Mathematicall Magick

shed, and I have now ventured forth this discourse; wherein besides the great delight and pleasure (which every rational Reader must needs find in such notions as carry with them their own evidence and demonstration) there is also much real benefit to be learned; particularly for such Gentlemen as employ their estates in those chargeable adventures of Draining, Mines, Coal-pits, etc., who may from hence learn the chief grounds and nature of Engines, and thereby more easily avoid the delusions of any cheating Impostor: And also for such common artificers, as are well skilled in the practice of these arts, who may be much advantaged by the right understanding of their grounds and Theory.

Scho. Mathem. l. 2.

Ramus has observed that the reason why Germany has been so eminent for Mechanical inventions is because there have been public Lectures of this kind instituted amongst them, and those not only in the learned languages, but also in the vulgar tongue, for the capacity of every unlettered ingenious Artificer.

Agrippa, De Vanit. Scient. ca. 42.

This whole Discourse I call Mathematical Magic, because the art of such Mechanical inventions as are here chiefly insisted upon has been formerly so styled; and in allusion to vulgar opinion, which does commonly attribute all such strange operations unto