(ddWfc ••-f DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY ppm — y DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Treasure %gom UiurIA \ y ." r^ 7^. O a1)Vi c e s FROM PARNASSUS> In Two CENTURIES, WITH THE Political Touchftone, AND An APPENDIX to it. Written by TRAJANO BOCCALINI. To wliich is AclJeJ, A Continuation of the ADVI CES, By GiROLAMo Brian! oi Modena, All Trandated from the Italian by fevcral Hands. Revised and CorrcSed by Mr. Hughes. With an Alphabetical Table to the whole Book. LO H/D K Printed by 7- D. U Daniel 'j5ioU3it uitl.out T^n>ple-Bar, '^^cmamin Uouii^.n CorM, Daniel 05itiU)lIUCC in Sr. F.«/'s Chu.chyarc, and . JJOn'JinrS in the iV/we//. M. DCC. VI. |\ ADVERTISEMENT. TH E Perfons concern'd in this Tranflation having thought that my reviewing the Stile might be ufeful to 'em, I was prevail'd with to do fomething in this kind, of which I have given fome account in the Preface. I wifh the Ad vantage the Book may have receiv'd by this fmall Afliftance were at all proportionable to the Pleafure with which it entertain'd my leifure Hours. I cannot think the prefixing my Name any Re- commendation of it; but fince they defir'd it, I thought it not worthwhile to refufefo flight a Gratification. J, Hughes, Ill PREFACE. ^" " THE Defign of this Book, as the Author declares in his own Preface (never tranjlated before ) was to make a happy Mixture of the Pleafant and the Profit able ; and in this "'twill be allowed by all good Judges that he has facceeded to Admiration. Whate^uer can be expeBed from a mofl fruitful and facetious Wit., from a great 'variety of folid and polite Learning., an tmprov'd Converfation., and an accurate Difcernment in human Affairs^ is to be found affembPd in this diverting and ufeful Mifcellany ; which has long had the Re- putation of a Maflerpiece in Italian, and is Jo well known by the many TranJIations of it into the be (I Languages of Europe., that few who are converfant with Books and Learning can be wholly unacquainted with its Merit. ^T IS a new-invented kind of Fable^very different from any thing which had ever been written before, and therefore it may jujlly be efleem''d an Original ; a Character which B o c C A L I N I boldly ajfumes to himfelf in his Preface, and in the 45^ Page of his Advices, tho a conceited Witling wou'd lately have roPd him of that Honor. ''Tis very plain that this happy Italian Genius is no Copyer, but that his ProjeB is his own ; for he''s the firjl that erected a Secret arfs Office in Parnajfus, and gave Advices from thence'of what pafs''d among the Virtuoft of that Place, and therefore for the Novelty of his Invention he compares himfelf to Christo- pher Columbus the Difcovsrer of a new World. BVT this Simily, being liable to fome Exception, may perhaps with more ad' vantage to him be changd. Par naff us was not indeed fir fl dif cover'' d by B o c c A- LiNi, /or the Antients touch'' d upon the Coajl long before, and placed there Apollo, the nine Mufes, and Pegasus. But our Author adventur''d fur- ther into the Country, and was thefrji that planted, peopl^d^ improved it with Laws, and gave us that entertaining Defer ipt ion of it, and thofe excellent Leffons of In- flruilion from thence, which are contain'd in the following Sheets. THi. K E is no need to infifl upon the Vfefulnefs of this way of conveying Truth bj Allegory, which employs at once the utmofl Judgment and Fancy of the Writer^ and is obferv'd to make more lively Impreffions on the Reader than Reajfon in its Vndrefs can do, tho ft have ever jo many native Charms. But there is one thing which fhou'd particularly recommend our Author to EnglifJjmen, and that is his Xealfor Liberty., and his generous abhorrence of thofe wicked Politicks which have fo much dijlurb'd the Peace of the World and the Happinefs of Nations. ''Tis no wonder if this afforded him a lirge Subject for tfxat matchlefs Fein of jufl and well-directed Satyr, xvhich at laji proved as fatal to this modern Rom.tn, as the Gift of Eloquence did to that famous antient one, C i- • c E R o ; fo dangerous it ts to pojfefs any extraordinary Talent^ which keeps the I 'tees of Men in awe, and will not ftiffer ^em to do mijchpf fecurely. AN D this brings us to give fome account of B o c c a L i n i's Life ; all that is left us remarkable of him may be difpatch'd in a few Lines ^ which let the Reader take as follows. HE was born at Rome about the latter end of the i6th Century : Hi0 other •WAS an Architect, and probably not very illu fir ions in his Profefjion, for it feems he xvantcdwhenwithal to incourage his Son m his Studys : but Bo c c a l i n i'^ way was to be made purely by his own Merit ; and tho he Jet out into the World under , A 2 oreat IV PREFACE. gre£t Difadza/Jtages, he foon met rvith confiderable I'riends who were charni'd with his ingenious and entertaining Quality s. The Italian Academy! recei'v'^d him with the great eji fleajure tmaginal/le, and honour''d him with Marks of their Efleem. He had a large (hare of IV tt and Humor ^ which early took an unlucky turn towtrds Salyr ; and the Applaufe he ?net with for fame curio^ pieces of that kind^ which he communicated in Manufcript to his Familiars, drew him on to further Attempts : fo I hat thinking himfelf fecure andtr the Proteciiort of his illujlriotts Patron s^ and particularly the Cardinals Borghese and C A ] E T A n, he puhl/J/yd his Ad- vices from Parnajjus^ and afterwards his Political Touchfione. Both thefe Pieces met with extraordinary ApplaufeJ?ut the latter was very hold and fever e : and as our ingenious Lord B a c o n e.xpreffes it, He that follows Truth too clofe at the heels, may have his Brains kick'd our, /o it far''d with Bocc al i n i; /i^r the Spaniards who were chiefly laf/fd in that Satyr complain'* d againfl him, and purju'd their Revenge. This drove him in a fright to Venice, where he found new Patrons^ and there he employed his hours of Study in writing Political Difcourfes on T A c I T u s, which how well he cou^d have perfomPd the Reader may judg by fe- veral Paffages in the following Advices. But this Work was cut fhort by a bad Accident ; for while his priend^with whom he lod^d, was gone out early one morningj And left B o c c A L I N I in bed, four Bravo* s rufh''d into his Chamber, and beat him to death with Sand-bags .- Diligent Enquiry was made after the Contrivers of this Villany, but they were never difcover''d. Thtts dfd Trajano Boccalini, much regretted among Men of the beji Learning and Principles. B E t R E we conclude, ^tis neceffary to add a word or two concerning this Tran/Iation, Care h.ts been taken every where to ketp to the Author^ s Senfe^ but it has been thought proper to contract his Stile in many places, where it was manijejilj too prolix and fell into Repetitions, which tvou^d have been very difagreeable to an Engltfb Reader. The It.ili.in is indeed a mufical Language, but not the moft concife in the World : And whoever reads Boccalini in the Original, will find that he abounds with very long Periods ; for this reafon there was a neceffity to break Vw, eind to contrive more flops, that the Reader might not be run out of breath .- hut this is done with theflriclejl regard to the Senfe, Elegance, and Connexion of the Au- thor. A S for the Continuation of the Advices, which was never before in Englifh, the Tranf/ators ivifjj they had more to fay for it than they have. The Publifbers had formerly promts'* d it in their printed Propofals, but ^twill be eafily obferv'*d how vaflly fhort /V /i o/" B o c c a L I N I ; and indeed this is what generally happens in the Cafe of Second Parts and Imitations done bj another Hand, for few fuch Attempts have Jucceeded, or come up to the Spirit of thefirfi. It h.%s been thought worth the while however to print this Continuation in the Italian with Boccalini, whofe Advices at leaflfbine the brighter by comparifon, tho they fl and in no need of a Toil. And now after the freedom of this Cenfure, we hope the Reader will find that part of the Book better than he expe^Sj whereas he might otherwife have thought it worfe than it is. ERRATA. PAge 1 7. line 44. read Ep'i3etM, a Philofofha much, &c. P. 1 p. 1. 4. rfhich reou'd teach. Ibid. 1. penult. found ' em f(i,bic. P. 29. I. 18. dele f/jf Cmma after ferfuaded. P. 55. J. 8. r. mid fay aloud. P.57. I. 35. dck fie. V. 97. 1. I J. f. as flat at a. P. 107. 1. 15. r. being /mitten, Y. 165. 1. 26, 27. r. Frifnf. Trajano V Trajano Boccalini to the Reader. AComparifon may very properly be made between tliofe infatiable Epicures that have invented fliarp Sauces to create a frcfli Appetite after a hearty Meal, and thofe curious Virtuofi vi'ho difcover a Hke Gluttony in Books and Learning ; for thefe Gentlemen, after they have feaftcd themfelves even to Excefs, with the folid Food of A r i- STO T LE, Hippocrates, Li V Y, Vi rg i l, E ucli d, and other Authors of the firll Renown, are not content unlefs their Hours of Recre- ation too, which are allow'd to reft the Body, and unbend the Mind, be (pent in reading fome pleafant Compofitions, which at the fame time may be of ufe to 'em. For this reafon they have long defir'd to fee in fome new and humorous Work, the Serious and Gay blended together : A Labor, that has al ways prov'd as difficult to the Virtuofi, as to the Alchymifts to fix Mer- cury. And the Affectation of Fame in ambitious Writers being full as ex- travagant as the Avarice of Chymifts, has made many of 'em imploy their whuiC force of Invention and Judgment in thisProjeft. NOW lovvnmyfelf, gentle Reader, to be one of thefe Adventurers, who, provok'd by the ardent thirft of that Glory that almoft fuiTocates the greatcll Wirs, have been puffing and fweating many years at the Fur- nace, and with what Succefs it depends on thee to judg. My Comfort Is, that after all, if it appear I have thrown away my Coals and my Alem- bicks in tUs fanciful Chymiftry, and loft all my Labor and Expence ; yet I hope, not only that the Impoflibility of the Work will be a fufficient Excufc, but that thou wilt at leaft be fo juftas to commend the good Defign I had at once to teach and delight thee, in which I have taken fo much Pains, that I have more impair'd my Health by it, than wafted my Ink and Paper, Nor ought I to be blam'd, that the Mifcarriage of many others in the fame purfuit, has not deter'd me from undertaking an Affair of fo certain danger ; lor to have attempted noble and difficult Enterprizes, fhou'd gain a Man ra- ther the Charafter of a generous Soul, than the Reproach of Temerity. Of thisat leaft I think I may be certain, that if by my Advices from ParnalTus, I obtain not the end I have extremely labor'd after, of mingling the Vii/e Du/ci, yet I fhall perhaps have facilitated the way to more happy Wits here- after. NOR are thefe my hopes fantaftical, or without Foundation; fince the World owes the Convenience of an eafy PafTage to the Weft Indys, not fo much to Columbus, the firft fortunate Difcovcrer of 'em, as to the bold Navigation of A m e r i c o Vespucci, F n r r a n t e M a g a g - L I A N E s, and thofe modern Pilots, who afterwards improved upon that Difcovery, and made it compleat. Nor is the admirable benefit of Printing fo much due to the immortal John of Mentz, its firft Inventor, as to thofe, who by their Induftry polifh'd the rough Sketches he left us of it, and advanced it to that perfedion in which we nowenjoy it: It being a true Obfervation of the great Tacitus, that he who fows honorable La- bors, always reaps a plentiful Harveft of Praifc; for largely and with a libe- ral hand, fuum cui^ue Decus Pojhritas rependit. Lib. 4. Ann. The VI The CONTENTS of the Advices from Parnajfm. The Firft Century. ADvice I . T^ie Society of Politicians open a Shop in Parnajfiis, where are to be fold federal Merchandiz.es ufeful to the Literati in the Conduit of their Lives, pag.i 2. The ordinary Guard of Parnajfus feiz.e a paltry Poet who had been bani/h'd the Country on pain of Death , and finding a Pack of Cards in his Pocket, bring ''em to Apollo, who commands him to teach the Game of iVhisk in the publick Schools, 4 3. ApoWo receives the unfortunate Advice of the barbarous Ajfajfmation committed on the Perfon of the mojl potent Henry IV. King of France ; and for the fecurity of his be- lov'd French orders powerful Succors to be fcnt from jircadia into France, 5 4. Pierius Valerianus, feeing Michael Angelo Buonaroti taking a Draught of the ugly Front of Scneci' s Houfe, inquires bus Reafon, and receives a fat'vsfaUory Anfwer, 7 r. A ^cjlionbeing farted and debated among the Literati, which of all the Political Laws and Cujloms in t\)e fiourifhing Republick of Fenice, was the befl and moft worthy of Praife, they unanimoufly refer it to the Arbitration of f fee woi? ferene Liberty of Ve- nice, who decides the Controverfy, 8 6. A learned Lctconick, who in his Difcourfe had not us^d the brevity he ought., is fevere- ly punifh'd by the Laconick Si:nate, 14 7. The Cenfors of Learning pmifh a Virtmfo, who, in his declining jige, feem'd to take too much delight tn the Italian Poetry, ibid. 8. Apuleius'j Golden Afs, and Plautus'i Afinaria, complain to Apollo that their Majlers u/e 'em hardly, but receive no pleafing Anfwer, 1 5 9. An Account of what the Learned have reaped from the Sciences they fow'd and cultivated^ ibid. 10. The InttUigencer goes into the Politicians Warehoufe, and by obferving what fort of Goods are bought up by the Literati, endeavours to difcover their various Inclinatiom and Genius, 1 7 11. Fidelity being privately withdrawn from Pamaffus, Apollo, upon certainnotice where fhe bad hid her felf, fends the Mufes, Melpomene and Thalia, to perfuade her back, 20 12. In a general Diet of the Literati, Apollo, contrary to all expedation, decrees Im^ m'jrtality to the Name of Vicenzo Pinti, caWd at Rome, the Knight of the Lute, 21 13. ]o\)n¥T!inc\ko^erdndi with great difficulty obtains 0/ Apollo admijfion into Par- najjus, and rejeUs the offer of Girolamo Fracaftoro, who would have reflor'd him to hl/s loft Sight, ^ 22 1 4. The Academics of Italy fend Deputy s to Parnaj]'us, to obtain from Apollo fome pre- fervative againfl Corruption, but find it impofftble, 24 15. Seneca km^rtcaa'^fcf/ore Apollo 0/ two foul Vices, to which thofeof his Se{i are much addicted, makes an excellent defence, 25 1 5. The Society of Gardtners fend Embaffadors to Pamaffus with an impertinent Requeft, for which thy are lauglPd at by A polio, 25 1 7. A Doubt ariftng upon the Truth of an old Proverb, That to know a Man well, you muft firft eat a Peck of Salt with him ; Apollo makes it be debated m a General AffemUy of the Literati., 27 18. The Hircanians fend Embaffadors to Apollo, to be truly refolv''d in the important <^uejtion. Whether it be lawful for the People to kill a Tyrant ? ibid. 19. Nero the Emperor, for a ftngular Commendation given him by Cornelius Tacitus, rewards him with a Prefent of twenty five Mules laden with Gold, 29 Advice The Contents. vii ^S4? '^'^'"''''^'^°'''^''^'"f^''^!!^i*'P<^»4^. a.d implore a moji irn^onam "" 'k^TjlLfntr^rT^"^ ^^'^,"'^' '" '^ /^'«;6;V/;e.f.. of Melpomene, to cccX 25 r/;.c/;,>/ MonarchysthatreftdeinFarnaffiu, ask the ntofi ferene Fenetian LiherV byrchat means Jhe obtains from her Nohility' fuch ex^uifiti Secreey andexlJ^OUd^' cnce ; a>]d receive a fatusfaaory Anfmr, r,: y ana exact UUdt- '^Jnhte refused"! '^''''"' ^"'"''"^ '^^''"■^'^'^ '''^"^' "^'^ '''' ^"'^ ^'^'^ ^^'''''^'^ 27. Apollo /.vm/) r-cpr/fw^^Wi the Afufes for irtfpiring ignorant Blockheads with Focttl Fury, but they defend themfelves to Admiration, u ' . Lodov.co Caftelvetro ^«^ Ariftotle are feverely repimLd.d by b,s Mau(h[ Z .30 Apollo ofc/..^/^^(k great Mifchiefs that happen d to Manlind by the abfince of F,dt KO^lS" "'""'' '''"'^-"' '^ ^fc^^/7i/.«c../ theAMesJandthifubuLeHe. iu During thl carnival in Parmffus, the Virtuofi run Races, and divert themfdvls TftthvartoiisDemonflrattons of Mirth <^'<'crt wcmjuves ^Wj-'Ti'^n^'^ A"«^o«eo/ ffce;V Body iU rewarded for a conftderahle Service, muttny agatnftthe Ottoman Empire, but are appeased by A polio ' 7. S3. CaroI^s SiP,onms |»«^pionigi Atanagi are accused of Ingratitude; the &fl by Pc trus V.dtor.us, fk laft by Hannibal Caro ; but are both ac^ted by \Z\o ^ ,1 3+. T^r.t^c. the Comtek Poet being taken into Cuflody by an Order from Ta^y' Pret or M pretence of h^keepmg a M,fs,t,d,fcharg^d by Apol, mth griat dcrift'n^ HTprZ '^f^tXfuol ^""''^ ^"^'"'''' ''"^ ""''^ "^'"'"'^^' ^^'^'^"" '''''''"'"" many^ffall '^Hl^^^l^r^^''"'^^^^^ <^ndturnshim outof Parnal'. ^^«;f/vTr/i''"'"^'f '''^'^P°"° fo' ^ P'-^fcription to make him forget fome Jjt '^:^::^"fd^::r^!:M^^^^^^^ ^''^ '^% ^^\hI'Cin\V'' f r^ °^' '''^''^'^'"' ^"-'i ^'^^ """'''"-^ Jff"^^ the People debate Je^ ^o T.r.r f '"''f ^"'"''^'''""' °^^^<^ii themfelves La free StL, ' 4 " ?.i Ti J'^^"' P ^'°f'"r^ ^''''"^ ^y «« infolent Defiance Lcnfd the Vmuof, 't, Jent packing from Parnaj]us by a Satyrtcal Jejl *«o/^ tJ ^\erITt^'''t""P^J''^' •^"^" '^ ^'"''' "> i"-''^ '''<' C-/..^Vy of their mofi V. rene Liberty, but hvs Service ttrcjeffed -i -^ J tu^n rnujv je- '^^Iaytl!:'prtr ^'"^'"^ "' ^""'^'^'^ '^'"'' ' ^""^« ^''"^^'^ '''' '^^ ^'^^ -^^ ^4' '^;«^^^$:;:.!::^^«"^-^^'-^^Asoiiin^ 45- Apollo f«-cd^m^t(;ffi^c(^^,„,V„„,yrp,,,. ., ^ 82 ^/ A^.'r^, -/^"^"^ f""""' ^^ '"''^'^'-^''^ '^« ^oLytoLrds'em,' ^ ^'"'Z 84 Advice viii The Contents. Advice 47. The Reman Monarch)/ dtftres Cornelius Tacitus torefolve her in a polidcil , /)oM!o[[o vi/its the Prifons, and tries many Tirtuofi who were committed for Crimes, or for Dt-bt, 16 <} 91. A great Prince having brought to the Temple a rich Offering of a golden Bafon, the Priefl accepts it with an Air of Sadnefs j and the Prince asking him the reafon of it, re- ceives Satitfa^ion, i -jS p2. Apollo fc:J'Z/iw^ fent an Order to the Shepherds of Arcadia, forbidding *em to fatten any more Hogs, vs earneflly entreated to revoke it, hut refufes to do it, ibid. 93. Thrafeas Poctus, with his Son-in law Prifcus Helvidius, being obferv'd to frequent the Houfesof the chief Poetejfesof Pamaffus, vs feverely reprimanded by Apollo, 177 94. A Senator of Poland having blam'd another Senator^s Conduff., is convincd., 'tis him- felf that hoA taken wrong Meafures, 178 95. A Quirrel ariftng between the Governors of Pindus and Libetbrum in point of Jurif- diOion, ApoWo feverely punifhes them both, 179 f6. Hannibal Caro having wounded Callelvetro, is condemned by Apollo to pay the forfeiture of the RecognixMnce he had given for keeping the Peace, 1 80 57. k^oWo appoints a general Hunting, to deflroy, if pojfible, the Species of Ants and Tortoifes, as Animals of ill Example to Mankind, 181 98. Dante being ajfaulted in the night at his Country -boufe by fame Literati, vs relieved by the great Ronfard of France, who afterward is very hardly brought to difcover the Criminals, 182 99. 7T>«r Princes of tbe Vniverfe intreat Apollo to infpire their People with Love to their Country, 183 !loo. One of the Literati having composed critical Remarks on the Poms of an Italian Vtr- tuofOf prefentt the Book to Apollo, who rejeHs it teitb fcom^ 1 84 The ^- The Contents. The Second Century. AD vice I. Embajfadors front the Province of Phocis complain to Apollo, that hit Officen infrm/d their Privileges ; but are difmifi'd with a harp} uinfwer^ i %6 2. Apollo expofes the unfortunate Count St. Paul, to deter tbe Nobility of Kingdoms front being fediic'd by Foreign Princes^ to rebel againfi their lawful Sovereigns, 187 3. The great Euclid, having difgujled fome potent Men, w feverely treated, ibid. 4. A Spanijh l^trtmfo, mortally wounded in a Dud with an Italian Poet, performs fo gal- lant an Aliion be fore bis Death^ that h^^oWo gives orders to bury him honor ably at the publick Expence, , , r. • '^? 5. Apollo having implofd his utmoji diligence to jetzje the Idols of Prmces^ proceeds wttb great feverity againfi one that fell into his Power, 1 89 6. All the Afoiiarchys of the Vniverfe, being jealoiu oj the great Power and Profperity of the German Commonwealths^ take meafures in a general Viet to fecure tbemfelves from being overrun by \m, ^ 19' 7. The People. of Phocis upon the iU fuccefs of their late Emb^J^ meditating a Rebellion, a Debate is held in his M-ijepy's Privy -Council concerning the befi means to prevent thofe Difordtrs, ^°'^ 8. A fhort Difpute in point 'of Precedence artfitig betwixt the Prince of Btfagnano and Dr. Juliano Corbelli 0/ Sa«iW(!»ri«Oi AgoWo refer sit to tho Court of Ceremmys, -who ac- cordingly decide it, . . 20 s 9. ApoWo pubnPies a fevere Ediii againfi fome of the Lfteratiy who concealed their Ava- rice under a Mask of Piety, ." 202 10. The City ^retor makes great Complaint to AipoTlo, that the new Magifirates the Tri- umviri have, ly an Ediu publifli'd againfi Minions and Panders of Primes Lufts, in- croacVd on his Jwifdi^Sion, , ■ ■ . i\iid. ii. 7 he People of Phocis, tipori the contihiCd Infringement of their Privileges, breakout " into RebeUtofi. but are appe^s'dby one of' their, ^enators^ and difjatch new Emhaffadors to Parrtaftif, " ' ' ' 203 i2. A dangerouf Quarrel arifes among fome Poets upon acomparifon between the Greatnefs of Rome, dnd that of Naples; Apollo fot- the fatisfa^ton of his yirtuoft, refers this important Caufe to he determined ly the fudges of the Rota, 206 13. Theodorick AT/V;^ 0/ Italy, having often foUicited for Admittance into Parnajfus^ ;/ji corrfidntly rejedcd by his Majefly for a very weighty reafon, 207 ip4. Apo[\p, .according to his Cufiom the firfi of every Month, receives the Petitions of ' fuch as defke Admittance into Parnaffus, '^ 208 I '5. force having at a pullickfneeting offer'^dio t^ke place of Reputation, this leautifulLa- " dy hy dnadmiralle Rcfolutiori feeures her endariger'd Honor, „, 222 i6. Giovanni Francifco Pico, Count of. Mtrandola, that he might more quietly attend ',! his Study s, intr eats that the Reformers, by reafon of the great noife they, make, might \. he removldoMt of , his Neighbourhood, but his Requefi is not granted. 224. I V. The famous Repiiblicks of Europe havihg. /ortici Tacitus their Houfes, he complains ' of it to /^ uo\lo, and is again received and carefs'd by ^em with the highefi Honor, 225 1'$., Apollo Mz/jVj^ to the wonder of all the Vtriuoft admitted the.blind Mountebank of Forli Y'i'ntoParniijfus^ imploys htm in an important Office, > . 2 2d io.' Lewis Alemanni having prais'dthd French in an eloqwnt Prat,ion, and repenting af- 'terwards of ir. defires le^ve cf ApoUo rp ntaks his Recantatiofii but his Majefij jviU not. , ^^erwf'W;i" , ',,'v.,./-- v , ,.;■' -. .. . ' •. ■ -^ . ^^7 io. Covhaibhaving go'ikrn^d Pitidus in great Reputation, and the Time of hU Govern- ^■ment bangle ^pix'd^ A.^o]yq fends him a ^ew Cpmmiffionrfar a-, year longer^, which he re-. ^.%fes, ■-'•■■ " ^ ' ,, ?29 :fl^..VSeDaftUtiy^,ieri, Dog^ pf .F'enice^ having made his EntrOftce inta fjtrnajfWi de-j ' pres Afono'lo grant himjbetTrecedenc&i^^^ at^^hsreditary'-MonarchSf andttbiains front • ai/s Majefty a favorable iJecifee, itiid. 22. Apollo mov'd with Compajfton to fee a miferable Soldier, who had loft both hvs Hands ,a Battel, go a begging, feverely reprehends Primes for their Ingratitude to Military 'en. N - 231 Ad- ••«; The Contents. xi Advice i^. Apollo, com^affiomtmg the mournful Shiprrrech which hit f^irtuo/i fuffer in the Courts of great Princes^ for their fecurity commands fome of the mo(i eminent Literati tomake aChart, by which men might faftly fail by Land, 231 24. Ariadeno BarbarolTa, being driven by a fudden Storm on the Rocks of Curzolari, fuffcrs Shipwreck : dwfi Maturino Ramagalib, Captain of the Guard of the Gulph of Lepanto, when he might have taken him Prifoner, furthers hk Efcape, 235 2$. Epitletus ohferving the many Corruptions of hit Seffj de fires leave of Apollo to found a new Sc^ of Reformed Stoicks, for which he is rather blavi'd than commended by his Majejly, 236 26. The Nobility of the Commonwealth of the Achaians, not being able to fuffer the Info- lenceof the Commonalty, fend Emhajfadors to obtain from Apollo a Prime to reigH over them, and their Requejl is granted, 237 27. Apollo having turn' d out Buda^us from the Office of Lord Treafurer, bejlows it upon Diego Covarruvias, a noble Spanifh Tirtuofo, and Dean of the College of Grand Sa^ gcs of this Court : which the French Monarchy in vain oppofes, 238 28. Monfignor Giovanni della Cafa prefcnts Apollo with his ufeful Treatife, caWd Ga- lateo of Manners, but meets with great Difficulty s in engaging many Nations to the ob' fervance of it, 241 29. Apollo having difcover^d that in Men had brought a Scandalon his Courts of Juftice, and render'' d ''em odiom to the People by making ufe of 'em to opprefs the Good, appoints ct Committee to redrefs the Grievance, hut With very indifferent Sucrefs, 243 30. M^icns BinlKsmtreats Lvicins Brutus to fhcw him in what confifledthe Perfettionof the Confpiracy which he happily executed on the Tarquins, and the Imperfeifion of his own which he attempted owCieiar with fuch ill fuccefs, and receives afatisfaffory Anfivcr, ibid. 3 I. Marcus Cato hiving infinitely difgujled the Princes, by adding the word Libera to the Motto Fugna pro Paci ia over his Houfe, Apollo orders him to remove it, 245 32. Socrates tc/M^ found dead in hii Bed, Apollo diligently enq^uires into the true Caufe of it, 245 33. The Hereditary Princes in Parnaffus are extreme urgent with Apollo, to have the Em- peror Tiberins remov'd from their Clafs into that of Tyrants: but he defends himfelf before h'ts Majefly, and gets the better of hii Adverfarys, 247 34. Hippocrates «af fucceeding in a certain PrtjeCi, is in danger of being feverely pM- nifh'd by his Majefly, 252 35. Francifco Mauro, a noble Italian Poet, marrys the virtuous Laura Tcrracina, but foon grows feal'im, and kills her ^ 253 36. Thais, that famous Courtezan of the Comick Poets, after along Debate, is admitted into Parnafjus, and fhews hii Afajcfly to his great fatisfaiiion, of what advantage fhe hopes to be to his Court, 255 37. The Embaffador from the Marches of Ancona, in a publick Audience, complains to Apollo of an unfortunate Accident that befelhis Countrymen ; and his Mafefly, with fngular Dcmonflrationof Affe&ion, provides a fufficicnt Remedy, 257 38. Goiifalvo Ferranteo/ Cordova de/ires Apollo that the Title of Great maybe con- firmed to him, but receives a very difjatisfaClory Anfwer, 258 39. AJany French Noblemen petition their Adonarchy for Licence to merchandize like theNo" bility ofRtpublicks ; but f he drives ''em from her Prefence with great Indignation, 260 40. The honorable Title of MelR.e, being reduc'd to a wretched Condition, isexpefd the Kingdom of Naples ; and not being received at Rome according to his hopes, for h'ts lafl Rifugebas rtcourfe to Apollo, who affigns him an Abode to bis heart'*s content, 262 41. Tlie Cenfors of Parnajfus having by Apollo's order publifh'd a fevtre Edift againfi Hypocrites, Phio fiiews 'em one particttlar that wai very hard, upon which they mode- rate It, 26^3 42. The immcnfe Bitlk of the Ottoman Empire, which the wifefi Politicians thought eter- nal, threatens immediate Ruin, 264. 43. The Prince of Helicon by an Embaffador deftres Apollo to grant him the Privilege of inflttuting the Cuflom of Birthright among the Nobility of h'ls State •, which his Majefijf refufes, ibid. 44. The Duke d^Alva is accused to A polio for murdering 2 principal SubjeOs in h'lS new State cftbe Achaians, and privately burying'' em in Pr'ifon; but he makes a vigorous Defence,i66 45. The Prince of Epirtts engages in his Service, by the Promife of a large Salary, one of the chief Subjed sof Aifacedonia; who coming to know why the Penfion wasgiv'n him, gmeroufly refufes it, 268 a 2 Advice ^^^ The Contents. Advice 4 5. Vjc Tenth of July U obfav'd with miyerfal Mourning in ParnaJJiu^ in nte^ mury of the unfortunate loft of the Decads of Livy, 269 47 ApoWo having founded for each Nation an fjofpttal for their Fools, puts down that of Florence, beeaufe they had but few among em, and apply s the Revenue to that of the Lombards, which being overflock\imth thofe yh Animals, was run much in Debt, ibid. 48*'"Hii yl7jje/^>'i Sea-Captains' pafs fuch ufeful Decrees for Marine Affairs in one of their Alfemblys, that hpoWo commands 'em to be made known to Courtiers, and en- joins them punilually to obferve^m, , „ r r "^"^^ 4.9 Apollo feverely punifhes Natalis Comes the Htjtorian for letting fall man AJftm' bly of the Literati, an Exprejfwn highly offenfive tohis Majejly, ibid. - Apuleius feverely chafitfes his Golden Afs for giving him two kicks on the Srcajl,m Advice xiv The Contents. Advice 94. Paulus Jovius prefents ApoWo ■with hvs elegant Hiflorys^ xvhich give fiicb inure fatiffaiJion to Im Afajeflj/ and the whole College of the rirtuojfi^ that in fpiteof all oppojition he's admitted tvith great ApplaiiJ'e into ParnaffuSy 332 95. The Cenfors imprifon an eminent rirtuofo for being too talkative •■, hut be vs gracioiijiy ft at libiriy by A[)0\\o, and acquitted of that Imputation, 333 5)5. Philip//. King of Spain, being highly provoVd at fomtthingxohich the Vuke of Alv.% had fatdto Apollo relating to hvs Government of Flanders, purfues his Revenge on that Alinifler ; but h'ts Ma'jejly hearing of it, fends for the King and appeafes him, 334 97. Pompey the Great invites feveral Roman Lords to the Dedication of a fplendid The- atre which he had built in Parnaffiis, but they refufe to come, 335 98. Peter Arretine is again affaulted ; and Apollo conftdering his kud and victoiu ^(tlttys, rvill not let the Delinquent be profecuted, ibid. 99. Al^oWo having received good Nevps from Italy, imparts it tohis Firtuoft, to their univirfaljoy, 337 100. Anunufual Fragrancyiffumg from the Ddphick Library, ApoUo ^OfJ thither in Perfon to dif cover the reafon of ir,] 338 The Political Touchftone. r. \ T 7 W 2^ ''■'f Neapolitans are heavily opprefs'd and ill treated by the Spaniards, 343 VV 2. Genoa being accus''d of too much Familiarity with Spain, jujlifes herfelf in Parnaffiis, 344 3 . Tloe Spanifh Monarchy vs grieved that her Treachery s are difcover''d, 34 $ 4. The Spanifh Monarchy arrives in Parnaffus, and begs a C ure of A^oWo for her Jjftiey but is difmifl by the Political Phyficians, 347 5. 77jf Duke of Ciiifs Secretary is punifh'^d for an Offence of h\5 Tongue, 351. 6. The Spaniards endeavor the Subjetlion of Sabionetta, but fail in their attempt, ibid. 7. Sir Thomas More asks Apollo when Herefys will ceafe, 352 8. The French endeavor to find out the Secret of the Spanifh Perfume for Gloves, 353 9. The Spanifh Monarchy goes to Delphos, to enquire whether Jhe {hall ever obtain Vni- verfal Monarchy, and receives a negative Anfwer, ibid. 10. A^oWo orders an EdiU to be publijh'dagainfl the Virtmfiof Pamaffus, 355 11. Philip//. King of Spain, after fome Difpute concerning his Title, makes amagni' fcent Entry into Parnajfus, 35(f 12. u4U the Primes^ Republicks and States, are exaiflyweiglj'din a Battance by Lorenzo Medici, 357 I 3 . I'Vhy the Monarchy of Spain keeps her felf fhut up in her Palace, 353 1 4. TIk Duke of Alva being arrived in Pamaffus, pays a Vtfit to Profpero Colonna, who falls out with him concerning a Title, of which he had defrauded the Family of Colonna, ibid. 1 5. Boccace is affajfmated by Salvlati, 367 )5. Embaffadors from Sicily are r ejus' d Audience of Apollo, and difgracefuUy driven away, ibid. 17. SKgy^mnnAohittoxi very I ate learns the Latin Tongue, 369 1 8. The French are difcharg'dfrom the Hofpital of Madmen, by means of the Spaniards, ib. 19. A Difcovery that the Spanifh Miniflers are wholly imploy'd in their private lntereft,^-]0 20. Max'imilhn the Emperor receives Advice of the Troubles fprung up among his chil- dren, ^ji 2 1 . Tl]e Dogs of the Indys are ttirn'd into Wolves, ibid. 22. The Monarchy of Spain vifits the ^een of Italy^ and great Compliments pafs be- twixt'*em, 573 23. The Monarchy of Spain throws her Phyfician out of the Window^ 374 24. The Card, of Toledo's Summary is refused Admijfton into the Library ofParnaJfus,3j^ 25. Almanzor, for?nerly King of the Moors, meets with the Kingdom of Naples.^ and they bewail their Mtferys thro the Opprefjion of the Spaniards, 375 25. The Count di Fuentes is admitted into Parnafjus, 380 27. AH the States in the World are cenfur'd in Parnafus for their Faults^ 381 28. The Monarchy of Spain offers to make the Cardinal of Toledo her Secretary of StatCy ' who refufes to accept of it, but upon a Condition which cannot be granted^ 390 ?9. ApoUodeteJlsaProjeif proposed to him for the raifing of Mony^ 391 Appendix The Gontentsi XV Appendix to the Political Touchftone. ADifcourfe made to Italy by an Italian Gentleman^ concerning the jiHions and De- ftgns of the King of Spain^ 393 iJvs Majejlfi Declaration^ refufing to admit Lucretia into PamaftiSy till he ha/i firjl feenwbat Opinion the iVorld has of fctr, 297 fjif Majejly's Admonition to Tirelli concerning his Book de ufu Vini in Infirmitate, ib. //« Majf.Jiys Commendation of the Turh for not admitting Advocates in their Courts of Jttjlice^ 398 A Continuation of the Advices from Parnaflus. ADvice I. Antonio Gabrielli, Dolfor of Lams, having Campos'* d a Folume of Conclufiom^ repents of it^ and tells k\)o\\o the reafon^ 399 2. VM\\^i ]o\imbeingaccus''d before k^oWo of Lying, is defended by Cicero, 4.02 3. Hhs Aiajejly having difcover d many Faults and Defeits in feveral Hifiorians, appoints Ccfar the Dictator to examine their Diffions, 403 4. Petrarch cowp/ami to Apollo 0/ Puotao/ Modena, for not regarding the Labours of the Divine MolzsLO/i they deferv^d, .■■■-.■ 405 5. A t^irtuofo, in preftnce of many Barons and Gentlemen affembld in ApoWoi' s Court y having extremely commended Nicolo Piccinino, is blam'd for it by an itt-natur'd Per- fon i upon which the Mufes are defir'd to give their Opinion in the Cafe, 4o5 6. Tlie Roman Confulsdefire k^oWo to reform their Repubhch, 408 7. The nrtuoji ask Apollo wherein the Good and Safety of a Prince e'onfijis, and receive a fat'vifaHory Anfvoer, ... 409 S. Apollo, forefeeing the dangerous motions of the Ottoman Forces, provides for the fafe^ ty of hvs Empire, by the choice of fome famous Captains, ' ' 410 5>. The chafl Lac'tetia being freed by ApoHb from the melancholy thoughts of having fiaindher Husband's Honor, w placed among the number of the mofl virtuous Ladys ; and to the (hame of Sextu'sTarquinius, hvs Ma]efly pronounces a folemn and terrible Sentence agatrtfi fuch as fh all hereafter be guilty oj the like violence, ibid. 10. TIk Ftrtuofi determine t'm ^eflion. Whether 'tis better to . preferve ones oxm State, ■ or to acquire avother, l.' 412 H t. Savorgnano inquires of Cardinal Sadoletti the Condition -of theCourt of Rome^ 41 3 «;2. Apollo ;«z//ff J Puotao/" Mddendtoh'vst'our):, and drfcoVering him to be a 'Man of ■ ' 'Worth and ririue, authorizes bimto refioretct pra{fice that admirable ^H/e,' Nofee te- *^rlpfum., , , . 1-415 l^i Ap-^llo hai)ih^ heard feveral'bpinions citie^'iti^ Red[d^o^'''$i'ate, refotve^toiput an ■ 'hid to tht: Controvtrfy by the underwritten Decijlon, ••''". \ .. . i , i'.-:..'. ^,^ >4. Apollo tldhiis fuch who rUin their Affairs lyrafh and -^iipime Managtinent, 41 8 V5. A[io\]o declares agairiji the FoOy of thofe who know ndt hont to prVferv'e their P)met,^^\9 ii.- Apollo fhomhow d /WMi'^fco finds himfelf inferiort9 bi^Enemy in^ower', ought to rtfent an Affront, . n ■ ■ • ' • ibid* ^^: Maftinodalla Scala repairs to A polio /bt^'^J'iyi^^; • ^■'•"Ci^Ov'.- ;v-"i ;■>■ n,ia. 18. Apollo /atw/y^ Antonio Tagliacantono /«btj ^e^Me/?, 420 19. Cane da lla Scala pcf/f«o«j Apollo for leave to tyrannize over his SubjeSis, ibid. 20. Puota nf Modena de/ires Apollo'i Opinion and Advice concerning the Title of Do- minus Dominantium, 421 21. Apollo t* highly incens''d againfl the Society of ProSors, 422 22. A Spanifh Gentleman having run away from hit Enemy, is reproach'' d with it by an Italian, 423 2^. ^Spaniard difcourfes with Apollo concerning the diverfity of Cufloms, and of Go- 'i *^lrnMni%, 424 24. Bentivoglio jujlifys himfelf for not returning into his Country by the favor of the People of Bologna, ibid. 25, The Platontcks debate concerning theConditionof fucb Oi being bominahv/ fortune^ rife to the Dignity of commanding others, 425 Advice xvi The Contents. Advice 16. Lottino and Count Alphonfo Fontanelli maie a Comparifon letneen the Government and Manners of Julius Csfar and Marcus Cato, 425 27. Count John Baplifta Laderchi, Secretary to the Prince of Modena^ declares in pre. fence of ApoWo the true method of Government^ 4^7 28. Apollo ajferts h'vs own Worth againfi the Imputation of hU Enemy s^ 429 29. A Difcowfe before P^'^oWo of the Bounds of Clemency and of Severity in a Prince^ 430 30. Apollo being extremely difpleai^d at the invidious Cenfures of the Labors of bvs Vtr. tuoft, makes a Difcourfe concerning jinger^ 43^ 31. Julius Ouhr vs commended for h'vs Mercy \ and fome fhort Explications of human State are made by Lottini and Doilor Zocchi., ibid. 32. Paolo Paruta, a noble Venetian, and Aleflandro Piccolomini, maie a Difcourfe concerning the adive and contemplative Life^ and the true ufe of Riches^ 4 34 33. Bartolomeo Carandini Dodorof Laws^ fl»d Aleflandro Piccolomini, make an in-- Jlruffive Difcourfe concerning the Favor of the People^ 435 34. Battilla Guarini and Count Paolo Brufantini hold a Difcourfe concerning Ambition, ' '438 35. ^ fhort Difcourfe recited by Furio Carandini in ApoUo'i Prefence concerning the adive Life ^ and in difpraife of Jdlenefs, 439 35. DodJor Pacclano d«^ Guicciardin, by A^ioWo's confent^ argue concerning the Duty of a Counfeliory and the condition of a Prince^ 440 37. Trajano Boccalini, at ApoWo's Requejl^ males a (hort Difcourfe concerning Envy^ 442 38. Apollo gives the care of aU the moral f^trtues to the great Seneca, and the noble re- netian Paolo Paruta, 443 39. The Queen of Italy in deep mourning hevnaiU the Mifery to which /he was reduc''d in the time of Totila King of the Goths^ 445 40. The Confpiracy of Decius Brutus s, tfiat they ftVfttible overall the Objefts of Relpeft, and difcern not Honor from Infamy, a Friend from an Enemy, or a Relation from a mere Stranger. The quick Sale of this fort of Goods is an evident Proof that in Petticoat Affairs there are but few who have any Ufe of their Eyes. hem^ THEY have Speftacles of a contrary naiture, which darken and obftruft the Sight ; and the Politicians tell ye (and fwear to't) that thefe are ten times more fervicejble to Mankind than t'othjr, efpecially to Courtiers. For mortifyinYObje^lis "are often prefented before Men of Scnfe, from which if they turn away, 'tis odds but they incur the Difpleafure of fome Great Per- fons ; and to regard 'em is toput themfelvesuponithe Rack. Now in fuch a cafe as this, what have they to do, but to clap on a Pair of thefe Spedla- cies, which frees 'em at once from the trouble of beholding the monftrous De- formitys of this vile World, and yet njakes Fools believe they eye 'em very attentively ? hem, HERE are Speftacles to preferve the Sight of thofe Scoundrels, who, from the moment they receive any Favor, are ftrongly inclin'd to for- get their Benefadtor, and by degrees arrive at the higheft pitch of Ingrati- tude. The Owners of the Magazine ai5irm, that thele are made of a very precious flu fT, viz. of the lafting Remembrance of paft Friendfhip, and Be- nefits formerly receiv'd. BUT the very Miracle of all, is a fort of Spe£lacles compos'd with fuch maftery and cunning, as to make a Flea appear an Elephant, and a Pigmv a Giant. Thefe, you muH: know, are greedily bought up by fome great Perfons, who putting 'em on the Nofes of their unfortunate Courtiers, con- found their Sight to that degree, that if their Mafter but lean on their Shoul- der, or glance a Smile at 'em, tho merely artificial and fbrc'd, the deluded Wretches take thofe difTembl'd Marks of his Favor as kindly as if he had fettl'd on 'em a I'enfion of a Thoufand a Year. THE fame great Perfons purchafe too, at any price, another fort of Spec- tacles lately invented in Flanders ; and thefe they generoufly diflribute like- wife among their Dependents, by virtue of which they make 'em believe Re- wards and Honors are jufl: at their very Nofes, tho they are farther off perhaps than their Sight can carry, and never like to come near 'em as long as they live. BUT befides Speftacles, in the fame Warehoufe you may be furnifli'd with human Eyes, which are indeed kept up at an exceflive Price, but the Advantages of 'em are unfpeakable. For 'tis not to be imagin'd how much truer a Profpcft we have of our own Affairs, when we look on 'em with the Eyes of others than with our own. Nay, the Politicians folemnly protell, that no Inftrument whatever is of greater fervice than thefe Eyes, to help us in the attainment of that excellent Virtue of knowing our fclves, a Happinefs fo much courted by Great Men. Item^ THEIY deal in a curious fort of Compafles, not made of Silver, Brafs, or Steel, but of the pureft Interefl: of the moft clear and unfpotted Re- putation that can be found in all the Mine of Honor ; and thefe too are verv ufefulinthe meafuringof ourown Adions. For Experience has convinc'd Man- Adv. I. Advices from Parnaffm, ^ Mankind that the ordinary Compafl'es, made of the worthlefs Oar of Ca- price or Sell-Interefl, feldom prove juft to thofe who in their Affairs have occafion to draw Parallel Lines. They are likewifeof particular fervice, to fuch as have the knack of ufing 'em, in taking the exaft Breadth of thofe Ditches which Honor obliges 'em to leap over, that they may avoid the hazard of falling into the midft of 'em, and being fhamefully bury'd in the Mud of Indifcretion. Nor is there any Inftrument in the world more pro- per than thefe Compaffes, to teach thofe prodigal Sots, who have only the Purfe of private Men, and yet live like Princes, to cut their Coat according to their Cloth. Item, YOU have there a Mathematical Inftrument, us'd by Surveyors, that teaches you to take the juft Dimenfions of Men with wliom you are to treat about Affairs of Importance, and that require the ftrifteft Secrecy. THEY have likewife a vaft Trade for a fort of Iron Inftrument, not unlike that us'd by Surgeons and Toothdrawers ; and this ferves to open the Jaws, and widen the Throats of thofe miferable Courtiers, who being re- duc'd to make a Virtue of Neceffity, are often compel'd to fwallow down whole Pompions inftead of little Maftick Pills. here's good ftore of Brooms too, made of Circumfpeftion ; and the wary and prudent Courtiers take care to ftock themfelves well with this fort of Merchandize : For with thefe, both Morning and Evening, they di- ligently fweep the Stairs, and clear away the Beans that are conftantly ftrew'd there by fuch Malignants, as take more delight in mifchievoufly thwarting the Affairs of others, than in advancing their own ; and whofe very Meat and Drink 'tis to break the Neck of honeft Mens Reputation. Item, YOU may be fupply'd with an excellent Ink, much more valua- ble than Ultramarine, and ev'n fold for its weight in Gold; which be- ing artfully diftil'd upon Paper from the Pens of Learned Writers, ferves to embalm and perfume the dead Bodys of the Virtuofi ; whereas thofe of the Vulgar caft an infupportable Stench, and foon moulder into Duft. This Ink alone eternizes the Fame of Men of Learning, while the Names of the Ignorant are bury'd in oblivion from the very moment they clofe their Eyes. A Balfam certainlv of more than human Pow'r, fince all who anoint themfelves with it, live after they're in their Graves; their Bodys only leave the World, their Fame furvives for ever in their Writings. Item, THESE politick Merchants take a world of Mony for an Oil, which has been often experimented to be of no fmall Efficacy in ftrength- ning the Stomachs of Courtiers, to the end that the unfortunate among 'em may be able, without weakning the Conftitution of their Patience, to di- geft the bitter Morfels they're frequently forc'd to fwallow down in Courts. THEY fell moreover, in little Glafs-Vials, odoriferous human Sweat, of wonderful Virtue to perfume thofe, who with the Musk and Civet of their honourable Induftry, are emulous of appearing, Pen in hand, among the number of the Learned. Of this your humble Servant the Intelligen- cer had the good Fortune to get one Vial at a reafonable price. T H E Y vend alfo a great quantity of a certain Stomach-Confeftion, ad- mirably good to fharpen the Appetites of feme obftinate Stoicks, and bring 'em to teed ravenoufly upon the moft loathfom things in the World, which, tho they're extremely naufeous to fome, and go abfolutely againft the Sto- machs of good Men, muft neverthelefs be fwallow'd down by others, who are forc'd to feem greedy of 'em, left they fhou'd draw upon themfelves the Hatred of the Great, and fo break all the meafuresof their own Affairs. B 2 THEY Advices from 'Paruajfm, Cent, i, THEY have likewife in their Warehoufe many Barrels or perlum'd Sweetmeats and Sugar-plums, moft excellent for fvveetning the Breath of Minifters of State, Privy Counfellors and Senators of Republicks, whofe Duty obliges 'em to keep Secrets till they putrefy in their Bodys. I N a Teparate Magazine they fell Bolts and Fetters for Horfes made of the Iron of Maturity ; and tho fome half Wits defpife 'em as Inflruments proper only for Bealts, yet men of Senfe have given 'em fo great a Reputati- on, that they are bought up at extravagant Rates, for the ufc of thole Hot- fpurs, who fcorning mature and judicious proceeding in their Affairs, are all for hurry and precipitation, and rather than trnft to the fafc and fobcr pace of the Carrier, will venture the breaking a Neck by the Pofl-. BUT of all the Commoditys with which this rich Magazine is ftor'd, none have a'iquicker Vent than certain Fans, not made of the Feathers of Oftriches, Peacocks, or any other beautiful Bird, but of Herbs and Flowers: Among which Andrew Mattioli, the Delphic Herbalifl-, having obferv'd the infernal Plant Aconite, the ingenious Virtuofi of ParnafTus have thence difcover'd, that thefe Myfterious Fans are not made to cool one in the Heat of Summer, but to drive from the Nofe thofe importunate Flys, which fome inconfiderate Furiofos us'd to chafe away violently with a Dagger, and in lo doing fcandaloufly wounded their own Faces. A D V I C E II. The ordinary Guard of Parnajjus fei:^e a paltry Tott who h.7c\ hem ha- jiijVd the Country on pain of Veath^ and finding a Vatk of Cards in his Tochty bring 'em to Apollo, tpho coinmands him to teach thi Game of Whisk in the publick Schools. TO preferve the virtuous Country of ParnaiTus from the profane In- trufion offottifli Ignoramus's, Apollo thought fit, many years ago, to fend thither two Companys of Ballad-makers from Sicily, Fellows that were very expert at Crambo, and had a thoufand Conceits always at their fingers ends; and thefe he appointed as a Guard to patrol continually, and fcour the Country. About eight days ago it feems they feiz'd a faucy dealer in Doggrel, a Rafcal who had been expel'd ParnaflTus on pain of Death, and forbidden the ufe of Books, Pen, and Ink ; yet in fpite of Apollo, and in contempt of the moft ferene Mufes, he perfifted in his folly, and made it his whole employment, from morning to night, to fcribble and defile Pa- per, pretending to the glorious Name of Poet. To aggravate his Crime,- upon fearch they found his Pockets furnifh'd with a Pack of Cards ; which wicked Inftruments, tending only to ill, are prohibited here under a capital Penalty. They were immediately prefented to Apollo, who exprefs'd a world of Amazement at this fenflefs Invention of a crew of vicious Rakes, to fool away their time in idlenefs, to the ruin of their Reputations, and beg- garing their Eftatcs. But his Majefty's Aftonifhment was much increased to hear that the folly of Mankind was arriv'd to fuch a degree, as to give the name of Play to a thing they did fo much in earneft, and, which is worfc, to make a Diverfion and Paflime of hazarding the lofs of their . Mony, a fort of Furniture notcafily acquir'd, and yet fo very neceflary to' all Adv. 3. Advices from Tarnafjus. 5 all manner of Ufes, that without it the World wou'd now-a days look on Akistoti, F. himftlf as an infignificant Blockhead, and pay Alexander ihc Great no more refped than a Country Plough- Jobber. Prithee, Fellow iays A v o L L o, what's thy Favorite-Game upon tlie Cards, and which canft ihou play at mod skilfully \ At Whisk, an'c pleafe you, reply'd the Prifoner. liis Majcfty bid him fliew him the Game. I'he Man obey'd, and Apol- lo perceiving the deep cunning of the Play, cry'd out In truth the Game of Whisk is the true Philofophy of Courtiers, a Science that all Men OjouM get themfelves inftruftcd in, who would not be Bubbks and Blockheads. 'J'hen cxpredlng much Concern at the rude treatment of the Foetafter, he was plcas'd to honour him with the Title of Virtuofo, com- manding him immediately to be let at liberty. Moreover he gave Orders to his Officers, that next morning they fliould open a particular School, where he appointed this extraordinary Perfon to teach his tnoft ingenious Game for the Benefit of the Publick, and fettled on him a Penfion of 500 Crowns a Year. He ftriftly required, under fevere Penaltys, all the Platonick Peri- patctick, and other Moral Philofophers, to become his Scholars, and apply themfelves uith diligence to fo necelTary a Science, commanding 'em farther ( that it might never Hip out of their memory ) to praftife it at leaft an hour every day. THE Learned thought it very ftrange that any Inftruftions ufeful to human Life were tobegather'd from a Play that was common among the Rabble. Yet recollefting that Apollo had never enjoin'd his Virtuofi any thing that had not prov'd of advantage to 'em, they readily obey'd his Orders, and the School was much frequented. In a little time when they began todifcover the Myftery, and were acquainted with the fecret Rules, and artful Cunning of that excellent Game, they extoPd his Ma jeffy's pro- found Judgment to the Heav'ns, and gave it out that neither Philofophy Poetry, the Mathcmaticks, Affrology, nor any of the Sciences, befides this wonderful Game of Whisk, was capable of inftruQing Mankind, and par- ticulurty thole who deal in Court- Affairs, in this very important Secret, that the lo weft and moff pitiful Trump wins even the highel^ Court- Cards. A D V I C E III. A r o L L o receives tl'C unfortunate Advicc of the barbarous Ajjaffinatlon committed on the Tcrjon of the niojl Totem Henry IV. /(/>k' of France i and for the fccurity oj his beloVd FreJich^ orders powerful Succors to be jent from Arcadia into France, BY an Exprefs, difpatch'd in great diligence from the illuffrious Society of the Virtuofi at Paris, and which arrived here the 22d Inlfant in the Hvcning, Apollo received the mofl afflicfing News of the AlTafTination of that glorious King of France H e n k y IV. This Advice fo fenfibly af]e£fed his Majefiy, that in tclf imony of the deepefl Sorrow, he inftantly mulB'd up his Face in thick Clouds, from whence for three whole days he lain'd down Showers of Tears without ceafing. All the Literati of the fevcral Nations, viz. SpaniHi, Englifh,. Flemifh, Germans and Italians, who at preftnt re fide here, bore their parts.too in this melancholy Scene of Lamentation, and wept whole Floods, in al^iftion lor the deplorable Cataftrophe of a Mo- narch, 6 Advices- from Tarnaffm. Cent. i. naich, vvhofe Wounds have pierc'd the Hearts of the French themfelves, and are become fo mortal to fome of 'em, that they havemourn'd his Fate in Tears of Blood. But here we mud not forget to inform you, that in the bitternefs of hib Anguifh, A polt. o was heard to figh out this Patheticai Exclama- tion : " This abominable World is at laft upon the brink of being reduc'd to " its firfl: Chaos, (Ince the Villany of Mankind is grown to that monftrous " Extravagance, that they are impudently prodigal of their dearelt Folfef- " fion, Life ; and care not how they expofe themfelves to be butcher'd by " the vile Hands of the Hangman, and all to purchafe the blackcfl Infamy, " infiead of a fair and honourable Fame ! T W O days after the arrival of the Courier, Orders were given for cele- brating the Obfequys due to fo great a King ; and not only all ParnalTus was feen in Black, but each of the Literati mourn'd in a longCloke: Nay to render the whole Sacred College of the Virtuofi more fenfiblc that their M it c E N A s and Father of Learning was now loll to the World, the mofl: ferene Mufes themfelves, in Widows Weeds, and with diflievel'd Hair aflifted at the Pious Rites, So fad and pompous a Scene of Wo has not been known in Parnafllis, fincethe death of t!ie generous Augustus. In all the Colleges of the Univerfity were fpoken by the Philofophers of each Sefl: above 200 Funeral Orations in praife of this mighty Prince ; amongft Ivhofe infinite Virtues, his Valour more than human was chiefly extoi'd ; but the Orators cou'd fcarce be heard for the Sighs and Groans of their Au- dience At laft Apollo taking it to be a fort of Cruelty thus to keep a- live the Anguifh of their Wounds, by daily opening 'em afrefh with the Poniard of Remembrance, commanded that the Funeral Solemnitys fhou'd ceafe ; fince the lofs was lb great, that Mankind ought in charity to them- felves to ftifle their Grief, and forget the Caufe of it as foon as poflible, left their Lives fliou'd become a burden to 'em. And the rather becaufe the He- roick Virtues ol the invincible King Henry were arriv'd to fuch an Emi- nence, as not to need the weak Praifes of mortal Men. Moreover, in re- gard that the noble Kingdom of France has deferv'd nolefsof the Repub- Jickof Learning, than Greece it felf (as appears by the Delphick Library, which is full of the learned Labours of the French Virtuofi) Apollo far- ther commanded that, for the fecurity of his good Friends the French, 60000 Pack-horfes fliould forthwith be difpatch'd from Arcadia into France. Upon this fome Virtuofi, who were flrangely furpriz'd at this odd Refolution, took the liberty to reprefent to his Ma)efty,that the numerous and valiant No- bility of France being in Arms, protected their Country fo well, that flie neither knew nor fear'd Danger : On the contrary, fhe defpis'd it to that de- gree, as cv'n to feek after it amidft the fliades of the Night, and with no Guide but an intrepid Heart. That having with her invincible Sword ac- quir'd fo great a Monarchy, 'tis not likely that in her prefent Circumftances Jfie'd be at a lofs to preferve it. To what purpofe therefore fhou'd a Com- pany of contemptible Packhorfes be fent to 'em, unlefs to jeer 'em in their Misfortune ? Apollo reply'd. That for the Security of that flourifhing Country, a- midfl: the piefent Calamitys, there was no neceflity the Nobility fhou'd be all arm'd and mounted, but that the Peace and Tranquillity of France depend- ing only on the Union of its Inhabitants, the fureft way to that Happinefs wou'd be to bear in memory for ever the difmal Conflagrations and Ravage of their Country, tliecruel plundering of their Citys, and all the enormous Mifchiefs they fulfer'd in their Perfons, Reputations and Eftates, during the late Civil Wars for above forty Yeai^s. Now to keep thefe mournful Ideas conti- Adv. 4- Advices from Farnaffm, q continually frefh in their Minds, what can be a more pioper emblematical Memorandum than Packhorfcs, who are known 'by natural Inftinft to a- void that Road where tliey got a fall not long before, and where they re- member to have been within an Ace of breaking their Necks ? ADVICE IV. PiERius Valkrianus, jec'wg Michael Angel o BuONAROri taking a Draught of the ugly Front of S eh EC as Houfej inijuires his ^'ajon^ and receives a faiisfaclory Anfwer. THO the Houfe of that excellent Philofopher Ann^us Sene- ca, for its pleafant Situation, beautiful Gardens, numerous Fountains, Streams, and Waterworks, and for the multitude of its Apartments proper either for Summer or Winter ; in a word, for all the Conveniences and moft cxquifite Delights that can enter into the Fancy of Man, may be compared to Nero's fam'd Houfe of Gold, yet by the Front of it you'd take it for no better than feme rotten old Barn, or ruinous Stable. Now t'other morn- ing it feems, the celebrated Michael Angelo Buonakoti was very bufy in taking a large and exa£l Draught of it; Pierius Valeri* Anus pafling that way obferv'd him, and was amaz'd that fo eminent an Artift fhou'd Tool away his time in sketching after fo horrid a Piece of Defor- mity : He accofts him therefore, and with a con Licentia. defires to know what he faw in that Front to think it deferv'd the Pencil of fo great a Ma- fter? Michael Angelo look'd upon him, and, as Pierius him- felf told me, returned him this Anfwer. " Sir, fays he, let me tell you " that in this Front here, as ugly as it feems to you, the moft skilful Archi- " tefts have plainly difcover'd all the Rules of the Dorick, lonick, Corin- " thian and Compofite Orders, to be fo duly obferv'd, tho indeed they make " no appearance, that in the Judgment ev'n of Vitruvius himfclf, it " deferves to be accounted the Eighth Wonder of the World. Now you " murt know, I was order'd by my worthy Patron John Girolamo " A a.u A V I v A, Duke of Atti, to take this Draught of it, as you fee ; " and he tells me his Intention is, to fend it to Naples for a Prefent to fome " Barons of that Kingdom, his very good Friends, who being run mad with •' the Vanity of appearing what they are not, have an abfolute neceflity of " learning with their own Eyes, in the Defign of this Front, the curious Me- *' thod in which are difpos'd the Affairs of wife Men, who avoid making *'• a Flourifh, and are in reality of Worth what they do not appear. ADVICE 8 Advices from Parnaffus. Cent. i. ADVICE V. J Quejlion being fiarted and debated among the Litcyatiy which of all tfje 'Political Laws and Cufloms in the Ji'ninp?ing '^piibtick. of Fmice, was the bi'fl and mofl worthy of Traijc^ they unanimoufly refer it to the Ar- bitration of the rnoft jerene Ltbetty of f^enice, who decides the Contra- yerfy, '"T"^ H E Debate that arofe fix days ago among fome of the Learned of this \ State, is highly worth rccordin'^. They were difcourfing concern- ing the excellent Laws and Inflitutions that maintain the Commonwealth of Venice in fuch Profpericy and Grandeur, and cou'd by no means agree in their Opinions, which delerv'd the highcft Commendation. Eaci or ^M. Virtuofi adher'd ftlQy to his own Sentiment, and defended it with all the Arguments he cou'd. Now that theQueflion might be decided fairly without any Ani- mofity, they refolv'd, one and all, to appear in Perfon before the rnoft Se- rene Liberty of Venice, to acquaint her wit'i their feveral Opinions, and to acquiefce in her Judgment upon the whole. Accordingly the Affair was debated at large in the prefence of that Iliuftrious Lady, who gracioudy condefcended to give thefe Gentlemen the defir'd Sacisfaftion. THE firft that fpoke was Petrus Crinitus: We all know, fays he, that by the cftabliHi'd Laws of Nature there is a determined Pe- riod to all Sublunary Beings, in which they are born, grow to maturity, wax old, and perifh. Now 'tis a Miracle to me that the Repubiick of Ve- nice alone feems to be exempted in a great meafure from this Law, and is ki:n to flourilli the more, the more Ok- grows in Years : and thus thofe ex- cellent Laws, and wholefom Orders, which in other States are eiiher quite worn out by Time, or laid alideand forgotten, in Venice only are kept up intire, and more ftri£lly obferv'd than ever ; from whence that Common- wealth reaps this Advantage, that Hie never ftands in need of thole dange- rous Reformations and Refumptions in Government, whicii have occafion'd infinite Tumults in the Republicks of Rome and Florence: for 'tis the pecu- liar Virtue of tlie Venetian Senate to perpetuate their flourifliing Liberty by a Itri^l obfervance of their antient Laws. Since therefore in Venice you find none of thofe Defects which, 'tis plain, other Potentates have not the skill to avoid, and fince in other Inftances, the rnoft careful Diligence foon tires, and degenerates into that fupine Neg!e£t, which is fo deftru^ivc of Liberty, and fital to all Governments, I think I may with the greateft reafon venture to affirm, that by her prudent Conduct, the Repubiick of Venice will main- tain her felf to the end of the World. Angelus Politianus fpoke next, and faid, That what Cri- nitus had obferv'd, and a Thoufand other excellent Managements of that wife Repubiick were indeed wonderful ; but that which to him feem'd rnoft of all furprizing was this, That an Ariftocratical Commonwealth, which, according to the Opinion of the bcft Writers, is founded upon the equality of the Nobles Bftates, had been able tofupport it felf thus long in fuch Peace and Grandeur,amidft fo unequal a Dividonof Property as was now among them : And that thofe rv/o dangerous tixtremes of immenfe Riches and great Poverty had not produc'd that defeat, which it feems impoffible by Adv. 5. Advices from Parnafpts. 9 by human Laws to prevent, of the Rich trampling on the Poor ; for thothe latter always envy the Fortune of the former, yet, either by reafon of the ten- der Zeal for Publick Liberty which reigns in all the Venetian Nobility, or be- caufe thofe of great Eftates employ not their Riches to opprefs their Inferi- ors, they both live together in that happy Countiy, in all the Peace and Moderation polTible, P e^ L I T 1 A N u s having ended, P i e r i u s V a l e k. i a n u s faid, That the only thing which ought to raife our aftonifhment in the Rcpublick of Venice, was the wonderful fituation they had chofcn for the Metropolis of their Dominions; that being in his Opinion the chief Caufe to which the Veneti- ans ought immediately to afcribe the glorious prelervation of their Liberty ; and that alone having always fecur'd 'cm from the Forces of many Foreign Princes, who have attempted to fhackic their Feet with the Chains of Sla- very. THE next that deliver'd his Opinion was Julius Casar Scali- GER. The greateft Wonder (fays he) of the Venetian Liberty, which fills the whole Earth with fuch Amazement, is certainly this, that even the Nobles who govern, not only willingly pay the antient Taxes, but of- ten with incredible readinefs impofe new on themfelves, which the Col- le£lors do afterward exafl of 'em with the utmoft rigor. And they have been frequently known, in the prefling Emergencys of the State, to fuppjy the Publick Wants out of their own Purfes, rather than burden their Peo- ple with newDutys. Befides, they do this with fomuch chearfulnefs and generofity, and with Minds fo affectionate to their common Freedom, that this AQion alone deferves the preference to all the Wonders in that happy Republick, it bemg a convincing Evidence to the whole World, that file's bleft with that excellent Quality, which renders Commonwealths Eternal ; viz. that her Nobles are wholly infpir'd and aftcd by fuch a Hncere PafTion icr Liberty, as to be fuperior to all private Confiderations, and conftantly to prefer the Publick Good to their Particular Interefts. Bernardo Tasso faid, He had liv'd many Years at Venice, where nothing had furpriz'd him more, than to fee thofe very Nobles, who took fo much delight in the pleafures of Luxury and Eafe, apply to the Bufinefs of Government with fuch force of Mind and Induftry, as made 'em feem men of the mofl: exemplary Lives, and born to perpetual Labor. WHEN T a s s o had thus given his Opinion, Francesco B e r- s I, delivering himfelf after his ufual manner with an air of Pleafantry, that diverted even the mofl Serene Liberty of Venice, faid ; That in his Opinion, among all the Wonders of that Republick, the greateft Wits ought moft to be furpriz'd at this. That tho all the Canals in Venice fwarm with Crabs, yet the Senators feldom fail of catching better Fifh, fo that they are defcrvedly efteem'd by all other Nations to be the Salt of the Earth. Saeei. Licus came next, andaffirm'd, That. while he was writing tho Hiftory of Venice, having diligently obferv'd ail the excellent Conftitutions of their Liberty, nothing had appeared to him more extraordinary, than that the Publick Trcafurc was manag'd with fuch ftrid Fidelity, tvcn by the necclTitous Senators, that they efteem'd it not only a capital Offence, but the greateft Infamy and Diflionor imaginable, to have but a Penny of St. Mark ftick to their Fingers. 1 HEN S A N N A z,A R o declared bis Opinion, that nothing was more remarkable in the Republick of Venice, than that many of the xVobles, tho Men of low Fortunes, fupport their private Wants with incredible Patience, and without tlie Icaft thought of enriching themfelves at the Expence of C the 10 Advices from ParnaffHf. Cent. i. the Publick, by fuch feditious Frumentaiian and Agrarian Laws, as the Com- monwealth ot' Rome had been fo cruelly oppreft with by her own Citizcnsl And it claims no lefs our Wonder than our Praife, to fee in Venice a poor Nobleman llruggling to get the upper hand of his Wants by Virtue on- ly, and making it his whole ftudy to render himfelf worthy to be imploy'd by his Country in Offices of the greateft Profit : from whence it comes td pafs, that Virtue, Honor, and Honefty, ferve a poor Venetian Nobleman inltead of a plentiful Patrimony. T O this PoxTANUs added ; All that has been obferv'd is indeed wonder- ful, but what chiefly raifes my Aftonifhment in the Venetian Liberty is, that the boundlefs Wealth of fomeof the Nobles produces not thofe dangerous Effects oF Pride and Vanity in the PoffefTors, which have been the Pert of all other Republicks : 'Tis therefore an admirable Cuftom in Venice, that thofe Senators who have the Riches of a Prince, live in their Familys like private Citizens, and when they appear in publick, differ in nothing from the poor- eft among 'em. So that the Venetians only have found the happy Secret of fcparating from great Riches, the attending Evils of Ambition, Pride, and a tactions Train of Dependents among the poorer Citizens ; Confequences of the greateft moment, and which Rome her felf wanted the skill or power to prevent in Casar, Pompey, and many other of their wealthy Sena- tors. ' P o N -r A N u s having finifh'd his Argument, Ani^ieal Card faid ; That none of all the Wonders of the Venetian Republick ftruck iiim with fuch amazement, as to fee the Prince of fo renown'd a Commonwealth live in regal Splendor and Majefty, obey'd with all the refpeft and fubjeflion due to a King, while at the fame time he had only the Power of a Citizen : And that to join the profoundeft Veneration with a limited Authority, theSove- reignty of a Prince with Moderation and Modefty, was a mixture wholly unknown to the antient Lawgivers of former Republicks, and a Prudence only practib'd in the happy Senate of Venice. Bartolomeo C a V a t e A N't I fpoke next : That, as P o n t a- N us had well obferv'd j ■''tWasa thiflg'Very remarkable in the Venetian Re- publick, that the greit Riches of foriieof the Senators did not blow 'em up with Pride and Arrogance ; but yet it was much more wonderful to fee, that fuch were the excellent Conftitutions and Laws of that eternal and free Re- publick, that thofe who bore the chief Offices, and had the fupreme Admi- niftration of the Government, became not proud or infolent in Authority : A Circumftance fo much the more to be efteem'd, becaufe it has never been known in any other Principality dr well-conftituted Republick whatever, being in truth diredtly contrary to the very Nature of things. He added farther, that when he Was in Venice, he was not furpriz'd at the immenfe Publick Treafure, the Arfenal, the Great Canal, the ftately Palaces of the Co MAR. I, Grimani, and Fos.cari, or any of the other fplendid Edifices that adorn that wondrous City, and which dazle the Eyes, and feed the Admiration of the gaping Mob : But that which he thought truly wor- thy his Aftonifliment was, to behold Sebastiano Venieri, who not long before commanded fo powerful a Fleer, and was renown'd for the glorious Victory he had obtain'd over the Turks at Sea, to fee this great Man return to Venice like a private Perfon, and appear in the Piazza with fo much bumble Civility, that lie feera'd in nothing diftinguifh'd from thofe Senators who had never been out of the City. 'Twas very obfervable too ( he faid ) that in the Venetian Republick, the Nobles who liv'd with fuch Frugality and decencModefty in their private Familys, when they were imploy'd in J the Adv. 5' /Advices from Tarnaffui. ii theMiniftry abroad, or in any of the mod: important Offices and higheft Commands, by their Splendor, Magnificence, and Princely LiberaJity, ap- pear'd to the world, not as plain Citizens of a well-regulated Common- wealth, but as Men born to command Subjefls all of Royal Blood ; there- fore he verily believ'd there was no People upon Earth, who knew better than the Venetian Nobility how to accommodate themfelves either to the Modefty of Obedience, or the Greatnefs of Command : A thing fo certain, that whereas other States have been oblig'd to put their Senators in mind, that they ought to lupport the Dignity of their Offices by a futable Magni- ficence, the Senate of Venice had been often forc'd to ufe Ref^raints in this matter, and to make fevere Laws prohibiting the Governors and other Publick Magiftrates out of the City to live in fuch Splendor and Great- nefs. Cavalcanti having ended his Speech, Flavio Biondo de- clar'd, that when he was in Venice he was infinitely aRonifhM to fee, that in a mere Arilfocracy, the Citizens and Common f^eople liv'd in fuch perfeft Satisfaftion, that during many Months which he continu'd in that happy Country, he could never difcover, whether the Publick Liberty was held more dear by the Nobles that govern'd, or by the Common People that obey'd. Paulus Jovius took the next turn, and told the Company, that he had difcours'd with many great Princes concerning the admirable Govern- ment of the State of Venice, and that to them as well as to himfelf it feem'd a matter of the higheft Wonder, that the Senate of that Republick ftudy'd nothing more than how to preferve themfelves in Peace, and at the fame time, with all the Vigilance and AfiTiduity imaginable, were making Prepa- rations of War ; in fliort, that an arm'd Peace was a Miracle no where to be found but in that flourifliing Commonwealth. THEN BoccACE proposed his Opinion, and faid, that the true Salt which prefervesthe Venetian Liberty from the Corruption of'all Abufe and Diforder, is that excellent Cuftom, that Sovereign of all their Laws, fo in- violably obferv'd by 'cm in the Promotion of their Senators to Offices of the higheff Truft and Command, I'lz. to have no regard to the Quality or No- ble Extradion, to the great Riches of the Candidates, nor to admit the Merits of their Parents and other .Anccflors into the Scale, but only to weigh their own true perfonal Worth. From whence it comes to pafs, that in Venice che vicious and ignorant Nobility ferve like Cyphers to fill up the Number, while the virtuous and deferving only fhare the Command, and govern with a Prudence confpicuous to the whole Farth. BUT Leonard Are tine, after having highly prais'd the Opi- nion of Bo c c A c E, delivcr'd his own. That excellent Cuftom, lays he, of the Venetian Republitk, in not permitting tlie Nobles to rife over each others Heads, but gradually to confer on 'em the Dignicys of State, feems to me the moll lolid Bafis on which the greatnefs and permanency of their Liberty is founded. 'Tis without doubt an admirable Ordinance, tliat every Noble whatever, to qualify himfelf for the higheft and molt honourable Employments in the Magiffracy, is oblig'd in his Youth to begin at the loweff. A molt wholcfom Cuftom, and which produces this important Et^edf, 'vtz. the maintaining among the Nobility of an Ariftocracy that real and ciTential Equality, which gives a healthful Conftitution and long Life to Liberty : tor, according to the Opinion of the greatcft Matters in Po- liticks, 'tis not a parity of Riches that renders the Senators of Republicks equal, but the putting all the Nobility under a neceffity ot marching in the C 2 fame 12 Advices from PitrtiaffHS. Cent. i. fame Path to the fnprcmc Dii^nitys, and ot beginning their Raceequally, by ftartingall alike at the lowcrt Employment. A Law, worthy of the great Wifdom of Venice, and lor want of which the antient Liberty of Rome enjoy'd but a fliort Life, and that ficMy too, and continually tor- mented with dangerous Infirmitys and ConvuKions. 'I he tolly of giving the Confuifhip of a free Country, and the chief Command of the Armys, to Po M I' E Y, C A s A R, and other w ealthy Subjecls, even in their very Youth, was nothing elfe but to treat 'em like Ferfons defcended from Royal Blood, like Sovereign Lords and abfolute Mallers,rather than like Senators of a weil- confticuted Commonwealth. Befides, that moft certainly is a well regulated Liberty, where theic Hill remains iome higher Port of Honor and Com- mand, to which tlic molt delerving Senators may hope to attain ; this ferves'as an Fxcitement to thofc who breath after true Glory, to quicken their March in the Ibeight Tath of Virtue, that they may arrive by )uft ad- vances at tlie CJoal of Power they fo pafTionately defire. But whatincreafe of Honor remain'd to court the hopes of C ft s a r and Pompey in their old Age, on whom in their Youth the Commonwealth of Rome had extra- vagantly heap'd the higheft Dignitys, except only that abfolute Rule and Tyranny, at which Casar openly, and Pompey fecretly afpir'd ? This was a great Defeft in that Government, and the Roman Liberty ought to have torefeen that it would be her Deftruftion. T H O the Liberty of Venice gave particular figns of being extremely pleas'd with Aretine's Opinion, yet flie commanded the reft of the Virtuofi in turn to tell theirs likewife. 1 hen Benedetto Varchi thus began. My Republick of Florence, which never had the good fortune or ability to fettle among her noble Familys that Concord, and reciprocal Affeftion, which renders eternal the Liberty of Republicks, was at length compePd to yield her felf up to Servitude: To me therefore it feems the greatelt Prodigy upon Earth, that a noble Venetian, tho ever fo highly pro- vok'd by the murder of his Children, or by Injurys to his own Perfon, fliou'd yet be fo overfwayM by an ardent Love for his Country's Freedom (rather than aw'd by theSevcritysol the Magiflrates) as at the fame time freely to forgive his Enemy from whom he received the Injury. A hard Refolution! and the more worthy our Aftonifhment, in regard it plainly difcovers that a Nobleman of Venice can willingly remit to the Senate the Revenge of Injurys, which Men are generally very loth to part with out of their own hands, and had much rather be their own Carvers of Juftice, than truft it to the care of Heaven from whom tliey receive all Good. THIS was V A RCHi's Sentiment; after whichLonov ico Dolce ofter'd his. If it be true, fays he, as is univerfally agreed, that the moft ex- traordinary inftance of Power or Greatnefs imaginable in a Prince, is to be able, cafily and without the leaft danger, to make his Captain-General quit his Command and quietly obey, even when he knows he's recalPd by a Prince incens'd againft him, and fulpicious of his Loyalty ; then to me it feems a Miracle,excecding all that have ) et been mention'd concerning the Republick of Venice, that (lie not only with the greareft eafe difarms her Captain- Generals at Sea ; but even when the Principal Minifters know the Senate to be exafpcrated againft them, and that they muft certainly expert to be fevere- ly punKh'd, yet, tho they happened to be abfent, well-arm'd, and in Im- ployments of great Command, if the Republick is pleas'd to recal 'em, they inftantlv lay down their Arms and Authority, and haften to Ve- nice with ail pofTible fpeed, to be try'd by their Friends and Relations, tho it coft 'em their Lives. Many Examples of which have in my Age been Adv. 5- Advices from Parnajjus. i^ been feen in that Republick, and have fill'd the whole World with atlnaze- mt-nt : With fubmifTion therefore I think I fhall have great reafon to com- plain of unfair Judgment, if it be not allow'd me, that fo great Authority of the RepubUck of Venice, fuch intireSub)cftion and Obedience of the No. bility, together with their unheard of Affedion for the Publick Liberty, be not preferable to all thofe admirable Laws and Inflitutions which the other Gentlemen have taken notice of before me. THE moft Serene Liberty of Venice, who, without anfwering a word, had heard thefe Virtuofi entertaining her with a Catalogue of her own moft laudable Cuftoms, and wonderful Prerogatives, was pleas'd to tel^ 13 L c E, That what he had mention'd was indeed very confidcrabie ; tho 'twas an Advantage that the Ottoman Emperors likewife enjoy'd : But flic acknowledg'd all her Greatnefs was owing to one Prerogative, of which file was fole Mifirifs, and knew herfelf in that particular tofurpafsalJ other Principalitys and Commonwealths whatever, as well palt as prefent, and yet no one there had been fo fortunate as to hit upon it. THEN 1^ I ox I G I At a n a g i faid : That the greateft Wonder of tlie Republick of Venice in his Judgment, and which deferv'd to be cxtol'd to the Heavens, was, to fee that the awful Tribunal of the Council of Ten, and the Supreme Authority of the State Inquifitors, cou\l, with incredible faci- lity, only by the Magick of three Balloting Balls, fupprcfs in a trice, and even bury alive any ambitious C;tSAR or Pompey whatfoever, who fliou'd dare to difcovcr himfelf in that well-order'd State. N O fooner had At a n a g i delivered his Opinion, but Girol amo Mt. KCUR I A Li added, that he remember'd, whjni he read LcQ:urefe cJf Phyfick in th'j puhlick Schools at Padua, he had been inform'd that fome ple- beians in Venice, being, according to their culiom, withdrawn t6 the siiea* fitle with their Courcifans, upon a freak of Fleafure, were affaulted by a greater number of young Noble Venetian Hocfpurs, who handPd 'em fo roughly with dry blows, that the Commoners were at laft provok!d to be- take themfelves to their Weapons, and in fhort kill'd one of the Noblemen, and treated the refl but fcurvily. For this Oiience they were fummon'd to appear before the Judges, who were all of the fame Quality, and in the Inte- reft of the offended Nobility. The Commoners knew this, yet they put fuch confidence in the Equity of the Senate, and ini>the impartiality of the Courtsof Juftice, that they made no fcrupic tofurrehder themfelves Prifo- ntrs and to appear before the Judges to take tlieir Trial ; Nor were they millaken in their good Opinion of 'em ; for having fully prov'd that the No- bles had been the Aggreflbrs, they were, to the eternal Honor of the Venetian Juflice, declared innocent and fet at liberty. Befides, it was a Pro- digy rarely feen, hcHiid, and fcarce credible, but by thofe that have expe- rienc'd it, that a N'oble Venetian, tho of great Intcreft by his Wealth and Kindred, and-ei" great-Awhofity by-his Poll in the Government, fhou'd find it harder in a Suit at Law to deal with a common Citizen, than with one of his own Rank. In a word, thai if the .Politick Maxim which great Men have left behind 'em be true, That " AriOocracys never die, while the young " Nobility praQife Virtue, i and the Tribunals dilbibute impartial Juftice, he could not fee any polTibility that the Venetian Liberty, which fo fcverely pu- nifhes the dilTolute Nobility, and is fo exaft in her Tribunals, fhoiJMever have an end. THE licjrried E Rkp-L^AO B ai^'r'.IKo chofcto he t!ie jaft \i\ giv-^ngJlfs Opinion; andtoclofe iipfalfl^id, 'Tyirai-'^bbc obfcrv'd thatfTJi'r^i'iny'is tfien introducing it fe'lf Jnti) a Fi'ec Country, when the moft importMlC"^crets of the 14 Advices from Parnaffm. Cent, -i, the State are imparted only ro few Senators: Now the mod excellent Libef- ty oi Venice, fays he, that ftie may avoid fplitting on fo dangerous a Rock, communicates all her Sci.rets, and debates the moft momentous Affairs Of State in the Great Council ot the Fregadi, confifting of above 250 Senators: And I think 'tis a matter worthy of tlie higheft Aftonifhment, that the Re- publick enjoys that Secrecy amongft fo great a number of Senators, which Princes often, with their greatcif Care and Liberality, are not able to find in one Secretary, and a couple of Frivy Counfellors. I M M E D I A IF. L Y upon this, the mofi ferene Venetian Liberty, laying her hand on B a k b a r o's Shoulder, deliver'd her felf in thefe words : " You, fays (lie, are the fortunate Perfon who have difcover'd that inefti- " mable Jewel which I chiefly glory in, and for which I am worthy the " Envy of all Mankind; fince 'tis a moft unqueilionable Truth, that for the " well governing ot' States, Secrecy is of no lefs importance than good " Counfel. ADVICE VI. "/( Learned Lacomck^ who, in his Vifcourfe^ held not Ui\l the h'e^''t)i he ''ought J is jeVcrely punif/d by tk I^acot\ick, ^^enate^ ,v ; , . :) 3:1 ! .: ■■ ''Vjvibl) ' .. • -: /. r I: l.rA '.n THERE wasan unfortunate Laootiick it'feehii,' who fpun out into three words a Tlwught, which in the Judgment of the L^conii k Se- nate might have been lairly compris'd in two. For which Capital Crime (as 'tis accounted by that Se£f, whoare more penurious of Words than Mi- fers of old Gold) he leceivM Condemnation five days fince, after eight Months itnprifonment. The Sentence was, that he fhou'd read over G u i c c i a r- din's Warof Pifa: But the very fifft Leaf put the poor Wretch into fuch a deadly fweat, that away he ran immediately and threw himfelf at the Feet of his Judges, imploring them for the Love of Mercy to fend him to the Gallys for the reft of his Days, fhiu him up in a ftinking Dungeon, or flea him alive ; any thing in fhort but G a i c c i 'a r d i n, and he cou'd fup- port it. But to force him to run thro fuch a tedious Gallimaufry of Imperti- nence^ fuch eternal Tales of a I'ub, fenllefs Counfels, and empty Harangues ev'nupon the taking of a Pigeon-Houfe ; he believ'd the Pangs of Child- Bii*th were nothing to't, that P e r i l l u s 's Bull was not half the Torment, or any other method of Death invented to gratify the Barbarity of the moft favage Tyrants. 'J ' J I nxV* irji^doidv,- rnixfiM A D.>V-JiGE VHh T/;e Ce'nfdrs of lj«avtu4 ■'■ Tiv^AdvK^cs in the Court of Rome, e.ich of whern had a Son that came to be P^pe. * Thofe Adv. lo. Advices from Parnafuf. 17 Thofe likewife who fow'd Affliftions, have reap*d fo plenteous a Crop of Thorns, thac their Granarys are ftuff'd to the very top, both fortheufeof thcmfelves and their Pofterity, even to the fixtieth Generation. ADVICE X. 77;e JnteUigcmer ^ocs into the Toliticiaris Warehoufe^ and by ohferVing what jort of Goods are bought up by the Literati j e?ideaVours to cYifco- Ifcr their "Vitriopn Inclinations and Cenin4» TO pnfs a true Judgment of every Man's Genius and Inclinations, 'tis chiefly requifite to frequent the Places where virtuous Exercifes are per- formed, and thofe where the Wares of Vice are fold, and to obferve who and who goes to one and t'other. Thus Librarys fl:cw the Lovers of Learning ; Gaming-houles, Rooks and Spendthrifts; Hatingordinarys, Gluttons; and Taverns, Drunkards : Nor can a Man better come to the knowledg of proud finical Fotis, than by often vifiting Baibers Shops, and obferving thofe effe- minate NarcilTus's, that can patiently fit for two iull hours under the Opera- tor's hands to be fliav'd to a nicety ; that fpend more time in adjufting their Beards and Locks, than a fine Lady in drcffing her Head, and quarrel with a fingleHair for being out of its place. For this reafon Menamte, the Writer of thefe Advices, who is no Granger to this piece of Cunning, often fpends his time in the Warehoufe, which, as he told you before, the Society of Politicians keep in ParnalTus: His defign being to difcover, from the Qua- lity of the Wares there bought up, the Genius of many of this Court, thac lie may give particular Information to his Corrcfpondents. THREE mornings ago dropt into this Politick Warehoufe Giovan- ni Battista Sang a, a famous Secretary in the Court of Rome, and ask'd one of the Servants if they fold Coals ? Yes, Sir, fays the Fellow, and immediately lliew'dhim fome ; which the Courtier lik'd, and agreeing on the Price, bought forty Load. M e n a n t e was furprizVl at it, know- ing that this Virtuofo kept but one Servant ; and being intimate with him, he ask'd him frankly, why he who had no Family, laid in fuch a Stock of Coals ? Sang A anlwer'd, That he burnt no Wood in his Kitchin. That's your good Husbandry I fuppofe, fays Men ante, bccaufe you find Coa's cheaper. Look ye — reply 'd Sang a, I live at Court, and am oblig'd to manage my Affairs foas to keep up my Reputation, without any regard to the fparing of my Purfe ; but I hate Wood Fuel, d'ye fee, bccaule it makes a deal of Smother and but little good Fire : now to burn Coals is very good for thofe who do not love to have their Broth tafte like Soot. Be- fides, to give you my principal Reafon, I don't care that thofe impertinent Hounds who arc born only to run fmelling about and thrufting their Nofes into other folks matters, fhou'd guels at my Houfekeeping by the quantity of Smoke that rolls out oi my Kitchin-Chimny, but by the Plenty that appears on my Table. AFTER S A N G A, w ho fliou'd enter the Warehoufe but E p i c t e- Tus a Philofopher, highly elleem'd in Parnaffus for the richnefs of his Soul, and well known by Men a n t e who obferv'd him narrowly. He bid the young men of the Shop [hew him fome Fur'd Garments. Imme- diately they brought him variety of choice Martens, Ermins, Sables, and i^ others i8 Advices from ParnajJHf. Cent. i. others of great value ; which not pleafing the Philofopher, he told a ftarch'd Pohtician, who overlooked the Sale of the Goods, that the Furs were too rich, and not fit for his purpofe ; but he defir'd fuchaoneas thofe wear, who wou'd appear honeft men. The Politician when he knew his mind, took him by the hand, led him afide into an inner Roorn, and foon brought him out again wrap'd in a Gown made ot the Skins of Lynxes, and jin'd with Lambskins. Now Epictetus had clapM the Lynxes Skins, that were ot' great Value, next to his Body, and the Lambskins outmoft : Which M E N A K T E obferving ran after him, and told him he had put on his Gar- ment wrong ; but was much out of Countenance when that fagc Philofo- pher, after he had fufficiently laugh'd at him, gave him this Anfwer : You may know perhaps, Friend M e n a n t e, how to put on Spanifh Buskins, but you have fhewn your felf very ignorant in medling with my Fur : This Gown I tell you muft be worn as you fee, with the Lynxes Skins inward 5 nor fliould I ever compafs my Defigns, if but a fingle hair of it were fcen without. WITH this Reproof M e n a n t e return'd into the Warehoufe, and found there a great Prince who had ask'd to fee fome Ladles : They fliew'd him Four ; but he defir'd 'em to bring out their whole Stock, which was done in a trice. The Prince takes out of his Hofom a Lift of his Servants Names, in all three hundred and twenty, examines their feveral Qiialifica- tions; and for fuch as had deferv'd well, he chofe large Ladles, and fmall ones for the reft. M e n A n t e took great notice, that fome Courtiers of a long ftanding, who had undervalu'd the Service of their Mafter, and neglected their Duty, had but very little Ladles provided for 'em : An admi- rable Inftance of Juftice, thought he, to meafure the Merits of a Courtier by his Aftiduity and good Services, rather than by the time he has been at Court. But being furpriz'd at the lavilhing away fo many Ladles, with fubmiffion he told the Prince, to whom he had particular Obligations, that in the Courts of other great Princes, he had never feen the Cooks make ufe of more than one Ladle, with which, without fo much ado, they commo- dioufly enough difli'd up the Soop to the Courtiers. Friend, reply'd the Prince, I have done the fame till I found the ill confequence ; for having us'd unequal Ladles in ferving my Courtiers with Soop, and proportion'd their Allowance merely by my own Plea lure, I fet 'em together by the ears, and imprudently kindled fuch Flames of Jealoufy and Hatred among 'em, as hadalmoft been the utter ruin of me and my Dominions: A Fault which has fully convinc'd me, that no Prince whatever can have faithful Servants and careful Officers, iinlefs he refolve to diftribute his Favors among 'em impartially ; for Courtiers being naturally devilifh greedy of the Broth of their Prince's Favor, when they fee their Fellow's Difh running over, and their own but half full, they are apt to grow dogged, hate their Prince inftead of loving him, change all their veneration for him into difre- fpeft, and their good fervices intoacarelefs negligence : they perfuade them- felves that this difproportion in the MelTes, proceeds from contempt of 'em, from ingratitude and partiality ; and they complain not fo much of their fcanty Allowance, as of the unkindnefs of their Prince which is plainly dif- cover'd in it. Now if you can imagine that a Courtier, who is thus dafti'd by Difgraces, will ever afterwards bear up briskly in his Prince's Service, then you had beft cut oft' his Legs, and try if 'twill make him run the fwifter. .^ N O fooner was this great Perfon gone, but in comes another Cufto- mer who had a mind to buy a Cloke, and pray'd 'em to fhew him fome very long Adv. lo. Jdvices from Farnaffm, 19 long ones, that wou'd reach to the ground : immediately many were brouglit, the Color and Cloth pleas'd him well enough, but he thought 'em all too fliorD^', and yet the Gentleman's ftature w^^l^ow the middle (iz,e. M e n a n t e thought it llrange that Clokes which reacn down to the heels of the talleft Man living, fhou'd not be long enough tor him ; wherefore addrelTing himfclf civilly to this honcft Stranger, heask'd him under favor who he was, and what Profef- fion he follow'd ? The Man without any difficulty told him, he was a Sicilian, who out of his own Eftate had built and rigg'd two Gallys ; with which, fays he, between Friends, I intend to put to Sea, and live upon Providence and the Spoils I can get : But becaufe I know that Trade's odious in the eye of the World, I'm refolv'd in the firft place, for the preventing of Scandal, to pro- vide my felf of a long dangling Cloke, that fo my Defign may ly fnug be- neath it, and the World believe I have arm'd only againft the Enemys of FarnalTus. When Men antk heard this, he freely told the Sicilian, he might e'en fpare his pains, for all the Cloth England it felf had ever pro- duc'd, would be too little to make Clokes long enough for Pirates, but do what they cou'd, the Legs of a Thief wou'd be feen up to the Calf. SOON after this bolts in a Virtuofo, and asks for Rules to meafure with : Immediately great choice was brought him ; he pitch'd upon one to his mind, and was going to pay for't, when his Servant came and told him in his ear, he might fave his Mony, for they had one at home of a proper length, and as good as the bcfl:. Ay, fays the Mafler, that at home may do well enough to take our own length; but for the meafuring of others, I've lately difcover'd the neceflity of having another ; for, in an AtTair ot great moment that happen'd tome, dellgning to take the Dimenfions of another's Confcience with the Rule of my own Simplicity, Candor and Franknefs of Soul, 1 found my felf mifcrably deceiv'd. i: WHO fliou'd come next into the Shop but Lore nzo^am.bak. a, the famous Poet of Brefcia ; who fpy'd a beautiful Parrot upon the Bulk, and being much taken with her prating, enquir'd the Price : they anIWer'd, 150 Crowns. The Poet, who might have had her cheaper if he bad ftood hard, told 'em he did not objed to the Price ; but, as ill luck wou'd have it, he had lofl his Mony at Dice, and his Pockets wou'd not aflbrd fuch a Sum ; however, fays he, becaufe I fancy the Bird, 1 don't care if I truck with you for it, that is to fay, I'll give ye my Bed, Chairs and other Movables of my Lodging, at the value that any two indifferent men fliall fet upon 'em ; The Shopkeepers agreed to't, and G a m b a r a took up the Parrot, and away he was marching with her. M e n a n t e feeing this, was vex'd to the heart at the folly of this rhyming Virtuofo, whom till then lie took for a Manot underltanding : In pure pity therefore he fteps after him, and ask'd him, whether he had loll his Senfcs too as well as his Mony ; that he who wanted Clothes to his back, fhou'd be fo extravagant as to chaffer the Fur- niture of his Houfe, nay even tlie very Bed from under him, the fole Rep9fe of his weary'd Body, and over-Iabor'd Mind, and all to purchale a taw- dry Parrot? Ah, my dear Friend, anfwer'd Gambara, thou doft not know my rcafon yet; I tell thee then. That for the happinefs ot being Ma- ftcr of this mighty TVeafure, I would not Ofvly freely have parted with all I'm worth in the Wcrld, but I'd have ftript to nrjy Shirt, audfold my felf a Slave to the Gallys, rather than-have.gonc without her. I am a Lom- bard, and born with the Dete6hufual to that Nation, a free Tongue, and a plain open Hcair, great Virtues in toimer Ages, but now unpardonable Faults, I'm lure I have found 'eni to triy cofl, for they have brought me into a thoufand Snares and Troubles ; l)Ut I.liope to put an end to all, by keeping D 2 this 20 Advice f from Parnaffm. Cent. i. this wonderful Bird, who will teach me what we filly Lombards know no- thing of, but is too much in falhion among other Nations, viz. the Arc of concealing the true Thoughts of out- Soul, and tickling Peoples cars with words only from the Tongue, and Speeches learn'd by rote. ADVICE XI. Fidelity being privately withdrawn from ^amaffus^ Apollo, u^on certain notice where (he had hid her ftlf^ Jends the MufeSy Melpo- mene and Thalia, to perftiade her hack. THE Royal Palace of the moft ferene Virtue, Fidelity, was formerly much frequented by the chief Minifiers of Princes, and by an infinite number of Senators of the mort renown'd Republicks ; but ot late it has had fo little refort, that it feem'd rather the Houfe of Defolation ; and on the iSth inftant was wholly (hut up. Apollo upon advice of it, com- manded the Doors to be forc'd open, and that the Lady her felf (hou'd be ask'd the reafon of this Novelty. His Majefty's Commands were inftantly Obey'd ; but when they came to the fearch, not a Soul was found in the Pa- lace. The Virtuofi, as foon as they heard this, went all into deep Mourning, fprinkled their Heads with A flies, and exprefsM many other ligns of real forrow: And their Patron himfelf was fo afflifted, that he difcover'd the fame Tokens of mighty grief, which he fhew^d formerly at the unhappy Ca- taftrophe of his Son Phaeton. He knew very well that the Government of the World muft of neceffity fall into confufion, if thefolid Foundation of Fidelity were removM, That alone being the fupport of the valt Machine: His Majefty therefore immediately ilTu'd out his Royal Proclamation, de- claring, " That whoever difcover'd where that excellent Virtue lay conceal'd, *' fhou'd receive a Reward of loo y^ars Immortality : And this he promis'd *' without exemption, even to thelgnoranti, or any other who were incapa- *' bleof the noble Prerogative of living after Death, in fame and in the me- " mory of Mankind. Ahd to fccore to 'em the promis'd Gratuity upon " fuch a difcovery, he had impower'd his Treafurer to make immediate pai- " ment of it out of the never-failing Bank of Homer, Virgil, Livy, ** and the wealthy Tacitus, the chief Traders of ParnalTus in the great '* profeffion of eternizing Names, The largenefs of the Reward invited many to the moft diligent fearch; andatlaftthe Royal Majefty of Fidelity was found hid in the Dog-kennel of A c t eon the famous Hunter, and of the beautiful AooNt?. Apollo was foon inform'd of it, and dif- patch'd the -moft ferene Mufes, M e l p o m e n e and T h a L l a , to take hei- from a Place To unworthy of her Virtue, and to conduft her back to hec ufual Abode. But all their Indeavours were in vain, and ferv'd only to con- firm that great Lady in the Rcfolution (lie had taken of bewailing her Condi, tion in the moft pathetick manner : Go, faid fhe with an air of PafTion, go Divine GoddelTes, and t^till my Lord Apollo, that I'm a vanquifh'd Ex- ile, end Frjtud my eternal arid deadly Enemy has at length obta'in'd an int tire Vi^ot^' over me in the Caufe we have fo long difputed. Tell him, ia- £amous-Self-intereft, which in this corrum Age tyrannizes over the Mind^ even of all t4ie bectcp Nations, has banifh'd me from the heart of Man, which once w^'-NVholHy my PolTeffiort.: )Let,his Majefty know farther, that the Adv. 1 2. Advices from Tarndffus. 3 1 the whole World is now plung'd fo deep in Corruption, that Fidelity, who was always refolute to ferve her Prince, even to the laft drop of her Blood and gafp of her Breath, and was formerly fo much admir'd and courted, is now reputed but a foolifli and obftinate Vice. Tell him, in fine, that to have a Soul made up of Fraud and Perfidioufnefs, ready upon all occafions to ufe the bafcfl and moft execrable Infidclitys, by way of difcreet accommodation to Time, Place, and Perfons, paffesat thisday for a maflerpieccof Wifdom, Sagacity, and ConduQ ; And that wretched I, no longer able to endure the fight of fuch opprobrious Aftions, was forc'd to this Refolution of living, as you fee, among thefe honeft Dogs, in whom to my perfeft fatisfadion I find that fincere Fidelity towards their Mafters, which with fo much fruit- lefs Induftry I have endeavour'd to implant in the mercenary and perfidious Hearts of Men. A D V ICE XII. /// a General Diet of the Literati^ Apollo, (omrary to all expecla- tion^ decrees hnmortMty to the t^iime of Vincenzo Pint I, calld at If^owu', the K^vght of the Lute. FOUR months ago Apollo was pleas'd to fummon a General Diet of the Literati, to meet on the 8th Inftant in Helicon : To which Place, againft the appointed time, repaired all the chief Poets, the Nobility, and the Deputys of the Virtuofi's Univerfitys; and early in the morning they afTembled in the great Hall, where, under the Canopy of Eternity, his Majefty was feated in his Lucid Throne, attended by the moft ferene Mufes. In the Proclamation for alTcmbling the Diet, Apollo had mention'd, That '' he calPd 'em together, to give Immortality to the Name of a certain ** Virtuofo whom lie would propofc. Many were the Conjeftures of the Literati who fliQuld be the Man ; the greatelt part gucfs'd Justus Li p- s I u s of Flanders, whoic elaborate Writings have diffus'd fo grateful a Scent in ParnalTus, as has fill'd all the Virtuofi with a ravenous hunger after 'em, ra- than a feint appetite to taft 'em. Others laid, that a Publick Entry and Audi- ence was defignM for the Ceremony of eternizing the Name of the moft Illu- ftriousCardiiiyJ SERAPiiixo Olivifri, Prince of the Modern Literati, who being lately arriv'd on the Confines of this State, was met with unufual De- monftrations of Honor by moft of the Virtuofi, who wonder'd extremely how a Man imploy'd all his days in the laborious Office of the Rota at Rome, cou'd at the fame time be a perfeft Mafter of Theology and Philofophy, the chief Civilian of his Age, an excellent Mathematician, a skilful Aflrologer, and as familiaj ly converiant in the Greek Tongue as the Latin : But the greatcft wonder was, that a Prelate skill'd in fuch variety of Sciences, and adorn'd with fo many Virtues, fnould dy improving his Knowledg; for rWith ail jnfatiabic Appct;itc of learning more, he apply'd himfelf in his eightieth year to the crabl)ed ftudy of Arabick. The Reputation of this noble Pcrfon receiv'd fopie l,ufter too from his Library, or rather that re- .ceiv'd a Luftei: horn hiajT, ip having a Mafter more learned than all the Books jtcontain'd. ... ' •' ' - " ^ WHILEtlie Venerable College of the Virtuofi were in fufpcnce, ex- >pe£ling vvliich. of tiiefe-tw^ lUyUrioys Ijerfons wou'd be nominated, A po l- ' ' LO, a 2 2 Advices from Parnaffm. Cent. i. Lo, to their great aftonifhmcnt, proposed Vincemzo Pinti, known in the Court of Rome by the name of The Knight of the Lure, a Title given him for his great skill in playing on that Inftrument. The Virtuofi were fo fcandaliz'cT at the meannefs of the Perfon, that they humbly repre- fented to his Majefty, That they would obey whatever he pleas'd to com- mand ; but they beg'd leave to let him know, the College did not much care for admitting a Fidler into their Society. Apollo anfwer'd, that he forefaw this wou'd furprize 'em, yet he advis'd 'em to trouble themfelves no farther, but freely comply with his Orders, and believe that he knew how to command what was reafonable, tho they might not prefently enter into the m) fiery of it. Upon this a fecret Scrutiny was made, and was carry'd in his Favor, fo that Eternity was decreed to the Name of The Knight of the Lute, who was immediately introduc'd into the College of Virtuofi by the Mafters of the Pegafcan Ceremonys. Then Apollo addrefs'd himfelf to the new ele£led Knight in thefe words : " You, V i n c e n z o, are the " firft of your Profeflion that was ever admitted a Member of this Col- " lege ; a Dignity referv'd only for thofe, who by long and laborious ftudy " are arriv'd to a confidcrable degree of Learning. But the neceffity of " your prefence among us, has made us difpenfe with that Incapacity, " and violate our antient ,Cuftom to admit you : Wherefore we affign " to you for your daily Imployment, that you inftruft both Princes and " private Perfons in the mofl necefTary Art of tuning Lutes, in which many " are fo ignorant, that they break the Strings by fcruing 'em up too high. ", And be fure you take particular care of thofe fantaftical Extravagants, who capricioufly endeavouring to make the Bafe play the part of the Tre- ble, ftretch 'em to that degree, that tho the Strings are large and Ikong, they fnap afunder and put the whole Inftrument into diforder. ADVICE xin. JohnFrancisco PeraNda with great Jifpcuhy obtains of Apollo admiffton into ^arnajjm^ and rcjeSls the offer of G i- rolaMO FracasTORO^ who would ha'X^e reflor'd him to his loft Sight, J Ohm Francisco Peranda had been many years folliciting A- p o L L o to admit him into ParnaOus, and very powerful Interefts were employ'd in his behalf; yet his Majefty cou'd not be prevail'd upon, for P E R A K D a had brought nothing to recommend him but a Volume of his Letters; and Apollo, quite cloy'd with that fort of Writing, declar'd, That he had more Inclination to purge the Library of the greateft part of thofe 'tis ftuff'd with already, than to take in any new. The Delphick Library, he faid, ought to be furniCh'd only with what's elaborate and rare ; but for thofe impertinent Volumes of Epiftles, he knew nothing they were good for, except to cumber the Shelves, and gather Dufl :' Be- fides, fince all men are ambitious of Fame, and nothing's more eafy than to write Letters after the modern way (which is no more than plainly to ex- prefs our Thoughts ) the eafy admittance of fuch Scriblers wou'd be an en- couragement to every. Sot, that can but juft write and fpell, to plague the World with eternal Colleftions of his Epiftles. fill'd with fenflefs Storys of » ' bis Adv, 19. Advices from Parnaffus, 23 his Family and Misfortunes. And truly Immortality is not yet grown fuch a I'ruf^, nor Ibid in fucli Dog-pennyworths in ParnafTus, To this may be added Turtlier, a Difcovery lately made, 'I'hat many ambitious Rafcals have had tlie impudence to top upon the World their Sham Letters, addrefs'd lo fuch and fuch Kings and Princes whom they never once faw, nor had the Jeaft correfpondence with: an Impofture which the ratlier deferves confide- ration, becaufc in all real Letters we admire the vivacity of Thought, which fprings unexpefted from the Truth of the Faft, whereas fi£litious Epiftles are always full of Affectation, that great Fnemy to true Wit and good Senfe. However the Noble Family of the C a] et a n s fo warmly lolli- cited in favor of their Servant Per an da, that they overcame all thcfe Difficultys; They made it appear to his Majefty, that of all the Volumes of Letters that have been publifh'd to this day, Peranda's deferve the firlf place. Upon this Te(f imony therefore, and becaufe 'tis evident that Peranda's Letters give light in many things relating to Hiftory, which all the Virtuofi will be pleasM with, Apollo granted his Requeft, and made him chief of all the Italian Secretarys. Now tho in conferring this Honor, .'ipoLLO, according to his, cultom, had regard only to the Merit of the Perfon, yet fome lavifli Tongues did not flick to fay, that all this Fa- vor was fliewn him in refpeft to the moft illurtrious Cardinal Henry C a- jetan; a Prince, who for his magnificent Works, liis intrepid Courage, the politencfs of his Manners, the candor of his Genius, the purity of his Soul, and for all the other excellent Gifts of Nature, with which he's adorn'd to a miracle, is publickly own'd his Majeft-y's chief Favorite. B U T we muft not forget that when, alter the ufual cuftom, all the Vir- tuofi had leave to pafs their Judgments upon the Writings of P e r a n d a, Cl AUDIO Tolomeo faid, they wanted correction, there being many words in 'em that were not Italian. The Cenfor with great difdain bid him hold his peace, flnce in the Writings of the Learned, the ingenious Vir- tuofi generoufly confider only the Thought, and fcorn to carp at Words, the vile employment of every fnarling Pedant. 'TIS worth our remembring too, that Per an da fome years before his death was grown blind, and Girolamo Fracastoro upon a Promife of 500 Crowns undertook to cure him. Now the morning the Operation was to have been performed, Peranda places himfelf in a Chair, and ask'd the Phyfician, if all things were in a readineG for the Cure ? The Phylician anfwer'd, Yes, his Inllruments and Plaifters were all prepar'd, and nothing wanting. Ay but, fays Peranda, the things you have njm'd, are of the leaft importance towards the giving me that fatisfaClion I defireby the recovery of my fight : Tell me then. How goes the World? Why e'en julf as it did, fays the Phyfician, when you tell blind. Say'fi thou fo. Friend, reply'd Peranda; then prithee hold thy hand, and pro- ceed no further, for I'll never part with a penny to recover that Faculty which I was content to lofe, that I might no longer be punifli'd in beholding thofc vile Enormitys, fo naufeous in the eyes of all good Men. ADVICE 2 4 Advices from Farnajfm. Cent, i ADVICE XIV. 77;^ Academics of Italy fend Deptitys to TanuiJJtHy to obtain from A p o l- L o fome preferVatiVe agalnjl Corruption y but find it impojfible. TH E Deputys fent to this Court from the Academys of Italy, receiv'd Audience on the 20th Inftant, at what time the chief of this Hono- rable EmbalTy reprefented to Apollo, That " tho the fundamental " Laws of all Academys were excellently good, and for the firft year or two " the Students behav'd themfelves very well, and were diligent enough in *' reading, difputing and performing all the Exercifes of the Univerfity, " yet in a little time their Appetite for Learning was wholly loft, and thofe " honorable Exercifes fliimefully neglefted. So that whereas at firft Aca- " demys were not only much frequented by private Perfons, but in high *' efteem too with Princes, in procefs of time they were become fo aban- " don'd and defpis'd, that they had often, to the great difiionor of Learn- " ing, been proliibited, as doing more hurt than good. And fince abun- *' dance of Remedys had been apply'd to this Mifchief, but all to no pur- " pofe ; the Italian Academys being particularly devoted to Apollo's *' Majefty, were forc'd to have recourfe to him in this extremity of their Ai- " fairs, humbly befeeching him to prefcribe fome effeftual Specifick to " preferve 'em from fo great a Corruption. Apollo heard *em very gracioufly, and refer'd the whole matter to the Reformers of Learning ; to whom the Deputys apply'd themfelves, but found thofe worthy Gentlemen fo intirely taken up with that weighty bufinefs that lies always upon their hands, viz. of making much ado about nothing, that they cxcus'd them- felves as not being at leifure to attend other Concerns : fo that the Deputys returning to Apollo e'en as wile as before, his Majefty was pleas'd to fend them next to the Office of his Royal Collegue, where their Demand was often pro'd and con'd, and yefterday they had a final Anfwerto thisef- fe£l : That alter many Propofals and Debates, 'twas refolv'd nemine cofftra- dicente, that this is a moft infallible Maxim, Omnia orta occidunt, & aacfa. fencfcunt ; which is as much as to fay,- 'tis impoftible to make Sh.oos laft for ever ; but if you have never lb good a pair, they'l grow dirty and wear out in time. That therefore, as old Shoos are thrown away when they are trod awry, fo the lovers of Learning fhould take care to fupprefs any Academy that deviated too far from the good Rules of its firft Inftitution, and at the fame time appoint a new one in its room : to the end that the World may not be fill'd with ufclefs and vitious Academys, to the diOionor of the Virtuofi, but may always enjoy the Advantages it reaps from the good. ADVICE Adv. 1 5. Advices from Parnajfur. 2 5 ADVICE XV. Seneca being accus'ti before A p o l l o 0/ tm foul Vices ^ to which thojc of his Setl are much addicledj makes an excellent defence. LAST night, to the aftonifliment of all the Learned in ParnafTus, S E >; F. c A, the Prince of moral Philofophers, and one of A p o l 1. o's darling Sons, was taken into cuftody. Various were the Difcourfesocca- llon'd by fo great a Novelty. Some fufpeQed that Apollo would make him give the World a particular account, by what Precepts of Philofophy he had been able, in fo fliort a time as he ferv'd Nero, to rake together an Ertate of feven Millions and a half; by which immenfe heap of Treafure he has fliamefully put to the blufli that Poverty and xModeration fo folemnly profcfs'd in his Writings ; A thing the move fcandalous too, in that it ap- pears from the Teflimony of feveral Hiftorians, that by bafeanddiflioncft Ar- tifices he prevail'd on feveral wealthy Perfons to leave him large Legacys in their Wills. Others fuppos'd he was taken up for the Adultery which he was faid to have committed with Agrippina: and many reported, 'twas for having been concerned in Piso's Confpiracy againfl: Nero, in which 'twas verily bcliev'd Seneca was engag'd ; and more than that, was be- come fuch a Slave to his Ambition, as to promife to himfelf, that alter the execution of theVillany hefhould fucceed in the Empire. Nay, fome con- fidently affirm'd, that Apollo was highly incens'd againfl this Philofo- pher, bccaule Nero himfelf had own'd, that Seneca was not only privy to the deteftable Parricide he had committed, but had even perfuaded him to it, out of a defign to render him odious and procure his dcftruftion, which Slkeca paffionately defir'd, in order to fecure his ill-gotten Trea- fure. THESE were the various Reports and Opinions upon occafion of the apprehending this famous Philofopher; but after his Examination, the My- rtery was unravel'd, and 'twas then publickly known, that a Bill of Com- plaint had been prefer'd againft him and the reft of his Seel, that they gave great fcandal to the World by two foul Vices to which they were much ad- difted, that is, they were more revengeful and ungrateful than the rell of Mankind. 'Tis faid, that Seneca freely confeK'd the Truth ol the Charge; but as to the Scandal reflefted by it upon himfelf and his Scft, he beg'd their Pardon, fince he knew no Crime it convidcd 'em of. On the contrary, fays he, this very Accufation is a clear proof of our Goodncfs ; for good men never offend any, and by confequence never give others any caufe to injure 'em ; therefore it ought not to feem ftrange if they are more fenfibleof Injurys, which they know they have not deferv'd. /\nd then as to Ingratitude towards our Benefa£lors, 'tis not ftupidity in us, as our mali- cious Decraflors give out, but in truth 'tis a further evidence of our Candor and Integrity: For moral Philofophers, who make a conftience of every Action, know, that a!) the good they receive from men, lb but the Gift of a Supreme Being , and therefore 'tis not flrange, if thcv have but little regard to tl;e Perion th:u only hands it to 'em. E ADVICE 25 Advices from Parnajfuf. Cent. i. ADVICE XVI. Tl^e Society of Gardiners fend Embaffadors to Tarnajjln with an imper- tinent ^eque/l, for -whid they are I aught at hy A v o llo. EMBASSADORS are arrived at this Court from all the Gardiners in the World ; and what fliould be their bufinefs, but to reprefent to Apollo, that whether from the badnefs of the Seed or the Soil, or from the ill influence of t!ie Heav'ns, or any other Caufe, their Gardens are fo over-run with Weeds, that it coft 'em the Lord knows what to keep 'em in order : In fhorr, the Hxpence bore fo hard upon 'em, they faid, that they muft be forc'd in a little time to break and run away, or to raife the price of their Cabbages, unlefs his Majefty wou'd gracioufly be pleased to furnifh 'em with fome proper Inftrument to weed their Gardens at a cheaper rate. Apollo was ftartled at the folly of their Requeft, and in a huff bid the Embaffadors be gone, and tell their Mafters, he had fomething elfe to do than to turn Projeftor for a company of dirty Sallet-mongers, and they might e'en fall to work as formerly, with their Hands and their Hows, for he wonder'd at their Impertinence in defiringany other Inftrument from him. The Embaffadors were not at all difcourag'd by this Reprimand, but boldly reply'd, that their Requeft was no more than what they obferv'd he had granted already to Princes and great Men ; who to clear their State-Gardens from the vaft numbers of ufelefs and feditious Plants that grow there, to the plague and encumbrance of all good ones, had been taught by his Majefly to make ufe of two wonderful Inftruments, the Drum and the Trumpet. And thefe it feem'd prov'd of fucli force, as to make all the idle Weeds of vicious and vagabond Rafcals, of their own accord leap out of their Beds, making room for better Plants, and following the Sound into other Countrys, where they v\ ither away and dy in a ftink. Now they humbly conceiv'd 'twou'd be a great benefit to the Publick, if his Majefly wou'd favor the Gardiners with an Inflrument of tlie like Virtue. In anfvver to this Apol- lo told 'em, that if 'twere as eafy to difcern the Seditious and Turbulent, who are unworthy to live in the great Garden of tht World, as 'tis for Gardi- ners to diftinguifli Nettles from Spinnage, he wou'd have giv'n no Inftru- ment to Princes, except Halters and Axes, which wou'd well enough have perform'd the part of Hows and Spades in keeping the Ground clear. But fince all men are made fo much alike, that there's no diftinguifhing 'em like Plants by the fliape of the Leaf, or the length of the Stalk, therefore left the Gallows fhou'd fometimes root up the wholefom Herbs among the poifonous, 'twas thought proper for the Publick Peace, that the Drum and 'i'rumpet fhou'd be given to Princes, as an effedual Expedient to the Ufe and Purpofc aforefaid. The Embaffadors wou'd have reply'd agen, but Apol- lo very angrily bid 'cm hold their tongues, and be gone about their bufinefs, tor 'twas all a jefl to fland drawing Comparifons between the rooting up of Rogues, and the weeding of Gardens. ADVICE Adv. 17. /Advices from Farndffm. ADVICE XVII. A Vouht arifing upon the Truth of an old TroVcrh, lh.it to know a Man mllj you mufi fir/l cat a Tech of Salt with him ; Apollo makes it he debated hi a General Affemhlj of the Literati. IT happened that fome Virtuofi call'd in queftion the Truth of that com- mon Saying, that before you can know a Man well, you mull; eat a Peck of Salt with him. Now the Adages of the Learned being general Rules by which the Virtuofi of Parnairus Iker the Courfe of their Lives, Apollo was unwilling that any of 'em fhould lofe their Authority by being fcrupPd, and tlierefore many days ago he caus'd the matter to be debated in a full A/Tembly. The Truth of the Proverb was fo far allow'd, that fome were for adding half a Peck more to the former Quantity, becaufc 'twas plain, they faid, that the Hypocrify of the Age increafes daily ; ^nd 'twas very fit that as Corruptions multiply, the Remedys of 'em fhould be multiply'd and improv'd proportionably by the Learned, that the World may be furniOi'd with proper Weapons, to make a brave Refiflance againfi: growing Vice. However, not to expofe the prefent Age by fliewing, that wliilethe Difeafe increafes, the Remedys diminifh, the wifer Heads of the AHembly were a- gainft altering the antient meafure: and inconclufion, unanimoufly agreed, that the Sentence was trne as to Men ; but notorioufly falfe in refped: to Wo- men, who, without eating either a grain of Salt, or a drop of Oil, know their H usbands perfediy well the very firft night they ly v-^ith 'em. ADVICE XVIII. 7he Hircanims fend Embajf-iiors to AroLLo, to he truly rcfoh'd in theimi^O'-taiitQjcft'rjii, iVheiher it be iap'td f'>r thcTople to kill a Tyrant ? EMBASSADORS from the warlike Nation of Hircania arriv'd at Court the ninth inftanr, and two days ago wcc admitted to Audience in great Pomp and Ceremony. The Virtu ifi, who arc very cnri jus of fee- ing foreign Habits, CufionriS and Men, flock'd in great numbers to pay 'cm their Refpecls. When they were prefented to Apollo, the Chief or the Fmbalfv fpokc in this manner : " May it pleafe your Majefiy ! The '• famous Nation of the Hircanians, being now mifcrably oppreft bv a " Prince, who with unheard of Cruelty tyrannizes over 'em, cncourag'd by " the Fome of your Majefty's wife and true Anfwers, have fent us fo long " a Journv to be refolv'd bv your Majefty in this important Doubt, Whether " or no it be lawful for the People to kill a Tyrant ? 'Tis not to be expreH: what a Rage Apollo was in at this(}ueftion. He was fcf higfily incens'd againft the EmbalTadors, that without anfwcring a word, lie rofe up, and with an unufual Fury commanded they fhould be drag'd out of his Royal Prefencefor an Example to others, who fliould dare to propofe fuch E 2 execrable iS Advices from Parnajfm, Cent. i. execrable fcditious Doubts. His Orders were inflantly obey'd, and the Aftion ftriick fucli a Dread in the moft I'erene Mufcs and the whole C ollcge ot' the Virtuofi, that not one of 'em durft intercede {or tfie Wretches. A- fOllo, obferving tliCir extraordinary Confuiion, told 'em, that lie thought lie had too poorly reveng'd himfell of thofe EmbalTadors, whodurit affront him with fo fcandalousaQuellion : fince 'twas not only unlawful for a Peo- ple to debate fo feditious a Point, but that they ought to keep fucii a Doubt out of their iMinds, as they would Fire out of their liofoms, (ince 'twas no lefs pernicious, and would be apt to create more Mifchicf in the World, thaa Pari s's A pple and the Rape of Helen had done. For thofe who are born in the Liberty of a Republick, have no need to raife fuch a Difpute ; fince in Free Conntrys the lealt Shadow, Surmil'e, or farfetch'd Jeaioufy, that a Senator defigns to fet up for himl'elf, and to grow a Tyrant, is Caufe fufEcient to proceed to Adion, and to make ule of Halters and Hatchets, inrtead of idle Arguments and Syllogifms in a matter of fo vaft Importance. Small Rcafons will ferve in fuch a Cafe, and Colors and Sufpicions may pafs for Proofs ; in fhort, the Criminal is to be hang'd in Haft, and try'd at Leifure, But in Monarchys, the brainlefs Mob are incapable of diltin- guifhing between a La'wful Prince and a Tyrant ; and becaufe their Igno- rance gives occafion to the Ambitious, to the Lovers of Sedition, Plots and Innovations, and fuch Wretches as are of defperate Fortunes, to abufe 'etn with falfe Colors, and paint out execrable Tyrants as Lawful Princes, and Lawlul Princes as cruel Tyrants; therefore to preferve the World from Slaughter and horrid Confufjon, 'tis beft for 'em to take Tacitus's AA- vice : * B)nos huperatores voto expetere^ qualefcufique tolerare ; To pray for good Princes, but to bear with the woriL After this, Apollo, unwil- ling thatany fliould go away from him in a difguft, gave Orders to call back the EmbalTadors ; and tho their Impertinence liad juflly offended him, he fhow'd 'em an Inffance of his good Nature, by fpeaking to 'em thus : " Let " me tell you, faid he, my Friends, that this is a good Rule for Peo' !e, who *• defire the Happinefs of living in Peace ; ■]- FerendA Regum i»ge»u^ mc " ufuicrebras Mutationes \ Princes Humors mufl: be born withal, nor cire '' frequent Changes convenient, efpecially when effected by the Vio- " lence of Daggers, Poifon, and other villanous C^ontrivanccs : For Heaven " is the bed Judg of Princes, and not the People, who are perpetually " whirl'd about, after the Caprice and Humor of every feditious Incendia- " rv. For this reafon you ought, )! Quomodo fterilttatsm aut nimios imbres, " O" C£t era » ill tir^e mail y it a lux um -veL avaritiam domi/tantium tolerare; to " tolerate the Luxury and Avarice of Princes, as you do a barren Year, ua- *' feafonable Weather, or any other natural Evil. ♦ Lib. 4. Hirt. t Lib. 1 2. Ann. |j Lib. 4. Hid. ADVICE Adv. 19. Advices from Parnajjlis. 29 ADVICE XIX. Nero the Emperor, for a finoular Commmdaiion gi\en him by Cor- nelius Tacitus, rtwarJs him with a Trefnt of tTi>enty fi^fe Mules laden lt>ith Gold. WE were Eyc-wicneffes this week in ParnafTus of an extraordinary piece of Novelty. The Emperor Nero fcnt Tacitus the Hiftorian twenty five Mules laden with Gold. The Virtuofi,amaz'd at the Richnefs of the Preftnt, ran inftantly toTACiTus's Houfc, to inform themfelves of the Reafon, and of the true Sum : they found it amounted to a million, two hundred and fifty thoufand Crowns of Gold, and that the Emperor had given the Hiflorian this Reward for the Praife he beftow'd on him, in faving, that Nero had not '^ infra Servos ingeniunt. The moft Learned of this State were of opinion, that tho the Gift was very great, yet Tacitus deferv'd a much greater, fince that excellent Elogy, that Nero had a Soul too great to be govern'd by a Servant, was much more valuable than i thoufand rich Tieafures ; becaufe, to the fatal Calamity of Princes, it can be truly faid only of a very few of 'em. On the contrary, the lefs Learn- ed were fo perfuaded, tJiat the Prefent exceeded T a c i t u s's Deferts, that they rail'd ax. it publickly, and faid, 'twas a Prodigality that only became Nero, and fuch as Princes of little Judgment are often guilty of, wlio gain a Name for being fooliflily extravagant rather than wifely generous. Thefe Gentlemen therefore, out of envy to Tacitus rather than iefpe6l to Nero, told him, that moH: of the Literati thought ftrange that hefhou'd fo laviflily reward three or four Words written in his praife, fince the fame Hirtorian had afterwards faid fo many bale things of him, as wholly de- flroy'd that Praife. ' Pis reported for certain that this was Nero's An- fwcr, That as skilful Painters fet off their Pictures by Sliadows ; fo true Hiflorians, by fi eely taxing the Vices of thole Heroes, whofe Mcmorys they prLfcrve, gain belief for all the Praifes they give 'em : On the other liiind, 'tis impodible to write any fliarper InvcQives againlf a Prince, thanunde- ferv'd exaggerated Praifes, without a word of his natural Dcfcfts. Tlie Praife Tvcitus had ^iven him, lie faid, overbalanc'd the molt fliame- fu! Aflions he could pofTibly have related of him .- For as the brightcft Vir- tues a Prince can be adorn'd with are totally obfcur'd, if he be fubieft to that abominable weaknefs of being govern'd by one of his Servants ; fo the lionorable Virtue of knowing how to be Mafter, gives fuch Qualifications to any Prince whatever, as fufficiently cover the foulefl Vices. And Reafon good : for as the Wretch, who has ruin'd himfelf among Furnaces and Lim- becks, in fearch of the I'hilofophcr's Stone, is out of his wits, and fit only tor Straw and a dark Chamber ; fo that Prince, who makes a golden Calf of his ignorant Servant, and then worfliips the Idol oMiis own creatijig, is a Madman pafl the cure of Hellebore. * Ann. lib. 3. ADVICE ^o Advices from Parnaffm. Cent. i. ADVICE XX. The Vhtuoft ^0 to the chief Temple in Tarna/Jn^f and implore a mojl important 'Blef^mg. YESTERDAY, being the firft of April according to the antient Stile of this Court, the illu/lrious Poets accompany'd by the nioft fe- rene Mufes, made a ProcefTion to the chief Temple in ParnalTus, and with great Devotion implor'dthe Divine JVlajerty to preferve his faithful Virtuofi from the treacherous Defigns of fuch Fox-Courtiers, who, being made up of Villany and Malice, areneverthelefscarefs'd by Princes, and miftakenfor very honeil: Men. ADVICE XXI. Apollo exhibits a mournful Speflacle in the Aynphitheatre of Mel- pomene, to encourci'^e the Senators of Free Cotmtrys to cultivate Liberty J and yiot to affetl arbitrary Government. APoLLO, knowing that in Free Countrys the Laws arc better fitted for the Publick Good, the People more inflam'd to worthy A6>ions, and that Learning and Civil Polity fl. uriOi more under fuch Governments than any other, bears an implacable Hatred to thofc who dcltroy the Libertysof a well regulated Commcnucakh. Such Tyrants, to maintain tliemfelves in their vile Ufuipations, areoblig'd to hate Men of Worth, and, to perfecute Virtue with the fame fcverity, with which good Princes punifh Vice ; and tho they may be naturally merciful, they are torc'd for their own fecurity to put on Principles of Cruelr\ , fo true is that Obfeivation of T a- c I T u s, * Ncnio toiquitm Imperium jlagitio qa,t[itum, bonis art thus excoluit : No Prince ever goveriiM well an ill-f.',ottcn E'upiie. For thisreafon his Ma- ieRy refolvM to exhibit a Spetlacle of un'^omnion Mifery, to deter the Inha- bitants of Free Countrys from fuch villaiious Attempts. And yefterday in the noble Theatre of Me LPOM EN E, he alTembled all the Senators of Kepub- licks, who are refident in this State. On the otiier fide of the Stage he caus'd C/Es,vR the Di6lator to appear, and after him his Sifter Actia, his Nephew Augustus, his Daughter J u l i a, with her Children by M .\R.cus Agrippa;. Lucius and C a i u s C te s a r, A g r i p- pA Post HUM us, Julia and Agrippina, with the numerous O.Tspring which this latter bore to her HiJsband German icus. 'Twasa mournkil and moft afflidive Scene to CjtsAR, to f^e that his monftrous Ambition had not only brought a cruel Death on himfelf, but had caus'd the Ruin and ILxtinftion of his Race foon after. And indeed what could be more moving than to obferve that of all the numerous Progeny which fprung from OcT-vviA his eldeft Sifter, and from Julia the Daughter of Au- Ticit. lib. 1. Hift. GU STUS, Adv. 2 1. Advices from Parmjjm, 31 GUST us, notoneremain'd, whofe Life was not cut fliort by the Sword, by Poifon, by Famine, or fome other violent Death. This melting Grief of Csi SA R was foon fucceeded by all the Tranfports of Rage, to behold that the Roman Empire, which he had acquir'd at the expence of fo much Blood, was transfer'd after A u gust u s's Death into the brutal Family of the C L A u D I I,, who with unexampl'd Cruelty perfecuted the Julian Race, from whom they deriv'd fo glorious an Inheritance. Nor was the general Companion of all the Speftators inferior to the mighty Grief of C /E s A R i their Minds were fill'd with the lively fenfe of the Calamitys that attend Tyrants, who are not only condemned by Divine Juftice to feal their new Tyranny with their Blood, but fuch is the feverity of Heav'n in pu* nifhing Ambition, that here the wretched Defcendents of him who grafp'd fuch lixcefs of Power, are not long fuffer'd to enjoy the infamous Acquifition. On the contrary, Providence foon removes it into the hands of a Family, whofe Intcreft obliging 'em to extirpate the Race of the firft Tyrant, they thus revenge the Publick for the lofs of their Liberty. It drew Tears from the mofl favage Speftators, to fee that the Foundation of all Tyranny is laid in (o many violent Deaths and Afts of Inhumanity, and that the Sand of fo execrable a Strufture is temper'd with fuch vaft Lakes of human Blood. While the Eyes of all the Virtuofi o'erflow'd at this lamentable Sight, Apollo, with a Voice that ftruck Terror into every Breaft, exclaim'd aloud: " O all you ambitious Tyrants, behold your felves in this fad Mir- " ror ! See here the end of all your towring Pride, and immoderate Thirft " of Sovereignty ! Behold the Grandeur to which you raife your Familys *' by the Ruin of your Countrys Liberty! And thou, O CjtSAR, who " by thy wicked Attempt to enflave the Glorious Republick of Rome, haft " fhewn, that either thou didft not believe, ordidllnot fear a fuperior Be- " ing ; behold into what an Abyfs of Mifery he is able to plunge thy Equals, ** and all their Race. THESE Words threw C it s a r into the deepeft Confufion imaginable; yet Apollo to increafe his Remorfe, and at the fame time to revive his Virtuofi, who were touch'd to the heart by this melancholy Spci^lacle, asal- foto encourage the Senators of Republicks topreferveand improve the Liber ty of their Country, gave Orders to change the Scene. He commanded, that the humane Ne p t u x f. of the Sea, the ever glorious Prince Andrea D o- RiA, with all his Family, fliou'd be calPd into the Theatre. The Happi- nefsof that Illuftrious Houfe, and the Glory of thofc Lords, who, in the free Country of Genoa, preferv'd a grateful fenfe of the vaft Benefit they had recciv'd li om that firft Founder of their Liberty, and above all the fhining Reputation of Modefty which that mighty Prince had left behind him in the Minds of his Fellow-Citizens, tormented Casar more witli Envy now, than he was fill'd with Grief before. Then was he fully convinc'd at laft, that it would have been much more honorable, both tohimfelf and his Pofterity, if after the Conqueft of Gaul he had been fo wife as to have em- brac'd that generous Undertaking, which the great Andrea Doria. did after him, viz. the re-eftablffliing the Liberty of his Country, which was fallen into a confus'd Democracy ; and if with thofe very Arms with which he impioufiy infulted the Senate's Authority, he had fupprefs'd the tumultuous Infolenceof the giddy Plebeians, fbrm'd a perfeft Ariftocracy, and acquii'd the Noble Title of ihefecond Founder of the Roman Liberty. This Refolution would have made him and his Pofterity as renown'd in the City of Rome, as the Houfe of Doria is in the Republick of Genoa , which can never perifh, while the Buildings of that State remain, and while there are any Genoefes upon Earth. ADVICE 5 2 Advices from Parnafui. Cent. 1, ADVICE xxir. V. The Academy of the hitrotiati having admitted the chief Toeteffes of Tar- luffiiSy Apollo commands 'em to be expel' d. SO M E Months ago, the Academy of the Intronati, contrary to their original Inftitution, admitted into their Society the ingenious V i c- TORiA CoLONNA, Veronica Gambara, Laura Terra- ci N A, and fome others of the moft celebrated FoetefTes of Parnaflus : and this was done with the general Applaufe of the Virtuofi. -The Academics, firM with the Beauty of thefe Ladys, not only frequented in great numbers their Learned Exercifes, but publilh'd every day fuch Flights of Poetry, as even the Mufes themfelves were amaz'd at. But in a little time Apollo began to fmell a Rat, and commanded the chief of the Intronati by all means to put a flop to that Cuftom ; he told 'em, he was at lafi: convinc'd that the fitteft Poetry for Females was the Needle and the Diftaff : and in fhort, that the Exercife of Learning between them and the Virtuofi, is but like the Play of Dogs, which commonly ends in getting upon one another's Backs. ADVICE xxiii: Justus Lipsius makes a fokmn Entry into Tamaffus, and the next Day accufes Tacitus of Impiety j but gets little Honor by it. WE told you in one of our former Advices, that Justus Lipsius arriv'd fome days ago on the Confines of this State, His Writings were immediately judg'd worthy the perufal of the Virtuofi, and fit to be plac'd among the immortal Labors of the Learned in A p o l l o's Library. It was therefore refolv'd, that Immortality fhould be decreed to his Name in full Senate, with the moft ample Privileges that were ever granted by this State to any SubjeQ whatever : yet the publick Entry of this accomplifli'd Perfon was defer'd till Tuefday laft week, becaufe the Flemifh Nation dc- fir'd to fignalize her felf on this Occafion, by fome extraordinary marks of Honor to her Countryman. To this end, in the chief Places ot ParnalTus, many Triumphal Arches were ere6led with great Magnificence and Splendor. The Cavalcade was very remarkable : for the Learned in all Sciences at- tended in great numbers to honor this Senator Eleft, who having receiv'd from his Majefiy the glorious Title of Univerfal in Sciences, everyone be- licv'd that he knew whatever was to be known. And all were aftonifh'd to fee, that at firft fight Lipsius faluted, by their Names, all the Noble Romans, who went to meetJiim, and feem'd to have been familiarly ac- quainted with every one of 'em. His Learned Writings were carry'd by V E L L E I u s P A T E R c UL u s, who, tho his Limbs were almoft crippl'd by Age, yet tofhew his Gratitude to Lipsius for a great Kindnefs re- jf ceiv'd Adv. 23. Advices from Tarnajfus, ^^ ceiv'd from him, beg'd this Office of A p o i, l o as a mighty Privilege. By his Majerty's exprels Order, Lipsius rode between Seneca the M\e Diis fecuritatem nofiram^ ejfe ultionem. 'Tis true, you may plead in your excufe, that you tell into the Precipice of this great Error, by following the rafh Steps of unwary L u c a N, who, before you, publifh'd the fame Opinion in thefe Vcrfes ; Felix Rom A quidem, civefque habit urn beatos, St libertatts juperis tarn cur a ptaceret^ !^um ijindi£iii placet I O happy Rome I how blefl thy Sons might be, If Heav'n but thought the Care of Liberty As grateful as Revenge. F 2 WHEN ^6 Advices from Tarnajfm. Cent. i. WHEN Tacitus heard this ; Fm forry, faid he, Friend Lipsi- us, that you who have made it your puhlick boaft, that you were the fole Oracle of my abftrufeft Meanings, fliould after all be fo grofly miftaken in an Affair of the higheft importance to my Reputation : for my words which you have recited, are fo far from being impious, that I will make it appear they are pious and holy. And that you may underftand the truth ot what 1 fay, I will, with a Circumlocution of many words, let you m to the meaning of this Thought, which being according to my cuftom exprefs'd in a few, has occafion'd your Miftake. AFTER having in the beginning of my Hiftory acquainted the Rea- der with the Defign of the whole Work, 1 told him I had undertaken a Labor full of various Chances, Atrox frxliisy difcors feditionihus, ipfa etiam pace fevum ; quatuor Prt»cipes ferro interemfti, trio, helU CivtliA^ &-c. Hav- ing related the Calamitys and great Miferys which the Romans fulier'd after the death of Nero, I faid, they were fo many in number, and fuch in qua- lity, that no other Times whatever cou'd, either by the bitternefs of their Sufferings, or by the heavy hand of Heaven upon 'em, and the Juftice of the Gods, better exemplify this 1 ruth, that the Supreme Being, who had formerly fo favour'd and protected the Roman People, that he feem'd to be as it were in love with their Greacnefs, and to have nothing more at heart than to render 'em always vidorious, triumphant, and Lords of the Uni- verfe, appear'd after the death ol Nero to be fo alienated, as plainly prov'd, Non ejfecttr^ Diis fecurititemnofirAm, ejfe uliionem; that is, he had to- tally given over the care of the RomanVVelfare,and minded only to take venge- ance on 'em for their Crimes againft him. Now tell me, Lipsius, is it an impi- ous Thought to fay, that by reafon of the heinous Offences committed by the Roman People both before and after Nero's death, the care ol protecting *em from all Mifchief was chang'd into the fevere Juftice of afflidling 'em with all fort of Mifery ? Lipsius reply 'd immediately : I confefs, the Thought, as you have explain'd it, is pious and orthodox enough ; but the words will not bear that fenfe, and therefore I ihnd to my Charge : they might indeed receive the Interpretation which you give 'em, if the Exprcffion I'ecuritatem no(lr.im cou'd be apply 'd only to the People of Rome ; but it beii; ■ liiiiverfal, 'tis evident it comprehends all Mankind. That by the word nojcram, re- ply'd Tacitus, on which I fee you lay the whole ftrefs of your .Argu- ment, I meant only the People of Rome, is plain from Luc an himfelf, who you were pleas'd tofay drew me into this impious Error; for in thofe Verfes he mentions only the Romans, affirming that the City of Rome vvou'd have been happy, and her Citizens eternally bleff, if the Divine Ma- lefty had been as much pleas'd to preferve 'cm in their ancient Liberty, as he was to revenge himfelf upon 'em. And are you not convinc'd in your Con- fcience, Lii^sius, that the Romans (who cou'd never reffrain their infa- tiable Ambition of univeifal Sway) by defiroying fuch a vaff number of Monarchysand Republicks, by having plunder'd the World, and, to quench their inexcinguifliable Thirft o! Gold, fill'd the Plarth with Fire and Blood ; are you not convinc'd, I fay, that by this means they had fo provok'd the Wrath of Almighty God againft 'em, that after having deliver'd 'em over as a Prey to the Cruelt\' of Tyrants, who treated 'em with all imagi- nable Barbarity, he permitted at length, that they fhou'd be trampled on in fcorn by the moll barbarous Nations of Europe? An End truly deplorable yet fuch as was juffly due to the Roman Ambition, Cruelty and Avarice, In- to fuch Aby iTes of Ruin it pleafes the Divine Majeffy to precipitate thofe Em- p res, who let no bounds to their unnieafurable Luft of Power. But to con- vince Adv. 24. Advices from Farnaffm. oj vincc you more fully of your Miftake, do you remember, Lipsius, that in any other part of my Writings I ever us'd the word nojlram^ or nojirt ? I believe I do, fays Lipsius; I remember in one place you give an ac- count how TiRiDATF. s King of Armenia was fent by Corbulo to Rome, in order to clear himfclf before Nero of fomc things laid to his Charge; but before he fet forward, he capitulated with Corbulo that he wou'd not be oblig'd to lay down his Arms at any place on the Road, that he wou'd vifit the Governors of the Provinces whenever he pleas'd, and that when he was at Rome he might be permitted to live in the fame State and Grandeur as the Confuls themfelves did. Which proceeding was laught at, and reputed a piece of Barbarian Vanity, as you your felf witnefs in thefe words : * Scilicet externa fuperbije fueto^ non erat notitii NOST R I, apud quos Jui Imperii va/et, iuAnia tranfmittuntur. And in ano- ther place, when you tell us of how great advantage to the quiet and great- nefs of the Roman Empire the difcord of their Enemys was, you have thefe words : Maneat qudjo, duretque gentibtis, fi non Amor N S T R I at eerte odium fui : quando vergentibus Imperii fatis nihil jam praftare For tuna, majin potefl^ quam hofliumdijcordiam. Very well, reply'd Tacitus; and do you believe, L i p s 1 u s, that by the words, non erat notitix NO ST R I and fmon an/or A^OST R I, I meant Mankind, or the Romans only ? Li p- s I u s immediately turn'd pale, and confefs'd his Error ; Dear Tacitus, fays hC: I ask you a thoufand Pardons : I'm convinc'd now, that the more your Writings are read, the lefs they're underftood ; and that youp Annals and Hiii^orys are not fit to be read by fuch, who like my felf are but mere Grammarians. ADVICE XXIV. /i mour7iful Day in 'ParnaJJ'us^ in memory of the unfortunate introducing of the ufe of Sab'ers at Table. THIS being thefirftof May, a Feftival dedicated by all Nations to iVlirth and Jollity, is yet fo fad a day in ParnaHus, that not only the molt ferene Mufcs, the Poets, and all the Virtuofi, have put on Mourninc^, but even the piiblick Places, Portico's and Schools, are hung with Black: The leafon is, bccaufe it appears plainly by the Teltimony of Po l i d or e Virgil, that upon this Day of unhappy Memory, the peftiferous ufe of Salvers was brought into taOiion by the Ambition of Princes fir/f, and after- wards by the inconfiderate Vanity of private Men. This great Calamity is lamented by all the Virtuofi in ParnalTus with Tears of the moft unteign'd Sorrow ; for it gives 'em the mortification of feeing that heavenly Liquor Wine (the molt delicious Ornament of the Banquet, and without which Eating is a drudgery for Porters ) inhumanly cafhier'd from Table, and forc'd to keep itsdiftance. And certainly they have caufe enough for Affli£tion; for what greater Misfortune can befal a man, than to be reduc'd to drink ac the difcretion of another ? to be brought to that wretched pafs, as to beg for God's fake from a rafcally Footman, who fometimes does not, and oft- ner will not hear you ; to beg, I fay, and baul for a poor Thimbleful of * TaciL lib. 15. Ann. Florence, 2 8 Adi^ices from VarnajfUi^ Cent, i, FlorL'ncc ; whereas, if youM live happily to the Age of Nestor, yoii taught afvviys to be fecf) ^'ith a Bottle in your ha^i \ and fwill it plentilulfy by w^xd. of inoutl). VVhat greater plague to an hoiiwll gool FcUjvv, than t') be ftinced in his meafurc, when a favory Morftl hjs provok'd his Third for a Hrimiher ? And wou'd it not vex a man's Utart-blood, to fee his Drink brOiiglit him in pitiful diaiir.utive Glalles, and thofe too not a quarter fiji), and vi'lietherhe is dry ornor, to be always fcrvM with the faine I'canty mea- fui'e? and Idflly, to confummate all thefc misfortunes, to be cheated and put upon with tfie change of Wine. For thofe liquoriOi Dogs the Butlers have fheconrcieiKc to fliam the Guelis with the word that the Cellar alibrds, and to keep th.e bell for their own drinking. DURING this great Affliction of the Literati, the glorious German Nation, who are free from (o cruel an Impoficion, in pure pity to the Mifery of the SpatiKh, Italian, and French Virtuofi, made preflTing Inftances to Princes, to get this abominable Cuftom damn'd and banifh'd out of the World. Dut the Princes peremptorily anfwer'd, they wou'd never confent, for the convenience of their Guefls, to put down the chief Glory of their Side-Tables. And tho, to facilitate this Affair, 'twas propos'd by the Lite- rati, that the Wine and the Soop (hould change places ; that is to fay, the former, whicli has always a fine Smell, fhou'd iiand upon the Tabic, and the latter, which often ftinks confoundedly of the toafled Cheefc that's put in it, (liou'd be dealt out at the Side- board ; yet this fair Propolal was rejeded. Infomu^h tliat defpairiiig of Succefs, Andkea Ma rone, a famous Foet of Brefcia, leap'd into the publick haranguing Chair, and in prefence of Apollo, the ferene iMufes, and all the Literati of ParnalTus, with great fluency pronounced a Oiarp Invedlive, in extempore lambicks, againffc that Heathenifl"! Cuftom ; he concluded with proving, by the Authority of Es c u L A p I u s, Hippocrates, Galen, and the other famous Phyficiansof Antiquity, that Hedick Fevers and Pthyficks^ now lb rife in the world, were fcarce heard of before the unfortunate Invention of Salvers, and of fneaking Glades that hold but three ounces : and that thofe Fools, who areperfuaded to drink by meafure, purchafe to themfelves pale, weakly, green-ficknefs Complexions. From whence it comes to pafs, that in this ir.anncrly Age, when Civility and Good-breeding, nOt Plea fure and Satif- faftion, are grown the Rules of Drinking, we have lolt thofe fierce and manly Looksof the robuft Antients. At length, in the winding up of all, this PoLtical Orator affirm'd, and the mofl ferene Mufes themfelves bore witnefs to it, that as foon as the laudable Cuftom of drinking Bumpers was laid afide, the Race of Homers and V i r g i l s grew extind}, and the World began to be plagu'd with a dull fcoundrel Tribe of Small-beer Poe- tafters. ADVICE Adv. 2 5. Advices from Pamajjy, 39 ADVICE XXV. The chief Monarchys that refide in Tarmjfusy ask the moft Jerene Vene- tian Liberty^ by what means jhe obtains from her Nobdity fuch exquifite Secrecy and exacl Obedience j and receive a fatiffaBory Anfwer. TH E Learned Debate between fome of the Virtuofi, which, as we told you in one of our former, was decided by the moft ferene Ve- netian Liberty, has furnifh'd all this State of ParnafTus with much fubjeft of Argumentation and Difcourfe. Particularly, it has awaken'd fuch Envy in the Monarchys of France, Spain, England and Poland, that two morn- ings ago they went to wait on that illurtrious Lady, and told her, they had obferv'd with great amazement, that fhe found in all her Nobility that faith- ful Secrecy, which they had often in vain fought after, and ever defpair'd to meet with in a fingle Secretary, and one or two Counfellors of State. A Calamity, which thefe potent Queens affirm'd to be the greater, becaufe in the prefent deceitful Age, the firft Weapon that fome Princes draw againft their Enemys, is Gold, to corrupt their chief Minifters. They deGr'd there- fore fhe wou'd be pleas'd to inform 'em, what Methods fhe had us'd to obuin from her Nobles fuch religiops Secrecy in her moft important Con- cerns, and fuch profound Obedience even in tiie certain Danger of their own Ruin ? To this Demand the Venetian Liberty anfwer'd ; That fhe allur'd her Nobility to the Virtue of Secrecy by Rewards, and deter'd 'em by Pu- nifhraeuts from the Vice of Difobedience., The Monarchys reply'd, that they likewife made life of the fame means, but without the fame fuccefs. She told 'em the reafbn was, becaufe the Rewards of Monarchys arc poor, and their Puiiifliments flight, in coraparifon of tbofc of well-regulated Com- monwealth-. 'Twas ^nfwer'd immediately, that all the Monarchys cou'd affirm the contrary jfoj the Rewards which Free States give, it compar'd with the profufe Liberality of Kings to their chief Minilterf, will appear but poor and beggarly. Nor was it ever known that the Republick of Ve- nice had rewarded the faithful ServiceSjpf ajiy of her Senators with thofe rich Gifts of Citys, Caftk^, and other nobl^ Fiefs, which Princes have frequent- ly granted to their Minifters: That the greatcll; Reward giv'n by the Vene- tian Senate to her moft d<,rfimngMea>bcrs, wa^ JPjomotioq to the higheft Offices, afld that tpo gradually, axid nQt rill by; thejr loog and laborious Ser- vices they had highly UA■■■ -•; ■■ ui' jllinuB K {! I^fjl^-jfj . ,31)qmO Jfiib flnv ;; ?»-w anailj "srA^ huB : u ,i,t: (job ^ao;: . ,;d ori// • r;- :ij«2 £ bni; i ,ii^(du2jft if.r ;'' ■: n- ■: » • bib aiiudr .noiifilajl 2id 10 ,Dnoi:ic;iii ,i£L'; ..1 : Jr ADVICE ''• -• f •' 'M lo s'lu abem SDinj*"/ lo jbiidorj >'. .;d3 >.\ui .i^- •M l'j;rij sjom la.ijo ynEio ,.iiil ^<.3XA ,2i3dHif.) ; ■ Kjj'jX'j ,I'(ib1o1 biif. ('r:3lgnH ,nii,<{? ".coniJ^'I ni h'e!' -)M ailjoili bnA, .Jn3fi;fninu1 fbn:-/ i.-sdi jOnp'l'^' Adv. 26. Advices from Parnaffur, 41 ADVICE XXVI. Francis the Firjl, f\jn^ of France, meeting rhilofophy naked, of- fers her his ^yal Mantle, which (he refus'd. THE moft generous King of France, Francis the Firfl, met yefterday by accident the Lady Philofophy, as fhe was airing her felt in ParnalTus, led by Aristotle and Plato. And becaufe flie was naked, the King was touch'd to the very Soul to fee, that the Queen of all human Sciences, who ought to abound in the moft cxquifite Dcliglits, was reduc'd to fuch extreme Poverty, as to want Clothes to cover herfclf j therefore taking off his Royal Mantle, which was cmbroider'd with Flowerde-Luces, and fet with Diamonds, he would have thrown it on the Shoulders of that moft Illuftrious Lady. She thank'd him for his courteous Liberality, but told him withal, that he might fpare it ; for fhe who had no Detbrmitys to conceal, nor Shame to hide, might walk naked in Parnaflus, without the leaft prejudice to her Honor. ADVICE XXVII. Apollo feVerely reprimands the Mufes for infpiring ignorant ^Blockheads with Toetick Fury, but they defend them fives to Admi- ration. APoLLO feeing the Writings of the modern Italian Poets full of ri- diculous Imperfections in their Similys, Metaphors, Allegorys, Hy- perboles, and other Finery with which they fringe and embroider their Foems, fent yefterday for the Mufes, and fharply reprimanded 'em for be- ftowing Poetick Fury upon feme illiterate Wretches, who, not being able to pafs thro the Fatigue of hard Study, publifli'd moft miferable ftarv'd Poems, by which that admirable Art, the PIcafure of polite Learning, the charming Recreation and Refrefhment of the ftudious Virtuofi, and the richeft Jewel 01' all the Liberal Arts, had fuffcr'd extremely in her Reputation. Hy this means great Diflionor wasreHeftcd upon the Mufes, of whom the moft eminent Virtuofi delh'd, that for the future they would beftow their Infpi- ration to better purpofe, and impart it only to fuch laborious Wits, as by their application to Study appear'd worthy of fo great a Favor. 'Tis faid, that Polyhymnia, in the name of all the Nine, retuni'd hisMa- jefty this Anfwer : That whenever they infpir'd any with a fluent Vcinot writing Vcrfc, they were always wont to have regard to their naruial Ge- nius and Fertility o\ Wit ; and his Majefty knew very well, 'twas rcquifije that the Git't ot Poetick Rage (hould precede all attainment of Art and Learning : alterwards indeed 'twas the duty of fuch as found themfelvcs thus iavor'd by the Mufes, to improve their Talent by diligent Study. She added, tliat when fhe Hrft breathed into his belov'd Pindar the Rage of Poetry,he was wholly naked and void of all thofe valuable Sciences, with w hich he at- Ci terwards 42 Advices from Tarnnjfus. Cent. i. terwards fo richly cIothM and adorn'd himfelf. No fooner had Pol\- 11 y M N I A ended, but the moft ferene Erato rejoin'd ; That the badnefs of fume late Italian Poems ought not to be imputed to the Lazinefs of the Poets, fo much as to the UrJiappinefs ot the prefent times, which are wholly delHtutc of thofe generous Macenas's, who were formerly the true Supporters of that noble Art. But now-adays thofe Sciences only are in clkem which bring certain and prefent Gain, not thofe that yield no Crop but Dcliglu and Reputation : From whence it happens, that in this Age Men apply tliemfelvcs only to thofe Studys which procure Food for the Body, and neglcft thofe that nourifh the Intelleft ; and this was the reafon, Ihe faid, that the Mufes were every day forc'd to fee with affliction, that thofe noble Wits they fo paffionately iov'd, and into whom they had brcath'd all the richefl Poetical Fury they cou'd, inliead of complying with the Infpiration, rather violently oppos'd it, and refifted the Infligations of their Mind, which was pregnant with Verfe ; that therefore the fineft Wits of Italy, merely for want of bread, being forced to quit the ingenious Study of Poetry, tor which they find themfelves naturally qualify'd, purfue with eagernefs the more gainful Sciences ; that one of the greatefl: Genius's of that Nation, even in the heat of compofing an elegant Stanza, was forc'd to throw all afide, and for the pitiful lucre of a Crown-piece fet himfelf to y drawing of a dull Declaration at Law : That Virgil, his Ma)efty's moil belov'd Poet, wou'd never have rais'd the Honor of the Art to that degree, had he not been perpetually fupported by the Liberality of Augustus: And that it was impoffible the Modern Poets fhould be able to cultivate thofe Fields of Poetry, which produce nothing but barren Fern, and end in beg- gary. Finally, that fheand her Sifter Mufes were almoft kill'd with grief, to refleft, that Andrea dall' Anguillara, that glorious Ita- lian Poet, was ftarvM at Rome in a poor Garret, in the Street call'd Torre di Nona ; that in the fame City Sannazario, being reduc'd to the want of NecefTarys, ended his days for Rage and Madnefs ; and that A r i- osTO and Torq^uato Tasso, the moft refplendent Luminarys of Italian Poetry, met with fuch vile ufage from the Avarice and Ingratitude of the Modern times, that all the Virtuofi were Eye-witnefTes of their com- ing to Parnaflus in Rags and Tatters, and without a Cloke to cover 'em. ADVICE XXVIII. ToRQ.uAto Tasso prefent s to Apollo his Toem^ call'd Gicrufalemme Liberata j for which Lodovico CasTel- V E T R o and Aristotle are feverely reprimanded by bis Ma- jejiy. TOrq^uato Tasso, two days after his arrival in ParnafTus, pre- fented at the Feet of Apollo his learned and elegant Poem, Gie- rufalemme iJberata, and pray'd, that if his Majefty approv'dit, he wou'd do him the Honor to confecrate it to Immortality. Apollo receiv'd the Poem very gracioufly, and, according to theantient Cuftom of this Court, gave it to the Cenfor of Books (who at prefent is Lodovico Cas- telvetro) to review it. When two months werepaft, Tasso ap- ply'd himfelf to Castelvetro, who told him, that having carefully jt examiu'd Adv. 28. ddvices from ParnJffm. 43 examinM his Poem, lie cou'd not Hud that the excellent Rules, which Aristotle had piefciib'd to Poetry, were obferv'd in it; lurvvhi^h reafon he did not think it deferv'da place among the coircft Writers of the Delphick Library, and that he wou'd advife him to take it and mend thu Faults, and then bring ic to him again. Tasso was much furpriz'd at this unexpeded Anfwer, and in a great Iiuff away he goes to Apollo, and told him, that having witli infinite Labor, and at tlieexpence of many a fleeplefs Night, composed his Gicru- falemme Libcrata, in the I'exture of it he had obey'd only that I'aleit which Nature had bcftow'dc.m hun, and the Inlpiration ot the molt ("ciene Calliope: that he thought this was fufficient, and never qucllion'd but he had fully obferv'd the Dutys of Poetry ; for which lince his Majclly !iad prefcrib'd no Laws, he did not know by what Authority /\ k. i s t o t l e had taken upon him to do it, nor what bufinefs he had to be mcdling in that matter ; that for his part he never heard of any other Lord in Parnadus except his Maiefty, and if he had been guilty of a Crime in not following the Rules of A R I STOTL E, 'twasa Crime of Ignorance only, and notof Malice. This Complaint of Tasso incens'd Apollo againft Aristotle, as much as a Prince wou'd be againll any one that fliou'd invade his Prero- gative ; infomuch that he inrtantly commanded the Guard of German Poets to bring that rafh Philofopher to him in Chains, which was done accordingly. Then the Sovereign of Verfe, w;than angry Countenance, and a threat- ning Voice, a.'-k'd Aristotle, if he were that impudent Fellow, who had dar'd to prelcribe Laws to the fubiime Wits of the Virtuofi, whom he always intended to indulge with a full Liberty to write as they plcas'd ? For the fprightly Genius's of the Literati, unreftrain'd by Rules, and free from the Shackles of Precepts, to his great fatisfaftion were daily feen to enrich the Schools and Librarj s with their admirable Compofitions ; and to olter to fubjeft the Fancy of a Poet to the bondage of Rules, was a Breach of Pri- vilege, and ferv'd only to check the Flight of thofe towringWits, who, vhcn kit to their Liberty, produced fuch Inventions as furpriz'd both J imfclf and the Mufes with their Elegance and Novelty. And this his Vlajelty waspleas'd tofay, was evidently feen in the Advices of a mo- dern News-writer, who, by a new invention, under the dilguife of Meta- phors and facetious Fables, treated of the moll inxportant matters in Politicks and Morality. In a word, that this Poem of his belov'd Tasso being re- ceived by the World with univcrfal /Applaufe, was an evident Proof that he had obferv'd all the neceflfary Rules which cou'd be prefcrib'd for the per- fe£ling of I'octiy. Thefe Words threw poor Aristotle into a fit of trembling ; he humbly befought his Majefty to take pity of his Age, and not let a Philofopher of his Reputation fuffcr for the Ignorance of others. For lie protcfted that his Rules had been extremely mifapply'd, and wref^cd very wide from his meaning ; that when he compos'd 'em, he was far irom thinking a Poem cou'd not be perfeft without 'em. All that he pretended was only to make the Art eafier, by tracing out the way which the moll ta- mous Poets had trod before with Honor and Succefs. One Fault indeed he own'd he had committed, for which he humbly ask'd his Majelf y's Pardon, viz. that having forefeen that the ignorant wou'd look upon thefe his Obler- vations as indifpcnfable Laws, \ et becaufe this Error wou'd increall- jiis Honor and Reputation, he had publilh'd 'em ncverthelefs, being dazled with that Ambition which blinds Mankind, and was thus fallen into the misfor- tune of offending his Maiefly : Yet heconfefs'd, that without following the Precepts and Method he had laid down, a true Genius might compofc G 2 Poems ^4 Advices from Tarnafjm, Cent. i. Poems fo perfeft, as to be ticks he had written were the mad Maxims of State, mere Buffoonry and Felly, Poems fo perfeft, as to be worthy Examples for others ; and that the Poli- ticks he had written were an evident Proof of this, fince in companion of the mad Maxims of State, which many now-adays follow, they are but ADVICE XXIX. Cornelius Tacitus bew^ elecled Trince of Les'uo!^ goes thither y where he meets with Very tmiijjerent Succe/s, TWO months ago the Prince of Lesbos dy'd, and the Eie£lorsof that State fent Embafladors to Apollo, befeeching him to nominate fome Perfon worthy of fo high a Poff, and they wou'd willingly chufe him for their Sovereign. Many Learned Men of great Merit were propos'd by Apollo; the EmbalTadors were of opinion, that as Cornelius Tacitus was reputed the beft Politician of 'em all, he ought tobepre- fer'd. But before the liufinefs advanc'd any further, they made himaVifit, and ask'd him, with what Prudence he wou'd govern 'em, in cafe they chofe him for their Prince ? Tacitus enlarging freely upon his own Merits, told 'em, that his Skill in the well ordering of States was fufficiently known, by the great Efteem the whole World had of his Writings ; for he wou'd venture to affirm, that the Princes of this Age govern the Univerfe by thofe Rules of Policy which he had taught 'em. Now they might eafily be- iieve, that he who had let others into the Myftery, fhou'd be better able than any of 'em to praQife it himfelf. And tho, upon this occafion, he cou'd willingly make 'cm a large extempore Difcourfe, on the Methods to beobferv'd in the well governing of an eleftive State, yet to convince 'em 'twas not for nothing that the be(t Politicians had ftil'd him the true Mafter of that Art, he wou'd tell 'em in two words only what they might expeO: from his Governmenr, which was, that he refolv'd diligently to tread in the Steps of his Predecelfor, in thofe things which he found to have giv'n gene- ral content to the People, and as caretully to fliun his example in whatever he had done that difplcas'd 'em. Now this, fays he, is the very marrow of true Policy, or rather the QuintelTencc I have extracted from it, which, I will be bold to fay, none ever difcover'd but my felt : and if I did not take you for my very good Friends, I wou'd ne\'cr have intruded you with this Nof- rrum ; which, if 'twere publiffi'd, wou'd make every ordinary Shopkeeper as wife as Nu m a, and qualify the very Laborers in the Streets to rule Em- pires. I'he EmbafTidors were wonderlully fmitten with this Speech, and engag'd upon their Honors that Tacitus (hou'd be elected : only they put him in mind that when he was created their Prince, he muil Life more vulgar Exprclfions, or eli'e the People of I ,eibos, who were not fo learned as thofe of ParnaiTus, wou'd beat a lofs to underlland him. To which Ta- citus reply'd, that a Man, who like himfelf made it his Profeflion to fpeak as many Sentences as Words, mu(i neceifarily be fometimes obfcure, for fententious Thoughts and political Precepts lolt much of their Ener- gy, when deliver'd inordinary Language ; and he us'd that Intricacy of Stile, becaufe he did not think fit to proftituce to the Mob that politick Science, which great Kings alone ought to poflefs ; for which reafon his- t - •■ Thoughts Adv. 2 9- Advices from Farnajjus. ^^ Thoughts were only comprehended by the more elevated Wits, However, for the bcncHtof thofe of a lower UnderAandiug, he wou'd bring with him Mercerus, Lipsius, and Fulvius Ursinus, ami fetch from Italy the moft accompliOi'd Curtius Pic hen a, whom Ferdi- nand Great Duke of Fulcanv, the bell Scholar that ever came out of the School of T a cit us, had otycr'd him, whenever he Hiou'd have occafion for him. WITH thefe Promifes the EmbalTddors return'd highly fatisfy'd to Lesbos, where they gave fuch an account of the amazing VVifdom of 'F a^ CIT us, that with infinite Applaule oi all the People he was unanimoully elefted and declar'd their Prince. But Tacit us's Succefs in the Govern- ment of his Principality was quite contrary to the general FxpeQation ; for foon af(er he had taken poireffion, he began to low and nouriOi Divifions be- tween the iVobility and common People. Fhe former, who were fuperior in Power, Counfel and Valor, opprefsM the latter. T a err us fecrctly took the weaker fide, from whence the Heads of the Populace, being coun tenaiic'd by their Prince, grew bold and infolent towards the Nobility ; fo that in lefs than a month the dreadful Flames of a Civil War broke out in Lesbos. Thenitwas that Tacitus playM his Game with exquifite cun- ning, and, appearing infinitely concern'd for the publick Peace, offer'd as Mediator to compote thofe differences, which he wifh'd in his heart might never end : In fliort, he manag'd this Affair with fo much craft, and futli Ihcw of affection to either Party, that both fides chofc him abfolutc Arbi- trator between 'em. Then making the Calamitys of Olivers fervc as Inlhu- rnents to increafe his own Authority, he firft poffefs'd the People with a dread, that in a little time they wou'd be all cut to pieces by the Nobilit), if they did not fpeedilv bethink 'em of fome Method for their Frefervation. Hy this Artifice he eafily obtained their Confent for keeping fome Foreign Troops in his capital City, to fecure 'em from the pretended Danger. The Xonility too wei every well fatisfy'd with the introducing of thefe Forces,with which he flatter'd 'em that he intended to curb the Licentioufnefs and Info- h:tKeof the Commonalty. Tacitus gave the Command of his SoKfers, w!io were three thoufand in all, to a Perfon in whom he cou'd confide ; anJ, to engage their Fidclitv to him upon all occafions, he not ofily bound 'em by Oaths, and endeavoMr'd to gain their Affe£lions by ^11 manner of Liberali- ty, but h.e permitted 'cm to Infult and plunder the iVobility and People of Lesbos, which confirm'd 'em in his Intereft, . by rcndring 'em odious to his Subje£ls. Having thus politickly fortify'd himfelf, in a few days he filPd the Senate, the City of Lesbos, and all the Country w ith Spys arwl Inform- crs. 1 hefe Villains were taught to impeach the chief Nobility of various Crimes, under pretence of which they werefirip'd of their Fflatesand Em- ployments, which were given to enrich their Accufcrs. InfoiDUch that many Members ot iIk Senate, out ot Avarice, Ambition, or to fecure their own Lives by falfiy accufing and perfecuting the principal Subiefts of the State, became the wicked Inftruments of their i'linee's Cruehy. Such of the Senate as cou'd not be fupprell by thefe Arts, were difpatch'd to idiftant and expcnfive Imployments, that they might ngt Jiand in the •way of the Tyrant's i 'efigns. After this, by degrees, Tacitus ca- fhier'd the antient Officers of the Army, and gave their ComniKfions to itjch as he was lure wou'd be firm to him. As by .tli^fe bale Artifices he pull'd down the Men of Intereft and Pow^r^ io lie promoted tp the Senato - rian Dignity, and to other chiet Offices in the MagUti^acy, a Crew o^ ob- fcure ^6 Advices from Tnrnajfm. Cent. i. fcure Upftarts, cull'c! from the Lccsof the People, but intirely at his Devo- tion. Then untlcr pretence of fecuring the State from invafiuns, he falls to building Forts round the Frontier-;, which hegaiifon'd with Foreigners who were his Friends. Nothing was more hateful to him than to fee a Militia of the People ; jet knowing, that to wreft their Arms from 'em by force, wou'd be a dangerous Fnterprize, he took a fafcr courle to fteal 'em out of their hands by a long Peace, by Sloth and Luxury, and by lisverely punifhingfuch as fought Duels to do themfelves Juftice, and to vindicate therr injur'd Honor. And to eradicate all remains of Virtue Irom the Minds of his Sub- jedts, he builc in his chief City magnificent and coltly Tlieaters, where rtiey were perpetually amus'd with Drolls, Uunring-matches, Comedys, Opera's, and other diverting Shows ; by the too frequent ufe of which they were brought to negleft the antient Care of the Publick, and to lay afide all thoughts of Military Exercifes : and knowing that to compleat his Defign of enfl-ivinga People, who were born lite, and had liv'd long in liberty, it wou'd be necelTary to inchant 'em with Plenty and Abundance, even till they were glutted with what they moft lik'd, Tacitus took care to have his State well fupply'd with a profufe variety of all manner of PJea- fures. THUS far his Affairs went on fmoothly ; but when he undertook the fiMfliing Stroke of all, 'by attempting the murder of fome principal Senators of whom he was jealous, he drew upon himfelf fo univerfal a hatred, that being inform'd of a dangerous Plot carrying on againff him, he was glad to rake a private tarewe! of his Government, and make the be ft ol his way to ParnalTus ; fo tfiat fix days ago he tei>urn'd hither to lead a private Life as before. ■ ' THE firft that went to vifit him after his Abdication, was Pliny the ^Younger, who, ashll the -Virtuofi^know, was the beft Friend t.hat ever T a- c I T u s-had. ■ This Gentleman vtry gravely takes him to task, and with the frankncfs of a Ro.Tian reprehended him fliarply, for tint he who had taught others fuch excellent Rules for good Government, fliould play his own Game no better at I.esbos. Tacitus; as Pliny himfelf told us, anfwer'd him in thefe words ; Alas! my deir Fiiend, Heav'n and Earth are not more diftnnt, nor Snow more unlike S')Oi: in its color, than the Praftice of Go- vernme^u'; Is remote from the' Theory,, and the Skill of writing political Maxims different fron^'the Wifclotti of a -ling by 'em. For that famous Sen- rencCj U/hich'in tlfe Pe'rfon of G\ lb v 't -taught Piso, which is rever'dasthe aofivC-v'ofanOracle'and Which the Ignorant think ea!y to be praftis'd,prov'd quite othe* wife to me when I made the l^xpcrin^.ent, becaufe too great is the MtrkmorphofiS of a private Mati i-nto a Piince. And let me tell thee, Pli- Hy^ ^hat'firivate' M^U'deteft many thinp,s in Princes, as great Dcfeds and not-oribcyS'Vltes, uhich-aVe Indeed Virtues and eminent Perfcftions. I tell thee tW^,! becaufe 1 -^As no fooner eletiled Prince of Lesbos, than I fully deter- mm'dtO-mnketJia't Golden Sentence I nam'd before, my North Star todireft my 'Coitr^fe .' ahd fis own hands thebufinefslof 'all the M^rjgirtrates, that they had fcarceany ■t'ling-e't belides thcNan^e. ' I perceiv'd he had render'd himfelf odious by Ughting the NoWlity, and 'affeQing the fole management of lall,. Affairs of ■'■^uk' vj4jHew t@^^ihaghe1iadTgirveni^».generalidifgdft faydiis i;e^erv'd .manr "■'■'• -f- ner Adv. 50. Advices from ParnaJJk, 47 nerof Life, which look'd as if he had been hatching arbitrary Defigns, and ftudying how to rule with abfokitc Sway like an Hereditary IVince, not with Umited Authority like an lUcdlive one. Now the fi rft of tliofe forts of Government appeared to me, when I was a private Perfon, to be down- right Tyranny, and tliereforc Irefolv'd to avoid it : but the very moment I took poirefTion of my Principality, 1 found my lelf fo hurry'd away by the Torrent of Power from my firlt honefb Refolutions, or to tell it thee in pro- per words, -j- l^i Domniitionu adeo convulf'us &mutatus, that I began to )udg thofe Adions of my PredccelTor, which I once thought bafe, imprudent, infolent and tyrannical, to be virtuous, and not the effefts of Inconfide- ratcnefs or Caprice, but of found political Refolutions, and neceHary Rea- Ibns of State. Thus not being able to fupprefs the violent Ambition of Rule which had turn'd my brain, I cou'd not be fatisfy'd with the bounded Au- thority which the State of Lesbos allows, but fhouM have thought my felf more contemptible than a Porter, if I had not arrogated the whole Com- mand and become abfolute. Hence arofe that uneafinefs in the Senate and People, which as you fee has precipitated me from my Government. And all thefe Ills, my Pliny, have not proceeded from my Ignorance, but from too much Knowledg : for in the eleftive Principality of Lesbos, which is a middle Conftitution, |j nee totam Ubettatem^ nee totam Jervitutem pati pojfunt ; the People cannot endure to be wholly flaves, nor wholly free: fo that whoever wou'd reign long there and happily, mult refolve in the firft place to let things alone as he finds 'em ; nor is this fufficient, unlcfs he's mafler of a quiet temper of Soul, without the lead fpark of Ambition, and knows how to praQife in perfection this difficult Precept, " To live him- " felf, and fuffer others to live likewife. To conclude, abfolute Politicians, like my felf, who have naturally the Itch of Defpotick Power, and are ape to meafure all things by their State notions, make but very unfortunate work in the Government of elettive Principalitys. ADVICE XXX. Apollo ohjcrVmg the great JM'iJch'iefs that happen J to Mankind hy the abfenceof Fidelity^ procures het return to TartiajJuSy by the ajfi- (lance of the Mufes^ and the fiiblifne Herokk Virtues, *^ I 'IS impofTible to exprefs how exceedingly Apollo was griev'd X at the unexpected flight of Fidelity from ParnafTus, which (as we faid in one of our former) happen'd fome weeks ago. His Majefty cou'd not bear to think that the World fliou'd be depriv'd of fo illuftrious a Prin- cefs. And his AffliCtion wasincreas'd, to hear of the continual Diforders that arofe between the People in every Nation, and the facred Power of Friendniip, the moft heavenly delight of Mankind. This charming God- defs, finding her felf forfaken by the Virtue Fidelity, and fearing fqme af- front from the bafe hands of Fraud, refus'd to dweU any longer in the Hearts of Men, who having broke loofe from the Oath of Allegiance to their Sovereigns, and from the facred Bonds of fincere Afftftion to their Friends, are become fo extravagant as to think all forts of Wickcdncfs al- t Tac lib. 4, Ann. ;, Ticic. lib. 1. Hift. iowablc. ^.S Advices from Parnnffm. Cent. i. lowable. Thus they drove away Faithfulnefs out of Converfation by Trea- chery, and Peace by Sedition, and fill'd the whole World w ith Blood, Rapine, and ail manner ot cruel Contufion. Hefides, A p o i. l o could never be at reft tor the eternal Remonllrances ot Princes, who publickly protefted, that by icafon of the Infidelity of their Subjefts, they were tbrc'd to abdicate the Government. 'I'hefe Confideratlons fix'd his Majefty in the Refolution ot remedying fo great a mifchief; to which end he calPd a General Diet, to meet on the twentieth of lart month, fummoning the chief Poets, and the J)eputys of every Nation of the Virtuofi to give their attendance. When they were afTembled, great numbers of People declar'd openly, that Defpair, and not difloyal Principles, had forc'd 'em to baniPn from their hearts that Fidelity, which had prov'd their ruin ; therefore they were refolv'd never to own her more, efpecially fince fhe had been fo vilely abus'd by many Princes. For in times part the Loyalty of Subjefts always prevailed on their Sovereigns to make 'cm a return in courteous Treatment ; but now they plainly faw, that the Virtue of SubmiflTion was reputed a mere abjeftnefs of Soul, and the me- rit of a voluntary and uncorrupt Loyalty, a neceflity of Service. By this means the publick Diforders were grown to that height, that many People found themfelves oblig'd to let capricious Princes fee, that the Autho- rity of Command is foon loft, when the Ingratitude of Sovereigns has con- quer'd all human Patience, and forces People, who are naturally obedient, up- on the defperate Refolution of having no Mafters, and of venturing the lofs of all in a free Government, rather than fuffer themfelves to be trampl'd on and torn to pieces in a Monarchy. Tho the Heats were very great betwixt the Princes and their Subjefts, yet the moft ferene Mufes, aflifted by the heroick Virtues, compos'd *em, and fo foften'd both Partys by their prudent Mediati- on, that the Diet broke up with this amicable Agreement : That the People fhou'd folemnly promife to readmit Fidelity, and fwear to make her abfolute Miftrifs of their Hearts ; and that Princes (liou'd be oblig'd to throw off ail the Principles of Avarice and Cruelty, and give up the full poffeffion of their Souls to the moft ferene Virtues, Liberality and Clemency ; which is the on- ly way to fix Loyalty and Obedience immovable in the Breafts of Subje£ls. For by theauthentick andftibfcrib'd Teftimony of Pliny, and other na- tural Hiftorians, it appears, that Sheep, who willingly obey their Shep- herds, have yet a horrid antipathy to Butchers ; and Dogs, who are natural- ly very faithful and loving to their Mafters, can never be brought to fawn upon thofe who give them more dry Blows than crufts of Bread. VL^:\i\t ADVICE XXXI. puyit^ thf Camiydin TarnaJJatj tk Virtuoft run %dces^ and divert 'ir themftlves with Variotts Demonfirations of Mirth. "I ^ H E time of the Virtuofi's Feftivals and publick Rejoicings being 1 come, Apollo ordered Macrobius with found of Trumpet, mall the publick Schools, to publifh his Saturnalia :, he likewife commanded AuLUs G£^-i,ius (whotn the Reformers of modern Pedantry, in fpitc of Orthography, will call Agelhus) to proclaim his pleafant Noctes At- tiCtT'AL Ebi A N DER AB A L E X A N D R D, Iiis witty Genial Days ; and laft of. all the Romans, Lords of the World, and Sovereigns of Learning, their "' jf merry Adv. 31. Advices from Varnafjui. ^^ merry Bacchanalia ; all of 'em days of Fcafting artd Pleafure, and confe- crated to the Genii of worthy Men. His Majerty by a particular Edit^l re- quir'd, that they fliould be jovfuily celebrated by all Nations ol' the Virtuofi in PdrnalTus, according to the various Cuftoms of their feveral Countrys, No iboner was this vVclcome Ne^vs publiOi'd to the People, but the ricii publick, as well as the moft celebrated private Librarys were fet open in ParnalTus, where all People went in and out as t.'iey pleas'd, and, as long as the Carnival laft:ed, had the liberty of regaling tliemlelves, as at a Fcaft, with thofe delicious Deirerts which the Learned /\uihors have elegantly drcls'd, and fet out on the plentiful I'ables of their Compofitions. 'TWAS a jovial Scene, you will imagine, to fee in all the Streets and Houfcs of ParnafTus the publick Invitations made by Plato, Athe- na; u ?, and the other Grandees of the Court ; at all which the Virtuofi ine- briated themfelves with the rich Wine of Learning, and fealled their Intel- leds with the Sciences till they were ready to burft. Only the Barrifters fee- ing their Shops of Contention (liut up, hung their headb like AlTes, and pin'd away for hunger in the midrt of fo much Joy, and fuch plenty of good Cheer: for your mere Lawyers having, time out of mind, been declared by his Majefty to be mere AlTes. were prohibited the delicious Food of Theo- logy, Philofophy, Poetry, Allrology, and all the other favory Sciences, on which the inore elevated Wits only feed. So that the poor Pettifoggers were forc'd to run fmelling up and down like Dogs in a Kitchen, licking the Ladles and Porridg pots, and fnapping at what they cou'd get ; while others were entertain'd with all the Daintys of polite Learning ; and ever fince that time, noble Souls have difdain'd the fordid ftudy of Statutes antl Reports, which being only fit tofitten the grofs lumplfh Carcafe of Wealth, kills all your fine V\'its with the heclick Fever. BUT among all the Entertamments none was fo fplendid as that of Pliny. The moft illuftrious of the Learned in every Science were r.here, and were treated with exquifite Dilhes differently drefl:, accord- ing to their feveral Palats. It muli be confefs'd, that Impofitions and Lies made the greatefl: part of this noble Banquet; yet they were cook'd up fo ariificial'y, and ierv'd in fuch variety, by the copious invention of tiie M.ifterof the Feaft, that they were all eaten with a Gufto for choice Rea- litys, and highly commended by the good-humor'd Guefts. T H E third day of the Fellival two Load of Neapolitan Ballads, the Produft of the fruitful P a r t ii r. n o f e, were brought into the Market ; which coming irom that virtuous Climate, were greedily caught up and de- vour'd by lome halt-ftarv'd Wits. But they had better have fdfted, for 'twas fuch lafcivious ftuff, that moil of the Gentlemen that eat of it, were fiuxd almofl into their Graves; fo that, to prevent further mifchief, the Cenforsof foetry torbad the importing of anymore fuch Ribaldry. THE fame day the pleafant Tansillus, in the habit of a Gardi- ner, preftnted Apollo with a nice Neapolitan Sallet, and at the fame time faidlomany fine things of it, in lour Stanza's which he repeated, that his Maicfty's mouth almofl water'd to tart it : which he had no founer done, but turning to T a n s 1 l l us. You mfght have fpar'd your Stanza's, Frici-.d, fa)she, tor let me tell you, your nice Neapolitan Sallet, as you call it, is but a common Cabbage, and Cabbages methinks dcftrve not fuch poetical Commendations, SOON alter an agreable Peafaniof Ferrara, call'd Pastor Fido, pre- fented his Majefty with a delicate perfum'd Tart. Apollo, without itay- ing till dinner-time, fell to it in the middle of the Street, and with fo much H greedinefs, Co Advices from Tarnajfm. Cent. 1. grecdinefs, tint ( with Reverence to his Majefty be't fpoken) he cou'd not forbear licking his Fingers ends hke any Clown, to exprefs how he Iik"d h. Yet to fhiw his s^iod breeding, he made the Mufes eat part with liim to fave their longing, lellthey, who are always big with Verfe, (liouM hive mif- carry'dj'oreirehave brought forth a Poem mark'd with fome ugly fpots of Ignorance. Now whik their LadiQiips were feeding heartily with Apollo upon this fortunate Shepherd's Tart, they perceiv'd that lome Virtuofi who were near 'em, lick'd their lips, and look'd very wifhfully at it. His Majefty generoufly gave 'em each a bit, and 'twas fo applauded prefently that all of 'em protc'ftcd nothing in the kind cou'il be more exquidtely good ; only one of'emfaid,' that in his Judgment truly 'twas too fweet, for it had cloy'd htm. Apollo was angry, and told him, Sweetnefs was a Friend to Na- ture, and thofe who lov'd not fweet things, had deprav'd Appetites. Now everyone, conrinu'd he, but a very Malignant, muli own that tliis admira- ble Tart is feafon'd with more Thoughts than Words, and therefore you have expos'd your felf for one of thofe four Vermin, who blinded with envy are always fpicting their Gall at things which the moft pregnant Wits are proud to imitate. But his Majefty's Anger, and the Virtuofi's Dread of the Confequences, were both chang'd into a loud fit of Laughter, by a mer- ry Action that happen'd. After the Tart was all eaten, an honeft Fellow, SiGNioR Giovanni Dell a Casa by name, fnatches the Difli on which it had been prefented, and licking it with equal greedinefs and ill- manners, told Apollo and the Mufes, that he beg'd their pardon, but for his Lire he cou'd not forbear,for in things fo ravifliingly delightful a man is not Mifterof himfelf, foas always to remember Gal ateo's precife Rules of breeding, and in Carnival time efpecially one might play the Clown without offence, fince no body was the worfe for't, AFI'Efl this his Maiefty went to the great Forum, and Was much pleas'd to lee every Corner of it full of Debates and Difputations, and the Piazza throng'd with Orators, pronouncing eloquent Orations in praife of the Sci- ences, and fharp Inveftives againftlgnorance. The humorous Italian Po- ets increas'd his Diverfion ; for thofe airy Sparks leaping upon the Bulks and Pjcnches, like Tumblers upon a Ifage, fung fcores ot Sonnets and Madrigals extempore, a proof tliat th-cy are not at all like the Latin Poets, who, by reafonof the difficult Feet by which their Verfes walk, are forc'd to go Icifurely. AND now Apollo difmift the molt ferene Mufes, who for many hours went up and down the ftreets fporting with their favorite -Poets, but werc-chicfly delighted to fee what a valf quantity of Beans, both great and fmall, Maurus had hoarded up in his S'lop: their Divinity-fhips fell to eating them as long as they cou'd ftuff ; and 'twas obferv'd as a very extraor- dinary thing, that they lik'd the Husks better than the Kernels. Then they took a turn to S i g n i o r. De l l a C a s a 's Furnace, and went into the Room where V a r c h i was nealing ; from thence away to t!ie Shop where Giovanni B a t t i s t a M a r i n i and his men made Spanifli Boots. Ju(f in that very nick of time C o p p e t T a was trying on a pair, which being too ftiait for him, lie drew with fuch force that he tore the Boot, and one o'i the (fraps only remain'd in his hand, at which all the Company laugh'd very heartily. AS Apollo was returning to his Palace Royal, fome Courtiers apply'd to him for leave to make a MafqUcfrade. Apollo told 'em they might fpare ttjemfelves the trouble of masking their Faces, fince their Minds were fo dif- •I" gtiis'd, Adv. 51. 'Mvkes from Farnaffifi. 51 3;uis'd, that he could afTurc 'cm they might go whither they plcas^^^ arid'^ot fear being known by the moft difccrning FerJbns in t!ie world. ! , , . ' ' THE day following, according to cuflom, they ran for' thb,, Prizes : the Chariot-Race was particularly 'remarkable ; At the f5arrler Were abuo- dance of fpruce Chariots, with new j\\^hcelsvvell greased, and' drawn by very fleet Horfes : Cornelius l"* a c i t u s was got among t!ie reft in a miferable old one with only three Wheels, and drawn by poor Hackney- Scrubs, with Ribs rtnitting thro their Skins, and Shoulders giul'd with the Harnefs. But then it was that the Roman gave a fignal proof of his Ability ; for as foon as they fhrted, while the reft JabourM with all their Force, and deafen'd the Company M'ith the noife they made in cheerincf and ladling their Steeds, Tacitus very quietly, and without being at all difcompos'd, jog'd on his tatter'd Tumbril, guiding it with fuch adr niirable dexterity, that he was already at the Goal, before the foremoft of his Rivals were got half way. From which furprizing Adion the Virtuofi of this State have concluded, that Steddinefs and good Judgment are infinite- ly preferable to Strength, and that men of skill and dexterity are capable of bringing to a good end, things that have never lb untoward an Af- J H E Foot-race of the Courtiers, who ran naked, afforded not half fo much divcrfion to the Virtuofi ; on the contrary, it made 'em very un- eafy toobfcrve tlie inequality of their ftarting : for the poor and meaner (ort ftarted far from the Goal, but the rich and noble fo near, that without running a ftcp they cou'd reach it with their hands. Infomuch that 'twas a great chance if ever a poor Court Virtuofo cou'd come up to the Goal of Honors and Dignitys; and when he did, he might thank L^ame Fortune more than his own Induftry. And yet for all this 'twas obfcrv'd, that ma- ny Ferfons of Eftate and Quality lag'd behind, while the poor and mean Runners gain'd the Prizes. And tho fome wou'd have it, that they ow'd their Vi-^ory to the Capricioufnefs of Princes, and the Favors of the Court, yet the more judicious freely confefs'd that thofe, who by their Ingenuity and Addrefs had infinuated into the good Graces of the Princes they ferv'd, fo as to obtain the higheft: Dignitys, dcferv'd to be accounted very good Racers. BUT there was a world of Mirth occafion'd by a fcufflethat happen'd between two Perfons of note at Court ; who flriving each to keep his Rival behind, ran foul upon one another, and grew fo angry that they fell to Log- gerheads :ibout it, and let who would get the Prizes the while. Tiie place was all miry, and after they had befpatter'd one anothers Reputation with bafe Accufations and filthy Calumnys, they became a ridiculous Spcftacle to the By-ftanders, and, as a mark of utmoft contempt, were hifs'd wherever they came. This accident, tho it feem'd only a Diverlicn to the Rabble, was thought by A poi. lo fo worthy of note, that he commanded Praxiteles to carve it in iMarblc, that it might remain for ever an ex- emplary InftruQion to wrangling Courtiers. 'T I S worth recording too, that while Servius H o n o r a- T u s, who own'd the Barbary Horfe that won the Prize, went cry- ing thro ParnalTus, as the cuftora is. Long live Virgil! this great Man, who thinks that a Difgrace which other Poets account an lie- nor, made his Servant Dares give Servius a good cudgelling. Apollo was troubled at this extravagant Aftion ; but Virgil ju- ftifyMhimfelf by faying, That he thought he had left fuch a fame behind H 2 him. ^2 Advices from Parnajfus. Cent. i. him, that his Name ought to be celebrated for his own worth, and not for any excellence in a Horfe. THE Prizes were formerly given to the Victors by the Governor ot ParnafiTus, or the City Fretor ; but Apollo this year refolv'd to bc- ftow 'em with his own haiids. To this purpofe he gave notice to all the Po- tentates that refide in Parnallus, that he requir'd their prefence at this impor- tant Ceremony, in the great Hall ot his Palace. 'Twas a ftrange novelty to thefe Prince', who weie never call'd to afllft but at the greateft So- lemnitys, that Apoi. lo fhouM fummon them on fo trivial an occafion. Neverthelefs his Majerty's Commands being abfolute, they all appear'd ; when Apollo made this Speech to 'em : " I doubt not but your High- " nelTes are much furpriz'd, that 1 prepare with fuch folemnity to perform " that my felf, which in former years was always done by my Officers *' without any Ceremony at all. But becaufe this is an Action on which not " only all your own happinefs, but the higheft fatisfaclion ot your People *' depends; I thought it for your Intereft that you fliould be piefent at it. " Behold then, and learn from me, ye Rulers of the Earth ! to banifh from " your Hearts all private PafTions. In diftributing Rewards among your " Minifters, have regard to their Merits, not to your own capricious Hu- " mor. If you give, as you fee me now do, the Prizes of Dignitys to *' thofe, who by the Fatigues of an honorable Race have dcferv'd 'em, " you and all your Pofterity will reign liappy for ever : But by the contrary " pradlice you will only reap diOionor, haften the ruin of your States, and *' be in danger at lead of precipitating your felves into the low condition of " your meanefl Subjeds, by placing your Affe£lion and Bounty on the bafe " and unworthy. ADVICE xxxn. Tl^e JanifarySy jeemg one of their Bodji ill reiparded for a confiderahle Service^ mutiny a^ninf} the Ottoman EmpirCj hut are appeas'd ky Apollo. LAST week, to the great Terror of all the Potentates who refide in this State, there was fuch an Uproar in the Qiiarter of the Ottoman Empire, that ffie beat an Al.irm, and drew out her numerous Armys in an inftanr, as ibr feme general and decifive Battel. The Princes of Germany, Spain, and Italy, taking umbrage at this, thought it fafeft to be upon their Guard, and fent out Scouts in all hall to get Intelligence of thefe Dillurban- ces; who came back, and reported that the Janifarys had rebel'd againfl the Ottoman Monarchy. Apollo being foon inform'd of it by the Preto- rian Cohorts of Satirical Poets, who keep guard day and night in the Del- phick Forum, compos'd the Tumult, and inlfantly commanded the Otto- man Monarchy, and the Heads of the Mutineers to appear before him. The Monarchy came, attended by a numerous Body, as did the Janifarys like- wife, but were ftop'd by the Lyrick Poets who ftood Gentry, and told, that in Tumults like that, Perfons were not futfer'd to approach Princes, but vvithamodefl: Attendance: whereupon the Ottoman Monarchy, with her chief Vider only, and the Soldier that occafion'd the Infurredion, without any of his Fellows, were admitted into his prefence. Apollo Adv. 3 2. Advice i from Parnajfus. 53 A poi. LO commanded the Janifary to tell him truly, what was the rea- fonof this Tumult? Heanfwer'd, that he and a certain Spahi had, with great hazard of their Lives, furpriz'd Teftis in Perfia, a place of vaft importance: for which Aftion, of infinite advantage to the Ottoman Em- pire, the Spahi was prefently made Captain-General of the Afian Cavalry, a very great Reward ; but himfelf, who had deferv'd no lefs than his Com- rade, had been treated with fuch Ingratitude, as to be made only Spahi of the Port: whicli bafe partiality was fo refented by the whole Body of the Janifarys, that they had one and all refolv'd to revenge it. Apollo having heard this, turn'd to the Ottoman Monarchy, and told her, he womlei \1 extremely that flie, who pretended to be fo jurt and liberal a Rewarder of the Bravery of her Soldiers, had a£led fo partially in regard to this Janifary. Sheanf\ver''d. that flie knew very well what flie did, and had many important Reafons for not having given fo great a Reward to the Janifary (tho Ihe own'd he had deferv'd it) as to the Spahi ; for all the World knew 'twas her Cuftom to take the Male Children from her Chriftian Subiefls, and divide 'em into three Ranks : Of thofe who feem'd to have tfie beft natural Parts flie form'd a Seminary, from whence, when they were grown up, flie took 'em out and prefer'd 'em to OfRces about the Em- peror's Perfon, and in his Houfliold. Afterwards, when they came to years of Experience, they were trufled with the Government of Provinces, with the Care of Armys, and the abfolute Command of that great Em- pire. That out of the fecond Clafs fhe chofe her Cavalry or Gentlemen of the Port, call'd Spain's ; and of the third, who appear'd to have the worfl Parts, and promis'd the Icafl: of 'em all, were compos'd her formida- ble Troops of Janifarys. Now if a Spahi happen'd by his Courage and ex- traordinary iMerit to exceed expcQation (as he did who furpriz'd Tcflis) lie was admitted into the firft Clafs : but if a Janifarv happen'd to difcover any eminent Worth, and to perform fome very meritorious Aftion, her Emperors never promoted him to a higher Rank than that of a Spahi ; for the Baflia's, the Spalii's, and the Janifarys, being llriftly united to their fe- vcral ClalTes by the moll pcrfcft Amity, theie can be no danger in giving the Cummand of Armys and Provinces to tliofe of the firlf and fecond Clafs, becaufe they arebut lew in number, in comparifon of the Janifarys : but to bertow any Office of great Trull and Importance upon one of thefe wou'd be of dangerous confequcnce, by reafon of the formidable Parry that fuch a Perfon wou'd have in that great Body of Troops, to which he had be- long'd ; efpecially confidering, that the Baflia's and Spahi's, being generally haughty, live in perpetual ftrife and emulation, becaufe of their pretenfions to the fame Preferments : while the Janifarys are more unanimous, and being an ignorant Rabble are apt to adore their Fellows, who, for any extraordi- nary Service, are prefer'd out of their own Clafs. Now to give the Com- milTion ot a General to a Perfon who has the Hearts and Hands of fo nu- merous a Body at his Command, wou'd be to nourifli a Serpent in one's bofom, with the hazard of being iiungto dedth. In fliorr, that her Empe- rors held it as an infallible Maxim of State, that an Army, on whofe Power the lading Welfare of a great Empire depends, ought to be commanded by a loreigner, whom the Soldiers wou'd obey, rather out of refpeft to the Emperor, than tor any Merit, Nobility, or Intered of his own. Apoi. LO having heard how the Ottoman Monarchy luftify'd her Con- duft, highly admir'd her Prudence, and commanded the Janifary to reft fa- lisfy'd. Then turning to iome of the Virtuoli that attended, he told 'em, That they need not read the impious 15 o d i .\ u s, or the mifchicvous M a« C HIAV E L t^A Advice f from Parnajfm. Cent i. CHiAVEL to learn Politicks, fincc fuch barbarous Princes as are e'en pro- felVd Enemys to Learning, were found above al] men to underfland the Government of the World, and the Praaice of the moft refin'd Maxims of State. ADVICE XXXIH. Carol us Sigonilis and D i o n I g i A T a n a g i are ac- cns'ii of hgrmtude i the fitfl hy P e r R u s V i c t o r i u s, the lajl by Hannibal C a r o j but are both acquitted by Apollo. WHILE Apollo with the other Judges of ParnafTus was feated this morning on the Tribunal of Gratitude, the Prifon-keepers brought into Court Carolus Sigonius, a learned Nobleman of Mo- dena bound in Chains. His Accufer was Petrus VicTORiusof Florence, whodepos'd, that Sigonius being in the hands of Bailiffs, who were dragging him to Jail for a Debt of a thoufand Ducats, he had interpos'd to fave him from that difgrace, and had generoudy paid down the mony for him, tho he ftrain'd a point beyond his Ability ; that he liad often fince demanded it, and Sigonius had as often promis'd payment, but never kept his word, till at laft, finding himfelf abus'd, he had been forc'd, tho muchagainfl: his will, to lay him by the heels. That he was forry Sigonius had fo little regard to his own Honor, as ^o fa! fir.' his wore" fo often about fo juft a Demand ; but nothing troubled huv more thar- to fee a Fricndfhip of fo long a date, and ftrengthcn'd by fo great an obligation, turn'd into direft Enmity : therefore he earnellly pray'd the Court, that this unthankful Man might be feverely punifh'd, as the Laws of Gratitude di- rea. Apollo had fo little regard to this Accufation, that he openly took Si- GON 1 as's part, and faid, Thofe alone are to be- condemned for breach of Faith, who do not perform what is in their power, but Mony-promifes are not always foeafily kept : therefore, tho the Intention of deceiving is indeed a great Crime, Inability is none. Then turning to V i c t o r i u s, he faid, He ought to have confider'd, that the Kindnefs he did to Sigonius was one of thofe, for which a Man wholly forfeits the Obligation of Gratitude, if he rigoroufly exafts it : for Benefits that exceed the condition of the Re- ceiver, are beftow'd by theVirtuofi, only to difplay their Generofity, and to render a Man infinitely oblig'd to 'em ; and the honorable name of a libe- ral Iknefadtor, isafufficicnt recompence fur the greatefl: Favors confer'd on a Friend. HIS Ma)efl:y having difpatch'd this Caufe, proceeded to hear Caro's. Complaint againll A t a n a g i, which was this : That Mario Mo l- z A when he dy'd, appointed him Guardian of a young Daughter he left behind him ; that when flie was in the bloom of fifteen, he had beflow'd her with a Fortune of four thoufand Crowns upon A t a n a g i, and for the affeftion he bore him had overlook'd his Poverty, which render'd him a very unequal Match for her. Yet in return for fo vaft an obligation, the ungrateful Wretch made him only a beggarly Prefent of a dozen pair of Gloves, and the very day he was marry'd, had the impudence to forbid him his Adv. 54- Advices from Farnafjlfs, 55 his Houfe. At this part of the Story Caro drop'd fome Tears of Ten- dernefs, and then proceeded — That lie doted on tlic young Lady as if floe had been hisownO.fspring, and to be tlius depriv'd of her dear Converfi- tion, was a torment he cou'd not bear. Ai-ollo told him, tliat Ata- N AGi had been to blame, tor which he fliou'd be fin'dadozen pair of Gloves more, and with that C v r o fliou'd think himfelf fufficiently gratify'd. But this Decree, inilcad of appealing his Refentmcnt, made him rave like a Madman, and faid aloud, tliat he had experienc'd to his forrow the Say- ing of T A ciTUS to be very true : * Benefcia eo ufque Uta. funt, dum'ui- dentur exfolvi pojfe ; ahi multum antevenere, pro gratia odium reddttur : Bene- fits are only pleafant, when there's a polTibility of Retribution; but when once they exceed that, Hate is rcturn'd for Love. Apollo, provok'd at his Boldncfs, reply'd With an angry Voice, that Tacitus's Saying was true, but mifapply'd by him and many others: for when immenfe Benefits are repaid with boundlefs Ingratitude, 'tis for the mofl: part to be imputed to the impertinence ot the fjenefadlor in exadling a return, ratlier than to the dif- courtefy of the Perfon obliged. He told him moreover, that he did not like fuch extraordinary affedion in a Guardian to his Ward, when fhe's come to years of difcretion. And I doubt, fays he, you are one of thofe hopeful Sparks, of whom I have known many, who, in return for having help'd their Friend to a rich Wife, expect to ly with the Bride. But methinks, having liv'd fo long at the Court of Rome, you might have learn'd before now, that Wo- men, like Principalitys, cannot be given to a Friend, with a referve of the Profits to ones felf, without the danger of Daggers drawing and Bloodflied. Then turning to Atan agi. Friend, fays he, enjoy your, Wife in peace, and if ever hereafter this Fellow taxes you with Ingratitude, tell himl have dcclar'd him an Impertinent. ADVICE XXXIV. T E R E N c K the Comtek ^oet being taken into CujloJy by an Order from the City Tretor^ on preterice of his keeping a Mifs, is dij- chargd by Apollo, Ti^ith great derijion to the Trctor. " I'^Frence, with his Maid Bacchis, and his Man Davus, lives ]^ in a litt'e neat Houfe in ParnalTus, in the Quarter of the Comick Poets. And tho Bacchis in the flower of her Age was a very handfom Lafs, and a great Friend to Tr. rence and the Brothers of the Comick Quill ; yet being no.v grown old and fomewhat deform'd, flie lives modell- ]y enough with her Malkr, without giving any offence to the Neighbour- hood However, ten days ago, Jason Dal Maino, the City Prc- tor, ii;nt to Teremce, commanding him, under a certain Penalty, to turn B \ccHis out of doors, and clear himfelf from the fcandal of keep- ing a Whore. Terence neither obey'd the Order, nor wou'd pay the Fine; fo that the PrctorilTu'd out his Warrant to take him up, which was done yelkrday, and poor T E R E N c E thrown into Prifon Apollo was fo angry at it, as to fay publickly 'twas mere fpite ; and that his Miniikrs, outot malice rather than ignorance, had got the trick of being clear- figlited * Li!>. 4. Ann. 56 Advices from Parnajfus. Cent i. in the appearance, but blind in the fubftance of things. He commanded that the Poec fhou'd be immediately difcharg'd, and the Pretorclap'd in his place , and not only publickly difgrac'd him, by taking from him his Office, but to his infinite afflidion beftow'd it upon his gieatell Enemy Philip- pus Decius, who being yefterday to wait upon his Majefty in order to receive the Mace, Apoli-o bid him learn from Jason's Punifhment, that good Magiftrates, who have more regard to approve themfelves to Hea- ven by their real Integrity, than to the impofing upon Mankind by the colour of it, take care to drive the A l e xis's firrt, and then the B a c c h i s's from the dwellings of lafcivtous Poets. ADVICE XXXV. Apollo j^ives puhlick Audience^ and with admirable Wifdom deter- mines m.my Ajfnrs of his Virtuoft, PRINCES, who love the fatisfaftion of their People, are pleas'd fre- quently to hear their Grievances and redrefs 'em. Apollo therefore, befides his other Audiences, fets apart one day in the week, to give a hear- ing in the great Hall of his Palace to Perfons of all conditions, in prefence of the Senators, Judges and Counfellors belonging to this State. At that time the Doors are thrown open ; and becaufe feveral Refolutions are taken there, which the curious who live far off may be glad to hear, the Writer of thefe Advices, who, that he might be able to oblige his Correfpondents, was prefent at the laft Airdience, will prefent you with a faithful Narrative of all that pafs'd. THE firft that prefented themfelves before Apollo were two hono- rable Embaifadofs, who told his Mijefty, they were fent from Mankind, who were quite weary'd out with the vile ncceffity of daily eating to fup- port Nature. They infinitely lamented their hard Fate, that theSoul of Man, inJow'd with fo many Excellencys, capable of knowing all things, and fir'd witli a generous and infatiab'e Curiofity from its very infancy, fhou'd afterwards be wholly taken up with the inglorious Occupations of providing for the Body like brute Bcafls : they theretore Iiumbly ask'd his Majefty's Advice, whether Mankind wou'd not do well to petition Heaven, to grant *em the Privilege of livinga long time without Food, like Dormice, Bears, and fome other Animals i that fo the Operations of the Inrelledt, not being ciifhjrb'd by the Cruditys of [ndi^;e{f ion, might better purfue the Study of thofe Sciences, which were the proper Imployments of men. A L I - who heard this Requeft thought it fo honorable and full of virtu- ous Zeal, that they lifted up their F.ycs in aftonifliment : yet Apollo, in r'-eat derifion, told the Embalfadors that 'twas a very impertinent one, and iuchan impraflicable Chimera, as ufually fprings from the Rrains of thofe viin Prwje£lors, who have got the itch of reforming and new-modelling the Univerfe. Then he ask'd em v\hether they thougl.t the Earth ow'd any Dury to her Maker : they anfwer'd 'twas her duty to produce Herbs, Fruit, and Pl-inis. . What's the reafon then, fays Apollo, that for fix thoufand years and more, in whicli fhe has fo exaftly obey'd the Will of her Creator, there are no Woods feen but on Mountains and in defart Places ? The Em- baffadors reply'd, becaufe Men, for the fupport of their Lives, by Husban- dry, Adv. 35. Advices from ParnaJJiif, 57 dry, had cut 'cm down and grub'd 'cm up. Apollo ask'd 'em again, to what a condition the llarth wou'd have grown,if Hubbandraen had not clear'd it of thofe Incumbrances ? Undoubtedly, they faid, 'twould have been one vaft impenetrable Wilderncfs. Then Apollo further demanded, whe- ther they believ'd men wou'd more willingly iiave tal.en the pains to cut down Woods, only to make a better communication betwixt one Nation and another, or for the enioyment of thofe Fruits it produces by the Labor of Man ? They anfwer'd, that the great abundance of the Harvell render'd the noble Art of Agriculture rather a Diverfion tiian a laborious Task. B Y this time the EmbafTadors had anfwcr'd themfelves, and were fully convinc'd, that if Men neither eat nor drink, the Earth wou'd be fo overrun with Forcds, that 'twould be rather a Retieat for favage Beads than a Ha- bitation tor rational Creatures ; and therefore full of fliamc and confufion they left the Court. Menenius Agrippa next advanc'd to Apollo, and told him, tliat having by a Fable, as Hiftorians teiHfy, fo luckily reconcil'd matters between the Roman Senate and the Plebeians at tlie;r SecefiTion to the A- ventine Hill, he hop'd now he fliou'd deferve a more honorable place in Par- nalhjs for another admirable Fable he had invented, by which he was con- fident hecou'd appeafe the mad difcord between the Inliabitants of the Low- Country s and the Spaniards. Apollo flighted the Propofal, and told lioneft M E N E N 1 u s, that time had quite cliang'd the Humors of men, and that they had diank fu deep of the Poifon of inveterate Hatred, that not only facetious Fables \\ou'd be lofl upon 'em, but even the fad Tragedys which the Spaniards for above fifty years had been ading on that Stage, had not been able to appeafe thofe Tumults. For the People continu'd ohflinate in the Refolution iliey firft took up with their Arms, that they wou'd glori- oudy purchafe their Liberty by their Blood, or facrifice their Lives in the Quarrel. Menenius withdrew fomewhat diflatisfy'd, when immediately ap- pcar'd in the Audience a very friglitful Spe£lac!e. Paolo Vitelli that famous General of the Republick of Florence, came into Court with his Head under his Arm, and bitterly ccmplain'd cf that Commonwealth, who, tho fl]e cou'd not extort from him or his Friends, who were rack'd on his account, any Confeflion prejudicial to his Honor, on groundlefs Sufpi- cionsonly, and without hearing him, llie had bafely caus'd him to be be- headed the very morning after he was taken into cuftody ; and that his Execution was thus hurry'd on, not becaufe the importance of the Faft wou'd admit of no delay, but to hinder the IntercefTion of fome great Prin- ces, who wou'd have n.ov'd in his behalf. Apollo exprefs'd the utmoft abhorrence of this Judgment; and be- caufe he lov'd and admir'd the Worth of this Soldier, he ask'd the Judge's Opinion ujKui the Cafe. The Procefs againlf Vitelh was related to 'em at large; which when they had heard,they pronounc'd him innocent, and Apollo by a publick Decree rellor'd him to his former Reputation. Paolo rcturn'd thanks to his Maiefly, and with great humility befought him to deter other Republicks from the like rafli Judgments, by fixing fome rigorous Mark of his D.fpleafure on the Florentines. But Apollo ad- vis'd him to be content, becaufe his Son Alexander, taking the oppor- tunity that (jfrlii'd after Duke Alexander's Death, h.ad fufficiently re- vcng'd him, in having infinitely exceeded the Crimes of which his Father was accus'd. NO eg Advices from Parnajjuf. Cent. i. NO fooner had A polio given fatisfaftion to Vitelli, but C AR M A G N uoi. \, a iciiovvned Captain of the RepiibHck of Venice, with his Head cut oft' in hke manner, oftisrM his Complaint againfl: the Ve- netian Senate, for having causM liim to be executed againft all Humanity and Juftice, upon very frivolous Sufplcions ; and at the lame time he deliver'd a Copy of his Trial into the hands of A po l i. o. His Majefty wou'd not fo much as look upon't, but commanded him to reft fatisfy'd, for he wou'd not allow of any Appeal from Sentences given by an Ariflocratical Senate, fuch as that of Venice, which, he verily believ'd, adminilkr'd impartial Juftice to all Mankind. WHEN C A R M A G N u o L A WHS gouc, thefc comes into the Hall, to the great furprize of the Spectators, an African, leading in a little Chain a majeftick Lion, fo tame and gentle, that he fawn'd on his Matter like a Spa- niel. This African, addrefTing himfelf to Apollo, made him a Prefent of the Bead:, in the name of Hannibal the Carthaginian. H is Majefty waspleas'd with it, aiulask'd the African, by what means he had brought a Creature of fo fierce a nature, to be thus tame and gentle ? He anfwer'd,by con- ftant feeding him with his own hand,and breeding him up from a little Whelp; Upon this Reply Apollo turns to the Princes, who honor'd that folemn Au- dience in great numbers : Behold, fays he,and learn from this admirable exam- ple the Power of Civility and good Ufage, which can foften even the moft fa- vage Beafis ; treat yourSubicds in like manner, and do not make their Lives a burden to 'em, by impofing heavy Taxes upon the necelTarys of human Sup- port ; fo fhall you gain the Hearts not only of your own People, but of Fo- reigners too, and be honor'd by the moft barbarous Nations of the Univerfe. AS foon as he had deliver'd thcfe words, in came two Foot-Soldiers, and having prefcnted their Credentials, complain'd tohisMajefty in the name of themlelves and their poor Fraternity, that tho they forfook their Country, their Wives and Familys, and all that was dear to 'em, to ferve their Princes in foreign Lands, they were us'd like Dogs, and often fliot to death or liang'd for a trifle, thro the inhumanity of the martial Laws, and the Cru- elty of their Officers ; that the modern Captains were grown to fuch a mon- ftrous pitch of Barbarity, as to punidi thellighteftomilTion with Death, and wholly to lay afide thofe anticnt mild P jnlfhrncnts of fieeping out of tlieif Tents, or having their (Allowance in coarfc Bread and Water. In fliort, that he was reputed the beft Judg in the Camp, who exercis'd the moft immode- rate Cruelty ; and that Equity, Warinels and Circumfpeftion, Virtues which ought to fliine in the Judges of Mankind, \\'cre look'd on now as meannefs of Soul and Stupidity. Therefore the dilfrefs'd Society of Gentlemen-Sol- diers, groaning under tlicafflitlion of fo mighty Ills, moft humbly befought his Majdfy to iflbe out his Command, that the rigor of fuch inhuman mar- tial Laws fhould be abated. THERE was not a Soul prefent, tho ever fo hard-hearted, but was deeply aftefled at this moving Remonftrance. Apollo alone betray'd not the lea ft mark of Compadion, but with a ftern look ask'd the Petitioners, Whoforc'd you to that courfe of Lite, who compePd you to leave your Homes, andchange the mild Laws under which you were born, for the ri- gorous ones that are praftis'd in a Camp ? He that is a Wretch by his own choice, deferves not to be pity'd. WHO fhou'd enter next, but (to the infinite fatisfaflion of the Vir- tuofi) all the famous Printers of the World in a Body. There was Sebas- tian Grifo, and Gulielmo Rovillo, of Lyons; Chkisto- i>H£K.pLANTiN of Antwerp; the Giunti of Florence; Gio- * lito, Adv. 35- Advices from Farnafjus. ^o uTO, Valgrisi, and feveral others of Venice. The learned Aldus Manutius, not difdaining to make one among therein, reprcfcntcd to Apollo, in the name of the whole Brotherhood, that o\ all modern Arts invented by the wit of Man, he humbly concciv'd Printing, both tor itsufc- fulnefsandcuriodty, deferv'd the higheft praife ; for had it been known in former Ages, the modern Literati might have fpar'd their Tears and Lamen- tations for the burning of fo many famous Librarys of Antiquity : That the Prefs had now not only fecur'd to Eternity the pail and prefent Labors of the Virtuofi, but had greatly facilitated the way to Learning: And finally, Hnce his Majcfty's Dominions had not yet receiv'd the advantage of fo excellent an Art, the Society humbly offer'd with his Royal approbation to introduce it into Parnalfus at their own expence. /^POLLO abfolutely rc)e£led this Propofal, and faid, that the Invention of Printing deferv'd not fuch extravagant Encomiums, fince it had infinitely eclips'd the Glory of tlie Liberal Arts; that it had render'd Librarys more numerous than goof!, and made 'em undervalu'd by men of fenfe ; that in the days when Books were laborioufly copy'd with the Pen, if they were of no value, they and their Shame were bury'd together in the fendefs Authors l>;sk; whereas, to the fcandal of Learning, the World is now plagu'd with eternal Volumes of Ignorance and Folly. Befides, the Copys of Ho- mer, Virgil, Cicero, and fuch immortal J'rodu6lions of Wit, which ought rather to be kept with a fort of Religion, and not expos'd to the Peo- ple but on FefUval days, were now fomultiply'd by printing, that they jy and rot in every paltry Bookfeller's Shop ; therefore the Society might go hang themfelves if tbey pleas'd, for he wou'd never admit fuch a peftilcnc Craft into ParnafTus. IMMEDIATELY after this, Seneca the Moralift came before his Majc/ty. He had procured a Summons for his mortal Enemy Pueli- us Suilius to appear at this Audience; where he complain'd m a dread- ful fury, of fome infupportable flanderous Words which Suilius had utter'd againfl him, and demanded Satisfaction againit that toul-mouth'd abufive Fellow. Apollo commanded Suilius to repeat the words at which Seneca was fo much affronted. Suilius freely confefs'd, that a lutMndignation, and the love of Truth, not any private Pique had pro- vok'd him to reprove the Philofopher with this Query : * Uu_i fapientia^ quic'UJ Philoffhorum prxceptis, intra quaditsnnium Regis amicttta, ter milltes jejlertium farj.vtffet ? Rom.t tejf amenta, & orbos velut indagme ejw capi^ Ita- li*m cr Pr(yvifiCiAS immenfo ftrnore haurin. Sen e c a, who perceiv'd that Apollo was very much fcandaliz'd at his having in fo fhort a time accumulated no lefs than ieven Millions and a half, told his Majef^y, that his great Riches were not to be imputed to his own Avarice, but to Nero's liberality. Apollo not fatisfy'd witfi this Excufe, told him, That fuch a fiood of Wealtii ill became a Philofopher, and cou'd never have fwell'd to fuch a height in a moment, had it not been fed by the foul Waters of iiiduftrious Knavery. I o which Sex EC A anfwer'd, That to forma true Judgment of him, the World ought not to have regard to Suilius, who got his bread by the infamous pra£liceof lying, but to his own Writings which had obtain'd futh univer- fal admiration. Suilius hearing himfclf thus afltonted, anfwei'd ve- ry boldly : 'I \\\x. there was no knowing of men by their Writings, but by the Life they lead ; for Aftions, not Words, are the Touchilone to dif- * Tjcit. lib. 1 3. Ann. I 2 cover 5o Advices from Pnrnajfm. Cent 1. cover mens Tempers. Seneca would have reply'd, bjt Apollo tir'd with this hateful Difpute, commanded dim to be filent : for to haveamafs'd fovartan Kftate fo fuddenly, tendel but little to any man's Reputation; and the Sweets of fuch an Acquilltion muft of neceffity have been accom- pany'd with the bitter Complaints of the Fublick. Then fighing Irom the bottom of his heart, Wou'd to Heaven, Seneca, faid he, thou hadft never been born, or hadft not left behind thee fuch a pernicious Example, whicli has been ib often imitated ! Seneca withdrew, not very well pleas'd with this Judgment againft him ; and immediately two illuftrious Ladys of (Quality made their Reve- rence to Apollo: They were the Roman L u c r e t i a, and Cathe- rine SfORZA. The Hrft addrefs'd her felf thus : That by the Feflimo- ny of all Hiftorians who had treated of the Affairs of Rome, the Rape com- mitted on her by Tarq.uin, was the chief Spring of that great Re- volution, which turn'd the Roman Monarchy into the greateft Republickin the World. Upon this Confideration file thought his Majefly had not al- lotted h-.rfo honoi able a Station in ParnalTus as flie deferv'd. and as all the Virtuofi ovvn'd to be her due ; and Hie cou'd not but refent it to fee the Gre- cian Helen plac'd above her, tho the Revolutions Ihe had occafnn'd were nothing fo confiderable : flic therefore praj 'd his iMajefty to do her Ju- fiice. A I' L L o anfvver'd, That fuch only as had a fuperficial Knowledg in the Affairs of the World, afcribe the Roman Liberty, and the expulfi n of the Tarqluns, to the Rape flie had fuffcr'd ; but thofe who penetrated deeper were fatisfy'd,tlut the Tarquins then loft the Sovereignty, when they firft render'd thenifelves odious to the People, on whofegood will their Great- nefs was t( n^ided : for the Romans, ev'n at that time, by reafon of the many Fiiviiegf. 'icy enjoy'd, might be faid to live in half Liberty, and 'twas a difficult La k to convert fucha limited Monarchy intoan abfolute one, without incurring the hatred of the Senate and Nobility, who are natuially dcfirous of Liberty, and jealous of their Country-, Rights : tliercfore the rARQiUNs otight to have endeavour'd above all things to preferve that Affection of the Romans which was their only Security, and which well improv'd might f.ave made 'em abfolute. But when < nee they had foolillily loft it, the No- bles were prepar'd to )oin with the Plebeians upon the flighteff occafion, and to take up Arms againft 'em, as they did upon the Accident of her Rape. Apollo (arther told Lucretia, that if he (hou'd advance her to the pljce (hedelir'd, (he wou'd only fcrveto teach this trivial Moral, that Prm- ces ought to avoid polluting by their Luft the chief F-imilys of tlieir States : but in the ftation he had affign'd her, the ftory clearly held forth a more im- portant Frecepr, viz That when a Prince wants the skill to keep the Nobi- lity and Commonalty in a feparate Litereft, and fecure one Party to him- felf, bu inftead of that makes both his Rnemys, 'tis as eafy to drive him from his Dominions, as to remove the largcft Oak when the Trunk isdivided Irom the Roots. I . u c R E T I A being difmift, Catherine 8 f o r z a Princefs of Imo- U and Porii, told his Majefty that her Husband was treacheroufly murdcr'd by fome of his own Suhjeds, and flie with her Children remain'd in the hands of the Confpirators ; but her chief Citadel holding out ibr her, that (be might prevent the rum of the whole State, and free her felf from the Povver of thefe Traytors, ftie had promis'd to deliver the place to em, pro- vided they wou'd permit her to go into it, and difpofe the Garifon to furren- der ; and for performance of her word flie left her Children as Hoftages. But as Adv. 35* y^dvices from Panu(p^i. 6i as Toon as fhe got into the Ciradel, {])c threatcn'd 'em hom the Walls, that fhe wou'd cake vengeance on their Villany as they had defer v'd. The Conlpi- rators feeing themfelves thus deluded, piotefted that if fhe did not imme- diately perform her Agreement, they wou'd cut her Children in pieces be fore her eyes. But file not in the lea ll terrify'd, with a fupcrior Bravciy plucking up her Coats, biJ 'em do their worft with her Children, for fhd had the Mould ftill left to calt more. She defir'd tlierefore, that finte her he- roick Conftancv had been celebrated by all Hillorians, his Majcfly uou'J pleafe to alTign lier fuch a place in Parnalfus as he thought fhe deferv'd. THE Jutlges were divided in their Opinions upon this Requell: : for fome look'd on the Adion which this Lady had been boafting of, to be fcan- daloudy impudent ; but A poi. i, o was of a different Opinion : 'Twasthe duty indeed of private Ladys to contain themfelves ibidly within the bounds of Modefty ; but PrincelTes, he faid, wiio are of noble Blood, are oblig'd upon important occalions to put on a fublime manlinefs and courage. C I N o of Pif^oia way of A I'O llo's mind, and had a flight upon the occafion which ougiit to be related ;. he. faid, That the place well deferv'd to be feen by all men, from whence came out that illullrious Champion John de M e d i c i j, Father to the great Cosmo, who has immor- taliz'd his Name by having been the happy Founder of the Dukedom of J'ufcany, from which Italy now receives fuch ornament and fplendor, C A T H E K. I N E S F o R z A luviug obtaiii'd her Requefb, a Court-Norary gave his Majefty to underltand, that John Pico Count of Mirandola, the Phenix of all the Sciences, and fole Ornament of all Virtue, being dead fome da)'s before, had left a Legacy offixty thoufand Crowns to be be- rtow'd in pijus ufes at his Maiefty's direftion. Apollo gave order im- mediately tor laying out theMony upon an Hofpitul for the incurable, where fuch I'erlons fliould be charitably taken care oT, as labour'd under the Dif- cafc of Ambition ; from which Malady, the Wretches who are feiz'd with ic can ncv/er get free. TFiBN LiciNius MytCENAs, thedelight of this State, whofe Houfe is the Retreat ol the Ingenious, and the Afykim of the Learned, reprefented to hiS \iajelly, that by his having diflributed his whole Patrimony among the V iituod, he had acquir'd the noble Prerogative, that all the generous Pa- trons of Learning fhou'd from him be cali'd MitCENAs's: yet ic vcx'd him to think that his Name fliou'd be abus'd bv a poor ftarving Tribe of pretenders to Learning, who for the moft inconfiderable Reward prefcncly flatter their Patron with the Title of MftCENAS. Apollo fcem'd much concern'd at this Complaint ; and that fo glorious a Denomination miglu forever keep up its Reputation, he decreed, that upon pain of Infa- my no Perfon for the future fliou'd prefume to give it to any Prince wliat- ever, who had not fetti'd on him a good PenHon for Life. I'amfrlan tlic -Great next appcar'd before Apollo, in fuch Pomp and Majcliy as charm'd the whole Audience. The o.fnefs of his Face, and his llrange Habit, entertain'd the Literati at once with turiofity and wondrous pleafure. This Perfon, who was indeed extraordinary, and who alTum'd the glorious Tit'e of Emperor of the Eaft, Iiaving, according to the cuflom of his Country, falutcd Apollo by a fmall inclination ot the Head, cxprefs'd his difcontent, that tho to obtain an honorable Place in Par- Dafl^us he had rais'd himfelf by his Virtue from the poor condition of a Shepherd to fuch Greatnefs, as to be the cRablifher of a vaft Monarchy, and the fole Prince of the Univerfe, who had defeated in open Field the nume- rous Forces of the Ottomans, and taken prifoner the Prince of ^o formidable an 62 Advices from 'Varnajfm. Cent. i. an Empire, yet he found himfelf pofled only in the Clafs of famous Generals ; whereas he ought to have been rank'd among the Founders of great King- doms, as uere Romulus, Casak, Ph ak. amonp, Ot t o ma n, and many others. Apoi. 1. o told him, that there was a vaft difference between the over- running of Kingdoms with numerous Armys, and the erefting ot an Empire, and he thought he had but little reafon to claim equality with the Founders of Monarchys: for none were admitted into that Rank but thofe, who to their Valor in conquering had join'd Prudence in maintaining their Con- quefts ; for the firft is the work of many Hands, but the laft of one wife Head. And that in ParnalTus the glorious Title of Founder was granted only to thofe who had cftablifh'd fuch good Orders in the States they had conquer'd, as to have happily tranfmitted *em to late Pofterity. Now he had fallen fo fliort of this, that even his own Children could not enjoy what he had acquir'd with fo great efFufion of Blood. A po I LO told him further, that according to the great Tag i tus, no wife Prince or General ought * nova moliri nift frioribas frmatisy to at- tempt new things before the former were fettled : but he, by grafping at more than he cou'd hold, had imitated thofe Gluttons, who, eating more than they arc able to digell, are fliamefully forc'd to difgorge what they had fwaHow'd. And that he might not think himfelf hardly dealt with, his Majefty let him know, that Alexander the Great at his firft entrance into ParnalTus had ftickled very hard for the fame Honor, yet was refus'd it, by reafon of his indifcreet method of making War in Afia, which he rather over ran like a Captain of Robbers, than regularly conquer'd like a great Prince at the Head of an Army. Tamerlan in great afflidion left the Audience, when Alexan- der Velutelli advanced, and prefented his Majefty with his Com- mentary on Petrarc h. A p o l l o, before he took the Book, ask'd Velu- telli, what Method and Stile he had obferv'd in commencing upon the Verfes of that excellent Poet? Velutelli anfwer'd, that he had firft made it his bufinefs to fliew what Subjcfts were proper for Sonnets ; and next he gave the true fignification of the words, and explain'd the Feet's meaning. Apollo told him, then he might keep his Commentarys for Children and Fools; for the Commentators that pleas'd hJm were thofe whodifcover'd the Artfulnefs of the Poet in the Texture of his Poem, in what confil^ed the Excellency of the \ erfe, and which were the Colourings, the Imagery, the Figures, and other Beautys; and that the Italian Poems were plain enough of themfelves, and had no need of thofe dull Expofitors, whofe ignoble bufinefs was only to interpret words. WITH this fmali fatisfaflion Velutelli withdrew, and in his room came up a certain Perfon and told his Majel^y, That having been Lord of the famous Province of Pampliylia, he had willingly refign'd his Govern- ment out of the virtuous Inclination he had to a retir'd Life; therefore he defir'd a Place in ParnafTus among thofe Vjrtuofi, who have approv'd them- felves Mafters of that nwble Virtue Moderation. To which Apollo re- ply'd, that Princes indeed fometimes abdicate their Kingdoms out of Jove to the happinefs of a virtuous private Life ; fometimes in favor of their Children, wlio are arriv'd to an Age capable of governing ; fometimes to avoid the Tumults of the People, who hate 'em ; or in terror of fbme power- ful foreign Invafion ; and not i(£ldom out of Weaknefs and Ignorarrce which * Lib. 1 2. Ann, render Adv. 55- Advices from Parnaffm, 65 render 'em incapable of governing : therefore he would appoint Perfons to examine maturely this weighty Aiiair, and if they found that his renouncing a Kingdom, an Aftion fo contrary to human Inclination, proceeded purely from a Mind difpos'd to Virtue, he wou'd freely affign him a fublime Station in Parnadus, among thofe Demi-Gods who have done the fame, and the rather, bccaufc the execrable Ambition of Sway was now fo exor- bitantly increas'd among Mankind, that for the purchafe of a Scepter they not only perpetrated without fjiame the greatefl Villanys, but had the Ap- plaufe of the World too if they fucceeded. Again, if it Qiould appear that he had quitted the Government for the fake of his Children, or to have the pleafure of feeing it in his Life-time devolved on his own Blood, then he wou'd grant him an honourable place among thofe prudent Princes, who by a like Piadice have avoided ill Accidents from thofe who are impatient for the Succcfllon. But if it fhould be found, that he had only eas'd his Shoul- ders of a Weight at a time when great Souls fliou'd t!ie more have exerted their flrengtli to fupport it; or that he had rellgn'd out of mere weaknefs, itupidity, and incapacity for the Adminirtration, then he miglite'en go back as he came; for Parnaifus was noplace tor him, fincc it was not at all like thofe wretched Times of N f. ro, * quibus inertia, pyojapientiafuit, in which Slothfulncfs pafs'd tor Wifdom. I M M H Dl AT E LY after him the Duke of Rhodes, a man of ill Re- putation in this State upon the account of his brutal Vices, prefented himfelf to Apollo, complaining grievoufly of the Licentioulnel^s of his Sub)e£ls. He faidDrunkennefsand all manner of Debauchery reign'd among 'em above racafure, together with fuch implacable Hatred and Barbarity, that they made the Streets run with one another's Blood ; that they were profufe in Gaming, (that Seminary of Vice and Quarrels) and fquander'd away the Mony with which they ought to fupporr their Familys ; that Punifhments, which in other places were wont to deter Men trom Crimes, prov'd of no force in his State : therefore he befought his Majefty to prefcribe him fome eff'eftual Remedy againll: fo dangerous a Difcafe. Apollo anfwer'd the Duke, That fincc it could not be otherwife but that SubjcQs will copy after their Sovereigns, the only Expedient he cou'd furnifli him, was to amend his own leud Life, and when he himfelf had abandon'd Idlcncfs, Lutl, Gaming, and that habit of Blood and Cruelty to which he was fo much ad- dided, he might hope to obtain his Defircs : lor the true method of Cure is to begin at tlie Head of the Infcftion ; and as long as the World lafts, that Prince who is a Devil himlelt will have Devils for his SubjcLls. N EXT came a young Stoick of a very modefl Countenance, and com- plain'd grievoufly to Apollo, that being a Probationer of that Se6l, among whom he intended to have fpent his days, he had been exjiel'd without the leaflcaufe. Apollo ask'd Epictetus, who flood by, the meaning of this Severity. He rcply'd. That the reafon was, becaufe in fix whole Months, which was the time this Youth had fpent among 'em, they had never been able to dilcover in him the leafl Impcrfeftion, tho fevcral Philofo- phers had made it their bufinefs flridly to obferve liim. Apollo fliew'd a great abhorrence of this young Man, who tcem'd to all the Audience a Perlbn of wonderful Temperance and Sobriety, and freely told 'em, 'Jhat he muft of neccfFity have Diabolical Vices in Ambufcade, who wanted the Virtue or Difcrction of betraying fome human Frailty s. * Tacic. in V:t. Agric. THE 64 Advices from Varmjfui. Cent. i. T H li young Stoick being tlms difmifs'd, Giacomo Buokfadio came into the HjII in a great Rage, and acquainted his Maiefty, that the Genoele% having lent for him to write their Hirtory, had cruelly pcrfecuted him, and wrongfully accus'd him ot Crimes, en pretence of which they tot^k from him both Reputation and Lite ; and tlie true realbn was bccaufe they found him boldly refolv'd to ufe that liberty which becomes a good Hiftorian, and, without refptft of Perfons, to be impartial in his Nar- ration. Apollo, contrary to the opinion of all prefent, was fo far from ex- preffing any CompalTion for this Virtuofo's misfortune, that in a way of Re- ientmtnt he told him, that allowing the Charge againft him to be frivolous and talfe, yet he deferv'd fuch ulage for his Indifcretion. For, to profefs a Refolution of vVriiing 'iruths which are prejudicial to the Honor of great Men, while they or th.eir Children are living, is rather Imprudence and Te- merity, than the Virtue of a Mind uncorrupt and impartial: That none but a Fool cou'd hope to preferve his Life from the Anger of a great Man, whofe Reputation he had but (lightly wounded. Therefore Me[i of Senfe when they write Hillory take care to time things better, and take example by Gardincrs, who forbear gathering their Fruit before 'tis ripe and fit tor the Market. That T * c i t u ?, the Prince of all prudent Hiflorians, when he came to touch upon thofe great Senators, '^ qui Tiberio regnante peenam zel infamiam fubiere, who fulTcr'd any Tunifliment or Difgrace in the Reign of T I p. E R 1 u s, if any of their Pofferity were living, very wifely took oli' his Pen from the Paper, chufing rather to infringe the Laws of Hiftory, than refleft upon thofe Familyswho were known to value nothing fo much as their Honor ; for that excellent Man believ'd it too dangerous lor an Hifto- rian, ■]■ nimis ex propinquo diverfa arguere, to cenfure Aftions of too modem a date. WHEN B u o N F A D I o, vex'd at fo publick a Reprimand, had left the place, Zeno, that great Founder of the Stoical Se8:, came up, and faluting Apollo with inexprefTible Gravity, told him. That having undertaken a very remote Fmbaily, about Affairs of great importance to the Prince of Gnidus, before he fet out he was come to pay his Vifit of Leave, and kifs his Majefly's F^ands. Apollo, fpying that Prince himlelf in the Audi- ence, call'd to him. and ask'd him uuh a (fern countenance, Whether he cou'd find no other in Farnaffus for this Imployment than a Sroitk, and whe- ther Avarice or a worfe defign mov'd him to this Choice? After this he feverelv hltm'd that Sc£f, who having openly renouncM all Ambition and worldly Fomp, wind themfelves neveithelefs into Employments of State, in which the greateli Impietys being often committed, the unskilful fhou'd not only be kept from having any hand in 'em, but even from the very knowlcdg of 'em too. His Maiefty then turn'd towards Zeno, and with like Indignation told him, that having devoted himfelf to one Protedion, he had adted very fcandaloufly in undertaking another. That the Founder c^ fo illunriousa Society ought to fhew the utmoft abhorrence for the luxurious Courts ot Piinces, and by abfolutely refufing to intermeddle in their Affairs, convince Mankind that I'acitus fpoke not Truth, when he call'd the Stoicks an arrogant Se£l, d^ qu£ turbidos, & negotioriim appetentesfaciaty and that makes Men turbulent, and ambitious of Employments. W I T H this Oifgrace Zeno was diimifs'd, when feveral Princes pre- fented themfelves in a Body before Apollo, and told him, that they were * lib. 4, Ann. t Ibid. extremelv Adv. 35- Advices from Tama ffnu 65 extremely dcfirous to learn the Sciences, and had a profound VciK-ration for il:c Liberal Arts ; but that the Mountain of Learning was fo (K-ep, cr.tggy and difficult of Afcent, tliat many kill'd themfclvcs before they coud leach the top, or got nothing for their Pains but crack'd Brains, bad hyes, PtiHcKs, Confumptions, and eternal Fits of the Spleen ; tlierefore they humblv be- fought his Majefly, to give orders that the Pa lies of this Mountain might be made more pradicable, tliat Princes who were not accuftom'd to fuch fatigues, might be encouraged to attempt the Afcent. Apollo anfwer'd, that the only way to facilitate this Journy was tobe feivently inlove with Learning, and to take delight in Study, and in attentive reading the Labors of the Learned. But Princes, w!:o wallow in Wealth, and indulge therafelvcs in all the exquifite Delights they can wifli for, are apt to fdncy that the Sciences may be learn'd in the mid fl of their Paflimes and Pleafures, and are very loth to beat any pains about 'em. That thofc who fincerely dcfire to afcend the Mountain, ought to fliake olT Sloth, and take courage by the Example of Francesco Ma- KiA nE'LA RovERH, who, to the glory of the Liberal Arts, and the Honor of all the Princes of Italy, was the molt univerl'ally and deeply lear- ned Perfon this. Age has produc'd. In fine, that, like him, they ought to cfteem Learning hot difficult Labor^ but a delightful Recreation; and thus by carrying thisthought wtth ''eitj, they wou'd gain the top of the Hill "vith as much eafe, as if they loll'd and were drawn up in their Coaclies and fix. THEIR HighnefTes feem'd to retire very well fatisfy'd with this Anfwer, and in the next place enters LucaGaurico, and tells A p o l l o, that having prophefyM to John Bentivoglio, the Tyrant of liologna, that he fhou'd that year be driven from his Country aitd Dominions, which punduallycamc to pifs, that inhuman Prince made his Officers fcize him upon it, and give him the Strapada five fcvcral times, by which his Bones were almoll broken, and his Reputation quite raaim'd ; therefore he cdrneftly beg'd his Majefty toexprefs fuch a refentment of this fignal Bar- barity, as liis great Wifdora fliould think fit. Apollo, la r from fhewing the leaft fign of Compaffion, laugh'd hear- tily at G Au R ICO, andask'd him, by what Art he had divin'd that this CaJ.miity fliou'd befal Bentivoglio? Gaurico anfv/er'd, by the excellent science ol judicial Alhoiogy, to which he had much apply'd him- fclf. A HO L LO ask'd him again, how that Aftrology which had difcover'd to him the niislortunes ot another, had not forewarn'd him of his own ? Kcciufe, la>s G auri co, my Father neglected to inform me of the mi- nutc of my Nativity. Apollo fmiPd, and in contempt of G aurico's ridiculous Studys told him, he was an egregious Fool, and deferv'd what had befall'n him ; for wife Men carefully avoid being the MefTengers of ill xN'eus, even to People of theloweft rank, much more to Princes, whofe ears aie fo delicate, as to be wounded with every thing but pleafant founds : therefore 'twas more [lolitick at leaft, to flatter 'em with predictions of a long and profperous Reign, and al! the Happinefs they can defire. But when a foolilh Sot of a Star-gazer has the impudence out of his lying Figures to pro"- nofticate death or any other great misfortune to Princes, who of all men are moft icdlousot their Lives and Profperity, it looks as if the prophefying Rafcal wifh'd 'em the Miferys he foretold. Gaurico march'd orl in the dump^ ; and in his place appear'd the Count of St. Paul, a French Nobleman, full of bitter Complaints againft Lewis XI. of France, who perfidioully took off his Head, after having K granted 56 Advices from ParnaffHf. Cent. i. L L O granted Iiim a Paidon, and ratify'd it with folemn Oaths. A i> o with great Civility told the Count:, that lie had not fo much reafon to blame the King as his own Imprudence ; for when SubjeQs had been once fo rafii as to take up Arms agaiull their Prince, they were notorious Fools if ever they truftcd him after. For fince'tis the utmoft difgrace to a State, to let a Man walk the Streets who has plotted his Sovereign's Death, 'tis no won- der if Princes think it lefs dilhonor to bieak their Faith, than endure fuchara Eye.fore. Ihcrefore fuch Pardons only were to be rely'don which pro- claim'd a Prince's Clemency, not fuch as expos'd his Weaknefs or Pufillani- mity. IMMF DIATELY after came John PaulLancelotto, a famous Civilian of Perugia, and prefented Iiis Majedy with a Commen- tary he had newly compos'd on his own admirable Book of Canonical Infti- tution. Apollo receiv'd him very gracioufly, but told him withal, that he had been ill advis'd to write a Comment on fo perfed a work ; for men of his eminent Learning, who are Mafters of the Subject they treat up- on, ufe an artful and vigorous brevity, and give their Reader in a fliort view the Quinteflence they have laborioufly extracted from the moft: abftrufe Sciences; which fhews, that they write to men of Judgment, and leaving their Books without any Comment, they make it appear to the World, that what is obfcure and difficult to others, was plain and eafy to them. Now 'tis the bufinefs of ctl.cr Virtuofi to add Notes to 'em afterward, in which they frequently adcrn 'em with variety of meanings, and out of their all-pene- trating Wit make 'em fpeak a thoufand fine things which the Author never dreamt of: That this had luckily befai'n the great Aristotle, who has receiv'd a wonderful Lufl re from the ingenious Averroes, and Ho- mer himfelf, who (above all Authors) has been infinitely advantag'd by his learned Commentators. THE laft that api^ar'd was the Emperor Claudius Nero, who gave A 1' o L L o to underftand, that having at length difcover'd the fcanda- lous Incontinence of his Wile A g r i p p i n a, who had ftoop'd to the vile Imbraces of his Slave Pallas, he was refolv'd to make fuch a publick example of her, as he had done of Messalina her virtuous Prede- ceiror; but that this infamous Woipan had given him the flip, and taken fanfluary in the Houfe of one of the Mufes : therefore he intreated his Majefly to order her to be turn'd out, that he might wafh off' this Stain with her Blood. Apollo was never in a greater heat, no not in the fiery Houfe of Leo, than at the requell of this Emperor, whom with a menacing Voice and Gerture he commanded to begone from his Prefence ; for if a Man's firft Wife prov'd a Whore 'twas her fault, but if he marry'd a fecond 'twas his own ; and he that fhou'd run twice into the fame pit of infamy, deferv'd to be bury'd in it lor his folly. ADVICE Adv. ^6. Advices from Tarnajfm. (,j AD VICE XXXVI. Apollo difcoVers Harpocrates to k a mere Ignoramus^ and turns htm out of Tarnaffa^ with difgrace. THIS morning, on a fudden, A p o l L o fent for H a r p o c r A t e s> that great Mafter of Silence, and told him, that having hitherto ad- mir'd him for his profound Taciturnity, he had now a mind for variety te hear him difplay his Farts in Difcourfe ; for Silence is only admirable in one, who can when he pleafes triumph by his Eloquence, and charm with his wife Convcrfation. Harpocrates upon this llirug'd up his fhoulders, and made dumb figns, Apollo bid him lay afide that Affectation, and begin : but he only (hook his head, and ftood with his finger on his mouth like an Idiot, Whereupon his Majefty, provok'd with this Mimickry, commanded him to fpeak immediately on pain of his difpleafure. Har- pocrates feeing no remedy, draws upclofe to Apollo, and whif- pers him very foftly in his ear this fage Remark ; That fince the World was grown fo deprav'd, they ought to be efteem'd moft wife who had Eyes to fee, a Judgment to obferve, and the Wit to hold their tongues. HIS Maiefty fell into a rage at this impertinent Anfwer, and turning to thofe that ftood near him, told 'em, he was at la ft convinced that this Mumpfimus Philofopher was an empty infignificant Coxcomb, and a lump of ufelefs Gravity. Therefore he com.manded him to pack up immediately and turn out from Parnaffus, to increafe the Herd of thofe Buffleheads, with which the World is fo plentifully ftock'd, who, under a formal faceofWif- dom and aftefted Silence, conceal the grolTeft ignorance and moft brutal ftu- pidity. ADVICE XXXVII. A Learned ^oman petitions Apollo for a 'Prefcription to make him forget Jome great Injurys he had receiVd in the Qourt of a certain Trince : his Majejly gi^es him a draught of the Waters of Lethe, hut with til Succcfs. YESTERDAY the learned Roman, who arriv'd here fome days ago being admitted to Audience, told his Majefty, that it made him very uneafy when he reflefted upon the many Injurys he had rccciv'd from his Enemys at the Court of a certain Prince, where Fraud and Circumven- tion are prac^is'd in tlieir liigheft perfection ; and it vex'd him the more, be- caufe he cou'c! not be reveng'd on 'em w ithout his own ruin. On the other hand, he own'd tl at he did not find he was cndu'd with the Virtue of For- givenefs. Therefore to free himfdf from this hellifli Torment which plagu'd him perpetually, he thought proper to apply to hisMajefty's Benevolence, for fome prefent remedy to clear his Mind of all uneafy PafTions. K 2 Apollo 68 AAvkes from Parnaffus. Cent. i. A p o L I. o difcover'd a more than ordinary CompaflTion lor the mifery of tliis Gentleman, and order'd a great glafs ot the Water of Lethe to be giv'n liim prelently, yet fo qualify'das to make him forget part Injurys, but not BeneHts receiv'd. The Gentleman greedily drank off the potion ; which, to tfie aftonilhment of all, was found not to have the due effeft : for tho it obli- terated the memory of thofe Injurys he had receiv'd from his Inferiors, the Wrongs his Superiors had done him were rather aggravated by it, and fixM the deeper in his mind. 'Ihis caus'd a murmuring among the Speftators, and presently they fell to railing at the Poets for having cxtol'd the Lethaean Waters more than they deferv'd, fince their virtue prov'd not fo great as had been pretended. But his Majetty ailur'd 'em that they had, and ever wou'd have the fame virtue, tho they had not wrought the defir'd effeft up- on this Gentleman ; for which the reafon was, that Perfons of noble Blood and generous Souls have a peculiar cuftom to write in Sand the Injurys they receive from the Vulgar, but to engrave indelibly on folid Marble the Af- fronts that are put upon 'em by the Great ; it being natural to 'em to forget Oftenccsout of Magnanimity, but not to pardon 'em out of NecelTity. ADVICE XXXVIII. 7he Tr'mce of Laconia is accus'd before Apollo for exorhttant Grants to bis FaVorite Secretary , but defends himfelf to aJmiratm, TH E prefent Prince of Laconia has advanc'd his chief Favorite from a poor Fortune to the higheft- Dignitys. He has not only admitted him into the Laconian Senate, a Preferment courted even by great Princes, but has enrich'd him too with vaft Revenues, and made him be honor'd and refpefted equal to the greateft Subjeft in the State. Now a little while ago, fome who pin'd with envy at the fudden Rife of this Minifter, accus'd the Prince before Apollo for idolizing his Favorite. The heinoufnefs of the Crime fo irritated his Majeffy, that without firfl inquiring into the truth of the Charge, he fent for Lewis Pulci, Provoff Marfhal of this State, and threaten'd to punifli him feverely, if within half an hour he brought not the Prince of Laconia before him bound in Chains, and with all other marks of Difgrace. PuLCi diligently executed his orders, and drag'd the Prince loaded with Irons into his Majefty's Prefence ; who no fooner had notice of his being feiz'd, than he order'd the M a r. t e l l I's of Florence, who are the pub- lick Ringers of ParnafTus, to toll the biggeft Bell to alTemble the Judges. WHEN they were fat and the Prifoner brought to the Bar, Apollo read his Accufaiion, and all inflam'd with anger told him, that he'd allow him but half an hour for his Defence ; before which, as if his Cafe had been defperate, he declar'd, that for fuch a bafenefs he fhou'd be condemn'd to eternal Infamy. But the Prince, not at all concern'd, thus began his Vindi- cation. GREAT SIR, and Father of the Virtuofi ! my Confcience is fo for- tify 'd with Innocence, and I am fo well affur'd that in every adionof my Life I have acquitted my felf with Honor, that I will be bold to affirm I havenot in the leafl: merited your Majeffy's Difpleafure : and hence it is, that neither your Anger, nor the dreadful Sentence of Infamy you havi haftily Adv. 38. Jdvict's from ParnaffuS. 6^ hallily prnnouncM againll mc unheard, do (Irikc mc with theleaft Tcrrcri I am onlv amaz'd lo Ice, wliat 1 never bcliev'd, that the tbuinct'sof an AcculU- tion fhou'd be alone luflkicnc to tmlangei the Reputation ot a Terfon of my- Rank, ev'n in this lulk-llot all 1 libunais. But I rii()n'.it totlie will ot Hca-, ven, which has always been pleas'd, that the Gold ot Innocence iTiou'd he refin'd by the Fire ot Calumny and I'erfecution. THAT I have heap'd more Rewards on my Favorite than even my Hne- mys have informd your Maielly, is what 1 freely avow ; and I am only griev'd that I have not fully dii'charg'd my debt of Gratitude to (o faithful a Friend. This I dare affirm, that it thofe who are fo forward to accufe me and other Princes of fuch Crimes, were not blinded by Malice, butwou'd impartially weigh the Merits of Court- Favorites, they wou'd frequently call that a iuft Liberality which they now (lile inconfiderate Profufenefs, and that a virtuous and well grounded Aifedion which they now blacken with the infamous denomination of idolizing a Favorite. But alas! the Vul- gar are incapable of penetrating * Jbditos PrincipU jenfm, & fi qmd occul' tiftspxraf, the hidden thoughts of Princes, and their fecret defigns. Fronn whence it comes to pafs, that to the Difhonor of great men, they interpret generous and grateful AQions to be the vicious eftetts of a diltemper'd iVIind. THE Principality of the Laconians, as your Majefty knousvery \»el!, iseledive; and the neighbouring Princes have always had greater intercft in it, than even thofe that reign there, not only becaule eleftive Monarchs en- deavor to fecure potent Friends to thofe of their Blood, after their own death, but becaufe thofe bordering Princes make their conftaiit application a- mong the Hlleftors againft the next Vacancy, and court their Friendlhip by the Arts that are ufually praftis'd on fuch Occallons. Your Majeity knou"s- too that the King of Macedonia by his intrigues had got fo great an intcreil in my Principality, and was grown fo powerful above all the Grecian Prin- ces, that he was not only become the abfoluce Arbitrator of all Greece, buc openly afpir'd to univerfal Monarchy. Nor is it unknown to you, how un- der pretence of Friendfhip and Protedion to the Princes of Laconia, he infidi- oufly contrivd their ruin. And becaufe the power of the King of Epirus was t'le chief obftacle to his Defign, he procur'd by bribes and fecret prac- tices thofe Infurreftions in that Kingdom, which brought the Affairs of the Epirotsto fo low an ebb. Mv prudent PredecelTor therefore knowing that the Conquefl of Epirus wou'd be the Prologue to that of Laconia, to ft-' p the precipitate Ambition of fo potent an Enemy, dctermin'd to fend power- ful Succors to the relief of his dillrefs'd Neighbour, but unfortunately dy'd amidll thcfc prudent Refolutions, and with llrong prelumptions too of hav- ing been poifon'd by the procurement of the Macedonian, who cou'd brook no difappointment in his Defigns. THIS was the miferable pofture of Affairs when I was promoted to this Dignity, and to avoid the fate of my PredecelTor in the firft months of my Reign, I feign'd my felf very remifs, negligent and unskilful in the Management, fpending my whole time in domeflick Affairs, reforming the iMagif^racy, and that Corruption of Manners which had overfpread my Dominions, profeffing my felf outwardly a mortal Enemy to the King of Epirus, but fully convmc'd in my heart what game the Macedonian was playing, and that the King of Epirus's misiortune wouM foon be mine, I refolv'd therefore to afTift him, but thought it abfblutely requifite to do ic with the f^riQeft fecrecy. Now 'tis well known to your Majeffy and the » Tacit, lib. 6. Ann. honorable yo Ad-vices from 'Varnafjus, Cent. i. honorable Bench, that Secrecy is an Advantage harder to be obtained in an eleftive State than in any other whatever ; tor Mankind is fo deprav'd, that in fuch Governments the Minifters are generally no better than Mer- chants, and their whole Ihidy is to make the mod of their Imployments for the filling of their Purfcs. In this perplexity of Affairs, not daring to truft thofe Secretarys whom I knew tor certain to have been formerly Penfio- ners to Foreign Princes, Providence, to which I wholly acknowledg fo great a Favour, dirccled me to pitch upon this honeft Friend, whofe great Worth I fV.ould wrong by the mean appellation of Servant ; I had experi- cnc'd his Fidelity to me in my private condition for eight whole years, and now freely difclos'd to him this important Secret, which I was even afraid to dream of: then w as I convinc'd, that the beft Qualification in a Secretary is not, as many think, Kloquence or Difpatch, but faithfulnefs in keeping Counfel. I made ufe of this Minifter with fuch fuccefs, as to outwit that wily Macedonian, v\hich none cou'd do before me tho ever fo expert : by this means I fuccour'd my Friend, whom I publickly pretended to perfecute, nor cou'd any Man ever dive into my Countels : In fliort, I have been a lucky Proficient in the Art of deceiving the Mafters of Deceit, by beating 'em with their own Weapons. By fuch virtuous Diflimulation have I re- triev'd the Affairs of E p i r u s almoft defperate ; and rais'd that State to the fublime degree of being fole Arbitrator of Greece. On the contrary, the Ma- cedonians, who proudly foar'd at univerfal Monarchy, and thought in lefs than a month to have fwallow'd up half the Univerfe, are fo fallen from their towring hopes of ruling their Neighbours, that they have enough to do to defend themfelves. Apollo having heard this Speech, defcended from his Throne, and ran with inexpreflible Joy to imbrace the Prince of Laconia, to whom in great tendernefs he cxprefs'd himfelf in thefe words. O happy Sovereign of that noble People, who are renown'd for their fhort and oomprehenfive Elo- quence 1 Your Behaviour has been like a Man of Honor towards a Perfon of ttie moft amazing Virtue : And 1 am fatisfy'd, that few Senators are to be found in your State of equal merit to this your excellent Friend, on whom if youcouM fettle your whole Dominions, you wou'd yet dy in his debt : tor in thefe treacherous times, when the Secrets of mofl Princes are fold to the higheft bidder, a faithful Secretary can never be fuiBciently rewarded. ADVICE XXXIX. The ^nncc of the IJlund of Mitylene being dead without Iffue, the Teopk debate, whether 'twill be beji to chufe a new 'Princey or ercFt them- fclVes into a free State. TH V King of Mitylene dy'd not long ago without IlTue, being the lali of the Royal Line. Whereupon the Inhabitants of that famous Ifland debated in feveral Aflemblys, whether 'twere beft to continue the Monarchy, and proceed to the Eleftion of a new King, or take up that no- ble R.;folution wliich has made fo many People happy, of ereSing them- felves lufo a free State. Great and dangerous Contentions arofe upon this imporiani Affair ; and we are informed that in the laft AlTembly which was held to determine it, one of the chief Citizens arguM to this effed. Dear Adv. 99. Advices from Farnajfm, ^i Dear Fellow Citizens I THE two principal Bleflings which Heaven beflows on the Inhabitants of this lower World are to be born Men, not Beafts ; and to be free, not flaves : for what greater happinefs can we pofTefs in this mortal Life than to be obedient only to the jufl: Laws of God and Man ? What can equal the ineftimable advantage of having our Lives, Eftates and Reputations fecur'd from the fantaftick Will of one man, which is fubjeft to fo many extrava- gancys ? There is no one here more fully convinced than my felf, that the Gift of Liberty is the loveliefl: and moft valuable Pledg of Heaven's peculiar Favor : Whoever is not tranfported with its divine Charms, has neither eyes nor underftanding ; and he that endeavors not with all his might to pro- cure it to himfelf and his Country, is a Traytor to both. But let us confi- dcr, my Friends, that perfeft Liberty, as 'tis the moft precious of all Jew- els, fo 'tis the moft fcarce. 'Tis indeed Heaven's peculiar Manufa£lure, ra- ther than the Work of men; like the Diamond or Carbuncle, form'd only by a mighty celeftial Influence, and the Counterfeits of which are bale and of little value. If 'twere pofiiblc to ere£l a free State as eafily as you feem to imagine in thofe Countrys that have been long fubjeft to Monarchi- cal Government, all Nations of the Earth wou'd labour lor fo great a Feli- city, and not one Monarchy wou'd be left in the world. But fince there are many Monarchys and few Republicks, we muft needs confefs, that to cftablifh Liberty in a Country, is a Task rather to be ftiPd imponTible than difficult ; 'tis what we ought with fervent Prayers to implore as a divine Gift, rather than hope for it from human Prudence. If you urge the Example of the feveral Republicks now erefted in Germany, to the great happinefs of that People : I anfwer, Precedents are no Argument, ex- cept where the fame Circumftanccs concur ; and too great is the difpropor- tion between the Germans, who are born in a ftate of half-liberty, from which 'tis eafy to pafs into perfeft freedom, and us, who having always been in ab- folute fubjedion to our Princes, cannot pafs into the other extreme without the apparent hazard of ruin. I grant that Princes are fometimes capricious, infolent and brutal, and that to fecure our fclves from thofe Ills is a mighty happinefs. But you murt allow me on the other hand, that there is not in the world a more capricious, infolent or brutal Government, thau that of an ill- order'd and tumultuous Republick. All who have written or argued of Po- liticks confefs, that a People like our felves, who have been born in fervi- tude, and habituated to it from their Infancy even to their decrepit Age, are wholly incapable of living free; for Commonwealths are rather inltituted and maintain'd by the natural difpofition of the Citizens to Liberty, than by the Laws themfelves. And as a young Vine grows quickly dry, if planted about an aged Tree, but flourifhes and bears plenty of Fruit, if wedded to fome tender Plant of a proportionable Age ; fo Liberty difdains to be join'd to tlie faplefs Trunk of a People grown old in flavery : or if it take root for the prefent, the Ambition of the Nobles, and fadious Humor of the Com- mons, will foon deftroy the young Plant, by fucking from it the radical moi- fture that gives it Lite. THIS Truth isen^inently confpicuous in the grcateft example of all part and prefent free States, the immortal Republick of Venice. That mighty People was once a fmall Shrub, to which the tender Vine of Liberty being eafily loin'd, took fuch deep root that it flourifhes even to this day, and en- riches tl;e Proprietors with its moft delicious Fruit, BUT we deceive our fclves to think we can change our Cufloms on a fudden as eafily as we do our Clothes. The Maxims of Liberty are not fo looQ "fX Advices from Parnajf^s. Cent. i. foon learnt ; 'tis no fuch eafy matter to have a Soul ferene In all its operati- ons, to honor a Citizen becaufe a Magilirate, tho ctherwife your Inferior ^ to be rich and young, yet very refpeQtul tothe poor and old ; to love your Country above all things under Heaven, nay more than your Children and Eftates ; to prefer the publick Good to private Intcreft ; to give impartial Judgment both in criminal and civil Caufes, even when your b.fl Friends or Relations are concernM ; to tremble at the feverity ot the Laws in a free State; to enjoy the Wealth of a Prince, yet have only the Inclinations and Defiles of a private Citizen ; to put on that Humility as to beg a Vote from one much beneath you ; to obferve a moft religious Secrecy in Affairs of State. In fine, to pofTefs all thofe Qualifications, which are worthy of a man who is free, and which may be obferv'd in every Noble Venetian, is not an Art to be learnM from Books, but Endowments which thofe only who are born in free Country s bring into the World with 'em, and have fuck'd in with their Mothers milk. I F you fend to Venice, as I hear many of you are inclin'd to do, to obtain from that excellent'.Republick a Scheme of their Laws and Maxims of Liber- ty, doubtlefs they will give you fuch as are indeed wonderful : But Laws, like Garments, fit not all Perfons. Too great were the Indulgence of Hea- ven to man, it' when he's fcorch'd with the Rays of the Sun in Summer, he cou'd tranfplant the biggeft Plane-tree that grows m the Woods into his own Garden, and there enjoy the benefit of its fhade. The tender Plant of Li- berty is rear'd with great difficulty ; it muft be perpetually water'd and prun'd with Laws adapted to frefli occafions that happen every day : and we muft be content to wait with patience too for its increafe. fince Heaven has ordain'd that Trees and Commonwealths which live long, fhou'd grow up flowiy, and bear their Fruits but late. The glorious Liberty of Venice had much ado to attain to what the world now fees it; its firll Planters rea^M no advantage but the honor of their labor. Yet now theii Pofl.erity, even to the twentieth Generation, enjoy its verdure, fliade, and Irefhnefs : for tho it has ftood above eleven hundred years, 'tis not fo long that it has gain'd ftrength enough to wichftand t:e ftormy Infults of foreign Ambition, and the chilling Frofts of homebred Fadions. A D D to this, my Fellow-Citizens, that 'tis not fo much its excellent Laws that maintain the Republick of Venice in perpetual Greatnefs, as its wonderful fituation even in the bofom of the Sea, an advantage of which we can never partake. ALL wife Statefmen agree, that in every Uxc State the Scnat is the Heart, the very Fountain of Life. Now skilful Swordfmen, when they wou'd difpatch their Hnemy quickly, direft their Pa Acs at his Heart: thus Princes too, who wou'd overthrow Republicks, flrike at the Metropolitan .City, from whence the Senat being once difpers'd and put to flight, the Heart of the Republick is transfix'd, and fhe dys immediately ; a defed to which Monarchys are not fubjcQ, whofe ffrength is always feen to be where the Perfon of the King is : as the Duke of Guife found tohiscoft, who by making himfelf Matter of Paris, rather hatten'd his own ruin, thanadvanc'd his greatnefs. 1' H E Truth which I affirm is evident from the Example of J u l i us CasAR, who defigning to make himfelf the Tyrant of his Country, ha- ften'd to Rome that he might difTipate the Senat, and take pofleffion of that City, which Pompey fo imprudently had abandon'd. Hannibal, too, that great JVIafter of the Art of War, and Glory of Africa, had the fame defipn before, but fail'd in the attempt. And in after Ages of the World, ^ ' the .Adv. 39. Advices from Parnafuf. 75 the Emperor Charlhs V. Founder of the Greatnefs of the Spanifli Monarchy, was fully convinc'd of the fame Truth, and praftis'd this Policy againft the Florentines and People of Sienna. But this mortal Wound could not be given to theRepublick of Venice by tjie mofl: potent Enemys flie ever had ; for which flic may thank the Indulgence of Nature, who has fe- cur'd her Metropolis, where the Senate refides, with the impenetrable For- tifications of Ftnb and Marfhcs. NOW from what I have faid, I think I may fairly conclude, that thofe who are for fetting up Liberty in our Country, defire indeed a thing much to be coveted, but fail in Prudence if they attempt it : And that the Intentions of fuch as wou'd have a Prince are good, and their Counfels moft advife- able. I have done, when I have intreated of you this one thing, that before we come to a Refolution in this moll important Affair, you wou'd all re- member that the Nobility of Florence, who, by reafon of the Extravagance of the feditious Populace, cou'd never fct up perfe6l Liberty in their Counti'y, after being weary'd out with the cruel and blooly Infolencies of the Vulgar, were torc'd to call in a Foreign Tyrant, the Duke of Athens, to punifh with the greatcft Severity that unruly People who had made fo ill a ufe of Liberty. THE wifeft Heads were fenfible of the great weight of thcfe Reafon^. But the Multitude wou'd not be perfuaded to chufe a new Prince ; for it wascarry'd by the Majority that they fliou'd live free, and fend EmbalTa- dors to Venice, to learn from that Republick the Laws ot Liberty, which accordingly was done. THE Venetians entertain'd the Embaffadors with incredible Magnifi- cence, and with all poiTible exprefiions of Friendfliip, They gave 'em an Infight into their Conftitution, and fliew'd 'em a Draught of all their Culloms and Laws ; which the EmbalTadors having diligently copy'd, fook their leaves. When they were return'd to Mitylene, they gave an account of their Nego- tiation, and in full Senate read all the Laws they had brought with 'em, which yet gave but little Satisfaftion either to the Nobles or the Populace ; for the latter cou'd not bear to be excluded, as they were by the Venetian Laws, from all fliare in the Government, and faid, that a Country deferv'd not the Name of Free, where all had not a Capacity to command. The rich Noblemen too, who under the Monarchy had known the Advantage of having a Friend at Courr, and had been accuftom'd to wind themfelves iato profitable Imploymcnts in the Migirtracy, llorm'd outright, and faid, 'I'hat muft be a wretched Country indeed, where a Man could not make free ufe of his Mony ; for what is it good for, if nothing's to be bought but Food andRaymtnt? And if Honors and Dignitys are not to be purchas'd, who wou'd take the trouble to grow rich? Befides, 'tis much better lor Citizens to be govern'd by a Prince, whofe good- will there are a thoufand ways to acquire, than by inexorable Laws adminifter'd by a numerous Senate, where fmall Bribes are but thrown away, and great ones not eafily rais'd. Be- fides, in Monarehys the chief Nobility leap into the principal Offices at firff, which they muli wait for a great while in a Republick ; where 'tis a mifera- ble thing, in concurrence with the pooreft Senators, to be necclTitated to be- gin at the loweft Offices ; and the Advance is fo fiow and gradual, that a Man's Life is fcarce fufficient to reach the fupreme Dignitys : and then the rigid Maim of beflowing Offices only on Perfons of Merit, was one of thofc ways that Tyrants had formerly invented, to bring down the Men of Power and Blood, and to exalt the Mean and Ignoble. L BUT 74 Advice f from Tarnajfrn! Cent. i. BUT nothing difgufted the major part of the Nobility more than the fevere Office of the Venetian Cenfors, vvliofe bufinefs is to go about conti- nually, and flriftly obferve each particular man's Manners and Behaviour. This made 'em freely fay, fince that Rcpublick was fo rigorous to\\'ards their Nobility, the Noble Venetians were Slaves in their Liberty, and the People of Mitylene free in their Slavery. In dread of all which Evils they cry'd out one and all with a loud Voice, Monarchy ! Monarchy ! Or if any were for fetting up Liberty in Mitylene, they fhou'd firft burn the Laws and Statutes, for they look'd on that only to be perfeft Liberty where all com- manded, none obey'd, but every one did juft what he pleas'd. ADVICE XL. James Creyton, a Scotchman, haying hy an bifolent 'Deft' ance incem'd the Vtrtmft^ is fent packing from ^aniajjfti^ by a Saty- rical Jejl. A FEW days ago, James Creyton the Scotchman, that learned Miracle, arnv'd at this Court, with fuch Pomp, Vain-glory and Oftentation, that there was a kind of uproar about it. The Vulgar were all in profound Admiration, and the chief Literati as much difgulted, that a pert young Fellow fhou'd pretend at the Age of 25 to be Mafter of all the Sciences, when they all know fourfcore years little enough to attain Per- fe£lion in one. This bold Champion, the day after his arrival, caus'd Bills to be polled up on the Doors of all the Schools, and the Pillars of the Delphick Portico's, with a huge Infcription in large Capitals. NOS JACOBUS CRYTONIUS SCOTUS CUICUNQUE REI PROPO- SITiE EX IMPROVISO RESPONDEBIMUS. WejAMES Creyton of Scotland will undertake to anfwer extempore to any Que- flion that fhall be propos'd to us. THE Virtuoh were lo netrl'd at this arrogant Challenge, that they fell to arming immediately for the Encounter, and furnifh'd themfelves with fuch knotty Arguments in the moft abftrufe Sciences, that they made no queftion of laying him upon his back at the firft grapple: but an unlucky Wag of a Satyrical Poet prevented the Combat, and fpoil'd the whole fport; for the next night after the Bills were fet up, he writes underneath, "And " whoever has a mind to fee this famous Scotchman, let him repair to the " Falcon Inn, where he is to be feen at any time of the day. THIS bitter Jeft flung Creyton to the very Soul, infomuch that full of fbame and confufion he troop'd away from Parnaffus ; having firft let his Majefty know, that he thought he cou'd not in honor live among thofe Virtuofi, who had been fo uncivil as to treat a Man of his Parts like a Juggler or Mountebank. ADVICE Adv. 41' Advices from Farnaffus. 75 ADVICE XLf. . ll)e VjClvU GoVenimrrits in TainaJjM arc jilld up, and a Lift of the Governors is puljh/h'd. AFTER long expe61:ation, yefterday, to the general faiisfaftion of all People, was publifli'd a Lift of Officers in the Government of this State. The extraordinary Diligence and Circumfpeftion which his Ma- jcfty and his Miniflers us'd in tlie Choice of 'em, is not to be exprefsM other- wife than by faying, 'twas futable to an Affair of fuch vaft Importance, 'J'heir firl^ care was to chufe Perfons of great Experience, and fuch as were grown old in Magiftracy, that they might avoid the abfurdity of putting Boys to govern Men ; or according to the Proverb, Che i Folledri non hab- bianoaporla B.irdelU a^ ilozzoni : That the Colts might not put Trammels on their Maflers. One thing was very obfervablc, that amidft fo great a number of Candidates, they pitch'd upon Men of the flowen: Capacity, and moft phlcgmatick Temper, fuch as feem'd altogether unqualify'd, and it)cfted all the fprightly Genius's who appeared mofl worthy of Prefer- ment. The Reafon was, becaufe the Examiners were abfolutely of opinion, that your Mercuriaiifls, your volatile Wits, have tpo much Fire in their make to govern others, fince they have need of a Curb to keep 'cm from breaking their own Necks. For the World has fufficicntly experienc'd that fuch Sparks are too whimfical, and rather plague the People than promote their Peace and Satisfaflion, which ought to be the chief ftudy of all Governors. 'Tis a Maxim too among the EIe6lors,that he fucceeds beft in the Government ofa City, who being of a ftay'd Temper, can buckle to his bufinefs, and live conllantly upon the fpot as if he were rooted there: for the World, which very much governs it i'elf, is too much imbroil'd by the Chimera's of fome IharpWits, and refHefs Brains, * qui iHternpeJlivis re/nediis deli^a accendunt^ who by unfeafonable Applications mflame the Difeafe. Hence 'twas that in the Examination made about this weighty Affair, the Eledors did not re- ie£l th.e Ignorant, but only the Overwife, who run all upon Projefts and new Inventions, and are Enemy s to thofc^old rooted Culloms, which they who fhould go abouc to mend, will only bring diliurhance into the world. They made it their bullncfs to find out iVIen of a liberal Education, and flexible Temper ; nor wou'd they on any account admit of a Governor, who had not for tour years together ftudy'd this important point of Philofophy, To live and let others live. A Principle which comprehends all that can be cx- peded Irom a « i(e Governor. i\ O R did they think it foneccffary that fuch a one fhou'd be thorowly vers'd in Laws and Statutes, as in the Art of prudent and gentle Proceeding, nnd dexterity of juc'gmcnt, which are not to he found in Books. And this Conlideration wab thought of greater importance, becaufe feveral Lawyers, who have been entrufted with the Government of Provinces, have been ob- lerv'd to behave thcmftlvcs very ridiculouP.v, witnefs Baktolus, that great Luminary of the Law, who with all his Science was forc'd to leap out at the Windows ot the Palazzo di Todi, to efcape being feiz'd by thofe • Tjc lib. I). Ann. L 2 who "^6 AUvkts from Varnajfw. Cent. i. V ho couM no longer bear the Klxtravagance of a Man tliat was tongue- wife, and brain- foolifh. SOME Perfons remarkable for their brutal Severity were ciidgel'd away from this Eleftion, who witli an ugly Face and four Look fet up(br>\utho- rity, and take delightto frown in a pubhck A Hembly and threaten Death. Care was taken effectually to exclude thefe curfed Bu si r is's, who barba- roufly tliirft after human Blood, and are for reforming the World by Axes, Wheels and Gibbets. On the contrary, luch were chiefly preter'd whofe meek Nature ftudys more to prevent Ci imes, ihcin to piiniHi 'cm, and who always fign d6ad Warrants with their Tears. THE next day after their Eleftion all the new Governors preferred themfelves to the Royal Collateral Council, where >^'pollo was plcas'd to be prefent ; and there with great Ceremony they took the ufual Oaths to his Majefty, That they would leave the World as happy as they found it ; it being High-Treafon to make the leaft Innovation in this State, where thi; Opinion of rAciTUs pafTes for a Maxim, ^ Super omntbtts negotiis ?mliui atque rectiw i>ltfn piovjf'um, & qux converttrentur, in deter tti'S mutari: That all thofe things were in former times fettled and order'd tor the befl-, and Changes have prov'd ibr tht worfe. THE Ceremony of fwearing being over, the Chancellor of Dclphos flood up and faid. Gentlemen, you that are chcfen Governors! 'Tis his Majefty's PJeafure, that each of you take care to behave himfelf modertly in his particular Command,'aod not be puff'd up with Ambition (b as to lord it.as it youvvere accountable to nobody, but remember that your Power is founded oaly on a weak fheet of Parchment, fortify'd with a little red Wax. Then Marcus Tullius Cicero made an eloquent Ora- tion ill piaifeof thefe new Officers, in which Iieaffiriu'd their integrity and Prudence to be fuch, as fuificiently quahfy 'em to new model the Uijivcrfe. Ax. the Cocicluiion of this Harangue, Apollo himfelf with a pleafing Afpcil gave each of 'em his Patent with liis own baud, and bid 'cm luftcn without delAy to their refpecfeive Commands. ,: BUI' his Majelty quickly put on other Looks towards em ; for no fooner had htdehvcr'd 'em their CommifTions, but.his gracious Smiles were thfing'd in an inllant to the gicit furpvize o^ aii prelc'nt, into.tl^c .fierteft Kr.owns of deadly Hatced; The Lords oi the Council too in a inoineiiL con- verted all their Civilitys' towards 'em into Thieais and Acculations. Nay the very Men that chofe 'em ope.ily declar'd, they found too late that for the oiort pditihsy- were but a pack of Extortioners, Retaileis of JuRice, and Bilds of Prey : and yet t,he\ knew not how to rnend themfelves,, they had bteiHbciicuoYfpeft in the Eledlion, and had made fuch a diligent Inquiry into their Maii'iSers. • -• ■ -iii;i//,':' !-'li.v,. .jfJHFORB tlhey we're fent away, •iherieM'as a particular piece of Cere- mony perform'd by A p or, l o's Order, which was the prefenting to each of the^Goveriiots of the chief Provinces arPi.tch-tbrk taken out of the Pegafean Stable ; ani Iiiftnvment which wife Men have thought very necelTary to keep off thofe impciious Blades, who are continually fwaggering and domi- neering in other mens HOufes, and think 'tis fatisfaction enough if they pay lead.y mony for the Affronts thcyo&r, and lay tlie blame upon their hafly 3pemper. . - . / . ■."' '.■ S^LLUSTthe HiftoriaH,, who is Prefident of the Collateral Council, took the Governor of Libtchrum afide, as 1 was credibly inform'd, and having ' Lib. j.i. Ann. , Adv. 41' Advices from Parnafffii. yy a particular kindncfs for him gave him in liis Ear tliis following Lcclure of Advice, THAT in the beginning of iiis Adminiftration lie fl^.ou'd be fomtwhat rcmifb, but treble his diligence towards the conciufion ; rcmembring tliat to enter upon bulinefs warml\, and co<>l touards the end, was to imitate the Afs's Trot, which is very frequent with the common fort of Officers. THAT in deciding civil or criminal Caufcs among the common Peo- ple, he fhou'd be ftridly ]u{\ witliout any diflinclion of Ferfons ; but in Difputes u hich fliouldarife among the Nobility, he ought to mingle a dram of Prudence in the Sentence, and always bear in mind, that the very im- peach.ing of great Men is generally hateUil to Princes, and he that is Judg in fuch cafes can hardly efcape without fome fpots in his Robes, which all his Innocence can never walh out ; theretbre he (hou'd endeavour to accom- modate matters with fuch skill, that neither Party may give or receive any Wounds of difgulf ; anei fiiew himfelf fo dexterous an Operator as to carve out Julticc with a Feather. THAT in his Government he fliould endeavour ommafcire, non omnia, excqut, to know, but not put all things in practice: for if he try'd to wafh a lilackamoor white, lie wou'd be laugh'd at for a Madman ; and in this corrupt Age 'tis better for a Governor to bear with fome old rooted Diftcm- pers, than to dilobligc the Publick by offering Remedys to thofe who are obllmate againil a Cure. THAT he ihou'd avoid all Controverfys with his Neighbour Gover.» nors, who are fubjed to tlie fame Sovereign with hinifelf. And for thofe Injurys which he cou'd neither fliun nor difTemble, he fliou'd redrefs 'em peaceably with his Pen like a Gownman. T H A T he fliould neither feek nor avoid Differences with foreign Princes, but difpute thofe that happcn'd Soldier-like with Sword in hand ; yet preferving fuch Temper, as to fhew at once a decent regard to the foreign prince, and 21cal to his own. THAT being fent to his Government to end the Quarrels of others, he fliould be as careful not to kindle any new' ones, as he wou'd be to prelerve his Houfe from Tire : and tlji> ILou'd be a Maxim with him, that then Go- vernors to their infinite Reputation get tlie better in Difpures, when the very moment they're attack'd they can refolve to fit down py the lofs, en the conrrary, nothing wou'd betray more weaknefs, than to feem greedy of thole Quarrels of u hich wife Men reckon fourteen to the dozen. THAT in fome things he wou'd do well to prefer the publick Peace to that rigor of Jul] ice, which fome Writers teach. - , ._ T H AT htj fliou'd never be tranfported into paffion at any extravagance he fees or hears : but if this cou'd not be avoided, and he found himfell not able to contain the expreffions of his Refentmenr, he fhou'd refrain at leafl from any AQion or Relolution in that Tempefl of his Soul, but fhou'd ever give his Commands in cool Blood. T H A T he fhou'd beware of medling too boldly with Affairs of great difKcuIty and moment, in a vain odentation of his Courage and Refolution ; but fliuu'd rather chufe to draw the Crab out of his Hole with the Prince's hand, arm\! with tlie Gauntlet of fupreme Authority : for tho a Governor may have a power fufficient to aft, 'tis often advifable not to ufe that Power. T H A T he fhou'd decline thofe Governments, where any Princes of the Riood Royal, cr Relations of Court-Favorites live, for thofe are inevitable recks of ruin to all Governors. Neither fliou'd he be too fond of undertaking a y8 Advices from Tarnajfuf. Cent. i. a Province, inhabited by many of the Nobihty ; which was as difficult a task, as to be oblig'd to lead a company of Foxes and Poultry out a feeding to- gether, and to bring 'em all back at night witliout Lofsor Diminution: but thofe Governments he fhou'd think the beft, which abound with the ordina- ry fort of People, who never grumble, fo long as there is Corn enough to be had at Market, and Meat, God's Plenty, in the Shambles. T H A 'I" he fhou'd keep a general acquaintance with all the Perfons in his Province, but contraft no intimacy with any ■-, avoiding equally that referved- nefs which makes men hated, and that familiarity which breeds contempt ; his Convcrfation (hou'd not be with the Vulgar, but with Perfons of his own Rank; and one piece of Policy lie fhou'd obferve carefully, which was, to make no man his Friend, to whom he might not the next moment, without the leaft danger to himfeir, become a deadly Rncmy : for in Gover- nors Palaces, Mufhrooms in an inftant fhoot up as tall as CyprelTes. T H A T he fhou'd mofl induftrioufly avoid hearkering to thofe who are at the head of any Faftion, who love to have many Followers and profefs Arms: lor Governors cannot more palpably nurfe a Viper in their bofoms, than by regarding fuch Men when they intercede for Ruffians, who are in Prifon for their Villany and Sedition : for every one fo pardon'd is always ready to lofe his life in the fervce of him that beg'd it. THAT in publick Audiences and Courts of Judicature his Deportment fliou'd be very grave, he Hiou'd fpeak little, but with Authority and Refolu- Tion, making more ufe of his Ears than his Tongue ; and avoid difputing with the Lawyers : for an ignorant Preacher often knows what he fays, bet- ter thin his learned Auditor. And for a Governor to argue a Cafe extem- pore with thofe who have ftudy'd it, is the ready way to be run down, unlefs lie make ufe of his Authority inflead of Reafon. THAT he fhou'd commend and yet avoid the hateful and foolifli Cuf- toms of the Provinces, and above all things furnifli himfelf with a mighty flock of Patience, to bear the naufeous pride and faucy impertinence of So- licitors, Pro8:ors and Attornys, reprimanding 'em in private, but publickly fhewing 'em refpeft. THAT he fliou'd keep to this golden Rule of Tacitus, * Vtiliffi- mui idem ac breviljimus bonarum maUr unique rerum deUBus, cogstare quid aut noluerii fub alio Principe^ aut valuer is \ the befl and fliorteft way to diCcern good from ill is, to confider what you your felf wou'd be pleas'd with, or diflike under another Prince. This Rule he fhou'd practifewich fuch cir- tumfpedion, that while he endeavors to fhun one extreme befall not into the other, like a certain Prince, who to avoid too great clemency which had been blam'd in his PiedecelTor, fell into the worfl extreme of unheard of Se- verity. T H A T he fliou'd think bufinefs a Diverfion ; for great Souls take more delight in the noble employment of Governing, than in pla)'ing at Tables or i^icquet. TH A T he fhou'd be more fevere in reflraining the Diforders of his own Family, than thofe of the Publick : for the People of a Province always murmur more at the immodefty of a Governor's Favorite, than at downright brutaliry in one of their own Tribe. T H A T he fiiou'd detefl: Monopolys and Extortion, and look on that man as his deadly Enemy who fhou'd put him upon fo infamous a PraGice: In- ftead of which hib Principle fliou'd be, that the beft Traffick he cou'd purfue » i.ib.-irAiJn. w.qs Adv. 41. ^^d^i fim Famaffm, f^ was G lor V and Renown, by which, ftill advancing, hewou'dfoon become rich both'in Mony and Reputation. THAT he fhou'd beware falling into the two dangerous extremes of Prodigality and Avarice j'iiidbecaufe Offenders, who have been punifh'd by the Law, become fo exafperated againft the Judg, that like Dogs they are ready to fnap at the ftrck tjbat b6ats 'em ; he fhou'd not, as he loves bti life, be of diflblute manners, or i-eceive bribes. THAT he fhou'd allot a fourth part of the day for determining civil Caufcs, another for criminal, and fpend the other two in Hofpitality, oa which a Governor's Rejiutkti6n principally depends. . " • THAT he fliou'd perpetually eye his Judges fingers, and wAttti 'en* as narrowly as he wou'd Jlpoifonous Snake which he held in his hand: for that Minifter is extremely dangerous to a Governor, who makes ^n infa- mous Traffick of Juftice and his Mafter's Honor. THAT he fhou'd not determine any thing in difficult Affairs, before he had thorowly examin'd all the circumftances ; for hafly RefolUtions are very dangerous, and 'tis better to repent of having done too little than top much. T H A T he fliou'd accommodate hifhfelf to the Genius of th6 People in fuch a manner, as tofhew mildnefs and civility to thofe that are quiet and orderly, but feverity to the debauch'd and feditious. THAT above all he fliou'd curb the infolence of his Serjeants and other inferior Officers, who in many places are grown to that intolerable pitch, that they have not only brought the vileft fcandal upon the beft of Princes, but have render'd thofe States eternally hateful, who have let loofe the reins to Fellows compos'd of Villany and Impudence : for he is certainly ill-ad- vis'd, that gives too much power to a man who is wholly a flranger to difcretion. THAT he fhou'd not give his Prince an account of every trifle, left he fliou'd take him for a Fool ; nor conceal from him any thing of moment, left he fhou'd be thought to negled his Duty. THAT he ought to think it the part of a wife Magiftrate to threaten more than he inflifts ; and fhouM always remember,that he rules over men full of Imperfeftions, and fubjeft to many Frailty s, not over Angels who cannot fin : therefore he fhou'd rather affeft the name of merciful than cruel. THAT he fhou'd avoid Balls and other publick Entertainments, which lefTen the Charader of a Governor. THAT in puniOiing the Crimes of Noblemen, he fliou'd be fevers againfl the Delinquent's Perfon, without refleQing on the Honor of his Fa- mily. THAT he fhou'd hold it for certain, that 'tis often better to wink at Crimes of Uncleannefs, than (hew himfelf forward in raking into 'em. THAT he fliou'd not fall out with the Magiflrates of the place, unlefs upon the laft necefTity, remembring, that in fuch Controverfys a Prince is better pleas'd that hi. Minifter fliou'd ufe Dexterity and Addrefs than Juftice. FINALLY, That he fliou'd rather delight by his prudent lenity to let the world know that he had found good Sub)e£ls in his Province, than that he had made 'em fo by his feverity : for thofe Governors that boafl how many hundreds they have hang'd, are proud of their own infamy. ADVICE So M^P^cesfromParnajftfs. Cent, i, — .[. ii i JunuM I t ADVICE XUI; ^'\ b'rninfjq i; . . air, vjfli i^f'^l ^''^'y ^ ^ ' '" . ' Avibvts' offershimjtlf to the Dukes of Vekk't to guard the Chnjlity of their mojl ftniie Liba-tjy but hii Service is rejeEled. ^%^06R Argues has been quite out of employment, ever fince his un- J[^ fortunate adventure of watching the beautiful I o. For tho fome great Men wou'd fain have fet him to work, and oflPer'd him large Salarys to guard the Chaftity of their Ladys, he has obftinately refus'd to take upon him any fuch Charge, and for I o's fake will not be refponfible for any Princefs's Honor whatever, being convinc'd by dear experience, that a thoufand A r- '. G u s's have not eyes enough to fecure the Chaftity of one Woman, if fhe's briskly attacked, or fet a tiptoe by a leud Inclination. However, fome days ago finding himfelf in very flender Circumflances, he made his application to the moft ferene Duke Andrea Gritti, and the other Princes of the State of Venice, profering 'em his Service to watch their Liberty, provi- ded they wou'd allow him a competent Salary ; and promis'd upon his Honor, that of his hundred Eyes he wou'd keep ninety eight perpetually open and awake, to guard that moft charming Princefs. Gkitti and ' the other Venetian Dukes hearken'd very gracioufly to honeft A r g u s's Pro- pofal, and gave him a fwinging Purfe of Gold in acknowledgment of his good Will, but told him withal, he might lay his hundred Eyes aneep if he pleas'd, for they had nooccafion for 'em, that Lady being fufficitntly fccur'd by her own virtuous Inclinations. Befides which, they had three Inquifi. tors of State, whofe fix Eyes cou'd do the bufinefs compleatly ; for thofe Magiftrates, by continual brandifhing the dreadful Sword of Juftice, made their Liberty, tho miraculoufiy beautiful, be regarded even by the moft luftful and ambitious, with the eyes of Chaftity, and lov'd with a paftlon truly Platonick. ADVICE XLIII. The Floientines pl^'jing tit Football, admit a Foreign Qourtier into th Lifls^ who cairys aw.iy the Tii^e. LAST Thurfday in the Phabean Medow, the noble Florentines for their diverlion play'd a match at Football, at which all the Literati of Parnadus were prefent. ' Some of 'em, to whom it was a Novelty, admif'd to fee the Gamefters run foul of one another at every turn, and fall to boxing. They did not like fuch Horfe-play they faid, 'twas neither jeft nor earnefl-, too boifterous for Sport, and not rough enough for a Battel. But thegreateft part of the Vircuofi were much diverted with it. Many prais'd thefe young Florentines for their fwiftnefs, aftivity and ftrength : Others were pleas'd with the invention of the Game, becaufe it exercis'd the Youth in running, leaping and wreftling : and moft were of opinion, 'twas infl:ituted for no other end in that RepubJick, which was formerly fo famous. But thePoJi- ^ ticiaos, Ad V. 4 3 . Advices from. Tarnafjur. 8 1 ticians, whofe Spirits are more fubtle and penetrating, argu'd, from the fcuflRes which fo often happen'd, that fome notable Myftery lay couch'd in thil: Game. For private Hatred and Rancour is more common in Repubiicks thaa: Monarchys, by reafon of the continual competition of Senators, who ftand for Offices in the Magillracy, and their frequent repulfes and difappoint- ments, which occafion thofe bitter difgufts and grudges, lefs frequent among the Subjefts of a Monarchy. Befides, in a free Country, where Mens tongues arc not bridled, opprobrious Language will often burft out from fuch whofe Stomachs are full charged with Quarrels againft one another. Now upon thefeconllderations the Politicians obferv'd, that the Republiclt f»-f Florence had atled with wonderful Prudence, by introducing this Game among her Citizens, in which a man has the opportunity of giving his Adverfary four or five good cuffs by way of fport, and fo dif- charginghis Choler without any great harm: whereas, if it lay boiling within him, andurg'd him totake the fatisfaftion of an open Duel, or of a fecret Scab with a Stilletto, fuch methods wou'd be of mifchievous confe- quence to the publick Liberty. In confirmation of this, the fame politick Gentlemen affirmM fl^r certain truth, tliat the People of Sienna, for no other reafoa than this, h.acl iptroduc'd into' their Commonwealth the Play of Fifti-cufls, and the Venetian into theirs, the Combat on the Bridg. IT happen'd, that ^; certain fpruce Courtier, who was looking on, was, ask'd by the famous Pi e't r o CArpo n.i, who got fuch vaft Reputation by abokl anfwer to on.e ol" tlie Kings of France, how Tic hk'd- their Sport? The Courtier anfwer'd,, the Play was Very div<;rting, "byt he thought thofe Florentines fhe.w'd themfelves but Bunglers at it. .Now this being a parti- ti:ubr Game among' the people- p"f Florence,. C A ppo ni' thought thei; Courtier was miftaken, 'm p o n i laugh'd' to ))cac this bouncing Cour-; tier talk, and told all the Florentines what he had fji^, who with one con-' fent invited him to play. ...The Sparkln a trice equips l-iimftlf for the fport, and leaps in among 'ei^i, ;. and the Ftereatjnes, wliQ )\ 'Hl'd for no better di- verfion than they QiouM.have in :b6fieting and tripping him up, made a ring about him. A little after the Ball was tofs'd Into the Air, and it no foo- ner lighted on. the Ground, but the nimble Courtier fnatch'd it up and clap'd. it under his left arm. His Advqrfar)s,fTcw about hjpi li| yet to his great difplcafurc he has at lafl: difcover'd that it has had very ill EflPedls, and that too much Wealth has begun to debauch the minds of many Virtuofi with thofe Vices that are theconflant Attendants of Eafe and Luxury: even in this State it has fpread fuch an Inftfbion of Lazinefs, that many famous Poets have given over their Studys ; and the witty Ovid himfelf, who once cou'd not let pafs a day without prefenting to the Delphick Library fome ingenious Elegy, fince his intimate Familiarity with fo great a King, has drop'd nothing from his Pen in a whole Twelve-month but four Epigrams in praife of the Seafons. Apollo therefore, to prevent the ruin of Learning, and to preferve that warm defirc of Improvement which his Virtuofi had in their Poverty, fent for King Francis, and told him, that he much lov'd and admir'd his great liberality towards his Virtuofi, but for thefafety and good of the Sci- ences, he muft needs lay his Commands on him to be lefs generous to 'em for the future ; for Learning which is born in Poverty, muft live in it too as its proper Element: therefore he fhould not, out of his royal Munificence, allow Poets any mere than enough to buy wholefom Food and plain Clothes; for 'tis plain, that as their Pockets fill, their Souls grow poor, and Plenty and Pleakires dilTolve 'em into Idlenefs and Debauchery : as Hens, the fatter they grow, lay the fewer Eggs. For Poets, like blind Muficians, finj; not but tor mere neceflity ; nor go a hunting, like the Dogs, for the fake of the fporr, but like Falcons and Vulturs for hunger after the Prey. M 2 ADVICE 84 Advices from Parntifftfs. Cent i. ADVICE XLVI. Apollo haying difcoVerd the InVenter of Guns^ is about to piinijh him feVerely, but the Artificer makes a handfom defence. "T"^ I S now above fifty years fince Polidore Virgil of Urbino J_ was firfl: hir'd by Apollo, with an allowance of twenty Crowns a month for himfelf, two Servants, and their Horfes, to make it his conftant bu- finefs to fearch out the Authors of all curious Inventions which have been de- vis'd for the benefit of Mankind ; his Majefty being of opinion, that fuch Perfons who by their Induftry had fo greatly oblig'd the World, ought to have their Names confecrated to Immortality. BUT the modern Invention of Guns has griev'd him exceedingly, by which a cruel Profeflion is at laft brought to fuch perfeftion of Immanity, that Fire is now of more ufe in War than the Sword. In deep concern therefore that this diabolical Inftrument had in fo little time ruin'd fuch numerous Ci- tys, and deftroy'd as many men as wou'd have fuffic'd to people another World, Apollo commanded Polidore Virgil to make ftrifl fearch to find out the Inveqter (if fo infernal a Weapon cou'd be invented upon Earth ) and bring before him the Wretch who had the cruelty to intro- duce, into the world a Scourge fo like Heaven's formidable Thunder. Polidore went inflantly about the bufinefs, and having foon difco- ver'd the Inventer of Guns to be a German^ he feizM him, and delivered hira into the hands of the Court. Apollo was extremely pleas'd, and com- manded the Judges to make a notorious Example of this barbarous Enemy to Mankind. They prefently fentenc'd him to be ramm'd alive into a loaded Cannon, which fliou'd then befir'doflF, that he might be torn to pieces by his own hellifh Proje£l. EVERY thing was accordingly got ready , and the Offender drag'd to the place of Execution •, who finding himfelf in a miferable con- dition, beg'd leave, before Death, to be heard in his Majefty's prefence only two words in his vindication. His Rcqueft was granted, and being brought before Apollo, he fpake to this eft'eft. Moft illuftrious Monarch of Light ! SHALL a man who has fo indullrioufly labour'd, by ufeful Inventions, to deferve the favor of Heaven, and the good-will of Men, be condemn'd to fo cruel a Punifliment by your Majefty's Judges, who are fam'd for Equity thro the Univerfe ? 'Tis the Intention makes the Offence ; and to what ill ufe foever any man's Works may be apply'd, the Crime certainly ought not to be charg'd upon him whofe Intentions were pious and holy. I appeal to Hea- ven, and that Light of your Majefty which difcovers all things, that I in- vented not Guns, as many wrongfully believe, for a plague to mankind, but out of the mofi: fincere Love and Charity to 'em ; and for the innumerable Mifchiefs the world has fince fuffer'd by 'em, I lament 'em as being direflly oppofite to my defign. I was much afflifted to fee, that thro the ambition of Princes, men were drag'd to the Wars as to a Slaughter-houfe ; and I thought with my felf, there cou'd be no greater Service to mankind, than to put an end to that infernal Shambles of human Fiefh, and flop that vaft ef- fufion of Blood ; it being certain, that if Princes were without Soldiers, they wou'd Adv. 47- /Advices from Tar mffm. 85 wou'd noc be fo fond of martial Glory, and that they wou'd content them- felves with their own Fortunes, if forc'd fingly to fight hand to hand with that Enemy whofe Dominions they affefted. The love of Self-prefer- vation wou'd make 'em fiieath their Swords in the Scabbard of Peace, and fupprefs their infatiable Ambition of ruling the whole Earth. In pro- fpeft thei eforc of this pious End, in which I believ'd the whole Happinefs of mankind to confid, I invented thefe devilifh Inftruments, believing tlie Terror of 'em wou'd be fo univerfal, that the trade of War muft have be- come the dcteftation of all mankind. I was the rather confirm'd in this opi- nion, by obferving the mighty dread men have of Thunder, tho they know the Thunderer is all Mercy, and oftner rolls it over their Heads to alarm 'em with the Roar, than to dcftroy 'em with its Bolts: and yet the very Flafh that precedes it, fcares many into obfcure Caverns, and makes fome build Roofs of Brafs and Iron for their fecurity. Who cou'd have imagin'd then, that any man wou'd be fo defperately mad, fo barbaroufly rafli, as to throw liimfelf into the Jaws of Death by facing this earthly Thunder, which in all parts fo much refembles the heavenly, and which is ievel'd a- gainrt men with fucli deadly artifice and fure deftru6lion? If it has fallen out contrary to my cxpeiEfation, and men are arriv'd to that amazing degree of diftra6lion and cruelty to their own Flefli and Blood, that out of the vain af- feftation of being reputed brave, they can delight to fland the fire of Cmnon, and even fmile at the danger, is it my fault ? or will your Majefly think it reafonable that I fliould bear the punifhment of their brutal temeri- ty ? Apollo was fo touch'd with this brave Defence of the German, that he converted the intended Punifhment into a Reward, which lie prefently order d him ; and with Tears in his eyes faid, that the brutal fiercenefs of thofe men who harbaroully fell their Lives for fix pence a day, oblig'd him to wifl";, that thofe cruel Inventions were ftill multiply'd to exterminate from the Earth fuch deteffable Carrion ; and fince neither Fire nor Sword werea- ble to rid tlie worM of thefe Butchers, he inlbntly befought the fu- prcme Majefty of Heaven to open anew his eternal Cataradis, and pour downafecond Deluge to wafli from the Harth thofe vile Wretches, who in defimce of their obligation to multiply their Species, have taken up the cruel trade of deflroying it by Sword and Fire \ and that he wou'd be plcas'd to fpare thofe that delight in Peace. ADVICE XLVII. 77'e ^mm Monarchy dt- fires Cornelius Tacitus to refolve her in a political Douh, and receives full Satisfaction from the Shep- herd M £ L I B E u s, who happen d to be prefent, TH E ilkiflrious Roman Monarchy, who before file was over-run by the barbarous Nations of the North, liv'd in greater fplendor in the Court of Parnalfus than any other human Power, was pleas'd t'other day, under colour of going a hunting incognito, to honour Cornelius Ta- citus witha Vilit, who lor his Recreation was retir'd to his Country- houfe. She told him, fhe came to be refolv'd in a very great Doubt which had long made her uneafy, and upon which fhe had confulted fcveral eminent Politicians, 86 /Advices from T?arnnj[m. Cent. i. Politicians, but had rcceiv'd from none of 'em that fatisfaftion which flie cxpeftcd from him, the greatcH: Statefman and vvifeft Oracle ot modern Po- lity : 'twas this, What (hou'd be the reafon, that whereas formerly the Kingdoms of France, Spain, Hgypt, Syria,^ the Commonwealth of Car- thage, and the other immenfe Dominions flie polFefs'd in Afia, Africa, and Europe, were all feparately formidable to their Neighbours; yet now fince they had been united under her, inftead of rendring her fo mighty as to fwallow up all weaker Towers about her, they had impair'd that Strength flie was polfciVd of before, A very ftrange Event, fince 'tis evident that many 1 h reds make a itrong Rope, and yet many Principalitys united in her, had not made her that great and eternal Monarchy which the World ex- peQed. Tacitus anfwer'd ; 'Twas a difficult Qiieftion, and requir'd mature deliberation ; but promis'd that the next day he wou'd return to ParnalTus, and look over the political Treafures of his Annals and Hiltorys, from whence he doubted not he fliou'd be fupply'd with an Anfwer which wou'd give her Majelly full fatistaftion. 'I' HE Roman Monarchy pleas'd with this Promife, was juft taking leave, when Melieeus that famous Shepherd of the Poets, who was come that morniiig to wait upon Tacitus with a Prefent of Curds and Cream, overhearing the Queftion, pray'd her Majefty not to begone, for he wou'd give her immediate fatisfaftion in what llie defir'd, Tacitus and the Roman Monarchy laugh'd heartily at honeH: M e l i- BEUs, and bid him go tend his Flock and not meddle with matters above his capacity. But the Swain reply'd boldly, that no fort of men perhaps cou'd better argue of State Affairs, or were fitter to refolve fuch Quefti- ons than Shepherds ; that it wou'd be well for Princes if they us'd the fame Charity in governing their Subjects, which Shepherds do in tending their Flocks ; and liappy tor their Subjefts if in obeying their Princes, they wou'd follow the example ot Sheep. Tacitus and the Roman Monarchy were extremely furpriz'd at the Shepherd's confidence, and bid him freely declare his Opinion : W ith which permiffion he thus began. Moll mighty Queen! I A M, may it pleafe you, a Shepherd of Mantua, as my Mafter Vir- gil can wirnei's, and might be afliam'd of thefe hoary Hairs which you fee on my Head and Chin, if 1 did not perfeftly underftand my bufinefs. I fiiy then, that by the experience I have gain'd injfo many years, I'm fully convinc'd, that the Power and Greatnefs of a Shepherd confilts not, as many ambirious and covetous Swains believe, in being Mafter of millions of Sheep, but only of fo many as a good Shepherd can watch with his Eyes, govern with his Crook, and rule with his Wliifile. Thofe indeed who have toofew, are always Beggars, for their Poverty forces 'em to milk and fliear their. Flocks more than they ought ; fuch as have a midling flock, are ever fortunate and wealthy : but in immenfe Numbers there is the greatefl hazard in the world, by reafon of the difficultys one man will find in a Charge fo difproportiona- bie tohisfingle f^rength. Hence 'tis, that themiferable Sheep of a too nu- merous and unweildy Flock are firft obferv'd to grow lean, and then to pe- rifh, meiely thro the negled of their Shepherd; which proves the truth of the paflorai Proverb, That kw Sheep will not fupply the Neceflitys of a Shepherd's Cottage ; many will ; but vaft multitudes by breeding confufion, are rather a Plague than a BleiTmg. H O W happy were Princes and Republicks, if they would learn from the example of Camels to lay themfelves humbly on the ground, and take on Adv. 47. Advicer from Parnaffus. 87 on their Backs th« government of People as a Buiden ; and it tlicy had the wifdom to rife up, and not fuffer more weight to be laid on, when they have as much already as they can bear. But 'tis tlie curfc of Mankind, that they are toiling all their life-time to grafp an unweildy bundle of Hay, and covet to carry it home all at once to their Barns ; till letting it fall by the way, they find too late they have thrown away their labour. For this rea- fon, tho'tis now above fixteen hundred years that I have been a Shepherd in Arcadia, I wouM never increafe my Flock to more than five hundred Sheep, which conftantly brought me in five hundred Crowns a year, fo that I have always been efteem'd the happieft of all the Arcadian Swains : and I loojs on that Shepherd to be very unfortunate, who, blinded with Avarice, thinks to enrich himfelf in a day's time by having very numerous Flocks ; but not being able to watch 'em himfelf ( for 'tis the eye of the Malter which (attens the Sheep) trulls 'em to negligent Servants, or often lets 'em out to thofe cruel Shepherds, whoexaft more from 'em than they are able to yield, and fo ruin the whole Flock. Nor have there been wanting in our Arcadia fome A 1. 1- X A N D E R s, who to fatisfy their infatiable appetite of Rule, have not been afham'd to ask of God to create new Worlds tor 'em, THERE was one M e n a l c a s, for inftance, of our Profeirion, who envy'd me, and was my mortal Enemy. This man fancy'd, it he cou'd get a greater Flock than I, he fhou'd be able to tread me under his feet ; and therefore was not content with the five hundred Sheep he had to Iiis fhare,, but refolving to make himfelf abfolute Sovereign of all the Arcadian Swains, he took up Mony at Interell, fold the greatell part of his paternal Eftate, and having got together a good Sum, lent for three Flocks of five hundred Sheep each, from Spain, France, and England, which he knew afforded the bell Wool ; he brought 'em into Arcadia, but found it an untoward piece of work to manage 'em there, for the Sheep being ftrangers regarded not his Voice or WhilTle, but were always running aftray, and plagu'd him each morning and night as he drove 'em out to Failure, and brought 'cm back to Fold; lo that Menalcas was forc'd to be continually fetting his Dogs at 'em to keep 'em from flragling. The Sheep hated their new Perfecutors, nor wou'd be govern'd by their barking : the Curs grew more enrag'd at the Contempt, and harafs'd 'em, till in the end they created in 'em the utmoll: dctcliation both of the Shepherds and their Guard; fo that whenever they perceiv'd they were to be milk'd or Ihorp, away they'd fcour and hide them- ielves in the Woods. The Arcadian Shepherds learn'd trom hence, that De- . fpair wijl change the mort timorous Creatures into Lions ; for fome of M e- N A LCAs's Spanifli Sheep were enrag'd to that degree, that they had the boldncfs to bite their Shepherd : the French grew fo mad, that they kick'd down the Pails they "were milk'd in ; and the Englifli were fullen up- on'r, and wou'd not eat, but prefer'd ftarving to flavery : and the grcatcfl wonder was, that tho they freely yielded the profit of their Milk, Wool, and Lambs to their own Country Shepherds, yet they cou'd not endure to be fhorn by a Foreigner, and even rejpic'd at their own barrennefs becaufe it occafion'd their Shepherds ruin. M £ N A L c A s infinitely affefled at thefc Misfortunes, wa^ iorc'd to fend for frefli fupplys of Dogs from Switzerland, in hopes to frighten his Sheep into better order ; but this Expedient prov'd both chargeable and unfucceis- ful, for the Curs worry 'd and devour'd the poor Flocks, till they threw off all Obedience, and were now worfe than before. The wretched M e n a lc a s, alraoft out of his wits, took the pellilent Advice of a villanous Flqrentin Pohti- gian, who told him, the bell method to reduce foreign and difloyal Sheep to 88 advice f from Vdrnajfui. Cent. l. to duty, was to keep 'cm lean. He put this Counfel in praftice, but it prov'd fatal both to the Shepherd and his Flock, and M e n a c l a s cou'd no longet get either Milk or Wool from his Sheep, who perilh'd for want of Food. To conclude, in a months time the Wretch loll both Principal and Interefl, and to the )oy of all the Arcadian Swains, was reduc'd by his Ambition from the condition of a happy Shepherd, to be a pitiful feller of Sheepskins. Now this misfortune had never befal'n him, if he had rightly underflood the Pafloral Arithmetick, which differs fo much from that of Merchants, that Menalcas who us'd to get Hve hundred Crowns a 'year by five hundred Sheep, thinking to have got twice as much by a thou- fand, was miliaken : for in the common Arithmetick twice five make ten, three times five fifteen, and fo on j but in the Pafloral, twice five make three, three times five, one, and four times five nothing, the portion of thofe greedy Fools, who grafpiag at too much lofe all they have. ADVICE XLVm. In an Affembly of the V'lrtmfi at Thocisy Innhc^ing is yottjd to be a nohle and htroick Occup,nion, ■ It ;^'\i-'f\tjiri . AN AfTerably of the Virtuofi of ParnaiTus was held -iCiv} aiVs ago in Phocis, to decide fome Controverfys between the moft ferene Virtues, in which there pafs'd a furprizi'ng Vote to this effe61. " Refolv'd, " That Inn keeping is no fordid Imploymcnt, hut an honourable hcroick *' Virtue, fit for tliofe magnificent Souls who fcorn to ty tlie'T Purfes witli " the Strings of Avarice, or imprilb'n their \^'ealth in miferly Chefls, but " are of opinion that Mony ferves for nothing except to give generous Men an ** opportunity to excrcife their Virtue. The Virtuofi were fo unanimous in ' this Declaration, that they had like to have plac'd that Trade^ which was thought mean before, among the Liberal Sciences, and, gdded it as an eighth tothe other O^ven.^;'''-'^-" ^'r. '^"'"'W ::^^'r''- THE Literati of the iowefi; I^a'nk, tho they faW'this incredible Para- dox confidently aiferted by the moft noble Perfons of Parnadus, were firangely fcanda!iz\l| and cou'd Hardly be perfuadcd to believe ir. But Aristotle, P l at'q, A v er ro'e s, and feveral old ftanders befides of the firrt Clafs extol'd this prudent Refolution to the Skys, confelFing that great Men could not follow any noWer Art, provided they took care to enter- tain fuch Palfengei s, tis'upon necelTary Occafions that happen every day, cou'd with a Line or two' lipon Paper, .or half a word fpeaking, not only pay their own Reckoning, but that of a thoufand Guefls too, who bad eaten upon trufi. ■' ',' ^ IMMEDIATRLY''iip6h'tfii^'-RefoIution, 'abundance of generous : men in ParnaiTus, u ho had been accuDom'd to fow Benefits, and to reap ""Gratitude, pofted away totl.e moft frequented Roads, built very convenient Tnns, and fet up the Trade with all fpeed, in hopes to catch great Fifh,' by pbaiting their Hooks with little ones.' ', ^'^ ■:><■■ --v-, ■ •>• Albertus Pius Count of Cifpi, and Pri\^y Counfellor to his Ma- "jisfty, difpatch'danEx^refsin gr^at diligence to notlFy' fhis new Vote to his ' Nephew O c t a v i it S "A q,ua v i.i a at the Court -of Rome ; who had So fooner advice of ir, ^3urbe took Pioft, and making the befl of his way to Adv.49?5^' Advices from Varnafjur. 89 to the higli Road that leads from Rome to Tufcany, fets up a magnificent Inn at Viterbo, where he treated all the Princes and other great Men who travePd that way. He was fo fortunate in his Hofpitality, that the illuftrious Cardinal, Nicolo Sfondrato, having been twice fplendidly en- tertain'd by him, when he was afterwards promoted to the Papa! Dignity, re- membring the good Cheer of his Hoft at Viterbo, and reflcfting on the No- bility of his Extraftion, and his great perfonal Merit, fent for him to Rome, and reckoning with him for part Civilitys, nobly requited him with a Sallet of boil'd Succory, a mefs of Soop, a difli of roafted Pears, and a Car- dinal's Cap, contrary to the praftice of fome niggardly Wretches, who vilify the good Accommodation that's to be met with at an Inn, which certainly ought to be accounted a great Happinefs. ADVICE XLIX. Certain Virtuofi are feVenly l>unip?'d for fapig^ Duels are fomcthncs nc- afuy. A DISPUTE arofe three days ago between fome learned Men, who debated publickly in the Peripatetick Portico this niceQueftion : Whe- ther his Majefty had done well in having for fome years paft fo fcvcre'y for- bid Duelling ? This Controverfy was very remarkable for the Misfortunes it brought on fome of 'em, who had alTerted, that fince Q^iarrels will often happen between men of Honor, which can't be decided but by the Sword, Duels are abfolutely neceffary. Now as foon as the Debate was over, thefe Blades were clap'd up for't, and quickly after condtmn'd to the Gallys. This hafly Sentence caus'd the greateft admiration, becaufe 'twas obferv'd, that Juftice her felf, who had never betray'd the leafl: Emotion upon any oc- cafion before, cou'd not forbear exprefling her Indignation againft thefe Cri- m'nals. And the wifeft Courtiers fay, fhe had good reafon, fince her Repu- tation was fo deeply wounded by that impudent Affirmation, that 'twas pof- fible there might arife fuch DilTerences among men, as flie by her Laws cou'd not decide, without the barbarous praftice of Duelling. ADVICE L. 7he DukeSj Marquijjes ami other Titulati of Tarnafjits complain to Apollo, that their honorable Title of Excellence is giVen to Vofiors of Law and Thyfick. TH E Duke of Aganippe's Lady being taken ill laft week of a very dangerous Fever, he prefently call'd a Confultation of the moft emi- nent Phyficiansof this Court, and for his greater fatisfaftion vvou'd needs be prefent himfelf. He obferv'd that in their Debates they gave one ano- ther the Title of Excellence ; which the Duke took as fuch an Affront, that without ftaying to know the IlTue of the Confultation, he flung away in a terrible fury ; and going to feveral Princes told 'em, they were ob- N lig'd Qo Advices ffoin Pantajfuf.' "Cent. i. lig'd in honor to put a flop to this abufe, that fo fignal a Title might be no longer debas'd by being given to a company of little Quacks and Lawyers. The Princes thought the Duke much in the right, and immediately prefer'd a heavy Complaint upon this Subjcdl: to Apollo, befeeching his Majefty to redrefs a Grievance which tended greatly to the didionor of lb many Perfons of the firft Rank. Apollo gave 'em no other Anfu'er, than that they fliou'd fummon the Partys before him, which was done accordingly : fo that the Do£lors in both Facultys appear'd the next day, and in prefence of his Majefty, and the Princes their Advcrfarys, they made this Defence ; That all Men knew Lawyers and Phyficians were of more antient ftandinginthc World than Dukes, who took their rife only when the Goths and other barbarous Nations entered Italy, and divided it into petty Principalitys : for the Name of Duke,. Marquefs, Count, C>'c. were never heard of till then ; but the Doftors of Law and Phyfick had the Appellation of Excellence the very firft day that Learning was planted in the World, and have ever fince been in quiet poirelTion of it ; and all others who had diftinftions of Flonor in Italy Hrit took it iiom them, therefore there was noReafon or JuQice that the moft antient PofTenors Ihou'd be robb'd of it by the modern. That if the Princes their Ad- verfarys believ'd that Title was lefs honourable by being beftow'd on the ProfeiTors of Learning, they ought to leave it andjake another; but they were forry to obfervc that the Liberal Arts were in fuch low efteem, that the ProfeiTors of 'em fhou'd be grudg'd thofe Honors which ought rather to bcj Increas'd than diminift:i'd, for the eternal glory of Learning, and to encourage i Men to apply themfelves to ftudy. ^ ; ii TO this the Princes anfwer'd; That the Dodors Argument in pretend-; ing they had borrowed from them the Title of Excellence was notorioufly falfe, for moft of 'em had purchas'd it of Sovereign Princes with ready Mony, and paid dear for it too. The Dodors reply'd, If that were of any force in this Difpute, they too might alledg that they had paid a round fum for their Dotlor's Degree, which has annex d to it the Title of Excellence. To which the Princes reply'd with great fcorn, that they thought it very ftrangc, the Doftors fliould pretend to compare their Excellence which might coft 'cm fome fifty Crowns, to that of Dukes and Princes which was worth many thoufands; and therefore the difference in the Price was an evident Argument of the different worth. Apollo wonder'd to hear the Princes talk at this rate, and told 'em, they had paid their Mony for the fubftantial Eftates they poffefs'd, not for the vain and empty Title ; but the Doftors, who firft poffelt the fubftance of Learning by their indefatigable Study, might with great reafon fay they had bought the Title when they had bought the Degree, To this the Princes anfwer'd with a profound figh, that to their forrow they knew his Majefty to be miftaken, for many of 'em had purchas'd Titles without Eftates ; fuch, for inftance, as being in poffeftl- on of a Caftlc, or other Place, with the Title of Baron, Earl, or Marquifs, had paid a large Sum to their Sovereign to ereft that Fief into a Dukedom or Principality, only that they might be honour'd with the Title of Ex- cellence. Apollo was fo difpleas'd at this, that he inftantly publifh'd an Edi£l, by which he commanded all Kings and Emperors to abftain for the time to come from fuch unlawful Merchandize, and granted to thofe Blockheads who had thrown away their Mony for Smoke without Roaftmeat, all the charitable Privileges which the Law allows to Children, Ideots, and other miferable Perfons, of demanding Reftitution //? integrum, ex cafite enormijfimA Uftoniir Adv. 5 1. Advices from Pamajfm. ^ i Ufionis. Then to free himfelf wholly from this troubiefom Contfoverfy, he refet'd the Decifion of it to the 7>ibunal of the fage Grandees of the Libera! Arts. T H E Dukes and Doftors appear'd before them, and after a Debate of feverai hours, 'twas decreed by the Judges, that in Princes, the Title of Excellence honour'd the Goods of Fortune, in Doftors, thofe of the Mind. The Dukes at firft interpreted this Sentence in their favour, and with a fcornful fmile derided the Doftors about it; who laugh'd in their Sleeves at thefe grofs-wittcd Lords, and reply'd not a fyllablc. Bur when the Princes had contcr'd with their Council, and underftood that the Sentence was againft 'em, they wou'd fain have appeal'd. A )> o l l o, tir'd with their Importunity, told 'em they fhou'd refl fatisfy'd, for thofe only difgracc the Title of Excellence who buy it with their Mony, not they who purchafe it by their honourable Study : and if the Dukes and other Perfons who have Titles of Honor, wou'd advance their Reputation, they fhou'd open their Purfes, and by encouraging the virtuous ProfelTors of Learning, acquire the Title of Liberal, which Men of found Judgment thought not only fuperior to that of Excellence, but even to give a Luftre to the greatefl Titles upon Earth. ADVICE LI. A Marquifs haVing unployd S c i r i o A m m I R a T i to draw lis TedegrcCj is jo little Jatisfyd with ity that he demands his Mony again. SCiPio Am M IRA T I upon his firft arrival at Parnaffus fet up a tJe- rald's Shop, wiiere to this hour he follows the trade of drawing the Genealogy s of the moft illuflrious Family s, and is efteem'd fo good a Ma(kr of his Art, tliat the chief of this Court apply to him upon fuch occahons. Now it happen'd, that fome months ago a certain Marquifs de- fir'd liim to branch out his Pedegrce, charging him to do his utmoft to trace it up to the firft Stock ; lie gave him two hundred Crowns in Gold by way ot Earneft, and promis'd him a valuable Reward when the bufinefs was done. A M M 1 R \ T I was fevcral months about it, and having collected all that was to be found of this Nobleman's Family, hedigefted it into form, and made a compleat Volume of it: by which it appear'd that his Anceftorshad been Marquilles above a hundred years, and that the firft of 'em who had any Eftate was a Captain, who for his good Services to an Emperor of Germany was rewarded with a Caftle, and the Title of Marquifs. Now the Father of this Captain it fcems was a Phyfician, who was the Son of a Notary, whofe Father was an Oil-man, who was the Son of a Bum-bailiff", that iiad been a notoiious Rafcal, and was hang'd for his Villanys. This Bailiff was difcover'd to have been the adopted Son of a Taylor, and his real Father a Gentleman of Savoy, who having confpir'd againft his Prince, was put to death in Prifon ; and his Son when he was very young, being forc'd to fly from the Duke of Savoy, was out of pure kindnefs taken into the faid Taylor's Houfe, who charitably taught him his Trade, and foon after adopted liim. This Gentleman of Savoy was the Son of a Count of great Note, and Am MIR AT I difcover'd that the Father, Grandlather, Great Grandfather, and great Great Grandfather of this Count had for above three hundred N 2 years 9 2 Advices from Parnajjus. Cent. i. years liv'd in great Splendor in their Earldom, which was got by a Cour- tier and great Favourite ot the Prince that then rul'd, which Courtier was found by authentick Records to have been the Son of a certain Jew call'd Salomon, who being converted to Chriftianity, took the Name of A R N o L p o. This Jew came from Rhodes, and tho all poflible diligence wasus'd to difcover his Dcfcent, nothing couM be learnt of it. Ammirati therefore being able to trace it no farther, prefented the Marquifs with the fruits of his Labor, who was pleas'd to fee the Volume fo large, and without examining the Contents, made Ammirati a Prefent of a thoufand Crowns. But when he came to take a view of the meannefs of his Ex- traftion, and the Villanys of feveral that were recorded in his Genealogy, he goes in a rage to the Herald, and tells him that inftead of an honorable Pedegree which he expefted of him, he had compos'd a fcandalous Libel againft him ; therefore he fliou'd take his Book again and return him his Mony, for he wou'd beftow his Rewards better than upon thofe who expos'd his Shame inftead of concealing it. Ammirati foon ftop'd his mouth, and told him he might thank his own foolifh Curiofity, fince 'tis a piece of Prudence not to fearch many years back into the Antiquity of ones Family : for the wheel of Fortune whirling round continually, and rolling thofe in the Duft who not long before were at the topmoftfpoke, all who are ambitious of tracing their Progenitors up to Noah and Adam, muft exped to find many Blemifhes in their Genealogys. ADVICE Lir. A general Viet ii held in Helicon to determine the true meaning of fome Proverbs and Sentences of wife Men. TH E Sentences and Anfwers of wife Men are Laws by which the Virtuofi of this State govern their Lives. Now it happen'd feveral days ago that there arofe a great Difpute among the Literati concerning the truth of fome of thefe Sayings; wherefore to fettle an Affair of fuch great im- portance, a general Diet of the Virtuofi was fummon'd to meet in Helicon : the firft Debate was upon the truth of the common Proverb, That fair Words and foul Deeds cheat both Fools and wife Men. Many voted for it, alledging that the Sharpers of this Age were arriv'd to that perfeftion in double-dealing, that they impos'd on an infinite number of honeft undefign- ing Men, and led them by the nofe wherever they pleas'd, tho they were reputed to have fenfe and underftanding. However, the majority of the Diet carry 'd it, that in times part this Saying was with great reafon receiv'd for truth ; but now adays thro the bare-fac'd Impudence of thofe Rafcals who follow the ProfefTion of leering Men to ruin, all the World was aware of 'em, and had learn'd to believe nothing but what they faw and felt ; fo that none but downright Naturals were cheated by 'em : for wife Men not only gave no credit to 'em, but avoided 'em as a crew of damn'd Cut-throats and Cheats, who feeing themfelves thus pointed at, were alham'd to fhew their faces among men of Honor, but like Owls and Bats appear'd only by night, that Darknefs might hide their Infamy. THE next Doubt was, Whether that celebrated faying, Omve folum font Patrix eji^ were abfolutely true. The firil day 'twas debated with *. great Adv. 52. Jdvices from Varnaffus. }jc^ great hear, and the Diet inclio'd to. belicv'e thet'e wa's-i rfe'Vea-fiyn >o quertion the Truth of a faying, whidttill then lisd been held undL•n^abJe by aU the Schools: tor nothing was more vifiblc than that'bsrdVe Men are carefs'd wherever they go; and lince.no Prophet is elleofp'd in- his o\)i>n Land, great and generous Souls had realon to account that ri^ii- Country where their fignal worth is moil va^u'd ; and luoh only tvere oblig'd to call the place of their Nativity lb, Aiho were always detef^ed abroad for their FoUys and indifcreet Behavior. However, the contrary Opinion pre- vail'd, and the Saying was rcpealM as falfe : for the Virtuofi 01 the Ditt affirm'd, that 'twas dircftly opposite to the WUl -of the Creator, to prove which they offer'd this Argument: Thavthe Divine Majcfty having for con- ceal'd Reafons thought fit that the Earth fliou'd not be all equally fruittui and pleafant, yet that the barren parts Ihou'd be inhabited as well as the fruitful, and the torrid and irozen Climes no lefs than the temperate ; with a Prudence worthy of himfclf had infus'd into; the Heart of Man fo pafTionate a fond- nefs of his own Country, as in a manner blinds his judgment, and takes from him all fenfe of a better ; for he Hill diinks that the moft delicious where he was born. Now this Affeftion is fo nccelTary to Mankind, that without it they wou'd foon foi fake the rocky Dwellings of the Alps, the chilling broils ot the North, and the fcorching Heatiindei' the Line, and with infinite Confu- fion all flock into the temperate Clirfiateii of Europe and Afia. Pcfides, even ravage Beafts and all oriicr Animals give a convincing lUuftration of this Truth: for in obedience to the Dictsites of Natuie-they are perpetually ob- fcrv'd to abide in the Countrys where they were born, tho they have iVift- refs ot foot, or Wings to fly awav. Thus a Hare, when chas'd by Dogs from her Form, fears no lefs the change of Place than the rage of her Pur- fuers, and returns at lalf to die where flie was firll flarted. And it has been obrcv'd, that Swallows fly back over a valt tract of Sea and l.and to rebuild their Nefts in the fame Houfes which they had left the year before AFTER this RcfoKition the Proverb, Feffina lente, wascall'd in que- ftion. 'Twas faid that this Sentence contain'd a flat Contradicf ion, fince *twas impolTible to vun and go foftly at the fame time, or maturely to deli- berate in an Aflair wliich yet requir'd difpatch : For this the Opinion of Tacitus was quoted with great applaufe, * Na/lea cuniJatio/it locus eji in eo conjilio, quod non Uud/trt j)otejl nip peraclum ; quia non cunciitione opus. Bifi ubi fertticiofior (it quies quam temerttas. There's no room for delay in Counfels, wlfkh admit not of Praife unlefs they're executed : for delay is of no ufc where P.mfing is more pernicious than Precipitation. I N this divtr/liy of Opinions, the Diet, that they might fairly determine an Adair of fuch moment, fcnt for the Emperor F l a v i u s Ve s p a s i a n u s, who was Author of tlie Proverb, and dcfir'd him to explain his own mean- ing. Vespasian anfwer'd : That he invented not the Emblem of the Anchor and Dolphin, with the ^[oxio t'ejiinx Unte, in the fenle that was commonly put upon it ; for he knew very well that many occafions happen'd where Precipitation was the greatelt Prudence, and where the Cuftom of the French ought to be follow'd, which is, firft to aft, and then to delibe- rate. But by Fe/Ii/JA lente he intended only to advife his Romans to fcart flowly, that is, not to make fo frequent Entertainments : for Rome being full ot a cunning fort of Spaniels, who were excellently good at fpringing ♦ L'b. I. Hirt. Game. 94 Advices from 'Parnaffus. Cent. i. Game, and having plenty of fuch two-leg'd Animals, as like Partridges, fiutft occapantii, are any body's that can catch 'em ; the too frequent making of Feafts was neither better nor worfe, than to follow the game of Cuckol- dom, and to go a hunting for Horns. WHEN Vespasian had thus interpreted his Motto to the fatisfac- tionofthe whole Diet, the next queftion was, whether there were any ground for the Proverb, Beware of red Hair. 'Twas voted that it ought to be repeal'd, becaufe your red hair'd men being more addifted to their Cups than others, were accounted very honelt jolly Fellows, open- hearted, and not at all revengeful or cruel ; and therefore red Hair was the beft colour a man could wifh for, who defir'd to gain good Will, and the reputation of a Perfon of Worth and Honor. 'Ihey were juft minuting down this, Refolution, when in the very nick of time up ftcod the Lady Victoria Colonna, who reprefented the whole Society of Lear- ned PoetelTes, and vigoroufly oppos'd it, till fhe made the whole Diet change their Opinion. She told 'em, they had, to the great diOionor of that Learned Aflembly, revok'd the trueli Saying that ever drop'd from tlie lips of a Philofopher ; for the Proverb was not intended, as is commonly taken, for a warning to beware of red-headed Perfons, as if they were all naturally vitious, but as an admonition to the Female-fex (particularly to marry'd Women) to beware of intriguing with a Man of that remarkable Tell- tale colour : for there b^ing few of that Complexion, if a red-hair'd Ca- valier chanc'd to receive fome familiar Favors from a Lady, his Hair wou'd make him be pointed at for an Adulterer ; when with another Com- plexion, the Intrigue wou'd ne'er have been difcover'd. The whole Diet acquiefc'd in the Lady V i c t o r i a's Interpretation, and thought it wor- thy the deep Judgment of fo noble a Poetefs. THIS debate being over, the high Chancellor of Delphos mov'd, that the truth of the Saying, Vbi bonumibi Fatria, might be difcufs'd ; which accordingly was narrowly fifted, and the Literati faid, that a good Eftate being a principal ingredient in human Happinefs, they faw no reafon why that fliou'd not be eftecm'd a man's happielt Country, where he had moll wealth : for that place, let it be what it will, where a Man's torc'd to be a Drudg and Slave for his living by the fweat of his brow, was always efteem'd an unfortunate Abode, and not a delicious Home. However 'twas unanimoully refolv'd, that in former times the Proverb deferv'd to be thought true ; but in the prefent, when the rapacious nails of Sequeftrators were grown longer than the claws of Vulcurs, and when great Eftates often ferve for conclufive proofs of Treafon upon tlieir Owners, in order to fill the Coffers of Princes by confifcations ; 'twas a blcfTing much to be defir'd to live in Italy, and have ones Eftate in Japan. jp ADVICE Adv. 5 3. Advices from Parmjfus, L» , li .n ■ • ■ .:< 1. J: ! ■ ■ . ■ ADVICE LIIL Francisco Sforza, Vuke of Milan, is admitted into 'Parnaffus] hut on Very hard conditions y which he fuhmits to, -^ FR A N CI s c o S r o R z A, who by his extraordinary Courage and Skill in War acquirM the Dukedom of Milan, and render'd his Family no lets illuftrious than thofc of the greateft Princes, arriv'd on the Confines of this State above a hundred years ago, at the invitation of all the Profcf- fors of Arms as well as Arts: yet Apollo has always refus'd him ad- mittance into ParnafTus, and wou'd never tell why, tlio earneft applications Iiave been made in his behalf by the chief Piiiices at Court, who ever lud a veneration for his eminent Worth and Bravery. But eight days a^o being more than ufually prelVd upon this fubjefl: by Lewis the Eleventh, King of France, his Dclphick Majefty was pleas'drefolutelv toanfwer, that he had very good reafon^ for refufing that Honor, to 10 fcandaloUb a Pcrfon, To which the wife King boldly reply'd, that in regard of the Duke's extra- ordinary Valor and Skill in War, his excellent Counfel, fingular Dexterity, and wonderful difpatch of Bufincfs, the facred Honor and Fidelity of his Word, and many other heroick Virtues which appeared with fuch I.uflreia that great Man, to give him entrance into Parnalfus, wou'd in his opinion be to admit one who was the example of great Commanders, the perfciH: Idea of a Prince uncommonly wife in peace, and of infinite prudence in war, ra- ther than a Perfon fcandalous to the State. Apollo anfwerM, that he was very fenfible of the infinite Merits of Sforza, but fince men begin to fee thro the falfe Glory of War, and to be convinced of the unhappy ufe of Arms, he wou'd not, by admitting the Duke, rcftore the reputation of that rafli and giddy ProfefTion •, efpecially ilnce the foolifh part of Mankind are more encourag'd to defpifc the dangers of the Sea, by the fale arrival of one Veflel into Port, than deter'd by a thoufand that are cafl away. However, he bid the King tell him in his name, he wou'd very willingly grant hisrequeft upon one condition, which was, that he fhou'd make his Fntry with a Retinue, composed only of thofe Soldiers who had mifcrably loft: their Lives in his fervice. The Duke thought thcll- Terms both hard and ignominious, and was long in fufpence whether he fhou'd accept 'em or not. He wascncourag'd on one hand by thedefireof Glo- ry,and no lefs difcourag'don t'other to refleft, that the profelTion of Arms prC" mifing fo fair in its blooming fpring, and producing fo indifferent a Harveff, his Train wou'd confill: only of an Equipage of unhappy Wretches, who were muchtobcpity'd. In this doubtful Strife, the Hero's endlefs thirft of Glory at length prevaiPd, and he fent his Secretary Simonett a to ac- quaint Apollo, that he accepted the condition ; whereupon his Majefty appointed the nineteenth inftant for the day of his Entry. WHEN the Duke's Kefolutioncame'to the ears of the Princes and m oft: famous Captains of this Court, they were extremely difpleas'd, and us'd their utmoft endeavors to dilTuade him from it, knowing that it wou'd tend to the great dift^ionor of their Profeftion. But the Duke, who firmly ad- her'd to his Kefolution, plainly told 'em, he was determin'd at any rate to acquire a place in ParnaiTus, nor did he care what mifchicf and difhonor be- fel 9^ 'Advices from ParndjfkS. Cent. i. fcitheArtof War: for tint Fifherman is not to be blam'd, who, bt'inf grown ricli enough to hvc u'itliout his Trade, burns his Boats and tears his jNjets to pieces. Therefore he prelently lent for thofe of his Friends in whom he mofi: confided, and commanded 'em to xnulkr all the Soldiers that had been defl:roy'd in his fervicc, who amounted to a vafl number ; and the VV' ednefday following he made his F.ntry, complcatly arm'd from head to foot. THE Eyes of men never beheld a more deplorable Spe£lacle, or a fceoc of greater Wo than this; for the Duke was attended by a long Retinue of the moft deform'd and dcfperare Wretches, that were ever plung'd in the lowelf abyfs of mifery. The eyes of the mofl: obdurate were melted inra Tears, to fee an infinite number of young men, who were born to plentiful Fortune;^, and had livM in all poftibje eafe and pleafure in thehoufes of tlieir i'arents, fomellarv'd in loathfom Hofpitals, others dead in Ditches and de- voured by Dogs, and vaftnusT.bers drownM in Rivers, ferving for Ibod to Filli ; feme mangl'd and heu'd in pieces by horrid Wounds, fome tram- pled to death under Horfes feet, and others begging their liread on the road ; their Prince's fervice, in which they 'lad loft their lilood, and expos'd tl)eir Lives to a thoufand dangers, not having furnifli'd 'em with cjiough to carry 'em back to their homes, which to their mibibrtune they had fo iooUdiiy abandon'd. All the Speftators wept at the light of a young Nobleman pal- ling by, who had been kiil'd by an Arrow, which pierc'd thro his eye. G u i- Do Bo NAT I a famous Aftrologer, had foreiecn b\' his Art, that if this unfortunate Youth had been wife enough to have flaid at home, he would have liv'd to fourfcore years ; wherefore tendeily embracing him, he cry'd out, O wretched Youth ! whatcruel fatal Frenzy polTcf^'d thee to fell fixty years of life for a Julio? This pathetick Exclamation mov'd all tlie Standers by, and millions of Curfes were heard from every fide againfi thofe wlio firft introduc'd war upon the Earth. 'J" H E day that fucceeded the Duke's mournful Entry, the raoitaccom- plifli'd Virtuofi of this State came to Apollo, and told him, tlicy faw nodiflPerence between the miferys of War and the misfortunes of Courts: for if War was a Mifery, the Court was nothing but AffliQion; and if Sol- diers were unhappy, Courtiers were equally unfortunate. Therefore fince the mournful Speftacle of Duke Sforza's Entry had II ruck fuch a dread of War into all the Spc6lators, as to make 'em hc:irtily detefl that curfed Trade, it wou'd be of equal advantage to the World, that when any Fer- fons, who from low beginnings had rifen to the higheff Dignitys in Courts, were admitted into ParnafTus, they too fliou'd be accompany'd by a Retinue of thofe miferable Courtiers, who had been affliiSted and opprefs'd by the avarice and ingratitude of Princes, till they were dead of difappointment and defpair. Apollo rejefted this Advice, as being of pernicious confe- quence, and faid. Men ought not to be deter'd from going to Court ; for tho few there attain'd the Dignitys, Wealth and Honors they fought after, yet all had the opportunity of enriching their Minds with valuable experience,and with the purchafe of many Virtues. So that whoever had been many years converfant in the management of Courts, and was not mafier of the Art, d-eferv'd noc in his judgment the name of an accomplilli'd Virtuofo. ADVICE Adv. 5 4^5 5* Advice f from Tarnaffhf. ^>j AD VICE lf.IV. Apollo ap[)eafes a dan^trons fctiffle among the TeJaiits of Tar- najfm, YESTERDAY at fix in the evening an alarm was beaten in the quar- ters of the Grammarians ; theVirtuofi of ParnafTus running to the noife, found the Pedants, the Writers of Epiftles and their Commentators all togetlier by the ears, and had much ado to part 'em. Now what was the occafion of this terrible fray, but only a difpute, whether the word Con- fumptum fhouM be writ with a P or without one. IN the midft of this diforder Paulus Manutius, who was thouglit the chief Promoter of this difturbance, hurl'd a Roman Stone, on which Confumptum was written with a P, full in the face of L a m b i n u s, and dafli'd his nofeas flat a flounder. Apollo, who was before fuffici- ently angry :.t the pitiful caufe of the Quarrel, grew fo enrag'd at this new extravagance, that he commanded the City Pretor to drive the pedan- tick Coxcombs from ParnafTus ; which had been certainly done, but that his Majefty was prevail'd withto revoke his Command, at the interceflion of Cicero, Q^u i >; t i l i a n, and the other chief Literati of this Court, who for once appeas'd him, by faying, 'twas impoflible for Pedants to quar- rel about matters of greater moment, fince their knowledg confined only in trifles. ADVICE LV. To prevent the ^rcat Abujcs that are found in Hiflory^ Apollo /a/V- ni'^alfitfibl'd a general meeting of the Hijloriographers^ puhblhcs a j'cVcre Edicl ijgiiinjl 'eniy and many Hijlorians are hlanid for their faults. '^"T^HE Ccnfors of Learning, by Apollo's exprefs Command, fum- J^ mon'd a general AlTembly of all the Hiftorians to meet in Delos on the twentieth ot" laft iMonth ; and the faid AlTembly broke up two days ago, having to his Majefty's great fatisfaftion, made admirable orders and regulations relating to that Affair, on which depends the eternal Fame of great Men and their virtuous Aftions. TheVirtuofi were the more pleas'd with this, becaufe the modern Hiftoriographers have deviated very much from thofe Laws, which they fwore fo religioufly to obferve, when they took the Oaths of that ProfelTion before his Majefty. Now in order to re- form rhi^ccrruption, an Edi£l was publin;i'd yefterday in his Majefty's name, in all the publick Schools, and afterwards pofled up on the doors of all the Colleges of this State ; and becaufe 'tis a matter of importance, M e n a n t e your faithful Intelligencer has a copy of it here at your fervice. P Hit BUS, by the grace of God, Emperor of the fixt Stars, King of the Planets, Prince of the Zodiack, Duke of Light, Marquifs of Generation, O and ^8 A'dvkes 'fn>m Baritaljuf. - ? ^^(fZenth h and Earl of all vifible things, to all our faithful Virtuofi, and right trufty and -well- beloved I. iter»ti, CTfeetiRt^. - Wl«?reas, to our infinite Grief and Difpleafure, we are tully convinced, that the nnodern Hiftoriographcrs have deviated extrcm'-'ly horn tliat^atliwf Truth,t ivhich, to the great reputation both of tlie publick and private, our moll laitlitui Hillorians, DioKvsius, L I V I L^s, S A L x^ u st; I uts., T Ai!^,MT^u s;oir^^'.niaay other^' had trod before 'em ; to the end therefore chat future Ages may not be impo's'd upon by tiie peftilent Falfitys which the\ Hud in fljttering, malicious and ignorant Wri- ters, We do by this our RdiO, which is to remain in tuil for^e for ever, re- mind'aill thofe, who ^^(lertak^^'thS'irh'ofi:. nbfefe' Province of tVaiifmitting to pofltrFty the fighaVARfoiis ■^.'trttii,' that they oi^ght continually to have a ilri£Vregard to Tr^^h,' efpeff^lffi!-'lin6t they writelo future Ages,, nottotheir o\\''a^"tliat they fake aire to piibltO) fuch WHrings, as will gain''em the glo- rious and immortal na-me of fi;! cere and fairhful . liiftorians ; and that they value no more tlian r!;e C'uIt they^cread on, thfc ^nger orThix-ats of thofe,' who, by reafon of their lirtle Virtue are juftly woutided in their Reputation^ llnce'tis the Iiig-Keft- p.iicli ofjpHy/ perpetually tc/Fiibor m irhpen'in h3nd!,t6' render themfclves ifltamous by IV riting Lies^,-" vi'lrhout bfiHging any Honor to thofe they flaaer. ' .We fatrFs^b'r declare, tliatto'publifh to the World falfe^ Hiftor\s, isto afPafflrr-lt^the Vrtuali tlVatread Vm ; and therefore we or-' dain, that luchas'fll^ll beconyifle^ of tharcnVe, fhall receive the fame Pu-' nifliment that is apHoirired 'fdr A^faifii'is. ' A-itdfince it appears, that Princes' havearrogaced to t!>emRivb'f6^f-fcat ^Vnau^f^tyi-ity, even over the free pen's' of Hillorians, as-ri^rtjperrtiu'^i:iTfty write any thing of them, tho ever fo' true, whicli is not'to their intire fkisfatlioiV; a pretenfion that has banifli'd all hillorical Truth, Lid by intro'fi-icing-the vileft adulation, whicli the Princes of this Age cxpccl, difcourag'J the greatcfl Genius's of our Virtuofi ; fo that theimporianc bufine's of writir.g Millory, which belongs only to the ablell Authors, is to the great n^iamebf this prefent Age, and the infinite prejudice of all tlie future, fallen intot^i^ hands of themoR ignorant: We therefore, to redrefs fo great an evil, are bbli^^'d to put Princes in mind, that fince all their power dies wjth 'em, they are fools to believe they can hinder our Vir- tuofi from tranfmictlng to pofitii-ityrlie niked truth of thefir Aftions. And for their further caution, we give 'em to underfiand, that their lading Re- ftraints upon ai? Affair which requires perfeft Liberty, provokes our moll faithful Hifiorians, out of mere revenge, afier their death to write Invec- tives agaiiilf 'em, racher than Hilforys of their Actions, as the Kmperors TiB^Ei^ius. C-A 1 u s, Claudius, and.. N pro have found to their f]-iarr(e.'J"'And tci obvikfe the great' iiitonvenience arifing from tlie ignorance of thofe Men, \vho, 'in modern times, by their fenficfs W'riiings, fodebafe tlre'^di^htty bf Hift'6ry;' We cXprelly Will and Command, that for the fu- ture' no'Perfon, of what degree or condition foever, prefume to write Hif- roivs,' unlefshc be'H'i'il apprqv.'d of by Julius Caesar for purity of Lahgtifige, by L.iV,Y for his Eloq.ijenCe, by; Tacitus for his skill in PoliticK!>, and by' 'our well-beloved F r an cis'co Guicciardini for right underftanding the Intereli of Prince-^. Moreover, we forbid all manner cf Perfons, on pain of eternal infamy, to write for the future the particufar Hiftory'^ot any City, except it be the Metropolisof an Empire, Kingdom, or great Province : arid this we do, to the end that the incftima- biejc'vve!-, Time, ma^y;not be thrown away on trifles, either by the Writer or the. Reader. For'the fame reafon hkewife we enjoin, that no Author preTD'me to publifh die Life of a General, or other Perfon of diflinQion, un- IpfSTjf fuch a one' as has comnianded Armys in chief, ferv'd twenty Cam- -'' . P^gns Adv. 55' Advices from Tarnajjus. oo pagns, conquer'd Provinces, befieg'd and taken ftrong Towns, and fought at leaft two pitch'd Battels. And to take away all pretences that ambitious men may alledg for infringing this our Royal EdiQ, We declare, that no per- fons Lives fliall be permitted to be written, who are not furnifli'd with the fame noble Accompliiliments that were feen in Belisarius, Narse- T E s, G o D F R E Y of Bullen, and in the great Alexander Farnese. And to exterminate from the World as much as poflible, a certain arrogant Ambition which we know reigns in many, we likewife enjoin, that it be not Jawful for any man to write the Hiftory of a particular Family, unlefs it be made appear to our venerable College of Hiftorians, that it has been re- nown'd, and maintain'd it felf in great fplendor in the world for the fpace of five hundred Years, and has produc'd many Perfons who have fignaliz'd themfelves by putting an end to important Wars, and other gallant Under- takings ; and that in this particular the moft glorious and our well-belov'd Fa- mily s of R s I N I, C a J e T A N, and C o l o n n a, ferve all Writers for an Example. FURTHER, fince by manv pafl Inftances we are fully convinc'd, that to give leave to an ambitious Perfon to write his own Hiflory, is to put a naked Sword into the hand of a mad-man, We ftriftly command, that no man whatfoever write Memoirs of his own Life, without having firfl: given good Security that hcM'ill keep within the bounds of 'J'ruth and Modcfly, nor till our College of Hiftorians have certify'd him to be a Perfon of fuch eminence and renown, that it will be of advantage to future Ages to record and confecrate his Atchievements to immortality. And to root out ef- feQually the horrible vice of Flattery, to wliich with infinite concern we obferve our Virtuofi much inclin'd, We exprcfly command, that no Au- thors dare to publifli the Life of any Hero, tho he glitter with the Impe- rial or Regal Dignity, before he be dead ; allowing them to make mention of men while they are alive, only in general Hiftorys and fhort particular Panegyr-cks. Furthermore, to prevent the numberlefs Follys which we dai- ly fee in many Hiftorys, 'tis our exprefs Will and Pleafure, that none of our Virtuofi pretend to write the Hiftory of any foreign Nation, if he have not liv'd twenty years fucceftivcly in that Nation. For the fame reafon we likewife forbid any Virtuofo to undertake the writing of Hiftory, unlefs he has travel'd thro many Provinces, been Secretary or Minifter of State to fome great Prince ; or be a Senator of fomc illuftrious Republick ; and has been converfant in Courts for at leaft two thirds of his Life, a Qualification fo necelTary, that in our royal Library there are many Hiftorys written by Courtiers, who were wholly ignorant of the Purity of Language, and knew nothing of the moft important Rules of Hiftoriography, which yet abound with many excellent political Remarks; by which it appears that 'tis the peculiar Province of accomplifti'd Courtiers, to publifh to Pofterity the moft hidden Thoughts of Princes hearts, into which they have been able to dive by their penetrating Wit. And becaufe many Hiftorys abound with fliarplnveftives againft fuch Nations as were at War with that of the Au- thor, we renew our Edifls publifh'd fome years ago on this account by which, for the indemnity of hiftorical Truth from the afperfions that one Nation throws on another which is its Enemy, 'tis enaded that an Abatement of fixty per Cent, beallow'd in fuch cafes. And being fully con- vinc'd that Lucius Florus has been the fole caufe of the vaft mif- fortune which Learning has fuftain'd in the lofs of the greateftpart of our beloved Li v y 's Decads, we ftridly command, that for the future no man epitomize or make an abridgment of any Hiftory. In like manner, by vir- O 2 tue loo Advices from Tarntjffus. Cent. I. tue of the full Power wc have over Learning, we forbid all our Virtuofi, for the time tocon:ic, to write the univerfa! Hiftory of the World, or the particu- lar Hiftory of any People famous for noble AQions, like the Romans, French and Saracens, in a fmail Compendium, as many foolifh Authors have clone, who in a few fliects of Paper havecomprii'd the Aftionsof all Nations of the Earth, dcduc'd from the Creation down to their own Times : for Kxperi- ence has taught mankind, that the reading of things fo fuccinftly written, is of very little ufe, it being impofTible to reap from thence that advan- tage found in other Hiiiorys, wliicli relate at large not only Aftions themfelves, but the Springs and Reafons of 'em. Laflly, U'e admonifh Priefls to apply themfelves wholly to the writing and reading of facrci things, and leave the compofing of profane Hifiorys to thofe honeft Laymen who think it a Duty to truth, and not a Sin of muimuring or flander, to blame the A£lions of any Prince or private Man whatfoever, who has done things of which he ought to be afham'd, GIVEN at our Court in the Zodiack, the twentieth day after our entrance into the Sign of Libra-, in the Year of our toilfomcourfe 5560. AFTER the publication of this rigorous Edift, a Report was whif- per'd in this Court (yet becaufe 'twas very private, Menante, who makes a confcience of writing nothing but Truth, dares not affirm it for certain) that in the AfTembly many Hiftorians receiv'd the mortification of being feverely reprimanded, among whom were fome of the firfl Clafs, 'Tis reported that Julius C^^sar was comm.anded, in the fpace of twenty days, to put into his Commentarys the breaking open the Treafury at Rome, and to tell the naked truth of that matter how it happen'd ; and alfo that he fhou'd make mention of other Particulars, which in pure civility to himfelf he had omitted. 'Tis faid befides, that Suetonius Tran- Q^uiLLus was feverely reprimanded, becaufe tho he had made greater profeflion than any other of being a molt polite and judicious Writer, he had neverthelefs related of Tiberius, that in his brutal Lufts he made ufe of fucking Children : an Obfcenity which by no means fhou'd have been mentioned, not only becaufe Hifforians cannot be fure of thofe leudnef- fes that are a£t-d in the dark and without Witnefs, but becaufe fuch horrid Enormitysought to bebury'd in oblivion, rather than divulgd to mankind; it being the Duty of every Hiltorian to inculcate Virtue, not inftruft ia Vice. Dion had his turn too, tho they fay he was told in milder Lan- guage, that Hiflory, which ought to be compos'd of nothing but real Truths, and of the quinteltence of politick Inftruftions, needed not thofe frequent Narrations of Portents and Frodigys with which he had fo ffuff'd his Writ- ings, that they cloy'd his Readers, and were the more tedious becaufe he had furpafs'd all the bounds of Probability, both in the number and quality of 'em. Apollo himfelf fmil'd at his having recorded fo many fhowers of Stones and Blood: his Majefty not remembring that his Rays had ever exhal'd into the upper Region fuch Vapors, as cou'd afterwards be condens'd into BlooJ, and rain'd down to fpoil Clothes, or into Stones to beat mens Brains out. 'T I S faid that Titus L i v i u s, the Father of the Pvoman Hifto- ry, blufli'd at this Reprimand made to Dion; perhaps becaufe his Confcience mifgave him, and he was alraid of being call'd to account upon the fame fcore. BUT all affirm for certain, that the Lords of that Affembly proceeded with extraordinary feverity againft Lampridius, whofe Writings by the unanimous command of the whole Convocation w^ere deliver'd to him, and Adv. 55* Jdvices from Parnajpfs. lot and he was plainly told, he fhou'd go teach in the publick Stews thofe exe- crable Lufts with which he had taken fuch delight to fill his flian^.elefs Hi- ftory, wherein he had written the Lives ot" H e n o g a e a l u s, C a r a- c A L L A, and other Monfters of nature in all manner of Icudnefs. 'T I S reported too, that they blam'd M a c c h i a v n l for the mad Po- liticks with which he had fo pientilully fill'd his Hiftorys and other Writings, as plainly fhew'd, he had a mind to precipitate his Readers into the fame Pit of Impiety into which he had fhamefully fallen himfelf. IN the next place 'tis faid, the whole AlTembly pafb'd a Cenfureupon GuicciARDiN for having fpoken ill of the Rcpublick of Venice, which the College ot Hiftorians (fil'd the Afylum of the Virtuofi, the abode of pcrled Liberty, the Bulwark againft the Barbarians, the Mint of Li- brarys, the Salt of human Wifdom, and the Glory of the Italian Nation. And many believe, that in prcfence of all the Affembly, Guicciardin not only acknowledg'd, but with bitter Tears bewail'd his Error, and al- ledg'd in excufe, that he was prompted thus foully to prevaricate by the En- vy he had to fee, that while the Florentines by their domeftick Fac- tions loft their Freedom, Venice fecur'd her Liberty more and more ; but that the Reputation of Venice, and of that excellent Counfel by which fhe, as a rare and only Example, advanc'd daily in Grandeur and Honor, was rais'd to fuch a degree of Splendor, that it cou'd never be obfcui'd or fully'd by the Pen of any Writer, how paflionate or partial foever. 'T I S reported farther, that the Ccnfors fcnt for J u l i a >; G o s e l i n i, Secretary to theSenat of Milan, and ask'd him, if he thought he was talk- ing to drunken men, when in his Life of Don FerranteGonzaga, making mention of the Apoftolick See, he fcrupl'd not to fay, her Greatnefs was the particular care of the Emperor. Goselini was about to excufe himfelf, but was commanded to begone immediately, and employ his Ta- lent in wi iting flattering Sonnets, for folid Truth only ought to be the fub- jea of Hiftory. FINALLY 'tis faid, thatGiROLAMO Conestaggio, a Gentleman of Venice, having taken out of the Delphick Library his Hittory of Portugal, after it had ftood there many years, and return'd another Edition of it, which he pretended he had correfted in many places, was difcover'd by the publick Infpedors of the Library, inftead of amending it for the general Good, to have made it worfe than before, only to gratify feme Perfons whofe Reputations he had julUy tax'd ; for which he was folemnly told, that if within eight days he did not reftore to the Library the firft Edition of that Hiltory, the College wou'd fhew him fome publick Mark of their Dif- pleafure. For the whole ruin of the Portuguefes having been occafion'd by thofe who had the care of inftrufting their King Sebastian in his Youth, it was a thing highly necelTary, that from the unfortunate End of fo great a Monarch, and the miferable Calamirys of his Subjeds, all Princes riiou'd be taught to be very cautious what I erfons they appoint to take care or the Education of their Children, and that none but the moft expcri-* enc'd Captains and approv'd Statefmen fliou'd be intruftcd with i^o great a Charge. ADVICB I02 Advices from T^arnnfjus, Cent. i. ADVICE LVI. Apollo, to fectire the ^iVers of his Dominions from being infefled hy TiratSy conjiitutcs the mofl tllu/Irtous Bernardo Cappel- L o Admiral of the hunk SeHj ami ^ives him excellent Inflrufii^ APoLLo, to prevent the many mlfchiers which Learning fuffers from the Frigats of ignorant Pirats in the Rivers of Corinth, was pleas'd two days ago in full Senat to nominate the moft illuftrious Bernardo Cappello Admiral of the lonick Sea : He commanded him for this pur- pofe to levy Marines, and gave him leave to take with him many young Poets of the beft Extraftion, who to begin their Apprenticcfhip of Arms, voluntarily off'er'd to ferve his Majefty in this Expedition. Apollo afterwards call'd Cappello, and gave him pofitive Orders, on pain of being declar'd fcandaloufly illiterate, to offer Violence to none except the Frigats of ignorant Pirats; but to fuffer Merchant- fliips of any Nation to pafs unmolelied, to (hew 'em all pofTible Honors, and alTifl. 'em on all occa- fions as Perfons highly ferviceable to the world, which by their moft noble induftry enjoys every where the delicious Products of remoteft Countrys, He laid this Injunftion upon him, kfl, inftead of the Zeal his Majefty in- tended to exprefs of protefting the Lives and Ellates of his Virtuofi from Rapine and Piracy, the mofl ufetul Commerce of mankind fhou'd be obftruft- ed by exceffive raifing the Price of all Commoditys imported into ParnafTus from diftant Provinces ; and left the great Honor he propos'd to acquire, by extirpating out of the world a detcftable piratical Crew, ftiou'd turn to his difgrace, by filling it with worfe and more dangerous Robbers. Befides, his Majefty faid, 'twould be ftiameful to the laft degree, if Piracys were committed on Ships of Trade, in the name of a Prince of fo nice Virtue ; and he fliou'd deferve the worft that cou'd be faid of him, if lie imploy'd the chief Nobility of his State in fuch villany, who wou'd reap their Ihare of the Ignominy too if their firft Exploits were Pillaging. Now in order to convince all that in this important Affair his Majefty propos'd no other Intereft than the publick Good, he ftriclly commanded Cap- pello, the firft moment he took any Privateer, not to fpare one Rogue aboard her, but to put 'em all to the Sword, not only interrorem, but left the admitting to Ranfom ftiou'd at laft turn fo ufeful a Defign into a com- mon and dangerous Traffick ; for the world has feen frequent Inftances of Pirats, who being taken Prifoners, and having bought their Liberty, fell prefently to the fame trade again, to regain the Mony they had paid for their Ranfom. The laft and chief Advice which Apollo gave Cappello was this; That his bufinefs being only to proted the Rivers of Parnaffus, he ought not on any account to go out of 'em himfelf, left he fhou'd meet with the Fate of fome roving Husbands, who leaving their own Beds to corrupt the Wives of others, are fhamefuUy made Cuckolds themfelves. ADVICE Adv. 57. Ad^'kes' fmm Farnafjus, 1 o 3 y^,9J/ijCE LVH. Ik frince of Epkifi is Jp a^jliHvd^^M the 'Birch of his firfi SoUy that he forbids any pHMick\cjoic 1)1^* ; . , OU R laft Letters firom Kpiius-of t!ie 2 2cl bring Advice of the birth of a Son to tl'.e Pmikc of t.liat 'Ca^ntry, and fay, tliat, it bcmg his Firft boi Prince great ^ , , - . „ monftrations of Joy. feut the Prince hirafcit was obfcrv'd to be fo melancholy on.this occalion, 'tl'i^'^'VI-cn tlie Steward of liis Houflioid came to receive his oi'ders for the fe>(pebc.cs oflBopfires, Fireworks, Sec. he forbad any fucfj Prepjraticns, and told, Iiirn,,.wji6n. Indeed hi^fyASon fliou'd be born, he'd have the Fountains rUn with,' VVinCj' proclaim'-, o^en feafting, at Court for forty days, and expcn^^ a huhd'red thoufand Crowns in Joufls and Tor^ ncaments. 'I'lie Steward furpiiz'^'^i; .this Aflf\S cr, ask'd him with fubmiffion, Whether he did iiot tkke this ChUt),' who wa^ bprn twelve months after his Maniage with, die^Pi-mcefs, fbr^,is own? I find, reply'd.thq Prince, that private Men fee not far into tiic'jntcreft of Princes: But to convince, you that! have reafnn for what I faid, tho you think jit flrange, tell me how old I am ? Hightecn ^ir, r^ply'd tlie Steward, the 'twelfth of laft month. N^e^ ry well, fays the Prince : How oj'd, will tills Child be when I come to be fort) ? Tlie Steward anfwer'd, Two and twenty. I tell )ou then, faid the Prince, that he is my Bio;heV, not my Son : for private Men diltinguifh thefe Relations according to Bii fli,, but Princes by another Rule. If I fliou'd have a Son bom hcrealtcr when I am fifty, I will give leave for rejoicing ; but at prefent there's more occafion for Funeral Mufick than for Trumpets. Now that's the mifcliief of Princes marrying betimes, the danger of a nu- merous Orfipring, wliich is tlic ruin of a State : for no Monarch can receive a greater Bleffing tlun to have, ouly one Son, but whoever has many in his youth, let him malUr his Ambition, and not think of keep'ng the Go- vernment to the laft moment of a long Life. For as Fathers delire to dy with the reins a\' Sovereignty in their hands; lo Sons, when they arrive at a certain Age, have not patience to wait for the reverfion of Power till their Parents Deaths. There arc many Examples of fuch impatient Youths, who blind with the lufl of Power, have chofe rather to run a rifque by eat- ing the four Grapes in June, than ifay till September for the ripe Cluflers. If this be fo, rcply'd the Steward, I muft: confefs the condition of Princes, which we are fo apt to envy, is yery deplorable. It may be fo, anfwer'd the Prince, yet when this Son of rnine comes to be twenty years old, if I refign not my Principality to him, and he form any Confpiracy againft my Life or State, I fliall be more guilty of it than he : And the reafon is plain ; for 'twcu'd be as giesc unkindnefs not to yield him the Government then, as it wou'd be a barbarous Inhumanity, if now eating at a plentiful Table, I faw him Ihnd by rtidy to lhrye,.and wou'd not ask him to cat with me. ADVICE I04 Advices from Parnajfus, Cent. i. ADVICE LVIII. Apollo ereSls a new Court of Jujlice in Tamajfui for the Punifl?- ment of Flatterers j but with "Very ill juccefs. T H E exemplary Life which the Literati lead in ParnafTus is not to be attributed to the fevere Punifhments threaten'd to Vice, nor to the great Rewards propos'd to Virtue, nor yet to the natural good Difpofi- tion obferv'd in moft Virtuofi, fo much as to the wife care of Apollo, who has erefted diftin£t Courts of Judicature, and appointed particular judges for each Crime: For his Majefty has been convinc'd by paft abu- fes and diforders, that when his Minifters have but little bufinefs they difpatch it admirably well, and with great exaflnefs ; but when they have a hurry of Affairs, they feldom end *em with expedition, or decide 'em with ftrift Juftice. Nor was he fenfible till lately of one mighty Grievance that reigns in this State ; where, tho there are very rigorous Tribunals for the Punifhment of moft Vices, yet there has been no provifion made againft Flattery, which is fo hateful to his Majefty, and fo pernicious both to Princes and private Men. Apollo therefore believ'd the negled of appointing proper Remedys for that Evil, was the only reafon 'twas grown fo univerfal. And as he's always careful to extirpate all Corruption, and to promote the welfare of his Virtuofi, he thought it necelTary about fix months ago to inftitute a particular Court of Juftice for the trial and punifhment of Flat- terers. He ordain'd, that all fuch as were convifted of that fhameful Offence fhou'd be bound to the Chain in the great Piazza, and flea'd alive by M A R s Y A s, who is very dextrous in that Art which he learnt at his own coft : And for the gteater terror he elefted the Judges of this Court out of the Satyrick Poets, who are the moft deadly Enemys to Flatterers that can be. Peter Arretine was declar'd Lord Chief Juftice, Juvenal At- torny General, Ludovico Ariosto Solicitor General, Francisco Bern a chief Clerk of the Court, and Nicolo Franco and C^- sar Caporali hisSubftitutes. After this awful Tribunal was eredled, fix months pafs'd without any Information or Complaint, tho Flattery was publickly praQis'd as much as ever. Apollo therefore^ that he might have an opportunity of punifhing thofe Offenders, employ'd a great number of Spies, who had orders to take notice of all the Flatterers in Parnaffus, and inform againft 'em to the Court. This method fucceeded fo well, that in a little time Bartolomeo Cavalcanti was furpriz'd in the faft of flattering a foolifh Prince, who was wholly given up to his Sports, and fo diffolv'd in Luxury and Pleafure, that he refign'd the care of the Go- vernment to an ignorant, mercenary and corrupt Minifter ; and yet with all thel'c Vices was complemented with the CharaQer of Vigilant, Indefati- gable, an Enemy to Pleafure, and one whofe fole diverfion was Bufinefs and the care of his Subjefts Welfare. Cavalcanti was immediately taken inro cuftody, and upon Examination confefs'd all the Attorny General laid to his Charge ; fo that he was allow'd but three days to make his De- tence. M a r s y a s in the mean time fell to whetting and flourilhing his Knife, and got all his Implements in order for the Execution. THE Ad y. 5 8. Advice's frm Farrtaffui. 105 THE Judg proceeded to examine the Prince that was flatter'd, and found him ev'n more a Brute than has been defcrib'd. He.ask'd him if he had any thing to fay againft the Prifoner, and whether he did not think him- felf grofly abus'd by his extravagant Flatterys? He anfwer'd, he had no reafon to complain of a man for fpeaking Truth, and cou'd not be affronted atthofe juft Praifes, for which Cavalcanti deferv'd a Reward front him : Adding withal, that he was amaz'd and extremely fcandaliz'd at this new Tribunal, which feem'd to him to be invented rather to rob Men of Honor of their merited Fame, than to puniDi Cheats. A r r et i n e was deviiiflTly provok'd at tlie Prince's Anftver, fo that taking a little more liber- ty than became him, he ask'd him with what face he cou'd pretend, that Cavalcan'ti had not impudently ly'd in praifing fuch a Blockhead as he, who was fo notoricufly ifupid, and utterly incapable of the Govern- ment, which he fcandaloufly yielded into the bafe hands of a vicious Favo- rite? The Prince was fir'd at thefe upbraiding Reproaches, and with inex- prefTible Fury coming up to A r r e t i n e, thunder'd out againll him thefe Hcroicks, Ta ne dirai, e far at tante^ e tante Lingua fradda, Tyiarcia^ e fenza fale Ch'al fin ft trovara par un pignale Meglior dt quel d^yJcchi/k^ e pi» calzanti.' '• Siggio [on to, & tu fei tin furfante Ntitrito del pan d^altri, del dir male ; i Vnpiede hii in chiajfo, Paltro alio fpedale, Stroppiataccio, ignorante & arrogante. Dull bi"airilefs Wretcli ! thou'lt play the fool fo long With that foul ffinking and unwitty Tongue, That to chaftife thee, Daggers will be found More piercing than that Steel the fam'd Achilles own'd. I'm a wife Prince, thou a vile Dijnghil Slave That fed at others Tables, learn'ft to rave, One foot i'th'Hofpital, and one i'th' Stews, Yet arrogantly dar'fi: thy Betters to abufe. This injurious Language to a Ju(!g in open Court fo enrag'd the Attorny- Gcneral, the Clerks and the other inferior Officers, that one and ail they laid violent hands on the Prince to drag him toPrifon ; but he, whofe Heart was better than his Headpiece, not only defended himfelf, but with the alTiftance of his Retinue laid about him fo damnably, that out he knock'd one of poor Arret ine's Eyes, broke Juvenal's Arm, and Berna's right Jawbone. A rigs to when hefaw the fray beginning, thought 'twas the wifcft part to trufl to his heels, but had the ill luck to fall down ftairs, and was biuis'dtoa Mummy. Apollo, when he had notice of this difor- der, wasnotfo much concern'd at the diflionor of his new Tribunal, nor at the mifchief which had befel his Poets, as he was to fee by this infiancc that Flattery was incurable, fince men were fo blind as to take the pernicious affronts of Sycophants for Favors worthy of Reward : infomuch that to his great grief he was forc'd to abolifli that Court, and confefs'd, 'twas im- poflible to punifh a Crime which nobody wou'd complain of P ADVICE io6 Advices from Parnajfm! Cent. i. ADVICE LIX. Apollo, exceedingly charm d with the noble Qualitys of T a s s o, creates him Toet-Laureat, and Lorh High frefident of Italian Toetry. TOrcluato Tasso being every day more than other admir'd in Parnaffus, for his Heroick and Lyrick Poems, his Writings in Profe and in Verfe, his Knowledg in Philofophy and all the other Sciences, A i> o l- j,o, charm'd with thefweetnefsof his Diftion, thenewnefsof hisThoughts, his eafy Vein and pleafant Wit, was pleas'd t'other morning to fhew him fome marks of extraordinary afFe£tion : for out of his own mere motion he created him Poet-Laureat and Lord High Prefidentof Italian Verfe ; and at the fame time with great folemnity prefented him the Laurel. Tasso not only approv'd himfelf worthy the Honor his Majefty had confer'd on him, but of much higher Preferment : for he did not, as many do, who, by the Caprice of Fortune, or the fudden favor of a Prince, being exalted from a mean condition to the chief Dignitys of the State, believe it enough to put on the pompous Robe of that new Magiftracy, while their Souls are liill cloth'd with their old rotten Caffock of Bafenefs beneath ; but immedi- ately after his promotion, he vefted his Mind with thofe Heroical and Prince- ly Virtues, that became a dignify'd Poet. He kept open houfe in his Palace for forty days, where the Virtuofi of all Profeflions were regal'd with fuch plenty of the moft exquifite and tempting Difhes, that there was not one learned Perfon to be found in Parnaffus, who had not overcharg'd his Conftitution almoft to a Surfeit, and inebriated himfelf with delicious Thoughts. Apollo himfelf and the moft ferene Mufes were aftonifh'd, that fuch an unexhautted fource of noble Conceptions, dreft in fuch elegant Iixpreflions, fhou'd fpring from his moft fruitful Wit. But in the midft of thefe Rejoicings and Feftivals, which were celebrated with fuch univerfal Applaufe, fome pilfering Poetafters broke open Tasso's ftrong Box, where he kept the Jewels of his moft valuable Compofitions, and took thence his Amintas, w hich they afterwards divided in fliares among themfelves. Txssq was fo much afflifted at this Injury, that it imbitter'd all hispaft Delights- The Authors of the robbery were foondifcover'd, and being pur fu'd by the Sergeajits, took fanQyary in the houfe of Imitation : but the Provoft-Mar- llial, by A p o L L o's exprefs Command, drag'd 'em thence, and hurry'd 'emtoPrifon. One of 'em was feiz'd with the Prologue of that Paftoral about him ; upon which, according to the ufual proceedings in fuch cafes, he was immediately put to the rack, and interrogated fuper aliis & cowplicihus. In his Torments he d^fcover'd forty Pick-pocket Dablers in Verfe his Accom- plices, aU of 'em wretched Dogs for Gaming and all manner of Leudnefs, and who not having the fear of Apollo before their Eyes, made it their bufinefs to fteal fine Thoughts, and to live lazily upon the reputation of o- ther Peoples honelt Labors. The Lord Chief Juftice proceeding againft tiiefe Malefactors according to the rigor of the Law, condemn'd 'em to be hang'd, and two mprnings ago feveral Gibbets were fet up for the purpofe in the publick Forum : But Apollo, not liking the fight, fent to acquaint the Judg, that tho thofe Thieves well deferv'd death, yet he fhou'd punifli \tm fome other way ; for this look'd too much like a butcherly jt Shambles, Adv. 6o. Advices from Parnajjku 107 Shambles, and gave the moft exa£l Juftice too fierce and cruel an Afpedl which honourable Judges carefully avoid, and are therefore moft diligent irr preventing Crimes ; whereas fuch as thirft after human Blood, feem to take delight in frequently expofing Gibbets to the publick view, fuch Wretches being mighty great in their own opinion, when they have acquir'd the Name of mighty Hangmen. ADVICE LX. A r L LO Itnghs at a LitcratOj who rei^uejled to he taught the Art of Memory. L AST Thurfday a poor forry-Iook'd Literato prcfented himfclf to Apollo _ J in the publick Audience, and told his Majefty, that being confcious of his little ftock of Learning, he was afham'd to appear in the publick Schools ; but that his ignorance in the Sciences proceeded purely from the natural weak- nefs of his Memory, which cou'd retain but few of the many things he ftudy'd : wherefore becoming fmitten with a mighty defire of being a good Scholar, he humbly befought his Majefty to prefcribe him fomc method to attain as tenacious a Faculty as tliofe very learned Perfons have, who make all they read their own. And above all things he faid, he'd be moft thank- ful for the Gift of local Memory, which he had heard acquir'd great Honor to fuch as were cndu'd with it. Apollo anfwer'd him, that the lovers of Learning purchafe good Mcmorys at the expence of continual reading : that local Memory was but a trick of Mountebanks, and of fuch pitiful Preten- ders, who pui^'d up with Vanity, affeft to be thought what indeed they are noc ; but was dclpis'd by men of folid Learning^as a ridiculous accomplifhmenr fit only to amuz,c the Mob, who are ravifh'd with aftonifliment to hear whole flicetsof Authors repeated by heart, tho they underftand not a fylla- ble of 'em. The Literato faid, fincc it was fo, he defir'd only to be taught the ufual means for improving his Memory. A ? o l l o anfwer'd that he knew of none better than conftant reading. I'm forry for that, fays the man, with all my heart, for I've been a perte£l drudg to my ftudy, and am convinc'd by experience, that my Memory's never a whit the better ; for tho Ive lately read over Virgil, that miracle of Latin Poets, I can't repeat you a Line of him, and remember hut very few of thofe innumerable Beauty s I fpy'd in him, which ought never to be forgot. Apollo feem'd out of humor at thib Fellow's importunity, and with a look more angry than he has been known to put on at an Audience, where he is generally patient, to a Miracle he told him he fliou'd be gone and ftudy Virgil again, if he had a mind to remember him. Then turning to thofe that were prefent, he faid ; he wonder'd at the Impertinence of fuch Blockheads, as having been in a Mil] but a quarter of an hour, cxpe£tcd to come out as mealy as the Miller him- felf who had liv'd there all his Life. Pa ADVICE io8 Advices from Tarmjfm. Cent i. ADVICE LXI. Juvenal refufes a Challenge of Francisco Berni to contend with him in Satyrick Toetry. NO T many days ago, in the Portico of the Poets College, fome Latin and Italian Poets were comparing Verfes : A r i o s t o was one of the company, and being of opinion that the Latins extoU'd their own Per- formances too extravagantly, and exprefs'd too much Contempt of the Italian, he told 'em, that his Nation wou'd not difpute with old Rome for Heroicks, which the Majefty of their Tongue render'd pompous and grave, and their artful intermingling of Spondees and Da£lyls, fonorous and tuneful in their Cadence ; but in Lyrick Poetry he believM they were upon a level ; and in Satyr the Italians were fo improv'd, that they far furpafs'd the Latins, as well in the finenefs of Raillery and fharpnefs of their ferious Wit, as in facility of Expreflion. The Latins were of another opinion, and reply'd, that they faw no reafon the Italian Poets had to boaft fo much of their skill in Satyr, fince they cou'd not produce one among 'em comparable to Juvenal, or that durft fet himfelf in competition with Persius. Immediately upon thefe words up fl:arts Francisco Berni, wlio in Satyr has exceeded the utmoll: bounds of the moft: biting Calumny, and with his cutting Verfes fo flafh'd and fcarrify'd even A rr e t i n e himfelf, that he ftill bears in his Face, Bread: and Hands the marks of his Difgrace ; he told the Latin Poets, that in the bufinefs of Satyr Juvenal was but an Afs and an Ignoramus to him, and he wou'd juftify his words in open field, to the firft, fecond, or third drawing of blood, againft Juvenal himfelf, or any other Saty- rick Poet whatfoever, tho he brought a Commentator for his Second. 'Tis impoflible to cxprefs the rage which this Defiance kindl'd in all the Latia Poets, who, to chaftife Berni's Arrogance, and to vindicate their injur'd Reputation, had like to have fallen foul upon this bold Challenger, and treated him very fcurvily. But Horace, who was for having 'em decide the Quarrel like Men of Honor, appeas'd his Brethren, and told Berni he ly'd like a Villain in all he had faid to the prejudice of Ju v e n a l's honor, whofe Pen he was not worthy to wipe ; and that he accepted the Challenge in Juvenal's Name, who fliou'd not fail to meet him next morning in the Field of B e l l o n^ a with his Heroicks, and give a good account of himfelf againft Berni and his pitiful Oftaves and Triplets. No fooner had he utter'd thefe words, than Berni withdrew with his Brother Poets to arm himfelf, while Horace ran to find out Juvenal, and told him what had pafs'd. Juvenal, dafli'd with furprize, flood paufing and humming a while upon't ; at laft, — Why look you Friend, fays he, fince thou haft accepted the Challenge in my Name, e'en do me the favour to fight it for me too, for hang me if I dare look him in the face ; I fear no Latia Poet that wears ahead, nor do I care a rufh for a thoufand Zoilus's; bat I'm in an Ague at the very name of an Italian Satyrift. How ! in an Ague, fnys Horace, (feeing his own, and all the Latin Poets Reputa- tion thus like to be loft ) pluck up a good Heart, I fay, and remember you're the Priiice of Satyrical Poets, and fhall a Man like you who has deferv'd the care of fo many Commentators, be cow'd with big words and the bouncing ^ Rhodo- Adv. 62. Advices from Farnafjui. 109 Rhodomontades of a vain Coxcomb ? He told him moreover there was no comparifon between their "Weapons, and that fturdy Heroicks wouM be too hard for little languifliing Italian Verfes made by chance, and fo fctter'd by Rhyme, that the Authors having hand-cuff'd themfelves with it, couM never fight dextroufly, nor make a thruft where they intended, and where they might moll: annoy their Advcrfary. But the Venufian Poet might have fpar'd his breath, tbr all that he faid ferv'd only to increafe poor J u v e n a ls fears. THE news of this Challenge had already taken air among the Vittuofi, and came at laft to Ap o l lo's knowledg, who was particularly pleas'd at it; he was glad with all his Soul that two of his learned Virtuofi were going together by the ears, and preparing to make home thrufts at each other's Re- putation ; for in cold blood they generally fpeak and write infipid heavy lluff, but in the heat of Anger are feen to perform wonders in their own Vindication, and for the purchafe of Renown. Therefore being informed of Juvenal's Cowardice, he fent for him in great haft, and reprimanding liim for his fear, urg'd him to juftify the injur'd Reputation of the Latin Satyr j but J u V E N A L made a reverend Bow, and thus excus'd himfelf. M A Y it pleafe your Majefty ! I have as much Courage as ever, and dare enter the Lifts againft ten Latin Satyrifts; but I befcech your Majefty to rtflcfl-, that the Excellence of Satyrick Poetry confifts not in having a daring Wit, a fiery Soul, a biting Talent, nor in fharp Jcfts and Repartees i no 'tis owing to the Quality and Condition of the Age wherein a Man hves ; for the wickedeft Times make the bcft Satyrifts, and the Age I liv'd in was not comparable to this for Wickednefs and Cheating. Shou'd B e r n i therefore enter the Lifts to tilt againft me with the Lance of modern Vices, that were unknown in my days, I cou'd not withftand him, but muft infallibly be thrown out of the Saddle, and forc'd to quit the Field. Apollo was fatisfy'd with this Anfwer, and declar'd, that tho Juvenal had declin'd the Combat, he had loft no Reputation by it, nor behav'd himfelf unworthy a Poet of Honor ; for he was not aw'd by BerkTs Wit, but by the corruptnefs of the Times he liv'd in, which were indeed an overmatch for thofe of Juvenal. ADVICE LXir. DoMiTius CoRBULo, haVing in his Go'Vernmmt of Tindm utici'ii Jotne words which Apollo in a former EdiFl had condenmd as tyamiical, isjcycnlyprofccuted, hit comes off with ^cptitation, '"1"^ H E City of Pindus and its populous Territory being infefted, thro J^ the lenity of former Governors, with great numbers of feditious Cut- throats and AflafTins, to the difturbance of all good men; his Majefty, to fupprefs thisLicentioufnefs by making Examples of the capital Offenders, two months ago conftituted Domitius Cokbulo Governor of that State ; who treating the Rogues with the fliarpeft Severity, found means in a few days to eftablifli the Country in Peace and good Order. Now it fecms he had the curiofity to ask fome particular Confidents of his, what opinion the People had of him ? They frankly told him, his Severity had ftruck fuch a Terror, that they univerfally hated him. C o r b u l o was ftraogely pleas'd to hear no Advices from 'Parnajftii: Cent. i. hear it, and prefently made his Reply in that well-known faying; Oderint dum metuant, let 'em hate me, provided they fear me. THIS Expreflion flew like Lightning, till it reachM A p o l l o's Ears, who was fo incens'd, that he order'd him to be profecuted for it as a capital Crime. And whereas by an Edift of his Majefty publifh'd long fince, 'tis declar'd, that any Prince who dar'd to pronounce thofe infolent words Jhou'd immediately incur the penalty of being efteem'd a moft abominable Tyrant ; and any Governor who fhou'd let 'em flip ev'n thro inadvertency fhould be punifhM with Death : C o r b u l o was cited to anfwer for him- felf before the Judges, and accordingly appear'd the next day. THEY examin'd the matter very ftriflly, and when all the People of ParnafTus expeQed fome rigorous Sentence upon C or b u l o, he was by his Majefty's approbation acquitted, and fent back to his Government with greater Authority than before: The Judges having declar'd, that in the mouths of Sovereigns, whofe Prerogative empowers 'em to grant Pardons, thofe words were altogether deteftable and tyrannical, but very honorable in Governors, whofe Power extends no farther than to inflidl the hateful lafh of Juftice ; that Prince deferving indeed to be admir'd who has got the art of making himfelf lov'd and rever'd, and that Governor being truly capable of his Office, who has found the means to make himfelf fear'd and obey'd. ADVICE LXIII. T/;e Chair of Trancju'iU'ity being Vacant by D i o g e n E s'^ Promotion to a higher Dignity^ Apollo offers it to the famous Thilofopher Crates, who refufes it. D To GENES the Cynick, who for fo many years paft, to the infinite advantage of the Publick, and increafe of his own Glory, has fill'd the Chair in thefe Schools, wherein his Office was to read Leftures in praife of Poverty, Solitude and Tranquillity of Mind ; he who had the power to perfuade A t t a l u s himfelf to abandon all his Treafures, and turn Stoick, an example of great improvement to all Parnaflus : This great Man, I fay, was two months ago for his extraordinary Merits promoted to the high Dignity of Arch-Critick to the moft ferene Mufes ; by which the other noble Imploy- ment being become vacant, his Majefty offer'd it to the famous Crates, who yefterday went to wait on Apollo, and, contrary to every ones expectation, refus'd it. THE reafon he gave was this, that by Diogenes's new promotion the Chair of Poverty and Tranquillity had been much blemifh'd in its Re- putation, and he doubted he fhou'd not be able to difcharge the Office with" that integrity and fimplicity of heart it requir'd : for the very firft day he enter'd upon it he fhou'd be fwell'd with Ambition, and inflara'd with fuch defires of rifing to the Dignity of his PredecefTor, as wou'd quite unfit him for his bufinefs, and drive from his mind, tho ever fo well compos'd, that fincerity which makes Preachers fpeak heartily to their Subjeft. Nor wou'd this Ambition fpring from any Vice, but from that honorable Zeal, which ev'n the moft mortify'd Philofophers have for their Reputation : for if in procefs of time he receiv'd not the fame Honors which Diogenes had before him, the cenforious world, he faid, wou'd never believe 'twas becaufe H^ of Adv. 64. Advices from Tarnaffm. ill of his Humility, or that he prefer'd a private Life before a publick Iqploy- ment, Quiet before Bufinefs, and Poverty before Riches ; but becaufe his Majefty had found him of inferior Merit. Now, continu'd Crates, while I had a Soul fo agitated with Ambition, I cou'd not expeft much to edify my Audience by preaching in praife of Humility, and the contempt of Riches, or concerning the vanity of earthly Greatnefs : for 'tis impoffibJe to find a man of fuch perfuafive Eloquence, as can allure his Hearers to a fort of life, which they know the Preacher hirafelf detefts. ADVICE LXIV. \Uny Tco()le haVitig wafted their Eftates in coflly Apparel, and extravagant Houfe-keeping, deftre their Princes to make a Law for the moderation of fuch ExpenceSj hut their Q^equeft is rejected. TH E Sub)e£ls of thofe Princes that refide in Parnaffus being convinc'd by Experience, that the modern vanity of Drefs and Equipage is ar- rived to fuch a pitch of extravagance, that there is no Eftate, tho ever fo large, which the Pride of Women and Ambition of Men will not quickly coiifumc to nothing ; and that the affeftation of fplendid Apparel has lo bewitch'd the world, that the whole Portion of a young Bride, tho it be very confiderable, will fcarce pay for her Jewels, for which reafon Gentlemens Daughters fo often ftick upon their hands : Having obferv'd too that Luxury in eating and drinking within thcfe few years is arriv'd to the fame degree of Prodigality, and that modern Gluttony has brought thofe Familys to want which former Parfimony had rais'd : Thefe People, I fay, t'other day prefented themfelves in a general Body before their Princes, and humbly petitioned 'em for fome remedy againfl: thefe Diforders, to prevent their im- minent ruin. THE Princes receiv'd their Remonftrance very gracioufly, and then it was that they were convinc'd of the truth which many have written, that fumptuary Laws ought only to be given to the'People when they themfelves inftantly defire 'em ; for when impos'd againft their will, they feldom pro- duce any good efteft ; becaufe nothing frights a fpend-thrift into good Huf- bandry, till he has beheld the dreadful face of Poverty. They gave orders therefore by common confent, that Laws fhou'd be drawn by the beft hands, to retrench Luxury and Superfluity, to enjoin a decency in Apparel, and mo- deration in eating and drinking, that men might ufe thofe Pleafures only to prcferve Life, not to deftroy both their Lives and Eflatcs together. The Statutes being ready, the Princes commanded they fliould be publifh'd the eighteenth inftant : but the Evening before, the Farmers of the Cuftoms came and told 'em, that when the Law fliou'd be publifh'd wliich they under- ftood was drawn up, they muft defire abatement of the Rents they paid 'em ; for the greatefl: part of the Revenues of the Cuftoms arifing from Silks, Brocades, Wines, and other Commoditys pertaining to the Apparel and Food of Man, imported from foreign Parts, the Cuftoms wou'd fink very low by means of this new Law. The Princes were fo ftartl'd to hear this, that next morning when the Deputys of the feveral Nations attended 'em for the Edi£l, they receiv'd inlkad of it this Anfwer ; That their Highnelfes had confider'd better of the matter, and were refolv'd they wou'd on no account make 112 Advices from Paniajfm. Cent. i. make their own Circumftanccs worfe, to better thofc of their Subjtfts ; that if they wou'd contrive fome Statute which clafh'd not with their Intertiis, they fliou'cl fee, that out of tender and paternal afteQion to their molt lo}ai VafTals, they wou'd give them all pofTiblefatisfaftion ; but to dcllie 'cm to empty their Treafury to fill the Purfes of private men, was an unrcafjnable and fraudulent RequelK THE Deputys withdrew very difconfolate at this partial and peremptory Anfwer, and agreed in this opinion, that to go about to heal the Peoples Grievances, when the Remedy was prejudicial to the Prince's Intereft, u as to offer at curing an incurable Difeafe. ADVICE LXV. B o D I N u s prefcnfs Apollo iv'nh his fix "Books of a Common- wealth, in which^ it appearing t) at he approves of Liberty of Cofi- fciencey hes andem)i*d to he burnt : after which Apollo feVerely punifhes a Toet for 'Bl^fphcmy. THE very fiifl dny that Johannes BobiNus, that famoas French Literato, prefented Apollo with his fix Books of a Com- monwealth, he was thrown into a dai k Dungeon for this Affcrtion, T hat 'tis beft for the quiet of any State to grant the People Liberty of Ccnfcience. His Majefty and his wifeft Foliticiaris have always efteem'd this impious and falfe, and a Tenet of feditious and turbulent Spirits rather than of intelligent Statefmen, fince nothing's more pernicious to a Government than that which deftroys the Unity of it. BoDiNUs was therefore feverely profecuted, and fcntenc'd yeflerday by the high Court of Parliament to be burnt alive, as a Seducer of the People, a promoter of Sedition, and a public and notorious Acheift. He implor'd his Majefly's Mercy, and abjur'd his AlTertion; but alkdg'd, that he had been led into this Error by the Ottoman Empire, who, to her wondcrlul JProfperity and Quiet, tolerated all Religions throughout her Dominions. Ac this the Judges grew more incens'd againft Bod in us, and with great in- dignation told him, he deferv'd yet a feverer Sentence, becaufe bein^ a Chriftian he had dar'd to publifli Precepts about Religion, borrow'd from Infidels, who live in the higheft Impiety, and whofe Opinions both religious and civil ought to be held in extreme deteftation. However, before they proceeded any further againft him, they thought fit to examine the Ottoman Monarchy hc'rfelf about her conduQ in this Affair, with a full Refolution ( as was known afterwards) to condemn her to the fame PuniOimenf, if it ap- pearM flie had given fo fcandalous an Example. THEY fent for her immediatly, and ask'd her. If 'twere true that fhe left her Subjeds at liberty to believe as they pleas'd. She ftartl'd at the Queftion, and anfwer'd with great vehemence, that ihe was not fo un- acquainted with the affairs of the world, as not to know that the Peace of States, and the general quiet of the People, could not be more effeftually fecur'd, than by unity of Religion ; and that in her Empire no other Re- Hgion was believ'd or praflis'd than that of Mahomet. The Judges upon this plain Anfwer, turn'd. toward Bo din us, and in a paffion ask'd him. Adv. 6 5. Advices from Tar mjjur. iM him, if a Mahometan fpoke with fuch truth and plainnefs in tliis matter, what was to be expefted from a man who had receiv'd a learned Hdu- cation in the moft Chriftian Kingdom of France? Bod in us anfwer'd. That the Ottoman Monarchy confcfs'd in words what flie did not put in practice: for in her £>ominions were to be found Chriftians, Grecians, Jacobines, Neftorians, Jews, and in Ihorr, Men of almoft all Faiths what- focver. THE Ottoman Empire upon this turning to Bo din us, I fee, fays fhe, thou knowft but little of the management of my Empire in affairs of Religion ; thou haft done me wrong to affert, that I allow my Subjefts liberty of Confcience, becaufe there are in my Dominions Men ot all the Religions thou haft nam'd : Thou oughtft rather to know, that having for above three hundred years conquer'd innumerable Provinces by force of Arms, moft of which were formerly fubjeft to Chriftian Princes, and having found by experience, that People newly fubdu'd are very apt to revolt if any Violence be us'd to make 'em change their Religion, ( for Men are more obftinate in defence of the Faith in which they were born, than in defence of their Eftates, their Country and their Lives ) I have for the prcfervation of Peace permitted 'em to enjoy the fame Laws, both facred and profane, under which I found 'em, excluding only from this Privilege the Roman Catholicks ; from whom 1 have taken their Priefls, and deny'd 'em leave to repair their decay'd Churches, much lefs to build new ones ; till by degrees the exercife of their facred Rites being difcontinu'd, their antient Religion has been forgotten, and the fecond or third Generation of 'cm at leaft have become Mulfulmen. And for an inftance how well this method has fucceeded, my numerous Provinces in Afia, which were for- merly peopl'd with Chriliians, are at length become fo intircly Mahometan, that my Emperors who were wont to take thence abundance of Chriftian Youths to recruit their Janifarys, can fcarce find one now in all that quarter of the world. BUT in Greece I obferve another method, where I allow my Subje£ls the free exercife of the Grecian Rites ; becaufe there being no Prince in that Country confiderable enough to incourage or head a Revolt among 'em, they cannot give me that umbrage which the Latins do, who having many Princes, and potent ones too, oblige me to ufe greater diligence in extermi- nating their Religion. But I watch my Mahometan SubjeQs fo narrowly, to keep 'em ftritV to the Religion of the State, that not one of 'em dares in the leait to prevaricate. TO give an example of this: the Perfians are held by me as Hereticks to my Religion, and none of my Turkifli SubjeQs dare profefs, much Ids preach that Herefy, without incurring the danger of a fcvere death ; nor do I any where tolerate it throughout my Dominions: and tho my lart Emperors might have taken advantage of the Divifions in Germany, and among the Chriftian Princes, to have carry'd the War into Hungary, and ftretch'd my bounds as far as Auftria, the Conqueft of which wou'd. open me a door to that of Italy , yet they thought it much more prudent to chaftife the Perfians, than towage War againft the Chriftians, whofe Faith differing fo much from mine makes 'em lefs dangerous to me than the Hereticks of Perfia : for there's a mighty difference between conniving at Infidels, who are fo difficult to be brought over to the true Faith, and tolerating Herefys ; a Contagion which eafily infers great Kingdoms, as the Germans, Englifli, Flemings, French, and others have cxperienc'd. Q^ FURTHER, ji^ Advices from Parnaffuf. Cent. i. .'FURTRE^, I hav^ footed oat all'Learning and Sciencfc^ from my Dominions, for no other rd'afdn, than'thit my Subjects might live in thatlg- ebrance which is necelTary to the Support of my Rtligion : And for the fame reafon^have I forbid under fevere Ponifliments the 'I'ranflation of my Alchoran ouPdf'the Original Arabick intfe the common Turkifh Language ; having obfcrv'd the Milchiefs that hav^earifen in fdme Chriftian Kingdoms from tlietranilating tlieir Bible into the Vulgar Languages : in which places, as I've been told, every filly old Woman fpends more time in Difputes of Religion, than fhe does at the fpinning Wheel. ' I have taken a wifercourfe, I think, tofecure my felf from Herefys which the craft, of Ambitious men might intro'iuce into ray Empire, which is to order, that wholbever ftarts any Doubts concerning Religion, fhall have 'em folv'd by the Scimeter: for the Hcrcfvs which at prelcnt vex the Chriftian Faith, haveopen'd the l-yes of Mankind, and let 'em fee that thofe who firft fow'd 'em, have been llir'd i:p rather with Ambition of ruling the Earth, than as they wou'd make Fools believe, out ot Charity to 'em, and an carneft defire of fending their Souls to fleaven. I^hc Temperance of my Subjefts too, who are all obligM to drink Water, perhaps conduces not a little to preferve my Domi- nions from this fchilmatical Plague ; for I obferve in Chriftian Countrys, that the Flames of Hercfy burft out with the greateft violence, where drinking is moft in vogue. I WELL kno\\', that all manner of Divifions are very dangerous in a State, but chiefly thofe which arife from matters of Religion : for the People are fo far from loving, honouring, and faithfully obeying fuch as are not of their own Tcrfuafion, that they account 'em no better than Beafts, and bear 'cm that cruel hatred which we fee reigns between Nations of dif- ferent Faiths. Add to this, that it being no lefs impoffible that there ftiou'd be a living Body without a Head, than a Seft without a Chief ; wherever there are two Religions, there muft of necefllty be two Chiefs likewife : and whether a Kingdom will admit of two Kings at the fame time, is a Que- ftion which every Fool may refolve. AND thou, B o D 1 N u s, art the more to blame for publifhing this fedi- tious Opinion, which liasdefervedly brought this Mifchief on thy Head, in regard thou know'ft better than any other, that the modern Herefys in many Cnriftian Kingdoms have been fow'd by great Princes, to whom the Lu- ther s, the Calvin s, and other learned Perfons like thy felf, have fcrv'd as Bauds to their Ambition, and Tools to feduce the People; their fole De- lign having been by this means to create themfelves a Faftion of the diflatiC- j'v'd Nobility, who readily adhere to any new Seft, in hopes of advancing themfelves, and of the coi;nmon People, who fall in with 'em out of Ava- rice and refentment of their own wretched Condition. Now if for the Peace and Quiet of a Kingdom 'tis requifite that all the People fhou'd be fubjefl: to the fame human Laws, and agree in the fame Weights and Mea- I'ures, how much more ought this Unity to be endeavour'd in Religion, which being an innate Principle is fo rooted in us from our firft vital Breath, that llie becomes the abfolute Queen of all our AfFeftions and Paflions? and ought therefore to be the more carefully regulated in all Governments, be- caufe we cannot live without her, nor be touch'd in any part of fo tender a fenfe, or fo apt to move us. So true is this, that I dare affirm, that even the brute Animals wou'd be found to praife the Eternal God who has created and feeds 'em, if they had the benefit of human Speech ; or if weunderftood their Howlings, Bleatings, or Songs. Adv. 65. Advices from Tarnaffm, iij I REMEMBER, I heard a Politician many years ago arguing upon this very Article ; and becaufc he too held it impious towards God, and fe* ditious to Princes, I ask'd him whether there were any Prince or Repubhck ia the Univerfe, who allow'd fo pernicious a Doftrinc and PraQice in their Do- minions? He frankly confefs'd, that thofe very modern Hereticks, who had fo zeaioufly preacli'd up Liberty of Confcience in the Dominions of others, wou'd on no account whatever allow it in their own: for they hated to fee their own Houfcs caught in thofe Flames which they had kindl'd to con- fume the Dwellings of their Neighbours. Of this, faid he, we have a plain Inftance in Geneva, tliat Sink and Common-fliore of all feditious Impiety; for there all who endeavor to fow new Herefys are condemn'd to be burnt. He farther told me, that in Germany, where the many modern Herefys were Rrft invented only to reduce the exorbitant Greatnefs of the Houfe of Auftria, Liberty of Confcience was allow'd in fome Citys which live under free Laws; and that to the content and quiet of the People: but yet, he faid, 'iwas dangerous to imitate 'cm in that Pradicc; for men make ufe of Examples very unfortunately in their own Affairs, if their Circum- flances agree not exadly with thofe from whom they take 'em. The Hanfe Towns of Germany, fays he, live free from the app'rehenfion of having their Liberty deflroy'd by the ambition of any Prince or Enemy, becaufe the Emperors are weak, and the Citizens by nature averfc to all thoughts of enflaving their Country ; being of necelTity forc'd to live and die fuch as they are born : for if it fliou'd happen, that any one to advance his own Condition, prefum'd to make himfelf Chief of a Hcrcfy, the Forces of all the Hanfe Towns, who have the fame common Incereft of Liberty with that City where the Faftions began, wou'd run immediately to extin- guifh the Flame at its firft breaking out. He added further, that tho tlie difference of Religions which had arifen in thofe Citys from Liberty of Con- fcience, were Icfsdangerousto 'em, yet it cou'd not be pretended that they were wholly free from Danger, that the Humors were not pernicious and apt to occafion mortal Difeafes : nor was it ever known that the facility of extinguiQiing a Fire by the help of a neighbouring River, induc'd any Mafter of a Family to ki his own Houfe in a flame. BUT the Cafe was far otherwife with Empires and great Kingdonis, who had often within their own Bowels Brothers of the reigning Prince, and others ot the Blood Royal ; and abounded with Subjeds eminent for their noble Extraction, tlieir Riches, and their many Adherents. Now thefe being all ambitious, and poffefs'd with a greedy defire of reigning, are forward to make Attempts, and imagine the mofl difficult Undertaking to be eafy. Befidcs, fuch Countrys are frequently furrounded with Princes, who being their mortal Enemys, are always ready to fly to the afliftanceof the rifing Faftions, as it lately happen'd in the Kingdom of France, and in Flanders. He continu'd, that the Lay-Princes, Eleftors, as we"!] as every other Prince of the Empire, who had embrac'd the prefent Herefys, liv'd not with Liberty of Confcience, but had efpous'd that particular Seft %vhich futcd moft to their worldly Intereft. Thus the Lutheran Impiety having taken its rife in the Dominions of tl.e Duke of Saxony, who had de- clar'd himfelf Head of it, the other Heretical Princes, that he might not be- come too great, had introduc'd into their States the new Sedls of Calvinifts, Zuinglians, and others ; fo much to the confufion of Religion and things Saacd, that it might be truly faid, there were as many diflerent Herefys in Germany, as Princes that rul'd there. 0^2 BUT ii6 Aivices from Parnafju^. Cent. i. B U T I was mod aftonifh'd to hear that fome People of Germany were forc'd to change their Religion whenever their Prince pleasM ; an inconve- nience fo frequent among *em, that in the fpace of a month only fome Cityt have been feen to pafs from one Herefy to another. All which things are of the worft example, and the moft effectual means to introduce that Atheifm among Men, which I faid I did not believe cou'd be found among Beafts. THUS, B o D 1 N u s, as a Horfe that has long been fuffer'd to range at liberty and uncontrol'd, becomes fierce and unfit for the ferviceof Men ; fo a Nation, when once the Reins of Religion are let loofe, grows favage, fe- ditious, untam'd, and no longer governable by a Prince: for he who is not taught by a found and well regulated Religion, to love, honor and fear God, knows not how to difcharge the fame Dutys to Man. 'Tis the nature of the People, who always err in extremes, to contemn human Laws when they have been led aftray from thofe that are divine ; and to turn the licence given 'em of offending the divine Majefty with impunity, againft the Prince that granted it. Thofe who feduc'd the People of Flanders to change their Religion and rebel againft their natural Prince, have given the world a con* vincing proof of this Truth : for to induce 'em to fo vile an Enterprize they gave 'em leave to plunder the Churches, and feize the Eftates of the Clergy ; and at length, when they wou'd have put a flop to thefe licentious Tumults, they were convinc'd at tiieir owncoft, that the contempt of God is always accompany'd with the contempt of Men. THE charge of governing a People is too mighty for the ftrength of any Prince, how wife and prudent foever : nor is it pofTible he fliou'd at hiseafe fingly fupport fo ponderous a Burden ; but by the help of Religion it fits to light on his Shoulders, that one Man without any difficulty may rule many Millions: for vaft is the number of thofe who thro their vicious Inclinations defpife human Commands, yet ftand in awe of the Laws of God ; and many who dare trifle with the Anger of an Earthly Prince, dread the Wrath of the King of Heaven, and live peaceably. POOR Bod IN us was in a terrible confufion to hear the Ottoman Monarchy argue fo ftrenuoufly about the care Princes ought to take of the Unity of Religion ; but he was yet more dejefled when the Judges told him, 'twas an impious piece of ignorance to alTert, that Princes are matters of mens Bodys, and have no power to govern their Souls : as if that Fidelity whicli Subjefts owe their Princes were a Virtue of the Body only, and not of the Soul ; and that God had conftituted the moft Chriftian Kings of France, and the other Princes of the Earth only to feed their Ambition in reigning, and wallow in all manner of Pleafures, and had not made ^em his Vicegerents on Earth, that they might eftablifli and inforce his facred Reli- gion, preach'd to all Nations by his moft holy Vicar, whom he left on Earth when he himfelf afcended into Heaven. FOR thefe rcafons the whole Senate agreed in this Vote, That Bo- din u s fhou'd immediately be burnt according to the Sentence pronouoc'd againft him, for having publifh'd a Doftrine to the World, that was fit only to fet it in a flame. AFTER this Apollo, who holds Blafphemy in the utmoft detefta- tion, commanded the Tongue of a Poet to be bor'd with a red hot Iron, for having two days ago in the porch of the Delphick Temple, cry'd oat in defpair, that Providence had been very unjuft to him, in given him the Soul of a Monarch, and the Fortune of a Beggar. And tho many of the Literati inftantly be fought his Majefty to mitigate the Sentence, he was J, not Adv. 6 6,6 7* /Advices from Parnalffis. \\j not only inexorable, but with great indignation told 'em, that a Funiflimcnt yet more fevere was due to thofe wlio being born to a low fortune, were continually finding out new conceits to make Poverty appear more intole- rable, and warted that time in fruitlefs Complaints, which they ought to have imploy'd in the fearch of that Philofophy which wou'd have made 'em eafy : and that by making an example of this impious wretch he wou'd teach men to accommodate their dcfires to their conditions; it being a hate- ful piece of infolence to envy the fortune of Princes and great Kings, while they fee others more unfortunate than ihemfelves cloth'd in rags, and dying for hunger. ADVICE LXVI. The Virtuofi of TArnaJfiis Vifit the Tewfle of ViVinc TroVtJcncc, and offer up their Thanks for her fi^nal Chanty to Mankind. THIS morning, according to the anticnt cuftom of this Court, all the dignify'd Poets, together with the noble Literati of Parnaffus, went in a body to the Temple of Divine Providence, where Johannes Jo- \ I A X u s P o N T A N u s in a mofl eloquent Harangue gave her thanks in the name of the whole Affcmbly for the immenfe I.ove and Charity i\^c had fhewn to Mankind, in creating the Frogs without Teeth. For what wou'd it have avail'd that this Harth, arch'dover with a Sky fo glorioufly (ludded with an infinity of fparkling Stars, was created fo abundantly fruit- lul of all things for necefTity and delight, if the brave and worthy Inhabi- tants had bccnoblig'd to walk with the infupportable Clog of Iron Boots to reciirc thcmfclvcs from being bit by thofe naufeous and importunate Animals ? But, as Providence has wifely ordcr'd ir, there needs no other defence to proteft 'em from thofe rafcally Lees of the Creation, who are nothing but Mouth and Voice, than a good pair of Ears, that can endure the noift of croaking, which they know can do 'em no harm. ADVICE LXVII. Paolo P i: a ut a, hy A p o l l o'j Command^ e:xplwis in the pub'- lick Schods the true meanin'r of this Maxinij that^ To nign in Jijety the Teople muji he kepc under. THE old politick Maxim, that, To reign fecu rely the People mufi he kept under, has been generally mifunderOood, and worle pradis'd by many Princes, who thro their infatiable Avarice pervert the bert Sen* tcnces by interpreting 'em according to their prefent Intereft. Apollo therefore, highly difpleas'd that foill a ufe was made of fo falutary a Precept, fent tor Paolo Plruta, who reads Politicks every morning in the publick Schools of Parnaffus, and commanded him for the benefit both of Princes and of their People, to explain publickly the genuine fenfe of this famous Apothegm. Peruta obey'd his Mafelly's Orders, and on the dav ii8 Advices from T?arn{iffus. Cent. t. day appointed, the School being full of the grcateft Princes of tliis Court, he mounted the Chair, ami gave 'em the following Harangue. AS nothing is a more lively Hmhlcm of an excellent Prince than a good Shepherd, fo tlie People may likewife be very properly compar'd to Sheep. Now, that one Shepherd might govern numerous Flocks, the Divine Majcfty created 'em of a mild and liumble nature, and without t!ie natural Wea- pons of Horns or Teeth ; for otherwifc it wou'd have been requifite to aflign a particular Shepherd to each fingle Sheep. The fame Creator having furnifh'd Mankind with a daring Heart and a wife Head, the way to make 'em obedient and humble to their Shepherd, is not, as many Princes believe, by fliearing and milking 'em continually with burdcnfom Taxes, to hinder 'em from growing fat, but to beware of arming their Minds with that ambition of Command, which is fo bewitching, that its Appetite in- creafes even by fatiety. This true and fafe method is only known and fuc- cefsfully praftis'd by the Ottoman Emperors; who being fully convinc'd how dangerous it is to arm their Subjefts with Authority and Command, think it a capital error and a mortal blow to the State, to beftow any Place of great power upon a native Turk. The genuine fignification then of this excellent Maxim is only thi'^, That it is neceflary to difarm the Minds of Subjefts of all ambitious Defires, not their Hands of Swords ; to keep 'em under, that is, humble and free from Pride, by giving 'em no Imployments that will procure 'em many Dependents, not to reduce 'em to Poverty by robbing- 'cni of their Eftates. For thus has the wife Creator made Sheep humble and obe- dient, without creating 'em poor in Wool, deftitute of Milk, and barren of Lambs ; and thereby inftrufts Princes to ufe their utmoft diligence for the increafe of their Subjefts Eftates, as the moft effeftual means to keep 'em in quiet Subje6lion. For the fear of lofing that Subftance they have heap'd up with fo much labor, makes men fo religioufly cultivate the arts of Peace, that the old Romans, thofe Mafters in Politicks, cou'd invent no furcr means of rendering the Gauls , whom they had newly fubjefted, quiet and obedient to their Republick, than by furniHiing 'em with all pofTible opportunitys of inriching themfelves. This prov'd fo fortunate a method, that the Politician Tacitus, fpeaking in his Writings concerning that People as the moft warlike in Europe, not only calls them * Dites 6" iwbelles, but plainly affirms it to be an idle Dream to pretend '\ Gallon quoque in hellis JloruiJJe. Thus it appears that the great Riches the Gauls had amaiVd,foften'd 'em, from a very bold and martial People, into fuch Oothfulnefs and cowardife, that 'tis accounted a Fable to fay they were ever expert in Arms : From whence we learn, that Riches by difarming Mankind ferve excellently well to keep the People quiet and content in the Humility of Peace ; on the contrary, when SubjeQs are diftatisfy'd with their Fortunes, they are always greedy of change. For to fee ones felf immers'd in Poverty, does not, as the ignorant believe, abafe or daftardize the Souls of Men, but begets in 'em a furious defire to amend their Fortune by any attempt, be it e'er fo hazardous and defperate. Experience has abundantly confirm'd this, that nothing incites the People to take up Arms fooner than Poverty, which is then the Parent of Defpair, when flie is occafion'd, not by the infertility of the Earth, by misfortunes of the Sea, by the carelefnefs or floth of Men, by loITes in Trade, or any other human Accident ; but by the avarice of a Prince, who foolifhly affefts to grow a rich Shepherd by impoverifliing his Sheep. In a word, to think of maintaining Quiet in a State, and keeping * Lib. II. Ann. f In Vita Agrio the ^dv. 68. Adm<;ei fr^ikParmfus. a 19 the People loyal, by ftarving 'em with want, is the fame madnefs as to pre- tend to cure a Dropfy by giving the Patient drink. -For -this i'j daily- fec^v in all InfurrcQions, that Princes never meet witli more inrag'd Enemys than neceflltous Men, and fix^h;/ ^s are yn^a fy in their Circumftances ; for Thofe, in the contbfion of t3roiIs and Tuniults, are tlie Lucifcrs of Rebellion while the nieo of Wealth. and Riches are peaceful and obedient. , ' ■ : /I (I I' I" ADVICE LXVlir. A mhle Lacm'uk Senator haying committed a great Offence ^ the Ti ince ihinh it prudence to p.ijs it by. WE have told you in our former Advices, that the State of Laconia is govern'd by an Ekdivc Prince, and that of all the Senates in FarnalTus the Laconian is the moft famous and renown'd. To fill up a va- cancy among tb.cfc Senators, the Prince of Laconia fome time ago promoted to that eminent Dignity the fecond Son of the Prince of Mitylene. Now it happened about a fortnight fince, that this noble Perfon, to the great dif- pleafure ot the Prince, committed a certain Crime which his Highnefs had fcvcrcly puniflVd in the other Senators ; and becaufe he now wink'd at it, many Senators complain'd of his partiality. The Prince anfwer'd, that where there was a dift'crencc between the perfons of the Offenders, it was im- pofliblcto infli^l equal Punifliments for the fame Offence: and that the Al- mighty, who had not been pleas'd that any fublunary thing fliould be with- out fome defeO, created no Coral without its drofs; that in an AfTcmbly of fuch mighty Reputation as this of the Laconians, the Senators of great Quality were illulbious Ornaments, and often of great fervice in the emer- gent neceffitys ot the State; Yet this advantage was countervaii'd by a con- liderable defeft, in that fuch Senators were not fo eafily kept in awe as the reft, towards whom it being permitted to ufe the whole power of Com- mand, and the abfolute Authority of the Laws, they brought not fo much honor or profit to Eledlivc Princes as the Senators of noble Blood. That the Scythe ot impartial Jufticc might very well mow down the common Grafs: but a prudent Mower when he meets with a great Shrub wifely avoids it, left he fliouM break his Weapon, or turn its edg. An example which ought to inffruQ eleQive Princes, who have the Prerogative of chufing Senators, not to promote to that degree any Perfons of high Birth, without firft re- folving to tolerate many things in 'cm, which they pun ifh with feverity in the common Senators. ADVICE I20 Advices from Parnaffus. Cent. i. ADVICE LXIX. Andrea AlciaTi finding himfelf unjujlly dealt with in one of his GoVermnents, applys himfelf to kv oj.lo for rtdrefs^ but to no purpofe, ANdrea Alciati, who is not only very learned in the Law, but in all the other Sciences fo much efteem'd in this Court, detefting the IgQoblenefs of a private life, has ever fince his firft admiffion into Parnaffus affcded the Grandeur of a Prince, and been mightily troubl'd with an itch of governing. The Prince of Negropont not long ago was pleas'd to depute this Gentleman Governor of that Ifland for three years ; where being arriv'd, he with a bold and intrepid Integrity adminifter'd that rigorous Jufticc, which is very diftafteful to a proud and infolent People, who are fo far from remembring they're born to obey, that they wou'd all be playing the Tyrants. Thofe Wretches who had fmarted for their mifdeeds, waited an opportunity to revenge themfelves of the Governor, and pickl'd up their Complaints againft the meeting of the States, a time which the moft profligate pcrfons of the Province generally long for ; to that great AfTembly therefore they addrefs'd themfelves with a heavy Charge againft A l ci at i, who feeing himfelf thus malicioufly profecuted went to his Mafter the Prince of Ne- gropont (who is at prefent in this Court) and claim'd the proteftion due to a Minifter who had faithfully difcharg'd his Duty : But that Prince, like many others, to win the good-wiD of his Subjefts, inftead of redrelTing the Governor, took part with his clamorous Accufers, which made 'em ten times more infolent than before. Poor A l c i a t i was forc'd therefore, as his laft refuge, to bring the matter before Apollo, to whom this morning he reprefented, that he had fuffer'd Perfecution for Juftice fake, and earneftly crav'd that his Caufe might be heard by impartial and difin- terefted Judges. Apollo, treating him as if he had been a notorious Offender, with areat indignation, bid him leave his prefence. Upon this, many who knew the juftice of Alciati's Proceedings, and the malice of his Perfecutors, interposed in his behalf: but Apollo continu'd ttedfaft to his opinion, and commanded him once more to be gone ; tho he behav'd himfelf with the eral Nations petition their Trinces, that the Laws under which they liVCy may be reducd to a lefs number j and that the GoVernon tf Tro'Vinces may not be permitted to publi/h new Orders e'Very day, TH E great abufe which is praftis'd in fome States is really worthy of blame, where the Princes are not only too forward themfelves in making new Laws every day, but allow the fame liberty to Governors of J. their Adv. 7 2. Advices from Parnaffpn. ^at their Provinces too, who being often chang'd, and all entering oil their dftce with hot Refolutions of mending the wliolc World the firfl wfif^ek, cxf>oife thcmfelves by pubhfliing Conftitutions of their own, full of foch vv'liimfj? and extravagance as ufually attends moft Projefts that ate hatch'd ina hafty Brain, and never provM by the Tcft of Experience ; for zeal towards the Publick, if not under thcconduftof a found Judgment, is more apt todif* grace a worthy Man, than the worfl Intentions. T H E great liberty which has been taken in this kind has fo burdened fome States with Edifts, Ordinances, Statutes, and an infinite hodgpodg of new Laws, that the people live in the greateft confufion imaginable : which verify s Tacitus's faying, CorruptiJfimA RepublicaflurimvLeges^ that the corrupted States abound moll: in Laws. But the word is, that while every Prince and Governor fhews himfcif inexorable in the inforcing his own In- ititutions, he fuHfcrs thofe of his PredecefTors to be neglc£lcd and forgot : in- fomuch that the people arc not able to difcern amidll fo great a difordcr, what things are lawful and what not ; but have found by frequent Expe- rience, that many of their Governors to wreak their fpicc on an Encm\', or to fqucezc feme dole fided Mifer, have trump'd up antiquated Laws and Cultoms, which time and a contrary ufage have invalidated and difannul'd. NOW that fome proper Remedy might be apply'd to thefe i'.vils, the Nations that lutfcr'd by 'em difpatch'd Dcputys many days ago, to reprcfent 'em to their Princes. Thefe Perfons prefs'd very hard that the fuperfluous multitude of Laws which produc'd fuch ConfuHon might be burnt, and that the Governors of Provinces fliouM be forbid making any new for the future. THEIR Rcqued feem'd very reafonable to the major part of the Princes ; who that they might better deliberate on this important i'\ffair, ap- pointed a meeting in the Palace of Clio, where fome who were zealous lor the good of their Subie£ls, were of opinion, that they ought to abrogate as many of the antient Statutes as 'twas polfible, and enact new in their room, which wou'd bring Quiet to the people, and banifh Confufion. But the Princes who oppos'd this opinion, were more confiderable both for their Intered and ()uality, and afFlrm'd, that what the Antients had tolerated ought to be prcfum'd to have proceeded rather from Prudence than Ignorance, becaufe it was to be believ'd they had more thorowly examin'd the Affairs relating to Government tlian the men of this prcfcnt Age, who were never feen to fall into greater diforders, than when they introduc'd Noveltys in lieu of Cudoms approv'd by a long Experience : and that it was the highcd pre- fumption to pretend to correft thofe Laws as prejudicial and ruinous, by which the World had been govern'd fo long, without ever redifying, or fo much as perceiving its Error. Moreover, that Princes, who ought to ftudy nothing more than how to enlarge their Authority, committed a mortal error, when by clipping their Prerogatives they made Rods for their ow n backs. WHILE this Debate was carry'd on, the Deputys, who long'd to know the relult of it, cxprefs'd their impatience by making a little noife at the door; at which the Princes flew into fuch a rage, that for want of other Weapons they fnatch'd up the Chairs they fat on, and falling upon the De- putys, laid 'em on without mercy. The poor fellows roar'd Murder, and iinmcdiately there fally'd out from the Peripatetick College a great number ot Philofophers, who interpos'd, and gave the Deputys^ whofe Bones were almod beaten to pouder, the opportunity of making their efcape. THE 126 Advices from Turnaffus, Cent. i. THE Princes thought themfelves bound, in good manners to the Philo- fophers, to acquaint their Wifdoms with the reafons of this rough Pro- ceeding : Gentlemen, faid they, thcfe Rafcals whom you have fet free, have, under color of complaining of Grievances by Statutes, Proclamations, and the confufion of new Laws, had the infolence to come to this Palace to ailaflinate us, and add the vilell impudence to their impertinent Demands: for we having out of our paternal Charity given 'em leave to keep as many Hounds as they pleasM to kill Hares and Deer, to fet Gins for Par- tridges and Fhcafants, to make Nets for Larks and Sparrows, to lay Birdlime for Thrufhes and Blackbirds ; in fhort, to ufe Hooks, Parte, Tramcls, Drag- nets, and a thoufand other Contrivances, to catch all forts of FiOi; the un- grateful Traitors grumble after all, and think it much that we poor Princes fhou'd make a Springe or two to take a fat Woodcock now and then for our own ufe. ADVICE LXXin. The Vlrtmft of Italy earneflly intrdU Apollo, that Thilofphy may be treated of in the Italian Langmge-, but their requej} is not granted, TH O the Literati of Italy have earnefly follicited Apollo for many years, that he wou'd be pleas'd to capacitate the Italian Tongue to treat of Philofophy, and have us'd all pofTible means to prevail with him, his Majefty has always deny'd ^em their Requeft ; affirming, that the Sciences maintained their Dignity and were held in fuch high efttem, only becaufe they were cloth'd in the two moft elegant Languages Greek and Latin ; but wou'd be defpis'd by all Nations if once they came to be written in Italian, and made familiar even to Inn-keepers and Paftry Cooks. Befides, if their requeft were granted. Mankind wou'd be in great danger of lofing the Latin Tongue, wherein all confefs'd the true Majefty of Eloquence con- fifted. THE Italians were not fatisfy'd with thefe reafons, but renew'd their applications with fo much ardor, that his Majefty leem'd inclined to yield to 'em : but the Sciences diftrufting fome Refolution not much to their advan- tage, advis'd 'em to trouble their heads no more upon that bufinefs, for they'd never fubmit to the difgraceof being burlefqu'd with dull Italian Circumlo- cutions, but wou'd continue to be written and difcufs'd in their ufual Latin. THIS fir'd the noble Soul of Alexander Piccolo mini, who briskly told 'em, the Greek and Latin Philofophers were Blocklieads, if they thought the Italian Authors fo little vers'd in Learning, asnottofesL thro the cheat : That Philofophy, the moft natural of all the Sciences, and therefore plain even to Children, wou'd indeed lofe all her Reputation by being written in Italian, becaufe the woild wou'd then come to know that fhe had been wholly conceal'd and difguis'd under certain Scholaftick terms, which being neither Greek nor Latin, feem'd a Sclavonian Jargon rather than any thing elfe ; and the tranflating of this wou'd expofe the folly of Philofophers, who confume their nights and days in perpetual ftudy, rather to learn terms than things. ADVICE Adv. 7 4 j7 5 • Advices from Paniajfut. 127 AD VI CE LXXIV. Apollo expounds the true meamt^ of this Sentence, Homo longus raro fapiens. TO the aftonifliment of Apollo and all the Court, there appear'd in the Audience of Tuefday laft above three hundred Virtuofi, who were every one in ftature and bulk above the common fize of Men : nobody cou'd imagine that fuch a croud of Maypoles cou'd come together by mere chance, but that there muft be fomc defign in it, as indeed there was. For the reverend C i x o, Auditor of the Rota in ParnafTus, in the name of the whole longfidcd Fraternity, made a Speech to this purpole; That all thofc Virtuofi whom hi-. Majcfty faw were Men of known Learning and Inge- nuity, of which his MajeRy's Library bore full and honorable Teftimony, and yet they were defpis'd and ridicul'd by moft of the Literati in rarnalTus, who took 'em for ignorant half-witted fellows: That thefe 1. 'nr', , being infupportable, they were forc'd to have recourfe to his Majefty tor rtdrefs of an evil from whence great inconveniences might arife ; wherefore with his Ma)e(]y's leave the Virtuofi of great fize and ftature, demanded th.it lome field might be appointed, where man to man they wou'd engage in all the Sciences with the Vircuofi of low or middle Stature, and venture their Re- putations on the event. But if his Majefty thought this trial unneceflary, and efteemM thefe men ot extraordinary bulk to be what they pretended, *£was their humble requeft, that he wou'd be pleas'd to declare the Proverb, Homo longus raro fapiens, a tall Man is feldom wife, from whence all the mifchief proceeded, talfe and erroneous. Apollo fmil'd at Cino's complaint, and told him, he was fenfible of the rafli judgment of their Adverfarys, yet he neither cou'd nor wou'd dcchre that Proverb falfe : for by Homo longus was not meant, as the vulgar miftook it, a tall Man, but a tedious Man ; and 'tis certain that too tardy and fiow proceeding in bufinefs is a (hrewd fign of a heavy Head and dull Underflanding ; for he onlv deferves to be cftecm'd wife who appears refolute, and in the moft difficult Conjunctures can determine on a fudden, and difpatch bufinefs with wonderful celerity and vivacity of Wit. ADVICE LXXV. The Court of the \ota haVmg dichltJ a Contejl between the Scholus cuid the military men, in fiyor of the latter, and being afterwards con- yinc'd that they hadgiven a wrong judgment, reVoke it. THE Difpute for precedency between the Scholars and the Soldiers in Parnaffus is ftill continu'd with a world of heat and obftinacy ; the Caufe was heard at large in the laft AfTembly of the Rota, where 'twas de- bated whether the names of Art and Difcipline might properly be given to War. And becaufc tlic whole Controvcrfy depended upon the refolving of this 128 Advices' from Parnaffus. Cent, i." this Queftlon, both Partys were very careful to plead before the Judges with all poflible advantage, AFTER the Caufe had been canvafs'd with abundance of notable Ar- guments pro and con, the Court feem'd rnclin'd to favor the Scholars : But there were feveral Princes who brought fuch irrefiftible rcafons on t'other fide, that 'twas given for the military Men, and a Decree pafs'd, that the Profeffion of Arms might juftly claim the honorable terms of Art and Difcipline. THIS definitive Sentence extremely difpleas'd the Literati, who loudly exclaim'd againft it, and faid, Learning wou d be difgrac'd for ever, if fte, the facred Inftruftrefs of Mankind in Wifdom and Morality, mufl: fhareher Titles in common with that horrid Trade which deforms the Body with Wounds, and the Mind with the fouleft Vices. But while they were fret- ting and fuming at the thoughts of what had pafs'd, there rufh'd fuddenly into ParnaflTus a huge flovenly gang of all the Butchers in the world befmear'd with Blood, ringing their Cleavers, and brandifhing fuch dreadful long Knives, that the Scholars were in a mortal fear of being all chop'd in pieces, fo that away they fcour'd as faft as their Legs cou'd carry 'em, and barricado'd themfelves within their Houfes for fafety ; but when from their windows and peeping places they obferv'd the Foe make figns of Peace, and call out to be heard, they took heart of Grace, and recover'd the fright. Apollo difpatch'd Deputys to know what thefe butcherly Ruffians wou'd have ; their reply was, that having been inform'd that the Rota of Parnaffus had befl:ow'd the Title of an Art upon the cruel trade of facking and burning Towns, cutting Citizens Throats, ravifliing their Wives, plundering their Houfes, robbing with Sword in hand, laying waft the World, and butchering Mankind, they too who butcher'd, not Men to de- populate the Earth, but Sheep and Oxen for human fuftenance, requefted that their ProfelTion might be honor'd with the fame illuff rious Appellations. AT thefe words the Brethren of the Sword were devilifl-ily out of coun- tenance, and ready to hang themfelves to fee that fuch a rafcally Mob had the impudence to defire that their Scoundrel Occupation fhould be put upon the level with the noble Art of War, which is pradis'd by the greatefl Princes in the Univerfe. But the Judges of the Rota, as foon as they faw the Butchers on the Piazza, and heard their demand, were convinc'd of the injuftice they had done to all the Virtuofi by their late Sentence ; for which reafon they order'd a new hearing of the Caufe, and in the Conclufion una- nimoufly decreed. That the Trade of War, tho often neceffary, is yet fo cruel and inhuman, that 'tis not polTible to render it honorable by any fine Titles or fpecious Appellations whatfoever. ADVICE LXXVI. Several Princes befiege Aristotle in his Cotmtry-houfe , and force him to revoke his Definition of a Tyrant, ARisTOTLE Prince of the Peripateticks, that he might philofophize without interruption, rctir'd t'other day to his pleafant Country-feat, where he was unexpeGedly befieg'd in the night by a great number of Horfe and Foot under the Conimand of feveral Princes. The Enemy having with ^ great Adv. 7 6. Advices from Farnaffm. I^jj great diligence caft up their Trenches, and raisM their Batterys, were pre- paring to play upon the Houre, and beat it about his ears. But Aj?.qjljl-9a who had fpeedy advice of this great News, difpatch'd two famous Italian Satyrifts, Lodovico i\RiosTO, and Francisco Berni, with a Detachment of Satyrick Poets to raife the Siege. They attempted it with their utmoft skill, but to no purpofe ; for tho the Poets ply'd, tlicBefiegers very warmly with their Vollys of Lampoon and Defamation^ "yet th^ Princes Armor was of proof againfl: their fmarteft fire. A pp^i-d there- fore, feeing Force cou'd not prevail, in a tender care to the honor of the Peri- patetick Philofophy iniheperfon of its great Mafler, fcnt into^he field-the magnanimous and ever-glorious lover of the Learned, Frederick Felt RIO Duke of Urbin, who upon a parley with thole Princes, bb- tain'd a Truce. ; : • , . WHEN they firft began to treat, the Princes complain'd grievoufly^" of Aristotle, for having in his Politicks given fo malicious a DefiniK lion of a Tyrant, that it included every good Prince: for if, as,hehadidar'«^ to alTert, thofe who regard their own profit more than that of thjsir. SuSjeo^, ought to be call'd Tyrants, in their opinion no Prince cou'd cleaf himw felf from the imputation; finceno Shepherd was fo fond of his Slieep as tq be afraid to milk and fhear 'em, and to be willing to ftarve himfelf to kee{^ them fat. That the Stagyrite was grofly ignorant, if he did not know that Profit is the fole end of all dealing, and the whole World is but one publick, Warehoufe. And if the Law of Nature it felf allow'd Parents to love themfelves better than their own Children, with what color wou'd that^ Beaft Aristotle oblige Princes to be fonder of others profit than theic own? They added, that the Literati were grown fo malapeic and con-i ceited, that they took upon 'em to meddle with the deepefl: concerns of Stat^, and even prefcribe Rules for Princes to govern by; not perceiving-(popr[ Pedants!) that Politicks are quite out of their fphere, and that none fhou'iijj pretend to 'em but fuch as have been pra£lis'd in the Government of King- doms, which is not to be learn'd from Philofophy, Rhetorick, and th& mouldy Records of Learning. For fince the Theory of Politicks can't b© form'd into a Syftem, thofe who have not ftudy'd it in the Clofets of great Princes, and in their Adminift ration of State-affairs, ought never to argue upon it, unlefs they have a mind to make themfelves ridiculous to all the world, by writing and talking things for which they deferveto be fcourg'd. THESE words convinc'd DukepRE de r ic k that the Princes had good reafon to be angry ; wherefore he told his Friend Aristotle, he mufl: needs revoke his antient Definition of a Tyrant, and give 'em another more to their fatisfadion. The Philofopher comply'd with all his heart, and faid. That Tyrants were a certain fort of ftrange Creatures in very antient Times, whofe Race is now wholly extinft. THE Princes having obtain'd their defire, inftantly rais'd the Siege and march d home; and poor Aristotle, half dead with the Fright, re- turn'd to Parnalfus, where he confefs'd to all the Virtuofi, that his Philofophi- cal Precepts avail'd him but little againft the fear of Death ; and, Gcndemen, fays he, if you'll beadvis'd by me, mind your Books and let State Affairs alone, for 'tis impofTiblc for you to treat upon that Subjedl without evident danger of incurring the Difpleafure of the Great. S ADVICE i^o Advices from Parnaffuf.^ Cent. i. ADVICE LXXVII. A general %eform of the World by Hv ollos Order y is puhlijh'd by tU feVen Sages of Qreecc and feme other ivife Men. TH E Emperor Justinian, that famM compiler of the Digefts and Code, t'other day prcfented to Apollo, tor the Royal Approbati- on, a new Law againft Self-murder. His Majefty was ftartl'd at it, and fighing from the bottom of his heart ; Is the World then, faid he, fall'n in- to fuch defperate diforder that men turn their own Executioners ? I have hi- therto given Penfions to a vaft number of moral Philofophers, only that by their Harangues and Writings they might furnifh thoughts to lefTen the Ter- ror of Death; but are things at lafl arriv'd to that difafterous ftate, that Mankind, who before wou'd not learn to be content to dy, will not now be perfuaded to live? and have I been afleep amidft this vafl: Calamity ? T O this Justinian anfwer'd : That there was a necelTity for fuch a Law; and there having been many Inftances of Wretches who had mur- der'd themfelves in defpair, there was reafon to fear that more wou'd follow, if fome timely Remedy were not apply'd. Upon this Apollo made a diligent enquiry into human Life, and the Cuftoms praftis'd in the World, which he found fo deprav'd, that men were e'en glad to throw up their Parts in it, and fteal oft' the Stage. Thefe Diforders necelTitated his Majeliy to provide againft 'em with all poOTible fpeed ; for which purpofe he refolv'd to inftitute a Society of fuch Perfons as were moft renown'd in his Dominions for their Wifdom and good Life. BUT in the very beginning of this important Affair, he met with a mighty Difficulty : for when he came to chufe Members to compofe this honourable Affembly, among the whole Tribe of moral Philofophers, and aa infinite number of other Virtuofi, he found not one endu'd with requifitc Qualifications to reform his fellow Creatures ; and he knew very well, that the good Example of Reformers is of greater efficacy to this purpofe than the wifeft Precepts. At laft his Majefty thought fit to beftow this weighty Charge upon the feven wife Men of Greece, who are much efteem'd in Par- naffus, and look'd upon by all as Matters of the Receipt to wafli Black- moors white, for which the Antients fo much laboured in vain. THE publication of this News was very welcome to the Greeks, for the honor his Majefty had put on their Nation; but the Romans were as much griev'd at it, and thought themfelves particularly wrong'd by the choice. Apollo therefore knowing very well, that Prejudice againft the Reformers wou'd be a great obftacle to the Reformation, and being always inclin'd to compofe his Subjefts by kind Conceffions, rather than by that abfolute Command which Men never obey without grumbling, in com- pliance with the difgufted Romans, join'd in Commiffion with the feven Sages of Greece, Marcus Cato and Annaus Seneca; and in favor of the modern Italian Philofophers, conftituted James Mazzo- N I of Cefena Secretary of the AITembly, honoring him vk'ith a Vote in their Confultations. O N the fourteenth of the laft Month the worthy Perfons above-mention'd, accompany'd by a noble Train of all the chief Virtuofi of this State, went to Adv. 77* Advices from Tarnaffus. i^i to the Delphick Palace, the place appointed for their meeting. 'Twas di- verting enough to the Literati to fee what an infinite number of Pedants follow'd at their heels, gathering up the Sentences and Apophthegms which dropt from the wife Men as they went along. The day after this folemn Proceflion they afTembl'd the firll time, and 'tis reported that T hales the Milefian, the firft of the Grecian Sages, open'd the Seflions with this Speech. THE Affair, moft wife Philofophers, for which we are here afTembl'd, is, as you are all fenfible, of the greateft moment that can be confulted by the Wit of Man ; and tho there's nothing harder than to cure inveterate Difeafes, that which wcu'd deter others, ought to incourage us to the at- tempt : for the extreme Difficulty will much advance our Glory if we over- come it ; and I can afTure you, I have already difcover'd, and without much labor too, the true Antidote againft the Foifon of our Corruptions. I am certain, there is not one among us but firmly believes, that no Difeafe has more corrupted the prefent Age, than Hypocrify ; that is to fay, conceai'd hate and diffembled love, the treachery of double-dealers, cover'd over with the fpecious Cloke of Simplicity and Sanftity. Apply your felves therefore. Gentlemen, to the cure of this Wound which I have laid open to you with the fharpeft Medicines: ufe Corrofives, Incifion-knives, and Fire, and Mankind, as defperate as their cafe feems, will foon recover. In plain terms, let Men be compell'd to live with fincerity of heart : Now the fureft means toaccomplifh this, will be that Projeft which his Majefty has often promis'd his moft faithful Virtuofi, of making a little Window in every man's Breaft : for this will oblige the men of this Age, who are now fo clofc and cunning, to throw off their Difguifes ; this will teach 'em that excellent Virtue of being what they appear to be, of conforming their Adions to their Words, and their Words to Truth ; fo that every one will root out from his Breaft all Falfhood ; and that infernal fpirit of Hypocrify, which now poffeffes the Souls of many, will abandon its dwelling. THE opinion of T h a l e s was fo well approved by the whole Affem- bly, that it was unanimoufly voted Juft; and the Secretary Mazzone was immediately difpatch'd to certify it to Apollo, who approv'd it, and commanded that they fhou'd begin that very day to make Windows in the Breafts of Mankind. But the moment the Surgeons had got ready their Inftruments for the Operation, Homer, Virgil, Plato, Aristo- tle, AvERROEs, and feveral other eminent Literati went to Apollo, and faid, his Majefty muft needs know that to govern the World with facility nothing was fo conducing as the Reputation of thofe who command ; and they hop'd his Majefty wou'd be tender of the Credit which the Senate of Philofophers, and the honorable College of the Vii tuofi had fo univerfally obtain'd, for fanQity of Life and Manners. But if his Majefty fhou'd open human Breafts without any warning, 'twou'd endanger the difgracing the greateft part of thofe who before were held in the higheft efteem, and his Majefty wou'd perhaps difcover the fouleft Vices in Men whom he took to be the moft free from Corruption : 1 herefore 'twas their humble Petition that he wou'd be pleas'd, before fo important a work was begun, to allow iiis faithful Virtuofi a competent fpace of time to take Phyfick and purify their Souls, THIS Petition was granted, and Apollo by a publick Edi£l adjourn'd the Operation for eight days ; during which time every one was fo taken up with fcouring his Infide, that there was no Hony ot Rofe>, Manna, Rhu- barb, Sena, or other Laxatives to be had for love or mony ; in fhort, all the S 2 Apothe- 122 Advices from Parnaffm. Cent. i. Apothecarys Shops in PamafTus were drainM for Fluxes and Purges. *Twas obferv'd, that in the Lodgings of the Platonick, Pcripatetick, and moral Philofophers, there was fuch an execrable ftink all the time, that one wou'd have fworn all the Jakes and common Shores of thofe parts had been empty- ing at once ; whereas the places where the Italian and Latin Poets dwelt, fmelt only fomewhat rank of a little windy Flattery. AND now the time prefcrib'd for the general Purgation was expirM, when the day before the Operation was to begin, the great Hippocrates, Galen, Cornelius Celsus, and the other moft eminent Phyficians of this State, addrefs'd Apollo in the manner following. IS itpoflible, Great Sovereign of the Sciences! that your Majefty, who are fo perfeftly acquainted with the Microcofm, and know its parts are fo exafl-, that no principal Mufclc or Artery can be touch'd without the hazard of deftroyingthe whole, at leaft of making the human Creature linger out his days in Sicknefs and Infirmity ; is it poffible that you have confented to have this wonderful Strufture mangl'd and deform'd, and all to gratify a few fhallow-witted fellows ? for not only your fine Wits and penetrating Spirits, but men of common underftanding too, can, in three or four days Converfa- tion with the flyeft Hypocrite upon Earth, dive into the very heart and foul of him. And therefore, with fubmiflion to your Majefty, befides the danger of it, this feems to be a needlefs Operation. THIS Remonftrance feem'd fo reafonable, that Apollo chang'd his Refolution upon it, and fent Ausonius Gallus to the Philofo- phers of the Reform, to order 'em to proceed in giving their opinions, and propofe fome better method. After which Solon thus began, THE malignant hatred and malice which reigns among Mankind, are, in my opinion, Gentlemen, the fource of all the prefent Confufion. The Remedy therefore is to infufe into the hearts of Men that Charity, recipro- cal Afleftion, and holy love of our Neighbours, which is the firft Precept of Heaven. Let us all ufe our utmoft endeavours to remove the occafion of the contrary Paffions, and Mankind will agree like other Animals, which by natural inftinft love their own Species. After long RefleQion, Gentlemen, I am confirm'd in my opinion, that the occafion of all this Animofity among Mankind is the difproportion of Eftates, and that infernal cuftom of meum & ttwm : and I dare boldly affirm, if the fame were introduced among the brute part of the Creation, they wou'd quickly tear one another to pieces ; whereas the equality in which they live, and their having nothing of their own, are the Bleffings which preferve 'em in fuch Concord as we have caufe to envy. Now what are Men but Animals endu'd with Reafon? for whom this Earth with all its plenty was created by Almighty Power, that they might polTefs it in peace ; not that they might canton it out in fhares, and change that which was common to all, into that Property which hasem- broil'd us in eternal Quarrels. Now the prefent unequal diftribution of things has been entirely owing to Avarice, Ambition and Tyranny. And if it be true, as we all allow it to be, that the World is an Inheritance left to Mankind by one Father and Mother, from whom we are all defcended, where's the Juftice that every man fhou'd not have a Brother's fhare ? And why fhou'd fome poffefs more than they know what to do with, while others have no- thing at all ? But that which infinitely aggravates the cafe is, to fee that good and virtuous Men are generally Beggars, while the wicked and ignorant wallow in Plenty. From hence the Rich trample on the Poor, and the Poor envy the Rich ; for Pride is as natural to the wealthy, as Defpair to the needy. And now, Gentlemen, fince I have difcover'd to you the Difeafe, 'tis * eafy Adv. 7 7* /idvices from Tarnafjm. i^2 eafy to apply the proper Remedy : For 'tis my fix'd opinion, that no better courfe can be taken, than to come to a new Partition of this World, and to give every man his equal fhare in it. And that we may no more tall into the mifchiets we now labor under, I advife, that buying and felling be fe- verely prohibited for the future, to the end that there may be eftablifh'd among Mankind that Parity which is the Mother of publick Peace, which I and the other antient Legiflators with fo much toil endeavour'd to pro- cure. S o L o n's Propofal occafion'd a long Debate ; and tho Bias, P e r i a n- DER and PiTTACus thought it abfolutely neceffary, yet the reft dif- approv'd it. Above all Seneca flood up ftoutly againft it, and with ve- ry fubftantial Reafons convinc'd the Affembly, that if the World fliou'd come to a new Partition, this great mifchief muft unavoidably follow, that too much wou'd fall to the fhare of Knaves, and too little to honeft Men : And in his opinion Peftilence, Famine and War were not, as many had afferted, the fevereft Judgments with which the angry Gods were wont to fcourge a finful World ; but the moft cruel Plague they cou'd infli£t was, to enrich Villains. S o L o n's Opinion being thus rejcGed, C h i l o argu'd as follows. MOST wife Philofophers ! I believe there's none of you can be igno- rant, that the mifchiefs we all fee and feel, proceed from the infatiable hun- ger of Gold and Silver, which rages in the Men of this Age, What Wicked- nefs, what Impiety fo execrable that they will not greedily commit for curfed Lucre? Join with me therefore in opinion, that to root out from the World thofe Vices with which 'tis fo much oppreis'd, and to introduce that fort of Life which beft becomes Mankind, no furer method can be taken than to exterminate for ever thofe infamous Metals; for the Caufe being thus re- mov'd, the Effed will ceafe. THO Ch I Lo's Opinion had a fpecious appearance, yet upon examina- tion it wou'd not bear the Teft ; for it was alledg'd, that men do not take fuch pains in heaping up Gold and Silver for any regard to 'em, but only as they're the meafure and counterpoife of all things : and 'twas requifite, in order to fumifli every man with NecefTarys, to eftablifh fome Metal, or other valuable thing as a medium of Exchange ; for this reafon Men wou'd be equally greedy of any other fuch Medium: and this is apparent in the Indies, where the Shells they ufe for Mony are much more valu'd than Silver or Gold. Cleobulus, who grew very warm in refuting this Opinion, cry'd out, Let Iron ratl.er bebanifli'd the world ; accurfed Iron is the Metal which has hurry'd Mankind into their prefent Confufions : Gold and Silver well enough ferve the purpofes to w hich Nature defign'd 'em, to be the meafure of all things ; but Iron, which was produc'd only to make Plough- fhares, and other neceffary Inrtruments to cultivate the Earth, is, thro the cruelty of Men, forg'd into Swords and Daggers, and other Weapons of Death and Deftru£lion. THO Cleobulus's Opinion was judg'd very true, yet all the Mem- bers of the Affembly concluded, that (Ince 'twas impoflible to take from the world the ufe of Iron, but by grafping Iron and putting on Armor, 'twou'd be a madnefs to multiply Mifchiefs, and heal old Wounds by making new. 'Twas therefore unanimoufly refolv'd to let it alone, and likewife to retain the Metals of Gold and Silver, but that the Refiners fhould be com- manded to purge 'em thorowly, and not take 'em out of the Furnace till they had effeftually cleansM 'em of that vein of Turpentine which is in 'em, and makes em ftick fo clofe to the fingers even of honeft Men. THEN 1^4 Advices from 'Farnaftfs. Ccnti 1. THEN PiTTAcus with extraordinary Gravity thus began : The World, mofl learned rhilofopliers, is fallen into the deplorable miferys from which we thus labor to redeem it, only becaufe Men have left off travelling in the high road of Virtue, and have turn'd afide into the by-ways of Vice, which indeed they find to be the fhorteft, and to bring 'em fooneft in this corrupt Age to thofe Rewards which are due to Virtue. Things are now reduc'dto fuch a deplorable condition, that no man, as formerly, enters the Palace of Dignitys, Honor and Rewards, by the door of Merit and virtuous Labor, but like Thieves they climb in at the Windows, by the Ladders of Bribery and Corruption ; and feme there are who to get in have uncover'd the Roof by the like infidious Practices. Now in order to a thorow Refor- mation, 'tis my opinion, that you force 'em to travel in the forfaken Road, and enjoin by fevere Laws, that whofoever will undertake the toilfom journey to honorable Rewards, fhall take Virtue only for his Convoy. Confequently you fliou'd order all crofs Paths that cut fliort the way to be ftop'd up, and fuffer none to pafs thro thofe crooked Lanes which have been difcover'd by ambitious Men and Hypocrites, who, fwarming like Locufls in our wretched days, have infefled the Univerfe. What greater affront can be offer'd to Virtue and Merit, than to fee a Rafcal mounted on the Throne of Preferment, when no man knows how became there? and therefore moft are apt to believe, and with reafon good, that 'twas by the Magick of Hypocrify ; with which fuch Zoroasters bewitch the minds even of the wifeft Princes. PiTTAcus's Opinion was not only commended, but much admir'd by the whole Affembly, and wou'd certainly have been declar'd the beft, had not the great Periander chang'd their minds by the following Difcourfe. The diforder, Gentlemen, menticn'd by Pittaciis is mofl true: but then we ought to confider why Princes, who are quick fighted enough in matters relating to their Intereft, have ceas'd to beftow, as formerly, the chief Imployments on men of Merit, from whofe Services they might reap both ProHtand Honor, and in their liead pick up worthlefs Wretches from a Dunghil. The opinion of thofe who fay, 'tis a fate on Princes to love Carrion, has fo little probability, that on the contrary, they appear fo impartial as ev'n for the leaft intereft of State to neglect their nearefl Relations, and exercife Cruelty againft their own Children: fo far are they from ruining themfelves by their blind fondnefs to their Servants. Princes afl: not by chance, as fome fooliflily believe, nor, like us, fuffer themfelves to be guided by their Paflions; no, Intereft is their foie Director, and thofe things which to private men ap- pear faults and neglefts, are indeed the moft refin'd Politicks. All who have written of State- Affairs own, that the beft method for the well-governing of Kingdoms is, to confer the higheft Offices on Men of known worth and valor. Princes themfelves are convinc'd of this, and he's a fool who thinks they aft contrary to it out of mere carelefnefs. I have long ftudy'd this Point ; and Gentlemen, I'm perfuaded, that when raw and ignorant fellows are prefer'd before men of Merit and Learning, the fault is not to be charg'd on Princes, but ( I blufli to fpeak it ) on the Virtuofi. Princes, I grant, have need of learned and approv'd Minifters ; but you will all grant me too, that they have the utmoft neceflity of faithful Servants. Now 'tis evident, that if Men of Parts were loyal in proportion to their Capacity, we fhou'd not complain of the prefent wonder, that vile Shrubs arc feen in a fhort time to o'er-top the nobleft Fruit-Trees, that Ignorance is in the Throne of Know- ledg, and Folly in the Tribunal of Delert. To overrate our own worth is a fault common to all Mankind, but the exceflive Prefumption of fome Virtuofi Adv. ^7* Advices from Pamafus, 155 Virtuofi is intolerable, who think it a Condefcenfion to accept of Preferment, and that the Prince by his Munificence towards 'em honors himfelf more than them. Such Men receiving the Favors and Greatnefs confer'd on 'en^, only as Debts paid to their Deferts, in the greateft Emergencys prove fo un- grateful to their Benefaftors that they are abhor'd by all, and have occafion'd this Grievance, that Princes in the choice of Perfons to the higheft Offices are forc'd to feek for Fidelity, inflead of more fhining Accomplifhments^ that they may be fecure of Gratitude when they ftand in need of it. An advantage which they chiefly expefl: from fuch, as pretending to no merit of their own, afcribe all their good fortune to the Bounty of the Prince. NO fooner had Periander ended, than Bias began as follows. Moft worthy Sages ! 'Tis certain that the World is grown thus deprav'd, only becaufe Mankind has fhamefuUy deviated from thofe holy Laws, which the Sovereign of the Univerfe enjoin'd when he gave 'em the World for their Habitation : Nor did he for any other reafon place the French, the Spaniards, the Germans, and others in their feveral Countrys, than to efta- blifh that good Order and eternal Peace, which he defir'd fhou'd be preferv'd among all Nations of the Univerfe, But when curs'd Ambition and Avarice, thofe Fiends which have tempted men to the greateft Villanys, ftir'd up the French, the Italians, the Germans, the Grecians, and the relr, to pafs into each others Provinces, then arofe thofe Ills we are now laboring to cure ; and pray Heaven our fearch may not be in vain ! If it be true, as we mufl all own, that Nature has done nothing in vain, why, think you, has (he plac'd the inacceflible Pyrenean Mountains between the Spaniards and the French ? why the rocky Alps between the Italians and the Germans, the Ocean between the French and Englifh ; and the Mediterranean between Africk and Europe ? Why has (he created the vaft Rivers Euphrates, Indus, Ganges, Tigris, the Danube, the Nile, the Rhine, and others, except only for this, that the difficulty of the PalTages might make the feveral Nations content with their own Countrys? And the divine Wifdom knowing that the Harmony of univerfal Peace wou'd be untun'd, and the world fill'd with Difcord, when they fhou'd pafs their afTign'd limits, that he might render fo great a mifchief yet more difficult, added to all the fore-mention'd Impe- diments the diverfity of Tongues ; without which all Mankind wou'd have fpoken the fame Language, as all the Animals of the fame Species fing, howl, lowe and bleat alike. But fince the boldnefs of men has pierc'd the Mountains, and not only pafs'd the wideft and mofl rapid Rivers, but even dar'd to expofe their Lives in frail wooden VefTels to the mercy of the roaring Ocean, behold what has enfu'd ! the antient Romans, to mention no more, have not been content with the Dominions of all Italy, but to ex- tend their Empire have carry'd Ruin abroad, and thereby embroil'd their own Affairs at home. The true Remedy then to this great Evil is, in the firft place to compel all Nations to return into their native Countrys ^ and then for preventing the like Confufion for the future, I am of opinion, that all the Bridges which have been built for the convenience of cro(fing Rivers ought to be demolifh'd, and the Paflfes which have been cut thro Mountains de- ftroy'd, which by human Induftry ought to be made yet more impervious than they are by Nature. Moreover, I think Navigation fhou'd be pro- hibited under mofi: fevere Pcnaltys, and no man be permitted fo much as to build a Ferry-Boat. THE Opinion of Bias was regarded with unufual attention ; but when the wifeft Heads of the AfTembly had confider'd it thorowly, they found it wou'd not bear : for they were all fatisfy'd, that the antipathy obferv'd 1^6 Jdvices from Vurnajfus. Cent. i. obfervM between diH^crcnt Nations, is not natural, as weak People have fancy'd, but occafionM by the ArtiHce of Princes, who are Mafters in praftifing that old Polititk Rule, Divide & Impera : and lincc there may be found iri all the Nations of tlie Earth together, that perteftion of Cufloms which is not to be 'met w ith in any particular one, Travel is nece/Tary to acquire that compleat Prudence which fo adornM the great Ulysses, ^i mores hominum multorum Tidit & urbes. Hor. Now this is a benefit entirely owing to Navigation, which for this very reafon is extremely ufcful to Mankind, ('ortho the Divine Power has form'd this World of a Magnitude almolt unmeafurable, and inrich'd each Coun- try with fomething peculiar, 'tis by the wonderful Art of Navigation re- duced to fo fmall an extent, that the Spices of the Indies, tho above fifteen thoufand miles diftant from Italy, feem to the Italians to grow in their own Gardens. THUS the Opinion of Bias was laid afide; after which Cleobu- Lus rifing, and with a low Bow feeming ro crave leave to fpeak, decljr'd his Sentiment in thefe words. I clearly perceive, Gentlemen, that the Re- formation of this Age, which furely of it felf is no difficult Enterprize, is render'd in a manner impoffible by our different and extravagant opinions about it. And to fpeak of this weighty Affair with all the freedom which becomes this place, it grieves me to the heart to difcover, even among our felves, that common failing of thofe ambitious and fuperficial Wits, who, getting up in the publick Pulpits, labor rather to difplay their Ingenuity by new Thoughts and Florifiies, than to profit their Audience by ufeful and found Dofbrine. For, to draw Mankind out of the mire of their Vices, to what purpofe is that dangerous Operation which Thales advis'd, of making Windows in their Breads? Why (hou'd we undertake the toilfont task, which Solon propos'd, of dividing the World into equal fhares? or Ch iLo's Projeft to banilli Silver and Gold ? or that of P i t t a c u s, to force men into the ftrait Paths of Merit and Virtue? or laftly , that of Bias to raife the Mountains higher, and make 'em more inaccedible than Nature has, and to banifh out ot the world the wonderful Art of Naviga- tion, the greatefl proof of human Wit that was ever giv'n? What are thefe in fhort but Chimera's and fophirtical Whimfeys? The chief Confideration which Reformers ought to have, is, that the Remedy propos'd be praftica- ble, that it may work its effeft with fpeed and fecrecy, and be willingly re- ceiv'd : for if we aft contrary to thefe Precept?, we fliall rather corrupt than reform the World, There is great reafon for this AlTertion; for cer- tainly that Ph}ficianis much to blame, who prefcribcs his Patient a Medi- cine impoffible to be taken, and which wou'd torment him worfe than his Difeafe. And that Surgeon deferves to be punifh'd, who Hrft opens a Vein, and then runs up and down the houfe in fearch of a Filler. 'Tis barbarous impudence to defame Men by publifliing their faults, and then fbew the world that they are pa ft cure. To this purpofe the great Tacitus, who always fpeaks well to thofe who underffand him, gives us this advice; * Omit t ere potifts prxvalida & adult a vitix, quam hoc ^Jf^^ui, uf piUm jieret, quibus fiagitiis impares ejjemm. He that wcu'd cuc down a fturdy Oak is a tool if he begins with lopping the top Branches : No, the true method is to lay the Ax to the root. I fay therefore, that the whole art of Reformation * Lib. 5. Ann. Adv. 7 7' Advices from Tarnaffut, 1^7 is comprehended in this fhort Rule, TO REWARD THE. GOOD, AND PUNISH THE BAD. i , HERE Cleobulus ended, and Thales the Milefian oppbsM liis Opinion with fo much vehemence, as evidently proV'd, how dangerous Vis^ by fpeaking Truth, to offend thofe Perfons who live in the Reputation of Virtue and Wifdom ; for with a vifage all inflam'd he broke out into thefc words. THESE Gentlemen and my felf, moft learned Cleoeulu^! whofc Opinions you have burlefqu'd as filly Chimera's, expeQed from your tranfccn- dent Wifdom, that you had got fome new miraculous Stone from the Indiesj of fovereign Virtue againrt the prefent Difeafe. Inftead of which you have proposed, as an eafy Cure, a greater impoflibility than was ever hatch'd in the myftical Brains of Pliny, or Aleertus Magnus. Truft me, Cleobulus, there's not a man in the companyj but, without being oblig'd to you for the hint, knew very well that the Reformation of the World de- pends intirely on rewarding the Good, and punifhing the Bad : But by your favor, how fhall they be known and diftinguifh'd ? I wou'd fain know whe- ther your Eyes are better than thofe of all the world befides, and whether you can difcern what no man ever cou'd, real Goodnefs from counterfeit? Are you yet to learn that the Hypocrify of the Age is refin'd to that degree of Artifice, that they who have the moft Saint-like appearance are the viieft Devils ? and on the contrary. Men of the moft unfpotted Souls, and finccrcft Virtue, pafs very often for fcandalous Dilfemblers. Everyone, Cleobu- lus, by natural inftinft loves the Good, and detefts the Wicked ; but Princes out of inftinft and intereft too : and when difguis'd Rafcals and crafty Cheats are promoted by 'em, and the Good fcorn'd ^d opprefs'd, 'tis not of choice^ but thro fallacy. God alone knows the proper ObjeQs of Re- ward and Punin:iment ; for he penetrates the dark receffesof man's Heart, which we too might have infpefted by the help of the Windows I propos'd, had not evil Spirits been induftrious to blaft tlie Defign. But new Laws, tho the beft that can be made, have always been, and ever will be oppos'd by thofe Wretches who are like to fmart by 'em : and the Stratagem of H}'- pocrites to prevent their fhame, under color of Charity to the Publick, as it is not a new thing, fo it will not be laid afide. THIS reafoning of Thales gave wonderful fatisfaftion to the AfTem- bly ; after which, fixing their eyes on Periander, they feem'd to de- mand his opinion, which he thus deliver'd. Moft wife Philofophers ! the difference of opinions I have obfcrv'd among you, hasconfirm'd me in my Sentiment, that i'our parts in five of the fick die, becaufe Phyficians know not their Diftempers : their Errors are indeed excufable, becaufe a man is cafily dcceiv'd in matters of mere conjefture. But that We, whom Apollo efteems the Lights of the World, fhou'd be at a lofs to know the true cmip of the Malady we are about to cure, is a manifeft fhamc, efpccially fince I think it lurks not within the Veins, but lies fo open and manifeft to view, that it direfts the Application. And give me leave to tell you, Gentlemen, that, by what I coUeft from your Speeches, you feem to offer atdrefting a found Arm, inftead of the fore Breaft. In regard to his Ma)cfty's Com- mand, our own Reputation, and the Charity we ought to bear to the afflifted Age, 'tis fit we throw afide the Mask of Ceremony we have hither- to worn, and fpeak our minds freely. The fatal Error then which has fo long confirm'd Mankind in their unhappinefs is this, that while the Vices of the Great have brought the world into Confufion, a#Reformation of pri- vate Mens faults has been thought fufficient to retrieve it. But the Avarice, T Pride P.filC 6i)d HjtiilCiury^fc^fiftiWte liierT,) tflio gredt t[iat the ambition and avarice of fomei potent Princfesj who with Sword in^ hand ufufp the Dominions ot the weaker, is the true Difeafe, which fo^ afflifts the Age* *Ti3 this has fill'd the Earth with Hatred and Jealoufy ;: 'cis this has polluted it with fo much Blood, that Mankind whom God created- mild and merciful, are transformed into Salvages, and tear one another to pieces with unrelenting Barbarity. 'Tis this has chang'd univerfal Peace into cruel War, turn'd Virtue into Vice, and the love we ought to bear our Neighbors into luch mortal Antipathy, that tho Lions appear Lions to their own Species, yetihe Scotch to the Englifh, the Italians to the Germans, the French to the Spaniards, and every Nation to another, appear not Men and Brethren, but Creatures of another kind. Thus Juftict is opprefs'd by Force, and Mankind difdaining the wholefome Laws they once liv'd under, invade and worry one another like Brutes. Theft is undoubtedly the bafeft Crime, and renders tlve Criminal eternally infamous, tho the thing ftolen be a trifle; yet Ambition has (o blinded the Eyes of the great, that to rob and plunder theTerritorysof others is thought no bafenefs, but a noble Imploy- ment, and worthy of a King. TAcrrus, that great Mafter of Poli- ticks, to ingratiate himfelf with Princes, has not been afliam^d to publifh to the world this deteftable Affertion, ^ In Jumma fortuna id ifeafe, as at prefent, is all within ; and when my Facel loofci ill,. liatn inwardly well. Dobucflrip me ofthistaudry Gown with-'"" ;,;)„-.. J. which ^Adv..7^. Advices from^Farnafim» f$4j V^hich fQOiQgodd People h^ve cover'd the defers of a rotten Carcafs, and your Eyes wUlifoon difcover the Difeafes M^hich ftf cnieHy torment: me View me nakeiw riatUre made roe, and ^ou will fintl 1 am but a breathing A T thefe words the Philofophers ftript her in kjcpjlefc,' and found that this ftiiferable Wretch was covery all ovei- four Inches thick xi^ich a Scurf of Ap- pearances, which corroded 'her very Flefh. Whereupon: feach of the Refor- mers took a 'Razor and fell to fliaving it off with great diligence ;-but found it had eateflfo far, that in all the body of that huge Coloflus, there was not an inch of fiDund Flefh : at which being ftruck with horror and defpair, they huddled on the Patient's Cloaths again, and fent her away as fhe came : rhen convinced that the Difeafe was incurable, they fhiit themfelves up together, and abandoning the careof publick Affairs, refolv'd now to provide as well as they cou'd for the fafety of their own' Reputations. r; , AFTER this M a z z o n i drew up the univerfal Reform which they ;di6lated to him ; and firft in a pompous Preamble they fet forth the great care Apollo has ever had of the virtuous Lives of his Literati, and of the Welfare of all Mankind, together with the extraordinary pains the Refor- mers had taken in compiling the general Reform : after which, defcending to Particulars, they very prudently fix'd the Price of Sprats, Cabbages and Pumkins. All the AlTembly fet their bands to it, when . T h a l "e s the Mi- lefian put them in mind, that they had omitted one' weighty Point, which was, to provide againft Abufes in felling of Peafe and Cherrys by falfe Mea- furesand Weights. Thales's Advice met with a general Approbation, and a Claufe was added to the Aft for this purpofe. ' j THEN the Palace Gates were thrown open, and in prefence of the People, who were afTembl'd in great numbers in the Forum, the grand Re- form was read with fuch univerfal applaufe, that all Parnaffus rung with acclamations of Joy : for the Rabble are fatisfy'd with Trifles, while men of Judgment know that Vitia erunt dome homines ; that this World is no place for Perfeftion, and that the moft that can be done by the wifeft body of Men upon Earth, is to refolve after all their Debates, to leave the World as they found it. ADVICE LXXVHI. Apollo ]mVmg receiVd fome agreeable X^ews from Italy ^ orders great demonjlratiom of Joy to he made. YESTERDAY at nine in the morning, the Sentinels that are al- ways pofted on the Pegafean Tower, gave notice by two ftrokeson the Alarm-Bell, of two Horfemen whom they difcover'd on the Callahan Plains riding full fpeed towards Parnaffus. The Literati ran immediately to the Walls of the Gate to know the meaning of it, and by the found of a Horn foon after perceiv'd 'twas a Courier with his Guide. The molt inqui- fitive of 'em went out to examine him, and being inform'd that he came from Italy, ask'd him very earneftly, whether he brought an account of fome curious Piece of Italian Wit newly printed ? But the Courier would tell 'ena nothing, only that he was fent to Apollo with Difpatches of extraor- ,1 dinary 144 Advices from Varnajfm. -'Cetit, iJ dinary good News. Great numbers accompanyM him to the Royal Palace ; and when he had prefented his Letters to Apollo, all the Virtuofi prc- fent, obierving ftriftly his Majefty's Countenance while he read *€m, faw it fliine brighter and brighter, till in the conclufion he put on his moft gol- den and relulgent Splendor. , ; j / HAVING perusM the Difpatches, Apollo with idexpreflible Joy cry 'd out; " O happy Union ! Bid my deareft Queen of Italy come fly to *' me immediately ! Various were the Conjeftures of the Virtuofi upon thefe words ; moft were of opinion that the League fo much defir'd by good men, was at lart concluded in Italy againft the Ottoman Empire, that mor- tal Enemy to Learning. In the mean time the moft ferene Queen of Italy, fupported by her belov'd Belisakius, advanc'd a mighty pace towards the Royal Falace of Apollo, who when he fa w her coming up the fteps, ran with great joy to meet her, and embracing her; I heartily congratulate your Majefty, fays he, upon the good news I have but now receiv'd from the Academys of my Italian Virtuofi, of the Match which his Highncfs Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy, has concluded between his two Daughters, and the moft noble Princes of Mantua and Modena. What think you of the Alliance of thefe your beloved Children, which both you and I have fo much defir'd ? Is it not a large amends for your late Troubles ? It is, reply'd the Queen, and I confefs to your Majefty, that now all my Joys are full, for I never wifh'd for any thing more earneftly, than that my Princes who are join'd in fuch infeparable Interefts of State, wou'd join in aa Alliance of Blood too, and that is at laft eftefted ; fo that I'm all Extafy to fee, that by thefe happy Nuptials my many Sons are form'd into one invinci- ble Geryon able to fecure me from thofe Ills which have hitherto fiU'd me with fo much Oread. Then this potent Queen, attended by all the learned Princes and noble Virtuofi, paid a Vifit to the Temple of Fruitfulnefs, who gracioufly promis'd to blefs thefe fortunate Couples with a happy Offspring. Being afterwards return'd to her Palace, fhe receiv'd the Congratulations of all the moft eminent Princes who refide in this State ; and, in prefence of thofc Heroes, confer'd on Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy, the Father of this fortunate Offspring, and Author of this great Felicity to Ita- ly, the noble title of her chief Warrier ; and purfuant to this, fent an ho- norable Embaffy to him with the ufual Enfigns of the Lance and golden Truncheon. MEAN while Apollo, in token of his mighty Satisfaftion in this happy News, caus'd Proclamation to be made in ParnafTus by found of Trumpet, that there fhou'd be extraordinary Rejoicings throughout his Dominions; and at the ear neftrequeft of his Virtuofi, granted on this occa- fion a Favor he had hitherto refolutely deny'd 'em, of bringing Stage-players into ParnalTus. Thefe Comedians afted with fuch univerfal Applaufe, that Nevius, Plautus and Terence, were ravifh'd, and protefted, that none but Stage-players knew how to give the true force and fpirit to thofe fliarp Jefts which are the Life and Salt of a Comedy. His Majefty was particularly delighted with Francisco Vacanhello of Na- ples, andfaid, that the Italians, by fetting a Neapolitan to aft a Braggado- chio, had confulted Nature, and fhewn the Excellence of their Judgment : and on this occafion he order'd that the Neapolitan Phrafe fhou'd be taught to fomc Roman Youths, who he fancy'd had a Genius to excel in the fame way. The Part of Capt. C a r d o n e did not give him fo much Satisfa- ction, but he faid, 'twas prepoftcrous to fee a talkative Boafter play'd by a ;i;^ Spaniard, Adv. 7 8. Advices from Parnafur. 145 Spaniard, who was fo far from vaunting of what he had not done, or telling what he meant to do, that he ev'n denys or conceals his refcntment of In^ jurys receiv'd, and ftrikes before he threatens. He commanded there- fore that for the future the Spaniard fhou'd be imploy'd only in Tra- gedy, for even the common Soldiers of Caftile, Arragon and Bifcay, are fo ftifF and ftately in their manner, that Nature feems to have de- fign'd 'em all to ftrut upon the Stage in Buskins, and reprefent Kings and Princes. In the next place was proclaim'd the celebration of Jufts and Tourna- ments : The firft day there appear'd in the Lifts the Knights Errant of the SpaniQi Romances, Amadis, Don Gal a or, Don Flore- s T AND, and their Brethren of the Spear and Buckler ; who gave fuch proofs of their Prowefs, as furpafs'd human performance. But the greateft Miracle that belong'd to this Show was, to fee huge Caflles and Diamond Palaces built only with Words. The fecond day appear'd in the Lifts, the Knights Errant of France, Italy, and other Nations, Orlando, Rinaldo, Gradasso, Sa crip ante, and abun- dance more who did fuch Wonders, as convinc'd all the SpeQators that A R I o s T o had been fo far from ftretching in their praife, that he had not exprefs'd half their Merits. The third day appear'd Caro, Mol- z A, Sang a, and fbme other compleat Courtiers, who had the bold- nefs to defy thofe famous Champions to the Combate ; but they, dif- daining to try their skill with men who had never profefs'd Arms, re- fus'd the Challenge ; the Courtiers gave 'cm a fecond Defiance, which they flighted in like manner ; and fo a third, which met with the fame fuccefs. Upon which the Knights Errant were publickly hifs'd ; info- much {that Apollo, refenting the Affront done to thefe Heroes, whofe greatjAftions had been fung by fo many eminent Poets, commanded 'em to reft their Lances, and chaftife the Infolence of thefe vain-glori- ous Courtiers. The Champions inftantly obey'd, and 'twas a moft fur- prizing thing to fee how their cunning Court-Antagonifts, by an artifi- cial Lie, or an unlucky Turn in feafon, unhors'd the ftouteft of thofe Paladins, and raaul'd 'em, maugre their enchanted Armour. THE brave Bradamante and M a r f i s a, enrag'd at this difgrace of their Brethren, that they might recover the Reputation of Chivalry, which the others had fo fcandaloufly loft, put their Lances in Reft, and with more than human Fury fpur'd on their Steeds againft the Courtiers ; but, as ill-luck wou'd have it, they both happen'd to ftum- ble at certain Bags of Gold, which made 'em quit their Saddles, and laid 'em flat on their backs in the deadly Field, FOR thefe wondrous Atchievements, the Prizes were adjudg'd to the Courtiers ; fince without the help of Lances, they had fliewn themfelves fuch excellent Mafters in the Art of Tilting, and throwing men out of the Saddle. U ADVICE ia6 Advices from ParnkffHS. Cent, u -A'D'-T'J^'E' LXXiX. A V'tfpiite' het'h>een tl^^thtfimt %cp\'iMick of ^f)mey and the ihoJem Vaie-, t'utn Liberty cmcernmg'tle true %fipanis of Honor, THO the illuftrious Commonwealth of Rome, formerly Miftrifs of the World, beholds her felt now reduc'd thro her mighty misfortunes to a condition far different from what Ihe was in, yet fhe lives in ParnalTus in wonderful Reputation, and with univerfal Honor ; not only becaufe her Po- litical Precepts are elkem'd by great men as fo many Divine Revelations, but becaufe fhe's thought to be the true Oracle of Mihtary Aftairs : Befldes, there is no other fourcefrom which Princes or private Men draw more abundant or more profitable Examples of the brighttil Heroick Virtues.. And tho in- deed (lie has been fliameluliy deflour'd and ravifh'd, firft by her own un- grateful and ambitious Sons in the Profcriptions of Sylla and Au- QUSTUs, and afterwards by the iiarbarians her Enemys, in the general Ruins which Ton la,AtTila, and other foreign Princes brought up- on her ; yet (lie happily covers her pad Difgraces and prcfentMiferys with the Fame of her antient Greatnefs. THIS famous Princefs, fome days ago, pay'd a Vifit to the rhofl ferene Venetian Liberty : A Lady, who, for the renown of her unblemifh'd Cha- ftity, her exaft Prudence, and her immenfe Riches, is at this day the mofl beiov'd and fear'd of any in this Court. And we're inform'd, that w^hile they were difcourfing, one of her paft Greatnefs, and the other of her prefent Happinefs, the former fpoke to this effeQ. That the Venetian Government being a pure Ariftocracy, and therefore the moft perfeft Model of a Common- wealth, muli beallow'd, for her excellent Laws, which promis'd her long Profperity, to furpafsany other Republick, either part: or prefent. But tho to maintain Peace at home, and manage War abroad, the methods flie obferv'd were indeed wonderful, ihe had not made fo great Conquefls, as had been expefled from her extraordinary Prudence, and vail Riches both publick and private; and thereafon of this, fays the Roman Lady, in my opinion, is becaufe you've been toofparingofthofe Rewards, with which well-regulated Republicks recompenle the brave AQions of their Senators. Now for my part I mufl: own, that all the Glory of my having in a kw years made my lelf Miftrifs of the Univerfe, is intirely owing to the extraordinary worth of my Senators, which I awaken'd in 'em, not by rich Prefents, but by the eternal Honor of Statues, triumphal Robes, and Trophys, by the building and Dedication of Temples, Palaces, and Theatres, and chiefly by the glory ib much coveted by Souls ardent of immortal Fame, viz. that of my pom- pous Roman Triumphs : Rewards, which excited in the minds of my Citi- zens that noble Spirit in War, and matchlefs Virtue in Peace, which fuc- ceeding Nations have rather admir'd than been able to imitate. Whereas you have been fo backward in this particular, that I think you may juftly be llil'd Ungrateful. For tho many noble Venetians have performed both in Peace and War, A6lions which deferv'd the fublimeft Triumphs, and all thofe Honors which immortalize the Names of the Great, yet 'tisflrangeto me, that in Padua fhou'd be feen the Equeflrial Statue of one Narn e se, and in tlie midll of Venice her felf that of one B e r g a m a s c o, while the fignal Adv. 79* Advices from Tarnajjk^, iaj fignal Services of A N D R E A Gritti, of Seeastiano Vemieri, and of a thoufand other illuftrious Venetian Senators, who, in all heroick Qualifications might juftly be compar'd ev'n to Cjesak and Pompey, have not been rewarded with thofe Monuments of perpetual Fame which they deferv'd. Menante, your faithful Intelligencer, who writes thefe Advices ve- ry fincerely, is inform'd from good hands, that the Venetian Liberty, with- out the leaft difcorapofure, made this Reply : That the reafon why fhe had not extended her Dominions, as the Romans had done, was not, as fhe imagined, becaufe the thirft of honorable Fame was wanting in her Senators, but arofe from the different end which fhe had propos'd to her felf from that of the Roman Republick. For the Venetian Senators made Peace the utmofl fcope of their Ambition ; whereas the Senate of Rome plac'd its fole delight in War. And, continued fhe, your unfortunate end fully convinced me, that the exorbitant Conquefts which Republicks make of their bordering States, overthrow all the Political Laws of any wellorder'd Liberty, but chiefly of Ariflocracys, in which the Nobility ought to confift but of a fmall num- ber, which is not fufficient to govern a vaft Dominion ; and if they're mul- tiply'd very much, the wholfom Laws of Freedom muft of necefTity be thrown into Confufion. The World has fccn an unhappy inflancc of this Truth in the Calamity which befel your Majefty, who, by adding the Na- tions you had fubdu'd to the number of your Citizens of Rome, aggran- diz'd indeed your State, but at the fame time wretchedly impaired your Li- berty. For my part I'm content, fo long as I pofTefs an Empire large enough to fecure me in freedom from the Arms of foreign Enemys : and I do not affeft the extent of Dominions out of any Ambition to command, but out of Glory not to ferve. In the next place, as to the Rewards of Honor, with which well-order'd Commonwealths ought to recompenfe the Virtue and Merits of their Senators, I think it very unjufl that you tax me with Ingra- titude, fince in Venice are feen eternal Trophys, and triumphal Arches, not made of perifhable Marble, or Metals fubjeft to the violence of Fire, but of a Matter incorruptible, with which I largely reward my deferving Senators ; to the end, that the memory of their virtuous Actions may be glorioufly tranfmitted to future Ages. TO this the Roman Lady reply'd : That flie had often feen all the Rooms of her Majefly's Palace, but cou'd remembei- no fuch Trophys or Triumphal Arches as fhe fpolce of. Whereupon the Venetian Liberty prefently call'd into the Room great numbers of her Nobility of all Ages, and having flript 'em of their Robes, open'd their Breaffs, and, to the great aflonifhment of the Roman Commonwealth, fliew'd her in their Hearts the triumphal Arches, Trophys, Statues, Triumphs, and other publick Monuments, which the Gritti, V e n i e r r, C a p e l l i, Grim an I, Bragadini, Pasclu alighi, and all the other wor- thy Venetians, who had fignaliz'd themfelves by glorious Aftions, had merited from their Country : and what increas'd the wonder of the Ro- man Lady was, to fee in the Breaffs of thofe Nobles a fervent Charity to reward the great Atchievements of fuch brave Men in their Pofleri- ty, and a generous flame of Emulation to imitate their Virtues. Then, with demonflrations of great Af^eftion, the mofl ferene Venetian Li- berty exprefs'd her felf thus to the Roman Republick. Mod illuftrious Frincefs ! thefe are th.e triumphal Arches, with which fuch as We ought to honor thofe of our Senators, who in Peace and War have deferv'd immortal Fame. Thefe are the Statues and Monuments, which in well- U 2 regulated ia8 Advices from Parnaffus. Cent, i, regulated Republicks, awake civil Prudence and martial Warmtli in the Souls of the brave, and which arc erefted to the eternal memory of thofe who have eminently deferv'd from their free Country. Thefe ^re the places where Trophys are fct up with mod advantage, and not in the Squares of Citys : For the remembrance, which the Nobility of a Republick preferves for ever in their Hearts, of the worth of fuch as have performed glorious Deeds, begets Emulation and true Virtue, which in the Service of a tree State produce good Eficds; whereas the Triumphs, Trophys, Statues, and Monuments, rais'd to the memory of your meritorious Senators, and with which the Streets of Rome fo abound, have but ferv'd to procure 'em the faQious adherence of the Populace, which awaken'd in your Sylla, Makius, Cin n a, Cr a ssus, Pompey and C^sar, that Ambi- tion to which you owe thofe ignominious Chains of Slavery, you now drag at your heels. A great diforder, and which, I know, you are convinced was the fpring of all thofe Mifchiefs which have render'd you fo famous, even for Calamitys. Now let me tell you that my Senators may very properly be compar'd to thofe unfpotted Virgins, who go to their Nuptials, chaft both in Body and Mind. But as foolifh Husbands, by fending their Wives to Balls, Feafts and Plays, run the rifque of making 'em Whores; fo free Country s, by the Rewards of publick Monuments, which gain men the ap- plaufe and faftion of the giddy Mob, imprudently inftil into the civil and compos'd minds of their Senators a defye of becoming Tyrants. , .; ADVICE LXXX* : , The Teopk of Lesbos ^ after the Abdication of CoRNEL'ia^^ T'a- ,' ' olT'tjs,^ chufe for their ^Hn'ce Anna of Mvimrancy, whoiH ^^^v'ot,,f,^ohadnQmnaU^^ . ■■ ! ''Vi . . ■■',■■ SINCE the Misfortune mention'd in one of our former, which happened to Cornelius Tacitus in his Principality of Lesbos, and his flight from th^t State, he and the Princes his Friends have kit no Stone un- turn'd to prevail with Apollo that he wou'd difpofe the People to permit his Retui:n ; but all their Applications have been to no purpofe; For his Ma- jefty ha? conftantly j^lfci-t^d, that there's no good to be expelled from the GoverniTientpf Princes^ who by fuch afFronts; have once beep exafperated a- gainft their Subjefts. JH^wever, to fatisfy the Lesbians, who by their Embafladors continually p^efs'd his Majefty to propofe to 'em fome new Govern.vho to the, infinite fatisfaQion of. tjie 'People Was receiv'd and proclaim'd Prince of Lesbos. . ; , - ; 'TIS7^f|:ain that fotrie Vircuofi, who were Well acquainted with the AffairS:Of t/)at Pritjcipality^ drew, up a long and full Inftruftion containing the many reigning Abufts in that State, from which great inconveniences were faid to arife ; andttey likpwife, carefully fet down the meafures which ought to be obferv'id^^/b^ng' the, Affairs of Lesbos into a better pofture. This Scheme they .gaye/"to MoMlOiitANCYi who thank'd 'em for their goodwill, but told 'emi that the ;difficult task of reforifling a State by new Laws apd'Magiftrates,,,pughtto be undertaken only in heredit4ry Govern- ments, where the Succeflbrs of the deoeas'd Princes generally inherit the very ^ Thoughts Adv.Si. Advices from Parnaffus. j^b Thoughts of their PredecelTors, and are fo tenacious of 'em as to think *^th the Pillars of their Government, and that the wifcft Policy they cdn follow is to appear zealous in the obfervance of 'em : but that in eleftive States, where the Succeffors, either out of the affeflation of doing fomething new, or out of malice to the memory of their PredecefTors, often delight in undoing what has been done before, 'twas an Enterprize extremely dange- rous to begin fuch Reformations, which, depending intirely on a moft drift ob- fervance of the new Orders, require, that many Princes fuccefTively fliou'd be of the fame mind : Now this being fcarcely to be found in eleftive States, in my opinion, fays he, the beft advice which can be given to a Perfon like mv felf in fuch a Government as that of Lesbos, is, not to afFcft Novelty, but refolve rb live conformably to the Laws in being, whatever they are, and let things alone to run in the old Channel. For in hir'd Houfes wife men are content with the old Apartments, tho fomewhat inconvenient, while thofe who are more nice than wife put themfelves to the charge of building new, whidi'tis ten to one but the next Tenant deftroys again either out of ca- price or hatred to the Builder. ADVICE LXXXl. Giovanni Zecca, ^hyfiaan of 'Bologna^ fells in Taniaffui tU true Antidote againji the French-Tox. THREE days ago, in all the publick places of Parnadus, were poflied up Bills, with the following Advcrtifement. ' This is to give notice * tliat there isarriv'd in this City the famous Giovanni Zecca, Phyfi- ' cian of Bologna, who having found out a true and fafe Antidote againft the ' French Difcafc, invites all men to furnifli themfelves with fo excellent a iVle- * dicine. The Pvich fhal! have it at a rcafonable rate, and the Poor for God's * fake. This fir'd the Literati with the curiofity of learning a Secret fo ne- ccllary as the world now goes, and the rather, becaufe they knew ZeccX to be an admirable Phyfician, and an •excellent Writer in his Profeffion. They all fuppos'd that this Antidote was feme curjous Oil, Eleftuary, or other fuch Preparation, but were extremely furpriz'd when inftead of thefe Zecca only gave 'em a Pidure, drawn to the life, of a fine Gentleman, whofe Nofe was demolifli'd by the Pox, with this Direftion, that if any of 'em was under the Temptation of fooling with a Woman whom he fufpefted unfound, he fhou'd take that Pifture out of his Bofom, and view it atten- tively, and he wou'd pawn his Reputation upon't, that the Medicine thus taken in at his Eyes wou'd effeSually fecure him from that filthy Infeftiorr. Some, who were more curious than ordinary, cou'd not refl till they had prov'd this Receipt, and away they ran prefently to the Experiment : they fworc the Doftor was a man to be depended upon, and that they found his Antidote of admirable efficacy ; for they who fledfaff ly contemplated this Pi£fure, even in the fury of their Luff, confidcrd what an eternal Hiame 'twas for a man to lole his Nofe, the chief Ornament of his Face, and the feat of Reputation ; they refledfed on the hazard of eating a Morfel, which, tho fweet while 'tis chewing, proves bitter and ftinking when once fwallow'd down. This cool'd their Courage, and mortify'd the carnal Appetite, in fuch of 'cm as had any regard to their Reputation, to that degree, that even the inconfi- ICO Advices from Tarnajfrn. Cent. i. inconfiderate Tnfi:rument of I.ult it fclf, blind as it is and void of Difcretion, terrify'd by the danger of its dear Correlative, and preferring the Nofe's health and fafety to its own Pleakire, Hunk into its Dwelling with more haft than a Tortoife into its Shell \v hen 'tis pelted with Stones. ADVICE LXXXH. TJie Literati of Tarnajfu^ ccUbrate with oreat folemnity the Fefli'i'al de- dicated to the honorable LeaVes of the Laurel. YESTERDAY all the Literati celebrated with great pomp and joy the folemn Feftival, dedicated to the Leaves of the Laurel ; a Day which, ever fince the memorable Accident that happen'd to Daphne, has been kept facred in ParnalTus, to divert his Majefty, who affliQs himfelf very much with the remembrance of that Nymph's mournful Metamorphofis. On this Anniverfary none but the Poets, Flmperors and Hero's are permitted to come with Laurel Crowns round their Temples into the moft auguft College of the Literati ; while all, who have not merited fo noble a Prero- gative, that they may not with Brows unadorn'd profane the mighty So- lemnity, are ftri6lly forbid to ftir out of their Houfes. Petrarch, who by an antient Grant from his Majefly had obtain'd the honorable Imploy- ment of Orator on this day, made an eloquent Oration in praife of the Laurel. But while he was pronouncing it, a remarkable Accident happen'd to this great Poet : for after he had given the higheft Encomiums to that Plant, and fet forth how dear it was to his Majefty, how wonderfully refpefted even by Lightning and Thunder, and what a noble Privilege it enjoys of crowning only the Temples of Emperors, and of the mofl: glorious men, he launch'd out into a long and bitter Inveftive againfl: the ftupid ig- norance of the prefent times, in which the Sciences have lofl fo much of their Reputation, that thefe facred Leaves, which in the days of Learning were fo highly valu'd, are now brought into fuch Difgrace as to bind the fweaty Brows of Stewards at Ale-houfe Feafts, and to be us'd for Garnilh to fet out Frigacys, potted Eels, and difhes of roafted Liver. Petrarch mention'd thefe Indignftys with fuch concern, that he fell into a Iwoon in the Pulpit, and left his Oration unfinifh'd ; nor did he recover till the beauti- ful Laura, all drown'd in Tears, was thrown into the Bofom of her be- lov'd Poet. THIS Accident brought no fmall honor to the Orator ; for it convinc'd the whole College of the Vii tuofi, what a high efteem he had for that honour'd Laurel, which he had fo elegantly prais'd in his Italian Verfes. Put it hap- pen'd, that a little while after, a fharp Dirtich was ported upon the Pillars of the Delphick Portico, thefenleof which was, that 'twas not concern for the Affronts put upon the Laurel threw honeft P e t r a c h into his Fit, but on- ly the favory morfel of roafted Liver, which then came frefh into his memory. The Diftich was this. Non amor bum Laurs, fed arnica "jecufcula LaurOy fluam memori [fir ant ^ exanimavit Odor. THE Adv. 8 3- Advices from Farnaffm. 15 i THE publick AiTayers of Poetry, by his M^jcfty's .exprefs order, puc thefe Verfes to the Teft, and plainly difcoverM, that Martial was thq Author of 'em ; whereupon he wasfeiz'd foon after and thrown into Prifon. Then Petrarch with a croud of Italian Poets,, niarch'd in great haft to» ward the Royal Palace : Catullus, TiEULLUti, and Proper tius, fuppofing that he was going to complain againft M a r t i a l, plac'd them- felves in the way, and having firft embrac'd him, earneftly intreated, that as he had acquir'd much Glory by the late Accident, fo he wou'd increafe it, and oblige all the Virtuofi, by pafling by this Jcft of Martial, This they told him wou'd put the beft face upon't, and convince the world that unlucky Poets by their Lampoons wounded not to the quick, when the Perfons concern'd did nothing but laugh at 'em : and that true Jefts only had a fting, and cry'd out for Revenge, Petrarch wou'd not hearken to. 'em ; but all in a rage anfvver'd 'em, that 'twas his Humor neither to give an Affront, nor take one. So he pafs'd on, and breathing nothing but Re- venge, prcfented himfelf to Apollo; where with the fliarpelt words he exaggerated the Injury to that degree, that his Majcfty was highly incens'd againft Martial, and condemn'd him to perpetual Banilhment from ParnaiTus, and all the Territorys belonging to it. THIS rigorous Sentence was juft ready to be executed, when Mar- ti a l's Advocate produc'd an Edifl: publifh'd many years before by A p o l- lo, wherein his Majefty commands, " That a Jeft, tho fharp, provided " 'tis elegant, quick, facetious, has a Spirit in't, and proceeds not from " premeditated Malice or a mifchievous Defign, but (lips unawares from the " fprightlinefs of an extempore Wit, fhall be judg'd worthy of Praife ra- " ther than of Punifhment, fince the moft prudent have not always the " power to ftifle a fharp Repartee, which being at the Tongue's end, tho *' for many reafons perhaps it ought not to be utter'd, yet deferves pardon, " and the Applaufe of the Ingenious for its furprizing quicknefs and vivacity. ADVICE LXXXIII. Apollo applauds that Spm'i(h Decree, which enjoins that no froBors or Lawyers (houd go to the Indies 5 uj^on which the whole Eictihy com- plains to him. PARNASSUS is a moft happy Country, not only becaufe 'tis under A p o L L o 's excellent Government, and inhabited by the fineft Wits of the Univerfe, but alfo by reafon of the virtuous Lives of the People, the perfeQion of their Manners ; and becaufe all the beft Laws which are fcar- ter'd thro the Univerfe, are with wonderful diligence introduc'd and obferv'd in this State. For the Inhabitants areoblig'd to bring hither the moft valu- able Cuftoms of their feveralCountrys; a Conftitution which has prov'd of the greateft advantage both to private Men, and to the Publick. NOW Apollo being inform'd of an Order made by the Kings of Spain, ftriftly prohibiting all Lawyers and Proclors going over to the Indies, de- dar'd it to be an excellent one, and highly extol'd the Piety of thofe Mo- narchs who had fo much Charity for the new World, as to preferve it from that Plague which has fiU'd the Old with fo many mournful Controverlys. To perpetuate the memory of this admirable Edift, his Majefty immediate- 1^2 Advices from Parnajfus. Cent. i. ly commanded that it fhou'd be engrav'n on a Table of Brafs, and fet up in the great Forum, next to the twelve famous Roman Tables. THE Lawyers you may be fure were fufficiently alarmM at this, and earneftly prefs'd his Majefly to be tender of their Reputation ; for if this Edift fhouM once be publirfi'd, abundance of People wou'd take occafion to follow the Example of thofe of Ancora, Norcini, Recanati, and others, who, to the great difhonor of Learning, had banifli'd the Profeffors of the Law out of their Councils, tho other people had fuch a veneration for 'em as to believe nothing cou'd be faid or done well without 'em. And they were the more importunate with his Majefty to confider their Cafe, becaufe they humbly conceiv'd the Honor of the Liberal Arts was concern'd in it, which the Students of the Law apply'd to with fo much labor and expence. Apollo, contrary to all expeftation, was wonderful angry at thefe Solicitations, and told the Lawyers in a paflion, he was amaz'd at their Im- pudence, to aflert in his prefence that they fpent their time and mony in learning'the Liberal Arts ; as if the whole world were ftrangers to that Del- phick Edi£l, which declares the ftudy of the Law to be no Liberal Science, but a Mechanick Trade introducM for a fcourge to Mankind, ftudy'd with- out any pleafure to the Underflanding, or afliftance of the ferene Mufes, fo abfolutely requifite in all the beft Sciences ; and praftisM only for mere Ava- rice, to fwell the Bags of a filthy Brute, who without a dram of Wit may become an eminent Lawyer, if he be quaUfy'd only with the Brain of an Ox, and the Conftitution of a Porter, to endure the fatigue of continual drudging. ADVICE LXXXIV. "Ihe chief Literati of Tarnajfus addrefs Apollo that he ivou'd oh- Vm Tacitus to recompofe tho/e 'Books of his Annals and Hiflo- rys that are lojl. YESTERDAY the principal Literati of this State aflembl'd in the publick School, and after a long Conference, prefented themfelves one and all before Apollo; to whom Pietro Vittorio, that learned Florentine, in the name of the whole Body, faid, that they were come to pe- tition his Majefty for the greateft Favor he cou'd ever grant em ; That whereas his Literati with floods of Tears had long bewail'd the vafl: mif- fortune Learning had fufFer'd in the lofs of the greateft part of the Annals and Hiftorys of Cornelius Tacitus, that Father of human Pru- dence, and inventer of modern Politicks ; they therefore with all humility intreated that he wou'd command that excellent Man to repair the Injury which time had done to his Reputation and the general Profit, by recompo- fing all that is now wanting of thofe admirable Works. Apollo, tothefurprifeof the Petitioners, was piqued at thisRequeft tho it feem'd fo reafonable, and with manifeft difcompofure anfwer'd 'em thus: I'm afhamM of your Ignorance; What, don't you know that the Princes of the World are but too politick already, and wou'd youencreafe their skill and your own mifery ? 'Tis apparent that fome of *em, by ad- hering to that devilifh Principle call'd Reafon of State, have confounded all things as well facred as profane. Have not the common Miferys occafion'd * by Adv.85. Advices from TarnajJuT, 15 j by the barbarous Government of fome Princes, open'd your eyes, and dif- cover'd to you that this modern Policy, which is purely the Invention o fyour belovM Tacitus, has intcfted the World like a contagious Difeafe? Have you not learn'd by fad Experience, that the Maxims of State now prac- tis'd, to the Oppreflion rather than Government of the People, are too fu- rious; and that 'tis thegreatefl folly imaginable to defire to add to 'em ? Or d'ye think that fome Princes have not fufficiently learnt, from the rapacious Lives of Tiberius and Nero, vi'hich your Tacitus has fo exadlly written, the noble Precepts of pilling their Subjefts, that you defire to let 'em try if you can improve the Tragedy of your Ruin, by fome Secrets drawn from the Lives of Caligula and D o m i t i a n, which in pity to you, the Divine Majefty has raz'd out, that their monflrous Obfcenitys and Crueltys might be for ever bury'd in Oblivion. O my Virtuofi ! the iofs of the greateft part of T a c i t u s 's Works, let me afTure you, has been a for- tunate Gain to the world ; and how happy wou'd it be for Mankind, if all which remains of 'em had perifh'd likevvife, if Nations were govern'd with the modefty and integrity of the antient Monarchs, who treated men as ra- tional Creatures ; not with the cruelty of many modern Princes, who feem to account 'em as two-leg'd Animals, created for their Property and Ad- vantage, like Afles to bear burdens, or like the ignobler Beafts to ferve lor food to the Lion. A S for you Vittorio, who have join'd in this wife Petition, and been fpokefman for the whole Afrembly,let me ask you a Quelfion in private ; Are you not of opinion, that your Princes of Florence, by the firli Page on- ly of Tacitus's Annals, which they have fothorowly ftudy'd and prac- tis'd, are become excellent Doftors in curing the Canker of Sedition ? Fare you well, you, and your learned Companions ! It grieves me to the heart to fee that men are born with the unhappy calamity of Thrufhes, who perifli by their own Excrements ; Turdta malum ftbi cacat. ADVICE LXXXV: A r o L L o h(xVin^ notice that the Ignorant were arming againjl Learnings froVides for the defence of his Virttiofi. TH E Apprehenfions which the Literati of this State have had for ma- ny months pafl: of an impending War, areatlaft prov'd true : for an Exprefs arriv'd laft Tuefday night with Letters to Apollo from feveral Princes his Friends, which give certain Advice that the Ignorant were taking up Arms againft Learning ; and that they had already levy'd feveral thou- fands of Barbarians, who are mortal Enemys to the Liberal Arts. UPON this News Apollo inftantly reinforc'd the Garifons of the moft important places, fuch as Phocis, Pindus and Libethrum : he employ'd Ariosto and Berni to raife with all expedition two Regiments of Italian Satyrick Poets; and order'd that the Regiments of Latin Satyrifts commanded by Persius and Juvenal, which were very thin, fhou'd be recruited with Poets, rais'd in Italy, a Country much abounding in that fort of men. Then he decJar'd Torq^uato Tasso Ge- neral ; and his Father Bernardo Tasso Lieutenant Gene- ral, the good old Man thmking it a mighty honor to ferve under fo great a Son. Virgil was made General of the Latin Hcroick Poets, X and 1^4 Advices from Tarnajfm. Cent. i. and LucAN his Lieutenant-General. Hannibal Car o, in a great Anembly oF Poets all of thefirft Clafs, affifted more by the Favors and Inte- reft of the Houfe of F a r n e se than by his own Merits, was dcclar'd Ge- neral of the Italian Lyrick Poets, an honor which wou'd have been confer'd on Petrarch, Guidiccioni, or Monsignor della Casa, it their Habit wou'd have fuflerM 'em to wear a Helmet, or Coat of Mail. Horace was by the common Suftiage of the whole Army, made Gene- ral of the Latin Lyrick Poets. Veg at i us was created Lieutenant-Gene- ral of all the Forces ; JuliusFrontinus Major General : Giovan- ni Francisco Pico, Count of Mirandola, was declat'd chief Stan- dard-bearer, and bore for his Enfign an open Book. Ovid was appointed Paymafter-General. And in fine, all necelTary Provifions were made for this important War, infomuch that Apollo has now fo formidable an Army of Virtuofi in the Field, that he thinks himfelf fecureof Viftory: ex- cepting that to fo great a Body of men, Mony, the Soul of all, is wanting. THE motion made by fome of taxing the people on this urgent occafion wasexclaim'dagainft as pernicious and fatal: 'twas faid, it wou'd be dange- rous to difguft 'em by new Impofitions, at a time when they ought rather to be eas'd, to make 'em ftedfaft in their Loyalty ; and that it would be impofTi- ble, during the diforders of War, to prevent a State from ruin which was attack'dbya powerful Foe from abroad, and full of Malecontents at home. Apollo therefore refer'd the care of providing the Supply to his great Council of War, who in a few hours agreed in a Refolution, infinitely ab- hor'd by men of fliallow underftanding, and as much approv'd by good Po- liticians, viz. of making over in Fief the places of fmall importance, fo Wm. fuch as were of approv'd Loyalty, and remote from the Enemys Bor- ders. SO great was the Love to Learning in the people of Parnaflus, and fo ir- reconcilable their Hatred to the Ignorant, that to fecure themfelves from falling into fuch vile hands, and to avoid being fliock'd with the fight of that odious Beafi^, fo detefliable to the Virtuofi, a man who can neither write nor read, not only thofe places which Apollo had mark'd out to be alienated, but others too that were not in the Lift, offer'd themfelves to his Majefty, and defir'd to be admitted to it as a Favor. Ephesus only with great obftinacy refus'd to obey the Will of A p o l l o ; at which his Majefty, per- ceiving the Ephefians, the more he us'd the gentle means of perfuafion, grew the more inflexible, was fo enrag'd, that he thought it neceflary to make ufe of force. THE Ephefians being inform'd by their Friends of this Refolution, imme- diately difpatch'd to his Majefty 20 Embaffadors, all eminent Men, and the chief of their City ; who reprefented to him, that his moft loyal People of Ephefus were fo willing to contribute with their Lives and Fortunes to the common defence, that they wou'd take it as a particular Honor, if on this ur- gent occafion his Majefty wou'd caufe all their Eftates to be fold to the high- eft bidder, and order the Mony into the hands of his Treafurers to the ufe of the War : And that their refufing to be alienated to another Prince, pro- ceeded not from want of duty to his Majefty, or of their wonted afteftion to Learning, but becaufe they plainly forefaw they fhou'd become fubjeft to a cruel Tyrant, which the charity they ow'd their Country, their Lives and their Reputation, had made 'em refolve to avoid, even with the utmoft ha- zard of all they hold dear. Apollo was fo well fatisfy'd with this Excufe, that he embrace the Embaffadors one after another, and in the kindeft exprefTions imaginable * thank'd Adv. 86. Advices from Farnaffus. i^t thankM 'em for their readinefs to fervehim: He told 'em, thattofecure 'em from any feverity of a new Lord, tbo Seneca the Tragedian had offcrM him very largely, yet he wou'd put him by, and confign 'em to the Government of the gentle O v i d, who was known to be very affeGionate to their Country ; fo that they might refl fatisfy'd he wou'd treat 'em with all poflible humanity. I N reply to this, the Embafladors beg'd his Majefly to remember, that when AusoNius Gallus govern'd 'em, they were at perpetual vari- ance with him ; the Confequence of which was, that they drove him at lafl-, full of wounds and ignominy, out of their State; and now having informed his Majcfty of the weighty Rcafons which made the thoughts of being alienated fo dcteftable to 'em, he might do as he thought fit, for they were refolv'd to fubmit to any Calamity rather than difoblige him. THIS Expoftulation deliver'd by the Embafladors with fuch generous humility, prevail'd fo far with Apollo, that he kindly told 'em, Ephefus fhou'd never be fubjeded to any but himfelf : that he knew very well, a People who had driven away one Prince, had reafon to dread being made tributary to a fecond ; for every new Prince, how mild and gentle foever, to fecure himfelf from being treated like his Predeceffor, muft of neceflityufe feverity, and follow the fame cruel Refentments which the auftere Kings of Aragon exercis'd on thofe feditious Neapolitan Barons who had chang'd the Obedience due to their Sovereigns, into the fcandalous praftice of affronting and ufing them bafely. ADVICE LXXXVI. J u s t u s L 1 p s I u s, /'// amends for haVtng accmd T a c i T u s, pays hhn fo tnuch refpefij tint he Is charg'd before Apollo with Idolatry : 'But aft^r a feign d Tunifhmoit, his Majefly at length acquits and commends him. IT H A S been frequently obfcrv'd by the moft curious Literati of this State, that when any Virtuofo has been betray'd into a Fault by human frailty, he's apt to correft it by falling into t'other extreme. To this pur- pofe fome affirm, that Democr i tus put out his Eyes, not for the ad- vantage of Contemplation, but to atone for his having ogl'd a handfom young Wench more lafcivioufly than became fuch a grave Philofopher. And there's a Report too, that 'twas by way of Penance for having babbl'd too much at a certain Feaft, that H a r p o c r a t e s fell into the contrary extreme of perpetual filence : fo that this refleQioa of the Poet is not fair ; Dum vitant ftulti vitia^ in contrariA currunt. Fools, by avoiding one Vice, run into its oppofite ; for 'tis reckon'd a nota- ble piece of prudence in a Dog, that has once been feverely fcalded with boiling water, never to ftir out of doors when it rains ; and the man who has once been ftung by a Serpent, is wife if he afterwards ftarts at an Eel. NOW to let you know the occafion of this Preamble, Justus Lip- <^ I us it fcems was fo full of remorfe for his having unhappily accus'd T a- X 2 c I T u s. 1^6 Ad'vkes from Varnajfm. Cent. l. ciTUs, that, to make fatisfaftion for an OtYcnce which had brought upyn him the blame of all the Virtudli, he Toon after went to him, vciyfenfible of his Error, and humbly ask\l his Pardon. 'I" a c i t us, not only freely gave it liim, \sitl) a magnanimity worthy of a Roman Senator, but heartily thank'd him for affording hmi an opportunity of acquiring the Glory, which follows the fincere foigivenefs of an Iniury. i, ' .' '' THIS generous Indulgence, and eafy grant of a Pardon fo mucii de- fir'd, augmented the ancient and profound X'cneration Lii'Sius had al- ways born to that great Hiflorian, to futh a degree, that he frequented T A CI T u s's houfe more than his own, took more pleafure in his Cohver- fation than in that of any other of the Learned, and extoll'd him above all the Hiftorians that ever livM. His Zeal tranfported him to fo much Par- tiality, that all the Sc6tarors of Cicero, and the Virtuofi of C asak.'s potent Fadion were fill'd with Flnvy and Refentm.ent to lee how he labor'd to imitate Tacitus in his wonderful manner of delivering more thoughts than words, and in the Concifenefs, Majefty, Fulnefs, Strength and Seiuen- tioufnefs of his Diflion, whith is clear to none but men of 1. earning ; and to this he apply'd himfclf with fo much diligence, that he not only cailM iiim in a flattering way of dill motion his Author, but, dcfpifing die Cenfur^of all the world befides, affcQtd nothing more than to appear a lecond i' \' ci T u s. Mercerus, Beatu5 Rh en anus, Fulvius Ursinu^, Marcus Antonius Muretus, and the reft of Tacitus's Friends and Followers were piqu'd with Jealoufy at fuch an extraordinary afleflion, which had never been fhewn to Patrons, and even exceeded all inftances of Fondnefs among the neareft Relations. Wherefore, cloaking their Malice with the fpecious pretence of revenging the Affront he had fo lately put upon their Patron, they accused Lipsius before Apollo of the fame Impiety, of which he had accus'd Tacitus; and reprclented to his Majeffy that this man lov'd not Tacitus as a Friend, nor honor'd him as his Mafter, but ador'd him as his God, as his Apollo. NOW, as Crimes of High-Treafon, by reafon of their heinoufnefs, al- moft feem to be prov'd by being barely alledg'd ; fo this Accufation pro- voked his Majeffy to that degree, that he made Lipsius be immediately apprehended and brought before liim in Chains, by a Pretorian Band of Lyrick Poets : then with an inflam'd Countenance and menacing Gefture he ask'd him, what he thought of one Cornelius Tacitus an Oil- man's Son of Terni ? Lipsius an'fwer'd, That be efieemM him the grancj Exemplar of allfunfible Hifforians, the Father of human PrjUdence, the Ora- cle of the true reafon of State, the Mailer of Politicians, the, Prince of all fuch Autliors aswerearriv'd to tlie glory of filling their Writings with more Thoughts than Words, the beft Pattern to teach the Ingenious to read the Adtions of Great Men with judgment and a true inlight into the iprings of 'em; a Secret known only to the greateft Maflers of Hillory, as that by which they obtain the higheft Glory. , In fhort, 4ie tooli him for the Idea of Hiftorical Truth; the Inffrufter of Kings; the Courtiers Tutor; the Touch-ftonc by which the World may try the Genius of Princes, and the Merits of private Men; who fhou'd both, he "faid, have his Book perpe- tually in tlieir hands; the firfl, that they may learn the A^'t of governing well, and the latter, that they may be inftruiSled in the .Duty of Obe- dience. B X thefe extravagant Encomiums.; Apollo plainly, fayt^., . that Lip- sius did indeed adore Xa'.c it us^a|^,, therefore 'ask'^ in a great " '■ " ■■ ■' ' pallion ; Adv. 8 6. Advices from Parria[ftf^. 157 paflTion ; Pray what's your opinion then of Me, who am the Father of ■ Learning, the Sovereign of the Liberal Arts, and Prince of all Virtue, if with fuch Impiety and Impudence you dare idohze an Author fo hateful to all good Men ? An Author fo abominated by the Profellors of tlic Latin Tongue, for the newnefsof his Phrafts, the obfcurity of his Siile, and the vicious concifenefs of his Didion, and more deteftable ftill for the cruel Po- liticks he teaches, to tl)e perverting both of Princes and of their SubjeQs. For 'tis plain that by his impious Precepts he transforms the firll from lawful Sovereigns into T) rants, the latter from quiet Sheep into wily Foxes ; and converts fuch Animals, as Nature has wifely created without Teeth or Horns, into ravenous Wolves and untameable Bulls. To proceed with his Cha- rafter, he's the great leacher of DilPimulation, the Projeftor of Tyranny, the Mafter of that fcandalous Craft among Men, of fmiling and leering others to ruin, of fpeaking naturally and with a good grace what they do not think, tif impodng on^heir Acquaintance what they believe not them- felves, of asking earneftly for what they do not defire, of feeming to hate what they really love, ot fuppredmg the thoughts of the honeft Heart, and fpeaking only with a lying Tongue : In a word, he's the Architeft of Fallacys, and fo eminent an Original in rafli Judgments, that he commonly canonizes the Villanys of men for pious Atlions, and blackens their good Deeds as diabolical. And wilt thou only, Lip si us, of all my faithful Virtuofi, to my face adore a Perfon whofe Writings convidl him for an Atheift ? One who has Town thro the world that cruel and defperate Policy, which proves i'o fcandalous and fatal to the Princes and People who put it in praftice ? Who has taught 'em, both the Villany of double-dealing, of doing what they fay they will norland faying what they never intend to do, of paint- ing black for white, and circumventing Mankind by laughing when they're angry, and weeping when they're pleas'd, and of meafuring by the ialfe CompalTes of Intereft only. Love, Hatred, Fidelity, and all other human Virtues? An Author, whofe Writings honefl Men never read, but only in order to difcover the new Tricks and Stratagems, by which the Age is de- luded into Mifery, and to take a view of that execrable Hypocrily, by which the Difciples of fo curfed a Mafler fleal the Reputation of plain well-rreaning pious Men, tho they are guilty of Crimes which the blackeft Devil in Hell wou'd blufhat. I appeal, Lipsius, to your own Experience, whether you have not obferv'd how much the good old method of governing with Humanity and Clemency has been forfakcn by abundance of Princes, and what numbers of inferior people have flray'd from the Paths of Virtue and Sincerity, fince your Tacitus (as you call him ) has been in the hands of all Nations. The lofs of fo great a part of his Writings, has not been owing to the In- undation of the barbarous Nations that rufli'd into Italy to fubdue it. No they perifh'd before that Devaftation, not thro the Ignorance of the People (who in thofe turbulent times, were all imploy'd in the bloody bufinefs of War ) but becaufe thofe Antients, who had integrity of Soul, and the purity of Religion, detelled that vile Author, tho he's now in fuch elteem that many, as thou hall done, fet him up lor their Idol, and pay him Divine Honors. HIS Book, from one end to t'other, is unworthy an honefl: man's reading, for it contains more Impietys than Pages, Lines, Words, Syllables or Letters ; bgt above all, his Life of Tiberius (a Prince who deferv'd fuch an Hiftorian) is unfuflerable : It had lain hid feveral Ages in the moft fecrct places of Germany, till by the peftiferous curiofity of a German, more fatal 158 Advices from 'Faniajfm. Cent. i. fatal to the world than his Countryman the Inventor of Guns, 'twas brought to light about the time when that noble Country began to be infefted witli the modern Herel'y. Writings fo confummatciy wicked, that they were bury'd awhile in Oblivion, bccaufc y\ntiquity dctefled 'em, and now held in admiration by thofe vile Politicians only, w ho being the Difciples or fuch impious Fallacy have learnt to amufc Manlvind to their Lives end with empty Words ; to feed 'em with Smoke, fill 'em with Wind, and reduce 'em by vain hopes to utter ruin and lieggery. A diabolical Craft, and publifli'd by Tacitus for the ul'e of Princes, bait now become fo univerfal, that this Author, once efteem'd fit only for Royal Clofets, is in every pitilui Scoundrel's hand, fo that to the difgrace of an Art fo highly efteem'd by great Men, Porters enter into the Reafons of State, and the world is full of Politick Coblers. Lip SI us was ftruck half dead to hear Apollo exprefs himfelf with fuch refentment; but taking heart and recovering a little from his Confter- nation and Agony, he humbly beg'd his Majefly's pardon for any thing elfe, in which he might have offended him, but freely faid : That fo great were his Obligations to Tacitus, on whole account he receiv'd fuch mighty Honor from the Flemifli, Germans, Englifli, French, Spaniards and Italians, that if he fliou'd love and even worHiip him as his Earthly God, he thought 'twas but little towards the payment of the immenfe Debt he ow'd him; for 'twas by his Labors upon Ta c i t us only, that he had merited a Place in Parnaflus, and acquir'd immortal Fame : And if one who trades upon another's Stock, has reafon to adore the Man who helps him to make his Fortune, and who can make a Bankrupt of him whenever he pleafes, he thought himfelf much more to be excus'd, if not applauded by his Majefty, if in his AffeClion to his dear Tacitus, from whom alone he deriv'd all his Reputation among the Virtuofi, he grew extravagant, and furpafs'd the bounds of Decency and Duty -, that he remembered very well, how, upon his firft admittance into Parnaffus, he was fo carefs'd and rever'd by all the Learned, that his Houfe was frequented no lefs than thofe of the mofl: celebrated Writers : but after he had fallen into the error of difobliging Tacitus,- * StAtim relicttim illiin limen, nemo adire, nemo folari : not one of 'em car'd to come near his Threfliold. Therefore rather than make any abatement of his Veneration for that Author, he'd be content to ficrifice his Life, for he' thought That a lefs misfortune than to fall from the height of Fame^ to which he had attain'd by T a ci t u s's means. A p o c, r o was more ehrag'd to hear L i p s r u s talk thus arrogantly, arid reprimanded him feverely for daring before his face to juftify his Impiety, and declare his obftinate refolution of perfevering in it rather than an humble Inclination to repent and ask pardon. But above all, his Majefty cou'd not bear that he fliou'd varnifli the Crime of Idolatry with the Notion of ar» honorable Gratitude, and call his Obftinacy his Conftancy and -inviolable Fidelity. He therefore commanded the Guards to drag him out of the Pre- fence, as a Wretch unworthy to behold the Face of his Lord, whom he had fo heinoufly offended, and that they fliou'd ftrip him of all his Learning, dtclare him a fliamcful Ignorant,' and laftly burn him alive for aa impious Idolater. L I p s 1 u s was already brought to the place of Execution, when his dear- eft Friends exhorted him to think better on't; and by impk)ring his Ma- jefty's Mercy, fave at Once both his Life and Reputation. But in the midft "f Tad lib. iz. Ann. '•' ■ ■■ . of Adv. 8 6. Advices from Tarnaffui. 159 of this defperate condition he was feen to grow in Conftancy, and gave all the tokens of an intrepid Heart, fo undaunted at the approach of Death, that he bid Apollo do with him what he pleas'd : for a man intirely poffefs'd of the perfedion of Gratitude, the Queen of all human Virtues, he wasfure, cou'd never die with Ignominy ; but the Flames which were to confume him, wou'd only refleft on him a greater fplendor of Glory ; that in this laft gafp of his Life, he was fo far from acknowledging it his Crime to have too much honor'd Tacitus, that fo infinite were his Obligations to him, it tormented him more than the Pains he was to fuffer, to refleft, that after all he fliou'd die in his debt. He told 'em farther, that the Agony in which they all beheld him, proceeded not from the dread of Death, but from his Sorrow, to have heard Ap-ollo himfelf tax his dearelt Ta- citus as an impious Atheift ; an Injury, which if it had been offer'd to that wifeft of Writers by any but his Majefty, he wou'd not have left un- reveng'd, at leafl; by words, tho he had fo fhort a time to live. However with his laft breath he boldly afferted, Tacitus was fo far from being an Atheift, that he only of all the Pagan Writers difcover'd, how much the Faith of things unfeen, and not demonftrable by Reafon, avails in affairs of Religion, * Han^iim ac reverentiui vifum^ dea^is Deoram credere^ c^uum fcire : Concerning the Adions of the Gods there appears more Reverence and De- votion in believing than in knowing. Moft holy Words ! and worthy to be confider'd by thofe Divines, who have fo foolifhiy loft themfelves in fophifti- cal Subtiltys. . . U / . Apollo, fill'd with infinite amazement to hear Lipsius argue in this manner, commanded him to be fot at hberty, and tenderly 'embracing him, faid. My dearcft Virtuofo ! with how much delight to my felf, and ad' vantage to thee, have I try'd thy wotid:'OVS Conftancy ? how have I by the injurious- things faid of Tacit u's; which are all laid to his charge by fuch as never ftudy'd, or never underftood him, prov'd thy Veneration to that excellent Hiftorian, who even deferves my Wonder? I am con- vinc'd by what I have heard thee fay, that thou haft'read him with delight, and with profit ; for I know that the glorious defence thou haft made, is not of thy own ftock, but borrow'd liom bur deareft T a c I T u s. THEN his Majefty turn'd towards thq Virtuofi, who were flock'd in great numbers to fee the refult of /this Affair, and bid 'em admire, and perpetually imitate the Example of Lip^ias; and let infinite Love, fays he, and Veneration for the Prince, who chiefly fupports your Reputation, be engraven on your Hearts in Characters indelible, always remembring that the Power of him who lofes his .Prince's AffeSion is more eafily de- ftroy'd, than a Houfe is thrown dow*!! wherF its Foundations fail. You therefore who follow Courts, takt notice, -]- Nihihrerum mortAltum tarn injlahile ac fluxum efi q»,tr» fama potent i^y. non ijaa i/i. mica :■ Nothing in the world's fo unftable as the Fame of that Power which, is not fijpported by its own Strength. A moft certain Maxim, which teaches every one ■ to imi- tate my dear Lipsius, in Jovirig^ bohoring, arid for everTerving their Princes withaconftant Fidelity : for, as injlhings faaed 'tis the higheft Im- piety to have any other God thaii htmj. who has created you; fo you ought never to entertain a Devotion but for one Prince; never to expeft ordefirc advantage from any other than froin that Lord, whaby his extraordinary Affeftion, and thetrufthQ tfcpofes.in ylou, diftinguilhes you to the whole Earth, as bis deareft Friends, not Si5rv4nts^ and by the Authority he gives ' Tic. dc Mqrib. Germ. . f ir»c. lib. ij. Anibn:. ', • . j:.'jirp y^ , ,; ij^i'ir . , .. V. you i5o Advices from Parnafjk. Cent. i. you in bis Dominions, makes you who arc his Vaflals, appear Sovereigns like himCeif. AND becaufe the deep Sagacity of Princes is generally accompany'd ■with fufpicion ; and Court-Favorices being always the Marks of Envy, are watch'd by their emulous Rivals, who are impatient for their deftruclion, if you'd hi^ppi'y overcome thefe Difficultys, and preferve your Greatnefs, love your Princes with all your heart, ferve 'em with all poflible t'aithfulnefs ; and chufe, like my Lips 1 us, to die rather than think, much lefs aft any thing |jy which you may hazard the lofing any part of their Favor : for reft zi- fur'd, that your Fall commences the moment that you think to advance your felves, by prevaricating with them who hear, fee, and underftand more than c^n be expiefs'd ; your ruin is drawing on when you take up the fhuffling Tricks of fmiling and betraying, of trimming and waiting in all Com- motions of the State, till fome finifter Accident bcfals your Sovereign, and then falling in with the prevailing Party ; for thofe who believe it fafe to dif- fembleWith Princes, who when they fee not with their own Eyes, have fo jTiany that fee for 'em, and when they are afleep, want not a thoufand malig- nant Spirits to wake 'em, are like thofe Fools who think to confine Gypfies, to put tricks upon Jockeys, and falfe Dice upon Gamefters. ti-. Lilt, -JUO'iv . , ; y;oi't i-i-. ■ , .:;::::) ■ tC'j] yilJiuv; LV!h !^^)^.^'// i ' ilu »r» — : .;,.:ci„lme,vi.,Tn.d.j^.j^;.^ i CE LXXXVII. iHie .^^mi ^/. I(d)i "^yhiot. he pf^^fail'd'uf^ony by the inter ceffion of her -' .thlff.^^M}C€i an^4if'A?6'L to' him/elf^ to parkn thofe Italian Of- ^'.ficWi^'idoy in //y«tY^rV/rr ^J^Bf^^M ^ations^ had taken up Arm -r.o) m.-: I "i -r-hnoW Vm zavr^'ah n^^" OF ' A L L the Pala^cc^ in ParnalTus, that where the Queen of Italy re- ^flitesi ia, in thte judgment of V i t r u v i u s himfelf, allow'd to be the molt magnificent fotr its ftrufture,' and the beft adorn'd. Here, among other things rvSoBthy of aftorlifhmenti at the upper end of a fpacious Court, is plac'd Ihe Statue .ctf; the .Queen' her felf on Horfeback, made of the fineft Gold/, '0qd\C^"ourt, ai-e feed feveral Pi£lures drawh- from the Life, by the fa- odQUs Aiiif/BJiuiE^ atttdt Other chief Aptifts^reprefenting thofe Italian Captains, \yiho,,,wti,chlthflir Arms. and Blood, liave bravely defended or freed Italy from fheCllftit^tdf ;Ba)r^b)ciHnsi,'andiri reqirital have fcceivM from their grateful f.QUBtty ^tecpei HonDi'Sj Over agaioft 'em are hung in Effigy by the heels VpaniGihshwa^ thofe! kalian Captains^' who, forgetting the duty a Man owes JO hi;^Gc(untJ'y (wtiicttl'is,e(ifual to. that of Children to their Parents) had i!;nter'd,hvath4Serv3dQ of.iBirbarous Nations and foteign Kings, and fought to flv^rk le Irq iy ^'if^^ t^ic \'e.tte.cs. of Slavery, Undef 'em,- -to-tncrcafetheir Infa- my, are written the Reproaches and Imfeftives, wlikh the Satyfical Poets and i;o^ ^ declaiming Adv.Sy. Advices from Tar m^k^, i6i. declaiming Orators com pos'd againftthofe Wretches; and all to deter men from thofe Crimes which cxpolc 'em to eternal Shame : and that Soldiers who feklom confider the Merits of the Caufe, but fight for the Prince whofe Fay is beft, may learn to love their Country with the greated: tendernefs, and think it more honourable to ftab themfelves, than to take up Arms againfl: her. M E N A N T E, who bcforc he can fend his News-paper to his Correfpori- dentsand loving Cuftomcrs, isoblig'd to carry it to be examin'd by the City Pretor, cannot here as he ought record the Names of thofe Italians who were painted in fo fcandalous a pofture. But this he can affurc you, that their Dependents blufli whenever they enter the Court, to think how their Familys have been difgrac'd, and are eternally feen to mourn the unworthi- nefs of their Anceftors with unexpreflTible compun6lion of Soul. FOR this reafon they have got the chief Princes of this Court to join with 'em in continual IntercelTion to the moft ferene Queen of Italy, that Ihe wou'd be pleas'd to abate her juft Indignation, and confent that thofe Captains of noble Blood might be freed at lafl fiom that ignominious Punifl:- menr. A p o l l o too was lately prevail'd with to add his Mediation to that Queen, but without any eftefl ; forfhe, ftill more incens'd, with Tears of Anger told his Majefty and the Princes, that fhe fupported with great pati- ence the Difgrace, and vail Defolations brought upon her by the Goths, Vandals, Huns, and other barbarous Nations, as human Accidents and Ca- lamitys, to which all States were fubje£t, and her felf more efpecially, who by the pleafantnefs of her Climate, the fruitfulnefs of her Country, and her vaft Treafures accumulated in times of Peace, feem'd to invite foreign Prin- ces to her ruin, wlio were greedy after Gold, and eager of changing their barren Lands for the rich Soil of Italy : But when her own Children turn'd thofe Arms againft their tender Mother, which they ought to Iiave imploy'd in her defence, they gave her fuch deep Wounds as eternally fmarted, gufli'd out with Blood, and call'd for Vengeance on Ingratitude fo bafe as ought never to be pardon'd, nor cou'd ever be fufRciently punifh'd. Since there- fore fhe had receiv'd fuch cruel Stabs in the moft tender Part, fhe own'd that his Majefty's prefiing Mediation, and the penitent Humility of thofe who ask'd Forgivenefs, did but inflame her the more to Revenge ; and even Time it felf, infteadof wearing out the memory of that Injury, refreiir'd it. In fine, fhe never cou'd, nor wou'd forgive it, not only bec:-jre fhe knew fhe had never deferv'd fo ill at the hands of her Sons ; bui. becaufe thi o their execrable Avarice fhe had been bafely betray'd, and enfldv'd to thofe on whofe necks not long before fhe had trampl'd. From their Punifli'f °nt there- fore, and her immutable Refolution, all Mankind might '.-arn, .Mt whofo- ever iniures his Country to that fhameful degree, commits a Crime never to 5e remitted, and ftains his Honour with Spots which no Time nor Art can ixpunge. ADVICE J 62 Advices from Varnajfm: Cent. i. ADVICE LXXXVIII. All the Sheep of the Univerfe fend their Embajjadors to A p o l l o, f o defire him to grant 'em fmr^ Teeth and long Horns ; but his Majefly laughs at their l^equejl. TH E wliole Species of Sheep have fent to this Court four Embafladors, who this morning had audience of his Majefty ; at what time a largp and well accomplifh'd Wether of Apulia, deliver'd hitnfelf after this man- ner. May it pleafe your Majefty ! THE Generation of Sheep are very fcnfible that the Maker of all things has fhewn fuch equal Juftice and Charity to his Creatures, that he has re- compens'd their Imperfedions and Defefts with Gifts equivalent ; infomuch that in fo great a multitude of brute Beafts, no Species befides ours has reafoa to complain : but we humbly conceive he has treated us like a Father-in- Law ; for tho he has created us with great Defefts, he has notendu'd us wirh any equivalent Virtue to enable us to live in the World in as much quiet and fafety as other Animals do. THO the Divine Majefty has created the Hares exceeding timorous, and given 'em fharp Teeth, but no heart to bite, yet he has beftow'd on 'em fwiftnefs of Foot, fufficient to preferve themfelves from the Jaws of anf wild Beaft. Nor has the Fox any reafon to complain of his being created How of body, fince he's endu'd with fuch a cunning Brain. The flowodls of the W^oU too is recompens'd with fo daring a Heart, fo fharp a Toocb, and fuch Circumfpeftion, that he's a terror to all Animals, and ev'n to Man himfelf. The like Charity has been fliewn to the Birds of the Air, the Cre- ator having beftow'd larger Wings, and a more fpeedy flight on thofe to whom he deny'd the ufe of their Feet ; and made the Pheafants, Partridges and Quails fwift of foot, in amends for their fhort Wings: But the poor Sheep alone having been created very ftupid, flow, fainthearted, and with- out Tusks or Claws to make 'em fear'd, feem to have been abandon'd of that Divine Charity, which has fliewn fo great affeftion even to Beafts of Prey. And the greateft Calamity of thefe poor defencelefs Creatures is, that Heaven has given 'em for their implacable Enemys, the Lions, Tigers, Bears and Wolves: fo that on the whole matter it feems as if they had beencrcaiBad only to glut the Maws of thofe ravenous Beafts who know no fatiety. THIS eloquent Wether further added ; that befides the infupportabfc Injurys himfelf and his fheepifh Fraternity receiv'd from their Enemys, they were pcrfecuted too with ill ufage from their Shepherds ; and all prooecdled from their being wholly defencelefs, for if they had it but in their power by way of correction, to bite a curft Mafter once in half a fcore years, or fo, they n^ou'd be upon better terms with 'em, and teach their Barbers to Qiave off their Wool without cutting the Skin; for which reafons the whole Spcr cies of Sheep, that they might no longer be expos'd to thefe moft grtcvoof Opprefllons, earneftly pray'd to have long Teeth and fharp Horns, to ma&c themfelves refpefted, Apollo anfwer'd fmiling: That the Sheep by this Requeft bad £»- deed given a convincing proof of their great Simplicity, fince they were not A(. ifeiaChle, Adv. 89. Advices from Tamajfn^/ i^^ fenfible, that of all the fourfooted Inhabitants of the Earth, none are more favour'd by Heaven, or enjoy greater Privileges than they ; fcr the others feek their Food with mighty labor, and thro a thoufand dangers, for which many of 'em are forc'd to imploy the night, the time facred to Sleep and Quiet, it being Lin fafe for 'em toappear by day. But Mankind themfelves, Matters of all the Beafts, and Lords of the Earth, at a great expence pro-^' vide Paftures for the Sheep to feed in ; guard 'em with great care and af- feftion in the night-time, and fecure 'em in their Folds from violence : and whereas the other Beafts were purfu'd, not only by Beafts like themfelves, but by the Snares of men ; among whom 'twas the conftant imployment of many to make Nets, breed up Dogs, and fet Traps to procure their death • 'twas the noble Prerogative of the Sheep only, that mankind employ'd them- felves in making Nets, in feeding Dogs, and letting Traps to fecure 'em from their Enemys. And the Creator of the Univerfe, in token of his great love to their Species, had given 'em, inftead of ravenous Teeth and fwifc Legs, the moft potent Arms of Wool, Milk, and other Riches, which prov'd a better Protection ; for thefe Gifts had fo perfeftly acquir'd 'em the good Will of men, that in their defence they perpetually wag'd War with the Wolves, Tigers, Lions, and all their other Enemys : That Sheep, on the account of the many Benefits they brought, were reputed the delight and lichesof Mankind, from whence they were grown the moft numerous of any brute Species on the Earth ; fo that being thus kindly fed and guarded by their Shepherds, 'twas foolifti and ingrateful in 'em to defire biting Teeth and fliarp Horns. T O conclude, Apollo told 'em, that they ought to make no other retribution to the feverity of fomeof their Mafters than Humility and Obe- dience, fupplying 'em with plenty of Wool, good ftore of Milk, and a numerous increafe; for 'tis the happinefs of Sheep, that thofe Shepherds who treat their Flocks ill, are moft cruel to themfelves : for which Reafons his Majefty commanded 'em, to be as careful not to entertain a thought of biting their Shepherds, as they wou'd be to keep themfelves from the Jaws of Wolves ; for fuch Sheep, who by their Humility and Obedience render their Shepherds fecure, are very happy, and the others equally unhappy, who make it their bufinefs to put 'em in fear. ADVICE LXXXIX. Nicholas Macchiavel haVmg been banifh'd ^arnajjm on pain of buryiwg^ is found hid. m a FritJid's Library^ upon which the ^cntcyice is put in execution. MANY years are now paftfince NicholasMacchiavel was banifli'd ParnafTus, and all the Territorys belonging to it, under fe- vere Penaltys, bothtohimfelf and to any who fhou'd dare to entertain fo pernicious a Wretch : However laft week he was taken Prifoner in the houfe of one of his Friends, who kept him conceal'd in his Study. The Judges were foon inform'd of it, and this morning he was to have been burnt, in purfuance of the Sentence formerly pafs'd upon him ; but having fent to de- ilre his Majefty that he might be firft heard what he had to fay, Apollo, according to his ufual Clemency, let him know that he might fend bis Coun- Y 2 - fel 164 Advices from Tarnajfm, Cent. i. fel and have a favorable hearing. M\cchiavel reply'd, thai he defir'd to be his own Counfel, for the Florentines needed none to plead for 'em. This therefore was granted him ; and being brought before his Majefty, and the Judges, he thus began. BEHOLD here, great Sovereign of the Literati ! Nicholas Macchiavel, the Man againft whom there is fo much clamor, who is condcmn'd for a feducer and corrupter of Mankind, and a publiflier of fcan- dalous politick Precepts. I am fo far from intending to defend my Writings, that I publickly accufe and condemn them as impious, and full of cruel and execrable Maxims for the Government of States. So that, if what I have printed be the pure Invention of my own Brain, I defire that the Sentence the Judges have pronounc'd againft me, may this moment be executed : But if n^y Writings contain only thofe politick Precepts and Rules of State which 1 have fairly drawn from the praftice of fome Princes whofe Lives are only a compofition of ill Words and worfe Aftions, and whom if your Majeify will give me leave I'm ready to name, what reafon is there that they who have invented thofe Policys fliould beefteem'd Sacred, and I who have only tranfcrib'd and publifh'd 'em a Villain and an Atheift ? I confefs I can- not fee the jufticeinthis cafe, of adoring the Original as holy, and burning the Copy as execiable : nor how I have deferv'd to be thus perfecuted, when the Ifudy of Hiftory, which is not only allow'd, but fo univerfally re- commended, is notorioufly known to have the virtue of turning into fo many Macchiavels all that read it with politick SpeGacles. For people are not fo void of fenfe as many believe 'em to be ; and 'twou'd be ftrange if the fame Perfons, who by their profound Wit have been able to dive into themoft hidden Secrets of Nature, fhou'd not have judgment enough to difcover the true Ends of Princes in their Actions, tho they ufe much artifice to conceal 'em. If Princes therefore will have their Subjefts become Fools and Block- heads, that they may lead 'em by the Nofe wherever they pleafe, they fhou'd follow the Example of the Turks and Mufcovites, and forbid Learning in their States, for 'tis that gives Eyes to the blind : Nor will they other- wife ever compafs their Defigns; forHypocrify is now grown fo familiar in the World, that it has only a power like the Stars, to incline, not force Men to believe what it pleafes. THESE words had almoft prevail'd with the Judges to revoke the Sentence, when the Attorney-General reprefented to 'em, that as Mac- CHiAVEL had been juftly condemn'd formerly for the abominable and execrable Precepts contain'd in his Writings, fo he had of late deferv'd fe- vere Puniflimcnt, for having been caught in the night among a flock of Sheep, where he was employing his Ingenuity in arming their Mouths with Dogs Teeth, to the evident danger of utterly deftroying the Shepherds, a People fo necelTary in the World ; who, if his wicked Defign had fucceeded, wou'd have been forc'd to put on Breaft-plates, and Iron Gauntlets when they intended to milk or fhear. And to what an extravagant price wou'd Wool and Clieefe be rais'd, if Shepherds fhou'd be put to more trouble to guard themfelves from their Sheep than from the Wolves; if they cou'd no longer govern 'em with their Whiftle and Crook, but muft maintain a Regi- ment of Dogs to hold 'em in obedience ; and if to keep 'em in the night, they rhufl: be forc'd to change their Pinfolds of Hurdles into Ditches, Bul- warks, afld Counterfcarps, 'after die rtiodern fafhion ? THESE important Accufations were of great weight with the Judges^ who unanimoufly voted that the Sentence pafs'd on this vile Fellow fhou'd be executed-; and pubhllfd a fundamental Law, declaring, That whoever 1-. . for Adv.^o. Advices from Parnaffw. ig;^ for the future fliouM dare to teach the World fuch dangerous Praftices fliou'd be accounted a Rebel to Mankind : for 'twas not the Produft of Wool, Milk, and Lambs, which made Sheep fo valuable, as their great fim- plicity and mildnefs ; nor was it poflible a great number of 'em fhou'd be govern'd by one fingle Shepherd, unlefs they were wholly deftitutc of Horns Teeth, and Wit : to endeavor therefore to infufe Malice into the mild, and to give fight to Moles, whom Mother Nature very providently created blind was to go about to fet the whole World in a flame. ADVICE XC. Apollo Vtjits the ^rifons, and tries mxny Virtuofi who were commit' ted for Crimes J or for Debt. IT HAS long been Apollo's cuftom never to intermeddle in civil Caufes, but to leave 'em wholly to be determin'd in their proper Courts ; and that true Juftice may be adminifler'd to all, he thinks it fufficient, as we have already advis'd, to take great care in the choice of his Judges : But in cri- minal Affairs, where the Lives and Reputation of his bclov'd Virtuofi are ar ftake, he himfelf, with much diligence and exemplary patience, hears, fees, in- quires, and fifts into all the minuteft Circumllances ; fo that the Judges have little elfe to do than put things in order for a Trial. 'Twere to be wiOi'd that fo excellent a Cuftomwere known and follow'd by thofe Princes, who, a- bandoning the Cares of the accus'd, which they ought always to have at heart, leave 'em to the difcretion of a fingle Judg, who is many times cor- rupt, often ignorant, andufually paffionate; a praftice the more dete/fable, fince where good Laws flourifii, a hundred Judges are fcarce thought enough to determine upon the Life of one Man. On this account Apollo very wifely appointed many Ages ago a Goal-delivery, or a Vifitation of the Pri- foncrs in Farnaffus at certain times, to decide all Caufes both of Criminals and Debtors : and Thurfday laft his Majefty, attended by all the Officers of the Civil and Criminal Courts of Judicature, began his ufual Circuit, and the Frifoners where he came were produc'd, in order to take their Trial. Felino Sandeo, a famous Civilian, was the firft that was try 'd. AxGELO DE Malefic IIS opened the Caufe againlt him, and faid, That this Lawyer two years before had been deputed Governor oF Andros by the Prince of that IHand ; where he had villanoufly countenanc'd feme of the chief Ferfons under him, in opprcffing and tyrannizing over the Poor, the Widows and Orphans: Nay more, he had fuffer'd thofe infolent Kafcals to treat poor Workmen with a Cudgel, inftead of paying 'em their Wage?, Ap o llo hearing this, turn'd towards Felino, and ask'd him how 'twas pofTible that a Perfon of his Qualifications fhou'd be guilty of the Crime laid to his charge? Felino anfwer'd ; he had given evident proofs of his knowledg in the Laws, and of his honeft refolution and courage in punifli- ing Tyrants, in his former Governments of Phocis, Findus, Libethrum, and Mitylene : If therefore he had neglefted his Duty in Andros, 'twas not out of Ignorance, but out of pure Policy, and the ill Principles of his Prince had been the fole caufe of his Crime ; for being certainly inform'd, that fe- veral Ferfons of fingular Worth, and extraordinary Virtue, who had go- vern'd that Ifle before, had been difgrac'd and almofl ruin'd, only becaule they 1 66 Advices from Tarnafm, Cent. i. they adminlfter'd impartial Juftice, and fully difcharg'd their Duty ; and this thro the perfecuting fpite of thofe arrogant Wretches, whom tiiey wou'd not uphold in their Tyrannys, he for his part was rclblvM to run no fuch hazard ; and all the blame was due to the Prince of Andros, who was rot only very ready to receive ill impreffions againft his Minifters, but fcetn'd fond of fuch malicious Impeachments: for which Reafons he endeavor'd to fteer more cautioufly, and pay him in fuch Coin as he thought he defcrv'd. A po L L o, admiring the Defence Ff.l I N o had made, not only pro- nounced him innocent, but applauded him as a wife Man, who knew how to fquare his Aftionsto the Genius ot the Prince he ferv'd, and publickly faid. That Princes who were not zealous in protefting their Minifters, but ready to give ear to Informations againft 'em from the moft malicious and rafcally People of the Province, dcfervM not to be well Icrv'd. Im- mediately upon this all the Court cafting their Eyes towards Gui- Doc ALDo DELLA RovERE, Dukc of Urbiuo, call'd to mind the excellent Government which his Son Francesco Maria obfervM in his State, where thofe Minifters, who in the Admlniftration held not the Ballance of Juftice even, and thofe Wretches who accus'd and perfe- cuted their Governors without a juft Reafon, were punifh'd with equal Se- verity. CorneliusTacitus, who had been imprifon'd fome weeks before, upon an Information given in by the moft famous Philofophers of this State, came next to his Trial ; the Counfel againft him alledg'd, That he had ut- ter'd fcandalous "Words of Sacred Poverty, not having fcrupl'd to ftile her * fummatn malorum, the greateft of Evils. Diogenes the Cynick, who openly appear'd againft him, told Apol- lo, Twas apparent, that men, eafy in their Fortunes, abhor'd nothing fo much as taking pains, and breaking their Reft to acquire Learning ; which was a convincing Argument to the whole World, that Poverty was the true Foundation of the Sciences, and it wou'd be the greateft Calamity that cou'd befal the Liberal Arts, if men fhou'd once come to hate her. WHEN Diogenes had done fpeaking, the Solicitor General B o s- s 1 o mov'd, that fince the Prifoner's Crime was fo notorious, his Majefty wou'd be pleas'd to proceed to immediate Judgment againft him ; Apollo accordingly decreed that Tacitus fhou'd firft abjure the words he had deliver'd againft Poverty, and then be banifh'd for four years to the Ifland Seriphos. Tacitus, with his accuftom'd freedom and fprightlinefs of Wit, cry'd our ; I know no reafon why your Majefty fhou'd condemn me for difpraifing Poverty, when even my Judges here have fo ill an opinion of her, that they have thought fit to place her among the Marks of I'orture : which furely they wou'd never have done, had it been pofTible to find the Riches of a good and virtuous Mind, in a man necefTitous and deftitute of the Goods of Fortune. THIS Defence of T a c i t u s ftruck the Court with fuch Confufion, that left the World fliou'd take notice of the fliame which a Perfon accus'd as a Criminal had thrown upon the reverend Fathers of the Robe, Apollo as a leffer Evil, order'd the Prifoner to be difcharg'd. Nicholas Perenotto of Granvela was next calPd, and the Counfel againft him alledg'd, that he had publifh'd a Book de bono lihertAtis^ of the Benefit of Liberty ; and yet it appear'd, he had all his Life been fo deadly an Enemy to Liberty, that he was the chief caufe of the Emperor * Lib. 14. Ann. 4c Charles Adv. 8 9- Advices from Fdrnajfm, 167 Charles the fifth's enflaving fo many Republicks of Europe. Apollo having heard the matter, decreed, that Phrenotto fliou'd he forever banifli'd ParnafTus, as having impudently difobey'd the Dclphick Edift, which ftriftly forbids the Virtuofi to write on any thing which they thcm- felves do not publickly profefs : The Sobriety, Charity, and the other moral Virtues wouM become very ridiculous, if they weie celebrated by notorious Drunkards, Whoremongers and Libertines ; as if they were too weak to expel the contrary Vices from the Souls of men, and form the Life to true Goodnefs, but it were true what the vicious daily give out that moral Philofophy is learn'd as a trade, and a matter fit only for Speculation and Amuzement, but not to be firmly believ'd and praftis'd. Perenotto being thus condemn'd, an unfortunate Do6lor of Laws was brought before Apollo, pinion'd and loaded with Irons; his Crime was, that being not only an excellent Lawyer, but univerfally learned, and of great Itxperience, yet blinded by folly, or out of the malignity of a vicious Difpofition, from an honorable Virtuoib, and ufeful Advocate to his Coun- try, he was turn'd Soldier, had meramorphosM his Pen into a Sword, and his Books into Fuzees ; \tk defendfng Men with his Voice to kill 'em with his Hand, and abandon'd the quiet ftudy of the Sciences in a famous Uni- verfity to follow the mad exercifes of ftorming Towns. Apollo, immeafurably tranfported with Rage at fo vile a Slave, cry'd out. Traitor! Rebel to Learning ! Doil thou not know, that the Trade of Arms is only for thofe illiterate Blockheads, who, being mere lumps of Flefli, and ufelefs Lumber to the World, are fit for nothing but to be fold to the Shambles of War : Not for fuch whofe Fathers have left 'em the rich Pa- trimony of the Liberal Arts ; which fome Princes have prohibited in their Dominions for no other reafon than becaufe they open the Eyes of the blind, and enlighten the Intellefls of Fools, to difcover the Artifices and Im- poftures by which the Kings of this World have endeavour'd to make fo abo- minable an lmp!o\ ment appear ufelb! and honorable. Having faid this, his Majefty decreed, That the Doftor fliou'd never fet his foot within any Li- brary for the future, but be wholly interdided the pleafure of reading and writing, and, as an Example to others, bedeclar'd an ignorant Wretch. THE poor Doftor, hearing this cruel Sentence, cry'd out aloud for Mercy \ allcdging, that his Offence having been merely an Error of Judg- ment, not a Crime of Will, he humbly conceiv'd h:^ was a proper Objecl of his Majelly's Pity ; for he took not up the Sword out of Covetoufnefs, or thirft cf human Blood, but only in expeclation of acquiring a glorious Name in the world. AT this Apollu grew more enrag'd ; And what Name, Villain, fays he, cou'dll: thou hope to acquire by the bafe Employment of murdering, plundering, burning, raviliiing ? Know'ft thou not that the Names of mili- tary Men are only eterniz'd by the Pens of my Virtuofi, and that the Glory obtain'd by Arms, if not taken up for the fake of Religion, or in defence ot a man's Country, is falfe Coin, and the dehifion of defpcrate Fools? but the Glory obtain'd in the exercifes of Learning and Wit, is all pure refin'd Gold. THE Doclor's Caufe being thus difpatch'd, Trissino, the famous Poet of Vicenza, throwing himfclf at the teet of Apollo, faid, Moll mighty Monarch of Learning! your Maiefty well knows, that when, to remedy the many Inconveniences which to this day arc apparent in the Italian Tongue, I publifh'd my Poem, Ital'iA Liherata, I was the fiifl who endeavor'd to introduce into my native Language the Omicrcn, V^ilbn, Ome- i68 Advices from Farnaffus. Cent. i. ga^ and other Greek Lctrers, that we might avoid the frequcbt Equivoca- tions occafion'd by the want of i\\b{t' 1 ctters. Now in purfuit of this De- fign, I was at a great Charge, and contrafted thofe Debts for whicli I am here a Prifoner ; becaufc Men (who arc naturally bigotted to oldCuftom) had not the fcnfe to approve of my new Invention : and unlefs your Majefty's Mercy will deliver me from tlie rage of my cruel Creditors, I, who have taken fo much pains in tlic Service of Learning, muft be forc'd toend my days in this loathfom Prifon. A p o L i.o compailionated T r i s s i k o's Mifery, and ask'd him, whe- ther he were in any condition of difcharging his Debts gradually, and how- much he couM pay per month? Trissimo anfwer'd, Not above five Crowns. Then Apollo turn'd towards the Creditors, and defir'd 'em to confent to take their Debts in that manner ; but they anfwer'd very rough- ly, they'd have the v\'hole fum. His Majefly ask'd 'em, whether nothing wou'd fatisfy 'em but T r i s s i n o's Bones for their Mony ? The Tradefmen ■with their ufual Humanity reply'd, That Trissino fhou'd either pay 'em all he ow'd, or they'd tear him to pieces with a Statute of Bankrupt, treat him like a notorious Cheat and a Rafcal, and make him wear a green Hat, as the Law direds. His Majefiry, provok'd at the Cruelty of thefe Bloodhounds, rofe from his Seat, and with threatning looks faid, Mercilefs Villains ! will nothing then fatisfy you, but to be paid with the lofs of this unhappy VirtuolVs honor? What Law is this you have alledg'd, that 'obliges men to part with their Reputation, without which they're worfe than Beafts, and unworthy to live in the World ? If among the moft barba- rous Nations there's no Law to hang a man for debt, how can it be that i^n my States, where we profcfs living under the befi: Laws, there fliou'd be one that takes away meas Honors, which ought to be dearer to 'em than their Lives? The Laws which deferve to be prais'd and obey'd, are fo far from ftripping any Perfon of this precious Robe, that 'tis their chief defign to oblige fuch as want it to purchafe it, and fuch as have it, to preferve it more carefully than they wou'd the richeft Treafure. THIS angry Speech of Apollo fo fcar'd the Duns, that away they flunk one by one out of the Court. At which Trissino taking heart, told Apollo, that if his Majefty wou'd grant him the Privilege of making Knights, lie wou'd not queftion getting out of the Suds, by fobbing off each of his Creditors with a worfhipful Dubbing, with wliich he was certain they wou'd be well enough content, and thank him into the bargain- Apollo burft out into Laughter at the Poet's fooHfh Requeft, and told him, he was forry to fee that he wou'd never leave off his ridiculous ProjeSs and Chimera's. Trissino reply'd, that he was not the firft Author of that Proje£l however, for old Rome had try'd the trick before him, and after her example, many great Princes, who were well enough able to have paid ready mony, difcharg'd the Debts they ow'd Men for their long and expenfive Services, and the lofs of their Blood, with a wreath of Laurel and a Knighthood, Apollo fmil'd again, and told the Poet, he was all this while buikling Cartles in the Air; for whoever wou'd arrive at the happi- nefs ot being able to fell the Steam for the Roaftmeat, muft be a Man of more figure than he. Trissino was thus difcharg'd ; and then an Indiftment was read a- gainft a certain Chancellor, very whimfical and brutal, whofeName, in re- ' verence to the higher Powers, I muft not mention. The Charge againfl him was, that in the Governments which had been beftow'd upon him, he had behav'd bimfelf upon the Bench with the mofl: deteftable Pride and In- folence Adv.Qo* Advices from Parnajfuf. i^o folence, even to Perfons of the highefl: Quality, often threatning to fend 'cm to the Gallys, cut their Heads oft, hang 'em up before his Palace Windows, and abufing 'em with the vileft Language in the world. The Governor, to excufe himfeif, faid, he had done this to make himfelf fear'd and obey'd by the People. Apollo told him, that good Governors make themfelves fear'd and obey'd by an impartial and uncorrupt diftribution of Juftice, not by infolentand abufive railing. But finceby his fcurrility he feem'd to have a Genius more fit to govern Slaves than Men, he'd place him in a Poft futable to his Merits, and he fliou'd forthwith be fent Auditor of the Gallys. NEXT came on the Trial of Nicola Franco Be n even- tan o, who had imprudently fir'd at a great Wolf, with a Fowling-piece charg'd only with fmall fliot : upon which the Bead, being but (lightly hurt, flew at him,andalmoft tore him to pieces. All that were prefent in the Court wonder'd extremely at this Profecution, and were of opinion that the poor man ought rather to be pity'd, and have his \l^ounds cur'd, than profecuted. But Apollo was very angry that one of his Virtuofi had been guilty of fuch Indifcretion ; for he had often told 'em, they fliou'd let wild Bcafts and fuch formidable Animals alone, make 'em a low bow, and give 'cm the way, at leaft never attack 'em but with a good Musket loaded with a brace of Bullets, that they might be fure to lay 'em fprawling at once and do their bufinefs effedually. Now becaufe Beneventano had tranfgrefs'd this Order, he condemn'd him to the ufual PunifLment of the Imprudent, viz. that nobody fliou'd excufe his fault, nor compaflfionate his misfortune, but all fliou'd laugh at his folly. NO fooner was this Caufe difpatch'd, than Cratippus, the Athe- nian Philofopher, was brought to the bar: His Accufers allcdg'd, that the Duke of Ephefus had trufted him with the Education of his only Son, to whom, when he was of /\ge, he refign'd the Government of his State ; but the young Prince prov'd very unfit, and tho he fliew'd himfelf an able Philofopher, was much to feek in State-Affairs ; he was timo- rous in War, irrefolute, injudicious ; and the ftrift Honefty and Goodnefs which Cratippus had taught him, and which in a pri- vate man wou'd have been eminent Virtues, in one of his rank were efteem'd weaknefs and folly. So that the Philofopher not having inftrucled that young Prince as a Perfon who was to have the Command of fo great a People, the Duke of Ephefus demanded Reflitution of the Salary he had given him. Apollo was much difpleas'd that Cratippus had been imprifon'd ; and turning to the Duke, who was in the Court, For your Son's unfitnefs to govern, fays he, thank your own ill choice of a Preceptor, and b'ame not Cratippus, who, having inlf rufled his Pupil in the Science he profefs'd, has fully difcharg'd his Duty. You ought to have known, that Arfenals, Armorys, and Privy-Councils are the proper Schools for the Children of Princes: that the Learning they fliou'd ffudy is that Philofophy, whereof there are Lectures read every week in the moll: prudent Senate of Venice , that the befl Tutors for 'em are Generals, Privy Counfellors, and Secrerarys of State ; and the Rods, with which they ought to be aw'd and correfted, the remembrance of their worthy Anceftors, and of the glorious A£f ions of thofe Princes, who, in Peace and in War, have done things worthy of won- der and imitation. NEXT was brought to the Bar Castanzo Albicini, a Man, who, being publickly known for a Slave to his Lufts, was abominated by Z his 170 Advices from Parnaffns.' Cent. i. his Majefty, and the whole Court. The Counfel againft him alledg'd, that an avaricious Prince having defir'd his Afliftance to invent fome new method of raifing Mony in his Dominions, without making the People murmur, he advis'd him firft to give out, that he was in great danger of an Invafion, that his Enemys defignM to fet upon him unprovided for Defence, and make them- felves mafters of his Country, and therefore 'twas abfolutely necefTary to fortify his capital City ; under which pretence he fhou'd lay a new Tax on liis Subieds, who being thus frighted with the pretended danger of lofing their Eliatcs and Lives, wou\l readily fubmit to the payment of it : Then he fhou'd begin the Fortification, and carry it on the firft year with great diligence, the fecond more flowly, and the third give it quite over ; for the People, having been fo long accuftcm'd to pay the Duty, wouM do it after- wards without grumbling. THE Counfel further inform'd the Court, that the fame Prince, having caft longing Eyes upon a Revenue of forty thoufand Crowns a year be- longing to his chief City, was advis'd by the Prifoner at the Bar to bribe two of the Heads of the Corporation, one of which at the next meeting fliou'd propofe, that in acknowledgment of their Prince's excellent Govern- ment and AffeQionto his People, 'twou'd be but jufl and grateful to make over to him for two years their publick Revenue ; that the other fhou'd fe- cond this motion, and add, that 'twou'd be unworthy fo loyal a People to make ufc of their ufual way of Ballotting, or private Suffrages, in determi- ning this matter, for that wou'd give an opportunity to the ungrateful to ob- fcure the Fidelity of the thankful and obedient : by this means, none daring openly to vote againft it, the Prifoner told him, he wou'd infallibly carry his point ; and the deluded Citizens, gull'd by the fhortnefs of the time propos'd, wou'd grant him for a few years, what he wou'd be to blame if he ever parted with afterwards. LASTLY, 'twas alledg'd againft him, that he had confefs'd, he told the fame Prince, the beft way to get mony of his Subjefls was, to lay a Pro- hibition on fuch things as his People were moft fond of, as the wearing of rich Cloths and Jewels, the giving exorbitant Portions, which was much pra£lis'd among 'em, and the like ; to the end, that if any fhou'd defire a Difpenfation he might extort a large Sum for it, under color of paying the Fees of the Seals. Apollo, being thus inform'd of the Prifoner's Crimes, was amaz'd to think that a human Creature cou'd be guilty of fuch black Enormitys, and burft out into thefe words, * Puniendos rerum atrocium mimjlros ; that the Miniftcrs of Villany ought to be punifh'd: wherefore he commanded that this Devil incarnate fhou'd be thrown into the kennel where M gloss us, Mela M PUS, Licisca, and the other Poetical Dogs of Arcadia were kept, who tore the Wretch to pieces, and devour'd him in a moment. Hannibal Cako came next to his Trial ; the Evidence againft him told Apollo, that his Majefty had often heard of Quarrels between the Prifoner and C a s t f. l v e t r o, which cou'd not be accommodated but by giving mutual Security, that they wou'd never injure one another. After which C A s T E L V E T R o pafs'd feveral times one morning before C a r o's Houfe, which fo renew'd in the Poet's mind the memory of old Affronts, that he prefently attack'd him with a fharp Lampoon, tho 'twas a thing prohibited, and wounded Castelvetro's Honor in many places. '* Tac. lib. I?. Ann ^ Apollo, Adv. 9o. Advices from Tarnaffus. 171 Apollo, contrary to the general cxpeftation, order'd C a r o to be immediately fet at Liberty; and faid, Castelvetro dcferv'd to be feverely punifli'd for his foolifh Temerity : for after he had fo highly offen- ded a revengeful Man, 'twas very imprudent in him to truft his Life upon Mony-fecurity ; and the rather, becaufe he muft needs have known, that Poets, tho they are otherwife very brave Men, are extremely hot and fan- guinary, and have more Fire than Patience or Difcretion. NEXT came on the Trial of Aristides, that great Senator of the Athenian Republick, for having, in an extraordinary fcarcity, diftributed a great quantity of Corn among the People of Athens. Mod of the Court thought his Indiftment very unjuft ; but Apollo, who was of a contrary opinion, told him with fome fharpnefs, that in free Countrys, where men arc extremely jealous of the publick Liberty, 'twas requifite, with relation to works of Charity, to obferve that facred Precept, not to let the right hand know what the left does ; for Alms, when beflow'd with an air of Vain- glory and Oftentation, were of dangerous confequence : for the future there- fore he warn'd him to forbear that Charity to the Poor which fmoak'd of Ambition, rather than fent up the delicious odor of true Piety ; and gave juft ful'picion, that the Donor had his thoughts more upon purchafing Dominion on Earth, than a Crown in Heaven. PiETRO Pom PON A TIG of Mantua was next brought into Court all befmear'd with Sweat, and in a very fcoundrel Habit. He was taken, it fcems, compofing a villanous Book, wherein, by foolifli and fophiflical Ar- guments, he cndeavour'd to difprove the Immortality of the Soul. A p o l- L o, not able to endure the fight of this impious Wretch, gave orders that his Library fliou'd be prefentiy fir'd, and himfelf confum'd in the flames: for that Fool deferves to periflo with his Books, who makes no better ufe of 'em than to prove that Men are Beafts. Pompdnatio cry'd out aloud and protcfted to the Court, that as to the Notions he had advanc'd, he be- lieved 'em only as a Philofopher, and no otherwife. 'Tis well, rcply'd Apollo, I underftand your nice diftinfbion ; therefore pray, fays he, turn- ing to the Executioners, take care that you burn this honeft Gentleman only as a Philofopher. AFTER this, a Prifoner was heard, who told the Court he wascon- Hn'd for Suretifliip ; that being a Native of Coos, he had ventur'd to be bound for the Honelly of a Deputy whom liis Prince had fent to govern that Ifiand, who after he had committed abundance of Flxtortions and Robberys, fled away in the night, and left him in the lurch to anfwer for all the Mony this I'hief of a Governor was cliarg'd with. A p o l l o, fLewing much refent- ment at the Imprifonment of this Virtuofo, turn'd towards the Prince of Coos, who was prefent, and told him, that the proper Security for the good behavior of an Officer was not another Man's Bond, but the Prince's prudent clioice. The Prifoner therefore, who verily believ'd his Prince wou'd have taken cai e nor to have put a Thief into a place of fuch Truff, and became Security fur him upon that Prefumption, ought by all means to be fet at li- berty, and the Prince fliou'd pay the Sum charg'd upon the unjuft Deputy, and take his courfeagainfl him to indemnify himfelf at leif'ure. T O this the Prince anfwer'd, that his Deputy was a Foreigner, fubjc£l to another Prince, and 'cwas impolTible to have any redrels from him. Apollo rcply'd, that fince he had been fo fenflefs as to employ a Fo- reigner, when he might have been ferv'd by his own Subjefls, he might e'en fit down by his lofs and be quiet. For that foolifh Shepherd, who truffs his Flock to a Stranger all day, may thank himfelf if at night he find 'em ready Z 2 milk'd in 2 Advices from Vnrnaf[m, Cent. i. milk'd and fhorn to his hands. The Prince of Coos thought this Judgment very hard, but was ibrc'd to fubmit to it, and the whole Court eikem'd it perfe£lly juft and equitable. THEN came on the Trial of Titus Strozzi, the famous Poet of Ferrara ; he had been imprifonM at the fuit of F r a n c i s c o F i l f l f o, who had entrufted him with fome Mony to pay for him to his Creditor CiNTHio GiRALDi, but S T R o z z I, the moment he receiv'd ir, went and loft it at Play; of which Filelfo grievoufly complain'd to the Court. Apollo, who knew Strozzi had but one Leg, fmiling upon Filelfo, Suppofe, fays he, a man goes to a Fair and throws away a fum upon a Horfe that's blind in one Eye, will the Law help him to his Mony again ? Filelfo anfwer'd, No : for if a man will part with his Mony for a Beaft that has any vifible defeft, he can blame nothing but his own folly. Sayft thou fo, Friend, reply'd Apollo, then hafl thou juftly given Sentence in thy own Caufe. Filelfo perceiving now the drift of the Queftion, fhook his head and faid fighing, he was not ignorant of the old Proverb, Beware of thofe whom Nature has fet a mark on ; but he never took it for a Rule to be univerfally obferv'd. Filelfo, fays Apollo again, thou fhou'dft know that Proverbs are nothing but Sentences and Ob- fervations approv'd by Experience : and I tell thee, Mother Nature, in bring- ing men into the world, may very properly be compar'd to an honeft Potter, who, when he takes his VefTels out of the Furnace, if he find one with a hole in it, ill burnt, crack'd, or with any other defeft, breaks off one of the handles, or fets fome other vifible mark on't that nobody may be impos'd on by it. And becaufe 'tis impoflible that all Men fliou'd be born with an equal difpofition to Goodnefs, as 'tis impoffible all a Potter's VefTels fhou'd be equally perfc£^, or that a Garden fliou'd produce no Weeds ; Dame Na- ture, who abhors nothing fo much as Cheats and Knaves, to the end that good Men may not be cozen'd by 'cm, no fooner fees fuch born into the world, but fhe fnatches away an Eye or an Arm from 'em, and often in a rage dafhes one of their Legs in pieces : Now by this means, hanging as *twerea Btll about the Horfes Neck that's apt to kick, and binding Hay to the Horns of the Ox that's given to butting, flie forewarns every one to look to themfelves and keep out of harms way. THEN without any delay the Court proceeded to the trial of Giovanni J^ATTisTA Amalteo, who was imprifon'd for having given the name of foolifh Prodigality to the generous Liberality of Nero, when with a Prefent of twenty Mules loaded with Gold, he rewarded Tacitus for his Encomium upon him, in faying, * ipfimn aderat infra fervos Ingenium. Apollo, and the whole Court were of opinion, that this was a heinous Offence in A m a l t e o, efpecially fince all the Schools in Parnaffus hold it for an infallible Maxim, that no Prefent, how exceffive foever, from a mag- nanimous Prince to a Virtuofo, in reward of any fignal Praife receiv'd from him, ought to be accounted Prodigality. For Princes who thirft after true Glory, can't fully requite even with Mountains of Diamonds the merit of one peii-ful of that Ink, which, being artfully fpread upon Paper by the hand of a learned Writer, renders their Names immortal and ever glorious. For this reafon Apollo was fo bitterly incens'd againfl Amalteo, that he condemn'd him to live two years among the Ignorant. I MM EDIATELY after this appear'd in Court a Virtuofo, who, as it plainly appear'd, not only held that execrable and condemn'd Opinion, that „ V. ■ ■■\ ■' ■ ' ...;. i -U'f v/-Tn' :i\vu * Lib. 25. Ann. .- ^ * ^ 'tis Adv.^o. Advices from Tarmffm. 1^2 'tis happier for a man to have his Pockets full of Mony, than his Head full of Sciences; but us'd his utmoft induftry to infufe the lame damnable Notion into the minds of the other Virtuofi. Apollo was exceedingly tranfpor- ted with Rage at the heinoufnefs of this Offence, and condemn'd the Crimi* nal to be fow'd up in a Sack, and thrown into the deepeft part of A g a n i p- pe's Well, W E muft: not here omit, that this ungodly Wretch not only refus'd to retraft his Opinion, but even at the point of Death maintain'd it more ob- ftinately than ever, affirming, that the Sciences were a mere Trade, and Learning was follow'd only as a Trick to get Mony by ; and that was iht reafon why Philofophy and Divinity, which are beyond comparifon the moft noble Sciences, were lefs purfu'd and efteem'd than Law and Phyfickj which are the moft gainful. THEN an Indiftment was read againft Manfredo King of Na- ples, fetting forth that in the night time he had robb'd Catullus of his belov'd Lesbia; and after he had enjoy'd her feveral weeks at his plea- lure, ftript her of all her Jewels and rich Clothes, and fent her back to her Lover as naked as flie was born. Catullus made fuch clamorous com- plaints of this Injury in open Court, as even amounted to Infolence ; for, without any refpefl:, either to the Place or Perfons prefent, in his pafTion he call'd Makfredo Baftard. Apollo, that his Judges might take notice what Allowance is to be made in fuch cafes, it being impoflTible for a man, ex- afperated above meafure, to keep within the bounds of decency, gave Ca- tullus but a gentle reproof for his want of rcfpeft, and then commanded that King Manfredo fliou'd be difcharg'd from his Imprifonmenc without Fee ; for Baftards, he faid, were for the moft part born vicious, and of a natural propenfity toill, that Marriage might be efteem'd more honora- ble. And tlius wife Nature, to teach fhe AfTes to couple only with Males of their own kind, and Mares only with Stallions of theirs, had ordain'd that from the irregular copulation of an Afs with a Mare, fliou'd fpring a Mule, sn untoward Animal much addiQed to kicking : intending this as a Leflbn to men, that to avoid procreating a viciou-, Oft'spring, they might be the more defirous to propagate in facred Wedlock fuch legitimate Children as come in- to the World with the Blefting of Heaven ; fince Baftards therefore were left more at large by Nature, and lefs difpos'd to aft virtuoufty, 'twas their courtefy only if they liv'd w ell. Catullus, whom the fting of Jealoufy had wounded to the very Soul, \\a, not fatisfy'd with this Judgment, but grew every moment moreen- rjg'd, till Apollo was forc'd, with a frowning Countenance, to com- mand his fi.'ence ; for, in fhort, faid he, the man who will keep a ftinking piece of Fiefii in's houfe, ought not to complain of its being fly-blown. THE Poet being fent away with this Reprimand, the Court was in- form'd that another Prifoner, Scipio Ammirato by name, a Profef- for of Politicks, liad committed many heinous Crimes ; particularly where- as a certain Prince had grievoufly opprefs'd his People with new, illegal and infupportable Taxes, the Prifoner had taught him to lanQify 'em with the Names of Donatives, Subfidys and Aids. MOREOVER, he had inftrufted an eminent Citizen of Phocis, who coveted having a gang of Bullys and roaring Boys at his beck, by whofe help he might play the Devil and keep all his Neighbours in awe, to keep in his houfe an AfTembly for Gaming, and fet up a Bawdy-houfe next door ; for with thefe Decoys, he told him, he might draw in the Scum both ot the Town and Country. FUR- 174 Advices from Tarnafm. Cent. i. F U R T H E R, whereas the Prince of Epirus, that mortal Enemy to the Laconian Grcatnefs, had cruelly perfecuted fome chief Senators of that State, who being of a military Genius, and honeft Principle, were likely to oppofe his Defigns ; the Prifoner had advis'd him, left he fhou'd draw upon himfelf the hatred of the Laconian Senators by fuch open Tyranny and In- juftice, to colour it over with the pretence, that thofe Senators had been car- rying on fome Plots againft him. H E was found guilty of all three Indiftments ; and Apollo, amaz'd at the villany of this Fellow, after he had publickly declared that he was convinc'd the Politicians were no better than a crew of Cheats, Jugglers, Mountebanks, Cut-purfes, and Puppet- players, commanded that this Mon- fter of Nature fhou'd be thrown headlong from the Tarpeian Rock. A M M I R A T o being thus condemn'd, B a i a r d o informed the Court againft the Judg of Gnidus, that not only by the Depofitions of feveral cre- dible WitneiTes, but even by his own confeftion, he was convifted of having made a publick fale of fjuftice to the higheft bidder. Apollo, highly re- fenting the vilenefs of his Crime, fentenc'd him to the Punifhment ordain'd for the fellers of Juftice, viz. That he fhou'd be immediately deliver'd into thehandsof M ARSY AS to be flead alive. The Liftors had bound him, and were conducing him to the dreadful Execution, when with a deep Groan he cry'd out ; Unfortunate Wretch that I am ! O my Mony ! my iil- beftow'd Mony I which I might have kept to have maintained me happily at home in all manner of Pleafures ; how haft thou thro thy Matter's Folly purchased him an opprobrious and cruel Death ! THESE words, which were heard by all the Court, made a fenfiblc Impreftion upon his Majefty, who calPd back the Criminal, and ask'd him the meaning of 'em, and whether he had not more reafon to complain of his ill-gotten, than of his ill-fpent Mony ? The Prifoner reply'd, The Office, in the execution whereof I have fo highly offended your Majefty, was not confer'd on me by the Prince of Gnidus for my Wifdom or Merit, but for fixty thoufand unlucky Crowns which I paid him two years ago : fo that [ have reafon fufficient, I think, to bemoan my Fate, in having given Mony for this dreadful Misfortune. Apollo hearing this, commanded the Criminal fhou'd be fet at liberty, and reverfing the Sentence declar'd him In- nocent : Go, faid he, return immediately to thy Office, and to the eternal Infamy of the Prince of Gnidus, continue to carry on that fcandalous Traffick of Juftice ; for 'tis impoffible to keep a Man from felling what he has fairly bought, THE laft who came to be try'd, was the famous Bartolomeo Alviano, againft whom 'twas alledg'd, that in a Quarrel with Ju li us CiESAR ScAi, jGER, lic had call'd him bafe-bom pitiful Scholar. Apol- 1. o was very angry at this, and in great wrath told Alviano, that if his Virtuofj, who are adorn'd with fo many ineftimable Qualitys, and with fo many Sciences, who have a compleat Knowledg of the Motions of the Heavens, of th.e Virtues of Simples, of Plants, of Minerals, and in (hort of all the Wonders of Nature, did not poffefs the trueft Nobility which was to be found among men, he knew not who deferv'd the name ot Noble ; perhaps the Ignorant ; perhaps the Vicious ; who being plung'd in Idlenefs and Debauchery, have nothing to value themfelves upon but the Virtues and Glory of their Anceftors. If Gold, continu'd he, for its rare Qiiali- tys, be defcrvedly reputed the King of Metals ; and the Diamond for its incredib'e hardnefs, the Prince of precious Stones ; why, fhou'd not my Virtiiofi, who know and underftand fo much above all the reft of Mankind, * be Adv. 9 o. Advices from , Parhajpts, 175 bedefervedly ftii'd the Kings of Men, or rather Demi-Gods? Vafi: is the difference between ennobling the Body with Velvet Robes and coftly Appa- rel, and clothing the Mind with the moft valuable Sciences. Tell me then, Alviano, when, or how, have my Sabellicus, Jovius, B em- bo, GuicciARDiNi, and many other ViitUofi, who with their Pens have fo illuftrated thee, and made thee immortal in this World ; when, or how, I fay, have they deferv'd at thy hands fo fenormous and ungrateful a Return ? THIS Difcourfe of Apollo affefted the whole Court, efpecially be- caufe 'twas accompany'd with the Exclamations of all the Literati prefent, for Juftice againft Alviano; the Criminal Judges therefore, by A p o l- Lo's order, gave their Votes concerning the Sentence of Condemnation, and all of 'em propos'd the mofl rigorous Funifliments they cou'd think of. IN this wretched plight was poor Alviano, when the news of it having reach'd the Ears of the moft ferene Venetian Liberty, She, who was a- bove meafure tender of that great Man's Honor, ran haftily to the Court, and with a generous fubmiffion proftrating her felf at his Majefty's Feet, faid, She wou'd never rife till he granted her a full Pardon for her valiant General: and tho fhe might plead hisMajefty's late Edid, wherein he de- clares, that whoever in defence of his free Country has taken up Arms againft: the barbarous Nations fhall nor, even for the moft capital Crime, forfeit his Majefty's Favor; yet for the Pardon of her dear Alviano, who had filed fo much of his Blood, and pafs'd thro fo many Dangers and Hardfhips in her Service, flie wou'd be oblig'd to nothing but his Majefty's pure Grace and Mercy, in which all the world knew he abounded. THIS Requefl; deliver'd with fo moving an Air, and fuch tender Ex- preflions from the Mouth of a Queen, whofe Palace had always been open to the Virtuofi, wrought fuch effeft upon 'em, that it vanquifli'd their An- ger againft Alviano, and made 'em all cry out, Mercy, Mercy! Apollo therefore raifing that happy Venetian Lady from the Earth, plac'dher among the moft ferene Mufes, and faid, 'twas not in his power to refufe any thing Ihe ask'd, therefore he willingly remitted A l v i a n o 's Funifliment ; but he wou'd have him make the Satisfaction which became him to the Sciences, and to his Virtuofi who had been fo highly injur'd by him. Upon this, A l v i a- Mo, who juft before was almoft dead for fear (fo much does the dread of Ignominy terrify a Man of Honor more than the profpeft of Death ) took courage, and faid, That fince they all faw he was but a little Man he ought to be born withal if his Choler foon boil'd up ; and this had been the caufe of his Crime : but he confefs'd he had been too lavifli with his Tongue, and now declar'd to the whole World, that a man of eminent Learning and good Life, tho his Father were a Hangman, was as noble as if he had been born of the illuftrious Houfe of Auftria, or of the Blood Royal of France. ADVICE 1^6 Advices from Varmjfus. Cent, i.' ADVICE XCI. A great Prince haVmg brought to the Temple a rich Offering of a gol- den 'Bafotiy the Tnejl accepts it with an Air of Sadnejs ; and the Prince asking him the reajon of ity receives SatiifaHion, SOME days ago, a Prince of eminent Rank, in acknowledgment of a fingular Favor he had receiv'd from Heaven, carry'd ro the Temple an Offering of a Golden Bafon of great value : The Frieft feem'd to receive it in much affliiElion, even with Tears in his Eyes. The Prince being furpriz'd at this, had the curiofity to enquire the Caufe. The good Father then fell a weeping very heartily, and told him he cou'd not refrain from fhedding of Tears, whenever he faw Gifts brought to the Temple, becaufe, fays he. they put me in mind of the Piety of former Ages, when people took a plea- fure in adorning the Temples with ineftimable Riches, and thought thofe Veffels of Gold and Jewels beft beftow'd upon Divine Worfhip, which fei- fifh irreligious men now a-days, in love with their Convenience more than the Church's Honor, appropriate to their own ufe even for the vileft Offices. And truly, continu'd he, the prefent ftate of the true Religion in fome Countrys is a fad fubjea of Lamentation ; for whereas formerly the Riches of things Sacred ferv'd to increafe their Majefty, and the Reverence paid to 'em, they now ferve only to invite the publick Rapparees of many impious Provinces, to plunder the Patrimony of Heaven : a Sacrilege the more horrid, becaufe tlie Authors of it are not afliam'd to gild it over with the fpecious name of Reformation. How monftrous is the ftupidity of fome people, who fuffer themfelves to be perfuaded, that to difguile and macerate the antient Religion of their Forefathers, by Drunkennefs, Robbery, and all parts of Licentioufnefs, is the proper way to reform it ; as if to murder and ftrip a man ftark naked cou'd by any one in his Wits be taken for raifing him from the Dead, and clothing him. ADVICE XCII. Apollo having fent an Order to the Shepherds of Arcadii, forbid- ding 'em to fatten any nnre HogSy is earnejlly intreated to reVoke /V, but refujes to do it, BY Letters from Arcadia of the eighteenth Inftant, we have certain advice of an Order given in his Majefty's Name to Tityrus, Cory DON, Menalcas, Meliboeus, and the other Swains of that Province, enjoining 'em under fevere Penaltys to forbear fattening any Hogs for the future. This new Prohibition created fuch general uneafinefs in thofe Parts, that this morning Montanus and Damon, the two chief Shepherds of that Province, came to Apollo in the name of all the Arcadian Swains, and moft humbly befought his Majefty not to deprive * 'era Adv. 9 3' Advices from Pamajjur. lyy *em of their choiceft Food, Swines-flefh, which was the chief Support of their Familys. Apollo in anfwer afTur'd 'em, That he bore a much greater Affeftion to Shepherds, than even to the Nobility, becaufe the firft were a profitable fort of Men, and the latter idle and often prejudicial. However having for many weighty Confiderations publifh'd that Edift, he wou'd by no means revoke it, becaufe the Avarice of fome Politicians had learat an execrable Maxim from the Peafants ufeful cuftom of fatning Hogs in Autumn, to kill 'em in Winter. ADVICE XCIII. Thraseas Foetus, with h's Son-in-Law Priscus Hel- V I D 1 u s, hein^ obferVd to frequent the Houfcs of the chief Toe- tejfes of Tarn.jjfu^j is fcVerely reprimanded by Apollo. SOME prying Virtuofi had obferv'd, that Thraseas Foetus, together with his Son-in-Law Priscus Helvidius, very much frequented the Houfes of Donn a Victoria Colonna, Vero- nica G A MB E R A, and the other chief Poetefles of this Court. Am\ tho Thraseas 's great Reputation for Virtue and Goodnefs makes it difficult to fufpeft any ill of him ; yet his frequent and long Vifits to the aforefaid Ladys, gaveoccafion to fo much Scandal and Refleclion even among good Men, that at laft it reach'd the Ears of Apollo; who, to pur a flop to it, fent for T h r a s e a s, and commanded him to tell him honefHy and truly, what bufinefs he had with thofe Ladys ? Thraseas reply'd, That his Vi- fits were purely outoi a charitable Intention, and to read to 'em every day a Chapter in Boetius, De confoUtione Phi/ofophi.t. Apollo feem'd much difpleas'd at thi-> Anfwer ; If you have fo good a Talent at reading Leftures of Confolation, fays he, pray employ it as you ought, and go com- fort the Wretches who are perifhing in Hofpitals, and Criminals going to be hang'd : for to fpend whole days, like S a r d a n a p a l u s, in the Com- pany of Women, in hopes to make the world believe you are only upon the exercife of your fpiritual Parts, is a mere jefi: ; and you muft expefttobe laugh'd at even by the fillieft people, who have wit enough to know, that he that goes often to a Mill, will foon grow mealy. I THOUGHT that a Man of your Learning need not have been put in mind, that when a Woman conceives Twins, if they are of the fame Sox, they are both wrapt in one Membrane; but if one of 'em be a Male, and t'other a Female, wife Nature provides each a feparate Lodging; \o nicely jealous fhe feems to be, that fcarce trufling a Brother and a Sifter together, even in an Age when they can hardly be faid to exifl, fhe teaches you, that thebeftof you can never be fecure in thefc cafes: therefore Thraseas, he's a rafh Fool that is too confident of his own flrength. And becaufe 'tis fit fuch Diiorders fliouM be corrected, for your own Reputation as well as mine, I Ihidly command you to defift for the future from this dangerous praftice : I can't tell your opinion of the Matter, but I fee the World is not ib dull, as to be infenfible that Vifits made to handfom Women by Men like your felf, after the fecond time grow fufpicious, and adminifler oaafion to A a th« 1^8 Advices from Parnajfuf. Cent. i. the Wits and the Railleurs, who know that all men are Flefh and Blood, and have the fame wanton Inclinations by Nature; fo that thf. bcfl prcfer- vative from falling into the Snare, is to keep at a diftance fr-m the Bait : for he's only fure to commit no Folly, who avoids all cccafions ot t ; and you*J never convince us with all your Philofophy, that you your felf ai : not pleas'd with a favory Morfel. I tell you therefore that a Man who wears a white' Garment, and wou'd keep it from Spots, mull beware of coming among Lamps and Charcoal; and 'tis infolent madnefs to Hand making of Gun- pouder in a Smith's fliop, and think to perfuade the world there's no danger in't. ADVICE XCIV. A Senator of ToLnu] ha^>injr hUmd another Senator's ConduFlj is con- Vinc'dj 'tis himjdf that has taken wrongMeafurts, THERE are at prefent in the Court of the King of Poland two great Senators, who are intimate Friends. One of 'cm openly profeffes to be dilTatisfy'd with his King, and therefore freely cenfures his Government, and even to a degree of Malice cavils at all his Anions. T'other is of fo contrary a humor, that he not only extols thofe Aftions of his Prince, which, deferve blame ; but to infinuate himfelf into his Favor, cares not what un- worthinefs he is guilty of. The latter of thefe Gentlemen being extremely offended at the dangerous conduft of his Friend, told him one day, He wonder'd at his Imprudence, in eternally fnarling fo at the Aclions of his Prince, as if he fliudy'd to draw upon himfelf the hatred of a iMan who was able to make \\\m what he pleas'd. And to be plain with him, he thought a Courtier, who took pains to deferve his Matter's ill-will, was the moft pre- pofterous Fool in nature. T O this the wife Courtier anfwer'd : I'm convinc'd, my dear Friend, by this kind and free Reproof, that the fincere Aifeftion 1 bear you, meets with an equal Return, and I thank you for it heartily ; but mull tell you too, that you and J, tho we take difierent ways, are travelling to the fame place, and have in view the fame defign of Preferment. You have taken the common road, I a by-way, known only to the craftieft Courtiers : Now Sir, I'll hold you two to one I get to my Journeys end before you. In Hereditary Monarcliys, indeed, where the next of Kin not only fucceeds to the Domi- nions, but ufually to the Friends, the Enemys, and all the Intereils of the deceas'd Monarch ; the way you take is very good, and was firfl taught by Tacitus, viz. to court the Favor of the Prince, even by unworthy means. But in an Eleftive State as ours is, and particularly under an aged King, who cannot beexpefled to live much longer, the profefTion I make of a Male-content is a fafercourfe. And the counfel that men fhou'd appear violent in one Extreme or t'other, and above all things avoid a middle tem- per, was indeed worthy of him that gave it. The chief Preferments near the Perfon of the King, are, as you fee, already poflefs'd by others: So that not being able to work my felf into his Majefty's Favor by Zeal for him, T have taken to t'other extreme, of appearing cold and diffatisfy'd with every thing. As to you, who, for ought I fee, have not profited much by being fo hot in his Intereft, and abhor following my Example, I'll * be Adv. 95' Advices from Farnafjkf. i^q be bold to tel] you your fortune, and that is, You'll depart from this Court a gray-headed old Man, in no better a condition than you firft caine hith'jr, 3 beardlefs Youth. For the new Prince, in an eleftive Kingdom, being gene- rally an Enemy to the Friends as well as Aftions of his Predeceffor, abhors his Favorites, as Men not to be trufled ; and avoids the Moderate as Fools ; but induftrioufly fecks out the Malecontents of the late Reign, and thofe he em- braces as his Bofom-friends, and the moft proper Inflrumertts to perpetuate his Greatnefs. ADVICE XCV. A Quarnl ar'tftng between the QoVermrs of Tindus and LiheLhrum'h point of JurifdiBionj Apollo feVerely punip?ei tl^ht hoth. - r. - .-/•'■ ■ '«^''- /A GREAT Crime having been committed in the Cit/'of libethrilrtij, XjL the Governor of that place with all his Officers went in purluit.«Sf the Delinquents, and overtook 'em in the Territory of Pindus, where th^- were fled into a Farmer's Houfe, which he foon befet, and threaten'd to fire it, if they wou'd not furrender. Mean while the Governor of Pindus, having notice of this uproar, haftenM thither with a Body of Soldiers to defend liis own JurifdiQion, but found that the Perfons purfu'd had already yielded themielves, and were going to Goal. He complain'd of the Affront offer'd to his Jurifdiftion, and demanded the Prifoners, promifing to deliver 'era again in a few days, when by fuch an acknowledgment his Honor fl-jou'd be fatisfy'di But the Governor of Libethrum fcorn'd his Propofal, and made the more haft away. He of Pindus, provok'd by this Contempt, com- manded his Men to fall on, and take away the Prifoners by force. The other made a flout defence, upon which a bloody Difpute enfu'd, and many were wounded on both fides. Apollo foon had notice of this Accident, and being very angry, com- manded Alvigi Pulci, his Provoft Marfhal, to bring both the Go- vernors in Chains before him. His Orders were immediately perform'd. And firft he patiently heard the Reafons each had to alledg in his Defence ; then declaring the Governor of Libethrum to be in the wrong, for having rafhly difturb'd the Jurifdiclion of another, his Majefty deprived him of his Authority, and pronounc'd him incapable of ferving under him in any Im- ployment for the future. As for the Governor of Pindus, hecamcotf but little better, for Apollo condemn'd him to the Gallys for ten years, to teach him and all other Officers, that fuch as ferve the fame Prince, ought to defend their Rights againft one another only with the Pen, and refcrve their Arms till they're invaded by Foreigners. THE Governor of Pindus exceedingly lamented his misfortune, in having loft fo tair an opportunity of deferving well at the hands of his Mafter, by fliewing his own Modefty and Temper, and expofing at the fame time his Adverfary's Impertinence. Inftead of which he had foolifhiv made ano- ther's rafnnefs his own fault. An Accident worthy the ferioiis refleftion of all the Officers of Princes, becaufe it fhews what a mighty Error 'tis to bridle Impertinence with Infolence, and to correft fmaU 'IVcfpalfes with great Crimes. Aa 2 ADVICB 8o Advices from Parnaffm. Cent. i. , : : ,n£? V ' ADVICE xcvr. Hannibal C a H{^;; k^'^i^^g wounded Castelvetro, is comkvind hy Apollo to pay the forfeiture of the %ecognt:^ance he hadgi^'en for keeping the Teace. A FTER Hannibal Cak.o was fet at liberty, having, as we . m^ told you in one of our former, been pardon'd by Apollo at the general Goal-delivery; the Solicitor General Bos si o, affiraiing, that his Majefty had only remitted the Punifhment due to his Crime in wounding Castelvetro, but not the forfeiture of the Recognizance he had given for keeping the Peace, cited the F a r n es i, who were his Security, to pay the three thoufand Crowns ftipulated in the Obligation. Cako, who in- fifted that his Pardon was general, and included both, prefented yeftcrday a Memorial to his Majefty, complaining very much of the trouble he Was put to by the Solicitor General. Apollo writ his Anfwer on' the fame Me- morial, that he intended to pardon only his Crime, but not to excufe the Forfeiture: and therefore' commanded, that without any reply;; the Mony ihou'd be paid to the Perfon iwiur'd. The Solicitor General,' feeing Apollo's order, ran to him in all hafte, and told his Majefty, That the Forfeiture being made payable to the Eichequer, ought by no means to be •given to Castelvetro. This^Cuftom appeared both new and ftrange to Apollo. What^-^'feyshej^iin a Paflion, muft CASTELvETko fuffer the hurt, and I have' the fttivahtagei? And is fucha Cuftbm inVrodUc'd in my State, where I pretend to> gpvern by fuch equal Laws, as may ferve tor an Exannple to all the Wdrld?'Bo'ssio anfwer'd, 'twas no mbre than wasufual in moft Courts of Juft ice 'throughout Europe. Apo-llo more eorag'd, reply'd, that the Prince, who wou'd maintain -Peace among UisSub- jefts, ought rather to endeavour ta prevent Crimes by the utmaft 'feverity, than'encourage 'em by flight and'eafy Penaltys, and by making a; bafitraffick of mens Blood. And that Mankind being naturally i^vieryf)rop4e'to;'fll, and extravagant in the purfuif- of Pleafufe, think Reveflge the- fweetaft'hiorfel they can tafte ; fo thatto ihtrbdace 'fo fcandalous a Ciiftom,^ wmi'd^ be to allure men to gratify their Revenge for^ every Injwy that's dtFer'd em. Therefore go, fays he, and fee thatCARO pay G astelv p tro the 5000 Crowns in fpecie with his own hands; for ime\^ he h»s' OK^ right to the Mony who has endured the Wounds. ■' . ')'ii. ' • .nnx.: HIS Majcfty's Commands were prefently perfOrm\i : tho "this went much againft the grain with C A R o ; who by the infipitc relu£hnce and unfpeakable paflion of Soul he (hew'd, when he told over to C a st e l v e- TKO that great Sum with his own hands, made every one fcnfible how wifely his iMajeHy had forefeen, that the vexation of being forc'd to do an Enemy good, is'a wonderful check to the fury of Reven^, eveoin ^he moft paffionate Minds. '■ -' ' .■ .a 'nij;-!, c . c\r .1 'f ji)] v^fiii:^-'-- ■'■';.)i. ^/v. ' . .;. j;;i n'ltQ ciil zbarCir r- 1 rn B 3f;r!w ?vrorO ii slueo'. J ,23'jniil lo iiiaoffiU ;. !';ni'i £.jij0'.> bns ,33:; '' ) tT fijiw xn^nirr Adv. 9 7' Advices from Farna^m. i§t ADVICE XCVIl. Apollo appoints a General Huntings to deflroy, if poffible, the Species of Ants and Tortoijes, as Aniuuls of ill Example to Mankind. YESTERDAY Xenophon, Mafter of the Game to Apollo, gave orders to Acteon, Adonis, and the other famous Sportfmen of this State, to be ready with their Dogs the next morning, at which time his Majefty intended to hunt. Every one believ'd that Apollo, according to his cuftom, wou'd have gone to the Mountains of Ida or Helicon, which abound with Stags, wild Boars, and plenty of other Game: but his Majefty foon declar'd his Intention to hunt the /\nts rind Tortoifes, which, fays he, for the benefit of Manifind, Til ufe all poffiblc means to exterminate from the Earth. NOW many of the Virtuofi had a ftrangc itching to know why his Majefty had conceiv'd fuch an Averfion to thofe Animals ; the Tortoife, they told him, appear'd to them, not only an Emblem of maturity, and wife de- lay, but a good Type jof thofe poor Virtuofi, who having no Houfe nor Patrimony, but their learning, may fay, as the Philofopher did, Omnia mea mecum forte ; all that I'm worth I carry about with me: And the Ants teach men ta provide in the Summer of their Youth, for the Winter of old Age; and being fuch a wonderful Example of Providence, deferv^d that his Majefty Ciou'd multiply rather than deftroy their Race. Th'at*s very true, reply'd Apollo, but Men, being naturally more inclin'd to Vice than to Virtue, take fcandalous Example by thofe Animals, without imitating 'em in what is good. For inftance, Mifers have from the Tortoife leafnt the bafe cuftom of fhrinking always with Head, Feet, and all their Member's within the Shell of their Intereft, and of carrying it about like a Houfe upon their backs, which they'll never once come out of, tho 'twere to fave an honeft Man from hanging. Now this is the reafon why thefc Niggards when they're made Truftces for Vv idows, Orphans, and other miferable People, convert all that comes into their hands to their own proper ufe ; and li' they happen to be imploy'd by Princes, the firft day they enter on any publick Office theyVe for drawing all the Water prefcntly to their own Mills. IN the next place, as to the Ants, many moiling Blockheads, have taken example by them, to flave night and day, without a moment's flecreation and all to heap Up, no matter how, the Grain of that curfed Wealth, which at laft is either fpoiPd by the rain of God's Anger, oi piifei'd from .'em by Mice, Thieves, Bailys and Attornys; for thefe are continually laying Hooks for the Eftates of thole Wretches, who, amidft all the abundance of Fortune, valuing neither their Carcafes nor their Reputation, care not tho they have the Afpcft of Famine, live on Scraps like Dogs, and ap^Kar in the tatter'd Weeds of Dunghil Beggars; and arc io plung'd in fordid and ravenous Avarice, that tl:ey take no cai e to avoid the wurft Indigniiys, but lie like foolifh Ants in the High-way, to be trod under foot by the vileft of People. The Bees, thcfe wonc'rous Animals, who arc infpir'd with the compleateft provident Virtues unmix'd with any defeft, are a much better Example for Mankind to imitate ; for they, without damage to any, build their Waxen Houfes, and ftore 'em with Hony, gathered from the Flowers: But the •^-^- Ant3, i82 Advices from Tarnaffus, CtAU i. Ants, to the general annoyance, fteal Corn from others Granarys : The in- duftrious Bets labor not fo much for themfelves, as for the univerfal benefit of Mankind. A moll excellent Inlli u6tion, that thofe Excrcifes are moft facred and bleft by Heaven, which to private Advantage bear annex'd the publick Good : whereas the Ants heap up hateful Riches, purloin'd from o- thers, only for their own ufe. ^^ , ADVICE XCVIII. D A N T E being affauhcd in the night at his Country-houfe by fotne Lite- ratiy is relieVd by the great RonsaRd of France^ ftfho afterTi>arcl is "Very hardly brought to difcoVer the Criminals. j WHILE the famous Dante Algieri was t'other day at his Country-houfe, which, tor the advantage of making Verfes, hehas built in a very retir'd place, fome Literati got in privately, feiz'd him, and offering Daggers to his Throat, and Piftols to his Breaft, threaten'd him with immediate Death, if he wou'd not difcover to 'em the true Title of his Poem, whether he indeed calPd it a Comedy, Tragicomedy, or an Heroick Poem. H E anfwer'd 'em boldly, that they miftook their Man, if they thought to deal with him after this manner ; but if they wou'd calmly ask him that Queftion in Parnaffus, he might perhaps give 'em fatisfaftion. This wou'd not content 'em it feems, but they fell upon him unmercifully with their Fifts, and thought to beat out of him a better Anfwer : but the Poet was ftill obftinate, in fpite of their Blows, till they grew fo extravagant as to take the Well-rope out of the yard, and having faflen'd it to a Beam, hung him up by the middle. Poor Dante roar'd out Murder fo loud, that his Crys reach'd the Ears of the great Ron sard. Prince of the French Poets, whofe Houfe was not far from D a n t e's. This generous Frenchman fnatch'd up his Sword and ran with all fpeed to the Noife ; the Literati, fearing that he came not alone, fled away, yet not fo foon but Ron- sard firft difcover'd who they were ; after which he unbound Dante, and accompany'd him to ParnalTus. THE rumor of this bafe Aftion being fpread abroad, Apollo was infinitely provok'd at it ; and thinking himfelf oblig'd in honor to find out the Delinquents, he Hrrt made Dante give him a full relation of the matter of faft ; which he did, adding, that for his part, he knew not the Ruffians; but Ron sard, fays he, who faw 'em, and reprov'd 'em fmart- ly too for their Infolence, can inform your Majefty who they were. Ronsard was fent for immediately, but was fo far from owning he knew 'em, that he flatly deny'd he had feen their faces : 'Twas fuppos'd that the Frenchman thought it below his Honor to turn Informer, and for that leafon wou'd not diicover the Criminals. However Apollo was very angry with him, and prefently order'd him to the Torture. He was flript, and bound, and advis'd to make an ingenuous Confeflion, but in vain ; fo that at laft they fix'd him on the Rack, but inlfead of roaring out as is ufual to men in that condition, he only beg'd the Judges to continue him in that poffure all day, for he found an infinite pleafure in fuffering thus, rather than impeach any Man, THE Adv. 9 9- Advices from Farnajjus. 185 THE Judges were a ma z'd at this firange Conftancy, and finding they fliou'd never get any thing out of him this way, they made him be taken down, and began to think upon fome more exquifite Torment. Many were propos'd, but none approv'd, till at ]aft Per ill us came, and, as if the Devil had put it into his head, told 'em, that to torture a Frenchman, and make him fqucak, he'd teach 'em a better trick than Racks, Fire or Engines — only clap him aftride a dull heavy Jade, fays he, without Whip or Spur, and make him ride very foftiy : which was done accordingly ; and 'twas in- deed a wonderful thing to fee that Ron sard was no fooncr mounted, than he fell to laying about him with both heels like a Fury, twifting his body a thoufand feveral ways, and fliaking the Reins almoft to pieces to make the lullen Jade mend her pace, but all to no purpofe : at lafi: quite fpcnt, and out of all patience, in an extreme ^gony — For the love of God, Friends, fays he, take me down, O! I am dying, take me down quickly, and I'll confefs the truth; and let thofe who committed the Crime e'en fuffer the Punifh- ment. The Perfons who aflaulted Dante were Mo n sign or Car- KiERi of Padua, James Mazzoni of Cefarea, and another, whom, as I hope for mercy, 1 don't know, but the two 1 have nam'd already can difcover him to you. ADVICE XCIX. Ihe Princes of the Unherfe intreat Apollo to infpire their Teople tpith LoVc to their Country. AN Embaflador Extraordinary from all the Princes of the Univerfe fe- veral days ago arriv'd at Parnallus, and had a long Audience of his Majefly hd Thurfday. ' r I S confidently reported, that in the name of his Maflers he complain'd, that their SubjcQs daily committed fuch enormous and unheard of Crimes, that they had render'd the Art of governing infinitely difficult and uneafy -, and to fuch a height were the Difordcrs grown, that Princes cou'd not ga- rifon their Citys or ftrong Towns, without the danger of being afTafiinated ; that fuch Pcrhdioufncfs reign'd among their chief Officers, that 'twas impoffi- ble for 'em to make fo prudent a choice of a General, as not to be reduc'd in a little time to Iknd more in tear oi' fuch a Servant, than of a potent Pi ince their Enem}': that the Treachery of their People was equal to the pcrfi- dioufnefsof their Officers ; for they were of fo mconfiant a Humor, that in a few days they'd hate the befl Ruler upon Earth, and were all lor Novelty, and changing their Princes like their Clothes, or the Meat at their J'ables. Hence Princes, he faid, in their moll preffing Neceffitys, were fo far from meeting with that faithful affiftance from their SubjcQs which they ouglit, that every day produc'd Examples of their being betray'd by 'em, and even fold to their Enemys for a little Mony. Now they had at length difcover'd, that all thefe great Mifchiels were occafion'd by the fmall Ati'edion which the People are feen to bear to their Country. 'Tis plain, that Rome, the Sovereign ol the World, only thro the fincere Affedion of her Citizens to her, was enabl'd to extend her Empire from Eafl to Weft ; and the generous Love which the Romans bore their Country, arofe tofucli a degree of Per- feftion, that Banifliment with them was held a Punilhmcnt no kfs dreadful than 184 Advice s^ from ParnaffHS. Cent. t. than Death: whereas on the contrary, many modern Princes, that they may not unpeople their Dominions, arc tbrcM to forbid any of their Subjefts to leave tlieir Country, under pain of forfeiting their Eftates. In fine there- fore, all the Princes of the Univcifc humbly defir'd his Majefty, that, fince the Remedys they had apply'd to this Difeafe had prov'd inefleftual, he wou'd be pleas'd to infufc into the Hearts of their People that ardent Affecti- on to their Country which is fecn to reign in the Subiefts of Republicks ; and which, without doubt, was the chief I'upport of any Prince's Greatnefs, Apollo told the tlmbalTadors, That Princes were better able than he to inrtil into their Subjefts Hearts the love of their Country, by their good and f^entle Government, their impartial diftribution of Juftice, their Libera- lity, and procuring to 'em a plenty of all things : for Mankind, who by na- tural inftinft are fond of their Native Soil, foon change their Inclinations, when others render It hateful to 'em, by making 'em live uneafy there; and all People rather chufe to be pinch'd with cold, than to fland warming them- felvesbya Fire that almott blinds 'em with Smoke, and draws Tears from their Eyes. AO VICE C. One of the Literati having compos d critical ^marks on the Toems of an Italian Virtmfo^ prejents the 'Book to Apollo, who rcjccls it with jcorn. f A P o L L o had juft finifh'd the toilfom Courfe of the Day, and was X^^ delcending from his Radiant Chariot in the Weftern Sky, when a Virtuofo (whole name Men ANTE thinks it prudent to conceal, not know- ing what mifchief he might draw upon his own Head) came and offer'd his Majefly a fevere Criticifm, which he had compos'd on an Italian Poem. Apollo was much difgufted at it, and looking upon Petrarch who ftood by him, I wonder, fays he, at the impudence of fome, who never confidering the Palats of thofe they pretend to entertain, commit as grofs Abfurditys as if they prefented Speftacles to a Man that has no occafion for 'em, or Wine to one who never drinks anj\ THEN turning towards the Virtuofo, his Majefty told him, That the infide of the Melon had been a more proper Prefent for him, and the Paring was only fit for the Hogs : In plain terms, he fliou'd carry that Refufe in a Dung-cart to the Common fhore, or throw it into the River, and prefent him with all the noble Thoughts and Beautys he had remark'd in the Poem, if he wou'd deferve his Thanks. TO this the filly Wretch reply'd ; That he had made it his fole bufinefs to obferve the Faults, not the fhining parts of it. Apollo, tho, according to his ufual cuflom at that hour of Evening, he liad foften'd his Looks, and made his Rays more gentle, grew fo enrag'd at this, that darting forth Beams of more than meridian Fiercenefs, he gave the audacious Critick this fharp Anfwer : It vexes me to the Soul to have found one of thofe malicious Blockheads, who labor with their Pens to acquire that fliame which wife Men fo abhor : yet tho your injurious and bafe method of proceeding juftly deferve a more rigorous PuniOiment, I will for once be fatisfy'd with this, to which I now condemn you ; You fliall pick out with your own hands, without the help of a Sieve, all the Chaff that is to be found in a Bulhel of Corn Adv.ioo. Advices from Tarnajjur. 185 Corn, which Columella my Purveyor General fhall deliver to you; and when you have done, bring it to me, and V\\ give you orders what to do with it. Col u MEL LA prefently gave the Wretch a Bufliel of Corn fo ful! Of filth, that it coft him a world of time and labor to pick it out ; but when he had done, lis prefented the Chaff to his Majefty in a Hand- baslfct. Apol- lo bid him carry it -^o Mark^t-and fell it ; and d'ye hear, (ky si he, al>. the Mony you get for it is your own. Why, Sir, fays the Man, 'tis impofTible ever to find a Chapman ; and befides, Vm afliara'd to be feen witli fuch ftufT in the Market, for 'twill only make me be laugh'd at for a Fool. Thcn~pftfhe^, fays Apollo, make a Friend with it, and prefent it to fome body. The Fellow reply'd ; He durft not, fdrJiedid hot know but he might be kick'd for his pains. BY this time Apollo's Anger being fomewhat appeas'd, he fa id, If the Rubbifh that's cull'd from good Ware, is neither fit to be fold nor given away, you may be convinc'd out of your own Moutli, Sir, how much you were in the wrong, when you undercook to leave all the Rofes in the Poem you criticis'd, and only to make a filly Collection of the 1 horns. ■ -^ NOW infludying the Labors of others, the wife Virtuofi imitate Beesj who know how to extraft Hony even from the bitter Flowers; and fince nothing under the Moon is compos'd without a thoufand Imperfeftions, even in the Works of H o m e r, Virgil, L i v y, Tacitus, and Hippocrates, who were the moft miraculous of all Writers, fome Chaff may be found among the Corn. But 'tis fufficient, if what my Virtuofi pro- duce will pafs in the Market for vendible Goods. Let me tell you further, continu'd he, that judicious and courteous Readers are willing to cover the Faults of Author?, while the malicious only fearch 'em out and divulge 'em : And that the Profcffion of raking together all the Dirt in the Poems ol others, is an Imployment only ibr Scavengers, or for thofe filly Flies that live upo^i Excrement ; but far from the prafticc of thofe honorable Virtuofi who leaft their Minds with what is good. Befides, fince Time is look'd upon by the Ingenious as a more precious Jewel than any the Eaft produces, I cannot comprehend how you cou'd be fo filly as to believe, they wou'd have thrown away any part of it in reading your fpiteful Remarks, when they may em- ploy it fo much better in ftudying the Labors of P i n d a r, Sophocles, O v 1 D, and my dcareft Horace. THE Critick, full of confufion you may be furc, fneak'd away ; when pre- fently the Poet whom he had criticiz'd came running to Apollo in abun- dance of haft, and brim full of Refentment beg'd hard for a Copy of th^ Remarks, that he might write an Anfwerto'em. Apollo fmiPd and told him, 'Twou'd be asfoolifh in him to honor 'em with an Anfwer, ai it was malicious in t'other to write 'em : and 'twas the groffeft impru- dence to give car to the eternal prating of thofe ill-natur'd detractors, who having not wit enough to publifli any Produftion of their own, think to purchafe Fame by cenTuring the Works of others. Finally, that the 'Fra- veller, who in a hot Summer's day fhou'd alight from his Horfe to kill Frogs becaufc their croaking offended him, was a notorious Fool ; but a wife Man if he made the beft of his way, and let 'em croak on till they burft. The End of the Firft Century. Bb ( ISO Advices from PARNASSUS. The Second Century. • ' .v:fr"""» ' ( • ADVICE I. la ■'- / r EmhajTadors from the ProVtnce of Thocfi compl/tn to Apollo, that his Officers hifr'mgil their TriVileges ; but are dijmifs'd with a harjh Jnfwer, I tt i M ^HE populous Province of Phocis revolted fome years fincc LKj i.H. t.'- from the Ignorant!, and voluntarily fiibje£led themfelves to the ;••': ■ "* ' Dominion of Apot.t.o, who indulg'd 'em with fuch large B Immunitys, as almoft amounted to perfeft Liberty. But they ' have lately fent EmbafTadors to this Court, complaining that his Majefty's Officers have infring'd their Privileges, and earneftly en- treating that they may be commanded to obferve 'cm more ftriftly for the future. Apoli.o not relifliing this Afiair, refer'd it to his Privy Council, who two days ago gave the EmbafTadors their final Anfwer to this Effcft : That their Lordnbips wonder'd very much, and were extremely fcandaliz'd, that the People of Phocis were fuch ftrangers to the World, as not to know that Privileges and Exemptions granted to new SuhjeQs, are like Toys and Mo- ny given to Children when they cry, which are taken from 'cm again as foon as they have left off. THE chief of the Embaffy very fmartly reply'd, That if that were the cuftom of Parnaffus, to put tricks upon honed People, by treating 'cm like Children, the Province of Phocis wou'd foon fall to crying again, and prove very froward too, till it had obtain'd what they ask'd, and perhaps feme- thing more. 1-ut Francisco Guicciardini, Prefident of the Council, reminded him ; That the Phocians wou'd firfl: do wifely to look about 'em, and take a view of the Forts and Cittadels they had tamely per- mitted to be built among 'cm in time of Peace; by which they would foon be convinc'd, that if they fell into a crying fit any more, Apollo had a fafe way to deal with 'em without new Grants, and that was, to quiet 'cm with a Rod, - ADVICE Adv. 2, 3* Advices from Tarnajftts, ig^ ADVICE II. Apollo cxpofei the mfortunate Count St. Paul, to deter the 2^ol?i- lity of IQngdoms from being fcducd by Foreign Princes to rebel againfl their lawftd Sovereigns. APoLLO had been inform'd (to his infinite difpleafure) that fome Princes, inftead of making War upon their Enemys, like the anticnc Heroes, by force of Arms, and in the open Fields, betake themfelves wholly to Stratagem and Deceit ; by which means alone fome have been fuccefsful in Enterprizes of the highefi: importance : for the firft Arms which fuch men draw againft: their Enemys, are Gold and Silver, bail'ly to corrupt the Loy- alty of Subje£ls, and to excite the Nobility of Kingdoms into Rebellion. N O W to prevent fuch vile praftices for the future, Apollo lately gave Orders to Giovanni Francisco Lottini, private Regi- lier of his Majefly's moral Precepts, to take care to have the miferable Count of St, Paul brought by Beggars in a Wheel-barrow under the Portico of the Delphick Temple ; where that Prince, with his hands almoft Hngerlefs, and mangl'd in fo wretched a manner as if they had been gnaw'd by Dogs' has been fince expos'd a deplorable Spectacle to the People, who croud in and out at the Temple- Gate. At the fame time Lottini with a loud Voice repeats to 'em this Admonition. Mofl loyal Virtuofi, You who arc lovers of Learning, and of the facred Precepts of Morality, take example I befeech you from the defperate Calamity of this unfortunate Prince, who, you fee lias loft the ufc of his Hands, which Heav'n preferve to you ; and learn at another's Cofl, how highly it imports you to be upon your guard, and be» ware how you fuBcr your fclves to be prevail'd upon to grope for Crabs, and pull 'em out of their Holes with the hazard of your own Fingers, that others may reap all the benefit. ADVICE IlL 71 e grrac E u c. i. i n, kiVing dijgujlcd fome potent Men, is feVerch treated. TU !•. freflieft Advices from Libethrum, which came by the Ephefian Pod, dated the fourteenth inftant, fay, That on the fixth of this month, about noon, Euclid, that Prince of Mathematicians, was af- faulted under Ur ani a's Portico by fcveral Perfons, who beat him fo un- mercifully with Sand-bags, that they left him for dead upon the ground. Apollo was wonderfully difturb'd at this News ; and the rather, becaufe tho Euclid is more care fs'd by the chief Princes of this State than any other Virtuofo, yet from the manner of this Aflaulf all conclude, fome great Men were privy to it, ^nd had employ 'd the Ruffians: for two ot 'em firit feiz'd and held him, while two more laid him on with incredible fury; and 'twas obferv'd that feveral Perfoos well arm'd ilood looking on, ready to aflift had there been occafion* B b 2 M A N Y i88 Advice f from Farnafju^. Cent. 2. MANY Reafons are alledg'd which might have provok'd 'em to this Refentment : but the moft rcceiv'd opinion is, thatfome of the higheft Qua- lity here bore him a grudg, tor a Mathematical Problem he had been teach- ing a few days before in the publick Schools, whereby he demonftrated this important Secret, that all the Lines both of Princes and private mens Thoughts and Aftions meet in this Center, genteely to pick Mony out of other mens Pockets, and put it in their own. ADVICE IV. A Spanlfl) Firtuofo, tnortMly wounded in a Duel with an Italian Toet,perfonni jo gallant an AFtion before his death, that Apollo pVes orders to bu- ry him honourably at the publick Expence, A(XU A R R E L happen'd t'other day about a Lady, between a Spa- nifh Virtuofo and an Italian Poet : Satisfaftion, Sir was the word, and fo they met in the middle of Bellona's Square. The Difpute was fierce and bloody, for they clos'd at the firfl encounter, and the Don being mortally wounded in two places, fell down ; and cry'd out to an Intimate of his who was running to his afliftance too late ; Hazme p/azer d^enterrarme, fin che niiiguno me defnude ; My dear Friend ! for the love of Heav'n be fo kind as to bury me before any body ftrips me. Having faidthis, fo great a quan- tity of Blood flow'd from his Wounds that he dy'd immediately. NOW this odd Requeft of the Spaniard to his Friend, being fpread a- broad in Parnalfus, provok'd all mens curiofity ( as it generally happens in things prohibited) to fee him naked ; efpecially fince 'twas the dying En- treaty of a worthy Hero of that wife Nation, who never fpeak at random, nor drop a word from their mouths that is not full of Mylferys, and each My- ilery full of Senfe. Apollo hirafelf having a great defire likevvife to know the meaning of it, gave orders that he fhou'd be flrip'd immediately. His Commands were obey'd, and, upon fearch, this fpruce Blade who was compleatly dreft a, UCavdier, and with a curious Ruff" about his Neck more worth than all the reft of his Finery, was found to have never a Sliirt to his Back which fet all the Speftators a laughing heartily, and pafs'd for a very good Jeft throughout ParnafTus. Apollo was furpriz'd at the Novelty, and highly prais'd this generous Virtuofo, who, even in the pangs of death, fo much prefer'd the care of his Reputation above all other Regards, that he clos'd his Eyes full of zeal for it. For which extraordinary virtue, the certain mark of a Soul fuperlatively great, his Majefty commanded that his Funeral fhould be folemniz'd at the publick Expence, and that the Heralds fhou'd order and attend it in great Ceremony : which was perform'd accordingly, amidft fo vaft a concourfe of the Literati of all Nations, as if they had flock'd together to an Amphithe- ater or a Roman Triumph. Q^u I N T I L I A N made his Funeral Oration, in which he highly extol'd the happinefs of the Spanifh Monarchy, whofe Greatnefs, hefaid, confifted not in her Gold and Silver Mines of Peru, Nuova Spagna, Rio della Plata, or in the Caftiglia dell' oro, nor in the many Kingdoms (he enjoys, but only in the Manners, and wonderful Qualitys of her Sons : Since this Spanifh Vir- tuofo, in his utmoft Calamity, having fhewn a greater zeal for his Repu- ' , , * tation Adv. 5. Advices from Parnaffk. iga tation than for the Cure of his Wounds, had given a convincing Demon- ftration to Mankind, that 'tis peculiar to that Nation to prefer their Honor before their Lives. THE Orator concluded with a bitter Inveftive againft Philofophers, who will by no means allow, that two Contrarys can be found in one and the fame Pcrfon ; whereas Vanity and Solidity, mighty Shew and infinite Sub- ftance, were manifeftly diiplay'd, he faid, even in their greatefi: Extremes a • mongthe Spaniards. ADVICE V. Apollo having imploy*d his utmojl diligefice to jti:^ the Idols of Trmccsy proceeds with great feVerity againii one that fell tnto his Tower, APoLLO, to his infinite difpleafure, has been convinc'd of the mighty Mifchiefs that befal petty States as well as great Empires, thro the ihipidity of thofe Princes, who foolilhly fubjeft themfelves to the influence of fome vile Domeftick Favorite ; and fince neither his continual Exhorta- tions, nor the frequent Calamitys which have happened thro that imprudent Conduft, have been fufficient to warn Princes from a misfortune to which they feem in a manner fated, his Majefty, that he might not abandon the Proteftion of the Rulers of Mankind, fo peculiar to him, refolv'd fome months ago, to profecute with the utmoft feverity thofe Servants, who by their hellifh Artifices durfl; undertake to govern their Mafters. To this piirpofe he fet a price on their Heads, and ifiu'd out a Proclamation with offers of a great Reward to any one who fliou'd difcover 'cm to his Judges. ABOUT a fortnight ago notice was given of one of thefe Villains, who in a little time was clapt into Prifon ; and there being many ftrong Prefump- lion'; of his Guilt, he was put to the rack, and a large ConfefiRon extorted from him of all the wicked Artifices he had put in praQice- not only to enflave his Mafter, but to make himfelf even ador'd by him. Apollo was affo- nifh'd, that thofe, who are fo jealous of their Sovereignty as often to fufpeft their own Children, fhou'd thro their unaccountable Infatuation, or the fraud of others, be reduc'd to the vilenefs ol becoming Vailals to one oF their bafcft Servants : that the Son or Nephew of a Prince, after having given proofs of a Soul vaftly thirrty of Power, and having by long myrtenous trains ob- tain'd the end of his Ambition, of ruling his Father or his Uncle, fhou'd afterwards refign the Reins of Government, which with fuch Maltery he had wrefted out of the hands of his Superior, into the hands of one fo much inferior to him. A Miracle which the Wit of Man can no more account for than for Sympathy and Antipathy, or for the occult Quality of the Load-ftone. NOW that the Punifhment of this Court- Favorite might be of publick Inftruftion, his Majefty was pleas'd two days ago in the great Hall of Au- dience, to alfemble all the Princes who refide in this Court : At what time, to their Cenfufion and Amazement, he made his Solicitor General read aloud the u hole Proceedings againft this profligate Wretch ; by which it appear'd, that i^o Advices from Tarnajfus, Cent. 2. that being cxamm'd what tricks he had us'd to get the Afcendent over his Mafter, he rcturn'd thisAnfwer: Tliatthe firft day became to Court, he apply'd himfelf with the utmoft dihgencc to difcover the Temper of hi Prince, and finding him much inclin'd to Leudnefs, he imploy'd all his R'letorick in praife of that Vice; and tho he knew it to be notorioully fcandalous in a Man intruded with the Government of a Kingdom, yet he iabor'd toperfuade him 'twas an eminent Virtue. Then he us'd all his Indullry to become theMinifter of his vile filthy Pleafures, and made it his Employ- ment to lurnifh Objefts for his luft. In the next place, he found means by de- grees to remove all fuch honeft Servants as he fear'd might have reclaim'd their Martcr to Wifdom and Virtue, undermining 'em by various Arts and Infinuations, or fending 'em to remote Employments ; and in their room he fubftituted Creatures of his own, who were plung'd in all manner of beaftly Vices. By the alliftance of thefe, he confefs'd, he made it his chief ftudy wholly to fink and debauch all thofe good Qualitys in his Mafter which he had receiv'd either from Nature, or from a good Education. Next he purg'd the Court of all the old Minifters, whofe juft Affliftion for the loofe Life of their Prince he reprefcnted as feditious Malevolence, and fill'd their impor- tant Places with Fools and Villains, who had no regard to the Prince's Inte- reft; for he dcfir'd no other Qu^alifications in 'em, than a ftri£l adherence to his Deligns. WITH fuch a croud of infamous Wretches he had fo furrounded his Mailer, that 'twas not poffible for him to hear a word of honefl Counfel, or undifguis'd Truth, a thing fo neceffary to the Happinefs of Princes. After which, to give the finilliing ftroke, and get all the Adminiftration into his own hands, he had inftil'd fuch an immoderate love to Idlenefs into his Prince, that placing his fole delight in Gardens, Villa's, Hunting, and the like, he hated to hear of BufinCfs, and was averfe to all Affairs of Stare, BESIDES, he not only fct him at variance with his Son, and the other Princes of his Blood, but made him believe 'twas purely the effe£l of his unbounded Affeftion to him, and Zeal for the publick Good. And that the deluded Monarch might never wake from this Lethargy, nor open his Eyes more, he had fill'd his Houfe with Farafites, who by their foothing Flatterys utterly perverting all his Notions, made him believe, that his Folly was Wifdom ; his People's univerfal Hatred, immcnie Love ro him ; the publick Clamors, fuperlative Praifes ; Confufion the mofl exact Admini- ilration ; the Ufurpation of a Domeflick honorable Service; Extortion fuftice; Profufenefs Liberality ; and his ab)e£l Sloth and lupine Negleft, in- 5i'tSny^plffi^ for V«!pr(5b6s'd to their confiderati'on', \i'hien they (hoU^d^hlle conquerM .|he Re4i(i&Iick<;, how they intended to dirj^pft'^f, their .i^^ffl?Lons. IhArflAVer to 'which 'twas urg'd, that they biJgnt.ta^itifei'veth^JGaSA^s of Naribiis, aijd i(Ve Cuftom of Leagues ; both which;reoLLo commanded the Hiflorians of each Clafs to give theirs, who all agreed in Sentiment with the great L i v y ; they thought it a Scandal to admit among fevere Hiftorical Writings the loofe Compoficiops of Miofc who ftiifl their Works with incredible Fif^ions. But the Politician T a c i- Tus dilTented from this, alledging, that thofe Virtuofi who had dcfcrib'd the Cuftoms, Countrys, and Adions of the remotell Nations of the North and Eafl:, ought not to be treated with the fame Severity as thofe who writ theHiftorysof known Nations and neighboring People; for with all Man- kind, * Omne ignoratum^ro magnijico efi .- and 'tis the general Cuftom, -t- Mu- jora credere de abfentibits. THO Tacitus was fingle in this Opinion, his Majefty approv'd it as very jufl: ; fo that with the ufual Solemnitys, the Northern Hiftory and tliat of China, together with the Names of their Authors, were confecrated to Immortality. But withal Apollo told Olaus, he muft moderate the extravagant fize ot his Northern Eagles, that prey'd upon Elephants, and carry'd 'em up into the Air, which wou'd never pafs in Parnaffus, tho L I V Y himfelf had written it. And for the Author of the Hiftory of China, he told him he fliou'd reduce to fome credible meafure the vaft iMetropolis of fo many Kingdoms, inhabited by fo many millions of Men ; and particular- ly bring t!.e Royal Palace, fo many miles in length, into fuch a Morlel, that ViTRUvius might have no reafon to laugh at him, and fay that his Apartments muft be each half a mile long, and 'twou'd be impofiible for tlie Servants to do their Duty, and ferve up the Prince's Meat hot to the Table, unlefs they took Port to bring it. THE two Virtuofi being thus difpatch'd, in comes T h o m a z o BozT o, a noble Virtuofo of Agobbio, no lefs renown'd in the Court of Rome for his holy Life, than for his miraculous Attainments in Learning; for which reafons Apollo and the whole College receiv'd him with ex- traordinary demonftrations of AfFedion. When this eminent Ferfon had prelented to Apollo his learned Writings, the Cenfors extoll'd 'em to the Skys : only they faid, tliat in his Book De ruinis Gentium adverj'us Macchia'vellum^ he had indeed judicioufly cenfur'd the deviliOi Politicks of that impious Author ; but in all that W^ork they had not been able to difco- ver the leaft PafTage concerning the ruin of any People or Nation ; where- fore they were ot opinion, that the words de minis Gentium ought to be ftruck out, as fuperfluous, and ferving only for a pompous Flourifli in the Title. His Majefty and the illuftrious College agreed in the fame Judgment with the Cenfors : and Apollo complained very much of the Mounte- bank-Crafc of many Writers, who to make their Works appear extraordi- nary give 'em founding and magnificent Titles, no matter how wide from the Subjed of the Book : A Trick to befriend the Bookfeller, and help orl' the Impreflion, not unlike the Knavery of Farmers, who put bad Corn in the bottom of the Sack, and cover it at the top with that wl.ich is good. His Majefty added further, that Authors ought to believe, a Book ingeniouny penn'd is more admir'd for its modeft Title ; and that an oftentatious and cheating Title diflionors the moft ingenious Book. Hov.ever after all. Im- mortality was favorably decreed to the Name and Writings of this learned Virtuofo. THE Solemnity of Bozio's admiffion into ParnafTus being thus per- form'd, there appear'd before the Pavilion of Audience an Italian Poet with a Guide before him on Horfeback ; who, tliat he might be fure to come time * Tacit, in vita Agric. f Tac. lib. 2. Hilh enough Adv. 1 4. Advices from Parnajjlfs. 1 1 5 enough before the Ceremony was over, had taken Poft at Ccrintli. As foonashe difmounted, in he came booted and fpur'd, and prefenting Iiimfelf to Apollo, put into his hands a Book of Songs, defiring, that his Name and Verfes might be honor'd with eternal Fame. 'lis incredible with how much Joy the Poet was receiv'd by that wifeft of Senates : Apollo took the Book with demonftrations of more than common AfFefticn ; but when he had read fome of his Madrigals which were full of obfcene Ihoughts, as if he had held a Serpent in his hand, he threw the Book to the ground with the greatelt Scorn and Indignation imaginable; and with a Look inflam'd with Anger, Be gone, faid he, and publifli your filthy Ribaldry in Baudy- houfes and common Stews ! for know, that in my State, the abode of every charter Virtue, no fuch infamous fluff will be fuffer'd. I my felf ( and I am proud to confefs it in this place ) have been a Lover, and confcqucntly take delight in amorous Poems ; fuch I mean where the modeft Authors celebrate their Loves in chaft and decent ExpreflTions : An Excellence for which my Petrarch deferves the higheft Praife. Nor can I enough wonder at the Impudence of fome kud modern Wits, by whom that Learning which was pioufly introduc'd into the World to promote Virtue, is impudently dcbauch'd to the vile ufe of inflrufting in wicked Lufls, and the propagating of everv deteflable Vice. How is it poflible, that any one can be fo plung'd and loll: in Impurity, as confidently to publifli in broad Day-light, and to the fight of all Mankind, fuch Obfcenitys, as with blufhes and remorfe of Confcience the libidinous aft in the dark, with their Chamber-doors bolted, and their Cur- tains drawn ; and inftead of expefting eternal Infamy for their pains, fot- tifhly hope for Fame and perpetual Glory from Crimes which defcrve the fevereft Punifhment ? SCARCE had Apollo ended, when the unfortunate Poet in great Confufion left the Audience, and remounting with his Guide ported from ParnalTus with as much fpeed as he came thither : while, to add to his iliame, his Colledion of Poems, as if it had been contagious, and none had dar'd to lay a finger on it, was kick'd out of the Tent by the publick Execu- tioners. IN the mean time it happen'd that a pitiful Mountebank forc'd his way thro the Guard, and came vaporing into Court with a Box under his Arm, and leading a Dog in a String. The Door-keeper did all he cou'd to hinder fo unworthy a fellow from approaching his Majefty, and feizing him by both Arms endeavor'd to drag him out again by force. But the Quack had a good heart, and was ftrong withal, fo that he rtifly difputed the Point with 'cm, and fwore he wou'd have a Hearing. Apollo was in a concern to fee tie Wretch fo roughly handled, and commanded his Servants to let him alone. Immediately upon this, the Mountebank fpread his Cloke on the ground, and opening his Box takes out a great Skin of Parchment, to which hung a large Seal : then rtiewing it to his Majefty, the Mufcs, and all the Literati ; Sir, fays he, to convince you that my Balls, which I publifh for the general benefit of Mankind, are the moft miraculous in the world, for taking out Spots and Stains ot Difgrace from the Garment of any man's Honor, (except his who has marry'd a Whore) behold this Patent granted me by that invincible and ever glorious French Monarch Francis the Firft, for having taken out of his Royal Mantle, without doing it the leaft hurt, the fpot of Oil which was thrown upon it by A k i a d e n u s B a r- E A R o s s A. I befeech your Majerty therefore, and all the worthy Perfons here prefent, that my Goods may be iry'd, and if you find me a Liar, I am content they fhou'd be burnt. Apollo 2i6 Advices from Varnaffm. Cent. 2. Apollo was pleas'd at the Bluntncfs of this bold Fellow, and ask'd him, what ufe he made of his Dog ? He anfwer'd, that the Cur, who cou'd fhew abundance of Tricks, ferv'd him inftead of a Jack-pudding, to draw a Croud about him. Say'ft thou fo Friend, reply'd Apollo, then thy Trade feems to me much like that of a Bird-catcher ; for thou pratelt as the Fowler whiftles ; thy Balls are the Birdlime, thy Dog the Decoy, and thofe that are drawn in by thee are the filly Birds, who, leaving behind 'em the Feathers of their Pence, make you good fport. But fince to thy great misfortune thou haft pitch'd upon a place where men of thy Trade find but little Credit, and thy Commodity is not like to have vent among my Vir- tuofi, who have no Spots to be taken out, let us at leaft have the Diverfion of feeing your Dog fhew his Tricks, THE Quack obey'd, and made his Dog, who was perfeftly well taught, fliew a thoufand Tricks ; all which he perform'd with fuch ready under- ftandint^, and obfervance to his Mafter, that he feem'd indu'd with human Senfe. The graveft of the Senate wcnder'd to fee Apollo waft the time in fuch Trifles, which was appointed for Affairs of the greateft moment, and the more, becaufe his Majefty feem'd particularly delighted with the Taftime which lafted a great while. But their wonder ceas'd, when Apollo whofe peculiar method is, to draw excellent Morals from the meaneft things, cry 'd out, O the Glory of Knowledg ! O the great Felicity of the moft ferene Virtues ! the only rich Patrimony of Mankind ; Rejoice with me my dear Virtuofi at this inftruftive fight ! which fliews the Excellence of Learning : Since you fee there that a little Knowledg which a Man has been able to beat into a Dog, is fuflicient not only plentifully to maintain his Mafter but to furnifh the nobleft Elnjoyment which a great Soul is capable of, by inabling him to travel thro all Nations, and fee the Wonders of the Univerfe. THE Mountebank by A ? o l l o's order being liberally rewarded, and difmifs'd, there appeared next in his Majefty's Prefence a Vircuofo, who was quickly known to be B a l d o C a t a n e o, who for his pleafanc U'it upon facetious Subjeds, and his folid fenfe upon grave, as well in Profe as in Verfe, was fo much admir'd in the Roman Court, that he defervedly obtain'd the Patronage of the generous Alexander Peretti, Cardinal Mont' ALTO who munificently heap'd upon him both Riches and Honor. This noble Poet prefented Apollo with the firft Canto's of his Argonautica, compos'd in Stanza's of eight Lines ; and with a plenteous fliower of Tears bewailinfT his cruel Deftiny, in being fnatch'd out of the World in the flower of his Age, faid, that Death was unwelcome to him for no other reafon, but only as it forc'd him to lay at his Majefty's feet a worthlefs Prefent of unripe Fruit, which, if Fate had allow'd him longer Life, he hop'd might have been brought to fuch Maturity, as wou'd have recommended it to the Pa- lates of the Learned. Therefore in a fenfe of his little Merit, and the Mif- fortune of his Poem, he was oblig'd to beg that Immortality which he once hop'd he might in time have claim'd as his due, Apollo, with geftures and words exprefTing the greateft Humanity, anfwer'd him. That both himfelf and all his Literatiti fliar'd in the misfor- tune of his immature Death, but bid him take comfort in the indulgent Laws of ParnaiTus, fince for the encouragement of the ingenious in the glorious toil of handling their Pens, he difpens'd to Poems that were but begun, and not difcontinu'd thro floth, but interrupted by furprizing Death, the fame Rewards as if they had been brought to perfedion. For this im- portant Refped immortal Glory was gracioufly decreed to the Name and Writings Adv. 1 4. Advices from Parnajfur. 2 if Writings of Baldo Cataneo, who, being condudtd with great So- lemnity by the Mafter of the Ceremonys, took his Seat among thole Demi- Gods, who enjoy tlic fignal Prerogative of Immortality of Name. T H E next who appeared in tlie Royal Audience was a Viituofo, who by his Gown, wliich was after the fafliion of Greece, and by the manifeft token of his Beard, was known by the greateft part of the College to be the famous Grecian Ti m o t h n us, who upon a I'ooiini Difpute about a Syllable witli Francis File lfo an illuftrious Poet of Ancona, wager'd his Beard, and was prefently fliav'd by the unrelenting Viftor. The whole AfTembly fmiPd to fee that a Virtuofo, who was never of the wifeft, fiiou'd appear there, and pretend to ask for a Rcfidence at Parnaffus, which is granted only to fuch as are in the higheft Efteem. "However T i m o t h e u s boldly ad- drefs'd himfelf to Apollo in tlicfe words. S I R, I muft coni'cfs, that I have been rather a lover of Learning than a compleat Virtuofo: and tho I appear before your Majefly empty-handed, and, without any Compofirion of my own to offer, liave the Preiumption to beg a Place in Parnaffus ; I hope neverthelefs that I fliall not leave your Royal Prefence, till I have obtained that favor with which you fo generoufly reward even the earneff dcfire that a man has of Knowledg, Timotheus, according to the Cuftom, was upon his Knees while he made this Requeft: ^ but Apollo made figns to him to rife, and bid him put on his Har, a Favor never fhewn before to any Perfon, tho of the greateft Eminence : Tlien his Majefty commanded the Senate to give their Suffrages. The Virtuofi, who had no good opinion of him, and had been difgufled to fee him appear in Court, believ'd that his Majefty only intended by this to try their Temper, and whether tliey wou'd fufter themfelves to be fway'd by his unuiual Demonffrations of Refpeft to any Man ; therefore they unanimoufly voted againft him, and many of 'em, fliewing more Zeal than there was need of, freely faid, that the Affront File lfo had put on I'iMOTHEUS, not only plainly prov'd him to be ignorant, but a talkative Fellow ; an ImperfeQion abhor'd by his Majefty and the whole Senate. Apollo told 'em they were much miftaken in their Judgments of this Virtuofo ; and I v\'ou'd have none of you offended, fays he, if I declare, my Eyes have never beheld a more glorious Perfon, or that has better deferv'd the Grant of immortal Fame, even with the ampleft Privileges : For fo great is the Honor, dear Timotheus, thou hafi acquir'd by the lofs of thy Wager with F i l e lfo, that it ought to be rewarded by me, and ce- lebrated by my Virtuofi, above all that was ever yet perform'd I Since by the moff llrifl: obfervance of thy Word thou haft fet an Example both to Princes and private Men, who are fway'd fo intirely by Intereft, that no form of an Oath can be found fo obliging, or Promife fo facred, which they do not daily evade, and ev'n openly break with moft deteftable Im- piety. Thine therefore, deareft Timotheus, after my felf and thefe my ferene Goddeffes, be the firlt Place in this honorable Senate : And from the Glory I now judg thee worthy of, let all Men learn, that to keep their words with the ftndeft Religion in things prejudicial to their Intereft, gains 'em a Reputation, which abundantly compenfatcs the lofs of earthly things. WITH this happy fuccefs concluded the Affair of the fortunate T i- MOTHEUS, when with wonderful Gravity, attended by a Train of many noble Baron*-, appear'd in Court the Catholick King Ferdinand of Arragon j he complain'd grievoufly to his Majefty, that for a hundred years Ff he 2i8 Advices from Parnaffuf. Gent. 2. he liad been continually foliciting in vain to be admitted into ParnalTus, and that 'twas the opinion of all who knew him, that he was manileftly wrong'd in being deny'd that Abode, which was fo eafily granted to others, inferioi: to him in Merit and extent of Dominions. Apollo told him, That 'twas always the Cuflom of Parnaflus, that the Princes who defir'd admittance, fhou'd have their Caufe determin'd by the Virtuofi of their own Nation, who were belt able to judg of their Merits ; and he wou'd not on any account break thofe Orders which had been approv'd by fo long Experience, Then his Majefly commanded the Virtuofi of Arragon to put it once more to the Vote, and reminded 'em ot the Ihicl Obligation they lay under to weigh their King's Oeferts impartially. When the Suffrages were examin'd, they were all found to be Nega- tive, at which repeated Refufal Ferdinand was prodigioufly enrag'd ; What, fays he, muft a King be thus balely treated by li.is own ungrateful People, and will not your Majefty redrefs this vile Injufticc? What King- dom was ever under greater Obligations to its Sovereign than Arragon has been to me, who from its former Obfcurity rais'd it to be the firfl Nation in the Univerfe, and render'd it infinitely famous thro its glorious Union with the potent Kingdom of Caft ile, by my Marriage with Queen Isabel? While hisCatholick Majefty in great fury was thundering out this Exclama- tion, 'twas obferv'd, that fome of the chief Arragonian Senarors fhook their heads; at which, taking it for a token of yet greater Contempt, he flew into fuchaRage, that Apollo, to prevent any ill Confequences, admonifli'd him of his Error, telling him, that a Prince makes his Nation great, when he unites it to an inferior one, as the Kings of France have done by the Con- queft of Brittany, not when he joins it to a more numerous and- powerful People : for in the fiift cafe, his own Nation becomes the Miftrefs j in the fecond, a Slave. WHILE King Ferdinand, not in the leaft appeas'd by this wife Anfwer, was departing the Audience, it happen'd that a Sparrowhawk flew into the Court, and, perching on the Roflrum, occafion'd a thoufand Fears and fanciful Conjeftures in all that were prefent, who look'd on it as fome very important Omen. The Guard ran immediately to drive her out of the Tent, but his Majefly commanded 'em not to difturb her. Upon which the Roman Augurs rifing up, defir'd A p o l l o's leave to interpret this Myftery. But his Majefty in contempt of the Coxcombs, told 'em, Heav'n had fo carefully conceal'd Futuritys from the knowledg of Mankind, that he was a fool who pretended to foretel 'em from tlie flight of Birds, or any fuch trivial Accident. And if they thought to praftife that Art for the ufual pur- pofeof carrying on their own Interefts, and increafing their Authority over the ignorant Vulgar, they fhou'd find that they had chofen a wrong place, for ParnaiTus was not the Habitation of Weathercocks and Windmills that cou'd be whirl'd about by defigning Knaves with the Wind of their Holy pretences. WHEN Apollo had thus deliver'd himfelf, a deep fiience enfu'd, till the Sparrowhawk furpriz'd the Company with the following Oration: Tho Knowledg is thought peculiar to Man, yet that it is not only poflefs'dj but paffionately belov'd by other Animals too, we have a plain Evidence in the aptnefs obferv'd in Birds towards learning the various Notes they hear, in their attaining even human Speech, in the agility and furprizing motions of fourfooted Animals, and their eafy acquiring and ready performing other things that are taught 'em. This, moft glorious Prince of the Planets, may fuffice to remove from the Minds of this honorable Audience their Amaze- ment. Adv. 1 4. /Advices from Parnafjir, 2 1 9 ment, to fee that I, a favage Bird of Prey, born and brought up to live by Rapine, fliou'd neverthelefs be endu'd with fo much Knowledg as to dcfirc the fortunate Abode of ParnafTus. To adorn the Mind with Virtue, to thirft after Knowledg, and to taft the PIcafures of an ingenious Coiiverfa- tion, are natural Inftinfts infus'd into other Creatures as well as into Man^ whom the Creator has blefs'd with a mofi: comprehenfive Soul. And as I am fenfible that they only gain Admiflion here, who by their Words or Anions have been ufefully inftruQive to others ; fo I may without vanity pretend highly to have deferv'd that Honor. ALL thefe glorious Literati 1 know will allow me, that the Welfare of Men, the beginning and progrefs of a virtuous Life depends intirely on the good Education which Parents beftow on their Children. Now this ne- ceflary Science, which is but little known and lefs praftis'd by Mankind, being implanted by Nature in us brute Animals ; I am come, with your Ma- jefty's permifTion, to teach it in ParnafTus. Hear therefore, Gentlemen, and wonder: Among us Birds, there is no Afteftion fo tender as that of Parents to their Offspring ; but I perceive human Ignorance to be fo grofs, that a- mong Men, the greateft Enemys Children have are their Parents : for by their excelfive Fondnefs, they do 'em more mifchief than the molf implaca- ble Enemys. Paternal AffeQion has its due limits, which whoever palles ruins his own Blood. We love our Young with fuch tendernefs, that in their urgent necclTity we feed 'em with Flefh torn from our own Breafts ; yet we do not, like Men, continue this fond Care of 'em always, but only fo long as tliey fland in need of our fupport : for when we fee their Talons grown fliarp, and their Wings ftrong, thofe fit to feize their Prey, and thefe fuflacient for flight, then we cxercife towards 'em the laft and mofi perfeft Charity in withdrawing our Love; not that the warmth of that Affe6lion, which in Fathers even f urvives the Death of their Children, is extinguifli'd in us, but becaufe a prudent regard to the advantage of our Offspring re- quires it fiiou'd be fo. Thus the Love of Parents to their Children is necefTa- ry fo long as they are incapable of procuring their own Food ; but 'tis per- nicious to affifl 'em when they are able to provide for themfelves. Certainly tlh Offspring of Man wou'd be as induffriousas ours, if the Parents followed my F^xample, who, when I faw my Young able to ufe their Wings, fhew'd 'em Hedges full of Sparrows, where they might fubfiff in Plenty. And Men ifhou'd in like manner fliew their Children, when they are grown up, the Courts of Princes, great Citys, and Places of bufinefs, that they might not remain bury'd in Sloth and Ignorance, but acquire an honorable Livelihood by their virtuous Induftry. Apollo having heard and highly extoll'd this admirable LefTon of Inftruftion, was pleas'd to afTign the Hawk an honorable Place in ParnafTus ; and faid, You lee, my belov'd Virtuofi, that the Almighty having infus'd ev'n into brute Animals a perfeft Wifdom in things relating to Propagation, and the preferving of their Species, the true Philofophy to which Men ought to apply themfelves by conflant Study and Speculation, is, to obferve the Didatcs of Nature, and diligently to conform their Aftions to 'em ; for thus, and not by following the capricious whims of feveral difagreeing Sefts, they wou'd lead happy Lives. And as'twou'd be a mighty diforder> if Birds and other brute Animals fhou'd feed their Offspring till they grow old in their Nclh and Dens ; fo we muft likewife own, that thofe Parents are to blame, who taking more care to heap up Wealth for their Children, than to give 'em the permanent Patrimony of a learned Education, which no Fire can confume, no Inundations deilroy, nor Tyrants take away, inftead of F f 2 making 2 20 Advices from Tarnaffm. Cent. 2. making 'em ufeful to their Country, breed 'em up to be idIeRal