The Works of Sir Thomas Browne Volume II Part 15

The second might be a mistake or misapprehension of the Picture, most men conceiving that an History which was contrived at first but as an Emblem or Symbolical fancy: as from the Annotations of _Baronius_ upon the _Roman_ Martyrologie, _Lipellous_[SN: _Lip._ De vitis Sanctorum.] in the life of St. _Christopher_ hath observed in these words; _Acta S.

Christopheri a multis depravata inveniuntur: quod quidem non aliunde originem sumpsisse certum est, quam quod symbolicas figuras imperiti ad veritatem successu temporis transtulerint: itaque cuncta illa de Sancto Christophero pingi consueta, symbola potius, quam historiae alicujus existimandum est esse expressam imaginem_; that is, The Acts of St.

_Christopher_ are depraved by many: which surely began from no other ground, then, that in process of time, unskilful men translated symbolical figures unto real verities: and therefore what is usually described in the Picture of St. _Christopher_, is rather to be received as an Emblem, or Symbolical description, then any real History. Now what Emblem this was, or what its signification, conjectures are many; _Pierius_ hath set down one, that is, of the Disciple of Christ; for he that will carry Christ upon his shoulders, must rely upon the staff of his direction, whereon if he firmeth himself, he may be able to overcome the billows of resistance, and in the vertue of this staff, like that of _Jacob_, pa.s.s over the waters of _Jordan_. Or otherwise thus; He that will submit shoulders unto Christ, shall by the concurrence of his power encrease into the strength of a Giant; and being supported by the staff of his holy Spirit, shall not be overwhelmed by the waves of the world, but wade through all resistance.

Add also the mystical reasons of this pourtract alleadged by _Vida_ and _Xerisa.n.u.s_: and the recorded story of _Christopher_, that before his Martyrdom he requested of G.o.d, that where ever his body were, the places should be freed from pestilence and mischiefs, from infection. [SN: Anton. Castellionaei antiquitates Mediolanenses.] And therefore his picture or pourtract, was usually placed in publick wayes, and at the entrance of Towns and Churches, according to the received Distich

_Christophorum videas, postea tutus eris._

CHAPTER XVII

Of the Picture of St. _George_.

The Picture of St. _George_ killing the Dragon, and, as most ancient draughts do run, with the daughter of a King standing by, is famous amongst Christians. And upon this description dependeth a solemn story, how by this atchievement he redeemed a Kings daughter: which is more especially believed by the _English_, whose Protector he is: and in which form and history, according to his description in the _English_ Colledge at _Rome_, he is set forth in the Icons or Cuts of Martyrs by _Cevalerius_: and all this according to the _Historia Lombardica_, or golden legend of _Jacobus de Voragine_. Now of what authority soever this piece be amongst us, it is I perceive received with different beliefs: for some believe the person and the story; some the person, but not the story; and others deny both.

That such a person there was, we shall not contend: for besides others, Dr. _Heilin_ hath clearly a.s.serted it in his History of St. _George_.

The indistinction of many in the community of name, or the misapplication of the acts of one unto another, hath made some doubt thereof. For of this name we meet with more then one in History, and no less then two conceived of _Cappadocia_. The one an _Arrian_, who was slain by the _Alexandrians_ in the time of _Julian_; the other a valiant Souldier and Christian Martyr, beheaded in the reign of _Dioclesian_. This is the _George_ conceived in this Picture, who hath his day in the _Roman_ Calender, on whom so many fables are delivered, whose story is set forth by _Metaphrastes_, and his miracles by _Turonensis_.

As for the story depending hereon, some conceive as lightly thereof, as of that of _Persius_ and _Andromeda_; conjecturing the one to be the father of the other; and some too highly a.s.sert it. Others with better moderation, do either entertain the same as a fabulous addition unto the true and authentick story of St. _George_; or else conceive the literal acception to be a misconstruction of the symbolical expression; apprehending a veritable History, in an Emblem or piece of Christian Poesie. And this Emblematical construction hath been received by men not forward to extenuate the acts of Saints: as from _Baronius_, _Lipellous_ the _Carthusian_ hath delivered in the life of St. _George_; _Picturam illam St._ Georgii _qua effingitur eques armatus, qui hastae cuspide hostem interficit, juxta quam etiam virgo posita ma.n.u.s supplices tendens ejus explorat auxilium, Symboli potius quam historiae alicujus censenda expressa imago. Consuevit quidem ut equestris militiae miles equestri imagine referri_: that is, The Picture of St. _George_, wherein he is described like a Cura.s.sier or horseman compleatly armed, etc. Is rather a symbolical image, then any proper figure.

Now in the Picture of this Saint and Souldier, might be implied the Christian Souldier and true Champion of Christ. A horseman armed _Cap a pe_, intimating the _Panoplia_ or compleat armour of a Christian; combating with the Dragon, that is, with the Devil; in defence of the Kings daughter, that is, the Church of G.o.d. And therefore although the history be not made out, it doth not disparage the Knights and n.o.ble order of St. _George_: whose cognisance is honourable in the Emblem of the Souldier of Christ, and is a worthy memorial to conform unto its mystery. Nor, were there no such person at all, had they more reason to be ashamed, then the n.o.ble order of _Burgundy_, and Knights of the Golden Fleece; whose badge is a confessed fable.

CHAPTER XVIII

Of the Picture of _Jerom_.

[Sidenote: _Clocks no very ancient invention._]

The Picture of _Jerom_ usually described at his study, with a Clock hanging by, is not to be omitted; for though the meaning be allowable, and probable it is that industrious Father did not let slip his time without account; yet must not perhaps that Clock be set down to have been his measure thereof. For Clocks or Automatous organs, whereby we now distinguish of time, have found no mention in any ancient Writers but are of late invention, as _Pancirollus_ observeth. And _Polydore Virgil_ discoursing of new inventions whereof the authors are not known, makes instance in Clocks and Guns. Now _Jerom_ is no late Writer, but one of the ancient Fathers, and lived in the fourth Century, in the reign of _Theodosius_ the first.

It is not to be denied that before the daies of _Jerom_ there were Horologies, and several accounts of time; for they measured the hours not only by drops of water in gla.s.ses called Clepsydrae, but also by sand in gla.s.ses called Clepsammia. There were also from great antiquity, Scioterical or Sun Dials, by the shadow of a stile or gnomon denoting the hours of the day: an invention ascribed unto _Anaximines_ by _Pliny_. Hereof a memorable one there was in _Campus Martius_, from an obelisk erected, and golden figures placed horozontally about it; which was brought out of _Egypt_ by _Augustus_, and described by _Jacobus Laurus_. And another of great antiquity we meet with in the story of _Ezechias_; for so it is delivered in _King._ 2. 20. That the Lord brought the shadow backward ten degrees by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz. [SN: _A peculiar description and particular construction hereof out of_ R. Chomer, _is set down_, Curios de Caffarel. chap. 9.]

That is, say some, ten degrees, not lines; for the hours were denoted by certain divisions or steps in the Dial, which others distinguished by lines, according to that of _Persius_

_Stertimus indomitum quod despumare Falernum Sufficiat, quinta dum linea tangitur umbra._

That is, the line next the Meridian, or within an hour of noon.

[Sidenote: _Doctrine of circular motions._]

Of later years there succeeded new inventions, and horologies composed by Trochilick or the artifice of wheels; whereof some are kept in motion by weight, others perform without it. Now as one age instructs another, and time that brings all things to ruin, perfects also every thing; so are these indeed of more general and ready use then any that went before them. By the Water-gla.s.ses the account was not regular: for from attenuation and condensation, whereby that Element is altered, the hours were shorter in hot weather then in cold, and in Summer then in Winter.

As for Scioterical Dials, whether of the Sun or Moon, they are only of use in the actual radiation of those Luminaries, and are of little advantage unto those inhabitants, which for many months enjoy not the l.u.s.tre of the Sun.

It is I confess no easie wonder how the horometry of Antiquity discovered not this Artifice, how _Architas_ that contrived the moving Dove, or rather the _Helicosophie_ of _Archimedes_, fell not upon this way. Surely as in many things, so in this particular, the present age hath far surpa.s.sed Antiquity; whose ingenuity hath been so bold not only to proceed below the account of minutes, but to attempt perpetual motions, and engines whose revolutions (could their substance answer the design) might out-last the exemplary mobility, and out measure time it self. For such a one is that mentioned by _John Dee_, whose words are these in his learned Preface unto _Euclide_: By Wheels strange works and incredible are done: A wondrous example was seen in my time in a certain Instrument, which by the Inventer and Artificer was sold for twenty talents of gold; and then by chance had received some injury, and one _Janellus_ of _Cremona_ did mend the same, and presented it unto the Emperor _Charles_ the fift. _Jeronimus Carda.n.u.s_ can be my witness, that therein was one Wheel that moved at such a rate, that in seven thousand years his own period should be finished; a thing almost incredible, but how far I keep within my bounds, many men yet alive can tell.

CHAPTER XIX

Of the Pictures of _Mermaids_, _Unicorns_, and some others.

Few eyes have escaped the Picture of _Mermaids_: that is, according to _Horace_ his Monster, with womans head above, and fishy extremity below; and these are conceived to answer the shape of the ancient _Syrens_ that attempted upon _Ulysses_. Which notwithstanding were of another description, containing no fishy composure, but made up of Man and Bird; the humane mediety variously placed not only above, but below; according unto _aelian_, _Suidas_, _Servius_, _Boccatius_, and _Aldrovandus_, who hath referred their description unto the story of fabulous Birds; according to the description of Ovid, and the account thereof in Hyginus, that they were the daughters of _Melpomene_, and metamorphosed into the shape of man and bird by _Ceres_.

And therefore these pieces so common among us, do rather derive their original, or are indeed the very description of _Dagon_[SN: _Dagon the Idol, of what form._]; which was made with human figure above, and fishy shape below; whose stump, or as _Tremellius_ and our margin renders it, whose fishy part only remained, when the hands and upper part fell before the Ark. [SN: 1 Sam. 5.] Of the shape of _Artergates_, or _Derceto_ with the _Phnitians_; in whose fishy and feminine mixture, as some conceive, were implied the Moon and the Sea, or the Deity of the waters; and therefore, in their sacrifices, they made oblations of fishes. From whence were probably occasioned the Pictures of _Nereides_ and _Tritons_ among the _Grecians_, and such as we read in _Macrobius_, to have been placed on the top of the Temple of _Saturn_.

We are unwilling to question the Royal Supporters of _England_, that is, the approved descriptions of the Lion and the Unicorn. Although, if in the Lion, the position of the pizel be proper, and that the natural situation; it will be hard to make out their retro-copulation, or their coupling and p.i.s.sing backward, according to the determination of _Aristotle_; All that urine backward do copulate p???d?? _clunatim_, or aversly, as Lions, Hares, Linxes.

As for the Unicorn, if it have the head of a Deer, and the tail of a Boar, as _Vartomannus_ describeth it, how agreeable it is to this picture every eye may discern. If it be made bisulcous or cloven footed, it agreeth unto the description of _Vartomma.n.u.s_, but scarce of any other; and _Aristotle_ supposeth that such as divide the hoof, do also double the horn; they being both of the same nature, and admitting division together. And lastly if the horn have this situation and be so forwardly affixed, as is described, it will not be easily conceived, how it can feed from the ground; and therefore we observe, that Nature in other cornigerous animals, hath placed the horns higher and reclining, as in Bucks; in some inverted upwards, as in the Rhinoceros, the _Indian_ a.s.s, and Unicornous Beetles; and thus have some affirmed it is seated in this animal.

We cannot but observe that in the Picture of _Jonah_ and others, Whales are described with two prominent spouts on their heads; whereas indeed they have but one in the forehead, and terminating over the wind-pipe.

Nor can we overlook the Picture of Elephants with Castles on their backs, made in the form of land Castles, or stationary fortifications, and answerable unto the Arms of _Castile_, or Sir _John_ Old Castle; whereas the towers they bore were made of wood, and girt unto their bodies; as is delivered in the books of _Maccabees_, and as they were appointed in the Army of _Antiochus_.

We will not dispute the Pictures of Retiary Spiders, and their position in the web, which is commonly made lateral, and regarding the Horizon; although, if observed, we shall commonly find it downward, and their heads respecting the Center. [SN: _Where the seven Stars be situated._]

We will not controvert the Picture of the seven Stars; although if thereby be meant the Pleiades, or subconstellation upon the back of Taurus, with what congruity they are described, either in site or magnitude, in a clear night an ordinary eye may discover, from July unto April. We will not question the tongues of Adders and Vipers, described like an Anchor; nor the Picture of the Flower _de Luce_: though how far they agree unto their natural draughts, let every spectator determine.

Whether the Cherubims about the Ark be rightly described in the common Picture, that is, only in humane heads, with two wings; or rather in the shape of Angels or young men, or somewhat at least with feet, as the Scripture seems to imply. [SN: 2 Chron. 3. 13.] Whether the Cross seen in the air by _Constantine_, were of that figure wherein we represent it; or rather made out of ? and ?, the two first letters of ???st??.

Whether the Cross of Christ did answer the common figure; whether so far advanced above his head; whether the feet were so disposed, that is, one upon another, or separately nailed, as some with reason describe it: we shall not at all contend. Much less whether the house of _Diogenes_ were a Tub framed of wood, and after the manner of ours, or rather made of earth, as learned men conceive, and so more clearly make out that expression of _Juvenal_ [SN: ----Dolia magni non ardent Cynici, etc.].

We should be too critical to question the letter Y, or bicornous element of _Pythagoras_, that is, the making of the horns equal: or the left less then the right, and so destroying the Symbolical intent of the figure; confounding the narrow line of Vertue, with the larger road of Vice; answerable unto the narrow door of Heaven, and the ample gates of h.e.l.l, expressed by our Saviour, and not forgotten by _Homer_, in that Epithete of _Pluto's_ house. [SN: ????p????.]

Many more there are whereof our pen shall take no notice, nor shall we urge their enquiry; we shall not enlarge with what incongruity, and how dissenting from the pieces of Antiquity, the Pictures of their G.o.ds and G.o.ddesses are described, and how hereby their symbolical sense is lost; although herein it were not hard to be informed from _Phornutus_[SN: Phornut. De natura deorum.], _Fulgentius_[SN: Fulg. mytho. Logia], and _Albricus_[SN: Albric. De deorum imaginibus.]. Whether _Hercules_ be more properly described strangling than tearing the Lion, as _Victorius_ hath disputed; nor how the characters and figures of the Signs and Planets be now perverted, as _Salmasius_ hath learnedly declared. We will dispence with Bears with long tails, such as are described in the figures of heaven; We shall tolerate flying Horses, black Swans, Hydra's, Centaur's, Harpies and Satyrs; for these are monstrosities, rarities, or else Poetical fancies, whose shadowed moralities requite their substantial falsities. Wherein indeed we must not deny a liberty; nor is the hand of the Painter more restrainable than the Poet. But where the real works of Nature, or veritable acts of storie are to be described, digressions are aberrations; and Art being but the imitator or secondary representor, it must not vary from the verity of the example; or describe things otherwise than they truly are or have been.

For hereby introducing false Idea's of things it perverts and deforms the face and symmetry of truth.

CHAPTER XX

Of the Hieroglyphical Pictures of the _Egyptians_.

Certainly of all men that suffered from the confusion of _Babel_, the _aegyptians_ found the best evasion; for, though words were confounded, they invented a language of things, and spake unto each other by common notions in Nature. Whereby they discoursed in silence, and were intuitively understood from the theory of their Expresses. For they a.s.sumed the shapes of animals common unto all eyes; and by their conjunctions and compositions were able to communicate their conceptions, unto any that co-apprehended the Syntaxis of their Natures.

This many conceive to have been the primitive way of writing, and of greater antiquity than letters; and this indeed might _Adam_ well have spoken, who understanding the nature of things, had the advantage of natural expressions. Which the _Egyptians_ but taking upon trust, upon their own or common opinion; from conceded mistakes they authentically promoted errors; describing in their Hieroglyphicks creatures of their own invention; or from known and conceded animals, erecting significations not inferrible from their natures.

And first, Although there were more things in Nature than words which did express them; yet even in these mute and silent discourses, to express complexed significations, they took a liberty to compound and piece together creatures of allowable forms into mixtures inexistent.

Thus began the descriptions of Griphins, Basilicks, Phnix, and many more; which Emblematists and Heralds have entertained with significations answering their inst.i.tutions; Hieroglyphically adding Martegres, Wivernes, Lion fishes, with divers others. Pieces of good and allowable invention unto the prudent Spectator, but are lookt on by vulgar eyes as literal truths, or absurd impossibilities; whereas indeed, they are commendable inventions, and of laudable significations.

Again, Beside these pieces fict.i.tiously set down, and having no Copy in Nature; they had many unquestionable drawn, of inconsequent signification, nor naturally verifying their intention. We shall instance but in few, as they stand recorded by _Orus_. The male s.e.x they expressed by a Vulture, because of Vultures all are females, and impregnated by the wind; which authentically transmitted hath pa.s.sed many pens, and became the a.s.sertion of _aelian_, _Ambrose_, _Basil_, _Isidore_, _Tzetzes_, _Philes_, and others. Wherein notwithstanding what injury is offered unto the Creation in this confinement of s.e.x, and what disturbance unto Philosophy in the concession of windy conceptions, we shall not here declare. By two dragms they thought it sufficient to signifie an heart; because the heart at one year weigheth two dragms, that is, a quarter of an ounce, and unto fifty years annually encreaseth the weight of one dragm, after which in the same proportion it yearly decreaseth; so that the life of a man doth not naturally extend above an hundred. And this was not only a popular conceit, but consentaneous unto their Physical principles, as _Heurnius_ hath accounted it. [SN: _In his_ Philosophia Barbarica.]

A Woman that hath but one Child, they express by a Lioness; for that conceiveth but once. Fecundity they set forth by a Goat, because but seven daies old, it beginneth to use coition. The abortion of a Woman they describe by an Horse kicking a Wolf; because a Mare will cast her foal if she tread in the track of that animal. Deformity they signifie by a Bear; and an unstable Man by an Hyaena, because that animal yearly exchangeth its s.e.x. A Woman delivered of a female Child, they imply by a Bull looking over his left shoulder; because if in coition a Bull part from a Cow on that side, the Calf will prove a female.

All which, with many more, how far they consent with truth, we shall not disparage our Reader to dispute; and though some way allowable unto wiser conceits, who could distinctly receive their significations: yet carrying the majesty of Hieroglyphicks, and so transmitted by Authors: they crept into a belief with many, and favourable doubt with most. And thus, I fear, it hath fared with the Hieroglyphical Symboles of Scripture: which excellently intended in the species of things sacrificed, in the prohibited meats, in the dreams of _Pharoah_, _Joseph_, and many other pa.s.sages: are oft-times wrackt beyond their symbolizations, and inlarg'd into constructions disparaging their true intentions.