Qu. WHat is Geography?

Anſ. It is the deſcription of the Globe of the Earth; and differs from Topography, (which is the deſcription of particular places) as the whole differs from a part.

Qu. Into how many parts is the Earth divided?

Anſ. Into four; Europe, Aſia, Africa, and America both North and South.

Qu. Which are the chief Countreys of Europe?

Anſ. Europe may be divided into theſe three parts:

I. on the Continent, Scandinavia, which comprehends Sweden, Denmark, and Norway; Muſcovy, or Ruſſia, France, Germany, Poland, Spain, Italy, and part of Turkey.

II. The Britiſh-Iſles; as, England, Scotland, and Ireland.

III. Iſles on the Mediterranean; as, Sardinia, Candia, Sicily, Corcia, Majorca, and Minorca.

Qu. Which are the chief Countreys of Aſia?

Anſ. Aſia may be divided alſo into three parts; as,

I. On the Continent, part of Turkey, Georgia, Arabia, Perſia, India, or Moguls Countrey, China, and Tartaria.

II. Iſles on the Ocean; as, Maldivies, Ceylan, Sunda, Molucques, Philippines, and Japan.

III. Iſles on the Mediterranean; as, Cyprus, Rhodes, Scio, and Metelin.

Qu. Which are the chief Countreys of Africa?

Anſ. Africa in like manner may be divided into three parts; as,

I. On the Continent, Barbary, Aegypt, Biledulgerid, Zaara, Countrey of Negroes, Guiney, Nubia, Abiſſinea, or Aethiopia, Zanguebar, Congo, Monomotapa, Caffares.

II. Iſles on the Ocean; as, Madera, Canaries, Cape Verde, St. Thomas, St. Helena, Madagaſcar, or St. Lawrence, and Zocotora.

III. an Iſle on the Mediterranean-Sea, called Malta.

Qu. Which are the chief Countreys of America?

Anſ. Which America do you mean? for it is uſually divided into North and South.

Qu. Which then are the chief parts of the Northern America?

Anſ. The Northern America may likewiſe be divided into three parts; as, I. On the Continent, the Arctickland, New north Wales New ſouth Wales New Britain, Canada, New France, New Scotland, New England, New York, New Jerſey, or Pennſylvania, Mary-Land, Virginia, Carolina, Florida, Mexico, or New Spain, New Mexico, Land of Jeſſo, and Anian.

II. Iſles on the North Sea; as, New-found-land, and the Antilles, which comprehend Jamaica, together with all the Lucaif and Caribbe-Iſles.

III. an Iſland in the South Sea, named California.

Qu. Which are the chief parts of the Southern America?

Anſ. The Southern America (excepting one Iſland, called Magellanick) is all a Continent, having in it theſe ſeveral Countreys, viz. the firm Land, Magellan, Peru, Amazones, Chili, Braſil, and Paraquay.

Qu. What is a Continent?

Anſ. A Continent is one great parcel of Land, wherein are many Countreys joyned together, without being ſeperated by the Sea.

Qu. What is an Iſland?

Anſ. An Iſland is any part of Earth encompaſſed round with Water; as, Great Britain and Ireland.

Qu. Of what extent or circumference is the Earth judged to be?

Anſ. Geographers divide the Globe into 360 parts or degrees; So that reckoning each Degree to be 73 Italian miles, or 69 Engliſh, (which is the ſame) its Circumference will appear to be 26286 miles, and its Diameter 8365 miles.

Qu. Of what ſcituation and extent is Europe?

Anſ. Europe is for the moſt part ſcituate in the Northern Temperate Zone, and contains within its bounds the principal part of the Roman and Graecian Monarchies: whoſe length, from Cape-finis-terre on the weſt of Spain, to the River Ianais in Muſcovy, is 2400 miles; and breadth, from Cape-Metapan in Morea, to the moſt Northern Promontory of Norway, about 2100 miles.

Qu. How is Europe bounded?

Anſ. Europe is bounded on the North with the Northern Ocean, or frozen Sea; on the Weſt with the Weſtern or Atlantick Ocean; on the South, with the Mediterranean Sea, parting Europe from Africa; and laſtly, on the Eaſt, it is divided from Aſia by the Rivers Duina and Tanais.

Qu. Of what ſcituation and extent is Aſia?

Anſ. Aſia (from whence ſprang the firſt Monarchies and Religions of the World, and now poſſeſs'd by four the greateſt Princes of the Earth, (viz.) the Grand Seignior, Sultan of Perſia, Great Mogul, and Cham of China and Tartary:) is ſeated moſtly in the Temperate Zone: and extends in length, from Smyrna in the Weſt, to the fartheſt part of Tartary near Jeſſo in the Eaſt, about 4800 miles; and in breadth, from the loweſt part of Malacca in the South, to the Streights of Weigats in the North, near 4200 miles.

Qu. How is Aſia bounded?

Anſ. Aſia, on the weſt, is ſeperated from Africa by the Red-Sea, and by the Iſtmhus of Sues; from Europe, by the Rivers Tanais and Duina; and towards the other part of the World, is environ'd by the Tartarian, Chinean, Indian, Perſian, and Arabian Seas.

Qu. Of what ſcituation and extent is Africa?

Anſ. Africa is ſcituated under the Torrid Zone: being in length, from Cape-Verde to Gaardafuy, 4300 miles; and in breadth, from Cape-Bon to the Cape of good-hope, 4200 miles.

Qu. How is Africa bounded?

Anſ. Africa is formed like a Triangle, and ſeperated from all parts of the World but Aſia by four Seas: being limited, on the North, by the Mediterranean; on the Eaſt, by the Red-Sea, or Arabian-Gulph; on the South, by the Aethiopian; and on the Weſt, by the Atlantick-Ocean.

Qu. How is America bounded?

Anſ. America (the fourth and laſt known part of the World, which Columbus firſt diſcovered 190 years ago) is bounded on the Eaſt, by the Atlantick and Vergivian Seas, which part it from Europe and Africa; on the Weſt, by Mare Pacificum, which divides it from Aſia; on the South, by Terra incognita, ſeperated by the Streights of Magellan; and on the North, by parts as yet undiſcovered: ſo as no extent thereof can certainly be given.

Qu. Now, foraſmuch as it concerns all Europeans to have a more particular knowledge of Europe, as well as of the chief Towns in other parts of the World, wherewith we trade: pray tell me firſt, how many Cities and Pariſhes there are in England, together with its extent, circumference and limits?

Anſ. In England there are twenty-five Cities, whereof London, York, Briſtol, and Norwich, are the four chief. Alſo it is divided into fifty-two Shires or Counties, and thoſe again into 9725 Pariſhes: being in length, from Barwick in the North, to the Iſle of Wight in the South, 386 miles; and from Dover in the Eaſt, to the Lands-end in Cornwal in the Weſt, about 279 miles; and 1300 miles in compaſs round about. Laſtly, it is bounded on the South with Normandy and France, on the Eaſt with Germany and Denmark, on the Weſt with Ireland, and on the North with Scotland.

Qu. Which are the chief Cities or Towns in France; and how is it divided?

Anſ. France may be divided into three parts; 1. the Inland, containing theſe Provinces, (viz.) the Iſle of France, Champagne, Orleanois, Burgundy, Lyonnois, and Dauphine. 2. on the Ocean, as are Picardy, Normandy, Bretagne, Guienne, and Gaſcoigne. 3. and laſtly, on the Mediterranean, Languedock and Provence. As for the chief Cities or Towns of France, they are theſe; Paris, Roven, Lyons, Bourdeaux, Tholouſe, Rochel, Aix, Grenoble, Diion, Metz, Amiens, Orleans, Marſeilles and Nants.

Qu. How is Italy divided; and which are its principal Cities and Towns?

Anſ. Italy is likewiſe uſually divided into three parts; 1. the Midland, which comprehends the State of the Church, and State of Tuſcany. 2. Lombardy, which conſiſts of Venice, Milan, Genuoa, Parma, Modena, Mantua, Trente, Lucca, and Piedmont. 3. and laſtly, the Extremes of Italy; as, Naples, &c. which ſeveral parts are beautified with theſe moſt eminent Cities and Towns, Rome, Venice, Milan, Naples, Turin, Genoa, and Florence.

Qu. How is Spain divided; and which are its moſt eminent Cities or Towns?

Anſ. Spain is divided into five parts, 1. the Inland, conſiſting of Caſtile and Leon. 2. the North-part, which contains Galicia, Aſturies, Biſcay and Navarre. 3. the Eaſt, comprehending Arragon, Catalognia, and Valencia. 4. in the South are, Murcia, Granada, and Andalouſia. 5. and laſtly, in the Weſt are, Alguares and Portugal. The moſt eminent of the Spaniſh Cities are, Madrid, Toledo, Burgos, Lisbon, Sevil, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona, Salamanca, Caragoza, Leon, and Cadiz.

Qu. How is Germany divided; and which are its chief Towns?

Anſ. Germany may be divided into three parts; the firſt belonging to the Houſe of Auſtria, which contains Austria, Stiria, Carinthia, Carniola, Tirol, Bohemia, Sileſia, Moravia, Luſatia, French-County, and the Catholick Provinces called Flanders. 2. that part divided among the Princes of the Empire; as, the Palatinate on the Rhine, the Eccleſiastick Electorates, Franconia, Heſſe, Westphalia, Bavaria, Sovabe, upper-Saxony, Brandenburg, Pomerania, and lower-Saxony. 3. and laſtly, the Ʋnited Provinces; as, Holland, Zealand, Ʋtretch, Guelderland, Zutphen, Overyſſel, Frieſland, and Groningen. As for the chief Cities and Towns belonging to theſe ſeveral parts of Germany, they are theſe, Vienna, Prague, Cologne, Francfort, Hamburg, Nurembourg, Antwerp, Bruſſels, Ghent, Amſterdam, and the Hague.

Qu. How is Poland uſually divided; and which are its moſt eminent Towns?

Anſ. It is divided into ſeveral Provinces, whereof the chief are, the great and leſſer Polands, together with Mozavia, Pruſſia, &c. As for its Towns, the moſt eminent are, Cracovia, Warſaw, and Dantzick.

Qu. How is Turkey in Europe divided; and which are its chief Cities?

Anſ. Turkey in Europe may be divided into three parts; as 1. the North Provinces, which are, Romania, Servia, Bulgaria, Boſnia, Hungaria, Croatia, and Dalmatia. 2. South Provinces; as, Macedonia, Epirus, Theſſalia, Achaia, and Morea, or Peleponeſus. 3. and laſtly, Tranſilvanian Provinces; as, Tranſilvania, Valachia, Moldavia, and petit Tartars. As for the chief Cities in the Europaean Turkey, they are theſe ſeven, Conſtantinople, Adrianople, Sophia, Buda, Belgrade, Salonichi, and Miſiſtra.

Qu. How is Muſcovy divided; and which is its chief City and Town?

Anſ. Muſcovy, or Ruſſia, (which is all one) may be divided into two parts, North and South, comprehending ſeveral Principalities and Dukedoms, together with one Republick, called North-Lapland. The chief City of Muſcovy is Moſcow, but its chief Harbour and place of trade Arch-Angelo.

Qu. How may Sweden be divided; and which are its chief Towns?

Anſ. Sweden is divided into many conſiderable Provinces; as, Ʋpland, Gothland, Weſt-Lapland, Finland, Livonia, and others: whereof the capital Cities are, Stockholm and Ʋpſal in Ʋpland, and Calmar in Gothland.

Qu. How may Denmark and Norway be divided; and which are their chief Towns?

Anſ. Denmark and Norway are now two Kingdoms united under one Monarch: to which we may add Greenland and the Iſles of Ferro and Iſeland. The chief Towns are, Copenhagen in Denmark, and Berghen in Norway.

Qu. Which are the chief Towns in Scotland?

Anſ. Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Glaſcow, Sterling, Dunbritton, Falkland, Perth, and Aberdeen.

Qu. How is Ireland divided?

Anſ. Into four Provinces, (viz.) Leinster, Ʋlster, Munster, and Connaugh; In which Provinces are 32 Counties.

Qu. Which are the chief Cities in Ireland?

Anſ. Dublin, Waterford, Galloway, Limrick, Kingſale, Cork, Londonderry and Armagh.

Qu. What is a Peninſula?

Anſ. Peninſula, quaſi pene inſula, almoſt an Iſland, is a part of Land, which being almoſt encompaſſed round with Water, is yet joyned to the firm land by ſome little Iſtmhus, or neck of Earth; as Africa is joyn'd to Aſia; Peleponeſus or Morea to Greece; Molucca to India; Jutland to Holſatia; and Corea to Tartary.

Qu. What is an Iſtmhus?

Anſ. An Iſtmhus is any narrow neck of Land betwixt two Seas, joyning the Peninſula to the Continent; as that betwixt Aegypt and Arabia, which parts Aſia from Africa; and thoſe of Panama and Dariene in America.

Qu. What is a Promontory?

Anſ. A Promontory is an high Hill or Mountain, that ſhoots it ſelf out as an Elbow of Land into the Sea, the utmoſt extent whereof is call'd a Fore-land, or Cape; as, the Cape of good-hope in the furtheſt part of Africa, by which thoſe paſs that ſail into India: Alſo Cape-Verde in Africa, the Cape of Victory at the mouth of the Magellanie Seas, & the Cape of S. Vincent in Portugal, with many other.

Qu. Which are the most eminent Hills or Mountains upon Earth?

Anſ. Thoſe of moſt note are, the Pyrenaean Hills betwixt France and Spain, Mount Cenis and the Alps betwixt France and Italy, Mount Atlas in Mauritania, Mount Athos in Macedon, Mount Caucaſus in India, Mount Olympus in Theſſaly, Mount Taurus in Aſia, Mount Apennine in Italy, and laſtly, el Pico in Tenariff near the Canary Iſles, thought to be the higheſt in the World, being 15 miles high, and viſible 100 miles off at Sea. Now, beſides all theſe, there are many other Mountains, no leſs famous for their vomiting up of Fire, than for their heighth; as, Aetna in Sicily, Veſuvius near Naples in Italy, Hecla in Iſeland, and many others of the like nature in the Molucca and Japaneſe Iſlands, as well as in Peru, Braſil, Congo and the Azores.

Qu. Which are the chief Deſarts?

Anſ. Thoſe of Lybia in Africk, that encompaſs Aegypt; as alſo thoſe in Arabia, Tartarie, Nova Zembla, Norway, Lapland, Finmarch, Sweden, Germany and America.

Qu. Where are the beſt Gold and Silver Mines?

Anſ. In Peru, Arabia, Guinea, Monomotapa, Japan, Perſia, China, Chili, and Potoſi, from whence the Spaniards have yearly exhauſted 12 millions.

Qu. Having given this general account of the terra firma, and particular (becauſe moſt neceſſary) relation of Europe: let us in the next place launch into the Ocean, and examine the watry World; for which end, inform us, how the ſeveral ſorts of Waters may be diſtinguiſhed?

Anſ. Into Seas, Streights, Lakes, or Rivers.

Qu. Which are the chief Seas?

Anſ. The Levant, or Eaſt Sea; the Weſt, North and South Seas; the Baltick Sea; the Red Sea; the Aethiopian Sea; the Mediterranean Sea; the Archipelago; St. George's Sea; the Euxine Sea; and the Dead, or Caſpian Sea, on our Continent; together with the Magellanick and Mare-pacificum on the Continent of America.

Qu. What is a Streight?

Anſ. A Streight or Gulph is any narrow part or arm of the Ocean, lying between two ſhoars, and opening a way into the Sea, as, the Streights of Jeſſo, lying between the two Continents; the Streights of Magellan, between North and South America; the Streights of Gibralter on the Coaſt of Spain, betwixt Europe and Africa; the Streights of Babelmandel, between Aſia and Africa; the Gulph of Venice and the Bay of Biſcay in Europe.

Qu. What is a Lake?

Anſ. A Lake is any place that continually retains ſtanding-water in it, as Laggo Major in Italy, the Lake of Lucerna, and Geneva in Switzerland, &c.

Qu. What is a River?

Anſ. A River is any ſmall branch of the Sea flowing up into a Land; as, the Thames, Severn, Trent and Humber in England; the Seine, Loyre and Rhoſne in France; the Rhine and Elbe in Germany; the Po and Tyber in Italy; the River Volga of Muſcovy, the greateſt in Europe; the Danube of Turkey in Europe; Euphrates, Tigris and Jordan of Turkey in Aſia; the Indus and Ganges of India; and the Nile of Aegypt.

Qu. Which are the beſt Authors for Geography?

Anſ. Ptolomy, Strabo, Stephanuus, Ortelius, Mercator, Scaliger, Ferrarius, Varenius and Munster; with Bleau's, Johnſon's and Sanſon's Maps.

Qu. WHich are the most eminent of the Ancient Latin Hiſtorians?

Anſ. Julius Caeſar, Saluſt, Livy, Paterculus, Valerius Maximus, Quintus Curtius, Tacitus, Florus, Suetonius, Juſtin, and Marcelinus.

Qu. What account have you of Julius Caeſar?

Anſ. Cajus Julius Caeſar (deſcended from the Noble Julian Family) was the firſt Founder of the Roman Empire; yet no leſs eminent for his Commentaries, than his Conqueſts: Uſing his Pen with the ſame Vigour, as he us'd his Sword; in ſo much, that, as Quintilian obſerves, he was the only Roman, who for Eloquence might have been oppoſed to Cicero: And who, as Gyraldus ſaith) did alone overcome all others both in Writing and Fighting. In his tender years he addicted himſelf to Poetry, and Compos'd the Tragedy of Oedipus, the Praiſe of Hercules, and ſeveral other Poems under the Title of Julii, which Auguſtus afterwards prohibited to be publiſh'd. Neither was he leſs famous for his Skill in Oratory, witneſs his Funeral Orations on his Wife Cornelia, and Aunt Julia, his Accuſation of Dolabella, his Invectives againſt Cato, and his Orations for the Bythinian Law Plautia, for Decius the Samnite, for Sextilius and others, Likewiſe his two Books of Analogy gave him great repute among the Grammarians. Beſides which, he wrote ſeveral other Tracts of Augurie, and witty Apothegms; as well as of the motion of the Stares, which he had Learnt in Egypt, and wherein he Prognoſticated his own Death, on the Ides of March, as the Elder Pliny relates; nor is he leſs eminent for his Reformation of the Kalender. But what ſurpaſſed all his other Writings, were his ſeven Books of Commentaries, deſcribing nothing but his own Actions, and things that he himſelf had ſeen. Aſinius Pollio, (that carping Critick) accuſes him (as Suetonius ſaith) for ſuerving from the Truth in many Relations about himſelf, and that he differs extreamly from the account which Dion, Plutarch and other Authors give of the ſame Actions; as alſo, that he reports many things unjuſtly to the Defamation of the Ancient Gauls: But theſe Cenſures are only conjectural. As for the excellency of his Stile, 'tis ſo Eaſie, Natural and Eloquent, that his Latin has ever been compar'd to Xenophon's Greek, as well as his other Characters. The eight Book of his Commentaries was written by Hirtius. Caeſars Writings, though adorn'd with ſome Orations, are deſtitute of many Rhetorical Ornaments, wherewith he could have beautified them; in ſo much, that Cicero eſteems his Commentaries to be nothing but ſhort Notes prepared by Caeſar in order to a more compleat Hiſtory, had not his untimely Murder prevented him.

Qu. What account have you of Saluſt?

Anſ. Criſpus Saluſtius, or, as others call him, Salluſtius, was born at Amiternum in the Sabines Territory, the third year of the 173d. Olympiad, which was the ſame year that Sylla's Souldiers took and Sack'd Athens; for he was Elder than Caeſar, though he out-liv'd him ſeven years, Saluſt was firſt Educated in Rome, ſpending his youth in Ingenious Studies, ſo as to be preferr'd to many conſiderable Offices in the Government: as, Senator, Tribune, Treaſurer, and Praetour in Africk by the favour of Julius Caeſar, in which laſt Office, by his Extortions, he grew ſo vaſtly Rich, as to purchaſe the Village Tiburte, and his Country-houſe at Tivoli, as well as the chief Houſes on Mount Quirinal in Rome, together with thoſe ſpacious Gardens, called (at this day) The Gardens of Saluſt. He was deſcended from the Noble Saluſtian Family; and Educated under his Tutor Attejus Praetextatus Philologus. Of his Works, Catalin's Conſpiracy, and the Jugurthine War, are the two chief, that are extant; Beſides which, he wrote the Hiſtory of Rome from its foundation, with a particular Narration of Marius and Sylla, as alſo the Atchievments of Pompey in the Mithridatick War, of all which, we have only ſome few Fragments remain; but for the true delivery of his Punick Hiſtory, he was ſo Zealous, that he Travail'd into Africa on purpoſe, to be the better inform'd. His Stile, in imitation of Thucydides, whom Quintilian compares him to,) is Conciſe, Short, and Pithy. Of the Ancients, as well as Tacitus, and Seneca, as St. Auſtin did highly eſteem Saluſt; and of the modern Criticks, Lipſius, Turnebus and Scaliger prefer him to Caeſar or Livy. Nevertheleſs, Aſinius Pollio, Livy and others accuſe him for inventing new words, as well as for the uſing obſolete ones; and for too much obſcure brevity in his expreſſions, wherein Tacitus imitates him. He is likewiſe cenſur'd for ſtealing out of Thucycides and Cato many Select Sentences, and for the too often repetition of the ſame words; as well as for inſerting many ineſſential things into his Hiſtory, more eſpecially his two Prefaces before Catalin's Conſpiracy, and the Jugurthine War, which relate not at all to the following ſubjects: But the firſt a general Harangue againſt Idleneſs; and the ſecond an Invective againſt thoſe whom Debauchery diverted from their Employs. Yet that, for the which he was the moſt condemned, is his own extravagant Life, ſo much contrary to his Writings: When, not being ſatisfied with his own Wife Terentia, whom he married after her Divorce from Cicero, he was taken in Adultery with Fauſta, Lucius Sylla's Daughter; for the which he was not only expell'd the Senate, but condemn'd alſo to be Whipt by Milo, and fain to buy off that puniſhment with Money. Finally, his Orations diſcover both his amity to Caeſar, and enmity to Cicero. Notwithſtanding ſome queſtion, whether theſe two addreſs'd to Caeſar, were Saluſts or no. But moſt certain it is, that that one Oration which Cicero aſcribes to Saluſt is counterfeit, and none of his, it being in no wiſe Hiſtorical. The moſt conſiderable of his Friends were, Julius Caeſar, Cornelius Nepos, Meſſala, and Nigidius Figulus.

Qu. What account have you of Livy?

Anſ. Titus Livius Patavinus, was born at Padua, and flouriſh'd chiefly under Auguſtus and Tiberius. He began to write after Auguſtus's Triumph for the War at Actium, and finiſhed his Hiſtory in the beginning of Tiberius's reign. He wrote (as Seneca tells us, many Philoſophical Dialogues before he came to Rome, the which he dedicated to Auguſtus Caeſar, whereby he procured his Favour. And Quintinian informs us, that in a Letter to his Son, he deliver'd many excellent Precepts of Rhetorick; but his chief Piece is his Hiſtory, which contain'd 142 Books, or (as ſome ſay) but 140. beginning with the Foundation of Rome by Romulus, and extending for the ſpace of 746 years, to the German War, mannag'd by Druſus. who loſt his Life in that Expedition. This Hiſtory was not divided into Decades (as now we find it,) by Livy himſelf, but by others ſince his time. And of the 140, or 142 Books which he wrote, there remain at preſent not above 35. neither are thoſe altogether entire: For that the whole ſecond Decade is wanting; alſo we have but the firſt, third and fourth, with half of the fifth, which was found at Wormes, by one Symon Gryneus. Likewiſe the beginning of the fourty third Book has been lately recover'd by a Manuſcript in the Chapter of Bamberg. But for the remaining fourteen Decades, we muſt reſt contented with the Epitomy of Florus, who, as ſome vainly fancy, was the occaſion of the loſs of the whole. His Stile, notwithſtanding Aſinius Pollio blames it for its Patavinity, or Paduan Dialect, (where he writes ſibe for ſibi, and quaſe for quaſi, as we now pronounce it;) is yet extoll'd by Quintilian, as moſt Eloquent, and his Hiſtory equall'd to Herodotus. Alſo, however the Emperour Caligula accuſes him of Verboſity, yet the ſame Prince was no leſs an enemy to Homer, Virgil, Seneca, and all Ingenious men. It is true, that Auguſtus blamed Livy for too much favouring Pompey's party againſt Caeſar, but yet he withdrew not his favor from him, as perceiving it his Countries cauſe, who were all of the Pompejan Faction. Again, Trogus Pompejus (as Juſtin informs us) accuſes Livy's Orations, as too direct and long, which cenſure might happily, ariſe out of Jealouſy betwixt two Hiſtorians of the ſame Age and Subject. And for what Maſcardi blames him, of beginning his Hiſtory with part of an Hexameter Verſe, 'tis frivolous, ſince there is no Proſe without ſomething of the like nature occuring. Seneca more juſtly accuſes him of envy to Saluſt, in preferring Thucydides ſo much above him; but yet Seneca terms him the moſt Eloquent. Finally, the Aſperſion which can with moſt difficulty be wip'd off from Livy, is that, for the which Gregory the Great prohibited him to be kept in any Chriſtian Library, and which Cauſabon mentions in his Preface to Polybius, viz. his notorious Credulity in the Pagan Superſtition, where he fills his Hiſtory with Prodigies; as, of an Oxes Speaking; a Mules Engendring, the Metamorphoſis of Men, Women and other Creatures; ſhowres of Flint-ſtones, Milk, Blood, Fleſh and Chalk; the Statues of Gods Weeping, Speaking, and ſhedding Tears of Blood, Armies engaging in the Air, and Ghoſts appearing; together with Lakes and Rivers of Blood: All which nevertheleſs he repreſents only as the fond opinions of others, and not to be credited.

Laſt of all, Gruterus entitles him the Prince of Latine Hiſtory, Barthius, the Patavinian Syren, and Lipſius, the moſt Plentiful of Hiſtorians, wherein (as he obſerves) we meet with things too good for us. He died in the fourth year of Tiberius. He was choſen by the Senate to be Tutor to the Emperour Claudius in his youth. And (as Pliny the younger tells us) One travelled to Rome from the remoteſt parts of Spain, only to have a ſight of Livy.

Qu. What account have you of Vellejus Paterculus?

Anſ. Vellejus Paterculus (deſcended from the Ancient War-like Princes of Campaigne) was at firſt a Military Tribune in France, then Praefect of Horſes in Germany, afterwards Quaeſtor, and laſt of all Tiberius's Legate in the Pannonian War; as he himſelf informs us. About the 16th. year of Tiberius he compoſed his Epitomy of Roman Hiſtory in two Books, whereof the beginning of the firſt is loſt. He pretends to begin only with the Foundation of Rome, nevertheleſs, as appears by the remains of his firſt Book, He treats of things far more Ancient, and ſo comes down to his own time, the 16th. year of Tiberius, which was the 32d. year after the Birth of Chriſt. Voſſius, Lipſius and others extol the Elegancy of his Stile, and allow him to have given us a Judicious account of ſome things which are not elſewhere to be met with. Nevertheleſs, he is condemned for too much flattering the Houſe of Augustus, as well as for paraſitically applauding even the Extravagancies of Tiberius and his Evil Councellor Sejanus, whom he magnifies for the moſt Vertuous of men. But, to conclude, his greateſt Excellency is his Eloquence, which appears chiefly in his Invectives and Encomiums, as where he traduces Mark Anthony, and extols Cicero. Some attribute this Author another Fragment of the defeat of the Roman Legion by the Griſons, the which Voſſius, Velſerus, and other Learned Criticks have demonſtrated to be a counterfeit.

Qu. What account have you of Valerius Maximus?

Anſ. Valerius Maximus, a Roman Citizen of a Noble Patrician Family, derived his Pedegree from the Valerian Family by his Fathers ſide, and from the Fabians by his Mother. In his youth he was initiated in Learning, but coming to be of Age, he ſerved for ſome time in the Wars, and Sailed with Sextus Pompejus into Aſia: From whence, being returned to Rome, he publiſhed in nine Books his various Hiſtory, or rather Miſcellanious collection of memorable Deeds and Sayings that had occurred among the Romans; the which he wrote at the latter end of Tiberius his reign, and after the diſgrace of Sejanus, which makes him ſo boldly traduce that Favourite, whom Paterculus was obliged to flatter, as writing in the time of his Proſperity. Finally, he is condemn'd for the obſcurity and unpoliteneſs of Stile.

Qu. What account have you of Quintus Curtius?

Anſ. Quintus Curtius Rufus, though born (as moſt think) in the Reign of Tiberius, yet, living to a great Age, flouriſhed chiefly under Veſpaſian: And was the ſame Curtius whom Suetonius makes in his younger days to teach Rhetorick under Tiberius; as alſo the ſame, to whom (as the younger Pliny reports,) a Phantaſme appear'd in Africa. He wrote the Life and Expliots of Alexander the Great in ten Books; whereof, the two firſt, and end of the fifth are loſt, as alſo the beginning of the ſixth; and in ſome parts of his tenth or laſt Book, there appears a defect: Nevertheleſs, Chriſtopher Bruno has ſupplyed the two firſt Books out of Arrianus, Juſtin and Diodorus. As for the Cenſures that paſs upon him, Glarian, Maſcardi and others condemn him for an ill Geographer, in making the River Ganges run from the South, and confounding Mount Taurus with Caucaſus, as alſo miſtaking the Jaxartes of Pliny for the River Tanais: Likewiſe for too much abounding in Sentences, and making perſons ſpeak improper to the Characters they bear, as in the Oration of the Scythians to Alexander, in his ſeventh Book. But all theſe accuſations are frivolous and groundleſs, in compariſon of that which is urged againſt him, for vindicating the Brutiſh and Unnatural Luſt of Alexander to the Eunuch Bagoas, which Curtius juſtifies as Lawful. Nevertheleſs, he is as much eſteem'd of among the Criticks, as any of the Latine Hiſtorians, both for ſincerity and Judgement, and Eloquence. Lipſius prefers him before all others for the peruſal of Princes. Voſſius ſaith, He is more Elegant, than Perſpicuous; yet allows his Words to be Choice, his Sentences Accute, his Orations Eloquent, and his Phraſe worthy of Auguſtus's Age. As for his Orations, whether direct or oblique, they are all Excellent. Neither is he impertinent in Digreſſions, unleſs you will accuſe his Deſcription of India for one, which was really eſſential to his Deſign. Laſtly, Alphonſus King of Arragon was recovered from a dangerous fit of Sickneſs by the diverſion he took in the reading of this Author, which made him cry out, That he owed his Recovery neither to Hippocrates nor Avicenne, but only to Quintus Curtius.

Qu. What account have you of Tacitus.

Anſ. Cornelius Tacitus, Praefect of the Belgick Gauls under the Emperour Adrian, beſides his Annals, (which reach from the Scene of Auguſtus, to the end of Nero's Reign, excepting his laſt twelve years,) wrote alſo an Hiſtory, that extends from the Death of Nero, to the Government of Nerva and Trajan; of which Hiſtory, there are now extant but Five Books: And Lipſius, with reaſon, conjectures, that there are at leaſt Ten more loſt, in as much as they were all ſaid to reach from Galba to Trajan, which was the ſpace of one and twenty years; whereof the five we have now left us, treat but of one whole year. His Hiſtory is quoted in the eleventh of his Annals, whence we may conclude That to have been firſt written. Now, beſides his Annals and Hiſtory, he wrote alſo a Treatiſe of Germany and its Inhabitants, with another Book of the Life of his Father in Law Agricola: Both which pieces are now extant. But for the other Tract of the corruption of Roman Eloquence, which ſome attribute to Tacitus, and others to Quintilian, 'tis thought by Lipſius and other Learned men to have been written by neither. Now among theſe many Judicious perſons who extol this Author, Voſſius (though he prefers the Eloquence of his Hiſtory before that of his Annals,) yet allows him to be every where Grave and Elegant: Alſo Lipſius calls him, a ſharp and prudent Writer, and Imitator of Saluſt: Sidonius would have him never mention'd without Praiſe: But the Emperour Tacitus had ſo great a veneration for his Anceſtor and Name-ſake, that he made his Books be tranſcrib'd no leſs then ten times in one year, and cauſed his Statue to be erected in all publick Libraries. Notwithſtanding, he hath not been totally exempt from Cenſure: For Alciatus, rather out of Affection, than Reaſon, preferr'd his Friend Paulus Jovius before him; and Ferret, as well out of Ignorance, as Vanity, accuſes Tacitus of writing ill Latine; However Pliny the younger, magnifies his Eloquence therein. Alſo Vopiſcus (only to juſtify his Aſſertion, that all Narrations are mixt with untruths,) accuſes Tacitus of delivering falſities, but gives no inſtance where. Likewiſe, Chryſoſtom and Tertullian bribed rather with Religion, than Judgment, accuſe Tacitus as an Impoſture, for that he derides the Chriſtians, abuſes the Miracles of Moſes, and upbraids the Jews for their adoring the Effigies of an Aſs, in the fifth Book of his Hiſtory: Which, as coming from an Heathen, is not altogether ſo criminal; but rather to be condemn'd for a digreſſion, than for an Impiety. Finally, he equals as well Thucydides, as Saluſt, in the number of his choice Sentences; out of which, the wiſeſt Politicians have ſelected their moſt prudent Maxims of State.

Qu. What account have you of Lucius Florus?

Anſ. Lucius Annaeus Florus (deſcended from the Noble Annaean Family, and thereby allayed to the Senececaes) lived under the Emperour Adrian; and compoſed an Epitomy of Roman Hiſtory in four Books. Some queſtion whether he was the ſame Author that annex'd the Arguments to Livy's Hiſtory; but 'tis a great errour to imagine, that he ever deſign'd the Epitomy of all Livy's works, much leſs, that he ſhould occaſion the loſs of any part of them. His ſtile is Poetical, uſing (like Virgil) Hemeſticks in his Periods, and writes more like a Declamer than a Hiſtorian, which makes Sigonius brand him for impertinent. His account of the Suns being ſeen to fall into the Ocean, and there heard with Horrour to extinguiſh its Beams in the Waves; (as mention'd in his Deſcription of Brutus his Sea Voyage,) alſo his Report of two Spirits in the ſhape of young men appearing in Rome near the Temple of Caſtor and Pollux; (when he ſpeaks of the defeat of Cimbri by Marius;) are things altogether incredible, and not fit to be inſerted in Hiſtory; as Scaliger, in his Comment on Euſebius, well obſerves. Yet notwithſtanding, Voſſius allows him to be a Writer, that is both Elegant and Eloquent, and (except in ſome few places) truly Florid.

Qu. What account have you of Suetonius?

Anſ. Caius Suetonius Tranquillus (whoſe Fathers name was Suetonius Lenis, as he himſelf teſtifies in the Life of Otho,) was Secretary of State to the Emperour Adrian, till being ſuſpected of too great Familiarity with the Empreſs Sabina, he was removed from that Employ. After which, he apply'd himſelf to writing, and compos'd theſe ſeveral Pices: To wit, The Lives of the Twelve firſt Roman Emperours, beginning with Julius Caeſar, and ending with the death of Domitian, in the 98th. year of Chriſt, which piece is now extant: Together with other Tracts of the Illuſtrious Grammarians, Rhetoricians, and Poets, whereof at this day, only ſome Fragments remain; Beſides, a Diſcourſe of the Roman Games, a piece call'd, the Republick of Cicero, and of the moſt Illustrious Families of Rome, all which are periſh'd in the ruines of time. Auſonius likewiſe tells us of another Book of Kings divided into three parts, Which (he ſaith) was written by Suetonius, and afterwards contracted into a Poem by Pontius Paulinus. But for that Treatiſe of the Life of the Elder Pliny, which goes under the Name of Suetonius, it was certainly none of his; for the great Intimacy betwixt our Author and the younger Pliny, would have produced a more Honourable Character of his Friends Uncle, the Elder Pliny, than is there to be found, had Suetonius been the Writer of it. Some are of opinion that the beginning of his firſt Book of the twelve Caeſars is wanting, becauſe there is no mention of the Birth and firſt years of Julius Caeſar, as there is of the Original and Education of all the other Emperours, in the reſt of their Lives As for the Cenſures that are paſſed upon Suetonius, they are chiefly two; the firſt, For his exclaiming against the turbulent Superſtition of the Chriſtians; And the ſecond, for his Deſcription of Vice in the Lives of Tiberius, Nero, and Caligula; whereof, if you will pardon him the firſt as an Heathen, I ſee not how he could avoid the other, as a Faithful and True Hiſtorian. Nevertheleſs, Pliny calls him, A moſt Learned and Honeſt Author: Suidas, the famous Roman Grammarian: Vopiſcus, a fair, Candid and Compendious writer: But Ludovicus Vives ſaith, That of all the Greek and Latine Hiſtorians, He is the moſt pure and diligent, ſpeaking Truth boldly. Nay, many prefer him before Livy, Saluſt or Tacitus: which Character, though Voſſius will not aſſent to, yet doth he approve of thoſe other Encomiums given him by Vopiſcus and Vives. This Author was at firſt rendred into Engliſh by that Voluminous Tranſlator Dr. Philemon Holland, which gave occaſion for one merrily diſpos'd to break this quibling Jeſt upon him: Philemon with Tranſlations doth ſo fill us, He will not let Suetonius be Tranquillus.

Qu. What account have you of Juſtin?

Anſ. Juſtin flouriſh'd under Antonius Pius, and abbreviated thoſe forty four Books of the Ʋniverſal Hiſtory of two thouſand years from Ninus to Auguſtus, which Trogus Pompejus had before compoſed under the reign of Tiberius, and whereof nothing but this Epitomy remains; which, nevertheleſs, we find not to occaſion the loſs of the Original, as ſome imagine. Martin the Polander, as well as Munſter, confound this Author with Justin the Martyr, making them one of the ſame, becauſe they were Contemporaries; but without any colour of Reaſon, as appears by the Scurrilous Invective made by this Historian againſt the Jews, in his 36th. Book, which the Martyr would never have been guilty of. Now of this Author, as well his Method (wherein he follows his Original, even in the very number of Books) as his Stile, are both highly commended. The ſeven firſt Books comprehend the Infancy of the World, or firſt Inhabitants thereof, beginning with the deſcription of Kings, Places and Countries of the firſt Aſſyrian or Babyloniſh Monarchies; and from the ſeventh to the one and fortyeth Book, is a continued Series of the Empire of Macedon, beginning with Philip, the Father of Alexander the Great. He uſed no direct Orations, for that had rendred him guilty of the ſame errour, which Trogus himſelf condemned in Livy and Salust. Yet nevertheleſs, Juſtin is accuſed of ſome Digreſſions, as in the beginning of his ſecond Book, where the Scythians and Egyptians have a long tedious debate in preference of each others Antiquity: And likewiſe in the twentieth Book, concerning the Birth, Travels, Virtue and Death of Pythagoras. Again, Pererius in his Comment upon Daniel, hath convinc'd Juſtin of many errours concerning the Jews: And Vopiſcus accuſes him of Falſity. But that wherein he ſeems moſt of all inexcuſable, is his falſe Chronology, which is wholly attributed to the Abbreviator.

Qu. What account have you of Ammianus Marcellinus?

Anſ. Ammianus Marcellinus, a Graecian and Citizen of Antioch, flouriſhed chiefly under the Emperours Gratian and Valentinian, holding in his youth divers conſiderable Offices of the Militia, particularly, one of the Guard du Corps, beſides many other eminent Employs, in all which, he acquitted himſelf with much Honour. He wrote an Hiſtory which extends from the beginning of Nerva, to the death of Valens, in one and thirty Books: whereof, the firſt thirteen being loſt, the other eighteen only remain; and thoſe (too) full of Imperfection. As well his Military Profeſſion, as Greek Birth, do both contribute to the Roughneſs of his Stile; and for the ſame Reaſons ought to be pardon'd. No other Hiſtorian ſo well informs us of the Antiquities and Originals of the Gauls, Germans and Burgundians, as he doth; neither hath any Heathen Author written leſs reflectingly on the Christians, notwithſtanding the exceſſive Praiſes he attributes to Julian, which were but his due in reſpect of Moral Virtues: For which reaſon, as well as for his ſincerity, and preſenting us with things no where elſe to be met with, he is duly eſteem'd of by all Learned men. Yet, nevertheleſs, ſome juſt exceptions may be taken againſt him; when, inſtead of an Historian, he plays the Philoſopher, and runs away from his Subject: As in the ſeventh Book, where he quits Julian at Paris, to Speculate the nature of Earth-quakes: Alſo, in the beginning of his twentieth Book, where leaving Conſtantius to prepare againſt the Perſians, he falls enquiring into the nature of Eclipſe; and preſents his Reader with a Lecture of Aſtronomy inſtead of History: And again, in his thirtieth Book, where he leaves Valentinian at Tryers, whilſt he preſents you with an Invective againſt Lawyers. Alſo Marcellinus is by Cauſine accuſed of his too many Poetical Deſcriptions throughout the whole Body of his Writings. But notwithſtanding all theſe Cenſures, he is allow'd of by Voſſius, To be a Grave and Serious Writer, worthy to be beloved by all men.

Qu. WHich are the three principal forms of Government?

Anſ. Firſt, Monarchy, which is the Government of one ſingle man alone, as is uſed in England, France and Spain: Or ſecondly, an Ariſtocracy, where the people are governed by a ſelect number of Noblemen or Grandees, as heretofore the States of Venice and Genoa: Or thirdly, Democracy, which is a Republick or Commonwealth, wherein the People are govern'd only by ſuch Magiſtrates, as they chooſe among themſelves, as 'tis at this time in Holland.

Qu. What are the Extreams or Abuſes of theſe three ſorts of Government?

Anſ. When a Monarchy runs into Tyranny, Ariſtocracy into Oligarchy, or Democracy into Anarchy and Confuſion.

Qu. How many ſorts of Monarchy are there?

Anſ. Two, the one Hereditary, as in England or France, and the other Elective, as in Poland.

Qu. How hath England been Anciently govern'd?

Anſ. England was firſt under the Britains: ſecondly, Tributary to the Romans: thirdly, under the Saxons; fourthly, under the Danes: and fifthly under the Normans; whoſe Conqueſt of this Iſland by William Duke Normandy, is the chief Period of time from whence our Chronologers reckon.

Qu. Name me the Succeſſion of our Engliſh Monarchs from the Conqueſt, together with their ſeveral Races?

Anſ. Firſt, of the Norman Race, were William the Conquerour, William Rufus, Henry the firſt, and King Stephen.

Secondly, of the Race of Plantagenets, were Henry the ſecond, Richard the firſt, King John, Henry the third, Edward the firſt, Edward the ſecond, Edward the third, and Richard the ſecond.

Thirdly, Plantagenets of the Houſe of Lancaster, were Henry the fourth, Henry the fifth, and Henry the ſixth.

Fourthly, Plantagenets of the Houſe of York, were Edward the fourth, Edward the fifth, and Richard the third.

Fifthly, of the Race of Tudors, were Henry the ſeventh, Henry the eighth, Edward the ſixth, Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth.

Sixthly and laſtly, of the Race of Stuarts, were King James, King Charles the Martyr, and Charles the Second, our preſent King, whom God preſerve.

Qu. How many years is it ſince William Duke of Normandy Conquer'd England; or when began he to Reign?

Anſ. William the Conquerour having defeated Harold in that famous Battle at Haſtings in Suſſex, began his Reign Anno Domini one thouſand ſixty ſix. which is about ſix hundred and ſeventeen years ago.

Qu. When did the Diviſion betwixt the two Houſes of York and Lancaſter firſt begin?

Anſ. It began upon the death of Richard the ſecond: In which Kings reign was that Inſurrection of Watt Taylor and Jack Straw, whom the Mayor of London ſo Loyally defeated.

Qu. How ended the Quarrel betwixt theſe two Houſes?

Anſ. By the Marriage of Henry the ſeventh, to Elizabeth the Eldeſt Daughter of Edward the Fourth; which Match united the Kings Red-Roſe of Lancaster, with the Queens White-Roſe of York, and ſo eſtabliſhed the Peace of both Houſes.

Qu. From whence ſprang the Title of King James, and the Stuarts, to the Crown of England?

Anſ. By the Marriage of the Lady Margaret, King Henry the ſeventh's Eldeſt Daughter, to James the Fourth King of Scotland, whoſe Son, James the fifth, had Iſſue one only Daughter, which was Mary Queen of Scots, the Mother of our Engliſh Monarch King James, the ſixth of that Name in Scotland, and the firſt in England. For Henry the ſevenths Iſſue Male being expired by the Death of Queen Elizabeth, (the only Relict of Henry the eighth) the next Succeſſion fell upon his Iſſue Female, the aforeſaid Lady Margaret.

Qu. Which are the chief Writers of our Engliſh Chronicles?

Anſ. Matthew Paris, Matthew Westminster, Jeffry of Monmouth, Martin, Polydor Virgil, Holinshead, Speed, Stow, and Baker; beſides the Writers of particular Lives: ſuch as, Daniel, Heywood, Bacon's Henry the ſeventh, Herbert's Henry the eighth, and Cambden's Queen Elizabeth, the beſt in their kind.

Qu. What Races have ſucceeded to the Crown of France?

Anſ. There have been three Races of Kings in France: The firſt of Pharamond, A. Ch. 419. the ſecond of Pepin, A. C. 751. And the third of Hugh Capet, A. C. 988.

Qu. What Races of Kings have ſucceeded to the Crown of Spain?

Anſ. Since the Expulſion of the Romans, the Spaniards have had four Races of Kings: the firſt from the Goths, the ſecond, after the Invaſion of the Moors, from Don Pelago; the third from Don Sancho Mayor, King of Navarre; and the fourth from the Houſe of Austria, by the Marriage of the Daughter and Heir of Ferdinand the Catholick; which Race now governs in Spain.

Qu. What Races of Kings have ſucceeded to the Crown of Scotland?

Anſ. The Ancient Kingdom of the Scots reckon by two Periods; the firſt from Ferguſius, who was King of Scotland in the time of Alexander the Great; and the ſecond from Robert Stuart, the Son of Walter Stuart, who married Margery, King Bruces Daughter, in the year of our Lord 1350. or thereabouts.

Qu. How came Ireland into the hands of the Engliſh?

Anſ. By the Conqueſt of Henry the ſecond, in the year of Chriſt 1172.

Qu. Of what Family is the Emperour of Germany?

Anſ. Deſcended from Radulphus Auſpergenſis, who A. D. 1273. made Auſtria the Imperial Seat, conſtituting his Son Albert firſt Duke thereof.

Qu. Of what Family is the Emperour of Turkey?

Anſ. Of the Ottoman Family, ſo called from the War-like Emperour Othoman (Son of Orthogules) who A. D. 1300. did much enlarge the Mahometan Empire by his Arms.

Qu. Of what Family are the Kings of Portugal?

Anſ. Portugal, which did formerly belong to Spain, is now a diſtinct Kingdom of it ſelf, and enjoys the bleſſing of Kings of its own, out of that Honourable Family of the Duke of Braganza, deſcended from Henry of Lorrain, to whom Alphonſus King of Caſtile gave his Daughter Tereſia in Marriage, for the good Services he had perform'd againſt the Sarazens in Portugal, A.C. 1110.

Qu. How is Holland and the Low-Countrys Governed?

Anſ. Holland did formerly belong to the King of Spain, 'till by the Severity of the Spaniſh Inquiſition, and Cruel Government of the Duke of Alva under Philip the ſecond, they Revolted, and by the Aſſiſtance of Queen Elizabeth threw off the Spaniſh yoak, and ſet up a Commonwealth among themſelves; under which kind of Government they now continue at this very day.

Qu. What Intereſt hath the Prince of Orange in the Government af Holland?

Anſ. He is allowed a double Vote in their Senate, with many other Priviledges above the reſt, as a Reward for the good Services done them by the Old Prince of Orange, in their Revolt againſt the Duke of Alva and the Spaniards.

Qu. How is the preſent Government of Italy?

Anſ. It is divided into little Commonwealths, Principalities or Dukedoms; which in Spiritual matters are moſtly ſubject to the Pope; who, as the Ghoſt of the Deceaſed Roman Empire, ſits Crown'd upon the Grave thereof, as the Malmsbury Phyloſopher well obſerves.

Qu. WHich are the ſeven Liberal Sciences?

Anſ. Philology, Hiſtory, Mathematicks, Phyloſophy, Phyſick, Law, and Divinity.

Qu. What doth Philology comprehend?

Anſ. Philology comprehends the ſtudy of Grammar, (or the Art of Writing and Speaking Correctly;) Rhetorick, (or the Art of Speaking Eloquently;) Poetry, (or the Art of Writing in Meaſure or Verſe;) Logick, (or the Art of Reaſoning;) Anagnoſtick, (or the method of Reading Authors Profitably;) Criticks, (or Cenſures upon Authors;) and Diadacticks, (or the method of Teaching others.)

Qu. How may Hiſtory be divided?

Anſ. Into ſeven parts: As for Example, Eccleſiaſtical, (or the Hiſtory of the Fathers and Councils;) Political, (or the Government of States and Kingdoms;) Natural, (as Pliny of the Heavens, Fowls, Beaſts and Plants;) Succeſſions, as of Countries and Families;) Profeſſions, (as the Lives of Famous men in any Faculty;) Various, (as Aelian, Plutarchs Morals, and Valerius Maximus;) and Fabulous, (ſuch as are called Romances;)

Qu. What do the Mathematicks comprehend?

Anſ. Arithmetick, (or the Art of Numbers;) Geometry, (or the Art of Meaſuring;) Perſpectives, (or the Art of Sight;) Aſtronomy, (or the knowledge of the Stars and their Motions;) Geography, (or the Deſcription of the Earth;) Architecture, (or the Art of Building;) and Muſick, (or the Art of Harmony.)

Qu. What doth Phyloſophy comhend?

Anſ. Metaphyſicks (that treat of Supernatural things, as Spirits, &c) Phyſicks, (or Natural Phyloſophy;) Ethicks, (or Moral Phyloſophy;) Oeconomiques, (of Order and Diſcipline; Politicks, (of Government;) Thanmaturgicks, (or the working Strange Concluſions;) and Pneumatology, (or the Doctrine of Spirits.)

Qu. What is comprehended in the Study of Phyſick?

Anſ. To be well read in all Natural and Phyſical Writings, of the Latines, Greeks, Arabians, Paracelſians, Galeno-Chymiſts, Prophylacticks, and Empericks.

Qu. What is comprehended in the Study of Law?

Anſ. To read ſuch as have written concerning Law-givers, and Laws in general, Of the Law of Nature, Of the Law of Nations, Of the Laws of the Hebrews, Of the Civil-Law, Of the Canon-Law, and Of our Municipal Laws.

Qu. What is comprehended in the Study of Divinity?

Anſ. To read ſuch as have written Divinity Natural, Catechetical, Exegetical, on Commentators, Polemical, in Controverſies, Synidetical, for Caſes of Conſcience. Prophetical, of Preaching, and Gubernetical, of Church-Government.