Numismata, a discourse of medals, ancient and modern together with some account of heads and effigies of illustrious, and famous persons in sculps, and taille-douce, of whom we have no medals extant, and of the use to be derived from them : to which is added a digression concerning physiognomy / by J. Evelyn, Esq. ...

CHAP. III. (Book 3)

Of Reverses Antient and Modern, as they relate to History, Chronology, and other parts of Erudition. (Book 3)

HAving now finished what for the present I thought necessary to be said concerning Heads and Effigies; we turn next to their Reverses and Inscriptions, with Figure and Emblem representing Action; which are indeed to be prefer∣red, and for which chiefly Medals are so desirable, and enquir'd after by the Learned (not to say only for their sake) so in∣finitely fruitful and full of Erudition; that had we a perfect and uninterrupted Series of them, we should need almost no other History; such Fragments as yet remain, furnishing the Studious on so many Occasions.

For we have in Reverses (besides now and then the Effigies) the Successions of the noblest and most illustrious Families, their Names, Titles, Impreses, Honors, Dignities, Crowns, Garlands, Marks and Rewards of Magistracy, &c.

We meet there with Ceres, Saturn, and the Praefsectus An∣nonae, the Montaries, with Vulcan and his Forging Tools: They give us the Habits and Robes of Consuls, Kings and Emperors, Flamens, Vestals, and other Royal and Sacerdotal Garments; we are shewd by them what the Tripos, Lituus, Patera, Sistrum, Simpulum, Knife, Ax, the Lustral Sprinklers, and other Vasa, and Utensils of Sacrifice, Libations and Augury were. Their Chariots, Arms, Ancilia, Shields, Ensigns, En∣gines, Harness, and Weapons of War.

We have in Reverses the Forms of antient Gallies, and other Vessels, with their manner of Naval Combat: they shew us the Actions and Exploits of the greatest Captains; their Military Expeditions, Legions, Cohorts, Colonies, Discipline, Stations, Castrametations, Victories, Trophies, Triumphs, Largesses, Benefactions, Remissions, Confede∣rations, Truces, Cessations, Iudulgences, Relaxations of Tribute, Encaenias, Dedications, and Vows; their Ludi Se∣culares, Circenses, Cereales, Isthmian, Olympian, Nemeaean and divers others: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 OECUMENICA, &c. hardly, if at all to be met with any where save in Medals only. To these add, the Lectisternia, Marriages, Births, Funeral Pomps, Pyrae, Apotheoses, and Consecrations, at which they often changed their Names (as now our Popes at their Inaugura∣tions) but not in Medals of the first Caesars. And so Families and Adoptions, and sometimes both, as Nerva Trajan, Titus Vespasianus; and when (as often) the Name remain∣ed, DIVUS was only added.

They present us with the most magnificent and stately Buildings that ever stood upon the Face of the Earth: Basi∣lics and Royal Palaces, Temples, Altars, Asyla, Sacrifices, &c.

In them we behold with Admiration, their stupendious Amphitheatres, Theatres, Forums, Thermae, Xysti, Portics, Nau∣machiae, Hippodroms, Mausolea, and Sepulchres: their goodly and useful Aquaeducts, Fountains, Bridges, Cryptae, Viae, Castra, Metae, Termini, Cippi, Bases, &c.

They afford us the Prospect of their Triumphal Arches, Obelisks, Pyramids, Colossus's, and other Royal and Magni∣ficent Fabrics of venerable Antiquity, long since collapsed and buried in their own Ruines; but from out of which, by Re∣verses and Medals, have almost all the antient Orders and Ornaments of Architecture (well near lost or corrupted) been much revived, restored and vindicated from Gothick Barbarity; nay, and those yet lasting, after Charles the Great had put a stop to that prodigious and universal Inundation; since it is little more than a Century, that Building and other Arts began to emerge in good earnest, and to hold up their dejected Heads; as may be seen by what the Popes have done at Rome, (where these learned Ruines are chiefly extant) the Dukes of Tuscany at Florence, and at Ferrara, Parma, and

other Princes of Italy; Philip the Second in Spain; in France, Francis the First, whom they called the Father of Arts in that Kingdom; and lately yet in our own Country, where some part of Somerset-house in the Strand remains the almost only poor Attempt that I know of; not omitting the Earl of Salis∣bury's House at Hatfield; the noble Seat of the most noble Lord Viscount of Weymouth at Long-leet, and very few others which can pretend to any thing of tolerable: for the Ban∣quetting-House at Whitehal is of much later date; and the manner now in general Use, first introduced by the Encou∣ragement of that great Lover and Patron of good Arts, the Illustrious Thomas late Earl of Arundel and Surrey, who (tho neglecting his own Palace) incited others to build with Stone and Brick after the present Gusto, and which Inego Iones since pursued in that stately Pile at Whitehal now mentioned, the Church and Piazza in Covent Garden after the Model of that in Ligorne, &c. But which is at this day exalted (name∣ly Architecture) to a much greater (I might say, even to the highest Pitch of Perfection) by my most worthy Friend Sir Christopher Wren, Superintendent and Director of His Ma∣jesty's Buildings, who will leave more noble Monuments of his vast and comprehensive Knowledge in that and other useful Arts, than has any one Architect here these thousand Years.

Moreover, what is learned from Reverses (since the Incur∣sions of the Goths, Turks, and other barbarous People, who chang'd and confounded the antient Names of things and places) other singular Aids to good History, Chronology, and antient Geography (to name no more) the Learned Scaliger in his Eusebius (when we find him to have recourse to Medals for the clearing many difficulties) gratefully acknowledges; and since the often cited Mons. Vaillant in his Syrian History, and the Works of Lucas Holstenius, late Library-Keeper at the Vatican, and other learned Persons give luculent proof of.

To these add the Iesuit Hardouin in his Notes on Pliny, with several more, who, from the Reverses of Medals alone, have recover'd and illustrated the true Names of divers Re∣gions, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Ways, Limits and Boun∣daries (and how by degrees they extended their Conquests) Colonies, Cities, Metropolis; their Founders, Privileges and Immunities; the Value of Moneys and Weights; the An∣nual

Fasti, Acta Caesarum, Aera's, Epocha's, &c. of such exceed∣ing use in computation of Time and Years, when several famous and memorable Things happen'd and were perform'd; others that had been quite forgotten; Writers having some∣times abolish'd the very memory of some Tyrants, and other unfortunate Princes (who are commonly but of short Reigns) Medals alone have preserv'd the Names of, and other Cir∣cumstances of great use in History; witness the famous Medal of Estimius King of London, whence our learned* 1.1 Antiquaries have asserted her Metropolitan Title, against all the Critics and Cavillers, tho she was no Roman Colony.

Hence we may thus deduce many Claims and Titles in cases of Usurpation, &c. For instance, that signal one, wherein is found that from Charlemaine, Louis le Debonair, down to Lotharius, &c. those Princes had their Monies Coin'd at Rome, and other Medals, attesting and vindicating their Claim and Title to that City, as appears in that learned Disserta∣tion publish'd by Mons. le Blane, and subjoin'd to his History of the Moneys and Coins of France. In which he proves, that the Bishops of Rome were never lawful Sovereigns of any part of Italy, much less of that Capital City; but of old al∣ways Subjects, Govern'd, Elected, and (as occasion requi∣red) Deposed by the Emperors; together with an Account by what subdolous Arts they got footing in the large and vast Possessions they now enjoy, and usurp the present Power.

But to return to Epocha's (wherein the Greeks were the most accurate and particular) we shall best reckon from Roman Medals by the Consulate or Tribunes; tho in that also there is difficulty, by not knowing the precise years of their respe∣ctive Offices when the Medal was struck; whereas the Greek gives the very year of the Princes Reign.

Moreover Colonies discover their Epocha's in Medal; as in that under Philip, An. VIII. under Decius, An. XI. &c. which, 'tis said, some have so improv'd, as to be able to tell us the very Age of the Emperor by the Medal, of which more when we come to Inscriptions. In the mean while as to Colonies, we find them bear the Names of the Founders, or of such as either fortified or settled them; v. g. those call'd Iuliae were founded by Iulius Caesar, as was that at Berytus; Mu∣nicipium Augusta Bilbilis, by Augustus and the like; these by

single Persons: But when more were express'd, as some∣times two Names together immediately, and without di∣stinction, or any word between (and not else) one is then to reckon the first to be the Founder, and the second the Restorer. Thus in the Medal where we read Colonia Iulia Augusta Detrosa, there Iulius settl'd and planted the Colony, and Augustus Recruited it: But when Augustus is set before Iulius, there Augustus Repair'd only what Iulius Founded, as Monsieur Vaillant nicely criticises. By the way observe, that we meet with no Heads in any Italian Colonies, that ho∣nor it seems being allow'd to those Cities only which were Priviledg'd to stamp Money, which Immunity is mark'd upon the Medal, whether granted by the Senate alone, or together with the People, or solely by the Emperor: When by the first the mark is S. C. tho the Medal be Greek: If by the People 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. E. Upon Antioch of Pisidia S. R. of the same import. So Colonies when Priviledg'd by the favour of the Emperor, it is Permissu Caesaris, or Augusti, the Indulgence always express'd, &c. As to the now mention'd Antioch of Pisidia, 'tis observ'd to be the only City among sixteen of the same name, which affected to bear the Legend in Latin. We moreover learn of him, that such Colonies as were sent out by the Consuls before Caesars Usurpation, bare the Name of Roman. For example, that of Sinope in Asia, which struck a Medal in recognition of the young Gordian, C. R. I. F. S. Colonia Romana Iulia Felix Sinope, An. CCCVIII. the Epoche noting the year that Lentulus made it a free City and Colony, after he had vanquish'd Mithridates, and which Iulius Caesar considerably enlarg'd. Nor did Cities and Colonies only do honor to the Emperors, and Benefactors in Medals and Reverses, but whole Provinces also; as Syria to Trajan, Da∣cia to Philip, &c.

We mention'd Dedication of Cities, the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Conditor, as Romulo Conditori; and so the Foundations, as in that of Nicopolis by Augustus after the Victory at Actium; in which Medal there is noted its Privilege and Immunities: In that of Hadrian the Year and Date when the City Amisus reco∣ver'd her Freedom under Augustus: So that of the City Soli in Cilicia, chang'd to Pompeiopolis her Benefactor; in others Re∣staurator Urbis, who was esteem'd equal to the Founder: Such again for instance was that of Constantinople its Dies Natalitius,

supposed to be the very Day when that Medal or Coin was struck, like that of old Rome cum Urbis Imagine, tho as * 1.2 some think, the Dedication was not at the laying of the first Stone or Foundation (as now the custom is) but rather at the finishing and consummation of the Work; and these usually bore the Heads of the Founders, or such as rendred them famous; as the Tarentines and others. Thus the Island Coos had Hippocrates, Samos the Image of Pythagoras; Smyrna that of old Homer, &c. tho happly not stamp'd at the time when they flourish'd, but from such Pictures, or antient Statues as were doubtless thought to resemble them.

Nor is Critica and Grammar (besides what concerns Reli∣gion, History, Jurisprudence, and other parts of the politer Eru∣dition) oblig'd a little to this delightful Study. The Di∣gamma F invented by Claudius we read in Medal, and much more inferr'd from that single instance of the learned Sigonius's Treatise De Nominibus Romanorum, subjoin'd to his Fasti Con∣sul. And to be gathered from the Dialogues of Agostino, Vossius's Etymological Lexicon, the Orthographic Abbreviations of Words, &c. so as they no longer wonder to find why Medals stamp'd so long since at Corinthus, spake Latin in their Inscriptions under the Roman Empire, seeing the Colo∣nies which that victorious People planted and sent forth, had so worn out and extinguish'd the natural Inhabitants and their Language, that the Greek was in a manner totally disus'd and forgotten.

As to Names what more Vulgar, than that the Caesars was deriv'd ab utero Caeso (by* 1.3 Solinu's mistake of Pliny, at∣tributed to the elder Scipio) but if that of Spartianus might pass, they would deduce it ab Elephanto Caeso, divers Medals bearing and Elephant, with the word CAESAR, and a Re∣verse fill'd with such Weapons and Instruments as the Romans made use of to kill and destroy them:* 1.4 And indeed Servius relates a story of that Emperors Grandfathers killing an Ele∣phant in Africa, that was so call'd in the Punic tongue, as if he had thence deriv'd his Name: Whereas doubtless it was from neither, but from Caesaries rather (and the Critics herein all mistake) the Instruments on the Reverse being only such as belonged to Sacrifice: Of which the learned Sequing. in Nominib. Rom.

We have already spoken of a Reverse in the Consular of Lepidus's being delegated by the Senate and People of Rome, to young Ptolomie of Alexandria. And in another, Marcus Antonius's caressing of Cleopatra. In a third, Marcus Brutus, with the Reverse of a Poniard and Cap of Liberty, deno∣ting his bold attempt to have freed the Commonwealth by the death of Iulius Caesar. But what is most singular and conspicuous in it is, the Notation of the very day, when that bold stroke was given, namely, on the Ides of March, of which he had fair warning before.

In a Reverse of Trajan we have represented the manner of their restoring Kingdoms to a vanquish'd Prince; and so in others of the Imperial there might be produc'd abundance of Examples illustrating the like Histories; some of them (as we said) no where else to be met withal, others confirming things doubtful, &c.

To return to Names, Historians had not known that the Son which Antoninus had of his Wife Faustina was call'd M. Annius Galerius Antoninus, but by a Greek Medal of that Lady; or that Barbia Orbiana was Wife to Alexander Seve∣rus; or Hetruscilla the Spouse of Trajanus Decius, and not of Volusianus. It is in the Reverse of Medal, that the know∣ledge of many antient Families are preserved, which neither Ursinus, or any other Author makes mention of; as among several more Alitia, Barbatia, Carrilia, Epira, Fabricia, Gra∣nia, Helvia, Iuventia, Menia, Nautia, Papilia, Sextilia, Trebonia, Vatinia, &c. enough to fill an Alphabet. It is in the Reverse of Medal only where we are shew'd in what manner that Statue of Coloss Magnitude, representing the noble Emperor Trajan, was clad and plac'd (which that egregious Painter Iulio Romano has design'd, and the learn'd Ciacconius describ'd) upon that stupendous Column, vested in his Imperial Robes, and holding in one of his hands a Golden Ball, in which were contain'd his own Ashes; in the other a Scepter, with the Cancelli of Copper about the Plinth of the Capital; it being the only Column in Rome which, I think, had any considerable Figure upon it. There are besides what this Pillar exhibits divers Medals of this Prince, whose Reverses shew us his Aquaeducts, Via, Forum, Circus, Tri∣umphal Arch, and the Bridge he made over the Danube, be∣sides those of his Reduction of Armenia, Mesopotamia, &c.

We learn from the Reverses of Medals, as well as by Sta∣tues, that of old they made use of no Stirups to get up, or ease their seat on Horseback, and other things of new In∣vention.

Again, we gather from Reverses of Medals the extraordi∣nary care they took of the Sea and Navigation, as well as to celebrate their Victories. In that of Augustus, Neptuno Conservatori; Victoria Nep. in that of Gallienus; and especial∣ly that of Pompey the Great, with his Titles of Praefectus Classis, & orae Maritimae, together with a Trophy on the Prow; and in the Reverses of Augustus, whom we mention'd, fre∣quently with the Rudders, Rostra, Tridents, Ships and Gal∣lies, and other marks of Sovereignty.

Moreover, we behold in Reverses of Medals the manner of Military Adlocutions, Congiaries, Liberalities, and Royal Dona∣tives to the People, taken, as they report from Callistratus, who, that he might incourage the People of Athens to come and frequent again the Courts and Publick Assemblies of the City (now during the Civil Wars in a manner quite de∣serted) caused Money to be flung and scatter'd among them in those Places: In imitation whereof great Princes do at this day disperse Coins, Nummi Augurales, and Medals at their Coronations, and other solemn Occasions; as was that at the Nuptials of Frederick Duke of Austria, with Ann Daugh∣ter to Uladislaus King of Hungary, An. 1515. Thus also the Pope, when he is Crown'd, scatters Money and Medals among his Adorers, which is first but of Brass, pronoun∣cing the words of S. Peter, Argentum & Aurum non est mihi, &c. Silver and Gold have I none, but such as I have give I you; and then by and by (as soon as his Holiness is lifted up, and exalted in his pontifical Chair) he sprinkles Silver, with that of the Psalm, Dedit pauperibus, &c. He hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever. With this holy Rai∣lery sporting with Scripture after a pleasant manner. But to proceed,

The Reverses of Medals gave intimation of extraordinary Laws and Ordinances; as that of Tenes against Adultery, stampt at Tenedos, and described by our learned Graves, who from a Medal of his own, recites the History at large out of Heraclides. For as it was accounted a glorious Thing to have enacted wholsome Laws and Constitutions revok∣ing

others; so was it often express'd in these more lasting Records; witness amongst the Romans, those Medals of the Families Cassiae, Papiae, Coeliae, Parthiae, &c. and in that fa∣mous one of Augustus de Maritandis Ordinibus; with other excellent ones of the Emperor Cocceius Nerva to the public Benefit; the generous Remission of this noble Emperors Right over the Vehiculation, and all the Carriages of Italy, which was so grievous an oppression to his Subjects, is, I think, made known to us from the Reverse of a Medal only, which the People caus'd to be stamp'd in Recognition of the Grace. To these add his establishing free Commerce, repressing Disorders in the Commonwealth; which procur'd him those deserv'd Titles of SALUS GENERIS HUMANI in his Medals, where commonly the Reverses express some Symbols of them; as in their due place.

And now that we have mention'd Symbols in Reverses of Medals, they shew us, with the Images and Names of the Pagan Deities, Custodes, Auspices, Patrii, Genitales, Nutritores, &c. their Ensigns and Distinctions: Iupiter by the Eagle; by the Harp or Chelys Apollo, and sometimes a Gryphon; Neptune by his Trident and Rudder, sometimes on a Dolphin, but never on the Marine Horse, tho it be Consecrated to him; Pluto his Fork; by the Tyger or Panther Bacchus; Hercules by the Club and Lions Skin; by a Serpent Esculapius, &c. Venus by Cupid, or the Doves, Helm of a Ship, and sometimes VICTRIX by a Target, Cask, Bow and Arrow, to ex∣press the power and force of Love. Nor was that Symbol of the Doves attributed to their noblest Venus for their sala∣city, as the common mistake is, but too the veneration they acquired by the story of Semiramis, whom they report was fed by those gentle Birds, into one of which she was fain'd to be Metamorphos'd, and in that shape ador'd by the Sy∣rians under the Name of Astarte. There is yet a more vir∣tuous Goddess of the Name, the Celestial Venus, represented holding an Apple in one hand, and a Spear in the other; and if with a little Infant, GENETRIX or FELIX, betokening the fecundity of Marriage; Iuno has her Peacock; Diana her Crescent, quiver of Arrows, Dog, and sometimes we find her naked and full of Breasts, a Basket of Fruit on her Head, as they picture Nature, and not seldom also with a brace of Harts or a Doe standing by her: she is likewise

accompanied oftentimes with some Egyptian Deity, as Sera∣pis, Isis, or Apis, and now and then the Pharo's, for the Friendship between Ephesus and Alexandria. Others there are relating to Arcana Imperii, and Mysteries of State, Gryphons, Harpies, Syrenes, &c. requiring Study and Interpretation. And hence we now and then encounter with Sphinges in the Reverses of Augustus, signifying Prudence and Courage; and if plac'd before a Temple, the Mysteries of Religion. The Thunder-bolt according as 'tis plac'd, betokens seve∣ral Passions, as well as Regal Power, or that Sovereign Princes are more immediately under the Divine Protection: For Iupiter tho but one, we find, denominated from divers Places and Attributes, according to which he is benign, propi∣tious, displeas'd or offended; as where he is Capitolinus, Olympius, Conservator, Stator, Liberator, Optimus, Maximus, Ultor, Ful∣gurator, &c. In like manner for his Age, Crescens,* 1.5 Iu∣venis. A naked Youth with a Glory about his Head, and holding a whip in his Hand, denotes the Rapidity of the Suns diurnal Course. Mercury wing'd Cap à pie with the Caduceus, intimates peace, diligence, and conduct in Enterprises.

But to commence at the Head in this Recension also (besides what we have already mention'd) without insisting on the Laurel, which was the Symbol of Apollo (and of that Genius of the Senate 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) every body knows, that Ears of Corn, Chaplets of Roses, and other Flowers; Ivy, Pine, &c. belong to Ceres, Flora, Bacchus, Pan, and their Companions: Casks and Helms to the God of War; and when with the Owl, to Mi∣nerva. The Phrygians wore a crooked Bonnet pointing backwards, the Persians forward, and sometimes upright, not unlike the Commodes affected by our Ladys at pre∣sent: The same was challeng'd by the Epicoene God Lu∣nus (as of either Sex) ever represented with the Crescent be∣hind his shoulders, in great Veneration among the Antiochi∣ans of Pisidia: Iuno is cover'd with a Flameum, and in the larger Veil is Pronuba: If in a Goats Skin, Horns and all, she is Sospita. Pantheons are coifed, and have their heads dress'd like several of the Deities; sometimes with a Bushel like Serapis, sometimes like the Sun with beams. Iupiter Hammon wears Rams-horns; and with these, and divers other Pagan Superstitions often adorn'd they their peculiar

Lares; nor were the Genii, Topic, as well as Personal, want∣ing in Reverses: They were figur'd by naked young Men, holding the Patera in one hand, and in another a Horn of Plenty, sometimes standing by an Altar pouring out of the Patera, and were as many as there were Places, Societies, or Per∣sons under their imaginary Guardianship.

The Egyptians (whose 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 was a Serpent) had their Apis figur'd like a Bull with the Flower Lotus between his Horns, a white blaze in his forehead, under a Crescent: The same have Osyris, Isis, Canopus, and the Deess Eume∣nythia, with a Lily-form Flower, or as some, the Abroto∣nus. We likewise find Canopus in the shape of a large Ear∣then Jar or Pitcher, out of which there peeps an human Head; but the Bust of Anubis is a Dog's Head. Amazons carry the Battle-Ax on their shoulders, or a small Pelt or Buckler Crescent-fashion: In deeper Busts and the Reverses of larger Medalions, we meet some of these with Cask and Shield holding a bridl'd Horse, betokening Victory in Fight, or some Publick Shew. If the Figure have lying by it a Sledge, Hammer, Anvil, Tongs, &c. conclude it Vulcan, or some of his brawny Cyclops.

As Heads and Busts in the Reverse of Medals (as before observ'd) so are Hands, and what they hold and carry in them to be consider'd. Thus the Hasta pura, or unpointed Javelin suits with all the Gods, denoting their universal Be∣nignity: So does the Scepter, rounded or blunt on both ends like a Generals Commanding Staff, or what they call Parazonium (frequently taken for a short Sword) found in some Reverses of the Emperors Galba, Domitian, Vespasian, and others, about which the Critics yet are not well agree'd; for in that of Antoninus Pius, 'tis a Javelin or half Pike arm'd at both ends.

The Patera, or some such Religious Character, did usu∣ally accompany the Emperors, which sometimes they held in their hand, seeming to pour an Offering upon the Altar.

Termini, are Figures without either Arms, Hands, or Feet, so represented, says Polybius, to shew that all qua∣rels and contests about the Limits were determin'd. Such is the Mercurius Herma in a Reverse of Augustus, standing upon a Thunderbolt, which some interpret to be in relation to that Emperors Device, Festina Lente.

A branch of Laurel in the hand of an Emperor, signifies Victory; of Olive Peace, and hand joined in hand Friendship and Unity, also Adoption, as in that of Trajan and Cocceius Nerva, where two figures take hands, inscrib'd Providentia Senatus.

In whole and intire Figures are commonly represented the Vertues applied to the Roman Emperors by their Flatterers, as Piety like a veil'd Matron, holding a Temple, or box of In∣cense with a Stork standing by; but Vesta with a Taper; Pro∣videntia seems to touch a Globe with her staff; Pudicitia is modestly veil'd with one finger at her lips. If pressing them with two Fingers, taken for Silence; to this add Moderatio, Quies, Indulgentia, Religio, Utilitas Publica, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Aequitas holds the balance, and so does Moneta, who is said to be a Deity, represented by three Figures with the Cornuco∣pia, and near them as many melting Furnaces, and a heap of Money, to note the three principal Metals, inscrib'd Ae∣quitas publica, or Moneta Aug.

The Graces are also three naked and beautiful Virgins, holding each other by the hand; by the same number is symbolized Aeternitas shaded with a swelling sail over their heads, importing time past, present and to come, and some∣times by a single Figure holding the Sun in one hand, in the other the Moon. Lastly, the Eumenides and Furies, arm'd with a Torch, a Poniard, and a Serpent: Nemesis or Re∣venge is pourtrai'd with a Wheel, shewing that tho Divine Vengeance has long patience, it comes at last with speed: But the Wheel which we find at the foot of Fortuna, denotes inconstancy. She is also sometimes sitting, some∣times standing, and sailing, with her hand on a Rudder, or Cornu-Copia, distributing good and bad, and is but one and the same Deity. Security is typified by a woman leaning neg∣ligently upon a Chair. The four Annual Seasons are repre∣sented by as many naked Figures, one excepted, who is clad for winter. The other three have an Hare, a Basket of Flowers, and a Sickle. We sometimes meet a little Child bestriding a Dolphin, and such equally appertain to Melicer∣ta, Palaemon, Portumnus, three names of the same Deity. Fi∣gures cumbent upon Pitchers and Jars, represent great and famous Rivers, and sometimes the Bust only emerging out

of the Vessel. Nilus has several naked Boys playing about him, to signifie his many streams: Where we meet Figures lying along upon Beds, a Lectisternium is represented, on which they usually plac'd the Image of Apollo, Diana, Nep∣tune or some other Idol, with solemn Ceremony in time of calamity, or Epidemic Sickness, as well as upon more joyful and festival entertainments.

To go on with things animate upon Reverses; the Phenix symboliz'd Consecration, and Immortality; the Stork Piety and filial Duty; the Bird of Athens Wisdom and Science, Vi∣gilancy and Providence, as one sees in a Medal of Constantine: the Cock is often with Mercury; the Horse feeding repre∣sents a Country in peace, rich and abounding; the Ele∣phant some Publick Spectacle, and sometimes Eternity; as the Serpent Aesculapius, or the Deess Salus, and is now and then the mark of a Genius, or some famous Hero, and there∣fore Victory if under foot: Nero had such a Reverse; a Ser∣pent within a Garland of ears of Corn and Poppy, import∣ing Plenty: the Ox signified strength and patience, and when accompanied with a veil'd Priest, some Colony; if for Victim destin'd, the Beast had Ribbons dangling about his Horn: Liberty of Commerce and Dominion on the Sea, were both represented by a Dolphin clinging about a Trident, &c.

Characters of Inanimates on the Reverses of Medals were likewise frequent. Thus the Cap, or Hat and Wand, Pro∣claim'd Freedom, Slaves being uncover'd and under Disci∣pline; the Cornu-Copia, or Amalthean-horn was the Symbol of Plenty; as Serapis's Bushel was of Providence: the Port or Gate of a City, found in the Reverse of some Medals, with the word Providentia Augusti, shews a Magazine and Provi∣sion of Corn for the People; and if a Star appear over it, the City of Constantinople in particular: A fortified Camp is express'd by a sort of Calthorp; a Tripos with the Iackdaw and Dolphin, is the mark of the XV. Viri, deputed Keepers of the Sibylline Oracles; the Sacerdotal Cap or Miter, is known by the appendant Apex and Flamine, either alone, or with sacrificing Instruments, denoting Pontifical Dig∣nity.

Bucklers and Votive Tables pro Salute Principis, and other Occasions, are very frequent in Reverses; a Wheel is the Cha∣racter of some famous Way made or repaired by the Em∣peror;

as in a Reverse of Trajan. In short, the Zodiac de∣scrib'd in all its Figures with the Moon in Center, was Emblem of the universal Happiness of a Princes Govern∣ment; such as we meet in a Reverse of Alexander Severus; and Augustus was fortunate under Capricornus.

The Temple of Ianus shut proclaims an universal Peace thro all the Roman Empire: A Gally, or Vessel under Sail and in Course, betokens Joy, Felicity and prosperous Suc∣cess; but if we find it placed beneath a Figure wearing a Turrited Crown, shews it to be a Port of Commerce; if under a Victory wing'd, the vanquishing of an Enemies Fleet.

But besides all these, Kingdoms, Countries and Provinces, are distinguished in Reverses by their respective Symbols; Europe by the Horse, or the Rape by Iupiter; some affirm there never was any Reverse at all appropriate to her: Asia is known by the Serpent and the Rudder of a Ship, as a Country of Commerce accessible by Sea, and the first of Na∣vigators; Africa is Cask'd with the head or spoil of an Ele∣phant, having by her a Scorpion: Of the European Provinces, Macedonia is represented by a Carter with a whip in his hand, as a Country of excellent Horses, and sometimes also by Hercules's Club; Achaia had a Flower-pot; Dardania a Cock; Spain a Coney, or Olive-branch, and woman in a Soldiers Cas∣sock, a small Target and two Javelins; Gaule is with a Spear, and in the close Military Coat or Sagum; Dacia is figur'd by a Woman with a Spear also, and sometimes an Asses Head; Pannonia by two Women warmly clad, with Military En∣signs, denoting the coldness of the Country, and courage of the Inhabitants; Italy is represented by a Royal Lady Crow∣ned with a Tower, sitting on a Globe and holding a Scepter with an Horn of Plenty; Germany by a goodly Dame with a long Shield, and holding a Spear; Britannia represents a Virgin in a flowing Vest, sitting on a Rock or I∣sland with a Spear in her hand, and leaning on the Rudder, the Prow of the Ship at her Feet; Boeotia has the God Bac∣chus's Thyrsus, or a Cluster of Grapes; Rhodes the Sun, or a Rose the Solar Flower; Sicilia shews three Thighs and Legs, issuing from a Man's Head in the Center, to signifie the three famous Promontories of that Island, and sometimes by a Sickle and Ears of Corn, denoting Plenty and Felicity; of

Asia, Iudaea is represented by the Palm-Tree; Arabia by a Camel; Persia by a Dart; Armenia by a Cap or Hood, Bows and Arrows; Parthia by a Woman in that Country Dress, with the like Weapons and a Quiver, to shew their extraordi∣nary dexterity in shooting; Cappadocia has a Woman wearing a Turrited Crown, and sometimes with the Mountain Argaeus in her hand or near her feet. And now we speak of Mountains, we find in the Reverses of some Medals a rude Stone in shape of a Mountain drawn in a Charriot, representing the Sun, as he was ador'd by Helagabalus his Priest, fancying that glo∣rious Planet an huge Ignite Stone with the Star or Phosphorus over it, preceding its Rising, to distinguish it from those of Cara∣calla: But Stones have other significations; as that in the form of Pyramis with a pair of Turtles plac'd in a Tem∣ple resembling that of Venus's worship'd at Paphos; and Iu∣piter was himself sometimes ador'd in the shape of a Moun∣tain; whence perhaps it is we meet Argaeus so frequently in Reverses. But to return to Countries:

Mesopotamia is represented between the two famous Rivers Tigris and Euphrates, with a kind of Miter upon her head. In Africa, Egypt has the Crocodile and Ibis for Symbolum, and sometimes the antient Taber, an Instrument play'd on by their Priests, as was the Sistrum by those of Isis. With these a Medalist has notice of the most famous Rivers by their several Figures, Tiber, Rhenus, Danubius, Nilus, &c.

With the Nymphs, Naids, Syrens, Satyrs and Sylvan Dei∣ties: The true Figures of the Hippopotamus, Crocodile, Rhino∣ceros, Elephant, Cameleopard, Panther, and other rare and exo∣tic Animals, usually led, and exhibited in Triumph, or prepared for Combat and the Amphitheater, are expressed to gratifie and divert the People, especially during the Secular Shews. Other Reverses present us with divers Flowers, Fruits and Plants, &c.

And as Countries and Rivers had their several Emblems, so had their chief Cities: Rome her Romulus and Remus suck∣ing the Wolf; Corinthus, Pegasus and Bellerophon: the Sphinx and Harp, the City Gabala in Coelosyria; Constantinople the Thunny, and other places abounding with that Fish; Ty∣rus, the Spaniel with the purple Shell, the Shell is common a∣lone upon those Reverses, but the Dog is rare; Ephesus is re∣presented by the Hart or Stag, sacred to her Diana. But I

confess some of these belonged rather to their Coins as Money, which, as we noted, had denomination from these Badges; for so that of Ephesus was stampt with the Image of Diana; those of Creta, Iupiter; the Aegyptians with a Crocodile or Ibis, Nilus or Serapis; Lacedaemon with the Head of Lycurgus; Delphi,* 1.6 the Fish of that Name; of which see more in Alexander ab Alexandrio and other Authours.

A Military Ensign plac'd upon an Altar, denotes a new Co∣lony of Veteran Souldiers, whose Felicity depends on the Gods. If there be many Weapons, it signifies their being drawn out of several Legions, but Military Ensigns alone, if more than one, sometimes import the Victory of some particular Legion, or betokens an Oath of Fidelity to the Emperour.

Besides the Eagle, which is the Standard-Ensign of every Legion, the Rest are distinctions of Cohorts only, or Guidons and Cornets of the Cavalry.

The Acroteria or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which is the ornamental ben∣ding Prow, gives notice of a Naval Victory, or some Ma∣ritime City: the Rudder of a Ship on a Globe with the Fas∣ces, is sovereign Power: so a Spear lying cross a Curule Chair, signifies a Consul, Aedile or some person of Pontifical Dignity, it is likewise a Symbol of Iuno and Consecration: By the way, there is an Ivory Chair at Somerset-house, said to be a Roman Curule, but the Shape of it does by no means answer; for they were not only plainer, but made with arched Legs and round-back'd, more resembling that easie Chair, which is wont to be plac'd under the Imperial or Canopy of State, at Court.

The Cornucopia is common to all the Deities, Symbols of Beneficence and Abundance, especially where there are two, nor is the Caduceus always attributed to Mercury alone, but to Royal and Universal Power and Authority; for so 'tis found with a Horn of Plenty and the Pontifical Mitre in a Reverse of Iulius.

Abundance is also symboliz'd by Ears of Corn appearing out of a Bushel, with the heads of Poppy, which of all Plants produces the greatest plenty of Seeds. Other Chara∣cters of Abundance and Fertility are Clusters of Grapes, Pa∣niers of Flowers and Fruits, &c. With the Augural Lituus, we oftentimes see two Pullets, or some other Bird which

they kept for Divination, and not seldom in their Coops and Cages, &c. And may these suffice with others enumerated by Mr. Walker and the late Author of the Science, and such as we have already named; where one has their descriptions more at large, but which for being so very necessary to be known and remember'd, ought not to be counted a needless Repetition: For Heads and Effigies may be easily distinguish∣ed by their Inscriptions, not so Reverses, which having rela∣tion to Symbol only, require particular Explication, as do other Emblems, Devises and Hieroglyphicks, inclosing Morals, recondite Mysteries and Actions; recommending and repre∣senting the most conspicuous Virtues of the Persons and things they relate to. And thus all that was heroical and great, peculiar and eminent, and properly regarding Antient History, its Circumstances and Accessories, is, we see, fetcht out of Medals and their Reverses,* 1.7 as Agostino amply, and Suaresius more contractedly have given us a Taste.

Upon this account it is, that such Memoirs were consigned to the most lasting Materials; and that the Heroic Ages bore such Veneration to Antiquity and the Exploits of their Renowned Ancestors, that they hung up the Skins and Spoils of Lions and Serpents, and other destructive and furious Beasts as wasting whole Countries, had been killed and cleared by them.

They adorned the Vestibules and Porches of their Temples, Halls and Palaces with Armour, Weapons, Trophies, Sta∣tues, Urns, Tables and Inscriptions, and all sorts of Antiqui∣ties. As among the Gaditani (for instance) they shew'd Pygmalion's Auream Olivam; the Argives, Atrei Phialum; the Skin of the Caledonian Boar apud Arcades; those of Delphi, Pindar's Chair; as did the Metapontines that of Pythagoras; the Parma Antaei made Tanger famous; Phalaris's Bull, those of Agrigentum; Leda's Egg, those of Lacedaemon; the Arca Cypseli, those of Olympus, &c. Others the Spear of Achilles; the Harp of Timotheus; Fair Helens Necklace; the Lamp of Epictetus. These, and the like (long since lost and decay'd, and not to be compar'd with Medal) rendred many Coun∣tries and Cities famous; and so fond they were of them, that Cicero tells us,* 1.8 Nulla unquam Civitas tota Asia & Graecia signum ullum, Tabellam pictam, ullum denique or namentum urbis, sua voluntate cuiquam vendidit, &c. They would not alienate or part with them for any price; as neither of late years

would they of Rome sell to that magnificent Collector of An∣tiquities, Thomas Earl of Arundel and Surrey, the fragments only of a broken Obelisc which had lain neglected so many Ages in the Circ of Caracalla, since piec'd together, and erect∣ed on that goodly Fountain of Piazza Navona by the fa∣mous Bernini, a stupendious Monument of his admirable Talent.

There are still at Rome, Florence, Pisa, &c. other Anti∣quities belonging to the Cities, and daily purchas'd and aug∣mented, Statues, Historical Columns, Trophies, Altars, Urns, Inscriptions and Pictures, which they keep to adorn, and for the honor of the Place and Nation, which I know not that they do in any other; for if they did, those Statues and other venerable Antiquities search'd out, and with so great diligence, affection and vast expence, brought from Athens, Delphi, Smyrna, and other parts of Greece by that noble Earl, would not have been dispers'd, as I find they were; those Inscriptions only excepted, which were frankly bestow'd on our Athenae (the University of Oxford) at my sole Request to the late illustrious Duke of Norfolk; and I had his promise of that Colossian Minerva to have follow'd, but his Grace's so unexpected Death prevented my timely getting it remov'd. I know not whether it was not since pur∣chased with many other Statues by the Lord Vicount Lemster, who for his great love of all that is magnificent of this kind, and for his no less civilities to me, I think my self oblig'd to mention with much regard; glad that they are fallen in∣to the hands of one who both knows how to value and preserve them. For by such Collections (as I said) Countries and Cities become Schools of Art, attracting learned Persons and many Strangers to visit their Antiquities, as now abroad to the Churches, Shrines, and reputed holy Places. Nor did all,* 1.9 or any of these Circumstances of old Smyrna, with the advantage of her famous Port and Haven, render it so celebrious as the antient Picture of Agathocles; nor the Ma∣mertines, as that one Collection of C. Hejus, of which the Orator (describing the Antiquities of his Palace near Messina in Sicily) Messanam ut quisque nostrûm venerat, haec visere so∣lebat: Omnibus haec ad visendum patebant quotidie; Domus erat non Domino magis ornamento, quam Civitati, &c. One nobly fur∣nish'd House was not, it seems, a greater Reputation to the

illustrious Owner, than to the whole City it self. And thus Thepsia for an excellent Statue of Cupid only (the work of Praxiteles) was visited by Travellers and Strangers, nam alia visendi causa nulla est: It had nothing else, says Cicero, in it worth seeing. Upon this account it is, that the Palaces and Studies of the Farnesi, Medici, Barberini, Pozzi, Angeloni, &c. at Rome; the Duke of Tuscany's at Florence; Septalius's at Milan, with their Cabinets of Medals, Statues, Inscriptions, and other Antiquities, &c. make Italy still venerable in her very Runis:* 1.10 And for what Use and End all this Cost and Curiosity we are told by that noble Historian (de Bello Iu∣gurth,) not for nothing or merely to look upon and delight the Eye with only: Nam saepè audivi Q. Maximum, P. Sci∣pionem, praeterea Civitatis nostrae praeclaros viros solitos ita dicere, cum majorum imagines intuerentur, vehementissimè sibi animum ad virtutes accendi: Scilicet, non ceram illam, neque Figuram tan∣tum vim in sese habere; sed memoria rerum gestarum, eam flumam egregiis viris in pectore crescere, neque prius sedari, quam virtus eorum famam atque gloriam adaequaverit. The very sight of their Effigies call'd to their minds the glorious Actions they had perform'd, and even inflam'd them with an Emulation of their Virtues; nor did it rest there till they themselves also had done something worthy their Ex∣ample. To this the incomparable Cicero again (pleading the cause of an excellent Poet) Quam multas nobis Imagines non solum ad intuendum,* 1.11 verum etiam ad imitandum, fortissimorum virorum expressas Scriptores & Graeci, & Latini reliquerunt; quas ego mihi semper in administranda Repub. proponens, animam & mentem meam ipsa cogitatione hominum conformabam, &c. And in good earnest, where there is no more Superstition paid, than what upon the sight of modest Pictures, Statues, Medals, and other productions of Art, these learned Pagans shew'd them for ought appears: I should be no Iconoclast and Demolisher, tho I abhor Idols, and cannot but wonder that Men of Reason and Power to Reform, should give and continue Scandal to so many excellent Christians, and to so many who are not Christians but would be so, were they either taken away, or (if left standing) their Cult abo∣lish'd, not the imitation of the Sanctimony and Virtues of those whom they represent. For thus (to return to Reverses) it seems they so inspir'd Men with their very looks, that

the noble Alphonsus us'd to say, he never beheld Caesar in Medal without some extraordinary Emotion, inflaming his breast with an Emulation of imitating his greatness of Mind and conspicuous Virtues. For the same reason of old, they plac'd and set up their Signa, Busts and Pictures in their Pinacotheca's and Repositories, especially in the Vestibules and Prima Aedium parte, Porches, Halls, and particularly in their Libraries, some of Marble,* 1.12 others in Wax; nay says Pliny, Non solum exauro, argentove, aut certe aere in Bibliothecis dican∣tur illi, quorum immortales animae in iisdem locis ibi loquuntur; quinimo etiam quae non sunt, finguntur, pariuntque desideria non traditi vultus, sicut in Homero evenit; quo majus (ut quidem ar∣bitror) nullum est foelicitatis specimen; quam semper omnes scire cupere, qualis fuerit aliquis, &c. Celebrating those immortal Hero's, who seem to breath and speak to us as they stand. Thus things not really present, appear at least as if they were, inciting us with a desire of enjoying the absent Person: for instance, the Poet Homer; there being in my opinion (says he) no greater felicity, than this universal Inclination of knowing what manner of Man such and such a Person was.

How strong a passion the sight of Alexanders Statue alone kindled in Caesar, when it made him shed Tears, out of An∣guish or Ambition, that such a stripling in comparison to his Age, should have so far exceeded his Conquests! having subdu••d the whole World almost, e're himself had yet been Master of a Province. And doubtless there is nothing does more stimulate a noble and generous Spirit than a Virtuous Emulation; and therefore Sir Thomas Moor allow'd the use of Statues also, in that ingenious Idea of his Republic (where otherwise we find him very sparing of unnecessary Pomp and Expences) when discoursing of Rewards and Punish∣ments; Non paucis (says he) tantum deterrent à flagitiis; sed propositis quoque honoribus ad virtutes invitant: Ideoque Statuas viris insignibus, & de Rep. praeclare meritis in foro collocant, in re∣rum bene gestarum Memoriam, simul ut ipsorum posteris majorum suorum gloria calcar & incitamentum ad Virtutem sit, &c. And therefore of old they never decreed those Honors of Statue or Medals, but to such as had perform'd some signal Exploit, or Invented some useful Thing. In this manner they Dig∣nified and made them Noble, as Aemilius and others: and

again, overthrew and broke their Images in pieces, and re∣call'd their Medals, when upon any vile Action, or notorious Treason they deserv'd ill, or betray'd their Country; of which Histories afford innumerable Examples. And indeed, when Men (be they never so great and well born) degenerate from their illustrious Ancestors,

Stemmata quid faciunt? quid prodest, Pontice, longo Sanguine censeri, pictósque ostendere vultus Majorum, & stanteis in curribus Aemilianos, Et Curios jam dimidios,* 1.13 humerosque minorem Corvinum, & Galbam auriculis nasó{que} carentem? Tota licet veteres exornent undi{que} cerae Atria; Nobilitas sola est at{que} unica virtus.

—What is't our Ancestors to show In Paint or Statues? the Aemilii plac'd Intire in Chariots, Curii to the wast, Corvinus, that by th' shoulders less appears, And Galba wanting both his Nose and Ears? The House,* 1.14 why do so many Gen'rals fill Breathing in Marbles?— Fill all thy Courts with old wax Imag'ry, Vertue's the true and sole Nobility.

They put them (as we have shew'd) not only in mind of those brave and glorious Persons they represented, but they look'd on them as yet alive, and observers of their Actions; and were so charm'd with their Conversation, that they car∣ried them in their Triumphs, and went with them to their very Funerals and Graves; nor would they at any hand sell or alienate them from their Families, but fixt them as House-Looms to the Inheritance. He that could shew the greatest number of them (as we now Coat-Armor and Pedigree) was reckon'd the Noblest. Tis really strange to what prodigious numbers the Statues and Figures of this sort should otherwise a∣mount, when in the little Island of Rhodes alone were counted above thirty thousand;* 1.15 those of Olympia and Delphi more; in Corinth innumerable. By a noble Contention (says Sir Henry Wotton) in Point of Fertility, 'twixt Art and Nature, and not only arguing an infinite plenty of Artists and Materials, but likewise of magnificent and glorious Thoughts, even

in the common Persons of those Ages, besides the Relation those goodly Monuments and Memoirs of well doing and meritorious Persons had to nobler Designs; not as a bare and transitory entertainment of the Eye only, or gentle decep∣tion of the Time, but that it had a secret and powerful In∣fluence, even towards the advancement of the best of Go∣vernments, by their continual representations of great and virtuous Examples; So as in that point Art became a piece of State.

Remarkable for this sort of Magnificence, and one of the first was Marcus Varro (the most learned and knowing Person of the Age) who made a Collection of all the famous Men from the Foundation of Rome to his own Times. Cicero, Atticus and others, follow'd him to that height of Curiosity, as 'tis re∣ported of Alexander Severus, that he sought to have the Pour∣traits of our Blessed Saviour, the Patriarch Abraham and o∣ther extraordinary Persons, as well as of Achilles, Alexander, Plato and others of the Gentile Hero's and Philosophers.

We have seen, how instead of Ensigns and painted Ban∣ners, they carried them in Pomps and Processions of State, stampt and cut in all sorts of Metal, Stones of price, Por∣phyry, and the most durable Marbles; and this they did for almost Two Thousand Years, especially in Money and Me∣dals innumerable, whereof much is yet remaining, much more 'tis probable than what is yet come to light, found here and there casually in single pieces, and often in heaps, full Urns and Jars, to shew the immense Treasure of that once flourishing State, and vast Extent of its numerous Colo∣nies, which not only inlarg'd their Conquests over Men, but (as in recompence of the Changes and Devastations which they made) Civiliz'd the Barbarous World by their Laws and Learning, useful Arts, and exemplary Virtues.

And now after all we have produc'd in favour of Statues, Medals and other Collections of this nature; we are far from approving or encouraging that abandon'd and passionate love which some have shew'd, in a restless and expensive pursuit of these Curiosities, and that like Damasippus Insaniunt veteres Statuas emendo, as some ill advised, and, as I may say, Luxu∣rious Antiquaries have done, to the prejudice of their For∣tunes, or any nobler Parts of Life, ranging over all the world, and compassing Land and Sea to feed an unbounded Appe∣tite,

and turn that into Fault and Vice, instead of a lauda∣ble and useful Diversion: Est modus in rebus— I remem∣ber a French man (lover of Intaglia's) who told me he had for many years long'd for the death of a Gentleman, who having an Head of the Emperor Hadrian cut in an Onyx (an∣tique and very curious) which he would by no means part with; he hop'd that he might obtain it of his Executors, as at last he did. And I could tell of another 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Person, who, when the Turks Invaded Candy, and alarmd the Ve∣netians, was wont (not without some secret pleasure) to reckon, at how easie rates Statues would be purchas'd, should the Turks set foot in Italy.

Asking pardon for this digression, not altogether foreign to our Subject of Heads and Effigies, and the plenty of Sta∣tues, Medals, and antient Coins which may be yet extant in the hands of the curious. That which has been perverted by ignorant Mechanicks, and Avarice of others, may, for ought we know, be as much as what remains intire.

Laurentius Pignorius,* 1.16 writing to the Abbot Barisonus, tells us (with no small indignation) what a World of Antiquities lie buried, broken, and neglected. And as to Medals, of a Venetian Merchant that melted down abundance of rare Coins to make a Chain of Gold for his Wife to wear. And Schot∣tus, of a Spanish Apothecary who cast a Mortar for the use of his shop of an invaluable Collection of Medals, which had been left him by his curious Father: Dignus utique ipse pistillis; sed in grandiore Mortario Anaxarchi more tundi: Nay, my Au∣thor adds, that when, An. 1506. at Rome a Goldsmith was wont to cast little Shrines and Statues of gold and silver Me∣dals; he did often use to boast, that he made none but of such precious things. Such another encounter I remember the noble Busbequius* 1.17 tells us he met withal in his Embassy passing through Amasia to the Ottoman Court: That enquiring of a Brasier whether he had any Medals (or as the Truks call them, Infidel Money, using them for weights only) the Pagan Tinker told him, he had a shop-full of them a day or two before, but that he had newly melted them all, to make Pots and Kettles. But this of old the nobler Romans (as if foreseeing it) took such care of, that besides a Law expresly prohibiting the melting down of any Coin or Medals; to preserve all other noble Monuments from being so much as

any ways marr'd or injured (expos'd as many of them were abroad in the streets and about the Cities) they had their Curator Statuarum, as well as their Tribuni rerum Nitentium; especial∣ly Libraries, Buildings of Magnificence, and other publick Decorations and Ornaments.

The truth is (whatever care there was of old) 'tis not a∣bove an Age since they were even at Rome it self so negli∣gently Barbarous, that some Harpies would have demolish'd the Arch of Constantine, and so obliterated the Memory of that great Emperor and Revolution, as far as in these wretches lay, had not Pope Paul the Fifth taken care to prevent them: They had already pull'd down the Septizonium of Severus, so as there now remains no Vestigia of that noble and singular Antiquity, nor of many a Triumphal Arch besides (as that of Drusus over the Germans and others) except it be in the Me∣dal; and were proceeding upon the only remaining Amphi∣theater of Titus, miserably defac'd already; so as that renown∣ed City had by this time been hardly known so much as in her Ruins.

To resume then our Subject, and at once, & instar om∣nium, to shew their incomparable Use, and how vastly they might contribute to the Universal Republic of Letters, were it possible to make a complete Collection, and uninterrupt∣ed Series of Greek and Roman Coins, as doubtless they have been stamp'd and distributed upon all signal Occasions, when great numbers were utter'd and dispers'd from time to time, besides those which were also frequently found under the Foundations of Public Edifices (on whose Reverses was usu∣ally the Model or Picture of the Fabric) I affirm, were such a Treasure to be met with, the learned World would be furnish'd and inrich'd with a World of rare Antiquities; vouchers subsidiary to good History, and of what there has past of Memorable, with far more certainty than from any other perishable Records whatsoever, since Medals are not justified by Books and Authors, but Books and Authors by Medals rather. I cannot (says the illustrious Scaliger) but admire how many noble Records, rare and recondit Myste∣ries are contain'd, and have been transmitted to us in Medals and Inscriptions, quae nos fugiunt, and of what we could never else have had such clear and perspicuous Testimony! But he who has a mind to see how Medals vindicate and support

antient History preferrable to Books, may consult the lear∣ned Spanheim's Preface and Notes on Iulius Caesar.

And here I must acknowledg, that I have been more con∣firm'd by that Bass Relieve still extant on that Triumphal Arch of Titus, which at my being at Rome I caus'd to be most accurately Delineated by Carolo Morotti (since, for his incom∣parable Talent advanc'd to be the Popes chief Painter, and worthily now esteem'd the first of Europe) with all the La∣cunae and Detritions in so long a tract of Time, to prevent the being impos'd upon by most, if not by all those Sculp∣tors (not excepting Francis Perrier, esteem'd to be the most faithful) whose Prints I have ever seen, and who presume to supply what is quite worn out with their Conjectures. I say I have been more edified by this undoubted Antiquity, and by the Medals representing to us the sad and deplorable Eversion of that once glorious Temple, and Destruction of that obstinate People for their prodigious Ingratitude and Ma∣lice in putting to Death the Son of God, than by all that Iosephus, and other Historians of that time or since, have left us in their Books.

I am not ignorant that many passages of moment have been falsely grounded upon these venerable Monuments; as from that known Inscription SANCTO. SANCO. SE∣MONI,* 1.18 &c. by the Holy Martyr S. Iustin and others since; whilst prejudice and superstition make others to mistake the most grosly; as the learned Dr. Spon clearly shews in his Let∣ter to Father Chaise, who pretended to derive and prove the Antiquity of the Popish Mass from a Medal stampt in the time of Constantine the Great; because forsooth, in a certain Reverse of that Emperor, one sees a little round thing upon an Altar, which being more heedfully inspected (without the aid of Microscopes) evidently appear'd to be a Mund or Imperial Globe only; but which the zealous Iesuit took for a Consecrated Wa∣fer: Thus quod volumus facile credimus. But the instances we have hitherto produc'd are Authentic and without Reproach, evin∣cing and establishing what is pretended from them beyond ex∣ception. And for the Historical Part, by what is already among the Curious and lovers of this Study; we cannot rea∣sonably question, but those Kingdoms and flourishing States who took such care to preserve and trasmit those noble and worthy Actions to Posterity, were not less diligent and

curious not to suffer any thing of Signal and Illustrious to escape them, than a very Modern State and Commonwealth near us, have to this day (to our reproach or neglect at home be it spoken) in their most laudable Imitation of the wisest, most renown'd and prosperous Commonwealth we find Ce∣lebrated for their Wisdom and Virtue.

An egregious Instance of this may be seen in what Mon∣sieur Bizot and his Continuator have Publish'd, in the Histoire Metalique de la Rep. d'Holland (Printed first in Folio, since in three elegantly Design'd and Insculp'd Octavo's) where one has the intire History of whatsoever has passed of Public and Memorable by Sea or Land, in Peace or War of any sort, relating to that wonderful Commonwealth. All of it deduc'd, represented and supported by, and from the Records of Medals, Stampt and Publish'd in the year, and at the times when such and such Actions happen'd to be done and were fresh in memory; and that from the very Infancy of that State, and defection from the Crown of Spain to this day; together with apposite Devises and In∣scriptions both of Things and Persons, Monumental, and high∣ly conducing to divers Passages of our Modern Histories and Revolutions (abating of some Liberties which perhaps might decently have been pass'd by, not so well becoming the gra∣vity of Medal, but which are yet Matters of Fact) namely, their Wars, Sieges, Expeditions, Truces, Peaces, Alliances, Negotiations, Discoveries, Colonies, Adventures, Plantations, Companies, and Improvements of Arts and Manufactures. In a word, nothing Memorable has escap'd the Medal; nor what of other Countries that have had any relation to them: Sometimes to the Honor of their Nation, useful and full of profitable Diversion: Verily a Curiosity, together with the Historical Discourses upon them, worthy both the Collection and Cabinet of the Curious.

To proceed therefore with their Reverses: We have there represented (besides Heads and Effigies) all that has fall'n out of Great and worthy the notice of History, frequent E∣vents referring to most Actions not of Europe only, but of both the Indies and the whole World, in any sort relating to (I think) the most Industrious People in it. For instance,

They have Medals of the very first occasion of their Re∣volt and Emancipation from the Tyranny and Oppression of

Philip II. under which they groan'd, upon his endeavouring to introduce the Inquisition, and in order thereunto erect∣ing new Bishopricks and Tribunals, infringing their antient Immunities and Constitutions: And how from that con∣temptuous Name of Geux and Vagabonds, to High and Mighty; they in less than a Century asserted their Rights and Liberties against all the Power and Policy of then, the most potent and formidable Monarch of Christendom.

We have in the Reverse of their Medals, their Original Confederation and Union with Utrecht; their early applica∣tion and submission to Queen Elizabeth for her Protection; the Cautionary Towns and Fortresses made over to, and Gar∣risoned by her, with their R••••ddition; their deplorable and cruel Sufferings after their first Governor Philip Emanuel Duke of Savoy, and Governes's Margarete Dutchess of Parma; Car∣dinal Granvil, under that fierce and truculent Alvarez de To∣ledo Duke of Alva; his Son Frederic, Don Lovis de Requesens; Don Iohn of Austria; the Arch-Duke Matthias; the Princes of Parma; Count Mansfield; Arch-Duke Albert; Clara Eu∣genia; the Cardinal Infanta; the late Fran. de Mela; Leopol∣dus; Monterey and the rest.

They represent the Executions, and Catastrophes of Count Egmont and Horn; the several Massacres which follow'd; the Heroical Acts of Prince William of Nassau; his Assassi∣nation; the Effigies and Exploites of those who pursued that great Persons Victories; what was (or rather indeed what was not done) during the Government of the Duke of Alen∣son, and our Earl of Leicester; the wonderful Successes and Triumphs of Grave Maurice; Henry Frederic, William the Second and Third, the Renowned Princes of Orange, even to the late stupendious Revolution.

We have in the Reverses of their Medals, the Surprizes of Brill (which was their first Exploit) and Harlem; the me∣morable Siege of Leyden; the Stratagem at Breda, Sluce, Ber∣gen-op-zoom, Bois le Duc, Venlo, Ruremond, Sas de Gand, Hulst, the later Siege of Maestricht, &c. the famous Leagures and Battles of Ostend, Newport, Seneff, with the Heads and Pour∣traits of Sir Francis and Horatio Veres, and other English He∣ro's their brave Exploits and Successes against Don Iuan, Parma, Spinola, and others the most renowned Captains and Commanders of that Age.

There is a Medal of Prince William the Second's March to Amsterdam, and of whatsoever else has fall'n out of Remarka∣ble for more than an hundred years past. But these, for being acted in their own Country, I mention together, not forgetting such Exploits as their Medals have Consecrated to their Renown abroad upon the Sea, and in other Lands; as a Reverse of the famous Battel of Lepanto; the bold Action at Damiata in Egypt; the Naval Fight in Eighty Eight, upon our dispersion of that Invincible Armada, with that other signal Combat in An. 1639. their surprizing of the Spanish Plate Fleet; several Contests with ours during the late Re∣bellion, with their Admirals Trumps, de Ruyters, Opdams, &c. Engagements with the Duke of York, Prince Rupert, Duke of Albemarle, and Earl of Sandwich (worthy a kinder fate) and, to our reproach, their Insult at Chatham, and Action at Bergen; Relief of Denmark and Copenhagen, when streight∣ned by the Swedes: there is a large Medalion of de Ruyters Ex∣ploits in Sicily; Succours formerly yielded to other Princes their Allies, as during their Peace with Albert and Isabel, in the affair of Cleve and Iuliers; they stampt Medals of the late Incursions and Excursions of the French An. 1673. since the Peace of Nimegue, and several other Treaties and Conven∣tions since that general one at Munster, and what pass'd with that Martial Bishop; Groningen, Narden, Breda; the Triple League, and several others with Foreign Princes and Po∣tentates.

There is a Medal asserting their Liberty of Commerce; of their Expeditions to the Eastern Indies by the Cape of Good Hope; in sum, of their Circum-Navigations of the whole Terrestrial-Terraqueous World, penetrating to the Anti∣podes, and even to the sight of both the Poles: Others of their Wars with the Indian Monarchs; the Establishment of both East and West India Companies; their Colonies, Ci∣ties, Forts, Factories in the Moluccas, Iavan, Ceylon, and o∣ther Spice Islands; their Fisheries and Adventures at Nova Zembla, and attempts on the North west Passages; of their Expeditions and Success of Prince Maurice in Brasile. In short, there's not a Discovery, Colony, Munition, Plan∣tation, Negotiation, Factory or Scale of Commerce, City, Citadel, State-house, Bourse, Church, Hospital, sumptuous Edifice, Harbor, Canal or the like Public Charge, but they

shew in Medal: Witness those struck of the Erection of Leiden, and other Cities into Schools and Universities; the Ef∣figies of their famous Professors and Countrymen, renown'd for their Learning, Souldiers, Statesmen; Medals of the Authors of several Inventions, Arrogating the Arts of Print∣ing, Painting in Oyl; Mills and Machines; their veliferous Chariot, and other great and useful Things.

They struck Medals of several Triumphs and magnificent Pomps on sundry occasions, setting forth the Reception and Marriage of the unfortunate Frederic Prince Elector, and La∣dy Elizabeths Landing at Flushing; another, when the King and Queen of Bohemia took their sad flight after the decre∣tory Battel of Prague; they caused Medals to be made of the Refuge which they gave to Mary de Medices, Mother of so many Crown'd Heads when she had none to shelter her own: Of the Nuptials of Prince William the Second with the Daugh∣ter of England; another of the generous Entertainment which they gave our late King Charles the Second at Breda, and of his Transportation into England at his Restoration.

To these succeed their Medals of the late Duke of Mon∣mouths Invasion; the Birth of the Prince of Wales; of our Bishops confinement in the Tower of London; as formerly I had found one in memory of the Gun-Powder Conspiracy; a delivery (for ought I know) wholly neglected by us who were most concern'd, with any lasting Record of this nature, or bare Inscription.

The late stupendious Expedition, and Descent at Torbay is celebrated in a large Medalion; as is likewise the Recess of King Iames II. and the Coronation following.

They stamp'd a Medal upon the memorable Siege of Lon∣don-Derry in Ireland, with sundry more relating to divers o∣ther Passages and Events extraordinary and worthy Record.

I have seen a Reverse of the famous Synod at Dort; of the fortunate escape of the learned Grotius (Author of so many incomparable Works) convey'd out of a strong Prison, in∣stead of a Trunk of Books, whilst his unfortunate Compa∣nion Olden-Barnevelt lost his head; of which, as of the un∣happy De Wit and his Brother Cornelius there are Medals.

They struck a Medal and several Medalions on the Viola∣tion of the solemn Edict of Nantes, and of the ensuing, and present Persecution of the French Protestants and severities ex∣ercised

upon them; another of the Prophetic Iurieu, and of that of the Count D' Avaux in contradiction to him; and to give them their due, they freely consign to the Record of Medals, as well their disasters as their Triumphs; the Inun∣dations of their Country, and several Conspiracies against it.

All these, and many more which we pass over, elaborate∣ly and curiously Design'd, Engraven and Coin'd in Gold, Sil∣ver and Copper, together with apt Inscriptions and Symbols; so that none seem more laudably ambitious either of Im∣mortalizing their Actions, or for the benefit, incitation, and imitation of Posterity, or vindication of Authors and Inven∣tions than this Republique; none more addicted to Public Works and Improvements, therein emulous of, and in some things even transcending the antient Greeks and Rome hereself.

It is true, that Iaques de Bie did, in the year 1646. set forth his France Metalique, beginning at Pharamond (accor∣ding to their Genius of Romance) to the Father of the present Monarch Louis XIV. exceedingly well Engraven and Ex∣plain'd, but with little of those fastidious, swelling and in∣sulting Titles, the Flatterers of late have publish'd in a more pompous Volume. But as it is intirely taken up in those sla∣vish Deferences, so to the dishonor of those excellent Uses we have celebrated Medals for; we should altogether have omitted the mention of what we do in this kind, were not some passages so notorious, and some of them so disinge∣nuous, and such as may serve to convince the present, as well as future Ages, that whatsoever impartial History shall here∣after record, of Actions the most inhumanly Barbarous that any Age has produc'd among Christians (or indeed the most Savage Nations) may be justified by the Medals and Inscrip∣tions both Stamp'd, and daily Publish'd to acquire the Name of GRAND, and establish it upon unheard of Ambition, Cruelty and Oppression, and the shedding of human Blood, Banishments and Desolations; which, methinks, is so far from deserving the Honor of Medal, Inscription and Triumph, as the best of Princes have merited them all, by the grateful and immortal Memory of true and lasting Glory; not by Titles only of Piety, Zeal and Justice, but by their Clemency and ••••••••OB. CIVES. SERVATOS.

From the year 1638. to this present, we have the Majo∣rity, Coronation, Marriage, Children; Education of this

Great Monarch; his Sieges, Conquests, Buildings, Acade∣mies, Treaties, Truces, Leagues, Conventions, Parliaments, Laws, Abolitions, Military Orders, Marishals, Colonies, Forts, Triumphs, &c. It would require a Volumne but to recite a little of them all; nor indeed am I willing to believe them half approv'd of by the Prince; tho by those Royal Flatterers Perault, Carpentier, La Chapel, and other Court-Wits they seem to be, who have labour'd those Inscriptions, divers of them appearing so boldly prophane, and with Attributes of Omnipotence; others so fulsomly Arrogant and Vain-glo∣rious, and some again scandalous; mean, and trifling; which, tho added to the French second Edition, are yet Historical of considerable Passages. To give a Specimen of but few.

There is a Medal representing the King standing between the two Cities of Genoa and Luxemburg, holding the World on the point of his Sword:

Victori perpetuo, ob expugnatas urbes ducentas.

That is, Pyrgopolinices like, laying whole Cities and Coun∣tries in Ashes and Desolation. Another, Rheno, Batavisque una superatis 1672. upon that surprizing Invasion, and since more fatal one Ultimo Aditu Hostibus Germanis Galliae, &c. and actually, during all the Blood-shed and Violation of the solemnest Treaties, Pacatori Orbis; which brings to mind that Raillant Medal Galienae Augustae, with the Legend Pax ubique, when, through his negligent Government, the whole Empire was torn in pieces by Thirty Tyrants. Thus now, as of old, Ubi solitudinem faciunt, Pacem appellant. But what is most stupendious Ludovicus Magnus XIV. &c. The Re∣verse two Columns upon one Pedestal, one of which is thrown down, with the Edict of Nantes lying by on the ground•• upon the other is ingraven Romain ou Rebel, Papist or Re∣bel: On the Pedestal Edictum Nantesium, Nimesiumque abro∣gatum est mense Octob. 1685. In another Haeresis extincta E∣dictum Octobris 1685. And contrary to the most Sacramen∣tal Obligations and Acknowledgments of the good and great Services his Protestant Subjects had done the Crown, reward∣ed by Templis Calvinianorum eversis, with that Triumphal one of Vicies centena Millia Calvinianae Ecclesiae revocata, &c. For having converted Two Millions of Protestants by a Million of Dragoons; such terrible Inscriptions are extant of Dioclesian, (Nomine Christianorum Deleto, &c.) but of no Heathen Emperor else that I can learn.

I confess when I turn over Code Louis XIII. from An. 1598 for now almost an hundred years, comprehending at large all these Edicts with that solemnity Reiterated, Verified and Registred in several Parliaments, and other Sovereign Courts, confirmed and granted under the Hands and Seals of Henry the Fourth, and all his Successors since; together with the Oaths of the Supreme Magistrates, and Judges, to observe it as a Law perpetual and irrevocable, as if Enacted by the Medes and Persians, without any exception. I cannot, I say, but be astonish'd at what is since done, and made boast of not only in time of peace, but without the least provocation of his suffering, and (by his own confession) meritorious Subjects! But such is this Monarchs pleasure;

—Stat pro Ratione, Voluntas.

But the following are modest, Sufficit Orbi.

They radiate the King with the Sun-beams (nor do they more in their Pictures of God the Father) as if alone suffici∣ent to govern the Universe;

Non alio cerni Majestas se velit ore, Non aliud Mundus poscat habere caput.

Comparing his Majesty to that illustrious Planet in no fewer than seventy five Devises and Inscriptions. To which add (what most of all they seem fond of) Nec pluribus impar. But which was indeed the Impress of Philip the Second of Spain (as already we have shew'd) written about a Globe of the World; which, how since from so glorious a Rise and Meridian it is declin'd and ready to Set, might be a Do∣cument, and shew how short and transitory all worldly Pro∣sperity is; but, to prevent that fate, we are told in another Reverse, Nec cesso, nec erro. And, Caesar-like, in another, Ut vidi, vici; nay, far exceeding all the Caesars, Satis est vidisse, kills with his very looks; and so does the King of Serpents the Basilisk: And in another Solo lumine terret, sending forth Rays not like the benign Sun to light and comfort, but to burn and destroy. Thus in another upon the Conquest of the Franche Compte, where the Reverse represents a Mountain of Snow dissolving at the Suns approach; and of the same kind that unsatiably Ambitious one,

Nusquam meta mihi. I know no bounds.

Swallowing all under the pretence of Appennages; which re∣minds me again of another of the former Philips, Non suf∣ficit Orbis. The Reverse a Spanish Courser unbridl'd, and galloping round the Globe of the Earth. But we have seen how lamentably he was tired before he came to his Journeys end, within eight or nine years after.

But what may not he do, whose Law is his Will? For so 'tis declar'd in the Medal Bombarding of Genoa:

QUOD. LIBET. LICET. What I list is Law.

Whereas in truth, Pauciora licet ei quàm ulli, cui licet omnia.

These, and the like, exceeding all that's Modest, truely Great, and Christian, makes me with good reason question; whether these Medals were ever so much as seen, or approv∣ed of by Le Roy Tres Chrestienne, the most Christian King. Wherefore, after all, I cannot but impute them all to that bane of Princes, and worst of Subjects, Sycophants and Flatte∣rers; who, to shew what he has perform'd by Sea, as well as at Land,

Tu Dominaris Potestati Maris: Ut Maris Imperium Virtute paratum, Religione tueretur, Seminarium Brestense extruxit: ET PATRIBUS SOCIETATIS IESU

Administrandam commisit, An. 1685. Under whom to be sure it cannot but prosper, unless they chance to meet an English Fleet, which will not so easily part with this Dominion; 'tis however a glorious Boast, and should make us look about us, whilst we see in another Reverse

Bello & Commercio Nautarum LX Millium Conscripto 1685.

That he has Threescore Thousand Seamen in Pay, &c. We pass over the Sub umbra alarum Sueciae; the Sidera Lodovicia; Satellites, about Saturn, &c. but must not omit that glorious Medalion of the Adorations paid by the Ora∣tors Regis Siam, 1686. resembling that which we read, and see pictured of the Queen of Sheba, when she came from the utmost ends of the Earth, to hear the Wisdom of Solomon, Ob Famam Virtutis, as tho a greater than Solomon were here.

There are others representing the Juncture of the Ocean and Mediterranean; the mighty Aquaeduct he is leading through Rocks and Mountains to his Palace of Versailles; attempts

truly Great; and like another Alexander (which I do not reprove) VIRO IMMORTALI. We sum up all in that Epigraph on the Reverse of another illustrious Medalion struck in the year M. DC. LXXXVII.

LVDOVICO. MAGNO. QVI. BATAVIS. DEBELLATIS. HISPANIS TOTIES DEVICTIS. HOSTIVM. CLASSIBVS. FVGATIS. ET. INCENSIS TOT. FERE. EVROPAE. CONIVRATAE. ET. FOEDERATAE. PACEM. DEDIT. IMPERAVIT.

That is, in short, of mere pity, having vanquish'd all the Powers of Europe, he commanded her to accept of the Peace which he vouchsafed to offer,

Regna superstat, Qui regnare jubet.* 1.19

Or, as another has writen under his Effigies,

Nutu, Rex stabunt Regna cadentque tuo. —At his nod, all Kingdoms do stand and fall. Lovis quotorzieme, Roy de France, les delices, & la terreur du genre Humain.

Lewis the Fourteenth, King of France, the delight (truly said of that incomparable Prince Titus Vespasian) and terror of Mankind: Which I think was never recorded or said in Pa∣negyric of any Christian Prince, or perhaps Pagan before, excepting Atila the Hum; which makes me persist, and still to doubt, and even to hope, that these flattering Titles are the product only of those abject and servile Parasites, the Pest of Courts and of Princes. And of this I am the more con∣firm'd, by the deserv'd Censure which I find given of the * 1.20 Publisher, to disabuse the curious Mons. Schermeier, who valu'd and look'd upon his Collection of a great deal of this stuff, as a Treasure to his Cabinet of Medals.

And yet what is all this to the Medalion of the Statue E∣rected by the Duke de la Feuillade in the Place Victoire? The egregious Vanity of which (not to say Profaneness) with all that Herba Parietaria of Emblems, and Symbols and Adulatory Devices about it, is publish'd and makes up a whole Volume too long here to recite, as they are design'd by those great Masters le Brun, Mignard, Varin, Cheron, Roussel, Bernard, Molart, de la Hay, and the rest.

Those who thirst to see, and would be entertained with abundance more of this kind of Pageantry, may please to peruse the History of Lewis the Great, set forth in a pompous Folio by the Iesuit Menestrier, 1691. whose De∣dication thus bespeaks him.

To Lewis the Grand.

The Invincible, the Wise, the Conquerour, the Wonder of his Age, Terror of his Enemies; Lover of his People: Arbi∣ter of Peace and War: Administrator of the Universe, and Worthy to be its Master, &c. are offer'd with profound Submission, the Medals of an Accomplish'd HERO: Presenting him the History of a Reign Worthy Immortality, and the Veneration of all Ages.

To which somebody has unhappily Subjoyn'd by way of Reprisal

Les Heros de la Ligue, ou la Procession Monacale, conduite par Lovis XIV. pour la Conversion des Protestans, de son Roy∣aume, &c.

In good earnest, who can seriously allow any Countenance to this Abuse of Medals and Inscriptions, which I look upon and esteem as the noblest Repositories of great and serious Matters? So as I have frequently wish'd, that we of this Nation had oftner imitated the laudable Examples of those Wise and Noble People, who (as we have shew'd) suffer'd nothing of truly Great and Worthy to pass, which they did not transmit to Posterity by Medals and Inscriptions; Modest and Pertinent, and far from that turgid Vanity and gross A∣dulation, as to the most perennial and lasting Records.

Nor does this Excess of Flatteries reign among the Wits and Poets only, or such as Blaspheme for Bread; but is gotten among the Clergy too: nay and crept into the Monasteries and Cells of the very Minimi-Monks and self-denying Orders, without any Reprehension or Notice at all taken by their Su∣periours, to discountenance or repress it: Witness their late publick and famous Theses, in which Intrepidly and sans re∣serve, they compare a Mortal Prince, whose Breath is in his Nostrils, to the True and Eternal God, no fewer than twelve times; ascribing to him all those Attributes and Perfections, which the Holy Scriptures make only due to the Divine Majesty; thereby inferring, that the Transcendent Wisdom of the most Christian King, is Argument alone sufficient to Convince all Atheists of the Existence of the Deity, and of his Angels too:

which, whilst these meek and creeping Souls, who profess so much Evangelical Simplicity (and would above all others, be distinguish'd for their extraordinary Sanctity) presume to affirm; gives not only great scandal to others, but to some worthy Persons also of that Communion; wondering that the Bishops and Clergy (who are set to be the continual Pro∣tectors and Guardians of those Boundaries which are plac'd to se∣parate that which is due to God alone from that of Caesars) should suffer such Bold and Impious Theses to escape the Spunge and Index, so worthily perstring'd by* 2.1 Monsieur Amelot in his learned Treatise of Flatterers, upon the Morals of Tacitus, to which I refer the Reader: But so (as one well observes) the Great Alexander, by his Adulators, was made at last to believe, not only to be himself a God; but that he had power to make Hephestion a God also; so True is that,

Nil est, quod credere de se Non possit,* 2.2 cum laudatur Diis aequa potestas. Once equal Men to Gods, there's nothing they Refuse to credit Flatterers can say.

But of this Pagan and Slavish Adulation of Princes, see co∣pious Instances in Casaubon's Animadver. in Athenaeum, lib. vi. c. c. 14, 15, &c.

In the mean time, let not yet the ill use which two or three Prodigies of Men, and their Parasites have made of them (for we read but of few exceeding that number, even amongst the Domitians and Pagan Emperors) who prevented those venerable Monuments of the bravest Actions; and were therefore noted with Infamy; had their Statues broken, their Medals call'd in, and Effigies defac'd: I say let them not discourage us from Imitating those Illustrious Princes and States, who have modestly deliver'd to us many brave and profitable Notices, by their Medals, which had else utterly, and perhaps irrecoverably been lost to the Learned World: For so the Lives, and worthy Memories of several Great Emperors are left and transmitted to us (as those of Iulius, Augustus, Vespasian, Titus, Nerva, Trajan, Antoninus, M. Aurelius, Septimus Severus, &c. with innumerable Rare and Remarkable Things and Passages of their Reigns, by the Study and Industry of many learned Authors upon this Subject.

Since then the greatest Nations for Renown and Virtue have been thus celebrated, and incited to brave and glorious Actions, by having the Memories of them, among other last∣ing Monuments and Records, thus consign'd: It would raise Pity, with just Indignation, to find a Kingdom so fertile of Gallant and Illustrious Persons, so poorly furnished, to shew (by any accomplish'd History or Series hitherto extant) what has been done and atchiev'd by Ancestors truly Great, and permit me to add, worthy the Consideration in Medal; and whose Effigies alone were desirable for their Virtues, equalling many of them to the most Celebrated of the Antients, and deserving the stamp of the most precious and lasting Metals. I grieve to find so very few Medals of this kind among us, in an Age so polite and knowing, during all the Changes, Revolutions, and signal Events either of this, or foreign Countries, where we have been concern'd in Voyages and Discoveries, Conquests, Colonies and Plantations: So many prodigious Fights and Conflicts at Land and Sea, wherein those Heroes have signaliz'd themselves comparably with any which former Ages can produce: For what People of the Universe can boast of greater Men for Arms and Arts? But to name them, and yet neglect them, would be more to our Reproach.

For besides some Coronation-Pieces and Medals stamp'd on the Births, or Nuptials of two or three late Princes, &c. We have ('till Charles the First of Blessed Memory) almost nothing to shew which can well pretend to Medal: 'Tis true (speak∣ing of the Barbarous Ages) we have summarily mention'd what British, Saxon and other later Coins remain among our Modern Collections, genuine, and of good Antiquity, as to this Island (exceedingly well engraven in Mr. Speed's Chronicle from the Coins themselves, collected by Sir Robert Cotton, and now augmented, and improv'd in the new Edition of Camden) without Reverse, Shield or Inscription; besides perchance a rude Cross, Name of a King, and sometimes of the Mint, with that vulgar Sentence Dieu & mon Droit, in use 'till King Iames the First, and the Union with Scotland made some little alteration; none of which are to be look'd upon, or consider'd as Medals, but as Money only.

My worthy and learned Friend* 2.3 Dr. Plot tells us of a Coin, or Token rather, bearing the Head of Edward Con∣fessor, somewhere found in his Perambulation of Oxfordshire,

which by an hole or appendant Ring, he conjectures to have been given to wear about the Necks of such as had been touch'd for the King's-Evil; that Religious Prince being it seems, the first who had the Charisma and Sanative Gift, de∣rived to his Successors Kings of England: But this, tho' for its Antiquity, (and as it related to that particular Effect) it deserv'd our Notice; yet is it neither to be reckon'd amongst our Medals, as having neither Legend nor Reverse.

To commence then with the very first and earliest that it has been my hap to see of Historical, and which may pass for Medal: A Golden Royal of Edward the Third, repre∣sents him standing compleatly Arm'd in the middle of a Ship at Sea; holding a Sword in his right hand, the Shield with the Arms of England and France, in his left: The Royal Standard arbour'd, and displaid at the Stern, &c. Justifying as well his Title to the Dominion of the Sea, as Soveraignty of France: This Medal, for so I call it (tho' it also pass for Money) being purely Historical, appears to have been struck about the time of the Treaty of Peace between that glori∣ous Monarch, and King Iohn of France, in behalf of them∣selves, and their eldest Sons; namely, Edward the Black Prince, and Charles Duke of Normandy, the French King be∣ing Prisoner. This Treaty, dated the 8th of May, An. 1360. near Chartres in Britany, was confirm'd at Calais in Picardy; whereupon Hostages were given us by the French King, who was himself obliged to come in Person, and pay the Ransom we have formerly made mention of. The Medal follows.

[illustration]

Medal 1.

EDW••RD. DI. GR••. REX. ••NGL. Z, FR••N. DNS. IB.

Reverse,

A Rose (whence also call'd the Rose Noble) with many Rays extending to four Lions passant; over them a Ducal Coronet, and as many Flour de Lyes in a Compartment of eight Gode∣roons, Inscrib'd,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

Which some Interpret Enigmatically of the Secret of the fa∣mous Elixir, by which the Gold was made: Others for an Amulet, superstitiously applying the Words of the Gospel, which tender'd the Wearer thereof Invulnerable. But this Remark is obvious, that we find no such Pretence by any Authentic Medal or Claim of the French Kings, or of any o∣ther Potentate: That Stamp in the late Wapen or Arms of Zeland, being nothing to this purpose; as Importing only the Si∣tuation of those few Islands: concerning which, and of all that is said of Allectus to corroborate our Claim and antient Right, see the Learned Selden's Mare Clausum, lib. II. cap. 25.

There was another of Henry V. and Queen Mary of less Value, which likewise bare the same Shield and a Cross in the midst of a Ship; Reverse, St. Michael and the Dragon; but neither of these, or of the former have I seen in Silver. There was also Golden Money stamp'd at Paris, and in Normandy by the same Henry, bearing the Angel's Salutation of the Blessed Virgin; but for that they contain nothing of Medal, I pass them over. Another goodly Medal of the same Metal (as I am assured, but have not seen) and of considerable Value, bearing the Effigies of King Henry* 2.4 VII. and his Queen joyning hands, with this Verse,

Iungimus optatas sub Amico saedere dextras.

the Reverse was not told me.

[illustration]

Medal II.

His Son and Successors Effigies half Fac'd (which was neither usual in his Coins or Picture) arm'd in Bust; a flat Bonnet on his Head, a Ducal Coronet in a void Place behind.

HENRICUS. VIII. ANG. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX.

Reverse.

A pensile Cataracta or Portcluse and Coronet between the Chains.

SECURITAS. ALTERA.

with relation to his locking up the Seas; as was also after∣wards on the Coin made for the East-India Company.

This Medalion was stamp'd both in Gold and Silver, at what time Henry had the Emperour Maximilian in Pay, and Militating under his Banner,* 2.5 at the taking of Tournay from Lewis XII. of France, Ann. 1513. as the whole Triumph is incomparably set forth, in that inestimable Painting of Hans Holbein, still fresh and at large among his Majesty's Pictures at Whitehall.

Of the same date we find another of Iames IV. of Scotland.

[illustration]

Medal III.

With his Effigies in Bust, Arm'd; about him the Order of St. Michael crown'd with a Crown of two Bars.

IACOBVS. IIII. DEI. GRATIA. REX. SCOTORVM.

Reverse.

A Doric Column upon a Bank or Rock, near the Sea, having on its Capitol a Ianus, or two-headed Figure twin'd with Laurel, regarding opposite Capes or Promontories jetting into the Sea.

Over the Biceps,

VTRVNQVE.

Which Medal was it seems coin'd in that fatal Year this young Prince was (together with a great slaughter of Scotish Nobility) slain, Invading England during the absence of our Henry, then upon that famous Expedition above-mention'd.

A Fourth is indeed that truly Remarkable one, being a Medalion with the Effigies of Henry half-fac'd in his usual Bonnet, Furr'd Gown, and invaluable Collar of Rubies, sold since abroad to give the Royal Family Bread.

[illustration]

Medal IV.

The Legenda taking up a double Circle.

HENRICVS. OCTA. ANGLIAE. FRANC. ET. HIB. REX. FIDEI. DEFENSOR. ET. In the second inner Circle, IN. TERR. ECCLE. ANGLI. ET. HIB. SVB. CHRIST. CAPVT. SVPREMVM.

Note, That the Circles made into four equal parts, have the Rose, Portcluse, Fleur-de-Lys and Harp crown'd.

Reverse.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉Londini 1545.

I omit the Henry Noble, little different from that of Henry the Third.

Edward VI.

Of King Edward VI. I remember not to have seen any Me∣dal, save that of his Money, which is indeed elegantly stampt; though I cannot but think some Memorial must needs have been of that hopeful and virtuous Prince; whilst in the mean time, other Countries did not fail of taking occasion to cele∣brate an Exploit of theirs against him, in a Medal struck by Henry II. of France, when Bulloin was delivered to him.

[illustration]

V.

The Reverse was Andromeda's being freed from the Monster. The Words,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

upon the unexpectedness of the Surprise: But this for not be∣ing to our Honour (though it concluded in a considerable sum of Money, and a Treaty of Marriage intended to be be∣tween a Daughter of Henry and Edward) I only mention, as belonging to the History of his short Reign.

[illustration]

VI

Queen Mary.

Of Q. Mary there was a very large Medalion struck upon her restoring the Roman Religion: her Head is dressed in

plain Coiffure (as she's commonly painted) with a Lace, or Fillet set with Pearls and Precious Stones, Inscrib'd,

MARIA. I. REG. ANGL. FRANC. ET. HIB. FIDEI. DEFENSATRIX.

Reverse.

Represents Peace with a Radiant Crown, half-sitting on a Curule-Chair and kneeling on a Cube: in her Right hand a Torch setting fire to an heap of Arms and Trophies, before a Temple à l' Antique; in her Left, branches of Palm and Lau∣rel, as delivering several People out of a Dungeon covered with smoak and flames, under which runs a stream of Water; 'tis supposed in allusion to that of Psal. lxv. Transivimus per ignem & aquam, & eduxisti nos in refrigerium, which the Do∣ctors of that Church usually apply to Purgatory.

CECIS. VISVS. TIMIDIS. QVIES.

This Medalion is said to have been stampt Ann. 1553. soon after the Defeat of the Duke of Northumberland, and the Ri∣sing in Suffolk; upon which followed her Coronation, and at which Solemnity there were scatter'd Ryals of broad Gold, The Queen Vested in the Regalia and Inthron'd.

[illustration]

VII

MARIA. D. G. ANG. FRA. Z. HIB. REGINA. M.D.LIII.

About the Reverse,

Which is a plain Escutcheon of the Arms of England and France quarter'd, and plac'd in the Center of a Rose full blown.

A. DNO. FACTVM. EST. ISTVD. Z. EST. MIRA. IN. OCVL. NRIS.

There are of this Queen divers Coins of Money, wherein she is join'd with her Husband Philip II, in some whereof he has the Title of Angliae Rex.

The Reverse Bellerophon killing the Chimera, representing the Suppression of the Western Insurrection of Wyat and Carew Ann. 1554. as also that of St. Quintin, Ann. 1557.

The Angelot of this Queen bears the Arms of England quar∣tered with France; the Shield fix'd to a Cross erected in the middle of a Ship at Sea, on each side of the Cross M•• 58. the Reverse, Michael and the Dragon.

Queen Elizabeth.

During the long, prosperous and prudent Reign of Queen Elizabeth, I find very few Medals; at which I the more won∣der, when I consider how many famous Exploits and signal Passages the History of her Life are full of: The very first which I have seen, and that I think may properly come into this Recension as it concerns the Story of that Renown'd Queen, is a Medal of Mary Queen of Scotland 1588. and her Hus∣band, whose Effigies are Face to Face, a Crown between them.

[illustration]

VIII.

FRAN. ET. MAR. D. G. R. R. SCOTOR. DELPHIN. VIEN.

Reverse.

Assuming the Arms of England and Scotland: in another (which I could never light on) those of the Dolphin,* 2.6 which was laid as a Capital Crime to the Charge of that unfortunate Lady; another with those of France and Scotland only, and a Reverse of the initial Letters of their Names, &c. with these Words,

Vicit Leo de Tribu Iuda. 1560.

which because they little concern us I might pretermit; the other being in the Year of Q. Elizabeth's entring upon her Reign, but of which I find (as yet) no Inauguration Medal, or any besides, 'till the Year 1574. when there was made an ample Oval of her Majesty in Bust, and about a double Circle.

[illustration]

IX

ELIZABETHA. D. G. FR. ET. HIB. REGINA. HEIMIHI. QVOD. TANTO. VIRTVS. PERFVSA. DECORE NON. HABET. AETERNOS. INVIOLATA. DIES

Reverse.

A Phenix rising out of flames, over its head E. R. crown'd.

FELICES. ARABES. MVNDI. QVIBVS. VNICA. PHOENIX. PHOENICEM. REPARAT. DEPERIVNDO. NOVAM. O. MISEROS. ANGLOS. MVNDI. QVIBVS. VNICA. PHOENIX. VLTIMA. FIT. NOSTRO. TRISTIA. FATA. SOLO.

This Medal is said to have been struck, to express the ex∣traordinary Affection of the People towards this incomparable Princess; but not by any publick Order, as was that ever memorable and Triumphant Piece of the Defeat of the Spa∣nish Armada (Anno Mirabili 1588.) which in its Antic and Fore-Table presents us with

[illustration]

X.

A formal Convention of the Pope and Cardinals, Bishops, Emperour, K. Philip II. and other Potentates in their Robes of State, sitting in Consultation; bound about their Eyes and Blindfold; the ends of the Fillets sticking up (mistaken by Monsieur Bigot for Asses Ears) on their several Heads, on which this

Inscription.

O. COECAS. HOMINVM. MENTES. O. PECTORA. COECA. and about the Circle, DVRVM. EST. CONTRA. STIMVLOS. CALCITRARE.

In Postica.

A Fleet of Ships dash'd against Rocks and sinking.

VENI. VIDE. VIVE. 1588.

About the Circle,

TV. DEVS. MAGNVS. ET. MAGNA. FACIS. TV. SOLVS. DEVS.

This Medal weigh'd in Gold near three Ounces. Speed tells Chron. us there were several more stampt upon this signal Deliverance and Defeat, with the Words,

Impius fugit nemine sequente.

The next in order of time, is one which those of Zeland coin'd in Silver, with an English Inscription.

Glory to God alone.

The Reverse a Ship sinking: the Exerge,

I Came, Went, Was. Ann. 1588.

Besides this, there is that of the Confederate States of the Belgick Provinces, when the Queen received them into her Roy∣al Protection; the History whereof being so fully set down by our Learned Camden, I only present in Medal.

[illustration]

XI

Two Hands Manacled, and lifted up towards an Heart Crown'd, on each side whereof P. B. (Provinc. Belg.) and over the Chain between the Hands,

SPES.

About the Circle,

COR. NOBILE. AFFLICTIS. OPITVLATVR. ••

Reverse,

1586. BELGIA. HISPAN. TYRANNIDE. OPPRESSA. PORTV. SVBITA. VI. OBRVTA. AVXIL. A. DEO. ET. SER. ANGLIAE. REG. EXPECT.

We have in a Second, their delivering of the Sword (En∣signs of Sovereignty) to her Majesty seated on her Royal Throne, and receiving their Oaths of Fidelity and Allegiance, Represented by the Book, &c.

[illustration]

XII.

E. REGINA. EST. ALTRIX. ESVRIENTIVM. EVM. 1586.

Reverse.

Iehova in Hebrew Characters, with a Clowd and Flames about it, and a Naked Sword pointing up.

SERMO. DEI. QVOVIS. ENSE. ANCIPI. ACVTIOR.

Another bears the Arms of Zeland, representing a Lion e∣merging out of the Sea.

[illustration]

XIII

LVCTOR. ET. EMERGO. 1586.

The same, environ'd with the Ensigns of Eight more of the Provinces.

AVTORE. DEO. FAVENTE. REGINA.

This Medal stampt in Gold,* 2.7 was strow'd (says my Author) among the People, in Recognition of the Assistance they re∣ceived from the Queen.

There were several more Stampt and Publish'd by that op∣press'd People of the Low-Countries; which because they have so ingenuously acknowledg'd in their Histoire Metalique, we do not repeat. These were coin'd Ann. 1586. with another, a∣bout Fifteen Years after, as appears by the Date, very elegant∣ly and curiously Ingraven, surrounding the Queen's Effigies with this Inscription,

[illustration]

XIV.

VNVM. A. DEO. DVOBVS. SVSTINEO.

Reverse.

her Majesty's Cypher Crown'd, 1601.

AFFLICTORVM. CONSERVATRIX.

Which I mention, for that it appears to have been stampt in England, by the Queen's express Order: for I willingly re∣ceive none for Genuine (and fit to come into this Series) save what had the Allowance of the Regnant Power, or were o∣therwise Notorious and Matter of Fact: Such as is that which Robert Dudley, the Great Earl of Leicester, caus'd to be made in Gold, and distributed among his Friends; representing the Complaints were made of him; at which, having born himself more Imperiously than his Commission from the Queen allow∣ed (and for which he was recall'd) he took high Offence;

presuming that the great Power they had invested him with, would have justified his Behaviour. That it was indeed ve∣ry ample, we have the Authority of an excellent Historian of their own.

—Praefectura totius Belgicae,* 2.8 qualis Caroli temporibus fuerat, & omne Terrae, Marique Regimen, cum Pecuniae publicae Administra∣tione: Senatus ita illi additus; ut Adsessores è Nominatis ipse le∣geret, & quodammodo omnium suffragiis unus aequaretur.

The Earl of Leicester (says Grotius) was look'd upon as the sole Restorer of their lost and divided Fortune,—So as the Belgians offer him the Government of the Low Countries in as ample manner, as in the time of Charles the Emperour; to∣gether with the Absolute Command at Sea and Land; the or∣dering and disposing of the Publick Fisque, and in the Senate, Power to Elect Assessors out of such as should be Nominated, with Definitive Voice in all their publick Suffrages, &c. But to our Medal.

[illustration]

XV.

The Earl's Effigies in Bust Arm'd;

ROBER TVS. DVDLEVS. COM. LEYC. BELG. GVBER.

Reverse,

a Sheppard's Dog, looking disdainfully back upon the Flock he was leaving and going from:

Under the Dog's Legs, Exurg.

INVITVS. DESERO.

About the Circle,

NON. GREGEM. SED. INGRATOS.

Divers more of this nature were on both sides retorted a little Sarcastical, which I chuse rather to pass by, than that which follows; to show how wonderfully Interests and Poli∣ticks are chang'd in Europe, within less than an Age; and the House of Austria (which we now behold so despicably low) gave Terror to a Monarch, who is now culminating and growing up in its place.

[illustration]

XVI

The Medal of the Arms of England, France and Belgia u∣nited with a three-sold Knot, and let down by a hand out of the Clouds; represent a Tripe League against Spain, upon the Al' Arme menacing those three Nations, on the Surprise of Calais, which was Ann. 1596.

RVMPITVR. HAVD. FACILE.

Reverse.

a Navy of great Ships at Sea, over which the Name Iehova, inviron'd with a Glory, and this Epigraph,

QVID. ME. PERSEQVERIS. 1596.

Nor may we forget that other most worthy of her Memo∣ry, for having reform'd the Money, and brought it to the present Test and Standard.

[illustration]

XVII.

In gilt Metal, the Queen in full face, Crown'd and dress'd in her large Ruff, in Bust, as usually pictur'd,

Inscribed,

ET. ANGLORVM. GLORIA.

Reverse,

Moneta, sitting with a pair of Scales in her Right hand, and a Sword in her Left; Clouds and Rays over head, with a Star or Sterling between two Mullets in the Exerge:

About the Circle,

BENE. CONSTITVTA. RE. NVMARIA:

by which appears what early care was taken of that, which by us has been so long neglected

As for any other great Persons in this Queens Reign, (than which none, since it was a Nation, had greater and wiser men managing Publick Affairs) I find one onely Medal, with the Arms of Sackvil within the Garter, &c.

Superscribed,

T. SACKVIL. B. D. BUCH. Ang. Thes. Eq. Aurat.

Reverse,* 2.9 a Lyon.

SEMPER. FIDELIS. 1602.

in which Year that most Renowned Queen departed this Life, and made room for her Successor,

King Iames I.

The first Monarch of Great Britain, whom we behold in his Imperial Robes, Ihrone and Titles.

JACOBVS. D. G. MAG. BRIT. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX.

Reverse,

the Arms of Great Britain placed in the middle of a large Rose, just like to that we described already of Q. Mary, and with the same Inscription, which I therefore omit: it was coin'd in Gold only, and sometimes (though rarely) receiv'd as Money: Another in Silver.

[illustration]

XVIII

the King's Effigies depicted in a narrow taling Band, a Lau∣rel about his Head; Bust Arm'd.

JAC. I. BRIT. CAE. AVG. HAE. CAESARVM. CAE. D. D.

Reverse,

a Lyon Rampant Crown'd holding a Beacon on fire in his Paw, a Wheat-sheaf in his left.

ECCE. PHAOS. POPVLIQ. SALVS.

This Medal is said by Scaliger, to have been scattered as a Largess at his Coronation,* 2.10 but was afterwards it seems call'd in and re-coin'd; whether for the Caesar Caesarum (which that Critic a little ridicules) or for what other Cause I pretend not to judge.

[illustration]

XIX.

Effigies,

JACOBVS. DG. MAG. BRIT. FRAN. ET. HIB•• REX.

Reverse.

HENRICVS. ROSAS. JACOBVS. REGNA.

alluding to the Union of the two Houses of York and Lancaster; represented by the Red and White Rose, on which Iohn Owen [ XX] bestows a Witty Epigram. Lib. 3.

Effigies,

JAC. I. TOTIVS. INS. BRIT. IMP. ET. FRANC. ET. HIB. REX.

Reverse.

The Kings Arms Crown'd,

JVGI. CONCORDIA. FLORENT.

Another in Silver.

[illustration]

XXI.

The King on Horseback.

JACOBVS. SEXTVS. REX. SCOTORVM.

Reverse

a Hand from Heaven holding a Sword pointing up to a Crown, with that Worthy Saying of the Emperour Trajan, delivering a Sword to the Pretor;

PER. ME. SI. MEREOR. IN. ME.

But this I suppose must have been struck in Scotland, as per∣haps might that which follows, being the only Medal I have seen of that Hopeful and Beloved Prince Henry.

[illustration]

XXII.

Effigies in full-Face, Arm'd to the Bust.

HENRICVS. PRINCEPS.

Reverse,

his Arms with the Label and Coronet over it, Beams out of the Clouds.

FAX. MENTIS. HONESTAE. GLORIA.

agreeable to his Magnanimous and Princely Mind.

[illustration]

XXIII

This Medal of his Mother Queen Ann, for the Elegancy of the Dress, and that it is Rare, &c.

ANNA. D. G. REGINA. MAG. BRIT. FR. ET. HIB. FILIA. ET. SOROR. REGV. DANIAE.

Reverse,

the Arms of Denmark, with two Scutcheons of Pretence, under a Coronet. About the Circle,

ASTVTIA. FALLAX. TVTIOR. INNOCENTIA.

[illustration]

XIV

CHARLES the First. His Effigies Crown'd, Vested in the Garter, Robes, Collar, and Ruff.

CAROLVS. I. D. G. MAG. BRITAN. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX.

Reverse,

An Arm out of the Clouds arm'd, and holding a Sword.

DONEC. PAX. REDDITA. TERRIS.

Exurge,

CORON. 2. FEB. 1626.

Being for ought I have seen, the onely Inauguration-Medal,

[illustration]

XXV.

The King's Effigies as in the former.

CAROLVS. I. DG. ANG. SCOT. FRAN. ET. HIB REX. FIDEI. DEF••

Reverse.

The Atchievement, or Arms of his Kingdoms in the same Es∣cutcheon. In another joyn'd to it, the Arms of France Crown∣ed; between the Points or Base of the Shield, the Queen's Cy∣pher Crown'd.

HENER. MAR. BORBON. D. G. MAG. BRIT. FRAN. ET. HIB. REG.

[illustration]

XXVI.

The King in his Ruff, George in a Ribbon about his Neck, looking on the Queen drest in her Hair curl'd up short, with something like a knot of Ribbons on the top: about her shoul∣ders a Band or Gorget plaited and standing up spred like a Fan; a Necklace of Pearl, another rope of Pearl above, hanging down before her Breast; Clouds and a Glory over their heads.

CH. MAG. ET. HEN. MA. BRIT. REX. ET. REG.

Reverse.

Cupid strewing Flowers, Roses and Lilies, Clouds and Rays above.

Exurge,

1625.

About the Circle,

FVNDIT. AMOR. LILIA. MIXTA. ROSIS.

This appears to have been a Nuptial Medal.

There is yet one more struck three Years after, which, since by the Date it might perhaps have been upon Occasion of an Expedition for the relief of Rochel, I here subjoin.

[illustration]

XXVII

Effigies.

K. Charles I. in complete Armor on Horseback, much like our fairest Half-Crown Pieces of his Reign, the Inscription alter'd.

O. REX. DA. FACILEM. CVRSVM.

Reverse.

The Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland within an Oval Shield crown'd, the Year of our Lord 1628.

About the Circle,

ATQVE. AVDACIBVS. ANNVE. COEPTIS.

upon a second Attempt to have reliev'd that City, fatal to the Great Duke of Buckingham.

To this I subjoin another small Medal.

[illustration]

XXVIII.

The King, Bust, bare-headed in his Ruff.

CAR. D. G. ANG. SCO. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX.

Reverse

the Scepter and Trident lying cross, and bound together by a loose Knot.

REGIT. VNVS. VTROQVE.

Another.

[illustration]

XXIX.

Effigies Naked to the Breast, crown'd with Laurel; his left Lock of Hair appearing, as then the Mode was to wear it long∣er than the other, and which Fashion his Majesty kept till the Civil War began.

CAROLVS. I. D. G. ANGL. SCOT. FR. ET. HIB. REX.

Reverse,

Three Crowns in a Knot of as many Bowes.

VNIT AE. INVICT AE.

Another.

[illustration]

XXXI

Effigies Crown'd in the Garter, Robes, wearing a Falling Band; which new Mode succeeded the cumbersom Ruff: but neither did the Bishops or Iudges give it over so soon, the Lord Keeper Finch being, I think, the very first.

CAROLVS. D. G. SCOTIAE. ANGLIAE. FR. ET. HIB. REX.

In this Scottish Coronation-Medal are both the Orders, that of the Garter and of the Thistle.

Reverse,

HINC. NOSTRAE. CREVERE. ROSAE.

by that prudent Match of Margarite Daughter of Henry VII. Married to Iames IV. of Scotland, Uniting the White and Red Roses.

Exurge.

CORON. 18. lunii. 1633.

To this I add another, in whose Reverse is the Thistle only, as growing out of the Ground.

[illustration]

XXXI

After which returning out of Scotland, we see the King on Horseback, Crown'd, and in complete Armor, pointing with his Commanding-staff to a Providential Eye in the Clouds.

CAROLVS. AVGVSTISS. ET. INVICTISS. MAG. BRIT. FRAN. ET. HIB. MONARCHA.

Reverse,

The Sun in his Meridian over the City of London.

SOL. ORBEM. REDIENS. SIC. REX. ILLVMINAT. VERBEM. 1633.

We do not Insert such Medals as were struck upon the Nuptials of the Lady Mary Daughter of England, and her Illustrious Husband, Son of the Valiant, Wife, and Fortunate Henry Frederic Prince of Orange, &c. hapning in those Intervals already set forth: But return to this Triumphant Medal, representing this glorious Cavalcade following, not many years after (which my self beheld) with the Universal Acclamati∣ons of then the Happiest People under Heaven: A short Par∣liament following, and a too long one after it, shewed quam breves Populi Romani amores; and how uncertain all worldly Prosperity is: For that unhappy War ensuing, soon chang'd the glorious Scene to the Miseries and Confusions, which wan∣tonly, and without all Reason, were brought upon a Nation: After which happy time (which had been much in Queen Elizabeths; all the Reign of K. Iames the First; and till our unnatural Divisions broke out, for almost a full Century of Years of a Golden-Age, and the greatest Tranquillity that any Nation could hope, or almost wish to Enjoy, whilst Men are not Angels, and the best of Men obnoxious to Passions and Infirmities) upon what Provocation the King found himself oblig'd to secure his Sacred Person and Character from a Violent, and Turbulent Party (by what Plausible pretence soever, some worthy, and well meaning Persons were unwa∣rily drawn into it) the many Declarations, Concessions, and gracious Offers published from time to time, sufficiently Testifie; and that he was not readier to Assert and Justifie his Own, and Sub∣jects Rights; than always disposed to Terms of Grace and Reconciliation.

These taking no Effect, upon the first Signal Battel given by his Majesty (and in which he was judged to have had the Advantage) there was struck one of the most Comprehensive Historical Medals, that was made during all the War; which being casually found in a Field of mine, and very Rare, I have Caus'd to be Ingraven.

[illustration]

XXXII

The Medalion represents King Charles the First compleatly Arm'd and Crown'd, sitting hand in hand with the Queen, the Sun over his head, the Moon over her's, and both of them Treading a Serpent under foot with this Circumscription,

XIII. IVL. CAROL. ET. MARIAE. M. B. F. ET. H. R. R. IN. VALLE. KEINTON. AVSPICAT. OCCVRRENT. ET. FVGATO. IN. OCCIDENT. REBELLIVM. VICT. ET. PAC. OMEN. OXON. M.DC.XL.II.

Those who are but a little Vers'd in these Devices, will readily Interpret Python to denote a Viperous brood; which the Union of Phoebus and Diana (the King, &c.) had undoubted∣ly crush'd and destroyed; had his Majesty pursu'd, and Im∣prov'd that one days Success, and marched directly to the Head of that pernicious* 2.11 Dragon, instead of going a quite Contrary way; the fatal Consequence whereof I need not here inlarge upon.

In the meanwhile, we cannot but take notice, how about this time, his Majesty alter'd the usual Inscriptions of his Coins (to which we may observe he was the first who put the Garter on it) to EXVRGAT. DEVS. DISSIPENTVR. INIMICI. And instead of the Shield of Arms in the Fesse-point of the Re∣verse (over which three Fleur de Lysses and value of the Piece)

RELIG. PROT. LEG. ANGL. LIB. PAR. 1642.

Which in the larger Pieces coin'd at Oxford were in a Scroll: That he might by the most solemn, and universal Symbolum, Declare and Proclaim to all the World, how little Reason his Subjects had to be Jealous of what was so dear to him (namely, the Religion, and just Rights of his People) that to preserve them both, the Royal Martyr lay'd down his Life.

After many gracious Overtures Rejected, yet still retaining his inclinations to Peace, I found this Medal.

[illustration]

XXXIII

Effigies Crown'd with a Laurel a•• la Romain, &c.

CAROLVS. D. G. ANG. SCO. FR. ET. HIB. REX.

Reverse.

An Olive branch lying Cross a Naked Sword, on each side the Letters C. R. under Crowns.

IN. VTRVMQVE. PARATVS. 1643.

Appositely therefore here I next place the following noble Medal and Effigies, Incomparably the most Resembling his Serene Countenance when fullest of Princely Vigour.

[illustration]

XXXIV

The Bust is in plain Armour.

CAROL. I. D. G. M. B. F. ET. H. REX. & GLOR. MEM.

Reverse in the Table,

REX. PACIFICVS. VICTVS. VINCEBAT. HOSTES. VICTOR. TRIVMPHAT. IN. COELIS.

For they had now taken away his Life, as Men of Blood had (among others) that of his Praecursors; who about four Years before, fell under the Displeasure of a furious and an∣gry Parliament.

'Tis a very fine Medalion of the Archbishop of Canterbury, in his Ruff and Episcopal Vestments.

[illustration]

XXXV.

GVIL. LAVD. ARCHIEPISC. CANTVAR. X. IAN. 1644.

Reverse.

Two Angels supporting a Crown and a Mund over the City of London; Another carrying up a Mitre and Crosier to Heaven, joining with other Angels and Cherubs.

SANCTI. CAROLI. PRAECVRSOR.

The Relieve is excellently perform'd.

Upon this Occasion I am not to forget the Iubile, which the Sacrifice of this great Prelate caus'd among them at Rome; it being my hap to be in that City, and in Company of di∣vers of our English Fathers (as they call them) and Clergy of that Church, when the News of his Suffering, and the Sermon he made upon the Scaffold, arrived there: which I well remember they read and Commented upon with exceeding Sa∣tisfaction and Contempt, as of one taken off, who was an E∣nemy to them, and stood in their way; whilst one of the most Capital Crimes imputed to him here, was (as we may call to mind) his being Popishly Affected.

There were many Brave, Worthy Persons, and Royal Confessors (besides such as devoted their Lives and Fortunes in this Manner) that underwent incredible Hardships and Losses upon the Cause of Loyalty, who deserve to be remember'd with Honour, and of whom I have seen some Medals, which

I cannot retrieve at present: but none of them more fair than a Medalion of Col. Strangways, which may serve as a Specimen.

[illustration]

XXXVI.

Effigies in Bust à la Romain,

Inscribed,

AEGIDIVS. STRANGWAYS. DE. MELBVRN. IN. COM. DORCEST. ARM.

Reverse

represents that part of the White Tower of London, called Caesar's Tower; the Royal Standard display'd, and the Sun darting light out of a Cloud.

DECVSQVE. ADVERSA. DEDERVNT.

Exurge,

INCARCERATVS. SEP. 1645. LIBERATVS. APR. 1648.

The Graving is of Roti.

But to return a little back, and resume our Metallic History. The first Martial Leader of the Rebellion, was that Idol of the abus'd People the discontented Earl of Essex (and last of that Antient Family D'Evreux's) of whom I have seen a clum∣sy Oval Medal bearing his Effigies in Full-face, and arm'd Bust, holding a naked Sword in his hand, another over his head by an Arm out of the Clouds, with this Legend,

[illustration]

XXXVII.

THE. SWORD. OF. THE. LORD. AND. OF. GEDEON.

Reverse

representing both Houses of Parliament; and about it,

IN. THE. MVLTITVDE. OF. COVNCELLORS. THERE. IS. PEACE.

To this follows another of his Successors, who likewise head∣ed the same Cerberus.

[illustration]

XXXVIII

THO. FAIRFAX. MILES. MILIT. PARL. DVX. GEN.

Reverse,

In the Circle,

POST. HAC. MELIORA.

In the Middle,

MERVISTI. 1645.

And now for Ten Years that the Rebels (under the same Godly pretence, New Models and Projects of Government

and Reformations) had perpetrated that execrable Parricide; and that through the Jealousie, Ambition, Avarice and Hy∣pocrisie of their Chiefs and Parties they could settle in nothing; a Bold and Crafty Man among them, snatches the Ball they had so long been tossing, from them all.

Here then Enters the Arch-Usurper O. CROMWEL,

[illustration]

XXXIX.

Represented in Effigie Arm'd, and Inscrib'd

THE. WORD. AT. DVNBAR. THE. LORD. OF. HOSTS. SEPTEMB. 1645.

Reverse,

The Iunto or Rump at Westmincter.

[illustration]

It was but a little before this, that having prevail'd on the Weakness of Fairfax (who had been hitherto the Tool and Journeyman) he first made himself General; and by the same Arts of Dissimulation and Ambition still culminating, Usurps the Regal Authority under the name of Protector, and strikes Medals in the following Style:

His Effigies Caesar-like, Crown'd with Laurel.

[illustration]

XL.

OLIVARIVS. DEI. GRA. REIPVB. ANGLIAE. SCO. ET. HIB. PROTECTOR.

Reverse,

A Lyon supporting, or rather grasping the Arms of the New Commonwealth, (as then call'd).

Inscribed,

PAX. QVAERITVR. BELLO.

In another.

[illustration]

XLI.

OLIVAR. D. G. ANG. SCO. ET. HIB. PRO. &c.

Reverse,

With the Usurper's Paternal Coat within a Scutcheon of Pretence, between St. George's, St. Andrew's Crosses and the Harp, under the Imperial Crown of England.

PAX. QVAERITVR. BELLO. 1658.

And insolently about the Rimb,

NEMO. HAS. NISI. PERITVRVS. MIHI. ADIMAT.

For so Confident was this Bold Man of Establishing him∣self and Posterity (having now Killed and taken Possession) that his Presumptuous Son stampt another Medal,

[illustration]

XLII.

Representing his Father in Arms and Titles as above.

Reverse.

An Olive Tree, and a Shepherd with his Flock feeding under it.

NON. DEFICIET. OLIVA. Sep. 3. 1658.

But this Scourge being at last taken away, the rotten Foun∣dation quickly sinking (not able to sustain the incumbent weight) they fell into Confusion and Intanglements among themselves; when God Almighty call'd one from the North to revenge the Injured, and Re••ettle this disordered and miserably shaken Frame, on its genuine and steady Basis again.

Let therefore the Memory of that Illustrious HERO live in the Annals of our History, and the Medal which presents us his Effigies.

[ XLIII] No Inscription about the Head.

Reverse

GEORGIVS. MVNK. OMNIVM. COPIARVM. IN. ANGLIA SCOTIA. ET. HIBERNIA. DVX. SVPREMVS. ET. THALASSARCHA. Aetat. 52.

And Worthily he Merited all the Honours that were Con∣ferred upon him, who had restored a Nation, with an Exiled and an Injur'd Prince.

CHARLES the Second.

During whose Reign, and Royal Brothers succeeding him, Medals and Medalions were struck, for Largeness, Design and Excellent Workmanship, equalling many that we have left us of the Antient Greek and Roman, by those rare Artists the Rotis.

We do not reckon those Natalitian and Auguration Pieces of theirs, with several others struck upon Emergencies, whilst the Royal Family was Eclipsed, and during the Civil War; but as they are Estimable for the History, I begin with

[illustration]

XLIV.

IN. HONOR. CARO. PRINC. MAG. BRI. FR. ET. HIB. NATI. May. 29. ANN. 1630.

Reverse.

The Arms of England, Scotland, France and Ireland in seve∣ral Shields, with the Star that then appear'd at Noon-day, radiating from the Centre of the Medal, Inscrib'd,

HACTENVS. ANGLORVM. NVLLI.

As indeed being the very first Prince (excepting one that died an Infant) that was ever Born Heir to Great Britain.

There is another without a Star of the same, Inscrib'd with∣in a square: and a Third better wrought, wherein the Shield is Crown'd with a Prince's Coronet: Motto as above, but

[illustration]

XLV.

The Reverse differing.

MEM. CAROLI. PRIN. MAGN. BRITANN. FRANC. HIBERN. NATI. XXIX. MAII. BAPTIZ. IVN. M.DC.XXX.S.

Another,

[illustration]

XLVI.

Charles I. in Honour of the Installation of our late Sovereign CHARLES II. caused some Emblematic Medals to be stamp'd, with the Royal Oak under a Princes Coronet, overspreading sub∣nascent Trees and young Suckers.

SERIS. FACTVRA. NEPOTIBVS. VMBRAM.

Reverse

The Legend on the Table of the Medal, within the Garter of the Order.

CAROL. M.B. REGIS. FILIVS. CAROL. PRINC. INAVGVRATVR. XXII. MAII. MDCXXXIIX.

[ XLVII] Another.

The Prince in Bust full-fac'd, in the Garter, Robes and Cap.

CAROLVS. PRIN. MA BR. NOB. ORD. GART. MILES. 22. Maii 1638.

Reverse,

The Prince of Wales's Arms within the Garter, and on the out∣ward Circle,

MAGNI. SPES. MAGNA. PARENTIS.

[illustration]

XLVIII.

There is yet one more, in which the King his Father in Bust Arm'd and Crown'd.

CAROLVS. I.D.G. ANGL. SCOT. FR. ET. HIBER. REX.

Reverse,

The Prince on Horseback behind the Arms of the Prince of Wales, &c.

ILLVST. CAROLVS. PRINCEPS. WALLIAE.

Under the Horse,

Two C's link'd together between Palm branches and Laurel.

Besides these I find not any other Medals (though some there may have been) struck, 'til after his Royal Father's Martyrdom; when I meet with one Lozeng'd, and two Octogone Obsidional Pieces circumscrib'd,

The first.

[illustration]

XLXIX.

OBS. NEWARK. 1646.

Reverse

The Crown of England, and under XXX.

The second,

[illustration]

L.

CAROL. II. D. G. MAG. B. F ET. H. REX.

Under a Crown,

HANC. DEVS. DEDIT. 1648.

Reverse,

Pontfract Castle, over which these Letters P. C. and on the side OBS.

Epigraph,

POST. MORTEM. PATRIS. PRO. FILIO.

[illustration]

LI.

Another much like the former, with an Hand coming out of the Toures, holding a naked Sword; on the other side OBS. and under it 1648. Revers'd with a Crown over C.R.

Inscribed,

DVM. SPIRO. SPERO.

For it seems Lieutenant Col. Morris and Cornet Blackburn had bravely held it out, as long as there were any Hopes of being Reliev'd.

We proceed next to such as were stamp'd upon and after the stupendious Revolution of 1660. which his Majesty grate∣fully acknowledges, magnifying the Almighty Disposer in the following Medals.

[illustration]

LII.

The Arms of England Crown'd.

PROBASTI. ME. DOMINE. SICVT. ARGENTVM.

Reverse.

MAGNA. OPERA. DOMINI. 1660.

A second.

[illustration]

LIII.

The Kings Effigies Crown'd with Laurel.

CAROLVS. II. REX.

Reverse.

The Arms of the Four Kingdoms in separate Shields: The Kings Cypher interlaid and Crown'd with a Star in the Center.

MAGNALIA. DEI.

1660.

[illustration]

LIV.

And in a Medalion of the largest size, exquisitely designed, his Majesty's Effigies, Caesar-like to the Breast.

CAROLVS. SECVNDVS. D. G. MAG. BRIT. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX.

Reverse,

Iustitia holding the Fasces with the Balance in her left hand, and with her right delivering the Olive- branch to Britannia sitting under a Cliff by the Sea shore, with a Spear in one hand, and the Union-Shield in the other; Pallas, Hercules and Fame stand∣ing by: An Angel over all with a Palm, and beneath,

FELICITAS. BRITANNIAE. 29. MAY. 1660.

Alluding to that of the Royal Prophet, Mercy and Truth are met together, Iustice and Peace have kiss'd each other. The Effects of which express'd in the following Medalion.

[illustration]

LV.

The Kings Effigies in short Hair à la Romain Antique.

OPTIMO. PRINCIPI. CAROLO. II. D.G.M. BRIT. FRAN. ET. HIB. REGI.

Phil. Roti.

Reverse,

Incomparably representing a Matron half-Veil'd, sitting, and holding a naked Sword and Cornucopia in her right hand; in her left a Book opened, in which is written FIDES. Under her feet LIBERTAS.

Inscription about the Circle,

FIDEI. DEFENSORIS. RELIGIONIS. REFORMATAE. PROTECTORI.

About the Rimb.

ARCHITECTVRAE. NAVALIS. ET. MONETAE. INSTAVRATORI.

Nor indeed could less have been said of a Prince the most knowing in Naval Affairs, and vigilant to Improve and Main∣tain the Safety and Glory of these Kingdoms in its highest and chiefest Concern, which is certainly its Strength at Sea; and appears to be the glorious Design now set on foot, of a truly Royal Foundation at Greenwich, deserving a Thousand Medals.

[illustration]

LVI.

The King in Bust, Garter, Robes and Coller, Crown'd.

CAROLVS. II. D. G. ANG. SCO. FR. ET. HI. REX.

Reverse,

The King sitting in his Robes and Crown'd, holding the Scepter; An Angel touching the Crown with his right hand, in his left a Branch of Olive.

EVERSO. MISSVS. SVCCVRERE. SECLO. XXIII. APR. 1661.

With another Coronation Medal.

[illustration]

LVII.

Effigies Crown'd, and in the Coller of the Order.

CAROLVS. II. D.G. MAG. BRI. FRA. ET. HI. REX. CORONATVS.

Reverse,

The King at length in a Roman Sagum, standing with a Pa∣storal Crook like a Shepherd in the middle of his Flock feeding.

DIXI. CVSTODIAM. XXIV. APRIL. 1661.

All things now secure and in happy Peace both at Home and Abroad, is expressed in this following Medal.

[illustration]

LVIII.

Effigies to the Shoulder, short Hair.

CAROLO. SECVNDO. P.R.

Reverse.

A Lyon Couchant-dormant, over him QVIESCIT.

Exurg.

BRITAN.

[illustration]

LIX.

King in Peruke, Laureat, Bust à la Romain.

CAROLVS. II. D.G.M. BR. FR. ET. H. REX.

Reverse.

A Ship under sail.

NOS. PENES. IMPERIVM.

His Majesty had now Espoused the most Serene and Virtu∣ous Infanta of Portugal, who bringing the greatest Portion, both in Territories and Treasure, that did ever any Queen of England before, deserv'd the Celebration of the following Medal.

[illustration]

LX.

The King and Queens Effigies, &c.

CAROLVS. ET. CATHARINA. REX. ET. REGINA.

Reverse,

A Terrestrial Globe, representing Europe, Africa, with part of Asia and America.

DIFFVSVS. IN. ORBE. BRITANNVS. 1670.

Another thus,

[illustration]

LXI.

His Majesty's Effigies, Laurel, &c.

CAROLVS. II. D. G. MAG. BRIT. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX.

Reverse,

Her Majesty's Head, Inscrib'd,

CATHER. D. G. MAG. BRIT. FRAN. ET. HIB. REGINA,

There is another of a larger size, rarely Insculp'd with the Queens Effigies.

[illustration]

LXII.

CATHARINA. D.G. MAG. BRI. FRAN. ET. HIB. REGINA.

Reverse

The Figure of St. Catharine at length, holding a Sword point down in her left hand, a Palm in the right, and standing by the broken Wheel.

PIETATE. INSIGNIS.

[illustration]

LXIII.

This Medal of St. Catharine standing on a Shield, with a Reverse of Fame holding a Branch of Olive;

Inscrib'd

PROVINCIA. CONNAGH.

together with the next, seem to have relation to Ireland.

[illustration]

LXIV.

Where a Crown'd King is (as we picture David) playing on the Harp, over which the Crown of England.

FLOREAT. REX.

Reverse,

A Mitred Bishop (or St. Patrick) holding a double Cross, and standing between a Church and a Serpent, which he seems to drive away.

QVIESCAT. PLEBS. is, I think Irish Coin.

[illustration]

LXV.

The Kings Head without any Ornament.

CAROLO. SECVNDO.

Reverse

A Rose full-blown upon the growing Bush.

ANTE. OMNES.

Returning to the King.

[illustration]

LXVI.

A very noble Medalion in Bust, short Hair and Roman-like.

AVGVSTISS. CAROLO. SECVNDO. P. P.

Reverse

Prudentia with Pallas supporting upon an Altar a Shield, in which there is represented Britannia; about whom stand Pax, Hercules, Mercurius and Abundantia, the last a cumbent Figure with this Inscription,

NVLLVM. NVMEN. ABEST.

Exurge

BRITANNIA:

In another,

[illustration]

LXVII.

CAROLVS. II. D. G. MAG. BRI. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX.

Reverse.

Pallas sitting on a Bank, with a Spear in her left hand piercing Envy under foot, and pointing with her right hand to this In∣scription,

INVIDIA. MAIOR.

But all these being Fruits and Productions of Peace and Pro∣sperity, were sometimes interrupted by those unhappy Mistakes and Disputes with our Neighbours; which caus'd his Majesty to turn his Thoughts on his Concerns at Sea, and to assert his Undoubted Title on that Element; according to the various Succes∣ses whereof there were struck the following Medals.

Head Crown'd with Laurel.

Inscribed,

CAROLVS. II. D. G. M. BR. FR. ET. HIB. REX.

Reverse,

The King in a Chariot.

ET. PONTVS. SERVIET. 1665.

This appears to be at the beginning of the first War.

Another noble Medalion of the largest size.

[illustration]

LXIX.

Head in Peruke bound with a Laurel, &c.

CAROLVS. SECVNDVS. DEI. GRATIA. MAG. BRI. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX.••

Reverse,

The King at length in the Roman Military Habit and Palu∣damentum, standing under a Cliff, with a Battoon or Com∣manding-staff in his right hand, and pointing towards the Sea; where a Fleet is represented ingag'd, and one of the Ships sinking.

Exurge,

PRO. TALIBVS. AVSIS.

Which Medal was doubtless for an honorary Badge, to such as had most signally behav'd themselves.

There is another of the same design, in short Hair, and which I here subjoin.

[illustration]

LXX.

And towards the Conclusion of the War.

[illustration]

Effigies in Bust, Crown'd with Laurel.

CAROLVS. SECVNDVS. DEI. GRATIA. MAG. BRIT. FRAN. ET. HIBER. REX.

Reverse,

Britannia sitting by the Shoar under a Rock, holding in her right hand a Spear, and the Arms of Great Britain in a Shield with her left hand; looking towards a Fleet at Sea, the Sun shining and dissipating the Clouds.

FAVENTE. DEO.

Exurg.

BRITANNIA.

About the Rimb.

CAROLVS. SECVNDVS. PACIS. ET. IMPERII. RESTI∣TVTOR. AVGVSTVS.

And indeed it is a most August Medalion, however less well perform'd by the Graver here.

[illustration]

LXXI.

A fair Medalion of his Majesty's Head Laureat, &c.

CAROLVS. SECVNDVS. DEI. GRATIA. MAG. BRI. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX.

Reverse,

The King in the Roman Military habit, standing on a square Pedestal, ascended by six round Steps, and holding a naked Sword with his left hand point downward, in his right a Commanding staff; the Sea behind him full of Ships sailing to and fro.

REDEANT. COMMERCIA. FLANDRIS. 1666.

Neither is a far less remarkable Medal, both in respect of the Stamp and Inscription, to be here omitted; struck about this time, & flagrante bello, contending for this glorious Dominion at Sea.

[illustration]

LXXII.

The Kings Effigies Crown'd with Laurel, &c.

CAROLVS. A. CAROLO. 1665.

Reverse

Britannia sitting as usually represented.

About the Circle.

QVATVOR. MARIA. VINDICO.

Underneath

BRITANNIA.

It being therefore upon the greatest Importance of these Kingdoms Concerns at Sea, that his Majesty Founded a Semi∣nary at Christ-Church for the Institution of Children; who should be solemnly Disciplin'd, and made fit for the Service of his Royal Navy; this glorious Medalion was designed and struck.

[illustration]

LXXIII.

The King in Bust, short Hair, richly Arm'd à l' Empereur.

CAROLVS. SECVNDVS. D. G. MAG. BRI. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX.

Reverse

A Blue-Coat Boy with his Toaq or Bonnet under his arm (by the Sea side in view of Ships impell'd by Winds) is re∣presented as newly Examin'd by the Arts Mathematical; Arith∣metick laying her Hand on the Childs Head; Geometry, Astro∣nomia and Mercurius; Angels and Horae above in the Clouds, sounding Trumpets and pouring down Fruits out of the A∣malthean Horn.

Epigraph,

INSTITVTOR. AVGVSTVS. 1673

Upon what Occasion, or whom it does concern I need not inform the World, which has ever heard of the great and important Services Sir Samuel Morland did his Majesty from time to time, during the late Usurpers Power, by the faithful Intelligence he so constantly gave him.

[illustration]

LXXIV.

The Kings Head Laureat.

CAROLO. II. REGI. INSTITVTORI. AVG.

In the Table of the Reverse,

IN. ADVERSIS. SVMMO. VITAE. PERICVLO. IN. PROSPERIS. FELICI. INGENIO. FREQVENS. ADFVIT

Which he told me, his Majesty gave him leave to wear, as an honourable Badge of his signal Loyalty.

There remains yet a Medalion bearing only his Majesty's Ef∣figies in Bust, which for the accurateness of the Work I add to the rest.

[illustration]

LXXV.

CAROL. II. D. G. ANGL. SCOT. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX.

Reverse,

Displays the Atchievement or Arms of Great Britain, France and Ireland Quarter'd within the Garter, and usual Supporters, Helm, Crest and Mantling.

DIEV. ET. MON. DROIT.

For such and the like Medals were now and then given as Gratuities of Respect, appendant to Chains of Gold; which puts me in mind of what was made by the present King of Sweden, in Memory of his Installation; and the Honour he re∣ceived from his late Majesty Charles II. when he was present∣ed with the Order of the Garter, 20. May, 1671.

[illustration]

LXXVI

CAROLVS. XI. REX. SVE. EQ. Nob. Ord. Perisc. Inaug.

Reverse.

The Garter pass'd through two Regal Crowns, with both these Letters •• c link'd together; St. George's Cross and Blaze all within the Coller of the Order.

About the Rimb.

SALVS. POPVLORVM. CONCORDIA. REGVM.

And indeed Medals were frequently given, and sometimes Knighthood, as honourable Presents and Rewards to those Kings of Arms, and others, by whom that Noble Order was brought to Foreign Princes;* 2.12 of which see Mr. Ashmole, where we also meet with a Medal of the Cross of the Order, struck by K. Charles I. Ann. 1629. in the Robes of Installation, with the Cross of St. George Radiant in the Reverse, which I here subjoin.

[illustration]

LXXVII.

CAROLVS. I. D. G. ANG. SCOT. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX. FIDEI. DEF.

Reverse

PRISCI. DECVS. ORDINIS. AVCTVM. 1629.

To shew that the Glory issues from the Cross (as 'tis re∣ported to have appear'd to the Great Constantine) not from the Garter.* 2.13

We are come now in order of Time and Succession, to his Royal Highness the Duke of York, afterward King JAMES the Second.

[illustration]

LXXVIII.

In a Medal within a Chaplet of Roses and Lilies.

IACOBVS. DVX. EBOR. NAT. 15. Oct. BAPTIZ. 24. Nove. 1633.

Reverse

The Arms of England, with Label, &c. under a Ducal Coronet.

NON. SIC. MILLE. COHORTES.

Relating doubtless to the numerous Offspring God was Blessing his Royal Father with; that would more Establish and Secure the Crown, than a Thousand Guards and Armies; so short are humane Reckonings of the Event of Things.

Upon the first Engagement with the Holland Fleet (in which his Royal Highness signaliz'd himself and gain'd a me∣morable Victory) there was struck the following Medalion.

[illustration]

LXXIX.

The Dukes Effigies in Bust, clad in the Roman Mantle:

IACOBVS. DVX. EBOR. ET. ALBAN. DOM. MAGN. ADMIRALIVS. ANGLIAE. &c.

Reverse

Represents the Admiral and whole Fleet in Conflict.

NEC. MINOR. IN. TERRIS.

3. Iune 1665.

And upon the same Action, another no less glorious Me∣dalion, in memory of (perhaps) the most dreadful Battel that any History has Recorded to have been ever fought up∣on the Seas.

[illustration]

LXXX.

The Duke's Bust, short Hair, &c.

IACOBVS. DVX. EBOR. ET. ALBAN. FRATER. AV∣GVSTISS. CAROLI. II. REGIS.

Reverse.

A Trophy and Ships in Fight.

GENVS. ANTIQVVM.

Meeting no Medal of his first Espousals (though I presume there may and ought to have been) of the Second we have the following.

[illustration]

LXXXI.

The Dukes Effigies, &c.

IACOBVS. DVX. EBORACENSIS.

Reverse,

The Head of her Royal Highness the Dutchess, &c.

MARIA. DVCISSA. EBORACENSIS. 1680.

The next and most Remarkable, is a Medalion struck upon his Royal Highness's wonderful Preservation; returning by Sea from Scotland, when so many perish'd in the sinking Vessel.

[illustration]

LXXXII.

IACOBVS. DVX. EBORACENSIS. ET. ALBANENSIS. G. B. F.

Reverse,

IMPAVIDVM. FERIVNT.

When KING, There was Coin'd this Noble Medal.

[illustration]

LXXXIII.

IACOBVS. II. D.G. ANG. SCO. FR. H. REX.

Reverse

A branch of Laurel upon a Cushion, with an Arm'd hand out of the Clouds holding a Crown.

A. MILITARI. AD. REGIAM.

Exurg.

INAVGVRAT. 23. Apr. 1685.

I next place the following Medalion, though almost the same that was stamp'd when he was Duke of York and High Admiral; the difference being only in the Style, and his Ma∣jesty in longer Hair.

[illustration]

LXXXIV.

[illustration]

LXXXV.

The King in Bust Crown'd with Laurel, &c. plac'd upon a large Basis or Altar; on the front of which the Arms of Eng∣land, &c. within the Garter, and over it the Crown.

Exurge

ARAS. ET. SCEPTRA. TVEMVR:

Upon the Altar lie four Sceptres, bearing on their tops the Rose, Lilly, Thistle and Harp; upon each side is Represented the Sea, with God Neptune holding the Trident, drawn in a Chariot by Marine Horses, with two Vessels under sail on the other side.

Inscription,

IACOBVS. II. D.G. MAG. BRI. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX. 1685.

Reverse

Iustice (upon whose head the Sun darts his beams, and Light∣ning issues out of a dark Cloud) with Sword and Balance, holds in one Scale Mural Crowns which preponderate the other, in which there is a Scimiter, a Protestant Flail (as then call'd) with a Serpent; whilst she tramples on another Serpent near two headless Bodies, their Heads lying on two square Blocks on each side of Iustice; on that of the right hand,

JACOBVS. DE. MONTMOVT.

On the left,

ARCHIBALD. D'ARGYL.

Upon one side of the Carcases are Represented Soldiers rout∣ed and flying away; on the other a Castle with two Heads fix'd on spikes over the Gate, and on the Pedestal,

AMBITIO. MALE. SVADA. RVIT.

In a Second,

[illustration]

LXXXVI.

We have the Effigies and Bust of the Duke of Monmouth him∣self, without any Inscription at all.

Reverse

Represents a young Man precipitating from a steep Rock in the midst of the Sea, upon which are plac'd three Crowns a∣mongst Branches and Shrubs.

SVPERI. RISERE. IVLY. 6. 1685.

Upon Occasion of the Spanish Silver Wreck, out of which great Treasure had been gotten from the bottom of the Sea, by our Bold and Ingenious Urinators (after it had lain submer∣ged for many Years) was the following Medalion struck, bear∣ing the Effigies of both their Majesties.

[illustration]

LXXXVII.

IACOBVS. II. ET. MARIA. D. G. MAG. BRI. FRAN. ET. HIB. REX. ET. REGINA.

Reverse,

The Ship at Anchor which carried the Divers and Engineers.

SEMPER. TIBI. PENDEAT. HAMVS.

Exurge,

NAVFRAGIA. REPERTA. 1687.

There is another of the Queens alone, dress'd in her Hair, with a Laurel à l'Empperresse; a very fine Medal.

MARIA. D. G. ANG. SCO. FR. ET. HI. REGINA.

Reverse,

A Lady sitting upon a Bank, Inscrib'd,

O. DEA. CERTE.

Alluding to that in Virgil; when Aeneas was surpriz'd at the Beauty of his Mother.

Lastly,

And indeed I think the very last which was struck by this King.

[illustration]

LXXXVIII

The Arms of England, &c. in a Crown'd Shield, support∣ed by four Angels; one of them holding an Escutcheon with a Ducal Coronet; another the Feathers or Prince of Wales's Arms.

Inscrib'd,

HONOR. PRIN. MAG. BRIT. FRA. ET. HIB. NAT. 10. IVN. 1688.

Reverse.

Represents a naked Infant set on a Cushion near the Sea; two Angels sounding Trumpets, and holding a Crown over the Babe, and a Scroll in which one Reads.

VENIAT. CENTESIMVS. HEROS.

[illustration]

LXXXIX.

To which we add another in the hands of few, where a little Child like another young Hercules, is made strangling a Serpent.

Reverse,

There were two or three Memorable and Historical Medals besides these, which were struck about this time, that are not to be omitted.

[illustration]

XC.

Shews the White Tower of London, Standard display'd, Im∣prisonment and Delivery of the Seven Bishops, after their fa∣mous Trial at the Kings-Bench.

PROBIS. HONORI. INFAMIAEQVE. MALIS.

Exurge

ARCHIEPIS. CANTVAR. EPISCOPI. S. ASAPH. BATH. ET. WELS. ELY. PETER. CHICHEST. BRIST. INCARCER. 5. LIBERATI. 15. IVNII. 1680.

Reverse,

A Balance let down from the Clouds, with the Sun in one of the Scales and the Moon in the other.

SIC. SOL. LVNAQVE. IN. LIBRA.

There was likewise another of the same Volume.

[illustration]

XCI.

Representing the Archbishop of Canterbury to the middle in his Episcopal Robes.

Inscription.

GVILIELMVS. SANCROFT. ARCHIEPISCOPVS. CAN∣TVARIENSIS. 1688.

Reverse,

In smaller Circles six of the abovenamed Prelates, with the Bishop of London's Head in the Centre, plac'd among the Stars. Nor unlike to this was a Medal Publish'd in Memory of the like number of Iudges and Advocates, who Pleaded and gave Sentence for the Acquittal of these Venerable Pre∣lates.

Finally in a lesser size this Emblematic.

[illustration]

XCII.

A Iesuit on one side and a Frier on the other, undermining a a Cathedral Church, supported by an Arm from Heaven, with this Inscription in English:

THE. GATES. OF. HELL. SHAL. NOT. PREVAILE. AGAINST. IT.

All which Medals and Medalions (with a few more we shall have occasion to take notice of anon) being stamp'd and Published before the soon following Alterations, and pregnant of Matter of Fact and Popular Circumstances, I think fit to mention, as the very last which I have seen whilst King Iames remained in England.

I should now proceed to those which have been struck since the late signal Revolution; were they not already extant in the late Histoire Metalique de Guillaume III. Published, and very Artistly Ingraven and Historically Illustrated by N. Chevalier, in Folio, Amsterdam, 1692. which will both deserve and re∣quire a Volume apart.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Burt. I••••. Ant. p. 159.
• * 1.2

  Zonaras.
• * 1.3

  Vid. Graev. Animadv. in Suet. Tranq. Edit. 2.
• * 1.4

  Ae n. 1.
• * 1.5

  Iove non∣dum Barbato. Juv Sat. 6.
• * 1.6

  Lib. 4. c. 13.
• * 1.7

  Cap. 13. ad 17.
• * 1.8

  In Verrem.
• * 1.9

  In Verrem Orat. 4.
• * 1.10

  Salust.
• * 1.11

  Orat. pro Archia.
• * 1.12

  Valerius l. 5. cap. 8. ex∣emp. 3. Plin. lib. 35. cap. 2.
• * 1.13

  Iuv. Sat 6.
• * 1.14

  Stapleton.
• * 1.15

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.16

  Pignor. Epist.
• * 1.17

  Busbeq. E∣pist.
• * 1.18

  Apolog. 2.
• * 1.19

  Sidon. A∣poll. Paneg. Ant. Aug.
• * 1.20

  Bat. Relat. Hist. Relat. 2. p. 54.
• * 2.1

  La Morau de Tacite de la Flater. Paris, 1686.
• * 2.2

  Iuven. Sat. IV.
• * 2.3

  Nat. Hist. cap. X.
• * 2.4

  Who first 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Arms of France in Silver as Ed. III. did in Gold.
• * 2.5

  Henricut Barlandus in Chron. Belg.
• * 2.6

  Camden An∣nal. l. 1.
• * 2.7

  R•• Dinothus Pet. Operar. Amstelodam•• in Opera Chronograph.
• * 2.8

  H. Grotius Lib. V. An••. ••al. 1586.
• * 2.9

  There was a∣nother of R. Cecil, Ld. Treas. also, with a Re∣verse of his Arms only.
• * 2.10

  Scaligerand••
• * 2.11

  Dragons Supporters of the City's Arms.
• * 2.12

  Ashmole In∣stitut. p. 303 311.
• * 2.13

  Ashmole p. 216.