better Instructions then perhaps they expected, not knowing that her
Majesty had such great and able judgment in Natural Philosophy, had
several conferences with them concerning Chymical Preperations, which
for brevities sake, I'le forbear to reherse: Amongst the rest, she
asked, how it came that the Imperial Race appear'd so young, and yet was
reported to have lived so long; some of them two, some three, and some
four hundred years? and whether it was by Nature, or a special Divine
blessing? To which they answered, That there was a certain Rock in the
parts of that World, which contained the Golden Sands, which Rock was
hallow within, and did produce a Gum that was a hundred years before it
came to its full strength and perfection; this Gum, said they, if it be
held in a warm hand, will dissolve into an Oyl, the effects whereof are
following: It being given every day for some certain time, to an old
decayed man, in the bigness of a little Pea, will first make him spit
for a week, or more; after this, it will cause Vomits of Flegm; and
after that it will bring forth by vomits, humors of several colours;
first of a pale yellow, then of a deep yellow, then of a green, and
lastly of a black colour; and each of these humours have a several
taste, some are fresh, some salt, some sower, some bitter, and so forth;
neither do all these Vomits make them sick, but they come out on a
sudden, and unawares, without any pain or trouble to the patient: And
after it hath done all these mentioned effects, and clear'd both the
Stomack and several other parts of the body, then it works upon the
Brain, and brings forth of the Nose such kinds of humors as it did out
of the Mouth, and much after the same manner; then it will purge by
stool, then by urine, then by sweat, and lastly by bleeding at the Nose,
and the Emeroids; all which effects it will perform within the space of
six weeks, or a little more; for it does not work very strongly, but
gently, and by degrees: Lastly, when it has done all this, it will make
the body break out into a thick Scab, and cause both Hair, Teeth, and
Nails to come off; which scab being arrived to its full maturity, opens
first along the back, and comes off all in a piece like armour, and all
this is done within the space of four months. After this the Patient is
wrapt into a Cere-cloth, prepared of certain Gums and Juices, wherein
he continues until the time of nine Months be expired from the first
beginning of the cure, which is the time of a Childs formation in the
Womb. In the mean while, his diet is nothing else but Eagles-eggs, and
Hinds-milk; and after the Cere-cloth is taken away, he will appear of
the age of Twenty, both in shape, and strength. The weaker sort of this
Gum is soveraign in healing of wounds, and curing of slight distempers.
But this is also to be observed, that none of the Imperial race does use
any other drink but Lime-water, or water in which Lime-stone is
immerged; their meat is nothing else but Fowl of several sorts, their
recreations are many, but chiefly Hunting.
This Relation amazed the Empress very much; for though in the World she
came from, she had heard great reports of the Philosophers-stone, yet
had she not heard of any that had ever found it out, which made her
believe that it was but a Chymera; she called also to mind, that there
had been in the same World a Man who had a little Stone which cured all
kinds of Diseases outward and inward, according it was applied; and that
a famous Chymist had found out a certain Liquor called Alkahest, which
by the vertue of its own fire, consumed all Diseases; but she had never
heard of a Medicine that could renew old Age, and render it beautiful,
vigorous and strong: Nor would she have so easily believed it, had it
been a medicine prepared by Art; for she knew that Art, being Natures
Changeling, was not able to produce such a powerful effect; but being
that the Gum did grow naturally, she did not so much scruple at it; for
she knew that Nature's Works are so various and wonderful, that no
particular Creature is able to trace her ways.
The Conferences of the Chymists being finished, the Empress made an
Assembly of her Galenical Physicians, her Herbalists and Anatomists; and
first she enquired of her Herbalists the particular effects of several
Herbs and Drugs, and whence they proceeded? To which they answered, that
they could, for the most part, tell her Majesty the vertues and
operations of them, but the particular causes of their effects were
unknown; onely thus much they could say, that their operations and
vertues were generally caused by their proper inherent, corporeal,
figurative motions, which being infinitely various in Infinite Nature,
did produce infinite several effects. And it is observed, said they,
that Herbs and Drugs are as wise in their operations, as Men in their
words and actions; nay, wiser; and their effects are more certain then
Men in their opinions; for though they cannot discourse like Men, yet
have they Sense and Reason, as well as Men; for the discursive faculty
is but a particular effect of Sense and Reason in some particular
Creatures, to wit, Men, and not a principle of Nature, and argues often
more folly then wisdom. The Empress asked, Whether they could not by a
composition and commixture of other Drugs make them work other effects
then they did, used by themselves? They answered, That they could make
them produce artificial effects, but not alter their inherent, proper
and particular natures.
Then the Empress commanded her Anatomists to dissect such kinds of
Creatures as are called Monsters. But they answered her Majesty, That it
would be but an unprofitable and useless work, and hinder their better
imployments; for when we dissect dead Animals, said they, it is for no
other end, but to observe what defects and distempers they had, that we
may cure the like in living ones, so that all our care and industry
concerns onely the preservation of Mankind; but we hope your Majesty
will not preserve Monsters, which are most commonly destroyed, except it
be for novelty: Neither will the dissection of Monsters prevent the
errors of Nature's irregular actions; for by dissecting some, we cannot
prevent the production of others; so that our pains and labour will be
to no purpose, unless to satisfie the vain curiosities of inquisitive
men. The Empress replied, That such dissections would be very beneficial
to Experimental Philosophers. If Experimental Philosophers, answer'd
they, do spend their time in such useless Inspections, they waste it in
vain, and have nothing but their labour for their pains.
Lastly, her Majesty had some Conferences with the Galenick Physicians
about several Diseases, and amongst the rest, desired to know the cause
and nature of Apoplexies, and the spotted Plague. They answered, That a
deadly Apoplexy was a dead palsie of the Brain, and the spotted Plague
was a Gangrene of the Vital parts: and as the Gangrene of outward parts
did strike inwardly; so the Gangrene of inward parts, did break forth
outwardly: which is the cause, said they, that as soon as the spots
appear, death follows; for then it is an infallible sign, that the body
is throughout infected with a Gangrene, which is a spreading evil; but
some Gangrenes do spread more suddenly than others, and of all sorts of
Gangrenes, the Plaguy- Gangrene is the most infectious; for other
Gangrenes infect but the next adjoining parts of one particular body,
and having killed that same Creature, go no further, but cease; when as,
the Gangrene of the Plague, infects not onely the adjoining parts of one
particular Creature, but also those that are distant; that is, one
particular body infects another, and so breeds a Universal Contagion.
But the Empress being very desirous to know in what manner the Plague
was propagated, and became so contagious, asked, Whether it went
actually out of one body into another? To which they answered, That it
was a great dispute amongst the Learned of their Profession, Whether it
came by a division and composition of parts; that is, by expiration and
inspiration; or whether it was caused by imitation: some Experimental
Philosophers, said they, will make us believe, that by the help of their
Microscopes, they have observed the Plague to be a body of little Flies
like Atoms, which go out of one body into another, through the sensitive
passages; but the most experienced and wisest of our society, have
rejected this opinion as a ridiculous fancy, and do, for the most part,
believe, that it is caused by an imitation of Parts; so that the motions
of some parts which are sound, do imitate the motions of those that are
infected and that by this means, the Plague becomes contagions, and
spreading.
The Empress having hitherto spent her time in the Examination of the
Bird- Fish- Worm- and Ape- men, &c. and received several Intelligences
from their several imployments; at last had a mind to divert her self
after her serious Discourses, and therefore she sent for the Spider-men,
which were her Mathematicians, the Lice-men which were here
Geometricians, and the Magpie- Parrot- and Jackdaw-men, which were her
Orators and Logicians. The Spider-men came first, and presented her
Majesty with a table full of Mathematical points, lines, and figures of
all sorts, of squares, circles, triangles, and the like; which the
Empress, notwithstanding that she had a very ready wit, and quick
apprehension, could not understand; but the more she endeavoured to
learn, the more was she confounded: Whether they did ever square the
Circle, I cannot exactly tell, nor whether they could make imaginary
points and lines; but this I dare say, That their points and lines were
so slender, small and thin, that they seem'd next to Imaginary. The
Mathematicians were in great esteem with the Empress, as being not onely
the chief Tutors and Instructors in many Arts, but some of them
excellent Magicians and Informers of spirits, which was the reason their
Characters were so abstruse and intricate, that the Emperess knew not
what to make of them. There is so much to learn in your Art, said she,
that I can neither spare time from other affairs to busie my self in
your profession; nor, if I could, do I think I should ever be able to
understand your Imaginary points, lines and figures, because they are
Non-beings.
Then came the Lice-men, and endeavoured to measure all things to a
hairs-breadth, and weigh them to an Atom; but their weights would seldom
agree, especially in the weighing of Air, which they found a task
impossible to be done; at which the Empress began to be displeased, and
told them, that there was neither Truth nor Justice in their Profession;
and so dissolved their society.
After this, the Empress was resolved to hear the Magpie- Parrot- and
Jackdaw-men, which were her professed Orators and Logicians; whereupon
one of the Parrot-men rose with great formality, and endeavoured to make
an Eloquent Speech before her Majesty; but before he had half ended, his
arguments and divisions being so many, that they caused a great
confusion in his brain, he could not go forward, but was forced to
retire backward, with great disgrace both to himself, and the whole
society; and although one of his brethren endeavoured to second him by
another speech, yet was he as far to seek, as the former. At which the
Empress appear'd not a little troubled, and told them, That they
followed too much the Rules of Art, and confounded themselves with too
nice formalities and distinctions; but since I know, said she, that you
are a people who have naturally voluble tongues, and good memories; I
desire you to consider more the subject you speak of, then your
artificial periods, connexions and parts of speech, and leave the rest
to your natural Eloquence; which they did, and so became very eminent
Orators.
Lastly, her Imperial Majesty being desirous to know what progress her
Logicians had made in the Art of disputing, Commanded them to argue upon
several Themes or Subjects; which they did; and having made a very nice
discourse of Logistical terms and propositions, entred into a dispute by
way of Syllogistical Arguments, through all the Figures and Modes: One
began with an Argument of the first Mode of the first Figure, thus:
Every Politician is wise: Every Knave is a Politician, Therefore every
Knave is wise.
Another contradicted him with a Syllogism of the second Mode of the same
Figure, thus: No Politician is wise: Every Knave is a Politician,
Therefore no Knave is wise.
The third made an Argument in the third Mode of the same Figure, after
this manner: Every Politician is wise: some Knaves are Politicians,
Therefore some Knaves are wise.
The Fourth concluded with a Syllogism in the fourth Mode of the same
Figure, thus; No Politician is wise: some Knaves are Politicians,
Therefore some Knaves are not wise.
After this they took another subject, and one propounded this Syllogism:
Every Philosopher is wise: Every Beast is wise, Therefore every Beast is
a Philosopher.
But another said that this Argument was false, therefore he contradicted
him with a Syllogism of the second Figure of the fourth Mode, thus:
Every Philosopher is wise: some Beasts are not wise, Therefore some
Beasts are not Philosophers.
Thus they argued, and intended to go on, but the Empress interrupted
them: I have enough, said she, of your chopt Logick, and will hear no
more of your Syllogisms; for it disorders my Reason, and puts my Brain
on the rack; your formal argumentations are able to spoil all natural
wit; and I'le have you to consider, that Art does not make Reason, but
Reason makes Art; and therefore as much as Reason is above Art, so much
is a natural rational discourse to be preferred before an artificial:
for Art is, for the most part irregular, and disorders Men's
understandings more then it rectifies them, and leads them into a
Labyrinth where they'l never get out, and makes them dull and unfit for
useful employments; especially your Art of Logick, which consists onely
in contradicting each other, in making sophismes, and obscuring Truth,
instead of clearing it.
But they replied to her Majesty, That the knowledg of Nature, that is,
Natural Philosophy, would be imperfect without the Art of Logick; and
that there was an improbable Truth which could no otherwise be found out
then by the Art of disputing. Truly, said the Empress, I do believe that
it is with Natural Philosophy, as it is with all other effects of
Nature; for no particular knowledg can be perfect, by reason knowledg is
dividable, as well as composable; nay, to speak properly, Nature her
self cannot boast of any perfection, but God himself; because there are
so many irregular motions in Nature, and 'tis but a folly to think that
Art should be able to regulate them, since Art it self is, for the most
part, irregular. But as for Improbable Truth I know not what your
meaning is; for Truth is more then Improbability: nay, there is so much
difference between Truth and Improbability, that I cannot conceive it
possible how they can be joined together. In short, said she, I do no
ways approve of your Profession; and though I will not dissolve your
society, yet I shall never take delight in hearing you any more;
wherefore confine your disputations to your Schools, lest besides the
Commonwealth of Learning, they disturb also Divinity and Policy,
Religion and Laws, and by that means draw an utter ruine and destruction
both upon Church and State.
After the Empress had thus finish'd the Discourses and Conferences with
the mentioned societies of her Vertuoso's, she considered by her self
the manner of their Religion, and finding it very defective, was
troubled, that so wise and knowing a people should have no more knowledg
of the Divine Truth; Wherefore she consulted with her own thoughts,
whether it was possible to convert them all to her own Religion, and to
that end she resolved to build Churches, and make also up a Congregation
of Women, whereof she intended to be the head her self, and to instruct
them in the several points of her Religion. This she had no sooner
begun, but the Women, which generally had quick wits, subtile
conceptions, clear understandings, and solid judgments, became, in a
short time, very devout and zealous Sisters; for the Empress had an
excellent gift of Preaching, and instructing them in the Articles of
Faith; and by that means, she converted them not onely soon, but gained
an extraordinary love of all her Subjects throughout that World. But at
last, pondering with her self the inconstant nature of Mankind, and
fearing that in time they would grow weary, and desert the divine Truth,
following their own fancies, and living according to their own desires;
she began to be troubled that her labours and pains should prove of so
little effect, and therefore studied all manner of ways to prevent it.
Amongst the rest, she call'd to mind a Relation which the Bird-men made
her once, of a Mountain that did burn in flames of fire; and thereupon
did immediately send for the wisest and subtilest of her Worm-men,
commanding them to discover the cause of the Eruption of that same fire;
which they did; and having dived to the very bottom of the Mountain,
informed her Majesty, That there was a certain sort of Stone, whose
nature was such, that being wetted, it would grow excessively hot, and
break forth into a flaming-fire, until it became dry, and then it ceased
from burning. The Empress was glad to hear this news, and forthwith
desired the Worm men to bring her some of that Stone, but be sure to
keep it secret: she sent also for the Bird-men, and asked them whether
they could not get her a piece of the Sun- stone? They answered, That it
was impossible, unless they did spoil or lessen the light of the World:
but, said they, if it please your Majesty, we can demolish one of the
numerous Stars of the Sky, which the World will never miss.
The Empress was very well satisfied with this proposal, and having thus
imployed these two sorts of men, in the mean while builded two Chappels
one above another; the one she lined throughout with Diamonds, both
Roof, Walls and Pillars; but the other she resolved to line with the
Star-stone; the Fire- stone she placed upon the Diamond-lining, by
reason Fire has no power on Diamonds; and when she would have that
Chappel where the Fire-stone was, appear all in flame, she had by the
means of Artificial pipes, water conveighed into it, which by turning
the Cock, did, as out of a Fountain, spring over all the room, and as
long as the Fire-stone was wet, the Chappel seemed to be all in a
flaming-fire.
The other Chappel, which was lined with the Star- stone, did onely cast
a splendorous and comfortable light; both the Chappels stood upon
Pillars, just in the middle of a round Cloyster, which was dark as
night; neither was there any other light within them, but what came from
the Fire- and Star-stone; and being every where open, allowed to all
that were within the compass of the Cloyster, a free prospect into them;
besides, they were so artificially contrived, that they did both move in
a Circle about their own Centres, without intermission, contrary ways.
In the Chappel which was lined with the Fire-stone, the Empress preached
Sermons of Terror to the wicked, and told them of the punishments for
their sins, to wit, That after this life they should be tormented in an
everlasting Fire. But in the other Chappel lined with the Star- stone,
she preached Sermons of Comfort to those that repented of their sins,
and were troubled at their own wickedness: Neither did the heat of the
flame in the least hinder her; for the Fire-stone did not cast so great
a heat but the Empress was able to endure it, by reason the water which
was poured on the Stone, by its own self-motion turned into a
flaming-fire, occasioned by the natural motions of the Stone, which made
the flame weaker then if it had been fed by some other kind of fuel; the
other Chappel where the Star-Stone was, although it did cast a great
light, yet was it without all heat, and the Empress appear'd like an
Angel in it; and as that Chappel was an embleme of Hell, so this was an
embleme of Heaven. And thus the Empress, by Art, and her own Ingenuity,
did not onely convert the Blazing-World to her own Religion, but kept
them in a constant belief, without inforcement or blood-shed; for she
knew well, that belief was a thing not to be forced or pressed upon the
people, but to be instilled into their minds by gentle perswasions; and
after this manner she encouraged them also in all other duties and
employments: for Fear, though it makes people obey, yet does it not last
so long, nor is it so sure a means to keep them to their duties, as Love.
Last of all, when she saw that both Church and State now in a
well-ordered and setled condition, her thoughts reflected upon the World
she came from; and though she had a great desire to know the condition
of the same, yet could she advise no manner of way how to gain any
knowledg thereof; at last, after many serious considerations, she
conceived that it was impossible to be done by any other means, then by
the help of Immaterial Spirits; wherefore she made a Convocation of the
most learned, witty and ingenious of all the forementioned sorts of Men,
and desired to know of them, whether there were any Immaterial Spirits
in their World. First, she enquired of the Worm-men, whether they had
perceived some within the Earth? They answered her Majesty, That they
never knew of any such Creatures; for whatsoever did dwell within the
Earth, said they, was imbodied and material. Then she asked the Fly-men,
whether they had observed any in the Air? for you having numerous Eyes,
said she, will be more able to perceive them, than any other Creatures.
To which they answered her Majesty, That although Spirits, being
immaterial, could not be perceived by the Worm-men in the Earth, yet
they perceived that such Creatures did lodg in the Vehicles of the Air.
Then the Empress asked, Whether they could speak to them, and whether
they did understand each other? The Fly-men answered, That those Spirits
were always cloth'd in some sort or other of Material Garments; which
Garments were their Bodies, made, for the most part, of Air; and when
occasion served, they could put on any other sort of substances; but yet
they could not put these substances into any form or shape, as they
pleased. The Empress asked the Fly-men, whether it was possible that she
could be acquainted, and have some conferences with them?