Jews wear a yellow sign on their cloak or on their coat. What is this but a sign by which anybody who meets him may understand that he is a Jew? So, too, the lictor is known by his parti-coloured tunic or armlet. So, too, every magistracy decks its ministers with its own proper colours and adornments.
The mechanic marks his work with its peculiar sign, so that everyone may understand who has produced it. For what purpose does the courier carry the insignia of his master or his city on his garment, except that it may be clear he is a messenger, that he serves one or another, that he comes from one place or another, and so thus procures for himself a safe passage?
So, too, the soldier carries a sign or symbol, black, white, green, blue, or red, that he may be distinguished from the enemy. Hence it is known that one is on the side of Ceesar, or of the kings; that one is an Italian, another a Gaul, etc. These are signs which relate to rank and office; and many more of them might be enumerated. But, nevertheless, since we have proposed to ourselves to describe other signs of natural and supernatural things, we will not overload our book with those signs that are foreign to our purpose.
It is necessary more clearly to explain those signs which man affixes, and which lead to a knowledge, not only of rank, office, or name, but also of discrimination, intelligence, age, dignity, degree. Next in order, with regard to money, it should be remembered that every coin carries its proof and sign by which it may be known how much that coin is worth, to what power it belongs, where it circulates and is passed. Here comes in the German proverb: "Nowhere is money more acceptable than where it is struck."
The same is to be understood of the customary signs which are affixed by jurors and those appointed for the purpose, after due inspection has been previously made. An instance of this is found in the cloths marked with distinguishing signs by which it may be known that on examination they have been found good and genuine. Why is a seal appended to letters except that there may be a certain force which none will dare to violate? The seal is the confirmation of the letter which gives it authority among men and in trials. A receipt without a seal is dead, useless, empty.
In the same manner, by a few letters, names, or words, many things are designated, just as books which, though lettered outside with only one word, in that way signify their contents.
Such, too, is the condition of the vessels and boxes in drug-shops, which are all distinguished by peculiar names or labels affixed to them. If that were not done, who could distinguish one from the other among so many different waters, liquors, syrups, oils, powders, seeds, ointments, and the like? In the same way, too, the alchemist in his laboratory marks with their own proper names and labels, all the waters, liquors, spirits, oils, phlegmata, crocuses, alkalis, powders, and then all the different kinds of these, one by one, so that he can select from among them whatever he wants. Without this safeguard it is impossible to remember each separately.
Thus also rooms and buildings constructed by men can be signed with a
