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
When he had put the matter out of Hazard he carefully procured a second Edition both of all the Acts and likewise of that Genealogie which without adding or taking away so much as a fyllable he reduced into an evident Scheme or Table From which it soon appeared that Wernerus Erle of Habsburg who died in the year 1096. had a Daughter named ITA de Tierstein or Homberg that is in the Language of the Genealogist who was married to Rudolphus of Tierstein or Homberg who bare Wernerus the Father of Albertus the Grandfather of Rudolphus the great Grandsire of another Albertus and the great Great-Grand-sire of another Rudolphus who was the first Emperor of that name and of the House of Austria And truly the sleight is wonderfull whereby both Franciscus Guillimanuus and Piespordius himself do in such manner dissemble that Wernerus was the Son of ITA as if he had been not Ita's but her Brothers Son of whose progeny neverthelesse there is no mention any where made as neither of Adelbert another Brother from whom the Habsburgian Succession did passe over to the family of Tierstein or Homberg But they were not ashamed to go contrary to the manifest truth of story and so to confound things that Guillimannus made Ita the Sister of Otto his Niece and Piespordius his Sister Wife Daughter in Law and Niece by the Sisters side from Wernerus of Tierstein And thus Peireskius rejoyced that he brake the neck of the designe of these flattering Genealogists and so much the more because Guillimannus said he gave great credit to those Acts of Muren aforesaid and Gaspar Scioppius two years after chose this same Guillimannus as his Author whom he would follow in that part of the Genealogie of the House of Autria I do not well remember whether it were for this or some other cause that he visited the Records of the Chapter at Rhemes the Canons being commanded by an order from the King to let him view all their Acts and Records and to shew him two peciall Instruments containing things of great moment I remember very well he was accounted most knowing in the French Histories of greatest Antiquity and that he gave a proof of his skill which I have heard both from himself and others For whereas in the moneth of March there happened a memorable fire in the Kings Court to the sight whereof he ran at midnight in the company of Jacobus Gillotus a most excellent Senatour he carried thither afterwards all the learned men well nigh in the City to contemplate the statues of the Kings the stumps whereof onely remained the rest being turned into ashes And when no body could tell whose statue that was which stood with a mangled face even before the fire happened he because of one place supernumerary argued that it was the statue of King Henry of England which Charles the seventh did onely mangle and not remove as unwilling that his own Statue should stand in the place of the Usurpers Nor was he content to undertake onely that particular labour against Piespordius and others but out of his love to the Kings Majesty and the glory of the French Nation he began from that time forwards to think of an Edition of all Authours especially those of that age who had written the Antiquities and History of France And because he knew that in divers Churches Monasteries and private Libraries many Books of that Argument were kept up unprinted he took care to search them out and because he himself was not then at leisure he acquainted Andreas Duchesnius a most diligent Historiographer with his designe who was at that time set upon the same undertaking He was then preparing an Edition of the Historians of Normandy wherefore Peireskius to testifie his sagacity and industry he sought and obtained of Sir Robert Cotton of England both a namelesse writer of the Acts of Emma Queen of England and likewise Wilhelmus Pictavinus whom he soon after annexed to his History and testified that by the mediation of Cambden They were sent to the Illustrious those are his words Nicolaus Fabricius de Petrisco Senatour in the Parliament at Aix one that is an advancer of learning and my most dearly beloved friend And because Fronto Ducaeus was at that time setting out a Greek Manuscript written with great letters containing a great part of the Bible and of so great antiquity that it was said to have been corrected by Origens own hand who averreo that it had been compared with the most ancient Tetraplus therefore Peireskius well remembering that the foresaid Cotton had a most precious Greek Manuscript written in the dayes of Theodosius in great letters likewise which cost King James a thousand Crowns therefore I say that this Edition might be more compleat he wrote and sent into England and passing his word and giving securitie that the Book should be forth coming he obtained the same and let Fronto Ducaeus have the use of it Moreover in Autumn the same year he was nominated by the King Abbot of Sancta Mariae Aquistriensis And the businesse which he had in that respect to transact at Rome was freely performed by divers Cardinals as Cobellutius Ursinius and he that was afterward Marquemontius but by none more carefully than by Maffaeus Barberinus who was afterward created and is yet living Pope For from that time forward they became acquainted and their acquaintance was strenghthened by letters frequently sent to and fro The occasion of their first acquaintance was a very elegant Ode composed by the Cardinall upon Mary Magdalex the beginning whereof was Innixa pennis versicoloribus For Peireskius having received a copy thereof from Aleander and being wonderfully delighted with it and all the learned men to whom he shewed it applauding the same he got leave by mediation of the said Aleander that it might be yet further published by printing The copies being all vended he was pleased to print the Poem again but in a larger form that it might be hung up at Sancta Balma a Rock and Hermitage famous for the penance of Saint Maudlen and other Churches and Chappels of Provence Yea and he thought good to print it the third time after he had won the said Cardinall to frame an Ode in favour of Saint Lewis King of France the beginning whereof is Objectu gemini maris and after he had made some other Odes that he could get by the stealth as it were of Aleander About the end of this year there appeared a famous Comet to the observation whereof he exhorted all the industrious men he was acquainted with Himself being destitute of fitting Instruments and not daring to trust himself in the air because of his sicklinesse made no other observation save that by the Perspective-Glasse he discerned the form of its head and hov it differed from the tail which he compared to the Sun-beams shining through a window But he was glad when he heard afterwards that such as dwelt not in
Gardens All which time he spent in the care of recovering his health for he was not very well and in manuring the Plants of his Garden and most pleasant walks Also he entertained partly in his own house partly in other houses of the Town divers of hsi friends with their families especially Bonifacius who were driven out of the City by the Plague Borrillius an excellent man and well stored with rarities Now the Disease raged in the City 1630. not only all that year but part also of the following year 1630. And here I should relate a great Tumult which when the Plague ceased was raised in the City and spread into other places especially in the Autumn But it would be to little purpose to renew an unspeakable grief much lesse to relate the publick and private causes which set Heaven and Earth together by the ears It may suffice to say That Peireskius his House hardly scaped plundering the next House to it being pillaged and himself much affrighted when word was brought him That the plunderers had got into his Library and his Closet of rarities but he was revived again when he heard That though they had threatned to break in yet they forbore Many visited him about this time and amongst the rest there stayed with him some pretty while Henricus Gornaeus Earle of Marchaevilla who was now upon his departure being to go as Embassador from the King to the great Turk Also Philippus Bethunius who having been formerly the Kings Agent at Rome was returned into France and who afterwards did in many Letters testifie how exceedingly he missed his most delightful society Likewise Philippus Nunnesius and Emmanuel Costaeus whom being to go into Indie he obliged by all kindnesses and gifts possible giving them Letters to Ludovicus Herriardus resident at the Court of the great Mogul and to Lopez Silvanus at Goa and others that so he might procure besides very many other rarities certain fragments of Rocks in which sundry sorts of Jewels were wont to breed In like manner Samuel Petitus of whom we spoke before stayed some time with him whom being suddenly to go to Paris with what kindnesses he obliged may be best understood out of the Dedication of his Eclogae Chronologicae which he there printed not long after For My Soul quoth ne Illustrious Sir by this Dedication doth witnes to the world how much I honour you how much I am obliged to you seeing there is no man this day alive that is more obliged to you than I nor any that I am more obliged to than to yourself Yet so as this Table dedicated to your name and your name prefixed to this Book of mine are a Testimonial of the Hope which I have conceived of your future affection towards me For I implore your Patronage to me and mine Nor must you illustrious Sir deny me your Patronage so God help you for I am concerned in it For if these Books of mine shall appear under your name there is no good and learned man but will approve of them as having bin allowed by you a man of most exact judgement and singular learning c. Likewise Henricus Bormalius a Canon of Leeds famous for all kind of learning but especially for his happy Imitation of the Greek Poets whom he had kept longer with him had not his Imployments called him home In like manner Jacobus Buccardus a Parisian adorned likewise with all kind of learning who that he might have the better leasure to study and spend his life in turning over Greek and Latine Authours was resolved to go and live at Rome Wherefore being upon his journey thither Peireskius detained him as long as he could and would have kept him all the Winter but that he desired rather that his learning might become speedily famous in that great Theater of the World And therefore he not only gave him fatherly Instructions but did so recommend him in divers Letters that Cardinal Barberinus did not only receive him according to his accustomed humanity but would needs forthwith enter him into the Catalogue of such learned men as he kept in his house Also Antonius Natalis a learned Physician who having formerly his abode at Sivill gave occasion to his Commerce in America and who now brought with him very rare things out of the new World and a year after before he returned to Sivill he dedicated to him a certain Apologie which he set forth against the Physicians Likewise Franciscus Gallaupius a Gentleman of Aix very learned in the Hebrew Tongue and desirous to travel into the East expected the return of Marchaevillaeus at Peireskius his house He it was unto whom and Lombardus he had committed the chiefest care of observing the Eclipse of the Sun which happened on the 10. day of June But in vain because the Western Mountains intercepted the sight of the eclipsed Sun so that they observed nothing but a darkness in the Aire For the Sun was eclipsed in the West for with us at Paris it was in a clear Horizon being two digits obscured and its greatest Eclipse was eleven digits and two and thirty minutes and it began at six a Clock a quarter and a minute and half over He spent therefore his time in the Company of such men as these interposing frequent reading and the manuring of rare Plants also he studied and had divers discourses touching such things as turn to stone As concerning Plants it may be expected that I should in this place reckon up the principal of them yet I will not stand to speak of such which though accounted rare are to be seen in other Gardens I shall only touch at some of those which Peireskius was the first that caused to be brought into and cherished in Europe Of which the Indian Gelsemine is one a wooddy plant alwayes green with a clay-coloured yellowish flower of a most sweet smell This was first brought from China planted at Beaugensier and from thence propagated into the Kings and Cardinal Barberine his Gardens Of these Joannes Ferrarius a learned Jesuite wrote in those Books which three years after he set forth touching the manuring of Flowers But it must not be forgotten that the Cardinal sent to Beaugensier a China Rose the beauty whereof does wonderfully recompence its want of smell The next is a Plant called Lifa or the Gourd of Mecha because it was brought from Mecha and may be called the silken Plant because it bears plenty of threds not unlike silk fit to wear into stuffs Peireskius received at one and the same time both seeds thereof which he gave first to Viassius to sow and manure also an whole gourd which within was full of threds and a peece of stuff woven thereof Also the true Papyrus Aegyptia or Aegyptian paper different from that which is described by Prosper Alpinus For Peireskius received it out of the Country of Saïta where the right kind is thought to grow Yet I know not that he
wont to be put in their Sepuichres and with Ludovicus Auberâ—us Menillâ—us of counterfeit Sculptures which Chaducus himself making was not ashamed to give out for pieces of Antiquity Nor again how he took care to get all Manuscripts especially those in Greek written out which treated of Weights and Measures out of the Vatican Library the Kings Library and that of Augsburg and two Volumes of Onuphrius Panvinius also a rare book of the Theorie of Musick which he sent first to Donâ—us and afterwards together with an Arabick book and curious Figures to Marinus Mersennus a Fryar Minim an exceeding good man learned and curious and indefatigable in illustrating the veritie of Nature and Religion Nor to conclude many other things but I choose rather to subjoyn the modesty wherewith he received a Dedication of certain collections out of Polybius N colaus Damascenus and other Historians made by a truly learned and famous man Henricus Valesius who published them in Greek turned them into Latin and explained them with Notes For he besides other passages bespake him in these words For why should I not call you the Parent and Author of his Book which was first by you found out brought at your cost from the Island of Cyprus and sent to this City And presently after But now by my endeavours it comes in print not more considerable by the Purple of the Emperor Constantinus then by your name inscribed in the front thereof And as for Constantine let other men speak as for you both formerly you have deserved well of Learning and will deserve well for time to come yet give me leave among your good deservings of Learning and all learned men that I may reckon this as a principal wherein I am properly concerned And again Which work of mine such as it is I give and bequeath the same to you O Nicolaus Fabricius that this Book bearing your Titles in its front may be accounted totally yours And afterwards having said by way of Preface that of three and twenty Titles of Excerpta there was only one extant entitled de Legationibus and divided into two Books printed partly by Fulvius Ursinus and partly by David Haschelius he made mention also of this Which quoth he now first sees the Light through the liberality of that most famous and learned man born as it were after a special manner to advance Learning Nicolaus Fabricius Peireskius under This Title Peri aretes cai cacias Of Vertue and Vice But Peireskius being perfectly ashamed would not have his name joyned with the Imperial Purple and writing back to Valesius he said it would be sufficient if dedicating the Book to some body else he should only say that he accidently got a sight of the Book and procured the use thereof in an obicure corner when it came first out of the East The like moderation he exercised the following year 1635. when Philippus Rubeus at Rome published and dedicated to him that most ancient Inscription of the Columna rostrata C. DUILIOS M. F. M. N. COS. ADVORSO CARTACINIENSIS IN. SICILIAD REM CERENS of which we made mention before and that with Supplements adjoyned illustrations by Gauges Gozzeus Which neverthelesse seemed to be done not without a Providence seeing he was at the very same time taking care to get not only a Copy of the said Inscription faithfully and exquisitely imitated but also a pattern thereof in Plaister of Paris that he might consider all things and might examine the judgements and Supplements of Ciaconius Lipsius and others that had taken pains about the same But I omit how he would also have a pattern of that other Inscription of Scipio Barbatus aforesaid that he might thereby know the most ancient shape of the Roman Letters because that same Inscription remained unaltered whereas the character of the Duillian Inscription had bin renewed as appears out of Pliny So that he might know the ancient shape of the letters of Athens he procured a pattern of that Inscription which is read in Gruterus ΟΔΕÎΙ ΘΕΜΙΤ ΟΠc. the letters whereof Scaliger writing upon Eusebius thought to be the Ionic characters Though he did that in part to satisfie Salmasius who was minded to illustrate this Inscription as he had done certain others touching the consecration of a Temple and dedication of a Statue Finally he desired Donius to send him an accurate pattern of the Eugubine table so called viz. that brazen one which was found an hundred years ago at Eugubium mentioned also by Gruterus and that because of certain Thuâ—can words in the Interpretation whereof he hoped he should somewhat assist not to say amend the Conjectures of Bernardinus Baldus Moreover about the beginning of the year he heard to his grief that Julius Pacius was dead at Valentia whom he did love and reverence since the time that he first studied the Laws Mean while Theodorus Cardinalis Trivultius gave him a visit who being upon his return to Italy undertook that Orbicius and other Tactick Authors should be copied out from the Ambrosian Library which Peireskius used his utmost endeavours to procure because Salmasius had need of them Also not long after the Cardinal of Lions visited him who journeying towards Rome was desirous to abide some daies in his ancient Arch-bishoprick And being received thither in great Pomp because of the good-will and veneration which he had formerly gained in that place when he both saw and embraced Peireskius who was come a little way out to meet him he could not refrain from saying That he more valued the few paces which he had come then the many miles of others that came out farther to meet him Also Petrus Aloysius Caraffa came to see him in his return from Colen and Leeds being the Popes Legat. And Peireskius asking many questions touching that Countrey both of him and his learned retinue one of which was Silvester Petrasancta he was informed among other things that there was at Leeds a certain industrious Jesuite named Linus who had filled a glasse with water so tempered that a lilttle Globe swum in the middle with the 24 hours written about the same which passing by a fixed Index or hand in order did shew the hour of the day as if that Globe did exactly imitate the motion of the Heavens Which relation was confirmed to him both by the Letters of Rubeus and the Relation of Dormalius who returning into Italy towards the end of the Spring and being detained certain daies at Aix described the thing according as himself had seen it Wherefore Peireskius praised that wonderful invention and began to cast divers waies with himself what power of Nature could effect such a thing for he had gotten many years before the Engine of Drebel in the glassy and arched Pipe whereof the water would passe and repass twice every day seeming in a manner to follow the ebbing and flowing of the Sea But he chiefly called to mind that which Kircherus had told
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
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
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
were any demonstration perfectly logical perfectly mathematical perfectly sensible by which it might be proved that there is in Nature a Magnitude not without Latitude which at some time place is in a point truly Mathematical and void of all parts in which neverthelesse the Magnitude aforesaid has parts adhering to parts Moreover he held divers very learned discourses with sundry persons For to Anastasius a Capucine of Nantes he wrote many things touching the Language of Bretaigne in which he confessed there are very many roots of ancient Latine words For he had formerly disliked Adrianus Scrieckius his making the Teuronic or Belgic tongue the first of all Languages because it was one and the same with the Hebrew and therefore the Mother of all the rest and Goropius Becanus his preferring the Juytlanders tongue before all others as containing the roots of the Hebrew Greek Latine and the rest yet he said he could be content they should referr some roots or words of more evident affinity so they had there rested and not gone about to make all alike and bring them in by head and shoulders Now that some words had or might have at first the same original he shewed by an example taken from the names of Rivers which he was wont commonly to derive after this manner Varus Guarus Garumna Guardonus Guavardonus Verdonus Rhodanus Eridanus Duranus Druna Druentia Durius or Duerus Iberus Hebrus Tiberis Tigris Ligeris c Besides the vulgar appellations which though exceeding different from the Latin or other more ancient tongues yet are they many times known to be derived there-from even by the keeping of one only Letter Which is no more strange then that from these words Petrus Jacobus Johannes should come Pir Diego James Jack and others more exorbitant than these in our Mother Tongues Also he discoursed much touching a certain Vocabularie and Grammar of the Language of Provence as it was in the time of Petrarch viz. after he had procured both of them out of the Library at Florence which is called St. Lawrences also touching those Poets of Provence called Trobadores that is Inventors in those daies when even Princes and Kings did cultivate the Language and Poetry of Provence In which Subject he was not little assisted by certain Indexes and Books which were sent him by the learned Earl Fridericus Ubaldinus who sojourned with Cardinal Barberino Buccardus procured him this friend as also Vincentius Noguera a Gentleman of Portugal not to speak of Constantinus Cajetanus famous for ancient Books nor of Augustinus Mascardus with whom Peireskius treated about the Method of History upon occasion of a Book received from him which he highly esteemed for the singular learnings sake and elegancy of that man He dealt at the same time with the illustrious Marquess Vincentius Justinianaeus touching those rare Statues wherewith he adorned his renowned Gallerie and part of which cut in Brasse and bound up into a Gallant Book he had received as a token from Cardinal Barberinus at the same time when by way of requital he sent him the two first Volums of French Historians digested and published by Duchesnius Moreover he discoursed at large touching the Characters of the Planets which he conceived probably to have bin made of the larger Characters of the Greek vowels with a little alteration Also concerning the Astronomer Ptolemaeus his Country and certain circumstances of his Body Mind and Life by occasion of a Manuscript Copy of the Almagest whose Antiquity was not much short of that Age in which the generous and learned Emperour Frederic the second caused a Latine Translation to be made from the Arabick For therein Ptolemaeus was termed Pheludâ—ensis instead of Pelusiensis And it is said that he was no King that he lived seventy eight years was of an indifferent stature had small feet and legs a thick beard and such like things which I cannot devise how they could be known Also there are added certain grave sayings or moral sentences of Ptolomy and which is most remarkable it was set down in the conclusion that This Book was â—rdaslated at the command of Maimon King of Arabians who raigned in Baldach by Alhazen the Son of Joseph Father of Arismeticus and by Sergius the Sonne of Elbe a Christian in the 212. year of the Sect of Saracens So that according to this account the Almagest was translated out of Greek into Arabick in the year of Christ according to the vulgar computation 1544. Besides all this he reasoned at large touching the long lives of men upon occasion of that old man in England who died November last having lived an hundred two and fifty years and having information from Alepo by the Letters of Peter and John Constantine that there was a man in Persia known to the Capucines and other credible persons who was now four hundred years old of the verity whereof they were undoubtedly satisfied Also concerning Tritons or Sea-men upon occasion of a certain Sea-man which was seen as he heard at Belle-Isle in Bretaigne Whereupon he procured Henricus Gondius Governour of the Isles to enquire into the business and certifie him by writing Now the information was that as much as was seen of him was in the shape of a Man saving that his Arms were shorter then for the thickness of his Body and his hands greater and very white in the Palms He had thick white hair hanging down over his shoulders and a beard reaching down to his stomach His Eyes very great and fierce his skin as far as could be discerned rough neither white nor black He was reported to have bin at first delighted at the approach of the Vessel with the fight of Men and Women and light-coloured â—loathes so that he suffered himself to be inclosed in the Nets but as soon as they began to use â—iolence endeavouring to draw him forth and before it could be discerned of what shape he was below the navil he both easily brake through the Nets and with small adoe overturned the Vessel And that afterwards he appeared only a far off sunning himself upon some inaccessible Rocks his lower parts being alwayes covered with water sometimes clapping his hands and making an hissing noise which was supposed to be his manner of laughter Which custom he held 〈◊〉 some body shot at him with a Musquet-Bâ—â—â—a from which time forward whether frightâ—â—â—nly or killed he was never more seen howâ—â—â—â— was reported that there was another seen which was supposed to be a Woman because 〈◊〉 a beard ending beneath with a forked 〈◊〉 that of a Salmon He reasoned moreover touching the ingrafting 〈◊〉 Animals after the manner of Plants upon occasion of a Sloe or Bullas-Tree growing out of a Mans Breast-bone for a Shepherd of Tarragon had fallen into a Slow-Tree and a sharp point thereof having run into his Breast in two years time it took such root that after many branches had bin cut off there sprang up some at last which bare both Flowers and Fruit.
a confused and indigested Masse or heap yet was he never long in seeking any thing in so great an heap provided that none medled with ms Rarities Books or Papers but himself and that rome body else being commanded to ferch this or that had not put them out of order For to say nothing of his Books which were all titled and distributed into certain Classes and proper places as much as might be and which he could describe to Simeon Corberanus an ingenious Joyner by any the least circumstance even where they were not methodically digested he was wont so to digest and bind up into bundles with paper or some other covering all other things that with his own hand he would write litles upon every bundle intimating whatsoever was therein contained And whereas he was accustomed in a peculiar manner to bind up into bundles such Letters as he received according to the variety of Perfons Places or Times he first writ upon each who wrote the same from whence what year moneth and day and subjoyned a brief Index of the chief matters which in reading he had marked with a line drawn under them for by this meanes he was holpen both to answer the same more distinctly and speedily as also to finde the same if at any time he went to seek any thing in his Letters And if any new matters were contained in his Letters which others desired to be acquainted with he did not promiscuously shew them but caused them so to be written out that he first enclosed within certain bars or lines what he would have omitted in the transcription cutting off such names of men things and business as he desired to conceal also changing and sweerening the phrase that no offence might be taken And as he was wont to keep carefully such Letters as were sent him by others so did he cause his Scribes to write Copies of such as he himself wrote which he kept by themselves according to the variety or condition of the Countries or Persons to whom fie sent them And being sometime demanded why he did so he answered Not because he thought his Letters worth keeping but because it concerned him many times to see what long since or lately he had written or not written least he might inculcate the same thing after the same manner and so become tedious or might omit that which he was uncertain whether he had written or no or least such things which he had sought out and digested with great care might slip out of his memory or he might want wherewith to convince such as should deny that he had informed them of this or that or finally least in case his Letters should come to misearry he must be forced to take pains to compose new ones As for the reading of Books he had truly in his latter yeares little time to bestow therein For he was wholly in a manner taken up with writing of Letters and when he did run over any Books he did it chiefly that he might collect somewhat from them to put into his Letters And whensoever he gave himself to reading he was not wont cursorily to slip or run over the difficult places but he kept a slow pace and was wont to stop when he met with any difficulty To which end he alwayes had his pen at hand with which he drew a line under obscure places and whatever he thought worthy of observation For he said that he was thereby put in mind vvhen he toook the Book in hand again to consider afresh the difficult passages to inculcate and imprint upon his mind such things as vvere most observable and readily to finde what vvas most for his turn He vvas not therefore of their mind vvho having gotten fair Books are afraid to blot them vvith such lines or marginal notes for he esteemed those Books most highly into which he could insert most notes and therefore he commonly caused all his Books when they were in Quires to be washed over with Alum-water and when he foresaw their Margents would not be large enough he caused white paper to be bound between the printed leaves Also he was wont when he received any observations from his friends either to write them into his Books with his own hands or to cause his said friends or some others to write them in In like manner if he had received by gift or had bought Books which had belonged to learned men he esteemed them â— so much the more highly by how much the fuller they were of such things as they had inserted with their own hand-writing And he was exceeding desirous to get into his Hands Books of the Authours own hand-writing especially such as had not bin printed when ever he could procure them of the Authours or their Heires which he would cause to be printed or if the Authours were unwilling he would at least have them written out for his own use And for this very cause he had alwayes Scribes in readiness amongst which I must not forger to name his most faithful and laborious Scribe Franciscus Parrotus that whether in the vulgar Languages or in Larine Greek Arabick or Turkish or any other Language he would have any thing transcribed he might not fail to have it done to his mind For he could never endure that the least invention or observation of any man should be lost being alwayes in hopes that either himself or some other would be advantaged thereby And it is requisite that I acquaint you that as he was careful of all other studies so was he not unmindful of that which concerned his own Office For conceiving that every man who by the condition of his birth or his own free Election was destined to some kind of publick life ought chiefly to bend his mind to that which his Office and Designation required and that asterward he might divert to other studies at his pleasure Therefore he himself though he followed indeed other studies yet did he not therefore cease to exercise himself in that Art wherein he was most studied and whereof he made Profession For he studied the Lawes after the liberal method of Cujaeins which tends to illustrate the said Lawes from the Fountains themselves and fundamental Maxims of Equity and Right rather then from the rivulets of the Doctors or Lawyers And this it was that chiefly made him affect the study of Antiquity because it gave him great light therein and besides a Manuscript of the Pandects which he had he sought after the Manuscripts also of other Books because some places in the printed Books had need to receive light from them And upon this occasion truly I remember how doubting upon a time and the Florentine Pandects could not perfectly satisfie him what the Interpretation should be of that Law called Neratius concerning possession kept or lost only by the mind he wrote to Rome that out of an old Manuscript of Cardinal Barberino's the Text of that Law with the Marginal Interpretations might
reverend Father in God Lancelot Andrews late Lord Bishop of Winchester in 24o. 48. A Manuall of Directions for the Sick with many sweet Meditations and Devotions by the right reverend Father in God Lancelot Andrews late Lord Bishop of Winchester in 24. 49. Ten Sermons upon severall occasions preached at St. Pauls Crosse and elsewhere by the Right reverend Father in God Arthur Lake late Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells in 40. 50. Six Sermons upon severall occasions preached at Court before the Kings Majesty and elsewhere by that late learned and reverend Divine Iohn Donne Dr. in Divinity and Dean of St. Pauls London in 4o. 51. Private Devotions in six Letanies with directions and Prayers for the dayes of the weeke and Sacrament for the houre of Death and the day of judgment and two daily prayers for the Morning and Evening written by Dr. Henry Valentine 24o. 52. A Key to the Key of Scripture or an exposition with notes upon the Epistle to the Romans the three first chapters by William Sclater Dr. in Divinity and Minister of the word of God at Pitmister in Somersetshire in 4o. 53. Sarah and Hagar or the sixteenth Chapter of Genesis opened in ninteen Sermons being the first legitimate Essay of the pious labours of that learned Orthodox and indefatigable Preacher of the Gospell Mr. Josias Shute B. D. and above 33 years Rector of St Mary Woolnoth in Lombardstreet in Follo ' 54. Christ's Tears with his love affection towards Jerusalem delivered in sundry Sermons upon Luke 19. v. 41 42. by Richard Maden B. D. late of Magdalen Colledge in Oam in 4o. 55 Three Sermons viz. The benefit of contentation The Affinity of the faithfull and The lost sheep found by Mr. Henry Smith 4o. 56. Ten Sermons preached upon severall Sundayes and Saints dayes by Peter Hausted Mr. in Arts and Curat at Vppingham in Rutland in 4o. 57. Eighteen Sermons preached upon the Incarnation and Nativity of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ wherein the greatest misteries of Godliness are unfolded to the capacity of the Weakest Christian by Iohn Dawson Oxon. in 4o. 58. The History of the Defenders of the Faith discoursing the state of Religion in England during the Reigns of King Henry 8. Edward 6. Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth by C. L. in 4o. 59. Christian Divinity written by Edmund Reeve Batchelour in divinity in 4o. 60. The communion-Communion-Book Catechism expounded by Edmund Reeve Batchelour in Divinity in 4o. 61. The true and absoluce Bishop wherein is shewed how Christ is our onely shepheard and Bishop of our soules by Nicolas Darton Master in Arts in 4o. 62. A description of the New-born Christian or a lively pattern of the Saint militant child of God written by Nicholas Hunt Master in Arts in 4o. 63. Divine Meditations upon the 91. Psalm and on the History of Agag King of Amalek with an Essay of Friendship written by an honourable person 64. An Historicall Anatomy of Christian Melancholy by Edmund Gregory Oxon in 8o. 65. Lazarus his Rest a Sermon preached at the Funerall of that pious learned and Orthodox Divine Mr. Ephrim Vdall by Thomas Reeve B. D 66. The Survey of Man in a Sermon as it was delivered by Mr. John Bishop at his Fathers funerall 67. Enchiridion containing institutions Divine and Morall written by Francis Quarles 24o. Books in Divinity Lately Printed 68. THE Psalmes of David from the new Translation of the Bible turned into Meter to be sung after the old tunes used in the Churches by the Right Reverend Father in God Henry King Bishop of Chichester 12o. 69. Choice Musick for three voices and a thorough-Base composed by Mr. Henry and Mr. William Lawes brothers and servants to his late Majesty with divers Elegies set in Musick by severall friends upon the death of Mr. William Lawes 4o. 70. Letters between the Lord George Digby and Sir Kenelm Digby Knight concerning Religion 8o. 71. Essaies in Divinity by Dr. Donn D. of Saint Paul's before he entred into holy orders 12o. 72. Publike devotions or a Collection of Prayers used at sundry times by divers Reverend and godly Divines together with divine implorations and an introduction to prayer 24o. 73. The Sinners Tears in Meditations and Prayers by Thomas Fettiplace of Peterhouse Camb. 12o. 74. Quaestio Quodlibetica or a discourse whether it be lawfull to take use for mony by R. F. Knight 75. Sions Prospect in its first view presented in a summary of Divine Truths consenting with the faith professed by the Church of England confirmed from Scripture and reason composed by Mr. Robert Mossom Minister 4o. 76. Flores Solitudinis certaine rare and elegant pieces viz. Two excellent discourses 1 Of Temperance and Patience 2 Of life and death by I. E. Nierembergius The World contemned by Eucherius Bishop of Lions And the life of Paulinus Bishop of Nola collected in his sicknesse and retirement by Henry Vaughan 77. 14. Sermons on severall Texts of Scriâ—â—â—â— with a Catechism written by Willam Gay Rector of Buckland Choyce Poems with excellent Translations by the most eminent wits of this age 78. EPigrammata Thomae Mori Ingli in 16º 79. Fragmenta Aurea a collection of all the incom-Parable Pieces written by Sr. Iohn Sucklin Knight 8o. 80. Poems Songs Sonnets Elegies and Letters by Iohn Donne with Elegies on the Authors death to which is added divers Copies under his own hand never before in print 8o. 81. Juvenalls 16. Satyrs translated by Sir Robert Stapylton wherein is contained a Survey of the manners and actions of Mankind with Annotations 8o. 82. Musaeus on the loves of Hero and Leander with Leander's letter to Hero and her answer taken out of Ovid with Annotations by Sir Robert Staplyton in 12o. 83. Poems c. written by Mr. Edward Waller of Beconsfield Esq 8o. 84. Pastor Fido the faithfull Shepheard a Pastorall newly translated out of the Originall by Mr. Richard Fanshaw Esq 4o. 85. Poems with a discovery of the Civill Warrs of Rome by Mr. Richard Fanshaw Esq in 4o. 86. Europa Cupid crucified Venus Vigils with Annotations by Thomas Stanley Esq 8o. 87. Coopers Hill a Poem written by Mr John Denham Esq the 2d Edition with Additions 4o. 88. Medea a Tragedy written in Latin by Lucius Annaeus Seneca Englished by Mr. Edward Sherburn Esq with Annotations 8o. 89. Seneca's answer to Lucilius his Quaere why good men suffer misfortunes seeing there is a Divine providence Englished by Mr. Edward Sherburn Esq 8o. 90. Madagascar with other Poems by Sr. W. Davenant 91. Poems with a Masque by Thomas Carew Esq Gentleman of the Privie Chamber to his late Majestie revived and enlarged with Aditions 8o. 92. Poems of Mr. John Milton with a Masque presented at Ludâ—â—w Castle before the Earle of Bridgewater then President of Wales 8o. 93. Poems c. with a Masque called The Triumph of Beauty by James Shirley Gent. 8o. 94. The Mistriss or severall Copies of love-verses written by Mr. Abraham Cowley 80. 95. Stepps to the
Gods seem worthy to be picked up Neither will it prove peradventure a thing unpleasing to those who like you desire to be thoroughly acquainted with great men not only in regard of their illustrious actions published to the view of all the World but also with reference to their private transactions and such as they themselves would not willingly have the World acquainted with Forasmuch as things done in the publick view and sight of the Sun have in them something that is forced and affected something that is acted and personated so that from them 't is very hard to know what lies hid under the skin and in the Heart but things done far from witnesses and without any design of gaining reputation and consequently free from dissimulation and without any Mask or Vizard these are they which indeed discover a man and shew his inside which to discern is exceeding profitable For that is it which encourages us to the imitation of excellent Actions when as even in Heroick Persons we find some tokens of our own infirmitie and consequently we despair not so much to imitare their Virtues as when only their most great and elevated Actions are related But if some shall expect deeds more illustrious and honourable than what I am to relate they are to take into consideration that every man cannot be a Scipio or a Maximus that we should Record his Battails and Triumphs Those men deserve abundantly to be commended whom though fortune has not raised to the greatest Wealth and Dignities yet bear they greater minds are of a more generous Virtue and undertake far greater Designs than any man could expect from men of their Condition And such an one was Peireskius whom I shall give out for no other than a man of the Senatorian rank and order and who neverthelesse so carried himself as to transcend all Encomiums and Panegyricks For two things there are which I shall chiefly prosecute for which he was exceedingly commended the one was great Learning of all kinds with an unquenchable thirst after Knowledge the other an unwearied care to advance all ingenious and liberal Arts with a munificence towards all learned men which was perfectly Royal and Princely And upon these two Points there is truly no danger at all that I should seem to utter any thing hyperbolically for I shall speak to the very faces of learned men among whom he was famously known and who will be so far from finding fault that I have spoken too much that I fear rather they will blame me for having bin too sparing But that I may not dwell in this Epistle Give me leave most excellent Prince ere I shall come to relare those things which you desire to know to begin with his Ancestors that from the knowledge of them may appear why it is that all Authors with one voice have most constantly termed him The most Noble Peireskius Books Printed for John Streater and are to besold by the Booksellers of London THe Vale-Royall of England or The County Palatine of Chester Illustrated Wherein is contained a Geographical and Historical Description of that Famous County with all its Hundreds and Seats of the Nobility Gentry and Freeholders Its Rivers Towns Castles Buildings Ancient and Modern Adorned with Maps and Prospects and the Coats of Arms belonging to every individuall Family of the whole County Unto which is added An excellent Discourse of the Island of Man The Resinement of Zion Or The old Orthodox Protestant Doctrine justified and defended against several Exceptions of the Antinomians methodically digested into Questions wherein many weighty and important cases of conscience are handled concerning the nature of Faith and Repentance or Conversion to God By Anthony Warton De Morbis Foemineis The Womans Counsellour or The Feminine Physitian Modestly treating of such occult Accidents and secret Diseases as are incident to that Sex Pharmacopaea Or Rhaenodaeus his Dispensatory Treating of the whole Body of Physick Performing the Office of an Herball as well as an Apothecarie's Shop An History of the Wonderful things of Nature set forth in ten several Classes Wherein are contained 1. The Wonders of the Heavens 2. Of the Elements 3. Of Meteors 4. Of Mineralls 5. Of Plants 6. Of Birds 7. Of four-footed Beasts 8. Of Insects and things wanting blood 9. Of Fishes 10. Of Man THE LIFE OF PEIRESKIUS The First Book PEireskius was descended from that most ancient Familie of the Fabrii or Fabricii whose Originall was from Pisa in Italy being transferred from thence into this * Provence in France Province in the daies of St. Lewis so called King of France and in the year of our Lord one thousand two hundred Fifty and Four For our Histories record that Hugo Fabrius making one among the Gentlemen of Pisa that had engaged themselves in the holy War was by St. Lewis aforesaid brought into the Coasts of Provence when returning out of the East he landed at Yeres Arcas or Nieras which was anciently termed Olbia Where being detained by sicknesse and commended by the King at his departure he grew into so much favour and became so powerfull with the chief Men of that Place as to be able to compose their differences when they contended about the Government of the Castle and City After which marrying a wife out of the Sollerien Family he setled himself to make his constant abode at Yeres That place being afterwards assigned for the Princes patrimony he was chosen Provost or Governor thereof in the year 70. by Charles the First Earle of Provence and King of Sicilie who loved him as dearly as King Lewis did Soon after he began to make divers Fortifications both in the City and in the Castle but his Son Aycardus finished what he had begun leaving his name to one or the Gates which even at this day is corruptly called Casabria Hugo Fabricius had another Son besides Aycard named Paul whom Charles the second made chief Judge of Marseilles Also another named William who having returned safe from divers travels built an Hospitall for the accommodation of Pilgrims going to and coming from the holy Land But to be short there succeeded these a noble Progenie renowned for seats of Armes Learning and Piety who in their severall Ages and Families were Governors of Regium Spinosa Gramusa Saint-Julian St. Janit St. Laurence Laverna Calase Peâ—risea Valvesium and Riantium Yet for all our haste Antony must not be passed over in silence who was the Grandchild of Aycardus in the Fourth Generation to whom and to his Son Raimond there are extant to be read at this day in Nostredame very civill letters of King Renatus which he wrote when he was about to undertake his Expedition for Naples Raymond was brought up with Renatus from a Child in the Court of King Lewis the second and besides Antony he had another sonne called Amadis who because he was the younger brother he bore in his Coat of Armes which was a swart Lion in a Golden
perceived that shee was great with child shee took up a resolution that the Childs Godfather should be no Noble Man but such was her pietie the first poor man they should meet with Whereupon when he was carried to be Christened they called the first poor man they met and he answered for him at the Font as Godfather and named him by his Uncles name Claudius But his Uncle coming in just as they were conferring the name he would have him called likewise by his Grandfathers name whereupon he was called Nicolaus Claudius Neverthelesse not only while he was a Child he was commonly called Nicolas without the Addition of Claudius but also when he was well in years even as also Authors terme him frequently Nicolaus Faber Fabrius or Fabricius And here we may take notice of a great mistake of the learned John Selden who takes that same Nicolas Faber who is cited by Baronius and was Scoole-Master to the most Christian King Lewis the Thirteenth for our Faber Peireskius For in his preface to the History of Eadmerus Cantuariensis mentioning those Epistles of Lantfrank recorded by Baronius in the eleventh tome of his Annals He acknowledges himself saies Selden if I mistake not that he received the Copie from that most renowned and Learned man Nicolas Faber Petriscius a worthy Judge of the Court of Aquens and my very much honoured freind And indeed Baronius cites Nicolas Faber but he adds Parisiensis not Petriscum which Epithet was given this Faber of ours from a Town in his Mothers juridiction which is called in Latin Petriscum and in French commonly Peiresc from whence he had his most renowned name which I to the end it might be rightly pronounced have rendered it Peireskium and not as many others Perescium Perezium or the like It is reported that when he was hardly two months old an ancient woman that was a witch entered the Chamber and threw down before his Mother an hatchet which shee held in her hand saying that shee had brought it her againe from which time the mother lost her speech and the child his crying and both their heads were so depressed upon one shoulder and held so stifly in that posture that they could not bend them The story saies further that when his Uncle knew it he caused the Old Woman to be beaten who was found in the chimney with her neck upon one of her shoulders who as soon as ever shee lifted up her head to signifie that shee had beating enough and to desire them to hold their hands shee said which appeared to be true That the mother and the Child were both well This I heard not only from others but from Peireskius himself who did relate the story to me just as his Uncle was wont to tell it Doubtlesse t is a very strange thing that an Old Hag bowing her own neck should dart out spirits with so strong a Nerve as to turn the Head of one distant from her in like manner aside and tye the tongue of another with the like violence to it wherewith shee held her own so that neither their Heads could be stirred nor their tongues loosed untill shee remitting of her rigor should let loose the distended yet as it were unsensible strings Many such accidents as these are usually referred to the Devil yet though the most good God may suffer innocent babes to become the objects of their malice and though Satan may some wayes make use of miserable old women to such intents and purposes yet I say it is a clear case that the greatest part of these stories are fables or have no other foundation than the symptoms of certain diseases to which Infants are subject Also it is certain that these tales are most frequent in the countrey among the common people whose credulity is awakened and cherished by every sleight occasion A yeer and an half after viz. in the moneth of June in the yeer 1582 1582. famous for the reformation of the Calendar then made he had a brother born who was named Palamedes This is he who was afterwards from some place where he had jurisdiction called Valavesius at what time also Nicolas began to be called Peireskius For till they had past their youths-age they were called sometimes Fabricii otherwhiles Calasii which name was commoly given to their father and uncle from a town called Calasum which they governed When Palamedes was born his father was absent about businesse at Grenoble and his mother died the second moneth after he was born being 22 yeers old And their father Reginald took another wife but not till fourteen yeers after Her name was Catharina Vassalla Caradetea being descended from illustrious ancestours both on father and mothers side her ancestours on the fathers side were princes of Achaia by her mothers side they were allied to the Fliscani of Genoa She was a widow when he married her having had for her former husband Olivarius de Thulia one of the Senatours with one only daughter living named Marchisa who was afterwards married to Palamedes By this second marriage he had besides other children which all died either in their childhood or youths-age Susanna who is yet living being married to Henricus Seguiranus the first President of the Masters of the Accounts and of the patrimoniall Senatours To return to Nicolas he alwayes looked upon and respected his uncle as another father and that not without cause For he intending that he should succeed him in his Dignity took especiall care to give him ingenuous education judging that it was in vain for a child to be happily born and not liberally educated And he was so much the more encouraged to be carefull in this point because he saw in him even from the cradle a vertnous mind adorned and rendered more amiable by a beautifull body For he was scarcely weaned from the breast when he began to discover his Genius being very attentive to whatever he saw and heard and he was alwayes accustomed with a most pleasing countenance and sweet voice to demand of his nurse his father his master and of any else that came in his way what every thing was and how and wherefore it was made So when he was first taught his letters and delighted to be handling of books and papers he would frequently ask what was the argument handled in those books and because he took it hainously that any should make answer that it was above his capacity to understand they were fain to invent somewhat or other and relate it to him as the argument of the said books which he might hear with pleasure These things indeed are small matters in themselves but worthy consideration in regard of his yeers and that it is a pleasure to see trees bearing fair buds and blossoms Old men I am sure have admired these things and told them to me avouching that he never was taken with nor never relished any childish thing When he was seven yeers old 1587. and was educated
His Uncle was not willing that he should spend three years upon Philosophie 1597. but after he had spent a year at Tournon he would needs send for him back again to Aix that he might study Law because when time should come he was to be one of the Senate This also he desired while he was yet at Tournon for he wrote unto him that he should timely take in hand the Manuall of Rubricks but he to deferr yet a little longer the study of Law wrote thus by way of excuse Your desire was Uncle that I should seriously addict my self to the study of Oratory That shall therefore if you please be now my businesse because this place is very convenient for that purpose and I will then begin to study the Law when I leave this Citty Howbeit you may please to command me what you shall thinke most couvenient for if you shall persist to requirè my returne I shall in all things shew my self ready to fulfill your pleasure Therefore being called home he addicted himself to study Law under the Turorage of Franciscus Fortius Andinus who being an Advocate in the Court at Aix and very skillful to teach the Lawes was withall able to compare with any man in the more polite studies of Humanity This man being much resected by the Parents of Peireskius began with much care to read unto him the Institutions and he himself partly through occasion of this study and partly that he might not wholly intermit the course of those learned Studies which he had begun he took in hand of his own Head to make a Catalogue of those Emperors who had made the Lawes He made also a Catalogue of the Consuls and other Magistrates in their order searching every where for their Coines that he might know the Law-makers as well by their Countenances as their Acts. Also he endeavoured to get the Pictures of all the most famous Lawyers that so when he met with any of their Reports and Interpretations his memorie might be strengthened by calling to minde their Countenances Also there was at the same time at Aix Petrus Antonius Rascasius Bagarrius a most skillfull Antiquary for afterwards Henry the great moved by the famous report that went of him sent for him and made him the Master of his Jewells and Rarities Peireskius therefore did at spare times frequently visit him to question and learn of him and he admiring his Sagacitie and Learning and friendly embracing his ardent desire of further knowledge joyned with modesty he could not conceale any thing from him 1598. for he both shewed him divers Rarities divers daies together and also brought forth his Books to strengthen and make good his own conjectures and explications making no bones to allow and commend the peculiar Interpretations of Peireskius When the year was over he went again to Avenion where he had a private Master named Petrus David a Burgundiau who was afterwards a Judge in criminall causes at Semur in his own Country This man likewise besides his ability in Law was also well seen in the more polite studies of Humanity and Antiquity and that made him well content that Peireskius to the study of Law joyned his care in searching after Antiquities And therefore it was that he wrote frequently to Bagarrius touching Coines and other rarities Once he sent him a writing of all the Rarities which he had observed in the Closet of one Romeus Arelatensis and among other things he sent him the pattern of a sculpture of Deianira ravished by Nessus which was engraven upon a neat Jasper stone Sometimes also having gained fair pieces of the Coines of Nero and Vitellius he sent them to his Uncle beseeching him to beautifie them and make them like the Hercules and Agrippa which he had by him adorned He also entreated him to send him a certaine Ring which he hoped to change for a Cornelian or Onyx stone which he he said was graven by a most excellent workman and of inestimable value though unknown to him that had it I ser down these passages instead of many others that it may appear how skillfull he was even at that Age in these kind of Curiosites But he that most of all did feed his curious mind was Petrus Antonius Ghibertus of Naples who was then Auditor to Cardinall Aquaviva For he shewed him certain rarities such as had never been seen before and among other books he lent him for divers daies together some of Hubortus Goltzius his setting forth which he had not before perused Moreover seeing that he was of a quick and piercing spirit he advised him to make a journey into Italie where he should find especially at Rome curiosities wherewith to satisfie his desires He was 18. years of Age when thinking to take a journey into Italie he did learn the Art of swimming Before that he was wont in the summer to wash himself in the lesser stream of the River Rhodanus which runs by the Head of the Island Barthalasse and into which the Brook Serga empties it self Once upon a time he felt the ground which he had wont to find even and fort to be grown hard with little round balls or bunches like hard boiled Eggs when their shell is peeled of At which wondering he took some of them up and carried them home that he might shew them to his Master demand of him the reason But the miracle was increased when a few daies after returning to the River he sound those little balls or lumps turned into persect pebble stones which he observed likewise to befall those which he had carried and laid up at home And upon this occasion he began to play the Philosopher and to enquire into the Generation of stones but of that hereafter Finally having a longing desire to visit Rome and fearing that his Parents would not give way he requested onely that they would send him to Padua which was then famous for Law-studies Now he thought with himself that the year of Jubilre being at hand he might upon that occasion go from Padua to Rome In the beginning of the year 1599. the Cardinall Joyeux being to return into Italie 1599. intended to go to Ferrara Because Pope Clement the second was come thither to take posession of that Territorie fallen to him by the Death of Alphonsus Attestinus the second of that name therefore the Cardinall directed his journey thither and not to Rome And therefore Peireskius had a great desire to put himself and his Brother into the Cardinalls retinue but his Parents consented not For they resolved to satisfie his laudable desires but they thought it best that they should stay till Autumne both that the weather might be more temperate and that the youths might inure themselves to another Climate rather in the winter then the following summer as also that necessaries for their journey might be the better provided For in the first place there was a tutor to seek who might regulate both
he took not his Degree till the 18. of January the year following It would peradventure be tedious if I should but briefly run over the heads of the things which with large testimony of his Learning he discoursed in those severall Acts which he performed for his Degree Let it suffice to say that he carried himself with so much alacrity and vigour that he did not only ravish all the by-standers with admiration but he seemed also to Pacius even very much to exceed himself Two daies after when he was to confer the Doctorall Ornaments upon his Brother it cannot be expressed with what sweet content he filled the Minds of his Hearers For from a certain statue of Metrodorus with his hat Arcadian Cap and Labells with his Philosophers Cloake and ring on his lest hand also from certain Statues of Hippocrates with the like Cloake and an Hood upon it from a certain Inscription of Eubulus Marathonius and a Statue with Labels not about his Neck but his Head from the like Statues of Plato Theophrastus Phavorinus and others out of certain Gothick Pieces upon which there were Mitres not much unlike Caps in a word out of innumerable other Monuments he shewed how the use of these Ornaments came from the Greeks to the Latines and so down to us and how from the Philosophers and ancient Priests it was by degrees introduced among the Professors of severall Sciences in our modern Universities All which he confirmed by frequent Citations of Councells Fathers Poets Historians and Orators THE LIFE OF PEIRESKIUS The Second Book THe solemnitie was hardly finished when the Patent aforesaid was to be presented to the Senate lest a years time should be lost It was therefore given in and commanded to be recorded yet Peireskius procured that he should not therefore presently be admitted and entred into the Catalogue of Senators both because he would not seeme to thrust his most loving Uncle out of that number and because he feared lest if he were once obliged by office he should too soon be deprived both of the Liberty to study and that opportunity of Travelling Moreover writing unto his friends and pretending his emploiments concerning his Commencement as an excuse of his long silence he signified withall that he was compelled against his Mind to take upon him the Dignity of a Senator to which he received divers answers the most congratulating with him as supposiing that he was already received into the Senate Among these was Scaliger who both commended this new Dignity and congratulating his Doctorship added that he had formerly been at Aix and was a witnesse how severely the University did examine such as were to be graduated Velserus also was one who did not onely congratulate with him touching his Degree and new Senatorian dignity but added withall an Admonition and fatherly exhortation telling him among other things that he must not be faint-hearted the office of a Senatour though it were thorny yet was it so only at the first time would make every thing easiy nothing would be required of him above his strength God would assist him he was bound to assist his Country and some other things to the same purpose Pacius also in like manner exhorted him as soon as he was returned to Mon-pollier in an Epistle dedicatory wherein he dedicated to him his Analysis of the Emperiall Institutions howbeit because he knew that he was not yet received into the number of the Senators he only dedicated his Book to him as one designed to be the Kings Councellour in the Senate of Aix Nor shall it seeme tedions in this place to transscribe the very words of the dedication and Exhortation Thus therefore Pacius addressed himself But unto you my Fabricius I send my Writings For seeing you who retaine the Virtues of the ancient worthies when with your sweet natured Brother you departed from my House to return into your Countrie did conser upon me excellent Tokens or Presents leaving behind you a Testimony of your own good will and the good will of your Uncle and Father two most bountifull and worthy Gentlemen to me and mine it concernes me likewise that I may observe that ancient and most laudable Custome to return some Testimony of my thankfullnesse And what could I present more acceptable to you then the fruit of those studies and that kind of Learning in which your most noble family does exceedingly flourish You want no mony neither have I any to spare but these kind of studies you love exercise your self in and you are wont readily to confesse that you have profited by my Lectures and Exercises Also you are pleased to make me a sharer of that great Commendation which worthily you gaind in the taking of your Degree of Doctor as if by my Admonitions and Instructions you had been assisted to advance your self to that high pitch of Learning where to many aspire in vain Touching which new Honour of yours and your good Brother I rejoyce with you from my very Heart and exhort you again that you would now assume the minds of Senators and now turn all your thoughts to the Common-wealth which requires your Helpe making the publick good the perpetuall object of all your Counsells Nothing can more become you nothing can be more pleasing to your Parents for you acknowledge your Uucle to be another Father nor more acceptable nor can any other thing render you more illustrious So far Pacius But Peireskius though he continued in the mind to joyn himself when time should serve to the Senatours and not intermit wholly his study of the Law which he had taken upon him yet having obtained a delay he applied his mind to more tree studies to court the sweeter and more delightfull Muses to advance good Arts and to help as much as in him lay all the Promoters of learning And in the first place being by divers sollicited to marry he preferred a single life being perswaded within himself that he could not take care for a wife and children and be free to follow his studies and patronize learned men And therefore when his father without his knowledge had almost made an agreement touching his marriage with the onely daughter of the renowned John Ceppedaeus first President of the Accounts he earnestly begged of him that he might not forsake his resolution For he had in such a manner dedicated himself and betrothed himself as it were to Pallas and the Muses that he should count it sacriledge to think of any other marriage As for the example of Pinellus though it was deeply rooted in his mind yet would he not propound the same to his father yet he propounded the example of Varius because it was present and illustrious adding that he had more than others a domestick example before his eyes which he supposed he could not imitate without commendation He therefore imitating his uncle gave his brother leave to marry who therefore the summer following took to wife the foresaid
of a King And because among other things Bagarrius shewed him an exceeding neat Amethyst wherein was ingraven the Countenance of Solon by the Hand of that famous Graver Dioscorides who wrought for Augustus hereupon he took occasion to teach him what was meant by those little holes in the Inscription which he shewed him in the Seale standing in this order For he said they were holes wherein little Nâ—iles had been fastened to hold Greek Letters made of mettals which did expresse the name of the Graver or ΔΙΟСΚΟΥΡΙΔΟΥ but they must be read backwards as the manner is in all Ingrossements and Seales This he made manifest when having drawn in a white paper those holes as above he drew lines between the said holes which expressed those Letters in this manner Thus he said he interpreted certain holes which were seen at Assisium in I know not what old Church For when as no man could tell what they signified he divined that it was an Inscription or Dedication made JOVI OPT. MAX. Which he demonstrated by certain lines completing the Holes after this manner So he hoped he should interpret a certain Set of Holes in the Cathedrall Church at Nismes called Domus quadrata when he had got a pattern thereof But to return to Paris there was hardly any publick monument which he did not examine of which he did not passe his Judgment For the second moneth after he came thither he sent Letters to Flayosceus in which he wrote that he had not indeed as yet seen the Monuments of the ancient Kings at Saint Denis but he had already convinced of falshood those tombes built for Clodovaus at Saint Genoveses and for Chilpericus at Saint Germins And a few daies after he said when he came to judge of those at Saint Denis I could find nothing quoth he elder then the times of St. Lewis that gave me satisfaction and I am of opinion that all those most ancient Tombes were built at one and the same time and that not long before St. Lewis And that which pleased me most is the Tombe of our Country-woman Margaret the eldest Daughter of Beatrice wife to Saint Lewis Finally commending the ancient Seales which he saw bringing their Representations away with him in the Treasuries of St. Denis St. German St. Maurus and others as wherein were contained the true Effigies of Charles the great Hludovicus pius the Emperour Hlotarius Pipin King of Aquitania Charles the bald Charles the Simple and other Kings of the second Stock or family these quoth he do sufficiently refute those tombs and Statues of these Princes made four or five hundred years ago I must likewise speake of his Study of all other things worth enquiry after for there was no wonder of art nor rare worke of nature which he heard of which he did not carefully view as Aedifices Rare works Engins Plants Animals Metals and other things dug out of the Earth In a word all things which were worthy of observation And in the mean while he kept correspondence with his friends far and near by Letters and when he had very carefully enquired of Paul Servita of Scaliger of Casaubon and of other Learned men if they knew what was become of Juvencus Caelius Callanus the Dalmatian whose Manuscript Book of the Life of Attilas he had brought with him from Venice he intended to cause it to be printed In the beginning of the Spring the year following 1606. Varius being shortly to return into Provence he obtained with small labour leave to go see England especiall being to accompany the Illustrious Antonius Boderius who was sent thither as the Kings Embassadour Nor did Varius only suffer that but praising his intention wherein Thuanus Memmius Mericus Vicus and other friends did agree with him he took upon him to procure that his Father and Uncle should approve of the Fact When he departed Peireskius would bring him on his way as far as Orleance and before he returned from thence he viewed more attently then formerly the ancient remaines of Holy-Crosse-Church which he accounted to be at least a thousand years old and likewise besides other Statues and Images both of Charles the Seventh and his little Daughter Joane he would see those which were kept as was said in the Guild-Hall and particularly he perceived that the Picture wherein the King is represented with a beard and St. Michaells Collar is not perfectly in all respects true Moreover it was now the beginning of May and Boderius departing he was cast some daies behind being forced to ride post that he might overtake him at Callis When they were at Sea there were very few in the whole Company that were not Sea-sick by reason of the Tossing of the ship and the Steam of the Sea Peireskius to prevent the same in himself left the rest of the Company and sate by the Main-mast where he was not so sick as they were The reason being asked he said there was least Agitation in that part of the ship and that therefore he withdrevv himself thither that he might not be Stomach-sick as the rest were who being in the Head or Sterne were much more rossed Being arrived in England and having after the Embassadour saluted King James he was tenderly respected by him who sent for him divers times as when he was to relate the Story of a famous drinking Match For it fell out that in a certain feast of Learned Men Doctor Torie dranke a huge Cup to Peireskius himself Whereupon he excused himself because of the largeness of the Cup because he was not wont to drink pure wine because of the weaknesse of his stomack and because he was not accustomed to drink But when no excuse would serve his turn he required at least that he might be allowed after he had pledged Dr. Torie to begin to him again as he pleased All the company consented Whereupon taking Courage as being constrained by necessity he setcht off the Lusty Bowle of wine and causing it to be replenished with water he began to Dr. Torie and as if he meant to temper the wine he drank immediately before drank it quite of again He as if he had been thunderstuck or newly dropt out of the Clouds had much ado to come to himself and because it was a bargain from which he could not go back he puft and blowed he put the cup to his mouth and took it away again so often powring out in the mean while so many Verses out of all the Greek and Latin poets that he spent the day well near ere he could get the water down his unaccustomed throat And this was the story which the King having heard from others would needs have it from his own mouth Also he was admitted into the Chamber where there was a solemne Convention or Assemby of his Majesty and the Peers and sate among the chief of the Lords As for the Learned men which he met with either at London or Oxford or
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
but they were only on the hollow and under parts of the stones but not upon those which lay most open to the skies Soon after he received out of Italy and sent to Thuanus the commendatory Elogies of certain men as of Hierenymus Columna Gabriel Faernus Cruceius and such like of whom he intended to make mention in his History Scaliger had sometime intreated him that he would renew his commerce which he had established in the East by the Agencie of Peter Ostagerius who was in times past his Host at Marseilles for the buying up of Samaritan Aegyptian and Arabick books grieving that for the space of fifteen yeers which he had spent in Holland he had not heard a word of the Samaritan Pentateuch which Ostagerius had promised to endeavour to procure for him Peireskius therefore having indeed formerly endeavoured somewhat in that businesse did now bestir himself more earnestly giving order that the foresaid book among many others should be bought in Aegypt and conveyed to him But the ship in which it was coming was pillaged by Pirats and the book could not be recovered but was utterly lost And so was Scaliger deprived of that most desired book nor did he ever receive the answer which he had so much expected which came happily to the hands of Peireskius after his death For Scaliger had written to the Samaritans of Aegypt and to their chief Priest Eleazar who dwelt in a City called Sichem asking them divers questions about the observation of the Sabbath and other Fessivals about the Messiah and how they named him and in conclusion he desired of them a copy of their Pentateuch or five books of Moses They answered him in two Letters but because they fell into the hands of Genebrardus and others they were detained till such time as Scaliger being dead Peireskius both obtained them and caused them lately to be turned into Latine by the exceedingly learned Johannes Morinus Also about this time he re-assumed his care of calling Pacius to professe at Aix and which is more of procuring that he might not any longer persist in an un-orthodox Religion but very many things did intervene which did again frustrate his manifold cares and endeavours His brother Valavesius was at that time in Paris about the businesse of Rians and because he should have some moneths vacation from his businesse therefore Peireskius intreated him that at least for his sake he would go see England and the Low-Countries and salute his friends there presenting such tokens as he should send them and procuring certain rarities for him Also he exceedingly intreated him that he would go to Aquisgranum that he might there disigently view what ever monuments were remaining of Charles the Great write out the Inscriptions and cause all the Pictures to be copied which he should meet with in Ecclesiasticall Books Glasse-windows Copes or Vestments Stones or any other things not neglecting to get the Platform of places and ornaments the Copies of Charters and the Prints of Seals prece or pretio for money or fair words He added that it so repented him when he was in Holland that he went not to Aquisgrane that were it not that he confided in his brother he was resolved on purpose and for no other intent to make another voyage thither Moreover his brother did all which he desired of him to the full with wonderfull care diligence and fidelity himself in the mean time after the beginning of the yeer went to Monpellier about the self same businesse for the Marquisse of Oreson had sued Brisack for making sale of the whole Jurisdiction of Rians He returned about the middle of the Spring 1609. being tormented with a most inexpressible tooth-ach and not long after his Father fell into a most dangerous disease himself also being taken with a fever which was very lasting and when it went away left him so weak that he was hardly well recovered by Autumn And here I must record what he himself related often When he had no appetite but loathed all meat so that he wasted away Jacobus Fontanus a famous Physician and his kinsman asked him if there were nothing which he had a mind to eat He said there was but he was very well assured that it would not be allowed him Whereupon he was urgent to know what it was He told him Musk-melons the Physician replied Take heart and be of good cheer for I do not onely permit but advise yea and charge you to eat of them but eat them at the beginning of your meal without bread and drink a little pure wine before and after which advice he followed and did well upon it so that all his life time after he did in this manner eat Musk-melons without any prejudice When he was recovered he divers wayes assisted divers learned men as Johannes Taxilis who was writing somewhat touching the new star which appeared in the great Conjunction aforesaid Gasparus Bricius a Parish-Priest in the same City a good industrious man and observant of the Celestial Bodies Johannes Baptista Hansenius whom he grew acquainted with at Rome in the learned family of Cardinall Baronius and who by his procurement was chief Rector of the School at Aix three yeers together And these with other learned men he obliged while he was yet in a weak condition of body his disease being onely abated not perfectly cured which was in much measure caused and lengthened by the losse of three excellent friends who died in Holland The first of which was Scaliger who had newly begun his Commentary of Hebrew moneys when he was taken with a dropsie through distemper of his liver which the fourth or fifth moneth after on the 21 of January brought him to his end The second was Clusius who through weaknesse of nature rather than the gout which had newly seized him died on the fourth of April His Posthumus works were set forth by his Executour Franciscus Raphelengius wherein Peireskius was frequently metioned as in this following passage for example There was brought out of Ginny into France an ear of corn not unlike the former the picture where of was sent to Clusius from Aix in Provence by the most noble honorable Nicolaus Fabricius Lord of Peiresk And afterwards The following picture of the Gum Tragant-tree was sent from Aix in Provence by the most magnificent and noble Gentleman Nicolaus Fabricius Lord of Peiresk Councellour to his Majesty of France in the Parliament of Aix with Letters to the most renowned Clusius And again Here may be added an Epistle of the most learned Mr. Doctor Fontane which was sent to us from Aix by the most magnificent and most prudent Gentleman Nicolaus Fabricius Lord of Peiresk in the Letter which he wrote to the most famous Clusius which though it came to us after the death of the renowned Clusius aforesaid yet we conceive it worthy to be inserted in this Supplement Moreover mention was made in that Epistle of a certain rare
which he could long for and would of purpose intermingle discourses of pleasant meats it happened upon a time that Varius did occasionally intimate that the Trouts which are caught in the lake of Geneva were not unpleasant in taste He therefore closely marking the same by his great diligence procured a fair Trout taken in the foresaid lake and put into paste to be presented him from some other friend which Varius neverthelesse by the expedition judged to be one of Peireskius his adventures In like manner he endeavoured to provoke his appetite by presenting him with a dish made of the Tongues of certain Birds called Phoenicopteri though it was in the winter at which time only those kind of Sea-birds are taken in the Moores of Arles Those tongues were not much lesse then Kids-tongues and yet because they seemed sweeter in the eating Varius would not say nor could divine what they were till Peireskius brought forth that verse of Martiall Dat mihi Penna rubens Nomen sed Lingua gulosis Nostra sapit My name I have from my red-feather'd Coat My Tongue 's a Bit to p'ease a Glutton's Throat Then he asked him How the flesh of those Birds tasted To which he answered that he wondred why Apicius in Pliny and the Emperours Caligula and Vitellius in Suetonius and Heliogabalus in Lampridius and some others had accounted it for such a dainty dish for it was of an unpleasant or at least of no exquisite taste like that of all other water foule and smelt of fish and therefore the Inhabitants of Provence did for the most part throw the flesh of those Birds away making use only of the Skin and Feathers to cover the flesh of other Birds when they are to be served in at pompous Feasts THE LIFE OF PEIRESKIUS The Third Book 1612. THe following year he went again to Paris for Valavesius had sent for him thither at what time he supposed the Businesse of Riantium would come to a finall hearing And it is so fell out that while he tarried by the way the Judgment was passed in the mean time of which he was iuformed by Letters which he received as he was upon his journey but because he undertook the same not so much for the Businesse sake as out of desire to see his friends therefore he would not return but proceeding more couragiously on his way he came to Paris just when his Brother was to have departed But his good Destinie kept him still in the City for he fell into a disease which held him with such vehemencie an whole Moneth together that unlesse his most dear Brother had come and stood by him he could hardly have recovered out of the same And though he recovered his former health in the moneth of June yet would he not depart without his Brother who deserred his departure till November His pretence was that the late Judgment touching the Businesse of Rians was not altogether decretory or finall for to understand the ancient Law of Provence sometime was interposed to hear what the Assembly of the States would say Whereupon because such an Assembly could not be gathered without the Duke of Guise who was Vice-roy and he could not till then leave the Court therefore Peireskius resolved not to retun till then It is needlesse here to recount with how much joy and how great esteem of his Virtue he was entertained by Thuanus Campinius Rociacus Faber and other of his friends and rare men whom we spake of before and such as had already knowledge of him either by Face or Frame It is needlesse to reckon up the kind offices whereby he obliged very many Learned men not only such as were in the City as besides the forenamed Johannes Savato Carolus Labbeus and others but also in other Places as in the other Cities of France in Italie England and the Low-Countries And whereas he was alwaies busied in the Advancement of Liberall Arts his care in the observation of the Heavenly Bodies was of all others most remarkable and his Discourses which he had thereof with Mathematicians and other Learned Men. Whence it came to passe that no man was better acquainted with the new Phaenomena no man laboured with greater ardency and constancie to know the same So that it was accounted almost a miracle that being distracted with so many other Cares he could gaine so exact a knowledge of these kind of things For he declared many things not only touching the Phaenomena themselves but also about the making and use of the Telescope or Prospective for for which purpose he was wont for the most part to carry some with him both to observe the fabrick of the Instrument and the way to use the same And when he took paines about the Medicean Planets he observed somewhat which will not prove ungrateful to such as are pleased with these studies Viz. He observed that Jupiter passed beyond the Lions Heart to the North on the 30. day of June a little before evening and that Venus being horned went yet more to the North between the evening aforesaid and the Evening of the first of July next following in which likewise shee passed a little beyond a Conjunction with Jupiter whereas even the Moon at that time being the most Northern of all stood very near conjoined to the self same Lions heart aforesaid In like manner he observed two Eclipses one of the Moon and another of the Sun And as for that of the Moon which happened the 14. of May he had noted in his Papers that the Clouds hindered him from observing any thing save that the Eclipse was begun and encreased near to the fourth part of the Diameter when the Town Clocks did variously strike nine and it was by his own watch nine and half an hour over and that it vvas augumented almost to the Semi-diameter vvhen by the Tovvn Clocks it vvas half an hour past nine and by his ovvn Watch ten But he vvrote somevvhat more exquisitely about the Suns Eclipse which happened the thirtieth day of the same moneth viz. hovv he observed that the Sun vvas become like the Moon when shee is near half dark vvhen it vvas nine a clock in the morning by the Town-clocks and a third part of an hour over Afterwards at half an hour after ten and somewhat more he saw the Eclipse encreased but at eleven of the clock it began to decrease and was reduced to the centre of the Sun A little after there was scarce a digit over Finally when it was twelve a clock wanting the sixth part of an hour the Eclipse ceased Which I set down that you may see that there was no diligence at the least wanting in him And he wished asterward that he had observed all things more exquisitely yet he thought there was enough done whereby he might with extream delight compare his observation with one made at Rome of the Moons Eclipse which Johannes Remus Quietanus a famous Physician and Mathematician had
went the Inscription HONC OINO PLOIRUME COSENTIONT R. DUONORO OPTUMO FUISE VIRO LUCIOM SCIPIONE FILIOS BARBATI CONSOL CENSOR AIDILIS HIC FUET A. HEC CEPIT CORSICA ALERIAQUE URBE DEDET TEMPE TATIBUS AIDE MERETO And therefore because the explication of Sirmondus did most of all please him who proved that this Inscription was made in the 494th year after the building of Rome and consequently but a year later than the Dailâ—iâ—â— Inscription or that of the Columna Rostrata hitherto accounted to be the most ancient both for the Orthography Phrase and matter contained therefore thus he conceived it ought to be read HUNC UNUM PLUR IMI CONSENTIUNT ROMAE BONORUM OPTIMUM FUISSE VIRUM LUCIUM SCIPIONEM FILIUS BARBATI CONSUL CENSOR AEDILIS HIC FUIT HIC CEPIT CORSICAM ALERIAMQUE URBEM DEDIT TEMPESTATIBUS AEDEM MERITO Which may be thus Englished Very many good men at Rome do judge that this Lucius Scipio was a singlar and most excellent man He was the son of Barbatus Consul Censor Aedilis he took Corsica he built a chappell to †Honouring them as Deities because they spared him at Sea Tempests not without cause Peireskius approved this interpretation and therefore caused it to be printed concealing the name of Sirmondus because he of his modestie would not take the commendation to himself But the truth is Peireskius did not conceal his name when sending copies thereof up and down he wrote Letters to his friends Hence it was that Selden mentioned him in that same learned work of his De DIS Syris where he sayes this Inscription was communicated to him by Sir Robert Cotton who had it out of France from Nicolaus Fabricius Petriscius a man most renowned for nobility and learning Also the lately mentioned Aleander who when it was reprinted at Rome made an addition answered the objections that had been made against it And whereas among other things it seemed strange that no mention was made of that Triumph which Scipio made Aleander answered Verily that same quick-sighted Gentleman who is no lesse a lover of learned men than of learning it self Nicolaus Fabricius Lord of Peiresk does with good reason suspect that there wants another Inscription of Scipio which was counterpane to this of ours For the Sepulchers of the ancients were of great Bulke and it is no absurdity to think that as this Inscription was on the one side so that there was another Marble on the other side on which the Triumph Age Day of death c. were ingraven With these and such like matters did Peireskius busie himself when in the Moneth of November the Seal was taken from Varius and that most renowned Gentleman restored to the Liberty of a private Life But Peireskius who regarded not so much the glory of his Place as the eminency of his Virtues would never forsake him thinking it an unworthy baseness if he that had stood by him in his Prosperity should withdraw himself in his adverse fortune Howbeit he was wont to testifie concerning Varius that he accounted it no unhappy and ominous but a most happy accident as by which alone he was in a capacity of attaining the Tranquillity which he so much desired Wherefore he restored the Seal with great Alacrity and returning from the Court he would needs sup more liberally than ordinary with Malherbius and Peireskius as one that now had no businesse to disturbe him and retiring himself he led a most quiet and most sweet life conversing with his Books his friends and learned men About this time the Businesse about Riantium was removed from Paris to Tolouse 1617. and his Brother Valavesius about the Beginning of the following year went into that City And although his presence was likewise desired at Tolouse which as was thought would have much advanced the Businesse yet could he never be induced for any Danger never so great of the miscarriage of that Suit to leave Varius Yet you must not Imagine that for all this he left his care of the cause of Learning For he sent an almost innumerable Company of Books to Learned men in all parts partly of his own accord partly being requested by them as into Italy to Pignorius and Aleander and to Scipio Cobellutius then newly honoured with a red Hat and the title of Cardinall of Saint Susanna and to whom not long after the Custodie of the Vatican Library was given as a favour And into England to Cambden and Selden and others who had seriously intreated him that he would not envie the Learned Nation of Men his Learned notes upon the ancient Coines and his Observations upon that part of France which is called Gallia Narbonensis Into Holland he sent as to others so chiefly to Thomas Erpenius the renowned professor of Arabic and he sent with his Books and Letters certain Arabick Coines that he might lend his Assistance in their Interpretation which he had not yet sufficiently understood I forbear to mention how he received likewise back again many things which he desired as from Aleander a modell of the Farnesian Congius or old Galon-measure with Letters signifying that he had examined the Water of Tiber Fountain water and other waters and after manifold comparisons of the one with the other he could find no difference at all in their weight From Nicolas Alemannus a year before the Vatican-Library Keeper he received a Catalogue of the Poets of Provence From Andreas Bruggiotus a Supplement to his Index of the Grek Manuscripts which were kept in the foresaid Library From Pignorius a Breviarie of the Life of that famous Ludovicus Cornarus with the time of his Death who by his sobrietie had procured himself so long a life and such a lustie old Age for he wrote that he was buried at Padua the day after the Nones of May in the year 1566. From Facobus Colius a Book with his excuse for naming him only Nobilissimus Gallus without any further Illustration From Sanderus Elogies from Johannes Meursius divers of his works from Willerius Genealogies from Whinghemius Botanick Rarities and from others other things Also about this time he began to procure Notes upon the Calendar of Constantine which 17 years after Aegidius Bucherus did totally insert into his Commentaries of the Canon of Paschalis Victorianus viz. from the 236. page to the 288. And the truth is I question not how those papers were gotten and by whom imparted to that same rarely good and Learned Man only I desire the Reader to take notice that they were not transcribed save from that same very rare Book which belonged to Peireskius and is at this very day preserved in his Library Now he wrote largely thereabout both to Aleander and to most other Learned men who exceedingly desired the publication thereof for they esteemed it as a mighty treasure to correct the Annals and to rectifie all Chronologie both sacreed and profane For examples sake we may observe therein the Consulship of Probus and
obliege me seeing even now you show your self in good earnest sensible of my losses and as when I was present I found you a Patron so in absence I feel you a Comforter I for my part am for your only sake so obliged to France that I had rather undergo the utmost extremity then leave this place And again I sent you a letter which contained in it nothing which concerned you to know but was only a testimony of that gratitude which I do and shall owe to you for so many exceeding benefits wherewith I have been by you assisted and adorned Now that same work de Jure Gentium of which Grotâ—us makes mention in this place seems to have bin no other then that famous Book de Jure Bâ—lli Pacis which he printed a year after Sure I am when he sent Peireskius one of his said Books he sent a letter with it out of which take these following passages Accipe jussis Carmina caepta tuis sayes the Poet Accept these Verses made at your Command But I most worthy Peireskius do send to you not a Verse but a Book begun by your Exhortation and your Advice I might add that my present dwelling in France is not a little indebted to you by whose meanes I have bin brought acquainted with most excellent men so that in this respect also if any fruit come thereby you may justly challenge the same If I shall say that it is a great grief to me that I cannot enjoy your presence nor discourses I shall say no more then is the very truth but your noble Brother affords me some solace in this my losse vour Brother I say not only by Nature but Humanity who c. I passe over his great care to get the Picture of Grotius drawn by the hand of Duvricius and the happiness he accounted it to have withall the Pictures of Salmasius Petrus Puteanus Hieronymus Bignonus that great light of learning in general the Lawes in special and of justice in the Parliament and other of his friends He had sent first to the Puteans the Copies of such as he had viz. of Vincentius Pinellus and Julius Caesar Scaliger intending to send likewise those of Paschalinus Portaeus Pacius Cambden Lobellius Barclaius Maranus and many more And because I have fallen to speak of Pictures I may well add those which he obtained about this time of the Pope and the Cardinals Cobellutius and Barberinus Also he desired to have at the same time the Picture of Virginius Caesarinus but death prevented the Painter much about the time when Peireskius returned thanks for a Copy of the Sagiator of Galilaeus that is to say a Book of his touching Comets which Galilaeus had made against the Libra Astronomica a Book so called of Lothnrius Sarsius or by transposition of Letters Horatius Grassius which dedicated to Virginius himself Moreover he was not forgetful of a promise long since made to the Pope to procure him some Reliques of St. Magddalen For seeing the people some few years before at San-Maximitan hindred the same by an Insurrection which they made he went now with the Command of the King the Authority of the Parliament and in company of the chief President making use of the Marshal and his men to guard him and so he obtained at length that which the Pope piously desired Whereupon the Cardinal gave him very great thanks in the Popes name who testified likewise how acceptable his recommendation was as of other French Gentlemen so especially of the foresaid Thuanus who after he had viewed the Western parts of the World was thinking also to visit the Eastern Countries Moreover He was very busie in ordering the affairs of the Bishoprick of Regium wherewith the most excellent Cardinal Guido Bentivolus was endowed at the Kings Request Which he did out of that great love and friendship which he had maintained with the said Cardinal ever since he came the Popes Nuncio into France in which place he succeeded Cardinal Robertus Ubaldinus who likewise had bin a great Lover of Peireskius Nor must it be forgotten that in the mean while Cardinal Bentivolus was a most earnest Interceder to gain out of the rich Treasury of Rarities belonging to Scipio Cardinal Burghesius divers Models of Weights measures and other things to send to Peireskius At the same time there was at Rome Claudius Menetrius aforesaid who also sent them and added divers ancient Weights with Models and Seals nor did he afterward cease from sending Coines and what ever other Monuments of antiquity which Rome could afford at what price soever Furthermore He was in a manner wholly taken up in ministring unto his sick Father But when his pains seemed to be somewhat allayed in the Summer he went to his Countrey house at Beaugensier whence ere that he returned he would needs go to Tolon to fish for Coral For it growes but in few places of our Seas but especially in a narrow passage which is distant from the Promontoty called Citharistes but two Provence vence-miles And because he was informed that it was an excellent season to pluck the same therefore he hired a small Vessel and chose fitting persons by whom he was carried till such time as the tops of certain Hills and Mountains meeting to the Eye in a right line were a token of the place he was told of Then they let down by a Rope a woodden Crosse with Nets fastned to it and as soon as they perceived it was upon the ground they drew it all about to and fro this way and that way that the Coral Plants might be intangled in the Net When they had done so long enough the Engine was pulled up and he observed how the Nets had broken off and brought away many Plants of Coral with very many dry and rotten fragments which had at some other time bin pluckt up and left at the bottom or had fallen out as the Nets were drawn up Moreover the Plants which were then pluckt up and drawn out were neither red nor handsome till their Bark was pulled off in some parts they were soft and would give way to the hand as towards the tops which being broken and squeesed they sent forth milk like that of Figs and when the compression ceased we might see them pricked with little holes which seemed to be the empty veins wherein the milk had bin contained Which milk because he was informed to be very caustick or burning therefore he was exceeding careful that none of it might come upon his Skin And because by enquiry he had learnt that it was as the seed of the Coral so that if it touched any solid thing as a shell of a Fish a Stone or the like it would engender a Coral Plant that would grow thereupon therefore he conjectured how Coral might come to grow upon the Scull forementioned There were in the Nets many other Plants besides the Corals also very many living things were intangled therein particularly a
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
whole face thereof so suddenly changed so that the wals which because of the Funeral being hung all with black did testifie sorrow were presently being hung a fresh with red because of the aproach of the Guest made to expresse the greatest chearfulnesse possible Moreover as soon as he was saluted by Parliament and all the other orders of the City the Tables were so furnished that a more magnificent provision could not be imagined Eight dineing rooms were served at one and the same time without any confusion and the high courage of Peireskius was to be admired whose Providence was not disturbed by the sadnesse following his Fathers death When all was taken away the Legat desired also to view his Study and to passe over some sweet houres in familiar discourse and in viewing the rarities This Viasius harpt upon in his Panegyric to Urbanus Octavus in these verses among the rest So did we see him in his way from France 1625. Unto Peiresk his noble House advance That House renown'd for Vertue and the Praise Of ancient Gentrie and the Muses Baies Where all that 's left of Athens and old Rome Inshrined lies as in a sacred Tombe When at his departure he brought him on his way he was forced to go to Riants where upon pretence of his Fathers Death the Tenants began to make some stir where composing things as well as he could and the contrariety of the wind holding the Legat still at the Port of Tolon he went to him again thither and presented him with a couple of Goats with long ears hanging down so low that if their heads be a little bowed down they touch the ground The Cardinal having finished this legation soon after began another For he went Legate into Spain but by force of weather he was divers times stayed upon the Coasts of Provence But his chief stop was at the Tower of Buquia which stands at the ingress of the Martigian Coast or the Sea Colony so that Peireskius could hear of him and come to him Which was doubtlesse a great solace to the Legat for besides his most delightful company some daies enjoyed Books were also brought him with the reading whereof the tediousness of the time was abated Among the rest there were certain observations touching the ebbing and flowing of the Seas which Peireskius had not long before caused to be collected by Antonius Natalis a Physician of Provence who dwelt in Bretagne which because they exceedingly pleased the Legat he promised to do his endeavour 1626 to procure more of them Also he further promised him That he would acquaint him with whatever he met with temarkable in that Legation and particularly that he would procure which Peireskius chiefly desired the Epitaphs to be written out and Pictures to be taken of the Earls of Barcellone especially of Alphonsus sirnamed the Chast Moreover Peireskius returned home troubled with an exceeding great Rheum besides pains in his Kidneys and other disorders contracted by reason of his Fathers sickness which would not let him sleep a nights nor suffer him to rest so much as in his Bed Amongst other refreshments books were not the least for he received divers from sundry his friends some of which made mention of him as one for example called Glossarium Archaeologicum containing an Exposition of Barbarous Latine words whose Author was Sir Henry Spelman of England who in the Preface to his Work If I should speak of persons quoth he beyond the Seas I was in no small measure incited from France by the most noble Nicolaus Fabricius Peireskius his Majesties Counsellour in the Parliament of Aix Hieronymus Bignonus c. Where you must observe that Bignonus and those other persons whom he there mentions were set on by Peireskius to sollicite Spelman to set out his Book Also the notes of Pignorius upon the Book of Vincentius Cartarus of the Images of the Gods also his symbolical Epistles in the 29 whereof Pignorius recites to Peireskius an Epistle of Marsilius Ficinus touching the occasion of the friendship between him and Bembus both born on one and the same day out of a Book which was in the study of Pinellus which you and I quoth he knew in its flourishing condition Also he was very inquisitive after divers Monuments of Antiquity which he would have brought to Aix A principal was a Marble Tomb of most elegant fabrick which being dug up near Brignolle he sent a Cart on purpose and twenty industrious chosen men to fetch the same This Monument verily he esteemed so highly of that when afterwards Rubens was to go into Spain he could not tell what better Argument to use to intice him thither then to tell him of the sight thereof and when he observed therein some Images which either through Age or bad usage were defaced he would needs have from Rome a Model in plaister of another in which he had observed the like figures that after the example thereof he might cause them to be repaired Also he was comforted by one Barbleus of Colen an industrious young man and skilled in Physick who made him paper spheres of all sorts that is to say according to the Hypotheses of Ptolomy Copernicus Ticho and others Nor must I forget how he was exceedingly refreshed with the exceeding courteous society of Jacobus Lorinus a Jesuite who had commented upon the Psalms who when he first returned from Rome came to him at Avenion and bestowed upon him a treatise of Bellarmines written with his own hand Finally to divert himself he read at that time a Book termed Arelatense Pontificium made by Petrus Saxius a Canon of Arles But he took it very ill that he I know not out of what respect did affect to set up the Rights of our Kings and did not only not oppose what might justly be opposed but went about unjustly to weaken the same wherefore he rested not till by a decree of Parliament the Book was prehibited Peireskius was now a little better when after divers Letters both from the Cardinal Legate and Putean the Knight and others dated at Madrid he was informed that the Cardinal was to return and would passe through Marseilles in the beginning of September Thither therefore he went though not perfectly recovered and expected the Cardinals arrival certain dayes But he lost his labour because he having a good wind sailed by and stayed only a little while at Tolon whence he sent some of the rarest things he brought with him out of Spain to Aix and excused himself Which when Peireskins received he returned thanks by Letters in some of which he carefully recommended Christophorus Puteanus a Carthusian whose learning and innocent conditions did sufficiently testifie that he was Brother to the Puteans of Paris I stand not to relate how well the Cardinal took the said Recommendation for Putean himself wrote that he was unable to express what good will and civility he had found Only I think it more pertinent to say
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
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
found he made a second journey In his first journey thither he visited Jacobus Augustus Thuanus and his most renowned Liâ—â—â—y and saw Isaac Casanbon Franciscus Pithaeus and abundance of other learned men then living who came frequently to Thuanus his Library daily magnifying Thuanus as the most excelient Prince and Patron of History and all other Arts and learned men and earnest defender of the French Empire and Majesty And having spent ten years at his own house in perusing those Monuments of Antiquity and Learning which he had collected all Europe over and in reducing and digesting the same into his studie and memory wherewith he was endowed after a divine manner he went to Paris the second time to turn over and devour those other Libraries viz. the Kings that of St. Denis Victoria St. German and of the Memii and to visit those learned men which frequented the same of which there was at that time a new generation as it were sprung up Amongst whom those two most courteous brethren the Puteans do at this day excel who abiding with the sons of Thuanus their kinsmen excellently adorned with the gifts of wit and vertue derived from their Father do by all the waies and means they can assist and wonderfully adorn not only his Library but Learning also learned men which were commended to their faithful care and protection by the last will and testament of Jacobus Augustus Nicolaus Rigaltius who excels all men whatever in the polite elegancie of Learning and judgement and incorrupt purity of the Latine tongue to whom I glory to say that I am beholden for whatever progress I have made in that kind of Learning Claudius Salmasius and Hugo Grotius who challenge the principality of Literature and all good Arts Petrus Seguierius Henricus Memmius and Hieronymus Bignonius men more renowned for their Learning and rare love of Arts than the purple Robes they wear as ensignes of the supreme honours they enjoy in France whom for brevities sake I passe over I shall also passe by Sirmondus Pelavius Morinus Mersennus Burdelotius and Valesius and an almost innumerable company of others who are exceeding famous for their transcendent Learning and most excellent writings all whose hearts and good-wills Peireskius did win unto himself and oblige them to the service of his ends viz. the advancement of the Common-wealth of Learning Yet there is one man whom I cannot passe over namely Gulielmus Varius or Du Vair who may be compared to Marcus Tullus as well for his study of Eloquence and Philosophy and other high Virtues as for the sacred and inviolable friendship he alwaies held with this our Atticus He after that he had initiated Peireskius into the Parliament of Aix of which he was chief President he presently so addicted himself to his acquaintance and society that they continually lived together at Aix nor could he ever after endure him to be absent from him Wherefore when the King called him to Court to be Keeper of the Seal which is the highest dignity which a Gowned man is capable of in France he carried him to Court with him esteeming him to be the only man in France whom he could find in his heart to make his Camerade his bosome friend the assistant and companion of his State-Counsels and Honours Whose favours Peireskius made use of only in deprecating and shielding of the dangers and discommodities of his friends that is to say of learned men and procuring the advancement of Learning to which end besides many other rare Ornaments and accommodations he contributed one of the greatest moment for by his means there was procured in the Kings name great store of most ancient Books to supply and enlarge the Library at Paris which at all times stands so open for the use of all men that from thence most rare Monuments of ancient Learning are daily brought to light There was â—â— a manner but one good turn which â—e procured of Varius for himself viz. that by his authority he was admitted to search the most ancient Records of Courts and Churches in all the Towns of France As for wealth and honours he was so far from seeking them that he often refused such as Varius freely offered him who when he would have adopted Peireskius into the most ancient and worthy order of Prelates of France he had much ado at last to make him accept of an indifferent Church-living Varius being dead who gave all his rarities of antiquity in a manner to his most loving and officious friend committing his last Will and Testament to his faithful care and oversight Peireskius began to look after his own home and study from which he had been long absent when lo just at his departure from the Court of Paris he was in his journey invited again to the Court of Rome receiving the most joyful tydings of Cardinal Barberino his being made Pope For he knew the said Cardinal before his Election to the Popedom being the Prince of Wit Learning and Sanctity in the Roman Common-wealth having some whiles before procured a first and second Edition of his Divine Poems and obliged him with other services so that when the Messenger who intended first to acquaint the King with the news meeting Peireskius did only tell him that the learnedst of all the Roman Princes and his most loving friend was made Pope he presently knew that Barberino was placed at the Helm of the Common-wealth to his incredible joy For he did foresee that under a most learned Pope the Study of good Literature would be reduced into its ancient Light and Splendor and that Students in hope of Honours and Rewards would flock from the utmost ends of the Earth to adorn the Court of Barberino Which happiness of the times and learning that he might at least view with his Eyes and adore the new Pope who so highly favoured him he was by his friends perswaded to come to Rome not much against his will But he was loath that Ambition from the very suspicion whereof he was alwayes free rather then duty should be thought the occasion of his journey thither and after that with much adoe he had gotten out of the Island of Circe he feared if he gave eare to the Sirens Songs he should be by them detained therefore after a long peregrination he betook himself at length to his own Ithaca to the most desired Haven of his Study And then truly the Study of Peireskius and his whole House through the well-nigh Kingly Liberality of its present Master which from that time forward he used not only for the Ornament of Learning and the Instruments thereof but chiefly in assisting and honouring learned men was more magnificent and fuller of Hospitality then the Court of Alcinoüs A little after the return of Peireskius Cardinal Franciscus Barberinus brought thither with him the flowre and Cream of the Court of Rome being sent as Legate from the Pope to the most just and valiant King of France
Roman Academicks I cannot passe over in silence seeing there came no Vtensils nor Ornaments of the ancient Romans to his hands of which he had very many in his house of which he left not something or other in writing but most copiously and diligently touching the Weights Measures and Tripodes of the Ancients I omit the rest of his works in other parts of Learning I shall only add his Letters and Epistles to increase the admiration Which were so many and so learned as if he had writ nothing besides he might neverthelesse have been said to have gone through the whole Encyclopaedia or perfect Orbe of all Learning and liberal Arts. For you cannot think of any rare and excellent Argument in all the Arts and Sciences of which Peireskius did not write to all learned men either asking their judgment or returning his own being asked learnedly frequently and very largely so that he seems to have filled all Cities in all Countreys with his Letters shall I say or volums rather And that you may know I speak no more than the truth in this point consider I pray you with me how many and what for Epistles he sent to this very City for examples sake There are extant an almost innumerable company written to Pope Urbanus the 8th and to Cardinal Franciscus Barberinus comprehending that knowledge of good Arts which we all admire in those two most excellent and learned Princes There are extant Letters to Caesar Baronius and to Johannes Franciscus Vidius Balneus Cardinals to Josephus Maria Suaresius a Prelate to Christophorus Puteanus and Constantinus Cajetanus all of them persons renowned for the Science of great Arts touching Religion and matters Divine as also of humane affairs and history to Cardinal Vidus Bentivolus and Augustinus Mascardus persons best seen in that Art of any not only in this City but in all Italy and touching the abstruse and hidden things of Nature to Cassianus Putealis and Petrus Vallensis both of them renowned as well for their knowledge in natural Philosophy as other great endowments There are extant Letters of his touching Humanity as they call it and the ancient Tongues of Europe Asia and Africk as also concerning the latter Languages as the Gothick Cantabrick Provincian Italian to Lucas Holstenius Gabriel Naudaeus Leo Allatius Vincentius Noguera and Fredericus Ubaldinus men excellently and perfectly skilled in the said Languages also to Cardinal Franciscus Boncompagnus Vincentius Justinianus Maria Felix Zachus and Alexander Rondaninus her husband Stephanus Gnaldus and Claudius Menetrius men most diligent in searching out and preserving the Reliques of Antiquity touching Statues Coins ancient Jewels also touching Books anciently written and Manuscripts to those rare men Cardinal Scipio Cobellutius and Nicolaus Alemannus whom Peireskius intirely loved and whose benignity in opening to him the treasures of the Vatican Library he exceedingly wanted when he was dead These men ô Academicks 〈◊〉 know to have been most excellent in all Arts which I have therefore the more willingly reckoned up as it were mustered out because all of them in a manner as well Peireskius himself having bin long since chosen into this Academy have illustrated the splendor and glory of your order and daily illustrate the same Moreover he sent the like or a greater quantity of Letters not only to other Cities in Italy especially to Padua to Licetus Rolius Argolius and Thomasmus samous men in the Arts by them professed but also to Mantua Paris Oxford Leyden Lovane Augsburge Vindobona and other renowned Cities of the new old world flourishing with famous and learned men With which Letters truly of his he linked and united in a way of learned Commerce and correspondency not only the Nations on this and the the other side of the Alpes but all other Nations also of Europe and the barbarous people to boot so that in conclusion he made common to all those Nations those good Arts and all their Instruments which for the good of all he had treasured up in his own study and mind So that we must not judge of the excellency of Peireskius his learning nor of the worth and greatness of his study by his writings and other Monuments of the Ancients which are extant in his house but we must rather conclude that there are no famous Libraries in the whole world in which some part of the Library of Peireskius is not to be found and that no Books have been set forth in this Age of ours exceeding fruitful of Writers which do not carry with them as well the Learning as Name of Peireskius Imagine with your selves O Academicks that all studious persons do make as it were one Body in the middest whereof Peireskius performs the office of that quiet part for the nutriment whereof all the other Members in their several places do all they do and whose ministry is no lesse industrious nourishing as much as it is nourished so that with an insatiable desire of reading and learning devouring all the food of study and erudition which all men every where gathered and heaped up for him he turned the same by his heat of meditation and writing into juyce and blood which in like manner he dispersed into all parts as a common nourishment of all Wits unless we should rather say that Peireskius was the Soul of that same illustrious and immortal Body which governed the whole and by his force and Divinity did preserve and augment all and every the parts thereof I said Divinity O Academicks for he who spent a great part of the short age of fifty seven years in peregrinations and the Kings Gourt another part in the Parliament of Aix where he twice a day attended his Senatorian office could nevertheless leave so many so illustrious Monuments of his love of Learning his liberality in the advancement thereof to the eternal memory of posterity more Books and Letters written with his own hand than other long-liv'd men abounding with leasure are wont to read both in Latine Italian and French he I say seems to me worthy to be accounted more than a man Moreover that this Divine soul of Peireskius being now free from the fetters of his earthly body is mounted aloft and entred into possession of that eternal and coelestial Mansion to lead there most happily among the holy Saints that life he happily liv'd amongst us you have ô Roman Academicks all the reason in the world to think to honor the same with all Honors which are wont to be conferred on the greatest Heroes For besides that he lived with the greatest integrity and innocency possible he was also a great houourer of the Romane Religion and the Ceremonies thereof wherein he persisted most constant to his very last breath He valiantly contended for the Catholick Faith so that he reduced many thereto even of those that had left that most ancient and holy Religion and obliged themselves to new and strange ones having not without hope of
1418. 1461. Assemblies of the Notables at Roan 1596. 1617 and at Paris 1627. An Ordinance made in pursuit of the said Assembly A Register containing the Acts of the Estates general assembled at Paris during the Ligue or Confederacy in the year 1593. XXXIIII Italian Relations Vol. 1. Italian Relations Vol. 2. Italian Relations Vol. 3. A Diarie of the Popedome of Leo the 10th XXXV A Remonstrance of the third Estate to the Estates General assembled at Paris in the year 1615. A verbal process of the Lievetenant General d'Evreux touching what passed in the said Assembly A process verbal of the House of Lords to the said Estates General 1615. A Remonstrance of the said Lords XXXVI Divers Mathematical Treatises Astronomical Discourses XXXVII Sundry Latine Poems French Poems Pasquils Devices XXXVIII Contracts of Marriage Contracts of Marriage Testaments XXXIX Spain Arragon Flanders Spanish Holland XL. Divers Conclaves Relations of Cardinal Bentivoglio XLI Letters of Monsieur Salmasius and Monsieur Peireskius Italian Letters of divers great Persons Letters of Monsieur Peireskius French Letters of divers great Persons A Miscellaniee of French Letters XLII Parliaments of Paris Tholouse Bordeaux Bretagne Dyon Metz. Parliament of Provence Chamber of Accounts Court of Aides XLIII Of Weights and Measures XLIV Earls of Thoulose Languedoc Montpellier Dauphine Guyenne Bretagne XLV Divers Registers touching Monies Acts and memorials concerning the business of Monies Touching Monies XLVI Germany Denmarke Sweden Poland Lorraine and Bar. XLVII The Chancellour de l'Hospital Baldwin Monsieur du Vair Monsieur de Villeroy XLVIII Monkes Jesuites Knights of Malta XLIX Mortal Duels Tiltings L. Matters Theological Letters of Popes Lives of Saints Certain writings of Hinemarus LI. Guistres LII Gardens and fruits LIII Observations of divers wonders in Nature Curious Inventions Instructions touching Curiosities LIV. Memorials touching the Affairs of Switzerland Touching the Grisons and the Valtelline Treaties betwixt the French and Switzers Of the Switzers among them Of the Grisons with the Switzers and other Touching the businesse of the Valtelline LV. Medals Arabian Medals Explications and Discourses touching divers Medals French Saxon British Coins c. Inventories of divers Cabanets of Medals Here I must acquaint the Reader that divers Books which belong to this 54 Volume are missing which he that bought the Coins has in possession whether justly or no it concerns not me to enquire Yet most sure it is that they were cunningly if not forcibly got out of the Treasury of Peireskius and lye at this time in some secret place of the buyers house so that for this seven years they have not bin seen nor may be lent to any man being confined to sight with moths and worms in some dark hole That Treasure is therefore lost which the most renowned Peireskius had ordained as an assistance to the curiosity of Antiquaries but by what fate force or fraud I do not enquire For that hard man would reap where he had not sowed and gather where he had not scattered hiding another mans talent in the ground LVI The Oriental Languages Hebrew Samarican Arabick Aegyptian Indexes of Books in the foresaid Languages Antonius Kircherns his Apparatus for the explanation of Hieroglyphicks Jacobus Gaffarellus touching the Kabala and Mersennus upon him LVII Divers Titles and Acts from Hugh Capet to the year 1399. 1. Vol. Divers Titles and Acts for the History of France from the year 1400. to 1579. 2. Vol. Divers Titles from 1580. to 1614. 3. Vol. LVIII Divers Titles from the year 1615. to 1626. Vol. 4. Divers Titles from 1627. to 1631. Vol. 5. Divers Titles from the year 1632. to 1634. V. 6. LIX Annals of Giovennazzo The History of Varchi The lire of Castruccio Castracani The life of Saul An History of the Siege of Malta An History of the Albigeois A Chronicle of Savoy Johannes Baptista Tassis his Belgick History LX. Learned Epistles of famous Men. Observations upon divers Authours Epistles of Petrus Gassendus Mathematical Observations of Joannes Gualterus and Peireskius LXI An Inventory of the Register of the Ordinances of Parliament of Paris Divers Inventories and Extracts of the ancient Registers of the Parliament of Paris A Table of an Inventory of the Registers of the Ordinances of the Parliament of Paris LXII A Table of the Ordinances of the Chamber of Accounts Divers Ordinances Memorials of the Chamber of Accompts at Paris LXIII Extracts of divers Registers of Parliament of the Chamber of Accounts and others A Court-rolle A Collection of divers ancient Ordinances made by Register du Tillet Customs of red Wines by Phlets de Beaumanoi LXIIII. A Table upon the seven Volumes of the Inventory of the Treasure of Charters LXV Acts and memorials for the History of Provence from the year 1441. to the year 1479. V. 1. Acts and Memorials for the foresaid History from the year 1580. to the year 1590. V. 11. Acts for the foresaid History from the year 1590 to the year 1637. Vol. 3. LXVI Particular Relations of what passed in Provence during the Reign of Henry the 3d and Henry the 4th Divers Memorials subservient to the ancient History of Provence LXVII Genealogical Treatises for the History of the Earls of Provence Genealogies and Titles for the House of Fourbin LXVIII Titles and Momorials for the Family of Pourcellets 1. 2. LXIX Genealogies of Glandevez Agoult Sault Pontevez Rodulphi Leonce Benau Luynes Brianson Puget LXX Genealogies de Grignan Simiano Villenube Sabran and Castillane Genealogies of the Baux de Foresta Oraison Lascaris Ventimille Brancas de Callian Grace Vallavoire du Blanc Lodun Mondragon Candolle Sceytre Pontanier Boucicault Spinola de Alx Clemens c LXXI Histories of the Antiquities of Arles by L. de Romien An History in form of a journal touching what has past in Provence from the year 1562. to the year 1617. A Procez against the Earl of Provence by the Duke of Lorrain LXXII Divers ancient Genealogies of Princes which have ruled in Provence A Miscellany of divers Letters touching the Families of Provence Genealogies and Titles for the Houses of Bulbone Requeston de Medallionc de la Garde Simons Signa Cornuti Grimault Renigliaos Flotte Jarante Cossa A Register de Caradet The Genealogy of the House of Fabricii and the Families thereto allyed LXXIII Cities of Provence Aix Arles Toulon Yerres Forcalquier Brignolles Erejus Riants Nice and others Acts and Memorials touching the City of Marseilles and the Lords which have possessed the same The Statutes of Marseilles Antiquities of Marseilles Rhemes Solers LXXIIII Arch-Bishop of Arles Ancient Acts. Bishops of Marseilles Frejus Die Vence Gap Digne Grasse Senez Glandevez Riez Systeron LXXV Arch Bishop of Aix Bishop of Toulon Apte St. Paul Vaison Cavaillan Aurange Nice Abbeys De Lerins de Nazareth Caroli loci St. Veran Lioncel St. Poris Almanarra St. Hierosme Correns St. Mary Magdalanie Beaugensie Pignans Barjolz c. LXXVI Abbeys Of St. Victor de Marseilles St. Maximin Articella Boscodum and Luze Abbey Of Montmajour of Arlez
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
weaknesse glory and â—â—eproach Vertues and Vices Plenty and Wants Adantages and Defects Antiquity and Modernes of all â—â—â— Kingdomes and states of Christendome are Imartially poiz'd by James Howel Esq Fol. 166. Renatus des Cartes ' excellent compendium of Musick with necessary and juditious Animadversions â—erâ—upon by a person of Honour Illustrated with livers figures in 4o. 167. The Scarlet Gowne or the History of the â—â—ves of all the present Cardinals of Rome written in â—alian and Englished by Henry Cogan Gent. 80. 168. A discourse of constancy Ly Justus Lipsius faithfully Englished by R. G. sometimes of Ch. Ch. Exon. containing many sweet consolations for all that are afflicted in body or in mind 12o. 169. Le Chemin abrege or a compendious Method for the attaining of Sciences in a short time with the Statutes of the Academy of Cardinall Richelieu Englished by R. G. Gent. 170. The Academy of Eloquence containing compleat English Rhethorick with common place and formes to speake and write fluently according â—â— the present mode together with letters amorous anâ— morall by Thomas Blunt Gent. 12o. 171. The Secretary in fashion or a compendion and refined way of expression in all manner of letter with instructions how to write letters of all sorts coâ—posed in French by P. St de la Serre in 8o. 172. Curia Politiae or the Apologies of several Princes justifying to the World their most eminent â—â—ctions by the strength of Reason and the most exact rules of Policy by the acurate pen of Monsieur Scudery Governer of Nostre-dame and now Englishe with the figures of many Emperors and Kings 173. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or observations on the present manners of the English briefly anatomizing the living by the dead with an usefull detection of the Mount banks of both sexes by Richard Whitlock M.D. late fellow of all Souls Colledge in Oxon 8o. 174. Scholae Wintoniensis Phrases Latinae The Latinâ—â— Phrases of Winchester School corrected and much augmented with Poeticalls added and four Tracts 1. â—â— words not to be used by elegant Latinists 2. The disference of words like one another in sound or signification 3. Some words governing a subjunctive modâ—â— not mentioned in Lillies Grammer 4. Concerning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for entring children upon making Themes by H. Robinson D. D. sometimes school-master of Winchester Colledge published for the commoâ—nse and benefit of Grammer schools 175. Atheismus Vapulans or a Treatise against Atheism rationally confuting the Atheists of these times by William Towers late student of Ch. Ch. Oxon. 176. De Juramenti Obligatione promissorij Praelectiones Septem Of the Obligation of Promissory Oathes seven Lectures read in the Divinity Schools at Oxford by Robert Sanderson D. D. and englished by his late Majesties appointment 8o. 177. Politick Maxims and observations written by the most learned Hugo Grotius translated for the ease and benefit of the English statesmen by H. C. S. T. B. 178. The perfect Horseman or the experienc'd secrets of Mr. Markhams fifty yeares practice shewing how a man may come to be a Generall Horse man by the knowledge of these seven Offices viz. The Breeder Ambler Keeper Farrier viz. The Feeder Rider Buyer Farrier Published with some Additions by Lancelot Thetford Practitioner in the same Art 40. yeares 179. Divine Poems written by Tho. Washborn B. D. 180. Buxtorf's Epitome of his Hebrew Grammar Englished by Iohn Davis Mr. of Arts. 181. Fasciculus Poematum Epigrammatûm Miscelaâ—eorum Authore Iohanne Donne D. D. 182. Poemata Graeca Latina à Gulielmo Cartwright C. C. Oxon. 183. The Marrow of Complements containing Amorous Epistles complementall entertainments Dialogues songs and Sonnets presentations of gifts instructions for Woers with other pleasant passages Bookes newly Printed for Humphrey Moseley 184 THe fifth Volume of Artamenes or the Grand Cyrus that excellent new Romance being the ninth and tenth Parts Written by that famous wit of France Monsieur de Scudery Governour of Nostredame and now englished by F. G. Esq 185 Elise or Innocency guilty a new Romance translated into English by John Jennings Gent. 186 Clelia an excellent new Romance written in French by the exquisite pen of Monsieur de Scudery Governour of Nostredame de la Gard. 187 Coralbo a new Romance in three Bookes written in Italian by Cavalier Gio Francesco Biondi and now faitâ—fully rendred into English 188 The Lusiad or Portugalls Historicall Poem translated into English by Richard Fanshaw Esq 189 The History of Philosophy the first Part by Tho Stanley Esq 190 The History of the Kingdome of Naples with the lives of all their Kings written by that famous Antiquary Scipio Mazzella with an Addition of what happened during the Rebellion of Massaniello and continued to this present yeare by I. H. Esq 191 Mr. Howel's fourth Volume of familiar Letters never published before 192 Manziny his most exquisite Academicall Discourses upon severall choice Subjects turned into French by that famous Wit Monsieur de Scudery and into English by an Honourable Lady 193 The English Treasury of Wit and Language digested into common places by Iohn Cotgrave Gent. 194 Lusus Serius a Philosophicall Discourse of the superiority of the Creatures by Michael Mayerus 195 The Aphorisms of Hippocrates with a short Comment on them taken out of Galen Heurnius Fuchsius c. 196 Euphrates or the waters of the East by Eugenius Philalethes 197. Hermeticall Physick or the way to preserve and restore health by Henry Nollius Chymist and Englished by Henry Vaughan Gent. 198 Dr Valentine's private Devotions in Welch 199 Mantuan's Eclegues Englished by Tho. Harvey 200 Medici Catholicon or a Catholick Medicine for the Diseases of Charity by John Collop Dr. of Physick 201 Poesis Rediviva or Poetry reviv'd by John Collop M. D. 202 The Saints Expectation and Reward A Sermon at the Funerall of Mr. Thomas Wiborow by Michael Thomas Minister of Stockden in Shropshire 203 A Sermon against Murder occasion'd by the Massacre of the Protestants in the Dukedome of Savoy by William Towers B. D. Books Printed this Terme 204. RAgguagli di Parnasso or Advertisements from Parnassus Written in Italian by that Faâ—ous Roman Trajano Bocalini and put into English by the right Honorable Henry Earle of Monmouth 205 A compleat History of the Lives and Reignes of Mary Queen of Scotland and of her Son and Successour James the Sixth King of Great Brittain France and Ireland by William Sanderson 206 The Destruction of Troy an Essay upon the second Book of Virgil's Aeneis by John Denham Esq 207 Poems viz. 1 Miscellanies 2. The Mistresse or Love-Verses 3. Pindarique Odes 4. Davideis or a sacred Poem of the Troubles of David by A. Cowley 208 God Incarnate shewing that Jesus Christ is the Only and the most high God In foure Books containing Animadversions on Dr. Lushingtous Comentary upon the Epistle to the Hebrewes by Edmund Porter ate of St. Iohn's Coll. Camb. Prebend of Norwich 209 Ducis Buckinghami in