THE
MYSTERYES OF
NATVRE AND ART

Courteous Reader, thisensuing Treatise hathlien by mee a long time,penned, but in a confusedand undigested manner,as I gathered it, practised, or foundit out by industry and experience. Itwas not in my minde to have as yet exposedit to the publique view: but beingsollicited by the intreaties of some, andthose not a few, to impart to each particularperson what his Genius most affected;I was enforced as well for the satisfyingof their requests, as for the avoydanceof many inconveniences, todispose in some order such Experimentsas for the present I was content to impart.Expect no elegancy of phrase, formy time would not afford that, (norindeed my selfe to be the transcriber.)I endeavored as much as I could, towrite in plaine termes, that in regard ofthe easinesse thereof it might suit withthe meanest capacity. The whole bookconsisteth of foure parts: The firstwhereof treateth of Water-workes.The second of Fire-workes. The thirdof Drawing, Painting, Graving, andEtching. The fourth and last part treatethof severall Experiments, as well serviceableas delightfull: which becausethey are confusedly intermixed, I haveentituled them Extravagants.

Now my chiefest ayme and end beingthe generall good, I could wish a generallacceptance, but that is too uncertaineto expect: I will content my selfethat I am already certaine that these myfirst and weak endeavours will finde acceptancewith some, and I hope alsowith all honest and indifferent Readers;as for others, hap as hap may be, it isnot to be doubted, but that I shall scapeas well as many my betters have donebefore me. Farewell.