THE NEW ATLANTIS

BY

SIR FRANCIS BACON

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

Bacon's literary executor, Dr. Rowley, published "The New Atlantis" in1627, the year after the author's death. It seems to have been writtenabout 1623, during that period of literary activity which followedBacon's political fall. None of Bacon's writings gives in short apaceso vivid a picture of his tastes and aspirations as this fragment ofthe plan of an ideal commonwealth. The generosity and enlightenment, the dignity and splendor, the piety and public spirit, of theinhabitants of Bensalem represent the ideal qualities which Bacon thestatesman desired rather than hoped to see characteristic of his owncountry; and in Solomon's House we have Bacon the scientist indulgingwithout restriction his prophetic vision of the future of humanknowledge. No reader acquainted in any degree with the processes andresults of modern scientific inquiry can fail to be struck by thenumerous approximations made by Bacon's imagination to the actualachievements of modern times. The plan and organization of his greatcollege lay down the main lines of the modern research university; andboth in pure and applied science he anticipates a strikingly largenumber of recent inventions and discoveries. In still another way is"The New Atlantis" typical of Bacon's attitude. In spite of theenthusiastic and broad-minded schemes he laid down for the pursuit oftruth, Bacon always had an eye to utility. The advancement of sciencewhich he sought was conceived by him as a means to a practical end theincrease of man's control over nature, and the comfort and convenienceof humanity. For pure metaphysics, or any form of abstract thinkingthat yielded no "fruit, " he had little interest; and this leaning tothe useful is shown in the practical applications of the discoveriesmade by the scholars of Solomon's House. Nor does the interest of thework stop here. It contains much, both in its political and in itsscientific ideals, that we have as yet by no means achieved, but whichcontain valuable elements of suggestion and stimulus for the future. 

THE NEW ATLANTIS

We sailed from Peru, (where we had continued for the space of one wholeyear) for China and Japan, by the South Sea; taking with us victualsfor twelve months; and had good winds from the east, though soft andweak, for five months space, and more. But the wind came about, andsettled in the west for many days, so as we could make little or noway, and were sometime in purpose to turn back. But then again therearose strong and great winds from the south, with a point east, whichcarried us up (for all that we could do) towards the north; by whichtime our victuals failed us, though we had made good spare of them. Sothat finding ourselves, in the midst of the greatest wilderness ofwaters in the world, without victuals, we gave ourselves for lost menand prepared for death. Yet we did lift up our hearts and voices toGod above, who showeth his wonders in the deep, beseeching him of hismercy, that as in the beginning he discovered the face of the deep, andbrought forth dry land, so he would not discover land to us, that wemight not perish. 

And it came to pass that the next day about evening we saw within akenning before us, towards the north, as it were thick clouds, whichdid put us in some hope of land; knowing how that part of the South Seawas utterly unknown; and might have islands, or continents, thathitherto were not come to light. Wherefore we bent our course thither, where we saw the appearance of land, all that night; and in the dawningof the next day, we might plainly discern that it was a land; flat toour sight, and full of boscage; which made it show the more dark. Andafter an hour and a half's sailing, we entered into a good haven, beingthe port of a fair city; not great indeed, but well built, and thatgave 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 straightways we saw divers of the people, with bastons in theirhands (as it were) forbidding us to land; yet without any cries offierceness, but only as warning us off, by signs that they made. Whereupon being not a little discomforted, we were advising withourselves, what we should do. 

During which time, there made forth to us a small boat, with abouteight persons in it; whereof one of them had in his hand a tipstaff ofa yellow cane, tipped at both ends with blue, who came aboard our ship, without any show of distrust at all. And when he saw one of ournumber, present himself somewhat before the rest, he drew forth alittle scroll of parchment (somewhat yellower than our parchment, andshining like the leaves of writing tables, but otherwise soft andflexible, ) and delivered it to our foremost man. In which scroll werewritten in ancient Hebrew, and in ancient Greek, and in good Latin ofthe school, and in Spanish, these words: Land ye not, none of you; andprovide to be gone from this coast, within sixteen days, except youhave further time given you. Meanwhile, if you want fresh water orvictuals, or help for your sick, or that your ship needeth repairs, write down your wants, and you shall have that, which belongeth tomercy. This scroll was signed with a stamp of cherubim: wings, notspread, but hanging downwards; and by them a cross. This beingdelivered, the officer returned, and left only a servant with us toreceive our answer. 

Consulting hereupon amongst ourselves, we were much perplexed. Thedenial of landing and hasty warning us away troubled us much; on theother side, to find that the people had languages, and were so full ofhumanity, did comfort us not a little. And above all, the sign of thecross to that instrument was to us a great rejoicing, and as it were acertain presage of good. Our answer was in the Spanish tongue; thatfor our ship, it was well; for we had rather met with calms andcontrary winds than any tempests. For our sick, they were many, and invery ill case; so that if they were not permitted to land, they randanger of their lives. Our other wants we set down in particular;adding, That we had some little store of merchandise, which if itpleased them to deal for, it might supply our wants, without beingchargeable unto them. We offered some reward in pistolets unto theservant, 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 soleft us, and went back in another little boat, which was sent for him. 

About three hours after we had dispatched our answer, there cametowards us a person (as it seemed) of place. He had on him a gown withwide sleeves, of a kind of water chamolet, of an excellent azurecolour, fair more glossy than ours; his under apparel was green; and sowas his hat, being in the form of a turban, daintily made, and not sohuge as the Turkish turbans; and the locks of his hair came down belowthe 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; andwas followed by another boat, wherein were some twenty. When he wascome within a flightshot of our ship, signs were made to us, that weshould send forth some to meet him upon the water; which we presentlydid 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 tostay, and not to approach farther; which we did. And thereupon theman, whom I before described, stood up, and with a loud voice, inSpanish, asked, "Are ye Christians?" We answered, "We were;" fearingthe less, because of the cross we had seen in the subscription. Atwhich answer the said person lifted up his right hand towards Heaven, and drew it softly to his mouth (which is the gesture they use, whenthey thank God;) and then said: "If ye will swear (all of you) by themerits of the Saviour, that ye are no pirates, nor have shed blood, lawfully, nor unlawfully within forty days past, you may have licenceto 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) anotary, made an entry of this act. Which done, another of theattendants of the great person which was with him in the same boat, after his Lord had spoken a little to him, said aloud: "My Lord wouldhave you know, that it is not of pride, or greatness, that he comethnot aboard your ship; but for that in your answer you declare that youhave many sick amongst you, he was warned by the Conservator of Healthof the city that he should keep a distance. " We bowed ourselvestowards him, and answered, "We were his humble servants; and accountedfor great honour, and singular humanity towards us, that which wasalready done; but hoped well, that the nature of the sickness of ourmen was not infectious. " So he returned; and a while after came theNotary to us aboard our ship; holding in his hand a fruit of thatcountry, like an orange, but of color between orange-tawney andscarlet; which cast a most excellent odour. He used it (as it seemeth)for a preservative against infection. He gave us our oath; "By thename 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 broughtto the Strangers' House, (so he called it, ) where we should beaccommodated of things, both for our whole, and for our sick. So heleft us; and when we offered him some pistolets, he smiling said, "Hemust not be twice paid for one labour:" meaning (as I take it) that hehad salary sufficient of the State for his service. For (as I afterlearned) they call an officer that taketh rewards, "twice paid. "

The next morning early, there came to us the same officer that came tous at first with his cane, and told us, He came to conduct us to theStrangers' House; and that he had prevented the hour, because we mighthave the whole day before us, for our business. "For, " said he, "ifyou will follow my advice, there shall first go with me some few ofyou, and see the place, and how it may be made convenient for you; andthen you may send for your sick, and the rest of your number, which yewill bring on land. " We thanked him, and said, "That this care, whichhe took of desolate strangers, God would reward. " And so six of uswent on land with him: and when we were on land, he went before us, andturned to us, and said, "He was but our servant, and our guide. " He ledus through three fair streets; and all the way we went, there weregathered some people on both sides, standing in a row; but in so civila 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 littleabroad; which is their gesture, when they did bid any welcome. 

The Strangers' House is a fair and spacious house, built of brick, ofsomewhat a bluer colour than our brick; and with handsome windows, someof glass, some of a kind of cambric oiled. He brought us first into afair parlour above stairs, and then asked us, "What number of personswe were? And how many sick?" We answered, "We were in all, (sick andwhole, ) one and fifty persons, whereof our sick were seventeen. " Hedesired us to have patience a little, and to stay till he came back tous; which was about an hour after; and then he led us to see thechambers which were provided for us, being in number nineteen: theyhaving cast it (as it seemeth) that four of those chambers, which werebetter than the rest, might receive four of the principal men of ourcompany; and lodge them alone by themselves; and the other fifteenchambers were to lodge us two and two together. The chambers werehandsome and cheerful chambers, and furnished civilly. Then he led usto a long gallery, like a dorture, where he showed us all along the oneside (for the other side was but wall and window), seventeen cells, very neat ones, having partitions of cedar wood. Which gallery andcells, being in all forty, many more than we needed, were instituted asan infirmary for sick persons. And he told us withal, that as any ofour sick waxed well, he might be removed from his cell, to a chamber;for which purpose there were set forth ten spare chambers, besides thenumber we spake of before. This done, he brought us back to theparlour, and lifting up his cane a little, (as they do when they giveany charge or command) said to us, "Ye are to know, that the custom ofthe land requireth, that after this day and to-morrow, (which we giveyou for removing of your people from your ship, ) you are to keep withindoors for three days. But let it not trouble you, nor do not thinkyourselves restrained, but rather left to your rest and ease. Youshall want nothing, and there are six of our people appointed to attendyou, for any business you may have abroad. " We gave him thanks, withall affection and respect, and said, "God surely is manifested in thisland. " We offered him also twenty pistolets; but he smiled, and onlysaid; "What? twice paid!" And so he left us. 

Soon after our dinner was served in; which was right good viands, bothfor bread and treat: better than any collegiate diet, that I have knownin Europe. We had also drink of three sorts, all wholesome and good;wine of the grape; a drink of grain, such as is with us our ale, butmore clear: And a kind of cider made of a fruit of that country; awonderful pleasing and refreshing drink. Besides, there were broughtin to us, great store of those scarlet oranges, for our sick; which(they said) were an assured remedy for sickness taken at sea. Therewas given us also, a box of small gray, or whitish pills, which theywished our sick should take, one of the pills, every night beforesleep; which (they said) would hasten their recovery. 

The next day, after that our trouble of carriage and removing of ourmen and goods out of our ship, was somewhat settled and quiet, Ithought good to call our company together; and when they wereassembled, said unto them; "My dear friends, let us know ourselves, andhow it standeth with us. We are men cast on land, as Jonas was, out ofthe whale's belly, when we were as buried in the deep: and now we areon land, we are but between death and life; for we are beyond, both theold world, and the new; and whether ever we shall see Europe, God onlyknoweth. It is a kind of miracle bath brought us hither: and it mustbe little less, that shall bring us hence. Therefore in regard of ourdeliverance past, and our danger present, and to come, let us look upto God, and every man reform his own ways. Besides we are come hereamongst a Christian people, full of piety and humanity: let us notbring that confusion of face upon ourselves, as to show our vices, orunworthiness before them. Yet there is more. For they have bycommandment, (though in form of courtesy) cloistered us within thesewall, for three days: who knoweth, whether it be not, to take sometaste of our manners and conditions? And if they find them bad, tobanish us straightways; if good, to give us further time. For thesemen that they have given us for attendance, may withal have an eye uponus. Therefore for God's love, and as we love the weal of our souls andbodies, let us so behave ourselves, as we may be at peace with God, andmay find grace in the eyes of this people. " Our company with one voicethanked me for my good admonition, and promised me to live soberly andcivilly, and without giving any the least occasion of offence. So wespent our three days joyfully, and without care, in expectation whatwould be done with us, when they were expired. During which time, wehad every hour joy of the amendment of our sick; who thought themselvescast into some divine pool of healing; they mended so kindly, and sofast. 

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, savethat his turban was white, with a small red cross on the top. He hadalso a tippet of fine linen. At his coming in, he did bend to us alittle, and put his arms abroad. We of our parts saluted him in a verylowly and submissive manner; as looking that from him, we shouldreceive sentence of life, or death: he desired to speak with some fewof us: whereupon six of us only staid, and the rest avoided the room. He said, "I am by office governor of this House of Strangers, and byvocation I am a Christian priest: and therefore am come to you to offeryou my service, both as strangers and chiefly as Christians. Somethings 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 sixweeks; 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 may beconvenient. Ye shall also understand, that the Strangers' House is atthis time rich, and much aforehand; for it hath laid up revenue thesethirty-seven years; for so long it is since any stranger arrived inthis part: and therefore take ye no care; the State will defray you allthe time you stay; neither shall you stay one day the less for that. As for any merchandise ye have brought, ye shall be well used, and haveyour return, either in merchandise, or in gold and silver: for to us itis 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 theanswer ye shall receive. Only this I must tell you, that none of youmust go above a karan, " (that is with them a mile and an half) "fromthe walls of the city, without especial leave. "

We answered, after we had looked awhile one upon another, admiring thisgracious and parent-like usage; "That we could not tell what to say:for we wanted words to express our thanks; and his noble free offersleft us nothing to ask. It seemed to us, that we had before us apicture of our salvation in Heaven; for we that were a while since inthe jaws of death, were now brought into a place, where we foundnothing but consolations. For the commandment laid upon us, we wouldnot fail to obey it, though it was impossible but our hearts should beenflamed to tread further upon this happy and holy ground. " We added, "That our tongues should first cleave to the roofs of our mouths, erewe should forget, either his reverend person, or this whole nation, inour prayers. " We also most humbly besought him, to accept of us as histrue 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 wasour brotherly love, and the good of our souls and bodies. " So he wentfrom us, not without tears of tenderness in his eyes; and left us alsoconfused with joy and kindness, saying amongst ourselves; "That we werecome into a land of angels, which did appear to us daily, and preventus with comforts, which we thought not of, much less expected. "

The next day about ten of the clock, the Governor came to us again, andafter salutations, said familiarly; "That he was come to visit us;" andcalled 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 withhim, And when we were set, he began thus: "We of this island ofBensalem, " (for so they call it in their language, ) "have this; that bymeans of our solitary situation; and of the laws of secrecy, which wehave for our travellers, and our rare admission of strangers; we knowwell most part of the habitable world, and are ourselves unknown. Therefore because he that knoweth least is fittest to ask questions, itis more reason, for the entertainment of the time, that ye ask mequestions, than that I ask you. "

We answered; "That we humbly thanked him that he would give us leave soto do: and that we conceived by the taste we had already, that therewas no worldly thing on earth, more worthy to be known than the stateof that happy land. But above all, " (we said, ) "since that we were metfrom the several ends of the world, and hoped assuredly that we shouldmeet one day in the kingdom of Heaven, (for that we were both partsChristians, ) we desired to know, (in respect that land was so remote, and so divided by vast and unknown seas, from the land where ourSaviour walked on earth, ) who was the apostle of that nation, and howit was converted to the faith?" It appeared in his face that he tookgreat contentment in this our question: he said; "Ye knit my heart toyou, by asking this question in the first place; for it sheweth thatyou 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 topass, that there was seen by the people of Renfusa, (a city upon theeastern coast of our island, ) within night, (the night was cloudy, andcalm, ) as it might be some mile into the sea, a great pillar of light;not sharp, but in form of a column, or cylinder, rising from the sea agreat way up towards heaven; and on the top of it was seen a largecross of light, more bright and resplendent than the body of thepillar. Upon which so strange a spectacle, the people of the citygathered apace together upon the sands, to wonder; and so after putthemselves into a number of small boats, to go nearer to thismarvellous sight. But when the boats were come within (about) sixtyyards of the pillar, they found themselves all bound, and could go nofurther; yet so as they might move to go about, but might not approachnearer: so as the boats stood all as in a theatre, beholding this lightas an heavenly sign. It so fell out, that there was in one of theboats one of the wise men, of the society of Salomon's House; whichhouse, or college (my good brethren) is the very eye of this kingdom;who having awhile attentively and devoutly viewed and contemplated thispillar and cross, fell down upon his face; and then raised himself uponhis knees, and lifting up his hands to heaven, made his prayers in thismanner. 

"'LORD God of heaven and earth, thou hast vouchsafed of thy grace tothose of our order, to know thy works of Creation, and the secrets ofthem: and to discern (as far as appertaineth to the generations of men)between divine miracles, works of nature, works of art, and imposturesand illusions of all sorts. I do here acknowledge and testify beforethis people, that the thing which we now see before our eyes is thyFinger and a true Miracle. And forasmuch as we learn in our books thatthou never workest miracles, but to divine and excellent end, (for thelaws of nature are thine own laws, and thou exceedest them not but upongreat cause, ) we most humbly beseech thee to prosper this great sign, and to give us the interpretation and use of it in mercy; which thoudost in some part secretly promise by sending it unto us. '

"When he had made his prayer, he presently found the boat he was in, moveable and unbound; whereas all the rest remained still fast; andtaking that for an assurance of leave to approach, he caused the boatto be softly and with silence rowed towards the pillar. But ere hecame near it, the pillar and cross of light brake up, and cast itselfabroad, as it were, into a firmament of many stars; which also vanishedsoon after, and there was nothing left to be seen, but a small ark, orchest of cedar, dry, and not wet at all with water, though it swam. And in the fore-end of it, which was towards him, grew a small greenbranch 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 Bookand a Letter; both written in fine parchment, and wrapped in sindons oflinen. The Book contained all the canonical books of the Old and NewTestament, according as you have them; (for we know well what thechurches with you receive); and the Apocalypse itself, and some otherbooks of the New Testament, which were not at that time written, werenevertheless in the Book. And for the Letter, it was in these words:

"'I, Bartholomew, a servant of the Highest, and Apostle of JesusChrist, was warned by an angel that appeareth to me, in a vision ofglory, that I should commit this ark to the floods of the sea. Therefore I do testify and declare unto that people where God shallordain this ark to come to land, that in the same day is come unto themsalvation and peace and good-will, from the Father, and from the LordJesus. '

"There was also in both these writings, as well the Book, as theLetter, wrought a great miracle, conform to that of the Apostles, inthe original Gift of Tongues. For there being at that time in thisland Hebrews, Persians, and Indians, besides the natives, every oneread upon the Book, and Letter, as if they had been written in his ownlanguage. And thus was this land saved from infidelity (as theremainder of the old world was from water) by an ark, through theapostolical and miraculous evangelism of Saint Bartholomew. " And herehe paused, and a messenger came, and called him from us. So this wasall that passed in that conference. 

The next day, the same governor came again to us, immediately afterdinner, and excused himself, saying; "That the day before he was calledfrom us, somewhat abruptly, but now he would make us amends, and spendtime with us if we held his company and conference agreeable. " Weanswered, "That we held it so agreeable and pleasing to us, as weforgot both dangers past and fears to come, for the time we hear himspeak; and that we thought an hour spent with him, was worth years ofour former life. " He bowed himself a little to us, and after we wereset 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 mightpresume too far. But encouraged by his rare humanity towards us, (thatcould scarce think ourselves strangers, being his vowed and professedservants, ) we would take the hardiness to propound it: humblybeseeching him, if he thought it not fit to be answered, that he wouldpardon it, though he rejected it. We said; "We well observed those hiswords, which he formerly spake, that this happy island, where we nowstood, was known to few, and yet knew most of the nations of the world;which we found to be true, considering they had the languages ofEurope, and knew much of our state and business; and yet we in Europe, (notwithstanding all the remote discoveries and navigations of thislast age), never heard of the least inkling or glimpse of this island. This we found wonderful strange; for that all nations haveinter-knowledge one of another, either by voyage into foreign parts, orby strangers that come to them: and though the traveller into a foreigncountry, doth commonly know more by the eye, than he that stayeth athome can by relation of the traveller; yet both ways suffice to make amutual 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 arriveupon any shore of Europe; nor of either the East or West Indies; noryet of any ship of any other part of the world, that had made returnfrom them. And yet the marvel rested not in this. For the situationof it (as his lordship said) in the secret conclave' of such a vast seamight cause it. But then, that they should have knowledge of thelanguages, 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 tous a conditioner and propriety of divine powers and beings, to behidden and unseen to others, and yet to have others open and as in alight to them. "

At this speech the Governor gave a gracious smile, and said; "That wedid well to ask pardon for this question we now asked: for that itimported, as if we thought this land, a land of magicians, that sentforth spirits of the air into all parts, to bring them news andintelligence of other countries. " It was answered by us all, in allpossible humbleness, but yet with a countenance taking knowledge, thatwe knew that he spake it but merrily, "That we were apt enough to thinkthere was somewhat supernatural in this island; but yet rather asangelical than magical. But to let his lordship know truly what it wasthat made us tender and doubtful to ask this question, it was not anysuch conceit, but because we remembered, he had given a touch in hisformer speech, that this land had laws of secrecy touching strangers. "To this he said; "You remember it aright and therefore in that I shallsay to you, I must reserve some particulars, which it is not lawful forme to reveal; but there will be enough left, to give you satisfaction. "

"You shall understand (that which perhaps you will scarce thinkcredible) that about three thousand years ago, or somewhat more, thenavigation of the world, (especially for remote voyages, ) was greaterthan at this day. Do not think with yourselves, that I know not howmuch it is increased with you, within these six-score years: I know itwell: and yet I say greater then than now; whether it was, that theexample of the ark, that saved the remnant of men from the universaldeluge, gave men confidence to adventure upon the waters; or what itwas; but such is the truth. The Phoenicians, and especially theTyrians, had great fleets. So had the Carthaginians their colony, which is yet further west. Toward the east the shipping of Egypt andof Palestine was likewise great. China also, and the great Atlantis, (that you call America, ) which have now but junks and canoes, aboundedthen in tall ships. This island, (as appeareth by faithful registersof those times, ) had then fifteen hundred strong ships, of greatcontent. Of all this, there is with you sparing memory, or none; butwe have large knowledge thereof. 

"At that time, this land was known and frequented by the ships andvessels of all the nations before named. And (as it cometh to pass)they had many times men of other countries, that were no sailors, thatcame with them; as Persians, Chaldeans, Arabians; so as almost allnations of might and fame resorted hither; of whom we have some stirps, and little tribes with us at this day. And for our own ships, theywent sundry voyages, as well to your straits, which you call thePillars of Hercules, as to other parts in the Atlantic and MediterraneSeas; as to Paguin, (which is the same with Cambaline, ) 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 thegreat Atlantis did flourish. For though the narration and description, which is made by a great man with you; that the descendants of Neptuneplanted there; and of the magnificent temple, palace, city, and hill;and the manifold streams of goodly navigable rivers, (which as so manychains environed the same site and temple); and the several degrees ofascent, whereby men did climb up to the same, as if it had been a scalacoeli, be all poetical and fabulous: yet so much is true, that the saidcountry of Atlantis, as well that of Peru, then called Coya, as that ofMexico, then named Tyrambel, were mighty and proud kingdoms in arms, shipping and riches: so mighty, as at one time (or at least within thespace of ten years) they both made two great expeditions; they ofTyrambel through the Atlantic to the Mediterrane Sea; and they of Coyathrough the South Sea upon this our island: and for the former ofthese, which was into Europe, the same author amongst you (as itseemeth) had some relation from the Egyptian priest whom he cited. Forassuredly such a thing there was. But whether it were the ancientAthenians that had the glory of the repulse and resistance of thoseforces, I can say nothing: but certain it is, there never came backeither ship or man from that voyage. Neither had the other voyage ofthose of Coya upon us had better fortune, if they had not met withenemies of greater clemency. For the king of this island, (by nameAltabin, ) a wise man and a great warrior, knowing well both his ownstrength and that of his enemies, handled the matter so, as he cut offtheir land-forces from their ships; and entoiled both their navy andtheir tamp with a greater power than theirs, both by sea and land: aridcompelled them to render themselves without striking stroke and afterthey were at his mercy, contenting himself only with their oath thatthey should no more bear arms against him, dismissed them all in safety. 

"But the divine revenge overtook not long after those proudenterprises. For within less than the space of one hundred years, thegreat Atlantis was utterly lost and destroyed: not by a greatearthquake, as your man saith; (for that whole tract is little subjectto earthquakes;) but by a particular' deluge or inundation; thosecountries having, at this day, far greater rivers and far highermountains to pour down waters, than any part of the old world. But itis true that the same inundation was not deep; not past forty foot, inmost places, from the ground; so that although it destroyed man andbeast generally, yet some few wild inhabitants of the wood escaped. Birds also were saved by flying to the high trees and woods. For asfor men, although they had buildings in many places, higher than thedepth of the water, yet that inundation, though it were shallow, had along 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 therudeness and ignorance of the people; for you must account yourinhabitants of America as a young people; younger a thousand years, atthe least, than the rest of the world: for that there was so much timebetween the universal flood and their particular inundation. For thepoor remnant of human seed, which remained in their mountains, peopledthe country again slowly, by little and little; and being simple andsavage people, (not like Noah and his sons, which was the chief familyof the earth;) they were not able to leave letters, arts, and civilityto their posterity; and having likewise in their mountainoushabitations been used (in respect of the extreme cold of those regions)to clothe themselves with the skins of tigers, bears, and great hairygoats, that they have in those parts; when after they came down intothe valley, and found the intolerable heats which are there, and knewno means of lighter apparel, they were forced to begin the custom ofgoing naked, which continueth at this day. Only they take great prideand delight in the feathers of birds; and this also they took fromthose their ancestors of the mountains, who were invited unto it by theinfinite flights of birds that came up to the high grounds, while thewaters stood below. So you see, by this main accident of time, we lostour traffic with the Americans, with whom of, all others, in regardthey lay nearest to us, we had most commerce. 

"As for the other parts of the world, it is most manifest that in theages following (whether it were in respect of wars, or by a naturalrevolution of time, ) navigation did every where greatly decay; andspecially far voyages (the rather by the use of galleys, and suchvessels as could hardly brook the ocean, ) were altogether left andomitted. So then, that part of intercourse which could be from othernations to sail to us, you see how it hath long since ceased; except itwere by some rare accident, as this of yours. But now of the cessationof that other part of intercourse, which might be by our sailing toother nations, I must yield you some other cause. For I cannot say (ifI shall say truly, ) but our shipping, for number, strength, mariners, pilots, and all things that appertain to navigation, is as great asever; and therefore why we should sit at home, I shall now give you anaccount by itself: and it will draw nearer to give you satisfaction toyour principal question. 

"There reigned in this land, about nineteen hundred years ago, a king, whose memory of all others we most adore; not superstitiously, but as adivine instrument, though a mortal man; his name was Solamona: and weesteem him as the lawgiver of our nation. This king had a large heart, inscrutable for good; and was wholly bent to make his kingdom andpeople happy. He therefore, taking into consideration how sufficientand substantive this land was to maintain itself without any aid (atall) of the foreigner; being five thousand six hundred miles incircuit, and of rare fertility of soil in the greatest part thereof;and finding also the shipping of this country might be plentifully seton work, both by fishing and by transportations from port to port, andlikewise by sailing unto some small islands that are not far from us, and are under the crown and laws of this state; and, recalling into hismemory the happy and flourishing estate wherein this land then was; soas it might be a thousand ways altered to the worse, but scarce any oneway to the better; thought nothing wanted to his noble and heroicalintentions, but only (as far as human foresight might reach) to giveperpetuity to that which was in his time so happily established. Therefore amongst his other fundamental laws of this kingdom, he didordain the interdicts and prohibitions which we have touching entranceof strangers; which at that time (though it was after the calamity ofAmerica) was frequent; doubting novelties, and commixture of manners. It is true, the like law against the admission of strangers withoutlicence is an ancient law in the kingdom of China, and yet continued inuse. But there it is a poor thing; and hath made them a curious, ignorant, fearful, foolish nation. But our lawgiver made his law ofanother temper. For first, he hath preserved all points of humanity, in taking order and making provision for the relief of strangersdistressed; whereof you have tasted. "

At which speech (as reason was) we all rose up and bowed ourselves. Hewent on. 

"That king also, still desiring to join humanity and policy together;and thinking it against humanity, to detain strangers here againsttheir wills, and against policy that they should return and discovertheir knowledge of this estate, he took this course: he did ordain thatof the strangers that should be permitted to land, as many (at alltimes) might depart as would; but as many as would stay should havevery good conditions and means to live from the state. Wherein he sawso far, that now in so many ages since the prohibition, we have memorynot of one ship that ever returned, and but of thirteen persons only, at several times, that chose to return in our bottoms. What those fewthat returned may have reported abroad I know not. But you must think, whatsoever they have said could be taken where they came but for adream. Now for our travelling from henna into parts abroad, ourLawgiver thought fit altogether to restrain it. So is it not in China. For the Chinese sail where they will or can; which sheweth that theirlaw of keeping out strangers is a law of pusillanimity and fear. Butthis restraint of ours hath one only exception, which is admirable;preserving the good which cometh by communicating with strangers, andavoiding the hurt; and I will now open it to you. And here I shallseem a little to digress, but you will by and by find it pertinent. 

"Ye shall understand (my dear friends) that amongst the excellent actsof that king, one above all hath the pre-eminence. It was the erectionand institution of an Order or Society, which we call Salomon's House;the noblest foundation (as we think) that ever was upon the earth; andthe lanthorn of this kingdom. It is dedicated to the study of theworks and creatures of God. Some think it beareth the founder's name alittle corrupted, as if it should be Solamona's House. But the recordswrite it as it is spoken. So as I take it to be denominate of the kingof the Hebrews, which is famous with you, and no stranger to us. Forwe have some parts of his works, which with you are lost; namely, thatnatural history, which he wrote, of all plants, from the cedar ofLibanus to the moss that groweth out of the wall, and of all thingsthat have life and motion. This maketh me think that our king, findinghimself to symbolize in many things with that king of the Hebrews(which lived many years before him), honored him with the title of thisfoundation. And I am rather induced to be of this opinion, for that Ifind in ancient records this Order or Society is sometimes calledSalomon's House, and sometimes the College of the Six Days Works;whereby I am satisfied that our excellent king had learned from theHebrews that God had created the world and all that therein is withinsix days: and therefore he instituting that House for the finding outof the true nature of all things, (whereby God might have the moreglory in the workmanship of them, and insert the more fruit in the useof them), did give it also that second name. 

"But now to come to our present purpose. When the king had forbiddento all his people navigation into any part that was not under hiscrown, he made nevertheless this ordinance; that every twelve yearsthere should be set forth, out of this kingdom two ships, appointed toseveral voyages; That in either of these ships there should be amission of three of the Fellows or Brethren of Salomon's House; whoseerrand was only to give us knowledge of the affairs and state of thosecountries to which they were designed, and especially of the sciences, arts, manufactures, and inventions of all the world; and withal tobring unto us books, instruments, and patterns in every kind: That theships, after they had landed the brethren, should return; and that thebrethren should stay abroad till the new mission. These ships are nototherwise fraught, than with store of victuals, and good quantity oftreasure to remain with the brethren, for the buying of such things andrewarding of such persons as they should think fit. Now for me to tellyou how the vulgar sort of mariners are contained from being discoveredat land; and how they that must be put on shore for any time, colorthemselves under the names of other nations; and to what places thesevoyages have been designed; and what places of rendezvous are appointedfor the new missions; and the like circumstances of the practique; Imay not do it: neither is it much to your desire. But thus you see wemaintain a trade not for gold, silver, or jewels; nor for silks; norfor spices; nor any other commodity of matter; but only for God's firstcreature, which was Light: to have light (I say) of the growth of allparts of the world. "

And when he had said this, he was silent; and so were we all. Forindeed we were all astonished to hear so strange things so probablytold. And he, perceiving that we were willing to say somewhat but hadit not ready in great courtesy took us off, and descended to ask usquestions of our voyage and fortunes and in the end concluded, that wemight do well to think with ourselves what time of stay we would demandof the state; and bade us not to scant ourselves; for he would procuresuch time as we desired: Whereupon we all rose up, and presentedourselves to kiss the skirt of his tippet; but he would not suffer us;and so took his leave. But when it came once amongst our people thatthe state used to offer conditions to strangers that would stay, we hadwork enough to get any of our men to look to our ship; and to keep themfrom going presently to the governor to crave conditions. But withmuch ado we refrained them, till we might agree what course to take. 

We took ourselves now for free men, seeing there was no danger of ourutter perdition; and lived most joyfully, going abroad and seeing whatwas to be seen in the city and places adjacent within our tedder; andobtaining acquaintance with many of the city, not of the meanestquality; at whose hands we found such humanity, and such a freedom anddesire to take strangers as it were into their bosom, as was enough tomake us forget all that was dear to us in our own countries: andcontinually we met with many things right worthy of observation andrelation: as indeed, if there be a mirror in the world worthy to holdmen'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, shewing that nation to be compounded of all goodness. This is themanner of it. It is granted to any man that shall live to see thirtypersons descended of his body alive together, and all above three yearsold, to make this feast which is done at the cost of the state. TheFather of the Family, whom they call the Tirsan, two days before thefeast, taketh to him three of such friends as he liketh to choose; andis assisted also by the governor of the city or place where the feastis celebrated; and all the persons of the family, of both sexes, aresummoned to attend him. These two days the Tirsan sitteth inconsultation concerning the good estate of the family. There, if therebe any discord or suits between any of the family, they are compoundedand appeased. There, if any of the family be distressed or decayed, order is taken for their relief and competent means to live. There, ifany be subject to vice, or take ill courses, they are reproved andcensured. So likewise direction is given touching marriages, and thecourses of life, which any of them should take, with divers other thelike orders and advices. The governor assisteth, to the end to put inexecution by his public authority the decrees and orders of the Tirsan, if they should be disobeyed; though that seldom needeth; such reverenceand obedience they give to the order of nature. The Tirsan doth alsothen ever choose one man from among his sons, to live in house withhim; who is called ever after the Son of the Vine. The reason willhereafter appear. 

On the feast day, the father or Tirsan cometh forth after divineservice into a large room where the feast is celebrated; which roomhath an half-pace at the upper end. Against the wall, in the middle ofthe half-pace, is a chair placed for him, with a table and carpetbefore it. Over the chair is a state, made round or oval, and it is ofivy; an ivy somewhat whiter than ours, like the leaf of a silver asp;but more shining; for it is green all winter. And the state iscuriously wrought with silver and silk of divers colors, broiding orbinding in the ivy; and is ever of the work of some of the daughters ofthe family; and veiled over at the top with a fine net of silk andsilver. But the substance of it is true ivy; whereof, after it istaken down, the friends of the family are desirous to have some leaf orsprig to keep. 

The Tirsan cometh forth with all his generation or linage, the malesbefore him, and the females following him; and if there be a motherfrom whose body the whole linage is descended, there is a traverseplaced in a loft above on the right hand of the chair, with a privydoor, and a carved window of glass, leaded with gold and blue; whereshe sitteth, but is not seen. When the Tirsan is come forth, hesitteth down in the chair; and all the linage place themselves againstthe wall, both at his back and upon the return of the half-pace, inorder of their years without difference of sex; and stand upon theirfeet. When he is set; the room being always full of company, but wellkept and without disorder; after some pause, there cometh in from thelower end of the room, a taratan (which is as much as an herald) and oneither side of him two young lads; whereof one carrieth a scroll oftheir shining yellow parchment; and the other a cluster of grapes ofgold, with a long foot or stalk. The herald and children are clothedwith mantles of sea-water green satin; but the herald's mantle isstreamed with gold, and hath a train. 

Then the herald with three curtesies, or rather inclinations, cometh upas far as the half-pace; and there first taketh into his hand thescroll. This scroll is the king's charter, containing gifts ofrevenew, and many privileges, exemptions, and points of honour, grantedto the Father of the Family; and is ever styled and directed, To suchdo one our well beloved friend and creditor: which is a title properonly to this case. For they say the king is debtor to no man, but forpropagation of his subjects. The seal set to the king's charter is theking's image, imbossed or moulded in gold; and though such charters beexpedited of course, and as of right, yet they are varied bydiscretion, according to the number and dignity of the family. Thischarter the herald readeth aloud; and while it is read, the father orTirsan standeth up supported by two of his sons, such as he chooseth. Then the herald mounteth the half-pace and delivereth the charter intohis hand: and with that there is an acclamation by all that are presentin their language, which is thus much: Happy are the people of Bensalem. 

Then the herald taketh into his hand from the other child the clusterof grapes, which is of gold, both the stalk and the grapes. But thegrapes are daintily enamelled; and if the males of the family be thegreater number, the grapes are enamelled purple, with a little sun seton the top; if the females, then they are enamelled into a greenishyellow, with a crescent on the top. The grapes are in number as manyas there are descendants of the family. This golden cluster the heralddelivereth also to the Tirsan; who presently delivereth it over to thatson that he had formerly chosen to be in house with him: who beareth itbefore his father as an ensign of honour when he goeth in public, everafter; and is thereupon called the Son of the Vine. 

After the ceremony endeth the father or Tirsan retireth; and after sometime cometh forth again to dinner, where he sitteth alone under thestate, as before; and none of his descendants sit with him, of whatdegree or dignity soever, except he hap to be of Salomon's House. He isserved only by his own children, such as are male; who perform unto himall service of the table upon the knee; and the women only stand abouthim, leaning against the wall. The room below the half-pace hathtables on the sides for the guests that are bidden; who are served withgreat and comely order; and towards the end of dinner (which in thegreatest feasts with them lasteth never above an hour and an half)there is an hymn sung, varied according to the invention of him thatcomposeth it (for they have excellent posy) but the subject of it is(always) the praises of Adam and Noah and Abraham; whereof the formertwo peopled the world, and the last was the Father of the Faithful:concluding ever with a thanksgiving for the nativity of our Saviour, inwhose birth the births of all are only blessed. 

Dinner being done, the Tirsan retireth again; and having withdrawnhimself alone into a place, where he makes some private prayers, hecometh forth the third time, to give the blessing with all hisdescendants, who stand about him as at the first. Then he calleth themforth by one and by one, by name, as he pleaseth, though seldom theorder of age be inverted. The person that is called (the table beingbefore removed) kneeleth down before the chair, and the father layethhis hand upon his head, or her head, and giveth the blessing in thesewords: Son of Bensalem, (or daughter of Bensalem, ) thy father with it:the man by whom thou hast breath and life speaketh the word: theblessing of the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, and the HolyDove, 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 hissons of eminent merit and virtue, (so they be not above two, ) hecalleth for them again; and saith, laying his arm over their shoulders, they standing; Sons, it is well ye are born, give God the praise, andpersevere to the end. And withall delivereth to either of them ajewel, made in the figure of an ear of wheat, which they ever afterwear in the front of their turban or hat. This done, they fall tomusic and dances, and other recreations, after their manner, for therest of the day. This is the full order of that feast. 

By that time six or seven days were spent, I was fallen into straightacquaintance with a merchant of that city, whose name was Joabin. Hewas a Jew and circumcised: for they have some few stirps of Jews yetremaining among them, whom they leave to their own religion. Whichthey may the better do, because they are of a far differing dispositionfrom the Jews in other parts. For whereas they hate the name ofChrist; and have a secret inbred rancour against the people among whomthey live: these (contrariwise) give unto our Saviour many highattributes, and love the nation of Bensalem extremely. Surely this manof whom I speak would ever acknowledge that Christ was born of a virginand that he was more than a man; and he would tell how God made himruler of the seraphims which guard his throne; and they call him alsothe Milken Way, and the Eliah of the Messiah; and many other highnames; which though they be inferior to his divine majesty, yet theyare far from the language of other Jews. 

And for the country of Bensalem, this man would make no end ofcommending it; being desirous, by tradition among the Jews there, tohave it believed that the people thereof were of the generations ofAbraham, by another son, whom they call Nachoran; and that Moses by asecret Cabala ordained the Laws of Bensalem which they now use; andthat when the Messiah should come, and sit in his throne at Hierusalem, the king of Bensalem should sit at his feet, whereas other kings shouldkeep a great distance. But yet setting aside these Jewish dreams, theman was a wise man, and learned, and of great policy, and excellentlyseen in the laws and customs of that nation. 

Amongst other discourses, one day I told him I was much affected withthe relation I had, from some of the company, of their custom, inholding the Feast of the Family; for that (methought) I had never heardof a solemnity wherein nature did so much preside. And becausepropagation of families proceedeth from the nuptial copulation, Idesired to know of him what laws and customs they had concerningmarriage; and whether they kept marriage well and whether they weretied to one wife; for that where population is so much affected, ' andsuch as with them it seemed to be, there is commonly permission ofplurality of wives. 

To this he said, "You have reason for to commend that excellentinstitution of the Feast of the Family. And indeed we have experiencethat those families that are partakers of the blessing of that feast doflourish and prosper ever after in an extraordinary manner. But hearme now, and I will tell you what I know. You shall understand thatthere 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 theworld. I remember I have read in one of your European books, of anholy hermit amongst you that desired to see the Spirit of Fornication;and there appeared to him a little foul ugly Aethiop. But if he haddesired to see the Spirit of Chastity of Bensalem, it would haveappeared to him in the likeness of a fair beautiful Cherubim. Forthere is nothing amongst mortal men more fair and admirable, than thechaste minds of this people. Know therefore, that with them there areno stews, no dissolute houses, no courtesans, nor anything of thatkind. Nay they wonder (with detestation) at you in Europe, whichpermit such things. They say ye have put marriage out of office: formarriage is ordained a remedy for unlawful concupiscence; and naturalconcupiscence seemeth as a spar to marriage. But when men have at handa remedy more agreeable to their corrupt will, marriage is almostexpulsed. And therefore there are with you seen infinite men thatmarry not, but chose rather a libertine and impure single life, than tobe yoked in marriage; and many that do marry, marry late, when theprime and strength of their years is past. And when they do marry, whatis marriage to them but a very bargain; wherein is sought alliance, orportion, or reputation, with some desire (almost indifferent) of issue;and not the faithful nuptial union of man and wife, that was firstinstituted. Neither is it possible that those that have cast away sobasely so much of their strength, should greatly esteem children, (being of the same matter, ) as chaste men do. So likewise duringmarriage, is the case much amended, as it ought to be if those thingswere tolerated only for necessity? No, but they remain still as a veryaffront to marriage. The haunting of those dissolute places, or resortto courtesans, are no more punished in married men than in bachelors. And the depraved custom of change, and the delight in meretriciousembracements, (where sin is turned into art, ) maketh marriage a dullthing, and a kind of imposition or tax. They hear you defend thesethings, as done to avoid greater evils; as advoutries, deflowering ofvirgins, unnatural lust, and the like. But they say this is apreposterous wisdom; and they call it Lot's offer, who to save hisguests from abusing, offered his daughters: nay they say farther thatthere is little gained in this; for that the same vices and appetitesdo still remain and abound; unlawful lust being like a furnace, that ifyou stop the flames altogether, it will quench; but if you give it anyvent, it will rage. As for masculine love, they have no touch of it;and yet there are not so faithful and inviolate friendships in theworld again as are there; and to speak generally, (as I said before, ) Ihave not read of any such chastity, in any people as theirs. And theirusual saying is, That whosoever is unchaste cannot reverence himself;and they say, That the reverence of a man's self, is, next to 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, yetthinking it decent that upon his pause of speech I should not bealtogether silent, said only this; "That I would say to him, as thewidow of Sarepta said to Elias; that he was come to bring to memory oursins; and that I confess the righteousness of Bensalem was greater thanthe righteousness of Europe. " At which speech he bowed his head, andwent on in this manner:

"They have also many wise and excellent laws touching marriage. Theyallow no polygamy. They have ordained that none do intermarry orcontract, until a month be past from their first interview. Marriagewithout consent of parents they do not make void, but they mulct it inthe inheritors: for the children of such marriages are not admitted toinherit above a third part of their parents' inheritance. I have readin a book of one of your men, of a Feigned Commonwealth, where themarried couple are permitted, before they contract, to see one anothernaked. This they dislike; for they think it a scorn to give a refusalafter so familiar knowledge: but because of many hidden defects in menand women's bodies, they have a more civil way; for they have nearevery town a couple of pools, (which they call Adam and Eve's pools, )where it is permitted to one of the friends of the men, and another ofthe friends of the woman, to see them severally bathe naked. "

And as we were thus in conference, there came one that seemed to be amessenger, in a rich huke, that spake with the Jew: whereupon he turnedto 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 theFathers of Salomon's House will be here this day seven-night: we haveseen none of them this dozen years. His coming is in state; but thecause of his coming is secret. I will provide you and your fellows ofa good standing to see his entry. " I thanked him, and told him, I wasmost glad of the news. 

The day being come, he made his entry. He was a man of middle statureand age, comely of person, and had an aspect as if he pitied men. Hewas clothed in a robe of fine black cloth, with wide sleeves and acape. His under garment was of excellent white linen down to the foot, girt with a girdle of the same; and a sindon or tippet of the sameabout his neck. He had gloves, that were curious, '' and set withstone; and shoes of peach-coloured velvet. His neck was bare to theshoulders. His hat was like a helmet, or Spanish montera; and hislocks curled below it decently: they were of colour brown. His beardwas cut round, and of the same colour with his hair, somewhat lighter. He was carried in a rich chariot without wheels, litter-wise; with twohorses at either end, richly trapped in blue velvet embroidered; andtwo footmen on each side in the like attire. The chariot was all ofcedar, gilt, and adorned with crystal; save that the fore-end hadpanels of sapphires, set in borders of gold; and the hinder-end thelike of emeralds of the Peru colour. There was also a sun of gold, radiant, upon the top, in the midst; and on the top before, a smallcherub of gold, with wings displayed. The chariot was covered withcloth of gold tissued upon blue. He had before him fifty attendants, young men all, in white satin loose coats to the mid leg; and stockingsof white silk; and shoes of blue velvet; and hats of blue velvet; withfine plumes of diverse colours, set round like hat-bands. Next beforethe chariot, went two men, bare-headed, in linen garments down thefoot, 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 hehad none, neither before nor behind his chariot: as it seemeth, toavoid all tumult and trouble. Behind his chariot went all the officersand principals of the companies of the city. He sat alone, uponcushions of a kind of excellent plush, blue; and under his foot curiouscarpets of silk of diverse colours, like the Persian, but far finer. He held up his bare hand as he went, as blessing the people, but insilence. The street was wonderfully well kept: so that there was neverany army had their men stand in better battle-array than the peoplestood. The windows likewise were not crowded, but every one stood inthem as if they had been placed. 

When the shew was past, the Jew said to me; "I shall not be able toattend you as I would, in regard of some charge the city hath laid uponme, for the entertaining of this great person. " Three days after theJew came to me again, and said; "Ye are happy men; for the Father ofSalomon's House taketh knowledge of your being here, and commanded meto tell you that he will admit all your company to his presence, andhave private conference with one of you, that ye shall choose: and forthis hath appointed the next day after to-morrow. And because hemeaneth 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 theprivate access. We found him in a fair chamber, richly hanged, andcarpeted under foot without any degrees to the state. He was set upona 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 ofhonour, on either hand one, finely attired in white. His undergarments were the like that we saw him wear in the chariot; but insteadof his gown, he had on him a mantle with a cape, of the same fineblack, fastened about him. When we came in, as we were taught, webowed low at our first entrance; and when we were come near his chair, he stood up, holding forth his hand ungloved, and in posture ofblessing; and we every one of us stooped down, and kissed the hem ofhis tippet. That done, the rest departed, and I remained. Then hewarned the pages forth of the room, and caused me to sit down besidehim, 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 ofthe true state of Salomon's House. Son, to make you know the truestate of Salomon's House, I will keep this order. First, I will setforth unto you the end of our foundation. Secondly, the preparationsand instruments we have for our works. Thirdly, the severalemployments and functions whereto our fellows are assigned. Andfourthly, the ordinances and rites which we observe. 

"The end of our foundation is the knowledge of causes, and secretmotions of things; and the enlarging of the bounds of human empire, tothe effecting of all things possible. 

"The Preparations and Instruments are these. We have large and deepcaves of several depths: the deepest are sunk six hundred fathom: andsome of them are digged and made under great hills and mountains: sothat if you reckon together the depth of the hill and the depth of thecave, 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, is thesame thing; both remote alike, from the sun and heaven's beams, andfrom the open air. These caves we call the Lower Region; and we usethem for all coagulations, indurations, refrigerations, andconservations of bodies. We use them likewise for the imitation ofnatural mines; and the producing also of new artificial metals, bycompositions and materials which we use, and lay there for many years. We use them also sometimes, (which may seem strange, ) for curing ofsome diseases, and for prolongation of life in some hermits that chooseto live there, well accommodated of all things necessary, and indeedlive very long; by whom also we learn many things. 

"We have burials in several earths, where we put diverse cements, asthe Chineses do their porcellain. But we have them in greater variety, and some of them more fine. We have also great variety of composts andsoils, for the making of the earth fruitful. 

"We have high towers; the highest about half a mile in height; and someof them likewise set upon high mountains; so that the vantage of thehill with the tower is in the highest of them three miles at least. Andthese places we call the Upper Region; accounting the air between thehigh places and the low, as a Middle Region. We use these towers, according to their several heights, and situations, for insolation, refrigeration, conservation; and for the view of divers meteors; aswinds, rain, snow, hail; and some of the fiery meteors also. And uponthem, in some places, are dwellings of hermits, whom we visitsometimes, and instruct what to observe. 

"We have great lakes, both salt, and fresh; whereof we have use for thefish 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 theearth, and things buried in water. We have also pools, of which somedo strain fresh water out of salt; and others by art do turn freshwater into salt. We have also some rocks in the midst of the sea, andsome bays upon the shore for some works, wherein is required the airand vapor of the sea. We have likewise violent streams and cataracts, which serve us for many motions: and likewise engines for multiplyingand enforcing of winds, to set also on going diverse motions. 

"We have also a number of artificial wells and fountains, made inimitation of the natural sources and baths; as tincted upon vitriol, sulphur, steel, brass, lead, nitre, and other minerals. And again wehave little wells for infusions of many things, where the waters takethe virtue quicker and better, than in vessels or basins. And amongstthem we have a water which we call Water of Paradise, being, by that wedo to it made very sovereign for health, and prolongation of life. 

"We have also great and spacious houses where we imitate anddemonstrate meteors; as snow, hail, rain, some artificial rains ofbodies and not of water, thunders, lightnings; also generations ofbodies in air; as frogs, flies, and divers others. 

"We have also certain chambers, which we call Chambers of Health, wherewe qualify the air as we think good and proper for the cure of diversdiseases, and preservation of health. 

"We have also fair and large baths, of several mixtures, for the cureof diseases, and the restoring of man's body from arefaction: andothers for the confirming of it in strength of sinewes, vital parts, and the very juice and substance of the body. 

"We have also large and various orchards and gardens; wherein we do notso much respect beauty, as variety of ground and soil, proper fordivers trees and herbs: and some very spacious, where trees and berriesare set whereof we make divers kinds of drinks, besides the vineyards. In these we practise likewise all conclusions of grafting, andinoculating as well of wild-trees as fruit-trees, which produceth manyeffects. And we make (by art) in the same orchards and gardens, treesand flowers to come earlier or later than their seasons; and to come upand bear more speedily than by their natural course they do. We makethem also by art greater much than their nature; and their fruitgreater and sweeter and of differing taste, smell, colour, and figure, from their nature. And many of them we so order, as they become ofmedicinal use. 

"We have also means to make divers plants rise by mixtures of earthswithout seeds; and likewise to make divers new plants, differing fromthe vulgar; and to make one tree or plant turn into another. 

"We have also parks and enclosures of all sorts of beasts and birdswhich we use not only for view or rareness, but likewise fordissections and trials; that thereby we may take light what may bewrought upon the body of man. Wherein we find many strange effects; ascontinuing life in them, though divers parts, which you account vital, be perished and taken forth; resuscitating of some that seem dead inappearance; and the like. We try also all poisons and other medicinesupon them, as well of chirurgery, as physic. By art likewise, we makethem greater or taller than their kind is; and contrariwise dwarf them, and stay their growth: we make them more fruitful and bearing thantheir kind is; and contrariwise barren and not generative. Also wemake them differ in colour, shape, activity, many ways. We find meansto make commixtures and copulations of different kinds; which haveproduced many new kinds, and them not barren, as the general opinionis. We make a number of kinds of serpents, worms, flies, fishes, ofputrefaction; whereof some are advanced (in effect) to be perfectcreatures, like bests or birds; and have sexes, and do propagate. Neither do we this by chance, but we know beforehand, of what matterand commixture what kind of those creatures will arise. 

"We have also particular pools, where we make trials upon fishes, as wehave said before of beasts and birds. 

"We have also places for breed and generation of those kinds of wormsand flies which are of special use; such as are with you yoursilk-worms and bees. 

"I will not hold you long with recounting of our brewhouses, bake-houses, and kitchens, where are made divers drinks, breads, andmeats, rare and of special effects. Wines we have of grapes; anddrinks of other juice of fruits, of grains, and of roots; and ofmixtures with honey, sugar, manna, and fruits dried, and decocted; Alsoof the tears or woundings of trees; and of the pulp of canes. And thesedrinks are of several ages, some to the age or last of forty years. Wehave drinks also brewed with several herbs, and roots, and spices; yeawith several fleshes, and white-meats; whereof some of the drinks aresuch, 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 meator bread. And above all, we strive to have drink of extreme thinparts, to insinuate into the body, and yet without all biting, sharpness, or fretting; insomuch as some of them put upon the back ofyour hand will, with a little stay, pass through to the palm, and yettaste mild to the mouth. We have also waters which we ripen in thatfashion, as they become nourishing; so that they are indeed excellentdrink; and many will use no other. Breads we have of several grains, roots, and kernels; yea and some of flesh and fish dried; with diverskinds of leavenings and seasonings: so that some do extremely moveappetites; some do nourish so, as divers do live of them, without anyother meat; who live very long. So for meats, we have some of them sobeaten and made tender and mortified, ' yet without all corrupting, as aweak heat of the stomach will turn them into good chylus; as well as astrong heat would meat otherwise prepared. We have some meats also andbreads 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 itwould be. 

"We have dispensatories, or shops of medicines. Wherein you may easilythink, if we have such variety of plants and living creatures more thanyou have in Europe, (for we know what you have, ) the simples, drugs, and ingredients of medicines, must likewise be in so much the greatervariety. We have them likewise of divers ages, and long fermentations. And for their preparations, we have not only all manner of exquisitedistillations and separations, and especially by gentle heats andpercolations through divers strainers, yea and substances; but alsoexact forms of composition, whereby they incorporate almost, as theywere natural simples. 

"We have also divers mechanical arts, which you have not; and stuffsmade by them; as papers, linen, silks, tissues; dainty works offeathers of wonderful lustre; excellent dies, and, many others; andshops likewise, as well for such as are not brought into vulgar useamongst us as for those that are. For you must know that of the thingsbefore 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 forpatterns and principals. 

"We have also furnaces of great diversities, and that keep greatdiversity of heats; fierce and quick; strong and constant; soft andmild; blown, quiet; dry, moist; and the like. But above all, we haveheats, in imitation of the Sun's and heavenly bodies' heats, that passdivers inequalities, and (as it were) orbs, progresses, and returns, whereby we produce admirable effects. Besides, we have heats of dungs;and of bellies and maws of living creatures, and of their bloods andbodies; and of hays and herbs laid up moist; of lime unquenched; andsuch like. Instruments also which generate heat only by motion. Andfarther, places for strong insulations; and again, places under theearth, 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 demonstrations of alllights and radiations; and of all colours: and out of things uncolouredand transparent, we can represent unto you all several colours; not inrain-bows, (as it is in gems, and prisms, ) but of themselves single. We represent also all multiplications of light, which we carry to greatdistance, and make so sharp as to discern small points and lines. Alsoall colourations of light; all delusions and deceits of the sight, infigures, magnitudes, motions, colours all demonstrations of shadows. We find also divers means, yet unknown to you, of producing of lightoriginally from divers bodies. We procure means of seeing objects afaroff; as in the heaven and remote places; and represent things near asafar off; and things afar off as near; making feigned distances. Wehave also helps for the sight, far above spectacles and glasses in use. We have also glasses and means to see small and minute bodies perfectlyand distinctly; as the shapes and colours of small flies and worms, grains and flaws in gems, which cannot otherwise be seen, observationsin urine and blood not otherwise to be seen. We make artificialrain-bows, halo's, and circles about light. We represent also allmanner of reflexions, refractions, and multiplications of visual beamsof objects. 

"We have also precious stones of all kinds, many of them of greatbeauty, and to you unknown; crystals likewise; and glasses of diverskinds; and amongst them some of metals vitrificated, and othermaterials besides those of which you make glass. Also a number offossils, and imperfect minerals, which you have not. Likewiseloadstones of prodigious virtue; and other rare stones, both naturaland artificial. 

"We have also sound-houses, where we practise and demonstrate allsounds, and their generation. We have harmonies which you have not, ofquarter-sounds, and lesser slides of sounds. Divers instruments ofmusic likewise to you unknown, some sweeter than any you have, togetherwith bells and rings that are dainty and sweet. We represent smallsounds as great and deep; likewise great sounds extenuate and sharp; wemake divers tremblings and warblings of sounds, which in their originalare entire. We represent and imitate all articulate sounds andletters, and the voices and notes of beasts and birds. We have certainhelps which set to the ear do further the hearing greatly. We have alsodivers strange and artificial echoes, reflecting the voice many times, and as it were tossing it: and some that give back the voice louderthan it came, some shriller, and some deeper; yea, some rendering thevoice differing in the letters or articulate sound from that theyreceive. We have also means to convey sounds in trunks and pipes, instrange lines and distances. 

"We have also perfume-houses; wherewith we join also practices oftaste. We multiply smells, which may seem strange. We imitate smells, making all smells to breathe outs of other mixtures than those thatgive them. We make divers imitations of taste likewise, so that theywill deceive any man's taste. And in this house we contain also aconfiture-house; where we make all sweet-meats, dry and moist; anddivers pleasant wines, milks, broths, and sallets; in far greatervariety than you have. 

"We have also engine-houses, where are prepared engines and instrumentsfor all sorts of motions. There we imitate and practise to makeswifter motions than any you have, either out of your muskets or anyengine that you have: and to make them and multiply them more easily, and with small force, by wheels and other means: and to make themstronger and more violent than yours are; exceeding your greatestcannons and basilisks. We represent also ordnance and instruments ofwar, and engines of all kinds: and likewise new mixtures andcompositions of gun-powder, wild-fires burning in water, andunquenchable. Also fireworks of all variety both for pleasure and use. We imitate also flights of birds; we have some degrees of flying in theair. We have ships and boats for going under water, and brooking ofseas; also swimming-girdles and supporters. We have divers curiousclocks, and other like motions of return: and some perpetual motions. We imitate also motions of living creatures, by images, of men, beasts, birds, fishes, and serpents. We have also a great number of othervarious motions, strange for equality, fineness, and subtilty. 

"We have also a mathematical house, where are represented allinstruments, as well of geometry as astronomy, exquisitely made. 

"We have also houses of deceits of the senses; where we represent allmanner of feats of juggling, false apparitions, impostures, andillusions; and their fallacies. And surely you will easily believethat we that have so many things truly natural which induce admiration, could in a world of particulars deceive the senses, if we woulddisguise those things and labour to make them seem more miraculous. Butwe do hate all impostures, and lies; insomuch as we have severelyforbidden it to all our fellows, under pain of ignominy and fines, thatthey do not show any natural work or thing, adorned or swelling; butonly 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 twelvethat sail into foreign countries, under the names of other nations, (for our own we conceal); who bring us the books, and abstracts, andpatterns of experiments of all other parts. These we call Merchants ofLight. 

"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 mechanical arts; andalso of liberal sciences; and also of practices which are not broughtinto 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 titlesand tables, to give the better light for the drawing of observationsand axioms out of them. These we call Compilers. 

"We have three that bend themselves, looking into the experiments oftheir fellows, and cast about how to draw out of them things of use andpractise for man's life, and knowledge, as well for works as for plaindemonstration of causes, means of natural divinations, and the easy andclear discovery of the virtues and parts of bodies. These we callDowry-men or Benefactors. 

"Then after divers meetings and consults of our whole number, toconsider of the former labours and collections, we have three that takecare, out of them, to direct new experiments, of a higher light, morepenetrating into nature than the former. These we call Lamps. 

"We have three others that do execute the experiments so directed, andreport them. These we call Inoculators. 

"Lastly, we have three that raise the former discoveries by experimentsinto greater observations, axioms, and aphorisms. These we callInterpreters of Nature. 

"We have also, as you must think, novices and apprentices, that thesuccession of the former employed men do not fail; besides, a greatnumber of servants and attendants, men and women. And this we do also:we have consultations, which of the inventions and experiences which wehave discovered shall be published, and which not: and take all an oathof secrecy, for the concealing of those which we think fit to keepsecret: though some of those we do reveal sometimes to the state andsome not. 

"For our ordinances and rites: we have two very long and fairgalleries: in one of these we place patterns and samples of all mannerof the more rare and excellent inventions in the other we place thestatues of all principal inventors. There we have the statue of yourColumbus, that discovered the West Indies: also the inventor of ships:your monk that was the inventor of ordnance and of gunpowder: theinventor of music: the inventor of letters: the inventor of printing:the inventor of observations of astronomy: the inventor of works inmetal: the inventor of glass: the inventor of silk of the worm: theinventor of wine: the inventor of corn and bread: the inventor ofsugars: and all these, by more certain tradition than you have. Thenhave we divers inventors of our own, of excellent works; which sinceyou have not seen, it were too long to make descriptions of them; andbesides, in the right understanding of those descriptions you mighteasily err. For upon every invention of value, we erect a statue tothe inventor, and give him a liberal and honourable reward. Thesestatues are some of brass; some of marble and touch-stone; some ofcedar and other special woods gilt and adorned; some of iron; some ofsilver; some of gold. 

"We have certain hymns and services, which we say daily, of Lord andthanks to God for his marvellous works: and forms of prayers, imploringhis aid and blessing for the illumination of our labours, and theturning of them into good and holy uses. 

"Lastly, we have circuits or visits of divers principal cities of thekingdom; where, as it cometh to pass, we do publish such new profitableinventions as we think good. And we do also declare naturaldivinations of diseases, plagues, swarms-of hurtful creatures, scarcity, tempests, earthquakes, great inundations, comets, temperatureof 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, kneeled down, and he laid his right hand upon my head, and said; "Godbless thee, my son; and God bless this relation, which I have made. Igive thee leave to publish it for the good of other nations; for wehere are in God's bosom, a land unknown. " And so he left me; havingassigned a value of about two thousand ducats, for a bounty to me andmy fellows. For they give great largesses where they come upon alloccasions. 

[The rest was not perfected. ]