_MADAM,_
In your last, you were pleased to desire my answer to these following
questions: First, _What the reason is, that a Vessel, although it be
of a solid and compact substance, yet will retain the smell or odour
of a forreign substance poured into it, for a long time?_ I answer:
The Vessel, or rather the perceptive corporeal motions of the Vessel,
having patterned out the figure of the sent of the odorous substance,
retain that same figure of sent, although the odorous substance is
gone; and as long as that patterned figure is perfect, the sent will
remain in the Vessel, either more or less, according as the figure
doth last or alter. But you must consider, _Madam_, that although it
be the natural motions that make those patterns of odours, yet those
patterned figures are but as it were artificial, like as a man who
draws a Copy from an Original; for Nature has divers and several ways
of such motions as we call Art, for whatsoever is an imitation, is that
which man calls Art. Your second question was, _How it came, that the
mind and understanding in many did die or dissolve before the body?_
I answer: The reason is, because the rational corporeal motions alter
before the sensitive; for as in some, as for example, in Natural fools,
the rational motions never move to a regular humane understanding,
so in some dying Persons they do make a general alteration before
the sensitive. Your third question was, _Why a man, being bitten by
a mad Dog, is onely distempered in his mind, and not in his body?_
The reason, according to my judgment, is, that the rational part of
Matter is onely disturbed, and not the sensitive. The fourth question
was, _Why a Basilisk will kill with his eyes?_ I answer: It is the
sensitive corporeal motions in the organ of sight in the man, which
upon the printing of the figure of the eyes of the Basilisk, make a
sudden alteration. Your fifth question was, _Why an Asp will kill
insensibly by biting?_ The reason, in my opinion, is, That the biting
of the Asp hath the same efficacy as deadly _Opium_ hath, yea, and much
stronger. Your sixth question was, _Why a Dog that rejoyces, swings his
tail, and a Lyon when angry, or a Cat when in a fear, do lift up their
tails?_ I answer: The several motions of the mind may produce either
but one, or several sorts of motions in some part or parts of the body;
and as the sensitive motions of anger will produce tears, so will the
motions of joy; but grief made by the rational motions of the mind,
may by excess disturb and make a general alteration of the sensitive
motions in an animal: the same may excessive joy. But, _Madam_, you may
perhaps find out better reasons for your own questions then these are;
for my endeavour was onely to frame my answer to the ground of my own
opinions, and so to satisfie your desire, which was, and is still the
ambition of,
Madam,
_Your faithful Friend_
_and Servant._