thing, and worth nothing in respect of that Being, he believed once
inhabited, and now had left it. Therefore he applied himself wholly to
the consideration of that Being. _What it was?_ and _how it subsisted?
what joyn'd it to the Body? Whether it went, and by what passage, when
it left the Body? What was the Cause of its Departure, whether it were
forc'd to leave its Mansion, or left the Body of its own accord? and in
case it went away Voluntarily, what it was that rendred the Body so
disagreeable to it, as to make it forsake it?_ And whilst his Mind was
perplext with such variety of Thoughts, he laid aside all concern for
the Carcass, and threw it away; for now he perceiv'd that his Mother,
which had Nurs'd him so Tenderly and had Suckled him, was _that
something_ which was departed: and from it proceeded all those Actions
by which she shew'd her Care of him, and Affection, to him, and not from
this unactive Body; but that the Body was to it only as an Instrument or
Tool, like his Cudgel which he had made for himself, with which he used
to Fight with the Wild Beasts. So that now, all his regard to the Body
was remov'd, and transferr'd to that by which the Body is governed, and
by whose Power it moves. Nor had he any other desire but to make enquiry
after that.
§ 23. In the mean, time the Carcass of the _Roe_ began to putrifie, and
emit Noisome Vapours, which still increas'd his aversion to it, so that
he did not care to see it. 'Twas not long after that he chanc'd to see
two Ravens engag'd so furiously; that one of them struck down the other
Stark Dead; and when he had done, he began to scrape with his Claws till
he had digg'd a Pit, in which he Buried the Carcass of his Adversary.
Our Philosopher observing this, said to himself, _How well has this
Raven done in Burying the Body of his Companion, tho' he did ill in
Killing him? How much greater reason was there for me to have been
forward in performing this Office to my Mother?_ Upon this he makes a
Grave, and lays his Mother into it, and Buries her. He proceeded in his
Enquiry concerning what that should be by which the Body was govern'd,
but could not Apprehend what it was; when he look'd upon the rest of the
Roes, and perceiv'd that they were of the same form and figure with his
Mother, he believ'd that there was in every one of them something which
govern'd and actuated them, like that which had actuated and govern'd
his Mother: formerly: and for the sake of that likeness he us'd to keep
in their Company, and shew affection towards them. He continued a while
in this condition, Contemplating the various kinds of Animals and
Plants, and walking about the Coast of his Island, to see if he could
find any thing like himself; (as he observ'd that every Individual
Animal, and Plant, had a great many more like it.) But all his search
was in vain. And when he perceiv'd that his Island was encompass'd by
the Sea, he thought that there was no other Land in the World but only
that Island.
§ 23. It happen'd that by Collision a Fire was kindled among a parcel of
Reeds or Canes; which fear'd him at first, as being a Sight which he was
altogether a Stranger to; so that he stood at a distance a good while,
strangely surpriz'd, at last he came nearer and nearer by degrees, still
observing the Brightness of its Light and marvellous Efficacy in
consuming every thing it touch'd, and changing it into its own Nature;
till at last, his Admiration of it, and that innate Boldness and
Fortitude, which God had implanted in his Nature prompted him on, that
he ventur'd to come near it, and stretch'd out his Hand to take some of
it. But when it burnt his Fingers and he found there was no dealing with
it that way, he endeavour'd to take a stick, which the Fire had not as
yet wholly seiz'd upon; so taking hold on that part which was untouch'd
he easily gain'd his purpose, and carried it Home to his Lodging (for he
had contriv'd for himself a convenient place) there he kept this Fire
and added Fuel to it, admir'd it wonderfully, and tended it night and
day; at night especially, because its Light and Heat supply'd the
absence of the Sun; so that he was extreamly delighted with it, and
reckon'd it the most excellent of all those things which he had about
him. And when he observ'd that it always mov'd upwards, he perswaded
himself that, it was one of those Celestial Substances which he saw
shining in the Firmament, and he was continually trying of its power, by
throwing things into it, which he perceiv'd it operated upon and
consum'd, sometimes sooner, sometimes slower, according as the Bodies
which he put into it were more or less combustible.
§ 25. Amongst other things which he put in to try its strength, he once
flung in some Fish which had been thrown a-shore by the Water, and as
soon as e're he smelt the Steam, it rais'd his Appetite, so that he had
a Mind to Taste of them; which he did, and found 'em very agreeable and
from that time he began to use himself to the Eating of Flesh, and
applied himself to Fishing and Hunting till he understood those sports
very well: upon this account he admir'd his Fire more and more, because
it help'd him to several sorts of Provision which he was altogether
unacquainted with before.
§ 26. And now when his Affection towards it was increas'd to the highest
degree, both upon the account of its Beneficial Effects, and its
Extraordinary Power; he began to think that the Substance which was
departed from the Heart of his Mother the Roe, was, if not the very same
with it, yet at least of a Nature very much like it. He was confirm'd in
his Opinion, because he had observ'd in all Animals, that as long as
they liv'd, they were constantly warm without any Intermission, and as
constantly Cold after Death, Besides he found in himself, that there was
a greater degree of Heat by much in his Breast, near that place where he
had made the Incision in the _Roe_. This made him think that if he could
dissect any Animal alive, and look into that Ventricle which he had
found empty when he dissected his Dam the _Roe_, he might possibly find
it full of that Substance which inhabited it, and so inform himself
whether it were of the Substance with the Fire, and whether it had any
Light or Heat in it or not. In order to this he took a Wild Beast and
ty'd him down, so that he could not stir, and dissected him after the
same manner he had dissected the _Roe_, till he came to the Heart; and
Essaying the left Ventricle first, and opening it, he perceiv'd it was
full of an Airy Vapour, which look'd like a little Mist or white Cloud,
and putting in his Finger, he found it hotter than he could well endure
it, and immediately the Creature Dyed. From whence he assuredly
concluded, that it was that Moist Vapour which communicated Motion to
that Animal, and that there was accordingly in every Animal of what kind
soever, something like it upon the departure of which Death follow'd.
§ 27. He had then a great desire to enquire into the other parts of
Animals, to find out their Order and Situation, their Quantity and the
manner of there Connexion one with another, and by what means of
Communication they enjoy the Benefit of that Moist Vapour, so as to live
by it. How that Vapour is continu'd the time it remains, from whence it
has its Supplies, and by what Means its Heat is preserv'd. The way which
he us'd in this Enquiry was the Dissection of all sorts of Animals, as
well Living as Dead, neither did he leave off to make an accurate
Enquiry into them, till at length he arrived to the highest degree of
Knowledge in this kind which the most Learned Naturalists ever attain'd
to.
§ 28. And now he Apprehended plainly that every particular Animal, tho'
it had a great many Limbs, and variety of Senses and Motions, was
nevertheless _One_ in respect of that Spirit, whose Original was from
one firm Mansion, _viz_. the Heart, from whence, its Influence was
diffus'd among all the Members. And that all the Members were
subservient to it, or inform'd and supported by it, and that this Spirit
made use of those Members, in the same manner as a Soldier do's of his
Weapons, or an Huntsman or Fisherman of his Tackling, who makes use of
different ways and things, according to the difference of the Creatures
he intends to catch. Now the Soldiers Weapons are some of 'em defensive
and offensive, and the Sportsman's too are some for Land, and some for
Water: So the Anatomists Instruments, are some for Fission, others for
Fraction, and others for Perforation. And thus tho' the Body was _One_,
yet that governing Spirit made use of it several ways, according to the
respective uses of each Member, and the several ends which it propos'd
to obtain.
§ 29. Thus he perceiv'd that there was all this while but _One_ Animal
Spirit, whose Action when he made use of the Eye, was _Sight_; when of
the Ear, _Hearing_; when of the Nose, _Smelling_; when of the Tongue,
_Tasting_; and when of the Skin and Flesh, _Feeling_. When it employ'd
any Limb, then its Operation was _Motion_; and when it made use of the
Liver, _Nutrition_ and _Concoction_. And that, tho' there were Members
fitted to every one of these uses, yet none of them could perform their
respective Offices, without having Correspondence with that Spirit, by
means of the Nerves; and that if at any time it chanc'd that their
passages were either broken off or obstructed, such a Member would be
altogether useless. Now these; Nerves derive this Spirit from the Brain,
which has it from the Heart (and contains abundance of Spirit, because
it is divided into a great many partitions) and by what means soever any
limb is depriv'd of his Spirit, it's Action ceases, and 'tis like a cast
off Tool, not fit for use. And if this Spirit depart wholly from the
Body, or is consum'd or dissolv'd by any means whatsoever, then the
whole Body is depriv'd of Motion all at once, and reduced to a State of
Death.
§ 30. Thus far had his Observations brought him about the end of the
Third Seventh Year of his Age, _viz_. when he was One and Twenty Years
Old. In which time, he had made abundance of pretty Contrivances. He
made himself both Cloaths and Shoes of the Skins of such Wild Beasts as
he had dissected. His thread was made of Hair, and of the Bark of the
Stalks of Althaea, Mallows or any other Plants, which afforded such
Strings as were fit for that purpose. He learn'd the making of these
threads from the use which he had made of the Rushes before. He made
Awls of sharp Thorns, and Splinters of Cane, sharpned with Flints. He
learn'd the Art of Building, from the Observations he made upon the
Swallows Nests. He Builds himself a Store-house and a Pantry, to lay up
the remainder of his Provision in: and made a Door to it of Canes
twisted together, to prevent any of the Beasts getting in, during his
absence. He took Birds of prey and brought them up for Hawking; and kept
tame
Poultry for their Eggs and Chickens. He took the tips of the Buffalo's
Horns and fastned them upon the strongest Canes he could get, and Staves
of the Tree _Alzân_ and Others; and so, partly by the help of the Fire,
and partly of sharp edg'd Stones, he so fitted them that they serv'd him
instead of so many Spears. He made him a shield of Hides folded
together. All this pains he took to furnish himself with Artificial
Weapons, because he found himself destitute of Natural ones.
§ 31. Now when he perceiv'd that his Hand supplied all these defects
very well, and that none of all the various kinds of Wild Beasts durst
stand against him, but ran away from him, and were too Nimble for him.
He began to contrive how to be even with them, and thought there would
be no way so proper as to chuse out some of the strongest and swiftest
Beasts of the Island, and bring 'em up tame, and feed them with proper
Food, till they would let him back them and then he might persue the
other kinds of Wild Beasts. There were in that Island both Wild Horses
and Asses; he chose of both sorts, such as seem'd fittest for his
purpose, and by exercise he made them so gentle and tractable that he
was compleat Master of his Wishes. And when, he had made out of the
Skins of Beasts, such things as serv'd him competently well, in the Room
of Bridles and Saddles, he could very easily then overtake such Beasts,
as he could scarce ever have been able to have catch'd any other manner
of way. He made all these discoveries whilst he was employed in the
Study of Anatomy, and the searching out of the Properties, peculiar to
each Part, and the difference between them; and all this about that time
I speak of, _viz_. of the Age of 21 Years.
* * * * *
[Illustration 5]
* * * * *
§ 32. He then proceeded further to examin the Nature of Bodies in this
Sublunary World, _viz_. The different kinds of Animal, Plants, Minerals,
and several sorts of Stones, Earth, Water, Exhalations, Ice, Snow, Hail,
Smoak, Hoar, Frost, Flame, and Heat. In which he observ'd different
Qualities, and different Actions, and that their Motions agreed in some
respects, and differ'd in others: and considering these things with
great Application, he perceiv'd that their Qualities also agreed in some
things, and differ'd in others; and that so far as they agreed, they
were _One_; but when consider'd with Relation to their differences, _a
great many_: so that when he came to consider the Properties of things
by which they were distinguish'd one from another,he found that they
Multiplied so fast upon him, that 'twas impossible for him, to
Comprehend them. Nay, when he consider'd the difference of his own
Limbs, which he perceiv'd were all distinct from one another, by some
Property and Action peculiar to each, it seem'd to him that there was a
_Plurality_ in his Own Essence. And when he look'd upon any one Member
it self, he found that it might be divided into a great many parts, from
whence he concluded, that there must needs be a Plurality in his own
Essence, and not only in his own but in every other also.
§ 33. Then he enter'd upon another sort of Speculation of the second
kind, by which he perceiv'd that tho' the parts of his Body were many,
yet they were Conjoyned and Compacted together so as to make one Body,
and that what difference there was between them consisted only in the
difference of their Actions, which diversity proceeded from that Animal
Spirit, the Nature of which he had before search'd into, and found out.
Now he knew that his Spirit was One in Essence, and was really the
Substance of his Being, and that all the rest of the Members serve that
Spirit as Instruments, and in this Respect he perceiv'd his own Essence,
to be _One_.
§. 34. He proceeded from hence to the consideration of all the Species
of Animals and found that every Individual of them was _One_. Next he
consider'd them with regard to their different Species, _viz_. as Roes,
Horses, Asses and all sorts of Birds according to their kinds, and he
perceiv'd that all the Individuals of every Species were exactly like
one another, in the shape of their Parts, both within and without, that
their Apprehensions, Motions, and Inclinations were alike, and that
those little differences which where visible amongst them, were
inconsiderable in respect of those many things in which they agreed.
From whence he concluded, that the Spirit which actuated any Species was
one and the same; only distributed among so many Hearts, as there were
Individuals in that Species, so that if it were possible for all that
Spirit, which is so divided among so many Hearts, to be Collected into
one Receptacle, it would be all the same thing, just as if any one
Liquor should be pour'd out into several Dishes and afterwards put all
together again in one Vessel; this Liquor would still be the _same_, as
well when it was divided, as when it was altogether, only in respect of
that division it may be said in some sort to be Multiplied. By this way
of Contemplation he perceiv'd that a whole Species was One and the same
thing, and that the Multiplicity of Individuals in the same Species is
like the Multiplicity of Parts in the same Person, which indeed are not
_many_ [i.e. are only _One_.]
§ 35. Then he represented in his Mind, all the Several kinds of Animals,
and perceiv'd that Sensation, and Nutrition, and the Power of moving
freely where they pleas'd, was common to them all; which Actions he was
assur'd before, were all very proper to the Animal Spirit, and that
those lesser things in which they differ'd (notwithstanding their
agreement in these greater,) were not so proper to that Spirit. From
this consideration he concluded, that it was only One and the same
Animal Spirit, which Actuated all living Creatures whatsoever, tho'
there was in it a little difference, which each Species claim'd as
peculiar to it self. For instance, suppose the same Water be pour'd out
into different Vessels, that which is in this Vessel may possibly be
something warmer than that which is in another, tho' 'tis the same Water
still, and so every degree of Heat and Cold in this Water in the Several
Vessels, will represent the Specifick difference which there is in
Animals: And as that Water is all one and the same, so is that Animal
Spirit _One_, tho' in some respect there is a sort of Multiplicity. And
so under this Notion he look'd upon the whole Species of living
Creatures, to be all _One_.
§ 36. Afterwards Contemplating the different Species of Plants, as he
had done before of Animals, he perceiv'd that the Individuals of every
Species were alike, both in their Boughs, Leaves, Flowers, Fruits, and
manner of Growing. And comparing them with Animals, he found that there
must needs be some one thing which they did all of them partake of,
which was the same to them that the Animal Spirit was to the living
Creature, and that in respect of _That_ they were all One. Whereupon,
taking a view of all the several kinds of Plants, he concluded that they
were all One and the same, by reason of that Agreement which he found in
their Actions, _viz_. their Nourishment and Growing.
§ 37. Then he Comprehended in one single Conception, the whole kinds of
Animals and Plants together, and found that they were both alike in
their Nutrition and Growing, only the Animals excell'd the Plants in
Sensation and Apprehension; and yet he had sometimes observ'd something
like it in Plants, _viz._ That some Flowers do turn themselves towards
the Sun, and that the Plants extend their Roots, that way the
Nourishment comes, and some other such like things, from whence it
appear'd to him that Plants and Animals, were One and the same, in
respect of that _One thing_ which was Common to them both; which was
indeed more perfect in the One, and more obstructed and restrained in
the other; like Water that is partly running and partly frozen. So that
he concluded that Plants and Animals were all _One_.
§ 38. He next consider'd those Bodies, which have neither Sense,
Nutrition nor Growth, such as Stones, Earth, Air, and Flame, which he
perceiv'd had all of them Three Dimensions, _viz. Length, Breadth, and
Thickness_, and that their differences consisted only in this, that some
of them were Colour'd, others not, some were Warm, others Cold, and the
like. He observ'd that those Bodies which were Warm, grew Cold, and on
the contrary, that those which were Cold grew Warm, He saw that Water
was rarified into Vapours, and Vapours again Condens'd into Water; and
that such things as were Burn't, were turn'd into Coals, Allies, Flame
and Smoak, and if in its Ascent it were intercepted by an Arch of Stone
or the like, it thickned there and was like other Gross, Earthly
Substances. From whence it appear'd to him that, all things were in
Reality, _One_, tho' multiplied and diversified in some certain
respects, as the Plants and Animals were.
§ 39. Then considering with himself, what that common thing must be, in
which the _Sameness_ of the Animals and Plants did consist he saw that
it must be some _Body_, like those Bodies, which had a Threefold
Dimension, _viz_, Length, Breadth, and Thickness; and that whether it
were Hot or Cold, it was like One of those other Bodies which have
neither Sense nor Nutrition, and differ'd from them only in those
Operations which arise from the Organical parts of Plants and Animals.
And that, in, all likelihood, those Operations were not Essential, but
deriv'd from something else. So that if those Operations were to be
communicated to those other Bodies, they would be like this. Considering
it therefore abstractedly, with regard to its Essence only, as stript of
those Operations, which at first sight seem'd to flow from it, he
perceiv'd that it was a _Body_, of the same kind, with those other
Bodies; upon which Contemplation, it appear'd to him that all Bodies, as
well those that had Life, as those that had not, as well those that
mov'd, as those that rested in their Natural places were _One_; Only
there were some Actions in some of them, which proceeded from their
Organical Parts; concerning which Actions he could not yet determine
whether they were Essential, or deriv'd from something without. Thus he
continu'd, considering nothing but the Nature of Bodies, and by this
means he perceiv'd, that whereas at first sight, _Things_ had appear'd
to him innumerable and not to be comprehended; _Now,_ he discovered the
whole Mass and Bulk of Creatures were in Reality only _One_.
§ 40. He continu'd in this Opinion a considerable time. Then he
consider'd all sorts of Bodies, both Animate and Inanimate, which one
while seem'd to him to be _One_; and another, _a great many_. And he
found that all of them had a Tendency either upward, as Smoak, Flame,
and Air, when detain'd under Water; or else downward, as Water, pieces
of Earth, or Parts of Animals and Plants; and that none of these. Bodies
were free from one or other of these Tendencies, or would ever lye
still, unless hinder'd by some other Body, and interrupted in their
course; as when, for instance, a Stone in its fall is stopp'd by the
solidity and hardness of the Earth, when 'tis plain it would otherwise
continue still descending; so Smoak still continues going upwards, and
if it should be intercepted by a solid Arch, it would divide both to the
right and left, and so soon as it was freed from the Arch, would still
continue ascending; and pass through the Air, which is not solid enough
to restrain it. So when a Leathern Bottle is fill'd with Air and stopp'd
up close, if you hold it under Water; it will still strive to get up,
till it returns to its place of Air; and then it rests, and its
reluctancy and propensity to ascend, ceases.
§ 41. He then enquir'd whether or no he could find any Body that was at
any time destitute of both these Motions, or a Tendency toward them, but
he could find none such, among all Bodies which he had about him. The
reason of this Enquiry was, because he was very desirous to know the
Nature of Body; as such, abstracted from all manner of Qualities, from
whence arises Multiplicity or Diversity of Kinds. But when he found this
too difficult a Task for him, and he had examin'd those Bodies which had
the fewest Qualities, and could find, none of them void of one of these
two, _viz._ Heaviness or Lightness; he proceeded to consider the Nature
of these two Properties, and to examin whether they did belong to Body
_quatenus_ Body, or else to some other Quality superadded to Body. Now
it seem'd plain to him, that _Gravity_ and _Levity_, did not belong to
Body as such; for if so, then no Body could subsist without them both:
whereas on the contrary, we find Heavy Bodies which are void of all
Lightness, and also some Light Bodies which are void of all Heaviness,
and yet without _doubt_ they both are _Bodies_; in each of which there
is something superadded to Corporeity, by which they are distinguish'd
one from the other, and that makes the difference between them,
otherwise they would be both one and the same thing, in every respect.
From whence it appear'd plainly, that the Essence both of an _Heavy_,
and _Light Body_ was compos'd of two things; One, which was common to
them both, _viz. Corporeity_, the other, by which they are distinguish'd
one from the other, _viz. Gravity_ in the one, and _Levity_ in the
other, which were superadded to the Essence of Corporeity.