MARTIN LISTER, ZOOLOGIST AND PHYSICIAN By S. W OOD

LONDON

BRANCH of the important books, both printed and in manu- family of Lister settled in script), and of general merit in the literary world by several learned books which he had published. At the Royal Buckinghamshire, and to this College of Physicians he became a Abranch belonged the subject candidate in 1684, a Fellow in 1687, of the present memoir. He was born and a Censor in 1694. He was elected at Radclive, near Buckingham, in a Fellow of the Royal Society on the / 1638, his parents being Sir Martin recommendation of Edward Lhuyd in Lister and Susannah, the daughter of 1671, and settled at York where he Sir Alexander Temple; this lady be- practiced medicine with considerable came maid of honor to Anne of repute until 1683. Denmark, queen of James 1, and was Lister was a great naturalist as well esteemed the greatest beauty of the as an eminent physician; he collected Court. As a boy Lister received his over one thousand specimens of shells, education from Sir Mathew Lister, which he presented to the Ashmolean physician to Charles 1, and on the Museum at Oxford, and was the first 12th of June, 1655, entered as a to construct maps of geological strata. pensioner at St. John’s College, Cam- His works were very numerous; up- bridge, where he graduated b .a . in wards of sixty papers from his pen 1658, and m.a . in 1662; at the Restora- on meteorology, minerals, molluscs, tion he was by royal mandate made a medicine and antiquities appear in Fellow of his College. Having gradu- the Philosophical Transactions of the ated he travelled and on returning Royal Society. His published mono- was created, in 1683, M-D- at Oxford, graphs include: “A History of English the Chancellor himself recommending Animals” (1678), an Appendix to the him as a person of exemplary loyalty, same (1681); “Letters and Mixt Dis- of high esteem among the most emi- courses on Natural Philosophy” nent of his profession, of singular (1683); “The Baths and Medical merit to that university in particular Fountains of England” (1684); (having enriched their museum and another work on the same subject library1 with presents of valuable (1686); several works on shells, and a 1 Forming part of a collection of Lister record of the journey to Paris in 1698. MSS. in the Bodleian Library at Oxford are An extended list of his publications three volumes of letters, covering the period appears in the “Dictionary of Na- 1665-1710, addressed to Lister from various writers, the most interesting being Pepys, tional Biography.2 His name lives in Flamsteed, Grew, Halley, Hooke, Lhuyd, the specific term given to a fossil well Sarah Duchess of Marlborough, who was a known to all Jurassic geologists, relative of Lister; Henry Mordaunt Earl of namely Cardenia Listeri, which is the Peterborough, Plot, and Sloane. Here also admitted type of a genus of MoIIusca; is the Order for Lister to attend the post- it is also connected with a shell of the mortem examination of Charles n’s body, February 7, 1685. Additional mss . may be seen 2 Vol. 33, Lond., 1893. at the British Museum,a list of them being in Scott’s Catalogue of the Sloane mss ., p. 312. genus Mactra, viz., Mactra Listen. In Court but received no staff appoint- the British flora the genus Listera, ment until the retirement of Sir formerly included in the Opbrys, was Edward Hannes in 1709, when he and named in his honor. Dr. Arbuthnot were appointed physi- cians in ordinary to Queen Anne, Dr. Arbuthnot having precedence; subsequently, however, he became Primarius Mcdicus. About 1670 he married Anne, daughter and heiress of Thomas Park- inson, of Carleton, in Craven, county York, by whom he had three sons and five daughters.3 Two of these ladies, Susannah and Mary, being skilful in the use of the pencil, illustrated their father’s great work “Historia Con- chyliorum”4 published in 1685. His second wife was Jane Cullen, of St. Mildred, Poultry, whom he mar- ried at St. Stephen’s, Walbrook, Oct. On returning in 1670 from his first 24, 1698. journey to the Continent he went to Lister died at Epsom, aged seventy- practice among his friends in York- four, but he probably had a suburban shire, and while there studied the house at Clapham where, in St. Paul’s history and natural history of the Church, of which he was a Benefactor, county. On account of his skill, how- he was buried on February 2, 1712. ever, he was advised to remove to In his will occurs the clause: “My London; this he did about the year body shall without pomp and in a 1683 and took up his residence in private manner be carried in a hearse, Old Palace Yard, Westminster. Two years later he was elected Vice- 3 One of the children was buried in West- President of the Royal Society. For minster Abbey where a marble tablet to her the benefit of his health he accom- memory may be seen. The inscription is well known and reads: “Jane Lister, dear childe, panied the Earl of Portland on an died Oct. 7, 1688.” Dean Stanley made allu- Embassy to the French Court in sion to the sorrow expressed in this brief 1698; he remained in Paris six months epitaph “which goes to the heart of every- and on returning published an account one. In the eventful year of the Revolution, of the journey which ran through three when Church and State were reeling to their foundations, this ‘dear child’ found her quiet editions within the year. This book resting-place in the Eastern Cloister.” was travestied by Dr. William King in 4 “This work is the basis and ancient foun- the “Journey to London” but its dation of all good conchology. It is impossible minuteness gives it historical value. to contemplate this stupendous effort of It was included in Pinkerton’s “Voy- genius and industry without admiration at ages”; reprinted with annotations by the grandeur of the design and the correctness of its execution.” (Turton, “ Conchological G. Henning, m.d . in 1823, and trans- Authors.”) The book originally appeared lated into French, being published at in five parts during the years 1685-9; Ed. Paris in 1873. He continued in favor at 2, 1699, New Ed. 1770, again 1823. attended only by one mourning coach the names and physiognomy of a Hundred to Clapham and there be buried in Plants, than of 5 or 6 Princes. the grave of my late deceased wife Another Reason, that I give you little Hannah.” A memorial stone5 was or no trouble in telling you Court Matters, erected bearing ’ the following inscription: Near this place is buried the body of MARTIN LISTER Doctor of Physick a Member of the Royal Society and one of Queen Ann’s Physitians who departed this life the second day of February, 1711-12. Not e : I wish to acknowledge the kindness of Mr. E. T. Leeds, Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford; Dr. Chaplin, Harveian Librarian of the Royal College of Physicians; Mr. W. J. Bishop, Assistant Librarian of the College; and the Rev. Sir Henry Lyster Denny, Bt., Rector of West W ickham, Kent, the author of a monumental work on the Lister family.

Ext ra cts of Med ica l Int er est fro m Mar ti n Liste r ’s “Jou rn ey to Par is in 1698” Reader, I promise not to trouble you with Ceremonies either of State or Church, or Politicks; for I entred willingly into neither of them. I incline rather to Nature than Dominion; and took more pleasure to see Monsieur Breman in his white Wastcoat digging in the Royal Physick Garden, and sowing his Couches, than Monsieur Saintot making room for an Ambassador; and I found my self better disposed, and more apt to learn is, that I was no more concerned in the 5 I was fortunate in meeting a fellow- Embassy, than in the sailing of the Ship student of Lister in the Rev. T. C. Dale, which carried me over: ’Tis enough for Curate of St. Paul’s, to whom I am grateful me, with the rest of the People of for information and for showing me the tablets England, to feel the good Effects of it, on the north wall of the church. That of and to pass away this Life in Peace and Lister is now so weather-worn as to be illegi- Quietness. ’Tis a happy turn for us, when ble; the inscription on the second stone reads: “Hannah Lister, Deare Wife, died Aug. 1695, Kings are made Friends again. Phis was left six children in tears for a most indulgent the end of this Embassy, and I hope it mother.” St. Paul’s occupies ground which will last our days. My Lord Ambassador has been the site of a church for 800 years; was infinitely caressed by the King, his it is situated in Rectory Grove and a path- Ministers, and all the Princes . . . ; way with the curious name “Matrimony but to the Business. Place” goes through the churchyard. I happily arrived at Paris after a tedious Journey in very bad Weather; for we set and such like Trash, and to lie in course out of London the ioth of December, and and nasty Woollen Frocks upon Boards; I did not reach Paris till the first of Janu- To go Barefoot in a cold Country, to ary; for I fell sick upon the Road, and forego the Comforts of this Life, and the stay’d 5 days at Bologne, till my Fever Conversation of Men; This is to hazard abated; yet notwithstanding so rude a the Health and in a manner to destroy Journey, I recovered, and was perfectly ourselves. These men, I say, must be out cured of my Cough in io days, and never of humour with the World and become had the least return of it all the Winter, weary of such slavish and fruitless though it was as fierce there as I ever felt Devotion. it in England. This great benefit of the Beggars abound and these, I say, are French Air I had experienced 3 several true Monks, if you will, of God Almighties times before, and had therefore long’d making, offering you their Prayers for a for a passage many years; but the con- Farthing, that find the evil of the day tinuance of the War was an insuperable sufficient for the day, and that the Obstacle to my Desires. Miseries of this Life are not to be courted, For the quantity of Ground possessed or made a mock of; These Worship much by the Common People, this City is against their will all rich Men, and make much more populous than any part of Saints of the rest of Mankind for a London; here are from 4 to 5 and to 10 Morsel of Bread. Menages, or distinct Families in many Good and wholesome Food, and plenty Houses; but this is only to be understood of it, gives Men naturally great Courage. of certain places of Trade. This difference Again, a Nation will sooner be Peopled betwTixt the two Cities also is true, that by the free Marriage of all sorts of here the Palaces and Convents have People, than by the additional stealth eat up the Peoples Dwellings, and crouded of a few starved Monks, supposing them them excessively together, and possessed at any time to break their Vow. This themselves of far the greatest part of the limiting of Marriage to a certain People Ground; whereas in London the contrary only lessens also the number of God’s may be observed, that the People have Worshippers, instead of multiplying them destroyed the Palaces, and placed them- as the Sand upon the Sea Shoar; These selves upon the Foundations of them, men wilfully cut off their Posterity, and and forced the Nobility to live in Squares reduce Gods Congregation for the future. or Streets in a sort of Community; but The Streets are lighted by candles, this they have done very honestly, having 20 paces apart. The King is said to have fairly purchased them. raised a large tax by granting the people Here are daily to be seen in the Streets the priviledge of hanging out Lanthorns great variety of Monks, in strange in this manner. In the Preface to the Tax unusual Habits to us Englishmen. I it is said, That considering the great cannot but pity the mistaken Zeal of these danger his Subjects were in, in Walking poor Men; that put themselves into the Streets in the Dark, from Thieves, Religion, as they call it, and renounce the and the breaking their Necks by falls, World, and give themselves most severe he for such a Sum of Money did grant Rules of Living. Their Meager Diet is this Priviledge. If any man break the much against Nature. ’Tis enough, if we lanthorns he is sent forthwith to the chance to suffer Persecution, to endure it Gallies. with Patience, and all the miserable The statue of the Grand Monarque in Circumstances that attend it; but wan- the Place-Victoire is that of a vast tonly to persecute ourselves, is to do Winged Woman close behind his Back, violence to Christianity. To choose the holding forth a Laurel Crown over the worst of food, sowre Herbs and Fish, King’ s Head. What I like not in this is the great Woman perpetually at the should contaminate and spoil all their King’s Back, which is a sort of Embarras, devotion. The Romans thought religion and instead of giving Victory; seems to became women better than men. Tully tire him with her Company. This Woman bids his wife supplicate the Gods for is enough to give a Man -a surfeit. him for he tells her, he thought they The Palais Mazarin has a great Col- would be kinder to her than him. Upon lection of Ancient Greek and Roman some such Principle, probably, their Statues: but such as were made Nudae, Prophetesses were in esteem. are miserably disguised by the fond At the Louvre 1 was shown by M. Humour of the Duke de Mazarin, who Gerardin many ancient Statues and in a hot Fit of Devotion caused them to Vasa, and a ioo other things relating to be castrated and mangled, and then Antiquity. Here also I saw the Mummy frocked them bv a Sad Hand with I of a Woman intire, and a small image know not what Plaister of Paris, which found inclosed in a Mummy. This repre- makes them very ridiculous. The Toga, sented a lean Man, Cast bent, in a sitting as represented in these ancient statues, Posture, with a roll of Parchment spread was made of very fine WooII, or Flannel, open upon his Knees, and he looking and the wearing of this substance in a down upon it, Reading it. He seemed to hot country led to frequent bathing; have a thin Linnen Garment on, per- much Bathing brought in Oils, and Oils haps such as the Aegyptian Priests used Perfumes infused in them. The use of to wear. The figure was of Solid Brass, oils prevented the warm Water from the Head and all. I later saw another making the skin intolerable tender and of these images, in the Collection of wrinkled. The naked Indians and Blacks Monsieur Boudelot, which represented secure their skins by oils from all the the Skeleton of a Woman of solid Copper; injuries of the weather, both from heat this also was in a sitting Posture. and cold. But a fair Linnen Shirt every In M. Boudelot’s Cabinet there is a day is equal in cleanliness to the daily marble of a Cupid asleep and in his hand bathing of the Romans, and the best he holds two Poppy heads. ’Tis probable Rule of Health and Long Life is to do the Poppies were emblimatique from the little to ourselves. People make pleasant power they have in love affairs. Indeed that which is very destructive to their most poisons affect those parts chiefly, Healths; as is the Case of Cloathing, being the great Sluce of the Habit of Tobacco, Strong Waters, Steel Remedies, the body or circle of the Blood, and no the Drinking Mineral Waters, Bathing, people use Poppy more, and stand more Tea, Coffee, Chocolate, etc. in need of it than the men who delight in Polygamy, the Mahometans, or under- On seeing the statue of a Sybil: stand it better; as Olearius testifies. The face of the old woman was cut M. Boudelot shewed me also a Stone very deep into the stone, within the Quoif- taken lately out of the Body of a Horse at ure, like a Hood pulled over the Fore- Paris, which was his Death; and dying head, a very Emblem of an Oracle. What strangely, they Dissected him, that is, was the fancy of the Men of the first certain Ignorant People; in the lower Ages to make old women prophetesses. part of the Body, (probably the Bladder) To make them Sagae and Veneficae was found this Stone: It weighs, as I is reasonable enough; for old age makes guess, two Pound; it is as round as a all people spiteful, but more the weaker Cannon Ball; it is laminated like an sex; To poison and bewitch are the secret Onion; for the first Couche was broken revenges of impotent people. The Jews up in some Places, of a dark Hair colour, were impatient of the Company of and transparent; or like some Cloudy W oman in their religious rites, lest they Agats which I have seen: It was very ponderous. Such like Transparent Stones My Companion, it being morning, and I had a Patient voided often in Yorkshire. his Senses very quick and vigorous, was I saw another Transparent one, which strangely surprised and offended; and was cut out of the Buttock of an Aider- retired down the Stairs much faster than man at Doncaster; he was twice cut in he came up: And indeed, a private the same place, at some years distance. Anatomy Room is to one not accustomed Another I had in some measure trans- to this kind of Manufacture, very irk- parent, voided by a Patient, which was some, if not frightful: Here a Basket of of the very colour of a Coffee-Berry whan Dissecting Instruments, as Knives, Saws, burnt; but of this Stone Monsieur Boude- etc. And there a Form with a Thigh and Iot writ me a Letter before I left Paris, Leg flayed, and the Muscles parted asun- which I design to publish. der: On another Form an Arm served St. Innocents Church-Yard, the pub- after the same manner: Here a Trey lick Burying-place of the City of Paris full of Bits of Flesh, for the more minute for a iooo years, when intire (as I once Discovery of the Veins and Nerves; saw it) and built round with double and every where such discouraging Ob- Galleries full of Skulls and Bones, was jects. So, as if Reason, and the good of an awful and venerable sight; but now I Mankind did not put Men upon this found it in Ruines, and the greatest of Study, it could not be endured: for the Galleries pulled down, and a Row of Instinct and Nature most certainly ab- Houses built in their room, and the hors the Employment. Bones removed I know not whether; I saw Monsieur Merrie, a most painful The rest of the Church-Yard in the most and accurate Anatomist, and free and neglected and nastiest pickle I ever saw communicative Person, at his House Rue any Consecrated place. ’Tis all one, when de la Princesse. His Cabinet consisted Men, even the Roman Catholicks have of two Chambers: In the outward were a mind, or ’tis their interest, to unhallow -great variety of Skeletons; also entire things or places, they can do it with a Preparations of the Nerves; in two of good stomach; and leave the Tombs of which he showed me the mistake of Chancellors and other great Men with- Willis, and from thence gathered, that out Company or Care. What no body he was not much used to dissect with his gets by, no body is concerned to repair; own Hand: The Pia Mater coating the but ’tis strange amongst so many millions Spinal Nerves but half way down the of dead Men, not one Wonder-working Back, where it ends: The Dura Mater Saint should start up to preserve it seif coating the lowermost 20 pair; which, and neighbours from Contempt and Willis, (as he said) has otherwise reported. Scandal. That so much Holy Earth, But that which much delighted my brought, as ’tis said, so far off, should Curiosity, was the Demonstration of a never produce one Saint, but rather spue blown and dried Heart of a Foetus; also up all its Inhabitants, to be thus shuffled the Heart of a Tortoise. In the Heart of a and dissipated. Foetus, he shewed it quite open, and he I was to see M. Verney at his Apart- would have it that there was no Valve ment at the Royal Physick Garden; to the Foramen Ovale; which seem’d but missing my Visit, went up, with a equally open from the Left Ventricle to young Gentleman of my Lord Ambas- the Right, as the Contrary; that it’s sador’s Retinue, to see Mr. Bennis, Diameter well near equalled that of the who was in the Dissecting Room, work- Aorta: That the two Arteries, which ing by himself upon a Dead Body, with ascend up into the two Lobes of the Lungs, his Breast and Belly gutted: There were and are the Ramifications of the Pul- very odd things to be seen in the Room. monick Artery and the lower or descend- ing Branch of the Aorta) both put to- and convey it by the Foramen Ovale into gether, far exceed, if not double the the Right Ventricle: That the third or Diameter of the Aorta itself. middle Ventricle was only an Appendix He therefore, not without good Reason to the Right, and had the Pulmonick affirms, That of all the Blood which the Artery issuing from it. So that the Blood Vena Cava pours into the Right Ventricle in a Tortoise was in a manner Circulated of the Heart, and is thence in a Foetus like that in a Foetus, through the Body, forced up into the Pulmonick Artery, the Lungs as it were or in good part a great part is carried by the Canal of slighted. Communication into the descending This Thought of Monsieur Merrie’s Trunk of the Aorta, and is so circulated has made a great Breach betwixt Mon- about the Body, the Lungs (as to that sieur Verney and himself; for which part) being wholly slighted: Also that of Reason I had not that freedom of Con- the two remaining thirds of the Blood, versation as I could have wisht with which is carried about the Lungs, when it both of them; but ’tis to be hoped there comes down the Pulmonick Vein, that may come good from an honest Emulation. which cannot be received by the Aorta, Two English Gentlemen came to Visit (and all cannot, because the Aorta is me, Mr. Bennis and Mr. Probie: They much less than the two Branches of the were lodged near the Royal Garden, Pulmonick Artery put together) is there- where Monsieur Verney dwells, and fore discharged back through the Fora- makes his Anatomies, who in Three men Ovale, into the Right Ventricle of Months time shewed all the Parts of the the Heart, and so thrown up again with Body to them. He had for this purpose at the rest of the Blood, coming from the least Twenty Human Bodies, from the Vena Cava. So that one part of the two Gallows, the Chatelet, (where those are remaining parts of the Blood is carried exposed who are found Murthered in daily about the Body, as in an Adult the Streets, which is a very common Foetus, and a third part only Circulates business at Paris) and from the Hospitals. in the Lungs, passing by the Body or They told me, M. Verney pretended Grand Circulation. to shew them a Valve, which did hinder That all this is done to abbreviate and Blood from falling back into the Right reduce the Circulation to a lesser com- Ventricle by the Foramen Ovale. This pass, is certain; and so for the same Valve they said he compared to the Reason and End, that other lesser Circu- Papillae in the Kidneys, Musculous and lation of the Liver is slighted by the Fleshy: That if Wind was blown into the Blood, which returns from the Placenta, Vena Pulmonalis, it did not pass through by a Canal of Communication betwixt the Foramen Ovale, but stop there, by the Porta and the Vena Cava. reason of the Valve. That he did believe, The Reason he gives of this, I cannot at contrary to Mr. Merrie, that no Blood all allow’ of; as being very ill grounded; did circulate through the Lungs in an and therefore I shall not trouble my Embrio. self to Confute, or so much as Name it. Again, in another Conversation with As for the Heart of the Land Tortoise, Monsieur Merrie, he shewed me the it was preserved in Spirit of Wine, and blown Hearts of an Embrio, and that of all the three Ventricles thereof slit and a Girl of 7 years old. I saw clearly, that opened; so that I had not all the Satis- the skin of the supposed Valve of the faction I could have wisht: but the Left Foramen Ovale, was as it were suspended Ventricle in this Animal had no Artery with two Ligaments: And that in the belonging to it, but did receive only the Girl’s, the two sides of the Foramen Blood, which descended from the Lungs, Ovale were drawn one over the other, and so closed the hole; but were easily that all Insects had a Command of their to be separated again by a Bristle thrust Hearts, (of which I have given large betwixt them. Instances elsewhere) by some such pas- Also it seemed to me, that this Mem- sage, which they could shut altogether, brane in an Embrio might cover the or in great part, as they had a Mind, in Foramen Ovale, like the Membrana Winter, in Fear, or Fasting for want of Nictans in a Birds Eye, that is, be drawn Food: That the shutting up of the pas- over it, and so hinder the Ingress of the sage in Adult Animals was therefore done Blood from the Vena Cava, as oft as the in an instant, by drawing the Curtain Right Auricle beats: But the Dilating it fully, which could never be again drawn self might give way to the descending back and opened, because of the great Blood of the Vena Pulmonalis; and torrent of Blood, which now entered the possibly, the Embrio living as it were the Right Auricle, stopt it in that posture, Life of an Insect, can by this artifice which in time would altogether stiffen Command the Heart. and lose its Motion of Relaxation. As a I remember in Discourse that day with Hen, when she Sleeps, draws over the him, he told me, That Monsieur Verney Membrana Nictans; and likewise when had an old Cat, and a young Kitling just she Dies, the same Membrane covers all Born, put into the Air-pump before the the Eye. Academie Royalle des Sciences: That the Mr. Bennis procured me the Heart of Cat died after 16 Pumps, but the Kitling a Humane Foetus, which had but just survived 500 Pumps; which favours in breath’d; the which I examined with some measure the Command young M. Litre of Castres in Languedoc, Animals have of their Hearts. another very Understanding and Dextrous At another Visit, M. Merrie obligingly Anatomist, and who Teaches Scholars of procured for me, the Heart of a Human all Nations the Practice of Anatomy. The Embrio, with the Lungs intire. He tried Experiments here were repeated as for- before me the Experiment upon Blowing, merly described; both Wind and Water and also Syringing Water into the Aorta, passed the Foramen Ovale, both from both which filled the Auricles and Ven- the Vena Pulmonum, and from the tricles and freely, came out at the Vena Aorta. That which I observed in this Cava only. Then he opened the Right Heart more particularly, was, That the Auricle and Ventricle, where the Fora- Membrane or Valve on the Left Side of men Ovale was open only at one corner, the Foramen Ovale was flat, and extended not the tenth part of its breadth; and a almost over the hole, without any Limbus Membrane drawn over the rest, which round its edges, because it was nothing Membrane was fastened to the sides quite but the very substance of the Auricula round. Then he opened in the same man- Sinistra continued, or a Process thereof: ner the Left Ventricle and Auricle, and But on the right side the Vena Cava there it was evident, that that Mem- being joined to the Auricle, it had a brane which closed the hole, had two rising edge round that part of it, whence narrow Straps or Muscles by which it it proceeded; that is, that the two Faces was fastened to the opposite sides, after had contrary openings, and being drawn the manner of some of the Valves of the as it were one over the other, they shut Heart. the whole; but not so firmly, but the I told him, that it must follow from this, hole might be more or less open all a that the Foramen Ovale was shut and Man’s Life. For those two Oval Processes opened more or less, at the pleasure of sticking close together in a blown and the Embrio, according to the Necessities dried Heart, that is not to be much heeded, of Nature, and the quantity of Blood for I have seen them dry with the hole that was to pass: That it was probable, open; but it has been like as betwixt unglued Paper, or as the Urethers de- endeavoured in the War time to have scend betwixt the Skins of the Bladder, Printed Monthly Transactions or Me- or as the same happens to the Ductus moires after the manner of ours in Lon- Biliaris in its insertion into the Guts. don: but could not carry them on above The same Person brought me the Heart two Volumes or Years, for without great of a Man 40 years old, in which the Correspondence this can hardly be done. Foramen Ovale was as much wide open; The Abbot Bignon is President, Nephew as in a Foetus new born; and the Liga- to M. Pontchartrain. I was informed by ments very conspicuous, which tack the some of them, that they have this great sides of the Valve to the Auricle, and go advantage to incourage them in the pur- over to the other side of the Border. suit of Natural Philosophy, that if any I Visited M. Dacier and his Lady, two of the Members shall give in a Bill of very obliging Persons, and both of Charges of any Experiments which he great Worth, and very Learned. I think shall have made; or shall desire the our Profession is much beholden to him, Impression of any Book, and bring in for his late elegant Translation of Hip- the Charges of Graving required for such pocrates into French, with Learned Notes Book, the President allowing it and sign- upon him. I wish he may live to finish ing it, the Money is forthwith reimbursed what he hath so happily begun. I read by the King. As it was done in Dr. over the Two Volumes he had Printed Turnfort’s Elements de Bontanique, the with great delight. Cuts of that Book cost the King 12000 He seems to favour the Opinion of Livres. Also, if M. Merrie, for Example, those, who think, the Circulation of the shall require live Tortoises for the making Blood was known to him; in which he good the Experiments about the Heart, errs undoubtedly. ’Tis manifest his Ana- they shall be brought him, as many as he tomy was rude, dark, and of little extent; pleases, at the King’s Charge.” but ’tis also as manifest, that he knew The King’s Library is now taken out very well the effect of the Circulation, As of the Louvre and placed in a Private for Example, 2. de Diaeta. c.12. All the House, where they shewed us also the Body (says he) is purged by Respiration Apartment of M. Hugeins, which was and Transpiration, and what Humour very Noble, and well for Air, upon the thickens, is subtilized and throwm out by Garden; but here he fell MelanchoIIy, the Skin, and is called Sweat. and Died of it in Holland. He shewed the Again, 3. de Diaeta. c. 5. speaking of a first Tokens of it by playing with a Tame sort of foul and impure Bodies, he says, Sparrow, and neglecting his Mathematick More is by Labour melted out of the Schemes. ’Tis certain, Life and Health of Flesh, than the Circular Motion (of Body and Mind are not to be preserved the Blood) hath purged off. There are a but by the Relaxation, and unbending great number of Instances of this Nature. the Mind by Innocent Diversions. For In Conversation I put this to him, which Sleep is nothing else that I know off, he avowed was all he thought. but the giving up the Reins, and letting He told me he had two more Volumes Nature to Act alone, and to put her in ready for the Press, and did intend not full possession of the Body. We have a to give it over, till he had gone through convincing instance of this, in being a all the Works of Hippocrates. Bed awake: No Man can lie still 3 Min- I visited M. Morin, one of the Acade- utes without turning; and if it come not mic des Sciences, a Man very curious presently upon us, we must turn again in Minerals; The Gentlemen of this and again: and at length we become so Society are but few in number, about 12 intolerably weary, that our Bed is a very or 16 Members; all Pensioned by the Wrack to us. Whereas, if we chance to King in some manner or other. They fall a sleep, though we lie in one and the same posture 7 hours, we shall Wake I had forgot the particular place where fresh and without pain, as tho’ the Body the Circulation of the Blood through did not Weigh at all upon it self in Sleep. the Lungs is mentioned: but he told me ’Tis certain, the Nerves and Muscles are very Civilly, I should have it Transcribed in little or no Tension in Sleep; but when at any time. we are awake, are always stretch’d and compressed, whence weariness: which, if On the austere life of the monks: upon our Feet or Sitting, we are not It is wonderful to consider how most sensible off, because we remove quick and of the rest of the Orders abuse themselves with ease, and of course; but laid, we for God’s Sake, as they call it. Hunger soon find our selves very uneasie, till and Ill-Diet not only destroys a Man’s we change the posture . . . Health, but Maugre all his Devotion, At the Abbaie de St. Germains I puts him out of Humour, and makes him visited Pere Mabillon who shewed me Repine and Envy the rest of Mankind; certain Figures of some very ancient and well if it do not make him also Curse Monuments observed upon the Mountain in his Heart his Maker; Job is not every of Framond near Salme which lies in La Man’s Roll to Act. The Original and Rise Vauge, betwixt Alsace and Lorraine. of Natural Philosophy and Physick was There were great Remains of an ancient to Invent a more wholesome and better City. Five of these Figures were of Mer- Food, than the Beasts have, and to Eat cury; a Caduceus in his Hand which was Bread and Flesh instead of Herbs and very differently represented in all the Corn; to Drink Wine instead of Water; Figures of him; sometimes held up, other- those, and a thousand other things were times the point resting at his Feet; the Blessings of Physick, and still the sometimes the Snakes were twisted about good management of these things, both a Stick; and again in others without in Health and Sickness, are under the one, or the Designer had taken no notice Directions of the Physitians. Now for a of it; sometimes the Tail of the sort of MelanchoIIy and Willful Men, to Serpents spread and flying about, and renounce these Comforts, and destroy again in others close twisted with many their Healths, and all this upon a pre- braids . . . tended Principle of Religion and Devo- In the Museum of St. Genevieve was tion, seems to me, I confess, great In- the Leg of a Mummie well preserv’d the gratitude to God the Author of it . . . Toes only bare, black and shining as Indeed, I heartily pitied F. P. an indus- Pitch. I told the Father, that this was trious honest Man, after his return still Flesh; and that Mummie therefore from the Indies, who was nothing but in Venice-Treacle did break Lent, if given Skin and Bone; and yet by the Rules of at that Time; He answered, he did not his Order he could not Eat anything that believe it: I told him how he should be was wholesome and proper for his Cure; convinced, viz. If that Leg was kept a nothing but a little slimy nasty Fish and good while in a damp Cellar, it would Herbs: And tho’ he took, as he told me, yield and stink like very Carrion, tho’ Hypocochoana five times, it had no it was at least 3000 years old; which effect upon him. ’Tis true I never heard thing happened to one in London, so him complain; But what will not blind carelessly laid by. prejudice do against all the Reason of M. Colbert shewed us Serveto’s Book, Mankind. I know some of these Men have for which he was Burnt at Geneva; been useful to Mankind by their Studies; bought at an Auction in England for 25 but the very same men would have been Crowns. The Title is, De Trinitatis much more, had they staid with their Erroribus Libri 7. per Michaelam Serveto Neighbours, and Taught the World by alias Reves ab Aragonia Hispanum 1531. their Conversation and Example; Wis- dom, and Justice, and Innocence, and and it is good to supply the place of Temperance, which they highly pretend lemons, against the Scurvy, or any ill to, are not things to be hid in Corners, habit of the Body . . . but to be brought forth to Instruct and The French delight in nothing so Adorn the Age we live in: To abandon much as Mushroomes, which they have the World, and all the Conveniences of daily, and which all the Winter long Life and Health, is (let them say what they raised on hot Beds in their they please) the height of Chagrin, and Gardens. They make long narrow not Religion . . . Trenches, and fill with Horse Dung 2 or At Hubins the Eye-maker, I saw 3 ft. deep, on which they throw the Drawers full of all sorts of Eyes, admir- common Earth of the place, and cover able for the contrivance, to match with the Dung with it, like the ridge of a great exactness any Iris whatsoever: This House, high pitched; and over all they being a case, where mismatching is put long Straw or long Horse Litter; intolerable . . . Out of this Earth springs the Champig- The Diet of the Parisians consists nons after Rain, or watering the Beds chiefly of Bread and Herbs; it is here, as every day, even in Winter. On some Beds with us, finer and courser. But the com- they have plenty, on others but few, mon bread, or Pain de Gonesse, which is which demonstrate they come of Seed in brought twice a week into Paris from a the Ground; for all the Beds are alike. Village so called, is purely white, and firm They prepare their new Beds the latter and light, and made altogether with end of August, and have plentiful Crops Leaven; mostly in 3 Pound Loaves, and of Mushrooms towards Christmas, and 3d a Pound. That which is Bak’d in all the Spring, till after March . . . Paris is courser and much worse. In Lent Moriglio’s too are eaten. This sort of the common People feed much on White Mushroom is much esteemed in France, Kidney Beans, and white or pale Lentils, and is mostly gathered in Woods at the to be had already boiled in the Markets. foot of the oak; The French say there are This Lentil is a sort of Pulse we have no bad Moriglio’s; but there are bad none of in England . . . Mushrooms. I am persuaded the harm There are here no round Turneps; but that comes from eating them, is from the all long ones and small; but excellently noxious Insects and Vermin that feed well tasted. The Potato are scarce to upon them, and creep into them . . . be found in their Markets, but there are There is plenty of Macreuse, a sort of store of Jerusalem Hartichokes. They Sea Duck. They are reckoned and es- delight not much in Cabage but there are teemed as Fish, and have a rank fishy vast quantities of large Red Onions and taste. At our Treat at the King’s Charge Garlick. Also Leeks, Rockamboy, and at Versailles a Macreuse Pye near two Shallots are here in great use. There is foot diameter, for it was in Lent, which no Plant of the Onion Kind so hardy as being high Seasoned, did go down very this, and so proper for the cold Moun- well with rare Burgundy. There is a tains; witness the use the Welsh have better Argument in Leewenhoeke for made of them from all Ages; and indeed Birds participating something of the it is excellent against Spitting of Blood, nature of Fish, though their Blood is and all Diseases of the Throat and Lungs. hot, than any the Council of Trent could The Lettice is the great and universal think of, and that is, that the Globuli Sallet. In April and May the Markets of the Blood of Birds are Oval, as those were served with vast quantities of White of Fishes are; but this will take in all Beets. Asparagus is in great plenty. the Bird Kind; which also in time those They are to be commended for their love Gentlemen may think fit to grant . . . of Sorrel, for nothing is more wholesome, As for their Flesh, Mutton, and Beef, they are good in their Kind, but their Veal is new. Sure I am, the Parisians, both is not to be compared with ours; being Men and Women, are strangely altered red and coarse; and I believe no Countrey in their Constitutions and Habit of Body; in Europe understands the Management from lean and slender, they are become of that sort of Food like the English. fat and corpulent, the Women especially; Nothing contributes more to the white- Which, in my opinion, can proceed from ness and tenderness of the Flesh of nothing so much as the daily drinking Calves, than often Bleeding them, and strong Liquors. The daily use of Coffee giving them much food of Milk and Meal, with Sugar, Tea, and Chocolate, also besides sucking the Dam. By much adds considerably to their Corpulency. Bleeding the red cake of the Blood is What else but a Wanton Luxury could exhausted, and becomes all white Serum dispose these People, who abound in or Chyle . . . Excellent Wines, to ape the necessity of As for their Fruits we had little save others. Mighty things, indeed, are said Winter Fruits. We tasted Bon Chritiens, of these Drinks, according to the Humour Kentish Pippin, and the Winter Calvil and Fancy of the Drinkers. I rather or Queening, which though a tender and believe they are permitted by Gods soft Apple, yet continued good till after Providence for the lessening of the Easter. Also the Pome d’Apis, which is number of Mankind by shortening Life, a small flat Apple, very beautiful, very are a sort of silent Plague. Those that red on one side, and pale or white on the plead for Chocolate, say, it gives them other, and may serve the Ladies at their a good Stomach, if taken two hours before Toilets for a Pattern to Paint by . . . Dinner. Right! who doubts it? You say The Wines of Burgundy and Cham- you are much more hungry having drunk pagne are most valued; and indeed, not Chocolate, than you had been if you without reason; for they are light and had drunk none, that is, your Stomach easie upon the Stomach, and give little is faint, craving and feels hollow and disturbance to the Brain, if drawn from empty, and you cannot stay long the Hogshead, or loose bottled after their for your Dinner. Things that pass Fashion. Strong waters, Ratafia in partic- thus soon out of the Stomach, I suspect ular, are drunk at Desert. Ratafia is a are little welcome there, and Nature sort of Cherry Brandy made with Peach makes haste to get shut of them. There and Apricot Stones. The pungent and are many things of this sort which impose acrimonious quality of these and such upon us by procuring a false hunger. The like Kernels was not unknown to the Wild Indians, and some of our People, Ancients, and very poisonous to some no doubt digest it; but our Pampered Animals. Dioscorides tells us, a Paste Bodies can make little of it; and it proves made of the Kernels of Bitter Almonds to most tender Constitutions perfect will throw Hens into Convulsions, and Physic, at least to the Stomach, by cleans- immediately kill them. Birds have but ing that into the Gutts, but that wears it little Brain, and so are the stronglier out, and decays Nature. The old Romans affected with this Volatil Venom. Not did better with their Luxury; they took unlike effects ’tis possible Ratafia may their Tea and Chocolate after a full Meal, have in some tender and more delicate and every Man was his own Cook in Constitutions, and Weak and feeble that case. Caesar resolved to be free, and Brains, and may be one cause of so many eat and drink heartily, that is, to excess, sudden Deaths, as have been observed with Tully; and for this purpose Cicero of late . . . tells his Friend Atticus, that before he The long War has introduced the drink- lay down to Table, Emeticen agebat, ing at table of many sorts of Strong- which I construe, he prepared for himself waters, and strong Wines, which Custom his Chocolate and Tea; something to make a quick riddance of what they eat oblige himself to take the Medicines he and drank, some way or other . . . should prescribe for him. But Moliere The Water of the River Seine is very finding the Doctor too hard for him, pernicious to all Strangers, causing Loose- and not easily to be dupt, refused them. ness, and sometimes Dysenteries. But His Business it seems, was to make a those who are careful of themselves purifie Comical Scene in exposing one of the it by filling their Cisterns with Sand, and Learnedest Men of the Profession, as letting it sink through it. The Spring he had done the Quacks. If this was his Water from the Maison des Eaux is Intention, as in all probability it was, wholsom but very apt to give the stone, Moliere had as much Malice as Wit; which the People of this Town are which is only to be used to correct the infinitely subject to. Chancing to see a Vitiousness and Folly of Men pretending great quantity of Earthen Pipes, which to Knowledge, and not the Arts them- had served to convey this water I selves . . . observed that of 4 inches diameter the This I must needs say, That Obscenity hollow of the Pipes were all stopt up to and Immorality are not all upon the the breadth of a Shilling, with a firm French Stage, no more than in the Civil Stone petrified. Now what petrifies in Conversation of People of Fashion and the Water-pipes is apt in some weak Good Breeding . . . Constitutions to Petrifie also in the Gaming is a perpetual Diversion here Kidneys and Bladder . . . if not one of the Debauches of the Town. The Parisians divert themselves chiefly But Games of meer Hazard are strictly in Plays, Gameing, Walking, or Coach- forbid. And indeed, such quick Games, as ing. I heard at the theatre many Trage- Basset, Hazard, etc. where Fortune in a dies, but without gust for want of Lan- manner is all in all, are great Temptations guage: But the Little Plays were very to Ruine, by the sudden Passions they Diverting to me, particularly those of are apt to raise in the Players: Whereas Moliere. Tis said, Moliere Died suddenly Games, where Skill and Cunning, and in Acting the Malade Imaginaire: Where much Thought are imployed, as well as is a good instance of his well Personating Luck, gives a Man time to Cool, and the Play he made, and how he could recover his Wits, if at any time great really put himself into any Passion he Loss shall have Dismounted his Reason; had in his Head. Also of the great danger for he must quickly come to himself strong and vehement Passions may cause again, or forfeit his Skill and Reputation in weak Constitutions, such as Joy and in Conducting the Game, as well as Fear; which History tells us, have killed Husbanding his Money. many very suddenly. He is reported to While dining at St. Clou, we drank have said, going off the Stage, Messieurs, our Wine in Ice, which I was not aware Jay joue Ie Malade Imaginaire; mais je off, till I found the bad effect of it in suis veritablement fort Malade; and he my Throat; and the next day much died within two hours after. This account more; but it went off again without any of Moliere is not in his Life by Perault, great trouble. There is no Animal that but it is true . . . abuses itself in Meat and Drink, as Moliere sent for Dr. M— a Physician Man does; we daily drink excessive hot in Paris of great Esteem and Worth, and excessive cold; in other Creatures its and now in London, a Refuge. Dr. M- Instinct that guides them, but as for us sent him word, he would come to him, we neither act by Instinct, nor Reason, upon two conditions; the one, that he but betwixt both loosely, and therefore should answer him only to such Questions oftner are catcht, to our own destruction. as he should ask him, and not otherwise The Air of Paris is dryer than that of Discourse him; the other, that he should England, the rainfall in the latter being twice as much. Our fields are much Water brought from the Maison des greener but we pay dearly for it, in Eaux, where the Aqueduct of Arcueil Agues and Coughs, and Rheumatick empties itself to serve the great Palaces Distempers. The Winter was very rude and City Fountains . . . and fierce, as was ever known in the The Disease of the Dysentery being Memory of Man; The cold Winds very one of the most common in Paris, the piercing; and the Common People walk most celebrated Drug for its cure is now the Streets all in Mouffes, and Multi- the Hypopecouana; though I never once tudes had little Brass Kettles of Small- made use of it to any of our People, coal kindled, hanging on their Arms; but cured them all as soon, and as well and yet you should scarce hear any one with our usual Remedies. Indeed they Cough. Another Argument, of the Dry- have great need of it here, for the poorer ness of the Air at Paris, we had from the sort of People, through ill Diet, this Water, alteration of Health; such as were thick and Herbs, are very subject to it; This Breathed, and Cought and Spit much, Root is said to cure it with as much soon recovered, and the insensible per- certainty, and as readily, as the Jesuits spiration of the Skin was so clear and Powder an Ague; Of this most (of the free, that the Kidneys had little to do; Physicians and Apothecaries agreed. so that it was observed by most, that They give it in Powder from io grains to though we drank pretty freely of the thin 40, which is the largest Dose. It most Wines of Champagne and Burgundy, commonly Vomits, and sometimes yet they never broke our sleep to get Purges, but both gently. ’Tis sold here shut of them; and that very little passed from 20 to 50 Crowns a Pound. They that way in the morning. Lastly, a divide it into 4 sorts, according to its sign of the Driness and great goodness goodness. of the Air of Paris is, the vast number of Another popular Disease here is the Iron Bars all over the City; which yet Stone; and there are Men well practised are mostly intire, and the least decayed in the Cutting for it. There are also two with Rust, I ever saw in any place; Hospitals, where great numbers are cut whereas ours in London are all in a few yearly, as La Charite, and Hostel-Dieu, years all over rusty, and miserably eaten. in both of these there are Wired Chests We were sufficiently alarmed at our full of Stones cut from Human Bodies; first coming to Paris, with the unwhole- and in the Chest of La Charite is one, someness of the River Water, and cau- which exceeds all belief; it was cut from tioned against drinking it; and yet it a Monk, who died in the very Operation; was almost impossible to avoid the bad it is as big as a Childs Head. It is but the effects of it, for within the month two Model or Patern of the Stone which is thirds of the Family fell into Fluxes, kept in the Chest; which has this In- some into Dysenteries, and some very scription on it. ill of it. The French that come out of other remote Countreys suffer as well Figure et grosseur de la pierre, pesant 51 ounces, qui font trois livres trois ounces, qui as the Strangers. We were told boiling it a este tiree dans cet Hospital au mois de was a good Remedy to prevent its Juin 1690, et que 1’on conserve dans Ie Griping Quality; but that is a meer couvent de la Charite. Notion, for we know Mineral Waters boiled have a stronger effect, and this But that which I shall here most insist quality can proceed from nothing less. upon is the new way, practised by Pere The Well Waters here are much worse Jaques, a Monk. About the 20th of April than the River Waters, because more he cut in the Hostel-Dieu 10 in less than Mineral. But our safety was in the an hours time: The 3rd day after, all were hearty and without pain but one. out-lived both. I saw the first Stone, He cuts both by the grand and little which was very large, and in some meas- Appareil; in both he boldly thrusts in a ure transparent, Crystal like. This Ex- broad Lancet or Stilleto into the middle periment is Printed in Dr. Willies Scar- of the Muscle of the Thigh near the Anus, borough Spaw, 14 years ago at least, till he joins the Catheter or Staff, or the and is a fair hint for this new Method Stone betwixt his Fingers; then he widens the incision of the Blader in proportion to Since my return I had a Letter from the Stone with a Silver Oval Hoop; if Mr. Probie, a very Learned and Indus- that will not do, he thrusts in his 4 Fin- trious young Gentleman, who was with gers, and tears it wider; then w’ith the me to see the Operation, that part relat- Ducks Bill he draws it out . . . ing to this Matter I shall here transcribe. I saw him cut a second time in the Indeed, I mightily longed for an Account Hostel-Dieu; and he performed it upon of this Matter, the success of which I 9 Persons in 3 quarters of an hour, very came away too soon to learn anything dexterously. He seemed to venture at for certain . . . all; and put me into some disorder with Paris, Aug. 2.98. Pere Jaques Reputa- the cruelty of the Operation; and a tion mightily slackens, out of Forty five stouter Englishman than my self. How- that he cut at the Hostel Dieu, but six- ever I visited them all in their Beds, and teen of them survive; and of Nineteen found them more amazed, than in pain. in the Charite, but eleven. He has prac- Pere Jaques cut also his way in the tised at the Hospitals at Lyons, but, ’tis other Hospital La Charite much about said, with worse success than at Paris. the same time, 11 at twice. Here Mon- I am sensible he has got abundance of sieur Marshal, the best of the Surgeons Enemies, which makes me very often for this Operation now in Paris, har- question, what I may hear said of him. angu’d against him before the Governors, Dr. Fagon, the King’s Physician, told who coldly answered, they would be Dr. Turnfort, when he went to present determined by the Event, which way his Book to him, that he had cut Seven was best. at Versailles, and that six of them are alive, and as well as if never cut. The .Atque hac ratione Faeminis Calculi om- nium facillime exciduntur; nempe scalpello Person that died was so Distempered, intra vaginam uteri in vesicam adacto. that he was not expected to live, and ’twas thought, if he had not been cut, he had Of those cut in La Charite one died; not lived so long: The Surgeons have a and being dissected, it was found he great mind to cry down the Man, though had his Bladder pierced in 4 or 5 places; they practise his Method. For Marshal also the Musculus Psoas sadly mangled; has since cut after Pere Jaques’s Manner, also the left Vesiculae Seminales cut. only with this difference, that Marshal’s Notwithstanding this, if this Method Catheter was cannulated. Le Rue, the was well executed by a Skilful Hand, it second Surgeon of the Charity Hospital might be of good use to Mankind. This cut after the old Manner, at the same way of Cutting for the Stone, puts me time when Marshal cut Pere Jaques’s in mind of what I formerly writ and way, but had not so good success as publisht in the Phil. Transactions, about Marshal had; for all that Marshal cut Cutting above the Os Pubis, in the Fund are alive and very well, whereas the other of the Bladder. Also of that Experiment lost one or two of his number; besides, of Cutting for the Stone of an Aiderman those that lived were not so soon cur’d, of Doncaster in the Gluteus Major, he no, not by a month or six weeks. Thus was twice cut in the same place, and far Mr. Probie . . . The Pox here is the great Business of in their Health for ever. Every body here the Town; a Disease which in some puts their helping Hand, and meddles measure hath contributed to the ruine of with the Cure of this Disease, as Apothe- Physick here, as in London. This Secret caries, Barbers, Women, and Monks; Service hath introduced little Contempti- yet I did not find by all the inquiry I ble Animals of all sorts into Business, and could make, that they had other Rem- hath given them occasion to insult edies than we. Nay, there is something Families, after they had once the knowl- practised in the Cure of this Distemper edge of these Misfortunes. And it is for in England, which they at Paris know this reason the Quacks here, as with us, nothing of; but this old Verse forbids do thrive vastly into great Riches me to say any thing further. beyond any of the Physicians, by treat- Artem pudere proloqui, quam factites. ing privately these Calamities. It was a pleasant Diversion to me to read upon the I had the opportunity of Conversing Walls every where about the Town, but with many of the Physicians in this City; more particularly in the Fauxbourgh who all agree in the low Condition and of St. Germain, the Quacks Bills Printed Disesteem it was in, from the boundless in great Uncial Letters. As, Confidence and intruding of Quacks, Women, and Monks. Monsieur d’Achin, De par I’ordre du Roy. the late chief Physician, has been ill Remede infallible & commode pour la thought of for taking Money and giving gerison des maladies secretes sans garder la chambre. protection to these sort of Cattle; but the chief Physician now, Monsieur Fagon, Another, is a Man of great Honour and Learning, Par permission de Roy. and very desirous to promote the Art . . . Manniere tres aisee & tres sure pour guerir It is here as with us, some practise out sans incommodite, & sans que persone en of meer vanity, others to make a Penny appercoive, les maladies veneriennes, &c. any way to get Bread. The cause of all Another, this is, I think, the great Confidence People have of their own Skill, an arro- Par privilege du Roy, gance without thinking. To pass a Judg- L’Antivenerien de medicin Indien, pour ment upon Cures, and the good and evil toutes les maladies veneriennes, telles quelles practice of Physick, without doubt is puissent estre, sans aucun retour, & sans one of the nicest things, even to Men of guarder la chambre. II est tres commode & le plus agreable de monde. the Faculty; but a Jury, that is, the very ordinary Men in England, are suffered Another, now to undertake the Question; when I may truly say, that I have ever found, no Remede assure de Sieur de la Brune pri- vilege du Roy, &c. sans qu’on soit contraint disparagement to them, the most Learned de garder la chambre, &c. Men of the Nation, the most mistaken in these Matters; and can it be otherwise in By these Bills it is evident, there is yet so Conjectural an Art, when we our selves a certain Modesty and Decorum left scarce know, when we have done ill or in the Concealing this Disease, even well . . . amongst the French; They would be Another cause of the low Esteem of Cured secretly, and as though nothing Physick here, are the sorry Fees that are were doing; which those Wretches highly given to Physicians; which makes that promise. But this is that Handle which Science not worth the Application and gives those mean People an occasion to Study. The King indeed is very liberal, insult their Reputation, and injure them as in all things else, in his Pensions to his chief Physician, and gives his Children d’Espinoy, the Duchess of Boullon, good Preferments. Also Mr. Burdelot, M. Sesac, &c. and having bethought my who is also well Pensioned, and lodged at self how my Master, the late King Charles, Versailles, Physician to the Dutchess of had communicated them to me, and Burgundy, a Learned Man; he is per- shewed me very obligingly the Process fectly well Skill’d in the History of himself, by carrying me alone with him Physick; and we may shortly (as he told into his Elaboratory at Whitehall, while me) expect from him, another Supple- it was Distilling. Also Mr. Chevins an- ment to Vander Linden, of many thous- other time shewed me the Materials for and Volumes, which have escaped that the Drops in his Appartment newly Catalogue, and are not accounted for . . . brought in, in great quantity, that is, Monsieur, and the Dauphin, and all raw silk. I caused the Drops to be made the Princes of the Blood, have their here. Also I put Dr. Turnfort upon Domestic Physicians; some of whom I making them; which he did in perfection, Knew, as Monsieur Arlot, M. Minot, to by Distilling the finest Raw Silk he could the Prince of Conty, of my acquaintance get. For my part I was surprised at the formerly at Montpelier. The Two Morins Experiment often repeated, having never very Learned Men; also M. Grimodet, tried it before. One Pound of Raw Silk &c . . . yielded an incredible quantity of Volatil Others have the practice of Nunneries Salt, and in proportion the finest Spirit I and Convents, which gives them Bread; ever tasted; and that which recommends others have Parishes; and some such it is, that it is when rectified, of a far Shifts they make; but all is wrong with more pleasant smell, than that which them, and very little incouragement given comes from Sal Armoniack or Hart- to the Faculty . . . shorne; and the Salt refined and corro- April 14. the Prince of Conty sent his bonated with any well scented Chimical Gentleman and Coach at mid-night to Oil, makes the Kings Salt, as it us’d to fetch me to his Son, and to bring with be called. This my Lord Ambassador me the late King Charles’s Drops to gave me leave to present in his Name; give him. This was a very hasty call. I and the Doctor now supplies those which told the Messenger, I was the Prince’s want. Silk, indeed is nothing else, but a very humble Servant; but for any Drops dry Jelly from the Insect Kind, and or other Medicines I had brought nothing therefore very Cordial and Stomachick at all with me, and had used only such as no doubt. The Arabians were wise, and I found in their Shops, for all the occa- knowing in the Materia Medica, to sions I had had to use any. I desired he have put it in their Alkermes. would tell him, that I was ready to con- This must be said for the Honour of sult with his Physicians upon his Sons this King, that he has ever given great Sickness, if he pleased to command me, encouragements for useful Discoveries in but for coming upon any other Account all Kinds, and particularly in Physick. I desired to be excused; but I heard no ’Tis well known he bought the Secret of more of the Matter, and the young Prince the Jesuits Powder, and made it publick; died. By this it is evident, there is as as he lately did that of the Hypococana. false a Notion of Physick in this Country, To Conclude, it was my good Fortune as with us; and that it is here thought a here to have a Bundle of Original Papers Knack, more than a Science or Method; of Sir Theodore Mayerne, and his Friends, and little Chimical Toys, the Bijous of who Corresponded with him, presented Quacks, are mightily in request . . . me by the Reverend Dr. Wickar, Dean Those Drops were desired of me by of Winchester, who Marrying his Kins- other Persons of Quality, as the Princess woman found them amongst other Writ- ings of Law Matters. I have not had yet Papers have been, to the great detriment the leisure to peruse them, but those who of Physick; and I think it is the first know the Worth of that great Man, will Example of this Nature, that Posthu- desire they may be made publick, which mous Papers were ever abreviated, and if they are, they shall come forth intire, made what they never were, before an and not disguised, as some of his other intire and full publication.

Lis ter ’s Coa t -of -ar ms in the Book ’of Ben efa ct or s of the Ashm olea n Muse um , Oxf or d .