Mercury, OR THE SECRET and swift Messenger: showing, How a Man may with Privacy and Speed communicate his Thoughts to a Friend at any distance. LONDON, Printed by I. Norton, for John Maynard, and Timothy Wilkins, and are to be sold at the George in Fleetstreet, near Saint Dunstan's Church, 1641. To the Right honourable GEORGE, Lord Berkley, Baron of Berkley, Mowbray, Segrave, and Bruce, and Knight of the Noble Order of the BATH. My LORD: I do here once more present your Lordship, with the fruit of my leisure studies, as a testimony of my readiness to serve you, in those sacred matters, to which I devote my more serious hours. I should not have presumed to this Dedication, had I not been encouraged by that generousness and sweetness of disposition, which does so eminently adorn your lordship's place and abilities. If your Lordship please to excuse this boldness, and to vouchsafe this Pamphlet a shelter under your favourable patronage, you shall thereby encourage me in those higher studies, which may be more agreeable to that relation, wherein I stand, as being Your lordship's servant and chaplain, I. W. To the Reader. THat which first occasioned this Discourse, was the reading of a little Pamphlet, styled Nuntius inanimatus, commonly ascribed to a late Reverend Bishop: wherein he affirms that there are certain ways to discourse with a friend, though he were in a close Dungeon, in a besieged City, or a hundred miles of. Which promises, at the first perusal, did rather raise my wonder then belief, having before that time observed nothing, that might give any satisfaction in these particulars. And I should have esteemed them altogether fabulous had it not been for the credit of their reputed author. After this, I did collect all such notes to this purpose, as I met with in the course of my other studies. From whence when I had received full satisfaction, I did for mine own further delight compose them into this method. This I have now published; not for the public good, (which I do not think my poor abilities can promote) but to gratify my brother the Stationer. The benefits of that trade do chiefly consist in the printing of copies; and the vanity of this age is more taken with matters of curiosity, than those of solid benefit. Such a pamphlet as this, may be saleable, when a more substantial and useful discourse is neglected. I have already attained mine own ends, both in the delight of composing this, and the occasion of publishing it. And therefore need not either fear the censure of others, or beg their favour. I could never yet discern that any Reader hath showed the more charity, for the Authors bespeaking it. Farewell. I. W. To Mercury the elder, On the most learned Mercury the younger. REst Maja's son, sometimes Interpreter Of Gods, and to us men their Messenger, Take not such pains as thou hast done of old, To teach men hieroglyphics, and to unfold Egyptian hidden Characters, and how Men writ in dark obscurity: for now Trithemius and Selenus both are grown Such Cryptographers, as they scarce will own Thee for their Master, and Decipherers know Such secret ways to write thou ne'er didst show. These are but Artists, which thou didst inspire; But now thou of a Mercury art Sire Of thine own name, a Post with whom the wind, Should it contend, would be left far behind. Whose message as thy metal strikes the gold, Quite through a wedge of silver uncontrolled, And in a moment's space doth pass as far As from the Arctic to th' Antarctic star. So proving what is said of influence, May now be said of his intelligence, They neither of them having such a quality As a relation to locality: No places distance hindering their Commerce Who freely traffic through the universe, And in a minute can a Voyage make, Over the ocean's universal Lake. This son of thine, could any words or praise His learning, worth, or reputation raise, We should be suitors to him to bestow Encomiums on himself, which we do owe Unto his worth, and use that Eloquence, Which as his own, must claim pre-eminence: For thee, 'tis glory enough thou hast a son Of Art, that hath thyself in Art outdone. Sir Francis Kinaston Knight. To the unknown Author. OF old who to the common good applied, Or mind, or means, for it were Deifyde: But chiefly such, who new Inventions found; Bacchus for Wine, Ceres that tilled the ground. I know no reason time should breed such odds, (W'have warrant for't) men now may be styled Gods. By hiding who thou art, seek not to miss, The glory due to such a Work as this; But set thy name, that thou mayst have the praise, Lest to the unknown God we Altars raise. Anthony Aucher, Esquire. To my friend the Author. TO praise thy work, were to anticipate Thy Readers judgement, and to injure fate; Injustice to thyself, for real worth Needs not Arts flattery to set it forth. Some choose selected wits to write, as friends, Whose Verses, when the work fails, make amends. So as the buyer has his pennyworth, Though what the Author write prove spumy froth. Thou, of a humour cross to that, hast chose A friend or two, whose Verse hops like rough prose, From whose inexpert vain thou canst not look For lines that may enhance the price o' th' book. Let it commend itself, all we intend Is but to show the World, thou art our friend. Richard Hatton Esquire. To the Reader. REader, this Author has not long ago Found out another world to this below. Though that alone might merit great renown, Yet in this book he goes beyond the moon. Beyond the moon indeed, for here you see That he from thence hath fetched down Mercury. One that doth tell us things both strange and new, And yet believe't they're not more strange than true. I'm loath to tell thee what rare things they be, Read thou the book and then thou'lt tell them me. Tob. Worlrich. I. C. Doct. To his honoured Friend I. W. on his learned Tract, The Secret and Swift Messenger. INimitable Sir, we here discern Maxims the Stagirite himself might learn. Were Plato now alive he'd yield to You, Confessing something might be known anew. Fresh Heresies (New nothings) still appear As almanacs, the Births of every year. This Dutchman writes a Comment, that Translates, A Third Transcribes; Your Pen alone Creates New necessary Sciences; This Art Lay undiscovered as the world's fift part. But Secrecie's now published; You reveal By Demonstration how we may Conceal. Our Legates are but Men, and often may Great state-affairs unwillingly betray: Caught by some sifting Spies, or tell-tale Wine, Which dig up Secrets in the deepest Mine. Sometimes, like Fire penned in, they outward break, And'cause they should be silent, therefore speak. Nor are Kings Writings safe; To guard their Fame, Like Scavola, they wish their Hand i'th' Flame. Ink turns to blood; they oft participate By wax and Quill sad Icarus his fate. Hence noblemens' bad writing proves a plot; Their Letters are but Lines, their Names a Knot. But now they shall no more seal their own Fall; No Letters prove Killing, or capital. Things pass unknown, and each Ambassadour's Strict as the breast of sacred confessors: Such as the Inquisition cannot see; Such as are forced neither by Rack, nor Fee. Swift secrecy descends to human Powers; That which was Pluto's Helmet, now is Ours. We shall not henceforth be in pay for air, Transported Words being dear as precious Ware; Our Thoughts will now arrive before they're stale; They shall no more wait on the carrier's Ale, And hostess, two Land Remoraes, which bind All to a Tortoise pace, though Words be Wind. This Books a better ark; we brook no stay, Maugre the deepest Flood, or foulest Way. Commerce of Goods and Souls we owe to Two, (Whose Fames shall now be Twins) Noah and You. Each Bird is turned a Parrot, and we see Aesop's Beasts made more eloquent by thee. Wooers again may wing their fettered Love, By Noah's trusty Messenger the Dove. Torches which used only to help our sight, (Like heavenly fires) do give our Reason Light. Death's Harbingers, Arrows, and Bullets prove Like Cupid's darts, ambassadors of Love. Then your diviner hieroglyphics tell How we may landscapes read, and Pictures spell. You teach how Clouds inform, how smokes advise, Thus Saints with Incense talk to Deities. Thus by dumb Creatures we instructed are, As the Wise Men were tutored by a Star. Since we true Serpents like do little wrong With any other Member but the Tongue; You tell us how we may by Gestures talk How Feet are made to speak, as well as walk: How Eyes discourse, how mystique Nods contrive; Making our Knowledge too, Intuitive, A Bell no noise but rhetoric affords; Our music Notes are Speeches, sounds are Word●. Without a Trope there's Language in a flower, Conceits are smelled without a Metaphor. Dark subtleties we now shall soon define, Each Organs turned the sense of Discipline. 'Tis to your Care we owe that we may send, Business unknown to any but our Friend. That which is English Friendship to my Brother, May be though't Greek or nonsense to another. We now may Homer Iliads confine Not in a Nut shell, but a Point, or Line. Which Art though 't seem to exceed Faith, yet who Tries it, will find both Truth and Reason too. 'Tis not like juggler's tricks, absurd, when shown; But more and more admired, the more 'tis known. Writing's an Act of Emanation, And Thoughts speed quick and far as Day doth run. Richard West. C.C. Ox. MERCURY. The secret and swift Messenger. CHAP. I. The dependence of this knowledge in nature. The Authors that have treated of it. Its relation to the art of Grammar. EVery rational creature, being of an imperfect, and dependent happiness, is therefore naturally endowed with an ability to communicate its own thoughts and intentions; That so by mutual services, it might the better promote itself, in the prosecution of its own well-being. And because there is so vast a difference betwixt a spirit and a body, therefore hath the wisdom of providence contrived a distinct way and means, whereby they are each of them enabled to discourse, according to the variety of their several natures. The Angels or spiritual substances, Aquinas part. 1. Per insinuationem specierum, (as the schoolmen speak) By insinuating of the species, Quest. 107. Zanch. de Operibus Dei. Part. 1. lib. 3. c. 19 or an unveiling of their own natures in the knowledge of such particulars, as they would discover to another. And since they are of a Homogeneous and immaterial essence, therefore do they hear, and know, and speak, not with several parts, but with their whole substance. And though the Apostle mentions the tongue of Angels, 1 Cor. 13. yet that is only▪ Per concessionem, & ex hypothesi. But now, men, that have organical bodies, cannot communicate their thoughts, so easy and immediate a way. And therefore have need of some corporeal instruments, both for the receiving and conveying of knowledge. Unto both which functions, nature hath designed several parts. Amongst the rest, the ear is chiefly the sense of discipline or learning, and the tongue the instrument of teaching. The communion betwixt both these is by speech or language. Which was but one at first, but hath since been confounded into several kinds. And experience now shows, that a man is equally disposed, for the learning of all, according as education shall direct him. Which would not be, if (as some fondly conceive) any one of them were natural unto us. Valles●●● Sacr. Phil●s. cap. 3. For intus existens prohibet alienum. Or suppose that a man could be brought up to the speaking of another tongue; Cal. Rhod. A●t. lect. lib. 2. 9 c. 14. yet this would not hinder, but that he should still retain his knowledge, of that which was natural. For if those which are gotten by art, do not hinder one another, much less would they be any impediment, to that which is from nature. And according to this it will follow, that most men should be of a double language; which is evidently false. Whence likewise you may guess, at the absurdity of their inquiries, who have sought to find out the primitive tongue, by bringing up infants in such silent, solitary places, where they might not hear the speech of others. Languages are so far natural unto us, as other arts and sciences. A man is borne without any of them, but yet capable of all. Now, because Words are only for those that are present both in time & place; therefore to these, there hath been added, the invention of letters and writing: which are such a representation of our words (though more permanent,) as our words are of our thoughts. By these we may discourse with them, that are remote from us, not only by the distance of many miles, but also of many ages, Hujus usu scimus maximè constare humanitatem vitae, Nat hist. lib. 14. c. 11. memoriam, ac hominum immortalitatem, saith Pliny. Quid hoc magnificentius? quid ●eque mirandum? Antiq. lect. lib 4. cap. 3. in quod ne mortis quidem avida rapacitas jus ullum habeat, saith Rhodiginus, This being the chiefest means, both for the promoting of human society, and the perpetuating our names unto following times. How strange a thing this Art of writing did seem at its first invention, we may guess by the late discovered Americans, who were amazed to see men converse with books, and could scarce make themselves believe that a paper should speak: especially, when after all their attention and listening to any writing (as their custom was) they could never perceive any words or sound to proceed from it. There is a pretty relation to this purpose concerning an Indian slave, Hermannus. Hugo de orig. Scribendi. Pras. who being sent by his Master, with a basket of figs and a letter, did by the way eat up a great part of his cartyage, conveying the remainder unto the person, to whom he was directed, who when he had read the letter, and not finding the quantity of figs answerable to what was there spoken of; he accuses the slave of eating them, telling him what the letter said against him. But the Indian, (notwithstanding this proof) did confidently abjure the fact, cursing the paper, as being a false and lying witness. After this, being sent again, with the like carriage, and a letter expressing the just number of figs, that were to be delivered, he did again according to his former practice, devour a great part of them by the way; but before he meddled with any, (to prevent all following accusations;) he first took the letter, and hid that under a great stone, assuring himself, that if it did not see him eat the figs, it could never tell of him; but being now more strongly accused then before, he confesses the fault, admiring the divinity of the paper, and for the future does promise his best fidelity in every employment. Such strange conceits, did those wilder nations entertain, concerning this excellent invention. And doubtless it must needs argue a vast ability both of wit and memory, in that man, who did first confine all those different sounds of voice, (which seem to be almost of infinite variety) within the bounds of those few letters in the Alphabet. The first inventor of this, Cice. lib. 3. de Na. Deor. Polyd. Virg. de Inventor. lib. ●. cap 6. was thought to be the Egyptian Mercury, who is therefore styled the Messenger of the Gods. Vossius de Grammatica li. 1. c. 9 To which purpose the Poets have furnished him with wings for swiftness and dispatch in his errands. Natal. Comes Mythol. lib. 5. cap. 5. And because the Planet of that name, was thought to observe a more various & obscure revolution than any of the rest, therefore likewise did they attribute unto him, such secret and subtle motions, as might make him a trusty and private messenger, and so the fitter for that preferment, to which for this invention they had advanced him. There is yet another way of discoursing, by signs and gestures. And thought it be not so common in practice, as either of the other; yet in nature, perhaps it is before them both: since infants are able this way to express themselves, before they have the benefit of speech. But now, because none of these ways in ordinary use, are either so Secret or Swift, as some exigences would require; Therefore many of the ancients have busied themselves in a further inquiry how both these deficiencies may be remedied: as conceiving that such a discovery would be of excellent use, especially for some occasions that are incident to Statesmen and soldiers. That the ignorance of Secret and Swift conveyances, hath often proved fatal, not only to the ruin of particular persons, but also of whole Armies and kingdoms; may easily appear to any one that is but little versed in story. And therefore the redressing of these may be a subject worth our enquiry. Amongst the ancients that have most laboured in these particulars, [Aeneas, [Poliorcetica. Cleomenes, and Democritus, (as they are cited by * Hist. l. 10. Polybius) were for their inventions of this kind, more remarkably eminent. And that * Polybius Ibid. ● Author himself, hath given us such an exact relation of the knowledge of antiquity in these things, juxta finem. that 'tis a wonder, these following ages should either take no more notice, or make no more use of it. Besides these, there is also Julius Africanus, and Philo Mechanicus, two ancient Grecians, who have likewise treated of this subject. The Military significations in use amongst the Romans, are handled by * De Strat. Vegetius, and De re mi●●t. lib. 3. cap. 5. Frontinus. Their notes of Secrecy, and Abbreviation in writing, are largely set down by * Li de notis ●ntiquis. Valerius Probus, and Pet. Diaconus. There is likewise a volume of these, set forth by Janus Gruterus, which for their first invention are commonly ascribed unto Cicero and * The father. Seneca. In latter times, these particulars have been more fully handled, by the Abbot a Lib. de Polygraph. item de Stenogra●. Tritemius. b ●ract. de ratione 〈◊〉. linguarum. Theodorus Bibliander, c Lib. de Zyphris. Baptista Porta. Cardan. Subtilit. lib. 17. de Var. C. 12. 6. d Notis in Aeneae Polyorcetica. Isaac Casaubon. f Fab. 9 Johannes Walchius, g de Cryptog. Gustavus Selenus. h de Gram. Lib. 1. c. 40. Gerardus Vossius. l Lib. de Or. Scrib. Hermannus, Hugo, and divers others, in particular languages. Amongst the rest, our English Aristotle, the learned Verulam, in that work truly styled the Advancement of Learning, hath briefly contracted the whole substance of what may be said in this subject. De Augm. Scientiar. Lib. 6. ca. 1. Where he refers it to the art of Grammar, noting it as a deficient part. And in reference to this is it handled by most of those Authors, who have treated of it. That art, in its true latitude comprehending a treaty, concerning all the ways of discourse, whether by speech, or by writing, or by gesture, together with the several circumstances, pertaining to them. And so this subject belongs to the Mint of knowledge; Ibid. Expressions being currant for conceits, as money is for valuations. Now as it will concern a man that deals in traffic, to understand the several kinds of money, and that it may be framed of other materials, besides silver and gold: So likewise does it behoove them, who profess the knowledge of nature or reason, rightly to apprehend the several ways whereby they may be expressed. So that besides the usefulness of this subject, for some special occasions, it doth also belong unto one of the liberal Arts. From which considerations we may infer, that these particulars are not so trivial, as perhaps otherways they would seem, and that, there is sufficient motive to excite any industrious spirit, unto a further search after them. In this following discourse, I shall inquire, 1 Concerning the Secrecy of means, whereby to communicate our thoughts. 2 Concerning their swiftness, or quick passing at any great distance. 3 How they may be both joined together in the conveyance of any Message. In the prosecution of which, I shall also mention (besides the true discoveries) most of those other ways, whether magical, or Fabulous, that are received upon common tradition. CHAP. II. The conditions requisite to Secrecy, The use of it in the Matter of speech, either By Fables of the Heathen. Parables of Scripture. TO the exactness of Secrecy in any way of discourse, there are these two qualifications requisite. 1. That it be difficult to be unfolded, if it should be doubted of, or examined. 2. That it be (if possible) altogether devoid of suspicion; for so far as it is liable to this, it may be said to come short in the very Nature of Secrecy; since what is once suspected, is exposed to the danger of examination, & in a ready way to be discovered: but if not, yet a man is more likely to be disappointed in his intention, when his proceedings are mistrusted. Both these conditions together are to be found but in few of the following instances; only they are here specified, to show what a man should aim at, in the inventions of this nature. The art of secret information in the general, as it includes all significatory signs, may be styled Cryptomenysis, or private Intimations. The particular ways of discoursing, were before intimated to be threefold. 1. By Speaking. 2. By Writing. 3. By signs or gestures. According to which variety, there are also different ways of Secrecy. 1. Cryptologia. 2. Cryptographia. 3. Semaeologia. Cryptologia, or the Secrecy of speaking, may consist either, 1. In the matter. 2. In the words. 1. In the Matter: when the thing we would utter is so concealed under the expression of some other matter, that it is not of obvious conceit. To which purpose are the Metaphors, Allegories, and divers other Tropes of Oratory: which, so far as they concern the ornament of speech, d●● properly belong to rhetoric, but as they may be applied for the secrecy of speech, so are they reducible unto this part of Grammar. To this likewise appertains all that enigmatical learning, unto which not only the learned heathen, but their Gods also were so much devoted, as appears by the strange and frequent ambiguities of the Oracles, and sibyls. And those were counted the most profound Philosophers amongst them, who were best able for the invention of such affected obscurities. Of this kind also were all those mysterious Fables, Fables. under which, the ancients did veil the secrets of their Religion and Philosophy; counting it a profane thing to prostitute the hidden matters of either, unto vulgar apprehension. Quia sciunt inimicam esse naturae, apertam nudamque expositionem sui; quae, sicut vulgaribus hominum sensibus, intellectum sui, vario rerum tegmine operimentoque subtraxit, ita a prui dentibus arcana sua voluit per fabulosa tractari, In Samn. Scip. Lib. 1. Cap. 2. saith Macrobius. The Gods and nature would not themselves have hidden so many things from us, if they had intended them for common understandings, or that others should treat of them, after an easy & perspicuous way: Hence was it that the learned men of former times were so generally inclined, to involve all their learning, in obscure & mysterious expressions. Thus did the Egyptian Priests, the Pythagoreans, Platonics, & almost all other sects and professions. And to this general custom of those ages (we may guess) the holyghost Parables. does allude, in the frequent Parables, both of the old and new Testament. Co●hmen, in Isai. 14. Parabola est sermo similitudinarius, qui aliud dicit, aliud significat, saith Aquinas. It is such a speech of similitude, as says one thing, and means another. The Disciples do directly oppose it to plain speaking. Behold now speakest thou plainly, Ioh. 16. 29. and no Parables. And elsewhere 'tis intimated, that our Saviour did use that manner of teaching for the Secrecy of it: That those proud and perverse auditors, who would not apply themselves to the obedience of his doctrine, might not so much as understand it. To whom it is not given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, Mat. 13. 10. 11. to them all things are done in Parables, Mar. 4. 11. 12. that seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand. The art of these was so to imply a secret argument, glass. Phil●. lib. 2. pat. 1. tract. 2. Sect. 5. that the adversary might unawares be brought over, to an acknowledgement, and confession of the thing we would have. Thus did Nathan, unexpectedly discover to David, 2 Sam. 12. the cruelty and injustice of his proceedings in the case of Uriah. Thus did another Prophet, make Ahab, condemn himself, for suffering the King of Syria to escape. 1 King. 20. 39 And by this means did our Saviour in the Parable of the Vineyard, Mat. 21. 33. and the unjust husbandman, force the unbelieving Jews, to a secret acknowledgement, of those judgements, they had themselves deserved. Of this nature was that argument of an ancient Orator, who when the enemies had proposed peace, upon this condition, that the City should banish their teachers and Philosophers; He steps up and tells the people a tale, of certain wars betwixt the wolves and the sheep, and that the wolves promised to make a league, if the sheep would put away their mastiff Dogs. By this means better instructing them of the danger and madness there would be in yielding to such a condition. The Jewish Doctors do generally in their Talmud, and all their others writings, accustom themselves to a parabolical way of teaching; and 'tis observed that many of those horrid fables, that are fathered upon them, do arise from a misapprehension of them in this particular. Schickard Examen Comm. Rabbin. dis. 7. Whilst others interpret that according to the letter, which they intended only for the moral. As that which one rabbi relates concerning a Lion in the forest of Elay, that at the distance of four hundred leagues, did with his roaring, shake down the walls of Rome, and make the women abortive. Wherein he did not affirm the existence of any such monster, but only intimate the terribleness and power of the divine majesty. But this by the way. By this Art, many men are able in their ordinary discourses, so secretly to convey their counsels, or reproofs, that none shall understand them, but those whom they concern. And this way of teaching hath a great advantage above any other, by reason it hath much more power in exciting the fancy and affections. Plain arguments, and moral precepts barely proposed, are more flat in their operation, not so lively and persuasive, as when they steal into a man's assent, under the covert of a parable. To be expert in this particular is not in every man's power; like poetry, it requires such a natural faculty as cannot be taught. But so far as it falls under the rules and directions of Art, it belongs to the precepts of Oratory. In the general 'tis to be observed, that in these cases a man must be very careful to make choice of such a subject, as may bear in it, some proper analogy and resemblance to the chief business. And he must beforehand in his thoughts, so aptly contrive the several parts of the similitude, that they may fitly answer unto those particular, passages, which are of greatest consequence. CHAP. III. Concerning that secrecy of speech which consists in the words, Either By inventing new ones, as in Canting. Conjuring. Or by a changing of the known languag, whither Inversion. Transmutation. Diminution. Augmentation. THe secret ways of speaking, which consists in the matter of discourse have been already handled. Those that are in the words are twofold. Either 1. By inventing new words of our own, which shall signify upon compact. 2. Or by such an alteration of any known language, that in pronunciation it shall seem as obscure, as if it were altogether barbarous. To the first kind we may refer the Canting of beggars; who though they retain the common particles, yet have imposed new names upon all such matters, as may happen to be of greatest consequence and secrecy. And of this nature the charms of Witches, and language of magicians seem to be. Though of these it may well be doubted, whether they have any signification at all; And if they have, whether any understand them but the devil himself? 'Tis probable, he did invent such horrid and barbarous sounds, that by them, he might more easily delude the weak imaginations of his credulous disciples. Tract. de superst●tionib●s. Martinus de Arles, an archdeacon in Navare, speaking of a conjuringbooke, that was found in a Parish under his visitation, repeats out of it these forms of discoursing with the devil. Conjuro te per aelim, per aelim, per seboan, per adonay, per allelujah, per tanti, per archabulon, &c. And a little after, Sitis alligati & constricti per ista sancta nomina Dei, her, aelli, habet, sat, mi, filisgae, adrotiagund●, tat, chamiteram, &c. And in another place, coristion, Matatron, Caladason, Ozcoz●, Yosiel, &c. In which forms, the common particles and words of usual sense, are plainly set down in ordinary Latin; but many of the other, which seem to have the greatest efficacy, are of such secret sense, as I think no linguist candiscover. The inventions of this kind, do not fall under any particular rule or maxim, but may be equally infinite to the variety of articulate sounds. Porta de s●r●. 〈…〉 cap. 5. The second way of secrecy in speech, is by an alteration of any known language, Selenus' de Cryptogra. Ph●●cao. 2. cap. 1. which is far more easy, and may prove of as much use for the privacy of it, as the other. This may be performed, four ways. 1. By Inversion, when either the Letters or Syllables are spelled backwards. Mitto tibi METVLAS cancros imitare legendo, where the word SALV●EM is expressed by an inversion of the letters. Or as in this other example, Stisho estad, veca biti which by an inversion of the Syllables, is Hostis adest, cave tibi. 2. By Transmutation, or a mutual changing of one letter for another in pronunciation, answerable to that form of writing mentioned in the seventh Chapter. And though this may seem of great difficulty, yet use and experience will make it easy. 3. By contracting some words, and leaving part of them out; pronouncing them after some such way as they were wont to be both written and printed in ancient Copies. Thus aa stands anima, Ar●s for Aristoteles. But this can be but of small use in the English tongue, because that does consist most of Monosyllables. 4. By augmenting words with the addition of others letters. Of which kind, is that secret way of discoursing in ordinary use, by doubling the vowels that m●ke the syllables, and interposing G. or any other consonant K. P. T. R, &c. or other syllables, as Porta lib. 1. cap. 5. de furtiv. litter. notis. Thus, if I would say, Our plot is discovered, it must be pronounced thus, Ougour plogot igis di giscogovegereged. Which does not seem so obscure in writing, as it will in speech and pronunciation. And it is so easy to be learned, that I have known little children, almost as soon as they could speak, discourse to one another as fast this way, as they could in their plainest English. But all these later kinds of secrecy in speech, have this grand inconvenience in them, that they are not without suspicion. There are some other ways of speaking by inarticulate sounds, Chap. 17 18. which I shall mention afterwards. CHAP. IV. Concerning the secret conveyances of any written message in use amongst the ancients, Either by Land. Water. the open air. THe secrecy of any written message may consist either in the Conveyance. Writing. 1. In the Conveyance, when a letter is so closely concealed in the carriage of it, as to delude the search and suspicion of the adversary. Of which kind, the ancient Historians do furnish us with divers relations, reducible in the general unto these three heads. Those are the 1. By Land. 2. By Water. 3. Through the open air. 1. The secret conveyances by Land, 1. By Land may be of numberless variety: but those ancient inventions of this nature, which to my remembrance are most obvious and remarkable, are these. That of Harpagus the Mede (mentioned by Herodotus and Justin) who when he would exhort Cyrus to a conspiracy against the King his uncle, Herod lib. 1 cap. 123. Iustin. lib. 1. (and not daring to commit any such message to the ordinary way of conveyance, especially since the King's jealousy had stopped up all passages with spies and watchmen) he put his letters into the belly of a hare; which together with certain hunters nets, he delivered unto a trusty servant, who under this disguise of a huntsman, got an unsuspected passage to Cyrus. And Astyag●s himself was by this conspiracy bereaved of that Kingdom which was then the greatest monarchy in the world. To this purpose likewise is that of Demaratus, Iustin. lib. 2. King of Sparta, who being banished from his own Country and received in the Persian Court, See 〈◊〉 like related 〈◊〉 Ham●●ar. Ibid. lib. 11. when he there understood of Xerxes his design and preparation for a war with Greece, he used these means for the discovery of it unto his country men. Having writ an Epistle in a * Such as formerly they were wont to write upon, whence the phrase R●s● tabu●●, and litera a litura. Tablet of wood, he covered over the letters with wax, and then committed it unto a trusty servant to be delivered unto the Magistrates of Lacedaemon; Who when they had received it, were for a long time in a perplexed consultation, what it should mean, they did see nothing written, and yet could not conceive, but that it should import some weighty secret; till at length the King's sister did accidentally discover the writing under the wax, By which means the Grecians were so well provided, for the following war, as to give a defeat to the greatest and most numerous Army that is mentioned in History. The Fathers of the counsel of Ephesus, Isaac C●sa. Notis in Ae●●a 〈◊〉 c. 31. when Nestorius was condemned, being strictly debarred from all ordinary waves of conveyances, were fain to send unto Constantinople, by one in the disguise of a beggar. Some messengers have been sent away in coffins as being dead. Some others in the disguise of brute creatures, as those whom Josephus mentions in the siege of Jotapata, De ●ello ●udaic. l. 3. c. 8. who crept out of the City by night like Dogs. Others have conveyed letters to their imprisoned friends, by putting them into the food they were to receive, which is related of Polycrita. Laurentius Medici's involving his Epistles in a piece of bread, Herman. Hugode 〈◊〉 Scrib. c. 15. did send them by a certain Nobleman in the form of a beggar. Solemn de Cryptographia lib. 8. cap. 7. There is another relation of one, who rolled up his letters in a wax candle, bidding the messenger tell the party that was to receive it, that the candle would give him light for his business. There is yet a stranger conveyance spoken of in Aeneas, Poli●rce●. cap. 31. by writing on leaves, and afterwards with these leaves, covering over some sore or putrid ulcer, where the enemy would never suspect any secret message. Others have carried Epistles inscribed upon their own flesh, which is reckoned amongst those secret conveyances mentioned by Ovid. Caveat hoc custos, De Arte Ama●d. pro chartà, conscia tergum Praebeat, inque suo corpore verbaeferat. But amongst all the ancient practices in this kind, there is none for the strangeness, to be compared unto that of Hystiaens mentioned by Herodotus, Herod. lib. 5. cap. 35. and out of him in Aulus Gellius; N●ctes Atti. lib. 17. cap. 10. who whilst he resided with Darius in Persia, being desirous to send unto Aristagoras in Greece, about revolting from the Persian Government, (concerning which they had before conferred together;) But not knowing well how at that distance to convey so dangerous a business with sufficient secrecy, he at length contrived it after this manner. He chose one of his household servants that was troubled with sore eyes, pretending that for his recovery, his hair must be shaved, and his head scarified; in the performance of which Hystiaeus took occasion to imprint his secret intentions on his servant's head, and keeping him close at home till his hair was grown, he then told him, that for his perfect recovery, he must travail into Greece unto Aristagoras, who by shaving his hair the second time, would certainly restore him. By which relation you may see, what strange shifts the ancients were put unto, for want of skill, in this subject, that is here discoursed of. 'Tis reported of some fugitive Jews at the siege of Jerusalem, Joseph. de B●ll● Juda. lib. 6. c. 15. who more securely to carry away their gold, did first melt it into bullets, and then swallow it down, venting it afterwards amongst their other excrements. Now if a man had but his faculty, who could write Homer's Iliads, Sol●●. Polyhist. cap. 6. in so small a volume as might be contained in a nut shell, it were an easy matter for him, by this trick of the Jews, securely to convey a whole packet of letters. 2. When all the land passages have been stopped up, 2. By Water. then have the ancients used other secret conveyances by water; writing their intentions on thin plates of lead, and fastening them to the arms or thighs of some expert swimmer. De Str●●●g lib. 3. c. 13. * Frontinu● relates, that when Lucullus would inform a besieged City of his coming to succour them, he put his letters into two bladders, betwixt which a common soldier in the disguise of a sea-monster, was appointed to swim unto the City. There have been likewise more exquisite inventions to pass under the water, either by a man's self, or in a boat, wherein he might also carry provision; only having a long trunk or pipe, with a tunnel at the top of it, to let down fresh air. But for the prevention of all such conveyances, the ancients were wont in their strictest sieges, to cross the rivers with strong * Th●. l. 10 cap. 37. nets, to fasten stakes in several parts of the channel with sharp irons, as the blades of swords, sticking upon them. 3. Hence was it that there have been other means attempted through the open air. 3. Through the open air. Either by using birds, as pigeons and swallows instead of messengers, of which I shall treat more particularly in the sixteenth Chapter. Or else by fastening a writing to an arrow, or the weight that is cast from a sling. Somewhat of this nature, was that intimation agreed upon betwixt David and Jonathan, 1 Sam. 20. though that invention do somewhat favour of the ancient simplicity and rudeness. It was a more exact invention mentioned by Herodotus concerning Artabazus and Timoxenus, Vra●i● sive lib. 8. cap. 128. who when they could not come together, were wont to inform one another of any thing that concerned their affairs, by fastening a letter unto an arrow, and directing it unto some appointed place, where it might be received. Thus also Cleonymus King of Lacedaemon, Polyaenus lib. 2. in the siege of the City Trezene, See Plutarch in Cimon. enjoined the soldiers to shoot several arrows into the town, with notes fastened unto them having this inscription, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} I come that I may restore this place to its liberty. Upon which, the credulous and discontented Inhabitants were very willing to let him enter. When Cicero was so straightly besieged by the Galls, that the soldiers were almost ready to yield; Cesar being desirous to encourage him with the news of some other forces that were to come unto his aid, did shoot an arrow into the City, with these words fastened unto it; Caesar Ciceroni fiduciam optat, expecta auxilium. By which means the soldiers were persuaded to hold out so long, till these new succours did arrive and break up the siege. The same thing might also be done more securely, by rolling up a note within the head of an arrow, and then shooting of it to a confederates Tent, or to any other appointed place. To this purpose is that which Lypsius relates out of Appian, ●●liorcet. lib. 4. cap. Dialog. 2. mentioned also by Heliod●●. Hist. Aeth●●. lib. 9 concerning an ancient custom for the besieged to write their minds briefly in a little piece of lead, which they could with a sling cast a great distance, and exactly hit any such particular place as should be agreed upon, where the confederate might receive it, and by the same means return an answer. Of this nature likewise are those kind of bullets, lately invented in these German wars, in which they can shoot not only letters, corn, and the like: but (which is the strangest) powder also into a besieged City. But amongst all other possible conveyances through the air, World in the Moon chap. 14. imagination itself cannot conceive any one more useful, than the invention of a flying chariot, which I have mentioned elsewhere. Since by this means, a man may have as free a passage as a bird, which is not hindered, either by the highest walls, or the deepest rivers and trenches, or the most watchful Sentinels. But of this perhaps I may have occasion to treat more largely in some other discourse. CHAP. 5. Of that secrecy which consists in the materials of writing, whether the Paper or ink. THe several inventions of the ancients for the private conveyance, of any written message, were the subject of the last Chapter. The secrecy of Writing may consist, either in The materials, or The form. 1. The Materials of writing are the Paper and ink, Selenus' de Cryptogra. lib. 8. c. ●. 4. (or that which is instead of them), both which may be so privately ordered, that the inscribed sense shall not be discoverable without certain helps and directions. 1. The chief contrivance of secrecy by the paper, 1. The Paper. in use amongst the Ancients, was the Lacedemoniar. Scytale: The manner of which was thus: there were provided two round staves of an equal length and size: the magistrates always retaining one of them at home; and the other being carried abroad by the general, at his going forth to war. When there was any secret business to be writ by it, their manner was to wrap a narrow thong of Parchment about one of these staves, by a serpentine revolution, so that the edges of it might meet close together: upon both which edges they inscribed their Epistle, whereas the Parchment being taken off, there appeared nothing but pieces of letters on the sides of it, which could not be joined together into the right sense, without the true Scytale. Thus is it briefly and fully described by Ausonius. Vel Lacedemoniam Scytalen initare libelli, Ausonius ad Paulinum. Segmina Pergamei, tereti, circumdata ligno. Perpetuo inscribens versu, deinde solutus, Non respondentes sparso dabit ordine formas. You may read in Plutarch, how by this means, Pharnabaz did deceive Lysander. In Vta Lysandris. 'Tis true indeed, that this way was not of such inextricable secrecy, but that a little examination might have easily discover it, Exerc. 327 (as Scaliger truly observes) however in those ages, which were less versed in these kinds of experiments, it seemed much more secret than now it does unto us; and in these times, there are such other means of private discoursing, which, even Scaligers eyes, (as good as they were) could not discover. And therefore it was too inconsiderate and magisterial a sentence of him, Voscius de Ar●e Gram. li. 1. c. 40. from thence to conclude, all this kind of learning to be vain and useless, serving only for imposture, and to perplex the inquirer. 'Tis certain that some occasions may require the exactest privacy, And 'tis as certain, that there may be some ways of secrecy, which it were madness for a man to think he could unfold. Furori simile esse videtur, Veget. de 〈◊〉. lib. 3. sibi aliquem persuadere, tam circumspectum hominem esse posse, ut se a furtivo quodam scripto, abditaque machinatione tueri possit: nam astans quilibet, vel procul distans loquitur, & factum nunciat, ut non solum à nemine percipiatur, sed ne sic quidem significare quippiam posse existimet, saith Vegetius. And Baptista Porta (who had a strange and incredible ability in discovering of secret writings, 〈…〉 3. de furtivis notis. yet doth ingeniously confess, Multa esse posse furtiva scripta, quae se interpretaturum quenquam polliceri, furorem ac delirium plane existimarem. So that though the ancient inventions of this kind, were too easily discoverable, yet Scaliger had no reason to conclude this to be a needless art, or that therefore he could unfold any other way that might be invented. But this by the way. 2. The other material of writing is the ink, 2. The ink. or that liquour which is used instead of it, by which means also, there are sundry ways of secrecy, Porta. Magiae, lib. 16. Wecker. de Secret. lib. 14. commonly mentioned in natural magic. Thus if a man write with salt Ammoniack, Joacb. Fortius Experie●t. dissolved in water, the letters will not appear legible, till the paper be held by the fire: this others affirm to be true also in the juice of onions, Cardan. Subt. lib. 17. Item de varietate lib. 12. cap. 61. Lemons, with diverse the like acid and corroding moustures. And on the contrary, those letters that are written with dissolved alum, Ibid. will not be discernible till the paper be dipped in water. There are some other juices that do not appear, Bibliander de Ratione come. linguarum. till the paper be held betwixt a Candle and the eye. That which is written with the water of putrified willow, or the distilled juice of glow-worms, will not be visible but in the dark, as Porta affirms from his own experience. Def●rtiv. lit. lib, 1. c. 15. There is also a secret way of writing with two several inks, both of them alike in colour, but the one being of that nature, that it will easily be rubbed or washed off, and the other not. A man may likewise write secretly with a raw egg, the letters of which, being throughly dried, let the whole paper be blacked over with ink, that it may appear without any inscription. And when this ink is also well dried, if you do afterwards gently scrape it over with a knife, it will fall off from those places, where before the words were written. Those letters that are described with milk or urine, or fat, or any other glutinous moisture, will not be legible unless dust be first scattered upon them, which by adhering to those places, will discover the writing. This way is mentioned by Ovid, De Art. Amand. Tuta quoque est, fallitque oculos e lacte recenti Litera, carbonis pulvere tange, leges. And 'tis thought that Attalus made use of this device, the better to excite the courage of his soldiers. Being before the battle to sacrifice to the Gods for success, as he pulled out the entrails of the beast, he described upon them these words, Regis victoria, which he had before written backward in his hand with some gummy juice. The entrails being turned up and down by the Priest to find out their signification, the letters did by that means gather so much dust as to appear legible. By which omen the soldiers were so strangely heightened in their hopes and valour, that they won the day. Unto these experiments of secrecy in the materials of writing, G●●l. Sole●●● de Cryptogr●phia lib. 8. cap. 3. some add those other ways of expressing any private intimation by drawing a string through the holes of a little tablet or board; these holes should be of the same number with the letters, unto which by compact they should be severally applied. The order of the threads passing through them, may serve to express any words, and so consequently any sense we would discover. To this purpose likewise is that other way of secret information, by divers knots tied upon a string according to certain distances; by which a man may as distinctly, and yet as Secretly, express his meaning as by any other way of discourse. For who would mistrust any private news or treachery, to lie hid in a thread, wherein there was nothing to be discerned, but sundry confused knots or other the like marks? The manner of performing it, is thus. Let there be a square piece of plate, or Tablet of Wood like a Trencher, with the twenty four Letters described on the top of it, at equal distances, and after any order that may be agreed upon before hand, on both the opposite sides, let there be diverse little teeth, on which the string may be hitched or fastened for its several returns. As in the following figure. A b c d e f g h i k l m n Oh p q r s To u w X Y Z · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Where the string is supposed to be fastened by a loop on the first tooth, toward the letter A, and afterwards to be drawn successively over all the rest. The marks upon it do express the secret meaning. Beware of this Bearer who is sent as a spy over you. When it is taken off, and sent to a confederate, he may easily understand its intention, by applying it to his own Tablet, which must be answerable unto this. The instrument may be made much longger than is here expressed: But if the matter to be revealed should happen to be more than the Tablet would bear, then may it be supplied, either by another string, or else by beginning again with that part of the same string, wherein the last letter was terminated. There may be divers other inventions of this kind, but I have not observed any more remarkable, than those which are already mentioned. CHAP. VI. Secret writing with the common letters, by changing of their places. THat secrecy which does consist in the form of writing, Sele●us de Criptographia lib. 2. cap. 5. is when the words, or letters are so framed by compact, that they are not of ordinary signification. Ars notari● occul●ands inter artes Subti●itate praestantes annumeranda est. Carden. Subtle, l. 17. The inventions of this kind, may both for their pleasure and benefit, justly challenge a place amongst our other studies. Saint Austin speaking of such human inventions as are to be embraced or avoided, and rejecting all magical institutions and commerce with the devil, De doctrine. Christiana lib. 2. c. 26. he adjoins. Eav●ro quae homines cum hominibus habent, assumenda, & maxime literarum figurae, &c. Ex eo genere sunt etiam notae, quas qui didicerunt, proprie notarii appellantur. Vtilia sunt ista, nec discuntur illicite, nec superstitiose implicant, nec l●xis enervant, si tantum occupent, ut majoribus rebus, quibus inservire debent, non sint impedimento. This way of secret writing, may be contrived, either 1. By the common letters. 2. Or by some invented notes and characters in stead of them. Both these being distinguishable into those kinds that contain either. 1. Equal. 2. Or more. 3. Or fewer signs than are naturally required to the true framing of the word. The particulars of these, may be altered to such great variety as cannot be reckoned, and therefore I shall specify those only which seem most remarkable, either for their antiquity or usefulness. The way of secret writing by equal letters, is eitherby changing of 1. Their places, or 2. Their powers 1. By altering of the places; Either of the Lines. Letters. Both. 1. A man may obscure the sense by perplexing the order of the lines. 1. By transposing the lines. If they be written, not only from the left hand to the right, but also from the right hand to the left, as in the Eastern languages, or from the top to the bottom, and so upward again, as is commonly related to be usual amongst the inhabitants of Taprobana in the South-sea, Dioder. Sic, Biblioth. lib. 2. with those in China and Japan. Herman. Hugo de orig. Scrib. cap. 8. According to this following example. e r f d l e e l l To i e To Oh Oh s w i i h l s u u h h s n To e p h Oh To Oh a v c s p p a h To To l To r h e u n To h e l s e To s s d i e l n g a Oh To y s w s b Oh n s d i d p e i a To Oh e c l e e g e e b m a n e In the reading of which, if you begin at the first letter towards the right hand, and so downwards, and then upwards again; you may find these words expressed. The pestilence doth still increase amongst 〈◊〉, we shall not be able to hold out the siege without fresh and speedy supply. 2. A man may obscure the sense of his writing, 2 By transposing the letters. by transposing each letter according to some unusual order. As suppose the first letter should be at the latter end of the line, the second at the beginning, or the like. 3. The meaning of any written message may be concealed, 3 By transposing both the lines and letters. by altering the order both of the letters and the lines together. As if a man should write each letter in two several lines, thus. Tcoliraclmsfmsesplvoweutel hsudesralotaihd, upysremsyid The soldiers are almost femished, Supply 〈◊〉, or we must yield. This way may be yet further obscured by placing them in * Or as many more as the length of the epistle shall require. four lines, and after any discontinuate order. As suppose that the first letter be in the beginning of the first line, the second in the beginning of the fourth line; the third, in the end of the first; the fourth in the end of the fourth; the fifth, in the beginning of the second line; the sixth, in the beginning of the third; the seventh in the end of the second; the eight, in the end of the third, and so of the rest. As in this example. Wmrpitahhscteinpke hathfonoihkftoenil a noerrocgttthmnurl Eavomhteinlenettes Which in its resolution is this. We shall make an irruption upon the enemy from the North at ten of the clock this night. This way will yet seem more obscure, Walchius Fab. 9 if each line be severed into such words as may seem barbarous. All these kinds may be varied unto divers other more intricate transpositions, according as a man's fancy or occasion shall lead him. CHAP. VII. Concerning secret writing with equal letters, by changing their powers. The use of this amongst the Jews and Romans. The Key-character. AS a written message may be concealed by changing the places of the letters, so likewise by changing of their Powers, putting one of them for another, as suppose L for A, and A for L or the like. Schickard in Be●●●nath. Answerable to that kind of Cabalism in the Jewish learning, which the rabbis call {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} or Combinatio, Haperus. Disp l 4. when the letters of the Alphabet are severally transposed, Glassi●● Phil●log. l 2. part. 1. tract. ●● sect. 3 act 7. and taken one for another, after any known order. Of which there be as many kinds, as there may be several combinations of the letters. But amongst the rest, they observe two of more frequent use. The first is styled from the four first correspondent letters {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Albam: in which they are thus opposite to one another. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} The other is from the same reason called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Athbash, wherein the letters are thus mutually opposed {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Both these kinds of secret writing the Jewish Doctors think to be frequently used by the sacred penmen of holy writ, amongst whom the Prophet Isaiah and Jeremiah, are observed to be of more especial note for their skill in cabalisms. By the first of these combinations called Albam, that place of Isaiah 7. 6. is usually interpreted; where there is a person mentioned under the unknown name of {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Tabeal, whom the Prophet affirms to aspire unto the crown of Judah, meaning by a secret transmutation of the letters {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Remaliah the King of Israel, whom he was loath more expressly to nominate. And therefore he veils it by this kind of secrecy, instead of {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} writing the letter above it {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}; for {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the correspondent letter {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, and so {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} for {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, and {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} for {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Which being joined together, do make {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, instead of {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. By the second of these combinations called Athbash, is that place Ierem. 51. 1. translated: where by the original, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Cor insurgentium contra me, is meant {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the Chaldeans; And therefore both the Targum and the Septuagint do unanimously translate it so, as if in their version of it, they had chiefly respected unto this kind of Cabalis●●e. It●m ca. 25. ● 26. vide Hieron. come. in eundem locum. So likewise in 41. verse of the same Chapter, by the feigned name of {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} is meant {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} This way of secret writing, S●●ton, in vit● ejus. Aul. Gelli●● N●ct. A●u●. lib. 17. c. 9 hath been also in use amongst the ancient Romans; Thus Sueto●ius relates of Julius Caesar, when he would convey any private business, he did usually write it, per quartam elementorum literam, that is D for A, E for B. and so of the rest. After this order. Defghiklmnopqrstuwxyzabc. abcdefghiklmnopqrstuwxyz. Hasten unto me. Ldwxhq yqxr ph. And the same author reports of Octavius Augustus, that in the writing of his secrets, he did Secundum elementum proprii loc● substituere, set down the second letter for the first, as B for A, C for B, and for A a double xx. But now, because such an Epistle might be easily unfolded, being altogether written by the same way, therefore this kind of secrecy, hath by later invention, been further obscured, by writing each several word or line, or letter, by a divers Alphabet. For the performance of this, two friends must beforehand by compact, agree upon some certain form of words, that may be instead of a key, serving both to close, and to unlock the writing; which words would be less discoverable, if they be barbarous and of no signification. But for the easier apprehending of this, I shall explain it in an example. Suppose the key agreed upon, were only this one word Prudentia. Having first framed several Alphabets according to each of its letters: Thus, A bc def ghi klm nop qrs tuw xyz P qr stv wxy zab cde fgh ikl mno R Saint uwx yza bcd efg hik lmn opq V wx yza bcd efg hik lmn opq rst D ef ghi klm nop qrs tuw xyz abc E fg hik lmn opq rst uwx yza bcd N op qrs tuw xyz abc def ghi klm To uw xyz abc def ghi klm nop qrs I kl mno pqr stu wxy zab cde fgh A bc def ghi klm nop qrs tuw xyz I may write each line or word, or letter, according as the order of these Alphabets shall direct. As in these examples. 1. In the lines. Ixt hdk asytgh bkiycn Xfis nrel fx matlmrck; npkkfs pn, im oczs qdff uhy rox xr xlh hqmpmh. 2. In the words. Ix● kfmcuawik gpodhs iru acry bs oiwnotem; bdyytg us, dg lzwp qdff uhyrox is gur ygcfcy. 3. In the letters. Izz wshemit in pzgcwy Ufm zean xf kaxxznebr skgkoc him, xr izzb awet rtm iox gh cht whmqwy. Which examples being unfolded, do each of them express this inward meaning. The soldier's mutiny for want of victuals; Supply us, or they will Revolt to the enemy. These ways may be yet further obscured, if the first Alphabet, (according to which the rest are described) be contrived after any mixed order. As suppose instead of the ordinary A b c, &c. there be written these letters after this manner. Rzkmpseblauftcygwhxoqind. And then will they be liable to all those other differences of secrecy, that are usually invented by the wheel-character, which you may see largely described by Porta. There may be divers other ways to this purpose, but by these you may sufficiently discern the nature of the rest. CHAP. VIII. Of secret writing by more letters than are requisite to the intended meaning. THe diffe●●●t kinds of secrecy by equal letters have been already handled. The next particular to be discussed, is concerning the ways of hiding any private sense, under more letters than are required to the words of it. Of which kind there may be divers particulars, some of them in use amongst the ancients. 1. A writing may be so contrived, that only one letter in a verse shall be significant. Sibylla Erythr●●. As it was in those remarkable acrostics made by a sibyl concerning our Saviour: where the letters at the beginning of each verse, being put together, made up these words, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Jesus Christ the son of God ● Saviour. The translation of these you may see in St. Augustine de Civit. Bed● lib. de 〈◊〉 Dei lib. 18. cap. 23. And the original are mentioned by Ludevic●● Vive●, in his notes upon that place. According unto this, doth Plaut● contrive the name ●f his Comedies in the first letters of their arguments. But this way is so ordinary in practice, that it needs not any further explication. 2. The inward sense hath likewise been conveyed by some single letters of several words in the same verse. As in that common distich. Mitto tibi caput Veneris, Vale. ventremque DiAnae Latronisque caput, posteriorae can E. 3. Sometimes one letter in each word was only significant. By which way of secret expression, the Holy-Ghost (say the rabbis) hath purposely involved many sacred mysteries in Scripture. When these significant letters were at the beginning of each word, the Cabalists, in their learning, called such an implicit writing {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Capita dictionum. When they were at the latter end, than was it styled {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Fi●es dictionum. Both being reckoned as species of that Cabalism which they called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Notaricon, imposed by some later rabbis from the Latin word Notari●. The capital letters. Of the first sort, is that collection from those eminent words, Gen. 49. 10. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Shilo shall come, and in him, &c. where the capital letters make up the word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Iesu. So Psal. 73. 17 {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} His Name shall continue, and in him shall be blessed, &c. which place does expressly treat concerning the Messi●s his name, and therefore seems unto the Jews, to be of strong consequence for the proof of Christianity. For so much is that Nation befooled in their absurd dotage, upon these trivial literal collections, that a reason of this nature is of greater force unto them, than the most evident, solid demonstration that may be urged. Ludovicus Carret a famous Jew, Lib. Vis●●● Divi●●●●. Physician to the French King, being himself converted, and writing an Epistle to this purpose, unto those of his own nation, he does chiefly insist upon the arguments of this kind, as being in his opinion of greatest efficacy to prove the truth of Christian Religion. Of the other sort is that passage Gen. 1. 1. The final letters. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} where the final letters make up the word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} or Truth. Which kind of Cabalism is six times repeated in the history of the Creation. As if Moses by such an artificial contrivance of the letters at the beginning of his writings, did purposely commend unto our belief his following books. Unto this David is thought to allude Psal. 119. 160. The beginning of thy word is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Truth. Of this nature likewise is that observation from Exod. 3. 13. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. when they shall say unto me, what is his name, &c. Where the final letters answer {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Jehovah. It were an easy matter for a man that had leisure and patience for such inquiries, to find out sundry arguments of this kind, for any purpose. 4. There is another way of hiding any secret sense under an ordinary epistle, Cardau de subtle. lib. 17. by having a* plate with certain holes in it, Porta de furt.. lib. 2, cap. 18. through which (being laid upon the paper) a man may write those letters or words, Such as Printers use when they are to 〈◊〉 diverse red letters amongst the black. that serve to express the inward sense; the other spaces being afterwards filled up with such other words, as in their conjunction to these former, shall contain some common unspected business. 5. There is also another intricate way to this purpose, much insisted on by* Iritemius, Porta and Selenus. When each usual word or form of an epistle, is varied to as many differences as there are letters, unto which they must all of them be severally assigned. But these two latter inventions (though they be of great secrecy, yet) because they require so much labour and trouble in the writer, I shall therefore pass them over without any further enlargement. CHAP. ix.. Of concealing any written sense under barbarous words, and such as shall not seem to be of any signification. How all the letters may be expressed by any five, t●ree, or two of them. Of writing with a double Alphabet. How from these two last ways together, there may be contrived the best kind of secret writing: ALL the ways of secrecy by more letters, already specified, do make the writing appear under some other sense, than what is intended, and so consequently are more free from suspicion: There are likewise some other inventions to express any inward sense by barbarous words, wherein only the first, and middle, and last letters shall be significant. As in this example. Fildy, fagodur wyndeeldrare disc ogure rantibrad. Which in its resolution is no more than this. Fly for we are discovered. To this purpose likewise is that other way of expressing the whole Alphabet, by any five, or three, or two of the letters repeated. And though such a writing, to ordinary appearance, will seem of no signification at all, and so may seem of less use; Yet because a right apprehension of these ways, may conduce to the explication of some other particulars that follow, it will not be amiss therefore to set them down more distinctinly. All the letters may be expressed by any five of them doubled. Suppose ABCDE. A aa B ab C ac D ad E ae F ba G bb H bc I bd K be L ca M cb N cc O cd P ce Q da R db S dc T dd V de W ea X Ebb Y ec Z ed & ee According to which, these words, I am betrayed, may be thus described. Bd aacb abaedddbaaccaead. Three letters being transposed through three places do give sufficient difference, whereby to express the whole Alphabet. A aaa B aab C aac D baa E bba F bbb G bbc H caa I cca K ccb L ccc M aba N abb O abc P aca Q acb R acc S bca T bcb V bcc W bab X cba Y cbb Z cbc & bac Hasten unto me. Caa aaa bca bcb bba abb bcc abb bcb abc aba bba. Two letters of the Alphabet, The whole Alphabet expressed by any two letters in five places. being transposed through five places, will yield thirty two differences, and so will more than serve for the four and twenty letters. Unto which they may be thus applied. A. aaaaa. B. aaaab. C. aaaba. D. aaabb. E. aabaa. F. aabab. G. aabba. H. aabbb. I. abaaa. K. abaab. L. ababa. M. abaab. N. abbaa. O. abbab. P. abbba. Q. abbbb. R. baaaa. S. baaab. T. baaba. V. baabb. W. babaa. X. babab. Y. babba. Z. babbb. aababababababba aaaaababaaaaaaababba. f l y a w a y There is yet another way of secrecy by more letters than are naturally required to the inward sense, Writing by a double Alphabet. if we write with a double Alphabet, wherein each letter shall in the fashion of it, bear some such small distinction from the other of the same kind, as is usual in common, mixed writing. For Example. The first Alphabet. Aa. Bb. Cc. Dd. Ee. Ff. Gg. Hh. Ii. Kk. Ll. Mm. Nn. Oo. Pp. Qq Rr. Sss. Tt. Vuv. Ww. Xx. Yy. Zz The second Alphabet Aa. Bb. Cc. Ddd. Ee. Ff. Gg. Hh Ii. Kk. Ll. Mm. Nn. Oo. Pp. Qq. Rr. Sss. Tt. Vuv. Ww. Xx. Yy. Zz 1. Write an Epistle of an ordinary matter, or (if it be needful) contrary to what you intend. Let the body of it consist chiefly of the first Alphabet, only inserting (as you have occasion) such letters of the second, as may express that inward meaning which you would reveal to a confederate. For example, from those that are besieged. We prosper still in our affairs and shall (without having any further help) endure the siege. In which clause, the letters of the second Alphabet are only significant, expressing this inward sense. We perish with hunger help us. But because the differences betwixt these two Alphabets may seem more easily discoverable, since they are both generally of the same kind; the letters of the second being all of them more round and full than the other; Therefore for their better secrecy in this particular, it were safer to mix them both by compact, that they might not, in themselves, be distinguishable. Now if this kind of writing, The best way of secret writing. be mixed with the latter way of Secrecy, by two letters transposed through five places; Bacon. A gment. scient. l. 6. cap. 8. we may then write omnia per omnia, which (as a learned man speaks) is the highest degree of this Cyphering. For supposing each letter of the first Alphabet to be instead of the letter A●, and those of the other for B, we may easily inscribe any secret sense in any ordinary letter, only by a quintuple proportion of the writing, infolding to the writing enfolded. As for example. All things do happen according to our desires, the particulars you shall understand when we meet at the appointed time and place of which you must not fail by any means The success of our affairs does much depend upon the meeting that we have agreed upon. The involved meaning of which clause is this. Fly, for we are discovered, I am forced to write this. If you suppose each letter of the first Alphabet to be instead of A, and those of the second for B, then will the former clause be equivalent to this following description. F Aabab l ababa y babba f aabab o abbab r baaaa which babaa e aabaa e aabaa a aaaaa r baaaa e aabaa d aaabb i abaaa s baaab c aaaba o abbab v baabb e aabaa r baaaa e aabaa d, aaabb ay abaaa a aaaaa m ababb f aabab o abbab r baaaa c aaaba e aabaa d aaabb t baaba o abbab w babaa r baaaa i abaaa t baaba e aabaa t baaba h aabbb i abaaa s. baaab. This way of secrecy may be serviceable for such occasions as these. Suppose a man were taken captive, he may by this means discover to his friends the secrets of the enemy's Camp, under the outward form of a letter persuading them to yield. Or suppose such a man were forced by his own hand writing to betray his cause and party, though the words of it in common appe●rance m●y express what the enemy does desire; yet the involved meaning, (which shall be legible only to his confederates) may contain any thing else, which he has a mind to discover to them. As in the former example. But now if there be a threefold Alphabet, (as is easy to contrive,) than the inward writing will bear unto the outward but a triple proportion, which will be much more convenient for enlarging of the private intimations. And this way of writing is justly to be preferred before any of the other, as contauning in it more eminently, all those conditions that are desirable in such kind of inventions. As, 1. 'Tis not very laborious, either to write or read. 2. 'Tis very difficult to be deciphered by the enemy. 3. 'Tis void of suspicion. But by the way, 'tis to be generally observed, that the mixture of divers kinds of secret writing together (as suppose this with the key-character) will make the inward sense to be much more intricate and perplexed. CHAP. 10. Of writing any secret sense, by fewer letters than are required to the words of it. The use of this amongst the Jews and Romans. AS the sense may be obscured, by writing it with more letters, then are required to the words of it, so likewise by fewer. Abbreviations have been anciently used in all the learned languages, especially in common forms, and phrases of frequent use. Sometimes by contracting words, when some parts of them did stand for the whole. Buxtorf. de Abbreviat. in in●tio. So in the Hebrew {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} for {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} et totumillud, which is all one with our et caetera &c. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} for {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Secundum dicere, equivalent to our viz. or v. g. verbi gratia. So likewise in the Greek {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} for {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, and {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} for {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. And in the Latin D ns for Dominus, aa for Anima, and the like. But these were rather for the speed of writing then the secrecy. Sometimes words were expressed only by their first letters. Thus did the Jews write all their memorials, and common forms, which are largely handled by Buxiorfe. Ibid. Hence was it, that their Captain Judas had his name of Maccaby. For being to fight against Antiochus, he gave that saying for his watchword, Ex. 15. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Who is like unto thee (O Lord) amongst the Gods? inscribing in his ensigns the capital letters of it; {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Macabi. Whereupon after the victory, the soldiers styled their captain by that name. 'Tis observed by the rabbis, that many grand mysteries are this way implied in the words of Scripture. Thus, where it is said, Psalm. 3. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Many rise up against me: 'tis interpreted from the several letters, Resh the Romans, Beth the Babylonians, Iod the Jonians or Grecians, man the Medes. Answerable unto which, that place in Gen. 49. 10. (speaking of Shilo, unto whom {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the gathering of the people shall be) is by another rabbi applied to the Jews, Christians, Heathens, and Turks. Upon these grounds likewise, is that argument to prove the Trinity, from the first verse of Genesis. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. The word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Elohim, being of the plural number, is thought to be that divine name, which denoteth the persons of the deity; which persons are more particularly intimated in the letters of the verb {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, that answers unto it: {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Beth being put for {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the Son, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Resh for {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the Holy Ghost, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Aleph for {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the Father. And if you will believe the Jews, the Holy spirit hath purposely involved in the words of Scripture, every secret that belongs to any Art or Science, under such Cabalisms as these. And if a man were but expert in unfolding of them, it were easy for him to get as much knowledge as Adam had in his innocency, or human nature is capable of. These kind of mysterious interpretations from particular letters do seem to be somewhat favoured, by God's addition of the letter {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} unto the name of Abram and Sara, Gen. 17. 5. 15. upon the renewing of his covenant with them: which in all likelihood was not without some secret mystery. That being the chief letter of the Tetragrammaton, might perhaps intimate that amongst their other posterity, with the promise of which he had then blessed them, they should also be the parents of the Messiah, who was Jehovah. This likewise others have confirmed from the example of Christ, Vide Tertul. l b. de praescr. c. 50 who calls himself Alpha & Omega. Revel. 1. 8. But though such conjectures may be allowable in some particulars; yet to make all Scriptures capable of the like secrets, does give such a latitude to men's roving & corrupt fancies, as must needs occasion many wild and strange absurdities. Iren. lib. 1. cap. 13. And therefore Irenae●s does fitly observe, that from such idle collections as these, many heresies of the Valentinians and gnostics had their first beginnings. As this way of short writing by the first letters, was of ancient use amongst the Jews, so likewise amongst the Romans: which appears from many of their contractions yet remaining, as S. P. D. Salutem plurimam dicit. S. P. Q. R. Senatus populusque Romanus. CR. Civis Romanus. VC. urbs condita. And the like. These single letters were called Siglae, per Syncopen, from the obsolete word Sigillae, whence Sigillatim. They were usually inscribed in their coins, statues, arms, monuments, and public records. Lib. de litter. antiquis. You may see them largely treated of by Valerius Probus, where he affirms the study of them to be very necessary, As it is se● forth by Jacobus Maz●chius for one that would understand the Roman affairs. His enim exprimebant nomina Curiarum, Tribuum, Comitiorum, Sacerdotiorum, Potestatum, Magistratuum, Praefecturarum, Sacrorum ludorum, Rerum urbanarum, rerum militarium, Collegiorum, Decuriarum, Fastorum, Numerorum, Mensurarum, Iuris civilis, & similium. They were first used by the Notaries at Senates and other public assemblies, and from thence retained in their Statutes & civil laws: Whence Manilius makes it the note of a good Lawyer. — Qui legum tabulas & condita jura Noverit, atque notis levibus pendentia verba. Thus (saith Isidor) (A) inversed ● did formerly stand for pupilla, Isidor. and M inversed ● for mulier. Bibliand. de ratione come. ling. By these letters DERICP, is signified De eare ita censuerunt patres. When the Judges were to inscribe their several opinions on a little stone or Tessera, Pet. Cri●it. Honest. D●sc. lib. 6. cap. 8. to be cast into the urn, by the note A, they did absolve, by * From the Greek. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} K condemn; by N. L. Non liquet, they did intimate that they could not tell what to make of the business, and did therefore suspend their judgements. But because of those many ambiguities, which this contracted way of writing was liable unto, and the great inconveniences that might happen thereupon in the misinterpretation of laws: therefore the Emperor Justinian did afterwards severely forbid any further use of them, as it were, calling in all those Law books that were so written. Lib. 1. Cod. Tit. 17. leg. 1. 2. Neque enim licentiam aperimus ex tali codice in judicium aliquid recitari. The chief purpose of these ancient Abbreviations amongst the Romans, was properly for their speed. But it is easy to apprehend, how by compact, they may be contrived also for Secrecy. CHAP. 11. Of writing by invented Characters. The distinction of these into such as signify either letters. words. notions. The general rules of unfolding and obscuring any letter-characters. How to express any sense, either by points, or lines, or figures. BEsides the ways of Secret writing by the common letters; there may likewise be divers others by invented notes. The difference of characters, whereby several languages are expressed, is part of the second general curse in the confusion of tongues. For as before there was but one way of speaking, so also but one way of writing. And as now, not only nations, but particular men, may discover their thoughts by any different articulate sounds, so likewise by any written signs. These invented characters in the general, are distinguishable into such as signify either 1 Letters. 2 Words. 3 Things, and notions. First, The letter character. concerning those that signify letters. To which kind, some learned men refer the Hebrew character that is now in use: Hieronym. praef. ad lib. Regum. Affirming that Ezra first invented it, thereby the better to conceal the secrets of their Law, Joseph. Scal. notis ad Euseb. and that they might not have so much as their manner of writing common with the Samaritans & other schismatics. 'Twere but needless to set down any particulars of this kind, since it is so easy for any ordinary man to invent or vary them at pleasure. The rules that are usually prescribed for the unfolding of such characters, are briefly these. 1 Endeavour to distinguish betwixt the vowels and consonants. The vowels may be known by their frequency, there being no word without some of them. If there be any single character in English, it must be one of these three vowels, a. i. o. 2 Search after the several powers of the letters. For the understanding of this, you must mark which of them are most common, and which more seldom used. (This the Printers in any language can easily inform you of, who do accordingly provide their sets of letters.) Which of them may be doubled, and which not, as H. Q. X. Y. And then for the number of vowels or consonants in the beginning, middle, or end of words, a man must provide several tables, whence he may readily guess at any word, from the number and nature of the letters that make it. As what words consist only of vowels; what have one vowel and one consonant, whether the vowel be first. As in these words. Am. an. as. if. in. is. it. of. on or. us. Or last, as in these words. Be. he. me. by. dy. lie. my. ty. do. to. so. &c. And so for all other words according to their several quantities and natures. These tables must be various according to the difference of languages. There are divers the like rules to be observed, which are too tedious to recite. You may see them largely handled by Baptista Porta, and Gustavus Selenus. The common rules of unfolding being once known, In these cases orthography is nol to be regarded a man may the better tell how to delude them. Either by leaving out those letters that are of less use, as H. K. Q. X. Y. and putting other characters instead of them, that shall signify the vowels: So that the number of this invented Alphabet will be perfect, and the vowels, by reason of their double character, less distinguishable. Or a man may likewise delude the rules of discovery, by writing continuately, without any distinction betwixt the words, or with a false distinction, or by inserting nulls and non-significants, &c. These Characters are besides liable to all those other ways, whereby the common letters may be obscured, whether by changing their places, or their powers. The particulars of this kind may be of such great variety as cannot be distinctly recited. But it is the grand inconvenience of all these ways of secrecy by invented Characters, that they are not without suspicion. For the remedying of which, there have been some other inventions of writing by points, or lines, or figures; wherein a man would never mistrust any private message: there being nothing to be discerned in these kinds of intimation, but only, either some confused, and casual, or else some mathematical descriptions. As you may see in these following examples. By points alone. scattered dots scattered lines Each of which figures do express these words. There is no safety but by flight. The direction both for the making and unfolding of these descriptions, is this. Let the Alphabet be described at equal distances, upon some thin and narrow Plate, pasteboard, or the like, thus. A b c d e f g h i k l m n Oh p q r s To u w X Y Z Let the sides of the Paper which you are to write upon, be secretly divided into equal parts, according to the breadth of the Plate: and then by application of this to the Epistle, it is easy to conceive, how such a writing may be both composed and resolved. The Points, the ends of the Lines, and the Angles of the figures do each of them by their different situations, express a several letter. This may likewise be otherwise performed, if the Alphabet be contrived in a Triangular form, the middle part of it being cut out. The larger these Directories are, by so much the less liable unto error will the writing be, that is described from them. It is easy to apprehend, Ioh Walchius fab. 9 by these particulars, how a man may contrive any private saying in the form of a landscape or other picture. There may be divers the like ways whereby this invention of secrecy may be further obscured; but they are in themselves so obvious, that they need not any larger explication. CHAP. 12. Of Characters that express words. The first invention of these. Of those that signify things and notions, as hieroglyphics, emblems. THe next particular to be discoursed of, is concerning Characters that express words. The writing by these, is properly styled stenography, or shorthand, Cent. 1. ad Belg. Epist. 27. Scripturae compendium, cum verba non perscribimus sed signamus, saith Lypsius. The art of them is to contrive such figures for several syllables, as may easily be joined together in one form, according as different words shall require. Thus 'tis ordinary, to represent any proper name, by some such unusual character, as may contain in it all the letters of that name for which it is intended. Of this nature was that angular figure, so much used by the Grecians of old: Schikard. Happer. Disp. 5. which might be resolved into the letters {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. This mark was esteemed so sacred amongst the Ancients, that Antiochus Soter, a perpetual conqueror, did always instamp it upon his coin, and inscribe it on his ensigns; unto which he did pretend to be admonished in a dream, by an apparition of Alexander the great. And there are many superstitious women in these times, who believe this to be so lucky a character, that they always work it upon the swaddling clothes of their young children, thinking thereby to make them more healthful and prosperous in their lives. Unto this kind also, some refer the characters that are used in magic, which are maintained to have, not only a secret signification, but likewise a natural efficacy. This shorthand writing, is now so ordinary in practice (it being usual for any common mechanic both to write and invent it) that I shall not need to set down any particular example of it. In ancient times, it was not so frequently used: And therefore Pancerollus reckons it amongst these later inventions, lib. de Repert. tit. 14. But then there was a twofold kind of it. Private. Public. These private characters were practised by the Roman Magistrates, and others of eminent favour amongst them: Who being often importuned to write in the commendation of those persons they knew not, were fain to agree upon some secret notes, whereby their serious Epistles, might be distinguished from those of form. Casaubon. notis in Aene. Poliorcet. cap. 31. Whence the proverb arose, De meliori nota commendare. The other characters of public and common use, are many of them explained by Valerius Probus in his book de literis antiquis. De notis Tyronis & Senec. And there is a whole Volume or Dictionary of them, set forth by Janus Gruterus. From the practice of these came the word Notarius, as Saint a De doct. Christ. lib. 2 cap. 26. Austin observes. The first invention of them is commonly ascribed to Tyro, who was a servant unto Cicero. So b In Chron. Eusebius, and c De invent. rerum lib. 2 cap. 8. De Polygr. Polyd. Virgil. But Trithemius affirms that Cicero himself writ a Treatise on this subject, which was afterwards augmented by Saint Cyprian. And that he had found in an old Library, the copy of a Psalter, written in these characters, inscribed by some ignorant man, with this title: Psalterium in linguâ Armenicâ. That Cicero was not unacquainted with these notes, may be evident from that passage to Atticus: Lib. 13. ad Attic. cp. 32 Quod ad te de legatis scripsi, parum intellexit, credo quia {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} scripseram. Pet. Diaconus attributes the first invention of these, Prolog. not. Conrad. Imp. Isidor. Orig. lib. 1. c. 21. to the old Poet Ennius; whose beginnings in this kind, did afterwards receive successive addition, from the works of Tyro, Philargirus, Aquila, and Seneca the Father, by whom they were increased to the number of 5000. De Orig. scribendi, c. 18. juxta finem. But Hermannus Hugo, a late Jesuit, will have this shorthand writing to be of far more ancient use; affirming that David alludes to the practice of it, in that phrase, Psal. 45. 1. The pen of a ready writer. And that the writing upon the wall in Daniel 5. 25. which so puzzled the Chaldean Wizards, was described in such kind of Characters. But whether this were so or not, is not much material: It is sufficiently pertinent to the present enquiry; that the use of these word-characters may well enough conduce to the secrecy of any written message. The third and last sort of signs, that have been anciently used for the expression of things and notions, are either hieroglyphics or emblems. 1 Concerning hieroglyphics. Of hieroglyphics. The word signifies sacred sculptures, which were engraven upon Pillars, Obelisces, pyramids, and other monuments before the invention of letters. Thus the Egyptians were wont to express their minds, Tacit. Annal. lib. 11. by the pictures of such creatures, as did bear in them some natural resemblance to the thing intended. By the shape of a Bee they represented a King, Polyd. Vir. de Invent. lib. 3. c. 11. intimating that he should be endowed with Industry, Honey, and a Sting. By a Serpent with his tail in his mouth, the year, which returns into itself. And (which was a kind of prophetical hieroglyphic) by the sign of a cross they did anciently denote spem venturae salutis, De honesta disciplinâ, lib. 7. cap. 2 or vitam aeternam, as Pet. Crinitus relates out of Ruffinus. * Lib. de vita Mosis. Philo reckons up the knowledge of these, amongst those other abstruse Egyptian Arts, wherein Moses is said to be so expert. And Clemens relates of Pythagoras, Lib. 1. Stromat. how he was content to be circumcised, that so he might be admitted to the understanding of those many and great mysteries, which were this way delivered by the ancient Priests, who did conceal all their Learning under such kind of magical expressions, Lucan. l. 3. as the Poet styles them. Nondum flumineas Memphis contexere byblos Noverat, & saxis tantùm volucresque feraeque▪ Sculptaque servabant magicas animalia ling●as. Plutarch speaks of a Temple in Egypt dedicated to Minerva, Libro de Isid. & Osiride. in the front of which, there was placed the image of an Infant, an old man, a hawk, by which they did represent God, a Fish the expression of hatred, and a Sea-horse, the common hieroglyphic of Impudence. The construction of all being this, O ye that are born to die, know that God hateth Impudence. Of this nature were those presents sent unto Darius, Herodot. when he was almost wearied in his war against the Scythians: Melpom. l. 4 cap. 130. which were a Bird, Clem. Alex. Strom. 5. a Mouse, a Frog, and certain Arrows: Intimating that unless the Persians could fly as Birds, or hide themselves under water as Frogs, or inhabit the caverns of the earth as Mice, they should not escape the Scythian Arrows. Of this kind likewise were some military signs amongst the Romans. When any thing was to be carried with silence and secrecy, they lifted up the representation of a Minotaur, Pie●ius Hieroglyph. l. 3 cap. 38. thereby teaching the Captains, that their counsels and contrivances must be as inextricable as a Labyrinth, which is feigned to be the habitation of that Monster. 2 Like unto these hieroglyphics, are the expressions by Emblems. Emblems from the Greek word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, interserere, injicere. They were usually inserted as ornaments, upon vessels of gold, and other matters of state or pleasure. Of this nature are the stamps of many ancient medals, the Impresses of arms, the frontispieces of Books, &c. The kinds of them are chiefly twofold. 1 natural, which are grounded upon some resemblance in the property and essence of the things themselves. So a Dolphin which is a swift creature, being described upon an Anchor, which serves for the stay and rest of a Ship, signifies Festina-lentè, Deliberation in counsel, and Dispatch in execution. A young stork carrying the old one, filial gratitude. 2 historical, Those that refer to some common relation. So the picture of Prometheus gnawed by a Vulture, signifies the desert of overmuch curiosity. Phaeton, the folly of rashness. Narcissus the punishment of self-love. It was formerly esteemed a great sign of wit and invention, handsomely to convey any noted saying, under such kind of expressions. CHAP. 13. Concerning an universal Character, that may be legible to all nations and languages. The benefit, and possibility of this. AFter the fall of Adam, there were two general curses inflicted on mankind: The one upon their labours; the other upon their language. Against the first of these, we do naturally endeavour to provide, by all those common Arts and Professions, about which the World is busied: seeking thereby to abate the sweat of their brows in the earning of their bread. Against the other, the best help, that we can yet boast of, is the Latin tongue, and the other learned languages, which by reason of their generality, do somewhat restore us from the first confusion. But now, if there were such an universal character, to express things and notions, as might be legible to all people and countries, so that men of several Nations might with the same ease, both write and read it; this invention would be a far greater advantage in this particular, and mightily conduce to the spreading and promoting of all Arts and Sciences: Because that great part of our time, which is now required to the Learning of words, might then be employed in the study of things. Nay, the confusion at Babel might this way have been remedied, if every one could have expressed his own meaning by the same kind of Character. But then perhaps the art of Letters was not invented. That such a manner of writing is already used in some parts of the World, the kingdoms of the high Levant, may evidently appear from divers credible Relations. Histor. Sinens. lib. 1. cap. 5. Trigaultius affirms, that though those of China and Japan do as much differ in their language, Bacon Augment. Sciēt. lib. 6. c. 1. Voss. ●r. li. 1. cap. 41. Herm. Hugo de orig. scrib. c. 4. as the Hebrew and the Dutch, yet either of them can, by this help of a common character, as well understand the books and letters of the others, as if they were only their own. And for some particulars, this general kind of writing is already attained amongst us also. 1 Many Nations do agree in the characters of the common numbers, describing them, either the Roman way by letters; as 1. 11. V. X. C. D. M. or else the Barbarian way by figures, as 1. 2. 3. 10. &c. So likewise for that which we call philosophical number, which is any such measure, whereby we judge the differences betwixt several substances, whether in weight, or length, or capacity: Each of these are expressed in several languages by the same character. Thus ● signifies a Scruple, 3 a drachma, and so of the rest. 2 The Astronomers of several Countries do express both the heavenly signs, & Planets, & Aspects by the same kind of notes. As, ♈, ♉, ♊, ♋, &c. ♄, ♃, ♂, ♀, &c. ☌, ⚹, △, □, ☍. Which characters (as it is thought) were first invented by the ancient Astrologers for the secrecy of them, the better to conceal their sacred and mysterious profession from vulgar capacity. 3 The chemical Treatises that are written in different languages do all of them agree in the same form of writing their Minerals. Those that are attributed to any of the Planets are deciphered by the character of the Planet to which they belong. The rest by other particular signs, as △ for Salt Ammoniack, ☍ for arsenic, &c. 4 musical notes in most Countries are the same. Nor is there any reason why there may not be such a general kind of writing invented for the expression of every thing else as well as these particulars. In the contrivance of this there must be as many several characters as there are primitive words. To which purpose, the Hebrew is the best pattern, because that language consists of fewest Radicalls. Each of these primitives must have some particular marks to distinguish the cases, conjugations, or other necessary variations of those derivatives that depend upon it. In the reading of such a writing, though men of several Countries should each of them differ in their voices, and pronounce several words, yet the sense would be still the same. As it is in the picture of a man, a horse, or tree, which to all Nations do express the same conceit, though each of these creatures be styled by several names, according to the difference of languages. Suppose that astronomical sign ♉ were to be pronounced, a Jew would call it {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}; A Grecian {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}; An Italian Toro; A Frenchman Taureau; A German Stier; An Englishman a Bull. So likewise for that character, which in Tyro's notes, signifies the world, A Jew would read it {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}; A Grecian {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}; An Italian, il mondo; A French man, le monde; A German, Belt. Though several Nations may differ in the expression of things, yet they all agree in the same conceit of them. The learning of this character will not be more difficult, than the learning of any one Language, because there needs not be more signs for the expression of things, than there is now for the expression of words. Amongst those in China and Japan, there is said to be about seven or eight thousand. The perfecting of such an invention were the only way to unite the seventy two Languages of the first confusion: And therefore may very well deserve their endeavours, who have both abilities and leisure for such kind of inquiries. CHAP. 14. Concerning the third way of secret discoursing, by signs and gestures, which may signify either ex congruo. placito. THe third way of discoursing was by signs and gestures, which (as they are serviceable to this purpose) may be distinguished into such as are significant, either 1 Ex congruo. 2 Or, ex placito. 1 Ex congruo, when there is some natural resemblance and affinity, betwixt the action done, and the thing to be expressed. Of which kind, are all those outward gestures, whereby not only dumb creatures; but men also do express their inward passions, whether of joy, anger, fear, &c. For, Saepe tacens vocem verbaque vultus habet. And the Wiseman notes it of the scorner, Prov. 6. 13. that he winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers. Of this kind likewise are many religious actions, and circumstances of divine worship, not only amongst the ancient Heathen; but some that were particularly enjoined the Priests and Levites of the old Law, and some too, that are now in use, in these times of the gospel. For by such bodily gestures and signs, we may as well speak unto God, as unto men. To this kind also are reducible, those actions of form, that are required as necessary circumstances, in many civil affairs, and public solemnities; which are usually such, as in themselves are apt to signify the thing for which they are meant. But now, sometimes the intended meaning of these gestures is concealed under a secret similitude. As it was in that act of Thrasybulus, who being consulted with, how to maintain a tyranny, that was newly usurped: he bid the messenger attend him in the field, wherewith his wand he whipped off those higher ears of corn that did overtop the rest; intimating, that it consisted in cutting off the peers, and nobility, who were likely to be most impatient of subjection. This I may call a parabolical way of speaking by Gestures. 2 Ex placito, when these signs have their signification from use and mutual compact; which kind of speaking, as it refers to lascivious intimations, is largely handled by Ovid. de Arte Amandi: Verba superciliis sine voce loquentia dicam, Verba leges digitis, &c. By the help of this it is common for men of several Nations, who understand not one another's Languages, to entertain a mutual commerce and traffic. And 'tis a strange thing to behold, what Dialogues of gestures there will pass betwixt such as are borne both deaf and dumb; who are able by this means alone, to answer and reply unto one another as directly, as if they had the benefit of speech. 'Tis a great part of the state and majesty, belonging to the Turkish Emperor, that he is attended by Mutes, with whom he may discourse concerning any private business, which he would not have others to understand. It were a miserable thing, for a rational soul, to be imprisoned in such a body, as had no way at all to express its cogitations: which would be so, in all that are borne deaf, if that which nature denied them, were not in this respect supplied, by a second nature, custom and use. But (by the way,) 'tis very observable which * Sacra Philos. cap. 3. Vallesius relates of Pet. Pontius a friend of us, who by an unheard of art taught the deaf to speak. Docens primum scribere, res ipsas digito indicando, quae characteribus illis significarentur; deinde ad motus linguae, qui characteribus responderent provocando. First learning them to write the name of any thing, he should point to; and afterwards provoking them to such motions of the tongue as might answer the several words. 'Tis probable, that this invention, well followed, might be of singular use, for those that stand in need of such helps. Though certainly that was far beyond it, (if true) which is related of an ancient Doctor, Gabriel Neale, that he could understand any word by the mere motion of the lips, without any utterance. The particular ways of discoursing by gestures, are not to be numbered, as being almost of infinite variety, according as the several fancies of men shall impose significations, upon all such signs or actions, as are capable of sufficient difference. But some there are of more especial note for their use and antiquity. Such is that upon the joints and fingers of the hand, commonly styled Arthrologia, or Dactylologia, largely treated of by the venerable * Lib. de loquclâ per gestum digitorum sive de ind●gitatione. Bede, * Hieroglyphic. lib. 37. c. 1. etc Calius Antiq. lect. l. 23. cap. 12. satire. 10. Pierius, and others. In whom you may see, how the Ancients were wont to express any number, by the several postures of the hands and fingers; The numbers under a hundred, were denoted by the left hand, and those above, by the right hand. Hence Juvenal, commending Pylias for his old age, says that he reckoned his years upon his right hand. Faelix nimirum qui tot per saecula vitam Distulit, atque suos jam dextra computat annos. There are divers passages in the ancient Authors, both sacred and profane, which do evidently allude to this kind of reckoning. Hence it is easy to conceive, how the letters, as well as the numbers, may be thus applied to the several parts of the hand, so that a man might with divers touches, make up any sense, that he hath occasion to discover unto a confederate. This may be performed, either as the numbers are set down, in the Authors before cited, or else by any other way of compact that may be agreed upon. As for example. Let the tops of the fingers signify the five vowels; the middle parts, the five first consonants; the bottoms of them, the five next consonants; the spaces betwixt the fingers, the four next. One finger laid on the side of the hand may signify T. Two fingers V the consonant; Three W. The little finger crossed X. The wrist Y. The middle of the hand Z. But because such various gesticulations, as are required to this, will not be without suspicion; therefore it were a better way, to impose significations, upon such actions as are of more common unsuspected use: As scratching of the head, rubbing the several parts of the face, winking of the eyes, twisting of the beard, &c. Any of which, or all of them together, may be as well contrived to serve for this purpose, and with much more secrecy. In which art, if our gaming Cheats, and popish Miracle-impostors, were but well versed, it might much advantage them, in their cozening trade of life. CHAP. 15. Concerning the swiftness of informations, either by qualities, as the impression of imagination, and the sensitive species; or by spiritual substances, as Angels. HAving already treated concerning the several ways of secrecy in discoursing, I shall in the next place inquire, how a man may with the greatest swiftness and speed, discover his intentions to one that is far distant from him. There is nothing (We say) so swift as thought, and yet the impression of these in another, might be as quick almost as the first act, if there were but such a great power in imagination, as some later * Marsil. Fic●n. Theolog. Platon. lib. 3. cap. 1. Pomponatius de Incantat. Paracelsus. Philosophers have attributed to it. Next to the acts of thought, the species of sight, do seem to be of the quickest motion. We see the light of the East will in a moment fill the Hemisphere, and the eye does presently discern an object that is very remote. How we may by this means communicate our thoughts at great distances, I shall discourse afterwards. The Substances that are most considerable for the swiftness of their motion, are either Spiritual. Corporeal. Amongst all created substances, there are not any of so swift a motion as Angels or Spirits. Spirits. Because there is not either within their natures, any such indisposition and reluctancy, or without them in the medium, any such impediment as may▪ in the least manner retard their courses. And therefore have the ancient Philosophers employed these as the causes of that mad celerity, of the celestial Orbs; though according to their suppositions I think it would be a hard match, if there were a race to be run, betwixt the Primum mobile, and an angel. It being granted that neither of them could move in an instant, it would be but an even lay, which should prove the swifter. From the fitness of spirits in this regard, to convey any message, are they in the learned Languages called Messengers. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Angelus. Now if a man had but such familiarity with one of these, Plutarch. Maximus Tyrius. Dissertat. 26, 27. as Socrates is said to have with his Tutelary Genius: If we could send but one of them upon any errand, there would be no quicker way than this for the dispatch of business at all distances. That they have been often thus employed, is affirmed by divers relations. Vatinius being in Rome, Lactant. Inst. lib. 2. ep. 8. was informed by an apparition, of that victory which Paulus their general had obtained over King Perses in Macedon, Val. Max. lib. 1. c. 8. the very same day wherein the battle was fought; Florus lib. ● cap. 12. which was a long time before any other Messenger could arrive with the new. And it is storied of many others, that whilst they have resided in remote Countries, they have known the death of their friends, even in the very hour of their departure: Either by bleeding, or by dreams, or some such way of intimation. Which, though it be commonly attributed to the operation of sympathy; yet it is more probably to be ascribed unto the Spirit or Genius. There being a more especial acquaintance and commerce, betwixt the Tutelary Angels of particular friends, they are sometimes by them informed (though at great distances) of such remarkable accidents as befall one another. But this way, there is little hopes to advantage our enquiry, because it is not so easy to employ a good angel, nor safe dealing with a bad one. The Abbot Trithemius, in his books, concerning the several ways of secret and speedy discoursing, does pretend to handle the forms of conjuration, calling each kind of character by the name of spirits, thereby to deter the vulgar from searching into his Works. But under this pretence, he is thought also to deliver some diabolical magic. Vossius Gram. lib. 1 cap. 41. Especially in one place, where he speaks of the three Saturnine Angels, and certain Images, by which, in the space of twenty four hours, Polygraph. lib. 3. c. 16. a man may be informed of news from any part of the World. And this was the main reason, why by Junius his advice, Frederick the second, Prince Palatine, did cause the original Manuscript of that work to be burned. Which action is so much (though it should seem, Cryptogra. l. 3. cap. 15. unjustly) blamed by Selenus. CHAP. 16. Concerning the swiftness of conveyance by bodies, whether inanimate, as Arrows, Bullets; or animate, as Men, Beasts, Birds. THe bodies that are most eminent for their swiftness, may be distinguished into such as are either inanimate. animate. These inanimate bodies, as Arrows, Inanimate bodies. Bullets, &c. have only a violent motion, which cannot therefore be continued to so great a distance, as some occasions would require: But for so much space as they do move, they are far swifter than the natural motion of any animated body. How these have been contrived to the speedy conveyance of secret messages, hath been formerly discoursed, in the fourth Chapter, which I now forbear to repeat. Those living bodies, that are most observable for their speed, and celerity in messages: are either Men, Beast, Birds. Though I doubt not, but that fishs also may be serviceable for this purpose, especially the Dolphin, which is reported to be of the greatest swiftness, and most easily cicurated, or made tame. Amongst the ancient Footmen, Men. there are some upon record for their incredible swiftness. Ladas is reported to be so quick in his running: Solinus. Polyhist. c. 6. Vt arenis pendentibus & cavo pulvere, nulla indicia relinqueret vestigiorum, that he left no impression of his footsteps on the hollow sands. And it is related of a boy amongst the Romans, being but eight years old, Ibid. that did run five and forty mile in an afternoon. Anistius and Philonides, two footmen unto Alexander the great, are said to have run 1: 00 stadia in a day. Which relations will seem less incredible, if we consider the ancient Exercises and Games of this kind, together with the public fame and rewards for those that were most eminent. Amongst the variety of beasts, swiftness of Beasts. there are some of more especial note for their strength and swiftness. Exer. 205. Scaliger mentions a story, (though he distrust the truth of it) of a certain beast called Ellend, two of which being joined in a little cart, are said to pass three hundred leagues a day upon the ice. In former ages, and in other Countries, the Dromedary, and camel, and Mule were of more common use: But in these times and places, the horse (for the most part) serves instead of them all; by the help of which, we have our swiftest means of ordinary conveyance. The custom of riding post, by renewing both horse and man at set stages, is of ancient invention. Herodotus relates it to be used by Xerxes in the Grecian war, Lib. 8 98. and that it was by the Persians called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. The particulars that concern these kind of conveyances amongst the Ancients, are largely handled by Hermannus Hugo lib. de origine scribendi, cap. 14. Pliny tells us of certain Mares in Lusitania, Nat. Hist. l. 8. cap. 42. which do conceive merely by the Westwind; that alone (without the copulation of any male) serving to actuate their heat, and to generate their young. Which are likewise mentioned by Virgil. G●●●g. 3. Exceptantque auras leves, & saepe sine ullis Conjugiis, vento gravidae, &c. Me thinks, these children of the wind, should for their fleetness, make excellent post-horses, and much conduce to the speedy conveyance of any message. The Paracelsians talk, of natural means to extract the metal and spirit out of one horse, and infuse it into another, of enabling them to carry a man safely and swiftly, through enemies, precipices, or other dangerous place. And such Horses (say they) were used by the Wisemen of the East at our saviour's Nativity: for they had not otherwise been able to have kept pace with a star, or to have passed so great a journey as it was to Jerusalem, which is thought to be five or six hundred miles at the least, from the places of their habitation. If this conceit were feasible, it would much promote the speed of conveyances, but I think it may justly be referred amongst the other dreams of the melancholic chemics. The swiftness of Birds. Amongst all animate bodies there is not any, that have naturally so swift a motion as birds. Which if a man could well employ in the dispatch of any errand, there would be but little fear that such messengers should be either intercepted, or corrupted. That this hath been attempted, and effected by many of the Ancients, is affirmed by divers relations. Nat. Hist. l●b. 10. c. 24 Pliny tells us of Volaterranus, that he discovered a conquest he had gotten, unto the City of Rome, by sending out swallows, which should fly thither, being anointed over with the colour of victory. And of another, who sending one of these Birds into a besieged City, (whence she was before taken from her young ones) and tying a string unto her with certain knots upon it, did thereby show, after what number of days their aids would come, at which time they should make an irruption upon the enemy. And elsewhere in the same book, he relates, Cap. 37. how Hircius the Consul, and Brutus, who was besieged in Mutina, did this way maintain mutual intelligence, by tying their Letters unto such Pigeons, as were taught before hand to fly from the tents to the city, and from thence to the Tents again. How Th●urosthenes did by this means send the news of his victory at Olympia, Histor. Animalium, l. 6 cap. 7. to his Father at Aegina, is related by Aelian. Anacreon has an Ode, upon such a Pigeon, which he himself had often used as a Messenger, wherein the Bird is feigned to say, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Unto this invention also, satire. 4. juxta finem. Juvenal is thought to allude, where he says, — tanquam è diversis partibus orbis, Anxia praecipiti venisset epistola pennâ. Lypsius relates out of Varro, Saturn. Serm. lib. 2. cap. 6, that it was usual for the Roman Magistrates, when they went unto the theatre, or other such public meetings, whence they could not return at pleasure, to carry such a Pigeon with them: that if any unexpected business should happen, they might thereby give warning to their friends, or families at home. By which relations, you may see, how commonly this invention was practised amongst the Ancients. Nor hath it been less used in the●eter times, especially in those Countries, where by reason of continual wars, and dissensions, there have been more particular and urgent necessity for such kind of conveyances. Not. in Aeneae. Poliorcet. cap. 31. Nunc vulgatissimares est, columbas habere, ad ejusmodi jussa paratus, saith Casaubon. Harum opere, nostrates hoc bello civili, frequenter adjuti sunt, Comment. in Veget. l. 3. c. 5. saith Godesc. Stewechius. There are divers other stories to this purpose, See Nunt. Inanimat. concerning Amiraldus. Porta de furt.. lit. li. 2 cap. 21. concerning Marches. but by these you may sufficiently discern the common practices of this kind. As it is usual to bring up birds of prey, as Hawks, Cormorants, &c. to an obedience of their keepers: So likewise have some attempted it in these other Birds, teaching them the art of carrying messages. There is a smaller sort of Pigeons, Herm. Hugo. de Orig. scribendi cap. 15. of a light body, and swift flight, which is usually made choice of for such particulars; And therefore the kind of them is commonly called by the name of Carriers. Thuanus Hist. lib. 17 CHAP. 17. Of secret and swift informations by the species of sound. HAving in the former Chapters treated severally concerning the divers ways of secrecy and swiftness in discourse; It remains that I now inquire (according to the method proposed) how both these may be joined together in the conveyance of any message. The resolution of which, so far as it concerns the particulars already specified, were but needless to repeat. That, which does more immediately belong to the present Qu●re, and was the main occasion of this discourse, does refer to other ways of intimation, besides these in ordinary use, of speaking, or writing, or gestures. For in the general we must note: That Whatever is capable of a competent difference, perceptible to any sense, may be a sufficient means, whereby to express the cogitations. It is more convenient indeed, that these differences should be of as great variety, as the letters of the Alphabet; but it is sufficient if they be but twofold, because two alone, may with somewhat more labour and time, be well enough contrived to express all the rest. Thus any two letters or numbers, suppose A. B. being transposed through five places, will yield thirty two differences, & so consequently, will superaboundantly serve for the four and twenty Letters, as was before more largely explained in the ninth chapter. Now the sensitive species, whereby such informations must be conveyed, are either the species of sound, or the species of sight. The ear and the eye, being the only senses, that are of quick perception, when their objects are remote. Vegetius distinguisheth all significatorie signs into these three sorts. De remilitari, lib. 3. cap. 5. 1 Vocalia. By articulate sounds. 2 Semivocalia. By inarticulate sounds. 3 Muta. By the species of sight. The two last of these are chiefly pertinent to the present enquiry. Concerning which, in the general it may be concluded, that any sound, whether of Trumpets, bells, Cannons, Drums, &c. or any object of sight, whether flame, smoke, &c. which is capable of a double difference, may be a sufficient means, whereby to communicate the thoughts. The particular application of these, to some experiments, I shall treat more distinctly in the remainder of this discourse. First, Secret and speedy information by the species of sound. concerning the secrecy and swiftness of any message by the species of sound. Though these audible species be much slower than those of sight; yet are they far swifter than the natural motion of any corporeal messenger. The chief use of these is for such as are within some competent nearness, as perhaps a mile of. But they may also by frequent multiplications, be continued to a far greater distance. There is a relation in Ioach. Camerarius, Pro●m. in lib. Plutar. de defectu oraculorum. of some that have heard their friends speaking to them distinctly, when they have been many miles asunder. Habui notos homines, neque leves, & non indoctos, qui affirmabant, se audiisse secum colloquentes diserte, eos quos tunc multorum millium passuum abesse certo scirent. But this he justly refers to diabolical magic, and the illusion of spirits. There are other natural experiments in this kind, of more especial note for their antiquity. Such was that of King Xerxes, related by Cleomenes, as he is cited by Sardus. Cleomedes in libro de circulis coelestibus scribit Xerxem toto itinere a Perside in Graeciam stationes statuisse, De rerum Inventor. lib. 2. & in iis homines ita prope, ut vocem alterius alter exa●diret; quo modo quadraginta horarum spatio, ex Graeciâ in Persidem res nunciari poterat. But this invention, besides the great trouble and uncertainty of it, is also too gross for imitation, savouring somewhat of the rudeness of those former and more barbarous ages. Much beyond it was that experiment of the Romans, in the contrivance of the Picts wall, Britan. de Vallo sive the Picts Wall. p. 654 Boter. Geog. l. 2. & lib. 4 where he mentions also another wall of 8000 furlongs in China. related by our learned Cambden, this wall was built by Severus in the North part of England, above a hundred miles long. The towers of it were about a mile distant from one another. Betwixt each of these towers there passed certain hollow pipes or trunks in the curtains of the wall, through which the Defendants could presently inform one another of any thing that was necessary. As concerning that place wherein the enemy was most likely to assault them, &c. Since the wall is ruined, and this means of swift advertisement taken away, there are many inhabitants thereabouts, which hold their Land by a tenure in Cornage (as the Lawyers speak) being bound by blowing of a horn to discover the irruption of the enemy. There is another experiment to this purpose mentioned by Walchius, who thinks it possible so to contrive a trunk or hollow pipe, Fabul. 9 that it shall preserve the voice entirely for certain hours or days; so that a man may send his words to a friend instead of his writing. There being always a certain space of intermission; for the passage of the voice, betwixt its going into these cavities, and its coming out; he conceives, that if both ends were seasonably stopped, whilst the sound was in the midst, it would continue there till it had some vent. Huic tubo verba nostra insusurremus, & cum probe munitur tabellario committamus, &c. When the friend to whom it is sent, shall receive and open it, the words shall come out distinctly, and in the same order wherein they were spoken. From such a contrivance as this, (saith the same author) did Albertus Magnus make his Image, and friar Bacon, his brazen Head, to utter certain words. Which conceit (if it have any truth) may serve somewhat to extenuate the gross absurdity of that popish relic concerning Joseph's [Hah] or the noise that he made (as other Carpenters use) in fetching of a blow: which is said, to be preserved, yet in a glass amongst other ancient relics. But against these fancies it is considerable, that the species of sound are multiplied in the air, by a kind of continuation and efflux from their first original, as the species of light are from any luminous body; either of which being once separated from their causes do presently vanish and die. Now as it would be a mad thing for a man to endeavour, to catch the sunbeams. or enclose the light; upon the same grounds likewise must it needs be absurd, for any one to attempt the shutting in of articulate sounds: Since both of them equally have the same intrinsical and inseparable dependence upon their efficient causes. True, indeed, the species of sound may seem to have some kind of self continuance in the air, as in echoes, but so likewise is it in a proportion with those of sight, as in the quick turning round of a fire-stick, which will make the appearance of a fiery circle: And though the first kind of these be more lasting than the other, by reason their natural motion is not so quick, yet neither of them are of such duration as may be sufficient for the present enquiry. None of all these inventions already specified, do sufficiently perform the business, that is here inquired after: Nor are they, either so generally or safely, appliable for all places and exigences. The discovery that is here promised, may be further serviceable for such cases as these. Suppose a friend were perfidiously clapped up in some close Dungeon, and that we did not know exactly where, but could only guess at the place, within the latitude of half a mile or somewhat more: A man might very distinctly by these other inventions discourse unto him. Or suppose a city were straightly besieged, and there were either within it or without it, such a confederate, with whom we should necessarily confer about some design: We may by these means safely discover to him our intentions. By which you may guess, that the Messenger which is here employed, is of so strange a nature, as not to be barred out with walls, or deterred by enemies. To the performance of this, it is requisite, that there be two bells of different notes, or some such other audible and loud sounds, which we may command at pleasure; as Muskets, Canons, Horns, Drums, &c. By the various sounding of these (according to the former Table) a man may easily express any letter, Cap. 9 and so consequently any sense. These Tables, I shall again repeat in this place. That of two letters may be contrived thus. A. aaaaa. B. aaaab. C. aaaba. D. aaabb. E. aabaa. F. aabab. G. aabba. H. aabbb. I. abaaa. K. abaab. L. ababa. M. abaab. N. abbaa. O. abbab. P. abbba. Q. abbbb. R. baaaa. S. baaab. T. baaba. V. baabb. W. babaa. X. babab. Y. babba. Z. babbb. Suppose the word Victuals were this this way to be expressed. Let the bigger sound be represented by A. and the lesser by B. according to which, the word may be thus made up by five of these sounds for each letter. V. baabb. I. abaaa. C. aaaba. T. baaba. V. baabb. A. aaaaa. L. ababa. S. baaab. That is, the lesser note sounded once, and then the bigger twice, and then again the lesser twice, as (baabb) will signify the letter (Y). So, the bigger once, and then the lesser once, and after that the bigger thrice together, as (abaaa) will represent the letter (Ay:) and so of the rest. If the sounds be capable of a triple difference, than each letter may be expressed by a threefold sound, as may appear by this other Alphabet. A. aaa. B. aab. C. aac. D. baa. E. bab. F. bba. G. bbb. H. bbc. I. caa. K. cba. L. cbb. M. cbc. N. cca. O. ccb. P. ccc. Q. aba. R. abb. S. abc. T. aca. V. acb. W. acc. X. bca. Y. bcb. Z. bcc. V. acb. I. caa. C. aac. T. aca. V. acb. A. aaa. L. cbb. S. abc. If these sounds do contain a quintuple difference, then may every letter be signified by two sounds only, (which will much conduce to the speed and dispatch of such a message.) As you may see in this other Table. A. aa. B. ab. C. ac. D. ad. E. ae. F. ba. G. bb. H. bc. I. bd. K. be. L. ca. M. cb. N. cc. O. cd. P. ce. Q. da. R. db. S. dc. T. dd. V. de. W. ea. X. Ebb. Y. ec. Z. ed. V. de. I. bd. C. ac. T. dd. V. de. A. aa. L. ca. S. dc. 'tis related by Porta, De furt.. lit. lib. 1. cap. 6. that when the Citizens in the siege of Navarre were reduced to such great extremities that they were ready to yield; they did discover to their friends the greatness, and kind of their wants, by discharging divers Canons and Ordinances in the night time, according to a certain order before agreed upon: and by this means did obtain such fitting supplies as preserved the City. CHAP. 18. Concerning a language, that may consist only of Tunes and musical Notes, without any articulate sound. IF the musical Instrument that is used to this purpose, be able to express the ordinary notes, not only according to their different Tones, but their Times also; then may each Letter of the Alphabet be rendered by a single sound. Whence it will follow that a man may frame a Language, consisting only of Tunes and such inarticulate sounds, as no Letters can express. Which kind of speech is fancied to be usual amongst the Lunary Inhabitants; who (as * Or the man in the Moon, written by the same author of Nuntius Inanimat. Domingo Gonsales hath discovered) have contrived the Letters of the Alphabet upon the Notes after some such order as this: Where the five Vowels are represented by the minims on each of the five lines, being most of them placed according to their right order and consequence: only the letters K. and Q. are left out, because they may be otherwise expressed. According to this Alphabet of Notes, See Dom. Gonsal. 94. these words, Gloria Deo soli, must be thus contrived. By this you may easily discern how two Musicians may discourse with one another, by playing upon their Instruments of music, as well as by talking with their instruments of speech. And (which is a singular curiosity) how the words of a Song may be contrived in the tune of it. I suppose that these letters and notes might be disposed to answer one another, with better advantage than here they are expressed. And this perhaps, would be easy enough for those that are thoroughly versed in the grounds of music, unto whose further enquiry, I do here only propose this invention. But now if these inarticulate sounds be contrived for the expression, not of words and letters, but of things and notions, (as was before explained, concerning the universal Character) then might there be such a general Language, as should be equally speakable, by all people and Nations; and so we might be restored from the second general curse, which is yet manifested, not only in the confusion of writing, but also of speech. The utterance of these musical tunes may serve for the universal language, and the writing of them for the universal Character. As all Nations do agree in the same conceit of things, so likewise in the same conceit of Harmonies. This Curiosity (for aught I know) has not yet been mentioned by any Author, but it may be (if well considered) of such excellent use, as to deserve a more full and particular enlargement, in a Treatise by itself. CHAP. 19 Of those common relations, that concern secret and swift informations by the species of sight, which are either Fabulous, or magical. THe usual relations, that concern secret and swift conveyances by the species of sight, may be distinguished into such as are, either 1 Fabulous. 2 magical. 3 natural and true. First of those that are fabulous: 1 Of those fabulous relations to this purpose. In which kind, that of the loadstone is most remarkable, as it is maintained by * Lib. 2. prolus. 6. Famianus Strada in his imitation of Lucretius his stile, and divers others. The manner that is usually prescribed for the performance of it, is thus. Let there be two needles provided, of an equal length and bigness, being both of them touched with the same loadstone. Let the letters of the Alphabet be placed in the circles on which they are moved, as the points of the compass under the needle of the mariner's Chart. Let the friend that is to travail take one of them with him, first agreeing upon the days and hours, wherein they should confer together: At which times, if one of them move the needle of his instrument to any letter of the Alphabet, the other needle by a sympathy, will move unto the same letter in the other instrument, though they be never so far distant. And thus by several motions of the needle to the letters, they may easily make up any words or sense which they have a mind to express. O utinam haec ratio scribendi prodeat usu; Cautior & citior properaret epistol●, nullas Latronun verita insidias, fluviosque morantes, Ipse snis princeps manibus sibi conficeret rem, &c. Saith Strada. But this invention is altogether imaginary, having no foundation in any real experiment. You may see it frequently confuted, in those that treat concerning magnetical call virtues. Non solum exibilandi sunt' sed etiam male mulctandi Philoso●hicâ ferulâ, fabularum isti procusores, qui suis portentis deterrent homines à praeclarissimo causarum studio, philopher. Magnet. lib. 4. c. 10. saith Cabaeus, to this purpose. The first occasion of these relations, was the proof of that strange immaterial powers of the loadstone, whereby it did work through thick and solid bodies, as a table, or wall, or the like: as also of that directive virtue, whereby it always tends to the poles; From whence others have conjectured, that it might be serviceable also, for such a business, at so great a distance. But against this, it is considerable, 1 That every natural agent, is supposed to have some certain sphere, which determines its activity. 2 That magnetical operations do not arise (as some fondly conceive) from a sympathetic conformation of natures, which is the same at all distances; but from such a diffusion of these magnetical qualities through the medium, that they may be continued from the agent to the patient. And so these natural powers, will not be of so great an extent, as they are supposed in this experiment. The utmost distance, at which we may discourse with another, by these magnetical virtues, is two or three foot or there abouts; And this we may do, S. Ward. magnetis Reduct. cap. 40. though it be through a wall of that thickness. Fieri enim posse me docuit experientia, ut open Magnetis, & instrumenti ad id aptati, See Cabaeus Phil. Magn. lib. ●. c. 11. amicus cum amico, in cubiculo proximo, trans crassum murum (puta bipedalem) colloquatur, animi sui sententiam impertiat, & ad quaesita respondeat, (saith a late Author.) But in this experiment, it is not only the secondary virtue of the needles that can be thus effectual (as is supposed in the former invention) but there must be the help also of the loadstone itself. As for the reason why these magnetical powers are able to work through solid bodies; 'Tis considerable, that any quality may be diffused through such a substance; as hath no natural repugnancy unto it. We see the light does pass as well through hot bodies as cold, through solid as fluid, &c. only opacity keeps it out; because that quality alone is contrary to its nature. So likewise is it with magnetical virtues, which do equally spread themselves, through all kind of bodies, whether rare or dense, diaphanous or opacous, there being no quality contrary to this; because it is that general endowment of the whole globe, that universal quality to which all other particulars are naturally subservient. The second sort of relations to this purpose, 2 magical. are such as refer to diabolical magic; Of which kind is that invention thought to be, which is commonly ascribed to Pythagoras; of whom it is reported, that he could write any thing in the body of the moon, so as it might be legible to another at a great distance. Occult. Phil●s. lib. 1. cap. 6. Agrippa affirms this to be naturally possible, and the way of performing it, not unknown to himself, with some others in his time. And Fridericus Risner seems to believe it. Optic. lib. 3. prop. 36. For speaking of the strange experiments to be wrought by some glasses, Speculorum persuasio huc pervasit, &c. he adds. Denique certo artificio, depictas imagines, a●t scriptas literas, nocte serenâ, plenae lunae sic opponi possunt, ut radiis lunam irradiantibus, ideoque reflexis, videas & legas, quae Constantinopoli Lutetiam tibi nuncientur. There is an experiment in optics to represent any writing by the sunbeams, upon a wall or front of a house: For which purpose, the letters must be first described, with wax or some other opacous colour, upon the surface of the glass, in an inverted form; which glass, afterwards reflecting the light upon any wall in the shade, will discover these letters in their right form and order. Unto some such invention, I did first (before I had well considered these particulars) attribute the performance of those strange promises in Nuntius inanimatus. World in the Moon. cap. 7. But upon better thoughts, it will be found, that the species of reflection, in this experiment, are so weak, that unless the glass and the letters be very big, and the wall somewhat near, there will be no distinct appearance of the writing. And therefore this way, there can be no thoughts of contriving any reflected species, that shall be visible at so great a distance as the moon. Nor is there any other natural means conceivable, by which so strange an effect may be performed, which is the reason that it is so frequently attributed to diabolical magic, by almost all the Writers that have occasion to treat of it. But Agrippa in another place speaking concerning this invention, affirms that it was performed thus. Pythagoras did first describe with blood any letters which he thought fit, Agrippa de Vanit. Scient. cap. 48. in some great glass, and then opposing the glass against the full moon, the letters would appear through it, as if they were writ in the circumference of her body. Quae collibuisset sanguine perscripsit in speculo, quo, ad pleni luminis lunae orbem obverso, stanti à tergo, res exaratas in disc● lunae commonstravit. In which passage he seems to intimate, that this writing in the moon, could not be visible at any great distance (as it is related in common tradition,) but that it did appear to such only, betwixt whose eyes and the moon, this glass might be interposed. And according to this the wonder of the relation ceases, nor may it truly be referred to diabolical magic. More properly reducible to this kind, Ioach. Camerar. Prooem. in lib. Plutarc. de defect. Orac. are those enchanted glasses, mentioned in divers Authors: In which some magicians are said to contain such familiar spirits, as do inform them of any business they shall inquire after. I have heard a great pretender to the knowledge of all secret Arts, confidently affirm, that he himself was able at that time, or any other, to show me in a glass what was done in any part of the world, what ships were sailing in the Mediterranean, who were walking in any street of any city in Spain, or the like. And this he did aver, with all the laboured expressions of a strong confidence. The man, for his condition, was an Italian Doctor of physic: for his parts, he was known to be of extraordinary skill, in the abstruser Arts, but not altogether free from the suspicion of this unlawful magic. CHAP. 20. Of informations by significatory fires and smokes. Their antiquity. The true manner of using them to this purpose. That these were meant in Nuntius inanimatus. THe experiments of this kind that are true, & upon natural grounds, have been made either by fire in the night, or smoke and such other signs visible at a distance in the day time. These informations by significatory fires, have been of ancient use. The first invention of them is commonly ascribed to Sinon in the Trojan wars. Specularem significationem Trojano bello Sinon invenit (saith Pliny.) Nat. Hist. lib. 7. c. 56. This was the sign upon which he agreed to unlock the wooden horse. — Flammas cum regia puppis Extulerat. V●rgil. — But Diodorus Siculus affirms them to be practised by Medea in her conspiracy with Jason. Bibliothec. lib. 4. And they are frequently mentioned in other ancient Historians. * Polymn. lib. 7. cap. 182. Herodotus speaks of them in the Grecian war against Xerxes. And * Hist. lib. 2. Thucydides testifies of them in the onsets that were made by the Peloponnesians against Salamis, Item lib. 3. and in the siege of Corcyra. So Curtius of Alex. M. lib. 5. Appian speaking of Scipio at Numantia, how he divided his camp into divers companies, says that he assigned each of them to several tribunes, with this charge. Si impeterentur ab hoste, de die, * To this purpose the flags of truce or defiance. panno rubro in hasta sublato significarent, de nocte, igne. If the enemy did charge any of them, they should signify it to the others, in the day time by holding up a red cloth, in the night by fires. De re militar. lib. 3. cap. 5. Vegetius affirms it to be usual, when the Army was divided, to inform one another, in the day by smoke, lips. de milit. Roman. lib. 5. Dialog. 9 in the night by fires. These significatory fires were by the Grecians called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, (saith Suidas) and sometimes {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Ae●eas Peliorce●. c. 31. The use of them was chiefly for the answer of some particular Quaere, that was before agreed upon: As concerning the coming of aids or enemies: if the enemies were coming, they were wont to shake these torches; if the aids, they held them still (saith the Scholiast upon Thucydides.) Schol. in lib. 2. Thucyd. But they have by more exact inventions, been enlarged to a greater latitude of signification. So that now, any thing which we have occasion to discover, We●ker de Secretis. lib. 14. cap. 1. may be expressed by them. The ways by which they may be contrived to this purpose, Port. de furt.. lit. lib. 1. cap. 10. are divers. I shall specify only the chief of them. That which in ancient times was used by the Grecians, Cardan. de Variet. Rerum. lib. 12. cap. 61. and is particularly treated of in * Histor. lib. 10. juxta finem. By ten torches. Polybius, adviseth thus. Let the letters be divided into five tablets or columns. I II III IV V 1 a f l q w 2 b g m r x 3 c h n s y 4 d i Oh To z 5 e k p u Let there be provided ten Torches; five being placed on the right hand, and five on the left. Let so many torches be lifted up on the right hand as may show the number of the table, and so many on the left, as may show the number of that letter in it, which you would express. As in this following example, wherein the several numbers, both at the right and left hand, do signify the word HASTEN. The right hand. The left hand. II H 3 I A 1 IV S 3 IV T 4 I E 5 III N 3 That is, two lights being lifted upon the right hand, show the second column; and at the same time three torches appearing on the left hand, denotes the third letter in that column, which is H. Thus a single torch being discovered on both sides, doth signify the first letter of the first column, which is A, and so of the rest. There is another way mentioned by Joachimus Fortius, By 3 Torches. unto the performance of which, Lib. de Experientia. there are only three lights required. One torch being showed alone, shall signify the eight first letters. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. Two together, the eight next, I. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. And all three the rest. R. S. T. V. W. X. Y. Z. One light being discovered once, signifies A. If twice, B. Two lights being showed once, do denote the letter I; if twice, K, &c. According to this way, if I would express the word FAMINE: the torches must be contrived. One light must be lifted up six times for the letter F. One light once for A. Two lights four times for M. Two lights once for I. Two lights five times for N. But here it will be requisite, that there be some intermission, betwixt the expression of several letters, because otherwise there must needs be a great confusion, amongst those that belong to the same number of Torches. In which respect, this way is much more tedious, and inconvenient, than the former invention out of Polybius. It is easy to conceive, By two torches. how by the Alphabet consisting of two letters transposed through five places, such a manner of discoursing may be otherwise contrived, only by two torches. But then there must be five shows, to express every letter. There is another way of speaking, by the differences of motion in two lights; which for its quickness and speed is much to be preferred before any of the rest. The manner of it is thus. Provide two torches on long poles: Let them be placed so far from one another, that they may seem unto your confederate to be about four cubits' distance. By the divers elevations or depressions of these, inclining of them to the right hand, or to the left, severally or both together, it is easy to express all the Alphabet. One light alone being discovered, must stand for A. lifted up for E. depressed for I. inclined to the right hand for O. unto the left hand for V. Two lights elevated, for B: depressed for C: inclined to the right hand for D: to the left hand for F. Two lights being still discovered, and the torch at the right hand being lifted up, shall signify G. Being depressed, H. Inclined to the right hand, K. To the left hand, L. The torch at the left hand, being elevated shall stand for M. Depressed, for N. Inclined to the right hand for P. To the left hand for Q. The torch at the right hand being moved towards the left hand, and that at the left hand, being at the same time moved towards the right hand, shall signify, R. The right hand torch being inclined to the left hand, and the other at the same time being elevated signifies, S: being depressed, T. The left hand torch being inclined to the right hand, and the other at the same time being elevated, signifies W: being depressed, X. The right hand Torch being inclined to the right hand, and the other at the same time being elevated, may stand for Y; being depressed for Z. When any thing is thus to be expressed; the two torches, being discovered, must remain without any motion, so long, till the confederate shall by other lights show some sign, that he is ready to take notice. After every one of these particular motions, the torches must be carefully hidden and obscured, that so the several letters expressed by them, may be the better distinguished. The daytime informations by smoke, cannot so conveniently be ordered according to this later contrivance. And therefore must be managed by some of those other ways, that were specified before. To which purpose there must be some l provided for the orderly enclosing and conveying up the smoke. The other particulars concerning this, are in themselves easy enough to be apprehended. How these significatory signs will be visible at a great distance; How by multiplication of them in several places, See Barcla. Argen. lib. 1. they may be contrived for many scores of miles; will easily be discerned from the situation and use of Beacons: by which the intimations of public danger and preparations, have been oftentimes suddenly spread, over this whole island. This may further be advantaged, by the use of Galilaeus his perspective. 'Tis storied of the Inhabitants in China, Busbequius. Epist. Turc. ep 4. that when any Merchants do happen upon the shores of that kingdom, they are presently examined, whence they come, what commodities they bring, and of what number they are; Which being known, the watch (set for that purpose) do presently inform the King of their answers, by smoke in the day, and fires in the night: Who by the same means does as speedily return them his pleasure, whether they shall be admitted or kept out. And so that is easily dispatched in some few hours, which could not be performed the ordinary way, without the trouble of many days. The practice of all these secret and swift Messages, may perhaps seem very difficult at the first: Polyb. lib. 10. But so does also the Art of writing and reading to an unlettered man. Custom and experience will make the one as facile and ready as the other. That these ways of information already explained, whether by the species of sound or sight, are the same with those intimated in Nuntius inanimatus, may be clearly evident, to any one who does but thoroughly peruse that discourse, and compare it with divers other the like passages, of the same Author, in his Domingo Gonsales. 1 For the species of sound, his words are these. Nunc Inani. pag. 16. Auribus nihil percipi nisi per sonum, neminem fugit. Erit igitur necesse ut is, cui aliquid audit●● mediante nunciatum fuerit, sonos audiat, eosque distinguibiles pro numero audiendorum; quae cum sint infinita, infinita etiam sit oportet, sonorum edendorum varietas. Satis tamen erit ut distinguantur vel genere, vel tempore, modo etiam & numero. Which passage, together with that other invention in Domingo Gonsales, concerning the Language of the Lunary Inhabitants, before explained in the eighteenth Chapter: I say, both these, being compared with the discoveries and experiments of the same kind, that are here discoursed of, may plainly manifest, that they are both performed by the same means. 2 For the Species of sight, his words are these. Si oculis amici absentis aliquid cupis representare, Nunc. Inanim. p. 16. idque citius quam corpus aliquod sublunare ad locum tam longo intervallo distunctum possit perferri; oportet ut ideae, sive formae visibiles, augeantur quantitate, multiplicentur numero, & pro rerum significandarum varietate varientur, vel qualitate, vel quantitate, vel situ, vel ordine. Which passage being compared with that other way of compact, Man in the Moon. pag 21. betwixt Gonsales and his man Diego, mentioned in the other Discourse; It may evidently appear, that the ways of intimation, which were there meant, are performed after the same manner, according to which they are here discoursed of. He does indeed mention out of Busbequius, the practice of these informations amongst the inhabitants of China. And thinks that they were used too by the Romans, but withal he wonders, how that now amongst us, they should be altogether forgotten, and the restoring of them to these places and times, seems to be his chief aim, in the promises of that discourse. The particular example which he mentions, is this. Suppose that one at London, would send a message to Bristol, Wells, Exeter, or though it were any remoter place: Neque enim longinquitatem viae multum moror, si detur facultas sternendi, & permeabilem efficiendi. That is, the greatness of distance can be no impediment, if the space betwixt be fitted with such high mountains, and Beacon hills, as may serve for these kind of Discoveries. Suppose (I say) this Messenger should set forth from London, in the very point of noon, he would notwithstanding, arrive at Bristol before twelve of the clock that day. That is, a Message may by these means be conveyed so great a distance, in fewer minutes than those which make the difference betwixt the two Meridians of those places. If according to this, we should interpret, that passage out of Trithemius, concerning the three Saturnine Angels, See before Cap. 15. that in twenty four hours can convey news from any part of the World; that Author might then, in one respect be freed from the aspersion of diabolical magic, which for this very reason hath heretofore been imputed to him. But this by the way. It may be, the resolution of those great promises in Nuncius Inanimatus, to such easy causes as they are here ascribed unto, will not be answerable to men's expectation. every one will be apt to mistrust some greater matter than is here expressed: But 'tis thus also, in every other the like particular, for ignorance is the mother of wonder, and wonder does usually create unto itself many wild imaginations, which is the reason why men's fancies are so prone to attribute all unusual and unknown events, unto stranger causes shen either nature or art hath designed for them. Conclusion. The Poets have feigned Mercury to be the chief Patron of Thieves and treachery, Horat. lib. 1 Od. 10. Ovid. Metam. lib. 11 Homer. in Hymnis. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. To which purpose they relate that he filched from Venus her girdle, as she embraced him in congratulation of a victory, Nat. Comes Mytholog. lib. 5. cap 5. that he robbed Jupiter of his sceptre, and would have stolen his Thunderbolt too, but that he feared to burn his fingers. And the Astrologers observe, that those who are born under this Planet, are naturally addicted to theft and cheating. If it be feared that this Discourse may unhappily advantage others, in such unlawful courses: 'tis considerable, that it does not only teach how to deceive, but consequently also how to discover Delusions. And then besides, the chief experiments are of such nature, that they cannot be frequently practised, without just cause of suspicion, when as it is in the Magistrates power to prevent them. However, it will not follow, that every thing must be suppressed, which may be abused. There is nothing hath more occasioned troubles and contention, than the art of writing, which is the reason why the Inventor of it, is fabled to have sown Serpents teeth; Caeli. Rhoantiq. Lect. lib. 22. cap. 15. And yet it was but a barbarous act of Thamus, the Egyptian King, therefore to forbid the learning of Letters. We may as well cut out our tongues, because that member is a world of wickedness. James 3. If all those useful inventions that are liable to abuse, should therefore be concealed, there is not any Art or Science, which might be lawfully professed.⸫ FINIS.