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ARTES
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SCIENTIA
VERITAS
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
I PLU
DUS UNŲ.
TUEBOR
QUERIS PENINSULAM-AME NAM
CIRCUMSPICE
74
Duz, emery
City
7·243BOOKS printed for L. DAVIS and
C. REYMERS, in Holborn.
48335
1.T
TR
RAVELS to the EAST, from the Year 1749
to 1752 with Obfervations on the moſt remark-
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Life of the Author; by Sir Charles Linnæus, M. D. Knight
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ther with the Natural as well as Commercial History of the
Countrys
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BOOKS printed for L. DAVIS and C. REYMERS.
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Country; and an Account of their Gold and Silver
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N. B. Three Guineas will be allowed for the first eight
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XIV. Reflections on Education, relative both to Theory
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on Education, are occafionally examined and refuted.
"Written in French, by Father Gerdil, Bernabite, Preceptor
to his Royal Highnefs the Prince of Piedmont, 2 vol.
Price bound 4s 6d
3.
In
XV. A Treatife of Navigation, containing the Theory
of Navigation demonftrated, 2. Nautical Problems.
Aftronomical Problems. 4. Practical Navigation.
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XVI. A Treatife of Electricity, by Benj. Wilfon, F. R. S.
2d Edition, with Copper-Plates, Price 4s 6d half-bound.
Frontispiece to Vol. I.
The Junction
of the Ocean with the
Mediterranean.
Tomo Sulp?
Spectacle de la Nature:
OR
NATURE DISPLAY D.
BEING
DISCOURSES
On fuch PARTICULARS Of
NATURAL HISTORY
As were thought moft proper
To EXCITE the CURIOSITY
AND
FORM the MINDS of YOUTH.
Illuftrated with, COPPER-PLATES.
VOL. III.
Tranflated from the Original French.
The TENTH EDITION.
LONDON,
Printed for L. DAVIS and C. REYMERS, J. RIVINGTON,
J. BUCKLAND, R. BALDWIN, HAWES CLARKE and
COLLINS, W. JOHNSTON, T. LONGMAN, W.
NICOLL, W. STRAHAN, and B. COLLINS.
MDCCLXVI.
Pluche, noel Antoine
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[iii]
7-43 HA
The Explanation of the CUTS of the
Third Volume.
A
The Frontispiece.
T-the Head of this third Volume, which treats
particularly of the Courfe of the Waters, we can-
not propoſe an Example of a Prince that has
better employed that rich Prefent of Nature, than
Lewis the Fourteenth. The Water-Works of his Royal
Palaces are the Admiration of the whole World: but no-
thing in that Kind is comparable, both for the Uſefulneſs
and Boldneſs of the Undertaking, to the Canal he ordered
to be made through the Province of Languedoc, from the
Cape of Cette quite to Toulouse; which, difcharging itſelf
into the River Garonne, joins the Ocean with the Mediterra-
nean Sea. Lewis the Fourteenth is repreſented here, ordering
Mr. Colbert to give him an Account of the Project that had
been prefented by Mr. Riquet, and giving his Orders for the
Execution thereof.
Fiſhing. Page 54.
The two Fiſhermen who are in the Boat fling the Net,
called the Sean (*). See the fame Fiſhing at Sea, &c.
drawn more at large. Plate XVII.
The two other Fishermen, who are going towards the
Entrance of the Rivulet into the River, are ready to make
ufe of the Pocket net (†), and of the Raking Pole, which
one of them carries on his Shoulders.
The Net that is drying upon the Land juft by, is a
Sweep-net with its Wings. It is laid upon the Shore, after
the fame Manner as they place it in the Water.
C. the
The Animals that live in Mountains. Page 113.
A. The Rain deer of Lapland. B. the Elk.
Bear. D. the Antelope. E. the Civit-Cat.
The Rain-deer has been painted by Mrs. Baffeporte, from
one that was fent from Stockholm to Paris. The others are -
taken from the Figures of Sebagian le Ckrc.
The firft Figure of the Section of a Ship. Page 128.
Mr. Du Puy, a Maſter of the Requeſts, and ancient In-
tendant of New France, has been pleaſed to chufe him-
(*) A Drag net. (†) ANet, in the Form of a Bag, fet upon a Hoop.
A 2
felf,
1
jv
The Explanation of the Cuts.
1
Is
felf, what he thought might be fufficient here for what be-
Tongs to Navigation, and to give himfelf the Explanation
thereof (*)
A. The Keel. B. the Stern poft. C. the Stem. On
the Keel are laid the Floor timbers or Ribs, which are
Aat between 3 and 4, and round both between 2 and 3,
and between 4 and 5. Likewife on the Keel are laid the
Dead-wood, which are fmall Ribs in Form of Forks,
between 1 and 2 of the Stern, and and 6 of the Head.
On the Ribs is laid the Keelfon. D. which covers and
joins together all the Ribs. E. the Stern. F. the Head.
G. the Rudder. H. the Tillar, to which is faſtened the
Handle or Whipftaff, which goes up to the Quarter-deck
in M. I. the Lower gun-deck. K. the Middle gun deck.
1. the Upper-gun-deck. M.. the Quarter-deck. O. the
Gunnel. P. the Hold of the Ship. It is all the Space
that is from the Lower gun-deck I. to the Keelſon D.
Q the Main-pump. R. the After-pump. S. the Bit-
pins; feveral Pieces of Wood, to fasten the Cords be-
Jonging to the Yards. T. the Knees, that ferve to fup-
port the Bit-pins. V. the Ladder of the Hold. X. the
Partitions. Y. the Main and Jear-capftan, the Ufe of
which is to raiſe great Weights. Z. the Stairs between
Decks +. The Port-holes with their Cannons. ††. the
Hawfe-holes under the Head of a Ship, through which
the Cables run. 1. The Main maft 2. The Mizen-
maſt.
3. The Fore-maft. 4. The Boltſprit.
The Second Figure of the Section of a Ship. Page 128.
As the whole Infide of this Ship is fhaded, the Letters
are not placed upon, but over-againſt the Pieces they re-
late to.
A. the Main-maſt, B. the Mizen-maſt. C. the
Fore-maft. D. the Bowfprit.
D. the Bowfprit. E. the Round-houſe. F.
the Great cabin, where the Council is held. G. the
Captains cabin. H. the Gunner's Cabin. I. the Hold
divided into feveral Rooms, or Partitions, viz. K. the
Wine-room (†). L. the Powder room ($), under the
(*) In the Tranſlation of the Sea-terms and other Things belonging
to Ships, I carefully confulted Sutherland's Ship-builder's Affifiant.
Some Particulars wherein the French Ships differ from the Engliſh,
are likewife remarked,
(†) The Bread room in the Engliſh Ship.
·
($) This in the English Ships is always next the Head of the Ship.
Lower-
The Explanation of the Cuts.
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S&-
Lower-gun-deck. M. the Bread room. N. the Bacon-
room. O. the Place where the Water is kept. P. the
Well. Q. the Mafter's Store-room, wherein the Sails and
the Surgeon's Cheft are kept. R. the Cable-room.
the Lion room and Prison (*). T. the Cook-room, under
the Fore caftle. It is not always in the fame Place. V.
the Main-deck.. X. the Taferrel. Y. the Head rail, Z.
the Gunnel, and three Tire of Guns.
The third Figure of the Section of a Ship of the first Rate.
Page 128.
A. The Main-maft, with all its Appendages, viz.
1. The Main-yard. 2. The Main fail, (The 2. is not
in its proper Place in the Figure. It fhould have been-
put under the Main-yard 1. where the Sail is furled.)
3. The Main-top. 4. The Cap or Tenon, which ferves
to join the Ends of the two Mafts, and covers the Top
of the Main-maft. 5. The Main-top maft. 6. The
Main top-fail, with its Yard. 7. The Main-top-gallant-
trufle-trees and Crofs trees. 8. The Main top gallant---
maft. 9. The Main-top-gallant-yard, with its Sail furl-
ed. 10. The Flag. B. the Mizen-maſt..
11. The
Mizen-yard, with its Sail furled. 12. The Crofs jack-
yard, that carries no Sail, but ferves to fpread the Mizen-
top fail.
13. The Mizen-top. 14. The Mizen-top-maft.
15. The Mizen-vane. C. The Fore-maſt. 、 16. The
Fore-yard, with its Sail furled. 17. The Fore-top.
18. The Fore-top-maft. 19. The Fore-top-yard, with.
its Sail fpread. 20. The Fore-top-gallant-maft, with its
Yard and Sail furled. 21. The Fore-vane. D. The
Bow fprit. 22. The Sprit fail-truffel trees, and Crofs-trees..
23. The Sprit yard and Sail furled. 24. The Sprit-fail-
top-maft. 25. The Jack-ftaff, with the Jack. E. The
Ancient. F. The Lanthorn. (The Letter F. has been
omitted in the Figure: it ſhould have been put near that
large Lanthorn, which is at the Stern.) G. the Galleries..
(The G. is not well in the Figure: It fhould have been
put by the Galleries, that jut out under the Stern. H.
the Main ftay-fail furled. (The Engraver put I, for H.)
I. The Long boat. K. the Skiff. a. the Shrouds,
Cords that ferve both to ftrengthen the Mafts, and for
Ladders. b. The Back-ftays, that ftrengthen the Top-
(*) The Powder-room in English Ships.
A 3
maft
7
vi
The Explanation of the Cuts.
maft. c. The Stays. D. the Lifts. Near the Mizen-
top maft, and near the Sprit-top-maft, the Engraver put a.
inftead of d. e. The Sheets. f. The Braces to govern
the Yards. g. The Clew-lines. h. The Tacks, to
keep the Corner of the Sail fteady, drawing contrary to
the Sheet. I. The Crow foot, which is compofed of fmall
Cords arifing from a Block or Centre, and fallen to the
Top, in order to fave the Top fail, when it is handed, or
taken in.
A Ship with all h.r Sails fpread. Page 128.
This Ship flands large, with a fair Wind, having all her
Sails fpread, except the Bowfprit-fail, and the Stay-fails.
A. the Main maſt. A a. the Main fail. Ab. the Main-
J
top-fail. A c. the Main top gallant fail. B. the Fore-
maft. B a. the Fore fail. B b. the Fore-top fail. B c. the
Fore top gallant fail. C. the Bowfprit. C a. the Sprit-
fail furled. C b. the Sprit fail top fail furled. D. the
Mizen maft. Da the Mizen-fail, in Form of a Triangle.
Db. the Mizen top fail. Dc. the Mizen bonnet, or
fmall additional Sail. E a. the Ancient. E.b. the Flag.
E c. the jack. F. the Poop Lanthorn. G. Vanes,
which ferve to fhew which Way the Wind blows. The
Ancients and Standards ferve to diftinguish the Nations.
The Pendants, Streamers, and particular Flags, ferve to
diftinguish the feveral Commanders, or to give particular
Signals, in the Day-time. As to the manner of placing
the Flags, and of ftriking and lowering them out of Re-
fpect, there is a certain Ceremony regulated or agreed to
among Nations; but often difputed in many Points. H.
the Stern: the Galleries, &c. K. the Cat's-head:
Pieces of Wood which ftand at the Head of the Ship,
to fupport the Anchor. L. the Anchor: It is a great
Bar of Iron terminating in two Arms, or fharp Hooks.
It has alfo at the End a Ring, to which the Cable is faften-
ed, and a Stock, or long Piece of Wood, which ftands
crofs ways, or at right Angles, with two Arms. The
Anchor, not being able to rest upon one of the two Extre-
mities of the Stock, falls neceffarily on one Side, and al-
ways, prefents to the Ground one of the Hooks; which,
taking Hold of it, holds the Ship. M. the Reèves or
Oilet-Holes, with fhort Strings running croſs the Head of
the Sail by which the Sail may be taken up, or made leſs,
as there
Occafion.
·
The
1
The Explanation of the Cuts.
vii
The Manner of launching a Ship in the Water. Page 160.
A Ship is launched into the Water, when all its Outfide
Work is entirely finiſhed, and there only remains the In-
fide to be fitted up.
A. The Cradle. Long Pieces of Wood, which are put
on each Side of the Keel. B a Rope to hold the Ship.
C. Wedges of Wood, which one drives to fet the Ship
free. D. Men who draw forwards. E. a Carpenter who
cuts the Props and the Rope.
The Section of a Galley. Page 131.
+
At. The Keel upon the Stocks, in order to the Build-
ing of a Galley. B. the Main maft in the Middle of the
Veffel. B. the Fore-maft, or Trenchet, ſtanding cloſe to
the Head. C. the Main fail yard, or Antenna. C. the
Fore fail yard: To theſe are faftened the Scuttle yards, to
lengthen the others. D. the Main ſcuttle-yards. D. the
Fore-fcuttle yards. E. the Main-fhrouds. E. the Fore-
fhrouds. F. the Main-maft-head. F. the Fore-maſt-head.
G. the Tops, or Gabie. H. the Main-pendant, and the
Fore-pendant. I. the Streamers. K. the Flags. L. the
Ancient. M. the Main and Fore-lifts. O. the Poop.
P. the Arrow (*), a fort of long Pole, with a long Head
to it. Q. The Tillar, R. the Efcontre (†). S. the Rud-
der. T. the Efpale, or firft Seat of Rowers in a Galley.
V. the Efcale (§). X. the Prow, or Sperone in Italian.
Y. the Remnbade or Fore-caſtle. Z. the Steerage, or
Place where the Compafs is placed. &. the Great cabin.
a. The Efcandolat, or Captain's Store-room. b. the
Powder-room. Then follow the Rooms for flowing Le-
gumes, Wine, and other Victuals, as far as c. This Part
is called the Compagns. d. the Tayern, after which are
the Rooms for the Sails, the Ropes, and the Surgeon's
Cabin, as far as e. which is the Tolar or Hofpital. f.
the Courfey, or Corfia in Italian, which is the Paffage
from the Prow to the Poop of the Galley, between the
Banks of Rowers. h. Rails, along which are place Swi-
vel guns. †† an Oar, which confifts of its Blade 1, its
Rreſt 2, its Handle 3, and its Round 4.
The Boat, of which one fees a Section behind the Galley,
is called the Caique or Skiff in the Mediterranean.
(*) In French, la Fleche.
(§) The French Name.
(†) The French Name.
A 4
A Filber's
Viii
The Explanation of the Cuts.
+
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1
A Fsher's Boat. Page 135.
This large Boat has two triangular Sails, which the
Fishermen are going to ftrike or lower, after they ſhall
have let the Anchor drop. The two Pieces of Wood,
which are floating near the Cables, are called Buoys. They
are faſtened to the Anchor with a Cord called the Buoy-
line, and ferve to fhew where the Anchor lies. The Fifh-
ermen that are on the Shore, draw out of the Water the
Drag-net they have flung into it. The other Boat is a
Venetian Gondola.
The Figure of a Small Veffel. Page 135.
This Veffel is called a Hoy or Bilander, being a Sort
of Dutch Veffel. Sloops, and other ſmall Veſſels, are much
of the fame Kind. They ferve to carry Goods aboard the
large Ships, but eſpecially to enter with the Tide into Ri-
vers, where large Veffels might run the Risk of running
aground, by drawing too much Water.
A. This Veffel is rigged after the Hoy Manner, with
a Maft to let down. B. It has a large Rudder, to take
more Hold of the Water. C. It has at Starboard and
Larboard, that is on its right and left Side, a Lee-board,
which is made of ſeveral Boards faſtened together, of an
oval Form, much like that of the Sole of a Shoe. This.
Piece of Wood, when let down into the Water, eſpecially
into a River, bears up that fmall Veffel against the Refift
ance of a contrary Wind; and by oppofing to the Water a
larger Surface, on a Line that is parallel to the Side of the
Veffel, it diminiſhes the Lee-way, and keeps the Veffel
from going out of its Courſe.
The Thornbacks. Page 142.
A. The Thornback, feen on both Sides. B. the Cat-
Fiſh, a Sort of Shark, whofe Fleſh eats very well: The
Form of its Mouth and Gills may be remarked. The
fame Order is found in all the different Kinds of Sharks.
C, the Cod. D. the Torpedo or Cramp fifh. E. the
Fire-flaire. F. the Orbis or Globe fifh.
G. the Sun-fish.
H. the Cuttle-fiſh; a Sort of Pourcontrel or Polypus.
But, as the Number of the Sea-fiſhes is almoſt infinite,
we have been forced to limit it to thoſe Figures which are
more particular than the others, not to make this Volume
too big.
The
The Explanation of the Cuts.
The Crab-Fishes. Page 147.
A. The Spider-crab, feen above and beneath. B. the
Crab feen above and beneath. C. the great Lobſter.
D. the Shrimp. E. the little Sea-horfe. F. the Soldier-
crab. G. the fame, ſheltered in a Shell it found empty.
H. the Pipe-worm in its Hole, which it lengthens and
widens as it grows. I. the fame feen naked out of its Pipe.
K. the two Graters or Files that are round its Head.
L. its Tail and two Wings. M. the Orifice or Hole,
through which it has a Communication with the Water,
and draws it in, or flings it out as it needs.
The univalve Shells; that is, thofe that are of a fingle Picce..
Page 150.
A. The Limpet. B. the Venus-ear, or Sea-ear, feen-
outwardly and inwardly. C. the Indian Limpet. There
are feveral other Kinds of Limpets. D. the Button fifh,
with the Tubercle, that is joined into the biggeft End of
that Prickle. F. another Kind of Button-fifh. G. G. the
Bodies of feveral Button fishes, the Prickles of which have
been taken off, and reſemble Buttons. H. Centre Shells..
Thefe are fo many Cells for fmall Fishes of the Oiſter-kind..
I. the Star-fifh. The Figure that looks like an Heap of
ſmall Snakes, at the upper Part of the Cut, before the Lim-
pet. A. is a Quantity of Pipes of a hard Matter, wherein
many Sea-worms did live.
The univalve Sheils that have a spiral Form. Page 151.
A. The Sailor. `B. the fame, with a Part of its Outfide
broken, that the Order of all the little Partitions within
may be feen. C. the thin chamfered Sailor. D. the
concave ſhort Whirl. E. G. the Silver Whirl, with its
Cover and Operculum. H. the great Whirl. I. the fame,
cut from one End to another, through the Middle, that the
Inſide of it may be feen. K. the Sea-fpider. L. the fin-
gered Whirl.
The Continuation of the univalve Shells of a fpiral Form..
Page 152.
C. the Top-
A. The Mitre ſhell. B. the Harp.
whirl. D. Blackmore-teeth. E. the Unicorn-fhell,
F. the Purple-ſhell. G. the Spider-fhell. H. the Mu-
fick-fhell. I. the great muricated Whirl. K.. the golden
Trochus.
The
The Explanation of the Cuts.
The most full of Prickles among thefe laft Kinds, as the
Purple Shell, the great muricated Whirl, and the great Spi-
der ſhell, are of thoſe which the Ancients called Purples,
or Purple-fishes, becauſe they took that rich Colour out of
them. We choſe thoſe only whofe Differences are very fen-
fible.
The Bivalve Shells, or those that are of two Pieces.
Page 153.
A. The Oifter feen inwardly and outwardly. B. the
fmooth Cockle C. the lampin, or Sand-mufcle. D. the
Mufcle. E. the fat-crowned Cockle. F. the long gaping
Cockle. G..the Heart-cockle. H. the Razor, or Sheath
fifh. 1. the great furrowed Scallop. K. the Infide of the Na-
ker, or Mother of Pearl, and the Situation of the Pearls.
L. the Sea-nettle opened and feen face-wife. M. the fame,
fhut, and feen fideways. M. the fame fpread. The Dic-
tionary of the Shells is not yet fettled.
•
'The Choice we made of the Kinds that differ moſt from
one another, is fufficient to give the Reader a Hint of the
wonderful Variety that is in all this Part of Nature; for
there is ſcarce any of thefe Kinds, that is not fubdivided
into many others, which, befides the common Refemblance
that unites them under the fame Genus, have a particular
Form that diftinguishes them from any others.
The Sea Plants. Page 155:
A. The Oar-wood: Its Leaves are fometimes many Ells
long. B its Fruit fhut up. C. its Fruit opened, with its
Seed vifible. D. the Sea-mofs.
D. the Sea-mofs. f. The fame feen in a
Microſcope. E. the Silk-fea-weed. e. The fame feen in
a Microſcope. The fmall Points that are ſeen on this Kind
of Weed, and on the others in a Microſcope, are fo many
little Shell-fishes very regularly made, that live on the
Branches of that Plant to which they ftick. F. another
Wrack or Sea fern. d. The fame ſeen in a Microſcope.
G.. The Oifter-weed, the Leaves of it are limber, and
refemble a Cloth. g. the Leaf of it feen in a Microfcope.
The Regularity of the Maſhes of that Texture fhews it to
be an organized Plant, and an uniform Vegetation.
The Continuation of the Sea-plants, Page 157.
A. The Sea-fan, a Lithophyte or half-ftony Plant. B.
The ftony Plant. C. the fame in a Microfcope.
Thefe
}
The Explanation of the Cuts.
xi
;
i
Thefe Examples will be fufficient in that Kind, to fhew
again, that there is a perfect Regularity, and a conftant
Order, and not a cafual Generation, as is that of the
Stalactites, or flony Icicles, in the Vaults that drop
Water. D. the Brain-ftone. E. the fame, feeded with
Stars. F. G. Madrepore full of Branches. H. Madre-
pore full of Leaves. Some Virtuofi call this the Pink.
1. the Coral. K. the fame ſeen in a Microfcope, with
the Places wherein the Flowers are inclofed in Form of
Holes made like Stars, in the Middle of each Tubercle.
L. the Coral newly drawn out of the Sea, and fpreading
its Flowers in a Veffel full of Sea-water. The inward
Subftance of the Coral is all Stone, and increaſes by the
Application of a Sort of milky Juice, that hardens under the
Kind. The Vegetation feems to be only in the Rind.
Coral Fishing. Page 158.
A. The prominent Parts of the Rocks where the Coral
is found, with its Head turned downwards. B. two large
Pieces of Wood, croffing each other at right Angles, with
a heavy Bullet at the Centre of them, and a Net on each
End. This Machine they let down into the Water, mov-
ing it from Place, to Place, that the Nets may lay Hold on
the Coral-branches, which they break off and bring up
with them. C. another Contrivance for the fame Pur-
pofe. It confifts of a long Pole fupported with two Cords,
with a Bullet to keep it ſteady, and a Bag to draw the Co-
ral away.
Petrified Bodies. Page 250.
A. The Belemnites or Thunder-bolts. B. the Stone
called Dendrophore, whereon is the Impreffion of ſome
Plants, which very probably are a Sort of Sea-weed. C.
the Serpent-tongues, They are not indeed real Serpent-
tongues, but petrified Teeth, come out of the Jaw of the
largest Shark, whofe Head is feen here at D. E. the
Ichthyopetra, or the petrified Fiſh. F. the Aftroite, or
Star-ftone. It is a Madrepore, the Stars of which have
been filled with a cryftalline or ftony Matter. G. the
Button fish petrified. H. a petrified Snake: In thoſe
two laft the Shells or Cornu Ammonis are quite diffipated,
becauſe of their Thinnefs. There remains only the Earth
* The Canis Garcharias.
that
XII
The Explanation of the Cuts.
f
}
that was petrified in them as in a Mould. I. a petrified
Fruit. K. thefe Horns and the pretended Thunder-bolt
are, as likewife the Belemnites, A, fo many petrified Teeth..
The moth Enamel with which all thofe Pieces are cover-
ed, is a Proof of it.. L. the Entrochi.. Theſe are probably
the Vertebræ or Back-bone of fome Fiſh, the hardeſt Parts
of which have been preſerved, and then petrified.. N. a.
Bit of the Horn of the Narwal petrified.
Figured Stones.. Page 252.
Moſt of theſe Stones are of the Kind called Dendro -
phores..
A. Has the Impreffion of an Ear of Barley.. B. that:
of feveral Branches of Fern, &c. C. that of another Kind
of Fern. D.. that of an Elm-leaf. E.. that of a Willow-leaf
folded.. F..that of an Infect.. G..is a Piece of Florentine Mar
ble, which, they pretend, reprefents Caftles and Ruins, but
in reality reprefents nothing..
The Figures of the Shells are drawn partly from the
Life, and partly taken from thofe of Bonani. The
figured Stones are taken from a Book, intitled, Herbarium.
Diluvianum, of Mr. James Scheuchzer, a Phyſician of
Zurich, and a learned Man, both judicious and laborious..
The Petrifications are taken from the English Epitome of
the Philofophical Tranſactions, and from the Metallotheca of
Mercatus, printed by the Command of Pope Clement the
Eleventh.
The Delft Ware Potter, working on his turning Wheel..
Page 231..
1. The Wheel, which the Potter turns with his Foot:
upon its Pivot.. 2. The Head of the Wheel whereupon
the Potter puts the Piece he is to work. 3. The Piece
turned by the Potter. 4. A Piece of Wood with which,
the Potter makes his Piece fmooth.. 5. The Ruler or
Stick that ferves to fix the Height of the Piece. 6. The
Square. 7.. An Iron-tool, that ferves to make the Piece
perfect, by cutting away the fuperfluous Earth, when it is
half-dried. 8. A Bowl full of Water, to uſe in proper
time.. 9. Several Lumps of Earth ready to be worked.
10. A Wire that ferves to feparate the Piece from the
Head of the Wheel. The Sponge is at the Foot of the
Stick or Ruler..
I did
The Explanation of the Cuts.
Xin
I did all my Endeavours to give here the Defcription of
a Glafs-houſe, and that of the Forges; but never could
meet with any thing tolerable in that Kind.
The Progrefs of Vegetation. Page 309.
The Sprouts on the firſt Line.
A. The Lobe of a big Pea, the Sprout of which begins
to shoot. a. the Radicle. b. the Head of the Planta-
feminalis, lying between the two Lobes, to which it is
faſtened with two Strings. c. the Place of one of the
Strings that did reach into the other Lobe, which has
been taken off. B. a Sprout that has been pulled out
from between the two Lobes of the Bean. a. the Root
Sprouting the firft out of the Bean. b. the firft Leaves
that laid between the Lobes, and are a fort of Cafe to
all the others. cc. the Traces of the two Strings or
fmall Veins, through which the Sprout drawed its
Nouriſhment from the Lobes. C. the Sprout of a Pea
grown ftronger. I the Radicle. 2. the Leaves ftill
tender, and wrapt up in a ſtronger one. 3. D. a Grain
of Corn that begins to fprout out. 1. the Cafe within
which the Roots are incloſed, and which ſprouts out the
firſt. 2. the Cafe of the Leaves fprouting after, but
faſtened with a String to the Bag that contains the Seed
with which the Sprout is nouriſhed. E. the Sprout grown
ftronger. 1. the chief Root fprouting out of its Cafe.
2. 2. two lateral Roots fprouting out of two other Cafes
that contained them. F. the fame unfolded and in-
creaſed. G. the Cafe of the Leaves that begins to ſpring
out of the Earth, and to draw its Subfiftence from the
Juices of the Earth. g. the Cafe of the Seed that begins
to wither. H. the fame Cafe grown ftronger and opened.
h. the firft Leaf fpringing out of its Sheath. I, the Green
that begins to fhew itſelf. 1. the Cafe of the Seed entire-
ly withered. 2 the Orifice or Opening of the firft Sheath,
3. the firſt Leaf that begins to unfold itſelf, and being a
Sheath to the fecond, which is wrapt up within it, which
fecond Leaf wraps up within it the third, wherein is a
fourth one, that encompaffes the Ear. Thofe fix laft Fi-
gures of the Corn in its firft fpringing out may ftill be of
Ufe, when you read the twelfth Dialogue of the Second
Volume. We fhall give another Example of the Springing
out of the Sprouts.
The
xiv
The Explanation of the Cuts.
}
The Cafes of the Buds of the fecond Line of the fame Cut.
K. The Bud of an Oak-tree covered on the Outfide,
with many ſmall Leaves ranged one upon another, like the
Tiles of the Top of a Houfe, or like the Scales of a
Fiſh. K. the Cicatrice of the Place from which the
Foot-ftalk of a Leaf fell in Autumn. L. the fame
Order and Symmetry in the Buds of the Plum-tree. †…a
fmall Branch of an Elm, freed from its Covers. a, a, a. are
the true Leaves; b, b, b. are preparatory Leaves, or a
fort of Scales that contained and covered the true Leaves.
When the Leaves a. are grown ftronger, the Leaves h.
being become needlefs, they dry and vanifh into Duft.
M. the Bud of an Apricot Tree. This Bud, which is a
Bud for Flowers, begins to bud in June, near the Place m.
from which the Foot-ftalk of a Leaf fell the laft Au-
tumn. This Bud fwells by Degrees during the Summer,
by the ſpreading of the fmaller Leaves or Scales that cover
it, and maintain it during the Winter. The laft Leaves,
which are round at Top, are thoſe of the Flower; they
will ſpread in the Spring, N. the fame Symmetry in the
Buds of the Almond-tree. But it has beides a fort of Cup,
which for a greater Security encompaffes the Leaves of the
Flower which are yet one upon another, like a Roll. O.
the double Cup of a Pink. The lower Cup is the Cafe
of the ſecond, which will not be open at the Top, before
the Flower itſelf is fit to fhew it felf in all its Beauty. -
The Difpofition of the Piftilla and Stamina of Flowers.
The third Line of the fame Cut.
Thefe Figures are magnified in a Microſcope.
P. The Piftillum and the Stamina of the Flower of
the Plane-tree, Cherry-tree, &c. Q. the Piſtillum and
Stamina of the Flower of the Pear-tree. a. the Piftillum
or Tube, in both thefe Flowers. The lower Part of this
Piftillum contains the Sced, and the higheſt receives the
Duft that makes that Seed fruitful, b. b, the Tops of
the Stamina. Thefe Tops are like Bags full of a fine
Duft, which they drop when they are ripe or fwelled
by the Heat. c. c. the Place where the Seeds of the
Pear are.
The Body round them is the Pulp of the
Fruit. When the Seed has been made fruitful, the Pulp
of the Fruit that covers and nourishes it ftrengthens
4
every
The Explanation of the Cuts:
XV
every Day more and more; and then the Leaves of the
Flower, the Stamina and the Piftilla, become needleſs,
dry, and vaniſh away. The Remains of them are ſeen at
the Head of the Fruit, and are called the Crown of the
Pear or Apple. R. the Flowers that grow at the Top of
the Maize. 1. two hollow Leaves that ferve for a Cafe
to the two following ones. 2. theſe are the Covers of
the three Stamina or Pedicles that fupport the Tops. 3.
there is here no Piftillum to receive the Duft that falls
from the Tops of the Stamina: but this Tube is at the.
lower End of the Stalk in many different Places. The
Seeds, and the Bunches or Ears, are to be formed in the
fame Place. See the Figure of the Maize or Turkish Wheat,
Vol. II. Dialogue XII. See the fame Divifion of the
Stamina and Seeds, in the Figure of the Pine tree, Vol. II.
Theſe Examples may be fufficient to give a Hint of the
right Difpofition of the Plants in which the Flower joins
the Cafe of the Seeds with the Stamina, and of the Plants
in which the Stamina are in one Place, and the Cafe of the
Seeds in another.
All the Figures I have gathered in this Cut are true,
though grofsly done. They are taken from the excellent
Works of Malphigi, who did not multiply his Engravings
in order to pleaſe and amuſe the Publick, but only to ren-
der himſelf intelligible.
The Orbit which the Earth defcribes in one Year round the Sun.
Page 341.
AA. Repreſents the Plane of the Circle or Ellipfe the
Earth makes in one Year round the Sun; while every four
and twenty Hours it makes a whole Revolution round its
own Axis juft as a Ball, that rolls a certain Space, rolls
every Minute round itſelf by the fucceffive rifing and falling
of all its Points.
:
When the Earth is in the Sign. called Capricorn, the
Inhabitants of it fee the Sun in Cancer. When it is in
Aries, they fee it in Libra. Thus the Earth attributes
all the Alterations of its Place to the Sun, which keeps
always in the fame Place. Befides, it attributes to the Sun
its daily Revolutions; and whilft the Earth turns round be-
fore the Sun, it ſeems as if it was the Sun that paffes over
the Earth.
If
}
1
Xvi
4
The Explanation of the Cuts.
If the Earth had always its Axis B. perpendicular to the
Plane AA. without inclining to one Side more than to the
other, it would have the Sun perpendicular to the Equator
D. during the whole Courſe of its annual Rotation; and
confequently the Sun would be viſible 12 Hours, and in-
vifible the other 12, to all the Inhabitants of the Earth
throughout the Year.
But when the Axis B. of the Earth, placed in Gapricorn,
inclines itſelf 23 Degrees and a half towards the North
and towards the Sun, the Æquator D. múſt needs be 23
Degrees lower than the direct Ray of the Sun. The
Sun will then appear to be in Cancer, over-againſt the
Point E. 23 Degrees under the terreftrial Æquator. The
Earth, in its Revolution of that Day, brings fucceffively
under the Sun all thoſe Points at the Diſtance of 23 De-
grees from the Equator. The Sun will therefore ſeem to
pafs under all theſe Points, and to defcribe the Tropick of
Cancer.
The Earth, by advancing forwards on its Orbit towards
Aries, will receive the direct Ray of the Sun, on one of the
Points that are between the Tropick of Cancer and the
Equator. The Sun will then feem to deſcribe every Day a
new Circle parallel to the Æquator.
The Earth, when got to Aries, will fee the Sun in Libra;
and as it keeps its Axis in a Situation parallel to that it
had three Months before, in this Cafe it does not incline
it towards the Sun. It receives then the direct Ray of
the Sun on its own Equator, and oppofing fucceffively
to the Sun all the Points of its own Æquator, it will fee.
the Sun deſcribing that Circle, or paffing over all the
Nations that live under it. Three Months after, when
got to Cancer, it will fee the Sun in Capricorn; and al-
ways inclining its Axis 23 Degrees towards the northerly.
Stars; the more it removes its Axis from the Sun on that
Side, the more it inclines it towards the Sun on the op-
pofite Side. If this other Side of the Axis inclines itſelf
23 Degrees towards the Sun, its direct Ray will then fall
on F. at the Diſtance of 23 Degrees from the Aquator,
fince the fame Ray would fall on D. did not the Axis
incline itſelf at all. It will then be Summer to the In-
habitants of the Auftrial Hemiſphere, and Winter to thoſe
of the oppofite one. During the three following Months,
the
The Explanation of the Cuts.
xvii
វ
the Earth will oppoſe to the Sun. one of the Points that
are from F to D. and bringing under the Sun in each of
its daily Revolutions Points equally diftant from the Aqua-
tor, the Sun will feem to defcribe a Circle parallel to the
Equator.
In short, the Earth placed in Libra, and inclining nei-
ther of the Extremities of its Axis towards the sun, will
receive the direct Ray of it on its Equator, which will
form the Spring, and renew the Year. The Inclination
alone of that Axis on the Plane of the annual Orbit (pro-
vided it be conceived to be always the fame, and always
parallel to itſelf) is then fufficient to account for the Di-
verfity of the Seafons. The unequal Length of the Days
has its Principle, from the fame Inclination of the Axis,
and from the manner after which the Horizon of each Na-
tion cuts the Circle which the Sun feems to defcribe every
Day.
The Horizon is the Extremity of the Lands that ter-
minate our Sight. It forms a Circle, in the Centre of
which we are, and which is fuppofed to be visible enough
to let us fee about 180 Degrees, that is, the half of the
Heaven. In the mean time, it hides from us the other
half, or the inferior Hemiſphere. If we go to the Aqua-
tor, our Horizon, that reaches 90 Degrees on one Side,
and 90 Degrees on the other, terminates neceffarily at
the Poles, that is, at the two Points through which the'
Axis paffes out of the Earth, fince they are at the
Distance of 90 Degrees from the Equator. The Circle
which the Sun will feem to defcribe over our Heads, will.
be cut exactly into two Parts by our Horizon; fo that we
fhall fee the Sun 12 Hours together, after which it will
be hidden under the Horizon other 12 Hours. As the
Earth will advance on its annual Orbit, we fhall think
that we ſee the Sun changing it's Place, and defcribing
every Day new Circles parallel to the Equator. But all
thefe Circles will always be cut exactly into two equal.
Parts by our Horizon, on which they are perpendicularly
placed, without inclining on one Side more than on the
other; fince our Horizon, that terminates at the two Poles,
cuts them all through the Middle as it does the Æquator.
If we leave the Equator, all will be altered. If we
advance 20 Degrees towards the Pole, our Horizon will
A 9
be
xviii
The Explanation of the Cuts.
be no more termintated by the Pole, but it will be 20 De-
grees lower, and then all the Circles defcribed by the Sun
will be cut into two unequal Parts. When the Sun appears
on this Side of the Equator, the Part of its Way above
the Horizon is greater than that under, and then the Days
are longer than the Nights. When the Sun is on that
Side of the Equator, the Part of the Circle it defcribes a-
bove the Horizon is lefs than that it defcribes under, and
confequently the Nights are longer than the Days.
None of thefe Aiterations would happen, if the Earth
did not incline its Axis, and if it could always oppofe its
Æquator to the Sun. Such was neceffarily the Difpofition.
of the Axis, if there was a perpetual and univerfal Spring
in it, as it ſeems we might conclude it, 1ft, From the
Longevity of the Antediluvians, 2dly, From the Memory
that has been preferved of it in the Writings of the
ancient Poets. 3dly, From the petrified Leaves, Buttons,
and Fruits, that are found all over the Earth, and feem
to demonſtrate, that before the Flood there was at once a
perpetual Spring and Autumn: but God had no fooner
puſhed the Axis of the Earth 23 Degrees further, but the
Order of every thing was quite altered; there were new
Heavens and a new Earth, This Conjecture has nothing
in itſelf that is any way contrary either to true Piety or
found Philoſophy, fince the moft skilful Philofophers are.
wont to fee the greateſt Effects produced by the plaineſt
Means.
}
X
:
THE
[ 1 ]
་
THE
SE
EQU UE L
OF THE
SECOND PART;
Giving an Account of the Surface and
Bowels of the Earth.
PASTURE and MEADOW-GROUNDS.
P
DIALOGUE XVII.
The PRIOR and CHEVALIER.
RIO R. Since the Count's Affairs oblige him to
take this Journey, and to leave us alone, let us not
omit vifiting every Thing in the Neighbourhood
which may be entertaining to you, and in fome mea-
fure make amends for the Lofs of his Company. There
are ſeveral Walks which I long ago determined to
propofe to you, but have referv'd them on Purpofe till
now; let us therefore make Choice of one for this
Day's Amuſement: A rural Scene every where prefents
us with agreeable Objects; the Hills, Vales, Woods,
Vineyards, Villages, Caftles, nay, even Ruins, Rocks, and
Caves, do all together form a pleafing Variety, on which
the Eye expatiates with Delight. Now in fo charming a
Landfkip, which of all thefe do you pitch upon, my
VOL. III.
B
dear
*
1
ال
✔
2
XVII.
'DIALOGUE
dear Chevalier, for the Entertainment of your prefent
Walk?
'
Chevalier. No other than that we are in at preſent, the
Meadow; 'tis that which we vifit oft'neft, and quit with
the greateſt Regret.
Prior. The Vineyard indeed is not fo commodious a
Walk; the Orchard has fomething in it too confus'd and
irregular; and the long Alleys and fineſt Lanes in Woods,
on the other hand, carry too much the Air of Art and
Contrivance; befides, the Eye is there too much confin'd,
fo that we can prevail with ourſelves to relinquish all theſe
Places, without any manner of Unwillingness; but the
Meadow, after all, naturally invites and attracts our
Steps, and we are loth to leave it till the Sun forbids us
any longer to furvey its Beauties. Give me leave to ob-
ferve likewife, that it delights more than the moſt regular
and uniform Garden; for, after we have taken a Turn or
two in the Parterre, and viſited the Efpalier, we ftrait
grow weary, and find fomething wanting to crown the
Pleaſure of Walking, which we no where meet with but
in the Meadow.
Chevalier. Yet, notwithſtanding, there is nothing more
regular than a fine Garden, nor any thing more void of
Art than a Meadow.
Prior. Whatever Beauties we can fee in a Garden,
yet we find ourſelves too much confin'd there, and every
Place that terminates our View, ſeems alfo to treſpaſs on
our Liberty; whereas in a Meadow it is not fo; we here
fancy ourſelves, as it were, more independent, and the
Conceit of our Freedom arifes in proportion to the Extent
of the Proſpect which opens to us. Man, who is con-
ſcious that the Earth was made for his Ufe and Delight,
cannot endure to be limited, for any long Time, to a
fmall Part of his Dominions; and then only thinks he is
in Poffeffion of the whole Compafs of his Empire, when
in a fertile and ſpacious Plain he beholds, with a fecret Sa-
tisfaction, all Nature with open Arms faluting him her
Lord and Maſter.
Nor is this only an agreeable Illufion that feeds our
Fancy; for an extenfive Meadow is in Reality the Place
where Nature has fhew'd herſelf moft complaifant to Man,
and where ſhe does at once exhibit the greatest Beauty and
Fecundity
Of MEADOW S.
Fecundary together. In order to recom-
Meadows.
mend this to us as her moſt favourite Walk, The Beauty of
he has, for our better Accommodation,
ſmooth'd it with a level Surface, and cover'd it with a
verdant, flowery Carpet. She has raiſed delightful Hills
on every Side, fome of which are placed within the Reach
of Sight, prefenting us with Objects difcernible by the un-
affifted Eye, whilft others, fituated at an immenſe Diſtance
from us, feem to lofe themſelves in the boundleſs Pro-
fpect: Befides, fhe has of her own accord fo bountifully
enrich'd the fertile Soil, as to eafe us of the Pains of Cul-
tivation and Huſbandry, having fown therein an almoſt
infinite Multitude of Grains, whofe Minutenefs renders
them imperceptible to Sight, whence fprings a Verdure,
if not perpetual, yet almoft as foon reviving as de-
ftroyed.
:
Chevalier. This is a Phænomenon I cannot eafily ac-
count for For Example, when a River happens to over-
flow its Banks, and to cover the adjacent Meadows with
one continu'd Inundation, does not this, confequently, de-
ftroy the Roots and the Seeds? How comes it to paſs then,
that, fince nobody fows freth Seeds in their Room, the
Grafs does all of a fudden fpring again, and recover its
Verdure as before?
Prior. It happens indeed fometimes that the Summer's
fultry Heat does fcorch the tender Grafs, and chaps the
thirſty Earth from one End of the Meadow to the other:
or, as you obferve, that a wintery Deluge overſpreads it
with Water and Mud, infomuch that one would be apt to
imagine that the Seeds were quite parched up with the
one, or choaked and rotted by the other; but notwith-
ftanding their Smallnefs, they are enveloped with ſeveral
Coats or Membranes which defend the Bud, and render it
impenetrable either by Heat or Damp; fo that even be-
fore the Summer Heats are well over, they begin to ſprout
afreſh; and as ſoon as the Return of the Spring begins to
invite Man to go forth into the Fields, the Earth with
officious Hafte feems pleafed to deck herſelf in her Green
Livery, that, thus adorn'd in all her Finery and Glory, the
may pay her grateful Homage and Refpect at the Feet of
her Maſter.
B z
Let
4
DIALOGUE XVII.
}
of Meadows.
Let me farther remark to you, that
The Uſefulneſs this wonderful Diversity of Plants, which
you fee over-fpreading the Face of a
fingle Meadow, is not all for Shew, but each has it's
diftin&t Leaf, Flower, Beauty, and Virtue, peculiar to it-
felf.
Chevalier. What! then is it not all one and the fame
Scrt of Grafs that we tread upon ?
The Frincipal
Kinds of Mea-
dows herbs.
Prior. Doubtless you meet with the
fame very often, but perhaps you take not
two Steps without treading on a hundred
different Kinds; for Example, this is
the Rampion which we eat in Sallad; a little further
you fee the little Creffes; this which grows fo common
every where is the Trefol, which together with that other
call'd Bhlem-gentle, and Herb of a fine Flavour, and which
gives Cream an exquifite Relith, are the chief Glory of
the Meads; up and down you will find the Mellefoil, the
Eurnet, the leffer Centory, the Plantain the little Lyri-
cofancy, the Fumitory, the Agrimony, the,
Chevalier. Give me leave to interrupt you, Sir. In
taking a nearer View, methinks I difcover feveral that I
know; that, for Example, is the Pimpernel, theſe here are
Duifies, this here has the Shape and Smell of Garlick, and
one would take that other for Sorrel.
Prior. It is the very fame, Sir,
Chevalier. Pray who has been at the Pains to tranfplant
our Garden Herbs hither?
Prior. You ſhould fay rather, to tranfplant them hence
thither, in order to have them near at hand; for the Mea-
dow was originally our Kitchen-Garden. Now befides
thefe Herbs, of common Ufe, the Botanifts have here
difcover'd a wonderful Variety of Simples,
Simples
which they range under different Genus's,
each of which again is divided into many Species; all
which Species do indeed agree in their principal Confi-
guration and predominant Qualities, but are diftinguiſh'd
from each other by their different Degrees of Smell,
Savour, and Srength; befides, the fame Species does alſo
vary it's Po; erties according to the Climate or Soil
which nourifi es it. Thefe are the Herbs which afford
sa conftantiupply of Medicines, fuch as exquifite Bal-
fams,
,1
Of MEADOWS.
5
fams, ftimulating Catharticks, and healing Vulneraries;
nay, the very brute Animals are fure to find a Remedy
here for every Diftemper, fo undeniably does every thing
bear the Stamp of the unbounded Wiſdom and Goodneſs of
it's Creator.
The Pasture of
Cattle and
Hories,
But the chief Benefit we reap from the
Meadow is, that it does at it's own Ex-
pence afford Provifion for thoſe Animals
whofe Service we ftand fo much in need of; the Ox which
is fattening for our Table, and that which ploughs our
Land, do both alike fubfift on the Grafs of the Meadow;
The Horſe, whofe almoft perpetual Labours are fo ufe-
ful to us, demands no other Return than the free Ufe of
the Meadow, where, after his Work is over, he ſports and
plays, and thinks that little Liberty an ample Recompence
for all his daily Service; nor does the Cow, whoſe Milk
not only yields us Nouriſhment, but Dainties too, aſk any
thing more of us.
Chevalier. But tell me, I pray, how it is poffible that
a coarſe Herb, and that oftentimes dry and without any
Moiſture, can make the Fleſh of an Ox fo fat and juicy?
How a little Hay can give the Horfe fuch Supplies of
Strength and Spirits as render him almoft indefatigable?
Or how this Grafs, when eaten by a Cow, comes to be
converted into fo rich a Subftance as Cream, to which
one half of Mankind owes the greateſt Part of their Nou-
rifhment?
Prior. Your Surprize is very natural; for it must be
confefs'd that the Juices do in this Cafe undergo feveral
Changes, Secretions and Preparations, in a manner almoft
inconce vable. Let a Man never fo carefully pick and
cull from among theſe wild and bitter Herbs any Quantity
he fhall think fit, and though he cook them with all his Art,
he will not be able to make a tolerable Meſs of Pottage
of them; and yet there is not one of them but what,
after being concocted in the Stomach of the Cow, and
pafs'd through the proper Veffels, doth contribute to com-
pofe in her Udder one of the most delicious and nourish.
ing Draughts in the World; fo admirably has the all-
wife Creator adapted and proportion'd the Qualities of this
Vegetable to the Bodies of thofe Animals which he has
made for our Ufe, as, by the Office of the latter upon the
B 3
former,
6 DIALOGUE XVII.
former, to prepare for us a Potion fo falutary as well as
palatable.
Chevalier. How ungrateful are the Inhabitants of the
Earth, who daily fee thefe Things, and neither reflect upon,
nor are thankful for them!
Prior. The Reafon feems to be this: We are apt to
look upon the Grafs of the Field as the common Gift of
Nature, which fhe has every where ftrew'd under our Feet
without any Care or Culture of our own, and therefore are
lefs mindful of the Benefit of it; whereas this very Confide-
ration ought to enhance its Value, and make us the more
thankful to our kind Benefactor, who is fometimes pro-
vok'd to puniſh our Ingratitude, by making us feel the
Want of fo unvalued a Bleffing: He fends a Drought,
and, lo! the Meadows are parch'd up; all Buſineſs of
Huſbandry is at a Stand for want of the Affiſtance of
Horfes; and the Cattle, which fhould feed us, perish
themſelves for Lack of Suftenance: He gives the Word,
and a Blaſt confumes the Herbage, and Death and Scarcity
immediately enfue.
But to give you a more diftinct and particular Notion
of the Uſefulneſs of Meadows: They are the moſt bene-
ficial of all our Poffeffions; they require not our Labour
either to plough or fow them, and only coft us the eafy
Pains of gathering that Crop which they yield of their
own Accord; their Produce is not of a precarious, but
certain value; and, in a word, of fuch neceffary Uſe to
us, that without it we can hardly allow other Lands to
be of any Worth at all. But then again, on the other
fide, in order to make the moſt of our Meadows, we muſt
keep other Ground in our Hands, for they do mutually
affift and are profitable to each other; and a good Oeco-
nomiſt will be fure to preferve a juft Proportion betwixt
his Meadows and Lands of another Kind. For Example,
if you have only Meadow Grounds, the Cattle which
graze therein will yield you Dung which you can make
no Ufe of; on the contrary, if your arable Lands are
more in Proportion than your Meadows, they muſt grow
barren for want of Provender to maintain a fufficient
Stock of Horfes and Oxen to manure and improve
them;
Chevalies
Of ME A DO W S.
7
Chevalier. But fuppofing a Neceffity of being contented
with one of theſe two, which, in this Cafe, would you
take?
Prior. Why, under fuch Circumftances, generally fpeak-
ing, Meadow is to be preferr'd to arable Ground, for that
the former will yield a certain Profit without the Affiftance
of the latter, and neither puts us to Trouble or Expence ;
whereas plough'd Lands require a great deal of Cultivation
and Management, and turn to fmall Account where there is
a Scarcity of Meadows and Paftures.
Chevalier. Do you make any Difference then betwixt
theſe two?
Prior. Your low Grafs Fields which are fituated in the
Vallies, and by the Sides of Rivers, are generally called
Meadows; whereas thoſe which lye on the Sides of Hills
commonly go by the Name of Paftures.
Chevalier. Of theſe two which is the moſt valuable ?
Paftures.
Prior. Each has it's refpective Advantages. The Slime
which is left on the Meadows, by the Overflowing of the
Rivers, together with the Dung of the feveral Sorts of Ani-
mals that graze upon them, does never fail to occafion an
almoft perpetual Fertility and Richness of Soil. The Pa-
ftures, on the other hand, have this Ad-
vantage, that, lying on a Declivity, and
confequently lefs foak'd with Rain, they
produce a finer Sort of Grafs, and which gives the Fleſh
of thofe Animals that feed upon it a more delicious Tafte.
There are alfo fome Meadows which lye pretty high, that
partake of both thefe Excellencies, and are remarkable
both for the Abundance and Delicacy of their Grafs; of
this Sort are thoſe of Limagne in Auvergne, and in many
Parts of Low Normandy.
Marfires;
།
The most ordinary Kind of Meadow
Land is your Marſh; for the very beſt
Grafs it yields, is always mix'd with
Ruſhes, Flags, and feveral hard and coarfe Herbs, which
lacerate the Palates of thofe Animals which feed on them..
It is not indeed without it's Ufe; for, being well dry'd,
it will ferve for Litter, for Thatch for Out-Houſes, or to
heat the Oven: But after all our Care and Pains to fepa-
rate the Good from the Bad, to dry it, to pick out what is
noxious
B. 4
8
DIALOGUE XVII.
noxious and offenfive, and all thofe Weeds which have a
muddy and earthy Smell breeding malignant and unwhole-
fom Humours, yet we fhall never be able to make tole-
rable Provender of it; and to be fatisfied of this, we need
only behold the frightful meagre Looks of thofe Horſes,
which have nothing elfe to live upon.
Chevalier. But I remember to have feen fome induftrious
and pains-taking Gentlemen convert their Marſhes to good
fruitful Meadows, by contriving large Foffes and Drains,
to carry off the Water and uſing the Earth they took out
of the Ditches to raiſe the Flats; and at that Seafon of
the Year, when their Horfes are not employed in any
other Work of Hufbandry, they uſe them in carrying
Gravel and Chalk-Stones upon their Marſhes, which the
Moles and Worms mix and blend with the natural
Soil, and make it incorporate without any farther
Trouble.
Prior. Nor is that Induftry and Care
The Manage which we find fo effectual in curing the Bar-
ment of the rennefs of Nature, lefs ferviceable in im-
Meadows. proving her Fruitfulnefs; for though Hay,
for Example, is one of her fpontaneous Productions, and
independent of our Labour; yet the Goodneſs and Plenti-
fulness of the Crop does, in a great meafure, depend upon
our Management of the Meadows.
A prudent Huſbandman will every now and then vifit
his Meadows, and where he fees Shavegrafs, Darnel, Hem-
lock, or Wake Robin, and other noxious Weeds increaſe
too faſt, he will pluck them up by the Roots; or if there
is any Scarcity of Trefoil, or of any other Sort of good
Grafs, he will order new Seed to be fown, and every four
Years enrich his Land with a Compoſt of Dung, and fuch
Sweepings and Siftings of his Barn, as have not been
picked up by the Fowls.
At the Return of Spring, when the Beafts begin to
grow tired of their wintery Food, and long for the freſh
Grafs, they are turned into the fallow Fields, where the
fcattered Corn of laft Year's Harveft, that dropped from
the Reaper's Hand, begins to fprout afrefh, yielding here
and there a delicious Morfel; or elſe they are turned out to
graze on the Banks of Rivers, the Out fkirts of the Fields,
or the Highway Sides, but in no wife admitted into the
Meadows,
}
1
Of MEADOWS.
୨
Meadows, till the Hay-Harveſt is got in, unless where
there is a certain Allotment of Meadow-ground fet apart
for the common Ufe of the Inhabitants of
the Manor or Corporation, and therefore Commons.
called a Common, wherein the Tenants
have the Privilege to feed their Horfes and Cattle till mow
ing Time is over, when they fet them at full Liberty to
feaſt upon the Rowens. By means of this Caution, the
Grafs has Time to grow and get Strength in the Manner
we ſee it does in the Months of April and May, when it
ſeems to exult with a Senfe of Liberty, overſpreading and
adorning the wide-extended Plain, with an almoſt infinite
Number of Flowers, as you behold at prefent, whofe va-
rious and beautiful Colours receive an heightening Grace
from that Verdure which ferves them for a Ground. In
Fine it ripens into Seed, prefently after which it comes
to the Age of Maturity, and is ready for the Scythe.
Sluices..
•
But if there is any Danger, occafioned by a fevere
Drought, left the Grafs fhould wither before it be ripe;
or be ftinted in it's Growth, in this Cafe the Hufbandman
is wont, in thofe Places where there is a
Poffibility of doing it, to water his Mea-
dows; which he effects by letting the Wa-
ter in upon them by Sluices from the adjoining River, or
by turning fome little Rivulet out of it's natural Courte,
and forcing it into an artificial Canal, made on purpoſe to
receive it, the Banks of which are railed higher than the
Level on each Side, that the Water being damm'd up at
the End of the Canal may fwell above it's Brims, and,
then diffufe itſelf over the Meadows, pouring forth Moi-
fture and Refreshment upon the thirty Grafs. In ſome
Parts of the Country, every one fucceeds in his Turn to
the Right of the Water, who, after having employed it in
this manner for his own Ufe, during the Space of half
an Hour, or perhaps an Hour, is obliged to fhut up.
his Sluice or Drain, that it may pafs on to ferve in like
manner for the Benefit of his Neighbour. In the Pro-
vinces of Valencia and Andalusia, they keep their Mea-
dows from being parched up by the exceffive Heats they
are ſo ſubject to in thofe Places, by means of Trenches;
by which every Man draws a Communication-betwixt
his own Land and the adjacent River; and when the Water
happens.
B 5
委
​ΙΘ
DIALOGUE XVII.
happens to be lower than the Surface of their Meadows,
they diſperſe it upon them with Scoops and hollow Shovels
out of the Trenches, inafmuch that the River Xucar, after
being laded out in this Manner for the Space of twelve on
fifteen Leagues, becomes drained almoft dry.
When the Hay is mowed down, they often turn and
fpread it about upon the Ground, that thoſe hot and faline
Juices that are in it may exhale and evaporate, which would
otherwife ferment in the Stack, and fet Fire to it; in the
Night-time they put it up in Cocks, the better to defend
it from the cold Dews; and thus they manage it three or
four Days before they take it away: However they are
always prepared for any fudden Alterations of the Wea-
ther, and ready with their Carts to carry it off in caſe of
Neceffity; for it fometimes happens that an unforeſeen
Storm, or Inundation of the River, deprives us all at
once of ſo neceffary a Part of Provifion, either by fcat-
tering it abroad over the Face of the Country, or by fweep-
ing it down the Torrent to enrich the Inhabitants of fome
neighbouring Village with a Booty which the true Pro-
prietors cannot know again nor confequently recover.
When any one is defirous to reap a fe-
After-Grafs. cond Crop from his Meadow, which we
call After-Grafs, he muſt be fure to keep
his Cattle out of it till after the Time of cutting it down,
which is about the middle of September. In your very
large Meadows, which are held under Lords of Manors,
it is uſual to mark out fo much as is defigned for After-
Grafs, and to leave the reft in common, during the Sum-
mer and Autumn, for the Benefit of the Tenants.
Let us now take a further View of the Benefits we may
receive from Meadows; and among theſe the moſt excel-
lent, as perhaps the most profitable, will be found to be
that of breeding Horfes, either for carrying or drawing.
Horfes.
There is no Kind of Horſes, however
The Breeding of contemptible in Appearance, but what is
fit for fome neceffary Ufe, nay much fitter
for the Purpoſe they are defigned, than
others that are far more beautiful: For Example: the
fhort, thick-fet, full chefted Horfe, would foon foil the
moft fiery well-fhaped Steed at drawing in the Plough, the
Mill, or any fuch other hard-working Machine: On the
other
Of PASTURE S
I.I
other hand, the Horfe that has a fmall Head, is high and
thin cheſted, of a well-turn'd Shape, with a Belly fome-
what round and tight, and thin legg'd, is the moſt proper
for Services of a genteel Nature, will do Honour to his-
Rider in performing Feats of Chivalry, will excel in the
Chace or Courſe, will be ferviceable in Travelling, or in.
Purſuit of the Enemy.
"
The different Occafions of Mankind requiring Horfes
of different Kinds and Makes, Nature, who is ever intent
upon making Provifion for our Wants, has fo diverfified
the Qualities of Paſture-Grounds, that in fome you will
find Horfes completely beautiful, fit for Perfons of Dif
tinction, and more noble Ufes; in others, you have thofe
of a middle Sort, fit only for common Labour and Ser-
vice and in others, thofe of the most ordinary Kind,.
and fuch as are only proper for Drudgery and the "meaneft.
Sort of Work.
:
Your rich and fertile Paftures, fuch are thofe of Den-
mark, Friezeland, and North-Holland, produce your large
Dray-horſes, and fuch of them as are of a better Shape:
and Gait than ordinary do not ill become a Coach ; others
of them are fometimes taken into a Set with other Horfes
to animate and encourage them, they being fo itout and
ftrong in the Hough, that two of them are able to fupport.
the prodigious Weight of a public Voiture in a De-
fcent. Your Paftures that are not quite fo rich, and
whoſe Growth is naturally ſhorter, and of a more delicious-
Tafte; fuch as thofe in the Provinces of Alençon, Tourain,
Xaintonge, Maine, and Limofin; furnish the King's Stables,
and thoſe of Perſons of Quality, with fine Horfes, both for
the Harnefs and for Managing... Your Soil that is of a
middle Kind, neither fat nor poor, of which Kind are the
Paftures of Soifonnois, French-Comté, High Poitou and Breſſe,
affords Horfes for the King's Cavalry, and fuch as are
proper for Burdens, or to draw in Carriages. Denmark,
as it fends us fine fizeable Coach-Horfes, fo is it alfo famous
for thoſe of the ſmalleſt Breed, which young Noblemen ge-
nerally ride upon, or have pretty little Sets of them for
their Coaches. The moft valuable Saddle Horfes are the
English Geldings, Spanish Gennets, Turkish, Barbary, and
Arabian Horfes.
* A Sort of Vehicle uſed abroad, femețbing like our· Stege-Coach.
B Q
A fecond
:
12
DIALOGUE XVII.
}
Oxen.
A fecond Benefit that we receive from
Paftures and Meadows, is that of breed-
ing up young Oxen : which at the Age of
three or four Years are put to draw in Teams, and at ten
Years old are taken off in order to be fatted. The Age of
young Oxen is known, like that of young Horfes, by in-
ſpecting their Teeth; for at a certain Age they fhed their
firſt Set, which gives Place to new fucceeding ones; now
the fecond Teeth growing up regularly, one after another,
they fhew the Number of Years they are old, till the Row
being all complete and even, the Mark is out of their
Mouths.
The young Ox, being naturally a little wild and un-
ruly, muft be* early trained up to the Yoke; and as
this muſt be done by degrees, he cannot be too much ac-
cuſtomed at firft to be handled, and to receive his Food
from his Mafter's Hand, to fuffer his Neck to be encir-
cled with a Willow Twig, or his Horns to be twiſted
round with a Wreath of Straw; this will prove a Sort of
eafy Apprenticeship, will make him gentle, and difpofe
him for the Yoke: the next Step is to couple him with
another Ox that has been already difciplin'd, and to make
him draw a fingle Plank, to ufe him to the Noife of a little
Pair of Wheels, and then to encreaſe his Load, till by de-
grees he at laft becomes inured to Labour, and to offer
his Neck to the Yoke of his own Accord.
The Profit which the Ox gives to his Owner is very
confiderable; for after having drawn in Carriages or the
Plough for the Space of fix Years, he is diſcharged from La-
bour, and turned into the Meadows, where he gets Flefh,
and comes to be worth two or three hundred † Livres ;
then he is expoſed to Sale among the large-fized Oxen that
come from Flanders, Auvergne, or Low Normandy, which
every Week flock the Markets of Seaux and Poify, which
fupply Paris and the chief Part of France. The very Hide
of one of thefe Oxen, after it has gone through the Tan-
ner's Hands, will fell for twenty or five and twenty Livres,
and often for a great deal more.
Tu quos ad ftudium atque ad ufum formabis agreftem,
Jam vitulos hortare, &c. Virg. Georg. 3.
† A French Livre is about One Shilling English.
The
Of PASTURES.
13
A
The third Advantage we receive from the Meadows,
and that of moft general Ufe, is the keep-
ing of Cows; and here the Subject, as Cows.
well as Order, does naturally lead me to
fay fomething of the Dairy, which I fhall do in general,
without entering into any particular Account of it.
We
are fo ufed to leave the Management of all Country Af
fairs to mean, illiterate People, that we are apt to frame
very difadvantageous Opinions of the Nature of their
Employment; we think it beneath us, and, in fome mea-
fure difgraceful to us, to be concerned in the Buſineſs of
a Farm, or to have any thing to do with fuch vulgar
Attainments, and fo unworthy the Care of Gentlefolks;
but it is an Argument of a Judgment corrupted by Preju
dice of Education, to flight that which Nature made the
Employment of the first of the human Race, which all
Nations have looked upon as the moſt beneficial to Soci-
ety, and which, next to Bread, is the Staff and Support of
Mankind.
The Dairy.
In the main, there is nothing in a
Dairy than can offend the Eyes of the
niceft Spectator: the Veffels ufed therein
are indeed plain, being feldom or never made of any other
Materials than Earth or Wood, but every thing is kept in
the most perfect Order and Decency; for Cleanlineís is fo
neceffary to a Dairy, that, without it, it can ſcarce be
-profitable.
Chevalier. When we return from Walking, if you
pleafe, we ſhall make a Viſit to a Dairy-Houfe, and fee
the Oeconomy of it; for I have but a very imperfect No.
tion of it.
Prior. With all my Heart; for the Neatness of the
Place itſelf is not more inviting than the Work which is
done in it is entertaining, and which may be made the Sub-
ject of a reaſonable Curiofity. We have Princeffes, no leís.
famous for the Juftnefs and Elegance of their Tafte, than
for their eminent Rank and Birth, who are fo far from
defpifing all rural Employments of this Kind, that they
have Dairies of their own,, where they bufy themfelves
in fkimming the Milk, in pouring the Cream into the
Churn, and in churning the Butter: Or elfe in putting.
the
24
XVII.
DIALOGUE
the Rennet* into the Milk to make it turn, in putting
the Curd into the Prefs, and falting it up when the Whey
is drained clear from it: Sure then we need not be afhamed
to make that our Study, which Royal Hands do not
difdain to make their Work.
Chevalier. Pray, what Cheeſe do you reckon the most
valuable
Prior. Every Country has it's peculiar Places famous for
this Commodity. England, for Example, fets moſt by
their Cheshire Cheeſe; Hainault holds that of Marolles in
greateſt Efteem: Picardy that of Guife; Normandy that of
Neufchâtel, Pont l'Evêque, and Livarrot; Dauphiny that of
Soffenage; Switzerland that of Gruyeres,
which is prepared with great Nicety and.
Care; and laftly, the Milaneze fend to al-
moſt all Parts the Cheefe of Lodi, which we call Parmefan,.
by reaſon that a Princefs of Parma, as the Story goes, firſt
brought it into France, where it ftill keeps up it's Cha-
Cheeſe.
racter.
All theſe forts of Cheeſe are entirely made of Cows--
Milk, without any Mixture of Goats-Milk; in theſe the
Cream goes along with the Milk, which is not the Cafe
in common Cheeſe, which they make only of ſkimmed
Milk, the Cream of which they make Butter of. The
Cheeſe of Rochford in Languedoc is noted for being made
of Ewes-Milk.
Chevalier. The Profit which is made of thefe Creatures:
muft needs be very confiderable, fecing, generally fpeaking,
they are the only Poffeffions the Country People have.
Prior. We may make an Eſtimate of the Profit ari-
fing from theſe numerous Herds which al-
moſt cover our Meadows, by that which
a fingle Cow, of ordinary Goodnefs and
The Profit of a
fingle Cow.
-
* Rennet is a fort of Leaven, which chiefly confifts of that turn'd
Milk which is found in the Maw or firft Stomach of a Calf, which
they falt and keep by them: This, when mix'd with Milk, unfolds it's
volatile Salts, and by means of the Elafticity of the Air darts them,
as it were, in all directions, into the Milk: This occafions a Motion
in the fineſt Particles of the Fluid, which feparates the Serum from
the more confiftent Parts; thefe latter affociate themſelves together
in fmall Globules, which we call Curds, and of which the common
Sort of Cheeſe is made: The better Sort of Cheefe is made of the
Cream and Milk thus curdled together,
・upon
Of PASTURE S.
15
L
Butter.
pon common Feeding, will yield. A good Cow will
give, one Week with another, a fufficient Quantity
of Cream to make about five Pounds of Butter. Others
that are not ſo hearty, or under Age, will give about
three or four, fometimes not fo much. Now to take
it at a middle Ratio, and to make Allowance for
Abatements in the Winter time, we will fet every Cow at
three Pounds per Week: We will further cut off ten
Weeks from the two and fifty which compofe the Year
becauſe that a Cow, during the Time of calving and fuck-
ling her Calf, which is thereabouts, fpares us no Milk :
There remain then, according to this Way of reckoning,
forty-two Weeks: But that our Computa-
tion may be the more unexceptionable, we
will fay but forty Weeks. A Pound of
Butter, at fome Seafons, will fetch twelve* Sous or more,
and never lefs than five; we will fix it upon an Average
at fix Sous, the Year round, which is undeniably below the
true Value of it, not only in and about Paris, where the
Confumption is great, but almost every where: Three
Pounds then, according to this Calculation, will bring in
eighteen Sous, or about nine Pence per Week. Now where
the Produce of Butter is three pounds; the Quantity of
Cheeſe which is made of the ſkimmed milk, is double,
tho' it generally yields but half the Price, that is, ǹine
Sous; which added to eighteen, makes twenty-feven; we
will, however, rate the Week's Profits arifing from both
thefe Articles but at twenty five Sous, which being mul-
tiply'd by forty, amounts to fifty + Livres a Year. I
have not here reckoned the value of the Calf, tho' the
fmalleſt of them will fetch five or fix Livris; nor have I
confidered the other Advantages which the Family daily
receives from the Dairy, without any Diminution of the
ordinary Profits of it; neither have I taken to the Ac-
count of the Expence which is faved in Dung to manure
the Land, which, if not fupplied from the Stables, muft
have been bought: nor yet the fattening the Hogs with
* Twelve Sous French are about Six-pence English Money.
+ About fifty Shillings English; but if we take into the Account
the Cheapnefs of all Sorts of Provifions, and their manner of Living
in France, we may fairly reckon Fifty Shillings there, equal to Four
Pounds with us.
the
1
16
D⋅TALOGUE. XVII.
1
the Whey, which are fo neceffary an Article in Houfe
keeping, and the chief Provifion of the Family. All
thefe Advantages, which we have not taken into the Ac-
count of the neat Profit of a Dairy, will abundantly com-
penfate for the Price of the Cow, fuppofing it to be bought
and not bred upon the Farm; as alfo for the eaſy Wages of
a.Cow-herd: We will ftill farther deduct from the Product.
of fifty Livres, which we made the Amount of the neat
Profit, ten Livers for renting a Piece of Ground fufficient
to produce Hay, enough to fodder the Cow during the
Winter, or in wet Weather; which being deducted, the
clear Gain ariſing from every Cow to a Farmer who has
no Land of his own, nor Farm, will be 40 Livres; and:
confequently, if he has a Herd of twenty Cows, they will
bring him in 800 Livres a Year, all Charges paid. It is
true, Accidents may fometimes happen which will fink
the Profit; but then there are alfo fometimes accidental-
Advantages, or extraordinary Demands, which will raiſe
the Price of his Commodity, and make him Amends on-
the other hand; nay, the felling a few Calves or Heifers,.
will at once double his Gains: A fatted Calf a few Months-
old will fetch, at leaft, fifteen Livres; and thoſe which
are bred by the River Seine in Normandy, and therefore
called. River-Calves, feldom fail of fetching 30 or 35
Livers, oftentimes more. One Example will be fufficient
to fhew that my Calculation is both reaſonable and mo-
derate. I know a Village confifting of an hundred Houſes-
fituate on the Skirts of a Meadow, which is the only
Riches of the Place, though it is a great way from Paris,
and diftant ten Leagues from thofe two or three neighbour-..
ing Towns which are the chief Marts for their Commo-
dities: In this Place, upon a Meadow of half a League-
fquare, the Inhabitants keep eight hundred Cows; which,
at the rate of forty Livres a Head, would come to but'
32000 Livres in all: But by a middle Computation for
feveral Years together, the Amount of the neat Profit is
found to exceed forty thouſand Livres,
Chevalier. This is a Degree of Plenty almoft to be en-
vied: How happy are the People that live near ſuch fertile
Meadows!
Prior. Their Situation is indeed doubly advantageous;.
for befides the Benefit of Pafture, it does alfo yield them
2
$
twice
}
}
C
ATrefoil B. Another kind of "Trefeit
C. Lucern
A
B
Plate 1 l'òl II pade 17
Toms hulp.
Of PASTURES.
17
4
twice more Dung to manure their tilled Ground than
any other.
But neither has God's all-bountiful Providence
bestowed it's Favours with a niggard Hand on the poorer
Sort of Ground, which does not ſo abound with rich and
fpacious Meadows; for they enjoy their respective Advan-
tages, and fuch as are often compatible with a very fer-
tile Soil. The Fowls it produces are more wholfom and
better tafted; the Game more relifhing; the Fruits of a
more delicious Flavour; and the Bees which feed upon
it's Flowers, make better Honey, and finer Wax: Befides,
what the Inhabitants come fhort of in the Plenty, they make
up in good Husbandry, making Advantage of that which
in richer Land they flight as ufelefs, and improving every
little Hollow or turfy Bank. As they have no great Crop
of Hay, they mix with it Straw, Lentils, Lupins, ſmall
Beans, Peafe Cods, Vine Leaves, the Hufks of all Sorts
of Pulſe, and even the young Leaves and Buds of certain
Trees and Shrubs, as Birch, Broom, Shrub-Trefoil, Sea-
Rufhes, Elms, and others that I can't at preſent call to
mind. Thus by their Care and Induſtry they are always
provided with that delicious Cream which gratifies the
Palate in fuch fundry Forms and Compofitions, and Milk,
which is the chief Support of the Poor.
But fince it is fcarce poffible to till and cultivate the
Ground without a fufficient Quantity of Grafs to feed--
the Cattle, which are neceffary for that Purpofe; therefore,
where Nature has not formed Meadows
ready to our Hand, we make, if I may Artificial Mea-
call them fo, artificial ones; which is dows.
done in this manner: We first of all make
Choice of a Piece of Ground of a proper Extent, which
muſt be ditched, round, in order to keep the Cattle out of
it; which done, it is ploughed and turned over ſeveral
times; and about February, fowed with the beft Hay-feed
that can be got, or elfe fuch as beft fuits the Nature of
the Soil.
If it is of a nutritive good Kind, after it has been
worked fo as to be fufficiently foft and gentle, it is fown
with Lucern, one Bushel of which, or twen-
ty Pounds Weight, is enough to fow a Lucern-Land
hundred fquare Perches, of eighteen Feet
each: But it is cuftomary to mix it with a few Bufhels of
Oats,
18
DIALOGUE XVII.
>
Oats, and to fow them together in Handfuls; for this
makes the Sowing of it not only more eafy, but alſo more
profitable; for the Oats growing fafteft, fhade the young
Grafs from the exceffive Heats which would otherwife
fcorch it, and will moreover pay the Tillage of the firſt
Year: The following Years the Farmer cuts Lucern twice
or thrice every Year, as it grows into Flower, unleſs he
chufes to let it run to Seed againſt the third Cutting; for
it is a fort of Seed that fells very well, and the Grafs
always fheds enough to fow itſelf again thicker than it was
before. It is an Herb of excellent Virtue for young Lambs,
which it ftrengthens greatly, and enables them to bear the
nipping Froft of the Winter: It is good to fatten Horſes,
which it does in a very short time; and for Cows, to
make them give Abundance of Milk; but they are fo
greedy of it, that they will often glut and furfeit themſelves
with it; fo that they are obliged, in order to prevent this,
to mix it with cut Straw.
Saintfoin is another excellent Remedy to ftock bar-
ren Land with Grafs, and it is fo much.
the more valuable, as it will thrive in the
very pooreſt Soil: It is fown with Succeſs
in ftony, fandy, and chalky Lands, where you fcarce meet
with half a Foot of entire Earth together: It thrives well
upon Mountains, and will turn to good Account, if ſown
in thofe Places where Dung is hard to come at; however,
it is not amifs to corroborate the Soil with Soot, which
will enrich it with it's unctuous and faline Particles; be-
fides, the Charge of this is fmall, and the Carriage eafy,
becauſe a little of it will ferve. Let it be noted, that
the Proximity of other Herbs is prejudicical to Saintfoin,
for which Reaſon they fow it thicker than other Grain;
fix Pounds Weight of it is enough to fow a hundred
fquare Perches of Land. They cut it two or three
times a Year.
Saintfoin.
In the fame Manner you may fow either Fennigreek,
or Efparcet; but Trefoil is the moſt profitable, and will
alfo thrive in a poor, ordinary Soil.
Trefoil will ftand it's Ground four or five Years in a
barren Soil: Saintfoin will hold out feven or eight Years
in one that is moderately good, and your Lucern will laſt
fifteen or twenty Years in rich. Ground. When theſe
Herbs
Phate 2 félM page 10.
1
1
B
Drawn from & life by M Basseporte
Toms Julp.
A
B
▷ The lemmen Saintfein. В She Spanish Saintfein & The Leaf at the Revt of i Plant.
Of PASTURE S.
ig
Herbs have exhaufted all thofe Salts which are neceffary
to their Support in the Ground, and begin to languiſh,
there muſt be a freſh Supply of them, but not fown in
the fame Place, for they always thrive beſt in freſh Earth.
Chevalier. How many Ways there are of converting
fteril Lands into fruitful Meadows! I was in pain for them;
and at the fame time that you have found out a Way to
enrich them, you have improved my Mind, and given me
great Satisfaction.
Prior. Another confiderable Advantage we receive from
the poorer fort of Lands, by way of Compenfation for
their Scarcity of Grafs, is their affording Pafture for the
fleecy Kind. We ſtand in need of Raiment as well as
Nouriſhment. Now Sheep, which not only feed but
clothe us, never thrive, like the large Cattle, in rich
Paſtures.; over-thick Grafs is too hard for them to digeft,
and does moreover fill them full of Diftempers that often
prove mortal; befides, there is a muddy, rank Taſte in
the Herbage produced by ftrong, moift Lands, that never
fails to give them the Rot; whereas they delight more
in a dry Soil, and enjoy there a more conftant State of
Health; the Lavender, the Wild Thyme, and a hundred
other forts of odoriferous Herbs, give a more delicious
and favoury Tafte to their Fleſh; their Wool is cleaner
and finer, and bears a better Price; and their Fat makes
2 Tallow that vies in Whitenefs with the Wax Candle
Chevalier. You told me the Profit that might be
made of a Cow: Pray what may that of a Sheep come
to?
Prior. After repeated Calculations made in different
Parts of the Country, it is generally agreed on all Hands,
that the Profit of a fingle Sheep amounts to a Crown a
Year, and fometimes more. I will not here trouble you
with a particular Account of Gains and Charges, but con-
tent myſelf with giving you the neat Profit of a Sheep
Now this arifes chiefly from the Shearing of the Wool,
which they do every Year in the Month
of May, when there is no more Danger of
cold Weather before it grows again: Of
Sheep-Shearing.
the Locks they cut off, they ſeparate thofe that grow up-
on the Breaſt neareſt the Heart from the reft, as being the
fineft, and this they call the Prime; that which is next
{
1
2:0
Wool.
DIALOGUE
XVII.
The
to it, they call Second; and the Remainder, Tierce: all that
which is grown yellow, or any ways da-
maged, they fet apart by itſelf, and this
goes to make the coarfeſt and moſt ordi-
nary forts of Stuffs. The Prime of Segovia is undoubtedly
allowed to be the most perfect of it's Kind; though
all Spanish Wool in general is highly efteemed.
English, by having baniſhed all Wolves out of their Iflands,
and ftocking it with plenty of Sheep from Caftile (which
they keep expoſed to the Air as much as poffible, even in
Seafons of fevere Froft and Snow, in order to make their
Fleeces more foft and tender) have arrived to that Per-
fection in Wool, as to have it near as good as that of
Spain.
*
•
We have many different forts of Wool in France, and
though it be far inferior to that of Spain and England, yet
our Manufacturers do fo judicioufly mix them together,
and with that of our two neighbouring Nations, as to
make Cloth for all Ufes and Purpoſes, as good as can be
wifhed. Nor do we only not ftand in need of being
obliged to others for woolen and filken Commodities, but
we fend them, of our own Manufacture, into Portugal,
Italy, the Iflands of the Archipelago, and all the Sea-
Ports of the Levant; where they are held in greater
Repute than ever, by reafon of the great Care and Vigi
lance of our Superintendants, who, by very fevere Penal-
ties, guard against any Diminution of them, either in
Quality or Quantity. Our Woollens would fell ftill better,
and employ a much greater Number of Hands, if in
many of our Dreffes we would prefer the plain fubftantial
Taſte of our own Stuffs, to the gaudy Luftre of Indian
Calicoes, &c. the Wear of which muft neceffarily preju.
dice the Sale and Manufacture of our. Woollen Cloth.
There are ſtill other Animals of a tame and gentle Na-
ture that delight to go in Companies, and
to live under the Protection of Man, and
which bring him in daily Profit even in
Goats.
The Ports which lie to the Eaft of the Mediterranean Sea go by
this Name: Here the Europeans carry on a Traffick, and keep Confuls,
who are the Perfons invefted with Authority to make Regulations,
and determine Differences, between the Merchants of their respective
Countries.
L
the
Of DOMESTICK ANIMAL S.
21
the moſt unfruitful Lands; of this Sort are your Goats,
which the Owners only need turn loofe upon the ſteepeſt
Mountains or barren Rocks, and by an inconceivable and
providential Provifion they will return home richly laden
with Milk, their Udders dragging upon the Ground,
and almoſt weighing them down with the Burden of it,
which is generally enough to fuckle two Kids. They.
give their Milk to Lambs, when the Ewes have not a
Sufficiency for them; and it alfo ferves to fupply the
Place of Cows Milk, where they cannot get it; nay, in
the poorer fort of Families, the She gcats, upon Occafion,
perform the Office of a Nurfe, and give fuck to Children,
holding out their Teats to them with a feeming Tender-
nefs and Affection. In many Countries, eſpecially in Bar-
bary and Afatick Turky, about Angoura, their Goats-
Hair is fo very fine and beautiful, that they fpin it for i
Clothes, make it, into Camblets and other Stuffs, which
will bear a Glofs like Silk. Goats Skins are alſo valuable,
and when well dreffed and worked, will look like fhamoy
Leather and as for the Flesh of young Kids, it is, in
many Countries, comparable to that of Lambs.
Hogs.`
Another Article of Advantage arifing from all forts of
Land, is the bringing up of Hogs. This
is an Animal that lives upon Bran, Acorns,
Maft, all the moſt uſeful fort of Grains,
Whey, and the Refufe and Trafh of almost every Thing.
As this Creature is only defigned for our eating, Nature
has given it a very voracious Apetite, infomuch that it is
made an Emblem of Gluttony; but this fhe has ordered
on purpofe that it may fatten the fooner, having fo form-
ed and conftitutioned it's Body, as to make it, by a quick
Digeftion, convert the vileft Nouriſhment into the moſt
delicious Subftance of Fat and Lean: Nor has Nature
lefs fhewn her beneficent Intention in the extreme Fecun-
dity of the Sow, which brings forth Pigs four or five times
in a Yeart, fometimes fifteen or fixteen at a Litter. The
eafy Expence of keeping fo fruitful an Animal is of vaft
Service in victualing the poor Country People, as well as
Mariners; I fay nothing of thofe Delicacies, with with
it fupplies the Tables of the Wealthy.
*This was the ancient Aucyra of Galatia.
†The Sow goes with Young nine Weeks and odd Days.
Chevalier
یر
22 DIALOGUE XVII.
警
​L
Chevalier. I find then, Sir, that every Soil is productive
of ſomething, and has it's particular Advantages.
Prior. This is a Truth which carries in it Demonftra-
tion to the very Senfes, that Lands of all Kinds, rich and
poor, dry and moitt, ftony and clay, from the Banks of
the River to the Tops of the Mountains, are all covered
with proper Provifion for thoſe numberlefs tame Animals
that feed upon them, and which, as they are placed un-
der our Care, fo are they defigned for our Ufe and Con-
venience. Let us not then complain of the Scarcity of
Meadows in any particular Place, feeing the whole Earth.
may be confidered as one vaft Meadow, on which all theſe
Animals feed, and which is only diverfified, that it may
the better adminifter to our different Occafions and De-
lights, by fupporting that Variety of Creatures which are
neceffary to this Purpoſe.
But befides thofe Herds and Flocks of Animals, whofe
Serviceableness to Man I have briefly fet forth; that he
might be deftitute of nothing that could any ways contri-
bute to the Comfort of Life, Nature has
further provided feveral others for his Ufe.
The Poultry, that live upon the Crumbs
Hens.
Pigeons.
of his Table, and the Sweepings of his Barn, afford him
many wholeſome and delicious Meals; the
Pigeons requite his Pains and Care of them.
with the monthly Tribute of their young
ones; the Ducks and Geefe foften his
Bed with their Down, and only require
the eafy Convenience of a Pond, wherein
Geefe.
and Ducks.
-
·
to fport and dabble, and to find a fafe Retreat from the
Purſuit of their Enemies; and thus provided, they fubfift
by their own Induſtry, till they are taken in to be fatted
for their Maſter's Table.
Swans.
As for Swans, they are not ſo good
for the Spit (tho' there are ſome who
affure us, that the young ones are very good Meat) as
for clearing the Canals, which are fo
ornamental to a Seat, of thoſe aquatic
Herbs and Weeds that grow in them, and
which are the chief of their Food.
The Art of
Husbandry,
Tom. I.
Turkeys, and even Partridges and Pheaſants, after they
are tamed and brought up by Hand, will go together by
Companies
I
f
+
Of DOMESTICK ANIMAL S.
23
Companies into the Fields, in queft of fuch loofe Grains
of Corn as have drop'd from the Ears, or been ſcattered
by any other means; and this they do regularly and in
Order, after the Harveft is got in, leaving the Farmer's
Yard, and going from one Field to another under the Con-
duct of any young Child: Thus do they feed all Autumn
at little or no Expence, till they are in proper Condition
to feed their Keepers.
Bees.
Another Advantage that may be received from the moſt
barren and even the moft Northern Countries, fuch as
Lithuania and Mufcovy, is the keeping of
Bees; and altho' thefe Animals do fuf-
ficiently fecure to Men the Fruit of their
Labour, by that admirable Form of Government and Polity
which they obſerve among themſelves, yet they are fo
form'd by Nature to ferve him where-ever he fhall think fit
to employ them, as to be fubject to his Directions, and
to fly obedient to his Call, in as orderly a Manner as Sheep
obey the Voice of their Shepherd. The Herdfman is no
fooner riſen with the Sun, but he winds his Horn: upon
which the Horſes, Mules, Affes, Oxen, Goats, or Heifers
do immediately come forth from the Stalls; he then
advances at the Head of them, and leads them, obfequious
to their Guide, into fuch Paftures as he thinks moft pro-
per. With a fecond Signal he leads them to Water, and
with a third reconducts them Home, where every one
repairs to his own proper Stall. In like manner the
Mafter of the Hives, with a Blaft of his Whiſtle, can
call all the Bees of the Village after him, conducting them
by this means, fometimes into one Field of Flowers,
fometimes into another; thus taking them in their Turns,
on purpoſe to give the Flowers Time to recruit their
Stock of Sweets, and thereby afford the Bees a freſh Re-
paft. With another Blaſt of his Whiſtle he leads them
back to their Hives, when either impending Rains or
the Approach of Night give Warning to found a
Retreat.
Chevalier. I can't easily conceive how it is poffible for
Bees to be brought under fuch regular Diſcipline.
Prior. This was a very common as well as ancient
Practice in the Eaft; and to this the Prophet Iſaiah alludes,
when, comparing the Armies which God brings upon any
Nation
1
[
24
DIALOGUE
XVII.
Nation to afflict it, to a Swarm of Bees which a Shepherd
calls or difmiffes by a Signal given, he fays, The Lord ſhall
bifs for the Fly that is in the uttermost Part of the Rivers
of Egypt, and for the Bee that is in the Land of Affy-
ria. This Cuftom did ſtill ſubſiſt in Afia in the IVth and
Vth Centuries, and St. Cyril fpeaks of it as a Thing very
common in his Time, and which he had very often feen*
Silk-Worms.
•
Laftly, Silk Worms are another Species
of Animals that will live together in great
Numbers, and yield vaft Profit even in the
moft unfruitful Countries. As for the Worms, they are
reared within Doors; but the chief Difficulty is in bring-
ing the white Mulberry Trees to Thrive, which they feed
upon; and theſe are preferable to the common black Mul-
berries, forafmuch as they convert into a finer fort of Silk.
We need not any other Encouragement to plant white
Mulberry-Trees in our poorer fort of Land, than the great
Succefs they have had with them in our moſt dry and bar-
ren Provices, fuch as Provence, Dauphiny, and others;
nor can this be aſcribed to the Heat of thofe Parts, ſeeing
Dauphiny is no hot Country; and Savoy, where thefe Trees
come to the greateſt Perfection, is ftill colder. It muſt be
allowed, that any Enterprize of Confequence ought not to
be entred upon rafhly; but a bold Venture, when directed
by Prudence, and authorized by good Examples, feldom
fails of Succeſs. The Novelty of any Commodity in a
This
* In Ifaiam, c. vii. 18. Πεποίηται τοίνυν ὁ λόγω, ὡς ἐκ μετα
φορᾶς τῆς μελισσοκόμων ἐμπειρίας, οι Γυρίσμασι τὰς μυίας
ἀποφέρεσί τε τῶν (μέλων εἰς ἀγρὸς, καὶ πάλιν ἀνακομίζεσι.
Expreffion (of Iſaiah) is figurative, being a Metaphor borrowed
from a Custom among the Managers of Bees, who only with a Whiſtle
lead them out of their Hives into the Fields, and in like manner con-
duct them back again. And upon thoſe other Words of Iſaiah, v. 26.
The Lord fhall whistle them from the Extremities of the Earth, St. Cyril
has the following Remark: Δέχεται δὲ καὶ τοτο πάλιν ὡς ἀπό γε
τῆς (υνηθείας τε τῆς ἐπὶ τῶν μυιῶν. Ἐν ἔθει γὰρ πῶς ἐςι τοῖς μελισα
σοκόμοις ζυρίζειν αὐταῖς, ὅτω τῶν σίμβλων ἀποέφειν εἰς
ἀνθῆ καὶ πόας, καὶ μὲν καὶ ἀνακομίζειν ἐξ ἀγρῶν,
τὰς ἐναυλίζεσθαι ποιεῖν. Ifaiab takes this Form of Speech from
the manner of managing Bees: for thoſe who have the Care of them
accuftom them to know the Sound of the Whiſtle, by which they entice
them from their Hives into the Rowery Meadows and Fields, and by the
fame Signal, fummon them home to their Hives.
TE
οἶκόν
ΤΕ
aù-
Country
*
Of DOMESTICK ANIMALS. 25
་
Country ought to be confidered as no material Objection
to the Importation of it, as I will make appear by the
two following Inſtances: When the Greek Monks, in the
Time of the Emperor Juftinian, had brought the Eggs of
Silk-worms from the farther Part of Afia into Greece, it
was generally faid, that the Country of the * Seres was
too remote from them, to hope that the Silk-Worms could,
find proper Nouriſhment and Warmth in fo different a
Climate; but notwithſtanding this Suppofition, the Ifles
of Greece and Italy became, by Degrees, well flocked with
them. When Henry II. undertook to plant White Mul-
berry-Trees in France, and to eſtabliſh Silk-Manufactures at
Lyons and Tours, the People feemed amazed, and faid with
one common Voice, What will all thefe fruitlefs and chi-
merical Projects come to? For fo long as Silk-Worms have
been known in Europe, they were never fo much as feen-
yet in France: Nevertheleſs the French Silk-Manufactures
were then eſtabliſhed, and have ever fince been carried on
with great Succefs and Credit. Our Mulberry-Trees have
greatly encreaſed in a very fhort Time, and in thofe
Places where the Soil turned to very little Advantage be-
fore; the Silk which is produced from them is exquifitely
fine and beautiful, and is manufactured to as great Per-
fection at Lyons as at Naples, or in any Part of the Eaft;
and could we but once bring ourselves to make this our
common Wear more than we do, the Indian and foreign
Silks and Stuffs would foon grow out of Favour with us;
we might equally gratify our Tafte for Finery and Gaiety ;
and, by thus promoting the Confumption of the Natural
Produce and Manufacture of our own Country, ſave thắt
immenfe Wealth which is carried to enrich the Kingdoms
of Afia in Exchange for their fuperfluous Commodities.
* A Country of ancient Scythia, famous for producing great Quantities
of Silk, from whence it took its Latin Name Sericum.
VOL. III.
RIVERS
1
3
}
( 26 )
RIVER S.
1
DIALOGUE XVIII.
The PRIOR and CHEVALIER.
Chevalier. IF
F the Profpect of the River is an Ornament
to the Caſtle, we muſt alſo allow that the
Sight of the Caftle thus flanding upon the rifing of the
Hill, is a great Embellishment to the River.
Prior. We have infenfibly wandered into the very Place
where it forms the moft delightful Scene; as we are here,
therefore, let us fit down under this Row of Poplars which
adorn it's Banks, and enjoy the Profpect of that natural
Canal with which it prefents us.
How delightful an Object is here! how graceful an
Appearance does the Courfe of a River make in the
Works of Nature! Whether I fix my Attention on the
Motion of its, Waters, or confider the Advantages it
affords us, or endeavour to trace it to it's Source; it's gentle'
gliding in beautiful Meanders raviſhes me with Pleaſure;
the Multitude of Comforts and Conveniencies it brings
us, fills my Soul with Gratitude to the Great Author of
this, and all other Bleflings; and the Obfcurity of its Ori-
ginal does' wonderfully excite my Curiofity.
The Courſe of
Rivers.
Let us confider it in the feveral Steps
of it's Progrefs and Growth. At first it is
no more than a Vein of Water ftreaming
from fome Hill, upon a Bed of Sand or Clay; the very
Pebbles which lie fcattered up and down, are ſtrong enough
to interrupt it's Couife through which it turns, and winds,
and murmurs as it goes; having thus by Degrees cleared
its Way, it unites with other kindred Streams, and with
accelerated Force, ruſhes impetuous on the Plains below;
I
the
}
Of RIVER S.
27
1
the Violence of its Fall hollows the Ground, cafting up
the Earth on each Side by way of Banks; thus it purſues
it's Courſe, eating a Paffage through every Thing that op-
pofes it, and digging a Channel for itfelf. The Over-
flowing of Ponds, the melted Snow that falls from the
Hills, and the tributary Supplies of many Brooks and Ri-
vulets that fall into it, fwell it into a large River, and dig-
nify it with a Name. Thus fortified and enlarged, it
proudly fteers it's Courfe along the Sides of fpacious Meads,
and verdant Fields; it makes the Tour of Hills and Moun-
tains, and in wanton Meanders at once enriches and adorns
the wide-extended Plains.
It is a Rendezvouz of almoſt all Sorts of Animals: A
thouſand Birds, of all Colours and Notes, take their Paftime
upon it's fandy Banks, fport and play upon it's Surface, or
dive in queft of the finny Breed, nor quit the varied Scene
till approaching Night hangs out her fable Curtain, and
invites to Reſt.
The Evening Star has no fooner fhut up the Gates of
Day, and the Fowls returned to their refpective Lodgings,
than the wild Beafts of the Foreft fucceed in their Turn to
the Benefit of the River, which they enjoy unmoleſted till
Morning appears, when they retire into the Woods for
Safety, leaving the Plains to Man, and the free Ufe of the
River to the Cattle, which quit their Pafture twice a Day
to pay their accuſtomed Vifits to the friendly Stream,
wherein they flake their Thirst, or feek a cool Retreat.
Nor is Man lefs delighted with the Beauty and Advantages
of the River than other Creatures, feeing for it he flights
the Mountains and Woods to fix his Habitation upon it's
Banks.
After having thus continued it's Courſe through many
rural Scenes, diftributing it's Favours as it paffes along;
after having enriched the Fishermen with Plenty of Fish,
rejoiced the Farmer's Heart by refreſhing his thirsty Plains,
adorned the Villas of the Wealthy with beautiful Profpects,
and, in a word, made the Country both rich and delight-
ful, it makes a Vifit to thofe large Towns whofe Opulence
and Splendor it has fo largely contributed to; here it floats
on in ftately Pride, where Rows of lofty Structures and
coftly Palaces on each Side grace it's Banks, at once adorn-
ing and adorned by it.
C 2
The
6
1
}
28
DIALOGUE XVIII.
1
The perpetual Concourfe of People and Carriages that
paſs over the Bridges that lie a-cross it, the Multitude of
Barks and Boats that float upon it's Surface, together with
that continual Din and confufed Noife that is heard all
over it's Waters, and from one End of it's Wharfs to the
other, form in the Mind a very lively and pleafing Idea
of the great Wealth and Trade of the City: But above all
are we delighted, where the Tide flowing in from the Sea'
preſents to our raviſhed Sight the Veffels of larger Size;
whether we behold them coming with full Sail up the
River fucceffively, and joyfully proclaiming their fafe Ar·
rival with a Diſcharge of their Cannon, or fee them fta-
tioned all abreaſt and at Anchor in the Haven, forming a
Foreſt of Maſts, while their Flags and Streamers wanton in
the Wind.
↓
Let us fufpend a little longer our Curiofity of inquiring
what Reſervoirs, or Stores of Water, can be fufficient to
feed fo copious aCurrent, and which is perpetually running:
and content ourſelves with admiring the prodigious Abun-
dance and Extent of that which was fo fcanty and inconfi-
derable at it's fuft fetting out, as we have already fhew'd,
its Paffage through whole Provinces, the Continuance of its
Stream along Tracts of Land feveral hundred Leagues in
Length, and it's furprizing Breadth juft before it empties.
itſelf into the Ocean, itſelf a little Sea. Such as the Rhine,
which, coming from Switzerland, paffes, through France,
Germany, and Holland, where it's vaft Bed of Waters di-
vides itſelf into four or five Channels, and mixes with the
Sea after a Courſe of above two hundred Leagues. The
Danube travels five hundred before it difcharges itſelf
into the Black Sea. The Niger waters near eleven hun-
dred Leagues of Lands, in the vaft, burning, fandy De-
farts of Africa; and the River of the Amazons in America,
which is no more than a little Rivulet near Quito, where it
takes it's Rife, after a Courſe of eight hundred Leagues,
according to fome Travellers, and eleven hundred accord-
ing to the Account of others, opens itſelf into the Ocean
by an Out-let eighty-four leagues in Breadth.
4
Methinks
Of RIVER S.
29.
The Uſefulneſs
of Mountains to
the Courſe of
Rivers.
Methinks I fee the whole Earth delved and furrowed
with fuch long Channels, and a furprizing
Contrivance in the Structure and Forma-
tion of it's other Parts to facilitate the
Courfe of the Waters that are to run in
them. It is obſerved, that not only in
all Continents, but alſo in the fmalleft Iflands, there are
Mountains, at different Diſtances from one another, ſome
higher, fome lower, from which there lies a gradual,
though fometimes unperceivable, Defcent to the Sea:
Now the Sources of Rivers, are purpofely lodged in the
Bowels of thefe Eminences, that the Waters, by the
Height of their Fall, may acquire fuch a Degree of Ac-
celeration as to be able to impel the preceding Waters
with a Force fufficient to furmount any little Rifings which
may oppoſe them, through the Inequality of the Earth's
Surface.
The Uſefulneſs
of Rivers.
Now we cannot ſuppoſe that Providence, which never
does any Thing in vain, after fo great an
Apparatus, and fo much Pains in the For-
mation and Diftribution of Rivers, has
not anſwered ſome End proportionably
great and beneficial thereby. And to be convinced of
this we need only reflect upon the high Value every
Country fets upon the River it is enriched with, and
the great Diſtreſs thoſe People are in, that want fo great
a Bleffing.
Supplying us
with Drink,
The firſt and chief End that our great Creator pro-
pofed hereby, was doubtless to fupply
Man and Beaft with one of the most ne-
ceffary Elements of Life; and fuch we
muſt allow it to be, whether we confider
it as ferving the Purpoſe of common Drink, or to drefs
our Victuals, or keep our Bodies and Habitations cleanly
and wholefome.
Chevalier. But how can the Water of the River, which
carries along with it fo much Dirt and Filth from the
Places it paffes through and cleanſes, fufficiently clear and
purify itſelf ſo as to ferve the People, it afterwards deſcends
to for all theſe Uſes and Purpoſes ?
Prior. It gradually diſcharges itſelf of all Impurities
of this Kind by leaving them upon it's Banks as it paffes
C3
- along,
}
!
!
!
30
DIALOGUE XVIII.
along, and which are foon difperfed by the Wind, or
exhal'd by the Rarefaction of the Sun. But as our
Drink from the River will fometimes happen to be muddy
and difcoloured by a Mixture of heterogeneous Particles,
and therefore liable to produce Sediments which may prove
prejudicial to the Health; in fuch Cafes it is cuftomary,
by Way of Precaution, to let the Water ftand a few Days
in earthen Veffels, in which time it fettles and becomes
as clear as Crystal. Several ufe, upon this Occaſion, a
fort of Copper Cifterns with Sand in them, through which,
by an artificial kind of Filtration, it clarifies fooner, and
with equal Safety, provided the Sand it drains through be
often washed, and the Veffel well tinned within to fecure it
from Verdigreafe. In thofe Places where we do not enjoy
the Benefit of Rivers, Nature has made us fome amends by
fupplying us with Springs; or, if we are deftitute of theſe,
we are pretty fure, by digging to a certain Depth in the
Earth, to find Well Water.
Chevalier. Pray, which of thefe three different Sorts of
Water do you reckon the beſt?
Prior. River-Water, efpecially that of large Rivers, is
for the moft Part more light and wholfom than that
which comes from Springs or Wells; this will be illuſtrat-
ed by a familiar Comparifon. The conftituent Parts of
a Fluid, as Water is, may aptly enough be compared to
the Grains of Corn that compoſe an Heap; now if this
Heap be fhovelled and turned over upon a Floor full of
Duft and Sweepings, or fuch-like Rubbish, the whole
Heap cannot fail to mix and affociate with it; whereas if
it be ftirred and moved about on a clean Floor, it will
cleanſe itſelf, the freſh Air will fan and purify it, and dif
fipate thofe heterogeneous Particles which before lodged in
it. In like Manner, the Water which iffues from low
Springs, or is drawn from Wells, having for a long time
run through or ftagnated upon Beds of Slate, Chalk,
Vitriol, Sulphur, or Iron, waſhes off fome minute Parts
of fome or other of thefe Strata, which intermixing with
the Fluid may prove detrimental to the Health: Ŏn thể
other Hand, River-Water, by having ſteered it's Courſe
for a long time in the open Air, through the many
Turnings and Windings of it's Channel, and therefore
kept in perpetual Motion and Agitation, refines and purges
ittelf
Of RIVER S.
3.1
itſelf from all impure Mixtures: the Rapidity of it's Cur-
rent in the Middle clears it's Way as it goes, cafting up
on each Side fuch Subftances as are of a more grofs Na-
ture, as Gravel, Mud, and Dirt, and leaving them upon
it's Shores: As for thofe Bodies, that are more rare, and
lighter than itſelf, whether of a bituminous or unctuous
Nature, they fwim upon it's Surface, forming a kind of
Scum or Froth that is eafy to be difcerned, and which foon
evaporates by the Heat of the Sun. So that, upon all theſe
accounts, River-Water is every whit as wholefom; as, af-
ter ſtanding a little, it becomes full as clear as the fineſt
Rock-Water.
Chevalier. I cannot then approve of that Advice which
has been fo often given me at Paris, always to uſe the
Water of Arcueil, rather than that of the Seine; nor can I
think that Complaint better founded, which I have ſo fre-
quently heard in the Mouths of fome People, for want of
Spring-Water at Paris; feeing the long Conveyance of it
would not only be attended with great Expence, but be
intirely ufelefs, as Nature has provided us a River that
fupplies us with a more wholeſome Fluid.
Prior. You remember to have ſeen in the Obfervatory, a
fort of Cakes or Crufts with which the Water of Arcueil
lines the Infide of the Pipes it paffes through; which. Crufts
do fo thicken by Degrees, that in less than the Space of fifty
Years they go near to ftop up the Paffage: though there-
fore we ſhould grant that this petrifying Quality of the Wa-
ter does not form in the human Body any fuch Sediments
as may be prejudicial to it; yet this muſt be allowed, that
it cannot fail of rendering it more hard and heavy than the
Water of the Seine, which, after being clarified, is found by
Experience to be much lighter, and confequently more fa
lutary. The Inhabitants of Paris have therefore no Reaſon
to complain of the Hardſhip on this Account; or if they
do lie under any, it is for want of having the Seine Water
in greater Plenty in every Part of the Town, and of it's
being conveyed into every private Family through fmall
Pipes or Tubes. Two Water-Engines, one on the Bridge
de la Tourbelle, the other on Ponte-Marie, would effectually
anſwer this Purpoſe, and not only fave the poor People the
great Expence they are at in buying Water, but would alſo
ſupply them with that great Convenience of having it near
C 4
at.
·
1
•
32
DIALOGUE
XVIII.
-
at hand in cafe of Fires. There is no Houfe-keeper but
would readily contribute to defray the Charge of fuch En-
gines and Aqueducts, for the greater fecurity of his Man-
fion; nor any Lodger that would not be glad to purchaſe
fuch a Convenience at a lefs Expence than he is now at for
the bare Carriage of his Water; nor would the Loſs that
any Public Companies might fuftain thereby, bear any Pro-
portion to the Sum of the Advantage that would accrue to
every Particular from fo beneficial a Scheme. But I beg
Pardon, my dear Chevalier, for exceeding the Bounds of
my Province; it is not for private Perfons to take upon
them to direct thoſe who have already difplayed fo much
Skill and Wiſdom in the Order and Government of this
great City, as to make it at once the Wonder and De-
light of all Foreigners, and to extort from them a Con-
feffion that they never beheld any thing like, or equal to it,
But let us proceed to confider the other Advantages that we
receive from Rivers.
Chevalier. Pray, before you go on to enumerate all the
Benefits that may be aſcribed to Rivers, let me take notice
of one Inconvenience they are the occafion of; which is
their breaking off all Communication betwixt one Place
and another; fo that very near Neighbours, and the dearest
Friends are often under the hard Neceffity of a long Ab-
fence from each other, by Reaſon of that Separation which
iş cauſed by the Intervention of a River.
Rivers the Means
Prior. Boats and Bridges are a fufficient Remedy
againft this Inconvenience, if it may be
called one, though a River is fo far from
being really any Obftacle to the mutual
Commerce and Intercourfe of different
Provinces, that it is, on the contrary,
very Cement of them.
of Communica
tion betwixt one
Country and an-
other.
the
This fame Element, however fluid and fugitive in it's
Nature, is yet endued with a fufficient Power and Confiſt-
ency to fupport a moft prodigious Weight.
•
Look, for Example, at that Barge which now comes
failing up the River, and tell me how you think ſuch a
great Fulk of Timber, with all it's Load, is fuftained by
the Water. You know that the fpecific Gravity of
Wood is less than that of Water; you know likewife that
the Freight and the Air, which are in the Barge, together
with
1
Of RIVER S.
3.3
with the Timber it is made of, do all form a Body of leſs
Weight than the Column of Water whofe Place it fills;
which is the Reaſon that the Barge does not fubfide. The
great Convenience therefore, that arifes to us from hence,
is founded on the Proportion there is betwixt the Weight
of Water and that of Wood, which is not only borne up
by itſelf, but also the Burden it is charged with: But how
imperfect, how unprofitable, would all our Philofophy
prove, if, after having diſcovered to us this ufeful Propor
tion which thofe two Bodies bear to each other, it did not
further lead us to adore the Wiſdom and Goodnefs of our
kind Creator, who has fo difpofed and conftituted the
Nature of Things, as to make them ferve moft effectually
the Purpoſes of our Convenience and Advantage? We fee
that the Water, which is fo uſeful and beneficial to us,
does however oftentimes overflow our Plains, and block
up our Way; and can we be fo ungrateful, as not to ac-
knowledge the Finger of Providence in having provided
us Materials fo near at hand, to tranfport ourſelves and.
Goods fafely over an Element otherwife impaffable? Let
us now make an Eſtimate of the Serviceableness of the Barge
before our Eyes, not only confidering it in general, as it
may be loaded with Sacks of Corn, Hogfheads of Brandy,.
Pipes of Wine, Pigs of Lead, or any other Commodity,.
but by making an exact Calculation of the Burden it car-
ries; which we will do by computing the Weight of that
Body of Water which filled the fame Place that the Barge:
is now in Poffeffion of.
•
Chevalier. I have a. ftrange Curiofity to fee how you:
will proceed in your Arithmetick.
Prior. The thing is very eafy, as thurs: After the Barge
has taken in all her Lading, I proceed to examine how
much Water ſhe draws, that is, how deep the finks into
the Water. Very well. Upon Examination, I find that
fhe draws, we will fay, for Example, two Feet of Water:
from Head to Stern: This done, I divide in my Mind-
that Body of Water whofe Room it now ufurps, into cu
bick Feet; a Cube, you know, is a Body with fix Sides,
like a Die, all of equal Dimenfions: Now the Buſineſs is
to know how many cubic Feet there are in that Bulk of
Water whofe Place is now occupied by the Barge, and:
G 5.
how
}
}
}
34
DIALOGUE
XVIII.
how much every cubick Foot weighs having done this,
we ſhall have the Weight of the whole Burden.
I will ſuppoſe then, that the Barge is an hundred and
twenty Feet long, and fifteen broad; now an hundred and
twenty multiplied by fifteen, give eighteen hundred Feet;
but as we fuppofed the Veffel funk two Feet in Water, the
Sum total of Feet will amount to twice eighteen hundred,
or three thouſand fix hundred Feet, whether of Water or
Freight; for we now confider one as filling an equal Space
with the other; fo that upon the whole, the Preffure of
the Barge upon the River is no greater than the Preſſure
of that Body of Water whofe Place it fupplies.
Chevalier. We must next know how much a cubic Foot
of Water weighs.
Prior. This is the very Point I was coming to: Now,
in order to inform ourſelves of this, the following Experi-
ment will fuffice: Take a Box, a cubic Foot in Dimen-
fions, and fill it with a folid Subftance, which together
with the Box that contains it, fhall weigh fixty-eight or
fixty-nine Pounds; now this Box being put into the
Water, will not fubfide, but fwim; vary the Experiment,
and fill the Box with another folid Subftance (that no In-
terftices or void Space be left) which may make it the
Weight of Seventy Pounds: and you will find, that being
put into the Water it will immediately fink to the Bot-
tom. From whence I gather that a cubick Foot of
Water is equal in Weight to feventy Pounds: If there-
*
fore
*This Calculation of our Author is not critically exact: He fup-
poſes that the Box weighing fixty nine Pounds does not fink but ſwim
upon the Water, and therefore is lighter than the Water: He fuppofes
again, that the Box being made to weigh feventy Pounds, it ſhall fink;
from which he concludes, that the fame Bulk in Water is equal in.
Weight to feventy Pounds; though nothing is more certain than that
any Body which, upon being put into any Fluid, fubfides therein, is
heavier than an equal Bulk of that Fluid; if it be of equal Gravity
with the Fluid, it will remain fufpended in that Part of it where it is
placed (fuppofing the Fluid to be in a State of Reft) without aſcending
or defcending. So that by his Experiment a cubick Foot of Water
does not weigh full feventy Pounds, but comes fomething ſhort of it.
But our Author does not defign here a philofophical Exactneſs, but
expreffes himſelf in round Numbers, as the more eafy and familiar
Way of Calculation, and more natural to Difcourfe, And that our
Author
1
Of RIVERS:
33
fore we multiply three thouſand fix hundred cubic Feet
of Water, the Dimenfions of that Column of Water
whofe Place is occupied by the Barge, by feventy, the Sum
given will be two hundred fifty two thoufand, which is the
number of Pounds that Body of Water weighs, and confe-
quently the Weight of the whole Barge and it's Burden ta-
ken together.
Chevalier. How, Sir! This Barge, that carries a greater
Weight than if loaded with four of the largeſt Bells of
Notre Dame * at Paris. How comes it to move then with
fo much Eafe ?
Prior. It is indeed another Matter, of Aſtoniſhment, that
the Water, which fupports fuch a prodigious Weight,
fhould keep it fufpended in fo exact an Equilibrum, as
that a very ſmall Force fhould be fufficient to determine it's
Motion this way or that way: Two Men, for Example, in.
a little Boat faſtened to the Barge by a Rope, fhall be able,
with only the Affiftance of a Pair of Light Oars, if they
have the Current on their Side,. to drag after them theſe
four great Bells, as you were faying, or two hundred and
fifty-two thouſand Pound-Weight.. If on the other hand,
they would carry the Barge up the River againſt the Stream,.
a Rope faſtened to the Top of the Malt, and drawn by.
fix Horſes, and thoſe none of the ableft, along by the Side
of the River, will tow up this heavy Load from Abbeville
to St. Quintin, or from Ñantz to Paris. So that a River
is fo far from being any Hindrance to a free Communica~-
tion betwixt one Province and another, that it does, in a.
manner, unite thoſe that are far remote, and brings Paris
and Nantz,. Auvergne and Picardy,, into one Neighbour-
hood.
1
Chevalier. Pray let us now diftribute this two hundred
and fifty-two thouſand Pounds Weight into Carts, that by
comparing one way of Carriage with the other, we may
fee the different Expence of each..
Author did not deſign to ſtate this Experiment to a mathematical. De?
gree of Nicety, appears from Page 45, where he fuppofes the exact:
Weight of a cubick Foot of Water to be rather more than feventy
Pounds.
་
* The Church of our Lady, or St. Mary's at Paris, s remarkable
among other Curiofities, for the Largencfs of it's Bells,
C 6
Prière
}
36
DIALOGUE XVIII.
7
Prior. You ſhall be ſatisfied immediately; we will figure
out our Calculation here upon the Sand. A Load weigh-
ing three thoufand Pounds is much more than three Horſes
can draw for any Number of Days together; but we will
fix upon this Proportion, in order to make our Account
the more eafy and expeditions: If then we divide two
hundred and fifty-two thoufand by three, the Quotient
will give eighty-four times three thoufand. In order to
carry this Load therefore by Land, we fhould want eighty-
four Carts, as many Carters, and two hundred and fifty-
two Horfes. What a prodigious Expence would here be
to carry from Nanız to Paris, what four Barge-men and
fix Horfes can convey thither by Water at a very inconfi-
derable Charge!
River Carriage is fo eafy and expiditious, that in thoſe
Places where Nature has fupplied Men with this Conve-
nience, they will fpare no Pains nor Induſtry to procure it;
they will run Ponds and Brooks into one another, collect.
every little ftraggling Stream, make I ocks, Refervoirs, and.
Canals, lay Vallies under Water, and dig Paffages through
Mountains, and all to form the nearest Communication-
they can with fome River, for the better Conveyance of
their feveral Commodities from one Place to another.
The famous Czar Peter, who was always forming great:
Defigns, fecured to himself the Conqueft of the Countries.
about Derbent, and on the Shores of the Caspian Sea on
the Sides of Perfia, to fetch from thence the Silks, Cottons,.
and other valuable Merchandize, which are carried from
thefe Ports in Caravans to Aleppo, Smyrna, and as far as the
Streights of Conftantinople. His Defign was to import into
his own Country, by means of thofe Rivers which diſcharge
themſelves into the Cafpian Sea, all the Merchandize of
Afia, especially Silks, which are made in great Plenty at
Chirvan: They were first to be conveyed through the
Mouth of the Folga to Aftracan, from thence, by a Chan-
nel of Communication, into the River Don, which is united
by another Channel to the Occa, and afterwards to be
brought by the River Moſca to Moscow: After this, by anc-
ther Conjunction of Rivers, they were to be tranſported
through the Dwina, into the White Sea at Archangel, and
laft of all, through the Lake Lodoga, which is at the Foot
of
Of RIVER S.
37
of the Gulph of Finland, to his new Town of Petersburgh;
which, had this Project taken Effect, would, by Reaſon of
it's Communication with the Ocean through the Baltick
Sea, and with Aſia, by the Canals we have been mention-
ing, have become the most populous and trading Town in
the Univerfe. But the Death of this great Prince put a
Stop to the final Accompliſhment of his vaſt Deſigns. But:
to leave projected, to come to really exifting, Conveniencies;
let us confider with what Succefs the Inhabitants of the
United Provinces have raiſed one of the most populous and
puiffant States (for the Bignefs of it) in the World, out of
a little Tract of Land before covered with Marfhes and
Moraffes..
They have a vast number of artificial Canals, which
they ſupport with great Care and Induſtry, that ferve to
drain off and to receive the Waters, which would other
wife overflow all their Lands; thefe alfo form themſelves-
into different Routs or Paffages, which often ferve for a.
Communication to feveral large Towns within the Compafs
of five or fix Leagues. A Citizen of Rotterdam may go
from home in the Morning, bid good morrow to his Friend
at Delft and the Hague, dine at Leyden, and fup at Am-
fterdam, or return home the fame Evening; and all this.
reading or minding his Bufinefs in the Boat, with as lite
tle Interruption as if he was in his Compting-houſe, and
without that Fatigue and Inconvenience, which are almoft
inevitable in a Land Journey. In the Winter-time, when
the Canals are covered with Ice, a Farmer's Wife, with an
Basket of Butter and Eggs upon her Head, and her Skates,
upon her Feet, will skim away to Market in a trice, fell
her Provifions, and be at home again with her Family al-
moft as foon as fhe was miffed. Nor does the Ice pre-
vent the Carriage of their moſt weighty Burdens; for you-
will find their Canals loaded with Carts and Sledges, and
the fame Element ferving in the double Capacity, of Land
and Water.
Nor is France without her Canals of Communication ;
thofe of Briare and Orleans bring to Paris
the Riches and Production of feveral
Provinces, as well as ftock the South of
France with thofe Cloths, Camlets and
The Canal of
Briare..
↓
Stuffs,
38
DIALOGUE XVIII
7
Stuffs, that are manufactured at Abbeville, Amiens, Rheims,
Sedan and Life; and alfo in Return fupply the North of
France with the Qils of Provence, Muscadine Wines,. dried
Fruits, Paper, Cutlery Wares, and other mercantile Com--
modities from the Southern Provinces.
The Canal of
Picardy,
}
The uniting of the River Somme to the Oye, which it is-
thought at prefent can never fail,. opens to
the Parifians all the Magazines of Corn in
Picardy, and to the People of the Nor--
thern Provinces a fhort Conveyance of
their Sea-Coal, Wood, Butter, Copper, and all manner
of Species to Paris.
The Communica-
But a Work that far excells all that.
I have mentioned is the Royal Canal:
tion betwixt the two of Languedoc*.
Seas.
A Communication betwixt the Medi-
terranean and the Ocean, by means of
fome artificial, Canals uniting the navigable Rivers, and:
thereby fhortening the Tranfportation of Merchandize,-
which they uſed to carry through the Streights, making
the Circuit of the Coafts of Spain and Portugal, was a Con-
venience always much wished for,, but looked upon as im-
poffible to effect, by reaſon, that betwixt the Mediterranean
and that Part of the Garrone where it begins to be navi-
gable, there was a length of above forty Leagues of Land,
and no other Water than what proceeded from fome little-
Springs and Rivulets; but, notwithstanding the immenfe
Diftance, the Inequality of the Surface of the Ground,
and it's rifing towards the Middle far above the Level of
the Sea, Mr. Riquet, with great Judgment and Penetration,.
projected a Plan of a Canal for Veffels to pafs from Tou-
loufe to the Mediterrancan, and back again, by Afcents
and Defcents without any. Hindrance.
Mr. Colbert ap..
proved of this Scheme, and found it to be no lefs practi-
cable than advantageous, and propofed the Execution of
it to Lewis XIV. The Work was begun in 1666; was,
refumed, after fome Interruption, in 1677; and ever fince:
the Year 1682 has continued to answer the Purpoſes of
Navigation defigned by it..
* A Letter to Mr. Barillon, Toulouse, 1672..
A Vifit made to the Royal Canal in 1723.-
Chevalier.
Of RIVER S.
39
Chevalier. Pray, Sir, can you give me a Notion of the
Formation of this Canal? For my own part, I cannot con-
ceive how fuch a Channel could be made navigable, feeing
Veffels cannot afcend but by the Water, which never riſes
above it's Level.
Prior. The Hill of Naurouſe, which is nearer to Toulouſe
than to Narbonne, was the Place that feemed moft proper
from which to draw two Channels or Canals, one of
which was to deſcend into the River Garrone, and the other
into the Mediterranean. Upon this Hill Mr. Riquet pitch-
ed upon a Place that was elevated fix hundred feet above
the Level of the two Seas, and from which he obſerved,
that the Ground lay floping down on either Side almoſt
in one continued Deſcent to them: Here
he endeavoured to make an Affemblage
of fufficient Supplies of Water to diftri-
bute into the two Channels that were to
lead, one to Toulouse, the other to the Ma-
diterranean.
The Point of the
Divifion of Wa…..
ters.
There being but one Spring at Naroufe, and that very.
infufficient for the Purpoſe, he brought thither from the
neighbouring Mountains by means of an. Aqueduct
about five Leagues long, a Current of Water, containing
in Breadth and Depth, five or fix thouſand Inches; which
being diftributed in the two Canals leading to Toulouſe and
the Mediterranean, joined to form a Body of Water, mea-
furing in every Part above a Million of cubic + Toifes.
In cafe of Drought, he farther provided
a large Magazine of Water to be dug The Refervoir.
near Naroufe, containing above fix hun-
dred thousand cubic Toifes, which was to be kept in Re-
ferve to feed the Source of Diftribution in very dry Sum-
mers.
In thofe Places where the Land lies upon a Declivity,
the Water is confined within large Sluices
or Beds, from twenty-four to thirty Feet The Sluices.
or more in Breadth, hemmed in on each
Side by high Walls that run parallel to each other, with
very ſtrong Gates to let the Water in or out; which fall-
*The Robine, or Canal, for conveying Water from the Black
Mountain to the Source of Distribution.
A Toife is a Meaſure about a Fathom.
ing
40
DIALOGUE XVIII.
ing down from the higher into the lower Sluices, forms
very large and beautiful Cafcades, highly delightful to
the Eye of the gazing Traveller. Suppofe we know a
Bark in it's Paffage from Narbonne, after having failed
through the Canal 'which runs along the Plain, to come to
the Foot of one of thefe Sluices; the Sluice-gates are im-
mediately flung open, the Water, before confined, ruſhes
forth, and, mixing with the Water that is without, forms
one common Level; the Bark then fails in, and the Gates
are ſhut again; this done, the upper Gates are opened to
let in the Water from above, which riſes by Degrees,.
and mounts the Veffel to a Level with the Water in the
fecond Sluice; fo that by this means a Veffel coming from.
Narbonne may readily pafs out of the firft Sluice into the
fecond, or one coming from Toulouſe out of the ſecond.
into the firft. The Gates of the fecond Sluice being then
fhut, the Bark afcends in like manner into the third
Sluice; and thus from Sluice to Sluice, it gains the Sum-
mit where the Canal begins, and is conveyed down the
other Canal by the fame Sort of Sluices or Locks to Tou-
loufe.
Chevalier. You have given me a very clear and diſtinct
Idea of this well contrived Water-ladder, if I may be al-
lowed to call it fo; but yet, methinks, I cannot but be
furprized at the Boldness of this Undertaking, which,
though very beneficial to the Publick, one would think
ſhould have deterred the Projectors from the Execution of
it, upon account of the vaſt Expence that muſt neceffarily.
attend it!
Prior. If we except the Roman Highways, we fhall:
find no Work of Antiquity furpaffing this. This Canal,
from the Place where it difcharges itfelf into the Port of
Cette to Toulouſe, is above feventy Leagues in Length..
Befides, they were often obliged to turn and wind it's.
Channel in order to preferve the Level, to fupport and
ftrengthen it with Piles where the Earth was apt to give-
way, to carry it over Bridges and Arches of Stone of the
Valleys, to cut Paffages for it down the Sides of ſteep
Mountains, or to lay them level with the Ground, to
hollow others, and arch them over, for it to pass through ;;
above two Million of cubic Toifes of Earth, and above
ave thouſand of folid Rock,, have been dug out in order to
maker
}
Of RIVER S.
41
make it's Bed; a hundred and four Sluices contrived to
make Veffels afcend and defcend, fixteen prodigious
Banks to turn by thofe Waters that might any ways in-
commode their Paffage, and twenty-four large Drains to
draw off the Water when there is any Danger of the
Channel's being choked up with Sand or Mud. There
are computed to be above forty thouſand cubick Toifes of
Mafonry in Stone belonging to this Work, befides two
Arms of Stone that ftretch out into the Sea, confifting of
two hundred Toifes, and a Pier of five hundred, that
guard the Port of Cette, and render it a very fafe Harbour
for Ships; an Advantage the more valuable, as the Coaft
of Languedoc is very dangerous, and quite deftitute of
Havens. All this may probably appear to you to be a
prodigious Expence; yet, notwithſtanding, it is almoft in-
confiderable, if compared to the Advantages that are re-
ceived from the Serviceableneſs of this Work to Naviga-
tion.
Chevalier. I could not have thought that we had fo
extraordinary a Work in France; fure this alone would
have been fufficient to immortalize the Reign of Lewis
XIV.
Prior. Let us not be over fond of admiring the Works
of Mens Hands; for they can only put in Ufe thofe
Inftruments and Powers which God has given them.
We are wrapped up in Praiſe and Aftoniſhment at be-
holding a Canal wherein there appear fuch Marks of
Induſtry and Grandeur; but let us not rob God of the
Honour due unto him, whofe Hand has formed fuch vaft
innumerable Canals from one End of the Earth to the
other; and fo far ought we to be from looking upon
Rivers and Seas as any Interruptions and Hindrances to
us in thofe Places where we live, that it is our Duty
gratefully to acknowledge them to be, as they are in
Effect, the great Highways of thofe Countries they pafs
through, or as fo many Public Vehicles that are always
ready to fet out with us, and to carry the Traveller with
all his heavy Luggage where-ever he pleafes. But come,
let us pafs on to thofe other Benefits for which we are be-
holden to Rivers.
* I find in fome Accounts a hundred and fourteen Sluices..
Chevaliers
42
DIALOGUE XVIII.
Chevalier. After having fupplied us with wholefome
Drink, and Conveniencies for travelling, what farther Be-
nefits can we expect from them?
Prior. It is to them we owe the Cleanlinefs of our
Dwellings, and the Fruitfulneſs of our Countries.
Our Habitations become unwhole fome, either when
ftagnating Waters breed Damps, or when
Cleanliness.
great Scarcity of Water occafions an ex-
ceffive Drought, whereas every little Ri-
vulet refreſhes the Air of all the adjacent Places with it's
gentle Dews, and cleanfes the Earth of all Filth and Naf-
tinefs. The largeſt Motes that furround Caftles, Ponds,
and even Lakes in the Bottom of Vallies, ceaſe to be dan-
gerous and unwholefome Neighbours, where a living Stream
croffes or feeds them. Nor does the Current of the River
act only upon that Body of Water it paffes through, but al-
fo upon the Air, caufing it by it's Impulfe to diſperſe
thofe Vapours which are exhaled from the Waters, and
which by remaining long in the fame Place would prove
unwholeſome and infectious: By theſe Means the three Ri-
vers that fall down from Mount St. Gotard, and run into
Lakes of fixteen or eighteen Leagues in Length, and four
or five in Breadth, prevent the fettling of thofe Damps
and Fogs that exhale from them, and which would other-
wife occafion a total Deſertion of the Inhabitants which
live upon the Borders of them. In like manner the Tecin
which runs across the Lake Major, the Rhine that keeps
in Agitation the Lake of Conftance, and the Rhone which
cuts it's rapid Way through the Lake of Geneva, are the
only Cauſe that purifies the neighbouring Regions of the
Air, and what alone fecures to the Inhabitants the free
Enjoyment of all other Advantages they are poffeffed of.
The Fruitfulness of Lands is likewife generally owing
to the Proximity of Rivers. How amazing the Difference
betwixt a Country that is watered by a River, and one
that is deftitute of this Convenience! The latter is dry,
defolate and uninhabited, and fometimes not thought
worth the Pains of Cultivation; the chearleſs Traveller
that wanders through it, who, inftead of verdant Fields
and delightful Objects, fees nothing but a barren Wafte;
inftead of the warbling Melody of Birds, to relieve the
Fatigue of his Journey, hears nothing but the fhrieking
of
Of RIVER S.
43.
བ་
of famiſhed Grafs-hoppers and fuch like Infects; with
weary Steps and drooping Spirits, fighs and longs for the
End of fuch uncomfortable Deferts. He at length comes
to the Top of a Hill which preſents him with a quite differ-
ent Scene: Here his raviſhed Eyes wander over the
varied Beauties of the Vale beneath; the fhady Woods,
Fields of Corn, fpacious Meadows, beautiful Seats, and
crowded Villages, form a Profpect no lefs delightful than
new to him, and he thinks himſelf all on a fudden tranf-
ported from the Deferts of Arabia into the Land of
Promife. Now what occafions all this mighty Difference?
Nothing but that winding River that runs gliding through
the Vale, diftributing Plenty and Pleafure where-ever it
paffes.
Chevalier. I can eafily conceive how a River ſhould
give a lively Verdure to the Grafs of the Meadows, and
to the Trees whoſe Roots it paffes by; but how can if con-
fer the fame Nouriſhment upon that which is a Quarter of
a League, or perhaps a whole League diftant from it? And
yet we often fee Vallies three or four Leagues broad, that
by the Help of one River running through them, looks
like a terreftrial Paradiſe.
Prior. Be pleaſed to remember, Sir, what I have ob-
ferved more than once, that Plants receive Nouriſhment as
well from their Leaves as Roots; infamuch that oftentimes
when the Earth is almoſt exhauſted of it's Humidity, hav-
ing fcarce any left wherewith to feed the Roots, the Dew
alone which falls upon the Leaves in the Night-time
being fucked in and diſtributed through the whole Plant,
doth ſupply it with Moiſture, as does appear from the *
Weight of it being confiderably augmented. Now al-
though the Air is implete with an infinite Number of
Particles, or little Globules of Water, which in the Day-
time are rarified by the Heat, and lifted up into the
higher Regions, of the Atmoſphere, but condensing by the
Cool of the Evening defcend to recruit the thirſty Plants,
after a long Perfpiration of their Juices; yet the River, is
the principal Magazine that fupplies this neceffary Expence
of Moiſture, which exhaling from it in Mifts, is carried
by the Wind to fall down again in refreſhing Dews, not
* Vegetable Staticks, by Stephen Hales, Fellow of the R. S..
only
14
44
XVIII.
DIALOGUE
only on thoſe Places which border upon the River, but
alfo on fuch as are feveral Leagues diftant from it. Thus
do all the Parts of Nature mutually help and affift each
other, declaring themfelves in the wonderful Variety of
their Operations to be all the Handy-work of the fame
wife Author and Artificer, as they do undeniably demon-
ſtrate his kind and providential Regard to our Happineſs
and Welfare.
Chevalier. We have not yet ſpoken one Word of the Fish
in the Rivers. I expect to hear fome curious Particulars
concerning them.
Prior. To morrow I will fend all our Fiſhermen to you,
or elſe you will find them here at the Water-fide, when
you
will fee them at their Work, aud have an Opportunity to
inform yourſelf of more Particulars on this Head than I
can poffibly acquaint you with.
RIVER S.
DIAL O'G UE. XIX.
The PRIOR and CHEVALIER.
Chevalier.
O
UR Fiſhermen make a tedious Stay.
Prior. Never fear, they will not dif-
appoint you; however, till they come, we will amuſe
ourfelyes by confidering what other Benefits we reap from
the Current of Rivers. Let us take a Turn here by the
Side of this Dam, which, you ſee, they have cut out of the
River.
Chevalier. Pray, to what Purpoſe have they encloſed this.
large Bed of Water, which fhews like another River?
Prior.
Of RIVER S.
45
Prior. When the whole Breadth of the River is more
than fufficient for the Situation of a Mill, or when the
free Uſe of the Current is wanted, either for the Purpoſes
of Navigation, or for conveying Floats of Timber down
the Stream, in fuch Cafes we content ourſelves with a Part
of it, which is drawn off into a Trench to turn Mills for
grinding, fulling, and fawing; fo admirably is the Nature
of Water conftituted to anſwer all our Occafions, as well
by it's Fluidity as Force. By the latter it works vaft Ma-
chines, thereby faving us great Expence and Trouble; by
the former it is made to run, to ftop, to contract, to di-
late, to fpring, and to rife to almoft whatever Height we
pleaſe.
'
The Force of Water is compounded of
it's Weight and Velocity together.
The Force of
Water.
We have already obferved that a cu-
bick Foot of fresh Water weighs about
feventy Pounds, or, ftrictly ſpeaking, rather more; I fay
fresh Water, becaufe that Sea-water, by reaſon of thoſe
Salts that are mixed with it, is more weighty, a cubick
Foot of Salt water being equal to about feventy-three
Pounds; which is the Caufe why a Veffel coming from
the Sea, into the Mouth of a River, draws more Water or
finks deeper; for being now paffed into a lighter Fluid, it
muit fill a greater Space below the Surface of it, in order
to preſerve an Equilibrium.
Let it be obferved, that a cubick Foot
of Water does not only act upon other The Velocity of
Bodies by it's Weight, but alfo according
to the Degree of it's Motion; for if it's
Water.
Velocity be increaſed two or three Degrees, it anſwers
the fame Purpofe as if the Weight of it was increaſed in
the fame Proportion.
Now the Motion of Water may be accelerated either by
giving it a Fall, or by contracting it's Channel.
Water, like other ponderous Bodies, does acquire by
falling different Degrees of Velocity, and thofe in Propor-
tion to the Height of it's Fall. We fhall not at preſent
examine into the exact Proportion of it's accelerated Force;
let it fuffice at this time to know that it's Velocity is
equal to it's Weight, and that if the former be increaſed
two or three Degrees, the Impulfe or Momentum of it will
2
L
be
LA
1
}
}
46
DIALOGUE XIX.
be double or triple what it was before. This may be
exemplified in a great Flake of Ice, which, when carried
by an eafy and gentle Motion against a Bridge, makes a
very flight Impreffion upon it; but when falling down
the Stream, with a rapid Motion, will overturn it: In like
manner the Water of a River, when in it's floweft Mo-
tion, will be fufficient to turn one of that Sort of Mills
which we fometimes fee built upon a Barge, the Flyers
A Barge-
Mill.
A Dam Mill,
of which being very large, a greater Co-
lumn of Water preffes upon them, and for-
ces them round notwithstanding the Slow-
nefs of it's Motion.
A Part of the fame River,when contracted
within an Arch, or let in at a Flood-Gate,
will, by it's accelerated Force, turn round a
large Wheel, the Flyers of which, though very narrow,
are fo contrived as to dip fucceffively into the Water, to
receive it's Impulfe.
A Trough-
Mill.
Lastly, A Stream of Water not more than one cubick
Foot in Breaft, when collected into a Trough
and falling upon a little Wheel cut into ſe-
veral tranfverfe Gutters or Trays to re-
ceive the Water, will turn the Mill-Stone
by the Force of it's Acceleration, notwithstanding the In-
confiderableness of it's Weight; for it is experimentally
true, that a Foot of Falling Water acts more forcibly than
feveral Feet running parallel to the Horizon; and this
Force is fill augmented by every Degree of its Fall.
If the Wheel was placed exactly on a Level with the
Trough through which the Current is conveyed, every
Gutter or Tray in the Wheel would only be acted upon
by the Weight of one cubick Foot of Water, or ſeventy
Pounds; but the Wheel being placed fo much lower than
the Trough, that the Water in falling down upon it ac-
quires a three-fold Velocity, it is confequently acted upon
or impelled by a three-fold Force. Thus we fee that a
Stream of Water of only one cubick Foot will acquire, by
means of Acceleration, a moving Force equal to three
cubick Feet, or two hundred and ten Pounds; which be-
ing continually fucceeded by the repeated Action of other
two hundred and ten Pounds on the following Trays of
the Wheel, is more than fufficient to give a quick Motion
to
Of RIVER S.
47
}
$
to the Mill-ſtone, or Mill-hammers: juſt as we ſee a Top,
that is whipped by a Child, turn very nimbly round when
the Laſhes are quick repeated.
Chevalier. The only Difference then, as far as I can
find, betwixt a Trough mill, and a Mill with Flyers, is this:
That in the former the Water ruſhes violently down from
the Trough upon the Wheel, whereas in the latter it.
runs under the Wheel, taking the Flyers with it as it
goes along; and this it does in the fame manner, whe-
ther the Mill be built in a Barge, or made of Stone, like
that which we now fee.
Prior. You are in the right, Sir. I don't doubt but
you would be extremely delighted to view the Structure
of this furprizing Machine within; but we will defer our
Speculations on the Contrivances and Inventions of the
Wit of Man to another Opportunity; and proceed at pre-
fent to admire the vaft Ufe which the Motion and Force of
Rivers is of to him, in grinding his Corn after the moſt
expeditious and cheapeſt Manner, which elfe muft be
ground by a great Number of Slaves or Horfes, which
would want frequently to be relieved, or would faint un-
der fuch hard Labour.
The fame Machine is alfo ufed in pounding of Tan
with great heavy Peftles, in fulling and cleaning of Stuffs,
which are laid in Troughs, and beat with Hammers of a
prodigious Weight; in fawing huge maffy Pieces of Tim-
ber; in working of Rags into a Pafte to make Paper of;
in refining Iron and Copper with a Hammer of an enor-
mous Size, which does more Work at one Stroke than
fifty Men ftriking all together; by bruifing of Olives; in
preffing the Juice from the Sugar Canes; in winding of
Silk into Skains, putting in Motion five or fix hundred
Bobbins at the fame Time, and all under the Manage-
ment of a fingle Director.
Chevalier. What innumerable Advantages flow from
a River! But pray how comes it to pafs then, that we ſo
often hear People complain that their Eftates lye on the
Side of a River? and whence that common Proverb, that
a River is a bad Neighbour?
Prior. It muſt be confeffed that this great Force of
Water is not fometimes without its mifchievous Effects:
For Example: when the Current of a River makes Head
directly
f
48
XIX.
DIALOGUE
directly against a Bank that oppoſes its free Courſe, and
alters its Direction, the Water with feeming Fury and
Refentment levels all its Force against it; it undermines
it, it hollows it, and if it does not eat its Way through
it, it waſtes away the Extremities of it, carrying every
now and then a Bit down its Channel: Nay, fometimes
it waſhes away-large Pieces of Earth, forces its Way into
the Meadows, and confounds Boundaries and Land Marks.
Now it is the Nature of Water, where it hollows itfelf a
new Bed on one Side, to abandon as much Ground on the
oppofite Side: Hence the injur'd Landlord, who fuf-
fers this Incroachment from an Enemy that infenfibly
purloins away his Property, without having it in his
Power to procure Reparation for the Wrong, laments
and bemoans his hard Fate, but all in vain; whilft he on
the oppofite Side of the River rejoices at his good Fortune,
and thanks his lucky Stars for an Alluvion,
Alluvion.
or Increaſe of Land, that cofts him nei-
ther Trouble nor Expence.
Now it is the Contrivance and Induftry of Man only
that can prevent thefe Inconveniencies, or apply a Re-
medy where they do happen. Accordingly it is. cufto-
mary, in order to prevent the Incroach-
ments of Rivers, to fortify the Banks with
a good Lining of Fafcines, or rather of
ftrong Planks fastened to the Shore with ftout Piles.
Linings.
Buttreffes.
A thick Wall, built in an oblique Direction to the
Current of the River, is the fureft Way to break the
Force of the Stream, and to prevent the falling in of the
Ground; but, as this will require an Expence that can only
be borne by thofe that are very rich, it is a common
Practice among the Proprietors of Land
to make a Buttrefs of Wood ftrengthened
with Earth to ferve their Turns, or elfe
a Dike of Stones and Rubbiſh caft up for
the Water to ſpend its Fury upon; for
theſe are eaſily repaired, and anfwer the Purpofe of a Wall..
By like Induftry, they infure to themfelves the Poffef-
fion of Alluvions, or fuch Land as is left in the Water.
When the River recedes from one Shore, the next Owner,
if he has a mind to prevent the Return of it to the fame
Spot, and to make Advantage by it, will be ſure to raiſe
Dikes.
a Dike
Of RIVER S.
49
a Dike with Stakes or Willows, or rather caft up a high
Mole, fecuring it with large rough Stones .cut out of
fome neighbouring Quarry; in the vacant Space, which
lies behind the Dike or Mole, he will
plant young Ofiers, that the Water, as it Ofier-plots.
rifes or falls, may infinuate itfelf through
the Interftices of the Stones into the Ofier-ple, where the
Mud and Slime it carries along with it, fettling to the
Roots of the Ofiers, binds and feeds them: which, being
thus continually fupplied with freth Soil, will grow and
thrive apace, and yield a Crop every three Years, bring.
ing in more than the Intereft of the Money laid out upon
the Dike.
Chevalier. After explaining to me the Serviceableness
that accrues to us from the Force of Water, you promiſed,
Sir, next to fhew me how beneficial it proves to us by
its* Mobility or Eafinefs of Motion.
fore-mentioned.
Prior. The Effects produced by this Quality are no lefs
furprizing or advantageous than thofe be-
Water waits but the
Pleaſure of Man to change its former
Courfe, and to enter into whatever Chan-
The Mobility
of Water.
nels he thinks fit to prepare for its Conveyance; it diſtri-
butes itself into his Gardens or Apartments, through
Stone Conduits, through Pipes made of burnt Clay, Elder-
wood, Iron, or Lead; it beautifies and adorns great Towns
with delightful Water-works, with full Refervoirs and
Bafons, either in public Squares, or the private Gardens
of Gentlemen; it rifes up into the Houfes of Dyers,
Brewers, Tanners, Workers of Shells, and of all other
Tradefmen; it afcends, obedient to the Sucker, when
pumped from the Bottom of Mines and Pits, freeing the
Workmen beneath from the Apprehenfions of a watery
Death; it fprings up to the Height of a Mountain, thence
falling down again in beautiful Cafcades, in Sheets of Wa-
ter, or in the Form of a Dew; it affumes the Figure of
a Sheaf of Corn, or a Theatre; and, in fhort, like Proteus,
* I have been obliged to render Scuple in the Original by the English
Word Mobility, which though it may not be fo exact a Translation of it
as could be wifhed, yet I cannot find any Word in our Language that
comes nearer the Senfe of it in this Place. Suppleness, Pliantness, Flexi-
bility, &c. are more applicable to folid than Huid Bodies.
VOL. III.
D
puts
50
J
DIALOGUE
XIX.
puts on a thouſand Shapes, according to the Art and Fan-
cy of the Engineer, who knows equally how to employ
it, either for Ornament or real Ufe.
As Veffels are neceffary to give Water that Form it is
defigned to put on, and to receive it in its Fall, fo we
need make no Queſtion but that Stone, Sheet-Lead,
Marble, or Copper, may be indifferently uſed for both
thefe Purpoſes; though, in my Mind, there feems fuch a
natural Relation, fuch a mutual Harmony and Agreement,
betwixt Water and the Verdure of the Ground, as if they
were defigned for each other; and where-ever any thing
gaudy or artificial breaks in upon that rural and agreeable
Simplicity that they form together, whether of Columns,'
Gilding, or a hundred other Ornaments, either in caſt or
carved Work, it feems unnatural and quite foreign to a
Garden.
Having now confidered thoſe ineftimable Advantages we
receive from the Current of Rivers, let us turn our Thoughts
a little to what they contain, or fuch of their Productions as
are moſt beneficial to us.
Cher alier. I have often read in the Latin Poets, and
alfo in other Authors befides them, Defcriptions of
Rivers,
Relling with wealthy Pride o'er Sands of Gold.
I fhould be glad, Sir, to hear your Opinion of this Mat-
ter, that I may know what to think of fo extraordinary a
Property which they afcribe to a great many Rivers.
What! did the River Plafis ever produce any Gold? Or,
what muft we think of Hermus, Padiolus, and Tagus?
Prior. Foets, you know, are allowed to make uſe of
the Figure Hyperbole; and therefore it is no Wonder if
they have diftributed their Gold among theſe Rivers fome-
what more liberally than Nature has done. However,
that there were Rivers formerly, that had Gold mixed with
the Sand or Mud which they caft up upon their Shore, is
a Fact that needs no other Proof than the Traffick which
is carried on at this very Day for the Gold-Duft that is
found in fome Rivers. This is the only Commodity that
enriches the People, that live upon the golden Coaſt of
Guinca, as alfo thofe of the Kingdom of Sophala, or
Sophara,
•
Of RIVER S.
51
Sophara, which is not improbably conjectured to be the
Sophira or * Ophir of the Ancients. The River Axem, and
feveral little Rivulets that diſcharge themſelves into the
Zair, as alfo a great many Rivers of the vaft Kingdoms
of Sophala, Monomotapa, Zanguebar, and Abyffinia, have
more or lefs Gold mixed with their Sands, in Proportion
to the Quantity of Rain that falls in thofe Countries, which
foaks into the Earth, and drains through the Mines, before
it paffes into the Rivers, carrying along with it the finest
Parts of the Ore.
Memoirs of Mr.
de Reamur, 1718.
Nor is the Privilege of rolling down golden Sands con-
fined ſolely to the Rivers of Africa, or thofe of Brazil and
Chili; for we have, feveral of them in
France, upon the Banks of which this pre-
cious Sand is fometimes gathered. The
River Arrige, near Pamiers and Mirepoix,
does now and then caft up fome Spangles of this Metal;
it is alſo found on the Sides of the Gardon and the Ceze,
which are little Rivers that fall from the Mountains of
the Cevennes ; nor is the Salat, that paffes through the
Diſtrict of Pau, without it; in fhort, it has been often
feen on the Shores of the Doux, the Rhine, the Rhone,
and the Garrone, moft probably in thofe Places which are
near the Conflux of thofe little Rivers that fall into them
from the neighbouring Mountains. Sometimes a Man
that makes it his Bufinefs to feek for this Duft in the
Arriege or the Ceze, fhall make a Piftole of his Day's
Work; at other Times fhall think himſelf well off, if he
makes 40 Sous †, and fome Days he fhall get nothing at
all. The Country People, who fet apart thofe Hours for
Gold finding, that remain from their Day's Labour, and
after they have been employed in Work that is more ne-
ceffary, as well as yielding more certain Profit, chufe the
Time of the Fall of the Waters after a Flood or Inunda-
tion of the River; and above all, they look out for that
Sand that is diftinguished from the reft by the Blackneſs
of its Hue; for it is a certain Mark, that there is
fome Mineral mix'd with it. Sometimes this Sand is cat
* The Verfion of the LXX call it Sophir. Origen upen Joh, chap.
xxii. 24. does the fame; and is of Opinion with feveral other Inter-
preters, that the Country of Sephira is in Africa.
† About two Shillings Engliſh.
Dz
up
1
52
}
1
DIALOGUE XIX.
up upon the Sides of the River, fometimes it is found
lodged in the Cavities of Rocks, or behind fuch large
Stones as break the Current of the Water; and now and
then it is picked from off Pieces of Stuff, or the Fleeces of
Sheep, in which it had entangled itſelf.
Chevalier. Might it not then be fome Gold that was
found in this Manner upon the Shores of the Phafis in
Colchos, that gave Occafion to the Fable of the Golden
Fleece ?
Prior. The Thing is credible enough; but to the Pur-
pofe. After having feparated the common Sand and Dirt
from that which contains the precious Duft, by frequent
Waſhings; if there be any Grains of a larger Size, di-
ftinguishable by the Eye or the Touch, they fever them.
from the reft, though generally they are fo very ſmall,
that they are obliged to effect this Separation by pouring
Mercury upon the Sand, which is endued with this parti-
cular Quality, that it attracts to itſelf all the little Parti-
cles of Gold that come in its Way; after this, they fepa
rate the Quick-filver, to which thefe Particles adhere,
from the whole Body of Sand by new Wafhings, and put
it into a little Bag made of Shamoy Leather; then, by
fqueezing and preffing the Bag, the Mercury exfudes through
the Pores of the Leather, and leaves the Gold by itſelf
behind. Thofe who have made this their chief Study
and Employment, have obferved, that, after the Sand is
well washed, it fhews itself generally in three different
Colours, black, white, and reddifh; that the white Sand,
when viewed through a Microſcope, appears like a Heap
of ſmall tranſparent Cryftals; the black, like fo many
Particles of Iron, feveral of which will be attracted by a
Knife that has been touched by a Load-ftone; and that
the reddish Sand, when viewed the fame Way, prefents
to the Eye a delightful Sight, not unlike that of a Jewel-
ler's Box of Treaſure; wherein you fee Rubies of a Rofe-
colour, others of a deeper Red, Sapphires, Emeralds, Hya-
cinths, Topazes, and, in fhort, tranfparent Stones of all
Sorts.
There are likewife Rivers that carry down with their
Streams not only fuch little Stones as, by reafon of their
exceffive Smallness, ate quite ufelefs to us; but alſo fuch
as are of a moderate Size, fome of which are vein'd like
Agate,
Of RIVER S.
53
}
Agate, fome of an Emerald-green, and others tranfparent
like Cryſtal, and perhaps of the fame Nature. Thefe
they cut and polifh, whereof to make Seals, little Boxes,
Ornaments for Buckles, Heads for Capes, and a great
many other Toys: The River that defcends from the
Mountains that are in the Middle of the Iſland Ceylon does,
every now and then, caft up upon the Plain, Rubies, and
other Stones, more clear and beautiful than thofe that are
found in the Mines of Peru.
Chevalier. If thefe Waters then afford precious Stones
and golden Sands, they muft needs have paffed under
Ground through Mines of the fame Nature; fome Parts of
which, by perpetual Friction, they wear off and carry
along with them. By this Argument then, we ſhould have
Gold Mines in France.
Prior. There have been very fine Veins of this Metal
found at Bouconvelle in Picardy, and at Rumigni in Cham-
pagne, and others in Dauphiny, and elſewhere. It is true,
the fmall Quantity of pure Gold, which they have been able
to get at their firft Attempts of this kind, has difcouraged
the Undertakers from proceeding in fo unprofitable an
Enterprize; though probably it is with Veins of Gold as
with thoſe of Marl, Sea-Coal, Lead, and of other Mi-
nerals and Foffils, the firft Beginnings of which are,
for the moft Part, very fmall and inconfiderable; but,
if we have Patience to trace them, will oftentimes con-
duct us to inexhauftible Beds of Treafure; for Nature
feldom does things by Halves, or proves abortive in her
Productions. It is above feventeen hundred Years ago
fince Diodorus Siculus remarked, that the Gauls were fup-
plied with Gold from their Rivers; and the fame have
continued ever fince to bring us the fame Tribute from
thoſe never-failing Sources that enrich them. Thefe, one
would think, fhould be looked upon as a Sort of publick
Advertiſements, that have for fo many Ages been hinting
to us the great Improvements that might be made of this
Advantage, and which therefore ought not to be neglected:
Befides, if we would take the Pains to dig for Gold, we
fhould either find Marl to manure our Land, Quick-
filver fo uſeful in the Separation of Metals, Vitriol and
fuch like Salts, or fome other mineral Bodies that are
always uſeful. We fcarce ever dig far into the Earth with-
D 3
out
}
1
54
DIALOGUE
XIX.
out finding Riches of one kind or another, and fome-
times by that means contract Intimacies with Nature, that.
prove more beneficial to us than thofe very Mines we are
in queft of.
But let us now dive into the Rivers for another Sort of
Riches, which we are more fure to find in them, and may
come at more eafily; I mean, the Fifh they produce for
our Nourishment. The innumerable Productions that the
Sea abounds with are very furprizing, but thoſe of the Ri-
vers are ſtill more wonderful; and yet, if the Fiſhes that are
therein had not by natural Instinct been endowed with
that Sagacity and Cunning, thofe many Arts and Shifts
for the Prefervation of their Species, which we ſee them
put in Practice (and which do not more contribute to
their Safety than our Benefit), it would have been im-
poffible for any of them, in fo fmall an Extent of Water,
to eſcape a hundred different Sorts of Traps and En-
pines that are almoft every where employed to furprize
them.
Chevalier. I believe, Sir, that, in order to give me a
fifhing Entertainment, you have fet all the Inhabitants of
the Place to work; I fee fo many Boats, Oars, Rods, Nets,
an Arms, all in Motion together. The vaft Variety quite
confounds me; pray, therefore, be fo kind as to give me
a particular, Account of what they are all doing.
The Drag. Net,
Sagena..
-
Prior. With all my Heart, Sir. To begin then with
thefe here: That is the Father of a Family, who with his
Sons is cafting that great long Net out of the Boat, which
is called a Drag-Net. One End of that
Net they faften to a Stake on the Shore;
then taking in as great a Compafs of the
River as they can with the Boat, cafting
the Net, which is laid in Folds in the Boat, at the fame
Time, into the Water, they make a Circuit, and come
round again to the fame Shore: The Top of the Net
remains fufpended upon the Surface of the Water, by
means of Floats of Cork that are faftened to it; the lower
Part of it funk to the Bottom, being ftrung with Plum-
bets of Lead from one End to the other, fo that it forms
as it were a Wall, or rather an Inclofure bending to a
Circle; by which the Fifh are fo hemmed in, that they
can only make to that Part of the Shore that remains
to
}
Fishing with several forts of Nets.
Plate 3 Tôt III paje 54.
Chubs. Eels & Lampreys. Burbels.
Pollards.
Trouts
Tenches.
Toms foutp
Of RIVERS:
55
+
*
to compleat the Circle which the Net has not yet de-
ſcribed; therefore, to prevent their Eſcape this way, the
Fiſherman's Boys diſturb the Water on that Side, by pad-
dling in it with their Feet, at the fame Time drawing the
End of the Net by degrees to the other that is fixed
upon the Shore. The Fish, being thus fcared, make to the
oppofite Side, where they are entangled by the Net. The
Circumference being thus compleated, they take hold of
both Ends of the Net together, and draw it to the Shore,
thus leffening the Circle by little and little, till the Fiſh
find themſelves, as it were, fhut up in a Sack, the Bottom
of which is cloſed by the Plumbets of Lead, that drag upon
the Ground till they come clofe together. The Fisher-
man, having thus fecured his Booty, cafts the little Fry
again into the River, that may one Day requite his Kind-
nefs by a more profitable Vifit; fuch as are of a proper
Size, and fit for his Purpoſe, he puts into the Well of his
Boat.
Rondellet, L'E-
meri, Willoughby.
Carp. Cyprinus.
is flatter and
Chevalier. Pray let us draw near
and fee what fort of a Caft they have
got.
Prior. You fee there are fome Carp.
This Fiſh that `refembles a Carp, but
broader, is a Bream; the Scales of it are
-larger, and the Fleſh more flabby. That
other whitiſh Fiſh, that is flatter than the
Carp and with a more picked Snout,
is a Dace, and. is reckoned very good Dace, Faculus.
Meat.
Bream, Cyprinus
latus.
Barbel, Barbus.
Ball-Head, Ca-
pito.
Thoſe that you fee with two Whiſkers, are Barbels.
Thefe others, that are fhaped like them
but ſomewhat leſs, and without Whiſkers,
are Bull-Heads, or, as fome call them,
Miller's Thumbs; both thefe forts of Fish
are reckoned tolerable Eating, when they
are old, and if fed in a running Water.
Chevalier. There are fome among them I fee that I
know; thofe that have the Ridge of
Prickles upon their Backs are Perch, thofe
with the gilded Scales are Tench. There
are alfo Gudgeons, Smelts, and Loaches,
D 4
Perch, Perca.
Tench, Tinca.
Gudgeon, Gobio.
which
4
1
56.
DIALOGUE
XIX.
which are all pretty much alike; but the reft I am not ac-
quainted with.
Eel pout, Mo-
rella.
·
J
+
Prior. Thefe Eel-pouts which you fee
here are very like the Fish called in Latin
Motella; they have the fame Slime all
over their Bodies, the fame Number of
Fins down their Backs and Bellies to the Extremity of
their Tails, and have both alike a very large Liver,
which has an exquifite Tafte; but they differ in this, that
the Head and Tail of the Motella are fomewhat more
round, and like a Cylinder; whereas in the Eel-pout they
lengthen taper-wife into a Point. The Spawn of theſe
Fifh is not good to eat, any more than that of the Pike
and Barbel, by reafon that it purges violently. The
other little Fishes that you fee, are nothing but a Heap
of Chubs, which have a very large Head,
their Bodies leffening towards the Tail;
and Minnows, the Flesh of which is
reckoned very good (thefe Fifh are diftinguifhable by
the agreeable Variety of their Colours);
of Loaches, which makes amends for their
Smallness by their Sweetnefs; and of
Roaches, which they fling into Ponds, to
be Food for Pike and other Files of Prey: Nay, even
the very Bleak is not without its Ufe; for
with the Scales of this Fifh they make at
Sort of Varniſh, which, being artificially;
laid on Beads of Wax or Glafs, makes
Chub, Cottus.
Loach, Apua or
Colitis. Roach,
Plexinus.
Bleak, Albur
nus.
جيز
them look exactly like Pearl.
Chevalier. Pray what is that Man about, who looks
fo intently upon the Water as he ftands upon the
Shore ?
The Cafting.
Net.
་ །
Prior. In his left Hand he holds the Cord, to' which
is faftened the Apex, or Top of his Caft-
ing-Net, which is made in the Form of a
Cone or Tunnel. The Bottom Part of
it confequently is a Circle, about one
third of which he bears upon his left Shoulder, another
he holds in his right Hand, and the rest he lets hang
down before him. He always keeps his Eyes intently
fixed upon the Place wherein he has thrown Worms or
any other Bait; and when he perceives any Motion in-
the
1
་་་
Roach_
Ed-Pouts
"Nshing with the casting-hib
Plate + Tôl. III page 30
4.
Toms featp
Pikes
Breme
Perch
'
}
ན་
1
Fish which pass out of the Sea into the Rivert
Plate 5 Vol. III page 57.
{,,,
1
1
D
13 Zemorieën
་
Of RIVERS.
57
the Water, but efpecially if he fees a number of Fishes
fporting together, he leans back his Head, and ſwinging
his Arms from left to right, he cafts the Net from him,
as you behold the very Moment I am fpeaking to you:
The Lead, which hangs round the lower Part of the Net,
finks it immediately to the Bottom, and the Cord that he
holds in his Hand gives him full Command over the Net,
to draw it back when he pleafes; which being of a conic
Figure, as he draws it by the Top, it clofes at Bottom, by
reaſon of the leaden Plumbets, which come together as
they are dragged along the Ground. The Net being
taken out of the Water, whatever happened to be un-
der it at the Time of it's being calt, becomes certain
Booty.
Chevalier. Our Fiſherman here, has not made a ran-
dom Caft of its for he has taken a very fine Fish Pri
foner.
: Prior. It is a Shad Fish, which he
baited for, by throwing in a Handful or Shad, Alfa.
two of Salt in the Place where probably
hè fpied it before.
Chevalier Pray what is the Ufe of thefe Grates which
I fee placed at the Entrance of thefe two little Creeks that
have a Communication of the River? and why are they
made to meet at their Extremities, pointing inward towards
the Ditch?
7
Salmon Fishing.
Prior. Thefe two little Grates made of wooden Bars
are thus formed in an Angle, that being
impelled by any Force in the Line of Di-
rection from the River, they may give
way, and open a little at the Point of Contact, and im-
mediately fhut again, clofing the Angle. Now the Sal-
mon, which, like the Shad-Fish, at certain Seafons of the
Year, leaves the Sea, and comes up into the Rivers, feeking
muddy Waters and By-ways, comes to thefe little Grills,
which open, and fuffer it to pass through; but fhut again,
thereby preventing its Return. The Salmon is alfo caught
* The Shad-Fiſh, called in French A, though thaped like the.
common Sort of Shads with us; yet differs from them both in Size and
Goodness, being both larger and better tafted. It is probably a different
Sort of the fame Species. Our Fishermen fometimes, though feldom,
catch this Fish with our common Shads. They call it an Alofc.
D 5
in
A
58
DIALOGUE XIX.
!
in Nets, or with the Spear, which is a fort of Fork that
they dart into him when they fee him fwimming near the
Surface of the Water! It is cuftomary likewife to catch
Salmon and many other Sorts of Fish with a Candle and
Lanthorn, or a Wifp of Straw fet on Fire upon the Shore,
which the Fiſh miſtaking for the Day-light, make towards
it, and are ftruck with the Spear, or taken in a Net, which
they lift up with a fudden Jerk from the Bottom; having
placed it the Evening before, oppofite to where the Fire is
kindled.
Chevalier. Pray let us follow thofe two Boats, that are
coming out of the great River into the little one; I fup-
pofe they are upon fome new Scheme of Fiſhing.
Prier. They are going to take up the Wheels which lie
about the Mill, or the Trammel Nets that
Wheels.
à
are placed in the Mouth of the little
Rivers. Thefe are a Sort of Traps thas
lie in Ambush for the Files Day and Night, without
requiring any Trouble or Attendance of the Fisher-
man.
The Wheels are a Sort of long-Cages made of Ofier
Twigs, with a Hole at the Top, growing narrower down-
wards like a Moufe-trap, till the Ofier Twigs converge at
laft almoft to a Point; they cafily open to let the Fish pafs
in, but oppofe their fharp Points to him when he attempts
to return.
Chevalier. See, our Fishermen have found in their
Eel.
Lampreys.
Refpiration.
Wheels one Eel and two Lampreys; I
know the Eel by the Make of his two
Fins, and the Lampreys, by the Holes
which are on each Ŝide a little below the
Head, and which probably ſerve them for
Prior. Or perhaps for the Difcharge of the Water
which enters in with their Nouriſhment; which Office,
as I take it, is performed in other Fish by their
Gills.
Trammel-Net.
Chevalier. Pray how is the Trammel-
Net made?
Prior. You will fee it taken up pre-
fently. It is a great Net, confifting of two Wings and
feveral Hoops: The two Wings are fupported by feveral
Stakes
Of RIVER S
59
}
Stakes driven into the Bottom of the River, and are ex-
tended, if it may be done, to each Side of it, that, by
thus taking up the whole Breadth, it may determine the
Motion of all the Fiſh towards Hoops where the two
Wings meet in an Angle. The Hoops are covered over
with Net Work, and are placed one behind another, de-
creafing from the firft, like a Cone to its Bafe; the Net,
which is faſtened within the first and largeſt Hoop, is ex-
tended through the reft, growing taper likewife as it
lengthens; it is tied alfo to the Trammel-Net with four
Lines, which are ſo diſpoſed as to give way, and widen as
the Fiſh ſtrives to force his Paffage inward, but unite when
he is got through them, and bar all Hopes of his return-
ing the fame Way. See what they have found yonder in
the Bottom of their Trammel-Net.
Chevalier. They are little Salmon, if I am not mif-
taken.
Prior. They are Trouts, which, fave
that their Scales are fomewhat fmaller, are Trout, Trufiq.
very like Salmon in every reſpect, if they
are not a Species of them.
Chevalier. Pray, when the Fish leave the main River to
come up into Ponds, or any little Creek they meet with,
what do they get by the Exchange?
Prior. Some of them go in queft of muddy Waters;
others to feek for Springs; but what chiefly induces them
to leave the Current for Meers and other ftanding Wa-
ters is, that Water-worms, and other aquatic Infects,
which make the principal Part of their Food, is found
in greater Plenty in your ftill Waters, and lay their Eggs
there in greater Abundance, than in the Rivers; and the
Reafon of their fwimming against the Stream is, that they
may catch thofe Infects that are carried down with the
Current.
Chevalier. I may judge by what you told me fome time
ago of the little Worms that are generated from the
Gnat, of what great Service Infects are in fupplying Filh
with Provifion.. I fhall take Care for the future, how I
complain of Infects, after having learned that for my Ufe
they feall the Trout, the Perch, and a hundred other deli-
cate Sorts of Filh. But pray, what means that long Cord
that they are pulling out of the River.?.
D. 6
2
Prior.
!
бо
XIX.
DIALOGUE
Bottom Lines.
+
Prior. This is another Sort of Trap to catch Fish;
they call them Bottom Lines, and they
watch for their Prey in the Night, while
the Fiſherman fleeps. It is a long Cord,
which reaches the whole Breadth of the River, and is
faſtened at each End to the Roots of Trees or Stakes upon
the Shore. To this Cord are faftened thirty or forty
Lines, each having a Hook covered with a Bait; which
the hungry Fiſh no fooner fees, but he greedily fwallows
both together, and fo is catched, as was the Fate of thoſe
Fikes which you fee the Fishermen taking from off their
Lines. But none are allowed to practiſe this fecret way
of catching Fish, except thofe that have Shares in Rivers,
or fuch as farm them of the Proprietors. As for Angling,
it does fo little Harm, that every body is at Liberty to take
this Diverfion, that has Leifure and Patience enough to fol-
low it.
Chevalier. Sure this River muſt be well ftocked with
Fish to employ fo many Engines of Deſtruction; but, be-
fides the Bottom-Line, the Wheels, and the Trammel or
Sweep.Net, methinks I fee another Sort of Net which
they let down in the Water; pray what is the Name and
Ufe of that?
Prior. It is called a Bag-Net, or Pod-Net; the Struc-
ture of it is very fimple, and the Ufe of
The Bag-Net. it very diverting. It is made of half a
Hoop morticed at both Ends into the Ex-
tremities of a Lath or flat Piece of Wood, three or four
Feet long, and fixed in exact Equilibrium at the End of a
long Pole.
When you have a Mind to uſe this Net, the
Servant that attends you, or your Friend that fhares the
Paftime with you, carries with him a long Stick or Pole,
with a thick Head of Wood at the End of it, in Form
of a Mallet, to trouble the Water. You let down your
Bag Net into fome narrow Part of the Channel, the
Breadth of which it may take up; if one Net is not
fufficient for this Purpofe, place two a-breaft, directly
against the Current of the River, that the Water running
through may keep the Nets open and extended: He that
carries the long Pole to trouble the Water goes twenty
or thirty Paces higher up, where he ftrikes it againſt the
Bottom, and beats the Rufhes and Roots of Trees with
it,
Of RIVER S.
+61
it, thereby chafing the Fishes from their lurking Places,
which being thus driven from their Shelter, while they
think to make their Efcape, run into the fatal Bag that
intercepts their Flight. The Concuffion of the Pole
immediately communicates to the Hand of the Fiſherman
the News of his Prifoner's being taken, who thereupon
plucks up the Net, and feizes the Captive: You fee how
he does it, nothing can be eafier, and you yourſelf might
learn in a Minute to catch Fith the fame Way. Our
Fiſherman will tell you what Places in the River are beſt
for this Sport, when he comes to them: In the mean
Time, obferve how intent he is in the Purfuit of his Di-
verfion; you do not fee him idly rejoicing over his Victory,
or meaſuring the Dimenfion of the Fishes he has caught;
but he puts them ftraight into his Pannier, and nimbly
haftens higher up, though as filently as he can, to put
down his Net again, in the Place where the Water was
firſt troubled. In the mean Time, the Perfon with the flir-
ring Pole runs before, to begin the fame Work again :
Thus they renew their Sport, fhifting their Places at every
freſh Trial: They often make frequent Experiments in-
deed without getting any thing, but one Hit makes
amends for ſeveral Miffes; and a fingle Pike or Carp
of a tolerable Size will compenfate for the Fatigue of
a whole Day; and, though they cannot every Day brag
of their Succefs, yet they feldom return home empty-
handed.
Chevalier. Pray, what are all theſe Children doing,
that we fee fo bufily employed along the Sides of that
Rivulet that croffes the Meadow? Is that another Kind of
Fishing?
Prior. There is no Brook nor Stream, how little foever
it be, that does not contribute to our Diverfion; that
which you now fee is reckoned excellent
for Cray-Fifh, the catching of which is Cray-Fiſh.
accounted no mean Sport. The Manner
of taking them is thus: They take a Dozen or two of
Rods or little Sticks, and ſplit them at the End, to put
the Bait in; they then ſtick them in the Mud, along the
Side of the Rivulet, at about eight or ten Feet Diſtance
from one another. Let it be remarked by the way, that
after Sun fet is the beſt Time for this Sport; as well be-
caufe
启
​L
f
62
DIALOGUE XIX.
caufe the Cool of the Evening fuits beft with this. Ex-
ercife, as becauſe this fort of Fish feed beft then. But
to proceed; every one that follows this Sport provides
himſelf with a little Pannier or Baſket made of Rufhes,
with a long Handle to it; for Cray-Fifh are lefs ſcared
with Green, than any other Colour. If upon taking up
the Sticks, they perceive any Game cleaving to the Bait,
they gently flide the Baſket under it, that the Fish, which
being lifted up to the Top of the Water, always quits its
Hold, may fall into it; and thus they will fometimes
catch ten or a Dozen at once. Thofe that have a Mind
to be more expeditious in catching theſe Fiſh take a
Bundle of Thorns, and lard it well with the Thighs of
Frogs, and fling it into the Water; in the Evening the
Cray-Fish throng about in Shoals, and fo entangle them-
felves in the Thorns, that, by gently pulling up the Cord
that is faſtened to the Bundle and flipping a Bafket under-
neath it, you may catch them every one. Afterwards it
is very diverting to fee the young Fishers laying out their
Booty to the beft Advantage on the Grafs, or to hear
them, as they return home, every one boafting of his
Succefs; one triumphs in having caught the greateſt Num-
ber, another values himſelf upon having taken the largeſt,
though, perhaps, the very biggeſt of them are not to brag
of.
Chavalier. I hear the Fisherman bidding his Son to go
and caſt all the little Carp into the Pond: Pray, what is the
Reaſon of that Order?
Prior. It is a very good Method; for in one or two
Years time all thefe little Carp will grow to be fizeable
Fish, and bring great Profit to the Proprietor.
Chevalier. I fuppofe you muſt be at the Pains of feeding
them.
Prior. There is no Neceffity for that, feeing Nature
does fufficiently provide for them: Nevertheless, there are
certain neceflary Methods of Care and Caution to be used
with Fiſh-Ponds; and others, though not
Fish-Ponds. fo abfolutely neceffary, yet of great fe
to augment the Profit of them. For Ex-
ample, it is proper to have the Pond fituated, if poffible,
at the Foot of a Hill, that the Waters which defcend from
it may replenish it with Mud, Worms, and other. In-
fects,
Of RIVER S.
63
fects, that the Fiſh are wont to feed on: Great Care alfo
muſt be taken that the Edges of the Pond be raiſed high
with Banks of Earth, that the River, which, by its Com-
munication with it through a cloſe Grate, fupplies it with
freſh Water and Provifion, may not by any Inundation
overflow the Banks of the Pond, and at once fweep away
the Product of many Years. As for feeding them, it is
neither attended with Trouble nor Expence; for the Far-
mers Children make this Office their Paftime and Diver-
fion, by catching Caterpillars, Butterflies, fmall Flies, and
other Infects, and flinging them to the Carp, which are very
fond of them.
Ephemeran-
Flics.
There are fome Days in May and August, when, after a
moderate Rain, there appears on a fudden, as if dropped
from the Clouds, a vaft Multitude of little white Butter-
flies, which are very fhort-lived, and therefore called
Ephemeran, or Day-Flies. They feek the
Water, as being the Place where they lay
their Eggs, and defcend in fuch Swarms
upon the Surface of Ponds and Rivers, as
almoſt to cover them. They fwim on the Top of the
Water by the Motion of their Tails, which keep them
up, being plumed with little Feathers in the Shape of
Fishes-Fins. The Carp, and the other Inhabitants of
the Water, immediately make to the Place where this
Kind of Manna falls, with which they fo feaft themſelves,
that the Fiſhers tell you, that, after the Defcent of theſe
Flies, the Fiſh preſently grow fat and more quiet, not
darting up and down in that reftlefs Manner in queft of
Food, nor having Occafion for any other Provifion for five
or fix Weeks afterwards. The little Worms, that are
hatched by the Eggs which precipitate to the Bottom, con-
vert into Nymphs or Chryfalis's, which ferve for the Pro-
vifion of another Seafon.
It is no fmall Part of Huſbandry to fave the Crums
and broken Scraps that are left at Table, to fling to the
Carp; nor is it a little diverting to behold them fcramb
ling and ftriving for little Pieces of Bread; which they are
fo covetous of, that you will fee them of their own Accord
haftening at the Time of Day to the Place where they
are wont to be fed; and that, without the Perfon's fhew-
ing himself, at a certain Noife that he makes, at which
they
64
XX:
DIALOGUE
they will all come together, as it were at the Signal of a
Dinner-Bell.
Chevalier. This is an undeniable Argument that Fiſhes
have Organs of Hearing different from their Gills, which
were given them for quite another Ufe; and I am confirm-
ed in this Opinion, by obferving that your Fifhers go to
work as filent as poffible, and love to have every thing
ftill and quiet about them.
Prior. We are come, now, Sir, to thofe Places which
afford the greateft Plenty of Fish, where, if you pleaſe,
you may divert yourſelf with the Bag-Net.
Chevalier. I took particular Notice of this Manner of
fishing with this Net, and don't doubt but I fhall catch
an elegant Diſh for Supper.
Prior. If the Sport prove entertaining to you, though
you catch but a Gudgeon, it will pleafe me more than
either Trout or Shad.
FOUNTAINS.
DIALOGUE XX.
The PRIOR and CHEVALIER.
Chevalier.
Perceive, Sir, it was not without Defign
that you have conducted me to the Bor-
ders of this Fountain; you had a Mind to make me ac-
quainted with one, of the most delightful Places here-
abouts.
Prior. The Defign I had formed to entertain you with
a Difcourfe on Fountains almoft infenfibly led me hither.
Pray, what, in your Opinion, can be the Caufe of this
perpetual Motion of Water, which though ferene, uni-
form, and almost always the fame, yet attracts our Eyes
1
by
Of FOUNTAINS.
65
by a fecret, fort of Charm, that makes them never tired
with gazing on it? If we reflect, on one Hand, there is no
Effect in Nature either more vifible or ornamental than
this inexhaustible Flux of Fountains, and the Courfe of
Rivers, which continue for whole Ages to roll along in a
floating State, and to fill their fpacious Beds with never-
failing Plenty. On the other hand, there is no Effect
whoſe Caufe Nature feems more induſtriouſly to have kept
concealed from us. What fource is fufficient to feed
ſuch a River as the Rhone? What Store-houfes large
enough to ſupply the mighty Cifterns of the Danube, the
Ganges, or the River of the Amazons? Where are thoſe
eternal (if I may be allowed the Word), immenfe, invi-
fible Refervoirs, which through fo many hidden Channels
pour forth fuch inexhaustible Treafures of Water, filling
the vaft Bofoms of Rivers with a Profufion abundantly
fufficient for all our Wants, and yet reſtrained within fuch
proper Bounds, as not to overflow, inftead of enriching,
the Countries they paſs through?
The fupreme Being, in thus diſcovering to us the Courfe
and concealing from us the Source of Rivers, feems to
have been pleaſed to make them an Emblem of his own
Nature, which, in like Manner, is always fruitful and bẹ-
neficent, though at the fame time invifible to us. The
Liberality of our great Creator, like them, is perpetual,
magnificent, inexhaustible, without Oftentation, and with-
out Referve; it ſhowers down Bleffings upon the moſt Un-
deferving; and, as it is never weary with giving, fo nei-
ther does it upbraid us with its Gifts; its Benefits are
univerfal, and confpicuous to all, whilft the Hand that
diftributes them is hidden from our Eyes.
Chevalier. Does not God feem to have forbid all In-
quiry into the Origin of Fountains by having thus con-
cealed it from us?
Prior. We are not to fuppofe that God does prohibit
our Inspection into every thing that he has caſt a Veil
over, nor are all his Ways unfearchable becaufe not ob
vious; nay, he has implanted in us a natural Defire of at-
taining to a more complete Knowledge of thofe Things
which we have at firſt but a very imperfect Acquaintance
with; and as we are apt to wonder at thofe Works of
God, whofe Caufes and firft Principles we are ignorant of,
fo
66
DIALÓGU E XX.
fo do we find another Kind of Admiration raiſed in our
Minds, in Proportion as we grow acquainted with the For-
mation, Workmanſhip, and Beauty of them; let us then
endeavour to penetrate into the hidden Caufe of Rivers;
for I am perfuaded that whatever new Diſcoveries we are
able to make in a Phænomenon we are fo converfant with,
and in which we daily diſcern the Footsteps of our Crea-
tor's moſt amazing Liberality, cannot fail to heighten our
grateful Adoration of him.
When I look for the Origin of the Seine, the Garonne,
or the Rhine, or when I would trace the fmalleft as well
as the largeſt Rivers to their Sources, I never find them
rifing in the Middle of Plains, but all, at leaſt as many
as I am acquainted with, ifluing out from the Bottom or
Middle of the Mountains; now what particular Privilege
or Property belongs to them, that they fhould thus be made
the only Magazines of fuch vaft Collections of Water §
The Mountains, it is true, by their Elevation above the
Plains, are advantageoufly fituated for the fupplying of Ri
vers with their proper Contingents of Water. But how
come the Mountains by their Stores? For we fee no Re-
fervoirs on the Tops of them, fufficient to fupport fuch
a perpetual Confumption.
Chevalier. We are not, as I take it, Sir, to look
upon
the Tops of Mountains for thoſe Reſervoirs that feed the
Springs, but into the Bowels of the Earth; we muft defcend
to the Sea, which is the great Source of this Circulation
of Waters; the Fountains fupply the Rivers, the Rivers
diſcharge themſelves into the Sea, and the Sea, which
would otherwife be over-charged, again reftores to the
Mountains the Tribute it receives from the Rivers, in or
der to feed the Springs.
Prior. This will admit of no Doubt; but confider,
there is a vaft Distance betwixt the Sea and fome Moun-
tains; how then will you account for the Conveyance of
the Water fo long a Journey?
Chevalier. Here indeed lies the Difficulty.
Prior. There are but three Hypothefes of any tolerable
Repute relating to this Queftion, whereof to chooſe: all
others, it is allowed by every body, are not worth mention-
ing, much lefs the Trouble of confuting.
The
Of FOUNTAINS.
67
The firft Hypotheſis is that of Mr. Des Cartes, who was
of Opinion that the Water of the Sea diffufed itſelf in all
Directions under Ground, and that, coming to the Bot-
tom of Mountains, it there met with large Caverns, into
which being rarified by the central Heat beneath, it af
cended in Vapours, leaving its Salts behind, as being fpe-
cifically heavier; that thefe Vapours being impeded in
their Afcent by the Tops of the Caverns, there conden-
fed, forming little Streams or Currents of Water, like the
Stream in the Head of an Alembick.
The fecond Hypothefis lays down, that the Sea-Water
percolates through the Pores of the Earth, which, though
large enough for the finer Parts of the Fluid to permeate,
yet are ſo ſmall as to deny Admittance to the faline Parti-
cles that are commixed with them; which the Water in
the Courſe of its Filtration leaves behind, thus refining
and purifying itſelf, till it becomes freſh and potable, be-
fore it mixes with the Fountains and Rivers.
Thofe that are Advocates for the third Hypothefis
maintain, that the Sea has no Communication with the
Mountains by any fubterraneous Channels, but only above
the Earth; that there perpetually arifes a Vapour from
the Surface of Rivers, Lakes, and the Sea, that is carri
ed through the Atmofphere in the Form of a Cloud or
a Mift, by the Impulfe of Winds; and that, according as
it meets with a colder Air, or is ftop'd in its Progress by
Mountains, it condenfes and falls down in Dew, Snow, or
Rain; that the Water, in which foever of theſe Shapes it
defcends, does afterwards find feveral Chinks and Cran.
nies, through which it infinuates itſelf into the main Body
of the Hills or Mountains, where it is lodged in Beds of
Slome or Clay, according to the nature of the Soil
where by Degrees increafing its Store and Strength, it
forces its Way through the firſt Outlet it meets with, and
takes the Name of a temporary or perennial Fountain, ac-
cording to the Capacity of the Bafon within that fupplies
its Current.
Chevalier. Father Rapin, difcourfing on the Origin of
Fountains, feems to fet light by the Opinion of thoſe who
would endeavour to folve this Phenomenon from the Con-
denfation of rarified Vapours in the vaulted Caverns of
Hills; nor does he make any greater Account of that
other
3
68
DIALOGUE
XX.
other Hypothefis which afcribes it to Rain; but favours
the Philofophy of thofe who attribute the Rife of Springs,
to the Sea-Water filtrated through the Pores of the Earth.
He has given us thefe different Opinions, efpecially the
laft, in very exalted Strains of Poetry; the Verfes pleaſed
me fo much, that I took the Pains to get them by
Heart.
t
Prior. We fhould be glad to hear them, if you pleaſe;
here are no Ladies to take Offence at your Latin.
Chevalier. They are as follows:
Nonne vides rapidum Ligerim, ingentemque Garumnam,
Quique Parifiacos fæcundat Sequana Campos,
1
Et Rhenum, & Scaldim, & Rhodanum, magnumque fu
entem
Danubium, atque alios defcendere Montibus Amnes?
Sive cavis fubter Spatium fit inane Cavernis,
Hofpitium Undarum; feu quod fpirabilis Aër
Paulatim in tenues longo fiuit Agmine Guttas,
Unde ipfo tepida fudant Humore Caverna,
Quales marmoreis Guttas ftillare Columnis
Humenti Calo, & Bruma nigrante, videmus;
Rupibus idcircò ex altis permanat Aquarum
Rofcidus Humor, & uberibus fient omnia Guttis.
Seu quod per Montes altos Tellure fub ipfâ
Imbribus è Calo ruptis, Nivibufque folutis,
Multarum fefe Vis plurima cogit Aquarum,
Ima petens, donec jam Copia, viribus autis,
Tum demum erumpat, Campoque infultet aperto.
Nec defunt quorum melior Sententia Menti,
Qui perhibent Fontes Genus altum accerfere ab ipfe
Oceano. Nam totum Orbem circumfluit ingens
Oceanus, magnæ fubter Spiracula Terræ
Qui fubit, in tenues fufus ceu Corpore Venas
It Sanguis, totique facit Commercia Moli:
Quo fit uti nufquam crefcat Ripifque redundet
Pontus, ubi vafti de Partibus omnibus Orbis
Undique tot tantis concurrunt Fluctibus Amnes.
Interior nam cum raro fit Corpore Tellus,
Inque Specus altas, imperfofofque Meatus
Interdum defcendat, & in Loca concava fidat
Unda
Of
69
FOUNTAINS.
Unda Maris, raræ per curva Foramina Terra,
Perque Sinus ipfos furtivo lubrica Lapfu
Paulatim infinuat fefe, cæcumque per imos
Aut quærit Calles Iter, aut molitur eundo.
Aut ubicumque magis ruptæ fe Viſcera Terre
Diducunt, crebroque patent adaperta Meatu,
Tum largus magis atque magis fe fundit Aqua Fons.
Idcirco Latices maneant ex quore falfo
Non falfi; nam cum multum Tellure fub imâ
Multiplices fe per Salebras & acerba Locorum,
Perque cavos Flexus & inæquales per Arenas
Torfit agens Maris unda, Salis quæ craffa marini
Materies barebat Aquæ purgatur, & omne,
Ceu per Cola means, Vitium detergitur Unda.
Prior. Thefe Verfes have indeed all the Softneſs and
fmooth-flowing Numbers, of Lucretius, joined to the Spirit
and Energy of Virgil; but let us fee if the Philofophy of
them will ſtand the Teft as well as the Poetry.
The Notion of
fubterraneous A-
lembicks confut-
ed.
The first Opinion that Father Rapin undertakes to con-
fute, may be defended two Ways; firft, by laying down,
that the external Air, being replete with
Vapours, does, upon their Condenſation
diſcharge them into the Refervoirs of the
Mountains, which exactly tallies with the
Philoſophy of thoſe who afcribe the Ori-
gin of Fountains to Rain and Vapours, which we will
take under Examination in its proper Place; or, fecondly,
it may fall in with the Opinion of Mr. Des Cartes, and
fuppofe that the Water of the Sea finds a free Paffage un-
der the Earth to the Bottoms of Mountains, into which it
afcends in Mifts, where it is condenfed into large Drops by
the Sides of the Rocks; but this is not ftrictly agreeable
to Truth for, in the firft Place, it is begging the Quef
tion to fuppofe any fuch free Paffages of Communication
betwixt the Sea and the Feet of Mountains; nor can any
Experiment be produced to warrant the Suppofition of thefe
fubterraneous Channels; on the contrary, wherever run-
ning Waters have been difcovered under Ground, it has
been obſerved that they run from the Mountains *
to the
Sea, and not contrariwife.
* Valifneri Annotazioni intorno all' Origine delle Fontane, 1714.
But
1
}
70
DIALOGUE XX.
But, granting that the Waters have as free a Paffage as
they can defire, and fteer thelr Courſe without any Inter-
ruption to the Place of Rendezvous, what will follow?
Why then it is pretended, that they, meeting there with a
fufficient Degree of Heat to rarify them, afcend in Va-
pours into the vaulted Caverns of the Rocks, where they
are condenſed by the Cold, and trickle down the Sides in
great Drops, as in the Head of a Still; that then, finding
a Paffage through the Sides of the Hills, they iffue forth
into the open Air, under the Name of Springs, and de-
fcend upon the Plains; but this is to order Things juft as
they would have them, and not as they really are in
themſelves; for allowing, as we faid before, the Waters
a free Paffage from the Sea two or three hundred Leagues
in Length under Ground, to the Roots of high Moun-
tains; pray, where are the Furnaces which remain in
fuch a conftant State of Readinefs and Heat, to rarify
thefe Waters and make them evaporate in Clouds? Al-
lowing ftill farther, that there is a fufficient Degree of
Heat for this Purpoſe, yet where are thofe Caverns fix or
feven hundred Paccs high, whofe cool Vaults are to con-
denſe theſe exhaled Vapours? It is certain that People
have digged and penetrated far enough into the Bowels
of the Earth and Mountains to make the Discovery,
though without ever having found Caverns big enough to
allow the Vapours a free Afcent to the Height of the
Fountains from which the Rivers take their Source: fo
that theſe marvellous Alembicks are nothing more than
mere Fancies.
Chevalier. There occurs to me another Reafon for re-
jecting this Hypothefis, which is this; that, though we
fhould allow fuch an Affemblage of Waters under the
Mountains, a fufficient Heat to rarify them into Vapours,
and Caverns high enough for them to afcend up to the
Middle of the higheft Mountains, yet all theſe Conceffions
would avail nothing, nor the Concurrence of all theſe
Caufes produce the leaft Stream of the fresh Water; for, the
Vapours adhering to the Sides of the Caverns, and there
condenfing, not finding any Receptacle to lodge in, whence.
they might iffue through the Sides in Springs, muft ne-
ceffarily fall down again into the Bafon, from which they
arofe.
I.
Prior.
-
1
Of FOUNTAINS.
71
Prior. Your Remark is very juft: to which I will add
two other Proofs, which are Matters of Fact, that will
thoroughly convince you of the Abfurdity of fuppofing
theſe Alembicks with which Mr. Des Cartes feems fo highly
delighted; the one I ſhall take from what paffes on the
Outfide of the Earth, the other from what is obferved
` within it.
After a long Ceffation of Rain, whether in Summer or
in Winter, it is found by Experience, that the greateſt.
Part of Springs fail, feveral Rivers are drained almoſt quite
dry, and the largeſt of them have ſcarce Water enough to
cover the Bottoms of their Channels: Now what have
the Vapours which afcend from the fubterraneous Waters
to do with its raining or not raining, feeing they must
operate independently of any fuch Caufe? The Water is
in the Alembick, the Cover upon it, and the Furnace al-
ways burning; why then does not the Bufinefs of diftilling
go on? For if this be the Caufe of Fountains, as the
Cauſe always remains the fame, the fame Effect muſt al-
ways continue to be produced; nor would any external
Drought any ways affect it, which is quite contrary to
Experience. Let us, in the next Place, proceed to con-
fider what paffes within the Earth; and here neither do
we find any thing that gives the leaft Colour of Probabi
lity to fuch pretended Evaporations exhaling from the Bot-
toms of Mountains to the Tops of them, and there form-
ing great Reſervoirs of Water to feed the Springs that
iffue through their Sides. We hear of People that have
vifited vaft Numbers of Grottos and Caves of all Di-
menfions, fome of which were perfectly dry, and conf-
quently without having Communication with the Waters
that come from the Sea; others have been found all cruft-
ed over by Time, with a congealed cryftallized Fluid;
fome having little Currents of Water pafling through
them; and others diftilling from the vaulted Roofs Drops
of Water, which fettle at the Bottom. Now it is agreed
by the beſt Judges, that thofe fluid Globules that fweat
through the Pores of the Caves, and there petrify or cry-
ftallize, proceed folely from the Rain-Water, which, foaking
through the Crannies of the Earth and Caves, affociate
with faline or fandy Particles, and fo form themſelves in-
to fpiral or conic Figures; in which Metamorphofis the
*
Sea
+
>
}
72
DIALOGUE
XX.
Sea vifibly has no manner of Share. As for thofe little
Streams of Water that run through fome Caves, they are
moft certainly produced by the Rains which penetrate
through the Earth, feeing they are obferved to diminiſh
or dry up in Proportion to the Severity or Continuance of
the Droughts. And, laftly, it is plain, that the Humidity,
which diftils through the Sides of certain Grottos, can in
no wife be ascribed to the Sea-Water, forafmuch as there
is none of it found in the Bottom of thoſe Grottos; and
becauſe it is obferved that their Dampnefs increaſes in
Proportion to the Quantity of Rain that defcends into
them; whereas, by a long Difcontinuance of wet Wea-
ther, they become entirely dry. We need no other Proof
of the Truth of this, than what we fee in the Caves of the
Royal Obfervatory at Paris, where, in very dry Years,
the Water ceafes dropping.
!
Chevalier. The Water of the Fountain we fit by,
does not indeed feem to me to have paffed through any
Alembick; but, perhaps, it may be conveyed hither directly
from the Sea, having left its Salts on the Sides of thoſe
fubterraneous Channels it has paffed through, purging and
clearing itſelf of all heterogeneous Mixtures, by draining
through the Rocks and Sands which it vifits in its Paf
fage, like Water in a fandy Cistern. This Opinion,
which Father Rapin has fo happily expreffed, and which
feems to be his Favourite one, has very much the Air of
Probability on its Side..
ப
Prior. I cannot deny but it is fpecious and plaufible
enough; but let us try if, upon Examination, it will prove
fatisfactory. In the firft Place, I cannot conceive what
can become of the Salt, which fo many
Rivers muft have depofited under Ground.
It is now about fix thoufand Years that
A Cosfutation of
the Opinion that
the Waters of the
Sea are filtrated
through the
Earth.
1
the Sea, according to this Hypothefis,
has been diftributing out its Waters and
Salts to the Sources of Rivers, without
having received in Return from them any
other than freſh Water; and confequently it would have
happened by Degrees, either that the Sea muft have emp-
tied itfelf of all its Salts, or the Earth have been fo over-
charged with them, as that theſe Salts would have blocked
up thofe fubterraneous Channels the Water fhould paſs
through
4
!
Of FOUNTAINS.
73
through, in order to fupply the Fountains, juft as we fee
the Waters of Rongis and Arcueil, in lefs than fifty Years,
ftop up their own Paffage, by incrufting the Infides of the
Pipes they pafs through, with the Sand and Salt that is
intermixed with them. But we will endeavour to fet this
Argument in a clear Light.
The Way of
making common
Salt.
The Water of the Rivers, according to the Hypothefis
I am now confuting, comes directly to the Fountains from
the Sea, through the Pores of
the Earth, after having
firſt by Filtration depofited all, or nearly all, the Salts
which it before contained. Let us compute now what
Quantity of Salt the Water of one of our Rivers in
France may leave under the Earth in a certain determinate
Time; and we fhall find, that the Water of the River
Seine alone, in one Day's Time, does leave behind it,
under Ground, more Salt than is made in our Salt-Pits for
the Provifion of the Kingdom of France for a whole Year.
At Bourgneuf, Croifil, and Guerande, on the Coats of
Bretagne, and in ſome other Places on the Coaſts of Aunis
and Brouage, we find a great Number of Salt Pits, or large
fquare Plots of incloſed Ground, well covered with Clay,
and hard rammed down, on which they
let in, through a Flood-Gate, a certain
Quantity of Sea-Water; in fome Places
they float their Pits an Inch and a half
deep, in others they lay them under Wa-
ter five or fix Inches deep. They chufe for their Salt-
works the Summer-Seafon, when the Weather is drieit,
and feems fettled fair; for Rain of any long Continuance
fpoils the whole Work, and obliges them to drain off the
Sea-Water, which they firſt let in upon their Pits, and to
In two or three
repleniſh them with a new Stock.
Days Time, the Sun exhales almost all the Water in the
Pit, leaving the Salts behind, which, fettling by Degrees,
unite and harden into one continued thin Cruft or cryſtal
Surface: this they break with long Poles, or a Sort of
Rakes, upon which the large Flakes of Salt fall into the
Water that remains underneath, which is found to be ex-
ceeding hot. They then rake together thefe Flakes of
Salt, and after that, drain them from the Wet, and dry
them, in order to be pulverized. The Salt being thus
made, they are in the firit Place obliged to deliver in
VOL. III.
E
10
、
74
XX.
DIALOGUE
'
!
The Ordinance of
the Gabel.
to the Officer of the King's Duties fifteen
thoufand Muids of Salt; the remaining
Quantity, which is much more confidera-
ble, is fold by the Proprietors to the
People of the northern Counties, who' fupply them-
felves with this Commodity from France, as being excel-
lent in its Kind. A Fortnight of fettled fair Weather is
reckoned fufficient Time for making one Year's Proviſion
of Salt. We will ground our Calculation but on the
fifteen thouſand Muids which are yearly confumed in
France, without taking into the Account what is fold to
Foreigners.
It has been found by repeated Experiments †, that two
Pounds of Sea-Water will yield eight Drams, and ten
Grains of Salt; we will fay only eight Drams, that our
Calculation may be allowed moderate and unexceptiona
ble. An Ounce, or eight Drams, is the fixteenth Part of
a Pound, or the two and thirtieth of two Pounds; there-
fore thirty-two Ounces, or two Pounds, of Sea-Water are
fufficient to produce one Ounce of Salt in the Pit; to pro-
duce a Pound of Salt, thirty-two Pounds of Water are re-
quired; to produce only two Pounds of Salt, fixty-four of
Water, and fo on in Proportion: But granting ftill far-
ther, that a cubic Foot of Water, which weighs feventy
Pounds, will produce only two Pounds of Salt, it will
then follow, that a 'cubick Foot of Sea-Water muft depofit
under Ground at least two Pounds of Salt, before it ar-
rives at the Source of a River, where it becomes perfectly
freſh.
The celebrated Mr. Mariotte has calculated, with all
imaginable Exactnefs, the Quantity of Water that runs
through the Pont Royal in the Space of twenty-four Hours,
and has found the Sum Total to amount to two hundred
and eighty-eight Millions of cubick Feet; but, as thofe
who maintain that Rivers derive their principal Stores
from the Sea, do not deny but that they are increaſed by.
the Rains; we will therefore content ourſelves with fup-
pofing, that every cubick Foot of fresh Water has only
* A Muid contains twelve Sacks, every Sack four Minots, and each
Minot weighs a hundred Pounds.
+ Hiftory of the Sea, by Mr. Le Comte de Marfilly, Part 2. page 27.
left
4
Of FOUNTAINS.
75
left behind it one Pound of Salt inftead of two; according
to which moderate Computation, the Water of the River
Seine muſt depoſit under Ground, in one Day, two hun-
dred and eighty-eight Million of Pounds of Salt, which is
treble the Quantity of what our Salt Pits bring yearly in-
to the Gabels of France; feeing the annual Provifion,
which arifes from them, amounts but to fifteen thousand
Muids. Every Muid weighs four thoufand eight hun-
dred Pounds, and confequently fifteen thousand Muids,
multiplied by four thoufand eight hundred, give no more
than feventy-two Millions of Pounds. If we multiply the
two hundred eighty-eight Millions of Pound of Salt, de-
pofited by the River Seine, in one Day, by three hundred
and fixty-five, the Number of Days in the Year, the
Quantity of Salt, which the River Seine will have depolit-
ed under Ground in one Year's Time, will amount to above
a hundred thoufand Millions of Pounds. We have hi-
therto taken but one River into our Account; what pro-
digious Quantities of Salt then muſt be amaffed in the
Bowels of the Earth from the Sediments of all our Rivers,
both ſmall and great, taken together!
Chevalier. But if, to the Rivers of France, we add thoſe
of the whole Earth, thefe Maffes of Salt, will in time be;
come bigger than the Mountains, and the Earth must every
Year encreaſe and fwell with theſe additional Supplies of
Matter.
Prior. It is now five or fix thousand Years, that theſe
Rivers have been running, and continually depofiting the
Pounds of Salt for every cubick Foot of Water.
Chevalier. I am now convinced that this Notion of
Filtration is abfurd; and it appears very plain, that if
the Sea-Water did thus continually diſcharge its Salt into
the Bowels of the Earth, the Ocean would long fince,
by thus paffing to and fro, through the fubterraneous Chan-
nels, have loft all its brackish and faline Quality; and
that moreover the Salts would have fo blocked up the
Pores of the Earth as to prevent the Waters paffing
through them.
Prior, But let us try if we cannot make this Opinion
carry fome Air of Probability, by fuppofing that this
Secretion of the Salt from the Water is not performed
within the Earth, but by the Sands at the Bottom of the
E 2
Sea;
*
A
76
DIALOGUE XIX.
•
Sea; and this Conjecture is ftrengthened by feveral Foun-
tains of freſh Water, that we often obferve to ſpring out
at very ſmall Diftances from the Sea; which feems to me
to prove, that the Work of Filtration is performed imme.
diately before the Water enters into the Earth, and that
the Salts remain ftill at the Bottom of the Sea.
Chevalier. Pray, Sir, be pleaſed to tell me if theſe
Springs never dry up.
Prior. Yes, moft of them do, in times of great Scarcity
of Rain.
Chevalier. This feems to me an Argument that they
take their Rife from an Affemblage of Rain-Water within
the Earth, and not from the Sea, which, notwithſtanding
any Drought, is always equally in a Condition to f.ed
them.
}
Por. Your Obfervation may be feconded by another:
If the fresh Waters, that are often found in the fmalleit
lflands, and even bordering upon the Sea, proceeded from
it by Filtration, it would be a very eafy Matter to fecrete
the Salt from the Sea- Water, and to cure it of its Brack-
ifhucfs, which would prove of infinite Service in Naviga-
tion: whereas, we are convinced, by an almoſt infinite
Nun ber of Experiments, of the little Succefs we are to
expect from any Attempts of this Kind, even after ftrain-
ing and filtrating it through a hundred different Sorts of
Sand and Veffels. All the Art that we can uſe with it,
will only ferve to qualify the Degree of its Saltnefs, not
to take it away; for, in ipite of the moſt ſkilful and
accurate Preparations, it ftill will retain a brackiſh and bi-
tuminous Tale, that renders not only it, but alſo every
thing that is dreffed in it, intolerably naufeous. It lace-
rates the Inteftines of thofe that ufe it, and diſcolours
their Urine with the Blood of thofe little Veffels which
were fcratched and torn with the fharp pointed Salts that
are in it.
Cher alier. All the Misfortune, perhaps, lies in our be-
ing ignoranr how to filtrate it as it fhould be, which is
no Argument against the Superiority of the Knowledge
and Power of God: For my own Part, I cannot help
thinking that the Sea-Water leaves its Salts on the Sands
beneath, by draining through them; and then, percolating
rough the Pores of the Earth, is raifed by Degrees to
the
Of FOUNTAINS.
77
the Top of it, by fome certain Power of Attraction; and
that both Sand, and other terreftrial Matter, has a Power
of attracting Water, appears to me very certain, from
an Experiment that I made To-day, by putting a Lump
of Sugar into a little Coffee, upon which I obferved, that
the Water preſently afcended through the Pores of the
Sugar up to the Top of it. Yefterday I likewiſe ob-
ferved, that fome Water, which had been poured upon the
Ground, at the Bottom of a Heap of Sand, did afcend half
way up the Heap. This feems a juft Reprefentation of
what the Sea and the Mountains are with regard to each
other.
I
Prior. This is indeed the moft plaufible Objection that
can be ſtarted: but, to this I anfwer, that, in the firit
Place, neither the Sands nor the Earth have that at-
tractive Quality which you feem to think they have;
for the Caufe of Water's rifing in them is owing to the
external Preffure of the Air, which forces it up into
porous Bodies, in which the groffer Parts of the Air can-
not act with free Power. But this Elevation of Water is
only to a certain Height; for it has been found, by fre-
quent Experiments*, made by immerging the End of a
Tube, filed with Sand or Earth, well dried, in Water,
that the Water rifes in fome Sands to the Height of
eighteen, in others to the Height of thirty-two Feet,
though it generally falls fhort of this; and 1 do not
know any one that ever faw it rife higher. Now what
Proportion is there, I pray you, betwixt the Afcent of
Water, occafioned by the Weight of the Air, to the
Height of thirty-two Feet, and its afcending half way
up a Mountain, a thouſand Fathoms high above the Plain?
Befides, the Water of the Sea blocks up its own Paffage
through the Sand and the Earth, by a Sort of glutinous
Subftance, that covers the Bottom of it, and by a vast
Quantity of precipitated Salts, that ſhut up the Interfices
of the Sands, inftead of keeping them open: And to be
convinced of the Truth of this, you need only caft a
Piece of Wood, a Cord, a Pot-herd, or any thing elfe,
into the Sea; and upon taking it out a few Months after,
you will find it covered over with a flimy or viscous Sort
* Vegetable Staticks, by Stephen Hales, F. R. S.
E 3
£3
of
78
DIALOGUE XX.
of a Skin; and this glutinous Matter thickens by Degrees,
as if on Purpofe defigned to hinder the Water from pe-
netrating into the Earth; nay, we even fee the very Fishes
covered over with it, to prevent the Water from entering
in through the Pores of their Bodies, and to preſerve them
from Putrefaction.
The Wine in a Cafk, inftead of opening the Pores of
the Wood, clofes them up, by lodging in them a Kind
of tartarous Salt or Dregs, which keeps the Liquor in,
and hinders it from filtrating through the Veffel. So
likewife in the Sea there is a Sort of Tartar and Glue
that fettles to the Bottom of it, which ferves for the fame
Purpoſe.
But allowing, that the Water, paffing through the Sands,
does afterwards infinuate itſelf into the Pores of the Earth,
yet it would be impoffible for it to make
to make any confidera-
ble Progreſs; for immediately after the Filtration we ſhould
fee it fpringing up in the Plains, eſpecially thoſe that are
adjacent to the Sea, before it could reach the Mountains,
which is contrary to the Matter of Fact. How comes the
Water to feem fo averfe to the Plains, and fo fond of
the Mountains? Or, if it delights to take a Journey of
two or three hundred Leagues, to make them a Vifit,
how will it be able to afcend five or fix hundred Fathoms
into the Mountains, when it could not rife before to a
very inconfiderable Height above its Level, to water the
Plains? But, granting that a very high Tide is able to
make the Water afcend into the Bofoms of very high
Mountains, what Force, fhall we fay, hinders it from
rifing more than half way up? what lower keeps it from
afcending fill higher, and gaining the Summit ? For this
it was never known to do. Befides, if the Water, whe
ther by the Preffure of the Air or the Attraction of the
Earth, could thus every where infinuate itſelf through the
fubterraneous Veins and Channels of it, the Earth would
foon be foaked through, the Sea would forfake its Eed,
and mix with the Plains and the Mountains; and, in fhort,
the whole Globe would, in a little Time, become like a
Sponge.
GN
Chevalier. I must indeed confefs, that I cannot conceive
what fhould be the Caufe of the Water's paffing fo re-
gularly through the Pores of the Earth, without fpring-
ing
Of FOUNTAIN 5.
79
ing up at the fame Time in the Plains, or afcending to
the Tops of the Mountains: But, however difficult this
may be to account for, yet it is nothing lefs than Matter
of Fact, that Sea-Water is found in fome Places above a
hundred Leagues diftant from the Sea.
Prior. If you will be fo kind, Sir, as to make good
your Affertion, I fhall think myfelf obliged to you;
for if this be Matter of Fact, it is what I never knew
before.
Chevalier. Why, are there not inexhauftible Wells of
Salt Water at Sains in Franche Comté ? And whence can
that come but from the Sea? A few Months ago, I hap-
pened to be at a certain Place, whither a very expert Ma-
tematician was fent by the King's Orders to take fome
geographical Lines relating to the Map of France, who
gave us a very entertaining Account of the Curiofities he
had feen in the Mines of Willifte in Poland, out of which,
according to him, they have been digging Salt above four
hundred Years; now what but the Sea can fupply thefe
Mines with fresh Recruits of Salt, and repair fuch a vaſt
Confumption of it? Confequently the Water of the Sea
does actually penetrate a great Way into the Earth.
Prior. Dear Chevalier, I hope I fhall be able to de-
monftrate to you, that the Sea has no Manner of Com-
munication either with Salt-Wells or Salt Mines. But first
of all, do me the Favour to inform me of what you heard
faid of the Mines in Poland. I always allow great Weight
to the Report of an Eye-Witnefs; and befides, probably,
it may ferve to confirm the Truth of what I am now
maintaining.
Chevalier. The famous Geographer I mentioned to
you, told us, † That in 1252 (for I took down the Date
in my Pocket-Book) they difcovered fome Salt-Mines
near Cracow, and which now make one of the most con-
fiderable Branches of the King of Poland's Revenues.
They are fituated under the little Town of Willefca, which,
except the Church, confiſts entirely of Houfes, or rather
Caves, dug under Ground. There are four Mouths or
*M. l'Abbé de la Grive.
Philofophical Tranſactions; abridg'd by J. Lowthorp, T.2. P. 514.
E 4
Openings,
18
XX.
80
DIALOGUE
Openings, through which they go down into the Mines,
of which the two principal ones are in the Town; and
up through theſe they draw out the great Flakes of Salt,
which they lay before their Doors for Men and Horfes
to trample upon, and break with their Feet, before they
grind them ſmaller in their Mills. The two other Defcents
ferve chiefly for the letting down through them the
The
Wood and other Neceffaries for the Labourers.
Holes are about four or five Feet fquare, and lined to
the very Bottom with ftrong Planks. Over the Mouth
of the Pit is a large Wheel that is turned by a Horſe,
to which is faſtened a great Cable, as thick as a Man's
Arm, which lets down or draws up what they have Oc-
cafion for. Their Manner of going down, which they
may do thirty or forty together, is thus: He that is to
go firft, ties a ſtrong Cord about him, faft to the Cable;
upon which feating himself, he takes another Labourer
upon his Lap; thefe are let down both together, about
three or four Feet, to make room for another, who in
like Manner faftens himself with a Cord to the Cable,
takes his Companion upon his Knees, and is let down to
bout the fame Depth, that two others may fucceed in
their Turn: When all thofe that are to go down have
thus taken their Places, the Horfe goes round, and un-
winds the Cable, till they are all fet down, one after
another, upon the first Bottom, which is a hundred Fa-
thoms below the Mouth of the Pit. They then quit
their Cords, and by the Light of a Lamp advance Side-
ways, through Turnings and Windings, that go floping all
the Way down, till they come to the Mouth of a fecond
Pit, that is another hundred Fathom deep, to the Bottom
of which they defcend by Ladders, diſpoſed in order, one
above another all the Way: So that they are obliged to
go above two hundred Fathom deep under the Town,
before they can come at the Salt-Mines.
The Miners
there dig indifferently on all Sides, always taking Care
to fupport the Top of the Cavity they make, with ftrong
Props, and large Pieces of Timber. What is very remark
able in thefe Places, is, that there runs across the Mines
a Rivulet of fresh Water that never dries up but in very
fevere Droughts, and this ferves for Drink and Refresh-
ment to the Labonrers, who are above a thousand in
Number,
Of FOUNTAINS.
81
Number befides fome Horfes, which they ufe in carrying
the Salt to the Bottom of the Pit. As for these poor
Creatures, they are condemned to eternal Night, by rea-
fon of the Sharpness of the Air, which makes them go
blind in a little Time. The Miners every now and then
afcend up to the Regions of Light, as well for the Bone-
fit of the purer Air, as for the Performance of their reli-
gious Duties.
Prior. Pray, Sir, were you told that the Places they
digged Salt out of, became repleniſhed afterwards with
new Supplies ?
Chevalier. No; but I make no Queftion of it; for
otherwife, by digging fo long a Courfe of Years, they
muft long ago have quite exhaufted their Stock.
•
Prior. Not at all for that, feeing the long-Continuance
of it only proves the valt Abundance of the firft Stock,
not that it has received any additional Supplies fince;
for, take my Word, Sir, the Sea does not contribute, to
the Support of thefe Mines, the leaſt Stream of Water or
Grain of Salt; but they confift of Veins or Layers of Salt,
that have exifted, in thefe and feveral other Places, either
fince the Creation of the World, or at leaft fince the
Time of the Deluge, when the Earth and Sea were
mixed and blended together, into one common Menftruum:
Nay, fo far is it from being true, that any Salt-Water-
comes from the Sea to fupply thefe Mines, that you find,
on the contrary, a Rivulet of freſh Water in them, which,
beyond all Doubt, does proceed from the Rains, foraf-
much as it decreaſes or quite dries up, according as the
Droughts are in Duration or Degree; and, after having
paffed through the Mines, it lofes itſelf under Ground, and
runs into the Sea beneath the Surface of its Waters, as I
hope to be able to prove to you in fome future Difcourfe.
And that thofe Cavities which have been once dug and
propped up do not fill again, appears from hence, that they
have free Paffage out of one into another, and are obliged
at certain Times to prop up the oldeſt Mines with fresh
Supporters, for fear of Accidents. This has given Oèca-
fion to Travellers, who are very much given to the
Marvellous, to fay, That there was in Hungary, above
two hundred Fathoms deep under Ground, a Town, con-
E 5
fitting
“རྗ
82
XX.
DIALOGUE
-
fifting of feveral Streets, whofe Inhabitants never faw Day-
light.
Chevalier. You are very unkind, Sir, to take from
me the Argument I moft confided in; however, I have one
more ftill left, namely, the Salt-Water that they draw
from the Wells of Salins, which they boil till the Water
evaporates, and the Salt is left by itſelf at the Bottom of
the Salt-Pan: Now whence can this Water, that always
abounds with Salt, and whofe Lofs is continually repair-
ed by new Supplies from its Spring, proceed, but from
the Sea?
Proor. Though we ſhould concede that the Sca-Water
is conveyed into thefe Wells by a Channel of Communi-
cation betwixt the Sea and them, yet you would never be
able to conclude from hence, that the Water of the Sca
does diffuſe itſelf under Ground in all Parts, and thereby
produce freſh Water-fprings; befides, the Water of Sa-
lins, as well as thofe in Hall in Saxony, and in fhort, of all
the Salt Wells in the World, are nothing elſe than Rain-
Water, after having paffed through fome Veins or Mines
of Salt, that are to be found in feveral Places within the
Earth, which being by little and little washed away and
diluted by thefe Waters, is carried by them into the Wells,
from which they afterwards draw it out, and prepare it for
the Ule of the neighbouring People.
Chevalier. If fo, thefe Mines of Salt muft in time
have been quite exhaufted, or at least very much impair-
ed; and the Water, by continually wafting them in this
Manner, ought to hollow itfelf a Bed beneath the Bottom
of the Well.
Prior. We find it to be fo; and at this very time they
are obliged to dig much deeper than they did formerly
in order to come at the Salt-Water. This is nothing
Jeſs than Matter of Fact, and it is attefted by Mr. Ro-
Fault *.
Chevalier. This Circumftance of the finking of the
Salt-Wells, is a convincing Proof, that their Water runs
over Layers of Salt, which it confumes by Degrees.
Well, I can think of no other Paffages, great or ſmall,
to convey to us the leaft Drop of Water from the Sea,
* Phyfics, Part 2. Ch. 10.
either
t
83
Of FOUNTAINS.
either falt or fresh. Let us then fee if we can accouut
for the Origin of Fountains fome other way than by theſe
fubterraneous Conduits; and in the firſt Place, Sir, pray ·
be fo kind as to explain to me how the Vapours that al-
cend out of the Sea can fupply the Rivers with a fuffi-
cient Quantity of Water; for I must confefs, that to me
the Thing feems almoft incredible.
Prior. There are two Propofitions that I will endeavour
to demonſtrate to you; the one is, that the Vapours that
arife from the Sea are much more than fufficient to fupply
both the Surface of the Earth and the Rivers with Water:
The other, that the Mountains do, by their particular
Structure and Formation, attract, and, as it were, arreft.
the Vapours and the Rain that fluctuate about in the At-
moſphere; and having collected them in their Refervoirs
within, difmifs them again through their Sides, either in
perpetual or intermitting Currents.
But it is impoffible for me to give you an exact Idea of
the Mechaniim of Mountains, without bringing you ac-
quainted with their Structure within. As you are light
and nimble, it will not be a great deal of Trouble for you
to take a little League's Walk to.morrow, up to the Top
of thofe Eminences you fee yonder; we fhall there find
fome Springs, the Situation of which may give us fome
Light into the Queftion we are difcufling; we fhall alſo
fee feveral large Caves made by the falling in of the Earth,
which, by giving us a View into the Infide of the Moun-
tains, will diſcover to us the Order of thofe different Lay-
ers or Strata of Earth, that compofe the whole Mafs. ´By
thefe Means, I don't doubt, but I faall thoroughly acquaint
you with the Nature and Origin of Fountains, which
feem fo greatly to excite your Curioſity.
}
E 6
The
[ 84 ]
The ASCENT of VAPOURS from
the SEA.
MOUNTAINS.
DIALOGUE XX.
The PRIOR and CHEVALIER.
Prior. A
SI defign to make Mountains the Subject of
your prefent Day's Entertainment, I think
I cannot take any better Method to excite your Admi-
ration, than by firft convincing you of the furprizing
Uſefulneſs of them; for though the Advantages we re-
ceive from the Mountains are not, like thofe of the Sun,
evident and confpicuous to every Eye, yet their great Uti-
lity, if lefs fenfible, is not lefs real and certain than that
of this glorious Luminary: But, becaufe every one does
not perceive it, feveral difpute it; and though they con-
tinue daily to confer new Benefits upon us, we find People
that look upon them as fo many fhapeless Protuberances
fcattered up and down the Surface of the Earth at ran-
dom, without all Defign or Intention to produce any
good Effect. I doubt not but you will conceive a quite
contrary Opinion of them, after I fhall have proved to
you, that, without the Aid and Affiftance of Mountains,
both Animals and Plants muft die for lack of Moiftnre
that their Summits are defigned to ftop and collect the
Vapours that fluctuate in the Atmoſphere; and the inter-
mediate Spaces betwixt their Summits are fo many Bafons
prepared to receive the condenfed Vapours and Rains that
fall into them; and their Bowels are fo inany common
Store-houſes or Refervoirs of Water for our Ufe; and
2
laftly,
The Afcent of Vapours, &c.
85
laftly, that thofe lateral Orifices, through which the Waters
iffue out, are fituated in fuch a Manner with regard to
the Plains, that they may defcend upon them, and fer-
tilize them, inſtead of returning by Paffages under Ground
to the Sea, after having performed an unprofitable Cir-
culation.
Chevalier. That the Situation of Mountains is well
contrived for the Defcent of Waters upon the Plains, is
very evident, and cannot be denied; but the great Dif-
ficulty lies in proving, that there does arife from the Sea a
fufficient Quantity of Vapours to fupply the River Seine
alone, every Day, with two hundred eighty-eight Millions
of cubick Feet of Water.
Prior. Whilft we are walking to the Foot of yonder
Mountain, the Structure of which we are going to exa-
mine into, we may employ ourselves with comparing the
Quantity of Water which rifes in Vapours from the Sea,
and afterwards falls down in Rain to water the Earth,
with that which runs through the Channels of our Rivers:
And herein I fhall fulfil my Promife that I gave you
Yeſterday, which was, to demonftrate to you in the first
Place, that the Quantity of Water that proceeds from the
Vapours, does not very much exceed that which is dif
charged every Day into the Sea, through the Mouths of
Rivers. We will afterwards proceed to confider the Man-
ner in which the Waters are collected in the Refervoirs of
the Mountains.
Some very judicious Perfons * have been at the Pains
to make an exact Computation of the Inches of Water
that might fall upon the Earth in one Year. This Ex-
periment they made by placing a Veffel, at a proper Di-
ſtance from any † Building or Eminence, to receive the
Rain; and they obferved, for feveral Years together, after
every Shower, the Height of the Water in the Veffel:
Then, by adding together the feveral Heights of all the
Water that fell in one Year, they found the Amount of
all the Sums, at Paris, Lifle, London, Zurich, and Am-
fterdam, to be fometimes nineteen Inches, `fometimes
*Mr. Mariotte, on the Motion of the Waters.
To prevent the falling and dashing in of any Water from the Tops
or Sides of them.
twenty
!
1
{
86
DIALOGUE XXI.
twenty, or one and twenty, feldom more, and feldom lefs,
except in very dry Years; fo that we may fix the Height
of all the Rain-Water that falls upon the Earth in one
Year at about 20 Inches, taking this for a common Stand-
ard, or the Medium betwixt more and lefs.
Chevalier. How, Sir! If all the Water that runs in
the Rivers of France, in one Year's Time, fhould defcend
in Rain upon the Surface of the whole Kingdom, do you
think it would not overflow it above the Height of twenty
Inches ?
Prisr. I will immediately prove to you, Sir, that it
would fall far fhort of it. A cubick Foot of Water is
nearly equal to 35 Paris Pints; now, after knowing this,
it is an eafy Matter to compute how many cubick Feet,
and how many Pints are contained in one fquare * Toife
of Water 20 Inches in Depth, and then to divide it into
Hogfheads. Thefe Things being premiſed, they caft up
how much Rain Water would fall upon an Extent of
Ground 60 Leagues long, and 50 broad, from the Source
of the River Seine, to within fome few Leagues of Paris,
t including thofe Lands which are watered by the Rivers
Armenfon, foune Loine, Aube Marne, and fome others, that
fend their tributary Supplies into the Bofom of the Scine;
and they found that the Sum total of all the Rains that
would fall in one Year upon that Extent of Land, would
amount to 714150000000 cubick Feet: Hence you may
judge, what the whole Number of cubick Feet would
have been, had they they taken the Depth of the Rain at 20
inſtead of 15 Inches.
After having computed the Quantity of Rain that is
to fupply the Seine with Water, their next Buſineſs was
to meaſure the Water of the Seine itſelf, in order to
come at the Exceſs of the one above the other; and for
:
* A Meaſure containing fix Feet.
1
A Toife of Land would receive in one Year 45 cubick Feet of
Water at the Rate of 15 Inches high; a League, as it contains 2300
Toifes in Length, would be in Square 5290000 fuperficial Toifes, which
multiply'd by 45, give 328050000; 60 Leagues multiply'd by 50,
give 3000 fuperficial Leagues; which being multiply'd again by
238050000, the Product will be 714150000000; fo that the Land
which fupplies the Seine with Water at Paris, receives every Year
714750000000 cubick Feet of Rain-Water, allowing no more than
15 Inches for the Depth of it.
this
}
The Afcent of Vapours, &c.
87
this Purpoſe Mr. Mariotte made Choice of the Pont Royal,
or Royal Bridge, through which, at every given Time, a
certain Quantity of this Rain-Water muft pafs; he then fet
himſelf to find out how much Water ran under the Arches
of this Bridge in a Minute: The Breadth of the Seine be-
fore the Louvre is 400 Feet, the mean Depth of it five
Feet; I fay, the mean Depth, becauſe it is more than five
Feet deep towards the Middle, and lefs towards the Sides ;
now 400 multiplied by five, gives two thoufand. The
Method he took to find out how far thefe 2000 Feet of
Water travelled in one Minute, or the fixtieth Part of an
Hour, was by cafting a Stick into the River, and then
making an Eſtimate of the Velocity of the Water, by
the progreffive Motion of the Stick that floated down
with it; hence he found, that the Water, when high and
the Current ftrong, did visibly travel from the Arches
over 250 Feet of Ground in one Minute; but as it
moves flower near the Middle than at the Surface, and
much flower ftill at the Bottom, where its Motion is re-
tarded by the Friction of the Earth; and whereas, when
the Water is very low, it travels very little more than 100
Feet in a Minute, even at the Surface, and confequently
not fo far near the Bottom; we will therefore fuppofe its
mean Velocity, inſtead of 250 Feet, to be no more than
100 Feet in a Minute: It will follow then, that the 2coo
cubick Feet of Water, which are at any given Time un-
der the Arches of the Pont-Royal, will in one Minute's
Time have paffed beyond it 100 Feet, being fucceeded by
as many times 2000 Feet of Water as they have travelled
over Feet of Ground in that Time.
T
Chevalier. This is evident.
Prior. We fuppofe them now, as I faid before, to have
travelled over 100 Feet of Ground.
Chevalier. Very good; then there will have paffed
thro' the Bridge in one Minute's Time, a hundred Times
2000 cubick Feet of Water.
Prior. Multiply then two hundred thouſand cubick
Feet of Water by fixty, the Number of Minutes in an
Hour, and the Product will be twelve Millions; which be-
ing again multiplied by 24, the Number of Hours in a
natural Day, will give two hundred eighty-eight Million
cubick Feet. Compare then the Sum total of the Rain-
Waters.
88
XXI.
DIALOGUE
Waters that fall upon all the Lands adjacent to the Seine,
above Paris, taking the Height of them only at 15
Inches, with the Sum of the Waters that flow through
the Pont-Royal in one Year; and you will find the Quan-
tity of the former to be fix times greater than that of the
latter, there being 714150000000 cubick Feet of the Rain
Water, and only 105120000000 cubick Feet of the Seine
Water.
Chevalier. Indeed, according to this Way of Reckon-
ing, the Rain is much more than fufficient to feed the
Rivers; but I cannot forbear apprehending fome Fallacy
in the Account, and that Mr. Mariotte, fearing left the
Water of the Seine ſhould play him a flippery Trick, has
played booty with his Arithmetick, and made it run
flower through the Pont-Royal, than it really does; he
allows that the Water at the Surface, fometimes runs 250
Feet in one Minute; but then, by Reafon of the Decreaſe
of the Water at certain Times, and the Friction of the in-
ferior Columns of it against the Bottom, he cuts off at one
Stroke no lefs than 150 Feet, which, I think, is too great
a Defalcation by far; and confequently, if a much greater
Quantity of Water flows along in any given Time than
he allows in his Account, his Calculation does not prove
what we would have it.
Prior. Oh! Sir, I will not ftand with you for a little
Water; you ſhall have all reaſonable Meaſure allowed you :
Inſtead of running 100 Feet every Minute, we will fay
200; inftead of twelve Million cubick Feet per Hour,
flowing through the Arches, take 24, which is juft dou-
ble the Quantity: I fay, after making you this Allow-
ance, the Rain-Water, which was fix Times more in
Quantity than the firft Sum total of the Seine Waters, will
be fill double, nay, triple of the latter. But what will
you fay then, if, inftead of 15 Inches of Rain Water, we
take it at the Height of 18 or 20 Inches, which is the com-
mon Standard ?
Chevalier. I fubmit, Sir, and confefs that you have
fully ſatisfied me that the Rivers may be fupplied with a
fufficient Provifion of Waters from the Fogs, Snows, and
Rains that fall upon the Earth. But there are fill fome
Difficulties that occur to me, which I muft beg the Favour
of you to explain. If the Earth receives a greater Quan-
tity
The Afcent of Vapours, &c.
89
tity of Rain than it diſcharges into the Rivers, pray, what
becomes of the Remainder ?
Prior. The Overplus, which is very confiderable, ferves
for the Drink of Animals, and for the Refreſhment and
Nouriſhment of Plants. The whole Earth is covered with
Plants, that, in the Day-time, fuck in through their Roots,
the Water that is diffuſed under Ground, and fip by Night,
through their Leaves, the Moiſture of the circumambient
Air. I will leave you to judge of the Expence of Water,
that is neceffary for the Support the whole vegetable
Creation, by the Quantity that is required for that of a
fingle Plant. Mr. de la Hire put two Fig Leaves into a
Phial filled with Water, and he obſerved, that in leſs than
fix Hours they fucked in the 64th Part of the Water;
at this rate therefore, they would have drunk up a 32d Part
in 12 Hours, a 16th in one Day, an 8th in two Days, and
the whole in fixteen.
Chevalier, I was before impatient to know the Reaſon
why the Sea, which is continually drinking up the Ri-
vers and Brooks that run into it, did not overflow its
Bounds, and deluge the Plains; but fince I am informed,
that the Vapours which it fends to water the Earth, are
more in Quantity than what is repaid it by the Rivers, I
long to know, on the other Hand, why it does not dimi
nifh; for if it goes on to give more than it receives again,
it must be exhauſted in Time, and become quite dry.
Prior, Your Objection, which feems very fpecious at
the firſt View, will ceafe to be fo, when we come to make
a general Calculation of the Quantity of Vapours that
rife from the Sea. Let us fuppofe then, in the firſt Place
(and one fhort Survey of the terreftrial Globe will warrant
fuch a Suppofition) that the Surface of the Sea is nearly
as great as that of the inhabited Land; and let us fee, in
the next Place, whether the Number of Inches of Water
that afcend from the Surface of the Sea in Vapours, be
more or lefs in Quantity than the 18 or 20 Inches of Rain
that yearly deſcend upon the Earth.
If you fet a Pan full of Water in the open Air, in very
hot Weather, eſpecially if there blows a fmart Breeze of
Wind, it will lose one Inch in 24 Hours, at other times,
not more than half an Inch; or if the Weather be very
cold,
90
DIALOGU E XXI.
·
cold, the Quantity. evaporated will not be above a few*
Lines, perhaps not difceraible. Your Millers, whoſe In-
tereft it is to keep the Water to a Height fufficient to turn
their Mills, and who for that Purpoſe contrive Dams and
Sluices to confine it, and to prevent its running fafter out
than it runs in, obferve, that the little Collection of
Water which they keep in their Mill-dams, generally lofes
half an Inch, ſometimes a whole Inch, in hot Seafons. It
is very natural to fuppofe then, that from all the Seas
that lay between the Tropicks, there rifès at leaſt, half an
Inch of Water every Day, and probably more: But as
the Seas towards the Poles may not lofe by Evaporation
one Line of Water per Day, we will fet the greater
againit the leffer; and then may fafely venture to fix the
Quantity of Water evaporated from all the Seas in a Day,
at one fourth Part of an Inch. The Lamina or Column of
Water therefore, that rifes from the Seas in one Year, will
be three hundred and fixty five fourths of an Inch thick;
we will fay, for the cafier way of Reckoning, only three
hundred and fixty fourths, which amounts to one hundred
and eighty half Inches, or ninety whole Inches. Of the
twenty Inches of Water that are detached off to ſupply the
Occafions of our Lands, we have already feen, that not
above ten of them are conveyed back again to the Sea, by
the Channels of the Rivers; the other ten, after having
contributed to the Nourishment of Animals and Plants, re-
turn to the Ocean, partly through fubterraneous Paffages,
and partly are carried away by Evaporation to join the
common Maſs of Vapours which we fuppofe ftill to con-
fift of eighty Inches, at the leaft, in Depth. We muſt
confider, that as great a Quantity of Rain falls upon the
Sea as upon the Land; and therefore muft deduct twenty
Inches from the Sum total of Vapours upon this Account,
which will then fill confift of fixty Inches. Now how
fhall we difpofe of this prodigious Quantity of Water
that remains, or how be able to reimburſe the Sea fo vaft
an Expence ? But the Difficulty would be ftill greater, be-
yond all Compariſon, if, befides fuftaining the Loss of ſuch
a vaft Body of Water by Evaporation, it was further o-
bliged to flock the Fountains and Rivers with their or-
* A Line in Geometry is the 12th Part of an Inch.
2
dinary
The Afcent of Vapours, &c.
91
nary Supplies of Water through the fubterraneous Canals;
nay, at this rate, it would foon be quite exhaufted and dried
up.
Chevalier. For Pity's Sake, Sir, don't let us impoverish
the Sea any more; for I am in Pain enough to think how
we ſhall reſtore it what it has loft by bare Evaporation,
feeing that the Rains, generally ſpeaking, do not refund
above one third Part.
The Rains under
the Torrid Zone..
Prior. The two remaining Thirds are
kept in Referve for the Wants of the Tor-
rid Zone. In the fucceffive Revolutions
that the Sun makes from one Tropick to
the other, it would infallibly ſcorch the Inhabitants upon
whom it darts its perpendicular Beams, if Providence had
not provided a large Veil or Covering, which feafon-
ably interpoſes itſelf betwixt it and them, to fhield them
from the exceffive Heat; infomuch that that Seaſon of the
Year, when one would be apt to apprehend their being
deſtroyed by this flaming Luminary almoft inevitable, is
in reality their Winter, or the coldeſt Seaſon they enjoy
in the whole Year*. At the Time of the Sun's Ap-
Ubi minimas his Phœbús contrabit umbres,
Nudaque maturis Ellas flavefcit Ariftis,
Tunc Scythicus Radiis Taurus propioribus ictus
Squallentes Tumulos, obfeffaque Culmina longis
Frigoribus Caelo oftendit, canæque propinqua
Tabefcunt à Sole Nives, Glacieque folutâ
In Mare fpumiferos præceps rapit Impetus Amnes.
Tum Nebulam tenuem & ficci Spiracula Fumi
Halat Humus: tum Riphæis erumpit ab Antris
Sudificus Boreas, Rupefque & Saxa flagellans,
Nubibus aërias nudat fquallentibus Alpes,
Et Taurum, & Mediis infertum Caucafon Aftris ;
Nigrantemque Hyemem & picea Caliginis Agmen
In medium cogit Cælum fridentibus Alis,
Ethiopumque Solo fitientes irrigat Herbas,
Temperat& nimios fœcundis Imbribus fus.
Inde ruens præceps altis de Montibus Unda
Torrentes impellit Aquas, Pecudefque Ferafque
Villarum cum Strage trabit; perque Arva refuf
Mille Vias pandunt vaßto cum Murmure Rivi:
Quos ubi cœruleum Nilus collegit in Alveum
Riparum impatiens, latè per Plana jacentis
Ægypti defundit Aquas, genialiaque Arva
proximation
92
XXI.
DIALOGUE
proximation to the Tropick of Cancer, when he advances
towards the Septentrional Climates, the Northern Winds.
take the Signal, and, as it were at the Word of Com-
mand, begin to drive before them the vaſt Collection of
Vapours; which, being hurled into the Torrid Zone, are
immediately condenfed by the boiftrous Winds; and rufh-
ing against the Abyffinian Mountains, and thofe which they
find in India and other Flaces, are dafhed afunder, and de-
fcend in Torrents of Rain for feveral Months together;
which pouring down the Sides of the Mountains into the
Plains, at laſt meet in the capacious Channels of thoſe great
Fæcundat Libyci felici Uligine Limi.
Quóque magis rapido Cælum candefcit ab Eftu,
Hoc magis obfcures veftit fe Nubibus Aër.
Quò magis obliquam feriunt Phæbea Syenen (a)
Tela, minus densa Caelum nigrefcit ab Umbra.
Nec minùs adversa Mundi Regione remotum
Cum Sol Egocerota (b) tenet contraria Regna
Ethiopum pluvii Flabris uvefcere ab Auftri
Credibile eft,& Flamina etefia & annua cogi
Nubila, quà nimios compefcant Imbribus Æfus,
Quà Zona occultum fe torrida flectit ad Axcm.
Quamlibet hæc firmis afrinxerit Argumentis.
Dia Pofidonii (e) Mens, Vis Rationis & Auctor.
Vix paucis fecere Fidem Calaïca (d) donec
Clafis, Iter quærens, nitidis ad Littora Gemmis
Facunda & fufcos radiis propioribus Indos,
Deprendit fecreta Orbis, Tenebrifque fepulta
Eruit, innumeris & Rura habitata Colonis
Vidit, quà medium Phœbi terit Orbita Cælum,
Percutit & recta fubjectas Cufpide Terras,
Tabrophanem findens ditem, Brafiliaque Árva,
Arva Voluptati tenere blandifque dicata
Deliciis, Cornu quæ Copia larga benigno
Et Veris genialis Honos fovet; aurea duræ
Mala ferunt Sylva: ridet veſtita Colores
Terra novos; Odor ambrofius de fuavibus halat
Floribus, & blandus Volucrum firepit Aura Querelis (e).
(a) An ancient City fituated under the Tropick of Cancer, betwixt
Egypt and Ethiopia.
(b) Capricorn.
(c) A famous Mathematician of Alexandria,.
(d) The Portuguese Fleet.
(e) Bucchanani de Sphærâ lib. 3.
Rivers
11
Of MOUNTAINS:
93
Rivers that run acroſs the Countries; hence the River Indus,
the Ganges, and the Niger, and the Nile, derive their
mighty Stores and fwelling Tides, overflowing the Coun-
tries they paſs through, with Seas of Water, whilſt the In-
habitants of thefe Places that are fituated lower than thoſe
rainy Regions, fometimes have not a Drop of Rain for
whole Years together. What matter of Wonder and Afto-
nishment must it be to them to behold, even at the very
Time when the burning Dog-ftar rages, their Rivers over-
flowing their Banks, and the Waters diffufing themſelves
over their thirsty Plains, and at their Departure leaving a
Slime upon them to fertilize and improve them! In like
Manner, when the Sun has paffed over the other Side of the
Equator, and is making its Advances towards the Tropick
of Capricorn, there other Winds that blow à propos from the
fouthern Parts of the Earth to the Equator, to the Relief
and Refreſhment of the Inhabitants of Guinea, Monomo-
tapa, Congo, Brazil, Peru, and of thofe that live about
the Middle of America, bringing in their Stores of Wa-
ter, which pour down in Torrents into that vaſt Multi-
tude of huge Refervoirs, which are to fupply the Rivers
Zare, Oronoko, of the Amazons, and la Plata. Thefe
are the chief Rivers, that, by difemboguing their large
Magrzines of Water into the Sea, repair the Lofs it had
before fuftained by Evaporation. But if you ftill make it
a Matter of Doubt, whether thofe continued Cataracts of
Rain, that defcend upon the Countries lying under the
Torrid Zone, be fufficient to remit to the Sea a Quantity of
Water equal to a Body of the fame Fluid, fixty Inches
deep, extended over the whole Surface of that Part of
the Globe, you are to confider, that the Rains fhower
down in no lefs Abundance upon thoſe Parts of the Sea
that lie perpendicularly under the Sun, than upon thoſe
Countries that have the fame Situation: and therefore it
is no Paradox to affert, that fixty or eighty Inches of Rain-
Water, perhaps much more, fall yearly into the Sea, un-
der the Torrid Zone; nor is this at all to be wondered
at, when even in Italy, at Pifa, and in feveral Parts of
England, the whole amount of Rain in one Year, rifes to
forty or forty-three Inches. Now, allow-
ing fixty Inches of extraordinary Rains
to fall again into the Sea under the Torrid
Derham's Phy-
fico Theol.
Zone,
94
DIALOGUE XXI.
•
Zone, befides the thirty Inches common to the Torrid, and
the two temperate Zones, the Sea, upon the Balance of the
Account, will be found to have loft nothing by Evaporation.
Chevalir. The Sea, indeed, may eafily be repaid by
thefe Means. As to what you were pleafed to tell me,
Sir, of the great Journey that the Vapours of the Sea
make, and as touching the Increment of the Waters of
the Nile, the Ganges, and the Niger, occafioned by the
prodigious Rains that fall within the Torrid Zone, I
remember, it is confirmed by the concurring Relations of
feveral Travellers that I have read; and indeed it ſeems
to me fo plain a Matter of Fact, as to admit of no
Doubt.
Prior. We are now come to the Foot of the Mountain,
and to the Entrance of thofe Dales, where I promiſed to
fhew you how the Vapours and Rains infinuate them-
felves into the Bowels of the Earth, and there form the
Refervoirs that feed the Springs. You fee how the fall-
ing down of the Earth at different Times, and the great
Gutters that have been made by the defcending Torrents,
have laid bare the Sides of the Mountains in feveral Places;
and how ſteep it is in thofe Parts where the Violence of
the Water has wafhed away the outward Covering of
Earth, expoſing to View the fundry Sorts of Matter,
whereof the Infide is compofed. You fee likewiſe, juſt at
the Top, under that Coat of Earth, that produces a few
Thorns and Brambles, a Bed of coarſe gravelly Sand,
under which you perceive another Bed of grey Sand,
which is again fupported by one of Stone, beneath which
you difcern feveral others fucceeding in order down the
Steep towards the Horizon. On the other Side of this
Hollow, you perceive a great Number of light Strata, or
Layers, laying one above another almost horizontally to-
wards the Top, then bending down and turning up in the
Form of a Bow, with its Extremities pointing upwards.
It will be needlefs at prefent to give you a particular Ac-
count of the various Sorts of Matter that compoſe theſe
Strata; that may be the Bufinefs of fome other Oppor-
tunity; it is fufficient for my Purpofe, at this Time, to
obferve to you, that every Part of the Globe, whether
you dig in the Mountains or Plains, confifts of nothing
elfe than broad Teguments or Strata of Earth, laid one
above
Of MOUNTAINS.
95
above another. The numberlefs Benefits that refult from`.
the Nature of this Structure we will leave to the Exami.
nation of any other Time when you fhall think fit; and
will fet apart this Day, for confidering that wonderful
Contrivance and Defign that appears throughout this
whole Piece of Workmanſhip, which, by collecting the
Vapours and Rains that filtrate through it, prepares and
diftributes, in fuch great Abundance, a Liquor fo necef-
fary to the Refreſhment and Nouriſhment, not only of
Plants and Animals, but alſo of Mankind.
น
Chevalier. Pray, what Connexion or Relation can there
be betwixt thefe Beds of Earth, and thofe Vapours that
form the Rain? Yeſterday, after we were returned from
walking, it rained exceffively hard for above an Hour;
upon which I had a Fancy to make an Experiment how
far the Rain-Water could penetrate into the Earth, and to
diſcover, if poffible, in what Manner it coalefced and
gathered together there, in order to form Wells and
Fountains; accordingly I took a Spade, and opened the
Earth in fix different Places, both within the Gardens, and
without the Cattle: I dug alfo, in the Top of a little
Eminence adjoining, to fee if the more elevated Ground
drank in the Water more plentifully than that which lay
lower; in fome Places, I found the furtheft that the Wa-
ter had foaked into the Earth to be half a Foot, though
in moſt Places it came much ſhort of that Depth. If
then the Water, after the moſt fevere Showers, does not
fink above ſome few Inches, it is a probable Suppofition,
that it drains off into fome neighbouring Stream or Ri-
vulet, and fo runs into thofe Rivers that diſcharge them-
felves into the Sea; for I cannot conceive how it can con-
ftitute any Fountain, fince the Earth admits it to paſs no
lower.
L
Prior. The Earth, indeed, does not every where give free
Admittance to the Rain-Water, but it does in a great many
Places, and that is fufficient for our Purpofe; and though
we ſhould allow the Manner how it does this to be in-
conceivable, yet it is not therefore lefs certain. There
are fome exceffive high Mountains, as the Cordeliers in
Peru, the Pike of Teneriff, and feveral others, upon the
Tops of which, they find the Air ſharper and colder in the
Midit of Summer, than we do in our Climates, in the moſt
fevere
96
DIALOGUE XXI.
fevere Frofts; if fo, we are not to wonder, if the Vapours
that are carried to their Summits, do there congeal, and
cover them with Snow, whilft the Inhabitants at the Feet
of theſe Mountains enjoy a temperate Air, or perhaps en-
dure exceffive Heals. At the Roots of thoſe Mountains
which are always covered with Snow, fuch as the Alps and
Pyrenees, we generally find Springs that open in May,
and ceafe running in September; the Reafon is this; whilſt
the Sun, by its Vicinity to the nearer Tropick, has fufficient
Power to heat the Tops of the Mountains, their Cover-
ing of Snow melts and finks down through the Pores of
the Earth, either to the Bottom, or at leaft into the
Bowels of the Mountains; where being ftopped by Strata of
Clay or Stone, it collects into a Body, and gives Birth to
Fountains. On the other Hand, when the Sun, by re
ceding towards the farther Tropick, lofes its diffolving
Power with regard to thefe Mountains, the Snows ceafe
to melt, and the Fountains to run; feveral Springs are
obferved to continue running only during the Heat of the
Day. From both thefe Obfervations, it is certain that the
diffolved Snow-Water does feed thefe Springs, and that
it finks a very confiderable Depth into the Earth, though
we cannot difcern the Paffages through which it perco-
lates.
Another Matter of Fact, no lefs certain than common,
is, that our Fountains and Wells are very low, or quite
dried up, in long Seafons of Drought, and that the Re-
turn of Rain never fails to recruit or revive them; which
is a plain Argument, that the Rain-Water does find a
Paffage to them through the Earth; and if we allow, as
we needs must, that it does by thefe Means contribute to
the Maintenance of fome Springs, and to the Restoration
of others, it is no difficult Matter to conceive that the
Rains are the Origin and firft Cauſe of them.
*
That the Rain then does penetrate into the Earth, is
not to be contefted; we will, in the next Place, endeavour
to explain the Manner how it is effected.
I. It is a general Complaint in hot Seafons, that the
Moles, Worms, Field-Mice, Crickets, and a great Multi-
tude of other little Infects, injure the Ground, by boring
and digging a vaft Number of Holes in it of different
Depthts;
Of MOUNTAINS.
97
Depths; but, upon the whole, inftead of being hurtful,
they are really beneficial, and the Harm they do this Way
is amply repaired by thefe innumerable Inlets which they
open for the Rain at thoſe times when we have moft Occa-
fion for it.
II. The Gaps and Chinks, that open on the Surface of
the Earth in very hot Weather, do greatly contribute
to facilitate the Paffage of the Water to the inferior
Strata.
III. Thoſe little Crevices, thofe Gutters of diferent Di-
menfions, the Meanders and winding Paffages that we
every where find under Ground, ferve as fo many Co-
landers to tranfmit the Water they receive from the Sur-
face to the lower Parts of the Earth.
IV. There are fome Sorts of Ground more porous than
others, which, being fated with the great Abundance of
Water that foaks into them, and being replete with the
Stores that are collected within them, diſcharge them-
felves again by a perpetual Current under the Earth, in-
to fome diftant Valley; for there is fuch an Harmony and
Intercourſe kept up betwixt the different Parts of Na-
ture, that thofe which feem moft remote and inde-
pendent one of another, are oftentimes thofe that
co-operate moft to their mutual Service and Affift-
ance.
V. We must not form a Judgment of the Surface of
the Mountains by thofe of the Plains; the latter, indeed
are fufficiently cribrous for the Reception and Tranfmiffion
of the Water which goes to form thofe Wells, which by
digging we find almoſt every where but the Structure of
Mountains is quite different; the Tops of them abound
with Inequalities, Cavities, open Refervoirs, fubterrane-
ous Grottos, and gaping, and, if I may call them fo,
disjointed Cells. Their pointed Summits, that dart up into
the Air, arreft the Vapours that fluctuate in the At-
moſphere, which, being conftipated thereby, defcend up-
on them in the different Forms of Suow, Dew, or Rain;
their Cavities receive and contain the melted Snows and
VOL. III.
Rains,
F
98
XXI.
DIALOGUE
A
Rains, which then precipitate through ten thousand dif
ferent Crannies to the Bottom, by reafon of their Gra-
vity; they eafily penetrate through Beds of Sand and
lighter Earth, till they are ftopt in their Defcent by more
denfe Strata, as Layers of Clay or Stone, where they
make their Lodging; then they work a Paffage horizon-
tally, or elfe are forced, by their own Gravity, through
the Sand, till they arrive at the Extremity of the Stratum
of Stone, or other denfe Matter, which obftructed their
perpendicular Defcent, and iffue out at the Side of the
Mountain, into the open Air. Now, according as the
Body of Sand it drains through is more or less deep, or
the hard Stratum underneath more or lefs hollowed Bafon-
wife, to contain a larger or fmaller Quantity of Water, fo
the Fountain that proceeds from it is either intermitting or
perpetual.
The Water that iffues forth from thefe Baſons or Re-
fervoirs, does not, for the moft Part, fpring out with Vio-
lence, like the Liquor through a Foffet, from the Bottom
of a Tub; for, in the latter Inftance, the Liquor being
confined by the Sides of the Cafk, preffes both Perpendi-
cularly and laterally upon the Bottom: whereas the Wa-
ter that is collected in thoſe vaft Receptacles of Sand, which
God has planted in the Bowels of Mountains, preffes very
lightly, if at all, upon that inferior hard Stratum, or Bed
of Earth, that impedes its farther Defcent, feeing the
Grains of Sand that are interfperfed between the Parti-
cles of the Water, and do thereby prevent their uniting
into one continued fluid Body, take off the Preffure of
-one Particle upon another. The Confequence of this is,
that the Water next to the external Orifice, does eafily
difengage itſelf from the Sand, through which it filtrates,
without being violently impelled by the fucceeding Fluid,
which in like manner follows it, without any other Degree
of Acceleration than what it receives from its own Gravity;
and even that is leffened, by the Interpofition of every
Grain of Sand that prefents itſelf in the Courſe of its
fcent; and thus the whole continues fucceffively to
rickle down in the moſt eaſy and gentle Manner. Nor
is this Mechanifm of Mountains without its Ufefulneſs
and Defign? for hereby that over-quick Difcharge of the
Water is prevented, which would infallibly exhauft the
whole
Of MOUNTAINS.
99
whole Store, before it could be recruited by the Return of
the Rain, and confequently deprive the neighbouring In-
habitants of thofe conftant Supplies of Water which they
ftand in need of. What fay you, my dear Cheva-
lier? do you begin now to comprehend the Reaſon
and End of thoſe different Layers or Beds of Sand,
Clay, and Stone, that go into the Compofition of Moun-
tains?
Chevalier. Sir, I perceive that what we oftentimes re-
gard as ufelefs, nay, fometimes as detrimental, to us, is
really that which moft contributes to the Ufe and Benefit.
The Sea, notwithſtanding all its Salts, is that firſt original
Fountain which ferves to quench our Thirt. The Wind,
whofe rough Blafts we fo much complain of, brings us
our Vapours from the Sea; the high Tops of the
Mountains, which we are apt to look upon as admini-
ftring to no purpoſe of Advantage, ſerve to fix and con-
denſe them. The Holes, Caverns, and Crannies, that
make the Earth in many Places look fo deformed and
frightful, ferve inftead of fo many Pipes and Strainers for
the Waters to paſs through into the Bowels of the Farth :
And thofe Strata of denfe confolidated Matter ferve them
for a Bafis and Foundation. But nothing delights
me me fo much as the Wildom and Contrivance that
appears in thofe Maffes of Sand, which have been
placed on purpoſe in the Midſt of thoſe Reſervoirs,
to prevent too great a Profufion of Water at one
time, and to diſpenſe it to us with ſo much difcreet Oeco-
nomy.
Prior. This exquifite Order and Difpofition of the
Parts of Mountains, is not a mere Imagination nor Hy-
pothefis, like the Doctrines of Filtration and fubterraneous
Alembicks; but you have here ocular Demonſtration of it *
Obferve that Fountain that fprings out of the Middle
of the Hill: underneath it you fee a Layer of very
denfe compact Earth, whereas that above it is light and
porous it iffues out from the loweſt Part of the Layer
that fupports it, which, as well as thofe that are till
The Fountains we are going to give a Defcription of, are near
Zurich. The learned Mr. Shenbaar has given us the Plan of them,
as alſo the Chevalier Fallijneri.
F 2
J
*
lower,
100
XXI.
DIALOGUE
lower, bends up on each Side of it, in the Form of a Curve
or half Circle, and confequently does the fame in the Infide
of the Mountain.
*
Chevalier. It was certainly defigned as a Bafon to re-
ceive the Waters that defcend through the fuperior:
Layers.
1
Prior. Here is another Fountain that falls from a little
Dale above, fituated between thoſe three Eminences.
I have raked into their Summits, and can find nothing
but hard impenetrable Strata, which is the Reason that
there is no Collection of Waters within them, nor any
Fountain fpringing from their Roots; but, instead thereof,
the Waters that run down their Sides, and from the
Thickets that cover them, meet in the little Dale below;
the Earth of which being foft and fupple, and of a good
Depth, they fink in, and break out again in a Foun-
tain, which you fee there, at the Entrance of that Gut
or Opening, which leads up between the three little
Hills.
:
Pray, let us go a little farther. You fee here four
Fountains of a very fingular Nature. The firft cafcades
from off the Top of this Eminence, the fecond from
the Middle of it, and the two laft fpring out at the
two latt
Bottom.
Chevalier. Pray, Sir, did you not obferve to me that
there could not be any Source of Water upon the Summit
of a Mountain; for that, though the Rain did fall there,
yét, in order to form any Fountain, it was neceffary that it
thould be collected in fome Refervoir lower down in the
Body of the Mountain? Confequently this Inftance makes
against your Affertion.
Prior. It is impoffible that any Spring fhould proceed
fcm the Top of & Mountain, unleſs there be at leaft fome
Fathoms of Earth above it, or elfe fome higher Moun-
tains adjoining in which cafe the Water that falls upon
the higher Mountain, finding a free Paffage down into the
Earth, rifes again in the other, nearly to the fame Height
it before defcended from, as you fee the Water in a
Syphon afcends up in the fecond Leg, to a Level with
that in the firft Leg. In like Manner, you fee on the
Side of the Hill from which our four Fountains flow,
another higher than it, the Structure of which is in
1
this
Fountains
1
The Level of the
1
Plate & fòl. III,
page 100.
Two wells of Fresh Water
Mediterranean
ch.
A Subterraneous River n runs under the Mediterranean near Frontignan
1
Tom sulp.
Of MOUNTAINS.
ΙΟΙ
1
this manner all the Strata, or Beds of Earth, that com-
pofe it, bend under the little Valley, that divides the two
Hills, in the Form of Curves, feveral of them rifing up
again into the leffer. Thoſe Strata which país from the
higher to the Top of the lower Hill, convey into it that
Water which produces the Fountain of the greateſt Eleva-
tion. A fecond Range of Strata, that lies lower than the
firſt, and aſcends but half way up the fecond Eminence,
produces the Fountain that fprings from the Middle;
and from the Extremities of thofe Strata that terminate
in the Bottom of, the Hill, flow thofe two Fountains that
you fee at the Foot of it. So that it is always the Rain
that is collected in the Body of the higher Mountain that
fupplies the four Springs in the lower, by Means of thoſe
Strata that are continued from the former to the latter,
under the intermediate Dale, according to the Height to
which their different Curves afcend, the Springs there be-
ginning where the Strata end.
It is probably fome fuch-like Structure in the inward
Parts of the Earth, that produces ſuch re-
markable Effects in the Wells of Modena Vallifneri Anno-
and Stiria * The Workmen.begin with tazioni.
digging through feveral Strata or Soils,
till they come to a very hard kind of Earth, much re-
fembling Chalk; here they begin their Mafon work, and
build a Well, which they carry on at their own. Leifure,
till they have finished it, without being interrupted by
fo much as one Drop of Water, and without any Appre-
henfions of not finding it when they come to make the
Experiment. The Well being finiſhed, they bore through
the hard Bed of Chalk, upon which the Well is built,
with a long Wimble or Augur; but firft take Care to
get out of the Well before they draw it out again;
which when they have done, the Water fprings up into
the Well, and in a little time rifes to the Brim, nay
fometimes overflows and waters the neighbouring Fields,
with a conflant Stream. Now, it cannot be denied, that
thefe Waters flow from thefe Reſervoirs, and are collected
within the Apennine Mountains, not far from Modena, and
taking their Courſe through fubterraneous Paffages, en-
*See Ray's Phyfico-Theol. p.39.
F 3
deavour
102
XXI.
DIALOGUE
deavour to force their Afcent to the fame Height they
defcend from, wherever they can find Vent.
To the Inftances already given, and which carry along
with them Demonftration to the very Senfes, we will add
one of a Mountain, that is at a great Diſtance from any
other, and the inward Structure of which has been fuffici-
ently examined into, to gain a perfect Knowledge of the
Origin and Motion of the Waters, that feed there a large
Pond, befides feveral Wells and Springs. The Mountain
I am ſpeaking of, is that upon which the City of Laon
is built. It ftands in the Middle of a fpacious Plain, that
furrounds it on every Side: It is about fifty Fathoms
high, and in fome Places rather more: It
It is extended
from East to West about a Quarter of a League in Length;
then making a femicircular Elbow from North to South,
it runs back again Eastward, in a Line parallel to the
former: But it is neceffary to be obſerved, that this lat-
ter Arm is not half fo long as the other, and that the
Extremity of it is lower than any other Part. The
City covers all the firft Line, and the Monaftery of
St. Vincent clofes the fecond. The Circuit of the whole
Mountain, at the Bottom, may be about an Hour and a
half's Walk. It is not neceffary to our prefent Purpoſe
to be more exact. That Part of the Mountain upon
which the City is built, is pretty broad towards the Ex-
tremities, but grows much narrower towards the Middle.
The whole Town is paved; though feveral large Places,
which are on the other Side of the Citadel, and below the
Abbeys of St. Martin and St. Vincent, are not.
It is more
or lefs upon a Declivity in every Part, and the Sides are
covered with Vines. So much for the Defcription of the
Outſide of the Mountain; let us now take a View of its
Infide.
The firft Stratum, or Tegument, is a light Sand, mixed
here and there with hard Stones. It is of a different
Thickneſs in different Places, being in fome twenty Feet
deep, in others twelve or thirteen, a little farther, perhaps,
not quite four, and where the Surface is loweſt, as towards
the Middle of the Town, it decreaſes to nothing.
The fecond, is a Layer of Rock, that extends. from. one
End of the Mountain to the other; and this is double,
being parted only by a Bed of Sand or foft Stone: Be-
twixt
1
1
of MOUNTAİN S. 1е3
}
twixt theſe two Layers of Rock they make their Cellars,
by digging the Sand or foft Stone out from between them;
towards the East, they fometimes find nothing but one
hard folid Rock, twenty, or five and twenty, and fome-
times thirty Feet deep. Let it be remembered by the
way, that this Rock is crack'd and broken in a thouſand
Places.
The third Stratum, or Layer, which lies immediately
under that of Rock, is a fort of very hard brown Free-ſtone,
not above an Inch thick; though in fome Places this is not
found.
The fourth is a Bed of Sand, fix or feven Feet deep in
fome Places, in others eight or nine..
The fifth is that of Argilla, or clofe-compacted Earth,
that is found at the Bottom of the Wells, Fountains, and
Ponds, that are found in the Garden of the Benedi&ines of
St. Vincent. In this Stratum it is that they dig the Vafes
of their Wells, for the Water to drain into from the
neighbouring Sands; and if it fometimes happens, that
fome Wells fhall be quite dry, whilft others at a little
Diſtance from them abound with Water, the Reaſon is,
becauſe this Bed of Earth does not run in a perfect Level,
but rifes and falls at different Diftances; fo that when the
Bafe of a Well happens to be fituated in a concave Curve
or Hollow, whilſt there is any Water in the Sands, it
will not fail running into it; if, on the other Hand,
the Foundation of the Well lie on a Convexity or Rifing
of this hard Earth, when the Water in the Sand dimi-
niſhes and finks below the Summit of the Convexity upon
which the Well is built, it must neceffarily dry up in a
very little time, and cannot receive any freſh Supplies,
till there is a new Collection of Water in the Sands that
are fituated above the Bottom of the Well.
The fixth is a Layer of white Sand, here and there
mixed with Shells. The Strata that lie beneath thefe, the
Workmen are not acquainted with, they not having any
Occaſion ever to go lower than the Bed of hard Earth or
Clay, aforementioned.
Having thus explained to you the Order of thofe Strata
that lie one below another, from the Top of the Moun-
tain of Laon, to about one third Part of its Depth, let me
afk you, my dear Chevalier, whence you think thofe
F 4
Waters
}
1
F
104.
Waters proceed that are found upon the Layer of Argilla
or Clay: Do they, fpring from below? If fo, we muft,
in all likelihood, be obliged to fetch them from the Sea.
Do they come from above? If fo, they muft neceffarily
be produced from the Rains, which, falling upon the Sur-
face of the Earth, foak through into the Sands beneath,
where they are detained, the inferior Stratum of Argilla
or Clay, preventing their defcending lower. But I will
first relate to you two Facts, which, I believe, will help you
out a little, and ſuggeſt to you a ready Anſwer.
DIALOGU E - XXI.
A Mafon, who was fent for, to mend the Bottom of a
Well, that could not hold the Water that drained into it
from the Sands, told me, that, upon Examination, he found
a Hole or Fiffure, in the Stratum of hard Clay, through
which the Water paffed, lofing itfelf in the Layer of
White Sand, beneath. He found the Stratum of Clay to be
feven or eight Feet deep. He ftopped up the Hole, and
the Well was cured.
Another Well, not yielding any Water, was, by Order
of the Maſter of the Houfe, dug round about. upon
which they found nothing but a confuſed Mixture of fe-
veral Sorts of Earth blended together, occafioned by the
falling in of different Soils, upon the Layer of hard
Clay when they firft dug the Well. To repair, there-
fore, the Damage that the Workmen had done, by thus
diſturbing the natural Order of the. Strata of Earth, he
caufed to be made a Stone Conduit, or Pipe, and to be
placed obliquely, fo as that one End fhould terminate in
the hard Clay, at Bottom of the Well, and the other
in a bed of Sand, that was above five Fathoms diftant from
it. By means of this Expedient,, there being a Commu-
nication betwixt the Layer of Sand above and the Well
beneath, in two or three Days time it was full of Water,
and continued fo ever after. Tell me now, whence you
think proceeds the Water that feeds the Ponds and
Fountains that iffue from the Sides of the Mountains, and
all their Wells.
Chevalier. The great Care that the Workmen take, not
to pierce through the Layer of hard Clay, but to
keep every Chink and Cranny in it well flopped up, is a
#
* Mr. Bellote, Treaſurer of France.
Demonftra-
1
Of MOUNTAIN S.
105
*
Demonſtration that we are not to look for the Origin of
the Water below that Stratum, but above it. The Pond,
which is the loweſt Part of the Mountain, in the Garden of
the Bencdi&ines, is doubtlefs fupplied from the fame
Source with the Fountains that flow from the Sides of it,
and thoſe which are of the fame Height; and the Water
of theſe, as well as that of the Wells, does, in all Proba-
bility, proceed from the Rains that foak through the upper
Layers, into that of the Sand, where they are fupported
by the Coat of hard Clay. But there remains one Difficulty
that I cannot eafily get over, that is, how the Water can
penetrate fo deep into the Mountain. The Pavement of
the Town muſt neceffarily caufe the Water to run off
down the Sides of it; and will not the Grafs, that grows
in thoſe Places which are not paved, be fufficient to choak
up its Paffage? befides, how is it poffible for the Water
to force its Way through that Floor of Rock which reaches
from one End of the Mountain to the other? This feems
to me an infuperable Objection.
Prior. It is true, the Pavement may have leffened
confiderably the Quantity of Water both in the Wells and
Fountains; and a certain Author, that wrote about the
End of the feventh Century, which was long before the
Cuſtom of paving our Towns was known in France, tells
us, that there was a little below every Gate of Laon, a co-
pious Fountain, and a Watering-place; whereas, there is
but one of theſe at prefent, and that on the Side of the
Citadel, and not above two or three Fountains, and thoſe
not yielding much Water.
As for the Turf that covers thofe Places that are not
paved, it may, indeed, hinder the Water from foaking in
every where alike; but it will be fure to find, nevertheleſs,
a vaft Number of little Holes and Opening, that have been
made by different Sorts of Animals, or elfe fome Fiffures
and Chinks, that convey it in winding Channels, under the
Earth, into the Bed of Sand.
As for the Rock, you may remember, that I told you
before, that it is broken and ſplit in many Places. And this
appears from Waters running down into the Cellars that
are made under it, infomuch that they are obliged to ftop
up carefully every Cranny, and to fupport even the very
Rock itfelf with ftrong Piles, left they fhould give Way,
F 5
and
106
DIALOGUE XXI.
す
​1
and let the Foundations of their Houfes fink down into their
Cellars.
Chevalier. Thefe Paffages, indeed, will thoroughly do the
Bufinefs; and I can now eafily conceive how the Rain-
Water may pafs from the Publick Squares, Courts, and
Gardens, through theſe Fiffures, into the Earth, and fo from
one Layer to another, till it comes to that Argilla, or hard
Clay, which ferves as a Foundation to the Pond, the Foun-
tains, and Wells. But there feems to be this Inconvenience
arifing from hence, that the Drains and Sinks that they are
obliged to dig pretty deep under their Houfes, muft greatly
injure thefe Waters.
Prior. For that very Reafon, Well-water is not fo good
for drinking, except where the Wells lie towards the Ex-
tremities of the Mountain, and at a pretty Distance from
the Main Body of the Town; in fuch a Situation, the Water
of thofe Springs that run from the Sides of the Mountain,
is tolerable. But there are alfo other Waters, that, falling
down after the Rain, on the Declivity of the Hill, there
find Interſtices through which they pafs, defcending_from
Stratum to Stratum, till they come to a Layer of hard Earth,
at the Foot of the Hill, where they form two Springs of
much better Water than those that proceed out of the Middle
of it, by reafon of their not having, like them, paffed
through the Court-yards and Drains of Houfes.
*
It is Demonftration then, to the very Senfes, as appears
from the View we have taken of the outward and inward
Parts of the little Mountain before us, that the Rain-Water
does deſcend very deep in the Earth; and that it is this
alone, which not only gives Birth to Wells and Fountains,
but alſo feeds and maintains them. Now, if this holds
undeniably true, where the Narrowness of the Surface,
the Thickness of the Pavement, and the Obftruction of a
a Floor of Rock, all confpire to oppoſe the Paffage and
Operation of the Waters, how eafy a Matter is it to con-
ceive how this Effect may be produced in thoſe Places
where the Earth is very porous, and where there are vaſt
Chains of Mountains that abound with capacious Bafons
and Refervoirs, to feed thofe Rivers that proceed from
them!
* The Fountains of Semilly and Bouffon.
But
1
Of MOUNTAIN S.
107
But let us ftill take a farther Survey of the Mountains
and Plains, and we fhall find, by a few curfory Obferva-
tions on the different Effects. that are produced by the Va-
pours that defcend upon them, fo vifible a Relation betwixt
the Courſe of theſe Vapours and the reſpective Circum-
ftances and Conditions of Fountains, that, I believe, it will
undeniably appear, that the former are the Caufe and Ori-
gin of the latter.
The Mountains that are within the Torid Zone receive
fuch a prodigious Abundance of Rain at that Time of the
Year when the Sun is perpendicular to them, that the
Quantity of Water which is collected in them is fufficient
to raiſe the Rivers they nourish, to the Height, fometimes,
of fourteen or fifteen Cubits; fo great, for Example, is the
Increaſe of the Nile and the Niger.
At that Time of Year, when the Snow that covers the
Mountains begins to melt (for as it hardens in the Winter,
fo it melts in the Summer), they break out in Springs that
continue to flow only till the Snow ceaſes to diffolve; and
confequently thofe Rivers that are fed by them, muſt be
full in Summer, and fail in Winter; and this is frequently
cbferved in Lombardy at the Foot of the Alps and Appenines.
If theſe Mountains are only covered with Snow in the
Winter, the Fountains and Rivers that iflue from them fivell
in times of Thaw or in the Spring, and often dry up in
the Summer.
Where the Mountains are only watered with Rain, and
not covered with Snow, as is the Cafe commonly with our
Mountains, there, as the Rains are generally most violent,
as well as moſt frequent, towards the latter End of the
Summer and in Autumn, they fend forth Rivulets, or RT-
vers, that are higheft in Autumn and the Winter, and low-
eft in the Spring and Summer.
In thofe Places where they have no Mountains, the Snow
and the Rains are loft in the Earth and in the Rivers, which,
being increaſed by thefe additional Supplies of Water, de-
pofit Part of their Store, as they run along deep enough
in the Earth to form Wells and little Fountains, which
again contribute in their turn to the Maintenance of their
proper River, but grow lower, or dry up, as they fail to
receive their uſual. Augmentation. As for thofe Waters that
F 6
fbak
z
108 DIALOGUE
XXI.
foak through thefe Plains, they feed thofe Wells that the
Inhabitants dig in the Earth of different Depths. The Oc-
cafion of the Inequality of their Depths, is the Situation
of thofe Layers of the Argilla or hard Clay that the Wa-
ters reft upon, according to their nearer or farther Diſtance
from the Surface of the Plains.
Chevalier. If this be the Cafe, we ſhould always be fure
to find Springs at the Feet of Mountains, and never want
the Convenience of a Well in the Plains; whereas nothing
is more certain than that there are Mountains that produce
no Springs, and Plains that yield no Wells.
Prior. When the Tops of Hills are covered with Stone,
Chalk, or Clay, we are not to expect to meet with any
Springs; for the Rain, not being able to make its way
through theſe hard Strata, runs down the Sides, and lofes
itſelf in the Plains, or the adjacent River. So when the
Plains are compofed of an over-porous Earth, or where
there are Fiffures or Crannies in the harder Layers of Mat-
ter, the Water does there deſcend ſo extremely low, as to
leave no Poffibility of procuring the Benefit of Wells. Such,
for Example, is the Country of Caux, where there is not
fo much as one Mountain fit to produce a Spring, nor any
Layer of Earth under the Plains clofe enough to retain the
Water that finks into them; at leaft, if there be any fuch,
it is fo very deep that there is no coming at it.
Chevalier. I begin to fufpect that there may be as
much Water under the Earth as there is upon it; for
the Rains that fall upon the Plains must there affociate into
a vaft Body; and as there are not always Strata of hard
Earth in the Mountains fit to retain and ftay the Waters
that foak into them, they muft confequently defcend lower
down to form great Beds or Refervoirs, which, by Reaſon
of their not evaporating like thofe in the open Air, muſt
ftill increafe, and fo in time rife above the Surface of the
Earth, and caufe a total Inundation. If this be not the
Cafe, pray, Sir, let me know what becomes of theſe
Waters.
Prior. This very Objection, that you have farted, will
furniſh us with a Proof of what has been faid concerning
the Origin of Fountains.
The Rain-Water, that defcends through the Mountains
and Plains into the lower Parts of the Earth, is there con-
verted
Of MOUNTAINS.
109
verted into Currents of Water, which are conveyed through
fubterraneous Channels into the Bofom of the Sea, far be-
low the Level of its Surface. Now, if I can prove to you
the real Exiſtence of theſe Currents, I fuppofe you will al-
low your Objection to be fully anſwered.
Chevalier. I will then entirely give into your Opinion.
Prior. The Exiſtence of fubterraneous Currents of Wa-
ter is atteſted by an infinite Number of Relations, as well
as by all thoſe who have wrought in the Mines; but, as
the Generality of People are of Opinion that they come
from the Sea, it will be neceffary to fhew that they pro-
ceed from thofe Waters that fink through the Surface of
the Earth, and that, on the contrary, they filently glide
under Ground into the Sea.
-
who
Subterraneous
Waters.
Now, that the fubterraneous Waters are produced im-
mediately by the Vapours in the Atmof-
phere, and not by the Sea, will be eafily
proved. Some English Miners *,
were very well ſkilled in this Part of Na-
ture, have remarked, that, wherever they found Water
under Ground, they had Air alfo; and that where the
former was wanting, they had not enough of the latter to
anfwer the Purpoſe of Refpiration, and that their Lamps
went out. Which proves that the fame Paffages which
ferve for the Introduction of Water under Ground, ferve
alſo to ſo many Inlets to the Air: and that theſe Waters
come from the Surface of the Earth, and not from the Sea.
The fame Miners tell us, that in feveral Mines at a
great depth under Ground, they have been refreſhed with
the agreeable Smell of Trefoil Flower; which may eafily
be accounted for thus: The Waters, after having fallen
from the Mountains, and bathed the Meadows, at that
time of Year when they are adorned with Flowers, waſh
off fome minute Particles of their Flowers, which they car-
with them through the Fiffures and Chinks of the Earth,
filling the circumambient Air with the Fragrancy of odorife-
rous Herbs. Which is another Argument that the Courſe
of thefe Waters is from the Earth to the Sea, and not from
the Sea to the Earth.
ту
* Philofophical Tranfactions abridged by 7. Lowthorp, Tom. ii.
P. 372.
In
1 I FO
XXL
DIALOGUE
In ſhort, we need not have recourfe to any more Arga-
ments, to prove the Truth of this Propofition, feeing we
have fo many Matters of Fact, that put it beyond all Con-
tradiction. Several fubterraneous Rivers have been difco-
vered to run into the Sea * on the Coaft of Languedoc, near
Frontignan, as alfo on the Coaft of Croatia, over-against
Venice. And though the Water at the Bottom of the Sea
is falter by many Degrees, than that which is towards the
Surface, by reafon that the groffer Salts always precipitate
the Bottom (notwithſtanding the violent Agitation of the
Waters) yet very large Springs of fresh Water have been.
diſcovered to rife from the Bottom of the Sea. Now
whence can thefe come, unleſs from off the Plains? A-
mong the feveral remarkable Occurrences that were the
Forerunners of the Burning of Puzzolo, which happened
in the Year 1538, an Author †, who was then in thoſe
Parts, relates, that the Sea retired near two hundred Paces
from the Shore; that a great Number of Fishes were taken
up that it had left upon the Sands, and feveral Springs of
freſh Water diſcovered, bubbling out of the Ground. The
Diver that went to the Bottom of the Gulf of Charybdis §.
to feek for a Cup that a King of Sicily ordered to be caft
into it, reported that he difcovered large Springs of Water,
breaking forth with great Violence from the Bottom of the
Gulph.
The Origin of
the Currents and
Columns of Wa-
ter in the Sea.
Thofe Rivers that are fo often heard and
feen rolling under Ground, and thoſe freſh.
Waters that diſcharge themſelves into the
Sea underneath its Surface, furniſh us with
a very plain and unanswerable Reaſon, why
the Rain-Waters, that foak down into the Earth, do not.
fwell and overflow its Surface, explaining at once the Rc-
gularity of their Courfe, and the Manner of their Evacua-
tion. From thefe fubterraneous Currents of Water, which
after violent Rains roll with a proportionable Degree of Ra-
pidity into the Sea, we may alſo be able to account for thofe
Currents in the Sea itſelf, which crofs and meet one
another in fuch different. Directions; as alfo for thofe
་
* Hiftory of the Sea, by Mr. de Marfilly. See the lower Part of the
Plate, p. 100.
+ Simone Porzio.
§ Kirker, Mundus fubterr. T. 1. L. 2. C. 15.-
2
Moun
Of MOUNTAINS.
IIE
Mountains or Columns of Water, which are fometimes feen
to riſe all on a fudden, out of the Middle of the calmeſt
Sea, fpouting up into the Air, almoft to a Level with thoſe
Plains from which they came pouring down in Torrents af-
ter a Storm.
Chevalier. It feems then, there is a perpetual Circula-
tion of Water betwixt the Sea and the Land. Firſt, the
Sea-Water afcends in Vapours, and then deſcends in Snow
and Rain, either upon the Mountains or the Plains; that
which falls upon the Mountains, finds proper Vafes or Re-
ſervoirs wherein it is collected, thence gently ftealing out
in Springs, which grow into Rivers, and fteer their Courſe
towards the Sea, over the Surface of the Earth, watering
the Valleys and Plains as they run along: that which falls
upon the Plains, and penetrates deep into the Earth, does
likewife return through Paffages under the Ground, to the
common Rendezvous of Waters.
Prior. This is the Sum and Subftance of all that has
been faid on this Subject; and I believe you are now
pretty well convinced of the Ufe and Serviceableneſs of
Mountains: As for the Rains that defcend immediately.
upon the Plains, they either foon run off them or evapo-
rate, whereas the Mountains feed them with conftant Sup-
plies; nor can you be now at a Lofs to know whence
they derive their Stores, after having learned how the
all-wife Creator has contrived fuch vaft Magazines in the
Atmoſphere above them, from which he ſhowers down his
Treaſures of Water upon their Summits, which afterwards
defcending from Story to Story, diffuſes its refreſhing
Streams over the Plains below, gives Life and Verdure to
the Plants and Herbs, and beautifies and enriches the whole
Earth. You fee allo, at the fame Time, the Commu-
nication that ſubſiſts betwixt thoſe Parts of Nature, which
before feemed to have no Relation to one another.
When the Almighty, inftead of locking up the Sea.
within the Bowels of the Earth, thought fit to keep it
open and expoſed to the Action of the Sun and the Winds,
by which another Ocean of Vapours might be raiſed in the
Atmoſphere no lefs uſeful to Mankind, he at the fame
Time raiſed great Excrefcences of Earth, which, to out-
ward Appearance indeed, have neither Ufe nor Comeli
nefs, but which, in reality, are highly beneficial, as they
ferve
#
112
DIALOGUE XXI.
ferve in every Place, as well in the Middle of Continents
as Iſlands, to collect at all Times fuch a Quantity of Wa-
ter, as is neceffary to the Formation of thofe Currents,
which are, as it were, the very Bonds of Society, and no
lefs neceffary to the Subfiftence of Fishes, Birds, terreftrial
Animals, and Plants. There is no vifible Connexion or
Relation betwixt the Sea, that ferves as a Boundary to
France on the Weft, and thofe hideous Rocks of the Ce-
vennes la Vogue, and the Alps, that are our Limits to the
Eaft; and yet this Sea and thefe Rocks do mutually con-
fpire to furniſh us with one of the moft neceffary Ele-
ments of Life, Thofe little Hills that terminate our View,
fupply us with a cryftal Spring, and a very useful Rivulet;
but the Alps, that lift up their lofty Heads betwixt Italy.
and France, give Birth to the Rhine, the Rhone, and the
Po; and though the greateft Part of thefe Mountains is
doomed to an eternal Barrennefs, yet to them it is owing,
that the Countries on each Side of them exhibit all the
Beauty and Fruitfulness of a well-planted Garden. Were
the Alps and the Cevennes away, the Tefin, the Adige, and
the Po, would foon dry up, and Lombardy become a parched
Wafte; the Rhone, the Rhine, and the Loire, would diſappear,
and all the Heart and Northern Parts of France be nothing
better than a barren Defert. Thus are all the conflituted
Parts of the Globe mutually ferviceable and helpful to each
other. The Vapours that are exhaled from the Gulf of
Venice, and the Coafts of Holland, are condenfed and col-
lected in the capacious Refervoirs of Mount St. Gotard,
from whence they are diftributed over Lombardy, France,
and Holland: The Temperate Zones, are fertilized by the
genial Warmth they borrow from the Torrid Zone; and
this in Return is made habitable by refreshing Vapours it
receives from the Temperate Zones. All Nature is link'd
together by one univerfal Law of Harmony and Agree-
ment and as the Whole Earth declares ittelf to be the
Work of one only all-wife Creator, fo it is ro lefs evident
that the Good of Man was the only chicf End and Deſigu
of his forming it.
After having recounted the ineftimable Benefits we re-
ceive from the Mountains, in thofe Springs
which diſtil from them, give me Leave to
add fome farther Advantages we reap from
Other Benefits
of Mountains.
them.
}
D
1
A
ļ
.C
Plate 7 I6lM page 113.
E
B
Toms jaulp.
Animals which live in the Mountains
1
Of MOUNTAINS.
113
占
​i
them. They are the Refuge of an infinite Number of Ani-
mals that are of great Ufe to us, which feed upon them,
freeing us from all Care and Charge about their Mainten
ance, as Bears, Lynxes, Ermines, Martens, Foxes of dif-
ferent Colours, and an Abundance of other Animals, whoſe
Skins make the fineft Furs. Rain-Deer
do alfo live upon the Mountains. Thefe Rain-Deer.
are a Sort of Stags which are of extraordi-
nary Service in cold Countries, especially in Lapland, where
they bring them up to be tame and tractable. The Inha-
bitants make themfelves Cloaths of their Skins, which are
very warm, and well covered with Hair; they feed upon
their Milk and Flesh; they are alfo very ferviceable in
drawing heavy Burdens over the Snow, performing Jour-
nies of twenty-five or thirty Leagues a Day, without any
other Provifion than Mofs for their ordmary Food.
Upon the Mountains that are in warmer··
Climates, are bred your Bufflers or Buf- Buffers.
falo's, which in fome Countries they ac-
cuſtom to draw in the Plough; the Fleſh of thefe Animals
they dry in the Smoke, and it is uſed in victualling Ships
that make long Voyages. Here alſo are
bred your Chamois, which is a Sort of Chamois.
wild Goat, which kips with great Agility
from one Rock to another. The Skins of thefe Creatures
are very good to make Breeches, Stockings, or Gloves of;
they are of a lafting Wear; and though as foft and gen-
tle as an ordinary Stuff, will bear wathing as often as you
pleafe. Nor are Hunters the only Set of Men that pay
their Vifits to the Mountains, when in purfuit of their
Game over the Hills and Dales: but hither alfo the Herbal-
ifts come to feek for wholefome Simples, which either are
not to be found elſewhere, or, at least, thofe that grow
here are in greater Perfection, and have a more medicinal
Virtue, than thoſe we plant in our Gardens.
And as the moft deformed and rugged Mountains do
anfwer Ends very beneficial to Mankind, fo neither are the
moft wild uncultivated Heaths, and bar-
ren Deferts, without their Uſefulneſs: Heaths.
They are like the Shades in a Picture;
they give more Life and Strength to the other Parts, and
caufe them to frike the Eye with double Luftre. When
we
•
A
114
DIALOGUE
1
→
XXI.
we are fituated in the Middle of a rich and delightful
Country, where we are prefented all round with one con-
tinued Scene of Beauties, we are not apt to be fo charmed
with beholding it; and the Sameness of the Landfkip on
every Side of it, not only makes the Profpect prove lefs.
agreeable, but alfo weakens thofe Impreffions it ought to
make on the Mind, as well as the Sight. We keep our
Admiration for what is new or uncommon, and it is not
fo much the Marvellous as the Novelty in any Thing, that
pleafes and awakens the Attention moft. When we are
furrounded by a vaft Number of entertaining and delight--
ful Objects, the Mind is divided among them, and natu-
rally finks into Inattention and Ingratitude; whereas the
Sight of barren Mountains and parched Heaths makes
us reflect what uncomfortable Quarters might have been al-
lotted us, and how deeply we are indebted to God's free-
Bounty and Goodnefs, for the great Bleffings of a plentiful
Country and a delightful Situation.
As we return to the Plain, you may obferve, my dear
Chevalier, upon thefe Hills, among the Herbs that you
tread under Foot, a great Number of thofe that we plant
in our Gardens, though, generally fpeaking, they derive a
greater Fragrancy from thefe poor dry Soils, and the open
Air tempers their Quality in greater Perfection.
Chevalier. I know this Shrub very well, 'tis the Juni-
per Tree; the Wood of it, when burnt in the Fire, yields
à delightful. Smell, and the Berries of it make a very
wholeſome Liquor.
Prior. There you fee a great many Plants of Marjoram,
Balm, and Lavendar, all of an aromatic Smell, and very
good to make diftilled fweet fcented Waters. I could alſo,
had I Time, fhew you Fluellin, Betony, and a hundred
other Sorts of excellent Vulneraries.
Chevalier. Sir, I am ready to follow you from Plant to
Plant, to the very Top of the Mountain.
Prior. That would be too much Work for to Day;
though indeed, we muſt allow, that Nature has in vain
ſpread abroad her Carpet of healing Plants and falutary
Herbs, even upon the very Heaths and Rocks, if we will
not be at the Pains to gather or take any Notice of them.
I have a hundred Times heard Gentlemen, Citizens, and
Clergymen,, when in the Country, complaining for want
of
"
t
Of MOUNTAINS.
115
*
1
of Acquaintance, Books, Company, or Employment;
whereas did they but to know how to make ufe of that great
Volume that lies always open before them, they would not
be alone, or without Employment; and would they but ſet
themſelves attentively to read Nature, the Knowledge they
would attain to of themfelves, would undoubtedly give
them more true Satisfaction than what they learn from
others. Nature is the beft and choiceft Library, and the
moſt infallible Counſellor we can apply to in all our
Doubts; for there we neither find Errors nor different Opi-
nions, nor Controverſy, nor Prejudice, nor Contentions ;
beſides, it is always open, and if we will ufe our Eyes, we
ſhall be fure to find better Inftruction there than we poffibly
can in Books. But the Misfortune is, that, though Nature
is fo eafy of Acceſs, and may be confulted at any Time,
we make no other Uſe of it, than we do of thoſe great
Libraries that belong to certain Societies; we take a Walk
in them, fee a fine Collection of Books, and go out again,
without having read a Syllable in any one of them.
*
The
+
1
[ 116 ]
The SE A.
+
Prior.
DIALOGUE XXII.
The PRIOR and CHEVALIER.
I
Don't doubt, Sir, but you are a little difpleafed
at the Sight of thoſe Clouds that are gathering
in the Atmoſphere, as they may feem to you to ſpoil the
Pleaſure of our Walk.
Chevalier. Sir, they give me no manner of Uneafinefs,
fince I am informed that the End and Deſign of their
rifing from the Sea, is to fupply our Springs and Rivers
with Water; on the contrary, I behold with Pleaſure, thofe
great Bodies of Vapours, winging their Way, to carry Re-
freſhment and Fertility to the moſt diftant Provinces, and
thus readily executing the Command of the Almighty:
Heretofore, indeed, I looked upon them as fo many un-
wholfome Fogs, wandering about at random, without any
wife Direction; but now I find they are raiſed from our
Seas to diſtribute Moiſture all over Europe, as the Waters
of the Sarafin, and of Marli, are conveyed to water the
King's Gardens.
**
Pricr. The Compariſon is very juft. But, as it is
ufual, after having feen the Tuilleries, and the Gardens
at Marli, to make a Vifit to the Machine which raifes
the Water for their Ufe (the Structure and Working of
which is no lefs curious than the Gardens themselves) fo
let us at prefent take a View of that Refervoir, which
fupplies with Water the vaſt Garden in which God has
placed us, and of the Pump which he has fet to Work to
*The Gardens of the Louvre in Paris.
raife
The SE A.
117
raile his Water without Intermiffion. The Refervoir I
am fpeaking of, is the Sea, and the Pump the Air, two
copious and noble Subjects. We will begin with the former.
Chevalier. Oh that we was but near the Sea! They ſay
it is a ravishing Sight.
Prior. It fhall not be long ere we make a Vifit to it;
in the mean Time, we may amufe ourſelves with the Re-
preſentation of it. We will take a Turn in the Gallery,
where the Court has a Set of Pictures, in which is exhi-
bited all the moſt curious Particulars relating to the Sea.
Chevalier. Some Years ago, I uſed to be mightily taken
with the Pictures of Jupiter and his Eagle, Vulcan with
his Pincers, Pan with his Pipe, and all the fabulous Train
of Heathen Gods; but I find theſe Pieces fo very common,
that I begin to be tired with them; befides, they convey
no ufeful Inftruction; whereas the Pictures before us are
Repreſentations of Truth.
Prior. Here every Thing you fee is a Copy of Nature,
and of fuch Things as are of real Concernment to us.
The firft Set of Pictures prefents us with the different
Proſpects of the Sea; the fecond with the Infide and
Outfide of Ships, and the Inftruments made ufe of in
Navigation; in the third are drawn the greateſt Part of
the Fishes that live in the Bofom of the Deep; and in
the laft are difplayed Shells and Sea Plants. We will
take a Survey of the Pictures, in order, one after an-
other.
Picture I. A
Profpect of the
Sea at Sun ſet.
In this here, we are prefented with a Proſpect taken
from one of our Sea-Coafts. The lower
Part of the Picture is a Repreſentation of
a flat Sandy Shore, which is terminated
on the Left by the two Arms of a large
Port or Haven, which jut out into the Sea, upon which
you fee a Light-Houfe, and the Skirts of a great Town:
On the Right, it is bounded by a Ridge of fleep Hills,
and pyramidal Rocks, feeming like the Ruins of fome
ancient Caſtles, and which, with the regular Buildings of
the Town, on the oppofite Side, form a very agreeable Con- -
trait. You obſerve, in Proportion as the Eminences on
each Side lengthen and recede from each other, the Trees,
Houfes, Hills, Bendings, and all other Objects, gradually
leffen, and grow more faint, according to the exact Rule
of
1
1
}
+
1
118 DIALOGUE XXII.
}
}
of Diminution in Perfpective, by which the Eye is
enabled to judge of the vaft Extent of that watery Plain
which is ftretched out to the Extremity of the Hori-
zon, where it feems to coincide with the Heavens.
The Sun appears half funk beneath the Surface of
the Sea, and gilds the Profpect with its parting
Beams.
:
This feeming Coincidence of the Sea and Heaven,
gave Occafion to that Conceit of the Ancients, that
the Earth and Sea together formed one flat Surface,
which ferved as a Bafis to the great Concave of the
Heavens This gives Birth to thofe Fables of the Sun's
cooling himſelf every Night in the Ocean, and the Stars
rifing out of the Waters after the Rrefreſhment of the
Day. Reafon and Experience, by Degrees, rectified the
Errors of their Senfes, and at laft, though late, they dif
covered the Earth to be fpherical, and that thofe Revolu·
tions, which they before aſcribed to the Sun, the Stars, and
all the Heavenly Bodies, were owing to its annual and
diurnal Motions.
As the Painter can only reprefent an Object in fuch
a Situation as it may be in at any one Inftant of Time,
and not as undergoing any Succeffion of Changes, he
has therefore prudently made Choice of the Time of Sun-
fet for the Proſpect he has here given us; for then the
Sea feems, as it were, all on Fire, and the Beams of
that bright Luminary ftriking horizontally on its Waters,
are reflected in a hundred different Directions, forming
a moſt beautiful Variety of Colours. The Surface, you
obferve, is wrinkled with a great many little Waves, one
behind another, which here and there reflect, firft, the
Aſh Colour, then White, next Purple, after that Green,
and laft of all a beautiful Azure. Such is the View
of the Sea, as reprefented in the first Picture, when
the delighted Traveller walks fecurely on its Shores,
whilft the murmuring Waters gently chafe the
Strand.
But the Sea dors alfo put on other Afpects, which have
their respective Beauties: for as this fluid Element is by
turns fubject to every little Impreffion, either from the
Current of Winds, which act upon it, fometimes in dif
ferent, fometimes quite contrary Directions; fo accordingly
we
The SE A.
119
>
Picture II. The
Sea in a Storm.
we find it almoft perpetually changing its Form. Often-
times you fhall fee it, from a State of eafy Motion, little
different from a Calm, all of a fudden grow boisterous
(as you behold it defcribed in this fecond
Picture), opening its wide Jaws into a
terrible Abyfs, or with proud Billows
dafhing the Face of Heaven; you ſhall
fee fome Waves breaking with great Violence againſt the
Shores, and curling back their Heads again into the
Bofom of the Deep, while others, meeting with ungoverned
Fury, daſh themfelves in Pieces, and whiten into Foam,
roaring with dreadful Burſt, and ftriking Terror on the
ftouteft Heart. In the Midl of fuch Tumult and Con-
fufion, we could expect nothing less than that the Sea
fhould quit its Bed and deluge the Earth, were it not that
the fame Hand which lifted up the Waters thereof has
fet it Bounds that it cannot pafs; though its Waters rage
and fwell, yet they cannot go over them, being ever
obedient to the Command of the Lord. * Hitherto halt
thou coute, but no further; and here ſhall thy proud Waves
be stayed. Accordingly we find that the Sea, when in its
moſt violent Agitation, fcarce ever encroaches upon the
Shore above feven Feet beyond the ufual Water-Mark.
Amidst thofe Mountains of Water, you fee a Ship that has
loft its Mafts, in a ditreffed and helpless Condition: All
the Paffengers feem lamenting their hard Fate, every
Sailor turns pale; and the Pilot, finding all his Art fail,
with deſpairing Negligence lets fall his drooping Head up-
on the Helm. This indeed is a difmal Sight, but yet it
engages the Attention of the Spectator, by filling his Breaft
with a fecret and paffionate Concern.
Picture III. A
Calm.
The next Picture difplays a quite dif
ferent Scene. Here the Sea has imoothed
its rugged Brow, its Waters are hufhed
and ftill, and its Surface appears like a
glaffy Plain, reflecting another Heaven, with its Sun, its
Azure, and its Clouds. This univerfal Calm invites the
Fishes to the Shores, where they fport and play at the
Top of the Water. The Fishermen, whom you fee in
their Boats, cafting and drawing their Nets, and the great
*Job xxxviii. II.
Number
120
XXII.
DIALOGUE
Swallow, Hi-
rundo. King-
Fisher, Alcedo.
Number of Sea-Swallows, King-Fiſhers,
Godwits, Sea Pies, Herons, Curlews,
with many other Sea Fowls, are all
taking the Advantage of the Seafon, and
fiſhing for their Prey. See how dexte-
rouſly that Cormorant holds that Fish it has caught in
a Pofture as may leaft incommode its Flight.
This Bird may be made tame, and
brought to uſeful Difcipline. They put
fuch
}
Godwit,
Calidris.
Charleton, de
Av. p. 112.
Sea-Pic, or
Olive,
Rufticula Ma-
rina.
Heron,
Ardea.
Curlew,
Arcuata.
Cormorant,
Corvus marinus.
Diver,
Mergus.
Puffin or Sea-
Duck,
Puffinus.
an Iron Collar round the lower Part of
its Neck to hinder the Fifh which it
fwallows down into its Gullet, or great
Poke, from defcending into its Stomach;
the Bird, being thus ringed, goes in queſt
of Prey, and after having filled his Poke,
returns to his Mafter, and difgorges it:
who, for his Encouragement, returns
him a fmall Part of his Share. Pray
behold that Flock of Divers, fome of
which you fee plunging under Water,
others with little more than half of their
Bodies in the Water. A little farther
you fee fome Sea Ducks, fome gently
fwimming along, and fteering their Way
with their webbed Feet, whilft others
with their Feet upon the Surface of the
Water flutter their Wings, and feem be-
twixt running and flying.
Chevalier. All thefe Birds have fome particular Co-
Jour, Air, or Gefture, that diftinguiſhes their feveral
Species. The Painter has indeed exerted his Skill in the
Execution of this third Piece. But, pray, had he
any particular Defign in giving us a Glinipfe of the
Moon in its laft Quarter, as we fee it there repre-
fented?
Prior. It being at that Time exactly betwixt the Full
and the New, the Painter could not more properly ſuggeſt to
us the Time of the lowcft Tides, which happen when the
Moon is in her first and laft Quarter; and this he has
done
4
•
گے
The
121
SEA.
done completely in prefenting us with
thofe Shells, which the Sea, by reason of
its greater Recefs at thofe Times than any
other, is ſuppoſed to have left on the
Shore.
Dead-Water, or
Neap-Tide.
Chevalier: I have often heard it faid, that the Sea ebbs
every Day feveral Fathoms, nay, above half a League on
fome Coaſts. How may this agree with what you just
now ſaid, that in its higheft Elevation it did not exceed
its ufual Water Mark, above ſeven Feet?
Prior. The Elevation I then ſpoke of, was that of a Sea
in a Storm, which is little more than feven Feet above
what it would otherwife have rifen to. The Flux and
Reflux we are now fpeaking of is quite another thing.
Every Day, generaily fpeaking, the Water of the
Ocean, and perhaps that of all other leffer Seas in like
manner, though not fo vifibly, flows fix Hours together
from South to North, and rifes on the Coaſts more or leſs:
this we call Flood; when it is at its greateſt Height, or
high Water, it remains at that Pitch about a Quarter of an
Hour, and then retires, continuing to decreaſe fix Hours
more; this return of the Waters from North to South,
and from our Coafts to the Ocean, is what we call the
Ebb: when the Water is come to its greateſt Decreaſe,
or loweſt Ebb, after remaining fo about a Quarter of an
Hour, it makes again to Land. Now, the Tides are
always regulated by the Courfe of the Moon, which
Body does twice every Day traverſe that Line which we
fuppofe in the Heavens to be extended from the Pole di-
`rectly over our Heads, and dividing into two equal Parts
our Hemiſphere and that which is beneath us: When
the Moon is come to that Line which bifects our Hemif
phere, and which we call our Meridian, it is then high
Water with us: When the Moon, twelve Hours after,
or rather more, is come to the fame Meridian, in the in-
ferior Hemifphere, that is the Time of the next high
Water. But as the Moon takes up twelve Hours and
twenty-four Minutes in paffing from the fuperior to the
inferior Meridian, fo from the Time of High Water to the
Time of next high Water is twelve Hours and twenty-four
Minutes; and confequently the firft of every Flood is later
than the preceding Flood by twenty-four Minutes. The
VOL. III.
·
G
Tides
122
DIALOGUE XXII.
}
Tides rife higheſt about the New and Full of the Moon,
which we call Spring-Tides; and the higheft Spring Tides
happen at the Equinoxes. This is undoubted Matter of
Fact.
We might next proceed to enquire into the Caufe of
fo regular a Phænomenon: but this is what Philofophers
are greatly divided in their Opinions about. Some of
them maintain, that the Moon, as it paffes over our Seas,
does produce this Effect, by compreffing the Atmoſphere
which lies betwixt it and the Ocean, and that that Body
of Air, by its elaftic Power, endeavouring to expand itſelf,
preffes upon the Water, and by the Force of that Im-
preffion, make it to rife upon the Land. Others deny
that the Preffure of the Moon, by the Mediation of
the Atmoſphere, has any Share in producing this Effect;
but afcribe it to the Power of Gravitation, or a Ten-
dency in the Earth and Water to approach nearer the
Moon.
However this be, we will refign to your profound Na-
turalifts the Province of confulting the Laws of Motion,
and the Actions of the heavenly Bodies upon one another,
to account for thefe conftant and uniform Revolutions.
Let them, with the Line and Plummet of their Philofo-
phy, take the Diſtances of the Planets, and calculate the
juft Proportion of their moving Powers in the different
Degrees of their Approximation or Elongation; yet, after
all their curious Speculations, you fhall not find two in a
hundred of them agree or conclude the fame. The Un-
certainty of theſe Inquiries is fufficient to difcourage us
from entering into them; therefore, inftead of vainly pre-
fuming to explain the Mechaniſm or Manner of thofe Ope-
rations, which are fo conftantly at Work to produce thefe
regular Viciffitudes of the Flux and Reflux of the Sea, let
us endeavour to diſcover the End and Intention of Provi-
dence in this wonderful Oeconomy. To attempt to com-
prehend a Syftem of Rules and Laws, which perhaps fur-
paffes the utmoft Stretch of our Capacities, is nothing lefs
than Prefumption; but to lie under a voluntary Ignorance
of the Obligations we owe to the Author of that Syftem, is
Ingratitue or grofs Inattention.
Chevalier.
The SE A.
123
Chevalier. I perceive, you are going to let me fee the
Benefits which Men receive from the Flux and Reflux
of the Sea, without attending to them, whilft they
unprofitably bufy themfelves in fearching into the
Caufes of them, which they never yet were able to find
out.
The Ufefulneſs
of Tides.
Prior. The first Benefit that high Tides
are of to us, in repelling the Waters in
the Rivers, and caufing them to flow back
again a great Way within their Banks,
thereby opening their Channels, and making them deep
enough for carrying up large Ships of Burden to the
great Towns, which without this would be impracticable.
The Veffels wait in Readineſs for the Convenience of this
Increaſe of the Waters, and take the Advantage of that
Opportunity to fail fafely into the Road, or up the
Rivers, without any Danger of running a-ground,__or
ftriking on the Sands for want of Depth of Water. The
Tides, having been thus ferviceable, decreaſe, and give
the River a free Paffage through its Channel, and its In-
habitants the Opportunity of taking the Advantag: of its
proper Courſe.
-
Another Benefit which our wife Creator defigned
for Man, by thus exactly balancing the Motion of the
Waters, was to prevent their corrupting, and thereby
breeding any Infection that might arife from too long a
Stagnation of them. He has not therefore committed this
Truft to the uncertain Care of the Winds, which though
appointed to purify the Air we breathe, and to facilitate
the Productions of the Earth by the Diverfity of its
Impreffions and Influences; and though the Winds are
not leſs uſeful upon the Sea in tranſporting our Merchan-
dize with more Eafe and Expedition than the belt Horſes
could poffibly do by Land; yet, as their Blafts are very
uncertain, and oftentimes fucceeded by long Calms, which
would foon breed Putrefaction in the Sea, that great Re-
ceptacle into which all the Sinks and Drains of the Earth
diſcharge themſelves; God has therefore been pleafed to
fuperadd to thofe irregular and interrupted Purgations of
the Winds thefe diurnal Helps of the Flux and Reflux
of the Tides, on Purpoſe to prevent any Contagion or
Nuifance that would otherwife arife from fuch collected
G z
Im-
124
DIALOGUE XXII.
Impurities; by which Means, whatſoever Filth or Ordure
is carried by the Rivers into the Sea is fo far from ac-
cumulating or breeding any Infection, that by the per-
petual Motion of the Waters it is difperfed and attenuated,
and converted, by Evaporation from the Surface of the
Sea, into Dews and Rains, which are afterwards changed
into the Subſtance of Vegetables and the Fruits of the
Earth.
The Ufe of the
Saltnefs of the
Sea-Water.
"But to preſerve the Sea more effectually in a conſtant
State of Purity and Wholeſomeneſs, the
Flux and Reflux of the Tides are appoint-
ed to keep the Waters of it from one End
to the other in a continual Agitation;
thereby ftirring up the Salts it abounds with in fuch Plenty,
and which elfe would foon precipitate. Befides, ſhould
the Water on our Shore once lofe its Saltnefs, it would
ftink, and become abominable, and poifon all our Fiſh,
thereby depriving us of one of the moft "delicate and
bountiful Gifts of Nature.
Chevalier. I am all over Gratitude to our kind and
good Benefactor, who has thus carefully provided for our
Entertainment and Welfare. I have often heard People
pretend to explain the Caufe of the Saltneſs of the Sea;
and fome Perfons who have the Character of being
very profound Naturalifts, have afcribed it to fome Strata
or Beds of Salt in the Earth, which communicate under
Ground with the Sea, and are wafted away by little and
little, by the wafhing of the Waters. To hear theſe
Gentlemen's Philofophy, one would imagine that the Sea
becomes falt by mere Accident. As for my Part, I am
now convinced that it is fo by the ſpecial Order and Ap-
pointment of Providence; and I do not fee but that it is
full as ridiculous to aſk what gives Saltneſs to the Sea, as
what gives Light to the Sun. God has been pleaſed to
make the Sun a luminous Body, becauſe otherwiſe it
would have been uſeleſs to us; and God has therefore
falted the Waters of the Sea, becauſe otherwiſe, inſtead of
being ferviceable, they would really have proved injurious
and prejudicial to us.
Prior. I am tranfported to find that you have fo all on
a fadden hit uron the Truth of the Matter. However,
may not perhaps be diſagreeable to confirm you in
your
The SEA.
125
+
your Notion, by offering fome new Proofs to convince
you of the Reaſonablenefs of it. By the Confefſion of
thofe very Perfons, who attribute the Saltnefs of the Sea
to the Extremities of thofe Beds of Salt which the Water
is continually diluting, the Baſon of the Sea is allowed
to be one continued Surface of Earth; for under Water, aş
well as upon the Land, we find Eminences, Plains, and
Vallies, Beds of Rocks, Sand, and Earth; and, as upon
the Surface of the Land we yery feldom find the Ex-
tremities of any Salt Beds, fo neither can we ſuppoſe them
more frequent under Water; or, allowing them that they
may generally be met with in the deep Hollows and
Cavities under the Sea, yet it is certain that the extreme
Parts of theſe Strata do not conftitute the thouſandth
Part of the Surface of the Globe which is under Water;
and this is confirmed by the Soundings of Sailors, who,
upon haling in their Line, inftead of Salt, generally find
Sand, Mud, or Gravel, fticking on the Tallow which is at
the Bottom of the Plummet; nor is it to be imagined
that the Strata of Salt under Water bear a greater Pro-
portion to the other Strata there, than they do upon the
Land, which we are fure is not more than as one to
a thouſand; for in digging in the Earth we fhall always
find at leaſt a thoufand, if not a hundred thoufand Bufhels
of Earth for one of Salt. Now, by repeated Experiments
we know that two Pounds of Sea Water taken off the Sur-
face will contain one Ounce of Salt, or one thirty-fecond
Part of their Weight; if taken from the Bottom, will
generally yield fomewhat more: Now if the Salt that is
in the Sea is equal in Weight to one thirty-fecond Part of
the whole Mafs of Waters, I ask how the Extremities of
thoſe Strata or Salt-Bcds, which do not conftitute one
thouſandth Part of the Surface of the Sea's Vaſe, can pro-
duce a Mafs of Salt equal to a thirty-fecond Part of the
whole Mafs of Waters? Befides, we are daily conſuming
Part of theſe Salts, though we cannot perceive that the
Sea lofes any thing of its Saline Quality. How then does
it repair this continual Lofs? Does it take a Journey
under Ground in Queſt of freſh Recruits? If ſo, it muft,
in fo long a Series of Years, have quite exhaufted its
whole Magazine of Provifions, and long ago become quite
infipid. Upon the whole, therefore, it is a great Error
G 3
to
126
DIALOGUE XXII.
1
to aſcribe ſo conftant and general an Effect to fo accidental
and partial a Caufe as that of the Borders of Salt Beds, or
any Veins of it, running into the Sea; and which, if it
were fo, bear ſo ſmall a Proportion to the thirty-ſecond
Part of its whole collective Maſs of Waters.
God Almighty has been pleafed to give the Waters of
the Sea a viſcous and bituminous Quality, to the End that
it might diſcharge a glutinous Kind of Matter, which,
fettling on the Bottom, might ftop up the Pores of the
Earth, that the Water, inftead of penetrating and waſting
away the Earth, fhould not be able to diffolve or mix
with any Part of its Strata beneath. He has alſo made
the Water of the Sea falt, that it might always be pre-
ferved untainted, and fit for our Ufe; and we may venture
to pronounce of the Brackifhnefs of the Sea- Water, as of
the Fiſhes, to whofe Being and Support it is fo neceffary,
that the former was no more fortuitous and the Work
of Chance, than the Formation of the latter was merely
accidental. The fame Hand that formed the Fishes of the
Sea, did from the Beginning prepare for them an Ele-
ment fuitable to their Nature, and intermixed with it
thoſe Salts which are fo neceffary to their Preſervation.
But how amazing and numerous are the Defigns of Provi-
dence for our Good in all its Works! This Saltnefs of the
Sea, which we have already fhewed to be fo ferviceable to
us, both in keeping our Waters wholeſome and in
nourishing our Fish, is no lefs ferviceable to us upon
two other Accounts: Firft, the fmalleft Particles of Sea-
Salt are exhaled together with the Vapours, carried all
over the Earth, and become one of the grand Principles
of Vegetation. Secondly, thofe Grains of Salt that are
more grofs and heavy refift the Action of the Sun and Air
in rarifying the Waters, and thereby fix the Meaſure of
Evaporation; for the Particles of the Salt and the Wa-
ter, being blended and incorporated with each other, are
neither fo eaſily nor fo quickly feparated; and the more
theſe faline Particles are that obftruct the rarifying Power
of the Heat and the Air, the fewer Aqueous Particles
are raised by them in Vapours. It is the Salt therefore
which (by making the Water fpecifically heavier) mo-
derates the Quantity of exhaled Vapours, and confe-
quently to it we are obliged for that juft Proportion of
frefa
The
127
SE A.
1
freſh Water which the Sun caufes to evaporate from the
Sea for our Ufe; for were it not for the Refiftance it meets
with from theſe Particles of Salt, it would raiſe from the
Sea a Quantity of Vapours fufficient to drown the Earth,
inftead of making it fruitful.
After fuch valuable, conftant, and univerfal Advantages
which we receive from the Salt of the Sea-Water, one
would be apt to think we had enumerated all the Vir-
tues of it; whereas I have not yet fpoken of the principal
Uſe it is of to us. Salt makes one chief Ingredient in
every Thing we eat, and fo tempers and proportions our
Food to our Conftitutions, as to make it nouriſhing and
wholeſome; and, left we ſhould be deceived herein, our
Taſte has a diſtinguiſhing Faculty, to know in what Pro-
portion it is good and proper for us by the Degree of
that Savour with which the Salt relifhes it: Let us not
fay then, that, becauſe the Sea affords us Salt, there-
fore Mankind took a Fancy to eat it with their Meat;.
but rather, that the Reafon of the Sea's producing it
in fuch Plenty, is our ftanding fo conftantly in Need of
it.
▼
Let us therefore conclude, that the Sea was not at first
created freſh, and afterwards changed from its natural
State by a fortuitous Rencounter of fome Salt Mines; but.
that He, who formed Man to live upon the Earth, has
furrounded his Habitation with this falt Element, on Pur
pofe to anſwer his neceffary Occafions. And in this, as
well as in every other Work of the Creation, we may
difcern how every Part of Nature, under the Direction of
the all-wife Providence of God, does concur, as it were
with one common Confent, to promote the Happineſs of
Mankind. How wretched a Philofophy then muſt theirs
be, who, at the fame time that they are purſuing the
Study of Nature, overlook the gracious Defigns of Provi
dence fo vifibly difplayed therein! and fuch is the Philo
fophy of thofe, who, instead of referring to God's Wif-
dom and kind Regard for our Good, thoſe beneficial Eeffects
which continually furround us, afcribe them to neceffary
and undefigning Caufes, or call them the Productions of
blind Chance.
G4
Here
1
}
XXII.
128
DIALOGUE
Here are other Pieces that prefent us with the Sea in a
new Point of View, wherein the Painter has flung together
every thing that relates to Navigation and Shipping.
!
Picture IV. The
Structure of
Ships.
'The firft of thefe is a Reprefentation of the
Arfenal at Rochfort, where you may fee
every Particular that belongs to the Fa-
brick of the largeſt Men of War and of
Merchant Ships of all Sorts and Sizes.
That which you fee them beginning to build upon thoſe
Stocks, is at prefent but one long Keel, which runs from
Head to Stern, and is to keep together the Bottom Part of
the Ship. Upon thofe other Stocks, you fee the Keel fet
with two Rows of Ribs or crooked Rafters, which come
bending from the Keel like the two Rows of Ribs from
the Back-bone in the human Body. This is properly the
Shell or Carcaſe of the Ship. You fee there another,
whofe Ribs are covered over with ftrong Planks, and which
they are now going to launch. They have raifed her Stern
high, that her Head may lie ftooping towards the Sea, and
more eaſily ſlide upon its Keel along the wooden Trench
which enclofes it on each Side, and lies floping down to
the Water. This Inclination of the Ship the Tallow
with which they greafe the Cradle it runs in, the Force
with which Men pull it along by Ropes that are fattened
to it, together with its own prodigious Weight, all con-
fpire to give it a rapid, though fteady, Motion down into
the Water. At prefent you fee it holden back by a
ftrong Cable faſtened at one End to the Steerage, and at
the other to a Stake driven into the Ground; which the
Carpenter, at the Word of Command, has no fooner cut
afunder with his Hatchet, than the Ship ſhoots like Light-
ning into the Water, and ploughs up the Waves with her
* Prow: Then finking † a-baft, fhe rears her Head again,
and recovers her Equilibrium.
Here are fome other Ships that are quite finiſhed, and
which they are now fitting out. You ſee here all the
Mafts ftanding erect, and the Yard Arms, to which the
Sails are faftened. As for the Number and Ufe of the
*The Fore-part of a Ship.
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The S.E A.
129
Ropes, Cables, Pullies, Platforms, Flags, Anchors, Cap:
ſtain, and of the other Parts of the Rigging; theſe are
things one would be ashamed to be ignorant of, both be-
cauſe they are-often mentioned, and eafily underſtood: I
will therefore give you a Catalogue of them, as I took it
from the Mouth of a very expert Sea-Officer, when we had-'
all theſe things before us.
Chevalier. There will be Work enough cut out for me
againſt I make that Vifit to the Sea which you promiſed me..
But pray, what means that large Roll or Draught which fe→
veral People feem looking upon fo attentively?
Prior. As the Painter could not poffibly deſcribe the In-
fide of a Ship, he has therefore placed here an Engineer
giving Directions to a Mafter Carpenter relating to the
Dimenſions of all the Parts, both within and without,"
of a large Ship that he has Orders to build; you ſee the
Draught there, which being a Reprefentation of but one
half of the Ship, you may difcover the Infide of it. For
Example, that large Space you fee there is the Hold, and
thoſe three Stories above it are the Decks. The Hold is
where they lay in Stones, Sand, and other Kind of pon-
derous Matter, to ferve by way of Ballaſt, and to keep the
Ship ſteady; what remains of the Hold and between Decks,
ferves for the Stowage of fuch Goods and Merchandize as
the Veffel is freighted with. The Guns are placed upon
the Decks, and put through the Port-Holes.
Chevalier. Pray, why have they laid that Veffel on its
Side? The People feem to me to be colouring it.
Prior. The Work they are about is called careening.
a Ship, or laying it in fuch a Pofition, that they may come
at her Keel, which is that long Piece of Wood at the
Bottom that reaches on the Outfide from Head to Stern.
And this they do either out of Neceffity, or by way of
Precaution, either to ftop her Leaks, or to prevent her
having any their Way of doing this is by covering thoſe
Places that let in the Water with Pieces of Wood, or Plates^-
of Lead, and then caulking the Seams and Joinings; that
is, ramming them hard with Tow dipped in Tallow and
Tar. But the chief Method they ufe to prevent the "
Water's foaking through, is by befmearing the Outfide of
the Bottom of the Ship carefully over with a Compo- ›
fition
G5.
130
DIALOGUE XXII.
fition of Pitch, Tallow, Train-Oil, and pulverized
Glafs.
Chevalier. I can eaſily conceive how thoſe unctuous Bo-
dies, well mixed and tempered together, can keep out the
Water, and preferve the Wood from Putrefaction; but
pray, what Uſe can the pulverized Glaſs be of?
The Pipe-
Worm.
Prior. This is one of the wifeft Precautions they
can make Uie of to prevent the Worms from eating
into the Wood, and thereby giving Ad-
mittance to the Water through a thou-
fand little imperceptible Avenues. There
is a very dangerous Sort of thefe Worms,
that gnaw their Way into the Wood, and feed upon it,
taking up their Lodging in it a little below the Surface
of the Water, probably to enjoy the Benefit both of
the Water and the Air. This Worm having bored for
itſelf a Habitation in the very Heart of the ftouteft Planks,
glues round its Body a long Pipe, which probably con-
fifts of a viſcous Subftance that perfpires through it, and
this Caſe dries and hardens round it The Worm lengthens
this Pipe as it grows, by the Addition of new Rings, but
leaves it open at the Extremities, whilft the Body of it
fills the intermediate Space. The upper End is filled with
the Head of the Worm, that next to the Water with two
broad Paws, in the Form of Wings, which are joined to
the Tail of it. Its Head is armed with two Teeth like
Files, with which it rafps the Wood that it feeds upon :
The little Aperture below, which is the only Communica-
tion that opens outwards, fupplies it with Water as Occa-
fion requires, and ferves as an Outlet, through which to
diſcharge the Wood it has fed upon, after Digeftion. Thus
it lives, and without ftirring from its Hole ingenders a
Brood of Infects like itſelf, that would in a little Time dig
the Ship as full of Holes as a Honey-comb, were they not
frequently to befmear it over with Tar and beaten Glaſs,
when they lie in a Road or Harbour, in order to lace-
rate the Mouths and Entrails of fuch young Worms as
have not bored their Way into the Wood, and to kill the
others in their Nefts, by fhutting them up clofe Priſoners.
They find themfelves under a Neceffity of repeating this
Precaution often; otherwiſe theſe indefatigable and un-
dermining
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The SE A.
131
dermining Infects would foon punish them for their Negli
gence, feeing the moft careful and watchful Mariners
have fometimes enough to do to keep themfelves clear of
them. Thus we ſee how thoſe formidable floating Caſtles,
that carry whole Armies, and belch out Fire and Smoke on
every Side, feeming at once both the Glory and Safeguard
of Kingdoms, are in Danger of perifhing by the Bite of a
little infignificant Animal; we fee how fo mean a Creature
as a Worm, in the Hand of God, is a fufficient Inftrument
to let Men fee the Weakneſs of all their boafted Strength.
Theſe Worms have more than once alarmed one of the most
flouriſhing Republicks in Europe with terrible Apprehen-
fions.
**
Let us now caft an Eye towards the Extremity of the
Port, where they are employed in lading a Veffel. You-
fee the Wharf all covered with Merchandiſe, which, when
packed up with Art and Skill, will all lie in the little Com--
paſs of that Veffel.
•
The Burden of a
Ship..
Chevalier. Pray, what may be the Burden of a great Ship?
Prior. The Burden of a Ship is reckoned
by the Ton; a Ton contains twenty Quin-
tals, and every Quintal a hundred Pounds
Weight, confequently a Ton is the Weight
of two thouſand Pounds. Ships are of different Shapes
and Sizes; fome are not above forty or fifty Feet long,.
fifteen or fixteen broad, and nine or ten Feet deep; others
there are near two hundred Feet long, thirty or forty in>
Breadth, and fifteen or fixteen Feet deep. The fmaller
Veffels, befides five or fix Sailors, Rigging, Proviſion and.
Guns, will carry about fifteen or fixteen Ton of Goods.
Thofe of a middle Size, will carry two or three hundred
Ton; and the largeſt of all, five hundred or more, that is
to fay, five hundred times two thouſand or one million of
Pounds.
Chevalier. By the Side of that Ship that~
they are lading, there lies one built in a
quite different Form from the reſt. The
A Galleys.
fmaller Veffels, I obferve, have. but one Maft, and one
Yard-Arm; the larger Ships have feveral Mafts, and are
*The States of Holland, who were put in Fear not long ago, of
having their Dikes deftroyed by thefe Worms.
G.6.
high
?
132
XII.
DIALOGUE
high built; but this here is quite flat, and has, befides its
Mafts and Sails, fomething like two large Wings, the
Uſe of which I cannot apprehend.
Prior. The Veffel you fee there is a Galley, which goes
either with Sails or Oars: thofe that you call Wings, are
nothing more than two Rows of long flat Pieces of Wood,
which the Galley-flaves keep fufpended in the Air when
the Veffel fails, and which they let down into the Water,
and move to and fro in the Water in Concert, when they
are becalmed, or have the Wind againſt them. The Han-
dle of the Oar is round, and comes within the Galley; the
other End, which is in the Water, is flat and broad. The
Rowers take hold of the Handle, and pulling it towards
them with all their Might, give the broad End of the Oar
a contrary Motion; which, meeting with a Refiftance from
the Water, becomes, as it were, a Lever pafhing on the
Veffel in a contrary Direction. Thefe Galleys are only
ufed in the Mediterranean, and feldom feen in any other of
cur Sea Ports.
Let us now proceed to take a curfory View of the
other Pictures. The next that you fee there is a Repre-
fentation of the principal Accidents that Mariners are fub-
ject to.
Pictore V. Cala-
mities incident to
Mariners.
Of the four Ships that you behold upon
this Sea, two of them are defcribed as
engaged in a Sea-Fight, one is a Chriftian
Veffel, defending itſelf against a Sale
Privateer; but the Smoak of their Cannon hinders us
from having a diftin&t Sight of them; befides the Paint-
er has prudently removed an Object fo fhocking and dif
graceful to human Nature, to the moft diftant Point of
View. On the other Hand, he has placed directly before
us two Ships, fhewing a quite contrary Difpofition to each
other: The one, as you may know by her Colours, is an
English Ship, that has been driven out to Sea by adverſe
Winds, and has confumed all its Provifion; you ſee all
the Crew drooping, and juft ready to die with Hunger;
but, at the Sight of two French Ships coming up to them,
to which they make a Signal of Diftrefs by firing a Gun,
you fee Deſpair vanishing from every Face, and Hope and
Joy brightening up in each Man's Countenance. The
Arenchman, having computed what Provifion he could fpare,
and
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A Galley under Sail.
C.
Toms feulp.
Plate 14 Vol. III page 132
Plate 15 Fôt.I page 132.
-
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Galley on her Oars.
Tone jõulje
Plate 16 1ôl. III page 132
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Toms fulp.
A Galley at Ancher.
1
The SE A.
133
and what was neceffary for his Voyage, freely confents to
relieve their Diftrefs, and to reſcue them from the Jaws of
Famine. See with what Readineſs and Vivacity the cha-
ritable Frenchmen run from Deck to Deck with neceffary
Refreshments; but, above all, take Notice with what
Tenderness and Compaffion they adminiſter Comfort and
Confolation to thofe that are more than ordinary fick and
weak, whilft they, fixing their Eyes upon their generous
Benefactors, feem wholly taken up with expreffing the-
Senfe of their Obligation, by all poffible Demonftrations of
Gratitude.
Had not the Painter been confined to too narrow a -Com-
paſs, and obliged to proportion the Number of Pictures.
to the Extent of the Gallery, he would have added to theſe
feveral other Difaflers that Mariners are expofed to on the
Sea, as running a-ground on the Shallows, ftriking on
Rocks or Sands, that of a Leak, when the Ship takes in
more Water than her Pumps can carry off, or when a Ship
is by any Accident ſet on Fire.
Having thus touched on the principal Mifchances that
are incident to Sailors, let us pafs on to thofe Pictures that
were defigned to give us a Notion of Commerce, by a Re-
prefentation of fome of thoſe Parts of the World that are
most frequented by Merchants, and where the greateſt Traf-
fick is carried on.
Picture VI. The
Galeons, and
Fair of Porto
Beilo.
In the firſt Place you are prefented with
the grand Fair at Porto Bello, fituated on
the Shore of the Ifthmus, that unites North
and South-America. Upon the Arrival of
the Merchant-Ships and the Galeons that
convoy them, this little Town is for fix Weeks the great-
eft Mart in the World, by reafon of the vaft Concourfe of
Traders from all the neighbouring Nations, that come thi-
ther to barter their Commodities for thofe of the European
Merchants.
At the Bottom of the Picture, you may obferve a long
File of two thouſand Mules, that have brought, across an
Ifthmus feventeen Leagues broad, to Porto Bello, all the
rich Merchandize imported from Panama to Chili, Peru
and Mexico. You fee the Port and all the Wharfs crowded
with Chefts, Cafks, and Bales of Skins, Tobacco, Sugar,
Indigo, Cochineal, and numberless other Drugs: Up and
down
134. DIALOGUE
XXII.
down lie Wedges of Gold and Bars of Silver, waiting the
coming of the proper Officer that is appointed to weigh
them, as little regarded, and in as great Diſorder, as Pigs
of Lead in our common Warehouſes.
M
The Galeons, after having taken in their Cargo, get
ready to join another Fleet at the Havannah, which comes
laden with as great Quantities of Goods from Vera Cruz:
Then the two Fleets fail together back to Cadiz, fraught
with thoſe immenfe Treaſures which the Spaniards after-
wards divide out, with ftrict Honour and Justice, to the
other European Nations, who before ſtocked them with
Linens, Hats, Stuffs, and fuch other Commodities as they
trade with to their American Colonies..
Picture VII,
The next Picture is a Reprefentation of
that ftrange Sort of Commerce that the,
The Traffick of Negroes on the western Coafts of Africa.
Negroes,
carry on with the Europeans, felling for
Slaves, not only their Prifoners of War,
but even their own Children.
The Profpect of this Picture is terminated by a View
on the Coast of Angola, where, though they barter Gold-
Duft, Gums, Elephants Teeth, Oftrich Feathers, Guinea
Hens, Leopards Skins, and feveral Sorts of Hides, in Ex-
change for Iron Ware, Glafs Toys, and other European
Trinkets of little Value, yet the chief Commodity of the
Place are Negroes, which they fell to the Merchants that
come here to buy them for the American Plantations, .
where they employ them in Hufbandry. Obferve in that
Groupe of Figures, a Mother in a very unconcerned Man-
ner, delivering up her Daughter to a Stranger for a few
white Shells, called Cowries, which is the current Money
of that Country, and of which the Negro-Women make
themſelves Collars and Bracelets, to give a more fable Hue
to their footy Complexions. Near this unnatural Mother
are two Lads felling their own Father, whom they had
furprized and bound with Cords; the Price they receive
for him, is fome Hedging-Bills, and a few Bottles of
Brandy.
Chevalier. This is a moft fhocking Spectacle, though,
to confefs the Truth, I muft needs own, that my Indigna-
tion is not lefs raifed at the Inhumanity of the European
Purchafers,
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135
1
Purchaſers, than at the unnatural Barbarity of the Sell-
ers.
Prior. Let us pafs on then to a more a-
greeable Sight. This is the Market of Picture VIII.
Surat, the greateft Emporium of the Mogul, The Market of
and of almoft all India befides, frequented
by the greateſt Concourfe of People of
Surat,
different Nations, and where is carried on the greateft
Trade for Jewels, Silks, Cotton, Tapeſtry, rich Stuffs and
Spices.
Chevalier. This Picture does indeed difplay Magnificence
and Opulence in great Variety; but here is another that
wears a quite different Afpect. Pray who
Picture IX. The
are theſe People that feem clad like Bears?
Their Figure, and their Mountains covered Greenland Trade..
with Snow together, make me almoſt ſhud-
der with Cold.
Prtor. Their Manner of Trading is not lefs fallen, thạn
their Figure is frightful. Thefe are Greenlanders exchang-
ing fome Sea-Dog and Sea Calf Skins, the Teeth of cer-
tain Fifhes highly valued for their exceeding Whiteness,
and Whale-Greafe, and Oil, for Commodities which fome
Danish Fishermen have brought to barter with them.
And all this Negociation is tranfacted without the Uſe of
Speech. The Greenlanders lay together in a Heap what
they have a mind to fell, and the Danes make another of
the Goods they are difpofed to exchange for it: If the for-
mer do not think the Parcel of the latter equivalent to
theirs, they take away Part from their own Heap; thus
when, by diminiſhing or augmenting their Heap on either
Side, they have fo. far adjusted this Agreement, that both
Parties are content, they then carry off their Bargains with-
out ſpeaking a Word; the Dane retires to his Ship, and the
Greenlander to his Den.
All thefe Pieces that are Reprefentations of Commerce,
are bounded by the Port of Amfterdam,
which one may call the Rendezvous of all
Nations, and in ſome Senſe the Centre of
the Commerce of all Parts of the World.
Picture X. The
Port of Amfter-
dam.
Chevalier. Amidft this vaft, though agreeable Variety
of Objects, nothing pleafes me fo much as the different
Airs and Habits of the different Nations.
1
Priors
136 DIALOGUE XXII
>
Prior. The Painter has fhewn a great deal of Skill in
matching them; here he has giver us the oppofite Dreffes
of the Spaniard and the Arminian: There you ſee the
Hat and the Turbant together; in another Place he has
fet off the graceful Mein and Appearance of a young No.
bleman upon his Travels, by fhewing him as talking to a
clownish Sailor. You may diftinguish the Chineſe by his
tawny Complexion, the Arabian by his Wainfot Face,
and the African by his flat Nofe; in a word, you may
know, by their different Airs, Dreffes, and Complexions,
all the People of the World that trade in this great
Town.
1
Chevalier. I have heard it afferted, that there go out
from this Port every Year, about three thouſand Veffels, be-
fides Fishing Barks.
Prior. And yet for all this, the ſeven little Provinces,
of which this is the Capital, are not, all taken together,
bigger than the Province of Normandy, and the Land not
one fourth Part fo good; but,. notwithstanding, Naviga-
tion and Induſtry have rendered this Republic as con-
fiderable for Trade, as any Empire or Kingdom in
Europe.
Chevalier. I always heretofore looked upon. the Sea,
as a Boundary appointed by God for the Divifion and Se-
paration. of Nations; but the fingle Inftance of Holland
now convinces me, that it was defigned as an Expedient
to unite and bring them together; and that God has here-
by been pleafed to make every particular Country amends
for what it does not produce, by contriving fo eaſy a Way
of conveying their refpective. Commodities to each other,
which, without fuch a Conveyance, would have been en-.
tirely impracticable.
What then could Horace * mean by thofe Réflexions
which he has caft upon the Man that firſt invented the Art
of Navigation? The Poet looked upon theſe. Tracts of
Water that divide one Country from another, as fo many
* Illi Robur &. Æs triplex,
Circa Pectus erat, qui fragilem truci
Commifit Pelago Ratem
Primus, &c.
Trenches
{
The SEA.
137
Trenches cut out on Purpofe by the Hand of God *, to
prevent any Communication betwixt them, and thought it
a Piece of Impiety for him to prefume to paſs over theſe
Bounds.
Prior. Horace did not know that it was God himſelf
who first taught Mankind the Art of Navigation: Befides,
we are to confider, that when he wrote this Ode, he was
in a peeviſh Humour, and was juſt come from attending
his Friend Virgil to the Port, who was going to embark
for Greece; and, after a thouſand tender Wiſhes and part-
ing Sighs, he gave Vent to his Chagrin, by abufing the
Author of that Invention, by which he was now fepa-
rated from ſo excellent a Friend. One is fometimes out of
Humour upon more frivolous Occaſions; and when we are
in a fretful Mood, you know, we are apt to attend to the
Dictates of Paffion more than thofe of Reaſon.
But after having taken a Survey of the external Parts
of the Sea, it is time to defcend a little into the Bofom
of the Deep, and to take a View of its Inhabitants. We
did fome time ago entertain ourſelves with the Contem-
plation of fome of thofe wonderful Methods, by which
the Providence of God does preferve, in Places to all Ap-
pearance quite barren, an inconceivable Number of Ani-
mals, and uſeful Productions: Let us now make uſe of
the prefent Opportunity, which theſe Pictures afford us, in
admiring the fame wonderful Defigns of that Providence
in the Formation of fome of the moſt remarkable Animals
that have their Habitation in the Sea.
theſe Pieces is a Repreſentation of the fa-
mous Greenland Fishery. The Harpoon,
or fort of Javelin, which you fee the Fi-
fherman in the Middle going to throw,
was by the Painter very judiciouſly mark-
ed out into fix equal Spaces, which are to reprefent fo
many Feet; the laſt of theſe Dimenfions is again fubdivided
into twelve equal Spaces or Inches, to the End that by
the Affiftance of this Scale we may be able to take the
*
Nequicquam Deus abfcidit
Prudens Oceano diffociabili
Terras, fi tamen impia
Nen tangenda Rates tranfiliunt Vada.
The first of
Picture XI.
Fishes of the
larger Size.
Carm. Lib. I. Ode, Sic te Diva, &c.
exact
138
XXII.
DIALOGUE
exact Length of the Fishes, and to know the Proportion
they bear to one another.
The Whale
Balana,
Cetus Getum.
The Ork,
Orca.
The Whirl-pool
or Grampus,
Phyfeter.
The largeſt of all is the Whale, which,
inflead of Teeth, has a fort of Tuſhes
growing within his Jaws, fometimes fif-
teen Feet long, coming from the Roof of
the Mouth, and ending in a fort of Fringe
refembling the Briftles of a Hog. I need not tell you
what ufe is made of thefe Excrefences, which are both
fo limber and fo ftrong. Thofe other great Fiſhes that
you fee there, as the Ork, the Grampus,
or Whirl-Pool, the Scolopender, the Mo-
noceros, and perhaps feveral more be-
fides thefe, are all of the cataceous Kind,
and are included under the common
Name of Whale, and are equally reputed
for their Oil. Their Mouths are armed
with fharp Teeth, and they have on
TheScolopender, their Heads one or two Pipes, through
which they spout out the Water they
take in. This Office in other Fiſhes is
performed by that kind of Lungs which
in French we call, though improperly,
Les Ouiest. Divers of them diſcharge the Water they
fwallow in eating, through feveral Holes ranged on
each Side, a little below the Head: as you may remark
in all the Sea-Dogs placed here in a Row one after ano-
ther; you may know them by the Roughness of their
Skins, and their Mouths being more inclined downwards.
Scolopendra.
Unicorn-Whale,
• Monoceros.
The Balance-
Fish.
Zygenia.
Dolphin,
Delphinus.
The Porpoife,
Porcus marinus,
or. Phocæna.
Of theſe the Balance-Fifh has the oddeft
Shape. In fome Countries they eat the
Flesh of all theſe Fiſhes, as well as that
of the Dolphin and Porpoife, or Sea-Hog,
though it is very oily and rank. The
Dolphin is diftinguiſhed by that hollow
or finking-in betwixt the Snout and the
Top of his Head; the Porpoife has a
rounder Head. Theſe are feldom above
*Of thefe is made what we call Whale-bone.
+ This Word Ouies (in English, Gills) comes from the Verb Ouir to
hear, and implies that thefe are the Organs of hearing in Fishes, though.
falfely. See p. 640.
four.
The
139
SE A.
four or five Feet long. The Fat and Fleſh
of the Sea-Calf are ftill much more va-
lued: You fee it yonder running on the
Rocks upon the Coaft; as is alſo that of
The Seal, or
Sea-Calf,
Phoca.
the Sea-Cow, called in French, Lamentin, by reafon of its
Bellowing.
Chevalier. It feems then that thefe are amphibious.
Creatures. The Sea-Cow has two Feet
The Sea-Cow,
or Lamentin..
formed in the Shape of Hands, and the
Sea-Calf has four, the Extremities of which
are like Fins; I fuppofe to enable it to
go backwards and forwards on the Land, as well as in the
Water: But pray, what do you call that Fish that fuf-
pends, or rather hooks itfelf to the Rock with two large
Teeth, which bend back towards its Breaft in the Form of
Tenter hooks?
Prior, This is a Sort of Sea Calf, on
which Nature has beſtowed the Inftru-
beſtowed the Inftru- The Walruis.
ments to enable it to climb up upon
floating Flakes of Ice, or upon the Land, it being ne-
ceffitated every now and then, as well as Otters, Caltors,
Tortoifes, and all other amphibious Animals, to quit
the Water, and feek a Retreat in the open Air, to enjoy
the Benefit of a freer Reſpiration. This is the Fiſh that
is called a Walruis, the Teeth of which are more valued
than Ivory, by reafon of their extreme Whitenefs. I re-
member that I formerly * ſpoke of the Walruis and Nar-
val as one Fiſh † ; but the Narval § or Sea-Unicorn, is a
little Whale armed with one Horn five or
fix Feet, fometimes feveral Yards in length. The Narval.
You are fufficiently acquainted with this
Creature, and need not be told of what Advantage this.
Weapon is to it in its Engagements with Whales of the
moſt enormous Size.
Chevalier. Here are two other Fishes, methinks, ftill
more terrible than the former. I remember to have ſeen
* Vol. I. Part 2.
+ Relying on the Teftimony of Mr. Savory, Dict. de Com.
Vid. Mulæum Wormain, p. 282. Johnlon. Tab. 44. P. 227.
of
140
DIALOGUE XXII.
The Sword-
Fish,
Xiphias.
of them before in the Cabinets of the
Curious. One is called the Sword-Fish,
from having its upper Jaw lengthened
into a long fharp Sword, with which it
fometimes pierces the Ships; and though
it is never above fifteen or fixteen Feet long, yet, thus
armed, it dares give Battle to the Whale itſelf. The
The Saw-Fish,
Priftes, Serra.
See the Frontif-
piece to Vol. 1.
other is called the Saw-Fifh, from carry-
ing in its upper Jaw a long Bone like a
Blade, fet on each Side with a Row of
fharp Teeth, with which it cuts the Fiſhes
it purſues, or thoſe that purſue it. But
I don't know the Name of that Fish, which feems fo
remarkable for its Length, and the Fury with which it
gnaws the End of the Bark that is come to attack it.
The Shark,
Canis Charcarias,
Lupus, Galerius
Canis.
Prior. It is the Shark, the most terri-
ble of all the Sea-Dogs. It has in each
Jaw five, and fometimes fix Rows of tri-
angular, indented, and very fharp Teeth.
It has a very long Gullet, and in the Belly
of it are oftentimes found the Bodies of Men half-eaten,
fometimes whole and entire. It is covered with a rough,
but clofe-grained Skin, with which the Trunk and Cafe-
Makers cover a great many forts of Boxes and Sheaths.
They make the fame Ufe of the Skins of fome other Sea-
Dogs, and alſo a certain Sort of Rays or Thornbacks.
Chevalier. I always looked upon the Accounts that are
given us of Flying Fishes as mere Fables; but I fee ſeve-
ral here that fpring up into the Air, and feem to expand.
a Couple of Wings.
The Sea-Bat,
Hirundo mari-
tima.
Prior. There are indeed feveral, which,.
when purſued by the larger Fiſhes, make
their Elcape into the Air by the Aſſiſtance.
of their long Fins, with which they wing
their Way till they become dry, when, not
being able to fupport them any longer, they let them
drop again into the Sea. There are alfo fome very large
Fifles, that, being ftung by certain Sea-Infects, dart out of
the Water, and fometimes chance to fall into the Fiſhing-
Boats.
Next
The SE A.
141
a
Picture XII.
Fishes of Paffage.
The Tunny,
Thunnus.
The Whiting,
Alburnus.
The Herring,
Halec.
Scombrus.
The Cod,
Afellus.
The Stock-Fiſh,
Salpa.
Next to the Fishery of theſe gigantick Fiſhes, and of
feveral others, that vary according to the
different Seas they are in, you are here
entertained with a very particular and
agreeable Repreſentation of every thing
relating to the Manner of fiſhing for the
Tunny, the Pilchard, the Whiting, the
Herring, the Mackrel, the Cod, and the
Stock-Fiſh. The Melvil, which is a Sort
of little Cod, is called in Dutch, Stock-
Fiſh, or Stick-Fiſh, becauſe that after it
has been dried, it muſt be beaten, in order
to make it tender and eatable. The Right
of catching theſe Fiſh brings in to The Mackrel,
thoſe People to whom it does belong,
greater and more certain Revenue than
the Mines in Peru; for theſe may be
exhaufted, but the Banks of Newfound-
land alone do and will always continue to
bring in to the Proprietors of that Fishery,
a Revenue of ſeveral Millions per Annum.
Several Nations in the North, where the quick Return of
the Froits fometimes nips their Fruits before they come-
to Maturity, find a fure Refuge in thoſe Shoals of fmall
Cod, Whitings, and other Fifh that frequent their Coafts.
Theſe they dry, and keep by them a whole Year; and
fometimes they pulverize them, and make
a Sort of Bread of them, thereby re-
pairing the Damage they fuftain by the
Lofs of their Harveſt. In feveral Parts
of the Torrid Zone, the People who live on the fandy
Coaſts (being deftitute of Wood and all Kinds of Ve-
getables) build their Houſes with the Bones of large
Fishes; the biggeſt they uſe by way of Beams and Joifts,
with the leffer Bones they build their Walls and Parti-
tions; of the Fleſh they make Bread, and fundry Sorts of
Diſhes. So bountiful has Nature been to Man, that,
wherever ſhe has denied him one Convenience, fhe is fure
to make him Amends by the Gift of another!
Here you fee a Picture of a different
Kind, but which comes in very à propos
after Fishing-Pieces. It reprefents a large
The Icthyopha-
gi, or Fiſh-
Eaters.
Picture XIII
Kitchen
1.42
XXII.
DIALOGUE
Kitchen furniſhed with a great Variety of the moſt deli-
cate Fiſhes for a fumptuous Entertainment; and that all
Palates might be pleafed, they have provided likewife
fome of the common Sort. The Fiſh that firft ftrikes
the Eye, by reaſon of the Largenefs of its Size, and
The Sturgeon,
Sturio, or Aci-
penfer.
The Turbot,
Rhombus.
The Plaife,
Poffer-levis.
The Bret-Fish,
Paffer Squamofus.
which will be the Flower of the Feaft, as
the Sturgeon; next to which is a fine
Turbot, a Fiſh of fo exquifite a Taſte, that
it is called the Pheafant of the Water.
This is fucceeded by fome other flat Fiſh
refembling the Figure of a Lozenge,
fome of which have no Scales, as Floun-
ders, that are. dappled with reddiſh Spots,"
and the Plaife, which is generally big-
ger; others are covered with little Scales,
as the Bret-Fish, the Flez * and the Hel-
but t Thefe are followed by feveral
ተ።
Pairs of Soles, which, for the Variety
of their Kinds and their delicious Tafte,
may take Place of any Fish that ſwims.
All thofe that we have named after the
Turbut, are white on the under Side, but the upper Side
of them is of a darkish grey Colour, the better to re-
femble the Colour of the Mud in which they conceal
themſelves. You readily, I don't doubt, perceive the
Reafon why Nature, which to all other Fishes has given
an Eye on each Side, has in theſe placed both the Eyes, on
cne Side.
The Sole,
Lingualaca.
Chevalier. The Reaſon is plain; for as they fwim but
very little, and that always with their white Side down-
wards, the oppofite Side muft be the moft convenient Si-
tuation for both their Eyes.
The Thorn-
back,
Raia.
Prior. Here are feveral Sorts of Thorn-
backs, which are all more or leſs ftud-
ded with little fharp-pointed Bones. The
moſt eſteemed of them are thoſe that
have fharp Prickles fticking up in the
Middle of their Backs, on a Sort of very hard Buttons;
whence they are properly termed Thornbacks.
*Flefus Bellonii; Vid. Raii Synop. Method. Pifcium, p. 32.
+ Vid. Gefner. de Aquatil. p. 666. Edit. Francof. 1620.
Hard
by
Plate 19 Fot. III page 142
B
}
S
Thornbacks &c.
५१.
W 4
Tome fulp
D
G
The SE A.
143
.
The
by theſe you fee a Cramp Fiſh, and
a Fork-Fish, both which many People
miſtake for a fort of Thornbacks.
Cramp-Fish is endued with a very re-
markable Quality, which is, that it be-
The Cramp-
Fish,
Torpedo.
numbs all on a fudden whatever Fish it attacks, and the
Arm of the Fiſherman that takes hold of it; by which
means it both makes its Eſcape and ſe-
cures its Prey. The Puffin, or Fork-Fish,
is armed with a ſtrong ſharp Sting: Both
the one and the other of theſe Fiſhes
are good Eating, notwithſtanding the ill
Name that the Prejudice of fome People have faftened on
them.
The Puffin, or
Fork-Fith,
Paftinaca.
Vid. L'Emeri.
The Thornback, like the Whale, the Sea-Dog, the
Porpoife, or Sea Hog, the Dolphin, and fome others, is
viviparous; that is, do not lay Eggs or Spawn, but brings
forth one or two young ones, which the Mother fuckles and
nurſes with great Care.
Next to the different Species of Thornbacks, we are
prefented with feveral Kinds of Sea-Eels, the chief of
which are the Mourene which have
The Mourene,
Muræna,
The Lamprey,
The Sea-Ser-
pent,
but two Holes beneath its Gills; the
Lamprey, which has fourteen, as alfo
the River Lamprey or Lampern; the
Sea-Serpent, which has a very rich Tafte; Lampetra.
the Ophidion, or Sea-Eel-Powt; the Con-
ger, with its two Fins reſembling the Sea-
Serpent, and the Freſh-water Eel, and the
Needle-Fish. Amidſt that vaft Variety
of other Fifhes, that do more or lefs par-
take of the Nature of the Eel, we will
content ourſelves with taking Notice
only of the Quaviver, or Sea-Dragon.
The Flesh of this Animal is much ad-
Serpens marinus.
The Sea-Eel-
Powt.
Ophidion.
The Conger.
Congrus.
* Mr. Ray, in his critical Remarks on the Nomenclator, fays, that
the Lamprey has been, by Miftake, called Muræna; whereas the Mu-
ræna is a quite different Fish, common in the Mediterranean Sea, and
called at this Day Mourene. Yet Rondeletius (adds Mr. Ray) will have
it to be the Muræna fluviatilis of Athenæus; however, it must by no
means be called fimply Murana, without the diflinguiſhing Epithet of
Fluviatilis.
mired
144 -
DIALOGUE XXII.
५
The Needle-
Filh,
Acus.
The Quaviver,
or Sea-Dragon,
Draco marinus.
mired. It has upon its Back pointed
Bones, the Prick of which is very dange-
rous, even after it is dead, and fometimes
feverely puniſhes the heedlefs Cook for his
Careleffnefs; but, after it has been a little
while on the Fire, it lofes that Venom
which makes the Wound to feſter, and fo
hard to heal.
Chevalier. Sure the Defign of this Feaft was to en-
tertain the Guests with the odd Shapes of the Fiſhes,
as well as the great Number of Difhes; for here are
fome of the ftrangeft-made Creatures that ever I be
held.
The Sun-Fish,
Orbis, Luna,
Pifces.
Raii Synop.
Method.
Pifcium, P. 51.
The Cuttle-
Fish,
Sefia.
"
Prior. This here, which is formed like
a Globe, its Head and Body being all
but one Lump of Fleſh, is called the
Sun-Fiſh. There are ſeveral Sorts of
them one of which has no Tail, and
would be one entire round Maſs, but for
two little Fins, which ferve it by way of
Oars. The Painter could not have given a better Proof
of his Judgment in fetting off the vaft Variety of theſe
Creatures to the beft Advantage, than by placing next
to the Eels theſe lumpifh, clumfy Fishes, and then the
Cuttle-Fiſh, the Calamary, and the Pour-
contrel, which are divided into fo many
Parts or Members. The Cuttle-Fish and
the Calamary have, befides feveral Claws,
two long Trunks, which ferve them to
lay hold of their Prey at a Diſtance.
The Pourcontrel or Polypus has, beſides
its eight Clays, an Excrefence that rifes
up on its Back in the Form of a Pipe,
which he inclines to the right or left
Side, to ſteer him as he ſwims along.
The Cuttle-Fiſh, the Calamary, and the Polypus, have
all three a Magazine of Ink, or Bladder full of a black
Liquor, which proves of great Service to them when in
Danger of being caught; for either through Fear or na-
tural Inftinct, they fhed this black Liquor or diſcolour
the Water all around them; fo that, whilft the Enemy is
groping in the Dark for his Prey, and is at a Lofs
The Calamary,
Loligo.
The Pourcon-
trel.
Polypus.
where
The SEA.
145
where to feek for it, it gives him the Slip, and makes its
Escape.
7
The Scare,
Scarus, or
Sargus.
The Mallet,
Mugil.
Had the Painter, inftead of reprefenting a coftly Enter-
tainment, difplayed a Fiſh-Market with the greateſt Part of
the Fishes that are expofed to Sale, he would not have
paffed over the Scare; which, as they tell
us (though perhaps without Foundation),
is wont to come afhore and browſe upon
the Grafs that grows on the Sea Coaft,
and there chew the Cud at its Leifure:
nor would he have forgot the Mullet,
which is very like the River-Chub, if it
is not of the fame Species, though it thrives better in the
Sea, and comes to be of a larger Size. The Spawn of this
Fiſh, when dried, is much fet by in fome Countries; it is
the fame with Botargo, and is eaten with
Oil and Juice of Lemon. To the Num-
ber of choice Fishes we might alſo add the
Surmullet, which feldom grows to be
heavier than two Pounds; the beſt Sort of
theſe are thofe that have two Whiſkers:
the Gilt Head, or Sea-Bream, of which
there are ſeveral Kinds; it is reckoned a
choice Fish, and is about a Foot and half
long the Piper, the Ox Eye, the Pilchard,
or little Herring, and all the different Sorts
of Anchovies, which (when they have
taken off their Heads, and gutted them)
they put in Pickle.
Botargo.
The Surmullet,
Mullus.
The Gilt head,
Aurate.
The Piper,
Lyra.
Gefrer; de
Aquat. 516.
The Ox-Eye,
Boops.
The Pilchard,
Mana, Hale-
cula.
There are, befides theſe already men-
tioned, a vaft Multitude of Fishes that
differ both in Shape and Tafte; fome of
which make their conftant Abode on our
Coafts, fome make us a Vifit at certain
Seaſons of the Year, and others come as
Chance directs them; for God's Gifts are without Num-
ber in the Sea as well as on the Land.
The Anchovy,
Apua.
Whatever Pains both ancient and modern * Authors.
*Ariftotle, Pliny, Elian, Oppian, Rondolet, Gefner, Belion, Aldro-
vandus, Jobnflon, Salvian, Willoughby, Ruifch, Scheuchzer, Bonanni,
Lemmeri, Vallifneri.
VOL. III.
H
have
146
DIALOGUE XXII.
t
1
/
have taken to diflinguifh the feveral Genus's and Species
of Fiſhes, by particular Marks and Defcriptions; yet
fcarce a Day paffes that does not convince us, how fcanty
and defective all their Syſtems of this Kind are, by diſco-
vering to our Fishermen fome new Sorts before unknown,
and which puzzle our moſt ſkilful Naturalifts, who are of-
ten at a Lofs under what Clafs to range them, or what
Name to give them.
Chevalier. This is however a very agreeable Kind of
Perplexity; and an Argument that we are fo exceeding
rich, as not to know the End of our Store.
Prior. Let us pafs on next to another Profufion of
Riches that the Sea pours in upon us, every Time it in-
creafes and floods our Coafts, in thofe vaft Quantities of
Lobſters, Oifters, and all Sorts of Shell Fish, that it.
brings up along with it; whence, after having fattened
them, either with its own Subftance, or fuch nutritive
Particles of Earth and Air as are contained in it, it retires
by a gentle Decreafe, and gives Man Acceſs to this Provi-
fion of Dainties, inviting him to come and gather its Fa-
vours, which it has fo liberally ſcattered upon the Shores,
or left upon the Rocks. Thus does the Sea, like the
Firger of Midas, make rich wherever it touches, pro-
ducing on the barren Shores a Crop of greater Value to
the Owner, than the moft fertile Paftures of arable
Land.
Licture XIV.
Shell-Fish.
Is it poffible, my dear Chevalier, to
to help being charmed with that furprizing
Variety of Figures, and that Richneſs of
Colours difplayed in this Picture of Shell-
Fish? The Painter has not attempted here to give us all
the Sea-Reptiles, for they are without Number *
; nor yet;
every individual Species that belongs to any one Genius ;
for they vary in fo many Particulars of Shape and Colour,
that the Tafk would be impoffible; but he has been at
the Pains to collect all the principal Kinds under which,
as fo many Claffes, may be ranged thofe Shell-Fiſh that
I don't doubt but the
we are moft acquainted with.
Farticulars exhibited in this Piece are pretty familiar to
Allic Reptilia, quorum non eft Numerus, Pf, ciii.
you,
-
D
1
B
I
J
E
Crabs
H
F
Plate 20 fél, 3 page 1.
K
Toms kalp
=
!
D
I
B
1
E
山东​酒
​Grabs
H
F
A
Plate 20 Tél. 3 page 14.
I
Κ
Toms fculp
The SE A.
-147
you, feeing they are taken from that valuable Collection of
Shells that you have ſo often furveyed.
Chevalier. I trace the Originals in the
Copies with a great deal of Pleaſure.
There is the Lobfter, the Prawn, the
Shrimp, the Sea-Spider, and feveral Sorts
of Crabs; but here is one I don't remem-
ber, that which thrufts its Claw out of a
very beautiful Shell, in which it lies in-
trenched.
*
•
น
Fishes of the
Lobfter-Kind.
The Lobſter,
Aftacus.
The Prawn,
Losusta.
The Shrimp,
Squilla.
Of the Crab-
Kind.
The Crab,
Cancer.
The Soldier-
Prior. This is a very particular Kind of
Crab, which, though Nature has pro-
vided it with a Shell, and given it Claws
to defend and fubfift itſelf in an honeft
Way, yet always lives in a Houſe not its
own, and owes its Security to the Labour
of another; for it is the Way of this Fifh
to take Poffeffion of the firft Shell it finds
empty. Sometimes feveral Antagoniſts Crab, or Hermit,
will contend for the fame Habitation, in Cancellus.
which cafe he that has the ſtrongeſt Pincers carries the
Day. Here he takes up his Lodging for fome time, and
when he is grown too big for his Houfe, he quits it, and
goes from Shell to Shell, till he has found one of a com-
venient Size, where he ftays till he is tired of it, or grown
too big for it, and then he removes again. This is the
Account that Naturalifts give us of this Fifh, though
there is great Reaſon to fufpect that the Character they
give of it, as a lazy Animal, that lives by the Benefit of
another's Labour, is founded on a Miftake; for Nature
knows no fuch Principle as Idleneſs, nor ever acts without
Reaſon or wife Defign. The Truth of the Marter is this
The Body of that Fish which is called in French, la Pauvre
Homme, or L' Hermite, is flabby, and covered with a thin
Shell, infufficient for its Security, which obliges it to feek
a Shelter in fome one of thofe empty Shells, which are of
no Ufe but to fuch a Tenant. This Precaution of the Her-
mit is not unlike that of the little Crab, which, being
fenfible of the Weakneſs of his Shell, begs Houfe-room of
>
* Qui Cruſtâ tectus Chelas habens, quæ ad Vitam tuendam fatis effe
poffent, alienas Domos quærat, &c. Rendelet. de Pifiibus, Lib. xvii,
c. 12.
H 2
the
148
XXII.
DIALOGUE
}
the Muſcle, which, having room to fpare, kindly admits
his Gueſt, and they live very neighbourly together.
Sea-Urchins, or
Button-Fishes,
Ebini marini.
Chevalier. In the ſecond Rank I fee the
Painter has given us all the different
Kinds of Sea Urchins, fome of them co-
vered all over with Prickles, others having
only a bare thin Shell. One would take
thefe for fo many Buttons inftead of Fishes; for they have
nothing of the Shape of an Animal. Pray can one dif-
cern in theſe any of thofe Members that other Animals
make use of in the different Functions of Life?
Prior. The Mouth is placed on the Under-fide, and
touches the Ground; it is fortified with five Teeth, which
meet in their Extremities at a Point, that they may all
work together: The Stomach and the Bowels fill the In-
fide of the Shell, which has feveral Holes in it to give
free Liberty to the Action of thofe Ligaments that are to
move the Prickles, which ferve them both for Cloaths.
and defenfive Weapons. The outward Extremity of every
Prickle is ſharp-pointed; the other End next to the Shell
is hollowed by Way of Socket, that it may the more eaſily
flide on a little Tubercle which is jointed in it. You fee
feveral of theſe Tubercles on moſt of thoſe Shells that have
no Prickles on them; on the upper Part of them is the
Aperture, where the Intellines end: but what is moſt re-
markable in feveral Sca-Urchins, is a fort of Briftles, which
they thruft out or draw in at Pleafure? they are like fo
many fmall Tubes or Reeds, and with theſe they ſeparate
the Juices which they fuck through them, from thofe that
are lefs nutritive or proper for them.
The Painter could not have given a more agreeable
P prefentation of that Contrast and beautiful Variety, that
appear in the Works of the Creation, than
The Star-Fishes. by placing the Star-Fishes next to the Sea-
Urchins; for whereas the latter are almoſt
round, the former ftretch out five long Arms or Claws,
making five Angles, and ending in fo many Points; fome
of them have more than five, which branch out in a great
Number of little Divifions; the Star-Fish moves in all
Directions indifferently, fometimes creeping, fometimes
fwimming; it has feveral little Trunks of a fleshy Sub-
ftance, that it darts into the Mud, through which it fucks
4
its
*
Į
The SE A.
149
its Food; and, befides thefe Conveniencies, it has more-
over, towards the Centre of its Body, a Mouth armed with
Teeth. As thefe Creatures do not enjoy the Benefit of
Sight, for difcerning their Prey in common with other
Animals, Nature has therefore provided them with more
Inftruments for feeling, fucking, and devouring their Pro-
viſion; for when they have not an Opportunity of exer-
cifing their Grinders, they can go to work with their
Trunks in the Mud and among the Weeds, and by that
Means pick up a tolerable Meal. It has not yet been
difcovered how the Office of Digeftion is performed in the
Star Fish, or how it voids its Excrements, unleſs it be un-
der a Sort of little round Stone which is found upon its
Back, and feems faſtened to it with Ligaments.
The Sea-
Muſhroom, ar
Anemone,
Againſt the Sea-Stars, or Star-Fiſhes,
which go backwards and forwards, we
may fet the Sea Muſhrooms, which never
quit the Place where they have once fixed
their Abode. Thefe little Animals, of fo
extraordinary a Nature, are very often found on the Coafts
of Normandy; fome of them are green, fome of them are
red, and fome of other Colours. They are found flick-
ing on the Declivity of Rocks, where they look like
Muſhrooms, when they are fhut and collected within
themſelves; and like the Anemone when they open or
diſplay all their Trunks. There is no forcing them to
open againſt their Will, though, upon preffing them, they
will eject feveral young ones of different Sizes; which
ſeems to prove, that they are both Male and Female, that
they are inoreover viviparous, and like the fmall Worm,
that raiſes the Scarlet Puftule in a Sort of Holm Oak, or
the Orange-Tree-Bug. You may loofen the Sea-Mufh-
room from its Hold, carry it away, and keep it in Wa-
ter, where it will faften itſelf again to the firft convenient
Place it finds. When it has a Mind to open, it raifes it-
felf, and thrufts out two white Pellicles, ftriped and bloated
like two Bladders, round which appear a vaft Variety of
Points or Trunks, of different Sizes and Colours, which
has given Occafion to fome Naturalifts to call it the Sea-
Aremone. This Opening, not unlike the blowing of a
Flower, has inclined others to look upon it as a Sort of
I lant, or elfe as partaking both of the animal and vege-
table
H 3
1
150
XXII.
DIALOGUE
{
table Nature: but as it is certain that all thefe little Points
or Studs are not Leaves, but a Sort of Snouts or Trunks,
through which this Animal fucks in its Nourishment, juft
as the Sea Urchin or Star Fiſh do through their fine Reeds
or Prickles, we cannot deny it a Place in the Rank of Ani-
mals, eſpecially after fo remarkable a Circumftance (con-
firmed by ocular Teftimony) as that of three or four
young ones iffuing from the Parent, upon fqueezing it, af-
ter having nurſed them till they were in a Condition to fub-
fift of themſelves.
From the anatomical Defcription I have given you of
thefe Sea-Animals, however fhort and imperfect, you may
at leaft difcern a Specimen of that inexpreffible Contrivance
that appears in the Works of the Creation, and of thoſe
various Methods which God has employed, for the Sup-
port of different Animals. If you pleafe, we will now
paſs on to the next.
one Shell.
The Sailor,
Nautilus;
ነ
Chevalier. In the fourth and fifth Ranks,
Fishes having but I obferve, are thofe Shells that confift
but of one entire Piece, among which, in
my Mind, the Sailor claims the firft Place.
I am always delighted with the Figure of
that little natural Boat, the Stern of which
rifes fo gracefully in the Water; which is
fo firm, and at the fame Time fo light, and beautified
with fuch ftrong and lively Colours.
1
Prior. You very properly call it a Boat, fince the little
Fifh that inhabits it makes ufe of it in that Capacity,
mounting in it up to the Surface of the Water in calm
Weather. He unfurls * a Membrane to the Wind,
which ferves him inftead of a Sail, and extends two
Arms, with which, like two Oars, he rows his little
Bark along when he has a Mind to dive, he ſtrikes
fail, collects himſelf within his Shell, and filling the re-
:
* Coftui da fatti naviga, alzando e diftendendo una membrana, che
gli ferve de vela, ed allongando due Brachia batte l'aqua, e gli fanno
l'uffizio di remi. Quando vuole immergerfi, ammiana la vela, fi ritira
in fe fteffo, s'impic dacqua, e fenza timore di naufragio và al fondo, ri-
falendo al fua libera voglia, laonde. fenza avere apprefo l'arte del
Navigare, egli e nochiero & nave di fe fteffo, no in qualfivnglia parte
che foffi il, vento di nulla teme: ne timone e Efarte fuor di fe fteffo ri-
cerca. Vallifneri faggio d'hiftor. nat,
maining
↓
}
*
کی اور
I
B
A
7
shil pron
Ꭰ
G
G
F
H
E
Shell-Fish having entyone Shell
1
Tem julp
-
1
A
K
B
E
F
I
عناي
D
Valo 22
་་་་་་.
H
Shell-Fish having one Shell and that Wreathed.
Forms Jinip.
·I.
G
B
រ
49
三
​A
F
1
D
H
E
Shell-Tish having only one Shell.
Toms pulp.
A
}
I
>
A
B
E
F
G
K
T
Shell-Fish having one Shell and that Wreathed.
D
Plato 22 lol.
་་་
H
Tong Jiulp.
The SE A.
F51
>
maining Room with Water, without any Apprehenfions
of drowning, finks to the Bottom. The Fifh, by con-
tracting itſelf, leaves a vacant Space in his Boat, into which
the Water finds Admittance through a little Aperture con-
trived ´in the different little inner Chambers, which it re-
moves out from Year toYear, as it enlarges its Boat, in Pro-
pertion to the Increaſe of its Body. The Water, being thus
received into the Boat, does, by its additional Gravity,
cauſe it to fubfide to the Bottom: On the other Hand,
when the Fiſh has an Inclination to afcend to the Top, it
is very likely that he dilates himſelf, extending the Extre-
mities of his Body into thofe little Chambers or Cells,
thereby forcing the Water in them out of the Top of the
Boat; by means of which Evacuation, it becoming ſpeci-
fically lighter than the Water, mult neceffarily afcend.
Thus it fteers its Courfe without Chart or Compafs, felf-
taught in the Art of Navigation, and is at once both Pilot
and Veffel. From whatever Quarter the Wind blows, it
is all alike to our little Sailor, who is never under any Ap
prehenfion of Danger, nor ever deftitute of Rudder or Oars,
Cordage or Pump, having all proper Utenfils of Naviga
tion within itſelf.
L
Limpets, Patel-
le, or Lepades.
Chevalier. Of a quite contrary Nature to the Sailor is
the greatek Part of thofe Shell-Fifhes that conftitute the
fourth Rank; for as the first is perpetually travelling from
Place to Place, the latter remain all their
Lives attached to one and the fame Place,
as your Limpets of every Species, and the
Sea-Ear. But how they can live without
feeking out for Provifion, I cannot con-
ceive, unleſs it be that their Prey comes
to them of its own Accord.
The Sea-Ear,
Auris marina.
Prior. I am apt to think that this is the Cafe, and that
thoſe wholes which are pinked along the Brims of the
Sea-Ear, are defigned as fo many Traps wherein to
catch every now and then fome of thefe little Worms,
that fwarm at the Bottom of the Sea in fuch great Abun-
dance.
Chevalier. The Painter hath not been
able in the fifth Line to diſpoſe of a great
Number of your fingle Shells, twiſted in
the Form a Skrew, and widening their
H 4
Univalves, or
fingle Shells of a
twifted Form.
Turbinatæ.
Wreaths
152
DIALOGUE XXII.
(
#
}
F
Wreaths from the Apex downwards; but I find that
The Helmet-
Shell, Echinus
convexus.
The Triton's
Trumpet,
Buccina.
The Whirl,
Turbo.
The Porcelain,
or Venus-Shell,
Concha Veneris.
There is a certain
bivalve Shell alſo
that goes by this
Name.
The Purple-Fish,
Purpura Mu-
18x. L'Emeri,
and the Obferva-
vions of Father
Plumier.
}
out of that puzzling Variety which
there is of them, he has culled out
fuch as are moſt remarkable, as the
Helmet-Shell, the Triton's Trumpet,
the great and fmall Whirl. He has
ranged alſo along with them thoſe
Shells that are `round and ſmooth with-
out, which do not feem to wind like the
others. Their beautiful Make, and rich
Colours, have gained them the Name
of the Goddefs of Beauty, or Venus-
Shells; unless we had rather trace the
Original of this Name from a Fiction
of the Poets, who give out, that, as this
Goddeſs ſprung from the Ocean, fo fhe
chofe a Shell of this Figure for the Sea-
Chariot.
Prior. Here are fome other Shell-Fiſh
ftill more worthy our Regard, notwith-
flanding their rugged and briftly Afpect;
they are thofe from which the Ancients
borrowed their purple Colour; which
was in all likelihood a white Liquor that
this little Fish keeps in a Sort of Bag or
folded Tunicle which it carries on its Back, and, which
it ſheds immediately, as foon as you offer to take it from
the Rock on which it crawls, and is loft if not catched
with a great deal of Care. It dyes Wool of a very deep
Red mixed with Purple, and never changes either by the
Air or in the Waſhing; but the Quantity of this Liquor
in cach of theſe Fiſhes is fo very. fmall, that an exceeding
great Number of them will be only fufficient to dye one
Piece of Stuff; which was the Reaſon of the Purple's
being fet at fo high a Value among the Ancients; though
the Cochineal of America, and the Kermes Cods or Puftules
of which they make Scarlet, are incomparably better and
more lafling.
Bivalves, or
Fishes with two
Shells.
Bivalva.
Chevalier. The following Lines of the
Picture are ſtill more entertaining than the
foregoing; they prefent us with all the
different Sorts of Shell. Fifh that confift, of
two.
1
}
K
་
I
E
B
H
Shell-Fish having one Shell and that Wreathed.
D
}
Plate 23 [¿l III page 452.
A
Tome foulp.
小
​;
H
Shell-Fish having two Shells.
1)
B
Plate 24 Vol. II page 163.
M
K
N
I
F
Tyms Pulp.
The SEA.
153
Oifters, Oftrea.
Mufcles, Muf-
cula.
Limpins, Telli-
ne Mytili.
The Sea-Wing,
• Pinna,
The Scollop,
Pecten.
The Cockle,
Pectunculu
two Pieces, or open with two folding.
Doors. In the firſt Place you have the
large Oifters, and the green Oifters.
What Pity it is that we have not the
Originals here instead of their Pictures!
To thefe fucceed the Mufcles and Lim-
pins, which are not lefs efteemed than
the former; and they are very judiciously
placed here to fet off the Largenes of
the Sea Wines, that come next, which
are again fucceeded by Scollops and
Cockles: Thefe are generally the Deco-
rations of the Collars of fuch Pilgrims
as belong to the Order of St. Michael and
St. James in Galicia, Amid the Heap
of Shells that follow thefe, I am not a little pleafed with
the regular Shape of thofe that refemble a Heart. This
here that wears the Figure of a Hammer is reckoned a
great Rarity that other which you fee opens like the
Sheath of a Knife, and is called the Cutler, is more com-
mon. But of all the Shell-Fith there is
none that commands our Admiration
more than the Naker o Mother
Pearl. But pray what was the Defign
other of
of the Painter in reprefenting a Collec-
tion of Pearls of different Sizes at the
Bottom of the Naker's Shell? Is it not
in the Body of the Fish that they are
found?
The Cutler,
Sheath-Fish,
Solen, Digitus.
Razor, or
The Pearl,
Margarita,
Unio.
བད
The Naker, or
Mother of
Pearl
Concha marga-
tifera.
Prior. They are indeed fometimes
found in the Bodies of Oifters, Nakers
-
and Scollops, but moſt commonly at the
Bottoni of the Mother of Pearl; and
when plucked from the Shell, leave a
Mark behind. Thofe which grow in the Body of the
Animal feem to be nothing elfe but a Kind of Gravel-
Stone; whereas thofe which grow in the Bottom of the
Shell are probably a Sort of Warts, or little Excrefences
formed at firft by a Defluxion or running over of that fine.
Juice with which the Fith firft forms, and afterwards
from time to time enlarges, its Shell; and as this extra-
vafated Liquor continues to diſtil down on thefe little
Globules,
H 5
154
DIALOGUE XXII.
t
Globules, covering them with a new Coat or Layer of
Matter, the Pearl grows proportionably bigger. Hence.
proceeds that Difference between the large Pearls and thoſe
little ones, which are fo improperly called Pearl Grain or
Pearl-Seed. Both the larger and the leffer fort receive
either a regular Form, as that of a little Pear, an Olive,
or a Globe, or elfe an irregular and angular one, ac-
cording as the firft little congealed Drop, which ferves
for the Kernel or Centre of the fucceeding Layers
or Tunicles, was of a regular or an irregular Fi-
gure.
The Wonders
difplayed in
Shell-Fish.
We have indeed juft Reaſon to be
charmed with the Luftre and Beauty of
thefe little fhining Subflances, though
apparently they are nothing but a Dif
charge of an excrementitious Matter
from the Body that produces them. But I cannot help
admiring ftill more that delightful Mixture of red, blue,
and green Colours, that fo beautifully ftain the Silver
Ground of the Naker's Shell; though, moft amazing of
all is that wife Defign and Contrivance which appears not
only in the Shell of this Fifh, but even in that of the
common Oifter and Mufcle. The greateſt Part of theſe
little tender Animals are of the viviparous Kind, and are
ſpawned with the Shell about them, which Covering
Nature has provided for their Security and Defence
against the Affaults of other Fishes; fhe has alſo made
them to abound with a fort of Slime or viſcous Juice,
which they emit from their Bodies to the Extremities of
their Shells; where it hardens into a Subftance of the very
fame Nature, and by that Means enlarges their Habita-
tions proportionably to the Growth of their Bodies.
Hence come thofe Curve Lines that we difcern in the
Shells of thefe Fishes, one without another, and which
may ferve as a Regifter, to fhew the Number of their
Years, and the different Stages of their Growth. There
is alſo a furprizing deal of Workmanship in the Forma-
tion of that Hinge which joins the upper and lower Shell
of a Mufcle, as alfo in the curious and wonderful Move-
ments of thofe little Mufcular Fibres and Ligaments with
which it is faftened to them. When it has a Mind to
thut itſelf cloſe up within its vaulted Cell, it diſcharges a
certain
2
嚎
​!
Your
1
g
F
Sea Plants
B
}
کی
Plate 25 Fol. III page 155.
d
1
Toms fiulp.
霸
​The SE A.
155
certain Liquor into thofe Mufcles, which caufes them to
dilate and fwell, and confequently fhortens their Length,
and brings both the Shells to which their Extremities are
faftened, cloſer together. On the other Hand, when it
is difpofed to open its Doors, at the Return of a new
Tide, or the Fall of fome friendly Shower of Rain, it
withdraws that Liquor from them, thereby relaxing, and.
giving them a greater Length. But thefe are only pro-
bable Conjectures; for it is impoffible for us to determine
any thing certain of what is concealed from our Obfer-
vation at the Bottom of the Sea: However, what we do
fee is fufficient to excite our Wonder and Aftonifhment at
the indefatigable Pains and Induftry whereby Nature pre--
ferves and provides for the meaneft Creatures, and our
Gratitude to the great Author of Nature for thoſe innumer.
able Benefits which he fo liberally beftows upon us.
Your Eyes, my dear Chevalier, feem very attentively.
fixed on this Picture, but believe me, it is high time to
take our Leave of it; for fhould we enter into a particular
Account of all thefe Tortoifes, the Flesh and Spawn of..
which are reckoned fo nourishing; the Sea-Acorns,
which are held not to be inferior to them; thefe ftony
Tubes, which ferve to lodge fo many Worms; and efpe--
cially were we to give a Detail of all thofe Sea-Infects
with which the Painter has decorated the Borders of this
Picture, the Day would fail us before
we ſhould get to the End of them let
us therefore beftow a Minute on the Sea-
Plants reprefented here in this next Piece.
They are divided into three Claffes, the foft, the half tony,
and the ftony Plants.
Picture XV.
Sea-Plants....
The foft Sea Plants are, the Orewood, or Grafs-Wrack,
Sponges, Moffes, Sea-Mushrooms, and
fome others. The Orewood, which grows The Orewood,
with long Leaves like Laces, and the Alga.
Sea-belt *which is another Kind of Ore-.
wood, the Leaves of which are fcolloped like the
Foliage of the Oak, are both very good to lay upon.
*The Sea-belt is called in Latin, Fucus; there are feveral forts of
this Plant. See Dale's Antiquities of Harwich, &c.. The Appendix,
}
$
B. 341, &c.
H 6.
Land,.
156
DIALOGUE
t
XXII.
Land, to fertilize and improve thè Soil; the Aſhes of them
are alſo good to make Glafs of, as well as thoſe of the
Kalt or Salt-wort, by Reaſon of the Salts with which they
abound.
The Sponge,
Spongia,
Every Body knows the Ufe of Sponges,
which are valued according to their Fine-
nefs. Thefe two Sea Plants are almoft
the only ones that are of any material
Ufe to us.
The others ferve to adorn the Cabinets of
the Curious, and are fometimes made ufe of in Phar-
macy.
Half-ftony
The half-ftony Plants or Lithophytes
are thoſe which partake of the Flexibility
Plants or Litho-* of Wood, even after they are taken out
phytes.
of the Water, but by pounding are re-
duced to Powder like Chalk. There are
numberless Kinds of the Lithophytes; fome of them re-
femble a leaflefs Shrub, others wear the Form of a Net,
ſometimes with its Marfhes quite open, fometimes clofed
up or gathered. The internal Subftance of the Branches
partakes of the Nature of Horn, and, when burnt in the
Fire, fmells like it: the Bark is of a ftony Nature, and con-
tains a great deal of Salt.
The Plants that are entirely ftony, are the Coral and
the Madrepore; the latter has no Bark, but the former
has.
The Madrepore confifts of feveral Sorts;
The Madrepore, fometimes it is like a flat Plate more or
Madrepora. lefs thick, of a white ftony Subftance,
pinked with a vaſt Number of Holes or
Pores, in the Nature of Gutter-work, fometimes refem-
bling Waves, Stars, Leaves, or other Figures; though
most commonly it wears the Form of a little Tree, with its
Branches ftudded with feveral little Holes.
The Coral,
Coralium,
The Subſtance of the Coral within, is
always of a ftony, folid, and very hard
Nature, even when it is in the Water,
except the Extremities of the Branches,
which are ſomewhat limber and flexible, and thefe too
grow hard and petrify in the Air. The Bark or Rind of
the Coral has in it a Mixture of Tartar and Glue: it is
a little rough and jagged, but will take a very fine Poliſh.
There
1
}
1
1
K
A
1
T
L
H
The 20
*
E
{
4X
Sea Plants.
1
D
F
B
Toms feulp
The SEA. ·
157
ง
1
There is alfo a white Coral; but as to that which is called
The
black Coral, it is a Sea Plant of a different Nature.
Coral, which the Europeans make little ufe of, is highly
eſteemed in Aſia, more eſpecially in Arabia, where, be-
fides a vaft Number of Toys that they make of it, as
Spoons, Heads of Canes, Hafts for Knives, Sword-Hilts,
Necklaces, and the like, the principal Ufe they put it
to is the making Chaplets of Beads; the Mahomitans of
Arabia Felix regulating the Number of their Prayers by
that of their Beads; and moreover, they fcarce ever bury
any of their Dead, without having first encircled the Neck
with one of thefe Chaplets.
On the Sides of the young Branches of
Coral are found little Tumours or Ex- Coral-Flowers.
crefcences pinked in the Form of Stars,
and which, at their firft being taken out of the Water, are
replete with a Sort of Milk. From within thefe Stars, the
Count de Marfilles affures us he has difcovered Flowers
fhooting out, but which withdrew again into them upon
the Coral's being expofed any Time to the open Air.
Many learned Men have been of Opinion, that the ftony
Sea-Plants confifted of nothing elfe but petrified Layers or
Coats of Salt and Tartar, folding one over another, as
Chance would have it; and, as Coral always grows with
its Head downward, in little Caverns at the Bottom of the
Sea, and on the Juttings out of Rocks, fuch a Situation
confirmed them in their Suſpicions, that theſe little Trees
were nothing but petrified Subſtances, like thoſe which are
found fticking to the vaulted Roofs of certain Caves.
$
But fince the Diſcovery of the Flowers of Coral, as alfo
of fome other Plants, there is no room left to doubt of
their regular Organization; and if Naturalifts have not yet
been able to difcern the Seed of them, it is owing to its Mi-
nutenefs, which renders it imperceptible....
Chevalier. You jult now obferved to me, that the Coral
always grows with the Head downwards; confequently, if
it bears any Seed, it muſt, when come to Maturity, fall
down to the Bottom of the Cavern; how comes it to paſs
then, that this Plant never grows at the Bottom, where the
Seed falls, but always on the Sides or Tops of the Clefts in
Rocks, whither it cannot be carried ?
Prior
58
DIALOGUE XXII.
-
· Prior. The Objection, indeed, is urged very home; but
to this I reply, that the Grain or Seed of this Plant is ſo very
fine, that probably it is lighter than the Water; befides,
that milky Juice which invelops it, and is found at the Bot-
tom of the Coral-Buds, being of an unctuous Nature, helps
to buoy them up on the Water. The Confequence
of which is, that thofe Seeds which fwim at random on the
Top of the Water, perish and come to nothing; whereas
thoſe that meet with Chinks and Creeks of Rocks in their
Way for them to faften to, unfold their Tunicles, and
flourish into a little Tree. The Reaſon of their growing
downwards is this: As the * Air caufes our Plants to grow
upwards, by defcending directly through them from the
Top to the Root; the Water, on the other Hand, caufes
the Coral to grow in a contrary Direction down from its
Vault, by afcending through the Pores of this Plant up to
the Root. Now, from the Regularity of thefe Productions,
foin the Organization difcernible in their Structure, from
all the little Pores with which the Bark abounds, in order
to give free Admittance to the Bitumen and other Juices of
the Sea; from thofe Tumors fo† regularly ftudded with
little Holes in the Shapes of Stars to enshrine the little
Flowers of the fame Figure; from thofe Veffels, replete
with a milky Juice, which are found between the Bark
and the Body of the Plant, and which adminifter to the
Nouriſhment and Growth of the Plant; and laftly, from
that conftant Uniformity and Agreement in all the Parti-
culars of Plants of the fame Species, we may fairly con-
clude, that the Bottom of the Sea is covered with Plants of
a quite different Nature from ours; it has its Foreſts and its
Meadows, wherein the Inhabitants of the Water find fuch
Food as is convenient for them; here they find a peaceful
Retreat where they may conceal their Eggs, or fecure them-
felves from the Tyranny and Perfecution of the Fishes
though theſe Plants. be not of immediate Ufe to us, yet
our Benefit was the End both of their Creation and Pre-
ſervation, fince they ferve for the Nourishment, Retreat,
or Defence of fuch Fifhes, Tortoifes, and Shell Fish,
* See Vol. I.
and
This regular Difpofition of Holes in the Figures of Stars is very
difcernible in the Tumours of the white Coral..
29.
Plate 27 lol. II page 158
}
:
1
;
}
Coral Fishing.
Toms feulp
The SE A.
1.59
as fupply our Tables both with Plenty and Dain-
ties.
Chevalier. I am fully perfuaded that theſe Productions
can never be the Effect of Chance, but are the Offspring of
Contrivance and Forecaſt, though we receive the Benefit
without thinking of the Benefactor. The only Difficulty I
cannot get over, is to conceive how fo many Plants can be
nouriſhed and grow without the Affiftance of Earth; for all
the Parts in this Picture, the Sea-Weed excepted, have, in-
ſtead of Roots, nothing but a flat Bottom or Foot, by which
they ſtick to fome Stone, Shell or Piece of Wood.
Prior. Plants are endued with no other Organs or Parts
than are neceffary to their Subfiftence. As our Land-Plants
were made to live on thofe Juices which. permeate the
Pores of the Earth, or fluctuate in the Atmoſphere, they
are accordingly provided with Roots, Fibres, and capillary
Veffels, to attract the Water which is under Ground, and
alfo with Branches and Leaves to imbibe the Moiſture that
is in the Air; whereas the Sea-Plants, which find in the
Waters a fufficient Quantity of Salt, Oil, and fuch Spirits
as are neceffary for their Vegetation, have no Occafion for
Roots to feed them with a Supply of Juices from under
the Ground. In a Word, whether we will allow them the
Name of Plants or no, we muft grant them to be regular
Productions, which keep up the Continuation of their
Species, and in which Chance has no more Share than it
has in the Propagation of our Flowers and Fruits upon the
Land; and though the Body of Water that covers them
conceals from us the Manner of their Operation, the diffe-
rent Steps of their Progrefs and Growth, and the parti-
cular Ufes they are appointed for; yet Reaſon can fo far
penetrate into the Myfteries of Nature, as to difcern in
thoſe things that are in a great Meaſure hidden from us,
as well as in thofe that are fully difcovered to us, freſh
Proofs of an infinite Wiſdom diſplaying itſelf in the Order
and Oeconomy of the whole Univerſe, and making a liberal
Provifion for the Inhabitants of the Water as well as thoſe
of the Land; and, in fhort, of a Providence that has fo
conftituted and diſpoſed every Part of Nature, as to make
it most effectually conduce to the Benefit of Mankind.
The
1
"
[160]
3
The AIR.
1
DIALOGUE XXIII.
The PRIOR and CHEVALIER.
Chevalier. Every Step that I advance in the Knowledge
of Natural History feems an Addition to
my Fortune; and I begin to think myſelf in Reality a
Proprietor and King of all the Earth, fince, by the Affiftance
of Navigation, I can take Poffeffion of the Productions of
every Country of the World.
Prior. You are not of the fame Opinion with thoſe who
fancy they poffefs none of thofe things which they enjoy
in Partnerſhip with others, and which they are not fole Ma-
fters of your way of thinking is not only more generous
but more true than theirs; for in order to be rich it is not
neceffary to be furrounded with thofe that are indigent and
neceffitous, nor does our Happiness confift in other People
being miferable. Several Brothers are content to enjoy a
Lordship in common, that is fufficient for the honourable
Maintenance of them all; and in this Senfe you may tru-
ly be faid to fhare the Lordfhip of the whole Earth, feeing
you, the Eaftern Spices exhale their Sweets in the Port
of Amfterdam; for you Coffee is imported at Marſeilles,
and Sugar at Rhoan. It is true, you muſt pay for the
Share you have in theſe; but don't you alſo pay for the
-Labour of the Hufbandman that tills your Ground? The
Merchants that fail to the moft diftant Parts of the Earth, to
fetch for you the various Produce of various Climes, are fo
many voluntary Labourers and Servants, who have there.
fore juft Claim to a Reward for their Services; you can
for
neither
The AIR.
161
+
neither reap nor import the Fruits of foreign Countries of
yourſelf, and therefore ought to recompenfe thoſe who take
this Trouble off your Hands.
The farther you advance in the Knowledge of your
Riches, the more you are convinced that all Nature is one
Whole; the feveral Parts of which are mutually aiding
and affifting to each other, having been connected together
by infinite Wiſdom for our Ufe and Benefit; nay, fo inti-
mate a Relation and Dependance fubfifts between all the
Parts of this great Work, that not any of them could be
annihilated without deftroying the Whole, at leaſt without
defeating the End for which it was created. For Exam-
ple: you looked upon the Sea a little while ago, as a for-
tuitous Collection of Waters, that was rather a Hindrance
and Difadvantage to Mankind than otherwife; whereas,
fhould the fame Power that created the Sea once dry it up
again, we ſhould not only loſe that Tribute which we re-
ceive from the four Quarters of the World, that is to fay,
the principal Comforts of Life, but even Life itſelf, inaf-
much, as it is to the Sea alone we owe the univerfal Di-
ftribution of Water and volatile Salts, which are the two
fundamental Principles of Vegetation, and the grand Cauſe
of the Earth's Fruitfulneſs.
Chevalier. I remember, Sir, it was your Remark, that the
the Sea afforded the Water which was neceffary to Evapo-
ration, and that the Air performed the Office of a Pump,
in raiſing and diſtributing the Water for our Ufe. This is
indeed an Operation that gives Life and Vigour to every
Part of Nature, though at the fame Time we are ignorant
of the Manner after which it is performed; for though we
ſee the Water afcend and defcend through the Regions of
the Air, yet we do not fee the Air itſelf. Pray, Sir, is it
poffible to give me any Infight into the Nature and Me-
chanifm of this Pump we are fo much obliged to?
Prior. This was my Defign. You know there are in
the Neighbourhood five Ecclefiaflicks, who have formed
themſelves into a little Society, and have admitted me a
Member of it. We meet once a Week to difcufs fome
Point of Ecclefiaftical History, and one of natural Hiſtory:
at our laft Conference, the Converfation turned on that
Topick which is the prefent Subject of your Curiofity.
Here is the Difcourfe which was then read in Company.
Chevalier.
!
162
DIALOGUE XXIII.
Chevalier. I am impatient to perufe it.
Prior. Let us firſt read it all over; only do you by the
way mark with your Pencil thoſe Places which you do not
underſtand, or have any Objection to, and we will confider
them particularly afterwards.
The Chevalier reads.
1
A DISCOURSE on the PROPERTIES
of the AIR.
S'
INCE a thorough Acquaintance with the Nature
and internal Configuration of the Parts of thofe Bo-
dies we do fee is not attainable by us, much lefs ought we
to 'flatter ourſelves that we fhall be able to comprehend the
inward Structure of thefe Bodies which we cannot fee;
fuch as the Atmoſphere, or that Body of Air that furrounds
us, and which we breathe; for though we fee the Clouds,
the Lightning, the Rain, the Hail, and other Meteors
that are formed therein, and act with greater Force and
Power, yet all theſe Bodies are of a quite different Nature
from the Air. That alfo which we perceive in a Camera
obfcura, or darkened Chamber, into which only one of
the Sun's Rays is admitted, is nothing but a Collection of
fome Particles of Duft floating about in the Air, which re-
flect the Light from their feveral Surfaces; whereas the
Air itſelf is a Subftance of fuch extreme Finenefs and Te-
nuity, as render it imperceptible to the Eye though affifted
by the heft Microfcopes; but notwithstanding its Invifi-
bility, yet it fufficiently difcovers itfelf, by the Regularity
of its Effects, to be as complete an organized Body, as any
that we fee or feel.
'
·
The
The AIR.
163
The chief Properties of the Air are
Fluidity, Gravity, and Elafticity. In the The Fluidity of
firft Place, the Air is a Fluid, or confifts
of Parts of a globular Figure, without
the Air.
The Gravity of
the Air.
any fenfible Attraction or Coheſion betwixt them, and
which therefore eafily glide one over another, yielding
to the moſt flight Impreffion. We need no other Proof
of this, than that Eafe and Freedom with which Animals
breathe this Element, and paſs through it without any
Moleftation or fenfible Refiſtance. Secondly, that the
Air does gravitate or act upon inferior
Bodies by its Weight, is demonftrated by
ten thouſand Experiments: we will con-
tent ourſelves with giving one that is
very common. Take two Tubes, one of Tin forty Feet
long of any given Diameter, and another of Glafs, four
Feet long,
both ſtopped at one End: Fill the Glafs
Tube with Quick-filver, and then invert it, immerging
the open End of the Tube into a Bafon or other Veffel
filled with the fame Fluid, fo that the cloſed End may
be uppermoft and perpendicular to the Surface of the
Quick-filver in the Bafon: the Tube being thus fituated,
the Mercury or Quick filver will run out at the open
End of the Tube into the Bafon till it comes down to
be but twenty-feven or twenty-eight Inches above the Sur-
face of the Fluid therein contained; at which Height,
notwithstanding the great fpecific Gravity of the Mercury,
it will remain fufpended in the Tube. Now it is certain,
that nothing can fuftain the Weight of the Mercury in
the Tube, but the Counterpoife on the remaining Sur-
face of the Fluid, which, by all Diſcoveries, can be no
other than that of a Column of Air of the fame Dia-
meter with the Orifice of the Tube preffing on every
other equal Part of the Fluid's Surface, and which, not
being counter-balanced by any Air in the Tube, raiſes,
or fufpends when raiſed, a Quantity of Mercury equal in
Weight to itſelf, in order to conftitute an Equilibrium.
And this appears certain from hence, that if you open
the upper End of the Tube, which before was cloſed
up; in this Cafe, the Air preffing on the Mercury within
the Tube with as much Force as it does on the Mercury
without the Tube, the former will fubfide to the Level
✓
of
164 DIALOGUE XXIII.
of the latter. The Experiment holds equally good in a
Tube forty Feet long; the only Difference is, that as in
the former it is made with Quick-Silver, in the latter it
is made with Water. Take the Tube forty Feet long,
and fill it with Water; then invert it, immerging the
open End in a Veffel filled with the fame, as in the for-
mer Cafe; upon which you will find that the Water, in-
ftead of running all out of the Tube by the Force of
its own Gravity, will not defcend more than fome few
Feet from the Top, but remain fufpended at the Height
of about thirty-two Feet above the Surface of the Fluid
in the Veffel, being fuftained by a Column of Air of
the fame Diameter, the Freffure of which on the Surface
of the external Water, is equal to that of the thirty-two
Feet of Water in the Tube: now as, upon opening the
Top of the Tube, the Weight of the fuper-incumbent
Column of Air, preffing upon the 32 Feet of Water in
the Tube, and that of the Water itſelf together, are
double the Weight of a Column of Air alone of the
fame Diameter, preffing on the Surface of the Water
without the Tube, the Water before fufpended must con-
fequently defcend into the Veffel to reftore an Equili-
brium, which we accordingly find it does, not fo much
as a Drop remaining behind in the Tube. Thus we may
be able to know the exact Weight of a Column of Air,
whoſe Diameter is the fame with that of any given Tube,
and whofe Height that of the Whole Atmolphere from
the Surface of the Earth, it being equal in Weight to a
Column of Water of the fame Diameter thirty two Feet
high, or to a Column of Mercury twenty feven Inches
high; and according as the Column of Water or Mer-
cury, whofe Altitude we meaſure by Feet and Inches, is
of a larger Circumference towards the Bottom, the Bafe
of the Column of Air is proportionably increafed, and
conſequently the Weight of it. So that we have nothing
to do but to know the Weight of the one, in order to
find out that of the other.
the Air.
Nor is the Elafticity of the Air lefs de-
The Elafticity of monftrable than either its Fluidity or
Gravity. We call a Body elaflick, when,
upon being compreffed, it has a natural
Tendency to relax itſelf, or recover its former Pofture.
Now
The AIR.
165
Now that this Property is inherent in Air, appears from
the following obvious Inftance:
It is a common thing in the Glafs-houſes, to make a
fort of little hollow Glafs Globes, with one Hole in each
of them; into theſe they thruft a Glafs Tube almoſt to the
Bottom, faſtening it to the Orifice of the Globe with Ma-
ftich, fo that no Air can paſs between. This being done,
they immerie the Æolipyle, or Glafs-Globe with the Tube
inferted into it, in the Water, till the Æolipyle is half full
of Water and half full of Air, or thereabouts: then they
blow with all their Might in at the Neck of the Æolipyle,
till they have forced as much more Air into the Body of it
as was in before, the firft Air contracting itſelf to make
room for the ſecond. This little Body of Air being thus
compreffed and impriſoned within the Sides of the Glafs-
Ball and the Surface of the Water, endeavours to get loofe
and expand itſelf with fo much Violence, as to force the
Water above it, out of the Top of the little Tube, mak-
ing it to ſpout up into the Air three or four Feet high. So
great is the elaftic Power of three or four Inches of con-
denfed Air. But ſtill more extraordinary are the Effects of
this Property of the Air in a Wind-Gun. Into the Bore
of this Engine they force a certain Quantity of Air by the
Help of a Pump or Syringe, which Air they imprifon in
the Barrel, by turning a Cock placed for that Purpoſe at
the Extremity of it; then they condenſe it ftill more and
more by ramming it hard down with an iron Rod. This
done, they open a Cock at the other End of the Gun, after
having put a leaden Bullet into it, upon which the confined
Air ruſhes forth with fuch Violence, as to force the Bullet,
which it drives before it, through an Inch Board, and
would kill any Man that fhould be fo unfortunate as to be in
its Way.
Having thus proved by the foregoing Inftances, that
the Air is endued with Fluidity, Gravity, and Elafticity,
we may next enquire a little into the principal Caufes
and Effects of thefe Properties. Now the Fluidity of the
Air, like that of all Liquids, does probably proceed
from the Action of fome more fubtile Body, that pervades
and feparates the Parts of the other. Thus Gold and
Silver ase put into a State of Fluidity by the Action of
Fire,
1
166
DIALOGUE XXIII.
Fire, which penetrates and diffolves the Farts of theſe Bo-
dies; and accordingly we fee, that when the Heat is dif
perfed, or the Fire ceaſes to act, the Parts of the Metal unite
and cohere together again, and form one folid Body as be-
fore. To the fame Caule we may afcribe the Fluidity of
Water, it not being a fluid body of itſelf, but is made
fuch by certain Particles of Fire or Air, which, infinuating
themſelves between the Particles of the Water, do by their
Activity keep it in a conftant State of Motion and Flui-
dity; and purſuant to this Hypothefis, we find that when
the Spring and Action of the Air is in a great Meaſure de-
flroyed by exceflive Cold, the Particles of Water fettle into
a State of Reft, and form that confiftent Body which we
call Ice. Nor is it abfurd to fuppofe that the Air itſelf is
a Fluid, only by Means of the Interpofition of a very fub.
tle active Matter between the Parts of it, and in which it
fwims. This fubtle Matter may be called Ether, and is
probably endued with this active Power to give Vigour
and Motion to the other Elements, and even to the Fire
itſelf the Parts of this Æther are of fo exceeding fine a
Texture, that it gains a free Paffage through thofe Pores
with which all Bodies do more or leis abound without de-
ftroying the Cohefion of their Parts; but, meeting with Re-
fiftance from the Air, it does by its Impulfe keep the Parts
of it in a State of conftant Motion and Fluidity.
The Gravity of the Air, as well as that of all other
Bodies, does arife from that Harmony which God has
eſtabliſhed in the World, having ordained by an univerfal
Law, that all the Bodies that compofe the material Syf-
tem ſhould have a Tendency towards the Centre of that
Syftem; and fecondly, that the Degree of their Accelera-
tion fhould be in Proportion to their refpective Denfities,
and to the Refiftance they meet with from thofe Fluids
they paſs through. From the firft Law it follows, that
a Feather and a Ball of Lead fhould defcend, with equal
Velocity, when not obftructed in their Defcent by the
intermediate Air; whereas in the Water or the Air they
will defcend with different Degrees of Velocity according
*
* See the Experiments made before the King of England. Philof.
Tranf. abridged by John Lowthorp, Tom, iv.
to
The
167
AIR..
A
to their different Denfities. By the fame Law it would
likewiſe follow, that all the Air in the Atmoſphere fhould
defcend upon the Earth, and form one confiftent Maſs of
Matter; but that, by a Confequence of the Second, the
Æther, which ferves as a Medium to the Air, and where-
in it floats, prevents its defcending, by communicating to
it Motion in contrary Directions: fo that the Gravity of
that vaft Body of Air that furrounds our Earth becomes
very inconfiderable, and adapted to the Conftitutions and
Neceffities of thoſe that breathe it. Hence we may ob-
ferve how the great Creator of the World, who has im-
preffed on all Bodies a Tendency of Motion towards the
Centre, and has regulated the Degrees of their Velocity
towards the fame, has alſo eſtabliſhed the moſt exact
Order and Harmony, by affigning to every Body its pro-
per Place and Station, And as all the Bodies of the Uni-
verſe did at first obey the Almighty's Fiat when he called
them out of nothing, fo are they no lefs obedient to thoſe
Laws by which he has regulated their Motions and Offices
to all Eternity.
The Elafticity of the Air refults from the particular
Structure of it. It is very probable that every Particle
of the Air confifls of feveral Leaves or Folds like a
Book or Pair of Bellows, and confequently the Air muſt
fwell and dilate itſelf in Proportion as the ethereal Mat-
ter or the Fire infinuates itself betwixt thefe Lamina or
Folds, and on the contrary contract and ſhut itſelf as it
is evacuated from between them. This Texture, which
we fuppofe the Air to be of, is indeed only Conjecture;
and perhaps fuch a Solution of this Phænomenon does
fall fo far fhort of the Handy-work of God in this Particu-
lar, as his Thoughts are fuperior to ours; but how-
ever unable we are to give any fatisfactory Account of
the Spring and wonderful Mechanifin of that Air we
breathe, by our mot exact Refearches into the Structure
and Conflitution of it; yet the Confideration of its
different Effects will not fail to give us a more exalted,
as well as a more adequate, Idea of the Nature of this
Element.
The
1
?
f
+
168 DIALOGUE
IA LOGUE
the Air.
XXIII.
The moſt general Effects and Properties
The Effects of of the Air are the Evaporation of the Wa-
ters, the Formation of Winds, the Vege
tation of Plants, and Digeſtion of Nutrition
The Air is also the Vehicle of Sounds, of
in Animals.
Smells, and of Light.
Evaporation.
The Evaporation of the Waters, which
is fo neceffary and conftant an Effect of
the Air, feems at firft View impoffible
and contrary to Reaſon; for fince the Water is a Fluid of
much greater ſpecific Gravity than the Air, how can we
fuppofe it capable of afcending in a lighter Fluid, or of
being fuftained by it?
·
the Reed of Pipe Put of
Nothing can convey to us fo true an Idea, both of the
Caufe and the Effects of this Phænomenon, as a Diverfion
very common among Children: they make a Lather of
Soap and Water, and taking a Drop of it on the End of
a Reed or Tobacco Pipe, blow it full of Air, till by
degrees it wells into one of thofe large Bubbles of various
Colours, that affords them fo much Entertainment. The
Operation is performed in the following Manner: The
little Artificer, who makes the Bubble, blows it through
that warm Air before contained
in his Lungs a the Heat, which before rarified the in-
fpired Air, does alfo rarify that in the Drop of Water;
which, being dilated and increafed by blowing in fresh
Air, repels from it thofe groffer Particles of Matter, which
obftruct its Dilatation, as the Water, the Oil, and other
Ingredients, of which the Soap is compofed. Now, as
the external Air does equally on every Part refift the
Action of the internal Air, confequently the Fire and
rarified Air contained within the Bubble have not a
rectilineal but circular Motion, forming a kind of Vor-
tex, the Extremities of which are poffeffed by the Water
and the Oil, which being repelled by the Air within, and
compreffed by the external Air, confitute a little fmooth
concave Sphere, which grows thinner and thinner in Pro-
portion to the Increase of its Diameter. Now as the rare-
fied Air that occupies the Space within the Bubble, does,
together with the oily and aqueous Particles that compoſe
the Surface of it, conftitute a Body which is lighter, or at
leaft as light, as an equal Bulk of Air not rarified; it will
remain
¦
!
1
1
•
1
A Fishing Bark
¡
?
Plate 17 [ol. Il pace 168
+
The AIR.
169
remain fufpended in the Air, or rife, fall, or move hori-
zontally, according as any the leaft Impreffion of the
Wind gives it a Direction. This is a juft Repreſentation
of the Action of the Sun and the Wind on thofe Parts of
the Earth and Water that are expoſed to their reſpective In-
fluences.
The burning Matter which the Sun darts upon the
Earth, as it finds ealy Admittance through the Surface of
all fluid Bodies, infinuates itfelf into the Folds and Inter.
ftices of the Air*, which gives Fluidity to the Water,
thereby rarefying the Air, and confequently thofe Glo.
bules of Water in which it is inclofed.
is inclofed. Theſe fiery Par-
ticles being reflected back from the Surface of the Earth
and Water, carry with them thofe little Watery Bubbles,
into which they infinuate themfelves, and together with
them feveral Corpufcles of a different Nature, that hap-
pened to be intermixed with them, of volatile Salts,
Oils, Sulpur, Bitumen, Minerals, and many others,
which either proceed from the Flefh of Animals, or are
diſcharged from the Bowels of the Earth and from Mines
into the Sea, where they either mix with the Water or
fwim on the Surface of it, like a Froth or Scum, more or
lefs perceivable. The Fire and rarefied Air occupy the
Infide of the Bubble, while the Water and the other grofs
Particles, which are repelled on every Side from the Centre,
go to form the Shell or Outfide. Thefe little Globules
thus formed, being lighter than fo many equal Bulks of
compreffed Air at the Bottom of the Atmofphere, mult
neceffarily afcend into thofe Regions, where the Air is of
the fame fpecifick Gravity with themſelves, where they re-
main fufpended.
Now it is certain, that the Water cannot arrive at
this Degree of Lightness, but by the Rarefaction of the
Air contained in it; nor is the Air thus rarefied but by
the Action of the Fire which infinuates itſelf between the
Parts of it; nor can any other Reafon be affigned for the
Afcent of thefe little Globules in Vortexes, but that na u-
ral Tendency, which the inclofed Particles of Fire have to
afcend in ſpiral Lines; and this Direction of Motion is ftill
farther promoted by the equal Preffure of the circumam-
bient Air.
VOL. III.
See pag. 166.
I
That
170
XXIII.
DIALOGUE
That theſe Bubbles have a real, and not only an ima-
ginary Exiſtence, is plain from hence, that feveral of
them may be diftinctly difcerned afcending from the Sur-
face of boiling Water, while thofe fmaller Bubbles, whoſe
Fineness renders them imperceptible, conftitute that Steam
which evaporates from it.
The Effects of
Evaporation.
After knowing the Manner how Evaporation is per-
formed, it is no hard Matter to diſcover
what are the Effects produced by it. The
Bubbles which are thus formed by the
Heat, and made to afcend in greater or
leffer Quantities, remain fufpended in that Part of the At-
mofphere, where the Body of Air beneath them is more
denſe, and that above them more rare, than themſelves.
This Collection of Vapours appears at a Diſtance like a
folid Body, and is what we call a Cloud ;
though Travellers have found, by repeated
Obfervations, that the thickeſt of thoſe
Clouds which they have feen from the Bottom of Moun-
tains, gathering on the Tops of them, were, upon climb-
ing up to their Summits, nothing but Mifts,
refembling thoſe which we fee every now
and then fettle upon the Plains.
Clouds.
Mifts.
The Courſe of
the Clouds.
The Winds that put the Air in Motion, be their Cauſe
what it will, confpire with the different De-
grees of its Rarefaction or Condenſation to
determine the Courfe, the Gathering, the
Clafhing, and the Separation, of the
Clouds.
When the Bubbles that are ſcattered up and down in
the Atmoſphere meet with a cold Air, and which has
more Power to comprefs than the inclofed Fire has to
dilate them, the Particle of Air that is in the Centre of
each Bubble contracts itſelf, cauſing the Bubble to do the
fame. Now the fanie Quantity of Matter, upon Conden-
fation, taking up lefs Room than before, every Bubble be-
comes heavier than an equal Bulk of Air, and therefore,
by the known Laws of Hydroftaticks, muft fubfide; confe-
quently, in Proportion to the Weight of
thefe Bubbles above that Air, they will
defcend with greater or lefs Velocity in
Mildew.
Dew.
Small Rain.
the
The
171
AIR.
the different Forms of Fogs, Mildews, Dews, or ſmall
Rain.
Snow.
If theſe Bubbles, in their Defcent, meet with an Air fo
cold as to freeze them, they condenfe into Flakes of Snow
of different Sizes; and as Snow always
confifts of Oil, volatile Salts, and a Parti-
cle of Fire fhut up in the Centre of this
little congealed Body, it must neceffarily follow that the
Land on which it falls, muſt be enriched and fertilized by
it. And this is found true by conftant Experience. If
there be really any Air pent up within the Flakes of
Snow, fo as to conftitute a little hollow Body, whofe Cruft
or Shell confifts of congealed Water, the Confequence
would be, that when the Snow comes to melt, and the
confined Air, that before extended its Dimenfions, to be
fet at Liberty, the diffolved Water, that before conftituted
but a Part of it, muft occupy a much lefs Space than the
Snow did; which is a Truth confirmed by Experience, and
confequently an Argument of the real Exiftence of thofe
Bubbles or Veficles, by which we accounted for Evapora-
tion. We will pafs on now to the other Changes and
Modifications that they undergo.
When a Torrent of Air happens to force
one Cloud with a violent Shock against Great Rain,
another, a great Part of the Bubbles burſt,
and dafh one againft another, forming themfelves into
larger or leffer Drops of Water, according to the differ-
ent Force with which the Winds act upon them, either
in a perpendicular or horizontal Direction; and the greater
the Height they fall from, the more they coalefce by
falling within the Sphere of each other's Attraction,
and incorporating as they fall; which is the Reafon why
that Rain is for the moft l'art very finall, that defcends
from thofe Clouds that are low and near us, whereas it
falls down in large Drops from thofe that are at a great
Height above us. Now, as the Atmoſphere confiſts of
feveral Regions, one above another, whofe Tempera-
ment and Difpofition varies according to the different
Qualities of thofe Winds that agitate it, it often happens
that thofe Drops of Rain which are formed from an
Affociation, or Coalefcence, of thefe broken Bubbles
or Veficles, do, in the Courſe of their Fall, país through
fome
I 2
三
​i
4
}
i
172
Hail.
DIALOGUE XXIII.
fome Region of the Air, cold enough to
freeze them, which conftitutes what we
call Hail: Now the Size of the Hail-
Stones is always according to the Size of the Drops of
Rain congealed in their Fall.
Meteors in the
Air.
From thoſe fiery Particles lodged in the
Centre of the Bubbles before-mentioned,
and from the different Particles of Oil,.
Sulphur, Nitre, and other combustible
Matter, carried up into the higher Regions of the Atmo-
fphere along with the rarefied Vapours, is formed an in-
flammable Subftance, which becomes more or lefs vifible,
according to the different Strength of the Compofition,
and the Quantity of it. If the Quantity of fiery Particles,
iffuing from the Bubbles of Water upon the Colifion of
two. Clouds, be very fmall, forming only a little Globe of
Falling Stars.
a Falling-Star.
Fire, which fhoots out into a Train of
Light in the Air, and ftraightway difap-
pears, this is what the common People call
When the Flash is projected through a large Extent of
Air, or fets Fire to a Train of other in-
flammable Matter, which happens to be
within the Sphere of its Action, it is what
Lightning.
we call Lightning.
When the Lightning defcends in great Flashes, like an
impetuous Torrent of Fire, it is what we
The Thunder- call a Thunder Bolt; and this has differ-
Bolt
ent Effects, according to the different
State and Difpofition of the Air, and the
different Force and Proportion of thofe Ingredients, which
enter into the Compofition of the Lightning.
Thunder.
The Air which gets loofe from thofe broken Bubbles in
which it was before impriſoned, and that
which happens to be pent in betwixt the
Clouds, is neceffarily very much dilated
by theſe inflammable Subftances; and therefore, being
hemmed in on every Side by thick Clouds, which contrary
Winds heap together round it, or by the falling in of one
Cloud u another, does, by its expanfive Force, burft its
affage throgh them with a violent Explofion, and caufes
that Crack or Rumbling which we call Thunder.
2
The
1
The AIR.
173
The Clap feems continued or reiterated,
by reaſon of the Sound being reflected
from the Surfaces of different Clouds, which
caufes fo many Repetitions or Echoes.
The Length of
the Clap.
The Increase of
the Rain.
As foon as ever the Fire breaks loofe
from the Bubbles, and kindles the other
combuſtible Matter it meets with, the Air,
being thereby expanded and put into a
violent Agitation, rufhes impetuoufly againſt the neigh-
bouring Clouds, which being violently compreffed by the
Force of the Impulfe, the Bubbles of which they are
compofed break and difcharge their Fire likewife in all
Directions; which neceffarily caufes a Succeffion of Flaſhes,
and makes the Rain pour down with greater Vehemence
than before. And this is generally the Cafe immediately
after the Thunder-clap *.
Though Winds very often proceed from
under the Earth, where they are formed The Winds.
by a Stream of Air rarefied by the fub-
terraneous Fire, and violently impelled upwards; yet there
are alfo Winds which iffue out of the Clouds, and make
terrible Havock in a very little Compafs, beating per-
pendicularly upon fome Places, and whirling round in
Eddies, without doing any Damage in Places that are
contiguous. And thefe are occafioned by the Eruption of
the Air from the Bubbles of Water in the Atmoſphere,
which acts with the greateft elaftic Force, where it
meets with the leaft Refiftance from the Clouds, Hence
come thofe ftrange and mischievous Effects, which are
produced by Winds in Time of Thunder and Storm.
The firft Wind that drives before it the Body of the
Cloud, generally blows in an horizontal Line; it very
often happens, that at the fame Time there blows from
another Quarter of the Atmofphere a contrary Wind,
which caufes the Clouds to meet, and dafh one againſt
another; and after the Lightning and Thunder-clap, we
often feel the fudden and terrible Shock of a third Wind,
which is that Air diſcharged from the Middle of the Cloud
in the Manner we just now related. This laft Wind is al-
ways hot and fuffocating, and brings with it a very noi-
* Ingeminant Auftri & denfiffimus Imber. Georg. 1.ver. 333.
I 3
10me
174 DIALOGUE XXIII.
fome Stench of Sulphur; which plainly denotes the Na-
ture of thoſe Materials, that afcend together with the Va-
pours into the upper Regions of the Air. When this rapid
Blaft of Wind in its Defcent paffes through any inferior
Strata of Clouds, whofe Bubbles have been condenſed by
the Cold into Hail-ftones, it darts them down on the Earth
with incredible Velocity, like fo many Bullets, which of-
tentimes do more Execution than the Thunder-bolt itſelf.
When other Winds befides thefe, iffuing from the neigh-
bouring Clouds, fly to the Fight with whizzing Speed, and
join their adverfe Forces, the Hurricane
Whirl-Winds.
ftraight arifes, the Air whirls round in ra-
pid Vortexes, the Smoke defcends, the
Duft flies, the Darkneſs gathers, the Rain pours down in
Torrents, the Lightning, the Hail, and Thunder, all con-
fpire to fpread Horror and Confternation all around; the
flowery Meads, the Corn Fields, and even whole Countries.
are laid wafte, and all the varied Scene lies buried in one
promiſcous Ruin. Now can thefe Irregularities, which feem
to put Nature into a general Confufion and Diſorder, be
the Work of an all-wife Creator? But let us not dare to call
that Irregularity, which is as much the Effect of Forefight
and Counfel, as thofe Laws of Motion which caufed it; and
The Ufefulness
of Storms.
Thunder and Storm are as much the
Work of God, as the Fruits and Flowers
that enrich and adorn the Earth. The
moſt nauſeous Drugs are the Product of
his Creation, as well as the most delicious Dainties; and
he is obeyed and honoured by Storm and Tempeſt, as well
as by the gentle Zephyrs. There is not any one of his
Creatures in which he is not glorified; for they all faithfully
perform his Commands, and extol his Power; There is
neither Speech nor Language, but their Voices are beard among
them *
The Sun, which by its genial Warmth chears and
animates the whole Creation, leads us to the Worſhip of
him, who is the Author of Life and Being: The Light
Tota concors Fabrica perfonat
Dei tuentis cuncta Potentiam.
Non Voce quæ paucorum ad Aures
Perveniat Strepitu maligno. Buchan. Pfàl. xviii.
which
The AIR.
175
1
which embelliſhes and adorns every Part of the Univerſe,
is a lively Repreſentation of him who is the very Effence
of Beauty and Comelinefs; the Rivers, the Forefts, the
Verdure, and Fruits of the Earth, do all declare the Good-
nefs of God, and are ſo many Inftances of his Love and
Bounty towards us. But the Voice of his Thunder is ap-
pointed to awaken thoſe who either abuſe or diſregard his
Bleffings, and to bring them to a Senfe of their Depen-
dance on him, and Duty to him; and if it does not con-
fume them, it will at leaft alarm and admonish them. Thus
does every thing about us ferve to put us in Mind of our
Creator, and is either the Effect of his Goodness to invite
us to love him, or an Inftance of his Power to make us fear
him.
But neither are Storms only defigned as a Leffon of
Inftruction to us, feeing they do of themfelves produce
very uſeful Effects, by cleanfing and purging the Air of
any Impurities or unwholefome Vapours that too long a
Stagnation might occafion; by deſtroying thoſe Swarms
of Infects, which, though ufeful in fome refpects, yet
would prove prejudicial to Mankind, if fuffered to mul-
tiply in too great Abundance; and by repleniſhing the
Cifterns and Refervoirs of thofe Countries which are de-
ftitute of Fountains, often fwelling our Rivers more in one
Hour, than the ordinary Supplies of Rain do in feveral
Months in the Winter.
The fame Caufes that produce the Evaporation of the
Waters, and all thofe Meteors that roll
over our Heads, do alfo produce other Earthquakes.
Effects no lefs dreadful under our Feet;
As
I mean, Earthquakes and the Eruption of Voicanos.
the Agency therefore of the fame Water and Air is
equally neceffary both in the one and the other of thefe
Productions, they naturally fall under the fame Subject of
Difcourfe.
·
The Vapours, being condenfed and falling down in
Rain on the 'Surface of the Earth, mix, with the Salt-
petre which the Air has here depofited, the different
Salts with which the Bodies of Animals abound, Oil,
Dung, Sweepings, and many different Compofitions,
which foak with the Water into the Earth through ten
thouſand different Drains and Fiffures, fometimes fleering
I 4
their
{
1
:
176 DIALOGUE XXIII.
their Courſe over Strata of Salt, fometimes over Beds of
Sulphur, at one time paffing through Mines of Iron, at
another through Layers of Vitriol, diffolving and carrying
away Part of thefe Bodies as they pass along. Thefe
fubterraneous Rivers, the Exiſtence of which we before
demonftrated *, caft up on the Sides of their Channels
greater or fmaller Quantities of thefe inflammable Mate-
rials, which dry and incruftate in Layers, one upon ano-
ther, as the Water leffens and falls away. The Compo-
fition being thus formed, the leaft Particle of Fire (brought
thither by the Wind, or kindled by any other Means,
whether by Fermentation, which is very common be-
twixt fulphurous and mineral Bodies, or by fome Mafs
of burning Sulphur in the fubterraneous Caverns) inflames.
thofe Particles of Oil which are contiguous to it; and
thofe communicate it from one Train of Sulphur to ano-
ther. The Combustion being thus begun, the mineral
Particles diffolve, the Air conveyed under Ground in its
Vehicle of Water is dilated, and violently repels the Salt-
petre, which is the moſt forcible and powerful of all the
combuflible Ingredients. Thus the Rarefaction of the
Air, and the Projection of thofe Salts with which it is
impregnated, confpire to act with fuch amazing Vehe-
nence and Fury, that, wherever they meet with any
Refiftance to obftruct their Paffage, they make the very
Earth to ſhake and tremble from the Centre to the Sur-
face, overthrow whole Towns, and would lay in Ruin
whole Kingdoms, had not Providence, which weighs both
the Ufefuluefs and dangerous Effects of thefe tremendous
Forces, fet Bounds to their Power, by opening at proper
The Benefit of
Volcanos.
Diſtances certain Volcanos, or Vent-Holes,
through which the imprifoned Air and all
thoſe combuftible Ingredients that kindle
fo dreadful a War in the Bowels of the
Earth may diſcharge their Fury, and by being diſperſed
in the open Air lofe that Strength, which, when united
and collected in one Body, acts with fuch irrefiftible
Force on every thing that oppofes its Way. So that we
may
fee how theſe Volcanos, which are looked upon as
to many Plagues and Calamities in thofe Countries where
*See Dialogue XXI,
they
The AIR.
177
they are, are appointed by God for their Safety and Prefer-
vation.
After having traced the Origin of Mete-
ors and fubterraneous Fires, let us beftow The Winds,
a little Time in confidering that of the
Winds, on whofe various Laws and Motions are founded
the Arts of Navigation and Agriculture, and the Temper-
ature of every Climate. Now of Winds fome are regular,
and others irregular: The former are thoſe that blow con-
ftantly in fome Countries and in fome particular Latitude
at certain Seafons: the latter are thofe which have no fixed
Courſe or Rule that we know of.
General Winds.
The most regular Winds that we have
any Knowledge of are thofe which blow
almoſt all the Year betwixt the Tropicks
from East to West, and thoſe which we call the Etcfian
or annual Winds, which blow from the North to the
Æquator in our Summer, and from the South Pole to the
Æquator in our Winter.
Daily Obfervations of what paffes in almoſt every Coun-
try a little before Sun-rife, will help us to a Solution of
thefe regular Winds. When at the Break of Day there
happens to be no fettled Wind, we generally perceive
at the Time of the Sun's Approach to our Horizon, and
a little after it is rifen, a pretty brifk Eafterly Gale,
which probably proceeds from the Eaftern Air being
dilated by the Return of the Sun, and driving before it
that which is more denfe and farther from the Sun; which
neceffarily caufes an Eafterly Wind, which ceafes as the Sun
advances to our Meridian, and heats our Air.
By Parity of Reaſon, the fame Wind muft always pre-
cede the Sun in the Torrid Zone, and blow ftronger
there than in our Climates where the Influence of the Sun
is more moderate. Accordingly they have almost always
in the Torrid Zone a Wind Biowing from Eaf to W,
and very feldom a Wefterly Wind; it being unnatural to
fuppofe that the Sun can rarefy the Air in the oppolite
Horizon which it has left, efpecially after having rarched
it a whole Day; confequently it muft dilate and-give an
elaftic Spring to the Air of thofe Regions it is entering
I 5.
into,
i
178
DIALOGUE XXIII.
1 2
!
into, and which has been condenfed during the Space of
one Night of twelve Hours.
The Trade-
Winds.
But in as much as the Sun paffes by
Degrees from one Tropick to the other
when it advances towards the North, the
Northern Air, being acted on by the
Heat, endeavours to expand itſelf; but being oppoſed by
the Body of condenfed Air which is ftill more Northern,
it must confequently be reflected back to the Æquator,
from which Quarter it finds the leaſt Reſiſtance.
*
The Direction of the Wind must therefore be from the
Eaft in Summer *, and from the North to the South; it
muſt blow from the first, becauſe the Sun firſt rarefies
the Air in the Eaft, after being condenfed by the noctur-
nal Cold; and it muſt blow from the North to the South,
becauſe the rarefied Air is reflected back from the North
to the South by the Refiftance it meets with from the
denfer Northern Air. Hence proceed the Trade or an-
nual Winds, which bring with them thofe vaſt Quan-
tities of Rain that prove fo ferviceable and refreſhing to
the Inhabitants of the Torrid Zone that live on this Side
of the Equator. By the fame Reafon, when the Sun
paffes the Equinoctial Line, and advances towards the
Tropick of Capricorn, the Trade-Winds do neceffarily
blow from the South Pole, and cool the Inhabitants of the
Torrid Zone that live on the other Side of the Equator
with welcome Showers.
The Courfe of thefe general Winds may indeed be
interrupted or changed by the Refiflance of Mountains,
or fome particular Winds blowing from a different or
contrary Quarter; but theſe little Deviations from the
general Rule and Courfe which they obferve, are not to
be deemed Irregularities, feeing they may proceed from
a regular uniform Caufe which we are ignorant of; and
therefore we ought not to call that a Blemish in Nature,
which only fees fuch through a Defect in our Under-
flandings.
* That is, blow eafterly, betwixt the Ecuator and the Northern
Tropicks, while the Sun is on our Side of the Equator.
1
Thofe
The AIR.
179
Local and irre-
gular Winds.
Thofe Winds which we call local and
irregular, derive the Origin and Caufe of
their Variations from Streams of Air rare-
fied under Ground, from the bursting or
falling of Clouds, and the Eruption of the Air contained
in them; from different Degrees of Heat and Cold,
caufing a proportionable Rarefaction or Condenfation of
the Air; from the various Determinations of the Air, as
it may be reflected from Mountains, or be interrupted by
the irregular Windings and Breaks of the Sea-Coafts;
and, in fhort, to a vaft Variety of Caufes that may con-
fpire to give a different Modification or Direction to the
Courfe of it. And the Multitude of theſe is ſo very
great, that we can fcarce hope ever to be able, by our
moft diligent Reſearches and Inquiries, to come to any
certain or very uſeful Knowledge of them; however, we
cannot but acknowledge ourſelves indebted to the good
Will and patient Endeavours of fome learned Men of
the North, who have been at the Pains to keep a faith-
ful Register of the moſt minute Variations of the Wind
for thirty Years fucceffively. Repeated Obfervations of
this Kind may poffibly help us to a general Hiſtory of the
Winds, and prove a Sort of a Directory as to the Ufe that
may be made of them. Notwithſtanding the Inconftancy
and Irregularity of theſe Variations in the Courfe of the
Air, yet they are not without their very beneficial Effects,
as we fhall proceed to fhew.
The Benefit of
Winds.
The Weft
Wind.
After long continued Seafons of fultry
Heat, when the Cattle begin to grow
faint and weak, and the Verdure of the
Fields to wither, the Sea oft-times very
opportunely fends a Weft Wind with fea-
fonable Succours of Refreſhment: But as
too long a Continuance of this moift Wind would prove
hurtful to the Inhabitants and Fruits of the Earth, it is
generally fo ordered by the Courfe of Nature, that it
fhould be driven back by an East Wind, which, winging
its way along the Continent from Afa
into Europe, brings us fair and dry Wea- The Eaft Wind.
ther. The North Wind comes armed
* Mr. Clarke, of Norfolk.
16
with
1
F
1
!
180
The North
Wind.
DIALOGUE XXIII.
1
with Millions of frozen Particles of Air,
to precipitate, difperfe, or condenſe, the
malignant and unwholefome Vapours of
Autumn; it contributes more than any
other Wind to fertilize and enrich the Soil, either by
bringing with it greater Quantities of Salts, or by caufing
a lefs Diffipation of thoſe it meets with in our Climate,
rather accumulating and keeping them together, as the
Wind that blows into the Mouth of a River raifes and
heaps up the Water without making any Addition to the
Quantity of it. Laftly, the fharp Edge of the North Wind
is taken off by that genial Warmth which
the South Wind diffufes through the Air,
kindling fresh Life and Vigour in every
Part of Nature. Thefe perpetual Vicif-
fitudes ferve to vary the Difpofitions and Productions of
the Earth; they correct or prevent thofe ill Confequences
which would neceffarily refult from any one fixed and per-
manent State of Things, and purify the Air by keeping
it in conftant Motion. Without the Affiftance of thefe
Winds we fhould be poifoned in our very Houſes, and
Paris and London would in a little Time be no better than
two great Sinks of Corruption.
The South
Wind.
The Winds then, we fee, are the common Servants of
Mankind, which are not only commiffioned to warm and
cool us by turns, but alfo to keep our Habitations clean
and wholeſome; which Office they perform with all imagi-
nable Decency, carrying away invifibly every thing that
might infect and corrupt the Air. But we are like thoſe
fantaſtical and diffatisfed Maßfers, who always overlook
the good Qualities of their Servants, and are blind to
every Thing but their Faults. In like manner we perhaps
fcarce ever attend to the conflant Services and good Offices
which we receive from the Winds, but are perpetually com-
plaining of every little Blaft that proves offenfive to our
fqueamish Humours.
Let us now briefly recapitulate the Effects of the Air
above-mentioned; Vapours, Fogs, Clouds, Dews, Rains,
Hail, Snow, Lightning, Thunder, Earthquakes, fubter-
ranecus Fires. Storms, regular and irregular Winds; all
theſe great Phænomena owe their Original to the Elaſti-
city of the Air, accordingly as it is differently condenfed
or
t
The AIR.
181.
or dilated by the different Cauſes that act upon it. A
few cubick Feet of Air, rarefied by Fire in a little Mine,
are fufficient to blow up a Baftion with the Battalions that
are upon it. The famous Cities of Nici, Herculane, Anti-
och, and Pal:rmo, were almoſt entirely fwallowed up by the
Erruption of a Body of Air impelled upwards by fubter-
raneous Fires: nay, a few Inches of this Element, and
Salt-
t-petre, proved to be of fufficient Force to wing thoſe
fatal Balls that took off the two famous Marſhals, Beravick
and Turenne. Now how wonderful muſt the Mechaniſm
and Structure of that Spring of the Air needs be, which,
under the Finger of God, can prove an Inftrument fuffi-
cient, to bring about the moſt extraordinary Revolutions in
Nature and human Society!
The fame Spring or Elafticity of the
of Plants.
Air is, in Plants and Animals, the Prin- The Vegetation
ciple of their Vegetation and Growth.
For that the Air does enter into the
Compofition of Plants is inconteftable; whether by infinu
ating itfelf into their Bodies through thofe hollow Tubes,
which the famous Malphigi, by the Affiftance of his Mi-
croſcopes, diſcovered in them, and which he therefore calls
Trachian Arteries, or Lung-Pipes [Spiracula]; or whe-
ther it finds Admittance through the Pores of the Earth,
or through thofe of the Bark and Leaves of them; or
laft, whether the Water ferves as a Vehicle to convey it
into the Subftance of Vegetables, feeing this Element
has always more or lefs Air in it, and derives its Fluidity
from it. By which foever of theſe ways it comes to paſs,
the Air having gained Admittance into the Bodies of
Plants, it there remains inactive, while chilled and com-
preffed by the Winter's Cold; but, being revived by the
genial Warmth of the returning Spring, it exerts its
elaftic Powers, communicating Vigour and Motion to the
Salts and Juices. But as exceffive Cold does freeze and
bind up its active Powers, fo extreme Heat is no leſs an
Enemy to it; for being thereby overmuch relaxed and
rarefied, it lofès its Spring and Force, and the Plant muft
neceffarily languifh and die, unleſs fome kind refreſhing
Shower comes to its Relief with a freſh Supply of Nutri-
tive Juices, bringing with it likewife a new Recruit of
more compacted Air, which by its elaftic Force may
caufe
1
}
f
**
182
DIALOGUE
XXIII.
cauſe the Sap to afcend, and diftribute Nouriſhment to
every Part of the Plant.
and Nutrition of
Animals,
At the firſt View one would be apt to
The Refpiration imagine, that the internal Heat which is in
the Bodies of all Animals was fufficient
to ſeparate the Chyle from the groffer Parts
of their Food, and to diftribute the Blood
and Juices in proper Quantities all over the Body; where-
as the Heat only acts by the Mediation of the Air, which
is of fo neceffary an Ufe to it, that, without the Inftru-
mentality of the Air, the Fire would not be able to act at
all; accordingly we find, that when the former is evacua-
ted by any Means, the latter lofes its Power: This may
be illuftrated by a familiar Instance: The Hand has in
itſelf the Principle of-Motion; but when it would make
an Impreffion on any hard Body, or drive a Nail, it bor-
rows the Affiftance of a Hammer: now the Hammer has
no Motion but what it receives from the Hand, and yet
the Hand would not be able of itſelf to drive the Nail :
In like Manner, the Fire in the Bodies of Animals is, to-
gether with the Æther that is intermixed with it, that firft
Principle of Motion which feparates the nutritious Juices.
from the coarfer Part of the Food, concoding them in
the Stomach, mixing them with the Blood, and compact-
ing the whole Frame of the human Syftem by the Diftri-
bution of Salts, which, like fo many fmall Nails, keep all
the Parts together: But the Fire does not produce the Ef-
feas immediately and of itſelf, but by the Agency of the
Air, which it dilates, thereby caufing it to perform the
Office of a Hammer, to give a greater Force to its
Strokes; or if the Air does not act by Percuffion, it does
at leaſt by Protrufion, when, being rarified and dilated by
the expanfive Power of the Fire, it fills a greater Space
than before, and confequently drives before it thofe Bo-
dies which obftruct its Inlargement, thereby communicating
that proper Degree of Motion to all the Fluids, Muicles,
and Veffels of the Bodies, which is neceffary for the Dif
charge of their ſeveral Functions.
The Lungs, which are the Organs of Refpiration, are
contrived in the moſt artful Manner, to procure to the
Body all thofe Benefits which can poffibly arife to it from
the moſt exact Proportion of the Preffure and Elafticity
of
1
The
183
AIR.
r
of the Air to its feveral Occafions, being formed fo as to
diftend themſelves in order to draw in a freſh Quantity of
Air, and to contract when they want to breathe out
that which has done its Office; by this conftant Act of
Reſpiration, we expel the rarefied Air, after it has con-
tributed its due Proportion of Motion to the Inteftines,
the Chyle, and the Blood, and can be of no Service any
longer, and immediately infpire a freſh Recruit of more
denfe Air to fucceed it in the fame Operation; and if at
any time, through any Diſorder or Weakneſs of the
Body, the exceffive Heat of the Seafon, or of that par-
ticular Place we are in, the Air we breathe is fo much
rarefied as to lofe that Force and Elafticity which is ne-
ceffary to affift the peristaltic Motion and the Circulation
of the Blood; in this Cafe, we are obliged to have re-
courfe to cooling Draughts, cold Baths, and even Ice it-
felf, to the End that by theſe Means we may reftore the
Spring of the Air, and give it that active Force by which
it performs the Offices of Digeftion and Nutrition in our
Bodies. We ſhall not encroach on the Province of the
Anatomifts fo far as to undertake to explain the particular
Structure of the Lungs, the A&tion of the Stomach, the
Contraction and Dilation of the Heart, the Communi-
cation betwixt the Arteries and the Veins, the Diſtribution
of the Blood, and the Perfpiration of the fuperfluous
Juices and Humours: It is fufficient for our Purpoſe to
have accounted for all thefe furprizing Operations from
that fingle Property of the Air, its Elafticity.
balance betwixt
the Preffure and
Elafticity of the
Air.
The wonderful Phænomenon of Refpi-
ration naturally leads us to the Confidera- The Counter-
tion of another no lefs furprizing, and in-
feparable from it, and which, though uni-
verfally the fame throughout all Nature,
is no where more confpicuous than in the
human Body; and this is that Counter-balance which is
betwixt the Preffure of a large Body of Air, and the
Elaſticity or Reſiſtance of a very fmall Quantity of the
fame Element. This will be beft illuftrated by an Ex-
ample take a flat empty Bottle, and lay it upon its
Side;
e; now at firft, one would be apt to imagine, that
the Preffure of the Air on the external Surface of the Bot-
tle, and which is equivalent to the Weight of thirty-two
4
Feet
184
DIALOGUE XXIII.
Feet of Water, every Foot weighing feveral Pounds,
ſhould cruſh the Sides of the Bottle together. And this
would be the Confequence, were it not that the Air con-
tained within the Bottle, whether it be ftopped up or not,
does, by a contrary Preffure from within, counter-balance
the external Preffure, and thereby keep the Bottle from
breaking. And that this is the Cafe, will appear from
applying a Syringe to the Mouth of the Bottle, and
pumping out that internal Air, which did by its Reni-
tency fuftain the Sides of it; which is no fooner done,
than the external Air acting with its full Force of Gravity
on the Surface of the Glafs, and meeting with no Oppofi-
tion from within, immediately breaks the Bottle. It has
not the fame Effect on a round Bottle, the Structure of it
being like that of a Vault, the feveral Parts of which mu-
tually fuftain each other, and the Preffure of the Air, in the
fame equal Manner as the Arches of the Pont au Change
fupport the prodigious Weight of thoſe two Rows of Houfes
that are built along the Sides of it.
The Body of a Man being rather flat than round, one
would think that the Weight of thoſe two Columns of Air
that prefs on his Stomach and his Back, would ſqueeze
both Sides together, feeing the lateral Preffure of Fluids
is equal to their perpendicular Preffure; which is the Rea-
fon why any Liquor will run out of a Cafk, through a
Hole made in the Side of it, as faft as through one made
at the Bottom. In like manner the Column of Air which
preffes on our Stomachs acts as forcibly as that which
preffes on our Shoulders. We before obferved, that a
Column of Air, which fuftains in a Tube twenty-eight
Inches of Quick-Silver, or thirty-two Feet of Water, is
equivalent to thofe two Weights fingly, and that the Baſe
of the fuftaining muft be equal to that of the fuftained
Column; for Example, a Column of Air that fuftains a
Body of Water thirty-two Feet high, and one Foot fquare,
muft neceffarily be one Foot fquare itfelf. Now as we
can determine the Weight of a Column of Water one
Foot fquare, fo can we alfo that of a Column of Air of
the fame Dimenfions. A cubic Foot of Water weighs
about feventy Pounds; confequently a Column of Air one
Foot fquare, that fuftains thirty-two cubic Feet of Water,.
muft weigh thirty-two times feventy, or two thcufand two
hundred
1
The AIR.
185
hundred and forty Pounds; fay only two thoufand one
hundred Pounds, which is the leaft it weighs, and re-
duces it to the Weight of only thirty cubick Feet of
Water. Every Man, generally fpeaking, is above five
Feet high, and one Foot broad; we will content ourſelves
with the Allowance of five Feet, and fet afide the Thick-
neſs of the Head, the Shoulders, and the Sides, to diſcount
for the leffer Surface of the Legs: thus then ſuppoſing
him to confift but of two Surfaces, each five feet fquare,
the Preffure of Air upon the whole Man will be that of
ten Columns of Air, each Column one Foot fquare, and
weighing two thouſand one hundred Pounds, and confe-
quently the Sum total of Weights will be twenty one
thouſand Pounds. We do therefore, according to this
moderate Calculation, fuftain on our Bodies the Weight
of twenty one thouſand Pounds of Air. How furprizing
that we are not cruſhed to Death by fuch an enormous
Weight! What dreadful Apprehenfions is not this Con-
fideration capable of alarming us with! But how do all
our Fears vaniſh, or rather are changed into Admiration,
when we come to underſtand how that little Quantity of
Air that is within us, and which we are continually
breathing in and out, is able, by its own Elafticity, to
counterbalance the vaft Preffure of the external Air!
Thefe two contrary Forces reciprocally deftroy each other;
or rather, though they both really act, are not felt by.
us, becauſe they equiponderate. Now if this Equality of
Preffure be deſtroyed, either by extracting the Air that is
in the Body of the Animal, or by exhaufting the cir
cumambient Air, which may be effected by the Affift-
ance of a Pneumatick Engine; in the former Cafe, the
external Air will fqueeze the Animal flat and preſs him
to Death; in the latter, the internal Air will dilate itfelf
to that Degree, as to make him fwell till he burft.
If the Elafticity or Spring of that little Quantity of
Air that is contained within our Bodies is able to fufpend
and counterbalance a Weight exceeding twenty-one thou-
fand Pounds, it muſt neceſſarily act with a Force equal to
that Weight. When we think of this, how amazing
muſt appear the Mechaniſm of the Air, in which the great
Artificer and Creator of it has united two fuch oppofite
Forces
i
!
186
XXIII.
DIALOGUE
Forces! The fame Air that by its external Preffure on
our Bodies continually threatens our Deſtruction by cruſh-
ing us to Atoms, does at the fame time make as great an
Effort within us to rend our whole Frame afunder: our
only Security confifts in the Equality of thefe two formida-
ble contending Powers; the fame Hand, which formed
them, to put in Motion the whole Syftem of Nature, hav-
ving balanced and tempered them in fuch exact Proportion,
as that the Violence of the one fhould be repelled by the
Activity of the other.
Thoſe that are well ſkilled in Mechanicks know how to
manage theſe Forces with a furprizing deal of Art, and to
augment the one by diminiſhing the other: they can ex-
hauft the internal Air, to give full and free Power to the
Preffure of the external; an Example of which we have.
in the Afcent of Water in our Pumps, which immediately
follows the Sucker upon its taking off the Preffure of the
fuper incumbent Air: or they can overcome the Preffure
by encreafing the Spring of the Air, by applying to it a
more intenfe Fire than that which rarefies the Air in our
Bodies: fuch is that furprizing Augmentation of the Air's
Elafticity in Gun Powder, when it is put in Motion by the
Fire that is in the Sulphur, and darts with great Vehemence
thofe hard, fharp-pointed Particles, of which the Salt-
petre is compofed.
}
But however curious thofe Diſcoveries are which have
taught Men the Ufe of theſe active Powers of the Air, let
us not yet take our Leave of the fimple Workmanſhip of.
Nature, but proceed to confider thofe other ftill more fur-
prizing Effects, which refult from the Structure and For-
mation of the Air.
Now the Air informs us, with no lefs Fidelity
than Expedition, and from every Quarter, of every
Thing that can any ways concern us, whether good or
bad,
Smells.
And firft, it is the Vehicle of Smells,
by tranfmitting which to us it informs us
of the good or bad Qualities of our
Victuals; on the one Hand, acquainting us with what is
good and wholeſome, by thofe agreeable Senfations which
it conveys to us; and on the other, by making offenſive
Impreffions
The
$87
AIR.
Impreffions on our Senfes, it gives us timely Notice to
beware of every thing that may be poiſonous, infectious,
or unwholefome, whether in our Meat, in the Air, or our
Habitations.
Secondly, If the Air difcharges the
Part of a faithful Monitor, by the dif- Sounds.
ferent Informations it fends us by the
Miniſtration of Smells; it performs the fame Office no
lefs diligently, and more effectually, by that Intelligence
it conveys to our Ears by the Mediation of Sounds, which
we may confider as fo many Couriers which it diſpatches
to us every Moment, to bring us News of what paffes
oftentimes at a very confiderable Diſtance from us. It is
our Buſineſs to make a proper Ufe of fuch feaſonable
Advices.
1
The Nature of Sound has very much exerciſed the
Curiofity of Philofophers; yet, after all their Study and
Labour, your very Mechanicks and Muficians, who have
attained to the Art of ſwelling, foftening, and variouſly
modulating Sounds, give us better Satisfaction than all the
Attempts of Philofophers to explain the Formation of
them. Were the internal conftituent Parts of all fonorous
Bodies, whether of Wood, Metal, or any other Ma-
terials, formed in the Shape of a Chord, a Gun-worm,
or a wreathed Column, we might then probably give
fome tolerable Account of their Sound from the Vi-
bration of their Parts: we might then fay of theſe.
Bodies, that they are compreffed or dilated, are in a State
of Tenfion or Relaxation; that they act upon the Air,
which, reverberating on them, cauſes a Vibration in their
Parts, which decreaſes or ceaſes according to the Refiftance
communicated through the Air from other Bodies, or
from that of the Air itfelf. But, laying afide all fruitless
Inquiries how thefe Motions in Bodies, and thefe Undu-
lations in the Air, which are the Caufe of Sounds, are
performed, let us reft fatisfied with knowing that this
particular Organization of the Air is a Property implanted
in it by God, in order to communicate to us fuch Notions
as are of uſe to us, where the fame Information cannot be
had from the Sight. For Example; my Mind is em-
ployed in contemplating thofe numberlefs Leffons of
Caution and Inftruction, difplayed in the Formation and
Com-
188
XXIII.
DIALOGUE
1
Compofition of thefe Elements which God has been
pleafed to create for my Ufe; I fet my Thoughts to
work, and form divers Judgments thereupon; I find that
he has made me capable of difcerning clearly their Beauty
and beneficial Properties, to the End that I may be ſupplied
with thofe Things I want, and be grateful for them; but
I find alfo, that he has with-held from me the Power of
coming to the thorough Comprehenfion of their respective.
Natures and Effences, left I fhould be too much exalted
with the Conceit of my own Wifdom, or be fo much
taken up in the Purfuit of Knowledge, as to be diverted
from paying my Duties to him, and acknowledging my
Dependance on him. Thefe, fuppofe, are the Reflexions
I make within myſelf, and as my Thoughts are invifible,
they can only be known to me; how then fhall I be able
to communicate them to the Company I have the Honour
to be with? By the Motions of my Tongue and Lips, I
find myſelf able to form fuch different
articulate Sounds as are agreed on, by the
general Confent of Mankind, to be the
Signs of fuch and fuch Ideas: By this Means therefore,
thoſe who hear the Sounds which are faſhioned in the Air
by the Motion of my Lips, become informed of thoſe
Ideas of which they are the Reprefentatives, and confe-
quently become acquainted with my Thoughts and Senti-
ments. Hence it appears, that the Air is the common In-
terpreter of all Mankind, and that Channel of Communi-
cation in which the moft retired Secrets of our Hearts are
conveyed to each other.
Speech.
Nor does it only mutually communicate Intelligence to
Perſons that are within the Circle of Converfation, but
even to fuch as are at a very great Diſtance from one
another for Example; thofe who live within a City can-
not fee what paffes without the Walls that incloſe them,
nor can they who fee the Enemy making an Attack at
one Gate, ſpread the Alarm immediately to thofe who are
at the other Extremity of the Town, to give Notice of
their Danger, by the fole Stretch of the Voice; but the
Centinel who from off the Walls fpies the Enemy ap-
proaching at a Distance, gives the Signal by ftriking on
a Bell, the Sound of which is carried by the Air in a
Second of Time, that is to fay the fixtieth Part of a
Minute,
The AIR.
189
Minute, one thouſand and eighty- Feet, or a hundred and
eighty Toifes, all round the Watch Tower; in another Se-
cond, the Sound is propagated other eighty Toifes, and fo
on. By theſe Means the whole Town is alarmed in leſs than
half a Quarter of a Minute, which gives them an Opportu
nity to run to their Arms, and repulfe the Enemy.
Thus we fee that the Air is the moſt expeditious
Meffenger we can employ. But neither is it (to our great
Surprize) lefs faithful in delivering its Meffage, than it is
ſpeedy in conveying it. It diftributes the Harmony of a
Concert to the Audience all around with the utmoſt Exact-
nefs, it keeps true Time, runs over the nimble Diviſions,
repeats the leaft Inflexions of the Voice, and does not lofe
fo much as a Quarter of a Note, or the leaſt Variation of
a Tone. In a word, it runs through all the Parts of Mu-
fick, and catches every Air and Grace that embelliſhes
Harmony; it fwells the manly Sound, and thunders in the
Note, or faintly flutters in foft dying Strains; it then again
revives, and with bold Touches kindles into Rage, or
gently fooths with pleafing Melody. Thus does it rouze
or calm the Paffions with fympathetick Sounds, and tunes
our Affections with more perfuafive Eloquence.
The Air, why
invifible.
From the wonderful Effects of Sounds, which are form'd
and propagated by the eafy Motion of the
Air, let us pafs on to that amazing Phe-
nomenon the Light, of which it is alfo the
ordinary Vehicle. And here the first
Subject of Aftoniſhment that prefents itſelf to us is, that a
Fluid fo nearly related to us as the Air is, and which ne-
ver ceaſes to act upon us, fhould at the fame Time be invi-
fible to us; and yet this is nothing less than an Effect of
God's good Providence, and watchful Care over us, in
order to gratify us with a Profpect of all the Works of
Nature; for were the Air visible, we ſhould no longer
have a diftinct View of any other Objects; for, every Par-
ticle of the Air having a Surface fufficient to reflect the
Light, we fhould fee all the Bodies that furround us, as
through thoſe Rays of the Sun that pafs through a Camera
obſcura, and which are reflected to our Eyes from thoſe
little Atoms of Duft that float about in the Air: whereas,
by making the Air invifible, God has not only given us
a more diftinct Survey of his Worlds, but has alſo concealed
from
190 DIALOGUE XXIII.
from us the Sight of what it is for our Eafe and Happiness
not to fee. Were the Air difcernable like other Bodies,
the Vapours would be ſtill more fo, the leaft Smoke would
disfigure the beautiful Landfkip of Nature. Life itfelf
would become painful and uneafy; we ſhould ſee the Hu-
mours that are perpetually fent out by Perfpiration from
the Bodies of Animals, all the unctuous Vapours, all the
Filth and Naftinefs that exhales from our Kitchins, our
Streets, and common Sewers; Society would be rendered
infupportable, and we ſhould feek for Health and Safety
in Solitudes, flying to Woods and Deferts to eſcape the
Dangers that feem to threaten us, or to get out of the
way of thofe Nuifances, which would be the inevitable
Confequences of fuch a Sight. But nevertheless, left thofe
Exhalations, which ceafe to be offenfive and hurtful to us
when difperfed, fhould, by being invifible, infenfibly ga-
ther and thicken fo as to fuffocate or injure us, God has not
only freed us from theſe perpetual Apprehenfions, but also
forewarned us of our Danger by the Senfe of Smelling, and
refcued us from it by the Current of the Winds.
But, however fine and delicate that Structure of the Air
is, which renders it invifible to us, yet it is not without
a Degree of Force, fufficient to refract and inflect thoſe
Rays of Light which enter fideways into it; from which
Property of the Air, very great Advantages accrue to
Mankind.
The Air the
Caufe of the Re-
fraction of Light.
Now, in order to underſtand the Effects
of Refraction, let us divide the Circumfe-
rence of the Globe of the Earth into 360
Degrees of equal Parts; the half of which
is 180 let us now fuppofe ourſelves
placed in the Middle of this Half, fo as to be able to ſee
ço Degrees, or one fourth Part, of the Heavens on one
Side, and as much on the other Side. Now it is certain,
that we then only begin to fee the Sun, when it leaves the
inferior Half or Hemifphere, which is inviſible to us, and
enters upon the Confines of that Half of the Heavens
which conflitutes our Hemifphere: in like Manner, when
he has run his Courfe through our Horizon, we lofe
Sight of him the Moment he pafles into that which is
beneath us; and confequently as his Rays then ceaſe to
come directly from him to us, fhooting up obliquely into
the
The
191
AIR.
the Atmoſphere on one Side of us, it ſhould happen that
the Moment he fets beneath our Horizon, we fhould in-
ſtantly be deprived of the Benefit of Light, and be totally
involved in Darkness; but this, we find, is not the Cafe';
for we enjoy Day-light a full Hour, oftentimes much
longer, after the Sun is fet, and as much Twilight before
the Sun is rifen above our Horizon. The Advantages we
receive from this Encreafe of Day depend
The Benefit of
upon the particular Structure of that Bo-
dy of Air, which God has diffuſed round the Crepufcles.
the Earth, the exact Altitude of which
he alone can meafure, though we are fure it is at leaſt fe-
veral Leagues high. He hath eſtabliſhed fo exact a Law
of Proportion betwixt the Air and the Light that paffes
through it, that, when the Motion of the latter is perpen-
dicular to the Earth, it holds on its Courſe in the fame
Line of Direction, without the leaft Deviation; whereas
a Ray of Light entering the Atmoſphere, either in an ho-
rizontal or oblique Direction, inſtead of purſuing the fame
Courſe and paffing directly through the Atmoſphere, it is
refracted down to the Earth, by which Bending or In-
flection of the Rays, its Inhabitants enjoy the Benefit of
that Light, which, were there no fuch Medium to alter
its Direction, would be of no Ufe to them. Thus, when
the Sun approaches to our Horizon, ere it becomes vifi-
ble to us, it projects into the Atmosphere, which envi-
rons the Earth, feveral Rays, which paffing on in ſtrait
Lines through the Atmoſphere, would not be difcerned
by us; but meeting with a Body of Air, which has the
Power of refracting or bending them down to us, we have
Day before the great Fountain of Light, the Sun, ap-
pears, and ſome time after it has taken its Leave of us.
When the Sun comes to be 18 Degrees below our Hori-
zon, its Rays are no longer refracted down to us by the
Atmoſphere; total Darkneſs then
then enfues, and gives
the Sigual for Man to ceafe from his Labour, and repair to
Reft;
and if the Moon and Stars then hold forth
their Lights, to mitigate the Horror of the Night, yet
they fhine with fo gentle and mild a Splendor, as not to
difturb its Repofe. Thus we fee how this Law of the
Refraction of Light is calculated, by the infinite Wiſdom
and Goodness of God, to be of univerfal Benefit to Man-
kind,
192
DIALOGUE XXIII.
{
kind, who thereby gain at least two Hours of Light every
Day, but more particularly to thoſe who inhabit the frozen
Zones; who, but for the Benefit of the Crepufcles, would
be involved, for feveral Months together, in one continued
Night.
The Northern
Light.
This auxiliary Light, which is refracted
by the Atmoſphere, in the Night-time,
towards both the Poles, does oftentimes
meet in its Paffage thither with a very
denfe Air, thick Clouds or Collections of Snow in the up-
per Regions of the Atmoſphere, from which it is re-
flected in different Directions, according to the different.
Inclination of their Surfaces. Hence probably come thoſe
Streamers, which Philofophers call Aurore Boreales *, or
Northern Lights, and which fill the Minds of the common
People fo often with terrible Apprehenfions of fome direful
Events, of which thefe feem to them fo many Prognofticks,
though in Reality they have been a common Phænome-
non in all Ages. Thefe Lights are no lefs frequent in
the South, than in the Noth; the Reafon of their appear-
ing to us in this Quarter, more commonly than the other,
being the vaſt Diſtance we are at from the S.ath Pole, which ·
hinders the Light reflected thence from coming to us, it
neither being reflected nor refracted, any farther than is ne-
ceffàry for our Occafions.
Other Ufes of
Refraction.
Nor is it the only Benefit we reap from
the Laws of Refraction, that the Day is
thereby protracted for our fe, even after
the Sun has finished his Courfe from one
End of the Horizon to the other; for if, after the pitchy
Darkneſs of the Night, the Day were to break in fud.
denly upon us, in the fift Strength and Power of its Bright-
nefs, the tender Organs of Sight would not be able to
endure fuch exceffive Splendor, but be overpowered by
the Violence of the Shock; whereas a gradual Increaſe of
Light does infenfibly ftrengthen the Opticks, and prepare
them for the Reception of a greater Degree of Luitre;
the Twilight inures them to bear the Morning Sun, and
this again fortifies them against the more powerful Beams
of it, when fhining in its full meridian Glory. Thus has
See the Hiftory of Gregory de Tours, who was an Eye-witneſs o
the Northern Lights in the VIth Century. He died in 591.
Providence,
'
The 193
-
AIR.
Providence, in tender Compaffion to our Weakneſs and
Infirmities, ufed all poffible Precautions that might any
ways contribute to our Security and Defence.
-
After this fhort Survey of only a ſmall Part of that
wonderful Counſel and Defign, that appears in the Struc-
ture and Formation of the Air, and of that furprizing
Agreement eſtabliſhed in the moft exact Proportion be-
twixt the Air and the Light: let us beftow a Minute's
Reflexion on the Nature of the latter. And here we may
obferve, how great a Scope for Inquiry and Debate that
fingle Body yields, to which all other Bodies owe their
Beauty, and the Variety of their Colours! And firft, it may
be made a Queftion, whether Light be a Body or no;
whether it is the Fire itſelf, or only an Accident of Fire;
whether it proceeds from the Sun, as from an inexhaufti-
ble Fountain of Light, which is continually emitting it
from its own Body, without fuffering any Decay or Di
minution itſelf? Or whether it be independent of the Sun
as to its Effence, being at all times, in the Night as well
as in the Day, equally diffuſed round about us, and ready
to make itſelf vifible to us, when the Fire of the Sun
ſhall put it into a proper State of Motion, and thereby
caufe it to be reflected from the Surface of other Bodies to
our Eyes? Farther, it may be aſked, by what inconceiva-
ble Degree of Force the Sun can project Rays of Light
from its own Body to us, in less than feven Minutes *
time, through a Space which a Cannon Ball would require
feveral years to perform, though moving all the Time with
its greateſt Velocity? Or to what miraculous Cauſe ſhall
it be afcribed, that if we fuppofe numberlefs Millions of
Mirrors or Looking-glaffes placed at any Diftance from
the Earth, there fhould proceed from all the Points of the
terreſtrial Horizon, a fufficient Number of Rays to re-
flect the Image of the whole Horizon, in the moſt diftin&t
Manner, from every particular Mirror? Again, how
fhall we be able to account for that other molt amazing
Phænomenon, that if we fuppofe as many Spectators as
we before fuppofed Mirrors, every Spectator fhall be able
to perceive distinctly the Image reflected from as many
Mirrors as he can fee, while the fame Repreſentations are
multiplied in fuch a Manner, as to be difcerned by ten
* Newton's Opticks.
VOL. III.
K
thousand
}
194 DIALOGUE XXIII.
1
thouſand other Spectators at the fame Time, without any
Confufion? Now, how fhall we account for all thefe Pen-
cils of Rays, croffing each other oftentimes in the very
fame Point, meeting in fo many Focus's, reflected and ·
refracted fo many Ways, and yet painting the Object in
the Eye with the greateſt Accuracy and Proportion?
All thefe Mirrors, and all thefe Eyes, have indeed only
an imaginary Exiſtence; but were it poffible for them to
be really placed in the Manner we have been ſuppoſing,
thefe Effects would immediately follow, without any Al-
teration being cauſed in the Air; the Rays, which would
produce thefe Wonders, do every Inftant proceed from
their Objects, and would be diftinctly perceived in all Di-
rectio: s, were there a fufficient Number of Eyes to behold
them.
Colours. New-
ton's Opticks.
Lut we need not take in the whole Horizon, feeing the
Light, that is reflected from any one fingle
Point of it, will afford fufficient Matter
of Admiration and Aftonishment; for
take which we pleaſe, it is certain that
there do fall upon that, as well as upon all other ima-
ginable Points, feven Rays of fo many different Tex-
tures o: onfigurations, and which have the Power of ex-
citing in us the Senfations of feven different Colours, as
Red. Orange-Colour, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and
Violet: This is the Order in which a fingle Ray of
Light, tranfmitted through a Prifm, diftributes its differ-
ent Colours on a Piece of Paper; for every Ray of Light
does really confift of feven other leffer Rays or Lines di-
flinct from each other, and which become vifibly ſo when
feparated, by paffing through a Prifm: Now if the Point
on which a Ray of Light falls, is difpofed by the Na-
ture of its Surface, to reflect but one of thoſe feven leffer
Rays, it will then appear to be of the fame Colour with
that particular Ray which is reflected from it; if it re-
Reis more than one, it is then of a mixed Colour, as Cin-
namon Colour, Gridelin, Slate, Olive-Colour, &c.; if it
reflects none of theſe Rays, or ſcarce reflects them at all,
it is then black, or inclining to black, according as they
are more or lefs abforbed; if it reflects all the different
Rays, it will appear white. Thus will this little Point
alforb or reflect the different Rays of Light, according as
it
The AIR.
195
it is difpofed to do the one or the other, from the Nature
of its Surface and the Texture of its Parts:
Nor is the Structure of thoſe Rays which ftrike upon
every Object, and are directed to every Part of Space at
the fame Time, more wonderful and furprizing than the
Manner in which they are reflected, fo as to paint on the
Retina, or optick Nerve, the diftin&t Image of each par-
ticular Object, after having been refracted and collected
by the different Humours of the Eye. Reafon is loft in
the Contemplation of this natural Myftery; and we muſt
confefs, with all poffible Submiffion to our Underftanding,
that both the Work and the great Artificer are incompre-
henfible by us.
-
We
Falfe and deceitful then are thofe Hopes which Philo-
fophy gives us, of ever attaining to a perfect Knowledge
of the Effence and Compofition of thefe Elements.
have juft now made it evidently appear, from the Confi-
deration of fome Effects, that every Particle of Air is of
itſelf a little Spring-Machine, contrived with wonderful
Art and Skill, to execute the Purpoſe it was defigned
for. How fhall we have Patience after this, to liften to
fome Natural Philofophers *, who (vainly imagining that
the ſhallow Line of human Underſtanding is fufficient to
fathom all the Depths of Nature) tell us, with a very
grave Face, that we are only to look upon the Air as
a huge collective Body, confifting of a vaft Number of
little Particles, without any regular Shape or Form; or
as a Sort of Rafpings filed off from the Corners of a vaſt
Multitude of triangular or hexagonal Bodies, by rubbing
one against another? Mr. Des Cartes, who was the
Founder of this Hypothefis, was indeed a very great
Geometrician, but there may be fuch things as geome
trical Extravagancies and Chimeras; and of all philofo-
phical Delufions, that of believing the Air, the Fire,
the Light, and the whole Syftem of Nature, to be the
neceffary, or even poffible, Effect of Motion impreffed
on Matter, is the most dangerous and fatal; for howe-
ver this Conceit may have gained Ground with ſome
Men of great Abilities, yet it certainly has a natural
*The Principles of Des Cartes. Robault's Phyfics, Part III.
Chap 2.
R 2
Tendency
་
+
196 DIALOGUE XXIII.
{
Tendency to make us ungrateful, by placing God at too
great a Distance from us, and to lead us into Error, as
being founded on abfurd and irrational Principles. Let
Matter be never fo differently modified by Motion and
Friction; yet nothing can refult from theſe Cauſes but
fluggiſh, inactive Maffes of Matter without Beauty or
Proportion, or by perpetual Friction it will be pulverized
into Atoms. The Motion impreffed on Matter is a
blind, fenfelefs, mechanick Power, incapable of itſelf to
produce any one Inftance of wife Defign, Order, or Li-
berty; it is impoffible for it to form an organized Body,
or to give Being even to an Orange or a Cabbage. What
but a Hand directed by Skill and Wiſdom, could poffibly
contrive within the Rind of an Orange, thofe little con-
venient Apartments to contain a Juice fo delightful and
refreſhing to the thirſty Inhabitants of Sun-burnt Climes?.
What else could fold and faſhion the leffer Leaves of a
Cabbage, into that firm compacted Globe, and ſhelter
them from the cold Air, and the Inclemency of the Wea-
ther, by a thick. Covering of the larger Leaves, in order
to make them more tender and delicious? Now if we
can diſcover the Footſteps of Contrivance and Deſign in
the Formation of an Orange; if God has not thought it
derogatory to his Honour and Majefty to difplay his
Wifdom and Power in the Creation of a Cabbage, by a
particular Act of his Will, for the Service and Nouriſh-
ment of Man, fhall we deny, that the Air, the Fire, the
Light, and all thofe heavenly Bodies that move in fuch
exact Order and Harmony round us and for us,
created by fo many fpecial Acts of the Divine Appoint-
ment? No;. nothing but the immediate Exercife of his
Power and Wiſdom could give that furprizing Force of
Elafticity to the Air; nothing lefs than Omnipotence could
multiply the Rays of Light, ad infinitum, dividing every
Ray into feven Lines or leffer Rays, of different Colours;
nothing but the fame mighty Hand could form. the Ele-
ments, allotting to each its proper Province, and Powers,
balancing thofe Powers in the moft nice Proportion, and
conftituting that mutual Relation and Dependance betwixt
ore Element and another, fo neceffary to the Order and
Harmony of the whole Syftem,
were
Is
The AIR..
197
7
Is Motion capable of mixing and uniting Elements of
fo contrary Natures as Fire, Air, and Water, in fuch ex-
act Proportion as not to deftroy each other; or of giving,
as it were, Wings to the Air or the Fire, to fuftain the
Water, and to keep it in a conftant State of Motion and
Fluidity Is Motion capable of regulating the Quantity
of Vapours and Rain in the Atmoſphere, fo that they
fhall be juft fufficient to water the Earth without cauſing an
Inundation? Can it with Forefight and Defign form the
Hail of fuch a Size, as that it fhall be big enough to de-
ftroy the Fruits of the Earth, and to punish the Wicked-
nefs or Ingratitude of its Inhabitants, and yet prevent its
growing to be as big as Rocks or Milftones, left it fhould
beat down the Trees, or difpeople the Earth? Or if Mo-
tion was fufficient at firft to form the Air, and to temper
the Spring of it; to produce the Fire, and endue it with
that extreme Force; what other Power fhall we call that
which fo often compreffes and condenfes the Air, reſtrains
the Fury of Fire, keeps it locked up in a Piece of Sulphur,
confines it Prifoner in Oil or Wood, and keeps it mo-
tionleſs and inactive in our Cellars and Storehouſes, that
it may be ready on all Occafions to be employed for our
Uſe and Service!
Let us then conclude, that He alone, who firſt created
every Atom and Particle of Matter of which the univerfal
Syſtem of Nature is compofed, was able to give to every
Part that proper Form and Texture, as fhould beſt pro-
mote the Beauty and Uſefulneſs of the whole Structure :
Nay, fo abfurd is it to fuppofe that mere Motion is the ef-
ficient Cauſe of the regular Formation of each Element, that
common Senſe will tell us, that the Motion of all the Bo-
dies in the Univerfe, and the Action and Operations of the
Elements, are the natural Effects of that admirable Form and
Fitnefs which God has bestowed on all Parts of Matter, and
of that Order and Harmony which he has eſtabliſhed
throughout the whole; as Motion impreffed on a Mafs of
Iron, Copper, and other Materials, will never be able to
produce Wheels, Springs, or any Machine; but Wheels
and Springs, being well made and fkilfully put together,
will produce juft Movements, and a regular Machine. In
a word, we can attain to a competent Knowledge of the
Motions of the Air, the Fire, and the Light; we can make
K 3
deep
·
1
'
1
198 DIALOGUE XXIV.
deep Reſearches by Study into the Properties of theſe Ele-
ments, and the Influences they have upon us, and thence
learn how to employ them to our Ufe and Convenience;
and thus far our Knowledge is commendable; but then here
we ought to ftop; for as to the particular Nature, Effence
and Structure of the Air and the other Elements, He alone
who made them can thoroughly comprehend them. It is for
us therefore to praiſe His Goodnefs, and be thankful to
Him who has created all thofe excellent Things for our
fakes, to make a proper Ufe of them, and to reft fatisfied
and contented with knowing fo much of them as He has
thought fufficient for us.
FOSSIL S*.
DIALOGUE XXIV.
The PRIOR and CHEVALIER.
WE
Chevalier. E begin to foar in our Speculations we
have quitted the Earth to take a Survey
of what paffes in the Regions of the Air: Pray, what
hinders us from taking a higher Flight, and difcourfing on
the celeftial Phænomena? Methinks I fhould take a great
deal of Pleaſure in making a Vifit to the Sun. Will our
Philofophy help us to an Acquaintance with the Nature
and Operation of that bright Luminary?
* Whatever is, or may be, dug out of the Earth, we call a Foffil.
2
Prior
FOSSIL S.
199
Prior. Permit me, my dear Chevalier, to clip the
Wings of your Curiofity. I am indeed delighted to find
in you fuch a Thirft after Knowledge; but let us not foar
too high above the Earth, left we meet with the Fate of
Icarus; though the Story is fictitious, yet the Moral is in-
ftructive; befides, I do not know whether it be lawful to
extend our Curiofity much farther. We all behold the
Beauty of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, and enjoy all thole
Benefits that flow from their regular and conſtant Revolu·
tions. You will, ere long, probably have an Opportunity
of going through a Courfe of Aftronomy, and get ac-
quainted with the Motions of thofe heavenly Bodies,
which divide the Life of Man into that agreeable Variety
of Times and Seafons with which it is diverfified; but as
to the particular Nature and Structure of that glorious.
Luminary, which is, as it were, the very Life and Souk
of Nature, it would be Prefumption in me to undertake
to give you a Defcription of it, who am not thoroughly
acquainted with that of a Straw, which is blown about with
the Wind. The Contemplation of the Heavens and the
heavenly Bodies makes one great Part of the Happineſs
of our Lives; but the Nature of that innumerable Multi-
tude, of Lights, which, or account of their valt Diſtance
from us, appear but as fo many Spangles through our very
belt Teleſcopes; their Operations and Influences, their
Ufe and Defign; thefe are Difcoveries, which, in all Like-
lihood, we must never expect to attain to in our prefent
State; let us then return to the Earth, which is appointed
to be the Place of our Abode; this was created for our
Nourishment and Entertainment; and as we are to look
upon it as our Eſtate and Poffeffions, it behoves us to in-
form ourſelves of the real Worth and Value of it, to keep
an Account of its various Productions, and to make a ge-
neral Survey of it. Hitherto we have vifited the most
beautiful Apartments of this our great Habitation, and feen
the chief Furniture that they are adorned with; from the
upper Apartments, let us defcend into the Cellars and
fuch of them as are under Ground.
1
K 4
•
There
+
200 DIALOGUE XXIV.
The Firft Tire
of Drawers.
There are feveral Sorts of Materials
which are abfolutely neceffary to Man, in
order to procure him a decent and com-
modious Habitation: now it is certain
that God might have placed all thefe Materials on the
Surface of the Earth to be near at Hand, and ready to be
employed on all Occafions; but then the vaft Quantity of
them would have almoft covered the Earth, whereas now.
our Land is happily difencumbered of all that trouble-
fome Luggage, and the Surface of the Earth difengaged
of thofe Embarraffments which would otherwiſe obftruct
all Huſbandry, and the free Paflage of its Inhabitants,
Metals, Stones, and a hundred other Materials which are
conftantly employed for our Uſe, and were defigned to be
a never-failing Treaſure for the Service of all fucceeding
Ages, are carefully locked up in vaft Store-houfes under
our Feet, where we are fure to find them in all Cafes
of Neceflity; for Providence has fo wifely ordered it, that
they are not buried near the Centre of the Earth, nor yet
at fuch a Depth as to make them inacceffible by us, but at
fuch a proper Diſtance below the Surface, as that the Coat
of Earth above them ſhould have a fufficient Depth of Soil
to produce Fruits for the Ufe of Man, and yet not to be
of fuch a Thickness as to prevent his digging down into
thofe fubterraneous Magazines of Treafure which are there
depofited to fupply his Wants and Occafions: by this Piece
of natural Oeconomy we enjoy a double Advantage, and
the fame Spot of Ground yields us a two-fold Crop.
Chevalier. I find then you are here again of a different
Opinion from my good Friends Horace and Orid; though
the Reafon, I perceive, is, becauſe they are not always
of the fame Side with Reafon and Truth: if we may take
Herace's Word for it, Gold can no-where be better lodged
than in the fecret Bofom of the Earth *
: nay, he ad-
vifed the Romans in good Earneft † to take their Gold
+
Cùm Terra celat.
Sic melius fitum
Carm. iii. Od. iii.
In Mare proximum
Gemmas, & Lapides, Aurum & inutile,
Summi Materiam Mali,
Mittamus.
Carm iii. Od. xxiv.
and
FOSSIL S.
201
and Jewels, and fling them all into the Sea, to remove
from them, as he terms it, the Root of all Evil. And if
we may believe Ovid *, it is a Crime for a Man to ranfack
into the Bowels of the Earth; nothing less than Larceny
to purloin thofe Riches which God on purpofe removed
out of our Way, and concealed from our Sight, in the
dark Caverns of the Earth. I was indeed mightily taken
with thefe Thoughts at firſt; but upon a nearer Examina-
tion I find neither Senfe nor Reafon in them. The Mif
chiefs that are occafioned by Gold and precious Stones do
not proceed from the Nature of the Things themſelves, but
from our inordinate Purſuit after them, or our Miſapplica-
tion of them; for certain it is, that God would never have
placed theſe Things within our Reach, but to the End that
they might be made ferviceable to us.
Prior. Your poetical Gentlemen are oftentimes much
addicted to affix a Mark of Guilt on Actions very inno-
cent; and on the contrary, to make flight of fuch Things
as are of a very criminal Nature; for it is the Marvellous,
rather than right Reaſon, that generally guides their Fan-
-cies. Thus, you fee, it is no new Thing for People to
quit the Side of Truth, for the Sake of a bold, glowing
Expreffion.
Chevalier. By your Leave, Sir, I cannot help think-
ing, that Truth has here the Advantage of Fiction, even in
this refpect; for where is the Marvellous? Where is the
fine Thought or glowing Expreffion? Or, where, in
fhort, is there any Reafon or Senfe in fuppofing that Gold
or Marble ſhould be created for no other End than to lie
buried under Ground? Nay, there is Contradiction and
Abfurdity in the Suppofition; whereas we become fenfibly
affected with Love and Gratitude towards Providence,
while we look upon it as having an Eye to our Good in
every Production of Nature, and as having affigned us our
Lot where Plenty and Delight furround us on every Side,
and provide for us fuch a vaft Variety of Riches under
our Feet, which are lodged in the moſt convenient Manner,
as on fo many Shelves, one below another.
[
Itum eft in Viſcera Terræ :
Qualque recondiderat, Styg:ifque admoverat Umbris,
Effodiuntur Oper, &c.
K 5
55
Mctam, i.
Prior.
202
XXIV.
DIALOGUE
Prior. Let us now unlock theſe fubterraneous Repo--
fitories, and fee what they contain. But fince we have
free Acceſs to the Count's Cabinet, we will, if you think
proper, take a curfory Vew of fome of thofe little Apart-
ments, in which he has difpofed in Order, Samples of
moſt of thoſe Subſtances which we find under Ground: he
has ranged the whole into five different Claffes, viz. Oils,
Salts, Earths, Stones, and Metals, each of which has
its proper Apartment. The Door of the Cabinet opens
like that of a Scrutore from the Top downwards; and be-
ing let down half way, is fupported by a Reft, fo as to
form a kind of Table, whereon to lay any thing you take
out of the Cabinet: in the Niches between the Partitions
are written the Names of thofe Things they contain, and
through a tranfparent Cryftal you fee diftinctly every
Particular, without taking it out of its Place. The three
firft Claffes fhall be the Subject of this Day's Entertain-
ment; and we will referve the Stones and Metals for
another Time, when we make a Vifit to the Quarries and
Forges that are in the Neighbourhood.
The firft Tire
of Drawers.
UnctuousBodies.
The Oils and Juices, whether liquid or
confiftent, that are found under Ground,
are Sulphur, Bitumen, Naphtha, and per-
haps fome others. Theſe Subſtances are
nearly allied to each other in their Na-
ture, and feem to agree in their Prin-
ciples by the Likeneſs of their Smell and other Qualities;
but they vary in their Colour and Form, according to
the different Sorts of Matter that are incorporated with
them.
Sulphur.
The natural Sulphur is generally found
in Places adjoining to Volcanos, though
it is alfo to be met with in other Places.
It will melt when put in a Pan and fet over the Fire
they then caft it in Molds, and fend it us in Cakes or
Sticks. Notwithstanding the Fire with which this Body
abounds, a Stick of it put into Water will cool it as
effectually as fo much Ice; for the Fire remains. fhut up
within the finer Particles of it, while the Water only dif
folves a ſmall Salt which contracts it, and thereby hin-,
ders the external Heat from penetrating it as before.
༣
One
FOSSIL S.
203.
One great Ufe made of Sulphur is to
whiten Caps, and other woolen Manu- Its Ufe.
factures. It is alfo a fovereign Remedy
against any Infection from an unwholefome and peftilen--
tial Air; and different Preparations of it are uſed by
Phyficians, in many Cafes; and laftly, by mixing it with
Salt petre, Men have attained to the Art of making that
murdering Powder, with which they make fuch terrible
Havock with one another, and which indeed would be
of infinite Service in the Defence of Kingdoms, could
Juſtice and Valour be proof against the mischievous Effects.
of it.
Bitumen, or Af-
phaltus.
A
Nothing approaches nearer to the Na-
ture of Sulphur than Bitumen, which
is fometimes gathered under Ground in
brittle Maffes of a fat, inflammable Sub-
ftance, fometimes like a glutinous Matter like the Pitch-
which diftils from the Pine-Tree; though generally Bitu-
men boils up out of the Earth, and fivims on the Surface
of the Water, like a black Oil or Scum, which thickens,
to a Confiſtency after being a little while expofed to the
Air; and in this Form it is found in certain Springs, and
on the Waters of the Dead Sea, or the Lake Alpbaltites,
which covers the ancient Valley of Sodom...
'
Petroly or Rock-
Oil, and Naph-.
tha.
Petroly, or that Oil which runs from
the Bottom of Rocks in feveral Countries,
and Naphtha, which has that peculiar Pro-
perty of burning under Water, are only
different Kinds of bituminous Bodies:
They are ufed in feveral medicinal Preparations, and in
black Varniſhes. In Sicily, and other Places, they burn.
them inſtead of Oil in their Lamps; it is alſo very com-
mon in moſt Countries to tar the Outfide of Ships, the
Cordage, and any thing which they would preferve from.
rotting in the Water, with a Compofition made. of theſe
Ingredients.
Naphtha has a principal Part in thofe beautiful Fire-·
works which are played off on Occafions of public Re--
joicing, and probably made one Ingredient in the Com- -
pofition of that fort of Wild Fire invented by the Grecians =
about 717, fo..much taken Notice of in the Hiftories of
K..6..
thote.
204
DIALOGUE XXIV.
1
thofe Times, and which ftuck fo faft to the Clothes of
thofe Soldiers on whom it was flung, that there was no
Poffibility of extinguishing it. The Art of making this
Wild-Fire in Perfection was loft, it feems, by the Inven-
tion of Gun Powder, which does but too well fupply
its Place.
Camphire no
Fofiil.
1
Camphire, which burns upon the Wa-
ter like Bitumen, is perhaps nearly of
the fame Nature, but is not a Foffil, but
a kind of Gum or Rofin which is voided
by fome certain Trees in China and the Ifland Borneo, at
the Roots of which they find it caked together in Cluſters of
different Sizes.
Jet. Gagates, or
Lapis Thracius.
Jet, which is fo much efteemed for its
beautiful Blacknefs, its Hardness, and for
taking fo fine a Polifh, appears to be no-
thing but a Sort of black Bitumen mixed
with chalybeat Particles, and hardened by Petrifaction.
Yellow Amber.
Succinum, Elec-
trum.
Yellow Amber is produced in the fame
Manner, has the fame Smell, and the fame
Elafticity or Power of attracting Straws and
other light Bodies, after being heated by
Friction. We are informed by fome learn-
ed Pruffians*, that they not only feek for Amber at the
Bottom of the Sea along their Coafts, whither it is driven
by Storms and Tempefts, from whence it is firft formed;
but that they find it alfo in the Earth, in ſeveral Parts of
Pruffia, between Layers of vitriolous and bituminous Mat-
ter, which lie in Strata one above the other, like thin
Planks of Wood. This Amber is one of the greateſt Re-
venues the King of Pruffia has, who is fole Proprietor of
this Commodity.
Chevalier. I have often feen, in the Cabinets of the
Curious, Pieces of yellow Amber, in which one might
difcern Infe&s preferved in their perfect Shape. Now,
if yellow Amber were, as thofe Virtuofos informed me, a`
Gum that hardened at the Roots of thofe Trees from
which it diftilled, one might eafily account for theſe
* See the Differtation of Mr. Hartman, in the Philofophical Tranf-
actions bridg'd by J. Lottkerp, T. 4. T. 4. P. 473.
little
}
FOSSIL S.
205
little Infects being made Captives in it; but pray, Sir,
by what Fetch of Philofophy will you account for Gnats
and Beetles taking up their Lodgings under Ground,
in the Heart of a Maſs of this congealed oiled Mat-
ter?
Prior. Nothing is more common among Infects than for
them to ſhelter themfelves under Ground againſt the Cold
at the Approach of Winter, where they may very eafily,
in the Courſe of fo long a Sleep, be furprized and fur
rounded by a Diſcharge of this Oil. Some are of Opini-
on, that there are Germans who have the Secret of foften-
ing Amber: but, however this be, it is probable that thoſe
Animals that we fometimes fee preferved in Amber, arè
rather the pretty Delufions of Art, than the Workmanſhip
of Nature.
Ambergreaſe,
Ambra, Amba--
Chevalier. Do you derive the Formation
of Ambergreafe from the fame Original,
whofe agreeable Smell is fo very different rum.
from that of Bitumen?
Prior. There is alfo a Sort of Bitumen that has a very
balfamick Smell*; fuch is the white Petroly or Rock-
Oil of Modena; nor is it at all impoffible, that the Water
in its Courfe under the Rocks fhould carry with it certain
odoriferous Oils, which afterwards fwim on its Surface,
and acquire a greater Degree of Fragrancy in the Air, by
exhaling thofe Juices which might have too ftrong a Smell:
and this is the Opinion of fome Naturalifts. Others take
Ambergreaſe to be pretty much of the fame Nature with
Mufk and Civet. The former is an Oil
with which Nature has provided the An- Mufk.
telope, probably to give a fhining Glofs
This
to its Hair, and to preferve it from the Rain.
kind of Goat, fo common in the Kingdoms of Bouton
and Tonquin, carries his Provifion in a Poke or Bag like
the Caftor, and pretty near in the fame Part of his Bo-
dy. Civet is taken, in the like Manner,
from a fort of Cat or Fox, and which Civet.
is called a Civet-Cat. Ambergreafe,
if we may credit fome Authors,
credit fome Authors, comes alfo from
*Sennertus, de Bitumine.
*
a Sea-
A
7
+
206
DIALOGUE
XXIV.
a Sea-Animal of an amphibious Nature, which has an
abfolute Occafion for fuch a Provifion wherewith to oil its
Hair: but this is only mere Conjecture; befides, fuch
great Quantities of Ambergreafe have been found together,
that it feems ftrained and unnatural to have Recourfe to
fuch a Suppofition: others will have it to come of a ſtill
meaner * Extraction: in fhort, there are various Opinions,
but nothing certain yet diſcovered, touching the Origin of
Ambergreafe.
Chevalier. Pray for what Ufe were all theſe Oils that
you have been enlarging upon defigned? I do not fee
how they can be ferviceable in any refpect under
Ground.
Prior. Thofe different Oils, being varioufly diftributed
under Ground, mix with the fubterraneous Waters, and
run into the Sea, from whence they are exhaled together
with the Vapours, but difperfed in fuch fmall Quantities
as not to affect the Senfes, when they firft defcend with
the Rains upon the Earth; but afterwards collecting their
fcattered Forces, and uniting with the Salts which they
meet with on the Earth, enter into the Subftance of Vege-
tables, and become the Principle of thofe fweet Savours.
and Smells which regale our Senfes in Plants, Flowers, and
the Flesh of Animals..
II. Tire of
Drawers.
Salts.
to frighten one.
Chevalier. Here is a Catalogue of ſtrange
Names with a Witnefs on the Phials of:
this fecond Repofitory. Sal Gemma, Nitre,
Salt-petre, Vitriol, Borax, Colcothar,
Arfenick: their very Sounds are enough
Prior. They are Names of Things, it is true, which
may do a great deal of Mifchief; but you will prefently ſee
how happy we are in being poffeffed of them.
The Ufe of
Salts.
ད་ཁ
Salt, which makes one Ingredient in the Compofition
of all Bodies, and feems appointed to be
the Cement of the whole Syſtem, is,
generally speaking, an Element of a hard
inflexible Nature, whofe fmalleft Parts...
have feveral Sides, or flat Surfaces, their Extremities end-
Quibufdam videtur effe Sterçus Balanarum.
ing
FOSSIL S.
207
ing in Points it varies both in its Sorts and in its Effects,
whether by reaſon of its incorporating with other hetero-
geneous Matter, or becauſe the Particles of which it is
compofed are of different Configurations: Though, per-
haps, both of theſe Cauſes may concur in producing differ-
ent Kinds of Salt.
The little Lamina of Salt, that are found in all Bodies
upon their undergoing a Separation by Fire, are probably
appointed to fix and hold together by their Points and
Angles, the Parts of other Elements; being, as it were, ſo
fo
many little Pegs, which penetrate the Pores of other Bo-
dies on every Side, and faſten them cloſe together: but as
the Pegs and Nails, which ferve to join one Body to ano-
ther, may, when they are too large or too numerous, be-
come like fo many Levers, and ferve only to difplace them,
or as fo many Wedges to cleave and rend them afunder;
fo in like manner, the Salt may oftentimes break and dif-
folve them inſtead of pinning them together. But it does
not produce thefe Effects immediately of itſelf, any more
than the Nail can act upon Bodies and force its way into
them, without being driven in by the Stroke of the Ham-
mer; but it is driven by the Percuffion of the Spring of the
Air between the Interftices of the other Elements, accord-
ing to the greater or leffer Degree of Force with which it
acts on thofe Bodies that are near it: it may alſo be im-
pelled by the Action of other Bodies preffing upon it:
and as Salts do enter into the Pores of all Bodies, fo
likewife the Water, which is ftill of a more fubtile Na-
ture, does infinuate itſelf between the Particles of Salt as
well as thofe of other Bodies, which, being diffolved and
put in Motion by the Action of the Fluid, conftitute
a Menftruum of floating Corpufcles, which naturally
precipitate when the Fluid is in a State of Reft. By this
diffolving Power of the Water, it becomes the principal.
Vehicle of the Salts, which it conveys into the Pores of
all Bodies, where it leaves them to execute their proper
Office.
•
Nor is it only the Action of Fluids on the Surfaces of
the faline Particles, that keeps them fluctuating in thoſe
Fluids, feeing it is not to be doubted, but that there are
Bubbles of Air contained in thofe very minute Corpufcles
which
208 DIALOG U E XXIV.
which render them as light as an equal Bulk of the Fluid
in which they ſwim.
Thofe Salts, which are conveyed in a Vehicle of Water,
or impelled by the Spring of the Air into the ſmall Cavi-
ties of Bodies or into other Pyramids of Salt, make
their Entrance by one of their Angles or Points, the better
to facilitate their Paffage. All the Particles of Salt apply
their flat Surfaces together, and preferve the fame deter-
minate Figure: the fineſt Grains of our common Salt ſeem
all cut into eight Angles and fix Sides, like a Die; and con-
fequently this Sort of Salt chiefly confifts of Maffes which
are of a ſquare or cubical Figure. The Particles of Alum
exactly reſemble Pyramids. Nitre, as well as Cryſtal,
confifts of Parts that appear to have fix Sides, and which,
by lying one upon another, form a Sort of hexagonak
Columns. Vitriol is compofed of Lozenges. The Parts
of Arfenick are more flat, but extremely fharp and pun-
gent. All thefe Salts, whatever be the Manner of their
Affociation, do always form themſelves into Maffes of one
regular Figure, which never varies. Our Adepts in
Natural Philoſophy have taken great Pains to account for
the Regularity of all thefe cryftalline Bodies; they have
called Geometry in to their Affiftance, and attempted to
eſtabliſh their Syftem on nothing less than Demonftration;
nay, fome of them have gone fo far, as to take the Liberty
to abuſe others for having miſtaken triangular for hexago-
nal Figures. I am too fenfible of my own Infufficiency
to bear any Part in theſe learned Difputes; and therefore
will content myſelf, my dear Chevalier, with making one
Remark very obvious and reaſonable, and which is of
more neceffary Ufe to you, than an exact Knowledge of
all theſe Figures; viz. If all the Particles of which every
particular Sort of Salt is compofed do, either in falling
one upon another or uniting on one common Baſe, form
themſelves into one Mafs, which are always of the fame
regular Figure, we muſt hence conclude, that all theſe
Salts were from the Beginning cut and faſhioned by the
* You may fee on this Subject, The Differtation of Guillelmini,
Hartfocker, Lewenhoek, Robert Boyle, the Letters of Mr. Bourgent
on the Formation of Salts, Mr. Lemeri's Courfe of Chymistry, and the
Memoires de l'Academie des Sciences.
fame
FOSSILS.
209
፡
"
fame Hand, and formed by one uniform, invariable Mo-
del. Motion impreffed on Matter could not poffibly act
with ſo much Order and Regularity; and therefore every
Grain of Salt muſt have been created of this or that parti
cular Figure, rather than of any other, on purpoſe to pro-
duce this or that particular Effect. We may therefore ob-
ferve of the leaft Pyramid or Grain of Salt, as we before
did of the fmalleft Bubble of Air, that both the one and the
other do as fully demonftrate the profound Wiſdom,
Counsel, and free Agency of their Creator, as the Sun
and the Earth. We may now proceed to take a curſory
View of the different Sorts of Salts which he has fhaped
for cur Ufe, and are fo many Gifts beftowed upon us by
our kind Benefactor.
Chevalier. I was little fenfible of the Obligations we lie
under to him for theſe Benefits, nor indeed was it poffible
for me, feeing I am not only unacquainted with their Vir-
tues, but even with their very Names.
Prior. The three firft Sorts of Salt that you fee here
placed together in theſe three Glaffes, are Sal Gemma,
or Mineral Salt, Sea Salt, and Well Salt;
though theſe three are originally the fame.
The Water of the Deluge did probably
leave under Ground great Quantities of Sea Salt, &c.
that Mineral Salt which is found there,
Sal Gemmæ, or
Mineral Salt,
and which is hard and as bright as Cryftal. The Rain
which foaks into the Earth, and forms fubterraneous Cur-
rents, paffing through thefe Beds of Salt, diffolves greater
or leffer Quantities of it, and conveys it to the Salt Wells.
You know how this Salt is feparated from the Water by
Ebullition *, as the Sea Salt is by Evaporation †. All
thefe Salts, though of the fame Nature, vary their Co-
lour and Quality by being mixed with heterogeneous Mat-
ter; which is the Reafon why the Salt of fome Coafts, as
for Example, that of the Coafts of France is more eſteem-
ed than any other.
+
Chevalier. Our common Salt is naturally of a fallow
Complexion, inclining to black; by what Art then do
they bring it to a Degree of Whiteness equal to that of
Snow?
* See Page 82.
+ See Page 73.
Prior.
210 DIALOGUE XXIV.
The Manner of
whitening grey
Salt.
They
Prior. The moft plain and fimple Way of doing this is
to put a certain Quantity of grey Salt in-
to an earthen Veffel allowing a Pint of
Water to every Pound of Salt: They then
let it ftand fome Days till the Salt is all
diffolved, in which time the Dirt and
other terreftrial Particles fubfide to the Bottom.
then gently pour off the Water from the Sediment into
another Veffel, and boil it till it evaporates, leaving the
faline Particles behind, which, as the Water goes off in
Steam, coalefce in little Maffes, and precipitate to the Bot-
tom of the Veffel: The whiter the Salt, the cleaner and
purer it denotes itſelf to be. It becomes whiter when
filtrated through a Bag or Cloth Lift: but thefe Ways of
preparing Salt are fo far from perfecting or improving it,
that they take away part of its Strength, and make it in-
fipid. We may alfo infer from its not crackling when caft
Into the Fire, as the grey Salt does, that the latter con-
tains Bubbles of Air, which, being rarified by the Heat,
burſt their Cells, and give a Crack. Now as this Air is in
our Bodies a Principle of Motion, it does confequently
help Digeſtion better. But after all, it is neither the Eye,
nor the Reaſon, nor yet any uncertain Collections drawn
from the Analyſis of Bodies, that muft judge of Taftes and
Savours; we muſt leave that to the Decifion of the Palate,
as its proper Office and Province.
Next to our common Salt, Nitre, or
Nitre. Salt-petre. Salt-petre, is of moft general 'fe; and
this is found fticking on the vaulted
Roofs of Caves and Cellars in old ruinous Buildings, ef-
pecially where Animals have urined for any Continuance
of Time. Nitre feems to be a volatile Salt, exhaled from
Caverns and hollow Places under Ground, through the
Pores of the Earth into the Atmoſphere, where it is dif
perfed like the Sea volatile Salt, both the one and the
other, together with the Fire and Water, conftituting the
Principles of Vegetation and Fecundity. But whence-
foever Nitre firſt proceeds, it is paſt all Doubt that it is
carried about in the Air, which is continually fed with.
freſh Supplies of it, though this Salt does gather in greater
Quantities in thofe Places where it is at Reft, and has
Leifure to accumulate in large Maffes. Perhaps it may
be
FOSSIL S.
210
be proper to diftinguish betwixt Nitre and Salt-petre, and
to define the former to be a volatile Salt, floating in the
Atmoſphere, this or that way as the Wind directs; whereas
the latter is the fame Nitre, but fixed or incorporated with
other Bodies, and in particular having much compreffed
Air contained within thoſe Lamine, or thin Layers, of which
it is compofed. You will immediately fee the Ufe I defign
to make of this Remark.
The Method they take to collect Salt-petre is either
by fweeping it together from off the Stones and Walls of
old decayed Buildings, or by putting the Sweepings and
Rubbiſh in hot Water, in order to diffolve the Salt; the
Water in which the Diffolution is made is afterwards poured
off; the Water evaporates, the Salt cryftalizes, and fettles
to the Bottom, and is afterwards refined by different Lo-
tions. Of this Salt are made many fovereign Medicines,
as are alſo diſtilled from it fome Waters of fo ftrong and
and penetrating a Nature, as to diffolve Metals, and re-
duce them into Liquids: but the Power of this Salt is in
nothing more confpicuous than in Gunpowder, of which it
is the principal Ingredient; in this Capacity, it decides the
Quarrels of this Kingdoms and Nations, and Salt-petre of
tentimes proves irreſiſtible, where the moſt powerful Argu-
ments of Reafon could not prevail.
-` Chevalier. Methinks, Sir, the Remark, which you juſt
now made of the Air's being ſhut up. within the Particles
of the Salt petre, explains the Reafon of that furprizing
Force, with which a little Gun-powder impels fuch a
heavy Maſs of Iron: for this impriſoned Air is no fooner
acted upon by the Fire, than it endeavours to expand it-
felf, and being refifted on every Side, forces its Way with
great Violence through the Mouth of the Cannon, driving
the Ball before it with fuch amazing Velocity.
The Effects of
Gun-powder.
Prior. This is the chief Cauſe of the Force of this
Powder; and we have a Proof of this, in
that Explofion with which the Air breaks
loofe from its Confinement within the
Salt-petre, upon its being caft into the
Fire. Common Salt, which can inclofe but a very few
Particles of Air in the Time of its Cryſtallization in the
Water, gives alfo a Crack when flung into the Fire;
but not fo loud as the former. To the Air which is ef-
fentially
212 DIALOGUE
XXIV.
}
fentially contained within the Salt-petre, let us add that
which is neceffarily mixed in with it, as alſo with the
Charcoal and the Sulphur, at the Time of reducing them
into Powder; as alfo that Air which occupies the interme-
diate Spaces between the Grains. All thefe Sums of Air
together conftitute a Quantity, whofe expanfive Force
is in Proportion to the Degree of Heat that rarifies it.
Now it is eafy to conceive the Force of the Fire, when a
fingle Spark proves fufficient to fet at Liberty thoſe firſt
- Particles of Fire, which it is fure to find impriſoned in the
Charcoal and Sulphur. As the fiery Corpufcles break
loofe from their Confinement, their united Strength pro-
portionably increaſes; the firft Prifoners that are releafed,
breaking open thofe Cells that hold their Companions in
Durance, and giving them their Freedom. Thus do thoſe
collected Forces act with united Strength on the imprifon-
ed Air, which, being put in Motion by fo intenfe an Heat,
exerts its utmoft Elafticity, and violently flrikes on thoſe
inflexible fharp pointed Salts that furround it; upon which
they immediately dart forth like Millions of Arrows, fhot
from as many Bows of Steel. The Refiftance from the
Sides of the Cannon being equal, no lateral Motion of
the Cannon can enfue; but as the Powder acts nearly with
the fame Force on the Breech of the Cannon, and on the
Ball, which it forces through the Aperture of it, the Mc-
mentum or Quantity of Motion, muſt be nearly the
fame in both; now as the Cannon is two or three hundred
Times heavier than the Ball, if the Cannon recoils one
Pace, the Ball muft fly two or three hundred Paces in the
fame time in a contrary Direction.
Chevalier. The fame Argument, I fancy, would ac-
count for the Afcent of Rockets and Fire-works, in the
Air; for the Powder in them, being equally refifted by the
Sides, does not act in a lateral Direction, but spends its
Force on the two Extremities of the Rocket, emptying it-
*The Momentum, or Quantity of Motion, in any Body is compounded
of it's Velocity and Weight; if therefore, in the prefent Inftance, the
Quantity of Matter or Weight of the Cannon be three hundred Times.
greater than that of the Ball, if we fuppofe the Cannon to move one
Pace in any given Time, it's Momentum or Quantity of Motion will be
equal to that of the Ball, moving three hundred Paces in the fame Time,
felf
FOSSIL S.
213
felf through the Orifice or open End, and caufing it to af-
cend by its Impulſe on the other End.
Prior. The Rod or Stick that is faftened to the Rocket,
being made fo long as to be equal in Weight to it,
keeps theſe two Forces acting in one perpendicular Line
of Motion; ſo that the Rocket may diſcharge the Fire in
a ftrait Line downwards, whilft it is made to aſcend in
a ftrait Line upwards. The Afcent of the Rocket, and the
Recoiling of the Cannon, both proceed from the fame
Caufe; the Difference betwixt the Weight of the one and
the other being the only Reaſon why the former mounts
up to a great Height in the Air, and the latter recoils
but a little Way back. Let us now pass on to the next
Salts.
Alum, which you ſee here of two or
three Sorts, is a Salt which is found in Alum.
large Maffes, naturally cryftalized, and
mixed with a little Earth, or fome other Feather'd Alum.
Bodies. Feathered Alum is found in fmall
-
Pieces two or three Inches thick, and is compofed of a
great Number of fine ftrait Filaments or Fibres, white
and brilliant like Cryſtal, and which form a kind of Tuft
much reſembling the Fringe of a Feather. This kind of
Alum is brought from Egypt, Sardinia, and Milo, an Iſland
of the Archipelago: it is very ſcarce.
The Roman Alum. is a Salt, that is
found in red tranfparent Stones, as the Roman Alum.
Roche or Rock-Alum is a fort of white
1
Stones, that are bright, and ſometimes very large; and
from theſe they gather this Salt, as they do Salt petre
from Stones and Rubbiſh. The Principles of which Alum
is compofed, are of a very reftringent Nature, which is
the Cauſe of its contracting and binding whatever it is
diffolved in; upon this account it is much uted by the
Dyers and Stainers, it being as it were the Cement which
unites and incorporates the Colours with the Stuffs, and
agglutinates the different Sorts of Ink to the Paper: were
it not for the Alum, the Ink would fink into the Paper,
and the Air would wear off the Colours from the Stuffs,
or at leaſt take their Glofs, and make them fade imme-
diately.
4
Vitriol
!
DIALOGUE XXIV.
214
!
1
3
Vitriol.
Marcafites,
Vitriol or Copperas is alſo a Foffil Salt,
which is found in Maffes at the Bottom
of Mines, or is collected like the Salt-
petre, from out of the Marcafites, which
are mineral Stones, mixed with Earth,
Sulphur, Salts, and metalline Particles. Vitriol varies its
Properties and Effects, according as it partakes more or
lefs of the Nature of Copper or Iron. That which has the
feweft Particles of Metal mixed with it is white; the
other fort are blue and green; the former comes from
England or Italy, and partakes of the Nature of Iron;
the blueish Green is brought from Germany, and is of the
Nature of Copper; the Sky-blue, which
alfo contains much Copper, is brought
from Cyprus and Hungary. Thefe cryftalized
Salts when calcined, whether naturally in the Mines by
fubterraneous Fires, or artificially by our
common Fire, yield a red Vitriol, which
has the Property of ſtopping Blood.
Chalcitis.
Colcothar,
Chevalier. Is it not of this Salt they make your Sym-
pathetick Powder, which they relate fo many marvellous
things of?
Prior. It is nothing else but Roman Vitriol diffolved in
Water, and calcined feveral Times in a hot Sun. But
this Powder has pretty well loft its Credit; and the
wonderful Effects which are afcribed to it, pafs with
many fenfible People for nothing but mere Hearfays,
without any Proofs to fupport them. The chief Virtue of
Vitriol is to facilitate the Compofition of Dyes and Co-
lours, particularly that of Ink: a happy Invention this,
which enriches us with every Thing that has been either
faid or thought in former Ages; which procures us the
Pleaſure of converfing with our abfent Friends, and the
Advantage of holding a Correfpondence with the Inhabi-
tants of the whole Earth. The Compofition of Ink is of
all others the moſt plain and fimple; the Gall-Nut and
the Vitriol are the fundamental Ingredients; the Gum and
the others, which are not fo effentially neceffary, ferving
only to thicken, and give a greater Body to the Whole:
the faline Particles, or the Points of the Vitriol, infinuate
themſelves into that fpongy Matter, of which the Gall-
2
Nut
FOSSIL S.
215
Nut is compofed. The metallick Particles therefore, efpe-
cially thofe of the Iron, being no longer faſtened and held
together by theſe Salts, diſperſe themſelves into all Parts
of the Liquor, and make it more or lefs black in Propor-
tion to the Quantity there is of them. For this Reafon,
the Vitriol which is gathered in the Copper Mines, being
of a lighter Caft, is not fo proper for this Ufe, as that
which is taken out of the Iron-Mines.
The Borax is another Salt which is
found in the Mines, eſpecially thoſe of Borax, Chryfo-
Perfia, from whence it is brought to the colla.
Mogul at Amadabat; and hence it is that
·
the Europeans fetch it. They diffolve it in Water, and
filtrate it through Paper, and cryftallize it: before it is re-
fined by thefe Operations, it is rough, greafy, and unfit
for Ufe. It is much ufed by the Goldsmiths in foldering
Metals, and to collect the little fcattered Particles of
Gold.
Arfenick, which is taken from a mine-
Orpiment,
Realgar,
ral Stone called Cobalt; Orpiment, which Arfenick.
is another Kind of Arfenick; and Real-
gar, which is a calcined Orpiment, are
all deadly Poiſons; againſt the fatal Effects
of which, there is no other Remedy,
but immediately drinking Oil, to ſheath
the Points of thefe pungent and cauftick Salts: however,
great Ufe is made of theſe ftimulating Drugs by Phyfi-
cians in outward Applications; they do alfo enter into
the Compofition of feveral Colours ufed by Dyers and
Painters.
Befides the Salts already mentioned,
Tartar.
there are others had in great Ufe, as the Sal-Armoniac.
Sal Armoniac, which is chiefly made of
Soot and the Urine of Animals, burnt in
a very hot Sun: Tartar, which is nothing
elfe but the moſt faline Particles of Wine, Verdi-greafc.
fixed and cryſtalized into a Cruft, round
the Infides of Cafks; and Verdigreafe, or Vert-greafe,
which is the Ruft of Copper corroded by Salt-petre, or
incorporated with the Tartar of the Hulks of Grapes,
after they are preffed, and laid on thin Plates of this
Metal.
{
All
{
216 DIALOG U´E XXIV.
Acid.
All theſe Salts, as well as others, con
fift of two Parts, the one called Acid, the
other Alkaline. The acid Part is a Col-
lection of angular Lamine, cut-Faucet-wife, always very
acute, and oftentimes having a ſharp Edge, but withal fo
fine and light, as to fwim in the Air and in Liquors. Acids
may be faid to form a Fluid of themſelves, and never to
confolidate into a Body but when they meet with a Baſis
fuitable to them, that is to fay, fome porous Matter proper
fo fheath and fix them.
Alkali.
The alkaline Part is nothing elfe but
that Bafis or porous Matter, which ferves
to unite and fix the Acids. This Acid
is fharp on the Tongue, and feems to pierce it; the Al-
kali has a tart burning Tafte. From theſe two Principles,
fo different from each other, is formed the neuter or com.
pofite Salt, fuch as the Sea-Salt, Salt-petre, Vitriol, and
other common Salts. Whether the divine Wiſdom has
conftituted but one Acid in Nature, which varies its
Effects according to the different Bafis prepared for it;
or whether the Hand of God did from the Beginning cut
and faſhion Acids with different Points, and adapt differ-
ent Sheaths or Cafes to them; however this be, it is cer-
tain that theſe Principles do always continue to unite or
feparate in the fame conftant regular Manner, and to be
ferviceable to us whether in a State of Union or Sepa--
ration.
After having feparated thefe two conftituted Parts of
the Salt by Fire, they convert the Acid and Alkali to
their respective Ufes. From the former they extract ftrong
corroding Waters, which will diffolve the hardeſt Metals:
A noble Invention this! but I fhall make this the Subject
of our Entertainment in a more proper Place.
Nor are Alkalies of lefs Ufe. The way to know
Alkaline Maffes is this: As the Fire which forces the
Acids out of thefe Bodies infinuates itſelf into their
Places, and, together with the Air, takes Poffeffion of all
the vacant Apartments; if you pour upon thefe porous
Maffes any Liquors that are replete with acid Salts, the
fharp Points of the latter dart into the Pores of the cal-
cined Salts, and drive out the Fire and Air lodged therein;
upon which immediately enfues an Emotion and Ebulli"
tion
1
FOSSIL S.
217
ふ
​tion in the Menftruum. This Ebullition is what we call
Fermentation, and is the Characteriſtick, or diftinguiſhing
Property, of an alkaline Salt.
As the Salts which are extracted in great Quantities from
a Plant called Kali, by reducing it to Afhes, were thofe in
which they firſt difcovered the Aptitude or Fitneſs of theſe
Pores to fheathe the Points of the Acids; they therefore gave
the Name of Alkali or Alkaly to all Salts thus penetrated,
whether calcined by the Sun or common Fire. Let us fee
the Ufe they make of them.
Theſe Sorts of Salts, which are chiefly found in Aſhes,
well boiled, are the beft whereof to make Lye for the
washing of Linen, or to fcour Clothes, they being
fubtle enough to infinuate themfelves with the Fluid they
are mixed with, betwixt the fineſt Threads of Stuffs or Lin-
en, and withal fufficiently fpongy and porous to imbibe all
the little Particles of Oil and other Matter which tranſpire
from the Body into them. You fee, Sir, how fo con-
temptible a Matter as a Heap of Afhes, which one would
think fit for nothing but to be caft on the Dunghiil, fup-
plies us with an Ingredient which of all others contributes
moft towards keeping us clean and wholeſome.
Here alfo take Notice of a Compofition which is ftill
more ferviceable to us. Theſe fame alkaline Salts which
are extracted from Wood, Sea-weed, Salt-wort, and all
forts of Plants, when burnt to Afhes and mixed with
Sand and melted over a hot Fire, conftitute the Subftance
of Glafs, which is ferviceable to us in fo many reípects.
The Fire, by putting in Motion thofe Parts which are
hard and inflexible, purifies and cleanfes them from the
Drofs and other extraneous Matter; as the Heat abates,
the purer Particles fix and incorporate by fubfiding one
upon another, forming fo compact a Body as not to be
penetrated by Liquors or the groffer Parts of the Air;
but the Light, being infinitely more fine and fubtle than
the Air, gains free Paffage through thefe innumerable
rectilineal Fores occafioned by the Tranfition of the Fire
through the Matter of which the Glafs is compofed in
ftrait Lines.
Chevalier. The Alteration caufed in the Salt by the
Fire is very unaccoun able; it leaves the conftitutent Parts
VOL. III.
L
of
1
218
XXIV.
DIALOGUE
}
of it entire, and yet gives them a quite different Form ;
and the Salts, which were before in a Diſpoſition to enter
into the Compofition of all Bodies, when vitrified by the
Fire, convert into hard inactive Maffes, which neither the
Air nor the Water can penetrate, nor are any longer capa-
ble of mixing with any other Bodies.
Prior. And yet in this fhapeless and feemingly-ufelefs
Maffes of Glafs, we are able to trace the Footſteps of
the fame infinite Wifdom and Defign which is diſplayed
in every other Part of the Creation. When this vitreous
Subftance is melted by a hot Fire, they dip the End of
an Iron Tube into it, and therewith take up a little
Quantity of this burning Liquid; the Artift blows
through the Bore of the Tube; and the Glaſs, which is
made ductile by the Fire, immediately obeys his Blaft;
it fwells, it ſpreads, it forms itſelf into a Bottle, a Bowl,
a Cup, or a Tube feveral Feet long; he turns it and
twifts it, he makes it round as a Ball, or flat as a Wafer;
he cuts it with Sciffars like a Piece of Cloth, and, in fhort,
faſhions it into ten thousand pretty Fancies, or convenient
neat Vafes for keeping and preferving Liquors, in which
Capacity it ferves better than the moſt precious Metals.
Inſtead of being at the great Expence of building Win-
dows to our Houles of white Stone cut into thin Laminæ
or Plates, in order to make it tranfparent, as it feems
was the Practice of the Ancients; inflead of ufing Canvas
or Linen Cloth for this Purpoſe, which intercepts our
View, and obftructs the free Tranfmillion of the Light;
or instead of making Lattices, which would expofe us to
all the various Impreffions of Cold, Wind, and Rain;
how much more convenient for us is it to have our
Houſes adorned with fuch thin tranfparent Walls of Glaſs,
which though fufficiently denfe and compacted to fecure
us against the Inclemency of the Weather, yet are fo
pellucid as to tranfmit to us, in the Middle of our Houſes,
the chearful Blaze of Day without any Diminution of its
Luftre, and lay open to our View the whole Profpect of
Nature.
f
Glafs
1
FOSSIL S.
219
;
Glafs may be either painted externally
Glafs.
or ſtained internally in the Compofition. Painting on
When they only paint the Surface of it,
they neal it, to prevent the Incrustation of
the Colours from finking to any Depth in the Glafs. By
this means you have as tranfparent Pictures as perfect as
any drawn by the most masterly Hands on any other
Materials. When the whole Subftance of the Glafs is
ftained quite through, they do not draw upon it human
Figures (for theſe would feem aukward and confuſed);
but by means of thoſe Ramifications of Lead which keep
the Panes together in the Frame, they run it into ſeveral
Diviſions and Compartments, which delight the Eye with
a Variety of regular geometrical Figures of the most
beautiful and lively Colours. But as the Beauty of an
Edifice within chiefly confifts in the Lightfomeness of
it, the Faſhion of painting or ftaining Glafs is very much
laid afide, except in the Borders of large Windows,
which they now and then embellish in this Way; though
fince the Ufe of clear pellucid Glafs has fo univerfally
prevailed, this Art of painting on Glafs (which produced
fo many Mafter pieces of this Kind in the fixteenth Cen-
tury) is almost entirely neglected. As to what is gene-
rally affirmed, that the Art of painting upon Glafs is
loft, it is without Foundation, feeing that of Enamelling
is ſtill in Ufe, which is the fame Art with
the other, but only in Miniature: Glafs, Enamel.
Pewter, and Lead, with certain coloured.
Earths, are the Matter of the Enamel, and which will
ftick to Metals for a long Continuance of Time. The Co-
lours are mixed over the Fire of a Lamp, which is made
hot enough to melt them; the Artiſt firſt draws out his Co-
lours into fine Threads or Strings like thofe which proceed
from a Stick of melted Sealing-wax, and thefe he draws to
what Length he pleafes; having made this Provifion, if he
has any Device to enamel, he melts at his Lamp the Ex-
tremity of fuch of thefe Threads as he has Occafion to ufe,
and immediately applies it to that Part of the Figure he is
upon; and thus with much Patience, as well as Dexterity,
he purſues his Work.
L 2
The
تم
1
$
1
{
220 DÍA LOGUE XXIV.
The Degree of Fineness to which they
The Ductility of have the Art of drawing Glafs is almoſt
incredible; under this Operation it lofes
Glafs.
its friable brittle Quality, and becomes
ductile and pliant. The Artiſt with a Hook draws a
Thread out of the melted Matter, and faſtens it on a
Reel; he then turns the Reel, and winds the Thread round
t, which continues to fpin from the molten Maſs till the
whole is fpent; this done, he cuts the Threads that are
wound round his Spinning-wheel, and there remains in
his Hand a Sheaf of long white Fibres of Glaſs, of which
they make thoſe counterfeit Egrets or Bugles which adorn
the feathered Caps of little Children, and fpangle the
Diadems of theatrical Kings. But to pafs over the dif
ferent Ornaments they make of Glaſs, and the Secret which
the Proficients in this Art have found out to imitate, at lit-
tle or no Expence, the Luftre and Diverfity of precious
Stones, let us fpeak of that more ufeful Invention in work-
ing Glaſs, and which is a more deſerving Object of our Cu-
riofity; I mean, thofe Glaffes of feveral Sorts which are now
fo univerfally in Ufe. The Venetians were the firft that found
cut the Art of giving a perfect Poliſh and Tranfparency to
Glaffes, and of bringing them to the Height of fifty Inches;
but we have fo well copied from them at Tourlaville near
Cherbourg, in Low Normandy, that we have no Occafion
to be obliged to the Venetians for this Commodity :
Lut they have now got the Art of inaking them in fill
greater Perfection at the Caftle of St. Gobin, three Leagues
nom Laon, where they have brought them to the Height
of a hundred, and even a hundred and twenty Inches,
which is the higheſt Degree of Magnificence. Nor do they
blow them here as they do at Venice and Cherbourg, but run
them on a Table of Brafs or other caft Metal.
Chevalier. If you have feen them run theſe Glaſſes, be
fo kind, Sir, as to inform me how they do it.
The Matter of
Clafs.
Prior. I will just give you the chief
Particulars. The Matter of which it is
compofed is nothing elfe but the Salt-wort*
of Alicant, and the fineft Sand of Creil,
*This Plant is called indifferently by the following Names, Kali,
Kalt, Salt-weit, or Glais-wort.
The
FOSSIL S.
22.F
The Salt which is extracted from the common Salt-wort
and common Afhes, when mixed with Sand, makes the
common Sort of Glafs. The beft Sort of Salt-wort and
fineft Sand, make Looking-Glaffes and Cryftal, as the
Glaſs-workers term it, though indeed it is nothing but
Glafs; for the true Cryſtal is a natural Stone.
The Furnace.
The Matter moft proper whereof to build their Furnaces
and Veffels in which they melt their Glafs, is a Kind of
Earth not very common; that of Bellire, a Place near
Forge in Normandy, is elteemed by the Glaſs Makers the beſt
for this Ufe, feeing of all the Earths they have made Trial
of hitherto, this ſtands Proof the beſt againſt the Power of
the Fire, which calcines, cracks, or by
Degrees vitrifies all others. The Furnace
muſt be repaired every fix Months, and
entirely rebuilt every three Years. It is furprizing to be-
hold with what Dexterity the Workmen go through this
dangerous Buſineſs, and how artfully they manage the
Tools with which they take Hold of the Pot that contains
the burning Liquid, how they stoop it, and pour the fiery
Torrent upon the Table which runs into the Mould. Upon
this Table are placed little Iron Rods or Rulers, which, ac-
cording as they are placed, determine the particular Breadth.
and Size of the Glafs: but nothing can come up to that
Degree of Nicety and Cleanlinefs with which they take
care to conduct the whole Work; for any, the molt im--
perceptible Grain of Duft (as Experience often fhews) is
fufficient to make a Glafs of a thoufand Crowns Value mif
carry in the making; for the leaft Particle of Air lodged.
within that Grain of Duft is no fooner acted upon by the
Fire, than it dilates and forms in the Body of the Glafs a
Bubble, oftentimes of a very large Size, which either
cracks, or at least disfigures it. When the melted Matter
is poured upon the Table, they fpread it equally betwixt -
the Rulers, and make it from one End to the other of an
uniform Thicknefs, by preffing it with a large Brafs Roller,.
the Extremities of which run upon the fron Rulers. The
chief Thing to be taken care of in making the Glafs
is, that the external Surface does not cool whilft the In-
fide remains ſtill liquid, or at leaſt very hot. When the
Glafs is placed near a Fire, which abates by Degrees, the
gradual
L3
L
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44%
222 DIALOGUE
XXIV.
gradual Decreaſe of the Heat caufes the Glaís to fix and
confolidate equally in every Part; whereas, if the external
Superficies hardens immediately, while the Fire acts power-
fully in the Heart of the Glafs, when the Fire comes to
force its way through the Pores of the Glafs, or happens
to be condenſed within it for want of free Liberty to act, it
will leave a Vacuum, which not being able to make any
Refiftance to the Preffure of the external Air, it does im-
mediately break it in Pieces.
The Glafs-
Drep.
Chevalier. I have a Notion that one
might account this way for the breaking
of the Glafs-Drop which you fome Time
ago fhewed me how to reduce to Duft by
only breaking off the Neck. The Drop being let fall red
hot into cold Water, the external Superficies hardens into
a Cruft, whilft the Fire ftill poffeffes the Infide of the Drop,
which getting loofe, leaves a hollow or void Place within
the Cruft. Now the Reafon of the Drops not being
broke by the Preffure of the external Air, is becauſe of the
Rotundity of its Figure, which forming a convex or arched
Vault round the vacant Space, fupports itſelf under the
Weight of the incumbent Air, by refifting it equally on
every Part: whereas by breaking off the Neck of the Drop,
you make a flat Surface of the Air to act upon, which,
meeting with no Refiftance from within to counterbalance
its Preffure, cruſhes it to Pieces.
Prior. If this Solution of the Matter is not more phi-
lofophical than many others, it is at leaft more fhort and
fimple. But to whatever Caufe we are to affign the Break-
ing of Glafs, which cools too faft, they take care, by way
of Precaution, to neal all their Glaffes, that is to ſay, to
keep them a long Time in a Furnace, the Heat of which
they affuage gradually. When they have caft the Glaſs
in the Mould, they move the Brafs Table (which, weighing
twelve or fifteen thoufand Pounds, is made to run upon
Wheels faftened to the Feet of the great Frame that fup-
ports it) near to the Mouth of the nealing Furnace; and
gently flide the Mould, with the Glafs yet undulating and
liquid, on the Sand with which the Bottom of the Fur-
nace is covered. After ten Days, when it is fufficiently
nealed and confolidated, they take it out, and embark it
on
FOSSIL S.
223
on the Oife for Paris; where after it has paffed through
the Hands of proper Artizans, from a rough opake Maſs it
becomes as tranſparent as Cryſtal, and ſmoother than Ice
itſelf.
Chevalier. Pray let us follow it through all its Metamor-
phofes. And here, Sir, be pleaſed to inform me how they
make it a Mirror or Looking-glaſs.
+
Prior. A Layer of Quickfilver and a Leaf of Pewter,
applied to one of the Surfaces of this Glafs, do fo exactly
reflect all the Rays that fall upon it, that the white Leaf
which reflects them is invifible at the fame Time that all
the Objects from which thofe Rays are emitted are clearly
difcerned. Thus does this fmooth Plain become a Picture
far fuperior to the moſt finiſhed Pieces of Raphael and Ru-
bens. Nor does it, like them, exhibit only one and the
fame Repreſentation, but feveral fucceffively: when a grand.
Company is in the Room, it prefents you with a magnificent
Show of different Groupes of Figures. If you open a
Window to the Fields, it ſtrait difplays a beautiful Land-
ſkiy; or if it reflects but a fingle Picture, it is drawn to
the Life without Flattery or Difguife.
Chevalier. Here is indeed a very fine Metamorphofis cauf-
ed by the Fire in a Heap of Salts and Sand.
Concave and
convex Glaffes.
Prior. There are till more furprizing Compofitions
made of theſe Materials, as your concave
and convex Glaffes, which, according as
they are placed one before another, di-
fperfe or collect the Rays of Light, ſo as
to produce feveral advantageous, at leaft entertaining Ef
fects. Of thefe Glaffes there are fome which help weak
Eyes, or fhort-fighted People; others that will burn any
Object held at a certain Distance from them: There are
ſome of them that diſcover to us the Mo-
tions of the leaſt Animalcule, and the Or- The Microfcope.
ganization of Bodies fo minute as to be im-
perceptible to the naked Eye; and lastly, There are Glaffes
that bring very remote Objects near us, and help us to dif
cover in the heavenly Bodies certain Motions and other Par-
ticulars, which before this Invention we had not the leaſt
Notion of.
L4
How
1
1
224 DIALOGUE XXVI.
How a few Bits of Glaſs and Metal can be fo put toge-
ther, as to be able thus to diſcover to us the Mysteries of
Nature, is a Subject, my dear Chevalier, worthy your Cu-
riofity. We might entertain ourſelves very agreeably in
difcourfing on the Structure and Effects, both of the Mi-
croſcope and the Teleſcope; but efpecially on thofe of the
reflecting Teleſcope which the ingenious Mr: Scarlatt has
brought to fo great a Degree of Perfection *.
We might,
with new Wonder and Delight, follow the Rays of Light
through all their various Reflexions and Refractions, their
Coverings and Divergings,, and all their different Inclina-
tions in the Mediums they pafs through. This may be
the agreeable Subject of Converfation fome other Oppor-
tunity. But let us at prefent go on with our Catalogue of
fubterraneous Bodies: befides Oils and Salts, we have un-
der Ground Earths of numberlefs Sorts and Ufes.
In difcourfing upon Gardening we before remarked, that
there are three Sorts of Earth ſpecifically different from one
another, viz. Sand, Clay and Loam +. The Sand is com-
poſed of Particles, hard, inflexible, impenetrable by Wa-
ter, and tranſparent like Cryſtal.
The Clay probably is compofed of Particles that have a
cubick Form, and cohere together in clofe Contract; or
perhaps they may be made to branch out in ſeveral Rami-
fications, with which they cling to and twine round each
other; but however this be, it is certain that they are
fmooth, fat, flippery, ductile every way, tenacious, and.
admit no. Water into their Pores.
* Meff. Godichon and Paris, who live with Mr. William Defperez,
in the Parish of St. Hilary, make the reflecting Teleſcope in as great
Perfection as the English Artift here mentioned. I have compared
theirs with mine, which is of Mr. Scarlatt's making, and find that
mine takes in a greater Compafs to the View, but that of theirs is
more clear and diftinct, which is a greater Perfection in Glaffes.
By the original Word Limon, here tranflated Loam, muft through-
out this Chapter be understood the common black Earth or Mould,
which is the true vegetable Earth; and this Senfe of the Word is war
ranted by that fhort Character given of it in p. 232. Our Author, in
the fecond Volume of this Work, difcourfing on Cardening, defcribes
it to be a Medium between Sand and Clay, &c. The Word Lcam has
allo a more reftrained Senfe, and fignifies Marl or common Clay, with
a fmall Admixture of Sand in it. See Woodward on Fofils, p. 4.
The
{
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1
FOSSIL S.
1
225
The Loam or oozy Earth is compofed of Leaves that fold
themſelves into hollow Pipes or Tubes, which render it
fpongy and eafy to be penetrated by the Air and the Water.
The different Effects of Water on theſe three Sorts of Soil
evidently demonftrate the effential Difference between -
them. If the Water be poured on a Heap of Sand, it will
fill the Interftices betwixt the Grains of it, without pene-
trating into the Grains themſelves; and whether the Water
enters into it, or drains from it, the Mafs of Sand remains
the fame, without increafing or diminiſhing its Bulk. If
Water be poured on a Bed of Clay, it may perhaps juft
enter the Surface through thofe little Avenues which fome
Particles of extraneous Matter intermixed with the Clay
may open to it; but it will not be able to penetrate deep
into the Body of the Clay. Laftly, Water poured on a
muddy oozy Earth will penetrate into it, and make it
fwell, and find free Liberty of Ingrefs and Egrefs.
This Diftinction of three primordeal Earths does alfo
very fenfibly demonftrate itſelf in Gardening and Maſonry.
If the Infide of a Terras be compofed of Sand, Gravel,
or Flints, the Water that falls upon it, whether it lodges.
any Time in it, paffes through it, or evaporates from it,
will not produce any Alteration either in the Terras or the
Wall that lines it. In like manner if the Terras be built
of good unmixed Clay (if a fufficient Quantity of it may
be got for that Purpoſe), the Water will not be able to
penetrate it, nor confequently to make any Impreffion or
Change in it; but will run from off it, and the Lining or
Wall will keep its Perpendicular without bulging out:
whereas, if it be made of any Earth that firit comes to
Hand, the leaft Quantity of Loam mixed with the other
Earth will inevitably caufe the Parapet Wall to give way
and recede from its Perpendicular; for as the Rain-Water
not only fills the Interftices of the Gravel and Sand, but
alfo infinuates itfelf into the Coats and Pores of the Loam,
all the Particles of the latter become like fo many lite
Sponges, which fwell and occupy more Space after the
Intromiffion of the Water into their Pores. By thus d-
lating themselves, they repel the contiguous Matter; and
from the united Force of all their particular Impulfes
arifes a general Tumefaction or Swelling in the whole
L S
Body
!
226
DIALOGUE XXIV.
:
Body of the Terras, which, preffing with great Power
against the lining Wall, caufes it by Degrees to bulge out-
wardly and though all poffible Precaution has been uſed
by making Drains at proper Diſtances for the Water to
run off, yet the perpetual Action of the Earth upon the
Wall, which ſwells and contracts by turns, as the Water
penetrates into it or is evacuated from it, will in time
deftroy a Work which feemed fufficiently fortified by its
Strength and Solidity against all Accidents whatever.
After having pointed out the ſpecific Difference that
fubfifts between thefe three Sorts of Earth, we may con-
fider them as fo many Elements, perhaps as fimple and
diſtinct, with regard to us, as the Salt, the Fire, and the
Air; and, whatever be their inward Structure and the
particular Configuration of their Parts, it is certain, that
the great Author of Nature did from the Beginning
create them fuch as they are at prefent, and has diftri-
buted them over the whole Globe, fo as to form (by
their uniting together, or mixing with other Matters)
that prodigious Variety of Bodies and Productions, in
which Man finds both the Neceffaries and Comforts of
Life.
The Ufe of
Sands.
The feveral Sorts of Sand have been
diftributed throughout the Earth, both
upon and within its Surface, to procure
us thofe numberless Advantages which
arife from their different Qualities, Hardneſs, and Colours.
And in the firft Place they ferve as fo many Store-Houfes
of Water, which they keep in thofe intermediate Spaces
between their Grains, to feed the Wells and Fountains.
Without theſe convenient Receptacles, the Water would
either fink too deep into the loamy, porous Earth, which
would choak up its Paffage, or elfe by falling down on
the more compacted Layers of Clay, which it cannot
penetrate, it would iffue out all at once, and inſtead
of fupplying us with a conftant gentle Stream, overflow
cur Lands and Houfes. Nor is the Sand of lefs Ufe to
In Agricul-
ture.
1
}
keep the beft Soils from hardening and
confolidating too much, which it does by
feparating thofe Parts which have the
greateſt Tenacity. Thus, though barren
itſelf,
FOSSIL S..
227
4
1
itſelf, does it render other Lands fruitful, when rightly
mixed with them, making them light and wieldy, and by
its irregular Angles opening a free Entrance to the Water,
and thoſe fructifying Juices which it conveys into the Sub-
ftance of Vegetables.
By an Effect no leſs furprizing than the
former, this loofe, incoherent Matter, fo In Maſonry.
incapable of itſelf to unite and coalefce,
is the very Cement which binds and holds together the
Bricks, the Stones, and Marble, of which our Houſes are
built. All theſe Materials, however hard in themſelves,
would by little and little ftart out of their Places, and fall
down in one promiſcous Ruin, were they not laid level,
and cemented together by fome tenacious Matter to keep
them fixed and permanent in their Places, Now the Firm-
nefs and Stability of our Bridges, our Aqueducts and our
Edifices, both great and fmall, is owing to a Mixture of
Sand and Earth called Lime. Sand and Loam conftitute
the common Mortar, which is not fo durable. The Lime,
which is a loamy Earth hardened into a Stone and reduced
to a Powder by Fire, fo exactly fills all the Interſtices
of the Sand, and fo cloſely binds together all the Grains in
one conſiſtent Aggregate, as to compofe a Mafs, which in
Time acquires the Hardnefs of a Stone, and cements other
Bodies with equal Firmness. Inftead of Sand, may be uſed
Brick or Tile ground fmall, which makes a very ftrong Ce-
ment. The Reafon is obvious: The Particles of Tiles and
Bricks, reduced to Powder, have all the Hardneſs, and Af-
perities of Sand, and are more porous; and confequently
give free Admittance to the fmall Particles of the Lime to
fix the whole with a greater Degree of Tenacity. This
Compofition, which is at firft rendered fo foft and pliable
by the Water, as to fpread under the Stone and yield to
the Preffure of the Workman's Hand, does in time dry and
harden in the Air,. which by Degrees. exhauſts the Water
out of the Mortar, and in its Room injects into it a great
Number of Salts, which in Process of Time cauſe it to pe-
trify. The extreme Hardneſs of the Cement in thofe, Edi-
fices which are the Remains of Antiquity, is nothing but
the Work of the Air and the Duration of Ages. We are
L 6.
indeed
228
DIALOGUE XXIV.
indeed apt to imagine that the Greeks and Romans were
Mafters of a particular Art in tempering their Mortar,
which is now loft; but we may judge by the Hardneſs
of the Mortar uſed in fuch of our Buildings as are two or
three hundred Years old, that we fhall in the fame
manner be thought by Pofterity to have been poffeffed
of a Secret in Building, which they will lament the Lofs
of.
InPotters-Ware.
It is the Sand alfo that gives that Co-
herence and Tenacity to Earthen or Pot-
ters-Ware. You know that they make this
fort of Ware of a fat ductile Clay, which, when it comes
to dry in the Sun or in a Furnace, and the Water to eva-
porate from it, decreafes in Bulk, the Parts coming to cloſer
Contract with each other; this neceffarily caufes Cracks
and Fiffures in the Veffel, which render it ufelefs: now this
can be prevented by nothing but the Ufe of Sand, which,
being thoroughly mixed with the Clay, fo tempers and.
binds the whole Mafs together, as to make it impervious by
Water or any other Liquor.
In making Ca-
nals, and other
Works.
or
The fame Hardness of the Sand renders
it likewife fit for making Canals
Trenches for the Conveyance of Water,
as alfo Cifterns and Refervoirs for keep-
ing it. Clay alone is apt to fhrink in the
Wet, and to chap in the Heat; whereas natural Sand,
or Brick, or Glafs pulverized, together with Clay,
make a Compofition of a lafting impenetrable Nature.
This fame Property of Sand is alfo of Uſe in faw-
ing Stones and Marbles, in hollowing the hardeft Bodies,
in giving a Luftre to the dulleft, and in making, po-
lifhing, and cutting Glafs. It ferves, by the Variety
of its Colours, to enamel the Borders of our Parterres,
as by its natural Drinefs it procures us the Pleafure
of walking in all Weathers, whether we chufe the
Alley or the Terras, the Water quickly draining through
the Gravel, which is not the Cafe in a fpongy fat
Earth.
The
FOSSIL S.
229
The Uſe of
different Earths.
The Earths, whether of a loamy or
clayey Nature, which we find at different
Depths under Ground, do fo vary their
Properties by being mixed with Sul-
phurs, Oils, and mineral Matters, as alfo by their dif-
ferent Preparations by the Fire and the Water, that we
may confider the whole Earth as one great Laboratory,
wherein that omnifcient Chemift, who only thoroughly
underſtands the Principles of Nature, takes care to com-
pound and modify them in fuch a Manner as may beſt an
fwer the feveral Wants of Man, for whofe Ufe he firft cre-
ated them.
In one Place you have Chalks, Ochers, Red-Lead,
Boles of all Qualities for medicinal Ufes, and of all
Colours, either for fketching out the rough Draught and
Plan of a Defign, or for painting fuch Objects as may ei-
ther give us Pleafure or make ufeful Impreffions on our
Minds. In another are found different Sorts of Marl, fo
much efteemed by the Mafons for the
excellent Chalk it produces, and ſtill more Marls.
by the Hufbandman, to whom, you know,
it is an invaluable Treafure. In other Places are found
metallick Earths, which we fhall-take Occafion to ſpeak of
when we come to ſpeak of Metals. In many of our Pro-
vinces, but eſpecially in Lionnois, Auvergne, Burgundy, Hai-
nault, and alfo in England, they have inexhauftible Pits of
a bituminous Sort of Earth, which they call Sea-Coal, and
which (by Reaſon of its containing a great deal of Sulphur
and Oil) is better than any other for foftening Iron, and
making it malleable. In England, and fome other Places,
it fupplies the Place of Wood for Fuel. The Air of Lon-
don is fo impregnated with the fulphureous Spirits of the
Sea-Coal which is burnt in that City, that a Suit of
Clothes which has been worn there any Length of Time,
will preferve the Smell of Sulphur for whole Years after-
wards, though carried over Sea.
The other Veffels which fill the remaining Apartments
in this Repofitory, contain grey, green,
white and yellow Clays; fome of them Clay.
are fimple, fome mixed with Veins of
other Earths in different Places, they have different Pro-
perties
.
230
DIALOGUE XXIV.
The Terra Sigil-
lata of Lemnos,
Germany, Blois,
&c.
perties as well as Colours. One fhall be good to ftop
Blood, and deferve, by way of Preference due to its fove-
reign Qualities, to be fold in little Cakes,
ftamped with an honourable Impreffion, to
denote its Family, and to prevent Coun-
terfeits. Another Sort of Clay fhall be
good for cleanfing Woolen-Cloth, and to
imbibe all that Oil and Greaſe out of the
Wool (as is practifed in the Fulling-
Mills) which was of fuch neceffary Ufe:
in the combing and working of it; and
fuch a Clay there is, which is almoſt as good for this Pur-
poſe as Soap itſelf. But let us pafs on to the moſt ex-
cellent Uſe that Clay is put to.
Fullers-Earth,
Terra faponaria,
Smectica.
This Earth is in the Hands of Man, what Man himſelf
is in the Hands of God; it becomes under his plaſtick
Hand, a Veffel unto Honour or Dishonour*. The Statuary
moulds the fupple Maſs into a Baſſo Relievo, a human Fi-
Models in burnt
Earth.
Porcelane.
gure, or in fhort, into a Model of any
thing he has an Idea of. It is afterwards.
committed to the Fire, which hardens it,
and confers Duration on his Art.
The Chineſe and Japonife make of it
that Porcelane Ware which has fo long ex-
cited the Admiration and Emulation of the
Europeans; but which is now fo well imitated in Holland, at
Rhoan and St. Cloud, as greatly to fink the Price of this Afte
atick Commodity.
Delft Ware..
There is another Sort of Clay more
common, of which they make the Delft
Ware, which, on account of its extreme
Neatneſs and Cheapnefs, is now in Faſhion every where.
Whatever Pains the English and Dutch have taken to bring
this Art to Perfection, I never yet faw any Patterns, either
in the leffer or larger Works of this Kind, that, either
for the Beauty of the Colours or Prettiness of the Fancy,
could come up to that which is made at the End of the
Suburbs of St. Severe at. Rhoan †.
*Rom. ix. 21.,
+ The Manufacture of Delft Ware, conducted by Madam de
Fillerai.
This
FOSSIL S.
231
#
This Clay, which they work and faſhion with as much
Eafe as the fofteſt Paſte, and which fupplies us with fo
many bright convenient Veffels, is alſo very ſerviceable for
other Ufes, which, though in Appearance more mean and
contemptible, are incomparably more valuable.
Chevalier. I perceive, Sir, you mean our common
Potters Ware, which furniſhes our Houſes with all Sorts of
little Earthen Utenfils, which provides us with Bricks to
build our Houſes, where there is Scarcity of Stone, with
Squares to pave them, and with Tiles to cover them. Delft
Ware may ſerve for all theſe Uſes, in the fame manner that
Porcelane does in Siam, Japan and China, as is atteſted
by the concurrent Relations of feveral that have travelled
into thoſe Parts: in reading whofe Accounts, I have been
mightily delighted with reprefenting to my Imagination
their Walls and the Tops of their Houfes fo beautifully
fet off and coloured with this rich Earth. But though the
Porcelane is very common in thofe Countries, yet this
Piece of Magnificence can only be enjoyed by the Rich,
the common People being very well contented with a more
ordinary fort of Earth for their Veffels and the Coverings
of their Houſes.
A few Days ago I made a Vifit to the Tile-Kiln and
the Potters Work-Houſe, which are in the Neighbourhood,
to fee all the Particulars of their Art. Every thing at firſt
Sight feemed to wear a dirty mean Afpect, but I was
charmed with the Invention of the Wheel, with which the
Potter turns his Ware fo nimbly; and though the Structure
of it is very fimple, yet I cannot help looking upon it as
one of the moſt uſeful Contrivances I ever faw, ſeeing it
procures to three fourths of Mankind the Convenience of
eating their Meat in a cleanly decent Manner, and at a very
little Expence. My honeft Friend told me, as he was
making his Pot, that if there were but a hundred Men in
the World, ninety of them would eat off earthen Ware.
Prior. He could not have given a better Recommen-
dation of his Art, than by fetting forth the great Ufefulneſs
of it: nor do I think it impoffible to fhew that this Calcu-
lation was juft; but it may be fufficient to remark, that
one half of the Inhabitants of Towns, and, generally ſpeak-
ing, all the Country People in all Nations and Ages, have
always
232 DIALOGUE XXIV.
1
always uſed this fort of Ware, which never communicates
any ill Taſte or Quality to whatever is put in it.
Chevalier. It is very common for us, when we would
deņote any thing to be of little or no Value, to compare it
to a Potſherd or earthen Platter; but however contemptible
thefe Things may feem to fome, I find they are of more
real Advantage to us than even Silver or Gold itſelf.
Prior. This Clay, which is fo univérfally ſerviceable to
us, is to be found in almoſt every Country, and to be come
at, for the moſt Part, by digging a little Way into the
Ground. The Reaſon why Providence has made this fort
of Earth ſo ſoft and ductile, and placed it every where fo
near at Hand, is very obvious, feeing it is more neceffary
to us than the most precious Stones.
Loam.
I might now entertain you with an Account of the ma
ny wonderful Effects any Properties of
Loam; but I fhall fum up its Character
in three Words; It feeds us*: this is the
highest Commendation of it that can be.
* And this it does mediately, by affording Nouriſhment to all Sorts-
of Plants and Vegetables..
3
1
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QUARRIES.
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[ 233 ].
QUARRIES.
DIALOGUE XXV.
The PRIOR and CHEVALIER.
Chevalier. TT
IT
T is with Reluctance I leave thefe Quarries
which you have obliged me with the Sight
of. All theſe great Beds of Stone, lying in Layers one
upon another; the vaft Quantities they have taken away
from between thefe Props and Stays (which they have
placed here to fupport the Vault above); the inexhauftible
Stores that ſtill remain; the Softnefs of the Stone, which
makes it fo eafy to cut in the Quarry; and the furprizing
Degree of Hardnefs that it acquires when expofed to the
Air; all thefe Confiderations fill me with Amazement.
Had all the prodigious Maffes of Stone that are under the
Earth, been fpread up and down on the Surface of it, we
ſhould not have had Room enough left for our Houſes and
Gardens; were they as hard in the Quarry as they prove
afterwards, it would be endleſs Labour to dig and cut
them; and were they to continue foft in the open Air we
ſhould not be fecure in our own Houfes. How carefully
and wifely has Providence ordered every Thing for our
greatest Ufe and Convenience!
Prior. Your Admiration and Gratitude would be ſtill in-
creaſed, were we to take a View of all the different Sorts of
Stone that are depofited in thoſe vaft Store-houſes under
our Feet, and to confider the different Ends and Ufes for
which they were appointed.
Chevalier.
}
234
XXV.
DIALOGUE
เ
}
Chevalier. Are not all Stones then of the fame Nature?
And are they not the refpective Degrees of their Hardneſs,-
that alone make the Difference betwixt them ?
Prior. Your Queſtion, my dear Chevalier, opens a
large Field for Enquiry and ufeful Converfation: but let
us quit theſe fubterraneous Regions, left you ſhould re-
ceive any Injury from the Damps, and afcend up to the
Mouth of the Quarry; thofe Stones will ferve us for
Seats. We will, if you pleafe, proceed methodically,
The Divifion of
this Difcourfe,
fulness of them.
The different
Sorts of Stones.
difcourfing firft on the different Sorts of
Stones that we are acquainted with; next,
on the Manner how they are formed be-
neath in the Earth; and laftly, on the Ufe-
Stones in general are of two Sorts, pre-
cious and common Stones. Precious Stones
are either tranſparent or opake; and they
are valued for their Luftre, their Colour,
their Smoothness, or their Weight; as to thofe medicinal
Virtues and miraculous Qualities which have been afcribed
to them, they are nothing else but the Effects of Fancy or
Credulity.
The Diamond.
Of all transparent Stones, the Diamond
is both the hardest and most beautiful; all
the other Stones lay claim to the Second
Place, and are preferred, as the Faſhion, or the particular
Fancy of People, gives them the Precedency; the Diamond
only remains unrivalled in the firſt Place, by the univerfal
Confent of all Ages and Nations.
The Excellence of this Stone confifts in its Hardneſs,
Weight, and fine Water.
Chevalier. Its Hardneſs, by Relation, is fo great as
to be Proof againft the violent Blows of a Hammer.
Pray, is not this Power of Refiftance as imaginary as
thofe medicinal Virtues that are afcribed to the Dia-
mond?
Prior. Two Travellers one Day difputing on this Point,
after a great many frivolous Arguments, he that main-
tained the negative Side of the Queftion, faid to the other,
I will go with you to a Lapidary, and ſtake my Dia-
mond against yours, that he breaks with his Hammer
as many Diamonds as you will ftand to the Lofs of.
The
QUARRIE S.
235
The other did not care to run the Rifque, and fo the Dif
pute ended.
Chevalier. Pray, Sir, what is meant by a Carat Weight,
fo often mentioned in fpeaking of Diamonds?
Prior. It has a very different Significa-
A Carat in
tion from the Word Carat, when uſed in
ſpeaking of Gold. The Mark, or Half- Jewels.
Pound Weight of Gold, is divided into
24 Carats, of which there are feldom above 22 of pure
Gold, the remaining two confifting of Silver, or fome other
Allay; the Carat is farther divided into 8 Pennyweights,
and each Pennyweight into 24 Grains: whereas a Carat in
Jewels weighs but 4 Grains, and thoſe not fo heavy as the
Grains in Averdupois Weight.
The heaviest Diamonds that we have any Knowledge of,
are, that belonging to the King of France, weighing 106
Carats; that of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, weighing
1391; and that of the Grand Mogul, weighing 279. Mr.
Tavernier valued the laft at above eleven Millions of Mo-
ney, and the two others in Proportion.
Chevalier. By the fine Water of a Diamond, I know they
mean its Clearneſs; but pray why do they give it that
Name ?
Prior. Becauſe a Diamond ought to be clear and pellucid
as Water is, and, like it, without any Colour.
* One of the ſureſt ways of diftinguishing betwixt real
and counterfeit Diamonds, is that Property which the
former has of ſticking cloſely to black Maftick, upon
which they ſet them, in order to give them a greater
Luftre. Ás to the Manner of cutting rough Diamonds,
whether Brilliant, Bevil, or Table wife, it is a very curious
Art, and which you can only have a Notion of by ſeeing
how they perform it.
Next to the Diamond, the Ruby gene-
rally fucceeds, in Degree of Efteem: if The Ruby.
it is of a Crimſon-colour with a Caft of
Purple, it is called the Balafs-Ruby †; if of a bright rofy
Red, it is called the Spinel-Ruby . Thefe Names pro-
bably are derived from the Language of thole Afiatick
*Boot. Gemm. Hiftor.
+ See Woodward, on Foffils, p. 29.
A Ibid.
Povinces
铡
​236 DIALOGUE XXV.
The Carbuncle.
Provinces where thofe Rubies are found. If the Spinel-
Ruby be of a rich Blood red Colour, and weighs about
20 Carats, it is called a Carbuncle as
to what is faid of this Stone's fhining in
the Dark, no manner of Credit is to be
given to it; for as it fhines with greateſt Luftre in the
ftrongest Light, fo has it none but what it derives from
it.
A
The Garnet.
The Hyacinth.
The Garnet partakes of the red and
flame Colour of the Ruby, and is perhaps
of the very fame Species with it.
The Hyacinth, which is fometimes of
a deep red like the Bohemian Garnet,
fometimes of a yellow, orange, mary-
gold, or amber Colour, when pulverized and mixed with
the Powder of other precious Stones and Drugs, makes
one Ingredient in that Preparation which
we call Confection of Hyacinth this
has the Reputation of being an excellent
Medicine, though, if we fet afide the
Name and the extravagant Price it formerly bore upon
that account, perhaps the Hyacinth will be found to
have very little, if any, Share in the Merit of this Com-
pofition.
Confection of
Hyacinth.
The Amethyft.
Emerald.
Beryl.
Sapphire.
Topaz or Chry
folite.
Opal *.
The Amethyst is of a bright Purple,
bordering upon Red. The Emerald is of
a bright Grafs-Green. The Beryl in-
clines to a Sea or bluish Green. The
Sapphire is of a Sky-blue. The Topaz
or Chryfolite is of a Gold Colour. The
Opal feems poffeffed of the different
Beauties and Colours of all the other
Stones.
Of tranfparent Stones the
fome of which are found in
come very near the Diamond.
Carnelion.
Cryftal is moft common,
Alençon and Medoc, which
Of Stones that are entire-
ly opake, or only half tranfparent, the
Sardine or Carnelion is moft efteemed.
This Stone is of a flesh Colour, or very
*The Cat's Eye is a kind of Opal. There is also another Sort of
Cat's Eye which is not tranfparent.
pale
•
鑫
​QUARRIES.
Onyx.
Turquoife.
237
pale Red, fometimes bordering upon Orange. The others
of this Sort are the Onyx, which is of a
greyish Caft, or a mixture of black and
white; the Turquoife, which fometimes
inclines to Blue, fometimes to Green; the
Lapis Lazuli, which is ftudded with Spots
of Gold on an Azure Ground; the Aven- Lapis Lazuli.
turine, which has the fame Speckles on a Ground of Muſk
or Coffee Colour. But all thefe, with many other Stones,
might be ranked under the Claffes of Agate
and Jafper, which probably are Stones of
the fame Nature; only the Agate is a little
more tranfparent, harder, and will take
a finer Poliſh: Both the Agate and Jafper vary their Co-
lours without End. On thefe Stones we fometimes find
the firft Draughts or Sketches of Flowers,
Agate.
Jafper.
Trees, and other natural Figures, which Figur'd Stones.
are eafily perfected by the Help of Art.
Chevalier. I have feen fome Stones of the common Sort,
which were naturally figured, and wherein one might plain-
ly trace the exact Shape of ſeveral Plants that are well
known amongst us, and fometimes of fuch as are only to
be found in China or Peru.
Prior. I fhall come prefently to give you my Opinion
on the Formation both of thefe and all other Stones: but
let us firft make an End of our Catalogue. And next for
common Stones.
The Stone for building with is that
which we have the moſt Acquaintance Stone for Build-
with, and is the most diverfified of all, ing.
there being feveral Sorts of it, as ſoft,
Brown Free-
hard, fmooth, rough, &c. The different Sorts of this
Stone vary their Grain and Colour, not only in different
Countries, but even in the different Strata of the fame
Quarry. The other common Stones are
the fandy or brown Free-ftone, the Lime-
ftone, which is eafily calcin'd, the Whet-
ftone, which is a fort of brown Free-
ftone, and the Flint which can never be
cut quite fmooth, and which emits Sparks of Fire when
Stone.
Flint.
ftruck
238
DIALOGUE XXV.
}
ftruck againſt another Stone of the fame Sort, or a Piece of
Steel.
Amianthus.
Pumice-ftone.
There are ſome which confift of fmall Filaments or Fi-
bres adhering clofe together; fuch is the feathered Alum,
as alſo the different Sorts of Amianthus,
the Threads of which they have the Art of
ſpinning and weaving into the Aſbeſtos,
which is a kind of Cloth that is Proof againſt the Force
of Fire. The Pumice ftone, which is fo
light as to fwim on the Top of Liquors,
and is uſed by many Artizans in their fe-
veral Trades, is much like a Mafs of Amianthus thorough-
ly dried. There are alfo Stones which are compofed of.
thin Lamina or Plates lying cloſe one upon another; of
this fort is that Stone of which Plaiſter or Parget is made
fuch alfo is the Slate, and all the different Kinds of Talcs
which you may ſplit into Plates or Leaves to what Degree
of Thinnefs you pleafe, and which are ufed, on account
of their Transparency, to put before Pictures in Miniature
and Paftel, through which they appear as clear as through
fo much Glafs.
Marble.
The moſt noble and magnificent of all
common Stones is the Marble, of which
there are feveral Sorts; the white, the
black, the Ethiopian black Marble or Bafaltes, the Lydian
black Marble (which is the Touch-ftone ufed by the
Goldfmiths), the green Marble, the Granate, which is ex-
tremely hard and full of green and white Spots, the Por-
phyry, which is no lefs valuable for its extreme Hardneſs
than its beautiful red Colour, and, in fhort, Marbles vein'd
with all forts of Colours.
Alabafter.
The Alabafter, both white and vein'd,
is likewife a fort of Marble, and only dif
fers from the others in that it is more foft,
and eaſy to cut. But it would be endlefs Labour to under-
take a particular Account of all the fubordinate Kinds of
Stones, feeing they are without Number.
Chevalier. I am very impatient to learn how a Flint, a
Diamond, or a Block of Marble is formed in the Earth.
1
Prier.
}
QUARRIE S.
239
Prior. There are three different ways
of Petrification that we are acquainted The Origin of
with, which being eafily obfervable and Stones.
conceivable by us, may affift us in mak-
ing a pretty exact Diſcovery how all others are per-
formed.
Of the firſt Kind is the Stalactites, or that cylindrical
Congelation which is formed in the Shape of an Icicle
in the perpendicular Fiffures of Vaults and Caverns, out
of the fparry, fandy, and other Matter that is drained
out of the Strata, by the Water paffing through them into
thoſe Fiffures*; and thefe do gradually increaſe in Pro-
portion as they are covered with freſh Coats of the fame
Matter.
Of the fecond fort of Petrification are thofe Crufts of
Stone which the Water of certain Springs leaves fticking
to the Pipes it paſſes through, as is obſervable in thoſe
which convey the Water from Rongis and Arcuel to Paris.
Now it is very plain that this petrified Matter, of what
Nature foever it be, is impelled by the Water towards the
Sides of the Pipe: the Reaſon of its incruftating in irre-
gular Lumps or Clods one upon another, is the irregular
Action of the Water upon this ftony Matter, which it cafts
fideways from the Centre of its Courſe, to force itſelf a free
Paffage.
Of the third Kind of Petrification that we are tho-
roughly acquainted with, are thofe Pieces of Wood, Shells,
and other Subftances, which are found petrified under
Ground, or in certain Fountains, ftill retaining their na-
tural Figure and Lineaments. Now the Manner in
which theſe three different Petrifications are performed,
we will fuppofe to be thus; the first by thin Leaves or
Teguments; the fecond by little Lumps; the third by
Infertion.
Chevalier. I think I understand your Divifion pretty
well. But pray, what are thoſe different forts of Matter
which apply their Surfaces to each other in the Form of
Leaves, or thoſe which adhere together in little Lumps;
or laftly, which infinuate themſelves into the Pores of ano-
ther Body?
* See Woodward on Foffils, p. 18.
}
Priar.
1
240
DIALOGUE XXV.
Petrification by
Leaves.
Prior. We have no Acquaintance with
any other Elements than thoſe I have men-
tioned to you, viz. Water, Salt, oily
Juices, Sand, Loam, and Clay *. The
Water itſelf is no Ingredient in the Compofition of Stones,
but is only that 'which brings together and mixes the Ma-
terials of which they are compofed. The natural Forma-
tion of Stones is performed nearly in the fame Manner with
the artificial Structure of Houfes, in which the Water
ferves to unite and fix the Materials, after which they harden
and confolidate as the Water diffipates. Our Walls are
compofed of hard Maffes of Matter and Cement; the Ce-
ment of itſelf would never form a durable firm. Wall;
and the Maſſes, whether of Brick or Stone, laid one upon
another without any Mortar between them, would eaſily
be fhaken down; whereas the Interpofition of the Cement
produces theſe two Effects; firft, by filling up the Inter-
ftices between the Maffes, it keeps them fixed in their
Places; and fecondly, by infinuating itfelf into the Pores of
thofe Maffes, it incorporates with them, fo as to conflitute,
when thoroughly dry, one entire, compacted Body. So
likewife our three different ways of Petrification are per-
formed by little Maffes, and a very fine Cement. The
Maffes to be joined together are the Sand, the Clay, and
the Loam; the ftrongest Cements are the Salts, and the
different Sorts of Bitumen. Sometimes the Salt and Clay
ferve as-a Cement to the Sand; fometimes either the Clay
or Loam does of itfelf conftitute the Mafs, and from the dif-
ferent Quantities and Proportions of thefe Matters differ-
ently mixed together, refults an almoſt infinite Variety of
Productions; but then it is the Water that performs all the
feveral Offices of collecting, conveying, and affociating all
the different Particles of Matter, which afterwards condenfe
into Aggregates of a hard durable Nature.
Under the first Kind of Petrification may be ranged the
Talcs, Slates, the Amianthus, and Plaifter.
1
* Our Author here only fpeaks of thoſe first Principles which confti-
tute fuch Bodies as are the Object of Chemiſtry, and into which they are
reducible by it.
Cryſtal
QUARRIES.
241
Cryſtal.
Cryſtal is nothing elſe but an Aggregate of Sand, either
of a pyramidical or triangular Figure, which
the Water incruftates fucceffively upon one
another, by a Cement of Salt and very fine
loamy Earth: And this appears the more probable, for
that when Cryſtal is refolved by Fire into its conftituent
Parts, we can diſcover nothing but a calcin'd Sand, toge-
ther with a little Earth and Salt. Nor is it at all to be
wondered at, that iuch a beautiful tranfparent Mafs fhould
be formed out of Sand, feeing the Particles of the Sand it-
felf, when viewed through a Microfcope, appear like fo
many pellucid Cryſtals: The Reafon of their not being
bright and clear, in their natural State, like the Diamond,
is becauſe of the Earth that is mixed with them.
It is no hard matter to conceive how a Column of Water,
in the Courſe of its Defcent, may lodge in
any certain Place a Lamina or thin Plate of Slate.
Sand-blackish Earth; and how another
Column may depoſit another Plate of the fame Matter on
the former, and by that means, in time, form Slates of a
different Thickness.
From fuch-like Layers of various Kinds of Matter are
formed Talc, Amianthus, and Plaifter.
Chevalier. Pray, Sir, how comes the Amianthus to be
able to refift the Power of Fire; and by what peculiar in-
herent Property does Pláifter, when pulverized and moiften-
ed, contract immediately to fo great a Degree of Hardneſs ?
Prior. Were the Amianthus chiefly compofed of Fibres,
or thin Layers of Clay, we might eafily account for its
being incombustible; but to deal ingenuoufly with you, I
muſt confeſs I am ignorant, both as to the Matter and the
Structure of the Amianthus: However, I may venture at
an Explanation of the Stone of which Plaifter is made: and
herein the Sand with a Mixture of Loam
feems to be the predominant Principle. Plaifter.
This Stone is eaſily refolved by a gentle
Fire, which feparates the loamy Particles from the Sand
and reduces them to Powder. The Reaſon why the Plai-
fter, when mixed up with Water, hardens immediately in-
to a firm confiftent Body, is becauſe the Water conveys in-
to the Pores of the Sand (which retains their original
Form) the little loamy Particles calcin'd by the Fire, which,
VOL. III
M
like
242
DIALOGUE XXV.
{
like fo many fine Sponges, immediately imbibe the little
Quantity of Water poured upon the Heap, which cauſes
them to fwell, till they exactly fill all the Interstices of the
Sand, and conftitute one folid compacted Maſs, in which
the Water is wholly abforbed. Theſe little fpongy Maffes,
which are formed like fo many Pipes, preferve their Figure
without fhrinking, and keep, by that Means, the feveral
Grains of Sand in clofe Combination, notwithſtanding the
gradual Evaporation of the Water from within them.
You may remember, Sir, that we remarked in a former
Difcourfe*, fpeaking on the Formation of the Shells of
Shell-Fish, that they were nothing but a Collection of
feveral Pellicles fucceffively formed one within another, by
the different Tranſpirations of Matter from the Body of
the Animal within the fame Accumulation of Plates or
Lamine upon one another, fo vifible in certain Stones, has
given Occafion to that Miftake of fome Naturalifts, in o-
ther refpects very famous and judicious Men, that Stones
have a Bud or Shoot like Plants, and grow by a Sort of Ve-
getation.
fication.
:
The fecond Kind of Petrefaction is
Grumous Petri- that which is performed by little grumous
Particles, fingly or in Clufters; and pro-
bably all precious Stones are formed in this
manner. They are found, for the moſt Part, pretty deep
in the Fiffures and Cavities of certain Rocks, whither
the Water can ſcarcely convey any other Matter befides
Sand, Salt, fome Drops of Bitumen, and now and then
fome metallick Particles. Theſe little Lumps or Globules
of Matter, when they come to coalefce and harden, form
themſelves into Stones of different Grains or Textures;
opake, for Example, when the Clay or Loam is pre-
dominant; fpotted or veined with Gold or Silvers, as
Particles of theſe Metals happen to mix with them; and
lastly, transparent, when the Bitumen, or the fineſt Sulphur,
with a Mixture of Salt cements together fuch Grains of
Sand as are pure, brilliant, and uniform. When the
Angles of the Sands are fo fituated with refpect to each
other, that their flat Surfaces lie together inclofe Contact,
and the fineſt Grains exactly fill up all the Interſtices of the
larger; in this Cafe the Stone which is formed out of
* Part I. Dial, IX.
thefe
2
QUARRIES.
243
Flaws in Dia-
thefe Sands is without any Imperfection: whereas, if the
Angles of fome Grains are ſo inclined to the plain Sur-
faces of others as to leave any void Place
betwixt them, this Vacancy becomes a De
fect or Flaw in the Stone, which leffens
the Value of it; and this fuffers ftill a
greater Dimunition, when there happens to be an Admix-
ture of any extraneous Matter in the Sand.
**
monas.
Every Sort of Sand is not of the white cryſtal Kind;
for, by the Help of a Microſcope, we may diſcern fome to
be of a green, fome of a red Colour: and this perhaps
is the first principal Caufe of that Diverfity of Colours
which we find in precious Stones. The Honourable
Mr. Boyle remarks, out of a very famous Traveller,
that in the Mines of Vijapour, and of other Places, the
Diamonds are found partly betwixt two Rocks, partly on
a Bed of Earth; that thofe which are taken from betwixt
the Rocks are of a pure Water without any Colour, but
that the others partake of the Nature of thofe Earths
where they are formed; that if the Sand is pure, and only
of one Colour, the Diamond is the fame; but that if the
Sand is mixed, the Diamond inclines to Black, Red,
&c. according to the Nature of the Sand. To the Di-
verfity of Sands let us add alfo the different Tinctures,
whether bituminous, vitriolous, or metallick, which enter
into the Compofition of Stones; and this will furnish us
with another Reafon why the fame Colour is fainter or
ſtronger in different Stones, and why different Colours are
fometimes united in the fame Stone.
Chevalier. What convinces me that
Bitumen is one Ingredient in the Com-
pofition of thefe little Cryſtals, as well
as in that of Amber and Jet, is, that
、
The Electricity
of feveral Stones.
feveral Stones have the fame Quality of attracting little
Straws, and other light Bodies. But pray, Sir, is it pof-
fible to explain the Manner how this Attraction is per-
formed?
Prior. I will venture to give the following Conjecture
as a probable Solution of this Phænomenon. Bitumen
* De Cemnarum (rine.
M 2
abounds
1
244 DIALOGUE XXV.
abounds with fiery Particles fhut up within the Pores of
this Matter: now upon rubbing any Body wherein theſe
little Corpufcles of Fire are imprifoned, we thereby fet
them at Liberty; the immediate Confequence of which is
their caufing a Rarefaction in the contiguous Air, which,
compreffing the Air that is more remote, caufes it to exert
its elaftick Force, and to repel the rarified Air back to
the electrical Body, carrying with it to the Centre of
its Motion all thofe little light Subſtances which it meets
wish.
Flints.
The Formation of Flints, and other ir-
regular hard Stones, feems to be the fame
with that of precious Stones. The Water,
in its Paffage over Strata of Marl, Chalk, Clay, or Rock,
finds Cavities of different Sizes, in which it depofits the
Salt, Oil, and fine Sands, of which it is the Vehicle;
the Water afterwards evaporating, the Sand, and other
Matter which is lodged in theſe Cavities, hardens as in
a Mould, and affumes the fame Figure with the Cavity
in which it is caft. When a finer Sort of Sand predomi-
nates, the Stone is proportionably tranſparent, and has a
fine fharp Edge, as is the Cafe in most of your precious
Stones; its Colours are more or leſs vivid, variegated, or
veined, according to the Proportion of the other Matters
that are commixed with it. If there happens to be a
great Proportion of Salt or Sulphur in the Compofition,
which, you know, are Subftances that yield a strong
Smell, and abound with Fire; the Stone when broken will
fend forth a fulphurous Stench, as well as emit Sparks of Fire,
if ftruck by another Flint of the fame Hardneſs, or a
Piece of Steel, the Force of Percuffion breaking open thoſe
little Cells in which the Particles of Fire are lodged, and
thereby fetting them at Liberty. The Reafon why theſe
Stones have no Electricity, is becauſe the Corpufcles of
Fire which they contain, are enveloped with earthy Par-
ticles, which weaken the Force of Friction, juft as a Lift of
Woolen, applied to a Glafs or the String of an Inftrument,
interrupts the Vibration, and ſtops the Sound.
1
·
There
es
QUARRIES.
245
There are great Numbers of Flints of all Sizes, fome
round, fome oval, fome approaching near to theſe Figures,
which feem to have been formed in little Balls, or by
thin Incrustations round a Kernel which ferved as a Bafe
for this Superstructure. For Example:
Round Flints.-
the Water, by frequently paffing over a
little Maſs of Mortar, Marl, or Stone,
fills up all the Inequalities that are in it, with thofe little
loamy Particles with which it is charged, thereby making
it to have a ſmooth and nearly regular Surface. The
Kernel being thus formed, the Water at different Times-
inveſts it with ſeveral Coats or Coverings of Sand, which
harden round the Kernel at the Centre of the Mafs as the
Water evaporates; the Bulk of the Stone continuing its
Increaſe, in Proportion to the Number of Layers or freſh
Coats of Matter fucceffively formed round it by the Return
of the Water. Now it may fo happen, that the Kernel
of Chalk, Marl, Stone, or common Earth, which ferved
as a Bafis to the firft Cruft or Coat, being penetrated by
a very intenſe Heat, may fend out all its Humidity by
Tranfpiration, and contract itſelf into a leffer Compafs;
which may be the Reaſon why we fometimes find a
Cavity in the Middle of a Flint, and fometimes within
that Cavity, Chalk, common Earth, or a Subftance of a
quite different Nature from the. Flint itfelf; and laftly,
why upon fhaking a Flint we fometimes hear a hard Body
rattle within it. Thus we fee that the Formation of round
and oval Flints, is nearly the fame with that of certain
Stones, called Bezoar Stones, which are found in the Bel-
lies of feveral Animals in the Indies, and to which are afcribed
many rare Virtues.
Chevalier. Theſe different Crufts, this Cavity in the
Middle, and this hard Body that rattles within it, are al-
ways to be found in a fort of Flint, which I have often feen,
and which they call the Eagle-Stone;
though, if it be formed in the Manner you
defcribe, I much queſtion whether it has
any Properties fuperior to thoſe of the com-
mon Flint; for by our Hypothefis you entirely rob it of all
its boafted Virtues.
The Eagle-
Stone.
Prior. I rob it of none but what were falfely afcribed
to it. But let us proceed to the last Kind of Petrification,
M 3
which
'
246
DIALOGUE XXV.
which is performed by Penetration or Infertion; and this
is the most common.
The Formation
of Stones by Pe-
netration,
A large Bed of Sand, Clay, or other
Matter, may be petrified by the Injection
of thofe Salts and fmall Particles of Earth.
which the Water collects in its Paffage;
and though the Water with all the Salts
that are in it, will pafs through a Body of Gravel or Sand,
which is too porous to feparate the latter from the former,
yet it will infinuate its Salts into the Pores of a more com-
pact Body, and link all the Parts of it clofely together.
By thefe Means a Bed of fine Sand fhall be transformed
into a Maſs of brown Free-ftone; and a Bed of Earth
and Sand together fhall be changed into a Stone more
or lefs hard, according to the Proportion that theſe
two different Bodies bear to each other in the Compofi-
tion.
Marl and Clay mixed with Sand will convert into
Marble, the Ground of which fhall be white, red, green,
or black, according to the Nature of the petrified Stratum.
The Subje&um or Bafis of Marble is perhaps, for the
moſt Part, nothing else but a Body of very fine Sand,
into the Pores of which the Water has infinuated, at dif-
ferent times, little Sediments of Marl or Clay, which
in Proceſs of Time unite into one hard compact Body,
and conftitute Marble of different Kinds, Colours, Mix-
tures, and Shades. If the Clay happens to be the firſt
Stratum or Bafis, and is dried and chapped by fome fub-
terraneous Heat, the Particles of fine Sand, Mark, or
other Matter, which the Water depoſits in theſe Fiffures,
will form in it Veins of all Colours and Shapes. This
Variety of Colours is alſo farther embelliſhed with little
Spangles of Gold, or fome other Metal fine enough to be
carried thither by the Water. The Drops of Oil, that
are intermixed with the aqueous Globules, fpread them-
felves into that vaft Number of little Spots which we dif-
cern in Marble; when they have free Liberty to diffuſe
themſelves, they become round Spots, oval when they are
attracted fide. ways by others, or angular, or of any other
Figure, according to the different Obftructions or Attrac-
tions they happen to meet with. All thefe little irregular
winding Veins, which we fometimes fee ftudded with
Specks
QUARRIE Ś.
247
Specks of Gold, or fome other inexpreffibly fine Grains
of Matter, are ſo many Foot-ſteps, whereby we may
diſtinctly trace all the different Routs, Turnings, and Ad-
vances of the Water through the Body of the Stone,
leaving, as it goes along, thofe various Kinds of Matter of
which it is the Vehicle, which, being fpecifically heavier
than it, naturally fubfide, and lodge in the firit Pores or
Cavities they find fit to receive them. The Formation of
Marble or Stone may not unaptly be compared to the
weaving a Piece of Cloth or Tapeſtry. The Stratum of
Sand or Loam, which is penetrated by the Water, is, as
it were, the Warp of the Work; the Water is the Shut-
tle that paffes through it; the fine Sands, the Sediments
of the Loam, the Particles of the Clay, and the ſmall
Threads or Fibres of metallick Bodies, are, fingly or col-
lectively, the Woof which is introduced by the Shuttle.
into the Warp or Body of the Work, and which fills it up
by Degrees.
Hiftory of theSea
by Marfilli.
Chevalier. I believe, I pretty well un-
derſtand the Explanation of this Phæno-
menon but I remember, when we were
in the Quarry, you made me obferve how
betwixt the different Beds of Stone, there was a thin Layer
of pure unmixed Clay; and you added, that thefe Layers
of Clay were almoſt always found betwixt large Strata of
petrified Matter. Now how comes it to pafs, that theſe
intermediate Layers of Clay eſcape Petrifaction, whilſt the
Bodies both above and below harden into Stone?
Prior. The pure Clay, inftead of being penetrated
by the Water, ferves as a Bafis or Bottom for it to rest
on.
Chevalier. I will readily grant you, that the Water may
eaſily introduce various Kinds of Matter into the Pores of
a Body which lies upon the Clay, and thereby bring it to
a State of Petrifaction; but if the Water does not penetrate
and paſs through the Clay, how can it petrify any Stratum
beneath it?
Prior. The Water finds a Paffage through many Chinks
and Fiffures in the Clay, or diffuſes itſelf and the petri-
fying Matter that it contains, over the Extremities of the
Layer, and fo defcends into the inferior Strata. Don't.
you remember the Stratum of Rock in the Mountain of
M 4
Layn
248
DIALOGUE XXV.
Laon, which, notwithstanding its prodigious Thickness,
does not hinder the Water from paffing into the Bed of
Sand which is far beneath it?
What the Water performs in great, by infinuating itſelf
into the different Strata of Matter, that are extended under
the Earth, it performs in Miniature in Pieces of Wood, Ivo-
ry, Bone, and other Matter which it penetrates; nor can
we, by any other way, account for feveral Petrifications of
a very extraordinary Kind, which are found in all Parts of
the World.
Whether there was at the Deluge an univerfal Earth-
quake, which changed the Form of the Earth, by exalt-
ing the lower Places, which the Sea occupied before, and
depreffing the more elevated Parts, which were inhabited
by Mankind; or whether God only changed the Place of
the Waters, by finking that Part of the Globe, which
was before inhabited by Men, to be a new Receptacle
for the Ocean, and fixing our Abode where the great
Deep was, we find by Experience, in all Places and
Countries which are inhabited, as well in the fmalleft
Iſlands as Continents, on the Mountains, as well as in the
Plains and Quarries, undoubted Proofs that thefe Places
were once covered by the Sea. However this Change
wrought in the Earth by the Deluge (which must have
been univerfal) was brought about, the Confequences which
flowed from it, with regard to the Matter of Petrification,
(which is the Subject of our Enquiry at prefent) are as
ollow:
·
Several marine Bodies of all Sorts, buried in this Men-
ftruum of diffolved Earth, become petrified in Time, by
the Infinuation of the Waters, Salts, and other little cry-
ftalline or ftony Particles, fo adapted to the Pores of theſe
Bodies, as to fill them up without caufing any Alteration
in the Figure of the Bodies themſelves: hence were pro-
duced a Multitude of Stones, which, for the Singularity
and Oddneſs of their Shapes, gave Occafion to fanciful.
People to look upon fome of them as poffeffed of certain
fecret Charms and Virtues, and upon others as the Mi-
mickry and wanton Productions of Nature.
Befides the Bones of Crocodiles, the Skeletons of Sea-
Horfes, and the entire Bodies of Fiſhes petrified, there are.
* See p. 105.
found
K
QUARRI E S.
249
found up and down in feveral Places, Shells of all Sorts,
and all the different Parts of Sea- Animals converted, into
Stone: Of theſe Bodies, fome are furprizing for the Man-
ner of their Situation, others for the Singularity of their
Shape. But fuppofing, my dear Chevalier, fuch a Con-
fufion of Subſtances all over the Earth, at the Time of the
Deluge, how fhall we be able to account for all thoſe Sea-
Shells that are found in the Middle of our hardeſt Stones,
nay even in the Heart of Marbles ?
Chevalier. If thefe Shells, by an univerfa! Agitation
or Commotion of the Earth, happen to be depofited in
certain Strata of Matter, which afterwards came to harden
and petrify, it is not at all to be wondered at, that they
fhould be found lodged in the Middle of thoſe Subſtances ;
nor is ſuch a Situation of thofe Shells more firange than
that of the Flints, which you juſt now thewed me in the
Centre of fome Stones, when we were at the Bottom of
the Quarry. Theſe Flints and thofe Shells fubfifted be-
fore the Deluge; the Bodies that inclofe them were petri-
fied afterwards.
Prior. The Number of the petrified Sea-Bodies is too
great, to give you an exact Catalogue of them; but in
order to vary the Entertainment of your Walk, I have
brought with me fome of the fmalleft of them, as being
moſt portable, by which you may judge of the rest: here
they are.
Chevalier. Pray what is this indented Triangle fo curi,
ouſly inchaſed in a Circle of Silver? Is it fome Amulet or
Charm to hang about the Neck ?
Prior. At Malta, where thefe Kinds
of Stone are fold, they tell you, it is in The Gloffipe--
the Shape of a Dart, or the Tongue of a
Serpent, which was petrified at the Time
tree.
of St. Paul's Arrival in that Ifland, and, among other
Virtues afcribed to it, has that of enriching the Gold-
fmiths but here this Tongue lofes both its Shape and
rare Qualities. It is really nothing elfe
:
but the Tooth of a great Sea-Dog or Canis Carcharias.
Shark *, which is a Monſter of an enor-
* Saggio d'Iftoria medice naturale del Cavalier Falifneri, Tom, 31
Edit. Fol
M 5
1
mous
t
ŷ
250
DIALOGUE XXV.
mous Size, weighing fometimes upwards of four thoufand
Pounds.
Chevalier. Here are fome Stones that one would take
for real Buttons.
Prior. Thefe ribbed Buttons, and thoſe others which you
fee there ftudded with little Tubercles regularly ranged, are
Subſtances of a ftony Nature, introduced into the Shells of
certain Fiſhes called Echini, or Button Fish-
es. The chalky or other Matter moulded
in the Shell, retains the exact Form of it;
but the Cruft of the Shell, being extremely thin, is entirely
decayed and perished.
Echinites.
The Horn of
Ammon, Cornu
Ammonis
-
Chevalier. What are thefe little Stones,
which refemble a Cork-Screw, or twiſted
Serpent?
Pri r. They are Pieces of petrified
Earth, formed in a little turbinated Shell
of a fpiral Figure, and which reſemble the Nautilus or
Sailor Fiſh. The Matter which is hardened within the
Shell, bears exactly the Impreffion of the Moulds in which
it was caft; but the Shell itſelf being extremely fine and
tender, it is confumed and reduced to Powder. The an
cient People of Libya, who thought that they difcerned
upon this Stone the Horn of their Ram Ammon, which,
you know, was their favourite Deity, related an hundred
Stories of the Virtues of this Stone, which gained it a
great Reputation, and gave it the Name of Cornu Am-
monis.
Chevalier. But if Philofophy ftrips thefe Stones of alf
their Virtues, have not we Reaſon to complain that we are
Lofers by it?
Prior. It fometimes proves the Means of enriching us,
by helping us to the Diſcovery of thoſe real Virtues which
are inherent in Bodies; but it can no ways be faid to im-
poverish us, by fhewing us the Fallacy of pretended ones,
and thereby preventing our being impofed upon.
Chevalier. What other Stone is that, which in Shape fo
much reſembles a Finger, but only is longer and more
pointed?
Dactyle,
Prior. There are fome of them of a
larger Size; I took this as being more
portable. They formerly took it for the
Thunder-
}
Plate 29 Vol. III page 250.
E
C
M
Al
L
K
D
N
/
f.
Petrified Bodies.
B
H
A
F
G
Toms jalp
QUARRIES.
251
Thunderbolts.
Betyls.
The Belemnites.
Thunderbolt: you fee what Connexion
At
there is betwixt Fire and a Stone..
preſent there is no Doubt made of its be-
ing the Tooth of fome great Fiſh, though
no certain Diſcovery has yet been made
of the Animal itſelf. It is not, proba-
bly, any of thoſe, which make their Abode on our Coaſts,
and this Conjecture is warranted by the Inftances of the
Cornu Ammonis, of which we have a hundred feveral Sorts,
all differing in fome reſpect or other from the Nautilus, that
we are acquainted with. The other Species of the Nautili,
or Shell-Fiſh of nearly the fame Figure with them, do
probably live on other Coafts, or elfe at the Bottom of
the Sea.
Here are other Stones, which are convex
at Top, and concave underneath. They Toad-fſtones.
much reſemble the Teeth of the Sea-Wolf,
and the beautiful Poliſh of theſe Stones is nothing elſe but
the Enamel which formerly covered the Tooth of that
Animal.
Chevalier. Here are fome others, on which, methinks,
fome Artiſt, to divert himself, has painted a Star, a Fiſh,
or the Leaf of a Plant..
The Aftroites or
Star ftones.
Prior. Theſe are indeed, as you fay, Pictures, and true
Copies of Nature. This Stone, in which
you fee ſo juſt a Representation of a Star,
is a Maſs of Earth, ftampt with the Im-
preffion of a certain Shell-Fiſh, called the
Sea Star, if it is not the very Fish itſelf, petrified together
with the Earth, to which it adhered. There are ſeveral
Sorts of them, which bear a reſpective Similitude to the
different Kinds of this Fiſh. Some of theſe petrified Bo-
dies, immerged in Vinegar, feem to move and ftir about;
the Reaſon of which Appearance is this; the Points of
the Acid which conftitutes the Vinegar, by infinuating
themſelves into the Pores of the Stone, make way for the
Introduction of a warmer Air, than that which was lodged
therein before; which being immediately dilated, and
ftruggling to difengage itſelf, furprizes the Spectator with
that tremulous Motion it caufes in the Stone; fome of
theſe Star-Stones are regularly applied one to another, with
M 6
their
252
DIALOGUE XXV.
their flat Surfaces together, and reſemble the Vertebræ, or
Joints in the Back-Bone of a Cod Fiſh.
Chevalier. Perhaps they may be nothing else but the
Back-Bone of fome other Fiſh.
Prior. Here are two or three other Stones, which pre-
fent you with Plants in their perfect Shape and Propor-
tion on a ſmooth flat Surface; for the Juices that agglu-
tinated the Plant to the Stone, did fo thoroughly pene-
trate into the Subſtance of it, as to incorporate them both
into one Body, only preferving the Lineaments and Figure
of the Plant. This here is a natural Picture of an Ear of
Barley; that of a Yoke Elm, or Hornbeam-Leaf; and the
other of a folded Willow-Leaf. Here are alſo fome others,
in which you may difcern a very exact Repreſentation of
the Fern. But the Figures moft commonly exhibited on
Stones are thofe of Sea-Moffes; for as the Bottom of the
Sea is always covered with theſe, it is natural to ſuppoſe,
that after the univerfal Confufion and Mixture of Sub-
ftances caufed by the Deluge, thefe Moffes were left by the
Sea on feveral Bodies, which afterwards petrified together
with them. Monfieur de Fufieu found one in France, which
repreſented the Foliage of the Mournful Tree, ſo called,
becauſe it only bloffoms in the Night. This Tree does.
not grow in Europe, and is only to be found in the Indies.
Chevalier. It formerly muft have grown in theſe Parts,
or elſe the Water of the Deluge muft have tranfported it
from the Indies hither.
Prior. There is one Miftake, which we are liable to
in this Matter, and therefore must take care to guard
against. When we find on any of theſe Stones an exact
Refemblance of a Plant, a Leaf, or fome Fruit that we
are acquainted with, if theſe Leaves are bent and folded,
if they cross each other, or lie one upon another, theſe
are certain Indications that the Plant or Fruit fo repre-
fented, is an Impreffion made by a natural Body. Near
Florence, and in fome other Places, are
found Pieces of Stone or Marble, in
which, when polifhed, fome People fan-
cy they fee ruinous Caftles, or entire Fo-
refts; but theſe Figures are drawn only by the Imagina-
tion, and are like thoſe which they think they fee in
The figured
Stones of Flo-
rence.
}
the
i
Llate 30 fol Ml page 25L.
A
F
,
B
E
Sigured Stones
D
Toms fiulp
QUARRIES.
253
the Clouds, or like thoſe imaginary Trees which the Hoar
Froft leaves on our Glaffes and Windows. Put a little Oil
between two poliſhed Marble Plains, and rub them toge-
ther, and the intermediate Air will difperfe the Particles
of the Oil, ſo as to form a Repreſentation
of a Foreft or a little Tree; but you will
not be able to diſcover the regular Like-
nefs of any Fruit or Leaf. The Water in like manner pro-
duces fortuitously the fame Effect on that Matter which it
colours and petrifies.
Their Origin..
In order to form one of thefe figured Stones of Florence,
it will be fufficient, if feveral fmall Pieces of Chalk,
round, fquare, triangular, or any other Figure, incor-
porate with a Layer of Earth mixed with Clay or Loam.
When the whole Mafs comes to be petrified by a Water-
tinctured with Vitriol, Cinnabar or any other Matter, it
iş evident, that, if the Body thus petrified be cut into Plates
or Lamine, we fhall find theſe Pieces of Chalk inverted.
or diſperſed in irregular Figures, like the Ruins of a de-
cayed Building; if, after this, the Lapidary fo artfully
cuts the Stone, that the imaginary Ruins may poffefs the
lower Part of it, while the upper Part of the poliſhed Plain
is diverfified with accidental Veins of different Colours,
the Spectator will immediately pronounce it to be a Re-
prefentation of Skies and Clouds: and if there hap-
pen to be any Fibres of Sea-Mofs in the petrified Chalk,
his Imagination will eafily improve them into little Plants
growing out of the Ruins.
We have now contracted an Acquaintance with fome of
thofe Productions of Nature which he has lodged in the
Bowels of the Earth to be employed for our Ufe when we
want them: We have alfo ventured at fome Conjectures
on the Manner how the Sand, Salts, Loam, and Clay,
by the Mediation and Agency of the Water, concur to
form thofe Maffes of Stone purfuant to the End for which
God appointed them. In our Way back to the Caſtle we
may entertain ourſelves with difcourfing on the Ufefulneſs
of Jewels and common Stones.
As to the former, I fhall leave them as
we found
them, without determining any Thing concerning thofe
Virtues, which fome fuppofe inherent in them, leaving it
to Time, and farther Experience, to diſcover to us whe-
ther
1
254
DIALOGUE
XXV.
ther they have any fuch Properties peculiar to them; whe
ther, when pulverifed and mixed up in Medicines, they
ferve in any other Capacity than as Abforbents; or whe-
ther they are devoid of all medicinal Virtues, (as by any
Diſcoveries hitherto, appears to me moft probable) and
only to be valued for their Hardneſs and Luftre. How-
ever this be, the Reputation which theſe Stones have al
ways been poffeffed of for their wonderful Virtues, has
gained them the honourable Diſtinction of being worn on
the Finger, and of being looked upon, in fome Cafes, as
fovereign Prefervatives. But however People may have
been deceived, in repofing fuch a vain Confidence in their
imaginary Virtues, they have found out the Art of mak-
ing them really uſeful in another refpect, viz. by en-
graving Figures upon them, and thereby converting them
into little portable Seals: An Invention
this of great Uſe and Benefit to Society
feeing it ferves by way of Credentials
to prevent our abfent Friends being impofed upon by
Counterfeits, and to fatisfy them that they receive what
comes to their Hands in the fame Form and Condition in
which it was fent.
Seals..
-
•
Farther, Jewels being the more bright and luminous
Productions of the Earth, they naturally make a confpi-
cuous Figure in the richeft Dreffes; they adorn the Mar
jefty of Crown'd Heads, and even fet off the Charms of
Virtue itſelf, feeing this, when fet in Compariſon with
them, never fails to gain the Preference, and to eclipfe the
brighteſt Diamonds with its fuperior Luftre.
The Ufe of
common Stones.
As to thofe Stones of a moft enormous
Size, which are found in the Quarries un-
der Ground; is it not almoft incredible;
that fuch rough, unweildy, fhapelefs Maf
ſes of Matter ſhould be capable of being cut, worked
and ranged together in fuch a Manner, as to form thoſe
durable and beautiful Edifices, which are not only fo
convenient, but alfo fo conducive both to our Health and
Security?
When the Defcendants of Noah were obliged to dif
perfe and feek for Settlements in different Parts of the
World, finding all Places covered with Woods and in-
habited by Wild Beafts, they built themselves Huts and
Tents
QUARRIES.
255
Tents with the Boughs of Trees, and the Skins of Ani-
mals; but as thefe were very infufficient Shelter againſt
the Inclemencies of the Weather, and a ftill weaker De-
fence againſt the Violence of wild Beafts, or the more fa-
vage Treatment of ambitious Men; how happy was it for
them, living as yet in a State of War, and liable to con-
tinual Invafions, to find under their Feet, at a little Depth
in the Earth, Maffes of Matter foft enough to cut and
faſhion as they pleaſed, and yet fufficiently hard, when com-
pacted and laid together, to defend them againſt the At-
tacks of their Enemies, or the Fury of the Elements; and
laftly, in fo great Plenty as to furniſh Matter for the Secu
rity and Defence of whole Kingdoms!
Thus, by little and little, Villages and Cities grew out
of the Earth, and Men found out the Art of placing and
cementing Stones in the firmeft Manner, of erecting with
them convenient Houſes, ftrong Fortifications, magnificent
Palaces for Kings and Rulers, and thoſe auguft Temples
in which all the Families of the Earth affemble at cer-
tain Times, to pay due Worship and Adoration to their
common Father, and to bind themfelves under the moſt
folemn Engagements, to obferve inviolably all thofe Du-
ties on which the Well-being of Society does neceffarily
depend.
The Sight of this Road we are juſt
entering upon, which croffes that hard Paved Roads.
paved Way, puts me in Mind of another
inestimable Advantage we receive from ſome of thoſe
folid Materials fhut up in the Bofom of the Earth, I mean
that of paving our Ways, and thereby procuring to our-
felves, at all Times, the Convenience of firm paffable
Roads: Herein confifts one of the principal Beauties of
large Towns; and this it was that formerly made the
whole Roman Empire feem, as it were, but one large City,
confifting of fo many long paved Streets, that formed a
Communication from one End of it to the other. Rome*
was the Centre of a great Number of magnificent
Highways which run through all Italy. Several of them
croffed the Alps, the Country of the Gauls, the Pyrenees,
*See the Hiftory of the Highways of the Roman Empire, by Nicholas
Bergier, Counsellor at the Court of Rheims; a very curious and learn-
ed Work, and too little read.
and
256 DIALOGUE XXV.
and the whole Kingdom of Spain. One of them reached
from Rome to Lyons, from Lyons to Rheims, and from Rheims
to the Channel; it was carried on again in Great Britain,
and continued as far as Scotland. That which extended as
far as Byzantium* was continued on the other Side of the
Hellefpont from Chalcedonia through Afia Minor, Syria and
Palestine; then winding through the Ijibmus of Sues, which
joins Afia and Africa, paffed through Egypt as far as Syene,.
and thence into Ethiopia There were others that ran
along the Coaſts of Africa from one End of it to the other;
and hence poffibly the Romans borrowed the Model of their
paved Ways.
Chevalier. Theſe are indeed furprizing Inftances of Mag-
nificence and Expence.
Prior. Your Surprize will be ftill heightened, if you
compare the Structure of the Way we are now walking
on, with that of the Roman military Ways. This, though
one of the handfomeft and beft built of the modern Ways,
and though it is not above ten or twelve Years fince it
was firft laid, yet begins to give Way already, whilſt that
which it croffes has kept firm and entire for above fifteen
hundred Years. The Reafon is obvious: This Way, which
has been fo lately paved, was raiſed upon a Foundation
of Earth, not equally denfe and folid in every Part; and
confequently, as the Foundation fhrinks, the Superftructure
muft fall in: Now, when Part of the Pavement has given
way, that which was contiguous to it, wanting its Support,
is eaſily ſeparated from the reft, and made to fall in
likewife, by the repeated Shocks of the heavy Carriages ·
that go over it: The whole Structure being thus dif-
jointed, and the Coherence of the Parts deftroyed, the
Wheel Ruts prefently grow deep and uneven, the Wag-
goner ftrikes out into a new Track along the adjacent
Land; and thus a Work of great Labour and Coft be-
comes entirely ufelefs, and muſt be repaired at a freſh
Expence.
If the Roman Highways, through any Neglect to mend
them in time, are decayed and broken down in fome
Places, yet there are feveral Countries where they ftill
remain whole and entire. The Appian Way, which was
* Conftantinople.
† From Carthage.
firft
QUARRIES.
257
firft carried from Rome to Capua, and afterwards continued
from Capua to Brunduftum, is ftill in good Condition, though
it has been a High-Road above nineteen hundred Years;
and we have fome Ways in feveral Parts of France, which
have fubfifted upwards of fifteen or fixteen hundred Years.
Now it is to their particular Structure that we are to aſcribe
their long Duration.
The Site or
Foundation.
Gremium.
They first of all laid open with a Plough two parallel
Furrows; then the Soldiers, for they were generally em-
ployed in the Works of this Kind in Times of Peace, car-
ried away the light loofe Earth * that they found be-.
twixt the Furrows, and dug till they came to a hard
firm Bottom: They then filled up the
Foffe or Bed which they had hellowed,
with a more denfe and weighty Matter;
as for Inftance, with a Sort of hard Sand
or Gravel taken out of the Rivers, or
dug out of the Quarries; this done, they rammed the
whole hard down, and ſmoothed it with heavy Rollers;
nor did they always end their Work here, but oftentimes.
(to facilitate the draining off of the Water, and to pre-
vent any Mud or Dirt from foaking in, which would
infallibly undermind and loofen the whole)
raifed a Terras or Caufey feveral Feet
above the Level of the Plain confifting
of four Layers or Stories of ſtrong Ma-
fonry.
The Caufey.
Agger orDorfum.
Chevalier. A Highway reaching from Rome hither built
with four Layers of Mafon's Work! Is it poffible?
Prior. I will preſently conduct you to a Place in the Ro-
man Highway, where I myſelf opened the Earth, and will
undertake to let you fee the four Layers which you ſeem
to call in Queſtion. As we are walking thither, I will ex-
plain to you the Matter of them, and the Order in which
they lay.
* Hic primus Labor inchoare Sulco,
Ac refcindere Limites, & alto
Egeftu penitus cavare Terras,
Mox hauftas aliter replere Foffas,
Et fummo Gremium parare Dorfe,
Ne nutent Sola, ne maligna Sedes,
Et preffis dubium Cubile Saxis, &c.
Statius, Lib. 4. Sylvarum, via Domitian.
On
258 DIALOGUE XXV.
The first Layer,
Statumen.
On the Foundation of the Earth, which, as I faid before,
was firmly compacted and levelled, they ſpread a Covering
of Cement made of Lime and Sand, or
Haffock, about an Inch thick. The first
Layer, which they placed upon the Cement,
was of large flat Stones laid one upon ano-
ther ten Inches high, and cemented together with well-
tempered Mortar. The largeſt Stones of all were ranged
along the Sides of the Cauſey.
The Second
Layer, Rudus.
The ſecond Layer confifted of Stones of
a cubical, round, or oval Figure, and of
many rough irregular Stones, fometimes
mixed with Potſherds and Pieces of broken
Tiles and Bricks: All theſe were fpread with a Shovel
over the first Coat of Stones, and rammed down into the
Mortar, which cemented them together. This fecond
Layer was about eight Inches thick.
The third Layer.
Nucleus.
The Third Layer confifted of a Foot of
Mortar, not made of beaten Tile, for that
would have been too expenſive, but of
Chalk, Sand*, or Haffock, mixed with
Lime, as any of thefe Materials were near at hand. This
Layer, which was fometimes called the Pudding or Pap,
though more commonly the Nucleus or Kernel, filled up all
the Cavities or Interftices in the inferior Layers, and fettled
into a hard level Coat: The great Difficulty we find in
breaking it now, fufficiently proves how firm a Support this
was to the upper Covering, eſpecially when we confider
the extreme Hardneſs of the inferior Strata, with which it
is fo firmly incorporated as to form one compact impe-
netrable Body, capable of fuftaining the greateſt Weight
imaginable.
The fourth
Layer,
Summa Crufta.
The fourth and laſt Layer, which they
called the Cruft, fometimes confifted of
great hard Stones cemented together, as
we find in the Appian Wayt; fometimes
of Gravel, or fmall Flints mixed with
Saxa ligant, Opuſque texunt
Cocto Pulvere, fordidoque Topho. Stat. Ibid.
† Lipf. de Magnitud, Rom. Lib, iii.C. 10.
Gravely
QUARRIE S.
259
The
Gravel, as we find in most of the military Ways *.
hardeſt Stones of all the Free Stone, and the larger Sort of.
Flints, they reſerved for their Towns.
We are now arrived, my dear Chevalier, at that Part of
the Highway where I made my Experiment: We may here
meaſure the Thickneſs of the Layers.
Chevalier. I find here indeed all the Layers that you
have been defcribing to me; but what puzzles me moft is,
to know how they came by the prodigious Quantity of lit-
grey Flints with which the Road is every where covered,
and the more, as there are none to be feen any where
elfe in the Neighbourhood.
tle
The Borders,
Margines.
Prior. Thefe fmall Stones, Flints, and Gravel, were
often brought hither from other Parts, the Country People
being ordered to gather them in their Vineyards, their
Heaths and ploughed Lands, on the Banks of Rivers and
the Sea-Shores, and to bring and lay them in Heaps by
the Highway Side, where the Soldiers had Occafion to uſe
them in their Work. Of thefe Materials they made a Co-
vering fix Inches thick upon the third Layer, and fe
cured it on the Sides with two Borders of Earth, which
they fometimes ftrengthened and confoli-
dated with heavy Stones †, which they laid
floping for the Water to run off the Cau.
fey on to the Plain beneath, to prevent
its foaking into, and thereby loofening the Gravel. By
Means of this Precaution, the Traveller in all Seafons en-
joys the Benefit of a dry hard Road. It fometimes hap-
pens that the Flint Pavement is loofened by the falling
down of the Banks or Borders which ſhould fupport it at
the Sides; but as the internal Layers do not fuffer by it,
the Damage is eafily repaired. A Queen of France, in
former Times, having caufed fome of thefe Highways to
be repaired and paved anew, had the Re-
putation of being the first Foundrefs of
them, and in ſeveral Provinces they go by
her Name to this Day,
* Miffon's Travels into Italy.
+
Umbonibus hinc & bine coalfie
Et crebris Iter alligare Gompkis.
The Caufey of
Brunebault.
Stat. ibid.
Chevalier
|
260
DIALOGUE
XXV.
Chevalier. Since the Layers, of which the Road is com-
pofed, are here uncovered at the Sides, and expoſed to
open View, pray let us take the Thickneſs of them before
we go.
Prior. According to my Calculation, which is founded
on repeated Experiments, having meaſured them with
a Foot Rule, you will find the Depth of them all taken
together to be about feven or eight and thirty Inches.
Indeed the Difference of the Materials they were obliged
to uſe, and in the Nature of the Soil, which was to be
the Foundation of the Work, made a little Variation
both in the Thicknefs and in the Order of the Layers
(according to the Difcretion of the Architect) fometimes
neceffary; but according to the general Obfervation made
in different Places, you will find me pretty near the
Mark.
Chevalier. When we confider the great Advantage in
having fuch convenient and magnificent Highways, and
the great Trouble and Hindrance that Travellers meet
with in paffing through the deep and rugged Roads, I am.
furprized that we do not imitate this Practice of the Ro-
mans, feeing then we might travel as far in two Hours, as
we can now, in fome Places, in a whole Day *
*.
Prior. This would be too great an Enterprize for us to
undertake; but there is one thing which I am more fur-
prized at, viz. That fome pious, well-difpofed Perſons ne-
ver thought of eſtabliſhing a Fund by Legacies, to be ap-
plied in making Aqueducts for the Conveyance of whole-
fome Water to fome Town which is deftitute of ſo great a
Bleffing; or in repairing the public Ways in thofe Places
where they are in a bad Condition; for fure nothing can
better anſwer the End and Deſign of Religion, than to
promote the common Good of Mankind as far as lies in
our Power.
Chevalier. I affure you, if ever a Society comes to be
fet on foot for repairing the publick Roads, I fhall make
it a Part of my Religion to promote ſo uſeful an Eſtabliſh-
ment.
**
Quæ folidum Diem terebat,
Horarum Via facta vix duarum,.
Prior
QUARRIE S.
261
Prior. We have hitherto confidered the Uſefulneſs of
Stones in building us Houfes and Places of Security, and
in making our Roads firm and paffable at all Times,
and fo commodious for the ſpeedy Conveyance of our
Merchandiſe from one Country to another. But they are
ſtill farther ferviceable to us, in fupplying us with a
Matter every Way fo fit and proper
whereof to make durable Monuments to
do Honour to the Memory of great
Men, and to tranſmit remarkable Tranf
actions and Occurrences down to future
Ages.
$
The Ufe and
Defign of
Sculpture.
Monuments, Co-
lumns, Baffo-
Relievos, Coins,
and Medals.
Stones and Medals are the true hiſtorical
Regiſters of the World, as they deliver
down to us the Names, the Features, and
the memorable Actions of Princes that
reigned near two thoufand Years ago.
The molten Braſs, or obdurate Marble, receives from the
Hand of the Statuary the Form of Alexander or Socrates,
of Cæfar or Virgil, of Erafmus or Charles the Fifth, of
Louis le Grand, or Des Cartes. To the Benefit of this
Art we owe the Benefit of beholding and converfing,
as it were, Face to Face, with thofe who were the Or-
naments and Bleffings of paft Ages, and of having before
our Eyes the moft illuftrious Examples of Antiquity, to
lead us on in the Paths of Glory and Honour, and to
incite us to the performance of virtuous and heroic Ac-
tions. This was the original Defign of this noble Inven-
tion, and what procured it fo univerfal a Reception in the
World: But, alas! (if we except the ad-
orning and beautifying our Churches, The Abuſe of
purſuant to another great End of this Art) Sculpture.
how fhamefully it is every where perverted
and abuſed!
I take a Walk, for Example, in a publick Garden,
which has been adorned at a vaft Expence with a great
Number of Statues. It is natural to fuppofe that ſuch a
Profufion of the fineft Marble, carved by the moft in-
genious Artists, was defigned to convey fome useful
Leffons of Inftruction; whereupon my Curiofity leads me
to the first Figure that prefents itfelf, which, upon fome
Recollection, I find to be the Reprefentation of Cephalus
I
and
?
262
XXV.
DIALOGUE
and his Dog Lelaps, Objects that have very little in them
to gain my Attention; nor can I fee of what greater Im-
portance it is to me, to behold how gracefully Procris
takes an Arrow out of her Quiver between her Finger and
Thumb, to make a Preſent of it to Cephalus: A little far-
ther you have the Image of Ceres, or the God Pan, or fome
fuch fort of Folk, which the Generality of People have as
little Knowledge of: In another Place you are preſented
with the Rape of Orithya by Boreas, or fome fuch Adven-
ture, contrary to thofe Rules of Modefty and Decency
which ought to be obferved, not only in private Families,
but alſo in publick.
Chevalier. I have fometimes heard this made the Sub-
ject of a Debate, when it has been alledged in Defence of
Sculptors and Painters, that thofe who employed them in
adorning their Gardens and Houfes with thefe fabulous
Pieces, were generally Men of Tafte; and moreover, that
the greateſt Part of thefe Statues were taken from ancient
Originals, which are the best Models that the Moderns
have to copy after.
Prior. În Anſwer to the fecond Obfervation, which is
the only material one, I fhall offer the following Remark :
I am far from thinking that we ought to difcard intirely
all profane Hiftory, or to look upon thofe Maſter.
pieces of Antiquity, which are ftill remaining, as un-
worthy our Imitation. The fine Statues and Paintings at
Versailles, and the other Royal Palaces, were certainly
defigned by our Kings to be fo many publick Schools
of Education for the Encouragement of Arts, and to refine
the Taste of the Age; nor can we too much admire theſe
excellent Models; but on the other Hand, it argues
ſtrange Bigotry and Narrowness of Mind to be pleafed
with nothing but what is ancient, and to multiply Copies
of them without End Let us imitate the Ancients, as
Meffieurs Racine and Boileau have Euripides and Horace :
They indeed ftudied the Greek and Roman Poets to form
their Tafte, but did not therefore judge it neceffary to
write in Greek or Latin, or to be flavish Imitators of them
in every Particular; they thought for themſelves, and
ftruck out fomething new of their own So ought it to
be with Statuaries and Painters, and not be thus eternally
harping
QUARRIE S.
263
harpin on Apollo and Diana, Hercules and Faunus, and fuch
uſeleſs Repreſentations.
Had the Greeks been nothing more than fervile Imitators
of the Egyptians, we fhould have had nothing tranfmitted
down to us but Egyptian Monuments; whereas, by im-
proving upon them, they made their Art an ufeful publick
Regiſter to the People of Greece, of all the memorable
Tranfactions of their Country: All their Porticos, their
Walks, and publick Places, were crowded with the Statues
of renowned Warriors, Civil Magiftrates, wife Lawgivers,
Philofophers, Architects, Painters, Orators, and other
famous Men. As they walked along, they could point to
Draco, Solon, or Ariftotle; here was the Founder of fuch a
Sect; there fuch a brave Commander: At almoſt every
Step in the Streets or publick Squares of Athens, they might
learn an uſeful Leffon in Morality or Hiftory. Thus every
one became acquainted with the remarkable Perfons and
Things of former Ages; and the Honours which were thus
paid to the Memory of thoſe who had diftinguifhed them-
felves in their feveral Ranks and Stations, were ſo many
Motives of Encouragement to others to exert themſelves
in their respective Occupations and Profeffions to the ut-
moft of their Abilities.
Nothing is more generally talked of amongst us than
Tafte, though I muft needs think that we should give
a much better Proof of it, if, inftead of all this Trumpery
of Mythology and Metamorphofes, our publick Places
and Gardens, our Galleries and Tapestry, were made to
yield a more rational Entertainment, and exhibited to us
fuch Figures and Reprefentations as might ferve to im
prove our Underftandings, or perpetuate the Memory of
great and uſeful Examples; for Example, if we could ſay
there is Charl's the Wife, and his Conſtable Bertrand de
Gucclin; there is Lervis XII. furnamed the Father of his
People, and his excellent Minifter, Cardinal D'Amboiſe,
What a Fund of Pleafure and Inftruction might we reap at
the fame Time, from a fpacious Portico, where in one View
we might take a Survey of all our most famous Generals;
in another be prefented with the Figures of thoſe who
have been moft confpicuous in the learned World; in a
third, with the moft ingenious Mechanicks, and fuch as
have fignalized themfelves by their Improvement of Arts
or
264 DIALOGUE XXV.
or Commerce; and in a Word, all thoſe who have
zealously promoted the Good of their Country by their
Courage or Learning, by uſeful Difcoveries, or indefatigable
Induſtry! Nor ought we to exclude thoſe who render
themſelves illuftrious in other Parts of the World, feeing
Virtue and Knowledge are amiable and praife-worthy
where ever we find them. If Erafmus, Cofter, and Fauftus,
have deferved well of Society in general. their Memories
ought to be as dear to us as to their own Countrymen,
and have as good a Right to be honoured with Statues
at Paris, as at Rotterdam, Harlem, and Mentz; nor is
there any, I believe, who would not be well pleaſed to
fee in a publick Walk, inſtead of a Marfyas or an Ixion,
the Statue of Huygens next to that of Mr. Pafchal,
Newton at the Side of Malbranche, Lewis Elzevir along
with Robert Stevens, and my Lord Arundel by Monfieur
Colbert.
By thefe Means, we might foon contract a familiar Ac-
quaintance with Hiftory in general, make our Walks in-
ftructing as well as diverting, and become great Scholars
without having ever learned to read. But we ſeem to
have fo little Regard to Truth in Painting and Sculpture,
that nothing is faſhionable but what is fabulous; or if
our Tafte is formed for the Study of Hiftory, we cannot
reliſh it, unless it be dafhed with Fiction: Infomuch that
we are come to that país, as not to know the true Cha-
racter or Faſhions of our own Nation a Century ago, by
the Deſcriptions that are given of it. Our Kings and
great Commanders are afhamed to be feen in French
Dreffes at Court, or at the Head of their Troops; but
they must be painted forfooth, dreffed up to the Mode of
ancient Greece, or elſe all is ſpoiled. Does a private
Houſe keeper, or a Scholar, fit for his Picture
the
Painter, instead of drawing them in their proper Habits,
(which might ferve by way of Characteriſtick to diftinguish
the Perfon fo dreffed, and the Age in which he lived) has
his Head fo full of Antiquity, that every Thing must be
according to the ancient Talte. A Gentleman muft be
armed with a Cuirafs, like the God of War, and his Head
adorned with a ipruce well-buckled Perriwig. How
admirably well do thele fuit to each other! He dreffes a
Citizen in a military Veſtment, with his Arm bare like a,
Roman
MINES.
265
Roman General; and a Philofopher in his Study muft be
diſguiſed in a Cap and Gown of fo odd a Make, that you
are at a Lofs to know whether he meant him for a Mofco-
vite, or an Inhabitant of Tonquin.
MINE S.
f
Prior.
DIALOGUE XXVI.
The PRIOR and CHEVALIER.
ELL, Sir, are
W
you pleaſed
with your Journey to the Obfervations
Forges, and the Perfon I appointed to at-
tend you?
4
collected from
feveral Forges.
Chevalier. I cannot fufficiently exprefs my Thankful-
nefs for his Civilities, and your obliging Care. It was
quite a new Scene to me; methought I faw Vulcan's Shop;
all Ætna laid open to my View and I can fcarcely help
fancying that I hear the Hammers of the Cyclops ftill found-
ing in my Ears.
Prior. I do not doubt but you faw the whole Process
from Beginning to End.
Iron Ore.
Chevalier. First I faw them take the Iron Ore out-
of two Places dug a little way in the
Earth, in one of which the Ore was
incorporated with a ftony Subftance,
VOL. III.
N
which
}
266
DIALOGUE XXVI.
which they broke in the Stamping-Mill, in order for
washing and melting. In the other it was mixed with a
fort of Earth or coarfe Sand, which they caft into a flat
The Washing-
Trough,
Tub, ten Foot fquare and two Foot deep,
through which they keep a conftant
Stream of Water running, all the Time
ftirring and pounding the Ore in the
Tub, fo that the Water may wash away the earthy
Particles, whilst the Metal, which is fpecifically heavier,
fubfides to the Bottom. They told me, that a Furnace,
which yielded from two thoufand five hundred to three
thousand five hundred Weight of caft Iron in 24 Hours,
would require in that Time about fifty Funcheons * of
Coals, and near fifteen Ton of washed Ore. As private
Intereft muft always give place to the Good of the Publick,
it feems the King appoints proper Officers to dig the Ore
where ever they hnd it, paying a fmall Acknowledgment
of about twenty Deniers †, as I remember, per Ton, by
way of Satisfaction to the Proprietors of the Land. Im-
mediately after each Cafting, which is once every Hour
and three Quarters, two lufty ftrong Fellows are appointed
to feed the Furnace with fresh Supplies of Coal and Ore.
They add moreover a large Quantity of Flux-ftone, which
is a fort of hard ftony Earth, and neceffary to promote
Fufion. Pray, Sir, can you explain to me the Reafon of
this?
Prir. The Flux-ftone is preferred by the Workmen
for this Ufe, forafmuch as it abounds with Particles of
Iron, and therefore increaſes the Quantity of metallick
Matter. It does alfo, as you fay, facilitate the Bufinefs
of Fufion. The Ore confits of metallick, fandy, and
carthy Particles; now the Bufinefs is to feparate theſe
three diftin&t Kinds of Matter, or elfe to extract the
Metal from the Sand and the Earth: The firſt of theſe
Offices is performed by Lotion in the Trough or Wafhing-
tub, the Water carrying off a pretty large Quantity of
thefe extraneous Matters. The melted Metal is nothing
but a Torrent of liquid Fire, which rarefies and keeps in
Motion the metallick Particles, which, upon the Extinction
* A Puncheon is a Meafure containing about a Hogshead.
+ Twelve Deniers make the French Sous or Penny.
of
MINES.
267
of the Fire, coalefce and fubfide one upon another. The
vitrified Sand is alſo a liquid Mafs of Fire, keeping in a
State of Agitation the finer Grains of Sand, and the faline
Particles, which, after Ignition, fix into a confiftent Body.
The calcined Earth is a Subject confifting of Parts eaſily
feparable, which, being penetrated by the Fire, are reduced
to Aſhes. The Sand being put into a State of Fufion
by the Fire, the Metallick Matter, which is more weighty
by Nature, difengages itfelf from it, and fubfide to the
Bottom; for thefe two Bodies, being of different fpecifick
Gravities, are cafily feparated by the Action of the Fire;
whereas the Earth, which is compofed of light flaky
Maffes, is eafily entangled in the fufed Metal, the vitrified
Sands, and the alkaline or fpongy Salts that are mixed
with them. The greater the Quantity there happens to be
of this Earth or calcin'd Powder in the Metal, the coarter,
more brittle, and imperfect it proves; the lefs of this he-
terogeneous Matter there is in the Iron, the more malle-
able, ductile and folid it is, and approaches nearer to the
Nature of Steel, which is only pure unmixed Iron. Now
in order to purge and purify the Metal as much as pof-
fible from this Powder which infects it, they muft at the
Time of its Fuſion inject into it fome Matter, which may
lay hold of as many Particles of the calcined Earth as pof
fible, without imbibing the Metal; and this is performed
by Vitrification. The Seeds and Salts of the Flux-ftone,
being ſeparated by the Fire, give free Liberty to the Par
ticles of Iron to difengage themfelves, and at the fame
Time abforb a great Part of the Earth that was mixed
with the Ore. For want of Flux flone, Flints or River-
fand may be made uſe of, which, when vitrified, purge the
Iron from the Drofs, in Proportion to the Quantity of Sco-
rice or calcined Earth which they lay hold of. Some Maf
ters of Forges ufe Lime inſtead of Flux-ftone or Sand; but
as this is nothing but a calcined Earth itſelf, it cannot
have any abforbing Power, and ferves to foul inſtead of
purifying the Ore. The only Refpect in which Lime can
be ferviceable, and fupply the Place of Flux-ftone or Sand,
is by ferving as a Cruft or Covering to reverberate the
Heat, and to make it act with more Force inwardly on the
Ore which is mixed with the Coals.
N 2
Chevalier,
268
XXVI.
DIALOGUE
Chevalier. This is like a Practice which I have feen
put in Ufe by Farriers, Smiths, and other Workers in
Metal, who cover their Fires with the metallick Scoria
or Slag of their Forges, fo that you would think they
meant to choak them quite up: They every now and
then water the Slag with a fprinkling Brush, to make it
cake round the Fire. By means of this Precaution the
Flame is fuppreffed, and the Heat, by being reflected in-
wards, acts more intenfely on the Iron that is to be
worked.
Prior. I am very glad to find you have improved ſo
much by the Workmen, who are oftentimes the beſt In-
ftructors in Things of this Nature; but, pray, let me hear
what becomes of the Ore, thus fhut up and mixed with the
Coals.
Chevalier. It is no fooner melted, than it runs along
the Bottom of the Furnace, which is made floping, to a
fort of Flood-Gates, which are drawn up for it to pour
down in a Torrent of liquid Fire, into long Trenches
made in the Sand, or into Moulds of different Figures, to
be caft for Cannons, Chimney-Backs, Bomb-Shells, Gra-
nados, Mortar-Pieces, Pipes for the Conveyance of Water,
Caldrons, &c. I was highly pleaſed with ſeeing them caſt all
thefe.
Prier. What do they do with the Iron which they run
into the Trenches?
The Pig of
Iron.
Chevalier. After having diffufed itfelf equally from
one End of the Trench to the other, it confolidates into a
triangular Mafs, which they call a Pig
of Iron, weighing from twelve to eighteen
hundred Pounds; this they run on wooden
Rollers to the Mouth of the fining Fur-
nace, where they gradually melt it (not to a Degree of
Liquefaction, but) till it refolves into a foft Pafte, which
the Workmen keep firring with their
Iron Prongs; then they take from it a
Piece of about fixty Pounds Weight,
which they beat with light Hammers, till
it comes to a Confiftency; this done, they give it a heating
in the fining Furnace, and thence carry it on an Iron-
Sledge, and fubject it to the Difcipline of a monflrous
Hammer,
The fining Fur-
nace.
MINES.
269
Hammer, weighing upwards of fix hun-
dred Pounds, the Noife of which may be The great Ham-
heard above three Miles off. It is made
to rife and fall by the Motion of a Wheel
mer.
turned by a running Water. They turn the Iron under this
Hammer, till it is beat out into an oblong Square.
Prior. They tell you that the Force of Percuffion in-
flected by this Hammer on the Iron, is ſo great, that it pe-
netrates the very Heart of the Mafs, agitates the fineft Par-
ticles of the Iron, diffipates the calcined Earth with the Sco-
riæ and other heterogeneous Matter; and makes the whole
perfectly malleable, by confolidating the metallick Particles,
and uniting them in cloſe Contact̃.
Chevalier. After the Mafs of Iron, has paffed the Ope·
ration of the great Hammer, it is carried back again to
the fining Furnace, to be thoroughly purged of its Drofs
and Scoriæ; where, while it is perfecting, it facilitates
another Operation; for it thereby contracts fo intenſe a
Heat, as is fufficient to refolve the Pig-Iron that is near it.
Laft of all, it is carried to the Forge or neal-
ing Furnace, to foften it and fit it for the
Anvil, on which they hammer it into flat
triangular Pieces for Ploughfhares, into
fquare Bars for all Sorts of Smiths Work, or into Plates of
different Dimenſions.
The Forge, or
nealing Furnace.
The prime Cof
of a thoufand
Weight of un-
wrought Iron.
Prior. I find nothing has eſcaped your Obfervation.
Chevalier. I took alfo a Memorandum
of the Expences they were at every Day
for Coals, Ore, Flux-ftone, Labourers
Wages, &c. and upon cafting up the whole,
I found, that a Furnace, which yields one
Day with another three thoufand Weight of caſt Iron,
ſtands the Maſter of the Forge in a hundred and twenty
Livres every 24 Hours, and confequently the prime Coft
of a thouſand Weight of unwrought Iron amounts to forty
Livres.
*
But as this Iron ftill contains a great
deal of Drofs and Scales, which cannot any
other way be ſeparated from it than by
undergoing the Diſcipline of the Furnaces
and Hammers feveral times, it will lofe,
The prime Coft
of a thoufand
Weight of
wrought Iron.
* A Frcuch Livre is about one Shilling Engliſh..
№ 3,
in
Į
.
}
270
XXVI.
DIALOGUE
in the Courſe of thefe Operations, one third of its Weight;
for that fifteen hundred Weight of caft Iron will hereby
be reduced to a thoufand Weight of wrought Iron; which
Waſte raiſes the Coft of a thouſand Weight to fixty Livres :
If we take ftill farther into the Account, the Wages of the
Workmen, and the Expence of Coals, for keeping up the
Fires of the refining and nealing Furnaces, thefe Articles
will amount to 45 or 46 Livres more; fo that upon the
whole, a thouſand Weight of wrought Iron will ftand the
Mater Founder in 126 Livres, the leaft Penny, before it is
fit for the Ufe of the Lock-fmith.
>
Prior. Have you any Thoughts of building, a Forge in
your Woods, that you have been at fo much Pains to in-
form yourſelf of the Charges of making Iron?
Chevalier. The Scheme is feafible enough; and they
affure me that it would turn to very good Account,
provided Wood might be had under four Livres per
Cord *
Prior. Eftablishments of this Kind are not now allowed
of, but upon very deliberate Confultation; becauſe the
Confumption of Wood uſed by a fingle Forge is fo great,
that it oftentimes proves a Detriment to the neighbouring
Country: however, the Knowledge of theſe Particulars is
not without its Ufe in many other Refpects; for as Iron
is a Commodity for which there is fo general a Demand,,
it muſt be allowed a Part of Prudence, to inform ourfelves
of the real Value of it. Befides, what we learn from one
Forge may introduce an Acquaintance with the Methods
uſed in working other Metals.
Chevalier. But before we examine into the Condition of
Gold and Silver, as they are found in the Mines, pray,
Sir, do me the Favour of your Opinion on the Manner of
making Steel and Tin; for they ſeem to me to make a
great Secret of it.
Prior. The Art of converting Iron into Steel is much
practifed by the Germans, who have pro-
per Furnaces erected purpofely for this
Work. In theſe they put large Maffes
Steel.
* A Meaſure eight Foot long, and four Foot high, when the Wood
is cut three Foot and a half long. But this Meaſure varies in different
Places,
of
MINES.
27 E
}
of Iron (which have paffed through the fining and neal-
ing Furnaces), where it is ftrongly ignited by a vehementFire,
till two Thirds of it be wafted away; they then forge it, and
the remaining Third is pure Steel. There are alfo Forges,
where they cover the Iron over with a Pafte made of Athes
which have been purged from their Salts,
and with the Scrapings of Horn; and this Cafe-hardening
they call Cafe-hardening.
Iron.
Nor is the Art of making Tin a greater Secret than that
of making Steel; for Tin is nothing elfe
but Iron Plates tinned over. Now in order Tin.
to become Tin, the Iron-Plate muft under-
go three very fimple Operations: Firft, they whiten it in
Tubs filled with Water and Vinegar; then, after having
rubbed it over with a Sponge dipt in Glue, they powder it
with Sal Armoniac, or Salt of Tartar, perfectly pulverized;
and laft of all, they immerge it half a Minute in an Iron
Crucible, eighteen Inches deep, filled with melted Tin :
Then it is what we call a Tin-Plate. I need not tell you
what Ufe they make of this Metal. Let us now proceed to.
the other Metals.
**
I have now and then made it my Bufinefs to confult.
fome Travellers on the Subject of Metals; from whom
I have the following Information: Gold is found either
in Mines under Ground, or in the Sands of certain Rivers,
though probably they are both originally the fame;..
it being very natural to fuppofe that thofe little Spangles
of Gold which are found in the Sand of Rivers, were
washed away from the Mines by fome Current of Water
paffing through them. Thefe little-Particles of Gold Duft
are feparated from the Sand or Mud of the Rivers, firft by
Wafhings, and then by Mercury. Mercury, or Quick-
filver, is a dry, white, mineral Water, exceeding ponder-
ous, and is found in Cavities under Ground, either in a
State of Fluidity or Amalgamation: the latter is, when
it is united to Sulphur and Earth in the Form of a hard
Mineral, called Vermilion or Cinnabar. Now as they
can make artificial Cinnabar by mixing and combining
*See Bicher, Stahl, and especially George Agricola, whofe Book of
Fofils and Metallurgy, though written above two hundred Years ago, is
fuperior to any Work of the fame Kind published fince, both in Beauty
of Style, and in Accuracy and Extent of Learning.
N 4
Mercury
272 DIALOGUE
XXVI.
Mercury with Sulphur, fo alfo can they refolve native Cin-
nabar into its component Parts by Fire, and extract from
it a pure flaid Mercury, which has the peculiar Property
of adhering to Gold and Silver. In order to make a per-
fect Secretion of the Gold Duft from the other heteroge-
neous Matter, they pour Mercury upon it, which imme-
diately lays hold of all the golden Particles, without ab-
forbing thoſe of the Earth: Now the Mercury, notwith-
ftanding its great fpecifick Gravity, confifts of Parts ſo
fine and ſubtle, as to be eaſily rarefied and fent off by the
Fire; they therefore feparate the Mercury from the Gold,
either by Evaporation or by ftraining it through the Pores
of a leathern Bag *; in either of which Cafes the Gold is
left behind alone, in the Bottom of the Crucible or of the
Bag.
The Gold of the Mines is either in Grains or in Stones;
the former is fometimes found in hard Maffes, weighing
one or two Drams; and now and then in Lumps, weigh-
ing two or three Marks. Thefe Grains are feparated from
the Earth they are mixed with by plain Wafhings; this.
Method of purging Gold from impure Mixtures without
the Help of Fire, being the most advantageous, and at the
fame Time moſt uncommon, it being peculiar to the rich
Ore that is dug in the Mountains of Chili.
The Gold which is found in Stone, as is moft generally
the Cafe, is a hard Mineral, abounding more or lefs with
little brilliant Particles of this Metal, which are inter-
fperfed and mixed with thofe Veins of Earth that run
through the Ore, and which conſtitute the Richneſs of it.
Thefe Spangles or Specks of Gold are oftentimes found
incorporated with Rock, Marble, or precious Stones, ac-
cording as the Water has chanced to introduce them into
the Pores of thefe Bodies.
In order to ſeparate the Gold from the other fuper-
Aluous Matter, they first bruiſe the Mineral with Iron
Peftles; they then carry it to the Stamping Mills, where
it is reduced to Powder, which they fift through a fine
Copper Sieve; this done, they mix it up with Mercury
and Water into a Pafte, which they knead and work in
wooden Troughs filled with Water. This Operation is con-
* See page 52.
tinued
MINES.
273
tinued two Days in a hot Sun, during the Time the Mer-
cury imbibes all the Particles of the Gold, without coher-
ing with the coarfe Earth or Sand, which is eafily washed
away by the Water, upon inclining the Trough, the Ma's
which remains concrcted at the Bottom confifting now of
nothing but Gold, Mercury, and fome fine Earth; the lat
of which they difengage from the Maſs by repeated Affu-
fions of hot Water, and the Mercury by Evaporation cauf-
ed by Fire the Gold remaining behind, though not yet
perfectly pure, and free from all Mixture of foreign Mat-
ter, whether of an earthy or metalline Nature; they being
obliged, in order to perfect the Secretion, to have re-
course to ftrong diffolving Menftruums, which they call
refining it.
Now Gold may be refined feveral ways; firft by Anti-
mony; fecondly, by a Sublimate; thirdly, by Aqua fortis ;
and fourthly, by Lead and Aſhes.
Refining by
Antimony.
Antimony is a fort of metalline Stone,
of nearly the fame Colour with Lead Ore,
and which, when fufed, has the Property
of laying hold of, and abforbing, all fine
Earths and Metals that it meets in its Way, except Gold,
which remains almoft untouched by it; and therefore,
being the heavier Body, falls, like a Regulus, to the Bot-
tom of the melting Cone. The fouler or fuller of Allay
the Gold is, the greater Quantity of Antimony is required.
in the Fufion of it. The Gold, being thus feparated from
the other heterogeneous Matter, fubfides to the Bottom,
and becomes almoſt perfectly fine; the Scum of the Anti-
mony, and the other Bodies fwimming at the Top, in
the Form of Scoriæ, which the Mafs of Gold purges it-
felf from, and fends off in Exhalation upon its being again
put into the Fire.
Sublimate is an artificial Compofition
Sublimate.
of Mercury and Spirits of Sea-Salt, which, Refining by
when fufed with the Gold, volatilizes and
fends off in Vapours all the other Metals
that are mixed with it. The Refiners avoid, as much as
poffible, making ufe of thefe two Methods of refining,
becaufe. both the Antimony and the Sublimate abound
with Particles of Arfenick, the very Steam of which is
rauk Poiſon, and proves fatal, if not guarded againft with
N 5
all
274
DIALOGUE XXVI.
A
all imaginable Precaution. They therefore moſt common-
ly employ Aqua fortis in this Operation.
Refining by
Aqua fortis.
Aqua fortis is a Liquor compofed of Spi-
rits, diftilled from Nitre and Vitriol, though
perhaps the Vitriol is of no other Ufe in
this Compofition than to feparate the ni-
trous Acid from its Bafis. Some moreover add Spirit of
Arfenic. This Water has the Property of diffolving Sil-
ver, Copper, and other Metals; but leaves Gold in its
natural State, without caufing any Alteration in its Parts,
Aqua regia.
there being no Preparation but Aqua regia,
with a Solution of Sal Gem and Sal Ar-
moniac, that has Spirits fine enough to dif
folve Gold; but this, Water will not perform the fame Of-
fice on Silver and other Metals, being fo fubtle as to per-
vade their larger Pores, without deſtroying the Coheſion
of their Parts: But in refining Gold, they moft common-
ly uſe Aqua fortis, becauſe this imbibes all the other me-
talline Matter, and leaves the Gold pure and entire by it-
felf. In order to refine one Mark of Gold, they mix
with it feveral Marks of Silver in the fame Crucible,
which is a Veffel made of Clay and powdered Stone, in
the Figure of an inverted Cone or Pyramid. Theſe two
Metals being thoroughly melted and mixed together, they
pour them into common Water, wherein they feparate in-
to Grains, about the Bignefs of Peafe or Barley-Corns t.
*
The Metals thus granulated, they put them into a Stone
Pot, and fet it on the Fire, adding a Pound of Aqua
fortis to every Mark of Metal: They then lute or cover
the Top of the Pot carefully with Clay, and in lefs than
an Hour, the Aqua fortis, which receives additional Strength
from the Action of the Fire, diffolves the Silver, fo as to
make it feem like fo much Aqua fortis, whilft the Particles
of Gold difengage themfelves from thofe of the Silver,
and precipitate to the Bottom of the Pot, in the Form of
a Calx: they then uncover the Pot, and pour off the liquid
Matter from the Gold, which is rendered more pure than
before it was mixed with the Silver.
*A Mark weighs eight Ounces,
•} _Boiffard's 'Treatife of Coins.
In
MINE S.
275
}
In order to bring it to Perfection, they fuſe the golden
Calx again with Silver and Aqua fortis, and repeat the
Operation till it is thoroughly purged from all Allay of
other Metals, which, at length, become totally abforbed
by the Aqua fortis. Laft of all, they melt the Gold Calx
by itſelf, and caft it into Ingots or Wedges, ufing no-
thing elfe but a little Borax for this Purpofe, which pre-
fently collects and unites all the Particles into one folid
Mafs.
Chevalier. I cannot but admire the Virtue of this Wa-
ter, which fo faithfully collects all the Silver without pur-
loining any of the Gold: But muft we then facrifice two
or three Marks of Silver, to obtain one of pure Gold,·
feeing fo much of the former is intirely abforbed and loft
in the Aqua fortis ?
Prior. Far from it; we do not lofe fo much as one
Grain thereby; but on the contrary have it all restored
to us in its greateſt Purity and Perfection. They take all
the Aqua fortis in which the Silver is diffolved, and pour
it into earthen Pans, adding ſeven or eight times as much
Spring-Water. They then put into every Pan feveral In-
gots of red Copper. What inherent Virtue in this Metal
caufes it to be attracted by the Aqua fortis, I cannot tell;
but this Menftruum immediately difcharges the Silver,
and falls to work upon the Copper, which it diffolves in
the Space of 24 Hours, letting the Silver precipitate in lit-
tle Parcels to the Bottom, in the Form of Alhes or Powder
which, being put into a Crucible and fet on the Fire, do,
by a Kind of Refurrection, re affume their original Form,
and from a Heap of Duft are changed into a folid Maſs of
the pureft Silver imaginable.
Chevalier. Could I be inclined to find any Fault with
the Country, it fhould be for not having a Goldſmith in
the Neighbourhood, that I might have an Opportunity
of being an Eye-Witness of thefe furprizing Opera-
tions.
Prior. The Depart or Separation of Metals with Aqua
fortis is doubtlefs an Invention highly deferving our Ĉu-.
riofity, and the publick Thanks of all Mankind, and
would entail immortal Honour on the Memory of its Au-
thor, and our Benefactor, were he known to us..
N 6
24
He
lived
}
1
276
DIALOGUE XXVI.
lived probably about the Beginning of the XIVth Cen
tury.
Refining by the
Cupel.
There is a fourth Method of refining
Metals, by the Help of Lead, which is
performed in the following Manner: They
melt a certain Quantity of Lead in a Cu-
pel, with one feventh or eighth Part of the fame Quan·
tity of Gold or Silver. The Lead, when fufed, infinu.
ates itſelf into the Pores of the Crucible, and is diffipated
in Fume and Scoriæ, carrying off with it the impure Mix-
tures and Allay, that infected the more perfect Metal,
which fubfides to the Bottom of the Crucible in the Form
of a Button.
The Affay or
Procf of Metals.
This last Method of Separation is far-
ther made Ufe of, in the Proof or Affay
of Silver, which is in order to know to
what Degree of Perfection it is refined by
the Aqua fortis or otherwife. They firft of all take the
exact Weight of the Silver that is to be affayed; after the
Lead is evaporated, they weigh again the Button of Silver
that is left at the Bottom of the Cupel; they learn,
by the Diminution of its Weight, how much Allay it be-
fore contained; and from the Proportion hereof, judge
what Degree of Purity the whole Mafs is of. In the
Affay of Gold, they make Ufe of another Expedient: The
Litharge, which is formed by the Lead, has the Property
of extracting and carrying off the Copper, the Earth, and
the Drofs that is mixed with the Gold; but not the Silver,
which, being of inferior Value, greatly debafes the Gold
that is allayed with it. To know therefore exactly
what Degree of Perfection the Gold has acquired in its
Refining, they take a fmall Quantity of it, for Example,
a Dram, and melt it with two Drams of pure Silver;
then with a ſmall Hammer and Anvil they beat it into a
thin Plate, and diffolve it in qua fertis over the Fire;
in this Operation the diffolving Menftruum imbibes the
two Drams of Silver, and alfo that which was before in
the Gold; what remains is pure and perfect Gold. The
Diminution which this little Quantity has fuffered in
Weight, in undergoing the Proof, is the Rule of Propor-
tion, whereby they know the Degree of Allay in the
whole
MINES.
277
whole Mafs, and how far it falls fhort of Perfection and
full Standard.
Chevalier. I have often heard talk of the Standard of
Gold, but am at a Lofs to know what they mean by this
Term.
•
Prior. The Standard of Gold and Silver is the Degree
of its Purity and Fineness, and varies with it. Gold is
ſaid to be perfectly fine, when it is free from all Mixture
of any other Matter. Silver
Silver is faid to be fo, when it is
not allayed with any lefs perfect Metal; nay, it muſt alſo
be free from any Mixture of Gold; and indeed it would
be the Height of Folly to let that pafs for Silver, which
is of a much greater intrinfick Value, and which would
amply reward the Pains of extracting it. We may fup-
pofe a Maſs of Gold to be divided into 24 Parts, and
each of thefe again into 4ths, 8ths, 16ths, and 32ds.
Every 24th Part of a Mafs of Gold (of whatever Weight
it is) is called a Carat; and when the Mafs, after being
refined and proved, contains nothing but pure Gold, it
is then faid to be 24 Carats Standard, or perfectly fine,
without any Allay. But let it be obferved by the way,
that the Refiners lay it down for certain, that Gold al-
ways comes fomething ſhort of this Standard, being never
without a 4th, a 16th, or a 32d Part Allay. If then
Gold lofes by Cupellation or Affay two 24ths, for Example,
of its Weight, we find that it contained but 22 Parts of
pure Gold, and but two of Allay, and therefore call it Gold
of 22 Carats Standard. Silver is alfo divided into twelve
Parts, which they call Penny Weights, and each Penny
Weight into Grains. If, for Example, you take from
24
a Wedge of Silver a Piece weighing half an Ounce, and
melt in a Cupel with a proper Quantity of Lead; if,
after the Lead is paffed off in Fume, there ftill remains
half an Ounce of Silver, we then pronounce the Wedge
of Silver to be twelve Penny Weights Standard, or in its
moſt perfect Purity: if, on the other hand, the half
Ounce lofes in the Operation one or two 12th Parts, we
fay, that the Wedge is ten or eleven Penny Standard;
which is as much as to fay, that ten or eleven Parts in
twelve of the Mafs is pure Silver, and the reſt Allay.
In fpeaking therefore of the Standard of Metals, we are
not to understand by the Carat and Penny Weight any
·
fixed
{
278
DIALOGUE XXVI.
it
fixed and determinate Weights, but only relative ones re-
fpecting the Mafs of which they are Parts. Thus an Ounce
of pure Gold is faid to be 24 Carats Standard, as well as a
Mark of the fame Metal, becaufe the former confifts of 24
Parts of pure Gold, and the latter of no more, though the
Carat of the Mark weighs eight times as much as the Carat
of the Ounce.
It is the Prerogative of Sovereigns to fix the Standard
of Gold and Silver, who have wifely appointed by Law,
- that all Goldsmiths and other Workers in theſe Metals
ſhall deliver out no Gold under the Standard of 24 Ca-
rats, nor any Silver under that of 12 Penny Weight.
The Defign of which Prohibition was to prevent their
melting down the current Coin in the Bufinefs of their
refpective Trades; the Lofs which they would fuftain by
converting Metals of an inferior Standard into Works of
pure Gold and Silver, being the moft effectual Way to
difcourage a Practice which might in the End prove
deftructive to Commerce by occafioning a Scarcity of
Coin.
But as theſe Laws bore hard upon the Goldsmiths, in
obliging them to fell nothing but what is perfectly pure,
and no leſs upon the Maſters of the Mint, who were there-
by obliged to deliver out fo much Specie of fuch a
Weight and Standard, after refining and working their
Metals; feeing, as was before obferved, it was almoft im-
poffible for them to do this without being confiderable
Lofers, on account of the Diminution which the Metal
fuffers in Weight, in going through its feveral Operations,
and the Lofs of pure Metal in the Litharge and Scoriæ
that are left behind; it was therefore thought juſt and
reaſonable to mitigate the Severity of thefe Laws, and to
look upon the Intent and Meaning of them fufficiently
anfwered, provided the Weight and Standard came very
near to theſe preſcribed; but as fome fixed Rule was ne-
ceffary to go by in this Cafe, the Laws have according-
ly circumfcribed this Indulgence within certain Bounds.
A Goldſmith, for Example, that fells Silver eleven Pennies
eighteen Grains Standard, is judged to vend good ſtatut-
able Silver, though it wants fix Grains of full Standard,
and confequently contains fo many of Allay. And this
is
MINE S.
279
1
The Remedy, or
Allowance, on
Standard.
is called in French Remede, or an Allow-
ance to indemnify the Workers in Gold
and Silver for neceffary Loffes. And the
Allowance is twofold, that which is
granted on the Standard, and that which
is granted on the Weight; the former is called Standard-
Allowance, the latter Weight-Allowance. Two Inftances
will illuſtrate the Matter to you: The Maſter of the
Mint is obliged by Strictness of Law to deliver out Louis-
d'Or's at the Standard of twenty-two Carats; but they
are accepted as good at twenty-one Carats and three-
Quarters: this is one Quarter of a Carat Standard of
Allowance granted to him. He is alfo in like Manner
required to deliver out Silver Coin at the Standard,
eleven Pennies; however he is reputed to have made it
good Standard, provided it is not under ten Pennies and
twenty-two Grains: this is two Grains of Allowance
granted him on the Standard. On the other hand, if
for a Mark of Gold Bullion belonging to the Govern-
ment, he returns in coined Money, fourteen Grains fhort
of that Weight, and for a Mark of Silver, forty-three
Grains fhort, he is accounted to have returned full
Weight, though there be as many Grains wanting as
amount to the Value of five Sous: this is called Allow-
ance on the Weight: but as there is an
Allowance on Standard and Weight, fo On Weight,
is there alſo a Foiblage of both, which
Word denotes a Diminution of the Weight or Standard
below what the Law allows; and this Practice is pu-
nifhable. When Gold or Silver is confiderably beneath
the Standard appointed by Law, it is called bafe Metal :
when Gold is under feventeen Carats, if it be of a red-
difh Caft, we fay it is Gold fophifticated with Copper;
if white, fophifticated with Silver. When Gold is un-
der twelve Carats, and Silver under fix Pennies, that is
to fay, having more than one half Allay, it is called
Billon, or counterfeit Coin; though the
Word Billon does alfo fignify Copper
Money, mixed with a little Silver; as alfo
all Money of good Weight and Standard, that is cried
down, or called in to be new minted. Thus, my dear
Chevalier, have I explained to you in a few Words the
Billon, what.
chief
1
280
DIALOGUE
XXVI.
chief of thoſe things that relate to the Origin and Refine
ing of Gold, and which no Gentleman ought to be ig-
norant of. We will now fuppofe it to have paffed through
the feveral Operations neceffary to bring it to a State
of Perfection, and confider the feveral Ufes we apply it
to..
It is not from Fancy or Prejudice that we prefer Gold
to all other Metals; but this Preference is founded on its
real intrinfick Value. It is of all Metals the moft folid:
and weighty, and capable of being refined to the greateſt
Degree of Perfection. It is, beyond all Difpute, of the
moft beautiful Colour, and approaches neareft to the
Brightness of Fire; it is the moſt ductile and malleable
of Metals; nor does it befmear the Hands of thofe that
work it, like others, but embellishes and gives a Luftre
to every thing it touches. To theſe rare Qualities we
may add another, that ftill more enhances its Value,
and defervedly gives it the Preference to all other
Metals; which is, that it does not confume by Ruft,
nor lofe aught of its Weight by paffing through the
Fire.
It is not to be wondered at, that Mankind ſhould agree
with one Confent to fix upon a Subftance of ſo perfect
and permanent a Nature to be the common Price and
Purchaſe of every thing they wanted. Before this pre-
cious Matter was difcovered in the Bowels of the Earth,
Men negociated their Commerce by bartering one Com-
modity for another. Thus Wine was given in Exchange
for Oil, and Corn for Flax, every one trucking what
was fuperfluous to him for what he wanted. But this
way of Traffick was fubject to great Inconveniencies :
two Nations or Neighbours might be overstocked with
the fame Commodity, or if the Productions of their
Lands were different, it was a difficult Matter to make
an exact Eftimate of their true Value; fo that it was a
very hard Matter to fettle Equivilancy in wholefale Bar-
gains, and almoft impoffible in retail; and Men were
under a Neceffity of difpenfing with many things, for
want of fuch Commodities as were fuitable to the Oc-
cafions of thofe that had them. Now Gold, by reaſon
of its Purity, Ductility, and Incorruptibility, appeared to
them the moſt proper Matter whereof to make a com-
mon
MINES.
281
:
mon Standard of the Value of every thing, and to be
given in Exchange for all Sorts of Commodities and as
this beautiful Metal was very ſcarce, it was agreed upon
amongſt them, that a little Portion of it fhould pafs as an
Equivalent for a large Quantity of other Merchandize.
They were fenfible how commodious and advantageous a
thing it would be to be able, by the Help of a little
Metal, both fo portable and eafily concealed, to travel to
any Part of the World, and defray all our Expences by
the Way, without any Incumbrance or the Trouble of
bartering one Commodity for another. This Way of
bargaining was found fo fhort and commodious, that it
came by Degrees into Practice every where. The only
Inconvenience that attended it was, that every Body
was obliged to carry with them their Scales to Market, to
inform themſelves of the true Weight and Value of what
they received; but a Remedy was foon thought of for
this, by making little flat Pieces of Gold and Silver, im-
preffed with a publick Stamp by Authority of State, to
afcertain the true Value of it, and to fatisfy the Seller,
that what he received in Payment for his Goods was of
ſuch a certain Weight and Standard. Hence Moneta
[Money] from Monere, to inform or notify. But as Gold,
on account of its Scarcity, was referved for the Payment
of large Sums, they had Recourfe to other Metals, that
were more plentiful, for current Expences, and the Bufi-
nefs of Retail. Thus have I given you an Account of
the Origin of Money, and the principal Ufe of Gold;
we will now proceed to examine into the Ufes to which
it is applied.
This Metal is faſhioned by a great Number of Trades
into an almoſt infinite Variety of Orna-
The different
Ufes of Gold.
ments for Drefs, no lefs curious and va-
luable for the Skill of the Workman
than the Matter on which he exerciſes
his Art. The Goldfmith hammers it into a thouſand dif-
ferent Sorts of Work, fome for the Ufe and Wear of pri-
vate Perfons, others for the Decoration of Churches, or
the fplendid Equipage of Princes. The Jeweller ufes it
to fet off, and give a greater Luftre to, his precious Stones.
The Embroiderer artfully works it in Silks, Cloths,
Lace, &c. he mixes and fhades it with different Colours,
he
282
DIALOGUE XXVI.
!
}
he draws a Flower, a Leaf, or any other Device, and
paints Nature to the Life. The Gilder lays it on Metals,
Leather, Wood, Stones; he employs it in beautifying the
Wainfcot of Rooms, the lofty Roofs of Palaces, and the
Domes of Churches.
Chevalier. How comes this Gold, which is only thinly
fpread on the Surface of Bodies, and not incorporated with
them, to laſt ſo many Years, though all the time expofed
to the open Air and the Weather?
Prior. This arifes from its natural Incorruptibility, and
the Art of the Gilder in laying it on.
Chevalier. What Pity we have none of this Profeffion
here in the Country, to have an Opportunity of feeing them
practice this Art!
Prior. I find, Sir, you begin to know how to ſet a right
Value on the Convenience of living in Town; and am con-
vinced that at preſent you would take more Pleaſure in gra-
tifying your Curiofity in the Shops of feveral Artizans, than
at the Fair of St. Germain.
Chevalier. I fhould be particularly pleafed with feeing
how a Gilder makes a Veffel of Silver or Copper look
like Gold, and gives the Appearance of this precious
Metal to a Cornifh or Feftoon, without its being really
fuch.
Prior. The Operations of this Art are very curious ;
but the Particulars of it are fo many, and the Execution
of it fo very nice and delicate, that it is impoffible to have
a thorough Notion of it without feeing the whole Proceſs
of the Work. I will content myſelf with giving you a ge-
neral Notion of it, though perhaps it may rather excite
your Curiofity thon fatisfy it.
Gilding.
Agricola Felibien.
Gilders lay Gold either on Metals or
other Materials; for which Ufes they
employ Water - Gold, or Leaf Gold.
When they would gild a Piece of Silver
or Copper, they take a fmall Quantity
of Gold, diffolved in Aqua fortis and reduced to a Calx.
They put this Gold into a Crucible, and fet it over the
Fire, adding to it feven or eight times its own Quantity
of Mercury: theſe two Subſtances amalgamate or mix
together into a Sort of thin Pafte, or butyraceous Matter,
inclining to Fluidity: this they ſpread over the Plate or
Veffel
MINE S.
283
Veffel which was prepared for this Operation, and then
lay it on a Grate, near a very hot Fire; this done, the
intenfe Heat of the Fire caufes the Quickfilver to eva-
porate, the Gold which was abforbed in it remaining
behind, fticking clofe to the Surface of the Metal: laſt
of all they wash it over with a red Colouring, in order
to give the Gold a deeper Orange: and this they call
Gilding.
When Gilders make ufe of Leaf Gold, they either
lay it on ſeveral Grounds or Layers of Glue and Colour,
as in thofe Works which are defigned to be within Doors
and under Cover; or elfe on the Remains of thofe Co-
lours, and the Oil which they find fettled at the Bottom
of the Pot wherein they clean their Pencils, as in thofe
Works that are to ftand the Weather, and be expoſed to
the open Air.
Chevalier. It was a Remark of your own, Sir, that
God has difpenfed this precious Metal to us with a
fparing Hand; though I cannot well fee how this can
be true, when Gilding is a thing fo common every
where.
Prior. Among other Perfections, he has endowed it
with thofe of Malleability and Ductility, which render
it capable of having it's Surface greatly inlarged; info-
much that, notwithſtanding it's Scarcity, Men may uſe it
in Matters of Ornament, as if it were very common.
Gold-Beaters and Gold-Wire Drawers make a great
Shew of their Art; and we must confefs it to be very
furprizing, nay incredible, were not we Eye-Witneſſes
of it; however, we ought not to afcribe that entirely to
their Skill, which is at the Bottom an Effect of the great
Wiſdom and Goodnefs of Him who created this and all
other Bodies. You may form a Judgment of the great
Excellence and Ductility of this Metal, by one or two
Operations it goes through.
Ounces of
Anvil into Gold-Beating.
cuts it with
A Gold Beater melts three
fine Gold, and beats it on his
a Plate as thin as Paper; he
his Sheers into little Pieces about one Inch fquare; which
he puts between the Leaves of a Kind of fquare Book,
which he wraps up clofe in a double Parchment Cover.
He then with a great Hammer beats the Book upon a
Marble
*
M
284 DIALOGUE XXVI.
}
Marble Block, till the Leaves of Gold are beat out nearly
to the Size of the Book; he then takes them out, cuts
them in four, and places them again between Leaves of
Parchment, repeating the Bufinefs of hammering and cut-
ting ſeveral times. After they are brought to a certain
Degree of Fineness in the two firft Books, they are
made to undergo the fame Difcipline in two others,
which, as well as the former, are called Moulds; only
they confift of Leaves, which, inftead of Parchment, are
made of Ox-guts, wrought perfectly smooth and fine.
By theſe means he hammers a little Plate of Gold, not
more than one Ounce in Weight, into fixteen hundred
Leaves three Inches fquare, or into a thouſand fquare
Leaves of four Inches; which gives it above a hundred
and fifty thousand times more Surface than it had at
firft.
But the following Operation is fill more furprizing, and
not lefs common:
Gold-Wire-
Drawer.
A Gold-Wire-Drawer takes an Ingot
of Silver of a cylindrical Figure, two
Foot eight Inches long, and two Inches
nine Lines in Circumference, upon which
he fpreads as many Leaves of beaten Gold as weigh in
all half an Ounce. They then force the Extremity of
the Cylinder through a round Hole made in a Plate
of Steel, the Entrance into which is wider than the
other Extremity, which they call the Eye †. When the
Extremity of the Ingot or Wedge is forced through the
Eye of the Hole, they lay hold of it with ftrong Pincers
faſtened to a thick Rope, which is haled in by an
Engine turned by ſeveral Men. They then make the
Silver to paſs through feveral other Holes fucceffively
finer and finer, till by Degrees they draw it out to the.
Smallneſs of a Wand, a Tag, a coarfe Thread, and laft
of all to that of a fine Hair, rubbing it over with Wax.
every time they work it through a freſh Wire-drawing
Iron, in order to render it more ductile, It paffes
through above a hundred and forty Holes, before it is
brought to it's utmost Fineness. Thus this little Ingot,
*Robault, Part 1. Ch. 9.
† Boiffard's Treatife of Coins..
not
MINE S.
285
not above two Feet fome few Inches long, and two
Inches round, is extended into a Thread 307,200 Feet in
Length; nay. they carry their Art ftill farther, and will
draw out an Ingot two Feet long, and three Inches and
four Lines in Circumference, into a Thread 1,096,704
Feet long, which, if extended in a ftrait Line, would
reach from Paris to Lyons.
But the most wonderful Part of this Operation is,
that the half Ounce of Leaf Gold, which was at first
laid on the Silver, fhould, notwithflanding it's former
Fineness, grow continually finer and finer as it paffes
through the feveral Wire-Holes; and yet fo exactly
cover the Silver-Thread, and diffuſe itſelf in fuch
an equal Proportion, as to make it appear like
one entire Thread of Gold, and confequently ftretch
itſelf into a Surface above feventy-three Leagues
long.
They afterwards prefs this Thread into a flat thin
Lamina, by making it pafs between two well-poliſhed
Cylinders or Rollers of Steel, that turn one upon another :
the Thread, being thus flatted, acquires two Superficies
equally gilt, each feventy-three Leagues long; and con-
fequently half an Ounce of Gold may, and really does,
form a hundred and forty-fix Leagues of Surface. If
then Men, maugre the great Imperfection of their
very beſt Inftruments, can produce fuch furprizing
Effects on the Works of God, how much more fur-
prizing and excellent muft the Works themſelves
be?
Chevalier. I am now fully convinced, that the internal
Nature or Effence of this Metal, and perhaps of all
other Bodies befide, is beyond the Reach of our Know-
ledge; and that we muſt at laſt have Recourfe to that
Maxim which you taught me as an undoubted Truth,
That the Works of Nature were given us not to be
thoroughly comprehended by us, but to be uſed foberly
and difcreetly.
Prior. All the Difquifitions and Reafonings of Philo-
fophers on the internal Structure of Metals have never
yet been able to give us any Satisfaction on this Point;
whereas the Workmanship of a fimple Mechanick is
both amazing and uſeful. Wire-drawn Gold, as we have
I
already
11
286
DIALOGUE XXVI.
already feen, is either plated or twisted; the Gold-Thread
is the fine Wire, after it is plated, twiſted round a Silk-
Thread by a Spinning wheel fo as to cover the Silk
entirely. The Milanefe have the Art of faving half the
Expence of Gold by a Secret which they have of gilding
only the external Superficies of the Lamina that covers the
Silk-Thread.
But the Effects of this Art are ſtill more furprizing in
what they call counterfeit Work: in this Cafe this Ingot
that is to be drawn out in Wire is of Copper, which they
firft overlay with Leaf-Silver, and then with Leaf Gold;
the reft of the Operation is pretty much the fame as in
the fine Work. When it is drawn out to the Fineness of
a Thread, they pafs it between the plating Rollers to be
preffed flat; after which they twist it, not on Silk, for that
is prohibited, but round a Thread of Hemp or Flax, to
prevent any Impofition on the Buyer. Thus, you oblerve,
there are three Strata or Layers of Metal drawn out into a
fine Wire, without any Mixture or Confufion of Subftances;
the Copper is the Subjcctum or Bafis covered with Silver, as
this is with the Gold.
Chevalier. Are all other Metals as ductile as Gold?
Prior. Not in the fame Degree. The Ductility of Sil-
ver is very great, but lefs than that of Gold. This Pro-
perty ftill decreaſes more and more in Copper,. Tin, and
Lead.
Chevalier. Is there nothing particular worth obferving
touching the Origin of other Metals?
Prior. It will be worth while juft to take a curfory View
of them.
Pliny, fpeaking of Silver Mines, fays that this Metal,
when first found under Ground, has no Luftre or Bright-
nefs, nor any particular Mark to denote it's Species *.
It is often found, it is true, in Marcafites, fometimes of
a reddiſh, and fometimes of a bluiſh Colour, fometimes in
a fort of Lead-Ore, from which they have found out the
Art of extracting it but in the Mines of Potofi in Peru,
as alfo in feveral others of America, and in the Silver
Mines of Germany, this Metal is found (parkling in the
* Nulla fui fpecie nafcitur, nullis, ut in Auro, lucentibus Scintilli.
Mines,
$
MINE S.
2.87
!
Mines, and eafy to be difcerned amidst the different Sorts
of Earth in the Fiffures and Strata of Rocks. Sometimes
they find it difperfed in Stones, or adhering to the Out-
fides of them, branching out in Threads, Fibres, and
feveral little Ramifications, from which Forms it has
obtained the Names of Argintum capiil re, fibrefum, &c.
Nor is it a rare thing to find Silver in little Maffes, con-
fifting of fmall Filaments or Threads, like a Ball of
Silver-1 hread burnt and laftly, it is fumetimes found in
pure folid Maffes, weighing a Dram, an Ounce, and
fometimes feveral Marks. In the Reign of the Emperor
Frederick III. there was found in the Mine of Schneeburg,
belonging to the Houfe of Saxony, a Block of Silver of a
moft prodigious Size. Duke birt had the Curiofity to
go down into the Mine to fee it, and ordering the Cloth
to be laid upon it, faid to thoſe who fat down to Meat'
with him: The Emperor Frederick is indeed a powerful
Prince, but you must allow that my Table is of more Value
than hist. It cannot be thought unreasonable, or foreign
to the Subject in hand, to remark that in Silver-Mines
are often, and more commonly than any where elſe,
found what they call Marcafites, which are Maffes of a
ftony Subftance, ftreaked with metallick Veins, generally
ranged in the manner of fo many Radii, uniting in one
common Centre. The particular Formation of theſe
Stones (which I purpoſely deferred ſpeaking of, till I came
to the Subject of Metals) feems to be thus: when a little
Mafs of Earth mixed with Iron or Copper happens to be
covered with a vitriolous Water, in which is a Solution
of fome Silver, the Acids, of the Menftruum infinuate
themſelves into the Pores of the Iron and Copper, and
flow in ftrait Lines to the Centre, like fo many Streams
into a common Receptacle of Water, leaving the Particles
*See Woodward's Method of Foffils, p. 49.
+ The Baron of Puffendorf, in that Past of this Introduction where
he peaks of the Houfe of Saxony, reckons the Weight of this Mafs of
Silver at four hundred Quintals, or ferty thousand Pounds, the Quin-
tal weighing a hundred Pounds. But Agricola, who was an Author of
great Judgment and Credit, and wrote in that very Place two hundred
Years ago, and presently after the Death of Abert, fays, that he never
met with any Perfon that remembered the particular Weight of this
Mals: Ponderis illius Maffæ qui meminiffet audivi neminem,
3
4.
of
288
DIALOGUE XXVI.
of Silver behind them, in the little Guts or Channels
through which they paffed, in the Form of fo many
Radii, or ftrait Lines, converging to the Centre of the
Maſs; when theſe little perpendicular Streams branch out
into fmall Divifions, the Marcafite then appears veined
with little irregular Fibres of metallic Matter in all
Directions. The Superstructure of the Marcafite being
thus begun, if the Mafs is afterwards furrounded by
another Menftruum in which there is a Solution
of fome other Metal, the Acids of the new Men-
ftruum do in like manner infinuate themſelves into
the Pores of the former Mafs, introducing with them.
thoſe metalline Particles, whether of Copper or Iron,
with which they abounded; whence it neceffarily fol-
lows, that the Radii which tend to the Centre of the Mur-
cafite are interfected with Lines of different Colours, de-
noting the different Fluxes of the metalline and other Mat-
ters that form thofe little Coats or Teguments, which
inveft the Mafs and give the Marcafite it's gradual In-
creaſe.
Let us next examine how the Silver is extracted from it's
Marcafite and it's common Ore.
Now this Separation is effected in Silver nearly the fame
way as in Gold. They break the Ore in the Stamping-
Mill, till is reduced to Powder; they then mix it up
with Mercury into a fort of Pafte, which they knead in
the Troughs till the Water has by Degrees washed away
all the earthy Particles: after this, they ftrain off Part of
the Mercury from it through a wollen Bag, to ferve
again, and the reft they make to evaporate by Fire.
The Silver that remains behind is, laft of all, perfectly
refined from what heterogeneous Matter is left, by a
Solution of Lead; which exhaling from it carries off
in Fumes the Copper, or other Allay, that remained in the
Silver.
and Silver.
The Proportion which the Weight of
The Froportion Gold bears to that of Silver is as eleven
betwixt Gold to twenty; that is to fay, if a cubick
Mals of Silver weighs eleven Marks, a
cubick Mafs of Gold of the fame Di-
menfions will weigh twenty Marks. The Proportion be-
twixt the Value of thefe two Metals is nearly as one to
fourteen,
MINES.
289
fourteen; fo that if a Mark of Silver is worth, for
Example, fifty Livres, a Mark of Gold will be worth
fourteen times as much, or feven hundrea Livres. But the
Value of thefe Metals is arbitrary; and depends upon the
fovereign Will of the Prince.
I need not take up your Time in expatiating on the
Ufes Silver is put to, fince every one knows, that of all
the Metals that conftitute the chief Riches and Poffeffions
of private Perſons, this is the moſt noble, the moſt whole-
fome, and moſt durable.
་
Copper is of two forts, red and
yellow. When it is firſt taken out of Copper.
the Mine in its Ore, whether of Earth
or Stone, they fometimes find in it an Admixture of
Silver They purify and feparate it from all extraneous
Matter, by frequent Fufions over the Fire, and then it be-
comes what we call red Copper: This is the purest and
moft ductile. Almoft all Countries
abound with this Metal, but the beft Red Copper.
comes from Sweden. A Maſs of Copper
fuſed with an equal Quantity of Calamine, or Lapis Cala-
minaris (which is a fort of Cadmia or Foffil Earth puri-
fied in the Fire) will thereby be confiderably augmented
in Quantity, and become by this Operation yellow Cop-
per or Brafs. This Allay indeed ren-
ders the Metal lefs ductile, but much Yellow Copper
or Brafs.
more proper for ſeveral Ufes, and lefs
fubject to Ruft. They have alfo the Art
of restoring it to its Ductility, by foftening it with an Ad-
mixture of Lead.
Chevalier. As Gold and Silver is now become fome-
what more plentiful by the Difcovery of the Mines
in America; and fince the Fafhion of China and Delft-
Ware has fo univerfally prevailed; I am told, that the
ufe of Copper and Tin is almoft entirely laid afide.
Prior. It is true, they are not fo commonly uſed in the
Service of the Table as formerly; but there are, notwith-
ſtanding, a thoufand other ways of employing them to
Advantage, and wherein they are of neceflary Ufe to
us,
VOL. III.
Both
290
DIALOGUE XXVI.
ཚ
Both red and yellow Copper are the Materials of which
Cisterns, Coppers, Caldrons, and other Veffels fo neceffa-
ry in Dying, Brewing, and other Trades, are generally
made: nor could we be fupplied with Pots, Kettles, and
other Furniture proper for the Kitchen, without them.
But as the Nitre which is in the Air (eſpecially when
diluted and attenuated by Heat and Moiſture) does, by in-
finuating itſelf into the Copper, which is very porous,
corrode the Metal, and adhere to it in the Form of a
Ruft or Cruft called Verdigreafe, which is a deadly Poiſon,
they are wont therefore, by way of Precaution, to tin
over the Infides of most of our Copper Veffels, eſpecially
thofe that are made of red Copper, as being fofter, and
confequently more liable to Impreffions of this Kind;
for the Tin, being of a more fluid and fubtle Nature than
the Copper, clofes up the Pores and Interſtices of the
Metal, and hinders the Air and the Water from depofiting
their Salts within them. Red Copper is alfo, by reafon
of its great Ductility and Malleability, eafily wrought in-
to any Shape or Figure that the Artift is pleaſed to im-
preſs upon it; but this Metal is moft eminently uſeful in
Chalcography, or the Art of Engraving,
Chalcography. as it thereby ferves to propagate the Works
of famous Sculptors and Painters. A very
indifferent Copy of a fine Picture ſhould ſtand us in ten
Piftoles, when for the fame Price we may purchaſe thirty
curious Prints, which, except the Colours, fhall exprefs
all the chief Beauty (which is the Defign or Fancy)
of the Originals: Nay we fometimes find the Pencil
outdone by the Graver: Mr. le Brun is indebted to
Mr. Gerrard Andran for no fmall Share of his Fame, and
Mr. Cochin has now-and then improved upon the Painter
by adding fome enlivening Grace or mafterly Touch of
his Art. Nor is the Art of engraving only confined to
that fingle Province of propagating the Performances of
thoſe who have excelled in Painting, but daily produces
great Mafters, and affords new Scope for Invention: And
as nothing did ever advance the Progrefs of Learning
and Science, fo much as the Invention of multiplying the
Copies of Books by the Affiftance of Printing-Types; fo
never did any thing more improve or encourage the Art
of Sculpture, than that of engraving on Copper Plates,
by
MINE S.
291
by fupplying us with the beft Models of all Kinds for
our Imitation at ſo eaſy an Expence.
Braſs.
*
Yellow Copper or Braſs, which by rea-
fon of its Mixture with the Lapis Cala-
minaris is more fufible than malleable,
is ufed chiefly in Caft work, it being very fufceptible and
retentive of all the Impreffions of the Mould; it after-
wards undergoes the Difcipline of the File and Graving
Tool, and when poliſhed with Emery or Putty, or
otherwiſe burniſhed, will glifter like Gold. Thus Cop-
per is transformed into Statues of all Sizes, or converted
into Ornaments for the Decoration of Cupboards, Chefts
of Drawers, Clocks, &c. in the Form of Palms,
Feftoons, Chaplets, and a hundred other pretty Em-
belliſhments: And forafmuch as this Metal is not only
eafy to be worked, but alfo Proof againſt Ruft, and all
other Injuries from Time, they make of it Lamps,
Sconces, Candleſticks, and Supporters of all Kinds: Its
Durability was the Reafon why the Romans formerly made
the Gates of their Temples of Brafs, and we at this time
ufe the fame Metal in thoſe magnificent Balluftrades which
rail in the Choirs of our Churches, and the Beds of our
Princes. Perhaps all Europe cannot afford any Work of
this kind, which, for Art and Grandeur, can vie with
that famous ſeven-branched Candleſtick, the vaſt Expence
of which gave ſo much Offence and Occafion of Cenfure
to St. Bernard †, and which the Curious refort fo much
to fee, in the Choir of the Abbey of St. Remi at Rheims.
This Metal is alſo uſed in decorating the Frames of
Pictures, in making Snackets for Cafements, Hinges,
and in all the curious Parts of the Lockſmiths Bufinefs 5
though Brafs Work of this kind is more ufed among the
neighbouring Nations than with us. They farther make of it
Compaffes, Quadrants, and all forts of Rules for Geo-
meters; Aftrolabes, Spheres, and other Inftruments for
Aftronomers; Plates, Wheels, and other Inftruments for
Clocks and Watches. This laft kind of Mechanifm will
fufficiently prove to us the Excellence and Ufefulneſs of
•
* Emery is a mineral Stone or Marcafite, which they reduce to a
very fine Powder in the Steel-Mills, and ufe in polishing Marble and
Metals. Putty is calcined Tin uſed for the fame Purpoſe.
† Apologia ad Guillelm, Abb. c. 12.
02
-
this
292 DIALOGUE XXVI.
this Metal: Two or three Ounces of Brafs, with a few
Rivets of Steel, are made to form a Machine confiſting of
two hundred different Pieces, (which we call a Repeating-
Watch) and all within the Compafs of a Cafe not more
than one Inch deep, and two Inches in Diameter: And
what is ftill more furprizing, the Teeth of the Wheels
which compofe this little Engine, though almoft imper-
ceptibly fine, have fufficient Strength and Solidity to con
tinue in Motion for 60 or 80 Years without wearing out,
and ferve all the while, both Night and Day, as a faith-
ful and unerring Monitor of the Time.
Medals.
By mixing equal Proportions of the red and yellow
Copper together, we form a mixed Metal, which we call
caft Copper (in French Bronze); a Matter very proper for
the Purpofe of perpetuating the Memory of famous Men,
and remarkable Occurrences. This Metal they uſed in all
Ages of the World whereof to make their current Coins,
which being tranfmitted down to Pofterity, and having
gained the venerable Stamp of Antiquity,
we call Medals, which are fo carefully
collected by the Curious; nor are they
only to be valued as Curiofities, feeing they are uſeful to
us in the Study of Hiftory, and ferve to imprint the
Memory of Perfons and Facts more deeply in the Mind,
by giving us fenfible Reprefentations of them. We can
therein trace Antiquity in the juft Order and Courſe of
Times, and without difgufting the Memory with a long
dry Series of Dates and Names, fee and learn at one
View the Succeffions of Confuls, Emperors, and Kings,
their Names, Features and Actions; as by walking fre-
quently in a great Town we eafily remember the Order of
the Street, the Perfons, Names, and Trades of its Inha-
bitants. But it is juft in the Cafe of Medals as in Ma-
thematicks and the Languages; thefe Parts of Learning
being no farther ferviceable, than as they are applied to
fome more uſeful Defign and Purpoſe: To what Purpoſe
do we draw Geometrical Schemes and Lines upon Paper,
but to apply them in meaſuring Land, or on fome other
practical Occafion? Wherein lies the Ufe of Hebrew, but
in the Study of the Scriptures? And what Benefit can be
reaped from a great Collection of Medals without apply-
ing them to that of Hiftory? Without fuch an Application
I
of
MINES.
293
{
of them, would it not be full as reaſonable to treaſure up
a great Bundle of Keys without any Defign to fit them
to Locks, and to open Doors with them? But this Metal
does ftill ferve in a more confpicuous manner to do Ho-
nour to the Memory of departed Kings and Heroes, and
to preſerve their Portraitures; they have brought the
Art of melting Metals to that Perfection, as to be able at
one Caſt to form a Coloffus, or an Equeftrian Statue big-
ger than the Life, in order to proportion them to the Mag-
nificence of thofe fpacious Squares and publick Places
where they are to be erected.
If this Metal be mixed with a little Tin and Antimony,
to make it fufe the better, and confequently to confolidate
afterwards with greater Tenacity and Coherence, it then
becomes fit for the Cafting of Cannons, Mortars, and all
the murdering Implements of War. By fufing it with
a Double Quantity of Tin, that is, by adding twenty five
Pounds of Tin to a hundred of caft Copper, it becomes
very fonorous, and is ufed by the Founders in cafting of
Bells, the Sound of which is fo great as to be heard far-
ther than the loudeft Trumpets, and therefore were made
choice of as the moſt proper Monitors to give Notice
of the Times of publick Worſhip, and to fummon all
Chfift ans to affemble together in their respective
Churches, as alfo to proclaim the Anniverfary of Holy-
days and Feſtivals, and to animate our publick Thankf-
givings and Rejoicings on proper Occafions.
Tin.
Lead.
Bifmuth.
What we have hitherto remarked on
the Nature of all theſe Metals, and on
the Manner of extracting them pure and
clean from their Ores, by the Opera-
tions of the Water and Fire, is alfo
applicable to Tin and Lead. Tin is
originally nothing but a kind of white
Lead, and, like it, foft, ductile, and very
ponderous. Its Properties and Ufes vary
by being mixed with other Metals, as with Copper or
Braſs; or with other metallic Matters, as Zink and
Bifmuth.
Zink.
३.
03
Experience
294 DIALOGUE XXVI.
3
Experience has taught us to mix and temper theſe
Matters fo together, as to make of them all forts of
Meafures and Veffels, and to tin over the Infides of our
Copper Veffels, which would otherwiſe foon be corroded
and infected with à poifonous Nitre. They fpread a
Compofition of Tin and Quick-Silver over the Reverſe
of our Looking Glaffes, to make them reflect the Rays
and paint the Objects more diftinctly. It is to a due Com-
mixture of Tin and Lead that we owe the Formation of
the Organ, that heavenly Mufick, which, for its Majefty
and Length of Sound, its delightful Harmony, the Va-
riety of its Notes, for the Art of foothing the Paffions,
and turning the Affections of the Soul, and, in a word,
for taking in the whole Compafs of Mufick, furpaffes all
other Inftruments.
Sheet-Lead.
Lead, wrought into thin Plates or
Laminæ, either by the cafting Furnace,
or by that ingenious Invention of the
plating Mill, is made ufe of for making Pipes for the
Conveyance of Water, Cifterns and Refervoirs for con-
taining it; for making of Gutters and Drains for the
Prefervation of Timber-Work, Walls, Terraffes, and
for overlaying Churches and other great Edifices to
fecure them against the Injuries of Time and Wea-
ther,
But the chief Merit of the Compofition of Lead
and Tin, is its being uſed in cafting the
Printing-Types. Types or Characters of Printers, where-
with they fo fpeedily multiply the Copies
of the fame Book, and which, being again diftributed into
their Boxes, ferve to do the fame Office to ſeveral others;
a Diſcovery highly important and beneficial to Mankind,
as it ferves to bring us acquainted with Antiquity, and
the Opinions of all learned Men that have gone before
us, on all Subjects whatever. After this fhort Account
of Metals and their Ufes, pray, which of them do
you think we are most indebted to, all things confi-
dered?
Chevalier. What room for Doubt in this Cafe? Can
any of them difpute the Preference with Gold?
Prior.
MINE'S.
295
2
Prior. I will retract none of thofe Praifes which I have
bestowed upon Gold; for it is unquestionably the moſt per-
fect of all Metals: Nor is it my Defign to depreciate any
of the others, feeing they have all their refpective Qua-
lities and Uſes to recommend them to us; but, after all,
that which feems to be the vileft and coarſeft of them all,
which is the fulleft of Allay, of the moft dirty Colour,
and the moſt ſubject to Ruft, in a word, Iron; is of moſt
real Service and Advantage to us. It has one Property,
which, in fome refpect, is alone fufficient to give it the Pre-
ference over all other Metals, it being the moſt hard and
tenacious of all, and when tempered (which is done by
dipping it hot in cold Water) it acquires a ftill greater De-
gree of Hardneſs, and fit for the moſt durable Uſes. By this
Property of refifting all Impreffions, it becomes the Security
and Defence of our Houfes, and the faithful Depoſitory of
every thing we hold moft dear. By uniting and linking
together the Materials which compofe our Buildings, it
fhelters us from the Inclemency of the Weather, and pro-
tects us against the more injurious Attacks of Thieves and
Robbers: nay, our very Jewels and Gold would not be fafe
but for the Cuftody of Iron: To this we owe the chief of
thoſe Inftruments which are uſed in Navigation, Agricul-
ture, and all the Arts both Liberal and Mechanick, whe-
ther in feparating or joining together, in digging, cutting,
filing, polishing, and in making all the Conveniencies of
Life. Gold and Silver, as well as other Metals, would be
in a manner uſeleſs to us, had we not Iron to work and
fit them for our Occafions; and, to fum up all, fo much
are we beholden to this Mineral, that without it our very
Meat and Drink could not be conveniently dreffed and
prepared, nor the Furniture of our Houſes, nor the Uten-
fils of our Mechanicks, be in any tolerable Degree fer-
viceable. Hence you may be able to form a pretty exact
Judgment of the fuperior Excellence of Iron over all other
Metals; the latter are extremely uſeful, the former is ab-
folutely neceffary.
Chevalier. I have fometimes thought it a great Inftance
of Ignorance and Simplicity in the Inhabitants of the new
World [America], to give our Merchants (as they often do)
a pretty large Quantity of Gold, in Exchange for a
Hedging-Bill, a Spade, a Mattock, or fome other Iron-
04
Tool;
4
,
"
¿
296
DIALOGUE XXVI.
Tool; but I begin now to have a better Opinion of their
Understanding, feeing Iron is of more real Service and
Benefit to them, than their Gold can poffibly be.
4
Prior. You fee, my dear Chevalier, that Man can nei-
ther lift up his Eyes to Heaven, nor take a Step upon the
Ground, nor dig under his Feet, without encountering
Treafures defignedly placed there for his Ufe: Every thing
he fees within the Circuit of the whole Creation, may
ferve to convince him how much he is the Object of the
Goodness, and tender Regard of his Creator, who not
only forefaw, but has made Frovifion for all his Wants,
and who has fpared no Means, that might either excite
his Induſtry, or engage his Affections.
But the gracious Defigns of Providence, fo viſible in
the many excellent Properties of thofe Metals which it has
lodged in the Bowels of the Earth for our Ufe, are ftill
more confpicuous in that exact Proportion, which it has
fixed between the Quantity of them and our Wants. If
a Man had been inveſted with full Power and Commiſſion
to create Metals, and to furniſh Mankind with fuch Sup-
plies of them as he ſhould think proper, he probably
would be more profufe of his Gold than of his Iron, and
look upon it as the greateſt Inftance of Generofity, and a
publick Spirit, to give us moft plentifully of that Metal,
which we moft covet and admire: whereas God has
wifely acted by a contrary Rule; and forafmuch as the
chief Worth and Excellency of Gold arifes from its Scar-
city, he has therefore given it to us with a fparing Hand:
and though the Frugality of this Difpenfation is made
matter of Complaint by fome ungrateful Perfons, yet it
does in Reality enhance the Value of the Bleffing. On
the other hand, Iron being of fuch neceflary and univerfal
Ufe to us, He has every where fupplied us with it in great
Abundance, We fee here no Oftentation, nothing but
pure and perfect Beneficence flowing, not from any De-
fign of procuring vain Honour to the Giver, but real
Good, and folid Advantage, to the Receiver.
'
If then Providence, which is ever watchful for our
Good, has beft promoted the Intereft and Welfare of So-
ciety, by the prefent wife Diftribution of Metals, and
the Proportion which it has eſtabliſhed between their re-
fpective Quantities and our Neceffities, what elfe can we
call
MINES.
297
*
call any Defign to increaſe the Quantity of thoſe which
were for good Reaſons given us in lefs Abundance, than
an Attempt to fubvert that Order and Oeconomy, which
God has already appointed?
Chevalier. According to your Doctrine, Sir, the Art of
making Gold, and the Study of the Philofopher's-Stone,
which makes fo great a Noife in the World, are unlawful
Things.
Prier. I don't fay that there is any exprefs Law, either
natural or revealed, againſt making Gold, any more than
against making a Journey to the Moon.
Chevalier. You feem, by your Comparifon, to think
the one as impoffible as the other. But whatever your
Opinion may be of the Matter, I have often heard a Story
related of a tall meagre Man, in a very mean Drefs,
who, being taken in one Evening and lodged by a Ger-
tleman, whofe Name I have forgot, out of mere Charity,
faved the Life of the Mafter of the Houfe, who lay at
the Point of Death, and reflored him immediately to a
State of perfect Health, by means of fome potable Gold,
to the great Surprize of the Family, and of the Phyficians,
who had given him over; and moreover, that our Tra-
veller the next Day converted a great many Pewter
Diſhes and Tin Pots into Gold, before he took his Leave,
and was never feen afterwards. Here is an attefted Matter
of Fact, to prove that this Art is no Chimera,
Prior. No Wonder that this and fuch
like marvellous Stories gain Credit with
fome Sort of People, feeing there are in
every Place thoſe who are credulous enough
to believe any thing they hear, and vain
enough to take a Fleafure in appropriating it to the Place
where they live. There is fcarce any Country that does
not vouch this Adventure of the tall, meagie Man, to
have been tranfacted there. Your Province lays Claim to
it; and I have heard it at Roban told with all imaginable
Seriouſneſs. The English afcribe it to their Philalathes,
and all the German Chemifts give their own Nation the
Credit of it. This Story of the meagre, ill-favoured Man,
who had the Art of making others plump and healthy
while he himself was but a mere Skeleton, founds full as
abfurd as that which they tell you at feveral Inns, of a
Paffenger,
0 5
The Vanity of
feeking the
Philofopher's-
Stone.
T
298
XXVI.
DIALOGUE
Paffenger, who once upon a time happening to lie there, and
not having Money to pay for his Supper and Bed, he, to
make the Hoft amends, converted a Brafs Candleſtick
and a Diſh into Gold. Theſe marvellous Things are re-
lated in fo many different Places, and all laying Claim to
them, that-it is a plain Confirmation they never happened
at all. One natural Argument will fuffice to fhew the
vain Pretence of making Gold by Art. Thoſe who have
paffed for the greateft Adepts in this Myftery, have
laid down very plain Receipts in their Books on this Sub-
ject, both how to convert other Metals into Gold, and
how to extract the fcattered Particles of Gold from the
lefs perfect Metals to great Advantage; but, after ten thou-
fand Experiments moft faithfully executed, according to
theſe Directions, they have always failed of Succefs; and
though they have been always near the Mark, as they
pretend, yet they could never yet hit it; or if at any time
they fo far fucceeded, as to find a little Gold at the Bot-
tom of the Crucible, fecreted from other Metals, yet the
Quantity was fo fmall, that it did not near anſwer the
Trouble and Expence, nor give any Encouragement to re-
peat the Operation. A great Number of Princes, Nobles,
and Chemifls, in all Countries, have, for ſeveral Centu-
ries paft, been in fearch for this Secret: vaft Sums of
Money have been advanced, and numberless Experiments
been made, in order to a Diſcovery; but after all, the
moft experienced and judicious of them, even the Hom-
bergs themselves, have confeffed that they loft both their
Learning, their Labour, and their Money, without
making any Diſcovery, or, at beft, without finding what
they were in queft of. Now if the Art of making Gold
had been poffible to arrive at, it is natural to fuppofe,
that what they could not diſcover from any certain fixed
Principles, they might at leaft, in the Courſe of ſo many
Millions of Experiments, have hit upon by Accident :
and yet after fo many Books as have been written, fo
many Questions debated, and fo many Operations per-
formed in vain, on the Subject of extracting Gold, and
the Tranfmutation of Metals, we daily find People who
bufy themſelves in the Purfuit of this great Work; but
never yet could fay, There goes the Man who has found it:
ny, fix hundred Years Labour and Study have not yet
produced
MINE S.
299
produced any regular Method or probable Scheme to pro-
ceed upon, and we generally find that all our Philofophi-
cal Projectors in this way firft ruin themſelves, and then
draw in fome wealthy Perfons or other, who are Dupes
enough to advance Money till they fhare the fame Fate,
The thing is abfurd at the first Sight; for had they found
out the Secret, what Occafion to be obliged to the Rich
for their Afliftance? If not, what can we call it lefs than
Madneſs and Infatuation in the latter, to give any Credit
to them, much more to rifque their Fortunes in an Under-
taking fo extravagant, and always hitherto unfuccefsful?
The utmoſt Favour, we can poffibly allow them is to ſay,
that they are grofsly imprudent, and fondly credulous.
We may, it is true, by a Mixture of metallick and other
Matters, produce a Meral different from all others, as Bif-
muth, Bath-Metal, or Princes Metal; as by adding Water
to fome good wholefome Fruits, or by mixing different
Liquors together, we may make one which may leera quite
new; but as we can never hope to make Cyder or Wine,
without the Juice of the Apple or the Grape, fo is it in
vain to attempt to make fuch a particular Metal as Gold,
without knowing the Nature and Effence of thoſe firſt
Principles that compofe it; nay, were we as much ac-
quainted with, as we are at prefent ignorant of them, yet
the manner of uniting and combining thefe Principles to-
gether would prove an Operation furpaffing our Skill,
Nor is it without wife and good Reaſons that Provi-
dence, which created theſe Metals, and whatever else we
fee, thought it fufficient for us to know the Ufes they were
defigned for, and therefore concealed their Effence from
us; for had it given us a perfect Knowledge of their Na-
tures as well as Ufes, it would have made us inattentive
to every thing elfe; inftead of applying Gold to thoſe
Purpoſes for which it was created, we ſhould bufy ourſelves
in making it, and render vile, by making too common,
what was before chiefly valuable for its Scarcity: we
fhould break in upon that Order and Oeconomy which
Providence has eſtabliſhed in the World, and defeat that
wife End which is propoſed by making Gold the Product
of one Country, Silver and Diamonds that of another,
and falutary Fruits that of a third; for had we the Art
of making Metals, the fame Degree of Knowledge would
06
fuffice
!
300
DIALOGUE XXVI.
•
fuffice to make precious Stones, would put us in a way
how to make Wine (by mixing and proportioning thoſe
Principles of which it is compofed) without waiting for
the Return of the Vintage; we ſhould think it beneath us
to ftand indebted to the common Courſe and Order of Na-
ture for what we needed. by thoſe ordinary Methods of
Hufbandry and Agriculture, having the Means of pro-
viding ourſelves, at all times, with thofe Neceffaries and
Conveniencies of Life at home, which are now the Product-
ions of different Countries and certain Seafons. Were we
thus perfectly ſkilled in all the Secrets of Nature, and
Mafter of all its Powers, there would be an End of all
Commerce, and we ſhould ſcorn to be obliged to the differ-
rent Seaſons of the Year for ripening the Fruits of the
Earth, or to the Service of our Fellow-Creatures in gather-
ing them; thus the very Bonds of Society would be broken,
and the Inhabitants of the whole Earth be like fo many
reclufe Philofophers, having all things within themſelves,
and independent one of another; and confequently all In-
tercourfe of Friendſhip and mutual Kindneſs would ceaſe,
Men having no longer Occafion for any Exchange of Ci-
vilities and good Offices; nay, there would not be any.
Opportunity or Room for the Exercife of Juftice, Pru-
dence, Compaffion, Courage, or Good-nature, according
to the different Circumftances of Time, Place, and Perfon:
in a word, a more extenfive Knowledge would neceffarily
be attended with the Lofs of thoſe Virtues, which, toge-
ther with our mutual Wants, conftitute the very Life and
Soul of Society.
Chevalier. After the full and particular Account you
have obliged me with, of theſe immenfe Riches which
were created for our Ufe, and left at our Diſpoſal, I find
myſelf affected with the higheft Gratitude and Admiration
at that Profufion of Bleffings which have been poured
down upon us, and am far from complaining on account
of thofe things which are denied us; being fully con-
vinced, that we ftand no lefs indebted to God's gracious
Goodneſs, for what he has thought fit to refufe, than for
what he has been pleaſed to grant us,
USEFUL
[301]
1
*
}
USEFUL
REFLEXIONS
On the WHOLE:
In a LETTER from the PRIOR to
the CHEVALIER..
SIR,
ST
1
INCE your Departure for the Sea, I have reviſed,
according to your Defire, the Collection of our Re-
marks on the Survey of Nature. The Perufal gave Birth
to fome new Reflexions, which I fhall here impart to you;
and alfo gave me an Opportunity of fetting fome Paffages
(which feemed to me to require it) in a clearer Point of
View, and which you will find referred to in the Margin
of this Epiſtle.
Hitherto, my dear Chevalier, we have been more in-
tent on contemplating our Riches, than on confidering the
Ufes to which they ought to be applied; I having rather
fet before you the Extent of your Poffeffions, than the In-
tentions of Him to whom you ftand indebted and accounta-
ble for them: and this Method of proceeding is much
more reaſonable than it appears at firſt to be. The Au-
thor of Nature has been pleaſed to diſcover himſelf to
Man chiefly, in the Manifeftations of His Works, and to
bring him to the Knowledge of His Divinity, and to en-
gage his Affections by the most endearing Methods of in-
finite Bounty and Condefcenfion: it is therefore agreeable
both to the Intentions of God and the Order of his
Providence,
J
1
302
Useful Reflexions on the Whole.
Providence, to begin with taking a Survey of thoſe Bene-
fits which are the free Gift of His Goodnefs; and if thefe
Confiderations fail to lead us to the Knowledge of Him
who is the great Author of them, we ſhall ſtand convict-
ed of a moft criminal Inattention, and unpardonable Ingra-
titude. Let us therefore complete what we have begun;
and, after having taken a Proſpect of the Works of Na-
ture, direct our Thoughts to that particular End, for which
the Beauty, Order, and Riches, which adorn the whole
Circle of the Creation, were appointed.
Were a Savage of America poffeffed of a Watch, and
had, by frequent Obfervations on the Movements, attain-
ed to a thorough Knowledge of the Actions of the Wheels,
the Difpofition and Correfpondence of the feveral Parts of
it, without knowing the Divifion of Time, or any Ufe of
his Watch, he would in Reality be more ignorant, with
regard to all the Intents and Purpoſes of this Machine,
'than an European who knows how to inform himſelf by it
of the Time and Hour of the Day, without having
made any Obſervations on the Mechaniſm and Structure
of it. Juft fo it is with him who has ſpent his Life in the
Study of Natural Hiftory, and taken no Pains to ac-
quaint himſelf with the Ends and Defigns of Providence
in the Oeconomy of the World. This Philofopher, not-
withſtanding all his Study and Learning, is more devoid
of true ufeful Knowledge, than the illiterate upright Man,
who, without having made any curious Refearches into
the Laws of Motion, or the particular Structure and Frame
of the univerfal Syftem, fees enough to lead him to pay.
his conftant Adorations and Thanks to that great and
good Being, who created and fuftains this wonderful Ma-
chine for his Ufe, and continues to ſhower down daily His
Gifts and Bleffings on Mankind. We may then collect
and treaſure up Rarities from the four Quarters of the
World, caft up the Number of the Stars, calculate the
Motions of the Planets, and venture to foretel the Return
of Comets; we may be able to diffect Infects with all ima-
ginable Art, anatomize the Elements themfelves, and
even trace Nature through all its curious Phænomena, and
yet remain profoundly ignorant. The whole Syftem of
Nature may very aptly be compared to a large Watch,
the Springs and Movements of which are employed to
teach
Useful Reflexions on the Whole.
303
teach us fomething more than is vifibly reprefented by
them; and therefore the Naturalift, who ſpends his whole
time barely in obferving the Play and Action of theſe
Movements, without carrying his Enquiries farther, is
no better than our American Savage; he labours to find
out what is not neceffary for him to know, and perhaps
impoffible for him to comprehend, and neglects the only
main Point, which is, to know what the Watch is good
for.
What then, ſhall we fay, is the Ufe and Defign of
Nature? fhall we compare it to a Looking Glafs, which
is made to repreſent fomething more than the Glafs if-
felf; or to an Ænigma, which, under remote Similitudes
and Terms, conceals fome Meaning, which we are glad to
find out? This is the moſt adequate Idea we can frame
of it. Both Reafon and Religion confpire to engage our
Attention to the Language of the Heavens, of the Earth,
and of the whole Univerfe, which with
one common Voice proclaim the Glory Pfalm xix.
of God from one End of the Creation to
the other; they clearly point out to us His invifible Per-
fections in the vifible Operations of His
Hands the Profpect of Nature then is Rom. i, 20.
a kind of vulgar Theology, in which all
Men may learn thofe Truths which it is of the higheſt Con-
fequence and Importance for them to know.
The firft Ufe which a great Number of learned Men
have thought fit to make of Natural Philofophy, has been
to prove the Existence of God; but, however laudable the
Deſign of theſe Men may feem, in being at the Pains to
deduce from hence regular Demonftrations of His Being,
yet I cannot help thinking fuch a Labour ufelets and un-
neceffary. Who ever thought it worth his while to
draw out his Watch to prove that there is fuch a Trade
as Watch-making? Who ever faw a beautiful Machine,
and doubted at the fame time whether it was contrived
by fome ſkilful Artift? There is no Occafion for any
Force of Argument to fhew the neceffary Connexion of
theſe two Ideas? and were any Man to difpute whether
my Watch had a Maker, I fhould not think it worth
while to convince him. The many large Volumes which
have been written to prove the Exiftence of God, of
which
4
304
Ufeful Reflexions on the Whole.
ید
!
which every reaſonable Man is as thoroughly convinced
as of his own; the many Sermons and Theological Lec-
tures, which are founded in fome Countries to eſtabliſh this
Truth, which common Senfe will teach every Man; are fo
many Difcourfes, in fome fort affronting to the Under-
ftanding of their Auditors and Readers, at beft unprofitable
and needlefs; ſeeing the Authors of them fuppofe that there
are fuch Perfons as Atheifts, when there are really none;
or, granting this, they are addreffing to the Reaſon of thoſe
who are refolved not to be convinced, and therefore unde-
ferving of fuch a Compliment.
If the whole World is, as muſt be granted, one great Pic-
ture, in which are diſplayed the Perfections of God, the
- Ufe of this Repreſentation is not to prove to us that he is
the Author of it, but to demonftrate His Unity, His Power,
His Wiſdom, His Independence, His Goodnefs, His Pro-
vidence. It is, as it were, an agreeable School, where we
need only open our Eyes, and receive Inflruction, and
where Truth even prevents our Enquiries by prefer.ting it-
felf to us in fo vifible and inviting a Drefs, that it cannot
fail to charm its Beholders.
The Principles of
Natural Religion.
The Unity of
God proved from
the Union and
Harmony of all
the Parts of Na-
ture..
The Unity of that first Principle which
created the Univerſe, demonftrates itſelf to
the Senfes of all Men, in that Harmony
and Union, which they cannot but fee in
all the Parts of Nature; in that one fim-
ple End to which it is directed; and in
the Uniformity of thofe Means which con-
duce thereto.
Which way foever we direct our Ob-
fervation, we difcern either fimple Elements or compound
Bodies, which have all different Actions and Offices;
what the Fire inflames, the Water extinguiſhes; what
one Wind freezes, another thaws; and what the Sun
dries, the Rain moiftens. But all thefe Operations, and a
thoufand others, fo feemingly repugnant to each other,
do all concur in a wonderful Manner to produce one Ef-
fect: ſome ſerve to affift, fome to qualify and correct
the Violence of others, and are all fo neceffarily uſeful
to carry on the main Defign, that were the Agency of
any one of theſe Caufes deſtroyed, the Ruin of the Whole,
.or
Uſeful Reflexions on the Whole.
305
or at leaſt an Interruption of the Order and Harmony of
the Creation, would immediately enfue.
Let us fuppofe taken away, for Example, the Wind or
Agitation of the Air, which, of all the Phænomena in Na-
ture, ſeems the moſt accidental and fortuitous; and behold!
all Society and Nature are in the utmoſt Diſorder and Con-
fufion; Navigation is at a Stand, and all Commerce with
foreign Nations entirely put a Stop to: On the other hand,
the Vapours which are raiſed from the Sea by the Heat and
the Air, would remain fufpended and immoveable over
thoſe Places from whence they were firſt exhaled; for want
of Motion in the Atmoſphere to difperfe the Clouds over
the Earth, we ſhould be deprived of that uſeful Covering,
by the Interpofition of which we are now fkreened from
the Summer's fcorching Heats; our Lands would be
parched up; the Fruits of the Earth wither; the Animals
die for lack of Moiſture; and all Nature would languiſh
and droop.
But inſtead of the Wind, the ufeful Effects of which are
fo apparent, let us fuppofe ourselves deprived of only one
particular Sort of Earth, which we don't ſeem to ſtand in
fuch abfolute Need of, the Clay, for Example; and fee
what would be the Confequence of fuch a Deprivation.
Now the Inconvenience which would arife from hence,
would not be less than the foregoing: For befides the
Lofs which more than two thirds of Mankind would
fuftain, for want of thofe proper and neceffary Veffels
which are made of this Earth, we fhould be deprived of
thoſe more important Benefits, which we receive from our
Wells, Springs, and Rivers. The Circulation of Vapours
and Waters, it is true, would not be impeded thereby, but
they would ceafe to be of any Service to us. The Vapours,
condenſed into Rain, would foak through the Mountains
and Plains, down into the Bofom of the Earth, for want of
Strata of Clay to ftop and detain them; or would work
their way through fubterraneous Paffages into the Sea,
without yielding us any Benefit.
As all the Parts of Nature therefore were conftituted
for the mutual Service and Affiftance of each other, fo do
they undeniably prove the Unity of their Omniſcient
Creator. If one Almighty Being had created the Sun,
and another the Earth, as the Views and Ends which
they
306
Useful Reflexions on the Whole.
they propoſed by theſe Acts of Creation would be different ;
he that made the Sun would not fubmit that fo glorious a
Body fhould be entirely fubfervient to the Ufe of the Earth,
and confequently they would be, like the fabulous Dei-
ties in Homer, always at Variance. The Order and Go-
vernment of the World, therefore, neceffarily fuppofe
one only firſt Principle, who has eftablished fuch a Corre
ſpondence between all the Parts of it, and made them fo
dependent on each other, that the Annihilation or Sub-
duction of any of thein, would deftroy the Beauty and Oeco-
nomy of the whole Machine, and fuperinduce an univerfal
Diſorder.
From the general
End of the
whole Syftem of
Nature.
The fame Truth receives ſtill ſtronger
Confirmation, when we reflect on the ge-
neral End to which all the Parts of Na-
ture are directed. It could only be one
and the fame intelligent Being who has
impreffed upon them all the fame Tendency, and has
ufed the Concurrence of fo many different Caufes and
Actions to produce one Effect. In my Letter to you on
the Extent and Bounds of Reaſon, I believe I fufficiently
convinced you that Man is the Centre of all the Works
God; and that, if we exclude him from the Creation, all
the Beauty and Comelinefs in the World whatever, would
no longer ferve to any beneficial Purpofe. We proved in
qur fubfequent Difcourfes, that whatever is produced:
on the Surface of the Earth, or formed within the Bowels.
of it, is for the Ufe and Service of Man. The fame be-
neficent Intention appears throughout the Whole, and
univerfally proclaims the Unity of our common Bene-
factor.
This Truth has been contefted by fome fcurrilous Poets,
and more contemptible Free Thinkers: But it is not my
Defign to follow them through their profane Jefts and
impudent Raillery, being fully convinced that thofe whom
God cannot bring to a Senfe of his Perfections by the Mer-
cies he vouchfafes them, we muft not expect to make Con-
verts by the Force of our Arguments.
Nor is the Suppofition of a Plurality of Worlds, as
fome imagine, any Objection to this Doctrine; for were
it true, as the Abettors of this Hypothefis maintain, that
the Planets are fo many Earths enlightened by the Sun,
and
Useful Reflexions on the Whole.
307
and peopled with other Inhabitants; and the Stars fo many
Suns illuminating other Planets, which have in like Man
ner their respective Inhabitants; it would only follow
from hence, that God has in other Parts of the Creation
diſplayed his Wiſdom and Power to Beings whom he has
made the Object of his Care in each habitable Sphere,
as he has us in this: Nor would it be on that Account
lefs certain, that all thofe vaft Bodies, which move in
their proper Orbits, in fo much Harmony and Order,
were all created by the fame Hand, and are ſubject to the
Laws of one and the fame Matter. The many Groupes
of Figures in a Picture do not prove againſt the Unity of
the Defign: and the feveral Parts in a Concerto do rather
more ſtrongly prove it to be the Compoſition of one ſkilful
Mufician.
From the Gene-
ration of Plants
and Animals.
The Unity of the Creator of the Uni-
verfe does fill more evidently demon-
ftrate itſelf in the Propagation of Plants
and Animals; for fince each particular
Species in both does always propagate
its Kind under the fame Figure, and with the fame Pro-
perties, it is evident that every Species was formed upon
one and the fame Plan; and the Unity of the Plan does
undeniably prove to us the Unity of that intelligent Being
that formed it.
All the different Species of Animals and Plants, fo won-
derful in their Number and Variety, do alfo give us con-
current Evidence of the Unity of their Author, by the uni-
form Manner in which they are perpetuated. We ſhall
not enter into a Difcuffion of the feveral Opinions and
Difputes of Philofophers, concerning the Manner how the
Eggs and Seeds of Animals and Plants come by their
Fecundity, but confine our Attention a little to what is con-
firmed by repeated Experiments and Obfervations.
Every Animal, both finall and great, is produced ori-
ginally from an Egg, in which it was contained; and
every Plant from a Seed wherein it lay concealed in Mi-
niature. When the Animal breaks loofe
from its Cell in its perfect Form, we Part I. Dial. I.
fay the Dam of it is viviparous; when
the young is excluded with a hard Covering round it,
which we call the Shell, we fay that the Dam is ovi-
parous.
}
3
1
308
Ufeful Reflexions on the IVbole.
parous. The Shell of the Egg in the oviparous Kind is
hard and convexed, the better to refift the Preffure and the
Injuries of the Air to which it muſt lie expofed for fome
Time; whereas this Precaution would be of no Ufe in the
viviparous Kind. Thus does even the Diverfity of the
Work prove the Unity of the great Artificer, who fo wife-
ly varies his Method, as particular Circumftances require,
and as may moft beneficially conduce to bring about the
wife Ends of His Providence.
Part I. Dial. I.
Nobody has hitherto been able to give any intelligible
or fatisfactory Account, concerning the Caufe of this Prin-
ciple of Fecundity in an Egg or a Seed * ; we only know'
in general, that it refults from the concurrent Act of two
Animals, the one Male, the other Female. All Animals
that are formed with Feet, Fins, or Wings, and have the
free Power of tranſporting themſelves from
one Place to another, are divided into two
Sexes under each Species, that they might
confer their joint Offices in rearing their Young. On the
other Hand, thofe Animals which are confined all their
Life to one Spot, are hermaphroditical, or have both Sexes
conjoined in one Body, and procreate their Species with-
out the Concurrence of a Mate. Of this Sort are Limpets,
Sea-Ears, and feveral other Kinds of Shell Fish; and fuch,
probably, on the Land, are the Bugs that live on Orange
and Fig Trees; as alfo thofe little Worms, which, after
having crawled for fome Time over the Leaves of a Sort of
Oak, called the Holm Oak, glue themfelves thereto, and
enfhrine themſelves within a little Cod, called Kermes, or
Scarlet in Grain. If that general Law of Nature, which
has divided Animals into two Sexes, be here charged with
an Exception, yet it is fuch a one as is founded on the In-
ability of theſe Animals to go and feek out for Company,
and on their particular way of living, for which the gene-
ral Law of Nature has not provided. So that the Uniformi-
ty of the Law in general, and the Neceffity of a particular
Exception to that Law, do both equally prove the Unity
of the Legiſlator.
So many thouſand Species of Plants formed on fo
many different Models, and yet all of them obferving the
See the Diſputes of Meffrs. Leervenboeck, Andry, and Vallifneri. “
fame
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The Trogicps of Vegetation
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tor.
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Uſeful Reflexions on the Whole.
309
fame Method of vegetating and perpetuating their Species,
do in in a wonderful Manner prove the Unity of their Crea-
There is not the Seed of any one Plant, which, being
put in the Ground or fuch Liquors as are moft agreeable
to its Nature, that does not fwell and unfold its Tuni-
cles, to take in the firft Nouriſhment for the little Gem
which is placed neareft the Extremity of
Dial. XXIV.
the Seed. That Point, of the Plantule, Part. I.
which is fituated nearest to the Surface
of the Grain, and feems difpofed to make
its Appearance firft, is the Cafe which fheaths the Root :
The Head of the Plantule is placed nearer the Centre of
the Grain, into which it extends two Ducts or Canals,
through which it imbibes its firft Milk: When the Root
begins to lengthen, the Juices which it receives incline
t down towards the Earth, while the fame Juices give
the Head of the little Plant quite a contrary Direction,
and raiſe it up above the Ground; where the Air, by
injecting thofe volatile Salts and Juices, with which it is
replete, in ftrait Lines into the perpendicular Tubes of the
Plant, contributes to make it mount upward in an erect
Pofture.
་
When any Species of Plants deviates from this Rule,
and is compofed of flender or twiſted Fibres, which, in-
ftead of afcending perpendicularly, caufe it to creep
along the Ground, Nature has made it amends for this
Want of Strength, by having provided it with a Sort of
Strings or Tendrils, with which, as with fo many Hands,
it clings and twines round the firft Prop it finds; and by
the Affiftance of this Support, it is enabled to mount up-
wards like other Plants, and enjoy the Benefit of the open
Air.
All terreftrial Plants derive their Nourishment from
the Moisture which feeds them at their Roots, and that
'which they imbibe through their Leaves. Now whe-'
ther there be any regular Circulation of the Sap, ſo as
to caufe it to afcend through the perpendicular Tubes of
Plants, to perfect itfelf into the Leaves, and return through
the Bark, or betwixt the Bark and the Wood, back again
to the Root, as is very probable: Or whether Plants are
fuftained and grow by a Power of attracting their nutri-
tive Juices, and are fed partly by the Moiſture of the
1
Earth,
}
F
415
1
4
310
Earth, which, together with its vegetative Salts and Oils,
afcends by Attraction up into the Leaves; and partly by
the Moisture of the Air, which, together with its Nitre,
enters it at the Leaves, and diftributes Nouriſhment
through the whole Plant downwards to the Root, as di-
vers Experiments feem to evince *: By whichever of theſe
Ways Vegetation is promoted, the whole Progrefs is uni-
form, and univerfally the fame, and confequently denotes
the Author to be but one.
Uſeful Reflexions on the Whole.
1
The fame careful Hand of Providence is no lefs vifible
in that Precaution which it has taken for the Preferva-
tion of all Plants whatever. The Head of the young
Plant never makes its firft Appearance above the Earth,
but under a Covering, which ferves to fhelter it from
the Injuries of the Air. There are feveral Sorts of Plants,
in which the two Lobes of the Seed extend themſelves in
the Form of two large Leaves, which, with officiots Care,
attend upon the young Stem, till it becomes fufficiently
ftrong, to need its Protection no longer: There are fome
others, which, inftead of having two extended Lobes to
guard them, raiſe their Heads under the Covering of a
Sheath or Integument, which opens at the Top, or elfe
are enveloped with Leaves, which fold one over another.
The Buds, as well thofe that extend into Branches as
thoſe which open into Flowers and Fruits, being the
fecond Hope of the Plant, and fo many Sources of new
Plants, are clothed with the fame Care: There are none
of theſe which are not wrapped up, as it were, in Swad-
ling-Clothes, or covered with a Sheath, which is for the
moft Part compofed of feveral Leaves ranged one upon
another, like fo many Scales, that they may the more
eafily give way, and yield gradually, as the precious Gem,
which they contain, dilates itſelf, without expofing it to
the Air by too precipitate an Opening. Many of theſe
Scabbards are lined within with fine Threads or Fila-
ments, or a fort of foft Down, which guards them againſt
the Cold: others again are fecured by a Covering of
Gum, against the Humidity of the Air. Let it be ob-
ferved, that the greateſt Part of theſe firſt Leaves or Scales
wither and die away, when the Stem, the Branch, or the
*Vegetable Staticks, by Dr. Hales.
1
Fruit,
Uſeful Reflexions on the Whole.
311
V
•
Fruit, have no longer any Occafion for their Service.
Thus does a little Grain of Seed, by procuring to us fuch
Ineftimable Benefits in the Propagation of Plants, prove
the Author of this, and all other Bleffings, to be one and
the fame. We find, it is true, that fome Plants bear
their Stamina and Duft on one Stem, and the Piſtils
which contain Seed on another; on the other Hand,
we met with fome that carry their Stamina, and the
Capfulæ which hold the Seed, on the fame Stalk, but
in different Apartments; and laftly, that the greateſt
Number of Plants have their Stamina placed contiguous
to their Piflils: But this Diverfity is no Objection againſt
the Unity of the Creator, and only proves that he has
not confined himſelf to any one Method in the Pro-
ductions of Nature, but has made Choice of different
Means, all equally tending, notwithſtanding their Varie-
ty, to the fame beneficial End. In all Plants, the Bed in
which the Seed is contained projects from it a Calix or
Cup, or Tunnel, and oftentimes a Tuft or Plume, to ad-
mit and retain the Farina, or Duft, which falls from the
Apices of the Stamina, when they open or are expelled
form them like Fume upon their burfting. The Learned
are yet at a Lofs to know what this Duft, or Farina, is,
and how it comes to be the Principle of Fecundity in
Plants. When ſeen through a Microſcope, it appears like
a Collection of fine Grains, which in different Plants are
of a round, oval, or other Figure. Now, what fhall we
fay is contained within thofe Grains? Are they the
male Seed which paffes through the fine Tubes of the
Calix or Flower into the little Capfula, which contain the
female Seed? Have thefe Calices, or Flower Cups, Tubes
of fufficient Diameters for thefe Grains to paſs through
into the Uterus of the Piſtil, in order to impregnate the
female Seed? Or does this Duft contain a fubtle Spirit,
or vital Juice, which confers Fecundity on the Plant?
Let us modeftly confefs our Ignorance of this Matter,
and acknowledge it to be a Myftery in Nature, which
we have not hitherto been able to penetrate into, either
by ocular Obfervation affifted with Glaffes, or all the
boaſted Sagacity of Reaſon. Let us difcard all` uncertain
Conjecture, and more vain Difputation on this Point,
and content ourſelves with knowing that the Succeſs of
the
312 Useful Reflexions on the Whole.
1
the Seed depends entirely upon that of the Flower, both
thefe having been formed in all Plants whatever to be mu-
tually aiding and affiſting to each other. Now foraſmuch
as the Diſcovery of this fecret Operation in any one Plant,
would enable us to account for the fame in ten thouſand
others, we muſt neceffarily conclude, that the Uniformi-
ty of thoſe things we know, and the Uniformity of
thoſe things whofe Operations we are ignorant of, do
both equally prove the Whole to be all of a Piece, and
to have been formed by the fame Hand for the fame End
and Purpoſe.
Next to God's Unity, which of His Attributes, ſhall we
fay, appears moft confpicuous in the Works of the Crea-
The Power of
God.
tion? His Power, His Wifdom, His Inde-
pendence, or His Goodness? All theſe Per-
fections in Him are equal, and the Profpect
of Nature denotes them to be infinite like
himſelf. His Attribute of Omnipotence will fufficiently
evidence itſelf in one ſingle Inſtance.
The Stars.
as from fo many
are ſeen by us,
Let us lift up our Eyes to thoſe heavenly Bodies which
do not ſhine with a borrowed Light, like the Moon and
the Planets. The Sun and the Stars may be concealed
from our View, but not deprived of their Light; the
Moon may, by its Interpofition, hide from us the Face
of the Sun for a fhort Time; and the fuperior Splendor
of the Sun may eclipfe, while in our Horizon, the Luftre
of the Stars; but both the Sun and the
Stars have a native proper Light of their
own, and which is infeparable from them,
Globes of Fire.
Globes of Fire. The Reaſon why they
at fuch an immenſe Diſtance from our
Earth, is becaufe of their Magnitude, they being proba-
bly, as big as the Sun, and confequently owe their Di-
minution to their Diſtance, and not to their Smallness.
Let us therefore confider them as fo many Suns, placed
at a great Diſtance from us, that we might not be incom-
moded with their Heat, and yet enjoy the Benefit of their
Light. This Propofition, which is undeniably true, being
granted, it will infer one of theſe two Things, either that
thefe Suns were created folely for our Ufe, or that other
intelligent Creatures do fhare the Benefit of them as well
as we. If the Stars fhine only for us, how magnificent.
to
t
ག
Useful Reflexions on the Whole:
313
to have ſo many bright Luminaries fufpended in the arched
Roof of Heaven, on purpofe to beautify the Place of our
Abode in the Night, without disturbing our Repoſe by
too intenſe a Luftre. If, on the other Hand, they are
really fo many Suns, which, at the fame time that they
enrich our Profpect, illuminate a great many other
Worlds; if that white Track in the Heavens, called the
Milky-Way, be, as our Teleſcopes in-
form us, nothing elſe but a vaft Collection
of Stars or Suns ftill farther removed from
us; what a Profufion of Worlds has the
Hand of God fcattered in that Part of the Univerſe, like
Sand on the Sea-Shore ! -
The Wiſdom of God is infeparably
The Milky-
Way.
of God.
linked together with his Power in all The Wifi.m
the Works of the Creation; theſe two
Attributes of the Deity go always Hand
in Hand, the Fury and Violence of the latter being
always fubject to the Guidance and Direction of the
former.
The leaft Shock from thofe enormous Bodies, which
continually move round us in fuch different Directions,
would be fufficient to crufh our Globe to Atoms; but,
notwithſtanding the great Variety of Machines and Move-
ments which conftitute this complicated Syftem, their Ope-
rations are regular and uniform; the Compaffes of the
Almighty have fet them their Bounds, which they cannot
pafs, and infinite Wiſdom fo exactly regulated and pro-
portioned their Weights and Velocities, that no
forefeen Accident, no foreign Power, can alter their
Courfe.
un-
The Weight of the fuperincumbent Atmoſphere is e-
very Moment ready to crufh us to the Earth; but the
Elafticity of the Air we infpire does, by a contrary Force,
fo exactly counterbalance the Freffure of the external Air,
that theſe two Actions mutually deftroy each other without
being perceived by us.
The Sea advances every Day towards us, as though it
meant once more to drown the World; but no fooner is
the Time appointed for its Keflux come, than it obeys the
Summons and retreats, leaving us fecurely to enjoy the
Benefit of its perpetual Flux and Reflux.
VOL. III.
P
The
↓
314
Uſeful Reflexions on the Whole.
t
The Summer's Heat has its Bounds, and the Winter's
Cold its Meaſure; the Action of one Muſcle is tempered
and balanced by that of another, in a Mite, as well as in
an Elephant; in a Word, all Nature is compounded of
Action and Re-action, Weight and Counterpoife, and of
warring Powers continually tending to deftroy each other,
and yet all confpiring, under the Conduct of infinite Wif
dom, with the utmoit Order and Harmony to bring about
fome general and ufeful Defign.
Independence of
God,
Nor has the Supreme Being given us lefs
Proof of His Independence, than of His
Wiſdom and Power in the Works of
His Creation. As He is not fubject to any
other Being, fo neither is He confined or ftrengthened, either
by His own Laws, or the Refiftance of thofe Materials
which He employs: He feems to have been delighted
with the free Exercife of His Liberty, and to have pleafed
Himfelf in that Variety which He has difplayed both in the
Fabrick and Decora ion of the Univerſe.
When the Reflux of the Tide gives us an Opportunity
of walking on the Sea-Shore, we there find Shell-Fifh of
all Sorts, and which, probably are fome of the Pofterity.
of thofe which have been preferved many Ages in the
Cabinets of the Curious. The Progenitors and the Off-
fpring do perfectly relemble each other, and are all fo
many true Copies of one original Model; and yet what
greater Argument can there be of Liberty, and the free
Exercife of Power, than the Choice of fo many different
Models All Shell Fifh build their Houfes with a
glutinous Matter, that per pires from their Bodies and
hardens into a Shell round them. Here we fee different
Architects using the very fame Materials for the fame Pur-
pofe; and yet we find among them as many Orders of Ar-
chitecture, and Forms of Building, as there are different
Species of Shell-Fith.
You find fome Kinds of Shell-Fifh and Sea-Infects
which always adhere to one Place, and which feem to
project a great Number of feeming Paws, which they move
with great Agility. Here unadvifed Men, who judge
rafhly and precipitately of Things, would be apt to think
they had found a Flaw in Nature: What Occafion, fay
they, has an Animal for fo many Paws, which never moves
from
4
·
1
Useful Reflexions on the Whole.
315
}
ท
from the Place? But what they miſtake for fuch, are re-
ally fo many Trunks or little Flails, with which this Ani-
mal ſtirs the Water, in order to give thoſe Oily Juices, and
other Nouriſhment that floats upon it, a Motion towards
itſelf. The greateſt Part of Animals do indeed go in
Queſt of their Food, but theſe have the Provifion brought
them.
The fame Liberty of acting does no les appear in the
Formation of the terreftrial Infects. Thofe to whom God
has configned the Verdure of the Earth for their Abode,
do not indifferently fix their Quarters in any Kind of
Plants or Herbage; but each Species has its particular
Dwelling, and inviolably obferves thofe Laws which are
preſcribed it. The fame free Will, which has appointed
them their reſpective Apartments, has alfo accommodated
them with proper Inftruments to build them. One has
received a Wimble to bore a Hole in the Oak-Leaf,' and
to raiſe a little Tumour wherein to lodge itſelf and
Family* another is provided with a hooked Knife, and
two Saws, to hollow a Trench in the Bark of the Rofe-
Tree, and to dig two Ranges of little Cells wherein to
depofit its Eggs +. Some of them are taught by Nature
to fold themfelves within a tender Leaf, and to hold it
together in that Form, by means of feveral Threads or
Filaments, left the natural Spring of the Leaf ſhould
make it vary its Figure 1. Some are ſo nice, that nothing
but the Buds of Plants will ferve their Turn; others are
content to live on the Subftance of the Leaf. Let it be
obſerved, that thofe Infects which live in the Heart of
Fruit, cannot live any where elfe: and therefore thofe
People give into vain Apprehenfions who imagine that the
Worm which breeds in Fruit, can breed in the Stomach
of a Child; or if theſe Infects could be hatched there,
(which is contrary to the fettled Courſe of Nature) and be
able to bear the intenfe Heat of the Stomach, yet it would
be impoffible for them to multiply there, feeing they must
firſt become Aurelia's, and then the Inhabitants of the Air,
before they can propagate their Species.
*See Malphigi de gallis.
+ Vallifneri la Mojca de Rofai 1713. Tom. I. Edit, in Fol.
Ibid.
2
*
· P 2
The.
316
Uſeful Reflexions on the Whole.
1
The ſame free, unconfined Power of the fupreme Being
which has made Choice of Plants for the Suftenance of
fo many Families, and oftentimes of the fame Plant
to be the Habitation of ſeveral Species of them, has not
limited itſelf to the vegetable World in the Propagation
of Infects. A little Meal or Chaff, fteeped in Water, and
fet in the open Air, will attract a Swarm of little Animals
which traverſe the Atmoſphere to depofit their Eggs
therein; they afterwards leave the Water to become.
Nymphs, and wing their way through a lighter Fluid.
The greateſt Part of thefe Inhabitants of Liquors are fo
finall as to be imperceptible by us; and probably the Air
fwarms with theſe flying Infects, which are produced from
them, and which ferve for Food to others of a larger Size,
and theſe again for Provifion to the Birds: Thus do we
perpetually receive Benefit as well from what we do not
fee, as from what we do. But the free fpontaneous Exer-
cife of the divine Power ſtill more furprizingly dif
plays itſelf in that inconceivable. Number of other Infects,
which fubfift in Chalk, the empty Shells of Shell-Fiſh,
decayed Wood, Stones, and, even the folid Blocks of
Marble and as God never fuffers the End of his Crea-
tion to be defeated through any Defect of Means, he has
therefore (the better to facilitate their Way into their re-
fpective Places of Abode) provided fome with Fins, others
with Drills, Files, and fuch other Implements as are moſt
fuitable to their kind of Life and Dwelling. He has
affigned many of them their Lodging in the Bodies of
Animals, fome of which pafs through the three different
States of Worm, Nymph, and Fly; others of them
always retain their vermicular State, and propagate in that
Form. Of the former Kind, are thoſe which lodge their
Young in the Skins of Animals, in their Noftrils, and
other Parts, and which fometimes caufe them to run
mad* of the fecond Kind are thofe which live in the
Stomachs and Inteftines of Animals, and cannot fubfift
any where clfe, being placed there either to abſorb the
fuperfluous Juices which might otherwife increaſe too
abundantly, or to keep in a State of Motion and Fluidity
f
Vallifneri dell' eftro de buoi, &c.
thofe
Ufeful Reflexions on the Whole.
317
thofe Juices which, by Stagnation or Coagulation, would
become uſeleſs or noxious to the Animal *.
We fee the fame Liberty and Freedom manifefted in the
different Models of Birds and other Animals. What gra-
dual Diminutions of Size do we find from the Oftrich
down to the Humming Bird! What different Forms of
Beaks from that of the Touchan down to that of the Fly-
Bird †, which is ftill fmaller than the Humming Bird!
What different Gradations of Strength and Sagacity be-
tween the Elephant and the Ferret, the Buffalo and the
Moufe! Hair is the general Covering of Quadrupeds:
but the fcaly Hide of the Rhinoceros proves to us, that
God, if he had thought fit, might as well have given
them any other Coat. Birds are, generally fpeaking,
cloathed with a feathered Garment; but the Hair of the
Caffowary, and the Wing of the Bat, do plainly fhew,
that their Creator might have given them any other Kind
of Raiment, and have enabled them to fly without the
Help of Plumage.
Thus does every thing appear to be the Effect of Choice
and Liberty, no lefs than of Wiſdom and Counfel; there
is nothing in the Compafs of the whole Creation pro-
duced either by blind Chance or a fatal Neceffity; nay,
even thofe Bodies which act according to the most conftant
and ftated Laws are not neceffarily determined in their
Motions and Operations. It is no otherwife the Effect
of abfolute Neceffity, that the Sun will rife again To-
morrow in our Hoiizon, than as that Body neceffarily
obey's the Command of the Almighty, who has fet it its
Courſe, and who can as eafily change it to any other
when he thinks fit...
The Goodness
But neither is this Liberty of the Supreme Being di-.
rected by Humour and Caprice. God
does not exercife His free Power out of
Oftentation, or merely to fhew His So-
vereignty, but always makes His Good-
nefs the Rule of his Actions. And this important Truth
of God.
Valliferi, de Vermi ordinari nel Corpo bumano. See alfo De Vermi-
celli Spermat.
It is of this Bird, and not of the Humming Bird, that Pendants
for the Ears are made, Part I. Dial. XI,
P 3
doe
318
Useful Reflexions on the Whole.
1
1
$
does vifibly demonftrate itſelf in every Part of the Cre-
ation.
Even in thoſe
Things which
are feemingly
hurtful.
But where is the Goodnefs, it may be
obje&ed, in having created fo many hurt-
ful Infects, thofe deftructive Worms, for
Example, which infenfibly eat and con-
fume the Sides of our Ships, the Piles of
our Dikes, and the Timber of our Houſes?
Thefe Worms, like all others, do, by the Corruption.
of one thing, contribute to the Generation of another,
and ferve to promote that general Circulation of the Com-
modities and Productions of different Countries, on which
Commerce neceffarily depends. So mean an Animal, in
Appearance, as the Pipe Worm, does, by ufefully em-
ploying the Vigilance of the Dutch, not only maintain,
but bring Riches to the Inhabitants of Sweden, and to
thofe who live on the Borders of the White Sea. Were
they not under a perpetual Neceffity of tarring, and fome-
times repairing, their Veffels and Dikes at Amfterdam, in
vain would the Muscovite and Norwegian barrel up the
Pitch which diftils from their Pines, in vain would the
Swedes cut down the Oaks and lofty Fir-Trees that grow
in their Forefts. Thus does this little Animal, which we
fo much complain of as troublefome and injurious to us,
become the very Cement which unites thefe diftant Na-
tions in one common Intereft; and as fome Infects are
continually at Work at Amfterdam, for the Advantage of
Stockholm and Archangel; fo there are others in the North
whofe Labour is no lefs profitable to the Hollanders, inaf-
much as they promote the Confumption of their Salt, Spi-
ces, and other Grocery-Wares, which are ſent thither to
feafon their Provifions, to preferve them from being cor-
rupted by thofe Infects, and to cure their Fifh, which they
often uſe inſtead of Bread.
But let us not lofe our Time and Labour in anfwering
the Cavillings and Objections of thoſe diflatisfied People,
who are ever complaining and murmuring. To under-
take a Defence of God's Conduct in the Government of
the World, is both unreaſonable and unbecoming us, fee-
ing His Providence does not ftand in need of our Juſti-
fications: His Wifdom and Bounty are eminently con-
fpicuous in all his Adminiſtrations; and the Difficulty we
may
Useful Reflexions upon the Whole.
319
may fometimes meet with, in difcovering the particular
End of fome of His Works, argues the Narrowness of our
Underſtandings, not any Defect in His Goodneſs. The
Profpect we have taken of Nature, does in every Patt
fufficiently prove, that the Good of Man was the chief End
propofed by Providence in the Works of the Creation,
even in thofe very things which feem hurtful and offenfive;
and that what we call an Evil, is oftentimes a real Good,
and almoft always defigned to administer Occafion to the
Exercife, of fome Virtue, which is more beneficial to tis
than`a State of Indolence and Inaction. Every thing is
calculated by Divine Wiſdom, to make us richer, wife,
or better. This is a Truth, which does not want fo much
to be proved as attended to, and is the Sun and Subftance
of true Philofophy. In vain does our fhallow Reaſon
attempt to fathom the Myfteries of Nature, and to pry
into the Secrets of the Almighty, whole Fudgments are un-
Searchall, and his Ways fafl finding out: nay, the Eye of
a little Worm is a Subject capable of exhauli SG all our
boafed Speculations, an Abyfs wherein we lefe curicives;
whereas the Contemplation of the Goodnefs and Conde-
fcenfion of God, fo vi£bly diſplayed in the Wonders of
the Creation, cannot fail of making us both wifer and
be:ter; and though His Goodness be infinite, as well as His
Wildon and Power, yet we can in fome meaſure keep.
Pace with this Attribute, by making Returns of boundlets
Love and Gratitude, And indeed, God feems to have
laid the higheſt Claim to this Tribute of our Love, by the
Care He has taken to manifeft our Goodnefs in the moit
open manner, while at the fame Time He has concealed.
from us the moft curious Particulars, with regard to the
Structure and the Effences of HisWorks; and to this our Ig-
norance of the Nature and Properties of Bodies it is owing,
that we fometimes look upon one thing as ufelefs, and
another as incompatible with Juftice; whereas a thorough
Senfe and Perfuafion of the Divine Goodnefs can alone
fatisfy all our Doubts, and refolve our Scruples. Some few
Inftances will illuftrate my Meaning.
Among the various Kinds of fingle
Flowers, whofe Ufes are fo well known
we find a great Number of double ones,
which are unproductive of Seed. Now to..
P 4:
;
In thofe Things
which feem ufe-
lefs, as double
Flowers.
what
320 Useful Reflexions on the Whole.
what purpoſe, it may be afked, was all this Gaiety of
Dreis beltowed on a Flower which
a Flower which was created for
no ufeful End? As it appears by eafy Obſervation,
that a double Flower is an Aggregate of fingle Flowers
ranged regularly one within another on the fame
Stalk, fome Botanists have thought they advanced a no-
table Difcovery, by pronouncing them to be monftrous
Productions; but how does this appear in a double Hya-
cinth? What is more beautiful than a full-headed Ane-
mone? Or more regular than a Rofe with a hundred
Leaves? Befides, the annual Return of thefe lovely Pro--
ductions, fo conftant in their proper Seafons, is fo far from
denoting thera to be the Offspring of Irregularity or
Chance, that it plainly proves them to be the Work of
Order and Defign; and what, fhall we ſay, was this De-
fign of their Formation, but to regale and feaſt our Sight;
We might indeed imagine that the only End of Flowers
was to fofier and prepare the Seed of Plants; but we
cannot deny that they are alfo defigned at the fame time
10 garnish our Habitations with the Elegance of their
Structure, and the Brightnefs and Variety of their Co-
lours, feceing we find great Numbers of thofe, which are
exquifitely beautiful, regularly produced, which have no-
thing elfe to recommend them but their Comclinefs. The
divine Wiſdom therefore may very aptly be compared to
a tender fond Mother, who has not only provided for
all the Neceffities of her Children, but alſo condefcends
(though without ftooping below her Dignity and Charac-
ter) to humour them, and bear a Part in their little inno-
cent Amuſements.
In thoſe Things
which feem un-
Flesh of Animals.
The fame Goodne's and Condefcenfion will help us to
clear up another Difficulty, feemingly of
greater Force, viz. how to reconcile the
Creation of Animals for Slaughter with
jft, as eating the the Juttice of God. The Neceffity of
killing them is agreed upon by all; for
the Earth would ceafe to be habitable, were the Number
of them not reftrained: But then it may be aſked, Is it
agreeable to the Juftice of God, to have created them to
be butchered?
To And Fault with this Order of Providence, is to find
Fault with the Hand that has enriched us; 'tis complaining
that
Uſeful Reflexions on the Whole.
321
1
that it has created Animals fit to cloath and feed us, and, in
fhort, that it has provided for our Wants. An Ox is not
only delicious Meat, but is a living Banquet that moves
from Place to Place, is fuftained by its own Labour, and
furrenders itfelf to be a Feaft for Man, when he has Occa-
fion for it. Thus does it become doubly ſerviceable to us.
The many Animals which we fee all round us, and
which ferve either for our Nouriſhment, our Cloathing,
or Ornament, do only live and grow, that they may more
effectually answer thefe Ends of their Creation. For this
purpoſe has Nature provided them with Teeth to eat, and
Stomachs to digeft their Meat; with Arms to defend them-
felves; with Wings, Feet, Fins, &c. the better to pre-
ferve and fubfift themfelves in their refpective ways of
Life, till Man has Occafion for them.
Objection.
But it may happen, that thefe Animals,
fo nourishing and falutary, may increaſe
and multiply in too great Abundance,
that the Number of them may exceed our Wants, or be
greater than the Fruits of the Earth can fuftain, fo that
their dead Bodies, by lying unburied above Ground, may
infect the Air, and caufe a Contagion.
Anfwered from
the Being of
carnivorous Ani.
mals.
He who
All this was not only foreſeen, but pro-
vided againft; Na ure having fufficiently
ftocked both the external and internal
Parts of the Earth, and alfo the Waters,
with Animals of Prey, and of the carnivo-
rous Kind, to prevent fuch like Inconveniencies, and
which may properly be filed fo many living Charnel-
Houfes, or animated Sepulchres, continually devouring
whatever might be ufelefs or hurtful to us.
created thefe Animals with fuch voracious Appetites, did
well forefee, that their Services would fometimes exceed our
Defires but He alfo knew that they were only proportion-
able to our Wants; for Man ftands as much in Need of
being punished or forewarned, as of having his immediate
Wants fupplied; nay, it is more for his Good to be labo·
rious, prudent, and vigilant, than to live in a State of
Indolence and careleſs Security.
There always have been fome murmur-
ing and difatisfied People, who, inftead The Souls of
of praifing and thanking God, as they
P 5
Beats.
ought,
}
322
Ufeful Reflexions on the Whole.
ought, for having made all Nature fubfervient to their
Ufe, do turn the Prerogative and Dignity with which
Man is honoured with Matter of Complaint, calling his
Right of Dominion over all other Animals, Ufurpation
and Tyranny; nay, not content with degrading them-
felves, they preach up for the natural Rights of Brute
Beafts, and proceed fo far as to allow them the Privilege
of Reaſon, which is only peculiar to Man.
We shall not have Recourfe to the Philofophy of Des
Cartes, for Arguments to confute this unreaſonable Suppo-
fition To ſay that we have an abfolute Right to difpofe
of all Kinds of Animals as our Occafions require, becauſe
they are mere Machines, is to found a certain Right on
uncertain Principles. Man is confcious to himſelf, that
he was born to inhabit the Earth, to cultivate it, and to
enjoy the Benefit of its Productions; and the fame natural
Relation or Fitneſs of Things, that informs him of the
Lawfulneſs of eating the Fruits of the Earth, does alfo in-
ftruct him how to uſe the Skins and Fleſh of Animals.
It is not neceffary for him to philofophize on the Nature
of theſe Things, in order to make a right Ufe of them,
any more than he is obliged to have a thorough Know-
ledge of the Body of the Sun, before he ventures to walk
by the Light of it; of the Properties and Formation of
Stones, before he ufes them to build with; or of the Na-
ture of Straw, before he lays it on the Land to manure it.
The Effences of Things are concealed from us, but we are
fufficiently acquainted with their Ufes; and the great
Care which the Sovereign Being has taken to proportion
them to our Wants, and to keep up a conftant Succeffion
of them in our Favour, is a fufficient Indication that He
has commiffioned us to uſe them.
The Goodness of
God difplayed in
the Instinct of
Animals, and the
Bounds of that
Inftinct.
When we attempt to explain the Na-
ture of the Sun, or that of the Souls of
Beafts, our Philofophy is quite at a Stand,
and all our Reafonings and Reflexions on
thofe Subje&s are either uncertain or un-
intelligible; but when we betake our-
felves to contemplate on the Intentions
and Goodneſs of God, in the Creation and Prefervation of
Animals, and in the different Ufes to which He has
adapted them, we eafily attain to a fufficient Degree of
Knowledge
+
Useful Reflexions on the Whole:
323
!
Knowledge and Satisfaction in the Matter; viz. that the
Soul in Beafts is a Principle of Life and Inftin&t, the Pow-
ers and Extent of which are regulated by the Occafion we
have for them.
When the Work and Labour of the Day is over, and
we find ourfelves difpofed for Company and Relaxation,
we find, upon our Return home, a focial fporting Ani-
mal to welcome and divert us with his innocent Tricks,
and Play, and which has moreover an inviolable and faith-
ful Friendship for us, almoſt to a Degree of Reafon. Do
we want Houfes, Cloathing, Food, or the Convenience
of being carried from Place to Place? Behold! a Crond of
other Animals offer us their Affiftance and Labour; they
know neither their Strength, nor the Hazard they run; to
fuftain Life, and to obey our Orders, is the Extent of
their -Knowledge. How many Droves of large Oxen
do every Day paſs through the Cities of London and
Paris to the Slaughter! How aftonishing to fee fo many
huge armed Creatures obedient to the Command of their
Driver, though under the Conduct and Direction of a
Child! Now to what can we afcribe fuch a tame and
tractable Difpofition in thefe Animals, but to the Will
and good Pleaſure of our kind Renefactor, who, as He
made them for our Ufe, fo He has put them under Sub-,
jection to us?
But, notwithſtanding, were all the different Species of
Animals, which are in any Degree ferviceable to Man,
to croud together about him, and court his Neighbour-
hood like Sheep and Oxen, he would be incommoded
with the Throng, while a great Part of the Earth be-
came defolate and uninhabited: To the end, therefore,
that all Nature might be ſtocked with living Creatures,
and Men be difencumbered, Providence has fo ordered it,
that the other Half of Animals fhould be formed with quitè
different Inclinations, and have fomething wild and favage
in their Nature, difpofing them to live alone in a kind
of Independency; and accordingly, fome are taught to
wing the Regions of the Air, others to feulk in Woods
and Dens, freeing Man, whom they fhun, from their
troubleſome Company, and from the Pains of keeping
them in Order and Subjection: But neither are they, fo,
beyond his Reach; for he knows their Haunts and lurking-
P 6
Holes,
324
Ufeful Reflexions on the Whole.
Holes, and neither their Swiftnefs nor their Strength
can be their Security, when he is minded to make them
Prifoners. Thus has the Goodneſs and Condefcenfion of
God provided for our better Accommodation, in allotting
different Talents and Habitations to the feveral Claffes of
Animals; it is for us that they are fagacious or ſtupid,
nimble or aukward, tame or favage; and the Fiercenefs of
fome ought to excite our Gratitude and Admiration as much
as the Gentleness of others.
W₂
The fame Condefcenfion which diſplays itſelf in varying
the Inftinct of Animals, has alfo greatly enhanced the
Value of this Benefit, by confining it within certain
Bounds, beyond which it was never known to paſs. It
is matter of Surprize, that thofe Animals, which have fo
much Sagacity and Cunning, underſtand one another fo
well, and fhew fo much Contrivance and Forecaſt in
building their Houfes, and providing for themfelves and
their Young, fhould never improve by fome new Diſco.
veries, have no Notion of the natural Hiftory of their
Species, never concern themfelves in the Government of
the World or the Management of hunan Affairs, nor
have any Curiofity or Senfe of Religion. Had they been
endued with Reafon, thefe would have been the neceffary
Confequences of it: but their Faculties are proportioned
to their Rank and Subordination in the Scale of created
Beings, and to the Purpofes for which they were defigned.
The Good of Man was the End of their Creation, and
this End would have been defeated, had they been made
reaſonable Creatures. The general Order and Courſe of
Nature would be fubverted upon fuch a Suppofition.
The Raven would loath its Carrion (by devouring which
it frees us from the Stench and Infection it would other-
wife breed in the Air) and prey on daintier Food; the
Ox, grown wifer, would fhake off the Yoke; the Horfe,
become more intelligent, would diidain his Servitude; and
the rational Dog, inftead of being content with the Scraps
and Refufe he is fed with, wou'd feaft himſelf with
that Game which he is now taught to hunt down for us.
In a word, the whole Animal Race would renounce their
Obedience to Man, and, rifing up in open Rebellion,
affert their Right of Liberty and Freedom. It is therefore
the Want of Reaſon that difpofes them for Subjection; and
it
Ufeful Reflexions upon the Whole.
325
it is for our Benefit and Advantage, that they juſt know
enough to be ſerviceable to us, and no more.
Hitherto the Proſpect of Nature has led me to the Know-
ledge of my Creator, and has demonftrated to me His Uni.
ty, His Omniprefence, His Wiſdom, His Independence, and
His Goodness. I can therein diſcover His peculiar Condef
cenfion and Friendſhip for me, in the Subordination of
every Thing to my Command and Convenience, and in that
honourable Diftinction which He has vouchfafed to fhew in
my Favour, between the narrow Limits of brutal Inftinct,
and the wide Extent of my Reaſon, which can foar up
to Heaven, and even trace out the Author of my Exift-
ence.
But I find myſelf ftill embarraffed by a Difficulty more.
perplexing than any of the foregoing.
The Underſtanding and the Pleaſures which The Defire of
God has difpenfed to Man with fo liberal a
Immortality..
Hand, affect me with the higheſt Senſe
of Gratitude; but ftill the good Things I enjoy, are at-
tended with Diffatisfaction, and uneafy Longing: Not-
withſtanding all the Learning and Knowledge I find my-
felf capable of attaining to, yet my Defires aim at fome-
thing farther, and my Wiſhes tranfport me beyond the
Bounds of ny Reafon. Had I the whole Earth in my
Poffeffion, and were fole Maſter of every Thing this World
can afford, yet I find myfelf capable of relifhing ftilk
higher Enjoyments; at lealt my Happineſs would be
defective in the main Point, Duration and Stability. He
that fills my Soul with Joy at the Return of the Morn
ing, who raiſes fo much Delight and Satisfaction in my
Mind upon the Difcovery of a new Truth, and re-
gales my Senfes with fo exquifite a Relish upon tafting
any delicious Fruit, could doubtless have augmented my
Felicity, and made it eternal. I am inwardly perfuaded
that God can do this; I dare defire it; nay, confidently
hope that he will do it. All Men die, it is true; but
all have the fame Defires and Hopes that I have; nor
was it ever in the Power of Death to deprive Mankind of
this earnest Longing, this ardent Expectation of a happy
Hereafter. We cannot fuppofe that God, who has dif
played fo much Order and Regularity in our Bodies, has
been lefs mindful of our Souls; for His Wiſdom and Good-
કો
nefs
326
Uſeful Reflexions on the Whole..
A
•
neſs are infinite: and confequently cannot take a Pleaſure
in deluding fuch weak, helplefs Creatures as we are, with
falfe Hopes, in planting in us an invincible Defire of Im-
mortality, which he has not defigned to gratify. No, God.
has done nothing in vain, and therefore will not defeat..
the Ends of his own Providence.
!
God has given Activity to the Feet, and accordingly,
we make Ufe of their Office to tranfport us from one Place
to another; he has beftowed Articulations and Flexibility
on the Fingers, the better to lay hold on, and faſhion,
thoſe Things we ftand in need of, and has given us fre-
quent Occafions of making them thus ufeful to us: He.
has created in us Hunger and Thirſt, and at the fame time
amply provided us wherewith to gratify theſe two Appe-
tites; and, in a Word, eſtabliſhed the most exact Agree-
ment and Fitnefs betwixt every Faculty and its Object.
Let us not then ſay, that God has in vain implanted in
the Hearts of all Men, of all Ages and Countries in the
World, a conftant and inexftinguiſhable Defire of being
more enlightened and more happy: This Thirft after
Knowledge was not given him for no End; this Hunger
after Happineſs will one Day be fatisfied. This pleafing
Confideration diftends my Heart with Joy, and the Survey
of the Univerſe, which has already difcovered to me the
fundamental Principles of Natural Religion, leads me on
farther to inquire into thofe Means which may fecure to
me this future Felicity.
And here we might take Occafion to join the Confider-
ation of God's Juftice and Providence to what we have
already remarked on his other Attributes; but, in order
to do this, we ſhould be obliged to paſs on from the View
of Nature, to that of Society and Grace: Let us not there-
fore quit the firft Subject, without obferving thereupon,
whatever has an immediate Relation to Revelation. Na-
ture itſelf is our firſt Revelation; and therefore we ought
not to pass over any Tliing it may prefent us with, either
by way of Preparative to, or Proof, of the fecond.
The Hebrews did preferve, and tranfmit down to us,
the Hiftory of the Origin of the World,
The Agreement with the Promifes of the Meich, and of
a Life to come. The three most re-
markable Tranfactions that this Tradition
betwixt Nature
and Revelation.
1
teaches
Useful Reflexions on the Whole.
327
teaches us, are the Creation of every thing by the ſpecial
Will of God, the univerfal Deluge, and the final Con-
flagration of the Earth. Infidelity has endeavoured to fap
the Foundation of Revelation, by levelling all the Artil-
lery of vain Syftems of Philofophy againft theſe three
Truths but the View of Nature which we have taken,
does, by fhewing the Falfity of thefe Syftems and by
grounding itſelf on Revelation, intirely deftroy all the Pre-
tences of Infidels.
:
It is a Conjecture which has met with fome Advocates,
that the Planets might formerly have been fo many Suns;
but that theſe Suns, being incruftated over and obfcured
by fome Layers of groffer Matter fettling upon them,
from luminous became opake Bodies; that is to fay, in
their Phrafe, habitable Earths. Some Spots that have
been diſcovered in the Sun, and fome Stars that have
diſappeared, for Reafons beyond our Comprehenfion, have
added fome Weight to this Conjecture: by Degrees, it
came to be laid down as a fixed Principle; and (as if this
Converfion of Suns into Planets had been proved by un-
deniable Arguments) now paffes for Matter of Fact with
fome Men of Learning. The Earth, according to them,
is nothing but an Aggregate of denfe Bodies formed into
a Cruft, by Length of Time, round a Globe of Fire, which
occupies the Centre of it. It is very plain, that ſuch a
Syftem of Philofophy is no ways confiftent with Revela-
tion; but it is alfo plain, that it is no lefs repugnant to
the fettled Courfe of Nature, and right Reaſon, than it
is to the Moſaical Account.
There is a wide Difference between the Creation of the
different Parts of the Univerfe and their Confervation
they may be kept in their conftant Courſe and Order
by certain general Laws, which God has eftablifhed, and
which He fupports with equal Liberty and Dignity; but
they neither could be created nor formed by any Opera-
tions of the fimple -Laws of Motion. There is neither
Beauty, Order, nor Goodneſs in any thing, but what was
produced by the fpecial Will of the fupreme, all-wife
Being; and it is as impoffible for a Sun, by any Incrufta-
tion, to become an habitable Earth, or for an opake
Body, by any Removal of the Cruft, to become a Sun,
as it is for any Combination of Motions, to convert a
Stone
*
}
328 Uſeful Reflexions on the Whole.
Stone into a Man, or a Man into a Tree. Such-Tranf-
formations as theſe would be ſcarce pardonable in Ovid's
Metamorphofs.
But let us for once allow thefe new Modellers, who
are excluding God out of the Creation, or at leaſt for
producing all Things from Motion impreffed upon Mat-
ter at the Beginning; let us, I fay, allow them to make
the Earth after their own way; we will grant them a
fufficient Stock of Matter to work upon a circular Mo-
tion, and as much Time as they can defire for the Exe-
cution of their Scheme; let them chufe their Laws of
Matter and Motion, either from Des Cartes or Newton;
in fhort, fuppofe the Earth made according to their
Fancy but then this Earth is naked, and defolate, without
Verdure, and without Inhabitants; nor will they be able,
with all their Mechanicks, to make it any other than a
wild barren Defert. Suppofe but the leaft Blade of Grafs
to grow in it, or the meaneft Reptile to creep upon it,
you infer a Neceffity of an intelligent Being, and a par-
ticular Act of his Will in the Formation and Organiza-
tion of this Vegetable or Animal. Now, if mere Motion
cannot form the Rings and Bowels of a Worm or the
Veffels of a Plant, fhall we fuppofe it capable of forming
a regular, habitable Earth? Can it proportion the dif
ferent Strata of it to the Occafions of its Inhabitants, al-
lot it its juft and proper Meaſure of Air, Water, and Fire,
and fix its Orbit at fuch an exact Distance from the Sun,
that it fhall neither be frozen by exceffive Cold, nor
burnt up by too vehement a Heat? If then our Earth.
was ſtocked with Plants and Inhabitants by the particular
Appointment of the Divine Being, can there be any
room to doubt, whether the fame omnifcient Author who
created theſe, did, by a like exprefs Act of his Will, affign
them their proper Habitations in fuch Elements and
Soils as are moſt agreeable to their Nature? Had this
Earth been formed according to the Fancy of theſe Philo-
fophers, it would indeed have confifted of an Affemblage
of feveral Strata of Matter, ranged one upon another
round a common Centre, according to their different fpe-
cifick Gravities; that is to fay, the more denfe would be
neareft to the Centre, and the lighter fartheft from it ::
but ftill this Earth would be ufelefs for want of a juſt
Difpofition
Uſeful Reflexions on the Whole.
329
1
Difpofition of its Parts; it would have no Atmoſphere,
and confequently be deprived of the Benefit of the Air's
Gravity and Elafticity; no Diverfity of Soil in the ex-
ternal Layer or Surface of the Cruft, to accommodate the
different Grains and Seeds of Plants with a Bed and Nou-
fiſhment, proper to their respective Natures and Qualities;
no fpecious hollow Vafe, to contain the vaft Stores of
thofe Salt-Waters, which are fo neceffary to Vegetation
and the Fertility of the Earth; no Mountains to condenfe
and collect the Vapours exhaled from the Sea, and to
precipitate the Rivers on to the Plains; no regular Strata
of Sand prepared, to ferve by way of Refervoirs of that
Water which is to feed the Fountains; no Layers of Clay,
to be a Bafis to the Springs and Wells; no fubterra-
neous Waters, to diftribute through the Bowels of the
Earth, the Salt, Bitumen, Sand, Loam, Vitriol, Mercury,
and the Sulphurs, in order to form, by their different
Difperfions, Concretions, Fermentations, &c. Mineral
Waters, hot Baths, precious Stones, Stones for Building,
Metals, &c. up and down in different Parts of the Earth.
Is it poffible to believe, that all this curious Mechanifm,
all thefe Operations, fo far furpaffing our Comprehenfion,
could be produced by fortuitous Incruftations on a Globe
of Fire? Could all the Philofophy in the World have
contrived fuch an ufeful Fabrick? In no wife: We muſt
allow then, that all this wonderful Apparatus, this amaz-
ing Organization and Fitnefs that appears in all the Parts
of our Globe, was the Work of immediate Creation, the
Act of wife Counſel and Defign. Thus far our View of
Nature does perfectly comport with the Account of
Mofes.
་
It is an allowed Truth, fay they on the other Hand,
that nothing but unpardonable Infidelity, and wilful Blind-
nefs, can affirm that that Correfpondence and Harmony,
that Symmetry and Proportion, which is every where vi-
fible in this beautiful terreftrial Machine, could be pro-
duced by any general Laws of Motion; and that the
Mind is much better fatisfied with thinking that the
Light, the Sea, the Verdure of the Earth, and all the
other Parts of Nature, received their Form and Station by
the exprefs Order of the Almighty: But then, fay they,
Is it not very furprizing and unaccountable, to read in the
Book
1
330
Useful Reflexions on the Waole.
*
Book of Mofes, that the Light was created before the Sun,
and that the Waters were divided into two Parts, one of
which poffeffes the Earth, the other the Firmament, a Place
that we have not any Knowledge of?
Some Interpreters are of Opinion, that the Mofaical
Hiſtory of the Creation was adapted to the then preſent
State and Condition of the Hebrews, and calculated to ferve,
by way of Precaution, to guard them against the Idolatry
of the Canaanites and Syrians on the one Hand, who wor-
hiped Moloch, or the Sun, as the Author of Light; and
of the Egyptians on the other, who paid their Adorations to
Ifis, as the Goddeſs and Difpenfer of wholeſome and re-
freſhing Rains, of the Overflowings of the Nile, and of
the Fruitfulness of the Earth.
It is true, the Account of Mofes does firike at the Root
of this double Idolatry, by fhewing, that God alone is the
Author of all that Beauty which appears in the Creation,
and the fole Giver of every good Thing: But he has not
had Recourfe to a Lie, to eftablish this important Truth,
nor advanced any Thing in his Eliflory, which is repug-
nant to true Philofophy.
Light pre-exif-
tent to luminous
Bodies.
#
To begin with Light. Now Light is vi-
fibly pre-exiftent to luminous Eodies: This
may feem a Paradox at firft Sight, but
it is not therefore a lefs cvident Truth: By
Light we do not mean that Senfation,
which we experience in ourfelves on the Prefence of any
illuminated Body, but that inconceivably fubtle Matter,
which makes an Impreffion on the Organs of Sight,
and paints on the optic Nerve thofe Objects, from the Sur-
faces of which it was reflected to us. Light then, taken in
this Senfe, is a Body quite different from the Sun, and in-
dependent on it, and might have exifted before it, feeing it
does now exiſt in its Abfence, as well as when prefent. It
is diffuſed from one End of the Creation to the other, tra-
verfes the whole Univerſe, forms a Communication between
the most remote Spheres, penetrates into the inmoft Receffes
of the Earth, and only waits to be put in a proper Motion
to make itfelf viſible. Light is to the Eye, what the Air is
to the Ear: Air may not improperly be called the Body of
Sound, and it does equally exift all round us, though there
be no fonorous Body to put it in Motion; fo likwiſe the
Light
*
ہے
1
Ufeful Reflexions on the Whole.
331
1
་
Light does equally extend at all Times from the moſt diſtant
fixed Stars to us, tho' it then only ftrikes our Eyes, when
impelled by the Sun, or fome other Mafs of Fire. The Dif
ference betwixt the Propagation of Sound and Light confifts
in this, that the Air, which is the Vehicle of Sound, being,
beyond all Comparifon, more denfe than the Vehicle of
Light, its Motion is much flower: Hence we may account
for that common Phænomenon, why we do not hear the
Sound of the firft Stroke of a Hammer, when at a Diſtance
from it, till it is at the Point of giving the following Blow;
whereas Light is propagated with incredible Swiftnefs,
though at ſome ſmall Diftance of Time between its receiv-
ing its Impulfe, and its communicating it to us; feven
Minutes, according to Sir Ifaac Newton's Calculation, being
fufficient for its Paffage from the fixed Stars down to us.
This Difference of Velocity, between the progreffive Mo-
tion of Light and that of Sound, is fenfibly demonftrated,
by firing a Gun in a large open Plain, where the Specta-
tor, at a great Distance from it, will perceive the Flaſh a
confiderable Time before he hears the Noik.
The Body of Light, therefore, does either exift indepen-
dently of the luminous Body, and only waits to receive
a direct Impulſe from it, in order to act upon the Organ of
Viſion; or we muft fuppofe, that every luminous Body,
whether it be the Sun, a Candle, or a Spark, does pro-
duce this Light from itſelf, and project it to a great Dif-
tance from its own Body: There is no Medium between
theſe two Suppofitions; and either the one or the other
must be true: But to affert the latter, is to affert a very
great Improbability; for if a Spark, which is feen in every
Part of a large Room, fifty cubick Feet in Dimenfions,
emits from its own Subſtance, a Quantity of Light fuffi-
cient to fill the whole Room, then there muft iffue from that
Spark, which is but a Point, a Body, the Contents of which
are fifty cubick Feet: How incredible the Suppoſition !
Suppofe the Lanthorn on the Light-houfe of Mejjina to be
feen only eight cubick Leagues, of which itſelf is the
Centre; it will follow, that an Eye placed in any Point of
thoſe eight cubick Leagues will difcern it, and confequently
fo much Space will be filled with the Light of it. Now how
incredible, that a little Fire, fome few Inches in Diameter,
fhould diffufe around it a Subftance capable of filling eight
cubick
1
י
332
Useful Reflexions on the Whole.
}
cubick Leagues! Suppofe the Lanthorn concealed, and the
Light immediately difappears; let it be uncovered the Mo-
ment after, and it will inftantly be feen as far as before,
and confequently fill eight cubick Leagues of Space with
freſh Light; then how many times eight cubick Leagues of
luminous Matter will all the fucceffive Inftants of Illumi-
nation produce in one Night's Time! Sure nothing was
ever more inconceivable On the contrary, how fimple
and natural is it to fuppofe, that as the Air exiſted before
the Bell that put it in Motion, and caufed it to vibrate in-
to Sound, fo, in like manner, the Light exiſted round the
Fire of Mefina, before the Lanthorn was illuminated, and
only waited to be put in Motion by the Fire, in order to
make an Impreffion on the Eyes of the Mariners! The Sun
and Stars do by the fame Means make themſelves vifible,
without fuffering any Diminution of their Subſlance, by
continual Emanations of luminous Matter, into thofe vaſt
Regions of Space through which we behold them; God
having placed between thofe luminous Globes and us, the
Body of that Light which we fee, and which is impreffed
on the Organs of Vifion, by their Action and Influence;
but does not proceed from them, nor owes its Existence
to them. The Account of Mofes,. therefore, as to this Par--
ticular, is agreeable to Truth, as well as an ufeful Leffor
of Caution, when he informs us, that God, and not the'
Sun, was the Author and Parent of Light, and that it was
created by his Almighty Fiat, before there was a Sun to
dart it on one Part of the Earth, and a Moon to reflect it
on the other.
As to what Mofes relates concerning the Waters beneath
the Firmament, and the Waters above the Firmament, we
find it confirmed by daily Experience. All Water that is
expoſed to the open Air, will fuffer fome Diminution in
its Quantity by Evaporation, a hot Sun being fufficient to
exhale above an Inch in one Day; from whence we may
form a Judgment of the Quantity of Water, which is
raiſed in Vapours every Day, from the immenfe Surface
of the Sea. The greatest Evaporation always happens in
the hotteſt Days of Summer, though it be at that Time
leaſt perceivable. Thefe Waters afcend into the higher
Regions of the Atmoſphere, to join thofe which were
there before. Here then are Treaſures of Water really-
exifting
Uſeful Reflexions on the Whole.
333
exiſting over our Heads, though fo rarefied, as not to be
vifible to us; and as the Air does fuftain them at a much
greater Height than the Flight of the most foaring Birds,
they may very properly be called the Waters of Heaven,
or the Waters above the Firmament.
Mofes, in his Hiftory, firft deſcribes the Earth as entirely
covered and concealed under the deep Abyss of Waters;
and afterwards making its Appearance above them, by the
inferior Waters being diftributed into thofe Beds and Cavi-
ties, which were prepared for their Reception, and by the
Elevation of the others, which afcended up in Vapours,
and were difperfed through the exalted Regions of the
Air, immediately upon the Creation of the Fire or Light.
The exact Quantity and Height of theſe rarefied Waters is
only known to Omniscience; but the Existence of them
is proved beyond all Contradi&ion. Thus does the con-
current Teftimony both of Nature and of the facred Re-
cords bear Witnefs to this Truth, and point out to us
another Ocean of Waters fufpended over our Heads, and
fluctuating continually in the wide Extent of Heaven,
to ferve in the Hand of the Almighty, as an Inftru-
ment of Fruitfulneſs or Devaſtation, of Liberality or Cor-
rection.
The Phyfical
Poffibility of the
Deluge.
Now, as the Waters that are above us,
did afcend thither by Rarefaction, fo might
they defcend by Condenſation; and, uniting
their Stores again with thofe upon the
Earth, once more cover it with an univer-
fal Deluge, without a new Creation of Waters. Thus will
the natural Poffibility of an univerfal Deluge appear from
the fufficient Abundance, as well as from the Existence, of
the fuperior and inferior Waters.
Some learned Men have undertaken to meaſure the
Depth of the Sea, in order to inform themselves, whether
or no there be a fufficient Quantity of Water in Nature
to cover, the Earth above the higheſt Mountains; and,
taking their Philofophy for the Rule of their Faith, have
dared peremptorily to pronounce, that God has not done
what they cannot conceive how He could do.
A Man may
take the Dimenſions of his Land, or gauge a Pipe of
Wine or Oil; but can he take the exact Height of the
Atmoſphere or can he with Line and Plumbet fathom
4
the
+
334
Useful Reflexions on the Whole.
1
the Depth of the great Abyfs? How vain then muſt be
the Attempt to meaſure the Sea, when we know neither
the Extent nor Depth of it! How prefumptuous to draw
any Arguments againſt the Hiftory of the Deluge, from a
fuppofed Infufficiency of Water for that Purpofe, when,
for what we know, there may be a more copious Maga-
zine of Water in the Air above us, than upon the Earth!
In a Word, what Obftinacy and wilful Blindneſs, to oppoſe
the Poffibility of a Deluge, with any fhallow Arguments or
Suggeftions of our own weak Reaſon, againſt a Croud of.
Monuments, which undeniably prove it to be Matter, of
Fact.
All Parts of the Earth * bear Witneſs to the Truth
of this Doctrine, whether we feek for Informations in the
great Continents, or in the fmalleſt Iſlands, in the Tops of
Mountains, or in the Bowels of the Earth; forafmuch as in
all thefe Places, we find entire Beds of Shells, fometimes
of different Sorts, fometimes of the fame; as alſo the Teeth
of Sea-Fiſhes, whole Fishes petrified, and the Spawn of
Fishes; Sea Plants, either petrified or impreffed on Stones;
and, in fhort, all the Spoils of the Sea: Now, how ſhall
we account for fuch a general Difperfion of marine Bodies
all over the Globe, but from fome one univerfal Cata-
ſtrophe!
Some learned Men have had Recourfe, for the Solution
of theſe Phænomena, to Alluvions, Volcanos, or fome ac-
cidental Caufes which are not mentioned in Hiftory; but
thofe Naturalifts which deferve the moft Credit, fuch as
Mafons, thofe that work in the Mines, and the moſt au-
thentick Travellers, have always been of Opinion, that thefe
marine Bodies, which are every where ſcattered and buried
up and down in the Earth, could not be lodged there, but
by that general Confufion and Mixture of Subſtances cauſed
by the univerfal Deluge. Thus, while Men of great Parts
*See the Accounts of Travellers, particularly Miffon's Travels; the
Memoires de l'Academie des Sciences, almoft every Year; the Abridg-
ment of the Philofophical Tranfactions, Vol. 11. Chap. on Minerology
the Collection of the Chevalier Vallifneri, intitled, De Corpi Marini ch'
fu' Monti fi trovano; the Theory of the Earth, by Dr. Thomas Burnet;
Woodward's Efay towards a natural Hiftory of the Earth: And to thefe
may be very well added the Teftimonies of Herodotus, Plutarch, Solinus,
and Pomponius Mela, on the Remains of the Deluge.
and
2
Ufeful Reflexions on the Whole.
335
and Learning, rather than think in the common way, have
Recourſe to local Accidents, and wild unfatisfying Schemes.
of Philoſophy, People of plain Senfe and moderate Difcern-
ment can receive full Satisfaction on this Head, from that
Account of the Flood by Mofes, which has been faithfully.
tranfmitted down to us. Thefe petrified Bodies then, fo
feemingly ufelefs, fpeak Demonftration to our Senfes,
and are a Language which is underſtood by the moſt com-
mon Capacities, having been appointed by Providence as fo
many ftanding Monuments of the moſt remarkable of all
Tranfactions, and are, with regard to the Hiftory of Mofes,
the fame as Medals to the Roman Hiſtory.
Here, my dear Chevalier, you may probably defire to
know how I conceive the Water of the Sea could carry
thofe Shells, which do not ſwim, but remain at the Bottom,
on to the Steep of Mountains; and how it came to paſs,
that thoſe marine Animals, which formerly inhabited the
great Deep, are now found buried under feveral Layers of
Earth, at a confiderable Diſtance beneath the Surface of it.
Provided than we keep cloſe to the Hiftory of the Deluge,
and confider it as an Event the Univerfality of which is at
teſted by the Scriptures, the Hiftories of all Nations, and
by the moſt exact Infpections into Nature, we may be al-
lowed to venture at a Conjecture touching the Manner how
this Effect might be produced. A Conjecture, it is true,
is not exempt from Objections, and may happen to be falſe;
but the Fallity of a Conjecture, concerning any Point of
Hiftory, does not deftroy the Credibility of fuch Tranfac-
tion, feeing God might bring about an Event by Ways and
Means, which furpafs our Conceptions. Be pleafed there-
fore to look upon what I am going to offer on this Head,
as an Hypotheſis of no great Importance to the Subject it-
felf, whether true or falfe; and which may at leaſt ferve to
introduce you to a nearer Acquaintance with the Conftitu-
tion of our Globe, and its annual and diurnal Revolu-
tions in the folar Syftem.
The chief of what we learn from the
·Scripture, relating to the Deluge, may be
reduced to theſe Heads; that the Cataracts
or Refervoirs of the Heaven were opened,
and that the Treafures of the great Abyſs
were broken up; that the Water increaled
I
A Conjecture
concerning the
Change caused in
the Earth by the
Deluge.
to
+
{
336
Useful Reflexions on the Whole.
to the Height of fifty Cubits above the higheſt Mountains ;
that after the Deluge the Rainbow was appointed by God
as a 'Token, that he would not deftroy the World again by
Water; and that the Life of Man became much ſhorter af-
ter than it was before the Flood.
The general Tradition of Nations has preferved and
handed down to us the Memory of the Deluge, and of a
few Perfons that were faved in a Boat in order to reſtore
Mankind. The fame Tradition, as perpetuated in the
Writings of the ancient Poets, alfo informs us, that
the Earth formerly enjoyed one continual Spring; but
that Mankind, abufing the Bleffings of Nature and de-
generating into evil Courfes, were fwept away by one
univerfal Inundation; and that the Earth was repeopled
by a Generation of Men much fhorter lived, and fubject
to a perpetual Viciffitude of Seafons. All Nations have
in like Manner agreed, that the Bodies of Men have, both
in Stature and Conftitution, fuffered a great Diminution
and Decay This Perfuafion was originally founded on
the Revolution caufed by the Deluge, and has prevailed.
down to the prefent Time, though the Life of Man, as
alfo his Stature, and the Temperament of his Body, have
now been at a Stand, and continued nearly the fame for
many Ages.
*
The Teftimony of the facred Records, and the univerfal
Tradition of Nations concerning this Matter, are abundantly
confirmed by what Nature difcovers to us in thofe Footſteps
of the Deluge, which ftill remain in moſt Parts of the ter-
raqueous Globe, and do plainly teach us, that nothing but
an univerfal Diflocation, or Diffolution of the Parts of the
Earth, could occafion that Mixture and Confufion of Sub-
ſtances which we find in feveral Places, as of terreſtrial
Plants, the Bones of Animals, Maffes of broken Metals,
and fundry Works of human Art, together with the Shells
and Teeth of lifhes, and other Procutions of the Sea.
Give me Leave then to offer a probable Conjecture, by way
of folving thefe Phænomena.
Although the Earth did before the Deluge, as well as
now, confift of feveral Strata of Matter lying one upon
*Sce the Iliad of Homer, the red, and more particularly the
Georgicks of Virgil, towards the End of the firft Book; Scilicet &
Tempus veniet, cum &c.
another
Ufeful Reflexions upon the Whole.
337
༢
another, of Mountains, Valleys, Plains, great Collections
of Water or S. as, and all other Parts effentially neceffary
to the Conſtitution of an habitable Globe; yet notwith-
ſtanding, its Form then was probably different from what
it is at preſent, and its Atmoſphere or Firmament not
exactly the fame as now: and this cannot be denied,
feeing God, who wrought a Change in the Life of Man,
might as eafily effect the fame in the Structure or Form
of his Dwelling. And St. Peter feems plainly to authorize
fuch a Suppofition, where he fays, that the ancient
World perished by Water; the Heavens and the Earth,
which now are, being referved unto the Fire of the laſt
Day *.
Let us fuppofe now, that the former Earth deſcribed
its annual Orbit or Ellipfis round the Sun, having its
Axis perpendicular to the Plane of its Orbit, that is,
without having a greater Inclination to one Part of it than
another.
Let us fuppofe alfo, that as this Earth was defigned to
be the Habitation of a very long-liv'd Race of Men, who
were to multiply exceedingly, the Surface of the Land was
much greater than that of the Sea, which, the better to
accommodate Mankind with Room, was partly open and
partly concealed under the Earth; fo that there were on
all Sides large Magazines of Water, or different Seas,
which held a Communication with each other under
Ground, by means of one common Receptacle or Rendez-
vous of Water: and the Scripture feems to countenance
fuch a Difpofition or Diftribution of Waters, by calling
this vaft Bed or Store-houſe of them by the Name of the
Profound Abyss, and the different Gather-
ing of the Waters, by the Name of Seas,
as being many. From thefe two Suppo-
fitions, which are neither repugnant to
Scripture nor Philofophy, do naturally
flow all thofe Particulars which we find in
Scripture in the Traditions of the Ancients,
and in the prefent State of the World.
Abyfus profunda.
Congregationes
Haijam m
Aquarum.
Marta,
Theom.Rabbahı,
* Ο τότε κόσμο ὕδατι κατακλυσθεὶς ἀπώλειο, εἰ δὲ νῦν ἐρανοὶ καὶ ἡ γῆ
Sdalı ci v i h
wugì Tnpýμevoi, &c. Epift. 11, Chap. iii.
ver. 6, 7.
VOL. III.
Q
Now
338
Useful Reflexions on the Whole.
J
Now the Axis* of the Earth not being inclined to the
Plane of the Ecliptic, the Plane of the Earth's Equator did
coincide with the Plane of its annual Orbit, and confe-
quently interfect the Body of the Sun, or, in other Words,
the Earth's Equator was always oppofite to the Sun. From
fuch a Situation it neceffarily follows, that all the Cli-
mates of the Earth, except the Middle of the Torrid
Zone, did enjoy a conftant and pleafant Temperature of
Weather Day and Night were equally divided to all
Places alike, confifting each of 12 Hours; the Air was al-
ways pure and ferene; and there was a perpetual Spring
all over the Globe; the Sun and Moon regulated the
Courſe of the Year, not by the Diverfity of Seaſons, bút
by the Change of Places; the Earth, in its annual Revolu-
tion in its Orbit round the Sun, palling under the twelve
Conftellations of the Zodiac, fo that when it was under
Libra, the Sun appeared to be under Aries; and when the
Earth paſſed under the Sign Scorpio, the Sun feemed to be
in Taurus: The Revolution which the Sun feemed to
perform in one Year, the Moon did really perform every
Month, renewing its Phafes then periodically, as it does
now. Thus did theſe two Lights, which prefided, one
over the Day and the other over the Night, ferve as two
Regulators to Mankind, whereby to fix the Length of the
Year, and to measure the feveral Portions of Time.
Had Man continued in his firft State of Innocence, he
might, without the Pains of Cultivation, have gathered
the fucceffive Fruits of the Earth, which God had bleffed
and enriched with fpontaneous Crops, and made, for his
Sake, one continued Garden of Delights; whereas the
Guilt contracted by the Fall, and his finful Difobedience,
brought upon him the Weight of that Curfe which was
denounced against the Earth for his Punishment; for
from that Time it brought forth Thorns and Thiſtles, and
*The Axis of a Globe is a Linc paffing through the Centre of it,
from one Point of its Superficies to the oppofite Point, like a Needle
run direly through an Orange. Now the Earth, by turning round
upon this Line, or Axis, does fucceffively cause every Point of its Bo-
dy to turn towards and from the 'Sun: but as we do not perceive the
Motion of the Earth, which is the Caufe of our approaching nearer and
nearer the Sun till Nocn, and then of our departing farther and farther
from it till Midnight, we are apt to think the Motion to be in the Sun
and the Heavens, and not in our Earth.
'
by
Useful Reflexions on the Whole.
339
by the Sweat of his Brow was he obliged to earn his
Bread. But as the Menace of Death, which was then
denounced againſt Adam, was not executed till a long time
after, fo neither was the Curfe which God pronounced
againſt the Earth, fully accompliſhed till after the Deluge:
hitherto the Earth retained the Vigour and Beauties of
Youth; it not being then, as fince, deformed and fur-
rowed with Caverns and Fiffures; there were then no
Inlets for the Air to penetrate into the Bowels of it, no
fubterraneous Fires to kindle it into Violence and Fury,
caufing Earthquakes and dreadful Convulfions; the At-
moſphere enjoyed a State of Calmneſs and Serenity; the
gentle Zephyrs at the Approach of Day difperfed the
Morning fragrant Dew over the Face of the whole Earth,
and the Vapours which were exhaled from the Sea in the
Day-time, condenfed and defcended in the Night in re-
freshing Moisture, for the Nourishment of Plants and
Vegetables, and to feed the Refervoirs of Fountains and
Rivers with new Supplies; the Air was not put into vio
lent Agitations by bluftering Winds: there was no Storm
or Tempeft, Hail or Thunder; for though all thefe Me-
teors have their respective Ufs agreeable to the prefent
Order, and fettled Courfe of Nature, yet the Antediluvian
Earth, as it did not ftand in any Need of them, fo neither
was it incommoded by them.
By a natural Confequence of this uniform Temperature,
which prefided every where and at all Times, the Trees
perpetually retained their Verdure, and brought forth
Fruit, bloffomed and budded at the fame Time; the pre-
fent Crop was but an Earnest of what was to fucceed,
and uninterrupted Plenty exalted her full Horn in every
Place.
The Clemency and Temperature of the Air could not
fail of having a beneficial Influence on the Bodies of Men,
and caufing Longevity. In a word, there was no Ble-
mith in Nature, nothing to defile the Earth but the
Wickedness of its Inhabitants, who were taken up, in
the midſt of this Plenty, with nothing fo much as
the Gratifications of their Picatures and Paffions, converting
thofe Bleffings which Providence had defigned as fo many
Motives to excite their Gratitude and Obedience, into the
Means of Riot and Excefs. The Profpect of Death, at the
remote
*
{
r
:
340
Ufeful Reflexions on the Whole.
remote Diſtance of feveral Ages, did not diſturb their Re-
pofe in most of their finful Purfuits; they were not
alarmed by the Voice of the Thunder, nor puniſhed by
the Severity of Seafons, nor brought to a juft Senfe of
their Duty and Dependence by any other falutary Ad-
monitions or Affliations; and therefore they gave them-
felves up to evil Courfes and criminal Pleafures, without
Remorfe or Reſtraint. Nothing but an univerfal Change
in Nature could be fufficient to put a Stop to the growing
Wickedness of Mankind; and therefore God thought fit
not only to deſtroy the Inhabitants of the firſt World,
but also to produce an Alteration in the Earth itſelf, to
change the Difpofition of the Air and the Order of the
Seafons: By thefe Means he contracted the Life of Man
into a fhorter Span, and made it more laborious and pain-
ful. He did not indeed immediately vouchfafe to apply
that faving Remedy, which alone could thoroughly purge
and reform the Heart of Man; but he did effectually put
it out of the Power of the fecond Race of Men to go thofe
Lengths in Iniquity which the Inhabitants of the former
Earth had done.
But it may be aſked how this terrible Change could be
effected? As if the Removal of a fingle Line out of its
Place, by the Hand of God, were not fufficient to cauſe
an univerfal Revolution in Nature. He took the Axis
of the Earth, and inclined it fome few Degrees towards
the Northern Stars; and behold! this little Deviation
produced a thorough Change in the Order and Oeconomy
of the natural Syftem of the World, and feemed to give
Birth to new Heavens and a new Earth * By this In-
clination of the Axis, the Equator of Neceffity became
depreffed below the Sun, and that bright Luminary imme-
diately darted its fcorching Rays on one Hemifphere,
whilst the ſharpeſt Froft and Cold exerted their utmoſt Se-
verity on the other. Hence proceeded Condenfations and
Rarefactions in the Air, caufing violent Commotions in
the Atmoſphere, whilft warring Winds and Tempefts
raged, with embattled Fury, through the middle Regions
of the Sky; the Windows of Heaven were opened, and
the fuperior Waters, being condenfed by the Violence of
* 2 Pet. iii. 7.
the
1
;
+
69
R
B.
:
E
A
A
1
^^
A
D
F
C
E
D
Plate 32 föl. III page 341.
A
B
The Orbit of the Earth in it's Annual Revolution.
Tom's fiulp
!
Ufeful Reflexions on the Whole.
341
the Shock, poured down in Torrents upon the Face of the
Earth; the Earth felt the univerfal Concuffion, and fhaking
from its very Foundations, broke in Pieces under the
Feet of its wicked Inhabitants, and plunged into the fub-
terraneous Waters; by this Difruption of the Cruft, the
Fountains of the great Deep were broken up, and ſpouted
forth their Treaſures over the disjointed Mafs. In a word,
from the Concourfe of the fuperior and inferior Waters
was produced an univerfal Deluge, which drowned the
Globe.
.
As God did, by the Agency of the Sun and the Winds,
bring a Flood upon the Earth, fo likewife did he employ
them as Inftruments to difmantle it again of the Wa-
ters, which partly fubfided into thofe Places which were
more depreffed than others, and partly afcended up again
in Vapours into the Atmoſphere. From this time for-
ward, the Earth, having its Axis inclined twenty-three
Degrees to the North, and confequently prefenting different
Parts of its Body, at different Diftances from the Equator,
to the perpendicular Influence of the Sun, varied its
Afpects and Situation with regard to the Sun every Day,
for fix Months together, and daily re-affumed them during
the other fix Months of its Revolution in its annual
Orbit. This Diverſity of Seafons, and theſe Viciffitudes in
the Air, did neceffarily occafion an Alteration in the Tem-
perament of the human Body, and contracted the Life of
Man into a narrower Space. The Pofterity of Neab
did indeed, for a few Generations, ftill retain fome of the
Vigour of their Forefathers, till the human Body, by
gradual Decays, became, both in Conftitution and Dura-
tion, fuch as was natural and proportioned to the Impref
fions of the Air and the Influence of the Seafons; as
the Children of fome gigantick Pruffian, by being carried
into Lapland, will in a few Generations be brought to the
Standard of the Climate, and degenerate into native Lap-
landers. Let us now pass to the other Confequences of
the Deluge, purfuant to thoſe Informations we receive
from the Hiftory of Mofes, and from thofe Footſteps which
ftill remain of it in Nature.
If then God, by giving this Inclination to the Earth's
Axis, produced thefe violent Commotions in the Air, and
thefe Subfidences in the Surface of the Earth, how great
23
inuft
1
ין
I
f
;
*
34.2
Ufeful Reflexions on the Whole.
muft have been the Aftoniſhment of the Children of Noah,
upon the Sight of this furprizing Change in the Place of
their Habitation, when, inftead of delightful Vales, and
Hills covered with that verdant Carpet which overspread
the Face of the primitive Earth, they faw nothing on the
Gordyan Mountains, on the Top of which the Ark firft
refted, but hideous Caverns, and monftrous Rock's, which
rofe promifcoufly out of the Ruins of the old World,
fome of which exalted their pointed Tops. under a Co-
vering of Snow, whilft thick Fogs and Vapours con-
cealed the gloomy Summits of others! Nor did the Aſpect
of the Heavens appear lefs ftrange and furprizing. The
Return of the Clouds, which had been to them, before, the
Forerunners of the Deluge, could not fail to alarm them
afreſh, and fill their Minds with dreadful Forebodings.
But how agreeably were they furprized, and their Fears
banifhed, when the declining Sun darted his chearing
Rays through the gloomy Veil of the Heavens, and painted
on the Skirts of the oppofite Cloud, a beauteous Bow,
majeftically deck'd in all the Variety of the moſt lively
Colours! As this new and glorious Object only made its
Appearance towards the End of Rains and Storms, it
became to Man a natural Sight of an enfuing Serenity, and
a Pledge of fair Weather. Several Interpreters of Scrip-
ture, giving into, that common Opinion, that the Rainbow
is as ancient as the Creation, have taken a great deal of
Pains to find out Arguments in order to juſtify the Ufe
which Mofes makes of this Phenomenon; whereas our Hy-
pothefis clears him from any Neceffity of being defended,
and fuppofes the Rainbow, as his Hiftory plainly implies,
to be a new Phænomenon, unknown before the Deluge:
now if it was unknown before, fo alfo was the Rain;
and if there was neither Rain nor Storm in the Time of
the Antediluvian Earth, our Conjecture is confequently
both rational and probable.
1
If, purſuant to our Hypothefis, the Surface of the pri-
mitive Earth was hollowed, and made unequal, by fome
*The Rainbow is cauſed by thofe Rays of the Sun, which, falling on
the Drops of Water in a Cloud, are differently reflected and refracted to
the Eye of the Spectator, placed betwixt the Sun and thofe Drops. The
fame Rainbow is not feen by different Perfons, but every one fees a di-
ftin&t Bow.
one
Ufeful Reflexions on the Whole.
343
one univerfal Concuffion or Diflocation of its Parts, it will
neceffarily follow, that we muft find in Nature evident
Signs of a twofold Conftitution in our Globe, or in other
Words, dictinctly perceive what the Structure of it was ac-
cording to its firft Creation, as different Strata of black
Earth, Sand, Clay, and other Matters lying one upon an-
other, in fuch exact Order and Regularity, as plainly denot-
ed the Hand that made them to be divine; but at prefent
disjointed, broken, and uneven, yet fo as to preſerve, un-
der this general Diſorder, convincing Marks of that great
Change which the divine Juſtice wrought in the Conftitu-
tion of the Earth.
I. The Surface of the Globe being compofed of friable
Earths, and long Strata of Stones, the Earths must have
given way in this univerfal Diſorder, and have fallen into
pyramidal Figures in feveral Places, as is natural to all
Earths which we caft from us; whereas the Maffes of
Stones, being more difficultly fituated, most have broken
and fallen into irregular Heaps in many Places, in fome
inclining to the Plane of the Horizon, in others parallel
to it, according to the Nature and Difpofition of the
Earths which fupported them. And this Effect is con-
firmed by Experience, we finding in all Countries long
Ridges of Mountains, the higheft of which are nothing
but large Maffes of broken Rocks, whofe Sides are laid
bare by the falling away of the Earth; we likewife find
almoſt in every Part of the Earth long Strata of Stone on
the Declivities of Mountains, which have the fame Slope
and Inclination to the Horizon with the Mountains them-
felves, and which were formed there before the Deluge
by horizontal Currents of Water running through Beds
of Sand having the fame Situation. Now what other
Reaſon can be given for their prefent inclined Pofture,
but that the Earth, which was their Bafis, fubfided une-
qually, and confequently deftroyed their former Paral-
lelism? We always find, that thofe Beds of Stone, which
are under Ground, lie more parallel to the Surface of the
Earth; the Reafon of which is, either that they were
petrified fince the Deluge, or that they are fituated on an
horizontal Baſis; though, generally ſpeaking, the Super-
ficies of the Plains of the Earth does run gradually
floping down to the Bottom of the Sea, as is found by Ex-
Q4.
perience
344
Useful Reflexions on the Whole.
perience upon founding. It is alfo obferved in all Islands,
that their Middle Parts are more elevated than the reft,
from which there lies a Defcent down to the Sea, and
which is continued under it. This is an evident Sign of
the Subfidence of the Earth. Thus the Apennine Moun-
tains are continued quite through the Middle of Italy, from
the Bottom of which there lies a Declivity on each Side to
the two neighbouring Seas. Such is the Situation of the
Cordliers along the Country of Peru, of the Apaches in
Mexico, of another long Ridge of Mountains on the Coafts
of Brazil, and of feveral others along the Continents of
Africa and Afia.
:
II. By a neceffary Confequence of the fame Cataftrophe,
it will follow, that as the feveral Parts of the Earth conti-.
nue to defcend in a Slope to that Point of Contact where
any two large Maffes of the Cruft, by its fubfiding, formed
an Angle at their Bafes, and refted upon each other, the
Waters that remained upon the Earth after the Deluge,
muft inevitably have repaired to thofe Places which were
moft depreffed and confequently we ought to find larger,
and more Iſlands near thofe vaft Tracts of Land which
we call Continents, than in the Middle of the Ocean,
where the Subfidence of the Earth is greateft. And that
this is fo, will appear upon taking a flight Survey of the
terreftrial Globe. Thus the Iflands of the Archipelago are
vifibly the Remains of that Land which formed the Com-
munication between Europe and Africa; as the Antego and
Caribee Inlands are, of that which joined North and South-
America.
III. Another neceffary Confequence of the Subfidence
of the Earth's Surface is, that the ancient Strata of Stones
and Metals muft have been broken in ſeveral Places, and
in fome pierced through and through, by the falling in of
the upper Cruſt; which exactly agrees with the Accounts
of all thoſe who have made Obfervations on Quarries and
Mines *.
IV. The Waters of the Sea, by running down into thoſe
Places which are moft depreffed, muft have changed their
Abode, and have left in their former Quarters, which we
* See the Abridgment of the Philofophical Tranfactions, Vol. II.
and more particularly the Nature of Mines, by Georgius Agricola, de
Re metallica,
now
Uſeful Reflexions on the Whole.
345
r
1
now inhabit, Sea-Plants, Fiſhes and Shells; all which we
find therein to our great Surprize.
V. Several Parts of the primitive Earth muſt have
been undermined by the Waters of the Flood, and the
Mountains in many Places have tumbled down on to the
Plains, burying under their Ruins thofe marine Bodies
which were intercepted by their Fall. Hence proceeds.
that furprizing Confufion and Mixture of Subftances which
we fometimes find fixty or eighty Feet under Ground, as
Ruſhes or Meadow Herbs, lying promifcuoufly with
Maffes of petrified Wood; fometimes Bricks, Coals, and
wrought Metals, all in one undiftinguifhed Heap, under
which fhall be a large Bed of Shells, fometimes of different
Kinds, fometimes all of the fame Sort: nor is it uncommon
to find theſe large Collections of Shells, which were thus
promifcuouſly thrown together at the time of the Deluge,
petrified by the fubterraneous Waters and the Infinuation
of a loamy Earth and Sand into their Pores. We find a
Proof of this in ſeveral Quarries in the Neighbourhood of
Paris.
VI. There has been found on the Top of one of the
higheſt and moſt barren Mountains of all the Alps, a very
large Tree over-turned, but preferved entire, and in it's
perfect Form †. There have been alfo found under
Ground, in fome of the Northern Iflands, which now pro-
duce nothing but a little Mofs, huge Trees of different
Kinds. Thefe two Particulars, feemingly fo furprizing,
are cafily and naturally accounted for from our Hypothefis:
for thefe Places which are barren now, were not fo before
the Deluge, there being then a perpetual Spring, and an
univerfal Fecundity over the whole Earth. If then the
Sun formerly extended it's genial Influence all the Year,
as far as the Neighbourhood of the North-Pole, the In-
clination of the Earth's Axis muft of Neceffity have pro-
duced that Change in the Situation of the Globe, by which
it is not fo well accommodated to the Purpotes of Fertility
and Vegetation as it was formerly: and if the Tops of
the Alps did in ancient Times produce great Trees, the
Sterility of thefe Rocks at prefent must have been oc
*See the Treatife, intitled, De Corpi Marini, &c.
Ibid. as alfo the Memoires de P Academie des Sciences, and Wood-
ward's Natural Hiftory of the Earth.
25.
cafiozed
}
{
,!
346
Ufeful Reflexions on the Whole.
cafioned by fome general Revolution in Nature, which
ftript them of their nutritive Earth.
VII. I fhall only add to the Proofs already brought in
order to fupport my Hypothefis, one very obvious and
common Remark. We often obferve, in thoſe Dales or
Hollows that lie betwixt two Hills. the fame Number of
Strata on both the oppofite Sides; the fame Sorts of Earths,
of the fame Thickness, and generally anfwering one
another the fame Order is likewife found in the Strata
underneath in the Earth. From whence it almoft de-
monftrably follows, that this Valley or Dale was occa
fioned by the fubfiding of the intermediate Earth, which
caufed a Divifion in the Strata that were continuous be-
fore.
•
I might my dear Chevalier, obferve to you, from the
Emblems of the Egyptians, the Tradition of the Indians.
and the Fables of the Grecians, eſpecially that of Eri-
chthonius, how careful the Ancients were to preſerve the
Memory of fome general Diſorder caufed in the Earth by
the violent Concuffion of Winds, and the Difruption of
the Surface of it: but fuch Inquiries would lead us be-
yond the Compafs of our Defign, which was only to
take a View of Nature; nor is there any Occafion for
them at prefent, feeing whatever we can difcover either
upon or within the Earth, does fufficiently prove to you
the Truth of thofe Facts which are related by Mofes. I
proceed next to diſcharge the other Part of my Promife,
which was to give you a Notion of that Provifion which
is made in Nature for that univerfal Conflagration which
ſhall one Day confume the Earth, and caufe the Elements to
melt with fervent Heat *.
God, has ever fince the Creation of the World, made
ufe of natural Caufes and Means to execute his Defigns.
He has already employed the Agency of the Winds and
Waters to deffroy the Earth, for the Punishment of that
wicked Race of Men that were it's firſt Inhabitants; and
will in like manner depute the Fire to be the Minifter
of this Vengeance on the fecond Barth, and to conſume
thofe wicked Perfons who fhall difgrace it by their un-
godly Lives. It is therefore very probable to fuppofe, that
* 2 Pet. iii, 10.
inſtead
?
Useful Reflexions on the Whole.
347
inftead of creating new Fire for this Purpofe, he will:
employ that which is already laid up in Nature's Store-.
houfe; the Fire is in Readineſs under our Feet, and over ·
qur Heads, and only waits the Word of Command to
obey the Orders of the Almighty. But as, in the ante-
diluvian World, Men did not. confider what vaft Refer-
voirs of Water were kept in Store above in the Heavens,
and alfo in the great Deep underneath in the Earth, and
therefore looked upon thofe Warnings and Premonitions.
that were given them of the approaching Deluge, as
Fables and idle Dreams; fo the Men of this Generation,
not feeing the Fire that does actually furround them
on every fide, give no Heed nor Credit to what is
told them of the univerfal Conflagration of the laſt
Day.
All Nature is replete with that active Principle or
Element, which we call Fire, and which nothing but the
Hand of God reftrains from breaking loofe, till that ap-
pointed Time when he fhall commiffion it to act with full:
Power. That the Fire is diffuſed all round us, and is,
extended from the fixed Stars and the Sun to our Globe,,
appears from hence; that the Light, as was fhewn be-
fore, fills all that Space, which is plainly nothing elſe
but the Fire itſelf, which produces different Senfations and
Effects, as it is differently modified and impreffed upon us,
When it ftrikes our Bodies in an irregular and confuſed,
Motion, or after the Manner of a Vortex, it produces.
Heat; when it comes to our Eyes in ftrait Lines, it cauſes.
Light; when weakly, though directly, reflected to us,
from the Diſk of the Moon, it produces Light without
Heat; when collected in the Focus.* of a concave Burn-.
ing Glafs, or of a tranfparent convex Body, it gives a
ftrong Light, and burns whatever it touches; it's Power
is always in Proportion to it's Quantity; and the different
Senfations it excites in us arife from the different Motionss
and Modifications impreffed upon it,
This fubtle and active Element is diftributed in great:
Abundance all round the Earth; nay, it penetrates into the
*The Focus of a Burning-Glafs, or of a Lens, is that Point in the
Air, where the Rays unite at a certain Difiance from the concave
Mirror which reflects them, or from the convex Glafs or Lens which
refracts them.
moft
348
Useful Reflexions on the Whole.
moſt ſecret Receffs of it; it is difperfed in all the Woods
that cover it; it lurks in the Greafe of Animals whoſe
Bodies cannot fubfift without it; but it abounds ftill in
greater Plenty in the Bitumens, Oils,, Sulphurs, Sea Coal,
and in thoſe vaft Beds of Turf which lie hid under the
Surface of the Earth. It is continually at Work in the
hot Springs and Volcanos under Ground, whofe Number,
and Force, is found rather to increafe than to diminiſh.
It fometimes difplays it's dreadful Power in the upper
Regions of the Air; and in loud Vollies of Thunder, and
all the flaming Artillery of the Sky, beats a difmal Pre-
lude to the univerfal Conflagration. How amazing the
Voice of that Thunder! How tremendous the Flashes of
that Lightning. which make the wild Beafts of the Foreſt
afraid, and to hide their Heads! nay, which dart Terror
and Diſmay into the ftouteft Hearts, and make even
Kings acknowledge their Weak nefs and Dependence!
The fecret Horror, which every Man feels in his own
Breaft at fuch a time, is a tacit Confeffion of the irreſiſtible
Force of that all-devouring Fire, and does, even maugre
all his Endeavours to the contrary, as it were, force upon
his Mind the Belief of that final Conflagration, which,
when in a State of Tranquillity, or the Height of Jollity,
he fo much looks upon as a Fable.
·
Fire holds fuch an univerfal Sway in Nature, that
even Water itſelf is not without an Admixture of this
Element; for it grows hard and congeals when the Fire
leaves it, and is only restored to a State of Fluidity by it's
entering into it again, and by that Separation which it
caufes in it's Paris by Rarefaction. So far is Water from
being an Enemy to Fire, as is generally imagined, that
it, no otherwife prevents it's acting upon Wood, or any
other combustible Matter, than by laying hold of the
Particles of it, and flying away with them on the Wings of
the rarefied Air; nor does it extinguish, but only abforb
the Fire, it being with regard to Fire, the fame as a
Sponge is to Water. The Sponge has no natural Aver-
fion or Antipathy to the Water, and the only Reafon
why the latter difappears, upon the former's being steeped
in it, is becauſe the one infinuates itſelf into the Pores of
the other; fo in like manner, the Fire does not fhew it-
felf by any vifible Effects in the Water, becauſe iti, as
4
it
"
- 349
Ufeful Reflexions on the Whole.
+
it were, fheathed and enveloped in it; infomuch that we
may with fome Degree of Truth affirm, that the whole
Maſs of Waters in the Sea is an Ocean of Fire, feeing
there are not two diftinct Drops of this Element, which
do not owe their Fluidity to fome Particles of Fire inclo-
fed within them; for as the Sponge, or any other porous
Body which imbibes the Water, does refrain it from Mo-
tion, fo the Water does abforb and confine the Fire.
The Fire then is diſperſed all over the Face of Nature;
it makes it's utmoft Efforts every where to overcome all Op-
pofition, and to break loofe from it's Confinement; but it
does not every where prevail, for want of auxiliary Forces.
What the united Strength of thirty Children would eaſily
overthrow, that of a fingle one would not be able to
move; fo likewife the Particles of Fire in any Body muft
remain dormant and inactive, till they concur with united
Strength; to force their way through all Obftacles that op-
poſe their Fury. Thus we fee that all thofe innumerable
fiery Corpufcles, which furround us on every Side, are ſo
many Enemies, which are confpiring and plotting the De-
ftruction of our Habitation, and which only wait till God
ſhall give the Word of Command, for them to collect their
ſcattered Forces in order to accompliſh it. A very learned
and ingenious Heathen took occafion, from reflecting on the
Danger we are continually in of fuch a Cataftrophe, to re-
mark, that it was the greateft Miracle of the World, that
every thing in Nature was not confumed by Fire every
Day fince the World began *.
You are by this time, my dear Chevalier, I doubt not,
thoroughly apprized of the Ufefulnefs and Tendency of
Nature, to promote the Caufe of Piety and Religion, and
of thofe publick Atteflations with which it fupports the
Truth of Revelation; and confequently understand alfo
wherein the true Excellence and Ufe of the Study of Na-
ture does confift. If Man is the only Creature upon
Earth that is capable of knowing, loving, praifing, and
enjoying his Creator; and if every thing which he has
placed round about us was with a Defign to conduct us to
himſelf, all Knowledge, which is not directed to this End,
* Excedit profectò omnia Miracula ullum fuiffe Diem, in quo non
cuncta conflagrarent, Plin. Hiß, Nat, 1, ii.
is
>>
Useful Reflexions on the Whole:
350
"
is not Wiſdom, but Folly; all Learning and Study, which
fets God, on one hand, and Nature on the other, is an
idle and unprofitable Amuſement, and nothing better than
loft Labour, ending in Pride and Ignorance, Error and
Uncertainty. To fill our Heads with feveral Particulars of
Nature, without directing our Thoughts and Inquiries to
the Author of it; to be fenfible of all his Favours and;
Bleffings, without being a whit more religious or more
grateful; is to imitate thofe fenfelefs rich Mifers, who,.
without knowing the Ufe of Silver or Furniture, are con-
tinually heaping up Plate upon Plate, and Tapeſtry upon,
Tapeſtry, and convert their Houfes into mere Ware-
houfes of Houfhold-Goods, without having them fur-.
niſhed in any decent or tolerable manner. Several Per-.
fons regard Natural Hiftory merely as a genteel Accom-
plishment; others apply themſelves to it, in order to bear
a Share in the Difputes of the Learned; fome to form a
Collection of Curiofities; and the greateſt Part by way of
Amuſement or Relaxation from their more fevere Studies,.
or the Buſineſs of their reſpective Callings. But how do
Men difgrace this excellent Study, by fuch mean and nar-
row Views! The Profpect of Nature was laid open to us.
for more noble Purpoſes; to make us better Men, and to
inſpire us with the most exalted Sentiments of Love and
Gratitude towards Him, who is the Author and Giver of
all good things. It was doubtlefs the Defign of God in that
Beauty and Order, which He has difplayed in every Pårt.
of the Creation, to attract our Eyes, and invite our At-
tention; but at the fame Time that He has given us Abi-
lities and Powers to difcern clearly the Ufe and Fitneſs
of things, He has a caft a Veil over their Effences, and
fhut us out from the Knowledge of that Particular Structure
and Mechanifm, from which their feveral Properties.
and Qualities refult. The Defign of God herein is very..
manifeft. It was not His Intention to fatisfy our Curiofity,
and to give us a full and comprehenfive Knowledge of His
Works, but to affect our Minds with the Senfe of His.
Benefits. Natural Hiftory, therefore, is the Hiftory of His.
Prefents, and the greater Progrefs we make in the Study
of it, the deeper Senfe fhall we have of the Obligations
we lie under to Him; but to know how much we ſtand in-
debted to Divine Favour, and to be unmindful of our
1
1
great
Useful Reflexions on the Whole.
35L
{
great Benefactor, is to join Ingratitude to Knowledge,
and confequently to aggravate our Crime; all our Learning
being of no farther Ufe or Value, than as it tends to in-
fluence our Conduct, and to give us right and worthy.
Conceptions of the Deity. The Heart is with regard to
Man, what Man is to the natural Syſtem; for as there
would neither be Beauty, Order, nor Fitnefs in the World,
were it not for Man, for whofe Ufe and Benefit they
were defigned; fo neither are Study, Learning, or any o-
ther Endowments in Man, available to any good Purpofe,
if the Heart be not bettered by them. Every thing refers
itſelf to the Heart of Man, and the grateful Heart refers all
to God,
F
am,
SIR, &c.
The End of the THIRD VOLUM E.
}
-
[352 ]
;
INDE
A
CID, what, p. 216.
Acids, their Ufes, ibid.
Ether, the Caufe of the Air's Fluidity, p. 165.
Agate, p. 237.
1
X.
Air, invifible by us, p. 162. a completely organized Body, ibid. it's
three chief Properties, Fluidity, Gravity, Elafticity, 163, 164, it's
Fluidity proved, ibid. Gravity proved by an Experiment, 163.
Elafticity proved by two Experiments, 65 the probable Caufe of it's
Fluidity, ibid. of its Gravity, 166. of it's Elafticity, 167. it's Ef-
fects, 168, how rarefied, 169. Recapitulation of it's Effects, 180.
it's prodigious Force when rarefied, 181. it's Elafticity in Plants and
Animals, the Caufe of their Vegetation and Growth, ibid. how con-
veyed into the Subftance of Plants, ibid, it's Elafticity neceffary to
Refpiration, 182. how reftored, 183. the Elafticity of a fmall Quan-
tity of it, equal to the Proffure of the whole, proved by an Inftance,
ibid. it's Preffure on our Bodies, equal to the Weight of twenty one
thoufand Pounds, proved, 184, 185. why it does not prefs us to
Death, 185, 313. the Ufe that is made of the Preffure and Elafti-
city of it, 186. the Vehicle of Smells and Sounds, 186, 187. the
Vehicle of Light, 189. it's Invifibility, a fpecial A&t of Providence:
ibid. the Inconveniencies that would arife from it's being vifible, 190,
the Caufe of the Refraction of Light, 190, 191. not formed. accord-
ing to the Notion of Des Cartes, 195.
Alabaster, p. 238.
Albert Duke of Saxony, a memorable Saying of his, on what Occafion,
p. 287.
Alkaly, what, p. 216. Ules of, 216, 217.
Allowance, on the Standard and Weight of Metals. See Metals.
Alluvians, what, p. 48. the Poffeffion of them how fecured; ibid.
Allum, Nature, Properties, and Ufes of, p. 213.
feathered, ibid.
Roman, ibid.
Amber, yellow, where found, p. 204. one great Part of the King of
Prufia's Revenues, ibid. Infects in it accounted for, 205.
Ambergreefe, p. 205.
Amethyst, p. 236.
Amianthus, p. 238, 241.
Ammonis Cornu, p. 250.
Amfterdam, Port of, the grand Emporium of all Nations, p. 135.
Anemone, Sea. Vid. Muſhroom.
Animals, their Stomachs wonderfully contrived to convert the coarfeſt
Aliment into whole fom Food and Juices for the Ufe of Man, p. 5..
viviparous, and oviparous, what, 307. are produced by the concurrent
A&t
1
$
ง
353
INDE
X.
ז'
Act of a Male and Female, 308. Some Exceptions to this Rule, and
the Reaſon of them, ibid. their great Variety and Gradations, 317.
Neceffity of killing them, 320. Lawfulness of, 322, the Ufe of Man,
the End of their Creation, 321, 322, 323. carnivorous, appointed by
Providence for the Ufe of Man, 321. the Bounds of their Inftinct,
322. the Miſchiefs that would follow from their having Reaſon, 324,
Antelope, p. 205.
Antimony, what, p. 273. ufed in refining Gold, ibid.
Aqua fortis, of what compofed, p. 274. uſed in refining Gold, ibid.
how it performs this Office, ibid. diffolves Silver and Copper, 275. a
very uſeful Invention, ibid. the Author of it unknown, ibid. about
what time lived, 276.
Aqua regia, the cnly Menftruum that has the Property of diffolving
Gold, p. 274. why it cannot diffolve Silver and other Metals, ibid.
Argilla, a fort of hard Clay, generally ferving as a Bafis to Wells and
Fountains, p. 103, 106, 108. See Clay.
Arfenick, p. 215.
Afbestos, p. 238.
Affay, or Proof of Metals. See Metals.
Aftroites, or Star-Stones, p. 251.
Atmoſphere. See Air.
B Alance-Fish, p. 138.
B.
Bees, fubject to the Difcipline and Government of Man, p. 23,
24. Method of managing them, ibid.
Belemnites, p. 251.
Beryl, p. 236.
Bitumen, p. 203.
Bleak, the Scales of, to what ufe applied, p. 56.
Borax, Nature and Uſe of, 215, 275.
Boyle, "Honourable Mr. his Remark on the Nature of Diamonds,
243.
Brafs, a factitious Metal, p. 289, 291. how made, ibid, the Ufes
to which it is applied, 291, 292.
Bronze, what, p. 292, it's great Uſefulneſs, ibid.
•
Bubble, Water a curious Phænomenon, explained, p. 168.
Buffler, or Buffalo, what Ufe made of this Animal, p. 113.
Bugles, how made, p. 220.
Button-Fibes. See Urchins.
C Almary. See Cuttle-Fifb.
Camphire, p. 204.
C.
Canals, of Languedoc. See Languedoc.
of France, p. 37, 38.
Cannon, Reaſon of it's recoiling, p. 212.
Carat, in Jewels, what, p. 235, in Gold, what, ibid. 277.
Carbuncle, p. 236. does not fhine in the Dark, as commonly believed, ib.
Carnelion, or Sardine Stone, p. 236.
#
i
F
Carp,
ļ 354
X.
INDE
}
}
Carp, Directions how to feed and rear them, p. 62, 63. come of their
own Accord to be fed, at a Signal given, ibid.
Chalcography, The great Uſefulneſs of this Art, p. 290.
Chamois, or wild Goat, living in the Mountains, p. 113. the Skin of,
very uſeful, ibid.
Cheefe, what Country is moft famous for, p. 14. how made, ibid.
Clay, the particular Texture and Configuration of it's Parts, p. 224.
admits no Water into it's Pores, ibid. feveral Kinds of, 229. their
feveral Ufes, ibid. 230, 231. of more real Ufe to us than Silver or
Gold, 232. the great Inconv. n'ences that would ariſe from our being
deprived of this kind of Earth, 305.
Clouds, what, p. 170. their Courfe by what determined, ibid. 305.
Coal, Sea, why beft for making Iron malleable, p. 229. abounds with
Sulphur, ibid.
Coin, Laws relating to, p. 278, 279. counterfeit what, 279. See
Metals.
Colours, how many fimple, p. 194. Senfations of, how excited in us,
195.
Conflagration, final, of the World, the phyfical Poffibility of it, p.
347, 348. the Belief of, forces itſelf on the Mind of Man, 348.
Copper, contains fome Silver mixt with it's Ore, p. 289. how purified,
ibid. whence the beft comes, ibid. it's great Uſefulneſs, 290. why
Veffels made of this Metal fhould be tinn'd within, ibid. yellow
Copper. See Brass. When mixed with Brafs, becomes uſeful on
feveral Accounts, 291, 292, when mixt with Tin and Antimony,
for what uſeful, 293.
Coral, Nature of, defcribed, p. 156. highly esteemed in Afia, 157.
Mahometans make Beads of it, and Necklaces for the Dead, ibid.
Coral Flowers, ibid. proved to be a real Plant, and not a petrified
Body, as fome contend, 157, 158. feveral other Particulars relating
to it, 159.
Cormorant, it's manner of Fiſhing, p. 120. made tame, and taught
to be uſeful, ibid.
Corv, the annual Profit of one, p, 14, 15.
Crab, furnamed the Soldier or Hermit, it's particular way of Life,
P. 147.
Crabs, Sce Shell Fish.
Cramp-Fish, cndued with a very remarkable Quality, p. 143.,.
Crepuscles, the greatest Benefit of, p. 191.
Crystal, p. 236. how formed in the Earth, 241.
Cuttle-Fish, Calamary, and Pourcontrel, or Polypus, a Defcription of
theſe three Fiſhes, p. 144. why provided with a Bag of Ink, ibid..
D Actyls, p. 250.
D.
Dairy, Cleanlinefs neceffary to one, p. 13. an Employment for a
Princefs, ibid. Profits arifing from it, 14, 15.
Danes, their manner of trading with the Greenlanders, p. 135.
Delft-Ware, brought to great Perfection in France, p. 230. it's Service-
ableneff, ibid. 231.
Deluge univerfal, the Hiftory of, related by Mofes, p. 333. the phyfical
Poffibility of it, ibid. confirmed by Difcoveries made in the Strata
and
+
M
}
355
IN 1
DE X.
4
and Conftitution of the prefent Earth, 334, 335, 343, 344, 345,
346, a Conjecture concerning the Change caufed in the Earth there-
by, 335, 336, &c. proved from the general Traditions of all Na-
tions, 336, 337, how effected, 340, 341. the neceffary Effects of
it, 341 to 346.
Des Cartes, his Philoſophy confuted, p. 195. the evil Tendency of it,
196.
Diamond, most valuable of all precious Stones, p. 234. wherein it's
Excellency confifts, ibid. whether Proof against the Strokes of a
Hammer, ibid. what meant by the Water of a Diamond, 235-
Diamonds, the heaviest we have Knowledge of, their particular Weights
and Owners, p. 235. how to diftinguish between real and counterfeit,
ibid. Flaws in, how occafioned, 243. Their different Waters and
Colours accounted for, ibid.
Dolphin, p. 138.
E.
E Agle-Stone, p. 245. Virtues falfely afcribed to it, ibid.
Earth, the Globe of, compofed of different Strata of Matter, p.
94, 95, fuppofed by the Ancients to have a flat Surface, 118. not
formed, according to the Philoſophy of fome, by the general Laws of
Matter and Motion, 328. 329. it's Form and Situation before the
Deluge, 337, 338. it's Axis then not inclined to the Plane of the
Ecliptic, ibid. the happy. Confequences of fuch a Situation, 338,
339, why changed, 340, 341. how, ibid. the furprizing Effects of
it's Change, 341 to 346.
Earth, three principal Kinds of, p. 224. the specifick Differences be-
tween them, 225. various fubordinate kinds of Earth, 228. their
different Ufes, 229. Models in burnt Earth, 230.
Earthquakes, how produced, p. 175, 176. the mifchievous Effects of,
176, 180. Their Fury how reftrained, ibid.
Echinites, what, p. 250.
Ecls, Sea, feveral Sorts of defcribed, p. 143.
Elafticity, of the Air, p. 164.
Electricity, what, p. 243, how performed, 244.
Emerald, p. 236.
Enamelling, Art of, p. 219.
Evaporation, how performed, p. 168. Effects of, 170.
F.
Able, of the Sun's fetting in the Ocean whence arofe, p. 118.
Fables of the Ancients too much introduced into Painting and Sta-
tuary, 261, 262. this Practice defended, 262, how far allowable, ibid.
Farina fæcundans. See Plants.
}
Fire, how rarefies the Air, p. 169. acts only by the Mediation of the
Air, 182. diffuſed through every Part of the Creation, 347, 348,
349, how excites in us the different Senfations of Light and Heat,
347. does exift in Water, 348, is not extinguiſhed, but only abforbed
by the Water, 349. why does not univerfally prevail, ibid. a Re-
flection of Pliny on the Danger we are in from it, ibid.
Fire, wild, firft invented by the Grecians, p. 203. Art of making, loft
fince the Invention of Gun-powder, `204.
Fires,
1
**
356
INDE X.
Fires, fubterraneous, how occafioned, p. 175, 176.
Fishes, their particular Genus's and Species not exactly known, p. 146.
of Rivers, have a great Share of Instinct, why, 54. feveral Sorts of
them defcribed, 55 to 61, why fwim against the Stream, 59. why
feveral leave the main River, and go into Creeks and Meers, ivid.
Of the Sea, ſeveral of them deſcribed, p. 158 to 145. fome People
build Houſes with their Bones, and make Bread of their Fleſh, 141.
-Flat-Fishes, how accommodated by Nature for their Prefervation,
p. 142.
Flying Fishes, p. 140.
Cray-Fish, Manner of catching them, p. 61.
Shell-Fish, p. 146 to 154. having but one Shell, 150, 151, 152.
with one twisted Shell, 151, 152. having two Shells, 152, 153.
Wonders difplay'd in, 154, 155. their Method of forming and ufing
their Shells, 154, 155, 314. every Sort has a different Kind of
Shell, 314. fome always ftick to one Place, ibid. the Ufe of their
Trunks, 315.
Fishing, with the Drag-Net, a Defcription of it, p. 54. with the
Cafting-Net, 56. with the Trammel-Net, 58. with the Bag-Net,
60, 61. a Defcription of thefe Nets, ibid, with Lines, 60. this laſt
kind of Fiſhing lawful only for fome Perfons, ibid.
Fish Ponds, how beft fituated, p. 62. fome Directions concerning them,
p. 63.
Fleece, golden, what probably gave Rife to the Fable of, p. 52.
Flies, Ephemeran, their Nature and Ufe, p. 63.
Flints, p. 237. how formed in the Earth, 244, 245, have no Electri-
city, 244. why fometimes hollow, and rattle, 245
+
Fluids, their lateral equal to their perpendicular Preffure, p. 184.
Flowers, double, not productive of Seed, p. 319. not monftrous Pro-
ductions, 320. the End of their Formation, ibid.
>
Flux-Stones, what, p. 266. it's Ufe in the Fufion of Metals, 267.
Want of, how fupplied, ibid.
Forges, Obfervations collected from feveral, p. 265, &c.
Foils, what, p. 198. their Situation beft fuited to the Service of Man,
200.
Fountains, their Origin concealed from us, p. 64, 65. an Emblem of
the divine Nature, 65. our Inquiries into the Origin of them not
unlawful, ibid. whence iffue, three Hypothefes concerning the Ori-
gin of them, 67. Father Rapin's Opinion on this Subject in Latin
Verfe, 68, 69. confuted, 69, 70, &c. Mr. Des Cartes, his Hypo-
thefis of Fountains proceeding from the Sea by means of fubterrane-
ous Communication, examined and confuted, 71, &c. do not pro-
ceed from the Water of the Sea filtrated through the Pores of the
Earth, 72, 73, 78. fome particular Fountains with their different
Circumstances defcribed, 100, 101.
Fullers-Earth, p. 230.
Furnace, Iron, Expence and Management of, p. 266. fining Furnace,
268, nealing, 269,
G
GAlley, a Defcription of p. 131. Management of it's Oars, 132.
Garner, p. 236.
Gilding,
f
INDE X.
357
Gilding, unnatural in a Garden, p. 50. Art of, how performed,
285, 286.
Gills, in Fifhes, not the Organ of Hearing, p. 64, 138.
Glafs, how made, and what, p. 217, 218, 220, 221. it's great Ufe-
fulness, more particularly for making Windows, painted and ftained,
219. how fpun, 220. very ductile, ibid.
Glafes, Art of making, brought to great Perfection, p. 221, the Fur-
nace, ibid. how made, ibid. great Care required in making them,
ibid. how nealed, 222.
Concave, p. 223•
Convex, ibid.
-Looking Glaffes how made, ibid. exhibit more juſt and lively Re-
prefentations than the best Paintings, ibid.
Glafs Drop, the Phænomenon of, explained; p. 222.
Gloffopetra, p. 249.
Goats, a profitable kind of Animals, p. 20. give Suck to Lambs, 21.
perform the Office of a Nurfe to Children in fome Places, ibid, the
Ufes made of their Hair and Skins, ibid.
GOD, his Goodneſs, p. 17, 22, 33, 41, 65, 191, 296, 300, diſplay-
ed in things feemingly hurtful, 318. in things feemingly ufelefs, 319.
in things feemingly unjust, 320. an Objection to, anſwered, 321, in
the inftinct of Animals, and the Bounds of that Inftinct, 322.
His Wifdom, p. 33, 159, 126, 313.
*
Power, p. 91. 126, 193, 200, 233, 296, 310.
Unity demonftrated, from the Union and Harmony that appear in
the Creation, 304. from the general End of the whole Syftem of Na-
ture, 306. the Abfurdity of fuppofing more Gods than one, ibid.
the Suppofition of a Plurality of Worlds, no Argument againſt it,
ibid. farther proved from the Generation of Plants and Animals,
307 to 312.
God's Independence proved, p. 314. &c. makes uſe of natural Cauſes
in the Execution of his Designs, 346, 347.
Gold, found in the Sands of many Rivers, p. 51, 271. how gathered
and feparated from the Sands, 25, 271, 272. Gold in the Sands of
Rivers accounted for, 51, 52. how found in the Mines, 272. how
ſeparated from other Bodies by Mercury, ibid. how from Mercury,
273. how refined by Antimony, ibid. by Sublimate, ibid. by Aqua
fortis, 274. Standard of, 277. Carat of, ibid. none without Allay,
ibid. when call'd Billon, 279. why preferred to all other Metals,
280, why fitteft to be the tandard of the Value of other Commo-
dities, ibid. different Ufes of, 281, to 286. it's great, Malleability
and Ductility, 283. Proportion of the Weight and Value of Gold
to that of Silver, 288.
Gold-beating, how performed, p. 283, 284. the furprizing Effects of
this Art, ibid.
Geld-Mines, in France, p. 51.
Gold-Wire-drawing, the Manner and furprizing Effects of this Art,
p. 184. &c.
Greenlanders, their frange Method of trading with the Danes, p. 135.
Gunpowder, p. 181. the Principal Ingredients of, 211. it's Effects and
Manner of acting, ibid. See Nitre.
HAIL,
}
J
1
1
358
"
INDE X.
HAIL, how formed, p. 172.
H.
Hay, the manner of making it, p. 10.
Heaths, barren, have their Uſe, p. 114.
}
High-Ways, Roman, their vaft Extent and Magnificence, p. 255, 256.
why more durable than the modern, 256. ftill remain whole and en-
tire in many Countries, 257. their Structure particularly defcribed,
257, 258, 259, 260. great Uſefulneſs of them, 260.
Hogs, why naturally voracious, p. 21. kept at a ſmall Expence, ibid.
Holland, the States of, their Industry and Growth, p. 37, 136. great
Uſefulneſs of their Canals, 37.
Horace, his Reflexion on the first Inventor of Navigation cenfured, p.
136, 137. his Notion of Gold, and advice to the Romans, to be
rejected, 200.
Horfes, the different Kinds of, adapted to the different Occafions of
Man, p. 11. what Soils moft proper for the different kinds of Horfes,
ibid. what Countries most famous for producing them, ibid.
Husbandry, the Study of, not an Employment unbecoming a Gentle-
man, p. 13.
Hyacinth, p. 256, Confection of, ibid,
of Aſper, p. 237.
I.
Ichthyophagi, or Fiſh-Eaters, p. 141.
Fet, p. 204.
Ink, a happy Invention, 214. how made, ibid.
Infects, the chief Suftenance of many forts of Fiſh, p. 59. in Amber
accounted for, 204, 205. each Kind has it's peculiar Dwelling and
way of Living, 315. provided by proper Inftruments and Organs
fuitable thereto, ibid. fome inhabit Liquors, ibid. fome folid Bodies,
316. fome the Bodies of Animals, ibid. have all their Ufes, ibid.
thofe that live in the Heart of Fruit cannot breed and multiply in
the Stomachs of Children, 317. fome profitable to the Dutch, how,
318.
Iron; how purged from it's Ore, 265 to 271. Ore of what compofed,
265. how fufed, 266. caft, ibid. hammered and fined, 269. Prime
Coft of a thouſand Pounds Weight of unwrought Iron, ibid. of ditto,
wrought, ibid. how cafe-hardened, 271. the most useful of all
Metals, 295. therefore the most common, 296.
Ilands, a Proof of the Deluge, p. 344.
Juniper-Tree, it's Virtues, p. 114.
K.
KNowledge, human, the Imperfection of, p. 198. See Philofo-
phy.
L.
LAND, the pooreft Sort of, has it's Ufes, p. 17, 19, 23.
Languedoc, the Canal of, judged a thing impracticable, p. 38. pro-
pofed, begun, and finished, ibid. the manner of conducting the
Work, and by whom, 39, a Defcription of the Sluices, and the Man-
ner of the Veffels afcending and defcending in them, 40. the prodi-
gious Expence and Labour of the Work, 40, 41.
Laon,
1
Ry
INDE X.
359
Laon, Mountain of, particularly deſcribed, Infide and Outfide, p. 102,
103. fome Particulars relating thereto, prove the Origin of Springs
and Wells to be from the Rain, 104, 105.
Lapis Calaminaris, what, 289. it's Uſe, ibid. 291.
Lapis Lazuli, p. 237.
Lead, mixed with Tin, an ufeful compound Metal, p. 294.
Sheet-Lead, to what Ufes applied, ibid.
Light, how refracted by the Atmoſphere, p. 190, 191, 192. why
we fee it after Sun fet, ibid. the Benefits arifing to Man from the
Refraction of it, 192. the Nature of it affords a large Field for In-
quiry, 193. it's prodigious Velocity, ibid. many of it's Operations
unaccountable by us, 194. how excites in us the Senfations of Co-
lours, ibid. pre-exiftent to luminous Bodies, 330. prefent at all times
in every Part of the Creation, ibid. why not always vifible, ibid. it's
incredible Swiftnefs, ibid. abfurd to fuppofe it emitted from the lu-
minous Body as Part of it's Subftance, 331, 332.
• Lightning, how produced, p. 172. ftrikes a Terror in all Creatures,
348. a Monitor of the final Conflagration, ibid.
Lines, for Fishing. See Fishing.
Loam, or black Earth, of what Particles compofed, p. 225. the worſt
Kind of Earth for a Terras, why, ibid. it's Character in three
Words, `232.
Lucern, an excellent Herb to improve Meadows, and to feed Cattle,
p. 17, 18. Directions how to fow and cut it, ibid.
Lungs, wonderfully adapted to all the Purpoſes of Reſpiration, p
182, 183.
M.
M Adrepore, a Defcription of, p. 156.
Man, his Ingratitude to his Maker, p. 6. God fometimes pro-
voked to puniſh it here, ibid. always complaining and diffatisfied,
180, 322, his Benefit the End of the Creation, 306. his natural
Defire of Immortality, 325. a Proof of it, 326. his Sin the Caufe
of the Deluge, 339, 340. his Life contracted by the Change cauſed
in the Earth thereby, 341.
Marble, different Kinds of, p. 238. how formed, veined, and coloured
in the Earth, 246, 247.
Marcafites, what, p. 214, 288. how formed, ibid.
Mariners, Calamities incident to, p. 132.
Marles, different Kinds of, p. 229. for what uſeful, ibid.
Marſhes, the most ordinary Kind of Meadow-Land, p. 7. how im-
proveable, 8.
Meadorus, afford the moſt agreeable Walk, p. 2. why, ibid. neither
their Beauty nor Fecundity deftroyed by any Injuries of the Wea-
ther, 3.
the Benefit and Uſefulneſs of them, 6. how rendered moſt
beneficial, 6. how diftinguished from Paftures, ibid. preferable to
other Lands, ibid. the Management of, 8. artificial, 17. Methods
of improving them, 18, 19,
Medals, their Uſefulneſs, p. 261, 262,
1
Mercury, it's Quality of attracting Gold, p. 52. it's Uſe in the Separa-
tion of Gold from heterogeneous Bodies, 52, 271, 272. how ſuſtain -
ed
360
INDE X.
ed in a Tube, 'to the Height of twenty-eight Inches, 163. how found,
272. how feparated from Gold, itid.
Metals, Method of refining by the Cupel, p. 276. Affay or Proof of,
what, and how performed, ibid. Standard of, what and by whom
-appointed, 277. Laws relating thereto, 278. Hardships lying on
the Workers of Metals, occafioned by thefe Laws, ibid. Remedy or
Allowance on the S andard of, 279. on the Weight of, ibid. their
Nature and Effences not thoroughly understood by us, 285. See
Gold, Silver, and other particular Metals,
Meteors, in the Air, how produced, p. 172.
Microſcope, p. 223.
Milky Way, in the Heavens, what, p. 313.
Mills, Water, different Kinds of, p. 46. their great Uſefulneſs, 47.
Mines, Salt, of Williſca în Poland, a particular Deſcription of, p. 79,,
80. Salt-Mines rot produced by the Sea-Water, 81,
of Gold.
See Gold.
of Silver. See Silver.
Money, the Origin of, and meaning of the Word, 281.
Moon, it's Influence on the Tides, p. 121. various Opinions concerning
this Phænomenon, 122. the Manner how it caufes the Tides, uncer-
tain, ibid.
Mortar, the manner of making it, p. 227. different Sorts of, ibid.
hardens by Length of Time, and how, 228, the Ancients had no
particular Secret how to make it, ibid.
Mofes, his Hiftory of the Creation not founded on Fiction to ferve any
particular End, p. 332. his Account of the Light agreeable to Truth,
331, 332. as alfo his Account of the Waters above and below the
Firmament, 332. his Hiftory of the Deluge confirmed by what we
diſcover in the Strata and Conftitution of the Earth, 333, 334.
Motion, impoffible for it to produce any regular, organized Body, p.
195, 196, 197, 328, 329. of the heavenly Bodies not determin-
ed by blind Chance or a fatal Neceffity, 317.
Mountains, their Uſefulneſs in facilitating the Courfe of Rivers, p. 92.
Structure, 94. wonderfully contrived for the Formation of Springs,
97, 98. other Benefits of them, 113, to 115. a Proof of the De-
luge, 343, 344
Mulberry Trees, white, preferable to black, why, p. 24. thrive in the
mon barren Soils, 25. first planted in France by Henry II, ibid.
Mullet, p. 145. the Spawn of this Fifh much fet by in fome Places, ib.
Mufcle, an Inflance of it's Hofpitality, p. 147, 148.
Mushroom, Sea, or Anemone, a Fifh of a very extraordinary Nature, p.
149. both Male and Female in itſelf, ibid. viviparous, ibid, it's Ani.
mality difputed, but proved, 149, 150.
Muſk, p. 205.
N.
Aker, or Mother of Pearl, how it produces Pearls, p. 153, after
what manner forms it's Shell, 154.
Naptha, it's Properties and Ules, p. 203.
Narval, or Sea Unicorn, defcribed, 139.
Nature, all the Parts of it, helping and affifting to each other, p. 44.
97, 112, 113, 127, 161, thofe things in Nature which feem
Blem fhes
INDE
361
X.-
Blemishes oftentimes moſt uſeful, 99. The Study of it the beſt Com-~
pany and Employment, 115 too much neglected by the Generality
of Men, ibid. the Syftem of it aptly compared to a Watch, 303..the
Uſe and Deſign of, 303, 304. proves the Unity of God. See God.
All its Parts neceffarily depend one upon another, 304, 305. its A-
greement with Revelation, 326. many apply themſelves to the Study
of it from wrong Motives, 351. the Ufe we ought to make of it,
350, 351.
Negroes, on the Coaſt of Africa, their flrange and unnatural Kind of
Traffick with the Europeans, p. 134.
Nets, for fishing with, feveral Sorts of.
Newfoundland, the Fishery of, brings in vaft Profit to the Proprietors,
p. 141.
See Fishing.
Nitre, what and where found, p. 210. how collected, 211. in what
differs from Salt-petre, ibid. its Properties and Uſes, ibid. its prodigi-
ous Force in the Compofition of Gunpowder, ibid. See Gunpowder.
Novelty, of any Enterprize, no reaſonable Objection to our undertaking
it, proved from two Inftances, p. 25.
0.
AR-Wood, Defcription and Ufe of, p. 155.
Oil, a Remedy for Poifon, p. 215.
Oils, in the Earth, their Ufes, p. 206.
Onyx-Stone, p. 237. Opal, p. 236.
Ore, Iron. See Iron.
Organ, of what made, p. 294. furpaffes every other mufical Inftrument.
Orpiment, p. 215.
Ofier-Plots, how made to turn to very goood Account, p. 49.
Ovid, his Cenfure of the Ufe of Riches condemned, p. 201.
Oxen, how to know their Age, p. 12. how to break young Oxen, ibid.
a profitable Animal, ibid.
P.
P Ainting on Glafs, Art of, not loft, p. 219. why difufed, ibid.
Paris, a Scheme for the better fupplying it with the Seine-Water,
p. 31, 32. The Wonder and Delight of Foreigners, ibid.
Paftures, how diftinguiſhed from Meadows, p. 7.
over Meadows, 8. See Meadorus.
Pearl, Mother of See Naker.
Pearl, where found, and how formed, p. 154.
their Advantage
Peter, Czar, his Scheme to engrofs the Trade of Afia, p. 36.
Petrification, performed three ways, p. 240, 242, 246.
Petrified Bodies accounted for, p. 248, 249. different Kinds, 250,
251. why fome of them feem to move in Vinegar, 251. a Proof
of a Univerſal Deluge, 334, 335.
Petroly, or Rock-Oil, p. 203.
Philofophers Stone, Stories related of its having been found out not lo
be credited, p. 287. Vanity of feeking after it, 297, 298. Impof-
bility of finding it, 299. providentially concealed from us, ibid. the
Evils that would be confequent to the Discovery of it, 300.
Philofophy, how mifapplied, p. 127, 195, 302, 303, 350. infufficient
to the Discovery of the Effence and firft Principle of Bodies, 319.
the Imperfection of it, 198, 199, 319. its Ule, 250, 302, 350,
VOL. III.
different
R
362
INDE X.`
;
different Motives lead Men to the Study of it, 350, 351. the pro-
per Ufe of it, ibid. Pipe-Worm. See Worm.
Plaiſter, of what made, p. 241. why hardens upon being mixed with
Water, 242.
I
Plants, imbibe Nouriſhment through their Leaves as well as Roots, p.
43, 89. the great Expence of Water required to their Support,
proved by an Experiment, 89. to what owe their Vegetation, 181.
their Trachian Arteries or Lung-Pipes, how uſeful, ibid. the Progreſs
of their Vegetation, 308, to 312, why generally grow in an erećt
Pofture, 309. how receive their Nouriſhment, 383, 384. Farina fæ-
cundans in Plants, how promotes Generation, not known, p. 309, 310.
Plants (Sea) divided into three Claffes, p. 155. why have no Roots,
159. not the Effect of Chance, but regular Productions, ibid.
half-ftony, Nature of, 156.- ftony, ibid.
Poets, deal much in the Figure Hyperbole, p. 50. are oftener led by
Fancy than Reaſon and Truth, 201.
Polypus. See Cuttle-Fib.
}
Porcelane Ware well imitated in Holland and France, p. 230. the Ufe
made of it in Siam, Japan, and China, 231.
Porphyry. See Marble.
Porto-Bello, the greatest Fair in the World for fix Weeks, p. 133.
Potters-Wore, its great Ufefulness on divers Accounts, p. 230, 231, 232.
Poultry, different Kinds of, and their different Ways of living, p. 22.
Powder (Gun). See Gunpowder.
Powder, fympathetick, p. 214.
Printing, Art of, highly beneficial to Mankind, p. 294. Types for,
of what made, ibid.
Pummice-Stone, p. 238.
Purple, of the Ancients, made of the Liquor of a Fiſh, p. 152. why
bore a high Price with them, ibid.
Purple-Fish. See Purple.
Uarries, p. 233. &c.
Q
*
Quaviver, or Sea Dragon, the Prick of it venomous, p. 144,
Quickfilver. See Mercury.
R.
RAins, under the Torrid-Zone. See Torrid-Zone. What Quantity
of Rain falls in feveral Parts of Europe in one Year, p. 87, 93,
penetrates into the Earth to feed the Refervoirs of Springs and Wells,
96, how this is effected, 96, 97. proved by fome Inftances, 104,.
105, 106. great and ſmall Rain accounted for, 170, 171.
Rain-boru, whether one before the Deluge, p. 342. how caufed, ibid.
Rain-deer, a very ferviceable Animal on many Accounts, p. 113.
Rarefaction. See Air and Light.
Realgar, p. 315. Reaſon. See Philoſophy.
Rennet, what, p. 14.
River, a great Advantage to a Profpect, p. 26.
Rivers, their Origin and Growth, p. 26. the Place of Rendezvous
for almost all Sorts of Animals, 27. their Progrefs, Beauty, and Uſe-..
fulneſs, 28, 29, 42, their amazing Increafe and Length in fome
Parts
INDE X.
363
Parts of the World, 28. an Objection to their Uſefulneſs anſwered,
32.
The Means of Communication between one Country and another,
ibid. other Benefits of Rivers, 42, 43, 44, the mischievous Effects
of, 47, 48, how prevented, ibid. feveral have golden Sands, 51,
52. Rivers under the Torrid- Zone, why overflow at certain Seafons
of the Year, 92, 93. fubterraneous, proved and accounted for, 109,
110. Roads. See Highways.
Rockets, the Reaſon of their mounting perpendicularly in the Air, p. 212.
Rubies, different Sorts of, p. 235.
S.
SAilor, or Nautilus, a Fifh fo called, p. 150. its manner of manag
ing its Boat very curious, ibid. 151.
Saintfoin, an Herb of great Ufe in fertilizing barren Lands, p. 18.
thrives in the pooreft Soil, ibid. Directions how to fow it, 19.
Sal-Ammoniac, p. 215.
Salmon, feveral Ways of catching it, p. 51.
Salts, their Figures, Ufes, and Offices, p. 206, 207. 208. different
Sorts of, how produced in the Earth, 209. confift of Acid and Alka-
li, 216.
Salt, common, Manner of making it, p. 73. how whitened, 210,
lofes Part of its Strength in this Operation, ibid, Vid. Sea.
Salt-Mines. See Mines. Salt-petre. See Nitre.
Salt-Wells, whence they derive their Saltnefs, p. 82, 209.
Sand, how appears when viewed with a Microſcope, p. 52, 241, 243,
its Uſefulneſs in filtrating the Water of Springs and Wells, 98, 226.
particular Configuration of its Parts, 224. impenetrable by Water,
ibid. its Serviceablenefs in Agriculture, 226. in Mafonry, 227, in
Potters Ware, 228. in making Canals and other Works, ibid. other
Ufes of it, 229.
Sapphire, p. 236. Saw-Fish, p. 140.
Scare, a Fifh of a very particular Nature, p. 145.
Scollops, p. 153. worn by way of Decoration in the Cellars of certain
Pilgrims, ibid.
Sculpture, the Ufe and Defiga of, p. 261. Abufe of, ibid. made fub-·
fervient to uſeful Purpofes by the Grecians, 263. how improvable
to our Advantage, 263, 264.
Sea, its Annual Expence of Waters to fupply the Occafions of the
Earth, p. 91. how repaid, 92, 93. a Profpect of it at Sun-fet, 117.
in a Storm, 119, in a Calm, ibid. wonderfully kept within its Bounds,
ibid. Flux and Reflux of. See Tides. Its Saltnefs, wherein ufeful, 124,
126, 127, fome Attempts to account for this Quality in it expofed, 124,
125.
does not proceed from Strata or Mines of Salt at the Bottom of
the Sea, 125, 126. to be refolved into the ſpecial Will and Providence
of God, 127. the Sea defigned by God for the Benefit and Convenience
of all Nations, 136. has its Forefts and Meadows, 158.
Sca-Birds, p. 120. Sea-Calf, or Seal, p. 139.
Sea-Cow, or Lamentine, ibid. Sea-Dogs, p. 138.
Sea-Hog, or Porpoife, ibid. Sea-Salt, its great Ufefulneſs. Vid. Sea,
Sea-Urchins, or Button-Fishes, p. 148.
Sea-Water, more heavy than River-Water, why, p. 45. its exact
Weight, ibid. what Proportion of Salt it contains, 74. not to be cur'd
R 2
of
↓
A
364
INDE X.
,
of its Brackifhnefs by Art, 76. cannot percolate through the Earth,
why, 77, 78.
.Seals, an ufeful Invention, p. 254,
Seine, what Quantity of its Water runs every Day under the Pont
Royal at Paris calculated by Mr. Marriote, 74, 85. this Calculation
how made, 86, 17.
Shark, the most terrible of all the Sea-Dogs, p. 140. the Ufe made of
the Skin of this Fish, ibid. the Teeth of it called Gloffopetra, 249,
its enormous Weight, 250.
Sheep, in what Soils thrive beft, p. 19. the annual Profit of a fingle one, ib.
Sheep-Shearing, the manner of, ibid.
Shells, Sea, found in the middle of hard folid Bodies accounted for, p. 249.
thoſe that are found under the Earth, in the Middle of Continents and
Iflands, a Proof of the Deluge, 334, 345, how petrified, ibid.
Shell-Fish. See Fish.
Ships, the Structure of, p. 128, 129, 131. Launching of, 128. careen-
ing and calking of, 129. Method used to prevent the Water from
foaking into them, 129, 130. and the Worms from eating into them,
130. Ships of different Sizes and Burdens, 131.
Silk-Manufacture, is firſt Eſtabliſhment in France, p. 15. its Progreſs, ib.
Silk-Worms, a profitable Species of Animals, p. 14. whence and when
imported into Europe, 15.
Silver, not diffolved by Aqua regia, why, p. 174. diffolved by Aqua
fortis, 175. how feparated from it, ibid. Standard of, 177. how found
in the Mines, 186, 187. a prodigious Mafs of it found in the Mine of
Schneebergh in Saxony, 187. most commonly found in Marcafites, ibid.
how extracted from its Marcafite and common Ore, 188. the Propor-
tion betwixt the Weight and Value of Silver and Gold, ibid.
Simples, their Variety and Uſefulneſs, p. 4. thoſe that grow. on the
Mountains beft, 114.
Slates, how formed in the Earth, p. 141.
Snow, Phænomenon of, explained, p. 171. enriches Land, ibid. feveral
Springs fed by diffolved Snow, 96.
Sound, how propagated, p. 187. the Nature of not fully understood,
187, 188.
Springs, feveral fed by diffolved Snow, p. 96, periodical, 96, 107.
intermitting and perpetual, how occafioned, 98. how formed in the
Mountains, 07. why continue running gently and perpetually, 98. no
Springs on the Fops of Mountains, in what Senfe true, 100, why
not always found at the Feet of Mountains, 108. Springs of freſh
Water found at the Bottom of the Sea, 109, 110. See Fountains.
Sponge, a Sea-Plant, p. 156. Stalactites, p. 239. Standard of Metals.
See Metals.
Stars, why ſeen by us at fuch an immenſe Diſtance from us, p. 372.
do not derive their Light from any other Body, ibid.
Stars, falling. Meteors fo called, what, p. 172. Star-Fishes, their Struc-
ture and manner of fubfifing, p. 144. Steel, how made, p. 270.
Stock-Fife, why fo called, p. 141.
Stones, in general, of two Sorts, p. 234. Origin of, 239, formed
three feveral Ways, 239, 242, 246, whence the Miftake of their
growing by a Power of Vegetation, 242, fome are indued with Ela-
fticity,
1
INDE X.
·365
"
their
great
fticity, 243.-For building with, feveral Sorts of, 237.
Uſefulneſs, 254, 255.-For Carving. See Sculpture.
Stones, figured, p. 237, 251. of Florence, 252. how formed, 253.
Stones, precious, found in the Sands of certain Rivers, p. 52, 53. of two
Sorts, tranfparent and opake, 234. miraculous Qualities falfely af-
cribed to them, ibid. upon what Accounts valuable, ibid. a probable
Account of their Formation, 242. of their different Colours, 243.
their real Uſe, 234, 235. Storms, the Uſe of, p. 174, 75.
Streamers, in the North, accounted for, p. 19, looked upon as Prog-
nofticks by the Superftitious, ibid. no lefs frequent in the South,
though not ſeen by us, ibid.
Sublimate, what, p. 273. ufed in refining Gold, ibid.
Sulphur, where found, p. 202. its furprizing Effect on Water, ibid. its
Ufes, 203. Sun-Fish, p. 144. Surat, the Market of, p. 135. Swans,
for what uſeful, p. 22. Sword Fiſh, a Match for a Whale, p. 140.
TArtar, p. 215.
T.
Tafte, falfe, of the Moderns, in Painting and Statuary, 262, 263,
264.
Teleſcope, a curious Invention, p. 234.
Terras, of what Earth beft made, p. 225. why fometimes cauſes the
Parapet Wall to bulge out, ibid.
Thorn-Backs, p. 142. a viviparous Fiſh, 143.
Thunder, how caufed, p. 172. why appointed by God, 174, 175, 348.
ſtrikes a Terror on all living Creatures, ibid.--Bolt, what fo called,
p. 172.--Clap, the Length of, p. 173.--Shower, the Reafon of, ibid.
Tides, governed by the Moon, p. 121, 122. the Manner how, uncertain,
122. their Variations explained, ibid. the great Uſefulneſs of their
Flux and Reflux, 123.
Toad Stones, p. 251. Topaz, or Chryfolite, p. 236. Torrid Zone. See
Zone. Trefoil, a profitable Kind of Graſs, p. 18. Turbot, p. 142.
Turquoiſe, p. 237.
V.
Apours, how condenfed and formed into Springs by the Moun-
tains, p. 97, 98. how cauſed to afcend in the Atmoſphere, ex-
plained, 168, 169. Reafon of their Defcent, 170.
Venetians, first found out the Art of making Glass, p. 220. out done
by the French in this Art, 221. Venus-Shell, p. 152. Verdigreafe, p.
215. Vitriol, what, p. 224. why varies its Properties and Effects, ibid.
different, Sorts of, ibid. its Ufes, ibid. what Sort beft for Ink, ibid. red
Vitriol has the Property of ſtopping Blood, ibid.
Vulcano's, the Benefit of, p. 176. Urchins (Sea). Vide Șea-Urchins.
W.
W Alruis, a Fish defcribed, p. 139. its Teeth more valued than Ivory,
ibid.
Watch, an Emblem of the Creation, p. 302. Repeating-Watch a fur-
` prizing Machine, 292.
Water, a neceffary Element of Life, p. 29.
purges itself naturally, 30. Ways of purging
why more wholeſome than any other, ibid.
Of Rivers, how it
it artificially, ibid.
Of the Sea. Vide
}
Sea.
366
INDE X.
#
1.
L
Sea Of Springs, how it incruftrates the Pipes it paffes through,
31more hard and heavy than that of the Rivers, ibid. the Ufefulnefs
of Water for the Tranſportation of heavy Burdens, 32. the Propor-
tion betwixt the Weight of Water and that of Wood demonftrated by
an Experiment, 34. its Mobility, 35. the many uſeful Effects of this
Property, 49. Water-Carriage, more eafy and lefs expenfive than
Land-carriage, proved by a Calculation, 36. its Weight and Velocity
conſtitute its Force, 45. the uſeful Effects produced thereby, parti-
cularly with regard to the working of Mills, 46, 47. fometimes
produces mifchievous Effects, 47, 48. Water, and the natural Verdure
of the Earth, agree beft together in a Garden, 50. does not aſcend
up to the Tops of Mountains by the Attraction of the Strata, 96, 97.
why afcends in porous Bodies only to a certain Height, 77. what
Quantity of Water falls on the Earth in one Year, 85. more than
fufficient to feed the Rivers, proved by a Calculation, 86, 87, 88.
what becomes of the Overplus, 89. what Quantity afcends in Vapours
from the Sea in one Year, go. fubterraneous Waters proved and ac-
counted, 109, 110, run not from, but into the Sea, ibid. Circulation
of Waters, III. why remains fufpended in a Tube to the Height of
thirty Feet, 164. has no natural Antipathy to Fire, 148. does not
exftinguifh it, 349. how it acts upon it, ibid..
Weels, for Fishing with, defcribed, p. 85.
Wells, owe their Origin to the Rain, p. 104, 105, 106. why not to
be come at in all Places, 108.
Wells, of Modena and Stiria, fome Particulars relating to, p. 101, ac-
counted for, 102.
Well Water, in Towns, not fo wholeſome as other Water, why, p. 106.
Whale, a Deſcription of, 138. feveral Sorts of Whales, ibid. in what
differ from other Fishes, ibid.
Windows, of the Ancients, of what made, p. 218.
-Regular and irre-
Winds, the Cauſe of, explained, p. 173. Whirl-winds, the dreadful
Effects of, 174. not without their Ufe, ibid.
gular, 177. General, explained, ibid.. Trade-Winds, 178.
Local and irregular, 179. Benefits of Winds, ibid. Eaft,
Weft, North, and South, 179, 180. the Confequence that would
follow from a Suppofition that there were no Winds, 305.
Wool, English, Spanish, and French, their refpective Excellencies, p. 20.
Worm, called Pipe Worm, a great Enemy to Ships, p. 130. its Manner
of working and living, ibid. the Methods taken to guard against the
Injuries of it, ibid. an Inftrument in the Hand of God to correct the
Pride of Man, 131. how promotes the Trade of fome Northern
Nations, 318.
2
Z.
ONE, Torrid, why coldest in the Summer-time, p. 91. the.
continual Rains under it for feveral Months together accounted
for, 92, 93. the periodical Overflowing of the great Rivers there ac-
counted for, ibid.
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