Of the Author's Departure forLisbon:How he was taken and carry'd into Slavery, and what happened to him while he was a Slave.
I was carry'd aboard a Ship, the Captain of which had Orders to deliver me over to the Inquisitor atLisbon; so that we set out that same Month forPortugal. I was told by the way, that the Galleys, to which I was condemn'd, were only Houses of Correction, where the Prisoners were put to hard Labour, because thePortuguesehave no Galleys at Sea. This comforted me a little in my Misfortune. I thought it a great Happiness to be deliver'd from the Oar, and the Cruelties exercis'd by the Tyrants of the Committees upon the Slaves chain'd on board their Vessels. We had a tolerable Voyage, and the finest Weather all the way that we could reasonably expect. The most remarkable thing that happen'd to us was,that on the 23d ofMarcha Water-spout had like to have carry'd off our Main-topmast. The Crew thought themselves lost, and in a Moment the most impious Expressions were chang'd into those of Devotion, which continu'd till the Hurricane left us. At length, after having pass'd theCanariesa long time, and being arriv'd, as I thought, at N. Lat. 34. two Pirates came up with us one Morning at Day-break, which fell to cannonading us stoutly. Tho' we had made a good Voyage, yet there were several sick People on board of us; we fought however near two Hours, during which I've had twelve Men kill'd, and seventeen wounded. I beg Pardon of God, but I must own I was glad that we were fallen into the Hands of Pirates, because I thereby hoped to recover my Liberty;, but it did not turn out as I expected. The Captain redeem'd his Ship for a Sum of Money, and the Pirates only took thirty of the stoutest and cleverest Men, besides my self, whom they carry'd toSerselli, a little Town upon theMediterranean, twenty Leagues from Algier, and four from the RiverMiromus. There we landed on the 18th ofJuly, and were sold to the highest Bidder.
My Master was a Ship-carpenter, a Man of Substance, who had at least thirty Boys in his Service. At first, I was only employ'd in the coarse Work; to fetch and carry, and to serve the Workmen with what they wanted, was my proper Occupation. Afterwards I helped to careen the Ships, to refit them, and to calk them. There was a vast difference betwixt my Condition of Lifenow, and that I was in atGoabefore I was detained there; yet when I remember'd what I had suffer'd in the Inquisition, and what was preparing for me atLisbon, I thought my self extremely happy. In short, I had a Master that was perfectly honest, who seeing that I did my best, did not let me want for Necessaries. The Lodging was good, the Provisions better, and he never gave me an angry Word. This made mean hundred times call to mind the Idea that us'd to be given of theBarbariansandTurksamong us Children. They were represented to us as Devils; but I must lay it to their Commendation, that I found as much Charity, Humanity, and Honesty among them as among theEuropeans; nay, more, if I may presume to say so, insomuch that I should not have been sorry if it had been my Hap to have ended my Days among them; but Providence was pleas'd to dispose of me otherwise; and the Methods it made use of to bring me out of that Country are pretty remarkable.
As there is nothing perfect in this World,Schilt, the Head Footman, who was a Renegado and a Native ofVienna, hated me as much as my Patron lov'd me. There was no ill Office which the Traitor did not do me when he had an Opportunity to false Appearances; so that my Master, who plainly saw where the Fault lay, but could not possibly do without him, was forc'd against the Grain to part with me: I was sold to a wealthy Nobleman, who liv'd in the Country about three Leagues off from the Place where I was.
This Nobleman had a Son of twenty seven or twenty eight Years of Age, who was a Fool, and sometimes quite mad. He had lucid Intervals of Reason, but at other times he rent his Clothes, broke his Chain sometimes, and would have been likely to have torn those in pieces who came in his reach, or to have kill'd himself if he had not been prevented. An Amour was the Cause of this Frenzy. He had courted a Girl, who wou'd not have him, upon which he mop'd at first, and at last his Head turn'd. There was a Necessity for some body to be near the poor Wretch Day and Night, and they were willing to have a Man of a proper Age, Wisdom, and Strength to watch over his Actions. I had sufficiently of the first, and was not entirely destitute of the others: And I can say, that I manag'd it so as was very pleasing to my Superiors. He had not been six Weeks under my Care, but I did what I wou'd with him, except when he fell into a Passion, and then he car'd for no body, and all that could be done with him, was to keep him fast bound, and to let nothing come in his way that he could do any Damage to.
This House, or rather this stately Palace, was a Place of Resort for all the Gentlemen thereabouts, and Foreigners were there eternally. One Day a Bashaw arriv'd there, who was receiv'd with very particular Tokens of Esteem and Respect. They lodg'd him in a very magnificent Room, which look'd into the inner Court; but towards Midnight the Gentleman was awak'd by a prodigious Rattle in his Chamber, which, for all he was a Bashaw,frighted him, so that he lifted up his Head, look'd first one way, then another, and at last spy'd at one End of the Hall a Creature lying upon a piece ofTurky-wrought Tapistry, which he could not tell what to make of. He was upon the point of rising out of his Bed, and going near to examine it, or of calling out to some body else to come to it, but while he was hesitating which to do, the Object on which he had fix'd his Eyes rose up on a sudden, advanc'd towards his Tent, dragging a huge Chain after him, and in very tatter'd Clothes, with a Beard that cover'd half of his Face, and bare-headed, so that he look'd more like a Devil than a Man. At this Spectacle he was struck all of a Heap: But this was not all; for the Spectre not only walk'd twenty times round the Room, but came to the Bashaw's Bed-side, and lay down by him for half an hour, without doing or saying any thing, and then getting up again, marched out, pulling the Door after him very hard. When the Morning came my Patron was surpriz'd that he had not seen his Guest; for Breakfast had been ready a long time, and they had promis'd one another to walk out in the Morning to get them a Stomach. At last, about eleven o'Clock he sent a Domestic, and bid him steal in softly, to see if he was asleep. The Man opening the Door, and creeping into the Room, advanc'd gradually to the Bed-side, and saw the poor Bashaw staring with his Eyes wide open, but pale as Death, with all the other Symptoms of a man that had scarce any Life left within him. The Servant return'd as softly as he enter'd, made butone Leap to his Master, and told him what he had seen. Upon this the whole House was in an Alarm; they all ran to see him; they spoke to him, ask'd him what was the Matter, but he spoke not a Word, so that every body believ'd he was at the point of Death. Mean time some body having thought fit to put a Drop of Spirit of Wine into the Palms of his Hands, and to rub the same on his Temples, and under his Nostrils, they began to observe that he came to himself. A little after they forc'd him to take a little Brandy into his Mouth, which did him a great deal of Good; he recover'd his Spirits by degrees, and giving a deep Groan, O Heavens!said he, what a terrible Night have I had! I am not much oblig'd to you, Sir,said he, speaking to my Master, for putting me in a Place where Witches have their nocturnal Meeting. What means all this, reply'd my Master? Have you had any troublesome Dreams? we drank a little hard last Night, which perhaps you are not us'd to, so that this may have disturb'd your Brain, and started disagreeable Objects to your Fancy: But come, get up, it will signify nothing, only be of Courage, a good Dinner will set all to Rights. You must not, reply'd he, lay the Blame either on the Wine or on my Brain; 'twas no Imagination nor Dream, I assure you I was in my right Senses when the Devil appear'd to me. He stay'd about two Hours in my Room, and actually lay sometime upon my Bed. But, Sir, said my Master, who began to smell a Rat, what Shape did the Devil assume? He appear'd in the Shape of a Man, reply'd the Bashaw, and notwithstanding the little Light that glimmer'd in at the Windows, Iobserv'd, that he was all over ragged, that he had a sorrowful Countenance, thin Jaws,&c. Don't say a Word more, said my Patron, interrupting him, I am troubled at this Accident. I am sorry to say it, but I must tell you, that the Man you saw is my Son; and having given Orders that he shou'd be brought, the Bashaw was in amaze the very Moment he saw him. I can't deny, said he, but that's the very Man I saw last Night, who put my Brains so much upon the Rack. He talk'd in such a manner as made the Fool almost burst with Laughter, and gave him an Opportunity to tell him with his own Mouth the Prank that he had play'd. This anger'd the Bashaw, so that he ask'd if no body was appointed to look after him, and some body answering in the Affirmative, he desir'd to see him. Immediately I was sent for, and when I came before him, Is it you,said he, you Dog, that is set over this young Gentleman to take care of him? Yes, Sir,said I. And what's the Reason then that you let him loose last Night?reply'd he. He was not ty'd,said I. He had been well for some Days past, so that I have not kept so strict a Watch upon him as usual, but have ventur'd to take my Rest by him. During this he made an Excursion, and came to alarm you, as I am told, at which I am really concern'd to the last degree, and I ask your Pardon, promising you it shall be so no more. No more, you cursed Dog,reply'd he, I believe it won't, at least with respect to me, for I shall never recover it. I have a great Respect for those that you belong to; but 'tis well for you that I am not able to rise; for perhaps I should have been very outragious,and you might have run the risque to have had your Head broke. Get out of my Sight, you Wretch, and pray to God, that I may not happen to meet you. Then addressing his Speech to my Master, If you would oblige me, Sir, said he, you will dismiss this Scoundrel upon the Spot, that I mayn't hear his Name mention'd any more. I had not been many Months in this Castle, during which the other Domestics did not owe me any Grudges, and my Master had a very great Respect for me, because of the Care I took of his Son, who really gave me a great deal of Trouble. Yet for all this the good Man was oblig'd in Complaisance to turn me away.
I was carry'd into the City to be sold to the first Bidder; there I learnt that the head Footman I mention'd ere now was dead, so that I sent to ask my old Master, or Patron, whether he wou'd please to admit me into his Service. He was overjoy'd to have me again, and I as glad to live again with a Person who had all the Regard imaginable for me while I dwelt with him. About three Weeks after, Monsieur theBashaw, accompany'd with a fine Retinue came to see our Yard. I knew him when he was a hundred Paces off. His Threats had made such an Impression on my Mind, that I ran away with all the speed I cou'd. He did not know it was I, because the next Day, after the Vision, when he was recover'd of the Fright and his Passion entirely over, he ask'd what was become of me; and when he was told that I was gone, he seem'd to be sorry at it, order'd me to be sent for immediately, because he desir'd to speak with me, with an Assuranceupon his Word and Honour that he wou'd not hurt a Hair of my Head. Notwithstanding this, I trembled when I went to him, which he observ'd and burst out into Laughter, which he did no doubt to hearten me. He ask'd me several indifferent Questions, to which I answer'd with all the Submission possible. At length he ask'd me, whether, in case my present Master was willing to part with me, I shou'd not be very glad to return and live with the Gentleman whose Service I had so lately quitted upon his Account? Having made him sensible that I cou'd not act as I pleas'd in that Affair, I cou'd make him no Answer but that I was perfectly well where I was. Keep then in that Mind, said he, 'tis to be sure as agreeable to be in the Company of People of Sense, as to be eternally taking care of a Lunatic; and having given me Money to drink his Health, he sent me about my Business.
This little Adventure was not the only one that happen'd to me during my Slavery, but the others were of such small Moment that I pass them over in Silence. As to the Disputes to which I was often subject, so far as to be oblig'd sometimes to proceed to Blows, the Detail of them wou'd take up too much of the Readers Time and Patience. TheTurksare generally ignorant, and I cou'd hear nothing from 'em but cold Railleries against our crucify'd Jesus, which I bore with Patience; because on the one hand, they don't believe in Christ; and on the other, they were upon their own Ground, and I had no Protection to hope for from any Body. But Ihad much ado to contain my self when I was attack'd by Christian Renegadoes.
Among others there was aGasconDisputant, who was really the boldest Atheist or Deist that I ever saw. He was perfectly good-natur'd; but when he was in a rallying Mood, he turn'd every thing into Ridicule, and confounded our greatest Mysteries with the Whimsies of theJewishTalmud and the Legends of theRomishChurch. My Father, said he, was assassinated one Day as he was going in Pilgrimage to our Lady ofLoretto: A fine Reward this for so good a Catholick as he was! My Mother who professed theRomishReligion was dragoon'd and murder'd for her obstinate Disobedience to the Orders of the Court. And I my self in my Voyage fromFrancetoHolland, was taken by Pirates, so that in avoiding Persecution I fell into Slavery.
As I found him a young Man not only of great Wit and Learning, but also of a vast deal of Good-nature, (for all that knew him there mightily extoll'd his beneficent and friendly Temper) I very much pity'd him, and endeavour'd several times to reclaim him from his dangerous Sentiments with respect to Religion. We had frequent Conversations upon that Head, and I had great Hopes that in time I might be able to set him in the right Road of Truth; but an unhappy Accident shorten'd his Days before Heaven permitted me to perfect this charitable Work. It wou'd be too tedious to mention all the Disputes we had together, so that I shall but just glance over some of the chief Points.
When I reproach'd him with changing his Religion and professing the Mahometan, which by the way he did not believe a tittle of, he made me Answer that after a due Examination of the several Religious that had come to his Knowledge, he found nothing in any one of 'em that cou'd satisfy a rational Man, and that therefore he saw nothing which ought to hinder a wise Man from conforming at least externally to the prevailing Religion of the Country where he dwells, just as People accustom themselves to the Habits and Manners of a Country for fear of being thought ridiculous by appearing singular. And because I am like to gain more Confidence and Esteem among the People of this Country by conforming to their way of Worship, I shou'd be a great Simpleton, said he, if I depriv'd my self of that Advantage by a silly Attachment to another, which is a hundred times more impertinent and absurd. I answer'd him, that I was extremely surpriz'd to hear a Man talk at that rate who had been educated in the Christian Religion, and by his Profession ought to know it the better for having throughly study'd it. 'Tis for that very reason, reply'd he, my Friend, that I speak thus of it, because I have well examin'd it and have discover'd its Folly and Ridicule. But tho' you are so old, 'tis probable you have not yet shaken off the Yoke of the Prejudices of Education, and that you implicitly adhere to what you learnt from your Nurse or your Chaplain without farther Inquiry. I told him, that I had travell'd and seen more of the World than he thought, and that I had heard the Arguments ofPeople of various Sentiments in the Article of Religion, but that I had never met with any System which was so worthy of God, so agreeable to Man, and which had so many Marks of Truth as the Christian Religion. That my Profession had not permitted me in my Youth to study religious Controversies so throughly as he had, but that nevertheless, I wou'd undertake to defend against all his Attacks the principal Truths of Christian Religion; as the Existence of a God; the Creation of the World; the Immortality of the Soul; the Fall of Man; the Redemption of Mankind by Jesus Christ; the Truth and Divinity of the sacred Scriptures, on which all the rest is founded; and the Necessity—
Hold, said he, there's enough, and if you can defend those Articles, I'll agree to any that you shall please to add. We will begin at the last, if you please, and so go back to the first. You know very well, said he, that Christians are not all of one Opinion with regard to the Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures. Some think the whole inspir'd even to the least Word; others reject this Opinion, and only maintain in the general, that with regard to the Matter, the Holy-Spirit so far guided the Writers of those sacred Books, that they cou'd not commit any Error in the Facts which they relate, nor in the Doctrine which they teach. Pray tell me which of these two Opinions you pretend to embrace?
I am not for the first, said I, and I think a Man must be quite void of Sense to maintain it, if he has read the holy Books with ever so little Attention. But as to the latter, it is supportedby convincing Arguments. Not to insist upon the great Antiquity of the first Books of the Holy Scripture, which you will own to me, however, to be the oldest Monuments in the World, and which were written before the Art of Writing was known to other Nations; the marvellous Things which are contain'd in those Scriptures, the Miracles which God wrought to confirm the Revelation, and the Predictions of the holy Prophets of which we have seen a great part accomplish'd, and wait for the fulfilling of the rest, are Things which surpass all that Man can do, and which none but God can be the Author of.
You are in the right, said he, not to insist upon the Antiquity of your sacred Books, because it wou'd not be of any Advantage to you. For a Romance, or an Imposture, may be as ancient and more ancient than a true History, this is nothing to the purpose. Nevertheless, I am very far from admitting those Books to be so old as you pretend, and I defy you or any body, to prove that any of those Books was in being before the time ofEsdras, that is to say, above a thousand Years afterMoses, who according to you wrote the first Books. And if we attentively read the Books ascrib'd toMoses, we shall find a great many Passages which shew that they were written long after his Time. He quoted several which I pass over in Silence to avoid being tedious. Then as to your Argument, said he, which is founded upon the miraculous Things contain'd in the Scriptures, I draw a Conclusion from it quite contrary to yours. For the more a Book contains of what is marvellous and extraordinary,the more 'tis liable to Suspicion. This is the Supposition you your self wou'd form of any other Book, and if you don't think so of this, 'tis only the Effect: of your Prepossession which is very palpable, because it inclines you to admit such Evidence to prove the Truth of a Book as wou'd, if you were not prejudic'd in your Judgment, serve for the effectual Destruction of its Credit. As to the Miracles you talk of, they are only written in that Book of which you wou'd have them brought as Proofs, and therefore, as I have already said, they must tend rather to explode it. Every indifferent unprejudic'd Person receives a Relation or History of past Transactions only according to the Degrees of Probability with which it is attended, and judges it to be false or romantick by the marvellous or extraordinary Facts which it contains; for Nature was always the same at all times, and Truth was ever plain and natural. As to the Proprieties you mention'd, all the Accomplishments which are related in the same Book with the Predictions, prove nothing but that they are part of the same Romance, and were forg'd at the same time; and as for those which are pretended to have happen'd since, the Events have so little Connection with the Predictions of which they are construed to be the Accomplishment, that nothing but the Force of Prejudice can discover their Conformity. He quoted a great number of Instances to me to support what he had said, but I choose not to mention them here.
Moreover, said he, if you were well acquainted with the History of the Canon of thosesacred Writings, not only of the Old Testament which you derive from theJews, an ignorant superstitious People as ever liv'd, who were not agreed neither as to the Truth and Authority of every part of it, but also of the New Testament as it is now admitted among the generality of Christians, you wou'd find so much Ignorance, Superstition, Uncertainty and Perplexity in it, that you your self wou'd be asham'd of it. Thereupon he enter'd into the History of the Canon, and of the Manner how, and Time when it was form'd; and he talk'd to me of the Factions and Disputes among the Members of the Council ofLaodicea, and some others, with regard to the several Gospels, Acts, Epistles,&c. which the several Churches or Societies of Christians had receiv'd for true, exclusive of others; of the Difficulties and Perplexities on that Head, and how some rejected what others receiv'd, together with the Reasons urg'd on both sides, insomuch that I was astonish'd to find what a Treasure of curious Things he had stor'd up in his Memory.
I reply'd, ThatMoseswas in possession of the Credit of having written thePentateuch, and that to destroy this there must be Proofs brought, not meer Assertions. I put him in mind thatEzra(whom he seem'd to think the Author of it) was not able, if we may judge by that undoubted Piece of His, to have compos'd what passes underMoses's Name: and that, if he were able, yet it was next to impossible for Him to have made the wholeJewishNation believe (as they appear constantly to have done) that what he wrote, had been in being all along before the Captivity. I said that the miraculous Facts recorded in them did not, in myJudgment, take off from their Probability because they are all ascribed to a Divine Power, and are mention'd as serving some great End and Purpose: and that as to the Prophesies, some of those inIsaiahandDanielare so visibly connected with the Accomplishment inJesus, that a Man must be blind (I thought) not to discover their Conformity. I was going on to defend the Authority of the Books of the New Testament, and began to observe, That, notwithstanding any Disputes in the Council ofLaodicea, or any other Council, yet from the Beginning some of our Gospels and Epistles had been receiv'd as of Divine Authority; and that Christianity, as to the main of it, would stand firm, if all the Pieces which had ever been doubted of by any Number of Christians, were thrown quite out of the Inquiry.
Upon this he turn'd the Discourse, and said, What Notion can you have of God, who according to you is the Sovereign Lord of the whole Universe, and can dispose of all its Parts as he pleaseth; if you believe that in order to explain his Will to Mankind, he was under a Necessity of imploying obscure, ignorant, or enthusiastical Persons to write Books, or prophesy, or preach in a remote Corner of the Earth, and to a Herd of ignorant People, without making it known to the learned and polite Nations? Do you think that was the right Method to make all Mankind sensible of so necessary a Thing as the Will of God? Has not he who created and dispos'd of every thing according to his good Pleasure, and without any Possibility of being hinder'd in it, has he not put all Things in the Condition he at first design'd them? And is notthat his Will which we call the Order, Course, or Voice of Nature? To support any other particular Will in that infinitely perfect Being, is to suppose Alteration and Imperfection which is contrary to his Nature. And to imagine that he communicates to some Persons, and conceals from many others the Rules to which he wou'd have all Men conform, is to suppose him guilty of an unjust Partiality unworthy of his divine Nature. Therefore it may surely be concluded, that whatever is call'd divine Revelation in one Country or another, is really nothing but an Imposture founded upon the Weakness of Mankind in general, and invented by such as seek to impose upon them from certain Views and Designs.
I made him answer, that if Man had continued in that State of Perfection wherein the Creator at first plac'd him, he wou'd not perhaps have needed a Revelation to serve as a Rule to his Actions, but since he lost that Happiness by his Fault, he is so corrupted and so prone to Wickedness, that he not only requires Revelation, but the special Grace of his Creator for—
Hold there, said he, I find you are going to tell me of the Fall of Man and all its Consequences, such as the Corruption of his Nature, Original Sin, the Redemption of Mankind,&c. This, if you please, shall be the Subject of our Conversation for the remainder of this Evening. Your Divines, said he, are much in the right to call those Mysteries the stumbling Block of humane Reason, for surely they are incomprehensible by Reason and good Sense. But before Ienter into the particular Examination of these Articles, give me Leave to entertain you with a Fable which I had from anArabianPhilosopher, who had been a great Traveller, and said he made it to give his Friends an Idea of the Mythology of a certain Nation that he had seen.
The Fable of the BEES.
There was formerly, said he, a great and potent King, Sovereign of one of the Islands in the Ocean, whose Power was such that no other King equall'd it, and all his Subjects were so submissive to him that they did whatever he requir'd, and his Will was so far the Rule of all their Actions that they cou'd not do otherwise. His Goodness was as great as his Power, and his Wisdom as great as both. In a word, he possess'd all Perfections in the highest Degree. This King found the said Island Desert, but he planted it, fill'd it with Inhabitants and Animals of all sorts, and caus'd it to be cultivated, so that it produc'd all Necessaries not only for the Sustenance, but for the Conveniency and Pleasure of all the Inhabitants.
The King's Palace was the greatest and most magnificent that can be imagin'd, and situate in the middle of the finest Gardens that were ever seen. This Monarch who perfectly understood every thing, form'd a Plan to himself of the finest Production of which Nature was capable, and then gave Orders it shou'd be executed, which was done upon the Spot; for such was the Extent of his Power, that all Things both animate and inanimate conform'd exactly to his Will and immediately submitted to his Law. Therewere also Parks, Meadows, and Woods all admirably fine, and full of all sorts of Animals, Birds, and Insects that cou'd be desir'd either for Use or Pleasure. I shou'd have a great many strange things to tell you, were I to enter into the Detail of every thing relating to all those Animals,&c.For this Reason I shall only tell you what I heard most remarkable concerning one single Species of Insects,viz.The Bees.
In this Island there was a multitude of Bees, and as the King's care was extended to every thing, he so order'd it that there were abundance of Flowers every where to nourish them. But in a Nook of one of the King's Flower-Gardens there was a particular sort of Flower, which he forbad the Bees to touch: Not that those Flowers were hurtful to the Bees, or that the Monarch valu'd them more than any of the other Flowers, but, as I was told, because he had a mind to try their Obedience. It happen'd not long after, that some of the Bees forgetting the Order, or not much regarding it, went and suck'd those Flowers. The King immediately perceiv'd it, and was so incens'd at it that; he resolv'd to drive all the Bees out of the Island, and even swore, so great was his Wrath, that he wou'd not spare one Bee. But some time after, when the Heat of his Indignation was abated, he regretted that he had pass'd so severe a Sentence and some remains of Pity for those poor Bees engag'd the Monarch, who was Goodness and Mercy it self, to find out some Expedient to bring them off.
The King had an only Son whom he lov'd infinitely more than all things in the World, and it was his Pleasure that this Son shou'd be the Mediator to make Peace between him and the Bees. But to the end that this Peace might be made in a manner consistent with the King's Dignity, and without wounding his Honour and his Justice, which were concern'd to maintain the Oath that he had sworn, there was a Necessity for this welbeloved Son to bear all the Pains due to the Bees, and that for this purpose he shou'd become a Bee himself. When this Metamorphosis was made, the Son went in the form of a Bee to one of the worst Hives in the whole Island, where he found it Labour in vain to advise the other Bees to be more circumspect and more observant of the King's Orders, for they laugh'd him to Scorn, abus'd him, and at last stung him to Death. And what was worse than all, at the same time he must bear the whole Weight of his Father's Wrath and Indignation, who was resolv'd to revenge the Fault of the Bees upon him. As soon as this Son was dead, he returned to his Father, and fell to interceding for the poor Bees, whose Debt he had paid, and for whose Crime he had suffer'd; which Mediation he still continues with so much Success, that the King has taken Companion of several of those Bees and forgiven them their Faults, provided they adhere strictly to his Son as many intire Bee-hives have already done. It does not appear that these Bees so favour'd make more Honey, or are more at Ease than the others, but the Reason of it is (as they are taught by certain Hornets who have introduc'd themselvesin great numbers into all those Hives) that they will be more sensible of the Benefit that results to them from it after they are dead.
'Tis these Hornets that teach the Bees, which are inclin'd to hearken to them, all this Story, together with a multitude of Circumstances that are not so much as touch'd here. And in the several Hives, both the Story and Circumstances are so vary'd that some receive it one way, and others another, and some believe nothing at all of the matter. These latter are threaten'd by the Hornets with very severe Punishment after Death, whereas the Bees which follow their Advice will be sure then to receive great Rewards. When they are told, that 'tis plain that all Bees when they die, fall to the Ground and rot away either in Dust or Dirt, they gravely answer that 'tis only their Bodies that perish, but that their buzzing Part which is somewhat different from their Bodies, is to enjoy the Rewards or suffer the Punishments with which they have threaten'd 'em. For they make them believe that when a Bee which has follow'd the Advice of the Hornets, and given them the greatest part of his Honey, comes to die, his Buzz goes directly to the King's Palace and contributes to fill his great Hall of Audience with Musick, with which they say that Monarch is very much delighted. Whereas the buzzing Part of a Bee that acts after another manner, goes after its Death to a great Cave under Ground, where 'tis benumm'd with the Cold, and makes a very disagreeable Noise by reason of the infinite Torture it there suffers. There's a prodigious number of other such Chimeras, with whichthese Hornets are continually filling the Heads of the poor Bees; for as they are excus'd from working and live upon the Labour of the Bees, all they have to do is to invent something to terrify the Bees and keep them in a State of Dependance, in which they have succeeded so well, that we see abundance of these poor Insects so full of Apprehension of what may happen to their bulging Part after Death, that they cannot with Pleasure eat the Honey they have made, nor do any things as they shou'd for the support of their Lives. And when there happen to be any Bees which in Contempt of such Chimeras apply to their Work and turn a deaf Ear to the Hornets, they incense the other Bees against them, and generally kill them, or at least turn them out of their Hives as dangerous and seditious Creatures. It often happens that when the Hornets are at Variance with one another, all the Bees of a Hive take part with one Side or other, and being animated by the Hornets they fall upon one another with so much Fury, that we generally find half of the Bees of a Hive kill'd, because they had not the same Conception of the Chimeras of the Hornets as the others had. Sometimes too those Hornets engage whole Bee-hives to make War against other Bee-hives, so that frequently we see several thousands kill'd on both Sides, only for supporting the Chimeras of the Hornets of their own Sect against those of others. The Bees also expose themselves generally very cheerfully to this Slaughter, upon the Assurance given them by the Hornets of one Party as well as another, that they thereby do very great Service to the King who will take itwell at their Hands, and admit their buzzing Part into his great Hall preferably to those of many others. For they pretend to know the Orders and Will of the King much better than the other Bees, because certain Hornets, say they, who liv'd several Ages before them, heard 'em from the King's own Lips, and transmitted 'em down to them, partly impress'd upon Wax, and partly by the Reports of their Predecessors. 'Tis upon this Foundation that the Hornets usurp so much Authority over the Bees throughout the whole Island (for there are Hornets which have insinuated themselves into almost all the Hives) and extend their Tyranny so far as to render those poor Insects perfectly miserable. They forbid them on certain Days to suck the Flowers, which they are permitted to do on others, and likewise prohibit their making Wax and Honey on certain other Days, because, say they, 'tis the King's Will and Pleasure.
After he had finish'd his impertinent Fable, I told him, that I saw the End of it very plainly, but that it only prov'd how Men of Wit could turn any thing into Ridicule: I shew'd him that the Comparison fail'd in almost every Circumstance; particularly I observ'd, That tho' the eating of the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge was forbidden toAdamupon a severe Penalty, yet when he had eaten of it, God is represented in Scripture as so far from being in Wrath, and from Swearing not to spare any of the Human Race; (as the Fable wou'd insinuate), that the Sentence pronounced was softned with the Promise of a Saviour, under the Title of theSeed of the Woman: I told him, that the buzzing Part of the Bee does by no means answer to the Soul of Man: thatif Christians maintained, that the speaking Part of Man had gone to Heaven or Hell after his Decease, there would have been some Justness in the Fable: but that the Fact (as he well knew) was quite otherwise. I shew'd him, that the Distinction of Soul and Body was not peculiar to the Christian Religion, but common to all other Religions, and was believ'd in Countries where no Revelation had reach'd. I was going on in this Strain, but it was then too late, and it was high time to part and go to bed: and I had no other Opportunity of talking with him again on these important Subjects; for some time after, this poor Man and another carrying along a great Beam upon their Shoulders, he fell down, by which his Head was so bruis'd that he dy'd before he had time for Repentance, which I look'd upon as a just Punishment from Heaven, because he had made such an ill Use of his Wit and Learning.
I had been fourteen or fifteen Years atSercelli, when it happen'd, one Day as I was at work in refitting a Ship, I discover'd a Hole towards the Middle, two Foot from the Keel: I was oblig'd in order to make my Work good and lasting, to go down into the Ship's Hold, where, as I was removing the great Flints and Gravel, which serve to ballast the Ship, I discover'd a Bundle bigger than my two Fists. The out-side Wrapper was a Callico Handkerchief, in which there was a Boot Hose of Silk, and in that Boot Hose, a blue Sock, in which there was a Purse with three hundred eighty five good Guineas. My first Care was to conceal my Treasure in a sure Place, where no Body wou'd go and look for it, andnotwithstanding my Heart was full of Joy, I took great care not to make the least Discovery that I was a Penny richer than before.
About six Months after this, theEnglishConsul atAlgier, having Business at our Town, and caming with two other young Gentlemen to see if we had any Ships upon the Stocks, one of my Comrades happen'd just at that time to call out to me to lend him a helping Hand to remove a Mast he was then at work upon, when Mr.Elliot, who heard me call'd by the Name ofMassey, came up to me and ask'd meWhat Countryman I was? I told him. There's a good Friend of mine, said he, a Silkman atLondon, who is your Countryman, and his Name isJohn Massey. I know very well, said I, that I left a Brother of that Name behind me, six Years younger than me, but it being now fifty Years ago, and having not heard from my Family ever since, nor they probably from me, 'tis impossible I can be certain whether that's the Man. What you now say, reply'd the Consul, makes me believe you are Brothers, for my Friend can't be less than sixty Years of Age, and he has often talk'd to me of a Brother that he very much lamented, who he suppos'd had been a long time dead. Thereupon I was forc'd to tell him in a few Words, by what Misfortune I became a Slave inAfrica, and he made an Offer to write to my Brother, to desire him to find out some Expedient to procure my Deliverance in my old Age. I then declar'd to him in Confidence that I had Money. If so, said he, I'll find Ways and Means to set you at Liberty, but you must not makeany shew of your Substance; Leave every thing; to my Management, and don't you meddle or make. Farewel. I kiss'd his Hand, and recommended myself to his Favour.
About a Month after, my Master, to my very great Surprize, call'd me to him, and taking me by the Hand, said, I am overjoy'd, Friend, that you are going to return to your own Country. Mr.Elliothas bargain'd with me for your Ransom. Go toAlgierand meet him. I wish you a good Voyage. At these Words I embrac'd him, and thank'd him for his Civilities, and the Regard he had always shewn to me from the very first Day of my Arrival. We both shed Tears at parting as if we had been Brothers. From thence I went to take Leave of my Comrades, and then set out forAlgier, where the Consul receiv'd me with extraordinary Courtesy. I told him down thirty five Guineas, which, he said; he was to pay for my Liberty, but had it not been for his Credit and my Age, such a trifling Sum wou'd not have, set me free.
Continuation of the Adventures ofPeter Huddewho is mention'd in the second Chapter; and the Author's Arrival atLondon.
I stay'd above a Month atAlgierbefore I embark'd forLondon, during which it happen'd that aTurkishPirate brought aFrenchGalley intoAlgier. Mr.Elliotimmediately obtain'd a List of her Crew in order to see whether there was not the Name of some Person that he knew, or of some Countryman of his in the Number of her Slaves. He caus'd it to be read in my Presence, and seem'd astonish'd to find the Name of a Man there whom he was very intimate with atLondon. I was as much surpriz'd at the Name ofPeter Hudde, which he observ'd, and ask'd me the Reason. To satisfy his Curiosity, I gave him an Account of him, after which we went together to the Place where the Galley-Slaves were confin'd. As soon as we arriv'd there, we both inquir'd for our Men. His Friend had been wounded in Battle, and expir'd not above a Quarter of an Hour before we came: The other came in an Instant. Is your NamePeter Hudde? said I, Yes, said he; Did I never see you atLisbon, continued I; That might be, said he, but it must have been a great while ago then. That's true, said I, for it was, if I am not mistaken, so long ago as 1643 or 1644. There was oneVan Dykeat that Time, a Factor, did youknow him? You turn pale, but you are in no Danger here; tho' indeed it must be confess'd that you play'd him a scurvy Trick. I cannot deny it, said the Galley-Slave, I was the Man that robb'd him of the Sum of 300 Ducats; for which enormous Sin and others that I have committed, I beg God to forgive me. I have smarted sufficiently for it in this World, but I hope he will be merciful to me in the next. That's speaking like a Christian,said I, and 'tis a Happiness for you that Providence does you the Favour to put you upon Repentance of your Crimes. But pray tell me, why and when you were condemn'd to the Gallies. The Remembrance of it, Sir,said he, makes me tremble, and I wish you would excuse me from so unpleasant a Narrative which can only tend to renew my Sorrow. We commended him for the good Disposition of his Mind, and then I insisted upon my Demand, in which I was seconded by the Consul. Well then, Gentlemen,said he, I will satisfy you, as well to give you Proofs of my Obedience, as to acknowledge the just Punishment of my Crimes.
After I had robb'd Mr.Van Dyke, I embark'd forNantes,where by the Name ofVander Stel, and pretending to be Nephew to a famous Wine-Merchant atRotterdam, I soon contracted an Acquaintance with all theDutchMerchants there. The Caresses which I received from those honest People are inexpressible; for there was scarce a Day but I was invited to magnificent Entertainments at one or other of their Houses. During this an Intendant arriv'd fromLanguedocwho was well known to several of those Gentlemen whoseHouses I frequented. This gave me an Opportunity to scrape an Acquaintance with him. He was glad to see me, and as he delighted in Gaming he was rejoyc'd to find me in the same Disposition. Sometimes we play'd a Game at Chess, and we spent many Afternoons at Picquet, but never so as to win much of either. At length as I went one Day to see him, I had the Happiness to find him alone in his Room uneasy for want of some Company to pass the Time with. He call'd for the Cards, and we play'd at Ombre. He was a Dab at that Game, but I was too cunning for him. Whatever was his Design, 'tis certain that he encourag'd me to drink more than usual, at which I was not a little pleas'd because I imagin'd that when he had drank his Skin full of Wine, it would prevent him from discovering my foul Play. In short, I won 50 Pistoles of him in less than four Hours Time, at which he seem'd astonish'd, and desir'd I would give him Revenge at Lansquenet; which was the very Thing I wanted. However, I pretended not to understand that Game very well, and told him, that unless Fortune favour'd me as she had done before, it was impossible but I should lose my Money and my Breeches too. Now my Adversary began to lose Patience. We play'd high, and tho' I let him win now and then in order to keep him in Temper, yet about Midnight when we left off, I had won above 3000 Crowns of him, which he told me down two Days after in ready Cash. This Luck made me wonderful rich. I sew'd 500 Ducats in a Piece of Shammy Leather of which I made a Belt and wore if under my Shirt, and then I set out forAvignon, the Intendant going out of the Town at the same Time another Way. Upon the Road I hir'd a Footman, and resum'd my old Name ofHeudde.
My expensive Way of living at this new Stage made every body believe that I was a Person of the first Rank, I made no Scruple to introduce myself into the best of Companies, and they took a Pride in mine. After I had been there about Fortnight or three Weeks, I happened to meet a Wench in the Street of about twenty Years of Age the finest Beauty I had ever seen in all my Life. I let her pass me, and when she was fifty Paces behind me I turn'd back and follow'd her at a Distance 'till she went into a House. Upon this I order'd my Footman to inquire privately if she dwelt there, and what her Parents were. He brought me an Account of every particular, and told me that her Father was a Jew Merchant who dealt largely in jewels. I went next Day to his House on Pretence that I wanted a small Diamond of 25 or 30 Pistoles, and in order to settle a closer Correspondence with him, I told him my Name and Country. To this I added that I knew severalJewsat Amsterdam, and mention'd some to him whom he knew. In fine, I left no Stone unturn'd to induce him to give me Admittance to his House, without speaking a Word to him either of Wife or Daughter. This first Visit succeeded so well that I attempted to make a second. I actually bought a Ring by which the Usurer could not get less than one third, but that was no great Matter. The Hopes of more considerable Gain tempted: him to invite me often to his House. Idid not fail to improve his Civility, and made Preparation to treat him now and then at my Quarters.
Every thing went swimmingly, but I did not see that it advanc'd my Design, so that I concluded I must take another Course. As I was musing what to do, it luckily happen'd that at our very first Interview he was accompany'd with anotherJew. I drew them by degrees to talk of the Difference of Religions, which engag'd us in a Dispute. I pretended that 'till then I did not know the Force of their Arguments, and the Weakness of ours, with regard to theMessiah. The Hopes of making a Proselyte, induc'd them to desire that we might meet as often as possible in order to have an Opportunity to treat the matter thoroughly. Thereupon I deny'd that I might be present at their public Worship. They open'd the Doors of their Synagogue to me with Joy, I caus'd myself to be instructed in their Religion, and at last being convinc'd of my Errors by the Truth of their Principles, they circumcis'd me, and I became aJew. As soon as this was done, I was solemnly initiated into all their Mysteries, I ran thro' all their Ceremonies, and the Fair Sex who thought me a Saint, caress'd and honour'd me as well as the Men. As for my part there was no Complaisance which I did not put in Practice to them, especially I carry'd it with such a Respect to the fair Jewels as was not disagreeable to her. Besides, I often made her small Presents which she receiv'd with Pleasure, and which her Mother did not dislike, but the Father who was covetous, tho' he had a vast Fortune to givewith this only Daughter, frown'd at this little Intercourse of Civilities.
Mean time, I cut a grand Figure but yet without running into Extravagance: He was surpriz'd at my way of Living, mad to know what Bottom I had to support it, and made Inquiry every where but could not hear the least Tidings. When I saw that, I sent my Footman to a Friend of mine a Jew Goldsmith to buy a couple of Crucibles, and not to speak a Word of it to any Body. The Jeweller it seems frequented that House, so that three Days after, my Footman was perfectly surpriz'd, when going to my Friend the Goldsmith's House, to know if he was at Leisure to receive me, the Jeweller took him apart into a Room, treated him with a Glass of his best Wine, and talking about Crucibles, ask'd him slily what I meant to do with mine. My Boy, whom I had tutor'd beforehand, pretended at first to be ignorant of the matter in order to make him think there was some Mystery in it: At last after a great many Questions on one hand, and swearing on the other that his Master would break his Neck if he reveal'd it to any Body, he told it him as a Secret that was to remain so for ever betwixt them two, that I made use of it to increase Gold, and that I was one of the best Chymists inEurope. This which he thought an ingenuous Confession, and not improbable, had its desir'd Effect.Mascado, which was the Jeweller's Name, was overjoy'd he had discover'd this, but he did not know which way to prevail on me to trust him with the Secret. First of all he sifted me concerning the nature of my Effects, whether they consisted inMoney, Houses or Land, which way I was supply'd with Cash from my own Country, and then offer'd to remit me some for a small Charge. He ask'd if I intended to travel always, whether it would not be more for my Advantage to settle in some Place or other, and the like. I answer'd all this in a loose manner, which could not be very satisfactory to him. And when he saw that he could get nothing out of the Master, he address'd himself a second time to the Domestic, and by the Virtue of Promises and a small Present, he made him promise that the first time I went about the Grand Work he would not fail to give him Notice.
Ten Days after this, I put my Crucibles on the Fire, and tho' I was stripp'd as it were to my Shirt, I was in such a Heat with blowing and stirring that no Vermilion was redder than my Face. Mean time my Servant ran toMascado's House to inform him what was doing, on pretence that I had sent him out to buy some Drams ofAqua Regalis, so that the one was scarce return'd but the other came to ask if I was at Home. The Maid who then happen'd to be at the Gate, came and knock'd at my Door telling my Man that some Body wanted to speak with me, and that she had told him I was in my Chamber. I pretended to be angry with her for it, and sent out the Footman to tell him that I was not to be spoke with. TheJewmade a Pish at that, and entering bluntly into my Room, I beg your Pardon, Sir,said he, you have been so retir'd since your Conversion that I thought you was engag'd in some Act of Devotion, and for fear that too much of itmight throw you into a Fit of Melancholy and give you the Vapours, which it seems you were lately afflicted with, I took the Liberty of bolting in without being introduc'd, on purpose to chat with you for an Hour, and to invite you to spend the Evening at my House. But what are you doing here?continued he. Are you turn'd Chymist? What have you there in those Crucibles? Upon my Faith, I believe you are in quell of the Philosopher's Stone. Let us call another Cause,said I, seeming to be very much confounded: We must be doing something or other while we live in this World; and other Things I said, of which 'tis needless to give you our Dialogue. But after many Circumlocutions, and upon Condition he would not speak of it, the Conclusion was that I had the Art of multiplying Gold. To be plain with you,said he, I was surpriz'd to see how expensively you liv'd without any visible Way to maintain it, or speaking to any Body to help you to Money. But is your Art certain, and does it never fail? The next Time that I go to work,said I, you shall see an Experiment of it.
Some Days after this I appointed a Time, and bade him bring me ten Ducats. He cast those ten Pieces of Gold into one of my Crucibles, and I threw my Powder of Multiplication into the other. Then I mix'd the whole, and stirr'd it well with a hollow Rod of Iron into which I had put Gold-Dust to the Value of fifty Livres, having stopp'd it up with a little Wax, which immediately melted, so that the Gold-Dust ran out, and augmented the Mass of Metal which he himself had thrown in. The Time fix'd for the Operationbeing expir'd, I put into his Hands the little Ingot that resulted from the Mixture which he carry'd immediately to his Friend the Goldsmith, who told him that it was the best Gold that ever came out of a Furnace. He was charm'd with the Secret, and would have persuaded me to work at it every Day. I told him that I had already Money enough by me for my present Occasions, that it was time enough for me to work when I wanted more, and that as long as I had no House nor Family, I should not be solicitous for amassing a great deal of Wealth; besides, that it was very difficult to get the Powder I made use of, and that a Man endangers his Health in the Operation unless he has a great Laboratory, and all the Tools fit for a Work of such Importance. You long Gentlemen, no doubt, to hear all these Particulars, but to cut the matter short by omitting many others, which perhaps would not be disagreeable at another Time, they did not put me under the Necessity of starting the Affair of the Marriage, for there were certain Matchmakers that propos'd it to me themselves. I was willing that every thing should be done in form, and being sure of my Point, I demanded the fairJewof her Parents who granted her to me with Marks of entire Satisfaction, and took me immediately into their House.
We had not been marry'd long before my Father-in-law began to talk to me of the main Chance. You have a Talent, Son,said he, which ought not to be bury'd, let us be doing while we have the Means, and get Estates for ourselves and our Posterity, I immediately gave into his Sentiment,and we resolv'd to erect our Laboratory at his Country-House six Miles out of Town, that we might work without being disturb'd or observ'd. But my Multiplication Powder was all spent, more must be prepar'd, and because it would take up Time, and could not be done without great Charge and Trouble, we resolv'd to make enough of it at once as should serve for a Million of Ducats. Thereupon I gave him a List of the Drugs of which the Composition was to consist, of which the greatest Ingredient was Mercury. Then I made him believe that I must have Bay-Salt, Mineral-Salt, Antimony, the Seed of Pearls, Coral, the Ashes of a Heifer, Hartshorn, and the Horn of a Unicorn, the Eyes of a Lobster, Elephants Tooth, Dragon's Blood, Eagle's Claws, Birds of Paradise, the Beaks ofAmericanParrots, the Heads of Vipers, the Bones of a Camel, the Tail of a Crocodile, the Head of a Porpoise, the Rib of a Whale, all the Metals, and most of the Minerals; I told him likewise that a certain determin'd Quantity of each of these must be infus'd three Days in Sheep's Urine mix'd with one third in Proportion of the Dung of a Grey Cow, which had been steep'd in the Water of the Rhine the space of nine Days, which is the Square of Number 3; and the Cubic Number of that same Quantity,viz.27 Days or a Periodical Month, was the Time requisite for calcinating the whole Mass, and reducing it by, a slow Fire to this pretended Powder of Projection.
All this did not daunt the Good Man. His Hopes of great Gain made him think that easy, which another would have thought impracticable.The Business was where to get the Ingredients I desir'd. Some of them were to be had at Avignon and Parts adjacent, and the rest must be fetch'd fromHolland, where in short there is something of every Thing in the World. I afterwards gave him to understand, that Gold after it had once pass'd thro' my Hands could not be multiply'd any more, and that therefore he must get a great Sum of Money together either by borrowing it upon Interest, or of some Friends who would be very glad to be let into a Share of the Profits. The Goldsmith being the first Man to whom he imparted the Secret, desir'd him to take 500Loui-dorsof him on what Terms he pleas'd. Several others did the same, but all under the Rose, and upon Oath not to reveal it to any Body whatsoever, not even to their Wives, so that not one Man knew any thing of what was transacted with another. As fast as the Gold came in, it was carry'd to the Country-House where I was often employ'd in putting Things in order.
At last when I saw every Thing was ready, I said to my Father-in-law and my Wife, that I would now go and put the last Hand to the Work; but that as it requir'd a great deal of Application, and as I should want at least three Days for it, I desir'd 'em not to come and interrupt me in the mean while; and then seizing a Cabinet in which there were Jewels to the Value of at least 60000 Livres, I went to the Farm, and rising early next Morning, I took all the Money, and said to the Farmer that an Affair of the last Importance, and which I did not think of before, calling me toArles, if my Wife happen'd to come three or fourDays hence as she promis'd she would, I begg'd him to assure her from me that I would make as much Dispatch as I could, and mounting my Horse I bade him Farewel. As soon as I was out of the Countryman's Ken, I turn'd off another Way and rode toLions.
When I arriv'd at that famous Town, the Marquisde Villeneuvehappened to come and sup at the Inn where I lodg'd, and wanted to be acquainted with me. I told him that I was aDutchmanof the Family ofWassenaar, and a Cornet in the Service of their High-Mightinesses, but that having had the Misfortune to fight a Duel with, and kill an Ensign of the Prince ofOrange's Regiment of Guards, who was of a very good Family, I had been oblig'd to fly my Country for fear of the Consequences, but that to my Comfort I did not come away empty-handed, nor without good Bills of Credit, upon which the Gentleman was extremely civil to me. I know your Family, Sir,said he, 'tis considerable in theNetherlands, and to shew you that I have an Esteem for it, if you will be at the Expence of raising a Company in a Regiment of Horse which I am going to form, it shall be your own Fault if you be not the Captain; I am going to Court, whither we will travel together, and I'll engage to make you acceptable to the King. I take you at your Word Mr. Marquise,said I, and pulling a Diamond of 500 Crowns off of my little Finger, which I had taken out of the Cabinet I ran away with, and at which the Colonel blink'd several times, there,said I, is a Present for you to bind the Bargain. Next Day I bespoke a Sute ofClothes lac'd to the Value of a hundred Pistoles, sold my Horse, got aValet de Chambre, and having furnish'd my self with all Necessaries we took the Stage-Coach forParis.
We had not been there long, but my Patron procur'd me a Commission, and press'd me earnestly to lose no time in railing my Company. M.de St. John, who was my Lieutenant, advis'd me to go with him towardJoinvilleinChampaigne, where he had great Acquaintance, and we might be sure of finding Men and Horses at a reasonable Rate. We had been there actually scarce six Weeks when our Levies were almost full. But besides the excessive Charge I was at in every respect, it was my Misfortune to be known by that Rascal, my Footman, ofAvignon, whom I had not paid as I ought for his Trouble, and who being of this Country happen'd to see me. The Knave, as well from a Principle of Revenge, as in Hopes of a handsom Reward from my Wife, immediately sent Advice of it toMascado. This cunning Jew was so expeditious, and made such a powerful interest, that I was not only apprehended and clapp'd in Prison soon after, but being accused and convicted of the most consummate Roguery, I was stripp'd of all I had, and condemned for my Life to the Galleys.
Here, Gentlemen, continu'dPeter Heudde, was the Period of my infamous course of Life, by which you perceive that I have been a long time in Slavery. The Pleasures I have tasted are not equal to the Pains which I have endur'd on their Account. But the Governor of all Things wou'd have it so; and I bear his Chastisementswith Patience, 'till he is so gracious as to put an End to them. We lamented his unhappy Fate, and Mr.Elliotgiving him a Crown, assur'd him that he wou'd endeavour to do him Service. We wou'd fain have known where this unfortunate Person was born and his Extraction, but he wou'd not tell us, so that we retir'd in Admiration of the wife Dealings of the Almighty with his Creatures both good and bad.
I car'd so little forAlgierwhile I stay'd there, and had so little Curiosity to traverse the Town, that I was surpriz'd when I was out at Sea to discover Beauties there which I cou'd not have thought of. This charming City is situate in form of an Amphitheatre upon the Declivity of a high Mountain, so that you may see it all at one View, tho' 'tis large and contains above 100000 Inhabitants. But there was no returning to view it, nor indeed did I much care for it. The Weather was agreeable, and we had so happy a Voyage that I did not see the least Inconveniency. At length I arriv'd atLondon, that famous magnificent City (whose Lustre eclipses every thing that I had seen) the fourth ofMay1694, in my seventy third Year, but strong and vigorous for one of my Age.
The first thing I thought of was a new Sute of Clothes, because I was not willing to let my Friends see me in the Garb I had on then. My Landlord talk'dFrenchand I desir'd him to send for a Tailor who likewise understood that Language. The Tailor came and carry'd me to a Refugee Merchant's Shop, where, while we were viewing the Stuffs, there came in a Man, who,as soon as he had seen me, and heard that I had been a Slave inBarbary, was taken with a Bleeding at the Nose, which could not be staunch'd 'till he had lost above twenty Ounces of Blood. Every one try'd the Remedies he knew, but when I saw that all was to no purpose, and that they actually talk'd of sending for a Surgeon to open a Vein, I took his little Finger on that Side as the Nostril was that bleeded, and ty'd it very hard with a Needle-full of Thread between the Nail and the first Joint. This Remedy which never fail'd, tho' few Persons know how to use it, had its Effect, and was admir'd by the Company. The Merchant who knew the Man, call'd for a Glass of Brandy, and taking it out of his Maid's Hands, said, Here, Mr.Massey, 'tis necessary that you take some of these Spirits towards supplying what you have now lost.
Tho' he was young when I went from Home, yet I presently knew him by some Features that I remember'd, besides his being very much pitted with the Small-Pox. Is your NameMassey? said I, Yes, said he, at your Service. Did you know, reply'd I, Mr.ElliotConsul atAlgier? Intimately, said he. Very well, I reply'd, there's a Letter which he order'd me to give you. He took it, open'd and read it, and when he came to the Place where my Name was mention'd, he threw it down in a Hurry on the Counter against which he lean'd, and fell about my Neck without speaking one Word.
As much as I labour'd at it, I was not able to pronounce a Word for a long time; we held each other about the Neck like two Statues, and I believewe should have died with Joy in one another's Arms if Care had not been taken to separate us. You are just come from Slavery, dear Brother, said he, with Tears in his Eyes, and no doubt you want the good Things of this World. But Heaven has bless'd me for us both, come home with me for the remainder of your Life to enjoy my Plenty, and your own Liberty. 'Tis but reasonable that you should govern in your Turn. I, my Wife and Children will now be your Slaves. I would have you be Master at my House, and I will be the first to obey. I was going to thank him for his Civilities, and to give him to understand that a Man of my Age would not be very agreeable so young People, that it would be better I should be put to board with some Stranger, who for my Money would be oblig'd to put up with my Infirmities. But he immediately interrupted me, and having order'd the Tailor to finish my Clothes with all Speed, he carry'd me to his House.
Yet, whatever I have said of my Brother is nothing in short to what his Family did. I thought my Sister his Wife, and my Nephews and Nieces his Children would have eaten me up alive for Joy. I had a very fine Apartment for my Lodging, and a domestic Servant always to attend me.
Le Grandone of my Fellow Travellers having heard of my Arrival, did me the Favour to come and see me. He told me how, after having leftGoa, he went to the Isle ofJava, where he had the Happiness to be introduc'd into the Family of M.de St. Martin, and by him to M.Van Reden, Governor of Batavia, that by M.Martin'sMeans he had, an Opportunity to improve in the Mathematical Lectures I had given him, by acting in the Post of Engineer, which had enabled him to live genteelly the rest of his Days. He told me also thatLa Foretdied in those Parts in very good Circumstances, but he knew not what was become of the others.
To do Justice to this Gentleman, I frankly own, that the frequent Conversation I enjoy'd with him contributed not a little towards refreshing my Memory with a great many Circumstances which I had almost utterly forgot, and that tho' this Narrative wants very much of being so perfect as it would have been, if I had preserv'd my Journals, or had the Conveniency every where of putting down what occurr'd, yet without him it would not have been near so compleat as it is.
If I have omitted some Things, I have on the other hand advanc'd nothing but what I was either a Witness of, or came to me from the first hand. And I would have publish'd this Account of my Travels some Years ago, had not substantial Reasons prevented me, and especially these two. 1. My Brother being concern'd in the great Farms ofFrance, had such ill Success in them that he was forc'd to leave all, and come and settle inEngland, where he lives as private as possible, for fear the Court should hear of him, and give him Trouble. The other Reason is of no less Weight, and affects myself in particular. I was afraid lest my Book would excite the Ambition of some insatiable Monarch to conquer the Kingdom I describe and that he would compel me to serve as aGuide to those who should be employed in so difficult an Expedition. But alas! I am weary of travelling, and too old to bear the Fatigues which I have endur'd heretofore. My Nephews are intrusted with the Care of this Manuscript, after my Brother and I are dead, so that when it comes out in print the World may be assur'd that we are not in Being.