to treasure up in his Library The first place that invited his presence was Italy in which as there are flourishing at this day most excellent and elegant wits most civil and polite manners and transcendent Laws so are there yet remaining very many reliques of the ancient fortune and those most flourishing times for Arts and Literature Having therefore viewed the Cities of Liguria and Tuscanie he came by long journeys into this City of yours as the Seat of all Divine and Humane Empire the Mansion place of Antiquity and Humanity where with his eyes and feet he diligently went over and visited the Courts Theatres Temples Bathes Arches and Caves as also the Spires Columns Statues Monuments of Brasse and Marble Coins Jewels and Books in a word all the Monuments of the ancient Magnificence and Arts more of which and more illustrious are comprehended within your walls than in all the world besides these he viewed and handled and carried what he could home with him which he partly bought at a great rate partly received by way of free gift from learned men which as they are alwaies in great aboundance at Rome so were they then especially in the dayes of those most studious and most munificent Princes of the Family of the Aldobrandini in very great number and exceeding courteous All which but especially Fulvius Ursinus and Laelius Pasqualinus most diligent and industrious collectors and admirers of the Reliques of Antiquity were drawn into admiration and friendship by the Virtues and rare Learning of young Peireskius The same expectation and favour he brought with him from Rome to Naples where he conversed with Matthaeus Capuanus Prince of the Conchani more renowned for his love of Learning and his knowledge than for the great Dignity of his Family and Fortune and with Mars Gurgustiola one of the Supreme Council and a very learned man both which had in their houses most rich Treasuries of all kind of Antiquities There also he frequented the renowned houses of Johannes Baptista Portae and Ferrans Imperatus of which the former was an eager searcher out and explainer the latter a most diligent keeper and preserver of the most abstruse works of nature And seeing Peireskius spent his study pains no lesse in these kind of things than the contemplation of Antiquity he searcht every most secret corner not only of this most large and beautiful City but also of the whole Territory of the most happy Countrey or Campania where he might behold the pleasant spectacle of Nature which there chiefly delights to work wonders contending with the ancient Magnificence and Luxury of the Greeks and Romans He diligently viewed the rest of Italy and all that part of France which is on this side the Alpes turning aside to Ravenna that he might behold those dismal Trophies of Gothish Barbarisme erected upon the ruines of the Roman Empire as also and chiefly to visit Hieronymus Rubeus an eloquent Writer as well of those Antiquities as of the Art of Physick From thence he journeyed to Padua chiefly invited by the fame of the rare learning of Vincentius Pincllus and of his Library full fraught with Books in all Tongues and Sciences which fame was so spread all Europe over that learned men who intended to collect ancient Books to furnish Libraries or to set forth their own works did come from remote parts to consult with him thereof There Peireskius abode for a season not only to insinuate himself into the House and Library but the acquaintance also of Pinellus into which he perfectly rooted himself that he might know and understand his great care to adorn Learning and learned men and all other Virtues of that most excellent man to the intent he might imitate the same and in processe of time exercise them all with most ample additions for the advancement of Learning Of which thing be then and there gave so great and undoubted hopes that Paulus Gualaus a man famous both for his own wit and learning and the intimate familiarity he had with Pinellus in those elegant Commentaries which he wrote touching the Life of the said Pinellus did affirm of Peireskius that if our Age did ever produce a man equal to Pinellus it could be no other than he who at Padua being hardly past a youth did with such ardency embrace Pinellus and his studies that he was a miracle to Gualdus himself and to other learned men Which learned men truly as many as then happily spent their daies in study at Padua especially Pinellus himself and Hieronymus Aleander and Laurentius Pignorius men excelling in accuratenesse of judgement as well as polite Literature did so approve this grave testimony given by Gualdus touching the rare towardlinesse of Peireskius and did so admire and love the same in him that every one invited him to his house with the greatest hospitality imaginable and communicated to him their greatest ratities both such as were in their own studies and in the publick Libraries and Records both at Padua and at Venice a City abounding with those and all other excellent things which they did as well when he was absent from them as when he was present which was also done by the greatest part of the other Cities of Italy and of Europe discoursing with him by Letters touching their studies fending their Books either to be printed by him or for honours sake to passe into the world under his name and patronage Thus flourishing in the favour and entertainments of most renowned and learned men when he had enriched himself with Statues Tables Coins Books and other most ancient Ornaments of Italy he proceeded in his Travails to Germany and as far as to great Britain where he gathered many Reliques of Antiquity and gained the repute and goodwill not only of men skilled in the studies of wisdom and good Arts but also of such as excelled in Painting Architecture and other curious Actifices whom Peireskius being an elegant spectator of their works did highly account of in those Countries as formerly he had done in Italy making himself acquainted with them as with all other learned men especially with Petrus Paulus Rubeus both for his knowledge of Antiquity and his skill in Painting Graving and Architecture which Arts he seems to have first of all brought out of Italy into the Low-Countries with their ancient splendor and dignity Marcus Velserus a Magistrate of Augsburge studious of the Commonwealth there and a careful advancer of Learning through all Germany John Barclay at that time famous in England for the elegance of his wit and Learning Daniel Heinsius chiefly in Holland and his most learned Master Joseph Scaliger who as soon as he heard Peireskius whom he knew only by name and hear-say reason about matters of Learning being of a piercing and sound judgement he presently knew him and declared who he was His last peregrination was to Paris whither by reason of the great aboundance of excellent Books and most learned men which he there
thousand parts and observed that our Provence Palme or Span which is the 8th part of a Can or Rod does contain only seven hundred sixty and three of those parts but the old Roman foot containes nine hundred and six of the said parts the English foot nine hundred thirty three that of Holland 966 that of Lions and Grenoble a thousand fifty and two and that of Florence one thousand eight hundred and two But of this enough and too much I return now to Peireskius who soon after in the year 1610. went again to Mon-pellier And having effected his businesse according to his hearts desire he returned in the beginning of May at which time he happened to dream a dream 1610. which as often as he related to me which was divers times he would alwayes premise that if another should have related it unto him he could not have beleeved it There was in his company Jacobus Rainerius a Citizen of Aix who was wont to lodge in the same chamber with him and their lodging was at the white Inn between Monpellier and Nismes Now Peireskius was in a dream and talked to himself obscurely of I know not what strange businesse whereupon Rainerius awaked him asking him what was the matter To whom he replied Alas and well away what a sweet and pleasant dream have you robbed me of I dreamt I was at Nismes and that the Goldsmith offered to sell me a golden piece of Julius Caesars coin for four Cardecues and I was just ready to give him the money that I might have the piece whereas by your unseasonable waking of me the Goldsmith vanished out of my sight and the piece of coin out of my hands Soon after not thinking of the dream he went to Nismes and while dinner was making ready he walkt about the Town Now it happened wonderfully that he hit upon a Goldsmith and asking him if had any rarities he answered that he had a Julius Caesar in gold He asked him what he would take for it he said Four Cardecues Whereupon he presently gave him the money took his Julius Caesar and so was his dream wonderfully and most happily fulfilled Wonderfully I say for he might easily think upon Nismes whither he was to go the following day he might well dream of that piece of Coin of Julius Caesar which waking he had often desired and that he might meet with it in that City wherein there were so many reliques of Romane Antiquity and he might dream of a Goldsmith for to men of that trade such pieces are commonly brought by them which dig them up he might dream of an indifferent price such as Goldsmiths rather than Antiquaries are wont to set upon such commodities he might have thought of four Cardecues with which as a moderate price a Goldsmith might be content Finally a Goldsmith and at Nismes might have such a piece at such a price but that all these should concur and that the event should answer to the dream is altogether wonderfull Yet Peireskius was not the man that would conclude that this dream did therefore proceed from any preternaturall cause if such dreams had often happened he might peradventure have thought so but knowing the sport which Fortune is wont to make he reckoned this accident onely among those rare cases which are wont to amaze the vulgar such as they likewise relate of Eudemus the familiar acquaintance of Aristotle at Pherae and of the two Arcadians at Megara and some other such like howbeit the truth of all such like Histories rests wholly upon the credit of the Relatours Afterwards Peireskius stayed certain dayes at Arles that besides many other observations elsewhere he might curiously search into certain rare monuments at the monastery of Mon-majour And when returning from thence he came neer to Salon a Post met him from the Arch-Bishop to acquaint him speedily with the unheard of and lamentable death of King Henry Being wonderfully daunted he made haste neverthelesse to comfort Varius who was already acquainted with the thing and was beginning to endeavour by sending Messengers and Letters to preserve the Inhabitants of Provence in their obedience Moreover it is not to be forgotten how at the very beginning of the yeer and before Peireskius departed from Mon-pellier there was brought him out of Spain an Almanack or yeerly Prognostication made by Hieronymus Ollerius of Barcellona and the November foregoing printed at Valence in which the lamentable accident aforesaid was clearly foretold For he had so set down the circumstances of his nativity and certain principall things which had happened concerning him that no other King save Henry the Great could be thereby intended Which when he had shewed to Varius and acquainted Josephus Galterius Prior and the Lord of Valetta therewith a man excellently skilled in all the Mathematicall Arts but especially in Astronomy though no great heed were to be given to Astrologicall Predictions yet it seemed a matter not to be sleighted as concerning the life of so worthy a Prince Whereupon Varius presently sent the book to the King I shall not stand to relate how that great and truly generous Prince commending the care of Varius did contemn and sleight the Prognostication but because the event proved it to be true and Ollerius himself afterwards writing a Prognostication for the following yeer did wonderfully boast thereof therefore I must needs say that which at least may make it doubtfull whether it was from the stars or some other hints rather that he conjectured the said event For as for the vanity of Astrologie it is needlesse for me to speak any thing in this place especially seeing the nativities calculated 3 yeers since did prognosticate no ill till four yeers more were past Nor am I one of those that are in the least suspicious that the prophet had some traffick with evil spirits which might reveal and presage the same onely I say it is possible he was acquainted with the plot by which so an abominable and not to be named Parricide was committed Sure I am it could not be perfectly concealed neither in Spain nor in Italy for even the Kings Embassadours and namely the most excellent Johannes Bochartus Lord of Champigny then Agent at Venice had already pre-advertized his Majesty thereof And it was sufficiently proved that all the Sea-faring men of Marseilles who for two moneths before came from Spain brought word that there was a report spred abroad in Spain that the King of France either was already or should be killed by a sword or knife Also Peireskius related and writ to Malherbius that which may fitly be here inserted viz. How on the Saturday three dayes after that the kings death was published there passed thorow Aix a most illustrious Venetian of the family of the Priuli who had been Agent for the Commonwealth at Paris and was then going to be Agent at Madrid who when he went to visit Varius told him among other things how journeying thorow Millain
1634. and was sure that his friends would do no such thing for him he provided of his own accord and sent to the Man both sweet Liquors by most exquisite art extracted out of Gelsemine Roses Oranges Gilloflowers which he conceived would be an acceptable present for the Queen as also Images Maps and Pictures of Kings Queens and other illustrious men and women and a great bundle of Books especially Mathematical Military of Architecture perspective and such like For he thought it an unworthy thing to desert such a fortune and not to assist as much as in him lay a man so conspicuous and so far off And because he was confident he would take all very gratefully he thought he might well desire of him some Aethiopick Books obvious Inscriptions a description of Mount Amara also of Religious Ceremonies Vessels and such like things as were unknown to Europeans And this he endeavoured being in the mean time distracted with great trouble of mind because the Senate and the Marshal de Vitre the Viceroy were at variance At the same time also he entertained and obliged by continual attendance and various Offices of friendship Franciscus Comes Noallius who was going the Kings Ambassador to Rome and staied some dayes at Marseilles and at Aix Not to speak how that having in his Company a young man skilful above his years in the Theorie and practise of Physick named Petrus Michonus Burdelotius Peireskius would needs have a full enjoyment of his Company both because of his proper endowments and because of the friendship which he had with his learned Unkle Joannes Burdelotius He entertained not long after Georgius Bolognetus the Popes Nuncio who comming for France took his way through Aix Now it is worth relating how he finding Peireskius busie about the Anatomy of I know not what Eye he would needs be by and understand all his speculations For he had an insatiable defire of knowing the Organ of sight and the true place in which sight is performed by impression and reflexion of the Image so that there was hardly any kind of Birds Fishes or four-focted Beasts which were to be gotten whose eyes were not dissected that he might observe wherein they agreed and wherein they differed Nor must I passe over in silence how the better to gratifie me whom he would have his assistant in that work he gave a full account of all in writing to Franciscus Luillerius Master of the Kings accounts at Paris whom he knew to be my singular friend whose learning candour and affection to all good Arts and to Justice and all vertue if I should in this place insinuate I should do it to no other end then to shew that his friendship was not without cause most dear to Peireskius Now because there was much talk of this business though the truth thereof were not understood therefore I think it worth my labour to make a Narrative thereof Between the more ancient opinion which held that the sight was performed in the Crystalline humour and the later which held it was in the tunâ—ca retina Peireskius held one between both viz. that the sight is in the glassie or vitreous humour For seeing he judged it most fit that the visive faculty should perform its office in the middle of the eye whence it might behold the Image in its own scituation therefore he designed this place within the vitreous humour in which part the raies of the things seen being passed through the Crystalline humour and reflected from the Retina do meet together as it were in one Center For supposing that the Crystalline did by its convexity turn the Image the contrary way he was of opinion that the Retina by its concavity did set the same right again and that therefore the faculty ought also to reside in the Center of its concavity that it might contems plate the Image being reflexed by the Retina and restored and consequently see the thing in its natural scituation This when he had fixed in his mind he thought there remained nothing for him to do but to search out the verity of the said Restitution As soon as ever therefore he had gotten a little leasure by means of the Easter-Holy-dayes he began to exercise Anatomists in several kinds of Animals Now it seemed generally that the hinder and innermore circumduction of the eye was as a Concave glasse by reason of the inverted reflexion both of the Candâ—e and other objects For the Tunica choroides being diversly coloured is polished like metal being very apt to shine by assistance of that black humor which is daubed upon the back thereof that blackness also assisting with which the inner circumserence is smeared as it were that the light or Image darting upon that glasse might more strongly and distinctly be painted therein Now when I name the Choroides I do not exclude the Retina which exceeding hardly and in few eyes can be preserved so united thereunto as not to slip out of its place when the vitreous humor runs out and be drawn together appearing as it is indeed a widened production of the optick nerve but when it is preserved united to the Choroides it is so thin clear and transparent especially being moystened that it seemes to be one and the same surface one and the same Looking-glasse on which the Images of things are imprinted Now although the Optic or the middle of the Retina does not diametrically answer the Pupilla outwardly opened for it stands a little lower yet the middle of the hinder and coloured part which is bright like metal does answer the same and is divided by a certain Circle as it were an Horizon from that obscurity which is in the fore-part But Peireskius did wonderfully exsult when after all the humors were let out and the Crystalline hung so as to be restored to its proper place well near the Image of the Candle was observed to be represented inwardly in the Retina not inverted but in its true scituation and again when the bottom was so inlightened that the Crystalline could only receive the light the Image which was inverted in the Retina was found to be received by the Crystalline in its right posture For be conceived it to be manifest that his conjecture was right in all points whereupon the more to confirm the same he sought out divers Glasses and Looking glasses both convex and concave reslecting and transmitting also divers Vialls or Glasse bottles in which diversly ordered 't is wonderful how many and how frequently repeated Experiments he made Moreover he could not easily be removed from his foresaid opinion only I remember when it was objected that the faculty of Seeing residing within the Eye should not look outwards towards the things themselves but inwards towards the Looking-glass aforesaid that therefore it could not truly be said to see the things themselves besides other things which argued that the sight was rather in the Retina I remember I say that
the Countrey were not medled with For he conceived that the Laws were most highly to be esteemed which might be wished indeed as good as possible deserving neverthelesse â—eneration whatever they be Forasmuch as in the obsetvation thereof consisted the safety of the Common-wealth so that such as are not very just may be more useful for publick good than juster provided they be religiously observed And therefore he did not dislike those men who being thus affected did contemplate the Laws and Customs of sundry Nations and compare them with our own For by this means he conceived an ingenuous man might lay aside that prejudice which makes the vulgar sort of men account the Customs of their own Countrey to be the Law of Nature and that nothing is well done which is not sutable to their waies and manners For when all things considered he shall see that other Nations have their Reasons to justifie their Manners and Customes and that every Nation dislikes the Customes of another then is he in a capacity to elevate his mind above the vnlgar condition and though he defend his own Countrey manners yet to be indifferently enclined towards all men and to become like Socrates a Citizen not of one Country only but of the whole World to admire nothing in humane affaires and in a word to have his mind so tempered as to enjoy the greatest tranquillity possible and consequently the greatest good And for this very cause he did not only out of Books and printed narrations inquire into the variety of mens manners which by himself alone or with some friends he examined but with all diligence possible he enquired of such as came from far Countries what notable thing they had observed concerning the manners of the people of those parts exhorting all his friends that took journies into forreign parts to observe the same And by this meanes he was so well acquainted with the ancient and late manners of all Nations that it was almost impossible to relate any new thing unto him so that he seemed to have bin born or at least to have conversed in all Countries so that consequently to that goodness wherewith he was naturally enclined to all men he added such a kind of humanity as made him embrace men of all conditions as if they were his Brothers being ready to do good to all and hurt no body For he indeed hated those abominable vices of Impiety Cruelty Malice Perfidiousness and the rest but distinguishing humane nature from the pravity thereof and taking the same into serious consideration he was moved with pitty that through weakness and blindness men could not continue in the way of vertue Seeing men were not sufficiently aware of the nature of their lusts and the true ends which good men should aim at For if men understood how little would content Nature they would abandon all deceit and fraud by which superfluous things are sought And if they knew but the use of Riches Humanity Honesty Moderation for want of which not only Societies but private mens lives are disturbed would not be banished the World Moreover he studied the Mathematicks with all his might because they were no wayes subject to the foresaid Disputes and they so accustomed the mind that being used to such truths as were made clear by demonstration it could not easily be deceived with the bare appearance of truth and in a word did by their evidence and certainty cause such a kind of pleasure as none could be greater more honest or more constant And the truth is he had not leasure scrupulously to study all the parts of Mathematicks yet he would know and understand the principal and more facile points of every one But he principally loved Astronomy because a Man as he was born for contemplation could not behold a greater more sublime and excellent sight then those illustrious Regions of the Heavenly Bodies And next to that he loved Geography because it and Chronology did most of all illustrate History and cause that ingenuous men and otherwise learned should not be like Children but rather possess themselves with the knowledge of the whole World and all the times and Ages thereof And next to that he loved Opticks because thereby were explained the Causes of so many things which appear to the eyes which are accounted miracles or at least would be so were it not for their familiarity and our want of consideration And therefore he was wonderfully delighted with painting which made him keep Painters procure Pictures whose excellency he knew as well as any man And he frequently averred that it repented him that he had not learnt to paint when he was young and wished that with the losse of two fingers of his left hand he could purchase that skill which his right hand wanted For though both in his own Countrey and abroad he had used the Industrious help of divers Painters yet he could not alwayes finde store of such as were skilful nor could he make so frequent use of other mens hands as his occasions required In like manner and for the same cause he loved the Arts of Carving Engraving and making Statues by which he caused ancient works to be imitated or amended So did he Architecture and the Art of making Engines for Water-works and such like Also Husbandry and in a word all kinds of Art and Industries for he kept not his mind intent upon the North pole alone or Charles his Wain but took a diligent view of the whole Heaven of Arts. It remains that I speak a word or two touching that opinion commonly spread abroad that he had composed divers Books and Treatises And the truth is it cannot be denyed but that he gave great hopes that he would publish in print the Antiquities of Provence with Observations upon Coines and other choyse Monuments of Antiquity and that he had a great desire long since to publish Commentaries concerning the Medicaean Starres and the Kalendar of Constantine that he would publish a compleat work touching weights and measures and that he had a mind to handle divers other Arguments for as there was no kind of Laudable Erudition which the vastness and curiosity of his mind did not embrace so was there nothing in a manner concerning which he had not Intentions to write Nevertheless he did nothing excepting what I told you just now he inserted into his Letters for as concerning that Book called Squitinius I have formerly said in place convenient what we are to think thereof For this excellent Man who never thought he had gotten Monuments enough touching any subject did gather all his life long great variety upon every Argument and the more he got the more he thought he wanted so that in conclusion he did not digest no nor so much as begin any thing And I remember when I was wearied by our Countrymen who would ask me if his History of Provence would shortly come forth I asked him How long he would have
Parents would not suffer me to lead that studious life to which from my Child-hood I was addicted but drew me by force to the Court and Pleading places I resolved at last freely to forsake Paris a most large and powerful City and by a voluntary banishment to betake me to this City of yours seeing from thence I understood by Books that all Religion Lawes Learning all knowledge of things and elegancy of living did anciently flow into our parts and our learned men informed me that they did all now flourish more and more under the countenance of a most gentle and wise Pope By the Advice of which learned men chiefly visiting Peireskius by the way as one best acquainted with the Affaires of Rome he both liberally entertained me in his House received me into the condition of an intimate friend and at my departure from Provence towards Rome gave me such a serious Commendation by Letters to the learned and principal men of the City and such excellent precepts touching the Customs thereof that presently upon my entrance thereinto I was not only soon acquainted with the publick fashions to which I easily did accommodate my self but I also insinuated my self into the acquaintance of all of you most learned Academicks and which is the greatest matter of all I gained such a place in the Familiarity of the chiefest Persons both in the civil and literate Common-wealth as is wont to be allowed only to famous and learned men I might justly therefore be accused of Impiety not to say ingratitude towards you and all others if having long since made it my business to write the Encomiums of all learned men deceased especially Italians I should now refuse the duty imposed this day upon me how ever hard and difficult of praising the learnedst man in the world and one so nearly related to me as a Countreyman Friend and Benefactor I shall therefore set my self upon this renowned and exemplary work most full of novelty and admiration and look how much eloquence there is wanting in me to accomplish the same so much I shall endeavour to borrow and supply both from my own singular affection to that most rare man and the greatness of the grief by me conceived for his death which sometimes makes men eloquent and copious as also from your Benevolence right reverend Fathers and you most renowned men and that benignity wherewith you affcord your audience with so much attention When I compare the Life of Nicolaus Claudius Fabricius Lord of Peiresk which transcends the Capacity and Custome of this Age wherein we live with the Lives of the most excellent and happy persons of Antiquity the Life of Titus Pomponius Atticus above all others seems so like neerly to resemble the same that I think fit before I passe unto other things which may satisfie the expectation which I have already raised touching the Learning of Peiresk us his affection to all good Literature to propound the same as a most perfect picture thereof in which you may behold an expresse image of the Disposition and Virtues of Peireskius For being both of them of Noble Parents lovers of Learning they passed their boys-age in liberal studies and their youth in learned Peregrinations living in great Honour with Princes and learned men in forreign parts Both of them in their own Countrey were linked in friendship with persons of the greatest and most excellent ranke and quality and were a safeguard to good and leared men both from the injuries of others their own mutual detractions and the pressures of Poverty In their houses into which both of them liberally invited men of all ranks there was more ingenious Elegancy then superfluity of Diet as in their cloathing they affected cleanly neatnesse rather than luxurious extravagance Using neverthelesse the best in all things especially in their houshold servants where there was not a Page which could not perform the office of a Bible-Clerk and Library-keeper In the Common-wealth which in both their times was very various and subject to change they so carried themselves as alwaies to side with the most honest party As for the Honours of which they were therein capable they sought them not but being content with the dignity wherein they were born they lived well and happily unto old age in their old way of the studies of Philosophy and antiquity being of most sweet and excellent manners These few things out of many which might have bin said I have instanced in for example sake to make it appear that Peireskius shared in all the Praises which ancient Authours give to Atticus for his Vertues in general and especially his Temperance Honesty and Prudence I come now therefore to those Vertues to which my mind has long hastned which were so peculiar to Peireskius and so much his own that no man in all antiquiry can pretend to outgo or once compare with him in the glory thereof viz. a continual and almost incredible labour and rare industrie to attain the knowledge of all great and excellent things all Arts and Sciences an ardent study eager care to preserve advance the same finally a perpetual constant desire to adorn and ser forth learned men and a princely magnificent liberality in effecting all the premises In the handling of all which I shall be so careful both of verity and brevity that setting aside all rare ornaments of speech I shall in a plain Historical narration briefly set forth the studies of Peireskius his diligence in reading and writing with his liberality to learning and learned men The Fabrician family after that from the order of Knighthood in which for the space of three hundred years and upwards it had flourished in the glory of Chivalry it became adopted into the Parliament of Aix did so excel in wit and Learning that an Inheritance not only of highest dignity but of most excellent Learning also did from the fourth generation together with a large Library and other literary utensils descend unto Nicolaus Claudius Fabricius Lord of Peiresk Who resolving with himself not only to keep but also much to augment those possessions chiefly of Study and Learning descended from his Ancestors he made it all his care and spared no cost to adorn and augment those literary Instruments which are altogether needful for the attaining of good Arts and Sciences Wheresore after he had taken care to get from all places the most excellent Books and to adorn them with gold purple and all manner of neat and curious workmanship by such excellent Workmen as lived in his house and had diligently perused them all his greatest care in the next place was to travel all Europe over not only to acquaint himself with the manners and Cities of the Nations then living but that coming to the very things themselves and comparing what he had heard and read he might diligently view the ancient Monuments of Antiquity and from thence carry home as much as he could
And Peireskius entertained him and his Noble Retinue so plentifully and with so much splendor that he seemed to contend even with Kings in point of magnificence admiring and adoring in that young Prince as well the mature prudence and sanctity of the Pope his Unkle as his singular love to Learning and good will to learned men And in regard of his so rare vertues he bore him such Reverence and was so officious to him all his life long that hardly any one went out of France into Italy by whom he did not send him Letters full of dutiful respect and Learning as also Books Plants and rare outlandish Creatures to adorn the study and Gardens of Cardinal Barberino To whom that most courteous Prince alwayes returned the greatest thanks possible with like frequency of Letters and tokens With no lesse observance did Peireskius honour and respect those most learned and rarely-qualified persons which were in the Legats most renowned Retinue but most especially Cassianus Putealis a Man for the famousness of his Family Vertues and Learning worthy of the greatest prayses and Honours imaginable with whom being most closely united in Affection by reason of the likeness of their natures in excellency of manners and love to learning and learned men he held afterwards constant correspondency familiarly acquainting him with the whole course of his Studies Also with Johannes Baptista Donius who by reason of his Ingenuity and a wit fit for the knowledge of all great things was most dearly respected by him These friends he then and there procured as others afterward at Rome by the mediation of Hieronymus Aleander a Man endued with most excellent Arts and Ornaments and a Lover of Peireskius from his youth up who then so admired his Noble House full of Dignity and Wisdom that he afterwards openly pronounced that Peireskius was the greatest and most happy man in the World and was often thinking to remove from the Court and City of Rome to Aix that he might enjoy his sweet Company and that precious Treasury of Literature which he had there hoarded up Thither came afterwards all those brave men who about affaires of State went out of Italy into France or from thence to Provence to his House they came to see that Man who had the Commentaries Acts and secret Records of Kingdoms who perfectly knew the Scituations of Countries Counts of Times Originals of Peoples their Lawes Confederacies and Warrs and the Families Kindreds and Successions of Kings and Princes so that no man knew the condition of his own House and Land better then he was acquainted with the state of this World of ours Also all men of what ever Rank or Nation that were studious of great and rare things came thither to see him and his most renowned Study where they might at one view behold a Collection of what ever was rare and excellent to get a sight of which men were formerly wont to travel all the World over All which Peireskius and his Brother Valavesius a most courteous Gentleman brought home with them from their Travess which two Brothers lived together even to old Age in such a Community of Studies Cohabitation and Revenues without any falling out that there was never any need that one of them should be reconciled to the other Also new things were continually brought him not only from all parts of Europe but from Asia Africa India and the new World since this old World of ours would not content his greedy desire of knowledge so that no man came from the remote parts of the World to these Coasts of ours that did not bring with him whole Cart-loads of Rarities of Art and Nature to the House of Peireskius For these kind of things were daily sent him from choyse men dwelling in the principal Cities and Haven-Towns of those Provinces who were by him imployed with all their diligence to procure such things to his infinite charge and expence And because those Men with all their Art and Industry cou'd not fully satisfie Peireskius he oftentimes sent others from his own House into all the Islands of the Aegean Sea to the Mountain Atho to Constantinople Alexandria and those miserable Reliques of Memphis and Carthage who for him and with his money should seek to procure besides other Rarities chiefly the ancientest Books in the Greek Hebrew Arabick Persian Coptick and Aethiopian Languages finally besides other Monuments of Asiatick and African Antiquity the Bodies of the ancient Kings and Princes of Aegypt embalmed with most precious Spices Gums and odours In which practise of his verily he seems with a mind truly royal to have imitated the care of those ancient Kings of Pergamus and Alexandria as also of our France in the magnificent setting forth of their Libraries And to this his Shop and Store-house of wisdom and vertue Peireskius did not only courteously admit all Travellers studious of Art and Learning opening to them all the Treasures of his Library but he would keep them there a long time with free and liberal entertainment and at their departure would give them Books Coins and other things which seemed most suitable to their studies also he freely gave them at his own expence what ever things they wanted most liberally even as to all other learned men well near which were absent and whose names he had only heard of what ever he had among his Books or Relicks of Antiquity which he thought might assist them in their writings he would send it to them of his own accord not only without their desiring the same but many times when they were ignorant of such things If there were any thing which he had not himself but lay somewhere concealed he would spare neither pains nor cost to procure that also for them that the works which they were writing might come into the World perfect and polite And such as he heard were about to travail to search after Antiquities and Rarities of nature he would procure them letters commendatory horses and money to bear their charges out of his own purse and he invited many to take upon them such journies by offering them the like conditions of his own accord And all men whom he knew to be in a calamitous condition only by meanes of their love of learning and vertue and the injury of Fortune he assisted with such things as they stood in need of helpt to pay their debts for them or he carefully commended them to some great personages and obtained many things from them in their behalf having gained great favour and Authority with all the more courteous Princes of Europe especially with the most eminent Grandees who at this day steere the State-affaires of France as who out of their singular knowledge and love to learning have learned men continually in their Eyes Eares and Embraces and which is their royal magnificence and magnanimity do in the conferring of Benefits and Honours prefer them before all men of what Order soever Out of
their studies and behaviour though the modestie and discretion of them both but especially of Peireskius was such that it was rather a point of Honour then any matter of necessity to appoint them a Tutor Wherefore Paulus Gudanes Fonvivius a Gentlem an of Berne who was returned from his Travailes in Italie Poland Germanie and other Countries and had seen the severall Humors of many Nations and their Cities and whom the Chancellour Bellevre had resolved to send with his own Son he was chosen to be their Tutour With him therefore they departed about the beginning of September and Peireskius chose rather to set out at the Haven of Cannes then any where else both that he might visit an ancient Monastery situate not far off in the Island Lerius as also that he might view in passing the ancient Monuments of Freius When they were come to Geniia and had sufficiently viewed those magnificent Palaces they were yet to saile by Porto-Venere and L'Ericy but Peiresk us would go the rest of the way by Land both because he was sick at Sea and because he intended curiously to view some things which he had in his mind For he had made himself by his own Industry a Iournall Book and was resolved not so to travaile right on from City to City but if he heard of any thing worthy observation here or there he would turn out of his rode and go thither if he had a mind to it For which cause he never of his own accord joyned himself in Company with any Strangers and when others joyned themselves to him he would use some civill excuse to intimate before hand that they must shortly part Company And these digressions of his at the very beginning had like to cost him dear for turning out of his way to see the Mines of Massa one of the Baudity or Robbers so called had so took upon him to be his guide that unlesse shee had been timely discovered he would have brought him where he should have had his throat cur Having staid a while at Luca he desired to view a rare Closet of Curiosities which was at Pisa but he could not do it before he had visited Liburnum and returned thither again And I remember among other things which he was wont to tell us he saw there how he wondered most at a sprig of Corall which grew upon a dead mans skull which I therefore observe because this was none of the least reasons which moved him to go and see men fish for Corall of which we shall speak hereafter in its place Briefly to passe over other places he went from thence thorow Florence Bononia Ferraria and when he had staid a few dayes at Venice he finally settled his abode at Padua He had been there hardly a few moneths when his vertue began to be renowned thorow the whole University For though he and his brother were frequent hearers and visiters of the Professours of Law and namely of Jacobus Gallus Bartholomaeus Silvatcius Joachimus Scainus and Ottonellus Piscalcius yet did he visit all the other learned men of the University and quickly brought them into an admiration of him Among the rest Thomas Segetus the very same whom Lipsius had commended in the third Century of his Epistles did so testifie his good will and respects unto him that he put down this by way of preface and title GENIO GALLIAE NARBONENSIS INGENIO ET MATURAE IMMATURO AEVO NICOLAI FABRICII VIRTUTI SACRUM PRID. NATAL CHRISTI M.D.IC. that is To the Genius of Provence in France to the wit and in unripe yeers ripe vertue of Nicolaus Fabricius I consecrate this testimoniall And that rare man Erycius Puteanus not only praised by Lypsius and afterward his Successour in the University but now already ordained to be both the Kings Chronologer and chief Professour of Oratory at Millain made use of this following Inscription CUI GRATIAE ADOLESCENTIAM ORNANT ERUDITIO JUVENTAM PRUDENTIA SENECTAM IS ADULESCENS VOLUPTATEM AMICIS CREAT JUVENIS HONOREM PATRIAE SENEX UTRUMQUE SIBI TU VERO NICOLAE FABRICI CUNCTA SIMUL AMICIS PATRIAE TIBI IN SPE AETATIS ET FLOREM JUVENTAE ET FRUCTUM SENECTAE PROFESSUS PATAVII ∞ DC KAL FEBR. That is He whose youth is adorned by the Graces his mature age with learning and his old age with wisdom is a Pleasure to his frieuds in his youth an Honour to his Countrey in his riper yeers and both to himself in his old age But as for thee O Nicolas Fabricius Thou art all at once to thy Friends thy Countrey and thy Self for in thy hopefull yeers thou discoverest at once both the blossoms of youth and the fruits of old age 1600. Padna the Kalends of February 1600. And these are the testimoniall Inscriptions which among many others I thought good to relate And as he drew the eyes and attentions of all men so was he best known and most dear to the renowned Johannes Vincentins Pinellus who being by originall and blood from Genoa and born at Naples made choice of that city wherein quietly to passe his dayes giving himself wholly to promote good Arts and ingenuous Literature For he had provided a most complearly furnisht Library and a Store-house of all most exquisite rarities and curiosities so that he furnished all the learned men of that age both far and near with such books or other things as they stood in need of He being most skilfull in all curious things did stir up all men to study and kept open house to entertain the discourses and acquaintance of learned men both Italians and other Countrey-men Lipsius and Scaliger and Thuanus and Casaubon and Pithaeus have given testimony of his worth and who not among the learned He therefore being such a man fell presently in love with the Genius of Peireskius as being so very like his own So that he did both admire and reverence vertue and learning grown up and almost come to maturity in a Youth There are many Letters yet to be seen whereby he testified the greatest familiarity possible one while asking his advice in many particulars about coins the places where matters mentioned in stories had been acted touching the answers which he was to return to the demands of Ursinus Velserus and others otherwhiles giving him thanks for his interpretations of hard matters places in anthors for sending him books patterns of rarities copies of manuscripts and other things sometimes by way of requitall sending him such books rarities inscriptions letters as he had received lately from Rome or other parts otherwhiles inviting him to know discourse behold passe his judgement and the like all which to particularize would be redious not to speak of the Letters which to the number of sourty he wrote to him when he was at Venice Florence or Rome all very familiar and full of testifications of the greatest good will imaginable Now Peireskius was wont to go once a quarter to Venice both to receive moneys to
in other places the first was Mr. William Camden who has merited so much of his Country Britannia with whom falling once into a discourse of the Antiquity of the British Language to which the Language of Bretagne in France does belong after he had asked him about many words used in severall Countries of France he demanded among the rest what Arelate or Arles and Tolo or Tolon might signifie to which Camden answered that Arelate in the Brittish tongue did signifie a City standing on moist or marish ground and that Tolon signified an Harpe peradventure by reason of a neighbouring Promontory called Citharistes or Harpers Hill He learned also of Camden other such like Interpretations by which he was brought almost to be of the mind of Strabo Tacitus and other who write that the French-men and the Britaines had at first but one and the same Language The next was Sr. Robert Cotton eminent amongst the honestly curious fort of men Also Jacobus Collius and his Father in Law Matthias Lobellus the Kings Herbalist both whom he was desirous to oblige Also Albericus Gentilis Sr. Henry Savill Johannes Nordenus and many more Nor must I passe over the then Learned young Man John Barclay whom how much he affected shall be shewn hereafter But he was wont to greive that he was not acquainted neither with Dr. Gilbert who wrote the Book touching the Nature of the Load-stone nor with Thomas Lydiate a a famous Mathematician I shall not here recount the many Libraries wherein he observed such books as were most rare nor the studies which he saw and out of which he procured all precious rarities he could But above all others he made great account of a precious stone which cost an hundred and fifty pounds Tours by reason that Aetio was graven thereupon with a Phrygian Tiara or Turbant upon his head being supposed to be the father of Andromache the wife of Hector I shall only tell you how that because he would depart sooner than was hoped he left a great misse of himself both in the Family of the Embassadour and among his learned friends who making afterwards sundry times mention of him it shall suffice here to extract a saying of the foresaid Camden in his description of Britain where speaking of certain coins belonging to this matter in hand he sayes Such as these were never dug up any where else that ever I heard of till of late the most noble Nicolas Faber Petriscius excellently skilled and most acute in judging of ancient Coins shewed me some of the same kind which were found in France And he had stayed indeed somewhat longer in England but because he had promised to be absent but three moneths therefore a moneth after he went into Holland which from the first he was resolved to take a full view of though he kept his intent secret When he was to depart a company of young Gentlemen would needs bear him company who came from France with Boderius But they were taken up with the exercise of Arms and other studies whereas he proceeded to make it his chief businesse to find out learned men And in the first place he saluted such as he understood to be most renowned at Middleburg Dort Roterdam Delft and the Hague but this he did only in passing and cursorily because his chief care was to visit Scaliger whole abode was at Leiden His resolution was to speak with him first under the notion of a stranger wherefore he changed his name and presented him with a Letter commendatory as written by Peireskius When Scaliger had read it he embraced him exceeding courteously for Peireskius his sake After much discourse divers books being occasionally brought forth Peireskius desired to write a few sines out of one of them whereupon having given him pen ink and paper and reading unto him that which he desired to write out he had no sooner writ a line or two but Scaliger knew his hand whereupon he fell to embrace him in most amiable manner complaining how he had beguiled him And falling afterwards into a most delicious discourse of divers matters Scaliger among other things declared that he intended to make a second Edition of Eusebius for the first Edition did not altogether please him and of his Fathers Commentary upon Aristotle de Animalibus but that afterwards neverthelesse he was intended to return into France and to lay his bones by the bones of his Father Julius And when Peireskius replied That he would not then die in a false beleef that is a Protestant Scaliger wept but gave him no answer Peireskius having expounded to him divers coins and especially shekels he bestowed upon him though against his will a rare Semi-shekel whose interpretation he admired above all the rest He also gave him again by way of requital many things which was most delightfull to him he gave him the desired and expected draught of the sepulchres of the Scaligers with the verses written upon the said sepulchres which he brought along with him to that end For he had received the said draught but the March before from Verona nor could he get it before though he writ often about it because Nichezola had been sundry times sick and because Sylvius Donius who first began the work died while he was about it One thing there was about which Peireskius would fain have asked Scaliger but he never durst do it lest he should trouble him that was his book touching the Quadrature of a Circle which he had printed twelve yeers ago and which was presently by Franciscus Vieta and Adrianus Romanus aud afterwards by Christofer Clavius the best Geometrician among the Jesuites and other learned and expert Mathematicians convicted to be erroneous For he had been forewarned that if he should harp upon that string it would stir his choler And as concerning his pedigree he would not make shew of the least doubt whether he were indeed descended from the Princes of Verona whose stock he said did end in him yet with a little more freedom and as desirous to know how he should answer others he laid before him what was objected by Scioppius Guillandinus and others After Scaliger his care was to visit Carolus Clusius who being over fourscore yeers old began to be troubled with the gout as also Scaliger had begun to be troubled therewith a few months before He found him taking care that the figure of the Fungus Coralloïdes or Corall-fashioned-Mushromp which he had sent him out of Provence with almost an innumerable company of other kinds of Plants Roots and Seeds might be printed in the second Appendix to his History of Outlandish Plants And he seasonably advertized him touching some Indian Plants in the description whereof he had erred and some which he had never heard of before producing withall the descriptions of them according to the Fruits shewed him at Paris by Vespasianus Robinus After Clusius he visited the chief Lights of the University and particularly
made and with two touching both Eclipses made at Hasnia by the renowned Christianus Severinus Longomontanus who was the Affistant of Ticho Brahe About this time there came forth a book in the Italian Tongue intitled Squinitius wherein the Venetian Liberty was examined from the very foundations of the Republike Which book because it seemed to contain rare skill in the History of the Empire and the Gothish Kings therefore it was presently beleeved as many at this day think that Peireskius was Author thereof But the truth is I can bear him witnesse that he never intended such a thing but contrarily he alwayes so reverenced the Majesty of the Republike and his friends which he had therein that he was rather enclined to do any service thereunto than to act any thing in cisgrace thereof Nor do I enquire whether the Author of this book was Antonius Albizius that noble Florentine who had two yeers before set out the Pedegrees of Christian Princes as some were of opinion or which is more likely the renowned Marcus Velserus of whom we have frequently spoken by reason of his excellent learning and singular propensity to the House of Austria I shall onely say that some have unjustly suspected that Gualdus and Pignorius did either assist in the writing thereof or communicated their notes for him to digest for they were more ingenuous and greater lovers of their Countrey than to be stained with such impiety But to be sure Peireskius never dreamt of such a thing Moreover being about to depart from Paris and taking leave of his friends he undertook among other things to send to Mericus Vicus at the beginning of Winter a pair of Phoenicopteri or Red-wings birds so called For he had a great desire to bring up some of those birds not onely for their Scarlet-coloured wings which makes our Countrey-men call them the Flaming Birds nor the longnesse of their thighs and neck which made Juvenal term this bird Phoenico-pterus ingens but chiefly becanse of the manner of their diet with which Peireskius related some of them had been kept by Varius For he related how they did eat their meat rather in the night than in the day which meat was commonly made of bread moistened with water how they could discern the approach of cold weather and would come to the fire so as sometimes to burn their feet and when one foot pained them they would go upon their other foot and use their bill in stead of the burnt foot how they slept standing upright upon one foot with the other drawn up to their brest amongst their feathers that a little sleep served their turn and such like At his departure he was most exceedingly grieved for the death of his most loving friend Nicolas Faber who not onely many dayes before had commended to the King that rare man Thomas Billonus when he did present his most laborious and admirably happy Anagrams In his journey he was vexed with great difficulty of urine After he was returned nothing so much grieved him 1613. as an injury which one of the Senatours had done unto Varius both before the Nativity and at the beginning of the new yeer wherefore he never was from him all that while save eight dayes during which he was troubled with a grievous disease about the end of April His brother in the mean while returned to Paris and he sent divers tokens to his friends by him Also he sent many things into Italy to Pascalinus Benedictus and others with whom he discoursed about divers Subjects and of whom he likewise desired some things for his friends Among whom was Casaubon as also Henricus Polanus the Mint-Master who desired him to procure for him out of Italy divers books hard to be found as also ancient weights or at least the comparison which had been made between them and those of Paris Another while writing to Paris he made it his chief businesse to commend Hannibal Fabrotus a famous Lawyer rarely adorned with the knowledge of polite Literature both to Thuanus and to other of his friends who had already heard of his learning As for what concerns other learned men Sirmondus setting out not long after Notes upon Sidonius Apollinaris did relate a Constitution which Cusanus took to have been made by Constantine the Great and Scaliger judged that it was made by Constantine the Tyrant but Peireskius shewed out of a * Civil Law book so called Code of Arles that it was rather made by the Emperours Honorius and Theodosius being written to Agricola President of the Gallick Provinces touching the holding of an Assembly of the seven Provinces once every yeer at Arles Moreover Jacobus Fontanus dedicating to him his Commentaries upon the Aphorisms of Hippocrates hath these words in his Epistle Dedicatory The pains that I have taken in composing this book I desire may passe into the world shielded with your patronage who gloriously shining with the abundance of all Virtues and Sciences will chase away the evil speeches of all censorious Detractours and cause that this work which is usefull for Physicians may be delightfull also seeing your repute is so great not onely with them but with all others that are addicted to the studies of learning that they cannot challenge to themselves any virtue without the knowledge of your testification and acceptance thereof There was also at the same time a book set out and dedicated to him by the foresaid Taxillus containing his judgement of that new star which was seen nine yeers agone But Peireskius could neither approve of his designe nor of his judgement because he contrary to better Authours which even Peireskius had furnisht him with did argue that the foresaid star was below the Moon and no higher than the upmost region of the air For he could not endure that men should seek out subtilties to establish the old opinions of the Schools contrary to evident demonstrations and observations as if that time could teach nothing and that experiments were not to be preserred before dark and cloudy reasonings For which cause at the same time he very much commended the candid ingenuity of Pacius whose judgement being demanded concerning those spots in the Sun which were now discovered by the Prospective-Glasse he desired time to consider of it professing that he was confounded and judging that from new Observations new Hypotheses ought to be framed About the same time there was a great rumor spread abroad touching the bones of certain Gyants which being found in Dauphine the King commanded that they should be sent to him for the report went that there was found in a certain feigned place not far from the stream which runs between Rhodanus and Isara a sepulchâ—e made of Bricks thirty foot long twelve foot broad and eight foot high with a stone upon it wherein was this Inscription THEUTOBOCHUS REX Also that when the sepulchre was opened there appeared the Skeleton of a man twenty five foot and an half long ten
same had been observed in the Histories and Relations of Pirardus Moquetus and others that it should be lest to Philosophers to dispute those questions and did not become a Relater to play the Dogmatist especially contrary to the common opinion that the opinion of the earths flatnesse might be mentioned but so as believed by the Barbarians not defended by him if he persisted he would become a mocking-stock to Learned men and derogate from the credit of his Narrations though in themselvs true that he should reap praise enough sound and without spot from the naked History of his Travells that he would take care that the work should be dedicated to the King or to some other who would thankfully accept it and such like All which neverthelesse could not perswade the man to relinquish his former Intentions Moreover he caused a Chorographicall Map of Provence to be Ingraven and Printed which had been made by Petrus Johannes Bomparius thirty years before The form whereof though neat enough did not please him wherefore he caused Jodocus Hondius to grave it again two years after who likewise displeased him both because he omitted the name of Bomparius and especially because he chose rather to smiâ—â—ce other Editions in which the degrees of Latitude are falsely set down For for examples faâ—e Aix is set in the 42. degree and an eighth pâ—râ— which ought to have been in the 43. and at half and one or two minutes over Therefore he had it alwaies in his desire to make a new Map which by new observations and more exquisite dimensions should present every place in its due posture both in reference to the Heavens and other parts of the Country but he was by Death prevented Finally because he was wonderfully delighted with that which Johannes Baptista Morinus of whom we spoke before and who afterward was of great and deserved repute among the Kings Professors of Mathematicks was wont to relate touching that same Peregrination of his into the Mines of Hungary therefore he advised him to commit the said relation to writing so to Print the same And that he did but so as to premise an Anatomie of the Sublunary-world wherein he Laboured to evince that as the Aire is distributed into three Regions of which the uppermost is alvvaies hot the middlemost alwaies cold and the lovvest sometimes hot and sometimes cold so vvas the Earth divided into three Regions of vvhich the lowest vvas alvvaies cold the middlemost alwaies hot and the uppermost being contiguous to the Aire is sometimes hot sometimes cold according to the temper of the circumambient Aire But these studies did not suffice him 1617. but he must by divers kind offices besides endeavour to oblige men famous for their Virtues For why should I relate how that Pacius being now according to his wish become a Catholike and defiring to return into his Country he procured the chief Professorship of Padua to be bestowed upon him as also how when after two year he would return to Valentia he procured him to be called by Letters from the Viceroy and first President of Dauphine written by the Kings commands How when Philippus Jacobus Maussacus a great Ornament of the Senate of Tolouse had gotten the forementioned Commentaries of Julius Scaliger upon Ariftorle his History of Animalls he encouraged him not a little to Print the same with Notes nor was he negligent in sending them when they were printed to all the Learned men throughout Europe as to Aleander Pignorius and others How using the helpe of Barclay he caused divers amorous Poems to be writ out of a Book in the Vatican Library for to pleasure Gilbertus Gaulminius a rare light to good Literature when he understood that they were wanting in Theodorus Prodromus whith was shortly to be printed according to Salmasius his Copy as he also testified in his Epistle to the Reader How he freed divers from divers scruples as Pompeius Paschalinus touching the Agate of his deceased Father Thomas Erpenius touching the Saracenicall History and many such like There was at that time an hot contest in Point of Study between the often before mentioned very Learned Jacobus Sirmondus and Claudius Salmasius that same other glorious Example of polite Learning touching a famous question occasioned a year before by Jacobus Gothofredus in two dissertations touching the Subnâ—bian Grounds and the Churches or of the Diocese of the civill Pretor and of the Bishop of Rome As for that controversie how far it proceened how many Learned men on both sides joyned their forces is not to be related in this place Only I am to say that Peireskius was as carefull as he possibly conld be that the matter might be gently handled between them as did befit Learned Men. The truth is when Aleander also had interposed himself in the quarrell and had sent a treatise from Rome of that Subject to be printed at Paris Peireskius could hardly allow it and being urged he caused it indeed to be printed but with some mitigation of what he had hinted touching the Authority of Counciâ—s and Popes and the bitter passages which he had fcattered up and down against the opinion which he opposed He used the same liberty towards Barclay who had interwoven in his Argenis a Dialogue of somewhat too free a strain For he received about the same time a great part of that worke which he was to see printed And the truth is Barclay had determined that both he and Varius should be personated in that Book but Peireskius commending his affection made greater account of the friendship of Virginius Caesariuus which he had procured him from whom he had received Letters and most elegant Elegiack Verses Yet Barclay is to be commended who testified his gratitude by all meanes in his power as again when he received his Family at Rome about this time he composed an Elegie in the name of his wife Wherein among the rest were these verses To speake the Truth God-like * a mans name de-Vias I Chac't grief away by thy dear Memory The thought of Peiresk whom the High-God bless Did banish from my Mind all Heavinesse Heaven's bless that mighty Man this many a year To the French Nation Then they need not fear View but this wit you 'l say hee 's Pallas Child Which makes him love the name of Virgin mild What Muses and what Prudence were of Old All that to France in Peiresk now behold Long let him Live and my dear Husband Love Long let him Live and Growth of Honours prove And these things were done in the year 1620. 1620. In the beginning and progresse of the Spring whereof he was so troubled with the Strangnry and other diseases that he was hindered to his great grief from following Varius when he went with the King in the beginning of Summer to pacifie certain tumults in Normandie and other Provinces and afterwards to Aquitania and Bearn When he began to mend he received Letters from
to those sad accidents I need not speak of the death of Cardinall Bellarmin which happened about the same time at Rome For though Peireskius was somewhat troubled when he heard of it yet was he comsorted by the opinion which he had preconceived and the fame which was soon spread abroad of his admirable Sanctity I am rather to speak of the death of Paulus Gualdus which happened in October the tidings whereof were enough to kill him with sorrow for all his great constancie For we may estimate his grief for the death of this man by considering the acquaintance he had with him at the house of Pinellus and the various kindnesses and most sweet Letters which had passed between them for above twenty years together Peireskius had sent him a little before besides divers Prospective-Glasses augmenting Glasses lately found out by Cornclius Drebel who was likewise of Alcmair and Engineer to the King of Great Britain Moreover because Gualdus had so long and so much loved him he therefore made exceeding much of his brothers children Joseph the Arch-Presbyter and John Baptist the Knight especially the latter who seating himself at Rome as he was most studious of all good things so provided he himself with a plentifull store-house thereof There was another sad accident which I know not whether I should relate at which he happened to be present though not properly concerned which was that same memorable fire which happened upon the double Bridge which stands on piles by means whereof not onely the said Bridge was burnt and the houses thereon built but the wares also of the Silver-Smiths and Mercers which sold silks were burnt or drowned Peireskius quickly ran thither and beheld the fire with great grief and carefully set down all the mischief which was done by the unspeakable violence of the flames And he was wont to say that he would give any money for a picture that should represent to the life those vast rowling flames For Nero saw nothing so horrible when he beheld Rome on fire for those buildings were of stone but these were wholly in a manner wood nor was there such a floud beneath nor such immense gulfs After these things he began to think of returning home but he prolonged the time by little and little till a year or two more were past About the same time the custody of the great Seal was committed to Mericus Vicus a chief friend of his of whom we have made often mention and to Ludovisus Faber Caumartinus both of which were desirous to seem Inheritors of the affection which Varius had born towards him Moreover he continued in the affection and esteem of the Masters of the Exchequer who dearly loved him and that principally because he never demanded any thing for himself but was onely an Intercessour for good and deserving men Again he made no end of sending books up and down And therefore Canaden especially T is fit sayes he that I return you a thousand thanks for your great munificence and the great store of most excellent books which I have received from you When he sent to Selden he desired him that if but for his sake he would observe the situation of the English Churches whether to such as entered they stood East and whether they look towards the Aequinoctiall or either Solstice For he accounted it a thing worth the enquiry 1622. that he might find out as I suppose whether our Ancestours worshipped towards the Winter Sun-rise or some other way because according to the ancient tradition of the Church our Lord Christ who is termed the East or Sun-rise was born when the Sun was in the Winter Tropick He had already sped well at Paris in this enquiry for Jacobus Allealmus a famous Mathematician having examined the matter found that all the ancient Churches did decline from the Aequinoctiall to the Winter Sun-rise that of San-Victorina onely excepted which declined toward the Summer Sun-rise as for the San-Benedictine Church he made no reckoning thereof which he conceived was termed Bistornata because it had been twice turned or ill turned Moreover he procured for Learned men the Copies of very many Manuscripts as namely out of the Escuriall and Vatican Libraries out of which besides others he got a Coppy of Syncellus with which he helpt the Learned Johannes Raptista Altinus who was then setting forth the said author with Expositions And whereas upon that occasion he had sent to Alcmannus an exquisite Ichnographiall description of the Porch of Sancta Genovefa and of divers other places he received of him for the foresaid Altinus a Copy of the Anecdota of Procopius to the end they might be printed Also he obtained both out of the Vatican and out of the Ambrosian Library at Millain certain Copies of Africanus and other †Books of the art of Ordering an Army Tactiks for the sake of Ludovicus Machaltus a Valiant Man Studious of millitary Authors and of the Mathematicks He it was to whom Peireskius did demonstrate in a certain beautifull Diagram the way to multiply the species and appearance of one and the same thing between Two Glasses declining laterally one from another Moreover when Nicolaus Bergerus of Rhemes wrote in French an History of the publick Waies of the Roman Empire which the Greeks terme Basilicas the Kings high-waies he testified in his Preface that Peireskius acquainted him with an Itinerarie Table or Map very necessary for his work Now it is the same which M. Velserus got out of the Library of the Pentingeri two sheets being first happily found and illustrated with a Commentary and which Abrahamus Ortelius after long looking obtained and first lest to be published by Johannes Moretus and Petrus Bertius by the advice of Peireskius joyned to his Ptolemy Moreover Sundry Offices he performed to divers Learned Men As to Johannes Mocenicus from whom divers most rare Curiosities had been stollen at Venice to Claudius Menetrius Vesuntinus Studious of Antiquities and who had Letters from Chissletius to one Cuffler of kin to Drebelt and skillfull in making Augmenting glasses who was going into Italie and to very many more Another year was now begun 1623. and it was the 12th day of February when visiting the Chancellor de Sillery and finding there a knot of illustrious and Learned Men he acquainted them that there was Snow fallen of a Sexangular or starlike figure The businesse being observed by the Company and all counting it to be a prodigie he discoursed unto them how that it was a more usuall thing then any man will believe For every Winter it does divers times snow such like Stars but no man observes it both because those Stars do turn to shapelesse fleakes and because falling down single they quickly melt away or being mixt one with another are soon confounded And that the Contexture was wonderfull consisting of three small stroakes crossing one the other so that six raies are seen proceeding as it were out of one Centre
Snail without a shell All which Masse of varieties being carried to Beaugensier he caused to be dryed in an Oven and so preserved And he observed that the Snail dissolved into a purple liquor and dyed all that toucht it with a most perfect purple colour which made him a little doubt whether that were not the true Purple and this liquor the right Ostrum which anciently they dyed their Garments with and which they termed Murex Tyrius The remainder of this and the year following which was 1625. he could not at all leave his Father save so long as necessity required him to wait upon the Legate For that year the Pope to mannage the common affairs of Christendom had sent Cardinal Barberinus into France who about the beginning of Spring landed upon the Coasts of Provence He was to have landed at Marseil but a Tempest compelled him to put into the Haven of Tolon whence passing to Avenion he was to go through Aix Peireskius therefore went and met him about three or four miles from the City and took all care possible that he might enter the City with those Honours which had bin decreed him as suitable to his Dignity but the Legat for some Reason best known to himself chose rather to passe beside the City and to turn to Lambest whence the next day he went to Avenion but Peireskius went not with him but the fourth day after he came and brought his old Friend Aleander with him 1625. whom he had in the mean time kept at his own House and feasted him gallantly For Aleander being taken into the Family of the Cardinal was in his Retinue together with the Noble Knight Cassianus a Puteo who verily how rare a man he was all good and learned Men at Rome do testifie being to him obliged also with the divers-times formerly mentioned Debonaerus whom both for his own worth and for the memory of Barclay he could not sufficiently embrace also with Johannes Baptista Donius a man of profound learning whom the Cardinal would needs have for his Secretary for the Latine Tongue and with the very good Ludovicus Aubrius Menilius of Paris of whom he had received divers courtesies both at Paris and at Rome And there were divers other learned men in his Retinue but I mention only the special friends of Peireskius Moreover Peireskius would willingly have followed the Cardinal for he was resolved not to leave him neither at Paris nor while he was in France but the tender affection he bore to his Father being grievously afflicted with sickness could not permit his absence But his Brother being at Paris he wrote unto him to perform the duty to his Father which himself could not He wrote also to divers friends and namely to Rubens who was then drawing Pictures to adorn the Gallery at Luxemberg belonging to the Queen Mothers new Palace because he knew that he through the happiness and sweetness of his wit and the plenty of exquisite things which he had would be delightful unto him Also a principal reason why himself could not be from his Father was because the two Physicians which his Father always had great hope in were both dead for Jacobus Fontanus dyed when he himself was at Paris but Antonius Merindolus died a little after Christmas foregoing Where I must tell you by the way the grief which Peireskius conceived for the death of this man was as great in a manner as great could be For both his rare learning and very gentle manners long acquaintance and most civil offices had long since knit them in an extraordinary band of friendship I do not tell you what Peireskius did contribute towards this friendship for 't is fitter you should know that out of the last will of Merindol expressed in the Dedication of his Works For there he declared That he would have his Works passe into the world under the Patronage of the most Christian King Neverthelesse saies he I would have my Treatise of Feavors go by it self to the end it may carry in its front a name most dear to me of all others viz. the name of Monsieur Nicolas Fabricius of Peiresc Counsellour to his Majesty in the Parliament of Aix and Abhot of Guistres a Gentleman most flourishing in Riches and Learning accompanied with Vertue For I have alwaies found him a man of ancient integrity of candid manners and a continual Patron of my studies and therefore I desire by the Dedication of this Book as by a Bond and Seal to testifie to all the world for how many and how great benefits I acknowledge my self obliged unto him To return to his Fathers Disease for an year and half he had been tormented with pains in his Bladder and Kidneys and a most pertinacious Gout And a moneth or two after the Disease came to that height as that little stones were taken out of the joynts of his Feet and that in so great a number that in 8 months space they did equal his Feet in bulk and because they could seldom or never be drawn out but that ends of Nerves and Tendons were drawn away with them therefore within the foresaid time they were five times gangraenated Moreover Peireskius was alwaies present not only consulting about and together with the Physicians and Chirurgions prescribing both Medicines and Diet but also preparing and setting his own hand to every thing and what ever his Father took giving it himself For that was his Fathers desire and it was so sweet unto him that he found not any thing which did more mitigate his pains Being therefore thus continually busied so that except some urgent occasions in Parliament required he was never from his Fathers side it was no wonder that himself besides his frequent Strangury had his Haemorrhoids so provoked that a very troublesome tumour bred in that Part. Therewith he was now grievously troubled about the beginning of October when he heard that the Cardinal Legat was upon his return Delaying therefore to Physick himself he first prescribed how his Father was to be ordered and then went to the Legat to Avenion But his Father transcending a little his prescribed bounds fell presently into a Catarrhe whereupon the Physicians despairing thought good to send for Peireskius home again As soon as word was brought him he returned but found his Father so weak 1624. that he could be kept alive but two daies longer The good man therefore died to the great grief of his excellent son but the coming of the Legat would not long suffer him to testifie his sorrow for he was to entertain him in his House For the Coarse was but just carried to the Church when tydings came that the Legat was at hand Wherefore having brought back the Funeral Pomp to his House he presently went forth and met the Legat scarce half a mile of He having performed the due Ceremonies at Church according to custome entâ—ed the house of Perieskius and it was a wonder to see the
Historians out of which divers deficiencies in noble Authours might be made up It is not to be believed how small a thing he valued two hundred pounds Tours which he gave for this Book were it only that he conjectured it was the Emperours own individual Book which he had for his own use because of the shape of the Letters and their elegancy the neatness of the binding and rare Verses prefixed in prayse thereof Also he obtained that which he had long sought for viz. certain Councels of the Christian Bishops after the recovery of the Holy Land for he had long bin perswaded that there was some Copy or other of them to be had in those parts He had indeed formerly caused some of them to be written out of the Vatican Library About the same time he wrote unto all parts to assist Holstenius who was labouring about the edition of a Noble pack of ancient Geographers He chiefly wanted a Description of Thracian Bosphorus made by Diony sius Byzantius which Petrus Gyllius made use of but only in Latine and imperfect in describing the said Bosphorus And because he thought it likely that the Greek Text might be found among the Books of the Cardinal of Armenia of whose Family Gyllius was therefore Peireskius so wrought that the Bishop of Ruten searcht all the Library over and at last sent him a Catalogue thereof to assure him that there was no such Book there to be found You may be sure he spared not to send Letters to the Popes Nuncio's to the Kings Embassadors to all the learned men he knew amongst whom verily I must not forbear to name that same rare Bishop of Tolouse Carolus Monchalius out of whose wealthy Storehouse so many rare Manuscripts were brought that he might at least be assured there was no such Book to be found And it is doubtless scarce credible that it is any where extant since it has escaped the so great Sagacity of that man For the same Holstenius said not without cause in a Letter to him For it has not yet bin my hap to see any mortal Man surmounting you in the knowledge of Antiquity or that could match you in the diligence and felicity of your Researches While he was thus busied he received a Book from the above-named Johannes Jacobus Chiffletius Physician in ordinary to the Infanta Isabella touching the Iccian Port from which Julius Caesar set sail for Brittain And he easily dissented from that Opinion which held Callis to be the Port aforesaid however he wished that rare man would make a more diligent search all that Coast over and though he had acutely proved that Mardike was the port yet that he should consider whether that name were applyable to a Port extant in these dayes of ours And the farther Port we read of seems not to be interpreted the inferior Port so as to mean the inferior Coast which is under Audomaropolis and is parceld out by pools of standing water but rather the Western so as to signifie one that is nearer and from whence the passage into Brittain is shorter But nothing was more delightful to him then to read withall that in the Audomaropolitan Lake there are floating Islands which bear both Men and Beasts and whereupon Alder-Trees and Willowes do pleasantly flourish Wherefore he was desirous two years after when I was to travel that way that I should take a curious view thereof and report the business to him which I did and sent him a branch which I pluckt off from a tall Willow which swum about with the ground it grew upon He was also sollicitous about that time touching the observation of that Article by which the Council of Trent condemned clandestine Marriages nor did he cease till he had perswaded certain scrupulous Ecclesiastick Judges that it was not only ratified by the Kings Authority in Parliament but also by special Decrees of the Metropolitan Synods of this Province I forbear to mention with what ardency he did sollicite Aleander that he would seriously set himself to describe that Earth-quake with which Aqulia was shaken from the last day save one of July and with which the Arch Bishoprick of San-severinas was reported to be swallowed up in the Moneth of September Other things I passe over only I must needs relate his rare modesty which made him change the Epistle of a Book dedicated to him That Book contained some spiritual Treatises of Saint Diadochus Nilus and Hesychius which Aleander Fichetus a very learned Jesnite printing at Lewis would needs dedicate to him Now he usurped the Booksellers name and thought he had used no Hyperbole in commending Peireskius whose vertue he sufficiently saw when he professed Phylosophy at Aix and was a publick preacher there But Peireskius himself would not bear it but being to send some Copies to Rome as there was no new thing which he did omit to send he caused that Epistle to be laid aside and another to be printed and prefixed to the Books he sent In the Epistle which he would have omitted were these passages Your Table your House your Study are a Starry firmament of all wits wherein the Heavenly Constellations the Stars of all Learning and learned men do briefly shine so that all things therein are not guilt with Gold or Silver but shine as Stars the Desks are filled with Stars where the Books stand like Constellations and your self sitting in the midst and embracing all give light to all add grace to all bestow life as it were and eternity upon all so that to you all well-writ Books through the world as the sacred fires of good minds do strive to mount as to their Heaven to receive light from you and shine again upon you c. This Epistle brings into my mind how the year following when he had received one of those Books termed Coelum Christianum begun by Joannes Bayerns and finished by Julius Schillerius Peireskius commended indeed their piety in giving to the Planets instead of the usual names those of Adam Moses and the Patriarchs and giving to the twelve signes the names of the Apostles and to other Constellations the names of other Saints or holy things besides figures newly invented and new Verses made of them but he liked not the design of perverting all the knowledge of the Heavenly Bodies which from all Antiquity is sprinkled up and down in all kinds of Books Howbeit he was not seriously afraid lest therefore Astronomers would change all the names of the Stars because they might easily see they should get no advantage but much disturbance thereby He added that those ancient Figurations of the Stars though profane were no hinderance to Christian piety and himself had long agoe observed these Images which had bin painted upon the vaulted roof of the Church at Vercellis a thousand two hundred years agoe Finally he wished the same industrious hand which had engraven these new ones had expressed those at Vertillis commendable for their great
navel or thick Cake as it were These and such things as these he spent his thoughts about when he enjoyed any rest from the frequent pains of the Hemorrhoids and Strangury And whereas in the moneth of September to recreate himself he went to Beaugensier he returned time enough on the last day of the moneth to be present at a Town-meeting and to give beginning thereto by an excellent Oration at which meeting the Consuls of Aix who were also Proctors of Provence were wont to be chosen Not long after he was informed of the death of Malherbius his very good friend which he took very sadly And though he conceived that not only himself but all the French Muses were called upon to mourn yet was he comforted because he saw one to succeed him who was both his loving friend and umpire of the French language and Poetry the excellent Johannes Capellanius in whom he alwaies admired to see learning joyned with the study of Wisdom and gentlenesse of manners with candour of mind Afterwards he received a Copy of the Genealogical History of the Royal Family of France which the San-Marthani had set forth and wherein they had mentioned him with praise by reason of a Manuscript of Matthaeus Giovanazzius touching the Kings of Sicily of the house of Anjou which he had furnished them with And whereas at the same time a good and learned man Dominicus à Jesu Maria a Carmelite Friar being about to write of the Saints which had been of the Royal Family did desire some Monuments of him there was nothing of which he was more desirous to inform him then of Charles the second King of Sicilie and Earl of Provence For being dead he is had in veneration his whole Body being kept even to this day at Aix and in his life time he was so happy as to see his son Lewis designed Bishop of Tolouse and dying before him in repute for holinesse he saw him put into the Catalogue of Saints and consequently made prayers to him and left money in his will to build the Minories Church at Marseilles to his honour Afterwards he laboured not a little that a Channel might be made through Druentia or the river Verdun which runs through Druentia to Aix For he conceived that the City would then flourish and grow rich when by help of such a Channel it might traffick for all necessary Commodities both with the upper part of Provence and with the Sea Seventy years agoe Adamus Craponus Salonensis had brought a Channel from Druentia into the stony Feilds so called or whole Crautia and designed this to Aix and because there was now need of another Architect or designer of the Works therefore he wrote into the Low-Countries to get one of those men that designed the Channels which were made in that Countrey and that were newly endeavouring to unite the Scaldis and Mosa waters so called And it seemed that what he had generously propounded might be happily effected but that the Plague which hapned the year following 1629. and the disturbance thereby occasioned with his diversion to Beaugensier did quite frustrate his intentions But before we speak of these matters we must touch upon some things that he endeavoured in the mean season In the first place therefore by occasion of the aforesaid Edition of the Bible newly begun he was not content to have given notice of and procured from Rome to be sent to Paris a Samaritan Bible 1629. which was in the custody of that learned man and advancer of all good literature Petrus Valleus a Senator of Rome but he sent himself into the East a sagacious person Theophilus Minutius of the Order of Minims to search for further helps having first obtained for him a License both from the Pope and from the General of his Order and providing that he should neither want money to bear his charges nor to purchase such Books as were necessary for the design in hand And truly he failed not of his Exspectation for he by very good luck soon found and obrained a Samaritan Bible with the Hebrew Arabick joyned therewith howbeit in the Samaritan Character and two Syriack Testaments besides and many Arabick Books Nor must it be forgotten That Daniel Dayminius one of those Franciscans whom they call Recollects took great pains that these and other Books with divers Coines might come into the hands of Minutius Also he gave order to search in Cyprus for those Books in the company of which the Collections of Porphyrogenita aforesaid were found but they were so scattered that they could not be found by any search though never so diligent which grieved him exceedingly because he judged by one of the rest as of the Lion by his claw and was in great hopes And therefore that learned Men might at least not be frustrated of the benefit thereof he thought good to send it to Paris that Grotius Salmasius and other learned Men every man in his way might peruse the same and collect there-from what he thought most useful Moreover Hugo Grotius was a prime man that made use thereof who at his request presently set himself to write out and explain the illustrious fragments of Nicolaus Damascenus which he also with an Epistle dedicatory sent to him And while there was another that was doing the like by the rest of the Work he was desirous in the mean while to procure a second Edition of the Pharmacopeia of Antonius Constantinus a Physician of Protence who about thirty years before had endeavoured to shew That there was no need of exotick Plants and outlandish Medicaments since by the benignity of Nature the same Countrey which gives men their Birth does provide both meats sufficient to nourish and Medicaments able to cure them Therefore he sent that Copy which he had of the said Book to Renatus Moreus a great light of the Faculty of Physick in Paris who was very well contented to undergo that charge About this time he received a Golden Book of the learned Selden De Arrundellianis Marmocoribus or Stones with Greek Inscriptions which that most renowned Earl of Arundel had caused to be brought out of Asia into England and placed in his Gardens And it is indeed fit you should know that those Marbles were first discovered by the industry of Peireskius and dug up fifty Crowns being paid therefore by one Samson who was his Factor at Smyrna and when they were to be sent over Samson was by some trick or other of the Sellers cast into Prison and the Marbles in the mean while made away Nor must it be forgotten how exceedingly Peireskius rejoyced when he heard that those rare Monuments of antiquity were fallen into the hands of so eminent an Hero and the rather because he knew his old friend Selden had happily illustrated the same For his utmost end being publick profit he thought it mattered not whether he or some other had the glory provided that what was for the good of
number of the Letters such as those Cups were of old upon which were written Caius Julius Proculus whence thole Verses Naevia sex Cyathis septem Justina bibatur c. Six Cups in Naevia Seven in Justinia drink Also he shewed the Reason why they drank in a double Cup from the times of ancient Barbarisme For in those dayes they drank in their enemies Sculls whom they had slain and the more a man had slain the more Skulls he drank in one glewed to another But when men came to be civilized they at length abhorred that custome yet they substituted in the room thereof certain Vessels resembling Skulls as these had such a kind of shape but not so horrilbe in respect of the matter Finally taking occasion partly from these Cups partly from an ancient Hemina or old Brazen Semi-sextary which was found at Nismes and being seen at Paludanus his or Tornerius's house 3. years before was afterward by Petit brought to him partly from the Alabaster which he received that Summer out of the Reliques of the Gally which carried the Popes Nuncio Ceva into France after he had repaired it being broken and had for some weeks enjoyed the most delightful Company of Menetrius Also from the model of the Congius procured by Aleander which was found to contain of the water of a River in that Country Gapellus nine Pro ence pounds and two ounces by the ordinary weights as also from divers other Vestels which he either had there or sent for by occasion I say of these things he began divers discourses with Salmasius and other learned men about measures weights and Vessels For his opinion was that the Ancients were so industrious that they made no Vessel which did not contain a set measure and a certain weight Now he was confirmed in his opinion by a Box of weights which he received from Aleander for comming to try them he found that there was contained one within another in order an Acetable a Cyathus a Mystrum a Concha a Chemin and Cochlear measures so called besides the utmost Box which contained the rest being two pounds weight and a Quartarius in measure but so as the handles were turned inwards But I passe over how he was afterward more assured when returning to the City and his study he found a certain Vessel in which both the ounces and the smaller parts of the Cochlear were distinguished by divers Circles also he observed all kinds of Vessels which he had left at home But to insist upon what he transacted at Beaugensier he was also exceedingly delighted by the communication of a rare demonstration whereby the foresaid Josephus Galterius perfected the demonstration of Ptolomy touching finding the distances and magnitudes of the Coelestial Bodies And he truly according to his Industry had studied out the business many years before but he took the same in hand again upon occasion of the Uranometria of Lansbergius newly published wherein the good old man endeavouring to shew wherein Ptolomaeus Albategnius Copernicus Ticho and other excellent Artists had erred he himself seemed to come off somewhat dully For he did not distinguish the lines drawn from the Centers of the Sun and Earth into a right line touching upon the Angle of the Earths shadow from the true and appearing semi-diameters as in a perfect work was requisite as also he ought not to consider the appearing Diameter of the Sun from the Centre of the Earth but from the surface thereof whence it is seen Galterius therefore having considered all things drew a Diagram and framed a demonstration and sent all to Peireskius who exceedingly rejoyced and congratulated with him thereabout and having procured very many Copïes of the demonstration he communicated the same with such as he knew to be studious of such things at Paris Rome and other places So when he had gotten a Copy of those Dialogues of Galilaeus in which from the motion of the Earth in the same part of the Surface every day twice slacke ned and quickened by reason of the composition of the Diurnal and Annual motion he saw the cause declared of the ebbing and flowing of the Sea till that time unknown it is not to be expressed with what pleasure he found himself affected And when he observed that the Book was printed with Approbation with what exaltation he cryed out that this Age was happy wherein quick-sighted and sagacious men by explaining the motion of the Earth had explained the causes both of the proprieties of the Load-stone and of the flowing and ebbing of the Sea hitherto accounted most admirable and unknown Wilhelmus Gilbertus of Colchester in England having done the one in his Book of the Loadstone and Galilaeus the other in this Book of Systems Also he was recreated by a Book set out by Chifletius containing the Coats of Arms or Scutcheons of the Knights of the Golden Fleece emblazoned in the termes of Heraldry and having also received letters in which Petrus Hoserius than whom no man was better acquainted with the noble Families of France signified that he also would shortly set forth the Coats of the Knights of the Order of the Holy Ghost intimating that they were ready for the Presse Likewise an History printed of the Popes of Rome who being born in France had sate in the Papal Chaire made by Franciseus Bosquetus a Narbon Lawyer a man deserving all commendation and who was then composing the whole History of the French Church Also the true description of the Bridge at Ariminum sent by Naudaeus by which he was assured that the Consulship of Augustus was in XIII and his Tribuneship in XXXVIII for he doubted that there was a mistake in Gruterus who sayes XIV and XXXVIII Also Naudaeus sent him withall his own Relation touching the burning of Vesuvius which began December the year before and yet continued besides the Relations of divers others which he had got together Finally having resolved to return to Town the Autumne following he desired first to have the Samaritan Books in a readiness that the way being open he might send them all at once to Paris being very much troubled that they had bin there so long wanted For to compleat the Edition of the great Bible aforesaid the learned Johannes Morinus of the Order of praying Fryers was taking order about the Samaritan Pentateuch and the year before having premised Exercitations thereupon he made such publick mention of these Books that Peireskius was afterward wonderfully impatient till he could send them For he having first spoken of the Samaritan Copy which Petrus à Valle had communicated by the procurement of Peireskius he subjoyned Besides that Book we daily expect two other Hebrew Samaritan Books that by comparing them with this our Edition may be every way compleat These were procured out of Palestine a few moneths since by that most munificent Gentleman the Ornament of Learaing which he is evermore studying to advance Mr. Peireskius a most upright Senator in the
Parliament of Aix The one of those Books has three Columns and consisls of three Languages each Language holding a distinct Column c. Whereupon Peireskius perceived that he was hereby pulled as it were by the Eare and put in mind of his engagement wherefore waiting only for a safe and convenient opportunity to send them he would trust them with none but Dionysius Guilleminus a man of singular Courtesie and that had lived in his Family from a boy so that he was formerly at Romollae and now also at Beaugensier his Bailie He sent him indeed to his Abbey in Aquitanie but he ordered him before hand to go out of his way and carry the Books to Paris I stand not to recount how great thanks Morinus returned for the said Books and how he magnified him with prayses only I shall tell you that he had then translated and sent him back the Samaritan Epistles which were long since written to Scaliger as we told you before THE LIFE OF PEIRESKIUS The Fifth Book HAving spent three years at Beaugensier he returned to Aix in the Month of September Helîas Lainaeus Marguerius was now come to Town whom the King after the death of Oppidaeus had made chief President of the Parliament and because Peireskius well knew his integrity joyned with great skill in the Lawes therefore out of Reverence to his dignity and vertue he would not go to his own house before he had saluted him Therefore his Nephew being obliged according to custome to visite all the Senators he went with him to the house of every one and commended him to them with great alacrity Neverthelesse it happened through his labour in that particular he fell into a pain in his Kidnies having loosened a store which four or five daies after he happily voided As soon as ever he was recovered he fell to his Senatorian employments having reserved as we said before to himself the function of his office for the space of three years which he did verily not out of vanity or desire of gain but that he might not want occasion to exercise his beneficence especially towards learned and religious persons and others well-deserving being accusiomed to maintain their Rights and take upon himself their Patronage Moreover he was recreated by certain Books which Minutius sent him out of the East with divers Coins especially the Basilidians also certain bulbous Plants and other such like things Among the rest there was one Volume which might well be so called à Volvende being rouled up smallest in bulk but by him most highly prized being found in a Box at the feet of a certain Mumie It was all written with Hieroglyphick Letters consisting of the true Papyrus or ancient Paper so called and might well be above two thousand years old At another time afterwards he received great store of Greek Books viz. as many as two large Chests could hold but he was not so happy in this purchase in regard of the integrity subject matter of the same Books For excepting an Arabian Bible written in the Arabick Persian and Chalde Tongues with the Commentaries of Rabbi Solomon all the rest were either very ordinary Books or very imperfect But this happened the year following at what time he was very busie in measuring and comparing divers ancient measures which as was before hinted he had at home For besides the knowledge of all kind of measures which was to him most delightful he hoped he should be able at length by comparing very many of them to reconcile many places in Authors touching measures which contradict one another as where Columella makes a Cochlear to be the fourth part of a Cyathus and Fannius makes it the twenty fourth whereas the same Fannius and Pliny will have the Cyathus to weigh ten drams Marcellus and others twelve and other such like places which he was minded to explain not only by conjectures but with the very weights and measures themselves For which cause he endeavoured to get all the ancient Vessels that he could any waies hear of to be measured But he conceived greatest reckoning was to be made of the more precious ones made of silver or other costly materials because the Ancients were wont in them to affect certain kinds of measures also that by that means they might be more acceptable either as being ordained for sacrifices or that being kept in Temples for most of them were consecrated gifts they might there the longer remain as Standards or authentick models of Measures He was therefore desirous that Guilleminus should abide divers Moneths at Paris to measure such precious Vessels which were kept at St. Dennis and in the chief Closets of Rarities in that City But he had especial proof of the humanity of Rociaeus who did not only procure him the capacity and patterns of Vessels but sent him one Vessel it self which he compelled him to accept whereupon Peireskius wrote him a Letter most full of gratitude and profound Learning wherewith he explained at large the meaning of the most exquisite sculpture and ornaments thereof In like manner because Jacobus Gaffarellus a man renowned for his skill in Hebrew and other endowments did reside at Venice 1633. he took care that he should measure those precious Vessels which being brought from Cyprus and Constantinople were kept in the Treasury of St. Mark and the illustrious Magnifico Valletanus Knight of St. Mark interceded with the Senate at the request of Peireskius and procured a Licence to that intent So he dealt with Naudaeus to procure him those at Ravenna and with Suaresius touching that great Smaragdine Charger which is at Genua and by the Genuenses called Scela and with Menetrius touching many which he knew were kept at Rome Nor must I in this place forget how he had a Crystal Cochlear sent him for a token by the generous Lady Foelix Zacchia Rondenina learned above her Sex and Letters withall of her husband Alexander Rondeninus wherewith that most renowned Heroina did very elegantly testifie how much she prized the Virtue of Peneskius And it seemed a strange thing that about the same time Carolus Tabaretius Cadafalcius Prosenescal of Digne sent him a larger Cochlear with three hund-ed peices of Mony coined in the Daies of Gallienus which were found therewith To come to other matters it was Spring when as Petrus Seguierius the illustrious President was made Keeper of the Kings Seal whereupon Peireskius did both congratulate his new Honour and received Letters from him wherein that great Personage did testifie that no Letters were more welcome to him then from Peireskius being both his Kinsman and one exceedingly praised for his Virtue and Knowledge At the same time his Brother Valavesius was chosen by the King Viguier of Marseilles to which City he went For that Magistrate begins his office every year in the Kalends of May and continues the whole year chief President of the Municipial Court Mean while I was with him when he would needs invite
him two years before how he had stuck certain seeds of the Flower of the Sun into a piece of Cork which following the course of the Sun as the flowers use to do did turn about the floating Cork and by a certain hand annexed point out the hours which were marked upon the Vessels Upon which occasion it came into his mind to pare that swiming stone which Mersennus had given him round about that being rounded like a Globe it might serve in place of Cork to make Heliotropick Sun-turning Magnetick experiments He was in hope about the beginning of the same Spring to entertain Pomponius Bellevreus being to go Embassador from the King to the Princes of Italy but his journey being shaped another way his hope of seeing him was made void as also of embracing Franciscus Vayerus à Mosha whose learning and candor he had understood both by his letters and works and by the relation of their common friends Moreover while he expected from Italy the foresaid tactick or military Books he sent to Salmasius in the mean time several draughts of Swords Daggers Hatchets or Poleaxes Haiberts and other Weapons which the ancients used of Brasse and particularly of two Helmets the one of which was sent out of the Borders of the Samnites or from Aprutium the other was found at the very Lake it self of Thrasymen with the cheek or eare peices yet remaining and hanging down on either side Nor did he send him these things only to assist him in his writings about the Roman Militia but also the Pictures and representations of divers kinds of Fibulae buttons or hasps to perfect that work which he had taken in hand touching the apparel of the Ancients upon occasion of a certain dissertation touching that same Acia mollis neidleful of soft thred which Cornelius Celsus writes must not be used too much twisted to make Surures and Clasps or Buttons to hold the lips of wounds together For Alphonsus Nunnesius and Jacobus Chiffletius famous Physicians contend that by the word Acia we must understand a neidle or some other Instrument made of metal but the learned Franciscus Rioya and Franciscus Figueroa himself also a renowned Physician said that we are to understand thereby a linnen or silken thred Now it is expected what both Salmasius will determine of this controversie as also another friend of Peireskius a Dane called Johannes Rhodius a Physician who having made choyce of Padua for his residence begins to be famous both for his other ingenuous Learning and for his excellent skill in the Art of Physick Moreover he sent a rare work touching Animals written in the Arabick Tongue by Ebembitar and brought lately out of Aegypt after another Copy procured with great labour and cost had perished by Ship-wrack He sent also another Arabian Book wherein were the Canons of the Constantinopolitan the Ephesian the Laodicean the Cesarian and the Gangrensian Councels the Canons of the Apostles and of St. Clement the constitutions of Constantinus Valentinianus Theodosius and I know not what other things besides He sent the Rituals or Service-Book of the Copticks as their Epistles Gospels Psalms and especially a Book containing three Liturgies of Basil of Gregory and of Cyril with an Arabick Translation He sent more but there was nothing which he more accounted of then a volume of the four Evangelists written in the Elcuphtick or Cophtick Tongue and expounded in Arabick and especially because the years were expressed in which each of the Evangelists wrote For though at first there was wanting the Praeface to Matthew where the year was to be expressed and the Praeface to John seemed to be faulty sayng that the story was written in the sixth year of the Empire of Tarsos 1634. instead of Nero and the thirtieth year after the Ascension of Christ yet as concerning the other two it made it appear that that of Luke was written by him at Antioch in the 12th year of Claudius and the 20th after the Ascension and that the other of Mark vvas vvritten in the fourth year of the same Claudius and the 12th after the Ascention Now he was of opinion that there might be some help drawn from thence to judge of the controversie touching the year of the passion of Christ and peradventure also touching his Nativity vvhich Joseph Scaliger and Seth Calvisius make to be two years before the beginning of the vulgar Account and Laurentius Suslyga Joannes Keplerus and others make it more then two years sooner Wherefore he wrote not only to Rome to see if haply the foresaid Praefaces might be supplyed and corrected but also again to Aegypt to get if possible the like volume more compleat But how would he have even leaped for joy if he had known that which we afterwards understood viz. that there is extant an Arabian Book very like the former in the Custody of the illustrious Mon-morius Master of Requests in which the Praefaces are all perfect They relate according to the Translation of the learned Hardyaeus how that the Gospel of Matthew was written in Hebrew in the first year of Claudius and the ninth year after Christs Ascention that the Gospel of Mark was written in Latine the fourth year of Claudius and the twelfth after Christs ascension that the Gospel of Luke was written in Greek the 14th of Claudius and the 22th after the Ascention 1635. and that the Gospel of John was written in Greek the 8th year of Nero and the 30. after the Ascension out of which being more consonant it is easie to see how the other are to be mended He sent also into Aegypt to certain Capucines dwelling there but especially to Agathangelus Vindocinensis besides many other Books two Tomes of the Annals of Baronius which were desired besides the whole work which he had formerly bestowed upon them also to Coelestinus à S. Liduina a bare-foot Carmelite the Brother of Golius divers Books but especially the Magnus Thesaurus Arabicus printed at Millain in foure Volumes which being sent three or four times before either to him or to others was lost being taken by Pirates It would be too long to reckon up the rest of this kind seeing that I must not passe over what he did in the mean time at home He knew the ardent desire which had long possessed me of having the several Appearances of the Moon and the varieties appearing in each of them by the Perspective-glasse painted out with lively Colours in their just proportions and scituations And for this very intent I sought for and procured of the most rare Galilaeus a Prospective or Telescope very long and exactly made and now I wanted only an industrious Painter furnished with a good Talent of patience He therefore for my sake kept not only a great part of the former year but the greatest part of this year present the rare Painter Claudius Salvatus Alvernates in his return from Rome who by my direction was to perform that taske He
earnestness he expected out of the East Books of six or eight Columns termed therefore Hexapli and Octapli Amongst the which there was a Psalter distinguished into six Columns and so many several Languages which being taken by the Pyrates he would have redeemed at any rate though it cost at first but 24. pounds Tours Wherefore he lest no stone unturned till hearing that the Pirates were arrived at Tripolis in Africa he wrote unto the Bassa or Governour of that City using the mediation of friends who put him in hopes that the Book should be sent him Moreover it so happened that some one or other hearing how much he desired that Book hoping to receive a great reward for their pains brought him a Book charily wrapt up which they said had been pawned to them in that City How much he rejoyced at the first presentation thereof it cannot be expressed but whenas having taken off the coverings he saw it was nothing but the Arabic Dictionary of Thomas Erpenius it can as hardly be expressed how he was daunted not knowing whether he should blame the mistake or imposture of the bringers And here I should add such things as he obtained from one place or another in Africa as Coines Inscriptions and divers relations of Southern Northern and Oriental Affaires partly new and partly old and other such like things But it seems better by way of Conclusio to make mention of that same very learned Commentary which Jacobus Gothofredus aforesaid had composed from the Roman Lawes touching the Dominion of the Seas and the Right of gathering up ship-wrackt goods and dedicated the same to Peireskius For among other things speaking to him he has these words I thought good at this time to make you privie to and witness of this action who are such a lover of all mysterious and excellent Learning that you spare no cost in seeking helpes all the world over nor in provoking and furthering such men as are able to take pains in the advancement and restauration thereof many of which by your means are become famous and that deservedly Than which practice of yours what can be more illustrious seeing the glory wâ—h is given commonly to Princes you have thereby fo happily derived to your own Name Or what can tend more to eternity to which your self have recommended so many partly by restoring to light the monuments of the Ancients partly by exciting the best wits of this present Age I must needs confess for mine own part that my mind is never more inflamed to these studies then when you are wont to incite me thereto for I find my self rather powerfully drawn than perswaded by those Letters wherewith you provoke me to study when I am overwhelmed with publick negotiations And a little after In regard also of that same singular Candor of yours which I esteem as a pattern of ingenuity it self which you would have all that write Books to observe and to be far from all kind of bitternesse And again This Book therefore cannot be unsutable to you which so exceeding sitly agrees with your dignity the Subject of your studies and your disposition and manners I hope also that it will therefore please you because it treats of a Subject useful to humane life and has him for its Authour who does not only make use of you as his best and most faithful friend but every where boasts of your friendship The Spring was now begun when he entertained the Cardinal Bichius and with him Suaresius his old friend formerly preferred to the Bishoprick of Vaison who was going to Rome with the Cardinal He was refreshed at the same time by the coming of Franciscus Bochartus Campinius Master of the Requests and sent into Provence with the Title of the Superintendent of Justice For he exceedingly loved and honoured him both for the exceeding goodnesse of his disposition and rare Vertue as also for the Memories sake of his excellent Father who having been Master of the Exchequer Chief of the Consistorians and first President of the Supreme Senate or Parliament did alwaies affect Peireskius Whereupon Campinius also made so much of him again and did so honour him that having a Son born a moneth after he chose him to be his sons God-father and would have him give the child his own name Afterwards followed the famous recovery of the Islands de Lerins about which he was wonderfully sollicitous and the History whereof he accurately described Mean while he performed all offices of respect to the first President and his wife who in the moneths of April and May were grievously sick And he saw them indeed recover he saw the Islands regained while in the mean time his own more hard hap was at hand For the following June he fell into a deadly Disease of which and his death which followed thereupon before I say any thing it seems convenient to describe more particularly the habit of his Body the manners of his mind and the studies in which he exercised his Wits For although this may seem sufficiently understood by the course of his life which we have hitherto described yet are there innumerable things remaining to be told which will give great Light to the Story of his life the knowledge whereof having bin by most learned men desired cannot prove unpleasing to any THE LIFE OF PEIRESKIUS The Sixth Book HE was therefore to begin with his Stature of a middle and decent pitch neither too tall nor over-low The Habit of his Body was lean and consequently his Veins conspicuous both in his Fore-head and Hands His constitution as it was subject to Diseases so was it none of the strongest which made him in his latter years to go with a staffe And for the same reason his Members were easily put out of joynt especially his left shoulder which was three times dislocated His fore-head was large and apt to be filled with wrinkles when he admired any thing or was in a deep study His eyes were gray and apt to be blood-shotten by the breach of some little vein when he blowed his nose violently He fixed his eyes either upon the ground when he was seriously discoursing upon any subject or upon the Auditors when he perceived that they were pleased with what he said He was a little Hawk-nosed his Cheek being tempered with red the hair of his Head yellow as also his beard which he used to wear long His whole countenance carried the appearance of an unwonted and rare courtesie and affability howbeit no Painter had the happiness to express him such as he was indeed and in truth As for the care he had in ordering his Body he affected cleanliness in his Diet and all things about him but desired nothing superfluous or costly And truly though he was careful that the Cloathes he wore abroad might not be unsuitable to his dignity yet he never wore silk In like manner the rest of his House he would have adorned according to his
condition and very well furnished but he did not at all in a manner regard his own Chamber Instead of Tapestry there hung the Pictures of his chief friends and of famous men besides an innumerable Company of bundles of Commentaries Transcripts Notes collected from Books Epistles and such like papers His Bed was exceeding plain and his Table continually loaded and covered with Papers Books Letters and other things as also all the Sears round about and the greatest part of the floore In like manner as touching his Diet his care was to have a well-furnished and gentile Table for his friends and Family confining himself to a very slender and very wholesome Diet. He supt alone in his own Chamber save that for the most part he was content to have me his guest that he might not weary out his Family with staying till his Supper-time And because sometimes dining with his friends he fed more liberally then ordinary accoÌ„modating himself to Custom and the Companie therefore to ease stomack he would forbear his Suppers on such dayes He used the ordinary sort of Wine though he better liked of White-wine and desired to have it pretty tart supposing that being so it better quencht his thirst He tempered it with much water save in Musk-million season whereof eating at the beginning of his meales he followed the direction of his Physician of which I told you Now he was so great a lover of Musk-Millions that though he could abstain from any other kind of meat as he list yet towards them he professed he was not able to master himself For custom had made them exceeding pleasant unto him and the memory of his health recovered by them and his frequent experience that in Musk million-season he was †Those that are subject to these Infirmities and otherwise strong and healthy let them use Cowcumbers wel boyled if they cannot get or affect not Musk-millions and they shall finde I dare say the same effect never troubled with pains in his Kidneys nor bred or voided any Gravel For which cause he was wont to temper his Wine with the water of a natural Bathe or Physical Spring ever since the time that going into a Cottage near the Bathe and observing both Men and Women very aged he asked the reason and they made answer that they continually used the Physical or Bath-water not only to drink but to make their grewel and all kinds of broth to make Past Puddings Bread c. Moreover being exceeding sober in drinking and not curious in his Diet he was so continent that he was never overtaken with the Witcheries of Venus in his whole life-time And the cause may soon be rendred in regard that he was never given to idleness yet unless sobriety withdrew the Tindar from venereal Luxury it wil stir of it self and take fire upon the least relaxation of minde Now whereas I hinted occasionally that he was wont to eat his suppers late this is to be understood only of his later years For formerly he was wont to sup more early and so as to comport with his Guests and then to give himself a little after to writing and reading and so to continue studying late in the night yea and many times till day-dawn so that he took very little sleep and that only in the mornings But in process of time finding that this course did him hurt he began to leave studying between Supper and Bed-time whereupon he soon after found himself dull and indisposed to his morning studies and one business or other continually holding him employed all day long he found that he had no time left for study Whereupon he begun a new course viz. at four five or at the farthest six of the Clock at night when the generality of People begin to think of Supper he would shut himself up into his Chamber and suffer no man to visit him or to speak with him unless upon some very urgent occasion and so he would continue till nine of the Clock which he had alotted for his Supper-time conversing only with himself and the Muses Yea and on those dayes on which the Posts did set forth towards Paris or Rome he was wont to defer his Supper till ten or eleven a Clock and very often till after mid-night that he might write more and larger letters For which cause he oftentimes either detained the Posts in his own House or if they were gone he would by money and fair words procure them to stay for his Letters He went to bed almost as soon as he had supt and alwayes set his Larum so as to wake him quickly again Not that he was weary of his necessary rest but because when he slept above four houres such plenty of Urine flowed into his Bladder that the orifice thereof being shut with too much stretching he could not make water And therefore he was forced to break his sleeps which he did more frequently when the North-west wind blew or any the least cold aire affected him for then he was most of all troubled with the stoppage of his Urine Another occasion of his frequent awaking was his inclination to sweat which was so great that the heat of the Bed-cloathes or of the weather being joyned to his natural weakness he was forced to change his shifts once twice or sometimes three times in a night In the morning when he rose his custom was to keep his head very warm with his Hat or some other covering till his sweat and heat conceived during his sleep were abated otherwise the cold Aire entering into the open pores and stopping the same was wont to cause Rheumatick Defluxions and Tooth-ach For the same cause when he did write or read he sat far from the Windowes otherwise the cold would so pierce into his head and face or that Cheek which was next the Window as by little and little to cause Defluxions and bring the Tooth-ach For this cause also he did in the day-time as much as his occasions would permit keep himself out of the wind and Sun which he would sometimes excuse by saying that the Bodies of other men were like Plates of Iron not at all affected by the Aires injuries but that his own weak Body was like a sheet of paper which the least drop of water can penetrate Therefore he never walkt abroad which was the only bodily exercise which he used but when the Air was calm the Sun clouded or at least shining very weakly and inclining to set Also he had a Servant with him that waited upon him with an hand-Canopy to keep off the Sun-beams if need were the wind And because that might be troublesom to himself or his Company therefore he was wont to chuse his walks in Vales and shady places where he might go free and feed his eyes and eares For delighting more in discourâ—e then any other thing in the World he was wont to procure the Company of such men as were learned and of gentle meek
dispositions such as the forementioned Galterius Antonius Arbaudus Bargemonius Provost of the Cathedral Church of Aix and other such like finding himself in the mean while very naturally delighted with the pleasant Verdure of Plants beauty of flowers gentle murmur and purling noyse of brooks and water-streams together with the various songs of little Birds And therefore it is no wonâ—er that he adorned his Garden at Beaugensier with such variety of Plants and that besides a rare Channel of water he procured the same to be cast up by a curious kind of Fountain and that in the winter he caused Corn to be scattered for the Birds which haunted certain Orenge and Lemmon-Trees made into Arbors forbidding any one to catch or molest them Moreover he preferred the singing of Birds before the voyces of men or any musical Instruments not but that he was therewith also delighted but because after the Musick which men made there remained in his mind a continual agitation drawing his attention and disturbing his sleep the rising falling and holding of the Notes with the change of sounds and concords running to and fro in his fancy whereas no such thing could remain after the Birds Musick which because it is not so apt by us to be imitated it cannot therefore so much affect and stir our internal saculty He would also for the same cause continually breed up Nightingales and such like small Birds which he kept also in his own Chamber and of which he was so careful that he knew by divers signes and tokens what they wanted or desired and presently would see them satisfied they therefore as out of gratitude would sing unto their benefactor Hymnes of prayse and whereas in his absence they were for the most part silent as soon as ever by his voyce or staffe they perceived he was comming they would presently fall to singing And because we are speaking of his affection to dumb-Creatures it can do no hurt to tell you that in his Boyes and Youths-Age he was a great lover of Dogs Of some of them we have spoken formerly now he chiefly loved such as he knew to be gifted with some peculiar Instinct Amongst which there was one of which he was wont often to relate this memorable passage how that having received from I know not whom a sore blow he would not only smell out that man as soon as ever he came into the house but he would perceive him comming when he was fifty paces off and by his suddain barking would intimate who was at hand And by reason of mice which did gnaw his Books and Papers in his Chamber he became a Lover of Cats which he had formerly hated and whereas at first he kept a few for necessity sake he had afterwards a great Company for his delight For he procured out of the East Ash-coloured Dun and speckled Cats beautiful to behold of the Brood whereof he sent to Paris and other places to his friends And as nothing could passe his notice he observed that Cats go with young exactly nine weeks that they conceive till they are more then fourteen years old that they sometimes want a Midwife to assist their bringing forth that they give suck though they have not conceived and the like things But to return to the care he used about himself it was very plain and ordinary even in the times of his sickness and experience had made him in a manner his own Physician For in the first place as touching Fevers he was wont to cure them by fasting for he reasoned that either the matter of the Fever its fewel being withdrawn would soon be consumed or all Impediments being removed it would quickly come to settle and fix Moreover when the Rheum and Cough troubled him he used nothing but a Crust of dry bread of which he alwayes carried about him certain pieces inclosed in a silver Box with some odoriferous juncket or Confect thereby For he conceived that by the chewing thereof his spittle withall gently dropping down his Wind-pipe was as it were crusted over so that the superfluous humor would not so exulcerate the same nor provoke him to cough To asswage the pain of the Haemoâ—rhoids he used nothing but the yolk of an Egg to which sometimes a little Butter or Lard was added Also he found that drinking of the mineral waters did them much good and that heat applied beneath or the least sleep did mitigate their pain We have told you how he used the said waters against his stoppage of Urine which to provoke he was wont to bite a linnen Cloth or an end thereof and chew it as it were between his teeth which he did just as he was straining to make water and by which meanes he many times voided his Urine And when that would not do as in great distensions of his Bladder he would thrust himself into a narrow place between the hinder part of the Bed and the Wall there to be squeezed for after much endeavouring he found some help thereby Nor did he after every Retention of Urine void Gravel or stones yet they came away frequently after he had bin pained in his Kidneys and Ureters Now he was wont to make water alwayes in a large Glasse like a Cupping-Glasse that he might soon see in the bottom thereof whether he had bin delivered of any thing for he was wont to call his pains and voiding of stones his Breeding or childing Finally that he was not troubled with the Gout as his Parents were he attributed to the careful ordering himself in point of Diet which thing as often as his Father was careful of he fared much the better for it Nor must I passe over in this place that his weak constitution did not hinder him from behaving himself exceeding patiently in those Diseases and vehement pains For the frequency and continuance thereof seemed to have induced a certain brawny hardness but yet his custorn of suffering was perfected and assisted by Reason which told him that what cannot be avoided must be suffered patiently and gently Truly his common saying was That he was not so much troubled at the evils whereunto he was subjected as he rejoyced that they were not more grievious as they might have bin His mind was much the same in respect of any adverse accident which sell out For when he lost any thing especially if it were precious he could not but be troubled but he was wont to remper his grief by considering the thing not so much as being lost as that it had bin possessed and enjoyed with pleasure So he comforted himself with what was left him for he conceived that there was more reason to rejoyce in behalf of that which good Fortune had left behind than to grieve for that which hard hap had taken away Wherefore he was wont frequently to say that who ever seeks after the uncertain good things of this World should think and resolve that he gathers as well for Thieves as
no other inconvenience at least of losse of Time In like manner he took it ill if any being far distant did stay till his return or for some other occasion fully to relate or transmit any thing for he would that what ever was requisite for him to know or have should be written to him at large and sent forthwith because through such kind of delayes he had bin frequently deprived of many goodly very profitable things Now he that loved him could not be too large in his Letters because he desired to have all the circumstances of the subject matter punctually set down Yea and he often complained that those that wrote did not sufficiently consider that such things as were clearly visible to them and which therefore as too well known either they little esteemed or neglected to write were to persons absent altogether unknown and would to them seem new and consequently delightful And therefore as vvhen he himself enquired into any thing or questioned another about it he would not omit to enquire into every thing which concern'd the same even so when he desired any thing to be sought into and observed by others either near at hand or far off he alwaies gave order that it should be viewed all manner of waies so that no circumstances if possible might lie hid vvhich he therefore vvas commonly accustorned exactly to set down in vvriting being vvonderfully delighted when any one of his own accord and by his own industry did attend either all or most or at least some circumstances Moreover his care was exceeding great to procure plenty and variety of Books For to say nothing of Manuscripts vvhich if ancient in case he could not procure them he would cause Copies to be written out and sometimes vvrote them out himself having by him Catalogues of the most renowned and chief Libraries in the world To pass over I say Manuscripts he bonght up printed Books at Rome Venice Paris Amsterdam Antwerp London Lions and other places and that not only after the Mart vvas over at Francfort but all the year long his friends acquainting him with and sending him such as were for his turn for which he caused mony to be paid either by the Bankers and Money-changers or by friends Also where ever any Libraries vvere to be sold by out-cry he took order to have the rarer Books bought up especially such as were of some neat Edition vvhich he had not And truly 't is incredible to tell how great a number of Books he gathered together also it is incredible how it should therefore come to passe that he lest not a most compleat Library behind him but neither of these will seem strange if a man shall consider that he sought Books not for himself alone but for any that stood in need of them He lent an innumerable company vvhich vvere never restored also he gave a world away as I hinted before of vvhich he could hardly hope ever to get the like again Which he did when learned men had occasion to use them For as for such Books as vvere commonly to be had at the Book-sellers of them he vvas wonderfully profuse and lavish For vvhich cause as often as he vvas informed of Books newly come forth he would have many of them vxhich he vvould partly keep by him and partly distribute them immediately among his friends according as he knew they would like the subject matter thereof And whether he gave them away or kept them he would be sure to have them neatly bound and covered to which end he kept an industrious Book-binder in his House who did exquisitely bind and adorn them Yea and sometimes he kept many Book-binders at once for one man was hardly ever able to bind up such store of Books as came trowling in from all parts Also it happened frequently that such Books as he borrowed being neglected by their owners and ill bound he delivered to his binder to be rectified and beautified viz. when their subject matter or rarity deserved that cost so that having received them ill-bound and ill-favoured he returned them trim and handsome And so he did by all the very old Books which he could get whether printed or Manuscripts Nor did his care only extend to such as were entire and perfect but even to the fragments of Books and Leaves half eaten And being demanded why he would be at that charge in the Book-binding he would say the Cause was inasmuch as the best Books when they fell into unlearned mens hands ill-accoutred were pittifully used he therefore endeavoured that they might be prized at least for the beauty of their binding and so escape the danger of the Tobacconist and Crocer And those which he bound for his own use he would have his Mark stampt upon them Which Mark was made up of these three Capital Greek Letters N K Φ which were so neatly interwoven that being doubted they might be read to the right hand and to the left by which initial capital Letters these three words were designed Nicolas Klaudius Phabricius As for the Room wherein his Library was kept it was indeed too small though the whole walls were filled and nests were placed likewise on the floore filled with Books Also he had Books in the Porch of his Study and likewise piled on heaps in several Chambers And truly he had frequent thoughts to build a large Gallery but so many things were then to be removed especially the Library of his Father and Ancestors in which he had laid up the greatest part of his rarities also he was alwayes so full of business that he could not accomplish what he intended but left the House just as he at first found it I omit to say that the Porch to his Study aforesaid also the Porch to the House and his Carden and other places were loaded with Marbles both such as were engraven upon and such as were formed into statues and that whereas in the old stndy he had treasured up an huge Masse of old Coines and weights especially the lighter fort and in other places weights measnres Arms Statues and innumerable other things it must needs be that all things lay as it were confused to others but to him that knew perfectly where every thing was they were orderly placed He was far from the Practise of those mentioned by Seneca who adorned with cutious gold-worh such Corinthian Vessels as the madness of a few men had rendred estimable for he neglected even those precious Boxes which he proâ—ided at first for his Coines especially after his losse by Theeves had made him more cautious so that he made cases of Ebony and such like stuffe only for things lesse subject to be stole as the Tripod aforesaid the drinking Cups and such like things Nor was it without cause that I told you how that what might seem to others consused was not so to him For though he would frequently excuse himself that all in his House was nothing but
who as he exceedingly honored Piereskius and was by him highly eueemed so did he take extraordinary pains in composing a Poem wherein he prosecutes the rare praises of his deceased friend most decently and copiously Nor will it be unworth my labour if I shall likewise select and insert the Epitaph which Rigaltius composed Valavesius made choice of to be engraven upon his Tomb. Which was as followes Here lies Expecting a Christian Resurrection Nicolaus Claudius Fabricius Lord of Pieresk Whose Sagacity Counsel Liberality Open'd the most secret Treasures of Antiquity To all the learned world of men A Man so rarely Happy That living in an Age of Quarrels All Men knew but no Man blam'd him The VIII of the Kalends of July in the year Of Christ 1637. of his own age LVII Let every good man pray for the best of Men. And verily I must not omit the Funeral Honours which were performed for him at Rome were it only because that crafty estimation of Vertue ought not to be forgotten with which those most politick men thought fit to adorn even a man born on this side the Alps. For vvhen the Pope Cardinal Barberino and other great learned men came not without extream sorrow to understand this sad Accident they thought fit to decree such Honours as might adorn a man so well deserving of the Roman and learned World He vvas chosen in his life-time though absent into the Academy which is called Academia Humoristarum which is a renowned Society of learned men who meet twice every moneth vvhere in a full Assembly one of the Academicks makes an Oration and others recire their Poëms and other vvorks vvorthy of a learned Auditory It was therefore thought fit that Peireskius should be honoured in that Assembly though contrary to the Lawes of the said Academy vvhich allow that Honour only to Princes of the same Society so that in whole forty years time only six and they Princes are recorded to have received that Honour But the fame and splendor of his rare Vertues overcame that obstacle as also the extream affection the Cardinal bore him with the generous humanity of Camillu Columna Prince of the Academy and the great admiration and respect of the Academicks by whose Votes it was carried The twelfth day therefore of the Kalends of January was appointed for the solemnity against which Seates were provided hung with mourning as also the Pulpit and an Image of Peireskius deceased set in a conspicuous place There came besides Cardinal Barberinus and his Brother Antonius the Cardinals Bentivolus Cueva Biscia Pamphilius Pallotta Brancatius Aldobrandinus Burghesius and such a multitude of other very renowned and learned men that the Hall was searce able to contain them Where the most choyle wits in all the City recited Verses in prayse of the deceased in Italian Latine and Greek and his Funeral Oration neat and eloquent was pronounced by Joannes Jacobus Buccardus who was chosen to perform that Office both for the excellency of his wit the great love he bore to his Countrey and his special Affection to the memory of the party deceased I would let down here the chief heads of the Oration but that it has bin already divers times printed with a dedication to that greatest of Cardinals and an Epistle subjoyned to the foresaid Luillerius And there was added to the Edition printed at Rome not only the foresaid Verses recited by the Academicks but also the Letter of Naudaeus forementioned and withall a rare fardle of Funeral Elegies which because they were expressed in almost all the Languages of the World for they were near upon forty Therefore they were entituled Panglossia or the Lamentations of Mankind in all Languages expressed for the Death of their Darling And because the Book was to be licensed and approved by the Master of the sacred Palace Loe how Lucas Holstenius made way and declared by this following ceninre that the Laudatory Oration of Buccardus was written eloquently and elegantly and with the same purity and Candor with which that most excellent and incomparable man alwayes lived and the Elegoes written by most renowned and most excellent man that is to say the very Teares of the Muses runnâ—â—g down in the clear and learned Humour of the â—â—man Academy at the Funerals of Peireskius â—â—ght by any meanes to be published that the memory of so great a Personage may be transmitted to all posterity seeing they set before Mens Eyes the illustrious Example of a Man born to advance all good Literature and Liberal Arts. And I have bin more large in recounting these things thus transacted at Rome because this was as it were his Apotheâ—sis or Canonization which was entertained with the whole Worlds applause For though there was no learned man who did not wish with all his heart that Peireskius might have bin longer the Recreation of Mankind which was in old times said of a Prince rather then so soon a Companion of Saints and Angels yet all were pleased that he was honoured in that Theatre of which he was while living judged most worthy And peradventure if it had bin his hap to live longer the greatest Honours might have bin conferred upon him without his seeking after but they could add nothing to his Honour vvho by the common vote of all men vvas ever counted vvorthy of the greatest which could be conferred Moreover as he vvas alwayes richer then the vvealth vvhich he contemned so was he more glorious then those Honours he scorned to seek for And therefore though he was taken away in the middle of his vvhole Age yet in respect of glory he lived very long having by his vertue attained an eternal Renown For as long as there shall remain any Lovers of good Literature they will dearly esteem his Memory whose love to learning and munificence towards learned men they shall see sprinkled in all Books We have mentioned many of them all along and have omitted more yea such as have been dedicated to him One thing I must not omit being proper fâ—r this place viz. that many Authours were resolved to dedicate their Books to him just when he died Amongst them were Campanella Licetus Hortensius Buccardus Arcosius and who not And what would have been done think you if he had attained a riper Age and longer lise Those things which he accomplished may justly be counted very many and very great but he vvas just then taken away vvhen by rare actions he began to exceed himself For he had now contrived to himself many vvayes of entercourse into all the Provinces of Europe into Asia and all the Eastern parts of the World into all Africa and the farthest bounds of Aethiopia into the two Continents of America and the unknown World it self so that he vvas now in a capacity more abundantly to unite all Mankind through the whole World by the Commerce and Correspondence of Letters and to supply all learned men with such Books and other things as
which Order I can cite plenty of Eye-witnesses of the beneficent and most liberal nature of Piereskius not only out of this City and present Assembly but even out of the farthest parts of Syria and the immense Altitude of Mount Libanus I can bring the most learned Amira Bishop of the Maronites out of Magna Graecia that great Philosopher Campanella out of France the learned Petitus and an infinite multitude more out of other Provinces Also I could relate unto you an innumerable Examples of Liberality and Magnificence scarce credible of a King much lesse of a man only of a Senatorian Dignity Rank and Estate Whereas nevertheless which sounds more like a miracle than a thing credible he laid out in this City alone every year three thousand pounds-Tours that is to say a twelfth part of his whole Revenue which we may well think he did in other renowned Cities of Europe partly in sending Books and other such like tokens to his friends partly upon Books Statue Brazen Monuments and Marbles which were daily here discovered or at least upon Patterns of them and Images painted carved or molded in Wax Plaister or moystened Paper But consideration of the time most learned Academicks advises me now to take-in my Sails and look towards the Haven Yet verily that same ardency of your Countenances and Intention of your mindes does call upon me to perform the rest of my Promise which was that I would prove Peireskius to have far exceeded all other men not only in a rare love and Liberality towards Learning but which is the greatest matter of all in unwearied labour and incredible Industry in commenting and writing touching almost excellent Arts no part of which verily he left untouched He wrote the History of Provence which was his own Countrey in many large Volumes with so much diligence that whether you regard Antiquity or the Lawes Peace or Warre and the Changes happening in the Common-wealth you shall therein finde nothing wanting In other Volumes he set down the Originals of the Noble Families of the same Country and of his own by it self and seeing the Family of the Fabricii had its Original from Pisa from whence after the space of four hundred years flourishing in Chivalry it was propagated into France he did in the same Book excellently illustrate the Antiquity of Pisa and consequently of Italy of which he was alwayes an exceeding great Lover setting down many unknown passages touching the Gothick Kings who bore sway in Italy which he collected from ancient Coines as also touching the French Kings whose Originals and Pedigrees being obscured through length of time he much illustrated Finally he wrote most elegant and full Commentaries of all great and memorable things which were transacted in his time Also he adorned Philosophy by his writings and amplified the same especially the natural part thereof to which he was wonderfully addicted For he had made an elegant Book touching those sporting works of Nature which in some Countries are digged out of the ground viz. concerning wood and other things degenerating into the Nature of stone or some other different substance also touching huge and vast bones of Gyants as is commonly conceived a great quantity whereof he caused to be brought to him from far Countries touching which being of a discerning spirit he discovered many Impostures And as for Plants especially such as were of Indian growth he wrote a peculiar History of every one well near which he illustrated with experiments never before practised for he engrafted Trees with happy success not only upon Trees quite of another kind but upon the Horns Heads and other parts of living Creatures Of which live Creatures yea even of Elephants he diligently sought out the Nature manner and weight and dissected all their members as also of the Body of Man with his own hand especially the Eyes of huge Beasts and of Whales for the finding out of which he sent men as far as Herenles Pillars By which means he wrote new things never before heard of as of other parts of the Body so especially concerning the admirable frame of the Eye Nor was he lesse industrious in illustrating the Mathematical Arts giving himself up in his latter years to the study of Astronomy so as to build a most high Tower furnished with plenty of Instruments belonging to that Art where he watched all night long when the Skie was clear in Contemplation of the Starres not only diligently observing their Altitudes Magnitudes and Motions but penetrating by the quickness of his wit into their very matter and Nature assisted by that new and admirable Invention of the Telescope which makes the most remote and obscure Species and Representations of things clearly to be seen whose name and use was invented by Galilaeus the Prince doubtless of Mathematicians and a very loving friend of our Peireskius By the help of which Instrument Peireskius caused the several faces and appearances both of the other Planets and also of the Moon with the smallest marks and spots as it were which appeared therein to be diligently viewed and engraven in Copper Plates committing to writing his own perpetual observations thereof so that no man was better acquainted with this World of ours then Peireskius was with the Heavenly Orbs especially the Moon which the ancient Sages of Italy were wont to call Antichthôn the other Earth Whose Eclipses he did both observe himself and caused them by all Mathematicians to be more diligently observed then formerly not that he might assist the labouring Goddess whose shape like another Endymion he beheld and admired but that thereby he might finde out and set down the sure and certain distances of Cities Havens and Islands both from the four Coasts of Heaven and one from another and so take away the received Errors of Travellers and Seafaring-men A thing before not so much as endeavoured by any except one or two and they great Kings which it was hoped that Peireskius would at last happily accomplish For he caused most accurate observations of the Eclipses to be made in the most renowned Cities of the old and new World of which observations the most excellent he said was that which he received from Naples from his good friend Johannes Camillus Gloriosus an excellent Mathematician And herein he used the continual Assistance of Petrus Gassendus the most excellent Astronomer and Philosopher in France intimately acquainted with Peireskius so that he lived with him many years together in his own House as a bosom friend where he was assistant at his death and now out of the dear memory he beares to his Name and Vertues he is intended to write an History of his Life which makes me rejoyce that the work which I had long since designed is now taken out of my hands by a most learned man and my very loving friend yea and I congratulate the Memory of Peireskius in that behalf The excellent pains he took in describing your Antiquities O
of his judgement into several Classes suitable to the variety of the Arguments he caused them being so placed in order to be bound up into fourscore and two Volumes making a Catalogue of the names of every one of them to the very least which Catalogue I do now publish having never before seen the light With which that I might not seem to do any thing negligently I have diligently compared the several Volumes or Books aforesaid that by this meanes learned men may have a Breviary of the said Manuscripts begun by Putean and finished by my self To the making of which Catalogue that most illustrious Gentleman Claudius Fabricius Baron of Rians the Son of Palavesius Brother to our Peireskius did much contribute very readily lending all the Books to that end who being renowned by the Noble Titles of his Ancestors with which the Fabrician Family is famous to this very day has added thereunto most proper and peculiar gifts of his own minde viz. sweetness of manners Candor and Ingenuity with an industrious wit thereby to augment not only the glory of his Unkle but the growing Wealth of the Literary Republick I am so far from unthankfully passing over in silence how I owe all I have done in this business to the Gentleman aforesaid that I am ready with the most officious words I am able to return him as by these presents I do all possible thanks for his favour to me in this particular Go to therefore who ever thou art that longest after mysterious and hidden secrets of Learning go to the Peireskian Fountains which do by their streames plentifully water the field of Learning you shall finde plenty wherewith to quench your thirst whether you desire caelestial things or things terrestial natural or artificial old or new And behold in these a most intent observer the Judge of most abstruse matters and celebrate the Phaenix and miracle of his Age in one word recommend to Posterity this most worthy Gentleman deceased whose Vertues while living did merit a publick Triumph Dated at Paris the last of December 1654. A CATALOGUE OF Nicolaus Claudius Fabricius Lord of Peiresk and Senator of Aix his own proper Manuscripts Printed from the Original Copy of Petrus Puteanus his own hand-writing being diligently compared with the Books themselves which are at this day in the Custody of the Baron of Rians Volume I. DUkes and Peers of France Vol. 1. Dukes and Piers of France Vol. 2. II. Divers Catalogues of Manuscripts Divers Catalogues of printed Books III. Books of divers Heralds touching Coates of Arms. A Miscellanie of divers Coates of Arms some blasoned some not Certain fragments touching kingly Robes Divers Instructions concerning Heraldry The Coats of Arms of the greatest Families in Europe blazoned Figures of divers ancient Tapestries IV. England Volume 1. England Volume 2. Scotland V. Ancient Authors Greek and Latine touching weights and measures Divers Calendars Of Looking-Glasses and Spectacles for divers purposes Observations touching the Eies of Men and divers other Beasts Effects of the Sight VI. Touching Maritim affairs Of Commerce Matters appertaining to the Law VII Inscriptions and Subscriptions of Letters written by the King Queen and others as well within as without the Realm Other Memorials touching the same subject Enlogies and Epitaphs VIII Turkes Voyages A mixture of divers Papers of the same Subject IX A verbal processe touching the negotiation between Pope Sixtus Quartus and the Princes of Italy Memorials of Queen Margaret X. For the Life of St. Lewis For the Maid of Orleance Of the City of Rhemes Enchanters Sorcerers XI Memorials of the Council of Trent Assemblies of the Clergie XII Chancellours and Keepers of the Seal of France General Rules for the Houses of the King the Queens and the Parliaments XIII Genealogies of the House of Austria Letters and Passages touching the Martiage of England 1624 1625. XIIII Acts and Memorials touching Bearn Metz Toul Verdun Commercy XV. A Discourse touching the power of the Pope Touching the power of Kings Tampin Whether or no it is lawful to bear Arms for a Prince of a different Religion The English Naaman whether the Catholicks sin that live among Hereticks Vacancies and Exactions of the Pope Bishops and a Catalogue of Bishops A Treatise of the Inquisition by Father Paul XVI Ancient Statues and other Antiquities Precious Stones Of the Tripod Seals of divers sorts Pourtraits of the Princes of the House of Anjou and other Figures XVII Regencies Portions Seats of Justice held by Kings in their Parliaments Verifications of Edicts in the Chamber of Accounts and the Court of Aides or subsidies The Chamber of Justice against those of the Exchequer Receits of the Exchequer XVIII The History of the Marshal of Fleurange The History of James de Lalain Lives of the Earles de Carcez A discourse touching the Life of Monsieur Charls de Lorraine Duke of Mayenne by Cornac The Negotiations of Monsieur de Bassompiere in Spain touching the Valtelline XIX Assises or Assemblies at Hierusalem XX. The Liberty of the French Church XXI A Catalogue of the Books in the Kings Library XXII Orations and Discourses Divers Discourses and Memorials Genealogies and other historical Treatises XXIII Ancient Genalogies of the Kings of France Extracts from Chronicles and Histories French Antiquities or Extracts from divers Histories Touching the ancient History of France Titles and Acts for the History of the second Race Priviledges granted by the Popes to the Kings of France XXIIII Ancient Inscriptions Vol. 1. Ancient Inscriptions Vol. 2. New and Christian Inscriptions XXV Divers Orders of Knighthood Vol. 1. Divers Orders of Knighthood Vol. 2. XXVI Ceremonies Consecrations and Coronations Entries Receptions Te Deum Baptisms Marriages Butials Reception of the Duke de Pustrane into France The Reception of Monsieur du Mayne into Spain Memorials of divers Ceremonies A Discourse touching Seats and Places A memorial touching Places Of the Debate ' twi xt France and Spain touching Priority of Place XXVII Criminal Process or Trials of Robert Earl of Artois of Gilles de Rail Of the Constable of St. Paul Of the Duke of Montmorancy Divers criminal Arrests and criminal Processes XXVIII A Chronicle of the Metensian Bishops Chronicon Besnense Chronicon Novaticense Chronicle of Berne Divers Letters and Acts passed between the Emperors and Princes of Germany and the Kings of France Chronicles and Statues of Monpellier Divers Chronicles XXIX Legati à latere Indulgences of Cardinals The Legation of Cardinal Barberin in France and Spain XXX Italy vol. 1. Rome Urbin Parma Este Gennes Mantua Montferat and Venice Neutrality of the free County Italy vol. 2. Milaine Savoy and Piedmont Naples and Sicilie The Empire of Constantinople XXXI Of the Huguenots or Protestants from the year 1550 to the year 1619. Vol. 1. Of the Huguenots from the year 1620. to 1629. Vol. 2. XXXII Of Genealogies vol. 1. Of Genealogies vol. 2. XXXIII The General Assembly of Estates holden at Paris under King John Other Assemblies in the years
Chartrenses of Montriou Valbonne Val St. Marie de Vrbonne de Verne Bompas LXXVII Avenion Letters of Pope Clement the 4th The Earl De Venisse LXXVIII Aurenge LXXIX Very rare Memorials for the History of France chiefly touching the troubles of the Ligue or Confederacy in general and what happened in Provence touching the same Divers curious Relations made by Mr. Peiresk in Conferences Ancient Parliaments LXXX Grotius Querengus LXXXI The third Discourse and Commentaries of Mr. Lewis de Perussiis Esquire de Coumons Knight of the Kings Order also the Continuation of the Warre and Troubles of those times from the 22th of February 1554. to the year 1581. LXXXII The Bull of the Legation of Avenion The End Courteous Reader these Books following are printed for Humphrey Moseley at the Princes Armes in Sr. Pauls Church-yard Various Histories with curious Discourses in humane Learning c. 1. HIstoricall relations of the united Provinces of Flanders by Cardinall Bentivoglio Englished by the Right Honorable Henry Earle of Monmouth Fol. 2. The History of the Warrs of Flanders written in Italian by that learned and famous Cardinal Bentivoglio Englished by the Right Honorable Henry E. of Monmouth The whole worke Illustrated with a Map of the 17. Provinces and above 20 Figures of the thiefe Personages mentioned in this History Fol. 3. The History of the Warrs of the Emperor Justinian with the Persians Goths and Vandalls written in Greek by Procopius of Caesaria in eight Bookes translated into English by Sir Henry Holcroft Knight Fol. 4. De Bello Belgico the History of the Low-Country Warrs written in Latine by Famianus Strada in English by Sir Robert Stapylton Illustrated with divers Figures Fol. 5. The use of passions written by I.F. Senalt and but into English by Henry Earle of Monmouth 8o. 6. Judicious and Select Essaies and observations by the Renowned and learned Knight Sir Walter Raleigh with his Apology for his Voyage to Guiana Fol. 7. The Compleat Horseman and Expert Farrier in two books by Thomas De Grey Esquire newly printed with additions in 4â— 1656. 8. Unheard-of curiosities concerning the Talismaticall Sculpture of the Persians The Horoscope of the Patriarchs and the judgment of the Starrs by J. Gafâ—nel Englished by Edmund Chilinead Ch. Ch. Oxon. 9. The History of the Inquisition composed by â— F. Servita the compiler of the History of the Councill of Trent in 8º traslated out of Italian 10. Biathanatos a Paradox of self-murther by Dr. Jo. Donne Dean of St. Pauls London 11. The Gentlemans Exercise or the Art of limning painting and blazoning of Coats and Armes c. by Henry Peacham Master of Arts 4o. 12. M. Howels History of Lewis the thirteenth King of France with the life of his Cardinal de Richelieu Fol. 13. Mr. Howels Epistolae Ho elianae Familiar letters Domestick and Forren in six Sections partly Historicall Politicall Philosophicall the first Volume with Additions 8o. 14. Mr. Howels new volume of Familiar letters partly Historicall Politicall Philosophicall the second Volume with many Additions 8o. 15. Mr. Howels third Volume of Additionall letters of a fresher date never before published 8o. 16. Mr. Howels Dodona's Grove or the Vocall Forest the first part in 12o. with many Additions 17. Mr. Howels Dodona's Grove or the Vocall Forest the second part in 8º never printed before 18. Mr. Howels Englands Teares for the present wars 19. Mr. Howels Fre-eminence and Pedegree of Parliament in 12o. 20. Mr. Howels Instructions and Directions for Forven Trvels in 12º with divers Additions for Travelling into Turky and the Levant parts 21. Mr. Howels Vote or a Poem Royall presented to his late Majesty in 4o. 22. Mr. Howels Angliae Suspiria lachrymae in 12o. 23. Marques Virgilio Malvezzi's Romulus and Tarquin Englished by Hen. Earl of Monmouth in 12o. 24 Marques Virgilio Malvezzi's David persecuted Englished by Ro. Ashly Gent. in 120. 25. Marques Virgilio Malvezzi of the successe and chiefe events of the Monarchy of Spain in the year 1639. of the revolt of the Catalonians from the King of Spain Englished by Rob. Gentilis Gent. in 12o. 26. Marques Virgilio Malvezzi's considerations on the lives of Alcibiades and Coriolanus Two famous Roman Commanders Englished by Rob. Gentilis 27. Policy unveiled or Maximes of State done into English by the Translator of Gusman in 4o. 28. Gracious priveleges granted by the King of Spaine to our English Merchants in 4o. 29. Englands looking in and out by Sr. Ralph Maddison Knight 4o. 30. Gratiae Ludentes jests from the University 31. The Antipathy between the French and the Spanyard an ingenious translation out of Spanish 32. Mr. Birds grounds of Grammar in 8o. 33. Mr. Bulwers Phylocophus or the Deafe and Dumb mans friend in 12o. 34. Mr. Bulwers Pathomyotomia or a Dessection of the significative Muscles of the Affections of the Mind 12o. 35. An Itinenary containing a voyage made through Italy in the years 1646 1647. illustrated with divers Figures of Antiquity never before published by John Raymond Gent. in 12o. Books in Humanity lately Printed 36. THe History of Life and Death or the prolongation of Life written by Francis Lord Verulam Viscount St. Alban in 12o. 37. The naturall and experimentall History of Winds written in Latine by Francis Lord Verulam Viscount St. Alban translated into English by an admirer of the learned Author 12o. 38. The life of the most learned Father Paul Authour of the History of the Councill of Trent translated out of Italian by a person of quality 8o. 39. Paradoxes Problems Characters by Dr. Donn Dean of St Paul's to which is added a booke of Epigrams written in Latin by the same Author translated by Iasper Main D. D. 12o. 40. Ignatius his conclave a Satyr written by Dr. Donne Deane of St. Paul's 12o. 41. A Discovery of subterraneall Treasure viz. of all manner of Mines and Minerals from the Gold to the Coale with plain directions and rules for the finding of them in all Kingdomes and Countries written by Gabriel Platt 4o. 42. Richardi Gardiner ex Aede Christi Oxon. specimen Oratorium â—o. 43. The Soveraignty of the British Seas written by that learned Knight Sir Iohn Burroughes Keeper of the Records in the Tower 12o. 44. Grammatica Burlesa or a new English Grammar made plaine and easie for Teacher and Schollar composed by Edward Burles Master of Arts. 45. Artificiall Arithmetick containing the Quintessence of the Golden Rule the true valuation of all Annaities also to find the distance at one station An Art never till now published usefull for Merchant Gunners Seamen and Surveyors by Robert Iager of Sandwich in Kent Gent. 46. Naturall and Divine Contemplations of the Passions and Faculties of the Soul of Man in three books written by Nicholas Moseley Esq 8o. Seâ—â—rall Sermons with other excellent Tracts in Divinity written by some most eminent and learned Bishops and Orthodox Divines 47. A Manuall of private Devotions Meditations for every day in the week by the right