The Works of Sir Thomas Browne Volume III Part 13

Phavorinus Philoxenus.

That the Eastern Inhabitants of _India_, made use of such order, even in open Plantations, is deducible from _Theophrastus_; who describing the trees whereof they made their garments, plainly delivereth that they were planted kat' ??????, and in such order that at a distance men would mistake them for Vineyards. The same seems confirmed in _Greece_ from a singular expression in _Aristotle_[122] concerning the order of Vines, delivered by a military term representing the orders of Souldiers, which also confirmeth the antiquity of this form yet used in vineal plantations.

[122] s?st?da? ?p????. _Polit. 7._

That the same was used in Latine plantations is plainly confirmed from the commending penne of _Varro_, _Quintilian_, and handsome Description of _Virgil_.[123]

[123] Indulge ordinibus, nec secius omnis in unguem Arboribus positis, secto via limite quadret. _Georg. 2._

That the first Plantations not long after the Floud were disposed after this manner, the generality and antiquity of this order observed in Vineyards, and Wine Plantations, affordeth some conjecture. And since from judicious enquiry, _Saturn_ who divided the world between his three sonnes, who beareth a Sickle in his hand, who taught the Plantations of Vines, the setting, grafting of trees, and the best part of Agriculture, is discovered to be _Noah_, whether this early dispersed Husbandry in Vineyards, had not its Original in that Patriarch, is no such Paralogical doubt.

And if it were clear that this was used by _Noah_ after the Floud, I could easily beleeve it was in use before it; Not willing to fix such ancient inventions no higher original then _Noah_; Nor readily conceiving those aged _Heroes_, whose diet was vegetable, and only, or chiefly consisted in the fruits of the earth, were much deficient in their splendid cultivations; or after the experience of fifteen hundred years, left much for future discovery in Botanical Agriculture. Nor fully perswaded that Wine was the invention of _Noah_, that fermented Liquors, which often make themselves, so long escaped their Luxury or experience; that the first sinne of the new world was no sin of the old.

That _Cain_ and _Abel_ were the first that offered Sacrifice; or because the Scripture is silent that _Adam_ or _Isaac_ offered none at all.

Whether _Abraham_ brought up in the first planting Countrey, observed not some rule hereof, when he planted a grove at _Beer-sheba_; or whether at least a like ordination were not in the Garden of _Solomon_, probability may contest. Answerably unto the wisedom of that eminent Botanologer, and orderly disposer of all his other works. Especially since this was one peece of Gallantry, wherein he pursued the specious part of felicity, according to his own description. I made me Gardens and Orchards, and planted Trees in them of all kindes of fruit. I made me Pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth Trees,[124] which was no ordinary plantation, if according to the _Targum_, or _Chaldee Paraphrase_, it contained all kindes of Plants, and some fetched as far as _India_; And the extent thereof were from the wall of _Jerusalem_ unto the water of _Siloah_.

[124] _Eccles._ 2.

And if _Jordan_ were but _Jaar Eden_, that is, the River of _Eden, Genesar_ but _Gansar_ or the prince of Gardens; and it could be made out, that the Plain of _Jordan_ were watered not comparatively, but causally, and because it was the Paradise of G.o.d, as the learned _Abramas_[125] hinteth, he was not far from the Prototype and originall of Plantations. And since even in Paradise it self, the tree of knowledge was placed in the middle of the Garden, whatever was the ambient figure; there wanted not a centre and rule of decussation.

Whether the groves and sacred Plantations of Antiquity, were not thus orderly placed, either by _quaternio's_, or quintuple ordinations, may favourably be doubted. For since they were so methodical in the const.i.tutions of their temples, as to observe the due scituation, aspect, manner, form, and order in Architectonicall relations, whether they were not as distinct in their groves and Plantations about them, in form and _species_ respectively unto their Deities, is not without probability of conjecture. And in their groves of the Sunne this was a fit number, by multiplication to denote the dayes of the year; and might Hieroglyphically speak as much, as the mystical _Statua_ of _Ja.n.u.s_[126]

in the Language of his fingers. And since they were so critical in the number of his horses, the strings of his Harp, and rayes about his head, denoting the orbes of heaven, the Seasons and Moneths of the Yeare: witty Idolatry would hardly be flat in other appropriations.

[125] Vet. Testamenti Pharus.

[126] _Which King_ Numa _set up with his fingers so disposed that they numerically denoted 365._ Pliny.

CHAPTER II

Nor was this only a form of practise in Plantations, but found imitation from high Antiquity, in sundry artificial contrivances and manual operations. For to omit the position of squared stones, _cuncatim_ or _wedgwise_ in the walls of _Roman_ and _Gothick_ buildings; and the _lithostrata_ or figured pavements of the ancients, which consisted not all of square stones, but were divided into triquetrous segments, honeycombs, and s.e.xangular figures, according to _Vitruvius_; The squared stones and bricks in ancient fabricks, were placed after this order. And two above or below conjoyned by a middle stone or _Plinthus_, observable in the ruines of _Forum Nervae,_ the _Mausoleum_ of _Augustus_, the Pyramid of _Cestius_, and the sculpture draughts of the larger Pyramids of aegypt. And therefore in the draughts of eminent fabricks, Painters do commonly imitate this order in the lines of their description.

In the Laureat draughts of sculpture and picture, the leaves and foliate works are commonly thus contrived, which is but in imitation of the _Pulvinaria_, and ancient pillow-work, observable in _Ionick_ peeces, about columns, temples and altars. To omit many other a.n.a.logies, in Architectonicall draughts, which art itself is founded upon fives,[127]

having its subject, and most gracefull peeces divided by this number.

[127] _Of a structure five parts_, Fundamentum, parietes, Aperturae, Compart.i.tio tectum, _Leo. Alberti. Five Columes_, Tuscan, Dorick, Ionick, Corinthian, Compound. _Five different intercolumniations_, Pycnostylos, dystylos, Systylos, Areostylos, Eustylos. _Vitru._

The Triumphal Oval, and Civicall Crowns of Laurel, Oake, and Myrtle, when fully made, were pleated after this order. And to omit the Crossed Crowns of Christian Princes; what figure that was which _Anastatius_ described upon the head of _Leo_ the third; or who first brought in the Arched Crown; That of Charles the great, (which seems the first remarkably closed Crown), was framed after this manner;[128] with an intersection in the middle from the main crossing barres, and the inters.p.a.ces, unto the frontal circle, continued by handsome network-plates, much after this order. Whereon we shall not insist, because from greater Antiquity, and practice of consecration, we meet with the radiated, and starry Crown, upon the head of _Augustus_, and many succeeding Emperors. Since the Armenians and Parthians had a peculiar royall Capp; And the Grecians from _Alexander_ another kinde of diadem. And even Diadems themselves were but fasciations, and handsome ligatures, about the heads of Princes; nor wholly omitted in the mitrall Crown, which common picture seems to set too upright and forward upon the head of _Aaron_: Worne[129] sometimes singly, or doubly by Princes, according to their Kingdomes; and no more to be expected from two Crowns at once, upon the head of _Ptolomy_. And so easily made out when historians tell us, some bound up wounds, some hanged themselves with diadems.

[128] Uti constat ex pergamena apud Chifflet; in _B. R._ Bruxelli, et Icon. _f._ Stradae.

[129] Macc, 1. 11.

The beds of the antients were corded somewhat after this fas.h.i.+on: That is not directly, as ours at present, but obliquely, from side to side, and after the manner of network; whereby they strengthened the spondae or bedsides, and spent less cord in the work: as is demonstrated by _Blanca.n.u.s_.[130]

[130] Aristot. Mechan. Quaest.

And as they lay in crossed beds, so they sat upon seeming crosse legg'd seats: in which form the n.o.blest thereof were framed; Observable in the triumphall seats, the _sella curulis_, or _aedyle Chayres_, in the coyns of _Cestius_, _Sylla_, and _Julius_. That they sat also crosse legg'd many n.o.ble draughts declare; and in this figure the sitting G.o.ds and G.o.ddesses are drawn in medalls and medallions. And beside this kinde of work in Retiarie and hanging tectures, in embroderies, and eminent needle-works; the like is obvious unto every eye in gla.s.s-windows. Nor only in Gla.s.sie contrivances, but also in Lattice and Stone-work, conceived in the Temple of _Solomon_; wherein the windows are termed _fenestrae reticulatae_, or lights framed like nets.[131] And agreeable unto the Greek expression concerning Christ in the _Canticles_,[132]

looking through the nets, which ours hath rendered, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himselfe through the lattesse; that is, partly seen and unseen, according to the visible and invisible side of his nature.

To omit the n.o.ble reticulate work, in the chapters of the pillars of _Solomon_, with Lillies, and Pomegranats upon a network ground; and the _Craticula_ or grate through which the ashes fell in the altar of burnt offerings.

[131] d??t??t?.

[132] _Cant._ 2.

That the networks and nets of antiquity were little different in the form from ours at present, is confirmable from the nets in the hands of the Retiarie gladiators, the proper combatants with the secutores. To omit the ancient Conopeion or gnatnet of the aegyptians, the inventors of that Artifice: the rushey labyrinths of _Theocritus_; the nosegaynets, which hung from the head under the nostrils of Princes; and that uneasie metaphor of _Reticulum Jecoris_, which some expound the lobe, we the caule above the liver. As for that famous network[133] of _Vulcan_, which inclosed _Mars_ and _Venus_, and caused that unextinguishable laugh in heaven; since the G.o.ds themselves could not discern it, we shall not prie into it; Although why _Vulcan_ bound them, _Neptune_ loosed them, and _Apollo_ should first discover them, might afford no vulgar mythologie. Heralds have not omitted this order or imitation thereof, whiles they Symbollically adorn their Scuchions with Mascles, Fusils and Saltyrs,[134] and while they disposed the figures of Ermins, and vaired coats in this Quincuncial method.

[133] ?sest?? d' ? ?' ????t? ?e???. Hom.

[134] De armis Scaccatis, Masculatis, invectis fuselatis vide Spelm.

Aspilog. et Upton. c.u.m erudit. Bissaeo.

The same is not forgot by Lapidaries while they cut their gemms pyramidally, or by aequicrural triangles. Perspective pictures, in their Base, Horison, and lines of distances, cannot escape these Rhomboidall decussations. Sculptors in their strongest shadows, after this order doe draw their double Haches. And the very _Americans_ do naturally fall upon it, in their neat and curious textures, which is also observed in the elegant artifices of _Europe_. But this is no law unto the wool of the neat _Retiarie_ Spider, which seems to weave without transversion, and by the union of right lines to make out a continued surface, which is beyond the common art of Textury, and may still nettle _Minerva_ the G.o.ddesse of that mystery.[135] And he that shall hatch the little seeds, either found in small webs, or white round Egges, carried under the bellies of some Spiders, and behold how at their first production in boxes, they will presently fill the same with their webbs, may observe the early, and untaught finger of nature, and how they are natively provided with a stock, sufficient for such Texture.

[135] _As in the contention between_ Minerva _and_ Arachne.

The Rurall charm against _Dodder_, _Tetter_, and strangling weeds, was contrived after this order, while they placed a chalked Tile at the four corners, and one in the middle of their fields, which though ridiculous in the intention, was rationall in the contrivance, and a good way to diffuse the magick through all parts of the _Area_.

Somewhat after this manner they ordered the little stones in the old game of _Pentalithismus_, or casting up five stones to catch them on the back of their hand. And with some resemblance hereof, the _Proci_ or Prodigal Paramours disposed their men, when they played _Penelope_.[136]

For being themselves an hundred and eight, they set fifty four stones on either side, and one in the middle, which they called _Penelope_, which he that hit was Master of the game.

[136] _In_ Eustachius.

In Chesse-boards and Tables we yet finde Pyramids and Squares, I wish we had their true and ancient description, far different from ours, or the _Chet mat_ of the _Persians_, and might continue some elegant remarkables, as being an invention as High as _Hermes_ the Secretary of _Osyris_,[137] figuring the whole world, the motion of the Planets, with Eclipses of Sunne and Moon.

[137] Plato.

Physicians are not without the use of this decussation in several operations, in ligatures and union of dissolved continuities. Mechanicks make use hereof in forc.i.p.al Organs, and Instruments of incision; wherein who can but magnifie the power of decussation, inservient to contrary ends, solution and consolidation, union, and division, ill.u.s.trable from _Aristotle_ in the old _Nucifragium_ or Nutcraker, and the Instruments of Evulsion, compression or incision; which consisting of two _Vectes_ or armes, converted towards each other, the innitency and stresse being made upon the _hypomochlion_ or fulciment in the decussation, the greater compression is made by the union of two impulsors.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- _Hast._ | | | | | | | | | | ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- _Pr._ | | | | | | | | ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- _Tr._ | | | | | | | | | | ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

The _Romane Batalia_[138] was ordered after this manner, whereof as sufficiently known _Virgil_ hath left but an hint, and obscure intimation. For thus were the maniples and cohorts of the _Hast.i.ti_, _Principes_ and _Triarii_ placed in their bodies, wherein consisted the strength of the _Romane battle_. By this Ordination they readily fell into each other; the _Hastati_ being pressed, handsomely retired into the intervals of the _principes_, these into that of the _Triarii_, which making as it were a new body, might joyntly renew the battle, wherein consisted the secret of their successes. And therefore it was remarkably singular[139] in the battle of _Africa_, that _Scipio_ fearing a rout from the Elephants the Enemy, left not the _Principes_ in their alternate distances, whereby the Elephants pa.s.sing the vacuities of the _Hastati_, might have run upon them, but drew his battle into right order, and leaving the pa.s.sages bare, defeated the mischief intended by the Elephants. Out of this figure were made two remarkable forms of Battle, the _Cuneus_ and _Forceps_, or the Sheare and wedge Battles, each made of half a _Rhombus_, and but differenced by position.

The wedge invented to break or worke into a body, the _forceps_ to environ and defeat the power thereof composed out of selectest Souldiery and disposed into the form of an V, wherein receiving the wedge, it inclosed it on both sides. After this form the famous _Na.r.s.es_[140]

ordered his battle against the _Franks_, and by this figure the _Almans_ were enclosed, and cut in peeces.

[138] _In the disposure of the Legions in the Wars of the Republike, before the division of the Legion into ten cohorts by the Emperours._ Salmas. _in his Epistle a Mounsieur de Peyresc. & de Re militari Romanorum_.

[139] Polybius Appia.n.u.s.

[140] Agathius Ammia.n.u.s.

The _Rhombus_ or Lozenge figure so visible in this order, was also a remarkable form of battle in the _Grecian_ Cavalry,[141] observed by the _Thessalians_, and _Philip_ King of _Macedon_, and frequently by the _Parthians_, As being most ready to turn every way, and best to be commanded, as having its ductors, or Commanders at each Angle.

[141] aelian. Tact.

The _Macedonian Phalanx_ (a long time thought invincible) consisted of a long square. For though they might be sixteen in Rank and file, yet when they shut close, so that the sixt pike advanced before the first, though the number might be square, the figure was oblong, answerable unto the Quincuncial quadrate of _Curtius_. According to this square _Thucydides_ delivers, the _Athenians_ disposed their battle against the _Lacedemonians_ brickwise,[142] and by the same word the Learned _Guellius_ expoundeth the quadrat of _Virgil_[143] after the form of a brick or tile.