PREFACE

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The Treatise on Spiritali Pneumatics/Spiritual Motions was judged by the Philosophers and ancient Mechanics as worthy of great study, and particularly by those who treated of the reason and the power of this faculty, and by those, too, who considered their sensible actions. Therefore, we have judged it necessary (wishing to treat of this faculty) to collect in order everything that was left on this subject by the Ancients, and also to explain, in the best manner possible, that which has been discovered by us, so that those who wish to apply themselves to the Mathematical sciences may be assisted by them as much as possible. Besides this, considering that this Treatise is consistent with that which we already described in four Books on Water Clocks original: "Horoscopij Acquatici", we have reached the decision to write it. For by the conjunction of air, fire, water, and earth—and of three elements maximally, or perhaps even of all four—and by their mixing together, various dispositions are produced, some of which are very necessary for human use and living, and others bring us a certain admiration full of unspeakable wonder. But before we enter into what we intend to say, it is necessary for us to dispute the vacuum.