Читать книгу Art in Theory - Группа авторов - Страница 83

[…] About three years ago, (by the persuasion of some friends) I was resolved to take a Catalogue of those rarities and curiosities which my father had sedulously collected, and myself with continued diligence have augmented, and hitherto preserved together. They then pressed me with that argument, that the enumeration of these rarities (being more for variety than any one place in Europe could afford) would be an honour to our nation, and a benefit to such ingenious persons as would become further enquirers into the various modes of Nature’s admirable works, and the curious imitators thereof. I readily yielded to the thing so urged, and with the assistance of two worthy friends (well acquainted with my design) we began it, and many examinations of the materials themselves and their agreements with several authors compared, a draft was made. […]

Now for the materials themselves I reduce them unto two sorts; one Natural, of which some are more familiarly known and named amongst us, as divers sorts of birds, four‐footed beast and fishes, to whom I have given usual English names. Others are less familiar, and as yet unfitted with apt English terms, as the shell creatures, insects, minerals, outlandish fruits, and the like, which are part of the Materia Medica … The other sort is Artificials, as utensils, household stuff, habits, instruments of war used by several nations, rare curiosities of art, etc. These are also expressed in English … for the ready satisfying whomsoever may desire a view thereof. The catalogue of my garden I have also added in the Conclusion … that nothing may be wanting which at present comes within view, and might be expected from

Your ready friend

John Tradescant