Aloes tree which having been planted in a Garden at Avenion an hundred years since sprouted forth about the beginning of May in the year 1599. and within 45. daies shot up 32. foot high according to the feet of Provence which make 24. Paris feet and near half a foot over Of which kind also I afterwards saw divers sprouting forth in Provence and especially at Draguinan The third was Abrahamus Gorlaeus who dyed before he could finish his work in hand which he called Paralipomena And there wanted but little for Varius to make a fourth He when it was Vacation in the moneth of September went to Antipolis in the Kings name to take possession of that Place being gained to the Kings Patrimony And when he had visited his Brother Peter Varius Bishop of Vintium he fell into a most dangerous Feaver which lasted full out a moneth Which when Peireskius came to hear he could hardly be kept though sick himself from vifiting his sick friend Which though he could not do he was extremely sollicitous or rather anxious how he might help him Among other things he wrote to Marseilles and provoked Carolus Cassaneus a famous Physitian to visit him and provided for him a Coach and a Barke that he might go with speed either by Land or by water as he pleased He sent almost every day one or other to carry him some exquisite Medicines or choise matter of Diet and to bring word what was the condition of the Disease And as soon as ever there was hopes of Recovery he sent him the easiest Saddle he had howbeit Varius could not be brought back save in an Horse-litter Afterwards during the time they were both upon the recovery in the remaining part of Autumn and spent whole daies together in familiar discourse can you imagine their discourses were void of Learning One discourse I cannot omit which Peireskius himself did afterwards often relate and which was the occasion of some alteration even after his death The occasion whereof were divers assemblies which all the kingdom over were newly called together by the Kings command to consult about the making of some perpetuall Statutes touching the Value and use of Coine For whereas seven years ago the King had made a Proclamation that a Peice of Gold which had wont to go for threescore Shillings should for the time to come be worth threescore and five it was since grown to be worth seventy shillings and more Whereupon Varius desiring his Opinion Peireskius answered that it was scarce to be hoped that any stop can be put to so growing a mischiefe For the cause thereof was the Traffick with Neighbour Nations where gold was higher prized then it is with us For at that time Gold with us was twelve times as dear as silver but in Spain it was thirteen times as dear and that by reason of a very late Proclamation whereby the King of Spain had raised the Value of Gold a tenth part higher not altering at all the Value of Silver In which truly he did not imitate our King who raising the Value of Gold raised likewise the Value of Silver that the proportion between them might not seem to be altered He added Although not only our King but the King of England and other Princes should by new Proclamations vary and en hanse that proportion yet would it still happen that each particular Prince and State through emulation either raising the estimation of Gold or diminishing its weight or at least intrinsecall Value of Silver no constant Rule could be set For there would never be wanting either occasions of wars by which their Treasuries being exhaust they would be forced to help themselves that way or Nations politick enough by this artifice to keep the purer sorts of Gold and Silver Monies at home or to draw them out of other Countries For an Example hereof we have the Romans with whom their As aereus and Denarius Argenteus with their Solidus aureus monies so called were by little and little so debased that at last they grew quite out of use and particularly the Solidus aureus it felf which at first was exchanged for two of those Golden pieces which were termed Solati came at last to so low a Value as to be exchanged only for a Silver Coine which did also degenerate that we may reckon it came to the Value of our usuall Shilling or Spur-roiall But not to seek so far for exams ples it may suffice that we consider the Value-of that piece only which is termed Solatus whichs in the space of an hundred years last past has so encreased that the internall goodnesse of the Solidus or spur-roiall decreasing withall it is now valued at twice so many Solidi or spur-roialls as in daies of old Nor is it probable that it should so rest but questionlesse in a few years it will come to passe that the value hereof will arise to a triple or quadruple proportion and the Solidus mean while shall not only be diminished in weight but will become wholly Brasse and then also lose of its weight Nor was this a vain Conjecture seeing the Solatus has been some few years since by publick Proclamation valued at a hundred and four Solidi by occasion whereof Peireskius himself being yet alive made it his observation that Gold was near Fifteen times the value of Silver But to return to the Discourse of Peireskius when he had shewed occasionally that the Roman AS first weighed an whole pound or welve ounces and grew afterwards to be diminished unto two to one yea and lower and the Denarie weighing in the times of the Kings the third part of an ounce under the ancient Rpeublick weighed only a sixth part under the latter Republick a seventh under the first Caesars an Eighth or a dram equall to an Artick dram finally the Solidus was at first the eight and thirtieth part of a pound afterwards the fortieth the fortie fifth fiftieth and so forwards Varius then asked what difference there was between those Pounds and Ounces and such as we use Peireskius answered that he was himself in that point not sufficiently satisfied For he had indeed in his Custodie ancient weights of thirty pounds ten pounds three pounds and pounds a piece which he had compared with the Paris pound Standart of sixteen ounces and all he could find was that twelve Roman Ounces were aequivalent in weight to about ten ounces of Paris I say about ten Ounces for in some weights he found an excesse in some a defect to three four and five drams And although learned Budaeus has written that the proportion is very near one and an half as supposing that a Roman pound with half an Ounce addition was aequall to a pound Marck or eight Ounces of Paris at least Howbeit he durst not yet determine the matter because those Denaries had likewise been worn and he waited till he could obtain from Rome a pattern of that Congius or Gallon-measure
thousand parts and observed that our Provence Palme or Span which is the 8th part of a Can or Rod does contain only seven hundred sixty and three of those parts but the old Roman foot containes nine hundred and six of the said parts the English foot nine hundred thirty three that of Holland 966 that of Lions and Grenoble a thousand fifty and two and that of Florence one thousand eight hundred and two But of this enough and too much I return now to Peireskius who soon after in the year 1610. went again to Mon-pellier And having effected his businesse according to his hearts desire he returned in the beginning of May at which time he happened to dream a dream 1610. which as often as he related to me which was divers times he would alwayes premise that if another should have related it unto him he could not have beleeved it There was in his company Jacobus Rainerius a Citizen of Aix who was wont to lodge in the same chamber with him and their lodging was at the white Inn between Monpellier and Nismes Now Peireskius was in a dream and talked to himself obscurely of I know not what strange businesse whereupon Rainerius awaked him asking him what was the matter To whom he replied Alas and well away what a sweet and pleasant dream have you robbed me of I dreamt I was at Nismes and that the Goldsmith offered to sell me a golden piece of Julius Caesars coin for four Cardecues and I was just ready to give him the money that I might have the piece whereas by your unseasonable waking of me the Goldsmith vanished out of my sight and the piece of coin out of my hands Soon after not thinking of the dream he went to Nismes and while dinner was making ready he walkt about the Town Now it happened wonderfully that he hit upon a Goldsmith and asking him if had any rarities he answered that he had a Julius Caesar in gold He asked him what he would take for it he said Four Cardecues Whereupon he presently gave him the money took his Julius Caesar and so was his dream wonderfully and most happily fulfilled Wonderfully I say for he might easily think upon Nismes whither he was to go the following day he might well dream of that piece of Coin of Julius Caesar which waking he had often desired and that he might meet with it in that City wherein there were so many reliques of Romane Antiquity and he might dream of a Goldsmith for to men of that trade such pieces are commonly brought by them which dig them up he might dream of an indifferent price such as Goldsmiths rather than Antiquaries are wont to set upon such commodities he might have thought of four Cardecues with which as a moderate price a Goldsmith might be content Finally a Goldsmith and at Nismes might have such a piece at such a price but that all these should concur and that the event should answer to the dream is altogether wonderfull Yet Peireskius was not the man that would conclude that this dream did therefore proceed from any preternaturall cause if such dreams had often happened he might peradventure have thought so but knowing the sport which Fortune is wont to make he reckoned this accident onely among those rare cases which are wont to amaze the vulgar such as they likewise relate of Eudemus the familiar acquaintance of Aristotle at Pherae and of the two Arcadians at Megara and some other such like howbeit the truth of all such like Histories rests wholly upon the credit of the Relatours Afterwards Peireskius stayed certain dayes at Arles that besides many other observations elsewhere he might curiously search into certain rare monuments at the monastery of Mon-majour And when returning from thence he came neer to Salon a Post met him from the Arch-Bishop to acquaint him speedily with the unheard of and lamentable death of King Henry Being wonderfully daunted he made haste neverthelesse to comfort Varius who was already acquainted with the thing and was beginning to endeavour by sending Messengers and Letters to preserve the Inhabitants of Provence in their obedience Moreover it is not to be forgotten how at the very beginning of the yeer and before Peireskius departed from Mon-pellier there was brought him out of Spain an Almanack or yeerly Prognostication made by Hieronymus Ollerius of Barcellona and the November foregoing printed at Valence in which the lamentable accident aforesaid was clearly foretold For he had so set down the circumstances of his nativity and certain principall things which had happened concerning him that no other King save Henry the Great could be thereby intended Which when he had shewed to Varius and acquainted Josephus Galterius Prior and the Lord of Valetta therewith a man excellently skilled in all the Mathematicall Arts but especially in Astronomy though no great heed were to be given to Astrologicall Predictions yet it seemed a matter not to be sleighted as concerning the life of so worthy a Prince Whereupon Varius presently sent the book to the King I shall not stand to relate how that great and truly generous Prince commending the care of Varius did contemn and sleight the Prognostication but because the event proved it to be true and Ollerius himself afterwards writing a Prognostication for the following yeer did wonderfully boast thereof therefore I must needs say that which at least may make it doubtfull whether it was from the stars or some other hints rather that he conjectured the said event For as for the vanity of Astrologie it is needlesse for me to speak any thing in this place especially seeing the nativities calculated 3 yeers since did prognosticate no ill till four yeers more were past Nor am I one of those that are in the least suspicious that the prophet had some traffick with evil spirits which might reveal and presage the same onely I say it is possible he was acquainted with the plot by which so an abominable and not to be named Parricide was committed Sure I am it could not be perfectly concealed neither in Spain nor in Italy for even the Kings Embassadours and namely the most excellent Johannes Bochartus Lord of Champigny then Agent at Venice had already pre-advertized his Majesty thereof And it was sufficiently proved that all the Sea-faring men of Marseilles who for two moneths before came from Spain brought word that there was a report spred abroad in Spain that the King of France either was already or should be killed by a sword or knife Also Peireskius related and writ to Malherbius that which may fitly be here inserted viz. How on the Saturday three dayes after that the kings death was published there passed thorow Aix a most illustrious Venetian of the family of the Priuli who had been Agent for the Commonwealth at Paris and was then going to be Agent at Madrid who when he went to visit Varius told him among other things how journeying thorow Millain
foot broad between the shoulders and five foot deep upon the chest That the scull was observed to be five foot long and ten foot in compasse Which prodigious spectacle being viewed an whole day together the rest of the bones turned to ashes there remaining onely those which were carried to Paris and seen by every body viz. a part of the lower jaw-bone two Vertebra's of the back-bone some pieces of a rib shoulder-blade and thigh-bone the other thigh-bone the shank an huckle-bone an heel besides some fragments which were not sent to Paris as namely of a thigh-bone and likewise two teeth Moreover it was reported that there were sound about fifty pieces of silver Coin with the picture of Marius upon them and on the other side the letters MA being the beginning of his name from whence they would needs have it concluded that Theutobachus the Teutonick King being vanquished by Marius was buried there a man of so tall a stature that Authors report him to have been higher than the trophies which were carried as tokens of victory and that he was wont to leap over sour or five yea six horses Moreover as Peireskius questioned the truth of the report so he considered with himself what might give occasion to such a fable especially after he had read over a book which Nicolaus Habigotus a Chirurgeon of Paris had written thereof He questioned not but that such bones were found in that place and he granted that they might be the bones of some more ancient Gyant but he could never be perswaded that they were his bones whose they were reported to be For in the first place neither Theutobochus nor his Subjects used the Latine tongue so that they should make a Latine Inscription upon any tomb which they would erect nor would the Romans in case according to the kindnesse they used towards their enemies they had built the tomb have made it of bricks for a plaistered work it was not which was not then in use for Sepulchres but of marble or at least of some other stone whereon they might engrave a memoriall both of their victory and of the kindnesse expressed to their enemies also they would have chosen an high or at least a stony place and not on so sandy and infirm as that was lest it should easily come to be overwhelmed or overturned Also he wondered that the stone with its Inscription was neither kept nor shewed which ought to have been sent to Paris with the bones and that the Sepulchre was not left untouched or at least some remarkable Reliques thereof as the Lord of the place who was curious to spread the report of the Gyants bones could not but desire It increased his suspition in that the dimensions of the scull were said to be taken it being found whole and yet that it should turn to dust so soon whiles other bones remained firm For the hatchers of this fabulous story seemed to fear lest by diligent inspection thereof and comparing the same with some dead mans scull the truth might have been more easily found out As for the Coins he said Those letters did not signifie Marius whose former name Caius would not have been omitted nor would the name Marius have been set down to halfs but entire after the Romane manner but that it signified rather MAssilia Marseiles which was then a Republike and to which as a Graecian City that fashion of Coin was proper and not to the Romanes And because not long ago nor â—ar from that place many such pieces had been found and he had received some from the renowned Frerius of whom we spake before for that cause he suspected whether or no the places as well as the times had not been feigned And whereas Theutobochus is recorded in story to have been taller then the Trophies that argues him to have been ten or twelve foot high according to our Vulgar feet for such was the height of the Trophies which were carried in Triumphs reckoning in the height of those that carried them and the length of their Armes lifted up and such the Stature of the Heroes was reported to have been viz. halse as high again as the ordinary Stature of Men but not 25. foot Nor is that which is written of his leaping over or bestriding four or six Horses so to be understood as if he had stretched his thighes so wide as to bestride them all at once but because it was his custome to passe from one Horse to another that is to change his Horses often because he soon wearied them with his Heavinesse Which may be gathered in that Florus who recorded that passage tells us that he was wont to mount upon four or six Horses whereas when he fled he had hardly an Horse to carry him intimating that he had not such a Multitude of Horses with him as his custome was to have for his own use Finally he discoursed many things both touching the place of the Victorie touching the Triumph a Part or Pageant whereof was Theutobochus and of some other things whereby the Credit of the foresaid Report was weakened He obtained also in his latter years some fragments of these kind of Bones but by looking upon them he was more confirmed in his opinion supposing at last that these great Bones which we often admire at when Sepulchers are digged up to be Elephants Bones as if the Lords of those Beasts had prized them or peradventure intended to abuse Posterity by their so carefull burying of them Also he was of opinion that Bones are sometimes shewed which have been dug out of Sands or other Places where they had been casually overwhelmed with Earth since it is hard to find a man deserving credit who has seen those Sepulchers so built with his own eyes only we credit such us sell them shew them or pâ—oâ—esse that they found or digged them up Which made him often wish that some man that could neither deceive nor be deceived would saile into Sicilie and make Inquisition about those Bones of Gyants which are said to be dug up not far from Palermo especially the Sculls For he hoped that such a man would use that ingenious Speech of Suetonius That at Capreae there are great Bones of vast Beasts which are said to be the Bones of Gyants But enough and too much of this Subject 1614. The year following proved a cruell year by reason of the death of divers of his renowned friends For he understood by Letters which Gualdus sent him being dated in April that Contarenus the Procurator was dead at Venice Lalius Pasealinus at Rome and Nichezola at Verona Also he heard afterwards that the most excellent Velserus died at Augsburg on the 24. day of June and soon after Casaubon died in England Yea and he also himself in a Letter which he wrote in the Moneth of May to Natalitius Benedictus makes mention of the Duke of Arschotan as dead In another Letter he makes mention of the death
field a scarlet label for distinction sake It is recorded that he also was Governour of Ere 's and of intimate acquaintance with Charles the Third to whom the King of France did soon succeed From him the familie was again divided into two Branches for he had two Sons Fulke and William both of them expert Souldiers and skillfull in the Lawes For having borne Armes in the Expedition of Pidmont after their return they gave themselves wholly to the study of the Laws For William the younger being adopted by his great Uncle Elziarius Portanerius Brinoniensis a learned Man he went to Orleance and Vierron to study the Laws and having married a wife who was an Arvernian he setled his abode in that Country to expresse his gratitude he took unto himself the Coat of Armes of the House of Portaneria which was a Bende with Roses argent in a field Azure And he left behind him besides Hugh a famous Lawyer another Son named John the father of another John who begat another John the Father of that John who is now Master of Requests having two Honourable Ladies to his Sisters viz. the Lady Magdalena wife to the ilustrious Chancellor of France the Lady Mary wife to Philbertus Pompadorius Viceroy or Governour of the Limosins But Fulke after the Supreame Senate was erected at Aix in the beginning of the soregoing Age did plead causes with great commendation and was many times by the Governours of that Province taken in to sit with them as an Assistant and employed more then once to Lewis the twelfth and to Francis the first Who perceiving the Learning and Integritie of Fulke made him a Senator by his bare command in the year 32. And when the Emperour Charles was about to invade Provence he joyned him as Counsellour to Annaeus Monmorantius Generall of his Majesties Forces Also that good Advice is worthy to be recorded which he gave to Monmorancie which he also practised transporting the ancient Records of the Crown into the Castle of Baulcs by which meanes those precious Monuments escaped burning when as afterwards the Palace of Aix was fired by the Duke of Savoy his Souldiers Moreover when the City could not hold out against the Emperours forces he advised the Cittizens to withdraw themselves and that they might not leave any thing therein to relieve the Enemie he began in so good earnest to exhort them to destroy their food and what else might advantage the Enemie that he himself was the first that emptied his Granarie into a well and staved his vessels of Wine and Oyle and let them run about the Streets Fulke being dead his Son Nicolaus was made a Senator in the year 45. whos 's virtue also was taken notice of not only by Claudius Sabaudus Governour of Provence and Earle of Tenda but also by Charles the 9th himself Who taking away the Senate and setting in place thereof a Coutt of ten Chief-Justices it was his pleasure that Nicolaus should be one of the ten and he gave of his own accord to his Brother Charles after he had brought his forces off from the Expedition of Corsica and behaved himself there exceeding Valiantly the Lordship of Brigantium to him and his Heires And now that we may draw near to the Father of our Peireskius Nicolaus left two Sons Claudius and Reginaldus Claudius had a small and infirme body but a mind truly generous and mettlesome so that from the year 72. in which he was invested with the Honour and Dignity of his Father and Grandfather he was much renowned both in the Senate and the whole Province and exceeding favoured by Henricus Engolismensis great Master of the French Knights of Malta and Viceroy of Provence But Reginald being brought up from a boy with Renata Dutchess of Ferraria and Daughter of Lewis the twelfth when shee betook her self to passe over her old daies at Montargis he gave himself to study the Law and was made one of the Lords of the Subsidies and the Church's Patrimony and a Master of the accounts And when those troublesome times of the Henotick faction or league happened he and his Brother remained constant in their Loialtie to the King which Bernardus Nogaretius Valletanus at that time Viceroy counted a notable piece of service he procured by the power that he had the Castle of Ere 's and all that Coast to revolt from the Duke of Savoy And whereas his Brother lived a single life he himself married Margareta Bomparia who of her Fathers side was descended from Knights and Praesidents and on her Mothers side shee did belong to the families of Vallevoria and Forbinus Now we have heard it reported that shee was of so neat and comely a countenance and so composed that when Catharina Medicea the Queen Mother was visited at Aix by the Ladies of that place shee made choice of her alone among all the rest upon whom he would vouchsafe to bestow the honour of a Kisse And this Reginaldus Fabrius it was and this very Margarcta Bomparia whom our Peireskius of whom we treat did acknowledge for his Parents But because he was born at Beaugensier we must take notice that this Towne is seated in a very straight yet exceeding pleasant valley enriched by the Interfluxe of the same River Gapell It is distant from Tolon on this hand and from Ere 's on that just as far as those Cities are distant one from the other namely about three Province miâ—es and being seated North of both it likewise far excells them in goodnesse of Aire The nearnesse of situation was the cause that his Ancestors having their abode at Ere 's did not only procure certaine Country houses in that Towne but in their retirement thither they dwelt in an ancient Castle which is now demolished for the House with those goodly Gardens joyning to it was not yet built into which that water might more safely and plentifully be derived from the adjacent River Claudius built a fair Aqnaeduct or Conduit Peireskius therefore was born in the Castle of Belgenser or Beaugensier aforesaid 1580. when his Parents did retire thither by reason of that memorable Pestilence which in the year 1580. began to rage all over Provence but especially at Aix He was born upon the first day of December in the year aforesaid near upon seven a-Clock in the Evening Which I therefore mention that I may not seeme negligent touching the Circumstance of time but not to give an occasion to Fortune-tellers to calculate his Nativitie and tell his destinie after his Death with more certainty then they were able to do during his life For it is wonderfull to consider how many lies the Astrologers have told either in respect of years which he never lived or of Wife and Children other things which he never had or touching many other things which he attained Moreover his Parents having lived together divers years without a Child his Mother for that cause as soon as she
Richardotus And in this place truly mention ought to be made before any other of that rare Prince Charles Duke of Croy and Arschot who kept him ten dayes together in his renowned house of Beaumont continually contemplating innumerable curiofities and rare jewels of Antiquity most rich boxes of Medals wherewith that most curious and learned Prince had beautified his most noble study yea and at his departure forced him to take with him all the Coins he had as well gold as silver made under the ancient Kings of France also to the number of sixty Greek pieces besides certain ancient vessels weights and measures whereas he would not accept of Peireskâ—us any thing save one brasse Coin of that same John who in the dayes of Theodosius and Placidius Valentinianus seized upon the Empire Upon which occasion it coms into my mind how he brought out of Flanders pieces of Coins of the Frend Kings fourty golden ones besides silver of the first stock and of the second fifty silver pieces besides a golden one of Lewis sirnamed the Godly which he highly esteemed because he not onely counted it to be very rare but was apt to think there was not another to be had The time now drew near when it was said there would be rare ceremonies performed at Fontain-bleau at the Baptism of the Prince Dauphine that is to say the eldest son of the King of France For his Godfather was said to be the Pope and the Popes Nuncio Maffeus Barberinus was to stand in his stead Wherefore about the end of August he left the Low-Countries and coming timely enough he was present at the solemn pomp which was performed on the 24th day of the moneth following Meanwhile he heard from home that his mother in Law was dead and that his return was expected for the ordering of divers affairs And therefore bidding adieu to his friends partly in person partly by letters he returned into Provence about the beginning of the moneth following Being returned home he refused not the counsell which his father and brother chiefly had devised for his Uncle was somewhat against it which was to buy the Barony of Rians in whose jurisdiction because the Manour of Valaves was feated therefore it was the Originall cause of many Suites and Contentions Whereupon he himself undertook to bargaine and contract with Ludovicus Grollaeus Medullioneus Marques of Brisack and went on purpose to him into Dauphine and returned sped about the beginning of the year following 1607. which was 1607. After his return he busied himself about many excellent designes but with none was he more delighted then in procuring a manisold description of the remainders of the Citty and Haven of Carthage For he conceived divers excellent Authors could by no other meanes be reconciled and he intended thereby to gratifie Casaubon with whom he had discoursed chiefly about the Situation and form of the Haven and yet he knew his doubts were not fully satisfied He wrote also at large to Alardus a Canon of Compiegne about Coines and among things touching the use of the Golden †Spurroiâ—l Shilling in France even to the Beginning of the third Stock shewing that two and twenty of those Shillings weighed an whole pound though the mony-pound consisted but of twenty of them and demonstrating that the Solidum or shilling was not alwaies given out for twelve Silver deniers only but sometimes for more even to the number of Forty He was in the mean while taken with a most troublesome disease in his Eyes of which he was searce freed in the middle of the Spring Then did his Uncle begin exceedingly to provoke him that he should set himself to obtain the Senatorian Dignity which was long since ordained for him For he grew sickly and was exceedingly molested with pains in his joints for the abatement whereof he was resolved to go to our Bathes at Digne before the Summer but fearing lest he might happen to die in that journey he was resolved not to set foot out of the City before he had seen his Ne phew received into the Company of the Senators As for Peireskius he evermore invented dilatory Excuses as handsomely as he could howbeit his Uncle carried him one day concealing his purpose to Varius that he might urge him to nudergo the necessary examination so joyn himself to the Senate Whereupon Peireskius supposing that the businesse could be now no longer delayed he desired only eight daies that he might be the better provided for his examination It was the middle of June and a yearly Vacation consisting of three moneths in which the Parliament was not to sit was at hand and therefore he was forced to make haste because he could not be examined and approved save before the Parliament sitting He came therefore prepared and approved himself before the Assembly on the first of July A Law was proposed to him to expound out of the first Book of the Code by which the Emperor Gordianus did enact That he that had received no Legacie nor feoffment in haste nor inheritance or any donation by reason of death could not leave any thing by way of feoffment in haste In the exposition of which Law he forgot not to mention that which is recorded by Valerius and Salustius touching the gallant behaviour of Scipio Aemiltaenus who being by Masinissa King of Numidia who dearly respected him made Heir of his whole Kingdome by his last Will earnestly desiring him to part it equally by way of Inheritance amongit his Fisty foâ—â— Sons which he had living he did so punctually performe the same that he kept nothing at all for himself Nor did he passe over in Silence how Aristotie in his Politicks detests the Lawes of the Carthaginians and Locrensians some of which had equall Patrimonies others could not sell what they had that ancient Inhetitances might abide the longer in their respective samides for besides other Inconveniendes hence it would come to passe that the Cittizens would grow lazie both in gaining and possessing their Patrimonies I passe over other things that I may touch upon that which made him most admired For though it was believed that he would come very well pâ—epared in reâ—pect of the Theorie and Questions of Law thereunto pertaining yet in pâ—â—int of the Practice and formes of proceeding in the Courts it was thought he was not so well provided But his manner had been to let slip no occasion neither at Paris nor at Aix to question the Practitioners Proctors Attorneies Adâ—ocates and he would nore in his Book what ever he Learned from them by word of mouth or by peâ—using the Instruments and Deeds of all Linde Alâ—â— he profited by the Counsell and Example of Autâ—xius Thoronius one of the best of the Senaâ—ors and most sâ—iâ—ed in the Lawes nor would he 〈◊〉 any word passe him in the whole pracâ—â—â—ce of the Courts whose notation canse he did not â—â—â—rch into that he might the better understand the use thereof
he conceive though all the Configurations of these Planets were set down in the Ephemerides that the invention could prove so generall as he had hoped For he knew that Seafaring men could not make any observation either in the day or when the skie was cloudy nor when Jupiter was in conjunction with the Sun or when in the night he should be beneath the Earth nor for half a year when they should be on one side of the world and Jupiter on the other and such like Cases Wherefore he laid that care aside supposing that Galileus or Kepler at one time or other would take this Charge upon them and by their dexterity perfectly finish the same Doubtlesse it did not alittle rejoyce him when he heard that Galileus intended to finish the Method and acquaint the Hollanders therewith who so earnestly desired to find out the secret of Longitudes Moreover though Peireskius was about this time very much emploied yet ceased he not to take care of many things for the advancement of knowledge It was in the year 1611. that in the little Garden which Peirskius had belonging 〈…〉 his house at Aix 1611. Tulips were first seen For in the said garden he had the Autumn before set some of their Bulbous roots which Winghemius had sent from Tornay Now he was wont to relate how at the same time when the garden was manuring a parcell of earth being heaped together a little Bitch which he kept called Marphisa sought her whelps whom he had caused to be thrown away and buried them under that heap of earth and lay by it certain dayes not suffering any one to come neer though to bring her meat I do not well remember whether that Bitches name was Sultana whose death though he was much troubled at yet was he glad of the experiment occasioned by her She gave suck to three puppies which with the mother were all sick of the same disease One of the puppies being dead and cast away the mother likewise died No body understanding the cause he sent for an Anatomist and caused her to be opened to see her entrals And they found all along her guts certain bunches of little white knobs like the seeds of a Gourd or Cowcumber so that they seemed to be a sort of those worms which are by some termed Vermes Cucurbitales Now they were beneath larger and harder and upwards they became smaller and softer so that at the top there appeared nothing but a confused whitenesse Peireskius therefore not liking such things as were brought from Surgeons and Physicians for the cure of this disease commanded led by I know not what Genius that they should bring him some Treacle some of which when he he had laid upon the foresaid matter he observed to the great amazement of himself and the by-standers how it began to melt and run downwards Whereupon he commanded that some of the Treacle should be given to the two whelps which were living supposing that it was an Antidote for the disease And one of the whelps being at the last cast died as they were giving it the other being stronger took the medicine and grew persectly well thereupon The self same yeer happened that so much tallt-of story of Ludovicus Gaufridus reported to be a Conjurer and of Magdalena Paludana possessed with a devil through his witcheries Which businesse much troubled the whole Court of Parliament but Peireskius especially who was very much busied thereabout and writ very neer the whole History thereof at large And for a time indeed he was in the same opinion with the common people moved chiefly by those sensleffe scars which were sound upon both their bodies and beleeved to be tokens of witchcraft but he began afterwards to doubt whether in the whole businesse there were not some secret imposture or dotage Howbeit he alwayes justified the sentence of the Court by which the Magician was condemned to be burnt who had howsoever libidinously profaned and destroyed the sacred mysteries of Religion He said moreover that though Magicians have not so much commerce with the Devil as is supposed yet ought they to be punished for their bad mind in revolting from Almighty God and imploring the assistance of evil Spirits In like manner though after they have anointed themselves they are not indeed transported into those meetings as they imagine where they may act all kind of abominations yet is their will to be punished whereby they desire and endeavour to accomplish such a thing Now that which wrought most with him was an imposture whereby not long after a certain Priest of Marseilles was accused of Magick being discovered by a certain Devil which Gaufridus was said to have conjured into a poor woman For he was freed by the Court having been first pricked all his body over to find out those same insensible places stigmatized by the Devil which could no where be discovered And Peireskius did call the matter so much the more in question forasmuch as three yeers after he was informed by Winghemius that the like story had happened in Flanders viz. touching a Canon that had been pricked all his body over and was at last pronounced guiltlesse Which is doubtlesse a notable warning that we give not so easie credit to the Devil whom the Scripture styles the father of lies nor to a silly woman who partly by the weaknesse of her nature partly through the vehemencie of vapours disturbing her brain partly through malice or hatred partly by a conceived opinion long cherished and deeply rooted in her mind may easily deceive As for those Stigmata or insensible parts Peireskius was in doubt whether or no they were true signes of a Witch especially after that he knew it was a matter controverted by Martinus Delrius and other very learned men For peradventure they might be naturall and belong to some peculiar of that disease which is termed Elephantiasis or at least the Magicians might make them upon their own skins as with a Caustick and in their troubled fancies perswade themselves they received those brand-marks from the Devil just as they imagine they receive those ointments from the Devil which they themselves make and give one to another confidently perswading themselves that by virtue thereof they shall be transported to those wicked assemblies of Devils and Witches Peireskius was all this yeer somewhat crazie in his health but he was worst about the beginning of the Summer howbeit he fell not into any notable sicknesse neither ceased he his wonted studies Yea and he judged himself sufficiently strong to be with Varius who lay sick fourty dayes together of a most grievous Ague at a Countrey-house neer Marseilles which he had called Florida I shall not relate how diligently he endeavoured to serve him one thing onely I must not passe over Varius amended but slowly because he had no appetite but wonderfully loathed all kinds of meat Now while Peireskius diligently endeavoured to find if there were any thing
made and with two touching both Eclipses made at Hasnia by the renowned Christianus Severinus Longomontanus who was the Affistant of Ticho Brahe About this time there came forth a book in the Italian Tongue intitled Squinitius wherein the Venetian Liberty was examined from the very foundations of the Republike Which book because it seemed to contain rare skill in the History of the Empire and the Gothish Kings therefore it was presently beleeved as many at this day think that Peireskius was Author thereof But the truth is I can bear him witnesse that he never intended such a thing but contrarily he alwayes so reverenced the Majesty of the Republike and his friends which he had therein that he was rather enclined to do any service thereunto than to act any thing in cisgrace thereof Nor do I enquire whether the Author of this book was Antonius Albizius that noble Florentine who had two yeers before set out the Pedegrees of Christian Princes as some were of opinion or which is more likely the renowned Marcus Velserus of whom we have frequently spoken by reason of his excellent learning and singular propensity to the House of Austria I shall onely say that some have unjustly suspected that Gualdus and Pignorius did either assist in the writing thereof or communicated their notes for him to digest for they were more ingenuous and greater lovers of their Countrey than to be stained with such impiety But to be sure Peireskius never dreamt of such a thing Moreover being about to depart from Paris and taking leave of his friends he undertook among other things to send to Mericus Vicus at the beginning of Winter a pair of Phoenicopteri or Red-wings birds so called For he had a great desire to bring up some of those birds not onely for their Scarlet-coloured wings which makes our Countrey-men call them the Flaming Birds nor the longnesse of their thighs and neck which made Juvenal term this bird Phoenico-pterus ingens but chiefly becanse of the manner of their diet with which Peireskius related some of them had been kept by Varius For he related how they did eat their meat rather in the night than in the day which meat was commonly made of bread moistened with water how they could discern the approach of cold weather and would come to the fire so as sometimes to burn their feet and when one foot pained them they would go upon their other foot and use their bill in stead of the burnt foot how they slept standing upright upon one foot with the other drawn up to their brest amongst their feathers that a little sleep served their turn and such like At his departure he was most exceedingly grieved for the death of his most loving friend Nicolas Faber who not onely many dayes before had commended to the King that rare man Thomas Billonus when he did present his most laborious and admirably happy Anagrams In his journey he was vexed with great difficulty of urine After he was returned nothing so much grieved him 1613. as an injury which one of the Senatours had done unto Varius both before the Nativity and at the beginning of the new yeer wherefore he never was from him all that while save eight dayes during which he was troubled with a grievous disease about the end of April His brother in the mean while returned to Paris and he sent divers tokens to his friends by him Also he sent many things into Italy to Pascalinus Benedictus and others with whom he discoursed about divers Subjects and of whom he likewise desired some things for his friends Among whom was Casaubon as also Henricus Polanus the Mint-Master who desired him to procure for him out of Italy divers books hard to be found as also ancient weights or at least the comparison which had been made between them and those of Paris Another while writing to Paris he made it his chief businesse to commend Hannibal Fabrotus a famous Lawyer rarely adorned with the knowledge of polite Literature both to Thuanus and to other of his friends who had already heard of his learning As for what concerns other learned men Sirmondus setting out not long after Notes upon Sidonius Apollinaris did relate a Constitution which Cusanus took to have been made by Constantine the Great and Scaliger judged that it was made by Constantine the Tyrant but Peireskius shewed out of a * Civil Law book so called Code of Arles that it was rather made by the Emperours Honorius and Theodosius being written to Agricola President of the Gallick Provinces touching the holding of an Assembly of the seven Provinces once every yeer at Arles Moreover Jacobus Fontanus dedicating to him his Commentaries upon the Aphorisms of Hippocrates hath these words in his Epistle Dedicatory The pains that I have taken in composing this book I desire may passe into the world shielded with your patronage who gloriously shining with the abundance of all Virtues and Sciences will chase away the evil speeches of all censorious Detractours and cause that this work which is usefull for Physicians may be delightfull also seeing your repute is so great not onely with them but with all others that are addicted to the studies of learning that they cannot challenge to themselves any virtue without the knowledge of your testification and acceptance thereof There was also at the same time a book set out and dedicated to him by the foresaid Taxillus containing his judgement of that new star which was seen nine yeers agone But Peireskius could neither approve of his designe nor of his judgement because he contrary to better Authours which even Peireskius had furnisht him with did argue that the foresaid star was below the Moon and no higher than the upmost region of the air For he could not endure that men should seek out subtilties to establish the old opinions of the Schools contrary to evident demonstrations and observations as if that time could teach nothing and that experiments were not to be preserred before dark and cloudy reasonings For which cause at the same time he very much commended the candid ingenuity of Pacius whose judgement being demanded concerning those spots in the Sun which were now discovered by the Prospective-Glasse he desired time to consider of it professing that he was confounded and judging that from new Observations new Hypotheses ought to be framed About the same time there was a great rumor spread abroad touching the bones of certain Gyants which being found in Dauphine the King commanded that they should be sent to him for the report went that there was found in a certain feigned place not far from the stream which runs between Rhodanus and Isara a sepulchâ—e made of Bricks thirty foot long twelve foot broad and eight foot high with a stone upon it wherein was this Inscription THEUTOBOCHUS REX Also that when the sepulchre was opened there appeared the Skeleton of a man twenty five foot and an half long ten
went the Inscription HONC OINO PLOIRUME COSENTIONT R. DUONORO OPTUMO FUISE VIRO LUCIOM SCIPIONE FILIOS BARBATI CONSOL CENSOR AIDILIS HIC FUET A. HEC CEPIT CORSICA ALERIAQUE URBE DEDET TEMPE TATIBUS AIDE MERETO And therefore because the explication of Sirmondus did most of all please him who proved that this Inscription was made in the 494th year after the building of Rome and consequently but a year later than the Dailâ—iâ—â— Inscription or that of the Columna Rostrata hitherto accounted to be the most ancient both for the Orthography Phrase and matter contained therefore thus he conceived it ought to be read HUNC UNUM PLUR IMI CONSENTIUNT ROMAE BONORUM OPTIMUM FUISSE VIRUM LUCIUM SCIPIONEM FILIUS BARBATI CONSUL CENSOR AEDILIS HIC FUIT HIC CEPIT CORSICAM ALERIAMQUE URBEM DEDIT TEMPESTATIBUS AEDEM MERITO Which may be thus Englished Very many good men at Rome do judge that this Lucius Scipio was a singlar and most excellent man He was the son of Barbatus Consul Censor Aedilis he took Corsica he built a chappell to †Honouring them as Deities because they spared him at Sea Tempests not without cause Peireskius approved this interpretation and therefore caused it to be printed concealing the name of Sirmondus because he of his modestie would not take the commendation to himself But the truth is Peireskius did not conceal his name when sending copies thereof up and down he wrote Letters to his friends Hence it was that Selden mentioned him in that same learned work of his De DIS Syris where he sayes this Inscription was communicated to him by Sir Robert Cotton who had it out of France from Nicolaus Fabricius Petriscius a man most renowned for nobility and learning Also the lately mentioned Aleander who when it was reprinted at Rome made an addition answered the objections that had been made against it And whereas among other things it seemed strange that no mention was made of that Triumph which Scipio made Aleander answered Verily that same quick-sighted Gentleman who is no lesse a lover of learned men than of learning it self Nicolaus Fabricius Lord of Peiresk does with good reason suspect that there wants another Inscription of Scipio which was counterpane to this of ours For the Sepulchers of the ancients were of great Bulke and it is no absurdity to think that as this Inscription was on the one side so that there was another Marble on the other side on which the Triumph Age Day of death c. were ingraven With these and such like matters did Peireskius busie himself when in the Moneth of November the Seal was taken from Varius and that most renowned Gentleman restored to the Liberty of a private Life But Peireskius who regarded not so much the glory of his Place as the eminency of his Virtues would never forsake him thinking it an unworthy baseness if he that had stood by him in his Prosperity should withdraw himself in his adverse fortune Howbeit he was wont to testifie concerning Varius that he accounted it no unhappy and ominous but a most happy accident as by which alone he was in a capacity of attaining the Tranquillity which he so much desired Wherefore he restored the Seal with great Alacrity and returning from the Court he would needs sup more liberally than ordinary with Malherbius and Peireskius as one that now had no businesse to disturbe him and retiring himself he led a most quiet and most sweet life conversing with his Books his friends and learned men About this time the Businesse about Riantium was removed from Paris to Tolouse 1617. and his Brother Valavesius about the Beginning of the following year went into that City And although his presence was likewise desired at Tolouse which as was thought would have much advanced the Businesse yet could he never be induced for any Danger never so great of the miscarriage of that Suit to leave Varius Yet you must not Imagine that for all this he left his care of the cause of Learning For he sent an almost innumerable Company of Books to Learned men in all parts partly of his own accord partly being requested by them as into Italy to Pignorius and Aleander and to Scipio Cobellutius then newly honoured with a red Hat and the title of Cardinall of Saint Susanna and to whom not long after the Custodie of the Vatican Library was given as a favour And into England to Cambden and Selden and others who had seriously intreated him that he would not envie the Learned Nation of Men his Learned notes upon the ancient Coines and his Observations upon that part of France which is called Gallia Narbonensis Into Holland he sent as to others so chiefly to Thomas Erpenius the renowned professor of Arabic and he sent with his Books and Letters certain Arabick Coines that he might lend his Assistance in their Interpretation which he had not yet sufficiently understood I forbear to mention how he received likewise back again many things which he desired as from Aleander a modell of the Farnesian Congius or old Galon-measure with Letters signifying that he had examined the Water of Tiber Fountain water and other waters and after manifold comparisons of the one with the other he could find no difference at all in their weight From Nicolas Alemannus a year before the Vatican-Library Keeper he received a Catalogue of the Poets of Provence From Andreas Bruggiotus a Supplement to his Index of the Grek Manuscripts which were kept in the foresaid Library From Pignorius a Breviarie of the Life of that famous Ludovicus Cornarus with the time of his Death who by his sobrietie had procured himself so long a life and such a lustie old Age for he wrote that he was buried at Padua the day after the Nones of May in the year 1566. From Facobus Colius a Book with his excuse for naming him only Nobilissimus Gallus without any further Illustration From Sanderus Elogies from Johannes Meursius divers of his works from Willerius Genealogies from Whinghemius Botanick Rarities and from others other things Also about this time he began to procure Notes upon the Calendar of Constantine which 17 years after Aegidius Bucherus did totally insert into his Commentaries of the Canon of Paschalis Victorianus viz. from the 236. page to the 288. And the truth is I question not how those papers were gotten and by whom imparted to that same rarely good and Learned Man only I desire the Reader to take notice that they were not transcribed save from that same very rare Book which belonged to Peireskius and is at this very day preserved in his Library Now he wrote largely thereabout both to Aleander and to most other Learned men who exceedingly desired the publication thereof for they esteemed it as a mighty treasure to correct the Annals and to rectifie all Chronologie both sacreed and profane For examples sake we may observe therein the Consulship of Probus and
Aix might a little after diligently observe all things thereunto pertaining And that I may relate somewhat thereof for the sakes of those that desire to know such things The Comet appeared from the end of November to the middle of January and because it rose in the morning therefore the tail thereof was seen turning upwards some dayes before the head appeared The head was a star somewhat pale as big as the fixt stars of the first magnitude but twinckled not as they do round on that side which was towards the Sun and crisped on the other end The tail or hair was a thinner Radiation and more white as long at first as an eighth part of the Heaven and broad at the end which did for the first dayes turn a little towards the South as much as came to a sixth part of its length The first appearance of its head was there where Scorpio contracts his clawes its disappearance or ending was where the Dragon parting the Bears does unsold the end of his tail For besides the daily motion whereby this Comet did rise and set as the other Stats it went by its own proper motion from South to North but so as if it had begun at the middle of Scorpio and had there cut the Ecliptick inclining to the West near sixty three degrees And whereas at first this motion was every day two degrees and an eighth part it became about the Nones of December swifter by an whole degree and afterwards it did so decrease that at length it languished as also its tail which at the beginning was so long became by little and little so shortened that at last it vanished and became undistinguishable from the head Peireskius understanding thus much could almost have found in his heart to assent to Kepler who esteemed that motion to be a passage in a streight line which was near us seeing it appeared so swift nor could be hindered by the diurnall revolution as if it had been caused by the revolution of the earth And as he knew that a Comet was no Exhalation from the earth so could he not be perswaded that it was Eructation from the Sun or a Concretion of the liquid Heavens He was more enclined to the opinion of Seneca that Comets are as perpetuall as the stars we daily see so that when this Comet was seen it was not then newly made but onely appeared anew nor did it perish by dissoâ—ution but disappeared by reason of the immense distance Yet it ieemed to him hard to conceive being perswaded that the world is finite Thus much only he easily allowed which was demonstrated from the Observations made viz. that the motion of the Comet was not only above the Moon but hardly lower than the Sun Touching the direction of the tail of the Comet towards that quarter which was opposite to the Sun I need say nothing especially seeing it belongs nor to this place to shew the reason why it kept not a direct opposition but turned sometimes to the right hand and otherwhiles to the left hand by an unequall kind of Deflexion Nor need I speak of what it presaged seeing it is not the least argument of humane weaknesse to be afraid of those things which have nothing to do with this world wherein we live At least it is a wonder that men will not beleeve God himself who commands that we should not be afraid of the signes of Heaven forasmuch as he makes not signes of such things as being unexpounded can give no warning And unlesse God make a Comet to be the signe of calamities enâ—uing how can the Comet either have knowledge of suture things or a desire to discover them Does not the Comet take its own course as all other naturall things being little concerned what a stir the Nations of Mankind make one with another But this Comet was said to foreshew the wars aâ—â—â—â—ighters which followed as if before there â—â—â—â—een no wars pestilence nor death of Kings as â—â— no Tragedies were now in action twenty yeâ—â—â—â—â—re They refer all to the Comet and by the â—ne reason they may refer all the troubles that small arise hereafter till a new Comet appear and make the former forgotten though it should not appear till an hundred years hence But we have digressed too far Afterwards Peireskius spared no pains that there might be a generall and particular description of the world perfected For 1619. in the first place as he carefully cherished so he did not a little encourage Petrus Bertius who came then newly on t of Holland to publish his Geographicall labours Moreover because there came out at that time that same description of the earth according to nine Climates and the Nubiensian Geography so called by Gabriel Sionita who rendered the Arabick Text into Latine Peireskius presently sent a copy to Cluverius and took care that he should make a Map wherein the situation of places might be expressed according to that Geography Moreover because there was a report that Johannes Maerius a Sea-Captain of Holland having detected a large and calm Strait Eastward of the Magellanick and observed new things Countreys and Peoples sailed happily about the world yet for some reasons would not let his observations come in print therefore he prevailed so far with Gulielmus Schutten the chief Pilot as to obtain a Diary or Journall of the whole voyage which he presently caused to be turned into Latine and printed And because Maerius went to Law with Schutten for so doing he assured him that he would save him harmlesse as to the charge of the Suit Nor did this hinder him from attempting the like about another voyage For it was constantly reported that a Hollands ship was returned from the North or Hyperborean Sea which had sailed within seven degrees of the Pole but he could by no means obtain a description of the course of the voyage But however he commended the Pilot in that though he might have sailed just under the Pole with lesse difficulty than can be imagined yet he did not do it for then having no North or South no Sun-rise nor Sun-set no use of the Load-stone for to shew the winds he would not have known which way to make his course one way or another Again because he knew that Vincentius Claneus a Citizen of Arles having travelled far and near had collected very many observations of such things as he had seen therefore he sent to seek for them that if he were willing they might be printed Whereupon he obtained them but observing that all the discourse was infected with arguings especially with that opinion that the surface of the earth is not round but flat therefore he would have the whole businesse referred to the learned Nicolaus Bergeronus ordering him to select and expresse after his own manner what ever he found meerly historicall and containing a credible narration of things And afterwards he perswaded Blancus to like of that course saying That the
same had been observed in the Histories and Relations of Pirardus Moquetus and others that it should be lest to Philosophers to dispute those questions and did not become a Relater to play the Dogmatist especially contrary to the common opinion that the opinion of the earths flatnesse might be mentioned but so as believed by the Barbarians not defended by him if he persisted he would become a mocking-stock to Learned men and derogate from the credit of his Narrations though in themselvs true that he should reap praise enough sound and without spot from the naked History of his Travells that he would take care that the work should be dedicated to the King or to some other who would thankfully accept it and such like All which neverthelesse could not perswade the man to relinquish his former Intentions Moreover he caused a Chorographicall Map of Provence to be Ingraven and Printed which had been made by Petrus Johannes Bomparius thirty years before The form whereof though neat enough did not please him wherefore he caused Jodocus Hondius to grave it again two years after who likewise displeased him both because he omitted the name of Bomparius and especially because he chose rather to smiâ—â—ce other Editions in which the degrees of Latitude are falsely set down For for examples faâ—e Aix is set in the 42. degree and an eighth pâ—râ— which ought to have been in the 43. and at half and one or two minutes over Therefore he had it alwaies in his desire to make a new Map which by new observations and more exquisite dimensions should present every place in its due posture both in reference to the Heavens and other parts of the Country but he was by Death prevented Finally because he was wonderfully delighted with that which Johannes Baptista Morinus of whom we spoke before and who afterward was of great and deserved repute among the Kings Professors of Mathematicks was wont to relate touching that same Peregrination of his into the Mines of Hungary therefore he advised him to commit the said relation to writing so to Print the same And that he did but so as to premise an Anatomie of the Sublunary-world wherein he Laboured to evince that as the Aire is distributed into three Regions of which the uppermost is alvvaies hot the middlemost alwaies cold and the lovvest sometimes hot and sometimes cold so vvas the Earth divided into three Regions of vvhich the lowest vvas alvvaies cold the middlemost alwaies hot and the uppermost being contiguous to the Aire is sometimes hot sometimes cold according to the temper of the circumambient Aire But these studies did not suffice him 1617. but he must by divers kind offices besides endeavour to oblige men famous for their Virtues For why should I relate how that Pacius being now according to his wish become a Catholike and defiring to return into his Country he procured the chief Professorship of Padua to be bestowed upon him as also how when after two year he would return to Valentia he procured him to be called by Letters from the Viceroy and first President of Dauphine written by the Kings commands How when Philippus Jacobus Maussacus a great Ornament of the Senate of Tolouse had gotten the forementioned Commentaries of Julius Scaliger upon Ariftorle his History of Animalls he encouraged him not a little to Print the same with Notes nor was he negligent in sending them when they were printed to all the Learned men throughout Europe as to Aleander Pignorius and others How using the helpe of Barclay he caused divers amorous Poems to be writ out of a Book in the Vatican Library for to pleasure Gilbertus Gaulminius a rare light to good Literature when he understood that they were wanting in Theodorus Prodromus whith was shortly to be printed according to Salmasius his Copy as he also testified in his Epistle to the Reader How he freed divers from divers scruples as Pompeius Paschalinus touching the Agate of his deceased Father Thomas Erpenius touching the Saracenicall History and many such like There was at that time an hot contest in Point of Study between the often before mentioned very Learned Jacobus Sirmondus and Claudius Salmasius that same other glorious Example of polite Learning touching a famous question occasioned a year before by Jacobus Gothofredus in two dissertations touching the Subnâ—bian Grounds and the Churches or of the Diocese of the civill Pretor and of the Bishop of Rome As for that controversie how far it proceened how many Learned men on both sides joyned their forces is not to be related in this place Only I am to say that Peireskius was as carefull as he possibly conld be that the matter might be gently handled between them as did befit Learned Men. The truth is when Aleander also had interposed himself in the quarrell and had sent a treatise from Rome of that Subject to be printed at Paris Peireskius could hardly allow it and being urged he caused it indeed to be printed but with some mitigation of what he had hinted touching the Authority of Counciâ—s and Popes and the bitter passages which he had fcattered up and down against the opinion which he opposed He used the same liberty towards Barclay who had interwoven in his Argenis a Dialogue of somewhat too free a strain For he received about the same time a great part of that worke which he was to see printed And the truth is Barclay had determined that both he and Varius should be personated in that Book but Peireskius commending his affection made greater account of the friendship of Virginius Caesariuus which he had procured him from whom he had received Letters and most elegant Elegiack Verses Yet Barclay is to be commended who testified his gratitude by all meanes in his power as again when he received his Family at Rome about this time he composed an Elegie in the name of his wife Wherein among the rest were these verses To speake the Truth God-like * a mans name de-Vias I Chac't grief away by thy dear Memory The thought of Peiresk whom the High-God bless Did banish from my Mind all Heavinesse Heaven's bless that mighty Man this many a year To the French Nation Then they need not fear View but this wit you 'l say hee 's Pallas Child Which makes him love the name of Virgin mild What Muses and what Prudence were of Old All that to France in Peiresk now behold Long let him Live and my dear Husband Love Long let him Live and Growth of Honours prove And these things were done in the year 1620. 1620. In the beginning and progresse of the Spring whereof he was so troubled with the Strangnry and other diseases that he was hindered to his great grief from following Varius when he went with the King in the beginning of Summer to pacifie certain tumults in Normandie and other Provinces and afterwards to Aquitania and Bearn When he began to mend he received Letters from
Tornaments Andreas Favinus mentions this care of his in his Book of the Theater of Honour and in his third Book of the Orders of Knight-hood Also he reassumed his care of the Constantinian Kalender aforesaid about which he therefore wrote to Schilderus a Canon of Cameracum from whom he had received it also to Franciscus Carandelet us Dean of the same Church who was exceeding curious in all good things He took care about divers things which were kept in the study of the Duke of Arschot and Rubeus aforesaid in which point he was satisfied by Johannes Gaspar Gevartius a famous and if ever any a true Schollar with whom he had already contracted no sleight friendship at Paris Moreover he communicated all his rarer Coins with Rambervillerius who dwelt at Vic and Rambervillerius did reciprocally communicate such as he had to him At the very beginning of the Spring 1621. the year following he lay sick more than a moneth so that he could neither accompany Varius who was again to go with the King nor perform those many great offices of freindship which he had intended to Hugo Grotius then newly come into France for he prized him so highly that he was wont to say that France had gained him in the stead of Scaliger I shall not mention how afterward when Grotius set himself to write the History of his own times Peireskius did furnish him with divers monuments publike and private which he had by him also with very many which he had procured out of Italy namely from Antonius Querengus a learned and famous man to whom many things had been sent out of France because he was writing the Acts of Alexander Farnese Duke of Parma About that time there passed thorow Paris the foresaid Vicelegatus à Balneo who was sent the Popes Nuncio into Flanders who being desirous to see all things in the City which were remarkable Peireskius was recovered in a seasonable time to lead him up and down to learned men to studies to all rare works and with great alacrity though but one to persorm such offices as were hardly to be expected from many together And this was in the moneth of July August followed the saddest moneth that ever he knew For therein died †Mr. du Vair Varius and it extreamly troubled him that during his eight dayes sicknesse he could not be with him to perfom all the last duties of a friend Now that great man died at Tonins in Agennois at the siege of Clerac on the third day of the moneth to the great grief of all France But how Peireskius was peculiarly afflicted with this accident it is needlesse for me to relate For his disposition by this time sufficiently known with the vehement love he bare towards him and his continual observances do speak enough though I be slent All that wrote verses of the death of Varius did not without cause dedicate their said veses to Peireskius among the rest Hugo Grotius was one who thus bespeaks him Though thou who wast the comfort of his cares By which he steer'd the State-affairs of France Do'st more than all lament with dolefull tears His fate as if it were thy proper chance Brave Peiresk who deserv'st a better lot All France is envious at this thy grief And since his Countrey and the World a shot Must pay she will not have thee mourn in chief Also Petrus Bertius who among other passages thus exprest himself But O Peiresk since God will have it so Why do we sadly mourn Let 's set a bound Unto our griefs for we must also go When Fates do call though now both well and sound To let passe others I shall onely say That whereas Peireskius was very carefull that Varius might have all the honour which was due to his Dignities and Virtues he did it as being one of the three which were the Overseers of his last Will having had a Legacie consisting chiefly of Gothick Coins and because he could not sufficiently restifie the affection he bare to his deceasd friend This hard chance was attended by another which he bare likewise very mournfully For Barclay died at Rome just then almost when Varius died in the Camp so that Peireskius heard of his buriall when he expected from him a consolatory Letter and an Epitaph Just about the same time it happened that Peireskius urged him to finish his Argenis wherefore among other things it grieved him that Barclay had not finisht that Work according to his own Mind It was some comfort to him that he had first gotten a most elegant pourtraicture of Barclay to which he would needs have an Eingie subscribed ont of the rich vein of Grotius which also he sent to Debonerus Nor were these accidents enough but there soon followed the death of another which he took most passionately It was the death of Henry of Lorreigne Duke of Mayenne who was slain at Mount-Alban the sixth day of September His love to Peireskius was vehement and full of candor which made him take upon himself of his own accord to protect the Abbey of Guistres in Guyenne and to preserve the Lands and Inhabitants during that war When tidings of his death were brought Peireskius was troubled with a pain in his kidneyes and the Strangury which lasted eight dayes about the beginning whereof he was not able to behold that Prodigie which caused great admiration being seen not onely in the Camp but at Paris also and all France over viz. a Remarkable Brightnesse which in the night following the Twelfth day was seen in the Northern part of the Skie all over so that for many hours together it represented the clearest Sun-rise This was wonderfull the Moon not shining but it was more wonderfull to see a vapour which was shed abroad in the same quarter distinguished as it were into whitish obscure pillars set in rows being exactly perpendicular to the Horizon and moving very slowly from the East unto the West Finally it was a miracle to see a little after as it were certain Pyramids or Spires arising from the white appearances reaching to the top of the Skie very white out of which there shot vapours very thin and exceeding white as swift as lightening This I mention because Peireskius was glad that we observed the same whereby he was assured that it was nothing but a sport of Nature which many interpreted to be some military preparation or the Idea of a Battell The truth is some affirmed that they saw Armies in Battell-aray and Horse and Foot marching and how at last they saw the fight and bullets flying out of the guns T is wonder they said not that they heard the sound of Trumpets and the cries of the Souldiers seeing the same credulous humane frailty was cause of those other figments T is truly credible that if not all yet very many such tales related in Histories have proceeded from the same Original and deserve no greater credit But to return
navel or thick Cake as it were These and such things as these he spent his thoughts about when he enjoyed any rest from the frequent pains of the Hemorrhoids and Strangury And whereas in the moneth of September to recreate himself he went to Beaugensier he returned time enough on the last day of the moneth to be present at a Town-meeting and to give beginning thereto by an excellent Oration at which meeting the Consuls of Aix who were also Proctors of Provence were wont to be chosen Not long after he was informed of the death of Malherbius his very good friend which he took very sadly And though he conceived that not only himself but all the French Muses were called upon to mourn yet was he comforted because he saw one to succeed him who was both his loving friend and umpire of the French language and Poetry the excellent Johannes Capellanius in whom he alwaies admired to see learning joyned with the study of Wisdom and gentlenesse of manners with candour of mind Afterwards he received a Copy of the Genealogical History of the Royal Family of France which the San-Marthani had set forth and wherein they had mentioned him with praise by reason of a Manuscript of Matthaeus Giovanazzius touching the Kings of Sicily of the house of Anjou which he had furnished them with And whereas at the same time a good and learned man Dominicus à Jesu Maria a Carmelite Friar being about to write of the Saints which had been of the Royal Family did desire some Monuments of him there was nothing of which he was more desirous to inform him then of Charles the second King of Sicilie and Earl of Provence For being dead he is had in veneration his whole Body being kept even to this day at Aix and in his life time he was so happy as to see his son Lewis designed Bishop of Tolouse and dying before him in repute for holinesse he saw him put into the Catalogue of Saints and consequently made prayers to him and left money in his will to build the Minories Church at Marseilles to his honour Afterwards he laboured not a little that a Channel might be made through Druentia or the river Verdun which runs through Druentia to Aix For he conceived that the City would then flourish and grow rich when by help of such a Channel it might traffick for all necessary Commodities both with the upper part of Provence and with the Sea Seventy years agoe Adamus Craponus Salonensis had brought a Channel from Druentia into the stony Feilds so called or whole Crautia and designed this to Aix and because there was now need of another Architect or designer of the Works therefore he wrote into the Low-Countries to get one of those men that designed the Channels which were made in that Countrey and that were newly endeavouring to unite the Scaldis and Mosa waters so called And it seemed that what he had generously propounded might be happily effected but that the Plague which hapned the year following 1629. and the disturbance thereby occasioned with his diversion to Beaugensier did quite frustrate his intentions But before we speak of these matters we must touch upon some things that he endeavoured in the mean season In the first place therefore by occasion of the aforesaid Edition of the Bible newly begun he was not content to have given notice of and procured from Rome to be sent to Paris a Samaritan Bible 1629. which was in the custody of that learned man and advancer of all good literature Petrus Valleus a Senator of Rome but he sent himself into the East a sagacious person Theophilus Minutius of the Order of Minims to search for further helps having first obtained for him a License both from the Pope and from the General of his Order and providing that he should neither want money to bear his charges nor to purchase such Books as were necessary for the design in hand And truly he failed not of his Exspectation for he by very good luck soon found and obrained a Samaritan Bible with the Hebrew Arabick joyned therewith howbeit in the Samaritan Character and two Syriack Testaments besides and many Arabick Books Nor must it be forgotten That Daniel Dayminius one of those Franciscans whom they call Recollects took great pains that these and other Books with divers Coines might come into the hands of Minutius Also he gave order to search in Cyprus for those Books in the company of which the Collections of Porphyrogenita aforesaid were found but they were so scattered that they could not be found by any search though never so diligent which grieved him exceedingly because he judged by one of the rest as of the Lion by his claw and was in great hopes And therefore that learned Men might at least not be frustrated of the benefit thereof he thought good to send it to Paris that Grotius Salmasius and other learned Men every man in his way might peruse the same and collect there-from what he thought most useful Moreover Hugo Grotius was a prime man that made use thereof who at his request presently set himself to write out and explain the illustrious fragments of Nicolaus Damascenus which he also with an Epistle dedicatory sent to him And while there was another that was doing the like by the rest of the Work he was desirous in the mean while to procure a second Edition of the Pharmacopeia of Antonius Constantinus a Physician of Protence who about thirty years before had endeavoured to shew That there was no need of exotick Plants and outlandish Medicaments since by the benignity of Nature the same Countrey which gives men their Birth does provide both meats sufficient to nourish and Medicaments able to cure them Therefore he sent that Copy which he had of the said Book to Renatus Moreus a great light of the Faculty of Physick in Paris who was very well contented to undergo that charge About this time he received a Golden Book of the learned Selden De Arrundellianis Marmocoribus or Stones with Greek Inscriptions which that most renowned Earl of Arundel had caused to be brought out of Asia into England and placed in his Gardens And it is indeed fit you should know that those Marbles were first discovered by the industry of Peireskius and dug up fifty Crowns being paid therefore by one Samson who was his Factor at Smyrna and when they were to be sent over Samson was by some trick or other of the Sellers cast into Prison and the Marbles in the mean while made away Nor must it be forgotten how exceedingly Peireskius rejoyced when he heard that those rare Monuments of antiquity were fallen into the hands of so eminent an Hero and the rather because he knew his old friend Selden had happily illustrated the same For his utmost end being publick profit he thought it mattered not whether he or some other had the glory provided that what was for the good of
perfectly satisfied touching the cause of his death though it were not very obscure Therefore the night following they dissected his Body and found that his Heart Liver Lungs and other parts were in good plight only his Bladder in the forepart thereof was so corrupted that like wet Paper it would rend apieces being never so little touched It was therefore conceived that a day or two before his death it was so torn that his Urine was shed into his Belly and caused the foresaid swelling The hinder part thereof was more sound and whole but there was in the bottome store of phlegm and a little gravel At the Sphincter there grew a fleshy or callous substance which being in the neither part shaped like an half Moon and the third part of a finger in thickness did stop the Orifice of his Urine In his left Kidney there was nothing extraordinary but in the right there was much gravel and divers stones three of which were bigger than the rest the one being as big as an Almond the other two as two Lupines And these caused the pains in his right Kidney as his Strangury was caused by the Caruncle which stopped the Orifice of his Bladder The day following which was the seventh of the Kalends of July his Corse was carried to Church with great Pompe and exceeding sorrow of all good men and was buried during the celebration of the accustomed Ceremonies in the Vault or burying place of his Ancestors in the Church of Saint Dominick at eleven a clock in the forenoon His Brother Valavesius was absent at Paris to his great grief when the tidings of his death were brought him For besides the bitter sense and want of his most dearly beloved Brother it encreased his sorrow that it was not his hap to be by him in his sickness to refresh him in his languishings to satisfie himself by seeing and embracing him to receive his commands and to hear his last words that they might remain fixed in his mind They that acquainted him with this sad accident and gave him my Letters were the two Puteans whom the two Brothers alwaies made use of as their prime friends The elder of the Puteans being highly respected by Petrus Siguierius the Chancellor undertook to acquaint him with the business And finding him with a great company of people about him and being demanded what he would have with him he related the matter to him whereupon let us go aside quoth he for your relation is more grievous and that man was greater and to me a dearer kinsmâ—n than that I should seem to grieve perfunctorily for him But Valavesius though he was cast down yet he generously took heart and went to the Cardinal of Lions who also out of the great love he bore to his Brother gave great Testimonies of sorrow Also he went to that mighty Cardinal renowned through the whole world and never to be forgotten Johannes Armandus Plesseus Cardinal of Richelieu who abundantly testified how dear to him the memory of Peireskius was and of his own accord bestowed the Abbey of Guistres upon his Sisters son and the son of Henry Seguiranus who was chief President of the Chamber of Accounts And coming a moneth or two after into Provence the first thing he did was to perform Funeral Rites to his Brother and to be present at the Obsequies which those of Riantium having made an Hearse did celebrate for him Also he wrote forthwith to Genua for to have from thence a Marble stone to make such a Monument as was sutable to his Brothers Renown and their mutual love Moreover the rumor of Peireskius his death was quickly spread abroad through the whole learned world all Scholars being so smitten with grief as if the common Father and Prince of Learning had bin dead For seeing he cherished all their hopes encouraged their minds was a Patron and Assistant to them all they could not choose but all of them be dejected and out of heart having lost that spirit which did animate them all I say presently for lo even from Leiden Letters were dated the third of the Ides of July from Salmasius to the Puteans wherein he writes that the tidings of his death had rendred him wholly unfit for study or any thing else And not to passe over what he saies afterwards I am not able quoth he to comfort my self being quite out of heart and I make no account of my studies since he is gone who was their cherisher and promoter And my grief for his losse would not be so much if during his life I had testified that affection which I had justly conceived toward him for the benefits he conferred upon me but now I must die ungratefull he being dead before I could make testification of my thankful heart All that I can now do is to hold his memory in veneration and in my writings to transmit to posterity such Testimonials of him as his incomparable Virtue and inestimable merits do require from the hand of that man who honoured him living and received more benefits from him than from any mortal man besides But I can say no more for weeping and must of necessity here break off Behold also Letters from Rome written by Naudaeus the day after the Ides of the same moneth in which among other things there are these Passages O the instability of all mortal things O the unspeakable cruelty of the Fates O the bitter Death mischievous to all good men which is befallen in the middest of our jollity that incomparable man being taken away when his death was the thing we least feared What Blazing-Star appeared What notice had we thereof from Heaven Where were the Earth-quakes unwonted thunder-claps the Apparitions and Prodigies which should have appeared at the death of that man the greatest the best the wisest of all other verily we are deluded c. I passe over other Letters in which such passages as these were frequently inserted No future Ages will ever produce such a man Also when shall we meet with his like again And Our hopes are laid in the dust Our Sun is set the Graces have forsaken us the delight of mankind is dead that man is dead who was the only cherisher of the disconsolate Muses in this Age wherein we live I passe over likewise other Letters wherein his friends and learned men in whose Breasts Candor and Gratitude did reside did both testifie their grief and mutually comfort one another Many came to my hands the chief of which were those of the renowned Balzac to whom all Writers both in French and Latine do easily grant the Palm of Elegance wherein he rarely bewailed his Funerals I omit likewise the Elegies Epitaphs Lamentations Encomiums which were published both in Prose and Verse in divers Languages but especially in Latine by Grotius Rigaltius Dumayus Gothofredus Gaffarellus Billonus and others none of which I hope will be offended that I speak of Viassius by himself for honours sake
reverend Father in God Lancelot Andrews late Lord Bishop of Winchester in 24o. 48. A Manuall of Directions for the Sick with many sweet Meditations and Devotions by the right reverend Father in God Lancelot Andrews late Lord Bishop of Winchester in 24. 49. Ten Sermons upon severall occasions preached at St. Pauls Crosse and elsewhere by the Right reverend Father in God Arthur Lake late Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells in 40. 50. Six Sermons upon severall occasions preached at Court before the Kings Majesty and elsewhere by that late learned and reverend Divine Iohn Donne Dr. in Divinity and Dean of St. Pauls London in 4o. 51. Private Devotions in six Letanies with directions and Prayers for the dayes of the weeke and Sacrament for the houre of Death and the day of judgment and two daily prayers for the Morning and Evening written by Dr. Henry Valentine 24o. 52. A Key to the Key of Scripture or an exposition with notes upon the Epistle to the Romans the three first chapters by William Sclater Dr. in Divinity and Minister of the word of God at Pitmister in Somersetshire in 4o. 53. Sarah and Hagar or the sixteenth Chapter of Genesis opened in ninteen Sermons being the first legitimate Essay of the pious labours of that learned Orthodox and indefatigable Preacher of the Gospell Mr. Josias Shute B. D. and above 33 years Rector of St Mary Woolnoth in Lombardstreet in Follo ' 54. Christ's Tears with his love affection towards Jerusalem delivered in sundry Sermons upon Luke 19. v. 41 42. by Richard Maden B. D. late of Magdalen Colledge in Oam in 4o. 55 Three Sermons viz. The benefit of contentation The Affinity of the faithfull and The lost sheep found by Mr. Henry Smith 4o. 56. Ten Sermons preached upon severall Sundayes and Saints dayes by Peter Hausted Mr. in Arts and Curat at Vppingham in Rutland in 4o. 57. Eighteen Sermons preached upon the Incarnation and Nativity of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ wherein the greatest misteries of Godliness are unfolded to the capacity of the Weakest Christian by Iohn Dawson Oxon. in 4o. 58. The History of the Defenders of the Faith discoursing the state of Religion in England during the Reigns of King Henry 8. Edward 6. Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth by C. L. in 4o. 59. Christian Divinity written by Edmund Reeve Batchelour in divinity in 4o. 60. The Communion-Book Catechism expounded by Edmund Reeve Batchelour in Divinity in 4o. 61. The true and absoluce Bishop wherein is shewed how Christ is our onely shepheard and Bishop of our soules by Nicolas Darton Master in Arts in 4o. 62. A description of the New-born Christian or a lively pattern of the Saint militant child of God written by Nicholas Hunt Master in Arts in 4o. 63. Divine Meditations upon the 91. Psalm and on the History of Agag King of Amalek with an Essay of Friendship written by an honourable person 64. An Historicall Anatomy of Christian Melancholy by Edmund Gregory Oxon in 8o. 65. Lazarus his Rest a Sermon preached at the Funerall of that pious learned and Orthodox Divine Mr. Ephrim Vdall by Thomas Reeve B. D 66. The Survey of Man in a Sermon as it was delivered by Mr. John Bishop at his Fathers funerall 67. Enchiridion containing institutions Divine and Morall written by Francis Quarles 24o. Books in Divinity Lately Printed 68. THE Psalmes of David from the new Translation of the Bible turned into Meter to be sung after the old tunes used in the Churches by the Right Reverend Father in God Henry King Bishop of Chichester 12o. 69. Choice Musick for three voices and a thorough-Base composed by Mr. Henry and Mr. William Lawes brothers and servants to his late Majesty with divers Elegies set in Musick by severall friends upon the death of Mr. William Lawes 4o. 70. Letters between the Lord George Digby and Sir Kenelm Digby Knight concerning Religion 8o. 71. Essaies in Divinity by Dr. Donn D. of Saint Paul's before he entred into holy orders 12o. 72. Publike devotions or a Collection of Prayers used at sundry times by divers Reverend and godly Divines together with divine implorations and an introduction to prayer 24o. 73. The Sinners Tears in Meditations and Prayers by Thomas Fettiplace of Peterhouse Camb. 12o. 74. Quaestio Quodlibetica or a discourse whether it be lawfull to take use for mony by R. F. Knight 75. Sions Prospect in its first view presented in a summary of Divine Truths consenting with the faith professed by the Church of England confirmed from Scripture and reason composed by Mr. Robert Mossom Minister 4o. 76. Flores Solitudinis certaine rare and elegant pieces viz. Two excellent discourses 1 Of Temperance and Patience 2 Of life and death by I. E. Nierembergius The World contemned by Eucherius Bishop of Lions And the life of Paulinus Bishop of Nola collected in his sicknesse and retirement by Henry Vaughan 77. 14. Sermons on severall Texts of Scriâ—â—â—â— with a Catechism written by Willam Gay Rector of Buckland Choyce Poems with excellent Translations by the most eminent wits of this age 78. EPigrammata Thomae Mori Ingli in 16º 79. Fragmenta Aurea a collection of all the incom-Parable Pieces written by Sr. Iohn Sucklin Knight 8o. 80. Poems Songs Sonnets Elegies and Letters by Iohn Donne with Elegies on the Authors death to which is added divers Copies under his own hand never before in print 8o. 81. Juvenalls 16. Satyrs translated by Sir Robert Stapylton wherein is contained a Survey of the manners and actions of Mankind with Annotations 8o. 82. Musaeus on the loves of Hero and Leander with Leander's letter to Hero and her answer taken out of Ovid with Annotations by Sir Robert Staplyton in 12o. 83. Poems c. written by Mr. Edward Waller of Beconsfield Esq 8o. 84. Pastor Fido the faithfull Shepheard a Pastorall newly translated out of the Originall by Mr. Richard Fanshaw Esq 4o. 85. Poems with a discovery of the Civill Warrs of Rome by Mr. Richard Fanshaw Esq in 4o. 86. Europa Cupid crucified Venus Vigils with Annotations by Thomas Stanley Esq 8o. 87. Coopers Hill a Poem written by Mr John Denham Esq the 2d Edition with Additions 4o. 88. Medea a Tragedy written in Latin by Lucius Annaeus Seneca Englished by Mr. Edward Sherburn Esq with Annotations 8o. 89. Seneca's answer to Lucilius his Quaere why good men suffer misfortunes seeing there is a Divine providence Englished by Mr. Edward Sherburn Esq 8o. 90. Madagascar with other Poems by Sr. W. Davenant 91. Poems with a Masque by Thomas Carew Esq Gentleman of the Privie Chamber to his late Majestie revived and enlarged with Aditions 8o. 92. Poems of Mr. John Milton with a Masque presented at Ludâ—â—w Castle before the Earle of Bridgewater then President of Wales 8o. 93. Poems c. with a Masque called The Triumph of Beauty by James Shirley Gent. 8o. 94. The Mistriss or severall Copies of love-verses written by Mr. Abraham Cowley 80. 95. Stepps to the
of Marquardus Frcherus a Lawyer and Historian who died at Heidelberge whose friendship Velserus had procured him 1614. I know not whether there were any more but he was wont to reckon the fifth year after as most unhappy through the death of a number of his most dearly beloved friends He added that it was a comsort to him that in the mean while it was his happinesse to gain the friendship of divers other very rare men One was Johanues Franciscus Vidius á Balneo Archbishop of Patracum then the Vicelegate of Avenion For afterwards they became very great friends either while he was at Avenion or while he was the Popes nuncio to the Princes of the Low-Countries and to the most Christian King or after he was made Cardinall being rarely and remarkably virtuous Another was Francisus Savarius Brevius who was a long time the Kings Agent at Constantiople and who returning then from Rome was at Aix in the beginning of the Spring and had with him Gabriel Sivinta of the order of the Maronites of Mount Libanus already famous for expounding the Orientall Languages into whose friendship Peireskius accounted it most delightfull yet more and more to insinuate and confirme himself Another was Guilelmus Catellus a great light in the Parliament of Tolouse to whom he communicated divers things partly belonging to the History of the Erles of Tolouse and partly to the Languedoc Commentaries which he himself does somewhere witnesse where he termes Peireskius a most Learned and curious Gentleman Another unhappinesse wherewith he was exercised the same year was a most grievous disease which for two whole moneths did so afflict his Father that he out of the extream love he bare him was scarce ever out of the Chamber or from his Beds side It was in the mean while some solace unto him that he received some Rarities out of the Low-Countries and especially the Picture of Jacobus Metius who invented the Telescope or Prolspective Glasse which Winghemius procured him that he obtained from Arles the nine Muses expressed in Marble and another of the two Muses with Homer in the middle and this inscription O MHP ... and some other things which with divers pieces of Coine he sent forthwith to Natalitius Benedictus Also he reserved some spare hours for reading which therfore it was his pleasure chiefly to spend in reading and weighing the History of Provence which Caesar Nostradamus did then set forth And to speake a word of his Censure thereof he did not wholly like the Style which for a great part of it was poeticall nor did he like his giving credit to I knovv not what Commentaries against which certain authentick Monuments were exstant nor his transposition of times and his beginning of the year constantly at the Kalends of January which he should rather have reckoned from the day of Christs Nativity nor his seeking to affix ancient Nobility upon some new Upstarts and taking the same away from ancient Families ◠or passing the same over in silence These some such other things he did not like Howbeit he would excuse these faults because the Author not being able to know all things himself did relie upon the credit of others and he much commended his Ingenuity in that he chose to begin the Catalogue of the Erles of Provence rather from Gilbertus whose story was indubitably true then from Boso so called touching whom and his Successors to Gilbertus the opinions of Authors were so various I let passe how Peireskius endeavoured to give light to the darknesse of the History from the Testimony of Instruments and Authentick Acts and Records For he observed how that to Rothboldus who lived before the year one thousand there did succeed not only Boso touching whose progeny he could only find that he had a Son named Rothbold but also another Son named William who also left a Son o◠his own name who with his Brother Gauzfred was an Erle To whom succeeded Bertramnus who raigned partly with his Uncle Gaudfred partly with William his Cousin-german And that Bertramnus had a Son called William and another named Gauzfred who was also Erle And that it was probable that Gilbert was the Son of William but there wanted authentick Instruments to attest the same seeing Franciscus Claperius interposed Odo Neverthelesse he made a question touching that same Odo whom he writes to have lived from the year 1039. to the year 90. whereas he had evidently found that in the intermediate years viz. 42.63 and others William and Grauzfred did Raign and that also in the 90th year besides Gilbert there was also an Erle of Provence named Raimundus Sancti Aegidii who might be peradventure the Son of Gauzfredus I pass over likevvise how he afterwards observed many things wherein both Claperius and Nostradamus were overseen For they for example sake made not only Douce to be the Daughter of Gilbert and Tiburges who was married to Raimond Erle of Barcellone but also Phaitis who was married to Ildefonsus Erle of Tolouse so that by this meanes the Province came to be divided between Raymondus and Ildefonsus in the year as we hinted before 125 whereas neverthelesse Phaitis was rather the Daughter of Raimondus Sancti Aegidii and the Countesse Alvire so that consequently by that division the smaller part of the Province fell to Phaitis because compensation was made to the Erles of Ruthen and Givalden whom Douce Daughter of Tiburgis had born They also made him to have by Douce another Son Gilbert who had for Daughter Stephanitis who was married to Raimundus Bauleius whereas there was never any such second Gilbert and Stephanitis was not his Daughter but Daughter of that same first and only Gilbert and therefore the Sister not the Neece of Douce though not by Tiburgis but some other wife either Geriberga or Francisca I will say no more lest I become troublesome seeing it is sufficient that I have touched upon these things to shew the care which Peireskius took about his Fathers Sicknesse and the Adventures of his friends A little after happened that most grievous and cruell disease wherewith himself was afflicted For in the Moneth of November he went to Roquebrune a town near Freius being one of those who notable to pay their debts did satisfie their Creditors with their Lands a special Comittee of such as should canvase and judge of the businesse being appointed and Peireskius for one And because he had resolved not to return to the City before he had seen the businesse he was sent about accomplished therefore he desired leave of Varius to abide there who by divers Letters most full of affection had given him to understand that his absence was very troublesome unto him He desired the same of his Father who had invited him to the Wedding of his Sister Susanna who was married to Seguirannus aforesaid the January following And indeed he could willingly have been there especially his Brother Valavesius being absent the