LETTER III.

_To Doctor_ Hans Sloane, _Secretary to the Royal Society, and Fellow of the College of Phisicians_, London.

SIR,

In considering the Nature of the _Egyptian Pyramids_, _Subterranean Vaults_ and _Lamps_, I not only found in them much Magnificence, but more Curiosity, insomuch that tho’ the first were justly reputed Wonders of the World, yet are the last as surprizing and unaccountable, even to the most inquisitive Naturalist, or expert Chymist. Now well knowing your incomparable Library contains the most curious Books wrote on this Subject, as also that your unparalell’d _Musæum_ is furnish’d with a great variety of Lamps, Lacrimatories, Averruncal Gods, and the like Rarities, taken out of the _Pyramids_ and Subterranean Places of _Egypt_, I thought it not only proper to beg your Patronage of the following Sheets, but likewise believ’d my self oblig’d to return such Acknowledgments for your many Favours as I was best able to make, in as much as you are both a great Promoter of Arts and Sciences in general, and have more particularly been pleas’d to encourage this Work of mine: But as to write a Panegyric on your Merit and Virtues would look too much like Flattery, so, entirely to pass them by without taking any notice of them, would no less savour of Ingratitude, therefore I must needs desire leave to say, That the Judgment of the Royal Society, Men of the most polite Learning in the World, in choosing you for their Secretary, is a sufficient Argument of your great Worth and acute Discernment; but your Candour will appear in nothing so much as in accepting this succinct Account of the _Pyramids_, Subterranean Vaults and Lamps of the _Egyptians_, whilst you have by you the Learned Mr. _Greaves_’s _Pyramidographia_, with the several Accounts of _Licetus_, _Bellori_, and other Writers about _Lamps_, &c. Now whereas in the foregoing Letter was fully shown the manner of preparing dead Bodies and rendring them durable, in this I chiefly intend to speak of the Sepulchres or Repositories wherein they were laid; for as much as the _Egyptians_ did not only content themselves with _Embalming_ their Dead, but likewise with equal Care provided Conditories that might be lasting as the Body, and in which it might continue safe from the Injuries both of Time and Men, because they religiously believ’d that so long as the Body indur’d, so long would the Soul continue with it, not as a quickning or animating Spirit, but as an Attendant or Guardian, and without going into any other Body, as otherwise they thought it would; so that after they had preserv’d the Dead from Putrifaction, they next entomb’d them in firm and stately Monuments, such as were at first those Mercurial Sepulchres of hard Marble of a Spherical Figure, as _Strabo_ records, and those wonderful ones of the antient Kings of _Thebes_ in _Egypt_, which _Diodorus Siculus_, Lib. 1. mentions, and such were also the _Hypogæa_, those Caves or Dormitories cut out in the _Lybian_ Desarts, by the _Egyptians_ of lower Quality, which are now term’d the Mummies. Of the same Nature likewise are the stately _Pyramids_ built by their Kings, [Sidenote: _Pyramids_ to what end built.] all being design’d to secure the Dead, after they were _Embalm’d_, from the Injuries of the _Nile_ or Weather, the rapine of an Enemy or any voracious Animal; and that so the Soul might be still oblig’d to attend them: But besides this general Reason why these Reconditories were built, which was to preserve the Dead from all external Violence, [Sidenote: Why of a _Pyramidal_ form.] there were two special ones why they were made in a _Pyramidal_ form. The first was, in that this Figure appears most permanent and durable, as being neither so liable to be over-press’d by its own weight at top, nor to be undermin’d by the sinking in of Rain at the bottom, as other Buildings are. The second was, because these Structures were intended to represent some of the _Egyptian_ Deities; for, in the most antient Times, _Pyramidal_ Columns or Obelisks were worshipp’d as Images of the Gods, before the exact Art of Carving Statues was found out, and so as _Isis Cornigera_ represented the Horns of the Moon, in like manner might these _Pyramids_ represent the Rays of the Sun, which the _Egyptians_ worshipp’d under the name of _Osiris_. As to the number of _Pyramids_ to be seen in _Egypt_, [Sidenote: Their number.] _Bellonius_ very much exceeds the Account given us by other Travellers, for he makes them above 100, whereas _Greaves_ says there are not 20, and Prince _Radzivil_ reckon’d but 17. Three of these are the most remarkable, being built on _Africa_ side, [Sidenote: Scituation.] on a rocky and barren Hill, between the City _Memphis_ and the Place call’d _Delta_, from the _Nile_ less than four Miles, from _Memphis_ six, and near to _Busiris_, a Village from whence People are wont to ascend up to them, _Pliny_ Lib. 36. cap. 12. _Le Bruyn_ has given us this Drawing of them, together with the _Sphinx_ which he made on the spot, whilst the _French_ Consul and some of his Company were refreshing themselves under its Shade.

These three _Pyramids_ were not erected by the _Israelites_, under the Tyranny of the _Pharaohs_, as _Josephus_ and some modern Writers affirm; for the Scripture says positively, the Slavery of the _Jews_ consisted in making and burning Brick, whereas all these _Pyramids_ were made of Stone. The first and greatest of them was built, [Sidenote: Who were the _Founders_ of them.] says _Herodotus_, by _Cheops_ (stil’d by _Diodorus Siculus_, _Chemmis_) who succeeded _Rhampsinitus_ in the Kingdom of _Egypt_. He adds, that the Stones were dug out of the Quarries of an _Arabian_ Mountain, and from thence carry’d to the _Nile_; that there were employ’d in the Work Ten Miriads or a Hundred Thousand Men, every Three Months a Myriad; that the whole _Pyramid_ was finish’d in 20 Years, whereof 10 were spent in conveying the Stones to the Place of building.

The second _Pyramid_, like the first in respect to its Workmanship, but far inferior in regard of its Magnitude, was built by the Successor to _Cheops_, who was _Cephren_ his Brother, as _Herodotus_ and _Diodorus Siculus_ agree.

The third _Pyramid_, less than either of the two former, was built by _Mycerinus_, Son of _Cheops_ or _Chemmis_, says _Herodotus_. Other Writers give different Names to the Founders of these _Pyramids_; but this is what is most probable among their various Opinions, according to Mr. _Greaves_. Besides these three now in being, _Herodotus_ mentions a fourth built of Brick by _Asychis_, who succeeded _Mycerinus_, and another in which _Imandes_ was bury’d, at the end of the Labyrinth built by the 12 Kings of _Egypt_. Also long before any of these, _Mœris_ in his wonderful Lake, had erected two _Pyramids_, one for himself and another for his Wife, both long since gone to ruine; but there are many yet standing in the _Lybian_ Desart, whose Founders none of the antient Writers have ever nam’d. Among these one is no less worthy of Memory than either of the three former, it standing about 20 Miles distant from them, more within the sandy Desart, and appearing to have the same Dimensions, the same Steps without as the first has, to be of the same Colour, and to have an Entrance like it on the North side, which is barr’d up within, and so whatever is said of the first in respect to its out-side may be applicable to this last, therefore one Description may serve for both.

[Sidenote: A Description of the first and fairest _Pyramid_.]

The first and fairest of the three great _Pyramids_ is scituate on the top of a rocky Hill, in the sandy Desart of _Lybia_, about a quarter of a Mile distant Westward from the Plains of _Egypt_, the height of the scituation giving Beauty as the solidity of the Rock does firmness to the Superstructure. The Basis is exactly four square, and the North side of it being measur’d by Mr. _Greaves_ with a _Radius_ of 10 Foot, was found to be 693 _English_ Foot, and the Altitude being measur’d by its Perpendicular, was found to be 481 Foot; but if taken as it ascends inclining, then is it equal to the Basis, which is 693 Foot. To give a true Idea of the just Dimensions of this _Pyramid_, we must imagine on the sides of the Basis, which is exactly square, four equilateral Triangles mutually propending, till they all meet at the top as it were in a point; for so the _Perimeter_ of each Triangle comprehending 2079 Foot, and the _Perimeter_ of the Basis 2772 Foot, the whole Area of the Basis will contain 480249 square Foot, or about 11 _English_ Acres of Ground, which is a Proportion so monstrous, that it might seem incredible were it not attested by the Ancients to be so much, and by some of them more. The Ascent to the top of the _Pyramid_, from all the sides without, is by Degrees or Steps; the lowermost Degree is near four Foot in height, and three in breadth, which goes about the _Pyramid_ in a level: The second Degree is like the first, only it retires inward near three Foot; after the same manner is the third Row, and so the rest, rising like so many Stairs one above another to the top, which ends not in a point, but in a little flat, and is about 13 Foot broad, being cover’d with nine Stones, besides two which are wanting at the Angles. The Degrees by which we ascend are not of an equal depth, for some are near four Foot, others want of three, and the higher we ascend, the depth grows the less, and so in proportion does the breadth also. These rows of Stones are much impair’d by the Weather, yet every Step, which is but one single Stone, is at least 30 cubical Feet; the number of Degrees from the bottom to the top is 207 or 208. Some of the Ancients have reported, that this _Pyramid_ casts no Shadow, which must be meant in the Summer-Time and at Mid-Day, for in the Winter Mr. _Greaves_ saw it cast a Shadow at Noon. Thus far concerning the out-side or Superficies of the greater _Pyramid_, with the Figure and Dimensions of it; next Mr. _Greaves_ gives a particular Account of what he found within it, of which, if the Ancients have been silent, he imputes it chiefly to a reverend and awful Regard mix’d with Superstition, in not presuming to enter those Chambers of Death, which Religion and Devotion had consecrated to the Rest and Quiet of the Dead. And first he tells us how he ascended on the North side 38 Foot, on an artificial Bank of Earth, when he and his Company enter’d, [Sidenote: The _Entrance_.] with Tapers in their Hands, thro’ a square narrow Passage three Foot broad and 92 long, the Declivity of which was gradually so strait, that they were forc’d, at the farther end, to creep on their Bellies. After this, having pass’d thro’ a place in which they found ugly large Bats above a Foot long, they enter’d the first Gallery, [Sidenote: First and second _Gallery_.] the Pavement of which was of white and pollish’d Marble, rising with a gentle Acclivity, being about five Foot broad, as many high, and 110 Foot long: At the end of this begins the second Gallery, a very stately piece of Work, and not inferiour, either in respect of the curiosity of Art or richness of Materials, to the most sumptuous and magnificent Buildings. ’Tis divided from the former by a Wall, thro’ which they pass’d stooping along a square hole, much about the same bigness as the entrance of the _Pyramid_, but of no considerable length yet level: At the end of this Hole on the right Hand, [Sidenote: The _Well_.] they found the Well mention’d by _Pliny_ to be 86 Cubits in depth, into which, he probably imagines, the Water of the River _Nile_ was brought by some secret Aqueduct, and _Bellonius_ thinks, out of this Well the Workmen drew the Water which they drank, as likewise that it serv’d them to dilute the Mortar they us’d in the Masons Work of the Building; but others affirm, that after having descended 67 Foot strait downwards, there is a square Window which leads into a Grot or Cave dug out of a Hill found there, not of living or solid Stone, but of Sand condens’d and press’d together; it extends in length from East to West 15 Foot lower, and consequently 82 from the top. There is a Way dug in the Rock two Foot and half wide, whose descent downwards is very crooked the length of 123 Foot, at the end of which it is fill’d with Sand and Bats nastiness: As ’tis said a _Scotch_ Gentleman found it out, of whom the _Sieur Thevenot_ makes mention in his Travels. _Le Bruyn_ thinks it probable, that this Well was made to let down the Corps into, that were put in the Cavities that are under the _Pyramids_, but would not venture the Experiment of going down to see. _Greaves_ also thinks this Well was the Passage to those secret Vaults, mention’d, but not describ’d by _Herodotus_, which were hewn out of the natural Rock, over which this _Pyramid_ was erected. This Well, says the former, is circular and about three Foot over; the sides of it are lin’d with white Marble, and the descent into it is by fixing the Hands and Feet in little open spaces, cut into the sides within, opposite and answerable to one another in a perpendicular. But by his measure, sounding it with a Line, he found it only 20 Foot deep, the rest, as he supposes, has almost been damm’d up and choak’d with Rubbage. Thence going strait forward the distance of 15 Foot, they entred another square Passage, opposite to the former and of the same bigness, the Stones being very massy and exquisitely joyn’d; this led, at the extent of 110 Foot, into an arch’d Vault or little Chamber, standing East and West, about 20 Foot long, 17 broad and 15 high: The Walls were plaister’d over with Lime, but the Roof was cover’d with large smooth Stones, which lay shelving and met above in a kind of Arch or rather Angle. Returning back the same way they came, and being out of this low and square Passage, they clim’d over it, and going strait on in the trace of the second Gallery, on a shelving Pavement (like that of the first) rising with an Angle of 26 Degrees, they at length came to another Partition, being 154 Foot distant from the Well below and the length of the Gallery. Here if we consider the narrow Entrance or Mouth of the _Pyramid_ which descends, and the length of the first and second Galleries that ascend, all of them lying as it were in the same continu’d Line, and leading towards the middle of the _Pyramid_, one may easily apprehend the Reason of that strange Eccho within of four or five Voices, [Sidenote: A strange _Eccho_.] mention’d by _Plutarch_, or rather of a long continued Sound, as Mr. _Greaves_ found by experience in discharging a Gun; for the Sound being carry’d thro’ those Passages, and finding no vent outwards reflects on it self, and causes a confus’d noise, which by degrees ceases. This Gallery is built of white Marble, cut very exactly into spacious squares and pollish’d; also the Roof and sides of the Wall are of the same Stone, so closely joynted as scarce to be discern’d by the most curious Eye, and tho’ the acclivity or rising of the Ascent make the Passage more difficult and slippery, yet is it nevertheless very beautiful. The height of this Gallery is 26 Foot, the breadth six, of which three are to be allow’d for the way in the midst, which is set and bounded on both sides with Seats (like Benches) of pollish’d Stone; each of these is above one Foot in breadth and no less in depth. On the top of these Benches near the Angle, where they close and joyn with the Wall, are little Spaces cut in right angl’d parallel Figures, on each side opposite to one another, intended, no doubt, for some other end than Ornament. In casting and ranging the Marble in both the side Walls, all the Courses, which are but seven, (so great are those Stones) lye and flag over one another about three Inches, as is better to be conceiv’d by Figure 2 at _p._ 314. than by any Description I can give.

[Sidenote: _Le Bruyn_’s Description of the _Gallery_.]

_Le Bruyn_ in his Voyage to the _Levant_, p. 139. writes more particularly of this Gallery, after the following manner: ‘Being return’d, says he, from the Horizontal Way, which is on the right Hand, we enter’d the other on the left, which is six Foot four Inches wide, and rises also the length of 162 Foot. On each side the Wall is a Stone-Bench two Foot and half high, and pretty broad, which serves to take hold by in going up, to which the Holes that are made almost every step in the Wall, are of no small Service, yet are they altogether confus’d and without order. It is not known by whom they were made; but those that go to see the _Pyramids_ are extreamly oblig’d to them however, for without these Holes it would be impossible to get up, and a Man must likewise be very strong and in health that can do so by the help of them, and the Stone-Bench by which one holds fast with one Hand while the other holds the Candle; add to this, that a Man must make large steps, because these Holes are six Hands breadth distant from each other. This Ascent, which cannot be conceiv’d without admiration, may well pass for what is most considerable in the _Pyramids_; for the Stones which compose the Walls are as smooth as Looking-Glass, and so well joyn’d together, that one would be apt to take them for one single Stone. The same may be said of the Pavement. The Roof is here exceeding high and so very sumptuous, that ’tis better to be represented than describ’d; I therefore made this Draft of it, while my Countryman _Adrian van Bierbeck_ rested himself on the Bench that is on the left Hand, and some of our Company were already got up with their Lights into the Chamber where the Tomb or Sepulchre is, which gave me opportunity to take a view of all the Roof more at large.’

But to return to Mr. _Greaves_’s Account, he says, That after having pass’d this Gallery, they enter’d another square Hole of the same Dimension with the former, [Sidenote: Two _Anti-Closets_.] which brought them into two _Anti-Closets_ lin’d with a rich and speckl’d sort of _Thebaic_ Marble. The first of these had almost the same Dimensions as the second. The second was thus proportion’d: The _Area_ was level, the Figure of it oblong, the one side containing seven Foot, the other three and a half, and the height was of 10 Foot. This inner _Anti-Closet_ was separated from the former by a Stone of red speckl’d Marble, which hung in two Mortices (like the Leaf of a Sluce) between two Walls, more than three Foot above the Pavement, and wanting only two of the Roof. Out of this Closet they enter’d another square Hole of the same wideness and Dimensions with the rest, and near nine Foot long, all of _Thebaic_ Marble most exquisitely wrought, which landed them at the North end of a very sumptuous Room. The distance from the end of the second Gallery to this Entry is 24 Foot. [Sidenote: A spacious _Chamber_] This rich and spacious Chamber, in which Art may seem to have contended with Nature, the curious Workmanship being not inferiour to the rich Materials, lies about the Center of the _Pyramid_. The Floor, Roof and Sides of it are all compos’d of vast Tables of _Thebaic_ Marble, very gracefully siz’d and plac’d. The nine Stones which cover the Roof are of a prodigious length, like so many huge Beams traversing the Room, and supporting the prodigious mass of the _Pyramid_ above: The length of this Chamber is about 34 Foot, the breadth 17, the height 19 and a half. [Sidenote: wherein stands _Cheops_’s Tomb.] Within this glorious Room stands the Monument of _Cheops_ or _Chemmis_, of one piece of Marble, hollow within, uncover’d at the top, and sounding like a Bell, without any Sculpture or Embossment. But ’tis the common Opinion, after _Diodorus Siculus_, that neither _Chemmis_ nor his Successor _Cephren_ were bury’d in their _Pyramids_, because, says he, the People being over work’d by them with hard Labour, threatned to tear their dead Bodies to pieces, and throw them out of these Sepulchres, therefore they on their Death-Beds commanded their Servants to bury them in some obscure Place, _Diod._ Lib. 1. This Monument is of the same _Thebaic_ Marble with the whole Room, being speckl’d with black, white and red Spots, and resembling two Cubes finely set together, and hollow’d within. ’Tis seven Foot three Inches and half long, in breadth and depth three Foot three Inches and three quarters on the out-side, but within ’tis something less, which shows that the Men of this Age are of the same Stature with those that liv’d near 3000 Years ago, tho’ some famous Men have thought the contrary. If any ask how this Monument could be convey’d into this Chamber, since ’tis impossible for it to enter by those narrow Passages in the _Pyramid_ which lead to it, I answer, It must have been rais’d and convey’d up from without by some Engine, before the Chamber was finish’d and the Roof clos’d: Thus far _Greaves_. _Sandys_, p. 99. says, This _Pyramid_ which is the greatest of the three, [Sidenote: How many _Workmen_ employ’d in the _Building_ it.] and chief of the Worlds VII Wonders, employ’d 366000 Workmen continually in building it for the space of 20 Years, in which Time they consum’d in Radishes, Garlick and Onions only, 1800 Talents. Nor has Time, which devours the proudest Structures, humbl’d this lofty Edifice, tho’ ’tis very probably conjectur’d to have stood 3300 Years, and is now rather old than ruinous, yet the North side is most worn by reason of the humidity of the Northern Winds, which are here the moistest.

[Sidenote: The second _Pyramid_.]

The second _Pyramid_ is hardly distant the flight of an Arrow from the first, and is all built of Stones of a whitish colour, nothing so large as those of the first. The sides rise not by Degrees or Steps like those of the former, but are smooth and equal, and the whole Fabrick seems very entire, except on the South-side. Tho’ this _Pyramid_ is generally thought to be inferiour to the first in Magnitude, yet by Mr. _Greaves_’s Observation, the height and sides of the Basis are in both equal. There is no Entrance into it, and therefore none can tell what Chambers it contains; ’tis bounded on the North and West by two very stately and elaborate Structures, being 30 Foot deep, and more than 1400 long, cut out of the hard Rock, and squar’d by a Chizzel, [Sidenote: _Lodgings_ of the _Priests_.] which are suppos’d to be the Lodgings of the Priests. They run along at a convenient distance, parallel to the two sides of this _Pyramid_, and meet in a right Angle. The Entrance into them is by square Openings, hewn out of the Rock, and much of the same bigness with those of the first _Pyramid_. The hollow space within is somewhat like a square and well proportion’d Chamber, cover’d and arch’d above with the natural Rock: In most of these there was a Passage opening into some other Apartment.

[Sidenote: The third _Pyramid_.]

The third _Pyramid_ is from the second about a Furlong, and tho’ it appears at a distance to be of an equal height with the two former, by reason of the advantage of its Scituation upon a higher rise of the Hill, yet is it really much lower, each side of the Basis being but 300 Foot long, which wants near 400 of the two others. All the antient and modern Writers generally agree, this _Pyramid_ was made of black _Ethiopic_ Marble, whereas Mr. _Greaves_ assures us, on his own Inspection, the whole Mass seems of a clear and white Stone, somewhat choicer and brighter than that in either of the two other _Pyramids_; but what the Stone within may be no Body can tell, since there never was any Entrance into it. At some distance South-East of the biggest _Pyramid_ stands the _Sphinx_, so famous among the Ancients: [Sidenote: The _Sphinx_.] ’Tis a Statue or Image cut out of the main Rock, representing the Head of a Woman with half her Breast, but is at present sunk or bury’d in the Sand to the very Neck: It is an extraordinary great Mass, but withal proportionable, altho’ the Head of it self be 26 Foot high, and from the Ear to the Chin 15 Foot, according to the Measure the _Sieur Thevenot_ took of it. At a distance it seems five Stones joyn’d together, but coming nearer one may discover what was taken for the Joynings of the Stones, was properly nothing but the Veins in the Rock. _Pliny_ says, this serv’d for a Tomb to King _Amasis_, which is not improbable, since it is in a Part which was formerly a kind of Burying-Place, and near the _Pyramids_ and Caves, which were nothing but Places of Sepulture; and that according to his Calculation it was 102 Foot in compass about the Head, 62 high and 143 in length, for the Body of it is suppos’d to resemble a Lion or Dog. Some will have it a certain _Egyptian_ King caus’d this _Sphinx_ to be made in Memory of _Rhodope_ of _Corinth_, with whom he was passionately in Love. They say, among other Things, that when they consulted it at the rising of the Sun, it answer’d like an Oracle; yet most believe this was done by the cunning of the Priests, thro’ means of some hidden Pipes or Conduits under Ground, and that the Well we describ’d in the great _Pyramid_ was made use of for the same purpose; but what makes this appear to be fabulous is, that there is no perforation or opening either at the Mouth, Nose, Eyes or Ears. Many other the like Stories Authors have rais’d of this Statue, affirming that by the Figure of a _Sphinx_, was represented the Goddess _Momphta_, [Sidenote: It represented _Momphta_.] who presided over all the Waters, and chiefly preserv’d and supply’d the Causes of the Over-flowing of the River _Nile_; as also that thereby was signify’d the State or Condition of that River, for as the Over-flowing of the _Nile_ continues all the Summer, and during the Time of Harvest, _viz._ in the Months of _July_ and _August_, and that in those two Months, the Sun commonly runs thro’ the two Signs of _Leo_ and _Virgo_, it was natural enough for the _Egyptians_, who had a great inclination for _Hieroglyphics_ and misterious Representations, to make a Monster of a Virgin and Lion, which they call’d _Sphinx_, and consecrated to the River _Nile_; the representing of which lying on its Belly, was to explain the Over-flowing of that River.

But to return again to the _Pyramids_, near which this _Sphinx_ stands, [Sidenote: _Observations_ on the _Pyramids_.] we shall add these few Observations of Father _Vansleb_ concerning them, _viz._ That they are not built with Marble, but with a white sandy Stone exceeding hard; that none of them are perfectly square, but have all two sides longer than the others, which is plainly visible in the greater and the lesser _Pyramid_: The North side is longer than that which stretches from East to West, yet are they nevertheless built in very good Order, and each of the three largest stand at the head of 10 lesser, which are not well to be distinguish’d, by reason of heaps of Sand that lye before them. They have all an Entrance that leads to a low Alley, which is exceeding long, and has at the end a Chamber, where the antient _Egyptians_ plac’d the Bodies of those Persons for whom the _Pyramid_ was design’d, tho’ this Entrance is not to be seen in every one of them, because the Wind has stopp’d it up with Sand. On the top of the largest _Pyramid_ was antiently a Statue or _Colossus_: This appears in that it is not so sharp as the others, but rather plain, and there are yet to be seen great Holes, which were to keep the _Colossus_ from falling; but at present there is nothing to be seen at top but many Letters of the Names of Persons of all Nations, who had left them to witness they had been there. Lastly, He makes no question but that this Place where the _Pyramids_ are built, was the _Burying-Place_ of the old City of _Memphis_, by reason all the _Arabian_ Histories inform us that this City stood where the _Pyramids_ now are, over against old _Cairo_. He also imagines the _Sphinx_ to be a Tomb, _First_, From its scituation in a Place which was in former Ages a Burying-Place, and near the _Pyramids_ and mortuary Caves. _Secondly_, That it appears to be a Sepulchre from its Building; for in the hinder part is a Cave under Ground, of a bigness answerable to that of the head, into which he look’d by an Entrance that led into it, so that it could serve to no other purpose than to keep a dead Corps.

[Sidenote: _Caves_ near the _Pyramids_.]

From the _Pyramids_, _Vansleb_ went to take a View of the _Caves_ that are adjoyning, which formerly serv’d for Places to bury the Dead in: Of these there are several hollow’d or cut in the side of a Rock, in bad Order and without Symmetry on the out-side, but very even and well proportion’d within: All of them have a square Well cut likewise out of the Rock, in which the _Egyptians_ laid the Bodies of those for whom the _Cave_ had been made, it serving them for a Tomb. The Walls of some of these are full of _Hieroglyphic_ Figures, cut also in the Rock; in some they are but small, in others very lively. In one, says he, I counted 16 great Figures, eight Men and as many Women, holding each other by the Hand, with some other small Figures on each side.

[Sidenote: _Subterranean Caves._]

But to speak more particularly of the _Subterranean Caves_, near the Borough of _Sacara_ in _Egypt_, we shall observe, that among the most remarkable Things that were found, as well in the City of _Memphis_, as some Miles round about it, the _Caves_ or Tombs under Ground were the most considerable, and worthy the search of the Curious. It is on these _Subterranean Caves_ that this City and several Places thereabouts were built, as on so many Vaults, as the Ancients have written, and those _Caves_ do by far surpass the _Catacombs_ of _Rome_ both in Grandeur and Beauty; for the antient _Egyptians_, who maintain’d the _Metempsychosis_ or Transmigration of Souls from one Body to another, took care not only to preserve their Dead from Putrifaction, but also endeavour’d to lay them up in a secure and quiet Place of Burial: That they might therefore take all manner of precaution against any alteration that might happen to them from the Injuries of Air, Fire, or the length of Time, they did not place their Dead in Places where the River _Nile_ might overflow, nor in the open Fields, but either in _Pyramids_ of a more durable continuance, or in _Subterranean Vaults_ built with great care of Stones, or lastly, in _Caves_ cut out of the Rock it self, for which the Region of _Memphis_ and Places adjoyning were very proper, because they consist of a Rock, which is hid under the thickness of about a Foot and half of Sand. [Sidenote: Their _Burying-Places_.] Their Burying-Places then were _Subterranean Caves_ divided into several Apartments, roof’d like great Halls, and with so many Windings, which went from one to the other, that they resembl’d real _Labyrinths_ or _Meanders_. According to the report of the antient _Egyptians_, there was such a vast number of those _Subterranean Apartments_ which butted one against another, that they extended some Miles in length, even to the Temple of _Jupiter Ammon_, and the Oracle of _Serapis_, which was a great conveniency to the Priests, who might hold a Correspondence with each other without being scorch’d by the heat of the Sun, or incommoded by the Sands; so that all those vast sandy Plains of _Egypt_ were hollow underneath, and divided into numberless Apartments and Places for dead Corps. This seems surprizing and almost incredible, but they that will consider the other prodigious Works of the _Egyptians_, and make some Reflections on what the antient Historians have wrote of the great and most antient City of _Memphis_, and the almost infinite number of that People, will not find this so impossible; besides what the _Arabian_ Authors say, that there was formerly a Subterranean Communication between this City of _Memphis_ and that of _Heliopolis_, being several Miles assunder, and which pass’d also under the Bed of the River _Nile_. The greatest part of the Inhabitants of the Borough of _Sacara_, [Sidenote: How those of _Sacara_ get their _Livelyhoods_.] which is nearest those _Caves_ of the _Mummies_ or _Embalm’d_ Bodies, and three good Hours Journey from the _Pyramids_, get their Livelyhoods by digging into those _Caves_, and taking out the _Mummies_, because their Tillage is not able to maintain them by reason of the sterrility of the Soil, wherefore whoever has occasion for their Service, may easily hire them for Money, to conduct them into _Caves_ that are already open, to see them, or to dig for new ones in the Sand, which have not hitherto been remov’d, for some of these _Caves_ have not yet been discover’d, being hid in such manner under the Sand, that there is no Stranger, nor hardly any Inhabitant of the Country, that can be certain before-hand where any _Mummy_ may be found: Besides, the _Europeans_ have from Time to Time caus’d so many to be open’d, that they are become exceeding scarce.

[Sidenote: The _Entrance_ into these _Caves_.]

They enter these _Caves_ by an opening at top even with the Ground, into which they are let down, as into a Well, by means of a Rope and the assistance of a Servant with a Light in their Hands, tho’ in some few they can climb up and down, by setting their Feet in certain gaps in the Wall, as appears by the Plate at _p._ 203. Letter E. This Well or Descent into these _Caves_ is about 16 or 18 Foot deep, and at bottom, the Passage of it is so low, they are forc’d to stoop and creep thro’, where they arrive in a four-square Chamber or Repository, [Sidenote: The _Chamber_.] 24 Foot every way, on each side of which, next the Wall, stand Bases or Tables cut out of the Rock, about five Foot long, two and a half broad, and one high, whereon are plac’d the dead Bodies, _Embalm’d_ and adorn’d after the manner before describ’d, and put into Coffins of Wood or Stone, carv’d after their own similitude. Many times, besides the number of Coffins just mention’d, there lye round about upon the Floor several other little ones, which seem to be the Coffins of Children. Sometimes there are abundance of these _Caves_ near each other, as you may imagine by the Plate before-mention’d; but that you may have a more clear _Idea_ of all that is here describ’d, I have added another, the Description of which is as follows: [Sidenote: _Description_ of the _Ichnography_ and _Scenography_ of these _Caves_.] A. A. A. A. shows the _Ichnography_ of a _Burying-Place_, wherein are nine Chambers or Apartments all of an equal bigness, mark’d with the Letters, B. B. B. Each of these has four Bases whereon the Coffins are set, as appears by the Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. The Walls or Partitions are represented by the Letters C. C. C. but these are all more exactly seen in the _Scenography_, in which D. and E. shows two _Caves_ with their Walls turn’d over with Arches. Adjoyning to the Walls lye four Bases in each _Cave_, whereon the Coffins are set, mark’d by the Letters F. G. H. I. K. L. _&c._ At the Head of the Coffin, stands a Figure like a Boy in Swadling-Clouts, and at the Feet a Hawk, being their Tutelar Gods, by whose Presence and Assistance they thought the Bodies would be defended from all kinds of Violence, and over these, against the Wall, were cut in an oval form _Hieroglyphics_, mark’d M. N. O. P.

This may suffice for a general Description of these _Caves_, [Sidenote: _Observations_ on the _Subterranean Caves_.] yet it may not be amiss to add a few Observations made by Father _Vansleb_ on this Subject: He tells us he went on purpose to see these _Caves_, and gives us every particular Instance that happen’d to him; but this we must also take notice of, that _Le Bruyn_ attributes the very same Remarks to one _Milton_ an _English_ Man, and he that pleases to give himself the trouble to read both, will find them much of a piece. They are as follows: After having said that first an Agreement must be made with the _Arabians_ of the Borough of _Sacara_, about the number and quality of _Wells_ one would have open’d, as also what was to be given them for their Trouble, and that for better security 12 _Arabian_ Horsemen ought to be brought along with one; he adds, That the first _Well_ he went to see was that of _Embalm’d_ Birds, [Sidenote: _Wells_ of _Embalm’d Birds_.] and that having caus’d the Sand that cover’d the Mouth of the _Well_ to be remov’d, thro’ which he was to go down, and from thence to enter into the _Cave_, he caus’d himself and his Companions to be let down one after another, by tying a double Rope about their Middles. So soon as they were at the bottom, and that every one had lighted his Flambeau, and several Matches they had brought along with them, they crept on their Bellies into a _Cave_, which was an Entry cut thro’ the Rock about a Man’s height, a Fathom wide, and extraordinary long. On each side they found other Entries, cut also into the Rock, where were several Chambers full of a great number of Earthen-Pots, with Covers of the same. In these were contain’d _Embalm’d_ Birds of all kinds, every Bird having a Pot to it self. They found there also several Hen-Eggs whole, but which were empty, and consequently had no ill Smell.

Having sufficiently view’d this _Cave_, they were drawn up again in like manner as they were let down. Then having commanded their _Arabians_ to open a _Virgin-Well_ [Sidenote: A _Virgin-Well_.] (for so such are call’d as have never been open’d) they were immediately let down into it, in the same manner as before describ’d; but being come to the bottom, they found such a horrid Stench, and so close an Air, that they were not only not able to breath, but it also put out their Flambeaus, as likewise their Matches every time they endeavour’d to light them, so that they were thereupon forc’d to cause themselves to be drawn up again with all speed, without having been able to advance one step. Our Author says, that all he could say of this _Well_ was, That it was much deeper than the former.

[Sidenote: A _Cave_ with two _Mummies_.]

After this he caus’d another _Cave_ to be open’d, which was not a _Virgin-Well_ as the former. Being let down into it he found there two _Mummies_, one greater and the other lesser of a Child, both in Coffins: The biggest was of Marble, cut after the likeness of him for whom it was made. He caus’d them to be open’d but found nothing extraordinary in them, therefore took no Account of them, but left them where he found them.

[Sidenote: A _Cave_ call’d the _Church_.]

He went down next into a _Cave_ call’d the _Church_, which, he says, was the shallowest of all he had seen, it being nothing but a long Entry under Ground, well Plaister’d and Painted every-where with _Hierogliphics_. He tells us there was so great a quantity of Sand in this _Cave_, that he and his Company were forc’d to creep along on their Knees; for as soon as any one has seen these _Wells_, the _Arabians_ are wont to fill them up again with Sand, if the Wind does not do it for them, that they may get more Money by them another Time; for this is the greatest Livelihood these miserable Creatures have, and the least they take for opening a _Virgin-Well_ is 30 [6]_Piasters_. The reason of this high Price is, that those which cause them to be open’d, have the liberty to carry away all the Curiosities and _Mummies_ they find there.

Footnote 6:

Each _Piaster_ is 5 _s._ Sterling or thereabouts, so the whole may make near 9 _l._

Now to give a perfect _Idea_ of this Plain of _Mummies_, the antient Burying-Place of the _Egyptians_, you must represent to your self a vast and boundless Champion Country, cover’d all over with Sand, where there are neither Trees, Plants, Grass, Houses, nor any thing like them to be seen, but the whole Surface is strew’d with dry Bones of Arms, Legs, Feet, Heads, old Linnen Rags, broken Tombs or Coffins, and a great many little Idols, some of Wood, and others of Earth glaz’d with a green colour, and mark’d before and behind with _Hieroglyphics_: In some places you may see great Tomb-Stones, engrav’d with Cyphers and Ænigmatical Figures, that represent something of Chymistry and other Sciences and Mysteries of the antient _Egyptians_, as also some strange Characters that are no _Hieroglyphics_. These are the remains of their Pride and Vanity, as likewise sad Proofs that all Men are subject to Death: This causes Horrour to those that come first into the Plain, and if one considers attentively the number of Bones wherewith it is strew’d, one would be apt to think that Place had formerly been a Field of Battel. So much for the _Pyramids_ and _Subterranean Caves_, now there only remains to speak of the _Sepulchral Lamps_, which some assert to have burnt perpetually, and have therefore been the Subject of much Discourse among the _Virtuosi_ of all Ages.

[Sidenote: _Authors_ who have written of _Sepulchral Lamps_.]

_Clemens Alexandrinus_, _Appian_, _Burattinus_, _Hermolaus Barbarus_, _Costæus_, _Citesius_, _Cælius_, _Casalius_, _Cedrenus_, _Delrius_, _Ericius_, _Foxius_, _Gesnerus_, _Jacobonus_, _Leander_, _Libavius_, _Lazius_, _Langius_, _Licetus_, _Maiolus_, _Maturantius_, _Baptista Porta_, _Pancirollus_, _Ruscellius_, _Scardeonius_, _Tassonius_, _Ludovicus Vives_, _Volateranus_ and many other learned and ingenious Authors, who have written of these _Sepulchral Lamps_, do most of them believe and strenuously assert, that they burn’d for several Hundreds of Years, and would have so continu’d, perhaps for ever, had they not been broken by the unadvis’d Irruptions of Rustics and Husbandmen, by diging up the Ground, or otherwise extinguish’d by the like Accidents. ’Tis true, there are not many that affirm that they themselves saw any of these _Lamps_ burning, but then they give you abundance of Instances of such as did, and where they were found, which being too many to be inserted here, we shall only mention a few, after having inquir’d to what End and Purpose they were invented and made use of; of what Matter and Fashion they were compos’d, and whether it were possible for any of them, when once lighted, to burn perpetually without any addition or supply of fresh Aliment.

[Sidenote: _Perpetual Lamps_ to what end invented.]

First then we are to understand, that as the _Egyptians_ (thro’ a firm belief they had of the _Metempsychosis_) affected to procure a Perennity to the Body by _Balsamation_ or _Embalming_, and the security thereof by _Pyramids_, _Subterranean Vaults_, &c. so they endeavour’d to animate the Defunct by perpetual Fire, which answer’d the Nature of their Souls: [Sidenote: _Fire_ an _Emblem_ of the _Soul_.] For with them Fire was the _Symbol_ of an Incorruptible, Immortal and Divine Nature, and hence some will have it, they erected _Pyramids_ ([7]the _Symbols_ of Fire) of that Solidity as easily to overcome the Injuries of Time, and by their Figure to demonstrate the Immortality of the Soul. And whereas flaming Fire was more corruscating and enlightning than any other Matter, they invented _Lamps_ to hang in the Sepulchres of the Rich, which would burn perpetually without any assistance or addition. This as it was a _Symbol_ of the Immortality of the Soul, so did it likewise serve for a _Symbol_ of their grateful Intentions towards the _Manes_ and Guardian Gods, who protected the Bodies in their Sepulchres, thereby both venerating, honouring and respecting the Souls of the Deceas’d, and also rendring what was very grateful and acceptable to them. [Sidenote: And of _Eternal Life_.] Now whereas the _Egyptians_ signify’d Life by a _Lamp_, and also believ’d that their Immortal Souls tarry’d in the Grave with their Bodies, so after having _Embalm’d_ those Bodies to prevent the Souls forsaking them, by reason of their Corruption and Dissolution, they deposited them in _Subterranean Caves_, where they had provided _Lamps_ that would burn perpetually, to the end that their Souls might not lye miserably imprison’d in darkness, and thereby any hurt befal them; but on the contrary, enjoy eternal light and be free from all evil, or that when the Soul should wander, it might not mistake its Residence, but be by the light of the _Lamp_ guided and conducted to return to its former Habitation.

Footnote 7:

_Pyramis_, ἀπὸ τοῦ πυρὸς, _quod ad ignis speciem extenuatur in Conum_.

These are the absur’d Opinions of the Superstitious _Egyptians_, and the Reasons why they plac’d burning _Lamps_ with the Dead in their _Subterranean Vaults_, as _Jacobonus_, _Foxius_, _Scaliger_ and others relate; therefore the next Thing which we shall consider, is, whether there ever was or can be such a Thing made as a perpetual burning _Lamp_. Most of the before-mention’d Authors believe there were such _Lamps_: _Licetus_ particularly has writ a whole _Folio_ to prove it, and _Kircher_ produces a Story out of _Schiangia_, an _Arabian_ Author, which he thinks will solve it; but however, whether there have been any perpetual burning _Lamps_ or not, since no Author of good Credit ever saw one, it is nevertheless very certain that _Lamps_ are frequently found in the Sepulchres and _Subterranean Caves_ of the Dead, which, to what end and purpose they were there plac’d, will still remain a great _Quere_, unless it were for the above-alledg’d Reasons, since _Licetus_ and other Authors say, These were the proper Places for them, asserting they might be extinguish’d by the admission of Air in the breaking up of such Places. _Greaves_ at the end of his Description of the first _Pyramid_, p. 99. takes notice of two Inlets or Spaces in the _South_ and _North_ side of the Chamber, just opposite to one another, very evenly cut and running in a straight Line about six Foot into the thickness of the Wall, [Sidenote: _Lamps_ suppos’d to have been in the first _Pyramid_.] which, he says, by the blackness within, seem to have been a Receptacle for the burning of _Lamps_. _T. Livius Burattinus_ would gladly have believ’d it had been an Hearth for one of these perpetual _Lamps_ which we now are speaking of; but _Greaves_ imagines the Invention not to be so antient as this _Pyramid_: However, _Burattinus_ in his _Italian_, and _Michael Schatta_ in his _Arabic_ Letter to _Kircher_, which you may read in _Oedipi Ægyptiaci Theatrum Hierogliphicum_, p. 544. affirm that they found many _Lamps_ in the _Subterranean Caves_ of old _Memphis_, [Sidenote: _Lamps_ in the _Subterranean Caves_ of _Memphis_.] some having three, four, eight or 12 Lights, and made in the shape of Dog, Man, Bull, Hawk, Serpent and the like. Also _Casalius_ tells us he had some _Lamps_ of Brass which represented a Dog, Ox, Sphinx, _&c._ and some made of Earth. Seeing therefore they are so different in their matter, shape and number of Lights, I have given you the Sculptures of 15 of them, with their Description more at large.

[Sidenote: A _Description_ of some _Lamps_]

The first Figure represents _Serapis_ sitting in a Chair, having a Basket made of Rushes on his Head; he rests his right Hand on a Staff or Scepter, and lays his left on a tripple-headed Monster, such a one as is joyn’d to the Statue of _Serapis_ at _Alexandria_: [Sidenote: and first of _Serapis_.] This _Lamp_ was found between the Walls, near one of the Gates of _Rome_ call’d _Capena_, and is in the Custody of _Pietro Santo Bartoli_, as _Bellori_ informs us, from whom we have taken the three first and the sixth Figures. [Sidenote: _Lamp_ of a tripple-headed _Monster_.] The second Figure shews the tripple-headed monstrous Representation of _Serapis_ at _Alexandria_: It is an Image of Brass with the Heads of three several kinds of Animals, _viz._ In the middle the Head of a Lion, on the right Hand that of a fawning Dog, and on the left that of a rapacious Wolf, which signifie the three Times, the present, past and to come. The Body is environ’d with two Serpents in four Wreaths or Circumvolutions from the Legs to the Neck, perhaps to denote the four Seasons, turn’d about by the Sun; for by the Figure of _Serapis_ the _Egyptians_ denoted the Sun: See a fuller Description of it in _Macrobii Saturnalibus_. This is kept at present in the Royal Collection of the King of _Prussia_, together with the whole _Musæum_ of _Bellori_, which that Prince purchas’d. [Sidenote: Another _Lamp_ of _Serapis_.] The third Figure is the Head of _Serapis_, with a Basket and Crown upon it like the Rays of the Sun: These express the Nature of that God, whom the _Egyptians_ believ’d to be the same with the Sun, _viz._ The Beginning and Ending of all such Things as proceed from and return back to it. The Basket on the top of the Head shows, says _Macrobius_, the height of this Planet and the virtue of its Influence, in that all earthly Things return to it, whilst they are drawn up by the Heat it immits; for which Reason this God is thought to be the same with _Pluto_, and was not rarely added to the _Sepulchral Lamps_, as these two testifie; the latter of which, being of excellent Workmanship, is in the Custody of _Raphael Fabrettus_. Before we proceed to give any farther Description of these _Lamps_, it may be necessary to remark, that some were also kept in the _Egyptian_ Temples and other Places, as well as in the _Caves_ of the Dead; but then, says _Kircher_, they were made in the similitude of that God who was worshipp’d in that Temple. Thus in the Temple of _Anubis_, the _Lamp_ was in the likeness of a Dog’s Head, or else in the shape of his whole Body; in the Temple of _Osiris_ it was in the form of a Hawk’s Head, or of the whole Bird; in the Temple of _Isis_, of a Half Moon, and so of the rest. The _Lamps_ were wrought in the same fashion with those _Numina_ represented in each particular Temple or Place, as all those testifie which have been brought from _Egypt_, and are at this Day kept in the Cabinets of the Curious. Moreover you must observe that the _Egyptians_ set up _Lamps_ not only to those Gods that were beneficial to them, but likewise to such as were mischievous, to the end they might more readily have recourse to the one and avoid the other. Of this last kind _Johannes Nardius_ sent one out of his _Musæum_ to _Kircher_, in the form and shape as is express’d by Figure the fourth, _viz._ [Sidenote: A _Lamp_ of _Typhon_.] Under the _Symbol_ of an Ass, _Typhon_ was represented, because, as _Plutarch_ observes, his Voice was like the braying of that Animal, and which he likewise resembl’d in colour, ignorance and stupidity. This _Typhon_ was thought to bring Sterility, Droughts, Contagion, and the like kind of Evils upon the _Egyptians_, therefore to prevent his obstructing the fruitful overflowing of the _Nile_, they form’d his _Lamps_ in the manner you see, that knowing himself by his Image, he might cease from perpetrating of Evil: _Silenus_ likewise, who is the _Symbol_ of the _Nile_’s Fertility, and constant Attendant on _Bacchus_ or _Osiris_, rides astride on his Head, and thereby restrains his power of doing Mischief: This _Lamp_ moreover stands on the Foot of an Eagle or Hawk, thereby, says _Kircher_, to represent how _Typhon_’s destructive and flagrating Power lying hid in the Sun, was made more temperate by a Humour which _Silenus_, the Page of the aforesaid _Bacchus_, had the Command of; for, as _Plutarch_ well observes, _Isis_ would never have _Typhon_ quite destroy’d, but only conquer’d, because tho’ his adust and fiery Nature, by reason of its too great Siccity, was pernicious, nevertheless being temper’d with much moisture, it was sometimes useful. The fifth Figure represents a _Lamp_, whose bigger _Foramen_ on the middle of its Superficies, where they pour’d in the Oil, is cover’d with a large _Heliotrope_ inverted, [Sidenote: A _Lamp_ of a _Heliotrope_.] a Flower so call’d by the _Greeks_ from its ever inclining towards the Course of the Sun; for in the Morning it turns to the _East_, at Noon is erect, towards the Evening faces the _West_, and at Night inclines to the Earth, enquiring, as it were, for the Sun bury’d under Ground, and waiting for its Resurrection the next Morning. This may serve to teach us what Affinity, Temper and Agreement Things of an inferior Nature have with those that are Celestial; and if _Aristotle_ confesses that the Winds, Waters and other inanimate Things follow the heavenly Circuit, why should we question the _Heliotrope_’s subsequency to the Course of the Sun, or the _Seliotrope_’s to that of the Moon? Surely he who form’d this Flower turn’d downwards on a _Sepulchral Lamp_, seems thereby to intimate the Night of Death which Bodies suffer under Ground, and withal to show, according to the Opinion of the Ancients, that the Souls of the Deceas’d tarry together with their Bodies in the Grave. This _Lamp_, as likewise those at Figure the 7th, 10th, 12th, 13th and 15th were first publish’d by _Casalius_, and explain’d by _Licetus_. The next _Lamp_, mark’d with Figure six, [Sidenote: _Lamp_ of the _Alexandrian Pharos_.] seems to represent the _Pharos_ of _Alexandria_, into whose Haven a Ship is just entring, the Seamen being furling up their Sails, and for want of a better Reason, is suppos’d to have been plac’d in the Sepulchre of a certain Merchant of that City; but is now in the _Musæum_ of _Pietro Santo Bartoli_, as _Bellori_ informs us. As concerning the following _Lamp_, with a big Belly and Handle, and standing upon three Feet, as you may see at Figure the seventh, _Licetus_ believes _Casalius_ is under a mistake in reckoning it for a _Lamp_, and that it was rather a certain Vessel in form of a Cucumber, in which the Ancients were wont to heat Water; but I cannot be of his Opinion, since by its shape it looks very much unlike a Cucumber, and from the smallness of its Mouth at top, and the appearance of a Place for the Wiek, it seems most probably to have been a _Lamp_. [Sidenote: The _Lamp_ of an _Ox_ with a _Boy_ on his Back.] The eighth _Lamp_, made in the shape of an Ox couching on the Ground, with a Boy sitting on his Back, and holding a Fig-Leaf in his Hand, was sent by the Great Duke of _Tuscany_ out of his _Musæum_, to _Kircher_: The Ox being the Figure of _Apis_, and _Apis_ signifying the chief _Numen_ or Patron of Agriculture, wherefore this _Lamp_ was plac’d in the Temple of _Apis_ in Honour of that God, denoting by the Vessel, the pious and religious Affection the antient _Egyptians_ had for that Deity; and by the Fire the vital Heat, thinking that if he were absent from their Husbandry, all would run to the last Destruction. Under that _Symbol_ therefore they tacitely sollicited this _Numen_ to grant warmth and vital Heat to the Fields and Meadows, hoping, by the religious Ceremony of Fire, that he would be more vigilant and take greater care of Things committed to his Trust. By the Boy and Fig-Leaf they denoted the vital Heat and vegetable Life communicated to this Deity, whereby all Things are fructify’d, and seem as it were to grow young again. The ninth Figure or _Lamp_ represents a very fair and entire _Sphinx_ with a Womans Face, [Sidenote: _Lamp_ of a _Sphinx_.] having her Head bound about with a Fillet or Hair-Lace, the hinder part cover’d with a Coif, and two Horns rising out of her Forehead; the Body and Legs were like a Lion’s, and on the top of the Back was a great _Foramen_, thro’ which they pour’d the Oil: The Breast was very protuberant and somewhat like a Scollop-Shell, at the top of which is seen a lesser _Foramen_ for the Wick. This _Kircher_ positively believes to have been a _Sepulchral Lamp_, forasmuch as the antient _Egyptians_ were wont to place _Sphinx_’s about their _Sepulchres_, and _Pliny_ moreover witnesses, that an entire _Pyramid_ was built in _Egypt_ of that shape, whom you may consult more at large, _Lib._ 36. _cap._ 12. The tenth _Lamp_ has two Wieks, [Sidenote: _Lamp_ of the _Moon_.] and may either be hung up or set upon its Foot: From the form of a Crescent at the other extremity or handle, it is thought to have been dedicated to the Moon, or else to have burn’d in the Sepulchre of some Person of Rank, as a _Symbol_ of his Nobility, of which this was an _Hieroglyphic_, and therefore they antiently wore one in their Shoes, _&c._ to distinguish them from inferior Persons, and perhaps might also Sup by a _Lamp_ made in that form in token of their Quality and Grandure. As this had two, so the following _Lamp_ at Figure eleven had four Wieks or Lights, [Sidenote: _Lamp_ with four _Lights_.] being, as _Nardius_ tells us, brought out of _Egypt_, with some _Mummies_, to the Grand Duke of _Tuscany_, by which, says _Kircher_, nothing seems more to be meant than the Worship of those Deities which went before the four Seasons of the Year; for seeing the Prosperity of the whole Republic depended on the Plenty of those Things, to which the abovesaid Deities were distributed, in the Circle of the four Seasons of the Year, they aptly apply’d the _Lamp_ with four Lights to complete these mysterious Ceremonies; for the _Egyptians_ erected their _Lamps_ with so many Lights as the number of that Deity, consecrated to any one, contain’d of Unities. [Sidenote: _Lamp_ with an _Ox’s_ Head.] The _Lamp_ at Figure the twelfth, with the Head of an Ox, which as _Valerianus_, Lib. 3. _Hierogl._ plainly demonstrates to be the _Symbol_ of the Earth, was Sepulchral and depicted Hieroglyphically, to show that the Body of Man was resolv’d into Earth from whence it was first form’d. [Sidenote: _Lamp_ of a wing’d _Sphinx_.] Figure the thirteenth is a _Lamp_ on whose Superficies a wing’d _Sphinx_ grav’d or wrought, which as it was among the _Egyptians_ the _Symbol_ of secret Wisdom, so it denotes that this _Lamp_ was plac’d in the Sepulchre of some Learned Man, whose Sayings were wont to be Ænigmatical, and were represented by the Image of a _Sphinx_; or perhaps more particularly to denote the _Depositum_ of some Noble Poet; for it is the property of a Poet, under the cover of a Fable, to contain the mysterious Secrets of Divine Matters, and to enlighten the hidden Senses of honest Actions, that they may be imitated. [Sidenote: _Lamp_ with two beaked _Ships_.] The next _Lamp_ at Figure the fourtenth was purchas’d of the _Arabians_, by that excellent Physician _John Baptista Bonagente Vicentinus_, who saw them take it out of one of the Caves of the Mummies near the _Pyramids_, and after his Death _Fr. Sanctus a Plebe Sacci_ bought it out of his Collection at _Cairo_, and brought it to _Padua_, where he presented it to the most illustrious _Sertorio Ursatto_, who afterwards show’d it to _Licetus_, and he gave the following Figure and Description of it, _viz._ That it had twelve Lights or Wieks, and on it was represented two beaked Ships with many Oars, as it were mutually going into a hostile Engagement, which denotes, says _Licetus_, that this _Lamp_ was plac’d in the Sepulchre either of a certain famous Pirate, Commander of 12 Gallies, with three Oars on a side, and who infested the _Egyptian_ Seas, or, on the contrary, of some Captain who defended their Coasts from their Enemies; to which he adds, that this _Lamp_ being but small, and having 12 large Wieks, it must undeniably have consumed away in a very short Time, unless it were fill’d with incombustible Oil. [Sidenote: _Lamp_ with a _Dog_’s Head.] By the fifteenth and last Figure of a _Lamp_, on the extremity of whose handle is a Dog’s Head, _Pierius_ and _Ambrosius_ think is signify’d, that Men are faithfully to keep their Words and Trust in all Things committed to their Charge; and that a Dog’s Head had a chief Place in Sepulchral _Lamps_, inasmuch as it was the Hieroglyphic of a Sexton or _Libitinarius_; for as a Dog by firm and stedfast looking on, watches and defends the Images both of Gods and Men, so the _Libitinarii_ were to keep and look to the _Embalm’d_ Bodies, and all Things appertaining thereunto or Funeral Ceremonies.

Thus _Licetus_, _Bellori_ and _Kircher_ have given you their Opinions of the Hieroglyphical Signatures and Significations of some _Egyptian Lamps_, which we have just now mention’d, to which we will add two more very well worth the taking notice of, the one a particular Ceremony of burning sweet-smelling _Lamps_ and _Incense_ to the deceas’d Daughter of King _Mycerinus_, and the other a general lighting of _Lamps_ throughout all _Egypt_, call’d _The Feast of Lamps_.

[Sidenote: _Lamp_ of _Mycerinus_.]

The first was instituted by _Mycerinus_, one of the Kings of _Egypt_, who, being depriv’d of Heirs, by the Death of his Daughter and only Child, endeavour’d to immortalize her Memory by the most sumptuous Structure he could devise: For this end instead of a Subterranean Cave or Sepulchre, he erected a very fine Palace, with a Hall in the midst of it, beautifully adorn’d with abundance of Statues and Figures. In this Hall he deposited her Corps in a Coffin made after the similitude of an Ox in a kneeling posture, and cover’d over with Plates of Gold and a Purple-Mantle: The Ox had between its Horns a Sun of massy Gold, and before it there burn’d a _Lamp_, whose Flames were fed with most odoriferous Oils. Round about the Hall stood Perfuming-Pans and Censers, which continually threw up Clouds of sweet-smelling Odours; but this being more fully describ’d before, _p._ 200. we will refer you thither for a more particular Account, where it is also lively represented by a Plate or Figure.

[Sidenote: _Feast_ of _Lamps_.]

The second, _viz._ The _Feast of Lamps_, is describ’d by several Authors, tho’ they differ in their Opinions concerning its Origin; some will have it that the _Egyptians_ celebrated this Feast on certain Days of the Year, that _Osiris_, or the Sun, might not be wanting to preserve them by his Plenty and Benevolence, therefore they made a Sacrifice of _Lamps_, or a general Illumination to him throughout all _Egypt_, by reason they thought Fire the best _Symbol_ or representation of the Sun, whom they worshipp’d and call’d _Osiris_, but whom the _Greeks_ term’d _Pluto_ or _Vulcan_, which last some think the first Inventor or God of Fire. Moreover, _Macrobius_ says, _Osiris_ was nothing else but the Sun, and _Isis_ the Earth and Nature, made fruitful by him, and Mother of all Productions, which are form’d in her Bosom. Others say _Osiris_ and _Isis_ were King and Queen of _Egypt_, who reign’d with extraordinary mildness, conferring many great Benefits on their Subjects; also that they hindred Men from eating one another as they were formerly wont to do, and taught them Agriculture and the Use of Corn and Wine; moreover that they made excellent Laws, wherefore _Plutarch_ says, from their being such good _Genii_, they became Gods, as a just Reward to their Virtue, and that _Osiris_ was _Pluto_ and _Isis_ _Proserpina_. _Herodotus_ in his _Euterpe_ speaks thus of the _Feast of Lamps_, having told us in another place, as _Casalius_ observes, that the _Egyptians_ were more religious than all others in the care of their _Lamps_. ‘But when they had assembl’d together at _Sais_, the City of Sacrifice, they took their _Lamps_, prepar’d with good Wieks, fill’d with Oil, and season’d with Salt, and in the Evening lighted them in the open Air before their Houses, burning them all the Night, whence this lighting of _Lamps_ came to be call’d a _Feast of Lamps_. Now tho’ all the _Egyptians_ might not come to this Convention, yet did they all observe the Night of Sacrifice, and all lighted their _Lamps_, so that they were not only lighted in _Sais_, but also throughout all _Egypt_; but for what cause this Night obtain’d so much Glory and Honour, a certain holy Reason is given;’ yet which _Herodotus_ does not declare.

[Sidenote: To what end the _Feast of Lamps_ was instituted.]

Some think the _Egyptians_ were wont to light up these _Lamps_ in the Night, to find _Osiris_ out with _Isis_, he being kill’d, as they say, by his Brother _Typhon_. Moreover, _Lactantius_ tells us, the Priests beat their Breasts, and lamented with great Howlings, just as _Isis_ did when she had lost _Osiris_, but rejoyc’d again when they had found him, so that from this often loosing and finding him, _Lucan_ thus expresses himself on that Subject:

_Nunquamq; satis quæsitus Osiris._

Also by observing this Worship or Celebration of the _Feast of Lamps_, they promis’d themselves great Plenty of all Things; for as _Pausanias_ relates, the _Nile_’s beginning to encrease in those Days that they celebrated this Feast to _Isis_, in bewailing _Osiris_, induc’d them to believe, that the increase of that River, and Inundation of the Fields, was occasion’d only by the Tears which _Isis_ shed for the Death of _Osiris_, and some will have _Osiris_ to be the _Nile_, and _Isis_ _Egypt_.

[Sidenote: The true and sacred _Reason_.]

But the true and Sacred Reason why the _Egyptians_ celebrated this Feast of _Lamps_ with Tears and Lamentations, _Casalius_ thinks to have been in Memory of that doleful Night, in which GOD slew all the First-Born of _Egypt_, as well Men as Beasts (among whom was _Osiris_) to the end that he might bring the Children of _Israel_ out of that Country; for then King _Pharaoh_ and all the _Egyptians_ rose out of their Beds in the midst of the Night, and lighting their _Lamps_, lamented their slain Sons, thereby suffering the Sons of _Israel_ to go free out of the Land, as appears by _Exodus_ the 12th Chapter and the 12th, 29th, 30th, 31st, 32d and 33d Verses, where it is thus written: _I the Lord will pass thro’ the Land of_ Egypt _this Night, and will smite all the First-Born, both Man and Beast; and against all the Gods of_ Egypt _will I execute Judgment. And it came to pass that at Midnight the Lord smote all the First-Born of_ Pharaoh, _that sat on his Throne, unto the First-Born of the Captive that was in the Dungeon, and all the First-Born of Cattle. And_ Pharaoh _rose up in the Night, he and all his Servants, and all the_ Egyptians, _and there was a great Cry in all_ Egypt; _for there was not a House where there was not one dead. And he call’d for_ Moses _and_ Aaron _by Night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from amongst my People, both you and the Children of_ Israel, _and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said. Also take your Flocks and your Herds, as ye have said; and be gone, and bless me also. And the_ Egyptians _were urgent upon the People, that they might send them out of the Land in haste; for they said, we be all dead Men_. So that this true History of the Nightly Bewailings of the _Egyptians_, every one over his First-Born that was dead, and of their Joy by reason of their being freed from the fear of the Death of their other Children, at GOD’s People going out of their Land, was the true occasion why the _Egyptians_ did afterwards celebrate it with the _Feast of Lamps_, describ’d by _Herodotus_, and which the _Egyptian_ Priests, who conceal’d all their Mysteries under _Hieroglyphics_ like to Fables, did to shew the wonderful and miserable Bewailings of _Isis_ for slain _Osiris_, who some think was the First-Born of _Pharaoh_. On the contrary, so soon as this Night was over, the _Egyptians_ worshipp’d the Rising Sun, with rejoycings and leaping about, and a great number of both Sexes, says _Apuleius_, appeas’d the Celestial Bodies with _Lamps_, _Torches_ and other kind of Lights; but the Chief Priest carry’d a very famous burning _Lamp_, not like those commonly us’d at Evening-Banquets, but like to a Golden Boat, out of the middle of which issu’d forth a very large and bright Flame. But neither of these _Lamps_ describ’d by _Herodotus_, to wit, that of _Mycerinus_, or those us’d at the _Feast of Lamps_, are said to have burn’d perpetually, without ever going out, or any addition of new Matter being made to them: Nevertheless, some affirm, there have been such _Lamps_ as endur’d for many Ages, and probably might have been perpetual, had they not been accidentally broken or extinguish’d: [Sidenote: _Lamp_ of _Tulliola_.] Of these, the most remarkable is that which _Erasmus Franciscus_ produces out of _Pflaumerus_, _Pancirollus_ and others, _viz._ That under the Reign of Pope _Paul_ III. in the _Appian_ Way to _Rome_, where many of the chief Heathens were formerly bury’d, a Tomb was open’d in which there was found the entire Body of a very fair Lady, swimming in a wonderful Liquor which preserv’d it from Putrifaction in such manner, that the Face was no ways sunk, but seem’d exceeding beautiful and like to the Life it self: Her Hair was yellow, wreath’d about with an artificial Ligature, and connected with a Circle or Gold-Ring. Under her Feet burn’d a _Lamp_, whose Flame vanish’d upon opening the Sepulchre; from some grav’d Marks it appear’d the Body had been there bury’d above 1500 Years, but whose it was is not yet known, tho’ many have suppos’d it to have been the Body of _Tulliola_, Daughter of _Cicero_, from this short Inscription said to have been found grav’d on the Tomb, _viz._

TULLIOLÆ FILIÆ MEÆ.

Some say this Body, so soon as it was touch’d, immediately turn’d to Ashes and disappear’d; but the truth of this Story is very much to be question’d, [Sidenote: _Refuted._] and if we enquire strictly into each particular Circumstance, it will appear altogether fabulous: For, _First_, if it had been kept with any Balsamic Liquor, it could not so soon have turn’d to Ashes, and if it had not been _Embalm’d_, then for it to have been kept uncorrupt so many Hundreds of Years, would have been as great a Miracle as the burning of the _Lamp_. _Secondly_, The Argument from the Inscription, that it was the Body of _Tulliola_, is as doubtful as the matter of Fact can be true, for any one never so indifferently vers’d in the Monuments of the Antients, will believe it ought then to have been written in this manner, and according to their usual Custom: _M. Tullius Cicero, Terentiæ Uxori, Tulliolæ Filiæ_, &c. if either the Father had been bury’d there, or had built it for his Wife and Children: Also the word _Meæ_ is needless, forasmuch as she was the Daughter, not of another but of the Person that built the Tomb for himself and Family; but who it was that either built the Tomb, or was Father to the Daughter, the words of the Inscription do not show, whereby they appear in all respects to be, not the Truth and Elegancy of those Times, but meer Novelties and Follies: Besides, it could not be any of _Cicero_’s Family (and therefore the Assertion and Title must be false) because in his Time and long before, the _Romans_ were wont to burn all Bodies, and thereby reduce them to Ashes, except those of Infants that had not had their Teeth cut, and a few particular Families; but of this number we do not read that _Cicero_ was one who was exempted from the Flames of the Funeral Pyre. Some therefore who deservedly suspect the Title, will have it to be the Body of _Priscilla_, Daughter of _Abascantus_; but whoever it was, _Judæus Apella_ thinks it not to have been reduc’d to Ashes by burning, but by the immission of the Air or contact of the Body, and that it had without _Embalming_, remain’d incorrupt 1500 Years, whereas both Iron and Marble are consum’d in much lesser Time. But _Cælius Rhodiginus_, _Antiq. Lect._ Lib. 3. cap. 24. relates it quite otherwise, _viz._ That it suffer’d not the Injuries of Time, by reason of its being condited with Aromatics, until three Days after it was brought into the City, when the Medicament being remov’d or vitiated it putrify’d. _Lastly_, This Author as well as _Aresius_, _Alexander ab Alexandro_, and _Raphael Volateranus_, who liv’d the same Time at _Rome_ that this Tomb is reported to have been found, do not so much as mention one word of a _Lamp_ found burning, whereas that being a Thing so very wonderful and miraculous, it could not easily be conceal’d, seeing that even common and frivolous Things are so easily listn’d to by such as are desirous of and expect Novelties: Nay _Alexander_ plainly enough lays down, that there was no Inscription; and _Licetus_ himself does not affirm, that there was any _Lamp_ found burning in that Sepulchre, so that as _Ferrarius_ observes, it appears to be a meer Invention of _Pancirollus_, who out of an innate desire of relating wonderful Things, and pleas’d with the sweetness of Fables, first receiv’d it for a Truth, and afterwards communicated it to Posterity.

Yet was this not so strange and wonderful a _Lamp_ as that of _Pallas_, [Sidenote: _Lamp_ of _Pallas_,] which _Martinus_ the Chronologer relates, and to which _Boccatius_, _Philippus Bergomas_ and _Volateranus_ assent, _viz._ That in the Year 1501, when _Henry_ III. was Emperor, a Countryman digging deep in the Earth, near the City of _Rome_, discover’d a Tomb of Stone, wherein lay a Body so tall, that being erected, it over-top’d the Walls of that City, and was as entire as if it had been but newly bury’d, having a very large Wound on the Breast, and a burning _Lamp_ at its Head, which could neither be extinguish’d by Wind nor Water, so that they were forc’d to perforate the bottom of the _Lamp_, and by that means put out the Flame. This was said to be the Body of _Pallas_ slain by _Turnus_, these Verses being inscrib’d on the Sepulchre:

_Filius Evandri Pallas, quem Lancea Turni Militis occidit_, more suo _jacet hic_. Others read it:——Mole sua _jacet hic_.

This _Lamp_ is said to have burn’d 2511 Years, and perhaps would have continu’d so to the end of the World, had it not been broke and the Liquor spilt. [Sidenote: _Ridicul’d._] Now as this Story appears very fabulous, so _Ferrarius de Lucernis Sepulchralibus_, p. 17. as wittily ridicules it, thinking it a fitter Tale for an old Grannam in a Chimney-Corner to quiet a peevish and froward Child with, than for a Man of Sense to give credit to; nay, he declares, that for his part, he is almost asham’d to reherse it: Can any one think, says he, that _Pallas_ was so tall a Giant as to surmount the Walls of _Rome_, or that any one should be so foolish to measure the Body by the Wall, and not by a Foot-Rule, Cubit or Yard? That the Orifice of the Wound should be four Foot wide, and proportionably big to his Body, so that a little Man might jump in and out at it? Surely in this Case _Turnus_’s Lance must have been as big as that of _Polyphemus_ or the _Philistian Goliah_’s. Besides, if _Pallas_ were but a Lad when he was slain, as the Poet make him, and yet taller than the Turrets of the _Roman_ Walls, what would he have come to if he had liv’d? Would he not, think you, have encreas’d in height ’till he had equall’d the Obelisk of the Sun? Besides, it must have been more than an _Egyptian Embalming_ that could have preserv’d a Body of that bulk entire for about 26 Ages: Yet, grant all this, the Poet says expresly, the Body of _Pallas_ was burn’d and not bury’d. No less absurd and barbarous are the Verses of the Inscription, which, instead of being elegant and sublime, are mean and poor, undoubtedly compos’d in some Cottage or Ale-House; for what can be meant by _more suo_, unless he lay in a different posture from what other Bodies are wont to do, or by _mole sua_, but his being of an unsizeable bulk? However both are as ridiculous and foolish as the _Latin_ is trivial. Nevertheless _Licetus_ endeavours to defend both, alledging by _more suo_ is meant, that there is no other situation of Bodies more proper than lying, either when they are asleep, which is the Emblem of Death, or when they are sick, which is the way to it, but what need he then mention that which every Body knows? The other words _mole sua_, he says, were to describe the bulk of his Gigantic Body, or else by reason the Ancients thought the Soul tarry’d with the Body in the Sepulchre, or wander’d about it, yet could not either stand, sit or lye, as being an incorporeal Substance, it was said of his Body, as separated from the Soul, and laid up in a Sepulchre, _Mole sua jacet hic_; so that ’tis the Opinion of this great Philosopher and Critic, that _mole sua_ was added to the Verse, lest any one should suspect the Body and Soul of _Pallas_ did lye together in the same Cave. As to the _Lamp_, which exceeds all Faith and Belief, for it is affirm’d to have burn’d 2611 Years, and that whereas other _Lamps_ were but small, and soon extinguish’d by the immission of Air, or the blast of Winds, this great and contumacious Flame, well befitting a Giant, defy’d both the light of the Day or darting of the Sun-Beams, and the rushing in of Air or blasts of Wind, and, as they tell you, would have continu’d so for ever, if it had not been broken, whereas they might have better said, if the Liquor had not been spilt, seeing it might have been easier extinguish’d, by inverting the _Lamp_, and pouring out that precious Oil, which yielded Aliment to the Eternal Fire; nay every one knows, who has seen these _Lamps_, that they were wont to have several holes at top, wherein they pour’d the Oil: These are foolish and absurd Stories both committed to Print and Posterity, as if they were only to come into the Hands of Boys, or Cucumber-headed Men, as _Ferrarius_ expresses himself. There are several other Relations of this kind, as the Golden _Lamp_ in the Temple of _Minerva_ at _Athens_, [Sidenote: _Lamp_ of _Minerva_,] which, says _Pausanias_, burn’d a whole Year, and was the workmanship of _Callimachus_. [Sidenote: Of _Jupiter Ammon_,] The _Lamp_ of _Jupiter Ammon_, which _Plutarch_, _Lib. de Def. Oracul._ speaks of, and which is affirm’d by the Priests to have burn’d continually, yet consum’d less Oil every Year than the former, and tho’ it burn’d in the open Air, neither Wind nor Water could extinguish it. A _Lamp_ in the Fane of _Venus_, [Sidenote: Of _Venus_,] which St. _Austin_ speaks of, being of the same Nature with the fore-going, unextinguishable either by Wind or Water. [Sidenote: A _Lamp_ found at _Edessa_.] A _Lamp_ at _Edessa_, that _Cedrenus_ mentions, which being hid at the top of a certain Gate, burn’d 500 Years. Another very wonderfull _Lamp_ was that of _Olybius Maximus_ of _Padua_, [Sidenote: _Lamp_ of _Olybius_.] found near _Atteste_, which _Scardeonius_, Lib. 1. Class. 3. cap. _ult._ thus describes: In a large Earthen-Urn was contain’d a lesser, and in that a burning _Lamp_, which had continu’d so 1500 Years, by means of a most pure Liquor contain’d in two Bottles, one of Gold and the other of Silver. These are in the Custody of _Franciscus Maturantius_, and are by him valu’d at an exceeding Rate.

Abundance of other _Lamps_ of the like Nature are describ’d by _Licetus_, and confuted by _Ferrarius_, whither we refer you; for seeing they are but improbable Stories, and the Fictions of Poets, we think it not worth while to spend our Time in repeating them; but in the next place will proceed to enquire after what manner Authors do suppose perpetual burning _Lamps_ to have been made.

[Sidenote: _Lamps_ that have burn’d by a _Divine Power_,]

These, says _Licetus_, _Kircher_ and others, were order’d divers ways, _First_, Miraculously and Preternaturally, as was that at _Antioch_, which burn’d 1500 Years in an open and public Place, over the Door of a Church, preserv’d by that Divine Power who hath made so infinite a number of Stars to burn with perpetual Light. _Secondly_, [Sidenote: By the wiles of the _Devil_,] By the wiles of the Devil, who, as St. _Austin_ tells us, deceives such a thousand ways, who, out of Curiosity and Avarice, consult Oracles or worship false Gods, so that when Men sought for the Sepulchres of these Gods, nothing was more easie than for the Devil to represent a flash of Light or Flame to them at their first entring into such _Subterranean Caves_. Others assign Natural Reasons for this, as that which Countrymen imagine to be a burning _Lamp_, at their first finding those _Sepulchres_, may be only a kind of _Ignis fatuus_, or pellucid Matter which shines in the dark; [Sidenote: Or from a _Natural Cause_.] for such glimmering Coruscations are frequently seen in Church-Yards and fat marshy Grounds, especially at the breaking up of old Tombs, where no Air has been immitted for many Ages. Also Miners observe, that at the first opening of a new Vein of Ore, such flames or flashes of Light break forth; yet are these not sufficient Arguments for criticizing Philosophers, for some believe a _Lamp_ may be made with such Art as to burn perpetually, and others as absolutely deny it, alledging that whatever is resolv’d into Vapour or Smoak cannot be permanent, but will consume, and the oily Nutriment of a lighted _Lamp_ is exhal’d into a Vapour, therefore the Fire cannot be perpetual for want of a _Pabulum_. On the contrary, those that defend the possibility of making a perpetual _Lamp_, deny that all the Nourishment of kindl’d Fire must of necessity evaporate into a Damp or Vapour, asserting, that there are things in Nature, which not only resist the force of Fire, and are inconsumable by it, but also inextinguishable either by Wind or Water: Such as these are some peculiar Preparations of _Gold_, _Silver_ or _Mercury_; _Naptha_, _Petroleum_, and the like bituminous _Oils_; also _Oil_ of _Camphir_, _Amber_ and _Bricks_; the _Lapis Asbestos seu Amianthus_, _Lapis Carystius_, _Cyprius_ and _Magnesius_ and _Linum vivum seu Creticum_, &c. of all which in their Order. _First_, They affirm such Matter might be prepar’d either of _Gold_, _Silver_, or the like Metal, [Sidenote: Or can be made with _Gold_, _Silver_,] made fluid after a particular manner, and _Gold_ they thought the fittest _Pabulum_ for such an inconsumable _Lamp_, because, of all Metals, that wastes the least when either heated or melted, yet what Oily Humidity can that or any other Metal afford which will catch Fire and continue its Flame? But that these perpetual _Lamps_, if ever there were any such, were not prepar’d of Metals, is sufficiently confuted by _Licetus_, p. 130 and 132. and by _Ferrarius_, p. 16. tho’ _Licetus_ in another place, _viz._ p. 44. makes mention of a Preparation of Quicksilver purged seven Times, thro’ white Sand by Fire, of which, he says, _Lamps_ were made that would burn perpetually; and that this Liquor was variously nam’d by the Chymists, [Sidenote: Or _Mercury_.] as _Aqua Mercurialis_, _Materia Metallorum_, _perpetua Dispositio_, _Materia prima Artis_, _Vitrum perenne incorruptumque_, _Oleum Vitri_, and the like. Nevertheless, how fabulous soever this may seem, both _Maturantius_ and _Citesius_ aver they firmly believe, that to make a _Lamp_ which will burn perpetually, must of necessity be a Chymical Work, tho’ perhaps not made from any Preparation of Metal. [Sidenote: Two _Chymical Experiments_ for making _Eternal Fire_.] This appears from the Chymical Experiments of _Tritenhemius_ and _Bartholomeus Korndorferus_, who both made Preparations for Eternal Fire after the following manner.

[Sidenote: First _Experiment_.]

The first was thus made: ℞ _Sulphur. Alum. ust. a_ ℥ iv. sublime them into Flowers to ℥ ij. of which add of Christalline _Venetian_ Borax pouder’d ℥ j. upon these affuse high rectify’d Spirit of Wine and digest it, then abstract it and pour on fresh: Repeat this so often ’till the Sulphur melt like Wax, without any Smoak, upon a hot Plate of Brass, and this is for the _Pabulum_, but the Wiek is to be prepar’d after this manner: You must gather together the Threds or Thrums of the _Lapis Asbestos_, to the thickness of your middle, and length of your little Finger, which done, put them into a _Venice_ Glass, and covering them over with the aforesaid depurated Sulphur or Aliment, set the Glass in Sand for the space of 24 Hours, so hot that the Sulphur may bubble all the while. The Wiek being thus besmear’d and anointed, is to be put into a Glass like a Scallop-Shell, in such manner, that some part of it may lye above the Mass of prepar’d Sulphur; then setting this Glass upon hot Sand, you must melt the Sulphur, so that it may lay hold of the Wiek, and when ’tis lighted it will burn with a perpetual Flame, and you may set this _Lamp_ in any Place where you please. The way of making the other Eternal Fire is thus:

[Sidenote: Second _Experiment_.]

℞. _Salis tosti_, lb. j. affuse over it strong Wine-Vinegar, and abstract it to the consistency of Oil; then put on fresh Vinegar and macerate and distill it as before. This repeat four Times successively, then put into this Vinegar _Vitr. Antimonii subtiliss. lævigat_, lb. j. set it on Ashes in a close Vessel for the space of six Hours, to extract its Tincture, decant the Liquor, and put on fresh, and then extract it again; this repeat so often ’till you have got out all the redness. Coagulate your Extractions to the consistency of Oil, and then rectifie them in _Balneo Mariæ_: Then take the _Antimony_, from which the Tincture was extracted, and reduce it to a very fine Meal, and so put it into a glass Bolthead; pour upon it the rectify’d Oil, which abstract and cohobate seven Times, ’till such time as the Pouder has imbib’d all the Oil, and is quite dry. This extract again with Spirit of Wine, so often, ’till all the Essence be got out of it, which put into a _Venice_ Matrass, well luted with Paper five-fold, and then distill it so that the Spirit being drawn off, there may remain at bottom an inconsumable Oil, to be us’d with a Wiek after the same manner with the Sulphur we have describ’d before.

These are those Eternal Lights of _Tritenhemius_, adds _Libavius_’s Commentator, which indeed tho’ they do not agree with the Pertinacy of _Naptha_, yet these things can illustrate one another. [Sidenote: _Lamp_ made with _Naptha_,] _Naptha_ is not so durable as not to be burn’d, for it exhales and deflagrates, but if it be fix’d by adding the Juice of the _Lapis Asbestinos_, it can afford Perpetual Fuell, so says that Learned Person upon this Matter. Moreover, _Naptha_ is a sort of _Bitumen_ so very hot, that it presently burns every Thing it adheres to, nor is it easily extinguish’d by any moist Thing; and _Pliny_ says it has such Affinity with Fire, that it presently leaps to it wherever it finds it. Thus ’tis reported _Glauca_ was burnt by _Medea_, when she came to Sacrifice, for approaching the Altar the Fire immediately caught hold of her: This was because _Jason_, being in Love with _Glauca_, the Daughter of _Creon_ King of _Corinth_, had forsaken _Medea_, when she to be reveng’d on that Princess, wetted her Vail and Crown with _Naptha_, by which means she might be the sooner set on Fire, as _Plutarch_ has it in the Life of _Alexander_ the Great. Thus as _Naptha_ is very inflamable and ready to catch Fire, so is it not easily extinguish’d either by Wind or Water, but burns more violently if cast into the Water, or agitated by the Wind. Of this kind also are some other sorts of _Bitumen_, such as _Petroleum_, _Amber_, _Camphir_, &c. therefore may be proper Ingredients for these sorts of _Lamps_ we are speaking of. Now in _Egypt_ there were many Places full of _Bitumen_ and _Petroleum_, as _Bellonius_, _Radzivillus_, _Vallæus_, _Burattinus_, and other Searchers into _Egyptian_ Antiquities testifie, which were constituted by the hidden Counsels of Nature, with an inexhaustible store of Matter; wherefore the Learned among them, who were great Naturalists, having discover’d these bituminous Wells or Fountains, [Sidenote: With liquid _Bitumen_ or _Petroleum_.] laid from them secret Canals or Pipes to the Subterranean Caves and Sepulchres of the Dead, where, in a convenient Place, they set a _Lamp_ with a Wiek of _Asbestos_, which was constantly moisten’d and supply’d with Oil by means of this Duct from the afore-said Places: Seeing therefore the flowing of the Oil was perpetual, and the Wiek of _Asbestos_ inconsumable, it must of necessity follow, that the Light also endur’d perpetually. And that this was so, [Sidenote: Confirm’d by _Schiangia_.] fully appears from what _Schiangia_ an _Arabian_ Author relates in his History of the memorable Things of _Egypt_, in much the same Words as follow: ‘There was a Field in _Egypt_ whose Ditches were full of Pitch and liquid _Bitumen_, whence the Philosophers knowing the force of Nature, dug some Canals to their Subterranean _Cryptæ_, where they set a _Lamp_, which was joyn’d to the afore-said Canals, and which having a Wiek of incombustible Flax, by that means being once lighted, it burn’d perpetually by reason of the continual afflux of _Bitumen_, and the incombustible Wiek.’ The same thing might perhaps be effected with _Naptha_, which flow’d at _Mutina_ in _Italy_, as also with _Petroleum_ and _Sicilian Oil_. [Sidenote: And believ’d by _Kircher_, &c.] This _Kircher_ and several others are of Opinion is the true way of making _perpetual Lamps_, seeing it is a Thing purely natural, where such Bituminous Oils do abound, and has no other difficulty in it, but preparing the Wiek of _Asbestos_, or the like, which comes next under our Consideration.

[Sidenote: _Lapis Asbestos._]

First _Asbestos_, call’d by the _Greeks_ Ἄσβεστος, i. e. _inextinguibilis_, a kind of Stone, which being set on fire, cannot be quench’d, as _Pliny_ and _Solinus_ write. _Albertus Magnus_ describes it to be a Stone of an Iron colour, found for the most part in _Arabia_, and of such strange Virtue, as was manifest in the Temples of the Heathen Gods, that being once lighted it was never to be extinguish’d, by reason of some small quantity of oleaginous Moisture, which was inseparately mix’d with it, and which being inflam’d cherish’d the Fire: Now could any expert _Chymist_ rightly extract this indissoluble Oil, we need not question but it would afford a perpetual _Pabulum_ for these _Eternal Lamps_ which the Ancients boast of; but many Experiments of that kind have been made in vain, some affirming, [Sidenote: Its _Oil_.] the Liquor chymically extracted from that Stone was more of a watry than oily Nature, and withal so fæculent, that it was not capable to receive Fire and exist. Others again have said, that this Oil was of so thick and solid a Substance that it would hardly flow, and for the most part burn’d not at all or but very indifferently, emitting no Flame, or if it did, it shone not with a bright splendor, but cast up thick and dark Fumes, whereas on the contrary, those _Lamps_ of the Ancients, which burn’d so many Ages, yielded a clear and bright Flame without any Smoak to soil the Vessel and circum-ambient Places, and which in time might both obscure, stop up and put out the Light: Hence _Kircher_ is of Opinion, that tho’ the Mistery of extracting this Oil be not impracticable, yet it is very difficult to be attain’d to by any Humane Art, and as _Ferrarius_ also observes, that as the Stone _Asbestos_, if once lighted is inextinguishable, so much more must its Oil be both incombustible and inextinguishable, wherefore it does not appear that the _Lamps_ of the Ancients were made either of one or the other, seeing for the most part they are said to have gone out immediately on the opening of the Sepulchre where they were plac’d.

[Sidenote: _Asbeston seu Asbestinum._]

_Secondly_, The very same is said of _Asbeston sive Asbestinum_, which the _Greeks_ call Ἄσβεστον, i. e. _inextinguibile, & est genus Lini quod Ignibus non absumitur_, a kind of Flax of which they made Cloth that was to be cleans’d by burning, as Tobacco-Pipes are. _Pliny_ calls it _Linum vivum_ and _Indian_ Flax, and says it was so dear it was esteem’d equal to Pearl and Precious Stones, for it was hard to be met with, and then very difficult to be woven, by reason of the shortness of it. Also he tells us the Bodies of Kings were wont to be wrapp’d in this sort of Cloth, when they were to be burn’d, to the end the Ashes might be preserv’d unmix’d from those of the _Funeral Pile_, in order to the laying them up in Urns, as the Custom then was when they burn’d their dead Bodies. Moreover _Pliny_ says, he saw some Napkins of this sort of Cloth in his Time, and was an Eye-Witness of the Experiment of purifying them by Fire.

One _Podocattarus_, a _Cyprian_ Knight, who wrote _de Rebus Cypriis_ in the Year 1566, had both Flax and Linnen of this kind with him at _Venice_, which _Porcacchius_ says, in his Book of _Antient Funerals_, he and many others that were with him, saw at that Knight’s House. Also _Ludovicus Vives_ saw a Towel of this kind at _Lovain_ in _Brabant_, and several Wieks of it at _Paris_, as he himself relates in his Commentary upon St. _Austin_’s Treatise _de Civitate Dei_. Likewise _Baptista Porta_, says he saw the same thing at _Venice_ in the hands of a _Cyprian_ Woman, and which he terms _Secretum optimum, perpulchrum & perutile_, a very useful, beautiful and profitable Secret. Several other Authors testifie they have seen the same, but _Henricus Salmuthius_, in his Commentary upon _Pancirollus_, p. 16. will have this sort of Linnen to be call’d _Asbestinum_, from its likeness to Chalk, which he says the _Greeks_ term’d Ἄσβεστον, for as that is wont to be purify’d by Fire, so is this Linnen made clean and white by burning. [Sidenote: Two _Objections_ against this _Asbeston_.] Now the chief Objections _Ferrarius_ makes against _Pliny_’s Account of this incombustible and inextinguishable Flax are, first, That if Wieks had been made of it, they would never have been consum’d or extinguish’d, or when once the Funeral Pile was lighted, the incombustible Linnen, wherein the Bodies were wrapp’d, as also the Napkins and Towels, which Authors mention, would never have been quench’d, but have burn’d perpetually, whereas, he says, this kind of Linnen burn’d only so long as either Grease, Fat, or the like _Sordes_ afforded the Flame a _Pabulum_, wherefore that being consum’d which had occasion’d the Spots or Dirt, the Linnen appear’d more white and clean than if it had been wash’d with Water and Soap. From this it appears also that those Funeral Shrouds of Kings, often mention’d in Authors, burn’d only so long upon the Pile as the Fat or _Sanies_ of the Body afforded Aliment, and when that fail’d, the Flame ceas’d likewise; for otherwise, if this sort of Flaxen Linnen had been inextinguishable, as _Salmuthius_ seems to imply by the word Ἄσβεστον, how could those Napkins or Funeral Shrouds, when once burn’d, be ever handl’d or made use of any more without burning whatever they came near or touch’d? The second Objection is taken from _Pliny_’s own Words, who tells us, this sort of Flax was very scarce and of great Price, being preserv’d for the Kings of that Country only, so that ’tis highly probable the _Egyptians_ might make use of another sort of Cloth, [Sidenote: _Lapis Amiantus._] made of the Stone _Amiantus_, for burning their Bodies, and which, _Pliny_ says, they had the Art of Spinning at that Time. _Plutarch_ also assures us that in his Time there was a Quarry of that Stone in the Island of _Negropont_, and that the like was to be found in the Isle of _Cyprus_, _Tines_, and else-where. Moreover, ’tis the common Opinion of the Learned, that both Funeral Shrouds or Sheets, Table-Cloths, Napkins and the Wieks of the Perpetual _Lamps_ of the Ancients, were made of this _Lapis Amiantus_, which Linnen, _&c._ _Porcacchius_ and _Ludovicus Vives_ have particularly spoken of before: Besides, as _Dasamus_ relates, the Emperor _Constantine_ caus’d Wieks to be made of this Flax for those _Lamps_ which burn’d perpetually in his Bathing Place, and _Agricola_ affirms, that both Napkins, Table-Cloths, _&c._ were made at _Rome_, and at _Vereberge_ in _Bohemia_, of this _Lapis Amiantus_, which instead of washing when dirty, they were wont to cleanse and purifie by Fire. The best sort of this Stone was to be had in _Cyprus_ and _India_, from the former of which Countries it came to be call’d _Lapis Cyprius_ and _Linum Cyprium_; [Sidenote: _Lapis Cyprius_ and _Linum Cyprium_.] but of late there has been very good found in some Mines of _Italy_, of which see _Philosophical Transact._ No. 72. This Stone being beaten with a Hammer, and the Earth and Dust shaken out, appears like to Flax with its Filaments, and then is spun and woven into Cloth, which Art, says Dr. _Grew_ in his Description of the Rarities in _Gresham_-College, as well as the Use is thought to be utterly lost, tho’ it be not really so; for _Septalius_ in his _Musæum_ has or lately had, both Thread, Ropes, Paper and Net-work, all made of this Flax, and some of them with his own Hand. But _Grew_ seems to make _Asbestinus Lapis_ and _Amiantus_ all one, and calls them in _English_ the _Thrum-Stone_; he says it grows in short Threads or Thrums, from about a quarter of an Inch to an Inch in length, parallel and glossy, as fine as those small single Threads the Silk-Worm spins, and very flexile like to Flax or Tow. There are several pieces of this kind in the aforesaid _Musæum_, both white and green, of which the latter has the longest Threads and the most flexile.

Others think the Funeral Shrouds, wherein the dead Bodies of Kings were burn’d, as also the Wieks of those Perpetual _Lamps_ were made of the _Lapis Carystius_, [Sidenote: _Lapis Carystius._] a Stone so call’d from the City _Carystos_, and which signifies, _Ardens Tela, quod ex Lapide Carystio texeretur; Tela cujus sordes Igne purgabantur_. The Inhabitants kemb’d, spun and wove this downy Stone into Mantles, Table-Linnen and the like, which when foul they purify’d again with Fire instead of Water, as _Mattheus Raderus_ mentions in his Comment on the 77th Epigr. of the IX. Book of _Martial_. Also _Pausanias_ in _Atticis_, and _Plutarch_ Lib. _De Oraculorum defectu_, deliver that the Wieks of _Lamps_ made hereof, and burn’d with Oil, never consum’d, tho’ the latter says the Stone was not to be found in his Time. [Sidenote: _Linum Carpasium._] Others say it was the _Linum Carpasium_ which was apply’d to all these Uses, so call’d _a Carpaso, Cypri Urbe_, and that Linnen made thereof was call’d _Carbasa_, which _Solinus_ says, would endure Fire without consuming. Sometimes also ’tis call’d _Linum Cyprium_, [Sidenote: _Cyprium._] of which kind of Flax it was made, and they report the before-mention’d _Podocatterus_, a _Cyprian_ Knight, shew’d a piece of it to the _Venetians_, and which he cleans’d by burning in the Fire. _Franciscus Ruæus_, _Albertus Magnus_, _Cælius Rhodiginus_, _Camillus_, _Leonardus_, _Isiodorus_, and many other famous Writers alledge, if a Wiek be made of this kind of Flax, it will not consume with Fire, and _Pausanias_ particularly says, the Wiek of the Golden _Lamp_ of _Minerva_ was made hereof. Much like this, if not directly the same, was the Flax call’d _Linum Creticum_; [Sidenote: _Creticum._] for, as _Solinus_ asserts, those _Carbasa_, that would endure the Fire, were made in _Crete_. Also _Strabo_ says this _Linum Creticum_ was made out of a Rock, beaten into Threads, and the Earthy Matter shaken out, after which ’twas kemb’d and woven into Cloth which was not to be consum’d, but might be cleans’d by burning.

Other Authors say inconsumable Cloth, and the Wieks of Perpetual _Lamps_ were made of the Stones _Magnesia_, _Alumen Sciscile_, and the like; [Sidenote: _Magnesia_, _Alumen Sciscile_, &c.] but whether under different Denominations one thing might be meant, I can by no means pretend to determin, altho’ _Hieronymus Mercurialis_ thinks Linnen made of the _Lapis Carystius_ to be the same which _Pliny_ calls _Linum vivum_, _Pausanias_, _Carpasium_, _Solinus_, _Carbasum_, _Zoroaster_, _Bostrichitem_, others _Corsoidem_, some _Poliam_ or _Spartopoliam_, and the common People _Villam Salamandræ_. Tho’ after all, the Ancients might very probably have some other Invention for burning Bodies, such as to set them on the Fire in a Coffin of Stone, Brass or Iron, from whence it was very easie to gather the Ashes and Bones that were not consum’d; and as for the _Lamps_ some are of Opinion they had no Wieks at all: Among these was _Licetus_, who believes the antient _Lamps_ wanted Wieks, because few or none of them have been found, and _Ludovicus Vives_ is the only Person that affirms he has seen any; but this is nevertheless a conjectural Opinion, since they might have been destroy’d either by Time, Fire or any other Accident. However, he at least affirms the Wiek of a _Lamp_ not to be absolutely necessary towards its burning, by reason _Camphir_, _Naptha_, _Oil of Bricks_, liquid _Bitumen_, and the like, will for the most part take Fire without any addition of a Wiek. _Ferrarius_, on the contrary, does not deny but rather confirm the use of Wieks, making the Question dubious, [Sidenote: Whether the _Perpetuity_ of a _Lamp_ proceeded from the _Oil_ or _Wiek_.] whether the perpetuity of Light in _Lamps_ proceeded mostly from the Oil or Wiek? If from the Oil, says he, why did they generally go out upon the admission of Air into the Sepulchre at its first opening? For Air or a gentle gale of Wind is not commonly found prejudicial to the flame of Oil, but only violent Blasts or Storms, which if absent, the Flame or Light will continue so long as the Aliment lasts. But how then came the _Lamps_ of _Minerva_, _Pallas_ and others not to be extinguish’d by the rushing in of Wind or sprinkling of Dust, and only by breaking the _Lamp_? Surely there must needs have been two kinds of inconsumable Oil, one which fear’d any admission of Air, and another which defy’d the most violent storms of Rain or Wind; or perhaps one might be the effect of an Oil-_Lamp_ without any Wiek, and the other of a _Lamp_ which had both Oil and Wiek, which certainly must have been the most permanent. For grant there are some Oils so spirituous and inflammable, that they will of themselves catch Fire at a great distance, yet must these needs be too volatile to occasion a _Lamp_ to burn perpetually, unless they are fix’d with some more permanent Matter, [Sidenote: Both _Wiek_ and _Oil_ in a _Lamp_.] and then they cannot be so easily lighted without a Wiek; neither can we understand how it should burn so above the _Lamp_, unless the Flame be supported by a little Cord or Wiek, the Vehicle of the Oil: Besides, What can that little _Foramen_ at the Beak of all the _Lamps_ mean, but only to thrust the Wiek and Light out at? ’Tis plain therefore they had Wieks, but what they were made of, whether of _Asbestos_, _Amiantus_, or any of the before-mention’d Things, is somewhat difficult to decide; forasmuch as they being reported both to have been inconsumable and inextinguishable, when once lighted, they must needs have burn’d perpetually, and consequently the _Lamps_ have had no occasion for any Oil; but this is certainly false, for both the _Lamps_ and _Funeral Shrouds_ burn’d only so long as there was any Oil, Fat, or oleaginous Moisture remaining, which being consum’d they likewise ceas’d, yet might perhaps remain unconsum’d, but that without any Flame. However, we must not deny there were any Wieks in _Lamps_, because they could not, as most are of opinion, continue to burn of themselves without any oily inflammable Matter, but rather all believe both the Oil and Wiek had a Virtue to assist each other, and on the contrary could not burn separately for any duration or considerable Time. But some have thought quite otherwise of this matter, _viz._ That what Country-Peasants imagine they see at the first breaking up of such Sepulchres are only the sudden irradiations and reflections of the Sun in those dark Caves, or else some sparks of Light rais’d by the percussion or attrition of their Iron-Tools against the Stones, a glimmering Vapour of the Earth, or the like Appearances, which being heightn’d by the strength of their prepossess’d Fancy, they easily take to be one of the Perpetual _Lamps_ of the Ancients, which had burn’d ’till then, but was immediately extinguish’d upon the rushing in of the Air, or accidental breaking of the _Lamp_. But _Gutherius_ thinks the contrary; he imagines it was some Liquor or Pouder which took fire at the entring in of the Air: And _Johan. Sigism. Elholtius_, in his Observations _de Phosphoris_, p. 9. obs. 2. Sect. 4. compares his liquid _Phosphorus_ or _Cold Fire_, as he terms it, with the _Lamps_ of the Ancients in these Words: [Sidenote: _Perpetual Burning Lamp_ thought to be liquid _Phosphorus_.] _Plura circa_ frigidum _hunc_ Ignem _Phœnomina hactenus non observavimus, in posterum tamen istis experimentis plus operæ sumus impensuri, & postea communicaturi. Profecto, si conjectura quorundam de_ Lucernis Veterum _Sepulchralibus vera est, quod scilicet non Mille vel amplius Annos illa arserint, sed quod apertæ demum ardere cæperint, tum utique ab Oleo illo Antiquorum, non multum obfuerit hic_ Phosphorus liquidus. _Qui enim quiescens & obturatus haud nitet, apertus & inter aperiendum motus, corruscare atque flagrare incipit: restauratæq; hoc pacto forent Lucernæ illæ, multis retro Seculis inter_ Deperdita _ab omnibus relatæ_. _We have not hitherto observ’d more_ Phœnomena _concerning this_ Cold Fire, _nevertheless intend for the future to spend more Time and Labour in these Experiments, and then will communicate them to the Public. But surely if a certain Conjecture concerning the_ Lamps _of the Ancients be true_, viz. _That they burn’d not a Thousand or more Years, but at length when they came to be discover’d began to burn, then certainly this liquid_ Phosphorus _cannot differ much from that Oil of the Ancients, which lying quiet and stopp’d up, hardly shines; but being open’d, in the motion of opening begins to corruscate and burn, and after this manner those_ Lamps _would be restor’d, which are related by all to have been lost for many Ages_.

[Sidenote: _Licetus_’s Opinion that a _Perpetual Lamp_ may be made.]

Nevertheless, _Licetus_ endeavours to persuade us that a _Pabulum_ for Fire may be given with such an equal Temperament, as cannot be consum’d but after a long Series of Ages, and so that neither the Matter shall exhale but strongly resist the Fire, nor the Fire consume the Matter, but be restrain’d by it, as it were with a Chain, from flying upward. This, says Sir _Thomas Brown_ in his _Vulgar Errors_, p. 124. speaking of _Lamps_ which have burn’d many Hundreds of Years, included in close Bodies, proceeds from the Purity of the Oil, which yeilds no fuliginous Exhalations to suffocate the Fire; for if Air had nourish’d the Flame, then it had not continu’d many Minutes, for it would certainly in that case have been spent and wasted by the Fire.

But the Art of preparing this _inconsumable Oil_ is lost, having perish’d long since, as _Pancirollus_ assures us, but neither he nor any other Learned Man has given us any convincing Proof that there ever was such a Thing, but only think to amuse us with a wonderful Art, and then tell us only it is quite lost. And for my part I cannot see hitherto that all that has been wrote or said on this Subject is sufficient to prove there ever was any such Thing, and much more that it ever could be made. _Licetus_, who has argu’d most on this Head, is confuted by _Aresius_, and in a word, all that can be alledg’d is, that if this Art be not impossible to be effected, it is nevertheless as difficult to be attain’d to, by any Human Invention, as the _Perpetual Motion_ or _Philosophers Stone_, therefore I shall not trouble my Thoughts any farther about these _Lamps_, but only look on them as so many _Hieroglyphics_ or Symbols of the _Immortality_ of the _Soul_, and heartily pray that we may not want _Oil_ in our _Lamps_ when the _Bridegroom_ shall come, but be prepar’d to enjoy _Eternal Light_ with him, which is the devout Prayer of,

_SIR_,

_Your most Obliged_

_Humble Servant_,

Thomas Greenhill.

_FINIS._

A CATALOGUE OF Authors quoted in this Book.

A.

_Absyrtus._ _Cl. Ælianus._ _Aëtius._ _Agellius._ _Albertus Leoninus._ _Albertus magnus._ _P. Alpinus._ _D. Ambrosius._ _Ammianus Marcellinus._ _Apella Judæus._ _Petr. Appianus._ _Appion._ _Apuleius._ _Aretius._ _Aristoteles._ _Aristides._ _Arnobius._ _Artemidorus._ _Athenagoras._ _Athenæus._ _D. Augustinus._ _Avicenna._ _Aurelius._ _M. Aurelius Antoninus._ _Sext. Aurelius Victor._

B.

Lord _Bacon_. _Rob. Baronius, Cardinalis._ _Barthius._ _Tho. Bartholinus._ _Bartholomæus._ Sir _John Beaumont_, Kt. _Bellonius._ _Bellori._ _Phil. Bergomas._ _Joh. Bilsius._ _Steph. Blancardus._ _Boccatius._ _Ol. Borrichius._ _Bossuet._ _Botio._ Sir _Tho. Brown_, Kt. Dr. _Edw. Brown_. _M. Corneille le Bruyn._ _Tit. Liv. Burattinus._ _Gilb. Burnet_, D. D. _Joan. Buxtorfius._

C.

_Cælius Rhodiginus._ _Joh. Calvin._ _Camden._ _Camerarius._ _Camillus._ _Jac. Capellus._ _Hier. Cardanus._ _Joan. Bapt. Casalius._ _Casimirus._ _Cedrenus._ _Gabr. Clauderus._ _Clemens Alexandrinus._ _Cl. Claudianus._ _William Clark._ _Herm. Conringius._ _Cornelius Celsus._ _Joan. Chrysostomus._ _Chytræus._ _M. T. Cicero._ _Franc. Citesius._ _Val. Cordus._ _Joan. Costæus._ _Tho. Creech._ _Q. Curtius._

D.

_Delachampius._ _Mart. Delrius._ _Democritus._ _Demosthenes._ _Diodorus Siculus._ _Dionysius Halicarnassæus._ _Ped. Dioscorides._ _Joh. Dryden._

E.

Bishop of _Ely_. _Joan. Sigism. Elholtius._ _Eratosthenes._ _Sebast. Ericius._ _Mich. Etmullerus._ _Euripides._ _Eusebius._

F.

_Pet. Faber._ _Firmianus._ _Erasm. Franciscus._ _Wolfg. Franzius._

G.

_Cl. Galenus._ _Aulus Gellius._ _B. Gerhard._ _Conr. Gesnerus._ _Sax. Grammaticus._ _Joh. Greaves._ _Gretserus._ _Hug. Grotius._ _Andr. Gryphius._ _Antonio de Guevara._ _Claude Guichard._ _Melch. Guilandius._ _Gutherius._ _Lil. Gyraldus._

H.

_Joan. Henr. Heideggerus._ _Heliodorus._ _Henshaw._ _M. Joan. Herbinius._ _Herodotus._ _Hermolaus Barbarus._ _Pet. Heylin._ _Hippocrates._ _Aul. Hirtius._ _Homer._

I.

_Jacobonus._ _Iamblichus._ _Jarchas._ St. _Jerome_. _Josephus._ _Isiodorus._ _Isocrates._ _Justinus._ _Juvenalis._

K.

_Athan. Kircher._ _Joan. Kirkmannus._ _Barth. Korndorferus._ _Kornmannus._

L.

_Lactantius._ _Langius._ _Wolfg. Lazius._ _Lampridius._ _Leander._ _Leo Africanus._ _Leonardus._ _Andr. Libavius._ _Phil. Libertus._ _Fortun. Licetus._ _Just. Lipsius._ _T. Livius._ _Lucanus._ _Lucianus._ _Lucretius._ _Nich. Lyranus._

M.

_Macrobius._ _Maimonides._ _Sim. Maiolus._ _Manetho._ _Martialis._ _Martinus._ _Franc. Maturantius._ _Matthiolus._ _Andr. Maurocenus._ _Pomp. Mela._ _P. Menestrier._ _Minutius Felix._ _Hieron. Mercurialis._ _Joh. Milton._ _Bened. Ar. Montanus._

N.

_Joan. Nardius._ _Natalis Comes._ _Greg. Nazianzen._ _Nicephorus Callistus._ _Joan. Nicolaius._ _Nubiensis Geographia._

O.

_Origen._

P.

_Pet. Pais._ _Guid. Pancirollus._ _Onuph. Panvinus._ _Pausanias._ _Louis Penicher._ _Petronius Arbiter._ _Philostratus._ _Philoxenes._ _Pierius._ _Pflaumerus._ _Plato._ _Plautus._ _Plinius._ _Plutarchus._ _Podocatterus._ _Tho. Porcacchius._ _Porphyrius._ _J. Bap. Porta._ _Proclus._ _Prosper Alpinus._ _Aur. Prudentius._ _Ptolomæus._

Q.

_Joan. Andr. Quenstedt._

R.

_Matth. Raderus._ _Jo. Raius._ _Radzivillus._ _Rhasis._ _Cæl. Rhodiginus._ _Andr. Rivetus._ _Hier. Ruscellius._ _Fran. Ruæus._ _Frid. Ruysh._

S.

_Cl. Salmasius._ _Alph. Salmeron._ _Henr. Salmuthius._ _Sanctius._ _Sanchuniathon._ _Sandys._ _Santorellus._ _Saturnius._ _Saxo Grammaticus._ _Jul. Cæs. Scaliger._ _Bernardin. Scardeonius._ _Mich. Schatta._ _Schiangia._ _Joan. Schroderus._ _Seleucus._ _Seneca._ _Serapion._ _Servius._ _Cabr. Sionita._ _Silius Italicus._ _Solinus._ _Sopranes._ _P. Statius._ _Spartianus._ _Nich. Steno._ _Suetonius._ _Suidas._ _Sulpitius Severus._ _Joh. Swammerdam._

T.

_Corn. Tacitus._ _Alex. Tassonius._ _Tatian._ Father _Telles_. _William_ Arch-bishop of _Tyre_. _Theophrastus._ _Thevenot._ _Tolosanus._ _Alphons. Tostatus._ _Joan. Trithemius._

V.

_Valerianus._ _Valerius Maximus._ _Vallæus._ _Vanslebius._ _Varro._ _Rich. Verstegan._ _Joan. Veslingius._ _P. Virgilius Maro._ _Polyd. Vergilius._ _Fl. Vopiscus._ _Raph. Volaterranus._

W.

_Weever._ _Ol. Wormius._

X.

_Xenophon._ _Xiphilinus._

Z.

_Zoroaster._ _Zosimus._

THE TABLE

A.

_Abel-mizraim_, 283.

_Abiit, non obiit_, why writ on Tombs, 55.

_Abraham_’s Burying-place, 8.

_Absalom_, how buried, 52.

—— his Pillar, _ibid. &_ 86.

_Achan_ and King _Ai_ buried under a Heap of Stones, 51.

_Acherusia_, 301.

_Achilles_ feared Sea-burial, 48.

_Act_ of Burial, 72, 82.

_Adam_, where buried, 8.

_Æneas_, why called by the Name of _Pious_, 34.

—— afraid of Sea burial, 45.

—— took care of Sepulture, 43.

_Agues_ malignant, 165.

_Æthiopians_, how they _Embalm_, 63.

_Air_ and _Water_ of _Egypt_ both very good, 158.

_Air_ of _Egypt_, very hot, 146.

—— —— cool’d by the _Nile_, and Annual Winds, _ib._

—— —— moist, prejudicial to _Embalming_, 151.

—— —— unequal, bad for _Embalming_, 159.

_Air_ poisoned, 13.

—— moist, infected by a putrid Carcass, 14.

_Alexander_ very careful of his _Sepulture_, 42.

—— his Burial, 217, 218, 219, 220.

—— made a magnificent _Funeral_ for his Horse _Bucephalus_, 30.

_Alexandria_, 211.

—— eminent for the Liberal Sciences, 215.

—— how industrious and flourishing, 235.

—— its Earth full of _Nitre_, 220.

_Aloes_, what meant by that Word in _Embalming_, 253.

Ἀλλάσσοντες, 185.

_Amiantus Lapis_, 360.

_Anatomy_, why so called, 180.

—— its _Encomium_, 182.

—— very useful in _Embalming_, ibid.

—— anciently performed by great and holy Men, 251.

_Ancients_ feared Sea burial, 45.

_Animals_ which bury their Dead, 26.

—— _embalmed_ with Cedar, 274.

_Anointing_ the Dead, 59, 60, 61.

—— a kind of _Embalming_, ib.

—— to what purpose used, 63.

_Apis_, 199.

Ἀφρόνιτρον, 260.

_Apoplexy_, 165.

_Apollo_ the younger, 175.

_Apothecary_, 61, 62, 177, 188.

_Armais_, 173, 174.

_Arithmetic_, how first invented, 231.

_Arts_, how first invented, 229.

—— most flourishing in the Reign of _Amasis_, 235.

—— can never flourish where _Quacks_ and _Undertakers_ are, 179.

_Art_ of making Gold and Silver, 183.

—— of tinging Glass, and making artificial Stones, 185.

—— of Distilling, Calcining, _&c._ 186.

—— of _Bandage_, 188.

—— of Poisoning the Air, 13. which chiefly consists of Man’s Flesh, 14.

_Asa_’s Burial, 61.

_Asphalt_, 276.

—— how us’d in _Embalming_, ib. & 288.

_Assius Lapis_, 257.

_Astrology_ of the _Egyptians_, 191.

—— how invented, 231.

_Athothus_, the ancient Egyptian _Mercury_, 170.

—— Inventor of Images, Characters, and Dancing, _ib._

—— Sacrific’d Animals, and learned _Embalming_ and _Anatomy_, 172.

Ἄταφον τάφον, 38.

_Attiring_ the Corps, 64.

—— with white Vests, 66.

—— why it should be used, 66, 68.

—— what sort only exclaim’d against, 67.

_Asbestos Lapis_, 357.

—— its Oil, _ib._

_Asbeston_, seu _Asbestinum_, 358.

—— two Objections against it, 359.

_Averruncal_ Statues, 298.

_Authors_ who have written of Sepulchral Lamps, 330.

B.

_Babylon_, 204.

—— in _Chaldea_, 225.

_Babylonians_, how they _embalmed_, 63.

_Balsam Plant_, 208.

—— Its Description, 209.

—— Virtues, 110.

_Basaltes_, an _Ethiopic_ Stone, 251.

_Bechira_ seu _Bechiria_, 127.

_Bees_, how they bury and _embalm_ themselves, 28.

_Berd il Agiuz_, 154.

=Bergwachs=, 277.

_Beth-chajim_, 17.

_Bitumen Judaicum_, 276, 288.

_Body_, why to be taken care of, 25, 103, 105.

—— the _Temple_ of _God_, 25.

—— stuff’d with Medicinal Ingredients, 252.

—— with _Myrrh_, _Aloes_, and _Cinnamon_, 253.

—— preserv’d in a Salt-Pit, 269.

—— salted with _Nitre_, 241, 254, 255, 269.

—— only prepared with _Pissasphalt_, 278.

—— with artificial _Pissasphalt_, ib.

—— why burnt, 50, 119.

First-_born_ of _Egypt_ slain, 343, 344.

_Brain_ how extracted, 241, 248, 249.

_Brutes_ buried with Pomp and Magnificence, 30.

A great _Burning_ made for King _Asa_, 61.

_Burning_ the Dead, how order’d, 83.

—— why used, 82.

—— how long continued in use, 85.

—— as liable to be ill treated by an Enemy as Burial, 50.

—— an ignominious Way of Burial, 85.

_Burial_, its Rise and Antiquity, 8.

—— 1st Cause of it, _ib._

—— 2d Cause, 9.

—— 3d Cause, 16.

—— 4th Cause, 17.

—— 5th Cause, _ib._

_Burial_, thought more beneficial to the Living than Dead, 9, 10.

—— frees from the Terror of Death, 11.

—— preserves Bodies from Putrifaction, 11, 15.

—— —— from the Plague, 12, 15, 27.

_Burial_, a Work acceptable to God, 33.

—— to our Saviour, _ib._

—— an Act of _Justice_, ib.

—— a Work of Piety and Religion, _ib._

—— of Mercy and Humanity, _ib._

_Burial_, the Care of the _Gods_, 35.

—— an Honour to the Dead, _ib._

—— an Happiness, Favour and Kindness, _ib._

—— called by various Names, 33, 34.

—— how called by the _Saxons_, 92.

_Burial-place_, called by several Names, 17.

_Burial_ in the City, 93. Vide, _Places of Sepulture_.

—— by some used in the Day, by others in the Night, 72.

—— more ancient than Burning, 85.

—— observ’d by Brutes as well as Men, 26.

—— decent, what, 49.

—— ignominious, what, 49, 51.

Why there ought to be different kinds of Burial, 35, 52, 53.

_Burial_, why despised by some, 21, 22.

—— in what Sense the _Philosophers_ slighted it, 23.

—— the Want of it not prejudicial to the Soul, 18.

—— yet much feared by the _Heathens_, 21.

—— as believing the Souls of the unburied wandred 100 Years, _ib._

_Burial_, the want of it a Punishment, 47.

—— some kinds of it a Punishment, 49, 51, 52.

To be buried like an _Ass_, a Curse, 38.

C.

_Cæsar_’s Palace, 213.

_Cairo_, Old and New, 205.

_Caleg_, 165.

_Campus Sceleratus_, or Burying-place of the _Vestal Virgins_, 50.

_Campus Martius_, 89.

_Camsins_, 154, 155.

_Canal_, or _Khalis_, 206, 213.

_Canibals_, eat Man’s Flesh, 14.

_Cardan_’s _Mausoleum_ for a Fly, 29.

Care the _Ancients_ took of _Sepulture_, 32.

Carrying forth the Corps, 71.

—— —— how managed, 73.

_Carver_, 286.

_Castle_ of _Roude_, 133.

_Cataracts_ of _Nile_, 130.

—— the greater, _ib._

—— the lesser, 131.

_Caves_ near the _Pyramids_, 323.

_Cave_ called the _Church_, 329.

—— with two _Mummies_ in it, _ib._

_Cedar_-Ship built by _Sesostris_, 183.

_Cedria_, what, 271.

—— its Liquor, Oil, Pitch, Gum, _&c._ 272.

—— its Virtues, _ib._

—— Clysters made of it, and their Operations, 273.

_Cenotaphs_, 97, 99.

—— why built, _ib. &_, 98.

_Cera di Minera_, 277.

_Ceremonies_ in Funerals not to be neglected, 53.

—— how and when useful, 102.

_Charon_, 245, 301.

_Cheop_’s Tomb, 318.

—— the spacious _Chamber_ which contains it, _ib._

_Chimistry_ invented by _Hermes_, 183.

_Chimical_ Medicines useful in _Embalming_, 186, 245.

_Cimon_ the _Athenian_ buried his Horses, 30.

_Cleopatra_’s Palace, 214.

_Clerk_, who, 280.

_Climate_ of _Egypt_, 145.

_Closing_ the Eyes, 55.

—— —— why used, 56.

_Coffins_ made of _Sycamore_, 295.

_Conclamation_, 57, 58.

—— thought useless by _Santorellus_, 58.

_Cold Fire_, a sort of _Phosphorus_, 365.

_Cold of the old Hag_, a Season so call’d, 154.

_Colossus_ made of _Emerald_, 9 Cubits high, 186.

_Collerus_’s Funeral Oration, 43.

_Comparative Anatomy_, 4.

_Corpora Condita_, 285.

_Corpus Medicatum_, 284.

_Corps_, (Handsome) well-pleasing to the Ancients, 57.

—— why it soonest consumes in a Church-yard, 15.

_Creatures_, every one takes care of their own Funeral, 27.

_Crowning_ the Dead, 69.

—— a Reward to Vertue, _ib. &_ 70.

—— whence deriv’d, and to what end, 69.

_Cryptæ_, 202.

—— why so call’d, 96.

—— _Kiovienses_, 95.

—— one found at _Nismes_, 96.

_Curing a Corps_, what, 188.

_Cynocephalus_, 231.

D.

_David_’s Sepulchre, 37.

_Day_ of _Burial_, when, 72.

—— of _Burning_, ib.

_Delta_, why so called, 127, 131.

_Dead Bodies_, why kept 7 Days, 58.

—— kept in their Houses, 304.

—— plac’d at the Table, _ib._

_Dead Sea_, 143.

_Death_ compar’d to Sleep, 56, 110.

_Dei Ager aut Fundus_, 17.

_Delphian Oracle_, how to be understood, 4.

_Demonactes_, how he desired to be buried, 23.

_Deprivation_ of ones Sepulchre, a Curse, 37.

_Description_ of the _Ichnography_ and _Scenography_ of the Subterranean Caves, 327.

—— of some _Lamps_, 333.

—— of the first and fairest _Pyramid_, 312.

—— of the Gallery, 316.

_Dew_ of _Egypt_, 156.

_Difference_ between Ecclesiastical and Criminal Burial, 49.

_Dioclesian_, why he burnt all _Chimical_ Books, 184.

_Diodorus Siculus_’s Account of the _Egyptian_ Funerals, 243.

_Diogenes’_ jocose Sayings concerning _Sepulture_, 22.

The _Dissector_, 177, 183, 250, 285.

_Designer_, 177, 250, 290.

_Dolphins_ take care of their Dead, 26.

_Domus Viventium_, 17.

_Dormitorium_, 17, 100, 110.

_Dresses_ and _Ornaments_ of the _Mummies_, 294.

_Dropsie_, 164.

_Drugs_ brought by the _Caravan_, 207.

To become like _Dung_, rotting upon the Earth, the severe Judgment and Punishment of _God_, 39, 40.

E.

_Eccho_ very remarkable in the great _Pyramid_, 315.

_Egypt_, how scituate and bounded, 124.

—— its Denominations, 125.

—— why called _Ægyptus_, ib.

—— Govern’d by _Coptus_, 126.

—— its Extent, _ib._

—— ancient and modern Division, _ib._

—— its Fertility, 139.

—— the drying Quality of its Earth, 153.

—— Mistress of the World, and Mother of all Arts and Sciences, 190.

—— its Number of Cities and Inhabitants, 236.

—— how it came to be so populous, _ib._

_Egyptian_, _Æsculapius_, 172.

—— _Apollo_, 169.

—— _Mercury_, 170.

—— _Arts_, how they came to be lost, 184.

_Egyptians_, their Characters, ancient and modern, 160.

—— their Make, Complexion, and Temper, 161.

—— Women very fruitful in Children, _ib._

—— their Constitution and Habit of Body, 162.

—— very long liv’d, _ib._

—— their Diseases, 163.

—— first Authors of _Medicine_, 168.

—— well skill’d in _Anatomy_, 179.

—— —— in _Ostiology_, 182.

—— their Antiquity, 190.

—— Inventions, _ib._

—— Astrology, 191.

—— Mathematics, _ib._

—— Architecture, 193.

—— their Opinion of the _Metempsychosis_, 238.

—— their Belief of the Resurrection, 106, 240.

—— Famous in Arts and Sciences, 189.

—— the first Inventors of them, 190.

—— by what Means they perform’d such wonderful Works, 237.

—— and to what end, _ib._

—— the first Inventors of _Embalming_, 61.

—— why they _embalmed_ Bodies, 106.

—— how they _embalm’d_ them, 238, 248.

—— they _embalmed_ Cats, Crocodiles, Hawks, _&c._ 32.

—— they set their Dead on their Feet, 85.

—— they deny’d Burial to executed Persons, 47.

_Elatio_, or the carrying forth a _Corps_, 71.

_Elephants_ bury their Dead, 29.

_Embalming_, a noble _Art_, 4.

—— a Branch of _Surgery_, 2.

—— very useful in Natural Philosophy, Physiology, Divinity, Physic, _&c._ 2, 3, 4.

—— chiefly practised by _Undertakers_, 2.

—— particularly useful in _Anatomy_ and _Surgery_, 3.

—— teaches Medicines against _Gangrenes_, _&c._ 4.

—— what accounted by the Ancients, and what by the present Age, 4, 5.

—— its _Antiquity_, 5.

—— invented by the _Egyptians_, ib.

—— of general Use, _ib._

—— by most despised, _ib._

—— the chief of all funeral Ceremonies, 103.

—— the best Way of Preserving the Memory of the Dead, 107.

—— not contrary to the Scriptures, 108.

—— acceptable to _God_, 112.

—— approved by our _Saviour_, 115.

—— an Emblem of the Resurrection, 112.

_Embalming_, in a general sense very extensive, 115.

—— the most durable thing, 117.

—— useful in _Phisiology_ and _Physic_, 18.

—— in _Anatomy_, ib.

—— in _Surgery_, ib.

—— necessary for transporting Bodies, 119.

—— secures from the Insults of Animals, 120.

—— what intended by it, 120, 121.

—— that of the _Hebrews_ different from that of the old _Egyptians_, 61.

_Embalming_, how found out, 233.

—— 2 or 3 sorts of it, 241, 242, 275, _viz._

—— with _Pissasphalt_, 287.

—— with _Cedar_, ib.

—— with _Asphalt_, 288.

—— with _Aromatics_, ib.

_Embalming_ of _Jacob_, 281.

—— —— performed in 40 Days, 282.

_Embalmer_, 177.

—— much honoured, 250.

_Embowelling_ a Corps, 251.

_Entrance_ into the Caves, 326.

_Enoch_ and _Elijah_, neither dy’d nor corrupted, 115.

_Epitaph_ on a Bee, 28.

_Epagomene_, 153.

Ἐνταφιοπώλις, 286.

Ἐνταφιαστής, _ib._ & 280, 286.

=Erdwachs=, 277.

_Erriff_, 127.

_Euripides_’s Opinion of _Sepulture_, 35.

_Expences_ of a _Funeral_, insignificant without _Embalming_, 102.

_Experiments_ concerning Scarcity of _Rain_ in _Egypt_, 157.

—— of the _Water_, 158.

—— for making _eternal Fire_, 352.

—— the 1st, _ib._

—— the 2d, 354.

F.

_Fame_ the _Goddess_ of _Embalming_, 117.

_Feasts_ for the Dead, 84.

—— of _Lamps_, 341.

—— to what end instituted, 343.

—— the true and sacred Reason, _ib._

_Fengo_, the Tyrant’s Ashes scattered by the Winds, 51.

_Fire_ an Emblem of the Soul, 331.

—— —— of Life eternal, 332.

—— thought by the _Persians_ to be a _God_, 239.

—— —— by the _Egyptians_ a _living creature_, ib.

Following the Corps, 82.

To become Food to Birds and Beasts, a Curse, 39, 40.

_French_, why they deny’d Burial, 25.

_Funeral_, why so called, 73.

—— Rites, why called _Justa Funebria_, 34.

—— Oration spoke before Battel, 43.

—— Procession, 282.

—— Games, 84.

_Funus odoratum_, 289.

_Furca_, or a Gibbet: All such as were hanged thereon, were by the Laws deny’d Burial, 48.

G.

_Gabbares_, 240.

_Gemelhazar_, 234.

_Gauls embalmed_ with Oil of _Cedar_, 274.

_Generals_ put to Death for neglecting to Bury the Dead, 42.

_Gentiles_, assign’d the Care of _Funerals_ to certain _Gods_, 35.

_Geometry_, how invented, 231.

_Gibnehalon_, 163.

=Gotsacker=, 17.

_Granaries_ of _Joseph_, 204.

_Graves_ in the Highway, or under the Gallows, 49.

To be dug out of one’s Grave, a Curse and Punishment, 50.

_Greeks_ deny’d decent Burial to infamous Persons and Criminals, 47.

_Gulph_ of _Mecca_, or _Arabian Gulph_, 140.

_Gymnasium_, what it signifies, 171.

_Gymnastic Art_, ib.

H.

_Hannibal_ took great care of _Burial_, 42.

_Hatching_ of Chickens at _Grand Cairo_, 207.

_Halmirhaga_, 258.

_Heliogabalus_’s Body dragg’d about Streets, and flung into a Common-shoar, 51.

_Henry_ the Seventh’s Chappel, 87.

_Herald_, 76, 286.

_Hermes Trismegistus_, 173.

—— supposed to be _Armais_, ib.

—— a great _Philosopher_, _Priest_ and _King_, ibid.

—— —— establisher of _Magic_, 174.

_Herodotus_’s Account of the _Egyptian_ Funerals, 241.

_Hieroglyphic_ Characters, 290.

—— their signification, 293.

_Highwaymen_ deny’d _Burial_, and set up on Wheels, _&c._ 48.

_Homer_’s Opinion of Sepulture, 35.

_Horace_’s Monument, 116.

_Hypogeum_, 96, 202.

I.

_Ichnography_ and _Schenography_ of the _Burial Places_, 203.

_Jews_ deriv’d their Manner of _Embalming_ from the _Egyptians_, 61.

_Jewish Embalming_ rather a Ceremony than Preserving a Corps, 62.

_Injectio Glebæ_, 92.

_Inscriptions_ on _Tombs_, 87, 90, 94, 95, 196.

_Insects_, which take Care of their Dead, 26.

—— how they bury themselves, 28.

—— some burn’d and others _embalm’d_, 29.

_Insepulta sepultura_, 38.

_Interment_, the first Cause of it, 8.

_Josiah_ took Bones out of their Sepulchers and burnt them, 50.

_Isis_ taught the _Egyptians_ salubrious Plants, 168.

—— the Inventor of _Images_, 170.

Isle of _Pharos_, 220.

_Judging_ the _Dead_, 244, 302.

K.

ΚΕΝΟΤΆΦΙΟΝ, 97.

_Khalis_ of _Cleopatra_, 220.

_Kissing_ the Dead, 54.

—— to what end used, _ib. &_ 55.

—— rather prejudicial than otherwise, 55.

Κοιμητήριον, 17.

_Korah_, _Dathan_, and _Abiran_, buried alive, 49.

L.

_Labyrinth_, 222.

—— by whom and to what end built, 223, 224.

_Lake Mœris_, 141.

—— —— why so called, 142.

—— _Asphaltites_, 143, 144.

_Lamps_ perpetual, to what end invented, 331, 343.

—— supposed to have burnt in the first _Pyramid_, 333.

—— in subterranean Caves and Vaults, 96, 333.

—— that have burn’d by a Divine Power, 351.

—— that have burn’d by the Wiles of the _Devil_, ib.

—— —— or from a natural Cause, 352.

—— or can be made with _Gold_, _Silver_, &c. 353.

—— or _Mercury_, ib.

—— with _Naptha_, 355.

—— with liquid _Bitumen_, or _Petroleum_, 356.

—— confirm’d by _Schiangia_, ib.

—— and believed by _Kircher_, ib.

—— whether their Perpetuity proceeded from the Oil or Wick, 363.

—— thought to be a sort of _Phosphorus_, 365.

—— how made according to _Licetus_’s Opinion, 366.

—— _Hieroglyphics_, or _Symbols_ of the Immortality of the _Soul_, 367.

_Lamp_ of the _Alexandrian Pharos_, 337.

—— with a Dog’s Head, 340.

—— found at _Edessa_, 351.

—— of a _Heliotrope_, 336.

—— of _Jupiter Ammon_, 350.

—— with four Lights, 339.

—— of _Minerva_, 350.

—— of the _Moon_, 338.

—— of _Mycerinus_, 341.

—— with an _Ox_’s Head, 340.

—— of an _Ox_ with a _Boy_ on his Back, 337.

—— of _Olybius_, 351.

—— of _Pallas_, 348.

—— of _Serapis_, 333, 334.

—— of a _Sphinx_, 338, 339.

—— with two beaked Ships, 339.

—— of a tripple-headed Monster, 334.

—— of _Tulliola_, 345, 346.

—— of _Typhon_, 335.

—— of _Venus_, 351.

_Languages_ and _Characters_ of the _Egyptians_ of two kinds, 291.

_Lapis Asbestos_, 357.

—— _Amiantus_, 360.

—— _Cyprius_, ib.

—— _Carystius_, 361.

_Laws_, their Goodness, 234.

—— made to restrain the Extravagancy of Funeral Ceremonies, 73, 79.

_Laying out a Corps_, 70.

—— why used, 71.

_Lazarus_ embalmed, 62.

_Lecticæ seu Lecti_, 74.

_Letter_ to _Charles Bernard_, Esq; 1.

—— to Dr. _John Lawson_, 123.

—— to Dr. _Hans Sloan_, 307.

_Libitina_, 286.

_Libitinarii_, ib. & 340.

_Library_ of _Ptolomy_, 185, 216.

_Linum vivum_, 358.

—— _Cyprium_, 300, 362.

—— _Carpasium_, 361.

—— _Creticum_, 362.

_Lodgings_ of the _Priests_, 320.

_Lucretius_, his Opinion of Sepulture, 24.

_Lues Venerea_, its supposed Origin, 14.

M.

_Machpelah_, _Abraham_’s Burying-place, 8.

_Magical Medicine_ spread over most Countries, 175.

_Magic_ used in _Embalming_, 176.

_Magnesia_, 362.

_Maltem_, 155.

_Man_, the Epitome and Perfection of the Macrocosm, 4.

—— his Elogium, 108.

—— his Transgression, _ib._

—— has a right to a Burial-place in the Earth, 7.

_Manes_, Gods of Funerals, 35.

_Mare mortuum_, 143.

_Caius Marius_’s, Bones dug up and flung into the Sea, 50.

_Matarea_, 208.

_Mathematics_, 191.

_Medicines_, why call’d _Pharmaca_, 175.

_Memphis_, 199.

_Memphitis Lapis_, 187.

_Memnon_’s Statue, 192.

_Mercury_ II., 173.

_Merissi_, 154, 155.

_Metempsychosis_, 238.

_Milesian_ Virgins, how deterr’d from hanging themselves, 48.

_Mina_, what, 197.

_Monuments_ built during Life, 86, 87.

—— why call’d Muniments, 99.

—— why Monuments, 100.

—— made of Glass, 101.

_Mourning_, 241, 242, 246, 247, 248.

—— the Manner of it, 77.

—— with Sackcloth and Ashes, 78.

—— cutting and tearing the Flesh, _ib._

—— Habit, 75.

_Mourners_ feigned, 78.

_Mouth_ of the Dead, why shut, 57.

_Mummies_ found in the Sands, 152.

—— several things found included in them, 297.

—— Sophisticate, 279.

_Murderers_ denied Burial, 47, 48.

N.

_Nature_ has provided Burial and a _Grave_ for all Creatures, 30.

Νεκροκόσμος, 279, 286.

_Nicias_ took great care to bury the slain, 43.

_Nicodemus_ and _Joseph_ _embalm’d_ our Saviour, 62.

_Nile_ River, 127.

—— its Rise and Course, 129.

—— its Cataracts, 130.

—— its _Ostia_, or Mouths, 132.

—— its Inundation, 132.

—— time of its Increase, 133.

—— its Effects, 134.

—— Cause of its Fertility, 135.

—— of its Increase, 136.

—— Operation of its Waters, 137.

_Ninus_’s Sepulchre, 225.

_Nitrum Chalastræum_, 257, 263.

—— _Chalastricum_, 264.

—— _Berenicum_, 257.

_Nitre Armenian_, 258.

—— _Lydian_, 262.

—— _Egyptian_, 264.

—— of _Buna_, 258.

—— of _Turkey_, ib.

—— three kinds, 260.

—— different Opinions of it, 266.

—— that of the Ancients the same with our _Salt Petre_, 268.

—— used in Cookery, 269.

—— —— in _Embalming_, 255.

_Nitri Spuma_, 257, 260, 265.

_Nomi septem_, 127.

O.

_Obelisk_ of _Semiramis_, 191, 228.

—— two at _Alexandria_, 214.

_Observations_ on the _Nile_, 135.

—— on the _Pyramids_, 322.

—— on the subterranean Caves, 327.

_Office_ of _Embalming_, 279.

_Opobalsamum_, 210.

_Osiris_ taught the _Egyptians_ Food and Drink, 168.

_Orus_, Son of _Osiris_, apply’d for _Physic_, salubrious Plants, by sacrificing them, 168.

—— to which he added _Music_, 169.

—— and Poetry, _ib._

—— thence thought to be the _Egyptian Apollo_, ib.

_Ossilegium_, 84.

_Osymandua_’s _Tomb_, 195.

_Ovid_ afraid of _Sea-Burial_, 46.

_Ointment_ of Children’s Fat used by Witches, 14.

—— of Spikenard, 62.

P.

_Pagans_ not without some hopes of the Resurrection, 24, 112.

_Painter_, 286, 290.

_Painting_ of the Dead used in _France_ and _Italy_, 74.

_Pall_, why used, _ib._

_Palace_ of _Cleopatra_, 214.

—— of the _Mamaluke Sultans_, 206.

_Pallium_ used by the _Greeks_ to cover their Dead, 65.

_Pantænus_, first Reader of _Divinity_ and _Philosophy_, 215.

_Patriarchs_, where buried, 8.

_Pawning_ the Dead, 246, 303.

_Pensil Gardens_, 227.

_Pentapolis_, 144.

_Persians_, how they _Embalm_, 63.

_Persons_ present at Funerals, 74.

—— how qualify’d for _Embalming_, 177.

_Pharaoh_’s Punishment, 12.

_Pharos_, or Watch-Tower, 221.

_Philosophers_ contemplated on Life and Death, 7.

—— in what sense they slighted Burial, 23.

_Phosphorus_, 365.

_Physic_, how found out, 232.

_Physician_, 280.

_Piaster_, what, 329.

_Pickle_ made of _Nitre_, 266.

_Pissasphalt_ natural, 276.

—— artificial, 278.

—— natural, call’d _Mummy_, 277.

_Places_ of _Sepulture_, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94.

_Plague_, 165.

—— ceases at the Inundation of the _Nile_, 134, 135, 166.

_Plain_ of _Mummies_, 329, 330.

_Plato_ defines the Scope and End of his _Philosophy_, to be only the Consideration of Death, 8.

_Pluto_, the chief of the _Funeral Gods_, 35.

_Polliacus_ erected a Tomb in Memory of his beloved Bitch, 30.

_Polycharacteristic_ Statues, 299.

_Pollinctor_, 177, 285.

_Poisons_ made of Man’s Flesh, 14.

_Pox_, (French) 165.

—— Small, _ib._

_Pompey_’s Pillar, 212.

—— by whom built, 213.

_Præficæ_, hired _Mourners_, 76.

_Priests_, the proper and only _Physicians_, 172, 177.

—— their Business, 188.

_Problem_ concerning _Diet_, 162.

_Procession_ of a _Funeral_, 76.

_Providence_ of _God_ extends even to the Bodies of the Dead, 33.

_Prophylactic_ Statues, 298.

_Psalms_ and _Hymns_ when introduc’d, 76.

_Ptolomean Library_, 216.

_Puticulæ_, 88.

_Putrifaction_, its pernicious Effects, 11, 12, 13.

_Pyramids_, 311.

—— why so call’d, 331.

—— to what end built, 237, 309.

—— why of a pyramidal Form, _ib._

—— their Number, 310.

—— Scituation, _ib._

—— their _Founders_, ib.

—— Description of the first, 312.

—— the _Entrance_ into it, 313.

—— first and second _Gallery_, ib.

—— the _Well_, 314.

—— strange Eccho, 315.

—— fine _Gallery_, 316.

—— two _Anti-Closets_, 317.

—— spacious _Chamber_, 318.

—— _Cheop_’s Tomb, _ib._

—— how many Men employ’d in building it, 319.

_Pyramid_ the second, 319.

—— its Lodgings for the Priests, 320.

—— the third, _ib._

Q.

_Quacks_, who, 177.

—— none in _Egypt_, 178.

_Quietorium_ seu _Requietorium_, 100.

R.

_Rains_ in _Egypt_, 147, 155.

_Red-Sea_, 140.

_Reflections_ on the _Egyptian Embalming_, 246.

_Resurrection_, the Hope of it the chief Cause of _Burial_, 18.

_Right_ of _Burial_ and _Funeral Ceremonies_, 5.

—— grounded on the _Law_ of _God_ and _Nature_, 25.

_Roulers_, how prepar’d, 289.

_Rudder_ of a _Ship_, how first invented, 230.

S.

_Sacara_, how the Inhabitants get their Livelyhood, 325.

_Sacrifices_ to the _Dead_, 84.

_Sacrilegious_ Persons deny’d Burial, 47.

_Sand_, how useful in _Embalming_, 151.

_Sandapilarii_, 74.

_Salt_ made of the _Nile_ Waters, 139, 220.

—— used with _Balsamics_ preserves Bodies, 270.

_Salitores_, _Salters_, or _Pollinctors_, 254, 285.

_Sarah_, where buried, 8.

_Scabs_ and _Leprosie_ of _Egypt_, 164.

_Scipio_ afraid of Sea-Burial, 45.

_Scribe_, or _Designer_, 250.

_Scroles_ painted with Characters, 296.

_Scythians_, how they _Embalm_, 63.

_Sea-Burial_, why feared by the _Ancients_, 46.

_Searchers_, their Office, 71.

_Seasons_ of the _Year_, 153.

—— —— temperate, _ib._

—— —— cold, 154.

—— —— intemperate, _ib._

—— why to be observ’d in _Embalming_, 156.

_Seminatio_, 17.

_Septuagint_, 216.

_Serapis_, or _Apis_, the _Egyptian Æsculapius_, 172.

_Serapes_, 298.

—— their Forms and Actions, 299.

—— their Use and Virtues, 301.

_Serapion_, 215, 217.

_Sepulchres_, why call’d _Requietoria_, 47.

—— some proper, 94.

—— common, 95.

—— belonging to the Family, _ib._

—— hereditary, _ib._

_Sepulchre_, call’d by the _Egyptians_ _Domus æterna_, 101.

—— why call’d eternal Houses, 305.

—— of _Osiris_, 200.

—— of _Mycerinus_’s Daughter, _ib._

—— of _Alexander_, 217.

—— of _Ninus_, 225.

—— of the _Egyptian_ Kings, 194.

_Sepulture_ rightly accounted _Jus Naturæ_, 5.

—— a Debt to _Nature_, ib.

—— ordain’d by _God_ himself, 5.

—— practis’d by the _Heathens_, 6.

—— asserted in the _Scriptures_, 7.

—— confirm’d by the _Philosophers_ and _Poets_, ib.

—— instituted in obedience to the Love of _God_ and _Nature_, 8.

—— defends from the _Plague_, 15.

—— and preserves _Bodies_, ib.

—— why invented, 16.

—— strictly observed in War, 42.

—— yet deny’d some out of Revenge, 41.

—— always esteem’d honourable among _God_’s People, 85.

_Sesostris_’s Cedar _Ship_, 183.

_Ships_ of _Arabia_, 207.

_Silk-worm_, spins her own Winding-sheet, 29.

_Situation_ of the Dead in their _Sepulchres_, 85, 86.

_Smell_ of a _Goal_ very pernicious, 14.

_Snow_ in _Egypt_, 149.

_Somia_, the Burial-place of the _Ptolomies_, 217.

_Sorceresses_ feed on Man’s Flesh, 14.

_Sore Eyes_ and _Blindness_ of the _Egyptians_, 163.

_Soul_ concern’d at the ill Usage of the _Body_, 104, 105.

_Sounding_ of Brazen Vessels about the Dead, 57.

_Sphinx_, 321.

—— represents _Momphta_, 322.

_Stoics_, value not the Corruption of the Body, 20.

_Stonehenge_ the Sepulchre of the _Britains_, 91.

_Stones_ heap’d over a Body, an ignominious sort of Burial, 51, 52.

_Summer_ of _Egypt_, 154.

_Subterranean Caves_, 202, 324.

_Surgery_ the chief of _Arts_, 1.

—— invented and improved in _Egypt_, 187.

—— how useful in _Embalming_, 188.

—— teaches the _Art_ of _Bandage_, ib.

_Surgeon_, the chief _Embalmer_, 188, 283.

—— his Business, 284.

_Sylla_ the _Dictator_, order’d his own _Corps_ to be burnt, that he might not be ill treated by his Enemies, 50, 83.

T.

_Taricheutæ_, 254, 285.

Τάριχος, 293.

Ταριχεύειν, 254.

_Templi Hortus_, 17.

_Temple_ of _Belus_, 226.

_Teneriff_, the _Inhabitants_ Manner of _Sepulture_ and _Embalming_, 113.

_Thebais_, 127.

_Thebes_, 193.

Θεουργικὴ τέχνη, 171.

_Theology_ of the _Egyptians_, 238.

Θεραπεύω, its signification, 175.

_Thrum-stone_, 361.

_Thunder_ seldom heard in _Egypt_, 156.

_Time_ of carrying forth the _Corps_, 72.

_Tincar_, 261.

_Tobit_’s great Care in burying the Dead, 33.

_Toga_ us’d by the _Romans_ to cloath their Dead with, 65.

_Tombs_ erected for Horses, and honoured with _Epitaphs_, 30.

—— why dedicated _Diis Manibus_, 35.

_Tomb_ of a _Dog_ at _Rome_, 30.

—— of King _Amasis_, 321.

—— of a Cat, 31.

_Tombs_, their Use and Benefit, 98.

—— how adorn’d, and with what Inscriptions, 99.

—— how called, 99, 100.

—— why call’d _Tumulus_, 92, 99.

—— _inanis, seu Tumulus sine Corpore_, 97.

_Traitors_ deny’d _Burial_, 47, 48, 49.

V.

_Vespillones_, why so called, 73.

—— their Office, 74.

_Vestal Virgins_, how buried, 50.

_Vitellius_’s Body cut in pieces, and flung into the _Tyber_, 51.

_Unguentum Cedrinum_, 287.

_Undertakers_, 2, 177, 178, 179, 185.

ὙΠΌΓΕΙΟΝ, 96.

_Urns_ of _Glass_ found at _Nismes_, ib.

W.

_Wall_ built by _Sesostris_, 224.

_Washing_ a Corps, why used, 60.

—— why with warm Water, 59.

—— why with Salt, _ib._

_Water_ of _Nile_ very prolific, 236.

_Weeping_, if moderate, commendable, 79.

—— us’d by _Kings_ and _Patriarchs_, ib.

—— by our _Saviour_, 80.

—— allays Grief, 81.

_Wells_ of _embalmed_ Birds, 328.

A Virgin _Well_, 329.

_Wiek_ and _Oil_, both in a _Lamp_, 364.

_Winds_ which blow most in _Egypt_, 155.

_Winter_ in _Egypt_, 154.

_Workmen_, what Number imploy’d in building the first _Pyramid_, 319.

_Writings_ thought the best Monument, 116.

X.

_Xantippus_ buried his Dogs, 30.

Χυμεία, 183.

_Xylobalsamum_, 210.

Z.

_Zeilan_, Inhabitants their Manner of _Sepulture_, 113.

_FINIS._

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

1. The Table of Contents was added by transcriber. 2. Made corrections listed in the ERRATA. 3. Phænician was consistently used instead of Phœnician. 4. Changed “ἐυπραγεῖν” to “εὐπραγεῖν” in the Amico heading. 5. Changed “Ε ασατ’ ἠδη” to “Εασατ’ ἤδη”, Ὁθεν δ’ ἓκαστον” to “Ὅθεν δ’ ἕκαστον”, Ἐνταυθ’” to “Ἐνταῦθ’”, and “Ἡ μετερον” to “Ἡμετερον” on p. 6. 6. Changed “τόν” to “τὸν” on p. 9. 7. Changed “בית היימ” to “בית חיים” on p. 17. 8. Changed “Mænibus” to “Mœnibus” on p. 46. 9. Changed “insicerentur” to “inficerentur” on p. 89. 10. Changed “κρυπτω” to “κρύπτω” on p. 96. 11. Changed “ταφος” to “τάφος” and “περί” to “περὶ”on p. 97. 12. Changed “Synonimous” to “Synonymous” on p. 100. 13. Changed “Ἀιγύπτος” to “Αἰγύπτος” on p. 126. 14. Changed “out of the of midst” to “out of the midst” on p. 144. 15. Changed “Κατὰ δὲ την δὲ την χῶραν οὔτε τότε, ουτε ἄλλοτε, ἄνωθον ἐπί τάς ἄρούρας ὕδωρ ἐπίρῥεῖ” to “Κατὰ δὲ τὴν δὲ τὴν χώραν οὔτε τότε, οὔτε ἄλλοτε, ἄνωθεν ἐπὶ τὰς ἀρούρας ὕδωρ ἐπιῤῥεῖ” on p. 148. 16. Changed “θεουργική” to “θεουργικὴ” on p. 171. 17. Changed “ενταφίασταῖς” to “ἐνταφιασταῖς” on p. 172. 18. Changed “Ἑρμής” to “Ἑρμῆς” on p. 173. 19. Changed “τό” to “τὸ” on p. 174. 20. Changed “ἐπαοίδων ἐπαοίδίν” to “ἐπαείδων ἐπαοιδήν” on p. 176. 21. Changed “χρύσοῦ” to “χρυσοῦ” on p. 183. 22. Changed “eondem” to “eadem” on p. 183. 23. Changed “ostiosa” to “otiosa” on p. 183. 24. Changed “οργάνῶν καὶ κἀμίνων” to “ὀργάνων καὶ καμίνων” on p. 186. 25. Changed “Αλλάσσοντες” to “Ἀλλάσσοντες” on p. 187. 26. Changed “ἔργαστήριον” to “ἐργαστήριον” on p. 216. 27. Changed “ταριχος” to “τάριχος” on p. 239. 28. Changed “ταριχέυειν” to “ταριχεύειν” on p. 254. 29. Changed “Ἀφρός νιτρου” to “Ἀφρὸς νίτρου” and “Ἀφρονίτρον” to “Ἀφρόνιτρον” on p. 260. 30. Changed “Ἄφρο νίτρον” to “Ἀφρόνιτρον” on p. 262. 31. Changed “Ἀσβεστος” to “Ἄσβεστος” on p. 357. 32. Changed “Ἀσβεστον” to “Ἄσβεστον” on p. 358. 33. Changed “qnod” to “quod” on p. 358. 34. Changed “Bechira feu Bechiria” to “Bechira seu Bechiria” on the 2nd page of the TABLE. 35. Silently corrected typographical errors. 36. Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed. 37. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. 38. Enclosed bold font in =equals=. 39. Superscripts are denoted by a caret before a single superscript character or a series of superscripted characters enclosed in curly braces, e.g. M^r. or M^{ister}. 40. Subscripts are denoted by an underscore before a series of subscripted characters enclosed in curly braces, e.g. H_{2}O.