Chapter XXIV: Introduction (2)

_My Lords and Gentlemen_, Be not startled if I address to all, and every of you, this Century of Summary Heads of wonderful things, even after the Dedication of them to His most Excellent Majesty, since it is with His most gracious and particular consent, as well as indeed no wayes derogating from my duty to His Sacred Self, but rather in further order unto it, since your Lordships, who are His great Council, and you Gentlemen His whole Kingdoms Representatives (most worthily welcome unto Him) may fitly receive into your wise and serious considerations what doth or may publickly concern both His Majesty and His tenderly-beloved People.

Pardon me if I say (my Lords and Gentlemen) that it is joyntly your parts to digest to His hand these ensuing particulars, fitting them to His palate, and ordering how to reduce them into practice in a way useful and beneficial both to His Majesty and His Kingdom.

Neither do I esteem it less proper for me to present them to you in order to His Majesty’s service, then it is to give into the hands of a faithful and provident Steward whatsoever dainties and provisions are intended for the Masters diet; the knowing and faithful Steward being best able to make use thereof to his Masters contentment and greatest profit, keeping for the morrow whatever should be overplus or needless for the present day, or at least to save something else in lieu thereof. In a word, (my Lords and Gentlemen) I humbly conceive this _Simile_ not improper, since you are His Majesty’s provident Stewards, into whose hands I commit my self, with all properties fit to obey you; that is to say, with a heart harbouring no ambition, but an endless aim to serve my King and Countrey: And if my endeavours prove effectual, (as I am confident they will) His Majesty shall not onely become rich, but His People likewise, as Treasurers unto Him; and His Pierless Majesty, our King, shall become both belov’d at home, and fear’d abroad; deeming the riches of a King to consist in the plenty enjoyed by His People.

And the way to render him to be feared abroad, is to content his People at home, who then with heart and hand are ready to assist him; and whatsoever God blesseth me with to contribute towards the increase of His Revenues in any considerable way, I desire it may be imployed to the use of His People; that is, for the taking off such Taxes or Burthens from them as they chiefly groane under, and by a Temporary necessity onely imposed on them; which being thus supplied will certainly best content the King, and satisfie His People; which, I dare say, is the continual Tend of all your indefatigable pains, and the perfect demonstrations of your Zele to His Majesty, and an evidence that the Kingdoms Trust is justly and deservedly reposed in you. And if ever Parliament acquitted themselves thereof, it is this of yours, composed of most deserving and qualified Persons; qualified, I say, with your affection to your Prince, and with a tenderness to His People; with a bountiful heart towards Him, yet a frugality in their behalfs.

Go on therefore chearfully (my Lords and Gentlemen) and not onely our gracious King, but the King of Kings, will reward you, the Prayers of the People will attend you, and His Majesty will with thankful arms embrace you. And be pleased to make use of me and my endeavours to enrich them, not my self; such being my onely request unto you, spare me not in what your Wisdoms shall find me useful, who do esteem my self not onely by the Act of the Water-commanding Engine (which so chearfully you have past) sufficiently rewarded, but likewise with courage enabled to do ten times more for the future; and my Debts being paid, and a competency to live according to my Birth and Quality setled, the rest shall I dedicate to the service of our King and Countrey by your disposals: and esteem me not the more, or rather any more, by what is past, but what’s to come; professing really from my heart, that my Intentions are to out-go the six or seven hundred thousand pounds already sacrificed, if countenanced and encouraged by you, ingenuously confessing that the melancholy which hath lately seized upon me (the cause whereof none of you but may easily guess) hath, I dare say, retarded more advantages to the public service than modesty will permit me to utter: And now revived by your promising favours, I shall infallibly be enabled thereunto in the Experiments extant, and comprised under these heads practicable with my directions by the unparallel’d Workman both for trust and skill, _Caspar Kaltoff’s_ hand, who hath been these five-and-thirty years as in a school under me imployed, and still at my disposal, in a place by my great expences made fit for publick service, yet lately like to be taken from me, and consequently from the service of King and Kingdom, without the least regard of above ten thousand pounds expended by me, and through my Zele to the Common good; my Zele, I say, a field large enough for you (my Lords and Gentlemen) to work upon.

The Treasures buried under these heads, both for War, Peace, and Pleasure, being inexhaustible; I beseech you pardon me if I say so; it seems a Vanity, but comprehends a Truth; since no good Spring but becomes the more plentiful by how much more it is drawn, and the Spinner to weave his web is never stinted but further inforc’d. The more then that you shall be pleased to make use of my Inventions, the more Inventive shall you ever find me, one Invention begetting still another, and more and more improving my ability to serve my King and you; and as to my heartiness therein there needs no addition, nor to my readiness a spur. And therefore (my Lords and Gentlemen) be pleased to begin, and desist not from commanding me till I flag in my obedience and endeavours to serve my King and Country.

_For certainly you’l find me breathless first t’ expire,_
_Before my hands grow weary, or my legs do tire._

Yet abstracting from any Interest of my own, but as a Fellow-Subject and Compatriot will I ever labour in the Vineyard, most heartily and readily obeying the least summons from you, by putting faithfully in execution, what your Judgments shall think fit to pitch upon amongst this Century of Experiences, perhaps dearly purchased by me, but now frankly and _gratis_ offered to you. Since my heart (methinks) cannot be satisfied in serving my King and Country, if it should cost them any thing; As I confess when I had the honour to be neare so obliging a Master as His late Majesty of happy memory, who never refused me his Ear to any reasonable motion: And as for unreasonable ones, or such as were not fitting for him to grant, I would rather to have dyed a thousand deaths, then ever to have made any one unto him.

Yet whatever I was so happy as to obtain for any deserving Person, my Pains, Breath and Interest imployed therein satisfied me not, unless I likewise satisfied the Fees; but that was in my Golden Age.

And even now, though my ability and means are shortened, the world knows why my heart remains still the same; and be you pleased (my Lords and Gentlemen) to rest most assured, that the very complacency that I shall take in the executing your Commands shall be unto me a sufficient and an abundantly-satisfactory reward.

Vouchsafe therefore to dispose freely of me, and whatever lieth in my power to perform; first, in order to His Majesty’s service; secondly, for the good and advantage of the Kingdom; thirdly, to all your satisfactions, for particular profit and pleasure to your individual selves, professing that in all and each of the three respects I will ever demean my self as it best becomes,

_My Lords and Gentlemen_,

_Your most passionately-bent Fellow-Subject in
His Majesty’s service, Compatriot for the
publick good and advantage, and a most
humble Servant to all and every of you_,

WORCESTER.

A CENTURY OF THE Names and Scantlings of Inventions by me
already practised.

[*.* The numerals refer to variations in the reading, afforded by the _Harleian MS._; except when marked P, to distinguish the unauthorised and other alterations made by Mr. Partington, in his edition of 1825.]

I.

Several sorts of Seals, some shewing by scrues, others by gages,
fastening or unfastening all the marks at once; others by
additional points and imaginary places, proportionable to
ordinary[1] Escocheons [2][3] and Seals at Arms, each way
palpably and punctually setting down (yet private from all
others, but the Owner, and by his assent) the day of the Moneth,
the day of the Week, the Moneth of the Year, the Year of our
Lord, the names of the Witnesses, and the individual place where
anything was sealed, though in ten thousand several places,
together with the very number of lines contained in a Contract,
whereby falsification may be discovered, and manifestly proved,
being upon good grounds suspected.

Upon any of these Seals a man may keep Accompts of Receipts and
disbursments from one Farthing to an hundred millions, punctually
shewing each pound, shilling, peny or farthing.

By these seals likewise any Letter, though written but in
English, may be read and understood in eight several languages,
and in English it self to clean contrary and different sense,
unknown to any but the Correspondent, and not to be read or[4]
understood by him neither, if opened before it arrive unto him;
so that neither Threats, nor hopes of Reward, can make him reveal
the secret, the Letter having been intercepted, and first opened
by the Enemy.

Footnotes

[1] _Escocheon_ is the old heraldic term. [2] Escucheons. MS. [3] Escutcheons. P. [4] nor to be.

[_Seals abundantly-significant._] Under this title the present article is referred to in the “Index,” given by the Marquis, at the end of the first edition of his “Century,” while the articles themselves are only distinguished by consecutive numerals. Therefore, without deranging the original form of the “Century,” the designation of the several articles will appear throughout, as above, at the head of each comment.

The author, never having met with any attempt to elucidate the mechanical arrangement here suggested, communicated a plan that occurred to him in 1829, soon after reading the foregoing, which was as follows:--

A Cipher Seal. Amidst the variety of inventions for giving security to property, few improvements have been made in seals or signets. I shall proceed to describe a cipher seal, which, though not, perhaps, so “abundantly significant” as those described by the Marquis of Worcester, might, nevertheless, be applied to very important uses, inasmuch as the face of the seal may be varied at pleasure.

Fig. 1. A, the seal handle; B, the seal made moveable on the pivots at _c c_.

Fig. 2. Is a section of the seal. It consists of two metal plates, B B, and D D, having a number of corresponding holes drilled through them, as at _a a a a_, and _b b b b_, into which the ends of small rollers, _a b_, _a b_, are made to fit and turn exactly. When all the holes are supplied with rollers, the plates, B B, D D, are retained at a proper distance by a metal rim, soldered to the edges of the plates. The ends of the rollers being thus exposed, and ground level with the surface of each plate, are to have a groove cut in each, similar to a screw head; this is to be effected by cutting lines from end to end of the plate, as shown at _e e_, _e e_, Fig. 1. With a graver a small dot is next to be made, all to the right on one plate, and all to the left on the other; or, _vice versa_, of each line occupying the small circular end of _each_ roller. It is now evident that, by using a small chisel-shaped steel instrument, or key, with which to turn the roller, the small dotted line on its end, may be so varied as to form any alphabetical arrangement.

The position of the dotted line admits of sufficient variety to take in 24 letters, distinct enough to the eye, without increasing the size of the seal. In this alphabet only three variations are supposed to be made from the horizontal and perpendicular, one very slight on either side, the other greater, and the third at an angle of 45°. It only requires a transposition of the letters to produce a correspondence which shall be private between two persons. The use of two faces to the seal is obvious, one serving to compose on, and _the other_, being a reverse, to make an impression on the wax. Were this not the case, a sentence would have to be written from right to left. Its use might be multiplied by making each cipher refer to an entire word or sentence; as, if _a_, stood for men; _b_, for horses; _c_, food; _d_, money; and so forth: a mode which it would be next to impossible for any third party to decipher.--See Mechanics’ Mag. vol. x.

2.

How ten thousand Persons may use these seals to all and every of
the purposes aforesaid, and yet keep their secrets[5] from any
but whom they please.

Footnote

[5] secrets private.

[_Seals private and particular to each owner._] The present is one of those articles of a nature already noticed in the introduction, which can scarcely be classed as an independent invention; it is in fact little, if any, more than some intricate application of the foregoing, a mere step beyond the more obvious employment of such seals. We may consider the first as the instrument, and No. 2 as an ingenious table, by the aid of which to construct alphabets, words, or sentences.

3.

A Cypher and Character so contrived, that one line, without
returns and[6] circumflexes, stands for each and every of the 24.
Letters; and as ready to be made for the one letter as the other.

Footnote

[6] or--for and.

[_An one-line Cypher._] A line to be continuous, and yet capable of signifying a series of letters, must be curved. A method of performing this occurred to the author some years ago, which affords a very simple key, being composed from the Circle and the Ellipsis, and can be, therefore, very readily kept in mind. The first affords only one figure, the second can be varied to one vertical and two inclined figures, and all can be again varied as to size, but for convenience only three gradations are recommended, as four or more would increase the difficulty of writing accurately. These varieties are shown in the annexed diagram--

where each is described three-fold, with a horizontal line through the centre. Each figure thus affords three varieties of size above, and three below the line, making six figures each, or twenty-four in all, as curvilinear signs for letters. These taken in rotation, may be extended as above, or in any arbitrary order, and each employed, as in short-hand, to signify letters, syllables, or words. In practice it is only requisite to bear in mind the three gradations of size, so as never to mistake the middle semicircle for the outer ones. This is to be avoided by invariably making the small figure as small as possible, and the greater figure as large as space will permit.

4.

This invention refined, and so abreviated that a point onely
sheweth distinctly and significantly any of the 24. letters; and
these very points to be made with two pens, so that no time will
be lost, but as one finger riseth the other may make the
following letter, never clogging the memory with several figures
for words, and combination[7] of letters; which with ease, and
void of confusion, are thus speedily and punctually, letter for
letter, set down by naked and not multiplied points. And nothing
can be less then a point, the Mathematical definition of[8] being
_Cujus pars nulla_. And of a motion[9] no swifter imaginable
then[1] _Semiquavers_ or _Releshes_, yet applicable to this
manner of writing.

Footnotes

[7] combinations. P. [8] of it. MS. and P. [9] motion, equally as swift as _semiquavers_. P. [1] than what expresseth even.

[_Reduced to a Point._] A man of the Marquis of Worcester’s ingenious cast of mind could readily have made up the entire “Century” out of these systems of alphabets and secret writing. He may have been acquainted with “Traicté des Chiffres, ou Secretes Manieres d’escrire, par Blaise de Vigenere, Bourbonnois.” 4to. Paris, 1586--now very scarce; but indeed there were many learned works on the subject, among which Trithemius’s “Libri Polygraphia VI,” 1600, was conspicuous. The long disuse of such methods of secretly conveying information, has reduced the cleverest of these systems of Cryptographia in public estimation. But, at the same time, these inventions were quite consistent with the early times in which the Marquis flourished. We shall see, in the next article, what probably illustrates this proposed use of a mere point or dot.

5.

A way by a Circular motion, either along a Rule or Ring-wise, to
vary any Alphabet, even this of Points, so that the self-same
Point individually placed, without the least additional mark or
variation of place, shall stand for all the 24. letters, and not
for the same letter twice in ten sheets writing; yet as easily
and certainly read and known, as if it stood but for one and the
self-same letter constantly signified.

[_Varied significantly to all the 24. letters._] This and the former article may certainly be taken in connection with each other; and the cipher engraved in No. 3, would seem to anticipate the present proposal of “a circular motion along a rule.” The “ring-wise” method may have been no more than a substitution for the octagon or any other figure. We fortunately find among the Harleian MSS. in the British Museum, No. 2428, a probable clue to this particular method of writing, which we shall give entire. It forms the first portion of the small oblong folio volume containing the Manuscript Century at the end, with many intervening blank pages between them. It is as follows:--

“_An explanation of the most exact and most compendious way of short writing. And an example given by way of Questions, and Resolves upon each significant point, proving how, and why, it stands for such and such a letter, in order Alphabetically placed in every page._

“A. Q. How is a point made to signifie an A. Resol. By being placed between the constant center of the square and the right side thereof in a streight line not touching it. [See diagram at the end].

It is proved by drawing a line from the said center towards, and not to touch the right side line, and then you will finde the line placed under an A of the Alphabett in each page.

“B. Q. How is a point made to signifie a B. Res. By being placed between the center of the square, towards the right corner upper angle of the Octagon, or square devided in to eight Angles, not touching the line thereof.

It is proved by drawing an oblique line from the center, towards the right corner upper angle, yett not touching the line thereof, and then you will finde it to bee the line placed under a B, in the Alphabett of each page.

In like manner lett there be a Question, and a Proofe made of all the other Letters in order and you will finde--

“C. The C. to bee placed in a streight line from the center upwards, but not arriving to the upper side line of the square.

“D. The D. in an oblique line towards the left upper corner line but not touching it.

“E. The E. in a streight line between the center of the left side line, butt not touching it.

“F. The F. in an oblique line downwards, towards the left angle line, butt not touching it.

“G. The G. in a streight line downwards from the center, likewise towards the lower line of the square not touching it.

“H. The H. in an oblique line downwards towards the right angle line, butt not touching it.

“I. The I. in a streight line from the center to the midle of the right side line.

“K. The K. in an oblique line from the center to the right upper angle touching it.

“L. The L. in a streight line from the center upwards, and touching the upper line.

“M. The M. in an oblique line from the center towards the left upper corner line touching it.

“N. The N. in a streight line from the center to the midle of the left side line.

“O. The O. in an oblique line from the center downwards, towards the left corner touching the line thereof.

“P. The P. in a right line from the center downwards touching the lower side line.

“Q. The Q. in an oblique line downwards towards the right corner touching the line thereof.

“R. The R. in a streight line from the center to the outside, and furthest line of the right midle and opposite chequer touching it.

“S. The S. in an oblique line from the center, and passing the right upper corner line.

“T. The T. in a streight line from the center and passing the upper-side line of the square.

“V. The V. in an oblique line from the center upwards passing the left upper corner line.

“W. The W. in a streight line from the centre to the left outside and furthest line of the left midle and opposite chequer.

“X. The X. in an oblique line downwards passing the left lower corner line.

“Y. The Y. in a streight line downwards passing the lower side or bottome line.

“Z. The Z. in an oblique line downwards passing the right corner line of the square.

“The Chequers are five in number, which of either outside show the vowells, and each Chequer haveing two corners inwards of each side make tenn, those towards the preceding square may conteyne of the 24 letters, and the opposite corners as many Alphabetically, and the centers of the two upper Chequers square, and of the two lower shew the other 4 letters; The 20 in the Chequers are noted by a separation of a corner in the printed Alphabett, and the 4 by the midde points.

“It is for curiosity and secresy to bee deservedly observed that whether in squares or chequers single points only stand for letters, and they being varyed att pleasure, it is in any ones power to keepe his secrett from me or any other not made acquainted with the denominations by him given to the severall points, and accordingly by him marked in the 24 blank squares, and rowes of chequers placed under the Alphabett in his private explanation easily to be framed by him mutatis mutandis, only that is making the questions and resolves according to his points as they represent the letters to his owne fancy keept private from others without his consent.

“The points are to bee written, and reade as they precede, or as they are the one above the other, unlesse they have a sequell distinction made by takeing the penn of the paper thus ✓ without further losse of tyme, and such as are soe marked, must be written and read as the others they being soe made, but for husbanding of paper, the word being soe conteyned in lesse roome, the e at the end of most words prolonging butt the sillable, and all needlesse and unsounding letters are to bee omitted; I will not trouble you with more rules leaving the rest to practice.”

The preceding description is written on small oblong pages, which measure 11¼ by 7¼ inches, the whole surface of the unwritten portions being covered with an engraved pattern, of which Fig. 1 is but a portion of the top left-hand corner, and therefore proceeds no further than letter _h_, which ends the application of that particular figure.

Fig. 2. Gives the next form for 8 other similar situations, commencing at _i_. And--

Fig. 3. Is again 8 more, commencing at _r_; making in all 24 characters or letters.

We thus see how, whether by a dot, or a short line of three gradations in length, an entire alphabet may be obtained.

On page 180 of “The Life of the Marquis of Worcester,” is the facsimile of a letter written by his Lordship about 1646–7, apparently adopting this very cipher. It occurs in a volume, entitled “Carte Papers, 1634–57. Ireland, No. 63,” in the Bodleian Library.

It is worth remarking here, that the foregoing description, with its accompanying brass-plate engravings, looks exceedingly like an instalment of his promise, conveyed to us in the concluding lines of the 100th Article.

6.

How at a Window, far as Eye can discover[2] black from white, a
man may hold discourse with his Correspondent, without noise made
or notice[3] taken; being, according to occasion given and means
afforded, _Ex re natâ_, and no need of Provision before-hand;
though much better if foreseen, and means prepared for it, and a
premeditated course taken by mutual consent of parties.

Footnotes

[2] discern. [3] noise--for, notice. P.

7.

A way to do it by night as well as by day, though as dark as
Pitch is black.

[_A mute and perfect discourse by colours._]

[_To hold the same by night._]

These two may be ranked as the same system, the one used by day, the other illuminated to be conspicuous at night. As early as 1658, John Baptista Porta, in his “Natural Magick,” entitled the last chapter of his 16th Book, “By night we may make signs by fire.”

We have here a simple system of telegraphy, the only examples afforded by the “Century,” of this particular mode of correspondence.

8.

A way how to level and shoot Cannon by night as well as by day,
and as directly; without a platform or measures taken by day, yet
by a plain and infallible rule.

[_To Level Cannons by Night._] In 1587 was published, “_The Arte of shooting in great Ordnaunce_,” by William Bourne. Among other matters in the table of contents are the following:--

“The 10th Chapter showeth how to mount a mortar piece, for to lay the shot at any distance appointed.

“The 13th Chapter is, how to give level at a mark upon a hill or valley with a quadrant.

“The 24th Chapter is, how for to batter the walls of any town, as well by night as by day.

“The 25th Chapter doth declare how to plant ordnance by night, to batter the walls of any town, or displace any ordnance in any bulwarks, or any such other like, as well by night as by day.” And--

“The 26th Chapter doth declare how for to keep a haven, or river, on the sea coast, for to sink a ship, as well by night as by day in all points.”

On the subject of levelling great guns, Fludd’s “Historia Macrosmi,” 1618, would afford abundant suggestions, with three copper-plate engravings, showing the operation of using the quadrant.

9.

An Engine, portable in ones Pocket, which may be carried and
fastened on the inside[4] of the greatest Ship, _Tanquam aliud_
_agens_, and at any appointed minute, though a week after, either
of day or night, it shall irrecoverably sink that Ship.

Footnote

[4] the side.

[_A Ship-destroying Engine._] In 1578, William Bourne, in his “Inventions or Devices,” had in the 17th article, suggested, “How for to sink a ship that hath laid you aboard, without shooting of ordnance.”

And again in his “Arte of shooting in great ordnaunce,” published in 1587, the 56th Chapter, suggests a mode “to sink a ship.”

The whole passage in the “Century” is abundantly obscure. The smallness of the Engine suggests some explosive missile, connected with clock-work, as the only means to insure its being compact and operating on a precise day at a stated point of time. But his inventive faculty once stimulated, even by the notices of Bourne, would speedily lead him to many ingenious contrivances.

10.

A way from a mile off to dive and fasten a like Engine to any
Ship, so as it may punctually work the same effect either for
time or execution.

[_How to be fastened from aloof and under water._] The wording of this article so far differs from the title as to allude only to diving, or a kind of submarine navigation, but gives no intimation of the fastening “aloof;” so that this latter may refer to any part of the ship’s sides above her water-line.

“Mersennius,” observes Bishop Wilkins, “doth largely and pleasantly descant concerning the making of a ship, wherein men may safely swim under water.” He further declares, that “such a contrivance is feasible, and may be effected, is beyond all question, because it hath been already experimented here in England by Cornelius Dreble.” He next considers various schemes, and mentions as one of the advantages of such a submarine vessel, that, “It may be of very great advantage against a navy of enemies, who by this means may be undermined in the water and blown up.”--Math. Magick, 1648, p. 178.

Among the Sloane MSS. No. 4159, in the British Museum, is one for a means of destroying an entire fleet with one ship. It is endorsed, “A proposition sent to Mr. Augier, from Paris,” and the following is a copy:--“A person who makes profession of honour, and saith he hath had the good [fortune?] to have been known of Sir Oliver Flemming during his public employments abroad, doth propound to a friend of yours that by a secret he hath he can, with one ship alone, break what naval army or fleet, &c.”

In 1596, the celebrated John Napier, of Merchiston, wrote a statement of four “Secret Inventions,” concluding with the remark: “These inventions, besides devices of _sailing under the water_, with divers other devices and stratagems for harming of the enemies, by the grace of God, and work of expert craftsmen, I hope to perform.” The original MS. anno 1596, is in the Lambeth Library, No. 658.

There is an article in Tilloch’s “Philosophical Magazine,” Vol. 18, for 1804, reviewing a Memoir of Lord Napier of Merchiston. On his device for sailing under water, the writer observes:--“The famous Dutch philosopher, Cornelius Drebell, the reputed inventor of the microscope and the thermometer, constructed for James I. a subaqueous vessel, which he tried on the Thames, and which carried twelve rowers, besides some passengers, for whom the effete air was again rendered respirable by a liquor, the composition of which Drebell never would communicate to more than one person, and that person told Mr. Boyle what it was.” The Marquis, might, likewise, even be acquainted with Napier’s statement of his secret inventions.

Evelyn, in his Diary, informs us on the 1st of August, 1666, “I went to Dr. Keffler, who married the daughter of the famous chymist, Drebbell, inventor of the bodied scarlet.” On which his editor, Mr. Bray, remarks, “Cornelius Van Drebbell, born at Alkmaar, in Holland, in 1572; but in the reign of Charles I. settled in London, where he died in 1634. He was famous for other discoveries in science--the most important of which was the thermometer. He also made improvements in microscopes and telescopes; and though, like many of his scientific contemporaries, something of an empiric, possessed a considerable knowledge of chemistry, and of different branches of natural philosophy.”--Diary, vol. ii. p. 9.

Pepys, in his Diary, under date the 14th of March, 1662, says: “This afternoon came the German, Dr. Knuffler, to discourse with us about his engine to blow up ships. We doubted not the matter of fact, it being tried in Cromwell’s time, but the safety of carrying them in ships; but he do tell us, that when he comes to tell the King his secret, for none but the Kings, successively, and their heirs must know it, it will appear to be of no danger at all.”--Pepys’ Diary, ed. 1858, vol. i. p. 264.

Dr. Robert Hooke, in his “Philosophical Collections,” published in 1679, has “an account of Jo. Alphon. Borellius’s De Mo. Animalium,” two volumes quarto, containing, among other things, “A way to make a submarine vessel, whereby several persons may pass together from place to place under water, accommodated with two ways to move it to and fro, and to make it rise and sink in the water, &c. It is supposed it may be much like that which Mersennus long since published.”

The American engineer, Robert Fulton, turned his attention to this subject, and published “Torpedo War, and Sub-marine Explosions,” 4to. New York, 1810.

11.

How to prevent and safeguard any Ship from such an attempt by day
or night.

[_How to prevent both._] Some armour or alarum is probably proposed, which should be either invulnerable, or when struck indicate the presence of the enemy’s “portable pocket engine,” intended “irrecoverably to sink the ship;” not by merely perforating a single hole, but by a powerful disruptive explosion, rending asunder all the timbers. But the whole passage is so abundantly obscure that all opinion on the matter goes for very little.

12.

A way to make a Ship not possible to be sunk though shot[4] an
hundred times betwixt wind and water by Cannon, and should[5]
lose a whole Plank, yet in half an hours time should be made as
fit to sail as before.

Footnotes

[4] shot at. P. [5] she lose. P.

[_An unsinkable Ship._] As early as 1583, appeared “A Note of sundry sorts of Engines,” without the author’s name. The 20th and last of these is:--“To preserve a boat from drowning and the people that be therein.” See J. O. Halliwell’s Rara Mathematica.

Considering the state of ship-building in 1655, the foregoing plan must have been some very primitive scheme; but, rendering vessels unsinkable, has long been a favourite subject with inventors.

13.

How to make such false Decks as in a moment should kill and take
prisoners as many as should board the Ship, without blowing
the[6] Decks up, or destroying them from being reducible, and in
a quarrer[7] of an hours time should recover their former shape,
and be made fit for any imployment without discovering the
secret.

Footnotes

[6] the real. P. [7] _read_ quarter.

[_False destroying Decks._] William Bourne, in his “Inventions of Devices,” 1578, devotes the “Third device” to show--“How to use a plain or open deck hatches, that it is not possible to enter the ship without spoiling of the enemies.”

14.

How to bring a force to weigh up an Anchor, or to do any forcible
exploit in the narrowest or[8] lowest room in any Ship, where few
hands shall do the work of many; and many hands applicable to the
same force, some standing, others sitting, and[9] by virtue of
their several helps a great force augmented in little room, as
effectual as if there were sufficient space to go about with an
Axle-tree, and work far from the Centre.

Footnotes

[8] and--for, or. [9] and yet.

[_Multiplied strength in little room._] We shall have to allude to the ambiguous use of the word “force” in the same sentence, as indicating “strength, power, &c.” or, “a pump, or pump plunger,” in John Bate’s, and other old works on mechanics. Now if we were to read this, “How to bring the force [or plunger of a pump] to weigh up an anchor, &c., and many hands applicable to the same force [or pump], &c.”--we should have a statement strongly indicating the modern contrivance of the hydraulic press. The concluding portion of the sentence only serves to strengthen this suggestion. See “force” used in No. 21.

In 1594, Edmund Jentill, writing to Lord Burghley, mentions, as his fourth invention:--“A devise whereby two men may be sufficient to weigh the weightiest anchor in her Majesty’s navy, with greater expedition than it is now done with the number now used.” Also, “The like device is found for the hoisting of the main-yard with the like expedition.”--MS. Lansdown, 113, Art. 4: and, “Letters on Scientific Subjects,” edited by J. O. Halliwell, F.R.S. 8vo. 1841.

15.

A way[1] how to make a Boat work it self against Wind and Tide,
yea both without the help of man or beast; yet[2] so that the
Wind or Tide, though directly opposite, shall force the Ship or
Boat against it self; and in no point of the Compass, but it
shall be as effectual, as if the wind were in the Pupp,[3] or the
stream actually with the course it is to steer, according to
which the Oars shall row, and necessary motions work and move
towards the desired Port or point of the Compass.

Footnotes

[1] A way--omitted. [2] but--for yet. [3] poop. P.

[_A Boat driving against wind and tide._] The wording of this article is varied as follows in the MS. of certain of his Inventions. See Appendix A. He therein states:--

“By this (his quintessence of motion), I can make a vessel, of as great burden as the river can bear, to go against the stream; which, the more rapid it is, the faster it shall advance. And the moveable part that works it, may be, by one man, still guided, to take the best advantage of the stream; and yet to steer the boat to any point. And this engine is applicable to any vessel or boat, whatsoever, without being, therefore, made on purpose; and work these effects:--It roweth; it draweth; it driveth, if need be, to pass London bridge against the stream, at low water. And a boat lying at anchor, the engine may be used for loading or unloading.”

He made this invention one of the four subjects in his Patent of 1661 (see Appendix B), which again varies the reading; but this last plainly indicates the motive power as having been a mill. He proposes in his patent specification:--“To make a boat that roweth, draweth, or setteth even against wind or stream, yea, both, and to any part of the compass which way soever the stream runs or wind blows, and yet the force of the wind or stream causeth its motion, nothing being required but a steersman; and whilest the boat stayeth to be loaded or unloaded, the stream or wind shall perform such work as any water-mill or wind-mill is capable of.”

Among the Harleian MSS. in the British Museum, there is an Italian book of sketches on parchment, No. 3281, attributed to the 15th century, entitled, “Delineationes Machinarum;” from one of the pen and ink drawings of which the annexed engraving is a reduced copy. It is a paddle boat of a very primitive form, to be operated by men working at two crank handles. The Marquis seems to have had a very similar idea, only employing the mechanical arrangements of a suitable wind or water-mill.

In that fine work, “Vitruvia de Architectura,” folio, Como, 1521, there is an engraving of a large vessel propelled by paddles, worked by animal power; therefore, so far as such a mode of propulsion is concerned, paddle-wheels are of very ancient origin. In 1574, Ralph Rabbards[J] presented to Queen Elizabeth, through the medium of the venerable Lord Burghley, a list of twenty-five inventions. The 24th is:--“The rarest engine that was ever invented for sea service. A vessel in manner of a galley or galliotte to pass upon the seas and rivers without oars or sail, against wind and tide, swifter than any that ever hath been seen; of wonderful effect both for intelligence, and many other admirable exploits, almost beyond the expectation of man.”

William Bourne, in his “Inventions or Devices,” published in 1578, most of which he claims to be his own projects, yet acknowledging some to have been borrowed, offers the following in the 19th Device without comment:--“And furthermore you may make a boat to go without oars or sayle, by the placing of certain wheels on the outside of the boat, in that sort, that the arms of the wheels may go into the water, and so turning the wheels by some provision, and so the wheels shall make the boat to go.”

This is followed by another application, being the 20th Device:--“And also, they make a water-mill in a boat, for when that it rideth at an anchor, the tide or stream will turn the wheels with great force, and these mills are used in France, &c.”

In 1583, proposals were made for 20 different inventions, but the author’s name does not appear. The 19th is:--“To make a boat to go fast on the water without oar or saile;” but this is all we learn of his project. See “Rara Mathematica,” edited by J. O. Halliwell, F.R.S. &c. 8vo. 1841.

In 1594, Edmund Jentill addressed to Lord Burghley two communications respecting his inventions. The last he names thus:--“A device wonderful strange is also found out, whereby a vessel of burden may easily and safely be guided both against wind and tide.” MS. Lansdown, 113, Art. 4; and “Letters on Scientific Subjects,” edited by J. O. Halliwell, F.R.S. &c. 8vo. 1841.

Cressy Dymock, in his letter published by Hartlib in the “Legacie; or an enlargement of the Discourse of Husbandry,” 4to. 1651, describing what he saw at Wicklesen, mentions--“a pretty kind of Pinnace with ordinance, somewhat like a close litter, but flat-bottomed; which rowed with wheeles instead of oares, imployed it seemes formerly with admirable successe, for the taking in of Crowland, and which gave me a proofe of what I for many years have thought possible, and of very great use and service, and still think it of unknowne value, if it were skilfully indeed framed, and applyed as it might be.” [p. 110.]

Samuel Cotton, on the 28th of January, 1619, obtained a patent for making and erecting mills upon barges or lighters in the river Thames.

David Ramsey and Thomas Wildgoose, on the 17th of January, 1618, patented, among various other inventions, one “to make boats for the carriage of burthens and passengers run upon the water as swift in calms and more safe in storms than boats full sailed in great winds.”

David Ramsey includes in his patent of 21st of January, 1630, his invention “to make boats, ships, and barges to go against the wind and tide.”

And Dr. Thomas Grent, on the 20th of July, 1632, patented a plan “for a more speedy passage of calmed ships.”

In 1640, Edward Ford, patented his invention, whereby he can make all boats, &c. “go faster against wind and tide than now they use to do, with half the men they have formerly used.”

It is stated in “Frier Bacon’s discovery of the Miracles of Art, &c.” published in 12mo. 1659, that--“It is possible to make engines to sail withal, as that either fresh or salt water vessels may be guided by the help of one man, and made sail with a greater swiftness, than others will which are full of men to help them.” Chap. iv. p. 17.

In “Humane Industry,” 1661, chap. 10, p. 154, it is noticed--“The ancients had a way to drive their ships without oar or sail, so that they could never be wind bound.” And at page 155, it is observed that--“Scaliger doth aver, that he could make a ship that could steer herself.”

Thomas Togood and James Heyes, in 1662, patented their invention for the making of ships to sail without the assistance of wind or tide.

16.

How to make a Sea-castle or Fortification Cannon-proof, and[4]
capable of a thousand men, yet sailable at pleasure to defend a
passage, or in an hours time to divide it self into three Ships
as fit and trimm’d to sail as before: And even whilest it is a
Fort or Castle they shall be unanimously steered, and effectually
be driven by an indifferent strong wind.

Footnote

[4] and--omitted. P.

[_A Sea-sailing Fort._] Vitruvius, Vegetius, and many ancient writers supply a variety of schemes to direct an inventor’s ingenuity. The idea of such a construction, to divide into three or more sailing vessels is likewise suggested, in many early designs, although no doubt very different in some details. But the peculiarity hitherto unnoticed, of the present invention, consists in the propelling and steering by means of an artificial current of air. It is very clear that the Marquis had discovered some pneumatic mode of propulsion. There is no inconsistency in the idea of the same means being adapted for both steering and propelling alternately. Even within the last few years extensive experiments have been made, in which air-pumps were used to compress the air beneath an inclined plane under the stern, which in flowing upwards gave motion to the vessel.

17.

How to make upon the _Thames_ a floting Garden of pleasure, with
Trees, Flowers, Banquetting-Houses, and Fountains, Stews for all
kind of fishes, a reserve for Snow to keep Wine in, delicate
Bathing-places, and the like; with musick made with[5] Mills: and
all in the middest of the stream, where it is most rapid.

Footnote

[5] by--for with. MS. and P.

[_A pleasant floating Garden._] There appears to be little more invention here than in the contrivance of so much variety, and the selecting of “the stream where it is most rapid,” to give motion to the water-mills to work the bellows for producing the promised music; as well as to raise water high enough to obtain a pressure of it for making the snow. The whole offers one of those raree-show designs in which our great-grandfathers delighted, and the descriptions of which formed the staple of their scientific discussions in polite society.

18.

An Artificial Fountain, to be turned like an Hour-glass by a
child, in the twinkling of an eye, it[6] holding great
quantity[7] of water, and of force sufficient to make snow, ice
and thunder, with a[8] chirping and singing of birds, and shewing
of several shapes and effects usual to Fountains of pleasure.

Footnotes

[6] yet--for it. MS. and P. [7] quantities. P. [8] the--for a. MS. and P.

[_An Hour-glasse Fountain._] In a MS. among the Marquis’s papers, the foregoing appears to be the invention indicated under the title:--“Fountains of pleasure, with artificial snow or hail, or thunder, and quantity not limited.” [See p. 316.]

Kircher, Schottus, and others give descriptions, with engravings of fountains, having the external appearance of the hour-glass. The process of turning may have been facilitated by the machine resting on two central pivots. But it must have been of considerable size to produce an efficient hydraulic pressure engine to give forth snow and ice. The thunder, &c., would depend on plans well understood for producing stage effects, and their introduction here, with the music of birds, &c. [see Article 46.] is similar to other automatic arrangements which were the wonder and delight of that age, and a much later period.

In 1755, an engine of peculiar construction, to raise water from an Hungarian mine, was erected by M. Hoel, at Chemnitz, which generated intense cold as the water and air rushed out together, under great columnar pressure, causing the formation of artificial hail, projected with amazing force; the effect being very analogous to the suggestions offered by the present articles, Nos. 17 and 18.

19.

A little engine within a Coach, whereby a child may stop it, and
secure all persons within it, and the Coachman himself, though
the horses be never so unruly[9] in a full career; a child being
sufficiently capable to loosen[1] them in what posture soever
they should have put themselves, turning never so short; for a
child can do it in the twinkling of an eye.

Footnotes

[9] and running. [1] unloose. P.

[_A Coach-saving Engine._] We have two other readings of this article; the first is the 5th article in his list of a portion of his Inventions, (see Appendix A.) as follows:--“By this (his quintessence of motion) I can make a child, in a coach, to stop the horses (running away), and shall be able to secure himself, and those that be in the coach; having a little engine placed therein, which shall not be perceived, in what posture soever the horses draw. A child’s force shall be able to disengage them, from overturning the coach, or prejudicing anybody in it.”

The second reading is in his patent of 1661, (see Appendix B.) wherein he offers:--“To make an engine applicable to any coach, by which a child of six years old may secure from danger all in the coach, and even the coachman himself, though the horses become never so unruly, the child being able in the twinkling of an eye to loosen them from the coach, in what posture soever they draw or turn, be it ever so short, or to either hand.” By means of a T-ended lever, two or four bolts could be simultaneously drawn inwards, and the horses thereby released with the greatest possible ease and certainty.

20.

How to bring up water Balance-wise, so that as little weight or
force as will turn a Balance will be onely needful, more then the
weight of the water within the Buckets, which counterpoised[2]
empty themselves one into the other, the uppermost yielding its
water (how great a quantity soever it holds) at the self[3]- same
time the lower-most taketh it in, though it be an hundred fathom
high.

Footnotes

[2] counterpoise, and empty. MS. and P. [3] self--omitted. P.

[_A Balance Water-work._] It is to be regretted that we have nothing at present to aid us in offering a description at all approaching the singular construction of this hydraulic machine. There are some curious designs given in the description of M. Grollier de Servière’s cabinet, 1719, but we have never seen any plan fully realizing the effect above indicated.

21.

How to raise water constantly with two Buckets onely day and
night, without any other force then its own motion, using not so
much as any force, wheel, or sucker, nor more pullies then one,
on which the cord or chain rolleth with a Bucket fastened at each
end. This, I confess,[4] I have seen and learned[5] of the great
Mathematician _Claudius_[6] [7] his studies at _Rome_, he having
made a Present thereof unto a Cardinal; and I desire not to own
any other mens[8] inventions, but if I set down any, to nominate
likewise the inventor.

Footnotes

[4] confess to have seen. [5] in the great Mathematician’s study, Clauius at Rome. [6] Clauius. [7] Clavius’s Studies at Rome. P. [8] man’s. MS. and P.

[_A Bucket-fountain._] In the present and preceding articles the water is elevated by means of buckets, and it was only while these pages were passing through the press that the author perceived those precise marks of distinction between the two methods of employing the buckets which enables him now to offer the following explanation of each.

As regards No. 20, it seems, at first, absurd to expect to raise water which is to be in a balance and pass from one bucket to the other. But let us suppose an arrangement, as in the subjoined engraving, where A, B, is a strong vertical wooden frame carrying six metal or wooden pipes C, C, which can be moved simultaneously up and down on centres, _a_, _a_, being connected by the iron rods, _b_, _b_; these pipes are united with the top of six buckets at D, D', and with the bottom of six other buckets at E, E'. The buckets D, D', are also connected at the bottom with six other pipes F, F, each open at the end F, F, and so arranged that the topmost pipe passes over a pulley _c_, but the other five pipes with guide rods _d_, _d_, at their ends, enter the top end of the five uppermost buckets on the side E; the pipe F, passing over _c_, delivers the contents of bucket D, while the lower-most bucket E', is being replenished, “thus the uppermost yielding its water at the same time when the lower-most taketh it in.” In the present position of the machine the pipes C, C, are inclined, and the pipes F, F, are horizontal, but when the bucket E' is elevated, then these pipes will all reverse their positions, being connected with the buckets by means of flexible leather hose, or suitable jointed metal tubing.