CHAPTER VIII

A brief enumeration of Authors.

Now for as much as we have discoursed of Authority, and there is scarce any tradition or popular error but stands also delivered by some good Author; we shall endeavour a short discovery of such, as for the major part have given authority hereto: who though excellent and useful Authors, yet being either transcriptive, or following common relations, their accounts are not to be swallowed at large, or entertained without all circumspection. In whom the _ipse dixit_, although it be no powerful argument in any, is yet less authentick then in many other, because they deliver not their own experiences, but others affirmations, and write from others, as later pens from them.

[Sidenote: _The Authors judgement, or a character given of some eminent Authors._]

1. The first in order, as also in time shall be _Herodotus_ of _Halicarnassus_, an excellent and very elegant Historian; whose Books of History were so well received in his own days, and at their rehearsal in the Olympick games, they obtained the names of the nine Muses; and continued in such esteem unto descending Ages, that _Cicero_ termed him, _Historiarum parens_. And _Dionysius_ his Countryman, in an Epistle to _Pompey_, after an express comparison, affords him the better of _Thucydides_; all which notwithstanding, he hath received from some, the stile of _Mendaciorum pater_. His Authority was much infringed by _Plutarch_, who being offended with him, as _Polybius_ had been with _Philarcus_ for speaking too coldly of his Countrymen, hath left a particular Tract, _De malignitate Herodoti_. But in this latter Century, _Camerarius_ and _Stephanus_ have stepped in, and by their witty Apologies, effectually endeavoured to frustrate the Arguments of _Plutarch_, or any other. Now in this Author, as may be observed in our ensuing discourse, and is better discernable in the perusal of himself, there are many things fabulously delivered, and not to be accepted as truths: whereby nevertheless if any man be deceived, the Author is not so culpable as the Believer. For he indeed imitating the Father Poet, whose life he hath also written, and as _Thucydides_ observeth, as well intending the delight as benefit of his Reader, hath besprinkled his work with many fabulosities; whereby if any man be led into error, he mistaketh the intention of the Author, who plainly confesseth he writeth many things by hear-say, and forgetteth a very considerable caution of his; that is, _Ego quæ fando cognovi, exponere narratione mea debeo omnia: credere autem esse vera omnia, non debeo_.

2. In the second place is _Ctesias_: the Cnidian, Physitian unto _Artaxerxes_ King of _Persia_, his Books are often recited by ancient Writers, and by the industry of _Stephanus_ and _Rhodomanus_, there are extant some fragments thereof in our days; he wrote the History of _Persia_, and many narrations of _India_. In the first, as having a fair opportunity to know the truth, and as _Diodorus_ affirmeth the perusal of _Persian_ Records, his testimony is acceptable. In his _Indian_ Relations, wherein are contained strange and incredible accounts, he is surely to be read with suspension. These were they which weakned his authority with former ages; for as we may observe, he is seldom mentioned, without a derogatory Parenthesis in any Author. _Aristotle_ besides the frequent undervaluing of his authority, in his Books of Animals gives him the lie no less then twice, concerning the seed of Elephants. _Strabo_ in his eleventh Book hath left a harder censure of him. _Equidem facilius Hesiodo & Homero, aliquis fidem adhibuerit, itémque Tragicis Poetis, quam Ctesiæ, Herodoto, Hellanico & eorum similibus._ But _Lucian_ hath spoken more plainer then any. _Scripsit Ctesias de Indorum regione, deque iis quæ apud illos sunt, ea quæ nec ipse vidit, neque ex ullius sermone audivit._ Yet were his relations taken up by some succeeding Writers, and many thereof revived by our Countryman, Sir _John Mandevil_, Knight, and Doctor in Physick; who after thirty years peregrination died at _Liege_, and was there honourably interred. He left a Book of his Travels, which hath been honoured with the translation of many Languages, and now continued above three hundred years; herein he often attesteth the fabulous relations of _Ctesias_, and seems to confirm the refuted accounts of Antiquity. All which may still be received in some acceptions of morality, and to a pregnant invention, may afford commendable mythologie; but in a natural and proper exposition, it containeth impossibilities, and things inconsistent with truth.

3. There is a Book _De mirandis auditionibus_, ascribed unto _Aristotle_; another _De mirabilibus narrationibus_, written long after by _Antigonus_, another also of the same title by _Plegon Trallianus_, translated by _Xilander_, and with the Annotations of _Meursius_, all whereof make good the promise of their titles, and may be read with caution. Which if any man shall likewise observe in the Lecture of _Philostratus_, concerning the life of _Apollonius_, and even in some passages of the sober and learned _Plutarchus_; or not only in ancient Writers, but shall carry a wary eye on _Paulus Venetus_, _Jovius_, _Olaus Magnus_, _Nierembergius_, and many other: I think his circumspection is laudable, and he may thereby decline occasion of Error.

[Sidenote: _A like opinion there is now of Elder._]

4. _Dioscorides Anazarbeus_, he wrote many Books in Physick, but six thereof _De Materia Medica_, have found the greatest esteem: he is an Author of good antiquity and use, preferred by _Galen_ before _Cratevas_, _Pamphilus_, and all that attempted the like description before him; yet all he delivereth therein is not to be conceived Oraculous. For beside that, following the wars under _Anthony_, the course of his life would not permit a punctual _Examen_ in all; there are many things concerning the nature of Simples, traditionally delivered, and to which I believe he gave no assent himself. It had been an excellent Receit, and in his time when Saddles were scarce in fashion of very great use, if that were true which he delivers, that _Vitex_, or _Agnus Castus_ held only in the hand, preserveth the rider from galling. It were a strange effect, and Whores would forsake the experiment of _Savine_, if that were a truth which he delivereth of Brake or female Fearn, that onely treading over it, it causeth a sudden abortion. It were to be wished true, and women would idolize him, could that be made out which he recordeth of _Phyllon_, _Mercury_, and other vegetables, that the juice of the male Plant drunk, or the leaves but applied unto the genitals, determines their conceptions unto males. In these relations although he be more sparing, his predecessors were very numerous; and _Galen_ hereof most sharply accuseth _Pamphilus_. Many of the like nature we meet sometimes in _Oribasius_, _Ætius_, _Trallianus_, _Serapion_, _Evax_, and _Marcellus_, whereof some containing no colour of verity, we may at first sight reject them; others which seem to carry some face of truth, we may reduce unto experiment. And herein we shall rather perform good offices unto truth, then any disservice unto their relators, who have well deserved of succeeding Ages; from whom having received the conceptions of former Times, we have the readier hint of their conformity with ours, and may accordingly explore and sift their verities.

[Sidenote: _Plinius Natural History collected out of 2000 several Authors._]

5. _Plinius Secundus of Verona_; a man of great Eloquence, and industry indefatigable, as may appear by his writings, especially those now extant, and which are never like to perish, but even with learning it self; that is, his Natural History. He was the greatest Collector or Rhapsodist of the Latines, and as _Suetonius_ observeth, he collected this piece out of two thousand Latine and Greek Authors. Now what is very strange, there is scarce a popular error passant in our days, which is not either directly expressed, or diductively contained in this Work; which being in the hands of most men, hath proved a powerful occasion of their propagation. Wherein notwithstanding the credulity of the Reader, is more condemnable than the curiosity of the Author: for commonly he nameth the Authors from whom he received those accounts, and writes but as he reads, as in his Preface to _Vespasian_ he acknowledgeth.

6. _Claudius Ælianus_, who flourished not long after in the reign of _Trajan_, unto whom he dedicated his Tacticks; an elegant and miscellaneous Author, he hath left two Books which are in the hands of every one, his History of Animals, and his _Varia Historia_. Wherein are contained many things suspicious, not a few false, some impossible; he is much beholding unto _Ctesias_, and in many uncertainties writes more confidently then _Pliny_.

7. _Julius Solinus_, who lived also about his time: He left a Work entituled _Polyhistor_, containing great variety of matter, and is with most in good request at this day. But to speak freely what cannot be concealed, it is but _Pliny_ varied, or a transcription of his Natural History: nor is it without all wonder it hath continued so long, but is now likely, and deserves indeed to live for ever; not onely for the elegancy of the Text, but the excellency of the Comment, lately performed by _Salmasius_, under the name of _Plinian_ Exercitations.

8. _Athenæs_, a delectable Author, very various, and justly stiled by _Casaubon, Græcorum Plinius_. There is extant of his, a famous Piece, under the name of _Deipnosophista_, or _Coena Sapientum_, containing the Discourse of many learned men, at a Feast provided by _Laurentius_. It is a laborious Collection out of many Authors, and some whereof are mentioned no where else. It containeth strange and singular relations, not without some spice or sprinkling of all Learning. The Author was probably a better Grammarian then Philosopher, dealing but hardly with _Aristotle_ and _Plato_, and betrayeth himself much in his Chapter _De Curiositate Aristotelis_. In brief, he is an Author of excellent use, and may with discretion be read unto great advantage: and hath therefore well deserved the Comments of _Casaubon_ and _Dalecampius_. But being miscellaneous in many things, he is to be received with suspition; for such as amass all relations, must erre in some, and may without offence be unbelieved in many.

[Sidenote: _That write Hexameters, or long verses._]

9. We will not omit the works of _Nicander_, a Poet of good antiquity: that is, his _Theriaca_, and _Alexipharmaca_, Translated and Commented by _Gorræus_: for therein are contained several Traditions, and popular Conceits of venemous Beasts; which only deducted, the Work is to be embraced, as containing the first description of poysons and their antidotes, whereof _Dioscorides_, _Pliny_, and _Galen_, have made especial use in elder times; and _Ardoynus_, _Grevinus_, and others, in times more near our own. We might perhaps let pass _Oppianus_, that famous Cilician Poet. There are extant of his in Greek, four Books of Cynegeticks or Venation, five of Halieuticks or Piscation, commented and published by _Ritterhusius_; wherein describing Beasts of venery and Fishes, he hath indeed but sparingly inserted the vulgar conceptions thereof. So that abating the annual mutation of Sexes in the _Hyæna_, the single Sex of the _Rhinoceros_, the Antipathy between two Drums, of a Lamb and a Wolfes skin, the informity of Cubs, the venation of _Centaures_, the copulation of the _Murena_ and the Viper, with some few others, he may be read with great delight and profit. It is not without some wonder his Elegant Lines are so neglected. Surely hereby we reject one of the best Epick Poets, and much condemn the Judgement of _Antoninus_, whose apprehensions so honoured his Poems, that as some report, for every verse, he assigned him a Stater of Gold.

10. More warily are we to receive the relations of _Philes_, who in _Greek Iambicks_ delivered the proprieties of Animals, for herein he hath amassed the vulgar accounts recorded by the Ancients, and hath therein especially followed _Ælian_. And likewise _Johannes Tzetzes_, a Grammarian, who besides a Comment upon _Hesiod_ and _Homer_, hath left us _Chiliads de Varia Historia_; wherein delivering the accounts of _Ctesias_, _Herodotus_, and most of the Ancients, he is to be embraced with caution, and as a transcriptive Relator.

11. We cannot without partiality omit all caution even of holy Writers, and such whose names are venerable unto all posterity: not to meddle at all with miraculous Authors, or any Legendary relators, we are not without circumspection to receive some Books even of authentick and renowned Fathers. So are we to read the leaves of _Basil_ and _Ambrose_, in their Books entituled _Hexameron_, or _The Description of the Creation_; Wherein delivering particular accounts of all the Creatures, they have left us relations sutable to those of _Ælian_, _Plinie_, and other Natural Writers; whose authorities herein they followed, and from whom most probably they desumed their Narrations. And the like hath been committed by _Epiphanius_, in his Physiologie: that is, a Book he hath left concerning the Nature of Animals. With no less caution must we look on _Isidor_ Bishop of _Sevil_; who having left in twenty Books, an accurate work _De Originibus_, hath to the Etymologie of Words, super-added their received Natures; wherein most generally he consents with common Opinions and Authors which have delivered them.

12. _Albertus_ Bishop of _Ratisbone_, for his great Learning and latitude of Knowledge, sirnamed _Magnus_. Besides Divinity, he hath written many Tracts in Philosophy; what we are chiefly to receive with caution, are his Natural Tractates, more especially those of Minerals, Vegetables, and Animals, which are indeed chiefly Collections out of _Aristotle_, _Ælian_, and _Pliny_, and respectively contain many of our popular Errors. A man who hath much advanced these Opinions by the authority of his Name, and delivered most Conceits, with strict Enquiry into few. In the same _Classis_ may well be placed _Vincentius Belluacensis_, or rather he from whom he collected his _Speculum naturale_, that is, _Guilielmus de Conchis_; and also _Hortus Sanitatis_, and _Bartholomeus Glanvil_, sirnamed _Anglicus_, who writ _De proprietatibus Rerum_. Hither also may be referred _Kiranides_, which is a Collection out of _Harpocration_ the Greek, and sundry Arabick Writers; delivering not onely the Natural but Magical propriety of things; a Work as full of Vanity as Variety; containing many relations, whose Invention is as difficult as their Beliefs, and their Experiments sometime as hard as either.

13. We had almost forgot _Jeronimus Cardanus_ that famous Physician of _Milan_, a great Enquirer of Truth, but too greedy a Receiver of it. He hath left many excellent Discourses, Medical, Natural, and Astrological; the most suspicious are those two he wrote by admonition in a dream, that is _De Subtilitate & Varietate Rerum_. Assuredly this learned man hath taken many things upon trust, and although examined some, hath let slip many others. He is of singular use unto a prudent Reader; but unto him that onely desireth Hoties, or to replenish his head with varieties; like many others before related, either in the Original or confirmation, he may become no small occasion of Error.

14. Lastly, Authors are also suspicious, not greedily to be swallowed, who pretend to write of Secrets, to deliver Antipathies, Sympathies, and the occult abstrusities of things; in the list whereof may be accounted, _Alexis Pedimontanus_, _Antonius Mizaldus_, _Trinum Magicum_, and many others. Not omitting that famous Philosopher of _Naples_, _Baptista Porta_; in whose Works, although there be contained many excellent things, and verified upon his own Experience; yet are there many also receptary, and such as will not endure the test. Who although he hath delivered many strange Relations in his Phytognomia, and his Villa; yet hath he more remarkably expressed himself in his Natural Magick, and the miraculous effects of Nature. Which containing various and delectable subjects, withall promising wondrous and easie effects, they are entertained by Readers at all hands; whereof the major part sit down in his authority, and thereby omit not onely the certainty of Truth, but the pleasure of its Experiment.

Thus have we made a brief enumeration of these Learned Men; not willing any to decline their Works (without which it is not easie to attain any measure of general Knowledge,) but to apply themselves with caution thereunto. And seeing the lapses of these worthy Pens, to cast a wary eye on those diminutive, and pamphlet Treaties daily published amongst us. Pieces maintaining rather Typography than Verity, Authors presumably writing by Common Places, wherein for many years promiscuously amassing all that makes for their subject, they break forth at last in trite and fruitless Rhapsodies; doing thereby not only open injury unto Learning, but committing a secret treachery upon truth. For their relations falling upon credulous Readers, they meet with prepared beliefs; whose supinities had rather assent unto all, then adventure the trial of any.

Thus, I say, must these Authors be read, and thus must we be read our selves; for discoursing of matters dubious, and many convertible truths; we cannot without arrogancy entreat a credulity, or implore any farther assent, then the probability of our Reasons, and verity of experiments induce.