victory assailed three of the most learned of that way Shew therefore your thankfulnesse O Academicks in adorning the funerals of that man who has so many waies so excellently deserved of the Roman Common-wealth and as you have thought fit that he should be honoured by a publick Declaration of his Praises so what I through the scantiness of my wit and the time have not been able in my Oration to set forth sutable to the Grandeur and Dignity of the Argument do you at present supply with your most delicate and curious Verses and for the time to come give this noble Gentleman deceased instead of a short life a lasting memory and which will be of all things to him most acceptable enter as it were into the inheritance of his Studies and constantly hold the same And you most venerable Fathers as you have brought to the mannagement of that Common-wealth whereunto you are called all the most excellent Virtues of Peireskius worthy to be imitated by the greatest and in all things praise-worthy most eminent Princes such as you are go on I beseech you and proceed in this good course imitating his divine care and royally magnificent liberality in the advancement of those Arts wherein all civility and elegancy of life and even humanity it self do consist and are contained as also by loving those men that study the same and adorning them with Honours and such Benefices and Prefermeuts as those holy and Religious Ancestors of yours have thought fit to bestow upon them For an unworthy and shameful thing it were that those men should lye in the dirt by whose labour and watchings Learning the best thing God ever gave to mankind does now chiefly flourish being altogether worthy of all favour and authority amongst you For they by the eternal Monuments of their writings do consecrate to immortality such Princes and worthy Personages as have deserved well of them and their Virtues as on the contrary being wronged or neglected they brand them with such marks of infamy and reproach as the longest tract of Time nor the armed hands of Tyrants cannot wipe off or deface You ought not therefore by any means to give ear to certain worthlesse persons who though they serve to no other end than to fill up the number of your Court and to enhance the price of Corn and other Victuals yet like empty hogsheads turning this way and that way whose vacuity makes them nimble and full of empty found do make great stirrs laughing and hooting as well at the dispositions and manners of learned men as at the use and dignity of Learning it self Learned men right reverend Fathers are the most harmless and temperate sort of men in the world because they spend all their time and study which the foresaid cocks-combs are wont to employ in ambition avarice or things ridiculous and filthy in the contemplation of the greatest and most excellent things in the world nor are they as those men call them wayward and crabbed but such as make an accurate estimate of things nor stubborn and proud but such as can neither act nor endure things unworthy an ingenuous man not slouching and sneaking but modest finally not clownish and rude but following the ancient manners and so full humanity that the Arts which they profess have from thence their name As for Learning it self how great maintenance as well as ornament it affords to well constituted Cities may from this City of yours alone appear which as it was in times past afflicted through neglect thereof even so now a most learned and most wise Pope bestowed as a coelestial gift and Divine present from God himself is the cause that your Cōmon-wealth does at this day gather strength and flourish that it is happy and that in a word while other parts of the world are shaken and tossed with the tempests of Wars and other calamities This alone enjoyes it self in Peace and Rest which I beseech the most good and great God long and long for to continue A LETTER OF Gabriel Naudaeus TO Petrus Gassendus Concerning the Death of Peireskius BEing urged more then once to communicate those Astronomical observations which I made at your request to those renowned men Fortunius Licetus Scipio Claromontius being solicited likewise by your Letters to continue that mutual entercourse of friendship whereby we have heen long since nearly united one to another I take it for an Argument of your very great love that though I have been so long silent yet out of your singular humanity and good will you have not been offended with me therefore judging that I have not been wanting to our mutual love and the singular respect I bear you though being busie about my Treatise De Studio Militari I have in the mean time neglected to answer your Letters save that I frequently signified to our common friend the renowned Peireskius that as soon as ever I got any leasure I would return such an answer to all your Letters that you should have no reason to complain that your most delightful Urbanity and pleasant jesting has not bin by me answered and recompensed with like festivity But O the uncertainty of mortal things O cruel Fates O that bitter death milchievous to all good men which is fallen out in the middest of our jollity that incomparable Person being then taken away when we thought of nothing lesse than his death For where was the Blazing-Star Where the Thrnder and Lightning Where was the earth-quake and unwonted noises Where the Apparitions and Prodigies which might be expected at the death of that man the greatest the best the wisert in the whole world Historians verily do mock and sweetly delude us when they tell us that no Princes depart this world without such signs and tokens foreshewing their death For I beseech you my dear Gassendus how can it be if the world is not governed by chance as indeed it is not but ruled at the pleasure of Divine providence that Heaven takes care of such men as rather by the blind disposal of Fortune than their own merits are advanced to Thrones and Scepters being commendable for nothing but riches power which they most wisely abuse to the ruine of mankind through the extream filthiness of their flagitious lives and in the mean time the Heaven is silent the Moon heedlesse nothing new or unusual is seen in the Elements or such live-Creatures if any such there be as foretell things to come at the death of those who by their virtue have obtained a most ample and honourable Kingdom among the sons of men who being born for the good of all men are by their labour study industry helpful unto all and draw the whole world into admiration by the Fame and commendation of their Merits And if I shall say that Peireskius deserved this praise the best of any man either in these or former times no man will contradict me that is not an enemy to Virtue envious
defray his necessary charges by Bils of Exchange and also to enjoy the society of learned men lovers of Antiquity such as Father Paul Sarpi Dominicus Molinus and many others likewise that he might see what ever in that city was of repute for costlinesse or rarity To which purpose he was very much assisted by the authority of Philippus Canaius Fraxineus the most Christian King of France his Embassadour there he himself also making such friends as by whose authority he attained the sight and knowledge of what ever he desired The chief of which was Fridericus Contarenus Procurator of St. Mark who having a study richly furnished with rarities was neverthelesse unacquainted with the value thereof till Peireskius shewed him what every rarity was and how to be valued what the Greek Inscriptions both of Moneys and Tombs did signifie and the like by which he gained a singular interest in his affections And not onely in his but his whole Families which was the rise of that acquaintance which he had with Angelus Contarenus when as twenty yeers after he was Embassadour for the Republike in France and with Vincentius Contarenus who six yeers after setting out a book of Divers Readings So far as from France saith he the most noble Nicolas Fabricius excellently skilled both in the Laws and in all Antiquities did think sit very lovingly to advize me I passe over Johannes Mocenicus who had very rare curiosities I passe over Bembus the Knight all whose stock of rarities in a manner which he had received by tradition from Cardinall Bembus he bought up I passe over the Patriarch of Aquileia in whose closet he was wont to relate how he had seen to the number of 300 very rare Achates or Agats precious stones so called besides many others of other kindes I will onely relate what Putean being at Venice wrote to Pinellus on the 11th of the Kalends of June in that Epistle of his which is extant being the 82 of his Promulsis I was sayes he in the house of Scaramellus I saw the monument of Septumia though to little purpose all things were so justly expressed that verily I know not whether I should more admire the industry or the memory of our Fabricius or both who in great haste had so happily painted it forth or directed the hand of him that afterward did so happily paint and form it From which we may observe how industrious and diligent he was in observing every thing But going to Venice about the end of August he discovered his longing desire and designe of going to Rome for though the Porta-sancta were not to be opened nor the Jubilee celebrated till the beginning of the following yeer yet he was of opinion that if he should wait there some moneths beforehand he should not lose his time He had been informed that shortly the famous marriage of the most Christian King with Maria Medicea who is now the Queen-mother was to be celebrated at Florence and he would not for any thing but be present at the Solemnity to behold the same Wherefore after he had written to Padua and particularly to Pinellus sending him certain Inscriptions and other things and withall intreating him to write by him to his friends at Rome he departed in the beginning of September hiring a Bark to Ferraria or at least as far as to Francolin But he came not to Florence till the twentieth day of the moneth because what ever he met with worthy the sight he stayed so long as to take a perfect view thereof But he made his longest stay at Bonnonia because Julius Caesar Velius who was reputed a most exquisite Antiquary being much taken with his sweet converse would needs hold him the longer to enjoy his company Nor could that good old man forbear to write most cunning Letters touching his happinesse in the acquaintance of Fabricius which were full of wonderfull commendations Pinellus I am sure cals them most cunning Letters commending Fabricius that he was none of those who in their travels do nothing but post from place to place and therefore according to that of Seneca are wont to have many hosts but few friends Coming to Florence he received Letters from his parents and among some recommendatory Epistles he found one from Charles of Lorram the Duke of Guise and Lieutenant of Provence to Nicolas Brularrus Sillerius who was afterward Chancellour of the Kingdom and at present the Kings Embassadour at Rome being come thither to celebrate the marriage He therefore desired to have Peireskius and his brother in his family that by his countenance they might have a more free admittance to see every thing But besides the Solemnity he was chiefly delighted to see those brave Libraries where he took notice of and that I may so speak almost adored the monuments both of great princes and of learned men by whom good letters began to be restored to the world I shall not speak in particular of the Pandects which though they were most charily kept up in the palace of the great Duke yet he found means to see them being well assured that the learned world could not produce a more illustrious monument of Antiquity than they were Also he made himself friends there but none as I remember more constant than Richard Richards a Student in the knowledge of plants and marbles who conducted him up and down to shew him the publike edifices and gardens After a moneth he went to Sena where his greatest care was to salute Celsus Cittadinus who was then writing a book touching the originall and progresse of the Latine and Italian tongues Finally departing thence he came to Rome about the end of October Now it is not to be expressed how soon he became famously known at Rome not onely because the letters of Pinellus and others had already made his name renowned but also principally because as soon as he began to frequent the company of the learned men there he made them exceedingly both to admire and love him It were long to recount the excellent Personages whom he there honoured as friends by all which for his sparkling wit and most temperate manners he was highly respected but because I cannot passe them all over in silence they that deserve in the first place to be mentioned are those two great Cardinals Baronius and Bellarmin The former of which was astonished when he heard him discourse in his presence touching the Inscriptions inserted in his Annals and other abstruse points of History And what may we suppose he thought 1560. when he shewed him certain precious stones and divers pieces of coin upon which the Basilidians Valentinians other hereticks were wont to write certain barbarous words thereby to conceal their opinions For he had collected many of these to illustrate what he had inserted into his second Tome from the Amethyst of Fulvius Ursinus touching the word A B P A Ξ A Ω or A B P C Ξ by which the Basilidians did
the presence and commands of his Father And as he of his own accord gave them many things so did he receive the like from them again nor did he only see what ever they kept in their studies and precious treasuries but he was present at their Experiments of all kinds almost intimating to them his earnest desires that way Hence it was that he grew exceeding familiar with both of them and they afterward maintained mutuall friendship by divers Letters which past between them and sundry kindnesse they did one for another He visited moreover the studie of Ferrans Ineperatus which was likewise very well furnished with Ratities of nature also that of Adrian Williams Mars Gurgushlola and of Mathaeus Capuanus Princeof the Conchans although he was fain to go out of the Citty to him Moreover he diligently sought out of all Monument of Antiquity and certain Columnes above the rest he would needs have drawn out being of Corinthian work also Apollo with his Tripes and some such live Figures Also he enquired and learnt as much as he could possible touching such Families as had been translated from Naples to Provence and of such Provencian Families as had been translated from thence to Naples And knowing that in the Church dedicated to Saint Clare there were many Sepulchers of Kings and Princes of the Royall blood of kin to Charles the First who as we said before was Brother to St. Lewis King of France therefore he viewed them very lilizently drew out the chief of them and writ out the Epitaphs Moreover he carefully enquired after the Sepulcher of Simon Portius a famous Philosopher not long since deceased for indeed Pinellus had desired him to enquire if there were any Sepulcher of his to be seen especially with an Inscription There dwelt then at Naples a certain Woman which was famous for her holinesse and the course of life which she led Shee being called to Rome in the dayes of Pope Gregory the thirteenth and examined and approved of by the good Bellarmin was said to be rapt into an extasie as soon as she received the Eucharist so that just in the posture wherein she received it upon her knees so she remained immoveable and stiffe as a stake her eyes being open and she not seeing nor feeling at all over her whole body And therefore Peireskâ—us would not leave that City before he had seen and tryed so wonderfull a matter And indeed he could not obtain his desire without much ado but he as one that could breake thorough all that stood in his way obtained his will at last and carried with him Johannes Porcelletus Malliancus who was afterwards Bishop of Toul He saw her therefore and tried her and when he related it he was wont to admire whether any such thing could happen by the Art of Man nor was he easie to believe Cardan who reports that he could cast himself into such a kind of extasie as often as he pleased After he had sufficiently viewed the Cirty and admired the Elegancie and Pleasantnesse thereof he desired nothing more then that he might go to the mount Vesuvius and contemplate that place where the great Pliny died That being accomplished he was exceedingly desirous to see Sicilia and to passe as far as to Malta Now there were three things which he chiefly desired to see the Straights of Scylla the Burning of Aetna and the Antiquities of Syracuse but Fonvivius would not consent nor would he ever go to any place without his Tutors consent Wherefore it sufficed him to go round about all that Country and likewise to return again to certain places as towards the Puteoli and Baiae that he might see with his eyes two buildings under ground which were termed Piscina mirabilis and Labyrinthus that is the wonderfull Fishpond and the Labyrnith And I know not whether I should add how when he considered the shoar near the Puetoli and towards Baiae and asked to see that kind of dust which would in the Sea-water turn to stone how there was likewise discovered unto him among the Sands a certain lead-coloured dust wherewith Sculptures especially such as are made on the Onyx stone may be preserved And whereas on that shoare Coines were sound almost eaten asunder he conceived the cause thereof to be sulphur which is thought not discernable by sense in all those Coasts a blackish Vapour arising withall from the Sea with a corrosive facultie in it A month after he went again to Rome that he might take leave of his friends bestowing divers gifts amongst them and sending some to other parts For he had resolved with himself to return to Padua before the Solstice and great heat should come and therefore after a few daies he left Rome mourning for his Absence He bent his course to Perusia both for the Universities sake and that he might behold the Lake of Thrasumen From thence he turned ande to Eugubium by reason of a Brasen Table which was lately there sound with an In cription upon it in the Old Hetruscan Language Then having at Assisium saluted the Monument of St. Francis he visited Natalitius Benedictus at Fullinium who most earnestly expected him Then he saw at the Mount Falco among the Reliques of St. Clare three remarkeable found Balls which had heen found in her Gall-bladder being of an exceecing light substance Then having done his devotions at the so famous Chappell of our Lady of Loretto he went to Ancona and from thence to Urbin that he might get a Licence to peruse the Dukes Libraries departing thence to Pisaurum and Ariminum he came to Ravenna where Hieronymus Rubens that same famous Physitian and scearcher out of the Antiquities of his Country longed to embrace him and to shew him in the very seat of the secret treasury I know not what Reliques of Gothish Barbarisme and the Ornaments of the Emperors and contemporary Kings with these names ATHALARICUS RIX WITIGES RIX THEOD OHA TUS and such like Also to shew him certain Ornaments of Gallia placidia in I know not what Church which Vellius conceived were not ancient finally that he might give him with his own hand a Coppy of the History of Ravenna From thence he came to Venice where having saluted his friends to their great Contentment he was desirous to be thoroughly acquainted with Axtonlus Possevinus an excellent Man of the society of Jesus to whom when he desired Letters commendatory Sirmondus writ Back unto him in these words Why do you seek a Broker seeing you are able to make your self known and beloved of all you shall come to Finally not many daies after that is to say about the middle of June he came to Padua where he was received with so much joy that a Man would have thought that some god of Students was come to Town But his return did most of all rejoyce the good Pinellus who sound himself drawing towards death by reason of certain Lingring Diseases which had a long time troubled him and
pray you entreat him that he may not refuse and give not ever I again beseech you untill you have perswaded him After Velserus Josephus Justus Scaliger must follow that renowned Person more famously known then to need my Commendation He I say must follow to make it appear how freely and cheerfully Peireskius devoted himself to him and other Learned Men. For he truly exceedingly applauded his own good fortune that such a friend had succeeded into the Place of Pinellus That you may understand the occasion it was thus Scaliger had writ to Pinellus to procure him certain Hebrew Books also certain Coines of the Scaligers that had been Princes and sent with all certain things of his own and fathers wriring which they had written with their own individuall hands also both their Pictures as he had desired him Carolus Clusius wrote at the same time and sent one of his Books of the History of rare Plants and the Picture of Lobelius which was desired not to speake of the Letters which Scaliger sent to Carolus Leberoneus Bishop of Valence who dwelt then at Padua They came to Padua when not only Pinellus was dead but Caesar also the Duke of Atheruntium was gone out of the City who was Pinellus his Brothers Son And because he had left Order with Gualdus that if any Letters came to his Uncle he should receive them send them to him to Naples therefore Gualdus received all and before he sent them did make Peireskius therewith acquainted Whereupon Peireskius set pen to paper and wrote back to Scaliger acquainting him with the death both of Pinellus and the Bishop and assuring him that what he had sent would be thankfully accepted by the soresaid Caesar he took upon himself the Care of procuring those Hebrew Books and Coines which he had desired Pinellus to get for him promising that he would at least by the first opportunity send him some which he had already offering also to communicate some other things in his Custody tending to the Illustration of the familie of Scaligers which because he had in Veneration he added that he could not let those Pictures of him and his Father go before he had procured Copies of them He wrote in like manner to Clusius and it cannot be expressed how much they professed themselves obliged to so generous a disposition and such singular Humanity Which occasioned this speech of Scaliger in a Letter to Velserus which is inserted into the third Book in which I received quoth he those Coines of the Familie of Scaligers together with yours and our friend Fabricius his Letters for which I give you thanks I have not yet received those Hebrew Books which he sent me out of Italie because they are among the goods of Raphelengius which are not yet arrived As soon as I shall receive them I will both write to him to give him thankes and you shall be sure to hear again from me Now this Letter was written on the fourth of the Ides of May. And to acquaint you with some others to whom he cheerfully lent his assistance In the first place what ever Pinellus had taken in hand in favour of Learned men he endeavoured with all his might to accomplish and bring the same to perfection For he left no stone unturned nothing unessaied that he might effect what Pinellus had promised to Prosper Alpinus a very famous Physitian about the gayning of a Treatife touching a third Sect of Methodicall Physitians And whereas we should speake of those whom after the example of Pinellus he assisted one may serve instead of all viz. the foresaid Pignorius who interpreting the Table of Isis that is to say a famous Brazen table full of Aegyptiun Hieroglyphicks which being a Relick of Petrus Bembus the Cardinall was at that time kept as a rarity in the Library of the Duke of Mantua gives thankes in the first place to Velserus but then adds and to Nicolas Frabricius Lord of Chalasium a young Gentleman most illustrious by the Splendor of his family and and his own profound Learning who has not only bountifully communicated most rare reliques of Antiquitie wherewith he is most richly furnished for the use of my self and other students but has been very careful that we might have the use of the Rarities of othermen By his Industrie it is that not only at Venice I have upon all occasious had accesse to the rare Coines and prccious stones of the most illustrious Fridericus Contarenus Procurator of St. Marke and of Johannes Mocenicus but also at Rome I was admitted to the rich Treasurie of that gallant man Laelius Pascalinus out of which I was furnished with Coines Gemms Seales all rare From the said Fabricius I must acknowledge to have received all which I publish to the world out of the precious Treasuries of Natalitius Benedictus from which these Augmentations of ours have received both strength and spirit For all which we have produced to Illustrate the History of Epiphanius Irenaeus and the other Fathers touching their cudgelling of the ancient Sectaries came from thence These things I have set down at large because they confirme much of what has been said before And I shall add as touching Pignorius how when he wrote his book of the Antiquities of Padua Peireskius procured for him of Johannes Vincentius Porta that which he afterward did commit to writing as also Philippus Tomasinus touching an arm of Titus Livius viz. how the Citizens of Padua took an arm from among the bones of Titus Livius which they kept and bestowed it upon that renowned Patron of learning Alphousus King of Arragon he most earnestly by Antonius Panormita his Embassadour desiring the same in the yeer of Christ 1451. And when no body knew what was become of this arm Peireskius took occasion to send certain tokens to Porta as it were in recompence of the Effigies of a certain marble wherein was expressed the ancient manner of putting Souldiers sub jugum under the yoke or Gallows and withall earnestly desired him to write him word what he could by his great sagacity discover touching the said arm Who returned him by way of answer that neither King Alphonsus being prevented by death nor yet Panormita could accomplish the buriall of the said arm according as they desired but his successour being Secretary of State had placed it under a marble stone without the Oratory with this Inscription Here lies the arm of Titus Livius the Historiographer which was in times past procured by Antonius Panormita and many yeers after buried in this place by Johannes Jovianus Pontanus Neverthelesse this marble had not been seen for many yeers last past by reason of a Chappell built thereupon by a Covent of I know not what Friers Moreover as Peireskius was bountifull towards Pignorius so was he likewise to Ulysses Aldrovandus that same famous writer of the History of all kind of living Creatures who had of him many Coines especially Asiatick towards the Illustration of
to burn just as a vapour is nothing but rarified water which being again compacted and thickened reassumes the forme of water And whereas the direct or primary Light of the Sun is yet pretty compact so as it gives a sensible Heat yet the reflected or secondary Light thereof becomes so thinne that the Heat thereof is not perceptible by sense And therefore it is no wonder that the smal Light of fish-scales and such like things is not sensibly hot seeing it is much more subtile then the Secondary Light of the Sun in presence whereof it becomes invisible And that hotter things do not shine the reason may be that the vehemency of the heat stirs up foule vapours and smoakie fumes which suffer not the imbred light to flow out pure so as to become visible Moreover being very curious in the knowledge of Anatomie and Plants for that cause as often as he could he would get into the Kings Gardens which had been four years in furnishing unto Richerius Bellivallius who was Teacher of both unto whom the Company of Peireskius was allwaies most wellcome and delightfull Also he went oftentimes to Franciseus Ranchinus who adorned his rare skill in naturall Philosophie and Physick by adjoining thereto the knowledge and search of Antiquities Touching Johannes Dortomannus what shall I say whose rare Learning and singular Affection towards him he was ever wont to commend He made use of him for his Physitian When he had a Light Feaver and was vexed with a more greivous paine of the Hemorrhoids then formerly he had felt also with some difficulty in making his water I know not whether I should add that which he often related how Dortomannus visiting him upon a time when he was sick and being demanded why he came latter then he was wont to do made answer that he came from a memorable Consultation about a woman of Beaucaire who had been with Child three and twenty moneths She being married the second time and having in her former husbands daies brought forth divers Children with whom shee had gone Nine-moneths by her latter husband shee brought forth three the first of eleven months 1603. the second of fourteen the third of eighteen because from the danger of her foregoing Labours shee judged that the greatest danger of all was impendent from this fourth therefore shee consulted with Physitians to know how shee might if possible escape this danger likewise And I remember that I objected that he should consider whether it was not the same woman whom not long since Antonius Saporta and other Physitians from some such occasion concluded to be out of her wits But he avouched it was another adding that shee not long after brought forth a child with long haire and Teeth and that she got her Husband to promise her that he would touch her no more in a carnall way But be it how it will for I shall not undertake for the truth of this story partly by reason of Sicknesse and partly because of his vehement studying it fell out that he wrote seldome to his friends Whence it followed that having forborn to write for four whole moneths together some Letters also which he had sent into Italie being lost it was frequently reported at Rome and Padua that he was dead and Pignorius wrote a consolatory Letter to his Father But Gualdus finding the report to be false wrote unto him as to one raised from the dead sweetly calling him cruell because by his negligence in writing he went about to kill with grief such good and constant friends For they would not allow of what he had wrote how that he must expect to hear seldom from him till he had finished his studies of the Law Wherefore he was in conclusion compelled to write often and not only to his Italian friends but also to Velserus Scaliger and Clusius And because it was too far about to send Letters from Augsburge and Francfort to Holland therefore Scaliger advized that they should mutually send their Letters to Paris to that same rare president Jacobus Augustus Thuanus whose renown is vaster then to be comprehended by any Commendation For because Scaliger had found by experience both that he exceedingly loved him and that out of his singular Respect to all good all Learned men he was most ready to do him any office of Love therefore he made no scruple to commit the care of such Letters as should come from both of them to him So that upon this occasion first of all began that great Acquaintance between Peireskius and Thuanus which was afterwards cherished and maintained betwixt them But he wrote most frequently and good reason to his Farher and Uncle but chiefly that he might not be called home till the end of that year which was 1603. And because he knew that the Cittizens of Aix were at that time endeavouring to procure not only a Roiall Colledge for the study of Humanity and Philosophie but also to adorne their ancient Universitie and make it illustrious with Kings Professors therefore writing to his Parents he was very earnestly carefull that there might be a Large stipend allowed the chiefe Professor of Law to the end that Pacius might be called to that Universitie For he very well knew that both the Count Palatine and the Overseers of the Universitie did invite him with mighty promises to Heidelberge where he had already for divers years together given a sufficient proofe of his abilities but he was both desirous that the Universitie of Aix might boast it self of such an Ornament and he was likewise troubled that he should faile of the great hopes he had conceived to make him at last a Roman Catholick But when he could no longer withstand the Desires of his Uncle who having resigned to him his Senatorian Dignity had ever since the beginning of the year laboured to get the Kings Patent he came at last to Aix that he might receive the degree of a Doctor which was necessarily required But he came not before he was perfectly exercised getting leave to defer his coming till the latter end of the year both that he might bring Pacius with him to keep his Christmas there and that in the mean time he might the better prepare himself to keep divers Acts. For seeing it was then the Custome in the Universitie of Aix that no man should be admitted Doctor before that besides other trialls he had defended his Theses three daies together therefore it was necessary for him to collect Miscellaneous Theses both out of the civil and Common Law and to cause them to be printed Moreover because being upon one day to receive the Doctorall Ornaments from his Uncle and resolving to confer them the next day himself upon his Brother therefore he would have time to search for such things as might be requisite to explaine the Original and Antiquitie of these doctorall Ensignes and Badges He came therefore at last with Pacius to Aix in Mid-winter 1604. though
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
Richardotus And in this place truly mention ought to be made before any other of that rare Prince Charles Duke of Croy and Arschot who kept him ten dayes together in his renowned house of Beaumont continually contemplating innumerable curiofities and rare jewels of Antiquity most rich boxes of Medals wherewith that most curious and learned Prince had beautified his most noble study yea and at his departure forced him to take with him all the Coins he had as well gold as silver made under the ancient Kings of France also to the number of sixty Greek pieces besides certain ancient vessels weights and measures whereas he would not accept of Peireskâ—us any thing save one brasse Coin of that same John who in the dayes of Theodosius and Placidius Valentinianus seized upon the Empire Upon which occasion it coms into my mind how he brought out of Flanders pieces of Coins of the Frend Kings fourty golden ones besides silver of the first stock and of the second fifty silver pieces besides a golden one of Lewis sirnamed the Godly which he highly esteemed because he not onely counted it to be very rare but was apt to think there was not another to be had The time now drew near when it was said there would be rare ceremonies performed at Fontain-bleau at the Baptism of the Prince Dauphine that is to say the eldest son of the King of France For his Godfather was said to be the Pope and the Popes Nuncio Maffeus Barberinus was to stand in his stead Wherefore about the end of August he left the Low-Countries and coming timely enough he was present at the solemn pomp which was performed on the 24th day of the moneth following Meanwhile he heard from home that his mother in Law was dead and that his return was expected for the ordering of divers affairs And therefore bidding adieu to his friends partly in person partly by letters he returned into Provence about the beginning of the moneth following Being returned home he refused not the counsell which his father and brother chiefly had devised for his Uncle was somewhat against it which was to buy the Barony of Rians in whose jurisdiction because the Manour of Valaves was feated therefore it was the Originall cause of many Suites and Contentions Whereupon he himself undertook to bargaine and contract with Ludovicus Grollaeus Medullioneus Marques of Brisack and went on purpose to him into Dauphine and returned sped about the beginning of the year following 1607. which was 1607. After his return he busied himself about many excellent designes but with none was he more delighted then in procuring a manisold description of the remainders of the Citty and Haven of Carthage For he conceived divers excellent Authors could by no other meanes be reconciled and he intended thereby to gratifie Casaubon with whom he had discoursed chiefly about the Situation and form of the Haven and yet he knew his doubts were not fully satisfied He wrote also at large to Alardus a Canon of Compiegne about Coines and among things touching the use of the Golden †Spurroiâ—l Shilling in France even to the Beginning of the third Stock shewing that two and twenty of those Shillings weighed an whole pound though the mony-pound consisted but of twenty of them and demonstrating that the Solidum or shilling was not alwaies given out for twelve Silver deniers only but sometimes for more even to the number of Forty He was in the mean while taken with a most troublesome disease in his Eyes of which he was searce freed in the middle of the Spring Then did his Uncle begin exceedingly to provoke him that he should set himself to obtain the Senatorian Dignity which was long since ordained for him For he grew sickly and was exceedingly molested with pains in his joints for the abatement whereof he was resolved to go to our Bathes at Digne before the Summer but fearing lest he might happen to die in that journey he was resolved not to set foot out of the City before he had seen his Ne phew received into the Company of the Senators As for Peireskius he evermore invented dilatory Excuses as handsomely as he could howbeit his Uncle carried him one day concealing his purpose to Varius that he might urge him to nudergo the necessary examination so joyn himself to the Senate Whereupon Peireskius supposing that the businesse could be now no longer delayed he desired only eight daies that he might be the better provided for his examination It was the middle of June and a yearly Vacation consisting of three moneths in which the Parliament was not to sit was at hand and therefore he was forced to make haste because he could not be examined and approved save before the Parliament sitting He came therefore prepared and approved himself before the Assembly on the first of July A Law was proposed to him to expound out of the first Book of the Code by which the Emperor Gordianus did enact That he that had received no Legacie nor feoffment in haste nor inheritance or any donation by reason of death could not leave any thing by way of feoffment in haste In the exposition of which Law he forgot not to mention that which is recorded by Valerius and Salustius touching the gallant behaviour of Scipio Aemiltaenus who being by Masinissa King of Numidia who dearly respected him made Heir of his whole Kingdome by his last Will earnestly desiring him to part it equally by way of Inheritance amongit his Fisty foâ—â— Sons which he had living he did so punctually performe the same that he kept nothing at all for himself Nor did he passe over in Silence how Aristotie in his Politicks detests the Lawes of the Carthaginians and Locrensians some of which had equall Patrimonies others could not sell what they had that ancient Inhetitances might abide the longer in their respective samides for besides other Inconveniendes hence it would come to passe that the Cittizens would grow lazie both in gaining and possessing their Patrimonies I passe over other things that I may touch upon that which made him most admired For though it was believed that he would come very well pâ—epared in reâ—pect of the Theorie and Questions of Law thereunto pertaining yet in pâ—â—int of the Practice and formes of proceeding in the Courts it was thought he was not so well provided But his manner had been to let slip no occasion neither at Paris nor at Aix to question the Practitioners Proctors Attorneies Adâ—ocates and he would nore in his Book what ever he Learned from them by word of mouth or by peâ—using the Instruments and Deeds of all Linde Alâ—â— he profited by the Counsell and Example of Autâ—xius Thoronius one of the best of the Senaâ—ors and most sâ—iâ—ed in the Lawes nor would he 〈◊〉 any word passe him in the whole pracâ—â—â—ce of the Courts whose notation canse he did not â—â—â—rch into that he might the better understand the use thereof
of his studies and studious friends and acquaintance For in the first place he wrote sundry Letters to divers friends but larger to none than to Laelius Pascalinus touching the mistakes of Ursinus the pictures of the French Kings Seals Coins Titles chiefly confuring such as conceived that Charles the son of Pipin usurped the name of Great statues of Players touching his Aetio whom though Velserus conceived to be a Painter of whom Lucian makes mention in Herodotus he persisted in his opinion by reason of the Phrygian Tiara or royall Diadem conceiving that it was to be reserred rather to the father of Andromache touching Hercules pillars the Ostien Port and other things of inexhaustible curiosity In like manner he treated with Fontanaeus touching moneys and with Strada especially concerning ancient Coins with Claudius Frereus Master of the Requests and afterward chief President of the Parliament at Grenoble touching the French History with the San-marthani brethren so called about Genealogies with Pignorius touching purple with Nicolaus Faber and with others about a thousand things besides Moreover he made innumerable observations touching such kinds of fishes as are wont to be cast away when they are caught as unfit for food which he caused to be salted or otherwise preserved at Martigium de Martigues and all other places also concerning shell-fish plants and other things which he variously distributed up and down especially when about April he sojourned at Beaugensier with Varius where he discoursed most deliciously touching many things by him produced which the other had never seen before For they discoursed touching a blue Sea-fish shell found in the Olbien field or Countrey out of which a colour is extracted bearing the same name as also out of a certain Marble which resembles the Lapis Lazuli touching a starred stone resembling Corall and streaked like a star touching the Lepadites or Lepas being not unlike the shell of a single-sheld Sea-fish all which were dug out of the fields of Casteler Also of a streakedstone called Conchites which he had out of the Antipolitan country the territories of For touching jeat and yellow Amber dug at the Tower de Bevons By occasion whereof he fell to argue that Amber was a thing which naturally grows in the earth 1608. and is from thence dug out For they dig it also up in Sicily where by the violent force of running waters it is discovered and carried as far as to the Sea and beaten back by the waves of the Sea it is often found upon the shore And that therefore he said It is probable that the Amber which they fish out of the Baltick Sea was pluckt out of the earth by the violence of land-waters and brought into the Sea especially seeing it contains in like manner flies and other such like creatures enclosed therein And therefore that it was fabulous which hath been reported by some that there are very great trees in Norwey out of which this kind of Amber drops like a Gum and then congeals and becomes hard The truth is nothing in this whole yeer did more please him then that he observed and philosophized about the bloody rain which was commonly reported to have fallen about the beginning of July great drops thereof were plainly to be seen both in the City it self upon the wals of the Church-yard of the great Church which is neer the City wall and upon the City wals themselves also upon the wals of Villages Hamlets and Towns for some miles round about For in the first place he went himself to see those where with the stones were coloured and did what he could to come to speak with those Husband-men who beyond Lambesk were reported to have been so affrighted at the falling of the said tain that they left their work and ran as fast as their legs could carry them into the adjacent houses Whereupon he found that it was a fable which was reported touching those Husbandmen Nor was he pleased that the Naturalists should refer this kind of rain to vapours drawn up out of red earth alost into the Air which congeaâ—ing afterwards into liquour fall down in this form because such vapours as are drawn alost by heat ascend without colour as we may know by the alone example of red Roses out of which the vapours that arise by heat are congealed into transparent water He was lesse pleased with the common people and some Divines who judged that it was a work of the Devils and Witches who had killed innocent young children for this he counted a meer conjecture possibly also injuâ—â—ous to the goodnesse and providence of God In the mean while an accident happened out of which he conceived he had collected the true cause thereof For some moneths before he shut up in a box a certain Palmer-worm which he had found rare for its bignesse and form which when he had forgotten he heard a buzzing in the box and when he opened it found the Palmer-worm having cast its coat to be turned into a very beautifull Butterfly which presently flew away leaving in the bottom of the box a red drop as broad as an ordinary Sous or Shilling And because this happened about the beginning of the same moneth and about the same time an incredible multitude of Butterflies were observed flying in the Air He was therefore of opinion that such kind of But terflies ressting upon the wals had there shed as their excrement such like drops and of the same bignesse Wherefore he went the second time and found by experience that those drops were not to be found on the house tops nor upon the round fides of the stones which stuck out as it would have happened if blood had fallen from the sky but rather where the stones were somewhat hollowed and in holes where such small creatures might shroud and nestle themselves Moreover the wals which were so spotted were not in the middle of Towns but they were such as bordered upon the fields nor were they on the highest parts but only so moderately high as Butterflies are commonly wont to flie Thus therefore he interpreted that which Gregory of Tours relates touching a bloody rain seen at Paris in divers places in the dayes of Childebert and on a certain house in the Territory of Senlis Also that which is storied touching raining of blood about the end of June in the dayes of King Robert so that the blood which fell upon flesh garments or stones could not be washed out but that which fell on wood might For it was the same season of Butterflies and experience hath taught us that no water will wash these spots out of the stones whiles they are fresh and new When he had said these and such like things to Varius a great company of Auditours being present it was agreed that they should go together and search out the matter and as they went up and down here and there thorow the fields they found many drops upon stones and rocks
foot broad between the shoulders and five foot deep upon the chest That the scull was observed to be five foot long and ten foot in compasse Which prodigious spectacle being viewed an whole day together the rest of the bones turned to ashes there remaining onely those which were carried to Paris and seen by every body viz. a part of the lower jaw-bone two Vertebra's of the back-bone some pieces of a rib shoulder-blade and thigh-bone the other thigh-bone the shank an huckle-bone an heel besides some fragments which were not sent to Paris as namely of a thigh-bone and likewise two teeth Moreover it was reported that there were sound about fifty pieces of silver Coin with the picture of Marius upon them and on the other side the letters MA being the beginning of his name from whence they would needs have it concluded that Theutobachus the Teutonick King being vanquished by Marius was buried there a man of so tall a stature that Authors report him to have been higher than the trophies which were carried as tokens of victory and that he was wont to leap over sour or five yea six horses Moreover as Peireskius questioned the truth of the report so he considered with himself what might give occasion to such a fable especially after he had read over a book which Nicolaus Habigotus a Chirurgeon of Paris had written thereof He questioned not but that such bones were found in that place and he granted that they might be the bones of some more ancient Gyant but he could never be perswaded that they were his bones whose they were reported to be For in the first place neither Theutobochus nor his Subjects used the Latine tongue so that they should make a Latine Inscription upon any tomb which they would erect nor would the Romans in case according to the kindnesse they used towards their enemies they had built the tomb have made it of bricks for a plaistered work it was not which was not then in use for Sepulchres but of marble or at least of some other stone whereon they might engrave a memoriall both of their victory and of the kindnesse expressed to their enemies also they would have chosen an high or at least a stony place and not on so sandy and infirm as that was lest it should easily come to be overwhelmed or overturned Also he wondered that the stone with its Inscription was neither kept nor shewed which ought to have been sent to Paris with the bones and that the Sepulchre was not left untouched or at least some remarkable Reliques thereof as the Lord of the place who was curious to spread the report of the Gyants bones could not but desire It increased his suspition in that the dimensions of the scull were said to be taken it being found whole and yet that it should turn to dust so soon whiles other bones remained firm For the hatchers of this fabulous story seemed to fear lest by diligent inspection thereof and comparing the same with some dead mans scull the truth might have been more easily found out As for the Coins he said Those letters did not signifie Marius whose former name Caius would not have been omitted nor would the name Marius have been set down to halfs but entire after the Romane manner but that it signified rather MAssilia Marseiles which was then a Republike and to which as a Graecian City that fashion of Coin was proper and not to the Romanes And because not long ago nor â—ar from that place many such pieces had been found and he had received some from the renowned Frerius of whom we spake before for that cause he suspected whether or no the places as well as the times had not been feigned And whereas Theutobochus is recorded in story to have been taller then the Trophies that argues him to have been ten or twelve foot high according to our Vulgar feet for such was the height of the Trophies which were carried in Triumphs reckoning in the height of those that carried them and the length of their Armes lifted up and such the Stature of the Heroes was reported to have been viz. halse as high again as the ordinary Stature of Men but not 25. foot Nor is that which is written of his leaping over or bestriding four or six Horses so to be understood as if he had stretched his thighes so wide as to bestride them all at once but because it was his custome to passe from one Horse to another that is to change his Horses often because he soon wearied them with his Heavinesse Which may be gathered in that Florus who recorded that passage tells us that he was wont to mount upon four or six Horses whereas when he fled he had hardly an Horse to carry him intimating that he had not such a Multitude of Horses with him as his custome was to have for his own use Finally he discoursed many things both touching the place of the Victorie touching the Triumph a Part or Pageant whereof was Theutobochus and of some other things whereby the Credit of the foresaid Report was weakened He obtained also in his latter years some fragments of these kind of Bones but by looking upon them he was more confirmed in his opinion supposing at last that these great Bones which we often admire at when Sepulchers are digged up to be Elephants Bones as if the Lords of those Beasts had prized them or peradventure intended to abuse Posterity by their so carefull burying of them Also he was of opinion that Bones are sometimes shewed which have been dug out of Sands or other Places where they had been casually overwhelmed with Earth since it is hard to find a man deserving credit who has seen those Sepulchers so built with his own eyes only we credit such us sell them shew them or pâ—oâ—esse that they found or digged them up Which made him often wish that some man that could neither deceive nor be deceived would saile into Sicilie and make Inquisition about those Bones of Gyants which are said to be dug up not far from Palermo especially the Sculls For he hoped that such a man would use that ingenious Speech of Suetonius That at Capreae there are great Bones of vast Beasts which are said to be the Bones of Gyants But enough and too much of this Subject 1614. The year following proved a cruell year by reason of the death of divers of his renowned friends For he understood by Letters which Gualdus sent him being dated in April that Contarenus the Procurator was dead at Venice Lalius Pasealinus at Rome and Nichezola at Verona Also he heard afterwards that the most excellent Velserus died at Augsburg on the 24. day of June and soon after Casaubon died in England Yea and he also himself in a Letter which he wrote in the Moneth of May to Natalitius Benedictus makes mention of the Duke of Arschotan as dead In another Letter he makes mention of the death
Nobility of Provence 1615. having sent him to the generall Assembly or Parliament of whole France which was to be kept at Paris the King being above fourteen years of Age but being carefull of his Health he thought it best to abstain from Travailing especially at that season But to come unto his Sicknesse he returned about the evening of the Kalends of February from viewing I know not what ancient Monuments when he saw a black cloud arising from that part of the sky where the Sun is seen to arise in Winter which warning him to make haste yet could he hardly get soon enough to Town From the said cloud there exhaled an almost intolerable stink which made him conjecture that it was exhaled from Strongyle and those other Hils which are wont to vomit fire smoak The same cloud a little after and that night following powred down such a Quantity of Haile that it hindred people from passing till it was shovelled out of the way The third day there followed so much snow that I remember how travelling at that time from this City to Aix I was detained three vvhole daies at Vallansole the wayes were so filled with the plenty thereof 1616. But Peireskius was from that time taken with most unspeakable pains almost all his body over but especially in his back along the back-bone So that he could neither lie nor sit nor stand He could endure having on either side a servant supporting him with their shoulders under his arms to go a little And his continuall want of sleep was no small vexation for though he were very sleepy yet the pains still kept him waking Being carried to Aix he found little amendment all the rest of the year All his hair came off his head whereupon it happened that in stead of thick and stiff hair which he alwayes was wont to have for upon occasion of admiration or some starting he was wont to feel them stand on end yea and to lift up his cap there came thin and soft hair in the room which continued so ever after The Spring now approaching in the year 1616 he seemed to be on the mending hand when as the Haemorrhoides brake forth which bitterly vexed him Yet did not the disease so much torment him as that he was hindered from waiting upon Varius as he had intended For Varius being often sent for by the King to be Master of the Rols Keeper of the Broad-Seal was now to go to Court and all Provence was come to Aix with tears to bring him on his journey and take leave as it were of their parting Father but Peireskius his disease seemed to stop him alone of all the rest from performing this office He had been ten dayes vexed with this infirmity when Varius visited him bid him farewell and trusted him with the key and care of his books and rarities Whereupon he rose from his bed and causing an Horse-litter to go beside him for some part of the way he made triall at first if he could but a little endure the Horses back After he had tried this a while he felt his strength so to increase that whereas at first he durst scarce think of riding a few miles he became at last able to hold out the whole journey It is needlesse in this place to relate with what applause Varius was received by the King Queen-Mother Princes Nobles and all good men with what a generous protestation he took his oath as Keeper of the great Seal and with what constancie and integrity he did afterwards perform that Office It suits best with our matter in hand to tell you that Peireskius was a great solace and refreshment unto him in the middest of all his weighty cares and among other things did note in a peculiar manner and set down in writing every memorable accident which did befall him And therefore he chose his lodging very near that as they were wont at Aix he might every day enjoy his company at their frugall suppers and have familiar discourse with him late at night for he had in a manner no other vacant time And Peireskius made a law to himself that he would commend no cause to Varius unlesse it were of some learned man Which he also diligently observed in Provence being alwayes afraid though Varius were his most loving friend lest he should prove troublesome unto him But he alwayes excepted learned men both because he could not refrain himself when they were concerned and he knew the disposition of Varius who as he was very just so he could not endure that the servants of the Muses should be vexed and delayed with the perplexities of Law-suits Hence he proved a large Sanctuary alwayes open to all learned men for to him all had recourse that had businesse in Court especially such as had to do with Varius and no man ever went away whose patronage he did not cheerfully undertake The first that made experience of his care was Johannes Barclaius aforesaid who after he had published his book De Summo Pontifice and was not so much in favour with his King and Countrey-men as formerly as soon as ever he heard that Peireskius was at Paris he secretly withdrew himself out of England and crept into his friends bosome And he did not onely receive him with very much humanity but procured Varius also to embrace and receive him under his Patronage When he was to depart to Rome he sent Letters before hand to all his friends on the way and caused him to receive many friendly offices by that means but especially at Marsile from his kinsman Viassius famous among the Poets of this age who retained and cherished him divers dayes and providing him of a ship sent him away accommodated with all things necessary I omit to tell how Peireskius was no lesse carefull about the wife of Barclay his son and John Ludovicus Debonaerus his wives brother when four years after they were to go to him at Rome The first thing likewise which he did towards the advancement of Learning was the publishing of an Inscription which being dug up in Rome at Porta Capena did coutain an Elogie or commendation of Lucius Scipio the son of Barbatus for his expedition into Corsica For he no sooner had gotten a copy from Aleander and Pignorius but he fell to work with all his might to illustrate and expound the same For he was of opinion that there was hardly a more ancient to be seen or one of an older-fashioned character that the Grammaticall construction was quite different from the vulgar yet savouring of the ancient times finally that things might here out be learnt which must otherwise remain unknown as what that verse of Ovid means which is as yet not understood Te quoque Tempestas meritam Delubra fatemur Cum poene est Corsis obruta Classis aquis A Church we grant ô STORM thou oughtst to have Who sunkst our Fleet wellnigh in Corsick wave For thus
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
Tornaments Andreas Favinus mentions this care of his in his Book of the Theater of Honour and in his third Book of the Orders of Knight-hood Also he reassumed his care of the Constantinian Kalender aforesaid about which he therefore wrote to Schilderus a Canon of Cameracum from whom he had received it also to Franciscus Carandelet us Dean of the same Church who was exceeding curious in all good things He took care about divers things which were kept in the study of the Duke of Arschot and Rubeus aforesaid in which point he was satisfied by Johannes Gaspar Gevartius a famous and if ever any a true Schollar with whom he had already contracted no sleight friendship at Paris Moreover he communicated all his rarer Coins with Rambervillerius who dwelt at Vic and Rambervillerius did reciprocally communicate such as he had to him At the very beginning of the Spring 1621. the year following he lay sick more than a moneth so that he could neither accompany Varius who was again to go with the King nor perform those many great offices of freindship which he had intended to Hugo Grotius then newly come into France for he prized him so highly that he was wont to say that France had gained him in the stead of Scaliger I shall not mention how afterward when Grotius set himself to write the History of his own times Peireskius did furnish him with divers monuments publike and private which he had by him also with very many which he had procured out of Italy namely from Antonius Querengus a learned and famous man to whom many things had been sent out of France because he was writing the Acts of Alexander Farnese Duke of Parma About that time there passed thorow Paris the foresaid Vicelegatus à Balneo who was sent the Popes Nuncio into Flanders who being desirous to see all things in the City which were remarkable Peireskius was recovered in a seasonable time to lead him up and down to learned men to studies to all rare works and with great alacrity though but one to persorm such offices as were hardly to be expected from many together And this was in the moneth of July August followed the saddest moneth that ever he knew For therein died †Mr. du Vair Varius and it extreamly troubled him that during his eight dayes sicknesse he could not be with him to perfom all the last duties of a friend Now that great man died at Tonins in Agennois at the siege of Clerac on the third day of the moneth to the great grief of all France But how Peireskius was peculiarly afflicted with this accident it is needlesse for me to relate For his disposition by this time sufficiently known with the vehement love he bare towards him and his continual observances do speak enough though I be slent All that wrote verses of the death of Varius did not without cause dedicate their said veses to Peireskius among the rest Hugo Grotius was one who thus bespeaks him Though thou who wast the comfort of his cares By which he steer'd the State-affairs of France Do'st more than all lament with dolefull tears His fate as if it were thy proper chance Brave Peiresk who deserv'st a better lot All France is envious at this thy grief And since his Countrey and the World a shot Must pay she will not have thee mourn in chief Also Petrus Bertius who among other passages thus exprest himself But O Peiresk since God will have it so Why do we sadly mourn Let 's set a bound Unto our griefs for we must also go When Fates do call though now both well and sound To let passe others I shall onely say That whereas Peireskius was very carefull that Varius might have all the honour which was due to his Dignities and Virtues he did it as being one of the three which were the Overseers of his last Will having had a Legacie consisting chiefly of Gothick Coins and because he could not sufficiently restifie the affection he bare to his deceasd friend This hard chance was attended by another which he bare likewise very mournfully For Barclay died at Rome just then almost when Varius died in the Camp so that Peireskius heard of his buriall when he expected from him a consolatory Letter and an Epitaph Just about the same time it happened that Peireskius urged him to finish his Argenis wherefore among other things it grieved him that Barclay had not finisht that Work according to his own Mind It was some comfort to him that he had first gotten a most elegant pourtraicture of Barclay to which he would needs have an Eingie subscribed ont of the rich vein of Grotius which also he sent to Debonerus Nor were these accidents enough but there soon followed the death of another which he took most passionately It was the death of Henry of Lorreigne Duke of Mayenne who was slain at Mount-Alban the sixth day of September His love to Peireskius was vehement and full of candor which made him take upon himself of his own accord to protect the Abbey of Guistres in Guyenne and to preserve the Lands and Inhabitants during that war When tidings of his death were brought Peireskius was troubled with a pain in his kidneyes and the Strangury which lasted eight dayes about the beginning whereof he was not able to behold that Prodigie which caused great admiration being seen not onely in the Camp but at Paris also and all France over viz. a Remarkable Brightnesse which in the night following the Twelfth day was seen in the Northern part of the Skie all over so that for many hours together it represented the clearest Sun-rise This was wonderfull the Moon not shining but it was more wonderfull to see a vapour which was shed abroad in the same quarter distinguished as it were into whitish obscure pillars set in rows being exactly perpendicular to the Horizon and moving very slowly from the East unto the West Finally it was a miracle to see a little after as it were certain Pyramids or Spires arising from the white appearances reaching to the top of the Skie very white out of which there shot vapours very thin and exceeding white as swift as lightening This I mention because Peireskius was glad that we observed the same whereby he was assured that it was nothing but a sport of Nature which many interpreted to be some military preparation or the Idea of a Battell The truth is some affirmed that they saw Armies in Battell-aray and Horse and Foot marching and how at last they saw the fight and bullets flying out of the guns T is wonder they said not that they heard the sound of Trumpets and the cries of the Souldiers seeing the same credulous humane frailty was cause of those other figments T is truly credible that if not all yet very many such tales related in Histories have proceeded from the same Original and deserve no greater credit But to return
that Putean held a most brotherly correspondence with Peireskius for no kindness ever lay in his power which he did not do for him Here I must nor forget how about the same time he recommended Josephus Maria Suaresius of Avenion a very learned young man who was by that means received into the Family of the Cardinal Nor must I forget Lucas Holstenius the Darling of learned men an Hamburger who was also not long after admitted into the said family 1627 after that his Vertue had bin made known to Peireskius by the commendations of the Puteans and to the Cardinal by the commendations of Peireskius when he was at Paris Both of them verily did afterward testifie their thankfulness and by frequent learned Letters did merit that favour as for Peireskius he let slip no occasion where by he might do either of them any good In the Winter he was again vexed with Rheumatick defluxions and pains in his Kidneys yet did he not cease to write divers Letters but principally to the Puteans by whose help he was wont to brag that he saw nigh at hand all that was done in the World as by the help of the Prospective Glasse he saw things ordinarily out of sight in the Heavens Among other things he shewed the Reason why the Taxes anciently set upon men came in process of time to be so diminished For seeing quoth he our fore-fathers and Ancestors expressed the rates of the said taxes by Florens coine so called which vvere then of Gold and vvere of greater value then the Solati it is come to passe that because Florens vvere then valued at twelve silver shillings or Spur-royals a Tax of a Floren is now satisfied with twelve shillings whereas nevertheless these of ours have so far degenerated from the ancient ones that six of ours amount not to the value of one of those We may now say eight and shortly ten so that they who would lay Taxes which shall not lessen in process of time must learn not to express them by pounds Tours or any other kind of vulgar money but they must estimate them by Corn or some other yearly increase of the Earth and compel them to pay accordingly For seeing the fruitfulness or barrenness of the same grounds is much one and the same at all times the price of the fruits of the Earth must needs keep much at one and the same But the usual value of money does not in like manner continue but continually decreases as has bin formerly declared Moreover 1627. Valavesius did in the mean time return from Paris and the business of Rians after so many years invincible suits was finished by arbitration The year 1627. was beginning when taking breath after the cares of such like businesses he resolved the next Vacation to take a view of whole Provence to gather Inscriptions partly such as he had not and partly such as had bin ill or unfaithfully taken and that to gratifie the foresaid Donius who having an huge Volume of Inscriptions such as were not in Gruterus ready for the Presse he was desirous to interweave those of Provence which Peireskius should collect And he had not indeed leasure to perform what he intended yet nevertheless he left not to sollicite Donius to put out his work hoping that in the mean while there would be a fardle of Provincian to joyn to the same for he liked better that they should be put all together at the end of the Book as the Spanish ones were in Gruters Volume than that they should be confusedly interposed here and there as was usual in others Moreover he began upon this occasion to treat with Donius not only touching Inscriptions but he being really a man variously and plentifully learned touching his Onomasticon his Musical work his Convivales touching Hetrusian moneys certain Justinian Coines of the ancient kind of Weapons and many such like things He treated also about the same time with Nicolaüs Rigaltius his Majesties Library-keeper famous for his very rare learning touching the Exposition of those Riddles of Virgil concerning certain Lands in which there grew Flowers with the names of Kings written upon them and Lands where the Heavens appeared but three ells wide And when by way of answer he received touching the former certain rare observations touching Flowers strangely variegated in their colours and touching the latter that interpretation which is usually given concerning a Well he called to minde among other things how that a Well was dug at Rians out of which a very small quantity of Heaven must needs be seen when as in the day-time at the bottom thereof a man might see the Stars the eyes being plunged as it were by the depth into the darkness of night and the sight of the eye by dilatation as is wont to happen in a dark place receiving plentiful species or representations even of the smallest things There was then newly come to be Arch-Bishop of Aix Alphonsus Plesseus Richelius a Praelate of remarkable learning and rare piety taken from among the Carthusians and Peireskius perceiving that he exceedingly loved him he used all diligence in the continual testification of his Respects and Service thereby to approve himself worthy of his Love When he went to visit Marseilles he bore him company and by that means he there saluted Gabriel Albaspiuaeus Bishop of Orleance who was then retired thither was studying about a work which was afterwards printed of the mystery of the Eucharist In which he made frequent mention of Books communicated by Peireskius calling him The Love and delight of Learning and the Ornament of Provence Afterwards also he strongly assisted the Arch-Bishop in the setling of a publick Post who carrying Packets of Letters every week by Post-horses to Lyons and bringing the like from thence might hold also a weekly entercourse with the Parisians And he had indeed long desired such a thing and more then once endeavoured the same as a thing of publick advantage and grateful to his friends but none before him had sufficiently animated the Arch-Bishop nor could the Parliament of Provence be ever perswaded to allow the charges Great was the joy occasioned hereby as of all learned men who desired to receive frequent letters from Peireskius so especially of the Puteans who by this means could both frequently and easily send him what ever newly ptinted Books or other novelties and he also could send them with like facility what ever he obtained out of Italy Africa and the whole East For from this time forward he kept a more frequent correspondence then ordinary with the Consuls and Merchants resident in all the Eastern parts that by their means he might procure Greek Hebrew and Arabick Books with others written in the oriental Languages Whereupon he soon obtained some as namely from Cyprus an excellent Book Peri Aretes cai Cacias about Virtue and Vice of Constantinus Porphyrogeneta containing collections out of Polybius Diodorus Nicolaus Damascenus and other
condition and very well furnished but he did not at all in a manner regard his own Chamber Instead of Tapestry there hung the Pictures of his chief friends and of famous men besides an innumerable Company of bundles of Commentaries Transcripts Notes collected from Books Epistles and such like papers His Bed was exceeding plain and his Table continually loaded and covered with Papers Books Letters and other things as also all the Sears round about and the greatest part of the floore In like manner as touching his Diet his care was to have a well-furnished and gentile Table for his friends and Family confining himself to a very slender and very wholesome Diet. He supt alone in his own Chamber save that for the most part he was content to have me his guest that he might not weary out his Family with staying till his Supper-time And because sometimes dining with his friends he fed more liberally then ordinary accoÌ„modating himself to Custom and the Companie therefore to ease stomack he would forbear his Suppers on such dayes He used the ordinary sort of Wine though he better liked of White-wine and desired to have it pretty tart supposing that being so it better quencht his thirst He tempered it with much water save in Musk-million season whereof eating at the beginning of his meales he followed the direction of his Physician of which I told you Now he was so great a lover of Musk-Millions that though he could abstain from any other kind of meat as he list yet towards them he professed he was not able to master himself For custom had made them exceeding pleasant unto him and the memory of his health recovered by them and his frequent experience that in Musk million-season he was †Those that are subject to these Infirmities and otherwise strong and healthy let them use Cowcumbers wel boyled if they cannot get or affect not Musk-millions and they shall finde I dare say the same effect never troubled with pains in his Kidneys nor bred or voided any Gravel For which cause he was wont to temper his Wine with the water of a natural Bathe or Physical Spring ever since the time that going into a Cottage near the Bathe and observing both Men and Women very aged he asked the reason and they made answer that they continually used the Physical or Bath-water not only to drink but to make their grewel and all kinds of broth to make Past Puddings Bread c. Moreover being exceeding sober in drinking and not curious in his Diet he was so continent that he was never overtaken with the Witcheries of Venus in his whole life-time And the cause may soon be rendred in regard that he was never given to idleness yet unless sobriety withdrew the Tindar from venereal Luxury it wil stir of it self and take fire upon the least relaxation of minde Now whereas I hinted occasionally that he was wont to eat his suppers late this is to be understood only of his later years For formerly he was wont to sup more early and so as to comport with his Guests and then to give himself a little after to writing and reading and so to continue studying late in the night yea and many times till day-dawn so that he took very little sleep and that only in the mornings But in process of time finding that this course did him hurt he began to leave studying between Supper and Bed-time whereupon he soon after found himself dull and indisposed to his morning studies and one business or other continually holding him employed all day long he found that he had no time left for study Whereupon he begun a new course viz. at four five or at the farthest six of the Clock at night when the generality of People begin to think of Supper he would shut himself up into his Chamber and suffer no man to visit him or to speak with him unless upon some very urgent occasion and so he would continue till nine of the Clock which he had alotted for his Supper-time conversing only with himself and the Muses Yea and on those dayes on which the Posts did set forth towards Paris or Rome he was wont to defer his Supper till ten or eleven a Clock and very often till after mid-night that he might write more and larger letters For which cause he oftentimes either detained the Posts in his own House or if they were gone he would by money and fair words procure them to stay for his Letters He went to bed almost as soon as he had supt and alwayes set his Larum so as to wake him quickly again Not that he was weary of his necessary rest but because when he slept above four houres such plenty of Urine flowed into his Bladder that the orifice thereof being shut with too much stretching he could not make water And therefore he was forced to break his sleeps which he did more frequently when the North-west wind blew or any the least cold aire affected him for then he was most of all troubled with the stoppage of his Urine Another occasion of his frequent awaking was his inclination to sweat which was so great that the heat of the Bed-cloathes or of the weather being joyned to his natural weakness he was forced to change his shifts once twice or sometimes three times in a night In the morning when he rose his custom was to keep his head very warm with his Hat or some other covering till his sweat and heat conceived during his sleep were abated otherwise the cold Aire entering into the open pores and stopping the same was wont to cause Rheumatick Defluxions and Tooth-ach For the same cause when he did write or read he sat far from the Windowes otherwise the cold would so pierce into his head and face or that Cheek which was next the Window as by little and little to cause Defluxions and bring the Tooth-ach For this cause also he did in the day-time as much as his occasions would permit keep himself out of the wind and Sun which he would sometimes excuse by saying that the Bodies of other men were like Plates of Iron not at all affected by the Aires injuries but that his own weak Body was like a sheet of paper which the least drop of water can penetrate Therefore he never walkt abroad which was the only bodily exercise which he used but when the Air was calm the Sun clouded or at least shining very weakly and inclining to set Also he had a Servant with him that waited upon him with an hand-Canopy to keep off the Sun-beams if need were the wind And because that might be troublesom to himself or his Company therefore he was wont to chuse his walks in Vales and shady places where he might go free and feed his eyes and eares For delighting more in discourâ—e then any other thing in the World he was wont to procure the Company of such men as were learned and of gentle meek
fool nor for a famous person than one that is obscure and of no note As for those accidents last related this was not the first time that a report was spread touching the death of Peireskius as has bin noted in its proper place and it might now more easily be occasioned because men had often heard of his sickliness And not many dayes before his Dream the Roof of the Palace a great part thereof fell down and therefore it is no wonder that the fall thereof having made a deep Impression upon his fancie might as is usual occasion such a Dream other circumstances being mixed therewith by reason of the Conjunction of other intervenient Species or Representations of things seen or done But be it how it will Malignant Fevers were at that time very frequent all the City over and therefore because he would not let slip any duty that might concern him he went not only to the chief President and his Wife who were sick as I told you and now upon recovery but he frequently visited others also whose life he was tender of Amongst the which there was Franciscus a Sancto Marco a Senator of good fame whose ingenuous and constant love he highly respected and Gregorius Francus his house-Physitian whom he loved for the skill he had in his Art and the gentleness of his manners and Natalis Galliardus a youth of rare towardness whom as he hoped he would in process of time carry a great stroak in matters judicatory so he loved him for his great affection which he knew he had to learning And seeing there were many others also and the Disease was popular and the heat increased nor did he ever the more abstain from comming to the Senate or taking care of his friends and houshold occasions or from assisting learned men or writing of Letters or searching and observing divers things it was no hard matter to foretel what would follow Moreover having visited a friend of his that came from Marscilles who lay sick at an Inne he caused him to be brought home to his own house that he might be more handsomly and carefully accoÌ„modated and visited him often and felt his pulse when he was troubled with raving and other symptoms gave him good words suitable to his condition and continually provided for him both diet and all other things necessary So that he indeed recovered but as he began to grow well Peireskius fell sick It was the tenth day of June when he awaking towards morning and perceiving that by reason of the frequency of his sweats he had not changed his shift all night as he ought to have done twice or thrice and felt withall a shivering cold with a light sweat he opened his eyes and seeing the casement not well closed he foretold his own sickness Then he began to seel his Head ake yet he arose went to the Court and visited and saluted some friends and certain sick people according to his Custom When he was come home and felt his pain as bad as before he refused his dinner hoping that as he had often found if he shou'd fast all day from eating and drinking he should prevent the sickness which threatned him All the Afternoon he did either sit in his Chair or lie upon the Bed till about Sun-set he got on his Cloak and entertained the excellent Campinius who was come to visit him and after much discourse brought him to the door to take his leave of him When he was gone there came to see him Raimondus Maranus the Son of William Professor of Law in the same University of Tolouse with an ingenuous youth the Sonne of his Brother the Counsellour with whom he was forced to abide a while in the Porch with his hat off and being withall careful to entertain them in his House he was much troubled because that part of the House which was most convenient for them was taken up Afterward with much adoe he went up staires and being in his Chamber and his Head-ach and Fever increasing he supt only a little broath He was wont to observe that when he abstained wholly from meat and drink he was never thirsty finding therefore after his broath that he was a dry he took it for an ill signe The day following being Corpus Christi day he sent to desire Hannibal Fabrotus a famous Lawyer of whom we have formerly made frequent mention that he would come and keep his Cuests Company He kept his Bed all the day and besides the Fever was pained in his Kidneys and Haemorrhoids The same day he was let blood and the Fever continuing he was enjoyned to forbear his drinking of the mineral water About the evening of the thirteenth day his Head-ache and Fever increased The day following he was somewhat better and the Post who had brought Letters from his Brother Valavesius from Paris being to return he would needs write an answer with his own hand but after he had made three Essayes and had thrice changed his pen supposing that to be in fault after he had wrote three lines his hand grew so stiffe that he never wrote more after that time Having in the mean time with much ado consented that Johannes Salvator who was then his Physician should prescribe him a Potion he took it the next morning and finding himself pretry well after it he busied himself about many things On the sixteenth day he did endite a Letter to his Brother in which he extenuated his sicknesse and yet towards night there came forth upon his back great red spots After which the Feaver encreased and he slept not at all that night Whereupon the day following towards evening he was let blood in his right foot to prevent raving which was frequent and vehement in those Diseases And the day after indeed in which he began to fetch his breath short he raved not yet on the ninereenth day he did which I took notice of and observed therein certain markes of his Learning On the twentieth day in which his strangury was not so great as formerly he was a little better save that in the afternoon his raving was somewhat more apparent though it was alwaies in a learned strain and observed only by my self For he would commonly speak to no body but me and he spake little and low bringing forth his words slowly and with difficulty The day following his raving was yet more vehement because the Fever was grown stronger and caused very many spots to come forth which seeming somewhat abated Cupping-glasses were applyed And because both Salvator and Prisius Insulanus another Physitian did judge that he was dangerously sick I began to take care that he might not depart before he had received the Sacrament Which being propounded to him he consented and desired withal to hear Masse celebrated in his Chamber on the two and twentieth day Wherefore the foresaid Minutius a Friar MinÃm having got a Licence from the Arch-Bishop both said Masse and gave him the
Parents would not suffer me to lead that studious life to which from my Child-hood I was addicted but drew me by force to the Court and Pleading places I resolved at last freely to forsake Paris a most large and powerful City and by a voluntary banishment to betake me to this City of yours seeing from thence I understood by Books that all Religion Lawes Learning all knowledge of things and elegancy of living did anciently flow into our parts and our learned men informed me that they did all now flourish more and more under the countenance of a most gentle and wise Pope By the Advice of which learned men chiefly visiting Peireskius by the way as one best acquainted with the Affaires of Rome he both liberally entertained me in his House received me into the condition of an intimate friend and at my departure from Provence towards Rome gave me such a serious Commendation by Letters to the learned and principal men of the City and such excellent precepts touching the Customs thereof that presently upon my entrance thereinto I was not only soon acquainted with the publick fashions to which I easily did accommodate my self but I also insinuated my self into the acquaintance of all of you most learned Academicks and which is the greatest matter of all I gained such a place in the Familiarity of the chiefest Persons both in the civil and literate Common-wealth as is wont to be allowed only to famous and learned men I might justly therefore be accused of Impiety not to say ingratitude towards you and all others if having long since made it my business to write the Encomiums of all learned men deceased especially Italians I should now refuse the duty imposed this day upon me how ever hard and difficult of praising the learnedst man in the world and one so nearly related to me as a Countreyman Friend and Benefactor I shall therefore set my self upon this renowned and exemplary work most full of novelty and admiration and look how much eloquence there is wanting in me to accomplish the same so much I shall endeavour to borrow and supply both from my own singular affection to that most rare man and the greatness of the grief by me conceived for his death which sometimes makes men eloquent and copious as also from your Benevolence right reverend Fathers and you most renowned men and that benignity wherewith you affcord your audience with so much attention When I compare the Life of Nicolaus Claudius Fabricius Lord of Peiresk which transcends the Capacity and Custome of this Age wherein we live with the Lives of the most excellent and happy persons of Antiquity the Life of Titus Pomponius Atticus above all others seems so like neerly to resemble the same that I think fit before I passe unto other things which may satisfie the expectation which I have already raised touching the Learning of Peiresk us his affection to all good Literature to propound the same as a most perfect picture thereof in which you may behold an expresse image of the Disposition and Virtues of Peireskius For being both of them of Noble Parents lovers of Learning they passed their boys-age in liberal studies and their youth in learned Peregrinations living in great Honour with Princes and learned men in forreign parts Both of them in their own Countrey were linked in friendship with persons of the greatest and most excellent ranke and quality and were a safeguard to good and leared men both from the injuries of others their own mutual detractions and the pressures of Poverty In their houses into which both of them liberally invited men of all ranks there was more ingenious Elegancy then superfluity of Diet as in their cloathing they affected cleanly neatnesse rather than luxurious extravagance Using neverthelesse the best in all things especially in their houshold servants where there was not a Page which could not perform the office of a Bible-Clerk and Library-keeper In the Common-wealth which in both their times was very various and subject to change they so carried themselves as alwaies to side with the most honest party As for the Honours of which they were therein capable they sought them not but being content with the dignity wherein they were born they lived well and happily unto old age in their old way of the studies of Philosophy and antiquity being of most sweet and excellent manners These few things out of many which might have bin said I have instanced in for example sake to make it appear that Peireskius shared in all the Praises which ancient Authours give to Atticus for his Vertues in general and especially his Temperance Honesty and Prudence I come now therefore to those Vertues to which my mind has long hastned which were so peculiar to Peireskius and so much his own that no man in all antiquiry can pretend to outgo or once compare with him in the glory thereof viz. a continual and almost incredible labour and rare industrie to attain the knowledge of all great and excellent things all Arts and Sciences an ardent study eager care to preserve advance the same finally a perpetual constant desire to adorn and ser forth learned men and a princely magnificent liberality in effecting all the premises In the handling of all which I shall be so careful both of verity and brevity that setting aside all rare ornaments of speech I shall in a plain Historical narration briefly set forth the studies of Peireskius his diligence in reading and writing with his liberality to learning and learned men The Fabrician family after that from the order of Knighthood in which for the space of three hundred years and upwards it had flourished in the glory of Chivalry it became adopted into the Parliament of Aix did so excel in wit and Learning that an Inheritance not only of highest dignity but of most excellent Learning also did from the fourth generation together with a large Library and other literary utensils descend unto Nicolaus Claudius Fabricius Lord of Peiresk Who resolving with himself not only to keep but also much to augment those possessions chiefly of Study and Learning descended from his Ancestors he made it all his care and spared no cost to adorn and augment those literary Instruments which are altogether needful for the attaining of good Arts and Sciences Wheresore after he had taken care to get from all places the most excellent Books and to adorn them with gold purple and all manner of neat and curious workmanship by such excellent Workmen as lived in his house and had diligently perused them all his greatest care in the next place was to travel all Europe over not only to acquaint himself with the manners and Cities of the Nations then living but that coming to the very things themselves and comparing what he had heard and read he might diligently view the ancient Monuments of Antiquity and from thence carry home as much as he could
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-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