Francis Bacon the New Atlantis 2010
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Transcript of Francis Bacon the New Atlantis 2010
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TheNewAtlantis
SirFrancisBacon
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INTRODUCTORYNOTE
Baconsliteraryexecutor,Dr.Rowley,publishedTheNewAtlantisin1627,theyearaftertheauthorsdeath.Itseemstohavebeenwrittenabout 1623, during that period of literary activitywhich followedBaconspolitical fall.NoneofBaconswritingsgives inshortapacesovividapictureofhistastesandaspirationsasthisfragmentoftheplanofanidealcommonwealth.Thegenerosityandenlightenment,the dignity and splendor, the piety and public spirit, of the
inhabitantsof
Bensalem
represent
the
ideal
qualities
which
Bacon
thestatesmandesired rather thanhoped toseecharacteristicofhisowncountry;and inSolomonsHousewehaveBacon thescientistindulgingwithout restriction his prophetic vision of the future ofhuman knowledge.No reader acquainted in any degreewith theprocesses and results of modern scientific inquiry can fail to bestruck by the numerous approximations made by Baconsimagination to theactualachievementsofmodern times.Theplanandorganizationofhisgreatcollegelaydownthemainlinesofthe
modernresearch
university;
and
both
in
pure
and
applied
science
he
anticipates a strikingly large number of recent inventions anddiscoveries.InstillanotherwayisTheNewAtlantistypicalofBaconsattitude. In spiteof theenthusiasticandbroadminded schemeshelaid down for the pursuit of truth, Bacon always had an eye toutility.Theadvancementofsciencewhichhesoughtwasconceivedbyhimasameans toapracticalend the increaseofmanscontrolovernature,andthecomfortandconvenienceofhumanity.Forpuremetaphysics,oranyformofabstractthinkingthatyieldednofruit,
hehad
little
interest;
and
this
leaning
to
the
useful
is
shown
in
the
practical applications of the discoveries made by the scholars ofSolomonsHouse.Nor does the interest of thework stop here. Itcontainsmuch,bothinitspoliticalandinitsscientificideals,thatwehave as yet by no means achieved, but which contain valuableelementsofsuggestionandstimulusforthefuture.
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TheNewAtlantis
1
The
New
Atlantis
WesailedfromPeru,(wherewehadcontinuedforthespaceofonewholeyear) forChinaandJapan,by theSouthSea; takingwithusvictuals for twelve months; and had good winds from the east,thoughsoftandweak,forfivemonthsspace,andmore.Butthewindcameabout,andsettled in thewest formanydays,soaswecould
makelittle
or
no
way,
and
were
sometime
in
purpose
to
turn
back.
But thenagain therearose strongandgreatwinds from the south,with a point east,which carried us up (for all thatwe could do)towardsthenorth;bywhichtimeourvictualsfailedus,thoughwehadmadegoodspareofthem.Sothatfindingourselves,inthemidstof thegreatestwildernessofwaters in theworld,withoutvictuals,wegaveourselvesforlostmenandpreparedfordeath.Yetwedidlift up our hearts and voices to God above, who showeth hiswonders in the deep,beseeching him of hismercy, that as in the
beginninghe
discovered
the
face
of
the
deep,
and
brought
forth
dry
land,sohewouldnotdiscoverlandtous,thatwemightnotperish.
Anditcametopassthatthenextdayabouteveningwesawwithinakenningbeforeus,towardsthenorth,asitwerethickclouds,whichdidputusinsomehopeofland;knowinghowthatpartoftheSouthSeawasutterlyunknown;andmighthaveislands,orcontinents,thathitherto were not come to light. Wherefore we bent our coursethither,wherewesawtheappearanceofland,allthatnight;andinthe
dawning
of
the
next
day,
we
might
plainly
discern
that
it
was
a
land; flat tooursight,and fullofboscage;whichmade itshow themoredark.Andafteranhourandahalfssailing,weenteredintoagoodhaven,being theportofafaircity;notgreat indeed,butwellbuilt,and thatgaveapleasantview from thesea:andwe thinkingeveryminutelong,tillwewereonland,cameclosetotheshore,andofferedtoland.Butstraightwayswesawdiversofthepeople,withbastonsintheirhands(asitwere)forbiddingustoland;yetwithoutanycriesoffierceness,butonlyaswarningusoff,bysignsthattheymade.
Whereupon
being
not
alittle
discomforted,
we
were
advising
withourselves,whatweshoulddo.
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Duringwhichtime,theremadeforthtousasmallboat,withabouteightpersonsinit;whereofoneofthemhadinhishandatipstaffofayellowcane,tippedatbothendswithblue,whocameaboardour
ship,without
any
show
of
distrust
at
all.
And
when
he
saw
one
of
ournumber,presenthimselfsomewhatbeforetherest,hedrewforthalittlescrollofparchment(somewhatyellowerthanourparchment,andshiningliketheleavesofwritingtables,butotherwisesoftandflexible,)anddeliveredittoourforemostman.InwhichscrollwerewritteninancientHebrew,andinancientGreek,andingoodLatinoftheschool,andinSpanish,thesewords:
Landyenot,noneofyou;andprovide tobegone from thiscoast,
withinsixteen
days,
except
you
have
further
time
given
you.
Meanwhile,ifyouwantfreshwaterorvictuals,orhelpforyoursick,orthatyourshipneedethrepairs,writedownyourwants,andyoushallhavethat,whichbelongethtomercy.
Thisscrollwassignedwithastampofcherubim:wings,notspread,buthangingdownwards;andbythemacross.Thisbeingdelivered,theofficer returned,and leftonlya servantwithus to receiveouranswer.
Consultinghereuponamongstourselves,weweremuchperplexed.Thedenialoflandingandhastywarningusawaytroubledusmuch;ontheotherside,tofindthatthepeoplehadlanguages,andweresofullofhumanity,didcomfortusnotalittle.Andaboveall,thesignof thecross tothat instrumentwastousagreatrejoicing,andas itwere a certain presage of good. Our answer was in the Spanishtongue; that forour ship, itwaswell; forwehad rathermetwithcalmsandcontrarywindsthananytempests.Foroursick,theywere
many,and
in
very
ill
case;
so
that
if
they
were
not
permitted
to
land,
they ran danger of their lives. Our otherwants we set down inparticular; adding, Thatwe had some little store ofmerchandise,which if it pleased them to deal for, itmight supply ourwants,withoutbeing chargeable unto them.We offered some reward inpistolets unto the servant, and a piece of crimson velvet to bepresented to theofficer;but the servant took themnot,norwouldscarcelookuponthem;andsoleftus,andwentbackinanotherlittleboat,whichwassentforhim.
Aboutthreehoursafterwehaddispatchedouranswer, therecametowardsusaperson(asitseemed)ofplace.Hehadonhimagownwithwidesleeves,ofakindofwaterchamolet,ofanexcellentazure
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colour,fairmoreglossythanours;hisunderapparelwasgreen;andsowashishat,beingintheformofaturban,daintilymade,andnotsohugeastheTurkishturbans;andthelocksofhishaircamedown
belowthe
brims
of
it.
A
reverend
man
was
he
to
behold.
He
came
in
aboat,gilt in somepartof it,with fourpersonsmoreonly in thatboat;andwasfollowedbyanotherboat,whereinweresometwenty.Whenhewascomewithinaflightshotofourship,signsweremadetous,thatweshouldsendforthsometomeethimuponthewater;whichwepresentlydidinourshipboat,sendingtheprincipalmanamongstussaveone,andfourofournumberwithhim.
Whenwewerecomewithinsixyardsoftheirboat,theycalledtous
tostay,
and
not
to
approach
farther;
which
we
did.
And
thereupon
theman,whomIbeforedescribed,stoodup,andwithaloudvoice,inSpanish,asked,AreyeChristians?Weanswered,Wewere;fearingtheless,becauseofthecrosswehadseeninthesubscription.Atwhichanswer the saidperson lifteduphis righthand towardsHeaven,anddrew itsoftly tohismouth (which is thegesture theyuse,whentheythankGod;)andthensaid :Ifyewillswear(allofyou)by themeritsof theSaviour, thatyearenopirates,norhaveshedblood, lawfully, nor unlawfullywithin forty days past, you
mayhave
licence
to
come
on
land.
We
said,
We
were
all
ready
to
takethatoath.Whereupononeofthosethatwerewithhim,being(as it seemed) a notary,made an entry of this act.Which done,anotheroftheattendantsofthegreatpersonwhichwaswithhiminthesameboat,afterhisLordhadspokenalittletohim,saidaloud:MyLordwouldhaveyouknow,thatitisnotofpride,orgreatness,thathecomethnotaboardyourship;butforthatinyouransweryoudeclarethatyouhavemanysickamongstyou,hewaswarnedbytheConservatorofHealthofthecitythatheshouldkeepadistance.We
bowedourselves
towards
him,
and
answered,
We
were
his
humble
servants; and accounted for great honour, and singular humanitytowardsus, thatwhichwasalreadydone;buthopedwell, that thenature of the sickness of our men was not infectious. So hereturned;andawhileaftercame theNotary tousaboardourship;holding in his hand a fruit of that country, like an orange,but ofcolour between orangetawney and scarlet; which cast a mostexcellentodour.Heusedit(asitseemeth)forapreservativeagainstinfection. He gave us our oath; By the name of Jesus, and his
merits:and
after
told
us,
that
the
next
day,
by
six
of
the
Clock,
in
theMorning,we shouldbe sent to, andbrought to the StrangersHouse, (so he called it,) where we should be accommodated ofthings,bothforourwhole,andforoursick.Soheleftus;andwhen
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weofferedhimsomepistolets,hesmilingsaid,Hemustnotbetwicepaid for one labour: meaning (as I take it) that he had salarysufficientoftheStateforhisservice.For(asIafterlearned)theycall
anofficer
that
taketh
rewards,
twice
paid.
Thenextmorningearly,therecametousthesameofficerthatcametousatfirstwithhiscane,andtoldus,HecametoconductustotheStrangersHouse;and thathehadprevented thehour,becausewemighthavethewholedaybeforeus,forourbusiness.For,saidhe,ifyouwillfollowmyadvice,thereshallfirstgowithmesomefewofyou,andsee theplace,andhow itmaybemadeconvenient foryou; and then youmay send for your sick, and the rest of your
number,which
ye
will
bring
on
land.
We
thanked
him,
and
said,
That this care,which he took of desolate strangers, Godwouldreward.Andsosixofuswentonlandwithhim:andwhenwewereonland,hewentbeforeus,andturnedtous,andsaid,Hewasbutourservant,andourguide.Heledusthroughthreefairstreets;andallthewaywewent,thereweregatheredsomepeopleonbothsides,standing inarow;but insocivila fashion,asif ithadbeen,nottowonderatus,buttowelcomeus:anddiversofthem,aswepassedbythem,puttheirarmsalittleabroad;whichistheirgesture,when
theydid
bid
any
welcome.
TheStrangersHouse isafairandspacioushouse,builtofbrick,ofsomewhat a bluer colour than our brick; and with handsomewindows,someofglass,someofakindofcambricoiled.Hebroughtus first into a fairparlour above stairs, and then askedus, Whatnumberofpersonswewere?Andhowmanysick?Weanswered,Wewereinall,(sickandwhole,)oneandfiftypersons,whereofoursickwereseventeen.Hedesiredustohavepatiencealittle,andto
staytill
he
came
back
to
us;
which
was
about
an
hour
after;
and
then
heledustoseethechamberswhichwereprovidedforus,beinginnumbernineteen:theyhavingcastit(asitseemeth)thatfourofthosechambers,whichwerebetterthantherest,mightreceivefouroftheprincipalmenofourcompany;andlodgethemalonebythemselves;and the other fifteen chambers were to lodge us two and twotogether.Thechamberswerehandsomeandcheerfulchambers,andfurnished civilly.Thenhe ledus to a long gallery, like a dorture,whereheshowedusallalongtheoneside(fortheothersidewasbut
walland
window),
seventeen
cells,
very
neat
ones,
having
partitions
ofcedarwood.Whichgalleryandcells,beinginallforty,manymorethanwe needed,were instituted as an infirmary for sick persons.Andhetolduswithal,thatasanyofoursickwaxedwell,hemight
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be removed from his cell, to a chamber; forwhich purpose thereweresetforth tensparechambers,besidesthenumberwespakeofbefore.Thisdone,hebroughtusbacktotheparlour,andliftingup
hiscane
alittle,
(as
they
do
when
they
give
any
charge
or
command)
said tous,Yeare toknow, that thecustomof the land requireth,thatafterthisdayandtomorrow,(whichwegiveyouforremovingof yourpeople from your ship,) you are to keepwithindoors forthreedays.But let itnot troubleyou,nordonot thinkyourselvesrestrained, but rather left to your rest and ease. You shall wantnothing,andtherearesixofourpeopleappointedtoattendyou,foranybusinessyoumayhaveabroad.Wegavehim thanks,withallaffection and respect, and said, God surely ismanifested in this
land.We
offered
him
also
twenty
pistolets;
but
he
smiled,
and
only
said;What?twicepaid!Andsoheleftus.
Soonafterourdinnerwasserved in;whichwasrightgoodviands,both forbreadand treat:better thananycollegiatediet, that Ihaveknown inEurope.Wehadalsodrinkof threesorts,allwholesomeandgood;wineofthegrape;adrinkofgrain,suchasiswithusourale,butmore clear: And a kind of cidermade of a fruit of thatcountry; awonderfulpleasing and refreshingdrink.Besides, there
werebrought
in
to
us,
great
store
of
those
scarlet
oranges,
for
our
sick;which(theysaid)wereanassuredremedyforsicknesstakenatsea.Therewasgivenusalso,aboxof smallgray,orwhitishpills,whichtheywishedoursickshouldtake,oneofthepills,everynightbeforesleep;which(theysaid)wouldhastentheirrecovery.
Thenextday,afterthatourtroubleofcarriageandremovingofourmenandgoodsoutofourship,wassomewhatsettledandquiet, Ithought good to call our company together; andwhen theywere
assembled,said
unto
them:
Mydear friends, letusknowourselves,andhow itstandethwithus.Wearemencastonland,asJonaswas,outofthewhalesbelly,whenwewereasburied in thedeep:andnowweareon land,wearebutbetween death and life; forwe arebeyond,both the oldworld,andthenew;andwhethereverweshallseeEurope,Godonlyknoweth.Itisakindofmiraclebathbroughtushither:anditmustbe little less, that shallbringushence.Therefore in regard of ourdeliverance
past,
and
our
danger
present,
and
to
come,
let
us
look
up
toGod,andeverymanreformhisownways.BesideswearecomehereamongstaChristianpeople, fullofpietyandhumanity: letusnotbringthatconfusionoffaceuponourselves,astoshowourvices,
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orunworthinessbefore them.Yet there ismore. For theyhavebycommandment, (though in form of courtesy) cloistered uswithinthesewall, for threedays:whoknoweth,whether itbenot, to take
sometaste
of
our
manners
and
conditions?
And
if
they
find
them
bad,tobanishusstraightways;ifgood,togiveusfurthertime.Forthesementhat theyhavegivenusforattendance,maywithalhaveaneyeuponus.ThereforeforGodslove,andaswelovethewealofour soulsandbodies, letus sobehaveourselves,aswemaybeatpeacewithGod,andmayfindgraceintheeyesofthispeople.
Ourcompanywithonevoicethankedmeformygoodadmonition,andpromisedmetolivesoberlyandcivilly,andwithoutgivingany
theleast
occasion
of
offence.
So
we
spent
our
three
days
joyfully,
and
withoutcare,inexpectationwhatwouldbedonewithus,whentheywere expired. Duringwhich time,we had every hourjoy of theamendment of our sick; who thought themselves cast into somedivinepoolofhealing;theymendedsokindly,andsofast.
Themorrowafterourthreedayswerepast,therecametousanewman,thatwehadnotseenbefore,clothedinblueastheformerwas,savethathisturbanwaswhite,withasmallredcrossonthetop.He
hadalso
atippet
of
fine
linen.
At
his
coming
in,
he
did
bend
to
us
a
little,andputhisarmsabroad.Weofourpartssalutedhiminaverylowlyandsubmissivemanner;aslookingthatfromhim,weshouldreceivesentenceoflife,ordeath:hedesiredtospeakwithsomefewofus:whereuponsixofusonlystaid,andtherestavoidedtheroom.Hesaid,IambyofficegovernorofthisHouseofStrangers,andbyvocation IamaChristianpriest:and therefoream come toyou tooffer youmy service,both as strangers and chiefly as Christians.SomethingsImaytellyou,whichIthinkyouwillnotbeunwilling
tohear.
The
State
hath
given
you
license
to
stay
on
land,
for
the
spaceofsixweeks;and let itnot troubleyou, ifyouroccasionsaskfurther time, for the law in thispoint is notprecise; and Idonotdoubt,butmyselfshallbeable,toobtainforyousuchfurthertime,asmaybeconvenient.Yeshallalsounderstand, that theStrangersHouse isat this time rich,andmuchaforehand; for ithath laiduprevenuethesethirtysevenyears;forso longitissinceanystrangerarrived in this part: and therefore take ye no care; the Statewilldefrayyouallthetimeyoustay;neithershallyoustayonedaythe
lessfor
that.
As
for
any
merchandise
ye
have
brought,
ye
shall
be
wellused,andhaveyour return,either inmerchandise,or ingoldandsilver:fortousitisallone.Andifyouhaveanyotherrequesttomake, hide it not. For ye shall find we will not make your
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countenancetofallbytheansweryeshallreceive.OnlythisImusttellyou,thatnoneofyoumustgoaboveakaran,(thatiswiththemamile and an half) from thewalls of the city,without especial
leave.
We answered, after we had looked awhile one upon another,admiringthisgraciousandparentlikeusage;Thatwecouldnottellwhat to say: forwewantedwords to express our thanks; andhisnoblefreeoffersleftusnothingtoask.Itseemedtous,thatwehadbeforeusapictureofour salvation inHeaven; forwe thatwereawhile since in thejaws of death,were nowbrought into a place,wherewe found nothingbut consolations. For the commandment
laidupon
us,
we
would
not
fail
to
obey
it,
though
it
was
impossible
butourheartsshouldbeenflamedtotreadfurtheruponthishappyandholyground.Weadded,Thatourtonguesshouldfirstcleavetotheroofsofourmouths,ereweshouldforget,eitherhisreverendperson,orthiswholenation,inourprayers.Wealsomosthumblybesoughthim,toacceptofusashistrueservants;byasjustarightasevermenonearthwerebounden; layingandpresenting,bothourpersons,andallwehad,athis feet.Hesaid;Hewasapriest,andlookedforapriestsreward;whichwasourbrotherly love,andthe
goodof
our
souls
and
bodies.
So
he
went
from
us,
not
without
tears
of tenderness in his eyes; and left us also confusedwithjoy andkindness,sayingamongstourselves;Thatwewerecomeintoalandof angels, which did appear to us daily, and prevent us withcomforts,whichwethoughtnotof,muchlessexpected.
Thenextdayabouttenoftheclock,theGovernorcametousagain,andaftersalutations,saidfamiliarly;Thathewascometovisitus;andcalledforachair,andsathimdown:andwe,beingsometenof
us,(the
rest
were
of
the
meaner
sort,
or
else
gone
abroad,)
sat
down
withhim,Andwhenwewereset,hebeganthus:WeofthisislandofBensalem, (forso theycall it in their language,)have this; thatbymeansofoursolitarysituation;andofthelawsofsecrecy,whichwehaveforour travellers,andourrareadmissionofstrangers;weknow well most part of the habitable world, and are ourselvesunknown.Thereforebecausehe thatknoweth least is fittest toaskquestions,itismorereason,fortheentertainmentofthetime,thatyeaskmequestions,thanthatIaskyou.
Weanswered;Thatwehumblythankedhimthathewouldgiveusleaveso todo:and thatweconceivedby the tastewehadalready,thattherewasnoworldlythingonearth,moreworthytobeknown
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than the stateof thathappy land.Butaboveall, (we said,)sincethatweweremet from the several ends of theworld, and hopedassuredly thatweshouldmeetoneday in thekingdomofHeaven,
(forthat
we
were
both
parts
Christians,)
we
desired
to
know,
(in
respect that land was so remote, and so divided by vast andunknownseas, from the landwhereourSaviourwalkedonearth,)whowastheapostleofthatnation,andhowitwasconvertedtothefaith?Itappearedinhisfacethathetookgreatcontentmentinthisour question: he said; Ye knit my heart to you, by asking thisquestion in the first place; for it sheweth that you first seek thekingdom of heaven; and I shall gladly, and briefly, satisfy yourdemand.
About twentyyearsafter theascensionofourSaviour, itcame topass,thattherewasseenbythepeopleofRenfusa,(acityupontheeasterncoastofourisland,)withinnight,(thenightwascloudy,andcalm,)asitmightbesomemileintothesea,agreatpillaroflight;notsharp,but in form of a column, or cylinder, rising from the sea agreatwayuptowardsheaven;andonthetopofitwasseenalargecross of light,morebright and resplendent than thebody of thepillar. Uponwhich so strange a spectacle, the people of the city
gatheredapace
together
upon
the
sands,
to
wonder;
and
so
after
put
themselves into a number of small boats, to go nearer to thismarvelloussight.Butwhentheboatswerecomewithin(about)sixtyyardsofthepillar,theyfoundthemselvesallbound,andcouldgonofurther; yet so as they might move to go about, but might notapproachnearer:soastheboatsstoodallasinatheatre,beholdingthislightasanheavenlysign.Itsofellout,thattherewasinoneoftheboatsoneof thewisemen,of the societyofSalomonsHouse;whichhouse,or college (mygoodbrethren) is theveryeyeof this
kingdom;who
having
awhile
attentively
and
devoutly
viewed
and
contemplatedthispillarandcross,felldownuponhisface;andthenraisedhimselfuponhisknees,and liftinguphishands toheaven,madehisprayersinthismanner.
LORDGodofheavenandearth,thouhastvouchsafedofthygracetothoseofourorder,toknowthyworksofCreation,andthesecretsofthem:andtodiscern(asfarasappertainethtothegenerationsofmen)betweendivinemiracles,works ofnature,works of art, and
imposturesand
illusions
of
all
sorts.
Ido
here
acknowledge
and
testifybeforethispeople,thatthethingwhichwenowseebeforeoureyesisthyFingerandatrueMiracle.Andforasmuchaswelearninour books that thou never workest miracles, but to divine and
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excellentend, (for the lawsofnatureare thineown laws,and thouexceedestthemnotbutupongreatcause,)wemosthumblybeseechtheetoprosperthisgreatsign,andtogiveustheinterpretationand
useof
it
in
mercy;
which
thou
dost
in
some
part
secretly
promise
by
sendingituntous.
Whenhehadmadehisprayer,hepresentlyfoundtheboathewasin,moveableandunbound;whereasall the rest remainedstill fast;andtakingthatforanassuranceofleavetoapproach,hecausedtheboat tobesoftlyandwithsilencerowed towardsthepillar.Buterehecamenearit,thepillarandcrossoflightbrakeup,andcastitselfabroad, as it were, into a firmament of many stars; which also
vanishedsoon
after,
and
there
was
nothing
left
to
be
seen,
but
asmall ark, or chest of cedar, dry, and notwet at allwithwater,
thoughitswam.Andintheforeendofit,whichwastowardshim,grew a small greenbranch of palm; andwhen thewiseman hadtakenit,withallreverence,intohisboat,itopenedofitself,andtherewerefoundinitaBookandaLetter;bothwritteninfineparchment,and wrapped in sindons of linen. The Book contained all thecanonicalbooks of theOld andNewTestament, according asyouhavethem;(forweknowwellwhatthechurcheswithyoureceive);
andthe
Apocalypse
itself,
and
some
other
books
of
the
New
Testament,whichwerenotatthattimewritten,wereneverthelessintheBook.AndfortheLetter,itwasinthesewords:
I, Bartholomew, a servant of theHighest, and Apostle ofJesusChrist,waswarnedbyanangelthatappearethtome,inavisionofglory, that I should commit this ark to the floods of the sea.ThereforeIdotestifyanddeclareuntothatpeoplewhereGodshallordain thisark tocome to land, that in thesameday iscomeunto
themsalvation
and
peace
and
good
will,
from
the
Father,
and
from
theLordJesus.
Therewas also inboth thesewritings, aswell the Book, as theLetter,wroughtagreatmiracle,conform to thatof theApostles, intheoriginalGiftofTongues.FortherebeingatthattimeinthislandHebrews,Persians,andIndians,besidesthenatives,everyonereadupon theBook,andLetter,as if theyhadbeenwritten inhisownlanguage. And thus was this land saved from infidelity (as theremainder
of
the
old
world
was
from
water)
by
an
ark,
through
the
apostolicalandmiraculousevangelismofSaintBartholomew.Andherehepaused,andamessengercame,andcalledhimfromus.Sothiswasallthatpassedinthatconference.
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Thenextday,thesamegovernorcameagaintous,immediatelyafterdinner, and excused himself, saying; That thedaybefore hewascalled from us, somewhat abruptly, but now hewouldmake us
amends,and
spend
time
with
us
if
we
held
his
company
and
conferenceagreeable.Weanswered,Thatweheld itsoagreeableandpleasingtous,asweforgotbothdangerspastandfearstocome,forthetimewehearhimspeak;andthatwethoughtanhourspentwithhim,wasworthyearsofourformer life.Hebowedhimselfalittletous,andafterweweresetagain,hesaid;Well,thequestionsareonyourpart.
Oneofournumbersaid,afteralittlepause;thattherewasamatter,
wewere
no
less
desirous
to
know,
than
fearful
to
ask,
lest
we
might
presume too far.Butencouragedbyhis rarehumanity towardsus,(that could scarce think ourselves strangers,being his vowed andprofessed servants,)wewould take the hardiness to propound it:humblybeseechinghim,ifhethoughtitnotfittobeanswered,thathe would pardon it, though he rejected it. We said; We wellobservedthosehiswords,whichheformerlyspake,thatthishappyisland,wherewenowstood,wasknowntofew,andyetknewmostofthenationsoftheworld;whichwefoundtobetrue,considering
theyhad
the
languages
of
Europe,
and
knew
much
of
our
state
and
business; and yet we in Europe, (notwithstanding all the remotediscoveriesandnavigationsofthislastage),neverheardoftheleastinklingorglimpseof thisisland.Thiswefoundwonderfulstrange;for thatallnationshave interknowledgeoneofanother, eitherbyvoyage into foreignparts, orby strangers that come to them: andthough the traveller into a foreign country,doth commonly knowmorebytheeye,thanhethatstayethathomecanbyrelationofthetraveller; yetbothways suffice tomake amutual knowledge, in
somedegree,
on
both
parts.
But
for
this
island,
we
never
heard
tell
of
any ship of theirs thathadbeen seen to arriveupon any shoreofEurope;norofeithertheEastorWestIndies;noryetofanyshipofanyotherpartof theworld, thathadmadereturn from them.Andyet the marvel rested not in this. For the situation of it (as hislordshipsaid)inthesecretconclaveofsuchavastseamightcauseit.Butthen,thattheyshouldhaveknowledgeofthelanguages,books,affairs,ofthosethatliesuchadistancefromthem,itwasathingwecouldnottellwhattomakeof;forthatitseemedtousaconditioner
andpropriety
of
divine
powers
and
beings,
to
be
hidden
and
unseen
toothers,andyettohaveothersopenandasinalighttothem.
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At thisspeech theGovernorgaveagracioussmile,andsaid;Thatwedidwelltoaskpardonforthisquestionwenowasked:forthatitimported,as ifwe thought this land,a landofmagicians, thatsent
forthspirits
of
the
air
into
all
parts,
to
bring
them
news
and
intelligence of other countries. Itwas answeredby us all, in allpossiblehumbleness,butyetwithacountenancetakingknowledge,thatweknewthathespakeitbutmerrily,Thatwewereaptenoughto think therewas somewhat supernatural in this island;but yetratherasangelical thanmagical.But to lethis lordshipknow trulywhatitwasthatmadeustenderanddoubtfultoaskthisquestion,itwas not any such conceit,butbecausewe remembered, he hadgivenatouchinhisformerspeech,thatthislandhadlawsofsecrecy
touchingstrangers.
To
this
he
said;
You
remember
it
aright
and
therefore inthatIshallsaytoyou,Imustreservesomeparticulars,whichitisnotlawfulformetoreveal;buttherewillbeenoughleft,togiveyousatisfaction.
You shall understand (thatwhich perhaps youwill scarce thinkcredible) that about three thousand years ago, or somewhatmore,the navigation of theworld, (especially for remote voyages,)wasgreater thanat thisday.Donot thinkwithyourselves, that Iknow
nothow
much
it
is
increased
with
you,
within
these
six
score
years:
Iknow itwell:andyet Isaygreater then thannow;whether itwas,
thattheexampleoftheark,thatsavedtheremnantofmenfromtheuniversal deluge, gave men confidence to adventure upon thewaters;orwhat itwas;but such is the truth.ThePhoenicians,andespecially the Tyrians, had great fleets. So had the Carthaginianstheircolony,whichisyetfurtherwest.Towardtheeasttheshippingof Egypt and of Palestinewas likewise great.China also, and thegreatAtlantis, (that you callAmerica,)whichhavenowbutjunks
andcanoes,
abounded
then
in
tall
ships.
This
island,
(as
appeareth
byfaithfulregistersofthosetimes,)hadthenfifteenhundredstrongships,ofgreatcontent.Ofallthis,thereiswithyousparingmemory,ornone;butwehavelargeknowledgethereof.
Atthattime,thislandwasknownandfrequentedbytheshipsandvesselsofall thenationsbeforenamed.And (as itcometh topass)theyhadmany timesmenofother countries, thatwereno sailors,thatcamewiththem;asPersians,Chaldeans,Arabians;soasalmost
allnations
of
might
and
fame
resorted
hither;
of
whom
we
have
some stirps,and little tribeswithusat thisday.And forourownships,theywentsundryvoyages,aswelltoyourstraits,whichyoucall the Pillars ofHercules, as to other parts in the Atlantic and
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MediterraneSeas;astoPaguin,(whichisthesamewithCambaline,)andQuinzy,upon theOrientalSeas,as faras to thebordersof theEastTartary.
Atthesametime,andanageafter,ormore,theinhabitantsofthegreatAtlantisdidflourish.Forthoughthenarrationanddescription,which ismadeby a greatmanwith you; that the descendants ofNeptuneplanted there;andof themagnificent temple,palace,city,andhill;andthemanifoldstreamsofgoodlynavigablerivers,(whichas somany chains environed the same site and temple); and theseveraldegreesofascent,wherebymendidclimbuptothesame,asifithadbeenascalacoeli,beallpoeticalandfabulous:yetsomuchistrue,
that
the
said
country
of
Atlantis,
as
well
that
of
Peru,
then
calledCoya,asthatofMexico,thennamedTyrambel,weremightyandproudkingdomsinarms,shippingandriches:somighty,asatone time (orat leastwithin thespaceof tenyears) theybothmadetwogreatexpeditions;theyofTyrambelthroughtheAtlantictotheMediterraneSea;andtheyofCoyathroughtheSouthSeauponthisour island:and for theformerof these,whichwas intoEurope, thesameauthoramongstyou(asitseemeth)hadsomerelationfromtheEgyptianpriestwhomhecited.Forassuredlysuchathingtherewas.
Butwhether
it
were
the
ancient
Athenians
that
had
the
glory
of
the
repulseandresistanceofthoseforces,Icansaynothing:butcertainitis, there never came back either ship or man from that voyage.Neitherhad theothervoyageof thoseofCoyauponushadbetterfortune, if theyhadnotmetwithenemiesofgreaterclemency.Forthekingof this island, (bynameAltabin,)awisemanandagreatwarrior,knowingwellbothhisownstrengthandthatofhisenemies,handledthematterso,ashecutofftheirlandforcesfromtheirships;and entoiledboth theirnavyand their tampwithagreaterpower
thantheirs,
both
by
sea
and
land:
arid
compelled
them
to
render
themselveswithoutstrikingstrokeandaftertheywereathismercy,contenting himself onlywith their oath that they should nomorebeararmsagainsthim,dismissedthemallinsafety.
But the divine revenge overtook not long after those proudenterprises.Forwithinlessthanthespaceofonehundredyears,thegreat Atlantis was utterly lost and destroyed: not by a greatearthquake,asyourmansaith;(forthatwholetractislittlesubjectto
earthquakes;)but
by
aparticular
deluge
or
inundation;
those
countries having, at this day, far greater rivers and far highermountainstopourdownwaters,thananypartoftheoldworld.Butitistruethatthesameinundationwasnotdeep;notpastfortyfoot,
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inmostplaces,fromtheground;sothatalthough itdestroyedmanandbeast generally, yet some few wild inhabitants of the woodescaped. Birds also were saved by flying to the high trees and
woods.For
as
for
men,
although
they
had
buildings
in
many
places,
higher than thedepth of thewater, yet that inundation, though itwereshallow,hadalongcontinuance;wherebytheyofthevalethatwere not drowned, perished for want of food and other thingsnecessary.
SoasmarvelyounotatthethinpopulationofAmerica,norattherudeness and ignorance of thepeople; for youmust account yourinhabitantsofAmericaasayoungpeople;youngerathousandyears,
atthe
least,
than
the
rest
of
the
world:
for
that
there
was
so
much
timebetweentheuniversalfloodandtheirparticularinundation.Forthe poor remnant of human seed, which remained in theirmountains,peopledthecountryagainslowly,bylittleandlittle;andbeingsimpleandsavagepeople,(notlikeNoahandhissons,whichwasthechieffamilyoftheearth;)theywerenotabletoleaveletters,arts, and civility to their posterity; and having likewise in theirmountainoushabitationsbeenused(inrespectoftheextremecoldofthose regions) to clothe themselveswith the skins of tigers,bears,
andgreat
hairy
goats,
that
they
have
in
those
parts;
when
after
they
camedownintothevalley,andfoundtheintolerableheatswhicharethere, and knew nomeans of lighter apparel, theywere forced tobeginthecustomofgoingnaked,whichcontinuethatthisday.Onlythey takegreatprideanddelight in the feathersofbirds;and thisalsotheytookfromthosetheirancestorsofthemountains,whowereinviteduntoitbytheinfiniteflightsofbirdsthatcameuptothehighgrounds,while thewaters stoodbelow. So you see,by thismainaccidentoftime,welostourtrafficwiththeAmericans,withwhom
of,all
others,
in
regard
they
lay
nearest
to
us,
we
had
most
commerce.
As for theotherpartsof theworld, it ismostmanifest that in theages following (whether itwere in respectofwars,orbyanaturalrevolutionof time,)navigationdideverywheregreatlydecay;andspecially far voyages (the ratherby the use of galleys, and suchvessels as couldhardlybrook the ocean,)were altogether left andomitted.Sothen,thatpartofintercoursewhichcouldbefromother
nationsto
sail
to
us,
you
see
how
it
hath
long
since
ceased;
except
it
werebysomerareaccident,asthisofyours.Butnowofthecessationof thatotherpartof intercourse,whichmightbebyour sailing toothernations,Imustyieldyousomeothercause.ForIcannotsay(if
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Ishallsay truly,)butourshipping, fornumber,strength,mariners,pilots,andallthingsthatappertaintonavigation,isasgreatasever;and thereforewhyweshouldsitathome, I shallnowgiveyouan
accountby
itself:
and
it
will
draw
nearer
to
give
you
satisfaction
to
yourprincipalquestion.
There reigned in this land, about nineteen hundred years ago, aking,whosememoryofallotherswemostadore;notsuperstitiously,but as a divine instrument, though amortalman; his namewasSolamona: andwe esteemhim as the lawgiverofournation.Thiskinghadalargeheart,inscrutableforgood;andwaswhollybenttomake his kingdom and people happy. He therefore, taking into
considerationhow
sufficient
and
substantive
this
land
was
to
maintain itselfwithout any aid (at all) of the foreigner;being fivethousandsixhundredmiles incircuit,andofrarefertilityofsoil inthe greatest part thereof; and finding also the shipping of thiscountrymightbe plentifully set onwork,bothby fishing andbytransportationsfromporttoport,andlikewisebysailinguntosomesmallislandsthatarenotfarfromus,andareunderthecrownandlaws of this state; and, recalling into hismemory the happy andflourishing estatewherein this land thenwas; so as itmightbe a
thousandways
altered
to
the
worse,
but
scarce
any
one
way
to
the
better;thoughtnothingwantedtohisnobleandheroicalintentions,butonly(asfarashumanforesightmightreach)togiveperpetuitytothatwhichwasinhistimesohappilyestablished.Thereforeamongsthis other fundamental laws of this kingdom, he did ordain theinterdicts and prohibitions which we have touching entrance ofstrangers;which at that time (though itwas after the calamity ofAmerica) was frequent; doubting novelties, and commixture ofmanners. It is true, the like lawagainst theadmissionof strangers
withoutlicence
is
an
ancient
law
in
the
kingdom
of
China,
and
yet
continuedinuse.Butthereitisapoorthing;andhathmadethemacurious,ignorant,fearful,foolishnation.Butourlawgivermadehislaw of another temper. For first, he hath preserved all points ofhumanity, in taking order andmaking provision for the relief ofstrangersdistressed;whereofyouhavetasted.
At which speech (as reason was) we all rose up and bowedourselves.Hewenton.
Thatkingalso,stilldesiring tojoinhumanityandpolicy together;and thinking it against humanity, todetain strangers here againsttheirwills,andagainstpolicy that theyshouldreturnanddiscover
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theirknowledgeofthisestate,hetookthiscourse:hedidordainthatof the strangers that shouldbe permitted to land, asmany (at alltimes)mightdepart aswould;but asmany aswould stay should
havevery
good
conditions
and
means
to
live
from
the
state.
Wherein
he saw so far, thatnow in somanyages since theprohibition,wehavememorynotofoneshipthateverreturned,andbutofthirteenpersonsonly,at several times, thatchose to return inourbottoms.WhatthosefewthatreturnedmayhavereportedabroadIknownot.Butyoumustthink,whatsoevertheyhavesaidcouldbetakenwheretheycamebutforadream.Nowforourtravellingfromhennaintopartsabroad,ourLawgiverthoughtfitaltogethertorestrainit.Soisitnot inChina.For theChinese sailwhere theywillorcan;which
sheweththat
their
law
of
keeping
out
strangers
is
alaw
of
pusillanimity and fear. But this restraint of ours hath one onlyexception,whichisadmirable;preservingthegoodwhichcomethbycommunicatingwith strangers, and avoiding the hurt; and Iwillnowopenittoyou.AndhereIshallseemalittletodigress,butyouwillbyandbyfinditpertinent.
Ye shallunderstand (mydear friends) that amongst the excellentacts of that king, one above all hath the preeminence. Itwas the
erectionand
institution
of
an
Order
or
Society,
which
we
call
SalomonsHouse;thenoblestfoundation(aswethink)thateverwasupontheearth;andthelanthornofthiskingdom.It isdedicatedtothestudyof theworksandcreaturesofGod.Somethink itbeareththe foundersnamea littlecorrupted,as if itshouldbeSolamonasHouse.But therecordswrite itas it isspoken.Soas I take it tobedenominateofthekingoftheHebrews,which isfamouswithyou,andnostranger tous.Forwehavesomepartsofhisworks,whichwithyouarelost;namely,thatnaturalhistory,whichhewrote,ofall
plants,from
the
cedar
of
Libanus
to
the
moss
that
groweth
out
of
the
wall, and of all things thathave life andmotion.Thismakethmethink that our king, finding himself to symbolize inmany thingswiththatkingoftheHebrews(whichlivedmanyyearsbeforehim),honoured himwith the title of this foundation. And I am ratherinduced tobeof thisopinion, for that I find inancient records thisOrder or Society is sometimes called Salomons House, andsometimestheCollegeoftheSixDaysWorks;wherebyIamsatisfiedthatourexcellentkinghadlearnedfromtheHebrewsthatGodhad
createdthe
world
and
all
that
therein
is
within
six
days:
and
therefore he instituting thatHouse for the finding out of the truenatureofallthings,(wherebyGodmighthavethemoregloryinthe
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workmanshipofthem,andinsertthemorefruitintheuseofthem),didgiveitalsothatsecondname.
Butnow
to
come
to
our
present
purpose.
When
the
king
had
forbidden to all his people navigation into any part thatwas notunder his crown, hemade nevertheless this ordinance; that everytwelveyearsthereshouldbesetforth,outofthiskingdomtwoships,appointed to several voyages; That in either of these ships thereshouldbeamissionofthreeoftheFellowsorBrethrenofSalomonsHouse;whoseerrandwasonly togiveusknowledgeof theaffairsand state of those countries to which they were designed, andespeciallyof the sciences,arts,manufactures,and inventionsofall
theworld;
and
withal
to
bring
unto
us
books,
instruments,
and
patterns in every kind: That the ships, after they had landed thebrethren,shouldreturn;andthatthebrethrenshouldstayabroadtillthenewmission.These shipsarenototherwise fraught, thanwithstoreofvictuals,andgoodquantityof treasure to remainwith thebrethren, for the buying of such things and rewarding of suchpersons as they should think fit.Now forme to tell youhow thevulgarsortofmarinersarecontainedfrombeingdiscoveredatland;and how they that must be put on shore for any time, colour
themselvesunder
the
names
of
other
nations;
and
to
what
places
thesevoyageshavebeendesigned;andwhatplacesof rendezvousareappointedforthenewmissions;andthelikecircumstancesofthepractique;Imaynotdoit:neitherisitmuchtoyourdesire.Butthusyou seewemaintaina tradenot forgold, silver,orjewels;nor forsilks;norforspices;noranyothercommodityofmatter;butonlyforGods first creature,whichwas Light: to have light (I say) of thegrowthofallpartsoftheworld.
Andwhen
he
had
said
this,
he
was
silent;
and
so
were
we
all.
For
indeedwewereallastonishedtohearsostrangethingssoprobablytold.Andhe,perceiving thatwewerewillingtosaysomewhatbuthaditnotreadyingreatcourtesytookusoff,anddescendedtoaskusquestionsofourvoyageand fortunesand in theendconcluded,thatwemightdowelltothinkwithourselveswhattimeofstaywewoulddemandof thestate;andbadeusnot toscantourselves; forhewouldprocuresuch timeaswedesired:Whereuponweallroseup, and presented ourselves to kiss the skirt of his tippet;but he
wouldnot
suffer
us;
and
so
took
his
leave.
But
when
it
came
once
amongst our people that the state used to offer conditions tostrangers thatwould stay,wehadwork enough togetanyofourmen to look toourship;and tokeep them fromgoingpresently to
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thegovernor to crave conditions.Butwithmuchadowe refrainedthem,tillwemightagreewhatcoursetotake.
Wetook
ourselves
now
for
free
men,
seeing
there
was
no
danger
of
ourutterperdition;andlivedmostjoyfully,goingabroadandseeingwhat was to be seen in the city and places adjacent within ourtedder;andobtainingacquaintancewithmanyofthecity,notofthemeanestquality;atwhosehandswefoundsuchhumanity,andsuchafreedomanddesiretotakestrangersasitwereintotheirbosom,aswas enough tomakeus forget all thatwasdear tous inourowncountries:andcontinuallywemetwithmanythingsrightworthyofobservationandrelation:asindeed,iftherebeamirrorintheworld
worthyto
hold
mens
eyes,
it
is
that
country.
Oneday therewere twoofour companybidden to aFeastof theFamily,astheycallit.Amostnatural,pious,andreverendcustomitis,shewingthatnationtobecompoundedofallgoodness.Thisisthemanner of it. It is granted to anyman that shall live to see thirtypersonsdescended of hisbody alive together, and all above threeyearsold, tomake this feastwhich isdoneat thecostof the state.TheFatheroftheFamily,whomtheycalltheTirsan,twodaysbefore
thefeast,
taketh
to
him
three
of
such
friends
as
he
liketh
to
choose;
and isassistedalsoby thegovernorof the cityorplacewhere thefeast iscelebrated;andall thepersonsof the family,ofboth sexes,are summoned toattendhim.These twodays theTirsan sitteth inconsultationconcerningthegoodestateofthefamily.There,iftherebe any discord or suits between any of the family, they arecompoundedandappeased.There,ifanyofthefamilybedistressedordecayed,order is taken for their reliefand competentmeans tolive. There, if anybe subject to vice, or take ill courses, they are
reprovedand
censured.
So
likewise
direction
is
given
touching
marriages,and the coursesof life,whichanyof them should take,withdiversotherthelikeordersandadvices.Thegovernorassisteth,totheendtoputinexecutionbyhispublicauthoritythedecreesandordersoftheTirsan,iftheyshouldbedisobeyed;thoughthatseldomneedeth; such reverence and obedience they give to the order ofnature.TheTirsandothalsotheneverchooseonemanfromamonghissons,toliveinhousewithhim;whoiscalledeveraftertheSonoftheVine.Thereasonwillhereafterappear.
On the feast day, the father or Tirsan cometh forth after divineservice intoa largeroomwhere thefeast iscelebrated;whichroomhathanhalfpaceattheupperend.Againstthewall,inthemiddleof
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thehalfpace,isachairplacedforhim,withatableandcarpetbeforeit.Overthechair isastate,maderoundoroval,and itisofivy;anivysomewhatwhiterthanours,liketheleafofasilverasp;butmore
shining;for
it
is
green
all
winter.
And
the
state
is
curiously
wrought
withsilverandsilkofdiverscolours,broidingorbindingintheivy;andiseveroftheworkofsomeofthedaughtersofthefamily;andveiled over at the topwith a fine net of silk and silver. But thesubstanceofitistrueivy;whereof,afteritistakendown,thefriendsofthefamilyaredesiroustohavesomeleaforsprigtokeep.
TheTirsancomethforthwithallhisgenerationorlinage,themalesbeforehim,andthefemalesfollowinghim;andiftherebeamother
fromwhose
body
the
whole
linage
is
descended,
there
is
atraverse
placed ina loftaboveon the righthandof the chair,withaprivydoor, and a carvedwindow of glass, leadedwith gold andblue;whereshesitteth,butisnotseen.WhentheTirsaniscomeforth,hesittethdowninthechair;andallthelinageplacethemselvesagainstthewall,bothathisbackandupon the returnof thehalfpace, inorderof theiryearswithoutdifferenceofsex;andstandupon theirfeet.Whenheisset;theroombeingalwaysfullofcompany,butwellkeptandwithoutdisorder;aftersomepause, therecometh in from
thelower
end
of
the
room,
ataratan
(which
is
as
much
as
an
herald)
andon either side ofhim two young lads;whereof one carrieth ascrollof their shiningyellowparchment;and theotheraclusterofgrapesofgold,withalongfootorstalk.Theheraldandchildrenareclothed with mantles of seawater green satin; but the heraldsmantleisstreamedwithgold,andhathatrain.
Then theheraldwith threecurtesies,or rather inclinations,comethup as far as thehalfpace; and there first taketh intohishand the
scroll.This
scroll
is
the
kings
charter,
containing
gifts
of
revenew,
andmanyprivileges,exemptions,andpointsofhonour,granted totheFatheroftheFamily;andiseverstyledanddirected,Tosuchdooneourwellbelovedfriendandcreditor:whichisatitleproperonlyto this case. For they say the king is debtor to noman,but forpropagationofhissubjects.Thesealset to thekingscharter is thekings image, imbossed or moulded in gold; and though suchchartersbeexpeditedofcourse,andasofright,yettheyarevariedby discretion, according to the number and dignity of the family.
Thischarter
the
herald
readeth
aloud;
and
while
it
is
read,
the
father
or Tirsan standeth up supportedby two of his sons, such as hechooseth.Thentheheraldmounteththehalfpaceanddelivereththecharter intohishand: andwith that there isanacclamationby all
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thatarepresent in their language,which is thusmuch:HappyarethepeopleofBensalem.
Thenthe
herald
taketh
into
his
hand
from
the
other
child
the
cluster
ofgrapes,which isofgold,both the stalkand thegrapes.But thegrapesaredaintilyenamelled;and if themalesofthe familybethegreaternumber,thegrapesareenamelledpurple,withalittlesunseton the top; if the females, then theyare enamelled intoagreenishyellow,with a crescent on the top. The grapes are in number asmanyastherearedescendantsofthefamily.ThisgoldenclustertheheralddeliverethalsototheTirsan;whopresentlydeliverethitovertothatsonthathehadformerlychosentobeinhousewithhim:who
bearethit
before
his
father
as
an
ensign
of
honour
when
he
goeth
in
public,everafter;andisthereuponcalledtheSonoftheVine.
After the ceremony endeth the father or Tirsan retireth; and aftersome time cometh forth again to dinner, where he sitteth aloneunderthestate,asbefore;andnoneofhisdescendantssitwithhim,ofwhatdegreeordignitysoever,excepthehap tobeofSalomonsHouse.Heisservedonlybyhisownchildren,suchasaremale;whoperform unto him all service of the table upon the knee; and the
womenonly
stand
about
him,
leaning
against
the
wall.
The
room
below thehalfpacehath tableson the sides for theguests thatarebidden;whoareservedwithgreatandcomelyorder;and towardsthe end of dinner (which in the greatest feastswith them lastethnever above an hour and an half) there is an hymn sung, variedaccording to the inventionofhim that composeth it (for theyhaveexcellentposy)butthesubjectof it is (always) thepraisesofAdamandNoahandAbraham;whereoftheformertwopeopledtheworld,and the lastwas theFatherof theFaithful: concludingeverwitha
thanksgivingfor
the
nativity
of
our
Saviour,
in
whose
birth
the
births
ofallareonlyblessed.
Dinnerbeingdone,theTirsanretirethagain;andhavingwithdrawnhimselfaloneintoaplace,wherehemakessomeprivateprayers,hecometh forth the third time, to give the blessing with all hisdescendants,who stand about him as at the first.Then he calleththem forthby one andby one,by name, as he pleaseth, thoughseldom theorderofagebe inverted.Theperson that is called (thetable
being
before
removed)
kneeleth
down
before
the
chair,
and
the
father layethhishanduponhishead,orherhead,andgiveth theblessinginthesewords:
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SonofBensalem, (ordaughterofBensalem,) thy fatherwith it: themanby whom thou hastbreath and life speaketh theword: theblessingoftheeverlastingFather,thePrinceofPeace,andtheHoly
Dove,be
upon
thee,
and
make
the
days
of
thy
pilgrimage
good
and
many.
Thishesaithtoeveryofthem;andthatdone,iftherebeanyofhissons of eminentmerit and virtue, (so theybe not above two,) hecallethforthemagain;andsaith,layinghisarmovertheirshoulders,theystanding:
Sons,itiswellyeareborn,giveGodthepraise,andperseveretothe
end.
Andwithalldeliverethtoeitherofthemajewel,madeinthefigureofanearofwheat,which theyeverafterwear in the frontof theirturbanorhat.Thisdone, they fall tomusicanddances,andotherrecreations,aftertheirmanner,fortherestoftheday.Thisisthefullorderofthatfeast.
Bythattimesixorsevendayswerespent,Iwasfallenintostraightacquaintance
with
amerchant
of
that
city,
whose
name
was
Joabin.
HewasaJewandcircumcised:fortheyhavesomefewstirpsofJewsyetremainingamongthem,whomthey leavetotheirownreligion.Which theymay thebetterdo,because they are of a fardifferingdisposition from theJews inotherparts.Forwhereas theyhate thenameofChrist;andhaveasecretinbredrancouragainstthepeopleamongwhom they live: these (contrariwise)giveuntoourSaviourmany high attributes, and love the nation of Bensalem extremely.Surely thisman of whom I speak would ever acknowledge thatChrist
was
born
of
avirgin
and
that
he
was
more
than
aman;
and
he
would tellhowGodmadehimruleroftheseraphimswhichguardhisthrone;andtheycallhimalsotheMilkenWay,andtheEliahoftheMessiah; andmany other high names;which though theybeinferior tohisdivinemajesty,yet theyare far from the languageofotherJews.
And for thecountryofBensalem, thismanwouldmakenoendof
commending
it;
being
desirous,
by
tradition
among
the
Jews
there,
to
have itbelieved that thepeople thereofwereof thegenerationsofAbraham,byanotherson,whomtheycallNachoran;andthatMosesbyasecretCabalaordained theLawsofBensalemwhich theynow
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use;andthatwhentheMessiahshouldcome,andsitinhisthroneatHierusalem, the king of Bensalem should sit at his feet,whereasotherkingsshouldkeepagreatdistance.Butyetsettingasidethese
Jewishdreams,
the
man
was
awise
man,
and
learned,
and
of
great
policy,andexcellentlyseeninthelawsandcustomsofthatnation.
Amongstotherdiscourses,oneday I toldhim IwasmuchaffectedwiththerelationIhad,fromsomeofthecompany,oftheircustom,inholdingtheFeastoftheFamily;forthat(methought)Ihadneverheard of a solemnity wherein nature did so much preside. Andbecause propagation of families proceedeth from the nuptialcopulation, Idesired toknowofhimwhat lawsand customs they
hadconcerning
marriage;
and
whether
they
kept
marriage
well
and
whethertheyweretiedtoonewife;forthatwherepopulationissomuch affected, and such aswith them it seemed tobe, there iscommonlypermissionofpluralityofwives.
To this he said, You have reason for to commend that excellentinstitution of the Feast of the Family. And indeed we haveexperience that those families that arepartakers of theblessing ofthat feast do flourish and prosper ever after in an extraordinary
manner.But
hear
me
now,
and
Iwill
tell
you
what
Iknow.
You
shall
understandthatthereisnotundertheheavenssochasteanationasthisofBensalem;norsofreefromallpollutionorfoulness. It is thevirginoftheworld.IrememberIhavereadinoneofyourEuropeanbooks,ofanholyhermitamongstyouthatdesiredtoseetheSpiritofFornication;andthereappearedtohimalittlefouluglythiop.ButifhehaddesiredtoseetheSpiritofChastityofBensalem,itwouldhaveappeared tohim in the likenessofa fairbeautifulCherubim.For there isnothingamongstmortalmenmore fairandadmirable,
thanthe
chaste
minds
of
this
people.
Know
therefore,
that
with
them
therearenostews,nodissolutehouses,nocourtesans,noranythingof thatkind.Nay theywonder (withdetestation)atyou inEurope,which permit such things. They say ye have putmarriage out ofoffice: for marriage is ordained a remedy for unlawfulconcupiscence; and natural concupiscence seemeth as a spar tomarriage.Butwhenmenhaveathandaremedymoreagreeable totheircorruptwill,marriage isalmostexpulsed.Andthereforetherearewith you seen infinitemen thatmarry not,but chose rather a
libertineand
impure
single
life,
than
to
be
yoked
in
marriage;
and
many that domarry,marry late,when the prime and strength oftheir years ispast.Andwhen theydomarry,what ismarriage tothembutaverybargain;wherein is soughtalliance,orportion,or
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reputation,with somedesire (almost indifferent) of issue; andnotthefaithfulnuptialunionofmanandwife,thatwasfirstinstituted.Neither is it possible that those that have cast away sobasely so
muchof
their
strength,
should
greatly
esteem
children,
(being
of
the
samematter,)aschastemendo.Solikewiseduringmarriage,isthecasemuchamended,asitoughttobeifthosethingsweretoleratedonly for necessity?No,but they remain still as a very affront tomarriage. The haunting of those dissolute places, or resort tocourtesans,arenomorepunishedinmarriedmenthaninbachelors.Andthedepravedcustomofchange,andthedelightinmeretriciousembracements,(wheresinisturnedintoart,)makethmarriageadullthing,andakindof impositionor tax.Theyhearyoudefend these
things,as
done
to
avoid
greater
evils;
as
advoutries,
deflowering
of
virgins, unnatural lust, and the like. But they say this is apreposterouswisdom;and they call itLots offer,who to savehisguestsfromabusing,offeredhisdaughters:naytheysayfartherthatthereislittlegainedinthis;forthatthesamevicesandappetitesdostill remainandabound;unlawful lustbeing likea furnace, that ifyoustoptheflamesaltogether,itwillquench;butifyougiveitanyvent,itwillrage.Asformasculinelove,theyhavenotouchofit;andyet therearenot so faithfuland inviolate friendships in theworld
againas
are
there;
and
to
speak
generally,
(as
Isaid
before,)
Ihave
notreadofanysuchchastity,inanypeopleastheirs.Andtheirusualsayingis,Thatwhosoeverisunchastecannotreverencehimself;andtheysay,That thereverenceofamansself, is,next toreligion, thechiefestbridleofallvices.
Andwhenhehadsaidthis,thegoodJewpausedalittle;whereuponI, farmorewilling tohearhim speakon than to speakmyself,yetthinking it decent that upon his pause of speech I should notbe
altogethersilent,
said
only
this;
That
Iwould
say
to
him,
as
the
widowofSareptasaidtoElias;thathewascometobringtomemoryour sins; and that I confess the righteousness of Bensalem wasgreater than the righteousness of Europe. At which speech hebowedhishead,andwentoninthismanner:
Theyhavealsomanywise and excellent laws touchingmarriage.They allow no polygamy. They have ordained that none dointermarry or contract, until a month be past from their first
interview.Marriage
without
consent
of
parents
they
do
not
make
void,but theymulct it in the inheritors: for the children of suchmarriages are not admitted to inherit above a third part of theirparents inheritance.Ihaveread inabookofoneofyourmen,ofa
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FeignedCommonwealth,where themarried couple arepermitted,beforetheycontract,toseeoneanothernaked.Thistheydislike;fortheythinkitascorntogivearefusalaftersofamiliarknowledge:but
becauseof
many
hidden
defects
in
men
and
womens
bodies,
they
haveamore civilway; for theyhavenear every towna coupleofpools,(whichtheycallAdamandEvespools,)whereitispermittedtooneof the friendsof themen,andanotherof the friendsof thewoman,toseethemseverallybathenaked.
Andaswewere thus inconference, therecameone thatseemed tobeamessenger,inarichhuke,thatspakewiththeJew:whereuponhe turned to me and said; You will pardon me, for I am
commandedaway
in
haste.
The
next
morning
he
came
to
me
again,
joyfulasitseemed,andsaid;There iswordcometotheGovernorof thecity, thatoneof theFathersofSalomonsHousewillbeherethisday sevennight:wehave seennoneof them thisdozenyears.His coming is in state;but the causeofhis coming is secret. Iwillprovideyouandyourfellowsofagoodstandingtoseehisentry.Ithankedhim,andtoldhim,Iwasmostgladofthenews.
Thedaybeing come,hemadehis entry.Hewasamanofmiddle
statureand
age,
comely
of
person,
and
had
an
aspect
as
if
he
pitied
men.Hewasclothedinarobeoffineblackcloth,withwidesleevesandacape.Hisundergarmentwasofexcellentwhitelinendowntothefoot,girtwithagirdleofthesame;andasindonortippetofthesameabouthisneck.Hehadgloves,thatwerecurious,andsetwithstone;andshoesofpeachcolouredvelvet.Hisneckwasbaretotheshoulders.Hishatwas likeahelmet,orSpanishmontera;andhislockscurledbelowitdecently:theywereofcolourbrown.Hisbeardwas cut round, and of the same colourwith his hair, somewhat
lighter.He
was
carried
in
arich
chariot
without
wheels,
litter
wise;
with two horses at either end, richly trapped in blue velvetembroidered;and two footmenon each side in the likeattire.Thechariotwasallofcedar,gilt,andadornedwithcrystal;savethattheforeend had panels of sapphires, set inborders of gold; and thehinderendthelikeofemeraldsofthePerucolour.Therewasalsoasun of gold, radiant, upon the top, in themidst; and on the topbefore, a small cherub of gold,withwings displayed. The chariotwascoveredwithclothofgoldtissueduponblue.Hehadbeforehim
fiftyattendants,
young
men
all,
in
white
satin
loose
coats
to
the
mid
leg;andstockingsofwhitesilk;andshoesofbluevelvet;andhatsofbluevelvet;withfineplumesofdiversecolours,setround likehatbands.Nextbeforethechariot,wenttwomen,bareheaded,inlinen
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garmentsdownthefoot,girt,andshoesofbluevelvet;whocarried,theoneacrosier,theotherapastoralstafflikeasheephook;neitherofthemofmetal,butthecrosierofbalmwood,thepastoralstaffof
cedar.Horsemen
he
had
none,
neither
before
nor
behind
his
chariot:
as it seemeth, to avoid all tumult and trouble. Behind his chariotwentalltheofficersandprincipalsofthecompaniesofthecity.Hesatalone,uponcushionsofakindofexcellentplush,blue;andunderhisfootcuriouscarpetsofsilkofdiversecolours,likethePersian,butfar finer. He held up his bare hand as he went, as blessing thepeople,butinsilence.Thestreetwaswonderfullywellkept:sothattherewasneveranyarmyhadtheirmenstandinbetterbattlearraythanthepeoplestood.Thewindowslikewisewerenotcrowded,but
everyone
stood
in
them
as
if
they
had
been
placed.
Whentheshewwaspast,theJewsaidtome;Ishallnotbeabletoattendyouas Iwould, in regardof somecharge the cityhath laiduponme,fortheentertainingofthisgreatperson.ThreedaysaftertheJew came tome again, and said; Ye are happymen; for theFather of SalomonsHouse taketh knowledge of yourbeing here,andcommandedmetotellyouthathewilladmitallyourcompanytohispresence,andhaveprivateconferencewithoneofyou,thatye
shallchoose:
and
for
this
hath
appointed
the
next
day
after
to
morrow.Andbecausehemeanethtogiveyouhisblessing,hehathappointeditintheforenoon.
Wecameatourdayandhour,andIwaschosenbymy fellowsfortheprivateaccess.We foundhim ina fairchamber, richlyhanged,andcarpetedunderfootwithoutanydegreestothestate.HewassetuponalowThronerichlyadorned,andarichclothofstateoverhishead,ofbluesatinembroidered.Hewasalone,savethathehadtwo
pagesof
honour,
on
either
hand
one,
finely
attired
in
white.
His
undergarmentswere the like thatwesawhimwear in thechariot;butinsteadofhisgown,hehadonhimamantlewithacape,ofthesamefineblack,fastenedabouthim.Whenwecamein,asweweretaught,webowedlowatourfirstentrance;andwhenwewerecomenearhischair,hestoodup,holdingforthhishandungloved,andinposture ofblessing; andwe every one of us stooped down, andkissed the hem of his tippet. That done, the rest departed, and Iremained.Thenhewarnedthepagesforthoftheroom,andcaused
meto
sit
down
beside
him,
and
spake
to
me
thus
in
the
Spanish
tongue.
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Godbless thee,my son; Iwillgive thee thegreatestjewel Ihave.ForIwillimpartuntothee,fortheloveofGodandmen,arelationofthetruestateofSalomonsHouse.Son, tomakeyouknow the true
stateof
Salomons
House,
Iwill
keep
this
order.
First,
Iwill
set
forth
untoyoutheendofourfoundation.Secondly,thepreparationsandinstruments we have for our works. Thirdly, the severalemploymentsand functionswheretoour fellowsareassigned.Andfourthly,theordinancesandriteswhichweobserve.
Theendofour foundation is theknowledgeofcauses,andsecretmotionsofthings;andtheenlargingoftheboundsofhumanempire,totheeffectingofallthingspossible.
The Preparations and Instruments are these.We have large anddeep caves of several depths: the deepest are sunk six hundredfathom: and someof them aredigged andmadeundergreathillsandmountains:so that ifyou reckon together thedepthof thehillandthedepthofthecave,theyare(someofthem)abovethreemilesdeep.Forwe find, that thedepthofahill,and thedepthofacavefromtheflat,isthesamething;bothremotealike,fromthesunandheavensbeams, and from the open air. These caves we call the
LowerRegion;
and
we
use
them
for
all
coagulations,
indurations,
refrigerations,andconservationsofbodies.Weusethemlikewiseforthe imitation of natural mines; and the producing also of newartificialmetals,by compositionsandmaterialswhichweuse,andlaythereformanyyears.Weusethemalsosometimes,(whichmayseemstrange,) forcuringofsomediseases,and forprolongationoflifeinsomehermitsthatchoosetolivethere,wellaccommodatedofall thingsnecessary, and indeed livevery long;bywhom alsowelearnmanythings.
Wehaveburialsinseveralearths,whereweputdiversecements,asthe Chineses do their porcellain. But we have them in greatervariety,andsomeof themmore fine.Wehavealsogreatvarietyofcompostsandsoils,forthemakingoftheearthfruitful.
Wehavehigh towers; thehighestabouthalfamile inheight;andsomeofthemlikewisesetuponhighmountains;sothatthevantageofthehillwiththetowerisinthehighestofthemthreemilesatleast.And
these
places
we
call
the
Upper
Region;
accounting
the
air
between thehighplacesand the low,asaMiddleRegion.Weusethese towers,according to their severalheights,and situations, forinsolation, refrigeration, conservation; and for the view of divers
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meteors;aswinds, rain, snow,hail;and someof the fierymeteorsalso. And upon them, in some places, are dwellings of hermits,whomwevisitsometimes,andinstructwhattoobserve.
Wehavegreatlakes,bothsalt,andfresh;whereofwehaveuseforthe fish and fowl.We use them also forburials of some naturalbodies: forwe find adifference in thingsburied in earthor in airbelowtheearth,andthingsburiedinwater.Wehavealsopools,ofwhich somedo strain freshwateroutof salt;andothersbyartdoturn freshwater intosalt.Wehavealsosomerocks in themidstofthesea,andsomebaysupon theshore forsomeworks,wherein isrequired the air and vapor of the sea.We have likewise violent
streamsand
cataracts,
which
serve
us
for
many
motions:
and
likewiseenginesformultiplyingandenforcingofwinds,tosetalsoongoingdiversemotions.
Wehavealsoanumberofartificialwellsand fountains,made inimitation of thenatural sources andbaths; as tincteduponvitriol,sulphur, steel,brass, lead,nitre,andotherminerals.Andagainwehavelittlewellsforinfusionsofmanythings,wherethewaterstakethevirtuequickerandbetter,thaninvesselsorbasins.Andamongst
themwe
have
awater
which
we
call
Water
of
Paradise,
being,
by
thatwedotoitmadeverysovereignforhealth,andprolongationoflife.
We have also great and spacious houses wherewe imitate anddemonstrate meteors; as snow, hail, rain, some artificial rains ofbodies and not ofwater, thunders, lightnings; also generations ofbodiesinair;asfrogs,flies,anddiversothers.
Wehave
also
certain
chambers,
which
we
call
Chambers
of
Health,
wherewequalifytheairaswethinkgoodandproperforthecureofdiversdiseases,andpreservationofhealth.
Wehavealsofairandlargebaths,ofseveralmixtures,forthecureof diseases, and the restoring ofmansbody from arefaction: andothersfortheconfirmingofitinstrengthofsinewes,vitalparts,andtheveryjuiceandsubstanceofthebody.
Wehavealsolargeandvariousorchardsandgardens;whereinwedonotsomuchrespectbeauty,asvarietyofgroundandsoil,properfordiverstreesandherbs:andsomeveryspacious,wheretreesand
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berriesaresetwhereofwemakediverskindsofdrinks,besidesthevineyards. In thesewepractise likewiseallconclusionsofgrafting,andinoculatingaswellofwildtreesasfruittrees,whichproduceth
manyeffects.
And
we
make
(by
art)
in
the
same
orchards
and
gardens,treesandflowerstocomeearlierorlaterthantheirseasons;andtocomeupandbearmorespeedilythanbytheirnaturalcoursetheydo.Wemakethemalsobyartgreatermuch thantheirnature;and their fruit greater and sweeter and of differing taste, smell,colour, and figure, from their nature. Andmany of them we soorder,astheybecomeofmedicinaluse.
We have alsomeans tomake divers plants risebymixtures of
earthswithout
seeds;
and
likewise
to
make
divers
new
plants,
differing from thevulgar;and tomakeone treeorplant turn intoanother.
Wehavealsoparksandenclosuresofallsortsofbeastsandbirdswhich we use not only for view or rareness, but likewise fordissectionsand trials; that therebywemay take lightwhatmaybewrought upon thebody ofman.Whereinwe findmany strangeeffects; as continuing life in them, thoughdiversparts,whichyou
accountvital,
be
perished
and
taken
forth;
resuscitating
of
some
that
seemdead inappearance;and the like.We tryalsoallpoisonsandothermedicinesupon them,aswellofchirurgery,asphysic.Byartlikewise, wemake them greater or taller than their kind is; andcontrariwisedwarfthem,andstaytheirgrowth:wemakethemmorefruitfulandbearing than theirkind is;andcontrariwisebarrenandnotgenerative.Alsowemakethemdiffer incolour,shape,activity,manyways.Wefindmeanstomakecommixturesandcopulationsofdifferent kinds;which haveproducedmany new kinds, and them
notbarren,
as
the
general
opinion
is.
We
make
anumber
of
kinds
of
serpents, worms, flies, fishes, of putrefaction; whereof some areadvanced (ineffect) tobeperfectcreatures, likebestsorbirds;andhavesexes,anddopropagate.Neitherdowethisbychance,butweknowbeforehand, of whatmatter and commixturewhat kind ofthosecreatureswillarise.
Wehavealsoparticularpools,wherewemaketrialsuponfishes,aswehavesaidbeforeofbeastsandbirds.
We have also places forbreed and generation of those kinds ofwormsandflieswhichareofspecialuse;suchasarewithyouyoursilkwormsandbees.
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Iwillnotholdyoulongwithrecountingofourbrewhouses,bakehouses, and kitchens,where aremade divers drinks,breads, andmeats, rare and of special effects.Wineswe have of grapes; and
drinksof
other
juice
of
fruits,
of
grains,
and
of
roots;
and
of
mixtures
withhoney, sugar,manna,and fruitsdried, anddecocted;Alsoofthetearsorwoundingsoftrees;andofthepulpofcanes.Andthesedrinksareofseveralages,sometotheageorlastoffortyyears.Wehavedrinksalsobrewedwith severalherbs,and roots,and spices;yea with several fleshes, and whitemeats; whereof some of thedrinks are such,as they are in effectmeat anddrinkboth: so thatdivers,especiallyinage,dodesiretolivewiththem,withlittleornomeatorbread.Andaboveall,westrivetohavedrinkofextremethin
parts,to
insinuate
into
the
body,
and
yet
without
all
biting,
sharpness,orfretting;insomuchassomeofthemputuponthebackofyourhandwill,witha littlestay,pass through to thepalm,andyettastemildtothemouth.Wehavealsowaterswhichweripeninthat fashion, as theybecome nourishing; so that they are indeedexcellent drink; and.many will use no other. Breads we have ofseveral grains, roots, and kernels; yea and some of flesh and fishdried;withdiverskindsofleaveningsandseasonings:sothatsomedoextremelymoveappetites;somedonourishso,asdiversdolive
ofthem,
without
any
other
meat;
who
live
very
long.
So
for
meats,
wehavesomeofthemsobeatenandmadetenderandmortified,yetwithoutallcorrupting,asaweakheatofthestomachwillturntheminto good chylus; aswell as a strong heatwouldmeat otherwiseprepared.Wehave somemeatsalsoandbreadsanddrinks,whichtakenbymen enable them to fast long after;and someother, thatusedmake thevery fleshofmensbodies sensiblymorehardandtoughandtheirstrengthfargreaterthanotherwiseitwouldbe.
Wehave
dispensatories,
or
shops
of
medicines.
Wherein
you
may
easily think, ifwehave suchvarietyofplantsand living creaturesmore thanyouhave inEurope, (forweknowwhatyouhave,) thesimples,drugs,andingredientsofmedicines,mustlikewisebeinsomuchthegreatervariety.Wehavethemlikewiseofdiversages,andlongfermentations.Andfortheirpreparations,wehavenotonlyallmannerofexquisitedistillationsandseparations,andespeciallybygentle heats and percolations through divers strainers, yea andsubstances; but also exact forms of composition, whereby they
incorporatealmost,
as
they
were
natural
simples.
We have also diversmechanical arts, which you have not; andstuffsmadebythem;aspapers,linen,silks,tissues;daintyworksof
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feathersofwonderful lustre; excellentdies, and,manyothers;andshops likewise,aswell forsuchasarenotbrought intovulgaruseamongst us as for those that are. For youmust know that of the
thingsbefore
recited,
many
of
them
are
grown
into
use
throughout
thekingdom;butyet,iftheydidflowfromourinvention,wehaveofthemalsoforpatternsandprincipals.
We have also furnaces of great diversities, and that keep greatdiversity of heats; fierce and quick; strong and constant; soft andmild;blown,quiet;dry,moist;and the like.Butaboveall,wehaveheats,inimitationoftheSunsandheavenlybodiesheats,thatpassdivers inequalities, and (as itwere) orbs, progresses, and returns,
wherebywe
produce
admirable
effects.
Besides,
we
have
heats
of
dungs; and ofbellies andmaws of living creatures, and of theirbloods andbodies; and of hays and herbs laid upmoist; of limeunquenched; and such like. Instruments alsowhich generate heatonlybymotion.Andfarther,placesforstronginsulations;andagain,places under the earth,whichby nature, or art, yield heat. Thesediversheatsweuse,asthenatureoftheoperation,whichweintend,requireth.
Wehave
also
perspective
houses,
where
we
make
demonstrations
of all lights and radiations; and of all colours: and out of thingsuncolouredand transparent,we can representuntoyouall severalcolours; not in rainbows, (as it is in gems, and prisms,) but ofthemselves single. We represent also all multiplications of light,whichwe carry togreatdistance,andmake so sharpas todiscernsmallpoints and lines.Also all colourations of light; alldelusionsanddeceitsofthesight,infigures,magnitudes,motions,coloursalldemonstrations of shadows. We find also divers means, yet
unknownto
you,
of
producing
of
light
originally
from
divers
bodies.
Weprocuremeansof seeingobjectsafaroff;as in theheavenandremoteplaces;andrepresentthingsnearasafaroff;andthingsafaroff as near;making feigned distances.We have also helps for thesight, farabovespectaclesandglasses inuse.Wehavealsoglassesandmeans toseesmallandminutebodiesperfectlyanddistinctly;astheshapesandcoloursofsmallfliesandworms,grainsandflawsingems,whichcannototherwisebeseen,observationsinurineandbloodnototherwisetobeseen.Wemakeartificialrainbows,halos,
andcircles
about
light.
We
represent
also
all
manner
of
reflexions,
refractions,andmultiplicationsofvisualbeamsofobjects.
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Wehavealsoprecious stonesofallkinds,manyof themofgreatbeauty,andtoyouunknown;crystalslikewise;andglassesofdiverskinds; and amongst them some of metals vitrificated, and other
materialsbesides
those
of
which
you
make
glass.
Also
anumber
of
fossils, and imperfect minerals, which you have not. Likewiseloadstonesofprodigiousvirtue;andotherrarestones,bothnaturalandartificial.
Wehavealsosoundhouses,wherewepractiseanddemonstrateallsounds,and theirgeneration.Wehaveharmonieswhichyouhavenot, of quartersounds, and lesser slides of sounds. Diversinstrumentsofmusic likewise toyouunknown,somesweeter than
anyyou
have,
together
with
bells
and
rings
that
are
dainty
and
sweet.Werepresentsmallsoundsasgreatanddeep;likewisegreatsounds extenuate and sharp; we make divers tremblings andwarblingsofsounds,whichintheiroriginalareentire.Werepresentandimitateallarticulatesoundsandletters,andthevoicesandnotesofbeastsandbirds.Wehave certainhelpswhich set to theeardofurtherthehearinggreatly.Wehavealsodiversstrangeandartificialechoes,reflectingthevoicemanytimes,andasitweretossingit:andsomethatgivebackthevoicelouderthanitcame,someshriller,and
somedeeper;
yea,
some
rendering
the
voice
differing
in
the
letters
or
articulate sound from that they receive. We have also means toconveysoundsintrunksandpipes,instrangelinesanddistances.
Wehavealsoperfumehouses;wherewithwejoinalsopracticesoftaste. We multiply smells, which may seem strange. We imitatesmells,makingallsmellstobreatheoutsofothermixturesthanthosethatgivethem.Wemakedivers imitationsoftaste likewise,sothattheywilldeceiveanymanstaste.Andinthishousewecontainalso
aconfiture
house;
where
we
make
all
sweet
meats,
dry
and
moist;
anddiverspleasantwines,milks,broths,and sallets; in fargreatervarietythanyouhave.
We have also enginehouses, where are prepared engines andinstrumentsforallsortsofmotions.Thereweimitateandpractisetomakeswiftermotionsthananyyouhave,eitheroutofyourmusketsoranyengine thatyouhave:andtomakethemandmultiplythemmoreeasily,andwithsmallforce,bywheelsandothermeans:andtomake
them
stronger
and
more
violent
than
yours
are;
exceeding
yourgreatestcannonsandbasilisks.Werepresentalsoordnanceandinstruments of war, and engines of all kinds: and likewise newmixtures and compositions of gunpowder, wildfires burning in
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31
water, and unquenchable. Also fireworks of all variety both forpleasure and use.We imitate also flights ofbirds;we have somedegreesofflyingintheair.Wehaveshipsandboatsforgoingunder
water,and
brooking
of
seas;
also
swimming
girdles
and
supporters.
Wehavediverscuriousclocks,andotherlikemotionsofreturn:andsomeperpetualmotions.Weimitatealsomotionsoflivingcreatures,byimages,ofmen,beasts,birds,fishes,andserpents.Wehavealsoagreatnumberofothervariousmotions,strangeforequality,fineness,andsubtilty.
We have also a mathematical house, where are represented allinstruments,aswellofgeometryasastronomy,exquisitelymade.
Wehavealsohousesofdeceitsofthesenses;wherewerepresentallmanner of feats of juggling, false apparitions, impostures, andillusions;andtheir fallacies.Andsurelyyouwilleasilybelieve thatwethathavesomanythingstrulynaturalwhichinduceadmiration,could in a world of particulars deceive the senses, if we woulddisguise those things and labour to make them seem moremiraculous.Butwedohateallimpostures,andlies;insomuchaswehaveseverelyforbiddenittoallourfellows,underpainofignominy
andfines,
that
they
do
not
show
any
natural
work
or
thing,
adorned
or swelling;but only pure as it is, andwithout all affectation ofstrangeness.
Theseare(myson)therichesofSalomonsHouse.
For the several employments and officesofour fellows;wehavetwelve that sail into foreign countries, under the names of othernations, (for our ownwe conceal);whobring us thebooks, andabstracts,
and
patterns
of
experiments
of
all
other
parts.
These
we
callMerchantsofLight.
Wehave three thatcollect theexperimentswhichare inallbooks.ThesewecallDepredators.
Wehave three that collect the experimentsofallmechanicalarts;and also of liberal sciences; and also of practices which are not
broughtinto
arts.
These
we
call
Mystery
men.
Wehavethreethattrynewexperiments,suchasthemselvesthinkgood.ThesewecallPioneersorMiners.
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Wehave three thatdraw the experimentsof the former four intotitles and tables, to give the better light for the drawing ofobservationsandaxiomsoutofthem.ThesewecallCompilers.
Wehave three thatbend themselves, looking intotheexperimentsof their fellows,andcastabouthow todrawoutof them thingsofuseandpractiseformanslife,andknowledge,aswellforworksasforplaindemonstrationofcauses,meansofnaturaldivinations,andtheeasyandcleardiscoveryofthevirtuesandpartsofbodies.ThesewecallDowrymenorBenefactors.
Thenafterdiversmeetingsand consultsofourwholenumber, to
considerof
the
former
labours
and
collections,
we
have
three
that
takecare,outof them, todirectnewexperiments,ofahigher light,morepenetratingintonaturethantheformer.ThesewecallLamps.
Wehave threeothers thatdoexecute theexperimentssodirected,andreportthem.ThesewecallInoculators.
Lastly, we have three that raise the former discoveries byexperimentsintogreaterobservations,axioms,andaphorisms.Thesewe
call
Interpreters
of
Nature.
Wehavealso,asyoumustthink,novicesandapprentices,thatthesuccessionoftheformeremployedmendonotfail;besides,agreatnumberofservantsandattendants,menandwomen.And thiswedo also: we have consultations, which of the inventions andexperiences which we have discovered shall be published, andwhichnot:andtakeallanoathofsecrecy,fortheconcealingofthose
which
we
think
fit
to
keep
secret:
though
some
of
those
we
do
reveal
sometimestothestateandsomenot.
For our ordinances and rites: we have two very long and fairgalleries:inoneoftheseweplacepatternsandsamplesofallmannerof themore rareandexcellent inventions in theotherweplace thestatuesofallprincipal inventors.Therewehave the statueofyourColumbus, that discovered the West Indies: also the inventor ofships: your monk that was the inventor of ordnance and of
gunpowder:the
inventor
of
music:
the
inventor
of
letters:
the
inventorofprinting: the inventorofobservationsofastronomy:theinventorofworksinmetal:theinventorofglass:theinventorofsilkof theworm: the inventorofwine: the inventorofcornandbread:
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the inventorofsugars:andallthese,bymorecertaintraditionthanyouhave.Thenhavewedivers inventorsofourown,of excellentworks;which since you have not seen, itwere too long tomake
descriptionsof
them;
and
besides,
in
the
right
understanding
of
thosedescriptionsyoumighteasilyerr.Foruponeveryinventionofvalue,weerectastatue to the inventor,andgivehima liberalandhonourablereward.Thesestatuesaresomeofbrass;someofmarbleand touchstone; some of cedar and other specialwoods gilt andadorned;someofiron;someofsilver;someofgold.
Wehavecertainhymnsandservices,whichwesaydaily,ofLordandthankstoGodforhismarvellousworks:andformsofprayers,
imploringhis
aid
and
blessing
for
the
illumination
of
our
labours,
andtheturningofthemintogoodandholyuses.
Lastly,we have circuits or visits of divers principal cities of thekingdom; where, as it cometh to pass, we do publish such newprofitable inventions as we think good.