De Augmentis Scientiarum
(Translation, Gilbert Wats, 1640.)
Wherefore let us come toCyphars. Their kinds are many, asCyphars simple;Cyphars intermixt with Nulloes, or non-significant Characters;Cyphars of double Letters under one Character;Wheele-Cyphars;Kay-Cyphars;Cyphars of Words;Others. But the virtues of them whereby they are to be preferr’d are Three;That they be ready, and not laborious to write;That they be sure, and lie not open to Deciphering;And lastly, if it be possible, that they be managed without suspition.
But that jealousies may be taken away, we will annexe an other invention, which, in truth, we devised in our youth, when we were atParis: and is a thing that yet seemeth to us not worthy to be lost. It containeth thehighest degree of Cypher, which is to signifieomnia per omnia, yet so as thewriting infolding, may beare a quintuple proportion to thewriting infolded; no other condition or restriction whatsoever is required. It shall be performed thus: First let all theLettersof theAlphabet, by transposition, be resolved into twoLettersonely; for the transposition of twoLettersby five placings will be sufficient for 32. Differences, much more for 24, which is the number of theAlphabet. The example of such anAlphabetis on this wise.
An Example of a Bi-literarie Alphabet.
Neither is it a small matter theseCypher-Charactershave, and may performe: For by thisArta way is opened, whereby a man may expresse and signifie the intentions of his minde, at any distance of place, by objects which may be presented to the eye, and accommodated to the eare: provided those objects be capable of a twofold difference onely; as by Bells, by Trumpets, by Lights and Torches, by the report of Muskets, and any instruments of like nature. But to pursue our enterprise, when you addresse your selfe to write, resolve your inward-infolded Letter into thisBi-literarie Alphabet. Say theinteriour Letterbe
Fuge.
Example of Solution.
Together with this, you must have ready at hand aBi-formed Alphabet, which may represent all theLettersof theCommon Alphabet, as well Capitall Letters as the Smaller Characters in a double forme, as may fit every mans occasion.
An Example of a Bi-formed Alphabet.
Now to the interiour letter, which is Biliterate, you shall fit a biformed exteriour letter, which shall answer the other, letter for letter, and afterwards set it downe. Let the exteriour example be,
Manere te volo, donec venero.
An Example of Accommodation.
We have annext likewise a more ample example of the cypher of writingomnia per omnia: An interiour letter, which to expresse, we have made choice of a Spartan letter sent once in aScytaleor round cypher’d staffe.
Spartan Dispatch.All is lost. Mindarus is killed. The soldiers want food. We can neither get hence nor stay longer here.
Spartan Dispatch.
All is lost. Mindarus is killed. The soldiers want food. We can neither get hence nor stay longer here.
An exteriour letter, taken out of the first Epistle ofCicero, wherein a Spartan Letter is involved.
Cicero’s First Epistle.
(Note)—This Translation from Spedding, Ellis & Heath Ed.
(REPRODUCTION)
(REPRODUCTION.)
Epistle.In all dutyorratherpiety towardsyou, Isatisfy every body except myself. Myself I never satisfy. For sogreatare theservices whichyouhave rendered me, that, seeing you did notrestinyour endeavours onmy behalftillthething was done, Ifeelas iflife hadlostall its sweetness, because I cannotdo as much inthiscause ofyours.Theoccasions arethese: Ammonius,theking’s ambassador, openlybesiegesuswithmoney. Thebusinessis carried on through thesame creditors who wereemployed init when you were here &c.Cipher infolded.All is lost. Mindarus is killed. The soldiers want food. We can neither get hence nor stay longer here.
Epistle.
In all dutyorratherpiety towardsyou, Isatisfy every body except myself. Myself I never satisfy. For sogreatare theservices whichyouhave rendered me, that, seeing you did notrestinyour endeavours onmy behalftillthething was done, Ifeelas iflife hadlostall its sweetness, because I cannotdo as much inthiscause ofyours.Theoccasions arethese: Ammonius,theking’s ambassador, openlybesiegesuswithmoney. Thebusinessis carried on through thesame creditors who wereemployed init when you were here &c.
Cipher infolded.
All is lost. Mindarus is killed. The soldiers want food. We can neither get hence nor stay longer here.
The knowledge of Cyphering, hath drawne on with it a knowledge relative unto it, which is the knowledge ofDiscyphering, or of DiscretingCyphers, though a man were utterly ignorant of theAlphabetof theCypher, and the Capitulations of secrecy past between the Parties.Certainlyit is an Art which requires great paines and a good witt and is [as the other was] consecrate to the Counsels of Princes: yet notwithstanding by diligent prevision it may be made unprofitable, though, as things are, it be of great use. For if good and faithfullCypherswere invented & practised, many of them would delude and forestall all the Cunning of theDecypherer, which yet are very apt and easie to be read or written: but the rawnesse and unskilfulnesse of Secretaries, and Clarks in the Courts of Princes, is such, that many times the greatest matters are committed to futile and weake Cyphers.