The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

132 NATURAL HISTORY. CENT. X.
less fail, if you tell one that such an one shall Exper
name one of twenty men, than if it were one of ents n cosot t the secet vi
of sympathy anged antipathuy.
twenty cards. The experiment of binding of
thoughts would be diversified and tried to the 960. There be many things that work upon
full: and you are to note, whether it hit for the the spirits of man by secret sympathy and antimost part, though not always. pathy: the virtues of precious stones worn, have
957. It is good to consider, upon what things been anciently and generally received, and cuimagination hath most force: and the rule, as I riously assigned to work several effects. So
conceive, is, that it hath most force upon things much is true: that stones have in them fine
that have the lightest and easiest motions. And spirits, as appeareth by their splendour; and
therefore above all, upon the spirits of men: and therefore they may work by consent upon the
in them, upon such affections as move lightest; spirits of men, to comfort and exhilarate them.
as upon procuring of love; binding of lust, which Those that are the best, for that effect, are the
is ever with imagination; upon men in fear; or diamond, the emerald, the jacinth oriental, and
men in irresolution; and the like. Whatsoever is the gold stone, which is the yellow topaz. As
of this kind would be throughly inquired. Trials for their particular properties, there is no credit
likewise would be made upon plants, and that to be given to them. But it is manifest, that
diligently: as if you should tell a nian, that such light, above all things, excelleth in comforting
a tree would die this year; and will him at these the spirits of men: and it is very probable, that
and these times to go unto it, to see how it light varied doth the same effect, with more
thriveth. As for inanimate things, it is true that novelty. And this is one of the causes why
the motions of shuffling of cards, or casting of' precious stones comfort. And therefore it were
dice, are very light motions: and there is a good to have tincted lanterns, or tincted screens
folly very usual, that gamesters imagine, that of glass coloured into green,- blue, carnation,
some that stand by them bring them ill luck. crimson, purple, &c., and to use them with
There would be trial also made, of holding a ring candles in the night. So likewise to have round
by a thread in a glass, and telling him that hold- glasses, not only of glass coloured through, but
eth it, before, that it shall strike so many times with colours laid between crystals, with handles
against the side of the glass, and no more; or to hold in one's hand. Prisms are also comfortof holding a key between two men's fingers, able things. They have of Paris-work, lookingwithout a charm; and to tell those that hold it, glasses, bordered with broad borders of small
that at such a name it shall go off their fingers; crystal, and great counterfeit precious stones, of
for these two are extreme light motions. And all colours, that are most glorious and pleahowsoever I have no opinion of these things, yet sant to behold; especially in the night. The
so much I conceive to be true; that strong ima- pictures of Indian feathers are likewise comfortgination hath more force upon things living, or able and pleasant to behold. So also fair and
that have been living, than things merely inani- clear pools do greatly comfort the eyes and spirits,
mate: and mere force likewise upon light and especially when the sun is not glaring, but oversubtile motions, than upon motions vehement or cast; or when the moon shineth.
ponderous. 961. There be divers sorts of bracelets fit to
958. It is an usual observation, that if the comfort the spirits; and they be of three intenbody of one murdered be brought before the mur- tions; refrigerant, corroborant, and aperient.
derer, the wounds will bleed afresh. Sorie do For refrigerant, I wish themr to be of pearl, or of
affirm, that the dead body, upon the presence of coral, as is used; and it hath been noted that
the murderer, hath opened the eyes; and that coral, if the party that weareth it be indisposed,
there have been such like motions, as well where will wax pale; which I believe to be true, because
the parties murdered have been strangled or otherwise distemper of heat will make coral lose
drowned, as where they have been killed by colour. I commend also beads, or little plates of
wounds. It may be, that this participateth of a lapis lazuli; and beads of nitre, either alone, or
miracle, by God's just judgment, who usually with some cordial mixture.
bringeth murders to light: but if it be natural, it 962. For corroboration and confortation, take
must be referred to imagination. such bodies as are of astringent quality, without
959. The tying of the point upon the day of manifest cold. I commend bead-amber, which is
marriage, to make men impotent towards their full of astriction, but yet is unctuous, and not
wives, which, as we have formerly touched, is cold; and is conceived to impinguate those that
so frequent in Zant and Gascony, if it be natural, wear such beads; I commend also beads of hartsmust be referred to the imagination of him that horn and ivory; which are of the like nature;
tieth the point. I conceive it to have the less also orange beads; also beads of lignum aloes,
affinity with witchcraft, because not peculiar per- macerated first in rose-water, and dried.
sons only, such as witches are, but anybody may 963. For opening, I commend beads, or pieces
do it. of the roots of carduus benedictus also; of the