To the ingenuous
Reader
Courteous Reader,
Am to advertise thee of some things, concerning the Translation of this Book. Yon may take notice that I had first Tran¬slated it word for word, but finding that the Anther had thorcwout the whole, so often repeat¬ed the same thing, by advice of seme ingenuous persons, I left out these repetitions , and have either before the Books given a general account of these repetitions, or else have referr'd you to a former process, where the latter hath reitera¬ted the same, and for the most part in the very same words, yet so that I bane emitted nothing material in the Author: For what need is there to say, as often as Manganese is boil'd with the wet all, that you must do thus and thus, lest it rue into the fire, &c? or to repeat the same process, and rules in each new colour for Pastes or Glass
of
To the Ingenuous Reader.
of Lead ? Though you may find some needless
repetitions too,in this Translation not omitted.
I confess these reiterations caus'd a nausea in
my self, and believe then would in thee , and therefore I passed them over. Then observe that there being many words peculiar to this
Art, I was compell'd to have recourse to the work men, and for such things , and materials not used nor known here, to take them upon
trust from such workmen as have wrought at Muran and other parts of Italy. As for other things I have carefully sarveid them my self.
Now for the observations I have been more large, especially in a business, wherein so little bath been said, and therefore have delivered whatsoever is material that I have met with
in any good Author concerning whatsoever Neri treats of, that thou might'st have together all that is substantially written upon this unusu- at subject, and have supplied some things de¬
fective in our Author, or very fit to be known to Carious persons. Lastly, I doubt not but our workmen in this Art will be much advantaged
by this publication, who have within these twen¬ty years last past much improved themselves (to their own great reputation, and the credit of our nation ) insomuch that few foreiners of
that profession are now left amongst us. And
To the Ingenious Reader. this I the rather say, because an eminent work¬man, now a Master, told me the most of the skill
he had was gain'd by this true and excellent Book ( they were his own words, ) And there¬
fore I doubt not but 'twill give some light and advantage to our Countrey-men of that- profes¬
sion, which was my principal aim. And lastly for the exotick words you'l meet with in Read¬
ing this Book they are now current with us, or else expounded in my observations.
Fruere & utere.
C. M.
To