Mercvry, or, The secret and svvift messenger shewing, how a man may with privacy and speed communicate his thoughts to a friend at any distance.

CHAP. I.

The dependance of this knowledge in na∣ture. The Authors that have treated of it. Its relation to the art of Gram∣mar.

EVery rationall creature, being of an imperfect, and dependant happi∣nesse, is therefore na∣turally endowed with an ability to communicate its owne thoughts and intentions; That so by mutuall services, it might the better promote it selfe, in the prose∣cution of its owne wel-being.

And because there is so vast a dif∣ference betwixt a spirit and a body,

therefore hath the wisedome of pro∣vidence contrived a distinct way and meanes, whereby they are each of them inabled to discourse, accor∣ding to the variety of their severall natures.

The Angels or Spirituall substan∣ces, Per insinuationem specierum, (as the Schoolemen speake) By insi∣nuating of the species, or an unvei∣ling of their owne natures in the knowledge of such particulars, as they would discover to another. And since they are of a Homogeneous and immateriall essence, therefore do they heare, and know, and speake, not with severall parts, but with their whole substance. And though the Apostle mentions the tongue of Angels, yet that is onely▪ Per concessio∣nem, & ex hypothesi.

[ 1] But now, men, that have Organicall bodyes, cannot communicate their thoughts, so easie and immediate a way. And therefore have need of some corporeall instruments, both

for the receiving and conveying of knowledge. Unto both which fun∣ctions, nature hath designed severall parts. Amongst the rest, the eare is chiefely the sense of discipline or learning, and the tongue the instru∣ment of teaching. The communion betwixt both these is by speech or language. Which was but one at first, but hath since beene confoun∣ded into severall kinds. And expe∣rience now shews, that a man is equal∣ly disposed, for the learning of all, according as education shall direct him. Which would not be, if (as some fondly conceive) any one of them were naturall unto us. For in∣tus existens prohibet alienum.

Or suppose that a man could be brought up to the speaking of ano∣ther tongue; yet this would not hin∣der, but that he should still retaine his knowledge, of that which was naturall. For if those which are got∣ten by art, doe not hinder one ano∣ther, much lesse would they be any

impediment, to that which is from nature. And according to this it will follow, that most men should be of a double language; which is evidently false. Whence likewise you may guesse, at the absurdity of their enquiries, who have sought to find out the primitive tongue, by bringing up infants in such silent, solitary places, where they might not heare the speech of others.

Languages are so farre naturall unto us, as other arts and sciences. A man is borne without any of them, but yet capable of all.

Now, because Words are onely for those that are present both in time & place; therefore to these, there hath beene added, the invention of let∣ters and writing: which are such a re∣presentation of our words (though more permanent,) as our words are of our thoughts. By these we may discourse with them, that are re∣mote from us, not onely by the di∣stance of many miles, but also of

many ages, Hujus usu scimus maximè constare humanitatem vitae, memoriam, ac hominum immortalitatem, saith Pli∣ny. Quid hoc magnificentius? quid ••eque mirandum? in quod ne mortis qui∣dem avida rapacitas jus ullum habeat, saith Rhodiginus, This being the chie∣fest meanes, both for the promoting of humane society, and the perpe∣tuating our names unto following times.

How strange a thing this Art of writing did seeme at its first inven∣tion, we may guesse by the late di∣scovered Americans, who were ama∣zed to see men converse with books, and could scarce make themselves beleeve that a paper should speake: especially, when after all their atten∣tion and listning to any writing (as their custome was) they could never perceive any words or sound to pro∣ceed from it.

There is a pretty relation to this purpose concerning an Indian slave, who being sent by his Master, with

a basket of figs and a letter, did by the way eate up a great part of his carty∣age, conveying the remainder unto the person, to whom he was directed, who when he had read the letter, and not finding the quantity of figges answe∣rable to what was there spoken of; he accuses the slave of eating them, telling him what the letter said against him. But the Indian, (not∣withstanding this proofe) did confi∣dently abjure the fact, cursing the paper, as being a false and lying wit∣nesse. After this, being sent againe, with the like carriage, and a letter expressing the just number of figges, that were to be delivered, hee did againe according to his former pra∣ctice, devoure a great part of them by the way; but before hee medled with any, (to prevent all following accusations;) he first tooke the let∣ter, and hid that under a great stone, assuring himselfe, that if it did not see him eate the figges, it could ne∣ver tell of him; but being now more

strongly accused then before, hee confesses the fault, admiring the di∣vinitie of the paper, and for the fu∣ture doe's promise his best fidelity in every imployment.

Such strange conceits, did those wilder nations entertaine, concer∣ning this excellent invention. And doubtlesse it must needs argue a vast ability both of wit and memory, in that man, who did first confine all those different sounds of voyce, (which seeme to be almost of infi∣nite variety) within the bounds of those few letters in the Alphabet.

The first inventor of this, was thought to be the Egyptian Mercury, who is therefore stiled the Messenger of the Gods. To which purpose the Poets have furnished him with wings for swiftnesse and dispatch in his er∣rands. And because the Planet of that name, was thought to observe a more various & obscure revolution then any of the rest, therfore likewise did they attribute unto him, such

secret and subtle motions, as might make him a trusty and private mes∣senger, and so the fitter for that pre∣ferment, to which for this invention they had advanced him.

There is yet another way of dis∣coursing, by signes and gestures. And thought it be not so common in practise, as either of the other; yet in nature, perhaps it is before them both: since infants are able this way to ex∣presse themselves, before they have the benefit of speech.

But now, because none of these wayes in ordinary use, are either so Secret or Swift, as some exigences would require; Therefore many of the Antients have busied themselves in a further inquiry how both these deficiencies may be remedied: as conceiving that such a discovery would be of excellent use, especially for some occasions that are inci∣dent to Statesmen and Souldiers.

That the ignorance of Secret and Swift conveyances, hath often pro∣ved

fatall, not onely to the ruine of particular persons, but also of whole Armies and Kingdomes; may easily appeare to any one that is but little versed in story. And therefore the redressing of these may bee a subject worth our en∣quiry.

Amongst the Antients that have most laboured in these particulars, [Aeneas, Cleomenes, and Democritus, (as they are cited by Polybius) were for their inventions of this kind, more remarkeably eminent. And that Author himself, hath gi∣ven us such an exact relation of the knowledge of antiquity in these things, that 'tis a wonder, these following ages should either take no more notice, or make no more use of it. Besides these, there is also Iulius Africanus, and Philo Mechanicus, two antient Gre∣cians, who have likewise treated of this subject.

The Military significations in use

amongst the Romans, are handled by Vegetius, and Frontinus.

Their notes of Secrecy, and Ab∣breviation in writing, are largly set downe by Valerius Probus, and Pet. Diaconus. There is likewise a vo∣lumne of these, set forth by Ianus Gruterus, which for their first inven∣tion are commonly ascribed unto Cicero and Seneca.

In latter times, these particulars have beene more fully handled, by the Abbota Tritemius.b Theodorus Bibliander,c Baptista Porta. Cardan. Subtilit. lib. 17. de Var. C. 12. 6.d Isaac Casaubon.f Iohannes Walchius,g Gusta∣vus Selenus.h Gerardus Vossius.l Her∣mannus, Hugo, and divers others, in particular languages.

Amongst the rest, our English Aristotle, the learned Verulam, in that worke truly stiled the Advancement of Learning, hath briefly contracted the whole substance of what may be said in this subject. Where he refers it to the art of Grammar, noting it as a

deficient part. And in reference to this is it handled by most of those Authors, who have treated of it.

That art, in its true latitude com∣prehending a treaty, concerning all the wayes of discourse, whether by speech, or by writing, or by gesture, together with the severall circum∣stances, pertaining to them. And so this subject belongs to the Mint of knowledge; Expressions being cur∣rant for conceits, as money is for va∣luations.

Now as it will concerne a man that deales in traficke, to understand the severall kinds of money, and that it may be framed of other materialls, besides silver and gold: So likewise do's it behove them, who professe the knowledge of nature or reason, rightly to apprehend the severall waies whereby they may be expressed.

So that besides the usefulnesse of this subject, for some speciall occa∣sions, it doth also belong unto one of the liberall Arts.

From which considerations wee may infer, that these particulars are not so triviall, as perhaps otherwaies they would seeme, and that, there is sufficient motive to excite any in∣dustrious spirit, unto a further search after them.

In this following discourse, I shall enquire,

• 1 Concerning the Secrecy of meanes, whereby to communicate our thoughts.
• 2 Concerning their Swiftnesse, or quicke passing at any great distance.
• 3 How they may be both joyned together in the conveiance of any Message.

In the prosecution of which, I shall also mention (besides the true discoveries) most of those other wayes, whether Magicall, or Fabulous, that are received upon common tra∣dition.

Notes

• Aquinas part. 1.
• Quest. 107. Zanch. de Operibus Dei. Part. 1. lib. 3. c. 19.
• 1 Cor. 13.
• Valles•••••• Sacr. Phil••s. cap. 3.
• Cal. Rhod. A••t. lect. lib. 2. 9. c. 14.
• Nat hist. lib. 14. c. 11.
• Antiq. lect. lib 4. cap. 3.
• Hermannus. Hugo de orig. Scri∣bendi. Pras.
• Cice. lib. 3. de Na. Deor. Polyd. Virg. de Inventor. lib. ••. cap 6.
• Vossius de Grammati∣ca li. 1. c. 9.
• Natal. Co∣mes Mythol. lib. 5. cap. 5.
• [Poliorce∣tica.
• Hist. l. 10.
• Polibius Ibid. ••
• juxta finem.
• De Strat.
• De re mi∣••••t. lib. 3. cap. 5.
• Li de notis ••ntiquis.
• The father.
• a

  Lib. de Polygraph. item de Ste∣nogra••.
• b

  ••ract. de ratione 〈◊〉〈◊〉. linguarum.
• c

  Lib. de Zyphris.
• d

  Notis in Aeneae Po∣lyorcetica.
• f

  Fab. 9.
• g

  de Cryptog.
• h

  de Gram. Lib. 1. c. 40.
• l

  Lib. de Or. Scrib.
• De Augm. Scientiar. Lib. 6. ca. 1.
• Ibid.