+‡Thaumaturgike‡, is that Art Mathematicall, which giueth certaine order to make straunge workes, of the sense to be perceiued, and of men greatly to be wondred at.+ By sundry meanes, this _Wonder-worke_ is wrought. Some, by _Pneumatithmie_. As the workes of _Ctesibius_ and _Hero_, Some by waight. wherof _Timæus_ speaketh. Some, by Stringes strayned, or Springs, therwith Imitating liuely Motions. Some, by other meanes, as the Images of Mercurie: and the brasen hed, made by _Albertus Magnus_, which dyd seme to speake. _Boethius_ was excellent in these feates. To whom, _Cassiodorus_ writyng, sayth. +_Your purpose is to know profound thynges: and to shew meruayles. By the disposition of your Arte, Metals do low: Diomedes of brasse, doth blow a Trumpet loude: a brasen Serpent hisseth: byrdes made, sing swetely. Small thynges we rehearse of you, who can Imitate the heauen. &c._+ Of the straunge Selfmouyng, which, at Saint Denys, by Paris, [* Anno. 1551] * I saw, ones or twise (_Orontius_ beyng then with me, in Company) it were to straunge to tell. But some haue written it. And yet, (I hope) it is there, of other to be sene. And by _Perspectiue_ also straunge thinges, are done. As partly (before) I gaue you to vnderstand in _Perspectiue_. As, to see in the Ayre, a loft, the lyuely Image of an other man, either walkyng to and fro: or standyng still. Likewise, to come into an house, and there to see the liuely shew of Gold, Siluer or precious stones: and commyng to take them in your hand, to finde nought but Ayre. Hereby, haue some men (in all other matters counted wise) fouly ouershot thẽ selues: misdeaming of the meanes. Therfore sayd _Claudius Cælestinus_. [De his quæ Mundo mirabiliter eueniunt. cap. 8.] _Hodie magnæ literaturæ viros & magna reputationis videmus, opera quedam quasi miranda, supra Naturã putare: de quibus in Perspectiua doctus causam faciliter reddidisset._ That is. +_Now a dayes, we see some men, yea of great learnyng and reputation, to Iudge certain workes as meruaylous, aboue the power of Nature: Of which workes, one that were skillfull in Perspectiue might easely haue giuen the Cause._+ Of _Archimedes Sphære_, _Cicero_ witnesseth. [Tusc. 1.]