Many  traces  are  found,  in  the  history  of  the  sixteenth
century,  of  the  existence  of  some  knowledge  of  the  prop-
erties of  steam,  and  some  anticipation  of  the  advantages
to  follow  its  application.  Matthesius,  A.  D.  1571,  in  one  of
his  sermons  describes  a  contrivance  which  may  be  termed
a  steam-engine,  and  enlarges  on  the  "tremendous  results
which  may  follow  the  volcanic  action  of  a  small  quantity  of
confined  vapor ; " a  and  another  writer  applied  the  steam
seolipile  of  Hero  to  turn  the  spit,  and  thus  rivaled  and  ex-
celled Cardan,  who  was  introducing  his  "  smoke- jack."

As  Stuart  says,  the  inventor  enumerated  its  excellent
qualities  with  great  minuteness.  He  claimed  that  it  would
"  eat  nothing,  and  giving,  withal,  an  assurance  to  those  par-

1  Stuart's  "  Anecdotes."

»"Berg-Postilla,  odor  Sarepta  von  Bergwcrk  und  Metallcn."  Nurem-
berg, 1571.
