THE ADVICE OF W. P. TO Mr. SAMVEL HARTLIB.  
FOR The Advancement of some particular Parts of LEARNING.  
LONDON, Printed Anno Dom. 1647.   

There is invented an Instrument of small bulk and price, easily made, and very durable, whereby any Man, even at the first sight and handling, may write two resembling Copies of the same thing at once, as serviceably and as fast (allowing two lines upon each page for setting the Instruments) as by the ordinary way. Of what Nature or in what Character, or what Matter soever, as Paper, Parchment, a Book, &c. the said writing ought to be upon made.  
The use hereof will be very great to Lawyers and Scriveners, for making of Indentures, and all kind of counterparts, to Merchants, Intelligencers, Registers, Secretaries, Clarks; &c. for copying of Letters, accounts, Invoices, entering of Warrants, and other Records, To scholars, for Transcribing of rare Manuscripts, and preserving Originals from falsification, and other injuries of time. It lesseneth the Labour of Examination, serveth to discover forgeries and surreptitious Copies, and to the transacting of all businesses of writing, as with ease and speed, so with much privacy also.   

To his honoured friend Master SAMUEL HARTLIB.  
SIR,  
I Have had many flying thoughts, concerning the Advancement of real Learning in general, but particularly of the Education of Youth, mathematics, mechanics, physic, and concerning the History of Art and Nature, with some more serious ones concerning your own most excellent advices for an Office of public address. And indeed they were but flying thoughts, for seeing what vast sums were requisite to carry on those designs, and how unwilling or unable men generally were to contribute towards them, I thought it but labour lost to fix my mind much upon them.  
But it having pleased God unexpectedly, to make me the Inventor of the Art of Double Writing, daily and hourly useful to all sorts of Persons in all places of the world, and that to perpetuity, I conceived that if there were understanding enough in Men to be sensible of their own good, and thankfulness or honesty enough to reward the Contrivers of it, such means might be raised out of this Art as might at least set the aforementioned Designs on float, and make them ready to set sail toward the haven of perfection upon every opportunity of stronger gales. And thereupon I reassumed my Meditations, which I here give you, desiring you and your Ingenious friends to remeditate upon them and correct them, but withal to think of the best Course, how to improve my Invention to such advantage, as may if possible, make us capable of enjoying more than bare Ideas of that happiness, which the achievements of our designs promiseth. I shall desire you to show them unto no more than needs you must, since they can please only those few, that are real Friends to the design of Realities, not those who are tickled only with rhetorical Prefaces, Transitions, & Epilogues, & charmed with fine Allusions and Metaphors, (all which I do not condemn) wherewith, as I had no abilities to adorn my discourse, so I wanted all other requisites thereunto, Having written it (as yourself must bear me witness) at your own Importunity in the midst of my cares and endeavours, to perfect mine Invention, and which is work in the midst of my hard and perhaps unprofitable labour, to prevent the ingratitude and backwardness of men to reward him, who shall earnestly labour to express himself,  
London the 8. January. 1647/8 Yours and your designs most affectionate servant, W. P.   

THE Advice For Advancement of some particular Parts of Learning.  
TO give an exact Definition or nice Division of Learning, or of the Advancement thereof, we shall not undertake (it being already so accurately done by the great Lord Verulam) Intending only to show where our own shoe pincheth us, or to point at some pieces of Knowledge, the improvement whereof (as we at least conceive) would make much to the ●enerall good and comfort of all mankind, and withal to deliver our own opinion by what means they may be raised some one degree nearer to perfection.  
But before we can meddle with this great Work, we must first think of getting Labourers, by appointing some general Rande vouz, where all men either able or willing to take up arms against the many difficulties thereof, may find entertainment. That is to say, We must recommend the Institution of an Office of common address according to the projection of Master Hartlib (that painful and great instrutment of this design) whereby the wants and desires of all may be made known unto all, where men may know what is already done in the business of Learning. What is at present in doing, and what is intended to be done: to the end, that by such a general communication of designs, and mutual assistance; The wits and endeavours of the world may no longer be as so many scattered coals or firebrands, which for want of union, are soon quenched, whereas being but laid together they would have yeeled a comfortable light and heat. For me thinks the present condition of men is like a field where a battle hath been lately fought, where we may see many legs, and arms, and eyes lying here and there, which for want of a union and a soul to quicken and enliven them, are good for nothing but to feed Ravens; and infect the air. So we see many wits and Ingenuities lying scattered up and down the world, whereof some are now labouring to do what is already done, and pusling themselves to reinvent what is already invented, others we see quite stuck fast in difficulties, for want of a few Directions, which some other man (might he be met withal) both could and would most easily give him; again one man wants a small sum of money, to carry on some design, that requires it, and there is perhaps another, who hath twice as much ready to bestow on the same design, but these two having no means ever to hear the one of the other, the good Work intended and desired, by both parties doth utterly perish and come to nothing: But this we pass over slightly, though very fundamental to our business, because the Master-builder thereof himself hath done it so solidly. Having by this means procured workmen and what else is necessary to the work, that which we would have them to labour in, is, How to find out such Arts as are yet undiscovered, How to learn what is already known, by more compendious and facile ways, and to apply it to more, and those more noble uses, how to work in men an higher esteem of Learning so as to give occasion, encouragement and opportunity to more Men to apply themselves to its Advancement.  
The next thing then to be done, will be, First, to see what is well and sufficiently done already, exploding whatsoever is nice, contentious and meery fantastical. All which must in some measure be suppressed and brought into disgrace and contempt with all men.  
2. This survey may be made by perusing all Books and taking notice of all mechanical Inventions.  
3. In this perusal, all the real or experimental Learning may be sifted and collected out of the said Books.  
4. There must be appointed able Readers of all such Books, with certain and well limited Directions what to collect out of them.  
5. Every Book must be so read by two several Persons apart, to prevent mistakes and failings from the said Directions.  
6. The Directions for Reading must be such, as the Readers observing them, may exactly agree in their Collections.  
7. Out of all these books one book or great work may be made, though consisting of many Volumes.  
8. The most artificial Indices Tables or other Helps for the ready finding, remembering, and well understanding all things contained in these books must be contrived and put in practice.  
Having thus taken the height or pitch whereunto all Arts and Sciences whatsoever, are already come; and observed where they now stick, the ablest Men in every respective Faculty must be set apart, to drive them on further with sufficient maintenance, and encouragement for the same. Whereunto it is requisite that two or three, one under another, be employed about each Faculty, to the end that some of them dying, or any other wise failing, there may never want men acquainted with the whole design, and able to carry it on, with the help of others to be admitted under them; And that at least yearly accounts be taken of those men's endeavours, and rewards be proportioned to them accordingly.  
And now we shall think of whetting our tools and preparing sharp Instruments for this hard work, by delivering our thoughts concerning Education, which are,  
1. That there be instituted Ergastula Literaria, Literarywork-houses, where Children may be taught as well to do something towards their living, as to Read and Write.  
That the business of Education be not (as now) committed to the worst and unworthiest of men, but that it be seriously studied and practised by the best and abler persons.  
That all Children of above seven years old may be presented to this kind of Education, none being to be excluded by reason of the poverty and unability of their Parents, for hereby it hath come to pass, that many are now holding the Plough, which might have been made fit to steer the State. Wherefore let such poor children be employed on works whereby they may earn their living, equal to their strength and. understanding, and such as they may perform as well as elder and abler persons, viz. attending Engines, &c. And if they cannot get their whole living, and their Parents can contribute nothing at all to make it up, let them stay somewhat the longer in the workhouse.  
That since few children have need of reading before they know, or can be acquainted with the Things they read of, or of writing, before their thoughts are worth the recording, or they are able to put them into any form, (which we call inditing) much less of learning languages, when there be Books enough for their present use in their own mother Tongue; our opinion is, that those Things being withal somewhat above their capacity, (as being to be attained by Judgement, which is weakest in children) be deferred awhile, and others more needful for them, such as are in the order of Nature before those afore mentioned, and are attainable by the help of Memory, which is either most strong or unpreoccupied in children, be studied before them. We wish therefore that the Educands be taught to observe and remember all sensible Objects and Actions, whether they be natural or artificial, which the Educators must upon all occasions expound unto them.  
That they use such Exercises whether in work, or for recreation, as tend to the health, agility and strength of their bodies.  
That they be taught to Read by much more compendious means than are in common use, which is a thing certainly very easy and feasible.  
That they be not only taught to Write according to our Common Way, but also to Write Swiftly and in real Characters, as likewise the dextrous use of the Instruments for Writing many Copies of the same thing at once.  
That the artificial Memory be thought upon, and if the precepts thereof be not too far above children's Capacities, We conceive it not improper for them to learn that also.  
That in no case the Art of Drawing and designing be omitted, to what course of Life soever those children are to be applied, since the use thereof for expressing the conceptions of the mind, seems (at least to us) to be little inferior to that of Writing, and in many cases performeth what by words is impossible.  
That the Elements of arithmetic and Geometry be by all studied, being not only of great and frequent use in all human affairs but also sure guides and helps to Reason, and especial Remedies for a volatile and unstedy mind.  
That effectual Courses be taken to try the Abilities of the Bodies and Minds of Children, the strength of their Memory, inclination of their Affections either to Vice or virtue, and to which of them in particular, and withal to alter what is bad in them, and increase and improve what is good, applying all, whether good or bad, to the least inconveniency and most Advantage.  
That such as shall have need to learn foreign Languages (the use whereof would be much lessened, were the real and Common Characters brought into practice) may be taught them by incomparably more easy ways than are now usual.  
That no ignoble, unnecessary, or condemned Part of Learning be taught in those houses of Education, so that if any man shall vainly fall upon them, he himself only may be blamed.  
That such as have any natural ability and fitness to music be Encouraged and Instructed therein.  
That all Children, though of the highest rank, be taught some gentile Manufacture in their minority, such as are  
Turning of curious Figures.  
Making mathematical Instruments, dials, and how to use them in astronomical Observations.  
Making Watches and other Trochilick motions.  
Limning and Painting on glass or in oil Colours.  
Graving, Etching, Carving, Embossing and moulding in sundry matters.  
The Lapidaries Art of knowing, cutting and setting jewels.  
Grinding of Glasses Dioptricall and Catoptricall.  
Botanics and Gardening.  
Making musical Instruments.  
Navarchy and making models for buildings and rigging of Ships.  
Architecture and making models for houses.  
The Confectioners, Perfumers or dyers Arts.  
Chemistry, refining metals and Counterfeiting jewels.  
Anatomy making skeletons and excarnating bowels.  
Making Mariners Compasses, Globes, and other magnetic Devices.  
And all, for these Reasons.  
1. They shall be less subject to be cozened by Artificers.  
2. They will become more industrious in general.  
3. They will certainly bring to pass most excellent Works being as Gentlemen, ambitious to excel ordinary workmen.  
4. They being able to make Experiments themselves, may do it with less charge, and more care than others will do it for them.  
5. The Resp. Artium will be much advanced, when such as are rich and able, are also willing to make Luciferous Experiments.  
6. It may engage them to be Mecaenates and Patrons of Arts.  
7. It will keep them from worse occasions of spending their time and estates.  
8. As it will be a great Ornament in prosperity, so it will be a great Refuge and stay in adversity and common calamity.  
As for what remains of Education, we cannot but hope that those, whom we have desired should make it their trade, will Supply it, and render the Idea thereof much more perfect.  
We have already recommended the study of the Elements of arithmetic and Geometry to all Men in general, but they being the best grounded parts of Speculative knowledge, and of so Vast use in all practical Arts. We cannot but commend deeper inquiries into them. And although the way of advancing them in particular, may be drawn from what we have already delivered, concerning the Advancement of learning in general, yet for the more explicit understanding of our meaning herein, we refer to Master bells most excellent Idea thereof, written to Master Hartlib.  
In the next place for the Advancement of all mechanical Arts and Manufactures, we wish that there were erected a Gymnasium Mechanicum or a college of tradesmen (or for more expedition until such a place could be built, that the most convenient houses for such a purpose may be either bought or hired) wherein we would that one at least of every Trade (but the Prime most Ingenious workman, the most desirous to improve his Art,) might be allowed therein, a handsome dwelling Rent free, which with the Credit of being admitted into this Society, and the quick sale which certainly they would have of their Commodities, when all men would repair thither, as to a Market of rare and exquisite pieces of Workmanship, would be a sufficient Motive to attract the very ablest mechanics, and such as we have described, to desire a fellowship in this college.  
From this Institution we may clearly hope when the excellent in all Arts are not only Neighbours, but intimate Friends and Brethren, united in a Common desire and zeal to promote them, that all Trades will miraculously prosper, and new Inventions would be more frequent, then new fashions of Clothes and householdstuff. Here would be the best and most effectual opportunities and means, for writing a History of Trades in perfection and exactness, and what Experiments and stuff would all those Shops and Operations afford to Active and philosophical heads, out of which, to extract that Interpretation of Nature, whereof there is so little, and that so bad as yet extant in the world?  
Within the walls of this Gymnasium or College, should be a Nosecomium Academicum according to the most exact and perfect Idea thereof a complete Theatrum Botanicum, stalls and Cages for all strange beasts and Birds, with Ponds and Conservatories for all exotic Fishes, here all animals capable thereof should be made fit for some kind of labour and employment, thaa they may as well be of use living as dead; here should be a repository of all kind of Rarities natural and artificial pieces of Antiquity, models of all great and noble Engines, with designs and platforms of Gardens and Buildings. The most artificial fountains and Water-works, a Library of Select books, an astronomical Observatory for celestial Bodies and Meteor, large pieces of Ground for several Experiments of Agriculture, Galleeries of the rarest Paintings and Satues, with the fairest Globes, and Geographcall Maps of the best descriptions, and so far as is possible, we would have this place to be the Epitome or Abstract of the whole world. So that a man conversant within those walls, would certainly prove a greater scholar, than the Walking Libraries so called, although he could neither write nor read. But if a Child, before he learned to read or write, were made acquainted with all Things, and Actions (as he might be in this college) how easily would he understand all good books afterwards, and smell out the fopperies of bad ones. As for the Situation, model, Policy Oeconomy, with the Number of Officers and Retainers to this college, and the privileges thereof, it is as yet time enough to delineate. Only we wish that a Society of Men might be instituted as careful to advance Arts as the Jesuites are to Propagate their Religion for the government and managing of it.  
But what relish will there be in all those dainties whereof we have spoken, if we want a palate to taste them, which certainly is Health, the most desirable of all earthly blessings, and how can we in any reason expect Health, when there are so many great difficulties in the curing of diseases and no proportionable Course taken to remove them? we shall therefore pursue the means of acquiring the public Good and comfort of Mankind a little further, and vent out conceits concerning a Nosocomium Academicum or an hospital to cure the Infirmities both of Physician and Patient.  
We intended to have given the most perfect Idea of this Nosocomium Academicum, and consequently to have treated of the Situation and fabric of the House, Garden, Library, chemical laboratory, anatomical theatre, Apotheca, with all the Instruments and Furniture belonging to each of them, as also of the whole Policy and economy thereof. But since such a work could not be brought to pass without much charge (the very naming whereof doth deter men even from the most noble and necessary Attempts) we are contented to portray only such a Nosocomium, as may be made out of one of our old Hospitals, without any new donations or creeping to Benefactors, only with a little pains taken by the Reforming hand of Authority. For we do not doubt, but that we have so contrived the business, that there is no hospital in its corrupt estate, can be more thriftily managed then Ours. For the Number of our Ministers are no greater than usual, and absolutely necessary, their Pensions no larger than are allowed to those, who do not make the service of the Hospital, the sixth part of their Employment and means of subsistence, and yet we give encouragement enough to able men to undertake it, without meddling with any other business, which we strictly forbid. For as the Salaries are but small, so the Charge of the Ministers is not great (they being all to be unmarried Persons) their Accommodation handsome, their Employment (being a work of public and highest Charity) honourable, and to philosophical Men, (who only are to have a hand in this business) most pleasant and delightful. Besides when their respective times are expired, their profit and esteem in the world cannot but be very great. For their way of breeding will both procure them practice among such as are able to reward them, and give them a dexterity and ability, to manage and go through a great deal thereof.  
Moreover the smallness of the Salary, the long servitude among poor wretches, and restraint from Marriages, the great pains and natural parts required to perform duties, will I hope, prevent all intrusions of those, whose Genius doth not incline them to take pleasure in this way of life.  
Wherefore being not at leisure to frame Utopias, we shall only speak of the Number and Salary of Ministers, the time of their service with their qualifications in general, and Duties in particular, which are to be employed in this Nosocomium Academicum.  
The Nosocomium being fitted with all manner of Necessaries, shall be overseen by three or four Curators, Men of Learning, Honour and Worth, such as shall out of Charity and good will to the public perform this Trust, who are to be Protectors and Chancellors thereof, as also Auditors of the steward's accounts.  
Besides these, there shall be a Mathematician for Steward, a Physician, Chirurgeon and Apothecary, each well versed both in the Theory and practice of their respective Professions. A young Physician capable at least of the degree of Doctor, who may be called the Vice-physician, and another of about five or six years standing in the University, who may be called the Student. There should be also a Chirurgeon and an Apothecary who have served their apprenticeships in the said Faculties called the Chirurgeons and Apothecaries Mate, with two other young men, the one to serve the Chirurgeon, and the other the Apothecary, all understanding at least the Latin Tongue, which may be called the Apprentices: All these are to be chosen at first by the Curators (but afterwards by the Society itself) being such as they shall be certified are Pious, Ingenious, Laborious, Lovers of Knowledge, and particularly of the Faculty of physic, courteous, not covetous; and lastly such among whom there may be an harmony of Natures and studies, so as all fear of discords, envy and Emulation may be taken away. There ought also to be entertained, as many honest careful ancient widows, to serve as Nurses to the sick, as will be proportionable to their Number, some whereof are to be ordinary and some extraordinary, whereof the latter may be taken in, and dismissed again, as Occasion of their help, requires,  
There should be allowed out of the Revenues of the hospital to the aforenamed Ministers, besides their diets, houseroom, washing, firing, &c. and Exemption from all Taxes and Employments in the commonwealth, the several sums following, viz.  
 l.  To the Steward 80 per annum. To the Physician 120 To the Vice-Physician 50 To the Chirurgeon and Apothec. each 60 To the Student 25 To the Chirurg. and Apotheck. mate 20 To each of the Apprentices 10 To each ordinary Nurse 4 To an Extraordinary by the week 3. shil.  
It should be granted by the State, that whosoever hath served his respective time in the Nosocomium, and hath a Certicate thereof from the Society, shall be thereby licenced to practise his profession in any place or Corporation whatsoever, notwithstanding any former Law to the Contrary.  
The Steward shall not be obliged to stay any longer than from year to year. Each of the Faculty of physic may serve five years in each degree thereof, each of the Chirurgeons and Apothecaries but four.  
These Circumstances being premised, we now come to the very Essence of the whole business, that is, to the Description of each of the aforenamed Ministers their particular Duty and Function, which are as followeth, viz.  
The Steward shall be a man of approved honesty, able to give order for all reparations about the house, garden, &c. to agree and bargain with workmen, and all that shall serve in any Commodities into the house, he is to receive and pay all moneys, and submit the accounts thereof to the whole Society, and they again to the Curators. For which and other like duties he ought to be skilled in mathematics; chiefly in arithmetic and keeping accounts, measuring of Land, timber, board, Architecture, frugal contrivances and the like. But as to the Advancement of physic, We desire he may be skilled in the best Rules of judicial Astrology, which he may apply to calculate the Events of diseases, and Prognosticate the Weather; to the end that by his Judicious and careful Experiments, the Wheat may be separated from the chaff in that Faculty likewise; and what is good therein may be applied to good uses, and the rest exploded. He shall keep a journal of all notable Changes of Weather, and fertility of Seasons, taking notice what fruits, &c. have abounded and what have failed, which have been good, and which bad, with the Reasons thereof, whether the same were caused by mildews, Blasts, Unseasonable Weather, caterpillars or other Vermin; he shall take notice of the several diseases, as Staggers, murrain, Rot, &c. which in each year have infested each Species of animals, and what Insects have most abounded; all which Particulars with the epidemical diseases befalling man, he may compare with the Aspects of the celestial bodies, and so examine the precepts delivered unto us by the Professors of that Art.  
The Physician must be a Philosopher, skilled at large in the phenomena of Nature, must understand the Greek Tongue, be well read in good Authors, and seen in the practice of all the ministrant parts of physic, willing to instruct and forward all that are under him, his work shall be twice every day deliberately to visit and Examine all the Sick, and after due Consideration of their Condition, to prescribe them convenient Medicines, and shall dictate in Latin to the Vice-Physician attending him, the History of their several Diseases (excluding impertinencies) he shall see all Patients in outward griefs (to whom he administereth any inward remedies) opened and dressed ever now and then, to the end that himself and the Chirurgeon may both have the same Intention and scope in their practice. He must take care that the Chirurgeon and Student keep the History of their Cures likewise, and that the Apothecary and Student do the same in in their Pharmacy and botanics. He shall oversee the dispensation of all compound, and Preparation of all chemical Medicaments, giving the Apothecary directions for the making of new inquiries and Experiments in his way; and wise to the Chirurgeon and the rest, in theirs, when he seeth them not otherwise employed. In brief, he shall have an influence upon all the rest, and all the rest reciprocally upon him, so that he being made acquainted with all the Histories taken in the hospital, Laboratory, Anatomical Chamber, garden, &c. may give the reason of the most notable phenomena happening in either of them. All which he shall commit to writing and out of them, by the end of the term of his service, shall collect a system of physic and the most approved medicinal aphorisms; taking notice by the way where those of Hippocrates are deficient or true, and by how many several experiments he hath so found them. He shall either dissect or overlook the dissection of bodies dying of diseases, and lastly shall take care that all Luciferous experiments whatsoever, may be carefully brought to him, and recorded for the benefit of Posterity.  
The Vice-Physicians proper charge is to see the History of Patients most exactly and constantly kept, he may now and then read some good author, but in all other things shall endeavour to assist, and be subordinate to the Physician in all parts of his duty, still acting by his directions, but shall not prescribe any physic without the consent of the chief, nor in his absence, upon emergent occasions, without the advice of the Master chirurgeons; he should be always walking up and down from bed to bed, feeling the pulses and looking on the urine and other excrements of the sick; that no considerable punctilio in any circumstance whatsoever escape his observation; for the completing of the History, He shall apply himself to the making of Luciferous experiments, and to take notice of such as shall be made by others.  
The Student shall assist the chirurgeon and Apothecary in making the History of their practices, to the end he may have always occasions to instruct himself in these ministrant parts of physic to read such Authors, as the chief Physician shall appoint him, and compare all his reading with the things themselves, whereof he readeth, as herbs, drugs, Compound Medicaments, Anatomy, v Instruments, bandages, operations, &c. all which we call the Real Elements of the Art. He shall by leave from the Physician in cases of need, put his hand to help the chirurgeon or Apothecary and sometimes watch by night with the Nurses, that the perfection of the History may by no means be hazarded on their Ignorance or carelessness; he may serve the Physician as an Amanuensis, especially in such things, the transcribing whereof may tend much to the advancement of his own knowledge.  

Of the chirurgeons.  
The Master chirurgeon shall dress every Patient belonging to his care the first time himself, in the presence of him, to whom he shall commit the said Cure afterwards, and as it were read him a Lecture thereupon. When the other chirurgeons under him are dressing, he shall, accompanied with the student, go from Patient to Patient to give them directions pro re Natâ in their proceedings on the Cure, and dictate to the Student the most pertinent passages happening from time to time, that he may keep a true and uninterrupted History of them; He shall make Experiments by dissecting sundry sorts of Animals, shall teach his Mates Anatomy, expound good Authors to them, show them the Manner of making bandages and making all Manner of operations such as are the Laryngotomia, cutting for the stone, hernia, dropsy and applying the trepane both upon living brutes and dead carcases of men to the end that by practising upon these, the best places for making incision may be known, and all the dangerous parts in the way taken notice of, and upon the others, how to avoid the Inconveniences of hemorrhages, strugglings and the like.  
The Mate shall dress all the more difficul griefs, apply Cauteries, make channels, practise Anatomy, and manual operations make skeletons of the Sundry rare Animals which he shall have the opportunity to cut up, excarnate bowels, artificially dry the Muscules tan the ventricle, guts, &c. and do what else tendeth to the perfection of Anatomy, he shall also at leisuretimes transcribe the History of their practice first and originally taken by the Student.  
The Apprentice shall serve the Master in spreading plasters, letting Blood in the arm, threading Pease for Issues, whetting Instruments, scraping Lint, sowing together Bandages (which he shall also learn to apply) he shall see dissections, read good Authors of Chirurgery and see the practice of operations made by his superiors. He shall also see the Apothecaries make all such plasters, Unguents, balsams, &c. (learning to choose and know all the Herbs, gums and other Ingredients going into them) as are used in their practice.   

Of the apothecary.  
The Master Apothecary being a most exquisite Botanist, shall take care of the Garden, that store of all useful Plants be kept therein, and also that such as are for beauty or rarity be not wanting, he shall give order for all Experiments of Grafting, Transplanting, Meliorating the tastes, smells, &c. of Plants, accelerating of Germination and Maturation in them, conservation of Exoticks so, as in time to make them domestics, to try the effect of all Artificial Composts, he shall see that all Herbs, Roots, &c. be gathered in their due seasons, and that all the most proper Courses be used for conserving them, he shall write of the sensile and evident Qualities of all drugs, as of their smell, taste, ponderosity, rarity, friability, transparency, colour, hardness, &c. omitting such as are not discernible by sense, or deprensible by certain Experiments, declaring the several operations, chemical or Pharmacentical by which these drugs are usually, or may be best prepared; he shall set down all the Experiments solitary or in consort, that he meeteth with, in the mixing or preparing any of them, as that Camphire, will of itself evaporate, Terpentine washed in water becometh white, Euphorbium in the beating will cause excessive sneesing, that the seeds of Cucummis Asininus will of themselves leap out with great Impetuosity one after another. That spirit of Vitriol mixed with Syrup of Violets, turneth it into a fair Crimson colour, and others of the like Nature. He shall with the Student keep an exact History of all rare and unusual Accidents, happening in his Operations, he shall take care that all Medicaments be made according to Art, or the Physicians particular directions: he shall ever now and then visit the Apotheca, to cast out thereof all decayed drugs and compositions, shall read Pharmaceutical and chemical Institutions to his Inferiors, and teach the plants to any of the Society that shall desire to learn them.  
The apothecary's Mate shall transcribe the prescriptions taken by the vice Physician, and see them carefully made up, shall attend the hospital, in administering to each Patient his physic according to directions, applying Epithemes, cucuphaes Embrochaes, fomentations, frictions, unctions, giving glisters, applying Leeches, &c. he shall transcribe the History compiled by the Master Apothecary, and the student, and at leisure times, when as he cannot study Things he may read good Authors in his own Art, without meddling either with physic or chirurgery.  
The Apprentice shall read some good pharmaceutical botanic and chemical Institutions, shall be much conversant in the Garden to see the curing of tender and exotic plants where he shall observe the working of Nature in their growing flowering, &c. he shall see the Herbs, Roots and Seeds gathered according to directions, he shall work in beating and picking Drugs and on all other Operations belonging to the preparation of Medicaments.  
The Nurses shall be always at hand in the hospital to help the sick, that by reason of their absence they may not be put to strain and offend themselves by often and loud crying and calling. They shall dress their diet and give it them in Quality, Quantity, Time and order, according to the Physicians directions, they shall see their linen conveniently changed so as to prevent all annoyance to the sick; They shall in watching endeavour to observe all remarkable Accidents happening in the night, as whether they raved or talked much in their sleep, snorted, coughed. &c. all which they shall punctually report to the Physician, showing him the Urines and other Excrements, telling him the time and manner wherein they were voided, and in brief, they being the lowest Members of the house, they shall be in all things obedient to their superiors.  
It is hard so to assign to every Minister his particular duty, as that the business (which is the Recovery of the Patients, and the Improvement of every man's knowledge in his proper way) cannot be done better than by this distribution: And it would be of ill Consequence, if hereupon the Apprentice having done his own work, should refuse to help his fellow, being perchance at some time overslipped, wherefore it is to be understood that this contrivance shall be no warrant to any man, not to help his fellow, in case of Exigence, but chiefly to show what we desire should be done amongst them all. For we hope that their common friendship and desire of helping the sick and enabling themselves, will tie them enough to perform all these things in the most advantageous manner to these Ends.  
Having now after a fashion gone through the description of such Societies and Institutions, as we have thought most fit for the advancement of real Learning, and among the rest, of the Ergastulum Literarium for the Education of Children, we now come to speak of such books, as being well studied and expounded in those schools, would lay a very firm foundation of Learning in the scholars.  
We recommend therefore in the first place (besides those books of Collection, by us formerly mentioned, and Master bells three Mathematical Treatises) the compiling of a work whose Title might justly be Vellus Aureum sive Facultatum Luoriferarum discriptio Magna, wherein all the practised ways of getting a subsistence and whereby Men raise their fortunes, may be at large declared. And among these, we wish that the History of Arts or Manufactures might first be undertaken as the most pleasant and profitable of all the rest, wherein should be described the whole process of Manual Operations and Applications of one natural thing (which we call the Elements of Artificials) to another, with the necessary Instruments and Machines, whereby every piece of work is elaborated, and made to be what it is, unto which work bare words being not sufficient, all Instruments and tools must be pictured, and colours added when the descriptions cannot be made intelligible without them.  
This History must not be made out of a farrago of imperfect Relations made to the compiler, either by too rude or cozening Workmen, but all things thereunto appertaining must be by himself observed and attested by the most Judicious and candid of each respective Profession, as well to make the work the more authentic, (it being to be the Basis of many future Inferences and Philosophations) as the more clearly and distinctly to inform the compiler himself, by whose Judgement as the alembic and Industry as the fire, it is hoped that the Quintessence and Magesteries of all present Inventions may be extracted and new ones produced in abundance.  
Although it be intended to teach the making of all Artificials, yet it is not to be understood that when there hath been taught how to make a stool, or a nail of one fashion, that the Art of making a chair or a nail of another fashion, should belong insisted on. But the Compiler should strive to reduce the making of all Artificials in each trade to a certain Number and Classes of operations tools and Materials, neither need he to set the Figures, or mention the names of all Artificials that ever were made, but only of such as are most known and of Common Use amongst men: He needeth not to describe every punctilio in making all the aforementioned particulars, and yet leave no more defects, then may be supplied by every common understanding. For we question whether (if he should engage himself in such an endless labour) a man by the bare light and instruction of the Book could attain to a dextrous practice of a trade, whereunto hath been required seven years Autopsia. But are confident that the help of this Book will lessen the former taeditum by more than half. He should not so abridge the Work as not to distinguish between Instruments of the same name, as between a loom to weave kerseys, and another, wherein to weave silk ribbons or Stockings.  
He should all along give the mechanical reason of every Instrument material and operation, when the same is sensible and clear. He should all along note his own defects in setting down these Histories, in case he had not at the time of the writing thereof sufficient information, and withal the deficiencies of the Trades themselves.  
Now whereas there be divers ways and Methods of working most Manufactures, he should in each thing stick close to the way of some one Mr. but note all the diversities he Knoweth, & give his Opinion of the use and goodness of each.  
Moreover the economy, Sive Ars augendas rei familiaris in all Professions ought to be inquired into. viz. What seasons of the year are most proper to each work, which the best places and times to buy Materials, and to put off the Commodities when finished, how most thriftily to hire, entertain, and oversee servants and Workmen, how to dispose of every excrement and Refuse of Materials, or of broken, worn, or otherwise unserviceable tools and Utensils, with all cautels, Impostures and other sleights good or bad, whereby men use to overreach one another.  
There ought to be added to this work many and various indices besides the alphabetical ones, as namely one of all the Artificials mentioned in the whole work.  
Another of all the natural Materials or Elements of Artifials, by what Artificers used, from whence they come, where to be had, and what are the ordinary and middle prices of them.  
Another of all the Qualities or Schemes of Matter, as o fall liquifiable things visced friable, heavy, transparent, abstersive or otherwise qualified according to all the classes of 1, 2, and 3. qualities, to the end that Materials for all Intentions and Experiments may be at hand and in sight.  
Another of all Operations mentioned in the whole work, as▪ Sawing, Hewing, Filing, boring, Melting, Dissolving, Turning, Beating, Grinding, boiling, Calcining, Knitting, Spinning, Sowing, Twisting, &c. To the end that they all may also be at hand for the purposes aforesaid. Another of all tools and Machines, as Files, saws, Chissels, shears, Sives, looms, Shuttles, wheels, Wedges, Knives, screws, &c. for the same purpose also.  
The compiler ought to publish all his conjectures, how old Inventions may be perfected and new one produceds, giving directions how to try the truth of them. So that by all those unto whose hands these Books shall come perchance, all the said suppositions may be tried, and the success reported to the Compiler himself.  
The Compilers first scope in Inventions shall be, how to apply all Materials that grow in Abundance in this kingdom, and whereof but in considerable use and Profits are as yet made to more advantage to the commonwealth. And also how all Impotents, whether only blind, or only lame, and all Children of above seven years old might earn their bread, and not be so long burdensome to their Parents and others.  
There should be made a Preface to the work to teach men how to make the most of experiments and to record the successes of them whatsoever, whether according to hopes or no, all being equally Luciferous, although not equally Lucriferous.  
There ought to be much Artifice used, that all the aforementioned Indices may handsomely refer One to another's, that all things contained in the whole Book may be most easily found, and most readily attend the seekers of New Inventions.  
The way to accomplish this work must be to inquire what to this purpose is already done, or in hand, in all places and also by whom, so that Communication of counsels and proceedings, may (if possible) be had with those undertakers.  
All books of this Subject already extant in Print, must be collected and bought, not to transcribe them, but to examine them per Autopsiam, and Re-experiment the Experiments contained in them, and withal to give hints of New inquiries.  
The Compiler must be content to devote his whole life to this employment, one who (as we said before) hath the fire of Industry and the alembic of a Curious and rational head, to extract the quintessence of whatsoever he seeth.  
He should be as young as sufficient Abilities will admit, to the end that he may with the concurrence of God's ordinary Providence, either finish, or very far advance the work, while he liveth, and also that living long in that employment, he may heap up the larger stock of Experiments, which how much the greater it is in one Man, affordeth so much the more hopes of New Inventions.  
The Nature Manner, and means of Writing the History of Trades being so far expounded, before we proceed further therein, for the better Encouragement of undertakers, we shall now represent such Profits and Commodities thereof, to the commonwealth, as we at present more nearly reflect upon. For to Enumerate or Evaluate them all, will be much above our Capacity.  
1. All men whatsoever may hereby so look into all Professions, as not to be too grossly cozened and abused in them.  
2. The Mysteries of Trades being so laid open, as that the Professors of them cannot make so unlawful and exorbitant advantages as heretofore, Such as are Cunning and Ambitious will never rest until they have found new ones in their stead; so that the Respublica Artium, will be so much the more advanced.  
3. Scholars and such as love to Batiocinate will have more and better Matter to exercise their wits upon, whereas now they puzzle and tire themselves, about mere Words and Chymaericall Notions.  
4. They will Reason with more alacrity, when they shall not only get honour by showing their Abilities, but profit likewise by the Invention of Fructiferous Arts.  
5. Sophistry shall not be in such esteem as heretofore, when even sense shall be able to unmask its vanity, and distinguish it from Truth.  
6 Men seeing what Arts are already invented, shall not need to puslle themselves to reinvent the same again.  
7. All Men in general that have wherewithal will be venturing at our Vellus Aureum, by making of Experiments: and whether thereby they thrive or no (the Directions in the Preface being followed) they shall nevertheless more and more discover Nature.  
8. Nay all Nations sensible of this Auri Sacra fames, will engage in this hopeful business; and then certainly Many hands will make light work in the said business of discovering Nature.  
9 All Ingenious Men and Lovers of real Knowledge, have along time begged this work, wherefore it can be no small honour to him that shall satisfy them.  
10. A vast increase of honourable, profitable, and pleasant Inventions must needs spring from the work, when one Man (as the Compiler thereof) may uno intuitu, see and comprehend all the Labour and Wit of our Ancestors, and be thereby able to supply the defects of one Trade with the perfections of another.  
11. We see that all Countries where Manufactures and Trades flourish, as Holland, &c. become potent and rich. For how can it otherwise be? when the Revenues of the State shall be increased by new and more customs, all beggars feeding upon the Labours of other men, and even thieves and Robbers (made for want of better employment) shall be set on work, barren grounds made fruitful, wet dry, and dry wet, when even hogs and more indocile beasts shall be taught to labour, when all vile Materials shall be turned to Noble uses, when one man or horse shall do as much as three, and every thing improved to strange Advantages.  
12. There would not then be so many Fustian and unworthy Preachers in Divinity, so many petty foggars in the Law, so many quacksalvers in physic, so many Grammaticasters in Country-schooles, and so many Lazy-serving men in gentlemen's houses, when every man might learn to live otherwise in more plenty and honour. For all men desirous to take pains might by this Book survey all the ways of subsistence, and choose out of them all, one that best suits with his own Genius and Abilities.  
13. Scholar's now disesteemed for their Poverty (what ever other thing commends them) and unable even for want of livelihood, to perfect any thing even in their own way, would quickly help themselves, by opening Treasures, with the Key of Lucriferous Inventions.  
14. Boys in stead of reading hard Hebrew words in the Bible (where they either trample on, or play with Mysteries) or parratlike repeating heteroclitous nouns, and verbs, might read and hear the History of Faculties expounded, so that before they be bound Apprentices to any Trade, they may foreknow the good and bad of it, what will and strength they have to it, and not spend seven years in repenting, and in swimming against the stream of their Inclinations.  
All Apprentices by this Book might learn the Theory of their Trades before they are bound to a Master, and consequently may be exempted from the Taedium of a seven years' bondage, and having spent but about three years with a Master, may spend the other four in Travelling to learn breeding, and the perfection of their Trades.  
As it would be more profitable to boys, to spend ten or twelve years in the study of Things, and of this Book of Faculties, then in a rabble of words, so it would be more easy and pleasant to them, as more suitable to the natural propensions we observe in them. For we see Children to delight in Drums, Pipes, Fiddels, Guns made of Elder-sticks and bellows noses, piped keys, &c. for painting Flags and ensigns with Elder-berries and Corn-poppy, making ships with Paper, and setting even nutshells a swimming, handling the tools of workmen as soon as they turn their backs, and trying to work themselves, fishing, fowling, hunting, setting sprenges and traps for birds, and other animals, making pictures in their writing books, making Tops, jigs, and Whirligigs, quilting balls, practising divers juggling tricks upon the Cards, &c. with a million more besides. And for the Females, they will be making pies with Clay, making their Babies Clothes, and dressing them therewith, they will spit leaves on sticks, as if they were roasting meat, they will imitate all the talk and Actions, which they observe in their Mother and her Gossips, and punctually act the Comedy or Tragedy (I know not whether to call it) of a woman's lying in. By all which it is most evident, that Children do most naturally delight in things, and are most capable of learning them, having quick senses to receive them and unpreoccupied memories to retain them. As for other things whereunto they are now adays set, they are altogether unfit, for want of judgement, which is but weak in them, and also for want of Will, which is sufficiently seen both by what we have said before, by the difficulty in keeping them at Schools, and the punishment they will endure rather than be altogether debarred from this pleasure which they take in Things.  
This work will be an help to Eloquence, when men by their great acquaintance with things, might find out Similitudes, Metaphors, Allusions, and other graces of discourse in abundance.  
To Arithmeticians and Geometricians, supplying them with Matter whereupon to exercise those most excellent Sciences, Which some having with much pains once learned, do for want hereof forget again, or unprofitably apply about resolving needless Questions, and making of new difficulties. The number of mixed mathematical Arts would hereby be increased.  
For we see that optics are made up of pure mathematics, the Anatomy of the eye, and some physical Principles concerning the Nature of light and Vision, with some Experiments of convexe and concave glasses, Astronomy is constituted again of them, and some celestial Phoenomena. Enginry again of them, and some Propositions de Cochleâ ct Vecte. And so certainly as the number of Axioms concerning several subjects doth increase by this work, so the Number of (their Applications to pure mathematics, id est,) New mathematical Arts, will increase also.  
Divines having so large a book of God's works added to that of his word, may the more clearly from them both, deduce the wisdom, power and goodness of the Almighty.  
Physicians observing the use of all Drugs and Operations in the production of Artificials, may with success transfer them to better uses in their Art.  
And Lawyers when they plead concerning Trades and Manufactures, would better Know what to say on such Occasions.  
A young beginner may Know by this Book how much stock is needful to set him up in his Trade.  
Gentlemen falling sometimes Accidentally into Tradesmen and handicrafts company, would Know how to make use of such Occurrences to advantage.