of his way upon a perfect right line, except it be shot strait up towards heaven, or strait down towards the centre of the world. Prior. I perceive that you say true, because if the bullet at the first shoot had gone right upon the mark, then by recharging the piece afterwards with a more quantity of powder, the other bullet could not by any reason have strooken above the mark, but in the very same place where the pellet or bullet which was shot out of the Piece with less powder did strike before. And of purpose I have devised this question because it seemed a strange thing unto me, that the bullet did ascend above the right line by charging the Piece with more powder, and therefore to morrow in the evening I will dispute better with you of this matter which doth like me well. The 7. Colloquy. When the level sight which is set upon the mouth of the piece is precisely so high as the level sight which is set upon the tail of the piece, and he which will shoot at any mark seethe with his eye the same mark by the extremes or uppermost parts of the said sights, than the pellet will always strike somewhat under that mark. And when it is said that both the level sights are of an equal height, you must understand thereby that the extremes or tops of the said level sights are equally distant from the lowest part or ground of the concavity in the piece, for the height of the level sights, and also the lonesse or shortness of the level sights, must always be measured from the lowest part or ground of the concavity in the Canon of the piece. And when the level sights upon a piece are of an equal height, and he that shoots doth see his mark by the tops of those level sights, then by how much more farther the said mark is from the piece, by so much the pellet will strike more under the mark. And when the level sight which is set upon the mouth of the piece is more higher than the level sight, which is set upon the tail of the piece, and he which shoots doth see his mark by the tops of those level sights, the pellet will strike more under that mark than it will do when both the level sights are of an equal height. And when our visual line in seeing our mark doth cut the line in which the pellet flieth, than the level sight at the mouth of the piece is more shorter than it should be. And when our visual line in seeing our mark doth not cut nor touch the line in which the pellet flieth, than the level sight at the mouth of the piece is not so short as it should be. And when our visual line in seeing the mark doth touch or cut the line in which the pellet flieth, and the mark at which we shoot is in the said touch point or in the said point of intersection, than the level sight at the mouth of the piece hath his due length and convenient shortness and the pellet will strike in the midst of the mark, but when the said mark shall be within that touch point or point of intersection than the pellet will hit somewhat under that mark, and when the said mark shall be without that touch point or point of intersection, than the pellet will hit above the said mark. And when a pellet in his range shall cut the visual line, and ascend above the same line, than the same pellet in his descending will cut the same line again. And when our visual line doth cut the line of the pellet, then of necessity it shall cut the same line in 2. places, and the first of these 2. places cannot be very far from the piece, but the other place of intersection must of necessity be very far from the piece, I mean in the end of the pellets violent range. And when a pellet in his range shall cut the visual line, & ascend above the same line, than the gunner may with that pellet strike 2 sundry marks, in 2 several places. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. Yesterday in the evening you concluded, and by good natural reason showed, that a pellet shot out of a piece doth not in any part of his way go in a right line, except it be shot right up towards heaven, or right down towards the centre of the world, now I demand of you whence it cometh that a pellet shot out of a piece at a mark within point blank, When the level sight at the mouth of the piece is precisely so high as the level sight at the tail of the piece, and he which will shoot at any mark seethe with his eye the same mark by the uppermost parts of the said sights, them the pellet will always strike somewhat under that mark. doth strike sometimes in the very midst of the mark, and sometimes under the mark, and sometimes above the mark? Nich. All this cometh to pass by reason of the level sights that are upon the piece. For if the level sight at the mouth of the piece be precisely so high as the level sight at the tail of the piece, that is to say if the one and the other level sight be equally distant from the lowest part of the concavity in that piece, and he which will shoot at any mark seethe with his eye precisely the same mark, by the extremes or the uppermost parts of the said two level sights, always in such a case the pellet will strike somewhat under that mark, and the more farther that the mark is from the piece, the more under the mark shall the blow be, and contrariwise by how much the mark is more nearer to the piece, by so much the blow will be less under that mark. the self-same thing and with greater difference will follow when the level sight upon the tail of the piece is more loer or shorter than the level sight at the mouth of the piece, I say more loer in respect of the lowest part or ground of the concavity in the piece. Prior. I do not understand you herein. Nic. That you may the better understand me I will set down the figure of a piece of Artillery with 2 level sights marked with these letters C & D the which two level sights in this supposition are supposed to be of equal height, that is to say, the extremes or tops of the said level sights C and D are equally distant from the lowest part or ground of the concavity in the Piece, When it is said that the level sights are of an equal height, you must understand thereby that the extremes or tops of the said level sights, are equally distant from the lowest part or ground of the concavity in the Piece, for the height of the level sights must always be measured from the lowest part or ground of the concavity in the Canon of the piece. and the point E agreeing in a right line with those two level sights, is the mark at point blank which we have choose to shoot at. Now I say that of necessity in this case the pellet will always strike somewhat more under that mark, be the mark as far or as near to the Piece as you will, because our visual line (which the line C D E doth represent) proceedeth always or extendeth itself in an equal distance from the concavity of the Piece, or rather from the line which is produced in a right length according to the order of the concavity in the Piece, or from the centre of that concavity, which in this case we will suppose to be the line F G, and therefore the point G must of necessity be more loer than the point E by so much as the centre of the concavity in the canon of the Piece is loer than the point D. And hereby it may appear, that if the pellet should fly in a perfect right line, it would strike in this case under the mark, that is to say, in the point G. And for that it hath been proved that in such like shoots the pellet never flieth in a perfect right line, but always in an obliqne or crooked line, When the level sights upon a Piece are of an equal height and he which shoots doth take his mark by the tops of those level sights, then by how much more farther the said mark is from the Piece, by so much the pellet will strike more under the mark. it followeth of necessity that the same pellet will strike under the point G, as if it should be said in the point I And therefore every one that is but of a mean capacity without any other demonstration will grant in this case that by how much the said mark E is more farther from the Piece, that by so much the point I will be the more loer, because the obliqne or crooked way of the pellet continually declineth or crooketh towards the ground, which is that which was first proposed. diagram of the firing of a piece of artillery The second proposition is, When the level sight which is set upon the mouth of the Piece is more higher than the level sight which is set upon the tail of the Piece, and he which shoots doth see his mark by the tops of those level sights, the pellet will strike more under that mark than it would have done if both the level sights had been of an equal height. if the level sight which is set upon the mouth of the Piece be more higher than the level sight which is set upon the tail or breech of the Piece, that likewise the pellet will always strike under the mark at which you shoot, and more under than the pellet will do which is shot out of a Piece having his level sights of equal height. This thing without any other demonstration is manifest, and may be sensibly perceived by the figure next following: therefore I will speak no more thereof, but that by these two examples, although they are made of shoots at point blank, we must understand that the very same will follow in shoots made after any other sort. diagram of the firing of a piece of artillery Prior. I do well understand both your examples, but let us now come to the other part of our former talk, that is to say, from whence cometh it that the pellet doth strike sometimes in the very midst of the mark, and sometimes under the mark? Nicholas. That is by reason of the condition and quality of the stroke, which happeneth when the two level sights are of equal height: and also when the level sight at the mouth of the Piece is more higher than the level sight upon the breech of the Piece: that is to say, in the one & in the other of them, the pellet hits always of necessity under the mark. Now rests only that I should declare the condition and quality of the stroke that may happen when the level sight at the mouth of the Piece is somewhat shorter than the level sight which is on the tail of the Piece, The lonesse or shortness of the level sights upon a Piece, must always be measured as the height of the same aught to be measured that is to say, from the undermost part or ground of the concavity in the canon of that Piece. When our visual line in seeing our mark doth cut the line in which the pellet sheth, than the level sight at the mouth of the Piece is more shorter than it should be. When our visual line in seeing our mark doth not cut nor touch the line in which the pellet sheth, than the level sight at the mouth of the Piece is not so short as it should be. and this lonesse or shortness aught always to be measured (as before hath been declared) from the undermost part or ground of the concavity in the canon of that Piece. Therefore I say that when the level sight at the mouth of the Piece shall be somewhat more shorter than the level sight which is on the breech of the Piece, it may chance that sometimes the pellet will strike in the middle of the mark, and sometimes above the mark, and sometimes under the mark at which you shoot. Prior. By what reason can it do so? Nicholas. By this reason. When the level sight at the mouth of the Piece is shorter than the level sight which is on the breech of the Piece, than alwayies by the fift petition of Euclid our visual line doth of necessity meet with the right line which proceedeth strait forth according to the undermost part of the concavity in the Piece, and for that the way in which the pellet flieth for a good space together is near unto it or not far from it, although it be not strait nor goeth in truth by the said line which proceedeth strait forth according to the undermost part of the concavity in the canon of that Piece. And therefore that intersection may be in such a place where the same visual line will also cut the line or way in which the pellet flieth. And this cometh to pass when the level sight at the mouth of the Piece is more shorter than it should be in respect of the level sight which is on the breech of the Piece. And that intersection may be also in such a place where the said visual line will not cut nor touch the said line or way in which the pellet flieth. And this happeneth when the level sight at the mouth of the Piece is not sufficiently enough more shorter than the level sight which is on the breech of the Piece. Also that intersection may be in such a place where the visual line will touch the line or way in which the pellet flieth, When our visual line in seeing the mark doth touch or cut the line in which the pellet flieth, and the mark at which we shoot is in the said touch point, or in the said point of intersection, than the level sight at the mouth of the Piece hath his due length and convenient shortness, and the pellet will strike in the midst of the mark. But when the said mark shall be within that touch point or point of intersection, than the pellet will hit somewhat under that mark, and when the said mark shall be without that touch point or point of intersection, the the pellet will hit above the said mark. & this happeneth when the level sight at the mouth of the piece hath his due and convenient shortness in respect of the level sight which is on the breech of the Piece, and then if by chance our visual line shall cut the said line or way of the pellet, and by chance the mark unto which the level is given, shall be precisely in the point of that intersection, without doubt the pellet will strike precisely in the midst of that mark: but if by chance the said mark shall be within that intersection, that is to say, more towards the piece, than the pellet will always hit somewhat under the mark I mean under the midst of it, and by how much the more remote or farther of the same mark shallbe from that intersection, that is to say, more towards the Piece, by so much the pellet will hit more under the middle part of that mark. But if by chance the same mark shallbe somewhat without that intersection, that is to say, somewhat more higher than that intersection, than the pellet will hit above the mark, & for a certain space by how much the more remote or farther of the same mark shallbe from that intersection, by so much the pellet will hit more above the mark. Primero, In this matter I do not well understand you. Nich. Let us suppose by the figure following, Example. that a Piece of Artillery hath upon it 2 level sights marked with these letters C and D, & that D the level sight, is shorter than the level sight C, & that F G is the line which proceedeth strait forth according to the order of the undermost part or ground of the concavity in the Piece, & that H I is the line or way in which the pellet flieth, & that our visual line proceeding strait forth by the tops or uppermost points of the two level sights C and D, doth of necessity (as hath been before said) cut the line FG, and therefore let us suppose that our said visual line doth also cut the said line H I in the point KING as it doth in the figure following. Now I say that if the mark to which the level is given, be precisely in the point KING, the pellet will strike precisely in the middle of that mark. And if by chance the said mark be within that intersection, that is to say, towards the Piece, as if I should say in the point M, the pellet will always strike somewhat under the midst of that mark, because in all that space the pellet rangeth always under our visual line. And by how much the said mark is more remote or farther from the point KING, that is to say, Note. by how much more nearer M is to the piece, by so much the pellet will strike more loer: nevertheless such lonesse in such a case can never be equal to the difference that is between the extreme or uppermost part of the level sight which is upon the mouth of the piece, I mean between the point D and the centre of the said concavity or hollonesse in the piece: the which difference is about one half part of the thickness of the piece in the breech: and therefore when the mark to which the level is given, lieth between the Piece and that intersection, the Gunner is subject to a small error by reason of the level sights. But when such a mark is somewhat without that intersection, as if I should say in the point L, the pellet will strike above the mark, because for a long way or space the pellet flieth above the visual line. And therefore by how much the said mark is more farther from the point KING, by so much the stroke of the pellet in a long way will hit the more higher. When a pellet in his range shall cut our visual line & ascend above the same line, then of necessity the same pellet in his descending will cut the said line again. When our visual line doth cut the line of the pellet, then of necessity it must cut the same in two places, & the first of those two places can not be very far from the piece, but the other place of intersection must of necessity be very far from the piece, I mean in the end of the pellets violent range. And it is true that the pellet going far in his crooked or natural way, returns to cut again our visual line, because our visual line C D KING L doth infinitely proceed strait forth, and the pellet doth not infinitely proceed in the way H K I, but in time beginneth to decrease and incline towards the centre of the world, and finally finding no resistance directeth itself in his natural way towards the said centre of the world, and so by going far it doth of necessity return to cut again our visual line in his way: and therefore if the said mark be very far of, that is to say, so much beyond the first intersection made in the point KING, as that by chance it is also precisely in the other second intersection, without doubt in that place which is so far of, the pellet will strike precisely in the midst of the mark, for that at all times when our visual line doth cut the way of the pellet, it is necessary that it do cut it in two places, the one of which, that is to say, the first, can not be very far from the Piece: but the other, that is to say, the second intersection must of necessity be very far from the Piece, I mean that it must be in the end of the violent randge of the pellet: and sometimes that may be in his natural moving or way, and therefore in this case when the mark at which the level is given is in any of the said two places or intersections, the pellet will necessarily strike in the very middle of the mark. diagram of the firing of a piece of artillery Prior. This is a very good speculation and it doth much delight me, howbeit I do not well understand this last particularity which you have told me, that is to say, that you may shoot and give level unto two marks set in two divers places, therefore give me an example thereof if it be possible by a figure, for it seemeth to me a thing impossible to be done. Nicho. In the figure following for example sake, How a Gunnar may at one shoot with one pellet strike 2 divers marks in two several places. a Piece of Artillery is drawn with two level sights noted with the letters C and D according as it hath been proposed, that is to say, the level sight D is so much shorter than the level sight C, as that thereby our visual line will cut the way in which the pellet flieth. And let all the line H I K L M represent the whole way in which the pellet finding no resistance hath or shall violently randge. And let the line M N be a part of the natural range which the pellet hath or shall make. Now I say that if our visual line proceeding forth right infinitely by the extremes or tops of the two level sights C and D, shall cut the said way of the pellet H I K L M N, it must needs be by the reasons before alleged, that the same our visual line shall cut the said line or way of the pellet in two places: that is to say, once in the right or less crooked part H I KING, and an other time in the crooked part KING L M, or in the natural way or range M N. Then supposing that the way of the pellet doth cut our visual line in the right part H I KING in the point I, and in the crooked part in the point L, as it doth in the figure following, I conclude that if the mark unto which the level is given be in any of the said two intersections, I mean in the point I, or in the point L, the pellet will of necessity strike precisely in the middle of that mark. But when the said mark shallbe more without the said first intersection: that is say from the point I even at the point KING, the pellet will strike so much the more above the mark. And by how much more the said mark is beyond the said point KING towards the point L, by so much the pellet will strike the less above that mark. But when the said mark is somewhat beyond the point L, the pellet of necessity will strike under the mark, and when the mark shall be much beyond the point L, the pellet cannot fly unto the mark as by natural reason this may in my opinion be easily understood. Prior. I perceive that all this is true, and that this is in deed a very notable speculation, howbeit in this evening I will weary you no more, but to morrow in the evening you shall tell me the rest of this matter. diagram of the firing of a piece of artillery The 8. Colloquy. When the level sight upon the mouth of the piece is not so short or low as the level sight upon the breech of the piece, by so much as is convenient for it to be, then for that our visual line doth not proceed so lo as that it may touch the line of the pellet, the pellet will always strike under the mark: & for that in this case there is one place in the line of the pellet unto which our visual line will come more nearer than it will do unto any other place in the same line, the pellet will strike less under the mark, and more nearer to the mark which stands in that nearest place, than it will do if the mark shall stand in any other place. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. Proceed in that matter of which we did talk yesterday in the evening. Nicho. Yesterday in the evening (if I do not forget myself) we did speak of all the effects or strokes that may happen when through the much shortness or lowness of the level sight which is before at the mouth of the Piece in respect of the level sight which is behind on the tail of the Piece, our visual line shall cut the line or way in which the pellet flieth: and in this evening I will speak of all the effects or blows that may happen when the level sight at the mouth of the Piece is not so short or lo as the level sight at the breech of the Piece by so much as is convenient for it to be, through which cause our visual line doth not proceed so lo, as that it may touch the line or way in which the pellet flieth, therefore in such a case the pellet will always strike under the mark, because in all that space the pellet flieth under our visual line. But it is true that in the said line of the pellets way, there is one certain place at which our visual line doth come more nearer to the said way than in any other place, and therefore if by chance the mark unto which the level is given shall happen to be set in that place although the pellet will strike there under that mark, yet this notwithstanding the pellet will strike at that place more nearer unto the mark than in any other place. Example. As for example in the figure of a piece of artillery here under drawn, let the two level sights of that Piece be noted with these letters C and D, and let the line or way of the pellet be noted with these letters H I KING, and let the level sight on the mouth of the piece noted with the letter D, be somewhat more shorter than the level sight on the breech noted with this letter C, but in so small a quantity that the visual line which shall go by the extreamees or tops of those level sights in the line C D M L, do not touch the said line or way of the pellet H I K. And let the point M be that place of the visual line, which cometh most nearest to the said way or line of the pellet. Now I say if the mark unto which the level is given happeneth to be in the point M, the pellet will strike under that mark, I mean it will strike in the point N. But it will strike at that place N more nearer to that mark than in any other place, therefore if that mark were more without from the point M, as if I should say in the point L, or within, between the Piece and that point M, as if I should say in the point O, the pellet would always strike more under the mark. But it is true that it is more subject to error without, than within that point M, as it appeareth to be by the figure following. Prior. You have said enough. For I do well understand you in this matter. diagram of the firing of a piece of artillery The 9 Colloquy. When the level sight which is upon the mouth of the piece shallbe by so much loer or shorter than the level sight which is upon the breech of the said piece, as that our visual line passing by the extremes or tops of those level sights in taking the level of things doth only touch and not cut the way of the pellet, than the distance from the mouth of that piece to the said contingent or touch point is so much ground as that piece can cast level: and then if the mark unto which the level is given shallbe in that contingent or touch point, the pellet will strike precisely in the midst of that mark. And when the mark shall happen to be either without or within that touch point, the pellet will strike under the mark, but more under when the mark is without the said touch point than it will do when the mark is within the same touch point. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. Now go forward in the last part of the proposed matter, that is to say, when the level sight at the mouth of the Piece shall have his due & convenient shortness in respect of the level sight which is on the breech of the Piece. Nicho. When the level sight at the mouth of the piece shallbe by so much loer or shorter than the level sight on the breech of that Piece, as that our visual line passing by the extremes or tops of those level sights in taking the level of things doth only touch & not cut the way of the pellet (as by the figure following it doth appear to do in the point M) the distance from the mouth of that Piece to the said touch point which in the figure following shall be the line H M, may with reason be said to be so much ground as that Piece can cast level. And then if the mark unto which the level is given shall by chance be found to be in that touch point, the pellet will strike precisely in the middle of that mark. But when the said mark shall hap to be without the same touch point, that is to say, without the point M, the pellet will always strike somewhat under that mark, I mean so much more under the middle of that mark as the same mark shallbe more remote or farther from the touch point, be it without or within that touch point. And it is true that the same mark being within, that is to say, Note. towards the Piece, the Pellet cannot strike very lo, because that lonesse can never be equal to the height of the level sight which is upon the breech of the Piece, which may be about the one half of the thickness of the piece in the breech, as hath been said in the end of the seventh Colloquy, and therefore in such a case the stroke is subject to a small error in respect of that which may happen when the mark is without or beyond that touch point, as any man of a mean capacity may consider. Objection. Prior. Wherefore do you attribute unto the distance which is between the Piece and the same touch point, that it is all the ground which the Piece can shoot level and do not attribute the same to the distance between the Piece and the point of the intersection, in which point if the mark be set, the pellet will likewise strike in the middle of the said mark even as it doth when the mark is in the touch point, as hath been declared in the seventh Colloquy? Answer. Nicho. Because the Point of intersection having no determinate place, may be in very many places, according as by very many ways the level sight on the mouth of the Piece may be need. Our visual line passing by the extremes of the level sights may cut the line of the pellet in very many places. But when our visual line passing by the extremes of the level sights doth only touch and not cut the said line of the pellet, the said touch point cannot be but in one only place. less more shorter than the level sight on the breech of the Piece. But the touch point cannot be but in one place only, the which place is more farther from the mouth of the Piece than any other place whatsoever, where our visual line may meet with the line of way in which the pellet flieth. Then that being a more longer or farther concourse and less variable than any of the other concourses which do cut the same, I think for this reason that such a dignity aught more worthily to be given to that touch point than to any of the points of intersection. Prior. Your sayings do agreed with reason, and this matter with the other two matters which have been spoken of before, are three good lessons. diagram of the firing of a piece of artillery The 10. Colloquy. When one or both of the level sights shall not be precisely set in the very midst of the uppermost part or outside of the piece, than that piece will always shoot his pellet wide of the mark unto which the level was given by those sights. Also when the concavity or hollowness of a piece is not bored or cast right in the midst of the metal, than that piece will shoot his pellet wide of the mark unto which the level shallbe given. And how the middle part of the concavity in a piece may be justly known: and how the level sights may be rightly placed upon the outside and uppermost part of a piece right over the middle point of the concavity in the piece. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. You have heretofore made me to understand the cause why a pellet shot at a mark unto which level is given, doth sometimes strike in the midst of that mark, and sometimes above that mark, and sometimes under that mark: now I would know why the pellet doth sometimes strike much wide of the mark unto which the level is given? Nicho. This may happen by two causes, the one of them is by reason of the level sights, for when one of those sights or both of them shall not be precisely set in the midst of the uppermost part or outside of the Piece, Note. that Piece is forced thereby to drive his pellet wide of the mark. For if the level sight on the breech of the Piece shall be set without the same point of the midst, as for example towards our right hand, the same Piece also will drive his pellet wide upon the same right side of the mark unto which the level was given. Note. And if the level sight on the breech of the Piece shall be set without the same point of the midst, and towards our left hand, the same Piece will also strike wide from the mark towards the same left side. Prior. It seemeth to me that this should be contrary to that which you have said, I mean if the level sight on the breech of the Piece be set without the point of the midst, and towards the right side, that the piece will shoot his pellet wide of the mark towards the left side. Nicho. It is not so my Lord, but it is as I have told you, and to the end that this may be proved to be true by reason. I do suppose for example sake that the piece in the figure following hath on his breech a level sight noted with this letter C set somewhat without the point of the midst & towards the right hand, and that the level sight D which is at the mouth of the Piece is set just in the point of the midst, and that the point E is the mark unto which the level is given by the said two level sights, the which point E must needs be wide, & towards the left side from the line F G, which is supposed to be the way of the pellet, as it doth appear to be in the figure following. Then this point or mark E being upon the left side wide of the pellets way, it followeth that the way of the pellet lieth wide from the same mark, and towards the right side thereof as by the figure following which is made for an example you may perceive. And such effect would much more follow if D the level sight on the mouth of the Piece were also without the same point of the midst towards the other side, that is to say, towards the left side. diagram of the firing of a piece of artillery The second cause of such effect or inconvenience may come through the concavity of the piece which often times is not bored or cast right in the midst of the metal. I mean that the same concavity or hole is not in the very midst of the metal, but makes one side of the piece to be more thinner or thicker than the other side, so that although the two level sights be well set and perfectly placed in the very middle points upon the uppermost part of the metal, yet that piece must needs shoot wide, for notwithstanding the level sights are placed in the very middle points upon the uppermost part of the metal yet they do not stand right over the middle of the concavity of that piece, and for that cause such a piece shoots wide. Wherefore to remedy this inconvenience it is necessary to search advisedly for the very middle of the concavity as well in the tail of the Piece, as in the mouth of the same, and to place the level sights over the middle of the same concavity for to amend that fault in the Piece. You may see the type of this instrument which is made of two long rulers or staves in the 23 Colloquy of this book. How the level sights that are to be placed upon the outside & uppermost part of a Piece, may be set in their due places right over the middle point of the concavity in the same Piece. To find the middle of the same concavity the Gunners use (as I have been informed) two long Rulers or small staves very right and of equal breadth, and do put one of them right into the concavity, and down to the bottom of the same, and the other without upon the Piece, and they join one part of that Ruler which is above the Piece to the Ruler that goeth into the mouth of the Piece in that part thereof which is without the mouth of the same, and so where they find the very middle of the concavity to be, there right over the same upon the outside and uppermost part of the Piece they do place in the tail of the Piece, and at the mouth of the Piece the two level sights. And this being a way speedy enough and of small cunning, it is not to be misliked although it may be otherwise done. Prior. May not a way be devised to set those level sights in their due places without the help of those Rulers, only by discharging the Piece oftentimes together? Nicho. It may be so done: That is to say, if the Piece shall strike wide upon the right side of the mark, move the level sight which is on the tail of the Piece somewhat towards the left part, and if the Piece shall happen to strike wide towards the left side of the mark, move the same level sight which is on the tail of the piece somewhat towards the right side, and go on in so doing till the perfect place where that level sight must stand is found, and then make a durable mark in that place (if the level sight be a movable thing) so that at an other time you may have no cause to seek for that place again. Prior. I do understand you well and am satisfied for this evening. The 11. Colloquy. How there is a proportioned length for every piece of Artillery: and how when any kind of piece is made more longer or more shorter than his proportioned length, it will shoot always less ground. And how this is no general rule, that by how much the Canon of a piece is more longer, by so much it shoots the farther: and how it is a manifest error and a very unprofitable thing to make very long culverins: and how a culverin doth shoot further than a Cannon: and how a Cannon may be made to shoot farther than a culverin: and how much the metal of every piece should weigh: and how long each piece aught to be: and how much each pellet which is shot out of those pieces doth weigh: and how many Horses or Oxen must be provided to draw each kind of piece. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. Servant. PRior. What is the cause that by how much the Canon of a Piece of Artillery is more longer, by so much it shoots the farther? Nicholas. This proposition is not general, I mean that by how much the Canon of a Piece is more longer, by so much it shoots the farther. Note You may know the proportioned length of every great Piece of Artillery by reading the 39 chapter of mine Appendix. Note. But this is to be believed, and to be for a truth affirmed, that to every kind of piece there is one certain and determinate length so duly proportioned for the powder and pellet which such a Piece doth carry, that if a Piece be in any manner of way out of that proportion, it will shoot thereby a less ground. And therefore that you may have perfect knowledge of the proportionate length for all manner of Pieces, I say, that it will not be a commendable thing to make the Canons of Pieces long and short, but upon necessity: for evermore when any kind of Piece is made more longer or more shorter than that his proportioned length, it will shoot always less ground: I mean when it is discharged with one and the same quantity of powder. Prior. I think you say true, for I see that ordinarily there is allowed for the due charge of every Canon & of every other short Piece so much powder as doth way two third parts of the pellets weight, and that there is commonly allowed to every culvering which is a Piece that hath a more longer Canon, so much powder as weigheth ⅘ parts of the pellets weight: and I think that the Gunners do so, because if they should charge a culvering with no more powder than with so much as weigheth ⅔ parts of the pellets weight (as they do a Cannon) perchance the culverin would not shoot so much ground as the Cannon will do. Nicho. I knew not so much before, and for that it is so as you say, I am glad that I do know it. Prior. There is no Gunner so unskilful but doth know that this is true which I have told you. Nicholas. I think that this being a truth aught to be known to every Gunner: but I marvel much for what purpose Princes do cause such Pieces to be cast with a fault so manifest, and will not through the cost and hurt which cometh thereby redress the same. Prior. As a culverin is charged with a more quantity of powder than a Cannon, so it will shoot farther than a Cannon. Nicholas. Hath your Lordship had any experience thereof? Prior. Not: and yet I believe that this is true which I have told you, for all Gunners generally are of that opininion, and it cannot be otherwise, for the hollow Cylinder of the culverin being more longer than the hollow Cylinder of the Cannon, and charged with a more quantity of powder than the Cannon, it must needs be that the culvering will shoot farther than the Cannon. And the cost thereof is not so great as you think it to be. for a Canon whose Pellet waygheth twenty pound weight, is commonly charged with thirteen pounds and four ounces of powder, and the culvering whose pellet weigheth twenty pound weight is commonly charged with sixteen pound weight of powder, which is but two pound and eight ounces more of powder than is due for the charge of a Canon, so that the cost of two pound and eight ounces of powder (which is the excess) is but a trifle. Nicho. I will not affirm that the culverin shall shoot more or less ground than the Canon, for this matter is not very plain unto me having no perfect knowledge of his proportioned length, as before I have said, but this is true, A culverin being charged with no more powder than with the due charge of a Canon will not shoot so much ground as a Canon will do. that the culvering charged with no more powder than with the due charge of a Canon, will not shoot so much ground as a Canon will do. And I am certain that he which will shoot with a culvering so much ground as he may do with a Canon, must needs put into that culverin more powder than is used to be put into a Canon. And he shall have need of so much more powder as the difference between the two shoots made with an equal or like quantity of powder shallbe more greater. And therefore I conclude that when a culvering whose pellet weigheth twenty pound weight, is discharged with no more powder than is the ordinary charge of a Canon, it may be easily perceived that the same quantity of powder is not sufficient to make the culverin shoot so much ground as a Canon will do which is charged and discharged with the like quantity of the same powder. Note. But it may be that they which did first appoint for the charge of the culvering so much powder as weigheth ⅘ parts of his pellets weight, have perchance upon their experience set down that proportion to make the culverin shoot so much ground and perhaps more than the Canon can do. But this thing may not be granted nor denied before proof hath been made thereof: nevertheless be it as you will, if the said culvering charged with the same quantity of powder which charges a Canon, shooteth not so far as the Canon will do, it is a manifest error, and a ridiculous thing to say, that this error may be redressed by charging the culverin with a more quantity of powder, Note. and that thereby the culverin shall shoot as much ground or more than the Canon will do. For that excess of powder being put into a Canon charged before with his due charge of the same powder, will 'cause that Canon to shoot perchance more ground than the said culvering can do. Concerning the more charges or expenses which your Lordship says is but a trifle, I say that the same is much more than your Lordship doth suppose it to be: for if I be not deceived, the culverins being made more longer than the Canons, must also by reason be made more thicker of metal. This being so, there is more metal put in a culverin than in a Canon, and consequently a culverin is much more heavier than a Canon, and being more heavier must also be drawn with a more number of Oxen or Horses than a Canon must have, and there must be also a more number of men to govern those Oxen or Horses, and a more quantity of victuale provided aswell for the cat-tail as for the men which do govern them, besides the wages which the Prince or Commonalty that sendeth forth those men by the commandment of the Prince, do ordinarily pay unto them. And so behold what may follow in the end through this small error committed by the Prince. But if the error be so much in one culvering, whose pellet weigheth twenty pound, you shall find it much more greater in that culvering whose pellet weigheth 30, 40, 50, or 60 pound weight, as I have learned of a Gunner who hath had experience thereof. Prior. Without doubt there is more metal in a culverin than is in a Canon, and consequently a culverin must be drawn with more Oxen or Horses than a Canon. And of this matter I have a note in my memorial how much metal is in every one Piece, & of what length each piece aught to be, Note. & how many oxen or horses must be provided to draw each Piece. Nicho. I beseech you my Lord give me a copy thereof, for it may be that in time to come the same will pleasure me. Prior. With a good will. Servant bring hither unto me my memorial which is my chest. Servant. Here it is my Lord Prior. Now writ as I shall tell you. piece A A Faulconet whose pellet of lead weigheth 3 pound weight is 5 foot, and ½ foot long, The length and weight of great Pieces made in these days do differ much from the length and weight of pieces made in time past as it doth appear in the 39 chapter of my Appendix. and commonly containeth 400 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with two horses. piece B A falcon whose pellet weigheth 6. pound weight being 7 foot long containeth 890 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with four horses. piece C A Piece called in Italy Aspidi, whose pellet weigheth twelve pound weight, being five foot and ½ foot long, containeth 1300 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with six horses. piece D A Saker, whose pellet weigheth 12 pound weight, being 8 foot long, containeth 1400 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with eight horses. piece E A Saker, whose pellet weigheth 12 pound weight, being 9 foot long, containeth 2150 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with ten horses. piece F A Saker, whose pellet weigheth ten pound weight, being 8 foot long, containeth 1300 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with six horses. piece G A culverin whose pellet of iron weigheth sixteen pound weight, being 7 foot and ½ foot long, containeth 1750 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with eight or ten horses. piece H A Piece called in Italy Passavolante, whose pellet weigheth 16 pound weight, being 12 foot long, containeth 2740 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with five yoke of Oxen. piece I A culverin whose pellet weigheth 14 pound weight, being eight foot and ½ foot long, containeth 2233 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with five yoke of Oxen. piece KING A culverin whose pellet weigheth 20 pound weight, being ten foot long, containeth 4300 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with 7 yoke of Oxen. piece L A Canon whose pellet weigheth 20 pound weight, being 7 foot long, containeth 2200 pound weight of metal and must be drawn with five yoke of Oxen. piece M A Canon whose pellet weigheth 20 pound weight, being 8 foot long, containeth 2500 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with five or six yoke of Oxen. piece N A culverin whose pellet weigheth 30 pound weight, being _… foot long, containeth _… pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with 8 yoke of Oxen. piece O A Canon whose pellet weigheth 30 pound weight, being _… foot long, containeth _… pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with 6 yoke of Oxen. piece P A culverin whose pellet weigheth 50 pound weight, being 10 foot and ½ foot long, containeth 5387 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with 12 yoke of Oxen. piece Q A culvering whose pellet weigheth 50 pound weight, being 12 foot long, containeth 6600 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with 14 yoke of oxen. piece R A Canon whose pellet weigheth 50 pound weight, being 8 foot and ½ foot long, containeth 4000 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with 9 yoke of oxen. piece S A Canon whose pellet weigheth one hundred pound weight being nine foot and ½ foot long containeth 8800 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with 18 yoke of oxen. piece T A Canon whose pellet weigheth 120 pound weight, being 10 foot long containeth 12459 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with 25 yoke of Oxen. piece FIVE A culverin whose pellet weigheth 120 pound weight, being 15 foot long, containeth 13000 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with 28 yoke of oxen, Nich. Your Lordship may here make an end, for one half of that which I have noted would have been enough. Prior. I must tell you also of six other notes, & afterwards you shall make an end of your writing: I mean that there are also piece W Guns of which each pellet being of stone doth weigh 250 pound weight, and every of the said Guns is 10 foot and ½ foot long and containeth 8900 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with 18 or 19 yoke of Oxen. piece X There are also Guns of which each pellet weigheth 150 pound weight, and every of the said Guns are 10 foot long, and contain 6160 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with 12 yoke of oxen. piece Y There are also Guns of which each pellet weigheth 100 pound weight, and every of the same Guns being 10 foot long, do contain 5500 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with 11 yoke of Oxen, piece Z There are also Guns of which each pellet weigheth one hundred pound weight, and every of the same Guns being only eight foot, and ½ foot long, containeth 4500. pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with nine yoke of Oxen. piece AA Also there are Guns called in Italy Cortaldi, of which each pellet weigheth 45 pound weight, and every of the said Guns being seven foot long, containeth 2740 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with five yoke of oxen. piece BB There is an other sort of such pieces called in Italy Cortaldi, of which each pellet weigheth thirty pound weight, and every of the said Guns being seven foot and ½ foot long, containeth 1600 pound weight of metal, and must be drawn with three yoke of oxen. And so hear I will make an end. Nicholas. Doth that pound weight which I have noted contain twelve ounces or sixteen ounces? The pound weight which doth contain 12 ounces, is called the subtle weight of Venice, and the pound weight which doth contain 16 ounces, is called the gross weight of Venice, and 350 pounds of the gross weight of Venice do make 550 pounds of the subtle weight of Venice, as Bartholomeo di Pas. da Vinetia, hath written in his book entitled, Tariffa de i pesi e misure and are the feet which I have noted according to the measure of Venice? Or are they longer or shorter than the said measure of Venice? Prior. I think that each of those pounds doth contain but 12 ounces, and for answer to your question of feet I know not what to say, for this note was delivered to me in Barletta, and it may be that the feet before mentioned are according to the measure of feet in that place which (as I think) doth not differ from the measure of feet in Venice. Nicho. Now it is no matter whether or no I do learn that measure so exactly, for it sufficeth that I do know that a Canon whose pellet waieth fifty pound weight being eight foot and ½ foot long, doth contain 4000 pound weight of metal, and that the culvering whose pellet weigheth 50. pounds' weight, and is one of that sort, which is twelve foot long, and containeth 6600 pounds weight of metal, hath in it 2600 pounds weight of metal more than is in a Canon and that this culvering must be drawn with five yoke of oxen more than the Canon hath need of, Note and that the same five yoke of oxen (as I think) must have five men to govern them, whereby you may perceive to how much charge this will amount in continuance of time and how much the excess of powder which is spent at every shoot is worth. Prior. The charge is great in one culvering, and doth much exceed in many, and truly if I were in health, I would see a proof hereof, for it is a matter of great importance. The first Corollary. IN the precedent Colloquy there is mention made of the weight and length of pieces according to the subtle weight of pounds and measure of common feet in Venice, which doth not agreed with the pounds of avoirdupois de poise weight, nor with the measure of feet of assize in England: therefore I have reduced that subtle weight and measure of common feet in Venice, into the aver de poise weight, The contents of the Table next following. and measure of feet and inches of assize in England, & for the benefit of my Readers do set forth in a Table following the names of the aforesaid pieces, the length of the said pieces according to the measure of common feet in Venice, and according to the measure of feet and inches of assize in England, the weight of the said pieces, and of their pellets, according to the subtle weight of Venice, & according to the aver de poise weight of England, & also the number of horses or oxen which must be provided to draw every of those or such like Pieces. Instructions by which the Reader may easily understand the Table next following. This Table is of itself easy to be understood and needeth no other declaration than that which the titles over every Columpe in the same doth show, this only excepted, the Reader must understand that (as Gasparo Bugati hath written in his book entitled in Italian, How the subtle weight of Venice may be made. Historia universal) 24 grains of Wheat do weigh one penny weight, 24 pennies do weigh one ounce, & 12 ounces do weigh one pound of the subtle weight of Venice: & the Reader must also be instructed that (as Bartholomeo di Pasi da Vinetia aledgeth in his book named Tariffa de i Pesi e misure) 550 pounds of the subtle weight of Venice do make 364 pounds of avoirdupois de poise weight of England, The difference between the subtle weight of Venice & the aver de poise weight of England. & that the said avoirdupois de poise weight (as we may read in Stratioticos, in Pharmacopoea Laur: jouberti cap. de ponderibus & mensuris, and in the Ground of Arts) is thus made. Twenty grains of Barley way one scruple weight: How the avoirdupois weight of England may be made. What these letters Y I and M st do signify in the Table next following. The measure of a common foot of Venice. The difference between a common foot of Venice & a foot of assize of England. The measure of the Arsenal foot of Venice What the letters which are set right against the Pieces named in the Table next following do signify. 3 scruples way one dram weight: 8. drams weigh one ounce weight: 16. ounces weigh one pound weight: 28. pounds weigh ¼ of an hundred weight: 56 pounds weigh ½ of an hundred weight: 84 pounds weigh ¾ of an hundred weight: & 112 pounds weigh an hundred of aver de poise weight. Likewise the Reader must learn that where this letter Y is in any square of my Table, it doth signify, that the pellet of such weight as is in that square expressed, is of iron, and that the letter L in a square doth signify that the pellet of such weight, as is in that square expressed, is of lead, and that the letters M saint in a square do signify that the pellet of such weight as is in that square expressed is of a marble stone. Moreover the Reader must know that the measure of a common foot in Venice (by which as I have been informed the said pieces were measured) doth contain in length (as Girolamo Cataneo in his book Dell' arte militare, and Nicholas Tartaglia in the first book of the third part of his general treatise di numeri & misure have depicted the same) one foot, one inch, and ½ of an inch of the assize of England, and that there is an other kind of foot measure in Venice, called the Arsenal foot containing in length one foot, one inch, and ⅕ of an inch of the assize of England, which aught also to be remembered to this end, that the true measure of the said Pieces might not by any Reader be mistaken. And to conclude, the Reader must not be ignorant, that the letters which are set directly against the Pieces named in this Table, do signify that the pieces against which they stand in this Table are the very same Pieces against which the like letters are set in the precedent Colloquy. The 12. Colloquy. How long the Canon or concavity of every Piece of Artillery aught to be, and how a moving body is always let in his passage when it doth touch an unmovable body, and how the passage of a moving body is by so much more let, as that moving body is more, and by a longer time touched with the unmovable body. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. Yesterday in the evening we disputed whether or no in all sorts of Artillery the concavity of a Piece, which is made too long or too short, doth hinder the far shooting of those Pieces, now I would understand whether by natural reason we may appoint how long the concavity of each Piece should be, and aptly proportion the same for his convenient measure of powder and pellet? You may know the proportioned length of every great Piece of artillery by reading the 39 chapter of mine Appendix. Nich. The length of the canon or concavity of each Piece aught to be such, as in the very same instant when all the powder is a fire, the pellet should be perceived to be issuing at the very end of the Piece. That is to say, at the mouth of the Piece, for in that instant all the expulsive virtue of the powder gins to work on the pellet in the chief of his fury or force, and after that virtue explsive hath wrought on the pellet, the said pellet finding nothing to let or resist his range (except the air) will fly more farther than if the concavity of that Piece had been more longer, or more shorter. For if the concavity of that Piece had been more shorter, the pellet would have been go out of the mouth of the Piece before all the powder had been fired, & before all the expulsive virtue of the gunpowder had wrought upon the pellet, & so a part thereof would have been to no purpose. And it might easily have happened, that much of the gunpowder would have gone unburned out of the Piece together with the pellet, I mean that gunpowder which was untouched with fire. And if the concavity of that Piece had been more longer, the pellet would not have been precisely at the mouth of the Piece at that instant when all the gunpowder was a fire, A moving body is let in his passage, when it doth touch an unmovable body. but somewhat more within the concavity of that piece, and therefore the said pellet being in the prime of his swiftness and running along by that small part of the concavity which then remained for the pellet to run in, is thereby greatly let in his way and passage, for always a moving body is let in his passage, when it doth touch an unmovable body. And by so much is the passage of a moving body more let, as that moving body is more & by a longer time touched with the unmovable body. Prior. I do understand you well, and like well of your reasons, but I will talk no more hereof in this evening. The 13. Colloquy. How a piece being charged with more powder than his due charge unto a certain measure, will shoot more ground than it will do when it is charged only with his due charge of powder. And how a piece being charged with a more or less quantity of powder than that certain measure is, will shoot a less distance than it will do with that certain measure of powder: and how the wound which cometh by reason of the powder in the concavity of the piece doth always follow somewhat near or somewhat united unto the pellet after the pellet is go out of the mouth of the piece, and thereby doth augment the moving of the pellet, and how the force of the same wind doth not work so much in driving forth the same pellet when it is without the concavity of the piece, as it doth when it is within the concavity of the piece. And how that part of gunpowder which is in the concavity of the piece most nearest to the touchhole doth fire before that part of the powder which is more remote. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. Servant. PRior. Yesterday in the evening you declared with good reasons of what length the concavity of a piece of Artillery aught to be for to be duly proportioned for the convenient measure of the powder and pellet with which the piece is used to be charged, the which convenient measure of powder is supposed to be so much in weight as the ⅔ parts of the weight of the pellet. Question. Now supposing that a Cannon whose Pellet weigheth 20 pound weight hath such a due and proportioned length as is convenient for ⅔ parts in powder of the pellets weight, and that the same Cannon is charged with more powder than with ⅔ parts of the pellets weight, Answer. I ask of you whether or no that piece will shoot more ground than it was wont to do? Nicholas. Without doubt it will shoot somewhat farther than it was wont to do. Prior. This is contrary to those reasons which you did allege yesterday in the evening, for in this case the pellet would be gone out of the mouth of the piece before all the powder should be a fire, & therefore that part of his force which the excess or overplus of powder should cause would be frustrate and in vain after the pellet is go out of the mouth of the piece, and therefore that piece should not shoot farther through the excess of the powder, The wind which comes by the powder in the concavity of the piece doth always follow somewhat near or somewhat united unto the pellet after the pellet is go out of the mouth of the piece & thereby doth augment the moving of the pellet but the force of the same wound doth not work so much in driving forth the same pellet when it is without the concavity of the piece, as it doth when it is within the concavity of the piece. but only the same ground which it was wont to do, because the force of the same excess in powder is wholly vain and frustrate. Nicho. That windy force which comes by the excess of powder after that the pellet is out of the mouth of the piece, although it could not work on the pellet whilst the same pellet was within the concavity of the piece, yet the said windy force doth not therefore leave to work on the pellet after it is out of the mouth of the Piece, that is to say, in the air: for all that wound which comes by the powder in the said concavity doth always follow somewhat near or somewhat united unto the pellet, although the pellet be somewhat go out of the mouth of the piece, and therefore it doth somewhat augment that moving. And it is true that the same windy force doth not work so much in driving forth the same pellet when it is without the concavity of the piece, as it doth when it is within the concavity of the same. I mean that his such working shall not be proportional to the excess of powder that is put into the same piece, but it shall differ much from that proportion. Prior. I do not understand this proportional work. Nicho. The proportional work is to be understood in this sort: suppose for an example, that this our Cannon whose pellet weigheth 20. pound weight is mounted at an elevation given, and discharged with ⅔ parts in powder of the pellets weight, and that it doth then shoot 1000 paces, and that the same Cannon is afterwards discharged with so much powder as the pellet doth weigh, the which quantity of powder is once and a half so much as ⅔ parts in powder of the pellets weight, now I say if this excess of powder doth work proportionally on the pellet, than that piece will shoot at the same elevation just 1500 paces, that is to say, once and a half so much as it did when it was discharged with ⅔ parts in powder of the pellets weight. And I say that this piece in such a case will not shoot the same 500 paces of more ground, nor perchance the half thereof, that is to say 250 paces. But we will suppose here that the piece will shoot the same 250. paces of more ground, which in the whole sum is 1250 paces. And also I say whosoever shall shoot the same Cannon with so much powder as the pellet weigeth and ⅓ part more which is in the whole 4/3, that this second third will not increase the same range of the pellet so much as the first third did. That is to say, it will not increase by 250 paces as by supposition it did with the first third, but it increaseth much less than the said 250 paces. And likewise whosoever doth add ⅓ part of powder more unto the aforesaid 4/3 parts of powder, Note. shall thereby increase the far flying of the pellet, but not so much as the excess of the second third did. So that each increase or excess of the powder unto a certain measure or limit, doth always 'cause the piece to shoot somewhat farther. But after the excess of the first third, the said increase by the other excesses doth decrease unto that measure or limmite, and from that limmite or measure upwards whosoever doth add more powder shall not make the piece to carry farther. Note. And the excess or overplus of powder may be so much, as that it will not make the piece to cast more ground but less ground. Prior. You tell me of a thing that doth not well like me, for you say that you may put into a piece so much powder above a certain measure or quantity that shall make the piece to cast more ground, and less ground, the which thing (as it seemeth to me) is repugnant to reason. Nicho. Proverb. My sayings therein are according to reason as it may be proved by the common proverb which says that too much enclosed breaketh his cover, and for to make this doubt plain, I must of necessity speak of extremities, and therefore if one shall charge a piece with so much powder as the concavity of the same will hold, leaving only towards the mouth of the piece so much of that concavity empty, as will scarcely receive the pellet, and shall discharge that piece being in such a sort charged, I ask of your Lordship whether you think that the same piece will now shoot more ground, or less ground than it would have done if it had been charged and discharged with his ordinary charge, that is to say with ⅔ parts in powder of the pellets weight? Prior. I think that a piece charged in that sort will break when it is discharged, & that the same too much of powder (as your proverb says) will break the cover that is to say, it will break the piece. Nich. I will not dispute whether in this case that piece should by reason break or not break, for a long disputation might be made thereof, but I will now suppose that the same piece will not break. Prior. In this case where the concavity of a piece is so strait, as that it was needful for to make the pellet enter into the same with the force of a rammer, I believe that thereby the said piece will shoot more farther. An admonition. Nicho. In all things that have been spoken, & are to be spoken concerning the ranges of Artillery, suppose always except it be otherwise specified, that the pellets are equal aswell in greatness, as in weight, & that they are also equally round, for every of these accidents will make the ranges of the pellets to vary, and therefore in this our case I say, that it is to be supposed that the pellet which is to be shot out of the concavity filled with powder, is of the very same quality of weight, measure & roundness as that pellet is which we ordinarily shoot out of the piece, that is to say, with ⅔ parts in powder of that pellets weight. A piece whose concavity is full of powder will shoot much less ground than it will do when it is discharged with his ordinary charge. Prior. Supposing that to be in such sort as you say, the thing in effect is very doubtful. Nicho. There is no doubt in it, for it is very certain that the piece whose concavity is full of powder, will shoot much less ground than that piece will do which is discharged with his ordinary charge. Prior. By what reason? Nicho. This is the reason thereof. All the powder (how fine so ever it be) doth not fire at one instant, that is to say, the powder which is at the touchhole is a fire before that which is farther of from that place, and the powder which is more nearer to the touchhole is a fire somewhat before the powder that is more farther of from the same. This proposition being granted, it is manifest that the same part of powder which is in the concavity of the piece most nearest to the touchhole, That part of gunpowder which is in the concavity of the piece most nearest to the touchole doth fire before that part of gunpowder which is more remote. doth fire before that which is more remote. And that I may be the better understood, I will divide in my mind all the length of the powder which is found to be in the same concavity into four equal parts. I say then that the same part of powder which is next to the touchhole doth fire before the other part which is next adjoining unto it, and in firing causeth so great a quantity of windy exhalations, that ten such places as that is where the powder was first a fire, will not be able to receive the same exhalations and therefore according as the same exhalations are continually caused by the powder which continually is set on fire, so it is necessary for that exhalation to go forwards in getting by force a more bigger place than the place of the powder which is the cause of the same, and it cannot get such a place but by two ways, the first of these two ways is by expelling before it with violence the rest of the powder which is not a fire, and which is towards the mouth of the piece together with the pellet, or else by making the piece to break, and because it is to be thought that the same exhalations will more easily thrust out the powder together with the pellet than make the piece to break, and especially the pellet being at the extreme or end of the concavity, I say then that the first fourth part of our said powder which was first a fire goeth on continually burning, and expelleth before it the other powder lying next before the same & consequently that expelleth out the pellet, and the pellet being very near out of the piece, at the first and lest thrust which it feeleth in the beginning goeth out of the same suddenly, and is expelled only with the whole and unburned powder (as hath been said) & not by the proper exhalation of the fired powder, the which expultion being made so in the beginning, may not be but weak in the pellet, I say weak in respect of that it will be when the pellet is expelled only by the windy exhalation and in the chief of the great fury of that exhalation, besides this the unburned powder followeth the pellet going out of the piece, and within a while after falls down to the ground, and this powder by going in the air, and then falling down upon the ground, doth much let the going of the windy exhalation which followeth after the Pellet, & hinders much the range of the same pellet. So that for these reasons the pellet in such a case will not range very far. But such a piece being discharged with somewhat a less quantity of powder will without doubt shoot farther than that piece will do whose concavity was filled with gunpowder, for in this second manner or way all the concavity is not full of powder by the length of twice the thickness of the pellet, and the pellet being in the charge will not be found so at the extreme of the piece his mouth, but more within. And therefore the pellet will not so go out of the mouth of the piece at the first and lest thrust of the powder, but will resist a little more than the other: within which time much more of the powder will be a fire, and consequently a greater quantity of windy exhalations will be caused, & the pellet with a more force or fury shallbe thrust out & expelled, I say thrust out & expelled with the powder, & not only by the windy exhalation as it was said of the other shoot. And so by these evident reasons in this second shoot with less powder, I conclude that the piece will shoot farther than it did at the first when all the concavity was full of powder. And likewise if you will also charge the piece again with a less quantity of powder, I mean with so much powder as will not fill all his concavity by the length of thrice the thickness of the pellet, I say that in such a case the same piece will shoot farther than it did when it was charged with gunpowder up to the mouth within twice the thickness of the pellet. And so if you will charge the piece again with powder up to the mouth within 4. times the thickness of the pellet, it will shoot farther than it did when it was charged with powder up to the mouth within thrice the thickness of the pellet, likewise the piece being charged with gunpowder up to the mouth within five times the thickness of the pellet will shoot farther than it did when it was charged with gunpowder up to the mouth within four times the thickness of the pellet, and so it proceedeth unto a certain measure being a mean between those two extremities. When you are come to that certain measure, Note. you shall find this worthiness in it, that he which will then charge that piece with a less quantity of powder than that certain measure is, shall shoot a less distance than he did with that certain measure, and likewise he which will charge the piece with more powder than that certain measure is, We must keep a mean between 2. extremities of divers properties. shall also shoot a less distance than he did with that certain measure. Prior. This is a good speculation, and it likes me well, for in truth I know that we aught of necessity to keep a mean between two extremities, which are of divers properties. Servant. My Lord, it is now supper time, Prior. Then let us go to supper. The 14. Colloquy. How the powder with which a piece of Artillery is charged, aught not to be rammed down too hard in the piece, nor suffered to lie dispersed or too lose in the piece, & how in all contrary extremities we must build upon the mean. And how the powder which is very hard rammed down in the piece will not be so soon a fire as the powder which lieth dispersed or more lose. And how the longer that it is before the Powder doth take fire, the more weaker will his effects be, and the sooner that the powder is a fire, the more forcibly doth it drive the pellet, and thereby his virtue & power doth work more effectually together, and how he doth weaken the force of gunpowder that doth ram it down too hard in the piece, or that doth suffer it to lie much dispersed and lose. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. What think you, is it better to ram the powder hard down in the piece, or to leave it somewhat dispersed and lose? Nich. In all contrary extremities we must build upon the mean, that is to say, the gunpowder would not be too hard rammed, nor lie dispersed or too lose, The gunpowder which is very hard rammed down in the piece will not be so soon a fire as the gunpowder which lieth dispersed or more lose. The longer that it is before the gunpowder doth take fire, the more weaker will his effects be, and the sooner that the gunpowder is a fire, the more forcibly doth it drive the pellet, and thereby his virtue and power doth work more effectually together. for the gunpowder which is very hard rammed down in the piece, doth more resist the fire that cometh unto it, than that powder doth which lieth lose, and will not be so soon a fire as the gunpowder which lieth dispersed or more lose, and the longer that it is before the gunpowder doth take fire, the more weaker will his effects be, contrariwise the sooner that the gunpowder is a fire, the more forcibly doth it drive the pellet, and thereby his virtue and power doth work more effectually together. The same thing in a manner doth happen when the gunpowder doth lie much dispersed and very lose, and especially when it lieth in a long form like unto a train which is made to set a thing that is far of on a fire: in which train that part of gunpowder is first a fire which is at that end of the train where the fire was first given, and afterwards the fire goeth burning continually and successively the rest of the gunpowder by little and little even to the other end of that train, and the more longer that the train is, the more longer will the time be before all that gunpowder be a fire the very same may be applied to this case of artillery, for the powder lying dispersed and lose in the concavity of a piece, doth lie in a long form and fashion, and therefore it will be the longer before it be all a fire, and for that cause the effect of that gunpowder will not be of so great a force. He doth weaken the force of gunpowder that doth ram it down to hard, in the piece, or that doth suffer it to lie much dispersed and lose. And hereupon I conclude that the powder lying too hard rammed down in the piece, or lying too much dispersed and lose, weakeneth the effects of that piece, and therefore it behoveth us to keep a mean (as before hath been said) and not to be in extremities, that is to say, the gunpowder must not be rammed down too hard, nor suffered to lie to lose. Prior. Your opinion herein pleaseth me well. The 15. Colloquy. How a small piece called in Italian Schioppo doth shoot more straighter and more farther at a level mark than an arquebus can do, and how an harchibuse will be to more effect, and pierce farther into an object placed within a common distance, than the said Schioppo can do. And also how there is a kind of Schioppo which will at an equal distance pierce farther into an obiest than an arquebus can do. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. What is the cause that a piece which is called in Italian Schioppo doth shoot more straighter and more farther at a level mark, or in a right line, than an harchibuse can do, seeing the arquebus will be to more effect, and pierce farther into an object placed within a common distance, than that Shioppo can do? Nicho. The cause hereof is for that peradventure the pellet of the arquebus is more greater than the pellet of that Schioppo, and that the weight of the arquebus pellet doth hinder the swift flying of the same pellet. As for example: Example. suppose that such a Schioppo will shoot a pellet of ½ ounce in weight at length in a right line 400 paces, and that an arquebus will shoot a pellet of an ounce in weight in a right line but only 300 paces, You must understanst and that in this Colloquy N. Tartaglia doth mean by these words right line, an insensible crooked line. now I say that in a distance of an hundred or of 150 paces, the arquebus will pierce farther than the said Schioppo will do, although at that place the pellet of that Schioppo flieth more swiftly (by the reasons alleged in the 4. proposition of the first book of our nwe science) than the pellet of the arquebus And therefore if it be so as your Lordship sayeth, the pellet of the arquebus should by reason be more greater than the pellet of the Schioppo. Prior. It is true that an arquebus doth generally carry a greater pellet than doth the Schioppo, and yet there is a kind of Schioppo which shoots pellets as big as any arquebus doth. Nicolas. When a Schioppo doth carry so great a pellet as an arquebus, and shoots more straighter or more farther in a level line then an arquebus doth, then without doubt at an equal distance such a Schioppo will pierce farther into an object than the arquebus will do. Prior. by reason it should be so as you say, and you have spoken enough for this evening. The 16. Colloquy. How a piece of Artillery will do a greater effect against a brickwall or any other thing standing firm and fast upon the ground, than it will do against a ship or Galley moving on the Sea. And how a piece of Artillery will do a greater effect against a ship or Galley which doth come towards it, than it will do against a ship or Galley which doth sail from it, and how the thing which doth more let a moving body, is more thrust, strooken, and hurt with the said moving body than that thing is which doth less let the said moving body. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. What is the cause that when a pellet being shot out of a great piece of Artillery and hitting a ship or a Gallye on the Sea, doth pierce into the ship or Galley but a little way in respect of that it useth to do when it is shot against a brickwall, for every ship or galley (as it is well known) is made of planks of wood, and therefore when 2 or 3 ships lie near together, it is to be thought that a great piece of Artillery being discharged at them, in respect of that it will do against a thick brickwall, should by reason shoot thorough all their sides, yet seldom times it happeneth that the pellet doth penetrate thorough both the sides of one ship, for oftentimes the pellet rests within the ship or galley. Nicho. Note. It is manifest by natural reason that the thing which doth more let a moving body, is more thrust, strooken, and hurt with the said moving body: the walls then standing firm and fast on the ground do let more the way or range of the pellet than a ship or galley doth when it moveth on the Sea, and through that moving, the ship or galley yieldeth somewhat to the stroke of the pellet, whereby the pellet worketh not that great effect, nor pierceth into it so far as it would have done if the ship or galley had been well fixed and set fast in the ground as the walls are, so that by this reason a piece of Artillery is to more effect against a brickwall or any other thing standing firm and fast on the ground, than against a ship or galley moving on the Sea. Note. And a piece of Artillery will be to more effect against a ship or galley which doth come towards it than against a ship or Galley that doth sail from it, for the ship which comes towards the piece, comes against the range of the pellet, and therefore the pellet doth a more effect against it than it would have done if the ship had stood firm on the Sea. And the ship or galley which goeth or faileth from the piece, yieldeth more to the stroke of the pellet than that ship or Galley doth which stands firm and quiet on the Sea. Prior. I do understand you well. The 17. Colloquy. How you may get out quickly the nails or any other thing which shall happen by any manner of means to be put into the touchholes of great pieces of Artillery. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. Tell me briefly if by chance in the time of any sudden assault the Artillery should be choked with nails or otherwise, whether it be possible to devise a way to unchoke quickly and upon the sudden the same Artillery, I say upon the sudden, because many know how to do it, and do the same with a certain water or oil which being put upon the touchhole that is choked, eats the same choking, and so unchoketh the piece. There are other as I understand which do the same with a borer, that is to say, with such a thing as doth make the touchhole. But every of these ways require some time for to do the same, but when a great many pieces are to be unchoked, I would know a way how if it be possible they might be quickly unchoked. Nicho. Such a thing may be done (except I be deceived) by charging all the same Artillery with such pellets as shall go down hardly into their pieces. Then after the pieces are so charged, lay them against the same place at which you should have had occasion to shoot if they had been unchoked, and having made a train of powder within the concavity from the mouth of the piece unto the pellet in every piece, watch for an occasion that you may not shoot in vain, and upon occasion offered to shoot, give fire to the train at the mouth of the piece, and so all the pieces will do not only their ordinary effects, but will also (as I think) in their discharges cast out the nails of iron, or any other thing with which they were choked, and by so unchoking of them, there will come no hurt or discommodity. Prior. This is a good and speedy way, and I believe that a better way cannot be devised than this, if the pieces in their discharges will as you have said, cast out the nails and other things wherewith they were choked. Nicho. There is no doubt but that the pieces will cast out in their discharges all that which did choke them, Prior. If it shall happen that some of the nails be so fast in the touchhole that the pieces do not in their discharges cast them out, Question. what is the remedy then? Nicho. Charge the pieces again, and shoot them of in the same manner as you did before, Answer. but first in this case you must warm with fire the place which is choked, Note. and then lay clay round about that place or touchhole for to receive and contain a little of very hot oil, which must be powered upon the touchhole or place that is choked: Whereby the choked touchhole being made warm, sucketh in that hot oil which will make the choking iron to be more ready to slip and go out. Also in that case after you have charged your pieces with powder, Note. and before you do put into them their pellets, you must with a staff make a hole thorough the powder even to the breech of each piece, and directly under the touchhole that is choked, and in this case this secret is not from the purpose, for I think it will perform this action without the use of the hot oil. Prior. I am of your opinion therein, for in the discharging of those pieces, the raging fire doth found the said hole made in the powder to be ill or not well closed, and therefore I think it a thing needless to prepare hot or cold oil for that purpose: but insomuch as it is now supper time, I will talk no more hereof, and from henceforth we will talk of some other good matter, for concerning Artillery I have no other question to ask you. The 18. Colloquy. How a pellet shot out of a piece at an ohiect which is very near unto the said piece, doth not work so effectually, nor pierce so far into that object as it doth when it is shot at the like object standing farther of. And how the more farther that the pellet flieth from the piece, the more slolye it doth go, and that where it goeth slowly there it worketh a little effect, and how every moving thing moveth always some other thing. Interlocutors L. james of Achaia. Nicholas Tartaglia. L. james. I know by experience that when a pellet is shot out of a piece at a brickwall which standeth very near unto the said piece, that the same pellet doth not work so effectually, nor pierce so far into that brickwall, as it would have done if the brickwall had been farther of, but by the reasons which you allege in your nwe science, it should be otherwise, for you say there, that the more farther the pellet flieth from the piece, the more sloer doth it go, and that where it goeth slowly, there it worketh a little effect. Then by how much more nearer the piece is to the place at which you shoot, by so much aught his pellet to work a more effect on the place where it strikes than that pellet will do which is shot out of a piece lying more farther of from the said place, because the pellet that is shot out of the piece planted near unto the same place, strikes it with a more swifter moving, and yet as I have said, I know by experience that it will come to pass otherwise, and therefore I ask of you what is the cause of this inconvenience? Nicholas. Every moving thing moveth always some other thing. For an answer to your doubt, you must note how every moving thing moveth always some other thing, and therefore when the pellet is moved by the wind which the Saltpetre causeth, the same pellet together with the same wind moveth also in that very same instant the air which is near unto it within the concavity of the piece, and the same air moveth and thrusteth out the other air consequently next unto it, and so the one air thrusteth the other air in such sort, that the said pellet thrusteth and carrieth before it a great quantity of air, in a very long fashion, or form, the which form although it be but of air caused through the force of the pellets moving, Note. yet that air is of itself so weighty as that for a little while it penetrateth like as it were a beam of wood the other air with which it meeteth in his way: But it doth not continued long to penetrate the air, Note. for this airy figure for a little while goeth before the pellet, and the pellet being a heavy body, doth more easily penetrate the air than the said airy figure, and therefore the pellet doth go much more swifter than that airy figure, Note. & in a short time leaves that airy figure behind, which in the beginning was before it. Now to return to our first purpose, when we discharge a piece of artillery at a thing very near unto us, this airy figure which is thrust before the pellet (as before hath been said) hits the thing at which we shoot, before the pellet doth strike it, & for that the same airy figure is not able to penetrate the same mark the foremost end thereof which first did hit the mark must needs rebound & return back against the residue of the same airy figure and pellet that followeth it, (and especially when the piece is discharged at a mark lying level with the mouth of the piece) the which return causeth the pellet to meet with that residue of the airy figure being near unto it, and maketh a great strife, that is to say, the residue of that airy figure would go forwards and can not, partly because (as it hath been said) it is not able to pierce into that thing at which you shoot, and partly because of that other part which is forced to return back again, through which strife the pellet is much let in his way, and by that means can not do all that effect which otherwise it would do. Note. You may know how much ground is in a mean distance by reading the 70 chapter of mine Appendix. But when the place at which you shoot is in a mean distance from the Piece, the pellet through his swiftness will leave all the same airy figure behind it, or at the lest the greatest part thereof, so as in that place which is within a mean distance, the pellet will work more effectually than in a place which is more nearer to the Piece, because the pellet in doing of his effect hath no such great let nor strife with the air. L. james. I like your reasons well, and perceive by them that it comes of no other cause. The 19 Colloquy. In what place and at what distance a Piece of Artillery will work most forcibly and most effectually Interlocutors L. james of Achaia. Nicholas Tartaglia. L. james. There is an other doubt in which I would be resolved, and it is this: If you plant a Piece of Artillery too near unto the thing at which you shoot, by the reasons which you have alleged, and by the experience which I have had therein, the effects of that Piece will not be so forcible as they would in a mean distance. Likewise if you plant a Piece too far of from the place at which you shoot (by the opinion of all men) the same will happen, I mean if you plant a Piece too far of from the mark, it doth not work so effectually in the thing where it hits, as it would do in a mean distance. Now I ask of you whether by reason a place may be appointed where the pellet shot out of such a Piece of Artillery finding no let or resistance in any part of his way or range shall work most effectually? Note. Nicho. If the pellet at that very instant when it cometh to join with the furthermost part of the said airy figure (whereof I have spoken in the precedent Colloquy) shall find there an object, then in the same place it will work more effectually than in any other place: For if the object be more towards the mouth of the Piece, the said airy figure will strike that object before the pellet will hit the same, as it hath been said in the precedent Colloquy, and immediately after the blow, it reboundes backwards against the residue of the same airy figure and pellet, and hinders somewhat the range of the pellet, as hath been said in the precedent Colloquy. And if the object should be farther from that place, than so soon as the pellet is wholly go from that airy figure: that is to say, hath left that airy figure behind it, immediately it finds the air as it were quiet, whereby the pellet doth with more difficulty penetrate that quiet air, than the air of the said airy figure which goeth likewise towards the same place to which the pellet doth go: and therefore the pellet being go from that airy figure doth by so much decrease in force as it doth go more farther from it, and for that cause it followeth that his effects will be the more weaker. So that for these two reasons, the pellet should work more effectually on that object which is found to be precisely in the pellets going out from the end of the said airy figure, than in any other place more farther or more nearer to the same. L. james. I believe that it is so as you say: for in effect I perceive that the pellet will strike in that place without any let of the reflection of the air, and that between the Piece and the same place it hath not been let by the quiet air, as it will be let when it cometh unto it if it go more farther. The 20 Colloquy. The cause why two waddes of hay or of toe are put into a Piece at every time when it is charged: And how Art should imitate nature which doth nothing but to some end and purpose, and how use hath always been observed in many Arts as well Mechanical as Liberal: And how the Artificer is praise worthy that searcheth the cause of things used to be done in his Art: And how knowledge is no other thing than to know the thing by his cause. Interlocutors Bombardiero. This word Bombardiero ●oth here & in ●… other places of this book signify him that doth shoot in a great piece of artillery and is of some called a Canoncere. Nicholas Tartaglia. BOmbardiero. for what cause (as you think) are two waddes of hay or of toe put into a Piece at every time when it is charged, I mean one wad after the powder is put in between the powder and the pellet, and an other wad after that the pellet is put in? Nicho. Until now I knew not of this thing which you have told me, I mean that a wad of hay or of tow is put into the piece between the powder and the pellet, and likewise that an other such wad of hay or tow is put into the piece after the pellet. But it seemeth to me at this present, that if it be so as you say, it were more convenient that I should ask of you the cause of that cautel, then that you should ask the same of me, for if you use to do so at every time when you charge a piece, Art should imitate nature which doth nothing but to some end and purpose. you should know to what purpose it is done, because Art should imitate nature in this thing, which doth nothing but to some end and purpose. Bombardiero. I will confess unto you that I am unlearned, and that I have used to do so because I have seen all other Gunners use to do the same. Nich. Use hath always been observed in very many arts aswell mechanical as liberal, and therefore I do not marvel at you nor blame you, but commend you for searching the cause of that thing which is used to be done in your Art, and so aught every man to do, Use hath always been observed in many arts aswell mechanical as liberal, and the artificer is praise worthy that searcheth the cause of things used to be done in his art, because knowledge is no other thing than to know the thing by his cause. for knowledge is no other thing, than to know the thing by his cause, but now to return to our purpose, the first wad which is put between the powder and the pellet is for no other cause as I think, but to sweep, bring, and keep together in his due place all the powder which in charging of the piece was put into the concavity of the same. And concerning the other wad which is put into the piece after the pellet, I think it was first devised upon necessity, which doth never happen but when a piece is discharged from a high place downwards at a more loer place. For in that action the mouth of the piece lying downwards towards the mark, it may be (except a wad be put in after the pellet) that the same pellet will fall out at the mouth of the piece, and therefore to the end that the pellet may not fall out, a wad is put into the piece after the pellet. Bombardiero. You allege good reasons, and yet I see that a wad is also usually put into the piece after the pellet when we shoot upwards at a mark standing on high where no such peril is that the pellet will fall out at the mouth of the piece lying directly against the mark, therefore I would know the cause thereof. Nicholas. The cause thereof is ignorance, for if you understood the reasons of that action, than you would not put a Wadde there, except when necessity shall compel you to do it. Bombardiero. I perceive that you do tell me a truth herein. The 21. Colloquy. How a piece which had been oftentimes together charged and discharged was made thereby so much attractive, as that it did suddenly draw into his concavity a little dog, which by chance did in going by, smell unto the mouth of the same piece. And how if any one shall set his bore belly to the mouth of a hot piece he shall stick so fast unto it as that he shall not be able without great difficulty to go from it. Interlocutors Bombardiero. Nicholas Tartaglia. BOmbardiero. I will tell you news at which I know you will greatly marvel and it is this. On a time being appointed to make a battery after many shoots it chanced by a certain occasion that a piece being discharged did rise up in such sort as the mouth thereof went into the ground, and in the mean while that I was busy to provide labourers to bring the Piece with levers unto his place, a little Dog going by (as it chanced) did smell unto the mouth of the same Piece, and by so doing was suddenly fast joined to the mouth of that piece, and immediately after drawn into the concavity of the said Gun, which thing when the standers by had seen, some of them ran to help the said dog, and although they perceived him to be drawn in even almost to the farthest end of the said concavity, they pulled him out being almost dead, and what become of him afterwards I know not, but as I think he died. Now tell me what you think of this? Nicho. I do not marvel at this thing, for after a piece hath been oftentimes together shot in, it waxeth hot, and through that heat (as it hath been said in the fift Colloquy) that piece is made attractive even as a cupping glass which is made hot with tow burned in the same, A cupping glass is a thing which physicians and Surgens do use and of some is called a boxing glass. and therefore it is no marvel that the dog was drawn into the concavity of that piece for I believe that when a piece is very hot, if any one will go unto it and set his bore belly to the mouth thereof, he shall stick so fast unto that place, that he shall not be able without great difficulty to go from thence, and in such a case a piece will be made much more attractive if his touchhole be close stopped. Bombardiero. Your reasons do please me well. The 22. Colloquy. How there are divers accidental causes which will make any piece of Artillery to break: and how a piece which breaks doth most commonly break at the breech, or near unto the mouth, and seldom times in the middle: and how every moving thing may by two ways be let or hindered to move a side a round and heavy body which is settled and quiet: and how every piece of Artillery being discharged doth make a roaring sound by reason that the exhalation of wind which the Saltpetre causeth in the piece doth break and tear in pieces the air that resisteth the same exhalation, and how a sound is no other thing than a blow which two bodies that have no souls or lives do make together. Interlocutors Gunfounder. Nicholas Tartaglia. GVnfounder. Whence cometh it that every piece which breaks, doth most commonly break at the breech where the powder is, or at the mouth, and seldom times in the middle? that a piece doth break in the breech it is no marvel, because in that place the powder doth show all his force, but I marvel much that a piece doth sometimes break at the mouth, for it seemeth to me that a piece should rather break in the midst of the concavity, than at the mouth, because the exhalation of the saltpeter finds at the mouth of the piece a large place to go out, which is not to be found within the midst of the concavity. Every moving thing may by a ways be let or hindered to move a side a round & heavy body which is settled and quiet. Nicholas. Concerning this matter we must think that every moving thing may by two ways be let or hindered to move a side a round and heavy body which is settled and quiet, the first is, to move that heavy body in the beginning, for after it is moved, there is no difficulty to maintain the same in continual moving: the other let which the said moving thing may receive, is that after it hath moved the round and heavy body, and that the said body is brought to a continual moving a side, the moving thing receives great hindrance if there be any let or resistance against it, therefore I say that by the same exhalation of wound which the Saltpetre causeth, after it is engendered in the piece, there happeneth two great difficulties, the first is to move so suddenly the pellet being settled and quiet, and therefore in that sudden accident the said windy exhalation finding the piece in that place to be weak in the metal, or the metal to be ill united or not well closed in the casting, or more weaker in the one side than in the other, doth easily break the piece in that place. But if by chance the metal in that place shall resist so strongly as that the exhalation doth move the pellet, than the pellet being moved from that place, it is not to be feared that the piece will break there, except some strange accident doth happen to the pellet within the piece as in the end of this Colloquy shall be declared. For so soon as the pellet is in moving, that exhalation will continued with ease if no other let do happen, but so soon as the pellet cometh to the mouth of the piece, it finds all the air without the piece, and by how much the pellet together with the said exhalation that thrusteth it to assault the air cometh more swiftly, by so much the more united and with a greater force doth the air oppose itself very strongly to resist that sudden moving, and thereupon in that place an other difficulty or strife rises between the exhalation within (which thrusteth forth the pellet) and the air without, that is to say, The cause of the roaring sound which a piece of Artillery doth make when it is discharged. A sound is no other thing than a blow which 2 bodies that have no souls or lives do make together. the exhalation would go out of the concavity, and the air without doth resist the same, but in the end the exhalation within being of a greater force, and getting the victory, breaketh forth and teareth in pieces his said enemy, and through that breaking forth of the same exhalation, the great and roaring sound which the piece makes doth come. For a sound is defined by wise men to be no other thing than a blow which two bodies that have no souls or lives do make together. Therefore in this case it cannot come of any other cause than of the blow which is made by the exhalation engendered within the piece, and the air without the piece. And then the mouth of the piece being as it were in the midst of the strife, doth always suffer very much: and this is the cause that the piece lacking his due thickness in the said place, or for some other unknown fault made in the casting, doth there easily break. Gunfounder. I like well of your reasons, but I have yet an other doubt which is this, that although a piece doth most commonly break at the breech where the powder is, or at the mouth, yet sometimes it breaks in the middle of the concavity, and therefore I do greatly desire to know the cause thereof. Nicholas. The two causes of which I have before spoken are general causes, and commonly they 'cause all manner of pieces to suffer generally in the said two places more than in any other place, but besides the said general causes, we must think and believe that many other causes may happen which not only will 'cause any piece of Artillery to suffer more in the said two places, that is to say, at the breech where the powder is, Note. and at the mouth, but also in the middle part of his concavity. Example. As for example sake, if by ill hap the pellet running along in the concavity finds any little stone like unto a wedge in form, or any other hard and little body, and that by chance the pellet runs upon that stone or body, it must needs be that the same stone or body shall let and hinder the moving of that pellet, and thereby compel the pellet either to stay in that place (which cometh to pass when the pellet doth go very straightly or hardly within the piece) or else that pellet in passing thorough the piece upon the same stone or body, makes a little leap over the same stone, and that may be when the concavity of the piece is more wider than the height or thickness of the pellet: and so if by chance the pellet be let by that stone or body like unto a wedge in form, through that let (the same being great or strong) the piece will be forced to break. And if the pellet shall find that stone or body in the beginning of his way, the piece will break in that end or part where the powder is: And if the pellet shall find that stone or body in the midst of the concavity, the piece will by reason break in the middle part of that concavity: And if the pellet shall find that stone or body near unto the mouth of the piece, than it will break at the mouth: But if by chance the pellet shall have room to pass upon that body, then in his passage (as before hath been said) it will of necessity leap up, and thereby strike the uppermost part of the concavity of the Piece, and rebound again to the ground or undermost part of the same concavity. The which stroke and rebound cannot be of so little force, but that it is able to 'cause the piece for to break in that place, and this is one of the accidental causes which is able to break a piece in any place. Also when a pellet is not equally round, or is in one part more higher than in an other, the piece will sometimes break about the mouth. A brass piece of artillery being made hot with shooting is apt to break. Also a piece made of Brass metal being made very hot by often shooting in it, is more apt to break than when it is cold. For the brass metal is of such nature as that being hot, it will soon break. Also by how much the more higher you do shoot with a piece, by so much that piece doth suffer more than any other piece with which you do shoot level. Also in casting of the piece there may be cracks and holes made in the same, You may learn by reading the 43. Chapter of mine Appendix to know whether or no honey combs, cracks, or flaws, are within the concavity of any great piece of Artillery. in part not to be perceived by our senses, and in part manifest, but being within the piece we cannot see them, and thereby the piece is more weaker in that place than it should be, and upon this occasion sometimes without any other particular accident, the piece breaks in that place whether it be at the tail, or at the mouth, or in the midst. Sometimes also the concavity of the piece is not made precisely in the midst of the metal, but goeth more to one side than to an other, whereby the metal upon the one side of the piece is more thinner, and upon the other side more thicker than it should be, and therefore upon that side where the metal is more thinner and weaker than it should be, the piece doth sometimes break: And this is as much as I can tell you concerning the causes which do make a piece to break. Gunfounder. You have at large satisfied me in all my doubts. The 2. Corollary. ALthough Vannuccio Biringuccio in his Pirotechnia calleth them liars which say that they can tell how to make Gunpowder that shall make no noise when it is shot out of a gun, and affirmeth that it is a thing impossible to be done with any piece of Artillery, or with any potgun of elder, out of which boys use to shoot paper and sloes, because (as before in the precedent Colloquy hath been said) the exhalation of wind that is within the concavity of a gun by breaking the air which without the mouth of the Gun resisteth the same, doth cause the gun in his discharge to make a roaring sound, yet I do believe that such Gunpowder may be prepared, for I have read in a learned and creadible Author that the same kind of gunpowder hath been made, and that a Duke of Ferrara was the first inventor of the same gunpowder which (as my said Author says) is of so small a force, Ferrara or Ferraria is a City in Italy, and also it is a promontory in Spain. as that it will shoot a pellet scarce 12. paces from the mouth of the gunnne: But to the end that no ill minded man shall do hurt with the same unnecessary and unlawful kind of Gunpowder by any thing that shall be by me written thereof, I will not hear name my said Author, nor teach any person to make the same. The 3. Corollary. IN some places at sometime it may happen that it shall be thought a needful piece of service to break great pieces of Artillery, wherefore by occasion of that which hath been declared in the precedent Colloquy, I will here say unto him that is desirous to learn, that this action may be performed with smooth iron wedges, which I would have so made as every of them should be a foot in length, and at one end thin like an edge of a knife, and at the other end an inch thick. For when one of these wedges shall be thrust into a piece charged with powder and pellet, and the thin end of the wedge put in under the pellet, it must needs be a let to the moving of the pellet, and make the pellet sticking fast within the piece by reason it cannot by any means pass over the thick end of the wedge, to break the piece although it was charged with no more powder than his ordinary charge. Also if you will charge any great piece of Artillery with a full charge of such gunpowder as I do teach you to make in the 16. chapter of mine Appendix and have marked their with the number of 13 you shall break the piece. Also you may break any great peeece of Artillery in what part thereof you will after this manner. Lay the Piece in a furnace upon iron wedges or upon stones of ½ foot in height, and make a good fire of coals under and round about that part of the piece where it shall be broken: Then blow the fire with a pair of belloes till you have made the piece very hot, and after you have so done, take the piece out of the fire, and with an iron hammer strike hard upon the hot part of the piece, and by so doing you shall break the same piece in that very place. Likewise you may break any great piece of Artillery thus. Make in the ground a ditch somewhat longer than the piece which shall be broken, and in the bottom of this ditch cut a trench so long as that part of the piece which shallbe made hot: Fill this trench with coals, and lay the piece which shall be broken upon iron wedges or stones of half a foot in height in the ditch, so as the piece in that part which shall be made hot and broken, may lie directly over the said trench: then having covered the Piece in that part, which shall be made hot and broken, all over with coals, & made a brickwall of stones, or some other thing round about it (I mean the Piece) so as men may work upon it, put fire to the said coals, and with belloes blow the fire till you have made the Piece very hot: this done, lift the Piece up out of the ditch, and with an iron hamer strike hard upon the hot part of the Piece till you have broken it there: which you shall quickly do. The 23 Colloquy. How it may be known whether a Piece which was never discharged or shot in, will shoot right upon a mark, or wide, or a scue from the mark unto which the level shall be given: And how if a Piece of Artillery be more thicker upon the one side than upon the other, the concavity of the piece is not right in the midst of the metal. And how if a piece be more thicker upon the one side than upon the other, the same piece will not shoot his pellets forth right, but always awry towards the thicker side of the metal: And how you may know the thinness and thickness of the metal in any part of the concavity in the piece. Interlocutors Gunfounder. Nicholas Tartaglia. GVnfounder. Is it possible that I may perceive whether a Piece which is newly laid upon his carriage & was never shot in, will shoot right, wide, or askew? Nich. Your question in substance is no more than this, that you would know whether the concavity of that Piece doth lie right in the midst of the metal or no: & if it do not lie in the midst of the metal that you would understand how or towards what part of the Piece that concavity doth go, which as I think may without any difficulty be done: For I consider that this is a thing which by divers ways may be searched out and known. But to show you a way by which it may speedily and easily be done, you must give me some respite to think thereon. Gunfounder. Think a while of it, for I have asked this doubt of many which by their profession are Engenars, and have not found any of them able to resolve me therein. Nicho. depiction of a measuring instrument Then I measure or 'cause some other to measure advisedly the distance between the point A the end of the staff or ruler, Note. and the metal of that Piece in the same place, and suppose that the said distance is precisely so much as is the short line E. Then I do remove those staves or rulers to an other place or side of the Piece, and for your better understanding hereof, I do remove them to the opposite part of that Piece as it doth appear by the other figure, and in that place I measure or 'cause some other to measure the distance that is between the said point A the end of the staff, and the metal of the Piece, the which I will suppose to be as much as the length of the line F. Now I say if the line F be equal to the line E, the metal of that Piece is of equal thickness as well in the uppermost part as in the loermost part of that Piece. But because in this case I do sensibly find the line F to be longer than the line E, therefore I conclude that the metal of the Piece is more thicker above, than it is below, and that it is so much more thicker, as the line F is longer than the line E. depiction of a measuring instrument After this sort and manner I must proceed to the right side, and to the left side, and to all the other parts or sides round about the Piece, noting always the distances by lines for by those lines, Note. I shall know exactly the thickness and thinness of the metal round● about the concavity of that Piece, and by the reasons before alleged, I shall also know● towards what way or side the said Piece will shoot his pellets, which is the thing that wa● proposed Gunfounder. You have told me of a good and speedy way which pleaseth me well. The 4 Corollary. ALthough the concavity in a Piece of Artillery doth lie right in the midst of the metal of that Piece, yet may the said concavity be taper bored: wherefore to know whether or no a Piece of Artillery is taper bored you must prepare a Rammer head equal in height and compass to the concavity in the Piece, and that being done, thrust the said Rammer head into the said concavity: for if it will not go down unto the touchhole, the Piece is taper bored in that very place where the Rammer head sticks. To know how much the Piece is taper bored, make the like proof with a Rammer head of a less height & compass than the first was, & by making divers proves after this sort, you shall know how much the Piece in every place of his concavity is taper bored. Such a Piece as is so taper bored that his concavity is wider at the mouth than at the touchhole, is to be misliked, because the Gunner may put into it a pellet which (though it shall seem to be a fit pellet) will stick fast in the Piece, and by reason it will not go down unto the powder break the Piece if it be not shot out in such or like sort as in the 27 chapter of mine Appendix you are taught to do the same. Also such a Piece is to be misliked, because the pellet that shall go down to the powder is so small that it will serve in the deliverance, & randge a less ground than it would have done, if it had been fit for the mouth of the Piece. But such Pieces as are not taper bored from their mouths downwards towards their touchholes till within a foot or a foot and a half of their touchholes, are not (as some say) to be misliked, because such Pieces are thereby more stronger and by that means their pellets will go more closer unto the powder: yet this can not be denied that the ladles for such pieces must be rounder bent, and that as the sponge which is fit for the mouth of one such Piece will not go within his concavity down to the touchhole or bottom, so the sponge which is fit for one such Piece at the bottom, will be too lo for the rest of his concavity. The 24 Colloquy. The cause and reason why the mouth of a hot Piece of Artillery falling into a sandy ground, did draw a great quantity of the said sand into the concavity of that Piece. Interlocutors Gunfounder. Nicholas Tartaglia. GVnfounder. I will ask an other question of you which is this: one time as I proved certain Pieces at Lio, At Lio which is a place with in a mile of Venice, there is a Haven unto which yearly on the Ascension day (as William Thomas in his book entitled, The History of Italy says) the Duke of Venice with the Senate in their best array use to go for to throw a ring into the water, & thereby to take the Sea as their spouse. it chanced after I had charged and discharged one Piece many times together that the mouth of the same Piece fallen into a very sandy ground, and that so soon as the mouth of the said Piece was within the said ground, a great quantity of the same sand was drawn into the concavity of that Piece: now I ask of you the cause of that effect? Nicho. A Gunner did once ask me the like question as it will appear in the 21 Colloquy of this book, for as your Piece drawn into the concavity thereof a great deal of sand, so his Piece drawn into the concavity of the same a little dog. Therefore I will answer your question as I did answer his: that is to say, a Piece which is discharged oftentimes together must needs wax hot, and so soon as it waxeth warm, it is made thereby somewhat attractive even as a cupping or boxing glass, and by so much it is made more attractive, as it is made more hot. Therefore it is no marvel that your said Piece drawn sand into his concavity. Gunfounder. I do like well of this your answer. The 25 Colloquy. How that level sight which is well placed upon a handgun to shoot at a mark lying level with the mouth of the same Gun, and in a convenient distance from the said Gun, will not serve well to shoot at a mark set on a height in a like convenient distance from the said Gun: And how he which will shoot in such a Gun that hath such a level sight at a mark lying level with his Gun, and in a convenient distance from his standing, aught to take his level at the middle of that mark: And also how he which will shoot in such a Gun that hath such a level sight at a mark set on a height, in a like convenient distance from his standing, aught to take his level at the lowest part of that mark. Interlocutors Schioppetiero. This word Schioppetiero doth here and in all other places of this book signify him that doth use to shoot in an arquebus, Caliver, or any other Handgunne. Nicholas Tartaglia. SChioppetiero. I have a Handgunne with a level sight so well placed that if I do shoot in the said Piece at a mark lying level with the mouth of the same and in a convenient distance from my Piece, most commonly the pellet will strike in the middle of that mark although the said mark be a very small thing. Now I ask of you whether or no that level sight being so well placed will serve me to shoot at a mark or some other little thing espied on a height in a like convenient distance? Nich. It is a manifest thing that the said level sight will not serve you so well to shoot at a mark espied on a height in a like convenient distance. Schioppetiero. Wherefore? Nicho. Because if you shoot at a mark lying level in a convenient distance, most commonly your pellet strikes in the middle of the mark, and of necessity at the end of that distance, and in that place your visual line doth touch or cut the line or way in which the pellet must go. And because in shooting at marks espied on a height, the pellet doth go much more by a right line, or by a less crooked line than the pellet which is shot at a mark lying level with the Piece, as hath been said before in the second Colloquy: therefore by how much the pellet shot at a mark on a height doth go more righter than the pellet which is shot at a mark lying level, by so much doth that way of the pellet come more nearer or sooner to meet and cut your said visual line, than the way of the pellet which is shot at a mark lying level. Then making that intersection more nearer by shooting at a mark on a height, the thing at which you shoot will be beyond that intersection, and so the said thing or mark being at the said first distance, & beyond that intersection, it is impossible by reason of your said level sight that the pellet shall in that case strike in the midst of the mark. Schioppetiero. I do not well understand your reasons, neither will I trouble you to make me understand them, for I think you should have much a do with me to make me perceive them. But do you conclude that if I shoot at a mark espied on a height & at the same first distance, that the pellet will strike above that mark or under that mark? Nicho. I conclude that there the pellet will strike above the mark, for always when the visual line doth cut the way of the pellet, and that the mark or thing at which you shoot is beyond that intersection● the pellet will strike somewhat above the mark, & by so much the more above the mark as the said mark shall be more farther of from that intersection. Schioppetiero. Certainly you say true therein, for you shall understand that I have in my time killed with my Piece 2000 little birds, and my long experience hath taught me to know that which now you have told me: Note. therefore when I have occasion to shoot at any little bird sitting on a height upon a tree within a convenient distance, I take my mark always at the feet of the bird, but when the bird sits on a place lying level with my Piece, than I take my mark precisely at the body of the bird, and by so doing I do seldomtimes miss with my shoot. diagram of a visual line The 26. Colloquy How that level sight which is well placed upon a handgun to shoot at a mark lying level with the mouth of the gun, and in a convenient distance from the said Gun, will not serve well to shoot at a mark lying under the level of the Gunners eye, and in a like convenient distance from the said Gun: And how the Gunner which shoots in a Gun which hath such a level sight at a thing lying under the level of his eye, and in a convenient distance from his standing, aught to take his level at the lowest part of that thing or mark. Interlocutors Schioppetiero. Nicholas Tartaglia. SChioppetiero. I have another question to ask of you which is this: if I should shoot with my said handgun at a mark lying under the level of my eye, & in a convenient distance from my standing, whether or no will the same level sight serve me to shoot at the said mark, which will serve me to shoot at a mark lying level with mine eye, I mean, whether or no will the pellet strike in the midst of that mark, or above that mark, or under that mark? Nicholas. It is manifest by the reasons before alleged that your said level sight will not serve you in that distance, for the pellet in that case will also hit above the same mark. Schioppetiero. You answer me well, for I have learned by long experience, that whensoever I shall shoot at any little bird sitting in a place which is under the level of mine eye, to take my mark at the feet of the same bird as I use to do when I shoot at another bird sitting on high upon a tree or tower, and by so doing I do seldom times miss the mark. Nich. I am glad that by your long experience you can witness the same to be true which I by natural reason without any practice have spoken. diagram of a visual line The 5 Corollary. ONe Luigui Collado a Spaniard finding fault with the precepts written in the precedent Colloquy teacheth his Readers to shoot at a lo mark lying within a convenient distance in this sort following: A Gunner shooting at a lo mark within a convenient distance, aught to take his level above the same mark as Luigui Collado hath written. embase, says he, the mouth of your Piece till by putting your eye to the uppermost part of metal in the greatest circumference at the tail of the same Piece, you may see that the uppermost part of metal, & the top of the dispart upon the mouth of that Piece do lie in a right line with the lo mark. This done, hung a line & plummet upon the uppermost part of metal in the greatest circumference over the mouth of the same Piece, & elevate the mouth of that Piece till the said line and plummet shall hung without any bending close by all the same mouth, and then suffering the Piece to lie at that elevation you shall see (as the said Luigui Collado hath written in the 80. chapter of his book named Pratica manuale di Arteglieria) that it will in his discharge strike the said lo mark: which is contrary to the doctrine taught in the precedent Colloquy▪ wherefore I do exhort every Gunner to learn by his practice in which of the two repugnant authors the error is, The 27. Colloquy When one which hath shot in a Handgunne at a mark lying level with his eye, doth remove the said mark more farther from him, because he perceiveth that through the fault of his level sights the pellet did hit above the mark, and after he hath so done doth shoot again at the same mark, than the pellet at the second shoot will strike more above the mark than the other pellet did at the first shoot. And how it is no inconvenience but a convenient thing to do that which by reason must be done. Interlocutors Schioppetiero. Nicholas Tartaglia. SChioppetiero. I have yet an other question to ask of you which is this. Having shot in my Handgunne at a mark lying level with mine eye, and perceived that the pellet did hit pellet did hit above the mark, I remove the said mark to another place more farther of from my standing, or I go back with my Piece to be farther of from the said mark, now if I shall shoot again at that mark, whether will the pellet strike more above that mark, or more under that mark than it did at my first shoot? Nicholas. In this case the pellet will strike at your second shoot more above the mark than it did at your first shoot? Schioppetiero. It will do so in deed, for it chanced on a time that to prove how far a new Handgunne would shoot level, I did shoot at a mark in a convenient distance from my standing, and struck with the pellet above that mark, whereupon in hope to hit the midst of the mark, I removed the mark about ten paces farther from my standing at the first shoot, and going back from the said mark to that my standing place, I shot again, and at this second shoot I struck with the pellet more above that mark than I did at the first shoot, the which seemed to me to be a thing against all reason, for I thought then and do think so still, that by removing the mark to a place more farther of from my standing, the pellet should hit more loer than it did when the mark stood more nearer unto me: And therefore I pray you show unto me the cause of this inconvenience. Nicho. It is no inconvenience 〈◊〉 a convenient thing to do that which by reason must be done. It is no inconvenience but a convenient thing to do that which by reason must be done and it would be a great inconvenience to have it as you thought it should be. For always when a Schioppetiero or a Gunner shoots at a mark which lieth from his Piece in a right line, and that by force or through the fault of the two level sights the pellet hits above the mark, it is manifest that the visual line cuts the way of the pellet, and that the same intersection which the visual line makes in the way of the pellet is within the mark, that is to say, between the Piece and the mark, as it doth appear by the reasons alleged in the seventh Colloquy, and because for a very long way together by how much the mark at which you shoot is more beyond the said intersection, by so much the pellet will hit more above that mark, therefore by removing the same mark somewhat father of from your standing, that mark will be likewise somewhat more removed from that intersection, and by so much as the mark shall be removed more farther of (even unto a certain limit) by so much the pellet will hit more higher or more above the said mark: the same in effect will follow if the Schioppetiero or Gunner will go back more farther of from the mark. And all this which I have told you must be intended when the pellet hits above the mark through the fault of the two level sights, and not through the fault of him which shoots, Admonition. for if it be by default of him which shoots, I mean if he in discharging the Handgunne doth make any moving, and that thereby the pellet doth strike above, under, or wide of the mark, our reasons extend not to help that inconvenience, but to amend those faults which may be committed by the means of the two level sights which are set upon the handgun. Note. Also you must understand that the said mark may be so much transported, and set so far of from his first place, that not only the pellet will hit more nearer to the mark than it did at the first shoot, but also strike the same mark, as it doth appear by the reasons alleged in the end of the seventh Colloquy: that is to say, if by hap the mark shall be transported and set so far of as that it be put in the same place where our visual line makes a second intersection in the way of the pellet, without doubt the pellet will hit in the very midst of the mark as it hath been said before in the 7 Colloquy. And if by chance the mark be not put in that place of the second intersection, but near unto it, than the pellet will not hit so precisely in the very midst of that mark, but near unto it, that is to say, if the mark shall be put somewhat within the place of that intersection, the pellet will strike somewhat above the mark, and if the mark be put somewhat without that intersection, Note. the pellet will strike somewhat under the mark, as all this may easily be perceived by the reasons and picture in the end of the seventh Colloquy. And the said mark may be also transported so much from the said second intersection, as that the pellet can not come to touch it, which by natural reason is easy to be perceived. Schioppetiero, I do well understand your reasons and make great account of them. The 28 Colloquy. The reasons and causes why a Schioppetiero which doth shoot in a Handgunne at a mark lying level with his eye, and through the fault of his level sights doth shoot under the mark, shall by removing the said mark more farther from him and shooting at it again strike sometimes more under the same mark than he did before, and sometimes between the mark and the place where the pellet did hit at the first, and sometimes precisely in the mark, and sometimes above the mark. Interlocutors Schioppetiero. Nicholas Tartaglia. SChioppetiero. By occasion of the aforesaid question an other thing cometh to my remembrance, which is this: I shoot in my handgun at a mark lying level with the mouth of my Piece, and for that the pellet doth hit under the mark through the fault of the two level sights, I do remove the same mark farther of from me, or go back from the said mark, now if I shall shoot again at that mark lying in a right line with my Piece, whether or no will the pellet at the second shoot hit more higher, or more loer than it did at the first shoot. Nicho. In this case there may be divers alterations because the level sight before at the mouth of the Piece may be of equal height with the level sight behind at the breech of the Piece, and the said level fight before may be more higher, and also more shorter than the level sight behind: Note. If then by chance the level sight before upon the mouth of the Piece shall be of equal height or longer than the level sight behind upon the tail of the Piece according to the reasons alleged in the beginning of the seventh Colloquy, by how much more farther the mark is removed from you, by so much the pellet will strike more loer. But if the level sight before shall be more shorter than the level sight behind and that by chance it is so much shorter than the other, as that your visual line doth cut the way of the pellet (as is declared in the end of the seventh Colloquy) in that case the pellet must needs at the second shoot strike higher than it did at the first shoot, and yet that may be under the mark: that is to say, between the said mark & the place where the pellet struck at the first blow, and it may be also precisely in the midst of the mark, Note. & it may be also above the mark: For always when the level sight before is so much shorter than the level sight behind, as that your visual line doth cut the way of the pellet as before hath been said, and that in such a case a Shioppetiero or Gunner doth shoot at a mark lying level with his Piece, & through the fault of the two level sights, and not through any fault in himself doth hit under the mark, it is manifest that the intersection which the visual line makes in the way of the pellet, by the reasons alleged in the end of the seventh Colloquy shall be beyond the mark: that is to say, the mark shall be between the said intersection and him that doth shoot. And therefore if the place to which the mark shall be removed be within that intersection, of necessity the said second blow will be under the mark, and yet it will be more nearer to the mark than the first blow was: that is to say, it will be between the mark & the first blow. But if the mark be removed to the very place of the intersection, the pellet at the second shoot will hit precisely in the midst of the mark, that is to say, in the mark which lieth in a right line with the mouth of the Piece. But if the mark be removed by chance beyond the said intersection, the pellet at the second shoot must needs strike above the mark, and it will strike so much more above the mark unto a certain limit, as the mark is more removed beyond the said intersection as in the end of the precedent Colloquy hath been said. But if the level sight before be somewhat shorter than the level sight behind, and that the shortness thereof be so little, as that it is not able to 'cause your visual line to join aloe with the way of the pellet, yet in this case at every removing of the mark the pellet will hit under the mark, and this notwithstanding the pellet at the second shoot may hit above that place, and under that place, and also in the very same place where the pellet did strike at the first shoot. For if the mark at the first shoot be by chance set in the place where your visual line passeth most nearest to the way of the pellet (as hath been declared in the eight Colloquy) and is afterwards transported beyond that place, without doubt the pellet will strike at the second shoot more under than it did at the first shoot: The same followeth when the mark is set beyond that place, but when the mark is set at the first shoot within that place where your visual line passeth most nearest to the way of the pellet, that is to say, more near unto you, and is afterwards removed for the second shoot more nearer to that place, the pellet will strike at the second shoot higher than it did at the first: and yet that blow will be under the mark: that is to say, the pellet will strike between the first blow and the mark. But when the mark is removed without that place where your visual line passeth most nearest to the way of the pellet, it may be removed so little without that place, as that the second blow will be between the first blow and the mark, and it may be removed so much without that place, as that the second blow will be under the first blow, and it may be so proportionally removed without the said place, as that the second blow will hit precisely in the place of the first blow, and all this will appear very plainly to him that doth consider well of the figure in the eight Colloquy. But when the level sight before hath his due and convenient shortness in respect of that level sight which is behind, the which thing happeneth very seldom times: that is to say, that the visual line doth precisely touch and not cut the way of the pellet, then if in such a case any Schioppetiero or Gunner shall shoot at any mark upon a right line, & by means of the said two level sights, and not through his own fault shall strike with the pellet under the mark, it may be by that which hath been spoken and declared in the ninth Colloquy that the said mark is both within and without the touch of those two lines, for the mark being so within or without that touch, the pellet always strikes under the mark as may be easily perceived by the figure in the ninth Colloquy. But when the first blow is much under the mark, it may be adjudged that the mark is without the said touch, for the mark being within the said touch, the pellet can not hit very lo by the reasons alleged in the said ninth Colloquy. And if the mark being without the said touch, be set more without the same touch, certainly the second blow will be much under the first blow. But when the mark being set within the said touch is removed to a place more farther, it may happen that the mark in the second place is within that touch, and it may be in the very touch, and it may be also without that touch. If the mark then in the second place be set within that touch, the second blow will be above or higher than the first blow, and yet it will be under the mark: that is to say, it will be between the mark and the first blow. But if by chance the mark in the second place be set in the very point of the touch, the second blow will be precisely in the midst of the mark: But if the mark in the second place be set without the said touch, it may be so much without the same, as that the second blow will be loer than the first blow, and it may be also so little without that touch, as that the second blow will be higher than the first, and yet it will be under the mark: that is to say, between the mark and the first blow. And it may be so proportionally without as that the second blow will strike precisely in that place, where the first blow struck. Schioppetiero. Your reasons have done me much good, for I begin now to understand them, and where I had thought to have made an end of my questions, your arguments have brought new doubts into my mind, so that if I shall not be tedious unto you, I will desire you to resolve me in them. Nicholas. Proceed for by so doing you shall not be tedious unto me. The 29. Colloquy The cause why a Schioppetiero or a Gunner when he stands near unto a mark lying level with his eye, is more apt with every sort of level sights to strike that mark, or to make a fair shoot at the same, than when he stands more farther from the said mark: And how he which will shoot at a little mark lying very near unto him aught to take his level at such a height, as that the mouth of his Piece may cover the same mark. Interlocutors Schioppetiero. Nicholas Tartaglia. SChioppetiero. I perceive by your arguments before alleged, that your opinion is if the level mark at which I shoot be not set in the point where my visual line meets with the way of the pellet, that I cannot strike the said mark in the midst, the which thing on the one part as I consider must needs be true by natural reason, so on the other part my long experience causeth me to think otherwise of the same. But before I do tell you in what part that agreeth not with my experience, I will desire you to open this doubt unto me: whence cometh it that every Schioppetiero and every Gunner generally the more nearer he stands unto a mark lying level with his Piece, the more apt he is with every sort of level sights to strike in the mark or to make a fair shoot. Nicholas. To open your doubts concerning all sorts of differences which may happen in the two level sights, I will first begin with this: when by chance the level sight before is precisely of the same height that the level sight behind is of, I mean when the level sight before is equally so high as the level sight behind, then by how much he that shoots stands more nearer to the mark, by so much he shall be more apt to strike in the mark or to make a fair shoot, and this cometh to pass through two causes. The first of them is for that always as before hath been said in the seventh Colloquy, that Handgunne or Piece will shoot under the level mark, and the blow will be by so much more under the mark, as he which shooteth is more farther from the mark: and contrariwise by how much he which shooteth is more nearer to the mark, by so much the blow shall be the less under the mark, and the lowest stroke which may happen in the like case shall be when he which shoots stands so near unto the mark, as that the end of the level sight before doth as it were touch the said level mark: and the blow which strikes least under the mark is about so much under, as is that distance which is between the extremes or ends of the level sights and the concavity of the Piece, which may be a little more than the thickness of the metal of the Piece at the breech, Note. which in a Handgunne may be near so much as the thickness of one finger, and in a great Piece, so much more as the Piece shall be more thicker of metal at the breech: and although the pellet so soon as it is go out of the mouth of the Handgunne or Piece doth go continually declining downwards as hath been showed in the third Colloquy, yet in that little time while the pellet may be seen, his said declining shall not be sensible, that is to say, it shall not with our eyes be discerned. Therefore in a short way by reason of the said level sights that Handgunne may hit a little more under the level mark than the thickness of a finger, which before hath been spoken of, I say by means of the level sights, Note. and not through the fault of him which shoots, for the faults and accidental causes which may chance through his fault that shoots, are not comprehended within our Arguments. And this is the first cause why a Schioppetiero and also a Gunner when he stands near unto the level mark, and shoots in a Piece that hath his level sight before of equal height with the level sight behind, is more apt to strike in the mark, or to make a fairer shoot than when he shall stand more farther of from the said mark: And by the same reason, the like will happen when the level sight before is somewhat longer than the level sight behind, for in such a case as hath been said in the seventh Colloquy, the Piece will always strike under the level mark, and by so much the more under, as he which shoots shall be the more farther of from the mark, and the blow in such a case shallbe at the lest so much loer than the mark, as is the space between the top of the level sight before, and the concavity of that Piece or a little more, the which lonesse when the mark is as hath been said very near to the mouth of the Piece, may be little more than the thickness of a finger. But in an equal distance the blow will be a little more loer than is the space between the top of the level sight before, and the concavity of the Piece, especially in a very short distance: So that this is the first cause as hath been said why a Schioppetiero and also a Gunner when he stands near unto the mark lying level with his eye, and shoots in a Piece that hath his level sight before somewhat more higher than the level sight behind, is more apt to strike in the mark, Note. or to make a more fairer shoot than when he shall stand more farther of. But besides this first cause I think that every Gunner and Schioppetiero doth perceive by natural reason an other cause, which is this, When a ●…ner is ve●… near vn●… mark h●… take his 〈◊〉 somewh●… above th●… same ma●… that always when he is very near to the mark at which he shoots, he must not take his level at the very mark, But somewhat above the mark, for he should by natural reason understand, that the uppermost ends of the two level sights are above the mouth of the Piece out of which the pellet flies: and by so doing he shall amend that little error before spoken of, which he will otherwise commit in shooting under the mark, & make himself more apt to strike precisely in the midst of the mark. And therefore I say when the level sight before is of equal height or somewhat more longer than that behind, than the Gunner and Schioppetiero (for the reasons before alleged) by how much the more nearer he stands to the mark, by so much he is more apt to strike the mark at which he shoots, or to make a more fairer shoot. Note. Much more by the said reasons the very self-same thing will come to pass when the level sight before is somewhat shorter than the level sight behind, and more shorter, or not so short as it should be: for in any way you will, as let it be loer, there the visual line cometh to be more nearer to the way or line in which the pellet goeth, and continually comes more nearer unto it, until it cutteth, toucheth, or passeth more nearer to the way of the pellet than it did in the two former positions of the level sights. For in the same, the said visual line doth go from the way of the Pellet, and in this continually it comes more nearer to the way of the pellet until it comes to the aforesaid place: And although also in this second position of the level sights, by how much more the mark which lieth level with the Piece shall be within that place where the visual line doth meet with the way of the pellet, or within that place where it passeth near to that way or line in which the pellet goeth, by so much the stroke shall be more loer, as it hath been declared in the seventh, eight, and ninth Colloquys, and yet that lonesse may be but little as hath been also said in the same Colloquys. For the most lonesse that may be there, is the same which was the greatest in the other two first: that is to say, when the mark which lieth level with the piece is very near unto the level sight before, I mean the level sight upon the mouth of the Handgunne or Piece, the which in a Handgunne can be little more than the thickness of one finger as before I have declared. Then in a Handgunne whose mouth is laid very near to the mark, the greatest lonesse is little more than the thickness of a finger, but the mark being somewhat farther of from the mouth of the Piece it must needs be that the blow shall not be so lo under the mark as the thickness of a finger, and it shall be by so much less under the mark, as it shallbe more farther from the mouth of the handgun so that it be not beyond the said intersection or touch which the visual line makes in the line or way of the pellet, or beyond the most nighest part thereof. Note Then the mark being at the lest ten paces from the mouth of the Handgunne, the lonesse of that stroke will be scant sensible. Besides this as hath been before said, when he that shoots is very near unto the mark at which he shoots, I think that by a certain natural discretion he doth not take his level precisely in the midst of the mark, but a little thing above: for he aught to know by natural reason as before hath been said, that the tops of the two level sights are somewhat above the mouth of the Handgun out of which the pellet flieth, and by so doing (as I think he doth) he shall amend that little error which the pellet would commit in striking under that mark: & for these two causes that Schioppetiero or Gunner with that kind of level sights generally shallbe more apt to strike the mark set in a place near unto him, or to make at it a fairer shoot than he shall do with the two first kinds of level sights of which I spoke in the beginning of this Colloquy. For in that kind of level sights the visual line by a great space goeth as it were joined or little distant from the way of the pellet. And therefore in all that space which is between the mouth of the handgun and the place where the visual line doth meet with the way or line in which the pellet doth go, or where the said two lines are most nearest, he is not subject as it were to commit any error for the reasons before alleged by means of the level sights. Schioppetiero. You have fully satisfied me with your reasons, for of the one part I affirm by those reasons which you have alleged in the precedent Colloquy, that it is impossible to strike a mark which lieth level with the mouth of the Piece, when that mark is not precisely in the point of the intersection, or in the touch of those two lines meeting together: that is to say, of the visual line, and the line or way in which the pellet doth go. And of the other part it hath seemed to me through my long experience that it should be otherwise: for I have shot in my handgun and killed therewith many little birds, of which some have stood in a competent long distance from me, and some of them have stood but in a mean distance from me, and some other of them have stood very near unto me. The which thing would not so have chanced if it had been so as I did at the first suppose it to be. For if the level sights upon my handgun be such as will make my visual line to meet with the line and way of the pellet, it is to be believed that it doth so always as it were in one and the self-same distance, especially when I shoot after one sort, and charge always in one and the self-same manner. And therefore the thing being so, if I shoot more ground or less ground than that appointed and determinate distance, it will be impossible to strike the very mistdest of that mark which lieth level with the Piece: But this (as before hath been said) is already found by experience to be otherwise, Note. that is to say, it hath been my hap oftentimes in a common distance, When you will shoot at any ●itle mark which is very ●eare unto ●ou, take your ●euell at such a ●eight as that ●he mouth of ●our Piece ●ay cover the ●ame mark. and in a mean distance, and in a short distance, and after one and the self-same sort, to strike with my handgun in the very midst of the mark, the which thing caused me to doubt thereof, but now you have made me to understand very well all that I doubted of, and especially for that when I shot at any little bird which was very near unto me, I did always use (as you have said) to take my level at such a height as the mouth of my handgun did cover the little bird, whereby I did seeldometimes miss the mark. Nicholas. It pleaseth me well that your long experience can witness the same to be true, which by natural reason and geometrical skill I did think in my mind should be so. Schioppetiero. You have made me to understand well all that I doubted, yet by thinking upon your arguments, a nwe matter is come into my mind which I fear to tell unto you, for that I will not be trubbelsome. Nich. Say on, you shall not be trubbelsome to me for I desire to hear it. The 30 Colloquy. The reasons and causes why a Schioppetiero shooting oftentimes together in a handgun at a mark lying level with the mouth of his Piece, and not far from him, may sometimes strike much above that mark, and sometimes much under that mark, and sometimes wide from that mark, and sometimes in that mark. Also the causes of errors which maybe committed in shooting with handguns: and by how much the mark is more nearer to him which shoots by so much he which shoots is more like to strike the mark, or to make a fair shoot at the same. Interlocutors Schioppetiero. Nicholas Tartaglia. SChioppetiero. In your arguments upon the precedent question you have shown with very good reasons that a Schioppetiero shooting at a mark near unto him, is always subject to strike under the mark, that is to say, more loer than the mark, and that the same lonesse can not exceed the thickness of a finger or little more, but I have seen many which by shooting often times together in one and the self-same handgun at a mark lying not very far from them, have at sometimes struck much above the mark, and at sometimes much under, and at sometimes very wide, and at sometimes in the mark: now I ask of you the cause thereof, for as it seemeth to me it is repugnant to all the reasons of your aforesaid arguments. Nicho. You must understand that all the errors which may be committed in shooting with a handgun come of sundry causes: For some of those errors are committed only by the means of the level sights, and some of those errors are committed only by the fault of him that shoots, and some of those errors are committed through the fault of the one and of the other: that is to say, by the means of the level sights and of him that shoots. Admonit●… The errors of which we have spoken in our former arguments are such as are only committed by the means of the level sights, without supposing that he which shoots doth commit any fault or error (as oftentimes before hath been declared) therefore the errors which do simply come by the means of the level sights, have in them a rule and measure as before in their proper places hath been declared. But the errors which do simply come by the fault of him that shoots, have in them no order nor rule: Note. for the most part of those errors are committed by some moving, which he that shoots in the Handgunne doth make after he hath taken his level, or in discharging the Handgunne. For every moving how little soever it be which is made in that instant time when the Handgunne is discharged, may 'cause great error at the mark which lieth level or in a right line with that Piece. And the error there will be by so much the more greater, as the mark shall be more farther of from him which shoots: for the moving of the Handgunne, Note. which may happen by drawing of breath, or by beating of the pulse, or by shaking of the hand hath for it no rule, and therefore when the mark is precisely in the point where the visual line doth meet with the line or way of the pellet, then by reason of the level sights, he which shoots should strike precisely in the midst of the mark, yet nevertheless the handgun being moved, the Schioppetiero is subject to strike aswell above the mark, as under the mark, and also to strike wide of the mark, aswell upon the right side as upon the left side, and he may also by chance strike the mark in the midst: and all this may happen when the mark is within or without the meeting of the said two lines: but when the mark is without the meeting of the said lines, the said errors will be more greater (by reason of the long distance which is between the mark and him that shoots) than they will be when the mark is within the meeting of those lines, By how 〈◊〉 the ma●… 〈◊〉 more 〈◊〉 to him 〈◊〉 shoots 〈◊〉 much h●… which 〈◊〉 is more 〈◊〉 strike th●… mark, 〈◊〉 make a 〈◊〉 shoot 〈◊〉 same. for than he which shoots is more nearer to the mark. And in truth by how much the mark is more nearer to him which shoots, by so much every kind of error will be the less, and therefore he which shoots is by so much more subject to strike in the mark, or to make a fair shoot as hath been said in the precedent Colloquy. And also he is subject to all those same accidents which come when their is any fault in the level sights, that is to say, by the moving of the said handgun, he is subject to strike aswell above the mark, as under the mark, and also wide of the mark. Also he is subject to strike precisely in the midst of the mark, for the moving of the handgun may by chance be such, that it will remedy the fault of the level sights and cause him which shoots to hit the mark in the midst: But he shall do so only by chance and not by any skill. Schioppetiero. You have spoken enough, for by your arguments I do perfectly understand all my said doubts. The end of the first Book of Colloquys. The second Book of Nicholas Tartaglia his Colloquys concerning the variable ranges, measures, and weights, of leaden, iron, and marble stone pellets, translated out of Italian into English, by Cyprian Lucar Gentleman, who hath also augmented the volume of the said Colloquys for the benefit of his Readers, with the Contents of every Colloquy, and with the Corollaries and Table, that are in the same volume. The first Colloquy. How a pellet of iron will outfly a pellet of lead: and how much a pellet of iron will outfly a pellet of lead when both of them are shot out of one Piece, at one & the self-same elevation, & with an equal quantity of powder: And how the air doth more proportionally resist a light body than a heavy body: And how the air doth more let the range of the pellet which is shot out of a Piece elevated, than the range of a pellet which is shot out of a Piece lying level with the Horizon. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. Insomuch as at this present time I know not what to say more of the quality of shoots and other accidents of Artillery, and for that I will not stand idle after the reading of Euclid, let us speak somewhat of the quality, accidents, and diversity of pellets, and tell me briefly whether or no (as you think) a pellet of lead will outfly a pellet of iron, and by how much ground the one of them will outfly the other, Iron pellets for great ordinance were first brought into Italy by Charles the French king in Anno Domini 1495. as Vannuceio Biringuccio in the ninth chapter of the seventh book of his Pirotechnia writeth. when both of them are shot out of one Piece at one & the self-same elevation, & with an equal quantity of powder? Nich. You should tell me also with how much powder every of the same pellets is to be shot. Prior. Suppose that every of the said pellets is to be shot with ⅔ parts in powder of that which the Pellet of lead doth way. Nicho. Without doubt the Pellet of iron will there outfly the pellet of lead. Prior. By how much? Nicho. A pellet of iron being shot out of a Piece lying level with the Horizon, will outfly a pellet of lead as it were by one third part of his distance, but the Piece being elevated to one point, the pellet of iron will outfly a pellet of lead somewhat less than one third part of his distance. And by how much the more higher that the Piece is mounted, by so much the more doth the pellet of iron after that proportion decrease & shorten his range: so that mounting the Piece to the fift or sixt point, the pellet of iron will go farther than the pellet of lead little more than a fift part of his distance. And that your Lordship may the better understand me, I will suppose that a pellet of lead being shot out of a Piece lying level with the Horizon, doth fly 300 paces in length, whereupon I say that a pellet of iron being shot out of that Piece with the same quantity of powder that did drive the pellet of lead (that is to say with ⅔ parts of that which the pellet of lead waieth) will fly as it were 400 paces in length, that is to say, once so much, and ● part more called sesquitertia proportio. But if it be supposed that the pellet of lead at the elevation of the fift or sixt point, doth fly in length 3000 paces, than I say that the pellet of iron at that elevation with the same or like quantity of powder, will fly in length little more than 3600 paces: that is to say, little more than once so much and ⅕ part more called sesquiquinta proportio. Prior. Question. What is the cause why the shoots out of Pieces which are elevated exceed not in that proportion as the shoots out of Pieces lying level with the Horizon do? Nicholas. Answer. Because the air doth more proportionally resist a light body according to his kind, than a more heavier body, and by somch the more it doth resist, as it finds the same light body to go more slowly and faintly, and for that in level shoots the pellet flieth not in the air but only while it goeth most swiftly: for so soon as his passage or moving is let, it lights on the ground: therefore the arie doth not so much let the pellet there, as it doth when it is shot out of a piece which is elevated, for there the pellet flieth a more longer time in the air, and that sloly, through which slonesse (as hath been before said) the air hath proportionally a greater power and rule over that pellet, than it hath over a pellet which is shot out of a Piece lying level with the Horizon, wherefore the said pellet of iron being shot out of a Piece elevated doth not proportionally so much exceed the pellet of lead, as it doth when it is shot out of a Piece lying level. Prior. I do understand you well. The 2 Colloquy. Where a pellet of lead will in a manner fly as much ground as a pellet of Iron will do: and where a pellet of lead will range more ground than a pellet of iron will do: and where a pellet of iron will outfly a pellet of lead: and how a pellet of lead must be shot with ⅔ parts in powder of his weight: And how a pellet of iron must be shot with ⅔ parts in powder of his weight. Interlocutors. L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. Tell me whether will a pellet of lead or a pellet of iron fly farthest when both of them are shot out of one Piece at one and the self-same elevation, A pellet of lead must be shotout of a Piece with ⅔ parts in powder of his weight. Question. Answer. and each of them with his ordinary charge: that is to say, with ⅔ parts in powder of that weight which every pellet by itself doth way? Nicho. In level shoots and in shoots a little elevated there is no great difference, but in shoots much elevated, as if I should say at the elevation of the third, fourth, fift, and sixt point, the pellet of lead will fly farther than the pellet of iron: and all this will come to pass by the reasons alleged in the precedent Colloquy. Prior. I had thought to have asked of you which of those pellets will fly farthest, when every of them is shot with ⅔ parts in powder of that weight which the pellet of iron waieth, but by the aforesaid reasons I perceive that the pellet of iron will fly farthest. Nicho. It will do so in deed. The 3 Colloquy. Where a pellet of stone will outfly a pellet of iron: and where a pellet of iron and a pellet of stone will range one ground: and where a pellet of iron will outfly a pellet of stone. Interlocutors. L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. What think you of a pellet of iron and of a pellet of stone? Which of them will fly farthest? And by how much will one of them outfly the other, when both of them are shot out of one Piece at one and the self-same elevation, and with an equal quantity of powder, that is to say, with ⅔ parts in powder of that weight which the pellet of iron weigheth? Nicho. Without any doubt, reason showeth us that in level shoots, and in the greatest part of elevated shoots, the pellet of stone will outfly the pellet of iron. Prior. By how much? Nicho. In level shoots (as for example from the place of equality or line of level, unto the elevation of one only point) the pellet of stone will outfly the pellet of iron by ¼ part of the way or distance in which the pellet of iron goeth, and rather more than less, but in shoots more elevated, the pellet of stone will not by so much increase the length of his range, but rather decrease the same by so much as the Piece shall be more elevated. For at the elevation of the fourth point, the difference will be very little: that is to say, at that elevation the pellet of iron will in a manner fly as far as the pellet of stone. But at the elevation of the fift and sixt point, the pellet of iron will somewhat outfly the pellet of stone: and all this cometh to pass by the reasons alleged in the first Colloquy of this book. Prior. This matter aught to be well considered of. The first Corollary. THE stone whereof pellets shall be made, aught to be very hard, and strong because a pellet of a soft stone (as Luigui Collado writeth) will be tormented at the mouth of his Piece, and break asunder as it flies in the air, The 4 Colloquy. Where a pellet of iron will fly farther than a pellet of stone: and where a pellet of stone will fly as far as a pellet of iron when the pellet of iron is shot with ⅔ parts in powder of his weight, & the pellet of stone is shot but with ● part in powder of his weight: And how a pellet of stone being shot out of a piece with ⅔ part in powder of his weight will fly as much ground as a pellet of iron of like bigness shot out of a piece with ⅔ parts in powder of his weight will do. Interlocutors. L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior What think you whether will a pellet of iron or a pellet of stone fly farthest when both of them being equal in bigness are shot out of one Piece at one and the self-same elevation, and with their ordinary charge of powder, that is to say, when the pellet of iron is shot with ⅔ parts in powder of his weight, and the pellet of stone with ● part in powder of his weight? Nicholas. This is a hard question, because the proportion of the weight of every of those pellets doth differ from the proportion of the weight of the powder which is due to each of the said bullets. Nevertheless I conclude that at every elevation the pellet of iron will fly farther than the pellet of stone: and that by how much the Piece is more elevated, by so much the pellet of iron will proportionally more outfly the pellet of stone: And contrariwise, by how much the Piece doth lie more near ●nto the place of equality or line of level, by so much the difference between their ranges will be the less. Prior. I perceive by this that they which did first appoint that a pellet of stone shall be shot with ● part in powder of that weight which the same pellet weigheth, Note. did peradventure find by experience that (as you have said) it will be there equal in flight with the pellet of iron. The 5. Colloquy. Where a pellet of lead will do a greater exploit and pierce farther into an object than a pellet of iron will do: and where a pellet of iron will do a greater exploit and pierce farther into an object than a pellet of lead will do: And how a pellet of lead will give a greater stroke against any object, and more shake the same than a pellet of iron will do. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. Tell me whether a pellet of lead will do a greater effect or pierce more farther into an object at an equal distance than a pellet of iron will do, when both of them are shot out of one Piece at one and the self same elevation, first with an equal quantity of powder, that is to say with ⅔ parts in powder of that which the pellet of lead weigheth, and afterwards with their ordinary charges of powder. Nicho. I have proved before in the first colloquy of this book, that the pellet of iron at any elevation, will fly farther than a pellet of lead when both of them are shot with the said equal quantity of powder. Therefore if the thing at which you shoot be so far of that the pellet of lead cannot fly thither, and that the pellet of iron may fly thither, every man is able to judge the same though I say nothing. But if the mark at which you shoot, shallbe in a convenient distance for the one & the other shoot, and that the same object is not of so hard a substance, as that it will bruise and beat the pellet of lead flat, without doubt the pellet of lead by reason of his more weight, will do a greater exploit, and pierce farther into that object than the pellet of iron will do. The weight of a thing worketh more than the swiftness thereof. For the weight of a thing worketh more than the swiftness thereof (as before in the 16. Colloquy of the first book hath been declared) but when the mark at which you shoot is of so hard a substance, as that it will bruise and beat the said pellet of lead flat, in that case it is doubtful whether the pellet of iron will penetrate somewhat farther than the pellet of lead. But although it be so, that the pellet of lead doth not penetrate so far in as the pellet of iron, yet by reason of his more weight the pellet of lead will shake the thing which is strooken a great deal more than the pellet of iron will do. And all this which hath been spoken of the said pellets shot with the said equal quantity of powder, will be more verified by shooting them with their ordinary quantity of powder, that is to say with ⅔ parts in powder of that which every of those pellets doth way by itself, I mean in such things which are not apt by their hardness to batter and bruise, the pellet of lead will do a more greater effect, and penetrate farther than the pellet of iron, when every of them is shot with the aforesaid equal quantity of powder. Likewise in those things which by their hardness are apt to bruise and beat flat the pellet of lead, although peradventure the pellet of iron may pierce somewhat farther in, yet the pellet of lead will give a greater stroke and shake more the same object than a pellet of iron will do. Prior. This matter liketh me well. The 2. Corollary. BY the reasons alleged in the precedent Colloquy, some men of a very good judgement have been induced to think that a pellet of iron shot out of a Caliver, harquebus, or any such like handgun, will go thorough some armours or iron coats, which a pellet of lead shot out of the same or like piece cannot do, and that an arrow well headed with hard steel being shot out of any such handgun, will more easily pierce thorough armours, than any pellet of lead, or iron, shot out of the same or like gun can do: Wherefore I wish that the truth herein might through private practice be known, & that the thing which will be most hurtful to our enemies may in time of military service be used. The sixt Colloquy. How a pellet of iron will do a greater effect, and pierce farther into an object than a pellet of stone will do: and how ⅔ part in powder of the weight of a pellet of stone is enough to shoot the same pellet out of his piece. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior what think you, will a pellet of iron do a greater effect or pierce more farther into an object at an equal distance than a pellet of stone when both of them are shot out of one piece at one and the self-same elevation, first with an equal quantity of powder, that is to say with ⅔ parts in powder of that which the pellet of iron weigheth, & afterwards with their ordinary charge of powder? Nich. In this question there is no doubt but that the pellet of iron will do a more greater effect, and pierce farther into any kind of object than a pellet of stone will do when the thing at which you shoot is not farther of than the pellet of iron will fly, and within the reach of the pellet of stone, as it hath been also said of the pellet of lead, and of the pellet of iron in the precedent Colloquy. Now if the pellet of iron will do a greater exploit or pierce farther into the object than a pellet of stone will do, when both of them are shot with an equal quantity of powder, it will do a more greater exploit, and pierce more farther in, when both of them are shot with their ordinary charge of powder, that is to say, when the pellet of iron is shot with ⅔ parts in powder of that which it weigheth, and the pellet of stone is shot only with ⅔ part in powder of that which it weigheth. Prior. I have always thought it to be so as you have spoken The 7 Colloquy. Why a pellet shot out of a Piece did make in his going a great whistling: and why other pellets being shot presently after out of the same Piece did not make so great a whistling in their going as the first pellet did. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. I being in the Rhodes at that time when the Turk did besiege the same, went forth with many pioneers into a piece of ground to make Bulwarks there, and it happened that the Turks shot a pellet at us which made such a whistling, as that we hearing the same a great way from us, did easily give place unto it, and without any hurt avoided the same. After that the said pellet was fallen down without doing any harm, every of us did return again to labour, believing assuredly if the Turks should shoot again that we might save ourselves harmless by the warning and whistling of the pellet. Now it happened that the Turks did shoot again at us, and the pellet came towards us so quietly, and with so little noise that none of us did hear or perceive the same till it was upon us, and had killed four of those pioneers. Now tell me what was the cause why that pellet and many other which were shot at us afterwards did fly so quietly, and made so soft a whistling? Nicholas. The cause thereof is grounded upon the reasons alleged in the 4. Colloquy of the first book, that is to say, at the first shoot the pellet found the air quiet, which did thereby more resist the flying of the pellet, than the air being troubled or stirred could do, and that resistance was the cause why the pellet did whistle, for the pellet did whistle by reason it did with great difficulty penetrate the air which was settled and quiet. But at the second shoot the pellet did not only find that air moved, broken, and shaken by the pellet of the first shoot, but also going towards the place at which the said pellet was shot, that is to say, going in the way of the pellet: Whereupon the pellet finding no such resistance at the second shoot, as it did at the first shoot, made not so loud a whistling as it did before. And by the same reasons the other pellets which were shot at you presently after the two first, did make a less whistling. Prior. Your reason doth like me well. The 8. Colloquy. Where a light pellet will outfly a heavy pellet: and where a heavy pellet will outfly a light pellet, and how the virtue, and strength of a moving thing may be made frustrate through the weight of the same thing, and also through the lightness of the same thing. Interlocutors Bernard Segreo. Nicholas Tartaglia. BErnard. Do you think that a heavy pellet will fly farther than a light pellet when both of them are shot out of one piece at one elevation, and with equal quantity of powder? Nicholas. To this question I cannot make you a determinate answer, because you do not distinguish the difference of their weights, and quantity of powder. For it is well known that the weight of a thing, and likewise that the lightness of the thing, doth make frustrate the virtue and strength of a moving thing. For the pellet which is shot may be so light, that it will fly but a very little way from the mouth of the Piece. Also it may be so heavy, and expelled with so small a quantity of powder, that the same inconvenience will follow. Therefore it is needful for you to show the difference of their weights, and the material substance of each pellet, and the quantity of powder. For if the one pellet be of lead, and the other of iron, or of stone, and each of them be shot with ⅔ parts in powder of the weight which the pellet of lead weigheth, it is manifest by the reasons alleged in the first and third Colloquy of this book, that the pellet of iron or stone will outfly the pellet of lead. But if one of those pellets be of lead, or of iron, and the other of light wood, or of such cork as is used to be put in pantofles and slippers, it is to be believed that the heavy pellet (I mean the pellet of lead or iron) shot with his ordinary charge in powder, will fly much farther than the light pellet, that is to say, than the pellet of light wood, or cork which is shot with the same and like quantity of powder. And contrariwise he which shall shoot a pellet of lead of a hundred pound weight in a Cannon of 9 foot and ½ in length, and likewise a pellet of wood as big or as thick as the pellet of lead, and shall shoot the one and the other of those pellets with a pound or two of powder, it is to be thought that in this case the pellet of wood will outfly the pellet of lead: Whereby we are taught to know that it is needful to limit a proportion between the weight of the thing which is shot, and the virtue of the moving thing. Bernard. This discourse pleaseth me well for once to be satisfied in this doubt I caused a pellet of metal to be made which was hollow within, and shot the same, but it did not fly so much ground as an ordinary pellet of iron will fly. The 9 Colloquy. How by knowing the diameter and weight of one pellet, you may tell the true weight of any other pellet whose diameter is known. Interlocutors L. Giulio Savorgnano. Nicholas Tartaglia. L. Giulio. There is a pellet whose diameter is four inches, The 23. Chapter of my Appendix will teach you by knowing the diameter and weight of one pellet, to tell the diameter of any other pellet whose weight is known. and it weigheth eight pound weight, now I ask of you what another pellet will way whose diameter is six inches? Nicholas. That pellet weigheth twenty seven pound weight. L. Giulio. How is it possible that a pellet whose diameter is six inches (which make ½ foot) shall way no more than 27. pound weight? I think it should way more than 60. pound weight. Nicholas. You say true. For if the pellet be of iron, and in his diameter six inches long of ordinary measure (which is ½ foot) I do affirm without any doubt that it will way about 60. pound weight. L. Giulio. Why said you then that it would way only 27. pound weight? Nicholas. I say if the pellet which is four inches high doth way only eight pound weight, that the pellet of six inches high will way 27. pound weight. But if the pellet which is four inches high be of iron, it will way more than 18. pound weight or thereabouts: therefore I have answered your question according as it was proposed. L. Giulio. By what rule have you found out that the pellet of six inches in height weigheth twenty seven pound weight? Nicholas. I have found that out by this means. I did cube those four inches (which is the diameter of the first pellet) and the cube thereof was 64. Likewise I did cube the said six inches (which is the diameter of the second pellet) and the cube of the same was 216. then by the rule of three I did say, if sixty four way eight pound weight, what shall 216 way? Multiplying 216. by 8. the product was 1728. which number being divided by sixty four yielded in the Quotient twenty seven. Therefore I conclude that the second pellet weigheth twenty seven pound weight if the first pellet do way no more than eight pound weight. L. Giulio. I do well understand all this. The 10. Colloquy. How you may find out the diameter of a pellet which must be double to another pellet whose diameter is known. Interlocutors. Zanantonio. Nicholas Tartaglia. ZAnantonio. There is a pellet whose diameter is five fingers, now I ask of you by what means I may know the diameter of another pellet which is double to the said pellet of five fingers in height? Nicholas. Cube the diameter of five fingers in height, and the cube number thereof will be 125. then multiply 125. by two, the product thereof will be 250. Finally extract the cube root of 250, and so the same cube root shall be the diameter of the second pellet, the which cube root of 250. being extracted in such sort as I have before declared, will be somewhat more than six fingers, that is to say, there will remain 34/ Zanantonio. How must I order this number 34. which remains for to make of it a convenient fraction to be added unto those six fingers. Nicholas. I have not hitherto in any Author which hath written of the extraction of Cubike roots, read any good rule which will teach you to make a true fraction after the Cubike root is extracted out of a number which is no Cubike number, and the cause thereof is (except I be deceived) for that the right way to extract a Cubike root was unknown unto them, I do not say unknown, as though the said Authors known not how to extract a Cubike root, or that the rules which they have set down serve not for to extract a Cubike root, but I will say that their rules are not so true and plain for that purpose as they should be: for if they were true & plain to extract the Cubike root, it would be thereby an easy matter to make a fraction of the number remaining after the nighest Cubike root is extracted out of a number not Cubike. By reading M. Records book called the whetstone of wit, you may learn after the nighest cubike root is extracted out of a number not cubike, to make a fraction of the number remaining Zanantonio. Is not that the right way to extract a Cubike root which you have already showed unto me? Nicholas. That is the very true and right way for to extract a Cubike root. Zanantonio. In so much as you have taught me to extract a Cubike root, I pray you teach me also how I shall make after the nighest Cubike root is extracted out of a number not Cubike, a fraction of the number remaining. Nicholas. You must at this time have patience, but I promise' you I will shortly teach you, and all others that will learn, to do the same, and also other things. Zanantonio. If there be no other remedy I will have patience till that time. The 2. Corollary. YOu may also in this sort following double or triple a round pellet or any other spherical body. Draw a rightline of what length you will, and note that line with A B then cross that line with another line which I would have you to note with C D, and call the point in which the said lines do cross one another E. This done open your compass to the length of the diameter of that Sphere which you will double or triple, and with your compass so opened mark upon the line E D, from E towards D, the length of that diameter. And when you will triple the said Sphere, mark the length of that diameter thrice upon the line E B from E towards B. But at this present you shall only double the said Sphere, and therefore mark the length of the said diameter upon the line E B from E towards B no more times than twice as I have done in the points F G of the figure following. Now divide the line E F into two equal parts in the point H, and divide the line E H into two equal parts in the point L. likewise divide the line L H into two equal parts in the point M. After this plasing one foot of your compass in M, and the other foot of the same in G, you must describe a semicircle which in the figure following is marked with these letters N C G. Finally divide the said line C D into two equal parts in the point O, and then plasing one foot of your compass opened to the wideness of one of those parts last mentioned, in O, and the other foot of your compass upon the line E A, draw the archeline N R C and by so doing you may conclude, that the space N E, by the ninth proposition of the sixt book of Euclid, is double to the space E D as it doth appear by the figure following, The 11. Colloquy. How vitrvuius hath erred in appointing a proportion for those stones which are put into the hole of the Enguine called Balista. Interlocutors Zanantonio. Nicholas Tartaglia. ZAnantonio. By what rule or way doth vitrvuius appoint a proportion for those stones which are put into the hole of the Enguine called Balista? Nicholas. I do now remember that the reason which you asked me in the precedent Colloquy, is the very same which vitrvuius doth writ of in the seventeenth Chapter of his tenth book, where he concludes, that if the stone which is shot out of the Balista doth way two pound weight, the hole at the head of the Balista must be five fingers, and if such a stone doth way four pound weight, the said hole must be six fingers: the which determination is like unto mine in the precedent Colloquy in respect of the whole number, that is to say of six, and not of the fraction. For the fraction 34/ which remains in that place telleth us that the said hole must be somewhat more than six fingers and ¼. Zanantonio. It may be that vitrvuius his book was ill translated. Nicholas. It is so translated into Latin. Zanantonio. But look I pray you whether his other determinations which follow in that place be justly concluded. Nicholas. Without doubt there is some error in them, but more in one than in another. And I believe that this cometh so to pass for that he was ignorant how to make a convenient fraction of that which did remain when he had extracted the Cubike root out of a number not Cubike, and for proof thereof he concludes, that if a stone which is to be shot out of that Balista doth way six pound weight, that the hole at the head thereof must be seven fingers, and for the fraction which remains more than the said 7. fingers, he puts down 9 points in form like unto a circle. Zanantonio. Who knoweth that the said 9 points do signify the convenient fraction or part of a finger which that hole should be more than the said 7. fingers, seeing we understand not the signification of the said 9 points which is an ancient thing? Nicholas. When it is so, it followeth of necessity that in every place where 9 such points are put, they represent one and the same fraction, the which is otherwise: for in the said places there happens fractions of divers denominations, as for example the hole at the end of the Balista must be 7. fingers and about ●/●; part of a finger for to receive the said stone, that is to say, the said hole would be somewhat less than 7. fingers, and 1/●; part of a finger. Therefore in that place the said 9 points should signify somewhat less than 1/● part of a finger. And for a stone of 10 pound in weight, the said vitrvuius concludes, that the said hole of the Balista would be 8. fingers high and more, which he doth express by the said 9 points, but I by working according to the order set down in the precedent Colloquy, find that the said stone of 10. pounds in weight doth ask a hole somewhat more than 8. fingers and ½ and hereupon this followeth that the said 9 points in that place do signify somewhat more than one half finger: and I found before that they did signify less than ⅛ part of a finger, whereby it is manifest how the same 9 points have no certain signification, and that vitrvuius was ignorant how to make a right fraction of that number which did remain after he had extracted the cubike root out of a number not cubike. And I say the same of all other Authors which I have read in that matter. Zanantonio. I beleene that vitrvuius was not ignorant therein, and that this fault is to be imputed unto the Translator. Nicholas The same fault and a greater is in the most ancientest books which are written in the Latin tongue, for in them it is said, that for a stone of 20. pound in weight the hole of the Balista must be 10. fingers, and the fraction remaining is expressed by the said 9 points, but I find that the said hole would be 10. fingers and somewhat more than ¾ of a finger, and so he goeth forwards committing errors in all his other determinations following. Zanantonio. I marvel that the same man hath erred in this matter. The 12. Colloquy. By the diameter and weights of one pellet of iron, the diameters and weight of many other pellets of iron are found out. And how a pellet of lead is in proportion to a pellet of iron of the same bigness as 30. is to 19 And how a pellet of lead is in proportion to a like pellet of a marble stone as 4. is to 1. And how a pellet of iron is in proportion to a like pellet of marble stone as 38. is to 15. Interlocutors L. james of Achaia. Nicholas Tartaglia. L. james, I pray you of courtesy show unto me in a picture how much in length the diameter of a pellet weighing so much as in Italian is called Rotulo aught to be, and how much in length a pellet weighing two Rotuli, aught to be in the diameter, and how much in length a pellet of three Rotuli in weight aught to be, and so of a pellet of four Rotuli, and of a pellet of five Rotuli and of a pellet of six Rotuli, & so forth of other pellets weighing so many Rotuli as you will. Nicholas. To fulfil your Lordship's request it is requisite that you should advertise me with great heed and good advisement of the diameter & weight of one pellet, that is to say, you must take a pellet the more bigger it is the better it is, and way the same so curiously as you do silver, and measure advisedly how much it is in the diameter, & afterwards tell me the length of that diameter, and how much the pellet weigheth and how much a Rotulo doth way, and how it is divided, that is to say, how many ounces or pounds it doth contain, Lezze is a city within the kingdom of Naples. for there is no such kind of weight used in this place, and when you have so done I will satisfy your Lordship therein. L. james. The line here drawn is the diameter of an iron pellet which weigheth nine Rotuli, and one Rotulo is a certain weight used in Lezze which contain 33. ounces and ⅓ part of an ounce, that is to say, 100 ounces make 3 rotuli. Nicholas. Most honourable Lord, I see by this line the diameter of a pellet weighing 9 Rotuli, and now by the same diameter I will show unto you the diameters of many other pellets. And for the satisfying of others, I will also reduce this weight of Rotuli to the weight of this place, that is to say, to 33 ounces & ½ for one Rotulo. And because some diameters are so long as that they cannot be drawn at length in this leaf of paper, I will note only the half of such diameters, so as you shall perceive the same. And if the diameter which you have shown unto me be just, than the same diameters which I shall Geometrically find out and show unto you will be just, but if there be any error in that diameter which you have shown unto me, than the diameters which I shall show unto you will be also erroneous. Likewise if your Rotulo be just 33 ounces and ⅓, and that each pound (by which I will now appoint the pellets to be weighed) doth contain only 12 ounces, and that there is no difference between the ounce of Lezze, and the ounce of Venice, than the said pellets may be weighed and tried with the weight of Venice, otherwise not. line representing the diameter of a pellet of iron 1 line representing the diameter of a pellet of iron 2 line representing the diameter of a pellet of iron 3 line representing the diameter of a pellet of iron 4 line representing the diameter of a pellet of iron 5 line representing the diameter of a pellet of iron 6 line representing the diameter of a pellet of iron 7 line representing the diameter of a pellet of iron 8 line representing the diameter of a pellet of iron 9 line representing the diameter of a pellet of iron 10 line representing the diameter of a pellet of iron 11 line representing the diameter of a pellet of iron 12 line representing the diameter of a pellet of iron 13 line representing the diameter of a pellet of iron 14 line representing the diameter of a pellet of iron 15 line representing the diameter of a pellet of iron 16 line representing the diameter of a pellet of iron 17 line representing the diameter of a pellet of iron 18 Now this aught also to be known, that all the pellets which are of one form and bigness, are not precisely of one weight: For in one pellet the metal may be very close and well cast, and in the metal of an other pellet there may be through many causes divers little holes whereof at this present I would not have spoken, but that I thought it needful for me to advertise you thereof to this end, if the diameters & weights of pellets do not precisely agreed with my determination of the same, that my said determination should not therefore be ill spoken of. All things wrought of a material substance can not be so perfectly made, but that always some of them may be made bet●er and more perfecter. For all things wrought of a material substance can not be so perfectly made but that always some of them may be made better & more perfecter. Also your Lordship must understand that if the diameter which you have shown unto me be the diameter of a pellet of iron (as you say it is) all the diameters which I have shown unto you must be intended to be the diameters of pellets of iron, & not of pellets of lead. But if you will apply those diameters unto pellets of lead; you must increase their weight by one half of the weight which a like pellet of iron doth way, that is to say, if the diameter be of a pellet of iron, & that the same pellet weigheth 9 Rotuli, which make 25 pounds in weight, than a pellet of lead cast in the like form, and of the same bigness will way about once so much and a half, that is to say, 13 Rotuli and ½ which make 37 pounds and ½ pound weight: for the pellet of lead is in weight to the pellet of iron of like form and of the fame bigness almost as it were in sesquialtera proportione, & so we must understand of all other such pellets. And if a pellet be made of a common stone according to the measure or length of any of the aforesaid diameters, the said pellet of stone will way about the fourth part of that weight which a like pellet of lead doth way, that is to say, the proportion in weight of that marble stone to a like pellet of lead, is as it were subquadrupla proportio. And the proportion in weight of that marble stone to the like pellet of iron is as 15 to 38. And so by the knowledge hereof you may find out the weight of any other pellet whose diameter is known. And to the end you may the better remember this matter, I have hereunder noted distinctly their said proportions. A pellet of lead is in proportion to a pellet of iron of the like form and of the same bigness as 30 is to 19, that is to say, as it were almost in sesquialtera proportione. A pellet of lead is in proportion to a pellet of a marble stone of like form and of the same bigness as 4 is to 1. A pellet of iron is in proportion to a pellet of marble stone of like form & of the same bigness as 38 is to 15. The 3 Corollary. You may read in my first Corollary in the first book of N. Tartaglia his Colloquys the difference between the subtle weight of Venice, & the avoirdupois weight of England. SOme people by looking upon the diametral lines drawn in the precedent colloquy, & reading in the same colloquy the pounds & ounces of Venice weight, will not easily perceive the true length of the said diametral lines according to feet and inches of assize of England, nor tell the true weight of the pellets which have such diameters according to the weight which we call in this realm aver de poise weight, Therefore for the better instruction of such readers as are ignorant therein, I have in the table following reduced the length of the diameters of all the iron pellets which are in the said colloquy expressed by lines, into inches & parts of inches of the assize of England, & the weight of the same pellets expressed in the said colloquy by the weight of Lezze named rotuli, and by the subtle weight of Venice into the said avoirdupois de poise weight, which contains 16 ounces in a pound, & 112 pounds in a hundred weight, as you may more at large read thereof in my first Corollary in the first book of N. Tartaglia his colloquys. A Table showing the true measure of all the Diameters that are expressed by lines in the precedent Colloquy according to the measure of Feet and inches of Assize in England, and also the weight of iron pellets which have such Diameters according to the weight of Lezze called Rotuli, and according to the subtle weight of Venice, and also according to the avoirdupois weight of England. The measure of all the Diameters that are in the precedent Colloquy expressed by lines, according to inches and parts of inches of assize of England. The weight (according to the weight of Lezze called Rotuli) of such iron pellets as have the same Diameters that are noted in this Table The weight (according to the subtle weight of Venice) of such iron pellets as have the same Diameters that are noted in this Table. The avoirdupois weight of such iron pellets as have the same Diameters that are noted in this Table. inches Parts of inches Rotuli Pounds Ounces Hundred weight Pounds Ounces drams Scruples Grains 4 356/413 9 25 0 0 16 8 5 2 9 1/●… 5 89/2065 10 27 9⅓ 0 18 6 1 0 7 29/●… 5 83/413 11 30 6⅔ 0 20 3 5 2 2 6/7 5 143/413 12 33 4 0 22 0 0 1 9 1/11 6 54/413 18 50 0 ¼ 5 1 3 1 18 2/●… 7 301/413 36 100 0 ½ 10 2 7 0 16 4/11 8 132/413 45 125 0 ½ 26 11 5 0 5 5/●… 9 303/413 72 200 0 1 20 5 6 1 12 ●/11 4 280/413 8 22 2● 0 14 11 0 0 9 ●9/●65 4 28/59 7 19 5● 0 12 13 7 0 11 ●7/3● 4 104/413 6 16 8 0 11 0 3 2 12 ●/●… 4 0 5 13 10⅔ 0 9 3 0 0 0 3 293/413 4 11 1⅓ 0 7 5 5 0 15 5/●… 3 153/413 3 8 4 0 5 8 1 2 16 4/●… 2 390/413 2 5 6⅔ 0 3 10 6 1 17 57/99 2 238/413 1 2 9⅓ 0 1 13 3 0 18 26/3● 1 271/413 0 1 0 0 0 10 4 2 2 42/55 2 278/413 1½ 4 2 0 2 12 0 2 18 2/●… The end of the second book of Colloquys. The third book of Nicholas Tartaglia his Colloquys concerning mineral Saltpetre of divers colours, Gunpowder of divers sorts, and the cause why some sorts of gunpowder are corned, and some sorts of gunpowder are not corned, translated out of Italian into English by CYPRIAN LUCAR Gentleman who hath also augmented the volume of the said Colloquys for the benefit of his Readers with the contents of every Colloquy, and with the Corollaries that are in the same volume The first Colloquy. How Saltpetre was known unto men in old time: and how there is a mineral kind of Saltpetre and an artificial kind of Saltpetre: and how there are divers sorts of mineral Saltpetre: and how there is Saltpetre of many colours. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. Is it not a marvel that men in old time had no knowledge of Saltpetre which we in this age do so well know? Nicholas. That simple hath been known of a long time, for all the ancient Physicians and natural Philosophers make mention thereof. Some of them as namely Anicen calleth Saltpetre by the name of Baurache, for so in the Arabian language it is named: and some others call Saltpetre by the name of Afronitrum, because of the Greeks it is so called: and others as Serapion, Diascorides, The Pandecte is a volume of civil law called the Digests but here it signifieth an hearball. You may read of the medicinable virtue of niter in a discourse which T Chaloner gentleman hath published thereof, & was imprinted in London by gerald Dew in Anno Dom. 1584. & Plinnie call the same Niter, or spume of Niter, for in the latin tongue it is so named. In the Pandecte it is affirmed that there are two kinds of Niter or Saltpetre, that is to say mineral and artificial. And it is said that of the mineral kind there are four sorts, that is to say, Armenian, African, Roman, and Egyptian. Moreover Serapion says that the mines of Saltpetre are as the mines of Salt, for it is known that water runneth out of them, the which water as Plinnie affirmeth congealeth and freezeth hard as it were a stone: also it is found that in those mines there is a thing like unto a stone, which is called stony Salt, also it is said that there is white Saltpetre, red Saltpetre, and Saltpetre of many other colours: and it is affirmed that there are many sorts of Saltpetre not only for the diversity of colours: but because first there is found a very spongy kind thereof, that is to say full of holes, and then there is found an other kind which is like unto a flat & brickell plate, & of many other qualities which in a long time will not be told one by one, and thereof one sort is more biting and more stronger than an other. Of the artificial Saltpetre I shall not need to speak, because at this time it is better known than the herb Betonica. Prior. I had thought that Saltpetre had not been known till now of late in this age. The 2 Colloquy. How men in old time did know that Saltpetre would burn, and how they did use to make therewith fireworks: and how they did call Saltpetre by divers names. Interlocutors. L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. Tell me briefly whether men in old time having knowledge of natural Saltpetre & of artificial Saltpetre (as before you have proved by the authority of ancient Physicians) had also knowledge that the same would kindle and burn so forcibly as it doth. Nicholas. The said ancient Physicians and natural Philosophers do make mention of the property which they found in it to be necessary for medicine, and of nothing else concerning the same: But many other ancient Authors known that it would burn, The Snail, Ram, and portable Towars are ingens of war. The names by which Saltpetre was known in the old time. for they did use to make certain fireworks with the same for to burn the Snail, Ram, and portable Towars which were used at that time in the assaults of Cities: and also to fire a Navy. But in the making of these fireworks some did call Saltpetre by the name of burning salt, some did call the same stony salt, some did call the same salt practic, and others did call the same properly Saltpetre. Prior. Concerning this matter I would ask you an other doubt, but because my head doth now ache, I will defer to do it till to morrow in the evening. The 3 Colloquy. How men in the old time which known that Saltpetre would kindle and burn, did not know how to make gunpowder: and how gunpowder is made of Saltpetre, Brimstone, and Cole, and not only of Saltpetre. Interlocutors. L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. If men in the old time had knowledge that Saltpetre would kindle and burn so forcibly as it doth, why should not they know also how to make gunpowder being at this time a thing of great importance in the military Art. Nicho. This is no good consequent to say, if men in the old time had knowledge that Saltpetre would kindle and burn, that of necessity they should also know how to make Gunpowder: Gunpowder is made of saltpeter, Brimstone, & Cole, and not only of Saltpetre. for the powder is not made only of Saltpetre, but is compounded of three things (as I believe your Lordship doth know) that is to say of Saltpetre, Brimstone, and Cole, and therefore it may be believed that men in the old time which known Saltpetre and the nature thereof were ignorant how to make gunpowder. Prior. By reason it may be so. The 4 Colloquy. Why gunpowder is made of Saltpetre, Brimstone and Cole: what virtue or particular office every of the said simples hath by itself in the making of gunpowder: & how it is more possible to make gunpowder without Cole and Brimstone, than without Saltpetre, because all the virtue and force of the powder depends upon pure Saltpetre, and not upon any other thing. Interlocutors. L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. By what reason, or for what cause is gunpowder made of these three things, that is to say of Saltpetre, Brimstone, and Cole, & not of any other simples? and what virtue or particular office hath every of the said three materials or simples by itself in the making thereof: and what will any two of those simples do without the third. Nicholas. Gunpowder is made of the aforesaid three materials, because every of them will help and supply every defect which is in any of the other two: for the Brimstone is more apt to make the fire flame when it is touched therewith, than any of the other two, the which flame of fire is much more apt to inflame the Saltpetre than any other fire. And because the Saltpetre in burning is resolved into a windy exhalation, the which is so mighty that suddenly it will extinguish the fllame which hath taken hold of the Brimstone, and also the flame which through the Brimstone hath taken hold of the Saltpetre, and for that the nature of Brimstone, and also the nature of Saltpetre is such that the flame in them being extinguished there will remain no token of fire. Therefore in mixing together only the Saltpetre and Brimstone which must be very well pounded, and putting fire to the same the fire doth kindle, and immediately after it is extinguished by the reasons above alleged: that is to say, the fire will not continued till all the matter thereof be consumed and burned, but it will burn a while, and leave part of the said mixture untouched therewith. Therefore to remedy this defect, a Coal finely pounded is added to the Saltpetre and Brimstone, for the Coal is of that nature that it will kindle so soon as it is touched with the flame of fire, and turns into an unflaming fire, the which fire without flame by how much it is more blown with any wind, by so much the more sooner it kindles, and keeps a fire till all his substance is turned into ashes, & therefore the mixture of the aforesaid three materials being touched with fire, the Brimstone doth immediately flame as before is said, the which flame doth not only set the Saltpetre on a flaming fire, but also in that very instant sets the Coal on a fire without any flame, the which fire by wind is not extinguished, but augmented, and therefore that wind which the Saltpetre causeth can not extinguish the said fire which is without flame in the Coal, but as I have said augment it: for the Brimstone being touched with a flaming fire, or with an unflaming fire, cannot choose but flame, the which flame as before hath been said, makes also the saltpeter to flame. Therefore when the said three materials being very well pounded, & mixed together are touched with fire, they will not leave burning till they be wholly consumed, except there be a fault in some of the said 3. materials by reason of moistness, or that the mixture of them is not made by a convenient proportion. And therefore I conclude that the office of Brimstone in that mixture is only to make a flaming fire, The office of Brimstone mixed with Cole and Saltpetre. and to bring the said fire unto the other two materials, & that the office of the Coal is only to maintain the same unflaming fire which the brimstone brought unto it, The office of Cole mixed with Brimstone and Saltpetre. and especially against that great wind which the Saltpetre causeth. The office of Saltpetre mixed with Cole and Brimstone. But the office of the Saltpetre is only for to 'cause that so great exhalation of wind. For in that wind consists all the virtue, & property of the powder: and that only is the same thing which driveth so forcibly each pellet. All the virtue and power of gunpowder depends only upon Saltpetre, and the Brimstone & Cole are mixed with saltpeter for no other cause than to resolve the Saltpetre into fire and wind. And therefore I conclude, that all the virtue and power of the powder depends only upon the Saltpetre, and that the two other simples or materials, that is to say, the Brimstone & the Coal are put in for no other cause, than to resolve the said Saltpetre into fire and wind: For whosoever maketh gunpowder only of Brimstone and Cole, and with a great quantity of the same will charge a Piece of Artillery, and then put fire into the said powder, I say that thereby the force of such powder will not be able to expel out of the said Piece any little splint of wood, or straw. This comes so to pass because all that virtue expulsive depends only upon pure Saltpetre, and not of any other thing. Wherefore it is more possible to make powder for Artillery without Cole and Brimstone than without Saltpetre. For we may believe that it is more possible to devise other materials which shall do the office of Brimstone in taking a flaming fire, & likewise which shall do the office of Cole in maintaining the said unflaming fire, than to find an other material which is apt to 'cause so great & violent wind as that is which the Saltpetre doth cause. Prior. It is to be believed that it is more possible to make good gunpowder without Cole and Brimstone, than without Saltpetre, for all the virtue and force of gunpowder (as before you have said) depends upon pure Saltpetre, and not upon any other thing. But forasmuch as it is now late we will make here and end. The 5. Colloquy. By whom gunpowder & guns were first devised: how the invention of a thing which at the first is homely and rude, will with time be made better: how the proportion of things in making gunpowder hath many times without reason been changed: how gunpowder may be made by divers ways: and how gunpowder aught to be laid, and kept in dry places. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. Yesterday in the evening you declared the cause why gunpowder is made of the aforesaid three materials, and the office which every of the said materials, hath in that mixture. Now I ask of you what he was which did first invent gunpowder, and by what reason he hath appointed that propottion & quantity of every of the said materials which is needful for the same mixture? Nicho. The common people report by the authority of Cornazano that guns and gunpowder were devised by chance by a Dutchman who was an Alchemist: But I think that Archimedes the Syracusan, and most skilful Philosopher, and Mathematician, was the first inventor thereof: and he that written the Commentary upon the first book of vitrvuius in the eight leaf is of mine opinion therein: for as Vallurus declareth in the tenth book of warfare, it is written in divers books that Archimedes devised a certain kind of enguine made of iron, out of which he shot against an army upon the land with an incredible sound or noise stones of great weight and bigness, the which thing giveth us to understand, that it was an enguine like unto a great gun, for that it shot very great pellets of stones (as not long ago but within this our age hath been usually done) and especially with such an incredible sound as in shooting of guns doth happen: the which sound (as I think) cannot be made in any other sort of enguine, The first invention of a thing which is homely and rustic will with time wax better because it is an easy thing to add unto the thing devised. except in one like unto a gun, yet I believe in that time guns were made of a more deformed fashion than now they be, for always the first invention is homely, and rustic and with time it waxeth better, because it is an easy thing to add unto the thing devised. And this may be applied to gunpowder, that is to say, when it was devised by Archimedes, or by any other whom you will, it is to be thought that it was not made at that time in such order and proportion as it is now at this present: For I judge that from the same time hitherto, the order to make gunpowder hath been very many times altered: and for proof thereof I have read in some Authors which are not very ancient certain ways and orders to make gunpowder which differ much from the orders and ways that have since that time been used. Prior. Tell me briefly what proportion hath been observed, and is now observed? Nicho. I have read in some of the most ancientest books that for to make gunpowder a like quantity of every of the said three materials must be taken: that is to say, so much of the one as of the other. And some other books written since that time, willeth them which will make gunpowder, to take three parts of Saltpetre, two parts of Brimstone, and two parts of Cole. Other books teacheth us to take for the making of gunpowder ten pounds of Saltpetre, three pounds of Brimstone, and three pounds of Cole. And in some other books we are willed to take for the making of gunpowder twelve pounds of Saltpetre, three pounds of Brimstone, and two pounds of Cole. In other books we are willed to take nine parts of Saltpetre, two parts of Brimstone, and three parts of Cole. And in other books written since that time we are willed for the making of gunpowder for Handgunnes to take four parts of Saltpetre, one part of Brimstone, and one part of Cole. Some other books teacheth us for the making of gross or coarse gunpowder, to take twenty parts of Saltpetre, three parts of Brimstone, and ten parts of Cole. But for to make somewhat more finer powder for the Handgunne, we are taught to take an hundred parts of Saltpetre, ten parts of Brimstone, and thirty six parts of Cole. Some say that for to make gross gunpowder we must take an hundred parts of Saltpetre, twenty parts of Brimstone, and thirty seven parts of Cole. And for to make fine gunpowder we must take nine parts of Saltpetre, three parts of Brimstone, and six parts of the flower of Mirochea when we will prove to make gunpowder without Cole. But I know not this herb called Mirochea, for I did never read of any herb so called in the Pandecte, or in Auicenna, or in any other Herbal. Some other of a later time have said, that for to make gross gunpowder we must take two parts of Saltpetre, one part of Brimstone, and one part of Cole made of Willoe: and for to make gunpowder for an arquebus that we must take three parts of Saltpetre, one part of Cole made of young bows of Willoe, and one part of Brimstone: and for to make fine gunpowder for a Handgunne, they say we must take of Saltpetre many times refined 5 parts, of Brimstone 1 part, of Cole made of the twigs of a Filbert tree, or of a young Nut tree of one years grothe one part. Some others say that for to make gross gunpowder we must take three parts of Saltpetre refined, one part of Brimstone and two parts of Cole made of willoe: and for to make gunpowder of a middle sort, they say that we must take ten parts of Saltpetre refined, two parts of Brimstone, and three parts of Cole made of willoe: And for to make fine gunpowder for an harchibuse, Note. they say that we must take ten parts of Saltpetre refined, one part of Brimstone and one part of Cole made of the clean twigs of a filbert tree. And for to make better gunpowder, that is to say, for Handgunnes they will us to take 27 parts of Saltpetre refined, of Brimstone three parts, of Cole made of the clean twigs of a Filbert tree 4 parts. Some other say that for to make more forcible and stronger gunpowder, we must take of Saltpetre refined seven pounds, of Brimstone one pound, of Cole made of the clean twigs of a Filbert tree one pound. Others for to make more better gunpowder will us to take of Saltpetre refined eight parts, of Brimstone one part, of Cole made of the young and clean twigs of a Filbert tree one part. Some for to make gunpowder more stronger have willed us to add unto the said materials quick silver: some will us to add thereunto aqua vitae. Some would have us to add thereunto salt armoniac. Some bid us to put thereunto Camphor: some will us to make it with Coals made of the stalks of Coleworts. Others would have us to make gunpowder with the Coal of Bulrushes, or with linen clot burned. Some have proved to make gunpowder of divers colours without Cole: You may learn to make gunpowder of divers colours by the 16 chap. of mine Appendix. that is to say, white, red, and grey, by putting into that mixture the powder of some flowers of dried herbs for to serve in the place of Cole, and to make the said colours. If I should describe these things one by one I might have enough to say till to morrow in the morning: But to the intent you may see the difference between those ways for the making of gunpowder, I will describe them distinctly hereunder one by one as I have above recited them, & also divers other which for brevity sake have not been recited. 1 The making of Gunpowder after the most ancientest order. Saltpetre. 1 part. Brimstone. 1 part. Cole. 1 part. 2 The making of gunpowder after a sort not so ancient. Saltpetre. 3 parts. Brimstone. 2 parts. Cole. 2 parts. 3 The making of gunpowder after a sort not so ancient. Saltpetre. 10 parts. Brimstone. 3 parts. Cole. 3 parts. 4 The making of gunpowder after a sort not so ancient. Saltpetre. 12 parts. Brimstone. 3 parts. Cole. 3 parts. 5 The making of gunpowder after a sort not very ancient. Saltpetre. 9 parts. Brimstone. 2 parts. Cole. 3 parts. 6 The making of gunpowder for handguns after a sort lately devised. Saltpetre. 4 parts. Brimstone. 1 part. Cole. 1 part. 7 The making of gunpowder for great ordinance after a more newersort. Saltpetre. 20 parts. Brimstone. 3 parts. Cole. 10 parts. 8 The making of gunpowder for great ordinance after a more later devise. Saltpetre. 100 parts. Brimstone. 10 parts. Cole. 36 parts. 9 The making of gross gunpowder after a nwe order. Saltpetre. 100 parts. Brimstone. 20 parts. Cole. 37 parts. 10 The making of fine gunpowder after no very old sort. Saltpetre. 9 parts. Brimstone. 3 parts. Flowers of Mirochea. 6 parts. 11 The making of gross gunpowder after a more nwer sort. Saltpetre. 2 parts. Brimstone. 1 part. Cole made of willoe sticks 1 part. 12 The making of gunpowder for harchibuses after a nwer sort. Saltpetre. 3 parts. Brimstone. 1 part. Cole made of young willoes. 1 part. 13 The making of fine gunpowder after a nwer sort. Saltpetre many times refined. 5 parts. Brimstone. 1 part. Cole made of the twigs of a young Filbert tree. 1 part. Note. 14 The making of gross gunpowder after an other sort. Saltpetre refined. 3 parts. Brimstone. 1 part. Cole made of willoe sticks. 2 parts. 15 The making of a middle sort of gunpowder after a nwe order. Note. Saltpetre refined. 10 parts. Brimstone. 2 parts. Cole made of Willoes. 3 parts. 16 The making of gunpowder for harchibuses as in these days it is used to be made. Note. Saltpetre many times refined. 10 parts. Brimstone. 1 part. Cole made of a young filbert tree which hath his bark and rind thereon peeled of. 1 part. 17 The making of Gunpowder for handguns after a nwer sort. Saltpetre refined. 27 parts. Brimstone. 3 parts. Cole made of young twigs of a filbert tree which hath the bark and rinds thereon peeled of. 4 parts. 18 The making of a more stronger kind of gunpowder for handguns after a nwer sort. Saltpetre refined. 7 parts. Brimstone. 1 part. Cole made of young twigs of a filbert tree which hath the bark and rinds thereon peeled of. 1 part. 19 The making of a more finer and stronger sort of gunpowder for handguns. Saltpetre many times refined. 6 parts. Brimstone. 1 part. Cole made of young twigs of a filbert tree which hath the bark and rinds thereon peeled of. 1 part. 20 How gross gunpowder is now in our age made. Saltpetre. 4 parts. Brimstone. 1 part. Cole made of a willoe tree. 1 part. 21 How gross gunpowder is now in our age made by an other way. Saltpetre. 20 parts. Brimstone. 4 parts. Cole made of a willoe tree. 5 parts. 22 How gunpowder is in our age made for handguns. Saltpetre refined dry. 48 parts. Brimstone cetrine. 7 parts. Cole made of Filbert or of dry hempen stalks 8 parts. 23 How gunpowder is now in our age made for handguns. Saltpetre refined. 18 parts. Brimstone. 2 parts. Cole made of the wood of a filbert tree. 3 parts. Note. For to make well any of the aforesaid sorts of gunpowder you must understand that the Saltpetre must be pure, Saltpetre for Gunpowder must be refined, pure, clean, without grease, and strong. Brimstone for Gunpowder must be clean, without dirt or any other filth, and it must be very dry and purified, and the best coals for Gunpowder are made of soft and young wood that hath his bark and rind peeled of. clean, and strong (the which thing is learned by practice to burn a little thereof) likewise the Brimstone must be clean without dirt, or any other filth, & the Coals aught not to be moist (as they will be by standing in a dankish room) nor mixed with any dust or dirt. Finally you must understand that such gunpowder aught to be very well beaten, and that the said 3 materials aught also to be well incorporated together: this being done, that sort of gunpowder will always do his effects according to his kind, so that it be always kept dry, and therefore it would not be laid in any moist or dankish place. And also there is another reason why it should be kept dry, Gunpowder aught to be kept dry. for moistness causeth the saltpeter to dissolve into water, and it being dissolved descends by little and little to the bottom of the vessel in which it lieth, and so the powder in the bottom of the vessel is more fuller of Saltpetre than the powder lying in the uppermost part thereof. By this your Lordship may perceive that by many and sundry ways the order or proportion of quantity for the said three materials in the making of gunpowder hath been determined. Prior. I marvel that the order to be used in the making of gunpowder hath been by so many ways altered, and I can not see by what reason men have been moved to devise so many ways. Nicholas. The first invention (although some say that it was found out by chance) was as I think found out by natural reason speculatively, that is to say, the same three materials being well beaten and mingled together would be apt to make a strong and unextinguishable fire till each matter should be consumed: and there are good reasons why it should be so: but I think men were instructed by experience to appoint a proportion of quantity for the said materials: for in the first order they did work by proportion of equality, taking so much of the one material as of the other, and although peradventure a great quantity of such gunpowder might do some good effect, yet nevertheless considering how that effect proceeded from the Saltpetre, an other way for the making of gunpowder was devised by taking a greater quantity of Saltpetre, than any of the other two materials, whereby it was perceived that this kind of gunpowder was more stronger than the first sort of gunpowder: and so upon such advised considerations, men have from time to time even unto these our days changed the said order: But some of the aforesaid orders have been appointed without any reason or judgement, and I think that they which appointed the same orders were moved to ordain them upon no other reason, than for that they would not do as others did, & that they might be thought to know more therein than others. Some of them have without any reason appointed nwe ways for the making of gunpowder by increasing the quantity of Coals, and decreasing the quantity of Brimstone. Others increase the quantity of Brimstone, and decrease the quantity of Coals: And others altar all the said three materials by certain strange proportions to the intent that such order as is so by them appointed may be thought to be devised by great wisdom and skill. Prior. There are some among those makers of gunpowder which can not say or do more therein than others have said or done, but because they are ashamed to show at any time that they have learned of others to make gunpowder, they study to altar the way which was shown unto them. Nicholas. It is so in deed. Prior. You have made a long discourse upon this matter, therefore let us make hear an end thereof. The first Corollary. ALthough Tartaglia in the precedent Colloquy doth affirm out of one Author that guns were devised by Archimedes and not by a Dutchman as Cornazano declareth yet this is to be noted that divers men are therein of divers minds as it will appear by this which followeth. Polidor: Virgil: Munster: and Gilbert: Cognat: Nozeren: Invention of guns. have written that guns were first devised in Anno Domini 1370. by a monk whom Munster calleth Bertholdus Sthwartz and Gilbert: Cognat: nameth Albertus Magnus. M. john Dee our Country man in his Mathematical preface and discourse of Menadrie says, that an Englishman was the first inventor of guns though his said invention in an other land and by other men was first executed: also our English Chronicles do report that in An. Domini 1380. a monk did unwillingly let fall a spark of fire upon Brimstone beaten to powder in a mortar and covered with a tile stone, and that he seeing how the powder of Brimstone touched with fire did suddenly flame, & lift up a great height the said tile stone, Invention of gunpowder. did thereupon devise a kind of gunpowder, and taught the Venetians to use the same in iron pipes against the Genuates. The 6. Colloquy. When you shall make a comparison of strength between two equal quantities of fine or gross gunpowder, you may with truth say, that the quantity of gunpowder which hath in it the greater part of Saltpetre is more stronger than the other quantity of gunpowder which hath in it the lesser part of Saltpetre: Also when you shall compare one sort of coal whereof gunpowder may be made with an other sort of Cole, you may affirm that by how much the coal is of a more lighter and softer substance, by so much it is more apt to receive and maintain fire with facility. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. Yesterday in the evening, you declared by how many ways within this little while the order or proportion of quantity for the three materials in making of gunpowder hath been changed, now tell me which of those ways (as well of the ways which are most ancient, as of the ways which were lately devised) is judged to be best, that is to say, which of those sorts of gunpowder is thought to be most perfect & of most strongest force? Nich. Without doubt that powder is thought to be of most force and strength which containeth the greatest part of Saltpetre: I say the greatest part in respect of all the three materials. As for example, in the first order before noted where is taken of every material one part, the Saltpetre contains ⅓ part of the whole mixture, and the Brimstone and Coles contains ⅔ parts of that mixture. And in the second order following next after the same where is taken 3 parts of Saltpetre, 2 parts of Brimstone, and 2 parts of Cole, the Saltpetre contains 3/7 parts of the whole mixture, & the Brimstone and Cole contain ⅘ parts of the same mixture: and because 3/7 are a more greater part than is ⅓, therefore I say that the gunpowder made after the second order is more forcible and stronger than the gunpowder made after the first order. Likewise the gunpowder made after the third order will be more forcible and stronger than the gunpowder made after the second order, for in the said third order the Saltpetre contains 7/8 parts of the whole mixture, which 5/● are a greater part than 3/7: and in the fourth order the Saltpetre contains ●2/17 parts of the whole mixture, and because 12/27 are a greater part than 5/● therefore I say that gunpowder made after the fourth order is more forcible than that which is made after the third order. And in the fift order the Saltpetre contains 9/14 parts of the whole mixture, and because 9/14 are a lesser part than 12/17 I say that gunpowder made after the fift order is weaker and worse than the gunpowder made after the fourth order. And in the sixt order the Saltpetre contains ⅔ parts of the whole mixture, and because 2/● are a greater part than 9/14 I say that gunpowder made after the sixt order is better and more forcible than gunpowder made after the fift order. And after this fashion proceeding to examine all the other orders following (so that I be not ignorant to work & know the broken numbers) I will easily know which of those aforesaid orders is best or worst: that is to say, which sort of gunpowder is most forcible & most strongest, & contrariwise, which of those sorts of gunpowder is of lest force & weakest. So by knowing how much Saltpetre is in one of those sorts, you may make a comparison in goodness or badness between one quantity of gross gunpowder for great ordinance, and an other quantity of such like gunpowder: and likewise between one quantity of fine gunpowder for handguns, and an other quantity of such like gunpowder: for it would be too long for me to set down an example for every of the aforesaid orders. Prior. Yet I pray you show me which of all the said sorts of gunpowder is of most force and strength. Nicho. The gunpowder which is made after the 16 order is of more force & strength than gunpowder made after any of the other sorts, I mean where there is taken of Saltpetre many times refined ten parts, of Brimstone one part, of Cole made of the young twigs of a filbert tree which hath the bark and rinds thereon peeled of, one part. And this sort of gunpowder will be most strongest for two causes: The first is, because the Saltpetre contains ⅚ parts of that powder, which ⅚ are a greater part than is any of the parts in the other sorts of gunpowder before noted: By how much coal of which Gunpowder is made, is of a more lighter, and softer substance, by so much it is more apt to receive and maintain fire with facility. The second cause is, for that the Saltpetre is oftentimes refined, which causeth it to be more perfect: And also this sort of gunpowder is made of the most perfectest Coals, for in effect by how much the Coal is of a more lighter and softer substance, by so much it is more apt to receive and maintain fire with facility: and therefore it is by so much the more perfect, more apt, and more ready to do his office quickly. Prior. Your opinion herein doth like me well, and because it is now late I will forbear until to morrow in the evening to ask an other doubt of you. The 7 Colloquy. How gunpowder can not be made of Saltpetre only and how in making of gunpowder such a quantity of Brimstone and Cole must of necessity be added unto Saltpetre as will be able to make each simple in that mixture to do his expected office. Interlocutors. L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. Yesterday in the evening you concluded that the 16 sort of powder is more finer, more stronger, and of more force than any of the other aforesaid sorts of gunpowder, because that 16 sort of gunpowder hath in it a greater quantity of Saltpetre than any of the other sorts hath, the which quantity is as much as ⅚ parts of the whole mixture. Now I ask of you whether that gunpowder would have been of more force and strength if it had been made with a greater quantity of Saltpetre than ⅚ parts of the whole mixture, and with a lesser quantity of Brimstone and Cole than ⅙, I mean of such Coals as were put into the said sixteenth sort of Gunpowder? Nicholas. Without doubt it would be of more force and power, so that the said small quantity of Brimstone & Cole be apt and able to execute their office as they aught to do, that is to say to be on a fire quickly and to set the Saltpetre on a fire, and to maintain fire in the same until it be wholly resolved into fire. For if there should be so small a quantity of Brimstone and Cole, as that thereby they should not be apt and able to execute their said office, that composition would be unprofitable and almost to no purpose: And therefore it is needful for you to be thereof well advised. For if it were possible to make gunpowder only of pure and perfect Saltpetre, without doubt that powder would be more stronger and of more power than any other sort of gunpowder made with the same Saltpetre, Brimstone, and Cole. But because the said Saltpetre of itself is not apt nor able to burn in a flame quickly as Brimstone will do, nor maintain the flaming fire till all the materials are burned and consumed as the Coal will do, therefore it is necessary to add Brimstone and Cole thereunto, and such a quantity thereof as will make them apt and able to execute their said office according as before it is said they should do. Prior. I do understand you well, and you have spoken enough for this evening. The 8. Colloquy. How it is an unnedfull thing to make more finer gunpowder for one kind of gun than for another. Interlocutors L. Gabriel Tadino Prior of Barletta. Nicholas Tartaglia. PRior. Yesterday in the evening you affirmed that the same gunpowder which contains the greatest quantity of Saltpetre, and the lest quantity of Brimstone & Cole (so that the Brimstone and Cole be sufficient to execute their office is better and of more power than any other kind of gunpowder made in the same sort of Saltpetre, Brimstone, and Cole with a lesser quantity of Saltpetre, and a greater quantity of brimstone & Coal: and although I believe this to be true, yet I perceive that this rule is not general, for all kind of Artillery, because all men know that handguns must be charged with finer powder than harchibuses, and that harchibuses must be charged with finer powder than Muskets, & Falconets, & that Faulconets must be charged with better powder than is put into other great Ordinance: wherefore I ask of you if it be needful to show how fine the powder aught to be made for every kind of Piece. Nich. I think it not needful to do so, although it be an use to do so: but I am of this opinion, that this is a greater error than that which was told of the culverins and Cannons in the 11 Colloquy of the first book. Prior. What would you have to be done? Nich. At this present I will not give an absolute & determinate answer to this matter, but I will consider a little better thereof, and I hope to make you perceive an error in this thing which bringeth with it other things of more discommodity, loss and cost than the culverin doth in respect of the Cannons, whereof I gave you to understand in the said 11 Colloquy of the first book. Prior. Consider well thereof, for these things being a long time used will import much, and sometimes more than a man will think. The 2 Corollary. VAnnuccio Biringuccio in the 10 book and 2 chapter of his Pyrotechnye declareth that gross gunpowder occupied in handguns or harchibuses will not expel their pellets a quoits cast from their mouths, & that fine gunpowder being shot out of great ordinance will break or mar them: but I suppose (as Taertaglia in the precedent Colloquy doth think) that we may put with good advisement so much of gross gunpowder into our handguns and harchibuses as will 'cause their pellets to randge a long distance, and also that we may charge great Pieces of Artillery with so small a quantity of fine gunpowder as will be a just charge in powder for them, and in their discharges neither break or hurt them: For a Piece which doth require for his due and ordinary charge 8 ounces of that sort of gross gunpowder which is marked in the 16 chapter of mine Appendix with the number of 1 may be justly charged, & without any harm to the Piece discharged, with 7 ounces and a half of that sort of fine Gunpowder which is in the said 16 Chapter of mine Appendix marked with the number of 2, or if you will with 7 ounces and 1/9 of an ounce of that sort of more finer Gunpowder which is in the said 16 Chapter of mine Appendix marked with the number 3, as you may more at large read in Girolamo Cataneo his 5 book Dell'arte militare. The 9 Colloquy. How they are deceived which do think that gunpowder is corned for to be thereby more forcible and more stronger. And how Art aught to follow nature who maketh all things that are made to some end. Interlocutors Jerome Gunner. Nicholas Tartaglia. IErome What is the cause as you think why the makers of gunpowder do corn fine powder for handguns and harchibuses, and that they do not corn the gross powder which serveth for great ordinance. Nicho. I know well that you are not ignorant of the cause thereof, and that you do ask this question of me to try what I can say thereunto. Jerome. I ask this question of you to know the cause thereof, and not to try what you can say thereunto, for I confess that I know not the cause thereof, and I swear unto you as I am a true Christian man, I have asked this question of many which make gunpowder, I say of such as have ordinary pensions of the signory to make all sorts of gunpowder, ●he Arsenal 〈◊〉 Venice is a ●…ore house for ●…unition and artillery: and ●…s William ●…homas affirmeth in the ●…istorie of Ita●…, 600. workmen are daily ●…aged for ●…erme of their ●…ues to work 〈◊〉 the same ●…orehouse. and none of them could tell me any reason for the same except one which works in the Arsenal of Venice, who answered me, that they corned the powder for to make it to be more forcible, and more stronger, which reason did somewhat content me, and yet not fully satisfied therewith, I come now unto you to pray you for to show me the reason thereof and to hear whether or no you be of his opinion. Nicho. I can not believe this to be as you say, for I think it to be a thing impossible that a work man should do any thing and not know to what end he doth it, and especially such a thing which he doth continually. For Art aught to follow Nature herein who makes all things which are made to some end: and therefore I can not believe that he of the Arsenal who as you have said hath a pension of the signory for to make both fine and gross powder knoweth not to what end gunpowder is corned for Handgunnes, & not for great ordinance, seeing he doth make such gunpower every day. Jerome. I know it to be true that he could not give me any better reason for that thing than that which I have told you. Nich. Before I will tell you my opinion herein you shall go again unto him & pray him of courtesy to tell you truly why he doth corn such gunpowder. Jerome. It is no need that I should go again unto him for I am sure he will answer me (as he did before) that he doth corn gunpowder for to make it more forcible and more stronger. Nicho. When he hath so answered, say unto him, if you corn gunpowder to make it have more force and strength, you shall do well to corn also the gross gunpowder which serves for great ordinance for to make the same also to be of more force and strength. Jerome. I will do so, and return again unto you to day, or to morrow with his answer. The 10 Colloquy. Why gunpowder which doth serve for Handgunnes, Harchibuses, and other small pieces of Artillery is corned: And why gunpowder which doth serve for great ordinance is not corned: And how many of them which do corn gunpowder, do therein as they have seen others do, and as they have been taught, and care not to know unto what end they do so. Interlocutors. Jerome Gunner. Nicholas Tartaglia. IErome. After I parted from you yesterday, I went directly to the Arsenal, and finding my friend there, I prayed him again if he known any other reason than the same which he had told me, that he would not hide it from me, and I promised that for the same I would always accounted myself much bond unto him: he sworn unto me that he knew no other reason than that which he had before told me: that is to say, they did corn gunpowder to augment the virtue, force, and power of the same gunpowder. I answered him, why should it not be good to corn also the gross gunpowder which serves for great ordinance, that the same might likewise be made more forcible, and stronger than it is? He replied, for fear that the great ordinance would break therewith, and so I was resolved. Nicholas. You should have answered him that upon such occasion they might charge such Pieces with a less quantity of gunpowder than is their ordinary charge and thereby save much gunpowder, or that they might put into the powder a less quantity of Saltpetre than they use to do. Jerome. I was not so well advised as to make that answer, but it is to be thought that all they which make gunpowder do according as they have seen others do, or as they have been taught, & care not to search, or to know the cause of the thing which they do, that is to say, to what end they do it. And I will now speak of myself, how I have made both gross and fine gunpowder, and that I did corn the fine powder which I made, and known not to what end I did corn it, but I did so because I had seen other Gunpowdermakers to do the same. Nicholas. I believe that it is so as you say. Jerome. Tell me of courtesy your opinion herein. Nicholas. Having promised to tell you mine opinion therein, it is reason that I should perform my promise, therefore you shall understand that after you went from me yesterday I considered of this matter, & in effect have found, Why gun●…der for ha●…gunnes is ●…ned, and gunpo●… 〈◊〉 great Or●…nance is corned. that only necessity or commodity hath caused men to learn the means to corn gunpowder for handguns and harchibuses & not for great ordinance, because the same corn powder will role or run much better than powder which is not corned, as it may be perceived by a handful of corn and a handful of meal, that is to say, a handful of corn and a handful of meal being laid a part or a sunder upon a plain table declining somewhat on the one side, the handful of corn will role down more easily upon the said table than the handful of meal will do. For the meal will lie flat and more unmovable, but if it do role or run by reason of the slope lying of the table, it will run altogether on a heap, and the corn will role there in several parts. Jerome. I do well understand you, but what profit comes by that kind of rolling or running? Nicholas. You know when you carry a handgun or a harchibuse to serve you in your business, that it is necessary also to carry with you powder for to charge your piece therewith so often as you will, and that such powder is carried in a flask, and for to charge with measure, that there is made upon the flask (as you know) a little pipe able to receive so much powder as is convenient for the charge of that handgun or harchibuse, and how there is an enguine or spring in that little pipe to be shut within it when the said pipe is full of powder to keep the powder within the same little pipe that it shall not fall out of the same into the flask. Jerome. I known all this before you told me of the same. Nicholas. Although you know all the same better than I do, yet I will tell you thereof that you may the better understand the matter following. And therefore I conclude that if the gunpowder which is put into the said flask be not corned, it will be a hard thing to fill the said little pipe with the same. For by turning up the flask to fill the said pipe with such gunpowder as was in the same flask, the said gunpowder will fall all together in a lump upon the first entering place of that pipe, and choke or lock within the same all the air which was in that empty pipe, and thereby that air will not suffer the powder to enter therein, so as oftentimes the said pipe will be found to be empty or not full of powder. But this thing will not so hap if the powder be corned, for such corned powder will role more a part or separately (as it hath been said of corn and meal) the which separation will make a way for the air in the said pipe to go out of the same into the flask, and to fill the place which contained the powder that is go into the said pipe, and by this means most commonly the same pipe will be so full of powder as is convenient for it to be. And for this cause men have been compelled to devise a means to corn gunpowder for handguns and harchibuses, and not for great ordinance. For (as you know) the powder is put into great ordinance and into the lowest end of the concavity thereof with a ladle, and therefore it is no matter whether the powder will role or not role, and it will be superfluous to corn powder for great ordinance, for as you know you use to carry a little flask full of the finest powder to put into the touchholes of handguns and harchibuses, Touchpowder aught to be cor●… for handguns, harchibuses, & ●… small pieces, but not for great ●…dinance. which powder if it be not made with very small corns, it neither will nor can go into so little a hole by the reasons aforesaid. And therefore in this case it is necessary to make the powder with very small corns. But it is otherwise in great ordinance, for as I have been informed, you put powder into their touch holes with your hand. Jerome. It is even so as you say, and your reasons herein are very true. But I never thought that gunpowder had been corned for such a cause, and for that I do esteem of this which you have told me more than of 10 crowns, I do heartily thank you for the same. The end of the third Book of Colloquys. blazon or coat of arms IN SPE A TREATISE NAMED LUCAR APPENDIX, COLLECTED BY CYPRIAN LUCAR GENTLEMAN, OUT OF DIVERSE GOOD AUTHORS IN DIVERSE LANGVAGES: To show unto the Reader the properties, office, and duty of a Gunner, and to teach him to make, and refine artificial Saltpetre: to sublime brimstone for gunpowder, to make coals for gunpowder, to make gunpowder of divers sorts & of divers colours, to make gunmatches, touchwood, and fire stones, to know the weight and measure of any pellet, to make carriages, ladles, rammers, scourers, and cartredges for any great piece of artillery, to know the proportioned length, due thickness, and weight of every great piece of artillery, to know what number of men, horses, or Oxen will draw any great piece of artillery, to make platforms for great ordinance, to make gabbions of earth for the defence of gunner's in time of service, to charge every great piece of artillery with his due charge in serpentine gunpowder, and also in corn gunpowder, to shoot well at any mark within point blank, to shoot well at any mark upon a hill, or in a valley without point blank, to shoot well at a mark in any dark night, to mount mortar pieces to strike any appointed mark, to tell whether a thing seen far of doth stand still, come towards him, or go from him, to make and use divers Trunks, and many sorts of fire works, to make mines, to measure altitudes, longitudes, latitudes, and profundities, to draw the true plat of any place, and to do other commendable things which not only in time of war, but also in time of peace may to a good end be practised. Scientia non habet inimicum prater Ignorantem. depiction of the firing of a piece of artillery Anno domini. 1588. royal blazon or coat of arms HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DROIT ET LOYAL The names of Authors out of whose Books the greatest part of this Treatise named LUCAR APPENDIX, hath been collected. Italian Authors. Nicholas Tartaglia. Vannuccio Biringuccio. Girolamo Ruscelli. Girolamo Cataneo. Francisco Ferretti. Cosimo Bartoli. Gio: Francisco Peverone. Abel Fullone. Luigi Collado. Latin Authors. Daniel Santbech. Sebastian: Munsterus. joan: Baptista Porta. Hieronymus Cardanus. joan: jacobus Weckerus. Anton: Maria. Gemma Frisius, Hermannus Witekindus. Thomas Finck. joan: Demerlierius. Christian: Vrstisius. English Authors. M. Robert Record. Doctor of Physic. M. William Cunningham Doctor of Physic. M. Leonarde Digges Gent. M. Thomas Digges Gent. M. Peter Withorne Gent. The first Chapter. The properties, office, and duty of a Gunner. A Gunner aught to be a sober, wakeful, lusty, hardy, patiented, prudent, and quick spirited man, he aught also to have a good eyesight, a good judgement, and perfect knowledge to select a convenient place in the day of service, to plant his Ordinance where he may do most hurt unto the enemies, and be lest annoyed by them, and where his Ordinance may not be surprised by the enemy. A Gunner aught to be skilful in Arithmetic, and Geometry, to the end he may be able by his knowledge in those arts to measure heights, depths, breadthes, and lengths, and to draw the plat of any piece of ground, and to make mines, countermines, artificial firewoorkes, rampiars, gabbions or baskets of earth, and such like things which are used in time of war to be made for offensive and defensive service. A Gunner aught also to procure with all his power the friendship and love of every person, and to be careful for his own safety, and for the preservation of all those that shall be about him. Also he aught to be no surfeter nor a great or sluggish sleeper, but he must govern himself in all times as a wise, modest, sober, honest, and skilful man aught to do, that through want of understanding he may never lose his credit, nor an universal victory which oftentimes by the means of good Gunners well managing their pieces is got. Also a Gunner aught at the receipt of his charge to make an Inuitorie of all such things as shall be committed to his charge as well to tender an account, as to consider the want of such necessaries as to the Artillery appertaineth. And when a Gunner shall be appointed to do an exploit, he aught to want neither a fire stone, nor a tyndar box with a good steel, nor flintstones, nor tinder, nor gunmatches, nor a flask full of good touchpowder to kindle his gunmatch and fire, when need shall require. Also when a Gunner shall be appointed to do an exploit, he must lay his powder twenty paces from his Pieces in such a place where no fire, water, or hurt may come unto it through any person, or by reason of any wind, weather, or otherwise, and keeping his powder always covered, he must not be unmindful of this, that it is a very dangerous thing for a Gunner to trust many, because a general hurt and death may thereupon follow. Also a Gunner that hath a charge aught to have always in a readiness all necessary things for his artillery: that is to say, wheels, axeltrees, ladles, rammers, sponges, gunpowder, pellets, tampions, chaineshot, crossebarres, sustian, canvas, or paper for cartredges and firewoorkes, fourmes for ladles and cartredges, needles, thread to sow and bind the cartredges and firewoorkes, artificial torches, candles, lantornes, mattocks, shovels, crows of iron, handaxes, levers, enguines for the mounting and embasing of ordinance, ropes, little handbaskets, glwe or payest, horsecollers, horses or oxen to draw his pieces, all manner of cartware, carters to guide and keep his horses and oxen, and a sufficient number of Gunners and assistants to charge, discharge, mount, embase, wad ram, make clean, scour, and cool his pieces when they are over heated, and to have for this purpose vinegar and fair cold water. Also a Gunner aught always to have a gunner's staff, or a partisant, or a halberd sticking by him for a part of his defence, and he aught to put into the cock of his Gunner's staff a gunmatch, or wrap about the lower end of his staff, partisant and halberd a good gunmatch, which may give fire unto his pieces of artillery when need shall require. Also a Gunner aught not to sleep much at any time of the day, or night, when he is appointed to serve in the field, or in any other place, nor to eat or drink in any other room than where his pieces of artillery are planted, because in his absence the same pieces may be choked, poisoned, and harmed by divers ways; and that he may many times upon a sudden have good occasion to discharge all his pieces, And it is requisite for a Gunner to fix upon the tail of the carriage of his piece a chest to hold his necessary things, and to defend him from small shot when he shall serve in a place where no baskets of earth are set to defend him. Also a Gunner aught to have a ruler and a pair of compasses to measure the height & length of every piece his concavity, and the length, depth, and wideness of every ladle, whereby he may know whether his piece is laden with too much powder, or is charged with a less quantity of powder than it aught to have. A Gunner aught to know the names, length, and weight of all manner of pieces, and be able to tell readily how much gunpowder is a due charge for every piece, how many times in one day every piece may without harm be shot of, how many Gunners and assistants or labourers aught to attend upon every piece, how many horses, or oxen will draw every piece, what sort of pieces do commonly carry pellets of lead, what sort of pieces do shoot Pellettes of iron, what sort of pieces are usually laden with pellets of stone, and what sort of pieces have chambers, and how every kind of piece should be charged with his powder, tampion, pellet, and wad. Also a Gunner must be skilful to make Saltpetre, to refine and sublime Saltpetre, to make divers sorts of gunpowder, to make coals for gunpowder, to purify brimstone for Saltpetre, to make cartredges, to amend and make good again every sort of gunpowder which by any manner of means hath lost his virtue and force, and tell how much Saltpetre aught to be put into the said unforceable gunpowder to make it so strong as it was before, and how many times the saltpetre which shall be put into the said gunpowder aught to be refined. Also a Gunner in time of service aught to forbid with meek and courteous speeches all manner of people other than his appointed assistants, to come near his pieces, to the end that none of his pieces may be choked, poisoned, or hurt, and he aught not for any prayers or reward to lend any piece of his gunmatch to another person, because it may be very hurtful to him in time of service to lack the same. Also a Gunner before he goeth to do any exploit aught to consider of all things which shall be needful for him to have, & how far the place is to which he must go, & by what ways he shall pass with his artillery, that he may carry with him all things needful for his artillery and for himself. Also a Gunner aught not at any time to beat open the heads of his gunpowder barrels with any iron, or stone, but with a wooden mallet which will never fire the gunpowder as a piece of iron and a stone may do. Also if a Gunner will charge his piece with Cartredges, he aught to set them upright in a tub or some other wooden vessel, which (though it shall seem to stand in a place out of danger for fire) should never be uncovered for any longer time than while the same cartredges are taken out one by one to charge the piece. Also a Gunner aught to wash his piece within before he doth first charge it, and (after he hath dried it well again by the help of 2 or 3 clean and dry sponges, & made it very clean within) he aught to look by such means as are declared in the 43. Chapter of this Appendix whether or no any honey combs, flaws, or cracks are in the said piece. Also a Gunner before he doth shoot aught to consider and try whether the trunnions in his piece are set in their due places, and finding them by the doctrine taught in the 41. Chapter of this Appendix to be wrong set, prevent the harm which may come thereby. Also a Gunner before he doth shoot aught to consider whether his piece is charged with strong and dry gunpowder, or with weak and moist gunpowder, to the end he may always lad his piece according to the quality of the gunpowder: For as strong and dry gunpowder may drive the shot farther than the mark, so weak and moist gunpowder may 'cause the piece to shoot short of the mark. Also every Gunner before he doth shoot must consider that his piece aught to have a due charge in gunpowder: For as when a gunner doth give unto a piece more than his duty, he overshootes the mark, and puts the piece after it is made hot in danger of breaking, so when he gives unto a piece less than his duty he shoots short of the mark. Also every Gunner must charge his piece with a fit pellet: For as the pellet which is more bigger or more higher than it should be putteth the piece in danger of breaking, so the pellet which is loar or smauler than it should be, will fall short of the mark, and never working his expected effect, serve sometimes in the deliverance out of the piece and strike wide of the mark. Also every Gunner before he shoots aught to remember that a long wad of hay, straw, toe, or of untwisted ropes lying behind a pellet within any piece will 'cause the pellet to strike wide of the mark. Also every Gunner aught to know that a piece of artillery which doth not lie fast upon his carriage will shoot awry from the mark. Also every Gunner aught to know that if the carriage of his piece doth not lie right, the piece will shoot awry from the mark. Also every Gunner aught to know that if one wheel in the carriage of a piece be more greased than the other wheel in the same carriage, the wheel which is more greased will turn faster about than the other wheel, and 'cause the Piece lying upon the said carriage to shoot awry from the mark. Also every Gunner before he shoots aught to remember that if one wheel shall recoil faster than the other wheel, or if any thing shall let one wheel more than the other, the Piece will shoot awry from the mark. Also every Gunner before he shoots must advisedly look whether or no both wheels of every carriage are of equal height: For when one wheel of a carriage is higher than the other wheel of the same carriage, the higher wheel turneth more faster than the other wheel which is more lower, & causeth the Piece laid upon such a carriage to shoot awry from the mark. Also every Gunner before he shoots must advisedly look whether or no both ends of the axle-tree in every carriage are of equal bigness: For when one end of the axle-tree in a carriage is greater than the other end, the Piece that lieth upon such a carriage will shoot awry by reason the wheel which turneth upon the lesser end of the axle-tree runneth about more easily than the other wheel which turneth upon the greater end of the axle-tree. Also every Gunner before he shoots must advisedly look whether or no the round holes which are made in the wheels of every carriage for the ends of an axle-tree to lie in, are of equal bigness: For if the hole in the nave of one wheel of a carriage shall be greater or wider than the hole in the nave of the other wheel of the same carriage, the piece that lieth upon a carriage with such wheels will shoot awry, because the wheel which hath in his nave the greater hole, runneth about upon the end of his axle-tree more easily than the other wheel which hath in his nave the lesser hole. Also every Gunner before he shoots must advisedly look whether or no the holes which are made in every carriage for the trunnions of his piece to lie in, are fit for the same trunnions, and of equal bigness: For when one trunnion hole upon a carriage is wide, and the other trunnion hole upon the same carriage is narrow, than the piece that hath his trunnions laid in two such unfit and unequal holes will shoot awry from the mark. Also every Gunner before he shoots must take away all the stones which shall lie under the tail of any carriage: For when a stone shall happen to lie under the tail of a carriage, than the piece that lieth upon the same carriage will in the deliverance of his shot turn aside, and shoot awry from the mark. Also every Gunner before he shoots must take away all the stones which shall lie under the wheels of a carriage: For when a stone lieth under any one wheel of a carriage, than the piece which lieth upon the same carriage will shoot awry from the mark. Also every Gunner before he doth first charge his piece aught to try whether or no his piece is rightly bored in the midst of the metal: For a piece which is not rightly bored will shoot always wide from the mark, except the Gunner to remedy that fault do use such skill as is taught in the 10. Colloquy of Nich. Tartaglia, his first book of Colloquys. Also every Gunner aught to remember before he shoots that if both or one of the level sights upon the piece shall not be precisely set in the midst of the outside of the piece, the said piece will drive his pellet wide from the mark. Also every Gunner before he shoots must consider of the mark at which he will shoot, I mean every Gunner must look advisedly whether the mark at which he will shoot be upon a plain ground, or upon the top of a hill, or down in a valley, or farther than his piece will shoot, that he may plant, mount, and embase his piece to strike the mark lying within the reach of his piece. Also every Gunner before he shoots aught to consider whether the air be thin and clear, or close and thick, because a pellet will pass more easily thorough a thin and clear air, than thorough a close and thick air. Also every Gunner before he shoots aught to try whether or no the ground upon which the piece doth lie in his carriage be plain and level: For as when the ground is lower at the tail of the piece than it is in the place where the wheels stand, the piece recoiling unto the lower ground will overshoot the mark, because in the deliverance of the shot the breech goeth downwards, and the mouth upwards, so when the ground is higher at the tail of the piece than it is before in the place where the wheels stand, the piece may shoot short of the mark, although it is not so apt to recoil against a hill as it will do down a hill. Also every Gunner aught to weather the mark according to the hardness of the wind, and the distance unto the mark: For as the wind being with him will 'cause a pellet to fly beyond the mark according to the hardness thereof, and the wind being against him will 'cause a pellet to fall short of the mark according to the hardness thereof, so a side wind driveth a pellet wide from the mark. Also every Gunner before he shoots aught to drive the wad and shot home unto the gunpowder, for when the wad and shot do lie short from the gunpowder, the Piece breaketh many times in the vacant or empty place between the powder and the shot. Also every Gunner before he shoots must truly disparte his Piece, or give allowance for the disparte, and when he dispartes a Piece he aught to set the said dispart in the midst and uppermost part of metal over the mouth of the Piece. Also every Gunner aught to know that as it is a wholesome thing for him to drink and eat a little meat before he doth discharge any Piece of artillery, because the fume of saltpetre and brimstone will otherwise be hurtful to his brains, so it is very unwholesome for him to shoot in any Piece of ordinance while his stomach is full. Also a Gunner which shall serve upon the sea in any Galleon, or other Ship, or in any great or small Galley, aught before his going to sea to consider well of the number of trunks, pikes, darts, earthen pots half baked, copper cauldrons, mortars, pestles, and searces that will be needful for him in his sea service, and also of the measure of several oils, and quantity of gums, camphor, and all other material and needful things for firewoorkes. Also a Gunner which shall serve upon the sea in any Ship, aught before his going to sea to write with good advisement in a paper book for the owner or Captain of the vessel in which he shall serve, the number and price of trunks, pikes, darts, arrows, and earthen pots half baked, that will be needful upon the sea for offensive and defensive service, and also the number and price of iron hoops, and the length and price of iron wires or strong cords that will be sufficient to bind fast all the said trunks, pikes, darts, arrows, and pots of fire. Also every Gunner which shall serve upon the sea in any ship aught before his going to sea to writ in his memorial or paper book for the owner or Captain of the vessel in which he shall serve, the weight and price of every simple and material thing that is requisite to make firewoorkes, and rokettes for many several fights, and divers triumphs upon the Sea, & also the number and price of the cartredges which he means to make for his ordinance, and the quantity and price of fustian, canvas, or paper that will justly serve without waste to make the same cartredges, Also every Gunner which shall serve upon the sea etc. aught to writ in his memorial etc. the number, sorts, and prizes of great and small needles, the quantity and price of packthreede, and other smaller thread that will be needful to sow the bags of his cartredges, and to bind fast his fireworks and rochets in their coats or covers. Also every Gunner which shall serve upon the sea etc. aught to writ in his said memorial etc. the weight and price of so much gunpowder, and of so many fit pellets as will be enough for to charge all the pieces in his vessel forty times over, and also the price of ten barrels of more gunpowder, which he aught to have for the only making of fireworks. Also every Gunner which shall serve upon the sea etc. aught to writ in his said memorial etc. the quantity and price of saltpetre, brimstone, and coal, which will be requisite for him to have in store to amend, and also to nwe make upon the sea gunpowder, if his provision thereof should happen by any means to decay or consume. For the want of any one of these things cannot without a marvelous chance be supplied upon the sea. Also every Gunner which shall serve upon the sea etc. must with discretion writ in his memorial etc. the number and sorts of faultless pieces that will be needful for his vessel and the places of the ship or vessel where they aught to lie, and appoint in his said memorial three chambers for every chamber piece. Also a Gunner serving upon the sea aught always when he shall be forced by need to nwe make or amend his gunpowder, or to make any kind of firework, to roe in a shipboate to land, or otherwise into the sea far from his ship, and to work for the safety of his ship under a cover or tent in his boat, or upon the land in an old desolate house standing alone from other houses. The 2. Chapter. How artificial Saltpetre which is a mixture of many substances hath (as some suppose) greater virtue, and more strength than mineral saltpetre: how artificial saltpetre is made of fine and small earth by two sundry ways: how the earth which maketh artificial saltpetre is digged out of sellers, vaults, stables, oxstalles, goat or sheep-cotes, pigen houses, or out of the loermost rooms in other houses: how black earth which will sparkle in a fire, or yield a sharp, biting, and mean salt taste doth make good saltpetre: how for the making of artificial saltpetre you must provide a sufficient number of cauldrons, furnaces, barrels, half tub, and a convenient quantity of wood, whitelime, ashes of oak, earth, and water, and how the said cauldrons, furnaces, barrels, and half tub must be placed. Artificial saltpetre is a mixture of many substances got with fire and water out of dry and dirty ground, or of the flower that groweth out of walls in sellers, or out of that ground which is found lose within vaults, tombs, or desolate caves, where rain cannot come in. And (as some think) artificial saltpetre hath greater virtue and more strength than mineral saltpetre. But the best artificial saltpetre is made of beasts dung converted into earth in stables, or in dunghilles of a long time not used, & above all other of the same dung which comes of goats and hogs: And it is requisite what dung so ever it be, that by continuance of time it be well resolved into earth, and all the humidity thereof being dried, that the same earth should be as it were a subtle and fine powder. When you shall have occasion to make of this dung or earth a great quantity of artificial saltpetre, The first way to make artificial Saltpetre of earth. it will be necessary for you to provide many cauldrons, furnaces, barrels or tub, and likewise wood, white lime, ashes of old oak, and a sufficient quantity of the said earth, and a great barn or other walled house near to the water, that you may have enough thereof, and of every other material thing. But first the furnaces must be made for the cauldrons, & they must be placed thereon as they are which Dyer's use: Then there must be prepared joists so long as the house, and so broad that upon them commodiously above ground may stand butts with their heads knocked out, square chests, barrels or tub to the number of 50. 60. or 100 according to the cauldrons, and the capacity of the place, and between every two of those vessels, there must be set a half tub to receive the water that shall run out: Or there would be placed a gutter or canel of wood along under the holes of the vessels which are set above the ground, so that it may convey all the water which cometh from them into one or two great tub sufficient to hold all the water that shall be full of the substance of Saltpetre. And in the butts which have their heads knocked out, barrels or tub: I say in the bottom of every of them, a hole must be made on the one side with an Augar, or else three or four little holes may be made with a good big perser, and upon them you may lay a little thin linen cloth, or else the sweeping end of a broom, or some straw for to keep the earth up, and to strain the water that shall be put amongst the same earth which is to be wrought when it is tasted with the mouth, so that it be certain that it containeth Saltpetre. Then there must be made in the midst of the house where the said Saltpetre is to be wrought a great hill, next unto which must be made another hill half so big which must be made with two parts of vnslaked lime, and three parts of oak ashes, or other ashes which in taste are very strong and sharp, and then the one hill must be well mingled with the other, and with the same composition the tub must be filled which are set aloft upon the ioystes within a span of the mouth, or else (minding not to mingle with the earth the ashes and the lime together) you may put first a span thickness of earth in the bottom of the tub, and then three fingers thickness of the aforesaid lime, and ashes, and afterwards upon the same another span in thickness of earth, and on that likewise another three or four finger's thickness of lime and ashes: and so putting into the said tub one rew of one thing, and another rew of another thing, you aught to fill all the butts, and tub, or other vessels that you have placed (even as above I have said) within a span of the mouths of them, and the rest which is then left empty, you must fill with water, the which running through all the earth by a little and a little, must drop into the tub that stand under to receive it, or into a gutter, or canel, or where you list, so that it be conveyed into one, two, or three sundry tub, or where you think good: and so you must well and diligently gather all the water which was powered upon the earth after it hath passed through the holes in the bottom of the tub in such wise that it may bring with it all the substance and virtue of the saltpetre which was in the said earth, whereof by putting some of it on your tongue you may taste, and finding it biting and very salt, To know good Saltpetre water. it is a token that it is good, and that you have done well: if not, power it again upon the very same earth, or upon some other nwe earth. But finding the first earth full of substance so much as sufficeth, you may again power upon it more water to wash better the remnant of the earth: albeit this second water would be saved in another vessel, and after this the earth may likewise be washed the third time, to the intent that all the substance thereof may be perfectly got. But this second, nor the third, aught not to be mingled with the first, if it happen not to come of the very same taste, the which I believe that it will not: but it must be put by itself in other vessels for that it is good to power upon the change of the next earth, and so you may proceed gathering a good quantity of such water, taking heed nevertheless that it be full of the substance of saltpetre: the which if it seem unto you not of the same perfection as you would have it, you may power it again upon the very same earth, or upon other nwe, till such time as it shall satisfy you, and that you shall know it to be full of the substance of saltpetre. Besides this there must be made a furnace with one or two cauldrons of brass wauled thereon, which must be so great as those which the Dyers use, & these cauldrons must then be filled with the said saltpetre water: the which (as already I have told) aught to be so full of substance as may be, so that it have about the two third parts, and make it fair and softly to boil so much till it come to one third part or there abouts, and after take it of, and put it to settle in a great vessel covered, which must be well bond about with hoops of iron, and sure, and close in the joining thereof, to the intent it spill not: And thus when the same water is settled, clear, and from the earth and gross matter which in it remained diligently purged, it must be taken out, and boiled again of nwe in the same cauldron, or in some other. And forasmuch as at every time that it boileth if it be not taken heed of, it turneth into scum, and sometimes swelleth so much that by running over, it spilleth and carrieth away therewith much of the good, the which minding to remedy, you must take three parts of Oak ashes, and one of Lime, and moreover in every hundred pound weight of water, there must be dissolved four pounds of Roch Alum, and when the Cauldron boileth take of the said water with a pot, and power into it once or twice, specially when you see the Saltpetre water rise in scum, and so doing within a little while you shall see it allay, and be both clear, fair, an of an azure colour: and it must be boiled so long till all the thin wateriness be vapoured away, and the substance of the Saltpetre thickened, so that it being taken out, and put in chests, or tub, and cooled, may congeal: the which is best done when the water is brought to a small quantity, taking it out and putting it into a less Cauldron wherein it will sooner congeal, the which water being tasted, and seen to be ready to congeal, you may take it out, and put it into vessels of wood, or of earth that are rough within, with certain sticks of wood to congeal, and so you shall let it cool, and rest three or four days so as it may drop, and be strained through some little hole in the bottom of the vessel: and all the water which is not then congealed, you must take out, and save for to seethe again: and the Saltpetre which is in any quantity congealed, you shall find to be according to the virtue that was in the water, or in the earth: but the clearness and fairness thereof will come of the master virtue of the water which is put into it in the boiling, which hath strength to purge it, and to make it come as it were refined in the first seething. Now this being taken from the sides of the vessel where it congealed, and in the water thereof washed, you must lay it upon a Table to dry thoroughly, and the same seeming unto you to have need, or nevertheless minding to have it above the common use for some purpose more refined, and purified from all manner of earthy grossness, fatness, and saltness, (which for to make exceeding fine powder or aquam fortem, is most requisite so to be) I counsel you to refine and purify after one of the ways taught in this Appendix. Saltpetre may also be made of earth in this sort following, The second way to make artificial Saltpetre of earth. dig such earth out of floors in sellers, vaults, stables, oxestaules, goat or sheep coats, pigen houses, or out of the loermost rooms in other houses as is black, or that thrown into a fire will sparkle, or that is of a sharp, biting, and mean salt taste. But dig not for any such earth more deeper than the length of 3 inches under the face and uppermost part of the floor or ground out of which it shallbe taken, except you shall see in the earth under that depth such white things or veins as the Italian mameth Fiocchi. To know whether or no any Saltpetre is in earth do this, make a wooden pin of a foot in length, and with a mallet drive it up to the head into the ground where you mean to seek for Saltpetre: Then taking the pin out of his hole, thrust an iron nail made red hot with fire, and equal in length and bigness to the said pin, into the said hole. After this cover the same hole quickly & suffer the nail to stand in it till it shallbe thorough cold: This done, pull the nail out of the said hole, and note well the colour of the nail. For as when the nail so taken out of the hole shall have a pale yelloe colour you aught to think that the earth in that place will yield plenty of Saltpetre, so when the nail taken out of the hole shall have the natural colour of iron, you must know that no Saltpetre will be made of the earth in that place. Having got a sufficient quantity of Saltpetre earth made fine and small, and a competent number of half butts, hogsheaddes, or barrels that have one hole made with an Augar in the bottom of every of them you must first cover every of the said holes on the inside, with an earthen porringer, and stop the said holes on the outside of the vessels with taps and spiggets. This done, fill up the said half butts, hogsheads, or barrels with the said earth within a span of their brims, and remember that although the earth about the sides of every vessel must be rammed down, yet that part of earth which lieth in the midst of the vessel must lie lose, and unpressed. After this power a bucket or pale of clean water by little & little upon the said earth: When the earth hath drunk up this water, power one other bucket or pale of clean water in the same sort upon that earth, and continued in so doing till all the earth in the said vessels is well moistened with water, which aught to lie in the said vessels for the space of a day and a night one handbreadth in height above the earth: Then pull the said taps or spiggets out of the holes in the vessels, and suffer all the said water to drop out into other tub placed directly under the said holes: when you shall see that no more water will come or drop into the undermost tub, empty the dropped water into the vessels out of which it did drop before, and out of the same let it drop again so long, and so much as it will into the said undermost tub. This water which hath so soaked thorough the earth in the said vessels, & hath twice dropped out of the higher vessels into the tub that are placed under them, is called among the Italians water of the foot, & also the wash of earth, which aught to be saved by itself, After you have done all this, power some other clean water (as you did before) upon the earth in the vessels, and when the same water hath dropped out of the higher vessels into the tub standing under them, take all the said earth out of the vessels, and fill them again as you did before with other like earth and then power upon this earth in the vessels the first water called water of the foot, and wash of earth, suffering it to drop thorough the same into the undermost tub so often till the same water tasted in your mouth will bite your tongue, Note. and that an egg put into this water will swim upon the top of the same. The first water being brought by this means to this perfection, and strength, power the second water upon the same earth (or on other such like earth if need be) that it may by often dropping thorough the same be made also of a biting taste like unto the first water, and able to bear up an egg put into the same like as the first water called water of the foot, and wash of earth did before. Now this second water being a very strong water must be boiled in a Cauldron and after it hath well boiled abate the fire under the Cauldron, till you have taken of from it all the scum which must be saved in a pot or other vessel. When you have so done, make a good fire under the Cauldron to 'cause the water that is in the same to seethe or boil quickly again, and as the water shall diminish, or seeth away, put more of the said first water unto the same, and (as you were before willed to do) scum the said water and keep the scum. when the scum shall be thick, To know when the master water of saltpeter is enough boiled. and hard, and of a French russet colour, take some water with the scummer out of the Cauldron, & let it drop upon a piece of iron, for if the water be well and enough boiled, the drops of water will congeal upon the same iron, and if the said drops do not congeal, it is a sign that the water in the Cauldron is not boiled enough. When you shall perceive by this sign that the water is well and enough boiled, take it of from the fire and preserve it, because it is the master water. So soon as you have made an end of boiling the second water, you aught to boil and scum the first water called water of the foot, To know when the first water of Saltpetre called water of the foot, and wash of earth is enough boiled. How water of the foot and wash of earth when it is burned, may be made good again. Salt peter water must be suffered to congeal in a dankish, close, and dark place. and wash of earth, as you did the second water till it shall cast up a scum of a French russet colour, unto which (if it shall happen to cleave unto the sides of the Cauldron) you must put of the other French russet scum that was made, and saved by you before, to boil with it, until the drops of this water falling upon iron will congeal. If this congealed water shall be very soft, it is a sign that the water in the Cauldron is not boiled enough, but if this congealed water shall be very hard, it is a sign that it is burned. To amend this fault which the very hard congealed water hath, and to make the same water good again, put some fresh and clear water thereunto, and then having extinguished all the fire under the Cauldron, and made the same Cauldron to stand a slope, so that the lies and dregs (which being congealed are the very salt whereof Saltpetre is made) may not with any water run over the brims of the vessel, you must (if you will make good Saltpetre) suffer the water to settle in the same vessel, and to congeal in a dankish, close, and dark place, and after the water which will not congeal hath for the space of two or three days dropped out of the vessel into some other tub, take the Saltpetre out of the sayst vessel, and preserve the same water because it being the master water may afterwards be used when you shall have need of the master water. The 3 Chapter. How you may make an excellent kind of artificial Saltpetre of the flower which groeth on walls: how Saltpetre water must be boiled: how you may know when Saltpetre water hath boiled enough: how Saltpetre water which is burned may be made good again: and how Saltpetre in his refining doth waste. TAke of flower which groeth on walls four parts, of vnslaked Lime one part: This one part of lime must be well boiled in water over a fire, and after it hath boiled enough, it must be taken from the fire, and suffered to settle, and then it must be strained into another vessel. This done, put the same four parts of the said flower into such a half but, tub, hogshead, or other barrel as before you have been willed to prepare for earth whereof Saltpetre shallbe made, & power upon the same flower so much of the said strained water which is named Lie, or Lime water, as will dissolve the same flower. When the flower is dissolved, let the Lie or Lime water which hath dissolved the flower, drop out at the bottom of the said vessel into another tub set under the same vessel, and boil those drops of Lie or Lime water over a fire, till they being put upon iron will congeal, and be of a temperate hardness, that is to say, neither too soft, nor too hard. It is a sign (as before I have told you) that the water hath not boiled enough, when the congealed drops are too soft, and it is a token that the water is burned when the congealed drops are too hard. But (as you have learned) the water which is burned may be made good again with a little fresh and clear water put unto it. After this Lie or Lime water is well and enough boiled, take it of from the fire, scum it with a scummer, and do unto it all that you have been taught in the precedent Chapter to do unto the Saltpetre water that first droppeth out of vessels filled with earth: So this Saltpetre will be good with the first boiling, and serve for some uses without any other refining: But for to make gunpowder it aught to be refined again though thereby it will waste a little. The 4 Chapter. How good Saltpetre may be known. PUT a handful of Saltpetre upon an oaken board, or upon a dry Walnut tree board, lay upon the Saltpetre a quick coal of fire, and when the Saltpetre is well kindled, take the coal away from it, for now if the Saltpetre be good, it will burn of itself, and ray much the table. But if the Saltpetre shall as it doth burn give any cracks, it is a token that the same Saltpetre hath in it Salt, and that it was refined, for unrefined Saltpetre will never crack, and when many dregs do remain upon the table after the Saltpetre is so burned, they show that the same Saltpetre had much grease in it and that it was nought. The 5 Chapter. How Saltpetre may be made to grow where none did grow before: and how earth which hath made saltpeter may be made after the end of five or six years to yield more Saltpetre than it did yield at the first time. Dissolve Saltpetre in water, and wet well therewith a covered piece of ground where you will have Saltpetre to grow, then suffer that piece of ground to lie still for a certain space of time, and by so doing you shall see that the Saltpetre will grow and multiply wonderfully in that place. Also it is truth if the earth which hath made Saltpetre be heaped up in a covered place where no rain may fall upon the same, that after the end of five or six years, you may labour the same earth again, and find in it more Saltpetre than it did yield at the first time. The 6 Chapter. How Saltpetre meal is made: and how Saltpetre meal without any beating will serve among other material things to make gunpowder. Hung a kettle with a wide bottom over a good fire and put into that kettle a convenient quantity of Saltpetre: when the Saltpetre shall begin to blow, fry, and smoke, stir it about the kettle with a wooden ladle, pulling back the Saltpetre which shall show white, and putting forward the other Saltpetre which hath not had so much fire as the said white Saltpetre, and cease not to stir and mingle all the Saltpetre well together, so as it may not melt, until it shall wax dry, and be like a comfette, for by so doing you shall take away out of the Saltpetre all the grease and Salt that was in it. Then pouring so much water into the kettle as will cover all the Saltpetre that is in it, you must melt the same Saltpetre over a good fire, and stir it well about the kettle with a big and round staff, until it shall wax dry again, & be like meal, which without any beating will serve among other material things to make gunpowder. The 7 Chapter. How Saltpetre may be refined with water by two sundry ways: and how Saltpetre refined with water aught to be dried. The first way to refine saltpeter with water. TAke of the mixture made of Lime, Ashes, and Alum dissolved, whereof mention hath been made in the second Chapter of this book and in the first way to make artificial Saltpetre of earth, and into every barrel of water that you have put into the Cauldron for to dissolve the Saltpetre, power six pots full of the strong water that is also mentioned in the said first way to make artificial Saltpetre, and in the same quantity of water so prepared, put so much Saltpetre as you think may well be dissolved: and with boiling make it to dissolve very well. Then seeing it in boiling to have cast up scum, you shall take it out of the Cauldron, and put it into a tub, in the bottom whereof you must first put fine sand four fingers thickness clean washed, covered with a linen clot: and by a little hole made into the bottom of the tub, you shall suffer it to drop by little and little in some other vessel set under to receive it: and so this water thus strained, you must afterwards put into the very same, or into another Cauldron to boil again, and to make the greater part of the same water seeth away. Finally make it boil so much until you shall see it ready to thicken, pouring now and then into the same water a little of the aforesaid strong water, especially when it swelleth, & casts up scum. This done, power the said water out of the Cauldron into chests, or other vessels of wood to congeal, which (though it shall be a great quantity) within three or four days will congeal. But if any part of that water do not within that time congeal, then taking it out of the vessel boil it again, & do it unto all that you did before to the other water that is congealed. And so you must do from time to time as it gathereth together, and congealeth: and by this means you shall make the Saltpetre most white, and fair, and much better than at the first seething. The second way to refine Saltpetre with water. Saltpetre may also be refined with water in this manner: put Saltpetre with Lime well slaked into a clean Cauldron, and power upon the Saltpetre and slaked Lime so much fair water or rather so much of the aforesaid Lie or Lime water, as will cover and lie four inches in height above the same Saltpetre, and slaked Lime. Moreover make a good fire under the Cauldron, that the things in the same may quickly boil, and be ready as scum shall rise to take it away with a scummer. When you shall see that no more scum will rise, then take the Cauldron from the fire, and setting it somewhat aslope, let the boiled water cool, settle, and clear in the same: if the boiled water will not wax clear by this means, put ashes into it, and boil the same water again for a while. This done, take the Cauldron from the fire, & setting it aslope, sprinkle fair water upon the boiled water, for by so doing you shall make the same water clear. This water being clear, must by little and little be powered into some other vessel so as the lies, dregs, or grounds may not go out with the same: Saltpetre refined with water aught to be dried against the Sun or with heat of fire. For of the water which lieth above in the vessel, Saltpetre is made, and in the water at the bottom of the vessel, are the lies or dregs of Saltpetre. After you have in this sort powered out the said water into other vessels, and have suffered the same for two days space (and more if need be) to congeal in the same vessels, you must take the same congealed water (which is Saltpetre) out of the vessels, and dry the same against the Sun, or with heat of fire. To know when the water in which Saltpetre is refined hath boiled enough. After you have taken the said Saltpetre out of the vessels in which it did congeal, boil again over a good fire the uncongealed water which remains in the said vessels, & so long as this water doth boil, scum it if it shall cast up any scum, & let this water boil until the same water dropping upon iron, stone, or such like things from a piece of wood put into the water will congeal: for than is that time to take it from the fire. Now this being done if you shall see a thin skin to lie upon the water, scum the same away, and more do unto the same water all that you have been willed to do unto the other water which did before congeal into saltpetre. Although this saltpetre made of the water which did lie in the bottom of the vessels is not so good as the Saltpetre which came of that part of water which did lie uppermost in the vessels, yet may it be made as good as the other with so much labour as you are willed to bestow upon the other, and by putting so much water unto it as you did unto the other, for through lack of water it will be burned. Saltpetre being thus refined with water will make good gunpowder: How Saltpetre refined with water aught to be dried in a Cauldron over a fire if it shall afterwards pass thorough a boulter or searce. But to dry this Saltpetre so as it may pass thorough a fine boulter or searce, put it into a Cauldron over a fire of Coals whereby the Saltpetre will yield a water, fall into the flower, and melt, and being well stirred in a Cauldron that all the Saltpetre may feel the heat of fire, it will be a lump like a comfet. When you shall see that this Saltpetre is dry, take it from the fire, for through too long standing over the fire, it will yield moisture, lose his strength and be a gum when it is burned. The 8 Chapter. How Saltpetre may be refined with fire: and how Saltpetre may be better refined with water than with fire. Saltpetre in a little quantity is refined with fire after this manner which although it be a ready way yet seldom times it is used, and albeit it serveth to get out the fatness of Saltpetre, yet for that it sendeth into the bottom very much earthy dross, I like better the other ways which teach you to purge it with water, than this with fire. But to refine saltpeter with fire do thus: Take an iron salad, or some other iron, or brazen vessel, and fill it with Saltpetre, and cover it with a cover of iron, brass, or earth, so that it be made big enough, meet to be taken of, and put on when you list, and so as the vessel being well covered, the heat within may not breathe out. This vessel must be set in the midst of a good fire of coals, and so the Saltpetre will melt, which is soon perceived of the expert artificer and workman. When you think that it is melted look upon it, and if it be not well melted, cover it again, and let it melt well: Then the Saltpetre being well melted, take Brimstone most finely beaten in powder, and cast some thereon: and if of itself it take not fire, do you kindle it, and being kindled, let it burn till such time as the Brimstone be all consumed, so that nothing else be burned but the upper part and certain gross unctiousnesse of the Saltpetre, the which when it is burned, will leave the rest fair and clear: and then it must be taken from the fire letting it cool in the vessel where you shall find it (after the same is cold) all in one piece like a white piece of marble. All the earthy dross thereof remaining in the bottom will be good Saltpetre to make gunpowder, but not very commendable to any other use. Some in steed of Brimstone do burn the gross unctiousnesse of Saltpetre with quick unflaming coals of fire, but insomuch as the refined Saltpetre being so burned, loseth part of his force, as Girolamo Cataneo in his fift book Dell'arte militare writeth) I will not counsel you to burn the gross unctiousnesse of Saltpetre with any Brimstone, or quick unflaming coals of fire. The 9 Chapter. How you may sublime and purify Saltpetre by two sundry ways. TAke of Saltpetre refined dry one part, and of the scum or off all of iron one part, sublime both these material things as you shall hereafter in the tenth chapter of this book be taught to sublime Brimstone, and when you mill make gunpowder, or fireworks of sublimed Saltpetre and Brimstone, moisten them well with aqua vita. Also you may purify Saltpetre in this manner: Take for every pound of Saltpetre a quart of good white wine, and putting them together in a pot over a fire, let them seethe till one fourth part thereof is sod away: then taking the pot from the fire, suffer the mixture which is now Saltpetre well purified to remain in it till it be dry. The 10 Chapter. How you may sublime Brimstone, Arsenike and salt Armoniake. MElt your Brimstone over a slow fire in a copper or clean earthen vessel, and with a clean ladle take away all the scum or thin skin which will lie upon the top of the same melted Brimstone. That done, strain the Brimstone remaining in the vessel into an other clean pot thorough a thick piece of canvas, or thorough a thick strainer, and keep this strained Brimstone which hath been thus sublimed and purified for to serve in fine gunpowder, and fireworks. The thin skin or scum which shall be so taken away from melted Brimstone with a ladle, is the grease that Was in the melted Brimstone, and that which remains in the canvas after the Brimstone is strained, is the refuse and earth of the Brimstone. Arsenike and salt Armoniake are sublimed and purified in the same manner as Brimstone is sublimed. The 11 Chapter. How you may make Coals for gunpowder by four sundry ways. TO make Coals for gunpowder, fix upon the ground five or six wooden staves of four or five feet in height in the form of a round pyramid or taper circled which at the great and lowest end must be one foot and a half or there about in wideness. Bind round about the outsides of these staves in three or four several places bonds of toe, and then having in a readiness a convenient number of small, short, cloven, and dry sticks of young willoe bows without any bark or rinds, pile within the said staves up to their tops the said sticks, which must be set upright upon their ends, and then cover the said pile of sticks and the staves on the outside all over with wet straw, and lay moist earth, dirt, or clay three or four inches thick hard pressed down all over the straw: This done, wind round about in 4 or 5 places upon the cover of clay good big bonds of toe, & make a small hole in the very top & middle part of the said pile of sticks, & thorough that hole put fire to the said pile. After you shall upon good advisement think that the fire is kindled in the pile, & that it hath burned well downwards half the way into the pile, stop up the said hole in the top, and with a round stick so big as a man's finger, make divers other holes as the fire shall burn downwards thorough the said covers of moist clay, Note. and wet straw, round about the aforesaid pile for smoke to pass out at. When you shall see that no smoke doth come out at any of the holes, than the coals are burned enough, and now to the end that they may not consume to ashes, you must close, and stop up all the said holes, and beware to meddle any more with the said pile till all the Coals in the same are cold, which will be within one day or two after the Coals have been burned enough. The second way to make Coals for gunpowder. Also you may make Coals for gunpowder in this manner. Build with Stone and Lime a round furnace like a round well, and in the bottom of this furnace leave an open place or hole thorough the brickwall two inches square, and set five or six staves of wood in the midst of the furnace upright upon their ends in the form of a round pyramid or taper circle, and within those staves, pile up to their tops small, short, cloven, & dry sticks of wood without any bark or rinds, and having set the said sticks in that pile upright upon their ends, cover the top of the said furnace all over with clay, or dirt, leaving in the uppermost part thereof a hole so big as a man's great finger for smoke to pass out at: and thorough the said hole in the bottom of the furnace put fire to the said sticks. When the fire hath well burned upwards to the midst of the pile within the furnace, stop up the said hole in the bottom of the furnace with a fit stone well luted so as no smoke may come out at that lo●rmost hole. Note. This done, the said uppermost hole must also be stopped up when you shall see that no smoke cometh out of the same hole, for the Coals in the said pile being then burned enough, if any one of the said holes should afterwards be left open, all the Coals in the said pile would burn to ashes. Finally, after the said holes have been closed up in this manner for the space of two days and two nights, you may uncover the top of the said Furnace, and (the heat of the fire that was in the Coals being go) pull away the stone below, and at your pleasure take all the Coals out of the Furnace. To make a small quantity of Coals for fine gunpowder, The third way to make coals for gunpowder. take young Hasell wood of a year old without any bark or rinds, and having cut them in short pieces, put the same pieces into a great earthen pot, or into a vessel of iron, or brass: and that pot or vessel being close shut and covered, lay lute or clay very well about the pot or vessel, so that it may not breathe: then make fire round about the pot or vessel, and also upon it, till such time as you shall upon good advisement think that the heat is well entered in through all parts of the vessel, and that the sticks within are well kindled, and only through such heat without firebrands or flame burned. After this the Coals within the pot or vessel being burned enough, take the fire from the pot or vessel, & suffer the Coals within the said pot or vessel to cool before you take them out. Also you may make in haste a small quantity of Coals for gunpowder in this manner; The 4 way to make coals for gunpowder. Take so many dry Hasell sticks cut in short pieces without any bark, or rynes, as will be sufficient to serve your purpose, and laying them close together on a heap set them a fire, and after you have well burned them, sprinkle water upon them with a broom till you have quenched their fire, and in so doing scatter the Coals here and there, that they being so with water thoroughly quenched may dry well again. The 12 Chapter. How you may make a mixture of Brimstone and quicksilver for gunpowder: and how Brimstone which shall serve for gunpowder aught always to be very dry, and without any fat. MElt, scum, and strain your Brimstone as before in the tenth Chapter of this book you have been taught: After this melt again the same Brimstone, and then taking it from the fire put thereunto so much quicksilver as you will, stirring them together with a stick until they are incorporated. When you do put quick silver into the melted Brimstone, hold your face so far as you may from it, An admonition. because if any quicksilver, or Brimstone should leap up out of the pot, & hit your face, it would do you much hurt. Also you must understand that the Brimstone which shall serve for gunpowder aught always to be very dry, for that the fat of Brimstone doth make dregs in gunpowder, and is offensive to the Saltpetre that is in any sort of gunpowder. The 13 Chapter. How the makers of gunpowder do mingle together the simples and material things of which they do make gunpowder: and how gunpowder must be kept in dry vessels of wood, and laid in high rooms of houses: and how an empty cask of wood aught to way 12 pounds: and every cask filled full of gunpowder aught to way one hundred weight of avoirdupois weight: and how every last of gunpowder aught to way 24 hundred weight of the said avoirdupois weight. SOme use to way every of the simples and material things whereof gunpowder is made by itself, and afterwards they do mingle, & beat all the same things together. Others having beaten and searced every simple whereof gunpowder is made by itself, do mingle the same together. But the best & most readiest way is to put all the Saltpetre which you will occupy into a Cauldron that must have so much water in it as will (when the same is made hot with fire) suffice to dissolve the said saltpetre, which being so dissolved aught to be washed, and laid when it is washed upon a clean and firm place or piece of ground. This done, beat the quantity of Cole (which is to be added unto the mixture) into very fine powder, and putting the same powder unto the dissolved Saltpetre, stir and incorporate them well together, and as you do stir and turn together with a staff the Saltpetre and Coal, you must cast upon them a due quantity of Brimstone finely beaten, and well searced and continued in stirring of them together till the said Saltpetre, Coals, and Brimstone shall be well mingled. After this lay forth that mixture to dry a little, and when the same mixture somewhat dried by beating the Coal till it be subtle and inpalpable is made a very fine incorporate substance, sift it well thorough a S●eue, or rather a searce: then casting water and vinegar upon it, corn the gunpowder, and when you have so done, dry it well again, or after it is dry, put all the same gunpowder into clean and dry vessels of wood, which aught to be laid in high rooms of houses where little coming is for other reasons than that it may lie there dry. And forsomuch as in England we do use to put our gunpowder into wooden vessels called Casks, 16 ounces do make 1 pound of avoirdupois weight and 112 pounds do make one hundred weight of the same avoirdupois weight. note well that an empty Cask of wood aught to way twelve pounds, and that every such Cask filled full of gunpowder aught to way one hundred weight of avoirdupois de poise weight. Also note that 24 such Casks of gunpowder are named a Last of gunpowder, and that every Last of gunpowder aught to way 24 hundred weight of the said avoirdupois de poise weight. The 14 Chapter. How you may grind or beat gunpowder by six sundry ways: how gunpowder aught not to be beaten dry: and how you may know whether or no gunpowder is well beaten, or enough ground. MAny men do grind gunpowder in such mills as do serve to grind crabs to make vergys', & appels to make cider. And some stamp the powder in a stone mortar large in the mouth with a wooden pestle like unto a hammer or maul. And some cause the powder to be stamped in mortars with a water mill or a horse mill, which way is the best of all other and most surest: for the powder is thereby more finely beaten, and with less labour. Some which have not the commodity of water make a great wheel after such sort that the cogs thereof shall raise up many heavy pestles, which in falling down do beat the powder lying within divers mortars of wood made in a beam of Oak: Among which there be some that have their bottoms of brass. Some stamp gunpowder with pestles which they hold in their hands, and tie to the end of a pool with a cord right over a mortar of wood, or brass, and so they beat with less pain. And some grind gunpowder with handmilles as they use to grind corn, which is a painful and dangerous way, You shall kindle fire by rubbing two Bay sticks together with violence. An admonition. because such a composition ground together with stones will soon catch heat, and be a fire, even as by rubbing together with violence a couple of Bay sticks, you shall strait way kindle fire. Wherefore in grinding and beating gunpowder after this last way, or any other way, it behoveth all men to take heed that they do not grind or beat the same dry, but wet with water to a certain degree of moistness, so that taking it up in one hand it may cling together. Some for this purpose do moisten it with vinegar, and some with Camphored aqua vitae, and they say that the powder will therewith be made more stronger. But neither vinegar, nor aqua vitae, will be better than water to make gunpowder forcible and strong, because they vapouring away, little of their substance can remain. Note. By drawing gunpowder with your finger, and in like manner by breaking or cutting with a knife a part thereof you may know whether or no it is well and enough ground or beaten. For if in the said broken part you shall see all black within, and no Saltpetre, or Brimstone in the same, then undoubtedly that sort of gunpowder is well and enough beaten. And contrariwise, if you shall perceive any Saltpetre or Brimstone within that broken or cut part, than it is certain that the same sort of gunpowder is not beaten enough. The 15 Chapter. How you may corn gunpowder. FIrst prepare a sieve with a bottom of thick parchment made full of round holes, and then moistening the Gunpowder which shall be corned with water, put the same, and also a little bowl, into that sieve, and when you have so done, sift the powder so as the said bowl rolling up and down in the sieve, may break the clods of powder, and make the same powder by running through the holes of the sieve to corn. The 16 Chapter. How you may make divers sorts of gunpowder: and how you may make gunpowder of divers colours: and how you may abate the force of gunpowder: and how for want of aqua vitae and vinegar to moisten gunpowder, you may use the water of Saltpetre, or if you will the urine of a man: & how Mute gunpowder is of little force. To make gross gunpowder for great Ordinance. 1 Take of Saltpetre. 4 parts. Fine Brimstone 1 part. Cole of Willoe, Hasell or some other soft wood. 1 part. out of every pound weight that is in the same part of Brimstone, take away one ounce of Brimstone, and then having beaten, and sifted thorough a Searse every of the said materials, or simples by itself, you shall moisten them with very strong white Vinegar, and incorporate them together, for through that moistness the powder will be made more stronger, and beaten more finer: An admonition. yet take heed that you do not stamp this powder so much as you shall be willed to stamp the two sorts of gunpowder next following for handguns, because it may thereby be made too strong, and able to break any great Piece of Artillery that shall be charged with an ordinary charge thereof. You may know whether or no this mixture is enough beaten by breaking or cutting a part thereof, for after you have broken or cut a little part or piece of the powder, if you shall perceive that the Brimstone is finely beaten, and that no Saltpetre can be seen within the same broken piece, than you may know that this mixture of gunpowder is enough beaten. After this mixture hath been so beaten, sift it thorough a sieve or searce to make it to corn, and all that part thereof which will not pass thorough a sieve or searce beat again in a mortar, and by such means make it to pass thorough the sieve or searce that it may also be corn gunpowder, which being dried will (as I have told you before) be best kept in close and dry vessels of wood. To make fine gunpowder for Handgunnes. 2 Take of Saltpetre five parts, of Coals made of young Hasell twigs or of the wood of a young Willoe tree one part, of Brimstone one part lacking one ounce in every pound weight that is in the same part of Brimstone: 672 parts of this sort of gunpowder are equal in force to 720 parts of that sort of gunpowder which is before marked with the figure of 1. beat during the space of six hours every of the said simples and material things by itself into fine powder, and sift each of those powders by itself twice or thrice thorough a fine sieve or searce, and then incorporate them together. Moreover having moistened the same mixture with strong vinegar, you aught to beat it well again, and in so doing to remember that the mixture is beaten enough when by cutting or breaking a piece thereof you shall see it all black within and no Saltpetre or Brimstone within the same. After the said mixture hath been enough beaten, fift it again thorough a fine sieve, and corn it that when it is dry, the same may be kept in vessels of wood for to charge Handgunes. To make more finer gunpowder for Handgunnes. 3 Take of Saltpetre six parts, of Cole made of the twigs or bows of a Nut tree of one years growth one part, of Brimstone one part lacking one ounce in every pound weight that is in the same part of Brimstone: 640 parts of this sort of gunpowder are equal in force to 672 parts of that sort of gunpowder which is before marked with the figure of 2. beat every of the said simples and material things by itself into very fine powder, and sift each of those powders by itself three times at the lest thorough a searce or fine sieve, and remember always to beat again that powder which remaining in the searce or fine sieve, can not pass thorough the same, to this end that every part thereof may be sifted thorough the searce or fine sieve. When you have in this manner sifted all these powders thorough the searce or fine sieve, mingle them together, and sift them again altogether thorough that searce or sieve. This done, moisten the same mixture with strong vinegar, or Saltpetre water, and beat it in a mortar of brass until you may (as before hath been declared) see it all black within and no Saltpetre, or Brimstone in the same. Moreover after this mixture hath been beaten enough, prepare a fine sieve, and place the same right over a course searce so as the part of this mixture which passeth thorough the sieve and lieth upon the searce may thereby be made corn powder, and so as the other part which shall pass thorough the course searce being afterwards sifted again thorough a more finer searce may be very fine and subtle powder. If any part of this subtle powder which hath been so sifted thorough the course searce will not pass thorough the finer searce, then must the same part and also the other powder which could not be sifted thorough the sieve be beaten again in a brazen mortar, so as all the same powder may be in like manner sifted thorough the said fine searce, and being corned, and well dried, may with the rest of this sort of gunpowder be kept in close and dry vessels of wood. To make fine corn powder for Handgunnes of that sort of gross gunpowder wihch before in the beginning of this Chapter is marked with the figure 1. 4 Take what quantity you will of the same gross gunpowder which before in the beginning of this chapter is marked with the figure of 1. And having moistened the same sort of gunpowder with Saltpetre water, or with strong vinegar, or with fair water: beat it well in a mortar, and sift it thorough a fine sieve or searce. With every pound of gunpowder mingle one ounce of Saltpetre that hath been refined dry, well beaten, and sifted thorough a fine searce. And when you have so done, beat and moisten this mixture again until you shall see by breaking or cutting it with a knife that the same mixture is all black within, and that there is no sign of Saltpetre, or Brimstone within the same mixture. Moreover, corn the said gunpowder thorough a fine sieve as before in the precedent chapter of this book I have taught you to do. After you have dried this corn gunpowder, & taken away from it the fine and subtle powder, you may shoot this corned gunpowder in harchibuses and other handguns: Although in very deed it is not so strong in effect as is that sort of fine gunpowder which before in this chapter I have marked with the figure of 2, by reason the Brimstone and the Coal in that sort of fine gunpowder are finely beaten, and that the Brimstone and Cole in this sort of gunpowder is grossly pounded. To make an other sort of fine corn powder. 5 Take of Saltpetre refined dry six parts, of Brimstone mingled with a little quicksilver that hath line in aqua vitae one part: when you have mingled them well together & sifted them thorough a fine sieve or searce put thereunto of Coals made of an old walnut tree beaten into fine powder, & sifted in like manner thorough a fine sieve or searce one part, & for every nine pounds in weight of Saltpetre put into this mixture ½ ounce of Camphor, and then moistening the same things with aqua vitae or with strong vinegar: beat them well and corn their powder. The Coals for this composition after they have been burned, and made in a pot covered all over with lute or clay (as I have taught you in the 11 chapter of this book, & in the 3 way to make coals for gunpowder) aught to be well wet with aqua vitae while they are warm and after they are dry again, to be beaten as aforesaid into fine gunpowder. To make an other sort of fine come gunpowder. 6 Take of Saltpetre six parts, of Brimstone one part, of Camphor ½ part, beat, sift and incorporate all these things together as before you have been taught to beaten, sift & incorporate other like material things, & after you have so done, beat well this mixture again, and having moistened it with aqua vitae or with strong white vinegar, corn the powder. If you shall want at any time aqua vitae and Vinegar to moisten the powder which you will make, you may in stead of aqua vitae and vinegar use the water of Saltpetre, or if you will the urine of a man. To make gunpowder which will take fire and burn in a moist place and in wet weather. 7 Take of saltpetre refined dry five parts, of Coals made of a Filbert or Nut tree one part, of nwe vnslaked Lime one part, of Camphor ½ part: beat and sift thorough a fine sieve every material thing that is above rehearsed for this composition by itself, and that done, incorporate them together. This sort of gunpowder so made and very well beaten will take fire, and burn in any moist place, and in wet and rainy weather. To make gunpowder which by long keeping shall not decay in quality, nor consume in quantity. 8 Take what quantity you will of gunpowder, and after it hath been well beaten, well moistened with aqua vitae, and well mingled, make thereof round baules or pellets: and when you have so done, dry them in the Sun, or in a hot place, and put them into a nealed vessel, for (as Girolamo Cataneo writeth) they (I mean the said pellets of gunpowder so kept) will never decay in quality, nor consume in quantity. To make an other sort of corn gunpowder. 9 Take of Saltpetre twelve parts, of Coals made of the wood or tree called Tilia, or of juniper three parts, of Brimstone two parts, and ¼ of a part: pound all these things well, and mingle them together, and then moistening this mixture, corn the same thorough a fine sieve or searce. To make white gunpowder, 10 Take of Saltpetre refined dry 6. parts, of Brimstone sublimed or purged one part, of powder of a fir tree well dried in an hot oven one part, sift all these material things thorough a fine sieve, moisten them with aqua vitae, beat them well in a mortar with a clean pestle, and then incorporate them together. To make red gunpowder. 11 Take of saltpetre refined dry six parts, of Brimstone sublimed or purged one part, of Amber ½ part, of red sanders one part: sift all these things thorough a fine sieve or searce, moisten them with aqua vitae beat them well in a mortar with a clean pestle, and incorporate them together. To make gunpowder of an azure colour. 12 Take of Saltpetre refined dry six parts, of Brimstone sublimed or purged one part, of Spike or Lavender dried in a hot oven ½ part: beat and sift every material thing in this composition by itself, and incorporate them together as you have been taught to incorporate the other sorts of gunpowder. To make a strong kind of gunpowder and to abate the strength of any kind of gunpowder. 13 Take of good gunpowder twelve parts, of quicksilver one part, of the marcasite stone one part, of the herb Colophonia one partpound all these things well, & then mingle them together for to use. This kind of gunpowder is of so great force as that it will 'cause any piece of Artillery full charged therewith to break in pieces with a great noise, & thereby put them in danger of their lives that shallbe then near unto the same piece. But whosoever doth put into this kind of gunpowder 24 parts of burned paper, or so much of hay seed very well pounded, and mingle well the same burned paper or hay seed with the said gunpowder, shall so abate the force of that powder, as that it will not make so vehement a flame, nor give so great a bloc as otherwise it would have done. with this kind of gunpowder the ingenious Gunner may do wonderful experiments. To make an other kind of gunpowder. 14 If you mingle three pounds of good gunpowder, and one pound of Brimstone, and Greek pitch together, you shall make a kind of gunpowder which will be a fire quickly, and burn very vehemently. A censure of Mute gunpowder. 15 Mute gunpowder was first invented (as Brasavolus says) by a Duke of Ferrara and insomuch as it will make no noise when it shall be shot out of a piece, the said powder is named Mute gunpowder: and some men fearing it more than any other sort of gunpowder, do judge the same powder an unlawful thing to be used. But knowing by the reasons alleged in the first book and 22 Colloquy of Nicholas Tartaglia his Colloquys, that it is an impossible thing for gunpowder of any force to make no noise when it shallbe shot out of a piece: Also considering that divers Authors, namely Hieronymus Cardanus, and joan: jacobus Weckerus do affirm in their books that Mute powder is always of so little force as that it will shoot a pellet scarce twelve paces from the mouth of his piece, I esteem that fear of Mute powder as a vain conceit, and do verily believe under reformation that Mute gunpowder which (as before you have herded) is weak in force, and not much hurtful in effects, may among all men of understanding be more tolerable than any other sort of gunpowder. The 17 Chapter. To renew and make good again any sort of gunpowder that hath lost his strength or virtue by moisture long lying, or by any other means. WHen you have dried all the gunpowder which shall be renewed, put so much thereof as you will into a canvas satchel or linen bag, and then tying a cord very hard about the mouth of the bag, thrust the same into a clean Cauldron, and power so much water into the Cauldron as will cover the bag: this done, make the water to boil in the Cauldron till a drop of it laid upon iron or stone will congeal, and while the water boileth, remember to scum it as need shall require. After this remove the Cauldron from the fire, and setting it a slope let that bag drop into the Cauldron, and when you shall see that the water in the Cauldron is clear, pour it out by little and little into an other vessel, so as no lies, or dregs may run out with the water into the same vessel, because the water must there congeal. After the water is congealed take the Saltpetre out of the vessel, and as you did before boil and scum the water which shall then remain in the said vessel till a drop of it laid upon iron or stone will congeal. Also do unto it all that you did before unto the congealed water, and let it not grieve you to work thus so long as any saltpetre may by this means be found in the uncongealed water. The saltpetre and Brimston which were within the said bag did dissolve and soak into the boiling water, yea the dissolved saltpetre turned into water, & the dissolved brimstone sunk down to the bottom of the water where you may find it: But the coals which were mingled with the said dissolved saltpetre and brimstone remain still within the bag among the lies and dregs of the decayed gunpowder: therefore when you have gathered together by the means above rehearsed all the saltpetre that was in the said boiling water, and have well dried the said saltpetre, brimstone, and coals, poise every of them by itself, and then seeing how much the part of saltpetre so gathered doth want of the quantity which it should have for the said parts of coal, and brimstone, add thereunto the portion of saltpetre which wanteth: That done, beat, mingle, and incorporate them together as you have been taught to beaten, mingle, and make nwe gunpowder. The 18 Chapter. How you may by taste, feeling, colour, and burning, know good and ill gunpowder: and how among many sorts of gunpowder, you may know the best sort of gunpowder. GVnpowder that hath so mild a taste as that you shall scant feel it on your tongue, is of good receipt and well wrought. By how much gunpowder is in feeling more harder, by so much it is more better. Gunpowder of a fair azure or french russet colour is very good, and it may be judged to have all his receipt well wrought, and sufficient of the master well refined. Lay 3. or 4. corns of gunpowder upon a white piece of paper, the one three fingers distant from the other, and put fire to one of them: Now if the gunpowder be good and strong you shall see them all at one time a fire, and that there will remain no refuse or grossness of brimstone, or of saltpetre, nor any other thing except a white smoky colour in the place where they were burned, neither will the paper be burned or defiled therewith. If good gunpowder be laid upon the palm of your hand, and set on a fire, it will not burn your hand. Gunpowder that hath a very sharp taste, hath abundance of the master not well refined, and will give again. If white knots, or knots of a french russet colour, shall remain after gunpowder is set on a fire, it is a sign that the saltpetre in that sort of gunpowder was not well refined, but left full of salt, and grease, especially when the same knots shall hiss in burning, be dankish, and leave moisture in the place where the gunpowder was burned. If hard, dry, and white knots, or pearls, shall remain after gunpowder is set on a fire, it is a sign that this sort of gunpowder was not well wrought: An admonition. And it behoveth every Gunner to beware of such gunpowder, because if it do lie long dry in a piece, it will wax so fine with long and dry lying, that if you take it not out of the piece, it will in his discharge with fire put the same piece in danger of breaking. If small black knots (which will burn downwards in the place where proof is made) shall remain after gunpowder is set on a fire, they do show that the same sort of gunpowder hath not enough of the master, and that it is of little force or strength and slow in firing. If a little heap of gunpowder set in a fire doth make a noise, rise up with great speed, and yield little smoke, it is a sign that the saltpetre in that heap of gunpowder was well refined, and well wrought, and that the materials in the said heap were well incorporated. If the flame of fired gunpowder shall rise up slowly, continued long, make little noise, & yield much smoke, it is a sign that the same gunpowder had in it much coal & brimstone, and a little quantity of saltpetre. If gunpowder burned upon a board shall black the same board, it is a sign that too much coal was in the same gunpowder. When gunpowder is moist, or full of the earth of saltpetre, it is nought for to be shot out of great ordinance, because it putteth him in peril which shooteth with the same, & in time of need, shaming the Gunner which doth occupy it, serveth to no effect. If gunpowder be very black, it is a sign that it was made with very much coal, or that it is moist, and when you rub it upon a piece of white paper, it will black the same paper more than it should do. Among many sorts of gunpowder to know which sort is best, make a little heap of every sort of gunpowder, and then setting those heaps one from another, mark well when you put fire unto them which of the heaps did soonest take fire: For that sort of gunpowder which will soonest be a fire, make least smoke, & leave least refuse, is the best gunpowder. The 19 Chapter. To make divers sorts of gunmatches, and other matches, which will serve to discharge great & small pieces of artillery, and give fire to trunks, pikes, mines, darts, arrows, & all other firewoorkes. Make small ropes or cords of bumbas, or of cotton wool, put the same into an earthen pot or pan which must have in it so much strong vinegar or rather aqua vitae, brimstone, and saltpetre, or in stead of saltpetre, gross gunpowder, mingled together, as will cover the same ropes, and seethe all those things together in the same pot over a fire until the aqua vitae, brimstone, and saltpetre, or gross gunpowder shall wax thick and incorporate, and then pull the same ropes well soaked in that composition one after another out of the pot, and hung one of them from another upon a pole to dry in the sun, so as when they are thorough dry you may wind or role them up for gunmatches to give fire unto great & small pieces of artillery, mines, trunks, pikes, darts, arrows, pots, hollow pellets, and all other firewoorkes. another way to make Gunmatches. Take cords made of hemp that is not very fine, or of toe which is better, although it will sooner consume, and let every cord be so big as a man's great finger. Also choose such cords for this purpose as are nor much wreathed, this done boil the same cords in strong lie, ashes, and a little of saltpetre till all the lie shall be consumed. another way to make Gunmatches. Take cords made of toe, and beat them with a wooden hammer upon a quick stone. ●unmatches ●hich will ●…rne in moist ●…aces, in wa●…r, under snow ●…d ice. ●ou may also ●…arne to ●…ake an vn●…enchable ●…nmatch by ●…e lxxxviii. chapter of ●is appendix. ●atches ●hich will ●…ne & con●…me very ●…ickly, and ●…rne his ●…ote that shall ●…ade upon ●…em. Also take of turpentine, nwe wax, and common oil, of each an equal part, cover and boil the cords in the turpentine, wax, and oil, till the said liquid composition shall be consumed, and then take the cords out of the vessel in which they did boil, and beat them again a little, and when you have so done, suffer them to dry in the shadow. This sort of gunmatches will preserve fire in any moist place, and also in water and under snow and ye. another way to make matches, which will serve to give fire to trunks, pots, pikes, darts, arrows, hollow pellets, and all other such like fireworks. Take cords made of three or fourethreedes of bumbas spinned coarsely, boil them in a nwe nealed pot filled full of strong white vinegar, till all the vinegar shallbe consumed, then take the cords out of the pot, wring them, and dry them in the shadow, or at the fire if you have haste to use them. You may also boil the same cords in saltpetre water, or in clear lie and saltpetre, and when you have so done, you must wring the moisture out of them: that done you must wet them in aqua vitae, and after wring them again lightly, & then role them in fine gunpowder, and suffer them to lie in fine gunpowder till they are dry. A match thus made doth burn and consume very quickly, because it hath been wet in aqua vitae, wherefore you must not wet your match in aqua vitae if you will not have it to burn and consume very quickly. Also one of these matches after it hath been thrice boiled in saltpetre water, or in clear lie and saltpetre, thrice wet in aqua vitae, and thrice rolled in fine gunpowder, will burn your foot if you shall happen to tread upon it. The 20. Chapter. To make touchwood and tinder for a Gunner's Tinder box. TAke those great things which are called old Todestooles growing at the bottoms of nuttrees, beechtrees, oaks, and such other like trees, dry them with the smoke of fire, & then cut them into so many pieces as you will, and having well beaten them, boil them in strongly with wall flower, or saltpetre, till all the lie shall be consumed. After this laying them in a heap upon a board, dry them in an oven which must not be made very hot, and after you have so done, beat them well with a wooden mallet, and when you shall have cause to use any part of those Toadstools (now by the means above declared made touchwood) rub well that part between your hands for to make it soft, and apt to take fire. But when you will make tinder for a Gunner's tinder box, take pieces of fustian, or of old and fine linen cloth, make them to burn and flame in a fire, & suddenly before the flame which is in them doth die, choke their fire, & keep their tinder so made in a box lined within with cloth, to the end it may not be moist at any time. The 21 Chapter. To make a stone which being wet with water, or spittle, will flame and be a fire, and serve to light candles, and gunmatches, in such places where by reason of rain, or other moisture, you can not light candles, or matches by any other means. Put a loadstone into a pot, or other like vessel, then fill the same pot or vessel with Colophonia and unquenched or vnslaked lime, so as the said stone may lie buried in the same Colophonia and lime. After this set the said pot close stopped with potter's clay, or with that kind of clay which is called Lutum sapientiae, in a hot furnace, until it be throughlie baked, and then having taken the said pot out of the furnace, put the said loadstone, Colophonia, and vnslaked lime in an other pot, and set this pot likewise stopped with the said potter's clay, or with the clay named Lutum sapientiae, in a hot furnace, and do this so many times together one after an other, till the said stony mixture shall be made very white, and be dry burned, for then the said stone is perfect, and being wet with water or spittle will flame and be a fire: This stone being again quenched, must be kept in a hot or warm place, and it is a needful thing for many purposes though in this place I do teach you to make the same for no other cause than to light your candles, and gunmatches, and to kindle fire in such places where by reason of rain, or other moisture you cannot light, nor kindle such things by any other means. 2 An other way to make a like stone, which being well wet with water or spittle, will flame and be a fire. Take of quick brimstone and of saltpetre refined, of each a like quantity, of camphor, double so much as you took of brimstone or saltpetre, whereunto add nwe lime made of the stone before mentioned in the first way of this Chapter: Beat all these things together in a mortar unto so fine powder as you may possibly do. Then the said powder being straightly wrapped and bond hard together in a linen cloth, must be put into an earthen vessel closely stopped with potter's clay, or with clay named Lutum sapientiae, after the same shallbe well dried with the heat of the sun, set the said vessel in a potter's furnace for so long time as his pots are baking and when the pots are baked (wherein you must be very circumspect) take your said vessel out of the furnace, and use the stone which you shall find in the vessel made of the said powder, as you have before been taught to use the stone mentioned in the first way of this Chapter. 3 An other way to make a like stone, which being wet with water or spittle, will flame & be a fire. Take of the stone which you have learned to make in the first way of this Chapter, one pound, of saltpetre oftentimes refined four pounds, of camphor, quick brimstone which hath never been set over a fire oil of turpentine, and tartar, of each of these a like quantity: Beat all these things together in a mortar, until you have made thereof a fine powder: Then sift the same powder thorough a very fine sieve or searce. If any part of that powder shall be so gross beaten, as that it will not go thorough, but remain in the sieve or searce, you must put again that remainder into the mortar, and having beaten it into fine powder, sift the same thorough the said sieve or searce upon the other powder: After this put all the same things into a glass, and power upon the same mixture so much burning water made of sour wine, as will drown and cover it: When you have so done, stop the mouth of the glass with potter's clay, or with Lutum sapientiae, that no air may come out of the glass: Then bury the said glass in dung for 2. or 3. months space, and at every 10. days end during that time take the glass out of the dung, and having shaken well together the said things which are in the said glass, bury the same glass in fresh dung, that the mixture in the same dung may incorporate, wax thick like honey, and appear to be a substance made of one thing. All this being done, set the said glass over a hot fire, until all the moisture within the same shallbe clean dried up, and the mixture within the glass shall be turned into a stone. After a stone is so made of that mixture, break the said glass, and take the said stone out of it, and when you will use this stone to light your candle, or gunmatch, or to kindle a fire, beat some of it into powder which being wet with spittle, or water, will flame and be a fire. This kind of stone (as joan Baptista Porta, and jacobus Weckerus have written) is to be commended above all other stones, which being wet with water or spittle will kindle and flame. 4 An other way to make a like stone, which being wet with water or spittle, will flame and be a fire. Take quick lime and saltpetre refined divers times dry, Tutia Alexandrina unprepared calaminte stone as much of the one as of the other, quick brimstone, and camphor, of each of them 2 parts: beat all these things into very fine powder, & having sifted this powder thorough a sieve or searce, bind it up hard within a nwe piece of linen cloth, and put it (I mean the powder so bond) into a couple of goldsmiths crosettes, or melting pots and set one of them upon the other, mouth to mouth, binding them fast with wire, and covering them all over where need shall require, with Lutum sapientiae, so that it may take no manner of air: This done dry them in the sun till the powder within the said crosettes shall be yellow, and then set the crosettes in a furnace of brick, or lime, and leave them there till the fire in the said furnace shall be extinguished, and then taking the said crosettes out of the furnace, you shall find within them a stone, which (when you shall use of it for to light a match, or candle, or to kindle a fire) you must wet with water or spittle, and put it to your match, or candle: And when you will quench your stone again, you shall blow it out as you will blow out a candle. 5 An other way to make a like stone which being wet with water or spittle, will flame and be a fire. Take the loadstone that hath virtue to draw iron to him on the one side, and to put it away on the other side, put the same stone into a pot leaded, and put to it 4. pounds of pitch, and one pound of brimstone: then lute and lay clay well upon the pot, & setting it in a furnace, give it a small fire for the space of a day and a night, but augment the fire in the second day, and in the third day more, until the stone be a fire. After the stone is a fire, and hath in such manner burned, you shall quench it, and suffer it to cool, and keep it safe to use, for the stone is now prepared, and wetting it with water or spittle, you may make it flame, and be a fire, to light your candle or gunmatch. The 22 Chapter. How you may make a stone which being wet with aqua vitae, will kindle and flame: and how you may make an other stone, which being rubbed well with a woollen cloth, will suddenly burn. TAke of dry gum of a pine tree, of quick brimstone, camphor, and calaminte stone, of each one dram, beat all these things into powder, & add unto that powder of Tutia Alexandrina whole, and unprepared, two drams. That done, thrust all these things mingled together into a canvas bag, which must be well and hard bond round about, then fill a pot half full with powder of vnslaked lime, and lay the bag and the confection that is in it upon the said lime. After you have so done, power upon the said bag up to the brims of the pot more powder of unquenched lime, and then stopping the mouth of the pot with Lutum sapientiae, so as no air may breath out of it, put the said pot (after the Lutum sapientiae is thorough dry) into a glass furnace, and suffer it to lie there close covered by the space of two days and two nights. In fine take the said pot out of the furnace, and breaking it in pieces, keep the congealed stone which you shall find in the pot, to light your gunmatch and candles when need shall require: For this stone being wet with a drop of aqua vitae, will flame and be a fire. But to make a stone which being rubbed well with a woollen cloth shall suddenly burn, take of the calamint stone, brimstone, vnslaked lime, pitch, ceruse, of each of these three drams, of camphor one dram, of asphaltum three drams, beat all these things into powder, and put the same powder into a strong pot well stopped with lute, and after make a fire under the pot, increasing the same by little and little until the powder in the pot shall be so hard as a stone, then if you will have it burn to light your gunmatch or to kindle a fire, rub it well with a cloth, and by so doing you shall make this stone to burn suddenly. But when you will put out the fire that is in the stone, spit upon it and afterwards set it in a moist place, for by such means this burning stone may be quenched. The 23. Chapter. How you may know the diameter or height of a pellet by the circumference of the same pellet: And how by the diameter and weight of one pellet you may find the diameter of any other pellet that is of a known weight and of like substance: and how a hundred weight of pellets doth contain 112. pounds: and how a tun of pellets doth contain twenty hundred weight of pellets. MVltiplie the circumference of any pellet by 7, divide the product by 22, and note the quotient for the diameter of the same pellet. As for example, In the 9 Colloquy of the second book of Nich. Tartaglia you may learn by knowing the diameter & weight of one pellet, to know the weight of any other pellet whose diameter is known. multiply 44. the circumference of a pellet by 7, and thereof cometh 308, which divided by 22 will yield in the quotient 14 for the diameter of the same pellet. But when you will know by the diameter and weight of one pellet, the diameter of an other pellet that is of a known weight and of like substance, way any one pellet, and measure the height or diameter of the same, then note in some book for your better remembrance the said diameter and weight, for by knowing the diameter & weight of that one only pellet, you may find at all times the diameter of any other pellet that is of a known weight and of like substance. And to the end you may learn to do the same, let it be supposed that to answer this question, what is the diameter of that iron pellet which weigheth 125. pounds avoirdupois poise weight? I do peruse my memorial, & finding there that a pellet of iron of five inches & 299/413 of an inch in diameter doth way 27 pounds avoirdupois poise weight, The quantities compared together are called the terms of the proportion, & in some writers the first term namely, that which is compared is called the antecedent whether it be equal, greater, or less than the other: and the second term namely that whereunto the comparison is made, is called the consequent. But in Arithmetic Boetius & other writers call the term compared dux & the term to whom the comparison is made they call Comet. I say that as the cubes are in triple proportion to the sides: so are the proportions of the sides to be found by seeking the cubike roots of the two terms of the proportion. Wherefore I do first set down the terms of the proportion of the pellets thus, 125/27, and I do set the cubike root of 125 which is 5, and the cubike root of 27 which is 3 in the room of the two others thus 5/3. These two numbers do declare the proportion between the diameters of the two pellets, of which one that is the lesser is known to be five inches and 299/4●3 making by reduction 2364/413 therefore I multiply that fraction 2364/413 by 5, the cubike root of 125, whereof cometh 11820/413 and this number of 11820/413 I do divide by 3 the cubike root of 27 which giveth 11820/1239 making by reduction 9 inches and 223/413 of an inch: Whereupon I conclude that if 5 inches & 299/413 of an inch be the diameter to a pellet of 27 pounds in weight, than 9 inches and 223/413 of an inch shall be the diameter to the pellet of 125 pounds in weight, and that after this sort by the diameter and weight of one pellet, you may find out the diameter of any other pellet that is of a known weight, and of like substance. But fearing that the unlearned Gunners (who commonly esteem all that for nought worth which they can not understand) will judge it a cumbrous, painful, and needless labour to seek for the diameters of pellets by any of the said two ways, I do here present unto them two tables, of which one (made by a currant pellet of iron in diameter 4 inches, and 9 pounds 3 ounces in weight) showeth the diameters and weights of 40 sundry iron pellets, and the other (made by a currant kentish stone pellet of 3 inches and 12/13 of an inch in diameter, and of 2 pounds 15 ounces, and ½ ounce in weight) expresseth the diameters and weights of forty sundry kentish stone pellets, and have set down for those which are yet untaught this rule, that a hundred weight of pelletes doth contain 112 pounds avoirdupois poise weight, and that a tun of pellets weigheth 20 hundred weight, I avoirdupois poise weight. depiction of the measuring of the diameter of a pellet A Table of the Diameters and weights of 40. sundry currant pellets of iron. The diameters or heigths of iron pellets. The weights of currant iron pellets according to the old aver de poise weight of England. inches Parts of an inch Hundred weight Parts of an hundred weight. Pound's Ounces drams Scruples Grains Parts of a grain. 1 0 0 0 0 2 2 1 2 ½ 1 ¼ 0 0 0 4 3 2 13 41/128 1 ½ 0 0 0 7 6 0 0 15/16 1 ¾ 0 0 0 12 2 1 8 91/128 2 0 0 0 1 2 3 0 0 0 2 ¼ 0 0 1 10 1 0 18 21/128 2 ½ 0 0 2 3 7 0 6 9/16 2 ¾ 0 0 2 15 6 0 8 71/1●8 3 0 0 0 3 14 0 0 7 ½ 3 ¼ 0 0 4 14 6 2 6 97/128 3 ½ 0 0 6 2 3 2 9 11/16 3 ¾ 0 0 7 9 0 2 19 81/128 4 0 0 0 9 3 0 0 0 0 4 ¼ 0 0 11 0 2 1 14 13/128 4 ½ 0 0 13 1 2 1 5 5/16 4 ¾ 0 0 15 0 4 2 16 127/128 5 0 0 0 17 15 0 2 12 ½ 5 ¼ 0 0 20 12 2 2 15 25/128 5 ½ 0 0 23 14 1 0 8 7/16 5 ¾ 0 0 27 4 5 0 15 75/128 6 0 0 ¼ 3 0 1 0 0 0 6 ¼ 0 ¼ 7 0 6 0 5 5/128 6 ½ 0 ¼ 11 6 6 0 14 1/16 6 ¾ 0 ¼ 16 2 3 0 10 55/128 7 0 0 ¼ 21 3 6 1 17 ½ 7 ¼ 0 ¼ 26 11 2 0 18 81/128 7 ½ 0 ½ 4 8 7 2 17 3/16 7 ¾ 0 ½ 10 13 1 0 16 67/128 8 0 0 ½ 17 8 0 0 0 0 8 ¼ 0 ½ 24 9 5 2 10 125/128 8 ½ 0 ¾ 4 2 4 1 12 13/16 8 ¾ 0 ¾ 12 2 5 2 8 111/128 9 0 0 ¾ 20 10 3 1 2 ½ 9 ½ 1 0 1 9 6 2 17 9/128 9 ½ 1 0 11 1 2 0 15 15/10 9 ¾ 1 0 21 0 7 0 2 59/128 10 0 1 ¼ 3 8 7 0 0 0 10 ¼ 1 ¼ 14 9 3 2 11 117/128 10 ½ 1 ¼ 26 2 7 1 1 9/10 10 ¾ 1 ½ 10 5 3 0 12 39/128 A Table of the Diameters and weights of 40. sundry currant pellets of Kentish stone. The diameters or heigths of Kentish stone pellets. The weights of currant Kentish stone pellets according to the old aver de poise weight of England. inches Parts of an inch Parts of an hundred weight. Pound's Ounces drams Scruples Grains Parts of a grain 1 0 0 0 0 6 0 17 82173/152651 1 ¼ 0 0 1 4 0 17 95159/170808 1 ½ 0 0 2 5 0 14 2288/4913 1 ⅓ 0 0 4 1 2 3 3414264/4244832 2 0 0 0 6 2 1 0 42●60/44217 2 ¼ 0 0 8 7 2 1 6323/19652 2 ½ 0 0 12 2 1 0 13450/44217 2 ¾ 0 1 0 2 2 13 53921/176868 3 0 0 1 5 1 2 15 96255/132651 3 ¼ 0 1 11 0 0 2 2055108/2122410 3 ½ 0 2 1 5 2 10 230640/530604 3 ¾ 0 2 9 3 2 13 558846/1061208 4 0 0 3 2 2 2 7 28561/44217 4 ¼ 0 3 12 3 0 8 7/30 4 ½ 0 4 7 5 1 10 76140/132051 4 ¾ 0 5 4 2 1 10 32965/176●08 5 0 0 6 2 2 2 2 19166/44217 5 ¼ 0 7 1 6 2 2 14091/19652 5 ½ 0 8 2 7 0 6 19408/442●7 5 ¾ 0 9 5 4 1 9 173/176868 6 0 0 10 9 7 1 5 106785/132651 6 ¼ 0 12 0 0 1 12 134157/5●0804 6 ½ 0 13 8 0 1 3 6599●/88434 6 ¾ 0 15 1 7 1 15 729270/1061208 7 0 0 16 13 6 2 3 63327/132651 7 ¼ 0 18 11 6 1 2 91739/176868 7 ½ 0 20 11 7 0 8 1046/4913 7 ¾ 0 22 14 1 1 15 1361000/1414944 8 0 0 25 2 6 1 1 7403/44217 8 ¼ 0 27 9 5 2 19 4547/19052 8 ½ ¼ 2 3 1 0 5 5/9 8 ¾ ¼ 4 15 0 0 15 95825/176868 9 0 ¼ 7 13 4 0 4 2908/4913 9 ¼ ¼ 10 14 5 0 8 19051/176868 9 ½ ¼ 14 2 4 0 1 21713/44217 9 ¾ ¼ 17 9 1 1 0 2825/19652 10 0 ¼ 21 2 5 1 19 22677/44217 10 ¼ ¼ 24 15 1 1 14 152903/17686● 10 ½ ½ 0 14 5 2 1 97659/132651 10 ¾ ½ 5 1 2 1 15 615640/1414944 The 24 Chapter. How you may measure the circumference of any round pellet, or spherical body, by three sundry ways. method 1 MVltiplie the diameter of any pellet or spherical body by 22, divide the product by 7, and note the quotient number for the measure of the circumference of the same pellet or spherical body: as for example, if you will know the circumference of a pellet of 14 inches in diameter, multiply 14 in 22 and thereof cometh 308, divide this number of 308 by 7, and the quotient number will give you 44 inches for the measure of the circumference of that pellet. method 2 Likewise by tripling the diameter of any round pellet or spherical body, and adding thereunto 1/7 part of the said diameter, you shall know the measure of the circumference of the same pellet: as for example, triple 14 the diameter of a supposed pellet, and so the product thereof will be 42, add 2 for 1/7 of 14 unto 42 the triple of 14, and so you shall find in the total sum 44 for the measure of the circumference of that pellet. method 3 Also look how many times 7 is in the diameter of a round pellet or spherical body, so many times 22 is in the circumference of the same pellet or spherical body: as for example, the supposed pellet is in diameter 14 inches, and forsomuch as in 14 there is twice 7, therefore I conclude that twice 22 which maketh 44 is in the measure of the circumference of the said pellet. The 25 Chapter. How you may measure the superficies of any round pellet or spherical body by three sundry ways. method 1 MVltiplie the circumference of any pellet or spherical body by the diameter of the same pellet, and note the product for the superficial measure of that pellet or spherical body: as for example, the supposed pellet being 14 inches in diameter, and 44 inches in circumference, multiply 44 by 14, and note the product, which is 616 inches for the superficial measure of the same supposed pellet. method 2 Likewise if you multiply the square of the diameter of any pellet or spherical body, by 22/7 you may note the product for the superficial measure of the same pellet or spherical body: as for example, the supposed pellet being in diameter 14 inches, multiply 196 the square of 14 by 22/7 and the product thereof will be 4312/7 making by reduction 616 inches, which do express the superficial measure of the same supposed pellet. method 3 Also by dividing the square of the circumference of any pellet or spherical body by 22/7 you shall find in the quotient number the superficial measure of the same pellet or spherical body: as for example, 1936 being the square of 44 which is the circumference of the supposed pellet, must be divided by 22/7 and so the quotient number will be 13552/22 making by reduction 616, which showeth the superficial measure of the same supposed pellet. The 26 Chapter. How you may measure the solid content or crassitude of any round pellet or spherical body by three sundry ways. method 1 MVltiplie the cube of the diameter of any pellet or spherical body by 11, divide the product thereof by 21, and note the quotient number for the solid content or crassitude of that pellet or spherical body: as for example, multiply 2744 the cube number of 14 (which is the diameter of the supposed pellet) by 11, & so thereof will come 30184, divide the said number 30184 by 21, and the quotient number shall be 1437 and ⅓ which showeth the solid content of the supposed pellet. method 2 Likewise if you will multiply the square of the circumference of any pellet by 49, and divide the product thereof by 66, you shall have in the quotient number the solid content or crassitude of that pellet: as for example, multiply 1936 the square of 44 (which is the circumference of the supposed pellet) by 49, and the product thereof will be 94864, which divided by 66 yieldeth in the quotient 1437 and ⅓ for the solid content of the same supposed pellet. Also if you will multiply the cube of the semicircumference of any round pellet or spherical body by 49, and divide the product by 363, you shall have in the quotient number the solid content or crassitude of that pellet: as for example, the semicircumference of the supposed pellet is 22, and the cube of 22 is 10648, which multiplied by 49 produceth 521752, and this number 521752 being divided by 363 will yield in the quotient number 1437 and ⅓ for the solid content of the supposed pellet. The 27 Chapter. How a pellet which sticketh so fast within the concavity of a piece of Artillery as that it can not be driven home unto the powder may be shot out of the piece without danger to the Gunner, or hurt to the piece: and how any rusty pellet which for a long time hath stuck fast within a piece may be shot, or taken out of the piece without danger to the Gunner or hurt to the piece. WHen a piece of Artillery is charged with a pellet that will not be driven home unto the powder, than the Gunner to save this piece from breaking, must so much embase the mouth of the piece as that fair and clear water being at divers and many times put into the touchhole, may for two or three days together soak through the powder which is within the piece, and drop out at the mouth of the piece into a tub set under the same for to receive and save all the saltpetre that was in the said powder. And after all the Saltpetre is by this means soaked out of that powder, the Gunner priming the touchhole with so much fresh powder as will suffice to drive out that pellet, may give fire to the piece, and without any danger to himself, or hurt to the piece shoot out of it the said pellet. But when a rusty pellet hath for a long time stuck fast within a piece, put strong vinegar into the concavity of the piece, & with a wooden r●mmer strike hard upon the pellet till it doth move: then power the vinegar out of the piece, and having powered thorough the touchhole into the piece somuch powder as will suffice to drive out that pellet, fill up the touchhole with good gunpowder, and give fire to the piece, so as the said rusty pellet may thereby be expelled out of the concavity in which it did stick. But if the said pellet after all this hath been done shall still remain within the piece, then power hot scalding oil thorough the touchhole into the piece, and with a long iron rod made at that end which shall go into the Piece like unto a hogs nail, rub away the rust lying between the pellet & the piece, and afterwards embasing much the mouth of that piece, strike hard thereon, I mean upon the mouth of the piece with a great beetle, or iron hammer, and by so doing, you shall force the said rusty pellet to role out of the piece. The 28 Chapter. To make round pellets of unround iron pellets by two divers ways. IN winter when it doth snow and freeze, cover iron pellets which are not round all over with frozen snow, and so let them lie in frozen snow for the space of one night: This done, uncover the pellets, and with a steel hammer which must be well tempered, somewhat heavy, and like unto a Plasterers or Tilers hammer, beat, or cut away the superfluous iron from the unround iron pellets, & while you do so work upon the unround pellets, power often times cold water upon them. By this means you shall (as Luigi Collado writeth) take away the superfluous iron from the unround pellets, and perceive that it will be no more harder to do, Iron is more brickle in winter than in summer. The lathe of a crossbow is apt to break in winter, except it be first well rubbed with a cloth. than to cut a soft stone: For iron is more brickle in cold weather than in a warm season, and by that reason iron pellets shot in the winter against an hard stone brickwall, do sometimes break in pieces, and the steel lathe of a crossbow which is not made somewhat warm with the rubbing of a cloth, doth oftentimes in winter break at his first shoot. Also you may make round pellets of unround iron pellets by this way following: Take an iron pellet which is not round, if it be a pellet for a Minion put the same pellet into the round mould of a pellet for a Saker, and when you have so done, fill up the empty places in the said mould with melted lead, and so you shall make thereof a round pellet for a Saker. Likewise if a pellet for a Saker be not round, you may put the same unround pellet into the round mould of a pellet for a culvering, and by filling the empty places in the mould full of melted lead, make thereof a round pellet for a culvering. And after this manner you may make a round pellet of any unround iron pellet whatsoever. The 29 Chapter. How you may make a model or form for any Gunladle that shall appertain unto any Fanconet, foreign piece that is not so high as a Falcon, Falcon, Minion, Saker, culvering, Basilisk, Cannon, or to any other like made piece: And how upon such modelles, or forms, gunladles for the said pieces are fashioned: and how a Ladle for any Cannon periero may be made: and how every cannon periero aught to have a Ladle. TO the end you may the better understand by this Chapter how a model or form may be made for any Ladle that shall appertain unto any Fauconet, foreign piece that is not so high as a Falcon, Falcon, Minion, Saker, culvering, Basilisk, or Cannon, or to any other like made piece: and how the same Ladles are fashioned, behold here in a figure the pattern of a Copper plate for any such Ladle, The Copper plates of lawless for pieces of the smaller sort must be in thickness at the lest so much as the back of a common meat knife, and for pieces of a bigger sort of a greater thickness. & note this in it, that A B C doth represent that part of the plate which shall hold the charge in Gunpowder for great Ordinance, and that D A C E F G do demonstrate that other part of the same plate which must lie round about upon the staff of such a Ladle. This done, make a model or form of a long and round piece of wood for every sort of such Ladle plates like unto the picture H I, and let the model be in his round compass so much more less than the circumference of a pellet that will fit the piece for which you do intend to make a Ladle, as the plate of the Ladle is thick: then bend round that part of the plate which shall hold the charge of gunpowder upon the said model, so as the two sides of the plate may stand wide open and asunder in a reasonable space one from an other. Moreover, having in a readiness a strong staff, which must be round and big at one end like the said model, and two foot or thereabouts longer than the length of the concavity in the said piece: wind DACEFG the other part of the said plate round about upon the big end of the same staff, and nail the said part D A C E F G fast upon the same end: When you have done all this, the Ladle so made and nailed upon his staff, will be like unto the picture KING L. diagram of a copperplate for a gun ladle The type of a copper plate for a Gun Ladle depiction of a form for a gun ladle A form for a Gun Ladle. depiction of a gun ladle The type of a Gun Ladle. There is an other sort of ladles which do belong unto such pieces as are called in Italian Cannoni Perieri, the name of such a Ladle in Italian is Scaffetta, and the Gunners in Venice having always in a readiness at the lest one such Ladle for every Cannone Periero, do use with the said Ladles to put cartredges into their Cannoni Perieri. To make a Scaffetta for any Cannon periero, take a piece of soft wood which aught to be justly so long as the Cartredge of the piece for which it shall serve: make this long piece of wood round, and in his round circumference, equal to the concavity of the said piece. Also cleave the said round piece of wood from one end to the other right in the midst, and make one piece thereof hollow like a ruff tile for a house, and let the thickness of the same hollow piece of wood be neither more nor less than the thickness of the gum at the mouth of the Chamber which belongeth to the piece for which the Scaffetta shall be made. This done, tie at one end of it a strong cord, and when you have put a cartredge with this Scaffetta into a Cannon periero, you may by the help of the said cord draw the Scaffetta out of the same piece. depiction of the type of a scaffetta The type of a Scaffetta. Also you may make a Ladle for any Cannon periero of a copper plate after this manner Prepare a Copper plate, and fashion it as before you have been taught to fashion Copper plates for Ladles which shall serve to charge Fauconettes, Falcons, and other such pieces, and make the breadth of every Ladle for a Cannon periero by the circumference in his Chamber, as the general rule in the thirty Chapter of this Appendix doth instruct you to make the breadth of Ladles for other pieces by the circumference of a pellet: But in giving length to the Ladle of a Cannon periero, you must remember that the ladle of a Cannon periero which requireth for his due charge in gunpowder ●/● of the weight in his pellet, aught to be in length twice so much as the diameter in the mouth of the Chamber of that cannon periero, and that the ladle for a cannon periero which requireth for his due charge in gunpowder ½ of the weight in his pellet, aught to be in length so much as two of those diameters and ⅔ of one such diameter. The 30 Chapter. Rules by which you may know the true breadth and length of any Ladle that will hold at twice an ordinary charge in Serpentine powder for any great piece of Artillery except Cannoni Perieri, Chamber, and mortar pieces. 1 A Ladle which shall hold at twice an ordinary charge in serpentine powder for any piece of artillery (except Chamber and Mortar pieces) that hath his due length, & weigheth in metal more than one hundred weight, and less than one hundred weight and a half for every pound weight in his iron pellet aught to contain in breadth 3/5 parts of the compass of one fit pellet for his piece, and in length the height of 3 such pellets, or as the Gunner's term is) 3 baules. 2 A ladle which shall hold at twice an ordinary charge in serpentine powder for any piece of artillery (except Chamber and Mortar pieces) that hath his due length, and weigheth in metal one hundred weight and a half or thereabout for every pound weight in his iron pellet, aught to contain in breadth 3/5 parts of the compass of one fit pellet for his Piece, and in length the height of three such pellets, and of ½ of one pellet. 3 A ladle which shall hold at twice an ordinary charge in serpentine powder for any piece of artillery (except Chamber & Mortar pieces) that hath his due length, and weigheth in metal more than 100 weight and a half, and less than two hundred weight for every pound weight in his iron pellet, aught to contain in breadth 3/5 parts of the compass of one fit pellet for his piece, and in length the height of four such pellets. 4 A ladle which shall hold at twice an ordinary charge in serpentine powder for any piece of artillery (except Chamber and Mortar pieces) that hath his due length, and weigheth in metal two hundred weight or upwards unto three hundred weight for every pound weight in his iron pellet, aught to contain in breadth 3/5 parts of the compass of one fit pellet for his piece, and in length the height of four such pellets and of ½ of one pellet. 5 A ladle which shall hold at twice an ordinary charge in serpentine powder for any piece of artillery (except Chamber and Mortar pieces) that hath his due length, and weigheth in metal three hundred weight for every pound weight in his iron pellet, aught to contain in breadth 3/9 parts of the compass of one fit pellet for his piece, & in length the height of five such pellets. The 31 Chapter. Rules by which you may know the true breadth and length of any Ladle that will hold at twice an ordinary charge of that sort of corn gunpowder which I have marked in the sixteen Chapter of this Appendix with the figure of ●, for any Fauconet, foreign piece that is not so high as a Falcon, Falcon, Minion, Saker, culvering, Basilisk, Cannon, or any other like made piece. diagram of a copperplate for a gun ladle The type of a Copperplate for a Gunladle. 1 A Ladle which shall hold at twice an ordinary charge of the said corn gunpowder for any Fauconet, foreign piece that is not so high as the Falcon, Falcon, Minion, Saker, or culvering which hath his proportioned length, and is fortified with his due weight & thickness in metal, must be in length 5 times the height of a pellet that is fit for the piece which shall be charged with the same Ladle, and more the breadth of one finger, that is to say, The breadth of a finger is here & in the 2 other rules next following added to the length of every Ladle for to supply the want of that part of the plate which is cut away at the top of every Ladle to make it their round like a half circle whereby as it is thought every Ladle will do his office the better. that part of this Ladle which shall hold at twice an ordinary charge of the said corn gunpowder, aught to be in length four times the height of such a pellet, and the breadth of one finger: and the other part of this Ladle which must lie very close upon and about the great end of a staff, and be nailed thereunto, must be in length once the height of such a pellet: But if any piece named in this rule shall be charged with such fine gunpowder as is marked in the sixteen Chapter of this Appendix with the figure of 2 then that part of his Ladle which shall hold the same charge in fine powder, must be no more in length than thrice the height of one of his pellets and the breadth of one finger. diagram of a copperplate for a gun ladle 2 A Ladle which shall hold at twice an ordinary charge of the said corn gunpowder for any ordinary demi culvering, demi culvering of the elder sort, whole culvering not so high as ordinary, whole ordinary culvering, or whole culvering of the elder sort, which lacketh his proportioned length, weight or due thickness in metal, must be in length four times the height of a pellet that is fit for the piece which shall be charged with the same Ladle, ⅔ parts of the height of one such pellet, and the breadth of one finger: that is to say, that part of this Ladle which shall hold at twice an ordinary charge of the said corn gunpowder, aught to be in length three times the height of such a pellet, ⅔ parts of the height of one such pellet, and the breadth of one finger, and the other part of this Ladle which must lie very close upon and about the great end of a staff, and be nailed thereunto must be in length once the height of such a pellet. 3 A Ladle which shall hold at twice an ordinary charge of the said corn gunpowder powder for any demi Camnon, double Camnon, or any other like made piece that shooteth an iron pellet weighing not above ½ hundred weight and twenty four pounds avoirdupois poise weight, must be in length four times the height of a pellet that is fit for the piece which shall be charged with the same Ladle: And the breadth of one finger: that is to say, that part of the Ladle which shall hold at twice an ordinary charge of the said corn gunpowder aught to be in length three times the height of such a pellet and the breadth of one finger: And the other part of this Ladle which must lie very close upon & about the great end of a staff and be nailed thereunto, must be in length once the height of such a pellet: But if you will charge any of these pieces with such gunpowder as is marked in the 16 Chapter of this Appendix with the figure of 2, than that part of the Ladle which shall hold at twice a due charge in such fine gunpowder for the same piece, must be in length no more than twice the height of a pellet that is fit for the same piece, and ⅔ of the height of such a pellet. The 32. Chapter. How you may know the diameter of any Chamber bored Cannon: and make a Ladle for any Chamber bored Cannon. TO make a Ladle for a Chamber bored Cannon, measure the height of his Chamber in this sort following: Thrust down a small round iron pin with a little hook at his lower end thorough the touchhole unto the lowest part of the piece his concavity, and then mark with a read stone or otherwise that part of the said iron pin which is touched with the metal in the upper end of the touchhole. After this pull up the said iron pin, and suffering his hook to stay in the metal of the piece at the lower end of the touchhole, mark again with a read stone or otherwise that part of the said iron which is touched with the metal in the said upper end of the touchhole: And when you have so done, draw all the iron pin out of the touchhole, and noting well the space between the said two marks, add thereunto the height of the said hook, and take the whole measure thereof for the height of the Chamber in that Cannon: The length of a Chamber in a chamber bored piece is commonly 4. times the diameter at the mouth of his piece: that is to say, 3 times the said diameter for his charge in gunpowder, and once the said diameter for his wad. This done, open your compass within ⅛ of an inch to the wideness of ½ of that height, and setting one foot of your compass fast upon a piece of paper, or upon a smooth board, draw thereon with the other foot a circle which will be ¼ of an inch shorter in his diameter than the height of the said Chamber, and by that circle search out the breadth of a Ladle for the said Chamber bored Cannon, as you have been taught in the 31 Chapter of this Appendix, to seek for the breadthes of other Ladles by the circumference of a pellet: And when you have so done, note that a Ladle of that breadth for a Chamber bored Cannon which shall be charged with such fine gunpowder as is marked in the sixteen Chapter of this Appendix with the figure of 2, must be in length twice so much as the diameter of the said circle, and ⅔ parts of the same diameter: and that a Ladle of that breadth for a Chamber bored Cannon which shall be charged with such gross gunpowder as is marked in the said sixteen Chapter of this Appendix with the figure of 1, must be in length thrice so much as the diameter of the said circle, The 33 Chapter. How you may make a Ladle for any Bell bored Cannon. TAke a staff somewhat longer than the Bell bored Cannon, and near unto one of his ends pierce a hole thorough the sides of the staff, & thrust a bygwier into the same hole, & make it to stand fast there like a cross. This wire in his length aught to be equal to the height or (which is all one) to the wideness of the mouth in the Bell bored Cannon. After you have set the same wire crosswise in the staff, thrust it into the boar of the piece so far as it will go, that is to say, down to the mouth of the bell bore: which done, draw the wire out of the boar, & measure the Diameter of the bell bore under the touchhole, as you have been taught in the 31 Chapter of this Appendix to measure the height of the chamber in the chamberbored Cannon, and add the Diameter of the said bell bore unto the length of the said wire. Then opening your compass to ¼ of the same length, set one foot thereof fast upon a smooth board, or upon paper, and with the other foot draw a circle, and make the breadth of a ladle, and the circumference of a sponge for a bell bored Cannon, Note. equal to the said circle: and make this ladle in length if his piece shall be charged with such fine gunpowder as is marked in the sixteen Chapter of this Appendix with the figure of 2, thrice the height or (which is all one) thrice the Diameter of that circle: But if this ladle shall serve for a bell bored Cannon that shall be charged with such gross gunpowder as is marked in the said 16 chapter of this Appendix with the figure of 1, than the said ladle aught to be in length thrice the height of that circle and ⅓ of that height: and now remember that every of these two ladles doth at twice duly charge his bell bored Cannon: and that the length of the chamber in a bell bored piece is commonly four times and a half the Diameter at the mouth of his Piece. The 34 Chapter. How you may make Rammers for Faulconets, foreign ordinance that are not so high as the Falcon, Falcons, minions, Sakers, culverins, Basilisco's, demie Cannons, and double Cannons: and how a Rammer and ladle which do belong to some sort of pieces may be set upon one staff: and how a Rammer and ladle which do belong to some other sort of pieces must be set upon sundry staves: and how a Rammer serveth to thrust home powder that shall lie lose and dispersed within a piece, to drive a Tampion close unto powder within a piece, and to put a pellet close unto the Tampion: and how you may make rammers for those pieces which in Italian are called Cannoni perieri. TO frame a Rammer for any Fauconet, foreign piece that is not so high as the Falcon, Falcon, Minion, Saker, culvering, Basilisco or Cannon, do thus. A Rammer for a Cannon and for a whole culvering is in some countries made no longer than the Diameter of one of their pellets, and in some places a rammer is in length once & a half the Diameter of a pellet. The substance and form of a Tampion. Make at the end of a strong staff (which aught always to be two foot or thereabouts longer than the piece for which the rammer shall be made) a round bob of wood, and let that bob be equal in thickness to the height of a fit pellet for that piece, and in length so much as once and a half the height of the same pellet. This bob of wood among Gunners is named a rammer because it serveth to thrust home the powder which shall lie lose and dispersed within a piece, to drive a Tampion close unto a Cartredge, or to a charge of lose gunpowder within a piece, & to put a pellet close unto the Tampion, which Tampion aught always to be made of soft wood, as of willoe, popler, or such like wood, and at his foremost end to be somewhat less than at his other end. And here by the way I must tell you that a Rammer and ladle which shall belong to any Fauconet, foreign piece that is not so high as the Falcon, Falcon, Minion, Saker, or demie culverin lower than ordinary may be set upon one staff: that is to say, the ladle may be nailed upon one end of the staff and the rammer may be made at the other end of the same staff as this figure following doth show, and that a rammer and ladle which shall appertain unto an ordinary demie culverin, demie culverin of the elder sort, culvering not so high as ordinary, ordinary culverin, culvering of the elder fort, Basilisco or any sort of Cannon must be set upon several and sundry staves. depiction of a rammer and ladle and a tampion A Rammer and a ladle upon one staff. A Tampion. There is an other kind of rammer which serveth to beaten down a Tampion of wood, close unto a cartredge lying within the chamber of a cannon periero, & the said rammer may be made after this manner: make (as before you have been taught) a bob of wood at the end of a strong staff, let this bob be somewhat less in thickness than the height of the mouth in the chamber of his Cannon periero, & within one foot & a half of the bob end, place a turning wheel in the said staff, and make the Diameter of that wheel equal to the height of the concavity in the said Cannon periero. Moreover towards the lesser end of the said staff put two strong sticks thorough & overthwart, and so you shall finish the Rammer which then will be like to this figure. depiction of a rammer A Rammer to beat down a Tampion. If two men after the Rammer is so made will take the said two overthwart sticks in their hands, and putting the bob end of this Rammer into his Cannon periero charged with a cartredge and a tampion, will at one instant time thrust the said Rammer with a good strength down upon the tampion, they may through the help of the said turning wheel (which guideth the Rammer just upon the tampion) beat the same tampion close unto the said Cartredge. The 35 Chapter. How you may make sponges or scourers for any sort of great pieces: and how sponges do serve to make clean soul pieces, and to cool hot pieces. AS every great piece aught to have his ladle and rammer, so every great piece aught to have a fit sponge or (which is all one,) a fit scourer serving to make a piece clean so often as need shall require, and being well wet with clean water, or vinegar, or rather with one part of vinegar, and two parts of water mingled together, to cool a piece whensoever it shall happen through many shoots to be very hot: therefore to make a sponge or scourer, provide a staff (as you have been willed to do for a Rammer) more longer by two foot or thereabouts than the concavity of the Piece for which the sponge shall be made, & frame at one end of this staff a bob like a rammer, and let this bob be somewhat less in compass than the circumference of the concavity in the said piece. This done, cover the said bob all over with a piece of sheeps skin that hath long wool upon it, put the wool side outwards, and nail fast the same piece of sheeps skin upon the said bob, and in so doing remember that every sponge aught when it is thrust into his piece to stop up very closely all the concavity where it lieth. depiction of a sponge or scourer The Type of a sponge or scourer for a great piece of artillery Note. If in time of need such a sponge can not be provided, you may bind your cap or some other piece of clot full and hard stuffed with straw or hay upon one end of a long staff, and use the same staff so dressed for a sponge. Also in time of need for want of a rammer, you may with a staff so dressed thrust home gunpowder within a piece. The 36 Chapter. How you may make Cartredges upon a round mould or form of wood. MAke upon a long and round mould or form of wood like unto the picture in the margin, a long and round bag of paper, fustian, or canvas: Let the round wideness of this bag be a little less than the circumference of the concavity in the piece that shall shoot this Cartredge, and make the length of this bag equal to the just length of the ladle which belongeth to the piece that shall shoot the Cartredge. Moreover fashion this bag with a round flat bottom, and then putting into the same bag so much gunpowder, as the piece which shall shoot this bag requireth for his due charge, shut up the upper end or mouth of the bag, & when you will afterwards put this bag of gunpowder (which among Gunners is called a Cartredge) into the boar or concavity of any gun, remember to cut clean away (before you do put it into a gun) that piece of the bag which shall lie directly under and next to the touchhole of the gun, to this end, that only by putting fire unto the gunpowder in the touchhole, you may without any fail give fire to all the gunpowder in the said bag or Cartredge. depiction of a form for a cartridge A form for a Cartredge. Also you may make Cartredges for any great piece of artillery by these rules following. A Cartredge for a Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Saker, & culvering which hath his proportioned length, just weight, & due thickness in metal, aught to be four baules in length, that is to say four times the diameter of one of their fit pellets, & in breadth ● baules lacking ●… part of a ball, I mean such baules as are in the length of the same Cartredges. A Cartredge for every Cannon & Basilisk aught to be in length 2 baules & ● of a ball: that is to say, 2 times the Diameter of one of their fit pellets, & ● of the Diameter of one such pellet, & every such cartredge aught to be in breadth 3 baules lacking ● part of a ball I mean such baules as are in the length of the said Cartrege. A Cartredge for a Cannon periero, & for every other piece which shooteth a pellet of stone aught to be in length twice the diameter of the mouth in the chamber of his piece, & in breadth 3 baules lacking ● part of a ball, I mean such baules as are in the length of the said Cartredge. When you will make a bag for a Cartredge upon a mould or form, & passed or glue together the sides of the same bag, anoint well with tallow that part of the said form which shall lie under the paste or glue, & suffer the bag to remain upon his form till the paste or glue shallbe thorough dry, for in drawing the said form out of the bag, you shall see that the bag will then cleave to no part of the anointed form. The 37 Chapter. How great pieces of artillery are named & how through the intolerable fault of careless or unskilful Gunfounders all our great Pieces of one name are not of one length, nor of one weight, nor of one height in their mouths. Our great pieces of artillery are known by these names: double Cannon of the biggest sort, double Camnon of the ordinary sort, French double Camnon, demie Cannon of the biggest sort, demie Camnon of the ordinary sort, demie Camnon of an extraordinary sort, french demie Camnon, Cannon with a bell bore, Cannon with a chamber bore, Basilisk, culvering of the biggest sort, culvering of the ordinary sort, culvering of an extraordinary sort, demie culverin of the biggest sort, demie culverin of the ordinary sort, demie culverin of an extraordinary sort, Saker of the biggest sort, Saker of the ordinary sort, Saker of an extraordinary sort, Minion of the biggest sort, Minion of the ordinary sort, Moiane, Passavolante or Zebratana, Falcon of the ordinary sort, Falcon of an extraordinary sort, Fauconet, Cannon periero of the old making, Cannon periero of the nwe making, Mortar piece, Base, Rabinet, Fowler, Sling, Portpeece, Rebadochino, Aspidi, Smeriglio, Harchibusacrock & musket. But through the intolerable fault of careless or unskilful gunfounders all our great pieces of one name are not of one length, nor of one weight nor of one height in their mouths & therefore the gunners books & tables which do show that all our great pieces of one name are of an equal length, & of an equal weight, & of an equal height in their mouths are erroneous. The 38. Chapter. The mixture of metals whereof great pieces of artillery aught to be made. THe mixture of metals which is used for the making of good & serviceable pieces of artillery, doth consist of copper, tin, & latten: & we in England do call the said mixture in our mother tongue brass, and in Italian Bronzo. The gunfounders do use to put into the said mixture for every fivescore pounds in weight of pure copper, ten pounds in weight of good latten, and eight pounds in weight of clean tin. The tin (as the Gunfounders do say) causeth the said mixture to be hard, the latten helpeth much to incorporate the metals together and maketh the mixture to be of a good colour, and the copper doth much strengthen the same mixture, although among Gunners this is an approved verity, that the pieces of artillery which are cast of the same mixture are apt to break after they are made hot with many shoots. The 39 Chapter. Rules by which you may know the proportioned length, just weight, and due thickness of metal which aught to be in great pieces of artillery. Length. 1 EVery Fauconet, and foreign piece, which shooteth not a bullet bigger than the bullet of a Fauconet, aught to be in length 34 times the Diameter of his mouth. 2 weight. 2 Every Fauconet and foreign Piece which shooteth not a bullet bigger than the bullet of a Fauconet aught to way in metal 242 pounds and ⅔ of a pound of avoirdupois de poise weight for every like pound weight of metal in his pellet: Thickness. Or the thickness of metal at the bottom of the bore in every Fauconet & foreign Piece which shooteth not a bullet bigger than the bullet of a Fauconet aught to be so much as the Diameter in the mouth of the same boar, and the thickness of metal at the touchhole in every of the said Pieces aught to be ●/● of the said Diameter, and the thickness of metal at the trunnions in every of the said Pieces aught to be 63/●… of the said Diameter, and the thickness of metal at the neck of every such Piece aught to be ⅜ of the said Diameter. Length. 3 Every Falcon, Minion, Passavolante, Saker, Moiane and culverin, aught to be in length 32 times the Diameter of his mouth. weight. 4 Every Falcon, Minion, Passavolante, Saker, Moiane and culverin, aught to way in metal 242 pounds and ⅔ of a pound of aver de poise weight for every like pound weight of metal in his pellet: Thickness. Or the thickness of metal at the bottom of the bore in every Falcon, Minion, Passavolante, Saker, Moiane, and culvering, aught to be so much as the Diameter in the mouth of the same bore: and the thickness of metal at the touchhole in every of the said Pieces aught to be 9/8 of the said Diameter, and the thickness of metal at the trunnions in every of the same Pieces aught to be 63/64 of the said Diameter, and the thickness of metal at the neck of every such Piece aught to be 3/8 of the said Diameter. Length. The Cannons which have a longer length than this proportioned length are called Bastard Cannons. weight Thickness. 5 The proportioned length of every quarter Cannon is 28 times the Diameter of his mouth: the proportioned length of every demie Cannon is between 21 and 25 times the Diameter of his mouth: the proportioned length of every double Cannon is 18 times the Diameter of his mouth: and the proportioned length of every Basilisk is between 24 and 31 times the Diameter of his mouth. 6 Every Cannon and Basilisk aught to way 161 pounds, twelve ounces, three drams, one scruple, thirteen grains and 1/● of a grain in metal of avoirdupois de poise weight for every pound of like weight in his pellet: Or the thickness of metal at the bottom of the bore in every Cannon aught to be so much as the Diameter in the mouth of the same boar, A cannon thus fortified with metal (as Luigui Collado writeth) may be charged with ⅔ in fine gunpowder of his pellet weight. I mean such gunpowder as is marked in the sixteenth chapter of this Appendix with the figure of 2. and the thickness of metal at the touchhole in every Cannon aught to be 9/8 or at the lest so much as the said Diameter: and the thickness of metal at the trunnions in every Cannon aught to be so much as the said Diameter, or at the lest ⅝ parts of the same Diameter: and the thickness of metal at the neck in every Cannon aught to be 5/● parts of the said Diameter: and the thickness of metal at the bottom of the bore in every Basilisk aught to be a little more than the Diameter in the mouth of the same bore: and the thickness of metal at the touchhole in every Basilisk aught to be ●1/22 of the said Diameter: and the thickness of metal at the trunnions in every Basilisk aught to be 41/44 of the said Diameter: and the thickness of metal at the neck in every Basilisk aught to be 5/●… of the said Diameter. depiction of the ends of three gun barrells 7 There are two sorts of such pieces as are named Cannoni perieri: that is to say, there are Cannoni perieri of the old making, and there are Cannoni perieri of a nwe making, and the Cannoni perieri of both these two sorts are always chamber bored. Length. 8 The proportioned length of every Cannon periero is between six and eight times the Diameter of his mouth. Chamber. 9 The length of the chamber in every Cannon periero of the old making aught to be four times and ½ the Diameter at the mouth of the chamber. Chamber. 10 The diameter at the mouth of the chamber in every Cannon periero of the old making, aught to be ⅔ parts of the Diameter in the mouth of the Cannon periero. weight. 11 Every Cannon periero aught to way in metal 80 pounds, fourteen ounces, one dram, two scruples, six grains, and ⅔ of a grain of avoirdupois de poise weight for every like pound weight of stone in his pellet: Thickness. Or the thickness of metal at the bottom of the bore in every Cannon periero aught to be so much as the Diameter at the mouth of his chamber, or (which is all one) ⅔ of the Diameter at the mouth of the Cannon periero: and the thickness of metal at the touchhole in every Cannon periero of the old making aught to be ½ of the Diameter at ●…e mouth of the said Cannon periero, and the thickness of metal at the mouth of t●… chamber in every Cannon periero of the old making aught to be ⅙ part of the Diameter at the mouth of the cannon periero: and the thickness of metal at the trunnions in every cannon periero of the old making aught to be ¼ part of the Diameter at the mouth of the cannon periero: and the thickness of metal at the neck of every cannon periero of the old making aught to be ⅙ part of the Diameter at the mouth of the cannon periero: and the thickness of metal at the touchhole in every cannon periero of the nwe making aught to be so much as the Diameter at the mouth of the chamber in the cannon periero: and the thickness of metal in the gum of the mouth of every cannon periero of the nwe making, aught to be ½ of the Diameter at the mouth of the chamber in the cannon periero: and the thickness of metal at the trunnions in every cannon periero of the nwe making aught to be ½ of the diameter at the mouth of the chamber in the cannon periero, and the thickness of metal at the neck of every cannon periero of the nwe making aught to be ⅓ part of the Diameter at the mouth of the chamber in the cannon periero: 12 The length of the chamber in every canon periero of the nwe making, aught to be shorter than the length of a chamber in a cannon periero of the old making, because the gunpowder which in this our age doth commonly charge every cannon periero, is more stronger than the gunpowder which did charge in time past the Cannoni perieri of the old making. Mortar p●… 13 The thickness of metal at the breech of every motter piece aught to be so much as the Diameter in the mouth of his chamber: the thickness of metal at the trunnions in every mortar piece, aught to be so much as the semidiameter of the mouth in the chamber: and the thickness of metal at the neck of every mortar piece aught to be ● part of the Diameter in the mouth of the chamber. 14 The Diameter at the mouth of the chamber in every mortar piece, aught to be equal to the semidiameter in the mouth of the mortar piece: & the length of every chamber in a mortar piece aught to be so much as once and a half the Diameter of the chamber. The use 〈◊〉 mortar p●… Note. 15 Mortar pieces are commonly used in the night time to shoot pellets of stone, baules of wildfire, cases filled full of stones, pellets of lead, or square pieces of iron: Note. And when an expert gunner will shoot in a mortar piece he putteth no wad upon the powder in the piece, nor giveth fire to the same piece in any other place than at his mouth with a gunmatch. The 40 Chapter. To measure the thickness of metal in any part of a piece of artillery. MEasure first with a pair of calleper compasses, or with an inch rule the whole thickness of the piece. Likewise measure with a pair of other compasses, I mean strait compasses, or with an inch rule the Diameter or (which is all one) the height of the concavity in the Piece: then subtracting the height of the said concavity from the whole thickness of the Piece in that part which was so measured, take half of the remainder for the thickness of the metal in that measured part of the piece: Or for lack of a pair of calleper compasses put a girdle or string that will not stretch round about the outside of the Piece in that part which is to be measured, & measure exactly so much of that girdle or string as went about the piece: this done, multiply that measure by seven, and divide the product by 22, and so the quotient will give you the true measure of the whole thickness of the Piece in that part which was measured: the rest of this work you must do as you did when you measured the whole thickness of the Piece with a pair of Calleper compasses. The 41 Chapter. How every great piece of Artillery hath trunnions for three causes: and how Gunfounders may learn to set the trunnions of every great piece in their due places. EVery great Piece of artillery hath trunnions for three causes, of which the first is to hold up the Piece upon his carriage, the second is to make a Piece when it rests upon them in his carriage to move easily up and down, and at the will of the Gunner to lie sometimes level, and sometimes mounted: And the third cause is, that they set in their due places, and well laid upon a fit carriage, will make their Piece in his discharge to lie fast and steady without any moving forwards, or backwards, downward, or towards any side, wherein the whole inportance of the shoot doth rest. When the trunnions of a Piece are set to high, that is to say, more nearer to the mouth of their Piece than they should be, than the Piece in which the trunnions are so set will be so heavy at his tail, as that the Gunner shall not without great pain and strength lift it up. And when the trunnions of a piece shall be set too lo, that is to say more nearer to the touchhole than they should be, than the mouth of their Piece (by means of the unequal and great weight which is between the said mouth and the said trunnions) will in his discharge fall down towards the ground, wherefore I will not wrap up here in silence the rules by which gunfounders may always set the trunnions of every great Piece in their due places. Divide the length of the Piece into seven equal parts, and in the third part measured from the touchhole towards the mouth of the Piece set the trunnions so as ⅔ parts of the circumference of the Piece in that place where the trunnions shall be set, may be seen above upon, the Piece between the two trunnions. Also a Gunfounder skilful in the art of numbering, may by the help of the golden rule set the trunnions of every great Piece in their due places after this manner: he may multiply the length of the Piece in which the trunnions shall be set by three, and having divided the product thereof by seven note the quotient number for the measure of the space between the lowest end of the piece his concavity and the place where the trunnions must be set: As for example if a Gunfounder would know in what part of a piece which is 144 inches in length the trunnions of the same Piece should be set, he must multiply 144 the length of the Piece by three, whereof will come 432 which divided by seven yieldeth in the quotient 61 inches and 5/7 of an inch for the space between the lowest end of that piece his concavity and the place where the trunnions of the same Piece aught to stand. The 42 Chapter. How great pieces of artillery may be cast of lead? how the thickness of a leaden piece round about the concavity so far as the due charge of gunpowder for the same piece will reach aught to be once & a half, so much as the height of a pellet that is fit for the same piece: how the thickness of a leaden piece at his neck round about the concavity, aught to be ⅔ parts of the height of the said pellet: how any one piece of what weight soever it is, may be drawn by the strength of many men from one place to another. And how old rusty iron serveth to make gun pellets better than nwe iron. WHen a city or town shall be besieged that hath in it no iron, or brass pieces of artillery for offensive and defensive service, than the inhabitants of that City or Town may in time of need cause great pieces of artillery to be cast of lead, whereof there is no lack within any City or Town of England, for such pieces of lead will bear well the ordinary charge of powder and pellet, if from the touchhole so far as the due charge of gunpowder for the same piece will reach, the thickness of the metal round about the concavity of the piece be once and a half the height of his pellet, and that the thickness of the metal round about the concavity at the neck of the piece be ⅔ parts of the height of the said pellet. An Admonition. But these pieces being made very hot with much shooting will quickly break, therefore the Gunners must not shoot in them when they are very hot. Although a piece of artillery so cast of lead will be of a great weight, yet this is to be believed that a piece so cast of lead will be easily drawn by the strength of many men from one place to an other within a Town. For Luigui Collado in the 71 chapter of his Pratica manuale di arteglieria says, that in Barcelona a chamber belonging to a piece was of such weight as twenty men might not lift it, and that poor people did use in Summer to sleep within the said piece which had a bed or carriage more than three fathom about. And we may also read in the second book and sixteenth chapter of England's description in Hollensheads Chronicles, that the great Turk had a gun (cast by one Orbane a Dane) which was drawn to the siege of Constantinople by two thousand men and seventy yokes of Oxen. This Orbane did also cast for the Turk one other great Piece which did shoot a pellet of more weight than two talents. Here I might take occasion by reason of that which hath been written in this Chapter to show how great pieces of artillery and pellets of iron are cast, but I will pass over the same with silence, and refer those which are desirous to learn how pieces of artillery & iron pellets are cast, to the Pirotechnie of Vannuccio Biringuccio where they may read enough thereof, and see that old rusty iron is better to make gun pellets than nwe iron. The 43 Chapter. How you may see, & also otherwise know whether or no honey combs, cracks, or flaws are within the concavity of any great piece of artillery. SO soon as you have charged and discharged a piece, cover very close the mouth of the same piece all over with leather, and at the same instant cause an other person to stop up suddenly the touchhole of the same piece: and so if any unknown flaws or cracks do go thorough the metal in any part of the piece, a visible smoke will come out of the piece thorough the same hidden flaws & cracks. Also you may when the Sun shines take a steel glass, and with the same cast the beams or shadow of the Sun into the mouth or concavity of the piece: for by this means a very great and clear light will be within the concavity of the piece, and by that clear light you shall plainly see every honey comb, crack, and flaw within the same concavity. But forasmuch as the Sun doth not always shine and that at some time in a bright Sun shining day a steel glass may be wanting, you may at such times take a stick somewhat longer than the concavity of the piece, and having cloven one end of the said stick for to hold an end of a candle, light an end of a candle, and put the same into the said cleft, and thrust that lighted end of a candle sticking fast in the said cleft or slit down to the lowest end of the concavity in the gun, and look circumspectly by the light of the same candle whether or no any honey combs, flaws or cracks are in the concavity of that gun. Also if you striking a piece of artillery upon the out side of the metal in divers places with an iron hammer shall at every stroke hear a clear sound, it is a sign that the same piece is without any honey combs, flaws, or cracks: But if you so striking the piece of artillery with an iron hammer shall hear a hoarse sound, then without doubt there are honey combs, flaws, or cracks in the same piece. The 44 Chapter. How any great piece of artillery may be drawn over a soft marish ground, bog, or owes. WHen you shall have occasion to draw any great piece of artillery over a soft marish ground, bog, or owes, make for the same piece a strong carriage like unto a flat bottomed boat that is broad at one end and sharp at the other end as this figure hear drawn doth show. depiction of a gun carriage Let the said carriage be tied, so as no water or dirt may come into it, and when you have so done, lay the piece of artillery upon the said carriage that it may not by any means role or fall of from it, and upon one or (if you may) upon both sides of the soft ground cause oxen, or horses, or men (where no oxen or horses may go) to draw all together the piece so lying in his carriage over the same soft ground, which will not be a hard work to do, for (as I have read) a double Cannon will swim upon such a carriage in a water of one foot in depth, and lying upon such a carriage can not sink the same carriage in any marish, bog or owes above half a foot. The 45 Chapter. How by knowing the certain number of men, horses, or oxen which will draw any one piece of artillery, you may tell what number of men, horses, or oxen will be able to draw any other piece of artillery: how you may know what number of men will in drawing countervail any number of horses, or oxen: how you may know what number of horses will in drawing countervail any number of Oxen: & how this is to be noted that a fraction in a quotient number of men, horses, or oxen is not to be reckoned. Writ first in your memorial that 80 men may draw a Piece of artillery weighing eight thousand pounds in weight, and that six horses may draw a piece of 860 pounds in weight, and that six oxen may draw a piece of Artillery weighing 1058 pounds in weight, and afterwards if you shall be asked what number of men will suffice to draw any Piece of Artillery, multiply the weight of the Piece by which the question is asked in 80 the number of men that will suffice (as you have noted in your memorial) to draw a piece of eight thousand pounds in weight, and divide the product thereof by eight thousand the weight of the Piece which 80 men may draw, and so the quotient will show the number of men that will suffice to draw the piece of which the question was asked. As for example it shall be supposed that this question is asked, what number of men will suffice to draw a piece weighing 860 pounds in weight? To answer the same question, I multiply 860 the weight of the Piece by which the question was asked in 80 the number of men which (as I have noted in my memorial) will suffice to draw a piece of eight thousand pounds in weight, and thereof cometh 68800 which I divide by the said number of eight thousand the weight of the Piece which (as my memorial doth record) may be drawn with fourscore men, and so the quotient yieldeth eight (leaving out the fraction which remains) for the number of men that will suffice to draw the same piece of 860 pounds in weight, which by reduction maketh seven hundred weight, ½ hundred weight, and twenty pounds of avoirdupois weight of England. Also let it be supposed that I am required to to tell what number of oxen will suffice to draw the said piece weighing 860 pounds in weight? For to answer this question I peruse my memorial and finding there that six Oxen will suffice to draw a piece of 1058 pounds in weight, I multiply 860 the weight of the piece by which the question was asked, in six the number of oxen which will suffice to draw the said piece of 1058 pounds in weight, and so the product thereof is 5160, and then dividing the said produced number videlicet 5160 by 1058 the weight of the piece which six oxen will draw I find in the quotient four (leaving out the fraction which remains) for the number of oxen which will suffice to draw a piece of 860 pounds in weight. Likewise if I should be required to tell what number of horses will suffice to draw a piece of 1800 pounds in weight, I would multiply 1800 the weight of the piece by which the question is asked in six the number of horses (which as I am instructed by my said memorial will suffice to draw a piece of 860 pounds in weight) and divide the product thereof by the said number of 860, and take the quotient thereof which is twelve (leaving out the remaining fraction) for the number of horses which will suffice to draw the said piece of 1800 pounds in weight. After this manner (leaving out always the fraction which shall remain, because it is not to be reckoned in an answer to a question concerning the number of men, horses, or oxen which will suffice to draw a piece of artillery) you may tell what number of men, horses, or oxen will suffice to draw any piece of artillery whatsoever, what number of men will in drawing countervail any number of horses, or oxen, and what number of horses will in drawing countervail any number of oxen. weight of Pieces. Number of men which will suffice to draw the same pieces. 8000 80 860 8 Weight of pieces. Oxen to draw. 1058 6 860 4 Weight of pieces. Horses to draw. 860 6 1800 12 The 46 Chapter. How all platfourmes for great Ordinance aught to be covered with wooden planks: and how it is better to plant great Ordinance upon plain and level platfourmes, than upon slope platfourmes. Cover all platforms for great Ordinance with thick, & smooth, wooden planks joined close together: for if great pieces of artillery be in time of service planted upon a floor of earth, the wheels of their carriages may with recoils so sink into the ground, that the gunner's shall not be able to manage well the same pieces. And though some platfourmes for great Ordinance are high behind the carriages of pieces, and lo where the wheels of the same carriages shall ordinarily stand, to this end that the pieces lying in their carriages upon the same slope platfourmes may after they have recoiled be speedily brought again into their ordinary places, yet (as many expert men in the gunner's art do think) it is better to plant great Ordinance upon plain and level platfourmes, than upon slope platfourmes, because the great pieces of artillery which shall be discharged from such slope platfourmes will oftentimes shoot short of their marks. The 47 Chapter. How you may know by a gunner's Quadrant, and also by a gunner's Semicircle whether or no a platform for great Ordinance, or any other piece of ground, lieth in a perfect level. TO perceive whether or no a platform for great Ordinance, or any other piece of ground lieth in a perfect level, let us suppose that L M is the platfoume or piece of ground upon which great Ordinance shall be planted, & that I am required to tell whether or no the said platform is plain and level. For this purpose I place my Quadrant or Semicircle upon a staff, or some other unmovable thing, and do move it up or down until the line and plummet upon the same doth hung precisely upon the line of level, that is to say in the Quadrant upon the line H L, and in the Semicircle upon the line R S: and then looking through the sights or channel of the same Quadrant or Semicircle, I do see N a mark which is level with mine eye, and fixed in a staff or such a like thing perpendicularly erected. After this I measure exactly the height of mine eye from the ground, that is to say the length of the line O L, and likewise I measure the height of the said mark N, that is to say the length of the line N M, and because I find by so doing that the said line N M is equal to the line O L, and that the said platform or piece of ground doth lie upon the right side, and upon the left side according as the line L M doth lie, I conclude that the said ground L M lieth in a perfect level. For the line L M which lieth along upon that piece of ground (by the 33 proposition of the first book of Euclid) is equidistant to the line O N which goeth by the plane of the Horizon, and consequently the said piece of ground or platform upon which the said line L M goeth is equidistant (by the fourteenth proposition of the eleventh book of Euclid) to the plane of the Horizon. But if the line N M had been longer than the line O L, I would have concluded that the same piece of ground is more lower at M than it is at L. And contrariwise if the line M N had been shorter than the line O L, I would have concluded that the same ground is more higher at M than it is at L. And after this sort I will proceed to the right side, and to the left side, and prove whether or no the said platform or piece of ground doth lie round about according as the said line L M doth lie. And so by this supposed work you may learn to try whether or no a platform, or any other piece of ground lieth in a perfect level. depiction of the use of a quadrant The 48 Chapter. How Gabbions or Baskets of earth may be made upon platfourmes in time of military service for the defence of Gunners: and how men upon a platform or upon the walls of a City, Town, or Fort, where no Gabbions or Baskets of earth are to shadow them in time of military service, may be shadowed with canvas, cables, ropes, wet straw or hay, mattresses or ship sails. PRepare a convenient number of osiar twigs or pliant rods, and for every gabbion or basket which shall be made 16 long stakes: set the stakes of every basket upright in the form of a circle and fast in the ground near unto the sides of such great pieces as shall be used for defensive and offensive service. And let each piece of ground which shall be so circularwise enclosed with 16 stakes for a gabbion or basket, be four foot wide within the stakes. This done, wreath about the stakes of each gabbion or basket so many of the said Osiar twigs or pliant rods as will suffice to make every basket extend one foot in height above the head of the taulest gunner. After you have so done, fill up the said baskets with earth which must be thrown into each basket by a little and little at a time, and 'cause a man standing within every basket to tread well and ram down all the same earth as it shall be so cast in. But when gunner's shall serve upon a platform where no baskets of earth are set to defend them, they may shadow themselves with cables, or big ropes, with wet straw or wet hay, with dead bodies of enemies, with mattresses, ship sails or canvas hanged stiff up so as the enemy shall not see any mark or man upon the platform to shoot at, and with a line draw up the nearer or loost end of the same mattresses, ship sails or canvas, so often as they shall have cause to shoot at their enemies. This devise as some men do think will be also profitable for those that shall in time of war stand upon the walls of a city, town, or fort, because they may put up at their pleasure the canvas, & look under the same with more safety than through the loop or look holes in the brickwall at which the enemis are always ready to shoot. If for defence in service you will make a double Gabbion which at the lest aught to be eight foot in wideness and 25 feet and 1/7 of a foot in compass, dig at the end of every foot in measure upon that compass, a whole foot & ½ foot or somewhat more in deepness and set upright in every of the said holes a staff often foot in length and in compass so big as a man's arm. This done, wreath pliant twigs of Osiar, or of nut trees, or of oak, or of willoe about all the same erected staves up to their tops, & while you are so occupied, 'cause an other man with a wooden beetle to beat down your work close together, whereby it will be more able to resist the violent blow of a pellet: Also in the very midst of the Gabbion drive a strong piece of oak into the ground, & lay other pieces of timber joined fast together overthwart the gabbion from one of his sides to the other. After all this, fill up the said gabbion with good clay, or with black, small, and wet earth well rammed down, or with green turfs digged out of meadows, or with bags full of earth or fine sand, or with bags of wool which is the best thing of all for this purpose and take heed that you do put no stone into any gabbion among those things which do fill it up. The 49 Chapter. Rules by which Rabinets, Bases, Fauconets, foreign ordinance that are not so high as the Falcon, Falcons, Minions, Sakers, culverins, Basilisks, Cannons, and all pieces which do shoot stone pellets may for proof and also for service be duly charged with that sort of corn gunpowder which is marked in the 16 Chapter of this Appendix with the figure of 1, and by which you may tell what room a due charge of such corn gunpowder will fill up in the concavity of any great piece that shooteth pellets of lead, or pellets of iron. 1 YOu may prove all sorts of great pieces with three shoots in this manner following. Charge every Rabinet, Base, Smeriglio, Rebadochino, Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Passavolante, Moiane, Saker, & culvering which is fortified with metal as it aught to be, for the first shoot of proof with the whole weight in gunpowder of his pellet, for the second shoot of proof with 5/4 in gunpowder of the weight in his pellet, & for the third and last shoot of proof with 3/2 in gunpowder of the weight in his pellet. As for example, if a piece which shallbe proved doth shoot a pellet of 12 pounds in weight, you must charge the said piece for the first shoot of proof, with 12 pounds in gunpowder, for the second shoot of proof, with 15 pounds in gunpowder, and for the third shoot of proof with eighteen pounds in gunpowder. 2 Charge every Camnon & Basilisk for the first shoot of proof with ⅔ in gunpowder of the weight in his pellet, for the second shoot of proof with ⅚ parts in gunpowder of the weight in his pellet, and for the third and last shoot of proof with the whole weight of his pellet in gunpowder. As for example if any Piece named in this second rule shall be proved with a fit pellet of 45 pounds in weight, you must charge the said piece for the first shoot of proof with thirty pounds in gunpowder, and for the second shoot of proof with 37. pounds and ½ pound in gunpowder, and for the third and last shoot of proof with 45 pounds in gunpowder. 3 Charge every cannon periero of the old making for the first shoot of proof with ⅓ in gunpowder of the weight in his stone pellet, for the second shoot of proof with 7/18 parts in gunpowder of the weight in his stone pellet, and for the third and last shoot of proof with 4/9 parts in gunpowder of the weight in his stone pellet. As for example, if a cannon periero of the old making shall be proved with a fit stone pellet of 36 pounds in weight, you must charge the said cannon periero for the first shoot of proof with 12 pounds in gunpowder, for the second shoot of proof with 14 pounds in gunpowder, and for the third shoot of proof with 16 pounds in gunpowder. 4 Charge every cannon periero of the nwe making for the first shoot of proof with ½ in gunpowder of the weight in his stone pellet, for the second shoot of proof with 5/● parts in gunpowder of the weight in his stone pellet, & for the third and last shoot with ¾ parts in gunpowder of the weight in his stone pellet. As for example, if a cannon periero of the nwe making shall be proved with a fit stone pellet of 36 pounds in weight, you must charge the said cannon periero for the first shoot of proof with 18 pounds in gunpowder, for the second shoot of proof with 22 pounds and ½ pound in gunpowder, and for the third and last shoot of proof with 27 pounds in gunpowder. 5 Also you may prove any great piece of artillery by these rules following: charge and discharge thrice together, for proof every Smeriglio, Rebadochino, Base, Rabinet, Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Saker, Passavolante, and demie culvering loer than ordinary with the whole weight in corn gunpowder of his leaden pellet. 6 Charge & discharge thrice together for proof, every ordinary demie culverin, demie culverin of the biggest sort, whole culverin not so high as ordinary, whole ordinary demie culverin, and whole culvering of the biggest sort which is not so well fortified with metal as it should be, with the whole weight in corn gunpowder of his iron pellet. 7 For proof charge & discharge thrice together every Cannon, & Basilisk, which shooteth an iron pellet of less weight than ½ hundred weight, and 24 pounds of avoirdupois de poise weight in England, with the whole poise in corn gunpowder of the weight in his pellet. 8 For proof charge and discharge thrice together every cannon periero and every other piece which shooteth a stone pellet of less weight than ½ hundred weight, ten pounds and three ounces of avoirdupois de poise weight in England, with ⅓ part in corn gunpowder of the poised in his stone pellet. 9 For service charge every Rabinet, Base, Smeriglio, Rebadochino, Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Passavolante, Saker, Moiane, and culvering which is duly fortified with metal, with the whole weight in corn gunpowder of his iron pellet: And note that such a charge in gunpowder filleth up within the concavity of every Piece named in this rule, so much room as will contain four fit pellets and the breadth of one finger joined to them. 10 For service charge every ordinary demie culverin, demie culverin of the biggest sort, whole culverin not so high as ordinary, whole ordinary culverin and whole culvering of the biggest sort which is not duly fortified with metal, with ⅘ parts in corn gunpowder of the weight in his iron pellet: and note that such a charge in gunpowder filleth up within the concavity of every piece named in this tenth rule, so much room as will contain three fit pellets, ⅔ parts of one fit pellet, and the breadth of one finger joined to them. 11 For service charge every Cannon and Basilisk which shooteth an iron pellet of less weight than ½ hundred weight and 24 pounds of avoirdupois de poise weight in England with ●/● parts in corn gunpowder of the poise in his iron pellet: And note that such a charge in gunpowder filleth up within the concavity of every piece named in this 11 rule so much room as will contain three fit pellets, and the breadth of one finger joined to them. 12 When you shallbe forced in time of service to shoot out of a Cannon or Basilisk a stone Pellet for want of iron pellets, you shall then duly charge the said piece with ½ in such fine gunpowder as is marked in the 16 Chapter of this Appendix with the figure of 2, or with ●/3 in such gunpowder as is marked in the said 16 Chapter with the figure of 1, of the weight in the said stone pellet. 13 When any great piece of artillery shall be charged with such fine gunpowder as is marked in the said 16 Chapter of this Appendix with the figure of 3, you must abate 1/● out of his ordinary charge. 14 For service charge every Cannon Periero of the old making with ⅓ in corn gunpowder of the weight in his stone pellet. 15 For service charge every Cannon Periero of the nwe making with ½ in corn gunpowder of the weight in his stone pellet. 16 Every piece which shallbe proved, aught to lie mounted in the times of his discharge for proof, at 30 degrees or thereabouts. 17 The gunpowder which hath been named in this Chapter without this addition fine, is of that sort of gunpowder which is marked in the sixteen Chapter of this Appendix with the figure of 1. The 50 Chapter. Rules by which carriages for great pieces of artillery aught to be made. 1 THe planks in the carriage of every Smeriglio, Rebadochino, Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Passavolante, Saker, Moiane, and culvering, Length. aught to be in length once and a half so much as the Canon of their piece. As for example, if the Canon of a piece be in length thirty two times the diameter at his mouth, than the planks in the carriage (I mean every plank in the carriage) aught to be in length forty eight times that diameter. 2 The planks in the carriage of every Smeriglio, Rebadochino, Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Passavolante, Saker, Moiane, and culvering, Breadth. aught to be in breadth at their foreendes four times and ½ the diameter in the mouth of their piece. 3 The planks in the carriage of every Smeriglio, Rebadochino, Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Passavolante, Saker, Moiane, and culvering, Breadth. aught to be in breadth about their midst, I mean in those places which are touched with the two ends of the flat transom in the carriage, 4 times the diameter in the mouth of their piece. 4 The planks in the carriage of every Smeriglio, Rebadochino, Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Passavolante, Saker, Moiane, and culvering, Breadth. aught to be in breadth in their ends which shall lie upon the ground, twice and a half the diameter in the mouth of their piece. 5 The planks in the carriage of every Smeriglio, Rebadochino, Fauconet, and such other small pieces, Thickness. aught to be in thickness once and a half the diameter in the mouth of their piece, to the end they may bear a proportion to their wheels. 6 The planks in the carriage of every Falcon, Minion, Passavolante, Saker, Moiane, and culvering, Thickness. aught to be in thickness once so much as the diameter in the mouth of their piece. 7 If a Gunner shall desire to have light carriages for his pieces, he may 'cause a Carpenter to cut away from the thickness of the planks in every carriage, that is to say, Thickness. from their insides between the flat transom and the tail transom so much as ⅛ part of the diameter in the mouth of the piece which shall lie upon the carriage. 8 Four transoms, that is to say, the fore transom, the flat transom, the upright transom, and the tail transom, are put into the carriage of every Smeriglio, Rebadochino, Transome. Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Passavolante, Saker, Moiane, culvering, Cannon, & Basilisk, to hold fast together the planks or sides of their carriage. Also the fore transom, the flat transom, and the upright transom do serve in their carriage for other uses declared in the 3 rules next following. ●…re Tran●…e. 9 The fore transom of a carriage aught to be strengthened with two iron bolts put thorough it, to hold up the mouth of his piece that it may not in his discharge fall down towards the ground. 10 The flat transom of a carriage aught to be strengthened (especially if it shall lie under a Cannon or Basilisk) with two bolts of iron put thorough it, ●…t Tran●…e. that it may be able to bear the weight in the tail of his piece when it is charged: And this flat transom must lie in the sides of his carriage so lo as may be, because the loer that this flat transom doth lie in his carriage, the more higher will his piece be mounted. ●…right Tran●…e. 11 The upright transom (which more properly may be called the slope transom, considering it doth lie aslope in his carriage) aught to be strengthened with two iron bolts put thorough it, or very near unto it, from one side of the carriage unto the other, that it may hold up the tail of his piece when it shallbe mounted or embased with wedges. 12 Between the upright transom and the tail transom, that is to say, a little above the tail transom, a strong bolt of iron must lie fast from one side of every carriage to the other, ●…mbers. and from one limber in every carriage to the other: which limbers aught to be set upon the ends of that bolt in the outsides of their carriages, and stayed from moving up or down when a horse shall draw between them, with two movable shuttles of iron thrust into them thorough their sides, ●…uttles. and thorough the sides of the carriage a little above the tail transom. ●…e centres of ●…les for trun●…ons. 13 The centres of the holes in the sides of a carriage where the trunnions of a Smeriglio, Rebadochino, Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Passavolante, Moiane, Saker, culvering, Cannon, or Basilisk shall lie, aught to be distant from the fore ends in the sides of their carriage, 3 times & a half the diameter in the mouth of their piece. And the said holes aught to be in depth ⅔ parts of the thickness in their trunnions, for ⅓ part of the thickness in the trunnions must always lie above the uppermost part of the said holes. wheels for ●…rriages ●hich shall ●…ue in the ●…elde. 14 The wheels in the carriage of every Smeriglio, Rebadochino, Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Passavolante, Moiane, Saker, and culvering, when they shallbe used in the field, aught to be in height 14 times the diameter in the mouth of their piece besides the thickness of the iron which lieth about their rings to save them from wearing: that is to say the iron about the rings of the wheels may be in thickness 1/12 or if you will 1/10 part of the said diameter. The height of the ring in every of the said wheels aught to be equal to the said diameter. The spokes between the nave and the ring of every such wheel aught to be in length 4 times so much as the said diameter. The nave of every such wheel aught to be in thickness 4 times so much as the said diameter, and the nave of every such wheel aught to be in length 4 times and a half the said diameter. Wheels for ●arriages ●hich shall ●rue upon ●alles of ●ownes, sorts, ●nd castles. ● Palm is in ●easure ¼ ●art of a foot. 15 The wheels in the carriage of every Smeriglio, Rebadochino, Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Passavolante, Moiane, Saker, and culvering, when they shallbe used upon the brickwall of a fort, castle, or town, aught to be in height double to the height of the parapet of that brickwall, which parapet (as Carlo Tetti writeth in the 1 Chapter of his second book delle fortificationi) is always in his due height 10 palms. length. 16 The planks in the carriage of every Camnon and Basilisk aught to be in length once and ⅓ part of the length of the canon of their piece, except the places where they shall lie be so narrow as that they cannot lie there. breadth. 17 The planks in the carriage of every Cannon and Basilisk aught to be in breadth at their fore ends 3 times the diameter in the mouth of their piece. Breadth. 18 The planks in the carriage of every Cannon and Basilisk, aught to be in breadth about their midst twice and a half the diameter in the mouth of their piece. Breadth. 19 The planks in the carriage of every Cannon and Basilisk, aught to be in breadth at their lower ends twice so much as the diameter in the mouth of their piece. Thickness. 20 The planks in the carriage of every Cannon and Basilisk aught to be in thickness once so much as the diameter in the mouth of their piece. But if a Gunner will desire to have the same planks more thinner to the end they may be more lighter, than he may 'cause a Carpenter to cut away in the inside of every of these planks ¼ part of their said thickness. 21 The wheels in the carriage of every Cannon and Basilisk when they shallbe used in the field aught to be in height nine times the diameter in the mouth of their Piece, Wheels besides the thickness of iron which lieth about their rings to save them from wearing: that is to say, the iron about the rings of the wheels may be in thickness 1/12 or if you will 1/10 part of the said diameter. The height of the ring in every of these wheels aught to be equal to the said diameter. The spokes between the nave and ring of every such wheel aught to be in length two times so much as the said diameter. The nave of every such wheel aught to be in thickness three times the height of the said diameter. Fashion. And the nave of every such wheel aught to be in length 3 times and a half the said diameter. 22 Also note that the carriages for all pieces named in this Chapter are made like in fashion: and that the transoms in all the said carriages are set after one like manner. The 51 Chapter. How with a Ladle you may give unto any Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Saker, culvering, Basilisk, Cannon, or any other like made Piece his due charge in gunpowder: how you may in time of service charge any of the said pieces with cartredges: and how you may safely discharge any of the said pieces. WHen you will charge any Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Saker, culvering, Basilisk, When you will fill a gunladle with gunpowder that is somewhat moist, you must fill it heap full, and not strike away the powder that shall lie above the sides of the ladle, & beware to charge any piece with very wet gunpowder. After you have charged a Cannon, you aught to ramme down his charge in gunpowder with four thrusts. Cannon, or any other like made piece, put first your hand into the gunpowder which you have prepared to charge the said piece, and perceiving thereby that the same gunpowder is dry, fill the Ladle belonging to the piece that shallbe charged, full of the same gunpowder so many times as is requisite, and evermore with your hand or some other thing strike away all the dry gunpowder that shall lie above the brim or sides of the same ladle. Then mounting the piece to six or seven degrees, and standing upon one side of the piece (because it is a perilous thing to place your whole body right against the mouth of a piece which charged with gunpowder may through many occasions go of suddenly) put the said ladle so filled with dry gunpowder into the lowest end of the said concavity, and when you have so done, turn within the piece the upside of the ladle down, so as the gunpowder may fall into the piece, and after the ladle is pulled out, remain in the lowest end of the same piece. After you have in this sort laded the piece with his due charge in gunpowder, thrust hard with a rammer twice together & no more (except you do charge a Cannon) all the said gunpowder home unto the lowest end of the piece, that it may not lie dispersed or lose, nor be too hard rammed down in that place. Also thrust a big wad of toe, hay, straw, or of untwisted ropes into the piece home unto the charge in gunpowder for to sweep and keep together all the said charge in gunpowder, and to 'cause the pellet that shallbe shot out of the same piece to range far. Then putting a fit pellet into the concavity of the piece (which fit pellet as our English Gunners do say aught always for divers reasons to be ¼ of an inch less or shorter in his diameter than the height of the said concavity) drive with a rammer the pellet home unto that wad, and if the piece shall shoot downwards at a mark, A fit pellet (as our english Gunners do say) is ¼ of an inch less or shorter in his diameter than the height of the concavity in his piece: But among the Gunners in high Germany this is a general rule that the diameter of a fit pellet aught to be neither more nor less than 20/21 of the diameter in the mouth of his piece. As for example, a fit pellet for a piece of seven inches in diameter, must be 6 inches & ⅔ of an inch in diameter. thrust an other big wad of toe, hay, straw, or of untwisted ropes into the piece home unto the said pellet, for to keep the pellet within the piece, & to stay the pellet there, that it may not role out before the piece shallbe discharged: moreover, put good & dry gunpowder into the touchhole, and about the touchhole of the piece like a train, and be not ignorant that after all this is done the piece is charged, and that you standing upon one side of a piece so charged, and touching the train of gunpowder by the touchhole of the piece with a lintstock or with a fired Gun-match (which some Gunners do tie to the end of a stick of three or four foot in length, and some Gunners do set fast in the cocks of their staves, and some Gunners do wind about the staff end of an halberd or partisant) may safely discharge the same piece. Also if you will in time of service charge any of the said pieces of Artillery with cartredges do thus: Put first a cartredge into the mouth of the Piece, and then with a rammer thrust it into the lowest end of the Piece his concavity, and next drive a wooden tampion with a rammer into the same concavity home to the cartredge, then join a good big wad of hay, straw, toe, or of untwisted ropes unto the said tampion, and put a fit pellet into the Piece close unto the said wad: and when a Piece so charged shall shoot downwards at a mark, thrust an other like big wad into his concavity hard upon the pellet: This done, put a long pricker into the touchhole of the Piece so charged, and with the same pricker pierce divers holes thorough the cartredge lying within the Piece, or (which in mine opinion is a better devise) cut clean away before you do put the cartredge into the hollow Cylinder a piece of the outside of the cartredge, in that part which shall lie directly under and next unto the touchhole. Finally, fill the touchhole of this Piece with good and dry corn gunpowder, and make about the touchhole a little train of powder, and considering that the tampion within the said Piece (if the powder lying behind the same tampion should happen to be moist) must be drawn out with a long iron worm, An admonition. or cut in pieces with a long iron cheesell which will be a perilous work to do, I counsel you to discharge the said Piece within a convenient time after it shallbe so charged with a tampion. The 52 Chapter. How without a Ladle you may lad any Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Saker, culvering, Cannon, or other like made Piece with his due charge in lose gunpowder. Put a long, strait, and smooth staff into the bottom of every Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Saker, culvering, Cannon, and every other like made Piece that shall be charged, and having thrust the staff down close by the metal into the concavity of his Piece so far as it may go, mark with a knife or with some other convenient thing that part of the staff which is touched with the lip or outmost edge of the Piece his mouth. Then drawing the said staff out of his Piece, measure along upon the same staff with a compass (beginning at the said mark, and proceeding downwards in a strait line towards that end of the staff which was at the bottom of the said concavity) the just length of the room which a due charge in gunpowder will fill up in the said concavity, You may see in the 49 Chapter of this Appendix what room a due charge in gunpowder will fill up in any Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Saker, culvering, Camnon or any other like made Piece. and make an other visible mark upon the staff at the end of the same length, and for a distinction call it the lowermost mark. After this throw Gunpowder into the Piece with your hands, until by estimation the Piece hath received thereof a due charge, and with a rammer (as you have been taught in the precedent Chapter) thrust the same gunpowder down into the bottom of the Piece, and to the end you may be guided by the said staff to throw no more gunpowder into the Piece than is requisite, and to take out the excess when you have throne too much gunpowder into the Piece, put the said staff again into the Piece home unto the gunpowder, and look where the lowermost mark upon the same staff is: For as the Piece lacketh a part of his due charge in gunpowder if the said lowermost mark shall now be within his mouth, and hath more than his due charge in nwe gunpowder, if the said lowermost mark shall be without his mouth, So if you have thrown into the Piece his due charge in gunpowder, the said lowermost mark will now neither be within the mouth of the Piece, nor without the mouth of the Piece, but touch exactly the outmost edge or lip of the Piece his mouth. The 53 Chapter. How you may duly charge any Chamber piece of Artillery, and how you may charge any Cannon Periero. Put into every chamber so much powder as his piece requireth for a due charge, and with a rammer beat a tampion of soft wood down upon the gunpowder. Moreover, put a big wad into the piece at that end where the mouth of the chamber must go in, and after the wad thrust into the piece at the said end a fit pellet, & when you have done all this, put the chamber into the lowest end of the piece, lock them fast together, and 'cause the said tampion to lie hard upon the powder in the said chamber, and the pellet to touch the tampion, and the wad to lie close by the pellet. Every chamber piece aught to have three chambers, and when a Gunner will give fire to a chamber piece, he aught not to stand upon that side of the piece where a wedge of iron is put to lock the chamber in the piece, because the said wedge may through the discharge of that piece fly out, and kill the Gunner. But you shall charge every Cannon Periero with all these things following in such order as I do here set them down. First with a cartredge which must be put into the piece with a Ladle called in Italian Scaffetta, or with an other fit Ladle whereof I have made mention in the 29 Chapter of this Appendix. Secondly with a tampion of soft wood which must be rammed down upon the cartredge. Thirdly with a wad which must be thrust into the piece home unto the said tampion. Fourthly with a fit pellet of stone which must be thrust into the piece home unto the said wad. If a piece of Artillery which wanteth a cover of metal for his touchhole shall lie a long time charged, cover the touchhole of the same piece with toe imbrued in tallow, and the powder of coal mingled together, and lay upon the same cover a shell, or a part of a ruff tile, that no rain may enter into the same touchhole while his piece is so charged. The 54 Chapter. How you may 'cause any great piece of Artillery to make in his discharge an exceeding great noise, and a marvelous roar. WHen you will have a great piece of Artillery to make in his discharge an exceeding great noise, charge the piece with great and hard corns of gunpowder. For as Felix Platerus writeth, by how much the corns of gunpowder are more greater, and more harder, by so much a piece charged with them will in his discharge make a more greater noise. Also you may by laying a piece of thin lead, or a piece of shoe leather between the gunpowder and the wad within the hollow Cylinder, and by putting a little quicksilver thorough the touchhole into the said gunpowder, cause the same hollow Cylinder or gun in his discharge to make a marvelous roar. The 55 Chapter. This Chapter following showeth that some great pieces of Artillery do serve to batter, and that some great pieces of Artillery do serve to lie upon walls of Cities, Towns, Castles and Forts, and that some great pieces of Artillery do serve for the field. Also this Chapter following showeth how many times in one day certain great pieces of Artillery may be safely charged and discharged, and how many Gunners and Assistants or Labourers certain great pieces of Artillery aught to have. AN ordinary double Cannon duly fortified with metal, will serve to batter, & may safely for offensive and defensive service be thirty times charged and discharged in one day. A french double Cannon duly fortified with metal, will serve to batter & may safely for offensive and defensive service be thirty three times charged and discharged in one day. A demi Cannon of the elder and biggest sort duly fortified with metal, will serve to batter, and may safely for offensive and defensive service be 80 times charged and discharged in one day. An ordinary demi Cannon duly fortified with metal, will serve to batter, and may safely for offensive and defensive service be 108 times charged and discharged within the space of 5 hours in one day, and it aught to have three Gunners and fifteen Assistants or Labourers. A french demi Cannon duly fortified with metal, will serve to batter, and may safely for offensive and defensive service be sixty times charged and discharged in one day. A quarter Cannon duly fortified with metal, will serve to lie upon the brickwall of a City, Town, Castle, or Fort, and may safely for offensive and defensive service be 110 times charged and discharged in one day. A whole culvering of the elder and biggest sort duly fortified with metal, will serve to lie upon the brickwall of a City, Town, Castle, or Fort, and may safely for offensive and defensive service be 60 times charged and discharged in one day. A whole ordinary culvering duly fortified with metal, will serve to lie upon the brickwall of a City, Town, Castle, or Fort, and may safely for offensive and defensive service be 60 times charged and discharged in one day. A demi culvering of the elder sort duly fortified with metal, will serve to lie upon the brickwall of a City, Town, Castle, or Fort, and may safely for offensive and defensive service be 70 times charged and discharged in one day, and it aught to have two Gunners and ten assistants or labourers. A demi culvering lower than ordinary, duly fortified with metal, will serve for a field piece, and may safely for offensive and defensive service be 75 times charged and discharged in one day, and it aught to have two Gunners and ten Assistants or Labourers. A Saker of the elder and biggest sort duly fortified with metal, will serve for a field piece, and may safely for offensive and defensive service be 80 times charged & discharged in one day, and it aught to have one Gunner and 5 assistants or labourers. A Falcon duly fortified with metal, will serve for a field piece, and may safely for offensive and defensive service be an hundred and twenty times charged and discharged in one day. A Fauconet duly fortified with metal, will serve for a field piece, and may safely for offensive and defensive service be a hundred and forty times charged and discharged in one day. The 56 Chapter. How a piece of Artillery aught not to be proved upon his carriage: how a piece of Artillery that shallbe proved aught to be made clean: how a piece of Artillery that shallbe proved aught to be without honey combs, flaws, & cracks: and how he which hath charged a piece for proof, aught when he doth discharge the same piece to stand behind a bank of earth, or brickwall, until by a train of gunpowder he hath discharged the said piece. WHen a great piece of Artillery shallbe proved whether or no it is duly fortified with metal, and may in time of service be used without fear of breaking, take the same piece from his bed or carriage and mount it at 30 degrees, because a great piece which lieth upon his carriage when it is proved, cannot be enough elevated to suffer in time of his proof a sufficient violence, nor without harm to his carriage be discharged. Also put the staff of a sponge or the staff of a gunladle down ●…to the concavity of the same piece so far as it will go, and thrust down thorough the touchhole of the piece a round sharp pointed pricker of iron or steel that may touch and prick the end of the said staff, which (if no stone, scale, or other let be within the said concavity) will lie under the touchhole. Then taking out all the stones, scales, and filth, which are within the said hollow Cylinder, make clean the same with a succourer, or (which is all one) with a sponge, for such things lying within a hollow Cylinder charged with gunpowder, may 'cause the same hollow Cylinder in his discharge to break, or 'cause a moisture in the same hollow Cylinder which will weaken the gunpowder that is there, and make it unable to expel a pellet with so great force as it should do. After this lay the tail of the piece upon the ground against a wooden plank backed with a brickwall or bank of earth, and perceiving (by such means as before in the 43 Chapter of this Appendix have been declared) that no honey combs, flaws, or cracks are in the said hollow Cylinder, put blocks under the mouth of the said hollow Cylinder or gun, to mount and elevate the same mouth as before I have told you unto 30 degrees. This done, charge and discharge the said piece thrice together for his proof with a fit pellet and a due charge in gunpowder, according as you have been taught in the 40 Chapter of this Appendix. I say thrice together, because a faulty gun that taketh no hurt by the first shoot, may receive a little harm by the second shoot, and break in pieces at the third shoot. Last of all, make a train of gunpowder from a place behind an high bank of earth or brickwall, unto the touchhole of the piece, and standing always when you do prove any great piece at the end of the said train behind the bank or brickwall, give fire unto the said train, An admonition. and beware that you do not remove from the said standing place till by putting fire to the train you have discharged the piece. The 57 Chapter. How you may by five sundry ways disparte any Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Saker, culvering, Cannon, or any other like made piece: how you may find out the middle and uppermost part of metal over the tail of any piece: how you may find out the middle and uppermost part of metal over the mouth of any piece: and how you aught to set the disparte of every piece upon the middle and uppermost part of metal over the mouth of the piece. 1 MEasure with a calaper compass the greatest height of metal in the tail of the piece, & also the greatest height of metal at the mouth of the piece, subtract the lesser height out of the greater height, and take half of the remainder for the disparte of the piece. 2 Add the diameter of the greatest circumference of metal at the mouth of the piece, to the diameter of the greatest circumference of metal at the tail of the piece, and divide the whole length of both those diameters into two equal parts. This done, opening your compass to the measure of one of those equal parts, set one foot of your compass fast in the undermost part of the concavity at the mouth of the Piece, and extend the other foot of your compass right over the uppermost part of metal in the greatest circumference about the mouth of the piece, and take that height which is between the said uppermost part of metal, and the said uppermost end or point of your compass for the true length of the disparte of the said piece. 3 Measure with a girdle or string that will not stretch, the greatest circumference of metal in the tail of the piece, multiply the measure of the said circumference by 7, divide the product thereof by 22, and note in your memorial the quotient number for the diameter of that circumference. Likewise measure with a girdle or string that will not stretch, the greatest circumference of metal about the mouth of the piece, multiply the measure of the circumference last named by 7, divide the product thereof by 22, and note in your memorial the quotient number for the diameter of the circumference last named. This done, subtract the shortest diameter out of the longest diameter, and take ½ part ●… the remainder for the disparte of the said piece. 4 Prepare a long ruler marked with inches, half inches, quarters of inches, and with other less equal parts: Lay that ruler overthwart and equidistant to the Horizon upon the greatest circumference of metal in the tail of the piece, let a line and plummet hung right down from the said ruler first close without any bending by one side of the same circumference, and after close without any bending by the other side of the same circumference, note exactly the parts of the ruler which were at both times touched with the line, and in like manner note exactly the point of metal in the said circumference which lieth directly in the midst between the said two noted parts. This done, take the space between the said two noted parts for the diameter of the said circumference, and mark with a file or some other thing the said point of metal for the middle and uppermost part of metal in the said circumference. Likewise lay your ruler close to the mouth of the said Piece, and let a line and plummet hung right down from the said ruler first close without any bending by one side of the greatest circumference in the metal at the mouth of the piece, and after close without any bending by the other side of the circumference last named: then noting well (as you did before) the parts of the ruler touched at both times with the said line, and also the point of metal lying in the circumference last named directly over the middle part of the space which is between those noted parts, take the same space for the diameter of the said circumference at the mouth of the piece, and mark the same point with a file or some other thing for the middle and uppermost part of the last named circumference. After all this, subtract the shorter diameter from the longer diameter, and taking ⅓ part of the remainder for the disparte of the Piece, set a straw or a piece of a small wax Candle of equal length to the said disparte upright upon the said mark in the middle and uppermost part of the circumference last named, and call that straw or piece of a wax Candle, the dispart of the piece. 5 Thrust a priming iron thorough the touchhole of the Piece down to the bottom of his concavity, and then mark with a red stone that part of the iron which is equal in height with the uppermost part of metal in the greatest circumference at the tail of the piece. This done, pull up the said iron out of the touchhole, set that end of the iron which went thorough the touchhole, upon the undermost part of the concavity in the mouth of the piece, and holding the marked part of the said iron right over the middle part of metal in the greatest circumference above the mouth of the piece, take the space between the said mark upon the iron, and the said middle part of metal over the mouth of the piece, for the desired disparte which (if it be set in his due place) will always direct you to lay the concavity of his piece level, and right against any appointed mark. The 58 Chapter. How with a Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Saker, culvering, or Cannon, you may always strike any appointed mark within point blank. AFter you have charged a Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Saker, culvering, Cannon, or any other like made piece with his duty in powder, waddes, and pellet, according to the precepts expressed in the 49 Chapter of this Appendix, disparte the piece, and set his disparte upright with a little wax upon the middle and uppermost part of metal in the greatest circumference over the mouth of the piece, and lift your piece up or down until by laying your eye unto the middle and uppermost part of metal in the greatest circumference at the tail of the piece, you may perceive that the mark at which you will shoot, the top of the disparte, and the uppermost part of metal at the tail of the piece do lie in a perfect right line and in an equal height. Then doing your duty as you have been taught in the first Chapter of this Appendix, discharge your piece and you shall see that the pellet shot out of the same piece will strike the appointed mark which lieth within point blank. When you shall have occasion to shoot at a light seen in the night time, disparte your piece with a lighted & unflaming wax candle, or with a lighted gunmatch, or set a lighted gummatch upright by the disparte, that you may see by the light of the fire in the same gunmatch, to lay the middle and uppermost part of metal at the tail of the piece, and the top of the disparte in a strait line with the mark, and to place the concavity of the piece right against the mark, as before in this Chapter I have taught you to do. The 59 Chapter. How you may know what number of feet, yards, paces, or scores, any piece of Artillery will shoot in an unsensible crooked line, or (as the Gunner's term is) at point blank. CHarge the piece for whose point blank you seek with his duty in good corn gunpowder, and with a fit pellet, turn the mouth of that piece towards a brickwall, butt, or bank of earth situated in a convenient distance from the piece: and lay the piece level by the help of a Gunners semicircle, or quadrante, as you have been taught in the first Colloquy of the first book of Nicholas Tartaglia his Colloquys: Then setting the true disparte of the piece upon his mouth according to the doctrine written in the tenth Colloquy of the said first book of Colloquys, and in the 57 and 58 Chapters of this Appendix, discharge the piece at a small visible mark fixed in a point of the said brickwall, butt, or bank of earth that is level with the top of the said disparte, and with the highest part of the metal at the tail of the piece. This done, note diligently where the pellet doth hit, and evermore when the pellet so shot doth strike above the mark, When the pellet shot in this manner striketh above the mark, than the extreme & farthest end of the point blank which you seek, is beyond the said mark. When the pellet shot in this manner striketh under the mark, than the extreme and farthest end of the point blank which you seek, lieth between your piece & the said mark. remove the piece backwards to an other place more farther from the said mark, and out of the more remote place shoot at the mark again as you did before with one sort of gunpowder and with a like pellet, till the pellet so shot shall strike in the midst of the mark. For when the pellet so shot doth strike precisely in the midst of the mark, then by the reasons alleged in the ninth Colloquy of the said first book of Colloquys, the number of scores, paces, yards, and feet, between your said piece, and the said mark, is so much ground as your said piece can shoot in an unsensible crooked line, or (as the Gunner's term is) at point blank. But if the pellet so shot shall strike under the mark, draw the piece forwards towards the mark, and from a more nearer place shoot again as you did before with one sort of powder, and with a like pellet, till the pellet so shot striking in the midst of the mark shall show unto you by the reasons alleged in the said 9 Colloquy, that the distance between your piece and the mark is so much ground as your said Piece can shoot in an unsensible crooked line, or (as the Gunner's term is) at point blank. The 60 Chapter. How the point blank and utmost ranges are proportional in all pieces of Artillery: How by the rule of proportion you may know what number of yards any piece will reach at his utmost random: And how by the said rule you may know what number of yards any piece will reach at his point blank. THe point blank and utmost ranges (as some authors have written) are proportional in all pieces of Artillery, wherefore knowing the point blank and utmost range of any one piece, and the point blank of an other piece, you may tell the utmost range of any that other piece. In like manner knowing the point blank and utmost range of any one piece, and the utmost range of an other piece, you may tell the point blank of that other piece: As for example let us suppose that this question is asked: If a Falcon carrying point blank 320 yards will at his utmost random range 1280 yards: how far will a Saker reach at his utmost random that at point blank or level rangeth 360 yards? I say, that the rule of proportion serveth precisely to answer the same and all such like questions, And that multiplying 360 in 1280, and dividing 460800 the product thereof by 320, the quotient will yield 1440 for the number of yards which the said Saker shall reach at his utmost random. Again, let us suppose that I am required to answer this demand. If a Falcon which rangeth at his utmost random 1280 yards will carry point blank 320 yards, how far will a Saker reach at point blank that at his utmost random rangeth 1440 yards? To do that which is required I multiply 320 in 1440, and having divided 460800 the product by 1280. I find in the quotient 360 to be the number of yards which the Saker will shoot level: or (as the Gunner's term is) point blank. And thereupon I conclude that after this manner by observations used in any one piece of artillery, and by the art of proportion I may discover unto you the force of all other pieces of artillery. Point blank. utmost random. utmost random. Point blank. Falcon. 320 Yards. 1280 Yards. Falcon. 1280 Yards. 320 Yards. Saker, 360 Yards. 1440 Yards. Saker. 1440 Yards. 360 Yards. The 61 Chapter. How you must mount your piece when you will shoot unto the farthest end of the utmost random. NIcholas Tartaglia in his Epistle set at the beginning of his book named La nova scientia declareth that every great Piece of Artillery aught to be mounted at 45 degrees when it shall shoot unto the farthest end of his utmost random. But William Bourne in his Treatise of shooting in great Ordinance writeth that it is needful for us to consider well of the wind before we do mount any piece to shoot unto the farthest end of his utmost random, because (as he saith) when we will shoot with the wind unto the farthest end of the utmost random, we must mount our piece at 45 degrees, and in a windy day against the wind sometimes at 36 degrees, sometimes at 37 degrees, sometimes at 38 degrees, sometimes at 39 degrees, sometimes at 40 degrees, according as the wind is in bigness, and in a fair calm day at 42 degrees. The 62 Chapter. How you may mount any great piece of Artillery with a ruler, as well as with a quadrant or semicircle unto the number of ten degrees, and how such a ruler aught to be made: and how such a ruler aught to be used when a piece of Artillery is by it mounted, or embased. THe measure of the length of the piece that shall be mounted by a ruler being doubled, reduce into inches: after this, multiply the said number of inches by 22, and divide the product by 7, and divide again the quotient number of that division by 360, then take the last quotient for the number of inches and parts of an inch, that will make a degree upon a ruler for that piece which was so measured. As for example, I will mount a piece of 6 foot long at one degree with my ruler, therefore 6 foot the length of that piece being doubled maketh 12 foot, which reduced into inches make 144 inches. This number of 144 multiplied by 22 produceth 3168, which divided by 7 yieldeth in the quotient 452 and 4/7: then do I divide that quotient of 452 and 4/7 by 360, and so the quotient of this last division which is 1 and ●/3 ●/5 showeth that this piece of 6 foot in length, being mounted by my ruler 1 inch and ●/3 9/5 of an inch, lieth justly of the same height that it would do if it should be mounted at one degree of a quadrant or semicircle. Now to know how much the said piece must be mounted for 2 degrees of a quadrant or semicircle, I multiply 1 and ●/3 9/5 by 2, and thereof cometh 2 and ⅓ ●/5, wherefore I say, if the said piece be elevated by the ruler 2 inches and ⅓ ●/5 of an inch that it lieth mounted at two degrees. Likewise by multiplying the said number of 1 and ●/3 9/5 by 3, the product thereof (which is 3 and ⅔ 7/5 expresseth that the said piece must be mounted 3 inches and ⅔ 7/5 of an inch for 3 degrees. And after this order I may know how to mount the said piece with a ruler unto any other degree to which the piece will be mounted with a ruler, for you aught not to be ignorant of this, that a piece of artillery cannot be mounted with a ruler above 10 degrees, because the degrees are taken out of a circumference and not out of a strait line. depiction of a ruler, a quadrant and a semicircle The ruler with which pieces of artillery may be mounted is made in fashion like unto the picture drawn in the margin, & marked as common rulers are, with inches, half inches, quarters of inches, half quarters of inches, and with more lesser parts of an inch. Also in the midst of this ruler (almost from one end to the other) there is a slit or open place, within which a plate of brass or latin having in it a little hole pierced thorough is so placed, that the said hole may as need shall require be moved up and down in that slit, and be set right against any inch, or part of an inch marked upon the same ruler. And although (as it seemeth to me) a piece may be more easily, and more justly mounted unto any degree by a quadrant, and also by a semicircle, than by a ruler, yet will I not let pass to show in this place how you must use the ruler to mount a piece by it. Wherefore when you will mount a piece by a ruler to shoot at any mark, put first the true disparte of the piece to be mounted, upon the piece his mouth, as you have been taught in the 57 Chapter of this Appendix, then knowing at what degree the piece must be mounted to reach the mark, set the hole which is in the movable plate of the ruler right against the number of inches, and parts of an inch that will make justly the same degree: and having so done, set the end of the ruler upon the tail of the piece, so as the ruler may stand upon the piece squirewise, until you have done your work. After this (the mouth of the said piece being laid right upon the mark) koyne the breech of the piece up and down until you may see thorough the said hole in the plate the top of the disparte, and the mark, and when you have so done, give fire to the piece that you may strike the said mark. The 63 Chapter. How you may by the help of wedges lay the concavity of any great piece of Artillery right against a mark: how by the help of wedges you may make a perfect shoot at a mark lying under the mouth of your Piece: and how by the help of wedges you may 'cause your Piece to strike in the mark, after it hath at one shoot shot under the mark, and at an other shoot shot above the mark. PRepare of iron or of strong and hard wood two sorts of wedges for every great piece of Artillery, that is to say, three wedges of one sort, and three wedges of an other sort: Make every wedge of the one sort just so thick as ⅓ part of the height in the disparte of his piece: and let every wedge of the other sort be no thicker than ⅙ part of the said height. This done, lay the uppermost part of metal at the tail of the piece, and the uppermost part of metal over the mouth of the piece, in an equal height and in a right line with the mark: and then put under the tail of the piece one of his said wedges of the thicker sort, which (as Luigi Collado affirmeth) will 'cause the concavity of that Piece without any more work, to lie right against the said mark. But when you purposing to shoot at a mark lying under the mouth of your Piece within point blank, do look upon that mark by the said two uppermost parts of metal, put under the tail of your piece two of the said wedges of the thicker sort, and by so doing you shall make a perfect shoot at the said mark. Also (as the said Luigi Collado writeth) if your piece lying level doth shoot under the mark, and afterwards (the uppermost part of metal over his mouth being laid in an equal height with the uppermost part of metal at his tail) doth shoot somuch above the mark as before it did shoot under, you may at the third and next shoot cause your said piece to strike in the said mark, if you will for this third shoot lay again the uppermost part of metal over his mouth in an equal height with the uppermost part of metal at his tail, and put afterwards one of his said wedges of the thinner sort under his tail. The 64 Chapter. How to make a perfect shoot at any company of horsemen, or footmen passing by the place where Ordinance doth lie upon a level ground: and also how to make a perfect shoot at any ship sailing in a river by the place where Ordinance doth lie upon a level ground: and also how to make a perfect shoot at any moving thing passing by a place where Ordinance doth lie upon an uneven ground. WHen any horsemen or footmen shall pass by a place where a great piece of Artillery doth lie, the Gunner must charge that piece duly with good gunpowder, and with a fit pellet, to this end that the same piece may go off so soon as fire is put unto it. Also the Gunner in this case must lay his piece truly disparted upon a level ground right against some mark in their way: as for example against some tree, bush, hillock, cloud, or if it may be upon some turning way, because in such a place they can not departed very quickly from the mark, and in fine when the said horsemen or footmen shall come near unto that mark, or be in that turning way, the Gunner must discharge his said piece at them. Likewise when a Gunner will shoot at a ship sailing in a River, he aught to plant his piece against some cloud or other mark lying from him on the farther side of the water, and give fire unto his piece when the forepart of the ship shall begin to be between the mouth of the piece and the mark. But when the piece which shall be discharged at a moving thing doth lie in his carriage upon an uneven ground, the Gunner must measure by the help of a Quadrant, or Semicircle, how many inches the ground under one wheel of the piece his carriage is more higher, than the ground under the other wheel of the same carriage, or for want of a Quadrant and Semicircle, he must go to that wheel of the Piece his carriage which standeth upon the loer ground, and hanging a line and plummet down to the ground from the middle and highest part of that wheel, measure exactly the space between the said plummet, and the midst of the loermost part of the same wheel: for this measure showeth in like manner how much the ground is more higher under one wheel, than under the other wheel. And when he hath so done he must lay his said piece according to that measure wide from the mark towards the more higher side of ground: I mean if it be found by the first or second way to measure the said difference of heigthes, that the ground under the wheel on the North side of the piece his carriage doth lie sixteen inches above the ground that is under the wheel upon the Southside of the same carriage, the Gunner to make a perfect shoot at the moving thing aught to lay the mouth of his said piece sixteen inches wide towards the North from the unmovable mark that must guide him to shoot at the moving thing. The 65 Chapter. How much a piece must be elevated for to shoot upwards at a mark upon a hill without point blank: and by what means the mouth of a piece may be laid right upon any mark. WHen you will shoot upwards at a mark which is situated upon a hill without point blank you must first measure with your Quadrant or Semicircle the space which is between your piece and the mark, & afterwards mount that piece at so many degrees as will 'cause it to shoot so much ground as is in the said space: then place your Quadrant or Semicircle close by the mouth of your piece, and move it up or down till you shall espy through the sights or channel of the Quadrant or Semicircle the said mark. That done, note the degree which was touched in this last action with the line and plummet of the Quadrant or Semicircle, and mount the piece again more higher by so many degrees than it was before, I mean if you did mount the piece at four degrees to shoot so much ground as is between the piece and the mark, and did note three degrees for the degrees which were touched with the line and plummet of the Quadrant or Semicircle, then must you mount the piece again at three degrees more, and so the said piece will lie mounted in the whole sum at seven degrees for to shoot upwards to the mark upon the hill. And by so doing if the piece be laid right upon the mark, you shall undoubtedly strike the same. But if your piece do not lie right upon the mark when it is discharged, it will strike wide of the mark so many times the measure of the wideness that it lieth at when it is discharged, as the length of the piece is contained in the distance between the piece and the mark. As for example, if a piece of eight foot long be planted one inch wide from the mark lying eight hundred foot distant from the piece, I conclude that the said piece planted one inch wide from the mark, will strike at the end of that distance one hundred inches wide from the said mark. To lay your piece right upon the mark do thus: hung a line and plummet right over the tail of the piece in the middle part thereof, and wind the piece until you standing behind the same piece shall see that the middle part of the mouth of the piece doth lie directly between the mark and the line hanging at the tail of the piece: For when the middle part of the mouth of the piece doth lie directly between the mark and the said line, then doth the piece lie right upon the mark. The 66 Chapter. How much a piece aught to be embased for to shoot at a mark lying in a valley without point blank. TO shoot downwards at a mark lying in a valley without point blank, measure first with your Quadrant or Semicirle the space which is between your piece and the mark, and afterwards mount that piece at so many degrees as will 'cause it to shoot so much ground as is in the said space. Then having placed your Quadrant or Semicircle by the mouth of your piece, move it up or down till you shall espy through the sights or channel of the Quadrant or Semicircle the said mark, and note what degree is touched with the line and plummet of the Quadrant or Semicircle: that done, put down the mouth of the piece more loer by so many degrees than it was before, I mean if you did mount the piece four degrees to shoot so much ground as is between the piece and the mark, and did note three degrees for the degrees touched with the said line & plummet of the Quadrant or Semicircle, than the mouth of the piece must be put down or (as some term it) embased three degrees, and so will the piece being laid right upon the mark and mounted but at one degree, strike the mark in the valley although in the precedent chapter the said piece was mounted at seven degrees to shoot a like distance at a mark upon a hill, and at four degrees to shoot a like distance upon a plain ground. Hear this is to be noted that a pellet shot from an height into a lo place can do no more harm than kill one person, or make one hole in the place where it falls, because (as Luigui Collado hath written) the pellet so shot doth more offend through his own natural weight, than by the expulsive power of the gunpowder which did expel it out of his piece. The 67 Chapter. How you may certainly know by the Gunner's Semicircle whether a ship upon the Sea, or an Army upon the land, or any other thing seen a far of, doth come towards you, stand still, or go from you: and how you aught to discharge your great ordinance of divers sorts against a ship, or an Army coming towards you. A Long distance being between you and a ship upon the Sea, or an army of men moving a far of, may oftentimes through the weakness of your sight deceive you, and make you not to discern well whether that ship, or army doth stand still, go from you, or come towards you: therefore it will be very profitable (as I think) for you to learn how you may be always certain thereof, for to follow your enemies when they shall fly from you, and make preparation of defence when you shall see them come to assault you. For this purpose you shall ascend into some high place from whence you may behold the ship or army a far of: and having put a Semicircle to your eye, move it up or down till you shall see through the sights, or through a channel made in the said Semicircle, that part of the ship or army which is nearest unto you. Then your Semicircle remaining unmovable, note diligently the part of the Semicircle touched with the hanging line and plummet of that Semicircle, and after a while making the said line to hung again directly upon the said part which was touched with it when you did espy thorough the said sights or channel the ship or army, look again whether you can espy thorough the same sights or channel the part of the ship or army which was first espied: for if at your second looking you shall behold again through the said sights or channel the very same part of the ship or army which you did first espy you may boldly affirm that the said ship or army moved not between the time of the first and second looking. And if your visual line passing through the said sights or channel shall not at your second looking extend to the said part, than it is certain that the said ship or army doth go from you. But if your said visual line passing through the said sights or channel shall at your second looking extend over the said part of that ship or army, than you may boldly say that the said ship or army cometh towards you. diagram of a visual line After all this you must measure by the help of your Semicircle how far the said ship or army is from you, and finding by your measure that the said ship or army is within the reach of your pieces, you aught to shoot out of culverins, Sakers, Minions, Falcons, and Fauconets, whole iron shot at the same ship or army, and when the army shall come very near unto you chain shot, clive shot, dice shot, baules of wild fire and such other like spoiling shot. The 65 Chapter. How you may make a perfect shoot in a dark night at any mark that may be seen in the day time: and how a lighted candle may be carried in the night time so as no light shall be seen but at your will and pleasure. IN the day time mount your piece to reach the appointed mark, and at that very time place the mouth or concavity of the piece right upon the said mark, and then having put the longest leg of your Semicircle into the mouth of the said piece, note exactly what degree upon the Semicircle is touched with the line & plummet hanging upon the said Semicircle, for that degree being written in your memorial will show you always how much the said piece lying in that place must be mounted to reach the said mark. After this, let fall a line and plummet down unto the ground from the middle part of the mouth of the piece, and thrust a pin of wood or iron into that point of ground which was touched with the plummet last mentioned. Likewise from the middle part of the breech or tail of the piece, let that line and plummet hung down again unto the ground, and thrust an other pin of wood or iron into the same very point of ground which was last touched with the said plummet. Finally, draw a strait line upon the ground right over both those pings, and make each end of this line to reach two yards at the lest beyond the pin next unto it. This line lieth directly under the middle part of the mouth of the piece, and also under the middle part of the tail of the piece, and right upon the mark, and is named therefore the line of direction. Now when you will shoot in a dark night with that piece at the said mark, charge the piece with his duty in powder, and with a fit pellet, and plum the middle of the mouth of the said piece, and the middle of the tail of the said piece, right upon the said pins set in the said line of direction, that you may by so doing lay the mouth of the piece right upon the appointed mark. Then the longest leg of your said Semicircle being put into the mouth of the piece koyne the piece up and down till the line and plummet hanging upon the Semicircle shall fall exactly upon the same degree that it touched before when it was mounted in the day time to strike the said mark. All this being done, you aught to consider of other things that are expressed in the first chapter of this Appendix, and observe the same before you do shoot, for by so doing there is no doubt but that the pellet shot out of the said piece will strike the appointed mark in any night how dark so ever it is. Also if this doctrine be observed at every time when you will shoot at a mark, you may without fail strike the said mark so often as you will with divers pieces from sundry places in any dark night. But to the end you may see at all times before you shoot whether or no the line and plummet hanging upon the Semicircle falls upon the degree noted in your memorial, & whether or no the middle part of the mouth of the piece doth lie right over the line of direction, I counsel you to prepare a close box of boards like a lantorne to carry a lighted candle, and to have a door in the side of the box to open when you will see with your candle, and to shut when you will have no light seen. diagram of a visual line Example. A piece of artillery being planted in the day time at B and mounted by a Semicircle 3 degrees, did strike D a mark in the brickwall of a fort, and when the said piece was discharged at the same mark, the middle part of the mouth of the piece, and the middle part of the tail of the piece did lie directly over B C the wooden or iron pings which stand in the line of direction, therefore when you will shoot in the night time from B to D, you must mount this piece three degrees, and plum the middle part of the mouth of the piece, and the middle part of the tail of the piece right over B C the wooden or iron pings in the line of direction, and so doing you can not fail in your purpose. The 69 Chapter. How you may carry in the night time a lighted Gunmatch so as it shall not be seen nor be wet with rain. Hung at your girdle as you do the sheath of your knife a hollow cane of eight or ten inches in length, and let the Cane be open at both ends, than put the lighted end of the gunmatch into the Cane, and as the gunmatch within the Cane shall burn and consume, so put the lighted end of the same gunmatch more farther or loer into the Cane, and by this means the lighted end of the gunmatch being within the Cane can not be seen in the night, nor be wet with rain. The 70 Chapter. In what distance pieces of Artillery aught to be planted for battery: In what order pieces of artillery aught to be mounted for battery: In what sort pieces of artillery aught to be discharged for battery: and in what measure a breach with battery aught to be: and in what manner a piece made hot with many shoots aught to be cooled. TO batter a brickwall of a Town or fort, lay your Cannons if you can at the distance of 80 paces from the brickwall which shall be beaten down, and in no wise (without constraint) more farther from that wall than 150 paces: for when Cannons do lie 300 or 200 paces of from the brickwall which shall be battered, they are planted (as Luigui Collado writeth) in an inconvenient distance & unmeet place to batter. Also lay the mouths of your Cannons so as they may strike a foot one above an other in the wall unto ¼ of the height in the said wall, & discharging them altogether at one instant, continued the battery, till you have made a breach so big as at the lest nine men in a rank may enter into it. After a piece with many shoots is made very hot, it changes his colour, & shooteth weakly, and then to save it from breaking, you aught to cool it within with a sponge wet in cold water, or in two parts of cold water, & one part of vinegar, or in lie mingled with a little water: and lay all over the piece, or at the lest from the touchhole to the mouth, sheeps skins with long wool on them dipped in the said cold water, or in 2 parts of cold water, & 1 part of vinegar, or in lie and a little water, which lie stoppeth the powers of the metal in the piece, and causeth it to resist heat. The 71 Chapter. How a Gunner may outshoote other Gunners in one and the same piece at one and the same elevation with pellets of one weight, & of one kind, & with an equal weight of one & the same kind of gunpowder. Wrap the pellet in linen or woollen clot, so as it may go very stiff and close unto the gunpowder in the piece, and by so doing you shall make the said pellets to randge more ground than a like pellet which is not so wrapped in clot will do. Likewise when a Gunner shall shoot with an other Gunner in one and the same piece, at one and the same elevation with pellets of one weight and of one kind, with an equal weight of one and the same kind of gunpowder, and in all points with like advantage, he that shooteth last shall out shoot him which did first shoot in the said piece by the reasons alleged in the 4 Colloquy of the first book of N: Tartaglia his Colloquys, and in the seventh Colloquy of the second book of N: Tartaglia his Colloquys. Also if a gunner after he hath laded a piece with his due charge in gunpowder will make a hole with a staff of a convenient length and bigness thorough the very midst of the same gunpowder, and likewise after he hath duly charged his said piece with 2 waddes of hay, straw, toe, or of untwisted ropes, and a fit pellet, will fill the touchhole of the same piece with good gunpowder, and make an other hole with his pruning iron thorough the same touch gunpowder down unto the hole which was first made in the said due charge of gunpowder within the piece, doubtless he shall by so doing shoot more ground than an other Gunner ignorant of this skill can do in the same piece at one and the same elevation with a like pellet, and an equal charge of one and the same sort of gunpowder. The staff which shall make a hole in the midst of the piece his charge in gunpowder aught for every Fauconet, Falcon, Minion, Saker, culvering, French demie Cannon, demie Cannon lower than ordinary, and demie Cannon, to be in compass three or four inches or there abouts, and the staff which shall make a hole in the midst of the piece his charge in gunpowder for every ordinary demie Cannon demie Cannon of the elder sort, French double Cannon, ordinary double Cannon, and double Cannon of the elder and biggest sort aught to be in compass five inches or thereabouts. The 72 Chapter. How you may amend high, lo, and wide shoots. To amend an high shoot. WHen a pellet shot at a mark within point blank hath struck somewhat above that mark, lay your piece for the second shoot against the said mark in every respect as it did lie at the first shoot, and afterwards raise up the dispart upon the mouth of your piece, till you shall see by the uppermost part of metal in the tail of the piece, and the top of that dispart, the place where the pellet struck at the first shoot. This done, embase the mouth of that piece, till the said uppermost part of metal, and the top of the same dispart, do lie in a right line with the mark, and then giving fire to the piece, you shall see that by this means the piece will shoot into the mark. To amend a lo shoot. Also when a pellet shot at a mark within point blank doth strike somewhat under his mark, you may amend the said lo shoot in this manner. Recharge your piece, and after you have for the second shoot laid it against the mark in every respect as you did lay it for the first shoot, set upright upon the uppermost part of metal in the tail of the piece a wax candle of such a length as that you may see by the top of the said candle, and the top of the dispart upon the mouth of the piece, the lo place where the pellet before did hit. Then having mounted the mouth of your piece till the top of the said wax candle, and the top of the dispart upon the mouth of your piece, do lie in a right line with the said mark, give fire to the piece, and so you shall shoot into the mark. To amend a shoot wide upon your right hand. But when a pellet shot at a mark within point blank shall strike wide upon your right hand, then to amend that wide shoot, recharge the piece which shot that pellet, and laying it for the second shoot against the mark as it did lie at the first shoot, remove the level sight upon the tail of your piece somewhat towards your left hand, so as the top of your nwe level sight, and the top of your piece his dispart, may be perceived to lie in a right line with the place where the pellet before did strike. This done, move your piece to and fro till you shall see that the top of your nwe level sight, and the top of your piece his dispart do lie in a right line with the mark, & for an end of this work give fire to your piece which now without fail will shoot his pellet into the mark. To amend a shoot wide upon your left hand. You may amend a shoot wide upon your left hand as you have been taught to amend a shoot wide upon your right hand, saving for the amendment of a shoot wide upon your left hand, you must always remove the level sight upon the tail of your piece somewhat towards your right hand. The 73 Chapter. To make an engine which will make a great spoil and a marvelous slaughter. PLace a great piece of Artillery within a broad iron hoop, and lay a great number of Calivers or Muskets in the said hoop round about the said piece according to the figure next following, and when need shall require charge and discharge all the same pieces together. This engine discharged out of a ship at men in a Galley, Foist, or any other like vessel (as Girolamo Ruscelli writeth) will make a great spoil and a marvelous slaughter. depiction of an explosive engine The 74 Chapter. Instructions for all those that are unskilful to handle and use an arquebus, Caliver, or Musket. 1 EVery person unskilful to handle and use an arquebus, Caliver, or Musket aught first to learn to handle and carry soldier like the said piece, and the Flask, and touch box belonging to it. diagram of the bore of a caliver the allowed bore of a caliver in Ao. Dnī 1588. diagram of the bore of a musket the allowed bore of a musket in Aº Dnī 1588. 4 Also he aught to learn how he shall in a commendable manner charge his piece, and how he shall afterwards (when need shall require) lay it to his cheek. 5 Having learned to charge, he aught also to know how he should shoot in the said piece at random, and likewise how he should shoot in that piece at a mark within the level of the same piece, and how upon a small stay in march or skirmish he should charge and discharge speedily his piece. 6 Also he aught to prove before he hath urgent cause to use his piece, whether it be good and meet for his purpose or like to break. 7 And in a skirmish made only for practice or sport, let him take heed that he do not charge his piece with any bullet whereby any person may be maimed or put in hazard of his life or limbs. 8 Also for divers reasons which are not meet to be expressed in this book, let no person at any time use to shoot out of his piece any pellet of lead after he hath chawed it in his mouth and bitten it with his teeth. The 75 Chapter. How to mount a mortar piece for to shoot out of the same fireworks or great stones over walls or other high places into cities, towns, or camps, to burn and beat down houses, tents, and lodgings within the same places. IT behoveth him which will shoot out of a mortar piece any firework or great stone for to have it fall right down upon the appointed place to know these 3 things. The weight of the shot, how much ground his piece will shoot at the best of the random, & how far the place which he would burn or beat down is from him. The said three things being known, he may easily by this example following learn to do as he intended. depiction of the firing of a piece of artillery Example. The piece will shoot the firework, or the great stone at the best of the random 800 paces, and the place to be burned or beaten down is distant from that piece 600 paces, therefore that piece must be mounted for to do this exploit at 48 degrees and ½ degree. But if the firework or the great stone will fly at the best of the random 900 paces, and the place to be burned or beaten down be distant from the piece six hundred paces, than the said piece must be mounted at forty one degrees and almost ½ of a degree. And when the firework or stone will fly at the best of the raudon 1000 paces, and the space between the piece and the said place doth contain 600 paces, the said piece must be mounted at six & thirty degrees and ½ part of a degree, but for the better understanding hereof mark well this figure following. diagram of the use of a quadrant ● for't to be burned or beaten down. The ●…etus or perpendiculer line. A mortar piece set upright. In the said figure there is a Quadrant, and upon the same with a movable Hipothenuasa or Index a right angled triangle is fashioned. The base of that triangle representing the space between the piece & the mark aught to be divided into so many equal parts as the said distance between the piece and the mark doth contain paces. Likewise the said Hipothenusa or Index representing the way of the shot would be marked with so many of such like equal parts as may show the number of paces which the piece will shoot at the best of the random to be numbered from the centre downwards. Now when a firework or a great stone is to be shot out of a mortar piece unto an appointed place, the gunner having in a readiness such a Quadrant, and knowing how much ground his said piece will shoot at the best of the random, & also what distance is between the piece & the place to be Burned or beaten down, must move upwards or downwards the said Hipothenusa or Index until that part of the Hipothenusa which is equal to the number of paces which the piece will shoot at the best random doth touch the Cathetus or perpendiculer line of the said triangle: And then he must note the degree upon the Quadrant which is touched with the fiducial line of the said Hipothenusa or Index, and mount the said mortar piece to that degree for to shoot the firework or the great stone to the appointed place. The 76 Chapter. How you may make an iron dart which being shot out of any great piece of artillery, or out of the inguine called Balista, or throne out of your hands against any wooden object, will burn and consume the same object if it shall strike and stick in the same object. MAke an iron dart of two foot in length (more or less at your pleasure) with iron wings placed a little below the upper end like the feathers of an arrow or Butshaft, and above or under the said wings pierce a hole thorough the stem of the dart. depiction of an iron dart Also make a round pipe of iron plate about four inches in length, and in compass a little less than the compass of the concavity in the piece which shall shoot the same dart, and having pierced a little hole thorough both sides of this pipe put the pipe filled full of the mixture following upon the dart above the said wings, or if you will below the said wings, so as his hole may lie directly upon the other hole which was first made in the stem of the dart, because you must drive a nail thorough both these holes from one side of the said pipe unto the other side of the same pipe to fasten it and the dart together, that when the dart shallbe shot out of a piece of artillery, the said iron pipe may not fly from it. Likewise I would have you to pierce one hole at the upper end ●f this pipe, and divers other holes thorough the sides of this pipe, and to put into the side holes short iron pipes like unto the Canons of pocket dags, and to set fast these short pipes within the said great pipe so as their mouths may lie a little without the said holes according to the picture next following, and that their other ends may rest upon a part of the dart. For these short pipes charged with powder and pellet (as dags aught to be) will shoot out their pellets when the mixture in the said great pipe shall burn about them, and astonish all those that shall then be near unto them, especially if the dart be shot from an high place downwards. Moreover, put upon the dart near unto his point a bag wide in the midst and narrow towards both his ends according to the picture next following, & with a mixture made of 12 parts of Saltpetre, eight parts of Brimstone bruised grossly like pepper corns, and four parts of gross gunpowder mingled together, fill that bag, and also the said great pipe of iron as full as you can, binding well together both the ends of the said bag so filled, and nailing the full bag unto the dart with a nail driven thorough a hole which for that purpose aught to be in the dart according to the picture next following, to the end that the said bag may not move from his place when the dart shall be shot out of a piece of great Ordinance, or throne with your hand. Also you shall dip hemp in the mixture which you learned to make in the nineteenth Chapter of this Appendix for gunmatches, and bind the same with pack thread when it is dry round about the dart from the said iron wings unto the said bag, laying the lose ends of the hemp towards the great pipe of iron, or in steed of hemp bind a gunmatche round about the dart between the said iron wings and the said bag, that the mixture in the said great pipe of iron being a fire may give fire to the said hemp or gunmatche which will carry fire unto the mixture in the bag. depiction of an incendiary dart And forasmuch as these darts touched with men's hands or wet with rain will wax worse and mar, therefore coat them with canvas and wind packthreede very hard upon the same canvas, and then cover the said canvas all over with paste made of meal sod in water: and when the said cover of paste is thorough dry, make a close and hard binding net of wiar round about upon the said cover of paste according to picture next following depiction of a cover for an incendiary dart When you will shoot this dart put into the said hole at the upper end of the said great pipe a piece of a gunmatch, and charge not the piece out of which this dart shall be shot with so much gunpowder as is his ordinary charge nor with any tampion or wad. The 77 Chapter. To make balls or pellets of fire which being shot out of great ordinance, or throne out of men's hands will stick fast and burn the object in which they shall strike. PRepare three sharp pointed bars of iron a little less in their lengths than the height of the piece his concavity in which they shall lie. This done, lay 2 of those bars crosswise in their middle parts one upon an other, binding the contingent parts of the same cross fast about with an iron wire. Also lay the middle part of the 3 bar overthwart and crosswise upon the middle and contingent parts of the other 2 cross bars, tying them in like manner fast together with an iron wire, so as one point at the lest of the same double and overtwart cross may stick fast in every object that shallbe strooken with the same. Moreover wind a gunmatch round about the contingent parts of the the said cross till you have made upon the same a round bottom as big as an Orrange, & then weaving the rest of the gunmatch in and out upon the said cross bars, you shall make certain voided and empty rooms like unto birds nests, which must be filled with a mixture that aught to be made after this manner. Take of Saltpetre 12 parts, of Brimstone grossly bruised like pepper corns 8 parts, of gross gunpowder 4 parts, & with all these things mingled together fill the said empty rooms so as your work may be a round body like a pellet. Furthermore wind round about over the said mixture more of the gunmatch, & upon this gunmatch wind very hard a handful of packthreed in such sort as some men use to wind thread upon a bottom, and when you have so done, make an other mixture after this manner. Take of Brimstone one part, of Orpiment, one part, of Colophonia pitch or Colophonia gum 2 parts, of Ship pitch one part, of Turpentine one part, of the wood of a yew tree one part, of Frankincense ½ of a part, of Oil of linseed ½ of a part, of Oil of stone ⅓ of a part, of vitriall grossly beaten one part: and in these things mingled together, and boiled a little while in a copper vessel, dip toe or bumbase much or scarcely according as you will have this pellet to burn furiously or slowly, which toe or bumbase must afterwards be wrapped round about the pellet, & well covered over with pitch, remembering that the sharp points of the said iron bars must stand two ynces at the lest without the said cover of pitch, and that a hole must be made thorough the midst of the pellet from one side to the other to contain a gunmatch, which lying along in the said hole shall when need requireth make the said ball or pellet to burn. depiction of incendiary pellets The 78 Chapter. How you may make holloe baules of metal which being shot out of great Ordinance or mortar pieces, or throne with slings out of men's hands among soldiers standing or marching in battle ray, will suddenly break in many pieces and do great hurt. EVery holloe ball of metal that shall be shot out of any great piece of Artillery or mortar piece, or that shall be throne with men's hands among soldiers in battle ray, aught to be made of brickle metal, as of Copper, Latin, Tin, or cast iron and have a little hole in it, through which the concavity of that ball may be filled with fine corn gunpowder, and in which after the said concavity is filled with gunpowder, a short end of a gunmatch may be put that shall fire the said gunpowder incontinently after the ball comes among them at whom it was shot, to the end that the said ball being unable to abide the violent blast of the gunpowder that is within his concavity, may thereby break in many pieces, and kill or grievously hurt more men than one whole pellet will do. You may also fill holloe baules of metal with that kind of gunpowder which I have taught you to make in the thirteenth way and sixteenth chapter of this Appendix, for the said gunpowder is of so great force, as that undoubtedly it will break any holloe ball of brickle metal filled with the same. Some make these holloe baules with three parts of brass, and one of tin, in thickness ¼ of an inch, and they do melt the brass before they put the Tin unto it, and when such baules shall be used they fill them half full of good corn gunpowder, and to fill up the rest of the hollonesse in this ball, they put in three parts of serpentine powder mingled with one part of rosin beaten into powder, & then having put into the mouths of the holes that are in the baules a little fine corn gunpowder for to make the residue of the stuff to fire the sooner, they shoot them out of great Ordinance, or throw them with slings out of their hands among men in battle ray, or over walls into towns, fortresses, and camps, to terrify, hurt, and kill all those that at the time of their breaking shall be near unto them. Moreover you may for that purpose make a holloe pellet of one pound of tin, and three pounds of copper: and this pellet being made half a finger thick, you must pierce two holes so big as a man may thrust into them his little finger in both sides of the pellet, one directly against the other. This done, fill the holloe pellet full of fine gunpowder pressed down very hard and put into this pellet thoroe the said holes a holloe pipe of iron which must reach from one of those holes unto the other, and be fast riveted in the pellet. But before you do put the pipe so into the pellet, remember to pierce about the middle part of the pipe two or three holes thoroe the sides of it, and after the pipe is riveted fast in the pellet to make this next mixture following. Take of gross gunpowder sixty parts, of Saltpetre stamped twelve parts, of varnish in grains six parts of Spanish pitch six parts, incorporate all these things together, and after both the ends of that iron pipe are fast riveted in the pellet, fill the said pipe almost full of that mixture, I say almostful because you must put fine gunpowder into both ends of the said iron pipe. Moreover, after you have so done you shall first anoint the outside of this pellet all over with Turpentine, and then having rolled the pellet in fine gunpowder to make it apt to take fire quickly, you shall shoot the same out of a great piece of Artillery with a train of gunpowder, which lying along in the piece from the mouth of it unto the gunpowder behind the said pellet, must first be set on a fire at the mouth of the piece. Also you may if you will put into the said holloe ball or pellet certain square or round pieces of lead, or divers short pipes of iron like unto pocket dags full charged with gunpowder and pellets, and fill up the rest of the concavity in that ball or pellet with fine gunpowder, and having anointed it with Turpentine, and rolled it in fine gunpowder, shoot it out of a piece of Artillery with a train as above you have been taught to do. depiction of explosive pellets The 79 Chapter. How you may make divers sorts of baules of wildfire which may be shot out of Mortar pieces, and also out of other great pieces of Ordinance: And how you may make divers sorts of baules of wildfire and other firewoorkes which may be throen out of men's hands with slinges, cords, or other such like things, into a Town, Forte, trench, or Camp, or among men set in battelray. TAke brimstone, oil of brimstone, stone oil, juniper oil, Saltpetre very well refined, and for every part of these things take five parts of Aspalto: Moreover, take Goose grease, or Ducks grease, pure Greek pitch, varnish, Pigens' dung dried and beaten into fine powder, and so much Aqua vitae as will cover all the same things. After you have put all these things together into a glass or into an earthen pot (which must be glazed or nealed) stop close the mouth of that glass or pot with wax, or with the clay which we call Lutum sapientiae in Latin, and in English Lute of wisdom, and bury the said glass or pot in hot dung for 25 or 30 days together. Then (to the end all that mixture may be the better incorporated) set the said glass or pot upon a soft fire, and having so done, dip toe or linen cloth in the said mixture, and make a round ball fit for your Mortar piece, or for an other piece of Ordinance of the same toe or linen cloth well dipped and imbrued in the said mixture. 2 You may also if you will take a small pellet of iron or stone, and wind about the same so much of that toe or linen cloth well dipped and imbrued in the said mixture, as will suffice to make the same a fit shot for your great piece of Ordinance, or Mortar piece. But when you will throw the said ball of toe or linen cloth with your hands, you shall hung a ring about the same, and tie unto that ring a cord ¾ of a yard in length, which cord you shall take in one of your hands, and with the same toss the ball after it is set on a fire round about you, till you shall perceive by casting it about that it is ready to depart from you, and then with all your strength throw it into the appointed place. Also Canes, holloe staves, and pots may be filled with this mixture, or you may fill bags therewith, and after you have set them on a fire, throw them with slinges, or such like instruments whether you will. 3 An other kind of firework which may be throne out of men's hands among enemies set in battle ray, and which may be shot out of great Ordinance and Mortar pieces into Towns, Castles, Camps and Ships. TAke of the varnish which is occupied to guild leather an hundred twenty parts, of quick brimstone forty eight parts, of the oil of resin or gum twenty four parts, of Saltpetre fifteen parts, of the oil called Oleum Olibani twelve parts, of Camphire six parts, of very good Aqua vitae fourteen parts: Mingle all these things together in a pot, or some other vessel set over a soft fire, then dip or imbrue toe or linen cloth in that mixture, and keep the same imbrued toe and linen cloth in pots, to throw after it is kindled with a gunpowder match among enemies, standing or marching in battle ray: or make of the same imbrued toe and linen cloth fit pellets for to be shot out of great Ordinance, and Mortar pieces into Towns, Castles, Camps and Ships: For this kind of firework being well kindled, can not be quenched wheresoever it falls. 4 An other firework which may be shot out of great Ordinance and Mortar pieces, or throne out of men's hands. TAke of the varnish which is occupied to guild leather 120 parts, of the oil of resin or gum 12 parts, of the oil of wax 12 parts, of the oil of turpentine 8 parts, of quick brimstone 24 parts, of saltpetre 48 parts, of camphor 12 parts, of very good Aqua vitae 24 parts, of greek pitch beaten into fine powder 36 parts: Mingle all these things together in a pot or some other vessel set over a soft fire, then dip and imbrue toe or linen cloth in that mixture, and keep the same imbrued toe in pots, to be throne with slinges after it is kindled, into any place that you will burn: or make of the imbrued toe and linen cloth round balls which may be shot out of great Ordinance and Mortar pieces into Towns, Forts, Camps, and Ships, for this firework being kindled, can not be quenched. 5 An other firework which will burn in water, and may be shot out of great Ordinance and Mortar pieces in holloe balls of metal, & throne with slinges out of men's hands. TAke of good gunpowder 72 parts, of colophonia 24 parts, of common oil of Olives 18 parts, of brimstone 12 parts, of Naphra or stone oil 12 parts: These things being well mingled together will burn all dry things, and as by adding unto the same mixture a greater quantity of gunpowder you may increase the strength of this firework, so by putting unto that mixture somewhat more of Colophonia and brimstone, you may abate the strength of the same firework. After you have made a mixture of the said things, wrap the same in little bags of linen as well and as strait bond about as may be, then having tied a cord unto every of the said bags, hold fast the ends of the cords in your hands, that by the same you may dip and imbrue the said bags in hot pitch, which done, let the said bags imbrued with pitch dry: When they are dry wrap them in linen cloth as before you did the said mixture, & afterwards dip and imbrue the said wrappers in hot pitch as before you did the bags, through which they shall not only be defended from the moisture of water, but also from breaking asunder with the force of fire. After this, dry the said wrappers in the sun, & having so done, pierce a little hole quite thoroe the said imbrued wrappers & bags & into that hole put fire: After the fire is kindled, and hath burned a while in the said hole, throw the aforesaid composition into water, and by so doing you shall see the said firework to go down to the bottom of the water, and to rise up again to the top of the water, and to flame and burn both on the top of the water, & also in the bottom of the water, and never to be quenched with water. Some use to shoot this kind of firework in holloe balls of metal out of great Ordinance, and Mortar pieces, and for that purpose they put a quantity of gunpowder in toe, and after they have imbrued the said toe in the aforesaid mixture of Gunpowder, Colophonia oil of Olives, oil of brimstone, oil of stone or naphra, they fill therewith hollow balls of metal, which being also covered on the outside with the said mixture, and shot out of great Ordinance, or Mortar pieces with other gunpowder, will for a while fly burning in the air, and at the length break in many pieces to the spoil and destruction of all those that shall be strooken with any piece of the same ball. That this firework may burn the longer and be more stronger, some put unto the said mixture Swine's grease, Goose grease, brimstone that hath never been on any fire, oil of brimstone, oil of naphra, oil of lintseede, Saltpetre oftentimes refined, Aqua vitae or burning water, oil of turpentine, juniper oil, liquid pitch or varnish, oil of the yolk of eggs: and for to thicken and incorporate those liquid things, saw dust of a bay tree: And after they have well mingled all these things together, and have put the same in a glass well stopped with wax that no air may breath out, they bury the said glass in a dunghill for two or three months space, and at every ten days end within that time they take that glass out of the dunghill, and having shaken well together the mixture in the same, they bury it again in fresh dung. After the said mixture hath been so buried in dung by the said space of two or three months, it may be used for a firework, which being a fire with gunpowder, or with a gunpowder match, will burn and not be quenched with water till all his substance shallbe consumed, and yet with dry dirt, dry earth, dry sand, and with such other dry things may be choked and clean put out. If this kind of firework shall happen to fall upon a man's helmet, corselet, target, sword, or other weapon, it will make the same red hot, and force the man armed with the same to throw his said armour and weapon away for to save himself from burning. 6 An other unquenchable firework which may be shot out of great Ordinance and Mortar pieces, and may be throne in pots out of men's hands with slinges. TAke of Turpentine twelve pounds, of liquid pitch twelve pounds, of pitch varnish twelve pounds, of Frankincense twelve pounds, of Camphire twelve pounds, of quick brimstone six pounds, of Saltpetre refined twenty four pounds, of burning water thirty six pounds, of the oil of naphra thirty six pounds, of coals made of willoe beaten into fine powder three pounds and ½ pound. Mingle all these things together, and make thereof with toe or linen cloth imbrued in the same round balls, which may be shot out of great Ordinance and Mortar pieces, or if you will, you may throw certain pots filled with the said mixture among enemies, for this kind of firework is unquenchable. 7 An other firework which may be shot out of great Ordinance, or out of Trombes or Trunks, or throne in pots, and which will serve for Pikes, Darts, Arrows, or any other kind of firework, and may be kept good for a very long time. TAke of fine gunpowder well beaten one part, of Saltpetre refined, dry, and well beaten one part, of brimstone well beaten five parts, of soft coals well beaten ten parts, of varnish in grain well beaten two parts, of Spanish pitch well beaten two parts, of Orpiment well beaten two parts, of Camphire well beaten six parts: Also take of oil of linseed one part, of oil of bays three parts, of liquid varnish two parts, of turpentine three parts: Melt the gum, wax, and oils over a slow fire, and when they are melted put all the other things into them, and stir them well together till all the oil is dried up. With this mixture you may fill Trombes or Trunks, and Pots, and make thereof pellets which may be shot out of great Ordinance, and also out of Mortar pieces. Also you may tie this mixture unto the ends of Pikes, Darts; and Arrows, and if you will sprinkle it with Aqua vitae, and put it into a nealed pot well and close stopped, you may keep it good so long as you will for such purposes. depiction of types of fireworks 8 An other kind of firework which may be shot out of great Ordinance. TAke of Saltpetre refined with water thirty six parts, of brimstone five parts, of coal six parts, of Camphire three parts, beat every material thing by itself, moisten them with Aqua vitae, incorporate them together, and make pellets of the same mixture and shoot the same pellets out of great Ordinance. 9 An other kind of firework which may be shot out of great Ordinance. FIrst take of gross gunpowder six parts, of Saltpetre refined two parts, of brimstone one part, of ship pitch two parts, of gum of a Pine tree ½ part. Beat well all these things and incorporate them together. That done, take of turpentine two parts, of nwe wax ½ part, of stone oil one part, of common oil four parts: Melt the Turpentine, Gum, and wax, and oils over a slow fire, and then putting into this liquid mixture the composition which was first made, make thereof an other mixture. Then having in a readiness certain round bags of canvas, fill every of those round bags with the said composition, and bind every of those bags or pellets so filled round about with iron wire. That done, coat them (as the Gunner's term is) twice all over with a mixture of brimstone and gum and wind iron wire hard upon every cote. After this make four holes in every pellet from one side to the other, let every hole be so big as a man's finger, and putting into every hole an end of a gunmatch well rolled in gunpowder, fill up the vacant room of every hole with good and fine gunpowder. When you will charge a piece of Artillery with one of these pellets, put first into the same piece ⅔ parts of his ordinary charge in gunpowder: Secondly, make a hole with a staff thoroe the midst of the same charge in gunpowder: Thirdly, of purpose refraining to thrust a wad into the piece next after the powder, and put the pellet into the piece & close unto the gunpowder, and so as his said holes may lie directly against the Gunpowder, and then giving fire to the Gunpowder in the touchhole of the Piece, you shall see that the pellet will burn, and be a fearful fire. 10 An other kind of firework which may be shot out of great Ordinance, or throne with men's hands, and will burn in water, armour, stones and every other thing upon which it shall fall, TAke of Saltpetre, of coal made of willoe, of Aqua vitae, of brimstone of Greek pitch or Spanish pitch, gum of a Pine tree, Ship pitch, camphor, stone oil, liquid varnish and Turpentine, of each one part. Mingle all these things together, and boiling this mixture in a Kettle over a slow fire, make thereof a paiste which must not be made too hard, nor too soft. Then having in a readiness round bags of linen cloth full stuffed with pure gross gunpowder, and well bound, cover every bag or pellet all over with the said paiste, and wind toe upon every cover of paiste to keep fast the paiste upon the said pellets. This done, cover again the said bags or pellets all over with the said payste, and wind toe as you did before upon every of those covers, and bind the toe fast upon the pellets with good packthreede, then make a hole u●●…ery of those pellets, even to the gunpowder which is within them, and put into every of those holes an end of a gunmatch well rolled in fine gunpowder. Now if you will shoot any of these pellets out of a piece of Ordinance, you must charge the Piece with no more Gunpowder than with half of the gunpowder which is requisite for the same Piece when it shooteth a pellet of iron, and you must thrust the hole which is in every of these Pellettes right against the midst of the piece his charge in gunpowder. You may also without hurt to yourself throw with your hands any of these pellets among your enemies, if you will hurl the pellet away from you so soon as you have kindled the Gunmatch lying within it, for after the Gunpowder within the pellet is a fire with the said Gunmatch, the pellet doth open, and bring an unquenchable fire to the said paiste, which will burn Armour, Stones, and every other thing upon which it shall fall though the thing be in water. another kind of Firewoorke which may be shot out of great Pieces of Artillery or throne out of men's hands. MAke a round purse of canvas, fill it full of gross gunpowder, and bind well the mouth of the purse according to the picture in the margin. And then make with a great bodkin two or three holes or a more number of holes in that purse, and put into every of the same holes a wooden pin. After this role the purse oftentimes in the mixture following, till you have well covered the same with that mixture, as before you have been taught to cover pellets with an other mixture. To make the mixture in which the purse must be so rolled, take five parts of gross gunpowder, three parts of Saltpetre refined, one part of brimstone, one part and ½ part of the gum of a Pine tree, ½ part of camphor, ½ part of Turpentine, ½ part of Vitriall not too small beaten, ½ part of common salt, ½ part of oil of stone, and of oil of linseed, and one part of Aqua vitae: Mingle all these things well together, and having rolled the purse in this mixture according as you have been taught before to role pellets in an other mixture, take away out of the purse so soon as the mixture which is upon it is dry, all the said pings of wood, because they were put into the said holes for no other purpose than to keep the said mixture out of them, and fill up all those holes with fine gunpowder, which touched with fire will 'cause the purse to burn, and be a fire that can not be quenched with any other thing than with ashes, dust, or dry sand. depiction of a type of firework The 80 Chapter. How you may make divers sorts of Firewoorkes, which being shot in a dark night out of a Morterpeece, or out of any other piece of Artillery, or throne out of men's hands into an appointed place, will give so great a light as that you may discern by the same light whether or no any enemies are in or near unto that place. 1 MAke certain round bags or balls of double folded canvas, which being filled with the 2 mixtures following may be fit pellets for mortar pieces, and also for other pieces of Artillery. Likewise make some such round balls of double folded canvas six inches in wideness or thereabouts, for to be throne out of men's hands. When you do paiste or glue together the sides of those bags, leave a hole open in every great ball, so big as the top of your Thumb, and in every ball of the lesser sort no wider than that you may put into it the top of one of your fingers: This done, take of Saltpetre not much refined sixty parts, of Brimstone forty parts, of gross gunpowder two parts: bruise the said brimstone grossly like corns of pepper, and pound the said gross gunpowder (if it be corned) into fine powder, and incorporate all those things together. Moreover, make an other mixture thus. Take of brimstone 48 parts, melt the same brimstone in an iron pot over a quick fire of coals, and put to that quantity of melted brimstone 12 parts of dry & hard gum of a Pine tree, and 6 parts of Colophonia or Greek Pitch, or Spanish pitch, which must in like manner be melted by a little and a little with the said brimstone. Then put to the said liquid mixture by a little and a little, 18 parts of Saltpetre grossly beaten, still stirring the same in the said mixture with a staff or stick. After this remove the said pot from the fire, and then mingle well with the said mixture 12 parts of gross gunpowder. When you have so done, put into that mixture by a little and a little so much saw dust of a dry Pine tree as will (after it hath been therein well stirred with a stick) soak and drink up all the said liquid mixture. Then laying this confection while it is warm upon a rough & rugged board, break the same confection into divers pieces, so big as walnuttes or chestnuttes, and that done let them lie till they are cold, then mingle a convenient number of those pieces with the mixture which you did learn in this Chapter to make first, and after you have so done, fill the said round bags with that confection pressed down hard, and leave a hole open in every bag of the greater sort that shallbe filled in such manner with the said mixture so big as that you may put the top of your little finger into it. After all this, thrust a long wooden pin thoro every such hole a finger deep into the said mixture, and cover every such ball all over with a double folded paper paisted together on the sides. Again, upon every such cover of paper you must put an other cover of brown paper double folded and paisted together on the sides, and when you shall see that all the said covers are dry, make over the last cover upon every of the said ba●les a strong net of iron wire to keep the confection in every ball fast together, and then pulling the said wooden pings out of the holes in the said pellets, thrust one end of a match of five fingers in length or thereabouts, well rolled in good, gross, or fine gunpowder, into every of the said holes a finger deep, and let the other end of that gunmatch hung out a little upon the outside of the pellets last cover under the net. Now when you will shoot these pellets so made, out of a Mortar piece, or out of any other piece of artillery, take a quantity of toe, stuff the same toe made like unto a little pilloe or cusshin with the piece his duty in gunpowder rammed down softly, and lay one of those pellets next upon the same cusshin, and then making a train of gunpowder from the said cusshin unto the mouth of the piece mounted to shoot into the appointed place, give fire to the end of the train at the mouth of the piece, and shoot divers of those pellets into divers places of that field or plain where the thing is which you desire to see. The pellets which for the same purpose may be throne with slinges in men's hands are stuffed in every respect with the said mixtures as you have been taught to fill the other pellets for pieces, but you must cover the canvas of these pellets all over with two sundry smooth covers of thrice folded paper paisted together on the sides, and well bound crosswise round about with good pack thread, to this end that after they are dry you may with a sling or cord of two foot and ½ in length tied fast at one end to the pellet, throw any of the same pellets into the appointed places. another kind of Firewoorke which being shot in a dark night out of a Mortar piece, or out of any other piece of Artillery, or throne out of men's hands into an appointed place, will give so great a light as that you may discern by the same light whether or no any enemies are in or near unto that place. 2 TAke of Saltpetre refined 1 part, of Brimstone 3 parts, of gum of a Pine tree one part, of that which in Italian is called Antimonio 4 parts, and of coals made of soft wood 1 part. Beat well all these things and incorporate them together with Linseed oil so as the mixture may be like a soft paiste. Then make of toe and of the said mixture pellets, and shoot them out of Mortar pieces, or out of other great Pieces, as before you have been taught to shoot other like pellets: for this kind of pellet will also give a very great light, and discover all things that are near unto the place where it doth burn. another kind of firework which being shot out of great pieces will give a great light. 3 TAke of turpentine 4 pounds, of saltpetre 1 pound, and of coals made of soft wood 4 pounds: stamp all these things together, incorporate them with flax, and make thereof pellets or round balls. For these pellets shot out of Mortar pieces or out of other great pieces of artillery, or throne with men's hands into a dark place after they are a fire will give so great a light as that you may see by it whether or no any enemy or other person is there. another kind of firework which being shot out of great pieces will give a great light and serve to burn the enemy's munition. 4 TAke a pellet of iron in diameter 2 fingers shorter than the height of the concavity in the piece which shall shoot this ball or pellet that is now to be made, & paiste paper all over upon this iron pellet, and when the paiste is dry, cut a slash in the paper, & pull away out of the paper thorough that slash the said iron pellet. This done, fill the said round and empty ball of paper with this mixture. Take of gross gunpowder 48 parts, of saltpetre 12 parts, of greek pitch 12 parts, of coals 6 parts, of oil of linseed 12 parts. Incorporate all these things well together, and having filled the said round & empty ball of paper with the same mixture, cover the ball all over with canvas paisted upon it, and well bound round about with packthreede, to the end it may not fall of when the ball shallbe shot out of a piece. After this, thrust long wooden pings or pricks round about the ball into the middle part thereof, and then take of gross gunpowder sifted thorough a ●ercer 24 parts, of turpentine 18 parts, of brimstone 6 parts, of saltpetre 6 parts. Moisten well all these things with oil, seethe them and incorporate them together in a liquid mixture, & imbrue well the said ball in that liquid mixture. Moreover, when you will shoot this ball out of a piece, let the mixture upon the ball be dry, and pulling the said wooden pings or pricks out of the ball, fill up all their holes with fine gunpowder. After this, lad the appointed Piece with a due charge in gunpowder, & with the said ball thrust home unto the powder. But in this action put no wad into the piece after the ball, because you must make a train of gunpowder within the piece from the ball unto the mouth of the piece, and having laid the mouth of the piece directly against the place at which you will shoot, discharge the piece giving fire to the end of the said train at the mouth of the Piece. another kind of firework which being shot in a dark night out of Mortar pieces, or out of other great pieces of Artillery, or throne out of men's hands into any place, will give so great a light as that you may see by the same light whether or no any enemies are in, or near unto that place, and will burn sacks of bumbase, sacks of wool, and such other things which are sometimes hanged before a brickwall to defend the same from the force of battering pieces. 5 TAke 2 ounces of Saltpetre, 1 ounce of brimstone, 2 ounces of camphor, and a little of man's grease or fat. Mingle all these things together, and moisten them well in a kettle over a fire with aqua vitae, then having in a readiness divers pellets of wood, stone, or iron, you shall role every of those pellets well in the same liquid mixture, and when they are dry you shall role them well again in that mixture: Likewise after the pellets are dry again, you shall role well every of them the third time in that liquid mixture. Moreover, if these pellets shall happen to be dry when you will shoot them out of any piece of Artillery, or when you will throw them from you with your hands to see who is in a dark place, you must moisten them again with Aqua vitae. Or you may if you will prepare certain holloe pellets of Copper plate, white plate, or iron plate, and having made round about every of them four or six or a more number of holes, fill the same empty pellets with the aforesaid mixture, and with ship pitch, lean or dry gum, and quicksilver mingled with the said mixture, and role them well at 3 sundry times in this mixture, as you have been taught before to role the other pellets in the other mixture, remembering that with these pellets shot out of Mortar pieces, or out of other great pieces of Artillery, or throne out of men's hands upon sacks of bumbasse or sacks of wool, or upon any other thing hanged before a brickwall to defend the same from the force of battering pieces, you may burn and consume the same sacks and other things of defence. The 81 Chapter. To make and use half baked pots, and five sundry sorts of firewoorkes which may be put into the same pots, and be throne out of men's hands for offensive and defensive service. depiction of half-baked pots 1 The first mixture with which the said pots may be charged. Take of Gross gunpowder sifted thorough a sercer 24 parts. Saltpetre sifted thorough a sercer 2 parts. Brimstone sifted thorough a sercer 2 parts. Varnish in grain 2 parts. Cole made of a willoe tree sifted 1 part. Moisten all these things with Aqua vitae, and incorporate them together. 2 The second mixture which is an excellent mixture to be throne in those half baked pots upon enemies which will offer to scale any Fort, or brickwall, & is very good to burn such stuff as shallbe by enemies throne into ditches for to fill them up. Take of Gross gunpowder 96 parts. Saltpetre 18 parts. Brimstone 4 parts. Liquid varnish 2 parts. Stone oil 2 parts. Green coperesse 2 parts. Arsenic 2 parts. Assa fetida 2 parts. Ship pitch 2 parts. Mingle all these things very well together, for the more better that they are mingled together, the more better will the same mixture do his effect. 3 The 3 mixture with which the said pots may be charged. Take of Gross gunpowder 4 pounds. Greek pitch 1 pound. Varnish in grains 1 pound. Brimstone 1 pound. Saltpetre 1 pound. Oil of stone 1 pound. Stamp well all these things together, and make a mixture of the same as you have learned to make the other two mixtures. 4 The 4 mixture with which the said pots may be charged. Take of Gross gunpowder 48 parts. Greek pitch 12 parts. Dry or lean gum 6 parts. Brimstone 6 parts. Saltpetre 12 parts. Stamp well all these things together, and make a mixture of the same things. 5 The 5 mixture with which the said pots may be charged. Take of Gross gunpowder 10 pounds. Saltpetre 2 pounds. Varnish in grains 1 pound. Spanish pitch 1 pound. Stamp all these things moistened with Aqua vitae in a mortar, & incorporate them together. You may also if you will charge the said pots with square or round pieces of iron and lead after this manner: Note. Melt in a ladle or in some other thing a convenient quantity of red or yellow wax, and with the same liquid wax line and cover the inside of every pot: this done, stick in the wax round about the inside of every pot so many small, square, or round pieces of iron and lead as you shall think needful. Then having in a readiness for every pot a holloe trunk or pipe which in compass must be equal with the wideness of the pots mouth, and in length agreed with the height of the pot within, you shall pierce 3 or 4 holes in the sides of every of the said pipes, and fill the said pipes full of a mixture thus made. Take of Gross gunpowder 10 pounds. Brimstone sifted thorough a sercer 2 pounds. Varnish in grains 1 pound. Saltpetre beaten to powder 1 pound. and sifted thorough a sercer Moisten all these things with common water, and mingle them together, and after you have put into every pot so much fine gunpowder as will lie (the said pipes being within the pots) between the outsides of the said pipes, and the insides of the pots, you shall thrust into every pot one of those pipes filled full of the said mixture, and cover every pot all over with canvas well bound about and imbrued in pitch. Also when you will thro' any such pot among enemies, give fire to the mixture in the pipe of that pot, and suffer it for a little while to burn before you do cast the same pot from you, which any man may do without harm to himself. The 82 Chapter. To make 5 divers kinds of firewoorkes which may be put into pots, holloe staves, canes, or other vessels, and throne out of men's hands in defensive and offensive service. TAke greek pitch, alchitrean, quick brimstone, tartar, sarcocolla, niter, stone oil, of every of these 1 part, and of vnslaked lime 2 parts and somewhat more: Incorporate all these things together with the oil of the yolks of eggs, than put all that mixture into a glass or into a glazed earthen pot, and having well and closely stopped the mouth of the said pot or glass with wax, bury the same glass or pot in a dunghill or in hot dung for the space of a month. After the end of a month take it out of the dung, and set the said glass or pot well and closely stopped upon a soft fire that the mixture in the same may melt, & be liquid. This done, fill with that liquor holloe staves, canes, pots, or other vessels made of purpose to receive the same, and in the midst of every of them put a gunmatch, or rather a little good corn gunpowder which will when need shall require set them quickly in a fire. 2 An other firework which may be put into pots and throne out of men's hands in offensive and defensive service, and may be shot out of Trunks, or tied to the ends of arrows or darts, and will serve to burn gates, carts, & all other wooden things that shallbe anointed with the same. TO make this liquid kind of firework put into a Cauldron Hogs grease, stone oil, Oil of Brimstone, Saltpetre twice refined, Aqua vitae, Greek pitch, Turpentine, and some Serpentine gunpowder. But first the Pitch, Brimstone, and Saltpetre aught to be made liquid, and that done, put the said Hogs grease, Turpentine, Oil, and Gunpowder into the said I●cor set over a fire, that you may well incorporate the said mixture, by stirring and mingling the same with a stick in a pot or other vessel prepared for that purpose. After this, cover the said composition all over with good Gunpowder, that it may take fire quickly when need shall require. After you have so done, let it settle, that when you will use it you may thro' it out of your hands with a sling, or with a cord tied unto the pot, or with a chain, or otherwise as you shall think best. Also you may fill certain little bags of linen with this liquor, which being bound about with cords, and made round like pellets, may be shot out of iron Trunks. Moreover, you may with this liquid composition anoint gates of Cities, wooden Bridges, Cartes, Munition, and such like things which are apt to burn, easy to be penetrated with fire, and able to maintain fire. And you may tie some of the said linen bags about the ends or heads of darts, or arrows, and if you will you may fill certain linen purses full of the said composition, and throw them out of your hands in defensive and offensive service. 3 An other firework which may be put into pots, and throne out of men's hands in defensive and offensive service. YOu aught for this purpose to prepare so many pots or other vessels as you shall think needful, and it is no matter whether the same pots or vessels be baked or unbaked, so that the humidity of their earthy substance be dried up. This done, fill those pots or vessels more than half full with Serpentine gunpowder, and mingle with that gunpowder Greek pitch & brimstone well beaten to powder, in quantity so much as ⅓ part thereof at the lest. After this, cover the said mixture a finger thick with hogs grease strained, to the end that the said mixture when it shallbe throne may hold together and not fall asunder, and that it may 'cause the fire burning slowly to endure till it shall fall among the enemies at whom it was throne. When you have done all this, make a hole thorough the said covering of hog's grease into the aforesaid mixture of gunpowder, pitch, and brimstone, and having put into the said hole a short piece of a gunmatch, or a little of good corn gunpowder, fire the said gunmatch, or gunpowder, and keep the pot of that firework in your hand till you shall perceive the fire in it to be well kindled, for than is the time to cast it. 4 An other kind of firework which may be put into pots, and throne out of men's hands in defensive and offensive service. TAke of Saltpetre 5 ounces, of gross gunpowder 4 ounces, and of gum 2 ounces. Having beaten every of these simples by itself grossly, mingle them together, and incorporate them with oil of linseed: that done, fill a pot with the same mixture, and suffer it for the space of one day to lie still in the same pot. After the end of that day make a round hole with a pearcer, or an auger, beginning at the mouth of the pot, thorough the said mixture, and also thorough the bottom of the same pot, and to close up the same hole again put into it a cane or pipe of soft wood, which being open at both ends, and equal in bigness with the said hole must in one half be filled with gross gunpowder, and in the other half with the said mixture. When all this is performed, cover the mouth of the pot with a piece of canvas bond round about the same, and before you do cast the pot among your enemies cut a hole in the canvas over the mouth of the pot, & putting a sufficient quantity of good gunpowder within that hole upon the said mixture, give fire thereunto. 5 An other firework which may be throne out of men's hands in defensive and offensive service, & can not be quenched with any other thing than with vinegar or urine. TAke of quick brimstone 1 part, of orpiment 1 part of colophonia 2 parts, of ship pitch 1 part, of varnish in grain 1 part, of turpentine 1 part, of that which sticketh like a gum in the inside of a butt of wine 2 parts, of that which in Italian is called Tasso 1 part, of frankincense ½ of a part, of oil of linseed ½ of a part, and of stone oil ⅓ of a part. Beat well all these things together, that done, boil them a little in a vessel of Copper, and then put toe or bumbasse into the same confection, and after you have well imbrued the said toe or bumbasse therein, make thereof pellets which being a fire will not be quenched with any other thing than with vinegar or urine. The 83 Chapter. To make 5 sundry sorts of firewoorkes which will kindle with water or rain. TAke nwe lime made of Flintstone, calamity burned to powder, vitriol grossly beaten 32 parts, saltpetre oftentimes refined 8 parts, of camphor as much as all the aforesaid things, oil of quick brimstone, oil of turpentine, saltpetre, salt armoniac, in weight so much as the vitriol, and so much of tartar, bay salt, salt of urine, and aqua vitae made of strong wine, as will suffice to dissolve all the same composition, which must be put into an Alchemist glass named in Italian Boccia, so well and closely stopped with wax, that no air may breath out of the same, and having so done, bury the same glass in hot dung for the space of 2 or 3 months, how be it within that time you must remove the said glass, and change the dung in which it lieth buried at the lest every ten days, to the end that the said composition may ripe well, and be incorporated, and be like unto a liquor of one kind, the which must afterwards be boiled upon a soft fire till all the oily, moisture, and all the other moisture that is in it be vapored away, and that the rest of it be dry, and hard like a stone. When you have in such manner made that mixture dry, and hard like a stone, break the said glass to take out of it the said dry and stony mixture. That being done, grind the said mixture to powder, and when you will use the same powder, strow it upon a place where it shall take wet with rain or other water, for therewith it will kindle, and burn. But forasmuch as this kind of firework may sometimes fail to kindle with rain or water, it will be expedient for you to put fire unto the said gunpowder, for to make it kindle and burn according to your desire. 2 An other firework which will kindle with rain or water. MAke pellets of vnslaked lime, quick brimstone, oil of linseed, or of oil of Olives mingled together, and lay the same pellets where rain or other water may fall upon them, for they being wet with rain or other water will suddenly kindle and burn. 3 An other firework which will kindle with water or rain. TAke of the thing which in Italian is called Gloriatto one pound, of the oil of the yolks of eggs one pound, of oil of brimstone one pound, of vnslaked lime beaten to fine powder eighteen pounds: Incorporate these things together, and lay a quantity thereof where you will have it to burn, for when any rain or other water shall fall upon the same quantity of mixture, it will kindle and burn. 4 An other firework which will kindle with water or rain. TAke of balm or of blessed oil 1 pound, of oil of linseed 3 pounds, of the oil of the yolks of eggs 1 pound, of vnslaked lime 8 pounds. Beat well all these things together, and make thereof a confection. That done, when need shall require lay the same confection in an open place where rain may fall upon it: or anoint therewith gates, wooden bridges, carts, and such like things which are apt to burn, for the thing so anointed will burn so soon as it shallbe wet with rain or other water. 5 An other firework which will kindle and burn with water, and also with spittle. TAke of brimstone oil, of the gum of the tree called in Latin Larix, in English Larch, of the resin that runneth out of a Cedar tree, of liquid pitch of each 14 parts, of saltpetre 16 parts, of the salt of that sweet gum which is called in Latin Salammoniacum, & in English Beniemine, or of armoniake salt, of vitriol, of lime made of tartar, of each one part, of lime made of the load stone, of vnslaked lime made of flints lying by the sides of rivers, of each 5 parts, of tallow and of ducks grease, of each six parts. Put all these material things together into a pot, and pour into that pot so much Aqua vitae as will drown and cover all those things. Then bury the same pot well luted in a dunghill of horsedung for the space of 3 months, and at every 4 days end during that time, take the pot out of the dunghill, and shake well together all the things which are in the pot, and when you have so done, bury the pot again in an other place of the said dunghill, and after the end of the said 3 months, set the said pot over a hot fire until all the moisture within the same shall be clean dried up, & the mixture within the pot shallbe as lies or dregs. Then break the pot, and keep the same lies or dregs which you shall find there: for the powder of the same lies or dregs being wet with spittle or water will kindle and burn. The 84 Chapter. To make 2 sundry sorts of firewoorkes which will kindle with the heat of the sun, & burn in water. THere is a very thin and burning liquor with which if you will anoint in the caniculer days any wood or other thing apt to burn, you shall see that the heat of the sun without any other fire will make the same anointed things to burn. Some say that Marcus Graccus devised this firework to burn the Romans Navy, and it is also reported that if material fire be put into this kind of ointment it will suddenly burn, & be unquenchable, except it be choked with dry sand, or wet with old and long kept urine, or with very strong vinegar. Also this kind of firework will burn in water, and as the said Marcus Graccus writeth, it may thus be made. Take Camphire, oil of quick Brimstone, oil of Turpentine, oil called in Italian Oglio Laterino, juniper oil, Stone oil oil of linseed, Alchitrean, Colophonia finely beaten, oil of the yolks of eggs, ship pitch, Cera Zagora, Ducks grease strained, Saltpetre, and twice so much aqua vitae as all the composition, and so much of Arsinicke and Tartar as ⅛ part of the whole composition, and some armoniac salt, and having put all these things in an Alchemist pot or glass well stopped with wax, bury the said pot or glass (that the stuff within the same may putrefy) in hot dung for the space of two months. Then all the said things being in a vessel called Storta, which Alcumistes do use, must be distilled with a soft fire through which within six or eight hours after the said things have been over the fire, there will come a very thin liquor, into which you must put so much pigens dung, or ox dung dried in an oven, beaten into very fine powder, and seared, as will make of it a substance like soap, or rather a more liquid thing, This liquid mixture may thus be used. Anoint the thing which is to be burned with that liquid mixture, and (as it is said) the heat of the Sun in the canicular days will set the same in a fire, so as it will not only burn the anointed thing, but also every other thing apt to take fire which is near unto it. Galen doth report that in Mysia which is a part of Asia, the dung of a Pigen fallen upon a part of a wooden window painted with rosin, and that after the said dung was dry, it did kindle with the heat of the Sun, and burn not only the said window, but also the whole house where that window was, by reason that the dung of Pigens being dry, is apt and hath power to kindle fire. 2 An other fire work which will kindle with the heat of the Sun, and burn in water, and that may be choked with dry sand or earth, and can not be quenched with any other thing than with stolen urine, or strong vinegar. TAke of the refuse or dregs of the gum of the Larix or Larch tree after the distillation of the oil of the Larix or larch tree, of the oil of the Larix or larch tree, of liquid pitch, of Cedar pitch, of Camphire, of the lime or clay named Bitumen, of the d●ug called Mumia, of nwe wax, of Ducks grease, of Pigens' dung, of the oil of quick Brimstone, of the oil of juniper of the oil of Bays, of the oil of linseed, of the oil of hempseed, of stone oil, of Philosopher's oil, of the oil of the yolks of eggs, of every of these things 60 parts, of Saltpetre 120 parts, of salt armoniac seven parts: all these things being put into a vessel of glass, must be first well moistened, and covered with burning water, and then buried in horse dung for the space of six months. But at every three days end during the said time, the said vessel must be taken out of the dung, and (after the things in the same have been well shaken together) it must be buried again in fresh horse dung. When the said time of 6 months shall be expired, put the same mixture into the Distillatorie vessel which is named a Seraphine, and draw out the quintessence of the said mixture in the Seraphine, the which quintessence may be thickened with very fine powder of Ox or Cow dung. This done, put the said mixture into pots or other vessels, and when you will use the same fire work, I counsel you to set it in a fire with a gunpowder match, or with good corn gunpowder as you have before been taught to give fire unto other fireworks, and to throw the said pots with slings after they are well kindled, among your enemies. The 85 Chapter. To make balls of fire which will burn in water. MElt in a pot over a fire two pounds of clean Brimstone, & while it is warm mingle well therewith one pound of Saltpetre, and half a pound of fine gunpowder. This done, take the pot from the fire, and put into the said mixture two pounds of gross gunpowder: after that beat in a mortar the said mixture moistened with strong and distilled vinegar, and when you have so done, make thereof round balls or pellets: Then wrap every of the same balls or pellets in canvas, binding them round about upon their wrappers as hard as may be with packthreed, and imbrue their wrappers so bound all over with hot and liquid pitch, and remember after the pitch is cold and dry, to make a hole in every of the said pellets, and to put a piece of a gunmatch into every hole for to fire the pellets when you will have them burn. 2 An other firework which will burn in water, and consume armour, wood, and every other thing that it shall fall on. TAke of Saltpetre two parts, of Brimstone two parts, of Greek pitch or Spanish pitch one part, of Assa fetida ½ of a part, of Camphire three parts, and a few grains of Barley bruised, wet in aqua vitae, and rolled in good and fine gunpowder. Beaten well and sift all these materials except the Camphire, Assa fetida, & the grains of Barley, which you shall never pound well, unless you do first beat a Nut or two Almonds in the mortar where the Assa fetida, Camphire, and barley must be pounded. This done beat very well so much gunpowder as will counterpoise in weight all the said materials, & having sifted the same powder thorough a sieve, mingle it among the other aforesaid materials, and moisten the whole mixture with oil of linseed, and with oil of stone: then having in a readiness round bags of canvas, put into their bottoms lead, to make the round bags or balls stand upright and after fill up those round bags with the aforesaid mixture pressed hard down. Also take of Brimstone, Gum, and of Spanish pith of each one part, melt them together over a slow fire, and while this mixture is warm, cover the said round balls all over with the same, and bind well the said mixture upon the balls with iron or copper wires. Then wrap or so canvas round about the said balls, and having covered the said wrappers with the mixture last named, bind the said mixture upon them as you did before with iron or copper wires: and after you have in this manner covered the said balls thrice, make thorough the side of every ball, and thorough the midst of the said piece of lead which you have put into every ball to make it stand upright a hole so big as a man's finger, and two fingers deep within the mixture that was first put into the pellet, and then filling up the said holes with good and fine gunpowder, give fire to the same, and when the fire is well, kindled throw the ball from you into water, for it will burn armour, wood, and every other thing and can not be quenched with water. 3 An other firework which will burn in water and consume armour, wood, and every other thing that it shall fall on. TAke of gross gunpowder one part, of Saltpetre one part, of Amber one part, of Camphire ½ of a part: Beat all these things into fine powder, sift them thorough a fine sieve or searcer, and incorporate them together: then take more of gunpowder well beaten so much as will counterpoise in weight all the said materials, and incorporate the same with the other mixture. After this mingle six ounces of aqua vitae with the said composition, and also incorporate with the said mixture, of oil petriol four parts, of stone oil three parts, of oil of Brimstone, or rather of juniper oil which is better two parts, and with this composition fill certain round bags, or balls of canvas as before you have been taught to fill other like round bags with other mixtures. Also cover and bind the round bags filled with this mixture in like manner as you have been taught to cover and bind other like round bags, and having made a hole in every bag even to the mixture within the bag, and filled the same hole with good and fine gunpowder, give fire unto the same gunpowder, and after the fire is well kindled, throw the ball from you into water, for it will burn armour, wood, and every other thing that it shall fall on, and can not be quenched with water. 4 An other firework which will burn in water and consume armour, wood, and every other thing that it shall fall on, TAke of Saltpetre refined dry, of quick Brimstone, of nwe pitch, of Camphire, of quick lime, of the thing called in Italian comiranti, of each one part beaten together into very fine powder, and seared thorough a searcer. Also take of old petriol oil, & oil of comuranti, melt them with nwe wax over a soft fire, and while they are liquid and warm but not seething hot, incorporate them and the other mixture of powder together, and of this composition make pellets or round balls as before you have been taught. For this sort of pellets will burn in water, and consume armour, wood, and every other thing that it shall fall on. The Saltpetre in this composition must be sodde in strong vinegar, and well dried before you do beat it among the other things to powder. 5 An other firework which will burn in water, and consume armour, wood, and every other thing that it shall fall on, and can not be quenched but with strong vinegar. TAke of Saltpetre refined dry one part, of Brimstone one part, of Orpiment one part, of ship pitch one part, of Spanish pitch ½ of a part, of varnish in grain one part, of Frankincense one part, beat all these things into very fine powder, and incorporate them together: Also take of Turpentine one part, of sheeps suet one part, of petriol oil ½ of a part, and having made the same to boil a little in a pot over a slow fire, put the other mixture into it, and incorporate them together: then dip fine toe or bumbase into the said composition, and make pellets thereof & when need shall require give fire unto them as before you have been taught, and thro' them upon enemies which will offer to assault the fort, town, or city where you are. For these pellets will burn in water and consume armour, wood, and every other thing that they shall fall on and can not be quenched but with strong vinegar. The 86 Chapter. To make a firework which will burn stones and iron. TAke of Camphire three parts, of salt armoniac twelve parts, of oil of Bays 24 parts, of varnish 24 parts, of Gum 36 parts, of liquid varnish twelve parts. of Turpentine 24 parts, of Spanish pitch 60 parts, of Brimstone 60 parts, of liquid pitch twelve parts, of nwe wax twelve parts, of Coals made of willoe 144 parts of fine gunpowder for handguns twelve parts, and of oil of linseed 36 parts: incorporate all these things together and keep this confection to burn stones and iron. The 87 Chapter. To make a firework which was first invented by the sons of Amram. TAke of liquid picth, of the gum of juniper, of the oil and gum of Turpentine, of the oil of that lime or clay which is called Bitumen, of the oil of Brimstone, of the oil of Niter, of the oil of the yolks of eggs, of the oil of Bays, of every of these things six parts, of the powder of a dry Bay tree, of Camphire, of every of them well soaked in aqua vitae fourteen parts, put all these things together into a glass narrow towards the mouth, and well stopped about the mouth with wax: This done, bury the same glass in horse dung for the space of six months, and at every four days end within that time, take the glass out of the said dung, and when you have well shaken those things together in the glass, bury the glass again in other horse dung, and after the end of the said six months distill all those things in that kind of vessel which of some Alcumistes is named a Seraphine. The 88 Chapter. To make an unquenchable firework which will burn without any flame. TAke of Saltpetre refined two parts, of Coals made of a fir tree ¼ of one part, and with the whites of eggs incorporate them together. This done, role or draw a cord made of fine wool or bombase thoroe the said mixture, and then putting fire unto the same cord you shall see that it will burn without any flame and be unquenchable. The 89 Chapter. To make a firework which shall burn and do his desired effect at any appointed time. TAke of Orpiment twelve parts, of pitch one part, of wax one part, of Saltpetre one part, of Cole made of soft wood four parts: melt or dissolve all these things together in water, and after they are so dissolved thrust a gunmatch of a known length into the said mixture, and wet it well in the same. When you have so done, and have also dried this gunmatch well again, kindle one end of that gunmatch with fire, and noting diligently by a true watch or hour glass, how long time it continueth, let it burn for a proof till all of it shall with the fire be consumed. And let it be here supposed that the gunmatch which was so wet in the said mixture was three yards in length, and that it did continued in burning one just quarter of an hour, and that I am appointed to burn a thing with a like gunmatch at the end of one just hour after the gunmatch shall be kindled, now therefore I take a like gunmatch of twelve yards in length which is four times so long as was the gunmatch by which I made the said proof, because it must burn one hour, which is 4 times so long as the other gunmatch did burn, & I wreathe this gunmatch about a staff, placing one wreath somewhat far from the other, to the end that the said gunmatch may burn in no more places than in one only place at one time. For if the said wreaths should be set near together, it might be that one wreath would set an other wreath in a fire, and thereby making the gunmatch to do his effect before the appointed time, discredit the workman, and frustrate his intent. Likewise if I should be appointed to fire a thing with a like gunmatch at the just end of two hours after the match shall be kindled, I must take a like gunmatch of 24 yards in length which is eight times so long as was the gunmatch by which I made the said proof, because it must burn two hours, which is eight times so long as the other gunmatch did burn, and wreathing as I did before this gunmatch about a staff, I do put that end of the gunmatch which shall be last touched at the end of two hours with fire, in a vessel of gunpowder, or in a ball of wild fire, that it may without fail do thereby his effect at the appointed time. Thus noting well what I have here written, you may fire any ship, mine, fort, or any other thing at an appointed time. The 90 Chapter. To make a firework which may be used in military service, and also in triumphs. TAke of gross gunpowder three parts, of Saltpetre two parts, of Brimstone one part, of varnish in grains four parts, of Roman vitriol six parts, of Spanish pitch six parts, of Amber four parts, of Orpiment four parts, of Arsenike four parts, of green Coperesse two parts, and of Salt Armoniake two parts: beat well all these things (except the Saltpetre and Brimstone which must not be much beaten) and incorporate them together. Also take of liquid varnish six parts, of Petriol oil four parts, of oil of linseed four parts, and of aqua vitae six parts. First put the aqua vitae alone into the said mixture, and incorporate them well together: then put the liquid varnish into the said composition, and incorporate them together, and last of all put the said oils into the said composition, and in like manner incorporate them well together. This done, you may use the said composition for military service, and also for triumphs, and if you will put it into a nealed pot well and close stopped, you may preserve it so long as you will for such purposes, The 91 Chapter. To make a firework which may be cast up into the air, and may be shot out of a trunk or trombe. TAke of Greek pitch twelve parts, of quick Brimstone two parts, of Saltpetre refined dry three parts, beat all these things, and make a paiste of them with aqua vitae, and oil of linseed, and then of that composition make certain pellets, and when you will charge a trombe or trunk with any of these pellets, role them in fine gunpowder, and having made holes crosswise thoro the sides of the same pellets, to the end that the fire may enter into them, fill up the said holes with fine gunpowder. The 92 Chapter. To make a firework which at a triumph may be cast up into the air. TAke of Saltpetre refined dry two parts, of Brimstone one part and ½ of a part, of liquid Camphire one part, of Coals one part and ½ part: beat all these things into fine powder, and after you have so done take of petriol oil and of aqua vitae of each an equal quantity, and incorporate them with the Camphire, and with the said powder, and then make of that mixture pellets which must be dried in the Sun: and when you will thro' any of these pellets up into the air, you must first make a hole into the pellet, and having filled up the said hole with good gunpowder give fire unto the same gunpowder. The 93 Chapter. To make Rockettes or Squibbes which being throne up into the air will cast forth flames of fire, and in coming down towards the ground will show like stars falling from heaven. TO make these Rockets you must prepare a form or model of wood of a convenient length, and role paper upon the same four or five fold, and tie a packthreede very hard about one end of this holloe trunk of paper, leaving all this notwithstanding a small hole in that end. This holloe trunk of paper aught to be of such length that it may conveniently hold all the things which must be put into it, and you aught to put no more weight upon a Rocket than the just poised of the same Rocket. When this trunk of paper shall be filled with such things as will flame and give cracks or blows, put fine gunpowder into the said trunk for to kindle the gunmatch, which must lie along in the stuff that will flame and crack. The stuff which is to be put into the Rocket for to flame and give cracks is made of twelve parts of Saltpetre refined, of Citrine Brimstone nine parts, of gross gunpowder five parts and ¼ of a part mingled together with your hand. The Brimstone and Saltpetre must be grossly pounded like unto the corns of gross gunpowder. This done, make of some hemp or toe a thing like unto a tail ¾ of a foot or more in length, and tie a packthreed about the said tail near unto the biggest end of it: Also at that greatest end of the tail, a holloe place must be made like unto a birds nest, & after you have put into that nest one part and ⅓ of a part of the said mixture, wind the rest of that tail round about upon the nest and all over the said mixture, make a round ball thereof, and crosswise bind packthreed very hard upon it to the end that the said ball may therewith be made very hard. And finally thrust a gunmatch well rolled in good gunpowder clean thorough the said ball and mixture to kindle the said mixture, and to make this Rocket for to flame. The 94 Chapter. To make Torches and candles which after they are lighted cannot be extinguished with any wind or water. TAke four cords so big as a man's finger of fine wool or bumbase, seeth them in Saltpetre water, and when they are dry again, role them well in fine gunpowder and Brimstone tempered with a sufficient quantity of aqua vitae: then take of wax three parts, of gum of a pine tree two parts, of Camphire ½ of a part, of Turpentine ½ of a part, and of Greek pitch or Spanish pitch one part: melt all these things over a soft fire, and make a paiste of the same mixture, and cover the said cords all over with the said mixture as chaundelers do their wax candles. This done, stick and lay the same four cords so covered upon a dry fir tree staff, as wax candles are stuck and laid upon like staves commonly called staff torches, and fill up the empty places upon the staff which will be between the said cords, with a mixture made of three parts of quick or vnslaked lime, and of one part of quick Brimstone beaten into fine powder, and moistened with a little of Linseed oil: a torch thus made after it is lighted can not be extinguished with any wind or water. But to make a candle for the like purpose, take the week of a candle, and the powder of quick Brimstone, wrap them up together in a fine piece of linen clot, and with wax make thereof a candle, for (as Nostradamus and Weckerus have written) a lighted candle so made can not be extinguished with any wind so long as any piece of his substance doth endure. Also you may make any nextinguishable torch in this manner: Take a long gunmatch, and after you have boiled it in lie made of Saltpetre, dry it well: then take of Brimstone finely beaten 1 part, of gunpowder for great ordinance one part, & of wax one part: Mingle all these things together, and when you have melted this mixture in a pan, put so much of the said gunmatch into it as will drink or soak up the greatest part thereof: then taking the gunmatch out of the pan, cut it into pieces so long as the torch shall be, and unto the quantity of mixture remaining in the pan, put a like quantity of the gum of a pine tree, a like quantity of Brimstone, and a like quantity of Turpentine. Which done, melt in that pan all the same things, and after you have there well mingled them together, cover the said pieces of a gunmatch all over with the same mixture, as wax chaundelers do use to cover their torch candles: and by so doing you shall make excellent torches, which burning in a flame can not be extinguished with wind, rain, or snow. The 95 Chapter. To make a firework which will burn and give a great light in a Crosset. THrust linen rags into oil of hempsede, and after dip them in melte● allow, then putting them into Cressets give fire to them, & you shall see that they ●ll burn and give a great light. The 96 Chapter. To kindle fire with the heat of the Sun. IF you will lay a Crystal stone under the circle of the Sun, that is to say against the Sun, and place a thing that may be burned near unto it, you shall see that the heat of the Sun will set that thing in a fire. The 97 Chapter. How you may make a Trunk or Trombe which will shoot fireworks, and may be used in fight upon the Sea, and in fight upon the land: how you may make a furious and quick burning firework for the said Trunk: how you may make a slow and soft burning firework for the said trunk: and how you may make divers forts of fireworks for the said trunk: and how you aught to charge the said trunk with the said furious and quick burning firework: and also with the said slow and soft burning firework. TO make a Trunk take a round piece of wood in length two foot, and in compass equal with the small of a man's leg. Bore a round hole in the midst of this piece of wood seventeen inches long from one end of the same piece of wood towards the other end, and make the same hole of such wideness that a hen egg may be put into it. Likewise bore a small hole three inches long at the other end of the said piece of wood to receive an end of a staff of five foot long, which being put in, and there made fast, aught to be held in your hand when the Trunk shall be discharged. Now leaving four inches space in wood between the bottom of this hole and the bottom of the other hole into which the mixture for the charge of the Trunk shall be put, bind the said piece round about for more security in three or four places with hoops of iron, to the end it may not break with the force of his charge. Also you must prepare certain pipes of iron in length six inches, like canons which are made for pocket dags, and charging them with gunpowder and pellets, bind them so fast with the said hoops of iron upon the outside of the Trunk, that they in their discharges may not fly out of their places. The said pipes of iron aught to be set under the said hoops, and upon the Trunk according as they are drawn in the figure next following. That is to say, certain of the said pipes of iron must be placed under every hoop round about the outside of the Trunk in such order as no one of them may be perceived to stand directly behind an other, and so as the touch hole in every of the said pipes may lie justly upon a small hole pierced thorough the thickness of the wood about the concavity in the Trunk, to the end that the mixture in the trombe or trunk being a fire may give fire thorough the said holes to the gunpowder in every of the same iron pipes, and expel their pellets. depiction of a trunk or trombe [hand-grenade] To make a furious and quick burning firework for the said trunk, take twelve parts of gross gunpowder, three parts of Saltpetre grossly bruised like pepper corns, and some grains of Salt equal in bigness to the said corns of Saltpetre: mingle these things together, and moisten them with aqua vitae & with a little of ox gall: but to make a slow and soft burning firework for the said trunk, take ten parts of gross gunpowder, six parts of Saltpetre grossly bruised, and four parts of Brimstone grossly bruised, and to prove whether or no these things mingled together will burn so sloly or softly as you desire that they should do, lay a small part of the same mixture upon a board or table, and having put fire thereunto mark diligently how the same doth burn, and in so doing remember, that by adding more gunpowder unto this slow burning firework you shall make it to burn more furiously, & that by taking away some part of the gunpowder which is in the same firework, you shall make it to burn in a Trunk more slowly and softly. Now having prepared for a trunk two such fireworks, fill the concavity of the Trunk first 3 inches in length with the said furious and raging firework, next one inch in length with the said slow burning firework, than again three inches in length with the furious firework, after that one inch in length with the slow burning firework, and proceed in this order till you have filled the concavity of the trunk full of that firework. Or (if you will) you may before the trunk is full charged with both those fireworks, put into the trunk next unto the last course of the slow burning firework one part and ½ part of fine gunpowder, and some quantity of gross filinges of lead, and small pieces of glass wrapped up together in a lose piece of paper like a pellet, and thrust lightly home unto the gunpowder, so as a burning gunmatch lying a long by one side of the said pellet from the mouth of the said concavity unto the said fine gunpowder, may when need shall require fire the gunpowder, and make the firework in the trunk to flame. 2 An other mixture with which the said trunk may be charged. TAke of gross gunpowder 48 parts, of Greek pitch or Spanish pitch twelve parts, of Camphire six parts, of glass beaten into powder four parts, of varnish in grains three parts, of varnish in powder three parts, of dry or lean gum two parts, of Saltpetre six parts, of Brimstone two parts, of quicksilver killed with fasting spittle one part: beat each of these things by itself, and having moistened them with aqua vitae mingle them together. With this mixture you aught to charge a trunk in this manner: first put into the concavity of the trunk a little of gross gunpowder, next a little of the said mixture, thrusting it home to the gunpowder with a wooden rammer, than a little of bumbase or cotton wool wet in juniper oil or in aqua vitae, after that a little quicksilver, and when you have so done put again into the trunk a little gunpowder unmixed, some of the said mixture, and a little quicksilver in such measure and like sort as you did before, keeping still the same order till you have filled the trunk full of the said gunpowder, mixture, bumbase, and quicksilver. After all this is done, cover the mouth of the trunk with paper bound fast about the trunk with packthreede, and making a little hole right against the mouth of the trunk, thrust into the same a gunmatch, which lying along within the concavity of the trunk from the outside of the hole in the said paper cover, unto the gunpowder that is in the trunk, may when need shall require, give fire unto the said gunpowder. 3 An other mixture with which a trunk may be charged. TAke of Saltpetre, Brimstone, oil of linseed, oil of the pine tree, gum melted, Spanish pitch, dry gum, of each a like portion: and when you have mingled all these things together, charge your trunk with the said mixture. 4 An other mixture with which a trunk may be charged. TAke of Brimstone, Orpiment, Colophonia pitch, or gum of the herb Colophonia, nwe pitch, Varnish in grains, Turpentine, man's fat or man's grease, Mastic, Greek pitch, Frankincense, oil of linseed, of each one part: beat well all these things, and then mingle them together, and 'cause the same mixture to seeth a good while in a glass. That done, dip bumbase or toe into the same mixture, and make thereof as it shall please you great or little pellets. My Author Leonardo Cataneo writeth that you may charge the aforesaid trunk with these pellets, and that the same pellets being once a fire can not be quenched with any other thing than with urine, vinegar, ashes, dust or sand. The 98 Chapter. How you may make four sundry sorts of Trunks or Trombes: how you may make four sundry sorts of mixtures for the said Trunks: how you may make balls or pellets for the said trunks: and how you aught to charge the said Trunks with the said mixtures and pellets. MAke a round Trunk of Willoe, or of Olive, or of the wood named in Italian Bedolo, or of the wood named Onizzo, for making it of any other wood which is not a soft and fast wood, the trunk will not only by breaking put you in danger, but will be all in a fire upon a sudden and destroy you and your friends about you. Make this round Trunk three foot and ¼ of a foot in length, and five inches in thickness from outside to outside, And let the concavity of this Trunk be in length thirty inches, and the Diameter of the said concavity two inches: also make a round hole in the breech of this Trunk four inches long towards the loer end of the said concavity in the trunk, and one inch and ½ inch in Diameter or wideness for to receive and hold fast the end of a round staff which must be put into the same hole when you will use the Trunk. Furthermore, take away the wood round about upon the outside of the trunk six inches beneath the mouth of the trunk, in deepness so much as the back of a knife is thick, and in breadth three inches, and wind or bind very hard a strong cord, or a strong iron wire round about all over and upon the trunk in that & in all his other like holloe places, for six inches beneath this hollo place you must make an other like holloe place: I mean you must take away the wood round about upon the outside of the Trunk in deepness so much as the back of a knife is thick and in breadth three inches, and bind very hard a strong cord or a strong iron wire round about all over and upon that holloe place. Likewise you must make round about upon the trunk six inches beneath this second holloe place, a third holloe place like and equal in breadth and deepness to the said second holloe place, and bind very hard a strong cord or a strong iron wire round about all over and upon this third holloe place, as you did upon the first and second holloe places according to the two figures A B and A C next following: for A B is a trunk with three such holloe places as before have been spoken of: and A C is a trunk which hath three such holloe places bound all over with strong cords or strong wires and hath a staff set fast in his loer end. depiction of two trunks or trombes [hand-grenades] After you have framed a Trunk in this sort, take of gross gunpowder which is uncorned 72 parts, of Saltpetre beaten like unto the seed of millet nine parts, of Brimstone beaten and sifted six parts, of Coals made of the wood of Willoe beaten and sifted four parts, and of varnish beaten and sifted two parts, put all these things together in a bowl of wood, and sprinkle a little water upon them that the Coals may not be blown out of the bowl, and by so doing you shall make of those things a slow mixture to burn in the said trunk. Also you shall prepare balls or pellets for the said trunk in this manner. Make a flat Cake of hemp in greatness so much as the palm of a man's hand, and in thickness so much as the back of a knife, wet well this Hempen Cake in aqua vitae, and after you have so done wring the aqua vitae out of it. Then having in a readiness a mixture made of twelve parts of gross gunpowder sifted, and of three parts of Saltpetre sifted, put a parcel thereof upon the midst of the said cake, and when you have so done, role up that Cake like a Ball or Pellet which must be ½ finger less in his Diameter than the height of the concavity in the Trunk, and must be well bound round about with packthreede. Moreover, thrust six pings or pricks of Wood into this ball even unto the mixture which is within the ball, and let every of these pricks or pings be of such length that one end of every of them may touch the said mixture within the ball, and the other end of every of them may be two inches at the lest without the ball. After all this is done, cote the whole ball with melted Brimstone, & make in this manner a great number of these balls which you may keep till you shall have cause to use them in trunks: at which time you must take out of them the said pricks or pings and fill up their holes with good gunpowder which will easily and very quickly set the said balls in a fire. When this trunk shall be charged, you must have in a readiness gross gunpowder mingled with filings of iron in this proportion. Unto one part of the filings of iron put 12 parts of gross gunpowder: and this done, you must first thrust so much of that mixture into the bottom or lowest end of the concavity in the trunk as will fill the said concavity three inches in length after it hath been rammed down hard with a staff. And after this you shall put one of the aforesaid balls or pellets into the trunk: and after the same pellet so much gunpowder as you can take up and hold with your thumb and four fingers, and after the quantity of gunpowder last named, so much of the said sloe mixture as will fill the concavity in the trunk three inches more in length, and then you shall put again into the concavity of the trunk so much of the said gunpowder mingled with the filings of iron rammed down very hard with a staff, as will fill the said concavity three inches more in length, and after the said gunpowder and filinges, one other of the said balls, and after the said ball so much gunpowder as you can take up and hold with your thumb and four fingers, and after this quantity of gunpowder last named, so much of the sloe mixture as will fill the said concavity three inches more in length, and you shall proceed to put the said gunpowder mingled with filings of iron, balls, gunpowder unmingled, and sloe mixture into the trunk in such order as you did before until you have filled the said concavity full within ½ inch of his mouth, and in so doing you must put the balls in the said concavity directly under the said holloe places which are bound for more safety all over with strong cords or strong wires of iron. An admonition. When you have so filled the concavity of this trunk within ½ inch of his mouth, bind a linen clot well imbrued or quoted with pitch all over the mouth of the said concavity, to save the gunpowder, balls, and slow mixture in the said concavity from sparkles of fire, and from moisture, and let it remain there until you shall be ready to put fire with a gunmatch, or other wise, unto the things in the concavity of the trunk, for than it must be taken away. Also you must put the end of a staff of six foot long into the said round hole of four inches in length at the breech of the trunk, and pin it fast there that it may not come out again. The use of Trunks. With such trunks as this is, walls may be assaulted, breaches may be defended, and ships may be boarded. Also with such trunks the forefront of an army may be preserved from the force of horsemen, camps, gates, forts, and towns, may with the fire issuing out of these trunks be burned. This trunk may also be charged in an other sort without any of the said pellets: for a round box of good iron plate being made like the wooden cover of a round Marmelaid box, & ¼ of an inch less in his Diameter than is the wideness of the concavity in the trunk, you shall fill the said iron box full of square pieces of iron or lead, and bind paper over the mouth of the box that the square pieces which are in the said box may not fall out. And when you will charge your trunk with this box full of such square pieces of iron or lead, you must first put into the trunk so much of unmingled gross gunpowder as will fill the concavity in the trunk three inches in length after it hath been pressed down very hard: and secondly you must put into the trunk after the said gross gunpowder so much of fine gunpowder as you can take up and hold with your thumb and four fingers: and thirdly you must put into the said trunk the said box of iron full of square pieces of iron or lead with his bottom towards and next to the said gunpowder. Fourthly you must put into the said trunk next after the said box so much of gross gunpowder as will be enough to carry fire unto the fine gunpowder which is behind or under the bottom of the said box. Fiftly you must put into the said trunk so much of the sloe mixture next following as will fill the concavity in the Trunk three or four inches more in length. Sixtly, you must put into the Trunk so much of gross gunpowder as you did at the first, and then you must proceed in the aforesaid order to fill up the concavity in the the said trunk with gunpowder, & the sloe mixture next following, until the said concavity shall be full within ½ inch of his mouth. Which done, bind over the mouth of the trunk a linen clot well imbrued or quoted with pitch, and let it remain there till you will give fire unto the things in the trunk with a gummatch or otherwise, for than it must be taken away. Also remember to thrust the said iron box into the trunk so as it may lie directly under one of the said holloe places which are bond all over with strong cords or strong wires of iron, as you have been willed before to place the said pellets. The sloe mixture (which as before I have told you) must be put into the concavity of the trunk when you do charge the same trunk with the said box of iron, is made of 102 parts of gross gunpowder sifted, of six parts of Saltpetre sifted grossly, of two parts of varnish in grain, of two parts of quicksilver killed, of two parts of Assa fetida, and of three parts of Turpentine mingled together. Upon this trunk you may also if you will put an iron hoop of 3 fingers in breadth, and ½ finger in thickness, and placing two sword blades very fast in the said iron hoop according to the picture following, you may use the said trunk to offend and defend as you would use a Pertisant. depiction of a trunk or trombe [hand-grenade] Also a long two handed sword may be aptly put into the staff of the said trunk in this manner. See the staff just in the midst from the loer end towards the upper end, and see that the part of the staff which is so sawn do justly agreed in thickness and length with the breadth and length of the sword shoulder-blade. This done put the sword shoulder-blade into the said staff so sawn as you would put the same shoulder-blade into a scabbard, and with two rings of wood made of purpose to slide up & down upon the said staff, you may shut the staff so close that the shoulder-blade shall not come out, and open the staff (when you will) so wide, that the shoulder-blade shall come forth easily. The bearer of this trunk seeing his trunk in a fire may soon thro' it away, and use the two handed sword that was in the staff of the trunk: and therefore he that doth bear such a trunk aught to be a courageous, skilful, and an able soldier to use it. depiction of a trunk or trombe [hand-grenade] How you may make a Trunk or Trombe after an other fashion, and a mixture to charge the said Trunk: and how you aught to charge this Trunk with the said mixture. MAke a Trunk of a plate of iron which aught to be so thick as the back of a knife, put thereon three hoops of iron, and let every of them be one inch in breadth, nail the said hoops very fast upon the trunk which must be two foot in length, and one inch and ½ inch in his Diameter or wideness: all this being done, take a round piece of wood in length one foot, & drive the said round piece of wood six inches at the lest into one end of the concavity in the trunk, and then put a staff into that end of the round piece of wood which is without the said concavity. The trunk being thus made must be charged, and filled almost up to the mouth with the mixture next following. But in so charging this trunk, forget not after his concavity shall be filled three inches in length, to press well and ram down the said mixture. After you have so filled the concavity of the trunk almost up to the mouth with the said mixture, put into the mouth of the said concavity a sufficient quantity of good gunpowder, and bind a linen clot imbrued or quoted with pitch all over the mouth of the said concavity as you have been willed to do over the mouth of the trunk before mentioned. The mixture for this trunk is thus made: Take of gross gunpowder sifted 144 parts, of Saltpetre sifted grossly 24 parts, of Brimstone sifted 12 parts, of Coals made of the wood of Willoe sifted 18 parts, of Assa fetida two parts, of green Coperesse one part, of Arsenic one part of vitriol beaten one part, of the filings of iron sifted one part: incorporate all these things well together, and moisten them with aqua vitae. The 99 Chapter. To tie a firework at the upper end of a scaling ladder. Cover the upper part of the scaling ladder with plates of iron & in the very top let the ladder have one or two great and strong hooks of iron to catch and hold fast whatsoever thing you shall lay it on. Also set in the foot of the ladder long iron pikes which may be thrust into the ground to keep the ladder from sliding. All this being done, tie upon the the said iron plates a canvas bag filled with some one kind of burning mixture, bind the said bag all over with iron wires, and cover it all over with such paste as doth serve to cover pellets and balls of wildfire. Then making holes thorough the bag into the said mixture, fill up the said holes again with fine and good gunpowder, or with gunmatches rolled in fine and dry gunpowder, and when you shall have cause to use any such ladder, give fire to the said gunpowder or gunmatches which will 'cause the said mixture to burn in such manner, as no enemy will offer to come near unto the ladder. depiction of fireworks tied to a ladder A scaling ladder which may be folded together. The 100 Chapter. 1 To make three sundry Firewoorkes which will blow up walls, towers, forts, and such like things, and spoil many enemies. Put a barrel full of fine gunpowder within a Butt well hooped, let the barrel stand fast in the midst of the Butt, filling up the rest of the room within the Butt with round shells, or stones, so big as walnuttes, or eggs, and lay about the Butt certain gunmatches which may give fire at an appointed time to the gunpowder in the bottom of the barrel. For if you should give fire to the gunpowder in the top of the barrel, you would before you could escape, hurt yourself so soon as your enemy. Likewise if you should not lay gunmatches about the Butt to give fire unto the gunpowder at an appointed time when you may be in an other place a good distance from the said Butt and Barrel, you would kill yourself: For this kind of firework laid in a trench under the ground, or under a brickwall, fort, or tower, will be a very offensive thing to all those that are near unto it when it doth his effect. Girolamo Russelli in his book entitled Precetti della militia moderna writeth, that at the assault of Saint Andrew's in Scotland Anno Domini 1542, this kind of firework did kill 321 people, and maim more than 600 people. depiction of a type of barrel firework A gunmatch to fire the powder in the Barrel. A gunmach to fire the powder in the Barrel. 2 An other Firewoorke which will blow up walls, towers, forts, and such like things, and spoil many enemies. MAke of good and thick plates of iron certain barrels, hoop them well with iron hoops, upon their hoops fix certain thick pieces of iron of an inch and ¼ of an inch in length with sharp points, and with an hard cheesel hack every barrel in divers places, but not thoroe, because every barrel aught to be made very close, so as no fire may breath out of it till the force of fired gunpowder with which every barrel must be full stuffed shall 'cause the same barrels to break in many pieces. Also upon the head or one end of every such barrel, fix well a holloe pipe of iron, making it to go close down four fingers deep into the barrel, and to extend three fingers in height above the head of the barrel. This done, fill every of those barrels with good and fine gunpowder, and every of those iron pipes with some one kind of mixture that will burn slowly: and when you will use these barrels in time of military service, giving fire to the mixture in their said pipes, thro' them away from you over the Town walls, or being in sea service, out of your ship into an other ship or galley among your enemies. For so soon as the fire in the said mixture shall come to the gunpowder within the barrel, the barrel through the force of gunpowder, and by reason of the said hacks, will break and fly in many pieces. Also with iron butts or great barrels of iron filled full of gunpowder, and made like unto the said small barrels, you may blow up any appointed brickwall or tower, if you will lay such great barrels filled full of fine gunpowder in the ground under the appointed place. depiction of a type of barrel firework 3 An other Firewoorke which will blow up Walls, Towers, Forts, and such like things, and spoil many enemies. MAke of long, thick, smooth, and well wrought plates of iron, a vessel of eight or ten feet in length like unto the picture following, hoop the same vessel with iron hoops, & also make a bottom for the same vessel of like plates of iron, laying one plate a finger breadth upon the middle part of an other plate his thickness, and set this bottom fast in a fit crest made round about the loer end of the said vessel. This done, hack the vessel but not thorough, in divers places with a cheesell, and make a hole in every plate about that loer end, and then to stop up those holes again that no fire may breath out of any one of them, drive an iron pin overthwart into every of the said holes. Moreover, make a little hole in the bottom of the said vessel, and put into the same hole a pipe of iron, and after you have stuffed the said vessel full of dry and fine gunpowder, fill the said pipe with a burning mixture, or with a Gunmatch which may bring fire unto the said gunpowder when it shall do his effect. Now this vessel being so prepared to blow up a brickwall, tower, or fort, dig a cave under the brickwall, tower, or fort, that shallbe blown up, which cave must be no bigger than will receive the said vessel, and setting props in the ground under the said brickwall, tower, or fort, give fire to the end of a Gunmatch that shall at the end of half an hour or thereabouts after you have done all this give fire to the gunpowder in the said barrel. For you must before that time (if you will save your own life) be a good distance from the same place that shallbe blown up with the said gunpowder. depiction of a type of barrel firework The 101 Chapter. How Frauncesse George of Sena was the first inventor of mines: how caves or mines for the subversion of Forts, Castles, and walls of Cities aught to be made: and how gunpowder aught to be placed in the ovens of such mines, that the same gunpowder may overthrow and blow the Forts, Castles, and Walls of Cities which shall stand directly over the said ovens. joan: jacobus Weckerus, and Vannuccio Biringuccio, do report in their books that Frauncesse George of Sena was the first inventor of mines for the subversion of Forts, Castles, Sena is a city in that part of Italy which is called Tulcane distant from Room an hundred miles. and walls of Cities: And the said Weckerus, Biringuccio, and other authors have written, that such mines aught to be made in this sort following. The mouth and beginning of the mine aught not to be near unto the place that is appointed to be blown up with gunpowder, to this end that the men of the said place may not perceive the mine, nor issue out to molest the pioneers, nor know where to make countermines to let the fire breath out, or to 'cause the my by any manner of means to be of no effect. And to the intent that the said mine may not end before it comes to the very point of ground which l●eth directly under the said place that shallbe overthrow, nor extend beyond the same, you must measure exactly with your Quadrant or Semicircle the distance between the beginning of the mine and the place where it shall end, and note circumspectly by the help of a Geographical plain Sphere, how the end of the mine lieth from the place of his beginning. This done, draw a plat of a mine that may upon paper express the true proportion and symmetry of the same mine which you do now go about to make, and instruct the Pioneers to undermine according to the same plat. If the pioneers shall happen to find water in the way of the mine, you must teach them to sink wells, and to dig gutturs which may carry the water out of the way into the same wells, and after they have laid planks over the said wells, to proceed in their work according to your plat. But when the pioneers shall not be able by reason of other lets within the ground (which in many places will happen) to undermine according to your plat, than your plat must be altered in such sort as the way of the mine under ground may in breadth, length, and form, agreed with the said plat. While the pioneers do work in the way of the mine, 'cause them to bore divers deep holes in each side of the mine with a long augar, and when they have so done, if you will lay your ear to the said holes, I mean first to one hole and after to an other, you shall hear whether the enemies do dig any countermine. Some men do think that a mine, and also a countermine may with little or no noise at all be thus made. Prepare strong and big augars of 8 or 9 feet in length, bore with them divers holes under the ground thorough the earth, and also thorough the stones which shall lie in the way of the mine or countermine: This done, break down the earth and stones about the said holes with crows of iron, and then boring other holes, and breaking down again the earth and stones about the same holes as you did before, work forwards, and keep this order in your work till you have finished the mine. A mine may be made in fashion like unto TV or XY in the pictures next following. depiction of two types of mines Also the Pioneers (if the ground will permit them so to work) may dig forthright from the beginning of the mine towards the thing that is appointed to be overthrow, until they shall come near unto the ground which lieth directly under the said thing, and of some is named the Oven, and place of greatest effect: But of necessity the way of the mine from the said near place unto the said Oven and place of greatest effect, must be crooked & obliqne according to BDEC in the two Figures following. After you have made a mine plat according to this doctrine or in any other manner, you must instruct the Pioneers to undermine deep within hard ground, and to make the way of the mine three foot in breadth, and six foot in height, and to dig the said Oven and place of greatest effect six or seven foot in breadth, and nine or ten foot in height, to this end that the gunpowder laid in that place may make his vent upwards, and that the air which is within the said holloe place may aid the gunpowder to open and overturn the ground which is right over it. When the said Oven and place of greatest effect shall happen to be made in a stony ground where the stones are like to fall, than you must underprop them with holloe pipes of timber filled full of good gunpowder: and remember always to observe a mean in making the Oven and place of greatest effect, because it aught in no manner of ground to be too big or too little. The mine being finished according to your said plat, cover the ground or floor in the said Oven and place of greatest effect with boards, and having stroed upon those boards a sufficient quantity of good gunpowder, put so many barrels without any heads or covers, full of good and strong gunpowder upon the same boards, as will execute the thing appointed to be done, and in so doing persuade yourself that the better and greater the quantity of gunpowder which shallbe laid in the said Oven & place of greatest effect is, the more greater will be the effect of the same. Moreover, for to fire the said gunpowder when time shall require, lay a gunmatch made of fine bumbase cotton that hath been well sodde in vinegar, brimstone, and saltpetre, well rolled in gunpowder, and well dried in the Sun, within a Trunk, Pipe, or case of boards: which gunmatch and trunk must extend and reach in length from the gunpowder stroed upon the boards in the said Oven and place of greatest effect, unto the mouth and beginning of the mine, and also somewhat without the same, and having covered the said gunmatch all over with a train of dry gunpowder, close up the said trunk with a cover of boards, so as no soil or moisture may come unto the gunpowder within the same Trunk. Or if you will, you may tie a piece of a gunmatch unto the end of a small line, and when the said end of a gunmatch shallbe a fire, draw the same by that line running on a pulley thorough a train of gunpowder made within a Trunk unto the barrels of gunpowder in the said oven and place of greatest effect. But before you do fire the gunpowder in the mine with a gunmatch after the doctrine last taught, or in any other manner, you must with earth, roots of trees, blocks of timber, stones, and such like things, wall, fortify, and ram up the mouth of the said Oven, or rather all that part of the mine which C D and E in the figure next following doth represent, so as no fire, or air may breathe out of the said oven and place of greatest effect by any other way than by the said holloe Trunk. For in so much as that part of the mine which is noted in this figure next following with E, lieth not right against the said oven and place of greatest effect, and likewise for that the place of the mine which D in this figure following doth represent, lieth not right against C, and also for that the mouth of the mine which B representeth in the figure next following, is not right against E and D, it is certain, when the gunpowder in the said oven and place of greatest effect shall be set in a fire (after the way of the mine from C to D is so stopped up with earth, roots of trees, blocks of timber, stones, and such like things) that the said gunpowder will with a great and horrible violence blow and overturn all the ground and buildings over the same. depiction of two types of mines The 102 Chapter. How a cave aught to be made round about a Castle or Fort that is besieged, to the intent that they which are in the said cave may hear and perceive at all times whether or no the enemy doth work to undermine the same Castle or Forte. WHen a Castle or Forte is besieged, and the Captain of that Castle or Forte doth fear that the enemy will undermine the same place, than the Captain (to avoid the hurt which may come by the said mine) aught to command his Soldiers to make a deep pit within their Castle or Forte, and from the bottom of the same to dig a cave under the foundation of the walls of their said Castle or Forte, and also under the ditch which environeth the said place until they shall come unto the outside of the said ditch, and from thence to undermine on the outside of the said ditch (as the ground will suffer them to work) round about the said Castle or Forte. When the Soldiers have brought out of the said cave all the earth which was in the same, they may fortify the walls of their Castle or Fort with the same earth, and laying sacks of wool straightly bound about with cords in divers places of the said cave, they aught to put upon every of the said sacks a latin basin, and cast into every of the said basins six or eight hard peason, to this end that they which are in the said cave may hear and perceive at all times by those peason, whether or no the enemy doth work to undermine the same Castle or Forte, for at every stroke that the pioneers shall strike, the peason in the said basins will undoubtedly make an audible jar, whereof the Captain aught presently to have warning, that he may in convenient time with countermines, or by some other policy, make the mine of his enemies to be of no effect. Moreover, to know whether or no the enemies do make any mine against you this may be done: Sink divers deep wells in divers places towards the suspected mine, and having made divers holes with a long auger in the sides of those wells, cause vigilant and skilful men to watch and hearken continually at the said holes, or in the bottom of the said wells, whether or no the enemies do undermine towards you. But if this way shall not like you, take a drum and set one end of it flat upon a very plain piece of ground, near unto the head of one of the said wells, and then upon the upper end or head of the drum lay five or six hawks bells, or such bells as are commonly set in collars for little dogs, or for want of such bells a convenient number of dry beans which will make a sound at every stroke given in the mine with any mattock or pickaxe, if the enemies do undermine within forty or fifty paces of the said drum, and that sound will be by so much more audible by how much more nearer to the drum the enemy's pioneers do come. Also you may know whether the enemies do undermine towards you, if you will place a convenient number of copper or latin basins filled full of clean water in the bottom of every of the aforesaid wells, and set the sides of the same basins in the ground, for when the enemies do undermine, the water in the basins will tremble at every blow which shallbe given in the mine of the enemies with any pickaxe or mattock, and therein this is to be noted, that the more lighter the said basins are, the better will they move and bewray the strokes of pickaxes and mattocks. The 103 Chapter. To make a burning oil of Saltpetre and Brimstone mingled together for Firewoorkes. TAke of Saltpetre well refined one part, of Brimstone one part, beat the Saltpetre by itself, and also the Brimstone by itself into very fine powder: After this incorporate them in a pot of nwe earth, putting so much strong white vinegar into the pot as will cover the mixture. This done, cover the pot so as no air may breath out of it: and when the vinegar in the pot shallbe consumed, and the said mixture dry, you must distill the said mixture in a Limbeck, and reserve the burning oil that will come from it for Firewoorkes. The 104 Chapter. To make oil of Brimstone for Firewoorkes. Melt Brimstone in a pot over a fire, and taking a sufficient quantity of the elder red bricks that may be got, beat them into pieces so big as beans: This done, put into the melted Brimstone so many of those small pieces as will drink up all the same melted Brimstone: And after you have so done, distill them in a Limbeck, for that which shall come out of the said pieces of bricks thoroe the Limbeck, is oil of Brimstone which will serve for Firewoorkes. The 105 Chapter. To make two sorts of burning waters for Firewoorkes. 1 TAke the rinds or peels of Lemons or rather of Oranges which are better, pull away all the white skins which stick fast on their insides, and then distill the said rinds in a limbeck: so doing you shall draw out of those rines a burning water. another burning water which burned upon a man's hand will do no harm thereunto. 2 TAke of Turpentine, of oil of stones, of sheeps suet, of Brimstone, of vnslaked Lime, of Hogs grease, of each an equal quantity: Beat all these things to powder, and after you have well mingled them together, distill the mixture, and keep the distilled liquor for a burning water, which burned upon your hand will do no harm thereunto, as Girolamo Ruscelli writeth. The 106 Chapter. How the clay which some men name Lutum sapientiae, and some men do call Lute of wisdom, is made: And how the said clay will serve to stop vessels of glass and furnaces, and to make thick moulds, and many other things. THe clay which some men name Lutum sapientiae, and some men do call Lute of wisdom, (of which in divers places of this book I have spoken) may be made in this manner. Take of good white or ashy colour chalk which will make white pipkins, white pots, white dishes, & other white vessels, 4 parts, of common ashes which have served in a buck of clotheses ½ part, of dry horsedung or assedung one part, & a little quantity of the powder of a brick stone, or a small portion of the filings of iron, beat all these things into a very fine powder, then sift them thoroe a fine sieve or searcer, and that being done, mingle them together. After this, lay the said mixture upon a fair floor, and cast or strow one part of floxe upon the said mixture by little and little in as equal portions as you can. Also sprinkle so much water as shallbe needful upon the said mixture. Furthermore, stir the said moist mixture well together, first with a staff, afterwards with a spade or shovel, and make a heap thereof. When the said mixture hath in that sort been well wrought, lay it upon a board and moisten it again, and beat it with a spade or shovel till you have beaten it enough, for the longer that you shall beat and moisten it, the better it will be. This kind of clay is very good to lute or stop vessels of glass, and furnaces, and to make thick moulds, and many other things. If you will not bestow all this labour to make Lutum sapientiae, or lute of wisdom, then take only of the said white chalk, floxe, horsedung or assedung, and a few ashes. Some make this lute of wisdom without floxe, others make the said lute of wisdom without horsedung or assedung, and every of them doth therein follow his own will: For in very deed you may by divers ways make lute of wisdom, as you may read in the first book and six and twenty Chapter of the nwe jewel of health treating of distillations. But to lute and stop the mouths of glasses that no air may breath out of them, such lute of wisdom as is made after the first order is best, especially if two parts of vnslaked lime, and so many whites of eggs as shall seem to be enough, be added thereunto, for vnslaked Lime and the whites of eggs will make it more sure, and as hard as glass, and by such means the vent of air will be the less. Moreover, this Lute of wisdom must always be kept in a moist place, but so as the said Lute be not kept too moist nor too dry, for the same being dry will wax hard, and then it serves to no use, and if you shall go about to make it soft by casting water upon it, the outside thereof will be moist and mollified therewith, but the inside of the same will continued hard, wherefore when the lute of wisdom is very hard, it is best for you to let it dry well, and afterwards to beat it into fine powder, and then to make thereof again lute of wisdom in such sort as before you were taught to do. The 107 Chapter. How you may way with feure several weights any quantity from one pound weight unto forty pounds in weight: how you may way with five several weights any quantity from one pound weight unto an hundred twenty & one pounds in weight: how you may way with 6 several weights any quantity from one pound weight unto three hundred sixty & four pounds in weight: and how upon a Beam called a Stater, you may with a small weight way things of very great weight. HOw needful a thing it is for those that do deliver or receive Gunpowder & pellets by weights, and also for those that do make Gunpowder, Cartredges, and Firewoorks by proportion and weights, to know how they may only with 4 weights way any quantity from one pound weight to 40 pounds in weight, and with 5 weights any quantity from 1 pound weight to 121 pounds in weight, and with 6 weights any quantity from one pound weight unto 364 pounds in weight, and how they may way upon a Beam called a Stater, with a small and light weight, great things of a very heavy weight, I need not rehearse because every man will confess that it is a point of vanity to use many things when a few things will serve our turn, as this Latin sentence doth declare: Frustra fit per plura quod fieri potest per pauciora. Therefore I advise those that aught to have understanding in the science of weights to note well this which followeth. Four several weights will way any quantity from one pound weight unto 40 pounds in weight, if the first of those four weights be of one pound, the second of 3 pounds, the third of 9 pounds, and the fourth of twenty seven pounds in weight. As for example, a quantity of 6 pounds in weight will be justly weighed if you put the said quantity and the weight of 3 pounds in one scale, and the weight of 9 pounds in the other Scale. Also you may way a quantity of 21 pounds in weight, if you will put the said quantity and the weight of 9 pounds in one Scale, and the weight of three pounds, and the weight of 27 pounds in the other Scale. In like manner with five weights, that is to say with the said weight of 1 pound, with the said weight of 3 pounds, with the said weight of 9 pounds, with the said weight of 27 pounds, and with a weight of eighty one pounds, you may way any quantity from one pound weight unto 121 pounds in weight. Also with 6 weights I mean with the weight of one pound, with the weight of three pounds, with the weight of nine pounds, with the weight of twenty seven pounds, with the weight of eighty one pounds, & with a weight of two hundred forty and three pounds, you may way any quantity from one pound unto 364 pounds in weight. depiction of weighing scales When you do way any quantity in an unknown pair of balance, An admonition. I counsel you to way the quantity first in one scale of the same balance, and after in the other scale of the same balance: For as a quantity weighed in a true pair of Balances will be of one and the same weight in both the scales of that balance, so a quantity weighed in a false pair of Balances will be of more weight in one scale than in the other scale of false Balances. And besides all this, it is needful for you to know that some false Balances are so subtly made, that their beams will lie in an equal height, and bear the tongues of the same false Balances upright between their cheeks, when their scales do hung empty. But if you will way your things with a Stater, To make and use a long Stater. make first a plain and smooth beam of iron in fashion like a Pyramid or four square Taper, in length one yard, and in thickness about ⅓ part of an inch, and then upon a strong pin of iron called the first axle-tree set overtwharte and very fast in the great end of the Beam, hung a pendant hook of iron, that winding and moving to all sides may clasp and hold fast all the ropes of the scale in which the things that shall be weighed must lie. Moreover, fix an other strong axle-tree of iron in the said Beam as a parallel to the first, and distant from the same about ●/21 part of the Beams length. Also you must set the tongue of the Stater Squirewise upon the beam right over this second axle-tree, and put the cheeks of the tongue upon the ends of the second axle-tree, so as they may easily move up and down upon the same. And it is expedient that these cheeks should have in their uppermost end a ring or hook by which the Stater may be always hanged up when need shall require. Next after this, you must lay in the scale of the Stater depending by ropes from the first axle-tree, so much of known weight as being reckoned with the weight of the scale and the weight of the ropes belonging to the Scale, will make both ends of the Beam to lie without any declining in an equal height: Which is perceived by the tongue of the Stater when it doth stand right up between his cheeks. Furthermore, to this weight which hath made both ends of the Beam to stand precisely equidistant to the Horizon, and is supposed by me to contain fifty pounds, you shall add ten pounds of more weight, and that being done, you shall hung a ringed poise of ten pounds in weight upon that part of the Beam which is marked in the Figure following with B F. Now the said poise hanged upon B F the longer part of the beam, must be moved to and fro until the tongue of the Stater shall be perceived to stand very upright between his cheeks, to this end that the part of the Beam which is then touched with the ring of the poise may be exactly marked with a small notch or with a fine line. When you have made there such a notch or such a line, lay ten pounds of more weight in the scale, and because the tongue of the Stater will now incline towards A the greater end of the beam, remove the said poise towards F, until the tongue of the Stater standing upright between his cheeks, shall show again equality of weight, and then as before you have been taught to do, make an other notch, or draw an other line upon that part of the beam which is touched with the ring of the poise. For the space between these two notches or lines will exactly show a distinction and separation of ten pounds in weight. Unto which if you add the first weight which is supposed to be fifty, and the second weight which was ten, the total sum of the whole weight which the ringed poise doth counterpoise in the notch or line last made, amounteth to seventy pounds. Finally you must mark upon the beam the space that is between the two notches or lines so many times as the beam will receive the same. For the notch or line in each of those spaces is a distinction of ten pounds in weight, so that if you will divide every of those equal spaces into ten equal parts, and every of these ten equal parts, into sixteen equal parts, the beam will not only show the places of pounds in weight, but also the place of every ounce that is in each of the said pounds. For every of those equal spaces do give equal increase, and look what proportion the supposed weight of 50 pounds (which made both ends of the beam to lie in an equal height) beareth to the ringed poise, the same proportion doth B F the longer part of the beam bear to A B the shorter part of the beam: And because B F the longer part of the beam is twenty times so much in length as A B the shorter part of the beam, and that the ringed poise weigheth ten pounds, multiply 10 in 20, and thereof rises 200, unto which add the supposed weight of 50 pounds, which did make the beam to lie as a parallel with the Horizon before the ringed poise was put on upon the same, and so the product thereof will be 250, wherefore I conclude that this Stater with his said ringed poise of 10 pounds will show the true weight of any quantity that doth not way above 250 pounds. depiction of a shore stater [weighing beam] The Type of a shorre Stater depiction of a shore stater [weighing beam] The 108 Chapter. To make three sundry ointments which will heal any person scalded with hot Saltpetre water, or with any other hot liquor, and cure all those which shallbe burned with hot iron, or gunpowder. method 1 Boil Hogs grease that is stolen and old over a fire, and still as any scum shall rise take it clean away. When you shall see that the same old and stolen Hogs grease so boiling will cast up no more scum, take it of from the fire, and set it in the open air for the space of three or four nights: After you have so done, melt the said grease again over a fire, and then strain it into fresh and clean water: after all this, wash the said grease in divers fair and clean waters till it shallbe very white, and clammy, and till the water in which it hath been well washed doth appear to be fair and clear. This done, the ointment, is made, and if you will anoint with it the place that is scalded or burned, you shall heal the same place without any scar, blemish, or pain. another ointment to heal scaldings and burnings. method 2 TAke of ordinary grey Soap and anoint presently the place scalded or burned, once anointing will serve, if you take it so soon as it is done, both to take away the fire, and to heal it without any other thing. method 3 But if the grieved place be not within a quarter of an hour anointed with grey Soap, then take Goose grease which hath not been salted, for in any wise take heed that you do not occupy for this purpose any Goose grease that hath salt in it, and anoint the place therewith well warmed twice a day, for this alone will heal it, and so as it shall never be seen except it be burned very deep. The 109 Chapter. To make a Plaster which will heal without pain any wrenched or broken arm, hand, leg, foot, or joint, and all manner of bruises. TAke of mirte named in Italian Mortella, ship pitch, gum of a Pine tree, tallow of a Goat, frankincense, mastic, and garden worms, wash well the said worms in water, and then dry them in an hot Oven to powder. Also beat the said frankincense, mastic, and mirte to powder, and after you have so done, mingle together one part of the powder of mirte, one part of the powder of frankincense, one part of the powder of mastic, and one part of the powder of garden worms. Moreover, after you have melted in a pot over a slow fire the said gum and ship pitch, put Goats' tallow into the pot among the said melted gum and pitch, and when the said tallow is there also melted, put all the said parts of powders into the same pot, and mingling them well with the other things which are melted in the same pot, seeth all those things together for a while over a fire till they shall begin to wax somewhat hard. When you have so done, take the pot from the fire, and spread some of that mixture in the pot thick upon a white and soft piece of leather, and then while it is warm lay the plaster upon the grieved place, and suffer it to lie there till it do fall away of itself. This plaster (as Girolamo Ruscelli writeth) is of such virtue that it will draw the bone out of joint into his place, and take away all the pain. Also it is a sovereign plaster to be laid upon a broken bone or rib, or upon any bruise within a man's body, or within any part thereof, and it taketh away all the pain thereof without any danger, & when it hath done his cure, it will of itself fall away from the place that was grieved. When you cannot get of the said worms, you may make the plaster without them, although the plaster which hath such worms in it is of more virtue than the other plaster made without those worms. The 110 Chapter. How a Gunner cannot mount any piece of Artillery to make a perfect shoot at a mark without point blank, except he do know the distance between his piece and the mark, and how for the same reason, and also for other causes, the Author of this Appendix doth show in the Chapters following divers rules concerning the mensuration of Altitudes, Longitudes, Latitudes, and Profundities, and the plaiting of fields, mines, and other places. COnsidering that (as Nicholas Tartaglia in his epistle at the beginning of his Book entitled La nova Scientia writeth) a Gunner cannot mount well any piece of Artillery to make a perfect shoot at a mark without point blank, except he do know the distance between his Piece and the mark: Also considering that a Gunner may have occasion to measure Altitudes, Latitudes, and Profundities, and to draw upon paper the plat of fields, mines, and other places, I will now before the end of my Book show in certain Chapters, some plain, infallible and necessary rules for mensuration of Altitudes, Longitudes, Latitudes, and Profundities, & for the drawing of plattes which shall contain the true proportion and symmetry of any field, mine, or other place, so as every Gunner shallbe able thereby to tell how far any place in his plat is distant from other. The 111 Chapter. The bigness fashion, and use of an Instrument named a Gunner's Semicircle: and of an Instrument named a Geometrical Square. TO perform my promise made in the last Chapter, I must first show you the fashion, bigness, and use of an Instrument named a Gunner's Semicircle, which aught to be made of hard, smooth, and well seasoned wood, as of Oak, Walnut tree, Pear tree, or rather of Cypress wood, because the Cypress wood will not warp with the heat of the Sun, nor with any moisture. Also the said Semicircle fashioned and divided like unto his type here drawn, aught to be at the lest so big as the said type, and from his centre a plumb line aught to hung down, but in place of the two sight holes which may be set upon the said instrument, you shall (if you will follow my counsel) make a strait narrow and shalloe channel along in the Ruler A B from the point D to the point E, and likewise an other strait, shallow, and narroe channel in the Ruler B C, from the point F to the point G. This done, cover those channels with a thin piece of wood in such manner as you may (notwithstanding the said covers) look thorough those channels at any mark whatsoever. A Semicircle thus framed will serve to lay any great piece of Artillery level, to mount all manner of great pieces unto any elevation, to embase the mouth of any piece for to shoot at marks in valleys, The use of a gunner's Semicircle. to measure heigthes, depths, and distances, to level all manner of grounds, and to do all such things as may be done by a Gunner's Quadrant. Moreover for mensuration of Altitudes, Latitudes, & profundities according to the Rules following, The use of a Geometrical square. I do exhort you to prepare a Geometrical square of a convenient bigness, and to make it of metal, or of Cypress, like in every respect unto his Type here placed, Saving that I would have you to divide the Quadrant in your Geometrical square into ninety equal parts called degrees, and every side of your said square into 1200 equal parts, and the Index of your Square into 1697 and 191/●394 of like equal parts which in this side of Paper for want of room I could not do. depiction of a gunner's semicircle The 112 Chapter. To take the height of the Sun with a Quadrant drawn within your Geometrical square. SET your Geometrical square plumb upright upon his side or end FIVE X, and set his side Y X right against or towards the Sun. This do●e, raise up and down the Index of the square until the Sun shall shine duly through his two sight holes, and then look what degree in the edge of the Quadrant is touched with the fiducial line of the said Index, for the degree to touched doth show exactly the degrees of the suns height at that present time. depiction of the use of a gunner's semicircle The 113 Chapter. How you may measure at one station in a Sun shining day with your Geometrical square, and also with an Haulbert or any other staff perpendiculerly erected, the altitude of any Tower, or other thing whose shadow length is known. SET your Geometrical square upright upon his side or end FIVE X, and with the Quadrant drawn upon the said square, take the height of the Sun as you have been taught in the last Chapter. This done, when the Sun is 45 degrees in height, the fiducial line of the index will lie directly between the right and contrary shadow, I mean upon the line V Y and then the shadows of all things perpendicularly elevated are equal to their bodies. Wherefore after you have measured the length of the shadow which a Tower doth give, you may note that measure for the altitude of the same Tower. depiction of the use of a gunner's semicircle If the Sun be above forty five degrees in height, the Index will fall upon the right shadow of the square, and forasmuch as then the shadows of all bodies perpendicularly erected are shorter than their bodies, you must now multiply all the parts in one side of the square in the measure of the shadow which the Tower to be measured doth give, and divide the product thereof by the part of right shadow touched with the fiducial line of the Index, and take the quotient number for the height of the said Tower. depiction of the use of a gunner's semicircle But if the Altitude of the Sun be less than forty five degrees, the said Index will fall upon the contrary shadow of the square: and seeing that then the shadows of all bodies perpendicularly erected are longer than their bodies, you shall multiply the part of contrary shadow touched with the fiducial line of the Index in the length of the shadow which the Tower to be measured doth make, and having divided the product thereof by all the parts in one side of the square, take the quotient number for the altitude of the said Tower. depiction of the use of a gunner's semicircle How by the known length of a shadow which a Halberte or staff perpendiculary erected doth give in a Sun shining day, you may know the height of any Tower or other thing which giveth at the same time a shadow that may be measured. IN a Sun shining day pitch upright a Halberte of a known length by the Tower or other thing whose Altitude you would know. This done, measure the length of the Halberds shadow, and also the length of the shadow which the said Tower doth give. For as the altitude of the erected Halberd is in proportion to his shadow, so the desired altitude of the Tower is in proportion to his shadow: Therefore multiply the length of the Halberd in the length of the shadow which the Tower giveth, divide the product thereof by the length of the shadow which the Halberd doth give, and take the quotient number for the Altitude of the said Tower. Example. The Tower to be measured giveth a shadow of 125 feet in length, & the erected Halberd of eight feet in length doth make a shadow of twelve feet in length, therefore multiply eight in 125, and the product thereof will be 1000, which divided by twelve yieldeth in the quotient 83 foot and four inches for the altitude of the said Tower. Shadow Altitude. 12 8 125 83 and ●. The 114 Chapter. How you may measure with your Geometrical square at one station any approchable altitutde: also how you may with Arithmetical skill measure the hypotenusal distance between your said station and the top of the said altitude. SET your Geometrical square plumb upright upon his side or end V Z. This done, move the Index of the square up and down, till you may see through his two sights, the top of the altitude to be measured: then noting well what equal part in the side of the square is touched with the fiducial line of the said Index, look whether the said part is in the side of right shadow, or in the side of contrary shadow. For if the said equal part be in the side of right shadow (which happeneth when the space between the base of the altitude to be measured and your standing is shorter than the said altitude) you must multiply the measure of the space between your standing, and the base of the said altitude, in all the parts that are in one side of the square, and divide the product by the equal part touched with the fiducial line of the Index in the side of right shadow, and then adding the height of the centre of your square above the base of the thing to be measured, unto the quotient thereof, take the total sum of that addition for the measure of the said approchable altitude. Example. S T is a Tower whose altitude I will measure, R T is the space between the approchable base of the said tower & my standing, which space is 40 feet. Q or FIVE the height of the centre of my square above the said base is 5 feet. V Z X Y is the square set plumb upright upon his side FIVE Z, and FIVE PEA is the fiducial line of the Index which pointing directly from mine eye at the centre of the square, to the top of the said Tower, toucheth the 800 part in the right shadow, therefore I multiple 40 feet the space between R and T, in 1200 the whole number of parts in the whole side of the square and thereof cometh 48000 which divided by 800 the part touched with the fiducial line of the Index in the right shadow, yieldeth sixty foots: then adding five feet for the height of the centre of my square above the said base unto the said number of sixty, I take the total sum thereof which is 65 feet for the altitude of the said Tower. depiction of the use of a gunner's semicircle If in this work the fiducial line of the Index shall touch a part of contrary shadow (which happeneth when the space between the base of the altitude to be measured and your standing, is longer than the said altitude) then multiply that part of contrary shadow in the measure of the space between the said base and your standing, and after you have divided the product thereof by all the parts in one side of the square, add to the quotient the height of the centre of your square above the said base, and take the total sum thereof for the altitude of the said Tower. But if in this work the fiducial line of the Index shall fall between the right and contrary shadows upon the line V Y, then adding the height of the centre of your square above the said base, to the measure of the space between your standing and the said base, take the total sum or length thereof for the altitude of the said Tower. Now by knowing the height of the said Tower, and the measure of the distance between your standing and the base of the said Tower, you may by the art of numbering tell the true measure of the hypotenusal distance between your station and the top of the said Tower: a thing needful to be known, and of great account in making sealing ladders for military service. Therefore to do this thing, square the distance between your standing and the base of the Tower. Likewise square the height of the said Tower, and joining their squares together, take the square root of the total sum for the hypotenusal distance between your standing and the top of the said Tower. Example. Square four perches the measure of the distance between R your station and T the base of the Tower, and the square number thereof will be sixteen. Also square three perches the height of the Tower T S, and the square number thereof will be nine. Now add both those squares together and thereof will come twenty five, whose square root being five is the measure of perches in the hypotenusal distance between R your standing, and S the top of the said Tower. depiction of the use of a scaling ladder The 115 Chapter. How you may measure with your Geometrical square an hypotenusal distance, and an altitude of a Tower or any other thing perpendicularly erected. IF the distance from your station unto the altitude of the Tower which shall be measured be less than the same altitude, as for example if your station be at A, and M N be the altitude of a Tower which shall be measured, set your square upright so as his angle X may stand upon A, and his angle Y, may lie directly between the said angle A, and N the top of the said Tower. This done, lift up the Index of your square till you may see through his sights N the top of the said Tower, and then noting what part in Y Z (the side of your square) is touched with the fiducial edge of the said Index, which here for example I will suppose to be twelve, multiply 1200 the whole number of parts in one side of your square by one foot the distance between the centre of your square and the piece of ground at the said A and so the quotient thereof will be 1200 which being divided by twelve the number of parts touched with the fiducial edge of the said Index will yield in the quotient 100 feet for the measure of the hypotenusal distance between A your station, and N the top of the Tower. depiction of the use of a gunner's semicircle After you have in this manner found out the said hypotenusal distance set your square upright at A upon his side FIVE X, and moving the Index of your square up or down till you shall see through his sights N the top of the said Tower, note what part of the Index is touched with Z Y the side of your square, which here for example I will admit to be 1360: then working by the rule of proportion multiply 1200 the whole number of parts in one side of your square by 100 the measure of the said hypotenusal distance, and thereof will come 120000, which divided by 1360 the part of the Index touched with Z Y the side of the square, yieldeth in the quotient 88 feet and 4/17 of a foot for the altitude of the said Tower N M. The 116 Chapter. How you may artificially measure with a Gunners quadrant, and also with a gunner's Semicircle, the altitude of any thing perpendicularly erected, although you may not go to it, nor see the base thereof: and how you may measure with the same instruments the hypotenusal distance, and horizontal distance of that altitude. Put your gunner's quadrant to your eye or hung your said quadrant upon a staff fast fixed in the ground, so that you may at your pleasure without stirring of the said staff, lift up or put down the quadrant till you have espied through his two sights A the top of that altitude. In the scale of the quadrant the 72 parts which shall be next unto your sights are called the parts of right shadow and the 72 parts which shall be on the other side of that scale are called the parts of contrary shadow. Then note upon what side of the scale, the line and plummet of the quadrant doth fall. If the said line shall happen to fall upon the parts of contrary shadow (as most commonly it doth in such kind of mensurations) note the parts of that shadow touched with the said line, and by the number of those parts divide 72 (the whole number of parts of one side of the scale) and reserve the quotient thereof. As for example, if the line shall fall upon twelve parts, divide 72 by twelve, and the quotient to be reserved will be six. Afterwards removing your quadrant, mark the place of your standing, and go so far as you list directly forwards towards the desired altitude, or directly backwards from the same. Then putting your instrument to your eye or hanging your instrument again upon a staff as you did before, lift up, or put down your quadrant till you may espy again through his said sights A the top of the said altitud, & note advisedly upon how many parts of contrary shadow the said line fallen: by which number of parts divide again 72, and subtract the quotient thereof from the first reserved quotient, and keep the remainder thereof. As for an example, if at the second standing the said line shall fall upon 36 parts of contrary shadow, divide 72 (the whole number of parts of one side of the scale) by the said number of 36, and the quotient thereof will be two. This number of two you must subtract from the other reserved quotient which was six, and the remainder thereof will be four: this remainder of four must also be reserved. Then measure the space between the first and second standing with what kind of measure you will, and the number of that measure divide by four the remainder which you did last reserve, and to the quotient thereof, add the height of your eye from the ground, and so you may conclude that the total sum thereof is the altitude of the thing seen: as for example suppose the space between your two standings to be 156 paces, then divide 156 by four, and thereof cometh thirty nine, to this thirty nine add the height of your eye from the ground (which you shall also suppose to be two paces) and so the total sum being forty one showeth the height of A B. But to the end this kind of mensuration may be the better understood, I will give you an other example thereof which shall differ from the aforesaid example, and in this example following I will suppose the side of the square to be divided only into twelve parts. Suppose again that your first standing is in the place marked with C, and that at the same standing the said line doth fall upon the tenth part of contrary shadow (as it doth in the figure following) and that at your second standing in the place marked with V, the said line falls upon the eight part of contrary shadow (as likewise it appeareth to do in the said figure) and that the space between C and V contains 285 feet, and that from your eye to the ground, that is to say from E to C or from X to FIVE there are four feet. Now divide twelve (the whole number of parts of one side of the scale) by 10 the part of contrary shadow touched with the said line at the first station and the quotient will be one and ⅕ the which you must reserve. Then divide again the said number of twelve by eight the part of contrary shadow touched with the said line at the second station, and the quotient will be one and ½. Out of this one and ½ subtract that one and ⅕ which was reserved, and so there will remain 3/20. By this 3/20 divide 285 which is the number of feet in the distance between C and V, and the quotient thereof will be 950. To this 950 add four feet for the height of your eye from the ground, or for the height of E above C, or for the height of X above FIVE, and so the total sum thereof being 954 feet is the true measure of the altitude A: that is to say of the line between A and B which B is an invisible point by imagination conceived directly under the said A within the ground T. depiction of the use of a gunner's semicircle To make a demonstration hereof, from your eye at the second station, that is to say from X to your eye at the first station, that is to say to E, draw the line X E, and produce the same line in your imagination till it meet with the said line A B within the ground T, in the point F, which is also an invisible point conceived by imagination to be within the said ground, and level with your eye, I mean with X and E, And because the triangle A E F, is like unto the triangle L P Q of the first station, such proportion as the line or side A F hath unto the line or side E F, the same proportion hath the side P Q to the side Q L. wherefore (by the 13 and 21 definition of the seventh book of Euclid) so many times as the said P Q is contained in the side Q L, so many times the side A F is contained in the side E F. And because the side P Q contains ten parts of the one side of the scale, and the side L Q contains twelve of those parts, therefore the side L Q contains the side P Q once and ⅕ part thereof, and so it followeth that the side E F contains the side A F once and ⅕ part thereof. And now although you be ignorant of the altitude of A F, & of the distance between E and F, yet you know that the said distance E F contains the height A F once and ⅕ part thereof. Then reserving this 1 and ⅕, go to your second standing where you shall find the triangle X F A, to be like unto the triangle L P Q of the second standing, and that so many times as the side P Q (which is eight parts of the scale of contrary shadow) is in the side L Q (which is 12, the whole number of parts of one side of the scale) so many times the height A F is contained in the distance X F, and because the side P Q (that is to say 8 parts) is contained once and ½ in the side L Q (that is to say in 12 parts) therefore the height A F is likewise contained once and ½ in the distance X F. Therefore subtracting the distance E F from the distance X F (that is to say 1 and ⅕ from 1 and ½) there will remain 3/10 for the difference E X, so as the said difference E X will be 3/10 of the said height A F. And because the said difference E X is such as is the line V C (by the 34 proposition of the first book of Euclid) and that the said line V C is supposed to contain 285 feet, therefore it followeth that there are 285 feet in 3/10 of the height A F. By reason whereof the whole height of A F should be 950 feet, as before hath been said. Then join 4 feet which is supposed to be the height of E C and of X FIVE unto the said number of 950 feet, and so the total sum thereof will be 954 feet which is the whole height of A B, because the height of F B doth likewise contain 4 feet. And therefore as the side P Q of the first standing is in proportion to the side or Hipothenusal line L P, so is the height A F to the hypotenusal distance A E. And because the side P Q is in proportion to the side or Hipothenusall line L P (by the 47 proposition of the first book of Euclid) as 10 is to the nighest square root of 244 (which number of 244 is the sum that came by adding the square of 10 to the square of 12) therefore multiply 950 feet by 15 and 19/30 which is the nighest square root of 244 and divide the product thereof by 10, and the quotient will yield 1485 feet & two inches for the hypotenusal distance A E. And forsomuch as the distance between E and F is so much as the height of A F and ⅕ part more (as before hath been proved) therefore take ⅕ of the height A F that is to say ⅕ part of 950 feet which is 190 and add the same sum of 190 to the sum of 950 feet the height of A F and thereof will come 1140 feet which showeth what number of feet are in the horizontal distance that is to say between E and F and between C and B. And in like sort you must proceed to find out at the second standing the hypotenusal distance between X and A, An admonition. and the horizontal distance between X F, but it behoveth you to note in this kind of mensurations by two standings, that sometimes your eye in one standing will not be so high from the ground as it will be in the other standing, especially when your Instrument hangs upon a thing that stands fast in the ground. And although that difference is but little, yet many times the same will breed great errors, and therefore to avoid the occasion of such errors, I exhort you to provide a line and plummet which may reach from the centre of the quadrant to the ground, and direct you at your first standing and also at your second standing. Moreover to avoid errors, I counsel you to hung your Quadrant so as it may turn upon no other part thereof then upon his centre, but now to return unto our purpose, if by chance you shall stand so near unto the altitude as that the line and plummet of the quadrant falls upon the right shadow, you must work otherwise than you did before, I mean you must divide those parts cut with the said line by 12, & in this case the quotient must always be set down like a fraction, the which fraction you must reserve, and after you have marked the place where you stood, go from thence so far as you list in a right line forwards or backwards, and then placing your said Instrument again as you did at your first standing, lift the said Instrument up or put it down, till you may through his sights see A the top of the altitude. This done, note advisedly upon what part of right shadow the said line and plummet falls, and that part divide by twelve (the whole number of parts of one side of the scale) and the quotient thereof must of necessity be set down like a fraction: This fraction subtract from the other fraction first reserved, or in plainer words, subtract the lesser of those two fractions from the greater, and reserve the remainder thereof. Then measure the space between your first and second standing by feet, paces, or any other kind of measure that you will, and divide the number of that measure by the remainder which was before reserved, and add unto the quotient of the said division the height between the centre of the said Instrument and the ground, and by so doing you may conclude that the total sum thereof is the altitude of the thing seen. For an example hereof, if at the first standing the said line and plummet shall fall upon the third part of right shadow, divide that number of three by twelve (the whole number of parts in one side of the scale) and the quotient thereof will be in a fraction ¼. Reserve this fraction of ¼, and then mark your first standing with a staff set upright under the centre of your Instrument and then go from thence backwards in a right line so far as you list, and placing there your Instrument as you did at your first standing, move it up or down till you shall again espy through the said sights A the top of the said altitude. Then look upon what part of right shadow the said line and plummet falls, as if by chance it fallen upon the fourth part, divide that fourth by twelve, and the quotient will be in a fraction ⅓. Now out of ¼ the fraction which was before reserved, subtract the last quotient which was ⅓ and so ●/12 will remain: then having likewise marked your second standing with a staff set upright under the centre of your Instrument, measure the space between the staff at your first standing, and the staff at your second standing: which space in this example I suppose to be eight paces. Now divide this eight by 1/1● the remainder last mentioned, and the quotient thereof will be ninety six, and add unto the said number of ninety six the height between the centre of the Instrument and the ground (which in this example I will suppose to be one pace) and so the total sum amounting to ninety seven paces showeth the height of A B. The demonstration of this work is to be made by the similitude of triangles and their proportional sides as before the other demonstration hath been made. In this kind of mensurations by two standings, you must be very circumspect that the staff upon which your quadrant shall hung do stand plumb upright both at your first standing, and also at your second standing. For otherwise it will make you not a little to err: which thing may be easily done by the help of your said quadrant, or by letting fall a line and plummet close by the side of that staff. The 117 Chapter. To know by the help of a Gunners Semicircle how many miles, paces, yards, or feet, any ship lying at Rode in the Sea, or Tower, or any other mark upon the land in sight, is from you. To measure lengths some say we should avoid hills and desire plains, for that otherwise great errors will ensue. But in this kind of mensuration no such matter is required, for here it shall be only needful at the time of your measuring to have ground enough to go directly backwards & sidewise from your first standing. This commodititie of ground enough had, whether that ground be level or otherwise, work thus. Lay your Semicircle flat and level upon a stool, or some other such thing, and move the same about till you shall espy through D E the channel in the ruler A B the ship or other thing to which you will measure, & (your Semicircle so remaining unmovable) look through the said channel E D at some other thing lying directly in a right line 200 yards or feet more or less at your pleasure, behind your standing, which thing so espied shall here for an example be marked with the figure of 3. Then (the Semicircle remaining still unmovable) look through the channel F G in the ruler B C, at some other thing lying sidewise in a right angle 100 yards or feet more or less from your first standing noted for an example with the figure of 1, & that thing so espied shall in this place be noted with the figure of 2. After this convey yourself and your Semicircle from your first standing unto the said thing which hath here been marked with the figure of 3, and lay your Semicircle there flat and level as you did before, but so as the end of that channel which is marked with E do lie right over the point here marked as aforesaid with the figure of 3, and that by moving the Semicircle about, you may at the last perceive through the said channel D E, that 1 the mark at your first standing doth lie right between you and the thing to which you measure. Now without moving of your Semicircle look again through the said channel F G at some other thing lying sidewise in a right angle from 3 the mark of your 2 standing, and go in a right line towards the same thing last espied, till the said mark which hath here been noted with the figure of 2 shall stand right between you and the thing to which you measure, and there make a mark which in this example shallbe the figure of 4. This done, measure exactly the distance between the mark 1, and the mark 2, & call it the first distance: also measure exactly the distance between the mark 1 and the mark 3, & call it the 2 distance. Finally, measure the distance between the mark 3 & the mark 4 & call it the 3 distance. Now subtract the first distance from the third, and reserve the remainder for your divisor, then multiply the 3 distance by the second distance, & divide the product by your reserved divisor, and so the quotient will show the true length from the mark 3 unto the ship, tower, or other thing to which you did measure. depiction of the use of a gunner's semicircle At the figure of five there is a ship lying at Rode in the Sea, and from 6, 7, 8, and 9, a platform with ordinance upon the land, I am required to measure unto the said ship, wherefore making my first standing at the place 1, I measure from thence unto the place 2 which lieth sidewise 200 yards in a right angle from 1. Again I measure from the said place 1, unto 3 the place of my second standing which lieth 300 yards in aright line with the said ship behind my first standing. Also I measure from the said place marked with the figure of 3 unto the place 4 lying 240 yards sidewise in a right angle from 3, and situated so as the said place 2 doth lie in a right line between it and the said ship: then subducing 200 from 240 I keep the remainder which is 40 for my divisor, and after this I multiply 300 by 240 whereof cometh 72000 which divided by 40 my said reserved divisor yieldeth in the quotient 1800 yards for the longitude between 3 the place of my second standing and the said ship. The 118 Chapter. How you may measure a short distance as the breadth of a town ditch, or narrow river, without any Geometrical Instrument, or arithmetical knowledge. STanding right up with your body and neck upon the side of a town ditch, or narrow river, put your feet close together, and behold with one eye a grass leaf, stone, or other mark in the opposite side of the same ditch or river, and in so doing pull down your hat or cap over your eye till you may see no other thing beyond the mark so espied. After this keeping still your body and neck upright, your feet joined together, and your one eye fast shut, turn yourself towards the plainest piece of ground that is about you, and mark well that part of ground which you shall espy under your hat or cap most farthest from your station, for the distance between the midst of your feet and the said farthest part of ground, is equal to the breadth of the said river. The 119 Chapter. How you may at one station measure upon an height with a Geometrical square a longitude upon plain. SEt your Geometrical square very upright upon his side or end X Y over the plain where you will measure an unknown longitude. This done, move the Index of your said square up or down till you may espy through his sights the farthest end of the desired longitude. Then note diligently the parts of the square cut with the fiducial line of the Index. And if the parts so cut be in the contrary shadow, multiply the whole number of parts in one side of the square, by the number of feet or yards which are in the height between the centre of your Instrument and that part of the plain which lieth directly under the same centre, and divide the product thereof by the parts cut in the side of your square, and note the quotient for the true measure of the desired longitude. When the parts so cut shall be in the right shadow, multiply the parts so cut in the height between the centre of your Instrument & that part of the plain which lieth directly under the same centre and having divided the product thereof by the whole number of parts in one side of the square, note the quotient for the true measure of the desired longitude. But if the fiducial line of the said Index shall lie directly between the right shadow and the contrary shadow when you espy through the said sights the farthest end of the desired longltude, than the height between the centre of your Instrument and the part of the plain which lieth under the same centre, is equal to the desired longitude. Example. Admit that B C is an unkowne longitude between a ship & a galley tying at Rode in the Sea, & that to measure the same longitude I have set my Geometrical square plumb upright upon his side or end X Y in A the main top of the ship directly over B one end of the said longitude, and that when I see through the sights upon the Index the galley at C the farthest end of the desired longitude, the fiducial line of the said Index did cut forty parts of contrary shadow, and that the centre of my square is ten yards above the said B, therefore I multiply 1200 the whole number of parts in one side of the square by ten the measure of the height between the centre of my square and B, and the product thereof being 12000 I divide by forty the parts cut in contrary shadow, and so the quotient yieldeth three hundred for the number of yards in the measure of the said longitude. This one example giveth light to the ingenious Reader to work in mensurations of longitudes when the fiducial line of the index shall cut parts in the right shadow of the square, and also when the same fiducial line shall lie upon the square directly between the right shadow and the contrary shadow, wherefore I do omit to set down here more examples in so plain a matter. depiction of the use of a geometrical square The 120 Chapter. How you may measure with a Geometrical square at two stations any longitude in sight. TO measure at two stations an unknown longitude which here shall be supposed to be A B, lay your Geometrical square flat and level upon a stool, or upon a foot made of purpose to hold it up. Then setting the fiducial edge of his Index upon the line H I which passeth directly from H to the beginning of the equal parts marked upon X Y a side of the square turn the square upon the stool or foot (his Index remaining steadfast upon the said line H I) till you may espy through the sights upon the said Index, B the farthest end of the said unknown longitude. This done, the square remaining unmovable turn the fiducial edge of his Index to the line V Z which passeth directly from FIVE to the beginning of the equal parts marked upon Y Z an other side of the said square, & then looking again through the said sights, note some mark a good space from you: the farther this mark is from you, the better it is for your purpose: then pitching up a staff right under the centre of your square in A, convey your square unto the said mark which here I will call C, and reckon to be 40 yards from A, now the square being laid again flat and level upon a stool, or upon a foot, right over C as it was before at A, put the fiducial edge of the Index upon the said line H I, and turn the square upon the stool (the Index remaining unmovable upon the said line H I) till you may see through the sights upon the same Index the staff in A. After this the square remaining unmovable, turn the said Index to and fro till you may see through his sights B the extreme part of the desired longitude, and note diligently what part of contrary shadow is then touched with the fiducial edge of the Index, for if you will multiply the whole number of parts in one side of the square by the number of yards between A and C your two stations, and divide the product thereof by the part of contrary shadow touched with the fiducial edge of the said Index, the quotient will show you the true measure of the said longitude. Example. Admit that at C your second station the fiducial edge of the Index did touch the 100 part of contrary shadow, and that you did then see through the sights upon the same Index B the extreme part of the desired longitude. Then multiply 1200 the whole number of parts in one side of the square by 40 the number of yards between A and C your two stations, and divide the product thereof which is 48000 by 100 the part of contrary shadow touched with the fiducial edge of the Index at C your second station, and so the quotient will yield 480 yards for the desired measure of the said longitude A B. depiction of the use of a geometrical square The 121 Chapter. How you may measure with a Geometrical Square, any distance or breadth lying in a plain & level ground, with your eye or station how so ever the same breadth or distance is situated. BEing required to tell the distance or breadth between two Towers which for example may here be named Q and R, measure first how far either Tower is from you, which you may do by sundry ways before taught, and then laying your Geometrical Square flat and level upon a stool, or upon a foot made of purpose to bear it up, turn the Square about till you have set H I a line upon one side of the said Square right against Q the Tower next unto you. For if R the other Tower were nearer to you than the Tower Q, you should first lay the line H KING right against the same Tower R. This done (the Square not being removed) turn the Index to and fro till you may see through his sights the said Tower R, which in this example (as before I have told you) is the farthest Tower from you. Then opening your compass to so many equal parts in the side of the Square as there are yards between the centre of the Square & the tower Q. which I will here suppose to be an hundred yards, set one foot of your compass in the centre of your Square, and with the other foot of your compass make a fine visible mark at M upon the line H I, and when you have so done, open your compass again to so many parts in the side of the Square as there are yards between the centre of your Instrument and the said Tower R, which I will likewise suppose to be an hundred and fifty yards, and putting one foot of your compass in the said centre, make an other fine visible mark upon the face of the Square with the other foot of your compass at N, close by the fiducial edge of the said Index, which aught now to lie in that place where it stood when you did last see through his sights the said Tower R. Moreover, open your compass to the space between those two marks M and N, and lay your compass so opened upon the parts in the side of your Square, and so you shall perceive how many yards are between the Tower Q and the Tower R. For look how many equal parts are between the two feet of your compass, so many yards are between the Tower Q and the Tower R, and therefore if sixty one parts shall be between the two feet of your compass, you may boldly affirm that the distance or breadth between the Tower Q and the Tower R doth contain sixty and one yards. ●…derstande ●…teous rea●…, that M ●…ght to stand 〈◊〉 this picture 〈◊〉 the end of 〈◊〉 line which ●…tendeth 〈◊〉 the side 〈◊〉 the square 〈◊〉 the fiducial ●…ge of the ●…ex, and N ●…ght to stand 〈◊〉 that end of 〈◊〉 said line ●…ch adioy●…th to the fiducial edge of the index, H aught to stand at the centre of the square, and I aught to stand at the lowest ●…de of the square where the equal parts begin, and that between H M are 100 equal parts, between M N 61 ●…uall parts, and between H N 150 equal parts. depiction of the use of a geometrical square The 122 Chapter. How you standing upon the top of a hill or dry ditch may measure with a Geometrical Square the deepness of the same hill or ditch, and the breadth of any dry ditch or valley. TO measure the deepness and breadth of M N O a ditch or valley, measure first his breadth MN as you may do by sundry ways before taught, which breadth shall here be supposed to be eighteen yards. Likewise measure by the precepts before given, the length or depth of M O, which here shall be supposed to be fifteen yards, this done, square 15 the measure of the depth M O, and the product thereof will be 225. Likewise square 9 which is ½ of the measure of the breadth M N, and the product thereof will be 81. Then subduce the square 81 from the said square 225, and out of the remainder which is 144 extract the Square root, which being 12 showeth the number of yards that are in PEA O the depth of the ditch or valley. Also in this manner if you stand upon the top of a hill, you may measure the height of the same hill. depiction of the use of a geometrical square The 123 Chapter. How you may draw a plat of any piece of ground which shall contain the true proportion and Symmetry thereof, in such sort that you may tell how far any place in the plat is distant from other. TO draw a plat of any piece of ground, prepare an Instrument made of metal, or of Cypress would like unto the Figure following. And after you have set it flat and level upon a foot, or upon a stool in an high place from whence you may see round about many other notable places, Note that the variation of every compass in England is 11 degrees & ¼ of a degree, and that for the same cause in every compass within England, the North point lieth directly against the North pole, & the South point lieth directly against the South pole, when the needle of the compass doth stand directly over the north and by East, & South and by West points in the compass. turn this Instrument named a Geographical plain Sphere to and fro upon his foot, or for lack of a foot, upon a stool, till by the aid of his needle you have made all his Semidiameters to point unto their proper quarters. This done, the Instrument remaining steadfast, direct the Index with his two sights to every place that shall be set forth in your plat, taking your marks through the said sights in the midst of every of them, and note in a Table by itself the degrees cut with the said Index in the Circle, which may be called the Angles of position, or Angles of sight, and so make a table of your first station. Then removing your Instrument to one of the highest places noted in your said Table, pitch your Instrument in the high place which you have choose for your second station in all respects as you did at your first station, and turning the said Index so as you may see through his sights all the places which you did see before at your first station, Note again in an other Table the Angles of position, or Angles of sights, writing the name of every place and his Angle of sight by it. After this, at your coming home lay a protractor (which is a circle made of wood or metal, divided into 360 equal parts like unto C D the Figure following) upon a sheet of paper, and making a prick thoroe the centre of the said protractor in the said paper, which prick shall represent the place of your first station, writ with a coal at the edge of the protractor by every degree or Angle of sight his place, and then laying your protractor aside, draw with a coal strait lines from the said prick which representeth your first station unto the places so noted. Again putting the centre of your protractor right over the line which pointeth from your first station unto your second station, and having regard to place the prick of your second station from the prick of the first station, so as the crossing of like lines may be within the compass of your said paper, turn the protractor to and fro keeping his centre upon the said line, till it do lie in every respect as it did upon the prick of your first station, and when you have so done, make thoroe the centre of the protractor in the said line a prick, which must represent the place of your second station, & writ with a coal as you did before at the edge of the protractor by every degree or Angle of sight his place. After this taking up the protractor from the paper, draw with a coal strait lines from the prick of your second station unto the noted places, and looking diligently upon the crossing of every two like lines, writ thereon a figure, star, or other sign, and the name of his place. Now to know how far every place is distant from other, measure by your Instrument, or by a wire line the distance between your two stations, and divide the right line in your paper between the prick of your first station and the prick of your second station, into so many equal parts as there are feet, yards, paces, or perches between your two stations, and then opening your compass to one of those parts, you may measure from place to place, and say that there are so many feet, yards, paces, or perches (according to the denomination of that one part whereunto you open your Compass) as you find parts. Example. Purposing to draw the plat of a piece of ground which hath upon it a Beacon, a Tower, a house, a church, a windmill, a hill and a mount, I do first set my Geographical plain Sphere in all respects according to the precepts before declared upon the hill from whence I may see all the aforesaid places, and then by turning the Index of my Instrument to every of those places, I find that it cutteh at the middle part of the Beacon, 80 degrees, at the middle part of the Tower 95 degrees, at the middle part of the house 110 degrees, at the middle part of the church 130 degrees and ⅔ of a degree, at the middle part of the windemill 155 degrees and ½ of a degree, and at that part of the mount where I will make my second station 180 degrees, whereupon I make a table of my first station after this manner. The Table of my first station. The Beacon 80 degrees The tower 95 degrees The house 110 degrees The church 130 degrees ⅔ The windemill 155 degrees ½ The mount 180 degrees This done, I transport my said Instrument unto that part of the mount which I have noted for my second station, and placing it there in every respect according to the precepts before declared, I turn again the said Index unto every of the said noted places, and by so doing see that it cutteth at the middle part of the said beacon 40 degrees, at the middle part of the tower 65 degrees, at the middle part of the house 80 degrees, at the middle part of the church 100 degrees, at the middle part of the windemill 120 degrees and ¼, wherefore after I have measured the space between my two stations, I make an other table of my second station thus. The table of my second station. The Beacon 40 degrees The tower 65 degrees The house 80 degrees The Church 100 degrees The windemill 120 degrees ● The space between my two stations is in measure 200 yards. diagram of the use of a protractor Moreover, I do lay my portractor upon a sheet of paper, and having made a prick in the same paper with the point of a needle thrust thorough a little hole in the centre of the same protractor, I make a point with a coal in the edge of the protractor at every degree and part of a degree noted in the table of my first station, and then taking my protractor up from the paper, do draw strait lines unto every of those points, & writ with a coal their names. After all this I do put the centre of my protractor right upon the line which pointeth from my first station unto my second station, in a reasonable distance from the prick that representeth in the paper my first station, and making an other prick in the said line with the point of a needle thrust thorough the hole in the centre of the protractor, I do turn the protractor to and fro keeping his centre over the prick last made, till I have set it in every respect as it did lie before upon the prick of my first station, and having made a point with a coal in the edge of the protractor at every degree and part of a degree noted in the table of my second station, I put the protractor aside, and draw strait lines from the prick made for the place of my second station unto every of those points, noting well the crossing of like lines. That is to say, where the line of the Beacon drawn from the prick of my first station meeteth with the line of the Beacon drawn from the prick of my second station, and where the line of the Tower drawn from the prick of my first station meeteth with the line of the Tower drawn from the prick of my second station, and so of the rest: for other intersections or crossings in this work are not to be regarded. Also to know how far every place in this plat is from other, I divide the space before the prick of my first station, and the prick of my second station into so many equal parts as there are yards, which for example I here suppose to be 200, & then drawing strait lines from every one of these noted places unto other, and opening my compass to one of the said equal parts, I measure how many times it is contained in every of the said lines, and say that the number of yards in the length of them is as this Table following doth show. A Table showing the distance of every place from the two stations, and also the distance of every place from other: and therein this is to be noted that 1 signifieth the first station, 2 the second station, 3 the Beacon, 4 the Tower, 5 the house, 6 the Church, and 7 the Windemill. FRom 1 to 2, 200 yards. From 1 to 3, 193 yards and ¼ of a yard. From 1 to 4, 350 yards. From 1 to 5, 375 yards. From 1 to 6, 425 yards. From 1 to 7, 395 yards and ● of a yard: From 2 to 3, 300 yards. From 2 to 4, 391 yards and ⅔ of a yard. From 2 to 5, 362 yards and ½ of a yard. From 2 to 6, 358 yards and ⅓ of a yard. From 2 to 7, 283 yards and ● of a yard. From 3 to 4, 166 yards and ⅔ of a yard, From 3 to 5, 218 yards and 2/11 of a yard. From 3 to 6, 316 yards and ● of a yard. From 3 to 7, 340 yards. From 4 to 5, 88 yards and ● of a yard. From 4 to 6, 208 yards and ● of a yard. From 4 to 7, 275 yards. From 5 to 6, 120 yards. From 5 to 7, 195 yards and ⅚ of a yard. From 6 to 7, 107 yards and ¾ of a yard. In this manner by changing my stations I may make divers plattes expressing the true proportion and distances of Cities, Towns, Havens, Castles, Forts, Camps, mines, Hills, and all other notable places within a whole Region. Laus Deo. Gutta cavat lapidem non vi, sed sape cadendo, Sic homo fit sapiens non vi, sed saepe legendo. The end of Lucar Appendix. AT LONDON Printed by Thomas Dawson, for john Harrison the elder, at the Sign of the greyhound in Paul's Churchyard, And are there to be sold. 1588. blazon or coat of arms IN SPE Amendments of faults made in printing the three books of Colloquys. Faults. Page. Line. Amendmentes. Body moving. 12 43. and 44. body violently moving 6160 28 50 6146 be loer 53 22 be more loer. which contain 33 64 50 which contains 33 here and end 70 44 here an end. is in our 74 9 is now in our Amendments of faults made in printing Lucar Appendix. Faults. Page. Line. Amendments. IN some other 10 18 into some other and do it unto 10 26 and do unto it that time 10 52 the time. into the flower 11 11 into flower in a Cauldron 11 12 in the cauldron and vinegar 14 10 or vinegar or after 14 11 and after. full of round 15 3 full of little round their tinder 21 1 the tinder being well wet 21 21 being wet a whole foot 41 23 whole of a foot The 65, Chapter 57 14 the 68 Chapter said pellets 59 45 said pellet next mixture 66 37 mixture next and put 70 23 put piece and close 70 24 piece next and close by it 73 17 by them blow the forts 93 4 blow up the forts before 119 21 between