THis séemeth to be rich pastureground , a tenant ( in my iudgement ) may safely giue a marke by yeare , for euerie acre thereof .

I would take a pasture ground with vs , and giue that price for euery acre , measured with the perche of xvi . foote , and an halfe , called statute measure , and ten shillings for euerie acre , if it be measured with the perche of xii . foote .

An acre measured by the statute perche , conteyneth ( almost ) twise so much ground , as an acre measured by a perche of xii . foote . If the statute acre be rented at xiii . s. iiii . d , the acre measured by the perche of xii . foote , will not come to vii . s. i. d , rate like . You should deceiue your selfe ii . s. xi . d. in euery such acre by that account .

You are greatly deceiued , for by all reason , the acre measured with the perche of xii . foote , must be almost iii. quarters of the statute acre , because xii . foote , are almost iii. quarters of xvi . foote , and an halfe .

Howe much grounde of statute measure , are xi . acres of woodland measure , the woodland perche being xviii . foote ?

Aboue xiii . acres , & xiiii . perches , to my remembrance .

Your remembrance , or your casting haue fayled you . You are greatly deceiued in both your reckonings .

I shal be very sory , if I be deceiued in either of them : for I haue made sundry surueyes where occasion hath serued to reduce such acres as haue bin measured by the xviii . foote perche , & the xii . foote perche vnto statute acres . The xviii . foote perche for woodland is vsed in most places hereabouts : I haue not seene the xii . foot perch vsed in these parts : but far from London in some Manors , that measure is allowed of , and is called in some places , tenant right , in other some , curt measure .

I alway thought , and haue sundry times heard that xi . acres measured with the perch of xviii . foote , make xii . statute acres . And this reason hath alwaies induced me to thinke it true , because the xviii . foote perche exceedeth the statute perche by halfe a yarde , which is a twelfth part thereof : for the one perche is xii . halfe yards long , and the other but xi . therefore seeing the perches differ but a tewlfth part the one from the other , the acres ( in mine opinion ) measured with those perches , can not make any other difference .

You do not knowe , or not consider , that when you talk of the diuersitie which vnequal perches make in land measure , that then you speake of the measure of planes and flattes . You think you are in the comparison of lengthes , when as in déede you are in an other matter . Ye must vnderstand that Geometrie treateth of thrée sundry measures . The first of lengthes , which is called liniarie measure , or the measure of lengthes , or lines . By this part , you may know howe farre any place is from the standing of your foote , also the distance betweene place and place , & howe much higher , or lower any place is , then the leuel of your eye , or foot . The second of length , and bredth , called superficiall measure , or the measure of planes , or flattes . By this part of Geometrie is measured , all maner of land , bord , , glasse , pauements , waynskottings , hangings , and such like . The third of length , breadth , and thicknes , called solide , or bodily measure . This part sheweth howe to measure all manner of timber , stone , vessels , and such like . M. Peter saide truth , that the perche of xviii . foote , and the perche of xvi . foote and an halfe differ in their lengthes , as xii . differ from xi . for the one is xii . halfe yardes long , and the other but xi . But ye must vnderstand , this difference is onely in respect of their lengthes , called liniarie measure . In lande measure ( which respecteth length and bredth ) the difference is otherwise : as I wil make plaine vnto you by an easie example . Suppose you haue two tables , or bords , the one iiii . foot euery way , the other six . How much is the one longer then the other ?

You say truth , and therefore you account the one table to be greater , then the other , iust by one halfe .

It must needes be so .

I pray you howe many foote of wainscot doth a table conteine , that is iiii . foote euery way ?

xvi .

It doth so , and then by your account the other table of vi . foote euery way , must conteine xxiiii . for the halfe of xvi . is viii . which if you put vnto xvi . they both make xxiiii .

You say true .

I pray you howe much is vi . taken vi . times ?

Six and thirtie .

By your reckoning it should be , but xxiiii .

We al know , that sixe times sixe , is sixe and thirtie , but how proueth this , such diuersitie in the acres ?

It sheweth vnto you at the first , that measures cast vp by their breadthes and lengthes , must otherwise bee considered of , then measures whose lengthes onely are compared together . A table that is iiii . foote broade , and vi . long , conteineth xxiiii . foote of bord , therfore a table that is vi . foot euery way , must needs conteine more .

This standeth so by reason , that it must needes be as you say .

I haue in my cloake bag certaine figures drawen in a booke , ( which I must giue vnto a friend of mine ) that will explane this error , and sundry others , which landmeasurers ( vnlearned in Geometrie ) often commit .

I pray you let vs see those figures .

You shall when we come to our Inne .

It will be late ere wee come thither , therefore wee shal haue small time then to talke of these matters : because men scatter when they are lighted . Also we must part company in the morning . Therefore I pray you let vs see them now , which if you vouchsafe , I , in some other matter , wil requite your courtesie . It standeth mee vpon to vnderstand the troth of this matter , by reason of a wood sale , that I , and an other should passe .

To pleasure you , I wil presently shewe them . Here is the booke : these iii. figures proue that which I haue spoken .

I see in deede that iiii . euery way maketh xvi . and that vi . euerie way maketh sixe and thirtie . and iiii . broade and vi . long make xxiiii . What meane you by this worde ( Scale ) which I see in so many places of your booke ?

The Scale is a measure vsed in platting , taken at the will of the plat maker , eyther greater , or lesse , to set foorth the plat measured in true proportion , and Symetrie , vpon paper , or any other superfice .

I vnderstand not this definition .

Here ( as ye sée ) are sundry scales , and euerie of them is iust fiue inches long .

I nowe perceiue what is meant by this worde scale . I remember I haue séene the like lines , and compasses set inmappes , but I neuer vnderstood what they meant till nowe .

The knowledge , howe to apply the compasses to the scale , is commodious , for thereby when mappes , or carts , are perused , it may be knowen howe farre any one Region , Citie , or place is distant from any other , eyther by land , or sea . Also , when a Surueyor hath deliuered vp his plat , the Lord sitting in his chayre at home , may iustly knowe , how many miles his Manor is in circuite , and the circuit of any particular grounds , and wasts : and how many perches , or furlongs it is , from any one hedge , or corner of hedge , to any other hedge , or corner .

I perceiue also what you ment , when you said , ye may apply these diuisions , to what denomination you list . As if you would knowe by any cart , or mappe of England , how many miles it is from Northampton to Sarisburie , then miles are the denomination : but if you would knowe by any platte of lande , howe many perches any ground is ouer , then perch●s are the denomination . And you call the opening and extending the compasses vpon the scale , the application of the compasses to the scale .

You conceisse the meaning rightly .

What meane you by these seuerall words , in true proportion , Symetrie , and superfice .

To set forth a plat , in true proportion and Symetrie , are to say , to take , and set forth any plat in such sort , that you may readily tel thereby , euerie angle , bought , crooke , and straight line in the thing measured , and howe farre any place is distant from other . Also you may know by your plat the whole circuit , & outboundes of your land , which Geometers call the perimetrie . Superfice is to say , the vpper face of any thing , as in measuring of lande , pauements , hangings , & such like , we desire only to know the content of the outward plaine , or vpper face of the thing , not regarding thicknes , weight , grossenes or depth : but only the mesure of the vpper parts as in groundes : which consist onely of length , and bredth , whether they be flats , or leuels , hils , or valleis . It would be too tedious to describe them at large : therefore I referre you to learned authors for your further instructions of their proprieties , and accidentes .

What is meant by this word , Parallel ?

Parallel lines , are such lines , as ( being drawen vpon any plaine , or superfice ) are equally distant the one from the other . If you draw them of neuer so great a length , yet will they neuer concur , or meet together . If they incline neuer so litle the one to the other , they are not parallels , but inclining lines , as you may see by the

Why write you such strange & far fetched words & termes , seeing you can write their meanings in plaine english , if you wold ?

I thought verily before you tolde these causes , that you , and your friend for whom you haue written this booke , had deuised termes much like the deuise of Pedlers Frenche , because you would not haue your cunnings in land measuring knowen to any but to your selues .

And I would haue thought them , words of coniuration , because being once in a place , and halfe a dossen others beside my selfe , where lay a booke that had many crosses in it , & a great number of like figures , and circles , and as one of our company did reade such strange wordes , one other saide : my friend , you were not best to reade too farre in that booke , least you fetche one vp , that will aske what he shall doe , and if you can appoint him nothing , neither know howe to laye him downe againe , he will doe much hurt . And because it was in a Priests his house , I may say to you , it so feared some fooles of vs , that we were glad when we were out of dores . I neuer heard that the Priest was suspected for coniuring , he coulde doe many pretie feates , for he made dials vpon walles , and in gardens , he could measure land , and tel howe wheeles , and other gins for milnes should be made . He hath told how things should be made and mended , concerning water workes , and milnes , that if the countrie had lacked his helpe , a great deale of money would haue beene spent in vaine by most mens sayings . I heard him say vnto landemeasurers , that they must néedes make wrong measure , if they procéeded by such way as they had cast their worke , and determined to procéed . One time ( as I waited on my master when he went to the measuring of a meadowe that laye ii . miles from his house ) there was great talke , and arguing by the way , whether it were possible to tel how far one place in view is distant from an other : & how much one place is higher then an other , except it were first measured . Master Morgan answered that it was possible , & very easie to be done . Then Master Allen asked him if he could doe it by any of those instruments we carried with vs . He answered that he could . Wherevpon M. Allen suddenly staying , sayd : I pray you tel me how farre it is from the place where I stand to yonder oke . I wil , sayd he , and immediatly he piched one of his instrumentes , and looked thorowe a fine knacke , or Iig , and measured a good pretie way from him , not towards the marke , but sidewise : and at the corner where his measuring ended , he looked againe through his Iig , and casting a little with his pen , he tolde iustly almost how many perches it was from his foote to the oke : for he missed not a perch in a length that was aboue fiue furlonges . When we came to the oke , whose height from a certaine knot in a bowgh , downe to the ground was almost thrée and fiftie foote , he tolde within two inches the iust height by looking through an other Iig . One did clime the trée , and laide one ende of a wier line to the knot , and there helde it , and let the other end fall downe , by which meanes we made trial . We that sawe how néere he had tolde the length , and height , before they were measured , sayd it was pretely done . M. Allen asked if any good seruice , or commoditie to the common weale might ensue by these fine sleightes . Yea sayde M. Morgan , very much . For except a man can take lengthes and distances , he is insufficient to measure lande : because in lande measuring , the measurer many times through the impedimentes of thickets , waters , myers & such like , must be driuen to take lengths , & distances . Neither hils , nor dales , for the most part can truely be measured , except their heightes and depthes be taken . Also he that can exactly take them , can giue a very néere gesse , when he cometh on any ground whether it will containe his generals army or not . He also can tell what quantitie of grounde the enemies campe ouerspreadeth : and giue a néere gesse ( if he sée the enemies in battaile raye ) what number is of them . Also to know how to take lengthes , & heightes , be chiefe pointes in vndermining : namely if the vndermining begin far from the place that should be blowen vp . The height of towers , stéeples , and wales , are knowen hereby , so that scaling ladders may be made fit : and it may be knowen howe much is betwéene story and story in any house , without measuring them . Also how many foote high any trée dothbeare timber , and most requisite to batteries , & bowgeings , and to knowe how farre any péece beareth point blank . The degrees of longitude , and latitude , the eleuation of the poles , and the height of the sunne , thinges in nauigation of greate necessitie : namely in long and farre viages , when they would knowe vnto what coastes , and countries they are néerest , are knowen , and founde out by geometricall instrumentes prepared for the taking of heightes , lengthes , and distances . The chieffest péece of arte in the description of countries , is the taking of heightes , lengthes , and distances . The knowledge of them are incident to many other necessarie matters .

Call you these pretie feates , and fine sleightes , and such instrumentes , knackes , and Iigges ? Mee thinketh hee that can doe these thinges , performeth matters of great weight in the common weale , and ought as much to be accounted of , and aduanced for these knowledges , as learned men in other faculties for their knowledges .

When the lande was parted betwéene my Maistres , and her thrée sisters , M. Morgane was a whole moneth with my maister , and measured for him . There were then certaine lawyeres , surueyors , and countrye measurers , and for thrée or foure dayes great controuersie was among them , and such a stur as I neuer sawe amongst wise men . Some would haue the lande measured one way , some another : some brought long poles , some lines that had a knot at the ende of euerie perche , some lines that were sodden in rosen and waxe , M. Morgane had a line of wyers . They measured the poles , and lines with two foote rulers , & yardes , wherof some differed from other , halfe an inche , which made great variance , for euery man iustified his owne ruler . If I durst to haue aduentured at the first , I could I haue gayned twentie nobles by laying on master Morgane his doings . There was such lustie bargaining on all sides , that crownes , and angelles were but tryfling layes . Maister Morgane layed little or nothing , but alwayes as he sayde , so it was agreed vpon : he could alwayes giue such reasons , and so well proue his doings .

Then he measured for them all .

Nay , that he did not . The lande was to be deuided into foure partes . The sisters and their husbandes agreed that euery of them shoulde bring their surueyours at the time appointed : so that when any ground was to be measured , rented , and valued , it might bee agreed vpon by their generall consentes . Order was taken that a certaine meade should first be measured , & that euery measurer , should measure by himselfe , and that none of the other measurers should be with them : and that euery man when he had done , should deliuer vp his content of acres vnto Master Allen , who went with them to receiue the same , and to sée that one should not tell another howe much hee made it , because it was thought good to see howe they would agree . But when their reckonings were compared together , they disagreed very much . For one made it xxiii . acres , an other xxi . and an halfe , an other xvi . and iii. roodes , and Master Morgane made it xvii . and almost a roode . Hereupon rose great contention and wagering , but at last all gaue place to Maister Morgane his measure . He that made it xvi . acres and iii. roodes , found that he misreckoned himselfe almost iiii . acres too litle , and afterwards he sware by Gods soule that he was glad thereof , because by that occasion his content came néerest to Master Morganes .

I maruaile what may be the causes of their so great disagreeings , and differences in one , and the same so small a piece of grounde .

No maruaile , for the common ignorant measurers by their generall rule are for the most part subiect to make groundes greater in quantitie then in troth they are .

I would very faine see howe it can be proued , that xi . acres by the xviii . foote perche , make of statute measure xiii . acres and xiiii . perches . When I am satisfied in that matter , we wil heare further of that partition .

Number the square féete , conteined in these iii. figures . The figure A. sheweth the square féet conteined in the statute perch , which are CC. lxxii . and a quarter . The figure B. the square féete in the xviii . foote perche , which are C C C. xxiiii . And the figure C. the square féete , in the xii . foote perche , which are . C. xl . iiii . Your opinions are , that a measure made with the xviii . foote perche , is greater then a measure made by the xii . by the one halfe , because xviii . is xii . and the halfe of xii . But ye see it is farre otherwise , for C C C. xxiiii . the greatest square , conteineth C. xliiii . the lest square , twise , and xxxvi . ouer , which is the fourth part of C. xliiii . So that one acre measured by the xviii . foote perche , is equall vnto ii . acres , and a roode , measured by the perche of xii . foote . Such proportion as the

I vnderstande very well that this is true .

I haue tried it in multiplying 324 by 160 , and finde it to agree that waies .

Yee haue tolde also that two hundred three score and twelue foote and a quarter , are conteined within the statute perche , which summe eight score times , maketh xliii . thousand , D. ● lx . squ are féete .

We haue cast this among our selues , and finde it to bee as you haue saide .

Take the lesser summe out of the greater , and note howe many remaine .

There remaine viii . thousande , two hundred and fourescore .

Ye say trueth , and ye perceiue that the one acre excéedeth the other , so many square feete of grounde . Can yee tell howe many times C C. lxxii . and a quarter are conteined in eight thousand C C. lxxx ?

As wee haue cast , xxx . times , and C xii . foote and an halfe ouer .

Then yee perceiue that the acre measured with the perche of xviii . foot long , is greater then the acre measured with the statute perche , by xxx . perches of land and Cxii . foote and an halfe ouer . How much is thirtie eleuen times ?

C C C. and xxx .

Howe much is C. xii . and an halfe , eleuen times ?

xii C. xxxvii . and an halfe .

Howe many statute perches is that ?

Foure statute perches , & an halfe , xii . foot , and a quarter and an halfe of a foote .

Thus ye haue found C C C xxxiiii . perches & an halfe , & a few od feet , which is ii . acres , xiiii . perches & an halfe . If you put them to xi . acres , then you haue xiii . acres , and aboue xiiii . perches , according to my former saying .

I pray you let vs trie the diuersitie , betweene the statute acre , and the acre of xii . foote perche .

Ye see the xii . foote perche conteineth C xliiii . square seete : how much is that summe eight score times ?

C xliiii . eight score times is , xxiii . thousand and xl .

How many times is C C lxxii . and a quarter conteined in xxiii . thousand and xl .

Ye knowe that those lxxx . and iiii . times are so many statute perches ?

We doe so .

Howe much money is lxxx . and iiii . penies ?

Vii . s.

Yee see by your owne reckoning , that if the acre measured by the xii . foot perche , did make lxxx . and v. statute perches , as ye see it doth not fully , that your rent could bee but vii . s. and a peny , after the rate of xiii . s. iiii . d. for the statute acre .

It is most true .

These reckonings , and profes , are very finely , readily , and plainely contriued . Till nowe I neuer heard ground cast vp to halfe a quarter of a foote , and so plainely proued to euery man his vnderstanding . And yet I haue heard that some will not misse an inche of ground when they measure .

It is a small matter for one to cast vp any measure that he hath made within lesse then an inch , but to measure exactly within lesse then an inche is a greater matter then I euer knew any would take vpon him to do . For albeit the art doth exactly teach the way , yet are we not able ( such is our imperfection ) truly to execute the same . And where you thinke that this account hath beene finely , and readily cast vp : you much mistake it : for it hath beene very grossely done . The fiue waies are done by Arithmetike . I will by Arithmetike doe more in a line , then thus in a leafe : and in the space of ii . minutes , which this waies can skantly be done in halfe an houre . He that is a good auditor will quickely cast such a reckoning with his counters . But because neither time nor place would permit me to vse any of those meanes , I was forced to proue this in such sort , as euery of yee might best vnderstand me .