THE MYSTERYES OF NATVRE AND ART THE MYSTERYES OF NATVRE AND ART: _Conteined in foure severall Tretises, The first of _water_ workes, The second of _Fyer_ workes, The third of _Drawing_, Colouring, _Painting_, and Engrauing, The fourth of divers Experiments, as wel serviceable as delightful: partly Collected, and partly of the Authors Peculiar Practice, and Invention_ _by_ _I . B_ _Imprinted at London for Ralph Mab and are to be sold by John Jackson and Francis Church at the Kings armes in Cheapeside 1634._ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration] _TO THE READER._ Courteous Reader, this ensuing Treatise hath lien by mee a long time, penned, but in a confused and undigested manner, as I gathered it, practised, or found it out by industry and experience. It was not in my minde to have as yet exposed it to the publique view: but being sollicited by the intreaties of some, and those not a few, to impart to each particular person what his _Genius_ most affected; I was enforced as well for the satisfying of their requests, as for the avoydance of many inconveniences, to dispose in some order such Experiments as for the present I was content to impart. Expect no elegancy of phrase, for my time would not afford that, (nor indeed my selfe to be the transcriber.) I endeavored as much as I could, to write in plaine termes, that in regard of the easinesse thereof it might suit with the meanest capacity. The whole book consisteth of foure parts: The first whereof treateth of Water-workes. The second of Fire-workes. The third of Drawing, Painting, Graving, and Etching. The fourth and last part treateth of severall Experiments, as well serviceable as delightfull: which because they are confusedly intermixed, I have entituled them _Extravagants_. Now my chiefest ayme and end being the generall good, I could wish a generall acceptance, but that is too uncertaine to expect: I will content my selfe that I am already certaine that these my first and weak endeavours will finde acceptance with some, and I hope also with all honest and indifferent Readers; as for others, hap as hap may be, it is not to be doubted, but that I shall scape as well as many my betters have done before me. Farewell. _Your Wellwiller_, _I. B._ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration]