Curious enquiries being six brief discourses.

CURIOUS ENQUIRIES .

CONCERNING THE LONGITUDE .

MAny Men have had many Whimseys about this Longitude , and such indeed they have only proved : I have read formerly in some Old ( I have forgot now what ) Book , That if you fill a Glass of Water full to the Brim , and watch the time of the New , or Full Moon , the Water of it self at that very instant of time , would run over . Well , thinks I , by this at least we can discover our Longitude at Sea twice a Month ; and very probably may give a good guess at it daily , by observing the Increase and Decrease of the Water , and allowing for the Condensation and Rarefaction of the Air , observed by a Thermometer ; but when I tried at several Full Moons , I never observed the Water to stir ; so then I concluded that to be false . Afterwards , I considered with my self , that the Moon , the swiftest of all the Planets , making Revolution round the Earth in Twenty nine Days , might discover to us by her daily departure from the Sun , or some fixed Star , by Observation , how much we had Increased , or Diminished , her true Departure , which difference would be our Longitude ; but this way is too Minute , unless we had Instruments that would observe an Altitude to a minute or less : But then I thought that the Moon very often Eclipses some Star or other , and if the true time of these Eclipses were exactly Calculated with the beginning and ending of them , by an able Astronomer for the Meridian of London , at Sea we might by the Stars find the time of Night nigh enough to discover our Longitude indifferently well thereby ; but here 's the Case , when the Moon is any thing nigh the Full either before or after , her Light obscures the light of the Star she approaches too , so that you cannot see it , unless it be a Star of the first or second Magnitude ; but whether this may be holpen with Glasses or not , I cannot tell , I leave it to be judged on by Wiser men .

Sir Kenelm Digby in his Discourse of the Sympathetick Powder , tells us how he made Mr. Howel start , upon his putting a Bloody Garter , with which Mr. Howel's wounded Hand had been bound up withal , into a Bason of Water mixed with that Powder : If such a starting could be made to any Inferiour Creature at a great distance , and by often doing it , it would not in two or three months lose its power , we might at Sea with great Ease and Pleasure know when the Sun was upon the Meridian at London , or any other appointed time ; and consequently by the difference of Time , the difference of Longitude . Fye ! says one , or other , you would not sure put a Dog to the misery of having always a Wound about him to serve you , would you ? Why not as well as to keep a Dog two or three days together starving , that he may give his Master an hour or two's Pleasure the better after it . Or for a Seaman to put out his right Eye to serve the Merchant : As before the Back-Quadrants were Invented , when the Fore-staffe was most in use , there was not one Old Master of a Ship amongst Twenty , but what was Blind in one Eye by daily staring in the Sun to find his Way .

A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE ENQUIRER AND AN ASTROLOGER .

I Hope no Learned Artist in the Noble Science of Astrology , will be offended if I tell an Innocent , Harmless Story ( not much varying from the Truth ) of an Impudent , Illiterate Intruder into it ; for it 's well known , the Nation swarms with this sort of Caterpillers . Not long since , walking out to take the Air , near the Fields , I saw a Paper hanging up at a Door , with this Superscription on it :

Here Liveth — Studient in Astrology and Physick , who by the Grace of God , Resol●eth all manner of Questions pertaining to that Noble and Sublime Art : He also Calculateth Nativities , and Cureth all manner of Diseases in the Bodies of Men , Women , and Children . Here is also Orum Potable , and Elixar Salutis to be Sold . —

I happened to know the Name , for which I have left a Blank here , and the false Spelling confirming me , that it was the same Person I formerly knew , I went in to see what Trade he drove , and found him in his Chamber reading a little Book : After the usual How-d'ye's were over , thus we began our Discourse .

Enquirer .

Pray Doctor , what Book is that you were Reading in when I came in ?

Doctor .

Why I 'll tell you , this Book is the best Book in Astrology , in my mind that ever was Wrote . I engage a Man need never have any other Book by him and answer all Questions in Astrology , nay and Calculate Nativities too : And then for Palmestry , and Phisiognomy , here is your Cardiac , your Cephalick , your Venus Girdle , and I know not what : That you may , that you may see , of what Nature Man is of , as well as if you were in his Guts .

Enq.

That 's a brave Book indeed ! but it did not Write it self : Pray who was the Author , or does he conceal his Name ?

Doct .

The Author was a Priest one John Indagine , a cunning Fellow I 'll warrant you .

Enq.

John Indagine ! I have read it , and repent the time lost in doing so , for I look'd upon it to be a Foolish , Idle thing , not worth the Perusal of any Man , much more an Artist .

Doct .

That 's because you did not understand It ; why I 'll tell you a Hundred Men may Read it , and Read it again and never understand what is in it , unless they were born to be Astrologers .

Enq.

Well , but what think you of Ptolomy , Hermes , Argol , Regiomentanus , Leovitius , Firmicus , Guido , Bonatus , or such as these .

Doct .

Hang 'em a parcel of Outlandish Dogs , they were all for the Theory , there was none of 'em had any Practise , and I tell you one years Practice is better then Reading all the Books in the World : When first I Studied this Art I was thinking of your musty , rusty , Fellows you speak of ; and considering how I should do to get them in English : Who should come into Drink , ( for between you and I , I then sold a Cup of Ale ) but an old Astrologer that used to drink often at my House ; and I up and told him that I was Studying Astrology , and ask'd him where I might get Argol , for I had heard much talk of him : So Sir , sayes he to me , you may go buy Argol , and others , but when you have done you will but lay out your Mony in vain : For I 'll maintain it , there 's more in Lillyes Instruction , then in them all .

Enq.

Instruction , Introduction you mean .

Doct .

Well Instruction , or Introduction , what 's the difference , 't is all one to me : But as I was telling you , I took the Old mans counsel , and bought the Book , and in a Months time , I could Erect a Figure and give Judgment too , as well as Lilly himself for as I told you before , and Mr. Lilly says so too , an Astrologer must be born so , not made one .

Enq.

But you could not learn so much Astronomy in that time , as to Calculate the true places of the Planets .

Doct .

No , nor I never intend to trouble my Brains about it , when I can buy an Ephemeris for six Pence .

Enq.

But what if there should be Mistakes in the Author or Printer ?

Doct .

P'shaw , a handful of Minutes , or three or four Degrees , signifies nothing in a Horary Question .

Enq.

But in a Nativity much ?

Doct .

I never use the old tedious Way , ( though I understand it perchance as well as another does ) of directing the Helygiacals to their Promittors , nor finding out the Almuten , Alchochoden , nor such like Trumpery in Nativities . I make no Speculums nor Fidle-fadles , not I.

Enq.

Why Doctor , you begin to Conjure now , I think .

Doct .

I can talk as big Words as the best of them : But as I was telling of you , my way in Nativities is by Indagine , where I need only look in what Sign the Sun was in when the party was Born ; which is easily known , you know without Mistakes , and then the Book of Knowledge is a good easie Book .

Enq.

Ay , and the Dutch Fortuneteller , that which the Gypsies use .

Doct .

Now you jest , you know that is only Chance .

Enq.

So is all the rest , without being certain of the Planets places .

Doct .

I don 't know , I do as the rest : Why at your rate , there is not one in twenty that Practise , an able Astrologer ; nay , of all my Acquaintance , and I know a great many Astrologers , there is not one that can Calculate the Planets places exactly .

Enq.

But I know some that can very well , although Mr. Lilly himself could not , if Sir George Wharton say true .

Here his Servant coming up interrupted us , and told him , there was a Gentlewoman below desired to speak with him . Bid her walk up , says he to the Boy : And as for you , Sir , I desire you will be pleased to walk in the next Room till her Question be over , for Women , you know , are shy , and perhaps she may be unwilling to propound her Question before Witness . So into the next Room went I : Where by the help of a little Window in the Partition , I could see the Woman entring into the Doctor , and hear plainly their whole Discourse , which take as followeth .

Woman .

Sir , I am come to you about a small matter : My Husband , poor Man , is very sick , and I am afraid will hardly Live ; and it hath been always my Prayers , that I might die before him . Now , Sir , I am sure you can tell which of us will die first ?

Doct .

That 's your Question , Whether you or your Husband will die first ? Pray sit down , I 'll step into my Study and Erect the Figure , and give Answer immediately .

Wom .

Thank you good Sir . — Here the Doctor withdrew into his Study , and after a little time , returns with his Scheme in his Hand .

Doct .

You say , Mistress , your Husband is sick , of what Distemper is he sick , I pray ?

Wom .

Truly , Sir , I believe it is a kind of a Consumption , and a Weakness in Nature , with a Pain in his Back : For I do protest to you , as I am an Honest Woman , I have had no Good from him as an Husband these two Months . And more , Sir , I am afraid he is a little Troubled in Mind , because he often tells me of a Journey-man of ours , that Lodgeth in our House ; for my Husband is a Shoemaker .

Doct .

Stay , let me see , here 's Scorpio ascends , Taurus on the seventh , Venus in the sixth House : Yes , your Husband is sick , and because Aries is a Fiery Sign he is sick of a Consumption , and I believe he will die of it .

Wom .

Oh , dear Doctor , pray don't tell me so for a World .

Doct .

I must tell you what the Stars tell me : You would not have me tell a Lye , would you ?

Wom .

Oh no! Let me have the truth on 't , though it be never so bad : Must it then be so that I shall out-live my poor Husband ?

Doct .

You need not doubt it .

Wom .

God's will be done : But can you tell me , Sir , whether ever I shall Marry again , or not ?

Doct .

That 's another Question , now therefore if I answer it , I expect to be paid for two Questions .

Wom .

Look you , Sir , there is a Shilling for your first Question ; and truly , Sir , I have out Sixpence more about me , which I will give you with all my heart , for this last Question , for I long to know . Pray don't stand with me now , for I shall come again and make it good to you , and shall send a great many of my Neighbours .

Doct .

Well , upon that condition I tell you , you shall Marry again .

Wom .

Oh dear , Why shall I so ! But what kind of Man is he , pray Doctor ? And what Trade ? How Old may he be ?

Doct .

For his Features the man is likely enough , but a young man , and his Trade is something about Leather , he Lives very nigh the place where you do now , if not in the same House .

Wom .

Say no more , say no more , on my Conscience you have hit the Mark . Indeed , Sir , you are a brave Man . I have been with many Astrologers in my time , and never could meet with any that Answered so pat to every thing as you do : But do you think we shall Live lovingly together , and which of us two shall die first ?

Doct .

I can Answer you no more now , unless I erect a new Scheme , for the Face of the Heavens is altered since you came in .

Wom .

Your servant Sir , I 'll trouble you no farther now , but I shall come again shortly : Fare you well , Sir , I shall blaze your Name abroad , for the best Astrologer in the three Kingdoms .

Doct .

Your servant Mistress . And now the Doctor and I came together again .

Enquirer .

How did you find by your Figure , Doctor , that her Husband was sick ?

Doctor ,

Because she told me so .

Enq.

But how did Venus in Aries signifie a Consumption ?

Doct .

D' ye think I was an Ass , to tell her any other Disease , when she told me before it was a Consumption .

Enq.

Right , and so she told you the Answer to her Sixpenny Questions , before she ask'd it when she spoke of the Journey-man Shoemaker . But this Figure was not Radical , and Astrologers say , 't is dangerous to give an Answer when Scorpio ascends .

Doct .

A Figure is always Radical to me , when I can get a Shilling by it : And as for Scorpio , they say 't is found out now lately ( since some of our best Astrologers have had that Sign ascending at their Nativities ) that Scorpio is no such deceitful Sign as the Ancients accounted him ; but rather the most propitious Sign in the Heavens .

Enq.

Let me see the Figure a little . — I wonder how you could have the Impudence to tell her , her Husband should die first , when aecording to the Rules of Astrology , here are all the Signs imaginable that she will die first .

Doct .

You are but a Novice in our Art , I perceive , to go by Rules of Astrology ; I did so at first when I Practised , and then I could never get my Bread by it . Why , look you , suppose she does die first , she 'll never tell I am a false Prophet after she 's Dead surely : But if I had told her she should die first , and if it should not have happened so , her Husband being a sickly Man , then she would have done me a world of Mischief among the Neighbours , as now she may do me a great deal of Good : For most of those that come to us , if the Answer suit not their Fancy , go Home dissatisfied , calling us Rogues , Cheats , and telling their Neighbours , we can answer a Question no more than the Post , and then away to another , and another Astrologer , till they find one that pleases them : Then him they cry up , and fill his House full of Customers presently , though perhaps the first might speak truer than the last .

Enq.

You speak Cunningly , but not Honestly . But just at this word , we heard a man coming up in hast , so I whipt to my old place again , and thus I heard him bespeak the Doctor .

Man .

Sir , I understand you are an able Man to find Stolen Goods , and I am exceedingly troubled about a Silver Tankard , that was Stolen out of our House Yesterday : Pray , Sir , tell me who Stole it , and where is the Thief , that I may go with a Constable and Nap him .

Dost .

What , does your Master keep an Ale-house , Friend ?

Man .

A Victualling House , and please you .

Doct .

And who do you suspect ?

Man .

We cannot tell , for we ne're mist it till Night .

Doct .

Stay here a while , Friend , I 'll to my Study and do the best I can for you . Now , Friend , I have done my endeavour for you : And I tell you , it will be a great deal of trouble to get this Tankard again ; Saturn being Retrograde in the second , afflicting the Lord of the second with a Partile Square .

Man .

Alas , Sir , I am undone then , my Master says I shall pay for it , if it be not got again .

Doct .

Heark you , Friend , give me the Shilling for this Question .

Man .

Here it is , good Doctor .

Doct .

Now I 'll tell you , I have a Secret in Occult Philosophy to afflict a Thief , that ne're a man in England that knows but my self , so that the Thief shall either be Apprehended , or make some Discovery of it himself ; or it shall come out so one way or other , that you shall have your Tankard again . But this will be a great Charge to me , and I cannot afford to do it under Ten Shillings in Hand , and Ten Shillings more when you have the Tankard .

Man .

I have not so much Money , but I 'll give you Five Shillings now in hand , here take it , and Ten Shillings more when the Tankard is found .

Doct .

't is indeed too little , but because you are a Servant , I give you a Crown .

Man .

I thank you , Sir , pray do it as soon as you can . I live at the Sign of the —

Doct .

Farewel Friend , ne're fear , sleep quiet . And now out came I again .

Enquirer .

Doctor , what have you done ! Can any Mortal Man , or the Devil himself , perform what you have promised this Fellow ?

Doct .

I don 't know , nor don't care , I shall never trouble my Head no more about it .

Enq.

Do you think , that if the Tankard be never found , the Fellow won't come for his Five Shillings again ?

Doct .

If he does , and make a great Noise about it , I 'll give it him again , and there 's an end of it ; but it shall go hard if I get not then a Snip out of it , for I have Excuses ready , that if it had not been his fault , the Tankard had been Discovered . But it often happens , that the Goods are found again one way or other , and then be sure I keep the Money in hand , if I do not get that promised . And then if the Goods be not found , half my Customers be so modest , they will not make any Disturbance about a Crown or Ten Shillings , but are glad if they get half their Money again , and go away Contented . So that I have two or three to one odds , when once I finger the Money , if I do not keep it .

Enq.

This is plain Knavery : And I wonder Justice can be so Blind , as not to find you out , and bring you to Condign Punishment .

Doct .

Who ! Man I have been Plagued two or three times , and bound over to the Sessions , but I 'll never Answer a Thievish Question again before Witness . But heark , I hear another coming up .

Enq.

Then I 'll to my Apartment once more . And being there , I saw it was a Young Woman , indifferently well Clothed ; and after a low Courtesie , thus she Accosts Mr. Astrologer .

Maid .

Pray , Sir , are you the Gentleman that resolves Questions ?

Doct .

Yes , Madam , at your Service .

Maid .

Then , Sir , I suppose you can tell what I came about .

Doct .

Yes , yes , very well , but that 's nothing to the matter , you must propound it your self ; for if there be no Quaerent , then there is no Question , and then how can the Time be exactly taken , and if the Time be not taken true , another Sign will ascend , and the Figure will not be Radical , and then perhaps I may Err in my Judgment . Therefore you must propound your Question your self .

Maid .

Well , if I must , but I am cruelly asham'd .

Doct .

Asham'd , for what ! Such men as We , never divulge a Secret . Do not the best young Gentry of both Sexes , take our Advice concerning their Loves ; and I know already , your Business is something to that purpose .

Maid .

Indeed , I must confess it is so : But will the party Marry me , or no ?

Doct .

How long is it since you saw him last ?

Maid .

About a Month ago , and he used to come every Night , and pretend so much Love , that I thought he had been in Earnest , but now I am afraid he is quite gone .

Doct .

I 'll step into my Study , and use the best of my Skill . ( And upon his return , thus he goes on with her . ) Fair Maid , I see he is off from you indeed , and without good Skill used , he 'll hardly return .

Maid .

Don't you see by the Figure , Sir , none other coming nigh at hand ?

Doct .

If they are not , I 'll fetch them with a Vengeance , ( that is to say ) if you please . For as I may tell to you in private , Madam , I have a Secret , whereby I 'll make that Person that you think you have lost now , come back , and marry you , or some other as good as he , and that quickly too : You are not the first by Forty , that I have helped so . But I must be paid for my Pains .

Maid .

And a great deal of Reason , Sir , such an Art cannot have too great a Reward . But can you indeed , Doctor , do as you promise ?

Doct .

Can I ! Nay , if you are come upon your Questions and Commands , I ha ' done w' ye .

Maid .

Good Sir , be not angry : What will you please to have for doing this for me ?

Doct .

Fair maid , you shall see , I will be very fair with you : Come again to morrow , when I have more Leisure , and give me a Guinea in hand , and Bond for the Payment of Ten more upon your Day of marriage ; and then if there be but one Single man in the Land , in a short time he should be your Husband .

Maid .

You make me Laugh , Sir : Well , I shall long for to Morrow , and then be sure I 'll come again . Here 's for your Pains at present , Sir , and I thank you heartily . Pray , Sir , remember to be at Home to Morrow .

Doct .

I shall be sure , Madam , farewel . These are my best Customers : A Pox on the Thievish Questions , there 's nothing but Trouble and Vexation follows them . These Silly Souls now , if they are Chous'd of ne're so much , dare not tell on 't .

Enq.

What did she give you , Doctor ?

Doct .

But Half a Crown now : But I dare say , she 'll hardly sleep till she 's here again with her Guinea , and then for the Bond , and then for the Husband .

Enq.

Thou art one of the greatest Cheats in Nature : What Secret have you to get this Wench a Husband ?

Doct .

This , I assure you , is my Secret of Secrets , and therefore if I tell it you , you must be sure never to Reveal it . When this Wench comes again to morrow , I 'll know of her where she Lives , where her former Sweet-heart Lives , what her Parents are , what her Portion is , &c. Then take her Guinea , and Bond , and discharge her , Ordering her to call upon me once or twice a Week , to tell me how matters go forward : And if in a Twelve months time she happen to be married , I will make her certainly believe I got her her Husband by my Art ; and she 'll no doubt get me the money by Hook or Crook , for fear it should come to her Husband's ear . But I must employ my Wits about it too , as thus , To night , or to morrow , or once a Week at least , comes one young Superstitious Fool , or other , to me , to know which is the best way for him to go seek a Wife , and what kind of Woman ? Then I answer like an Oracle ; You must go upon such a Point of the Compass , till you come to such a Place , or Street , and there nigh such a Sign lives a Gentlewoman , that if it be not your Fault , the Stars say , shall be your Wife . Then if he likes her , I 'll prove Broker on both sides , and get money of him too : But if he likes her not , yet ten to one but that he marries her , because he thinks , 't is his Fortune , and that it cannot be avoided .

Enq.

For shame , Doctor , leave off these Abominable Tricks , and betake your self to some Honost Employment .

Doct .

Yes , and Starve in it , shall I ?

Enq.

I will stay no longer with you , for fear the Devil should come for you , and do me a Mischief too , finding of me in your Company . So farewel , and Live better .

OF THE DEPTH OF THE SEA .

IT is hardly worth mentioning , the groundless Opinion some men hold , that in some places there is no bottom to the Sea , but all Water , from the very Superficies , to the Center of the Globe . For if they consider , me-thinks , they cannot chuse but acknowledge , that every Stone , or other Ponderous matter cast out of Ships in such places , must necessarily sink ( if not obstructed ) to the Center , and there resting immoveable , would long since have made a bottom , if there had been none in the Creation . There are Seamen that are generally of this Conceit , who prove it no better then by two or three places wrested from the Holy Scriptures , and by their own ineffectual Trials ; which I shall not go about to answer , but only tell them a Way , by which the next time they go to Sea , they may ( if they please ) Convince themselves , if I am not mistaken ; and this is it . Joyn a piece of Wood to a Stone that is weighty enough to sink the Wood swiftly , after such a manner , that as soon as ever the Stone toucheth the bottom , they may by that Concussion be parted , and the Wood ascend again to the top of the Water . Then letting them down in a Calm Day , when the Ship hath little or no Drift , watch the coming up of the Wood ; which you may take again into your Ship , by your Boat . Or otherwise ( if you please ) by keeping an exact Account of the time the Wood was under Water , you may give a good guess at the Depth . The benefit that might arise from such an Experiment , might perhaps in time , prove greater than the Pleasure of it . For though it might not certainly by your Depth determine your Longitude , yet it would give you notice of your approach to the Shore , long before the Lead Line would serve your turn , and far easier too . It might also discover many Fishing Banks , not yet found out ; and many more Benefits might arise from such a pleasant Experiment . You will Object , perhaps , That it is a very difficult matter , to make the Wood and Stone hold together all the way down , and part upon the touch of the Ground . I answer , No more difficult , than for a Mouse-Trap , or the Cock of a Gun , or any such small Engine , to go down with the touch of a Finger . I was just about setting down here Two or Three Figures , as they came into my Head ; but I think it , on second Thoughts , needless : Because it is such an easie matter , that every one will be contriving a Gimerack in his Head , as he is reading this , and , perhaps , the worst of other mens , may be better than the best of mine , so I leave every one to his own Fancy . But although it be granted ( you 'll say ) that there is Ground before you come to the Center of the Earth , yet who knows how nigh the Center it may be ? And we may wait a long time for a piece of Wood to sink Three Thousand miles or more , and come up again . I answer , I am ignorant indeed , how long the Wood would be sinking , and rising again ; that must be often tried before in known Depths , and so work by Proportion for finding the unknown , and though perhaps the Stone may sink the swifter , the nigher it comes to its Center : Yet if the same weight , and shape of Stone and Wood be always used , although there may be a small mistake in the Depth , yet if it be always found the same , that Error will prejudice no man . But to come nigher an Answer , how deep the Sea may be , I cannot guess , nor no man else ; but it looks as reasonable to me to judge it rather to be not above Four or Five miles in the deepest place , than Two or Three Thousand . There is no certain way to know the truth , without Sounding it : But without offence , let me offer this uncertainty to you . From Scilly to Ushant is Thirty Leagues , or rather from Scilly to Ireland , it is Thirty Seven Leagues , or thereabouts , and the deepest Water between but Sixty Fathoms : Now admit from the Coast of Spain to Virginia , to be a Thousand Leagues , according to proportion , the deepest place between should be but One Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty Fathoms , not quite Two miles . Again , from Caboverd to the Islands , ( bearing that name ) is about One Hundred and Five Leagues , and in the very middle is a shallow Bank , whereon the Spaniards , and Portugueses , go Yearly a Fishing . As much , or more , might be said of the Bank of New-Found-Land , the Dogger-Bank , and others in the East-Indies . But now , if you Laugh at me for this way of Guessing , truly I have nothing to say , but I may deserve it .

The last Objection that I can think on , is the Drift of the Ship , and this , indeed , is the hardest to Answer : But at the worst , it may be useful in Calms , which often happen ; and in moderate Gales of Wind , when the Boat may be kept out to Windward , watching the rising of the Wood , but without the Boat , a white piece of Wood at its first bobbing out of the Water , I judge may be discerned from the Ship at least half a mile . And now after all this , if you do not like it , 't is but a Whim and so I leave it .

OF TOBACCO .

IT is , me thinks , very Strange , that almost all the whole World , without Learning it of one another , should pitch upon the Smoaking of this Herb , as if it were absolutely as necessary to Mankind , as Meat and Drink . When the Portugals first Coasted Africa , all along to the Cape of Good-Hope , they found them Smoaking ; when they had doubled the Cape , and proceeded on to the farthest Indies , they found the Inhabitants still Smoaking . When the Spaniards discovered America , they found the same there , and we of late find the same throughout all the Northern Parts of America . And since the Custom hath been brought into these parts of Europe , I think we have not been behind hand with any of them ; except it were in the using of Bows and Arrows , I know not any one thing ( but what was absolutely necessary ) that all Mankind so generally agreed in . The Russians are Prohibited from it upon pain of Death , or extraordinary Fines at least ; and yet as I have heard some say , that have lived among them , Such as cannot plead a Bewitching Custom to it , will venture their Lives and Estates for a Pipe of Tobacco . Grapes grow neglected in many Parts of the World , where this Tobacco is greedily Cut up and Smoaked . It cannot be therefore for Intoxicating the Brain , to make Men forget the Cares and Miseries of this Life , that it is so generally taken ; for Wine would be far better . Besides , the Wise , the Rich , need not such poor Remedies ; and we find when Men come to Smoak much , it doth not at all offend the Brain then , and then 't is they most desire it . Some men Chew it , some thrust it up their Noses , some give a Pipe a piece to their Children in the morning for their Breakfast . And many a man , when he has but a Penny in the World , and wants Bread , buys a Pennyworth of Tobacco in its stead . The Miser , that wishes men could live without Eating and Drinking , liberally lays out his Money for Tobacco , and carries it about him in a little Box , that will not hold above four Pipes , for fear any Body should beg a Pipeful of him .

What should I say any more for ? 't is well known how all manner of People desire it . The Judge , the Priest , the Philosopher , the Fool , the Rich , the Poor , the Wisest of Men , and maddest in Bethlehem , though they differ much in most things else ; yet all agree in Smoaking . I do not all this while speak against the Use of it ; for I am sensible , it is in some things Praise-worthy ; as that it makes a good Medicine , it helps Sore Eyes , it Condemeth the Spirits , it procures Sleep , it Imploys many Thousands in Planting of it , in bringing it Home , and making it fit for the Pipe here at Home : But I ask the Natural Reason , Why men generally throughout the whole World , without Conversing with one another , betook themselves to this Plant ? and not as well to any other of as great Virtues ?

OF EUROPES Being too Full of PEOPLE .

THE Absurdity I presume would not be very great , if a Man should say , That Europe is fuller of People than the Lands are well able to maintain , considering the Conveniencies of making mens Lives more Pleasant some men ought to have , others will have , and almost all do their Endeavour to obtain : And this Assertion may not prove Ridiculous , if we observe these following things .

First , The prudent Custom they have in our Neighbouring Nations , to keep Mankind from Multiplying too much , or at the best to keep some Families from growing too Numerous ; lest all alike fall into Poverty . In sending the Younger Sons , or Brothers , to the Wars , where either they Die honourably , in the Defence of their Prince and Country ; or by their Valour get Estates , and the Favour of their Prince , whereby they either Dignifie and Enrich the Family they came from , or Erect a new one of their own , sometimes surpassing their Progenitors . And their Daughters , or Sisters , to the Nunneries , What hurt can be in that , if not forc'd ? ( As I cannot conceive many , if any , are so served , ) There they have the benefit of early Devoting themselves to their Maker , void of the Karping Cares , and Troubles , without their Walls ; being as it were already in the Borders of Heaven , singing Praises to their Maker with their whole Heart , Strength , and undisturbed Soul ; like Mary , having chosen the better part . Alas ! should these young Lads and Girls , have multiplied with Cook-wenches and Coach-men , their numerous Issue in a Hundred Years time , would have Eat up the very Name of the Family .

Another thing ( howe're neglected here in England ) is the keeping Lent . It cannot be otherwise : But it was a wise Institution , both for the Soul , ( but that being beyond my Sphear , I leave it to the Tribe of Levy , from whom I am to fetch my Duty , not my Whimsies ) as well as for the Body . 't is kept in the Spring of the Year , when the Blood Ferments , and Flesh is then Unwholesom ; and abstemious Diet on Pulse , Fruits , Herbs , and Fish , is a great deal better at that time for the Health of man : And being kept at the same time , when almost all Creatures on which we feed , are Breeding ; Forty Days abstinence at that time , cannot chuse but make Flesh abundantly more plenty all the Year after . But passing by the Increase of Navigation , the breeding able hardy Seamen , the vast Trade , and many other Commodities , that we in England enjoy , by our Neighbours keeping Lent , I only offer : That if Lent were not kept in Spain , and Italy , the Flesh that is bred there , would but poorly feed the Inhabitants .

A third thing that we may observe , is , How many miserable People lie up and down , Begging and Starving ; and I am not so uncharitable to think , that all do it out of Idleness , some there are , no doubt on 't , that would Work , and cannot get it . And although His Sacred Majestie's Dominions of Great Brittain , be the most plentifully stored with Provisions , and all other things , that Nature requires for Human Subsistence , of any Country in Europe , yet even in this Garden of Eden , we find many poor and miserable People : And to avoid the being called , thought , or esteemed so , what a strong Busle is there made ? The men Steal , and are Hanged ; all for the sake of Bread and Bear . The Women walk the Streets in the dark Evenings , prostituting their Bodies and Souls to men and Devils , all for Meat and Drink , Money to pay the Doctor , and an old Crape Gown .

Again , We may observe how Frugality is cried up , as a Virtue equal to Temperance , and so exactly practised in Foreign parts ; that a full fed Englishman when he Travels , can hardly difference it from Penury .

All these things considered , it seems Rational to me , that most parts of Europe are too full of People . Less wise we are then Bees , who when they find their Hive too full , swarm , and go look out a new Habitation . What Brave , Spacious , and Fertile Countries has his Majesty in America ! What a Beautiful Maiden Land , adorned with Gold ( I speak of all America in general ) Silver , Pearl , and Pretious Stones , is there ! wishing to be enjoyed by the honest English Husbandman . How kindly hath she entertained such as have already gone over to Court her , correcting their Vices , which grew here of necessity , by her plenty .

The same Gracious King Protects her , and her Inhabitants : There are the same Laws , Religions , Government , every thing as it is here , except Plenty instead of cruel Want .

Not one Beggar is to be found in all Virginia , Maryland , New-York , New-England , nor any of the Neighbouring Plantations . Think you not then that Poverty , and the evil Consequences of it , comes not upon Men as well by a Countries being Overstock'd , as by Luxury , Idleness , &c. I conclude it is by all three , and more ways .

Some perhaps will say , Europe was as full of People Five Hundred Years ago , as it is now . I grant it . And when a Land is full , the Increase after that , must needs run over into other Countries , or Wars , Plagues , or Famines , in their own .

CONCERNING THE PRECISE TIME Of Keeping the SABBATH .

THE time when the Jews began and ended their Sabbath , and when I mean at what time of the Day the Primitive Christians their Lord's Day , is well known unto Divines ; and I shall not be so bold to meddle with . My design is only a little to touch on the strange Humours of such , who begin their Sabbath on Saturday Night at Sunset , and end it Sunday Night Sunset . Surely the Will of God is , that we should set apart the Seventh part of our Time for his Honour , and Worship ; and not Tithe Mint and Rue , in so exactly nicking the time . For if so , why do not these men Consult some Mathematician to know exactly what time of their Day the Sun sets in Jerusalem , and they 'll find it near Eight Hours before it does in New-England : So that they are at Work or Play , while their Friends in Jerasalem ( if they have any there ) are at Prayers for them . The same may be said of England , or any other Place . But methinks , I hear Parson S. — calling me Fool , and telling me that the Lord's Day must begin when the Sun sets to us , whereever we be ; for although the Commandment was given at Mount Sinai , yet the People were to keep it at Jerusalem , and take that present Sun-set for the beginning of the Sabbath , not that of Mount Sinai . Well Parson S. — if it be so , I will not stand with you for Cloudy Days , the Interposition of Hills between us , and our Horizon , nor such Trifles . But what shall I do when I am at Sea , in Latitude of 65 or 70 Degrees in the Summer time , when the Sun sets not at all ? Or what shall the Russians , the Laplanders , the Islanders , and many other Christians in the World , that have some months in the Year all Day ? Or what shall the Inhabitants under either Pole ( if any there ) where they have Six months Day , and Six months Night ? Their Sabbath will come but once in seven Years , for when it comes , it will be a long one .

FINIS .