MD3PAD 301-0303

[David Casseres]

Dixon might well coin a word like "cryptoscope," meaning an instrument
for the detection of that which is hidden.  If science produced a
different sort of cryptoscope (with similar function) about a century
later, that just makes it better.

On 4/30/06, mikebailey at speakeasy.net <mikebailey at speakeasy.net> wrote:
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Toby G Levy [mailto:tobylevy at juno.com]
>
> >
> > vw#73: cryptoscope - early term for a simple x-ray fluoroscope.
> >
>
> would suggest that Salvioni's cryptoscope in 1895 was not of Mason and Dixon's time, but as today we have words such as "warp drive" to describe things not yet available (except possibly in secret government lairs or labs), the word for a "viewer of hidden things" would be a natural coinage for men used to using telescopes.  There is no entry for "cryptoscope" in my OED, darn the luck
>
> Dixon's use of the term in context:
> "Upon the Fell, as if there were not enough already out there to bring me anxiety, I discovered my instrument acting as a Cryptoscope (italics), into Powers hidden and waiting the Needles of Intruders, set up as a picket to warn Something within of any unannounced wishes to enter" (301)
> --- which adds to the mystical feeling that the Earth being surveyed, is also surveying back at the surveyor...of course Dixon is likely building this up in order to impress Dolly..
>
> (... and Dolly considers Cecilius Calvert "subtle"...
> stepping back a bit...
> hmm, Calvert, Catholic, Penn, Quaker
> "two Proprietorships, granted when the World was yet feudal and but eight years later to be nullified by the War for Independence" (p 8))
>
> "Keep away from harmful Substances, in particular Coffee, Tobacco, and Indian Hemp.  If you must use the latter, do not inhale" - advice to young Wicks
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