CERTAIN ADDITIONS TO THE book OF GVNNERY, with a supply of fireworks. All done by the former Author Thomas Smith soldier of berwick vpon tweed. Both pleasant and profitable. printer's device? (not found in McKerrow): wheat sheaf supported by two animals, below which is the motto Cor unum via una, all surrounded by decorative scrolls. (Compare devices in STC 13799 and 2390.5.) COR VNVM VIA VNA LONDON, Printed by H. L. and are to be sold by R. Dawlman, in Fleet-street near the great Conduit. 1627. certain principal points belonging to the Art of GVNNERIE. I read in Tartaglia of Powder that shall make no noise being fired out of any piece of great Ordnance, where he saith it is not lawful to be used, neither to show the making of it. But I am assured he never burnt any of it: for he doth confess in his Epistle to his book, that he never shot in any piece. Also I haue heard it confidently affirmed, that there is forcible powder( of a white colour as they say) the which being fired out of any piece of Ordnance, the piece having had her due loading therof, it shal make no roar, crack or report( as we term it): but I neither beleeue the one nor the other. For I say it is impossible to make Powder that shall burn and haue any force, but that the flamme therof being resolved into a windy substance, enclosed within the concave of the piece, violently thrusting itself out of the piece into the open air, must of necessity give a roar or crack, more or less, in proportion to that airy substance so fired,& compacted within the piece: many examples I could allege for further proof hereof. The virtue& force of gun-powder consists in the saltpetre, for the brimstone& the coal is but onely to maintain the flamme therof: for the brimstone itself is apt to flamme with any sparkle, and once flamed, causeth the matter or saltpetre to flamme. The coal is apt to kindle or burn with any sparkle, but not to flamme, yet maintaineth the flamme of the other two materials. The best Matter is that which is refined without any fatness. The best brimstone is that which hath no dross in it. And the best coal are those that are made of the softest& lightest wood. These three materials being pounded very fine,& their true proportioned parts mixed& wrought accordingly by such as haue skill in the art, makes perfect good powder: they use whereof was never better known than in these present dayes. The goodness of any powder may be known by the colour, by the taste of the tongue, and by the burning; and a man may make as much and as little thereof at a time as he pleaseth, having provision of furniture for that purpose. Any piece discharged diverse times with moist powder, will sooner heat, than being discharged the like number of times with like quantity of fine dry powder: for the moist powder is longer in burning,& causeth the piece to work less effect than if it had been charged with like quantity of dry powder. If you haue by experience found that your powder is not forcible, the nearest way to strengthen the same is, by putting to every pound thereof one ounce of refined Matter finely pounded, and then moistening the same with vinegar, or rather the water of saltpetre,& beating the same in a mortar of other vessel as finely as you can, with a wooden pestle( for it is dangerous to beat the same with any iron tool for fear of a spark)& sifting the same thorough a very fine sieve, corning& drying the same, it will be of more force a great deal than it was at the first time. some do make excellent good corn powder, so fine, that the cornes thereof are like thyme seed. I haue red& heard some of that opinion, that if a little quicksilver bee put in amongst the powder where with any piece is loaden,& a close wad thereafter, that that piece shall give a greater report than if she had been charged with the same like quantity of powder and wad, and wanting the quicksilver, the which I did experiment in a Calliuer but could perceive no such matter. If you would outshoot any other man in any one piece of Ordnance, the piece to be loaden at either time with one like quantity of one like powder, wad& bullet,& discharged at one like randon; then after you haue loaden the piece with her due of powder, put the same closely home with the end of your rammer staff,& after make a round wad as hard& close as you are able to thrust home to the powder, and put your bullet close home to the said wad, but put no wad after it, if the mark lie, sons the piece mouth be any whit elevated; otherwise put in a little wad after the bullet, to keep the bullet close to the wad in his right place. Also if you take strong canvas soaked in oil,& sow the some close& round about the bullet, that the bullet may fill the hollow cylinder of the piece,& put the same close home, as afore, that bullet will range further than being discharged having a less wad,& being vncoated. Tartalia affirms, that the powder put into the piece and rammed home to the breech, being bored thorough with a staff of an inch or ¾ in thickness, to the breech of the piece,& after a close wad put home to the said powder,& the bullet put home after it, that that bullet shall range more ground than it would haue done if the powder in the piece had not been bored thorough, as is above said. Any piece being charged with very dry powder, that is hard corned, shall not fire all the powder, but a great many of these cornes will pass out of the piece vnburnt when the piece is recharged, as you may by experience prove out of a Musket or Calliuer: and the closer that the wad is made that is put into the piece after the powder, it will cause more of the powder to fire, than having a lesser wad. Any piece of Ordnance although the same be loaden with very good and dry powder, if the piece lie long loaden, the powder will grow moist, by reason the saltpetre will work and grow dankish within the chamber of the piece where the powder lieth:& if the said peter be not well refined, it will sooner grow dankish than that which hath been well refined: also the same will grow moist sooner in the winter than in the summer,& sooner on the sea than on the land. Two pieces in all respects equal save length, at point blank, or at any degree of the randon, discharged with one like bullet and quantity of powder, the longer piece will still outshoore the shorter: but giuing the shorter piece a more quantity of powder than the longer, the shorter piece will outshoot the longer. A Musket that shooteth ⅔ parts or ¾ in powder of the bullet weight that is fit for the said Musket, will range further& pierce deeper than a Calliuer that is recharged with a fit bullet and ⅔ or ¾ parts of his bullets weight: but in giuing to either piece a like proportion of powder, I mean giuing the Musket but ⅔ parts in powder of the weight of the Calliuers bullet, then shall the Calliuer do more execution, and range further than the Musket. And in like case a Fawcon or Saker being discharged with the whole weight of powder of the bullet fit for the said piece, shall do more execution and range further than a Canon or Culuering that shooteth a fit bullet, and hath but the like quantity of powder that the lesser piece hath. Any piece of Ordnance that is presently recharged after her loading, or that hath not lain long loaden, will convey her bullet more ground,& do more execution, than letting the same piece lie long loaden, the piece discharged at either time at one like degree of randon, and with oae like quantity of one like powder, wad and bullet. Two pieces in all respects equal, both loaden alike with one like powder, and laid at the mark from one like platform, the center of the mark just point blank with the center of the hollow cylinder of the piece, and within the unveil range of both pieces, the one of the said pieces brought to the mark with her true disparture, and the other piece with her metals, that piece so disparted shal strike the mark, and the other piece shall shoot over the mark. A bullet of any mettal discharged out of any piece of Ordnance, by how much more violent or swifter it is driven thorough the air, it is in proportion to that violent moving so much the lighter, and the more lighter, the more easy is the passage thereof; and the more forcibly it flieth, the more force it worketh against any resisting object, and flieth in a staighter line in his swift motion, than in his decreasing moving. And by how much the swiftness thereof decreaseth, in like proportion to that moving doth it grow heavier and declineth. A bullet of iron or any other mettall that is not solidly cast, but hath in it some little hole or empty place, being discharged out of any piece of great Ordnance doth fly thorough the air with a more whistling sound than if the same had been perfectly solid and round cast. And any bullet recharged from any piece of Ordnance, will make a greater sound passing violently thorough the air, at the first shot, than at the second, third, or fourth shot, being recharged one presently after another, by reason the air at the first shot was quiet, close, and vndiuided, and therefore of force must resist the passage of the bullet, more than when the same is moved or divided. The violent motion of a bullet discharged out of a Cannon or Culuering, or other such like great piece of Ordnance, passeth with such a strong motion, and driveth the air before it in the passage of range therof, that flying over houses three or four hundred yards above the same, doth often shake them in such sort, that the glass on the windows will break in pieces,& the platters on the benches, or such like things standing loose, will fall down▪& the higher that such houses are that are so under the passage or range of the bullet, are more subject to the hurt or shake therof than lower houses which are near to the piece, and under the like range of the bullet; which is a strange thing, that the motion of the air driven& driving the bullet, should haue such a power to shake or hurt a great object rather than a lesser, both standing under the like passage of the bullet. Also it hath more power to hurt an object standing firm( tho further from the piece) than a movable object, as a man or beast, being much nearer to the piece,& both under the range or passage of the bullet. Any piece being discharged with her due loading in powder& wad, with a fit bullet of yrō,& after being discharged with the like quantity of like powder& wad,& with a bullet of led of like diameter to the iron bullet, shal make several ranges, though the piece be discharged at one like grade, the bullet of iron shal outsly the bullet of led; but loading the piece with her due of powder, according to the weight of the iron bullet,& after loading her with the same powder, giuing her the like proportion to the weight of the leaden bullet, the range of the leaden bullet shal extend further than the range of the iron bullet Two pieces of like bore, but contrary length, having one like loading, and laid at one like degree of the quadrant, to shoot at any one mark, without the unveil range of each piece, but within the best random of both pieces, shal make like ranges: but if the said piece haue one like visual sight( to wit) if they haue both one like length given them by an inch rule to reach the said mark( which some Gunners call the rule of flat) the ranges of those 2 pieces shall greatly differ,& though they haue both one like length given thē by the said rule to reach the mark yet shall they alter by the degrees of the quadrant, the shorter piece shal be elevated at a higher point than the longer,& therfore of force must range further than the longer It is a common opinion amongst a great many Gunners, that any piece of Ordnance lieth point blank that is truly brought to the mark, whether the said mark be ascending or descending, the piece laid truly against the said mark without any length given to reach it: but I say, that there is but one precise point blank, that is, when the piece is so laid that the line issuing from the centre of the hollow cylinder of the piece cutteth the centre of the mark; and if it were or might bee extended forth right, would cut directly the true horizon: or a point blank or level line is that which by supposition extendeth itself from the centre of the piece through the centre of the mark unto the true horizon, for there can be but one precise streight line or point blank, as the Gunners term it, which must be that visual or supposed line, whose ends are both of equal height. Or a direct strait line is that which when a perpendicular line falleth thereon, divideth it into equal angles, as is taught in Ewclid and other books of Geometry. The easiest and truest way to know when your piece lieth point blank, is by putting your rule into the piece mouth, having a Gunners quadrant or square thereon, and coining your piece so, that the plummet may cut or fall on the line that makes the right angle from the centre where it hangs( called the level line) that piece then lieth point blank: all other lines visual being extended to any mark that is either higher or lower than the eye, are not to be termed streight lines. If the mark which you are to shoot at be in a streight line with the concave of the piece, and not without the point blank or level range of the piece, it is an easy matter to strike diverse marks standing in the said line, by making the visual line so much lower, as is between the true visual line and the center of the cylinder of the piece, being the line in which the bullet flieth:& if the mark be far without point blank, it is possible to strike two marks standing in the visual line, both in the place where the bullet first cutteth the said visual line, and so rangeth above it into the air in his strait motion( which will not be far from the piece)& in that place where the bullet in the end of his range declining, cutteth the said visual line again in his crooked or bending motion, which must of necessity be either at or very near to the mark. If the mark you mean to shoot at be not far without the level range of the piece, and something higher than point blank, then must you so lay the piece, that the visual line aimed by the superficies of the metals of the piece( not disparting the said piece) may cut the mark: and if at the first shot the bullet light short or over, you may easily amend the second by adding or abating the length given; but if the mark be under point blank, and not far without the level range of the piece, then set up your disparture in the mids of the superficies of the mettall at the mouth of the piece, and working as is said by experimenting one shot, it is an easy matter to make a perfect shot the second time:& if you shoot at the said mark not disparting your piece, then must you lay the piece short of the mark, that the visual line passing by the metals of the piece touch a pretty distance under the mark All marks or objects distant from your piece which you are to shoot at, are in a threefold proportion to be considered of; as either the same is just point blank, which is in one respect only to be considered of, or it is higher or lower than point blank, which is to be considered of in diuers respects, according to the distance and number of degrees the same is at, either in ascent or descent. Any two or mo pieces of like or contrary proportion at point blank discharged, every piece having her due loading with powder,& with a bullet fit for each piece,& the unveil ranges of the said pieces noted, that of those pieces whose level range is furthest, will still out shoot the other at any grade of the randon, giuing to every of the said pieces, the self like loading in powder& bullet. Any two pieces differing in proportion,& the difference of their level ranges known, may so be loaden, as they shall both range one like distance of ground at one like randon: and the utmost range of any piece known at any degree of randon, by abating the proportion of her powder, it is possible in two or three shoots, to shoot any part of the same randon that you will assign. Two pieces in all respects equal save length, mounted one like degree of randon, and loaden with one like weight in contrary powder, and with one like bullet, that piece that is loaden with the best powder, will still out-range the other, although that other be the longer: but if there be but little difference betwixt the force of the powders, this proportion will not hold at every grade of the randon. To charge any piece of Ordnance Gunner-like, set your boudge or barrel on the wind hand of the piece,& causing one of your assistants to hold the same aslope, thrust your ladle into the same, filling it full of powder, causing your fellow that holds the boudge to strike the same with a ruler; two of those ladles is the common charge of that piece. And fixing your thomb just under the staff of the ladle, thrust the same home to the chamber of the piece where the powder lieth, turning the ladle so as your thomb be directly above the staff, and in so doing, the powder will fall or turn out of the Iadle cleanly; then drawing out the said ladle with the rampion on the other end of the staff, thrust home the powder with 2. or 3. stroke, causing your assistant to hold his thomb close on the touch-hole of the piece, then taking a close round wad of hay, tow, vntwisted rope, or such like, thrust in the same with your rammer-staffe close to the powder;& after put in the bullet close to the wad:& if your piece be elevated at any degree of the randon to reach the mark, it is needless to put in any wad after the bullet, for it will rather hinder than help the same: but if the piece mouth be any whit embased, then it behoveth to put in a wad close to the bullet, to hold the bullet in his right place:& the special point belonging to a Gunner in charging of any great piece, is to load the same standing sidewise of the piece, and not directly before her mouth; for it sometimes happeneth, that a piece having flaws or hony-combs within her, being often discharged together, doth for a season keep some sparks of fire in the said holes, so that thrusting home the ladle with the powder, to load the piece standing directly before the mouth of the piece, it taketh fire and killeth the Gunner and such as are directly before the mouth of the piece, as happened in Anno 1573. at the siege of edinburgh Castle, to two experienced Gunners, who if they had stood sidewise to the piece, might haue escaped that danger. If you charge your piece with a cartredge,& having put the same home to the breech, with the end of your rammer staff, put after the same a good wad, and after that the bullet, as afore is taught, not forgetting to thrust the case of the cartredge thorough with your priming iron in the touch-hole of the piece, that the priming powder may be sure to take hold and to fire the same. Some use to put a Tampion of wood in next to the cartredge, and then the bullet and wad; and some use to cut that part of the cartredge away that lieth next to the touch-hole: but howsoever you cut the same in charging any piece with a cartredge, it behoveth you to prime the cartredge through with a skrewed or wreathed priming iron made sharp at the end, and then putting in your priming powder, you shall be sure not to fail of your purpose. In giuing fire to any great piece of Ordnance, as Cannon, Culuering, or such like, it is requisite that the Gunner thereto appointed, first see that the piece be well primed, laying a little powder about the touch-hole as a train, and then to be nimble in giuing fire, which as soon as he espieth to flamme, he ought with quickness to retire back three or four yards out of the danger of the reverse of the wheels and carriage of the piece: for oftentimes it happeneth that the wheel or axletree doth break, and spoil the Gunner that giveth fire, not having agility to move himself from the danger of the same: yea, I did see a Gunner slain with the reverse of the wheel of a Culuering, which crushed his leg and thigh in pieces, who if he had had a care, and nimbleness withall, might haue escaped that misfortune. Also if the priming powder bee dankish, or the coal of the match not clear, the Gunner cannot speedily give fire, and therefore behoveth to foresee it: or if he hold the lintstocke in which his fired match is tied, long over the touch-hole, the violence of the flamme issuing thereout is able to spoil him, or some thereabout, by throwing the lintstocke or staff which he gives fire with out of his hand. I haue seen the lintstock and match blown out of the Gunners hand more than fourscore yards from the piece, by the violent blast of the fire issuing out at the touch-hole of the piece, in giuing fire to the same. And it is to be noted, that the wider the touch-hole of the piece is, the greater flamme doth issue out thereat, which causeth the piece to work less effect than shee would, having a lesser touch-hole. Any piece of Ordnance truly disparted, shooting at any mark in a streight line from the centre of the hollow concave of the piece, and within point blank, shall strike so much under the centre of the said mark( being laid just against the midst of the said mark) as the visual distance is from the top of the said disparture to the concave or cylinder of the piece. To make a perfect shot at any mark, whether the same be at point blank, or at any degree ascending or descending, coin your piece so that the centre of your eye in aiming lie close to the superficies of the middle part of the mettall at the breech: and if the mark be at point blank, and the piece truly disparted, and the visual line so aimed( passing by the top of the said disparture) cut the centre of the mark, then shall the bullet light so much under the centre of the mark as is between the concave of the piece and the top of the disparture, if the wind alter not the bullet in his motion. And if the mark bee further than the piece will reach with her metals, then must you elevate the piece mouth so many degrees as will reach the same, first laying the piece strait against the said mark: and whether the mark be point blank, above point blank, or under point blank, if you fix your eye in aiming above the level sight at the breech, the visual line passing by the extreme or top of the level sight at the mouth of the piece, will cut under the mark, and will cut or divide the supposed line in which the bullet flieth before it come to the mark; which bullet will light above the mark: or fixing your eye lower than you ought at the breech, the visual line extending itself, will cut above the mark, and never touch the line in which the bullet flieth. Any piece of Ordnance made hote with often shooting, being cooled with water, or vinegar, or other liquour, and presently after recharged again, will not convey the bullet so far, as suffering the mettall to cool of itself. And any piece discharged diverse times& not sponged and cleansed, the said piece will not do such effect as being sponged every time presently after she is discharged. If the Trunions of any great piece of Ordnance, as Cannon or Culuering, be placed too near the mouth, then the piece will be so weighty at the breech, that shee will require the aid of two or three Gunners to raise up the same with leauers, that she may be brought to her mark; therefore to raise the same with one mans strength, so far as another may coin the piece to shoot at any mark assigned, lay some small coin or piece of timber cut wedgwise, on the side of the stock or carriage of the piece, that may reach in height within 2. or 3. inches of the lowest part of the mettall of the breech of the piece, and putting in your giver or handspike as near the end of the breech as you can, between the said piece of timber& the mettall of the piece, you may raise the piece at your pleasure, so as another may coin the same to lay her to any mark assigned:& the longer your giver is, and the least part of the end therof that you put under the piece, the more weight a great deal you shall raise up. Also by thrusting a strong lever into the mouth of the piece, weighing the same down at the furthest end thereof, you shall weigh or raise up a great weight; and the longer the giver is, the more weight shall you counterpoise. If being in service, you are like to lose your Ordinance, and would rather break or burst the same in pieces than the enemy should haue advantage thereof, you may easily burst any piece with her common charge of powder, or with less powder than her common charge, as thus: after you haue put home your powder, make a close wadde as hard as ever you can thrust in after the same, and then take an iron bullet half an inch or more lower than the diameter of the concave of the piece, and put the same home close to the said wad, and under the said bullet drive in a wedge or taper piece of iron of fourteen or sixteen inches in length, made smooth and small at the one end, and great at the other, almost the height of the bullet, and giuing fire with a train, the bullet will run vpon the same wedge, and having no passage by reason the said wedge doth stop the way thereof, the piece perforce must break in pieces: or you may burst any piece with her common charge in powder at any part thereof, in thrusting her mouth into water to that part you would haue broken,& giuing fire by some train, the piece will burst at that part without the superficies of the water. The like may be done as some hold opinion in thrusting the piece mouth into a hole made three or four foot deep into the earth, ramming the earth close about the same, so as no air may pass out at the piece mouth: or laying the piece vpon the ground vpon some pieces of timber laid under the forepart and hinder part thereof, and making a hollow place under the mids thereof, make therein a good fire, and with a pair of bellows make the piece through hote, and with a sledge or great hammer striking the piece in the mids, the middle part of the piece lying hollow, you may easily break the same. If you would foretell whether any piece of Ordnance will shoot short or over any mark appointed, standing on any side of and from the same piece, and not beholding the visual line how the piece is laid to the mark, by having tried and seen the fall of the bullet, the first shot is an easy matter to show whether the said piece shall shoot short or over any other time, being loaden every time alike( as thus:) before the piece bee discharged the first time, set up a Iaueling, halberd, or any streight staff, directly before the mouth of the piece, and on the same make a privy mark hard by the vpper or highest part of the mettall, and when the piece is brought to the same platform again, and laid to her mark, and hath her length given her to reach the mark, before the Gunner give fire, set up the staff again in the same place, or cause another to set the same up, and if the highest part of the mettall at the piece mouth be elevate above the said mark on the staff( which you may spy a pretty distance from the piece) then the said piece will out-shoot the first shot: but if the vpper part of the mettall at the mouth be under the said mark on the staff, then the piece will shoot short of the other short, being loaden with one like quantity of powder and bullet. If you would annoy the enemy, and can come to serve under them without suspicion, and would poison their Ordnance, or any piece thereof, so as the same should not readily be made to shoot, watch a fit time, and poure a little hote oil through a small tunnell into the touch-hole of the piece, the piece mouth a little embased; or raising her mouth a little, power in a little water or other liquour thereat, the which will soak thorough the wad into the powder, so as the same will not fire, or else cloying up the touch-hole with nails driven to the head, you may for a season hinder the same from shooting, to the great annoyance of the enemy, and furtherance of your friends, they having some privy warning thereof: the chief and readiest way if a piece be poisoned, is, to draw the same, or if the touch-hole be cloyed up, is to make a train in at the piece mouth to the chamber where her loading lieth, and so recharging her, it will blow out the same, or else it must perforce be drilled out. The platform whereon your Ordnance is planted in service, ought to bee stored with strong wooden planks of timber, or paved with broad smooth stones, laid close together, no higher in one place than in another, but flat and plain on the superficies thereof, for the wheels and carriage to make their reuers vpon: for if the platform bee not made, the wheels in often reuersing will so sink into the ground, that the pieces without great trouble and more strength of men, will not be brought to their right platform again; especially after moist weather, the ground being wet before: and the piece shall sometimes shoot amiss, by reason the one wheel will sometimes sink deeper than the other. The platform behind the carriage would bee made a little higher than before; so shall the Gunners with more ease a great deal bring the piece to her true platform after she is reversed. If you would see whether the piece you are to serve with be clean without flaws, hony combs, or cracks, then turning her mouth towards the sun, being vnloaden, with a looking-glasse you may cast the beam of the sun into the concave of the piece: or if the funne do not shine, with a lighted candle put on the end of a cloven stick you may also see the same: but if you fear that shee hath some crack, blow her with a quarter or half of her loading in powder, and presently stop her mouth with some cloth or other thing, that no smoke issue out, causing another to do the like at the touchhole: and if there be any crack in the piece, the smoke will issue out threat. Also you may perceive if a piece be without crack or flaws, in striking vpon the same with some iron tool;& if the piece be without crack, shee will haue a clear and sharp sound being vnloaden, otherwise she will haue a harsh or dull sound. Any Gunner skilful and experienced in the Art, may dispart any great piece seven several ways, but the readiest and easiest way is to thrust your priming iron into the touch hole of the piece, down to the lowest part of the concave of the piece, and with your knife make a mark on the said priming iron, just with the height of the utmost part or highest part of the mettall there. Then draw out the same priming iron, setting the same upright at the mouth of the piece, so as the lowest end of the said priming iron touch the lowest part of the concave there also,& hard by the vpper part of the mettall at the mouth of the piece with your knife make another mark on the said priming iron, the distance between those two marks is the true disparture of that piece. To any one or more pieces of Ordnance of like length and height, that shooteth one quantity of one like powder and bullet, may be made a precise table of randons: but a thing unpossible to make one perfect table of randons to seurall pieces of contrary length and height, discharged with one like or unlike powder and bullet, although diverse authors haue affirmed the same may be done, and haue given out rules thereof: for the variable length of the pieces, the differing weights of the bullets, and the sundry forces of diuers kindes of powder, must and will alter in each of these cases. By experimenting diverse shots out of any one or more pieces of Ordnance, of like length and height, discharged with one quantity of one like powder and bullet, I could artificially describe how to make an instrument, which set vpon the breech of the piece, the visual line thereof should show what length the said piece requireth to reach any mark within the utmost randon of the said piece, as also should show the number of degrees the said piece is elevated at, and how far the said piece would convey her bullet at any degree of the randon, or what distance any mark is different from the piece, and how much higher or lower the said mark is than the point blank of the said piece, the said piece loaden at every time with one like quantity of one like powder, wad and bullet, and of like temper: but forasmuch as the same will not hold in all pieces of contrary length& height, neither in any one piece of Ordnance discharged with her due loading of diverse kindes of powder, it were a thing not convenient to show the reasons therof, for that the same requireth a long discourse, and would be to no great purpose, unless the same might be a general rule for all pieces, of what length and height soever. You may discharge any piece of Ordnance by the beam of the sun a pretty distance from the same, the sun bright shining, and the day clear and hote, in taking a broad bright basin; setting the same so on the side of the carriage of the piece against the touch-hole, that it may strike the reflex of the sun beam back vpon a train of fine powder laid vpon and about the touch-hole of the piece, in the midst whereof lay a little fine lint dipped in melted brimstone, and on the same a crystal ston: and standing thirty or forty yards from the same( or further, if you think good) by the aid of three or four glasses well steeled, you may cast the beam of the sun directly against the centre of the basin, which will so multiply the heat, that it will presently fire the train, and so discharge the piece. Or you may give fire to any piece of Ordnance with a burning glass; but then you must be near to the piece, which will be perilous, for fear of the reverse of the wheel, except you make a train, and so drawing the beam of the sun into a point like a pin head through the center of the glass, you shall so multiply the heat, that it will presently give fire to the piece. I read that Archimedes by his skill in Geometry and in the Art perspective, did from off the walls of Siracusa( the city being besieged by the romans) fire their navy riding in the road without, onely by the aid of glasses; as also diverse of our own countrymen by the aid of glasses haue experimented many notable and strange conclusions, to their everlasting famed. You may also with a quart or pottle of any liquour, as wine, water, ale, or beer, discharge any piece of Ordnance, in putting into the touch-hole of the piece the end of a piece of match of a yard or five quarters long, well soaked in molten brimstone, the piece being well primed: and setting or making fast to the side of the carriage of the piece, any little half firkin or wooden vessel that will hold a gallon or pottle of liquour, filling the same half full of lymestone new burnt and vnquenched,& take the lightest& whitest stones you can find( for those are best burnt:) then take three or four of those stones, and beate the same into fine powder, and mix with three or four handfuls of the same, as much powder and brimstone beaten very fine, laying the same amids the vessel vpon the stones, rolling the other end of the match in that receipt, and then fill up the vessel with other like stones, powring vpon the same as much liquour aforesaid as would fill half the tub: the which will melt the stones into dust, and drink up all the liquour, and with the heat therof will presently fire the brimstone, which kindling the match, will discharge the piece: and if you make the said liquour seething hote, and poure it into the vessel, it will so work therein, that if the vessel be not all the better girded, it will burst it in pieces. If in service, or at any other time, you haue occasion to shoot diuers shots in one or mo pieces, the day being very windy, so that it bloweth away the priming powder laid about the touch-hole of the piece, to prevent that inconvenience, if you take a little tough day, working the same well in your hand, and laying the same vpon the mettall of the piece on the windy side, in maner of ½ a circled, one or two inches from the touch-hole, about one inch height, it will hinder the wind from blowing the priming powder away, so that you may give fire at pleasure. Any piece of Ordnance being discharged in the night, the report or roar thereof will be heard further than if shee had been discharged in the day, the weather of like calmness:& the report will sound further down the wind than against the same, and further on the sea than on the land, the air quiet and the sea calm. Also if you make a hole in the ground five or six inches deep, and lay your ear close thereto, you shall hear the report of any piece of Ordnance discharged from far more perfectly than standing or walking: by experience, it hath been often tried, that the sound of the Canons discharged at the siege of diverse Holds, hath been heard very near forty miles. Some Gunners hold opinion, that the reverse of any piece of Ordnance discharged, is not before the fire be clean expulsed out of the concave of the piece into the open air: but therein they err; for experience sheweth that the piece and carriage beginneth to recoil in that moment, assoon as ever the powder fired within the piece, beginneth to thrust itself out, the violent expulsive motion whereof striving forward, causeth the piece to recoil, but the roar or report of the piece discharged, is not before the fire be expulsed out of the piece. Also some hold opinion, that the force of the fire departing from the piece, causeth the mettall to quiver or shake: and to assure themselves, they haue for trial clapped to the bottom of a glass a little quantity of wax or pitch, and filling the glass with water, set the same vpon the highest part of the mettall, about the middle of the piece; and because the same hath broken in shivers or fallen, they think their opinion is strong. But my opinion is contrary; for if the mettal of the piece at her discharge do any whit quiver or shake, the piece would either burst in shivers or rent itself: for I hold that it is the very air or violent blast proceeding from the fire, either out of the mouth of the piece, or touchhole, or both, and withall the sudden reverse of the piece, that doth cause the thing so set vpon the vpper face of the mettall, to burst or fall off: and for the better trial hereof, I asked the opinion of a soldier, who for a trespass committed was enjoined to ride the Canon, who confidently affirmed, he could perceive no quivering of the mettall of the piece, but that the air which issued out of the mouth and touch-hole of the piece did somewhat astonish and shake him. A ball or bullet of wild-fire shot out of a Chamber or mortar piece, having one or mo vents made vpon any one part thereof to kindle the ball, although for a little motion the said vents burneth from you in the range thereof, by reason they are first fired, and stand nearest to the piece mouth before the delivery thereof, yet for the greater part of the range the ball will turn and burn with the said vents towards you; as by experimenting the same you may see: for reason teacheth, that any solid thing violently driven, flieth with that part foremost that is most ponderous and weighty, which in this case must needs be that part of the ball vnburnt, or which is not vented. A ball of wildfire discharged out of any piece of Ordnance, having but one vent, the swifter that the receipt is in burning, the further it will range, the piece being presently discharged as the ball is fired: and the slower the receipt is, the less distance will the range be: and any ball having but one vent, will range further and burn longer than having diuers vents. A ball of wild-fire made to burn in the water, being fired and thrown therein, that part will appear first above the water that is lightest( to wit) that part wherein the vent is, the which ball will not burn perfectly above the superficies of the water, until the ½ thereof be burnt and emptied, and so being filled with air doth cause the other part to swim and burn above the water. A ball of wildfire made never so artificially shot out of a mortar, chamber, or other great piece of Ordinance, the piece having her full loading in powder, that is used to give her in shooting a bullet of mettall, will cause the said ball to burst in pieces, and therefore the said piece must bee loaden with a proportional charge in powder to the weight of the ball, which will not be above ½ the weight of the ordinary charge used to shoot a bullet of mettall. A ball of wild-fire discharged out of any piece of great Ordinance, being vented or bored through crosse-wise, and primed full of powder to take fire, although the flamme of the fire in the burning of the said ball issue out at every end of the said vents, that, is four several ways, yet in the motion or range thereof, the greatest part of the flamme and fire will issue out but at one or at two vents at the most, which will bee those vents in that part of the ball that is towards the piece; for the violent moving of the ball through the air, doth cause the flamme to show itself, and to burn most on the contrary part against which it flieth: the which flamme will show itself as it were a tail, or train following the ball in his motion. And it is to be considered, that in shooting any piece of Ordinance with a fire ball, the piece would be loaden with less than half her ordinary charge in powder, or with the one half at the most, that is, with one ladle full of powder, the which put gently home with the tampion on the end of your rammer staff, put in the ball close to the powder, priming the same well before you put it in, and after the ball put in a handful of powder close to the ball, so shall you be sure the same will take fire, and not burst in the flight or range being well wolled and marted. The receipts wherewith balls of wild-fire or other fireworks are made being slow, may be made more strong and to burn more furiously, by adding a little bruised powder to the receipts, working the same well together: and any fire-work whose receipts bee too forcible in burning, may be made more slow, by adding a quantity of some liquid receipt thereunto. A ball or bullet of wildfire discharged out of any piece of Ordnance in a clear day, at any mark within the reach of the piece, cannot be discerned in his range, nor seen to burn before it light on the ground. And any ball of firework discharged out of any piece of Ordnance at any mark in the dark night, may be perceived by the eye all the range thereof: and the more darker the night is that the same is so discharged, the better you may discern the same: but in the beginning of the range, the eye is not able to discern it so perfectly as in the latter part thereof; neither doth the ball burn so forcibly, nor give such light in his swift motion( that is, in the first part of the range) as in the latter part of his motion, when it declineth towards the ground. If you take Arsnicke and Sulphur, of each like quantity, and beat the same very fine, and then boil the same in a covered pot, and then kindle the same with a candle, letting no other light be seen; the standards about the same will seem monstrous strange one to another. Or if you take Aqua composita and Salt, and pound the same together, and fire the same in the dark where no other light may be seen, the beholders will seem as they were dead. I red in Albertus Magnus, and diuers other such Authors, how to make strange lights: such as would practise the same, may haue recourse to their works. devises of certain serviceable fireworks, very necessary to be used both for Sea and Land services. TO arm Pikes to defend a Ship or a breach, or to enter the same, take strong canvas, the which cut, sewed& tied hard on the pike with marlin cord, as the draft marked with the letter A. sheweth; fill the same with this receipt compounded and wrought together( to wit) Powder bruised, eight parts; Peter in Roch, one part; Peter in meal, one part; Sulphur in meal, two parts; Rozin roch, three parts; Turpentine, one part; Linseed oil, one part; verdigris, ½ part; Bole armoniacke, l⅓ part; Bay salt l⅓ part; Colophonia, ⅙ part: and if you think good, you may put thereto of arsenic ⅛ part: then coat the same over with this liquid mixture melted in a pan or coating pot( to wit) Pitch, four parts; Linseed oil, one part; Turpentine, ⅕ part; Sulphur, one part; tar, l⅓ part; Tallow, one part. And assoon as this is could, bore two holes in each of the same an inch deep, with a sharp iron or bodkin, filling the same with fine bruised powder, putting in every hole a little stick of two or three inches length, which are to be taken out when you would fire the same. This composition will burn furiously. If you please you may make fast to the same receipt on your Pike certain light pipes or canes of iron or brass of six or seven inches length, being Pistol or caliver bore, as the draft B. sheweth, placing the touch-hole thereof close to the canvas, boring the said canvas thorough, and priming the same with fine powder,& vpon the same paste a little paper,& then coat the same over as above is said, the which charged with powder and bullet will do great execution in a throng, either to offend or defend. Figure A: pike fitted for fireworks A Figure B: pike fitted for fireworks B You may arm a Dart, a javelin, Partizan, or such like weapon, to do excellent good service, being in the hand of a valiant soldier, as you see the figure C. the which may be filled with the self like receipt as is taught to arm pikes with wild-fire, which would be a very good weapon to throw into the sides or sails of ships; or you may place vpon the staff of your javelin certain pistol barrels of one length, about ten or twelve inches, letting the same into the wood round about the staff a little, as you put a pistol barrel into the stock, as the draft D. sheweth, which staff must haue substance at the one end, whereto you may nail the same barrels fast at the breech: and about the midst of the same put over a hoop of iron as close as ever you can, the which is to be charged in this order following, viz. first charge every barrel with two inches of powder, after put in a bullet a little lower than the bore of the same piece; then take of this slow receipt following( to wit) bruised powder four parts, saltpetre in meal one part, linseed oil 1. part, brimstone finely beaten 1. part, varnish 1 part, and of willow or hazel coal moistened with a little venegar 1. part: all these would be well wrought together with the hand in some wooden vessel, till you feel that it will cling together, of which you must put in after the bullet two inches, and thrust the same together with a rammer stick: then again put in other two inches of powder, and after a bullet, and lastly two inches of this slow receipt, until you haue filled every of the said barrels within ½ inch of the mouth, the which is to be filled up with the said slow receipt& powder bruised& mixed together, that it may the sooner fire: this done, bind a paper over the mouths of the same, until you would occupy them, and giuing fire to any one of the same, it will fire all the other, and every one will discharge three or four shots a piece, one after another, to the hurt of Figure C: weapon fitted for fireworks C Figure D: weapon fitted for fireworks D the enemy being used in service either to offend or defend, and to the pleasure of the beholders, being used in triumph with bullets of receipt rolled in fine tow, and coated with brimstone. If you would defend some narrow room, or would enter up a pair of stairs, where you cannot wield a long weapon, you may make a logget, whose staff shal bee but three or four foot long: arming the same with the like receipt as I haue shewed to arm pikes, whereon you may place certain pipes of brass or iron charged as afore is taught:& if you will you may put into the end of the staff a Rapier blade with a screw to take off and on at your pleasure, as the draft E. hereunder sheweth. Figure E: logget fitted for fireworks, with rapier blade on the end E Also you may arm a Partezan, javelin, or Fork with firework, to offend or defend a breach, ship, or any place of defence, and to shoot every of them seven or eight Pistol or caliver bullets; in nailing a plate of iron cross the pike or point of the said javelin, or between the grains of the Fork, piercing certain holes through the same, unto which with a strong wire you may make fast on either side so many pipes of iron of 7. or 8. inches length as you think convenient to fix vpon either or any of the said weapons;& charging the same with powder, bullet, and wad, you may cause the same to fire one after another, in filling a role of canvas sewed together as the draft F. sheweth, with slow receipt and coated as afore is taught, the which placed arteficially vpon the said short barrels or pipes, as the draft G. H. sheweth, and primed with sine powder directly against the touch holes of the said short barrels, pasting a little paper over the same, siring the said trains at both the Figure F: weapon fitted for fireworks F Figure G: weapon fitted for fireworks G Figure H: weapon fitted for fireworks H ends, which as they burn shall still discharge the short pieces one after another, to the great good of the defendant. To offend or defend any narrow passage, or for diuers other military services, you may place vpon the point or pike of any halberd a devise of firework, in maner as is taught to arm pikes, made of the same like receipt,& coated with the self like coating: and if you please you may make fast thereto half a dozen or mo short pipes, like pistol barrels, of 7. or 8 inches length, laden with powder and bullet as this draft sheweth. Or you may make a serviceable halberd by which you may know the hour of the night, by viewing the North star, and guards( commonly called the lesser bear) which compasseth about the north star once every 24. hours, very necessary for all Leaders or Commanders of military men, by placing vpon the bill or axe of the halberd a roundel divided into 24. equal divisions, and traced and drawn withan index or pointer having a hole pierced through the center. The order how to make the instrument, as also how to find out any hour in any night that weapon fitted for fireworks the said stars may bee seen, you may learn in the seventeenth Chapter of the Art of navigation, written by Martin Curtis, who sheweth the same in such a plain and easy manner, that any unlearned man having a sharp wit may understand the same. To burn the sails of ships a pretty distance off, or to fire thatched houses, corne-stacks, or any combustible matter apt to burn, when as you cannot come to the same, it is good to make certain strong bows, to bend either with a rack or gassel, or otherwise, and to shoot out of the same strong arrows armed with wild-fire,& headed as the draft I, sheweth: the composition is to be made as is taught to arm Pikes with fire-work, which arrows may do great good for diuers services. Figure I: bow and arrow fitted for fireworks I To burn bridges, wooden gates, &c. or to do diuers other military services, if you can come to anoint the same with some such liquid composition as I haue shewed for the coating of fireworks, melting in the same a good quantity of bruised brimstone, and sticking in the same arrows of wild-fire made in proportion as the draft K, sheweth, the which may be made of the self like receipts, as is taught to arm pikes with fireworks, which will undoubtedly set the same a fire, for the receipt is so forcible that it will burn in the water. To charge trunks to shoot little balls of wild-fire, either to offend or defend, you must charge the same with two inches of good powder, and then with a ball of wild-fire a little lower than the concave of the trunk, bored through crossewise, and primed full of fine powder, Figure K: arrows fitted for fireworks K and lastly with two inches of slow receipt, and then again with powder, and then a ball of slow receipt, until you haue filled the same within ¼ of an inch of the mouth, which would be filled up with fine powder and receipt mixed together. The order how to charge a trunk appeareth by the draft L. the draft M. sheweth the proportion of a trunk already charged and fired, and the draft N. sheweth how certain pipes of brass or iron may bee placed on a trunk, which being loaden each of them with a pistol or caliver charge of powder and bullet, will do great execution. The bullet or ball of wild-fire, or button, as some Gunners term it, would be made in this manner. Take vntwisted match, tow, or hemp, the which would bee moistened in Aqua vitae, or sod in saltpetre water, then take of bruised powder six parts, of saltpetre one part, of brimstone finely beaten one part, of coal made of light wood, moistened with a little linseed oil and turpentine wrought together one part; then laying the tow or ocam abroad in thickness of the back of a knife, and as broad as a great oyster shell, put into the same as much of the receipt as you can grasp together in your fist, and tying the same hard with packthreed, coat the same over with melted brimstone, and when you would use the same, bore it through crossewise with a bodkin, and fill the holes full of fine powder bruised. Or you may make bullets of wild-fire to shoot out of a trunk or out of a piece of great Ordnance the which will bee as hard as a ston, and needeth no coating, the which being a little burnt will cleave to any thing at which you shoot the same, in taking of sulphur in meal six parts, of rozin in meal three parts, melting the same in some pot or pan over a slow fire, then take of ston pitch one part, of hard wax one part, of tar ¼ part, of Aqua vitae ½ part, of linseed oil ½ part, of verdegreese ¼ part, of camphor ⅛ part, melting all these together likewise, and stir into the same of Peter in meal two parts; and taking the same from the fire, put therein four parts of bruised powder, working the same well together in your hands, and rol the same round, of the greatness you mean to make the balls of, boring two holes through the same across, which when you would occupy, would be primed full of bruised powder: these balls being could will grow very hard, and fired will burn furiously, not diminishing in quantity being burnt to ashes, the ashes whereof will kindle an oaken board. To cut the cables, shrouds or masts of ships, a good pretty distance off, being in sea service, there is devised out of great Ordinance to shoot certain bullets that shall open and shut with a joint in the head, as Figure L: weapon fitted for fireworks L Figure M: weapon fitted for fireworks M Figure N: weapon fitted for fireworks N you see a pair of compasses, the arms or legs whereof are made in proportion to the blade of a knife, taperwise, and bowing sharp towards the point as the draft hereunder sheweth, where the draft O. sheweth how the same is to bee put into the piece after the powder and wad, and the draft P, sheweth how the same in his violent motion flieth through the air like a sythe, being shot out of any piece of great Ordinance. Figure O: jointed bullet to be loaded O Figure P: jointed bullet after being fired P There is also devised for like service aforesaid, another kind of bullet, triple jointed at the head, with streight arms sharp at the point, to shoot out of great Ordinance: the draft marked with the letter Q. sheweth how the same is to bee put into the piece; and the draft R, sheweth how the same slieth through the air like a galtrop, being violently driven by the force of the powder out of the piece: the chain or links are to keep the same streight in his motion or range. Figure Q: triple-jointed bullet to be loaded Q Figure R: triple-jointed bullet after being fired R To cut the tackle and shrouds of ships, it is good to cast half bullets of iron or led; unto every of which make fast a bar of iron, wrought either three square or four square, of the greatness of a mans finger, about fourteen or sixteen inches length, with a loop at the end, unto which a ring of iron is to be put, that the same may close and shut as the draft S. sheweth, showing also how you must put the same into the piece: and the draft T. sheweth how the same flieth in his moving through the air. Or to the said half bullets you may make bars in proportion of a knife blade, with a round joint at the end to open and shut, the which kind of bullets may as well bee made to shoot out of Muskets as out of great Ordinance, to the great annoy of the enemy, especially in sea-seruice, as the figure V. W. sheweth. Figure S: weapon for cutting tackle and shrouds of ships, to be loaded S Figure T: weapon for cutting tackle and shrouds of ships, after being fired T Figure V: weapon for cutting tackle and shrouds of ships, to be shot out of a musket V Figure W: weapon for cutting tackle and shrouds of ships, to be shot out of a musket w Also to cut the tackle of ships, or to do many other good services, either with Musket or other piece of great Ordinance, it is good to chain together two bullets in manner as the draft hereunder sheweth, where the letter X. sheweth how the same is to bee put into the piece, and the letter Y. sheweth how the same flieth through the air, being discharged out of any piece of great Ordinance, or out of any Musket. Figure X: two bullets chained together for cutting the tackle of ships, to be loaded into a musket or larger weapon X Figure Y: two bullets chained together for cutting the tackle of ships, after being fired from a musket or larger weapon Y Also for like purpose aforesaid, if you take a small iron chain with handsome links, rolling the same round together, so as the same may go easily into the piece close down to the wad, the same being again discharged out of the piece, will spread itself as the draft marked with the letter Z. sheweth. Figure Z: small iron chain rolled up for loading into a firearm; the same chain unrolled after being fired Z There is also used to cut the masts or shrouds of ships, or to boudge the same, &c. to charge great Ordinance with bullets of iron, having a great square bar through the same of two foot length or thereabouts, sharp at the one end& round at the other, about ½ the diameter of the cylinder of the piece,& on the mids thereof a bullet about ½ part of an inch lower than the height of the hollow cylinder of the piece, as the draft marked with A, sheweth, these are called crosse-barres: when the same is to be put into the piece, the piece being loaden with her due of powder and wad, some use to put vpon the small end thereof a good quantity of old Ocam, wraping the same fast about with marlin cord, and some use to put atampion of wood vpon the end thereof, and some wrap a piece of an old sail or other old cloth fast vpon the end of the bar, and so discharge the same. Figure A: two-foot iron bar, sharp at one end and round at the other, with a bullet in the middle, for cutting the masts or shrouds of ships A Being in sea service, if the enemy will needs board you, and that you intend not to yield, it is necessary to haue in store and readiness diuers hollow bullets, made of two plates of iron or other mettall, so as the one may close round vpon the other like a box, the which filled with pibble stones, square pieces of iron called dice shot, Musket bullets, and such like, and discharged out of a murdering piece will do wonderful hurt: behold the draft ensuing. Or, if you fill cases of wood made like unto a lantern full of pibble stones, dice shor, musket bullets, pieces of iron, or such like, discharging the same out of any piece of great Ordinance ( especially out of a murdering piece) will do great execution against such as are to enter a breach, a bridge, a gate, a ship, &c. hollow bullet filled with pebbles, iron dice shot, musket bullets, etc., shown after being fired and its contents scattering; wooden case shaped like a lantern filled with similar pieces, before firing If you bee to enter a ship or other place where you fear there is some train laid to blow you up, you may prevent the same by making certain purses of canvas filled half full of good corn powder, and with eight or ten fiery bullets of an inch or an inch ½ height, such as I haue taught to put in trunks, and filling the other part of the purse with such slow receipt as there is also taught, you may when you think good( the receipt being well fired) throw the same from you, which will burst in pieces after the lighting on the ground, and disperse the said enclosed bullets here and there, which bullets will burn furiously, and if there bee any train of powder laid near, will presently fire the same. The said purses are very good to throw out of hand, or may bee shot out of a mortar piece amongst men in battle ray to disorder them, or into a town; the draft B. sheweth how to fill the purse as here is taught, and the letter C. sheweth the proportion of it, being made up, filled and coated over. Figure B: canvas purse filled with bullets B Figure C: canvas purse filled with bullets, filled up with a flammable "slow receit" described earlier C To shoot a ball of wild-fire out of a Canon, Culuering, or other great piece of Ordinance in time of service, amongst the enemies a far off, or into towns, or in triumphs before Princes or great personages, take strong canvas doubled, and cut out a piece as round as the circumference of a circled, just the height of the diameter of the concave of the piece out of which it is to be shot, the which sewed sure round about all saving one inch, fill the same full of this receipt following( to wit) powder bruised eight parts, Peter meal two parts, Peter roch one part, rozin roch like pepper cornes two parts, Turpentine ½ part, Linseede oil one part, Sulphur meal one part, Sulphur roch one part, bole armoniacke l⅓ part, Verdegreese ¼ part, Colophonia ⅙ part. All these things mixed in a tray or some such like wooden vessel, and wraught well together with the hand, fill the said ball therewith as hard as you can; then sewing up the hole and woolling and marling the same well, coat the same over with melted brimstone; and with a sharp iron a little greater than a bodkin, bore two or three holes cross through the same ball, priming the same full of fine bruised powder; and when you would shoot the same, load the piece but with ½ quantity of her common charge in powder, and after put in the ball close to the said powder, and after put in a good handful of powder close to the ball with the tampion on the end of your rammer staff, the piece mounted about twelve or fourteen degrees will cause the ball to range above four and twenty score paces. If you would haue the ball to make a pleasant range, mount the piece above thirty degrees; and if the transom of the carriage will not suffer it, then you may dip the lower end of the carriage into a hole made in the earth for the purpose, the draft D, sheweth the proportion of such a bullet. Figure D: canvas bullet filled with the flammable recipe described immediately above, to be shot as a ball of wildfire out of a cannon or other heavy artillery D To shoot a ball of wildfire out of a Chamber or mortar piece, you must charge the piece with powder according to the proportion of her chamber, and quantity of the ball or bullet that she is to shoot, and according to the distance the ball is to range, and then take a close wad as hard as you can put home to the powder, and after put in the said ball, first making three or four vents therein within the compass of a shilling, an inch or two inches deep with a bodkin, priming the same with fine bruised powder, and be sure when you put the same into the piece, that the vents be uppermost next to the mouth of the piece, just in the center or midst of the concave thereof, then take a piece of gunmatch, or a little hay twisted with your hand, and after the ball is in the piece as is said, put the same round about the circumference of the bullet,& with a small wooden wedge beat the same close round about the ball, between the said ball and the mettal of the piece, so as no powder fall into the piece, whereby the same might be discharged before the said ball were well kindled with the train which you are to make at the mouth of the piece. This done, prime the piece well at the touch-hole, laying a little powder on some broad ston as a train to fire the same readily, covering the same with some cloth till the ball be well fired, lest some spark issuing from the ball, fire the piece too soon. And when you see the ball is well kindled, take away the cloth, and give fire to the train at the touch-hole, and so shooting the same amongst men in battle ray, or into a town amongst thatched houses, or corn-stacks, this kind of fire-work will do excellent good service: the letter E, sheweth the proportion of such a bullet to be shot out of a Chamber or mortar piece: but if you be to shoot out of your mortar or Chamber piece bullets of ston or of mettall into some Hold or Town, then you need do no more but onely loading the piece with her duty of powder, wad and bullet, giuing fire to the train at the touch-hole, and giuing the piece her due length, she will perform your wished desire. Figure E: bullet to be shot as a ball of wildfire out of a chamber or mortar piece E To make balls of wild-fire to shoot out of a Chamber or mortar piece, that being recharged shal stick in wooden gates, ship sides, or such like, make of those balls I haue taught to shoot out of a Canon or Culuering, the which filled as full& as hard as you can, with the like receipt as there is taught, and woolled well& coated over, make certain pieces of iron sharp at the point of two inches length, with a screw of ¾ of an inch long at the one end to scrue into the ball,& hard by the same a joint with a shoulder, that you may at pleasure, put the other end together close to the utter side of the ball; the which nails or sharp pieces of iron skrewed in to the shoulder into the ball( the ball being made something lower than the concave of the piece) being discharged out of the piece, will stick in any soft object, as wood or such like: for the forcible motion of the bullet or ball, will thrust the said pieces of iron stiff out in their joints, so that lighting vpon any resisting object( except ston) will stick in the same: the draft following noted with F, shows how the same is to be put into the piece,& the letter G, how the joints do stretch themselves in the violent motion therof, discharged out of a Chamber or mortar piece. Figure F: ball of wildfire with sharp pieces of iron attached, to be shot out of a chamber or mortar piece and stick in wooden gates, ship's sides, or other such objects (shown before loading) F Figure G: ball of wildfire from figure F shown in flight G Or you may make balls to throw out of hand into the sides or sails of ships of the receipt aforesaid, in skrewing into the ball round about the utter side thereof, certain pieces of iron, made sharp at the ends, like an Adders tongue, as the draft H hereunder sheweth. Figure H: ball of wildfire like that in figures F and G, to be thrown out of hand into the sides or sails of ships H You may also make another kind of fire-ball that shall burn furiously, and give a great light, that shall stick in any resisting object that you are to throw the same into, in taking three or four pieces of iron of like length, made sharp at the point, letting the one into the other in the mids, so as the one may cross the other justly, and taking of goose grease or swines grease one part, of tar ½ part, of pitch two parts, of Aqua vitae ½ part, of linseed oil one part, of turpentine one part, of verdigris ¼ part, of wax ½ part, of gum ¼ part, of saltpetre meal one part, of Sulphur meal one part: melt all these together over a slow fire, and in that liquid mixture dip a good quantity of Tow and linen rags, and after rub the same well in bruised powder, the which rolled hard round about the pieces of iron aforesaid, bind the same about with small wire or packthreed, and when you would occupy the same, bore two holes cross thorough the same, filling the same with bruised powder: the draft I, sheweth the proportion of such a ball as here is spoken of. This kind of fire-ball may be made to shoot out of great Ordnance, in making the same round, as above is said, without the pieces of iron: or you may make of these balls to throw with Figure I: ball of wildfire to burn furiously with great light and stick in any resisting object, with three or four iron points attached I Figure K: ball of wildfire like that in figure I without the iron pieces, for shooting out of heavy artillery K with hand amongst men in battle array, or into ships, or you may use the same in a triumph for pleasure in tying a cord of ¾ long thereunto, as the letter K, sheweth. To make a fire-ball to burn in the water, take powder bruised ten parts, Peter in meal two parts, Peter roch one part, Sulphur meal three parts, Rozin roch three parts, Turpentine one part, Linseed oil one part, camphor ¼ part, arsenic ¼ part, Verdegreese ¼ part, bole armoniacke ¼ part, cornes of bay salt ¼ part, filings of iron ⅕ part, quicksilver ⅛ part. All these things being well wrought together with the hand in some wooden vessel, double a piece of canvas,& cut out of the same a round piece of three inches, or three inches ½ diameter, which being well sewed fill the same with this receipt, and binding the same strongly about with packethreed, and coating the same over with melted pitch, or with the mixture taught to coat pikes of wildfire, make therein but one vent of an inch deep, priming therein fine bruised powder, and put into the hole a little stick of two inches length, which when you would occupy you may take out, and letting the same hogshead full of water carrying a fireball burn a while in your hand, cast the ball into some hogshead full of water, or into a river or pond, and the same will come up to the superficies of the water, and burn furiously: the draft last before sheweth the manner thereof. Or you may make a ball of wild-fire to burn in the water in this maner: take brimstone in meal two parts, and melt the same over a slow fire, and therein put of saltpetre in meal one part, of gum l⅓ part, of wax ¼ part, and taking this compound from the fire, stir into the same of bruised powder three parts, working the same well together, moistening the same with a little oil of linseed or Aqua vitae, and putting this receipt into a piece of canvas sewed up round and marled and coated over as afore is taught, boring a hole therein of an inch deep, and priming the same full of bruised powder: this ball will burn in the water whensoever you would use the same, but is not of such force as the ball filled with other mixture. You may make balls of this receipt to shoot out of a mortar piece, boring thorough the same two holes, the one crossing the other, or boring three holes in the same, into the center or mids of the ball, as the draft L sheweth. Figure L: ball of wildfire that will burn (less forcefully than the previous one) in the water, to be shot out of a mortar piece L It is good either for service on sea to burn the sails of ships, or on the land for disordering men in battellray being near, or for diuers other military services, to haue certain short muskets of an inch or very near an inch bore, out of which you may shoot either chained bullets, or half a score pistol bullets, or half a dozen harquebuz bullets at one shot; or you may shoot out of the same fire-arrowes made with strong shafts feathered with horn, or with common feathers, glued& bound on with thread: when you are to shoot a fire-arrow out of any of these pieces, you must not give the piece her full loading of powder, but rather ⅔ parts thereof, and then put in a close wad after the powder, and put in the arrow close to the said wadde, firing the same at the other end without the mouth of the piece, as you see the soldier aiming a musket with fire-arrows draft: which being well fired, you may discharge the same at your pleasure. The string made fast to the end of the firework, is to keep the arrow streight in his passage, being shot either with or against the wind. For the like service aforenamed, it is good to haue certain strong bows to shoot fiery shafts, something stronger and longer than ordinary shafts: for making the firework fast to them, the which being fired and discharged out of the bow by a skilful Archer, having a strong arm, will do excellent good service for diuers occasions, as by the draft hereunder you may see. soldier aiming a bow with a fire-arrow I might here adjoin variety of serviceable fire-works, as also show many devices of pleasant fire-works to be used in triumphs before great personages; but to the wise these may suffice, who by experimenting these may easily perform the other. Here followeth the making and use of the geometrical Instrument, called the GVNNERS Quadrant. THe Quadrant geometrical is the most common and especial Instrument used amongst the Professors of the art of Gunnerie, most easy to understand of the unlearned, both for bringing their piece level with any mark they are to shoot at, as also to shoot at any degree of the randon: the effects whereof I haue not seen set out in any book of Gunnery,& therefore haue thought good to show some notable practices by the said Instrument to bee performed, the making and use whereof briefly followeth. To make a geometrical Quadrant either of mettall or of fine smooth wood, draw four equal slight lines, that may cut each other square-wise, of seven or eight inches length or more; for the larger the lesser error, as you may see in the figure AB, BC, CD, DA, following. And from the center A, draw a slope line to C, called the hipothemisall line, and of some a diametrall line, vpon which if the plum line fall vpon the center A, looking through the sights E, F, beholding the extreme or highest part of any altitude, the distance, from the middle part of your foot to the base thereof, adding thereto the just height from your eye, is the just height of the said altitude: but if the plum-line fall on the line AB. then any mark that you view through the visual sights of, is of equal height or level with your eye. Or putting the rule into the concave of the piece, so that the thread fall on the line AB, then that piece lieth point blank, or in a streight line with any mark you are to shoot at: or if the plum-line fall on the line AD, the thing you behold is direct upright; then opening your compass the just length of any one of these squire lines, setting one foot in the center A, with the other foot draw an ark or circumference from the angle D to B, which ark shall be the just ¼ part of the circumference of a circled, and is called a Quadrant, the which is to bee divided into ninety equal divisions, which is called degrees: which may easily be done, by dividing the ark into three equal portions, and every of them into three, so haue you nine equal parts, so that dividing each of them into two parts makes 18. equal parts, and every of those into five equal parts, will make just ninety equal divisions or degrees: so is your Quadrant finished. The scale which is the squire lines BC, and CD, may be divided into 12. 60. yea 100. or 1000. divisions, the more the better, for the use of shadows, lengths, heights, &c. Where you must remember, that the side CD, is called the right shadow, and sheweth how to measure all heights within the length thereof, but the side BC, is of contrary shadow, which serveth to measure all heights without the length thereof, the use whereof followeth. The rule to which the Quadrant is artificially joined would bee two foot in length, divided in equal inches and parts with a hollow slit in the midst, vpon which would bee placed a fine plate with a little round hole in the middle thereof, to view any mark setting the rule upright at the breech of the piece: the said plate would bee made to move up or down at pleasure, by which you may know what length or what inches and parts any piece requireth to reach any mark. The visual sights placed on the edge of the rule would not bee above two or three inches from the ends thereof, and the rule would bee of weight to counterpoise the quadrant, so that when the rule is put unto the concave of the piece, the Quadrants weight do not raise the same. Before you begin to measure the length or height of any altitude, or to know whether any mark you are to shoot at be higher or lower than your platform, or the cylinder of your piece, it behoveth you first to see whether the base or lowest part of the said mark or altitude bee above or under point blank; the which you may know by viewing the same through the sights on the rule, letting the thread fall at liberty on the degrees of the Quadrant. And if the plum-line fall on the line of level, then the mark is of equal height with your eye; if the thread fall towards you, the mark is above point blank; if from the line of unveil, it is under point blank. And for the more true and perfect working of the conclusions following, it is good to make a little hollow screw in the middle of the hipothemisall line, and to haue a staff or gunners javelin to erect perpendicularly with a little screw plate of iron on the end at the side thereof, into which turning a skrewed nail through the hole so made in the Quadrant, you may make the same vnmoueable, so as you may lift the same up or down to behold any mark at pleasure: for no man can hold his hand so precisely but it will shake and move, and so cause the thread to err a little. How you may by your geometrical Quadrant measure the height of any wall, Tower, steeple, three, or any altitude approachable. GO towards the same until by supposition you think you are near about the length of the height of the same, and then setting the Quadrant to your eye, looking through the visual sights, beholding the extreme or highest part of the altitude, go to or from the same until the thread and plummet cut or fall vpon the part twelve of right shadow; then measuring how far it is from the middle part of your foot to the base of the said altitude, thereunto adding the height from your eye to the ground, you haue the just height of that altitude. The same conclusion is to bee wrought by the shadow or beam of the Sun, in turning the left side of your Quadrant to the sun, so as his beams may pierce through the visual sights of the plummet falling on the part twelve, the distance from the furthest point of that shadow to the base of the altitude is the just height of the same, being an upright altitude. How you may diuers ways find out any upright height within the length thereof both by the shadow and without shadow. IF the ground be plain and that you may go so near to the base of the altitude, that the plum-line may fall on the part one of right shadow; then measuring the distance from the midst of your foot to the base thereof, multiplying that measure by twelve, and adding thereto the height from your eye to the ground, you haue the true height of that altitude: or letting the sun beam pierce through the visual sights of the plum-line, falling at liberty on the part one of right shadow, measuring and multiplying that measure by twelve, and dividing by the parts whereon the plum-line hangs, the quotient will tel you the true height of the same altitude: for this is a general rule, that look what part of right shadow is cut by the thread or plum-line, the altitude or upright height to bee measured is more than that shadow, by such proportion as twelve exceedeth the part or division of the scale where the thread or plum-line was found. If the thread bee found to fall on the part 2. of right shadow, measure the distance from the midst of your foot to the base of the altitude, six times that measure is the height of the same, adding the height from the eye to the ground, for the part 2. is contained in 12.( the divisions of the scale) six times; or what part soever it fall on of right shadow, look how oft that part is contained in 12. so many times as that measure is from the midst of your foot to the base, ever adding the height from your eye, is the true height of the thing you measure. Or in brief, if the plum-line fall on the part 3. working as is said, four times that measure is the height of the altitude. Or if it fall on the part 4. then three times; if on the part 5. two times ⅖ parts of the shadow is the height: if on the part 6, 2 times: if on the part 7, once& 1/ 7: if on the part 8, once and ½: if on the part 9, once l⅓: if on the part 10, once and ⅕: if on the part 11, once 1/ 11 part of the shadow. All these mensurations be to be wrought within the length of the altitude. In measuring by the points of contrary shadow, which sheweth to measure all altitudes without the length therof, you must multiply the length of the shadow by the point or division of the scale whereon the thread falleth, dividing the result by 12, the quotient will show you the true height of the altitude. Or without shadow, go so near to the same that you imagine you are near within the length thereof, lifting up the Quadrant orderly, going to or from the same, till through the sights you espy the top or highest part of the altitude, the thread falling on the part 12, standing upright with your body, and at the midst of your foot make a mark, then go directly backward from the same, till through the visual sights you espy the highest part again, the thread falling on the part 6 of contrary shadow; and at the midst of your foot make another mark, the distance between those two marks adjoining thereto the height from your eye to the ground, is the true height of the altitude: and your furthest station is twice the length of the height of the altitude, wanting the height from your eye to the ground, which you must ever add to the work. Another way. If at the first station the thread fall on the part 6 of contrary shadow,& at the second station on the part 4, the distance between those two marks is the height, adding as before, and the furthest station is three times the length of the altitude you measure from the base therof, the ground being plain. Another way. If at the first station the thread fall on the part 4, of contrary shadow, and at the second on the part 3, then the distance between your two standings is the height desired, adding as afore, and the furthest station is distant from the base of the altitude four times the length or height thereof. Another way. If at the first station the thread fall on the part 3, and at the next the part 2, then the distance between those two standings is twice as much as the length of the altitude, excepting the height from your eye to the ground, and your furthest station shall be from the base of the altitude six times the height thereof. Another way. If at the first your thread fall on the part 2 of contrary shadow, and at the second on the part one, the space between the 2 standings, shall be six time the length or height of the altitude, or the 6 part of that measure shall be the height thereof; and your furthest station shall be distant from the base thereof, twelve times the height thereof. And note that if the scale were divided unto 60, 100, or 1000 divisions, by so much further from the thing to be measured might you find out the height thereof. How you may likewise by the parts of right shadow in the scale by the aid of two places find out any approachable height. PLace your Quadrant handsomely to your eye, till beholding the extreme of the altitude through the visual sights, your thread falling on the part 12, and at the middle of your foot make a mark, and going nearer to the base of the altitude directly forward, beholding the extreme or highest part of the altitude, the plummet cutting the part 6, at the middle of your foot make another mark, double that space, and thereto adjoin the height from your eye to your foot, the sum is the true height of the altitude. Another way. Lift up your Quadrant as afore, the plummet cutting the part 12, and going nearer till it cut the part 8, marking the middle of both your standings, measure that distance, and triple that measure, and thereto add the height from your eye, you haue the height. Another way. Let the thread cut the part 12 and 9, marking the middle of both your standings, measure the distance, quatriple that measure, and add the height from your eye, you haue the height. Another way. If at the first station the thread cut the part 12, and at the next station the part 10, six times the distance of the 2 station is the height, adding as aforesaid. Or if at the first it fall on the part 12, and at the second on the part 1, then 12 times the distance of the 2 stations is the height desired, adding the height from your eye to the ground. A general rule how you may by a Gunners Quadrant measure all heights by arithmetical skill. NOte what point or division of the scale the thread falleth on, your eye beholding through the visual sights of your rule the just top or extreme part of the altitude, if the thread fall on the parts of right shadow, then multiply the distance from the middle of your foot to the base by 12, and divide by the parts of the scale wherein the thread fell, adding thereto the height from your eye to the ground, you haue the height. But if the thread fall on the parts of contrary shadow, then multiply the distance from the middle of your foot to the base by those parts, and divide by 12, and to the quotient add the height from your eye to the ground, you haue the altitude likewise. Example. suppose the plum-line cut the part 5 of contrary shadow, the distance from the middle of your foot to the base of the altitude 110 foot, that multiplied by 5, is 550 foot, the which divided by 12, yields in the quotient 45 foot ⅚, to which add five foot, the height from your eye to your foot, the sum is fifty foot ⅚, the true height of that measure. Or suppose the thread fall on the part 6 of right shadow, the distance from the middle of your standing to the base of the Altitude 24 foot, which multiplied by 12 makes 288, divided by 6, the quotient is 48 foot, to which five foot added, the supposed height from your eye to the ground is 53 foot, the height of that altitude. Note in every working, whether the ground at your standing be level or not with the base of the altitude, if it be either higher or lower than the base, the plum-line falling on the line of level, will tell you what part of the base is level with your eye. A general rule to measure the length or distance of the parts or part of any Altitude. You must first find out the height of either part of the thing you would measure, by the rules aforesaid, in taking the length or height of the top and base of the same, abating the less out of the more, the remain is your desire. Or setting up perpendicularly a Gunners javelin, halberd or staff, divided into equal parts, a little within the length of the height of the altitude you would measure, moving yourself from the same backward, either lying on your back, or stooping your eye low towards the ground, till you can espy the extreme tops or ends of the altitude and staff in a streight line from your eye, and then not moving your eye, view the lowest part of the same thing you would measure, and suppose the visual line cut or pass by the third part or division of the staff, which imagine to bee divided into 8 equal parts, or 8 foot the length therof; and that the distance from your eye to the base of the staff is eighteen foot, and the distance from your eye to the base of the altitude is 120 foot, frame the rule of 3. saying, if eighteen foot the space from your eye to the staff yield 120, foot which is the distance to the base of the altitude, what will 3 foot? multiply 120 by 3, ariseth 360, divide by 18, the quotient is 20 foot, the height of that part of the altitude you desire to measure. A rule how by the degrees of the Quadrant by knowing a part or portion of the base or lowest part of any Altitude, to find out the height of the same. go so near to the thing whose height you would measure, setting the rule to your eye, so as the plumline falling on the line of level, may point equal with the base of the altitude, or else note some mark of the altitudes base, where your visual sight points at the thread falling on the line of level; then raise the quadrant higher, so standing still as the thread may fall on the first degree thereof, and looking through the sights, mark where the visual line points at, the distance between those two marks is to be measured. And lastly, lifting up your Quadrant, beholding the top thereof through the sights, mark vpon what degree the thread falleth: and so by knowing the distance and height of the first degree, you may easily by the golden rule find out the height of the altitude. Example. Say or suppose the thread falleth on the sixth degree of the quadrant: when you behold the top thereof through the visual sights, and the known distance of one degree is 8 foot, then say, if on degree yield 8 foot, what six? you shal haue 48 foot, the true height thereof. How you may by a Gunners javelin or halberd, or any strait staff, find out any approchable height by the shadow. suppose the Gunners javelin be 8 foot in length, fet the same up perpendicularly, and measure the length of the shadow the same casts, which measure suppose to be twelve foot. Then measure the length of the altitudes shadow, which suppose to be 60 foot. Then framing the rule of Proportion, saying, if 12 foot known shadow yield 8 foot height, what 60? and so multiplying 60 by 8, and dividing by 12, the quotient is 40, showing the height of the altitude is just 40 foot in height; the like rule is in Vegetios. Another way without shadow by any streight thing perpendicularly erected to find out the height of any approchble Altitude. SEt up a staff or gunners javelin perpendicularly as afore, somewhat within the length of the altitude, going from the same, and lying on your back, move yourself to or from the same, till you can espy the very end of the javelin, and the top of the mark in a streight line from your eye: suppose the distance from your eye to the staff 12 foot, and the distance from your eye to the base of the altitude 60 foot, and the height of the javelin 8 foot; say, if twelve foot the space from your eye to the staff yield 8 foot height, what will 60 foot( the distance from your eye to the base of the altitude?) Multiply and divide, your quotient is 40, as afore, showing the altitude of the thing to be measured. The like rule is in Master Digs his geometrical book called Pantometria; who sheweth also in the same, how by any two staues of equal length joined in a right angle squirewise, you may find any altitude, by setting the one end thereof to your eye, going to or from the thing to be measured, until you can by the points or ends of the other staff with one eye view both the base and top of the altitude, making a mark at the midst of your foot, the distance from that mark to the base is the just height of the thing you seek to measure. Many mo ways there be to find out heights, both by the Quadrant, squire, triangle, glass, staff, &c. which I let pass: the unexperienced by these few easy conclusions may the sooner attain the rest. How you may by the help of the Quadrant from any plain platform know the distance therefrom to any mark you are to shoot at. LAy your Quadrant flat vpon some stool, or take a short staff with a screw in the end thereof, erecting the same perpendicularly, and put the Quadrant vpon the same screw; then by the edge of the rule turning the same to the mark whose distance you would measure, or through the visual sights on the rule espy the mark, and at your standing set up a Gunners staff or javelin; then turning your body cross the same, not altering the rule and Quadrant by the line of level, on the edge of the Quadrant espy some other mark athwart the first, and set up the second staff, the distance whereof suppose to be 60 foot; then coming to the first station where the quadrant is placed, viewing by the edge of the rule through the visual sights, some other mark in a streight line back from your first station, whose distance suppose 100 feet, and there erect up the 3 staff, and so the first and the third staff will bee in a streight line with the mark, then with a squire or removing the quadrant to the 3 station, turning the right angle or line of level overthwart towards the second station, so as the visual line may bee parallel to the line that crosseth from the first station to the second, there set up the 4 staff, so as the visual line passing from the same, and running by the second staff, may cross the mark or end in a point there with the first visual line, the distance between these two last stations suppose 65 feet, the staues thus placed in order abade 60 feet, the distance btweene the first and second station from 65 the distance between the 3 and 4 staues, the remain is 5 for your deuisor; then multiply the said 65 by 100, the diagram showing how to measure distance with a quadrant and gunner's staff or javelin distance from the first to the 3, ariseth 6500, the which divided by 5, the quotient is 1300 feet, the distance from the first staff, to the mark. Behold the figure before, where the cipher O, represents the mark, the unite 1. your first staff or station, the figure 2 the second staff, the figure 3 the third staff, and the figure 4 the fourth staff. How you may another way by the Quadrant and your Gunners staff divided into even portions, tell the distance to any mark near hand that you are to shoot at. SEt the angle of your Quadrant vpon the very point or top of your staff, the said staff perpendicularly erected, and through the sights on your ruler espy the mark whose distance you desire to measure, letting a long thread or small line fall to the ground from the center of the Quadrant whereon the plum line hangs, which thread must be drawn along the line of level or edge of the Quadrant to the ground, marking where the thread points at on the ground, beholding the mark through the visual sights in the rule of the Quadrant: and look what proportion that part of ground between the staff and where the thread pointed at, hath to the staff, the same proportion shall the length to the mark haue to the height or length of the staff. Example. THe Gunners staff AB, suppose to bee eight foot long, and the distance between the staff and the ground where the thread points you to( being the space CB) is but 8 inches, therefore look what proportion CB beareth to the length of the staff( which reduced into inches will be 96 inches) the same proportion shall the length to the mark D haue to the staff, which by the golden rule is thus found. If 8 inches yield 96 inches, what will 96 inches? multiply 96 by 96, ariseth 9216 inches, divided by 8, yields in the quotient 1152 inches, the distance from the staff to the mark: and note that the higher the pole or staff is, the further may you measure by this rule; behold the figure. diagram showing how to measure distance with a quadrant and gunner's staff How you may by a Gunners Quadrant readily measure the length of any wall or curtain, or the distance betwixt any two marks in the same. GO directly towards one of the said marks, that by supposition you are distant from the same about the length betwixt the two marks whose distance you would measure, laying your Quadrant flat vpon some stool, or placing the same vpon the screw of the staff aforenamed perpendicularly erected, moving the same to or from the mark you stand against, placing the Quadrant so, as the visual sight passing from the center of the Quadrant by the line of level, may direct you to the said mark,& the visual line passing from the center of the Quadrant by the 12 point or division of the scale which is the hipothemisal line, may direct you to the other mark; and then the length of your standing to the mark which the line of level directs you to, is from the same just the distance between the 2 marks you mean to measure. Then looking athwart by the other edge of the Quadrant, or through the sights on your rule, espy some other mark on the ground directly against the mark you mean to measure, and the visual line passing between your station and the said mark will be parallel to the wall or line passing between the two marks whose distance you would measure. Then removing your quadrant before the other mark, placing the same so as the line of level may direct you to the said mark, and the line passing by your sights on your ruler may direct you to your first station, the distance betwixt your two stations being measured, is the just space betwixt the two marks you seek to measure, as the demonstration hereunder sheweth, where the diagram showing the use of a gunner's quadrant to measure distance line AB, sheweth the length or distance I would measure supposed to be 100 paces, and the like number is found both in the line CD, as also in the lines CA and DB, which proves the work to be truly wrought. How you may by the former conclusion at one station measure the distance to both the former marks. THe distance from your standing C, to the mark A, which the line of level directs you to, is just 100 paces, that sum squared, makes 1000 paces. The like number of paces is found in the line AB, being multiplied in itself: these two sums being joined together, makes 20000 paces, the quadrant root thereof is 141 paces and almost ½, showing the true distance from you standing to your furthest mark B. The like order you must observe to know the just length of any scaling ladder, to scale the wall of any castle, tower, or town besieged, in taking the height of the said wall with your quadrant, or otherwise as afore hath been taught, multiplying that known measure in itself: and likewise multiplying the distance from the foot of the ladder( or the space between the base of the wall and that part of ground where the foot of the ladder stands) in itself, adding those two sums together, extracting the square root thereof, your quotient will tell you the length of your scaling ladder. Or by knowing the length of your scaling ladder and the height of the wall, multiplying every number in itself as aforesaid, abating the lesser sum from the greater, the Quadrant roote of the remain is the distance of the ground from the foot of the ladder to the base of the wall. Or by knowing the length of the scaling ladder and the length of the ground from the foot of the ladder to the base of the wall, you may find out the height of the wall, in multiplying each number in itself, abating the lesser sum out of the greater, extracting the square roote of the remain, the quotient will answer your demand, as is demonstrated and proved in the 47 proposition of the first book of Euclids Elements. How you may by the aid of two staues or Gunners Iauelins perpendicularly erected, by knowing the distance from your standing to the middle part betwixt any two marks, measure the distance between the said marks. ADmit the line AB is the 2 marks whose distance I would measure, and the line CD is the known measure to the middle part betwixt the said marks, which I suppose to be 200 feet, erect up the two staues of, so as the visual line from your eye at C, passing by the staues, may point directly to the said marks AB. diagram showing the use of two perpendicular staves or gunner's javelins to measure distance The distance betwixt the two staues suppose to bee 20 feet, and the distance from your eye to the staues 24 feet; frame the rule of 3, saying, if 24 foot( being the distance from your eye to the staues) yield 20 foot( which is the space betwixt either staff) what will 200 foot( which is the length of the line from C to D?) Multiply 200 by 20, ariseth 4000, divide by 24, the quotient is 166 feet ⅔, the true distance betwixt the two marks AB which you seek to measure. How you may by the divisions of the scale of your quadrant, by knowing the distance to any tower, steeple, three, or other mark, not far distant, know how much the same is higher or lower than your standing. THe distance known, note by what point of the scale of your quadrant the index or thread fals on, in viewing the same mark through the sights on your ruler, by which point or division you must divide 12,( the divisions of your scale). and note what comes in your quotient, by which quotient number divide the distance from your standing to the base of the mark, your new quotient number will tell you how much the top of the mark or altitude is higher than your eye. Example. THe distance from my standing to the base of the altitude suppose to be 200 feet, the plumline falling on the part 6 of contrary shadow, I divide 12 by 6, the quotient is 2, by which quotient number I divide 200 feet( the space betwixt my standing and the mark, and so I find 100 in my new quotient: so I affirm the top of the mark was 100 foot higher than my eye. The like is to be done for descents in turning the contrary angle of the quadrant to your eye. Note that to take the distance between any 2 marks with the quadrant, the marks being not far asunder, you must observe the like order you do in taking heights, saving that in measuring heights the quadrant must ever hang so as the plummet and thread having liberty to move to and fro, may ever hang perpendicularly: and to take distances the quadrant must ever lie flat, so as the same do ever make a square angle against the marks whose distances you would measure: in working whereof an Athilleda, index, or pointer( as some term it) placed in the center or angle of the quadrant having two sights thereon, will direct you much better to the marks than the thread. Many other conclusions are to be found out, and wrought by this instrument: to the ingenious these few may suffice. FINIS.