whiche haue sundrie and straunge proprieties Chapt. 15. IN the Chapiter where we aboue some thyng spake in generall of the perfection of waters we promised to intreate of the proprietie or effecte of certaine springes or lakes in perticuler of which all the first shall bée the riuer of Iudea Asfaltida whiche also was after called the immoueable or deade sea Of this water Plinie Columella and Diodorus Syculus reporte many thynges bothe straunge and meruailous Firste that there ingendereth neither fishe foule or any other liuynge creature and that nothyng hauyng life maie there in be drouned so that if you throwe into it a man or any other creature he by no meanes shall perishe there in yea though he be bounde in suche sorte that he neither swimme or moue These thinges are recited by Plinie and Aristotle to giue some naturall reason for it saieth that the water of this riuer is verie salte grosse troublesome and thicke Cornelius Tacitus addeth also this an other proprietie that it neuer moueth or riseth in any waues for no winde what so euer or greate or vehemente These foresaied aucthours affirme as also Solinus that at one certaine tyme there gathereth together in this lake a straunge kinde of frothe or slime whiche is so good and so strong a morter that hardly any waighte or other force dissolueth it Diodorus Syculus termeth it Bitumen and Asfalta so that it semeth to take his denomination of this riuer Asfaltida Of other lakes we reade that ingender the like slime or morter as that that adioigneth so nigh vnto Babilon with the frothe of whiche Semiramis did to be built those famous walles of Babilon Into this water of Iudea descendeth the sloodde of Iordaine whose water is moste pure and excellent but enteryng into the other looseth his pristinate vertue by the onely impuritie and imperfection of the other It is written that Domician sent thether of purpose to be ascertained of the truthe concernyng this matter and receiued for aunswere as is afore saied Plinie remembereth vs of an other in Italie called Aueâ—â—a nigh vnto the sea or goulfe of Bayas and this lake is of this propertie or condition that there passeth no birde of what kinde so euer he be ouer it but immediatly he falleth doune dead into it The Poete Lucretius yeldeth this reasoÌ„ for it saiyng that by the meanes of the great number of trees that on bothe sides inuiron it and of parte by meanes of the continuall shadowe there ascendeth suche a vapour so grosse and so infectious that immediately it stifleth or impoisoneth the birdes and farther he addeth that it of parte also procedeth of certaine obnoxious and sulfured mines there Theophrastus and Plinie accorde bothe tegether of a riuer in Iudea called Licos as also of an other in Ethiopia of like and semblable nature hauyng the proprieties of oile or the like matter whiche put into a lampe giue lighte and burne incontinently Pomponius Mela and Solinus writyng of Ethiopia affirme that there is a lake or riuer verie swete pleasante and cleare in whiche notwithstanding if any man washe hym self he issueth thence againe all annointed as if he came out of a bathe of oile The semblable to this reporteth Vitruuius saiyng that there is a certaine floudde in Cilicia as also nigh vnto Carthage a well of the same propertie Solinus Theophrastus and Isidorus affirme that thei haue heard of twoo diuers welles of the one of whiche twoo if a woman fertile chaunce to drinke she from that tyme euer after shall liue sterill and baron and contrary wise if a woman sterill by happe drinke of the other she forthwith becometh fruitfull and beareth children aboundantly Thei againe remember vs of an other in Arcadia of whiche who so drinketh stearueth immediatly Aristotle in his questions naturall speaketh of one in Thracia of like and semblable effecte as also of an other equall to it in Sarmatia Herodotus hath whiche Plinie and Solinus confirme that the riuer Hypenis bothe great and wide descendyng doune from Scithia is a water right holesome and sauourie into the which neuer the lesse after the enteraunce of a little spring or fountaine it waxeth so bitter and so vnsauerie onely by the saltnesse or vnpleasante taste of that welle that it is vnpossible for any man in any wise to drinke of it The saied aucthours againe as also Isidorus remember vs of twoo other fountaines or springes in Boecia of whiche the one beyng drounke vtterly taketh from vs our memorie the other preserueth it causyng these that there of drinke at any tyme freshely to call to minde againe what thei before had or loste or forgotten Of twoo others also the one mouyng and prouokyng menne to venerie the other druonke cooleth and mortifieth their affections In Sicilia there is a fountaine whiche the inhabitauntes call Aretuza of which besides the multitude of fishe therin as also that it was an offeÌ„ce to take or to eate of theim a straunge and thyng incredible is crediblie reported whiche is that within this water many notable thynges haue been founde whiche in tymes long before had been throwne into the riuer Alfea whiche is in Achaia a conntrie of Grece by meanes whereof thei maintain and affirme that the water of this riuer passeth thorowe the entrailes of the yearth springyng and risyng againe in the aboue saied fountaine passyng vnder the sea betwixte Sicilia and Achaia The aucthours that reporte it are of suche credite and learnyng that thei easily maie harden an other man to write it againe after them Seneca affirmeth it Plinie and Ponponius Mela Strabo and Seruius commentyng on the tenth Eglogue of Virgil. Solinus and Isidorus haue this of an other fouÌ„taine in to whiche who so putteth his hande for the affirmation or negation of any thyng takyng a corporall othe if he there proteste any thyng againste the truth or veritie his iyes incontinently will drie vp and waxe blinde Plinie recordeth the verie semblable also of an other riuer whiche brunte of the hande of a periured wretche whiche reportyng an vntruthe swore by the saied water thrustyng his hande into it Philostratus in his seconde booke of the life of Apollo saieth that there was a certain riuer in whiche who so washte his handes and feete beyng in deede a wilfull and reatchlesse periurer was incontinently couered with a foule add lothsome leprosie Diodorus Siculus hath the like also of an other But if these thynges to any manne seme lesse worthie of credite knowe he that Isidorus a man vertuous and learned in the reporte of theim hath followed in moste places the aucthours aboue remembred and writeth also of many others as of the welle of Iacob in Idumea whiche fower tymes in the yere chaungeth his colour and from three monethes to three waxeth thicke and troublesome it now is blacke now red now gréene and at laste retonrneth to his naturall colour againe Of a riuer also that runneth through the countrie of the Troglotides whiche
this sorte from aboue prutrifieth incontinently as is to bée seen in standyng pooles or diches whiche ingender infinite ordures How bee it to speake indifferently this is not to be attributed to any defaute or imperfection in this water but rather for that it is reserued in so vile a place into whiche moste commonly flowe all noisome sinckes and vnsauerie gutters with others of that sorte lesse meete to bée here remembred as also of parte by the ordure that it draweth and bryngeth with it washyng the yearth as it floweth into the aboue saied troughes or diches especially when it powreth doune or raineth aboundauntlie Wherefore the cause of this sodaine corruption of part procedeth from the extreme heate of the Sunne of part for that it is so pure and delicate but mixte now with suche contagious and lothesome impurities that it immediatly and without staie corrupteth of necessitie Notwithstandyng if this water so subtile and well purified were taken fallyng from houses voide of duste or filthe or rather before it touche any house or other thing were receiued into sonie cleane and pure vessell it maie be thought that it would proue more pure then any other as also that it longer might bee without putrifaction preserned Others some there are that plainly affirme the contrary as Plinie that writeth it to bee nought and vnholesome who also commaundeth that we neither drinke or taste of it for that these vapours whence it in the beginnyng and firste of all riseth issue and procede of diuerse thynges as also of diuerse soiles whence it also receiueth diuers and different qualities good and badde with like and with the same facilitie And againe alleagyng some farther proofe for his assertion answereth also to that that we aboue remembred lesse admitting it for comprobation sufficient as to saie that it therfore is pure or light because it is drawne into the regions of the aire whether it as is euidente not naturally mounteth but is taken by secrete force and violency of the sunne Neither are these vapours saieth he which in the middle regiō of the aire by extreme cold are altered into haile or snowe so pure and so perfecte as most men suppose them but resolued into water are rather founde in verie deede pestiferous and noisome Besides whiche defecte he this againe addeth that this rainie water by the onely euaporation and heate of the yearth becommeth infected euen in the same tyme and instante that it raineth For better proofe of whiche impuritie it onely is to bee noted how quickly and how sone it becometh putrified of whiche wee haue experience often tymes vpon the sea where it impossible is to preserue suche waters from corruption For these causes now cisternes and depe welles are of most men lesse commended How be it touchyng these differente and contrary opinions eche manne maie sentence accordyng to his phantasie as for my parte I willynglie would not prefarre a rainie water before the others although in truthe it bee in cases more fittyng and necessarie and although also Plinie whiche other wise discommendeth it letteth not to reporte that fishes in stādyng pondes and lakes quickely waxe fatte but then moste especially when it moste aboundantly raineth so as thei maie be thought still to please moste in this water Theophrastus saieth that all hearbes in the gardein wéedes or grasse what quantitie of water so euer you bestowe on theim spring thence notwithstandyng in no respecte so well as with some pleasaunte or smalle showers of raine In maner semblable writeth Plinie of the reede or bulle rushe whiche the better to growe or prospere thirsteth still for raine Suche also is Aristotles opinion and consonante to the former concernyng the fattyng or impairyng of fishes By what policie we may drawe freash water out of the Sea and why colde water in fallyng maketh greatet noyse then it woulde doe if it were warme finally why a Shippe on the salte water beareth greater weight then on the freashe Chap. 13. ARistotle writeth as also Plinie that we shoulde frame certaine vessels of waxe hollowe within so bindyng or closing theim that in theim be founde no hole or vente lettyng theim doune into the Sea fastned in some Nette or other fitte matter with long lines or cordes whence after they there haue béen the space of one whole daie if wée againe drawe theim wee shall finde in euerie of theim a certaine quantitie of freshe water suche and so good as in any spring or fountaine The reason why the salte water becometh freashe by the entraunce into these vessels is in thys sorte geuen vs of Aristotle who saieth that the waxe beyng a bodie both full of powres and swéete graunteth passage to the most pure and subtill parte of the water which as it leaueth without hys grosse and saulte substaunce so pearsing it sauereth of the waxie nature swete and pleasant In truthe if it be so I saie againe if it bee so for that I neuer yet practised in any sorte this secrette it might well serue in sundrie our necessities whiche commonly betyde vs in infinite our affaires How be it I suppose that if thys falte water waxe freashe by the onely and sole enteraunce in to the aboue saide vessels the saied vessels in like sorte filled also full with the Sea shoulde geue vs some small quantitie or measure of freashe water for filled as is afore saide why shoulde not the purer parte passe through these porie vessels leauyng within the slimie or saulte substaunce of the Sea as beyng cast voyde into the Sea shoulde receiue there by contrarie order inwardes water pure and immixte without any droppe at all of the other The reason seemeth one as tending both to one ende vnlesse we should dwell here on some scrupulous difference arguing that by the same meane and by the same facillitie this freashe water distilleth not out of the full vessell as on the other side it entereth into the voyde and emptie for that some appearaunce is of greater force in goyng out then is as some suppose at the entraunce or comyng in how be it who so curious is may make easie proofe both of the one the other Farther for their sakes that please in these experimentes one other thynge shall I write in thys place not lesse necessarie Who so filleth at anye tyme twoo Bottles of one measure the mouth necke of like length and widnes the one with boilyng water the other all colde and straigh waies will empte theim after one sorte without gile at one tyme I meane and in one instante tegether shall finde that the colde water will as well be first out as also that in fallyng it assuredly will yelde a greater brute or noyse the boylynge water slidyng on the other side slowly and with lesse noyse The reason is that the warme water lesse poyseth then the colde whiche by heate of the fier hath loste nowe the greatest quantitie of his grosse vapours so that when firste the colde water
is another equall in coldnes with any of the aboue remembred and yet often tymes â—lames of fire haue been séen to issue out of it Plinie writeth that moste men are scrupulous in these matters and make conscience to credite them how be it assuredly the secretes of nature are in maner inscrutable though in deede more euidently séen in this elemente of water then in any other thyng And farther in the worlde so many thynges are so straunge and so meruailous that we iustly maie repute no thyng though lesse common therefore impossible especially these that are certified vs of menne of suche credite as are all those whom we here haue alledged Besides this we are truely certified euen by those that haue séen it liuyng yet in our tyme that in one of the Isles of Canaria called Ferra beyng an Isle populus and verie well inhabited in a certaine place verie nigh the middle thei haue none other water then that which distilleth as is well knowne moste aboundantly out of the leaues or braunches of a certatne trée at the foote of whiche tree neither any thyng nigh it is there to bee founde any spryng or other water neuer the lesse this tree continueth alwaies so moiste that bothe from his braunches leaues and boughes it euer distilleth in suche quantitie and aboundance that bothe nighte and daie thei fette there to serue all their necessities whiche hardly we should haue credited had wée onely founde it written Wherefore let it not seme straunge or incredible to any that whiche wée haue here tofore recited for this elemente of water is very puissaunte and meruailous whose force and hidden qualities are not to all men so familiar and well knowen As concernyng the sea also it is reported to bée in Winter more warme then in the Sommer as againe more salte in Autumne then in other tymes any Moste true it is also that in some partes of the sea to weete in those that bée farrest of from the lande no snowe falleth at any tyme what so euer Of all these thynges sundrie haue giuen sundrie good reasons of whiche the greater parte attribute it to th' onely proprietie or qualitie of the soile mines stones trees and mettalles where fountaines haue their sprynges where riuers and lakes runne For better proofe whereof that it so is in déede by daiely experience we well are instructed that vines and other fruictes of one and the same kinde are more better and more sauery in one soile then in another for that some are swete some sharpe and sower some good and profitable others againe infectious and noisome The aire also it self then corrupteth and is pestilente when it passeth ouer any countrie lesse holsome or impoisoned What meruaile then is it if the water that washeth and penetrateth the yearth stones mettalles hearbes rootes and trees with infinite suche and others the semblable receiue holsome or lesse holsome proprieties or natures be thei neuer so straunge so rare or incredible especially aided also by some influences of the starres and Planettes Of diuers straunge thinges whiche happened at the birth and death of our sauiour Christe recited by sundrie famous and learned historians besides these that are recorded by the Euangelistes in the scriptures Chap. 16. ALthough these thynges writen by the Euangelistes whiche happened at the birth and death of our sauiour strauÌ„ge in déede and very miraculous are of all others moste certaine and worthy of credite yet it semeth to me no thyng or very little from the purpose if we remember here some other thynges perhaps not lesse meruailous fine and considred of euen of those that haue written them Paulus Orosius and Eutropius writyng of Octauian with whom also accordeth Eusebius saiyng that at the birthe of our sauiour Christe into this worlde there happened to breake vp euen at that instante a certaine spryng that ranne with oile by the space of one daie in an Inne or common Tauerne in the citee of Rome And it seemeth that this spryng no thyng els signified but the commyng of Christ to wete of the annointed by whom and in whom all christians are The publike Inne into whiche all men indifferently and without respecte are receiued and lodged signifieth our true mother the holy and true Churche the greate Inne or common lodgyng for all faithfull Christians out of whiche should passe and procede incessantly all maner of people vertuous and louyng god Eutropius to this also adioigneth that as well in sundrie places aboute Rome as in Rome it self euen in the full plaine and cleare daie was séen a circle whiche perfectly compassed the Sunne rounde about no lesse bright or cleare then the Sunne it self giuing also as muche light or rather more then it Paulus Orosius in like sorte reporteth that euen at the same tyme the Senate and people of Rome to gether offered to Octauian Augustus the title of chief prince or soueraigne lorde and siegnior whiche he refused in any wise to accept prognosticating lesse thinkyng there on that an other more greater and more puissante then he was borne to whom onely and alone this title appertained Commestor in his historie semblablie affirmeth that the Temple dedicated by the Romaines to the goddesse Peace then felle and sundred on euery side or quarter and farther saith that at the first erection of this temple the inhabitantes consulted with the Oracle of Apollo to knowe how long it should continue and stande whiche aunswered vntill a virgine should beare a childe whiche thei estemed to bée a thyng impossible and that therefore their Churche shoulde stande eternally how bee it at the deliuerie of the virgine the mother of our redemer and prince of heauen it fell doune and suered eche parte from other Whence also Lucas of Tuy in the Chronicles of Spain writeth that he some tymes founde in the aunciente Annaleis or recordes of that countrie hauyng by conference and computation founde out the tyme that in the very same night that our Sauiour was borne there appered in Spaine precisely at midnight a certaine cloude that in suche sorte gaue light to the countrie as if it had then been the middle of the daie or noone tide I also remember that S. Hierome reporteth that at the same tyme when the virgine fled into Egipte with her sonne all the Idolles and Images of their goddes there felle doune and defaste them selues vpon their aultars and other places and that the Oracles that these goddes or better to saie these deuilles to deceiue the people gaue foorthe then at tymes then ceaste neuer after giuyng them any aunswere what so euer This miracle alleaged in this sorte by sainct Hierome semeth also to be approued by that famous and moste excellente though a Panime Plutarche who without any credite that he gaue to these thynges as also that he knewe not or how or why they chaunsed hath written neuer the lesse a perticuler treatise of the defect or ende of these Oracles for euen then in his tyme
the aucthoritie of the Senate he could admitte no new God in Rome besides or beyonde their supersticious Idoles But as the diuinitie nedeth not nor yet can confirme it self by the sole and onely approbation of manne so God here in permitted that the Senate should then dooe nothyng Yea on the contrary rather as sondrie good writers haue thei helde them ill contented for that Pilate had not to them hereof writen also as he then did to the Emperour This notwithstanding Tiberius ordained by Proclamation that no man should be so hardy to touche or laie hande on any professed christian Now after this Pilate arrested hym in Rome confirmed by the deuell as his assured seruaunt did neuer any thyng iustly in any his charge or office Of whiche accused before Caius Caligula successour to Tiberius as also to haue prophaned the temples and churches erecting vnlawfull Images and Idolles and farther that he had robbed the common coafers and threasories with other greate crimes and intollerable treacheries was banished in fine and sent home againe to Lions Others saie to Vienna and that he was there borne where his intertainment was suche and so muche pleasing that he incontinently murthered hym self whiche thyng assuredly chaunced hym by diuine heauenly permission to the intent he shamfully might dye by the handes of hym self the moste vileste and vniuste wretche in the whole worlde These that hereof haue written are the aboue remembred authours Beda in his booke De temporibus and in his Ecclesiasticall historie on thactes of the Apostles Eusebius reporteth that he thus slue hymself the eighth yere after the death of the innocente lambe Iesus iudged to death and deliuered to the bloodie Iewes by hym Of whose death and passion this accursed deuill neuer soughte by any meanes his remission or pardon but paste hence in dispaire to Sathan his patron for the bountie of God is suche and so greate that though in deede he had sentensed his onely soonne to death yet if he had repented hym of that his synfull crime the verie same whom he had condemned to the crosse had not withstandyng yet grauÌ„ted hym his portion in ioye with Christe Farther a lake there is or riuer whiche also menne call Pilate within the territories of Sueuia adioynyng to Lucerna in a certaine plaine inuironed on all sides with high and greate mountaines from the highest of which as some affirme for truth he threwe hymself doune and was drouned in that water The coÌ„mon opinion is that euery yere ones he maketh there shewe of hym selfe in the habite of a iudge but who so euer he be manne or woman that by happe then shall see hym dieth assuredly or the yere bee fully expired For proofe whereof I referre you to Ioachimus Vadianus a man singulerly learned whose commentaries writen on Pomponius Mela are extant who also of this lake reporteth yet an other thyng no lesse knowen for true then verie straunge and meruailous He saieth that this water is of this nature or propertie that who so casteth into it either a stone clotte of yearth a pece of woode or any other the semblable this water forthwith so rageth and rolleth with suche violente and teÌ„pestious impetuositie that it passeth his bandes drouneth and annoieth the whole countrie aboute it whence the inhabitauntes are often tymes indomaged in their corne fruites trees and cattell And againe that whiche moste straunge is if these thynges bee not throwen in willingly and of pretensed purpose but by happe or fortune as least though one do slide in it then neither altereth nor rageth in any kinde of maner Further also saieth this foresaied Ioachiamus a Swiser borne that there are lawes and constitutions forbiddyng all men vnder paine of death to caste or conueigh any thyng into the saied lake and that diuers haue been executed for infringyng this ordinaunce Whiche whither it bee naturall or miraculous I durst not affirme although waters haue straunge meruailous proprieties For some of whiche it should not be harde to yelde good reason but for others difficill or rather I iudge impossible The semblable vnto this reciteth Plinie saiyng that there is in Dalmacia a verie deepe darke dungion or denne into whiche if any throwe any stone or weightie matter there issueth thence immediatly suche a violente or blusteryng aire or rather if I so mighte saie a whirlyng winde that it tourneth into a daungerous tempest greuyng and annoiyng all the inhabitauntes of that countrie It maie bee whiche I dare not to affirme that the bodie of Pilate was throwen into that hole and that the deuill there by diuine permission to his euerlastyng shame and ignomine executeth these straunge and incredible effectes In what degrees and at what age a man and woman should marrie Chap. 3. THe auncient Philosophers morall were of sondrie opinions touching thage in whiche man should marrie hym self to a woman to the intent that the yeres of the one might aunswere in proportion vnto the others Aristotle groundyng here on so maie it be that women both naturally conceiue and beare children euen vntil the siâ—tieth yere ended of their age and that man is also able in his kinde vntill the seuenteth expleate saied that thei orderly should marrie at suche tyme as bothe parties might leaue together vnprofitable and vnable in thacte of generation in suche sorte that by the rule or prescription of the Philosopher man should haue aboute twentie yeres more then his wife Hesiodus an Xenophon graunt hym yet some thing lesse supposyng it sufficient that a manne of thirtie yeres take a wife at fowertene Licurgus lawe geuer to the Lacedemoniens conformeth hymfelf to the opinion and censure of Aristotle for generally he forbadde marriage vnto all men before thei had past the seuen and thirtie yere but vnto women the seuententh onely This Lycurgns his lawe was approued of many for that in her more perfecte and more ripe age she more easily acquainteth her self with the maners and behauiour of hym that is giuen her for housebande For as writeth Aristotle in his Economiques the disparitie of maners and difference in conditions let perfecte loue betwixte the parties coupled yet neither approue I this ordinaunce of Aristotle whiche willeth that man should haue twentie yeres more then woman without offence or preiudice be it ment vnto so worthie a personage my reason is this that man beyng fullie sixtie yeres olde although he yet then can doe some thyng in the acte of generation moste commonly if he liue longer in the residue of his life he is charged with infinite and daily increase of maladies so that before his wife aspire to the age of fortie he to her shall bee a greate charge and wearie paine in place of a frende a patrone and a housbande Wherefore when there is lesse difference in their ages thei are in like maner mortified as it were at one tyme their mindes and intentes are also more conformable then when there is so greate inequalitie of yeres
beginneth to streame forthe that parte that is behinde still by his weight pusheth and thrusteth on the former by continuall force or fight as it were in suche sorte that the onely weight firste causeth the colde Bottle to empte as also by the same meane it noiseth as is euident or resoundeth somthing farther Whiche aunswere as Aristotle in this respecte geueth so also learneth he vs of an other the like practise which rather by experience then reason we see daily A Shippe saieth he in the Sea or in the salte water carrieth farre a greater weight then he dothe in the freashe for the Sea addeth he is a more thicke or grosser substaunce and beareth a charge or burthen more houge then the other beyng of a nature in respecte more pure and subtile For proofe whereof experience this learneth vs that if we cast into a riuer an Egge immediatly it sinketh and passeth to the bottome but contrarie wise if you throwe hym into the Sea or salte water he swimmeth as supported by a greater force or violēce Of the renoumed and greate Tamberlaine of the kingdomes and countries that he subdued and finally of his practise and maner in warre Chap. 14. THere hath béen amonge the Grekes Romaines the people of Carthage and others innitfie worthy and famous capitaines which as they were right valiaunt and fortunate in war so were they no lesse fortunate in that some others by writynge commended their chiualrie to the posteritie for euer But in our tyme we haue had one in no respect inferiour to any of the others in this one pointe notwithstandyng lesse happie that no man hath vouchsaued by hys penne in any sorte to commende him to the posteritie following So that I who moste desired somethynge to speake of hym haue béen forced together here and there little péeces and pamphlets scarce lendyng you any shewe of his conquirous exploytes the same also confusely and without any order This then of whom we speake was that greate and mightie Tamburlaine who in hys tender yeres was a poore labourer or husbandman or as other some reporte a common Soldiar how be it in the ende he became Lorde of suche greate kingdomes and seignories that he in no pointe was inferiour to that prince of the worlde Alexander or if he were he yet came nexte him of any other that euer liued He raigned in the yere of our Lord God a thousande three hundred fower score and tenne Some suppose that he was a Parthian borne a people lesse honorable then dread of the Romaines his farher and mother were verie poore and néedie he notwithstanding was of honest vertuous conditions wel fewtred valiant healthie quicke nimble sharpe witted also of ripe and mature deliberation and iudgemēt imaginyng and deuising haute and greate enterprises euen in that his most and extreame penurie as though he some times shoulde be a maister of many thinges He was of a valiant and inuincible corage so that from his Cradle and infancie it seemed he was vowed to Mars and merciall affaires onely Where vnto he gaue hym selfe with suche painefull indeuour that hardlye a man might iudge whether he were more happie in déede in aduised cousel or princely dexteritie By meane of which his vertues and others that we shall hereafter remember he in shorte tyme acquired such honour and reputation as is to be supposed man neuer shall do againe His first beginning was as writeth Baptista Fulgotius that beyng the soonne of a poore manne kepyng cattle in the filde liuyng there with other boyes of his age and condition was chosen in sport by the others for their kyng and althought they had made in déede this their election in plaie he whose spirites were rauished with greate and high matters forst theim to swere to him loialtie in al thinges obeyng hym as king wher or when it should please hym in any matter to commaunde theim After this othe then in solemne sorte ministred he charged eache of theim forthwith to sell their troope and cattell leauing this seruile and base trade of life séeking to serue in warre acceptyng hym for capitaine whiche in deede they did beyng quickly assembled of other worke men and pastours to the full number at leaste of fiue hundred with whom the firste attempte that euer be tooke in hande was that they robde all suche marchauntes as anie where paste nigh theim and after he imparted the spoyle so iustlie that all his companions serued hym with no lesse faithe then loue and loyaltie whiche occasioned sundrie others a newe to seeke and followe hym Of whiche newes in the ende the Kinge of Persia aduertised sent forth vnder the conducte of one of his capitaines a thousande horses well appointed to apprehende and take hym at whose commyng he so well knewe in this matter howe to beare hym that of his enimie he soone had made hym his assured frende and companion in suche sorte that they ioigned both their companies together attempting then before enterprises much more greate and more difficill In the meane tyme a certaine discorde or breache of amitie grewe betwixte the Kyng of Persia and his brother by occasion where of Tamburlaine tooke parte with the Kynges brother where he so ordered the matter in suche sorte that he deposed the King and aduaunced the other After this by this newe prince in recompence of his seruice he was ordained generall of the greater parte of his armie who vnder pretexte that he woulde conquire ad subdue other prouinces to the Persians mustered still and gathered more Souldiars at hys pleasure with whom he so practised that they easely reuolted like Rebels followyng hym subduyng their Leage and Soueraigne This hauynge nowe deposed whom he before aduaunced he crouned hymself Kyng and Lorde of that countrie Now moued with compassion towardes his owne countrie whiche long tymes had been tributorie to the Princes of Persia and to the Sarrazins did theim to be frée from all seruice and exactions lottyng to theim for Prince him selfe and none other After this consideryng with hym selfe that he presentlie hadde gathered a houge and greate armie moued priuie mutenies and rebelliōs in other countries by meanes wherof in prosis of tyme he conquired Syria Armenia Babylon Mesopotamia Scythia Asiatica Albania and Media with others manie territories riche also famous cities And although we finde written nothing of any his warres whatsoeuer yet is it to be presumed that he fought many a bataile in open filde with the ennimie before he had subdued so many kingdomes and territories for as muche as all those that remember of hym anie thyng commende to vs the haute exploytes of this moste valiaunte personage and farther that hee so circumspectly ordered his companie that in his Campe was neuer knowen any brawle or mutenie He was verie courteous liberall doyng honour to all menne accordynge to their demerites that woulde accompanie or follow him feared therefore equally and loued of the people He so painefullie and with suche
three tymes in the daie and night chaungeth his taste or sauour to weete from sweete to bitter and from bitter to swéete againe Of an other water also in Iudea whiche continually in the Saboth daie is founde to be drie whiche Plinie assureth vs writyng also of an other fountaine emong the Garamantes whiche in the daie is euermore so swéete and colde that it is impossible for any manne to drinke of it and contrary in the night is againe so warme that it burneth his hande that presumeth to touche it and hath to name the fountaine or welle of the Sunne Of this fountaine haue writen as of a thing moste certain Arrianus Diodorus Siculus Quintus Curtius in his historie of Alexander Solinus and the Poete Lucretius who there of hath giuen a Philosophicall and naturall reason Besides these like straunge is the nature of the welle Eleusina whose water is verie freshe cleare and standyng how be it if any man plaie on an instrument swéete and musicall by it so nigh I meane that the water maie be supposed to heare it it forthwith beginneth in suche sorte to swell that it ouersloweth bothe banke and border as though it had some pleasure or secrete likyng in musike this reporteth Aristotle in his meruailes of nature Solinus also and the old Poete Ennius Vitrunius writeth of the riuer Chimera whose water in taste is verie delectable and pleasaunte but partyng into twoo troughes or twoo sundrie chanels the one continueth swéete still the other bitter and vnsauerie how bée it it maie bée supposed that he borroweth this alrered qualitie of the soile or ground onely through which he passeth and so that alteration is lesse to be meruailed at as also it maie bée thought that these diuers proprieties of these other waters also should not so muche amase and trouble vs if wee knewe the occasions and causes of their effectes The same ones againe make yet farther mention of an other streame hayung to name Silar whiche what so euer is caste into it conuerteth it straight into a stone or stonie substaunce In Ilirica there is a welle whose water is bothe swéete and pleasaunt but burneth what so euer is throwne into it in sort as if it were a perfecte fire There is in Epirus an other fountaine into whiche if ye putte a Torche lighted it extinguisheth but if you putte hym in not lighted he taketh fire thence and burneth from noone euer more he ebbeth as it were and in the ende waxeth drie but the night growyng on he growes againe with suche spede that at midnight he is full and beginneth to ouer run his banckes or limites An other fountaine is there also in Persia of whiche who so drinketh loseth incontinētly his téeth There are in Arcadia certaine springes whiche distill and droppe out of the sides of sunderie mountaines whose waters al are so excessiue cold that there is no kinde of vessell be it of golde siluer or any other mettall that is able in any wise to holde and kepe theim but breake them all with extremitie of coldnes onely the horne of an asse his foote excepted whiche cōtaineth and kéepeth theim as if it were any other common kinde of water Wée would hardly credite in this place that there are certaine riuers bothe greate and wide that sodainly passe doune entering into the boiles of the yearth whiche afterwarde brake out againe in places farre of and farre distante from thence if wee had not experience hereof and suche as maie not bee denied for example of some Vadiana in Spaine Tigris in Armenia whiche springeth in Mesopotamia Licus in Asia There are certaine springes also of freshe water whiche passyng into the sea runne wholie vpon the sea without any commixtion in any sorte with it of whiche there is one betwixte Sicilia and the Isle Enaria adioygnyng vnto Naples In Egipte it is euidente that it raineth not at all but that Nilus ouerflowyng the countrie moisteneth it naturally whence it giueth her fruite of all sortes aboundantly Twoo riuers are there also in Boecia in the one of whiche all shepe that are watered beare onely blacke wolle and besides that none other the other contrary cause theim that drinke thereof to beare white wolle onely In Arabia there is a welle at whiche as before what sheepe so euer water theim beare there wolle not as the others white or blacke but redde all Of all these waters hauyng suche straūge proprieties Aristotle disputeth at fulle and copiously The riuer Lincestis maketh hym drunke as sone as any wine that drinketh of hym In the Isle of Cea as recordeth Plinie there was a fountaiue of whiche who so dranke ones became forthwith stupide and insenseble of no more felyng or witte then an Asse In Thrace there is an other lake of whom who so drinketh or swimmeth in hym sterueth without more neuer to be recouered There is also in Pontus a riuer in whiche are founde certaine stones that will burne whiche also then take on fire when the winde is euer more greatest and by how muche the more thei be couered in the water so muche the better and soner burne thei Besides these diuers haue written of diuers other kindes of waters as of some that heale certaine griefes or maladies of whiche sorte there is one founde in Italie called Zize whiche remedieth or salueth all hurtes what so euer in the iye an other in Achaia of whiche if a woman with childe drinke she shall be assured of good and spéedie deliueraunce Others also there are that remedie many other infirmities as the stone the leprosie the feuers both tertian and quartain of which Theophrastus Plinie Vitruuius remēber vs In Mesopotamia also is founde an other riuer whose water if you smell to it is bothe pleasaunte and odoriferous Baptista Fulgotius in his recollection writeth that there is also a welle in Englande into whiche if you throwe any kinde of wood it will within the space of one yere bée conuerted into a stone He also faithfully confirmeth that whiche Albertus surnamed the greate in persone experimented in a certaine well in high Almaignie and Albertus writeth that he puttyng his hande into the water hauyng in it a bough that part that was vnder the water chaūged into a stone the other parte as before continuyng that it was The saied Fulgotius reporteth yet another matter as straunge of a welle also about whiche if happely you walke not vtteryng any worde or voice at all the water then continueth as before still and cleare but if you speake any thyng be it neuer so softe or little it then beginneth to rage and to trouble as to behold it were verie straunge and meruailous he notwithstandyng reporteth to haue experimented it in persone who while he attentiuely behelde it with silence found it as is aboue said bothe quiete and cleare but when he ones spake it then began to trouble as if one within of purpose with some instrument had laboured it In Fraūce also
to order our houses to be merie and liberall towardes our famely and charge the Cocke well instructeth vs in this place with his example for he geueth out again of his owne mouth meate to his hennes and farther to cherishe and keepe theim leaueth not to expose hymselfe to euerie kinde of daunger The greate obligation of all children to wardes their parentes and in what sorte thei ought both to serue and succour theim the Storke most plainlie and most euidētly she weth vs whiche lodge in their neastes foster and prouide for their olde their weake and their foible parentes as thei by them were fostered and fedde in their youth Why shameth not man to fainte through feare or timiditie consideryng the Lions prowis and inuincible courage Faithe amitie with the perpetuall recordation or memory of a good turne reast or dwell cōtinually in the dogge whiche neuer forgetteh his maister whom he hath serued loueth and falloweth hym neuer leauyng to be thanckful for the breade that he hath receiued Man that would profite hymselfe by the vse of an other mannes goodes without his hurte or domage must so there in learne to ordre and beare hym selfe as doth the litle Bée whiche draweth Honie out of the flowers without offēce or annoy in any wise doen to them The order and meane that man shoulde vse for the preseruation of his health is not only geuen vs of one beast but sufficiently of many which knowe what foode may annoie or greue theim chaungyng from place to place as occasion and tyme of the yere requireth inhabityng places agreyng to their complexion and nature passyng man here in as also in all other thinges Whie refuseth manne to learne and to be instructed in these thinges of whiche he is ignorant hauyng vnderstandyng and euery his senses Whie leaueth he any thing lesse assaide or vnatempted the Elephante practiseth that which is taught hym the Dogge by paine becommeth skilfull in many thinges and the birde in fine by long watche is taught to prate or to speake Who so hireth the Nighttingale with her diuersitie of notes eake also manie other birdes like pleasaunt and sweete how is it that he lesse pleaseth in the skille of musike Why practiseth not manne to bee exquisite in all kinde of buildynges consideryng how artificially the litle Swallowe frameth to her a lodgyng with what diuersitie of matter she fortifieth and strenghneth it What better proportion is vsed in Geometrie then that whiche vseth the litle poore Spider what Astrologian diuineth better of the chaūge of weather then doth the Ante or the fishe which is called Vranoscopos as hath Galen whose eye so standeth that the euermore loketh vpwardes Why prognosticate not men and why iudge thei not of these matters How many other excellencies and perfections are in beastes of whiche menne haue some learned and daily yet do learne The firste inuention to make holes or passages through the yerth as also the firste knowledge of that place to be habitable manne receaued at the beginnyng from the Badger and the Foxe The maner and facion to twist and make silke man hath learned and receaued of the little worme whiche in latine is called commonly Seres by meanes whereof we now twist woll and other thinges After this of the Spider manne also learned to spinne thréede and of hym to make Nettes to deceaue and take birdes Of beastes also hath manne learned to swimme in the water for no one is there of them that swimmeth not but mā naturally vnapte therto by long paine some thing profiteth there in Howe we by theim are skilled in some experimētes in phisicke is els where saide as also some what of the alteration and chaunge of the weather and yet on theim féede we onely in our necessitie and hunger in suche sorte that I knowe not howe we possibly might leaue theim Of their skinne heare and wolle we frame to vs apparel from straunge countries thei bring to vs what so we haue néede of and being so necessarie force man there to seke theim They labour and turne the earth whēce we reape our breade and most parte of other fruictes so that they be the chefe staie and sustentation of mans life and althogh thei bee ouerlaboured by vs beaten and hardly vsed yet neuer leaue thei to be obedient to knowe and to followe vs In battaile oftentimes they not onely fight but die for vs and in tyme of peace they serue in euerie our vses But speake we now how thei profite the minde or the soule a matter then the other of greater weight and importance Now whence then shall man take better or more examples for vertuous life or perfection in maners thē he may from many and sundry kindes of beastes All these vertues which philosophers haue so carefully leaft vs are founded on similitudes and parables of beastes Oratours to perswade drawe from theim comparisons as also all others that haue well and eligantly written GOD hymselfe and his sainctes moste vsually in holy wréete and most commonly instructe vs by the maners and conditions of rude and brute beastes leadyng vs to perfection and integritie of life willyng manne to bée prudent as is the Serpent simple also as is the Doue meke and gentle as is the Lambe strong again and constante as is the Lion. This then by the examples of mute and dull beastes we are taught to be men resonable and spirituall We also finde many offices and estates of the Churche applied and compared to beastes accordyng to their propertie By the Oxe as hath Sainct Augustine on the seconde of Ihon are signified these that publishe and preache the sacred scriptures And accordyng to this interpretation saithe he the Prophetes and the Apostles were reputed as Oxen but suche as did labour and husebande our soules sowyng and plantyng in theim the true worde of god Saincte Paule and also Salomon in his prouerbes saieth thou shalt not mousell the mouth of the Oxe that trauaileth The holy doctours and preachers of the woorde whiche with their lawes and doctrine gouerne and defende the Churche are eftesones termed by the name of Dogges whiche Saincte Gregorie affirmeth writyng on these woordes of Iob Quorum nō dignabar patres ponere cū canibus gregis mei The same Saincte Gregorie also moueth vs to a contemplatiue life if not for other cause yet by that sole example and imitation of the goate which continually climeth vppe in to high and haute places passyng as it were there hys tyme in contemplation vtteryng to that purpose these woordes of Leuiticus out of the troope lette the Goate be offered And againe he saieth that the true preachers should imitate the Cocke groundyng on these wordes of Iob where he saieth who hath geuen intelligence to the Cocke adding that as the Cocke so preache they in the darkenes and in the shaddowe of this life the light and cōforte of the life to come wakyng vs with their admonitions and remouing vs from sleape criyng
of Grece he brunte and consumed euery other Temple onely reseruyng and sauing this All writers accorde that on these pillours was framed a roufe of Ceder in most curious sort wrought that was possible to be deuised the doores through out beyng all of Cypres After this a leude person consideryng of this so riche and so renoumed a woorke desired still in harte whiche he after did to burne it and beyng apprehended immediatly vpon the facte confest that he had for none other cause doone it but that his fame might line hym self eche where remembred for euer of the posteritie whence as Valerius Maximus recordeth in his title of renoume and honour and also with hym in like manner Aulus Gellius it was immediatly enacted that no manne vnder paine of greate and greuous punishment should at any tyme bée so hardy to speake or write hys name to the intent he yet might faile of that his desired purpose But this lesse serued for both Strabo and Solinus witnesse of his name and call hym Herostratus of whom proceded afterward this prouerbe Heroâ—â—rati gloria applied vnto these that seke either fame or honor by any their like wretched villanous tretcheries Farther wee may remember here as not altogether impertineÌ„t that the very same daie that this temple was thus burned Alexandre was borne that Prince of worthy memory whiche conquired and subdued eache Prouince throughout all Asia Which thing well noteth Plutarch in the life of Alexandre as also Cicero twise in his second booke de natura deorum also againe in his booke de diuinatione where as hee saieth that then when this Temple was in burnyng the Sages there prognosticated of the generall destruction and conquest of all Asia as in deede it after was subdued by this Alexandre Some reporte that this temple was againe réedefied inlarged also and beautified muche more then at the firste as also that the maister of this worke had to name Democrates The sixt maruaile was none other then the Image of Iupiter Olympicus which was erected in the Temple of Iupiter in Acaya betwixt the two Cities of Elida and Pisa whiche place as also the Temple after the denomination of Iupiter Olympicus were both called by one name Olympia whiche Image as both Strabo and Pomponius Mela reporte was no lesse renoumed for the arte perfection and finenes of the woorke then it also was for his exceedyng houge greatnesse Some saie that it was all of Porphire other some of Yuorie wrought or doone by Phidias to graue or carue the most excellenst that euer was Of this Image writeth Plinie as besides hym sundry others Strabo addeth that the excellencie of this Image consisted in his greatnes to whiche also came that whence in déede it was more straunge and merueilous that it al was wrought of Porphire cut and deuided into most smale and fine partes It is reported that Phidias in one onely pointe failed in this woorke to wéete that the compasse of this Image was lesse conformable and agreant with the true proportion of the Church for that beyng made sittyng was yet neuer the lesse so high and so greate that if you woulde haue considered hym at any tyme to haue stoode the churche then by no meanes could any waies haue healde hym Notwithstandyng this Image muche beautified this Temple doyng it to be spoken of much more then before though it also were before very famous especially by the meanes of thrée solemne plaies and games kepte in the honour of Iupiter called Olympia Thence came it that the Grekes counted thier yeres by Olympiads which vsually were from fiue yeres to fiue whiche plaies were first instituted and ordained by Hercules But this vsage some tymes leafte was after againe practised and put in vre by Emonis or as others some will by Sfiton foure or fiue yeres after the destructioÌ„ of Troie at least as Eusebius accompteth at whiche tyme beganne againe the firste Olympias CoÌ„cernyng the seuenth meruaile some suppose it to bee the Towre that was in the Isle Pharos nigh to that renoumed Alexandria in Egypte This Pharos was a small Isle longe and streate liynge on the one side of Egypte straight against the mouth of Nilus which in olde tyme or long sithe as gaithereth Pomponius Mela and also Plinie was of one side onely inuironed with the Sea or water but after warde in their tyme was so foolded in with fluddes that onely at one place and by one Bridge passage was and by none other In this Isle Pharos so called after the name of a certeine discrite Pilote which sometimes was at Meneleas and there also was buried the kinges of Egipte builte a certaine towre of Marble in height and curious woorke surpassyng all others on the toppe of a hill inuironed with water whose frame and facion was suche and so statly that it coste theim eight hundred talentes which mounte to foure hundred and foure skore thousande crounes accordyng as Budeus accompteth and was erected for none other cause but to bee a Lanterne for certeine Torches or lightes in the night onely for the comforte and suretie of all those that ether were then in voiage by Sea or by Lande the better to conduct theim to good and sure harbour Which tower neuerthelesse as moste men holde was builte at the proper charges of Ptolome onely whose maister of that woorke hadde to name Sistratus as Plinie also hath plainly leafte vs Caesar in his commentaries no lesse coÌ„mendeth the height then he doth the beautie and excellencie of this tower and saieth that it hadde the name of the Isle Pharos The very same reporteth Amianus Marcelinus writyng the history of this worthy woorke to which Solinus addeth that what towers so euer were any where to this purpose built were to the imitation of this also called Pharoos as that for example of Messina and others And farther I suppose that these lightes or Lanternes which ordinarily are caried in shippes by the night eche one the better to drawe and directe the other by this meanes in like manner were also cauled Pharoos So this is now the laste of these seuen maruailes although in dede of many it be accompted none in whose place some number the hangyng gardeines of Babilon where of also is to fore some thing saide Lactantiê° Firmianus reporteth that these Gardeines were plotted on high on the very toppes of Arches and Towers in suche sorte that vnder theim were faire and pleasante lodginges and aboue grewe trees of greate and rare hougenes with abundance of springes at all tymes to bede we theim The forme of these buildinges is amplie described by Diodorus Siculus Celius Rhodiensis discoursing of these mearuailes remembereth no thinge of this Tower Pharos ne yet of these straunge Gardeines of Babilon but in the seuenth place addeth an Obeliscus framed and perfected by the commaundement of Semiramis whiche in shape nothing differed or facion from a Pyramis beginnyng in a square and endyng in
manne goeth vpright as also why fasting then when hee hath eaten he euermore is founde more weightie and poisante and why in conclusion hee poyseth more deade then liuyng with others sutche not impleasant accidents Chap. 7. fol. 15. pag. 2. Of the excellencie of the heade aboue all other members of the bodie and that it is not good to haue a little heade or straite breaste as also whence it is that we accompte it courtesie to take of the Cappe or Hatte in saluting an other Chap. 8. fol. 17. pag. 2. That mannes death is to be accompted fortunate or lesse fortunate accordyng to the estate that hymself shall die in with certaine example seruing to that purpose Chap. 9. fol. 19. pag. 2. What speach was vsed in the beginning of the world and how first began the diuersitie of languages chap. 10. fol. 21. pag. 1. Of the diuision of ages of the worlde with a briefe discourse of diuers Notable matters chaūced also in them as also in fine of the beginnyng of Realmes and Kyngdomes Chap. 11. fol. 23. pag. 1. Of the straunge life of Diogenes surnamed Cinicus as also of his Sentences Propositions and Answeres Chap. 12. fol. 28. pag. 2. Of the excellencie and commendation of trauaile as also of the domages that growe of Idlenes Chap. 13. fol. 32. pag. 1. How detestable a matter Crueltie is with some examples seruing to that purpose Chap. 14. fol. 37. pag. 2. How for the most parte cruell kinges and blouddy tyrantes are the Ministers of God and how notwithstandyng they continually ende in state most wretched and extreame miserie Chap. 15. fol. 42. pag. 2. Of a straunge case which at two diuerse times chaunced after one and the same sorte vnto twoo Romaine Knightes of honorable Familie Chap. 16. fol. 44. pag. 1. Of the distinction of the age of man accordyng to the opinion of most Astrologians Chap. 17. fol. 45. pag. 1. Of certaine yeres in mans life whiche the learned in tymes paste iudged aboue the others to bee merueilous daungerous as also for what cause thei estéemed it to bee so Chap. 18. fol. 49. pag. 1. THE TABLE O◠the seconde parte WWhat daunger it is to murmer against princes as also what commendation thei gaine by clemencie Chap. 1. fol. 50. pag. 2. Of what countrie Pilate was and how he died as also of a riuer so called and of the propertie of the same and finally of a certaine caue or denne in Dalmacia Chap. 2. fol. 52. pag. 1 In what degrees and at what age a man and woman should marrie Chap. 3. fol. 54. pag. 1. Of the cordiall and hartie loue that should be in marriage with diuers examples seruyng to that purpose Chap. 4. fol. 59. pag. 1. Of the straunge customes obserued by oure elders in mariage Chap. 5. fol. 61. pag. 2 Of the excellencie of paintyng Chap. 6. fol. 64. pag. 2. Of that excellent Painter Apelles as also of Protogines another in his tyme Chap. 7. fol. 66. pag. 2. Of a straunge maner of exile vsed in Athens by meanes of whiche the moste honorable and worthiest personages were oftentimes banished without any offence or faulte at all commited Chap. 8. fol. 69 pag. 2. Of sundrie excellent personages whiche by the ingra titude of ther Countrie haue vnkindly been banished Chap. 9. fol. 72. pag. 2. Of a strauge aduenture betide a certaine prisoner and how after his weary imprisonment hée was in the ende made free and deliuered Chap. 10. fol. 75. pag. 1. That the bloodde of a Bulle causeth theim to die that drinke therof at any tyme as also who first brought the Bull to the yoke Chap. 11. fol. 76. pag. 2. Now necessary water is in all the vses of mans life of the excellencie of this element and how to finde or trie the best water from the other Chap. 12. fol. 78. pag. 1. By what policie wee may drawe freshe water out of the Sea and why colde water in fallyng maketh greater noise then it would doe if it wer warme finally why a shippe on the salte water beareth greter weight then on the freashe Chap. 13. fol. 81. pag. 2. Of the renoumed and greate Tamburlaine of the kingdomes and countries that he subdued and finally of hys practise and maner in warre Chap. 14. fol. 82. pag. 2. Of many Lakes and fountaines the waters of which haue many straunge properties Chap. 15. fol. 87. pag. 2. Of diuers straunge thinges whiche hapened at the birth and death of our Sauiour Christ recited by sundry famous and learned historians besides these that are recorded by the Euaugelistes in the scriptures Chap. 16. fol. 92. pag. 1. Of many places aleaged by sundry good authers making mention of christe and of his life Cha. 17. fol. 95. p. 1. That men borne of base condition shoulde not leaue by all meanes possible to attempte to reache and aspire vnto honour with certaine examples seruyng to that purpose Chap. 18. fol. 99. pag. 1. Of the opinion that the olde Romaines and other auncient countries had of fortune and how they plast her in the number of their Gods in what forme or figure they also depainted her and finally that there is no fortune at all among the Christians attributyng the cause of all thinges vnto god Chap. 19. fol. 102. pag. 2. That sundrie beastes by some priuie naturall instinct haue foreknowleage of thinges to come as also of many countries by the onely force of little wormes brought to be desolate and forsaken Chap. 20. fol. 106. p. 〈◊〉 THE TABLE OF the thirde parte HOw profitable a thinge the inuention of letters was who first founde or inuented theim as also how the Hebrue Characters signifie some thing of theim selues that whiche is incident to no other kind of letters of what sorte or kind so euer cha 1. fol. 104. p. 2. Where on our elders wrote before the inuention of Paper and with what kinde of instrument how Paper and Parchement were firste founde out Who firste inuented the maner or skille of Printing as also what inestimable profite thence riseth and in fine by what meane a blinde man maie write Chap. 2. fol. 111. Pag. 1. Of the firste Libraries that euer were in the worlde and how the men of that time vsed to haue the Images or purtraites of the learned in theim Cha. 3. fol. 113. pag. 2. Of the amitie and enmitie of sundrie thinges issuyng by priuie hidden and secrete proprieties C. 4. fol. 116. P. 1. By what meanes bothe amitie and enmitie procede from the Heauenly and Celestiall influence and why a man hateth or loueth an other Cha. 5. fol. 119. Pag. 2. That the memorie maie bee hurte and that it also by arte and by pollicie maie be fortified Cha. 6. fol. 121. Pa. 1. In what honour and reputation Philosophers Poetes and all others in what Arte or Science soeuer they were learned liued with Emperous Kinges and Princes in tymes past Cha. 7. fol. 123. Pag 2 That learnyng is necessarie as well