_Continuation of the Adventures of_ Peter Hudde _who is mention'd
in the second Chapter; and the Author's Arrival at_ London.
I stay'd above a Month at _Algier_ before I embark'd for
_London_, during which it happen'd that a _Turkish_ Pirate
brought a _French_ Galley into _Algier_. Mr. _Elliot_ immediately
obtain'd a List of her Crew in order to see whether there was not
the Name of some Person that he knew, or of some Countryman of
his in the Number of her Slaves. He caus'd it to be read in my
Presence, and seem'd astonish'd to find the Name of a Man there
whom he was very intimate with at _London_. I was as much
surpriz'd at the Name of _Peter Hudde_, which he observ'd, and
ask'd me the Reason. To satisfy his Curiosity, I gave him an
Account of him, after which we went together to the Place where
the Galley-Slaves were confin'd. As soon as we arriv'd there, we
both inquir'd for our Men. His Friend had been wounded in Battle,
and expir'd not above a Quarter of an Hour before we came: The
other came in an Instant. Is your Name _Peter Hudde_? said I,
Yes, said he; Did I never see you at _Lisbon_, continued I; That
might be, said he, but it must have been a great while ago then.
That's true, said I, for it was, if I am not mistaken, so long
ago as 1643 or 1644. There was one _Van Dyke_ at that Time, a
Factor, did you know him? You turn pale, but you are in no
Danger here; tho' indeed it must be confess'd that you play'd him
a scurvy Trick. I cannot deny it, said the Galley-Slave, I was
the Man that robb'd him of the Sum of 300 Ducats; for which
enormous Sin and others that I have committed, I beg God to
forgive me. I have smarted sufficiently for it in this World, but
I hope he will be merciful to me in the next. That's speaking
like a Christian, _said I_, and 'tis a Happiness for you that
Providence does you the Favour to put you upon Repentance of your
Crimes. But pray tell me, why and when you were condemn'd to the
Gallies. The Remembrance of it, Sir, _said he_, makes me tremble,
and I wish you would excuse me from so unpleasant a Narrative
which can only tend to renew my Sorrow. We commended him for the
good Disposition of his Mind, and then I insisted upon my Demand,
in which I was seconded by the Consul. Well then, Gentlemen,
_said he_, I will satisfy you, as well to give you Proofs of my
Obedience, as to acknowledge the just Punishment of my Crimes.
After I had robb'd Mr. _Van Dyke_, I embark'd for _Nantes,_ where
by the Name of _Vander Stel_, and pretending to be Nephew to a
famous Wine-Merchant at _Rotterdam_, I soon contracted an
Acquaintance with all the _Dutch_ Merchants there. The Caresses
which I received from those honest People are inexpressible; for
there was scarce a Day but I was invited to magnificent
Entertainments at one or other of their Houses. During this an
Intendant arriv'd from _Languedoc_ who was well known to several
of those Gentlemen whose Houses I frequented. This gave me an
Opportunity to scrape an Acquaintance with him. He was glad to
see me, and as he delighted in Gaming he was rejoyc'd to find me
in the same Disposition. Sometimes we play'd a Game at Chess, and
we spent many Afternoons at Picquet, but never so as to win much
of either. At length as I went one Day to see him, I had the
Happiness to find him alone in his Room uneasy for want of some
Company to pass the Time with. He call'd for the Cards, and we
play'd at Ombre. He was a Dab at that Game, but I was too cunning
for him. Whatever was his Design, 'tis certain that he encourag'd
me to drink more than usual, at which I was not a little pleas'd
because I imagin'd that when he had drank his Skin full of Wine,
it would prevent him from discovering my foul Play. In short, I
won 50 Pistoles of him in less than four Hours Time, at which he
seem'd astonish'd, and desir'd I would give him Revenge at
Lansquenet; which was the very Thing I wanted. However, I
pretended not to understand that Game very well, and told him,
that unless Fortune favour'd me as she had done before, it was
impossible but I should lose my Money and my Breeches too. Now my
Adversary began to lose Patience. We play'd high, and tho' I let
him win now and then in order to keep him in Temper, yet about
Midnight when we left off, I had won above 3000 Crowns of him,
which he told me down two Days after in ready Cash. This Luck
made me wonderful rich. I sew'd 500 Ducats in a Piece of Shammy
Leather of which I made a Belt and wore if under my Shirt, and
then I set out for _Avignon_, the Intendant going out of the
Town at the same Time another Way. Upon the Road I hir'd a
Footman, and resum'd my old Name of _Heudde_.
My expensive Way of living at this new Stage made every body
believe that I was a Person of the first Rank, I made no Scruple
to introduce myself into the best of Companies, and they took a
Pride in mine. After I had been there about Fortnight or three
Weeks, I happened to meet a Wench in the Street of about twenty
Years of Age the finest Beauty I had ever seen in all my Life. I
let her pass me, and when she was fifty Paces behind me I turn'd
back and follow'd her at a Distance 'till she went into a House.
Upon this I order'd my Footman to inquire privately if she dwelt
there, and what her Parents were. He brought me an Account of
every particular, and told me that her Father was a Jew Merchant
who dealt largely in jewels. I went next Day to his House on
Pretence that I wanted a small Diamond of 25 or 30 Pistoles, and
in order to settle a closer Correspondence with him, I told him
my Name and Country. To this I added that I knew several _Jews_
at Amsterdam, and mention'd some to him whom he knew. In fine, I
left no Stone unturn'd to induce him to give me Admittance to his
House, without speaking a Word to him either of Wife or Daughter.
This first Visit succeeded so well that I attempted to make a
second. I actually bought a Ring by which the Usurer could not
get less than one third, but that was no great Matter. The Hopes
of more considerable Gain tempted: him to invite me often to his
House. I did not fail to improve his Civility, and made
Preparation to treat him now and then at my Quarters.
Every thing went swimmingly, but I did not see that it advanc'd
my Design, so that I concluded I must take another Course. As I
was musing what to do, it luckily happen'd that at our very first
Interview he was accompany'd with another _Jew_. I drew them by
degrees to talk of the Difference of Religions, which engag'd us
in a Dispute. I pretended that 'till then I did not know the
Force of their Arguments, and the Weakness of ours, with regard
to the _Messiah_. The Hopes of making a Proselyte, induc'd them
to desire that we might meet as often as possible in order to
have an Opportunity to treat the matter thoroughly. Thereupon I
deny'd that I might be present at their public Worship. They
open'd the Doors of their Synagogue to me with Joy, I caus'd
myself to be instructed in their Religion, and at last being
convinc'd of my Errors by the Truth of their Principles, they
circumcis'd me, and I became a _Jew_. As soon as this was done, I
was solemnly initiated into all their Mysteries, I ran thro' all
their Ceremonies, and the Fair Sex who thought me a Saint,
caress'd and honour'd me as well as the Men. As for my part there
was no Complaisance which I did not put in Practice to them,
especially I carry'd it with such a Respect to the fair Jewels as
was not disagreeable to her. Besides, I often made her small
Presents which she receiv'd with Pleasure, and which her Mother
did not dislike, but the Father who was covetous, tho' he had a
vast Fortune to give with this only Daughter, frown'd at this
little Intercourse of Civilities.
Mean time, I cut a grand Figure but yet without running into
Extravagance: He was surpriz'd at my way of Living, mad to know
what Bottom I had to support it, and made Inquiry every where but
could not hear the least Tidings. When I saw that, I sent my
Footman to a Friend of mine a Jew Goldsmith to buy a couple of
Crucibles, and not to speak a Word of it to any Body. The
Jeweller it seems frequented that House, so that three Days
after, my Footman was perfectly surpriz'd, when going to my
Friend the Goldsmith's House, to know if he was at Leisure to
receive me, the Jeweller took him apart into a Room, treated him
with a Glass of his best Wine, and talking about Crucibles, ask'd
him slily what I meant to do with mine. My Boy, whom I had
tutor'd beforehand, pretended at first to be ignorant of the
matter in order to make him think there was some Mystery in it:
At last after a great many Questions on one hand, and swearing on
the other that his Master would break his Neck if he reveal'd it
to any Body, he told it him as a Secret that was to remain so for
ever betwixt them two, that I made use of it to increase Gold,
and that I was one of the best Chymists in _Europe_. This which
he thought an ingenuous Confession, and not improbable, had its
desir'd Effect. _Mascado_, which was the Jeweller's Name, was
overjoy'd he had discover'd this, but he did not know which way
to prevail on me to trust him with the Secret. First of all he
sifted me concerning the nature of my Effects, whether they
consisted in Money, Houses or Land, which way I was supply'd
with Cash from my own Country, and then offer'd to remit me some
for a small Charge. He ask'd if I intended to travel always,
whether it would not be more for my Advantage to settle in some
Place or other, and the like. I answer'd all this in a loose
manner, which could not be very satisfactory to him. And when he
saw that he could get nothing out of the Master, he address'd
himself a second time to the Domestic, and by the Virtue of
Promises and a small Present, he made him promise that the first
time I went about the Grand Work he would not fail to give him
Notice.
Ten Days after this, I put my Crucibles on the Fire, and tho' I
was stripp'd as it were to my Shirt, I was in such a Heat with
blowing and stirring that no Vermilion was redder than my Face.
Mean time my Servant ran to _Mascado_'s House to inform him what
was doing, on pretence that I had sent him out to buy some Drams
of _Aqua Regalis_, so that the one was scarce return'd but the
other came to ask if I was at Home. The Maid who then happen'd to
be at the Gate, came and knock'd at my Door telling my Man that
some Body wanted to speak with me, and that she had told him I
was in my Chamber. I pretended to be angry with her for it, and
sent out the Footman to tell him that I was not to be spoke with.
The _Jew_ made a Pish at that, and entering bluntly into my Room,
I beg your Pardon, Sir, _said he_, you have been so retir'd since
your Conversion that I thought you was engag'd in some Act of
Devotion, and for fear that too much of it might throw you into
a Fit of Melancholy and give you the Vapours, which it seems you
were lately afflicted with, I took the Liberty of bolting in
without being introduc'd, on purpose to chat with you for an
Hour, and to invite you to spend the Evening at my House. But
what are you doing here? _continued he_. Are you turn'd Chymist?
What have you there in those Crucibles? Upon my Faith, I believe
you are in quell of the Philosopher's Stone. Let us call another
Cause, _said I_, seeming to be very much confounded: We must be
doing something or other while we live in this World; and other
Things I said, of which 'tis needless to give you our Dialogue.
But after many Circumlocutions, and upon Condition he would not
speak of it, the Conclusion was that I had the Art of multiplying
Gold. To be plain with you, _said he_, I was surpriz'd to see how
expensively you liv'd without any visible Way to maintain it, or
speaking to any Body to help you to Money. But is your Art
certain, and does it never fail? The next Time that I go to work,
_said I_, you shall see an Experiment of it.
Some Days after this I appointed a Time, and bade him bring me
ten Ducats. He cast those ten Pieces of Gold into one of my
Crucibles, and I threw my Powder of Multiplication into the
other. Then I mix'd the whole, and stirr'd it well with a hollow
Rod of Iron into which I had put Gold-Dust to the Value of fifty
Livres, having stopp'd it up with a little Wax, which immediately
melted, so that the Gold-Dust ran out, and augmented the Mass of
Metal which he himself had thrown in. The Time fix'd for the
Operation being expir'd, I put into his Hands the little Ingot
that resulted from the Mixture which he carry'd immediately to
his Friend the Goldsmith, who told him that it was the best Gold
that ever came out of a Furnace. He was charm'd with the Secret,
and would have persuaded me to work at it every Day. I told him
that I had already Money enough by me for my present Occasions,
that it was time enough for me to work when I wanted more, and
that as long as I had no House nor Family, I should not be
solicitous for amassing a great deal of Wealth; besides, that it
was very difficult to get the Powder I made use of, and that a
Man endangers his Health in the Operation unless he has a great
Laboratory, and all the Tools fit for a Work of such Importance.
You long Gentlemen, no doubt, to hear all these Particulars, but
to cut the matter short by omitting many others, which perhaps
would not be disagreeable at another Time, they did not put me
under the Necessity of starting the Affair of the Marriage, for
there were certain Matchmakers that propos'd it to me themselves.
I was willing that every thing should be done in form, and being
sure of my Point, I demanded the fair _Jew_ of her Parents who
granted her to me with Marks of entire Satisfaction, and took me
immediately into their House.
We had not been marry'd long before my Father-in-law began to
talk to me of the main Chance. You have a Talent, Son, _said he_,
which ought not to be bury'd, let us be doing while we have the
Means, and get Estates for ourselves and our Posterity, I
immediately gave into his Sentiment, and we resolv'd to erect
our Laboratory at his Country-House six Miles out of Town, that
we might work without being disturb'd or observ'd. But my
Multiplication Powder was all spent, more must be prepar'd, and
because it would take up Time, and could not be done without
great Charge and Trouble, we resolv'd to make enough of it at
once as should serve for a Million of Ducats. Thereupon I gave
him a List of the Drugs of which the Composition was to consist,
of which the greatest Ingredient was Mercury. Then I made him
believe that I must have Bay-Salt, Mineral-Salt, Antimony, the
Seed of Pearls, Coral, the Ashes of a Heifer, Hartshorn, and the
Horn of a Unicorn, the Eyes of a Lobster, Elephants Tooth,
Dragon's Blood, Eagle's Claws, Birds of Paradise, the Beaks of
_American_ Parrots, the Heads of Vipers, the Bones of a Camel,
the Tail of a Crocodile, the Head of a Porpoise, the Rib of a
Whale, all the Metals, and most of the Minerals; I told him
likewise that a certain determin'd Quantity of each of these must
be infus'd three Days in Sheep's Urine mix'd with one third in
Proportion of the Dung of a Grey Cow, which had been steep'd in
the Water of the Rhine the space of nine Days, which is the
Square of Number 3; and the Cubic Number of that same Quantity,
_viz._ 27 Days or a Periodical Month, was the Time requisite for
calcinating the whole Mass, and reducing it by, a slow Fire to
this pretended Powder of Projection.
All this did not daunt the Good Man. His Hopes of great Gain made
him think that easy, which another would have thought
impracticable. The Business was where to get the Ingredients I
desir'd. Some of them were to be had at Avignon and Parts
adjacent, and the rest must be fetch'd from _Holland_, where in
short there is something of every Thing in the World. I
afterwards gave him to understand, that Gold after it had once
pass'd thro' my Hands could not be multiply'd any more, and that
therefore he must get a great Sum of Money together either by
borrowing it upon Interest, or of some Friends who would be very
glad to be let into a Share of the Profits. The Goldsmith being
the first Man to whom he imparted the Secret, desir'd him to take
500 _Loui-dors_ of him on what Terms he pleas'd. Several others
did the same, but all under the Rose, and upon Oath not to reveal
it to any Body whatsoever, not even to their Wives, so that not
one Man knew any thing of what was transacted with another. As
fast as the Gold came in, it was carry'd to the Country-House
where I was often employ'd in putting Things in order.
At last when I saw every Thing was ready, I said to my
Father-in-law and my Wife, that I would now go and put the last
Hand to the Work; but that as it requir'd a great deal of
Application, and as I should want at least three Days for it, I
desir'd 'em not to come and interrupt me in the mean while; and
then seizing a Cabinet in which there were Jewels to the Value of
at least 60000 Livres, I went to the Farm, and rising early next
Morning, I took all the Money, and said to the Farmer that an
Affair of the last Importance, and which I did not think of
before, calling me to _Arles_, if my Wife happen'd to come three
or four Days hence as she promis'd she would, I begg'd him to
assure her from me that I would make as much Dispatch as I could,
and mounting my Horse I bade him Farewel. As soon as I was out of
the Countryman's Ken, I turn'd off another Way and rode to
_Lions_.
When I arriv'd at that famous Town, the Marquis _de Villeneuve_
happened to come and sup at the Inn where I lodg'd, and wanted to
be acquainted with me. I told him that I was a _Dutchman_ of the
Family of _Wassenaar_, and a Cornet in the Service of their
High-Mightinesses, but that having had the Misfortune to fight a
Duel with, and kill an Ensign of the Prince of _Orange_'s
Regiment of Guards, who was of a very good Family, I had been
oblig'd to fly my Country for fear of the Consequences, but that
to my Comfort I did not come away empty-handed, nor without good
Bills of Credit, upon which the Gentleman was extremely civil to
me. I know your Family, Sir, _said he_, 'tis considerable in the
_Netherlands_, and to shew you that I have an Esteem for it, if
you will be at the Expence of raising a Company in a Regiment of
Horse which I am going to form, it shall be your own Fault if you
be not the Captain; I am going to Court, whither we will travel
together, and I'll engage to make you acceptable to the King. I
take you at your Word Mr. Marquise, _said I_, and pulling a
Diamond of 500 Crowns off of my little Finger, which I had taken
out of the Cabinet I ran away with, and at which the Colonel
blink'd several times, there, _said I_, is a Present for you to
bind the Bargain. Next Day I bespoke a Sute of Clothes lac'd to
the Value of a hundred Pistoles, sold my Horse, got a _Valet de
Chambre_, and having furnish'd my self with all Necessaries we
took the Stage-Coach for _Paris_.
We had not been there long, but my Patron procur'd me a
Commission, and press'd me earnestly to lose no time in railing
my Company. M. _de St. John_, who was my Lieutenant, advis'd me
to go with him toward _Joinville_ in _Champaigne_, where he had
great Acquaintance, and we might be sure of finding Men and
Horses at a reasonable Rate. We had been there actually scarce
six Weeks when our Levies were almost full. But besides the
excessive Charge I was at in every respect, it was my Misfortune
to be known by that Rascal, my Footman, of _Avignon_, whom I had
not paid as I ought for his Trouble, and who being of this
Country happen'd to see me. The Knave, as well from a Principle
of Revenge, as in Hopes of a handsom Reward from my Wife,
immediately sent Advice of it to _Mascado_. This cunning Jew was
so expeditious, and made such a powerful interest, that I was not
only apprehended and clapp'd in Prison soon after, but being
accused and convicted of the most consummate Roguery, I was
stripp'd of all I had, and condemned for my Life to the Galleys.
Here, Gentlemen, continu'd _Peter Heudde_, was the Period of my
infamous course of Life, by which you perceive that I have been a
long time in Slavery. The Pleasures I have tasted are not equal
to the Pains which I have endur'd on their Account. But the
Governor of all Things wou'd have it so; and I bear his
Chastisements with Patience, 'till he is so gracious as to put
an End to them. We lamented his unhappy Fate, and Mr. _Elliot_
giving him a Crown, assur'd him that he wou'd endeavour to do him
Service. We wou'd fain have known where this unfortunate Person
was born and his Extraction, but he wou'd not tell us, so that we
retir'd in Admiration of the wife Dealings of the Almighty with
his Creatures both good and bad.
I car'd so little for _Algier_ while I stay'd there, and had so
little Curiosity to traverse the Town, that I was surpriz'd when
I was out at Sea to discover Beauties there which I cou'd not
have thought of. This charming City is situate in form of an
Amphitheatre upon the Declivity of a high Mountain, so that you
may see it all at one View, tho' 'tis large and contains above
100000 Inhabitants. But there was no returning to view it, nor
indeed did I much care for it. The Weather was agreeable, and we
had so happy a Voyage that I did not see the least Inconveniency.
At length I arriv'd at _London_, that famous magnificent City
(whose Lustre eclipses every thing that I had seen) the fourth of
_May_ 1694, in my seventy third Year, but strong and vigorous for
one of my Age.
The first thing I thought of was a new Sute of Clothes, because I
was not willing to let my Friends see me in the Garb I had on
then. My Landlord talk'd _French_ and I desir'd him to send for a
Tailor who likewise understood that Language. The Tailor came and
carry'd me to a Refugee Merchant's Shop, where, while we were
viewing the Stuffs, there came in a Man, who, as soon as he had
seen me, and heard that I had been a Slave in _Barbary_, was
taken with a Bleeding at the Nose, which could not be staunch'd
'till he had lost above twenty Ounces of Blood. Every one try'd
the Remedies he knew, but when I saw that all was to no purpose,
and that they actually talk'd of sending for a Surgeon to open a
Vein, I took his little Finger on that Side as the Nostril was
that bleeded, and ty'd it very hard with a Needle-full of Thread
between the Nail and the first Joint. This Remedy which never
fail'd, tho' few Persons know how to use it, had its Effect, and
was admir'd by the Company. The Merchant who knew the Man, call'd
for a Glass of Brandy, and taking it out of his Maid's Hands,
said, Here, Mr. _Massey_, 'tis necessary that you take some of
these Spirits towards supplying what you have now lost.
Tho' he was young when I went from Home, yet I presently knew him
by some Features that I remember'd, besides his being very much
pitted with the Small-Pox. Is your Name _Massey_? said I, Yes,
said he, at your Service. Did you know, reply'd I, Mr. _Elliot_
Consul at _Algier_? Intimately, said he. Very well, I reply'd,
there's a Letter which he order'd me to give you. He took it,
open'd and read it, and when he came to the Place where my Name
was mention'd, he threw it down in a Hurry on the Counter against
which he lean'd, and fell about my Neck without speaking one
Word.
As much as I labour'd at it, I was not able to pronounce a Word
for a long time; we held each other about the Neck like two
Statues, and I believe we should have died with Joy in one
another's Arms if Care had not been taken to separate us. You are
just come from Slavery, dear Brother, said he, with Tears in his
Eyes, and no doubt you want the good Things of this World. But
Heaven has bless'd me for us both, come home with me for the
remainder of your Life to enjoy my Plenty, and your own Liberty.
'Tis but reasonable that you should govern in your Turn. I, my
Wife and Children will now be your Slaves. I would have you be
Master at my House, and I will be the first to obey. I was going
to thank him for his Civilities, and to give him to understand
that a Man of my Age would not be very agreeable so young People,
that it would be better I should be put to board with some
Stranger, who for my Money would be oblig'd to put up with my
Infirmities. But he immediately interrupted me, and having
order'd the Tailor to finish my Clothes with all Speed, he
carry'd me to his House.
Yet, whatever I have said of my Brother is nothing in short to
what his Family did. I thought my Sister his Wife, and my Nephews
and Nieces his Children would have eaten me up alive for Joy. I
had a very fine Apartment for my Lodging, and a domestic Servant
always to attend me.
_Le Grand_ one of my Fellow Travellers having heard of my
Arrival, did me the Favour to come and see me. He told me how,
after having left _Goa_, he went to the Isle of _Java_, where he
had the Happiness to be introduc'd into the Family of M. _de St.
Martin_, and by him to M. _Van Reden_, Governor of Batavia, that
by M. _Martin_'s Means he had, an Opportunity to improve in the
Mathematical Lectures I had given him, by acting in the Post of
Engineer, which had enabled him to live genteelly the rest of his
Days. He told me also that _La Foret_ died in those Parts in very
good Circumstances, but he knew not what was become of the
others.
To do Justice to this Gentleman, I frankly own, that the frequent
Conversation I enjoy'd with him contributed not a little towards
refreshing my Memory with a great many Circumstances which I had
almost utterly forgot, and that tho' this Narrative wants very
much of being so perfect as it would have been, if I had
preserv'd my Journals, or had the Conveniency every where of
putting down what occurr'd, yet without him it would not have
been near so compleat as it is.
If I have omitted some Things, I have on the other hand advanc'd
nothing but what I was either a Witness of, or came to me from
the first hand. And I would have publish'd this Account of my
Travels some Years ago, had not substantial Reasons prevented me,
and especially these two. 1. My Brother being concern'd in the
great Farms of _France_, had such ill Success in them that he was
forc'd to leave all, and come and settle in _England_, where he
lives as private as possible, for fear the Court should hear of
him, and give him Trouble. The other Reason is of no less Weight,
and affects myself in particular. I was afraid lest my Book would
excite the Ambition of some insatiable Monarch to conquer the
Kingdom I describe and that he would compel me to serve as a
Guide to those who should be employed in so difficult an
Expedition. But alas! I am weary of travelling, and too old to
bear the Fatigues which I have endur'd heretofore. My Nephews are
intrusted with the Care of this Manuscript, after my Brother and
I are dead, so that when it comes out in print the World may be
assur'd that we are not in Being.