freely and copiously upon it, and have given certain pertinent
_Instructions_, touching the _Time_, and _Manner_, as well as _Conduct_
of the _Parties_ concern’d, both before and after the ACT: Particularly
_Avicenna_[37] (no _Proletarian Writer_, but a most Illustrious and most
Learned _Prince_) has insisted at large upon every Case belonging to
this Head, together with the _Way_ and _Manner_, as well as the proper
_Time_ of begetting either SEX; _“Ubi, inquit, menses defluxerint, sitq;
abstersus Uterus, quod quinto ferè die usu venit, aut septimo; Si Vir
Mulieri congrediatur, à primo quàm est purgata die ad quintum, MAREM
produci: à quinto verò ad octavum, FÆMELLAM: rursus ab octavo ad
duodecimum denuo, MASCULUM, &c.”_
WHICH excellent Opinion is fully proved by _Levinus Lemnius_ (another
great _Master_ of NATURE): According to whose authentick Judgment also,
there are likewise many things[38] of an _occult specifick Quality_, and
_secret Effect_, for answering the same ENDS, as well as _Fecundity_
itself: which both common _Reason_ and daily _Experience_ confirm for
TRUTH.
BUT because I lie under the Disadvantage (at present) of writing in our
_vernacular Tongue_, it may be proper to pass by, what (otherways) might
be plentifully said on this _Head_: However I shall observe, that the
_Generality_ of RULES are most commonly calculated for _Persons_ of a
discording Constitution of natural _Temperaments_ and _Faculties_; which
_Difference of Constitution_ brings often false and ungrounded
_Reproaches_ upon the Reputation of fruitful WOMEN. From whence it is
justly to be remarked, that, tho’ few or no _Children_ are got meerly by
ART; yet if a little _Dexterity_ or ingenious _Subtilty_ was used with
some WOMEN, there would not (perhaps) _One_ in _Three_ of those, who are
rashly accounted so, be found _BARREN_.
II. AS to the _unsuccessful_ ACT of _Coition_, I shall refer what may be
offer’d on _that Point_, until I come to treat of _Sterility_, in
SECTION viii: And therefore I shall only farther observe _Here_, that
the _Parties_ ought not to encounter with full _Stomachs_, _Bellies_, or
_Bladders_; much less when BOTH, or EITHER, are _weary_, _fatigu’d_,
_depriv’d of Sleep_, _angry_, _troubled in Mind_, or in any other real
respect _out of Order_. For in these _Cases_, it is very detrimental to
the Health[39] of such imprudent _Parents_; and (if _Conception_
follows) it infallibly _intails_ some respective EVIL upon the _Innocent
Production_: Because all the _Affections_ or _Disturbances_ of their
MINDS, virtually devolve upon the EMBRYO. And besides, as (by such
perverse Means) the _Conception_ becomes _irregular_; so also does the
_Maturation_, _Nutrition_, and _Birth_ carry the same _Impression_: For
from the least _Perturbation_ of _SPIRIT_, the _Infant_ may contract
various _Blemishes_ of BODY, as well as _Errors_ of MIND.
WHEREFORE, in fine, as this _Affair_ is to be undertaken with a serene
and contented _Mind_, a chearful and undisturbed _Heart_, so it ought to
be perform’d with _Moderation_ and _Decency_: Not in any _brutal Manner_
or _Posture_; but according to the rational _Law_ and proper _Instinct_
of _Nature_.
[Illustration]
CHAP. VI.
_Remarks upon COPULATION._
Supposing now this amicable _Engagement_ of NATURE to be over, I may be
modestly allow’d (I hope) to add a few Words upon its necessary
_Consequences_; and _First_, of what has happen’d in the ACT,
_Retention_, and _Conception_ following.
FIRST then, If the WOMAN has contributed most _Seminal Matter_, it may
reasonably be concluded, that the CHILD will favour the MOTHER most: If
the MAN predominantly, the FATHER: If _Both_ equally, it will resemble
_Both_, or in part the FATHER, and partly the MOTHER.
AND according to _Anaxagoras_, if the SEED has flown into the _Right
Side_ of the WOMB, from the Right _Rein_ of the Man, a _Male_ will be
conceiv’d; if into the _Left_, from the Left _Rein_, a _Female_; by
reason of the _Frigidity_ and _Humidity_ of that Place. Which _Notion_
may seem _probable_; considering, that tho’ the WOMB has but one
_Cavity_, yet it has two _Sinuses_[40] for conceiving the _Two different
Sexes_: As _Nature_ has in other Respects accordingly given the WOMAN
two _Breasts_.
_LACTANTIUS_ also observes[41], That, if peradventure a _Male_ should be
conceiv’d of the SEED fallen to the _left Side_, the Place destinated
for the _Female_, he will make but a SEMIVIRILE MAN; distinguishable by
some _Womanish Qualities_, such as a _weak_ or _tender Heart_, _small
Voice_, a _smooth_, or _unbearded Face_, &c: And so, on the contrary, if
a _Female_ should be conceiv’d of the SEED fallen to the _right Side_,
she will have some distinguishable _Marks_ of VIRILITY; such as a _large
Stature_, _robust Members_, _dusky Colour_, _rough hairy Face_, _coarse
Voice_, &c: And that because the _Conception_ happen’d in that Place,
which _Nature_ had appropriated to the _Male_.
THIS likewise seems to be the best Reason which may be given why _some
Women_, like _Hector’s_ WIFE, mentioned in _Homer’s Iliads_, are
naturally inclin’d to intermeddle with MEN’S _Affairs_; for having thus
(as it were) _originally_ invaded his RIGHT _ex traduce_, they are
always for maintaining their _wrong Conquests_, and defending their
_unjust Possessions_ in future Progress of Time.
BUT I should rather in this Topick agree with _Velthuysius_[42], that
_Both_ SEEDS are each of them naturally endued with the _Faculty_ of
generating its _Like_: I mean, the MAN’S, to produce a _Male_; and the
WOMAN’S, a _Female_: And that therefore by a natural _Predominancy_,
where the _Masculine Faculty_ has prevail’d, a MAN-CHILD is begot; and a
GIRL, where the _Feminine Virtue_ has exceeded it.
THIS, in short, is the best and only Reason I know, why _Children_ like
to either _Parent_ in SEX, may yet differ in _Physiognomy_, _Manners_,
&c: the SEED of the _one_ perhaps prevailing in _making_ the SEX, and
That of the _other_, in _determining_ the rest of the Parts. Hence it
is, in all Probability, that a CHILD like his _Father_ in SEX, may be
like his _Mother_ in natural _Disposition_ and Tenderness of
_Constitution_. Although by the way (without doubt) the _Place_ or
_Sinus_ of the WOMB, _Matter_, _Heat_, and _Imagination_ of the WOMAN,
contribute very much to the _Difference_ of the SEX; as will hereafter
more plainly appear at large. AND, in fine, _This_ is the only _Cause_
of the _Conception_ of HERMAPHRODITES, that the emitted _Substance_ of
BOTH PARENTS containing the full respective _Faculty_ of EACH, is
sufficiently prolifick and prevalent to constitute and distinguish each
proper SEX, in one and the same _personal Production_. But before I
proceed farther on the _Similitude of Children_, I beg leave previously
to describe the _Force_ of _IMAGINATION_.
[Illustration]
CHAP. VII.
_Of the Power of the IMAGINATIVE FACULTY._
THE _Imagination_ is the strongest and most efficacious of all the
SENSES; for the _Vivacity_ of all the _others_ (mention’d in Sect. I.
Chap. 5.) in some measure, depend upon it.
IT works upon, and affects, _others_ as well as _ourselves_, and
operates in the very _Soul_, as well as _Body_ of Man; moving the Powers
of all the _Passions_ of the Mind.
AS it happens frequently by reason of the _Similitude_ of things; that
by _seeing_ or _imagining_ ONE to eat some sharp or sour Matter, or
_hearing_ it only mention’d, ANOTHER’S _Teeth_ may be set on edge, and
his _Tongue_ wax tart; so by seeing _One_ gape, _Another_ often falls a
yawning. In like manner, as the _sight_ of any _filthy_ Thing causeth
_Nauseousness_; so the _sight_ of Man’s _Blood_, makes many Persons fall
a-swooning.
_GUILLAUME de Paris_ writes, that he saw a Man, who at the _SIGHT_ of a
_Medicine_, went to _Stool_ as oft as he pleas’d, tho’ it neither in
_Substance_, _Odour_, or _Taste_, did affect him; but only by an
_Apprehension_ of a kind of _Resemblance_. Which is much the same Case
of one in a _Dream_, who thinks he _burns_ and is in a _Fire_, or as
much tormented, as if he did _really burn_, tho’ far enough from any
Substance of _Fire_; only because of a _Resemblance_ apprehended by the
Strength of _IMAGINATION_.
AND besides, this _IMAGINATION_ hath not only such Power over the
_Body_, but also over the very _Soul_ of Man; which Power of the _Soul_,
hath its respective _Influence_ upon the _Body_: As _Avicen_ remarkably
describes a certain _Man_, who (when he pleas’d) could affect his _Body_
with the PALSY.
IT is wonderfully related of _Gallus Vibius_, that he became _Mad_, not
casually, but on purpose; for whilst he imitated Mad-Men, he so
assimilated their _Madness_ to himself by the _Counterfeit_, that he
fell at last into _real_ MADNESS.
ST. _AUSTIN_ mentions _some Men_, who could move their _Ears_; and
_others_ who could move the _Crown_ of their Heads to their _Foreheads_,
and _replace_ them at Pleasure. He writes of _Another_ also, who could
sweat whenever he had a mind.
I have likewise known some _Persons_ myself, who could weep and shed
abundance of _Tears_ at Will and Pleasure; _others_, who could bring up
what they had _swallow’d_ of any kind, as _Gold_, _Silver_, &c; and
_others_ again, who could so naturally _imitate_ and express the VOICES
of _Birds_, _Cattle_, _Dogs_, &c; that they could not easily be
distinguished.
YEA, and farther yet, many _Learned Authors_[43] testify by divers
Examples (of _Cajetava_, _Æmilia_, &c.) that _Women_ have been turn’d
into _Men_: Which some would persuade us to believe, to be an _Effect_
of the Force of a vehement _IMAGINATION_, acting upon the _Soul_, with
which it is of a near _Affinity_, beyond all the Power of SENSE.
AS to this Point, I am no ways to question the _Veracity_ of what so
many excellent Men have confirmed; but (granting it to be so) I think we
may find more probable _Reasons_ for it, than all the _Powers_ of
_IMAGINATION_, how great soever and marvellous they may be: Whereof I
shall mention _That_, which seems to be the most _rational Cause_; viz.
An extinguish’d or latent _forming Faculty_[44], which (however)
sometimes has _exerted_ itself again, like the BLAZING of a raked or
resuscitated _Fire_.
FOR as our _Teeth_ take their Beginning _in_ the WOMB, but are perfected
_without_, as _Bartholomæus Eustachius_ teacheth; and as the _Teeth_,
call’d _Dentes sapientiæ_, are generated, and break out, even after the
30th Year of our Age: So it may be, that the _virile Genitals_ have been
imperfectly begun in the WOMB, and that this _forming Faculty_ has only
perfected them by little and little; so that at last they have sprung
forth and appear’d, after shaking off the _Pudendum_. And consequently
such WOMEN as _Those_ (upon _Dancing-Bouts_, or the like, when the
_Blood_ and _natural Heat_ had been strongly exagitated) have turned
into MEN.
HOWEVER _That_ be, I very well know that when the _Soul_ is elevated and
inflam’d with a fervent _IMAGINATION_, it may not only _affect_ its own
proper _Body_, but also _That_ of ANOTHER.
FOR the _Longing_ of a _Woman_ that has conceiv’d, acts apparently upon
_Another’s Body_, when it _marks_ the _Infant_ in her WOMB with the
_Figure_ or MARK of the _Thing long’d for_: Besides, who knows not that
_one Body_ may be easily affected with the _Vapours_ of _another_
diseased Body? As is plain in Cases of _Plague_, _Leprosy_, and several
other _Distempers_. Thus also in the _Effluvia’s_ or _Vapours_ of the
EYES, there is so great a _Power_, that they can bewitch and infect the
_Beholders_ about them; as the monstrous _Catoblepas_, and _Cockatrice_
or _Basilisk_, kill People with their very _Looks_[45]. So in like
manner _Witches_ by their intent Desire to _hurt_, have been thought to
bewitch Persons most perniciously by their steady malicious _Looks_
only, directed and inforc’d by _IMAGINATION_.
NOW this Force of _IMAGINATION_ affecting other _Bodies_, holds good
even among _Brute-Creatures_; as One bit by a _Mad Dog_, presently falls
a-raging, and the LIKENESS of _Dogs_ is clearly impressed upon his
_Urine_. Moreover, by _IMAGINATION_ in time of _copulating_, PEACOCKS
and other _Birds_, impress a particular _Colour_ upon the _Wings_, &c.
of their Brood; and from hence it is, that the Curious may have store of
_white young-ones_, by hanging the _Places_ where they _couple_ with
white _Linnen-Cloths_, _Papers_, &c: As in _Snowy_ Mountainous Countries
we find always _white Peacocks_, _Quails_, _Wolves_, _Hares_, and other
_Creatures_.
AND _This_ holy JACOB[46] was not ignorant of, when he used that
ingenious subtile _Stratagem_ of placing _white-streaked Rods_ before
LABAN’S _Flocks_; which also answer’d effectually, in the _Cattle_’s
producing their _speckled and white spotted Young_. In like manner by
the same _Experiment_, the curious Admirers may be supply’d with Variety
of _spotted Birds_, _speckled Horses_, _Dogs_, &c.
THE _Mind_ also being inflam’d with a vehement _IMAGINATION_, may affect
both the _Soul_ and _Body_ of ANOTHER: Which we need not wonder at,
considering how much more powerful, fervent, and prevalent the MIND is
in its _Motion_, than any exhaling VAPOURS; and that it does not want
its proper and peculiar _Mediums_ by which it may operate.
THIS (I think) is also evidently shewn from the many MIRACLES, which we
find have been done by _Prophets_, _Apostles_, and other _Holy Men_;
(not to mention those _Wonders_ of _Pythagoras_, _Apollonius_,
_Empedocles_, &c. which cannot come in Competition with the _Others_,
being ascrib’d to _Natural Causes_): Whose _Minds_ being firmly fix’d
upon GOD, with full Intent for _Good_, affected both the SOULS and
BODIES of _others_, as well as _Themselves_, with what _Divine Gifts_,
or other _Blessings_, they wanted.
HENCE it is that _Philosophers_ advise, to shun the _Society_ of wicked
and impious Men; because their _Souls_, being full (as it were) of
pernicious _Rays_, infect them who are _near_, with a _resembling
Contagion_: As they enjoin likewise on the other hand, to keep and
frequent the _Fellowship_ of good and fortunate Men; because (by such a
_Proximity_) they are diffusive of their own _Good_, and infuse it into
_Those_ about them. For as BAD of something _bad_, so GOOD of something
_good_, always descends and adheres to the _nighest_; which virtually
(like the _Smell of Musk_, or _Assa-Fœtida_) continues a long time its
lasting _Impression_.
HERE might be indeed a great deal said upon the EFFICACY of the
_Constancy of the Mind_; but because I’ve already been too prolix on
this _Head_, I shall only observe, that in all our _Business_ and
_Applications_, a strong _IMAGINATION_, zealous _Affection_, firm
_Hope_, and stedfast _Belief_, are great Advantages, and necessary
Helps. As some most excellent _Physicians_ have experimentally verified
this Notion, that a strong _Belief_, and constant _Hope_, together with
the _Love_ and _Confidence_ of the PATIENT towards the _Physician_,
conduce very much to the Recovery of _Health_, and sometimes perhaps
more than the _Medicine_ itself: Because the firm _IMAGINATION_ of the
honest _Physician_ concurring (in effect) with the _Medicine_, and
strongly hoping it will do him _Good_, he thereby influentially changes
the _Symptoms_, and virtually alters the _Qualities_ in the _Body_ of
the _Sick_; especially if the PATIENT reposes an _entire Confidence_ in
him, by which means he becomes mutually disposed to receive the VIRTUE
of the _Physician_, as well as _That_ of the PHYSICK.
THE[47]_Arabian Philosophers_ join’d in this Opinion, establishing it
for a _Fundamental Maxim_ among them; that _whatever the constant Mind_
affected _with a fervent Desire_, _would be_ effected: As in the Case of
the MIND of _Him_, who is vehemently in _Love_, whatever it _affects_,
has an _Efficacy_ to cause LOVE; and so in other such like Cases.
BUT however, to come closer to the _IMAGINATION_ of the Pregnant
_Woman_, who knows not that it _affects_ the INFANT in the _Womb_?
Whence is it then that we have so many _deform’d Persons_, _crooked
Bodies_, _ugly Aspects_, _distorted Mouths_, _wry Noses_, and the like,
in all Countries; but from the _IMAGINATION_ of the _Mother_; while she
either conceives such shapeless _Phantasms_ in her _Mind_, or while she
frequently and intently fixes her _Eyes_ upon such _deform’d Persons_ or
disagreeable _OBJECTS_? Wherefore it is very wrong, and highly imprudent
in _Women_ that have conceived, to please themselves so much in playing
with _Dogs_, _Squirrels_, _Apes_, &c. carrying them in their _Laps_ or
_Bosoms_, and feeding, kissing, or hugging them, as I have both often
heard, and seen with my own Eyes.
AND besides, the same is the Case, when the _Natural Faculties_ are all
at work in _forming_, or ripening the FŒTUS; for if the _Woman_ be
_surpriz’d_ at any sudden Evil, or _frighted_ at any unseemly Sight, the
_Humours_ and _Spirits_ presently retire downwards, and (as it were)
abscond themselves in the _Recess_ of the WOMB: From whence immediately
a strong _IMAGINATION_ of the disagreeable _Thing_ (whether _seen_ or
_heard_ only) seizes her _Mind_; and the _Forming Faculty_ (going on in
the _Interim_) quickly impresses the _Imaginary Idea_ of _That_ thing
heard off, or the _Shape_ and _Form_ of _That_ thing seen, upon the
FŒTUS. The same is the _Reason_, that if a _Mouse_, _Rat_, _Weazel_,
_Cat_, or the like, leaps suddenly upon a _Woman_ that has conceived, or
if an _Apple_, _Pear_, _Plum_, _Cherry_, &c. fall upon any part of her
_Body_; the _MARK_ of the thing (be what it will) is instantly
_imprinted_, and will manifestly appear on the same _Part_, or _Member_
of the _CHILD_: unless the _Woman_ (in that very Moment) wipe _That
Part_ or _Member_, and move her _Hand_ to some more remote, private, or
convenient _Place_ of the _Body_: which done, the _MARK_ is actually
averted, or at least stamped upon the _other Part_ touch’d, where the
deep _Impression_ of the _Mind_, directs, and fixes the _IMAGINATION_;
and whither the _Forming Faculty_ (not so much by any _Virtue_ of the
simple TOUCH, as by _Force_ of the strong _IMAGINATION_) infallibly
converts it.
IN fine, having thus briefly defin’d, and variously described the
_Powers_ of _IMAGINATION_, I come in the next Place, more particularly,
to treat of the Reasons of SIMILITUDE in _Children_.
[Illustration]
CHAP. VIII.
_Of the SIMILITUDE of Children._
WHATEVER may be advanced on this _Head_, the most probable and solid
Reason for the _Child_’s _Likeness_ or _Resemblance_, is the
_IMAGINATION_ of the _Mother_ in the ACT of _Copulation_; together with
the _Liberty_ she gives herself in her _Thoughts_ and _Actions_, during
the Time of _Formation_, commonly call’d the Time of _Breeding_.
HENCE it is, that whatever she intentively fixes her _Eyes_ upon, or
_conceives_ and _impresses_ in her Mind, the INFANT represents the same
in its _extimous Parts_: And particularly whatever OBJECT she directs
her _Eyes_ or _Thoughts_ upon, in the Interval between the _Embrace_ and
the _Charm_, its _Effigies_ is afterwards manifest in the CHILD. As St.
_Jerom_ thus relates of a certain _Woman_, who conceiv’d and brought
forth a _Black-Child_, tho’ both _She_ and her _Husband_ (the real
Father) were _white_; meerly by eying a _PICTURE_ in the Bed-Chamber at
that _critical Juncture_.
UPON this Chapter[48]_Pliny_ has most elegantly express’d the _Artifice_
of NATURE, together with all the _Reasons_ and _Causes_ of SIMILITUDE,
to this Purpose; _viz._ “_The Cogitations of the Mind make much for the_
SIMILITUDES and RESEMBLANCES _of Children: As many other accidental
Occurrences are thought to be very efficacious in the same, and that
whether they come by_ Sight, Hearing, _or calling to_ Remembrance; _or
by_ Imaginations _conceiv’d, and deeply apprehended in the very Act of_
Generation, _or the very Instant of_ Conception: _The inconstant_ Mind,
_and wandering_ Thought, _of either_ Parent, _is justly suppos’d to be
one_ Cause.”
HENCE it is, that some _Children_ favour and resemble their _Fathers_,
some their _Mothers_, some their _Grandfathers_, or _Mothers_, and some
their _Kinsmen_: And hence also it is, that there is more Difference and
Diversity in the _Rational Kind_, than in all _other Creatures_; because
the Velocity of their _Thoughts_, the Celerity of their _Minds_, and the
Variety of their _Dispositions_, impress a far greater _Diversity_ of
various peculiar _MARKS_: While the rest of _irrational Creatures_ have
their _Minds_ continually fixed (in a manner) immoveable, steady, and
alike: every _One_ of them in its own peculiar Kind, and specifick
Nature.
INSOMUCH that the _Woman’s_ _IMAGINATION_ frequently induces a strange
_Likeness_ to her INFANT; that is, in no Part, and in no Respect,
favouring the FATHER. From whence it often happens, that a _Woman_
abusing her HUSBAND’_s_ Bed, and fearing perhaps to be surpriz’d by him
in the _ACT_, brings forth (in due time) her _CHILD_, no ways
_resembling_ the _real_ FATHER, (namely the GALLANT); but altogether
_LIKE_ to the _injur’d_ HUSBAND.
UPON which Case the following facetious _Epigram_ was occasionally
written by the famous and celebrated Sir _Thomas More_.
_“Quos ante Conjux quatuor
“Natos_, SABINE, _protulit,
“Multùm ecce dissimiles tui,
“Tuos nec ipse deputas.
“Sed quem tibi puellulum
“Enixa jam nuperrimè est,
“Solum tibi simillimum,
“Pro quatuor complecteris.
“Adulterinos quatuor
“Vocas, repellis, abdicas.
“Atqui graves tradunt Sophi,
“Quodcunque matres interim
“Imaginantur fortiter,
“Dum liberis datur opera,
“Ejus latenter & notas
“Certas, & indelebiles
“Modóque inexplicabili
“In semen ipsum congeri.
“Quibus receptis intimè,
“Simúlque concrescentibus,
“A mente Matris insitam
“Natus refert imaginem.
“Quum tot abesses millibus,
“Dum gignit Uxor quatuor,
“Quòd esset admodum tui
“Secura, dissimiles parit.
“Sed unus omnium hic Puer
“Tui refert imaginem,
“Quòd mater hunc dum concipit,
“Sollicita de te plurimùm,
“Te tota cogitaverat,
“Dum pertimescit anxia,
“Ne tu_, SABINE, _incommodus,
“Velútque lupus in fabulâ
“Supervenires interim._
HOWEVER, as to what relates to the _Tempers_, _Dispositions_, _Miens_,
_Manners_, _Qualities_, and _Propensions_ of the MIND, daily _Examples_
convince us, that _Children_, after all, generally much resemble _Those_
of their _Progenitors_; which proceeds merely from the _Efficacy_ of the
SEED, containing the Power of the natural _Faculties_ of their Minds and
_vital Spirits_, which are thence infus’d into their _Posterity_.
BUT I take this _Matter_ to depend much upon the _Passion_, _Indolence_,
or _Indifferency_ of the Mind, with which the ACT of _Copulation_ is
perform’d. For as the _Ardour_ and _Fervency_ of the _Parents_, and
their plentiful prolifick _Contribution_, tend much to the _CHILD’s_
affecting the same _Behaviour_, _Gestures_, _Actions_, _Tempers_, and
_Motions_ of BODY and MIND; even sometimes to their representing the
very _Nature_, and treading the very _Foot-Steps_ of their PARENTS, to
so nice a degree, of an exact Resemblance, that I’ve more than once
observed a MOLE-MARK of a _Father_ plainly impress’d on his _Child_.
Which, I think, is also conformable to[49] _Horace_’s Meaning;
_“Fortes creantur fortibus & bonis:
“Est in Juvencis, est in equis patrum
“Virtus: nec imbellem feroces
“Progenerant Aquilæ Columbam._
To valiant _Fathers_, valiant _Sons_ succeed;
Thus _Bulls_ from _Bulls_ descend, and _martial Horses_ breed.
AND because the _Institution of Nature_, perfects its own _Gifts_,
which, by the Help of _Education_, corrects _Errors_, and abolishes
_Blemishes_; the _Poet_ very pertinently adds,
_“Doctrina sed vim promovet insitam,
“Rectíq; Mores pectora roborant._
Yet the best _Blood_ by _Learning_ is refin’d,
And _Virtue_ arms the _solid Mind_;
Whilst _Vice_ will stain the _noblest Race_,
And the _paternal Stamp_ efface.