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NEW ATLANTIS by Francis Bacon
Search the New Atlantis
WE sailed from Peru, where we had continued
by the space of one whole year, for China
and Japan, by the South Sea, taking with
us victuals for twelve months; and had good
winds from the east, though soft and weak,
for five months' space and more. But then
the wind came about, and settled in the west
for many days, so as we could make little
or no way, and were sometimes in purpose
to turn back. But then again there arose
strong and great winds from the south, with
a point east; which carried us up, for all
that we could do, toward the north: by which
time our victuals failed us, though we had
made good spare of them. So that find- ing
ourselves, in the midst of the greatest wilderness
of waters in the world, without victual,
we gave ourselves for lost men, and prepared
for death. Yet we did lift up our hearts
and voices to God above, who showeth His
wonders in the deep; beseeching Him of His
mercy that as in the beginning He dis- covered
the face of the deep, and brought forth dry
land, so He would now discover land to us,
that we might not perish.
And it came to pass that the next day about
evening we saw within a kenning before us,
toward the north, as it were thick clouds,
which did put us in some hope of land, knowing
how that part of the South Sea was utterly
unknown, and might have islands or continents
that hitherto were not come to light. Wherefore
we bent our course thither, where we saw
the appearance of land, all that night; and
in the dawning of next day we might plainly
discern that it was a land flat to our sight,
and full of boscage, which made it show the
more dark. And after an hour and a half's
sailing, we entered into a good haven, being
the port of a fair city. Not great, indeed,
but well built, and that gave a pleasant
view from the sea. And we thinking every
minute long till we were on land, came close
to the shore and offered to land. But straightway
we saw divers of the people, with batons
in their hands, as it were forbidding us
to land: yet without any cries or fierce-
ness, but only as warning us off, by signs
that they made. Whereupon being not a little
discomfited, we were advising with ourselves
what we should do. During which time there
made forth to us a small boat, with about
eight persons in it, whereof one of them
had in his hand a tipstaff of a yellow cane,
tipped at both ends with blue, who made aboard
our ship, without any show of distrust at
all. And when he saw one of our number present
himself somewhat afore the rest, he drew
forth a little scroll of parchment (somewhat
yellower than our parchment, and shining
like the leaves of writing- tables, but otherwise
soft and flexible), and delivered it to our
foremost man. In which scroll were written
in ancient He- brew, and in ancient Greek,
and in good Latin of the school, and in Spanish
these words: "Land ye not, none of you,
and provide to be gone from this coast within
sixteen days, except you have further time
given you; meanwhile, if you want fresh water,
or victual, or help for your sick, or that
your ship needeth repair, write down your
wants, and you shall have that which belongeth
to mercy." This scroll was signed with
a stamp of cherubim's wings, not spread,
but hanging down- ward; and by them a cross.
This being delivered, the officer returned,
and left only a servant with us to receive
our answer. Consulting hereupon among ourselves,
we were much perplexed. The denial of landing,
and hasty warning us away, troubled us much:
on the other side, to find that the people
had languages, and were so full of humanity,
did comfort us not a little. And above all,
the sign of the cross to that instrument
was to us a great rejoic- ing, and as it
were a certain presage of good. Our answer
was in the Spanish tongue, "That for
our ship, it was well; for we had rather
met with calms and contrary winds, than any
tempests. For our sick, they were many, and
in very ill case; so that if they were not
permitted to land, they ran in danger of
their lives." Our other wants we set
down in par- ticular, adding, "That
we had some little store of merchandise,
which if it pleased them to deal for, it
might supply our wants, without being chargeable
unto them." We offered some re- ward
in pistolets unto the servant, and a piece
of crimson velvet to be presented to the
officer; but the servant took them not, nor
would scarce look upon them; and so left
us, and went back in another little boat
which was sent for him.
About three hours after we had despatched
our answer, there came toward us a person
(as it seemed) of a place. He had on him
a gown with wide sleeves, of a kind of water
chamolet, of an excellent azure color, far
more glossy than ours; his under-apparel
was green, and so was his hat, being in the
form of a turban, daintily made, and not
so huge as the Turkish turbans; and the locks
of his hair came down below the brims of
it. A reverend man was he to behold. He came
in a boat, gilt in some part of it, with
four persons more only in that boat; and
was followed by another boat, wherein were
some twenty. When he was come within a flight-shot
of our ship, signs were made to us that we
should send forth some to meet him upon the
water, which we presently did in our ship-boat,
sending the principal man amongst us save
one, and four of our number with him. When
we were come within six yards of their boat,
they called to us to stay, and not to approach
far- ther, which we did.
And thereupon the man, whom I before described,
stood up, and with a loud voice in Spanish
asked, "Are ye Chris- tians?" We
answered, "We were;" fearing the
less, because of the cross we had seen in
the subscription. At which answer the said
person lift up his right hand toward heaven,
and drew it softly to his mouth (which is
the gesture they use, when they thank God),
and then said: "If ye will swear, all
of you, by the merits of the Saviour, that
ye are no pirates; nor have shed blood, lawfully
or unlawfully, within forty days past; you
may have license to come on land." We
said, "We were all ready to take that
oath." Whereupon one of those that were
with him, being (as it seemed) a notary,
made an entry of this act. Which done, another
of the attendants of the great per- son,
which was with him in the same boat, after
his lord had spoken a little to him, said
aloud: "My lord would have you know
that it is not of pride, or greatness, that
he cometh not aboard your ship; but for that
in your answer you declare that you have
many sick amongst you, he was warned by the
conser- vator of health of the city that
he should keep a distance." We bowed
ourselves toward him and answered: "We
were his humble servants; and accounted for
great honor and singular humanity toward
us, that which was already done; but hoped
well that the nature of the sickness of our
men was not infectious."
So he returned; and awhile after came the
notary to us aboard our ship, holding in
his hand a fruit of that country, like an
orange, but of color between orange-tawny
and scarlet, which cast a most excellent
odor. He used it (as it seemed) for a preservative
against infection. He gave us our oath, "By
the name of Jesus, and His merits,"
and after told us that the next day, by six
of the clock in the morning, we should be
sent to, and brought to the strangers' house
(so he called it), where we should be accommodated
of things, both for our whole and for our
sick. So he left us; and when we offered
him some pistolets, he smiling, said, "He
must not be twice paid for one labor:"
meaning (as I take it) that he had salary
sufficient of the State for his service.
For (as I after learned) they call an officer
that taketh rewards twice paid.
The next morning early there came to us the
same officer that came to us at first, with
his cane, and told us he came to conduct
us to the strangers' house; and that he had
pre- vented the hour, because we might have
the whole day before us for our business.
"For," said he," if you will
follow my advice, there shall first go with
me some few of you, and see the place, and
how it may be made convenient for you; and
then you may send for your sick, and the
rest of your num- ber which ye will bring
on land." We thanked him and said, "That
his care which he took of desolate strangers,
God would reward." And so six of us
went on land with him; and when we were on
land, he went before us, and turned to us
and said "he was but our servant and
our guide." He led us through three
fair streets; and all the way we went there
were gathered some people on both sides,
standing in a row; but in so civil a fashion,
as if it had been, not to wonder at us, but
to welcome us; and divers of them, as we
passed by them, put their arms a little abroad,
which is their gesture when they bid any
welcome.
The strangers' house is a fair and spacious
house, built of brick, of somewhat a bluer
color than our brick; and with handsome windows,
some of glass, some of a kind of cambric
oiled. He brought us first into a fair parlor
above stairs, and then asked us "what
number of persons we were? and how many sick?"
We answered, "We were in all
(sick and whole) one-and-fifty persons, whereof
our sick were seventeen." He desired
us have patience a little, and to stay till
he came back to us, which was about an hour
after; and then he led us to see the chambers
which were provided for us, being in num-
ber nineteen. They having cast it (as it
seemeth) that four of those chambers, which
were better than the rest, might re- ceive
four of the principal men of our company;
and lodge them alone by themselves; and the
other fifteen chambers were to lodge us,
two and two together. The chambers were handsome
and cheerful chambers, and furnished civilly.
Then he led us to a long gallery, like a
dorture, where he showed us all along the
one side (for the other side was but wall
and window) seventeen cells, very neat ones,
having partitions of cedar wood. Which gallery
and cells, being in all forty
(many more than we needed), were instituted
as an infirmary for sick persons. And he
told us withal, that as any of our sick waxed
well, he might be removed from his cell to
a cham- ber; for which purpose there were
set forth ten spare cham- bers, besides the
number we spake of before.
This done, he brought us back to the parlor,
and lifting up his cane a little (as they
do when they give any charge or command),
said to us: "Ye are to know that the
custom of the land requireth that after this
day and to-morrow (which we give you for
removing your people from your ship), you
are to keep within doors for three days.
But let it not trouble you, nor do not think
yourselves restrained, but rather left to
your rest and ease. You shall want nothing;
and there are six of our people appointed
to attend you for any business you may have
abroad." We gave him thanks with all
affection and respect, and said, "God
surely is manifested in this land."
We offered him also twenty pistolets; but
he smiled, and only said: "What? Twice
paid!" And so he left us. Soon after
our dinner was served in; which was right
good viands, both for bread and meat: better
than any collegiate diet that I have known
in Europe. We had also drink of three sorts,
all whole- some and good: wine of the grape;
a drink of grain, such as is with us our
ale, but more clear; and a kind of cider
made of a fruit of that country, a wonderful
pleasing and re- freshing drink. Besides,
there were brought in to us great store of
those scarlet oranges for our sick; which
(they said) were an assured remedy for sickness
taken at sea. There was given us also a box
of small gray or whitish pills, which they
wished our sick should take, one of the pills
every night be- fore sleep; which (they said)
would hasten their recovery.
The next day, after that our trouble of carriage
and remov- ing of our men and goods out of
our ship was somewhat settled and quiet,
I thought good to call our company to- gether,
and, when they were assembled, said unto
them: "My dear friends, let us know
ourselves, and how it standeth with us. We
are men cast on land, as Jonas was out of
the whale's belly, when we were as buried
in the deep; and now we are on land, we are
but between death and life, for we are beyond
both the Old World and the New; and whether
ever we shall see Europe, God only knoweth.
It is a kind of miracle hath brought us hither,
and it must be little less that shall bring
us hence. Therefore in regard of our deliverance
past, and our danger present and to come,
let us look up to God, and every man reform
his own ways. Besides, we are come here among
a Christian people, full of piety and humanity.
Let us not bring that confusion of face upon
ourselves, as to show our vices or unworthiness
before them. Yet there is more, for they
have by commandment (though in form of courtesy)
cloistered us within these walls for three
days; who knoweth whether it be not to take
some taste of our manners and con- ditions?
And if they find them bad, to banish us straightway;
if good, to give us further time. For these
men that they have given us for attendance,
may withal have an eye upon us. Therefore,
for God's love, and as we love the weal of
our souls and bodies, let us so behave ourselves
as we may be at peace with God and may find
grace in the eyes of this people."
Our company with one voice thanked me for
my good ad- monition, and promised me to
live soberly and civilly, and without giving
any the least occasion of offence. So we
spent our three days joyfully, and without
care, in expectation what would be done with
us when they were expired. During which time,
we had every hour joy of the amendment of
our sick, who thought themselves cast into
some divine pool of healing, they mended
so kindly and so fast.
The morrow after our three days were past,
there came to us a new man, that we had not
seen before, clothed in blue as the former
was, save that his turban was white with
a small red cross on top. He had also a tippet
of fine linen. At his coming in, he did bend
to us a little, and put his arms abroad.
We of our parts saluted him in a very lowly
and submissive manner; as looking that from
him we should receive sen- tence of life
or death. He desired to speak with some few
of us. Whereupon six of us only stayed, and
the rest avoided the room. He said: "I
am by office, governor of this house of strangers,
and by vocation, I am a Christian priest,
and therefore am come to you to offer you
my service, both as strangers and chiefly
as Christians. Some things I may tell you,
which I think you will not be unwilling to
hear. The State hath given you license to
stay on land for the space of six weeks;
and let it not trouble you if your occasions
ask further time, for the law in this point
is not precise; and I do not doubt but myself
shall be able to obtain for you such further
time as shall be convenient. Ye shall also
understand that the strangers' house is at
this time rich and much afore- hand; for
it hath laid up revenue these thirty-seven
years, for so long it is since any stranger
arrived in this part; and there- fore take
ye no care; the State will defray you all
the time you stay. Neither shall you stay
one day the less for that. As for any merchandise
you have brought, ye shall be well used,
and have your return, either in merchandise
or in gold and silver, for to us it is all
one. And if you have any other request to
make, hide it not; for ye shall find we will
not make your countenance to fall by the
answer ye shall receive. Only this I must
tell you, that none of you must go above
a karan [that is with them a mile and a half]
from the walls of the city, without special
leave."
We answered, after we had looked awhile upon
one an- other, admiring this gracious and
parent-like usage, that we could not tell
what to say, for we wanted words to express
our thanks; and his noble free offers left
us nothing to ask. It seemed to us that we
had before us a picture of our salvation
in heaven; for we that were awhile since
in the jaws of death, were now brought into
a place where we found nothing but consolations.
For the commandment laid upon us, we would
not fail to obey it, though it was impossible
but our hearts should be inflamed to tread
further upon this happy and holy ground.
We added that our tongues should first cleave
to the roofs of our mouths ere we should
forget either this reverend person or this
whole nation, in our prayers. We also most
humbly besought him to accept of us as his
true servants, by as just a right as ever
men on earth were bounden; laying and presenting
both our persons and all we had at his feet.
He said he was a priest, and looked for a
priest's reward, which was our brotherly
love and the good of our souls and bodies.
So he went from us, not without tears of
tenderness in his eyes, and left us also
confused with joy and kindness, saying among
ourselves that we were come into a land of
angels, which did appear to us daily, and
prevent us with comforts, which we thought
not of, much less expected.
The next day, about ten of the clock; the
governor came to us again, and after salutations
said familiarly that he was come to visit
us, and called for a chair and sat him down;
and we, being some ten of us (the rest were
of the meaner sort or else gone abroad),
sat down with him; and when we were set he
be- gan thus: "We of this island of
Bensalem (for so they called it in their
language) have this: that by means of our
solitary situation, and of the laws of secrecy,
which we have for our travellers, and our
rare admission of strangers; we know well
most part of the habitable world, and are
ourselves unknown. Therefore because he that
knoweth least is fittest to ask ques- tions
it is more reason, for the entertainment
of the time, that ye ask me questions, than
that I ask you." We answered, that we
humbly thanked him that he would give us
leave so to do. And that we conceived by
the taste we had already, that there was
no worldly thing on earth more worthy to
be known than the state of that happy land.
But above all, we said, since that we were
met from the several ends of the world, and
hoped assuredly that we should meet one day
in the kingdom of heaven (for that we were
both parts Christians), we desired to know
(in respect that land was so remote, and
so divided by vast and unknown seas from
the land where our Saviour walked on earth)
who was the apostle of that nation, and how
it was con- verted to the faith? It appeared
in his face that he took great contentment
in this our question; he said: "Ye knit
my heart to you by asking this question in
the first place; for it showeth that you
first seek the kingdom of heaven; and I shall
gladly, and briefly, satisfy your demand.
"About twenty years after the ascension
of our Saviour it came to pass, that there
was seen by the people of Renfusa (a city
upon the eastern coast of our island, within
sight, the night was cloudy and calm), as
it might be some mile in the sea, a great
pillar of light; not sharp, but in form of
a column, or cyl- inder, rising from the
sea, a great way up toward heaven; and on
the top of it was seen a large cross of light,
more bright and resplendent than the body
of the pillar. Upon which so strange a spectacle,
the people of the city gathered apace together
upon the sands, to wonder; and so after put
themselves into a number of small boats to
go nearer to this marvellous sight. But when
the boats were come within about sixty yards
of the pillar, they found themselves all
bound, and could go no further, yet so as
they might move to go about, but might not
approach nearer; so as the boats stood all
as in a theatre, beholding this light, as
a heavenly sign. It so fell out that there
was in one of the boats one of the wise men
of the Society of Saloman's House (which
house, or college, my good brethren, is the
very eye of this kingdom), who having awhile
attentively and devoutly viewed and contemplated
this pillar and cross, fell down upon his
face; and then raised himself upon his knees,
and lifting up his hands to heaven, made
his prayers in this manner:
"'Lord God of heaven and earth; thou
hast vouchsafed of thy grace, to those of
our order to know thy works of creation,
and true secrets of them; and to discern,
as far as appertaineth to the generations
of men, between divine miracles, works of
nature, works of art and impostures, and
illusions of all sorts. I do here acknowledge
and testify before this people that the thing
we now see before our eyes is thy finger,
and a true mira- cle. And forasmuch as we
learn in our books that thou never workest
miracles, but to a divine and excellent end
(for the laws of nature are thine own laws,
and thou exceedest them not but upon great
cause), we most humbly beseech thee to prosper
this great sign, and to give us the interpretation
and use of it in mercy; which thou dost in
some part secretly prom- ise, by sending
it unto us.'
"When he had made his prayer, he presently
found the boat he was in movable and unbound;
whereas all the rest remained still fast;
and taking that for an assurance of leave
to approach, he caused the boat to be softly
and with silence rowed toward the pillar;
but ere he came near it, the pillar and cross
of light broke up, and cast itself abroad,
as it were, into a firmament of many stars,
which also vanished soon after, and there
was noth- ing left to be seen but a small
ark or chest of cedar, dry and not wet at
all with water, though it swam; and in the
fore end of it, which was toward him, grew
a small green branch of palm; and when the
wise man had taken it with all reverence
into his boat, it opened of itself, and there
were found in it a book and a letter, both
written in fine parchment, and wrapped in
sindons of linen. The book contained all
the canonical books of the Old and New Testament,
according as you have them (for we know well
what the churches with you receive), and
the Apoca- lypse itself; and some other books
of the New Testament, which were not at that
time written, were nevertheless in the book.
And for the letter, it was in these words:
"'I, Bartholomew, a servant of the Highest,
and apostle of Jesus Christ, was warned by
an angel that appeared to me in a vision
of glory, that I should commit this ark to
the floods of the sea. Therefore I do testify
and declare unto that people where God shall
ordain this ark to come to land, that in
the same day is come unto them salvation
and peace, and good-will from the Father,
and from the Lord Jesus.'
"There was also in both these writings,
as well the book as the letter, wrought a
great miracle, conform to that of the apos-
tles, in the original gift of tongues. For
there being at that time, in this land, Hebrews,
Persians, and Indians, besides the natives,
everyone read upon the book and letter, as
if they had been written in his own language.
And thus was this land saved from infidelity
(as the remain of the old world was from
water) by an ark, through the apostolical
and miraculous evan- gelism of St. Bartholomew."
And here he paused, and a mes- senger came
and called him forth from us. So this was
all that passed in that conference.
The next day the same governor came again
to us immedi- ately after dinner, and excused
himself, saying that the day be- fore he
was called from us somewhat abruptly, but
now he would make us amends, and spend time
with us; if we held his company and conference
agreeable. We answered that we held it so
agreeable and pleasing to us, as we forgot
both dan- gers past, and fears to come, for
the time we heard him speak; and that we
thought an hour spent with him was worth
years of our former life. He bowed himself
a little to us, and after we were set again,
he said, "Well, the questions are on
your part."
One of our number said, after a little pause,
that there was a matter we were no less desirous
to know than fearful to ask, lest we might
presume too far. But, encouraged by his rare
humanity toward us (that could scarce think
ourselves stran- gers, being his vowed and
professed servants), we would take the hardness
to propound it; humbly beseeching him, if
he thought it not fit to be answered, that
he would pardon it, though he rejected it.
We said, we well observed those his words,
which he formerly spake, that this happy
island, where we now stood, was known to
few, and yet knew most of the na- tions of
the world, which we found to be true, considering
they had the languages of Europe, and knew
much of our State and business; and yet we
in Europe (notwithstanding all the remote
discoveries and navigations of this last
age) never heard any of the least inkling
or glimpse of this island. This we found
wonderful strange; for that all nations have
interknowledge one of another, either by
voyage into foreign parts, or by strangers
that come to them; and though the traveller
into a foreign country doth commonly know
more by the eye than he that stayeth at home
can by relation of the traveller; yet both
ways suffice to make a mutual knowledge,
in some degree, on both parts. But for this
island, we never heard tell of any ship of
theirs that had been seen to arrive upon
any shore of Eu- rope; no, nor of either
the East or West Indies, nor yet of any ship
of any other part of the world, that had
made return for them. And yet the marvel
rested not in this. For the situa- tion of
it (as his lordship said) in the secret conclave
of such a vast sea might cause it. But then,
that they should have knowledge of the languages,
books, affairs, of those that lie such a
distance from them, it was a thing we could
not tell what to make of; for that it seemed
to us a condition and propriety of divine
powers and beings, to be hidden and unseen
to others, and yet to have others open, and
as in a light to them.
At this speech the governor gave a gracious
smile and said that we did well to ask pardon
for this question we now asked, for that
it imported, as if we thought this land a
land of magi- cians, that sent forth spirits
of the air into all parts, to bring them
news and intelligence of other countries.
It was an- swered by us all, in all possible
humbleness, but yet with a coun- tenance
taking knowledge, that we knew that he spake
it but merrily. That we were apt enough to
think there was some- what supernatural in
this island, but yet rather as angelical
than magical. But to let his lordship know
truly what it was that made us tender and
doubtful to ask this question, it was not
any such conceit, but because we remembered
he had given a touch in his former speech,
that this land had laws of secrecy touching
strangers. To this he said, "You remember
it aright; and therefore in that I shall
say to you, I must reserve some particulars,
which it is not lawful for me to reveal,
but there will be enough left to give you
satisfaction.
"You shall understand (that which perhaps
you will scarce think credible) that about
3,000 years ago, or somewhat more, the navigation
of the world (especially for remote voyages)
was greater than at this day. Do not think
with yourselves, that I know not how much
it is increased with you, within these threescore
years; I know it well, and yet I say, greater
then than now; whether it was, that the example
of the ark, that saved the remnant of men
from the universal deluge, gave men confi-
dence to venture upon the waters, or what
it was; but such is the truth. The Phoenicians,
and especially the Tyrians, had great fleets;
so had the Carthaginians their colony, which
is yet farther west. Toward the east the
shipping of Egypt, and of Palestine, was
likewise great. China also, and the great
At- lantis (that you call America), which
have now but junks and canoes, abounded then
in tall ships. This island (as appeareth
by faithful registers of those times) had
then 1,500 strong ships, of great content.
Of all this there is with you sparing memory,
or none; but we have large knowledge thereof.
"At that time this land was known and
frequented by the ships and vessels of all
the nations before named. And (as it cometh
to pass) they had many times men of other
countries, that were no sailors, that came
with them; as Persians, Chal- deans, Arabians,
so as almost all nations of might and fame
re- sorted hither; of whom we have some stirps
and little tribes with us at this day. And
for our own ships, they went sundry voyages,
as well to your straits, which you call the
Pillars of Hercules, as to other parts in
the Atlantic and Mediterranean seas; as to
Paguin (which is the same with Cambalaine)
and Quinzy, upon the Oriental seas, as far
as to the borders of the East Tartary.
"At the same time, and an age after
or more, the inhabitants of the great Atlantis
did flourish. For though the narration and
description which is made by a great man
with you, that the descendants of Neptune
planted there, and of the magnifi- cent temple,
palace, city, and hill; and the manifold
streams of goodly navigable rivers, which
as so many chains environed the same site
and temple; and the several degrees of ascent,
where- by men did climb up to the same, as
if it had been a Scala Coeli; be all poetical
and fabulous; yet so much is true, that the
said country of Atlantis, as well that of
Peru, then called Coya, as that of Mexico,
then named Tyrambel, were mighty and proud
kingdoms, in arms, shipping, and riches;
so mighty, as at one time, or at least within
the space of ten years, they both made two
great expeditions; they of Tyrambel through
the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea; and
they of Coya, through the South Sea upon
this our island; and for the former of these,
which was into Europe, the same author among
you, as it seemeth, had some relation from
the Egyptian priest, whom he citeth. For
assuredly, such a thing there was. But whether
it were the ancient Athenians that had the
glory of the repulse and re- sistance of
those forces, I can say nothing; but certain
it is there never came back either ship or
man from that voyage. Neither had the other
voyage of those of Coya upon us had bet-
ter fortune, if they had not met with enemies
of greater clem- ency. For the King of this
island, by name Altabin, a wise man and a
great warrior, knowing well both his own
strength and that of his enemies, handled
the matter so as he cut off their land forces
from their ships, and entoiled both their
navy and their camp with a greater power
than theirs, both by sea and land; and compelled
them to render themselves without striking
a stroke; and after they were at his mercy,
contenting himself only with their oath,
that they should no more bear arms against
him, dismissed them all in safety.
"But the divine revenge overtook not
long after those proud enterprises. For within
less than the space of 100 years the Great
Atlantis was utterly lost and destroyed;
not by a great earthquake, as your man saith,
for that whole tract is little sub- ject
to earthquakes, but by a particular deluge,
or inundation; those countries having at
this day far greater rivers, and far higher
mountains to pour down waters, than any part
of the old world. But it is true that the
same inundation was not deep, nor past forty
foot, in most places, from the ground, so
that although it destroyed man and beast
generally, yet some few wild inhabitants
of the wood escaped. Birds also were saved
by flying to the high trees and woods. For
as for men, although they had buildings in
many places higher than the depth of the
water, yet that inundation, though it were
shallow, had a long continuance, whereby
they of the vale that were not drowned perished
for want of food, and other things necessary.
So as marvel you not at the thin population
of America, nor at the rudeness and ignorance
of the people; for you must account your
inhabitants of America as a young people,
younger a thou- sand years at the least than
the rest of the world, for that there was
so much time between the universal flood
and their particu- lar inundation.
"For the poor remnant of human seed
which remained in their mountains, peopled
the country again slowly, by little and little,
and being simple and a savage people (not
like Noah and his sons, which was the chief
family of the earth), they were not able
to leave letters, arts, and civility to their
posterity; and having likewise in their mountainous
habitations been used, in respect of the
extreme cold of those regions, to clothe
them- selves with the skins of tigers, bears,
and great hairy goats, that they have in
those parts; when after they came down into
the valley, and found the intolerable heats
which are there, and knew no means of lighter
apparel, they were forced to begin the custom
of going naked, which continueth at this
day. Only they take great pride and delight
in the feathers of birds, and this also they
took from those their ancestors of the moun-
tains, who were invited unto it, by the infinite
flight of birds, that came up to the high
grounds, while the waters stood below. So
you see, by this main accident of time, we
lost our traffic with the Americans, with
whom of all others, in regard they lay nearest
to us, we had most commerce. As for the other
parts of the world, it is most manifest that
in the ages follow- ing (whether it were
in respect of wars, or by a natural revolu-
tion of time) navigation did everywhere greatly
decay, and specially far voyages
(the rather by the use of galleys, and such
vessels as could hardly brook the ocean)
were altogether left and omitted. So then,
that part of intercourse which could be from
other nations to sail to us, you see how
it hath long since ceased; except it were
by some rare accident, as this of yours.
But now of the cessation of that other part
of intercourse, which might be by our sailing
to other nations, I must yield you some other
cause. But I cannot say if I shall say truly,
but our ship- ping, for number, strength,
mariners, pilots, and all things that appertain
to navigation, is as great as ever; and therefore
why we should sit at home, I shall now give
you an account by itself; and it will draw
nearer, to give you satisfaction, to your
prin- cipal question.
"There reigned in this land, about 1,900
years ago, a King, whose memory of all others
we most adore; not superstitiously, but as
a divine instrument, though a mortal man:
his name was Salomana; and we esteem him
as the lawgiver of our nation. This King
had a large heart, inscrutable for good;
and was wholly bent to make his kingdom and
people happy. He, there- fore, taking into
consideration how sufficient and substantive
this land was, to maintain itself without
any aid at all of the foreigner; being 5,000
miles in circuit, and of rare fertility of
soil, in the greatest part thereof; and finding
also the shipping of this country might be
plentifully set on work, both by fishing
and by transportations from port to port,
and likewise by sail- ing unto some small
islands that are not far from us, and are
under the crown and laws of this State; and
recalling into his memory the happy and flourishing
estate wherein this land then was, so as
it might be a thousand ways altered to the
worse, but scarce any one way to the better;
though nothing wanted to his noble and heroical
intentions, but only (as far as human fore-
sight might reach) to give perpetuity to
that which was in his time so happily established,
therefore among his other funda- mental laws
of this kingdom he did ordain the interdicts
and prohibitions which we have touching entrance
of strangers; which at that time (though
it was after the calamity of Amer- ica) was
frequent; doubting novelties and commixture
of man- ners. It is true, the like law against
the admission of strangers without license
is an ancient law in the Kingdom of China,
and yet continued in use. But there it is
a poor thing; and hath made them a curious,
ignorant, fearful, foolish nation. But our
lawgiver made his law of another temper.
For first, he hath preserved all points of
humanity, in taking order and mak- ing provision
for the relief of strangers distressed; whereof
you have tasted."
At which speech (as reason was) we all rose
up and bowed ourselves. He went on: "That
King also still desiring to join humanity
and policy together; and thinking it against
humanity to detain strangers here against
their wills, and against policy that they
should return and discover their knowl- edge
of this estate, he took this course; he did
ordain, that of the strangers that should
be permitted to land, as many at all times
might depart as many as would; but as many
as would stay, should have very good conditions,
and means to live from the State. Wherein
he saw so far, that now in so many ages since
the prohibition, we have memory not of one
ship that ever returned, and but of thirteen
persons only, at several times, that chose
to return in our bottoms. What those few
that returned may have reported abroad, I
know not. But you must think, whatsoever
they have said, could be taken where they
came but for a dream. Now for our travelling
from hence into parts abroad, our lawgiver
thought fit altogether to restrain it. So
is it not in China. For the Chinese sail
where they will, or can; which showeth, that
their law of keeping out strangers is a law
of pusillanimity and fear. But this restraint
of ours hath one only exception, which is
admirable; preserving the good which cometh
by communicating with strangers, and avoiding
the hurt: and I will now open it to you.
"And here I shall seem a little to digress,
but you will by and by find it pertinent.
Ye shall understand, my dear friends, that
among the excellent acts of that King, one
above all hath the pre-eminence. It was the
erection and institution of an order, or
society, which we call Saloman's House, the
noblest foundation, as we think, that ever
was upon the earth, and the lantern of this
kingdom. It is dedicated to the study of
the works and creatures of God. Some think
it beareth the found- er's name a little
corrupted, as if it should be Solomon's House.
But the records write it as it is spoken.
So as I take it to be denominate of the King
of the Hebrews, which is famous with you,
and no strangers to us; for we have some
parts of his works which with you are lost;
namely, that natural history which he wrote
of all plants, from the cedar of Libanus
to the moss that groweth out of the wall;
and of all things that have life and motion.
This maketh me think that our King finding
himself to symbolize, in many things, with
that King of the Hebrews, which lived many
years before him, honored him with the title
of this foundation. And I am the rather induced
to be of this opinion, for that I find in
ancient records, this order or society is
sometimes called Solomon's House, and sometimes
the College of the Six Days' Works, whereby
I am satisfied that our excellent King had
learned from the Hebrews that God had created
the world and all that therein is within
six days: and therefore he instituted that
house, for the finding out of the true nature
of all things, whereby God might have the
more glory in the workmanship of them, and
men the more fruit in their use of them,
did give it also that second name.
"But now to come to our present purpose.
When the King had forbidden to all his people
navigation into any part that was not under
his crown, he made nevertheless this ordinance;
that every twelve years there should be set
forth out of this kingdom, two ships, appointed
to several voyages; that in either of these
ships there should be a mission of three
of the fellows or brethren of Saloman's House,
whose errand was only to give us knowledge
of the affairs and state of those countries
to which they were designed; and especially
of the sciences, arts, manufactures, and
inventions of all the world; and withal to
bring unto us books, instruments, and patterns
in every kind: that the ships, after they
had landed the brethren, should re- turn;
and that the brethren should stay abroad
till the new mis- sion, the ships are not
otherwise fraught than with store of victuals,
and good quantity of treasure to remain with
the brethren, for the buying of such things,
and rewarding of such persons, as they should
think fit. Now for me to tell you how the
vulgar sort of mariners are contained from
being discovered at land, and how they must
be put on shore for any time, color themselves
under the names of other nations, and to
what places these voyages have been designed;
and what places of rendez- vous are appointed
for the new missions, and the like circum-
stances of the practice, I may not do it,
neither is it much to your desire. But thus
you see we maintain a trade, not for gold,
silver, or jewels, nor for silks, nor for
spices, nor any other commodity of matter;
but only for God's first creature, which
was light; to have light, I say, of the growth
of all parts of the world."
And when he had said this, he was silent,
and so were we all; for indeed we were all
astonished to hear so strange things so probably
told. And he perceiving that we were willing
to say somewhat, but had it not ready, in
great courtesy took us off, and descended
to ask us questions of our voyage and fortunes,
and in the end concluded that we might do
well to think with ourselves what time of
stay we would demand of the State, and bade
us not to scant ourselves; for he would procure
such time as we desired. Whereupon we all
rose up and pre- sented ourselves to kiss
the skirt of his tippet, but he would not
suffer us, and so took his leave. But when
it came once among our people that the State
used to offer conditions to strangers that
would stay, we had work enough to get any
of our men to look to our ship, and to keep
them from going presently to the governor
to crave conditions; but with much ado we
restrained them, till we might agree what
course to take.
We took ourselves now for freemen, seeing
there was no danger of our utter perdition,
and lived most joyfully, going abroad and
seeing what was to be seen in the city and
places adjacent, within our tedder; and obtaining
acquaintance with many of the city, not of
the meanest quality, at whose hands we found
such humanity, and such a freedom and desire
to take strangers, as it were, into their
bosom, as was enough to make us forget all
that was dear to us in our own countries,
and con- tinually we met with many things,
right worthy of observation and relation;
as indeed, if there be a mirror in the world,
worthy to hold men's eyes, it is that country.
One day there were two of our company bidden
to a feast of the family, as they call it;
a most natural, pious, and reverend custom
it is, showing that nation to be compounded
of all goodness. This is the manner of it;
it is granted to any man that shall live
to see thirty per- sons descended of his
body, alive together, and all above three
years old, to make this feast, which is done
at the cost of the State. The father of the
family, whom they call the tirsan, two days
before the feast, taketh to him three of
such friends as he liketh to choose, and
is assisted also by the governor of the city
or place where the feast is celebrated; and
all the per- sons of the family, of both
sexes, are summoned to attend him. These
two days the tirsan sitteth in consultation,
concerning the good estate of the family.
There, if there be any discord or suits between
any of the family, they are compounded and
appeased. There, if any of the family be
distressed or decayed, order is taken for
their relief, and competent means to live.
There, if any be subject to vice, or take
ill-courses, they are reproved and censured.
So, likewise, direction is given touch- ing
marriages, and the courses of life which
any of them should take, with divers other
the like orders and advices. The gov- ernor
sitteth to the end, to put in execution,
by his public au- thority, the decrees and
orders of the tirsan, if they should be disobeyed,
though that seldom needeth; such reverence
and obedience they give to the order of nature.
The tirsan doth also then ever choose one
man from among his sons, to live in house
with him, who is called ever after the Son
of the Vine. The reason will hereafter appear.
On the feast day, the father, or tirsan,
cometh forth after divine service into a
large room where the feast is celebrated;
which room hath a half-pace at the upper
end. Against the wall, in the middle of the
half-pace, is a chair placed for him, with
a table and carpet before it. Over the chair
is a state, made round or oval and it is
of ivy; an ivy somewhat whiter than ours,
like the leaf of a silver-asp, but more shining;
for it is green all win- ter. And the state
is curiously wrought with silver and silk
of divers colors, broiding or binding in
the ivy; and is ever of the work of some
of the daughters of the family, and veiled
over at the top, with a fine net of silk
and silver. But the substance of it is true
ivy; whereof after it is taken down, the
friends of the family are desirous to have
some leaf or sprig to keep. The tirsan cometh
forth with all his generation or lineage,
the males before him, and the females following
him; and if there be a mother, from whose
body the whole lineage is descended, there
is a traverse placed in a loft above on the
right hand of the chair, with a privy door,
and a carved window of glass, leaded with
gold and blue; where she sitteth, but is
not seen.
When the tirsan is come forth, he sitteth
down in the chair; and all the lineage place
themselves against the wall, both at his
back, and upon the return of the half-pace,
in order of their years) without difference
of sex, and stand upon their feet. When he
is set, the room being always full of company,
but well kept and without disorder, after
some pause there cometh in from the lower
end of the room a taratan (which is as much
as a herald), and on either side of him two
young lads: whereof one carrieth a scroll
of their shining yellow parchment, and the
other a cluster of grapes of gold, with a
long foot or stalk. The herald and children
are clothed with mantles of sea-water- green
satin; but the herald's mantle is streamed
with gold, and hath a train. Then the herald
with three courtesies, or rather inclinations,
cometh up as far as the half-pace, and there
first taketh into his hand the scroll. This
scroll is the King's char- ter, containing
gift of revenue, and many privileges, exemp-
tions, and points of honor, granted to the
father of the family; and it is ever styled
and directed, "To such an one, our well-
beloved friend and creditor," which
is a title proper only to this case. For
they say, the King is debtor to no man, but
for propagation of his subjects; the seal
set to the King's charter is the King's image,
embossed or moulded in gold; and though such
charters be expedited of course, and as of
right, yet they are varied by discretion,
according to the number and dignity of the
family. This charter the herald readeth aloud;
and while it is read, the father, or tirsan,
standeth up, supported by two of his sons,
such as he chooseth.
Then the herald mounteth the half-pace, and
delivereth the charter into his hand: and
with that there is an acclamation, by all
that are present, in their language, which
is thus much, "Happy are the people
of Bensalem." Then the herald taketh
into his hand from the other child the cluster
of grapes, which is of gold; both the stalk,
and the grapes. But the grapes are daintily
enamelled: and if the males of the family
be the greater number, the grapes are enamelled
purple, with a little sun set on the top;
if the females, then they are enamelled into
a green- ish yellow, with a crescent on the
top. The grapes are in num- ber as many as
there are descendants of the family. This
golden cluster the herald delivereth also
to the tirsan; who presently delivereth it
over to that son that he had formerly chosen,
to be in house with him: who beareth it before
his father, as an ensign of honor, when he
goeth in public ever after; and is thereupon
called the Son of the Vine. After this ceremony
ended the father, or tirsan, retireth, and
after some time cometh forth again to dinner,
where he sitteth alone under the state, as
before; and none of his descendants sit with
him, of what degree or dignity so ever, except
he hap to be of Salo- man's House. He is
served only by his own children, such as
are male; who perform unto him all service
of the table upon the knee, and the women
only stand about him, leaning against the
wall. The room below his half-pace hath tables
on the sides for the guests that are bidden;
who are served with great and comely order;
and toward the end of dinner (which in the
greatest feasts with them lasteth never above
an hour and a half) there is a hymn sung,
varied according to the invention of him
that composeth it (for they have excellent
poesy), but the subject of it is always the
praises of Adam, and Noah, and Abraham; whereof
the former two peopled the world, and the
last was the father of the faithful: concluding
ever with a thanksgiving for the nativity
of our Saviour, in whose birth the births
of all are only blessed.
Dinner being done, the tirsan retireth again;
and having withdrawn himself alone into a
place, where he maketh some private prayers,
he cometh forth the third time, to give the
blessing; with all his descendants, who stand
about him as at the first. Then he calleth
them forth by one and by one, by name as
he pleaseth, though seldom the order of age
be inverted. The person that is called (the
table being before removed) kneeleth down
before the chair, and the father layeth his
hand upon his head, or her head, and giveth
the blessing in these words: "Son of
Bensalem (or daughter of Bensalem), thy father
saith it; the man by whom thou hast breath
and life speaketh the word; the blessing
of the everlasting Father, the Prince of
Peace, and the Holy Dove be upon thee, and
make the days of thy pilgrimage good and
many." This he saith to every of them;
and that done, if there be any of his sons
of emi- nent merit and virtue, so they be
not above two, he calleth for them again,
and saith, laying his arm over their shoulders,
they standing: "Sons, it is well you
are born, give God the praise, and persevere
to the end;" and withal delivereth to
either of them a jewel, made in the figure
of an ear of wheat, which they ever after
wear in the front of their turban, or hat;
this done, they fall to music and dances,
and other recreations, after their manner,
for the rest of the day. This is the full
order of that feast.
By that time six or seven days were spent,
I was fallen into straight acquaintance with
a merchant of that city, whose name was Joabin.
He was a Jew and circumcised; for they have
some few stirps of Jews yet remaining among
them, whom they leave to their own religion.
Which they may the better do, because they
are of a far differing disposition from the
Jews in other parts. For whereas they hate
the name of Christ, and have a secret inbred
rancor against the people among whom they
live; these, contrariwise, give unto our
Saviour many high attributes, and love the
nation of Bensalem extremely. Surely this
man of whom I speak would ever acknowledge
that Christ was born of a Virgin; and that
he was more than a man; and he would tell
how God made him ruler of the seraphim, which
guard his throne; and they call him also
the Milken Way, and the Eliah of the Messiah,
and many other high names, which though they
be inferior to his divine majesty, yet they
are far from the language of other Jews.
And for the country of Ben- salem, this man
would make no end of commending it, being
desirous by tradition among the Jews there
to have it believed that the people thereof
were of the generations of Abraham, by another
son, whom they call Nachoran; and that Moses
by a secret cabala ordained the laws of Bensalem
which they now use; and that when the Messias
should come, and sit in his throne at Hierusalem,
the King of Bensalem should sit at his feet,
whereas other kings should keep a great distance.
But yet setting aside these Jewish dreams,
the man was a wise man and learned, and of
great policy, and excellently seen in the
laws and customs of that nation.
Among other discourses one day I told him,
I was much af- fected with the relation I
had from some of the company of their custom
in holding the feast of the family, for that,
me- thought, I had never heard of a solemnity
wherein nature did so much preside. And because
propagation of families pro- ceedeth from
the nuptial copulation, I desired to know
of him what laws and customs they had concerning
marriage, and whether they kept marriage
well, and whether they were tied to one wife?
For that where population is so much affected,
and such as with them it seemed to be, there
is commonly per- mission of plurality of
wives. To this he said:
"You have reason for to commend that
excellent institution of the feast of the
family; and indeed we have experience, that
those families that are partakers of the
blessings of that feast, do flourish and
prosper ever after, in an extraordinary manner.
But hear me now, and I will tell you what
I know. You shall understand that there is
not under the heavens so chaste a nation
as this of Bensalem, nor so free from all
pollution or foulness. It is the virgin of
the world; I remember, I have read in one
of your European books, of a holy hermit
among you, that desired to see the spirit
of fornication, and there ap- peared to him
a little foul ugly Ethiope; but if he had
desired to see the spirit of chastity of
Bensalem, it would have appeared to him in
the likeness of a fair beautiful cherub.
For there is nothing, among mortal men, more
fair and admirable than the chaste minds
of this people.
"Know, therefore, that with them there
are no stews, no dis- solute houses, no courtesans,
nor anything of that kind. Nay, they wonder,
with detestation, at you in Europe, which
permit such things. They say ye have put
marriage out of office; for marriage is ordained
a remedy for unlawful concupiscence; and
natural concupiscence seemeth as a spur to
marriage. But when men have at hand a remedy,
more agreeable to their cor- rupt will, marriage
is almost expulsed. And therefore there are
with you seen infinite men that marry not,
but choose rather a libertine and impure
single life, than to be yoked in marriage;
and many that do marry, marry late, when
the prime and strength of their years are
past. And when they do marry, what is marriage
to them but a very bargain; wherein is sought
alliance, or portion, or reputation, with
some desire (almost in- different) of issue;
and not the faithful nuptial union of man
and wife, that was first instituted. Neither
is it possible that those that have cast
away so basely so much of their strength,
should greatly esteem children (being of
the same matter) as chaste men do. So likewise
during marriage is the case much amended,
as it ought to be if those things were tolerated
only for necessity; no, but they remain still
as a very affront to mar- riage.
"The haunting of those dissolute places,
or resort to courte- sans, are no more punished
in married men than in bachelors. And the
depraved custom of change, and the delight
in mere- tricious embracements (where sin
is turned into art), maketh marriage a dull
thing, and a kind of imposition or tax. They
hear you defend these things, as done to
avoid greater evils; as advoutries, deflowering
of virgins, unnatural lust, and the like.
But they say this is a preposterous wisdom;
and they call it Lot's offer, who to save
his guests from abusing, offered his daughters;
nay, they say further, that there is little
gained in this; for that the same vices and
appetites do still remain and abound, unlawful
lust being like a furnace, that if you stop
the flames altogether it will quench, but
if you give it any vent it will rage; as
for masculine love, they have no touch of
it; and yet there are not so faithful and
inviolate friendships in the world again
as are there, and to speak generally (as
I said be- fore) I have not read of any such
chastity in any people as theirs. And their
usual saying is that whosoever is unchaste
cannot reverence himself; and they say that
the reverence of a man's self, is, next religion,
the chiefest bridle of all vices."
And when he had said this the good Jew paused
a little; whereupon I, far more willing to
hear him speak on than to speak myself; yet
thinking it decent that upon his pause of
speech I should not be altogether silent,
said only this; that I would say to him,
as the widow of Sarepta said to Elias: "that
he was come to bring to memory our sins;
"and that I confess the righteousness
of Bensalem was greater than the righteous-
ness of Europe. At which speech he bowed
his head, and went on this manner:
"They have also many wise and excellent
laws, touching marriage. They allow no polygamy.
They have ordained that none do intermarry,
or contract, until a month be past from their
first interview. Marriage without consent
of parents they do not make void, but they
mulct it in the inheritors; for the children
of such marriages are not admitted to inherit
above a third part of their parents' inheritance.
I have read in a book of one of your men,
of a feigned commonwealth, where the married
couple are permitted, before they contract,
to see one another naked. This they dislike;
for they think it a scorn to give a refusal
after so familiar knowledge; but because
of many hidden defects in men and women's
bodies, they have a more civil way; for they
have near every town a couple of pools (which
they call Adam and Eve's pools), where it
is permitted to one of the friends of the
man, and another of the friends of the woman,
to see them severally bathe naked."
And as we were thus in conference, there
came one that seemed to be a messenger, in
a rich huke, that spake with the Jew; whereupon
he turned to me, and said, "You will
pardon me, for I am commanded away in haste."
The next morning he came to me again, joyful
as it seemed, and said: "There is word
come to the governor of the city, that one
of the fathers of Salomon's House will be
here this day seven-night; we have seen none
of them this dozen years. His coming is in
state; but the cause of this coming is secret.
I will provide you and your fellows of a
good standing to see his entry." I thanked
him, and told him I was most glad of the
news.
The day being come he made his entry. He
was a man of middle stature and age, comely
of person, and had an aspect as if he pitied
men. He was clothed in a robe of fine black
cloth and wide sleeves, and a cape: his under-garment
was of ex- cellent white linen down to the
foot, girt with a girdle of the same; and
a sindon or tippet of the same about his
neck. He had gloves that were curious, and
set with stone; and shoes of peach-colored
velvet. His neck was bare to the shoulders.
His hat was like a helmet, or Spanish montero;
and his locks curled below it decently; they
were of color brown. His heard was cut round
and of the same color with his hair, somewhat
lighter. He was carried in a rich chariot,
without wheels, lit- ter-wise, with two horses
at either end, richly trapped in blue velvet
embroidered; and two footmen on each side
in the like attire. The chariot was all of
cedar, gilt and adorned with crystal; save
that the fore end had panels of sapphires
set in borders of gold, and the hinder end
the like of emeralds of the Peru color. There
was also a sun of gold, radiant upon the
top, in the midst; and on the top before
a small cherub of gold, with wings displayed.
The chariot was covered with cloth-of- gold
tissued upon blue. He had before him fifty
attendants, young men all, in white satin
loose coats up to the mid-leg, and stockings
of white silk; and shoes of blue velvet;
and hats of blue velvet, with fine plumes
of divers colors, set round like hat-bands.
Next before the chariot went two men, bare-
headed, in linen garments down to the foot,
girt, and shoes of blue velvet, who carried
the one a crosier, the other a pastoral staff
like a sheep-hook; neither of them of metal,
but the crosier of balm-wood, the pastoral
staff of cedar. Horsemen he had none, neither
before nor behind his chariot; as it seemeth,
to avoid all tumult and trouble. Behind his
chariot went all the officers and principals
of the companies of the city. He sat alone,
upon cushions, of a kind of excellent plush,
blue; and under his foot curious carpets
of silk of divers colors, like the Persian,
but far finer. He held up his bare hand,
as he went, as blessing the people, but in
silence. The street was wonder- fully well
kept; so that there was never any army had
their men stand in better battle-array than
the people stood. The win- dows likewise
were not crowded, but everyone stood in them,
as if they had been placed.
When the show was passed, the Jew said to
me, "I shall not be able to attend you
as I would, in regard of some charge the
city hath laid upon me for the entertaining
of this great person." Three days after
the Jew came to me again, and said: "Ye
are happy men; for the father of Salomon's
House taketh knowl- edge of your being here,
and commanded me to tell you that he will
admit all your company to his presence, and
have private conference with one of you,
that ye shall choose; and for this hath appointed
the next day after to-morrow. And because
he meaneth to give you his blessing, he hath
appointed it in the forenoon." We came
at our day and hour, and I was chosen by
my fellows for the private access. We found
him in a fair chamber, richly hanged, and
carpeted under foot, without any degrees
to the state; he was set upon a low throne
richly adorned, and a rich cloth of state
over his head of blue satin embroidered.
He was alone, save that he had two pages
of honor, on either hand one, finely attired
in white. His under- garments were the like
that we saw him wear in the chariot; but
instead of his gown, he had on him a mantle
with a cape, of the same fine black, fastened
about him. When we came in, as we were taught,
we bowed low at our first entrance; and when
we were come near his chair, he stood up,
holding forth his hand ungloved, and in posture
of blessing; and we every one of us stooped
down and kissed the end of his tippet. That
done, the rest departed, and I remained.
Then he warned the pages forth of the room,
and caused me to sit down beside him, and
spake to me thus in the Spanish tongue:
"God bless thee, my son; I will give
thee the greatest jewel I have. For I will
impart unto thee, for the love of God and
men, a relation of the true state of Salomon's
House. Son, to make you know the true state
of Salomon's House, I will keep this order.
First, I will set forth unto you the end
of our foun- dation. Secondly, the preparations
and instruments we have for our works. Thirdly,
the several employments and func- tions whereto
our fellows are assigned. And fourthly, the
ordinances and rites which we observe.
"The end of our foundation is the knowledge
of causes, and secret motions of things;
and the enlarging of the bounds of human
empire, to the effecting of all things possible.
"The preparations and instruments are
these: We have large and deep caves of several
depths; the deepest are sunk 600 fathoms;
and some of them are digged and made under
great hills and mountains; so that if you
reckon together the depth of the hill and
the depth of the cave, they are, some of
them, above three miles deep. For we find
that the depth of a hill and the depth of
a cave from the flat are the same thing;
both remote alike from the sun and heaven's
beams, and from the open air. These caves
we call the lower region. And we use them
for all coagulations, indurations, refrigerations,
and con- servations of bodies. We use them
likewise for the imitation of natural mines
and the producing also of new artificial
metals, by compositions and materials which
we use and lay there for many years. We use
them also sometimes (which may seem strange)
for curing of some diseases, and for prolongation
of life, in some hermits that choose to live
there, well accommo- dated of all things
necessary, and indeed live very long; by
whom also we learn many things.
"We have burials in several earths,
where we put divers ce- ments, as the Chinese
do their porcelain. But we have them in greater
variety, and some of them more fine. We also
have great variety of composts and soils,
for the making of the earth fruitful.
"We have high towers, the highest about
half a mile in height, and some of them likewise
set upon high mountains, so that the vantage
of the hill with the tower is in the highest
of them three miles at least. And these places
we call the upper region, account the air
between the high places and the low as a
middle region. We use these towers, according
to their several heights and situations,
for insulation, refrigera- tion, conservation,
and for the view of divers meteors -- as
winds, rain, snow, hail, and some of the
fiery meteors also. And upon them in some
places are dwellings of hermits, whom we
visit sometimes and instruct what to observe.
"We have great lakes, both salt and
fresh, whereof we have use for the fish and
fowl. We use them also for burials of some
natural bodies, for we find a difference
in things buried in earth, or in air below
the earth, and things buried in water. We
have also pools, of which some do strain
fresh water out of salt, and others by art
do turn fresh water into salt. We have also
some rocks in the midst of the sea, and some
bays upon the shore for some works, wherein
are required the air and vapor of the sea.
We have likewise violent streams and cataracts,
which serve us for many motions; and likewise
engines for multiplying and enforcing of
winds to set also on divers motions.
"We have also a number of artificial
wells and fountains, made in imitation of
the natural sources and baths, as tincted
upon vitriol, sulphur, steel, brass, lead,
nitre, and other min- erals; and again, we
have little wells for infusions of many things,
where the waters take the virtue quicker
and better than in vessels or basins. And
among them we have a water, which we call
water of paradise, being by that we do it
made very sovereign for health and prolongation
of life.
"We have also great and spacious houses,
where we imitate and demonstrate meteors
-- as snow, hail, rain, some artificial rains
of bodies and not of water, thunders, lightnings;
also gen- erations of bodies in air -- as
frogs, flies, and divers others.
"We have also certain chambers, which
we call chambers of health, where we qualify
the air as we think good and proper for the
cure of divers diseases and preservation
of health.
"We have also fair and large baths,
of several mixtures, for the cure of diseases,
and the restoring of man's body from are-
faction; and others for the confirming of
it in strength of sinews, vital parts, and
the very juice and substance of the body.
"We have also large and various orchards
and gardens, wherein we do not so much respect
beauty as variety of ground and soil, proper
for divers trees and herbs, and some very
spa- cious, where trees and berries are set,
whereof we make divers kinds of drinks, beside
the vineyards. In these we practise likewise
all conclusions of grafting, and inoculating,
as well of wild-trees as fruit-trees, which
produceth many effects. And we make by art,
in the same orchards and gardens, trees and
flowers, to come earlier or later than their
seasons, and to come up and bear more speedily
than by their natural course they do. We
make them also by art greater much than their
nature; and their fruit greater and sweeter,
and of differing taste, smell, color, and
figure, from their nature. And many of them
we so order as that they become of medicinal
use.
"We have also means to make divers plants
rise by mixtures of earths without seeds,
and likewise to make divers new plants, differing
from the vulgar, and to make one tree or
plant turn into another.
"We have also parks, and enclosures
of all sorts, of beasts and birds; which
we use not only for view or rareness, but
like- wise for dissections and trials, that
thereby may take light what may be wrought
upon the body of man. Wherein we find many
strange effects: as continuing life in them,
though divers parts, which you account vital,
be perished and taken forth; resusci- tating
of some that seem dead in appearance, and
the like. We try also all poisons, and other
medicines upon them, as well of chirurgery
as physic. By art likewise we make them greater
or smaller than their kind is, and contrariwise
dwarf them and stay their growth; we make
them more fruitful and bearing than their
kind is, and contrariwise barren and not
generative. Also we make them differ in color,
shape, activity, many ways. We find means
to make commixtures and copulations of divers
kinds, which have produced many new kinds,
and them not barren, as the general opinion
is. We make a number of kinds of serpents,
worms, flies, fishes of putrefaction, whereof
some are advanced (in effect) to be perfect
creatures, like beasts or birds, and have
sexes, and do propagate. Neither do we this
by chance, but we know beforehand of what
matter and com- mixture, what kind of those
creatures will arise.
"We have also particular pools where
we make trials upon fishes, as we have said
before of beasts and birds.
"We have also places for breed and generation
of those kinds of worms and flies which are
of special use; such as are with you your
silkworms and bees.
"I will not hold you long with recounting
of our brew- houses, bake-houses, and kitchens,
where are made divers drinks, breads, and
meats, rare and of special effects. Wines
we have of grapes, and drinks of other juice,
of fruits, of grains, and of roots, and of
mixtures with honey, sugar, manna, and fruits
dried and decocted; also of the tears or
wounding of trees and of the pulp of canes.
And these drinks are of several ages, some
to the age or last of forty years. We have
drinks also brewed with several herbs and
roots and spices; yea, with sev- eral fleshes
and white meats; whereof some of the drinks
are such as they are in effect meat and drink
both, so that divers, especially in age,
do desire to live with them with little or
no meat or bread. And above all we strive
to have drinks of ex- treme thin parts, to
insinuate into the body, and yet without
all biting, sharpness, or fretting; insomuch
as some of them put upon the back of your
hand, will with a little stay pass through
to the palm, and yet taste mild to the mouth.
We have also waters, which we ripen in that
fashion, as they become nourishing, so that
they are indeed excellent drinks, and many
will use no other. Bread we have of several
grains, roots, and kernels; yea, and some
of flesh, and fish, dried; with divers kinds
of leavings and seasonings; so that some
do extremely move appetites, some do nourish
so as divers do live of them, without any
other meat, who live very long. So for meats,
we have some of them so beaten, and made
tender, and mortified, yet without all corrupting,
as a weak heat of the stomach will turn them
into good chilus, as well as a strong heat
would meat otherwise prepared. We have some
meats also and bread, and drinks, which,
taken by men, enable them to fast long after;
and some other, that used make the very flesh
of men's bodies sensibly more hard and tough,
and their strength far greater than otherwise
it would be.
"We have dispensatories or shops of
medicines; wherein you may easily think,
if we have such variety of plants, and living
creatures, more than you have in Europe (for
we know what you have), the simples, drugs,
and ingredients of medicines, must likewise
be in so much the greater variety. We have
them likewise of divers ages, and long fermentations.
And for their preparations, we have not only
all manner of exquisite distillations, and
separations, and especially by gentle heats,
and percolations through divers strainers,
yea, and substances; but also exact forms
of composition, whereby they incorporate
al- most as they were natural simples.
"We have also divers mechanical arts,
which you have not; and stuffs made by them,
as papers, linen, silks, tissues, dainty
works of feathers of wonderful lustre, excellent
dyes, and many others, and shops likewise
as well for such as are not brought into
vulgar use among us, as for those that are.
For you must know, that of the things before
recited, many of them are grown into use
throughout the kingdom, but yet, if they
did flow from our invention, we have of them
also for patterns and principals.
"We have also furnaces of great diversities,
and that keep great diversity of heats; fierce
and quick, strong and constant, soft and
mild, blown, quiet, dry, moist, and the like.
But above all we have heats, in imitation
of the sun's and heavenly bodies' heats,
that pass divers inequalities, and as it
were orbs, prog- resses, and returns whereby
we produce admirable effects. Be- sides,
we have heats of dungs, and of bellies and
maws of living creatures and of their bloods
and bodies, and of hays and herbs laid up
moist, of lime unquenched, and such like.
Instruments also which generate heat only
by motion. And farther, places for strong
insulations; and, again, places under the
earth, which by nature or art yield heat.
These divers heats we use as the nature of
the operation which we intend requireth.
"We have also perspective houses, where
we make demon- strations of all lights and
radiations and of all colors; and out of
things uncolored and transparent we can represent
unto you all several colors, not in rainbows,
as it is in gems and prisms, but of themselves
single. We represent also all multiplications
of light, which we carry to great distance,
and make so sharp as to discern small points
and lines. Also all colorations of light:
all delusions and deceits of the sight, in
figures, magni- tudes, motions, colors; all
demonstrations of shadows. We find also divers
means, yet unknown to you, of producing of
light, originally from divers bodies. We
procure means of see- ing objects afar off,
as in the heaven and remote places; and represent
things near as afar off, and things afar
off as near; making feigned distances. We
have also helps for the sight far above spectacles
and glasses in use; we have also glasses
and means to see small and minute bodies,
perfectly and dis- tinctly; as the shapes
and colors of small flies and worms, grains,
and flaws in gems which cannot otherwise
be seen, ob- servations in urine and blood
not otherwise to be seen. We make artificial
rainbows, halos, and circles about light.
We represent also all manner of reflections,
refractions, and multi- plications of visual
beams of objects.
"We have also precious stones, of all
kinds, many of them of great beauty and to
you unknown, crystals likewise, and glasses
of divers kind; and among them some of metals
vitrifi- cated, and other materials, besides
those of which you make glass. Also a number
of fossils and imperfect minerals, which
you have not. Likewise loadstones of prodigious
virtue, and other rare stones, both natural
and artificial.
"We have also sound-houses, where we
practise and demon- strate all sounds and
their generation. We have harmony which you
have not, of quarter-sounds and lesser slides
of sounds. Divers instruments of music likewise
to you unknown, some sweeter than any you
have; with bells and rings that are dainty
and sweet. We represent small sounds as great
and deep, likewise great sounds extenuate
and sharp; we make divers tremblings and
warblings of sounds, which in their orig-
inal are entire. We represent and imitate
all articulate sounds and letters, and the
voices and notes of beasts and birds. We
have certain helps which, set to the ear,
do further the hearing greatly; we have also
divers strange and artificial echoes, re-
flecting the voice many times, and, as it
were, tossing it; and some that give back
the voice louder than it came, some shriller
and some deeper; yea, some rendering the
voice, differing in the letters or articulate
sound from that they receive. We have all
means to convey sounds in trunks and pipes,
in strange lines and distances.
"We have also perfume-houses, wherewith
we join also practices of taste. We multiply
smells which may seem strange: we imitate
smells, making all smells to breathe out
of other mixtures than those that give them.
We make divers imitations of taste likewise,
so that they will deceive any man's taste.
And in this house we contain also a confiture-house,
where we make all sweatmeats, dry and moist,
and divers pleas- ant wines, milks, broths,
and salads, far in greater variety than you
have.
"We have also engine-houses, where are
prepared engines and instruments for all
sorts of motions. There we imitate and practise
to make swifter motions than any you have,
either out of your muskets or any engine
that you have; and to make them and multiply
them more easily and with small force, by
wheels and other means, and to make them
stronger and more violent than yours are,
exceeding your greatest cannons and basilisks.
We represent also ordnance and instruments
of war and engines of all kinds; and likewise
new mixtures and com- positions of gunpowder,
wild-fires burning in water and un- quenchable,
also fire-works of all variety, both for
pleasure and use. We imitate also flights
of birds; we have some degrees of flying
in the air. We have ships and boats for going
under water and brooking of seas, also swimming-girdles
and sup- porters. We have divers curious
clocks and other like motions of return,
and some perpetual motions. We imitate also
mo- tions of living creatures by images of
men, beasts, birds, fishes, and serpents;
we have also a great number of other various
motions, strange for equality, fineness,
and subtilty.
"We have also a mathematical-house,
where are represented all instruments, as
well of geometry as astronomy, exquisitely
made.
"We have also houses of deceits of the
senses, where we rep- resent all manner of
feats of juggling, false apparitions, im-
postures and illusions, and their fallacies.
And surely you will easily believe that we,
that have so many things truly natural which
induce admiration, could in a world of particulars
de- ceive the senses if we would disguise
those things, and labor to make them more
miraculous. But we do hate all impostures
and lies, insomuch as we have severely forbidden
it to all our fellows, under pain of ignominy
and fines, that they do not show any natural
work or thing adorned or swelling, but only
pure as it is, and without all affectation
of strangeness.
"These are, my son, the riches of Salomon's
House.
"For the several employments and offices
of our fellows, we have twelve that sail
into foreign countries under the names of
other nations (for our own we conceal), who
bring us the books and abstracts, and patterns
of experiments of all other parts. These
we call merchants of light.
"We have three that collect the experiments
which are in all books. These we call depredators.
"We have three that collect the experiments
of all mechani- cal arts, and also of liberal
sciences, and also of practices which are
not brought into arts. These we call mystery-men.
"We have three that try new experiments,
such as themselves think good. These we call
pioneers or miners.
"We have three that draw the experiments
of the former four into titles and tables,
to give the better light for the draw- ing
of observations and axioms out of them. These
we call compilers. We have three that bend
themselves, looking into the experiments
of their fellows, and cast about how to draw
out of them things of use and practice for
man's life and knowl- edge, as well for works
as for plain demonstration of causes, means
of natural divinations, and the easy and
clear discovery of the virtues and parts
of bodies. These we call dowry-men or benefactors.
"Then after divers meetings and consults
of our whole num- ber, to consider of the
former labors and collections, we have three
that take care out of them to direct new
experiments, of a higher light, more penetrating
into nature than the former. These we call
lamps.
"We have three others that do execute
the experiments so directed, and report them.
These we call inoculators.
"Lastly, we have three that raise the
former discoveries by experiments into greater
observations, axioms, and aphorisms. These
we call interpreters of nature.
"We have also, as you must think, novices
and apprentices, that the succession of the
former employed men do not fail; be- sides
a great number of servants and attendants,
men and women. And this we do also: we have
consultations, which of the inventions and
experiences which we have discovered shall
be published, and which not; and take all
an oath of secrecy for the concealing of
those which we think fit to keep secret;
though some of those we do reveal sometime
to the State, and some not.
"For our ordinances and rites we have
two very long and fair galleries. In one
of these we place patterns and samples of
all manner of the more rare and excellent
inventions; in the other we place the statues
of all principal inventors. There we have
the statue of your Columbus, that discovered
the West Indies, also the inventor of ships,
your monk that was the in- ventor of ordnance
and of gunpowder, the inventor of music,
the inventor of letters, the inventor of
printing, the inventor of observations of
astronomy, the inventor of works in metal,
the inventor of glass, the inventor of silk
of the worm, the inventor of wine, the inventor
of corn and bread, the inventor of sugars;
and all these by more certain tradition than
you have. Then we have divers inventors of
our own, of excellent works; which, since
you have not seen) it were too long to make
descriptions of them; and besides, in the
right understanding of those de- scriptions
you might easily err. For upon every invention
of value we erect a statue to the inventor,
and give him a liberal and honorable reward.
These statues are some of brass, some of
marble and touchstone, some of cedar and
other special woods gilt and adorned; some
of iron, some of silver, some of gold.
"We have certain hymns and services,
which we say daily, of laud and thanks to
God for His marvellous works. And forms of
prayers, imploring His aid and blessing for
the illumi- nation of our labors; and turning
them into good and holy uses.
"Lastly, we have circuits or visits,
of divers principal cities of the kingdom;
where as it cometh to pass we do publish
such new profitable inventions as we think
good. And we do also declare natural divinations
of diseases, plagues, swarms of hurtful creatures,
scarcity, tempest, earthquakes, great inunda-
tions, comets, temperature of the year, and
divers other things; and we give counsel
thereupon, what the people shall do for the
prevention and remedy of them."
And when he had said this he stood up, and
I, as I had been taught, knelt down; and
he laid his right hand upon my head, and
said: "God bless thee, my son, and God
bless this relation which I have made. I
give thee leave to publish it, for the good
of other nations; for we here are in God's
bosom, a land un- known." And so he
left me; having assigned a value of about
2,000 ducats for a bounty to me and my fellows.
For they give great largesses, where they
come, upon all occasions.
[THE REST WAS NOT PERFECTED.] End.
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Evans Experientialism 
