The works of F. Rabelais, M.D., or, The lives, heroic deeds and sayings of Gargantua and Pantagruel with a large account of the life and works of the author, particularly an explanation of the most difficult passages in them never before publish'd in any language / done out of French by Sir Tho. Urchard, Kt., and others.

CHAP. LV. What manner of Dwelling the The∣lemites had.

IN the middle of the lower Court there was a stately Fountain of fair Alabaster. Upon the top thereof stood the three Graces, with their Cornucopias, and did jett out the Water at their Breasts, Mouth, Ears, Eyes and other open Passages of the Body. The inside of the Buildings in this lower Court stood upon great Pillars of Cassydonie Stone, and Porphyry Marble, made Arch-ways after a goodly antic fashion. Wi••hin those were spacious Galleries, long and large, adorned with curious Pictures, the Horns of Bucks and Unicorns; with Rhinosceroses, Water-horses called Hippopotames, the teeth and tusks of Elephants, and other things well worth the holding. The Lodging of the Ladies took up all from the Tower Arctic unto the Gate Mesembrine. The Men possessed the rest, before the said Lodging of the Ladies, that they might have their Recreation between the two first Towers. One the out-side were placed the Tilt-yard, the Theatre and Natatorie; with most admirable Baths in three Stages, scituated above one another, well furnished with all necessary Accommodation, and store

of Myrtle-water. By the River side was the fair Garden of Pleasures; and in the midst of that of Labyrinth. Between the two other Towers were the Courts for the Tennis and the Baloon. Towards the Tower Criere stood the Orchard full of all Fruit-trees, set and ranged in a quincuncial Order. At the end of that was the great Park, abounding with all sort of Venison. Betwixt the third couple of Towers were the Buts and Marks for shooting with a snap work Gun, an ordi∣nary Bow for common Archery, or with a Cross-bow. The Office-houses were without the Tower Hesperie, of one story high. The Stable were beyond the Offices, and before them stood the Falconry, managed by Ostridge-keepers and Falconers, very expert in the Air. And it was yearly supplied and furnish∣ed by the Candians; Venetians, Sarmates with all sorts of most excellent Hawks, Eagles, Ger∣falcons, Gosehawks, Sacres, Lannier, Falcons, Spar-hawks, Marlins, and all other kinds of them; so gentle and perfectly well manned, that flying of themselves sometimes from the Castle for their own desport, they would not fail to catch whatever they encountred. The Venerie where the Beagles and Hounds were kept, was a little farther off drawing towards the Park,

All the Halls, Chambers and Closets or Cabinets were richly hung with Tapestry, and Hangings of divers sorts, according to

the variety of the Seasons of the Year. All the Pavements and Floors were covered with green Cloath; the Beds were all Embroi∣dered: In every back-chamber or with∣drawing Room there was a Looking-glass of pure Crystal set in a frame of fine Gold, garnished all about with Pearls, and was of such greatness, that it would represent to the full the whole lineaments and propor∣tion of the person that stood before it. At the going out of the Halls, which belong to the Ladies Lodgings, were the Perfumers and Trimmers, through whose Hands the Gallants past when they were to visit the Ladies. Those sweet Artificers did every Morning furnish the Ladies Chambers with the Spirit of Roses, Orange-flower-water and Angelica; and to each of them gave a little precious Casket, vapouring forth the most odorife∣rous Exhalations of the choisest aromatical Scents.