Natural Magic

)( 4

I solicited cities and men, whom I did not have the chance to visit in person, with frequent letters, asking them to share copies of hidden books or anything new they might possess; I did not hold back from prayers, gifts, exchanges, skill, or industry. Because of this, throughout this entire time, whatever was exceptional or desirable anywhere in the world—whether in books or in the most excellent physical objects—was sought out by me most abundantly, so that this equipment of Nature original: "Naturæ hæc supellex." Porta uses the word "furniture" or "equipment" to describe his collection of scientific specimens and knowledge. might be more complete and enlarged.

Therefore, with the most intense study and persistent experimentation, I tested day and night whether the things I had read or heard were true or false, so that nothing would remain untried. I frequently remembered the sentiment of Cicero, who said: It is right that those who desire to hand down to memory the most useful, carefully weighed, and explored things for the human race should try everything. original: "Par est eos, qui generi humano res utilissimas & perpēsas, exploratasq; memoriæ tradere concupierint, cuncta tentare." In testing these things, I spared no labor and no expense; I expended my meager means with grand magnificence original: "res angustas meas, augusta magnificentia impendi." Porta is making a Latin wordplay on "angustas" (narrow/meager) and "augusta" (majestic/grand)..

Nor was there any lack of labor, diligence, and wealth from most famous heroes, magnates, nobles, and most learned men—especially (whom I mention for the sake of honor) the Illustrious and most Reverend Cardinal of Este Luigi d'Este (1538–1586), a powerful patron of the arts and sciences and a member of the ruling family of Ferrara.; all of these men provided free and kind assistance to this work of ours. Nor was there ever lacking at my home an Academy This refers to the Academia Secretorum Naturae (Academy of the Secrets of Nature), a scientific society founded by Porta in Naples. Members were required to contribute a new discovery in natural science to join. of curious men who, by pooling their resources, devoted strenuous and eager effort to investigating and testing these matters, and who were the greatest help to me in organizing and enlarging this work. These things, therefore, with such great expenses, labor, and study...