The fourth volume of letters writ by a Turkish spy who lived five and forty years undiscover'd at Paris : giving an impartial account to the Divan at Constantinople of the most remarkable transactions of Europe, and discovering several intrigues and secrets of the Christian courts (especially of that of France) continued from the year 1642 to the year 1682 / written originally in Arabick, translated into Italian, and from thence into English, by the translator of the first volume.

LETTER IV.

To Cara Hali, Physician to the Grand Signior.

THE Christians seem to have too proud an Opinion of themselves, and set a grea∣ter Value on Humane Nature than suits with Reason. They assert, That all Things were made for Man, and style him Lord of his Fellow-Creatures; as if God had given him an Absolute Dominion over the Rest of his Works, especially over the Animal-Generati∣ons; and that all the Birds of the Air, Beasts of the Earth, and Fish of the Sea, were Created onely to serve his Appetite and other Necessi∣ties of Life. I remember a Letter I formerly sent to thee, wherein I discours'd of the Car∣tesian Philosophers, and their Contempt of the Beasts, in denying them Souls, or the Ʋse of Reason.

Give me leave to entertain thee now, and divert my self with some farther Remarks on this Subject. 'Tis a Refuge from Melancholy,

when I can thus freely discover my Thoughts to a Friend, who I know will not be Partial to the Truth.

I have been long an Advocate for the Brutes, and have endeavour'd both to abstain from injuring them my self, and to inculcate this Fundamental Point of Justice to others. This is owing to the Example and Philosophy of Mahummed, the Eremite in Arabia, that Light and Glory of Religious Men. And were it not that my Humour is to be doubtful in all Things, the Influence of his Conversation would make me a profess'd Pythagorean, a Disciple of the Indian Brachmans, a Champi∣on for the Transmigration of Souls.

The last Letter save one I writ to that Solitary, was upon this Subject: Such an one as wou'd divert him in his Cave. It contain'd an Ac∣count of the Primitive Manner of Life pra∣ctis'd by the Ancients, a Narrative of the Golden Age, a History of Human Innocence, and the Steps which Men first took, to use Violence and Cruelty to their Fellow-Creatures. Now I will present thee with some Additio∣nal Observations, some Remnants of Anti∣quated Truth, glean'd from Philosophers and Historians, and winnow'd from the Chaff of Error and Superstition.

Who wou'd not believe the Beasts to be en∣du'd with Reason, when he beholds them perform all the Actions of Rational Creatures, with more Caution, tho' less Pride than Men? They are more Provident than We, and much more subtile in avoiding any Affliction or

Danger. Witness Thales the Philosopher's Mule, which he often employ'd to carry Salt to a certain Market; but the Cunning Beast finding herself over-loaded, when she was passing through a River lay down, whereby the Water penetrating into the Sacks of Salt, melted it away and lightned her Burden. And this was her Constant Practice; till the Philosopher perceiving himself thus outwitted by his Beast, was resolv'd to circumvent her another way. Wherefore, instead of Salt he loaded her with Wool, which he knew would grow heavier by being Wet. But the wary Mule, sensible of the Difference of her Bur∣den, wou'd couch no more in the Water; but seeing no other Remedy, went forward on her Journey.

Who will not admire the Wisdom of the Fox in Cold Countreys, which the Inhabitants use as a Guide when they would pass over a∣ny Frozen Lake or River. For this Creature going before them, lays her Ears close down to the Ice, and listens to try if she can hear any Motion or Noise of the Water running underneath: Which if she does, she will not venture on the Ice; but if all be still, then by a Logical Deduction she concludes, The Ice is thick enough to bear Passengers; and so she leads the Way, whilst the Men fol∣low.

When a Dog is hunting in the thick Woods, and by chance comes to a Place where Three Paths meet, he first Scents the One, then the Other: And perceiving that the Game is not

gone by any of those Two Ways; he throws himself swiftly forward in the Third, without such a particular Application of his Nose. Which is an evident Argument, that he makes use of the like Case we our Selves should do.

And now I have mention'd this Creature, I cannot forbear celebrating their Virtue and Fidelity: Whereof we have daily Experience; and there are many pleasant Examples, re∣corded by grave Historians.

Such is that of Hircanus, a Dog belonging to Lysimachus, who would never depart from the Body of his dead Master, but following it to the Funeral Pile, leapt into the Fire, and was burned for Company.

But the Gratitude of a Lyon to a certain Slave in Rome, is beyond all Parallel. This Slave was one of those, who were appointed to combat with Wild Beasts in the Amphitheatre, according to the Custom of the Ancient Ro∣mans, in the Publick Shews which were exhi∣bited to the People. As soon as the Lyon was let loose in the Pavement, he ran furiously at the Slave, but coming nearer, he stop'd on a sudden, as one astonished: Then he came gently toward the Slave, fawning upon him, and licking his Hand, which caus'd all the People to give a Shout. The Emperour being present, and taking Notice of the seeming Friendship and Acquaintance that was be∣tween the Slave and the Lyon, sent for the Slave, and enquired the Occasion of so strange an Accident. To whom the Slave made the following Relation:

My Name, said he, is Andredus, and I am Slave to a certain Proconsul, who ha∣ving determined to Kill me, I made my Escape, and hid my self in a Cave: Where I had not lain long, before this Lyon, which you now see, came in, being very lame of one Foot. As soon as he spy'd me, he came limping toward me, and stretch'd forth the Paw that was Wounded, as tho' he begg'd of me to ease him. Affrighted as I was, I took his Paw in my Hand, and pull'd out a great ragged Thorn, which stuck fast in it. Then I wash'd the Wound with my own Water, whilst he lay very patiently till I throughly dress'd it. The Ease he found by my Application, made him fall a∣sleep; and when he wak'd, he lick'd my Hands, and shew'd other Signs of Affection and Gratitude. I liv'd with him thus, Three Years in that Cave, and every Day he brought me a Share of his Prey, on which I su∣stain'd my Self. But at Length Tyr'd with this Manner of Life, I took my Opportu∣nity, when he was gone abroad, to make my Escape. I wander'd up and down Three days, when a Company of Soldiers meeting with me, and knowing to whom I belong'd, took me and brought me hither to my Old Master, who has Condemn'd me to this Cruel Death. But it seems, Fortune so or∣der'd it, that this Lyon should be taken a∣bout the same Time, and appointed to be my Executioner this Day. Yet you see, he refuses to perform his Office, out of Grati∣tude

to me for my former Kindness.

The Emperour astonish'd and pleas'd at this Passage, gave the Slave his Life and Freedom, bestowing also the Lyon on him, which brought him in a Constant Livelyhood, by shewing him to all People; who having heard of this Wonderful Accident, were desi∣rous to see both the Lyon and his Tenant: For so they styl'd the Slave; and some call'd him, the Lyons Physician.

I should think I had said enough already to tire thy Patience, and make thee forswear reading my Letters for the future, were I not well acquainted with thy Genius, and know that thou delightest in Relations of this Nature, being no Enemy to the harmless Brutes.

Whatever thy Sentiments are towards these, I dare be sure, thou art my Friend, and wilt bear with my Importunity, when I strive to convince all Men, and confirm my self in this Truth, That the Wild Beasts are not void of Reason and Moral Vertue.

Paris, 20th. of the 7th. Moon, of the Year 1652.