The reformed Common-wealth of bees. Presented in severall letters and observations to Sammuel Hartlib Esq. With The reformed Virginian silk-worm. Containing many excellent and choice secrets, experiments, and discoveries for attaining of national and private profits and riches.

A Coppy of a Letter, written by Mr. William Mewe Mini∣ster at Easlington in Glocester-shire, to Mr. Nathaniel Angelo Fellow of Eaton Colledge.

SIR,

BEing made known to you, I could wish it had been by a better Character than a Bee-Master. Tis true, since I left the hot service of the City, I have an Apiary in the Country, wherein I found profit enough: But I considered, that Wax and Honey was not all the benefit which God afforded from that Creature; he that sends us to the Ant, gives us leave to observe the same and better qualities in the Bee; I observed many rarities in their work and government, by mine own ex∣perience upon Buttlers Observations: But when he told me of a Gentleman, in Plinies time, that endeavoured to make their works transparent (but, as he thought, improbable) I tryed, and finished that Essay, to the satisfaction of my self and others.

The Invention is a fancie that suits with the nature of that Creature, they are much taken with their Grandeiur, and double their tasks with delight; I took fourteen quarts out of one of the transparent Hives, double their quantity of others, they quickly paid me the charges, with their profit, and doubled it with pleasure; I can take a strict account of their work, and thereby guesse how the rest prosper. Every time I view them (whilst their work lasts) I have aliquid novi (something new)

which must needs be more pleasing than the sight of a Foun∣tain, which affords but water, running in the same manner. This Honey diversly placed with diversity of Combs, whereof I have observed six fill'd in six dayes, of so many quarts, but it was in the time of a Mill-dew.

If you desire the Model or Description, I shall give the same to you that I did to Dr. Wilkins, Warden of Waddham, who hath, with great curiosity, set up one in his Garden, and, as I hear, is setting up another with augmentations: I intended it at first for an Hyerogliphick of labour, upon which a Gentleman be∣stowed a Statue of that form to crown it, which in three yeares standing yeilded to the injuries of the Wind, Weather and Sun, which being repaird now leaves at the bottom of the Pedestal, with this Inscription, Non amissus sed submissus (the Emblem of our Calling) instead thereof are erected at the top three Try∣gonal Dyals, over them three Weather-Glasses, with a Clepsy∣dra to shew the hour when the Sun shines not, over that a Cock, that will speak the Winds seat at Mid-night, upon which is be∣stowed a Saphigue to satisfie the Latine or English Reader, thus;

Has Apes Dury Labor hic Coronans Occidit, Sole, & B••rea Maligno Quos Vigil Gallus Capit & superstes, Clepsidra Monstrat.

Labour held this, till storm'd (alas) By Weather, Wind, and Sun he was; All which are wacht, as here they passe, By Diall, Weather-Cock and Glasse.

Thus farre have I denied my self to gratifie your friendship, which I hope will give the grains of allowance, and conceal∣ment to a suddain paper, which I could not deny to the Bearer of a Letter from you; but if you please to take a sheet and nap∣kin with me for some time, we shall discourse of this, and better Matters.

Mr. Hartlib is a Gentleman, whom I know not, but by your worthy Report, I never saw his Works, but shall get them as soon as I can, if in the mean time he shall visit me in person, or by letter, with Questions within my sphere, I am a Flint that give fire at the first stroke; I like them well that veiw Magnalia Dei in Minimis, if every man of my ability, through the Land, cherished so many Hives as I doe, it would be in our Common∣wealths way 300000 per annum, which is lost by negligence or ignorance of the use of that Creature. When I see you, I shall offer more to your consideration than is fitting to be written; the Lord furnish you and me with ability, and fidelity, in our Calling, For 'tis no great honour (saith Plutarch) to be excellent out of that.

Easlington this 19th of September. 1653.

True Friend, Your Faithful Servant,

WILL. MEVVE.