_MADAM,_
I cannot in reason give my consent to your _Authors_ opinion,[1] That
_Fishes do by the force or vertue of an inbred Seed transchange simple
water into fat, bones, and their own flesh, and that materially they
are nothing but water transchanged, and that they return into water by
art._ For though my opinion is, that bodies change and alter from one
figure into another, yet they do not all change into water, neither
is water changed into all other figures; and certainly Fishes do not
live nor subsist meerly by Water, but by several other meats, as other
animals do; either by feeding upon other Fishes, the stronger devouring
the weaker, or upon Mud, and Grass, and Weeds, in the bottom of Seas,
Rivers and Ponds, and the like: As for example, put Fish into a Pool or
Sluce, wherein there is not any thing but clear, pure water, and in a
short time they will be starved to death for want of Food; and as they
cannot live onely by water, so neither can they breed by the power of
water, but by the power of their food, as a more solid substance: And
if all Creatures be nourished by those things whereof they consist,
then Fishes do not consist of water, being not nourished by water;
for it is not the transchanging of water, by which Fishes live, and by
which they produce; but it is the transchange of food, proceeding from
other Creatures, as I mentioned above. 'Tis true, Water is a proper
element for them to live in, but not to live on; and though I have
neither learning, nor experience in _Chymistry_, yet I believe, that
your _Author_, with all the subtilest Art he had, could not turn or
convert all Creatures into pure and simple water, but there would have
been dregs and several mixtures left: I will not say, that the Furnace
may not rarifie bodies extreamly, but not convert them into such a
substance or form as Nature can. And although he thinks Gold is made of
Water, yet I do not believe he could convert it into Water by the help
of Fire; he might make it soluble, fluid and rare, but all things that
are supple, soluble, flowing and liquid, are not Water; I am confident
no _Gas_ or _Blas_ will, or can transform it, nor no Art whatsoever;
what Nature may do, I know not. But since your _Authors_ opinion is,
that Air is also a Primigenial Element, and in its nature a substance,
Why doth he not make it a Principle of natural bodies, as well as
Water? I think it had not been so improper to liken Juices to Water;
but to make the onely Principle of the composition and dissolution of
all Creatures to be Water, seems to me very improbable. Neither can
I admit in reason that the Elements should be called, first, pure,
and simple beings; we might as well call all other creatures, first,
pure, and simple beings: for although the word Element sounds as much
as Principle, yet they are in my reason no more Principles of Nature,
then other Creatures are, there being but one Principle in Nature, out
of which all things are composed, _viz._ the onely matter, which is a
pure and simple corporeal substance; and what Man names impure dregs
and filths, these are onely irregular and cross motions of that matter,
in respect to the nature of such or such a figure; or such motions as
are not agreeable and sympathetical to our Passions, Humors, Appetites,
and the like. Concerning the Contrarieties, Differences and Wars in
Nature, which your _Author_ denies, I have spoken thereof already, and
though he endeavours in a long discourse to prove, that there is no War
in nature; yet, in my opinion, it is to little purpose, and it makes
but a war in the thoughts of the Reader; I know not what it did in
his own. But I observe he appeals often to Divinity to bear him up in
Natural Philosophy; but how the Church doth approve his Interpretations
of the Scripture, I know not: Wherefore I will not meddle with them,
lest I offend the Truth of the Divine Scripture, wherein I desire to
submit to the Judgment of the Church, which is much wiser then I, or
any single Person can be. However, for all what your _Author_ says,
I do nevertheless verily believe, there is a war between Natural
motions: For example; between the Regular motions of Health, and the
Irregular motions of Sickness; and that things applied do oftentimes
give assistance to one side or other, but many times in the conflict,
the applied remedies are destroyed, and sometimes they are forced to
be Neutrals: Wherefore though the nature of Infinite Matter is simple,
and knows of no discord, yet her actions may be cross and opposite: the
truth is, Nature could never make such variety, did her actions never
oppose each other, but live in a constant Peace and Unity. And thus
leaving them to agree, I am confident your _Ladiship_ and I shall never
disagree; for as long as my life doth last, I shall always prove,
Madam,
_Your constant Friend,_
_and faithful Servant._
[1] _Ch._ The Fiction of Elementary Complexions and Mixtures.