The Mathematicall Praeface to Elements of Geometrie of Euclid of Megara

The Mathematicall Praeface to
Elements of
by John Dee

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Elements of
Geometrie of Euclid of Megara, by John Dee This eBook is for the use
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Title: The Mathematicall Praeface to Elements of Geometrie of Euclid
of Megara
Author: John Dee
Release Date: July 13, 2007 [EBook #22062]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE
MATHEMATICALL PRAEFACE ***

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* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
THE ELEMENTS OF GEOMETRIE
of the most auncient Philosopher EVCLIDE of Megara.
Faithfully (now first) translated into the Englishe toung, by H.
Billingsley, Citizen of London.
Whereunto are annexed certaine Scholies, Annotations, and Inuentions,
of the best Mathematiciens, both of time past, and in this our age.
With a very fruitfull Praeface made by M. I. Dee, specifying the chiefe
Mathematicall Sciences, what they are, and wherunto commodious:
where, also, are disclosed certaine new Secrets Mathematicall and
Mechanicall, vntill these our daies, greatly missed.
Imprinted at London by Iohn Daye.

[leaf] The Translator to the Reader.
There is (gentle Reader) nothing (the word of God onely set apart)
which so much beautifieth and adorneth the soule and minde of man, as
doth the knowledge of good artes and sciences: as the knowledge of
naturall and morall Philosophie. The one setteth before our eyes, the
creatures of God, both in the heauens aboue, and in the earth beneath:
in which as in a glasse, we beholde the exceding maiestie and
wisedome of God, in adorning and beautifying them as we see: in
geuing vnto them such wonderfull and manifolde proprieties, and
naturall workinges, and that so diuersly and in such varietie: farther in
maintaining and conseruing them continually, whereby to praise and
adore him, as by S. Paule we are taught. The other teacheth vs rules
and preceptes of vertue, how, in common life amongest men, we ought
to walke vprightly: what dueties pertaine to our selues, what pertaine
to the gouernment or good order both of an housholde, and also of a
citie or common wealth. The reading likewise of histories, conduceth
not a litle, to the adorning of the soule & minde of man, a studie of all

men commended: by it are seene and knowen the artes and doinges of
infinite wise men gone before vs. In histories are contained infinite
examples of heroicall vertues to be of vs followed, and horrible
examples of vices to be of vs eschewed. Many other artes also there are
which beautifie the minde of man: but of all other none do more
garnishe & beautifie it, then those artes which are called
Mathematicall. Unto the knowledge of which no man can attaine,
without the perfecte knowledge and instruction of the principles,
groundes, and Elementes of Geometrie. But perfectly to be instructed in
them, requireth diligent studie and