with his brother at Brinonia where the Court of Subsidies and Accounts were then kept because the pestisence was at Aix he desired that he might be instructed in the San-Maximitan Colledge which had the repute to flourish in the studies of learning Nor is it a thing to be past over in silence how he perswaded his father 1588. to commit his brother being younger to his care that he might oversee his young studies 1589. nor must it be forgotten how he was from this time forward in stead both of a father and a master to his brother and how his brother did reverence him both as a paret and master A yeer being passed over and the plague beginning at Sanmaximinus they were called to Belgenser and a yeer after from thence to Aix where their uncle then abode Afterwards when the civil wars grew hot upon the death of Henry the third 1590. they were sent to Avenion where they studied five whole yeers in the Jesuites Colledge And Peireskius was wont to relate that he was much indebted to Antonius Colombatius and Andreas Valladerius whom he heard they being the chief Professors of Humanity For he said they were wont to abate him somewhat in other studies that he might surely addict himself to the reading of Histories not neglecting in the mean while the studie of poetrie and of the Greek tongue For those Learned men rejoyced that there was not so much need to guide his Course as to shew him the way a far off for which they deserve Commendations in that they would not burthen his Noble brest with that servitude which makes many altogether hate the studies of Humanity and polite literature or too much to accustome themselves to mean matters Also he was wont to tell how mightily he was encouraged when they also publikely commended him because he had the whole History of Justin and the Metamorphosis of Ovid at his fingers ends and could never make an end of consulting with Books whereby he might come to know all the particular circumstances of every matter For which cause he was a verse unto all plaies and shews that he might give himself wholly to the reading and transcribing of all particularities Wherein I conceive he over did for the mind must be unbent by fits nor must a man study presently after meat which because the Overseer of his studies were not sufficiently carefull of hence it came that he was pained oftentimes in his stomack and in his head He had well high finished the 15. year of his Age 1595. when he returned to Aix where he studied Philosophie an whole year His Uncle was desirous that he should Learn in the mean while to handle Armes ride the Horse and exercise his limbs with dancing But because these exercises robbed him of other more pleasing houres he performed them indded to please his Uncle but no longer then his Masters were by that taught him for he would never practise by himself so much better did he account it to be alwaies reading writing or hearing some point of Learning About this time there was brought to his Uncle a peice of Golden Coine of Arcadius which was found at Belgenser He presently desired to have it and when he had read the Letters about it and had set down the Emperors name whose Coine it was he brought it presently to his Uncle again who to gratifie him gave him not only two other peices of ancient Coine but also Books by which he might be further instructed in the knowledge of such Antiquities And from this time forwards his most curious mind began to burn like fire in a wood for he began eagerly to seek out and collect all the ancient Coines which he could come by being eagerly bent to read and Interpret their Inscriptions upon which occasion also he began to seek out all kind of Inscriptions whether belonging to Sepulchers or others and studiously to observe them Then he was sent with his Brother to Turney 1596. that he might there go through a Course of Philosophie as they were wont to call it his Brother being as yet taken up with Humanitie And being in a special maner inflamed with the study of the Mathematicks he eagerly drunke in that Cosmographie which was there taught assuring himselfe that History without it and Chronologie was altogether in the dark and unintelligible And therefore after the use of the Sphere he Learnt the use of the Astrolabe writeing divers Letters to a workman and expostulating the matter with him because he had long since promised to make him an Astrolabe but had been negligent in the performance of his promise In that mean season he abated nothing in his studies of Antiquity upon which account he was dearly affected by Petrus Royerus one of the professors nor in his studies of Humanitie in generall in which he was as it were his Brothers Master and Instructer But to do all this he was fain to sit up late in the night at his study Hence it was that partly by reason of the naturall weaknesse of his Constitution partly by his continuall labours and late watchings he encreased the weaknesse of his stomach formerly contracted which made him use a powder which in his Letters to his Father he called his Digessive powder And because I have mentioned his Letters it is seasonable to observe that from this time forward he was accurate in his style writing his Letters over and over againe in severall papers which it has been my hap to view by which it is appatent that he used no phrases which were luxuriaot or undigested For he evermore expressed what he intended with common words yet not without that Elegancy and civilitie with which in testifying his good will observance and gratitude in excusing commending congratulating and such like passages he was admirable For to instance writing to his mother in Law upon occasion of certain Tokens received from her he thus expressed himself Foelices videmur ô mater quód beneficiis tuis cumulamur sed infoelices tamen quando sic illis obrisimur ut agnoscendo impares simus That is I account my self happy dear mother in the frequent expressions of your love yet am I therein unhappie that their multitude is such that I cannot sufficiently acknowledge or requite them And while he wrote thus he returned the best Tokens he was able for even in those younger years he could not endure to be overcome with kindnesse as far as his ability would give him leave Sutable hereunto writing to a freind equall to himself in years and even then hating ingratitude I would lay violent hands upon my self saies he if I might be justly accused of the least neglect of my duty to my freinds From the same gratefull inclination it was that he commended the care of his Instructers that they might by that meanes receive from his Father and Uncle far larger Gratuities then had been promised To come again to his studies
dispositions such as the forementioned Galterius Antonius Arbaudus Bargemonius Provost of the Cathedral Church of Aix and other such like finding himself in the mean while very naturally delighted with the pleasant Verdure of Plants beauty of flowers gentle murmur and purling noyse of brooks and water-streams together with the various songs of little Birds And therefore it is no wonâ—er that he adorned his Garden at Beaugensier with such variety of Plants and that besides a rare Channel of water he procured the same to be cast up by a curious kind of Fountain and that in the winter he caused Corn to be scattered for the Birds which haunted certain Orenge and Lemmon-Trees made into Arbors forbidding any one to catch or molest them Moreover he preferred the singing of Birds before the voyces of men or any musical Instruments not but that he was therewith also delighted but because after the Musick which men made there remained in his mind a continual agitation drawing his attention and disturbing his sleep the rising falling and holding of the Notes with the change of sounds and concords running to and fro in his fancy whereas no such thing could remain after the Birds Musick which because it is not so apt by us to be imitated it cannot therefore so much affect and stir our internal saculty He would also for the same cause continually breed up Nightingales and such like small Birds which he kept also in his own Chamber and of which he was so careful that he knew by divers signes and tokens what they wanted or desired and presently would see them satisfied they therefore as out of gratitude would sing unto their benefactor Hymnes of prayse and whereas in his absence they were for the most part silent as soon as ever by his voyce or staffe they perceived he was comming they would presently fall to singing And because we are speaking of his affection to dumb-Creatures it can do no hurt to tell you that in his Boyes and Youths-Age he was a great lover of Dogs Of some of them we have spoken formerly now he chiefly loved such as he knew to be gifted with some peculiar Instinct Amongst which there was one of which he was wont often to relate this memorable passage how that having received from I know not whom a sore blow he would not only smell out that man as soon as ever he came into the house but he would perceive him comming when he was fifty paces off and by his suddain barking would intimate who was at hand And by reason of mice which did gnaw his Books and Papers in his Chamber he became a Lover of Cats which he had formerly hated and whereas at first he kept a few for necessity sake he had afterwards a great Company for his delight For he procured out of the East Ash-coloured Dun and speckled Cats beautiful to behold of the Brood whereof he sent to Paris and other places to his friends And as nothing could passe his notice he observed that Cats go with young exactly nine weeks that they conceive till they are more then fourteen years old that they sometimes want a Midwife to assist their bringing forth that they give suck though they have not conceived and the like things But to return to the care he used about himself it was very plain and ordinary even in the times of his sickness and experience had made him in a manner his own Physician For in the first place as touching Fevers he was wont to cure them by fasting for he reasoned that either the matter of the Fever its fewel being withdrawn would soon be consumed or all Impediments being removed it would quickly come to settle and fix Moreover when the Rheum and Cough troubled him he used nothing but a Crust of dry bread of which he alwayes carried about him certain pieces inclosed in a silver Box with some odoriferous juncket or Confect thereby For he conceived that by the chewing thereof his spittle withall gently dropping down his Wind-pipe was as it were crusted over so that the superfluous humor would not so exulcerate the same nor provoke him to cough To asswage the pain of the Haemoâ—rhoids he used nothing but the yolk of an Egg to which sometimes a little Butter or Lard was added Also he found that drinking of the mineral waters did them much good and that heat applied beneath or the least sleep did mitigate their pain We have told you how he used the said waters against his stoppage of Urine which to provoke he was wont to bite a linnen Cloth or an end thereof and chew it as it were between his teeth which he did just as he was straining to make water and by which meanes he many times voided his Urine And when that would not do as in great distensions of his Bladder he would thrust himself into a narrow place between the hinder part of the Bed and the Wall there to be squeezed for after much endeavouring he found some help thereby Nor did he after every Retention of Urine void Gravel or stones yet they came away frequently after he had bin pained in his Kidneys and Ureters Now he was wont to make water alwayes in a large Glasse like a Cupping-Glasse that he might soon see in the bottom thereof whether he had bin delivered of any thing for he was wont to call his pains and voiding of stones his Breeding or childing Finally that he was not troubled with the Gout as his Parents were he attributed to the careful ordering himself in point of Diet which thing as often as his Father was careful of he fared much the better for it Nor must I passe over in this place that his weak constitution did not hinder him from behaving himself exceeding patiently in those Diseases and vehement pains For the frequency and continuance thereof seemed to have induced a certain brawny hardness but yet his custorn of suffering was perfected and assisted by Reason which told him that what cannot be avoided must be suffered patiently and gently Truly his common saying was That he was not so much troubled at the evils whereunto he was subjected as he rejoyced that they were not more grievious as they might have bin His mind was much the same in respect of any adverse accident which sell out For when he lost any thing especially if it were precious he could not but be troubled but he was wont to remper his grief by considering the thing not so much as being lost as that it had bin possessed and enjoyed with pleasure So he comforted himself with what was left him for he conceived that there was more reason to rejoyce in behalf of that which good Fortune had left behind than to grieve for that which hard hap had taken away Wherefore he was wont frequently to say that who ever seeks after the uncertain good things of this World should think and resolve that he gathers as well for Thieves as
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
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
he took not his Degree till the 18. of January the year following It would peradventure be tedious if I should but briefly run over the heads of the things which with large testimony of his Learning he discoursed in those severall Acts which he performed for his Degree Let it suffice to say that he carried himself with so much alacrity and vigour that he did not only ravish all the by-standers with admiration but he seemed also to Pacius even very much to exceed himself Two daies after when he was to confer the Doctorall Ornaments upon his Brother it cannot be expressed with what sweet content he filled the Minds of his Hearers For from a certain statue of Metrodorus with his hat Arcadian Cap and Labells with his Philosophers Cloake and ring on his lest hand also from certain Statues of Hippocrates with the like Cloake and an Hood upon it from a certain Inscription of Eubulus Marathonius and a Statue with Labels not about his Neck but his Head from the like Statues of Plato Theophrastus Phavorinus and others out of certain Gothick Pieces upon which there were Mitres not much unlike Caps in a word out of innumerable other Monuments he shewed how the use of these Ornaments came from the Greeks to the Latines and so down to us and how from the Philosophers and ancient Priests it was by degrees introduced among the Professors of severall Sciences in our modern Universities All which he confirmed by frequent Citations of Councells Fathers Poets Historians and Orators THE LIFE OF PEIRESKIUS The Second Book THe solemnitie was hardly finished when the Patent aforesaid was to be presented to the Senate lest a years time should be lost It was therefore given in and commanded to be recorded yet Peireskius procured that he should not therefore presently be admitted and entred into the Catalogue of Senators both because he would not seeme to thrust his most loving Uncle out of that number and because he feared lest if he were once obliged by office he should too soon be deprived both of the Liberty to study and that opportunity of Travelling Moreover writing unto his friends and pretending his emploiments concerning his Commencement as an excuse of his long silence he signified withall that he was compelled against his Mind to take upon him the Dignity of a Senator to which he received divers answers the most congratulating with him as supposiing that he was already received into the Senate Among these was Scaliger who both commended this new Dignity and congratulating his Doctorship added that he had formerly been at Aix and was a witnesse how severely the University did examine such as were to be graduated Velserus also was one who did not onely congratulate with him touching his Degree and new Senatorian dignity but added withall an Admonition and fatherly exhortation telling him among other things that he must not be faint-hearted the office of a Senatour though it were thorny yet was it so only at the first time would make every thing easiy nothing would be required of him above his strength God would assist him he was bound to assist his Country and some other things to the same purpose Pacius also in like manner exhorted him as soon as he was returned to Mon-pollier in an Epistle dedicatory wherein he dedicated to him his Analysis of the Emperiall Institutions howbeit because he knew that he was not yet received into the number of the Senators he only dedicated his Book to him as one designed to be the Kings Councellour in the Senate of Aix Nor shall it seeme tedions in this place to transscribe the very words of the dedication and Exhortation Thus therefore Pacius addressed himself But unto you my Fabricius I send my Writings For seeing you who retaine the Virtues of the ancient worthies when with your sweet natured Brother you departed from my House to return into your Countrie did conser upon me excellent Tokens or Presents leaving behind you a Testimony of your own good will and the good will of your Uncle and Father two most bountifull and worthy Gentlemen to me and mine it concernes me likewise that I may observe that ancient and most laudable Custome to return some Testimony of my thankfullnesse And what could I present more acceptable to you then the fruit of those studies and that kind of Learning in which your most noble family does exceedingly flourish You want no mony neither have I any to spare but these kind of studies you love exercise your self in and you are wont readily to confesse that you have profited by my Lectures and Exercises Also you are pleased to make me a sharer of that great Commendation which worthily you gaind in the taking of your Degree of Doctor as if by my Admonitions and Instructions you had been assisted to advance your self to that high pitch of Learning where to many aspire in vain Touching which new Honour of yours and your good Brother I rejoyce with you from my very Heart and exhort you again that you would now assume the minds of Senators and now turn all your thoughts to the Common-wealth which requires your Helpe making the publick good the perpetuall object of all your Counsells Nothing can more become you nothing can be more pleasing to your Parents for you acknowledge your Uucle to be another Father nor more acceptable nor can any other thing render you more illustrious So far Pacius But Peireskius though he continued in the mind to joyn himself when time should serve to the Senatours and not intermit wholly his study of the Law which he had taken upon him yet having obtained a delay he applied his mind to more tree studies to court the sweeter and more delightfull Muses to advance good Arts and to help as much as in him lay all the Promoters of learning And in the first place being by divers sollicited to marry he preferred a single life being perswaded within himself that he could not take care for a wife and children and be free to follow his studies and patronize learned men And therefore when his father without his knowledge had almost made an agreement touching his marriage with the onely daughter of the renowned John Ceppedaeus first President of the Accounts he earnestly begged of him that he might not forsake his resolution For he had in such a manner dedicated himself and betrothed himself as it were to Pallas and the Muses that he should count it sacriledge to think of any other marriage As for the example of Pinellus though it was deeply rooted in his mind yet would he not propound the same to his father yet he propounded the example of Varius because it was present and illustrious adding that he had more than others a domestick example before his eyes which he supposed he could not imitate without commendation He therefore imitating his uncle gave his brother leave to marry who therefore the summer following took to wife the foresaid
Marchisa daughter of Olivarius de Thulia by whom the third yeer after he had a son whom his uncle Claudius being then living as God-father called by his own name Moreover not long after he was made Doctor it was his pleasure to take a view of all the sea-coast both to search out all the monuments of Antiquity and to get the rarest plants which that Countrey afforded which were to be sent to the garden of Belgenser The reason why he began with the Antiquities of Freius which to have seen once as he went into Italy did not content him was because he was to conduct some Gentlemen of his kinred who had been to solemnize his Commencement as far as Draguignan But his chiefest desire was to see a work worthy the Romane name and renown viz. A rock cut quite thorow or a large hollow channell dug in the steep side of an hill by which an arm of the river Siagne was to be brought five Provence-miles thorow the turnings and windings of the valleys and the woods Now it would be tedious to reckon up all that he observed and collected in his whole progresse It shall suffice to say that thence he took occasion to write and send many things to his friends But among the rest he made great account of a certain Consulary piece of coin which he said was not to be had not being so much as mentioned either by Goltzius Ursinus or any other writer which he sent to Pignorinus that he might shew it to Fridericus Contarenus Also he made great account of certain Inscriptions of Flaminius and Dudistius touching the filling up whereof for some letters were eaten away he consulted chiefly with Velserus Also he highly esteemed other choise rarities which he sent to Scaliger and certain I know not what shells of sea-fishes by occasion whereof he wrote unto Pena the Physician touching the shell of a Brand-goose or Sea-duck which was fashioned like the shell of a Limpin But to speak in particular of Plants he took along with him an Herbalist skilfull in the knowledge of all plants at all times and therefore he did not onely send plants into his own garden but he sent also roots of most of them to Clusius among the rest of Tragacantha whence Gum Tragant or as the common people say Cum Dragon is received of Aristolochia or Birthwort of Asphodelus or Daffodill and of the two sorts of Arbute-trees so called Withall he signified the desire he had to enjoy the company of Clusius a while at Belgenser where he would shew him a Styrax or Storax tree being a low shrubby tree with leaves like those of a Quince tree and flowers or blossoms not unlike the blossoms of an Orenge tree and in the sweet smelling liquour that comes from it not inferiour to the Storax of Syria which grows within a mile of the Town and not to be found in any other place Also he would shew him a Lentisk tree which sweats mastich no lesse than the Lentisk trees of Chios which are accounted the best Also he would shew him some other things which he should hardly see elsewhere When he returned he began to think of erecting a Covent of Heremites of Camaldoli in that goodly Desart by the Chappell under a rock which being dedicated to Saint Mary de Angelis is almost in the mid way between Massilia and Aix The reason whereof was because when he lived at Padua he exceedingly liked the Orders of those kind of Heremites and a learned man of that Order called Elias was then at Aix about a Novice that was to be received or was newly received Peireskius therefore delighted with his company kept him there many moneths together nourished him in the Desart and often would visit him and stay divers dayes with him In the mean while he procured that by a decree of the Citizens of Massilia and Aix such a Covent should be desired Also he procured leave to erect the same from the Lord of Mimet in whose Lordship the place was and bought the ground round about the place He used all diligence possible by the mediation of the Bishop of Padua and the Cardinall Pâ—llâ—vicinus to move the Superiours of that Congregation not onely to leave Elias there but to send some other religious persons the better to stock the new Covent He intreated that they would at least send some to view the place and sent money to bear their charges And great hopes he had but at the last all his labour proved in vain In like manner his second endevours for Pacius succeeded not according to his desire For whereas in the beginning of the Spring he had so wrought the matter that those of Aix had resolved that Pacius should be chief Professour of Law and that his stipend should be two thosuand four hundred pounds Tours a yeer he went himself to Monpellier with a Councellour of Aix to remove any difficulty that might stand in the way Neverthelesse he returned without effecting what he went for Pacius pretending that he expected three thousand pounds besides what he might occasionally gain but his wife was in deed and in truth the cause who hating to dwell in a Catholike City chose rather to go to Heidelberg Presently after he sell sick of which sicknesse he hardly recovered in the beginning of the Summer The wonderfull tendernesse of his skin proved very troublesome for on whatsoever part of his body his cloaths did sit never so little hard a red swelling would presently arise with vehement itching This gave him occasion to consider the cause of those spots and marks which many bring from their mothers wombs For it came into his mind that it might in like manner fall out that look on what part of their bodies women with child did lay their hands when they have a longing desire after somewhat on the same part of the child in the womb the stain of the thing longed for is printed This he told more than once and particularly not many yeers before his death when we were philosophizing about the image of a dog seen in the urine of a man bitten by a mad dog But the difficulty was why the mark should not be made rather in the mothers body than the childs yet he was convinced that the child in the womb was one body with the mother and nourished and quickened with the same kind of nourishment and the same spirits in all its parts even as it was at first formed of seed that came from all the parts of the body And therefore its tender body was affected with the same accidents as its mothers and any mark might be so much the easilier imprinted thereupon while with the spirits carrying the imagined shape it is by that touch of the mother as it were imprinted by how much it is tenderer than the body of its mother And this I remember hath been confirmed by a memorable example which I have heard reported viz. How a woman with child
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
he saluted there the Earl of Fontane and having by way of discourse expressed what a mighty Army his Majesty of France had in readinesse the Earl answered he was not at all afraid thereof because the death of one man would shortly overthrow the same But I must not harp too long upon this string Not long after Peireskius received Letters from Pignorius written the third day of the same moneth wherin he was made acquainted that Galilaeus by his newly invented Telescope had discovered certain great and wonderfull sights concerning the Stars and principally four new Planets which are carried about Jupiter which he had called the Medicean Planets For in the beginning of the former yeer which was 1609 Jacobus Metius of Alcmair in Holland while he was compounding and fetting together sundry sorts of glasses to try their effects he happened accidentally upon that same comparison and composition of a convex and a concave glasse by which especially the Tube being interposed he that lookt thorow the same might see small things grow great and things distant brought neer whereupon the invention of the Telescopium or Perspective-Glasse is attributed to him though Johannes Baptista Porta had already published some such thing in print but Galilaeus only by the rumour of such a thing which he had heard began to invent not onely the cause of the effects of the Telescope or Perspective-Glasse but also the way to make one whereupon after divers essayes and trials he hit at last upon the way to make a most exact one And that was it by which in the two first moneths of the tenth yeer aforesaid he accomplished those observations which he published in March under the Title of Sidereus Nuncius or the Heavenly Intelligencer Peireskius therefore being acquainted therewith himself with great ardency of affection that he might obtain his Book and a Telescope or Prospective glasse as soon as possibly he could But though he got a Book yet was it long ere he could obtain an exquisite Telescope though he got some both from Italie Holland and Paris as soon as they began to be made there And this was the reason that before November he could not discover nor observe the Planet's aforesaid moving about Jupiter at least he could not perceive their full number But as soon as he discovered them t is wonderfull with what joy he did contemplate so rare a sight For presently he shewed the same to Varius and other friends and that he might lose no time he made him an Observatorie and invited the foresaid Galterius and kept him divers daies and spent almost two whole years together in his observations with him His Brother was yet at Paris wherefore he never ceased to urge and sollicite him till he had caused divers glasses for prospectives to be made which he sent him to the number of Fortie For he hoped at last to obtain some of the best sort and such as Galileus made use of Meanwhile notwithstanding having contemplated certain revolutions he began to consult with Galterius about framing of Hypotheses and Tables of their Motions Wherefore Galterius having undertaken the businesse prevailed in a short time so far that be determined as exquisitely as he might the times in which the said Mecicean Stars did first finish their Circum volutions viz the outtermost in 16. daies and 16. houres the next in seven daies three hours and an half the third in three daies thirteen hours and an half likewise the innermost in one day 18 hours and an half I reckon not the minutes because though computation was made even to the Seconds as Astronomers speake yet daily experience taught that there was still somewhat to be added and diminished so that there still remaines something for the Obervation and diligence of following times to amend I only touch upon these things to intimate how vehemently Peireskius endeavoured that this new Invention might be speedily perfected For he made choice likewise of Johannes Lombardus a diligent Man to assist in the observations and of Petrus Robertus a Candidate in Physick and Johannes Baptista Morinus a Candidate in Philosophie two young Men to assist Galterius in the arithmeticall comptuations which would have been too tedious for him alone to calculate Also he got the observations which Johannes Keplerus the Emperors renowned Mathematician and others also besides Galileus had made that by comparing of them the Hypotheses might be perfected Also he caused a †an Artificiall Machine or Sphere mechanicall Theorie or Instrument to be made like the Vulgar one of Peurbachius that the Roots of the Motions being praesupposed the Places of the Medicean Stars might be calculated for years moneths daies and hours Also he gave them names that they might be the better distinguished one from another For seeing Galileus had called them all in generall the Medicean Stars he would not by any meanes change that Appellation but yet he chose out certain Princes of the Medicean familie whose names he would confer upon the severall Stars And because he was bound saving the Honour of the Familie to give the names of two renowned Queens which that house had yeilded France unto two Stars therefore he gave the name of Catharine to the outmost Planet to the other which shines more gloriously then the rest the name of Mary to that which follows the name of Cosmus Major and to the innermost Cosmus minor He purposed afterwards to publish in print both his Oblervations and Tables but understanding that Galileus was earnestly endeavouring the same thing therefore lest he should seem to go about to snatch away the Honour which was due to him he desisted from his purpose Finally it came into his mind to assist the Geographers in delivering the Method of finding out the longitude For seeing the motions of these Planets are exceeding swift and their Configurations every night different therefore he conceived that if observation were made in seveverall places East and West at what moments they happened the distances of places according to the varietie of times might most punctually be known and that consequently Geographical Maps and Carts might be so amended and perfected that for time to come the Art of Navigation might attain the highest pitch of perfection Wherefore he sent Letters to this effect to Jodocus Hondius at Amsterdam wherein also he desired that he would send him the name and Country of him that invented the first prospective Glasse for as yet he knew not that it was he whom we mentioned before He wrote also largely to his Brother in Paris desiring him to send severall sorts of Prospectives which he had ordained to make observations in sundry places but especially in the Easterne Countries and in the new world West-Jndies whither some of his friends were shorly to go And afterward he obtained indeed some observations principally from the forenamed Johannes Lombardus who went Eastward as far as Aleppo but they did not sufficiently satisfie him nor could
made and with two touching both Eclipses made at Hasnia by the renowned Christianus Severinus Longomontanus who was the Affistant of Ticho Brahe About this time there came forth a book in the Italian Tongue intitled Squinitius wherein the Venetian Liberty was examined from the very foundations of the Republike Which book because it seemed to contain rare skill in the History of the Empire and the Gothish Kings therefore it was presently beleeved as many at this day think that Peireskius was Author thereof But the truth is I can bear him witnesse that he never intended such a thing but contrarily he alwayes so reverenced the Majesty of the Republike and his friends which he had therein that he was rather enclined to do any service thereunto than to act any thing in cisgrace thereof Nor do I enquire whether the Author of this book was Antonius Albizius that noble Florentine who had two yeers before set out the Pedegrees of Christian Princes as some were of opinion or which is more likely the renowned Marcus Velserus of whom we have frequently spoken by reason of his excellent learning and singular propensity to the House of Austria I shall onely say that some have unjustly suspected that Gualdus and Pignorius did either assist in the writing thereof or communicated their notes for him to digest for they were more ingenuous and greater lovers of their Countrey than to be stained with such impiety But to be sure Peireskius never dreamt of such a thing Moreover being about to depart from Paris and taking leave of his friends he undertook among other things to send to Mericus Vicus at the beginning of Winter a pair of Phoenicopteri or Red-wings birds so called For he had a great desire to bring up some of those birds not onely for their Scarlet-coloured wings which makes our Countrey-men call them the Flaming Birds nor the longnesse of their thighs and neck which made Juvenal term this bird Phoenico-pterus ingens but chiefly becanse of the manner of their diet with which Peireskius related some of them had been kept by Varius For he related how they did eat their meat rather in the night than in the day which meat was commonly made of bread moistened with water how they could discern the approach of cold weather and would come to the fire so as sometimes to burn their feet and when one foot pained them they would go upon their other foot and use their bill in stead of the burnt foot how they slept standing upright upon one foot with the other drawn up to their brest amongst their feathers that a little sleep served their turn and such like At his departure he was most exceedingly grieved for the death of his most loving friend Nicolas Faber who not onely many dayes before had commended to the King that rare man Thomas Billonus when he did present his most laborious and admirably happy Anagrams In his journey he was vexed with great difficulty of urine After he was returned nothing so much grieved him 1613. as an injury which one of the Senatours had done unto Varius both before the Nativity and at the beginning of the new yeer wherefore he never was from him all that while save eight dayes during which he was troubled with a grievous disease about the end of April His brother in the mean while returned to Paris and he sent divers tokens to his friends by him Also he sent many things into Italy to Pascalinus Benedictus and others with whom he discoursed about divers Subjects and of whom he likewise desired some things for his friends Among whom was Casaubon as also Henricus Polanus the Mint-Master who desired him to procure for him out of Italy divers books hard to be found as also ancient weights or at least the comparison which had been made between them and those of Paris Another while writing to Paris he made it his chief businesse to commend Hannibal Fabrotus a famous Lawyer rarely adorned with the knowledge of polite Literature both to Thuanus and to other of his friends who had already heard of his learning As for what concerns other learned men Sirmondus setting out not long after Notes upon Sidonius Apollinaris did relate a Constitution which Cusanus took to have been made by Constantine the Great and Scaliger judged that it was made by Constantine the Tyrant but Peireskius shewed out of a * Civil Law book so called Code of Arles that it was rather made by the Emperours Honorius and Theodosius being written to Agricola President of the Gallick Provinces touching the holding of an Assembly of the seven Provinces once every yeer at Arles Moreover Jacobus Fontanus dedicating to him his Commentaries upon the Aphorisms of Hippocrates hath these words in his Epistle Dedicatory The pains that I have taken in composing this book I desire may passe into the world shielded with your patronage who gloriously shining with the abundance of all Virtues and Sciences will chase away the evil speeches of all censorious Detractours and cause that this work which is usefull for Physicians may be delightfull also seeing your repute is so great not onely with them but with all others that are addicted to the studies of learning that they cannot challenge to themselves any virtue without the knowledge of your testification and acceptance thereof There was also at the same time a book set out and dedicated to him by the foresaid Taxillus containing his judgement of that new star which was seen nine yeers agone But Peireskius could neither approve of his designe nor of his judgement because he contrary to better Authours which even Peireskius had furnisht him with did argue that the foresaid star was below the Moon and no higher than the upmost region of the air For he could not endure that men should seek out subtilties to establish the old opinions of the Schools contrary to evident demonstrations and observations as if that time could teach nothing and that experiments were not to be preserred before dark and cloudy reasonings For which cause at the same time he very much commended the candid ingenuity of Pacius whose judgement being demanded concerning those spots in the Sun which were now discovered by the Prospective-Glasse he desired time to consider of it professing that he was confounded and judging that from new Observations new Hypotheses ought to be framed About the same time there was a great rumor spread abroad touching the bones of certain Gyants which being found in Dauphine the King commanded that they should be sent to him for the report went that there was found in a certain feigned place not far from the stream which runs between Rhodanus and Isara a sepulchâ—e made of Bricks thirty foot long twelve foot broad and eight foot high with a stone upon it wherein was this Inscription THEUTOBOCHUS REX Also that when the sepulchre was opened there appeared the Skeleton of a man twenty five foot and an half long ten
went the Inscription HONC OINO PLOIRUME COSENTIONT R. DUONORO OPTUMO FUISE VIRO LUCIOM SCIPIONE FILIOS BARBATI CONSOL CENSOR AIDILIS HIC FUET A. HEC CEPIT CORSICA ALERIAQUE URBE DEDET TEMPE TATIBUS AIDE MERETO And therefore because the explication of Sirmondus did most of all please him who proved that this Inscription was made in the 494th year after the building of Rome and consequently but a year later than the Dailâ—iâ—â— Inscription or that of the Columna Rostrata hitherto accounted to be the most ancient both for the Orthography Phrase and matter contained therefore thus he conceived it ought to be read HUNC UNUM PLUR IMI CONSENTIUNT ROMAE BONORUM OPTIMUM FUISSE VIRUM LUCIUM SCIPIONEM FILIUS BARBATI CONSUL CENSOR AEDILIS HIC FUIT HIC CEPIT CORSICAM ALERIAMQUE URBEM DEDIT TEMPESTATIBUS AEDEM MERITO Which may be thus Englished Very many good men at Rome do judge that this Lucius Scipio was a singlar and most excellent man He was the son of Barbatus Consul Censor Aedilis he took Corsica he built a chappell to †Honouring them as Deities because they spared him at Sea Tempests not without cause Peireskius approved this interpretation and therefore caused it to be printed concealing the name of Sirmondus because he of his modestie would not take the commendation to himself But the truth is Peireskius did not conceal his name when sending copies thereof up and down he wrote Letters to his friends Hence it was that Selden mentioned him in that same learned work of his De DIS Syris where he sayes this Inscription was communicated to him by Sir Robert Cotton who had it out of France from Nicolaus Fabricius Petriscius a man most renowned for nobility and learning Also the lately mentioned Aleander who when it was reprinted at Rome made an addition answered the objections that had been made against it And whereas among other things it seemed strange that no mention was made of that Triumph which Scipio made Aleander answered Verily that same quick-sighted Gentleman who is no lesse a lover of learned men than of learning it self Nicolaus Fabricius Lord of Peiresk does with good reason suspect that there wants another Inscription of Scipio which was counterpane to this of ours For the Sepulchers of the ancients were of great Bulke and it is no absurdity to think that as this Inscription was on the one side so that there was another Marble on the other side on which the Triumph Age Day of death c. were ingraven With these and such like matters did Peireskius busie himself when in the Moneth of November the Seal was taken from Varius and that most renowned Gentleman restored to the Liberty of a private Life But Peireskius who regarded not so much the glory of his Place as the eminency of his Virtues would never forsake him thinking it an unworthy baseness if he that had stood by him in his Prosperity should withdraw himself in his adverse fortune Howbeit he was wont to testifie concerning Varius that he accounted it no unhappy and ominous but a most happy accident as by which alone he was in a capacity of attaining the Tranquillity which he so much desired Wherefore he restored the Seal with great Alacrity and returning from the Court he would needs sup more liberally than ordinary with Malherbius and Peireskius as one that now had no businesse to disturbe him and retiring himself he led a most quiet and most sweet life conversing with his Books his friends and learned men About this time the Businesse about Riantium was removed from Paris to Tolouse 1617. and his Brother Valavesius about the Beginning of the following year went into that City And although his presence was likewise desired at Tolouse which as was thought would have much advanced the Businesse yet could he never be induced for any Danger never so great of the miscarriage of that Suit to leave Varius Yet you must not Imagine that for all this he left his care of the cause of Learning For he sent an almost innumerable Company of Books to Learned men in all parts partly of his own accord partly being requested by them as into Italy to Pignorius and Aleander and to Scipio Cobellutius then newly honoured with a red Hat and the title of Cardinall of Saint Susanna and to whom not long after the Custodie of the Vatican Library was given as a favour And into England to Cambden and Selden and others who had seriously intreated him that he would not envie the Learned Nation of Men his Learned notes upon the ancient Coines and his Observations upon that part of France which is called Gallia Narbonensis Into Holland he sent as to others so chiefly to Thomas Erpenius the renowned professor of Arabic and he sent with his Books and Letters certain Arabick Coines that he might lend his Assistance in their Interpretation which he had not yet sufficiently understood I forbear to mention how he received likewise back again many things which he desired as from Aleander a modell of the Farnesian Congius or old Galon-measure with Letters signifying that he had examined the Water of Tiber Fountain water and other waters and after manifold comparisons of the one with the other he could find no difference at all in their weight From Nicolas Alemannus a year before the Vatican-Library Keeper he received a Catalogue of the Poets of Provence From Andreas Bruggiotus a Supplement to his Index of the Grek Manuscripts which were kept in the foresaid Library From Pignorius a Breviarie of the Life of that famous Ludovicus Cornarus with the time of his Death who by his sobrietie had procured himself so long a life and such a lustie old Age for he wrote that he was buried at Padua the day after the Nones of May in the year 1566. From Facobus Colius a Book with his excuse for naming him only Nobilissimus Gallus without any further Illustration From Sanderus Elogies from Johannes Meursius divers of his works from Willerius Genealogies from Whinghemius Botanick Rarities and from others other things Also about this time he began to procure Notes upon the Calendar of Constantine which 17 years after Aegidius Bucherus did totally insert into his Commentaries of the Canon of Paschalis Victorianus viz. from the 236. page to the 288. And the truth is I question not how those papers were gotten and by whom imparted to that same rarely good and Learned Man only I desire the Reader to take notice that they were not transcribed save from that same very rare Book which belonged to Peireskius and is at this very day preserved in his Library Now he wrote largely thereabout both to Aleander and to most other Learned men who exceedingly desired the publication thereof for they esteemed it as a mighty treasure to correct the Annals and to rectifie all Chronologie both sacreed and profane For examples sake we may observe therein the Consulship of Probus and
Paternus was not omitted in those Calendars which being omitted by Onnphrius made him to err a year nor yet the Antecedent which being also omitted by Baronius made him misse two years concerning the Christian Epoche as has been noted by Scaliger and Sethus Calvisius But not to mention any more of this kind you may by the way hereby understand what the Learned Jacobus Godofredus his meaning was when eleven year after setting forth a namelesse Geographer and not daring to name Peireskius because he had not got his leave to publish the Kalendar he concludes a passage thereabouts in these words Though a thing may be contained within the narrow compasse of two or three pages yet may it notwithstanding be of very great montent of which kind we expect shortly some ancient Memorialls and Consular Annals While these things were acting he was inexpressibly grieved for the death of his most dearly beloved friend Jacobus Augustus Thuanus He could hardly ever mention him without a sigh without breaking forth into his Commendations for he was alwaies wont to say that he was one whom his ancient Nobility his singular Pierie to God his Country and his Prince his extreme Love to all Learned and good Men his unexhaustible goodnesse and his most ingenuous manners had made truly Augustus or Venerable He was comforted in the first place by his Noble Progenie in which were already manifest the feeds of their Fathers and Ancestors Virtues and especially in Franciscus Augustus the eldest who being hardly a grown youth did already discover in himself the mind of a Senator and resolved to view as much of the world with his eyes as his Father had described with his Pen. In the next place because the Care of the Kings Library was committed to those Noble and Learned Brethren Petrus and Jacobus Puteanus the Sons of Claudius who was a Senator of Paris being near of kin to him who as they alwaies shewed favour unto and gratified all Learned men so they were evermore most nearly conjoyned with Peireskius in the band of friendship For he hoped as the event proved that they animating the same the Genius of Thuanus would survive and that Noble Seat of the Muses would be known by the frequent Assembly of most choise wits which their candour and ancient faithfulnesse would draw thither His death happened about the beginning of May. And Varius being in the beginning of June restored to his place with huge Applause Peireskius continued by him and would not depart no not in the Assemblie of the Notables who being summoned out of whole France sate in Councell at Rouën about the end of November He vvas there the Sollicitor of the Common cause of his ovvn Senate of Aix especially concerning a pension by vvhich the places of Magistrates are made Hereditary together vvith a good man his Collegue and friend Honeratus Agutius who vvas come to the said Assembly And he did not only note dovvn vvhatever vvas consulted decreed and transacted in the said Assemblie but also because choyse men from all parts of France vvere there met together therfore he vvould not let a man return into his ovvn Province before he had endeavoured to oblige him by one courtesie or another and by frequent discourses had learned the greatest part or all rather of the rarities which his Country did afford One thing which very much troubled him was the death of †Mr. de Villeroy Nicolaus Neovilla Villaregius that same renowned Chief Secretary to his Majesty by whom he was singularly beloved and who lett a great misse of himself in the Mind of Varius and all good Men. He had in great account a man of rare honesty and Prudence Elias Deodatus whom also Peiresk from that time forward could not but much admire for besides his other endowments he had one thing common with him viz. that he would leave no man in Eurpe renowned for Learning unobliged Afterwards when he was upon his return the January following he would needs passe through Lisieux by his Industry to mollifie some Lawes of the Chapter against the Bishop which he did for Varius his sake upon whom that Bishop-rick was newly conferred Being returned to Paris there was nothing which he desired more then to vindicate the Roiall Line from the Plots of one Theodoricus Piespordius Secretary to the Arch-Dukes or Princes of the Low-Countries who in imitation of Johannes Valdesius a Spanish Councellor endeavoured to draw the Austrian familie in a succession male from Pharamond the King of France and consequently intitle the King of Spain to the Kingdome of France by right of Succession For he had set out the year before the Genealogie of the Austrian Family drawn from the first Stock of the Kings through the most Noble Erles of Habsburg and a Copy thereof was sent before Christmas by Winghemius to Peireskius 1618. another being formerly sent and presented to the King by the Arch-Dukes Agent which Peireskius could not but resent as a most heinous fact And to confute the Imposture he easily made it appear that no Authentick Charter nor no Author was cited above an hundred and twenty year Old viz. before the time that Trithemius and others flattering the Emperor Maximilian were not ashamed though disagreeing among themselves to patch together that long Pedigree of Ancestors Moreover whereas Sigebert of Austria one of the Sons of the King Clotarius the seventh from Pharamond was made choice of to draw the Austrian family from the intire succession thereof could not be made appear as far as to the Habsburg Princes whom Piespordius had very absurdly and untowardly so termed before the year of Christ 720 whereas it is apparent that Habsburge was built no longer ago then the year 1027. Also Peireskius demanded why those Princes who are feigned to spring from Sigebert and who lived in the daies of Pipin and Capet never complained of the Injurie which was done to them they being survivors of the stock of Pharamond and by Lawfull Succession called to the Crown of France But because notwithstanding the Erles of Habsburg according to the Line male had descended from the Stock of our Kings yet Peireskius knew that by the Acts of the Monastery of Muren in Switherland lately printed it was proved that the Princes of Austria do belong to the Habs-burgian Family only by the Mothers side and that by the Fathers side they pertain only to the Tiersteinic family whereof Peispordius and others ought not in the least to have been ashamed wherefore with great earnestnesse of mind and by writing Letter after Letter he took care that Vicus a friend of his whom we formerly mentioned who was then the Kings Agent in those parts might cunningly obtain a Copy of those Acts in an authentick form that it might be kept amongst the Kings Records so fearfull was he lest the Originall might miscarry and especially that ancient Genealogie which was praefixed before the Acts of those Princes who had founded Munster
Snail without a shell All which Masse of varieties being carried to Beaugensier he caused to be dryed in an Oven and so preserved And he observed that the Snail dissolved into a purple liquor and dyed all that toucht it with a most perfect purple colour which made him a little doubt whether that were not the true Purple and this liquor the right Ostrum which anciently they dyed their Garments with and which they termed Murex Tyrius The remainder of this and the year following which was 1625. he could not at all leave his Father save so long as necessity required him to wait upon the Legate For that year the Pope to mannage the common affairs of Christendom had sent Cardinal Barberinus into France who about the beginning of Spring landed upon the Coasts of Provence He was to have landed at Marseil but a Tempest compelled him to put into the Haven of Tolon whence passing to Avenion he was to go through Aix Peireskius therefore went and met him about three or four miles from the City and took all care possible that he might enter the City with those Honours which had bin decreed him as suitable to his Dignity but the Legat for some Reason best known to himself chose rather to passe beside the City and to turn to Lambest whence the next day he went to Avenion but Peireskius went not with him but the fourth day after he came and brought his old Friend Aleander with him 1625. whom he had in the mean time kept at his own House and feasted him gallantly For Aleander being taken into the Family of the Cardinal was in his Retinue together with the Noble Knight Cassianus a Puteo who verily how rare a man he was all good and learned Men at Rome do testifie being to him obliged also with the divers-times formerly mentioned Debonaerus whom both for his own worth and for the memory of Barclay he could not sufficiently embrace also with Johannes Baptista Donius a man of profound learning whom the Cardinal would needs have for his Secretary for the Latine Tongue and with the very good Ludovicus Aubrius Menilius of Paris of whom he had received divers courtesies both at Paris and at Rome And there were divers other learned men in his Retinue but I mention only the special friends of Peireskius Moreover Peireskius would willingly have followed the Cardinal for he was resolved not to leave him neither at Paris nor while he was in France but the tender affection he bore to his Father being grievously afflicted with sickness could not permit his absence But his Brother being at Paris he wrote unto him to perform the duty to his Father which himself could not He wrote also to divers friends and namely to Rubens who was then drawing Pictures to adorn the Gallery at Luxemberg belonging to the Queen Mothers new Palace because he knew that he through the happiness and sweetness of his wit and the plenty of exquisite things which he had would be delightful unto him Also a principal reason why himself could not be from his Father was because the two Physicians which his Father always had great hope in were both dead for Jacobus Fontanus dyed when he himself was at Paris but Antonius Merindolus died a little after Christmas foregoing Where I must tell you by the way the grief which Peireskius conceived for the death of this man was as great in a manner as great could be For both his rare learning and very gentle manners long acquaintance and most civil offices had long since knit them in an extraordinary band of friendship I do not tell you what Peireskius did contribute towards this friendship for 't is fitter you should know that out of the last will of Merindol expressed in the Dedication of his Works For there he declared That he would have his Works passe into the world under the Patronage of the most Christian King Neverthelesse saies he I would have my Treatise of Feavors go by it self to the end it may carry in its front a name most dear to me of all others viz. the name of Monsieur Nicolas Fabricius of Peiresc Counsellour to his Majesty in the Parliament of Aix and Abhot of Guistres a Gentleman most flourishing in Riches and Learning accompanied with Vertue For I have alwaies found him a man of ancient integrity of candid manners and a continual Patron of my studies and therefore I desire by the Dedication of this Book as by a Bond and Seal to testifie to all the world for how many and how great benefits I acknowledge my self obliged unto him To return to his Fathers Disease for an year and half he had been tormented with pains in his Bladder and Kidneys and a most pertinacious Gout And a moneth or two after the Disease came to that height as that little stones were taken out of the joynts of his Feet and that in so great a number that in 8 months space they did equal his Feet in bulk and because they could seldom or never be drawn out but that ends of Nerves and Tendons were drawn away with them therefore within the foresaid time they were five times gangraenated Moreover Peireskius was alwaies present not only consulting about and together with the Physicians and Chirurgions prescribing both Medicines and Diet but also preparing and setting his own hand to every thing and what ever his Father took giving it himself For that was his Fathers desire and it was so sweet unto him that he found not any thing which did more mitigate his pains Being therefore thus continually busied so that except some urgent occasions in Parliament required he was never from his Fathers side it was no wonder that himself besides his frequent Strangury had his Haemorrhoids so provoked that a very troublesome tumour bred in that Part. Therewith he was now grievously troubled about the beginning of October when he heard that the Cardinal Legat was upon his return Delaying therefore to Physick himself he first prescribed how his Father was to be ordered and then went to the Legat to Avenion But his Father transcending a little his prescribed bounds fell presently into a Catarrhe whereupon the Physicians despairing thought good to send for Peireskius home again As soon as word was brought him he returned but found his Father so weak 1624. that he could be kept alive but two daies longer The good man therefore died to the great grief of his excellent son but the coming of the Legat would not long suffer him to testifie his sorrow for he was to entertain him in his House For the Coarse was but just carried to the Church when tydings came that the Legat was at hand Wherefore having brought back the Funeral Pomp to his House he presently went forth and met the Legat scarce half a mile of He having performed the due Ceremonies at Church according to custome entâ—ed the house of Perieskius and it was a wonder to see the
to undertake the work Which when he could not have granted he desired him at least to lend the same to Kircherus who was both present and at Rome and being skilled in the Tongue already might set upon the work But he conceived great hopes of obtaining out of the East both Coptic and other rare Books when he received a Copy of the Epistle of St. Clement to the Corinthians which was newly published in print being lately brought from Aegypt and Constantinople to England and when about the very same time that very good man Aegidius Lochiensis a Capucine returned out of Aegypt where he studied the Oriental Languages seven whole years together For he being received with great exultation by Peireskins from whom he had had no small assistance in that Countrey he told him of rare Books which were extant in divers Covents and Monasteries And memorable it is how he saw a Library of eight thousand Volumes many of which bore the marks of the Antonian Age. And because among other things he said he saw Mazhapha Einock or the Prophecie of Enoch foretelling such things as should happen at the end of the World a Book never seen in Europe but was there written in the Character and Language of the Aethiopians or Abyssines who had preserved the same therefore Peireskius was so inflamed with a desire to purchase the same at any rate that sparing for no cost he at length obtained it Moreover the good man aforesaid having accidentally made mention of a great fire which happened in Semus a Mountain of Aethiopia at the same time that the fire happened at Pesuvius in Italy thereupon he discoursed largely touching Channels under ground by which not onely waters but fires also might passe from place to place and consequently Vesuvius might communicate the fire to Aetna Aetna to Syria Syria to Arabia foelix Arabia foelix to the Countrey bordering upon the red Sea in which stands the Mountain Semus aforesaid whether a long row of arched Rocks do make the Channel or whether the fire it self breaking in at the chinks do make it self way and create channels pitching the same so with a bituminous suffumigation that it keeps out the Seawater which goes over it And that fires under ground do make themselves way may be known by the Mountain Puteolus in the time of Pope Paul the third and others at other times made by the eruption of fire And that the foresaid Incrustation or pitching is sometimes broken away so that water may enter in we have a signe in that when Vesuvius was on fire the shore of Naples was somewhat parched the Monntain in the mean while vomiting forth such waters as it had drunk in by the chinks but burning through the admixture of combustible matter In like manner he afterward interpreted that same fiery Torrent which flowed from off Mount Aetna one whole year together running down extream hot two or three miles long and five hundred paces or half a mile broad the Liquor being a mixture of Sulphur Salt Lead Iron and Earth The year ending he was greatly delighted to detain at his House for certain dayes the famous Poet Santamantius who returned from Rome with the Duke of Crequy And though he were wonderfully delighted with his sporting wit and the recitation of his most beautiful Poems yet he took the greatest pleasure to hear him tell of the rare things which had bin observed partly by himself and partly by his Brother in their Journies to India and other Countries He told among other things how his Brother saw in the greater Java certain Live-wights of a middle nature between Men and Apes Which because many could not believe Peireskius told what he had heard chiefly from Africa For Natalis the Physician before mentioned had acquainted him that there are in Guiney Apes with long gray combed Beards almost venerable who stalk an Aldermans pace and take themselves to be very wise those that are the greatest of all and which they tearme Barris have most judgement they will learn any thing at once shewing being cloathed they presently go upon their hind legs play cunningly upon the Flute Cittern and such other Instruments for it is counted nothing for them to sweep the house turn the spit beat in the Morter and do other works like Houshold Servants finally their femals have their Courses and the males exceedingly desire the company of Women But Arcosius who of late years dedicated divers Books to him as Memoriale Principum Commentarii politici Relatiode Africa related in certain Letters what had happened to one of Ferrara when he was in a Country of Marmarica called Angela For he hapned one day upon a Negro who hunted with Dogs certain wild men as it seemed One of which being taken and killed he blamed the Negro for being so cruel to his own kind To which he answered you are deceived for this is no man but a Beast very like a man For he lives only upon Grasse and has guts and entrals like a Sheep which that you may believe you shall see wich your eyes whereupon he opened his belly The day following he went to hunting again and caught a male and a female The female had Dugs a foot long in all other things very like a Woman saving that she had her entrals full of grasse and herbs and like those of a Sheep Both their Bodies were hairy all over but the hair was short and soft enough These relations of Africa invite me to annex the Commerce which Peireskius setled the following year upon this occasion One Vermellius of Monpellier at first a Jeweller had given himself to be a Souldier and having spent what he had he returned to his former Art and having got together divers Jewels he set sail in a Ship of Marseilles for Aegypt and the next opportunity to the innermost part of Aethiopia When he had brought his Jewels and all his precious Commodities thither he was taken notice of by the Queen of the Abyssines who was delighted with Europaean Ornaments and growing famous at Court he was not unknown to the King It happened in the mean while that the King waged warre against an enemy of his Crown who raised an Army of fifty thousand men Whereupon Vermellius having gained some familiarity with the King defired his leave to train for a small time 8. thousand Souldiers promising that with so small a Company he would overthrow that great Army of his enemies The King supposing him to be couragious and industrious consented and he both chose and so exercised those men which were allowed him after the method of Holland which was unknown in those parts that in conclusion he most happily defeated those great forces Returning victorious he was made General of all the forces of the Kingdom and wrote to his friends at Marseilles to send him certain Books especially of the Art military also certain Images and painted Tables and such like things Which when Peireskius heard of
1634. and was sure that his friends would do no such thing for him he provided of his own accord and sent to the Man both sweet Liquors by most exquisite art extracted out of Gelsemine Roses Oranges Gilloflowers which he conceived would be an acceptable present for the Queen as also Images Maps and Pictures of Kings Queens and other illustrious men and women and a great bundle of Books especially Mathematical Military of Architecture perspective and such like For he thought it an unworthy thing to desert such a fortune and not to assist as much as in him lay a man so conspicuous and so far off And because he was confident he would take all very gratefully he thought he might well desire of him some Aethiopick Books obvious Inscriptions a description of Mount Amara also of Religious Ceremonies Vessels and such like things as were unknown to Europeans And this he endeavoured being in the mean time distracted with great trouble of mind because the Senate and the Marshal de Vitre the Viceroy were at variance At the same time also he entertained and obliged by continual attendance and various Offices of friendship Franciscus Comes Noallius who was going the Kings Ambassador to Rome and staied some dayes at Marseilles and at Aix Not to speak how that having in his Company a young man skilful above his years in the Theorie and practise of Physick named Petrus Michonus Burdelotius Peireskius would needs have a full enjoyment of his Company both because of his proper endowments and because of the friendship which he had with his learned Unkle Joannes Burdelotius He entertained not long after Georgius Bolognetus the Popes Nuncio who comming for France took his way through Aix Now it is worth relating how he finding Peireskius busie about the Anatomy of I know not what Eye he would needs be by and understand all his speculations For he had an insatiable defire of knowing the Organ of sight and the true place in which sight is performed by impression and reflexion of the Image so that there was hardly any kind of Birds Fishes or four-focted Beasts which were to be gotten whose eyes were not dissected that he might observe wherein they agreed and wherein they differed Nor must I passe over in silence how the better to gratifie me whom he would have his assistant in that work he gave a full account of all in writing to Franciscus Luillerius Master of the Kings accounts at Paris whom he knew to be my singular friend whose learning candour and affection to all good Arts and to Justice and all vertue if I should in this place insinuate I should do it to no other end then to shew that his friendship was not without cause most dear to Peireskius Now because there was much talk of this business though the truth thereof were not understood therefore I think it worth my labour to make a Narrative thereof Between the more ancient opinion which held that the sight was performed in the Crystalline humour and the later which held it was in the tunâ—ca retina Peireskius held one between both viz. that the sight is in the glassie or vitreous humour For seeing he judged it most fit that the visive faculty should perform its office in the middle of the eye whence it might behold the Image in its own scituation therefore he designed this place within the vitreous humour in which part the raies of the things seen being passed through the Crystalline humour and reflected from the Retina do meet together as it were in one Center For supposing that the Crystalline did by its convexity turn the Image the contrary way he was of opinion that the Retina by its concavity did set the same right again and that therefore the faculty ought also to reside in the Center of its concavity that it might contems plate the Image being reflexed by the Retina and restored and consequently see the thing in its natural scituation This when he had fixed in his mind he thought there remained nothing for him to do but to search out the verity of the said Restitution As soon as ever therefore he had gotten a little leasure by means of the Easter-Holy-dayes he began to exercise Anatomists in several kinds of Animals Now it seemed generally that the hinder and innermore circumduction of the eye was as a Concave glasse by reason of the inverted reflexion both of the Candâ—e and other objects For the Tunica choroides being diversly coloured is polished like metal being very apt to shine by assistance of that black humor which is daubed upon the back thereof that blackness also assisting with which the inner circumserence is smeared as it were that the light or Image darting upon that glasse might more strongly and distinctly be painted therein Now when I name the Choroides I do not exclude the Retina which exceeding hardly and in few eyes can be preserved so united thereunto as not to slip out of its place when the vitreous humor runs out and be drawn together appearing as it is indeed a widened production of the optick nerve but when it is preserved united to the Choroides it is so thin clear and transparent especially being moystened that it seemes to be one and the same surface one and the same Looking-glasse on which the Images of things are imprinted Now although the Optic or the middle of the Retina does not diametrically answer the Pupilla outwardly opened for it stands a little lower yet the middle of the hinder and coloured part which is bright like metal does answer the same and is divided by a certain Circle as it were an Horizon from that obscurity which is in the fore-part But Peireskius did wonderfully exsult when after all the humors were let out and the Crystalline hung so as to be restored to its proper place well near the Image of the Candle was observed to be represented inwardly in the Retina not inverted but in its true scituation and again when the bottom was so inlightened that the Crystalline could only receive the light the Image which was inverted in the Retina was found to be received by the Crystalline in its right posture For be conceived it to be manifest that his conjecture was right in all points whereupon the more to confirm the same he sought out divers Glasses and Looking glasses both convex and concave reslecting and transmitting also divers Vialls or Glasse bottles in which diversly ordered 't is wonderful how many and how frequently repeated Experiments he made Moreover he could not easily be removed from his foresaid opinion only I remember when it was objected that the faculty of Seeing residing within the Eye should not look outwards towards the things themselves but inwards towards the Looking-glass aforesaid that therefore it could not truly be said to see the things themselves besides other things which argued that the sight was rather in the Retina I remember I say that
things about a certain Eclipse which was observed on the third day of March the middle whereof happened at 8. a clock and forty three minutes Consequent hereunto he began seriously to think of which he purposed long before assisting Geographers towards the finding out the difference of Longitude of several places For he would have a certain method written of observing Eclipses and he was wonderfully industrious to procure that the Eclipse of the Moon which was to be in August next following might be observed both in Europe and in divers places of Asia and Africa For besides our Country men and those that live more Westerly he procured that by the instigation of Cardinal Barberino those learned and faâ—â—o is men Andreas Argolus at Padua and Scipio Claromontius at Caesenna might observe the same and by the intercession of the said Cardina he obtained two observations then made at Rome and two at Naples where the most exact was that which Joannnes Camillus Gloriosus a rare man doubtless had made In like manner he procured from Gran-Caire in Aegypt an observation made by the foresaid Capucine Agathangelus being assisted by Joannes Molinus Dragomannus a Venetian also from Aleppo in Syria an observation made by another excellent Capucine Michael Angelus assisted by the foresaid Caelestinus à Sancta Liduina All whose observations cannot be set down in this place yet I must needs say that Peireskius was herein satisfied by the observations aforesaid that it was a clear case that all Geographical Tables and Maps do set those places of Aegypt and Syria at too great a distance from us seeing they do all set Alepo almost three hours that is to say forty five degrees Eastward of Marseilles whereas those observations have made it appear that almost an whole hour ought to be abated seeing they have reckoned no more then thirty degrees between the places aforesaid Whereupon the business having succeeded so well he took a great deal of pains and procured Cardinal Barberino and the Generals of the Jesuites and Dominicans to command such religious persons as lived in both the Indies and all other parts of the world carefully to observe all Eclipses and things of like nature Nor was there afterwards any Capucine or other studious person that passed through Provence intending to travel into the East or any other way or to settle his abode in any forreign part whom he did not oblige by divers kindnesses and to whom he did not injoyn the care of making such observations giving them Books Prospective-glasses and such like things of the use whereof if any were ignorant he took care before their departure both to have them instructed and that they might experiment their skill And knowing that Galileus had framed a Method which we mentioned before to find out the Longitudes of places by the Medicean Stars therefore he desired Galileus to send him for his own proper use a Telescope or Prospective-Glasse of the very best that he himself might make observations and communicate the same with others Which he did having first writ many letters by which he thought he might be allowed to comfort such a friend and to condole with him for his hard hap Moreover about this time he took a great deal of care endeavouring by means of the most excellent Cardinal that the Sentence of Galileus might be moderated and he restored to his liberty Which he did of his own accord judging that the tury of a friend required as much of him and the merits of that man whose memory would be delightful to Posterity About the end of October he took it very hainously that the Parliament did not expect till he had of himself surrendred his Senators office vvhich he had reserved three years for himself when he made his Nephew his Successor wherefore his Brother being at Paris he procured by the Kings letters Patents to be restored perfectly to his said office and that he should exercise the same five years longer This was done the following year 1636. in the whole course whereof he was not wanting in his care for the advancement of Learning For in the first place being much taken with the manifold and rare Learning wherewith Leo Allatius a very learned man residing at Rome did bring to light so many Greek Authors not seen before or full of faults correcting and translating them with wonderful felicity he was desirous to assist and countenance his endeavours carefully treating with the Printers of Paris to undertake the Edition of his workes Which he did likewise concerning certain excellentworks of Fortunius Licetus who was formerly a famous Philosopher in the University of Padua and is now chief Professor at Bononia very much renowned for his great worth So hearing of the death of the excellent Schickardus whom the Plague had taken away November fore-going he used all diligence possible that such workes as he left unprinted might be preserved and set forth which he did by mediation and assistance of Matthias Berneggerus of Strasburge a renowned man I pass over how by the means of Aelius Deodatus of whom we spake before he sent him divers Elegies which when they were to be printed Thomas Lansius the glory of Lawyers and bosome friend of the deceased Schickardus caused a funeral Oration to be printed therewith wherein Zacharias Scafferus the renowned Professor of Eloquence and History at Tubinga could not forbear to relate how that Schickardus had been largely honourably invited by Peireskius that to avoid the troubles in his own Countrey he would come abide with him where he should have opportunity quietly to follow his Studies Likewise he sollicited Elichmannus a learned Hollander to set out the Lives of Pythagoras Empedocles and other Philosophers which he had by him in the Arabian tongue as also Cebes his Table wherein he had observed that there was mention of one Hercules Socraticus a strange person not to be found in the Greek Copies of the said Table and such like things So Samud Petitus being about a new Translation with learned Notes upon Josephus he procured for him by the means of Helstenius the Collation of diâ—ers places with three Manuscripts in the Vatican Library Also when Buccardus was busied about translating and setting forth of Georgius Syncellus and Theophanes he procured a Manuscript to be written out which he both sent to Rome and received back again to get it compared with the Manuscript in the Kings Library nor could he be quiet until it had been compared and some places therein corrected by Salmasins who was then come into France Likewise he gave occasion to Ismael Bullialdus a very rare Mathematician first to write a very large Letter touching the nature of Light and afterwards to set out a pretty large Book after he heard that he had interpreted that Probleme to signifie Light contracted into a Centre by a burning-glasse which was propounded by Baptista Peissonius the Kings Attorney at Anjou in these words Whether there
earnestness he expected out of the East Books of six or eight Columns termed therefore Hexapli and Octapli Amongst the which there was a Psalter distinguished into six Columns and so many several Languages which being taken by the Pyrates he would have redeemed at any rate though it cost at first but 24. pounds Tours Wherefore he lest no stone unturned till hearing that the Pirates were arrived at Tripolis in Africa he wrote unto the Bassa or Governour of that City using the mediation of friends who put him in hopes that the Book should be sent him Moreover it so happened that some one or other hearing how much he desired that Book hoping to receive a great reward for their pains brought him a Book charily wrapt up which they said had been pawned to them in that City How much he rejoyced at the first presentation thereof it cannot be expressed but whenas having taken off the coverings he saw it was nothing but the Arabic Dictionary of Thomas Erpenius it can as hardly be expressed how he was daunted not knowing whether he should blame the mistake or imposture of the bringers And here I should add such things as he obtained from one place or another in Africa as Coines Inscriptions and divers relations of Southern Northern and Oriental Affaires partly new and partly old and other such like things But it seems better by way of Conclusio to make mention of that same very learned Commentary which Jacobus Gothofredus aforesaid had composed from the Roman Lawes touching the Dominion of the Seas and the Right of gathering up ship-wrackt goods and dedicated the same to Peireskius For among other things speaking to him he has these words I thought good at this time to make you privie to and witness of this action who are such a lover of all mysterious and excellent Learning that you spare no cost in seeking helpes all the world over nor in provoking and furthering such men as are able to take pains in the advancement and restauration thereof many of which by your means are become famous and that deservedly Than which practice of yours what can be more illustrious seeing the glory wâ—h is given commonly to Princes you have thereby fo happily derived to your own Name Or what can tend more to eternity to which your self have recommended so many partly by restoring to light the monuments of the Ancients partly by exciting the best wits of this present Age I must needs confess for mine own part that my mind is never more inflamed to these studies then when you are wont to incite me thereto for I find my self rather powerfully drawn than perswaded by those Letters wherewith you provoke me to study when I am overwhelmed with publick negotiations And a little after In regard also of that same singular Candor of yours which I esteem as a pattern of ingenuity it self which you would have all that write Books to observe and to be far from all kind of bitternesse And again This Book therefore cannot be unsutable to you which so exceeding sitly agrees with your dignity the Subject of your studies and your disposition and manners I hope also that it will therefore please you because it treats of a Subject useful to humane life and has him for its Authour who does not only make use of you as his best and most faithful friend but every where boasts of your friendship The Spring was now begun when he entertained the Cardinal Bichius and with him Suaresius his old friend formerly preferred to the Bishoprick of Vaison who was going to Rome with the Cardinal He was refreshed at the same time by the coming of Franciscus Bochartus Campinius Master of the Requests and sent into Provence with the Title of the Superintendent of Justice For he exceedingly loved and honoured him both for the exceeding goodnesse of his disposition and rare Vertue as also for the Memories sake of his excellent Father who having been Master of the Exchequer Chief of the Consistorians and first President of the Supreme Senate or Parliament did alwaies affect Peireskius Whereupon Campinius also made so much of him again and did so honour him that having a Son born a moneth after he chose him to be his sons God-father and would have him give the child his own name Afterwards followed the famous recovery of the Islands de Lerins about which he was wonderfully sollicitous and the History whereof he accurately described Mean while he performed all offices of respect to the first President and his wife who in the moneths of April and May were grievously sick And he saw them indeed recover he saw the Islands regained while in the mean time his own more hard hap was at hand For the following June he fell into a deadly Disease of which and his death which followed thereupon before I say any thing it seems convenient to describe more particularly the habit of his Body the manners of his mind and the studies in which he exercised his Wits For although this may seem sufficiently understood by the course of his life which we have hitherto described yet are there innumerable things remaining to be told which will give great Light to the Story of his life the knowledge whereof having bin by most learned men desired cannot prove unpleasing to any THE LIFE OF PEIRESKIUS The Sixth Book HE was therefore to begin with his Stature of a middle and decent pitch neither too tall nor over-low The Habit of his Body was lean and consequently his Veins conspicuous both in his Fore-head and Hands His constitution as it was subject to Diseases so was it none of the strongest which made him in his latter years to go with a staffe And for the same reason his Members were easily put out of joynt especially his left shoulder which was three times dislocated His fore-head was large and apt to be filled with wrinkles when he admired any thing or was in a deep study His eyes were gray and apt to be blood-shotten by the breach of some little vein when he blowed his nose violently He fixed his eyes either upon the ground when he was seriously discoursing upon any subject or upon the Auditors when he perceived that they were pleased with what he said He was a little Hawk-nosed his Cheek being tempered with red the hair of his Head yellow as also his beard which he used to wear long His whole countenance carried the appearance of an unwonted and rare courtesie and affability howbeit no Painter had the happiness to express him such as he was indeed and in truth As for the care he had in ordering his Body he affected cleanliness in his Diet and all things about him but desired nothing superfluous or costly And truly though he was careful that the Cloathes he wore abroad might not be unsuitable to his dignity yet he never wore silk In like manner the rest of his House he would have adorned according to his
a confused and indigested Masse or heap yet was he never long in seeking any thing in so great an heap provided that none medled with ms Rarities Books or Papers but himself and that rome body else being commanded to ferch this or that had not put them out of order For to say nothing of his Books which were all titled and distributed into certain Classes and proper places as much as might be and which he could describe to Simeon Corberanus an ingenious Joyner by any the least circumstance even where they were not methodically digested he was wont so to digest and bind up into bundles with paper or some other covering all other things that with his own hand he would write litles upon every bundle intimating whatsoever was therein contained And whereas he was accustomed in a peculiar manner to bind up into bundles such Letters as he received according to the variety of Perfons Places or Times he first writ upon each who wrote the same from whence what year moneth and day and subjoyned a brief Index of the chief matters which in reading he had marked with a line drawn under them for by this meanes he was holpen both to answer the same more distinctly and speedily as also to finde the same if at any time he went to seek any thing in his Letters And if any new matters were contained in his Letters which others desired to be acquainted with he did not promiscuously shew them but caused them so to be written out that he first enclosed within certain bars or lines what he would have omitted in the transcription cutting off such names of men things and business as he desired to conceal also changing and sweerening the phrase that no offence might be taken And as he was wont to keep carefully such Letters as were sent him by others so did he cause his Scribes to write Copies of such as he himself wrote which he kept by themselves according to the variety or condition of the Countries or Persons to whom fie sent them And being sometime demanded why he did so he answered Not because he thought his Letters worth keeping but because it concerned him many times to see what long since or lately he had written or not written least he might inculcate the same thing after the same manner and so become tedious or might omit that which he was uncertain whether he had written or no or least such things which he had sought out and digested with great care might slip out of his memory or he might want wherewith to convince such as should deny that he had informed them of this or that or finally least in case his Letters should come to misearry he must be forced to take pains to compose new ones As for the reading of Books he had truly in his latter yeares little time to bestow therein For he was wholly in a manner taken up with writing of Letters and when he did run over any Books he did it chiefly that he might collect somewhat from them to put into his Letters And whensoever he gave himself to reading he was not wont cursorily to slip or run over the difficult places but he kept a slow pace and was wont to stop when he met with any difficulty To which end he alwayes had his pen at hand with which he drew a line under obscure places and whatever he thought worthy of observation For he said that he was thereby put in mind vvhen he toook the Book in hand again to consider afresh the difficult passages to inculcate and imprint upon his mind such things as vvere most observable and readily to finde what vvas most for his turn He vvas not therefore of their mind vvho having gotten fair Books are afraid to blot them vvith such lines or marginal notes for he esteemed those Books most highly into which he could insert most notes and therefore he commonly caused all his Books when they were in Quires to be washed over with Alum-water and when he foresaw their Margents would not be large enough he caused white paper to be bound between the printed leaves Also he was wont when he received any observations from his friends either to write them into his Books with his own hands or to cause his said friends or some others to write them in In like manner if he had received by gift or had bought Books which had belonged to learned men he esteemed them â— so much the more highly by how much the fuller they were of such things as they had inserted with their own hand-writing And he was exceeding desirous to get into his Hands Books of the Authours own hand-writing especially such as had not bin printed when ever he could procure them of the Authours or their Heires which he would cause to be printed or if the Authours were unwilling he would at least have them written out for his own use And for this very cause he had alwayes Scribes in readiness amongst which I must not forger to name his most faithful and laborious Scribe Franciscus Parrotus that whether in the vulgar Languages or in Larine Greek Arabick or Turkish or any other Language he would have any thing transcribed he might not fail to have it done to his mind For he could never endure that the least invention or observation of any man should be lost being alwayes in hopes that either himself or some other would be advantaged thereby And it is requisite that I acquaint you that as he was careful of all other studies so was he not unmindful of that which concerned his own Office For conceiving that every man who by the condition of his birth or his own free Election was destined to some kind of publick life ought chiefly to bend his mind to that which his Office and Designation required and that asterward he might divert to other studies at his pleasure Therefore he himself though he followed indeed other studies yet did he not therefore cease to exercise himself in that Art wherein he was most studied and whereof he made Profession For he studied the Lawes after the liberal method of Cujaeins which tends to illustrate the said Lawes from the Fountains themselves and fundamental Maxims of Equity and Right rather then from the rivulets of the Doctors or Lawyers And this it was that chiefly made him affect the study of Antiquity because it gave him great light therein and besides a Manuscript of the Pandects which he had he sought after the Manuscripts also of other Books because some places in the printed Books had need to receive light from them And upon this occasion truly I remember how doubting upon a time and the Florentine Pandects could not perfectly satisfie him what the Interpretation should be of that Law called Neratius concerning possession kept or lost only by the mind he wrote to Rome that out of an old Manuscript of Cardinal Barberino's the Text of that Law with the Marginal Interpretations might
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
which Order I can cite plenty of Eye-witnesses of the beneficent and most liberal nature of Piereskius not only out of this City and present Assembly but even out of the farthest parts of Syria and the immense Altitude of Mount Libanus I can bring the most learned Amira Bishop of the Maronites out of Magna Graecia that great Philosopher Campanella out of France the learned Petitus and an infinite multitude more out of other Provinces Also I could relate unto you an innumerable Examples of Liberality and Magnificence scarce credible of a King much lesse of a man only of a Senatorian Dignity Rank and Estate Whereas nevertheless which sounds more like a miracle than a thing credible he laid out in this City alone every year three thousand pounds-Tours that is to say a twelfth part of his whole Revenue which we may well think he did in other renowned Cities of Europe partly in sending Books and other such like tokens to his friends partly upon Books Statue Brazen Monuments and Marbles which were daily here discovered or at least upon Patterns of them and Images painted carved or molded in Wax Plaister or moystened Paper But consideration of the time most learned Academicks advises me now to take-in my Sails and look towards the Haven Yet verily that same ardency of your Countenances and Intention of your mindes does call upon me to perform the rest of my Promise which was that I would prove Peireskius to have far exceeded all other men not only in a rare love and Liberality towards Learning but which is the greatest matter of all in unwearied labour and incredible Industry in commenting and writing touching almost excellent Arts no part of which verily he left untouched He wrote the History of Provence which was his own Countrey in many large Volumes with so much diligence that whether you regard Antiquity or the Lawes Peace or Warre and the Changes happening in the Common-wealth you shall therein finde nothing wanting In other Volumes he set down the Originals of the Noble Families of the same Country and of his own by it self and seeing the Family of the Fabricii had its Original from Pisa from whence after the space of four hundred years flourishing in Chivalry it was propagated into France he did in the same Book excellently illustrate the Antiquity of Pisa and consequently of Italy of which he was alwayes an exceeding great Lover setting down many unknown passages touching the Gothick Kings who bore sway in Italy which he collected from ancient Coines as also touching the French Kings whose Originals and Pedigrees being obscured through length of time he much illustrated Finally he wrote most elegant and full Commentaries of all great and memorable things which were transacted in his time Also he adorned Philosophy by his writings and amplified the same especially the natural part thereof to which he was wonderfully addicted For he had made an elegant Book touching those sporting works of Nature which in some Countries are digged out of the ground viz. concerning wood and other things degenerating into the Nature of stone or some other different substance also touching huge and vast bones of Gyants as is commonly conceived a great quantity whereof he caused to be brought to him from far Countries touching which being of a discerning spirit he discovered many Impostures And as for Plants especially such as were of Indian growth he wrote a peculiar History of every one well near which he illustrated with experiments never before practised for he engrafted Trees with happy success not only upon Trees quite of another kind but upon the Horns Heads and other parts of living Creatures Of which live Creatures yea even of Elephants he diligently sought out the Nature manner and weight and dissected all their members as also of the Body of Man with his own hand especially the Eyes of huge Beasts and of Whales for the finding out of which he sent men as far as Herenles Pillars By which means he wrote new things never before heard of as of other parts of the Body so especially concerning the admirable frame of the Eye Nor was he lesse industrious in illustrating the Mathematical Arts giving himself up in his latter years to the study of Astronomy so as to build a most high Tower furnished with plenty of Instruments belonging to that Art where he watched all night long when the Skie was clear in Contemplation of the Starres not only diligently observing their Altitudes Magnitudes and Motions but penetrating by the quickness of his wit into their very matter and Nature assisted by that new and admirable Invention of the Telescope which makes the most remote and obscure Species and Representations of things clearly to be seen whose name and use was invented by Galilaeus the Prince doubtless of Mathematicians and a very loving friend of our Peireskius By the help of which Instrument Peireskius caused the several faces and appearances both of the other Planets and also of the Moon with the smallest marks and spots as it were which appeared therein to be diligently viewed and engraven in Copper Plates committing to writing his own perpetual observations thereof so that no man was better acquainted with this World of ours then Peireskius was with the Heavenly Orbs especially the Moon which the ancient Sages of Italy were wont to call Antichthôn the other Earth Whose Eclipses he did both observe himself and caused them by all Mathematicians to be more diligently observed then formerly not that he might assist the labouring Goddess whose shape like another Endymion he beheld and admired but that thereby he might finde out and set down the sure and certain distances of Cities Havens and Islands both from the four Coasts of Heaven and one from another and so take away the received Errors of Travellers and Seafaring-men A thing before not so much as endeavoured by any except one or two and they great Kings which it was hoped that Peireskius would at last happily accomplish For he caused most accurate observations of the Eclipses to be made in the most renowned Cities of the old and new World of which observations the most excellent he said was that which he received from Naples from his good friend Johannes Camillus Gloriosus an excellent Mathematician And herein he used the continual Assistance of Petrus Gassendus the most excellent Astronomer and Philosopher in France intimately acquainted with Peireskius so that he lived with him many years together in his own House as a bosom friend where he was assistant at his death and now out of the dear memory he beares to his Name and Vertues he is intended to write an History of his Life which makes me rejoyce that the work which I had long since designed is now taken out of my hands by a most learned man and my very loving friend yea and I congratulate the Memory of Peireskius in that behalf The excellent pains he took in describing your Antiquities O
if sorrow will give you leave what I have mournfully written as one suddenly smitten with exceeding grief Rome the 17. of the Kalends of August 1637. Out of the Praeface of the Renowned Salmasius before Cebes his Table in Arabick AMong those kind of men whose losse their friends ought to lament both for their own sake and the publick there died three years since Nicolaus Fabricius Lord of Peiresk a man honoured as soon as named Whom did not Fame report to have bin such an one as I knew him to be I would here endeavour to paint him out with my Pensil though with rude lines and obscure colours as the most perfect Picture and Pattern of all Vertue and all kind of Learning I would endeavour I say to do that the least part of which I could not promise my self to be able to accomplish as it ought to be I would perform verily what I owe to that mans merits towards me which will never slip out of my minde so long as I have a day to live But seeing I cannot so do it but that I must omit more then I shall be able to set down it being impossible to do it compleatly and suitable to his life and fame I am forced to gather in my Sails and creep under the shoare least venturing into such a vast Sea of prayses with my small Cock-boat I should be in danger of drowning Let it therefore suffice to say that the Sun never shone upon a man for many Ages past who was more desirous to advance the Common-wealth of Learning nor who while he lived did more advance the same As his Curiosity was not drawn forth by one kind of Science alone so neither was his Benevolence joyned with a beneficent mind felt only by one kind of men There are innumerable others whom I know who if they be not unthankful will do their utmost endeavour to publish to the World what and how much they owe unto him As for mine own particular his kindnesses to me were so many endeavouring by all the wayes he could to assist my Studies that I can hardly comprehend them in my thoughts much lesse can I by words express them All which helps and furtherances though I must now want he being taken away to the great stop and hinderance of my Studies especially in the Aegyptian and Arabick Tongues yet I more lament the losse of the Common-wealth of Learning by his Death then my own Detriment however I am sufficiently sensible thereof to this very day Next to this losse which I confess concerns the whole Common-wealth as much as mine own parricular and is much to be lamented there is none more grievous c. An ADDITION To the Life of the Renowned PEIRESKIUS To the famous Franciscus Henricus that great Favourer of Learning and my singular good Friend Petrus Borellus Castrensis Doctor of Physick sends Greeting YOu have at length Renowned Sir procured the most Learned Petrus Gassendus though much taken up with divers Studies to fit the life of the most famous Peireskius the third time for the Presse and to illustrate the same with new additions and to distinguish the Text which was formerly continued into certain Verses or Paragraphs for the more commodious use of the Readers The work being at length by your care committed to the Presse and almost finished I gave intimation that I had collected here and there certain Testimonies of great Men concerning Peireskius after his Death which to omit upon this occasion as it were a kind of sacriledge and in jurious to the glory of the Gentleman deceased so I have â—â—â—â—â—ht fit here to subjoyn such Testimonies as 〈◊〉 co lected out of divers Authours printed 〈◊〉 his Death according to your Request and 〈◊〉 the Consent of Gassendus and in the first place Out of a Book of Athanasius Kircherus called Lingua Aegyptiaca restituta Printed at Rome in Quarto Anno 1644. AFter he had related that a Copto-Arabick Dictionary was found in Aegypt by the most illustrous Knight Petrus à Valle a Patrician of Rome he adds that which follows Mean while the most Renowned Nicolaus Fabricins Lord of Peiresk a Senator in the Parliament of Aix and the glory of learned men being informed of this Treasure newly brought out of Aegypt he left no stone unturned to procure the same to be turned into Latine and printed for the common good Whiles therefore in other places and chiefly in France where the Studies of all Languages and Arts do exceedingly flourish a fit man was sought to undertake this work I at last being banished out of Germany by reason of the Swedish I umults and coming into my own Country of France was by the earnest sollicitation of my friends from all parts and chiefly by the intreaties of my most familiar friend Peireskius compelled to put my shoulders under the burthen though scarce strong enough to bear the same By which may be seen the great Affection of Peireskius to learned Men wherewith he was wont to cherish them by his most courteous writings to assist them and most magnificently to seek to confer upon them all the Benefits which came in his way thereby also may be seen his great Study to reveal secrets to the end he might assist as much as he could the Learned Common-wealth in such things wherein they were most deficient Which he rarely performed by promoting this Copto-Arabick work in which making a way into the most secret Closets of the Ancient Aegyptians our new Interpreter by the assistance of his good Angel has revealed the hidden Mysteries of natural Magick and their sacred Arts and Cabals And in the 528. page in a Supplement to the Chapter of the names of God he explains an Hieroglyphic figure in which the Sun and Moon and many other things were contained within a Snake coiled round and holding his tail in his month And thus he goes on And now let us see whether there are yet to be found any foot steps of these Coptick names in the Aegyptian Ruines the Copticks before cited assirm the same and that fragment of Aegyptian Antiquity which that rare man of immertal Memory Nicolaus Fabricius Lord of Peiresk â—ut of his incredible love to me and my Studies such as they are among many other things which wanted an Oâ—dipus to explain them sent unto me to be interpreted does more then sufficiently demonstrate the same In which the names of four Gods which rule the four Quarters of the world are to be seen fairly represented in the most ancient Coptick Letters as also in words between the Characters of the Sun and Moon compassed by a Serpent the Picture thereof he there sets down Out of the Obelissus Pamphilius of the said Kircherus printed at Rome in Folio Anno 1650. Having praemised an exhortatory Epistle to the Readers skilled in abstruse Learning and having rendred a Reason of the Title of the work and the occasion of Writing the same he adds these following passages Sixteen
printed again I dare say the Original Copy may be procured of that most courteous Gentleman to make the Edition thereby more compleat These things I had to say Renowned Sir touching Peireskius which supposing they would not be to you unpleasing I have therefore more willingly published under your name because I knew you to be a very great Referencer of Persons rarely learned in whose foot steps gloriously treading you daily search into the deepest mysteries furthered by your Genius so desirous to learn and what you search into you examine with a piercing Judgement what you finde out you commit to writing from whence the rich Treasures of Nature will one day advance into the World compleatly written by your eloquent Pen. Which God grant for the common good and your own immortal prayse In the mean while most loving friend as I now present this pledge of my Devotion to you so shall I daily God willing prepare some better and more worthy presents viz. the third and fourth Centuries of wonderful observations one Century of such as belong to our Microcosme a second part of Bibliotheca Chymica the Life Philosophy of Democritus a Treatise of an Universal Language and touching the way to expound the foure-square Venetian Cypher with a Key all which will I hope be acceptable to the curious Dated at Paris the Kalends of July 1654. To Petrus Borellus Dr. of Physick his loving friend F. H. P. L. YOu are an happy man friend Borellus whom good Fortune has made after so many years an Amplifier of the Dignity of Peireskius Happy man am I to whom you have directed your commendations of a man so heroically vertuous And we are both happy whom Gassendus has thought fit to propagate the memory of that renowned Man himself being the most worthy praiser of the Vertues of Peireskius and the perfect writer of his life By whose meanes Posterity will abundantly honour the most glorious name of that great Heroe which all learned men ought to admire and commend the same to eternity What was the habit of his Body what the manners of his minde and what his Studies have bin so punctually set down by Gassendus and in a style so sublime that no man well advised can pretend to add a tittle thereunto For he has given us a most perfect Picture of that brave Man expressed his rare works and in a pure style graphically painted forth his manners and inclination to all excellent Learning He has set forth to Posterity a genuine example of polite Literature and plentiful grounds of emulation to the learned World For by his most happy undertakings the Muses have recovered their spirit life and Countrey whom the Barbarisme of the former Age had banished out of the World To whom therefore must the Muses acknowledge their liberty when they shall reflourish to whom shall Studies and Arts acknowledge their recovery to whom shall learned men attribute the increase of Sciences and those helps tending to unlock the most abstruse points of knowledge To whom but to Peireskius and in the next place to Gassendus who was the first that did what no body else could do in painting out to the Life that worthy Heroe in a Picture which shall last to eternity I shall not go about ambitiously to praise the one or the other for they need no prayses who are above all Commendation and greater then any Titles can be given them whose renown will be immortal I shall only resume his Studies which Gassendus has most accurately prosecuted in his sixth Book and contract them into a small handful propounding his Manuscripts at large for the common good of those who desire the same But I need not explain these things to the learned I conceive it may suffice to say that this most unwearied Gentleman laboured all his life in gathering the same to this only end that he might be as a Midwife to Posterity Give me leave here to set down the very words of Gassendus and therein to admire the lowly modesty of that most eminent Man whose words touching himself are these in Gassendus viz. that he was unable to produce a mature and elegant birth or to lick the same into any shape as if he could be thought insufficient for such a burthen who left at his death fourscore and two Books of his own hand-writing of all most exquisite Arguments considerable for their Bulk but more for the variety and excellency of the subject matter in which he sets open to all men a Treasury of most choyse Learning by assistance whereof they who like him are wont to search into the depths of Erudition may be inabled to support the decaying Arts and save them from perishing Now what chance this great treasure of his has undergone which has bin hitherto hid from the learned I shall here briefly hint yea and ingenuously intimate who it is which hides the same that such as are disposed particularly to examine these great Riches by him heaped up or if possible to publish the same so as to satisfie the great thirst of those that earnestly enquire after them they may have the opportunity to search into the very bowels of these Books and bring forth the Treasure they meet with for the common good that the victorious labours of that rare man may be admired and that others being enriched with his spoiles may prosecute and perfect what has bin by him begun and deliver the same as an Inheritance to Posterity through the munificence of that great Maecenas Ten years after his Death his Heires caused his Library to be brought to Paris vvhich in the year 1647 I saw there consisting of a great Company of Books most curiously bound But alas what a miserable fate it underwent vvhen it came to sale they know vvho grieve for such a losse never to be repaired For this most rich Library might yea and ought to have bin reserved for the Muses or at least those precious Books vvhich by infinite Labour vvere procured from all the choisest Libraries in the World should have bin sold all together but the renowned Genius of this Librarie being extinct so fate ordered the matter that being torn into piece-meales it miserably perished vvhich is so ordered I conceive by the eternal providence of God that all men may remember in the midst of their most eager Collections of Books vvho are apt with too much confidence to brood over their learned Treasures that such things as are collected in time will likewise after certain revolutions passe away with time His Manuscripts doubtles had better fortune For that excellent and learned Man Petrus Puteanus when he was living caused very providently his said Manuscripts to be separated from the rest of the Books both to preserve the Labours of his friend from perishing and to satisfie the learned Common-wealth which is extream thirsty after abstruse knowledge Having therefore put all the sheets being in certain bundles according to the accurateness
His Uncle was not willing that he should spend three years upon Philosophie 1597. but after he had spent a year at Tournon he would needs send for him back again to Aix that he might study Law because when time should come he was to be one of the Senate This also he desired while he was yet at Tournon for he wrote unto him that he should timely take in hand the Manuall of Rubricks but he to deferr yet a little longer the study of Law wrote thus by way of excuse Your desire was Uncle that I should seriously addict my self to the study of Oratory That shall therefore if you please be now my businesse because this place is very convenient for that purpose and I will then begin to study the Law when I leave this Citty Howbeit you may please to command me what you shall thinke most couvenient for if you shall persist to requirè my returne I shall in all things shew my self ready to fulfill your pleasure Therefore being called home he addicted himself to study Law under the Turorage of Franciscus Fortius Andinus who being an Advocate in the Court at Aix and very skillful to teach the Lawes was withall able to compare with any man in the more polite studies of Humanity This man being much resected by the Parents of Peireskius began with much care to read unto him the Institutions and he himself partly through occasion of this study and partly that he might not wholly intermit the course of those learned Studies which he had begun he took in hand of his own Head to make a Catalogue of those Emperors who had made the Lawes He made also a Catalogue of the Consuls and other Magistrates in their order searching every where for their Coines that he might know the Law-makers as well by their Countenances as their Acts. Also he endeavoured to get the Pictures of all the most famous Lawyers that so when he met with any of their Reports and Interpretations his memorie might be strengthened by calling to minde their Countenances Also there was at the same time at Aix Petrus Antonius Rascasius Bagarrius a most skillfull Antiquary for afterwards Henry the great moved by the famous report that went of him sent for him and made him the Master of his Jewells and Rarities Peireskius therefore did at spare times frequently visit him to question and learn of him and he admiring his Sagacitie and Learning and friendly embracing his ardent desire of further knowledge joyned with modesty he could not conceale any thing from him 1598. for he both shewed him divers Rarities divers daies together and also brought forth his Books to strengthen and make good his own conjectures and explications making no bones to allow and commend the peculiar Interpretations of Peireskius When the year was over he went again to Avenion where he had a private Master named Petrus David a Burgundiau who was afterwards a Judge in criminall causes at Semur in his own Country This man likewise besides his ability in Law was also well seen in the more polite studies of Humanity and Antiquity and that made him well content that Peireskius to the study of Law joyned his care in searching after Antiquities And therefore it was that he wrote frequently to Bagarrius touching Coines and other rarities Once he sent him a writing of all the Rarities which he had observed in the Closet of one Romeus Arelatensis and among other things he sent him the pattern of a sculpture of Deianira ravished by Nessus which was engraven upon a neat Jasper stone Sometimes also having gained fair pieces of the Coines of Nero and Vitellius he sent them to his Uncle beseeching him to beautifie them and make them like the Hercules and Agrippa which he had by him adorned He also entreated him to send him a certaine Ring which he hoped to change for a Cornelian or Onyx stone which he he said was graven by a most excellent workman and of inestimable value though unknown to him that had it I ser down these passages instead of many others that it may appear how skillfull he was even at that Age in these kind of Curiosites But he that most of all did feed his curious mind was Petrus Antonius Ghibertus of Naples who was then Auditor to Cardinall Aquaviva For he shewed him certain rarities such as had never been seen before and among other books he lent him for divers daies together some of Hubortus Goltzius his setting forth which he had not before perused Moreover seeing that he was of a quick and piercing spirit he advised him to make a journey into Italie where he should find especially at Rome curiosities wherewith to satisfie his desires He was 18. years of Age when thinking to take a journey into Italie he did learn the Art of swimming Before that he was wont in the summer to wash himself in the lesser stream of the River Rhodanus which runs by the Head of the Island Barthalasse and into which the Brook Serga empties it self Once upon a time he felt the ground which he had wont to find even and fort to be grown hard with little round balls or bunches like hard boiled Eggs when their shell is peeled of At which wondering he took some of them up and carried them home that he might shew them to his Master demand of him the reason But the miracle was increased when a few daies after returning to the River he sound those little balls or lumps turned into persect pebble stones which he observed likewise to befall those which he had carried and laid up at home And upon this occasion he began to play the Philosopher and to enquire into the Generation of stones but of that hereafter Finally having a longing desire to visit Rome and fearing that his Parents would not give way he requested onely that they would send him to Padua which was then famous for Law-studies Now he thought with himself that the year of Jubilre being at hand he might upon that occasion go from Padua to Rome In the beginning of the year 1599. the Cardinall Joyeux being to return into Italie 1599. intended to go to Ferrara Because Pope Clement the second was come thither to take posession of that Territorie fallen to him by the Death of Alphonsus Attestinus the second of that name therefore the Cardinall directed his journey thither and not to Rome And therefore Peireskius had a great desire to put himself and his Brother into the Cardinalls retinue but his Parents consented not For they resolved to satisfie his laudable desires but they thought it best that they should stay till Autumne both that the weather might be more temperate and that the youths might inure themselves to another Climate rather in the winter then the following summer as also that necessaries for their journey might be the better provided For in the first place there was a tutor to seek who might regulate both