# The Construction of the Wonderful Canon of Logarithms/A Catalogue of the works of John Napier

A CATALOGUE
OF THE WORKS OF
JOHN NAPIER
of Merchiston.
I.—A Plaine Discovery of the whole Revelation of St John.
1. Editions in English.
A Plaine Dis-|couery of the whole Reue-|lation of Saint Iohn: set|downe in two treatises: The|one searching and prouing the| true interpretation thereof: The o-|ther applying the same paraphrasti-|cally and Historically to the text.|Set Foorth By|Iohn Napeir L. of|Marchistoun younger.|Wherevnto Are|annexed certaine Oracles|of Sibylla, agreeing with|the Reuelation and other places|of Scripture.|
Edinbvrgh| Printed By Ro-|bert Walde-graue, prin-|ter to the Kings Ma-|jestie. 1593.|Cum Priuilegio Regali.|
[On either side of the Title are well executed woodcuts of “Pax” and “Amor.”]
4°, Size 7 1/4 × 5 1/4 inches. A1 is blank except for a capital letter ‘A’, A2$^1$, Title. A2$^3$, Arms of Scotland and Denmark impaled, for James VI. and his Queen Anne of Denmark; at foot, “In vaine are all earthlie conivnctions, unles vve be heires together, and of one bodie, and fellovv partakers of the promises of God in ​Christ, by the Evangell.” A3$^1$–A5$^1$, 5 pages, “To The Right Excellent, High And Mightie Prince, Iames The Sixt, King Of Scottes, Grace And Peace, &c,”, ‘The Episle Dedicatorie,’ signed “At Marchistoun the 29 daye of Januar, 1593. . . . Iohn Napeir, Fear of Marchistoun.” A5$^2$-A7$^2$, 5 pages, “To the Godly and Christian Reader.” A8$^2$, “The booke this bill sends to the Beast,|Crauing amendment now in heast,|” with 26 lines following, then “Faults escaped.”, 16 lines. A8$^2$,“A Table of the Conclusions introductiue to the Reuelation, and proued in the first Treatise.” B1$^1$–F3$^1$, pp. 1-69, “The First And Introductory Treatise, conteining a searching of the true meaning of the Reuelation, beginning the discouerie thereof at the places most easie, and most euidentlie knowne, and so proceeding from the knowne, to the proouing of the unknowne, untill finallie, the whole groundes thereof bee brought to light, after the - manner of Propositions.”, 36 Propositions and Conclusion. F3$^2$, p. 70, “A Table Definitive And Diuisiue of the whole Revelation,” F$^4$–S7$^1$, pp. 71–269, “The Second And Principal Treatis, wherein (by the former grounds) the whole Apocalyps or Reuelation of S. Iohn, ts paraphrasticallie expounded, historicallie applied, and temporallie dated, with notes on euery difficultie, and arguments on each Chapter”; at the beginning of each chapter is “The Argument.”, then follow “The Text.”, “Paraphrastical exposition.”, “Anno Christi.”, and “Historical application.”, the four subjects being arranged in parallel columns (in chapters 1 to 5, and 7, 10, 15, 18, 19, 21, and 22, there is no Historical application, in which case the columns for it and also for Anno Christi are omitted), at the end of each chapter “Notes, Reasons, and Amplifications.” are added. S7$^3$-S8$^2$, 3 pages, “To the misliking Reader whosoeuer.” T1$^1$-T4$^2$, 8 pages, “Hereafter followeth Certaine Notable Prophecies agreable to our purpose, extract out of the books of Sibylla, whose authorities neither being so authentik, that hitherto vve could cite any of them in matters of scriptures, neither so prophane that altogether we could omit them: We haue therefore thought very meet, seuerally and apart to insert the same here, after the end of this worke of holy scripture, because of the famous antiquitie, approued veritie, and harmonicall consentment thereof with the scriptures of God, and specially with the 18. chapter of this holy Revelation.”
Signatures. A to S in eights + T in four = 148 leaves.
Paging. 16+ 269 numbered + 11 = 296 pages.
Errors in Paging. Page 26 numbered 62, and page 229 numbered 239.
The outside sheet (leaves 1, 2, 7, 8) of Signature B was set up a second time, with slight differences in the spelling and occasionally in the division into lines. Consequently copies may be found in which the title of the First treatise does not agree exactly with that given above. The Advocates’ Library in Edinburgh has copies of the two varieties.
The following extract explains the circumstances under which this first work of Napier’s was published. The passage begins at the second last line in the second page of the address ‘To the Godly and Christian Reader.’ (In the edition of 1611 the passage begins on line 7 of the third page.)
After the which, although (greatly rejoycing in the Lord) I began to write thereof in Latine: yet, I purposed not to haue set out the same suddenly, and far lesse to haue written the same also in English, til that of late, this new insolencie of Papists arising about the 1588 year of God, and dayly increasing within this Iland doth so pitie our hearts, seeing them put more trust in Iesuites and seminarie Priests, then in the true scripturs of God, and in the Pope and King of Spaine, then in the King of Kings: that, to preuent the same, I was constrained of compassion, leauing the Latine, to haste out in English this present worke, almost vnripe, that hereby, the simple of this Iland may be instructed, the godly confirmed, and the proud and foolish expectations of the wicked beaten downe, [purposing hereafter (Godwilling) to publish shortly, the other latin editiö hereof, to the publike vtilitie of the whol Church.] Whatsoeuer therfore through hast, is here rudely and in base language set downe, I doubt not to be pardoned thereof by all good men.
The passage enclosed in square brackets is omitted in the edition of 1611 (also in that of 1645) and in its place is inserted the following passage.
And where as after the first edition of this booke in our English or Scottish tongue, I thought to haue published shortlie the same in Latine (as yet God- willing I minde to doe) to the publike vtilitie of the whole Church. But vnderstanding on the one part, that this work is now imprinted, & set out diuerse times in the French & Dutch tongs, (beside these our English editions) & therby made publik to manie. As on the other part being aduertised that our papistical, adversaries wer to write larglie against the said editions that are alreadie set out. Herefore I haue as yet deferred the Latine edition, till hauing first seene the aduersaries obiections, I may insert in the Latin edition an apologie of that which is rightly done, and an amends of whatsoeuer is amisse.
We see from the above that in 1611. Napier still had the intention of publishing a Latin edition, but this idea had, no doubt, to be given up owing to the demands made on him by his invention of Logarithms.
Libraries. Adv. Ed. (both varieties); Sig. Ed.; Un. Gl.; Mitchell Gl.; Un. Ab.; Un. St And.; Brit. Mus. Lon.; Bodl. Oxf.; Qu. Col. Oxf.; Un. Camb.; Trin. Col. Camb.;
A Plaine|Discoverie Of|The Whole Revelation Of|Saint Iohn: Set Down In Two|Treatises: The one searching and proving| the true interpretation thereof. The other|applying the same Paraphrastically|and Historicallie to the text|Set Forth By Iohn Napeir|L of Marchistovn younger.| Wherevnto Are Annexed ​Cer-|taine Oracles of Sibylla, agreeing|with the Revelation and other| places of Scripture.| Newlie Imprinted and corrected. |
Printed For Iohn Norton Dwel-|ling in Paules Church-yarde, meere vnto|Paules Schoole.| 1594.|
4°. Size 7 3/4 x 5 1/4 inches.
This edition is very like that of 1593, only the ornamental Title-page has been superseded by a plainer one, the ornament appearing in 1593 at the head of the Epistle dedicatorie now doing duty at the head of the Title-page. The collation remains the same, except as regards the spelling, and also that on Signature A8$^1$ the ‘Faults escaped’ are now omitted, being corrected in the text. The type is the same, but has been reset, there being numerous differences in spelling and occasional slight differences in the division into lines. The headpieces employed are, with one exception, found in the edition of 1593, but they are less varied and are frequently used in different places. It seems highly probable that this edition was printed in Edinburgh by Waldegrave for John Norton.
Libraries. New Col. Ed.; Brit. Mus. Lon.; Bodl. Oxf.;
A| Plaine Disco-|very, Of The Whole| Revelation of S. Iohn: set|downe in two treatises: the one searching and|proving the true interpretation thereof :|The other applying the same para-|phrasticallie and Historicallie|to the text.|Set Foorth By Iohn Napeir|L. of Marchiston. And now revised, corrected|and inlarged by him.| With a Resolvtion Of|certaine doubts, mooved by some well-|affected brethren.|Wherevnto Are Annexed, Cer-|taine Oracles of Sibylla, agreeing|with the Revelation and other|places of Scripture.
Edinbvrgh,|Printed by Andrew Hart. 1611.|Cum Privilegio Regiæ Maiestatis.|
4°, Size 6 3/4 x 5 1/4 inches.A1$^1$, Title. A1$^2$–A4$^1$, 6 pages, ‘To the Godly.…Reader,’ and ‘The book this bill.…’A$^2$, Table B1$^1$–H2$^2$, pp. 1–92, The first Treatise. H3$^1$, Table. H3$^2$–Y8$^1$, pp. 94–327, The second Treatise. Y8$^3$, blank. Z1$^1$–Bb$^2$, pp. 329–332, ‘To the mislyking Reader.…’ Z3$^1$–Bb3$^2$, pp. 333–366, “A Resolution, of certaine doubts, proponed by well-affected brethren, and needfull to ​be explained in this Treatise,” seven Resolutions, Bb4$^1$–Bb8$^1$, pp. 367–375, Oracles of Sibylla.Bb8$^2$, blank.
Signatures. A & B in fours + C to Z and Aa to Bb in eights = 192 leaves.
Paging. 8 + 375 numbered + 1 = 384 pages.
Errors in Paging. Page 56 numbered 65, and page 299 not numbered.
In this edition the Arms, &c., on back of the title-page, and the Dedication to King James, are omitted, and for the first time the ‘Resolution of Doubts’ appears.
Libraries. Adv. Ed.; Sig. Ed.; Un. Camb.;
A|Plaine Disco-|very, Of The Whole|Revelation of S. Iohn: set|downe in two treatises: the one searching and|proving the true interpretation thereof:|The other applying the same para-|phrasticallie and Historicallie|to the text.|Set Foorth by Iohn Napeir| L. of Marchiston. And now revised, corrected|and inlarged by him.| With A Resolvtion Of|certaine doubts, mooved by some well-|affected brethren.| Wherevnto Are Annexed, Cer-|taine Oracles of Sibylla, agreeing|with the Revelation and other|places of Scripture.|
London,|Printed for Iohn Norton. 1611.| Cum Privilegio Regiæ Maiestatis.
4°. Size 7 1/16 x 5 3/8 inches.
This edition is in every respect identical with the preceding, except that the last paragraph of the title-page has been reset, the four words “Edinburgh.… by Andrew Hart” being altered to “London.…for Iohn Norton.” ‘The printing of both editions appears to have been done in Edinburgh by Andrew Hart; his type, head-pieces, &c., being employed in both. The two slight errors in pagination remain as before.
Libraries. Adv. Ed.; Sig. Ed.; Un. Ab.; Bodl. Oxf.; Astor New York;
A| Plaine Discovery |of the whole | Revelation | of St. John:|Set down in two Treatises: the one|searching and proving the true Interpreta-|tion thereof: the other applying the|same ​Paraphrastically and Historically|to the Text.|By John Napier, Lord of Marchiston.|With a Resolution of certain doubts,|moved by some well affected brethren.|Whereunto are annexed certain Oracles of|Sibylla, agreeing with the Revelation,|and other places of Scripture.|And also an Epistle which was omitted in|the last Edition.|The fifth Edition: corrected and amended.|
Edinbvrgh,| Printed for Andro Wilson, and are to be sold at his|shop, at the foot of the Ladies steps.1645.|
4°. Size 7 1/2 x 55 3/4 inches.Leaf 1$^1$, Title, 1$^2$ blank. 2$^1$–3$^1$, 3 pages, Dedication to King James. 3$^2$–5$^2$, 5 pages, To the Godly.… Reader. 6$^1$, ‘The Book this Bill.…’ 6$^2$, Table. B1$^1$–I3$^1$, pp. 1–61, The first Treatise. I3$^2$, blank. I4$^1$, p. 63, Table. I4$^2$, blank. K1$^1$,–Ii2$^2$, pp. 65–244, The second Treatise. Aaa1$^1$–Aaa2$^1$, pp. 1–3, To the misliking Reader. Aaa2$^1$–Ddd4$^2$, pp. 4–32, A Resolution of Doubts. Eee1$^1$–Eee4$^2$, pp. 31-38 [33-40], Prophecies of Sibyilla. (In some copies an additional sheet is inserted with list of Errata, see Note.)
Signatures. [A] in six (leaves 4 & 5 are an insertion) + B to Z and Aa to Hh in fours + Ii in two + Aaa to Eee in four = 148 leaves.
Paging. 12 + 244 numbered + (38 + 2 for error=) 40 numbered = 296 pages.
Errors in Paging. In pp. 1-244 there are 10 errors which do not affect the total; but in pp. 1-[40] the numbers 31 & 32 are twice repeated, so that numbers on all the subsequent pages are understated by 2.
In Glasgow University Library is a copy of this edition with an extra leaf inserted at the end containing “Errata.—Curteous Reader thou art desired to correct these faults following, which chiefly happened through the absence of the Author and the difficulty of the Coppy. viz.,” this is followed by ten lines of corrections.
The author’s name, it will be observed, is spelt on the title-page in the modern form, and the Dedication to King James is signed, “John Napier, Peer of Marchiston.” The substitution of Peer for Fear or Feuer of Merchiston seems to have been intentional. It is not noticed in the errata, but is of course a mistake.
This is the only edition in which “The Text.”, “The Paraphrasticall Exposition.”, and the “Historicall Application.”, are printed successively and not in parallel columns. The “Historicall Application.”, is printed in black letter. “Az. Chr.” is printed on the margin of each page in both treatises.
Libraries. Adv. Ed.; Sig. Ed.; Un. Ed.; New Col. Ed. (2); Un. Gl. (2); Un. Ab.; Brit. Mus. Lon.; Sion Col. Lon.; Un. Camb.; Trin. Col. Camb.;
2. Editions in Dutch.
Een duydelicke verclaringhe, | Vande Gantsche|Openbaringhe Joannis|Des Apostels.|T’samen ghestelt in twee|Tractaten: Het eene ondersoeckt ende|bewijst de ware verclaringhe der selver. Ende|het ander, appliceert ofte voeght, ende ey-|gentse Paraphrastischer ende Histo-|rischer wijse totten Text.| Wtghe-geven by Johan Napeir,|Heere van Marchistoun, de Jonghe.|Nu nieuwelicx obergeset wt d’Engel-|sche in onse Nederlantsche sprake, Door|M. Panneel. Dienaer des H.|woort Gods, tot Middelburch. |
Middelburgh| By Symon Moulert, woonende op den|Dam inde Druckerije. Anno 1600.|
4°. Size 7 1/4 x 5 1/8 inches.Black letter with exception of the pages from * 1$^2$ to *3$^2$, and a few passages here and there.*1$^1$, Title-page.*1$^2$, “Extract wt de Privilegie” granted to M. Panneel for 10 years by “De Staten Generael der vereenichde Nederlanden,” signed at “s’Graven-Haghe, den 4. Augusti, 1600. …”At the foot of the page are three lines of errata under the heading, “Sommighe fauten om te veranderen.”*2$^1$–*3$^2$, 4 pages, “Aende E. E. Wyse Ende Voorsienige Heeren, Myne Heeren, Bailliv Burghemeesteren, Schepenen, ende Raedt der vermaerder Coopstadt Middelburgh in Zeelandt,” signed “Tot Middelburgh in Zeelandt, desen 20. Julij, inden Jare Christi, 1600. V. E. E. Onderdanighe dienst-willige, M. Panneel,”*4$^1$–**1$^2$, 4 pages, “Den Seer Winemenden hooghen ende Machtighen Prince Jacobo de seste Coninck der Schotten ghenade ende vrede, &c.,” signed “Tot Marchistoun Den 29. dagh Januarii 1593, uvve Hoocheyts seer ootmoedighe ende ghehoorsaem ondersaet Johan Napeir. Erfachtich Heer van Marchistoun,”* *2$^1$–**4$^1$, 5 pages, “Aen den Godtsalighen ende Christelijcken Leser.” ** 4$^2$, “Tboeck sent dit schrift de beeste, of zijt vvoude noteren, ​tijdelijck gedateert wort. Met aenwijsinghen op elcke swaricheyt ofte hinderinghe ende argument op elck Capittel.”, the chapters commence with “Het Argument,” then follow in four parallel columns ”Den Text.”, ”Paraphrasis.”, ”Anno Christt.”, and ”Historie” (the 3d and 4th columns are wanting in the chapters mentioned in the Edin. 1593 edition), at the end of the chapter are added ”Aenwijsinghen Redenen ende breeder Verclaringhen.”Ggg3$^2$–Hhh2$^1$, 6 pages, ”Tafel ofte Register der aenwistinghen Redenen ende breeder verclaringhen,” an alphabetical index of the principal matters contained in the work.Hhh2$^2$–Hhh3$^2$, 3 pages, ”Totten Leser,” which appears to be a Glossary of certain words used in the work.Hhh4$^2$, blank.”Errata inde Propositien,” followed by 15 lines of corrections.Hhh4$^2$, blank.
Signatures. * and ** and A to H in fours + J in two + Aa to Zz and Aaa to Hhh in fours = 166 leaves.
Paging. 16 + 68 numbered (except last 4) + 237 numbered (except first 3) + 11 = 332 pages.
Errors in Paging. There are some 18 of these, mostly in the second part, but none of importance.
This translation by M. Panneel omits the address To the Mislyking Reader, and the Oracles of Sibylla, but otherwise it appears to be a full translation of the edition of 1593.
Graesse states that there is an edition, “trad. en hollandais par M. Pannel: Amst. 1600 in 8°.” Most likely this is the edition referred to.
Libraries. Guildhall Lon.; Stadt. Zurich;
Een duydelijcke verclaringhe|Vande gantse Open-|baringe Ioannis des Apostels.|T’samen ghestelt in twee Trac-|taten: Het eene ondersoeckt ende bewijst de wa-|re verclaringe der selver. Ende het ander appliceert ofte|voecht, ende eyghentse Paraphrastischer ende|Historischer wijse totten Text.| Wt-ghegheven by Iohan Napeir, Heere|van Marchistoun, de Ionghe.|Over-gheset vvt d’Enghelsche in onse Nederlandtsche|sprake. Door|M. Panneel, vvijlent Dienaer des H. vvoords Godts|tot Middelburch.| Den tweeden druck oversien, ende in velen plaetsen verbetert.| Noch zijn hier by-ghevoecht vier Harmonien, &c. van nieus over-|gheset vvt het Fransche.|
Middelburch,| Voor Adriaen vanden Vivre, Boeck-vercooper,|woonende inden vergulden Bybel, Anno 1607.|Met Privilegie voor 10 Iaren.|
​8°. Size 63/4 x 41/2 inches. Black letter, except from *2 to *7.*1$^1$ Title-page.*1$^2$ blank.*2$^1$–4$^2$, 6 pages, “Aende E. E. VVyse Ende Voorsienige Heeren,.…”*5$^1$–7$^2$, 6 pages, “Den seer wt-nemenden, Hooghen ende Machtighen Prince Iacobo.…”*8$^1$–**4$^1$, 9 pages, “Aen den Godtsalighen ende Christelijcken Leser.”**4$^2$, “T’boecks endt dit schrift der Beeste, ,en bidt dat sy’t noteere,|Op dat sy haer (dit’s t’meeste) soo’t moghelijck is bekeere,|” followed by 28 lines, First Table wanting. A1$^1$–F5$^1$, pp. 1-89, “Het eerste ende inleydende Tractaet ofte handelinghe.…” the 36 propositions and the “Beslvyt” or conclusion, Second Table wanting. F5$^2$–Aa4$^2$, pp. 90–376, “Het tweede ende voornaemste Tractaet, daer in (achter volghende de voorgaende gront-reden) t’gheheele Apocalipsis ofte Openbaringhe des Apostels Ioannis, of Paraphrastischer vvijse vvtgeleydt, ende op Historischer vvijse ende nae de tijden der gheschiedenissen toe-gheeyghent vvordt: Verciert met aen-vvisinghen op elcke duystere plaetse, ende met Argument op elck Capittel.”Aa5$^1$–Aa8$^1$, pp. 377–383, “Aen den Leser, wien dit werck mishaeght.”Aa8$^2$, blank.
Vier Harmonien,|dat is,|Overeen-stemmin-|ghen over de Openbaringe Ioannis,|betreffende het Coninclijck, Priesterlijck, ende|Prophetisch ampt Iesu Christi.|Vervatende ooc ten deele de Prophe-|tien ende Christelijcke Historien, van de gheboorte Iesu Christi af, tot het eynde der VVeereldt toe, sonder|ontbrekinghe der ghesichten.|T’samen-ghestelt,|Door Greorgivm Thomson,|Schots-man.|Nu nieuvvelijcks wt de Fransche tale verduyscht.|Door G. Panneel.| M.DC. VII.
Bb1$^1$, Title-page. Bb1$^2$, blank. Bb2$^1$–Bb3$^2$, 4 pages, “Voorreden.” signed “Greorgivs Thomsson.”Bb4$^1$–Dd2$^1$, 29 pages, contain the Vier harmonien.Dd2$^2$–Dd4$^2$, 5 pages, “Tafel vande principaelste materien die int geheele Boec verhandelt werden soo in de Propositien als in de Aenwijsinghen achter yder Capittel.” At the foot of the last page (Dd4$^2$) is printed: “Tot Middelburch,|Ghedruckt by Symon Moulert, Boeck-vercooper,|woonende op den Dam, inde Druckerije. Anno 1607.|”
Signatures. * in eight + ** in four + A to Z and Aa to Cc in eights + Dd in four = 224 leaves.
Paging. 24 + 383 numbered + 1 + 40 = 448 pages.
Errors in Paging. Pages 143, 187, 269, and 308 numbered in error 144, 189, 270, and 208 respectively.
On comparing this edition with that of 1600, we find that the address To the Mislyking Reader is now given, and there is also added a translation of the Quatre Harmonies, from the French editions of 1603 et seq. Further, we find, besides the usual differences in spelling, occasional alterations in the translation. For example, compare the wording, &c., in signatures **4$^2$ and F5$^2$ of the above collation with that corresponding in the signatures **4$^2$ and Aa2$^1$ of the collation of ​the 1600 edition. From this it would appear that for this 1607 edition the translation of 1600 was revised, possibly by G. Panneel, the translator of the Quatre Harmonies. Both the Tables are wanting in the copy examined.
Libraries, Maat. Ned. Let. Leiden;
3. Editions In French.
Ovvertvre|De Tovs Les|Secrets De|L’Apocalypse|]Ov Revelation|De S. Iean.|Par deux traités, l’vn recerchant & prouuant la vraye interpretation|d’icelle: l’autre appliquant au texte ceste interpretation|paraphrastiquement & historiquement,|Par Iean Napeir (c. a. d.) Nonpareil|Sieur de Merchiston, reueue par luimesme:|Et mise en François par Georges Thomson Escossois.|
|Va, pren le liuret ouvert en la main de l’Ange. Apoc. 10, 8.|Hola Sion qui demeures auec la fille de Babylon, sauue-toi. Zach. 2. 7.|Ie te conseille que tu achetes de moy de l’or esprouué par le feu, afin que tu|deuiennes riche,
A La Rochelle.|Par Iean Brenovzet, demeurant pres|la boucherie Neufue.| 1602.|
4°, Size 9 x 61/4 inches.ã1$^1$, Title. ã1$^2$, blank. ã2$^1$–ã3$^1$, 3 pages, “A Treshavt Et Tres-poissant Iaquves Sixiesme, Roy D’escosse. Gr. & P.” signed “Iean Nonpareil.”ã3$^2$–ẽ2$^1$, 6 pages, “Av Lectevr Pievx Et Chrestien.”ẽ2$^2$ & ẽ3$^1$, “Avx Eglises Francoises Reformees Tant En La France Qv’aillevrs S.’’, signed “Georges Thomson.”ẽ3$^2$, Poems—“De Georgii Thomsonii Paraphrasi Gallica Ad Galliam. Ode,” 40 lines; also “Idem,” 8 lines, signed “Joannes Duglassius Musilburgenus.” Preceding A1$^1$ on a folding sheet is “Table des propositions seruantes d’introduction à l’Apocalypse prouuces au premier Traité, lesquelles sont couchees en ceste table selon leur ordre naturel, mais au premier traité suiuant sont mises selon l’ordre de demonstration afin que chaque proposition soit prouuee par la precedante.” A1$^1$–G1$^2$, pp. 1-50, “Le Premier Traité Servant D’introduction, Contenant Vue recerche du vray sens de l’Apocalypse, commençant la descouuerture d’icelle par les points les plus aisés & manifestes, & passant d’iceux à la preuue des incognus, iusques à ce que finalement tous les points fondamentaux soyent esclaircis par forme de propositions.” 36 ​Propositions and “Conclvsion.”Before G2$^1$ on a folding sheet is “Table difinissante & diuisante toute l’Apocalypse.”G2$^1$–Ff1$^2$, pp. 51–234 [226], “Le Second Et Principal Traité Avqvel (Selon Les Fondemens Desja posez) toute l’Apocalypse est paraphrastiquement interpretée, & appliquee aux matieres, selon leur histoire, & datee du temps, auquel chaque chose doit arriuer, auec annotations sur chaque difficulté, & argumens sur chaque chapitre.” ; at the beginning of each chapter is “L’Argument.”, followed by “Le Texte”, “L’Exposition Paraphrastique”, “An de Christ”, and “L’Application historique,” in four parallel columns (the 3d and 4th of which are wanting in the chapters mentioned in the Edin$^r$. 1593 edition), and at the end of each chapter are “Annotations, Raisons, & Amplifications.” Ff2$^1$–Ff3$^2$, pp. 235–238 [227–230], are “Av Lectevr Mal-content.”Ff4$^1$–Ii1$^1$, 19 pages, “Table De Tovtes Les Matieres Principales Contenves, Tant au premier qu’au second Traité sur l’Apocalypse,” arranged alphabetically; at foot of last page “Fautes suruenues en impression.” 4 lines.Ii1$^2$, blank.
Signatures, ã in four + ẽ in three (leaf ẽ4 being cut out), + A to Z and Aa to Hh in fours + Ii in one = 132 leaves.
Paging. 14 + (238-8 for error=) 230 numbered + 20 = 264 pages.
Errors in Paging. Numbers 81 to 90 omitted, and 98 & 137 twice repeated = −10 + 2 = −8.
The Tables are on two folding sheets which precede A1$^1$ and G2$^1$.
In all the French editions, the lines “The Book this bill sends to the Beast.…” and ‘The Oracles of Sibylla’, are omitted. The addition here made to the title of the First Table appears in the English editions as a note at the end of the Table.
Libraries. Adv. Ed.; Nat. Paris;
Ovvertvre|De Tovs Les|Secrets De L’Apo-|calypse, Ov Reve-|lation de S. Iean.|En deux traités, l’vn recerchant & prouuant la vraye interpretation |d’icelle: l’autre appliquant au texte ceste interpretation| paraphrastiquement & historiquement.|Par lean Napeir (C. A. D.) nompareil Sieur|de Merchiston, reueiie par luimesme:|Et mise en Francois par Georges Thomson Escossois.|
Va, pren le liuret ouuert en la main de l’Ange. Apoc. 10. 8.|Hola Sion, qui demeures auec la fille de Babylon, sauue-toi. Zach. 2. 7.|Je te conseille que tu achetes de moy de l’or esprouué par le fen,|afin que tu deuiennes riche.|Et que tu oignes tes yeux de collyre, afin que tu voyes. Apoc. 3.18.|Qui lit, l’entende. Matth. 24. 15.
A La Rochelle,|Pour Timothee Iovan.|M. DC. II.|
​This can in no sense be considered another edition, Brenouzet’s title-page having simply been cut off half an inch from the back and the above substituted. This substituted title has an ornamental border round the type, whereas Brenouzet’s has simply a line. The copy examined for this entry (from Bib. Pub. de Genève) differs, however, from that examined for the previous entry (from Adv. Lib. Ed.) in certain small points which may be noted, namely: on e3$^1$ the signature is omitted, on e3$^2$ three little ornaments are omitted, on p. 3 the number is omitted, and finally, the principal error in paging commences here with p. 80 being numbered 90 instead of as above, with p. 81 being numbered 91.
Libraries. K. Hof. u. Staats. München; Pub. Genève; Stadt. Bern;
Ovvertvre|Des Secrets|De L’Apocalypse,|Ov Revelation De|S. Iean.|En deux traités: l’vn recherchant &|prouuant la vraye interpretation|d’icelle: l’autre appliquant au|texte ceste interpretation|paraphrastiquement|& historique-|ment.| Par Iean Napeir (C. A. D.)| Nompareil, Sieur de Merchi-|ston, reueuë par lui-mesme.|Et mise en Francois par Georges|Thomson Escossois.|Edition seconde,|Amplifiee d’Annotations, & de quatre harmonies sur l’Apocalypse, par le| Translateur. |
Il te faut encores prophetizer à plusieurs| peuples, & gens, & langues, & Rois.| Apoc. 10. 11.|
A La Rochelle,|Par les Heritiers de H. Haultin.|M. DC III.|
8°. Size 7 x 45/8 inches. ã1$^1$, Title. ã1$^2$, blank. ã2$^1$–ã5$^1$ 7 pages, Dedication to King James. ã5$^2$–ẽ3$^2$, 13 pages, Av Lectevr pieux.… ẽ4$^1$–ẽ5$^1$, 3 pages, “Avx Eglises Francoises.…” ẽ5$^2$–ẽ8$^1$, 6 pages, Poems, eight more being added to those in the 1602 edition. ẽ8$^2$, “Aduertissement du Translateur au Lecteur.” Before A1$^1$, Table on folding sheet.A1$^1$–F6$^1$, pp. 1-91, The first Treatise.F6$^2$, blank. Before F7$^1$, Table on folding sheet. F7$^1$–V8$^2$, pp. 93–318 [320], The second Treatise.X1$^1$–X4$^2$, 8 pages, Av Lectevr Mal-content.X5$^1$–Y7$^1$, 21 pages, “Table Des Matieres Principales Contenves en ce livre.” Y7$^2$, “A L’Eglise. Sonnet,”Y8, blank.
Qvatre|Harmonies|Svr La Revelation|De S. Iean: Tovchant La|Royavté Prestrise,|& Prophetie de Iesus|Christ.|Contenantes ​aussi la Prophetie & Histoire Chrestiene|aucunement depuis la naissance de Christ iusques|á la fin du monde, sans interruption|des visions.|Par G.T.E.|1603.|
Z1$^2$, Title. Z1$^2$, blank.Z2$^1$—Z4$^3$, 6 pages, “La Preface.” Z5$^1$–Aa8$^2$, pp. 1–24, The Work itself. At foot of p. 24 is printed, “Acheué d’imprimer le premier tour de l’An 1603.”
Signatures. ã and ẽ and A to Z and Aa in eights = 208 leaves.
Paging. 32 + (318 + 2 for error=) 320 numbered + 32 + 8 + 24 numbered = 416 pages.
Errors in Paging. The numbers 143 and 144 are twice repeated. The two Tables are on folding sheets which precede A1$^1$ and F7$^1$.
Libraries. Un. Ed.; Un. Gl.; Nat. Paris; Kön. Berlin;
Ovvertvre|De Toys Les|Secrets De|L’Apocalypse,|Ov Revelation|De S. Iean.|En deux traités: I’vn recerchant & prouuant la|vraye interpretation d’icelle; l’autre appliquant|au texte ceste interpretation paraphrasti-|quement & historiquement.|Par Iean Napeir (c. a. d.) Nompareil, Sieur de Merchi-|ston, reueue par lui-mesme.|Et mise en François par Georges|Thomson Escossois.|Edition seconde,|Amplifiée d’Annotations & de quatre harmonies sur|l’Apocalypse par le Translateur.|
Il te faut encores prophetizer à plusieurs peuples,|& gens, & langues, & Rois.| Apoc. 10, II.|
A La Rochelle,|Par Noel De la croix. 1605.|
8°. Size 7 x 41/4 inches. ã1$^1$, Title. ã1$^2$, blank. ã2$^1$–ã4$^2$, 5 pages, Dedication to King James. ã4$^2$–ã8$^2$, 9 pages, Av Lectevr pieux.… ẽ1, 2 pages, Aux Eglises Francoises.…ẽ2$^1$–ẽ4$^1$, 5 pages, Poems, as in the edition of 1603. ẽ4$^2$, Aduertissement.… Before A1$^1$, Table on folding sheet.A1$^1$–F5$^2$, pp. 1-90, The first Treatise.Before F6$^1$, Table on folding sheet.F6$^1$–Cc3$^2$, pp. 91-446 [406], The second Treatise.Cc4$^1$–Cc6$^2$, 6 pages, Av Lectur Malcontent,Cc7$^1$–Ee5$^1$, 29 pages, Table des Matieres.… Ee5$^2$, Sonnet.
QOvatre|Harmonies|Svr La Revelation|De S. Iean; Tovchant La|Royavté Prestrise,|& Prophetie de Iesus|Christ.|Contenantes aussi la Prophetie & Histoire Chrestienne|aucunement depuis la naissance de Christ iusques|à la fin du monde, sans interruption|des visions.|Par G.T.E.||1605.|
​Ee6$^1$, Title.6$^2$, blank.Ee7$^1$,–Ee8$^2$, 4 pages, La Preface. Ff1$^2$–Gg8$^2$, pp. 1–31, The Work itself. At foot of p. 31 is printed, “Achené d’imprimer le huictiesme iour de Iuin 1605.” Gg8$^2$, blank.
Signatures, ã in eight + ẽ in four + A to Z and Aa to Gg in eights = 252 leaves.
Paging. 24 + (446 − 40 for error=) 406 numbered + 36 + 6 + 31 numbered + 1 = 504 pages.
Errors in Paging. P. 15 is numbered 16, and there are several errors in signature E, but the only error affecting the last page, is p. 401 numbered 441, and so to the end. The two Tables are on folding sheets which precede A1$^1$ and F6$^1$.
It will be observed that this is described as ‘Edition seconde’ as well as that of 1603.
Libraries. Adv, Ed.; Un Ed.; Un. Ab.; Brit. Mus, Lon.; Chetham’s Manch,; Trin. Col. Dub.; Nat. Paris; Stadt. Frankfurt;
Ovvertvre|De Tovs Les Secrets|De|L’Apocalypse|Ov Revelation|De S. Iean.|En deux traités: l’vn recerchant & prouuant la|vraye interpretation d’icelle: l’autre appli-|quant au texte ceste interpretation pa-|raphrastiquement & histori-|quement.|Par Iean Napeir (c. à. d. Nompareil) Sieur de| Merchiston: reueuë par lui-mesme.|Et mise en François par Georges|Thomson Escossois.| Edition troisieme|Amplifiee d’Annotations, & de quatre harmonies sur|l’Apocalypse par le Translateur. |
Il te faut encores prophetizer à plusieurs peuples,|& gens, & langues, & Rois,|Apoc, 10. 11.|
A La Rochelle,|Par Noel de la Croix.| cIɔ. IɔC. VII. |
8°. Size 63/4 x 41/2 inches. A1$^1$, Title. A1$^2$, blank.A2$^1$–A4$^1$, 5 pages, Dedication to King James.A4$^2$–A7$^1$, 6 pages, Av Lectevr Pievx.…A7$^2$–A8$^1$, 2 pages, Avx Eglises Francoises.…A8$^2$–B2$^2$, 5 pages, Poems, as in the edition of 1603, also the Aduertissement.…Preceding B3$^1$, Table on folding sheet. B3$^1$–G7$^2$, pp. 1–90, The first Treatise.Preceding G8$^1$, Table on folding sheet. G8$^1$–Dd5$^2$, pp. 91-406, The second Treatise.Dd6$^1$–Dd8$^2$, 6 pages, “Av Lectevr Mal-content,”Ee1$^1$–Ee8$^2$, 16 pages, Table des Matieres.…, on the last page at the end is the Sonnet.
Qvatre|Harmonies|Svr La Revelation De|S. Iean: Tovchant La Royav-|te, Prestrise et Prophe-|tie de Iesus Christ.|Contenantes aussi la Prophetie & Histoire Chrestienne| aucunement ​depuis la naissance de Christ ius-|ques à la fin du monde, sans interru-|ption des visions.|Par G.T.E.|cIɔ. IɔC. VII.|
Ff1$^1$, Title.Ff1$^2$, blank. Ff2$^1$–Ff3$^2$, 4 pages, La Preface.Ff4$^1$–Hh3$^2$, pp. 1–31, The Work itself.Hh3$^2$–Hh4$^2$, 3 pages, blank.
Signatures. A to Z and Aa to Gg in eights + Hh in four = 244 leaves.
Paging. 20 + 406 numbered + 22 + 6 + 31 numbered + 3 = 488 pages.
Errors in Paging. P. 397 numbered in error 367, and pp. 401–404 numbered in error 441–444. (Quatre Harm.) p. 3 numbered in error 5.
In the title-page of the Quatre Harmonies, the fifth line ends with “Prophe”; in the Oxford copy this is followed by a hyphen, but in the Breslau and Dresden copies the hyphen is wanting.
Libraries. Bodl. Oxf.; Stadt. Breslau; Un. Breslau; Kön. Öff. Dresden;
Ovvertvre|De Tovs Les Secrets|De|L’Apocalypse|Ov Revelation|De S. Iean.|En deux traités: I’vn recerchant & prouuant la|vraye interpretation d’icelle: l’autre appli-|quant au texte ceste interpretation pa-|raphrastiquement & histori-|quement.|Par Iean Napeir (c. à. d. Nompareil) Sieur de| Merchiston: reueuë par lui-mesme.|Et mise en François par Georges|Thomson Escossois.| Edition troisieme.| Amplifiee d’Annotations, & de quatre Harmonies sur|l’Apocalypse par le Translateur.|
Il te faut encores prophetizer à plusieurs peuples,|& gens, & langues, & Rois.|Apoc, 10, 11.|
A La Rochelle,|Par Noel de la Croix.|cIɔ. IɔC. VII.|
8°. Size 63/4 × 41/4 inches.A1$^1$, Title.A1$^2$, blank.A2$^1$–A4$^1$, 5 pages, Dedication to King James.A4$^2$–A7$^1$, 6 pages, Av Lectevr Pievx.… A7$^2$–A8$^1$, 2 pages, Aux Eglises Francoises.…A8$^2$–B2$^2$, 5 pages, Poems, as in the edition of 1603, also the Aduertissement.…Preceding B3$^1$, Table on folding sheet. B3$^1$–G5$^2$, pp. 1-86, The first Treatise.Preceding G6$^1$, Table on folding sheet. G6$^2$–Cc6$^1$, pp. 87–391, The second Treatise, four lines are carried over to the top of the page following 391.Cc6$^2$–Dd1$^1$, 6 pages, “Av Lecteur Mal-content.”Dd1$^2$–Dd8$^1$, 14 pages, Table des Matieres.… Dd8$^2$, Sonnet.
Qvatre|Harmonies|Svr La Revelation De|S. Iean: Tovchant La Royav-|te, Prestrise Et Prophe-|tie de Iesus Christ.|Contenantes aussi la Prophetic & Histoire Chrestienne|aucunement ​depuis la naissance de Christ ius-|ques à la fin du monde, sans interru-|ption des visions.| Par G.T.E.|cIɔ. IɔC. VII.|
Ee1$^1$, Title.Ee1$^2$, blank.Ee2$^1$–Ee3$^2$, 4 pages, La Preface. Ee4$^2$–Gg3$^2$, pp. 1-31, The Work itself.Gg3$^2$–Gg4$^2$, 3 pages, blank.
Signatures. A to Z and Aa to Ff in eights + Gg in four = 236 leaves.
Paging. 20 + 391 numbered + 21 + 6 + 31 numbered + 3 = 472 pages.
Errors in Paging. These are numerous, especially in signatures L and S, but none affect the last page. The two Tables are on folding sheets which precede B3$^1$ and G6$^1$.
For some reason the type for the Rochelle issue of 1607 was twice set up. In this variety it will be observed that the number of pages occupied by the body of the work is about four per cent less than in the variety described in the preceding entry. The above collation is from the Edinburgh copy. The Paris copy agrees with it, except that the word “Harmonies” in the seventeenth line of the first title-page commences with a small h, as in the previous entry.
An edition ‘A Genève chez Iaques Foillet, 1607, in 8°,’ is mentioned by Freytag in the Analecta Literaria, p. 1136. A similar entry, but omitting ‘Genève,’ is made by Draudius in the Bibliotheca Exotica, 1625 edition, p. 11. Possibly Foillet was only the introducer of the work at the Frankfurt Book Fair.
Le Long mentions an edition, Geneva, 1642, in 4°. An entry was found, in a library catalogue, under Napier’s name, which appeared to substantiate Le Long’s statement. In that case, however, the work proved to be the ‘Ouverture des secrets de l’Apocalypse de Saint Jean, contenant tres parties.… par Jean Gros. Genève, Fontaine, 1642, in 4°.’
Libraries. Adv. Ed.; Soc. Prot. Fr. Paris; Stadt. Zurich;
4. Editions in German.
[Note.—In the German editions, the letters printed below as ä, ö, ü, are in the original printed •/a, •/o, •/u, an earlier way of expressing the ‘umlaut.’]
Entdeckung aller Geheimniissen in der|Apocalypsi oder Offenbarung S. Jo-|hannis begriffen.|Darifien die|Zeiten vnd Jahren der Regierung desz Anti-|christs, wie auch desz Jüngsten Tages, so eygentlich|durch gewisse gegründete Vrsachen auszgerechnet, dasz man fast|nicht dran zweiffeln kan.|Zuvor zwar niemals gesehen noch gehört, wiewol von vielen vornehmen, gelährten vnnd erleuchteten Männern, wie | von dem seligen Mann D. Luthero selbsten, ge-|wündschet worden.|Von|Iohanne De Napeier,|Herrn de Merchiston, erstmals in Scotischer Sprache aus|Liecht gegeben.| Jetzt aber treuwlich verdeutschet,|Durch| Leonem De Dromna.|
Dan. 12.|Vnd nun Daniel verbirg diese Wort, (vom Reich vnnd Zeit desz|Antichrists, vnd desz Jüngsten Tages) vnd versiegele diese Schrifft, bisz auff die|bestimpte Zeit, so werden viel drüber kommen, vnd grossen Verstand finden.|
Gedruckt zu Gera, durch Martinum Spiessen.|Im Jahr 1611.|
[Printed in red and black.]
4°. Size 71/2 x 61/4 inches. Black letter.(:) 1$^1$, Title. (:) 1$^2$, blank. (:)2$^1$–(:) 3$^2$, 4 pages, The Preface “An den guthertsigen Leser” signed “Im Jahr 1611. Leo de Dromna.” (:) 4$^1$–)( )(2$^2$, 6 pages, “Register aller vnnd jeder Propositionen, so in diesem Büchlein tractiert werden.”, being the titles of the 36 propositions contained in Napier’s First treatise; at the end are added “Errata Typographica,” 18 lines, A1$^1$–Y2$^1$, pp. 1–171, The first treatise. Y2$^2$, blank.
Signatures. (:) in four + )( )( in two + A to X in four + Y in two = 92 leaves.
Paging. 12 + 171 numbered + 1 = 184 pages.
This edition contains a translation by Leo de Dromna of the 36 propositions of Napier’s First Treatise, but without its Title and ‘Conclusion.’ The other parts of the original work are all omitted,
Le Long catalogues editions Leipsic 1611 and Gera 1612. Draudius also, in Bibliotheca Librorum Germanicorum Classica, p. 290, mentions a Leipsic edition of 1611. He gives the title exactly as above so far as the words ‘zweiffein kan’ at the end of the eighth line, ​after which he adds ‘ausz Scotischer Sprach verteutscht durch Leonem de Dromna. Leiptzig bey Thoma Schiirern, in 4. 1611.’ These particulars are copied verbatim from the Frankfurter Messkatalog vom Herbst 1611, sheet D1$^2$. The appearance of Schürer’s name may, however, imply simply that he brought the work to market and issued it at the Frankfurt Book Fair, not that there is an edition bearing on its title-page to have been issued by him at Leipsic.
An edition Gera 1661 in 4° is mentioned by Graesse. His particulars regarding German editions of ‘A plaine discovery’ appear to be copied from Rotermund, vol. v. p. 494, where the same date is given; but there is little doubt it is a misprint for 1611.
Libraries. Adv. Ed.; Stadt. Breslau; Stadt. Frankfurt; Min. Schafthausen;
Entdeckung aller Geheimnüssen in der|Apocalypsi oder Offenbarung S. Jo-|hannis begriffen.|Darifien ............ [Same as preceding. ]
Gedruckt zu Gera, durch Martinum Spiessen|Im Jahr 1612.|
This impression is identical in every particular with the foregoing, except that in the last line of the Title-page the date 1612 is substituted for 1611.
Libraries. Stadt. Breslau; Un. Breslau; Stadt. Zurich;
Johannis Napeiri,|Herren zu Merchiston,|Eines trefflichen Schottländischen|Theologi, schöne vnd lang gewünschte| Auszlegung der|Offenbarung Jo-|hannis,|In welcher erstlich etliche Propositiones|gesetzt werden, die zu Erforschung desz wahren Ver-|stands nothwendig sind: Demnach auch der gantze Text|durch die Historien vnd Geschichten der Zeit erklärt, vnnd|angezeigt wirdt, wie alle Weissagungen bisz daher|seyen erfüllt worden, vnd noch in das künfftig|erfüllt werden sollen.| ​Ausz begird der Warheit, vnd der dffnung jrer Ge-|heimnussen, nach den Frantzösischen, Englischen vnnd|Schottischen Exemplaren, dritter Edition jetzund auch|vnserem geliebten Teutschen Verstand|vbergeben.|
Getruckt zu Franckfort am|Mayn, im Jahr 1615.|
[Printed in red and black.]
8°. Size 6 3/4 x 4 inches. Black letter.)(1$^1$, Title,)(1°, blank.)(1$^2$–)(8$^1$, 14 pages, The Preface “Den Gestrengen, Edlen, Ehrenvesten, Hochgelehrten, Frommen, Fürnemmen, Fürsichtigen, Ersamen ond weisen Herrn”; then follow the names, &c., of 2 “Bürgermeistern,” the “Statthaltern,” 2 “Seckelmeistern,” the “gewesenen Landvogt zu Louis,” and the “Stattschreibern, &c. Sampt einem gantzen Ersamen Rath, löblicher Statt Schaffhausen, meinen gnädigen vnd gönstigen Herrn.”, signed “Basel den 1 Augusti, Anno 1615. Ew. Gn. Vnderthiniger, dienstgeflissener Wolffgang Mayer, H. S. D. Diener am Wort Gottes daselbsten.” First Table wanting. A1$^1$–H6$^1$, pp. 1–123, “Auszlegung vnd Erklärung der Offenbarung Johannis. Der erste Theil vnd Eyngang dieses Wercks, begreiffend ein ersuchung desz wahren Verstandts der Offenbarung ausz den Leuchtern, gewissen vnd bekanten Puncten, die vungewissere vnnd unbekante Stüch schlieszlich beweisende, bisz zu vollkommener Erklärung aller fürnembsten Puncten, in gewisse Propositiones abgetheilt.”, 36 propositions and “Beschlusz” or Conclusion. H6$^2$,[p. 124] is blank. On a folding sheet after H6$^2$ is “Tabul, Erklärung vnd Abtheylung der gantzen Offenbarung S. Johannis.” H7$^1$–Kk8$^2$, pp. 125–528, “Der ander vnd fürnembste Theyl, darinn (nach den hievorgesetzten Fundamenten vund Gründen) die gantze Offenbarung erklärt vnnd auszgelegt, vnd mit der Historien vnnd Geschicht der Zeit, wie sich die Sachen auff einander verlauffen vnd zugetragen, conferiert und verglichen wirdt, mit angehengter Verzeichnusz vnd Erklärung vber die Orth ond Sprüch so schwerlich zu verstehen, und kurtzen Argumentis vnd Innhalt eines jeden Capitels.”; the chapters commence with “Argument oder Innhalt”, then follow in three parallel columns “Auszlegungy desz Texts”, the “Jahr Christi” and “Historische Erklärung”, (the 2d and 3d columns are wanting in the chapters mentioned in the Edin. 1593 edition); at the end of each chapter are added “Ferrnere Ausslegung vnd Erklärung der bezeichneten Oerter dieses Capituls.” Ll1$^1$–Nn2$^2$, 36 pages, “Register Aller denckwürdigen Sachen, so in diesem Buch begrieffen, nach dem Alphabet ordentlich zu finden, auszgetheilet.”
Signatures. )( and A to Z and Aa to Mm in eights + Nn in two = 290 leaves.
Paging. 16 + 528 numbered + 36 = 580 pages.
Errors in Paging. There are several, sheet X especially being in great confusion, but none of the errors affect the last page. Following H6$^2$ on a folding sheet is the second Table.
This edition contains a translation by Wolffgang Mayer of the two Treatises, but without the Text in the second. All the other matter in the English editions is omitted. The additional matter consists of the Preface and the Alphabetical Index to the principal subjects referred to ​in the book. The first Table is wanting in the copies both of this edition and that of 1627 in all the libraries noted.
Libraries. Kön. Berlin; Stadt. Breslau; Un. Breslau; Stadt. Frankfurt;
Johannis Napeiri,|Herren zu Merchiston,|Eines trefflichen Schottlandischen|Theologi, schöne vnd lang gewünschte|Auszle-gung der|Offenbarung Jo-|hannis.|In welcher erstlich etliche Propositiones|gesetzt werden, die zu Erforschung desz wahren Ver-|standts nothwendig sind: Demnach auch der gantze Text|durch die Historien vnd Geschichten der Zeit erklärt, vnd|angezeigt wirdt, wie alle Weissagungen bisz daher|seyen erfüllet worden, vnd noch in das künff-|tig erfüllt werden sollen.|Ausz begierdt der Warheit, vnnd der öffnung ihrer|Geheymnüssen, nach dem Frantzösischen, Englischen|vnnd Schottischen Exemplaren, dritter Edition, jetzund|auch vnserm geliebten Teutschen Ver-|standt vbergeben.|
Getruckt zu Franckfurt am| Mayn, Im Jahr 1627.|
[Printed entirely in black.]
8°. Size 6 3/4 x 4 inches.Black letter.The type has been reset for this edition, and there are many differences in spelling. The collation, however, is the same as in the edition of 1615, to the end of the Second Treatise, after which we have Ll1$^1$–Nn3$^2$, 38 pages, “Register Aller denckwürdigen Sachen, …”Nn 4, blank.
Signatures. )( and A to Z and Aa to Mm in eights, + Nn in four = 292 leaves.
Paging. 16 + 528 numbered + 38 + 2 = 584 pages.
Errors in Paging. Rather more numerous than in 1615, sheet X again in confusion, but, as before, the errors do not affect the last page.
The second Table, on a folding sheet, follows H6$^2$ as in the 1615 edition.
Libraries. Adv. Ed.; Stadt. Breslau; Stadt. Zurich;
II.—De Arte Logistica, in Latin.
De Arte Logistica|Joannis Naperi|Merchistonii Baronis| Libri Qui Supersunt.| Impressum Edinburgi|M.DCCC.XXXIX. |
4°. Large paper. Size 11 1/4 x 8 7/8 inches. There are 4 leaves at the beginning. The first is entirely blank, on the recto of the second is the single line “De Arte Logistica.”, on the recto of the third is the Title-page as above, and on the recto of the fourth is the Dedication to Francis Lord Napier of Merchiston. The number and arrangement of these pages is slightly different in the Club copies—see note.
On the recto of a1 is the word “Introduction.”a2$^1$–m3$^2$, pp. iii-xciv, “Introduction.” by Mark Napier, dated 1 November 1839.
On the recto of m4 is the line “De Arte Logistica.”, and on the recto of A1 is the title “The|Baron Of Merchiston|His Booke Of Arithmeticke|And Algebra.|For Mr Henrie Briggs|Professor Of Geometrie|At Oxforde.|” A2$^1$–D1$^2$, pp. 3–26, “Liber Primus. De Computationibus Quantitatum Omnibus Logistice Speciebus Communium.” D2$^1$–L1$^1$, pp. 27–81, “Liber Secundus. De Logistica Arithmetica,” L1$^2$ blank. L2$^2$–L4$^2$, pp. 83–88, “Liber Tertius. De Logistica Geometrica.” On the recto of M1 is the title “Algebra Joannis Naperi|Merchistonii Baronis.|” M2$^1$–P2$^1$, pp. 91–115, “Liber Primus. De Nominata Algebra Parte.” P2$^2$, blank. P3$^1$–X1$^2$, pp. 117–162, “Liber Secundus. De Positiva Sive Cossica Algebre Parte.” X2, blank.
Signatures. 4 leaves [see notes] + a to m and A to U in fours + X in two = 134 leaves.
Paging. 8 + xciv numbered + 2 + 162 numbered + 2 = 268 pages.
There are also two plates, the one a portrait of Napier, the other a view of Merchiston Castle.
The collation is from a large-paper copy. Each page is enclosed in a double red line, the title-page being in part printed in red as well as the headings of chapters etc., throughout the work. Generally, how- ever, the copies are printed entirely in black and are without the double line enclosing the type.
In his preface Mark Napier states that he was induced to publish the work “by the spirited interposition of the Bannatyne and Maitland Clubs of Scotland.” The copies for members of these Clubs are printed entirely in black on their own water-marked paper, size ​10 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches. They have not a blank leaf at the beginning, but have on the recto of a leaf after the title-page an extract from the minutes authorising the printing, followed by two leaves containing a list of the members of the Club; the Bannatyne Club having one hundred members and the Maitland Club ninety. The foregoing differences make the preliminary leaves six instead of four as in the collation.
The manuscript from which the work was published appears, from the following passage in the Memoirs (pp. 419, 420), to be the only one of Napier’s papers which survives.
Napier left a mass of papers, including his mathematical treatises and notes, all of which came into the possession of Robert as his father’s literary executor. When the house of Napier of Culcreugh was burnt, these papers perished, with only two exceptions that I have been able to discover. The one is the manuscript treatise on Alchemy by Robert Napier himself; but the other is a far more valuable manuscript, being entitled, “The Baron of Merchiston, his booke of Arithmeticke, and Algebra; for Mr Henrie Briggs, Professor of Geometrie at Oxforde.”....... it is of great length, beautifully written in the hand of his son, who mentions the fact, that it is copied from such of his father’s notes as the transcriber considered “orderlie sett doun.”
The treatise on Alchemy is elsewhere stated (pp. 236, 237) to be contained in a thin quarto volume closely written in the autograph of Robert Napier, bearing the title “Mysterii aurei velleris Revelatio; seu analysis philosophica qua nucleus veræ intentionis hermeticæ posteris Deum timentibus mantifestatur. Authore R. N.” and the motto—
“Orbis quicquid opum, vel habet medicina salutis, Omne Leo Geminis suppeditare potest.”
In this connection the following entry may be mentioned which occurs in the sale catalogue of the first portion of the library of the late David Laing:—“Lambye (J. B.) Revelation of the secret Spirit (Alchymie) translated by R. N. E. (Robert Napier Edinburgensis ?) 1623.” The work sold for £7, 2s. 6d.
Libraries. Adv. Ed.; etc.
III.—Rabdologiæ.
1. Editions in Latin.
Rabdologiæ,|Sev Nvmerationis|Per Virgulas|Libri Dvo:|Cum Appendice de expeditissi-|simo Mvltiplicationis| promptvario.|Quibus accessit & Arithmeticæ|Localis Liber vnvs.|Authore & Inventore Ioanne|Nepero, Barone Mer-|chistonii, &c.|Scoto.|Edinbvrgi,|Excudebat Andreas Hart, 1617.|
12°. Size 5 5/8 x 3 1/4 inches.¶1$^1$, Title.¶1$^2$, blank. ¶2$^1$–¶4$^1$, 5 pages, “Illustrissimo Viro Alexandro Setonio Fermelinoduni Comiti, Fyvœi, & Vrqvharti Domino, &c. Supremo Regni Scotiæ Cancellario. S.”, signed “Ioannes Neperus Merchistonii Baro.”¶4$^2$, Verses, viz.:— “Avthori Dignissimo.”, 4 lines, unsigned; “Lectori Rabdologiæ.”, 4 lines, signed “Patricivs Sandḛvs”; and “Ad Lectorem.”, 6 lines, signed “Andreas Ivnivs.”¶5$^1$–¶6$^1$, 3 pages, “Elenchvs Capitvm, et vsvvm totivs operis.”¶6$^2$, two lines in centre of page.A1$^1$–B9$^2$, pp. 1-42, “Radbdologiæ Liber Primvs De usu Virgvlarvm numeratricium in genere.”B10$^1$–D9$^2$, pp. 43–90, “Radbdologiæ Liber Secvndvs De usu Virgularum Numeratricium in Geometricis & Mechanicis officio Tabularum.”D10$^1$–E8$^2$, pp. 91–112, “De Expeditissimo Multiplicationis Promptvario Appendix.”, the “Præfatio” occupying the first page. E9$^1$–G5$^2$, pp. 113–154, “Arithmeticæ Localis, que in Scacchiæ abaco exercetur, Liber unus.”, the “Præfatio” occupying the first two pages.G6 blank.
Signatures. ¶ in six + A to F in twelve + G in six = 84 leaves.
Paging. 12 + 154 numbered + 2 = 168 pages.
There are 4 folding plates to face pages 101, 105, 106, and 130, which, with those on pages 6, 7, 8, 94, and 95, are copperplate.
Errors in Paging. None. In one copy belonging to the Edinburgh University Library the signature B5 is printed in error A5, but in their other copy it is correct.
The word expeditissimo on the 5th and 6th lines of the title-page is in some copies correctly printed expeditis-|simo.
Libraries. Adv. Ed.; Sig. Ed.; Un. Ed. (2); Un. Gl. (2); Brit. Mus. Lon.; Un. Col. Lon.; Roy. Soc. Lon.; Bodl. Oxf. (5); Un. Camb.; Trin, Col. Camb.; Trin. Col. Dub.; Kön. Berlin; Stadt. Breslau; Un. Breslau; Kön. Öff. Dresden; Un. Halle; Un. Leiden; K. Hof u. Staats. München; Astor, New York; Nat. Paris; Un. Utrecht;
​Rabdologiæ|Sev Nvmerationis|per Virgulas libri duo:|Cum Appendice de expe-|ditissimo Mvltiplicationis|promptvario.|Quibus accessit & Arithme-|ticæ Localis Liber unus.|Authore & Inventore Ioanne|Nepero, Barone Merchisto-|nij, &c. Scoto.| Lygdvni.|Typis Petri Rammasenij.|M. DC. XXVI.|
12°. Size 5 1/2 x 3 1/4 inches.†1$^1$, Title. †1$^2$, blank. †2$^1$–†4$^2$, 6 pages, Dedication to Alex. Seton, Lord Dunfermline.†5$^1$, Verses.†5$^2$–†6$^2$, 3 pages, Elenchvs Capitvm, with the 2 lines at end, A$^1$–B9$^2$, pp. 1–42, Rabdologiæ, Lib. I. B10$^1$–D6$^2$, pp. 43–84, Lib. II.D7$^1$–E3$^2$, pp. 85–102, Mult. prompituario.E4$^1$–G4$^1$, pp. 103–139, Arith. Localis.G4$^2$–G6$^2$, 5 pages, all blank.
Signatures. † + in six + A to E in twelves + F and G in sixes = 78 leaves.
Paging. 12 + 139 numbered + 5 = 156 pages.
There are 9 folding diagrams to face pages 49, 51, 59, 81, 94, 97, 98, 115, and 117; those facing pages 94, 97, 98, and 117, correspond to the 4 folding plates of the 1617 edition, the others are tables which in 1617 were printed in the text.
The numbering of the pages, though somewhat indistinct, seems to be correct throughout. In printing the signatures, however, C7 is numbered in error C6, and E3 has no signature printed.
This edition, published at Leyden, contains exactly the same matter as that of the Edinburgh edition of 1617. None of the plates, however, are engraved on copper. The decimal fractions are printed according to Simon Stevin’s notation; thus, for example, on p. 41 we have 1994 ⓪,9①1②6③0④ while in the 1617 edition it is printed 1994,′/9 ″/1 ‴/6 ⁗/0.
Libraries. Un. Ed.; Un. Ab.; Un. St And.; Greenock; Bodl. Oxf.; Chetham’s Manch.; Trin. Col. Dub.; Kön. Berlin; Un. Breslau; Stadt, Frankfurt; K. Hof u. Staats. München; Astor, New York;
Rabdologiæ|Sev Nvmerationis|per Virgulas libri duo:|Cum Appendice de expe-|ditissimo Mvltiplicationis|promptvario. | Quibus accessit & Arithmeti-|cæ Localis Liber vnus|Authore & Inventore Ioanne Nepero Barone Merchisto-|nij, &c. Scoto.|Lvgd. Batavorvm. | Typis Petri Rammasenij. | M. DC: XXVIII.|
​This edition is identical with that of 1626, described in the previous entry, but the original title-page has been cut out, and the above substituted. The only important change in this new title-page, besides the alteration of date, is the substitution of the name Lvgd. Batavorvm for LVGDVNI, and the object in printing a new title-page was probably to effect this change in name, as confusion may have arisen from the single word ‘Lugduni’ being used for Leyden, instead of the more common form Lugd. Batavorum, the word Lugdunum being the usual Latin form of Lyons, as, for example, in the 1620 edition of the ‘Descriptio.’
Libraries. Adv. Ed.; K. Hof u. Staats. München; Nat. Paris;
2. Editions in Italian.
Raddologia,|Ouero|Arimmetica Virgolare|In due libri diuisa;|Con appresso vn’ espeditissimo|Prontvario Della Molteplicatione,|& poi vn libro di|Arimmetica Locale:|Quella mirabilmente commoda, anzi vtilissima|à chi, che tratti numeri alti;|Questa curiosa, & diletteuole|à chi, che sia d’illustre ingegno.|Auttore, & Inuentore|Il Baron Giovanni Nepero,|Tradottore dalla Latina nella Toscana lingua|Il Cavalier Marco Locatello;|Accresciute dal medesimo alcune consi-|derationi gioueuoli.|
In Verona, Appresso Angelo Tamo. 1623.|Con licenza de’ Superiori.|
8°. Size 6 1/8 x 4 1/8 inches.†1$^1$, Title.†1$^2$, blank. †2$^1$–†3$^1$, 3 pages, “Allo Ill$^{mo.}$ & Ecc$^{mo.}$ Sig$^{re.}$ Teodoro Trivvltio, Prencipe del Sac. Rom. Imperio, di Musocco, & della Valle Misolcina; Conte di Melzo, & di Gorgonzola; Signor di Codogno, & di Venzaghello; Caualier dell’ Ordine di S. Giacomo, &c.”, dated and signed “Di Verona li 12. Febraio 1623.… Marco Locatelli.”†3$^2$, “Al medesimo Sig. Prencipe Trivvltio L’istesso Locatelli.”, followed by 10 lines of verse. †4$^1$, “Del Sig. Ambrosio Bianchi Co. Cau. e I. C. Coll. di Mil. Al Sig. Cau. Marco Locatelli.”, with 14 lines of verse.†4$^2$, “Del Sig. Francesco Pona Med. Fis. & Ace. Filarm. Al medes. Sig. Cau. Locatelli.…”, with 13 lines of verse.
†5$^1$–†8$^1$, 7 pages, “Racconto De’ Capi di tutta l’Opera, Et de’ Titoli pit rileuanti in essi.” On †8$^2$ is printed “Imprimatur Fr. Siluester Inquisitor Veronæ. Augustinus Dulcius Serenissimæ Reip. Venetæ Secr.”A$^1$–F4$^1$, pp. 1–95, “Della Raddologia ​Libro Primo. Dell’ vso delle Virgole numeratrici in genere.”F4$^2$, blank. F5$^1$–K4$^1$, pp. 97–159, “Della Raddologia Libro Secondo. Dell’vso delle Virgole numeratrici nelle cose Geometriche, & Mecaniche, con l’aiuto di alcune Tauole.”K4$^2$, blank.K5$^1$–N3$^2$, pp. 161–210, “Prontvario Ispeditissimo Della Molteplicatione,” the “Proemio” occupying the first 2 pages. N4$^1$–Q8$^1$, pp. 211–269, “Arimmetica Locale, Che nel Piano dello Scacchiere si esercita.”, the “Prefatione” occupying the first 2 pages.On Q8$^2$, “Il Fine di tutta l’Opera. In Verona, Appresso Angelo Tamo, 1623. Con licenza de’ Superiori.”
Signatures. † and A to Q in eights = 136 leaves + 7 diagrams interleaved and included in paging = 143 leaves.
Paging. 16 + 269 numbered + 1 = 286 pages.
There are 7 diagrams on interleaved and folded sheets, each of which counts as two pages; the sides containing the diagrams are numbered as pages 25, 36, 49, 63, 169, 179, and 233.
Errors in Paging. P. 75 not numbered, and pp. 251, 266, and 267 numbered in error 152, 264, and 165.
New Dedication and Complimentary Verses are substituted for those in the edition of 1617, and there are numerous notes throughout the work by the Translator, as well as additions and alterations. One of these may be mentioned, At the end of the work Napier adds these words, “Atque hic finem Arithmetic Locali imponimus. DEO soli laus omnis & honor tribuatur. FINIS.”, but his Italian translator makes the champion of Protestantism say, “Con che a questa nostra ARIMMETICA LOCALE poniamo fine, a DIO, & alla Beatissima Vergine MARIA tutta la gloria, & l’honore attribuendo. Amen.”
Of the four folding diagrams in the edition of 1617, the two facing pages, 101 and 130, are represented by the diagrams at pages 179 and 233, but the other two are not given in this edition.
Libraries. Un. Ed.; Brit. Mus. Lon.; Un. Col. Lon.; Trin. Col. Camb. ; Nat. Paris;
3. Editions in Dutch.
Eerste Deel|Vande Nievwe|Telkonst,|Inhovdende Verscheyde|Manieren Van Rekenen, Waer|door seer licht konnen volbracht worden de Geo-|metrische ende Arithmetischeques questien. | Eerst ghevonden van Ioanne Nepero Heer|van Merchistoun, ende uyt het Latijn overgheset door|Adrianvm Vlack.|
Waer achter bygevoegt zijn eenige seer lichte manieren van ​Rekenen|tot den Coophandel dienstigh, leerende alle ghemeene Rekeninghen|sonder ghebrokens afveerdighen. Mitsgaders Nieuwe Tafels|van Interesten, noyt voor desen int licht ghegeven.|Door Ezechiel De Decker, Rekenm$^r$.|Lantmeter, ende Liefhebber der Mathematische|kunst, residerende ter Goude.|
Noch is hier achter byghevoeght de Thiende van|Symon Stevin van Brugghe.|
Ter Govde,|By Pieter Rammaseyn, Boeck-verkooper inde corte|Groenendal, int Vergult ABC. 1626.|Met Previlegie voor thien laren.|
4°, Size 8 5/8 x 6 5/8 inches.*1$^1$ Title-page.*1$^2$, “Copie Van De Previlegie,” granted by the States-General to Adrian Vlack for ten years, signed at s’Gravenhaghe, 24 Dec, 1625.*2, 2 pages, The dedication, “Toceyghen-brief Aende Doorluchtighe, Hooge Ende Mogende Heeren, mijn Heeren de Staten Generael vande Vereenighde Nederlanden. Mitsgaders De Edele, Erntfeste Ende Wyse Heeren, de Heeren Gecommitteerde Raden van Hollant ende Westvrieslant. Als Mede Aende Achtbare, Voorsienige Heeren, mijn Heeren Bailiu, Burghemeesteren, Schepenen, ende Vroetschap der Vermaerde Stadt Gouda.” signed by Ezechiel de Decker at Gouda 4 Sep. 1626.*3$^1$–*4$^1$, 3 pages, the preface, “Voor-reden tot den Goetwilligen ende Konstlievenden Leser,” signed by Ezechiel de Decker at Gouda 4 Sep. 1626.
*4$^2$, Three Latin verses: “Ioanni Nepero|Avthore Dignissimo.|,” 4 lines ; “Lectori Rabdologiæ.|”, signed Patricius Sandæus, 4 lines; and “Ad Lectorem.|”, signed Andreas Iunius, 6 lines.†1$^1$–†2$^1$ 3 pages, The index, “Register van alle de Hooftstucken, ende Ghebruycken deses gantschen Boeckx.” †2$^2$ “De Druck-fauten salmen aldus verbeteren.”, 21 lines of errata. A1$^1$–E4$^2$, pp. 1-40, “Ioannis Neperi Eerste Boeck, Vande Tellingh door Roetjes. Van Het Ghebrvyck Der Telroetjes int ghemeen.”, in nine chapters. F1$^1$–L4$^1$, pp. 41–87, “Ioannis Neperi Tweede Boeck, Van de Tellingh door Roetjes. Van Het Ghebrvyck Der Tel-Roeties in Meetdaden, ende Werckdaden, met behulp van Tafels.”, in eight chapters.L4$^2$, blank.
M1$^1$–O4$^2$, pp. [89]-[112], “Ioannis Neperi Aenhanghsel Van Het Veerdigh-Ghereetschap van Menighvvldigingh.”, in four chapters, the title is on p. [89] and the Preface on p. [90], the last page, O4$^2$, being blank.
P1$^1$–T2$^2$, pp. [113]-148, “Ioannes Nepervs Van de Plaetselicke Telkunst.”, in eleven chapters, the title is on p. [113] and the Preface on p. [114].
V1$^1$–Rr 4$^2$, pp. [149]}-308, “Ezechiel De Decker Van Coopmans Rekeningen, Leerende Door Thiendeelighe Voortgangh sonder gebrokens met wonderlicke lichticheyt afveerdigen alle ghemeene Rekeninghen.”, in eight chapters, the title is on p. [149] and the Preface on p. [150].
a1$^1$–q4$^2$, 128 pages. Tables.
De|Thiende.|Leerende Door|onghehoorde lichticheyt alle ​re-|keninghen onder den Menschen noodigh val-|lende, afveerdighen door heele ghetal-|len, sonder ghebrokenen.|Door Simon Stevin van Brugghe.|
Ter Govde,|By Pieter Rammaseyn, Boeck-|vercooper, inde Corte Groenendal, int Duyts|Vergult ABC.|M. DC. XXVI.|
A1$^2$, Title-page.A1$^2$, blank, A2$^1$–A3$^1$, pp. 3–5, Preface “Den Sterrekiichers, Landtmeters, Tapiitmeters, Wijnmeters, Lichaemmeters int ghemeene, Muntmeesters, ende allen Cooplieden, wenscht Simon Stevin Gheluck.”A3$^2$, p. 6, “Cort Begriip.” A4, pp. 7 and 8, “Het Eerste Deel Der Thiende Vande Bepalinghen.”B1$^1$–B4$^2$, pp. 9–15, “Het Ander Deel Der Thiende Vande Werckinghe.”B4$^2$–D2$^1$, pp. 16–27, Aenhanghsel.D2$^2$, blank.
Signatures. * in four and † in two (=6) + A to Z and Aa to Rr in fours, except T, Y, and Cc, which are in twos, (=154) + a to q in fours (=64) + A to C in fours and D in two (=14) = in all 238 leaves.
Paging. 12 + 308 numbered + 128 + 27 numbered + 1 = 476 pages.
Errors in Paging. The pages 111, 121, 218, 219, 270, 271, 274, are numbered 110, 221, 217, 218, 254, 255, 258, respectively, and the numbers are not printed on the following pages, 88-90, 103, 105, 112-114, 149, 150, 169-176, 187, 196, 222, 275-284, but the numbering of the last page, 308, is not affected.
Errors in Signatures. N3 is printed as N5, V2 as V, and Gg2 as Gg3. The leaf K4 has been cut out and another substituted.
The translation of Rabdologiæ, extending from *4$^2$ to T2$^2$ and embracing 5 unnumbered and 148 numbered pages, appears to correspond exactly with the original Latin edition of 1617, except that Napier’s dedication to Lord Dunfermline on the 5 pages ¶2$^1$–¶4$^1$ and the two lines on the page ¶6$^2$ of that edition are omitted. The translation is by Adrian Vlack, and was made at the request of De Decker, for this work.
Libraries. Un. Col. Lon.; Trin. Col. Camb.; Kön. Berlin; Kon. Hague; Nat. Paris;
IV.—Mirifici logarithmorum canonis descriptio and, Mirifici logarithmorum canonis constructio.
1. Editions in Latin.
Mirifici|Logarithmorum|Canonis descriptio,|Ejusque usus, in utraque|Trigonometria; ut etiam in|omni Logistica Mathematica,|Amplissimi, Facillimi, &|expeditissimi explicatio.| Authore ac Inventore,|Ioanne Nepero,|Barone Merchistonii,|&c. Scoto.|
Edinbvrgi,|Ex officinâ Andreæ Hart|Bibliopôlæ, clɔ, dc. xiv.|
[The title is enclosed in an ornamental border. A reproduction of the Title-page will be found at p. 374 of the Memoirs. ]
4°, Size 7 1/2 × 5 3/4 inches. A1$^1$, Title.A1$^2$, blank.A2, 2 pages, “Illustrissimo, & optimæ spei Principi Carolo, Potentissimi, & Invictissimi, Iacobi D. G. magnæ Britanniæ, Franciæ, & Hiberniæ Regis, filio unico, Walliæ Principi, Duct Eboraci, & Rothesaiæ, magno Scotiæ Senescallo, ac Insularum Domino, &c. D. D. D.”, signed “Ioannes Nepervs.” A3$^1$, “Jn Mirificum Logarithmorum Canonem Præfatio.” A3$^2$–A4$^1$, 2 pages, Verses:—“Ad Lectorem Trigonometriæ studiosum.”, 12 lines signed “Patricius Sandḛus.”; “In Logarithmos D. I, Neperi.”, 10 lines ; “Aliud.”, 6 lines; “Ad Lectorem.”, 4 lines signed “Andreas Ivnivs Philosophiæ Professor in Academia Edinburgena.” A4$^2$, “In Logarithmos.”, 4 lines.B1$^1$–D2$^2$*, pp. 1–20, “Mirifici Logarithmorum canonis descriptio, eiusque usus in utrâque Trigonometria, ut etiam in omni Logistica mathematica, amplissimi, facillimi, & expeditissimi explicatio. Liber I,” D3$^1$–I1$^1$, pp. 21-57, “Liber Secundvs. De canonis mirifici Logarithmorum præclaro usu in Trigonometria.”, on p. 57 after the “Conclusio.” follow “Errata ante lectionem emendanda.”, 7 lines; and the last line of the page is “Sequitur Tabula seu canon Logarithmorum.”I1$^2$ and a1$^1$—m1$^1$, 90 pages, The Table. m1$^2$, “Admonitio” or blank [see note].
Signatures. A to H in fours + I in one + a to l in fours + m in one = 78 leaves.
Paging. 8 + 57 numbered + 91 = 156 pages.
Errors in Paging. In some copies pp. 14 and 15 are numbered 22 and 23 [see note].
| Gr. | Gr. | 30 | + | − | | | | |
| 30 ||||||||||
| min | Sinus | Logarithmi | Differentie | Differentie | logarithmi | | Sinus | |
| 0 | 5000000 | 6931469 | 5493059 | 5493059 | 1438410 | | 8660254 | 60 |
| 1 | 5002519 | 6926432 | 5486342 | 5486342 | 1440090 | | 8658799 | 59 |
| 2 | 5005038 | 6921399 | 5479628 | 5479628 | 1441771 | | 8657344 | 58 |
| 3 | 5007556 | 6916369 | 5472916 | 5472916 | 1443453 | | 8655888 | 57 |
| 4 | 5010074 | 6911342 | 5466206 | 5466206 | 1445136 | | 8654431 | 56 |
| 5 | 5012591 | 6906319 | 5459498 | 5459498 | 1446821 | | 8652973 | 55 |
| 6 | 5015108 | 6901299 | 5452792 | 5452792 | 1448507 | | 8651514 | 54 |
| 7 | 5017624 | 6896282 | 5446088 | 5446088 | 1450194 | | 8650055 | 53 |
| 8 | 5020140 | 6891269 | 5439387 | 5439387 | 1451882 | | 8648595 | 52 |
| 9 | 5022656 | 6886259 | 5432688 | 5432688 | 1453571 | | 8647134 | 51 |
| 10 | 5025171 | 6881253 | 5425992 | 5425992 | 1455261 | | 8645673 | 50 |
| 11 | 5027686 | 6876250 | 5419298 | 5419298 | 1456952 | | 8644211 | 49 |
| 12 | 5030200 | 6871250 | 5412605 | 5412605 | 1458645 | | 8642748 | 48 |
| 13 | 5032714 | 6866254 | 5412605 | 5412605 | 1460339 | | 8641284 | 47 |
| 14 | 5035227 | 6861261 | 5399227 | 5399227 | 1462034 | | 8639820 | 46 |
| 15 | 5037740 | 6856271 | 5392541 | 5392541 | 1463730 | | 8638355 | 45 |
| 16 | 5040253 | 6851285 | 5385858 | 5385858 | 1465427 | | 8636889 | 44 |
| 17 | 5042765 | 6846302 | 5379177 | 5379177 | 1467125 | | 8635423 | 43 |
| 18 | 5045277 | 6841323 | 5372499 | 5372499 | 1468824 | | 8633956 | 42 |
| 19 | 5047788 | 6836347 | 5365822 | 5365822 | 1470525 | | 8632488 | 41 |
| 20 | 5050299 | 6831374 | 5359147 | 5359147 | 1472227 | | 8631079 | 40 |
| 21 | 5052809 | 6826405 | 5352475 | 5352475 | 1473930 | | 8629549 | 39 |
| 22 | 5055319 | 6821439 | 5345805 | 5345805 | 1475634 | | 8628079 | 38 |
| 23 | 5057829 | 6816476 | 5339137 | 5339137 | 1477339 | | 8626608 | 37 |
| 24 | 5060338 | 6811516 | 5332471 | 5332471 | 1479045 | | 8625137 | 36 |
| 25 | 5062847 | 6806560 | 5325808 | 5325808 | 1480752 | | 8623665 | 35 |
| 26 | 5065355 | 6801607 | 5319147 | 5319147 | 1482460 | | 8622192 | 34 |
| 27 | 5067863 | 6796657 | 5312488 | 5312488 | 1484169 | | 8620718 | 33 |
| 28 | 5070370 | 6791710 | 5305831 | 5305831 | 1485879 | | 8619243 | 32 |
| 29 | 5072877 | 6786767 | 5299177 | 5299177 | 1487590 | | 8617768 | 31 |
| 30 | 5075384 | 6781827 | 5292525 | 5292525 | 1489302 | | 8616292 | 30 |
| | | | | | | 57 | 57 | 57 |
A specimen page of the table is given opposite, and a full description of its arrangement will be found in section 59 of the Constructio.
Libraries.
(1.) With Admonitio. Sig. Ed.; Un. Ed. (2); Hunt. Mus. Gl.; Un. Ab.; Brit. Mus. Lon. (2); Roy. Soc. Lon.; Bodl. Oxf. (3); Un. Camb.; Trin. Col. Dub. (2);
(2.) Without Admonitio. Adv. Ed.; Un. Gl. (2); Un. Col. Lon. (see note); Bodl. Oxf. (see note);
Foreign Libraries, varieties not distinguished. Kön. Berlin; Stadt. Breslau; Un. Breslau; Stadt. Frankfurt; Pub. Genève; Un. Halle; Un. Leiden; Un. Leipzig; K. Hof u. Staats. München; Nat. Paris;
A reprint of the
Mirifici Logarithmorum Canonis Descriptio
is contained in
Scriptores Logarithmici;|or|A Collection|of|Several Curious Tracts|on the|Nature And Construction|of|Logarithms,|mentioned in Dr Hutton’s Historical Introduction to his New|Edition of Sherwin’s Mathematical Tables:|together with|Some Tracts on the Binomial Theorem and other subjects|connected with the Doctrine of Logarithms.|Volume VI.|
London.|Printed by R. Wilks, in Chancery-Lane;|and sold by J. White, in Fleet-Street.|MDCCCVII.|
The work, Scriptores Logarithmici, consists of six large quarto volumes, and was compiled by Baron Francis Maseres. The volumes appeared in the years 1791, 1791, 1796, 1801, 1804, and 1807 ​ively. The reprint, which will be found on pages 475 to 624 of the sixth volume, gives the Descriptio and the Canon in full, with the Admonitio on its last page.
Graesse states that the edition of 1614 was “Réimpr. sous la même date dans les Transact. of the Roy. Soc.” He probably refers to this reprint as Baron Maseres was a member of the Royal Society.
Libraries. Adv. Ed.; etc.
Mirifici|Logarithmo-|rvm Canonis|Descriptio,|Ejusque usus, in utraque Trigonome-|tria; vt etiam in omni Logistica Ma-|thematica, amplissimi, facillimi,|& expeditissimi explicatio.|Accesservnt Opera Posthvma;|Primo, Mirifici ipsius canonis constructio, & Logarith-|morum ad naturales ipsorum numeros habitudines,|Secundò, Appendix de alia, eáque præstantiore Loga-|rithmorum specie construenda.|Tertiò, Propositiones quædam eminentissimæ, ad Trian-|gula sphærica mira facilitate resolvenda.|Autore ac Inventore Ioanne Nepero,| Barone Merchistonii, &c. Scoto.|
Edinbvrgi,|Excvdebat Andreas Hart.|Anno 1619.|
[The ornamental part of the Title-page is the same as in 1614, the type only being altered.]
4°. Size 7 1/2 x 5 3/4 inches. [See note.]
Mirifici|Logarithmorvm|Canonis Con-|strvctio;|Et eorum ad naturales ipsorum numeros habitudines;|Vnà Cvm|Appendice, de aliâ eâque præstantiore Loga-|rithmorum specie condenda.|Qvibvs Accessere|Propositiones ad triangula sphærica faciliore calculo resolvenda:|Vnà cum Annotationibus aliquot doctissimi D. Henrici|Briggii, in eas & memoratam appendicem.|Authore & Inventore Ioanne Nepero, Barone|Merchistonii, &c. Scoto.|
Edinbvrgi,|Excudebat Andreas Hart.|Anno Domini 1619,|
A1$^1$,Title. A1$^2$, blank.A2, 2 pages, “Lectori Matheseos Studioso S.”, signed “Robertus Nepervs, F.”A3$^1$–E4$^1$, pp. 5–39, “Mirifici Logarithmorvm Canonis Constroctio; (Qui Et Tabvla Artificialis ab autore deinceps appellatur) eorumque ad naturales ipsorum numeros habitudines.”E4$^2$–F3$^1$, pp. 40–45, “Appendix” containing “De alia eaque præstantiore Logarithmorvm specie construenda; in qua scilicet, ​vnitatus Logarithmus est 0.”; “Alius modus facil creandi Logarithmos numerorum compositorum, ex datis Logarithmis suorum primorum.”; “Habitudines Logarithmorum & suorum naturalium numerorum invicem.” F3$^2$–G3$^2$, pp. 46–53, “Lucvbrationes Aliquot Doctissimi D. Henrici Briggii In Appendicem præmissam.”G3$^2$,–H3$^2$, pp. 54–62, “Propositiones Quadam Eminentissine ad triangula spharica, mirâ facilitate resolvenda,” containing “Triangulum spharicum resolvere, absque eiusdem divisione in duo quadrantalia aut rectangula.”; “De semi-sinuum versorum præstantia & vsu.” H4$^1$–I2$^1$, pp. 63–67, “Annotationes Aliquot Doctissimi D, Henrici Briggii In Propositiones Premissas.”I2$^2$, blank.
Signatures. A to H in fours + I in two = 34 leaves.
Paging. 67 numbered + 1 = 68 pages.
The first title-page, given above, with a blank leaf attached, appears to have been printed in order that it might be substituted for the title-page of the 1614 edition of the Descriptio by those who desired to have the two works on logarithms bound together. In such cases the 1614 title-page is usually cut out and the new one pasted on in its place. Consequently, in these copies, we find the same varieties as mentioned in the preceding entry. In other copies, however, only the new title-page and blank leaf are inserted before the Constructio.
Libraries.
I. Copies containing both the Descriptio and Constructio, with the new title-page substituted.
1. With Admonitio, Un. Ed.; 2. Without Admonitio. Adv. Ed.; Sig. Ed.;
II. Copies containing the Constructio only with the new title-page and blank leaf attached. Un. Ed.; Un. Col. Lon.; Bodl. Oxf.; Un. Camb.; Trin. Col. Dub.;
Foreign Libraries, varieties not distinguished. Un. Halle;
Logarithmorvm|Canonis Descriptio,|Sev|Arithmeticarvm Svppvtationvm|Mirabilis Abbreviatio.|Eiusque vsus in vtraque Trigonometria, vt etiam in omni|Logistica Mathematica, amplissimi, facillimi &|expeditissimi explicatio.|Authore ac Inuentore Ioanne Nepero,|Barone Merchistonij, &c. Scoto.|
Lvgdvni,|Apud Barth. Vincentium.|m. dc. x x.| Cum Priuilegio Cæsar. Majest. & Christ. Galliarum Regis.|
[Printed in black and red.]
​8°, printed as 4°, Size 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches. A1$^1$ Title.A1$^2$ blank.A2, 2 pages, Dedication to Prince Charles [see note].A3$^1$ Preface. A3$^2$–A4$^2$, 3 pages, Verses. B1$^1$–D2$^2$, pp. 1–20 The Descriptio, Lib I. D3$^1$–H4$^2$, pp. 21–56, Lib. II.
Signatures. A to H in fours = 32 leaves.
Paging. 8 + 56 numbered = 64 pages.
Errors in Paging. None, but sig. D3 is printed D5.
Seqvitvr|Tabvla|Canonis Loga-|rithmorvm seu|Arithmeticarvm | Svppvtationvm.|S’ensuit l’Indice du Canon des Logarithmes.| A Scavoir,|La Table de l’admirable inuention pour|promptement & facilement Abreger les sup-| putations, d’Arithmetique auec son vsage, en I’v|ne & l'autre Trigonometrie, & aussi en toute|Logistique Mathematique.|
Lvgdvni,|Apud Barthol. Vincentivm,|Cum priuilegio Cæsareo & Galliarum Regis.|
A1$^1$ Title.A1$^2$–M2$^2$, Table. M2$^2$, ‘Extraict’ or blank [see note].
Signatures. A to L in fours + M in two = 46 leaves,
Paging. 92 pages not numbered.
Mirifici|Logarithmorvm|Canonis Con-|strvctio;|Et Eorvm Ad Natvrales|ipsorum numeros habitudines;|Vna Cvm Appendice, De Alia |eâque præstantiore Logarithmorum specie condenda.| Quibus accessere Propositiones ad triangula sphæ-|rica faciliore calculo resoluenda:|Vnà cum Annotationibus aliquot doctissimi D. Henrici|Briggii in eas, & memoratam appendicem. Authore & Inuentore Ioanne Nepero, Barone|Merchistonii, &c. Scoto.|
Lvgdvni,|Apud Bartholomæum Vincentium,|sub Signo Victoriæ. |M. DC.XX.|Cum priuilegio Cæsar. Maiest. & Christ. Galliarum Regis.|
A1$^1$ Title. A1$^2$ blank. A2, pp. 3 & 4, “Robertus Nepervs Avctoris Filivs Lectori Matheseos Studioso. S.” A3$^1$–E2$^1$, pp. 5–35, The Constructio. E2$^2$–F1$^1$, pp. 36–41, The Appendix. F1$^2$–G1$^1$, pp. 42-49, Lvcvbrationes by Briggs [see note]. G1$^2$–H1$^1$, pp. 50–57, Propositiones Trigonometricæ. H1$^2$–H3$^2$, pp. 58–62, Annotationes by Briggs. H4$^1$, ‘Extraict’ or blank [see note]. H4$^2$ blank.
Signatures. A to H in fours = 32 leaves.
Paging. 62 numbered + 2 = 64 pages.
Errors in Paging. None.
On the issue of the Edinburgh edition of 1619, Barth. Vincent would ​appear to have at once set about the preparation of an edition for issue at Lyons, and, as will be seen from the next entry, had some copies printed with the date 1619 on the first title-page. The three parts are usually found together, but some copies contain only the Descriptio and Tabula. The Admonitio is omitted from the last page (M2$^2$) of the Tabula, but in many copies its place is taken by the “Extraict du Priuilege du Roy,” at the end of which is printed “Acheué d’Imprimer le premier Octobre, mil six cents dixneuf.” The copies in the Advocates’ Library, Edinburgh, and Astor Library, New York, have this Extraict on M2$^2$ of the Tabula, and have also on H4$^1$ of the Constructio the Extraict reset with the note at end altered to “Mirifici Logarithmorum Acheué d’imprimer le 31 Mars 1620.”
The edition is a fairly correct reprint of the Edinburgh one, but the decimal notation employed by Briggs in his Remarks on the Appendix has not been understood, the line placed by him under the fractional part of a number to distinguish it from the integral part being here printed under the whole number. The only intentional alteration, besides the title-page, is in the Dedication to Prince Charles, where “Franciæ” is omitted from his father’s title, “magne Britanniæ, Franciæ, & Hiberniæ Regis.”
Libraries. Adv. Ed.; Un. Ed.; Act. Ed.; Un. Gl.; Un. St. And.; Brit. Mus. Lon. (parts 1 and 2 only); Un. Col. Lon.; Roy. Soc. Lon.; Kön. Berlin; Un. Breslau (parts 1 and 2 only); Kön. Off. Dresden; K. Hof u. Staats. München; Astor, New York; Nat. Paris; Un. Utrecht; Stadt. Zürich (parts 1 and 2 only);
Logarithmorvm|Canonis Descriptio,|Sev|Arithmeticarvm Svppvtationvm|Mirabilis Abbreviatio.|Eiusque vsus .......... [Same as preceding.]
Lvgdvni,|Apud Barth. Vincentium.|M. DC. XIX.|Cum Priuilegio Cæsar. Majest. & Christ. Galliarum Regis.|
[Printed in black and red.]
The only respect in which this entry differs from the preceding is in the date on the title-page. A possible explanation of this may be that the title-page was originally set up with the date m. dc. xix., but ​when it was found that the whole work could not be issued in that year, the date was altered to m. dc. x x., and a few copies may have been printed before the alteration. The only copy which we have found is in the Bibliothèque Nationale. The volume contains the three parts; the Tabula has M4$^2$ blank; the Constructio has on its title-page the usual date of 1620, and has on H4$^1$ the Extraict the same as in the Advocates’ Library copy mentioned in the preceding entry.
Library. Nat. Paris;
Arcanvm|Svppvtationis|Arithmetice:|Quo Doctrina & Praxis|Sinvvm ac Triangvlorvm|mirè abbreuiatur.|Opvs Cvriosis Omnibvs,|Geometris præsertim, & Astronomis|vtilissimum.|Inuentore, nobilissimo Barone Merchistonio|Scoto-Britanno.|
Lvgdvni,|Apud Ioan. Anton. Hvgvetan,|& Mare. Ant. Ravavd.|m. dc. lviii. |
[Printed in black and red.]
This issue is evidently not a new edition, but the remainder of the edition of 1620 with the following alterations. In the Descriptio signature A has been reprinted with title-page as above, and several other less important alterations. The Tabula is unaltered, still retaining the name of Barth. Vincent on the title-page. The Constructio has the first two leaves cut out so that the first page is numbered 5. The Extraict is often wanting on M2$^2$ of the Tabula, but in the copies examined is printed on H4$^1$ of the Constructio, exactly as in the Advocates’ Library copy of 1620, the name of the work in the Extraict being that on the first title-page of the 1620 edition, and not that used in the title-page given above.
Libraries, Adv. Ed.; Un. Gl.; Kön. Berlin; Un. Breslau; Un. Halle; Stadt. Zürich;
2. Editions in English of the Descriptio Alone.
A|Description|Of The Admirable|Table Of Loga-|rithmes:|With|A Declaration Of|The Most Plentifvl, Easy,|and speedy ​vse thereof in both kindes|of Trigonometrie, as also in all|Mathematicall calculations.|Invented And Pvbli-|shed In Latin By That|Honorable L Iohn Nepair, Ba-|ron of Marchiston, and translated into|English by the late learned and|famous Mathematician|Edward Wright.|With an Addition of an Instrumentall Table|to finde the part proportionall, inuented by|the Translator, and described in the end|of the Booke by Henry Brigs|Geometry-reader at Gresham-|house in London.|All perused and approued by the Author, & pub-|lished since the death of the Translator.|
London,|Printed by Nicholas Okes.|1616.|
12°, Size 5 7/8 x 3 3/8 inches. A1$^1$ Title. A1$^2$ blank.A2$^1$–A3$^1$, 3 pages, “To The Right Honovrable And Right Worshipfull Company Of Merchants of London trading to the East-Indies, Samvel Wright wisheth all prosperitie in this life, and happinesse in the life to come.”A3$^2$–A4$^2$, 3 pages, “To The Most Noble And Hopefvll Prince, Charles: Onely Sonne Of the high and mightie Iames by the grace of God, King of great Brittaine, France, and Ireland: Prince of Wales: Duke of Yorke and Rothesay: Great Steward of Scotland: and Lord of the Islands.” signed ‘Iohn Nepair.’ A5, 2 pages, “The Authors Preface to the Admirable Table of Logarithmes,”.A6$^1$–A8$^2$, 6 pages, “The Preface To The Reader By Henry Brigges.”, signed ‘H. Brigges.’ A9, 2 pages, Lines, “In praise of the neuer-too-much praised Worke and Authour the L. of Marchiston.”, 54 lines, “By the vnfained louer and admirer of his Art and matchlesse vertue, Iohn Dauies of Hereford.”A10 cut out in all copies.A11, 2 pages, Lines, “In the iust praise of this Booke, Authour, and Translator.”, 49 lines, signed “Ri. Leuer.” A12$^1$, “A View Of This Booke.” A12$^2$, “Some faults haue escaped in printing of the Table,.…”, 58 corrections are given.B1$^1$–C3$^1$, pp. 1–29, “A Description Of The Admirable Table Of Logarithmes, With The Most Plentifvl, Easie, And Ready Vse thereof in both kindes of Trigonometrie, as also in all Mathematicall Accounts. The First Booke.” C3$^2$–E9$^1$, pp. 30–89, “The Second Booke.”E9$^2$–I6$^1$, 90 pages, The Table,I6$^2$, blank.After I6$^2$, on a folding sheet, is an engraved diagram of the “Triangular instrumentall Table.”I7$^1$–K2$^2$, pp. 1–8, “The Vse Of The Triangular Table for the finding of the part Proportionall, penned by Henry Brigges.”, also on p. 8, “Errata in the Treatise.” , 8 corrections.
Signatures. A to H in twelves + I in eight + K in two = 106 − 1 = 105 leaves, A10 being cut out. Leaves E10 and E11 have also been cut out, but in their place two new leaves are inserted.
Paging. 22 + 89 numbered + 91 + 8 numbered = 210 pages. Also plate following I6$^2$.
Errors in Paging. None.
The Table is to one place less than the Canon of 1614, but the ​logarithms of the sines for each minute from 89°–90° are given in full, the last figure being marked off by a point. This is, I believe, the earliest instance of the decimal point being used in a printed book. The Admonitio at the end of the Table is wanting.
The two words “and maintaine” in the last line of the first page of Briggs’ preface (A6$^1$) are ruled out in ink in all copies both in this edition and in that of 1618.
Libraries. Adv. Ed.; Un. Gl.; Brit. Mus. Lon.; Bodl. Oxf.; Qu. Col. Oxf.;
A|Description|Of The Admirable|Table Of Loga-|rithmes:|With|A Declaration of the most Plenti-|full, Easie, and Speedy vse there-|of in both kinds of Trigonome-|try, as also in all Ma-|thematicall Calcu-|lations.|Inuented and published in Latine by that] Honourable Lord Iohn Nepair, Baron of|Marchiston, and translated into Eng-|lish by the late learned and famous| Mathematician, Edward|Wright.|With an addition of the Instrumentall Table|to finde the part Proportionall, intended|by the Translator, and described in the end of the|Booke by Henrie Brigs Geometry-|reader at Gresham-house in|London.|All perused and approued by the Authour, and|published since the death of the Translator.|Whereunto is added new Rules for the|ease of the Student.|
London,|Printed for Simon Waterson.|1618.|
This edition is really that of 1616 with the title-page cut out and the above put in its place; there being also added at the end of the work (A3$^1$–A10$^2$, pp. 1–16) “An Appendix to the Logarithmes, shewing the practise of the Calculation of Triangles, and also a new and ready way for the exact finding out of such lines and Logarithmes as are not precisely to be found in the Canons.”
One of the copies in the Glasgow University Library has the new title-page with blank leaf attached, inside of which is placed the sig. A of the 1616 edition with its first leaf cut out, and also the new sig. A (A3-A10) containing the Appendix.
​Signatures. As in 1616 edition 105 leaves + A, in eight (commencing with A3 and ending with A 10), = 113 leaves.
Paging. As in 1616 edition 210 pages + 16 numbered = 226.
Libraries. Un. Ed.; Un. Gl. (2); Roy. Soc. Lon.; Bodl. Oxf.; Un. Camb.; Trin. Col. Camb.;
The Wonderful|Canon Of Logarithms|or the|First Table Of Logarithms|with a full description of their ready use and easy| application, both in plane and spherical trigono-|metry, as also in all mathematical|calculations.|Invented and published by|John Napier,|Baron of Merchiston, etc., a native of Scotland, a.d. 1614.|Re-translated from the Latin text, and enlarged with a table of|hyperbolic logarithms to all numbers from 1 to 1201.| By Herschell Filipowski.
Published for the Editor|By W. H. Lizars|3 St. James’ Square, Edinburgh.|1857.|
16°. Size 5 1/8 x 3 7/8 inches.a1$^1$, Title.a1$^2$, blank.a2$^1$, “This edition is inscribed to William Thomas Thomson, Esq.,.…”a2$^2$, blank. A3, pp. v and vi, Dedication to Prince Charles, signed “John Nepair.”a$^4$, pp. vii. and viii., The Author's preface. a5$^1$–a6$^2$, pp. ix-xii, “The Preface To The Reader By Henry Briggs.”a7$^1$–b1$^2$, pp. xiii-xviii, “Translator’s Preface.”b2$^1$, p. xix, Notes. b2$^2$, Errata. A1$^1$–B4$^2$, pp. 1–24, Book. I. B4$^2$–F4$^1$, pp. 24–71, Book II.F4$^2$, “Note to Table II. by the Translator.”A1$^1$–F6$^2$, 92 pages, “Table I., Napier’s Logarithms of Sines.”, the title occupies the first page, the last is blank, and the table occupies the intervening 90.F7$^1$–G8$^2$, 20 pages, “Table II., Napier’s Logarithms to Numbers, called also Hyperbolic Logarithms, from 1.01 to 1200.”, on first page is the title, then follow the table occupying 18 pages, and on the last page is printed “END” within an ornamental device.
Signatures. [a] in 8 + b in 2, + A, B, C and E in eights + F in four + A to G in eights = 102 leaves.
Paging. xx numbered + 72 numbered + 112 = 204 pages.
The numbers and logarithms in Table I. are those of the Canon of 1614, each divided by 10,000,000, so that the logarithms are strictly to base e$^{−1}$. The Admonitio at the end of the Table is wanting. The logarithms in Table II. are to base e.
Libraries. Act. Ed.; Brit, Mus, Lon.; Act. Lon. (2).