The New Atlantis by Francis Bacon

The New Atlantis by Francis Bacon 1/11/11 2:45 PM
The Internet Wiretap edition of THE NEW ATLANTIS, by FRANCIS BACON. (Written in
1626.) From Ideal Commonwealths, P.F. Collier & Son, New York.(c)1901 The Colonial Press,
expired. Prepared by Kirk Crady from scanner output provided by Internet Wiretap. This book
is in the public domain, released August 1993.
The Wiretap edition has been changed to HTML format by William Uzgalis, July 1996.
1626
NEW ATLANTIS
by Francis Bacon
Search the New Atlantis
WE sailed from Peru, where we had continued by the space of one whole year, for China and
Japan, by the South Sea, taking with us victuals for twelve months; and had good winds from
the east, though soft and weak, for five months' space and more. But then the wind came about,
and settled in the west for many days, so as we could make little or no way, and were
sometimes in purpose to turn back. But then again there arose strong and great winds from the
south, with a point east; which carried us up, for all that we could do, toward the north: by
which time our victuals failed us, though we had made good spare of them. So that finding
ourselves, in the midst of the greatest wilderness of waters in the world, without victual, we
gave ourselves for lost men, and prepared for death. Yet we did lift up our hearts and voices to
God above, who showeth His wonders in the deep; beseeching Him of His mercy that as in the
beginning He discovered the face of the deep, and brought forth dry land, so He would now
discover land to us, that we might not perish.
And it came to pass that the next day about evening we saw within a kenning before us, toward
the north, as it were thick clouds, which did put us in some hope of land, knowing how that
part of the South Sea was utterly unknown, and might have islands or continents that hitherto
were not come to light. Wherefore we bent our course thither, where we saw the appearance of
land, all that night; and in the dawning of next day we might plainly discern that it was a land
flat to our sight, and full of boscage, which made it show the more dark. And after an hour and
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a half's sailing, we entered into a good haven, being the port of a fair city. Not great, indeed,
but well built, and that gave a pleasant view from the sea. And we thinking every minute long
till we were on land, came close to the shore and offered to land. But straightway we saw
divers of the people, with batons in their hands, as it were forbidding us to land: yet without
any cries or fierce- ness, but only as warning us off, by signs that they made. Whereupon being
not a little discomfited, we were advising with ourselves what we should do. During which time
there made forth to us a small boat, with about eight persons in it, whereof one of them had in
his hand a tipstaff of a yellow cane, tipped at both ends with blue, who made aboard our ship,
without any show of distrust at all. And when he saw one of our number present himself
somewhat afore the rest, he drew forth a little scroll of parchment (somewhat yellower than our
parchment, and shining like the leaves of writing- tables, but otherwise soft and flexible), and
delivered it to our foremost man. In which scroll were written in ancient He- brew, and in
ancient Greek, and in good Latin of the school, and in Spanish these words: "Land ye not, none
of you, and provide to be gone from this coast within sixteen days, except you have further time
given you; meanwhile, if you want fresh water, or victual, or help for your sick, or that your
ship needeth repair, write down your wants, and you shall have that which belongeth to mercy."
This scroll was signed with a stamp of cherubim's wings, not spread, but hanging down- ward;
and by them a cross.
This being delivered, the officer returned, and left only a servant with us to receive our answer.
Consulting hereupon among ourselves, we were much perplexed. The denial of landing, and
hasty warning us away, troubled us much: on the other side, to find that the people had
languages, and were so full of humanity, did comfort us not a little. And above all, the sign of
the cross to that instrument was to us a great rejoic- ing, and as it were a certain presage of
good. Our answer was in the Spanish tongue, "That for our ship, it was well; for we had rather
met with calms and contrary winds, than any tempests. For our sick, they were many, and in
very ill case; so that if they were not permitted to land, they ran in danger of their lives." Our
other wants we set down in particular, adding, "That we had some little store of merchandise,
which if it pleased them to deal for, it might supply our wants, without being chargeable unto
them." We offered some reward in pistolets unto the servant, and a piece of crimson velvet to
be presented to the officer; but the servant took them not, nor would scarce look upon them;
and so left us, and went back in another little boat which was sent for him.
About three hours after we had despatched our answer, there came toward us a person (as it
seemed) of a place. He had on him a gown with wide sleeves, of a kind of water chamolet, of
an excellent azure color, far more glossy than ours; his under-apparel was green, and so was his
hat, being in the form of a turban, daintily made, and not so huge as the Turkish turbans; and
the locks of his hair came down below the brims of it. A reverend man was he to behold. He
came in a boat, gilt in some part of it, with four persons more only in that boat; and was
followed by another boat, wherein were some twenty. When he was come within a flight-shot
of our ship, signs were made to us that we should send forth some to meet him upon the water,
which we presently did in our ship-boat, sending the principal man amongst us save one, and
four of our number with him. When we were come within six yards of their boat, they called to
us to stay, and not to approach farther, which we did.
And thereupon the man, whom I before described, stood up, and with a loud voice in Spanish
asked, "Are ye Chris- tians?" We answered, "We were;" fearing the less, because of the cross
we had seen in the subscription. At which answer the said person lift up his right hand toward
heaven, and drew it softly to his mouth (which is the gesture they use, when they thank God),
and then said: "If ye will swear, all of you, by the merits of the Saviour, that ye are no pirates;
nor have shed blood, lawfully or unlawfully, within forty days past; you may have license to
come on land." We said, "We were all ready to take that oath." Whereupon one of those that
were with him, being (as it seemed) a notary, made an entry of this act. Which done, another of
the attendants of the great person, which was with him in the same boat, after his lord had
spoken a little to him, said aloud: "My lord would have you know that it is not of pride, or
greatness, that he cometh not aboard your ship; but for that in your answer you declare that you
have many sick amongst you, he was warned by the conser- vator of health of the city that he
should keep a distance." We bowed ourselves toward him and answered: "We were his humble
servants; and accounted for great honor and singular humanity toward us, that which was
already done; but hoped well that the nature of the sickness of our men was not infectious."
So he returned; and awhile after came the notary to us aboard our ship, holding in his hand a
fruit of that country, like an orange, but of color between orange-tawny and scarlet, which cast a
most excellent odor. He used it (as it seemed) for a preservative against infection. He gave us
our oath, "By the name of Jesus, and His merits," and after told us that the next day, by six of
the clock in the morning, we should be sent to, and brought to the strangers' house (so he called
it), where we should be accommodated of things, both for our whole and for our sick. So he left
us; and when we offered him some pistolets, he smiling, said, "He must not be twice paid for
one labor:" meaning (as I take it) that he had salary sufficient of the State for his service. For
(as I after learned) they call an officer that taketh rewards twice paid.
The next morning early there came to us the same officer that came to us at first, with his cane,
and told us he came to conduct us to the strangers' house; and that he had pre- vented the hour,
because we might have the whole day before us for our business. "For," said he," if you will
follow my advice, there shall first go with me some few of you, and see the place, and how it
may be made convenient for you; and then you may send for your sick, and the rest of your
number which ye will bring on land." We thanked him and said, "That his care which he took
of desolate strangers, God would reward." And so six of us went on land with him; and when
we were on land, he went before us, and turned to us and said "he was but our servant and our
guide." He led us through three fair streets; and all the way we went there were gathered some
people on both sides, standing in a row; but in so civil a fashion, as if it had been, not to
wonder at us, but to welcome us; and divers of them, as we passed by them, put their arms a
little abroad, which is their gesture when they bid any welcome.
The strangers' house is a fair and spacious house, built of brick, of somewhat a bluer color than
our brick; and with handsome windows, some of glass, some of a kind of cambric oiled. He
brought us first into a fair parlor above stairs, and then asked us "what number of persons we
were? and how many sick?" We answered, "We were in all (sick and whole) one-and-fifty
persons, whereof our sick were seventeen." He desired us have patience a little, and to stay till
he came back to us, which was about an hour after; and then he led us to see the chambers
which were provided for us, being in number nineteen. They having cast it (as it seemeth) that
four of those chambers, which were better than the rest, might receive four of the principal
men of our company; and lodge them alone by themselves; and the other fifteen chambers were
to lodge us, two and two together. The chambers were handsome and cheerful chambers, and
furnished civilly. Then he led us to a long gallery, like a dorture, where he showed us all along
the one side (for the other side was but wall and window) seventeen cells, very neat ones,
having partitions of cedar wood. Which gallery and cells, being in all forty (many more than we
needed), were instituted as an infirmary for sick persons. And he told us withal, that as any of
our sick waxed well, he might be removed from his cell to a chamber; for which purpose there
were set forth ten spare chambers, besides the number we spake of before.
This done, he brought us back to the parlor, and lifting up his cane a little (as they do when
they give any charge or command), said to us: "Ye are to know that the custom of the land
requireth that after this day and to-morrow (which we give you for removing your people from
your ship), you are to keep within doors for three days. But let it not trouble you, nor do not
think yourselves restrained, but rather left to your rest and ease. You shall want nothing; and
there are six of our people appointed to attend you for any business you may have abroad." We
gave him thanks with all affection and respect, and said, "God surely is manifested in this
land." We offered him also twenty pistolets; but he smiled, and only said: "What? Twice paid!"
And so he left us. Soon after our dinner was served in; which was right good viands, both for
bread and meat: better than any collegiate diet that I have known in Europe. We had also drink
of three sorts, all whole- some and good: wine of the grape; a drink of grain, such as is with us
our ale, but more clear; and a kind of cider made of a fruit of that country, a wonderful pleasing
and re- freshing drink. Besides, there were brought in to us great store of those scarlet oranges
for our sick; which (they said) were an assured remedy for sickness taken at sea. There was
given us also a box of small gray or whitish pills, which they wished our sick should take, one
of the pills every night before sleep; which (they said) would hasten their recovery.
The next day, after that our trouble of carriage and removing of our men and goods out of our
ship was somewhat settled and quiet, I thought good to call our company together, and, when
they were assembled, said unto them: "My dear friends, let us know ourselves, and how it
standeth with us. We are men cast on land, as Jonas was out of the whale's belly, when we were
as buried in the deep; and now we are on land, we are but between death and life, for we are
beyond both the Old World and the New; and whether ever we shall see Europe, God only
knoweth. It is a kind of miracle hath brought us hither, and it must be little less that shall bring
us hence. Therefore in regard of our deliverance past, and our danger present and to come, let
us look up to God, and every man reform his own ways. Besides, we are come here among a
Christian people, full of piety and humanity. Let us not bring that confusion of face upon
ourselves, as to show our vices or unworthiness before them. Yet there is more, for they have
by commandment (though in form of courtesy) cloistered us within these walls for three days;
who knoweth whether it be not to take some taste of our manners and conditions? And if they
find them bad, to banish us straightway; if good, to give us further time. For these men that
they have given us for attendance, may withal have an eye upon us. Therefore, for God's love,
and as we love the weal of our souls and bodies, let us so behave ourselves as we may be at
peace with God and may find grace in the eyes of this people."
Our company with one voice thanked me for my good ad- monition, and promised me to live
soberly and civilly, and without giving any the least occasion of offence. So we spent our three
days joyfully, and without care, in expectation what would be done with us when they were
expired. During which time, we had every hour joy of the amendment of our sick, who thought
themselves cast into some divine pool of healing, they mended so kindly and so fast.
The morrow after our three days were past, there came to us a new man, that we had not seen
before, clothed in blue as the former was, save that his turban was white with a small red cross
on top. He had also a tippet of fine linen. At his coming in, he did bend to us a little, and put
his arms abroad. We of our parts saluted him in a very lowly and submissive manner; as
looking that from him we should receive sen- tence of life or death. He desired to speak with
some few of us. Whereupon six of us only stayed, and the rest avoided the room. He said: "I
am by office, governor of this house of strangers, and by vocation, I am a Christian priest, and
therefore am come to you to offer you my service, both as strangers and chiefly as Christians.
Some things I may tell you, which I think you will not be unwilling to hear. The State hath
given you license to stay on land for the space of six weeks; and let it not trouble you if your
occasions ask further time, for the law in this point is not precise; and I do not doubt but
myself shall be able to obtain for you such further time as shall be convenient. Ye shall also
understand that the strangers' house is at this time rich and much afore- hand; for it hath laid up
revenue these thirty-seven years, for so long it is since any stranger arrived in this part; and
therefore take ye no care; the State will defray you all the time you stay. Neither shall you stay
one day the less for that. As for any merchandise you have brought, ye shall be well used, and
have your return, either in merchandise or in gold and silver, for to us it is all one. And if you
have any other request to make, hide it not; for ye shall find we will not make your
countenance to fall by the answer ye shall receive. Only this I must tell you, that none of you
must go above a karan [that is with them a mile and a half] from the walls of the city, without
special leave."
We answered, after we had looked awhile upon one another, admiring this gracious and
parent-like usage, that we could not tell what to say, for we wanted words to express our
thanks; and his noble free offers left us nothing to ask. It seemed to us that we had before us a
picture of our salvation in heaven; for we that were awhile since in the jaws of death, were now
brought into a place where we found nothing but consolations. For the commandment laid upon
us, we would not fail to obey it, though it was impossible but our hearts should be inflamed to
tread further upon this happy and holy ground. We added that our tongues should first cleave to
the roofs of our mouths ere we should forget either this reverend person or this whole nation, in
our prayers. We also most humbly besought him to accept of us as his true servants, by as just
a right as ever men on earth were bounden; laying and presenting both our persons and all we
had at his feet. He said he was a priest, and looked for a priest's reward, which was our
brotherly love and the good of our souls and bodies. So he went from us, not without tears of
tenderness in his eyes, and left us also confused with joy and kindness, saying among ourselves
that we were come into a land of angels, which did appear to us daily, and prevent us with
comforts, which we thought not of, much less expected.
The next day, about ten of the clock; the governor came to us again, and after salutations said
familiarly that he was come to visit us, and called for a chair and sat him down; and we, being
some ten of us (the rest were of the meaner sort or else gone abroad), sat down with him; and
when we were set he be- gan thus: "We of this island of Bensalem (for so they called it in their
language) have this: that by means of our solitary situation, and of the laws of secrecy, which
we have for our travellers, and our rare admission of strangers; we know well most part of the
habitable world, and are ourselves unknown. Therefore because he that knoweth least is fittest
to ask questions it is more reason, for the entertainment of the time, that ye ask me questions,
than that I ask you." We answered, that we humbly thanked him that he would give us leave so
to do. And that we conceived by the taste we had already, that there was no worldly thing on
earth more worthy to be known than the state of that happy land. But above all, we said, since
that we were met from the several ends of the world, and hoped assuredly that we should meet
one day in the kingdom of heaven (for that we were both parts Christians), we desired to know
(in respect that land was so remote, and so divided by vast and unknown seas from the land
where our Saviour walked on earth) who was the apostle of that nation, and how it was con-
verted to the faith? It appeared in his face that he took great contentment in this our question;
he said: "Ye knit my heart to you by asking this question in the first place; for it showeth that
you first seek the kingdom of heaven; and I shall gladly, and briefly, satisfy your demand.
"About twenty years after the ascension of our Saviour it came to pass, that there was seen by
the people of Renfusa (a city upon the eastern coast of our island, within sight, the night was
cloudy and calm), as it might be some mile in the sea, a great pillar of light; not sharp, but in
form of a column, or cyl- inder, rising from the sea, a great way up toward heaven; and on the
top of it was seen a large cross of light, more bright and resplendent than the body of the pillar.
Upon which so strange a spectacle, the people of the city gathered apace together upon the
sands, to wonder; and so after put themselves into a number of small boats to go nearer to this
marvellous sight. But when the boats were come within about sixty yards of the pillar, they
found themselves all bound, and could go no further, yet so as they might move to go about,
but might not approach nearer; so as the boats stood all as in a theatre, beholding this light, as a
heavenly sign. It so fell out that there was in one of the boats one of the wise men of the
Society of Saloman's House (which house, or college, my good brethren, is the very eye of this
kingdom), who having awhile attentively and devoutly viewed and contemplated this pillar and
cross, fell down upon his face; and then raised himself upon his knees, and lifting up his hands
to heaven, made his prayers in this manner:
"'Lord God of heaven and earth; thou hast vouchsafed of thy grace, to those of our order to
know thy works of creation, and true secrets of them; and to discern, as far as appertaineth to
the generations of men, between divine miracles, works of nature, works of art and impostures,
and illusions of all sorts. I do here acknowledge and testify before this people that the thing we
now see before our eyes is thy finger, and a true miracle. And forasmuch as we learn in our
books that thou never workest miracles, but to a divine and excellent end (for the laws of nature
are thine own laws, and thou exceedest them not but upon great cause), we most humbly
beseech thee to prosper this great sign, and to give us the interpretation and use of it in mercy;
which thou dost in some part secretly prom- ise, by sending it unto us.'
"When he had made his prayer, he presently found the boat he was in movable and unbound;
whereas all the rest remained still fast; and taking that for an assurance of leave to approach, he
caused the boat to be softly and with silence rowed toward the pillar; but ere he came near it,
the pillar and cross of light broke up, and cast itself abroad, as it were, into a firmament of
many stars, which also vanished soon after, and there was nothing left to be seen but a small
ark or chest of cedar, dry and not wet at all with water, though it swam; and in the fore end of
it, which was toward him, grew a small green branch of palm; and when the wise man had taken
it with all reverence into his boat, it opened of itself, and there were found in it a book and a
letter, both written in fine parchment, and wrapped in sindons of linen. The book contained all
the canonical books of the Old and New Testament, according as you have them (for we know
well what the churches with you receive), and the Apoca- lypse itself; and some other books of
the New Testament, which were not at that time written, were nevertheless in the book. And for
the letter, it was in these words:
"'I, Bartholomew, a servant of the Highest, and apostle of Jesus Christ, was warned by an angel
that appeared to me in a vision of glory, that I should commit this ark to the floods of the sea.
Therefore I do testify and declare unto that people where God shall ordain this ark to come to
land, that in the same day is come unto them salvation and peace, and good-will from the
Father, and from the Lord Jesus.'
"There was also in both these writings, as well the book as the letter, wrought a great miracle,
conform to that of the apos- tles, in the original gift of tongues. For there being at that time, in
this land, Hebrews, Persians, and Indians, besides the natives, everyone read upon the book and
letter, as if they had been written in his own language. And thus was this land saved from
infidelity (as the remain of the old world was from water) by an ark, through the apostolical and
miraculous evan- gelism of St. Bartholomew." And here he paused, and a messenger came and
called him forth from us. So this was all that passed in that conference.
The next day the same governor came again to us immedi- ately after dinner, and excused
himself, saying that the day before he was called from us somewhat abruptly, but now he
would make us amends, and spend time with us; if we held his company and conference
agreeable. We answered that we held it so agreeable and pleasing to us, as we forgot both dan-
gers past, and fears to come, for the time we heard him speak; and that we thought an hour
spent with him was worth years of our former life. He bowed himself a little to us, and after we
were set again, he said, "Well, the questions are on your part."
One of our number said, after a little pause, that there was a matter we were no less desirous to
know than fearful to ask, lest we might presume too far. But, encouraged by his rare humanity
toward us (that could scarce think ourselves strangers, being his vowed and professed
servants), we would take the hardness to propound it; humbly beseeching him, if he thought it
not fit to be answered, that he would pardon it, though he rejected it. We said, we well
observed those his words, which he formerly spake, that this happy island, where we now
stood, was known to few, and yet knew most of the nations of the world, which we found to
be true, considering they had the languages of Europe, and knew much of our State and
business; and yet we in Europe (notwithstanding all the remote discoveries and navigations of
this last age) never heard any of the least inkling or glimpse of this island. This we found
wonderful strange; for that all nations have interknowledge one of another, either by voyage
into foreign parts, or by strangers that come to them; and though the traveller into a foreign
country doth commonly know more by the eye than he that stayeth at home can by relation of
the traveller; yet both ways suffice to make a mutual knowledge, in some degree, on both parts.
But for this island, we never heard tell of any ship of theirs that had been seen to arrive upon
any shore of Eu- rope; no, nor of either the East or West Indies, nor yet of any ship of any other
part of the world, that had made return for them. And yet the marvel rested not in this. For the
situation of it (as his lordship said) in the secret conclave of such a vast sea might cause it.
But then, that they should have knowledge of the languages, books, affairs, of those that lie
such a distance from them, it was a thing we could not tell what to make of; for that it seemed
to us a condition and propriety of divine powers and beings, to be hidden and unseen to others,
and yet to have others open, and as in a light to them.
At this speech the governor gave a gracious smile and said that we did well to ask pardon for
this question we now asked, for that it imported, as if we thought this land a land of magi-
cians, that sent forth spirits of the air into all parts, to bring them news and intelligence of other
countries. It was answered by us all, in all possible humbleness, but yet with a countenance
taking knowledge, that we knew that he spake it but merrily. That we were apt enough to think
there was somewhat supernatural in this island, but yet rather as angelical than magical. But
to let his lordship know truly what it was that made us tender and doubtful to ask this question,
it was not any such conceit, but because we remembered he had given a touch in his former
speech, that this land had laws of secrecy touching strangers. To this he said, "You remember it
aright; and therefore in that I shall say to you, I must reserve some particulars, which it is not
lawful for me to reveal, but there will be enough left to give you satisfaction.
"You shall understand (that which perhaps you will scarce think credible) that about 3,000 years
ago, or somewhat more, the navigation of the world (especially for remote voyages) was greater
than at this day. Do not think with yourselves, that I know not how much it is increased with
you, within these threescore years; I know it well, and yet I say, greater then than now; whether
it was, that the example of the ark, that saved the remnant of men from the universal deluge,
gave men confi- dence to venture upon the waters, or what it was; but such is the truth. The
Phoenicians, and especially the Tyrians, had great fleets; so had the Carthaginians their colony,
which is yet farther west. Toward the east the shipping of Egypt, and of Palestine, was likewise
great. China also, and the great At- lantis (that you call America), which have now but junks
and canoes, abounded then in tall ships. This island (as appeareth by faithful registers of those
times) had then 1,500 strong ships, of great content. Of all this there is with you sparing
memory, or none; but we have large knowledge thereof.
"At that time this land was known and frequented by the ships and vessels of all the nations
before named. And (as it cometh to pass) they had many times men of other countries, that were
no sailors, that came with them; as Persians, Chal- deans, Arabians, so as almost all nations of
might and fame re- sorted hither; of whom we have some stirps and little tribes with us at this
day. And for our own ships, they went sundry voyages, as well to your straits, which you call
the Pillars of Hercules, as to other parts in the Atlantic and Mediterranean seas; as to Paguin
(which is the same with Cambalaine) and Quinzy, upon the Oriental seas, as far as to the
borders of the East Tartary.
"At the same time, and an age after or more, the inhabitants of the great Atlantis did flourish.
For though the narration and description which is made by a great man with you, that the
descendants of Neptune planted there, and of the magnifi- cent temple, palace, city, and hill;
and the manifold streams of goodly navigable rivers, which as so many chains environed the
same site and temple; and the several degrees of ascent, whereby men did climb up to the
same, as if it had been a Scala Coeli; be all poetical and fabulous; yet so much is true, that the
said country of Atlantis, as well that of Peru, then called Coya, as that of Mexico, then named
Tyrambel, were mighty and proud kingdoms, in arms, shipping, and riches; so mighty, as at one
time, or at least within the space of ten years, they both made two great expeditions; they of
Tyrambel through the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea; and they of Coya, through the South
Sea upon this our island; and for the former of these, which was into Europe, the same author
among you, as it seemeth, had some relation from the Egyptian priest, whom he citeth. For
assuredly, such a thing there was. But whether it were the ancient Athenians that had the glory
of the repulse and re- sistance of those forces, I can say nothing; but certain it is there never
came back either ship or man from that voyage. Neither had the other voyage of those of Coya
upon us had better fortune, if they had not met with enemies of greater clem- ency. For the
King of this island, by name Altabin, a wise man and a great warrior, knowing well both his
own strength and that of his enemies, handled the matter so as he cut off their land forces from
their ships, and entoiled both their navy and their camp with a greater power than theirs, both
by sea and land; and compelled them to render themselves without striking a stroke; and after
they were at his mercy, contenting himself only with their oath, that they should no more bear
arms against him, dismissed them all in safety.
"But the divine revenge overtook not long after those proud enterprises. For within less than the
space of 100 years the Great Atlantis was utterly lost and destroyed; not by a great earthquake,
as your man saith, for that whole tract is little subject to earthquakes, but by a particular
deluge, or inundation; those countries having at this day far greater rivers, and far higher
mountains to pour down waters, than any part of the old world. But it is true that the same
inundation was not deep, nor past forty foot, in most places, from the ground, so that although
it destroyed man and beast generally, yet some few wild inhabitants of the wood escaped. Birds
also were saved by flying to the high trees and woods. For as for men, although they had
buildings in many places higher than the depth of the water, yet that inundation, though it were
shallow, had a long continuance, whereby they of the vale that were not drowned perished for
want of food, and other things necessary. So as marvel you not at the thin population of
America, nor at the rudeness and ignorance of the people; for you must account your inhabitants
of America as a young people, younger a thousand years at the least than the rest of the world,
for that there was so much time between the universal flood and their particular inundation.
"For the poor remnant of human seed which remained in their mountains, peopled the country
again slowly, by little and little, and being simple and a savage people (not like Noah and his
sons, which was the chief family of the earth), they were not able to leave letters, arts, and
civility to their posterity; and having likewise in their mountainous habitations been used, in
respect of the extreme cold of those regions, to clothe themselves with the skins of tigers,
bears, and great hairy goats, that they have in those parts; when after they came down into the
valley, and found the intolerable heats which are there, and knew no means of lighter apparel,
they were forced to begin the custom of going naked, which continueth at this day. Only they
take great pride and delight in the feathers of birds, and this also they took from those their
ancestors of the mountains, who were invited unto it, by the infinite flight of birds, that came
up to the high grounds, while the waters stood below. So you see, by this main accident of
time, we lost our traffic with the Americans, with whom of all others, in regard they lay nearest
to us, we had most commerce. As for the other parts of the world, it is most manifest that in
the ages following (whether it were in respect of wars, or by a natural revolu- tion of time)
navigation did everywhere greatly decay, and specially far voyages (the rather by the use of
galleys, and such vessels as could hardly brook the ocean) were altogether left and omitted. So
then, that part of intercourse which could be from other nations to sail to us, you see how it
hath long since ceased; except it were by some rare accident, as this of yours. But now of the
cessation of that other part of intercourse, which might be by our sailing to other nations, I must
yield you some other cause. But I cannot say if I shall say truly, but our shipping, for number,
strength, mariners, pilots, and all things that appertain to navigation, is as great as ever; and
therefore why we should sit at home, I shall now give you an account by itself; and it will draw
nearer, to give you satisfaction, to your principal question.
"There reigned in this land, about 1,900 years ago, a King, whose memory of all others we
most adore; not superstitiously, but as a divine instrument, though a mortal man: his name was
Salomana; and we esteem him as the lawgiver of our nation. This King had a large heart,
inscrutable for good; and was wholly bent to make his kingdom and people happy. He, there-
fore, taking into consideration how sufficient and substantive this land was, to maintain itself
without any aid at all of the foreigner; being 5,000 miles in circuit, and of rare fertility of soil,
in the greatest part thereof; and finding also the shipping of this country might be plentifully set
on work, both by fishing and by transportations from port to port, and likewise by sailing unto
some small islands that are not far from us, and are under the crown and laws of this State; and
recalling into his memory the happy and flourishing estate wherein this land then was, so as it
might be a thousand ways altered to the worse, but scarce any one way to the better; though
nothing wanted to his noble and heroical intentions, but only (as far as human fore- sight might
reach) to give perpetuity to that which was in his time so happily established, therefore among
his other funda- mental laws of this kingdom he did ordain the interdicts and prohibitions which
we have touching entrance of strangers; which at that time (though it was after the calamity of
Amer- ica) was frequent; doubting novelties and commixture of manners. It is true, the like
law against the admission of strangers without license is an ancient law in the Kingdom of
China, and yet continued in use. But there it is a poor thing; and hath made them a curious,
ignorant, fearful, foolish nation. But our lawgiver made his law of another temper. For first, he
hath preserved all points of humanity, in taking order and making provision for the relief of
strangers distressed; whereof you have tasted."
At which speech (as reason was) we all rose up and bowed ourselves. He went on: "That King
also still desiring to join humanity and policy together; and thinking it against humanity to
detain strangers here against their wills, and against policy that they should return and discover
their knowledge of this estate, he took this course; he did ordain, that of the strangers that
should be permitted to land, as many at all times might depart as many as would; but as many
as would stay, should have very good conditions, and means to live from the State. Wherein he
saw so far, that now in so many ages since the prohibition, we have memory not of one ship
that ever returned, and but of thirteen persons only, at several times, that chose to return in our
bottoms. What those few that returned may have reported abroad, I know not. But you must
think, whatsoever they have said, could be taken where they came but for a dream. Now for our
travelling from hence into parts abroad, our lawgiver thought fit altogether to restrain it. So is it
not in China. For the Chinese sail where they will, or can; which showeth, that their law of
keeping out strangers is a law of pusillanimity and fear. But this restraint of ours hath one only
exception, which is admirable; preserving the good which cometh by communicating with
strangers, and avoiding the hurt: and I will now open it to you.
"And here I shall seem a little to digress, but you will by and by find it pertinent. Ye shall
understand, my dear friends, that among the excellent acts of that King, one above all hath the
pre-eminence. It was the erection and institution of an order, or society, which we call
Saloman's House, the noblest foundation, as we think, that ever was upon the earth, and the
lantern of this kingdom. It is dedicated to the study of the works and creatures of God. Some
think it beareth the found- er's name a little corrupted, as if it should be Solomon's House. But
the records write it as it is spoken. So as I take it to be denominate of the King of the Hebrews,
which is famous with you, and no strangers to us; for we have some parts of his works which
with you are lost; namely, that natural history which he wrote of all plants, from the cedar of
Libanus to the moss that groweth out of the wall; and of all things that have life and motion.
This maketh me think that our King finding himself to symbolize, in many things, with that
King of the Hebrews, which lived many years before him, honored him with the title of this
foundation. And I am the rather induced to be of this opinion, for that I find in ancient records,
this order or society is sometimes called Solomon's House, and sometimes the College of the
Six Days' Works, whereby I am satisfied that our excellent King had learned from the Hebrews
that God had created the world and all that therein is within six days: and therefore he instituted
that house, for the finding out of the true nature of all things, whereby God might have the more
glory in the workmanship of them, and men the more fruit in their use of them, did give it also
that second name.
"But now to come to our present purpose. When the King had forbidden to all his people
navigation into any part that was not under his crown, he made nevertheless this ordinance; that
every twelve years there should be set forth out of this kingdom, two ships, appointed to several
voyages; that in either of these ships there should be a mission of three of the fellows or
brethren of Saloman's House, whose errand was only to give us knowledge of the affairs and
state of those countries to which they were designed; and especially of the sciences, arts,
manufactures, and inventions of all the world; and withal to bring unto us books, instruments,
and patterns in every kind: that the ships, after they had landed the brethren, should return;
and that the brethren should stay abroad till the new mission, the ships are not otherwise
fraught than with store of victuals, and good quantity of treasure to remain with the brethren,
for the buying of such things, and rewarding of such persons, as they should think fit. Now for
me to tell you how the vulgar sort of mariners are contained from being discovered at land, and
how they must be put on shore for any time, color themselves under the names of other nations,
and to what places these voyages have been designed; and what places of rendez- vous are
appointed for the new missions, and the like circum- stances of the practice, I may not do it,
neither is it much to your desire. But thus you see we maintain a trade, not for gold, silver, or
jewels, nor for silks, nor for spices, nor any other commodity of matter; but only for God's first
creature, which was light; to have light, I say, of the growth of all parts of the world."
And when he had said this, he was silent, and so were we all; for indeed we were all astonished
to hear so strange things so probably told. And he perceiving that we were willing to say
somewhat, but had it not ready, in great courtesy took us off, and descended to ask us
questions of our voyage and fortunes, and in the end concluded that we might do well to think
with ourselves what time of stay we would demand of the State, and bade us not to scant
ourselves; for he would procure such time as we desired. Whereupon we all rose up and pre-
sented ourselves to kiss the skirt of his tippet, but he would not suffer us, and so took his
leave. But when it came once among our people that the State used to offer conditions to
strangers that would stay, we had work enough to get any of our men to look to our ship, and to
keep them from going presently to the governor to crave conditions; but with much ado we
restrained them, till we might agree what course to take.
We took ourselves now for freemen, seeing there was no danger of our utter perdition, and lived
most joyfully, going abroad and seeing what was to be seen in the city and places adjacent,
within our tedder; and obtaining acquaintance with many of the city, not of the meanest quality,
at whose hands we found such humanity, and such a freedom and desire to take strangers, as it
were, into their bosom, as was enough to make us forget all that was dear to us in our own
countries, and con- tinually we met with many things, right worthy of observation and relation;
as indeed, if there be a mirror in the world, worthy to hold men's eyes, it is that country. One
day there were two of our company bidden to a feast of the family, as they call it; a most
natural, pious, and reverend custom it is, showing that nation to be compounded of all
goodness. This is the manner of it; it is granted to any man that shall live to see thirty persons
descended of his body, alive together, and all above three years old, to make this feast, which is
done at the cost of the State. The father of the family, whom they call the tirsan, two days
before the feast, taketh to him three of such friends as he liketh to choose, and is assisted also
by the governor of the city or place where the feast is celebrated; and all the persons of the
family, of both sexes, are summoned to attend him. These two days the tirsan sitteth in
consultation, concerning the good estate of the family. There, if there be any discord or suits
between any of the family, they are compounded and appeased. There, if any of the family be
distressed or decayed, order is taken for their relief, and competent means to live. There, if any
be subject to vice, or take ill-courses, they are reproved and censured. So, likewise, direction is
given touching marriages, and the courses of life which any of them should take, with divers
other the like orders and advices. The governor sitteth to the end, to put in execution, by his
public au- thority, the decrees and orders of the tirsan, if they should be disobeyed, though that
seldom needeth; such reverence and obedience they give to the order of nature.
The tirsan doth also then ever choose one man from among his sons, to live in house with him,
who is called ever after the Son of the Vine. The reason will hereafter appear. On the feast day,
the father, or tirsan, cometh forth after divine service into a large room where the feast is
celebrated; which room hath a half-pace at the upper end. Against the wall, in the middle of the
half-pace, is a chair placed for him, with a table and carpet before it. Over the chair is a state,
made round or oval and it is of ivy; an ivy somewhat whiter than ours, like the leaf of a silver-
asp, but more shining; for it is green all win- ter. And the state is curiously wrought with silver
and silk of divers colors, broiding or binding in the ivy; and is ever of the work of some of the
daughters of the family, and veiled over at the top, with a fine net of silk and silver. But the
substance of it is true ivy; whereof after it is taken down, the friends of the family are desirous
to have some leaf or sprig to keep. The tirsan cometh forth with all his generation or lineage,
the males before him, and the females following him; and if there be a mother, from whose
body the whole lineage is descended, there is a traverse placed in a loft above on the right hand
of the chair, with a privy door, and a carved window of glass, leaded with gold and blue; where
she sitteth, but is not seen.
When the tirsan is come forth, he sitteth down in the chair; and all the lineage place themselves
against the wall, both at his back, and upon the return of the half-pace, in order of their years)
without difference of sex, and stand upon their feet. When he is set, the room being always full
of company, but well kept and without disorder, after some pause there cometh in from the
lower end of the room a taratan (which is as much as a herald), and on either side of him two
young lads: whereof one carrieth a scroll of their shining yellow parchment, and the other a
cluster of grapes of gold, with a long foot or stalk. The herald and children are clothed with
mantles of sea-water- green satin; but the herald's mantle is streamed with gold, and hath a
train. Then the herald with three courtesies, or rather inclinations, cometh up as far as the half-
pace, and there first taketh into his hand the scroll. This scroll is the King's charter, containing
gift of revenue, and many privileges, exemp- tions, and points of honor, granted to the father of
the family; and it is ever styled and directed, "To such an one, our well- beloved friend and
creditor," which is a title proper only to this case. For they say, the King is debtor to no man,
but for propagation of his subjects; the seal set to the King's charter is the King's image,
embossed or moulded in gold; and though such charters be expedited of course, and as of right,
yet they are varied by discretion, according to the number and dignity of the family. This
charter the herald readeth aloud; and while it is read, the father, or tirsan, standeth up, supported
by two of his sons, such as he chooseth.
Then the herald mounteth the half-pace, and delivereth the charter into his hand: and with that
there is an acclamation, by all that are present, in their language, which is thus much, "Happy
are the people of Bensalem." Then the herald taketh into his hand from the other child the
cluster of grapes, which is of gold; both the stalk, and the grapes. But the grapes are daintily
enamelled: and if the males of the family be the greater number, the grapes are enamelled
purple, with a little sun set on the top; if the females, then they are enamelled into a green- ish
yellow, with a crescent on the top. The grapes are in number as many as there are descendants
of the family. This golden cluster the herald delivereth also to the tirsan; who presently
delivereth it over to that son that he had formerly chosen, to be in house with him: who beareth
it before his father, as an ensign of honor, when he goeth in public ever after; and is thereupon
called the Son of the Vine. After this ceremony ended the father, or tirsan, retireth, and after
some time cometh forth again to dinner, where he sitteth alone under the state, as before; and
none of his descendants sit with him, of what degree or dignity so ever, except he hap to be of
Salo- man's House. He is served only by his own children, such as are male; who perform unto
him all service of the table upon the knee, and the women only stand about him, leaning against
the wall. The room below his half-pace hath tables on the sides for the guests that are bidden;
who are served with great and comely order; and toward the end of dinner (which in the greatest
feasts with them lasteth never above an hour and a half) there is a hymn sung, varied according
to the invention of him that composeth it (for they have excellent poesy), but the subject of it is
always the praises of Adam, and Noah, and Abraham; whereof the former two peopled the
world, and the last was the father of the faithful: concluding ever with a thanksgiving for the
nativity of our Saviour, in whose birth the births of all are only blessed.
Dinner being done, the tirsan retireth again; and having withdrawn himself alone into a place,
where he maketh some private prayers, he cometh forth the third time, to give the blessing; with
all his descendants, who stand about him as at the first. Then he calleth them forth by one and
by one, by name as he pleaseth, though seldom the order of age be inverted. The person that is
called (the table being before removed) kneeleth down before the chair, and the father layeth his
hand upon his head, or her head, and giveth the blessing in these words: "Son of Bensalem (or
daughter of Bensalem), thy father saith it; the man by whom thou hast breath and life speaketh
the word; the blessing of the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, and the Holy Dove be upon
thee, and make the days of thy pilgrimage good and many." This he saith to every of them; and
that done, if there be any of his sons of emi- nent merit and virtue, so they be not above two, he
calleth for them again, and saith, laying his arm over their shoulders, they standing: "Sons, it is
well you are born, give God the praise, and persevere to the end;" and withal delivereth to
either of them a jewel, made in the figure of an ear of wheat, which they ever after wear in the
front of their turban, or hat; this done, they fall to music and dances, and other recreations, after
their manner, for the rest of the day. This is the full order of that feast.
By that time six or seven days were spent, I was fallen into straight acquaintance with a
merchant of that city, whose name was Joabin. He was a Jew and circumcised; for they have
some few stirps of Jews yet remaining among them, whom they leave to their own religion.
Which they may the better do, because they are of a far differing disposition from the Jews in
other parts. For whereas they hate the name of Christ, and have a secret inbred rancor against
the people among whom they live; these, contrariwise, give unto our Saviour many high
attributes, and love the nation of Bensalem extremely. Surely this man of whom I speak would
ever acknowledge that Christ was born of a Virgin; and that he was more than a man; and he
would tell how God made him ruler of the seraphim, which guard his throne; and they call him
also the Milken Way, and the Eliah of the Messiah, and many other high names, which though
they be inferior to his divine majesty, yet they are far from the language of other Jews. And for
the country of Ben- salem, this man would make no end of commending it, being desirous by
tradition among the Jews there to have it believed that the people thereof were of the
generations of Abraham, by another son, whom they call Nachoran; and that Moses by a secret
cabala ordained the laws of Bensalem which they now use; and that when the Messias should
come, and sit in his throne at Hierusalem, the King of Bensalem should sit at his feet, whereas
other kings should keep a great distance. But yet setting aside these Jewish dreams, the man
was a wise man and learned, and of great policy, and excellently seen in the laws and customs
of that nation.
Among other discourses one day I told him, I was much affected with the relation I had from
some of the company of their custom in holding the feast of the family, for that, me- thought, I
had never heard of a solemnity wherein nature did so much preside. And because propagation
of families pro- ceedeth from the nuptial copulation, I desired to know of him what laws and
customs they had concerning marriage, and whether they kept marriage well, and whether they
were tied to one wife? For that where population is so much affected, and such as with them it
seemed to be, there is commonly per- mission of plurality of wives. To this he said:
"You have reason for to commend that excellent institution of the feast of the family; and
indeed we have experience, that those families that are partakers of the blessings of that feast,
do flourish and prosper ever after, in an extraordinary manner. But hear me now, and I will tell
you what I know. You shall understand that there is not under the heavens so chaste a nation as
this of Bensalem, nor so free from all pollution or foulness. It is the virgin of the world; I
remember, I have read in one of your European books, of a holy hermit among you, that desired
to see the spirit of fornication, and there appeared to him a little foul ugly Ethiope; but if he
had desired to see the spirit of chastity of Bensalem, it would have appeared to him in the
likeness of a fair beautiful cherub. For there is nothing, among mortal men, more fair and
admirable than the chaste minds of this people.
"Know, therefore, that with them there are no stews, no dissolute houses, no courtesans, nor
anything of that kind. Nay, they wonder, with detestation, at you in Europe, which permit such
things. They say ye have put marriage out of office; for marriage is ordained a remedy for
unlawful concupiscence; and natural concupiscence seemeth as a spur to marriage. But when
men have at hand a remedy, more agreeable to their cor- rupt will, marriage is almost expulsed.
And therefore there are with you seen infinite men that marry not, but choose rather a libertine
and impure single life, than to be yoked in marriage; and many that do marry, marry late, when
the prime and strength of their years are past. And when they do marry, what is marriage to
them but a very bargain; wherein is sought alliance, or portion, or reputation, with some desire
(almost in- different) of issue; and not the faithful nuptial union of man and wife, that was first
instituted. Neither is it possible that those that have cast away so basely so much of their
strength, should greatly esteem children (being of the same matter) as chaste men do. So
likewise during marriage is the case much amended, as it ought to be if those things were
tolerated only for necessity; no, but they remain still as a very affront to marriage.
"The haunting of those dissolute places, or resort to courtesans, are no more punished in
married men than in bachelors. And the depraved custom of change, and the delight in mere-
tricious embracements (where sin is turned into art), maketh marriage a dull thing, and a kind
of imposition or tax. They hear you defend these things, as done to avoid greater evils; as
advoutries, deflowering of virgins, unnatural lust, and the like. But they say this is a
preposterous wisdom; and they call it Lot's offer, who to save his guests from abusing, offered
his daughters; nay, they say further, that there is little gained in this; for that the same vices and
appetites do still remain and abound, unlawful lust being like a furnace, that if you stop the
flames altogether it will quench, but if you give it any vent it will rage; as for masculine love,
they have no touch of it; and yet there are not so faithful and inviolate friendships in the world
again as are there, and to speak generally (as I said before) I have not read of any such
chastity in any people as theirs. And their usual saying is that whosoever is unchaste cannot
reverence himself; and they say that the reverence of a man's self, is, next religion, the chiefest
bridle of all vices."
And when he had said this the good Jew paused a little; whereupon I, far more willing to hear
him speak on than to speak myself; yet thinking it decent that upon his pause of speech I
should not be altogether silent, said only this; that I would say to him, as the widow of Sarepta
said to Elias: "that he was come to bring to memory our sins; "and that I confess the
righteousness of Bensalem was greater than the righteousness of Europe. At which speech he
bowed his head, and went on this manner:
"They have also many wise and excellent laws, touching marriage. They allow no polygamy.
They have ordained that none do intermarry, or contract, until a month be past from their first
interview. Marriage without consent of parents they do not make void, but they mulct it in the
inheritors; for the children of such marriages are not admitted to inherit above a third part of
their parents' inheritance. I have read in a book of one of your men, of a feigned
commonwealth, where the married couple are permitted, before they contract, to see one
another naked. This they dislike; for they think it a scorn to give a refusal after so familiar
knowledge; but because of many hidden defects in men and women's bodies, they have a more
civil way; for they have near every town a couple of pools (which they call Adam and Eve's
pools), where it is permitted to one of the friends of the man, and another of the friends of the
woman, to see them severally bathe naked."
And as we were thus in conference, there came one that seemed to be a messenger, in a rich
huke, that spake with the Jew; whereupon he turned to me, and said, "You will pardon me, for I
am commanded away in haste." The next morning he came to me again, joyful as it seemed,
and said: "There is word come to the governor of the city, that one of the fathers of Salomon's
House will be here this day seven-night; we have seen none of them this dozen years. His
coming is in state; but the cause of this coming is secret. I will provide you and your fellows of
a good standing to see his entry." I thanked him, and told him I was most glad of the news.
The day being come he made his entry. He was a man of middle stature and age, comely of
person, and had an aspect as if he pitied men. He was clothed in a robe of fine black cloth and
wide sleeves, and a cape: his under-garment was of excellent white linen down to the foot, girt
with a girdle of the same; and a sindon or tippet of the same about his neck. He had gloves that
were curious, and set with stone; and shoes of peach-colored velvet. His neck was bare to the
shoulders. His hat was like a helmet, or Spanish montero; and his locks curled below it
decently; they were of color brown. His heard was cut round and of the same color with his
hair, somewhat lighter. He was carried in a rich chariot, without wheels, lit- ter-wise, with two
horses at either end, richly trapped in blue velvet embroidered; and two footmen on each side in
the like attire. The chariot was all of cedar, gilt and adorned with crystal; save that the fore end
had panels of sapphires set in borders of gold, and the hinder end the like of emeralds of the
Peru color. There was also a sun of gold, radiant upon the top, in the midst; and on the top
before a small cherub of gold, with wings displayed. The chariot was covered with cloth-of-
gold tissued upon blue. He had before him fifty attendants, young men all, in white satin loose
coats up to the mid-leg, and stockings of white silk; and shoes of blue velvet; and hats of blue
velvet, with fine plumes of divers colors, set round like hat-bands. Next before the chariot went
two men, bare- headed, in linen garments down to the foot, girt, and shoes of blue velvet, who
carried the one a crosier, the other a pastoral staff like a sheep-hook; neither of them of metal,
but the crosier of balm-wood, the pastoral staff of cedar. Horsemen he had none, neither before
nor behind his chariot; as it seemeth, to avoid all tumult and trouble. Behind his chariot went
all the officers and principals of the companies of the city. He sat alone, upon cushions, of a
kind of excellent plush, blue; and under his foot curious carpets of silk of divers colors, like the
Persian, but far finer. He held up his bare hand, as he went, as blessing the people, but in
silence. The street was wonder- fully well kept; so that there was never any army had their men
stand in better battle-array than the people stood. The windows likewise were not crowded,
but everyone stood in them, as if they had been placed.
When the show was passed, the Jew said to me, "I shall not be able to attend you as I would, in
regard of some charge the city hath laid upon me for the entertaining of this great person."
Three days after the Jew came to me again, and said: "Ye are happy men; for the father of
Salomon's House taketh knowledge of your being here, and commanded me to tell you that he
will admit all your company to his presence, and have private conference with one of you, that
ye shall choose; and for this hath appointed the next day after to-morrow. And because he
meaneth to give you his blessing, he hath appointed it in the forenoon." We came at our day
and hour, and I was chosen by my fellows for the private access. We found him in a fair
chamber, richly hanged, and carpeted under foot, without any degrees to the state; he was set
upon a low throne richly adorned, and a rich cloth of state over his head of blue satin
embroidered. He was alone, save that he had two pages of honor, on either hand one, finely
attired in white. His under- garments were the like that we saw him wear in the chariot; but
instead of his gown, he had on him a mantle with a cape, of the same fine black, fastened about
him. When we came in, as we were taught, we bowed low at our first entrance; and when we
were come near his chair, he stood up, holding forth his hand ungloved, and in posture of
blessing; and we every one of us stooped down and kissed the end of his tippet. That done, the
rest departed, and I remained. Then he warned the pages forth of the room, and caused me to sit
down beside him, and spake to me thus in the Spanish tongue:
"God bless thee, my son; I will give thee the greatest jewel I have. For I will impart unto thee,
for the love of God and men, a relation of the true state of Salomon's House. Son, to make you
know the true state of Salomon's House, I will keep this order. First, I will set forth unto you
the end of our foundation. Secondly, the preparations and instruments we have for our works.
Thirdly, the several employments and func- tions whereto our fellows are assigned. And
fourthly, the ordinances and rites which we observe.
"The end of our foundation is the knowledge of causes, and secret motions of things; and the
enlarging of the bounds of human empire, to the effecting of all things possible.
"The preparations and instruments are these: We have large and deep caves of several depths;
the deepest are sunk 600 fathoms; and some of them are digged and made under great hills and
mountains; so that if you reckon together the depth of the hill and the depth of the cave, they
are, some of them, above three miles deep. For we find that the depth of a hill and the depth of
a cave from the flat are the same thing; both remote alike from the sun and heaven's beams, and
from the open air. These caves we call the lower region. And we use them for all coagulations,
indurations, refrigerations, and con- servations of bodies. We use them likewise for the imitation
of natural mines and the producing also of new artificial metals, by compositions and materials
which we use and lay there for many years. We use them also sometimes (which may seem
strange) for curing of some diseases, and for prolongation of life, in some hermits that choose to
live there, well accommodated of all things necessary, and indeed live very long; by whom
also we learn many things.
"We have burials in several earths, where we put divers ce- ments, as the Chinese do their
porcelain. But we have them in greater variety, and some of them more fine. We also have great
variety of composts and soils, for the making of the earth fruitful.
"We have high towers, the highest about half a mile in height, and some of them likewise set
upon high mountains, so that the vantage of the hill with the tower is in the highest of them
three miles at least. And these places we call the upper region, account the air between the high
places and the low as a middle region. We use these towers, according to their several heights
and situations, for insulation, refrigera- tion, conservation, and for the view of divers meteors --
as winds, rain, snow, hail, and some of the fiery meteors also. And upon them in some places
are dwellings of hermits, whom we visit sometimes and instruct what to observe.
"We have great lakes, both salt and fresh, whereof we have use for the fish and fowl. We use
them also for burials of some natural bodies, for we find a difference in things buried in earth,
or in air below the earth, and things buried in water. We have also pools, of which some do
strain fresh water out of salt, and others by art do turn fresh water into salt. We have also some
rocks in the midst of the sea, and some bays upon the shore for some works, wherein are
required the air and vapor of the sea. We have likewise violent streams and cataracts, which
serve us for many motions; and likewise engines for multiplying and enforcing of winds to set
also on divers motions.
"We have also a number of artificial wells and fountains, made in imitation of the natural
sources and baths, as tincted upon vitriol, sulphur, steel, brass, lead, nitre, and other minerals;
and again, we have little wells for infusions of many things, where the waters take the virtue
quicker and better than in vessels or basins. And among them we have a water, which we call
water of paradise, being by that we do it made very sovereign for health and prolongation of
life.
"We have also great and spacious houses, where we imitate and demonstrate meteors -- as
snow, hail, rain, some artificial rains of bodies and not of water, thunders, lightnings; also gen-
erations of bodies in air -- as frogs, flies, and divers others.
"We have also certain chambers, which we call chambers of health, where we qualify the air as
we think good and proper for the cure of divers diseases and preservation of health.
"We have also fair and large baths, of several mixtures, for the cure of diseases, and the
restoring of man's body from are- faction; and others for the confirming of it in strength of
sinews, vital parts, and the very juice and substance of the body.
"We have also large and various orchards and gardens, wherein we do not so much respect
beauty as variety of ground and soil, proper for divers trees and herbs, and some very spa-
cious, where trees and berries are set, whereof we make divers kinds of drinks, beside the
vineyards. In these we practise likewise all conclusions of grafting, and inoculating, as well of
wild-trees as fruit-trees, which produceth many effects. And we make by art, in the same
orchards and gardens, trees and flowers, to come earlier or later than their seasons, and to come
up and bear more speedily than by their natural course they do. We make them also by art
greater much than their nature; and their fruit greater and sweeter, and of differing taste, smell,
color, and figure, from their nature. And many of them we so order as that they become of
medicinal use.
"We have also means to make divers plants rise by mixtures of earths without seeds, and
likewise to make divers new plants, differing from the vulgar, and to make one tree or plant
turn into another.
"We have also parks, and enclosures of all sorts, of beasts and birds; which we use not only for
view or rareness, but likewise for dissections and trials, that thereby may take light what may
be wrought upon the body of man. Wherein we find many strange effects: as continuing life in
them, though divers parts, which you account vital, be perished and taken forth; resusci- tating
of some that seem dead in appearance, and the like. We try also all poisons, and other
medicines upon them, as well of chirurgery as physic. By art likewise we make them greater or
smaller than their kind is, and contrariwise dwarf them and stay their growth; we make them
more fruitful and bearing than their kind is, and contrariwise barren and not generative. Also we
make them differ in color, shape, activity, many ways. We find means to make commixtures
and copulations of divers kinds, which have produced many new kinds, and them not barren, as
the general opinion is. We make a number of kinds of serpents, worms, flies, fishes of
putrefaction, whereof some are advanced (in effect) to be perfect creatures, like beasts or birds,
and have sexes, and do propagate. Neither do we this by chance, but we know beforehand of
what matter and commixture, what kind of those creatures will arise.
"We have also particular pools where we make trials upon fishes, as we have said before of
beasts and birds.
"We have also places for breed and generation of those kinds of worms and flies which are of
special use; such as are with you your silkworms and bees.
"I will not hold you long with recounting of our brew- houses, bake-houses, and kitchens,
where are made divers drinks, breads, and meats, rare and of special effects. Wines we have of
grapes, and drinks of other juice, of fruits, of grains, and of roots, and of mixtures with honey,
sugar, manna, and fruits dried and decocted; also of the tears or wounding of trees and of the
pulp of canes. And these drinks are of several ages, some to the age or last of forty years. We
have drinks also brewed with several herbs and roots and spices; yea, with several fleshes and
white meats; whereof some of the drinks are such as they are in effect meat and drink both, so
that divers, especially in age, do desire to live with them with little or no meat or bread. And
above all we strive to have drinks of extreme thin parts, to insinuate into the body, and yet
without all biting, sharpness, or fretting; insomuch as some of them put upon the back of your
hand, will with a little stay pass through to the palm, and yet taste mild to the mouth. We have
also waters, which we ripen in that fashion, as they become nourishing, so that they are indeed
excellent drinks, and many will use no other. Bread we have of several grains, roots, and
kernels; yea, and some of flesh, and fish, dried; with divers kinds of leavings and seasonings; so
that some do extremely move appetites, some do nourish so as divers do live of them, without
any other meat, who live very long. So for meats, we have some of them so beaten, and made
tender, and mortified, yet without all corrupting, as a weak heat of the stomach will turn them
into good chilus, as well as a strong heat would meat otherwise prepared. We have some meats
also and bread, and drinks, which, taken by men, enable them to fast long after; and some other,
that used make the very flesh of men's bodies sensibly more hard and tough, and their strength
far greater than otherwise it would be.
"We have dispensatories or shops of medicines; wherein you may easily think, if we have such
variety of plants, and living creatures, more than you have in Europe (for we know what you
have), the simples, drugs, and ingredients of medicines, must likewise be in so much the greater
variety. We have them likewise of divers ages, and long fermentations. And for their
preparations, we have not only all manner of exquisite distillations, and separations, and
especially by gentle heats, and percolations through divers strainers, yea, and substances; but
also exact forms of composition, whereby they incorporate almost as they were natural
simples.
"We have also divers mechanical arts, which you have not; and stuffs made by them, as papers,
linen, silks, tissues, dainty works of feathers of wonderful lustre, excellent dyes, and many
others, and shops likewise as well for such as are not brought into vulgar use among us, as for
those that are. For you must know, that of the things before recited, many of them are grown
into use throughout the kingdom, but yet, if they did flow from our invention, we have of them
also for patterns and principals.
"We have also furnaces of great diversities, and that keep great diversity of heats; fierce and
quick, strong and constant, soft and mild, blown, quiet, dry, moist, and the like. But above all
we have heats, in imitation of the sun's and heavenly bodies' heats, that pass divers inequalities,
and as it were orbs, prog- resses, and returns whereby we produce admirable effects. Be- sides,
we have heats of dungs, and of bellies and maws of living creatures and of their bloods and
bodies, and of hays and herbs laid up moist, of lime unquenched, and such like. Instruments
also which generate heat only by motion. And farther, places for strong insulations; and, again,
places under the earth, which by nature or art yield heat. These divers heats we use as the nature
of the operation which we intend requireth.
"We have also perspective houses, where we make demonstrations of all lights and radiations
and of all colors; and out of things uncolored and transparent we can represent unto you all
several colors, not in rainbows, as it is in gems and prisms, but of themselves single. We
represent also all multiplications of light, which we carry to great distance, and make so sharp
as to discern small points and lines. Also all colorations of light: all delusions and deceits of the
sight, in figures, magni- tudes, motions, colors; all demonstrations of shadows. We find also
divers means, yet unknown to you, of producing of light, originally from divers bodies. We
procure means of seeing objects afar off, as in the heaven and remote places; and represent
things near as afar off, and things afar off as near; making feigned distances. We have also
helps for the sight far above spectacles and glasses in use; we have also glasses and means to
see small and minute bodies, perfectly and dis- tinctly; as the shapes and colors of small flies
and worms, grains, and flaws in gems which cannot otherwise be seen, observations in urine
and blood not otherwise to be seen. We make artificial rainbows, halos, and circles about light.
We represent also all manner of reflections, refractions, and multiplications of visual beams of
objects.
"We have also precious stones, of all kinds, many of them of great beauty and to you unknown,
crystals likewise, and glasses of divers kind; and among them some of metals vitrifi- cated, and
other materials, besides those of which you make glass. Also a number of fossils and imperfect
minerals, which you have not. Likewise loadstones of prodigious virtue, and other rare stones,
both natural and artificial.
"We have also sound-houses, where we practise and demonstrate all sounds and their
generation. We have harmony which you have not, of quarter-sounds and lesser slides of
sounds. Divers instruments of music likewise to you unknown, some sweeter than any you
have; with bells and rings that are dainty and sweet. We represent small sounds as great and
deep, likewise great sounds extenuate and sharp; we make divers tremblings and warblings of
sounds, which in their original are entire. We represent and imitate all articulate sounds and
letters, and the voices and notes of beasts and birds. We have certain helps which, set to the ear,
do further the hearing greatly; we have also divers strange and artificial echoes, re- flecting the
voice many times, and, as it were, tossing it; and some that give back the voice louder than it
came, some shriller and some deeper; yea, some rendering the voice, differing in the letters or
articulate sound from that they receive. We have all means to convey sounds in trunks and
pipes, in strange lines and distances.
"We have also perfume-houses, wherewith we join also practices of taste. We multiply smells
which may seem strange: we imitate smells, making all smells to breathe out of other mixtures
than those that give them. We make divers imitations of taste likewise, so that they will deceive
any man's taste. And in this house we contain also a confiture-house, where we make all
sweatmeats, dry and moist, and divers pleasant wines, milks, broths, and salads, far in greater
variety than you have.
"We have also engine-houses, where are prepared engines and instruments for all sorts of
motions. There we imitate and practise to make swifter motions than any you have, either out of
your muskets or any engine that you have; and to make them and multiply them more easily
and with small force, by wheels and other means, and to make them stronger and more violent
than yours are, exceeding your greatest cannons and basilisks. We represent also ordnance and
instruments of war and engines of all kinds; and likewise new mixtures and compositions of
gunpowder, wild-fires burning in water and un- quenchable, also fire-works of all variety, both
for pleasure and use. We imitate also flights of birds; we have some degrees of flying in the air.
We have ships and boats for going under water and brooking of seas, also swimming-girdles
and sup- porters. We have divers curious clocks and other like motions of return, and some
perpetual motions. We imitate also motions of living creatures by images of men, beasts,
birds, fishes, and serpents; we have also a great number of other various motions, strange for
equality, fineness, and subtilty.
"We have also a mathematical-house, where are represented all instruments, as well of geometry
as astronomy, exquisitely made.
"We have also houses of deceits of the senses, where we represent all manner of feats of
juggling, false apparitions, impostures and illusions, and their fallacies. And surely you will
easily believe that we, that have so many things truly natural which induce admiration, could in
a world of particulars deceive the senses if we would disguise those things, and labor to make
them more miraculous. But we do hate all impostures and lies, insomuch as we have severely
forbidden it to all our fellows, under pain of ignominy and fines, that they do not show any
natural work or thing adorned or swelling, but only pure as it is, and without all affectation of
strangeness.
"These are, my son, the riches of Salomon's House.
"For the several employments and offices of our fellows, we have twelve that sail into foreign
countries under the names of other nations (for our own we conceal), who bring us the books
and abstracts, and patterns of experiments of all other parts. These we call merchants of light.
"We have three that collect the experiments which are in all books. These we call depredators.
"We have three that collect the experiments of all mechanical arts, and also of liberal sciences,
and also of practices which are not brought into arts. These we call mystery-men.
"We have three that try new experiments, such as themselves think good. These we call
pioneers or miners.
"We have three that draw the experiments of the former four into titles and tables, to give the
better light for the draw- ing of observations and axioms out of them. These we call compilers.
We have three that bend themselves, looking into the experiments of their fellows, and cast
about how to draw out of them things of use and practice for man's life and knowledge, as
well for works as for plain demonstration of causes, means of natural divinations, and the easy
and clear discovery of the virtues and parts of bodies. These we call dowry-men or benefactors.
"Then after divers meetings and consults of our whole number, to consider of the former
labors and collections, we have three that take care out of them to direct new experiments, of a
higher light, more penetrating into nature than the former. These we call lamps.
"We have three others that do execute the experiments so directed, and report them. These we
call inoculators.
"Lastly, we have three that raise the former discoveries by experiments into greater
observations, axioms, and aphorisms. These we call interpreters of nature.
"We have also, as you must think, novices and apprentices, that the succession of the former
employed men do not fail; besides a great number of servants and attendants, men and women.
And this we do also: we have consultations, which of the inventions and experiences which we
have discovered shall be published, and which not; and take all an oath of secrecy for the
concealing of those which we think fit to keep secret; though some of those we do reveal
sometime to the State, and some not.
"For our ordinances and rites we have two very long and fair galleries. In one of these we place
patterns and samples of all manner of the more rare and excellent inventions; in the other we
place the statues of all principal inventors. There we have the statue of your Columbus, that
discovered the West Indies, also the inventor of ships, your monk that was the inventor of
ordnance and of gunpowder, the inventor of music, the inventor of letters, the inventor of
printing, the inventor of observations of astronomy, the inventor of works in metal, the inventor
of glass, the inventor of silk of the worm, the inventor of wine, the inventor of corn and bread,
the inventor of sugars; and all these by more certain tradition than you have. Then we have
divers inventors of our own, of excellent works; which, since you have not seen) it were too
long to make descriptions of them; and besides, in the right understanding of those de-
scriptions you might easily err. For upon every invention of value we erect a statue to the
inventor, and give him a liberal and honorable reward. These statues are some of brass, some of
marble and touchstone, some of cedar and other special woods gilt and adorned; some of iron,
some of silver, some of gold.
"We have certain hymns and services, which we say daily, of laud and thanks to God for His
marvellous works. And forms of prayers, imploring His aid and blessing for the illumi- nation
of our labors; and turning them into good and holy uses.
"Lastly, we have circuits or visits, of divers principal cities of the kingdom; where as it cometh
to pass we do publish such new profitable inventions as we think good. And we do also declare
natural divinations of diseases, plagues, swarms of hurtful creatures, scarcity, tempest,
earthquakes, great inunda- tions, comets, temperature of the year, and divers other things; and
we give counsel thereupon, what the people shall do for the prevention and remedy of them."
And when he had said this he stood up, and I, as I had been taught, knelt down; and he laid his
right hand upon my head, and said: "God bless thee, my son, and God bless this relation which
I have made. I give thee leave to publish it, for the good of other nations; for we here are in
God's bosom, a land unknown." And so he left me; having assigned a value of about 2,000
ducats for a bounty to me and my fellows. For they give great largesses, where they come,
upon all occasions.
[THE REST WAS NOT PERFECTED.]
End.

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The New Atlantis by Francis Bacon 1/11/11 2:45 PM

she sitteth, but is not seen.

"These are, my son, the riches of Salomon's House.

[THE REST WAS NOT PERFECTED.]

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