CHAPTER III

Playstered and whited Sepulchres, were anciently affected in cadaverous, and corruptive Burials; And the rigid Jews were wont to garnish the Sepulchres of the righteous;¹ Ulysses in Hecuba² cared not how meanly he lived, so he might finde a noble Tomb after death. Great Princes affected great Monuments, And the fair and larger Urnes contained no vulgar ashes, which makes that disparity in those which time discovereth among us. The present Urnes were not of one capacity, the largest containing above a gallon, Some not much above half that measure; nor all of one figure, wherein there is no strict conformity, in the same or different Countreys; Observable from those represented by Casalius, Bosio, and others, though all found in Italy. While many have handles, ears, and long necks, but most imitate a circular figure, in a sphericall and round composure; whether from any mystery, best duration or capacity, were but a conjecture. But the common form with necks was a proper figure, making our last bed like our first; nor much unlike the Urnes of our Nativity, while we lay in the nether part of the Earth,³ and inward vault of our Microcosme. Many Urnes are red, these but of a black colour, somewhat smooth, and dully sounding, which begat some doubt, whether they were burnt, or only baked in Oven or Sunne: According to the ancient way, in many bricks, tiles, pots, and testaceous works; and as the word testa is properly to be taken, when occurring without addition: And chiefly intended by Pliny, when he commendeth bricks and tiles of two years old, and to make them in the spring. Nor only these concealed peeces, but the open magnificence of Antiquity, ran much in the Artifice of Clay. Hereof the house of Mausolus was built, thus old Jupiter stood in the Capitoll, and the Statua of Hercules made in the Reign of Tarquinius Priscus, was extant in Plinies dayes. And such as declined burning or Funerall Urnes, affected Coffins of Clay, according to the mode of Pythagoras, a way preferred by Varro. But the spirit of great ones was above these circumscriptions, affecting copper, silver, gold, and Porphyrie Urnes, wherein Severus lay, after a serious view and sentence on that which should contain him.⁴ Some of these Urnes were thought to have been silvered over, from sparklings in several pots, with small Tinsell parcels; uncertain whether from the earth, or the first mixture in them.

Among these Urnes we could obtain no good account of their coverings; Only one seemed arched over with some kinde of brickwork. Of those found at Buxton some were covered with flints, some in other parts with tiles, those at Yarmouth Caster, were closed with Romane bricks. And some have proper earthen covers adapted and fitted to them. But in the Homerical Urne of Patroclus, whatever was the solid Tegument, we finde the immediate covering to be a purple peece of silk: And such as had no covers might have the earth closely pressed into them, after which disposure were probably some of these, wherein we found the bones and ashes half mortered unto the sand and sides of the Urne; and some long roots of Quich, or Dogs-grass^[5] wreathed about the bones.

No Lamps, included Liquors, Lachrymatories, or Tear-bottles attended these rurall Urnes, either as sacred unto the Manes, or passionate expressions of their surviving friends. While with rich flames, and hired tears they solemnized their Obsequies, and in the most lamented Monuments made one part of their Inscriptions.⁶ Some finde sepulchrall Vessels containing liquors, which time hath incrassated into gellies. For besides these Lachrymatories, notable Lamps, with Vessels of Oyles and Aromaticall Liquors attended noble Ossuaries. And some yet retaining a Vinosity⁷ and spirit in them, which if any have tasted they have farre exceeded the Palats of Antiquity. Liquors not to be computed by years of annuall Magistrates, but by great conjunctions and the fatall periods of Kingdomes.⁸ The draughts of Consulary date, were but crude unto these, and Opimian Wine⁹ but in the must unto them.

In sundry Graves and Sepulchres, we meet with Rings, Coynes, and Chalices; Ancient frugality was so severe, that they allowed no gold to attend the Corps, but only that which served to fasten their teeth.¹⁰ Whether the Opaline stone in this Urne were burnt upon the finger of the dead, or cast into the fire by some affectionate friend, it will consist with either custome. But other incinerable substances were found so fresh, that they could feel no sindge from fire. These upon view were judged to be wood, but sinking in water and tried by the fire, we found them to be bone or Ivory. In their hardnesse and yellow colour they most resembled Box, which in old expressions found the Epithete¹¹ of Eternall, and perhaps in such conservatories might have passed uncorrupted.

That Bay-leaves were found green in the Tomb of S. Humbert,¹² after an hundred and fifty years, was looked upon as miraculous. Remarkable it was unto old Spectators, that the Cypresse of the Temple of Diana, lasted so many hundred years: The wood of the Ark and Olive Rod of Aaron were older at the Captivity. But the Cypresse of the Ark of Noah, was the greatest vegetable Antiquity, if Josephus were not deceived, by some fragments of it in his dayes.^[13] To omit the Moore-logs, and Firre-trees found under-ground in many parts of England; the undated ruines of windes, flouds or earthquakes; and which in Flanders still shew from what quarter they fell, as generally lying in a North-East position.¹⁴

But though we found not these peeces to be Wood, according to first apprehension, yet we missed not altogether of some woody substance; For the bones were not so clearly pickt, but some coals were found amongst them; A way to make wood perpetuall, and a fit associat for metall, whereon was laid the foundation of the great Ephesian Temple, and which were made the lasting tests of old boundaries and Landmarks; Whilest we look on these, we admire not Observations of Coals found fresh, after four hundred years.¹⁵ In a long deserted habitation,¹⁶ even Egge-shels have been found fresh, not tending to corruption.

In the Monument of King Childerick, the Iron Reliques were found all rusty and crumbling into peeces. But our little Iron pins which fastened the Ivory works, held well together, and lost not their Magneticall quality, though wanting a tenacious moisture for the firmer union of parts, although it be hardly drawn into fusion, yet that metall soon submitteth unto rust and dissolution. In the brazen peeces we admired not the duration but the freedome from rust, and ill savour; upon the hardest attrition, but now exposed unto the piercing Atomes of ayre; in the space of a few moneths, they begin to spot and betray their green entrals. We conceive not these Urnes to have descended thus naked as they appear, or to have entred their grave without the old habit of flowers. The Urne of Philopœmen was so laden with flowers and ribbons, that it afforded no sight of it self. The rigid Lycurgus allowed Olive and Myrtle. The Athenians might fairly except against the practise of Democritus to be buried up in honey; as fearing to embezzle a great commodity of their Countrey, and the best of that kinde in Europe. But Plato seemed too frugally politick, who allowed no larger Monument then would contain four^[17] Heroick Verses, and designed the most barren ground for sepulture: Though we cannot commend the goodnesse of that sepulchrall ground, which was set at no higher rate then the mean salary of Judas. Though the earth had confounded the ashes of these Ossuaries, yet the bones were so smartly burnt, that some thin plates of brasse were found half melted among them: whereby we aprehend they were not of the meanest carcasses, perfunctorily fired as sometimes in military, and commonly in pestilence, burnings; or after the manner of abject corps, hudled forth and carelesly burnt, without the Esquiline Port at Rome; which was an affront continued^[18] upon Tiberius, while they but half burnt his body,¹⁹ and in the Amphitheatre, according to the custome in notable Malefactors;^[20] whereas Nero seemed not so much to feare his death, as that his head should be cut off, and his body not burnt entire.

Some finding many fragments of sculs in these Urnes, suspected a mixture of bones; In none we searched was there cause of such conjecture, though sometimes they declined not that practise; The ashes of Domitian²¹ were mingled with those of Julia, of Achilles with those of Patroclus: All Urnes contained not single ashes; Without confused burnings they affectionately compounded their bones; passionately endeavouring to continue their living Unions. And when distance of death denied such conjunctions, unsatisfied affections, conceived some satisfaction to be neighbours in the grave, to lye Urne by Urne, and touch but in their names. And many were so curious to continue their living relations, that they contrived large, and family Urnes, wherein the Ashes of their nearest friends and kindred might successively be received,²² at least some parcels thereof, while their collaterall memorials lay in minor vessels about them.

Antiquity held too light thoughts from Objects of mortality, while some drew provocatives of mirth from Anatomies,²³ and Juglers shewed tricks with Skeletons. When Fidlers made not so pleasant mirth as Fencers, and men could sit with quiet stomacks while hanging was plaied before them.²⁴ Old considerations made few memento’s by sculs and bones upon their monuments. In the Ægyptian Obelisks and Hieroglyphicall figures, it is not easie to meet with bones. The sepulchrall Lamps speak nothing lesse then sepulture; and in their literall draughts prove often obscene and antick peeces: Where we finde D.M.²⁵ it is obvious to meet with sacrificing patera’s, and vessels of libation, upon old sepulchrall Monuments. In the Jewish Hypogæum²⁶ and subterranean Cell at Rome, was little observable besides the variety of Lamps, and frequent draughts of the holy Candlestick. In authentick draughts of Anthony and Jerome, we meet with thigh-bones and deaths heads; but the cemiteriall Cels of ancient Christians and Martyrs, were filled with draughts of Scripture Stories; not declining the flourishes of Cypresse, Palmes, and Olive; and the mysticall Figures of Peacocks, Doves and Cocks. But iterately affecting the pourtraits of Enoch, Lazarus, Jonas, and the Vision of Ezechiel, as hopefull draughts, and hinting imagery of the Resurrection; which is the life of the grave, and sweetens our habitations in the Land of Moles and Pismires.

Gentile Inscriptions precisely delivered the extent of mens lives, seldome the manner of their deaths, which history it self so often leaves obscure in the records of memorable persons. There is scarce any Philosopher but dies twice or thrice in Laertius; Nor almost any life without two or three deaths in Plutarch; which makes the tragicall ends of noble persons more favourably resented by compassionate Readers, who finde some relief in the Election of such differences.

The certainty of death is attended with uncertainties, in time, manner, places. The variety of Monuments hath often obscured true graves: and Cenotaphs confounded Sepulchres. For beside their reall Tombs, many have found honorary and empty Sepulchres. The variety of Homers Monuments made him of various Countreys. Euripides²⁷ had his Tomb in Africa,^[28] but his sepulture in Macedonia. And Severus²⁹ found his real Sepulchre in Rome, but his empty grave in Gallia.

He that lay in a golden Urne³⁰ eminently above the Earth, was not likely to finde the quiet of these bones. Many of these Urnes were broke by a vulgar discoverer in hope of inclosed treasure. The ashes of Marcellus³¹ were lost above ground, upon the like account. Where profit hath prompted, no age hath wanted such miners. For which the most barbarous Expilators found the most civill Rhetorick.³² Gold once out of the earth is no more due unto it; What was unreasonably committed to the ground is reasonably resumed from it: Let Monuments and rich Fabricks, not Riches adorn mens ashes. The commerce of the living is not to be transferred^[33] unto the dead: It is not injustice to take that which none complains to lose, and no man is wronged where no man is possessor.

What virtue yet sleeps in this terra damnata and aged cinders, were petty magick to experiment; These crumbling reliques and long-fired particles superannate^[34] such expectations: Bones, hairs, nails, and teeth of the dead, were the treasures of old Sorcerers. In vain we revive such practices; Present superstition too visibly perpetuates the folly of our Fore-fathers, wherein unto old Observation this Island was so compleat, that it might have instructed Persia.³⁵

Plato's historian of the other world, lies twelve dayes incorrupted, while his soul was viewing the large stations of the dead.^[36] How to keep the corps seven dayes from corruption by anointing and washing, without exenteration, were an hazardable peece of art, in our choisest practise. How they made distinct separation of bones and ashes from fiery admixture, hath found no historicall solution. Though they seemed to make a distinct collection, and overlooked not Pyrrhus his toe.^[37] Some provision they might make by fictile Vessels, Coverings, Tiles, or flat stones, upon and about the body. And in the same Field, not farre from these Urnes, many stones were found under ground, as also by carefull separation of extraneous matter, composing and raking up the burnt bones with forks, observable in that notable lamp of Galvanus.^[38] Martianus,³⁹ who had the sight of the Vas Ustrinum, or vessell wherein they burnt the dead, found in the Esquiline Field at Rome, might have afforded clearer solution. But their insatisfaction herein begat that remarkable invention in the Funerall Pyres of some Princes, by incombustible sheets made with a texture of Asbestos, incremable flax, or Salamanders wool, which preserved their bones and ashes⁴⁰ incommixed.

How the bulk of a man should sink into so few pounds of bones and ashes, may seem strange unto any who considers not its constitution, and how slender a masse will remain upon an open and urging fire of the carnall composition. Even bones themselves reduced into ashes, do abate a notable proportion. And consisting much of a volatile salt, when that is fired out, make a light kind of cinders. Although their bulk be disproportionable to their weight, when the heavy principle of Salt is fired out, and the Earth almost only remaineth; Observable in sallow, which makes more Ashes then Oake; and discovers the common fraud of selling Ashes by measure, and not by ponderation.

Some bones make best Skeletons,⁴¹ some bodies quick and speediest ashes: Who would expect a quick flame from Hydropicall Heraclitus? The poysoned Souldier when his Belly brake, put out two pyres in Plutarch.⁴² But in the plague of Athens,⁴³ one private pyre served two or three Intruders; and the Saracens burnt in large heaps, by the King of Castile,⁴⁴ shewed how little Fuell sufficeth. Though the Funerall pyre of Patroclus took up an hundred foot,⁴⁵ a peece of an old boat burnt Pompey; And if the burthen of Isaac were sufficient for an holocaust, a man may carry his owne pyre.

From animals are drawn good burning lights, and good medicines⁴⁶ against burning; Though the seminall humour seems of a contrary nature to fire, yet the body compleated proves a combustible lump, wherein fire findes flame even from bones, and some fuell almost from all parts. Though the Metropolis of humidity⁴⁷ seems least disposed unto it, which might render the sculls of these Urnes lesse burned then other bones. But all flies or sinks before fire almost in all bodies: When the common ligament is dissolved, the attenuable parts ascend, the rest subside in coal, calx or ashes.

To burn the bones of the King of Edon⁴⁸ for Lyme, seems no irrationall ferity; But to drink of the ashes of dead relations,⁴⁹ a passionate prodigality. He that hath the ashes of his friend, hath an everlasting treasure: where fire taketh leave, corruption slowly enters; In bones well burnt, fire makes a wall against it self; experimented in copels,^[50] and tests of metals, which consist of such ingredients. What the Sun compoundeth, fire analyseth, not transmuteth. That devouring agent leaves almost allwayes a morsell for the Earth, whereof all things are but a colonie; and which, if time permits, the mother Element will have in their primitive masse again.

He that looks for Urnes and old sepulchrall reliques, must not seek them in the ruines of Temples; where no Religion anciently placed them. These were found in a Field, according to ancient custome, in noble or private buriall; the old practise of the Canaanites, the Family of Abraham, and the burying place of Josua, in the borders of his possessions; and also agreeable unto Roman practice to bury by high-wayes, whereby their Monuments were under eye: Memorials of themselves, and memento’s of mortality into living passengers; whom the Epitaphs of great ones were fain to beg to stay and look upon them. A language though sometimes used, not so proper in Church-Inscriptions.⁵¹ The sensible Rhetorick of the dead, to exemplarity of good life, first admitted the bones of pious men, and Martyrs within Church-wals; which in succeeding ages crept into promiscuous practise. While Constantine was peculiarly favoured to be admitted unto the Church Porch; and the first thus buried in England was in the dayes of Cuthred.

Christians dispute how their bodies should lye in the grave. In urnall enterrment they clearly escaped this Controversie: Though we decline the Religious consideration, yet in cemiteriall and narrower burying places, to avoid confusion and crosse position, a certain posture were to be admitted; Which even Pagan civility observed,⁵² The Persians lay North and South, The Megarians and Phoenicians placed their heads to the East: The Athenians, some think, towards the West, which Christians still retain. And Beda will have it to be the posture of our Saviour. That he was crucified with his face towards the West, we will not contend with tradition and probable account; But we applaud not the hand of the Painter, in exalting his Crosse so high above those on either side; since hereof we finde no authentick account in history, and even the crosses found by Helena pretend no such distinction from longitude or dimension.

To be knav’d out of our graves, to have our sculs made drinking-bowls, and our bones tuned into Pipes, to delight and sport our Enemies, are Tragicall abominations, escaped in burning Burials.

Urnall enterrments, and burnt Reliques lye not in fear of worms, or to be an heritage for Serpents; In carnall sepulture, corruptions seem peculiar unto parts, and some speak of snakes out of the spinall marrow. But while we suppose common wormes in graves, ’tis not easie to finde any there; few in Church-yards above a foot deep, fewer or none in Churches, though in fresh decayed bodies. Teeth, bones, and hair, give the most lasting defiance to corruption. In an Hydropicall body ten years buried in a Church-yard, we met with a fat concretion, where the nitre of the Earth, and the salt and lixivious liquor of the body, had coagulated large lumps of fat, into the consistence of the hardest castle-soap; whereof part remaineth with us.^[53] After a battle with the Persians the Roman Corps decayed in few dayes, while the Persian bodies remained dry and uncorrupted. Bodies in the same ground do not uniformly dissolve, nor bones equally moulder; whereof in the opprobrious disease we expect no long duration. The body of the Marquesse of Dorset seemed sound and handsomely cereclothed, that after seventy eight years was found uncorrupted.⁵⁴ Common Tombs preserve not beyond powder: A firmer consistence and compage of parts might be expected from Arefaction, deep buriall or charcoal. The greatest Antiquities of mortall bodies may remain in putrified bones, whereof, though we take not in the pillar of Lots wife, or Metamorphosis of Ortelius,⁵⁵ some may be older then Pyramids, in the putrified Reliques of the generall inundation. When Alexander opened the Tomb of Cyrus, the remaining bones discovered his proportion, whereof urnall fragments afford but a bad conjecture, and have this disadvantage of grave enterrments, that they leave us ignorant of most personall discoveries. For since bones afford not only rectitude and stability, but figure unto the body; It is no impossible Physiognomy to conjecture at fleshy appendencies; and after what shape the muscles and carnous parts might hang in their full consistences. A full spread Cariola^{56} shews a well-shaped horse behinde, handsome formed sculls, give some analogie of fleshy resemblance. A criticall view of bones makes a good distinction of sexes. Even colour is not beyond conjecture; since it is hard to be deceived in the distinction of Negro’s sculls. Dantes Characters⁵⁷ are to be found in sculls as well as faces. Hercules is not onely known by his foot. Other parts make out their comproportions, and inferences upon whole or parts. And since the dimensions of the head measure the whole body, and the figure thereof gives conjecture of the principall faculties; Physiognomy outlives our selves, and ends not in our graves.

Severe contemplators observing these lasting reliques, may think them good monuments of persons past, little advantage to future beings. And considering that power which subdueth all things unto it self, that can resume the scattered Atomes, or identifie out of any thing, conceive it superfluous to expect a resurrection out of Reliques. But the soul subsisting, other matter clothed with due accidents, may salve the individuality: Yet the Saints we observe arose from graves and monuments, about the holy City. Some think the ancient Patriarchs so earnestly desired to lay their bones in Canaan, as hoping to make a part of that Resurrection, and though thirty miles from Mount Calvary, at least to lie in that Region, which should produce the first-fruits of the dead. And if according to learned conjecture, the bodies of men shall rise where their greatest Reliques remain, many are not like to erre in the Topography of their Resurrection, though their bones or bodies be after translated by Angels into the field of Ezechiels vision, or as some will order it, into the Valley of Judgement, or Jehosaphat.⁵⁸

---

---

NOTES

1. Mat. 23 [29; cf. 27].

2. Euripides [Hecuba, ll. 317-20:

“For myself, indeed,
though in life my daily store were scant, yet would it be
all-sufficient, but as touching a tomb I should wish mine to be
an object of respect, for this gratitude has long to run.”]

3. Psa. 63 [.9].

4. Χωρήσεις τὸν ἄνϑρωπον, ὄν ἡ οἰκουμένη οὐκ ἐχώρησεν. Dion. [“Thou shalt hold that man whom the world could not hold.” Dio Cassius, LXXVII.15.4.]

5. [Couch-grass, Triticum repens, or the related T. caninum.]

6. Cum lacrymis posuere.

7. Lazius.

8. About five hundred years. Plato.

9. Vinum Opiminianum annorum centum. Petron. [XXXIV, 6]

10. 12. Tabul. l.xi. de Jure sacro. Neve aurum addito, ast quoi curo dentes vincti erunt, im cum illo sepelire & urere, se fraude esto.[Tabula X, 8]

11. Plin. l.xvi.[78] Inter ξύλα ἀσαπῆ numerat Theophrastus [Enqury into Plants V.iv].

12. Surius. [vi.440, “herbae quae sepulturae eius die appositae fuerant”]

13. [Josephus Antiq. I.3.5. Josephus does not say that he had seen the remains.]

14. Gorop. Becanus in Niloscopio.

15. Of Beringuccio nella pyrotechnia. [Vannuccio Biringuccio, Pirotechnica, 1540, page 138 “infra certe ruine” otherwise unspecified.]

16. At Elmeham.

17. [“for” 1658. Plato Laws 958e.]

18. [Editorial suggestions that this word should be “contrived” or other seem to me unwarranted and unnecessary.]

19. Sueton. in vitâ Tib. Et in Amphitheatro semiustulandum, not. Cassaub. [Suetonius Tiberias 75.3.]

20. “Malefactore” 1658. Nero: Suetonius Nero 49.4.]

21. Sueton. in vita Domitian [17.3].

22. S. the most learned and worthy M^r M. Casaubon upon Antoninus. [In the “Curious Notes and Illustrations” at the end of his 1634 translation of Marcus Aurelius, Meric Casaubon has a long discourse on burial, cremation, urns, urn burial, urns found in England, etc., including the following passage:

In things of this nature, which wee I meane, altogether arbitrarie, there is no question but different fashions were used in different places; yea and likely in the same place, as every mans particular conceit, or humor served him. And therefore it were hard to determine any thing as certainly, and generally true. But as for these N[ewington] urnes, this seems to have been the custome there used. One great urne was appointed to containe the bones and ashes of all one, either houshold or kindred. As often therefore as any of them dyed, so often had they recourse unto the common urne, which so often was uncovered. to prevent this I find that the fashion hath beene in some places to lett in the ashes through some holes made and fitted for that purpose. See Gruter. fol. 14. Now besides the great and common urne, it is likely that every particular person that dyed, had some lese urne or vessell, particularly dedicated to his owne memorie; whereby both the number of the deceased, and the parties themselves might the better be remembred. … I heare not of any thing that hath hitherto beene found, in these Newingtno urnes besides, bones, and ashes; and sometimes cleere water. And so doe I reade of urnes or Earthenware vessels plenis limpidissimâ aquâ, that have beene found elsewhere, as that which is mentioned in Gruterus fol. 917. I doubt not but many would be glad (as well as I) to know certainly what this place hath formerly bene. But alas! how should wee (who are of yesterday & know nothing) without the helpe of ancient records, recall the memories of things forgotten so many hundred of yeares agoe? Thus much wee may certainly enough conclude: First, from the multitude of these urnes, that it was once a common burying place for the Romans. Secondly, from the Historie of the Romans in this land, that no urne is there found, but is 1200 or 1300 Yeares old, at the least: so many ages of men have these poore earthen vessels (of so much better clay for durance then human bodies are,) outlasted both the makers of them, and the persons to whose memory they were consecrated. Lastly, from the place, which is upon an ascent (and for a good way beyond, hilly) not farre from the Sea,, and neere the high way, wee may affirme in all probabilitie, that it was once the seat of a Roman station. If any many can teach me more of it, I shall heartily thank him. Since this was written, I made another journey to the place, and spent some time there in digging, but with no successe. However, that I might not returne home emptie, the same M. Dearing gave me a peece of urne, which hath this inscription, FUL·LINUS.

23. Sic erimus cuncti, &c. Ergo dum vivimus vivamus.] Petronius: Satiricon XXXIV, slightly adapted.]

24. Ἀγώνον παίζειν. A barbarous pastime at Feasts, when men stood upon a rolling Globe, with their necks in a Rope, and a knife in their hands, ready to cut it when the stone was rolled away, wherein if they failed they lost their lives to the laughter of their spectators. Athenæus [5.42; page 155E].

25. Diis manibus.

26. Bosio. [Roma Sotterannea, II.xxii. From the edition online at the University of Freiburg:

Tornando hora alla descrittione del Cimiterio. Questo è fatto molto alla rustica, e rozzamente non havendo altro, che due soli Cubibcoli, e quelli ancor molto piccioli, & ignobili, com’è tutto il Cimiterio; nel quale non si vede ne pure un frammento di marmo, ne pittura, ne segno alcuno di Christianità; solo (quasi per ogni sepoltura) si vede dipinto di color rosso, ò impresso nella calce, il Candelabro delle sette lucerne: usanza peculiare de’ Giudei, che perserverò fin’ a’ tempi nostri; come ne facevano testimonianza li Titoli, levati dal moderno Cimiterio loro per ordine della sacra Riforma; in molti de’ quali era scolpito il Candelabro; e particularmente in capo d’una strada, che non hà esito, si vede dipinto di color rosso sopra li monumenti una gran figura del medesimo, in tal modo.

Candelabro dipinto nel Cimiterio de gli Hebrei.

Ritrovammo ancora quivi molte lucerne di terra cotta rustiche, e rozze, e quasi tutte rotte: una solamente intiera, nella quale era impresso il sudetto Candelabro, la quale habbiamo appresso di noi, & è della seguente forma.

Lucerna co’l Candelabro nel Cimiterio de gli Hebrei.

E dentro d’una sepoltura trovammo una medaglia di metallo, talmente corroso dall’antichità, che non fù possibile poterne comprender cosa alcuna.

Dal non ritrovarsi dunque in questo Cimiterio segno alcuno di Christianità: dall’haver letto in un frammento, che si trovò d’un’ Iscrittione, questa parola concisa, ϹΥΝΑΓΩΓ, cioè Sinagog; e dalle altre cose sopradette habbiamo giudicato, e crediamo fermamente, che questo fosse il proprio Cimiterio de gli antichi Hebrei, rimettendoci però à più sano, e miglior giuditio.

27. Pausan. in Atticis [1.2.2].

28. [sc. Attica]

29. Lamprid. in vit. Alexand. Severi. [Severus 24.2]

30. Trajanus. Dion.

31. Plut. in vit. Marcelli [XXX, 2–3].

32. The Commission of the Gothish King Theodoric for finding out sepulchrall treasure. Cassiodor. var. I.4. [“'It is the part of true prudence to recall to the uses of commerce ‘the talent hidden in the earth.’ We therefore direct you, by this "moderata jussio," where you hear of buried treasures to proceed to the spot with suitable witnesses and reclaim for the public Treasury either gold or silver, abstaining, however, from actually laying hands on the ashes of the dead. The dead can do nothing with treasure, and it is not greedy to take away what the holder of it can never mourn the loss of.”]

33. [“trrnsferred” 1658]

34. [Rare. In this passage only: “Perhaps: to be too ancient for” (OED.]

35. Britannia hodie eam attonite celebrat tantis ceremoniis, ut dedisse Persis vidri possit. Plin. l.29. [Rather l. 30; XXX.4 (13).]

36. [Er the son of Armenius; Plato Republic 614b.]

37. {Which could not be burnt.}

38. [1658 reads “lump of Galvanus” with no period.] {To be seen in Licet. de reconditis veterum lucernis: this note occurs probably belongs here, though it is printed as note to the passage on asbestos below.} Presumably this, from the online edition at the University of Heidelberg Liceti, de Lucernis antiquorum:

39. Topographiæ Roma ex Martiano. Erat & vas ustrinum appellatum quod in eo cadavera comburerentur. Cap. de Campo Esquilino.

40. To be seen in Licet. de reconditis veterum lucernis. [This note occurs here in the text. There is a lot of discussion of asbestos and asbestos sheets in Liceti, but nothing (that I find) to be “seen”.]

41. Old bones according to Lyserus. Those of young persons not tall nor fat according to Columbus.

42. In vita. Gracc. [Tiberius Gracchus, 13.4].

43. Thucydides [II, lii, 4].

44. Laurent. Valla.

45. Ἑκατόμπεδον ἔνϑα ἣ ἔνϑα [Iliad 23.164].

46. Speran. Alb. Ovor.

47. The brain. Hippocrates.

48. Amos 2.1.

49. As Artemisia of her Husband Mausolus.[Aulus Gellius, Attic Nights, 10.18.1.

50. [copels, or cupels: Chemical vessel made of compressed burnt bones or ashes, used in assaying and purifying metals.]

51. Siste viator.

52. Kirckmannus de funer. [Johannes Kirchmann, de funeribus Romanorum, especially in chapter II of the appendix, “Sed & nulla GENS tam barbara, nullus populus tam immanis, qui nonn mortuos suos patrio ritu funderandos putarit” &c.]

53. [Wilkin: “This substance was afterwards found in the cemetery of the Innocents at Paris, by Fourcroy, and became known to the French chemists under the name of adipo-cire. Sir Thomas is admitted to have been the first discoverer of it.”]

54. Of Thomas Marquesse of Dorset, whose body being buried 1530, was 1608 upon the cutting open of the Cerecloth found perfect and nothing corrupted, the flesh not hardened, but in colour, proportion, and softnesse like an ordinary corps newly to be interred. Burtons descript. of Leicestershire. [pp. 51-52]

55. In his Map of Russia.

[On the map, this is located somewhere indefinitely east of “Lake Kitaia” (the Aral Sea?). “This rock which has the forms of people, cattle, camels and other animals and things was a group of shepherds etc. Which suddenly hardened into stone in an amazing metamorphosis, without changing their previous appearance. This miracle took place around 300 years ago” (that is, around 1360 or so, as the original map dates from about 1560). It’s not clear if the illustration is meant to show the present rock formation or the originals in their living forms. The coloring suggests the latter, though the cartouche does say “without the least change in their appearance” – so perhaps the rocks were indeed colored.]

56. {That part in the Skeleton of an Horse, which is made by the hanch-bones.}

57. The Poet Dante in his view of Purgatory, found gluttons so meagre, and extenuated, that he conceited them to have been in the Siege of Jerusalem, and that it was easie to have discovered Homo or Omo in their faces; M being made by the two lines of their cheeks, arching over the Eye brows to the nose, and their sunk eyes making O O which makes up Omo. Parean l’occhiaie anella senza gemme Che nel viso degli huomini legge huomo Ben’havria quivi conosciuto l’emme [Purgat. xxiii, 31; see also A Letter to a Friend].

58. Tirin. in Ezek. [See also Joel 3:2, 3:12]

---

This page is maintained at the University of Chicago by James Eason.