B[ate], J[ohn]. - THE MYSTERYES OF NATVRE AND ART: conteined in foure severall tretises, the first of water workes the second of fyer workes, the third of drawing, colouring, painting, and engrauing, the fourth of divers experiments, as wel serviceable as delightful: partly collected, and partly of the authors peculiar practice, and invention by I.B

Imprinted at London: [By Thomas Harper] for Ralph Mab and are to be sold by Iohn Iackson and Francis Church at the Kings armes in Cheapeside, 1634. 1st Ed. Sm. 4to. 7.5 x 5.75 inches. [10], 14, [2], 15-112, [16], 121-192, [2] p. Pictorial engraved title page, c.90 woodcuts, 10 plates. Title page and ‘To the Reader’ with frayed leading corners and minor loss, some light browning, C20th rebind in blind rule edged calf, gilt lettered spine, minor marking, minor loss to spine. ¶ STC (2nd ed.), 1577.5; ESTC S122341; The title page is engraved. The second booke, teaching most plainly, and withall most exactly, the composing of all manner of fire-works for triumph and recreation, The third booke of drawing, limming, colouring, painting, and graving, and The booke of extravagants each have separate title page with imprint London, printed by Thomas Harper for Ralph Mab. 1634 (with punctuation variations) each with a woodcut; pagination and register are continuous. The last leaf is blank. His portrait appears only in this second edition. Besterman ‘Old Art Books’ ‘... the first edition is exceedingly rare ...’ The second edition was published in 1635 a third in 1654, and another so-called ‘second’ in 1675. Acting as a practical guide for amateur scientific experiments, the work is divided into four sections: Water Workes; Fyer Workes; Drawing, Colouring, Painting and Engraving; and Divers Experiments. It inspired Isaac Newton during his younger years, in particular the section on fire Drakes, kites with firecrackers tied to their tails. It contains one of the earliest depictions of fireworks and their preparation to be detailed in the English language, in a similar manner to the preceding De la pirotechnia. Isaac Newton was given a copy of 'The Mysteryes' as a teenager by the headmaster at his school. He is known to have copied out sections of the book assiduously and he built working models of a water clock and water wheels that Bate had described. The book contained one of the first mentions in Europe of a kite and was one of the first English books with a section devoted to building and arming fireworks.

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