The Travels and Adventures of James Massey Part 9

The Globe we inhabit, _said I_, is compos'd of an infinite Number of various Particles, the chief of which are Terrestrial and Aqueous. This compound Body turns in 24 Hours round its proper Center. What, said _Le Grand_, does the Earth turn round? Yes, yes, reply'd _La Foret_, I heard him explain this Phnomenon before so clearly, that there's no room to doubt of it. Let him explain it ever so clearly, said _Le Grand_, I will never believe any thing contrary to my Senses and the Holy Scriptures, in which there are a great many plain Pa.s.sages that positively contradict what you advance. That your Senses often deceive you is very easy to prove, continued I, and as to the Scriptures, 'tis certain that the Design of the Holy Ghost was never to make us Mathematicians and Philosophers, or else he would have taken care to explain those Pa.s.sages of _Genesis_ concerning the Creation, which puzzle a great many People, and which a Priest of the Country where _La Foret_ and I have been, observ'd that he had heard talk of. Nor would he have fail'd to have told us the true Proportion of the Circ.u.mference of a Circle to its Diameter, when he treats of the Sea of Copper which _Solomon_ caus'd to be plac'd in his stately Temple, and which is pretended according to the Vulgar Opinion to be from 30 to 10, or from 21 to 7, whereas it is as from 22 to 7, or at least there does not want much of it, as is demonstrable from the Mathematics. G.o.d, in order to render himself intelligible, condescends to talk with us in our own Jargon, and accommodates himself to our Phrase; for when he speaks after his own Manner, 'tis impossible for us to understand him, and what he says is mysterious beyond our Penetration. Now all this is easy to be comprehended, and is liable to no Objection.

Granting therefore that the Earth turns, the Parts of it which are in greatest Agitation must be those which are farthest from its Centre, as is easy to prove from several curious Experiments.

This being so, the Water which besides the Motion of the whole Body wherewith it is carry'd, has a particular one that renders it liquid, must by consequence lead the Van. Then comes the Air which is another Liquid compos'd of Parts much more subtle, and more agitated than those of the Water, which also makes it go before it, and form a sort of Down round the terrestrial Globe, which composes our Atmosphere, and extends about 2 Leagues distance round the Surface of the Earth; and 'tis in this Atmosphere, by the Way, in which are form'd Rain, Snow, Lightning, Thunder, and all the Meteors in general.

Hold, said _Le Grand_, according to your Philosophy the Bodies that have the least Motion must be the nearest to the Center of our Globe: Now the Aqueous Parts move faster than the Terrestrial, therefore the Water must consequently cover the whole Surface of the Earth, and we should have a perpetual Flood, which is not the Case.

The Objection is good, _said I_, and 'tis certainly true, that if G.o.d by his Almighty Power should level the Mountains, and lay all the Hills in general even with the Valleys, there would be no Appearance of dry Land. 'Tis an Argument which perhaps might very well be made use of also to favour the Notion of the universal Deluge, were it not that the Scripture speaks of Mountains before and after. But you ought to consider that Nature cannot always have its free Course, by reason of Obstacles which hinder it. The Water of a River ought according to the Laws which are prescrib'd it, to follow the Course of its Channel, yet it often happens that an impetuous Wind stops it, and drives it back even to its Source. The Mountains and Rocks form'd by Providence are Barriers which the Ocean cannot go over, just as Liquor which is in a Vessel cannot surpa.s.s the Brims, but bring the Brims lower, as I said just now of Mountains, and you will see it quickly run over.

I return therefore to my Subject, and say that there being no Vacuum in the World; No Vacuum in the World! said _Le Grand_, interrupting me. Alas! I submit, _said I_. No, _reply'd he_, I am in the wrong to interrupt you so often: Go on, I beg; you did well to check me, for I am sensible I should have talk'd idly; from this time I won't speak a Word more. The Moment, _continued I_, that any Particles of Air or Fire more subtile and agitated than others rise, an equivalent Portion of others must necessarily descend at the same time to supply their Place. Now you must know that most Mountains are hollow towards the Bottom as you see this is now 'tis open, and for as much as the Earth is porous, and full of Crevices and Channels, it happens that the Sea forces into those Pa.s.sages, and fills those hollow Mountains to the same height as the Ocean.

I understand you, said _Le Grand_, you need say no more, you mean that the Sea being as high as the highest Mountains, which all the World acknowledges, and is easy to perceive when one is upon the Coast, the Air which presses the Water upon the Ocean, forces it to pa.s.s thro' the low Conduits of the Earth, and to rise to the Top of the Rocks, from whence it runs out by Streams, which form the Fountains or Springs, just as the Liquor which is pour'd into a Vessel where there's a Pipe or an Arm, rises in that Arm to the same Height as it is in the Vessel, and there runs out of it if there be the least Hole. This is reasoning exactly like a Philosopher, _said I_, your Conclusion is very good, 'tis pity that your Principles are bad. For 'tis not true, that the Sea is so high as the Sh.o.r.e, if it were, we should soon be drown'd; so that 'tis a vulgar Error, the Reason of which is very well known to those who have only learnt the first Elements of Opticks. But the Case is thus.

When the Water comes to the Foot of those hollow Mountains, 'tis heated by the Sun-Beams, and rises in Vapours to the Roofs, which when collected like the Water of a boiling Pot against the Lid, form Drops, and those Drops, Streams which run out at the first Out-let they meet with, and form what we call Springs, as several Springs form a Brook, and several Brooks a River, which carries back to the Sea the Water that came from it, and by consequence only circulates it like the Blood in the Veins of a living Animal.

There! said _La Foret_, what d'ye say to that? yet this is nothing. The Explanation as clear as it is, depends on the Knowlege of other Things which I have heard him relate elsewhere, and which you must needs be acquainted with in order to understand the Matter throughly. Be that as it will, reply'd _Le Grand_, I think all this is very good, and I wish that our Doctor would entertain us in the same Manner on the Formation of Meteors, which must needs be a most diverting Subject. I had rather, _said I_, give you some Notion of the Mathematics, of which I have learnt something. 'Tis a Science which perhaps may be of Service to you if ever we go from hence, at least it will help to pa.s.s away the Time. They all consented to my Proposal with Joy, only _Le Grand_, who was fond of the Sciences, shook his Head. You have put in a Clause for Natural Philosophy, _said he_, which is not displeasing to me at all; I dearly love to treat of the Works of Nature, nevertheless we must not require too much at the Hands of our Matters: Be so good only before we conclude this agreeable Conversation, to tell us what your Opinion is with regard to the Deluge; for in the Manner you talk'd just now, I fancy you are of the Vulgar Opinion: Tell us freely whether you think it was Universal or Partial.

As Salvation is not at all concern'd in the Question, _said I_, which way soever it be determin'd, I came without any Scruple into the Opinion of one of the Regents of my College, who publickly declared, that it was impossible for all the Water in the World to cover the whole Earth to such a Height as the Scripture seems to mention. But is not G.o.d Omnipotent, said _Le Grand_, and besides, is it not said that the Flood-Gates of Heaven were open'd? Undoubtedly, _said I_, but the Divines don't pretend to make this a Miracle; if they did, I should not have one Word to say. I don't deny but he who created the Universe can create new Bodies of Water when he will, but I affirm that if he made new Waters for that Purpose, he afterwards annihilated them.

And as for the Flood-Gates of Heaven, 'tis a poetical and metaphorical Expression us'd by the Author to dignify his Subject.

How comes it to pa.s.s, _said another_, that as there is a Region of Fire, there might not as well be a Region of Water, which Providence might make use of upon Occasion, as an inexhaustible Magazine, either to moisten the Earth in a Time of Drought, or to lay certain Countries under Water? That, reply'd _Le Grand_, is a meer Trifle. The first is a Fiction of the ancient Philosophers: The second a _Chimaera_ of Children, which nevertheless I have heard urg'd by Persons of Sense. For in short, where should a watery Region be plac'd? If above the Firmament, it would have no Correspondence with the Earth; if under, 'tis impossible we should see the Fix'd Stars, because the least Mist deprives us of the Light of the Sun. But without going so much out of the way for a Remedy, let it only be consider'd, that when it has rain'd 8 or 10 Days together in any one Place, there is a Flood; now, suppose it only to rain every where with the same Violence for forty Days together, and then the Thing does not seem to me to be attended with so much Difficulty.

You don't consider, _said I to him_, when there is a great deal of Rain in one Place, there's too great a Drought in another, and that what the Sun exhales in one Part the Clouds carry to another. If it were to rain every where with so much Violence, the whole Ocean as it were must first of all be exhal'd in Vapours, in which Case all that fell would but barely suffice to fill the low Places from whence the Water was drawn to form the Clouds, so that it would require a great many more to cover the whole Globe to the Height of 15 Cubits above the _Alpes_ and the _Peak of Teneriff_; Mountains that are perhaps two Leagues high; which you plainly see is impossible.

Mean time, another Difficulty occurs with respect to the Size of the Ark. My Master, who taught me Mathematics, had the Curiosity to take the Dimensions of this great Vessel, and to calculate the Contents of it; then he examin'd _Pliny_, and consulted all the Books of Voyages in order to make out an exact List of all the various Animals that we have any Knowlege of at this Time.

Finally, he computed how much Provision would be necessary for a Year's Subsistence of all those Creatures, and 8 Persons; but when he had collected all this together, he found the Bulk to be so great, that the Vessel could not be big enough by far to contain it, not to mention the Animals which we never heard of, and which are undoubtedly very numerous.

But, said _Le Grand_, have we a right Notion of the Measures mention'd by _Moses_? Yes, said I, the Cubit we read of in the Scripture was a Foot and half long, and that you may not think we talk at random, you must know that the Ancients perceiving that Men are not alike tall and stout, and that consequently their Limbs must be in Proportion very different from one another, agreed, instead of making use of their Elbows for their common Measures in Traffic, to take four Barley-Corns laid flat one by another for the Measure of a Finger's Breadth, four of which made a Hand's Breadth, or three Inches, and twelve Inches or sixteen Fingers Breadths a Foot: One and half of these Feet made a Cubit, and five Feet the Geometrical Pace, whereas the ordinary Pace is but two Foot and half. The Rod was twelve Foot.

The Furlong consisted of a hundred and twenty five Foot, and the _Italian_ Mile of eight Furlongs, from whence you perceive that the first Measures that were invented by Mankind, came afterwards to the _Greeks_, _Romans_, and several other Nations. This being so, 'tis natural to conclude that the Deluge related by _Moses_ was not universal with regard to the Earth, but only with regard to Man, The World was then in its Infancy, and its Inhabitants had not had Time enough to multiply and spread. G.o.d said that Part of it which was inhabited under Water, it was not necessary for him to drown all the other Parts, accordingly it was enough for _Noah_ to preserve only the Species of Cattle which were in those Countries, in which case the Ark was sufficient to hold more, and consequently all the other Difficulties vanish. For as to the Expression of _the whole World_, 'tis very common for the Sacred Writers to make use of it to signify a Part of it; witness the Pa.s.sage where 'tis said with respect to _Joseph_ and _Mary_, that all the World should be enroll'd, which every Body knows cannot be understood of more than those Countries which were under the Government of the _Roman_ Emperor.

Upon this all my Companions retir'd with Resolution to dive as far as possible into the Mathematics, and to improve by my Lectures. Accordingly we began next Day with _Euclid_'s Elements.

Tho' that Author had not gone thro' my Hands in several Years, I had taken so much Care to revolve the princ.i.p.al Contents of his six first Books often in my Mind that I seldom hesitated in the Demonstrations I made from him. From thence we proceeded to Geometry in which indeed I was not so expert, besides that in order to go through a regular Course of it, we wanted Books and Instruments, which there was no Appearance of recovering where we were; and in fine we concluded with Fortification. I should have been glad also to have taught them a little of Algebra, but _Le Grand_ was the only Person that seem'd inclinable to apply to it, which indeed was but now and then, and he was quite discourag'd from proceeding, as soon as we came to the Cubic Equations.

We spent several Years in these fine Sciences, insomuch that there were no smooth sandy Places but what were full of Geometrical Figures, especially in the Downs and upon the Sh.o.r.e, to which we often went for the Air. We were there one Day when the Rolling-in of the Tide gave us an Occasion to discourse of the Flux and Reflux of the Ocean, during which we were extremely surpriz'd to see to the West as far as our Eye-sight could reach, a Body which we had not discover'd before. We were at first divided in our Opinions what it should be; some thought that as the Water was low, it was the Point of some Rock, others would have it to be a little Cloud. _Normand_ affirm'd he had seen the same Thing before, and the rest a.s.serted 'twas a s.h.i.+p. To be certain of the matter I fix'd two Arrows in the Ground, which form'd a right Line with this Body, and placing myself behind them, I observ'd immediately that it mov'd, and that consequently it could not be a Rock. We then were very attentive to observe whether the Figure of it did not change as Clouds do commonly, which spread, increase, or vanish by degrees; but not perceiving any Alteration for half an Hour, only that it was a little bigger if any thing, we concluded that it must absolutely be a s.h.i.+p, which was sent by Providence to deliver us from our tedious Solitude.

The Wind blew a little fresh, and as it was not yet Noon, we had Hopes of its coming up with us before Night, since it coasted along the Sh.o.r.e. _La Foret_, who was more afraid than any of us that so rare and unexpected a Conveniency should escape us, was of Opinion that four of us should go aboard our Long-Boat, which we had carefully laid up near twelve Years ago in the Hut that we built at our Arrival, and had not made use of since, and venture out with nothing but our Oars in order to meet the s.h.i.+p, for fear she should put off from the Coast before they who navigated her knew we were here, and that consequently we should never have such another Opportunity if we neglected this. His Opinion was approv'd of, the Boat was tackled out, and _La Foret_ with three others went aboard her. Tho' they had but two Oars, they tugg'd so hard that in a very little time we lost Sight of 'em. Mean time the great s.h.i.+p drew near, and we began to distinguish the Sails when we observ'd the Sun approach the Horizon. We had at least a League and half to travel to the first Lodge that we had made between our Fort and the Sea, and the Moon rose late. These Considerations made us think of retiring to it, which we did, and found there some Remains of Provision that we had brought thither in the Morning, which were a very seasonable Relief to us.

Tho' we were fatigued, it was impossible for us to close our Eyes, and there was not one Man of us but was mortally uneasy. In the Morning before Day we return'd the directest Way we could find towards the Sh.o.r.e. At our Arrival we were overjoy'd to see the great s.h.i.+p lying at Anchor a little lower about a League at Sea, and two Long-Boats at the same time coming Ash.o.r.e, so that we advanc'd to meet them at Landing. The Captain of the Vessel not knowing who they were that came aboard him detain'd two of 'em, and made use of their Comrades as Guides to eight Men whom he sent off in the s.h.i.+p-Boat to know who we were. Immediately we were order'd to go and fetch our Baggage, and to return with it as soon as possible, because the Ground there not being very fit for Anchorage, if the least foul Weather had happen'd it would have been dangerous. Six of the s.h.i.+p's Crew went along with us.

When we came to our Fort, we took what we thought the best of every thing, and left the rest for the Savages, if ever they thought fit to return. Notwithstanding all our Haste 'twas Night before we came to the s.h.i.+p. _La Foret_ had already inform'd the Captain of the Nature of the Country which we were going to leave, or rather had taken care to give him as disadvantageous a Character of it as he could; so that having no great mind to see it, he immediately set sail, and gave us Cause to thank G.o.d for delivering us from that miserable Place, where 18 Years ago we had the Misfortune to be cast Ash.o.r.e.

CHAP. XIV.

_The Author's Pa.s.sage from the Southern Countries to_ Goa, _where he was imprison'd by the Inquisition. The Story of a_ Chinese _whom he met with there, and the Manner how they got their Liberty._

The Captain of the s.h.i.+p was a true _Spaniard_, who in every Action discover'd the Pride and Genius of his Country, so that tho' I should have been glad to have known by what happy Accident this s.h.i.+p was conducted to the Coasts of a Country where no Body trades, it was impossible for me to learn it, for there was not one of the s.h.i.+p's Company that knew any thing of the Matter, and I was afraid to ask the Churl for fear of being huff'd as others had been. The Surgeon who spoke a little _Latin_, only said to me one Day that they came from the _American_ Islands, whither they had convoy'd some Merchant s.h.i.+ps, and carry'd Orders concerning the Release of four or five s.h.i.+ps which the Chevalier _Tyssot_ Governor of _Surinam_ had caus'd to be stopp'd by way of Reprisal, and that immediately after the Delivery of those Orders they sail'd towards the Southern Countries where they went Ash.o.r.e twice. At the first time, continued he, nothing presented worthy of the Captain's Attention. At our second Landing which might be about seventy or eighty Leagues from the Place where you were, ten Men were sent Ash.o.r.e, but only two return'd who were those that were left to take care of the Long-Boat, for the others had been attack'd by the Natives of the Country who pursued them as far as the Downs, where they took and cut them to pieces in Sight of their Comrades, who had much ado to escape because the Water was low, and their Boat was on dry Ground. We had a Desire to have landed there also where we found you, but I fancy the Account you gave of those Parts, put our Captain quite out of Conceit with it, which whether true or not, I thought I heard say that we were going in a straight Line to _Goa_.

Accordingly I observ'd, tho' I knew not why, that we had entirely abandon'd the Country where we had been, and that we were steering towards the North-East. But we could not finish our Voyage without stopping, for the Captain was oblig'd to put in at the Isle of _Bourbon_, five or six Degrees East of _Madagascar_, where we stay'd ten Days to recruit ourselves, and to take in fresh Water.

During the short Stay we made here, the Sailors continually diverted themselves as long as their Money would hold out. The Day before we came away, some of those that were Ash.o.r.e got drunk, particularly one, a Native of _Seville_ about thirty five Years of Age, a very clever Fellow with large Whiskers which he curl'd every now and then, and took more care of than of all the rest of his Body. As drunk as he was, he came to the Long-Boat, and no sooner was aboard, but he fell fast asleep. His Companions that came after him, jogg'd him some on one Side, and some on another, and made a hundred Grimaces to excite him to laugh with them. A young _Portuguese_ who was very near as drunk as he, being also desirous to try a Frolic, softly pull'd out his Scissors, and slily cut off the _Spaniard_'s Left Whisker. They all abhorr'd this Action, blam'd his Imprudence, and told him no Good would come of it. And the next Morning the _Spaniard_ being told by some Babler who it was that had play'd him that scurvy Trick, he came to the Capstane where the other was helping to weigh the Anchor, and without speaking one Word to him run his Knife up to the very Hilt in his Breast. The _Portuguese_ however had Strength to give the _Spaniard_ such a cursed Blow upon his Head with a Lever he held in his Hand, that he fell down stone-dead, and the _Portuguese_ himself after a little staggering fell with his Nose against the Bridge of the Forecastle, where he lost almost all his Blood in the s.p.a.ce of a Quarter of an Hour, and gave up the Ghost in my Arms. Thus we lost two brave Men at once, to the great Trouble of the Captain, who thereupon made an Oath that he would punish the first of his Men that he saw in Liquor in such a Manner as to make him remember it. This however was no hinderance to our sailing, so that we arriv'd happily at _Goa_ the 13th Day of _April_, 1663.

This famous City is situated in an Island of the same Name, which is at least fifteen Miles in compa.s.s at the Mouth of the River _Mondou_. It has a good Harbour, a very famous a.r.s.enal, and an incomparable Hospital. As I had no Engagement on board the s.h.i.+p, the Captain had the Goodness to let me settle on that Island, and follow my Profession there without demanding any thing for my Pa.s.sage. Most of my Comrades also went Ash.o.r.e, some one Way, some another.

I was directed to an Inn where the Landlord was extremely civil.

I had not been an Hour at his House, but he was so complaisant as to offer me Lodging there gratis, 'till I could find a House to my Fancy. I made a hearty Supper, and went to Bed betimes. It was hot Weather, so that I laid myself down without any Thought near the Bed-Post, with my Left Arm hanging out of the Bed almost to the Ground. When I had been there at least four Hours, and was in my first Sleep, something soft and lukewarm which mov'd up and down upon my Hand, made me draw it up, but I was too drousy to think what it might be. Falling into a Doze, soon after, the same thing happen'd again and again, 'till being at last thoroughly awak'd, I was surpriz'd to see something walk thro' the Room which seem'd as big as a Calf. My Blood came into my Face, for I could not imagine what it was, and tho' I verily believ'd that all the Tales of Witches and Apparitions were old Women's Stories, and had fasten'd the Door of my Chamber, in which I knew not that there was another Bed besides mine, yet I then doubted of the Truth of my Hypothesis. In the mean time, this frightful Object after having taken some Turns about the Room, thought fit to return directly to me. Upon this I drew back, crept to one side as fast as it advanc'd to the other, and when I was almost out of Bed as I thought, my Honour which was very great before, increas'd prodigiously when I found something stir behind me. To be plain, I was in a mortal Agony to see myself beset on all Sides. The Palpitation of my Heart was inconceivable, could hardly fetch Breath, and was all over in a Sweat. In short, the very Moment that the one made as if he would throw himself upon me, I heard a Voice from the other saying, What's the matter, are not you well? At these Words I gave a dreadful Groan, which plainly shew'd the Fright that I was in. Don't be afraid, _reply'd he_, and who are you? _said I_, trembling all the while.

I am _John_, said he, a Sailor on board the s.h.i.+p that you came in. The D---l take you, _said I_, you have put a Trick upon me that surely will cost me my Life. I am half dead already, and if I han't Relief, 'tis impossible for me to recover. How the D---l came you hither? _continued I_, and who is there in the Chamber besides you? No Body, _said he_, and if you perceive any thing, it can only be the Captain's Dog, which follow'd me hither last Night. A Dog, _said I_, what, is it as big as an a.s.s? 'Tis the great black Shock-Dog that you have seen a hundred times, _said he_, but Fear is apt to magnify Objects, and to be sure he appear'd to you bigger than he is. 'Twas that cursed Cur then, _said I_, that came and lick'd my Hand three or four times before I was quite awake. But once more I pray, how came you into my Room? The Captain, _reply'd he_, went to sup with a Friend where he detain'd me 'till ten o' Clock, and then bid me come and lie here this Night. When I came, the Inn-keeper said he had no room for me, but that if I had come an Hour or two sooner, I might perhaps have taken half a Bed with a Stranger who was just arriv'd in the _St. Jago_, and upon his explaining himself a little farther, I was sure it must be you; so that after having told him that we both came in the same s.h.i.+p, he permitted me upon my Word and Honour that you would not take it ill, to come and bear you Company. All this, my Friend, would have been perfectly right, _reply'd I_, if you had but spoke to me when you came into the Room. I would have done so, _said he_, but you slept so sound, that I thought it would be a Sin to disturb you. These Circ.u.mstances reviv'd me very much, and I found my Spirits recover by degrees, but they had been too much disorder'd for me not to guard against the Consequence; therefore as soon as 'twas Day, I made my _Portuguese_ get out of Bed, and charg'd him to send for a Surgeon who breath'd a Vein, and took away five or six Ounces of Blood, so that G.o.d be thank'd my Panic had no Consequence, tho' certainly I never was in such a Terror before.

My Landlord, who scarce knew me again was affected at this Incident, but we laugh'd at it afterwards, and he diverted every one that came to his House with the Story.

I lodg'd ten Days after over-against the Dominicans Convent here, which is a very fine one. Tho' I stay'd here but a very little time, I had the Happiness to perform several Cures, which procured me the Acquaintance of many People of Worth. One of the Dominicans having broke his Leg by a Fall down Stairs, sent for me, and tho' the Bone was shatter'd, yet I made such a Cure of it, that at two Months end he walk'd as well as ever. This was of very great Service to me; for the honest Friar thought he could never do enough to shew his Love and Grat.i.tude, and not only himself, but all of his Order were fond of my Company at all my leisure Hours, and I us'd to entertain them with a Narrative of my Travels. Besides, they recommended me where-ever they went, so that my Practice increased every Day, which brought me in a great deal of Money, and I thought my self in a fair Way of acquiring a considerable Estate. But Thanks to my unlucky Star, a fresh Affair happened which gave me a great deal of Trouble, and had like to have cost me my Life.

The Inhabitants of _Goa_ are made up of all Religions, Pagans, Jews, Mahometans, but the Catholic is the prevailing Religion, and the only one that is publickly exercis'd, The Clergy are very rigid, and the Laity extremely superst.i.tious, but you must not think this proceeds from a Principle of Devotion, the former being stupidly ignorant, and the latter excessively debauch'd, the Women especially having the Character of inconceivable Lasciviousness. Being a little at Ease, and having an Opportunity to frequent several Companies, I often took the Liberty to banter those Eaters of Crucifixes and Swallowers of Images, who think they may with Impunity cut a Purse with one Hand as it were, provided they tell their Beads with the other. A Man of my Profession enrag'd to see how much Business I had, at the same time that he could hardly get Bread; having heard me talk after this manner several times, was such a Villain as to go and accuse me of Heresy before the Inquisition, which is the most terrible and the most unjust Tribunal in the World. For as I was going one Day to the Governor's, who had sent for me to bleed one of his Domestics, I was scarce fifty Paces from his House, but an Officer came and said I must go with him, and at the same Instant four of his Tipslaves surrounded me, and seizing me by the Collar carry'd me on the 26th of _June_ 1669 to Prison, where they loaded me with Fetters like the vilest of Criminals.

There were above twenty of us in a cursed Dungeon without Light.

There was a deep Hole, in the middle of it for the Prisoners Necessities, but scarce any Body durst go near it for fear of falling in, which was the Reason that every one dung'd where he could, and that consequently there was an intolerable Stench.

The first Day that I was detain'd, I did nothing but sigh and groan for the Loss of my Liberty, and with the Apprehension of what I was soon to suffer from the Tyranny of the most implacable Judges in the World. But being afterwards made sensible that all this would answer no End, I thought that the best way to dispel part of my Chagrin would be to start Conversation upon indifferent Matters with the first Man that came in my Way. For this end I address'd myself to most of my Fellow-Prisoners, some of whom did not understand me, because I did not speak their Language, and the others were so dejected, that they did not care to answer me a Word; only one Man who was more patient and sociable than the rest, said to me in _Portuguese_;

"You have but a melancholy Reception here, but you must not be surpriz'd at it, for 'tis impossible without a happy Temper and a great Courage not to be dispirited in so disagreeable a Place as this, especially when a Man has been here some time. For my part, I thank G.o.d, I am of an Age to bear a great deal, and am so resign'd to the Decrees of Providence, that I laugh at all that Man can do to me." Those are fine Qualities indeed, _said I_, very few People are capable of so much Resolution. Of what Religion are you, _said I_? I am, said he, _a Universalist_, or of the Religion of honest Men. I love G.o.d with all my Heart, I fear him, I wors.h.i.+p him, and I endeavour to do to all Men without Exception what I wish they would do to me. All that's very good, _said I_, but you are undoubtedly of some Communion. People seldom attain to your Age, but they declare for a certain Party or Sect. Not I, _said he_, I make no difference between one Society or Denomination and another; there is not one but has its Beauties and its Blemishes, and I am persuaded there is none in which a Man may not either be sav'd or d.a.m.n'd. Verily, _said I_, what you say confirms me in the Opinion I have had a long Time, that there is not a greater Variety in Faces than there is in Sentiments. This is true, _reply'd he_, not only with regard to every Man in particular, but with Regard to every Day of one's Life; what we thought of Yesterday in one Light, we look upon to-day in another, and the Mind as well as the Body is subject to a thousand Alterations.

I am a _Chinese_, continued he, and my Father was a Man in good Circ.u.mstances, who took great Care of my Education, so that it was not his Fault if I have not a good Stock of Learning. One _Du Bourg_ a Missionary Jesuit having heard mention of him as of a generous Man and of a numerous Family, found Ways and Means to introduce himself among us. He was a Man not only civil, but seemingly of an exemplary Piety, so that we all took an unspeakable Pleasure in hearing him discourse. He gave each of us a Catechism, which he desir'd us to read attentively, and explain'd in a very easy familiar Way. After this there were Conferences at our House two or three times a Week, in which it must be own'd, that the Jesuit neglected nothing for our Instruction. As there was little or no Perplexity in the Subjects which he treated of at first, such as the Fall of Man, his Redemption by the Son of G.o.d, and everlasting Happiness, we took great Pleasure in his Lectures; but at last after two or three Months were over, this Ecclesiastic who went on gradually, and did not care to frighten us all at once when he began to explain the Prophecies, and to display the Mysteries of the Trinity and the Incarnation, my Father's Mind began to be uneasy. He could not comprehend how Men of Sense that boast of the glorious Lights of Revelation should not see that their Wors.h.i.+p is envelop'd in the thickest Darkness of Paganism. Is it not far flung, said he, that People should take Pleasure in being wilfully blind to such a Degree, as to have an Abhorrence of those who shew them plainly, that their chief Maxims and the most essential Articles of their Religion are miserable Puerilities, and Impertinencies which they themselves say were a Stumbling-block to the Jews, and Foolishness to the _Greeks_! Especially, _said he_, I tremble when any Man goes to persuade me, that a Being, sovereignly perfect and immaterial engender'd another corporeal G.o.d equal to him from all Eternity, and that there is also another G.o.d, an independent Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son, each of the Three making a distinct Person, and being perfect G.o.d, and yet all those Three making but one only perfect G.o.d. Certainly this is making a strange _Chimaera_ of the most simple, and most undivided Being.

The Jesuit wish'd he had not embark'd so far. He endeavour'd to remove that Obstruction by the common Method of Theologues; but not succeeding, he made use of this Comparison. Suppose, Sir, _said he_, a Tree that bears Fruit incessantly; in such a Tree I find three Things that have a very great Resemblance to the Holy Trinity. I observe the a.n.a.logy between the Trunk and the Father, between the Son and the Branches, and between the Holy Spirit and the Fruit. The Trunk is as the Father, because both the Branches and Fruit are produc'd from it; the Branches are as the Son, in that they are produc'd from the Trunk as so many Arms or Conveyance for distributing to Mankind, all that proceeds from the Trunk. And the Fruit is as the Holy Spirit, considering that it comes to us both from the Trunk and the Branches, as so many a.s.surances or Testimonies of their Goodness. I own, that when Eternity is the Point in Question, the Resemblance ceases, because 'tis not possible to find a Proportion betwixt Finite and Infinite, be the former ever so ancient and extensive. Mean time, 'tis as true on the other hand, that when we examine the Kernels, or the Seeds of the Fruit of this Tree with a good Microscope, we observe not only a Tree already form'd with its Branches, but the Fruit also, tho' a little confus'd; a true Emblem this of the Deity consider'd during and before the Creation of the World, at which Time it appear'd but as one entire Tree without Distinction of Branches and of Fruit. But to come from hence to the Thing I aim at, 'tis evident that whatever Difference you make between the Trunk, Branches, and Fruits of a Tree, there is essentially none at all; they are indeed different Parts, yet all those Parts together const.i.tute but one Whole. It signifies nothing to say that the Trunk is not the Branches, and that the Branches are not the Fruit. I affirm that this Distinction is not real, that is to say, that those Things cannot subsist independently one of the other as when they are united. In order to make a compleat Tree such as we have imagin'd, there must necessarily be a Conjunction of a Trunk, Branches, and Fruit, yet each has its particular Use; the first, as I said before, creates or produces, the second bears, displays, and gives, and the third by its Presence and Operations confirms in the Belief we entertain with Regard to the second and the first. 'Tis one and the same Substance variously represented, one Agent which operates after divers Manners, but in the main is only one, and cannot be consider'd as several without a manifest Contradiction. G.o.d is but One in Essence: In the Oeconomy of Salvation he is consider'd as the Author and Father of Mankind: In the Affair of Redemption he is look'd upon as an obedient submissive and humble Son who satisfies the Justice of his Father; and when the Business is the Application and Distribution of his Grace, he is consider'd as the Holy Ghost.

After this Manner and no other, _said my Father, interrupting him_, I conceive of the Meaning of the Word Trinity, but there is something else couch'd under it, or you would not have made so many Periphrases; I don't like any of these Ways of acting; formerly I thought you an honest Man, but now I find you a Cheat, and taking him by the Arm he thrust him out of his House for good and all; then turning about to us, _he said_, Don't you observe the Absurdities in this Sophister's Arguments? According to his Way of talking, this Jesus whom he preaches up to us so much, and whom he makes equal with G.o.d, had not so much Credit as to pay by his ignominious Death the Debt which the first Man contracted by eating the forbidden Fruit, because _Adam_, who, according to him, was created to live eternally, thereby deserv'd Death Temporal and Eternal, and because Christ only preserv'd _Adam_'s Posterity from the latter of those Deaths of which we have not any Certainty, and of which many Nations are ignorant; whereas he was not able to redeem us from the Death, which we know by Experience, and which, _said he_, was impos'd upon us as a Punishment. And what is yet more remarkable upon this Head is, that the Terms of this Redemption are burdensome, and much more difficult to put in practice, than those to which the Jews were subject under the old Dispensation. The _Israelites_, as the Christians themselves say, were only bound to do good Works; the Law requir'd nothing of 'em but Sprinklings and such other Ceremonies; but under the New Covenant Faith is added to good Works, and a Faith strong enough to believe all the Mysteries of Religion without doubting, notwithstanding they are repugnant to Reason and good Sense. As for my own Part, Children, _said he_, I renounce such wild Opinions, and will positively hear no more of them.

I was then twenty two Years of Age, and consequently at Years of Discretion: I could not for my Life see the Wildness of those Opinions which my Father cry'd out so much against. My Director (to do him justice) had only taught, that _Adam_ was threatned with Temporal Death, if he transgress'd; and that the Design of _Christ_'s Sufferings was not to take this Penalty off from Mankind, but to make them more than Amends by procuring for them Eternal Life in another World. To teach this, I thought, was not to represent _Christ_ as wanting any Credit with G.o.d; unless it had been necessary to the Happiness of when that the Temporal Death should have been superseded, the contrary of which seem'd more probable. I saw too that under the old Dispensation Faith was required of the Jews, as it is now under the Gospel requir'd of _Christians_. They were bound to believe not only that there is a G.o.d, but that it _Moses_'s Law was of Divine Origin, that he wrought Miracles, and that a _Messias_ was to come. These were some of their Articles of Faith; and tho' the Number of a Christian's Articles is enlarg'd, yet none of those which my Director had taught me, seem'd to my Reason to contain such Propositions as a Divine Power did not reach to. However my Father's Temper was such that he could not bear his Children to make him Replies, so that I was forc'd to obey, or run the Risque of being chastis'd.

After this, I did not see the Monk above three or four times in six Months, which was such an insupportable Mortification to me, that one Day having acquainted me of a Voyage he intended to make to _Goa_, I inform'd myself which Way he was to go, and without saying a Word to any Soul, I set out two Days before him, and went fifteen Leagues from Home to stay for him. The good Man was transported to see me, but when I told him what was the Motive of my meeting him, he had like to have discarded me for fear of the Consequences, so that I was oblig'd to give him my Oath that I would, where ever we came, declare what indeed was no more than the Truth, that he had no hand in this Excursion of mine, and that I would always endeavour at the Hazard of my Life to clear him from any such Accusation.

When we came hither, I intreated him to find me out some Person with whom I might live in the nature of a Domestic. It was not long before Father _Du Bourg_ procur'd what I wanted, for he plac'd me with one _Pelciano_ a _Portuguese_ Physician whom he knew intimately. This honest Man who had a great deal of Regard for me, took so much Pains to teach me his Language, that notwithstanding my ordinary Avocations, I was able to speak it in a very short Time. He likewise took a singular Pleasure in instructing me in his Religion, but tho' he was not so prevaricating as the Jesuit, I was shock'd at a great many Things, which I thought either ridiculous, or manifestly contradictory. I was also at some Trouble to reconcile your Chronology, which limits the Creation of the World to the Term of about 6000 Years, with ours and that of the _Indians_, who extend it with a great deal of Probability to a Distance almost infinite. Besides, I was extremely perplex'd which of the Sects to make choice of, when I heard that the Christians as well as others, are divided into a Number of Societies which differ so much in their Opinions as to cause an irreconcileable Hatred between them, so far as to d.a.m.n one another; and that even in every one of these Societies there's I know not how many different Sorts of Opinions. My Master to whom I propos'd my Scruples, and who made use of all his Rhetoric to solve them, expected I should prefer the _Romish_ Religion to all others, probably because 'twas that which he profess'd himself. But being shock'd at the ridiculous Superst.i.tions which I found those of that Communion were guilty of, I earnestly begg'd him to tell me seriously what he thought it adviseable for me to do.

Well my Lad, _said he_, remain as you are, or else turn to that Side where you think to find most Advantage. I will not make use of the Authority of _Polybius_, a very famous Historian about 200 Years before _Christ_, who pretended, as he says in his sixth Chapter, "That the G.o.ds, as well as Punishments and Rewards after this Life, are only the chimerical Productions of the Ancients, which would be very insignificant if a Republic was to be form'd to consist only of good Men; but because there is no State where the People are not irregular and wicked, 'tis absolutely necessary for keeping them in Awe, to make use of the Panic Terrors of another World, to admit, believe and intirely to conform to them, on Pain of pa.s.sing for Madmen and Fools." As this great Man was a Pagan, 'tis not fair to quote him among us upon a Fact of such Consequence. So that it shall suffice to tell you, that 'tis a Maxim with Great Men as well as the Learned to accommodate themselves to Times and Seasons. 'Tis indifferent in what Church, or with what People we wors.h.i.+p G.o.d, provided we serve him with Respect and Veneration. He is the only common Father of all Mankind, and is willing to grant them all Salvation. 'Tis neither the Denomination of _Catholic_, _Calvinist_, _Lutheran_ nor _Anabaptist_, by which People are sav'd, but by Faith and good Works, The Man that leads a good Life is acceptable; to G.o.d, wherever he dwells, and Providence which trieth the Heart and the Reins, can easily distinguish a Believer from 100000 wicked and unG.o.dly Persons. Most of the Articles which set Men at Variance in Religion are not so essential as is pretended by the Clergy; 'tis often a Matter of Indifference whether they are accepted or rejected; and provided there are any of Consequence, 'tis always certain that no Body knows our Hearts, and 'tis an easy Thing to a.s.sociate with Fools, and even to imitate their external Grimaces without embracing their ridiculous Opinions. Wors.h.i.+p is not attach'd to any particular Place, nor is Adoration paid any longer on the Mountain or in _Jerusalem_. G.o.d no longer requires the Blood of Heifers for his Satisfaction, nor the Distorsions of the Body. My Son, _says he_, give me thy Heart. This, _I said,_ appears to me very rational, I most humbly thank you for your Advice; and according to these Principles I shall be content with keeping up the t.i.tle of a Christian, without attaching myself absolutely to any one Sect. Ever since that Time, continued the _Chinese_, while I travell'd with Mons. _Pelciano_, I attended at all the Divine Services without any Scruple, and without giving Offence to any Person whatsoever.

But, I _reply'd_, how came you to be committed here? Indeed I know nothing of the Cause, _said he_, unless it be for having perhaps spoke a little too freely of the Mystery of the Incarnation; for I remember, I talk'd of that Matter publickly three or four Days before my Imprisonment. Mean time 'tis an Article that I shall never be silent about; for tho' I call my self a Christian, and am really so, I am far from designing it to the Prejudice of the Author of all things. Jesus Christ himself, if he were here, wou'd clear me. How great a Man soever this Divine Prophet was, 'tis sufficient to believe him the Son of G.o.d, by way of Eminence, and 'tis affronting him, to think him capable of attributing that t.i.tle to himself by Nature. It may also be affirm'd that he is truly our Mediator, because he has pointed out the way of Salvation to us, and the Means of keeping in that way. His Morals were undeniably pure, his Life holy, and his Doctrines divine, and he confirm'd the Truth of them by his Death; but that he is G.o.d Almighty, and Everlasting, the same Essence as the Father, and yet personally distinct from him, and engender'd from all Eternity, conceiv'd immediately of the Holy Ghost, or of G.o.d himself, and born of an immaculate Virgin, is what he has not pretended to, tho' others, with the greatest Injustice in the World, put those Words into his Mouth. 'Tis very true, as I have heard my Master say an hundred times, that the Scripture introduces G.o.d saying to him, _Thou art my Son_, but then it adds immediately after, _This Day have I begotten thee_.

And as to the Word Virgin, 'tis certain, that in the original Language it also signifies a young Woman. Besides there are many Expositors who say, that the appropriating those Pa.s.sages to Jesus Christ is doing Violence to the Text.

Finally, I must tell you, that the very Miracles, which are ascrib'd to this Great Person, are not to be understood literally, but in an improper and figurative Sense, as all the Parables of the Gospel are understood in. Thus, for Example, the Story of the Temptation, which appears to be ridiculous and impossible, if taken literally, means nothing but that the Kings and Princes of the Earth, who are as high as the Mountains above other Mortals, the Clergy, those Directors of Consciences, who preach in the Temples and sacrifice at the Altars, are equally liable to Trials and Temptations with the poor illiterate people in the Deserts, but that there is nothing which ought to divert them from their Duty, and to hinder them from paying their Homage to the Monarch of Heaven and Earth. The Persons possess'd with Devils mean repenting Sinners, and the Swine, into which the Devils that possess'd them were sent, signify Wretches abandon'd to all manner of Uncleanness, and plung'd over head and ears in Wickedness. The Faith of a Believer appears from the Example of _Peter_, when he walk'd up on the Waters, and his Unbelief from his sinking; his Virtue from his resolving to follow his Master in the most evident Dangers; and his Infirmity from his denying him the very Instant that a silly Woman accus'd him of being one of his Company when he fell into the Hands of his Enemies. In a word, all the extraordinary Events, as the Cure of Cripples, Blindness, Palsies, and such other Ailments, as well as the Resurrection of the Dead, mention'd in the History of the Life of Christ, are to be understood in a spiritual Sense; for then there is no Difficulty in explaining the Scripture, and they to whom it appears ridiculous or mysterious, will find it intelligble and easy; and so is the Old Testament, when we consider it only as a Compound of Emblems, Allegories, Metaphors, Hyperboles, Types and Comparisons invented for the Comfort and Instruction of the Children of G.o.d.

What you have now told me, _said I_, would furnish us Matter for a long Conversation, but I believe it would be to no Purpose. All that I can tell you is that the Jesuit _Du Bourg_ is a very Politick Gentleman, your Master a _Portuguese Jew_, and for your own Part, I look upon you as a Volunteer, or a Free Person, and not as a lifted Soldier. As long as a Man is not engag'd to any particular Captain, he may go and serve where he pleases without any Body's calling him to Account; but from the Moment that he is inlisted, he cannot leave his Company without the Permission of his Leader, and if he deserts he is a Criminal, and is punish'd according to the Laws. You say you are a Christian, tho' you are very far short of it 'till you have abjur'd Paganism, and embrac'd the Sect that you like Best among the Christians. You are not properly speaking subject to any Censure, and I persuade myself that if they who detain you here knew you, you would not stay here long. When all's said and done you are not under their Jurisdiction, and in this City there's entire Freedom for People of all Nations. Represent this to your Judge the next Time that you appear before him, not forgetting to say that you are a _Chinese_; and if you don't make mention of Christianity, I question not but you will do very well, and that you will get off for a Correction which you have very well deserv'd.

If ever I get out of their Clutches, _reply'd he_, I a.s.sure you I'll never get in again. I have, Thanks to G.o.d, wherewithal to live at Home, and can do very well after the manner I propose to myself, and even tho' our Domestic Affairs should not find me Employment, as long as my Father is living, I can spend my Time in making Telescopes and Microscopes.

How Microscopes, _said I_, where did you learn the Use of those Things? At Mons. _Peliciano_'s, reply'd he, who is as well skill'd in them as any Man in all the _Indies_. Father _Du Bourg_ meddles with them too, and even pretends to excel in them, but after all what he does that Way is worth nothing. The Microscopes which I make magnify Objects inconceivably. They make a Grain of Sand appear as big as an Ostrich's Egg, a Fly as large as an Elephant, and they help you plainly to distinguish Bodies which are imperceptible to the naked Eye. What I have admir'd a hundred Times is that by the help of this little Instrument, we find that our Bodies are cover'd with Scales one upon another like the Back of a Carp. And my Master lays it down for a Maxim that the Air we breathe is Water rarify'd, which only differs from that of Fish in Proportion as the Greater is to the Less; and I believe likewise that our Thick Air is compos'd of Particles much more gross in Proportion to the Subtle Matter, than those of Water can be. This Thought is founded upon Experiments which I have seen him make several Times, and which perhaps you will not be sorry to know.

He took two Bottles, one full of Water in which he put some small Fish; the other of Thick Air in which he put Birds, Mice, Rats, Squirrels, and other such Animals, after which he pump'd the Air out of the one, and the Water out of the other. Then making an Observation with certain Gla.s.ses of a Figure in a manner Hyperbolical, it appear'd there was not so much difference between the Particles of the Water which went out of the one, and the Particles of Air that remain'd, as there was between the Particles of Air and the Parcels of pure Matter in the other; to which may be added that Fish live longer in the one than those little Animals in the other. But Gla.s.ses of this Sort are of difficult Construction, at least I have not been able hitherto to make them to due Perfection. To this I have heard it objected that if you take three different Vessels seal'd hermetically and fill'd, the first with Water, the second with Air, and the third with subtile Matter, and put a live Sparrow in each; it was always observ'd that the Flesh of this Animal was corrupted in a few Days in the first Vessel, whereas in the others it did not suffer the least Alteration in several Years, From hence it seems to follow that the Particles of Water must be more gross and more efficacious than those of Air, because otherwise this would proceed by degrees; that is to say, that if the Water corrupts Flesh in eight Days, the Air must do it in sixteen, and the subtile Matter in twenty four, supposing an Equality in their Differences, whereas 'tis found that Water alone is capable of this Operation. But 'tis probable that, the Greatness of the Parts has not so much Share in this Dissolution as the Figure and Agitation in the Agent on the one hand, and the Disposal of those same Parts in the Patient on the other, because there are Bodies, such as Oak-timber, which keep much longer in Water than the Air; whereas, on the contrary, Fire destroys Ash-wood in a Day, when Water cou'd not do it in an Age.