[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—