The Machines

overcomes those difficulties that, without this, could never be overcome. For example, if one must carry a single stone of 100,000 migliara thousands (weight units) to the top of a building, there is no doubt that without a machine it could never be moved as it would be if divided into pieces of 100 libre pounds; and the machine moves it. And so, if a very long road must be made to go there with materials, one finds conocchie distaffs/spindles, burbure winches, verochij pulleys/rollers, and the like to save time and expense many times over.

What these present machines are, therefore, I repeat, is of that artifice which shows itself by its own nature, and which can be judged by skilled men to be very purposeful and worthy of printing. And therefore, I have assumed this burden of declaring them at the request of a friend and for the common benefit, and ordering them by numbers, with which one will be able to know the prepared devices and to what end each part is destined. I add that the said machines can be adapted and made to serve in other operations, beyond those that are expressed in this work; which can be done according to the ingenuity and capacity of the operator, who, the more apt he is, the greater fruit he will reap. May they receive these present labors willingly, reserving me in other occasions to give entertainment to their minds no less grateful than studious, etc.

A square ornamental woodcut tailpiece features a symmetrical floral and scrolling foliage pattern.