Baculum Familliare, Catholicon sive Generale.  
A BOOK OF THE making and use of a Staff, newly invented by the Author, called the Familiar Staff.  
As well for that it may be made usually and familiarly to walk with, as for that it performeth the Geometrical mensurations of all Altitudes, Longitudes, Latitudes, Distances and Profundities: as many miles of, as the eye may well see and discern: most speedily, exactly and familiarly without any manner of Arithmetical calculation, easily to be learned and practised, even by the unlettered.  
Newly compiled, and at this time published for the special help of shooting in great Ordinance, and other military services, and may as well be employed by the ingenious, for measuring of land, and to a number of other good purposes, both Geometrical and Astronomical: By JOHN BLAGRAVE of Reading Gentleman, the same well-willer to the Mathematics.  
The use of which Familiar staff is also so general that it readily performeth all the several uses of the Cross staff, the Quadrate, the Circle, the quadrant, the Gunners Quadrante, the Trigon, every one in his own kind, and with no less method and facility, both for Sea and Land.   depiction of cannons with 'familiar staves' 
LONDON Printed by Hugh jackson dwelling in Fleetstreet a little beneath the Conduit, at the sign of S. john the Evangelist.  
1590.   

To the Right Honourable Sir Frances Knolles Knight, Treasurer of her majesties Household, and of her highness most Honourable privy Counsel.  
WHen that I had (right Honourable) with an earnest intent to proceed very far in the Mathematics published my late book of the Mathematical jewel, dedicated even of mere duty, unto the right Honourable Lord Burleigh, Lord high treasurer of England, whom from the abundance of my heart I can not but with your Honour's good favour, as a Mirror of justice and piety, a Pattern of true Honour and Nobility, not only at this time again, but during life, in all my good actions to remember. Yet not long after espying my years to run on, the world to slip away by me, whiles I was occupied in these studies that brought nothing but delight: and withal remembering the example of the silly Grasshopper, and the saying non semper erit estas. I began in manner to droop and languish, as one out of hope, and even upon point either to give them over, or to attend them at more leisure, which of all things those studies may not like because they rather more earnestly require a man's whole endeavour, Sticking fast in this mammering of despair, your Honour beyond all expectation or cogitation of mine, draws me forth of the poor country Cabin where obscurely I lurked, into your more open presence, and there so adorned and beautified me with your Honourable courtesies and favour, so renowned my name at the Court amongst persons of high regard, and (not content therewith) without any least desert of mine, of purpose, as I take it, to encourage me to proceed: thereby not a little bewraying your Honour's hidden skill and secret good will to the Mathematic sciences, most liberally bestowed on me a yearly pension or stipend: that verifying the old Adage: Honos alit arts, I was enforced again to my former Bias, and so much the more strongly, to the end that your Honour conceived opinion of me, and favourable avouchments in my behalf, should not be utterly made void, earnestly bending upon those points which may most help or forward Navigators for their long voyages and new discoveries being now almost prepared and in point, to furnish them with such familiar instruments and precepts, carrying no less facility than this treatise doth, that themselves shall be able to strengthen their own navigations, in whatsoever art may assist them: But lest in the mean time whiles I am thus busied; even to the uttermost of that leisure which this divers world alloweth me, I should be thought to sleep of your Honour, of whom I have been so many ways favourably incited, I could not but exact so much intermission from those weighty actions, as to seek about in my Mathematic storehouse, for some ready present wherewith I might the while show myself broad waking unto your H. And all suddenly as I was tossing and seeking, me thought I hard the fresh sound in mine ears of the piece of Ordinance I saw your H. shoot off at Greyes this last summer. Thereupon I sought no further, but seeing your H. both by your honourable office and course of years to carry a staff, with that conceit bent my head wholly to metamorphose that instrument which by chance I then showed unto your H. & others there: unto a Mathematical staff, fit for so noble a mind as your H. hath, even from your first knighthood, won in the field, hitherto carried, and daily expresseth, by divers such noble and martial exercises. And the same staff clean void of all lofty flourishes, singular easy to be conceived, even for the unlettered, to learn and work by, without any manner of arithmetical calculation, although I know your H. most abundantly far to exceed any ordinary Arithmetician, and not devoid of some parts Geometrical. Which staff, as effectually framed as myself and my man (whom purposely to forward these actions, I have ever since your Honour's said liberality bestowed, retained) cold without any first pattern contrive: I most humbly present to your H. together with this treatise of the use thereof, beseeching God to prosper your H. in all your, honourable actions.  
Your Honour's most humble at command, john Blagrave.   

A Table of the Chapters and Contents of this present book following.  

Chap. 1. WHat moved the Author at this time to publish so much of this instrument, & his use as he now setteth forth.  
Chap. 2. Of the imperfections of the cross staff, called by Gemma Frisius Baculus Geometricus and by how much this Familiar Staff exceedeth it and all other instruments hitherto devised, to like purposes both for sufficiency and facility.  
Chap. 3. Of the framing and fashioning of this notable instrument called the Familiar Staff.  
Chap. 4. How you shall in a singular sort set degrees on the level of the running staff, and also on his Graduator, together with the points of the Gunners quadrant.  
Chap. 5. How by this Familiar Staff to level or try, whether a piece of ground be level whereon to plant your piece of ordinance.  
Chap. 6. How by this Familiar Staff to mount a piece of ordinance by points of the Gunners quadrant.  
Chap. 7. By what means a certain Table is to be made, thereby to know how far any piece will shoot at random, being mounted to any point of the gunner's quadrant.  
Chap. 8. Having made a Table of Randomes to some one piece according to the precept in the last chapter. How by this Familiar Staff, to make the same table serve for any other piece, without any arithmetical calculation Angular easy.  
Chap. 9 If a Wall or Tower were to be scaled, and that you may come unto the base of it without danger, How by this Familiar staff speedily to get the height thereof, thereby to make your scaling ladders according.  
Chap. 10. To perform the last chap. Where you dare not come near the base of the Tower for danger of shot, or let by reason of some deep moat or ditch.  
Chap. 11. How by this Familiar staff to perform the last chap. another way more exact for long distances, the more safely to keep you out of danger of shot of the Fort, whiles you are in action.  
Chap. 12. How you shall know by this Familiar staff, the depth under the just level of your eye, of the base of any Tower unapprochable, when the same base is to be seen.  
Chap. 13. To know the length of the scaling ladder to reach over the ditch to the top of the wall or tower.  
Chap. 14. How at any station, either by the standard or running staff, the angle of station or position between any two marks or places, is to be taken two several ways.  
Chap. 15. How (in manner of the first and plainest means mentioned in the last chapter, to take the angle of position) to get the most exact distance of a castle or fort from you, though the same fort be two or three miles off or more, whereby you may know how to place your main battle, as near as may be, yet without danger of shot from the Fort, and also in what space you may march to the same, when you will.  
Chap. 16. Of the Geometrical ground and familiar proof thereof, whereon the whole working by this familiar Staff dependeth.  
Chap. 17. How to perform the fifteenth chapter with more facility by means of the second manner of taking the angle of position mentioned in the 14. chap.  
Chap. 18. In case that a Castle or Fort were digged out of some rock or situate in some valley between two hills, admitting but some narrow coming unto it, and therefore enforcing your stations to be one directly behind another, How yet by this Familiar Staff you shall attain the distance of the same from you.  
Chap. 19 How you shall perform the 15. chap. Where the distance of the fort or castle is very far off, & the ground being uneven with hills, dales, and rocks, hath no one level plain sufficient to make two stations for so great a distance.  
Chap. 20. If in a night you, have secretly gotten with your army near any Fort, and that you would with more speed than in the 15. or 17. chap. is showed, know the distance whether you are near enough to plant your ordinance for battery.  
Chap. 21. If you shall see two Forts of the Enemies within view, and would know how far they are in sunder, and whether there may be passage for an Army between them without danger of shot from those Forts, or to get the length and breadth of any Fort a far off, thereby to gather, of what receipt the same Fort is, or to get the width of a River fronting any Fort, keeping yourself a far off without danger of shot.  
Chap. 22. If in a Fort or Haven on the sea coast, or abroad on the plains on the sea banks, you shall see any ships a far off, sailing towards you, or any Army approaching by land: how you shall always be provided in such special places, that in a moment almost, and with small help you shall know how far they are from you, and by that means speedily find when they shall be comen within the random or point blank of the shot.  
Chap. 23. If an Army on the land, or an Navy on the sea shall be as far off as you may ken, making towards your Fort. To know by help of this Familiar Staff, how fast their gate is, and in what time they shall (according to that gate) come within reach of your shot.  
Chap. 24. If standing on the sea banks, you see your ship of war at the sea pursuing another ship of the enemy, to know (by help of this Familiar Staff) how far, and how much the one getteth of the other in sailing, whether he be likely to over take the enemy, and in what time.  
Chap. 25. Yourself planted on the top of an high rock, clift, or Tower by the sea side, To know by this Familiar Staff, how deep the level of the water is under you.  
Chap. 26. If a Gunner keep a blockhouse, or have a piece or two of ordinance, planted on the top of some very high cleft by the sea side, how by this Familiar Staff, he himself without any help at all, shall most easily and speedily in a moment, get the distance of any ship at the sea, making towards him, or passing a long and that most exact, for so far as the random of any great piece will extend.  
Chap. 27. If a man were prisoner with the enemy, How being in the top of a Tower on the leads, or out of his prison window he might by this Familiar Staff know the depth to the ground, to see if he were able with any devise to let himself down without danger.  
Chap. 28. If a Fort or Tower stand upon an high hill, How by this Familiar staff to know the joinct and several heights both of the hill and tower.  
Chap. 29. If being at the sea you would cast anchor as near some Fort or Harborrowe as you might be free from reach of their shot, How by this Familiar Staff you shall exactly get the distance thereof, or the distance of any other ship from your ship being both fleeting at once on the wild sea.  
Chap. 30. How by this Familiar Staff to carry the level of one place to any other, necessary for such as shall undermine a Fort, to know always how deep they are. Or for such as would try whether waters may be brought from one place to fortify another.  
Chap. 31. How by help of this Familiar Staff, you shall carry a mine under the ground, and set barrels of gunpowder directly under any Tower or chief place of any Castle or Fort.  
Chap. 32. How a Captain may by this Familiar Staff, set in Plate or Map any Province of the enemy's Country.    

Hear beginneth the Book of the ready, eadie, and pleasant use of this new Instrument, called the FAMILIAR STAFF.  

CHAPTER. I.  
What moved the Author at this time to publish so much of this Instrument and his use, as he now setteth forth.  
IT was my good hap to be at the mansion place of my most honourable favourer the right Ho. Sir Frances Knolles knight, called Grey's Court in the County of Oxenford in Summer last, where the right excellent and most noble Lord, Robert Devorax Earl of Essex, his grandson being expected that day, it pleased his Honour to pass the time, or rather as it might be judged, to stir up by his example the courageous minded knights and Gentlemen his sons, naturally apt enough of themselves to patrizate, imitate, or rather to exceed in all such magnanimous exercises, there to contend with the right worshipful and valorous Gentleman, Sir William Knolles knight, his son & heir, in shooting with a small piece of ordinance at a mark, which piece was there ready on her carriage, appointed at that time together with another great piece, not long before the Spanish kings, called a Saker, which the said sir William to his high deserved commendations, then lately had brought home from the winning of the Groin in Spain, & many other small shot there also set ready on the leads of the house, with trains of gun powder to be shot off, to welcome the said noble Earl: sending forth amid the regions of the air the exceeding joy that was there taken of the safe and happy arrival of his nobleness, from the then late desperate voyage performed into Portugal.  
At this time after his H. and his said son and heir had each of them shot, I being at hand, was demanded a question or two of getting the distance of the mark whereto they shot. And the said Sir William Knolles was also very desirous and inquisitive of me, in what time himself might learn skill sufficient for that purpose. Of which so just and wished occasion I was right glad, and the rather when I considered with myself, how these dangerous times threaten to set our great ordinance mightily on work, and how needful & appertinent it is to the shooting in them certainly and speedily, to get the distance of the mark they shoot at, as well for annoying of the enemy, as sparing of shoots spent in waist. So that I was in manner assured, that no Treatise was like to be more acceptable unto his H. (next unto books of sincere religion) than such as should tend towards the defence and safe keeping of this his native Country. Wherein it is well known, even to any that least know him, how forward his H. hath always been and continueth every way whatsoever. That old age and grey hairs cannot yet daunt or hold him back from the face of that enemy that should invade the same, or offer violence or hurt to the person of our most gracious sovereign Lady and Queen Elizabeth, whom God grant long to reign over us to his glory. Considering also what no small want of some one perfect mean, General for all these actions yet remained after so great a number of both Latin & English authors, writing of so sundry ways to attain Altitudes, Longitudes, Latitudes, Distances and Profundities, some by the Quadrate, some by the Trigon, some by the Cross Staff, some by the Cyrste, some by the quadrant, some by the bare bare rule or Squire, some by plain sticks and stations, some one way some another. And amongst them all, no one instrument sufficiently apt for all purposes, neither yet to do any of these feats in all points, or almost in any point of himself, without the continual & ready use of the five parts of Arithmetic. Which in the unlearned Gunner is not always to be had: nor having it, easy for him to perform, especially in such busy times, when the buzzing of dangerous business amongst the multitude, shall bring the best learned and skilful man out of his numbers: besides the number of precepts so toil some, the manifold absurdities admitted, so loathsome. Upon all these just occasions I was in manner forcibly drawn at this time to bend the fabrication and use of this so noble instrument wholly upon these causes, which I had for three or four years before determined to have published in a more ample sort, almost as general for a number of matters of Geometry, as my jewel is for matters of Attronomie, cosmography and Navigation, which I yet mean to do, but that I dare make no more promises in print, until I have finished the second part of my jewel, so often since required at at my hand, being five years past: which yet this busy world suffereth me not to bring forth, although I contend to lose no manner of time.   

Chap 2.  
Of the imperfections of the Cross staff called by Gemma Frisius, Baculus Geometricus, and how much this Familiar staff exceedeth it and all other Instruments hitherto devised to like purposes, both for sufficiency and facility.  
FOr that I have been acquainted with diverse willing wits desirous of knowledge, wanting the rudiments of Geometry, whereby they might be enabled to make choice of such instruments as might be subject to fewest errors and absurdities, to have been marvelously in love with the cross staff and that altogether, because it yieldeth his use with that facility, though but in matters at hand. For which cause, I thought good even of zeal and good will to all such willing young practisers, to waste this Cap. for their good, to assure them how weak and to small purpose the cross staff is, in respect to be employed in any weighty service, scarce doing any thing well, and that not much above a bow shoot of, whereas this my familiar staff shall perform them no less exact at a mile, 2. or 3. distant, if the mark be such that the eye may carry it strongly.  
There have been from time to time besides the cross staff diverse other instruments, devised for these kinds of serviceable mesurations, as in the Cap. before I mentioned: of which the Geometrical quadrate was thought to be the best, as it seemeth to me by G. Frisius, who often upbraideth the same quadrate with his staff, when he had in as much as might be done, reduced the cross staff to all yerfection, letting it then to lack no commendations, saying even at the first entrance to the use of it, lib. de radio astro. & Geomet. cap. 5. Dimensionibus longitudinum altit. latit. & distantiarum antecellit radius reliqua instrumenta ad similem usum excogitata facillitatem habens long maiorem & copiam. But by G. Frisius' good savour, I see no causa why it should carry any of those commendations, more than for the facility in use, and for this, will ask no better judge then himself. For in taking of an altitude, which is simply the best thing it can do, if the staff be not directed level with the horrizon, then cannot the cross be parallel to the upright, and therefore breedeth error as himself confesseth in the same 5. Cap. saying: unum a paucis notatum intollerabiles inducit errores. Si quidem Radius in dimensionibus per directam lineam, & quasi ad normam tendere debet versus lineam quam metiri statuimus, sive ea sit longitudinis five latitudinis, what can a man ask more than direct confession, yet after he sayeth again by way of avoidance in the same Cap. Neque vereri de bes parvum a norma deflexum qui nullum inducere potest errorem sensu perceptibilem. But by his favour again though a little holding from the level, can breed no great error in the altitude or latitude. Yet that very small error, there committed: shall grow to somewhat in the longitude or distance: being he teacheth no other way in manner, to get a distance but by the altit. or latit. of some thing at thextreme of the distance first obtained, multiplied into the length. Which in a long distance will multiply that insensible error to become intolerable as he termeth it. But what should we talk of long distances, when as he maketh a proviso, we shall deal with none by these words in his 5. Cap. or the like in effect. Nihili esse quantum distes a re mensuranda, verum opus est distantia non admodum longa. And then were we as good to be without his staff in my opinion, as to entertain him on such straight conditions. But now to remedy those errors in altitudes, he sayeth in one place you may set the staff level by a thredd and plummet applied to the cross. In erectis quidem appenso perpendiculo▪ Yet in another place he thinketh that, too cumbersome, saying thus. Qua in re, sufficit rudius oculi indicium ac examen. As for latitudes transverse: remedy he could find none, saying: In transuersis vero, visui credere oportet. Yet for all these things he could not hold but conclude towards the end of his first practices. Cap. 2. Itaque nulla in part superatur ascala Geomet. verum multis modis superat, quin ipse radius, scala quo que quaedam est geometrica, tanto praestantior quanto maiorem prebet usum, he should have said facile orem usum and then he had said somewhat, for taking away his facility, you take away his chief goodness. The quadrate, the plain stationes which sticks, the bare rule or squire, being well handled, will do much more, as well in great as small distances, only they want the like facility in use. Yea and G. Frisus himself for all his great boasts before let fall was driven ere he ended his book to seek another way for his matters in manner quadrate wise, by hanging his cross Staff, as it were by the hair of the head, with his arms abroad, and then is his so well boasted facillitye quite gone: Besides that, the longest part of your goodly instrument is brought then to half the length of the cross, and a small length of the staff, which in a staff of 5. foot length will be but 15. inches, and in a staff of 9 or 10. foot, which no man's height can possibly reach to use in that manner without a ladder, the longest part will be little above 2. foot, and of that length though the facility remained, a man might as easily wild a quadrate. And now considering that half the cross and 3. quarters of the staffs length, is by this means abject and to no use, who would carry all that wood about with him, except the weather were cold. Therefore to conclude, let no man be led away with the facility of the Cross staff, or of any instrument, rather let him think no pains too great that produceth an exact truth. And where as G. Frisius sayeth, that his staff is quaedam scala geometrica, I say that my Staff is not quaedam, but summa scala geometrica, that be is nobilissimum trigonun geometricum. For what may be done by Triangles in Geometry, whole volumes do testify, and myself in another treatise of this staff at some other time will partly manifest. And I say that he shallbe quoddam quadratum Geometricum and quidam radius Geometricus, and perform the use of his Radius more effectually than it performeth the quadrates use. What should I say, it is Baculum Catholicon sive generalissimum, and shall recompense the tractable facility of the cross staff, with his familiar palpaple use, as well in his performance of these mensurations, as his daily usage for an ordinary and familiar walking staff. For which cause I have named him Baculum Familliare, the Familiar staff.   

Chap 3.  
Of the framing and fashioning of this noble instrument, called the Familiar staff.  
THis staff consisteth of two several parts, or rather two several staves, the one I call the standard staff, the other the running staff. Both in manner like, very plain to conceive: being each but as it were, two straight rulers jointed together, to open and shut even like an ordinary pair of compasses.  
The running staff represented in this figure by E. D. F. is the very like to the standard, being also but the like two legs or limbs D. E. and D. F. jointed at D. each made of three rules or narrow boards of four foot length and better, and of breadth and thickness, convenient to fill the hollowness of the standard staff, hollow as the former, not eight square, but four square. Herein it differeth, that at the point G. of the side D. E. twenty inches from D. the part G. F. shall be to take off and on with help of a square socket or some screw, made in the end G. of the part T. G. to be taken off, when it is to be used as the Gunners quadrant, or to be set on at E. to enlarge the side D. E. as occasion shall serve. Also at the point G. there must be jointed another light four square hollow ruler, viz. G. H. equal in length to G. F. which (the instrument shut together) must fall into the channels of G. F. and E. I. This square ruler G. H. I call the Graduator, because he yieldeth degrees. The centre of this graduators joint G. shall be even with the midst of the breadth, and his length shall be such, that taking D. I. in the side D. E. just equal to D. G. and the running Staff opened exactly to a square angle, as here you see, that the extreme of the graduator, viz. H. which I will hence forth call his Apex, may but justly touch the point I. making there a right angled Aequicrurall triangle. And let the graduator have at his Apex H. some devise with a socket or pair of cheeks, or else annexed to some such running bolt, as before in the standard carrieth the sights, and a screw pin to fasten him in any part of the side.  
A Supporter.  
Your instrument thus prepared neatly in all points, as a workman can better of himself tell how, then if I should write much more. You shall divide each leg of either of these staves into as many inches as they will contain, beginning from the centres A. and D. and every inch, into eight parts, which parts shall signify feet, paces, perches, pike lengths, or any other kind of measure that you shall use: so shall the five soot length of the legs A. B. and B. C. of the standard, contain each 480. equal parts, and the sides D. E. and D. F. of the running Staff as many like parts as it may contain, all which to be subdivided again, each into four equal parts, and set numbers unto them, increasing by ten, each sort of division drawn to his several space limbe-like, as usually workmen can do full well. Thus is your instrument fully finished, saving for his degrees, which in the next Chapter I will show.  
Other necessaries there are appertinent, as a thread and plummet for the running Staff, or else in stead thereof (which is much better both for use and carriage) some pretty rule of metal, equal in length to D. G. heavy towards the lower end, moving pliant, sometimes on the centre D, and sometimes on a pin set on the hanging side of the staff, thereby at any time to set him perpendicular to the Horizon. A copartner at all times to help, for that the instrument is great, a couple of supporters, if you will, which need not be curious, they may be made of two stiff sticks three or four foot long, nailed together about three or four inches from the upper end, so that they may open and shut upon the nail, making a fork above to rest the staff in, as in this figure you see, or any other devise you like better. But if any man desire to have this Familiar Staff made in a less or more slender proportion than this before described, thereby to be more neat and fit for a daily walking staff. Then let him have no running staff at all, but set the graduator in the standard itself, and have a small third four square ruler, with a centre hole, in all respects like the one side of the running Staff, lose, to use at pleasure. For so shall it be sufficient enough for any purpose, only the running Staff helpeth to do all things with more speed and facility, which two standards also made in this sort may as well perform. For the one may serve in stead of the standard, the other as the running Staff.   

Cap. 4.  
How you shall in a singular sort set degrees, on the level side of the running staff, and also on his Graduator, together with the points of the gunner's quadrant.  
Having had the invention and use of a geometrical instrument not much unlike this my Familiar staff, near these 7. years, but of much smaller size than my good will desired, because I could never conclude with myself, how to compass conveniently without cumber, the degrees of the circle thereon: neither yet what foot or rest to carry him on, in using him, until now this sudden occasion ministered by my honourable friends in the 1. Chap. mentioned, did new set a sharp edge on my dull wits: yea although I conferred sundry times with diverse mathematically given about the same. As for the foot or rest which I could never devise but very great and more cumbersome than the staff itself, requiring a spare body to carry it: Now I mean that spare body shall supply the use or stead thereof: as hereafter shall appear, but for the graduation you shall thus after a singular sort supply.  
The running Staff framed, as in the last Chap. I will call the side D E (whereon the graduator's apex must run to and fro) the level side, because in all questions for the most part it must be carried level with the horrizon. The side D F I will call the hanging side, because in every level the plum line must hang directty by it: the piece G F being taken from the side D F I will call the joint piece, this known: you shall on some plain board of two foete breadth draw a ground line, uz. M F then on some point thereof, uz. D erect the perpend: D K of 2. foot length at the least: Wherein you shall set the point I. xx. inches just from D, and likewise G as much from D, in the groundline D F, then on D with the quantity D K, describe the semi circle M K L and on G with the quantity O I, describe the semi circle N I F. This done divide the semi circle M K L into 180. degrees, and every degree into six parts at the least, with blind notes: you shall also on the centre D with the quantity D I describe the quadrante I G, which you shall divide into 12. equal parts, which are called the 12. points of the gunner's quadrante, and every of those 12. parts, again you shall subdivide into other 12. parts, which are called the minutes of a gunner's quadrante, so have you 144. parts.  
Thus is your ground plot laid, whereby to set on all your graduations. Wherefore you shall now bring your running Staff prepared as in the last Chap. & opening it to a square angle, (which is done when the apex of the graduator is fixed to the point I of the level side) place him now on this figure his centre D, on the point D of this figure, and so consequently I upon I, G upon G, F upon F etc.  
The type of graduating this instrument, commended by the Author, to the ingenious mathematical minded gentleman, Master Auditor Hill.  
The uppermost side of the graduator you shall divide into 90 degréees, by a rule laid from D on every division of the quadrant K L, and the undermoste side into the 144 parts of the gunner's quadrante, by the quadrante I G in like manner: So is your graduator furnished with his parts, if you draw certain parallel lines, limb like as the manner is, and add but numbers to each of them: but now to set graduation in the level side D E you shall keep the hanging side D F, sure fixed on the groundlyne M F keeping his former place, & bring the level side even with it, shutting in the graduator close out of sight: then shall you open him again till his fiducial line do cut one degree above L of the semicircle M K L, and there lift up the graduator till his apex do touch the level side. Mark that touch point, for one degree: then open the level side unto 2. degrees above L, and there bring the graduators apex again to touch, mark that touch point in the level side, for 2. degrees, and so do from degree to degree of the whole semicircle M K L, marking still the touch points in the level side, and you shall find that the apex will touch that level side ever in the semicircle N I F but when you are once passed 10. or 15. degrees, you shall make notes in like manner for every subdivision of each degree, and let these degrees be placed either in the upper or lower flat of the level side, it is no great matter which, and numbered from E ending at D with 180. degrees, for note, that the even parts mentioned in the last Chap. must be set on the inner or shutting flats of both sides of this running Staff.   

Chap 5.  
How by this Familiar Staff to try whether a piece of ground be level, whereon to plant your piece of ordinance.  
I Perceived by that small practice I saw in shooting, mentioned 
Of leveling.  in the first Chapter, that it is needful to place a piece of Ordinance to be shot, on a level plot of ground, that one wheel of their carriage go not higher than another, least in her recoil it make her shoot awry: first stick some wooden pin in the ground, and resting the centre of your running staff, (set at the square angle) thereon: lifting up the hanging side, by help of a thread and plummet or plum rule, until the level side be exactly placed level with the Horizon: then shall you from that wooden pin extend a thread or line, even by that level side of the Staff so placed, and with another pin also thrust into the ground, there fasten it, then keeping still the centre of your staff on his first pin, turn about the level side somewhat wide from the line you have strained between the two pins, and there in the very like manner place another thread or line extended from the said first pin by the level side of the Staff, and let the same be holden stiff out with a third pin: now laying your eye near the ground, by these two lines or threads so extended, you shall see whether any part thereof be higher than the level, to be pared away, or lower, to be filled up E. A. N. is the running Staff A. the first pin K. the second, I. the third A. K. and A. I. the two threads or lines extended level with the Horizon P. the cie leveling by the threads, O. an hillock to be pared away.   

Chap. 6.  
How by this Familiar Staff to mount a piece of ordinance by points of the Gunners quadrate.  
Having by the last chap. leveled the ground, whereon your 
Of mount●…  ordinance is to be planted, next followeth to know how to mount your piece unto any point desired, which is most easy: For your running Staff set at this squere, pulling away the joint piece of the hanging side, so is that side the shorter by more than half. Then putting his level side into the piece up to the very apex of the graduator, there let it be holden even and level, with the bottom or lowest side of the concavity 
A piece leveled at point blank.  of the piece, then lifting up or weighing down the piece till the thread and plummet, or plum rule, hanged out of the centre do rest even with the fiducial line of the hanging side, there is your piece situated level with the Horizon neither mounted nor embased any point or minute, but even at point blank, as they call it. After this, if the piece be elevated never so little above that level, then doth your thread and plummet or plum rule, show on your gunner's scale (appointed in the fourth Chapter, on the inner side of the graduator) to what point or minute the piece is elevated for to shoot at random, as they call it, yea, and if need be, it showeth you on the upper scale of the graduator, the same random 
A piece mounted to shoot at random.  by degrees of the circle, which for any thing I can see, might be applied to this purpose as well as the gunner's points.   

Chap 7.  
By what means a certain table is to be made, thereby to know how far any piece will shoot at random, being mounted to any point of the gunner's quadrante.  
LEt no man think that I pretend to show the art of shooting in great ordinance, being in deed a matter that I never took occasion so much as to think of, before this time, but for that matter, do advise every man to repair unto Tartaglia, which is lately englished by M. Cyprian Lucar, & published. Who hath set down diverse singular conceits & observances about the same, only to the end to sharpen your taste for the fruit of this my work following. I thought good to present you with this instance out of Tartaglia, which in the next Chapter I mean also to apply to my Staff. He giveth but a glance in his first book, 1. Colloquy, that any one piece being mounted from point to point, and minute to minute of the gunner's quadrate, and the randomes or distances in paces of that piece taken at every several mounting, and noted in a table (being carefully dealt in) would serve to know the randoms of any other piece likewise elevated from point to point: if you do but know any one shoot at any one point elevated of that other piece. For look what proportion the shoot of any point of the first, beareth unto any other point of the same piece. The like shall the randomes of any two like points of the second bear one to another.  
As for example: If the first piece shoot forty paces at the first point, fifty at the second, sixty at the third, etc. Then if you shoot one shoot in another piece, which at the first point happily shooteth but thirty five paces, and that by this one shoot known of this second piece, you would before hand know how far he should shoot being elevated to the third point. In this case you must by the rule of three (saith Tartaglia) seek out a number in that proportion to thirty five, as sixty is to forty, which you shall find 52. ½. paces: and so much shall this second piece shoot, elevated to the third point, if that Instance of tartaglia's be true in itself. Although many secret accidents beside may much alter it, as that the powder at each shoot be like good & like much, the pellet of like weight, the piece of one temper, and such like. For Tartaglia writeth amongst many other experiments singular well by him discussed, which I am not any way to meddle with, that a piece being cold, shooteth not so far at the first shoot, as with like charge he doth at the second or third being then temperately hot: And after when she is over hot with shooting, she beginneth to shoot shorter again: and showeth the reasons thereof.   

Chap. 8.  
Having made a table of randoms to some one piece according to the precepts in the last Chapter. How by this familiar staff, to make the same table serve for any other piece without any arithmetical calculation.  
Truly this invention is very new: for it came into my 
Of proportion.  head but even as I was writing the last chapter, where you are taught Arithmetically to perform the same. But my familiar staff will not have you troubled with numbers in such dangerous times. Wherefore having your table made by some one piece exquisitely shot in, and one shoot given of some other piece at some one certain point or minute perfectly made. So have you always, as in the last Chapter is showed three numbers given: two out of your table: and the third is the shoot of the piece in action. You shall seek the one of your two table numbers (it is no matter which) in the right leg of the standard staff, and thereto by help of the moving sight pin, place the centre of the running staff, set at his square angle, or any other less angle it is not material what: and direct the level side unto the centre of the standard: There hold him till ye have pulled too or thrust out the left leg of the standard, so that it cut in the hanging side of the running staff your other table number. There wrist the standard fast at that angle by his centre screw. Lastly, seek in the said right leg of the standard the number of paces of the shoot given, and thither by help of the said sight pin, remove the centre of your running staff, keeping his former angle, and his said level side, directly still with the centre of the standard, and questionless the left leg of the standard shall there cut off in the hanging side of the running staff, the just number of paces desired.  
For example, it is admitted in the last Chapter, that the shoot of a piece elevated unto the first point was thirty five paces, by which I would know how far that piece would shoot, being mounted at the third point: I seek in the Table there mentioned for the same first point, there according to the last chapter I find forty paces, and also for the third point I find sixty paces, which had, I seek the biggest of those table numbers, viz. 60. on the right leg of the standard: it endeth at B there I place the centre of the running staff, being set at a venture at the angle C B A and apply his level side B A even with the centre A of the standard, and there on his hanging side B C I seek the other table number, that is forty, at C. thither I bring the left leg of the standard to cut, and there lock him fast to keep the angle C A B. That done I seek the number of paces of the shoot given, that is to say thirty five, on the said right leg of the standard, that is to say at E and thither I remove the centre of the running staff his level side, keeping still the centre A and in both the staves their angles before set C A B & A B C unstirred, and there do I see the left leg of the standard to cut off in the running staff at D fifty two ½ paces, the Random of this second piece at the third point desired: in all respects the same which in the last Chapter you found by Arithmetic. So that upon the matter you have now learned the rule of three by Geometry, and is demonstrated in Eucl. lib. 6. Propo. 10.   

Chap. 9  
If a Wall or Tower were to be scaled, and that you may come unto the base of it without danger, How by this familiar staff speedily to get the height thereof, thereby to make your scaling ladders according.  
IT happeneth often that it is thought more convenient to win 
Of altit  a town or fort by scaling with ladders and such like, then to batter it with ordinance. In such a case where the walls may be come to, without danger, it is so easy and common to get the height by any instrument, that I could scarce spare it a room, but that it may serve as a ground, or first introduction to the rest. This my familiar staff as in the 2. chap. I said, may be used in most cases, either as himself, or as the quadrante or circle, or as the quadrate, or as the cross staff, or as the gunner's quadrant: and in this case indifferent to them all. For if you take your running staff set at his square angle, and apply the level side to your eye, lifting up the centre till the line and plummet out of the centre do hang justly on the 45. deg. or 6. gunner's point of the graduator, which are both in one straight line, what upright soever you see, then even with the level side the height thereof is equal to the distannce from you. In so much that when at any time you shall by this instrument or any other find the altitude of the sun 45. deg. if then you run and measure the shadow of that tower or wall, the same shall be equal to the height thereof, as most authors affirm, but in very deed it shall be less than the height by so much as one quarter of a degree cometh to, as in the treatise of my new Astronomical staff not yet extant shall appear: in the mean time take the shadow at 44 ¾ degrees high, and the same shall be your desire.  
But now, if you will do it crossestaffe wise, then set the extreme of the level side of the running staff to your eye carrying it square to the upright, as near as you can, the hanging side upwards and parallel to the wall, and go in or out so, till you may see the top of the upright, even with the top of the hanging side, and there shall you find the distance to the wall equal to the height thereof, as before. And if you place the wing in the midst of the hanging side, and by that see the top from the extreme of the level side, then is the distance to the upright double to the height, if at a fourth part from the centre, then is the distance 4. times the height, etc. For example in this figure the running staff set at his square angle, and carried square to the wall as you see: if you go in or out till you might see the top P of the tower R P even by the extremes E and F there shall the distance from your standing to the tower be equal to P S, then adding thereto your height viz. R S, you have the height desired. And if you choose your station so that you see P by the extreme E of the level side and the wing H: and that H be one 4 part of D F from D, then is E S four times the height P S, because D H is four times in D E: in like manner H being set at half or a third part, etc.   

Chap. 10.  
To perform the last cap. Where you dare not come near the base of the tower for danger of shot or let by reason of some deep moat or ditch.  
I Will first in this Chap. show 〈…〉 by this familiar 
Of altitu  staff to do this feat after 〈…〉 mer almost of the cross-staff, which many 〈…〉 ell, and in the next chap. after his own fashion, a 〈…〉 may as well be applied to a wall or upright approchable.  
Take your running staff set at his square angle: and place the wing of his hanging side near about the midst thereof, or as occasion shall serve: fixed: then applying your eye to the extreme of the level side, directed right against the wall or tower in manner of thel last chap. choosing you a station somewhat far from the wall, where from thextreme of the level side you may see the top of the wall, by the said wing before fixed: which done, then shall you place the running sight of the level side from his extreme towards the Centre, half or a quarter, or just so much as the said wing before fixed in the hanging side is placed from the Centre of the staff, and there let this wing also be fixed. Then choose you a second station (going in towards the wall) carrying the instrument plum as before, till you may again see the top thereof by both these fixed wings. Lastly, measure the distance between both your stations for the same shall be either the whole, the half, or quarter of the height of the wall you seek, according as you did set the last wing from thextreme of the level side, either the whole, the half, or quarter the length of the first wing from the Centre, adding thereto when you have done the height of your eye above the base of the upright.  
But here I can no longer delay, but warn you of two things in this working, both which, G. Frisius half wineketh at in the use of his Cross Staff, because he would have it commended forsooth for facility. But I have ever detested that facility that should produce any absurdity. The one is, that the hanging side of our instrument be parallel to the wall, the other, that your eye in both stations be set in one level, that is to say, no higher above the base in the one station, then in the other, both which are fowl faults to be admitted, if the upright should be far of: yet are easily salved with a little pains. And I earnestly exhort every practiser in these actions, to defy that ease, that should shame himself & bring his art in question: a notable fault amongst most of our land measurers in these days, I mean those that measure by platt, who partly by want of skill in Geometry, partly by want of perseverance and knowledge in other sciences and faculties, wherewith a perfect surveyor ought to be adorned and furnished: and chief by want of industry, pains and diligence, do bring themselves and a most excellent Science into disdain and obloquy, when as seldom two of them can produce one measure or like plat of one self ground, and that which more is, scarce one of them shall agree with himself. I mean produce at his second measurement either the same platt or the same measure which he did at the first. But God willing when so ever I shall go in hand to write again of this instrument, I shall set down most certain salves for every sore in those cases. In the mean time, to return unto the two errors, that might accreave to this matter we have in hand: they are easily salved with no pains at all in respect: because the greatness of the Staff requireth an assistaunte or partner at the further end: who shall discharge you thereof. The first is easy remedied by a plum line, or rather a plum rule mentioned in the third Chapter, applied to the hanging side, as in the second Chapter was said, which your partner may easily guide whiles he stayeth theend for you, especially having an halberd pitched in the ground to help him rest his hand steady. The second as easy salved by a spare halberd, or a staff pitched somewhat farther in towards your upright then your second station shall be: which halberd shall have a bright mark viz. Q placed on it, even with your eye at the first station, by which mark Q you and your partner may easily direct the level side of your instrument at both stations of one height. Note that whatsoever is before written of altitudes, the same doth G. Frisius, Chapter seventh de Rad. Geo. convert to the latitudes or distances between two marks, towers or trees, willing you to bear the cross aside, and not upright, and to take care that you stand square to the latitude as near as you can, saying, a little awry will do but a little harm. You may not doubt do it as well by this Familiar Staff, as by the Cross Staff: but I will not bid you to do so much as a little harm, lest you do a little more, and then all stark nought. I mean to teach you a better way in my 21. Chapter.   

Chap. 11.  
How by this Familiar Staff to perform the last Chapter another way, more exact for long distances, the more safely to keep you out of danger of the shot of the fort, while you are in action.  
HItherto we have but as it were borrowed the precepts of the Cross Staff to fit the fancy of some, who I hope will not deny but that this my Familiar Staff performeth 
Of altitude.  them with no less facility, and no great alteration: yet as in the last Chapter I said, my earnest care of exact troths will not suffer me to advise you to rely upon them, for any altitude above a bow shoot of, as in the second Chapter I touched, for many causes too long here to recite. But in case the upright be far from you, whose height you seek, then shall the proper and natural working of this my Familiar Staff serve your turn much better in this manner. You shall first by help of two stationes as in the fifteenth, seventéenth or twenty Chapter following is taught, get the distance from you to the base of the wall or tower, viz. how many feet, yards, paces, or other measure, it is from your first station: those reckon on the level side of your running Staff from the centre, and thereto place the wing fixed: that one, set that wing to your eye (placed just over your station) directing the centre of your Staff to the wall, and let your partner keep the hanging side plumne by the plum rule, and with all, be ready with his hand to move the wing of the hanging side, by direction of your eye, so much above the centre till yourself may from the said wing at your eye, by this second wing see the top of the wall or tower. Then see what even parts are contained between the centre and this second wing on the hanging side, for so many feet high is the top of the tower above the level of your eye.  
For example, admit you had by the fifteenth, seventéenth or twenty Chapter following, found the distance from the station N in this figure, unto the point of the tower level with your ease viz. S. to be an hundredth pace or five hundredth foot, all is one, but that in getting the altitude of any thing, the reckoning had need to be kept in feet, though for distances or longitudes, paces, perches, pike-lengthes, or any other may suffice: those hundred paces I reckon on the level side of the Staff, they end at I. where I place the wing. Then directing the centre of my Staff, viz. D. to the tower or wall, I cause my partner to lift up the wing of the hanging side, until it come directly between I and the tower top, viz. at H than I look on the Staff what even parts I find between the sight H and the centre D, admit I find eight. Therefore I conclude, that wall or tower to be eight paces high, which is forty foot, and in this working you shall take help if need be of the fift or six notes of the fifteenth Chapter following.   

Chap. 12.  
How you shall know by this familiar staff, the depth under the just level of your eye, of the base of any tower unaprochable when the same base is to be seen.  
SUch may be the advantage of the ground whereon we make our stations, that the level of our eye may be much 
Of profundity.  above the base, and then are we not satisfied for the height of the upright, if it be unaprochable: wherefore when you have by the last Chapter gotten the height of the wall or tower above the level of your eye: note then some mark on the wall, even with that level: and so may you as easily and by the self same means get the depth of the base under the level, as in the last Chapter you got the height of the top above the level. There is no difference in the work, but that you must turn the extreme F of the hanging side of the staff dounewards, and set the wing thereof justly between the wing I, and R the base of the tower, that is to say at X as in the last Chapter you did set it at H between I and the top of the tower P, and the parts of the staff between the centre D and the wing at X shall be your desire. Which added to the former height P S maketh up the full height from the top to the base, that is P R.  
But where the ground hath no great advantage of the upright, I would never wish you to make two works of one, for if it be level with the base of the tower, it is a small matter to lay yourself down and work the last Chapter close by the ground: if it be lower than the base, then place the level of your eye no more above it, then that it may direct to the base: such like small matters he that could not of himself provide for, I would not have him allowed for an executioner of these services.  
Note, that if you list not in this working to turn the hanging side of your staff downwards, or that the ground will not admit it to sink so low as the level of your eye marked on the tower, you may work it as well and easily, keeping the hanging side upwards, in such manner as in the twenty six Chapter following is taught: and then must you keep the centre of the staff over the station N and direct the extreme E of the level side towards the tower or upright, as by the bare inspection of the triangle I V O of the figure of the same twenty six Chapter: you may easily conceive. The quantity I. V. of the staff, showing the depth of the point C under X the level of the eye in that figure as here the quantity D X showeth the depth of the point R under the point S level with the eye in this figure.   

Chap. 13.  
To know the length of the scaling ladder to reach over the ditch to the top of the wall or tower.  
THe height of the wall or tower together with the distance thereof from your station first had by the 11. and 15. chapters and help of the 12. then measure from that station directly towards the tower till you come at the out side of the ditch where the foot of the ladder must stand, take that measure out of the whole distance, keep the remain, and then as in the 30. chap. shall be showed, prove with your level whether the footing of the ladder be no higher or lower than the base of the wall, if it be higher, then take it out of the height, if lower, add it thereto, and keep that number also. Now shall you reckon the first number kept on the level side of your staff, set at his square angle, and the second number kept on the hanging side, and there make notes then applying the joinctpeise or any part of the standard between those notes you may thereon tell with a stick as they say, how many foot long your ladder shall he.  
For example in the figure of the 11. chap. T is the footing of the ladder, M the station, M T measured and taken out of M R leaveth R T the first number kept, this point T is so far under the level of the eye, as W T or S R cometh to, therefore add it to P S, so have you R S your second number kept, and those two numbers reckoned on the several sides of the running staff as is said, and the joinctpeise laid between them yieldeth you the Hypothenusa P T which must needs be the length of the scaling ladder desired.   

Chap. 14.  
How at any station either by the standard or running staff the angle of station or position between any two marks or places is to be taken two several ways.  
I Am not ignorant that an angle of position in Geography 
Of tall angles.  is the angle comprehended between the visual line directed unto any place appointed, and the meridian line of your being. But if we call the angle made by two lines issuing from one place or station unto other two places, an angle of position (though happily more aptly to be termed an angle of station) the matter is not great, being it is the angle of position or placing of the one place from the other in respect of your station. This angle shall most easily by this familiar staff two ways be taken, the first easy and familiar to conceive, the second more easy and familiar to be performed.  
For the first way suppose P your place of station and N and T the two places or marks whose angle of station or position you seek. Let your partner and you get each of you your supporter mentioned in the 3. chap. on which two supporters, you shall so rest the one leg of your staff, viz. A C. (his centre just over your station mark, viz. over P that you may by the sight pings, or pegs of that leg see the one of your places, uz. N: there look that leg of your staff lie fast on his rest, leaving that to your partners charge by his steady holding of his supporter both with hand and knee. That leg so settled even with the mark N, you shall gently open the other leg A B lifting it up and down withal, until by the two tops of the sight pings of that leg A B you may see the other mark T, and there with your centre screw pin, lock your staff fast at that angle T A N: for the same is the angle of station or position desired. And if you take this angle by the running staff in this manner, then doth the graduator's apex also show you the degrees which that angle containeth on the level side of the staff. But for your supporters, it is not material to make such reckoning of them as to be choice about them: for two sticks pulled out of an hedge, knit together with a point towards the one end may serve for a shift. Or if a Captain have but his halberd, let him stick it fast in the ground upright, and with his garter tie the one end of the leg of the staff thereto, he may then use the other at his pleasure without help. Or sometimes he may rest him to a tree, or on the very barrel of the Cannon. In these cases I would have no man tied to precepts, but be ready to supply as occasion shall minister.  
Now for the second way, let year station be P. and let L. & T. be the two places or marks, whose angle of position you seek. Stick your dagger or any stick upright in the station mark P. in the ground, and thereon rest the centre, viz. A. of the standard or running staff. Then apply your eye unto the extreme of his one leg, viz. to B. and let your partner apply his eye to the extreme of the other leg, viz. to C. each of you opening his leg by little and little so wide, till yourself see the mark T. by the sight pins or pegs of the leg A. B. & your partner see the mark L. by the sights of the leg A. C. & there wrest fast your Staff at that angle C A. B. for the same is equal to the angle T. A. L. by Eucly. lib. 1. propos. 15. which is the angle of position between the marks T. and L. desired. And if you performed it by the running staff, then shall the graduators aper, as before among the degrees or graduation of the level side, show you also what that angle is, and how many degrees of the circle it containeth. Yea, your partner and you may as well and more speedily do it without any dagger or rest, but that a rest may happily guide the centre of the staff just over the mark. Note also, that in taking the angle in this manner by the running staff, let the level side be first directed to his mark, and let him that directeth it, pull the apex of the graduator to and fro, till his partner find the hanging side opened even with the other mark.   

Chap. 15.  
How (in manner of the first and plainest means, mentioned in the last Chapter, to take the angle of position) to get the most exact distance of a Castle or Fort from you, yea though the same Fort be two or three miles off or more, whereby you may know how to place your main battle as near as may be without danger of shot from the Fort, and also in what space you may march to the same when you will.  
ALL this while we have about altitudes reckoned upon feet or paces at the greatest, but now shall we for longitudes 
Of longitude or distance.  or distances, deal (& that as certainly) with paces, perches, pike lengths, or miles, which cometh near the substance of our pretence, and shall be far more easy than the premises.  
First come to the place where the ground serveth you best to place your Canon, there make a mark for your first statition, then send some spare body a convenient distance off, that way, which you find the ground fittest, so it be not directly backwards or forwards, to set you up another mark for your second station. Which done, you shall with your standard staff after the first manner of the last Chapter, take the angle of position between your second station, and some one pinnacle or other notable mark of the Castle or fort, thereat lock your staff by help of the centre screw at that angle that you may carry him safely without sagging, unto your second station. This done, you shall go to the other station, measuring the distance between with a wire chain, morris pikes, or how you will, but most exactly, be sure. Those perches or pike lengths you shall reckon on that leg of your stanstard staff, which you before directed to your station, by the even parts and numbers thereon set: and to the end of that rexkoning place, the running bolt or sight of that leg, and there fix him by help of his screw pin. Then place your staff again at this second station on his supporters, so that this fixed sight pin be directly over the mark of the second station, and the centre end directed towards the first station, which your partner shall support, and lift up the other leg withal, putting to and fro the running fight of that leg by your commandment and direction, until that yourself do find the foresaid mark, hole or pinnacle, directly even with the knops or tops of both the running sight pins. And then look what number of parts you find there showed in that further leg by the second sight pin: so many paces, perches, or pike lengths is that mark or pinnacle from your first station.   gunnery diagram 


P. the first station where you would place your Canon  
K. or rather N. the second station.  
T. a mark in the tower to be battered.  
R. and S the two supporters,  
A B C the standard staff placed on his supporters, 

his centre A at the first station placed over the mark P,  
his one leg A C directed to the second station at K  
his other leg A B to the mark T in the tower.  
T A C, the angle of position taken at the station P.     Admit the distance between the stations P and K, to be forty perches or pike lengths that number forty I seek in the leg A C, it endeth at N, there I set the running sight N fixed, which at this second station K, I place just over K, directing the centre A to P (the angle of position B A C unstirred) M. the running sight of the other leg, set directly, between the pinnacle T, and the sight N: so shall the number of parts comprehended between A and M on the leg A C, show you the exact distance from the first station A, unto the pinnacle, in such measure as you measured between your stations P and K.  
Many things might be noted, which in half a days practice will be easier found, then though I should write many nights.  
1 First, the greater distance that your two stations are in sunder, except they be unreasonable much further than the mark: the more certain is your working.  
2 The sharper that the angle is made between the legs of the Staff, as for example, F A K in this second figure or the blunter, as G A K: The greater distance of the stations is required: otherwise the point of Crossing either at F or G, will hardly appear.  
4. If you mean to get an exact distance, you had need (yea by your best position) let the distance between your stations be no less than one eight part of the distance to your mark as near as you can imagine. Otherwise you shall hardly get the true point of crossing, as you may perceive at H: or at the least let it be never less than one twelve part: either of which are easy to be had in a small ground, and will serve for a great distance: for forty perches is but a reasonable distance for two stations, and are to be found commonly in a small close, and yet that is the eight part of a mile of a thousand pace, and it is the twelfth part of your common longest usual miles.  
5 Other small conceits are to be noted as if the distance of the stations in the last example were so small, that in account on the leg A C of your staff it falleth out so near the handle, that the running sight N might not be brought thereto: then may you set your sight N at double that number, and when you have done, take half the number found on the leg A B between A and the sight M for your distance desired, or if you set him at thrice or four times, and in the end take a third part or quarter of that you find, all cometh to one pass. Yea if the distance be very short, you may reckon every ten but for one, and then if you react one cyphare from every number your staff is ready figured to your contentinent.  
6 One thing I had almost forgotten: for as in reckoning the distance of your stations on the leg A C you shall ever be rather led to increase your scale, as in the fift note I showed, especially, for short distances or longitudes, as they call them: So contrary wise for long distances, when as the mark desired is a mile or two from you, except your stations be made much the larger, you shall be driven to place half, or a third, or a quarter of your stationary distance between A and N: and then take the double, triple, or quadruple of that you find between A and M, for your desire, as in stead of the forty perches between P and K to have set twenty or ten even parts between A and N. Yea, or if your stations had been forty seven: (here because forty seven is not easily parted into a quarter because of the fraction) you might first work by a quarter of the even number, that is to say of forty, and then work by the seven by itself, and add the two productes, as if by ten you found an hundredth perches, you must take four hundredth for those: and then working by the odd seven, you shall get seventy more to be added to four hundredth, so is your whole distance four hundredth and seventy.  
Also you must provide to have two bright marks flickering over both your stations till you have done, that you be assured justly to take your level.   

Chap. 16.  
Of the Geometrical ground, and familiar proof thereof, whereon the whole working by this familiar Staff dependeth.  
AS I have thought it very requisite to show the ground plat of these precepts in hand, so it were in vain for me here to iterate any expositions or definitions of usual terms Geometrical, since they are now a days very common, and are of Euclid and diverse other recited, and of me in my Mathematical jewel 1. book sufficiently declared. Understand therefore that if in any triangle you draw a line parallel to any one side, the same line shall cut of a triangle like, & equiangled to the former. For example within the triangle A B C let there be drawn the line D E parallel to C B I say that the triangle A D E is equiangled to the triangle A B C, that is to say, the angle E is equal to the match angle B, and the angle D to the angle C, and the angle A of the one, to the angle A of the other, for the angle A is common to both, & also the triangle A D F, shall be like to the triangle A B C, that is to say, what proportion the sides of A D E bear one unto another, the like proportion do the sides of A B C bear one to another. For Familiar proof of the first, open your compasses at adventure, and with one scantlet on the centres B and E, describe two several arches cutting the several sides, encluding the same angles B and E, as you see F G and H I, and those two arches you shall find by your compass to be just equal the one to the other, and therefore of necessity the angles F and B subtended by those arches are equal: in like manner may you prove the angle D to be equal unto the angle C, and being the angle A common to both, therefore the triangles are equiangled, if you desire more artificial proof, repair to Euclid lib. 1. propos. 29. and lib. 6. propos. 5. 6. and 7. Likewise for Familiar proof of the second, divide any one side of the triangle A B C into some number of even parts, admiste the side B C into ten equal parts, then divide the match side of the other triangle into the like number of parts, viz. D E into ten equal parts also, then measure with your compass how many of those parts of B C are contained in the side A B of the triangle A B C, and you shall be sure to find the like number of the parts of D E in the match side A E of the triangle A D E, and as many parts of B C as be in A C, so many parts of D E are in A D: therefore are they said to be like and proportional. This Familiar proof I have thought best for my Familiar Staff: for artificial proof seek Euclid, lib. 6. propo. 4. 5. 6. and 7. Even so in the figure of the last Chapter at the second station K, the leg A B of your standard Staff doth cut the main triangle T K P or rather T N A by the line M A parallel to the side T A, making within the jurisdiction of the Staff, the triangle N M A equiangled, and like to N T A. Therefore being that N A is appointed so many even parts as K P containeth even perches, it followeth of necessity, that what even part you find between M A, there must also be so many even perches in T A, which is the longitude or distance desired. Note that the letter A wanteth in this figure at the station K.  
Note also that if in the former figure you draw the line O P parallel to A C, and R S parallel to A B, they shall make a little triangle in the belly of A B C, viz. K L M equiangled, and like to A B, yea and every triangle that you can pick out in the same figure is equiangled, and like to A B C, and therefore each of them to other. Thus have I opened you a great breach, which if you thoroughly entre and possess, you may be able always to achieve these masters without book at all times of need.   

Chap. 17.  
How to perform the fifteenth Chapter with more facility by means of the second manner of taking the angle of position mentioned in the 14. chap.  
LEt no man be amazed at this working for it is all one in 
Of longit●… or distan●…  substance with the 15. Chapter, but oppositely performed, which in diverse parts of the Mathematics produceth the same troth as the direct way doth. For many times Oppositorum eadem est ratio, if I shall familiarly show you the difference it may be compared unto a couple of men going together towards one place, the one with his face forwards, the other backwards, the matter is no more difficult, therefore mark it well. Let P and K be your two stations, & T the tower whose distance you seek from your first station P. You shall therefore at P with your standard staff after the second manner of the 14. chap. take the angle of Position between T and your second station K, or rather L directly over it, as in this figure you see C A B, and lock fast your staff at that angle of position, for it is the opposite angle of T A L, and equal unto it by Eucl. lib. 1. propos. 15. as in the 14. chap. was showed. Then repair unto your second station K, measuring the exact distance between your stations with some wire chain or moryce pikes, and according to that measure place the running sight of that leg of the staff, which at P was directed to K, viz. at L. This sight L there fixed, you shall now place directly over your second station, by resting it on your dagger or some stick stuck into the ground, and let your partner (applying the centre of the staff to his eye) direct the same leg again to the first station P by help of the sight pegs, as here you see. And then yourself shall move too and fro the running sight of the other leg until you may place it so that by it you may see the tower T, even with the sight before fixed at L, viz. at O, by the visual line O L T. To conclude then, I say, that the even part of the staff cut by the sight O, shall show you the exact distance of the tower T from your first station P. The certainty hereof may well be proved by the last chap. for the angle L A O is all one with the angle N A M because the staff is fast locked to that angle, and therefore equal to T A L being but the opposite angle of N A M the angle A L O being also opposite to T L A, is therefore equal unto it by Euclyde lib. 1. propos. 15. and when two angles of any triangle are equal unto two angles of another triangle, the third angles can not choose but be equal by Eucl. lib. 1. propos. 26. then seeing the triangle L A O is equiangled to L A T therefore of necessity they must be like, and their sides proportional by Eucl. lib 6. Prop. 4. and A T bereath that proportion to A L as O A doth to A L of the triangle O A L, as if within the triangle A T L you did set the triangle A L O you should easily conceive. Or if you turn the figure upside down, then shall the working seems all one with that of the fifteenth Chapter, the Angle A M N being equal to A L O.   

Chap. 18.  
In case that a Castle or fort were digged out of some rock, or situate in some valley between two hills, admitting but some narrow coming unto it, and therefore enforcing your two stations to be one directly behind another. How yet by this familiar staff you shall attain the distance of the same from you.  
FIrst come as near the wall as you can without danger, 
Of longitu or distance  so that it be not over near, and take your running staff set at his square angle, and both the wings placed on the hanging side. Apply the extreme of his level side to your eye, carrying him as level as you can, and there look where about you may place the upper wing to see the top of the wall, but yet at some even number of five or tens be sure because of after reckoning. The upper wing so placed to remain fixed, then let your partner and you together settle your staff a little further or near (his hangging side kept plumb) till you may from the extreme of the level side, see the highest part of the wall or tower even with the said fixed wing. Mark that station on the ground. Then go back a good quantity, and there choose another station, doing in the very same manner with the other wing, placing him also fixed at some even ten or five. Then measure exactly the distance between those two stations: For look so many times as the even parts or distance between the two wings, are contained amongst the even parts from the centre of the staff to the upper wing: so many times is the measurement between your two stations contained in the whole length between your furthest station and the wall.  
As for example, admit that the distance between the stations M and N were twenty perches, and that at the inner station N you set the one wing, to wit L at two hundredth perches from D the centre of the staff, and there fixed. And at M the outer station, you set the other wing, that is to say H at an hundredth and fifty parts. Your stations M and N so chosen, that at N you see the top of the tower, to wit P, by the visual line E L P, and at M, by the visual line E H P. The number of even parts (by taking an hundredth and fifty out of two hundredth) I find fifty, between the wings L and H. Now I conclude because L H that is to say fifty, is four times contained in L D: two hundredth therefore four times the distance of M N that is, four times twenty perch is the true distance from M the outermost station unto the tower, to wit, the length of M R.  
Another way is thus, get the altitude of the tower top above the level of your eye, that is to say of P S by the ninth or tenth Chapter, which had, reckon the same on the hanging side of your running staff, and thereto set the wing fixed, admit at H. Then choose you a station as far from the tower as you think good, admit at N, there direct your staff against the tower as before, keeping the station N directly under your eye, and your eye no higher level then S, then move the wing of the level side, that is I to and fro, till you may by both the sights I and H, see the top of the tower that is to say P. Then look how many even parts are between T and D, for so many paces is the distance from your station at N to the tower.  
Note that if there be no wall or tower high enough for the exact working of this Chapter farrinough off: you may make a shift to it, by two marks of the wall in latitude, that is to say in the length of the wall: for that the working by the altitude and latitude is all one, as in the end of the tenth Chapter was noted, so you can direct your staff square thereto: but if you happen not to direct him square, you miss so much of your distance to the wall as maketh up the square: as for example. If T P were a wall, and that aiming at the square, you should direct your staff to the mark W thinking the square to be there, I say you shall in stead of the distance E W, get the distance E S, such is the certainty of your cross staff working, which you can not avoid because of necessity, as in the second Chapter was said In transuersis visni oredere oportet.   

Chap. 19  
How you shall peerforme the 15, Chapter, where the distance of the fort or castle is very far off, and the ground being uneven with hills, dales and rocks, hath no one level plain sufficient to make two stations for so great a distance.  
IF some valley happen between your first station, and that place where you would willingly, according to the 
Of longitu or distance  third note of the 15 Chapter. Plant your second station, as here you see in this figure described, a deep bottom between the stations P and K. In this case you shall by a third station made on the plain, whereon the first station is, viz. at Q. and help of the first, get the distance of the farthest station K, beyond the said valley, in such sort, as in the 15. or 17. Chapter is taught, or as in the next Chap. shallbe showed. And so shall you have the distance of your 2. long stations P and K, as exactly as though they were in one plain to be measured with a line. And by this means, though the valley be never so deep between your two main stations P and K, it shall not hinder you, but that you may at them proceed to get the most exact distance to the fort or tower, in all respects as in the 15. or 17. Chap. was done, even as though the ground had been all one planne.   

Chap. 20.  
If in a night you have secretly gotten with your army near any fort, and that you would with more speed than in the 15. or 17. Chapter is showed, know the distance whether you are near enough to plant your ordinance for battery.  
NOw cometh in the ready use of the running staff, for 
Of 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉  which cause I so named him. And in this Chapter resteth the sweet use of this instrument, therefore mark it well. This matter resteth wholly upon the diligent furtherance of many helpers both of men, and horses also, if you will, according to the proverb, Fit cito per multas praeda petita manus. There is no more cunning in this, than was in the fifteen Chapter: rather less. But that you must have diverse to execute it: that is to say, a couple (with horses if you will) to speed them to the second station, there by help of the running staff, to take the angle of position between the first station, and some turret of the fort, whiles yourself and your partner are as busy at the first station with your standard staff, taking the position angle between the same turret and the second station, which will most speedily be done by the second means of the 14. Chapter, and fie upon rests or supporters now we are in haste. The while also let two other speedily running with a wire chain, get the exact measure between the two stations: or if the fort be far off, or the ground unlevell, it will not be amiss to get the distance between those two stations by a third station, in manner of the last Chapter. Which distance either way most exactly gotten, let him that keepeth the first station reckon it on one of the legs of the same standard staff, it is no matter, which (for now we be in haste, we must not be too curious in precepts) and to the end of that reckoning, let him place the running bolt or sight, fixed with help of his screw. And if by this time his partner be not come from his second station, then let him take a nag and gallop to meet him, taking special care that either of them lock their staves fast at the angles of position before taken, lest they should start with this hasty carriage. Now then when they are met, if he that came from the second station, do but clap the centre of the running staff on the sight pin of the standard before fixed, guiding it so that his one side cut the centre of the standard, extending his other side cross the standards other leg. Look at that crossing what parts you find, for the parts on the standard are the distance from your first station to the fort, and the parts of the running staff, are the distance of the second station, to the same fort desired, which is so much more than the standard could do of himself, besides the speed, yet for all your haste, the notes of the 15. Chapter must be regarded. And thus much farther, that you enlarge the level side of your running staff with the joint piece of the hanging side taken off, if cause so require.  
For example: admit C A B to be the angle of the position, taken by the standard at the first station, and D E A the angle of position, taken by the running staff at the second station, and that on the one leg A B of the standard, the point H, reckoned from A, express the distance between the two stations measured: there shall the running bolt or sight pin be set, and thereon the centre E, of the running staff A E D his one side, lying even with the standards leg A B, and cutting his centre A, so doth the other E D cut off in the leg A C at D the distance of the tower from the first station. And in the point D of the side. E D of the running staff cut off by the standards leg A C, showeth the distance of the tower from the second station.   

Chap. 21.  
If you shall see two forts of the enemies within view, and would know how far they are in sunder, and whether there may be passage for an army between them without danger of shatte from those fortes. Or to get the length and breadth of any Fort a far off, thereby to gather of what receipt the same fort is. Or to get the width of a river fronting any fort, keeping yourself a far off without danger of shot.  
FIrst you shall by the fifteenth, seventéenth, nineteenth, or 
Of lati  last Chapter, get the several distances of the same forts from your station appointed, seek the one distance in the one leg, the other distance in the other leg of your standard Staff, and to each set the running sight pin's fixed, then pitching again at the same station, take with your standard Staff the angle of position between those forts by the fourteenth Chapter, and there wrest him fast to keep that angle sure. Lastly place the centre of the running Staff on one of the said fixed fight pings, applying also one of his sides unto the other sight pin, and the number of that side of the running Staff, there touching that other sight pin is the distance between the two forts desired. Or you might apply the joincte piece or any part of the running Staff between the sight pings, but that it is not so easy to reckon as from the centre it is.  
In like manner may you get the distance between two trees or two towers in one fort, and thereby get the length or breadth of the same fort, and be able by that means to descry of what receipt the same is. Also the breadth of any river by taking two marks, as trees, bushes, or buildings on each side of the river one. But you are by this never the near, to know the distance between two ships on the sea, as other writers and those no small ones, do teach you by a like precept arithmetical, except those ships lie at anchor that they stir not, yet in the twenty four Chapter following, I shall satisfy you for that.  
This is another manner of working for latitudes then that which the Cross Staff yieldeth: the manner whereof I noted unto you in the end of the tenth Chapter.   

Chap. 22.  
If in a fort or haven on the sea coast, or abroad on the plains on the sea banks, you shall see any ships a far off sailing towards you, or any army approaching by land. How you shall always be provided in such special places, that in a moment almost and with small help, you shall know how far they are from you, and by that means speedily find when they shall be comen within the random or point blank of your shot.  
IN such dangerous times when any assault of an army by 
Of lo or dist  land or of ships by sea is expected against any fort or haven, you shall appoint in the same haven or fort two certain towers farthest distant, in stead of your two stations. Their exact distance you shall always have in a reddinesse gotten by the last chap. Let one of these towers be called the first station the other the second. In this first tower you shall have always your standard ready placed by some kind of steadfast supporter, his one leg directly on the other tower or station, not to be easily wrested aside from that position, the other leg next the enemy at liberty. In the second tower let the running staff be always readily placed in like manner, his one side steadfastly on the first station, his other side next the enemy at liberty. Your instruments thus exactly placed, always ready at your two stations, and the certain distance between them foreknown, your work is at any time almost performed ere you begin. Let yourself at the first station, and some practised body at the second, guide the lose legs of your instruments directly still upon the main top of some principal ship, or foremost Ancient of the army, and let a third man within a little after he shall perceive both your eyes laid to your instruments with a trumpet or horn, give a short blast: and immediately upon the instant of the blast, let both of you lock fast your instruments at those angles, which angel's had and taken both at one instant of the blast given. Let each of the observers come from their towers and bring their instruments to meet together as speedily as they can, and clapping one upon another in such manner, as in the 20. chap. was done, you shall there immediately descry how far that ship or army was off at the blast giving.  
But because it may be long ere two can come out of the tops of towers to meet: besides that, because it is hard bringing such an instrument down stairs, or letting it down with a rope for fear of sagging or slipping of the angles taken. Therefore to remedy this, let him that observeth in the first tower, have a spare running staff, besides the standard staff wherewith he observeth: And let him that giveth the blast, be placed near about the midst between these two station towers. And when the blast is given let him in the second tower that observeth with the running staff, look what degree of the graduation on the level side of his staff, the graduator's Apex doth show, and report it with a loud voice to this middle man: And let him report it again to the observer in the first tower or station, who having the said spare running staff shall immediately set it by the same degree and minute reported unto the very same angle that the running staff at the second tower is at, and therewith work in all respects as before even as though the other running staff had been brought to him.  
But if any man will object, what if there be not two towers in the haven, than I say it is likely there is but one Church, and that it is a small matter in such dangerous times to make scaffolds with boards on houses tops for such good purposes.  
Also in the very like speedy manner, you may work with a couple of stations ready pitched on the sea banks: withal you must ever have regard to the notes of the 15. chap.   

Chap. 23.  
If an army on the land, or a Navy on the sea, shall be as far off as you may ken making towards your Fort. To know by help of this Familiar staff: How fast their gate is, and in what time they shall according to that gate, come within reach of your shot.  
THis matter very little differeth from the last chap. For your two staves being ready planted in their towers or 
Of m●… in long●…  stations as there is showed. First take the distance of the army or Navy, as far as you can possibly ken them, at a blast or sound given by the middleman, whose charge shall further be for this purpose to turn up a minute glass or two, so soon as he hath given his blast, and to keep them running. Then after a quarter of an hour or 15. minutes or more or less time as you will, and as the occasion requireth, prepare yourselves to take the distance of that navy or army at another short blast given in the very same manner as before. Now having gotten the distance of the ship or army this second time: & also upon report of the middle man how many minutes were passed between his two blasts given, you may easily know by the difference of the two distances taken, how much they be come nearer at this second blast than they were at the first, for so much do they sail or come on in so many minutes, and according to that rate you may easily cast how much they sail in an hour, and consequently how many hours or minutes it will be, if holding on their way they approach you, and in how many minutes they will be within the random or point blank of any great piece, and rather than to be deceived lest the wind or state of the seas should alter, you many make more trials ere they come near that.  
But in stead of minute glasses, which as they say, they use at the sea, I should like better of a clock or watch that should turn the hand quite round about the dial every hour to show the exact minute I have seen such ready made.   

Chap. 24.  
If standing on the sea banks, you see your ship of war at the sea pursuing another ship of the enemy, to know how far by help of this Familiar Staff, & how much the one getteth of the other in sailing, whether he be like to overtake the enemy, and in what time.  
THis matter differeth little from the working of the last 
Of motion both in longitude and latitude.  Chapter, only it asketh more help. For you had need to have at the first tower or station three standard staves, and four observers, and at the second tower or station two running staves, and two observers all ready pitched and placed, as in the two & twenty Chapter was taught, in such sort, that one pair, that is to say, one standard staff, and one running Staff do wholly attend upon your ship, the other payr upon the enemy's ship, and the odd standard Staff to attend them both, by help of two observers, to keep always the angle of position between the two ships, and all of them to lock fast their angles at the instant of a blast given, and then by the two and twenty Chapter to get the distance of either ship from you, and by the one and twenty, and help of the angle of position, the distance of either ship from other at the time of the blast. Then after a quarter of an hour or certain minutes complete, they must all to work again by warning of a second blast, as well for the distances of each ship from you, as of one of them from the other. Then comparing the differences of each kind together, you have by the one (that is to say) by their several distances from your station in that number of minutes, as were between the two blasts given, the certainty of each of their gates, in so much time by the last Chapter, and by the two several distances of each ship from other at both times, you may by taking the bigger out of the lesser, know how much the one ship hath either gotten or lost of the other, and according to that rate of time, cast how soon the one shall overtake the other, if the wind and state of the seas altar not, or they altar not their course. For which cause you shall make some more trials in the very like manner as oft as you shall think good.   

Chap. 25.  
Yourself planted on the top of an high rock, cleft, or tower, by the sea side. To know by this Familiar Staff how deep the level of the water is under you.  
IT is most common upon the sea coast to have high rocky 
Of pro●…dity.  cliffs. If therefore you would from the top of any such know how deep directly under you, that the level of the water is, you shall espy some mark in the bottom of the sea banks or next clift, even with the edge of the water the nearest unto you that you can espy. But if there be none near enough, then let some ship be let purposely at anchor near unto you, the distance of which ship, you shall get by two pretty stationes, such as the top of the rock may yield by the fifteenth or seventeenth Chapter. Or if the rock or clift be so steep and sharp, that it yield you not station enough on the top, see then if you can discene to some lower part of the rock for a second station, or any way by any rule in this book, help yourself to the distance of the ship from your station on the hill top. Which had, take your standard staff, and let him at a true square angle by help of your running Staff: there lock or wrest him fast that he start not from his square, Then place him so, that his one leg be level or parallel to the horrizon, the other perpendicular set by a plum line, his centre over your station. Your standard so placed, than your partner and you directing the level leg towards the ship or mark: you shall between you move the running sight pings of both legs to and fro in such sort, till by them you see the said mark or ship where she lieth at anchor, there wrest the sight pings fast. Then set the centre of the running Staff on the sight pin of the level leg, directing his one side to the middle or centre of the other sight pin, his other side even with the centre of the standard. There lock the running Staff fast at that angle, and mark what number of the running Staff is there cut off by the centre of the sight pin. For if that be equal to the distance of the ship or mark before gotten, then doth that sight pin show your desire, if otherwise then move the running Staff fast locked at the said angle to and fro, the centre of the standard by help of the sight pin whercan he rideth, until there be cut off in the said side of the running Staff, the exact distance of the said ship or mark before found. And then shall the point of cutting show you on the standard the very height of your eye above the level of the water desired.  
This Chapter seemeth more painful at the first show, than it will be when it is rightly understood, and that you have made experience thereof by an example or two the best is, it is needful to be done but once for all, in any one place.   

Chap. 26.  
If a Gunner keep a block house, or have a piece or two of Ordinance planted on the top of some very high clift by the sea side. How by this Familiar Staff he himself without any help at all, shall most easily and speedily in a moment get the distance of any ship at the sea, making towards him or passing along, and that most exact, for so far as the random of any great piece will extend.  
Truly this Chapter on such cliffs and places on the sea 
Of longitude or distance from an high.  cost, which are very high above the water (as many such there are) is the most necessary and ready for a gun of all the rest. But if it be not high above the sea, it is least worth: And the higher, so much it is the better for this purpose, and also for the Gunner, as it should seem unto me by Tartaglia who saith in his first book, second Colloquy, that a piece either mounted or embased from the level of the Horizon shooteth with more force and further, than it will, being shot level. The chief substance of our practice in this, consisteth in the exact finding of the level of the water under your station on the clift top: For which cause I promised the last Chapter. Whereas others have left it very absurdly to be done with a line and plummet of lead let down from the cleft top: as though every cleft or any cleft almost would admit such palpable facility.  
Well, to the purpose. In such a set place you shall have always your station ready prepared, with the depth of the level of the water known by help of the last Chapter: and there your standard settled at his square angle, and always ready pitched in manner of the last Chapter, on some such rest that he may speedily be turned which way soever any ship cometh, keeping himself still plumb and level, the sight pin of the perpendicular side, fixed fast with his screw at the even part, answering the height of your station above the water, your standard staff thus always set in a readiness, your work is done in manner ere you begin. For so soon as you espy any ship making near to your cost, direct the extreme of the level leg of the standard to the ship, and clap on the centre of your running staff, to ride on the fired sight pin of the hanging leg, and there lifting up or down the one side of the running staff close by the said level leg directed to the ship, until by the sight pegs of that side of the running staff you see the ship. Then shall the even part of that side of the running staff, cut by the level leg of the standard, be the distance of the ship desired, all which by this figure you may perceive.  
A the station on the clift N VI, the standard Staff always ready placed thereon his level leg V N directed to the ship G approaching, I the sight of the standards hanging leg, whereon the centre of the running Staff is placed, whose one side I N, directed close by the standards leg V N to the bottom of the ship, G is cut off by V N at N. Thereby I conclude that the even parts between I and N showeth the distance from your eye to the ship viz. I G desired.  
Note that the other side of the running Staff is to no use in this practice. And one thing more I thought good to warn you off, that in placing of your sight pin I, you have a care of the rising or falling of the level of the water by reason of the tides. For which cause, you had need to have some special marks purposely set in the bottom of the next clift or sea banks, by which you may at any time gather how much the water is risen, or fallen, and according to that rising or falling you must fix the sight put I higher or lower when you begin your work.  
Note that this Chapter and the last also, might as well have been performed in manner of the twelfth Chapter, by turning the extreme of the hanging side of the staff downwards if the place do admit, and happily that course may seem the more familiar, and proper way for profundities although both come to one pass.   

Chap. 27.  
If a man were prisoner with the enemy, how being in the top of a tower on the leads, or out of his prison window, he might by this Familiar Staff know the depth to the ground, to see if he were able with any device to let himself down without danger.  
FOr this purpose, yea, or almost any precept of altitudes, an instrument of ten inches long, is as good as one of ten foot, 
Of profundity.  and such a one a man might privily have conveyed unto him, and easily wild it in a chamber. You shall out at a window by the eightéenth Chapter, or from the top of the leads, by the fifteenth or seventéeth chapter, get the direct distance from you of some tower next yours, which suppose were XC, whose base C you may see out at your window, viz. IX, then place your instrument plum and level towards that tower XC, in such sort as was done in the last Chapter. But contrariwise to the last Chapter, place that distance IX, gotten on the level side at O fixed. Then putting up or down the sight pin of the hanging side, viz. I, till by it and the sight pin O, you may see the base of that tower, viz. C, by the usual line JOC. There I say, shall the sight pin I show you the depth of the tower XC, viz. from x the level of your eyes, unto C the base, and so high from the ground you may presume that your self are in that room where you are prisoner. Let yourself down and you can, saving your neck piece.  
Happily this Chapter were more easily performed by turning the hanging side of the Staff downwards, according to the note in the end of the last Chapter, because the instrument is small, and may easily rest in the one end.   

Chap. 28.  
If afort or tower stand upon an high hill how by this Familiar staff, to know the joint and heights both of the hill and tower.  
TO help us for want of a figure, you shall admit that Y 
Of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉  were the top of the hill, and base of the tower, and PY the the tower standing thereon. Which granted. The first thing you shall do, get the distant from your standing, viz. N, unto the point S level with your eye, directly under the base of the tower, by the eightéenth Chapter. But if the hill and tower be far off, then if by the fifteenth or seventéenth Chapter you get the distance JY, and by discretion take somewhat less than that for the distance IS, a little error in that longitude will not hurt us for the altitude. This distance IS any way gotten, you shall reckon the same on the level side of your running Staff ED directed to the hill, and there set the one wing, viz. I, and from it direct your usual line to the towers base, viz. to Y, and set the other wing on the hanging side directly between I and Y at V I say the number at V showed by that wing, is the height of the hill desired, viz. of IS, and if from I you direct your usual line again to the top of the tower on the hill, viz. to P. Then shall the wing on the hanging side cut at H, where again you shall have the whole height both of tower and hill viz. of PS, and the distance between H and V showeth the height of the tower PY several.   

Chap. 29.  
If being at the sea, you would cast anchor as near some fort or harbour, as you might be free from reach of their shot, how by this Familiar Staff you shall exactly get the distance thereof, of the distance of any other ship from your ship, being both fleeting at once upon the wild sea.  
THis is the most curious matter which we had to deal withal, and as slightly dealt in by other writers, whose whole device hitherto, hath been to look from the top of the ship wherein they are, unto the bottom of the other ship, performing it after the same reason that in my 26. Chapter is showed. For they appoint the known length of the mast of their ship, in stead of the known height of the cleft in that 26 Chapter. And to make the matter seem of more account, they call this a distance gotten at one station. A goodly thing: as who saith that the square angle, which they imagine at the bottom of the mast, and the length of the mast known, is not in all respects a second station, as it were ready, made to their hand. Let me always have a reentangled triangle to deal with, and I will never ask you but one such station, for all that I have before written. But now look yet nearer unto the matter, and though the ground of this their working is unfallible, yet see to how small purpose, and in manner absurd, their precept is in this. For if (as in the fourth note of the fourteenth Chapter I showed) the second ship be distant above ten or twelve masts length, their working is of small account, even on plain ground: but then consider the tottering of the ship on the water, they shall be forced for want of steady taking of the angle even totalliter errare. For which causes I cannot content myself to deliver this matter so slightly, as that I think it to any purpose to be done in any ship, but rather by help of two ships, or in a calm one ship and help of the cockbote. Let both those ships be grappled or linked together with a strong rope or cable, and let sailors and sternes men, keep the ship with side winds, and labouring the ruthers or stearnes at the full length of the rope, facing the fort, harborough, or other ship, whose distance you seek, and at the two ends of those two ships farthest distant, let the standard staff 
Hear should stand the picture that is in the 27. Chapter.  in the one, and the running staff, in the other, be placed with two observers to each staff, to take the angle of position, after the second manner of the fourteenth Chapter, between the said fort and his fellow observers, in the other ship suddenly at a blast given, as was done in the 22. Chapter, there locking fast their instruments, and hasting by haling in the ships to bring them together, they shall descry the distance to the fort desired, in such sort as in the 20. or 22. Chapter was done, or without haling the ships together by reporting the angle taken one to another, and help of a spare running staff, as in the end of the said 22. Chapter is showed. For the length of the cable and both ships known, yieldeth the distance between your two stations.  
And for the more speedy and sure taking of those angles, let each pair of observers hang a very white cloth under the centre of their instruments. In this figure H and G are the two ships linked together with a cable rope, and F is a ship at sea, whose distance they seek.  
Note that if a man be so strait driven, that he hath no help but one bare ship, then let him do it in the very like manner, placing his observers at both ends of the ship, as far of as may be, which shall perform his desire: much more certain then from the top of the mast. And if any man would do it from the mast, then let him take the angle down to the bottom of the ship with a sea Astrolabe, and after set his running staff to the same angle, & his standard staff to a square angle, and then perform it in manner of the siue and twentieth Chapter.   

Chap. 30.  
How by this familiar staff to carry the level of one place to any other, necessary for such as shall undermine afort, to know always how deep they are: or for such as would try whether waters may be brought from one place to fortify another.  
THis matter is very easy, requiring more diligence than skill. For if you set the level side of your staff level with the Horizon, by help of a plum line, and having a couple of assistants to carry two poles before you, with bright marks sliding up and down on them. Then all the matter consisteth in the diligent noting of the rising or falling of the ground, by help of those movable marks carrior from place to place on those poles, until you come to your ways end: and then shall you compare them together, whether is the greater of all the rise or all the fall, each added severally together into a gross sum: For if they be equal, than the level at the end is equal to the level at the beginning: if unequal, them difference showeth the difference of the rising or sinking accordingly.  
And if you should carry the levelmany miles, to the intent to lead water in a conduit, then for the fall thereof, you must have also a regard of the roundness of the massy globe of the earth and water. Of which I shall at some other time more at large signify.   

Chap. 31.  
How by help of this familiar Staff, you shall carry a mine under the ground, and set barrels of gunpowder directly under any tower or thief place of any castle or fort.  
THis is no rare matter neither hard to perform. First get the exact distance to the same tower from the place where you mean to begin your mine, by the fifteenth, seventéenth, or twenty Chapter. Then sink yourself into the ground at the mouth of the mine, as much under as you think meet, and there by two plumlines from above pitched directly upon the middle of the tower, set the level side of your running Staff under ground directly upon the tower, by which direction you shall carry your mine straight till you come almost there. And if you be hindered that you can not dig straight in any place, by means of some rock make a square, return by direction of your Staff, till you are passed the same rock, and you must of necessity when you come almost there, make two or three square returns out of the way, and still bring yourself to your direct way again, to the end to stay the force of the powder for issuing directly back out of the oven or cave closed up, thereby hindering his exploit. So keeping your note book certainly of your doings aside out of the direct way, you may by the like square angles return again just as much unto the same, and then proceed direct again. And also keeping notes how you go either shallow or deep, in manner of the last Chapter, you shall at the last both know when you are gone so far as the distance first taken above ground amounted to: and also how deep or shallow you are from the bottom of the tower to be blown up.   

Chap. 32.  
How a Captain may by this familiar staff, set in plat or map any province of the enemy's country.  
THis matter is all ready handled of many writers to be done by the circle, quadrante, or cross Staff, but specially by the circle, and is in our English tongue published by diverse namely, Master Digges, William Boorne, Master L●●●r, and others, unto whom I therefore refer you for the circumstance, because they shall not be idle the while. Only thus much I thought good to note unto you, that look what angel's of position they take by their circle, the same may you and your partner more speedily take by the second manner of the foreteenth Chapter, and your running Staff, and note the degrees of every angle or position in a book or tables as they do. And when you have those angles noted, and would reduce them into map, if you can not otherwise more readily do it, then take pains in such manner as they teach, by help of that small circle, which they call, and fitly a protuactor, in the mean while till I may have a wished time to write of this my Instrument more at large. Then will I teach you to lay a side your detractor, and show you more knacks than I dare at this time to name or make promise of for my own quiet sake, least I should be by some importimacyes interrupted from the second part of my jewel, which I would most gladly bring forth with as convenient speed as may be.    

An Appendix of the author, touching some alteration of this Familiar Staff.  
Having on the four and twentieth of january last, presented the copy of this small treatise in written hand, together with the Staff, framed in such manner, as in the third and fourth Chapter is showed. It pleased his Honour within two days after, to see trial of some of the conclusions in Green which park. Upon the good liking whereof, his H. showed the same to diverse, both Noble, Hondrable, and worshipful, in the Court: and withal delivered me again the written copy, as a thing which he thought more meet to be made public, for the benefit of his country, then to be reserved to his own private use. But I well nowd that the general opinion of the greater number of best judgement, was, to have him made in two several staves, in such manner as in the end of the third or fourth Chapter I noted, thereby to have them both of a more convenient tractable quantity. Which I more willingly consent unto, because I find some want of a third slipping rule in the standard Staff, like unto the graduator of the running Staff, to keep him sure and steadfast in working: which after the first fabrication may not be well conucied.  
But now if she shall like of this alteration of our Staff: there are also many things of the third and fourth Chapter to be quite altered.  
thirdly there shall be no joincte piece like unto G F to be taken off and on, but both legs shall be whole and sound quite through.  
Fourthly, whereas the chiefest cause of the joincte piece G F was in respect to be taken off, when the running Staff was to be used for the levelling or mounting of a piece of ordinunce, in manner of the sixth Chapter. We shall supply that use (though both legs of the Staff be whole) by setting the gunner's points on the level side D E, by help of a quadrant, described on the point G, as in the fourth Chapter you did set them on the graduator G H, by help of a quadrant described on the point D. the safr standing still at his square angle. or else (which I think better) you may set the Staff unto the angle of forty five degrees, and there fasten him, and then on N describe a quadrante, and thereby set on, either the twelfth gunner's points, or the 90. degrees on the side D E as before, and so shall a line drawn from G to the middle point of the twelfth, be perpendicular to D E: for which cause you shall now number them, from that middle point, but unto six on either side, because the one half of these twelve points, shall now serve for mounting a piece unto the sixth point, which as Tartaglia stteth down is the furthest random, the other half serveth for embasing your piece unto the sixth point, under the level or point blank, in all respects to be used as in the sixth Chapter is showed, saving that now the hanging side D G F must be turned upwards, which there was turned downwards, and the angle F D E set at the angle of forty five degrees, which there was set at the square angle.  
Note that if you ●●ste, you may set the points of mounting, beyond the see point, as far as the length of the side D E will extend.  

Touching the proportion and the timber fit for this Staff.  
I Thought it not amiss to note, that making your Instrument into two several staves, the fittest proportion that I like, is, that each leg of your Staff be five or six feet in length, one inch bread, and one inch and an half thick to receive the channels.  
The one channel for the graduator to be shut into, off, half inch wide, the other for the bolts of the running sights, to slip to and fro in: of one quarter of in inch wide, and the three cheeks enclosing these two channels, to be each one quarter inch thick: so is your whole inch and half thickness bestowed.  
Now for him that will bestow cost, let each of these legs be made of five rule pieces, that is tosay, three, to serve for the said three cheeks, which must be of pear tree or plum tree, as well for tough strength, as to receive the graving, the other two pieces serve to fill up or back the channels which must be of Cedar, or some such very light and strong wood, to the end your Staff be not over heavy. Also for a Captain it may be fashioned, out to a sharp point above the joint (not much unlike the number of a pair of common fire tongues) to the end, toreceave thereon the head of a pike or leading Staff.  
Or if any man will bestow somewhat less cost, then let each leg be made but of three rule pieces, and have but one channel, the two out sides of pear tree; the middlemost of ceader as before. But then he must have some forecast, that the bolts for his running sight pins, and the bolt that leadeth the graduator's apex to and fro, may all run and work their wills in that one channel, which I know may be done.  
Lastly, for the common sort that will bestow little cost, let each leg be made but of one piece, keeping the former breadth and thickness, and let the channel or channels be cut out of the whole wood, but then make him not over long, lest he sag. For assure yourself, the more pieces he is made of, the stronger he is from sagging, and the surer from warping. And howsoever he be made, let him at the least be brought to an eight square, or rounded, for the more pleasant handling.  
To conclude, any thing here set down for haste without figures, that may not bewell conceived or gathered by the premises, myself will be most ready to give directions for, upon any small request. I shall easily be heard of about master Treasurer's lodging in the Court, or at Swallowfield by Reading, where I dwell. There dwelleth a very artificial workman in Hosier lane, called john read, who can further you, whose help I have used about one or two of these staves.   

Touching Marine causes.  
AMongst many that took view of my Familiar Staff at the Court, the right noble and wopshipfull Knight, Sir George Carew, Knight Martial of England, and chief Captain of the isle of Wight, took no small notice of his necessary parts, and requited me instantly to apply him as well for the use of the sea, as I had done for the land: which amongst a number of other Astronomical and Geometrical conclusions, I meant to have reserved for ny second edition. But yet to satisfy his Worthiness and others of like affection: let it be known, that for taking the altitude of the Sun, Moon, or Star. If you put a short peg into the centre of your Staff, and rest the same peg on the very utter corner of your eye, and then open the legs of your staff, until (with your eye so rested on the same peg, and your other eye closed) you see by the one leg or his sight pin, the brim or parting of the sea from the element: by the other leg, the Sun, Moon, or Star desired, there shall the graduators apex show you, among the degrees or graduation of the Staff, the altitude desired.  
Note that your Staff being shut almost close, you may by a thread fastened to the Apex, pull the Staff open it pleasure.  
Then for taking the distance of two Stars or Planets, which as I take it, is a second matter used at sea. You cannot possibly (as I gather) do it better by the Cross staff itself, than you and your partner may do it, after the second manner of the fourteenth Chapter before.  
I could also show you means, by applying the extreme of the level side to your eye, and pulling the graduator's apex towards you, how you might take the altitude or distance of stars by sinking of the hanging side, by little and little from the square angle, in maeder, Cross staff wise: but these things, with a number other●●r hast I let pass, presuming that the ingenious will easily find them out of themselves.  
To make a final end, if for these Marine causes you make my staff no longer, than their common Cross staves are, I see no cause, but it is as ready, and my be handled with as much facility as their Cross staff. And if yet there remain any doubt or defect, I make no doubt, but upon advertisements thereof to supply it.  
Farewell my Familiar Staff, commend me to mine old acquaintance Richard Stockwel, Gumer of the isle of Gernsie, if thou meet him, tell him thou art privided to satisfy him of all our communication had at Greyes this last Summer, and let him lodge thee in the stored shrine of all his pretty conceits.   
FINIS.