[_To hold the same by night._] These two may be ranked as the same system, the one used by day, the other illuminated to be conspicuous at night. As early as 1658, John Baptista Porta, in his “Natural Magick,” entitled the last chapter of his 16th Book, “By night we may make signs by fire.” We have here a simple system of telegraphy, the only examples afforded by the “Century,” of this particular mode of correspondence. 8. A way how to level and shoot Cannon by night as well as by day, and as directly; without a platform or measures taken by day, yet by a plain and infallible rule. [_To Level Cannons by Night._] In 1587 was published, “_The Arte of shooting in great Ordnaunce_,” by William Bourne. Among other matters in the table of contents are the following:-- “The 10th Chapter showeth how to mount a mortar piece, for to lay the shot at any distance appointed. “The 13th Chapter is, how to give level at a mark upon a hill or valley with a quadrant. “The 24th Chapter is, how for to batter the walls of any town, as well by night as by day. “The 25th Chapter doth declare how to plant ordnance by night, to batter the walls of any town, or displace any ordnance in any bulwarks, or any such other like, as well by night as by day.” And-- “The 26th Chapter doth declare how for to keep a haven, or river, on the sea coast, for to sink a ship, as well by night as by day in all points.” On the subject of levelling great guns, Fludd’s “Historia Macrosmi,” 1618, would afford abundant suggestions, with three copper-plate engravings, showing the operation of using the quadrant. 9. An Engine, portable in ones Pocket, which may be carried and fastened on the inside[4] of the greatest Ship, _Tanquam aliud_ _agens_, and at any appointed minute, though a week after, either of day or night, it shall irrecoverably sink that Ship. Footnote [4] the side. [_A Ship-destroying Engine._] In 1578, William Bourne, in his “Inventions or Devices,” had in the 17th article, suggested, “How for to sink a ship that hath laid you aboard, without shooting of ordnance.” And again in his “Arte of shooting in great ordnaunce,” published in 1587, the 56th Chapter, suggests a mode “to sink a ship.” The whole passage in the “Century” is abundantly obscure. The smallness of the Engine suggests some explosive missile, connected with clock-work, as the only means to insure its being compact and operating on a precise day at a stated point of time. But his inventive faculty once stimulated, even by the notices of Bourne, would speedily lead him to many ingenious contrivances. 10. A way from a mile off to dive and fasten a like Engine to any Ship, so as it may punctually work the same effect either for time or execution.