John Bate’s design for Marit Allen.

“The flying Dragon is somewhat troublesome to compose...”. From “The Mysteries of Nature and Art” by John Bate (1634)

John Bate, The Mysteryes of Nature and Art (T. Harper), London, 1480.

It's really not too difficult to report on John Bate, the author of this most intriguing 1634 book, 'The Mysteryes of Nature and Art', as next to nothing is known about him. At least he admits in the title and preface of his influential tome that he collected experiments and recipes from a variety of sources, so we might judge well of his character for being so truthful in an age when intellectual property theft was rampant in publishing. His technology-come-artisan-come-folk alchemy manual combined perceptive observations with fanciful whimsy in just the right balance. The promise of practical hydraulics and the secret ingredients of fireworks and medical remedies - copiously illustrated with amazing woodcuts - struck a chord with the book-buying public. Within a few years an expanded 2nd edition - that included a portrait of the author - was released and met with similar success. 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, building working models of the water clock and water wheels described by Bate. Sourced from the Library of Congress copy. (Rosenwald 1480) [viaBibliOdyssey]

John Bate, The Mysteryes of Nature and Art : Conteined in foure severall Tretises, the first of Water Workes, the Second of Fyer Workes, the third of Drawing, Colouring, Painting, and Engraving, The fourth of divers Experiments, as wel serviceable as delightful: partly collected, and partly of the Author's Peculiar Practice, and Invention. 1634. [viaBibliOdyssey]

That scene between anna and bates :( he says he's the failure because he wasn't there to protect her :'( all my feels!

Articles from the magazine, "The Lay Preacher" (edited by John Bate) were often included in early editions of the East London Evangelist. In February, 1869 - and article entitled, "He Redeemed Me" was reproduced. Click on this link to read it in context (see page 143). John Bate was an advocate of empowering laity in ministry and seems to have been connected with the Primitive Methodists. His articles however seem to have been a source used in Class Meetings for all sorts of Methodists.