Page:Archaeologia Volume 13.djvu/182

136 that in the fifteenth century, there was in England a disgraceful neglect of the arts and sciences; and though we read lists of persons styled great mathematicians and philosophers, no discoveries of importance did they make, no books did they write that have been thought worthy to be perpetuated in print. In an age, therefore, so incurious and idle, (unless when in search of the elixir of life that was to cure all diseases, and make old people young, or of the philosopher's stone, that was to transmute the baser metals into fine gold or silver) it was not likely that scribes and scriveners should be solicitous in their inquiries after figures newe, or willing to change the old characters they were trained to use, and for the writing of which they were liberally paid ; or if a more easy mode of reckoning was pursued, they might have their doubts whether the profits of their craft would not be lessened by it. As late as the conclusion of the Sixteenth century the persons employed by churchwardens to keep the parish accounts made use of Roman capitals, and in public offices all change was carefully