That the Mouth is the Adequate Organ of Speech. CHAP. I.

THat the Ʋniverſall Region of the Mouth is the Adequate Organ of Speech, appeares even to our very Sences: Since no man ſpeaketh but by the Mouth, and that obſtructed, Speech periſheth, and is put to a neceſſary ſilence: For we muſt open our Mouth before we can ſpeake; the Door or Window of Ʋtterance muſt be open'd firſt you muſt turne the Cock of the Conduit, or pluck out the Stople, before the Water can guſh out. This being the place of birth, to which all our conceptions are brought, and at which the labouring Mind is delivered of all her thoughts which iſſue, we call Orall-Reaſon. Thi • Great Hippocrates was not ignorant of where among the ſeven Figures whereby Senſe happens unto man, he reckon • the Mouth for the Figure of Speech; a • deſerving to be accounted the Organ of another Senſe: Now ſince the Mouth is the Adequate Organ of Speech, it is worth the enquiry what other Instruments concurre to that Action. The Ʋ niverſall Region of the Mouth is conſtiſtuted of the Iawes, the Tongue, the Pallate, the Teeth, and Lips; but Speec • is not formed unleſſe by the natural • Inſtruments, comprehended in the •• Verſes.

Inſtrumenta novem ſunt Guttur, Lingu • Palatu • Quatuor et Dentes, et duo Labra ſimu •

Among theſe, the Tongue is the Principall Organ to whom the Action is committed: which yet is not ſo to bee accounted the chiefeſt cauſe of Speech, as if all Speech did flow from thence, and that the other parts of the Mouth were onely uſefull Aſiſtants unto it: But the Lips beare a great ſtroak in the Action, they being the moſt extant and remarkable Organs of Orall Ʋtterance. Hence with the Greeks called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , quod Sermonem fundunt: and Labia; in the Allegoricall Philoſophie of Interpretation of Dreames, ſignify Words; becauſe they are pronounced with the Lips. So that although the Tongue bee the Principall Interpreter of the Mind, yet that alone is not ſufficient to frame our Speech, but that it wants the aſſiſtance and cooperation of the Iawes, the Pallate, the Teeth, the Noſtrils, and the Lips, Senſe it ſelfe doth teach, and the Authority of the Hebrew Gramarians, who for this cauſe, that the Tongue doth daſh the aire formed into a voyce, now againſt this part, now againſt that, have diſtinguiſhed their Letters into Labiall, Gutturall, and Dentall. Hence it is, that when the Tongue is diſappointed of the commodious and neceſſary aide of the adjacent parts, whereby it comes to paſſe that certaine Letters which are wont to be framed by the miniſtrie of theſe Members, are very hardly or worſer pronounced; Chyrurgions by a bold Art, raiſed from ſubtile obſervations made upon the naturall uſe of every implement of Speech, take upon them to repaire ſuch defects, and to piece and patch up the broken and decayed Harpe of Speech.

But in Man theſe Organs of Speech are longer before they are perfect for Action, becauſe of the excellent variety and and differences of Letters; whereas other creatures can expreſſe few or no Letters; and that which is various and diſtinguiſhed with many differences, that is longer in perfecting. The voice indeed is but one, but there are many kindes of ſpeaking. And verily children at firſt, no otherwiſe then Brutes, doe expreſſe their Appetitions, being not able to pronounce Letters. An Infant being called Infans, quaſi non fans; becauſe he ſpeakes not, for an Infant is borne Dumbe. So that it is miraculous that Hali Abben Ragel reports, to wit that he ſaw an Infant who beganne to ſpeake when he was ſcarce 24. houres old, ſince he was borne unhappily to foretell the loſſe of the Kingdome, and the deſtruction and deſolation of that Nation.

Vandale the Wife of Duke Baruch, having conceived by him, after ſhe had been pregnant two years, brought forth an Infant that preſently did goe and ſpeake.

Anno 633. Nanthildis the wife of King Dagobert the ſecond, brought him a ſon which was named Sigibertus; this Infant being forty dayes old, when hee was to be Chriſtened by St. Amandus the Biſhop, when they all were ſilent, he anſwered with a cleare voice, Amen.

Anno 1104, a woman that had gonne with child two yeares, brought forth a Man-child ſpeaking.

Anno 1275, in Cracovia a certaine Infant ſcarce halfe a yeare old, beganne diſtinctly and readily to ſpeake, and ſay to the great admiration of all; The Tartars ſhall come and cut off our Heads: and when he was asked whither he was not afraid himſelfe of the Tartars, he anſwered, yea, in good ſooth I am in great dread of them, becauſe they ſhall take away my head alſo: which came to paſſe 12 years after.

Another certaine Infant having all its Teeth was borne, and in the firſt day of its birth beganne diſtinctly and readily to ſpeake, untill it was Baptized, afterwards it loſt its Teeth and Speech.

Yet they that write of the Indians; report, that the children of the Guineans do generally both goe and ſpeake when they are but a year old.

Cardan reckoning up many things whoſe meere rariety cauſeth admiration, for that they happen but ſeldome, ſaith, That it is naturall for an Infant (although he be new borne) to ſpeake; and yet it is held for a very great wonder, as a thing comming againſt nature, becauſe it is rare.

But after what manner it is naturall, Ariſtotle teacheth us, for ſince Speech conſiſts of the ſtrength of the Tongue and Intelligence, and Intelligence comes to the moſt before the strength of the Tongue, it comes to paſſe that it ſeems a wonder for any to speak before their Ʋnderſtanding is abſolute: And yet if the ſtrength of the Tongue may bee firſt compleate, ſince man is prepared by nature to ſpeake, what ſhould hinder him but that he ſhould, as Pyes, and Parrots, rehearſe things heard though not underſtood? Or that hee ſhould not with ſome endeavour and concourſe of Spirits to his Tongue, pronounce things hee underſtands? That which ſhewes this to be ſo is, that this cheifly happens, and more clearely, to them when they awake from ſleep: For then things ſeen and heard by ſleep, move more, and there is preſent more plenty of ſpirits, and the Tongue by ſo long reſt becomes ſtronger.

Of the uſe and neceſſity of ſuch a ſtructure of instruments for Speech. CHAP. II.

SPeech being the Worke of Reaſon performed by certain instruments, man received a power of forming certain ſounds, and apt Inſtruments for the production of Speech: for unleſſe there had been ſome kinde of meanes or way found out, that he might as it were lay open the motions of his minde, it had been debarr'd the freedom of communication. Therefore there was need of an artificiall ſtructure of Inſtruments, whereby the minde as a quil ſtriking upon the parts appointed for the forming of the voyce, by ſounds expreſſed after a certain manner, ſhould ſet forth and lay abroad to the view, it ſelfe expounded by external motions. And as a Muſician that is deſtitute of a Voyce, uſes Aſcititious Voyces of a Pipe or Harpe; ſo the minde of man the Searcher out of divers rules and faſhions, ſeeing ſhe could not open the purpoſes of her thoughts in the heart, or phanſie, which perceives things by externall Senſes, as an induſtrious Artifex ſhe beates upon the animal Organs, and by ſounds produced by them, communicates and makes manifeſt her • idden cogitations. In which Inſtrument of ſpeech, there is a mixt kinde of Muſique of a Pipe and a Lute, no otherwiſe than if theſe two inſtruments ſhould ſound together in a mutual concent. The Breath paſſing through the Artery, imitates the ſound of a Pipe, the Palate and the two Pipes that belong to the Noſtrils, the Cheekes, the Tongue, and the ſtructure of the Jawes, about which the chin unfolded in a concave forme, at length ends in a ſharpe point, all theſe variouſly and manifoldly repreſent the plectrum, and the Lute, and with great variety changed the tones of the Voyce, as the matter requires. And laſt of all we uſe the diduction and again the compreſſion of the lips, as Muſicians who by the Stops of their Fingers moderate the Breath in Pipes, and the harmony of the Song: and therefore in the mythologie of the ancient Ethnickes, M • e ••• ſyne who is ſaid to be the Mother of the Nine Muſes, whom ſhe bore to Jupiter, with their brother Apollo, import nothing elſe but the ten Modulations of Mans Voyce: therefore in Apollos Harpe repreſented with ten ſtrings; ſo in the Scripture we reade of the Dedacord or Pſaltery: others allegorize it to be the four fore-teeth, againſt which the Tongue ſtriketh, the two Lips which are the Cymbals or Inſtruments to faſhion the words; the the Tongue, and the ſtring of the Tongue: the Palate whoſe concavity begets a ſound; the Wind-pipe which is the paſſage of the Breath; and the Lungs which like a pair of Bellowes give and take back the Ayre or Spirit.

Of the conveniencie and excellent ſcituation of the Mouth for the more viſible appearance and manifeſtation of Speech. CHAP. III.

SPeech being the end of the Voyce, it was proper and requiſite, that the Organ of Speech the Mouth (which containeth in the amplitude of its cavitie, all that Region which lyeth from the Larynx, the Organ of the voice, to the border of the Lips) ſhould bee placed after the Organ of the voyce, as nearer to the advantages of Ʋtterance; that as the Articulation of the Bones hath an evident motion: So Speech which is a Metaphoricall Articulation, that is an affection hapening to the Voice, might be performed by a moſt evident motion. Therefore the Tongue ariſeth neere the ſupream part of the Larynx, and being interwoven with all kind of Fribres, it is eaſily and ſwiftly moved any way, wherefore according as by inhearing to the Palate or the Teeth, it oppoſeth it ſelfe divers wayes to the Voice, proceeding out of the Larynx, divers Articulations ariſe according to our Arbitriment, ſignifying the conceptions of our Minds; to which operation the Lips does very much conduce, which are moveable after all manner of wayes, which that they might eaſily oppoſe the voice, and moſt ſuddenly either precede, accompany, or follow the motions of the Tongue, were to be placed as nigh the Throat as poſſible might be. Hence it is, that in favour of Speech and Dearticulating the voyce, among all Animals, Man onely hath his Face leaſt prominent, and his Lips leaſt diſtant from his Throat. His Mouth being commodiouſly placed in the Confine and paſſage of three great Venters, the Head, the Thorax and Abdomen, which powre out their force into it, making it their Generall vent and breathing-hole: For ſince it was to bee the Organ of Speech and Singing, it was to be fitted to the Larynx and the Arterie both, and to the Head; for being neceſſarily to bee moved in speech, it behoved it ſhould expect the force of moving from the Head, from whence it flows into all the parts. And ſince ſound is not but from the breath, whoſe conceptacle the Arterie is, it ought to draw it from thence; for things that are nigh, doe more commodiouſly receive force by influence than they that are a far off. Adde unto this, that the conceptions and notions of the Mind, which the Mouth brings forth, ſignified by ſound and the voyce deſcend from the Head, from whence it was better to receive them without a medium, for ſince they are intentional they would eaſily vaniſh. And the ſcituation of the Mouth, in the forepart and middle of the Face, in that portion thereof which the Ancients called the Temple of Goodneſſe and Honeſty, is moſt conſpicuous, and none of the leaſt advantages to the apparence of Speech: For, man was ordained to converſe with man Face to Face: and therefore it is ſayd, that God ſpake with Moſes, as a man talketh with his Friend, Face to Face. And no man doth love to hold Diſcourſe long, before a Face muffled or turned away; Speech being rendred thereby obſcure, and leſſe intelligible. And therefore Adam when hee required one to converſe and diſcourſe with, God when he intended to accommodate him with a Talking Mate, the genuine expreſſion of the word is, Faciam adjutorium quaſi coram, or contra eum. For ſince the countenances of thoſe that conferre together are mutually turned one towards another, and Man was born to move with his Ea • e forwards, it is apparent that the Faces of thoſe that talke together, are as it were the Face of thoſe that goe oppoſite and contrary wayes, and by conſequence, they are oppoſite and contrary in the ſame line; ſuch a helper was not found among al the creatures, and therefore it was ill with Adam. And indeed the Mouth lyes ſo convenient and opportune for obſervation, and diſcerning the locall motions of words, and for inſpection and expoſition of mens minds thereby, that the Hebrews, to the honour of the Viſibility of Speech, moſt conſtantly attribute Speech to the Lips; the Scriptures abounding in ſuch kind of expreſſions. 'Tis true, this ſounding viſible image of the mind, is not the Originall, but a Copie only of the Mind, for the faculty or power of Speech conſiſteth of two Actions, the one outward, the other inward: the inward Action of Locution which ever preceades the outer Speech, is inviſible: but the outward, which is the giving of various ſounds to our breath, as it paſſeth through our Mouth, by divers conjunctions of our Tongue and Lips to themſelves, or to divers parts of the Mouth, or by their ſeparations from them, is ſo evident and apparent, that the conſideration of theſe premiſes makes me reflect upon a place of Plinie, (but by way of reverſe) for wheras he affirms that a great part of the Countenance conſiſteth in the Voice, this with as good reaſon ſheweth, that a great part of the Voice, even when it is artiulated into ſpeech is in the Face or Countenance no vocall or articulate expreſſion having any production of ſignification, without ſome manifeſt and proper motion or alteration of the Countenance: No marvell then that it alwaies proves ſuch a notable Interpretour to the litteral meaning of our words. And therore the conceite of that Gentleman ſeems to me very ingenious, and worth more ſcanning than this place will afford; who coming to the Spetle to heare one of thoſe Sermons which are uſually Preached there upon Eaſter Holy-dayes; when he could not by reaſon of the greatneſſe of the Congregation come neere the Pulpit to heare, nor well diſcerne the Face of the Preacher; remembering he had a Proſpective-glaſſe in his pocket, tooke it out, and levell'd it at the Preachers Face, by which inſtrument having drawn the Preacher to appeare nearer unto him, he not only ſaw, but heard him very well. Indeed that Word which ſounds outwardly, is but the ſigne of that which appeareth inwardly, and to that rather doth the name of the Word appertaine: For, that which is framed and delivered by the Mouth, is but Ʋox Verbi, and is ſo called in reſpect of the other, from which it hath the Derivation and Apparencie, and there may be a Word (a Mental one) without pronunciation, but there cannot bee pronunciation or any Vocall repreſentation of the Mind by any utterance of Diſcourſe, without a Word.

That Speech is a voluntary Action, and therefore perform'd by Motion. CHAP. IV.

WEE know nothing (ſaith the Verulanian Oracle) that can at pleaſure make a Muſicall or Immuſicall ſound by voluntary motion, but the Voice of Man and Birds. By Speech which is an immuſicall Sound, framed by the Motion of the Tongue and Lips, Man hath a prerogative of expreſſing his Mind: To Speake being nothing elſe, but by certaine Motiuncles of the Mouth to open our Cogitations to others in Words proceeding from the Conjugations of Letters, whereof our Speech conſiſts. Letters the true Elements of Speech being made of Motions, nay being nothing elſe but locall motions of the parts of the Mouth, it being in vain for any man, opening his Mouth, and uttering out his breath, to ſtrive to ſpeake without moveing his Lips and Tongue: For, the other inſtruments of Speech although they concurre with the Moveable parts, yet becauſe not moved, are not reckoned among the cheife Cauſes and Authors of Speech; ſince the very Tongue and Lips, which were made very Moveable and Voluble to this end, are not accounted the chiefe inſtruments of Speech, and firſt cauſes of Articulation, but quatenus they are moved. And they are Moveable in as much as they have obtained a Faculty of Moving, and are Muſcules, which are the Adequate Organs of voluntary Motion. For Speech is a voluntary Action and free, and may be made or reſtrained according to our arbitriment, and wee at pleaſure can either ſpeake or hold our peace: And therefore it is performed by Muſcules, which are Arbitrary Organs. Hence the Tongue and Lips performe Speech, and conforme Letters by locall Motion, as is moſt evident to Senſe, and confirmed by Reaſon, for being a voluntary Action, it is therefore perform'd by Motion, as other voluntary Actions of the Tongue are. Indeed the Tongue as it is the ſenſory of Taſt, doth not neceſſarily require moving, for the alteration and dignotion of Sapors, is accompliſhed without moving; but other offices of the Tongue as voluntary, are altogether performed by moving, moſt Eminently among the reſt that of Speech: So that Motion alone is able to give account of all the voluntary expreſſions of Speech.

That Words are nothing elſe but Motion. CHAP. V.

WHat are words but motion: ſaith the truly noble & learned Digby? wch confirming interrogation may ſeem ſtrange to thoſe who are not well acquainted with the myſterious Eſſence of words, and yet to thoſe that ſhall ſcan it well, it will appear manifeſt, that Words (as hath been ſaid) are nothing elſe but locall motions of the parts of the mouth, and that they have no exiſtence without motion, nor can ſubſiſt beyond it, their ſound periſhing and expiring as ſoon as the motion determines; for otherwiſe it would fall out as in ſome ſuddain Ecchoes, that one word would chop upon another, and ſo drown each other in the very act of delivery, which would tend to the confuſion and utter annihilation of Speech. So they who would diſtinguiſh betwixt Words and Motion, and reduce them to ſeverall predicaments, muſt labour at four Workes: firſt to produce Words without any local motion of the mouth. 2ly, to accompliſh the literal or articulate motions of the mouth, without any audible or viſible articulation. Thirdly, to keep Words from vaniſhing away with the Motion, or periſhing upon the determining of the Motion of the Mouth. And fourthly, to preſerve the Motion a foot after the creation of Words. And ſo they may make a Diſtinction, otherwiſe Words and Motion, as having one common life and exiſtence, will live and die together. He that ſhall attempt this, will have as hard a taske as Eſdras had, when the Angel bid him ſhew unto him the image of a Voyce, and would be forced to anſwer with him, Who can do this thing but he who hath not his dwelling with men? Some zealous Patriots of the Ariſtotelian Philoſophy, ſeem very unwilling to admit Words to be Motion; and therefore had rather ſay, that Words are not Motion, but by Motion of the Tongue Words are uttered, believing that we move our Tongues many times when we ſpeak not. But if Words were Motion, we muſt ſtill ſpeak when we move our Tongue. But I ſuppoſe a fair diſtinction, implying the ſpecies of Motion may induce much to a reconciliation, to which end we ſay, that Motion agrees with the Tongue generically, and the Motions of Speech ſpecifically. For as concerning the Offices the Tongue performes by Motion, Motion may be ſpoken of the Tongue in divers reſpects, as Commanducation, Deglution, &c. and as here of articulate ſpeech or wording motion. He that ſhould infer upon him, that holds Words to be nothing elſe but Motion, that the Tongue muſt neceſſarily talke as often as it walkes, may as well ſay, Walking is Motion. But the Foot is the Organ of progreſſive Motion; Ergo, A man cannot move his foot, but be muſt walke. This were not to argue like a Peripatetique. And it may be if Ariſtotl • himſelfe, whoſe Dictates are worthy of all honour, had lived to ſee the progreſſe and advancement of Learning, in the miraculous effect of this Art, he might have been induced (at leaſt by way of Probleme) to aske this Queſtion, Why Words ſeem to be a ſpecies of Motion?

Of the excellent choice of Nature in the Appulſive Motions of Speech. CHAP. VI.

IT is no wonder that Nature deſtined the Mouth for the place and Organ of Speech, wherein (if any where) various and manifold Appulſions are made, wherein the Tongue and Lips being moveable, may be appelled and concurre together: yet the Motions of the Tongue and Lips which conduce to Speech and the production of Letters, although they are manifold and various they that are moſt agreeable for forming of Letters, are chiefly upward Motions, for it behoved theſe Inſtruments to follow the nature of the Ayre (which is a moſt light body) whereby it raiſeth it ſelfe upwards. All Appulſe being done ſtraight upward: for, all Appulſions are not profitable to Speech, and to forming of Letters, ſince other Offices alſo of the Tongue, to wit, commanducation and deglution are performed by the Appulſion of the bodies of the Tongue, Lips, and Teeth; but with this difference, that the Appulſions which conduce to Speech, are more facile and expeditious, and are done with farre leſſe endeavour and ſtrength. For whereas the tongue is appell'd to the Palate, Teeth, and Lips, the Teeth to the Teeth, to the Lips and Tongue; and beſides Lip to Lip and to the Teeth and Tongue. Certainly thoſe Appulſions of the Tongue onely are profitable to Speech, which are made to the Palate and Teeth: and again, of the Lip to Lip and to Teeth, whereas other Appulſions conduce to other Offices of the Mouth: therefore there are two efficient parts of Appulſe, the lower Lip and the Tongue; the ſuſcipient or ſuſtaining parts are either the upper Lip, or the upper Teeth, if the Lip do appell, but if the Tongue do appell, they are the Palate and the Teeth. The Quere therefore is, Why ſince Appulſions are made from other parts of the Mouth, yet thoſe two propoſed ſhould be onely profitable to Speech? And it is anſwered, that thoſe Appulſions were admitted which were both facile, ſwift, and elegant; and on the contrary, thoſe rejected, which were either unapt to forming of Letters, or which were more difficultly or ſlowly effected or disfigured and deformed the Mouth. Nature having had great regard to provide for the comelineſſe and decency of pronunciation: therefore Nature avoided the Appulſion of the Tongue to the Lips, as that which came more fouly, difficultly, and ſlowly to the forming of Letters; for if the Tongue ſhould appell to the lower Lip, that Appulſe would prove unprofitable, for it would vibrate to no apt Letter; but if to the upper Lip, it would onely make L, N, T, D. but il-favouredly and difficultly, which perchance Nature left to old men that were Edentuli; whereas the ſame Letters notwithſtanding are neatly, diſtinctly, eaſily and ſpeedily compreſſed by the Appulſe of the Tongue to the Palate. Beſides the Appulſe of the Tongue to the Lips could not be done unleſſe the Tongue were made longer, whereupon afterwards it would not perchance be congruous for the Appulſe to the Palate for the forming of other Letters. In like manner, Nature avoided the Appulſe of Teeth to Teeth as that which can produce no conſonant by reaſon of 〈◊〉 too fierce and cruell illiſion of the ayer, which ſhould be pleaſing ſoft and gentle, it being worth our labour to be ſo faire ſpoken. Whence Galen ſaid, there ought to be a proportion and conveniencie between the percutient Body and percuſſed: therefore from the moſt hard Teeth there is made too fierce a percuſſion to the ayer, and for this cauſe, although to the uttering of the voyce, hard bodies ought to concur: yet to articulate the ſame, that is to the production of any letters, either both, or one at leaſt, of the concurrent bodies muſt be ſoft, whereby the ayre may be pleaſingly intercepted and expreſſed, from whence it is collected, that nature in the producing of Letters, hath moſt eſpecially ſubſtituted thoſe appulſions which have elegancy; facility, and expedition adjoyned unto them, ſuch as are the appulſion of Lip to Lip, and to the Teeth; and of the Tongue to the Palate, and the Teeth. And verily ſo farre are the Motions requiſite to Speech, from introducing any deformity into the Face, that they are obſerved many times to improve the Countenance. Wherefore the Bridegroome in the Canticles to his Spouſe. Sicut vitta coccinea labia tua, Thy Lips are like a thread of Scarlet, and thy talke is comely. And it is a piece of the character of our Henry the ſeventh, that his Covntenance, to the diſadvantage of the Painter, was beſt when he ſpake. But above other conſiderations it appeares, that Nature in the contrivance of Speech, affected expedition, which is diſpatched by moſt ſwift, and expedite Motions: for if Speech be made by Motion, and ſignifie the affections of the mind, which are Motions: without doubt, the moving of the inſtruments muſt anſwer to the movings of the minde; now ſince there is nothing ſwifter than the minde which in a moment can paſſe unto the Heavens, and ſurvey the whole earth; it is requiſite and deſervedly fit, that the Motion both of the Lip and Tongue ſhould be moſt ſwift, as that which was to follow the motions of the minde. Therefore nature would have theſe appulſions and motions performed, not by the Muſcules of the Tongue and Lips, but from their Body only, quatenus they are Muſcules, whereby the Motion and formation of Speech might be moſt ſwiftly diſpatcht; for, both the Tongue and the Lip hath Muſcules, and are made Muſcules; quatenus they have Muſcules, they are moved by another, and therefore more ſlowly: but quatenus Muſcules, they are moved of themſelves, and moſt ſwiftly and expeditiouſly rolled, agitated and appelled. And for this cauſe chiefly, were the Tongue and Lips made Muſcules, that they might ſtrike on and affect the ayre, which is indeed a moſt light Body, and in the meane while moſt ſuddenly follow the moſt ſwift Motions of the mind. It ſufficiently therefore appeares, the moving whereby the Tongue and Lips are moved to performance of Speech proceeds not from any other, but from their proper Bodies, the Motion ariſing thence being ſufficient for ſuch an employment; for when as Nature with that which in moving required no great ſtrength, requires alſo the celerity of motion, ſhe makes the parts to be moved of themſelves, mingling throughout the motory power with the part to be moved, as in the Lips and Tongue, which ſince they were not to agitate bones o • Meates, but moſt light ayre, and to afford quick and ſpeedy motions in ſpeaking, by good reaſon we judge Speech to be accompliſhed without the miniſtry of Muſcules, by the Body onely of the Tongue and Lips; for if in ſpeaking the Tongue ſhould be moved by Muſcules, as in Commanducation, both its motion and Speech would have fallen out to be farre ſlower: but it was fit that Speech ſhould be moſt ſpeedy and expedite, that the ſoule might on a ſud •••• ſignifie its conception of pleaſure o • diſtaſte, to the Conſervation of the Body.

That the Motions of thoſe parts which Create words, excell the ſignifying faculty of any other member. CHAP. VII.

TO ſpeak, is nothing elſe but by certaine motiuncles of the Tongue and Lips, to intimate and ſignifie certaine things, as it is agreed between thoſe that ſpeak together, that is to ſay, as ſome are wont reciprocally to open their cogitations by divers motitations of their fingers. This only being the difference between them, that the Tongue and Lips are the moſt accomodated of all the parts of our Body, to ſignifie what is conceived in the mind. The Tongue by reaſon of its wonderfull • obility, and becauſe it is placed in the very paſſage or high-way of the Breath, by its diverberation produceth manifold ſounds, which occurre to the hearing of man afarre off, therefore this particle is moſt ready, beſt provided and moſt fit and convenient, to which men ſhould commit the office of Communicating what they have conceived i • their mind; becauſe no other part can undergoe ſo many and ſo various motiuncles, and by the aſſiſtance of the Lips and the other inſtruments of Speech, frame ſo manifold voyces: neither came it to paſſe by chance, that the Tongue ſprung up to be apparently accommodated for this uſe, but it was ſo provided and ordained by Nature; for, a ſoft and voluble ſubſtance, endued with many Muſcules at its root, placed upon the Larynx, planted beneath the Palate, encompaſſed with the Teeth, and Lips, that receiving the Ayre expired by the Larynx, and driving it many wayes againſt the Palate, and Teeth, it might produce manifold ſounds, by which according to his arbitriment, man might ſignifie to man his otherwiſe incognoſcible cogitations. Therefore the Tongue and Lips are thought to be farre more accommodated to intimate our thoughts, than either the Hand or Foot, or any other particle, becauſe of the peculiar advantages of their expreſſions, which according to the Doctrine of this Art are moſt viſibly audible.

That Speech is an Articulate Voyce formed by the Conjugation of certaine Letters. CHAP. VIII.

THe Tongue (which yet as the great Advancer of Learning ſaith) is no very fine inſtrument, in point of Articulation, maketh no fewer motions, than there be Letters in all the words we utter. Hence Speech which the Latines expreſſe by the words Locutio, ſermo, oratio, or Loquela, and the Greeks by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , as if you ſhould ſay Colloquium, may be defin'd an Articulation of the voyce by (the efficient Cauſe or inſtrument) the Mouth: in which Definition the voyce is the Ge • us; for, the voyce is the matter of Speech, there being no way without the voyce, for any man to ſpeak out; and the Difference which informes the voyce with Speech, is Articulation. For, the voyce inform'd with Articles, is an Articulate voyce, which is called Speech. As for the voyce, that is conformed in the Larynx by the Cleft, and as ſoone as it is produced, it offers, Subjects, and fits it ſelfe, as it were the matter of Speech: But the Articles which come upon the voyce, and informe ſpeech, deſerve a more diligent conſideration, for, this affection, hapning to the voyce, is a certaine interception, diviſion, Diſtinction, or interciſion of the voyce, which being of its owne nature fuſe, continued and indiſtinct, upon the Articles acceſſion, the continuation of the voyce is intercepted and taken away. As when we looſly, indiſtinctly and continually forme the voyce thus: o o o. if we to it adjoyne the article c, n, or t, now it will be co, no, to; that is to ſay, we conſtitute there by a divided and intercepted voyce. Which thing a very Pipe diſtinguiſhed with ſtops doth moſt fully declare, which without the motion of the Fingers, ſends forth onely a voyce, but with the motion of the Fingers and the interchangeable apertion or occluſion of the ſtops, it brings forth an intercepted and articulate voyce, and after a manner ſpeech: And although ſpeech is proper to man, as proceeding from his Enunciative Faculty, notwithſtanding other Animals doe ſpeake among themſelves, And a Pipe or Harpe utter after a manner an Articulate voyce. Therefore a voyce not looſely ſpent, nor continued; but interciſed, diſtinct, and intercepted, is Speech, or an Articulate voyce; called therefore 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 by Ariſtotle, to wit Dearticulation, Metaphorically as Fabricius thinkes, a Denomination taken from the Articles or joynts of the Bones, for as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 according to Galen, is an Articulation or Compoſition of Bones, which hath an evident motion. So Speech is performed by evident motion. Beſides, as joynts are certaine knots which ſeeme after a certaine manner to intercept the continuation of the Bones: ſo Speech alſo, which is an Articulate or joynted voyce, ſeemes to be intercepted into many parts, not ſpread out in one looſe tract nor continued. And as by the joynts the ſeparated Bones are conjoyn'd, that they proceed in a kind of continued ſeries: So an Articulate voyce, although it be manifoldly divided, yet it flowes out ſo continued, that it may ſeem to be joyned and coupled together, or perchance we may ſay, Speech is called an articulate voyce, as much as if we ſhould ſay, diſtinct and manifeſt: metaphorically alſo, by a denomination taken from Articles added to Nounes, which not only the Grecians; but the Italians and French alſo, and many other adjoyn unto their Nounes, that, as Articles added to Nounes ſignifie a diſtinct and certain thing: ſo the voice which of its own nature is defuſe, continued and indiſtinct, as being dead without Letters; when it appeares to paſſe into Speech, is made diſtinct and manifeſt, and it advanceth into ſpeech, if it be imformed by Articles: ſo that although man had inſtruments requiſite for the expulſion and colliſion of the voyce, and breath and ayre as the matter for the production thereof, that it might reſound as an adequate object of hearing; yet he had not had the diſciplinative and informing power of Diſcourſe, unleſſe thoſe Voyces were ſo articulated, that they might ſignifie and repreſent the conceptions of the minde: for, the Auditors by reaſon of the defect of Articulation would not be edified thereby.

That Letters, the true Elements of Speech, quatenus they are pronounced, are natural. CHAP. IX.

THoſe Letters which we bring forth and are uttered in pronunciation, are natural; thoſe which we write, artificial: for if Letters be made of Motions, or (rather indeed) are nothing elſe than the Motions of the parts of the Mouth, without doubt we affirme, that even as thoſe Motions are natural; ſo the Letters conſiſting of thoſe Motions, quatenus they are pronounced, are natural: which Martianus Capella the renowned Grammarian ſhewes: where he divides the Letters into natural and effected, calling thoſe natural which we ſpeak, but thoſe, effected characters which we write. And for this reaſon it is, that Letters with all Nations in reſpect of their places or way of pronunciation are the ſame, and although the contrived images of the natural Letters or character may differ in their repreſentations, yet quatenus they are pronounced, there is no diverſity in ſpeaking: but that afterwards ſo numerous and various Tongues enſued, the Letters are not the cauſe, but the compoſition of Letters, that is Syllables and Words. And it comes to paſſe alſo hence, that Letters are natural, as they are created by certain deſigned parts, neither can they by promiſcuous parts, or by any mutual compact, be any otherwiſe formed: for, certain kinde of Letters are procreated from the Appulſion of Lip to Lip, certain alſo from the Lip to the upper Teeth, and certain alſo by the Tongue and Palate: neither is it to any purpoſe that one ſhould attempt to pronounce F with both his Lips, or M with the Tongue and Palate, or N with the Lip and Teeth, although they endeavour it with the moſt exact diligence, and ſtretch and diſtort his Lips never ſo much, but he ſhall perpetually be inforced to make M, B, P. with his Lips: F and V conſonant with his Lip and Teeth, and the other Conſonants with his Tongue and Palate: but by what meanes this is done, eſpecially ſince the appulſion and moving is one; let them explain who ſhall have the happineſſe to know the cauſes of ſo great things, it is enough for us with others to give a hint or imperfect report of this admirable contrivance of the Builder, and divine concent of parts.

That the Motions of Inſtruments of ſpeech which go to the making the Alphabet of natural Letters, are worthy Enquiry. CHAP. X.

AMong other things pertinent to the inquiſition of ſounds, the motions of ſpeech are recommended unto us, by the great Advancer of Learning, where he ſaith, The motions of the tongue, lips, throat, palate, &c. which go to the making up of the ſeveral Alphabetical Letters, are worthy enquiry. The Hebrews have been diligent in it, and have aſſigned which Letters are labial, which dental, which guttural, &c. As for the Latines and Gr • cians, they have diſtinguiſhed between ſemi-vowels and mutes, and in mutes between mutae tennes, media, and aspirata, not amiſſe, but yet not diligently enough: for, the ſpecial ſtroakes and motions that create thoſe ſounds, they have little enquired; as that the Letters B, P, F, M. are not expreſſed but with the contracting or ſhutting of the Mouth. That the Letter N and B cannot be pronounced, but that the Letter N will turne into M. as Hecatonba will be Hecatomba. That M. and T. cannot be pronounced together, but P will come between, as emtu • is pronounced emptus: ſo that if you enquire to the full you will finde, that to the making of the whole Alphabet, there will be fewer ſimple motions required than there are Letters. But becauſe theſe were ſubtill and long to deſcribe, he referres them over, and promiſeth to place them among his experiments of ſpeech: yet not having had the happineſſe to finde him ſo good as his word, having condoled the loſſe of ſuch accurate Obſervations as his would have proved: upon his hint of encouragement we advanc'd after the ſcrutiny of theſe Alphabetical motions; wherein things have ſo ſucceeded to our inquiſition, that if we had intended a particular ſatisfaction, as we do onely a general intimation, we could produce ſuch an Alphabet as ſhould put an end to all Doubts in this matter, by exhibiting the motions of ſpeech in the capital Characters or Letters of our Alphabet, which as notes and images, with the quality and quantity of their Lines, do very aptly ſerve the natural Letters, in whoſe pronunciation, the parts of the mouth obtain a various Figure, and every Figure conſiſts of certain Lines: or in the repreſentative motions or poſtures and Figure of the mouth, marſhalled like the Alphabets of geſture in our Chirologia, expreſſe the very natural Letters themſelves, moſt apparently proving, that Letters are nothing elſe but motion, a ſubtlety of diſcovery which few will ever imagine fe • ible, untill they ſee the ſecret opened among other notions reſerved for our intended Academy.

That the formes of Letters, and ſo conſequently of Words, may be punctually obſerved and took notice of. CHAP. XI.

OVr Vnderſtanding indeed is very dull at the inſpection of Formes, and although (as the Britiſh Stagerit truly confeſſeth) it be neither poſſible or to purpoſe, to ſeek in groſſe the Formes of thoſe ſounds which make Words, which by compoſition and transpoſition of Letters are infinite: yet to enquire the Formes of thoſe ſounds or voyces which make ſimple letters, is eaſily comprehenſible, and being known, induceth and manifeſteth the Formes of Words, which conſiſt and are compounded of them; this being no more a vain purſuit than the enquiry after the Formes of ſenſe and voluntary motion, which is a part of Metaphyſicke, though Phyſicke doth make enquiry of the materiall and ſufficient cauſes of them, but not as to their Formes. And if a man ſhall keep a continuall watchfull and ſevere eye upon the motions of the mouth, he may adviſe and take notice of the Formes of ſpeech, the diſcloſure whereof would be fruitfull and important to this Deſigne: hence it is that although nothing is more variable than the differing ſound of Words, yet men have found out the way to reduce them to a few ſimple Letters, ſo that it is not the inſufficiency or incapacity of man's minde, but it is the remote ſtanding or placing that breedeth theſe mazes or incomprehenſions: the remedy whereof is not to quicken or ſtrengthen the Organ, but to go nearer the Object, and therefore there is no doubt but if we will learne and uſe the approches and avenues of Nature, we may maſter any difficulty that ſhall oppoſe the deſignes of our Intellect. But, indeed, the Obſervation of the natural Letters, in reſpect whereof all Nations are of one lip, as before the confuſion of Tongues, and the firſt finding them out, was abſolutely the rareſt and the moſt exquiſite felicity of Invention as ever ſucceeeded to the wit of man: and but that I thinke the wit of man able to comprehend all things in the ſphere of its capacity (larger than moſt imagine) I ſhould be apt to attribute this ſubtile notion, to the revelation of ſome courteous ſpirits, it ſeems ſo to tranſcend the ordinary atchievement of our obſervation: and that ſo many Languages ſhould reſult out of the transpoſition of theſe 24. Letters, will not appear ſo ſtrange a thing, if we well conſider the infinite variety of mens countenances, the Face conſiſting not of above ten Lines, the leaſt alteration whereof cauſeth a manifeſt diſtinction.

That the Ancients took the eſſential difference of Letters, from the various motions of the Month. CHAP. XII.

IT is manifeſt, that the Ancients chiefly diſtinguiſhed the Letters out of the variety of motions, which they obſerved in the very inſtrumental parts of ſpeech, ſeated in and about the mouth: becauſe thoſe which are made by the parts of the Body, are more eſſential, as making different articulations, that is, Letters altogether diſtinct from one another, of which kinde there are not above ſeven eſſentially diſtinct, beſides the Vowels: whereas there are more made from the various moving of the very ayre, which is altered and moved by a greater or leſſe impulſion, although the motion and appulſion of parts be the ſame, as in B, P, C, G, D, T, F, V. For from the ayre variouſly affected by reaſon of a milder or more valid motion or appulſion of the very part which is moved (from whence there happens a more gentle or ſtronger eliſion of the ayre) the difference of many Letters were taken: for if the Lip be driven upward to the other Lip in a gentle motion, cauſing a milder eliſion of the ayre, M is made: if it be more forcibly impell'd B, if moſt ſtrongly P reſults: ſo that here you have three letters from one ſimple motion. Now although theſe Letters are made with the ſame parts, and differ not in the variety of parts, but onely in the vehemency of the impulſed ayre, yet Antiquity received them notwithſtanding into the number of Letters, to prevent Equivocations, and unprofitable Repetitions: but becauſe thoſe Letters differed not in an eſſential difference, wch is taken from the variety of parts, but onely according to the greater or leſſer impulſion of ayre, (which for the moſt part varies not pronunciation, but retain their alliance of ſound and article) therefore the Ancients by reaſon of this cognation or affinity which they have among themſelves, in that they are made by the ſame motion, they would have them mutually to give way to one another, and one to be indifferently put for the other; whence it comes to paſſe that G, G. becauſe they are formed by the ſame motion of the mouth, nor differ between themſelves, unleſſe becauſe in C. the breath wanders more licentiouſly than in the prolation of G. they give way to one another, although perchance they ſaid, they gave way one to another in regard of the propinquity of the appulſion of parts in them, ſo that thoſe that are formed by the ſame motion and only vary with the eliſion of the ayr, in as much as they vary by reaſon of the ayre, they drew out various letters: but in as much as they are made with the ſame motion, they put one for another; which they not onely obſerved in the Conſonants, but in the Vowells.

That the motions of the parts of the Mouth in Speech are ſo remarkable, that ſome have (not without ſucceſſe) attempted to imitate them by Mathematicall motions. CHAP. XIII.

SVch Sagacious Aemulators and audacions Inquiſitours of Nature there hath been, who without naturall vertues, by Mathematicall Magique only, having borrowed the influences of the Heavens, produce workes like to thoſe of Nature, as ſpeaking Bodies, which are not endued with animall vertues; for, Mercurius writeth that the Aegyptiās by a moſt inutterable art, made the Images of their Gods (eſpecially of Mercury) ſo, that they uttered an articulate voyce. And we have a hint of encouragement to ſuch a Deſigne, from the Grand Augmentor of Sciences. There is found, ſaith he, a ſimilitude, between the ſound that is made by inanimate Bodyes, or by Animate Bodies that have no voyce articulate; and divers Letters of articulate voyces: and commonly men have given ſuch names to thoſe ſounds, as doe allude unto the articulate Letters. As trembling of water hath reſemblance with the Letter L. quenching of hot mettals with the Letter Z, ſnarling of Dogs with the letter R, the noyſe of ſcreetch-owles with the letter ſh. voyce of Cats with the Dipthongue eu. voyce of Cuckoes with the Dipthongue ou; Sounds of ſtrings with the Letters ng. So that if a man (for curioſity or ſtrangeneſſe ſake) would make a Puppet or other dead Body, to pronounce a word; Let him conſider on the one part, the motion of the Inſtruments of the voyce; and on the other part the like ſounds made in inanimate Bodies; and what conformity there is that cauſeth the ſimilitude of ſounds; and by that he may miniſter light to that effect. But to come neerer to the point. Many of the Learned are of opinion, and perſwaded in their judgments, that the imitation of the motions of our speech may be effected by inſenſible creatures; if a Dextrous man would employ his time in contriving and making ſuch an inſtrument to expreſſe thoſe different ſounds; wch not having more then ſeven ſubſtantiall Differences; beſides, the Vowells (as ſome who have carefully noted them, doe affirme) it would peradventure be no hard matter to compoſe ſuch an Engine, which becauſe it will be a ſubtle imitation of the worke of nature, it will be neceſſary that our Artiſt have this qualification of being more than ſuperficially tinctur'd in Anatomy, the better to be acquainted with the Muſcules, and the Nerves inſerted into their Heads, which are the principles and ſprings of all thoſe outward motions whereby Speech is perform'd and uttered. And I believe the Modell muſt be in faſhion of a Head, which is the Royall part unto which Speech is intruſted; for as the Tongue and Lips articulate; the Head reſounds. Frier Bacons brazen Head, and that Statue framed by Albertus Magnus which ſpake to Thomas Aquine, and which he miſtaking for a Magical Device brake, was certainly nothing elſe but Mathematical Inventions framed in imitation of the motions of ſpeech performed by the Inſtruments in and about the Mouth. As for that leaden Pipe which Baptista • orta in his Magia naturali ſpeakes of as effectual to this purpoſe; or that of Walchius, who thinkes it poſſible intirely to preſerve the voyce or any words ſpoken, in a hollow Trunke or Pipe, and that this Pipe being rightly opened, the Words will come out of it in the ſame order wherein they were ſpoken, they have not ſo ſubſtantial a way for ſuch a Diſcovery, and therefore may be ſcand at leaſure with the Relation of Baldaſſar Castilio in his Courtier, and Dr. Helyn in his Geography, of a cold Countrey, where the Peoples Diſcourſe doth freeze in the ayre all Winter, and is heard the next Summer, or at a great Thaw: yet if the conceit of Walchius have any Truth, it may ſerve ſomewhat to extenuate the groſſe abſurdity of that Popiſh • elique concerning Joſephs [Hah] or • e noyſe that he made (as other Car • enters uſe, in fetching of a blow:) • hich is ſaid to be preſerved yet in a • laſſe amongſt other ancient Reliques.

That Articulate Speech doth not neceſſarily require the audible ſound of the voyce, but may conſiſt without it, and ſo conſequently be ſeen as well as heard. CHAP. XIV.

ONe would thinke indeed, that Speech without the voyce, as the • orme without the Matter could not • oſſibly conſiſt: yet if one ſhould by 〈◊〉 emulous imagination abſtract one • om the other, He ſhall find it to be ſo: •• r, the formation of Articles is from • peech, but the voyce was contrived •• at Speech might be heard; for which •• uſe it is loud and ſounding: But • peech of it ſelfe alone without ſound or the voyce, can produce mute and in •• dible articles of Elocution. Not that the Formes of words are quite without their matter; He indeed, who as St. Augustin ſaith, can underſtand a word, not only before it ſound, but alſo before any Image of the ſound there be formed in the Imagination (although our ſight at beſt be imperfect in this kind:) yet he that deſires to attain it, muſt not look upon the faſhion of our words either a • they ſound in the eare, or are utter'd by the voyce, or thought upon in ſilence (for the thoughts if you trie them) ca • even feign the noiſe of the Tongue: He muſt paſſe over all theſe, and come to that prime word of a reaſonable creature, quod nec prolativum eſt in ſono, nec cogitativū in ſimilitudine ſoni; but doth exceed all thoſe ſignes, either externall or internall whereby it is ſignified, and i • begotten of that very Science which remaines in the minde, and remaines truly and properly mentall, and is produced intellectually onely, without Matter or Motion. But in uttering of word • which is the effect of Speech, there i • alwayes neceſſarily required both matte • & motion. And therefore to prevent th • the Forme ſhould never remaine qui • without the Matter, Nature hath made a double proviſion; one is that a vowell ſhould be alwayes adjoyned unto a conſonant, for ſo the voyce perpetually as the Matter is adjoyned: the other is that there ſhould be a momentany interſciſion: for ſince Speech without the voyce which ſuſtaines it, cannot ſubſiſt, it is ordered the interſciſions of vowels, which effect Conſonants, ſhould be all momentany, for ſo the voyce is intercepted, and taken away by the vowell, and a Conſonant is formed. And in the meane while Speech is never without ſome low degree of the voyce, neither is its proper matter wanting unto it. The breath in its emiſſion being driven and daſhed againſt the inſtruments of Speech, and tacitely formed into words: And that mute Articles of Speech may be produced without any •• dible alterance, appeares in them that labour of the diſeaſe Aphonia, and have altogether loſt their voyce: and they who are mute by Nature, cannot ſpeak, but onely Monophones, that is one kind of ſound or voyce, without any audible articulation; whereas it is very remarkable, that Speech doth not only forme out of it ſelfe articles of utterance, but alſo by it ſelfe alone can declare the conceptions and affections of the mind. Fabricius makes all this good by a familiar and eaſie Example. For when he was a Schoole-boy, there being many of them in one chamber, they were interdicted the uſe of Speech: But we (ſaith he) by the motion only of our Lips and Tongue, without any voyce at all, although we were diſtant one from another, did communicate our conceptions, and affections of our mind one unto another. And a curioſity of conſtant obſervation hath enabled many to doe as much: for Lodovicus Vive • ſpeaks of ſome Artiſts, who could diſcerne what any man ſpake, though no ſound of their intent approached their eare, deſcrying the ſtilleſt and low-voyced words of their Lips, helped by an Art-informing and attentive Eye, only by ſeeing their Lips to move and open as they doe in Speech. It is likewiſe related of ancient Doctor, Gabriel Neale, that he could underſtand any word by the meere motion of the Lips, without any audible utterance. And Sir William Cornwallys ſpeaking of a Lover, attributes ſuch a faculty unto him. His eares (ſaith he) not having ability to perform their office, he therefore teacheth his eyes a new occupation, meaſuring the wind that proceedeth from his Miſtreſſes mouth, and ſpelling words by the obſervation of her Lips. But we cannot wiſh for a more ample teſtimony of this thing, than the uſuall practice of thoſe friends of Mr. Criſpes, who being intimate with him, in their familiar converſation never uſed their voyce but ſaved themſelves the unneceſſary labou • of ſpeaking out, exhibiting only the motions of Speech diſtinctly unto him, without any other ſound than that of their pure motion, which is audible enough to him who wore his eare in his eye: Sound and the voyce adding nothing of pefection to the intelligible motions of Articulate Speech.

Since therefore the Muſculous extremities of the Mouth, together with the effect the inward motions of the other Inſtruments doe cauſe without, have ſuch an evident ſtroak without any audible 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 ſound, in the articulate explanation of the mind; He that can judge of the way of framing theſe tacite Symbols of the mind, beſides the uſe we here chiefly drive at, it might be of notable uſe in diſcovering the ſecret whiſperings of perfidious men, who are of the Generation Solomon ſpeaks of, who move their lips, to bring evill to paſſe: and to diſcerne the malicious anger of ſuch, who (as we uſe to ſay) mutter the Devils Pater noſter. Had old Eli had this Art, when he obſerved Hanna's mouth, ſeeing her lips going, when ſhe ſpake mollia verba praying ſoftly, he would not have ſo raſhly taxed her of Drunkenneſſe as he did, but might have underſtood the intention of her prayer.

That it is neither incredible nor impoſſible, that a man borne Deafe and Dumbe, ſhould be taught to heare the ſounds of words with his eyes, and thence learne to ſpeak with his Tongue. CHAP. XV.

SO lazie and ſluggiſh are the naturall inclinations of moſt men, that they are prone to limit the infinite capacity of man, and the effects of his admirable obſervations, to known and common Matters: whereas conſidering his abilities, and the fertility of his Braine, there is no accident of imperfection that may befall him, but with the indulgent cooperation of Nature, he may work himſelfe either out of it, or invent a ſupply to the defect and inconveniences of it. For a notable inſtance of the induſtrious felicity of an obſerving wit in this kind, wee are extraordinarily beholding to that Gallant and learned Knight, Sir Kenelme Digby. That whereas hitherto, the underſtanding of words by the motions of the Lips, hath been an Art which we have heard indeed, that many have pretended unto, yet hath been thought deceitfull and ſcarce to be credited; He affords us an Example of an Artiſt, who ſublimed this Art unto an almoſt incredible perfection.

The Hiſtory of this rare atchievement of Art is thus delivered, by that Honourable Relator.

THere was a Nobleman of great quality that I knew in Spaine, the younger brother of the Conſtable of Caſtile, who was taught to heare the ſounds of words with his eyes (if that expreſſion may be permitted) this Spaniſh Lord was borne Deafe, ſo Deafe, that if a Gun were ſhot off cloſe by his eare he could not heare it, and conſequently he was Dumbe; for not being able to heare the ſound of words, he could never imitate, nor underſtand them: The lovelineſſe of his Face, and eſpecially the exceeding life and ſpiritfulneſſe of his Eyes, and the Comelineſſe of his perſon, and the whole compoſure of his Body throughout, were pregnant ſignes of a wel-temper'd mind within. And therefore all that knew him lamented much the want of meanes to cultivate it, and to embrue it with the notions, which it ſeemed to be capable of, in regard of it ſelfe, had it not been croſſed by this unhappy accident, which to remedie, Phyſitions and Chyrurgions had long employed their skill, but all in vaine. At the laſt there was a Prieſt, who undertooke the teaching him to underſtand others when they ſpoke, and to ſpeake himſelfe that others might underſtand him, for which attempt at firſt he was laughed at, yet after ſome yeares he was looked upon as if he had wrought a Miracle. In a word, after ſtrange patience, conſtancie, and paines, he brought the young Lord to ſpeak as diſtinctly as any man whatſoever; and to underſtand ſo perfectly what others ſaid, that he would not looſe a word in a whole dayes converſation. I have often diſcourſed with the Prieſt whilſt I waited upon the Prince of Wales, (now our gracious Sovereign) in Spaine, and I doubt not but his Majeſty remembreth all I have ſaid of him, and much more: for his Majeſty was very curious to obſerve, and enquire into the utmoſt of it. It is true, one great misbecom • ingneſſe he was apt to fall into, whil'ſt he ſpoke: which was an uncertainty in the Tone of his voyce, for not hearing the ſound he made when he ſpoke, he could not ſteadily governe the pitch of his voyce, but it would be ſometimes higher, and ſometimes lower, though for the moſt part what he delivered together, he ended in the ſame Key as he began it. But when he had once ſuffered the paſſage of his voice to cloſe, at the opening it again, chance or the meaſure of his earneſtneſſe to ſpeak or reply, gave him his Tone, which he was not capable of moderating by ſuch an artifice as is recorded Caius Graechus uſed, when paſſion in his Orations to the People drove out his voice with too great a vehemency or ſhrilneſſe. He could diſcerne in another whether he ſpoke ſhrill or low: and he would repeat after any bodie any hard word whatſoever, which the Prince tried often, not onely in Engliſh, but by making ſome Welchmen that ſerved his Highneſſe ſpeak words of their Language, which he ſo perfectly ecchoed, that I confeſſe I wondred more at that, than at all the reſt, and his Maſter himſelfe would acknowledge that the Rules of his Art reached not to produce that effect with any certainty. And therefore concluded this in him muſt ſpring from other Rules he had framed unto himſelfe out of his own attentive obſervation; which the advantages which Nature had juſtly given him in the ſharpneſſe of Senſes to ſupply the want of this, endowed him with an ability and ſagacity to do beyond any other man that had his Hearing. He expreſſed it ſurely, in a high meaſure by his ſo exact imitation of the Welch pronunciation: for that Tongue (like the Hebrew) employeth much the guttural Letters, and the motions of that part which frameth them, cannot be ſeen or judged by the eye, otherwiſe than by the effect they may happily make by conſent in the other parts of the mouth expoſed to view. For the knowledge he had of what they ſaid ſprung from his obſerving the motions they made, ſo that he could converſe currently in the light, though they he talked with whiſpered never ſo ſoftly. And I have ſeen him at the diſtance of a large chambers breadth, ſay words after one, that I ſtanding cloſe by the Speaker, could not hear a ſyllable of. But if he were in the darke, or if one turned his face out of his ſight, he was capable of nothing one ſaid.

A Preamble to the OBSERVATIONS upon the rare Atchivement of Art before related.

WE muſt confeſs there be infinite things in the boſome of Nature, which are hidden and unknown to us, Nature abounding with innumerable treaſures of Sciences which can never be exhausted, and in the ſuppreſsion of ſome as in the manifestation of thoſe that are diſcovered, the immenſe Wiſedom doth ſufficiently ſhine and appear. The particular Notions and Rules of this new found Art, may perchance as that Invention of Herophilus concerning the Rythme and metrical lawes of the Pulſe, appear a little too fine and ſubtle for the groſſe fingers of our Apprehenſion, and a Taske onely fit for the grand Master of Subtleties himſelfe. But upon the atchievement being matter of fact, a leſſe acute understanding may fasten a few eaſie Obſervations.

Obſervation. 1.

THe firſt thing obſervable that occurres in this Relation is, that this Spaniſh Lord was taught to hear the ſound of words with his eye, if that expreſſion may be permitted. Indeed the exploit and expreſſion both, are very new, and may ſeem exceeding ſtrange to thoſe who either know not that there is a community among the Senſes; or have not well thought upon it. It being admirable how the objects of one Senſe may be known by another; and how one Senſe will oftentimes ſupply the office and want of another: for light may be felt, odours may be taſted, the reliſh of meates may be ſmelt, magnitude and figure may be heard, and ſounds may be ſeen, felt, or taſted. Examples and Experiments of all which Exchanges I am able to produce upon occaſion: ſo that to exerciſe Senſe is, our brain to receive an impreſſion from the externe object, by the operation or mediation of ſome one of thoſe which we call an externe Senſe, yet there ſeemes to be no abſolute neceſſity that Senſation muſt be made by an organical part made for that purpoſe, but one ſenſe may be exerciſed by the Organs of another, by changing the offices of the Senſes, which well examined would keep the moſt Sceptical from doubting of a community among them, if not of degree, at leaſt of the whole kinde: for we ſee the touch is the ground worke of all the reſt. And therefore Campanella in his ingenious Book De ſenſu rerum proves, that all the Senſes are but Tact: but the ſenſories and manner of ſenſation differ, which he makes good through all the Senſes, proving that al ſenſation is performed by contact. By looking into the cauſes whereof we ſhall diſcerne theſe ſtrange effects to fal within the obſervation of Art, and to deſerve a further enquiry. That odours ſhould be taſted and the reliſh of meates, ſmelt, is not ſtrange, if we conſider the conformity betwixt the two Senſes of ſmelling and taſting: for, Phiſicians that write of theſe Senſes, finde them very conformable: and therefore it happeneth that the looſing of one of them, is the loſſe alſo of the other. And accordingly the very names which men have impoſed to expreſſe the affections of both, do many times agree: as ſavour, which is common both to the ſmell and taſte; and ſweet likewiſe: the ſtrongeſt of which we ſee oftentimes do make themſelves known as well by the one as by the other Senſe; and either of them in exceſſe will turne a mans ſtomacke: and therefore deafneſſe which Marcellus cals Surdiginem, the Greeks call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which word as Herotianus notes (with Hippocrates) doth not only denote a privation of Hearing, but alſo ſometimes a privation of ſight; after the ſame manner (almoſt) as we finde among the Latines, that ſurditas doth oft ſignifie a privation or obtuſion of divers ſenſes, but howſoever one ſenſe through a ſympathetical league more naturally and ſtrictly obſerved between it and ſome other ſenſe may be impaired or ſuffer damage upon the defect of that other ſenſe: yet there is ſeldom any decay in Nature, but will be by this community ſomeway ſupplyed. For if all the ſenſes ſhould be defective except the touch (which cannot be utterly loſt without the privation of life) the virtue of all the Senſes would run into the touch, and make that not to be depoſed King of the ſenſes ſo accurate, it ſhal be able to officiate for all the reſt. And indeed the expreſſions are ſomewhat remarkable, that men defective in their Senſes often uſe, which ſeem to acknowledge no defect, but what they have an equivalent recompence for; it being ordinary for blinde men to uſe words as if they ſaw: which I remember Montaigne in his Eſſayes takes great notice of, who was once viſited by a blinde Gentleman, who took upon him confidently to commend the Architecture and contrivance of his Manſion-houſe: What a fair lightſome room, ſaith he, is this? What a goodly proſpect this houſe hath? What a fair & beautifull childe is this? Taking upon him to judge of colours and all manner of beauty and proportion. And this day I followed a blinde man in Red-croſſe-ſtreet, who being near a Brew-houſe made a ſtand; Oh, ſaith he, This is a Brew-houſe, I ſee it; to whom I: It is will gueſſed, Are you ſure you ſee it? I, replied he; That I do, I ſmell it. Two Gentlemen paſſing by, ſmiled at the blinde mans expreſſion, Nay, I aſſure ye Gentlemen, ſaid I, He is in the right, for he does ſee it, ſo I paſſed on leaving them two behinde me blaming the ſobriety of my juſtification of that, as they thought impropriety of Speech uſed by the blinde man, which put me in minde of a paſſage in Servius in his Tractate de Ʋnguent. A • mario, of a man that having loſt his eyes, ſaw notwithſtanding through his noſe. And I believe men accidentally deaf, who can ſpeak and perceive any thing by the motion of mens lips, wil be apt (to the great juſtification of occular Audition) now and then to ſay I hear, or I have heard: and being the other day in company of one Maſter Oxwyth a Spaniſh Merchant to whom I am much beholding for ſome intelligence out of Spain, and he telling me ſomwhat of the rare qualities of this Spaniſh deaf Lord, which his Factor had ſent him intelligence of, (to ſatisfie my curioſity who had formerly intreated that favour from him. He began to tell me ſomewhat of the moſt remarkable properties of M. Crispe, who is wel known to be deaf, and among the reſt he ſaid, that a while ago he walking with him in the company of others, one asked him how his Brother did? My Brother (replied he preſently) is very well, I heard from him but the other day: and whether his intelligence came by word of mouth, or from the mouth of a pen; in tranſitory or fixed words; He that had an Ear in his Eye, might well ſay, He heard from his Brother. and that the defect of the Ear in deaf men, may be ſupplied by the office of the Eye, or the defect of the Eye in blinde men by the office of the Ear; ſo that the Ear alſo may ſee; will not appear ſo paradoxical, if we conſider the conſent of viſibles and audibles, as it is elegantly ſet forth by my Lord Bacon in his Natural Hiſtory, Cent. 3. from Exper. 255. to Exper. 267. which being long to recite, I referre to the inquiſition of the curious. And with good judgement for demonſtrations ſake, did that Heroe of learning uſe in divers inſtances, the examples of the ſight and things viſible, to illuſtrate the nature of ſounds, proſecuting it to a more full compariſon, ſince the hearing hath a great affinity with the Organ of ſight, for they have both one common faculty, and the extremity of the auditory paſſage, where the Nerve dilated is conjoyned with the included aire, doth anſwer to the Chryſtalline: in like manner thoſe parts which are about the involution of the Eare are correſpondent to the ſight of the Eye, and the other parts about the Chryſtalline. And I would fain know why Gordonius a learned Phiſician, as appeareth by his Workes, in his Deſcription of the Inſtruments of Hearing, where he writes of the Diſeaſes of the Ear, attributes a concave optique Nerve unto the Ear. His Marginal Commentator confeſſeth he ſeeth not for what reaſon he doth it, and till ſome bodie will undertake to ſee farther into his minde, we may ſuppoſe he was a ſecret Friend, and a well wiſhing Nichodemus to auricular viſion. Now whether the expreſſion of hearing ſounds with the Eye may be permitted, will appear, if it cannot be denied but that Hearing is nothing elſe but the due perception of motion, and that motion and ſound are not different entities, but in themſelves one and the ſame thing, although expreſſed by different names and compized in our underſtanding under different notions, which is proved by the obſervation of ſounds which follow the lawes of motion, for every effect of them is to be demonſtrated by the principles and proportions of motion. So that motion alone is able to effect and give account of all things whatſoever that are attributed to ſound, and ſound and motion do go hand in hand together, and whatſoever may be ſaid of the one is likewiſe true of the other. Ariſtotle therefore defines ſound by motion, and the Voyce to be a kinde of percuſſion, and therefore ſound is the ſame with motion, and no reſulting quality; which may be further convinced by the ordinarie experiment of perceiving Muſique by mediation of a ſticke: for, a deaf man is capable of that ſound no otherwiſe than as bare motion is ſound. Now ſince articulate ſound or motion may be perceived by the Eye, then it may hear as well as ſee, and hear by ſeeing. It will be no great impropriety of ſpeech to affirme the Eye may hear, ſince it can perceive the adequate object of hearing, and performe the office of an ear in judging of ſound as it is motion (all ſound being motion as ſoon as it is perceived) and the thing which we call ſound and makes ſpeech audible, being purely motion. Indeed ſound wch is but an accident of ſpeech, & which is as they commonly ſpeak, the ſenſible quality of Hearing, is reckoned by Philoſophers to be proprium ſenſile, to wit, to be perceptible but to one ſenſe: yet as it is figure and motion, which two alwayes imply one another, and of the eſſence of ſpeech, it may be accounted commune ſenſile, and be perceived by more outward Senſes than one. I but ſayes one, if ſound be motion, Which is the mobile? Surely, in articulate ſounds which are the motions I onely undertake for, the mobile may be the aire or breath, as it is moved and informed by the inſtruments of ſpeech. And if that be not liked, What thinke ye of the Lips for the mobile of articulate motion? Verily, although I am not of his opinion, who held that motus and mobile were all one: yet by a warrant of Anatomicall ſubtletie I may ſay, that movens and mobile are; for in the lips which were to move and be moved in ſpeech, the motory power is mingled with the mobile. I, but no motion is performed in an inſtant: but ſound in an inſtant fils thouſands of eares if they be neer. Surely, Articulate motion alſo is performed in an inſtant, and can fil thouſands of eares or eyes if they be at a convenient diſtance. I, but reſt is oppoſite to motion, but it is not oppoſite to ſound. Surely, ſilence which is a reſt from ſpeech, is oppoſite both to motion and the audible Articulation of ſounds. I, but againe it is objected, here are many motions without any ſound, for you may move your hand, or any part of your Body without ſound. It may bee not: for we have reaſon to ſuſpect there may be ſome kinde of ſound in every motion, according to that of Auſonius, Nil mutum Natura dedit. And I thinke and beleeve there is ſome ſound in every motion, although it may not be perceived, being drowned by other greater ſounds that are about us. And wee are emboldened by this Art to queſtion whether the eare bee the onely judge of ſound The rather, ſince there are ſome nation have no eares, yet heare moſt exactly Tis true, Articulat motion requires no • alwayes anaudible ſound, but a viſible i • doth at leaſt; and therefore not to be accounted among thoſe motions which are ſuppoſed to paſſe without ſound: For otherwiſe, Articulate ſound and motio • being one and the ſame; you will make them like the two Socii in Plautus, mo •• one another, as if Articulate motio • ſhould paſſe without ſound, that is, without it ſelfe. I but yet againe, there is a ſympatheticall and antipatheticall power in ſounds, to affect or diſaffect the hearer, which is not in motion: although there be not found objects ſo ingrate to the eye as to the eare, yet in Articulate ſounds this way perceived by the eye, there is, as well as by the eare; for, what are the angry frownes and ſtormie motions of a tempeſtuous countenance, which provokes the face of another to the like impetuoſities, but antipatheticall motions? and what are yawning • and laughter, which appeares chiefly about the mouth; but ſympatheticall motions which paſſe from one man to another, and affect or diſaffect them with the like? More eſpecially theſe ſounds of motions which are audible to him that heareth with his eares, have a power to gratifie or diſtaſte his ocular eare.

But I have no deſigne to oppoſe any mans fanſie, or to impoſe any thing upon it, if they will give me leave (at leaſt for the decency and countenance of the argument I handle) to ſay and thinke thus: Let them enjoy the liberty of their judgement, for wee are not neceſſarily engaged by our deſigne, to make good this expreſſion of hearing ſounds with the Eye. Therefore as for that, wee ſay as the great Advancer of Learning ſaide of factitious Gold: If a mettall may be procured by Art which ſhall exactly anſwer in al things the properties of Gold, let men diſpute whether it bee Gold or no: So if we may by the favour of God have this Art ſo ſucceſſefull unto us, that a Deafe man may be brought to enjoy the benefite of an eare in his eye; that is, the eye to officiate for the eare, let men diſpute whether he heares with his eye or no: for wee are not ſo magiſtrall in this matter, as to have any thought of deceiving others with a vaine Philoſophy of ſwelling words.

Obſervation. II.

HEe was borne Deafe and Dumbe. Great are the Nation of thoſe (otherwiſe ingenious men) who have fallen under this unhappy accident; the cauſes being various and unknowne: there are who ſuppoſe that this happens to ſome through the propriety of their place of birth. Soranus affirmes, that thoſe who are borne in Ships at Sea, are by a proprietie of their place of birth, like Fiſhes, mute. M • nt • o confidently affirmes, that by a proprietie of the place, they who were borne within the walls of the Caſtle of Claramont, proved dumbe; as it happened to all the Baro • s that were borne there. Aſtrologers ſay that Childe will be deafe, that is borne when Mercurie is Lord of the ſixt houſe, and infortunate by evill aſpects with Saturne, chiefly if he be in th • ſixt houſe: Likewiſe they will have •• at impediment in their hearing, in •• oſe nativity Jupiter and Saturne bee both impedite and infortunate above the earth; that is, if they be retrograde or combuſt in evill places. And if Mercurie be impedite of Saturne in a Childes nativity, it doth hinder the tongue; but it is worſe when they be corporally conjunct together, eſpecially, in the Aſcendent, or in the ſeaventh houſe, and in the ſame ſigne with the Sun. (Mercurie being then Occidentall:) or if Mercurie be above the earth corporally conjunct with Saturne, or elſe in an evill aſpect of Saturne, and in a dumbe ſigne called Signum mutum, and alſo is unfortunate, that is to ſay, in an evill place, retrograde or combuſt and peregrine, that party then borne, will have great impediment in his tongue, or elſe will be dumbe, and cannot ſpeake. Sometimes the ſinne of the Parents are exemplarily puniſhed in their children. Dr. Joachim the brother of Camerarius, told him he ſaw in the Court of the Lantgrave of Heſſe, a Boy deafe and dumbe ſo witty, that hee could not wonder enough at his dexterity in executing the commandements that were given him; for by a winke of the eye, hee conceived of the will of the Prince and of his houſhold: The Lantgrave ſeeing him wonder at the ſight, hee told him: You ſee this young Boy, his uſe is to declare with a marvelous readineſſe by geſtures of his body, and by motions of his fingers, any new thing he ſeeth done in the Court or City. He is an example of Gods juſtice, for, his mother being accuſed of ſtealing when ſhee went with childe with him, uſed ſuch an imprecation, that if that which ſhe was charged with was true, her Childe might never ſpeake when it came to be in the World, but remaine Dumbe all his life.

To ſome this is an hereditary evill and an imperfection ex traduce.

But why Deafe men ſhould get deafe children? may be from that ſimilitude which ſpringeth from the ſeede, in as much as it flowes from the whole oeconomy of the Body; that is, ſometimes it flowes out more from the Father, ſometimes from the Mother; from this plenty of proviſion proceedeth the ſimilitude, ſo ſome part in children reſembleth the Mother, another part the Father; as that ſeede hath more copiouſly iſſued from the parts of either Parent. And commonly when a Deafe and Dumbe man hath got his Wife with childe, there is a ſolicitous expectation in their Friends whether the childe ſhould prove Deafe and Dumbe or no: For it falleth not out alwayes, that the children of Deafe and Dumbe men inherit that imperfection of their parents, as intailed upon them: whereof the reaſon above mentioned may ſerve, that is, the ſeed of the perfect parent may be more luxuriant and predominant, whereof I have known ſome examples. What the iſſue of a Deafe and Dumbe man and woman would prove, there hath beene no opportunity afforded to trie, becauſe few Philoſophers have beene bidden to ſuch a wedding. The like reaſon may be, why they ſhould have deafe Children who are deafened by ſome diſeaſe, or by reaſon of ſome overpotent object which hath deſtroyed their ſenſe of Hearing. Upon which a Quaere might be raiſed, whether the children of thoſe who dwell neere the Catarrachs of Nile (whoſe parents are all deafe,) are not commonly borne deafe alſo, rather then afterwards ſo made.

We doe not heare indeed, that any of the brethren or family this Lord was of, were unfortunate in the like defect, although that hath beene the ſad condition of many eminent Families. Fernelius writes of a Senatour, whoſe Wife being healthy, yet all the children hee had by her were deafe and dumbe; the cauſe he judgeth to be very darke and obſcure. Cardan ſpeakes of a woman that had five and twenty children, of two of which number ſhee was delivered within tenne moneths, both deafe and dumbe, which both lived, and lived in his time; the one with three Mola's, the ſecond with two, not onely dead but putrified; who while ſhe went with them felt not her ſelfe as with her others, but ſhee felt as it were a weight of lead in the bottome of her belly. It being very likely that the Mola's growing to by reaſon of their frigiditie (for they are as congealed blood) did hurt their braines, thence the hearing, and ſo dulled the facultie of ſpeech, eſpecially when they putrified.

Nor are examples of theſe ſad accidents very rare among us; ſuch therefore as I have either knowne, or by credible intelligence gained notice of from others, I ſhall here annex, conceiving it fit to enlarge the Forreigne ſtory of Deafe and Dumbe men, with ſuch additionall notions. The rather that wee may come a little out of theſe outlandiſh Writers debt, and in ſome reaſonable ſort, vie Hiſtoricall obſervations with them.

Sir Edward Goſtwick of Wellington in the County of Bedfordſhire Baronet, a Gentleman otherwiſe very accompliſhed, was borne deafe and dumbe; hee hath attained unto writing, which is a ſubſtitute of ſpeech, and from whence there lyes a way if well followed, to the recovery of an Articulate voice. Hence, writing to them that are deaf and dumb, may ſerve in ſtead of ſpeech, who therefore doe beſt begin to write, and afterwards learne to ſpeake. The firſt invention of Writing was to make Verba viſibilia, miſſilia, & permanentia, to remedy the defect of ſpeech that vaniſheth away, is onely audible, and cannot bee wrought into diſcourſe but by two that are preſent together, whereas this invention puts an eare, as it were into the eye, and preſents our cogitations viſible and legible, writing being the later invention; ſpeech by it ſelfe ſignifies all our conceptions, and writing ſignifies our ſpeech; for, writing to words, is as words to cogitations: Yet this order is not of neceſſity, that ſpeech muſt bee learnt firſt, and afterwards Writing ſhould ſucceede, to ſignifie our words; rather then words writing: there being no naturall neceſſity for it, ſo that the contrary cannot bee done: But it happens rather by reaſon of the facility, and becauſe men that are deprived of no •• of their ſenſes, are apt ſooner to ſpeake, then to write; the tongue being ſooner fitted by nature for that employment, then the hand for this: But the cleane contrary may be done, as appeares in the atchievement of this honourable Gentleman, and others mentioned in this book. For as they who have their hearing d •• as the readyer and better way b •• in 〈◊〉 ſpeech; ſo they who are deafe doe beſt begin at writing; Therefore neither of them hath a naturall neceſſity, but it ſeemes by the nature of the thing, that the reaſon and account of ſpeech and writing is the ſame; but that they have a greater facility of ſpeaking, who enjoy all their ſenſes; but they who want their hearing, may have writing in ſtead of ſpeech, and the notice of things accrues to them by ſight, as to others by hearing: So that ſpeech is as it were a ſilent and audible writing, and writing is a viſible and permanent ſpeech, and withall ſo miſſive, that where the eare is abſent, we can ſend our mind by writing to a friend; why not then when the faculty of hearing is wanting, as in deafe men, may we not ſend a meſſage of intelligence to his eye in writing, ſince the eare and eye are knowne to exchange objects, without any robery, in caſe of neceſſity, transferring their ſenſitive rights one unto another?

The youngeſt brother of the ſaid Sir Edward Goſtwick is in the ſame condition, being yet an excellent Limbn • r, invited to that art by his Genius, or ſome ſignalitie of ſpirit obſerved in him. Painting and Limbning next to writing, having beene ever thought of excellent uſe, and to afford ſingular contentation to thoſe that are borne deafe and dumbe. And therefore Q. Pedius the Nephew of Q. Pedius a man of Conſular degree, and one that had tryumphed, by Caeſar Dictator, made Co-heir with Auguſtus, being dumbe by nature: Meſſala the Oratour, of whoſe familie the Grandmother of the childe was deſcended, being carefull how the Boy ſhould be brought up, after mature adviſe and deliberation thought good that he ſhould by ſignes and imitation be trained up in the Art of Painting: And Auguſtus Caeſar approved of his judgement and advice herein; and in truth, the young Gentleman being apt thereto (although he dyed a youth) was growne a great proficient in that Art.

Sir John Keyes, Maſter of the Ordinance to King James, had two Siſters, who were both borne Deafe and Dumb; they could write, and were very ingenious to imitate any kinde of needle work they ſaw.

Sir Miles Fleetwood hath two handſome Gentlewomen to his daughters, both borne deafe and dumbe.

De La Barre the rich Dutch Merchant, who lived at Eeling in Middleſex, had two daughters born deafe and dumb, they were both marryed: A Friend of mine who was once in their companies at Brainford (their Husbands alſo being there;) told me he did much admire at their dexterity of perception; for by the leaſt motion of their Husbands countenance or hand, they preſently conceived of their meaning.

Maſter Freeman of London Skinner, had two daughters both deafe and dumbe.

One Maſter Diet a Parſon in Staffordſhire, hath a Brother and Siſter both deaf and dumbe.

One Thomas Xing Farmer of Langley, in the County of Eſſex, had by one woman a ſonne and three daughters, all deafe and dumbe.

One in Oſmaſton, within a mile of Darby, had foure ſonnes and all of them were borne deafe and dumbe.

One John Gardiner of Thaxted in Eſſex, hath a ſonne and daughter both deafe and dumbe; his ſonne Robert Gardiner, is a Tradeſman here in Towne, and one of the moſt notable examples I have diſcovered, for proofe of the feeling of ſounds: and whom to the ſatisfaction and admiration of ſome Friends of mine, I have ſhewed and expoſed to a philoſophicall view and tryall.

And as I am informed by a Merchant of credit living in London, who hath a ſonne deafe and dumbe; there was in Lincolneſhire, one Maſter Dalliſon a Gentleman that uſed grazing, who had three ſons born deaf and dumb who made them all 3 Graziers; and they proved the craftieſt in that way, that the Country ever bred: for they were very expert at their pen, which they managed in all their affaires, with ſingular readineſſe, uſing it (as it is indeed) for a kinde of ſupplementall ſpeech: I am informed by an accompliſht Gentleman that knew them, a learned Friend of mine, they were ſo accurate at the pen, that they could write the Creed in the compaſſe of a farthing, which he hath ſeene fairely ſo written by them.

One Maſter Adams in the Eaſt of Kent had two daughters, very handſome proper Gentlewomen, which were all the children he had, and they were both borne deafe and dumbe.

A Husbandman of Sherington, within a mile of Newport, in the County of Buckingham, had a ſonne and a daughter both borne deafe and dumbe.

A Husbandman living at Tilſtone in Cheſhire, about ſeven mile from Cheſter, had two daughters. Twins, that were borne deafe and dumbe, having but two eyes betweene them; one of the eyes of each of them being originally blinde; they lived both to be old women. Some Cheſhire men of my acquaintance, who knew them both, affirme, that they had a very ſtrange and admirable nimbleneſſe of perception, both to underſtand others, and to deliver their owne mindes by ſignes, which happened, without doubt, unto them through the marvelous recompence that nature affordeth in ſuch caſes: For, having but one eye, the ſight of that was certainely very accurate.

Ariſtotle is of opinion that deafneſſe and dumbneſſe are privations onely hapning unto men. Yet there be who are of another minde for, that Horſe who never moves nor prickes up his eares at any noiſe or ſound, and uſeth to caſt back his eares, is deafe: and that horſe who in the companie of thoſe he hath uſed to travell with, never neighes, is dumbe. Yet if a Horſe were foaled deafe, hee would not be conſequently dumbe, becauſe the ſpeech of beaſts is naturall unto them, and hath no dependencie upon the eare, and ſo it cannot be excluded by a privation of hearing, through any naturall deafeneſſe.

Obſervation. III.

HE was borne deafe, and ſo conſequently he was dumbe They who from their firſt conformation and birth are deafe, they likewiſe are 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , or at leaſt live 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . Hence ſurdus quaſi ſeoridus. i. ſine ore, and mutus quia eo ſenſu minutus. The chiefe cauſe why they who are borne deafe are conſequently dumbe, is ſuppoſed to be the ſympathy betweene the inſtruments of hearing and ſpeaking, the reaſon of whoſe ſtrict ſociety and communion is not knowne to all men; which according to Bartholinus is two fold: firſt a nerve of the fift conjugation hath diverſe branches ſhooting from it, the greater is expanded into the Eare, and the membrane which is of exquiſite ſenſe, and carries the ſpecies of all ſounds unto the Braine: the leſſer branch runs out to the Tongue, and the Larynx, by reaſon of this communion of veſſels (which with Hippocrates and Galen is the onely cauſe of a ſimple ſympathy) the affections of the Eare and Tongue are eaſily communicated. Hence when the membrane of the Eare is touched by two deepe a picking, there followes a dry Cough; and in the inflamation or impoſtume of the Lungs, with a ſhortneſſe of the breath, the eares grow moyſt. The ſecond cauſe of this ſympathy is a little Cartalagineous Canale, as it were an Aqua-duct, which from the ſecond paſſage of the Eare is carryed unto the Palate, ſo that from the mouth into the Eare, and from the Eare into the mouth, the ayre doth freely paſſe and repaſſe, whence when wee would heare with more attention, we hold our breath leſt by inſpiration of the thick ayre, the Cochlea of the eare ſhould be filled, and the Tympanum extended. They alſo that doe pick their eare, doe raiſe ſpettle, becauſe by that compreſſion there is made an expreſſion of excrements into the Cartilagineous Aqueduct, and from thence into the Tongue, for, by this way (which was made to purge out the congenit ayre) there lyes a paſſage for the excrements from the eare to the mouth, but not è contra, by reaſon of the Valvula it hath; whence in the affections of the eare, Maſticatories are ſo beneficiall. And therefore when the inſtruments of hearing are hurt or ill affected, the inſtruments of ſpeech, that have ſo neere an allyance unto them, are likewiſe endamaged. Laurentius ſayes, that they who from their firſt conformation are deafe by reaſon of the obſtruction, exolution, and refrigeration of the nerve of the fift paire, they alſo are mute. Campanelia ſayes that naturall deafeneſſe proceedes either from the obſtruction of the Auditories, or the want of the Meningis, and theſe are all mute without a voyce, not without ſound, for ſound is naturall, but the voyce and ſpeech is learnt by hearing, or altogether deſtitute they are of ſpeech, yet they utter a voyce, which is ſo far from enabling Dumbe men to expreſſe their conceptions to others, that they ſeeme very unapt to doe it, neither can any underſtand Dumbe men, unleſſe thoſe who are a long time and much exerciſed with their converſation; neither could they then, unleſſe Dumbe men themſelves, beſides the voice, did adhibit diverſe geſticulations of the hand and whole body: Notwithſtanding, in as much as the voyce is naturall, it is underſtood of all men, and therefore when Dumbe men utter any ſad voyce, all men underſtand it, and will perceive the affection of the minde to be ſadneſſe; and herein Dumbe men will alſo very well underſtand one another, if they be not originally Deafe.

The great noyſe and gabling which Deafe and Dumbe folks make, eſpecially when they are angry, proves them to have a ſufficient command of their voyce the ſound whereof many times makes the houſe to ring againe, with their inarticulate noyſe of their anger: Inſomuch as he who to avoyde the inconvenience of Domeſticke tempeſts, ſhould marry a Dumbe Miſtreſſe, may perchance ſpeed no better then Seigniour Moroſo did with his Silent woman.

The reaſon may be, That Deafe and Dumbe folke being deprived of hearing, they are not ſo capable of a ſoft anſwer or Apologie inductive to a pacification, which might allay and calme the tempeſt of their anger: and then wanting a vent of ſpeech, whereby others uſually denounce their indignation, they pay it with the voyce, which is the onely weapon they have left, moving their tongue, as if they would hammer and forge out ſomething equivalent to an Articulate voyce; which they manage to the utterance; from which there reſults ſuch a noyſe, which although inarticulate, is ſignificent enough to expreſſe their paſſion and chollericke indignation.

Petraeus adjudgeth deafeneſſe to happen through an ill and unapt ſtructure of the eares, and imperfect occluſion of the auditory Nerve, or by obſtruction from a humour, or craſſe winde, and theſe for the moſt part are mute.

Jonſtonus ſayes, deafeneſſe happens through default of the braine, which either begets not animall ſpirits, or tranſmits them not, through ſome peculiar diſeaſe. Secondly, in the auditory nerve which doth not carry them, or by a vitious conformation; whence deafe men are for the moſt part dumbe. Some indeede thinke that originall deafeneſſe may happen through a diſlocation or ill diſpoſure of the little bones of hearing. But Capivaccius ſays they erre and are ignorant in Anatomie, who thinke the hearing may be hurt through any defect of thoſe three little bones of the eare. It were to be wiſhed, that diſtection had been made of many Deafe and Dumbe, which might have diſcovered the ill conformation of the inſtruments of bearing, and the other cauſes of theſe impediments.

Magirus Sennertus and others from the ſame ſympathie inferre dumbneſſe to be a conſequence of naturall deafeneſſe

Varolius on the contrary, inferres deafeneſſe from dumbneſſe. The auditorie Nerves, ſaith hee, ariſe on bo •• ſides of that part of the Ce • ebellum which he calls Pontem, or the Bridge; and the nerves of Taſte ariſe about the middle of the ſame betweene both the nerves of hearing: From which my obſervation, you may ſaith he, if you pleaſe, drawe out a reaſon, why from thoſe that are dumbe by nature their hearing alſo is taken away. Since the nerves of hearing and the Tongue are derived from the ſame principle: But this is not ſo probable a way of arguing as the other, ſince the chiefeſt ſigne to diſtinguiſh naturall deafeneſſe from diſeaſed, is, that they who are borne deafe are alwayes dumbe. Of which the true cauſe is not this ſuppoſed ſympathy betweene the eare and the tongue, which Mercurialis a moſt exact and judicious Phyſition approvs not of; but that which followes in the relation is the undoubted cauſe; for, this Lord was deafe, and ſo conſequently dumbe; for not being able to heare the ſound of words, he could never imitate nor underſtand them: Therefore Alexander anſwering to this Problem; Why they that are borne deafe are likewiſe dumbe? Saith, That ſpeech and diſcourſe are acquir'd by diſcipline, diſcipline comes by hearing. Whence hearing taken away, there is no place left for diſcipline to enter in, and ſo conſequently ſpeech is deſtroyed; it being impoſſible to apprehend Idioms, or to forme new, without hearing: For, the minde of the deafe not inſtructed by ſound, cannot tell how to forme thoſe vocal words which the wit of man hath invented, for they can neither conceive in their minde, nor produce with their tongue words which they never heard: For, speech in the naturall and ordinary way, is learnt by diſcourſe, heard and conveyed to the underſtanding by the eare, which is the ſenſe of diſcipline. For, man being borne to the knowledge of all things, it behooved him in ſooth to be diſciplinable, that beſide ſenſitive knowledge, his underſtanding might perceive thoſe things by diſcipline, to which the ſenſes could not attaine, but the hability to diſcipline conſiſts in the nature of our Intellect, which is certaine pure power of its owne nature reſpective to all kind of knowledge, to which in as much as it is diſciplinable, all the ſenſes are ſervicable, but more eſpecially the hearing, without which men attaine to none or little and unconſiderable diſcipline: for they who are born deaf, or become deafe in their infancie, although they may have the parts of their voyce and ſpeech, yet they never learne to ſpeake, wanting the chiefe medium to greater diſciplines. And although deafe and dumbe men may attaine to ſome knowledge by diſcipl •• e, yet they never arrive to the intimate offenſes of things by apprehenſion whereof our Intellect gaines a proper perfection. All this happening unto them through their defect in hearing, which as Theophraſtus ſaith, of all the ſenſes neereſt allyde unto Reaſon, and thereto thought by Ariſtotle moſt to conf •• the receite of diſcipline. Montaigne • Riverus alſo) would have both there ſons ſympatheticall and privative, to introduce the conſequence of dumbneſſe upon deafneſſe, being of opinion, that the reaſon why they that are deafe ſpeak not at all is, not onely becauſe they could not receive the inſtruction of Words by the Eare, but rather in as much as the ſenſe of hearing whereof they are deprived, hath ſome affinitie with that of ſpeaking, both which with a naturall kinde of ligament or ſeame hold and are faſtned together: in ſuch ſort as what we ſpeake we muſt firſt ſpeake it unto our ſelves, and before wee utter and ſound the ſame forth to ſtrangers, we make it inwardly to ſound unto our Eares.

Obſervation. IV.

HIs deafeneſſe it ſeemes was ſuch that if a Gun had beene ſho • off cloſe by his eare, he could not heare it; yet Phyſitians and Chirurgions had long employed their skill to remedy that unhappy accident. Which method was commendable in reſpect of the uncertaine cauſe of the impediment: For although the cure, according to the opinion of all, cannot be effected where originall deafeneſſe proceeds out of the privation (or as they ſpeake) Ex carentia foraminis, that is, when the Auditorie nerve is wanting, and not planted in the ſtony Bone, or when the nerve it ſelfe is created ſolid: or when the orbicular membrane, the Tympanum, or more properly called the membrane of the Tympanum, which is pellucid, thin, and ſubtile, that ſounds might be more eaſily transferred to the congenit ayre, is thick from their birth becauſe theſe things happen through a defect of the Plaſtique virtue: And what nature once takes away, the Phyſitian by no art can repaire, there being alſo no returne allowed from a privation to a habit: Yet ſince poſſibly ſom • other matter might bee in cauſe, and nature many times in a ſtrange extraordinary manner appeares propitiouſly to co ••• rate with the adminiſtrations of A •• ; this concluſion was neceſſary, which proceding the attēpt, was a means of advancing the reputatiō of the cure which was wrought by a new way of ocular ſuppeditation, beyond the reach of any cōmon • uriſts skill. But before we winde up this Obſervation, it would be worth the noting, what Mercurialis conceives to be the cauſes why hearing is ſo frequently hurt from mens nativities, which he delivers to be chiefely three. One is that the Infant in the wombe hath all the inſtruments, almoſt of the ſenſes occluded, except the eares, for it hath neither the noſtrils, nor mouth, nor eyes open: Yet for the moſt part it hath the Eares wide open, and therefore it eaſily comes to paſſe that ſomewhat out of the wombe may fall into the Eares, which indeede cannot happen to the other ſenſes. Another reaſon is, that the inward inſtrument of hearing is empty, and being empty in the wombe, and a moſt moyſt head, is eaſily repleniſhed. A third reaſon is, that the auditory nerues & the proper inſtrument of hearing, are nearer to the braine then the other inſtruments of ſenſe, and being nearer the braine, are more p • ſſible; and hence it comes to paſſe, that they are more eaſily offended. To theſe Varolius ſeemes to afford a fourth reaſon, or if you had rather, the third very much explained and enlarged. The riſing ſaith he, of the Auditorie nerves, from the proceſſe of the Cerebellum, as it ſhewes the uſe of the after-Braine was to be the chiefe principle of the ſenſe of Hearing: So it teacheth us the cauſe why more are deprived of their hearing from their nativitie, then of any other ſenſe: For ſince they proceede from the Cerebellum, and are not drawne out far, they are eaſily ſtopped with the mucous excrements thereof.

Another thing obſervable is, that both the Eares are alwayes affected in originall deafeneſſe; that being the chiefe ſigne of naturall deafeneſſe, which being cauſed, almoſt, alwayes through the diſeaſe of the Braine, whence the cauſe being internall and common to both the Auditorie nerves, it is neceſſary that at the offence of a Principle both the nerves ſhould be offended, and conſequently, both Eeares grow Deafe. Which happens otherwiſe in Diſeaſes, becauſe deafneſſe in a Diſeaſe, for the moſt part proceedes from ſome externall cauſe precedent; now an outward cauſe may •• rt one Eare, the other unhurt, becauſe the Eares being very remote, one care may be hurt from without or within, the other unhurt: ſo that the Principle of the Nerve be not offended.

Obſervation. V.

THe lovelineſſe of his Face, and eſpecially the exceeding life and ſpiritfulneſſe of his Eyes, and comelineſſe of his perſon, and the whole compoſure of his body throughout, were pregnant ſignes of a well tempred minde within. Whence we note, that it is requiſite he ſhould be an expert Phiſiognomer, who attempts this Art to judge of the capacity, fit yeares, and ingenious compoſure of countenance, the ſigne of a well tempered and Docile minde, which as they were inductive encouragements to the firſt Attemptor: So no queſtion did much conduce to the facility of the worke For, Ex •• ni ligno non fit Mercurius, and it had been in vaine to have caſt away time to relieve an Idiot, maugre the indiſpoſition of Nature and Minerva, who had not ſo much as matter to worke upon.

Obſervation. VI.

ALl that knew him lamented much the want of meanes to Cultivate his minde, and to embrue it with thoſe notions which it ſeemed to be capable of, in regard of it ſelfe, had it not beene ſo croſſed by this unhappy accident. The condition that they are in who are borne deafe and dumbe, is indeed very ſad and lamentable: for they are looked upon as miſpriſions in nature, and wanting speech, are reckoned little better then Dumbe Animals, that want words to expreſſe their conceptions; and men that have loſt the Magna Charta of ſpeech and priviledge of communication, and ſociety with men: For by this one thing men chiefely differ from other living creatures. This is the interpretor and as it were, the meſſage of the minde: This doth eaſily expreſſe and declare thoſe things which the underſtanding conceives. All which things, how much they confer to the attaining of diſcipline? how much to the ſociety of men among themſelves? And laſtly, how much to their conſervation and perfection? hereby appeares manifeſt, that they who are moſt able in ſpeech, they alſo ſeeme to excell among men, and to be of a more excellent underſtanding: To ſumme up all; Speech doth ſo much avayle to the adorning and perfecting of man, that nothing almoſt greater or better could have beene given by God. And therefore Plato ſayd, The Effluction of words, the Miniſter of prudence, is of all Effluctions the beſt and moſt beautifull. So that in Republicâ literariâ, deafe and dumbe men never attaine to any degree of honour or reſpect. Let us ſee how they are lookt upon in Foro Civili, there, there is much arguing about their Civill capacities, and many Embargos have beene made of their goods, and thoſe priviledges which belong to a free condition, with many inconveniencies and incumbrances on their eſtates.

A deafe and dumbe man cannot be a 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 witneſſe in thoſe things which are perceived by the ſenſe of hearing.

A deafe and dumbe man is uncapable of all conventions which require words.

A man borne deafe and dumbe cannot Donare; ſome extend it to other contracts, but Alexander reproves that extenſion.

A deafe and dumbe man underſtanding nothing is compared to an Infant.

If a dumbe man underſtand any thing, he is compared to a Pupill.

A deafe and dumbe man found a Delinquent is not puniſhed more gently as a Pupill.

A dumbe man may enterpoſe his command, if he have underſtanding, but he cannot interpoſe his authority.

A dumbe and deafe man cannot alienate among the living, for he is like to a dead man.

A man deafe and dumbe by nature, cannot make his laſt Will and Teſtament.

A deafe and dumbe man cannot appoint Executors of his laſt Will and Teſtament.

If a man be dumbe and deafe by nature, ſo that he can neither write nor speake, he cannot make his Teſtament; but if theſe defects be ſevered, that hee can either write or speake, he may make his Will, and it is of force. This therefore is to be obſerved: A man both deafe and dumbe by nature, cannot make his Will, and although it be made for a pious cauſe it is not of fo • ce; among which cauſes liberty is numbred: For a Teſtament made by a man both dumbe and deafe by nature, wherein hee bequeatheth freedome, is of no value. But if he be not mute or deafe by nature, and hath learnt to Paint or Write, hee may make his Teſtament. Yet ſome ſay that in making a laſt Will, there is neede of an articulate voyce, and that ſignes will not ſuffice.

Sennertus very juſtly therefore calls deafeneſſe, Miſerandum malum a pittyfull and miſerable miſchance; for ſince the Eares are as it were the Portall or entrie of the minde, by which thoſe things are ſent into the minde, which are delivered by Doctrine and Inſtitution, for the right managing and tranſacting our life before God and men: that man muſt needes be miſerable who is deſtitute of the facultie of hearing, for hee cannot uſe the ayde and benefit of hearing, either to his eternall health, or preſent ſafety. They are more miſerable yet, who are withall blinde: Since they are not capable of the benefit of this Art, or of an ocular ſupply to their Auricular defect. But moſt miſerable are they, who are blinde, deafe and dumbe. An example of which wretched condition we have in Platerus of a certaine Abbot, who being made blinde, mute, and deafe, by the malignity of the French Pox, could no other way underſtand and perceive the mindes of others, then by their drawing letters upon his naked arme with their finger, or piece of wood; expreſſing ſome intimation unto him, out of which ſingly by themſelues apart perceived, he collected a word, and of may wordes a ſentence; which how miſerable a caſe it was, and how horrid the puniſhment of his committed ſinne, any one may eaſily underſtand. A pregnant example of the officious nature of the Touch, in ſupplying the defect or temporall incapacity of the other ſenſes we have in one Maſter Babington of Burntwood in the County of Eſſex, an ingenious Gentleman, who through ſome ſickneſſe becomming deaf, doth notwithſtanding feele words, and as if he had an eye in his finger, ſees ſignes in the darke; whoſe Wife diſcourſeth very perfectly with him by a ſtrange way of Arthrologie or Alphabet contrived on the joynts of his Fingers; who taking him by the hand in the night, can ſo diſcourſe with him very exactly; for, he feeling the joynts which ſhe toucheth for letters, by them collected into words, very readily conceives what ſhee would ſuggeſt unto him. By which examples you may ſee how ready upon any invitation of Art the Tact is, to ſupply the defect, and to officiate for any or all of the other ſenſes, as being the moſt faithfull ſenſe to man, being both the Founder, and Vicar generall to all the reſt. So that whereas among the ſenſes beſtowed upon us by nature, ſome are neceſſarie to life, others to a happy life; ſome to neither: without the ſenſe of Touch man can neither bee, nor live; without ſight and hearing he may indeed live, yet no way well or happly: ſmelling is neither neceſſary to a mans being nor well-being And that ſight and hearing conduce to a good and happy life appeares in that they are moſt neceſſary for the acquiring prudence and diſcipline. And although Ariſtotle ſeemes to have thought that ſight did more conferre to prudence then hearing: Yet Mercurialis is of another opinion, becauſe he obſerved blinde men to be oftentimes wiſer and more prudent then thoſe that were deafe. So that he who is deprived of his hearing ſeemes to be at the greateſt loſſe; and therefore a good Auriſt is worthy of double honour.

But moſt diſconſolate is their condition who are naturally deafe and withall indocile fooles or mad, of which ſort I have known many: For they commonly are deprived of the ſociety and converſation of men and by reaſon of their incapacitie and want of underſtanding, they are fit for no publique employment, and they are in vaine and impertinently preſent at any conference or conſultation, their condition in many things being far worſe then that of blinde men. In the Civill Law, a deafe man underſtanding nothing, is compared to an Infant, and if he altogether want underſtanding, he muſt have a Guardian appointed him, it being left to the arbitriment of the Judge to determine whether he hath underſtanding or no, and there are certaine ſignes nominated by which hee muſt demonſtrate that he is not voyde of underſtanding. And when it is preſumed that he wants underſtanding, he is interdicted Marriage by the Canon Law.

Obſervation. VII.

AT the laſt there was a Prieſt who undertooke the teaching him to underſtand others when they ſpoke, and to ſpeake himſelfe that others might underſtand him. It is ſomewhat obſerveable, that a Prieſt was the undertaker. I know not how but they have beene Inventors of many ſtrange Arts; which yet no great wonder if wee conſider their receſſe, opportunitie and encouragements to ſtudy, and all their advantages to promote a contemplative life. And as they ſay of them who ſhall be Inventor and Owner of the Philoſophers ſtone, that he muſt have many good and pious quallifications: So he that attemps ſuch an exploite as comes neerer to a true miracle then thoſe of the magi did to thoſe of Moſes (as being an artfull ſhadow of a ſupernaturall and miraculous effect which could not bee done but by faſting and prayer) it will bee neceſſary that he ſhould Prieſt-like ſeriouſly and religiouſly ſet upon the worke, ſince a Heathen would not have attempted ſuch a buſineſſe, without firſt ſacrificing to Mercurie for good ſucceſſe.

He taught him to ſpeake.

In teaching of Parrots and other Birdes that are imitatours of ma • s ſpeech: That man ſhould be the teacher is not the matter, for they will imitate the ſqueaking of Cart wheeles, or any noyſe they heare: but in learning of an Articulate voyce ſo compleat as that of mans is, there is a neceſſity that man ſhould bee the teacher. For man could not have diſcipline, unleſſe from Man, becauſe the active power of diſcipline exiſts in man onely: for as man had the paſſive power of diſcipline granted unto him, ſo it was neceſſary hee ſhould have the active power alſo, delivered unto him: And what the active power ought to have beene, wee ſhall finde in the quality of the paſſive power. For, men are chiefely diſciplinable, quatenus, they have hearing, therefore the active power muſt conſiſt in ſomething that may move the hearing, and ſo effect it, wherefore ſince ſound is the adaequat object of hearing; Man received a power for forming of certaine ſounds, which wee call the voyce, and inſtruments to the Articulation thereof, whereby ſpeech is produced. Indeede the firſt exerciſe of this diſcipline ſeemes to bee committed unto Women, as being by nature more talkative and eloquent, the fleſh of whoſe tongue is ſoft and flexible for the forming of a ſweeter voice and articulation, for which very cauſe, their tongue is broader, whence it appeares by experience that not onely Birds that have a ſoft and broad tongue doe ſing more acute and better; but men alſo (eſpecially women) whoſe tongues are ſofter, are more talkative, and alſo pronounce voyces more articulate then men, by reaſon of the flexibility of their tongue, proceeding from the ſoftneſſe thereof: Did not all of us, as many as are men learne firſt to ſpeake of our Mothers or Nurſes? Hence it is that Plato and Quintilian are ſo carefull in their directions for the choiſe of a fit Nurſe for Children, that the tongue and speech may be rightly and diſtinctly formed: And after the introduction of Colomes into Forraigne Countries, have not the Children borne there, reteyned the ſpeech of their Mother? Certainely Nature her ſelfe the Architectrix of things, ſagaciouſly foreſeeing what was herein convenient for mankinde, hath allowed Women this priviledge, that they are ſeldome any where found mute. And therefore Quintilian ſayes, that Children will prove mute, if they be brought up by Dum • e Nurſes. Yet upon what occaſion ſoever dumbneſſe may happen, there is no certaine judgement to be given of a childs being mute, untill he bee three yeares old. But that this Lord born deafe and dumb: was yet taught to underſtand others when they ſpake, and to ſpeake himſelfe, that others might underſtand him, and this without a miracle, by the power onely of Art; ſeemes to me plainely to contradict that ſuppoſed infallible ſympathy of the nervs of hearing and ſpeech, that without controll or contradiction, many Phyſitians have confidently affirmed to be the onely cauſe why a man deafe from his nativity, is conſequently dumbe: for it had beene impoſſible if that Law of ſympathy had beene perpetually binding, to have recovered ſpeech without hearing firſt, for ſo runne the Lawes of occult Qualities, and the Decrees of the Median and Perſian ſympath • ſts; whereas this Lord having got a paire of Eare-Spectacles before his eyes, whereby the dependencie that ſpeech had upon the eare was taken away: There remained no ſigne of a ſympatheticall league of ſilence contracted betweene the tongue and the eare: But the tongue ſet at liberty, proves free, and being ſui juris, leaves the unprofitable eare, and by Art enters into an Auditory league of amity and allyance with the Eye, which now officiouſly becomes a ſuccedaneum, or Quid pro quo, for the Eare. It muſt bee confeſſed that the effects of ſympathy are very ſtrange, as appeares by rare accidents that have befallen the ſenſes. Camerarius not without admiration, beheld William, Prince of Orange, who upon the receiving of a wound in his Neck, loſt his Taſte. And a French Souldier, who by the like wounnd became mute: for there is a double nerve proceeding from the third Conjugation, which is inſerted into the Larynx, with one branch whereof, the tongue is made apt for ſpeech, with the other Sapours are perceived: That hee ſhould looſe his Taſte is a leſſe marveyle; but that he ſhould looſe his ſpeech, who had his hearing good and his tongue untouched, ſeemed ſaith Bodin incredible to me before, untill we had found it true by experience.

The Inſtruments of ſmelling, have a knowne ſympathy with the Eare: For wee ſee very often, that when the noſtrils and ſenſe of ſmelling is impaired through a dull obtuſeneſſe, that the hearing is alſo ſomewhat offended: likewiſe in ſneezing, when we blow our Noſe, and in holding our breath in our compreſſed noſtrils, who doth not forthwith perceive his hearing and eares really to ſuffer thereupon, Of which (ſaith Mercurialis, in his Epiſtle to Varolius) no man can deviſe a better reaſon, then if he ſhould ſtate the inſtruments of ſmelling to reach on both ſides even to the paſſage of hearing, and ſo ſhould affirme, that the hearing is in ſome ſort co-affected with them: And indeed they who looſe their ſmelling, doe alſo very ſoone become ſomewhat deafe, as you may eaſily perceive. But whether from this ſympathy we may finde any reſolution of that Problem, why thoſe who are thick of hearing doe ſpeake through the noſe, is not yet agreed upon. Although here Mercurialis writing to Varolius about this matter, ſayes, Hee may very well boaſt, that hee hath hereby layd open a way for the explanation of many doubtfull and obſcure effects.

But that there ſhould be ſuch a neceſſity of this common affection happening to the eare and the tongue, as it is the inſtrument of ſpeech, (not yet agreed upon to be a ſenſe) the faire flouriſh of an unſatisfying ſympathy can give little aſſurance. And I am the leſſe affected with this elegant evaſion of a nonpluſt Ignorance, becauſe they who become deafe through any diſeaſe, though their voyce becomes hoarſer; yet they doe not conſequently grow mute: For, that branch onely of the nerve of the fift Conjugation, which is appointed for the office of hearing hath loſt its facultie. And they who become mute by reaſon of ſickneſſe, grow not thereupon deafe, becauſe the other branch of the nerve which is accommodated for the uſe of the tongue, is onely affected. As wee may ſuppoſe it likewiſe happens to them who by ſome extraordinary aſtoniſhment and indignation are ſtrucken dumbe, as the Wife of Nauſimenes the Athenian was, who comming in the interim of her Son and Daughters Inceſt, was ſo ſtrucken with the ſight of that unlook't for, and haynous crime, that ſhe found no words of indignation for the preſent, and for ever after remained dumbe.

Infero Iulio Frier Roccus having obſerved a Monk to riſe every night to pray before the wodden Statue of St. Dominick removed the Image from the Altar, and appareld himſelfe like St. Dominick with a whip in his hand; the Monck comes to pray, Roccus ſhakes his whipe a little, as t'were threatning: the Monck begins to tremble, Roccus moves towards him, the Monck ſlies; Roccus followes, the Monck falls down dead: Roccus having ſet the Image againe in its place, runs with the other Moncks unto him and raiſed him up, who could never ſpeak againe and dyed ſpeechleſſe after few dayes. This Campanella afterward heard of Roccus himſelfe; The ſame hapned in Pracanica, to a certaine ſervant going out very early to the Mill, whom one of his fellow ſervants puting on a ſtrange habit, put into a great fright, as Campan • lla relates the ſtory. Hortenti •• the orator not only crackt his voice with declaming, but by an untimely fate loſt it altogether and became mute on a ſudden, of whom Q. S • ren de Medic.

— Cauſis confectus agendis Obticuit, cum vox Dōino vivexte periret, Et nondum extincti moreretur, lingua diſerti.

The Temple which was built by Iolaus the Nephew of Hercules, unto him, was of ſo great eſtimation with the Inhabitants, that if they failed of their wonted devotion in that place, they preſently became Mute: and if againe they vowed to perfect their Sacred rites, they recovered their ſpeech. And Zacharias, wee know was ſtru • en Dumb by the viſion he ſaw in the Temple, yet neither of theſe, as we may probably conjecture, were thereupon ſtricken Deafe likewiſe.

And that all who are deprived of their hearing, doe not therewithall likewiſe become Mute; we have an example among the Chirurgicall obſervations of Fabricius Hildanus, of a Noble Virgin, the Daughter of that ſtout and moſt noble man, the Lord Se • b • ry Preſident of Blanctenſtein, whom Hildanus familiarly knew. This Lady being borne of a mother in a manner Deafe, about the eight yeare of her age had a Cathar fell into her eares, upon which there followed a tingling ſound: who unluckily falling into the hands of an Emperick, about the twenty fourth yeare of her age, utterly • oſt her hearing, and became ſo deafe, that ſhe could not heare a Gun diſcharged by her eare; Notwithſtanding, ſhe retained her ſpeech, for, not looſing her hearing altogether in her infancie, but after ſhe had been ſufficiently confirmed, and before inſtructed both in her mother tongue, and in the reading of bookes: being well bred, Religious and well given, ſhe retaynd the Elegance which ſhe had attained unto in her mother tongue, and many more diſcourſes to the edification of others. Her husband and ſome of her Domeſtique ſervants, by certaine ſignes and tokens underſtand her meaning, and diſcourſe with her; thoſe that are ſtrangers write their minds in a Tabl-booke, which ſhe hath always ready for that uſe, to whom ſhe returneth anſwer by word of mouth.

And as writing is in it ſelfe a permanent ſpeech, ſo it is permanent to them that become deafe through any ſickneſſe; Platerus makes report of a deafe man who coming to him to be cured, whilſt he ſtayed with him, when any thing was to be declared unto him, if a Pen or Table Booke were not at hand to note ſuch things unto him (for being learned, hee could very well read what was written) if (in the defect of theſe) any one with his finger drawing it on the Table, had expreſſed the figure of letters, he ſtrait underſtood what it meant.

And indeed ſo it ſeldome happens that they who become deafe through any diſeaſe grow alſo to be dumbe, that the Records of ſuch accidents are very rare among the memorable Hiſtories of Phyſicke; among which, after much ſearch, wee have met but with two examples. Fabricius Hildanus in his Chyrurgicall obſervations, ſpeakes of a Sonne of the Reverend and moſt excellent Man, both for learning and pieti • , Joannis de L. Ozea, Miniſter of the More •• nſian Church; whom Hildanus remembers to have bin a Boy very well educated, lively, and for his age ſtrong and talkative, untill the right yeare of his age; at which time, being taken with a grievous 〈◊〉 ; he was cured rather by the benefit of 〈◊〉 then of Phyſi • ue: For, no rational Phyſitian was called to adminiſter unto him, preſently after his diſeaſe, when by little and little he grew ſo Deafe, that he no • onger underſtood what any one ſpake • nto him, he became alſo Mute: neither could he to this time, be reſtored by • ny remedies; he lived when Hildanus wrote this Centurie, at Moratum: well enough Married, where he is famous for an excellent Turner, which is the Art he exerciſeth, Hildanus was an eye witneſſe of this conceited, and crafty wit, which was ſuch, that he underſtood the minde of thoſe that were converſant with him, at the firſt ſight, by geſture of their body. But this Muteneſſe happned not unto him through any ſympatheticall affection of the Tongue with his Eare; but by a privation of conſequence; for, being at the eight yeare of his age not ſufficiently confirmed and grounded in his Mother Tongue, hereupon when he could no longer underſtand what m • n ſpoke, he eaſily loſt that which he had formerly learned.

Platerus hath ſomewhat the like relation of the daughter of a certaine noble and illuſtrious • ord, who being 7 years old, could neither hear nor ſpeake; yet could utter a word: being otherwiſe ingenious and induſtrious, and who endeavoured with many imperfect offers to expreſſe words, and to utter an articulate voice; the whole cauſe of which evill, Platerus (indeed) imputes to the ſympatheticall league between the conjugation of Nerves, from the auditory Nerve propagated to the Nerves of the Tongue; ſince the Tongue which for motion and the ſenſe of Taſt, ſtood in need of many Nerves; if there happen any defect to any one branch onely, it cannot effect motion ſo ſufficiently as is required to the pronunciation of ſyllables; although the Tongue may be moved, and there may appeare no ſenſible defect in the motion of it. But he doubted whether this happned unto the noble Virgin from her birth, although they made account that ſhe in the firſt yeare of her age, ſo entertained and applyed her Eares to ſounds, as if ſhe had heard them: Afterwards the Headach which ſhe ſuffered, ſeemed to have occaſioned the enſuing-loſſe: concerning her ſpeech he delivers nothing certaine; ſince infants (otherwiſe) by reaſon of their inb • cility cannot ſpeake ſo ſoone: yet he thinks it • s very likely, that ſhe then loſt her ſpeech, when ſhe was deprived of her hearing, which thought of his is undoubtedly un • o the purpoſe.

But as to his charging this upon the • ld ſympatheticall account, I am not of • is minde, but rather had reckon her failing in the weak inchoation of ſpeech, as a neceſſary conſequence of the privation of the ſenſe of hearing: and her imperfect offers at articulate pronunciation at her ſeaventh yeare, to be the faint and dying motions of an imperfect and feeble ſpeech: and the green fruite of the lips, • nipt in their bud, & periſhing before thorough ripe. And in this ſenſe would I underſtand that of Mercurialis in his Prelections of the diſeaſes of the Eare; Sur di a morbo, quantum ſit ratione ſurditatis non ſunt muti, Dico ratione ſurditatis, qua fieri poteſt, ut morbus qui facit ſurditatem, etiam auferat loquelam, that is, they who are Deafe through a diſeaſe, by reaſon of their Deafneſſe are not mute; that is ſimply in as much as they are deafe: yet it may ſo fall out, that the diſeaſe which occaſions Deafneſſe, may deprive them of their ſpeech alſo: to wit, if there be laeſio principii, that the come on principle of both faculties all affected, or by accident, upon the prec • ding loſſe of their hearing, as in theſe examples.

The like (as I am credibly informed) hath hapned unto a Gentlewoman a Neece of Sir Robert Pyes Lady who now liveth with her, who having had her hearing, and thereby attained to ſome degree of ſpeech, about the ſecond • y are of her age was deprived of both, by a great ſickneſſe that befell her; and remaineth now, being a woman growne, ſo deafe and dumbe, that any one unacquainted with the occaſion of her loſſe, would ſuppoſe her to have been originally deafe and dumbe: Deafneſſe hapning to her in the very initiation of her ſpeech, ſoone obliterating the weake impreſſion of that imperfect language ſhe had then attained unto; for, hearing being the ſenſe of memory, that affected, in all probality, the memory muſt ſuffer ſome Diminution with it, which hapned to them both, without any impeachment of their intellects, they retayning the uſuall capacity and underſtanding of Deafe and Dumbe folkes, and their dexterity in expreſſing themſelves by ſignes. Speech onely being ſoone aboliſhed by oblivion, where diſcourſe with others cannot bee maintained; nor any recruite allowed unto the tongue thereby; there having never been (as yet) any way contrived by Art to inable men made Deafe by ſickneſſe, to learne de novo, to ſpeake, notwithſtanding the impediments of the Eare This accidentall dumbneſſe which thoſe fell into, being of that kind wherein the voyce or rather vociferation or ſound indeed remaines, but yet the articulate ſpeech is intercepted, w • h kind of mutenes is by the Greeks called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , which is found an analoicaglly in infants, but properly in thoſe who have loſt their ſpeech through ſome preceding diſeaſe.

Riverus a ſtrong ſympathiſt in this point, would have the reaſon thereof to be evident, ſeeing they who are deafe from their Nativitie, if they had not the inſtruments of their ſpeech vitiated, they would bring forth an articulate voice out of a naturall inſtinct, as other Animals doe, although from their Nativitie they ſhould be ſeperated from other Animals of the ſame ſpecies, that they could never heare them, yet they would bring forth a voice that is Connaturall unto, them. But they (ſaith he) who are Deafe from their nativitie utter no articulate voice, but onely a confuſed ſound, which argues a manifeſt leſion of the parts ſerving to the ſpeech: for anſwer whereunto, I confeſſe it may ſo fall out, that cauſe which deprives the eare orginally of its hearing, may alſo take away the faculty of ſpeech from the tongue; yet in moſt deafe and dumbe men that I have ſeene, I cannot perceive but that they have thoſe few naturall expreſſions which proceede from the inſtinct of nature, which are rather paſſions of the minde, then any ſignificant ſounds that properly belong to any Tongue or language: ſuch as is the interjection of laughter, as ha, ha, he, of ſorrow, as ha of weeping, as oh, of crying out for aide, as O, although it may be they utter them not altogether in ſo plaine a tone as they who enjoy their ſpeech.

Neither if any man be originally dumbe, is there any reciprocall neceſſity that he muſt be deafe. Hence Ioachimus Mynſingerus in the Scholiaſt upon the Inſtitutions, Stating the foure caſes of deafe and dumbe men ſaith, Si aures apertae ſunt, lingua vero impedita, ſive ex accidenti, ſive novercante natura contraxerit, &c. Which words imply, that one may be dumbe from their Nativitie, and yet injoy their hearing; Arculanus upon Almanſor, raiſes a doubt, whether the number of dumbe or deafe men be greater? to which it is replyed, that there are more dumbe from their Nativitie, then deafe; for, all that are deafe are dumbe; becauſe through their defect of hearing, they cannot learne how to forme letters, ſyllables nor words; dumbe men being dumbe from their Nativitie, by reaſon of ſome defect in the nerves moving the tongue, which come from the ſeaventh paire of nerves of the Braine: who yet notwithſtanding are not deafe, there being no defect exiſtent in the fift paire of nerves of the Braine, and in the other Organs and inſtruments which ſerve to hearing; whereas, ex tempore, there are more deafe then mute; for we ſee by the courſe of Times and cauſes occuring to ſick men, that the eare is oftener hurt then the tongue; for nature was very carefull to furniſh the tongue with greater nerves and Arteries for the Tuſts ſake, without which man can not long ſubſiſt; the Tongue moreover being lodged in a ſaf •• place, incloſed in an immured den, whereas the eares are more obnoxious by their ſcituation to be endamaged by extraneous occurrents. Fontanus puts the queſtion, An muti fiant loq • aces? and he affirmes by way of anſwer, that he ſaw this verified in Zacharias his foole; about which accident he writes to Luſitanus, deſiring an explication of that wonderfull example. Zacharias, ſaith he, a foole Orphant, who would be angry at the motion of the Moone, Lunatique and mute, theee months before his death, fell into a Conſumption; and when he was waſted ſo farr that he drew neere death, he ſpake freely, gave thankes to me and the ſtanderes by, for our undeſerved favours to him, yea kiſſed my hand before I felt his Pulſe. This man in his right wits, departed godly out of this life. Io which prodigious Hiſtory Luſitanus returnes in anſwer, that it had neede of a Coon or Pergamean Oedipus. But, ſaith he, That men ſhould have an impediment in their voyce, and become ſpeechleſſe and mute, by reaſon of Copious humidity tenaciouſly infixed about the organs of the voyce, is no new thing; ſince many deſtitute of ſpeech in their youth, in the progreſſe of their age, (by the helpe of Art) have been made vocall, the excrementitious moyſture being wholly ſpent. If this ſaith he be true, which I take to be moſt certaine, what ſhould hinder but that our ſick man who remained mute ſo long, his body conſum'd, and the ſuperfluous moyſture by the force of the torrid and feaveriſh heate exhauſted, ſhould ſpeake; his vocall organs being made more fit to performe that office?

And Valeſcus de Tarant • affirmes, that many children who had impediment in their ſpeech, have been reſtored by their Adoleſcencie. Mercurialis reports of Maximilian the ſonne of Frederick the third Emperour, that he was dumbe, untill the ninth yeare of his age, and yet notwithſtanding afterwards he proved a moſt eloquent Prince.

There are ſtories extant of certaine dumbe-men, who by reaſon of ſome extraordinary fright and paſſion, have received the gift of ſpeech, Valerius Maximus reports, that one Aegles Samius a dumbe wreſtler, when the title and reward of a victorie he had obtained, was taken from him, being kindled with indignation, his paſſion unlockt his Tongue, and gave him ſpeech.

Iuſtin, and Herodotus report, that when the walls of Sardis were taken by an onſlaught, a certaine Perſian with his drawn ſword ſet upon Croeſus unknown unto him, as if he had meant to ſlay him, whom when Craſus, engaged in the ſlaughter of the enemie, neglected to avoyde; his dumbe ſonne Athys, deeply apprehending the danger his father was in, is ſaid to have broke out into theſe words, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , i. e. h • mo ne perimas Craeſum, where 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Piſcator obſerves, pathetically ſhewes the affection of a troubled ſpeech, not a little encombred with feare; for when he ſhould have ſaid 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , his feare and indignation precipitating his ſpeech, made him ſay 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . And from this firſt time of his ſpeaking, he ever afterward enjoyed the benefit of ſpeech. Pauſanias reports that one Balthus a dumbe man, wandring up and down in a Deſert, met with a Lyon, and was ſtrucken with ſo exceeding great feare and trepidation, that thereupon he obtained the guift of ſpeech. And in this caſe they muſt be frighted as well as angred: for, a mixt paſſion which cauſeth a Miſcellaneous motion of the native heate, is onely efficacious in this buſineſſe; for, the conflict that ariſeth out of both theſe paſſions mixed, to wit feare and anger, hath unequall motions of the native heat, for it is revoked and drawn in by feare, and the Animal faculty moves to its center: and againe by anger it is plentifully moved in the way of expanſion to the circumference; ſo that the native heate is variouſly mixed and exagitated, more then it could be affected with one of them alone. The native heate becoming hereby more vigorous, and rowzed up with theſe affections is ſo prevalent, that it is able to tame the vitious humours of the body, and to drie up and diſcuſſe the over much moyſture, & imbecility that ariſeth from the importencie of native heat; and if the Nerves of ſpeech are reſolv'd with much moyſture, or the heads of the Nerves by which the voluntary motions of ſpeech are performed are 〈◊〉 with thick 〈◊〉 and tough humours 〈…〉 cut, digeſt and bre • th them out, 〈◊〉 conſequently take away Sta •••• g 〈◊〉 Dumneſſe. Hence you Civil Lawyers, whoſe Pandects are ſtuffed with the ſubtile notions, and obſervations both of Natures regular Acts, and Prevarications affirme, that ſome who have been mute from their Nativity have recovered their ſpeech; and indeed the manner of their recovery, and aſſumption of ſpeech is very ſtrange, for if their eares have been open, and the impediment only in the tongue, that removed, they inſtantly fall to ſpeaking, as if they had perfectly learnt it before: which inference I make not onely from theſe Hiſtories, and reaſon, but ſomewhat a like caſe in Ca • pa • ella, who reports, that he ſaw a Boy foure yeare old, who had always fe •• d filth, and ſuppurations in his eares, neither was h • yet able to ſpeake. He was thought dumbe, yet he heard a voyce and ſound, and tooke in hand to doe what he was commanded; but there hapned unto him cho •• rique, and watry dejections for the ſpace of three daies, and forthwith his eares were healed, and he began to ſpeake well as other Boys of the ſame age, and ſo proceeded to a greater perfection of ſpeech, being when Campanell • writ this relation ſeaven • y a • sold; therefore ſayth he, there are alſo naturall Criſeſes without any diſeaſe; for he was otherwiſe well, and had a very good ſtomack, and purgation, eſpecially if it be naturall, takes away all miſchievous evill of nature.

He was taught to ſpeake. In this caſe of moſt deafe and dumbe men where the tongue is commonly free from any impediments, as this young Lords, it ſeemes was; if any ſpeech had beene naturall to man, why did not hee ſpeake without teaching? or why do not all deafe men whoſe tongues are not reſtrained by nature from voluntary motions ſufficient to declare ſuch a faculty, without teaching come out with it? the moſt unanſwerable argument againſt the naturality of any language is this, that they who are naturally deafe ſpeak not at all, from whoſe force once alledged there is no evaſion. Montaigne indeede is very confident that if speech be not naturall to man, it is not neceſſary; and he would faine evade this argument by imputing deafe mens continuing mute, not onely to their incapacity of ſpeaking from their naturall deafneſſe, but alſo to the ſimpatheticall league betweene the nerves of hearing and the tongue: but that will not bring him off; for the truth is, they ſpeak not, becauſe they cannot heare to learne: He believed alſo that if a child bred in ſome uncouth ſolitarines, far from haunt of people (though as he confeſſeth it were a hard matter to make tryall of it) would no doubt have ſome kinde of words to expreſſe and ſpeech to utter his conceites; for, ſaith he it is not to be imagined that Nature hath refuſed us that meane, and barred us that helpe which ſhe hath beſtowed upon many, and divers other creatures: for my part, I think that Nature hath dealt no more diſcourtiouſly with us in this then ſhe hath in not arming our heads with hornes, ſince ſhe afforded us hands to f • ame any kinde of Armour we ſtand in neede of; for if any ſpeech were naturall to man, he could not be docile and apt to learn other tongues, becauſe that which remained within would prohibit any extraneous: as therefore God made man altogether without Science, that he might be apt and ready to all Arts: ſo there was a neceſſity that he ſhould he made voyd of any ſpeech, that he might learne them all, and if without a teacher as many other things, ſpeech ſhould be borne with men, in good ſooth if they ſhould learne another speech they would be all of a double language; for if the language that a man hath firſt learned doth not prohibit, but that he nevertheleſſe may afterwards learne another (but there are many that can ſpeake two, three, or foure languages) far leſſe could that be prohibited that ariſeth out of nature it ſelfe, by that which is attained by ſtudy, and that which ſome report by divination, hath no great likelihood even in the opinion of Montaigne himſelfe, that Hebrew ſhould be the innate ſpeech of man; a perſwaſion onely nouriſhed by thoſe who are ignorant in Philoſophie; ſince we ſee many men more handſome, and fit for many other languages then for the Hebrew, which could in no wiſe be, for all things are ſpontaneouſly carried to that which is naturall unto them, ſo that ſpeech doth not appeare to be compacted, or performed by nature, but by uſe and cuſtome; otherwiſe as all Nations are of one and the ſame nature, they would have the ſame speech; wheras there is no ſuch matter, but rather it is manifold as cuſtome hath made it currant: naturall indeede it is to man to speake, becauſe nature as we know by the very formation of the mouth, the tongue, and other inſtruments hath ordained them to this uſe; but to uſe this or that speech, falls out by ſtudy and learning, and even the very Idioms proceed from uſe, and a tacit conſent of man: beſides thoſe 70 which aroſe at the lower of Babel in the diviſion of tongues, of whome God would be the Author and teacher; not that they, rather then thoſe that grew extant by uſe had any cognation with nature, but that for a ſhort and expedite diſtribution of Nations, it was expedient there ſhould be many tongues: but God made choice of thoſe that pleaſed him: therefore ſince nothing could be more profitable nor pleaſanter to the life of men, then reciprocally to communicate their cogitations one unto another, neither any thing more naturall then the deſire of knowledge and ſcience, which is purchaſed by teaching and learning and to teach and learne happens, no otherwiſe then by communicating the conceptions of the mind: by the very impulſe of Nature, man is carried unto ſpeech, becauſe there is no choicer or eaſier way can be thought to innuate or declare his minde; therefore men firſt found out ſpeech, whereby they might in words ſignify the conception of their minds.

The language this deafe and dumbe Lord was taught to ſpeake, was Spaniſh, it being the language of the Country wherein he was borne, which ſhould have been his mother tongue, but could not ſo properly be called in him, who had attained unto it, By ſuch a new way of ocular audition, which as all other languages hath ſo little of Naturality in it, that by diſuſe it may be utterly loſt: of which the honourable Relator of this ſtory, in his Treatiſe of bodies, affordes us a notable in one Iohn of Leige who driven by an extreame alarum of feare from the apprehenſion of approaching enemies into a Forreſt for ſhelter, being there loſt, continued ſo long, that he had quite forgot the uſe of ſpeech; inſomuch as when he was found, he was faine to be taught how to ſpeake againe; whereas if his language had been naturall, it could not have been forgotten or loſt by any diſuſe.

Obſervation. VIII.

FOr which attempt at firſt he was laughed at, yet after ſome yeares he was looked upon as if he had wrought a miracle. The attempt to bring reliefe to men borne deafe and dumbe, is a thing ſo far beyond any mans conceite, that they looked upon him as ſome Ʋtopian Montebanck, who firſt pretended to this Art: a ſimple pride, and a ſhallow fate, having been ever the Nurſes of Ignorance, which is the cauſe of ſcornefull laughter; many men being of that temper, that becauſe they cannot conceive how it can be done, therefore it cannot be done, as if all invention were limited within the narrow ſpheare of their capacity. That he was lookt upon as if he had wrought a miracle, ſhewes that the opinion of moſt men is, that Originall deafeneſſe and dumbeneſſe is not curable but by miracle, it having never been done by any other then the Divine Art of miracle-working faith.

And thus we reade in the Goſpell of St. Luke, of one that was poſſeſſed with a Divell, being deafe, blind, and dumbe; for St. Luke makes him dumbe, St. Mathew blind, and from his Dumbneſſe thoſe that comment thereupon, infer his Deafneſſe; Chryſoſtome, Tertullian, and Hierom ſay, That the word Cophos ſignifyeth dumbe and deafe, and ſome interpretours tranſlate it in the ſeaventh of Marke, ſurdum et mutum; To Tytus Boſtrenſis, Lyra, and Euthimius, it ſeemeth that he was not deafe, for that his dumbeneſſe not being Naturall, the Divell might make him dumbe but not deafe, leaving him his hearing for his greater torment. Fonſeca obſerves that he being both blind and deafe. Saint Luke makes mention, that he was onely dumbe, which he purpoſely did (as St. Auſtin hath obſerved) to ſigne out unto us the greateſt ill that could befall him. The words of St. Luke are thus rendered, Et erat Ieſus ej • cieus Doemonium, et illud erat mutum, Ieſus was caſting forth a Divell; this word erat implying the difficulty of getting him out, as alſo the long time of his continuance there; for Chriſt did not preſently caſt out this Divel, but ſtayed, pauſed a while upon the matter; ſhewing thereby, that it was not ſo eaſie a thing to be done as ſome thought it to be, but rather full of difficulty. And when the Divell was gone out, the dumbe ſpake, which when the multitude heard, they marvelled, ſaying, it was never ſo ſeen in Iſrael; inſomuch as ſome of them whiſpered among themſelves, that he was the Sonne of God; and the good old woman Marcella, bleſſed the wombe that bare out Saviour, and the Paps that gave him Suck When our Saviour had cured this man, who upon his enquiry of them who brought him, He found to be have been ſo poſſeſſed from his childhood; the Apoſtles asked Ieſus privately, why they could not caſt him out? Who anſwered them; that that kind would come forth by nothing but Faſting and Prayer. In Eccleſiaſticall Hiſto • es we reade of one Theodimindus, a young man both deafe and dumbe, who was wont to ſtand at St. Martins Church, moving his lips onely, who did ſeem ſo promptly to pray, that he was ſeen to let • al teares ſōetimes between his tacit words, craving almes by his geſture; this youth ſtanding with his eyes lift up to heaven, there burſt out ſtreame of bloud with rotten matter from his mouth, and ſpitting it out upon the earth he began to groane grieveouſly and to hank out I know not what parts of blood, inſomuch as one would have thought ſome body had made an inciſion in this throate with an inſtrument; and purulent matter like bloudy threads h • ng down his mouth; whereupon the ligaments of his eares and jawes being broken, elevating himſelfe, and raiſing up his hands and eyes to Heaven with his mouth yet bloudy, he broke out into theſe his firſt words: I returne great thankes unto thee moſt bleſſed St. Martin that opening my mouth, thou haſt made me after ſo long a time of ſilence deliver words in thy praiſe. The people admiring at this miracle, asked him if he had alſo recovered his hearing, who profeſſed openly to them that he heard all things very well.

The like miraculous reception of ſpeech (in all the circumſtances) hapned to a dumbe man in the Monaſtery of Schwartzachth, as appeares by the Cronicle of the Ʋrſpergenſium Abbats.

It is reported alſo by Eccleſiaſticall writers, that one Anagildus who was both deafe and dumb and blinde was reſtored to all his ſences, whilſt he prayed unto St. Julian: The like is reported of St Bernard, who returning upon a time to his Monaſtery, cured one both deafe and dumbe that ſtood at the Gate. Riverus in his medicinall obſervations affords us a ſtrange example of a Boy both deafe and dumbe, who was cured by a miſchiefe, or a chance-medley miracle, who upon a time, playing at dice, was ſtruck with a big ſtaffe, with which moſt grievous blow his occipitall bone was broken into many particles, of which dangerous wound, notwithſtanding by the induſtry of a skilfull Chirurgion he was cured. And while he grew to be well, his ſenſe of hearing came to him, and he began to ſtammer out certaine little words, untill at length hee attained the perfect faculties of hearing and ſpeaking; and in that condition he lived untill the forty fifth yeare of his age, having been ſcarce two yeares dead when Riverus recorded this Hiſtorie.

Obſervation. IX.

THat ſtrange patience, Conſtancy, and paines was required to the effecting of this worke, any one would imagin, ſince great matters are not ſoone atchieved; it ſeemes it was after ſome yeares, before he who for his undertaking of it 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 was laughed at, was looked upon as if he had wrought a miracle: which is no diſparagement to this Art 〈◊〉 ſpeech is not attained by 〈◊〉 • ut with many difficulties, and 〈◊〉 , after ſome yeares; and, even wr ••• ng which is but the image of ſpeeck, here it can be learnt in any perfection by them who have all their ſenſes, uſually takes up many of our youthfull yeares.

Obſervation. X.

THat he ſhould be brought to speake as diſtinctly as any man whatſoever, and to underſtand ſo perfectly what others ſayd that he would not looſe a word in a whole days converſation, ſheweth the wonderfull perfection of this Art that he ſhould obſerve the accent, and terminations of every word, not hearing himſelfe is very ſtrange: But the laſt is moſt ſtrange and difficult, even to them that have the juſt perfection of all their ſenſes; for who would undertake in a whole days diſcourſe not to faile in underſtanding, or miſſe one word of what another ſayd unto him? which manifeſtly ſhewes that Nature doth pay any defect, by recompencing at leaſt twofold. How he was brought to ſpeake ſo exactly (this naturall Deaſneſſe remaing upon him) is worth the enquirie; for to imagin after what manner the words ſeene (or as we uſe to ſpeake) heard with his eye were transferred to pronunciation, and againe to the intellect; is the greateſt difficulty in this buſineſſe; we will ſuppoſe this tranſmutation was not performed without a neceſſary junction between thoſe words ſeene and the habit of moving the vocall Muſculs: and it manifeſtly proves motion and articulate ſounds to be one and the ſame thing. In children, indeed, who have all their ſences, this tranſition is made as well by ſight as hearing, when they are inſtructed before they can underſtand; for out of the Phancie of the thing ſeē they may come through into the Phancie of the ſound, by joyning the viſion of wordes ſeen in their Horn-books, to the repreſentation of the ſound It being wel known unto us, that boys when they learne to reade, they bring forth a voyce out of a ſound, and that is the reaſon why thoſe who are Deafe by Nature, are neceſſarily mute.

For although boyes do not conceive of or comprehend the ſound of words, yet hearing they learne to know: and although wordes are not underſtood by an Infant, yet this Cognition which conſiſts in ſight and hearing is proper to them; for, man hath underſtanding, as it perſpicuouſly appeares, even from his firſt Infancie, becauſe he learneth. Now how his underſtanding was framed out of words thus ſeen or heard, might be after the ſame manner as out of writing, which is alſo a kind of viſible ſpeech permanent as the motions of the mouth, are a tranſitory ſpeech; for, viſion is made out of ſence, joyning out of viſion, out of many joynings a generall comprehenſion, out of a generall comprehenſion; an vniverſall propoſition, out of an vniverſall propoſition; that kind of joyning which is called reaſon, when one thing is inferred out of another, is the underſtanding made; ſo that as Cardan ſubtilizeth the matter, there are ſeaven orders of Sences. The Exterior, Phancie, junction, memory, generall comprehenſion, Vniverſall propoſition, and the vniverſall it ſelfe which is the property of the mind: ſo that what kind of motion went in by the ſenſory or organ of ſence, (be it Eare or Eye) ſuch as it were from one and the ſame effigies of motion, was returned and pronounced by his voyce; and what he thus ſeeing heard, he learnt to ſpeake the ſame.

But indeed as the Verulamian Oracle of human learning notes, it is a thing ſtrange in nature when it is attentively conſidered, how children learne to imitate ſpeech they take no marke at all as he thinks, of the motions of the mouth of him that ſpeaketh, for they learn in the dark as well as in the light, the ſounds of ſpeech are very curious and exquiſite, ſo one would thinke it were a leſſon hard to learne; it is true, that it is done with time and by little and little, and manny eſſayes and proffers: but all this diſchargeth not the wonder. It would, ſaith he, make a man thinke (though this which wee ſhall ſay will ſeem exceeding ſtrange) that there is ſome tranſmiſſion of ſpirits, and that the ſpirits of the teacher put in motion, ſhould worke with the ſpirits of the learner a prediſpoſition to offer to imitate, and ſo to perfect the imitation by degrees; which operations by the tranſmiſſion of ſpirits, is one of the higheſt ſecrets in nature. But as for imitation, it is certaine, that there is in men a prediſpoſition to imitate, for, no man (in effect) doth accompany with others, but he learneth (ere h'is aware) ſome geſture or voyce or faſhion of the other. But labour and intention to imitate voices doth conduce much to imitation, and therefore we ſee there be certaine Pantomimi, that will repreſent the voyce of Players of enterludes ſo to life, as if you ſee them not, you would thinke they were theſe Players themſelves, and ſo the voices of other men that they heare; and indeed as he ſaith in generall, ſo in this particular caſe, men are to be admoniſhed that they do not withdraw credit frō the operation by tranſmiſſion of ſpirits, and force of imagination, that worke ſuch ſtrange effect at diſtance, by the tranſmiſſion or emiſſion of the ſpirituall ſpecies of words: we will therefore ſuppoſe this ſtrange effect to have been produced by the tranſmiſſion of ſpirits.

Obſervation. XI.

THis learned Relator it ſeemes had often diſcourſed with the Prieſt, whilſt he waited upon the Prince of Wales (now our dread Soveragine in Spayne) and he doubts not but his Majeſtie remembreth all he hath ſaid of him and much more: for his Majeſtie was very curious to obſerve and enquire into the utmoſt of it.

This miraculous atchievment of Art, was not performed in a corner of the world, but in the imperiall City of Madrid, and in the face of the Spaniſh Court: and ſo conſequently there have been many honourable perſons witneſſes of the ſtrange effect of this new Art; among the reſt it ſeemes, it was honoured with the enquiry of his Majeſtie, when he was (being then Prince) in Spaine; and indeed the ſubtilty of this Art was worthy of the Curioſity of a Prince; It being likely his Majeſtie (who is knowne to be an excellent Motiſt, as his judgement in Pictures and Statues witneſſeth: and who was ever vigilant for the advance and ſecurity of government) might apprehend this Art poſſibly to be tranſlated to a uſe of State, and to the advantage and improvement of king-craft; thereby to diſcerne the Trayterous motions of in-choat Treaſons in muttering and diſcontented ſubjects; and verily in this reſpect, it is a ſecret treaſure worthy of a Royall Cabinet.

Obſervation. XII.

ONe great misbecomingneſſe (it ſeemes he was apt to fall into, concerning the tone of his voice, whoſe pitch he could not readily governe, but it would be ſometimes higher, and ſometimes lower; which it ſeemes was not, but upon his firſt entrance upon his ſpeech, where earneſtneſſe to ſpeake, made chance Arbiter of his voyce; for otherwiſe, what he delivered together, he ended in the ſame Key as he begun: ſo that I ſee not but this which ſeemes to be the onely defect this Art cannot remedie, might by his obſervation have been rectified; but perchance he was not come to that point of perfection; for if he could diſcerne the pitch of anothers voyce, and know it to be the meaſure of that motion that appeared to him: one would thinke, with little difficulty he might have made that note his copie; yet were not this poſſibly to be remedied, becauſe he heares not himſelfe; it were not ſo great a blemiſh to this Art, ſince many men who have their hearing cannot moderate their voyce; and Gracchus was forced to uſe the pipe of a Moniter to tune his, when Earneſtnes had tranſpoſed it out of all moderation. And they that are but Surdaſtri, becauſe they heare not themſelves, are guilty of ſpeaking unproportionably loud: his error in this point was not ſo great as to deſtroy the audible articulation of his voyce, for had his voyce in other diſtinct kind been drawn extreame ſmall, or extreame great, it could not have been articulate, for, as the advancer of Learning ſaith, articulation requireth a Mediocrity of ſound: for that the extreame ſmall ſound confoundeth the articulation by contracting; and the great ſound by diſperſing. And although a ſound articulate already created, will be contracted into a ſmall crannie; yet the the firſt articulation requireth more Dimenſion: we doe not heare of any other misbecomingneſſe, or that he ſpake through the Noſe, as Deafe men uſually doe; which Ariſtotle imputes to their vitiated lungs, which compells Deafe men to utter their voyce vehemently, whereupon their voyce breakes out at their Noſtrills. And ſo Deafe men ſpeake through the Noſe; But it ſeemes this affection is more peculiar to thoſe who are accidentall deafe through ſome diſeaſe; and therefore I like the other cauſe of Deafe mens ſpeaking through the noſe, which Caſſius gives us in his Problems; which is, that through that diſeaſe which makes them Deafe, they are conſtrained to dilate their Noſtrills, whence they dilated, the breath of their voyce, breakes out at their Noſe.

Obſervation. XIII.

He could yet diſcern in another whether he ſpoke ſhrill or low; which property he could not have had but by vertue of the Naturall knowledge all men have at firſt ſight of the paſſions and affections of mens minds, and by the ſame rule that we underſtand the articulate language of Beaſts, whoſe geſture, when there is a doubt of the ſence, affords a ſolution of their ſeverall tones.

Now Shrillneſſe being a note of the earneſtneſſe of ſpeech, though he underſtood it not by the Audibleneſſe of the tone: yet he might manifeſtly perceive it by the extraordinary motion required to ſuch a pitch of the voyce; for then the Larynx is drawn upward as we may evidently perceive in our ſelves whē we frame our voyce acute: whereas we may note, that the Larynx is drawn downwards when we would ſpeake in a grave and baſe tone. Therefore beſides the Muſcules ſhuting & opening by degrees the rift of the Larynx, the rough arterie which they call the pipe of the lungs was made of many cartilagineous rings, not quite round, but figured after the manner of the letter Cinterwoven with a ſpherical membrane; ſo that the Larynx drawn upward the compas of the membrane by reaſō of the diſtraction is co • rcted, & the extreame parts of the Rings come in nearer together, and the whole pipe is made ſtreighter; whereupon the little mouth of the Throat being ſtreined in the breath being ſtrongly expel'd, iſſues forth with ſo great a force, that the colliſion there of of produceth an acute voyce: but when the Larynx deſcends, the rings and the pipe are dilated, whence the cleft of the throat being more widened, by a lighter emiſſion and colliſion of the breath, the voyce is made more grave. Hence it is that ſinging-men in riſing with an acute voyce, doe alwayes more raiſe up their head, and come to a prohibited expiration, which declares the Larynx to be both raiſed upwards and obſtructed; diſcending in a baſe voyce, they incline their head, and at length come to expiration without a voyce, which demonſtrates the Larynx to deſcend, and the clift thereof ſo to fly open, that it no way reſiſts the breath in its paſſage; of which if you deſire to have a ſenſible aſſurance, lay your finger on the outſide of your throat, and you will ſoone be ſatisfyed in the truth hereof. Now theſe are not don without motions of conſent in the Face and Neck, for, the veines in ſhrillneſſe ſwell, which denotes ſome heate of paſſion, which Deafe men naturally underſtand better then wee; hence it is that the Aphricans who are exceeding cholerique ſpeake alwayes with an angry and loud voyce, and the Aegyptian Moores are very ſhrill Tongued; But in a calme and moderate ſpeech there appeares none of theſe notes, which are not required to a naturall and midlin temper of diſcourſe.

Obſervation. XIV.

ANother ſtrange acquired property was, That he could ſpeake and repeate after any body any hard word whatſoever what ever language it was of; for he was hereby made a generall Linguiſt, which neceſſarily implyes theſe outward motions of ſpeech, to come very neere to the nature of an vniverſall character, they being naturall and vniverſall; maintaining their Figure which ſprings from the pure Naturality of the letters whereof all languages are compos'd; for although the words of languages are from a mutuall compact: yet the letters, whereof thoſe wordes are compos'd, are Naturall, and the lips diſpoſition to the forming of them, keepes out any other. The riſeing of later Tongues is from the mixture of Tongues; but this of motion regulated by the letters which are naturall, admits of no mutation by Age, but remaines uncorrupted, and ſo will remaine pure, as long as there are lips and a tongue to articulate; for, no man ſhall be ever able to foyſt in any irregular and ſuborned motion, any way to alter the vniverſall forme and property of their pronunciation. I have heard that the King at his being there among other hard words wherewith he tryed the certainty of his ocular audition, named Artaxerxes, which he eaſily perceiv'd & return'd. And indeed if we conſider the way he was taught, and the skill he attained in the Formes of Letters, from whoſe Tranſpoſition onely proceeds the infinite variety of languages; it was not more difficult to him then to diſcerne the language he was taught; for, articles in the ſpeech of man are letters, out of which, as out of its firſt elements, all articulate voyces or ſpeeches of what language ſoever were made, to wit ſyllables are made of letters, words of ſyllables; and at length of words ſpoken oration or ſpeech reſults; whereof all perfect and conſummate ſpeeches are conſtituted, and diſcourſe and communication maintained among all Nations, though of never ſo different languages. But ſince in thoſe Tongues we underſtand not we are all Deafe and dumbe the quaere is, whether he ſpake thoſe hard words with his underſtanding, or onely by a bare imitation? For, I doubt he underſtood onely the received ſignification of thoſe worded motions which are uſed in the language he was taught; ſomewhat like them (if I may ſo ſpeak by alluſion) in the Primitive time, who had the gift of ſtrange tongues 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 which they underſtood not, ſo as to interpret whereof St. Paul ſpeaking, I had rather, ſaith he, ſpeake two wordes with my underſtanding, then many in a ſtrange Tongue, yet you may hereby ſee, how apt this Art is to imitate miracles.

Obſervation. XV.

HE could perfectly eccho and expreſſe wordes in a high manner of exact imitation of the genuine Pronunciation of any language; Nay even of thoſe which imploy much the gutturall letters, as the Welſh and Hebrew doe, which when the Prince of Wales had tryed often by making ſome Welſh-men that ſerved his Highneſſe ſpeake words of their language the Relator who was preſent at the tryall, confeſſeth he more wondered at that, thē at all the reſt; becauſe the motions of that part which frameth the gutturall letters, cannot be ſeene or judged by the Eye, otherwiſe then by the effect they may happily make by conſent in the other parts of the mouth expoſed to view.

The difference of Pronunciation with divers nations is a ſubtlety worth the enquirie; Cardan among thoſe things that put a difference among men, and ſuch a diverſity as ſets them at a diſtance, reckons the tongue or language, neither is there any other thing wherin man differs more from man; for whereas all other animals with the ſame voyce demonſtrat the ſame affections: man is no more underſtood of man, then a Swallow is of a Lion; man indeed hath but one voyce, but there are many kinds of ſpeaking; but what diverſity of pronunciation there is, he confeſſeth he is ſcarce able to number. But there are ſix ſimple kinds; from the mouth, & theſe hiſle as it were; from the tongue within the teeth; from the tongue put out: and this is twofold, as it is in the Lips, and in the Palate: from the Throate, and from the Breaſt; all which differences, almoſt, we may ſee in Italy; for, the Florentines pronounce with the Throate; for, the Florentine Dialect of of the Italian is a little more gutturall in the Pronunciation, then that of Sienna and that of the Court of Rome, which occaſioned the Proverb: Lingua Toſcana in Boca Romana, the Tuſcan Tongue ſounds beſt in a Romans mouth. The Venetian with the Palate, the Neopolitans with their Teeth, and the Genuenſians with their Lips: or according to Iſidors general comprehenſion thus: all orientall Nations knock together their Tongue and words in their Throates, as the Hebrews and Syrians. All Mediterranean Nations ſpeake in the Palate, as the Greeks, and Aſſyrians; all occidentall Nations break their words in their Teeth as the Italians, and Spanyards; All which may be ſuppoſed to happen by reaſon of their choice and frequent uſe of thoſe letters in their language, which are gutturall, palatiall, dentall, or labiall; Therefore the originall roote of the diverſity of languages, is well eſtimated by a moderne Author, to conſiſt in this, that words are compounded of vowells and conſonants: moreover the difference of vowells ariſe from the greater or more configur'd apertion both of the Mouth and Throate. And the conſonants out of the interception of the breath going out by the organs of Teeth, lips, tongue, by their alliſion to theſe, and the pallate, with ſome helpe of the noſtrils, and occluſion of the throat, and it is apparent that theſe members and inſtruments of the voice, are compounded of the Elements, and which follows, by their temper to be more diſpoſed to one then to another motion; and this happens according to the ſcituation of the Regions wherein men live, to be more inclined to ſome vowels, or conſonants then others: whence it comes to paſſe without any further worke, vowels and conſonants were by little and little changed, and ſuch a diverſity enſued, that men no more underſtood one another: and this might happen without confuſion of tongues, of which (according to ſome) there is no very firme ground in the ſacred text; for whereas they were at Babell of one lippe and word, it is thought to imply no more; but that they were all of one minde, and reſolved to remaine united together; ſo that there needed no more to confound their tongues, then to diſperſe them into ſeverall Countreys: and becauſe divers Nations are affected after a diverſe manner, and have a peculiar manner of expreſſing the Ayer: the Germans ſpeake with a kind of impetuoſity, the cold retruding their breath, and therefore they pronounce many letters conſonants. The Venetians many liquids and many vowels, becauſe they dwell in a liquid Countrey. The Spaniards prolix voyces with vowels and hiſſing ſpirrits, out of the heat and acumen of their Region. The Italians in a midling climate in a meane betweene both: now although the naturall Letters by their tranſpoſitions are able to expreſſe any language agreed on by the inventive conſtitutions of men; yet all tongues are not neceſſarily tyed to take in all the Letters of natures Alphabet; for the language of Cuzco wants B D F G J conſonant, and ſingle L, and makes ſhift with the other naturall Letters. B is not uſed by the Chinoys, and the Tartars cannot pronounce it, and the Chinoys, as it is ſayd, cannot pronounce R. The Braſileans cannot pronounce the Letters, L. F. R. the reaſon whereof one being demanded made anſwer, becauſe they had amongſt them neither Law, Faith, nor Rulers; yet a more Philoſophicall cauſe might be found out: for, that the Chinoyſe nor Braſileans can pronounce the naturall Leter R, is not by reaſon of the altered figure of the inſtruments belonging to ſpeech; for, thoſe parts which conſpire to ſpeech, are the ſame in them as in other men, nor by reaſon of the ſubſtance, ſcite, progreſſe of veſſels, or the hurt of their originall; becauſe the ſame ſubſtance of the inſtruments appertaining to ſpeech is preſerved in them as in others who have not this impediment; the ſame progreſſe and ſcite of particulars, and the ſelfe ſame beginning of inſtruments; neither doth this happen to them by reaſon of the moiſt temperature of their head or tongue, and other parts conſpiring to ſpeech; for their hard Heads declare them to be of no ſuch temperament: the ſpecificall cauſe of their naturall indiſpoſition to the pronuncation of this Letter is, either their over many, or more, and different ſcituation of pores exiſtent in the inſtruments appertaining to ſpeech: now the inſtruments appertaining to ſpeech are the Lungs, the rough arterie, the larinx, the tongue, the pallate teeth, and lips; in all which inſtruments there is none of the above numbred conditions obſerved in them, which are not exactly, ſeen in thoſe who ſpeake moſt perfectly; beſides that difference which conſiſts in paſſages or pores: therefore it is certaine pores that occaſion this impediment, and it is in them an affection in conformation and no way in diſtemper; for there are in the midle region of the pallate, that is in the fourth bone of the upper jaw, two holes which are not found ſo open and obvious in thoſe who are without this affection: thoſe two opē paſſages being the imediate cauſe of this their impotence to pronounce the Letter R. nor were it impoſſible perchance to aſſigne a ſpecifique cauſe of the Braſilians inability to pronounce L. and F. and the Tartarians inability to pronounce the Letter B but peradventure that might be as prepoſtrous a worke, as to aſſigne a cauſe to the golden Tooth.

Wee neede not all the Letters in our Language, and leſſe of them in ſpeaking then in writing: many Northerne Dialects have rejected ſome of the naturall Letters, as B. G. D. V. conſonant which is thought to have happened through the nature of the Region, propriety of the Idiom, and ſtrength of men, together alſo with cuſtome, which is that they might perpetually ſpeak with vehemency adhibiting every where a kinde of impetuous force in ſpeaking, which cannot be done without a vehemnet exſufflation; hence neceſſarily uſurpe P. for B. F for V. conſonant. T. for D. C. for G. the cauſe of which vehement exſufflation is no other then that which is aledged by Gallen in theſe words: the Celts, and all kinde of Thracians and Scythians have a ſoft white skinne without haire, therefore their naturall heat together with their bloud, flies back into the inner parts; where while it is agitated, preſſed, and growes hot, they become couragious, bold, and of a precipitate judgment, therefore the internall heat boyling, excites a valid reſpiration, and this cauſeth a valid exſufflation, and this powers out a vehement voyce: hence comes ruſhing forth letters which are formed with a vehement force of the breath, that for B. it thereby becomes P. for G. C. for D. T. for V. conſonant F. for Northerne men who are ſtrong and have a ſtrong Tongue, they chooſe and utter more ſtronger letters, that is thoſe to whoſe prolation both a ſtronger tongue, and ſufflation is required whence their speech ſemes to be more rough and • g • d: for they that inhabit cold Countreys, have a tongue coreſpondent to the reſt of their actions: therefore they are vehement; rigid, ſevere, and couragious; whence Charles the fifth Emperour was wont to ſay, that the German tongue was military: and therefor if he were to threaten, or ſpeake more roughly to any, he would uſe the German tongue, becauſe that tongue is minatory, harſh, and vehement: whence a Moderne ſayes of the Germans, that they have a full mouthed language, and that they ſpeake as if they had Bones in their Tongue inſtead of Nerves. Note that in all theſe varieties of Pronuntiation, the Letters which conſtitute words, are made by the ſame motions, but that they admitted more of ſome Letters then other into their Idioms, hath hapned through their Different Exſufflations. There are alſo ſome ſtrange kinde of pronuntiations, with divers Nations, which I take to be rather affectations, then enſuing upon the former recited cauſes. The people in the Bay of Soldania have a chattering rather then a language, their words for the moſt part, are inarticulate, and in ſpeaking they clocke with the Tongue, like a •• ood Henne, which clooking and the w •• d, are both pronounced together very ſtrangely. In Mexico their language, eſpecially uſed by Theeves and Lovers, is a kinde of whiſtling, whereby they underſtand one another.

They of Guinea when they speake, they put out their neckes like Turky Cockes, and ſpeake very faſt. The generall language of Peru, hath three maner of pronunciations of ſome ſillables, in which variety of Pronuntiation, lieth the different ſignification of the ſame word One way in the Lips, another in the Palat, and the third in the Throat. The Catayans ſpeake much through the Noſe. That which was wondered at moſt of all was, his diſcerning the Gutturall motions of the Welch Pronuntiation, becauſe the motions of that part could not be ſeen • or judged by this New-taught-Hearing Eie, otherwiſe then by the Effect thoſe Motions might happily make by a Motion of Conſent, in the other parts of the Mouth expoſed to view. Certainly, it muſt bee confeſſed, that thoſe languages that uſe moſt the Labiall Letters, muſt neceſſarily be the moſt remarkeable and eaſie to diſcerne, and they that much uſe the Gutturall, to be ſomewhat more difficult to apprehend: and it ſeems his Maſter confeſſed, that the Rules of his Art reached not to produce that effect with any certainty, and therefore concludes this in Him, muſt ſpring from other Rules He had framed unto himſelfe, out of his own attentive Obſervation.

Obſervation. XVI.

THe exquiſite and admirable perfection of his judicious hearing eye, which he attained unto by Art, is well imputed to the advantage that nature had juſtly given him in the ſharpneſſe of ſenſes to ſupply he want of this; endowing him with an ability, and ſagacity, to do beyond any other man that had his Hearing. Zu • nger ſpeaking of this mutuall ſuppeditation of the ſenſes, ſaith, that if one ſence as the Eare) prove defective, more ſpirits are caried unto the reſt, which makes their Actions though diverſe, more powerfull; for, multitude of spirits makes much to exquiſite hearing: an argument whereof we have in Blind men and Moles: for you may ſee that Blind men allways moſt exquiſitly heare; and the Mole alſo which is Blind by Nature, is thought to have the ſe ••• of hearing moſt exquiſite, becauſe thoſ • ſpirit which ſhould have ſerved the viſory vertue, they all are turned over to the Eare, and thereby make the hearing moſt exact. Examples of theſe advantages in Blind men, and the notable qualification of their obſervant Eare: Camerarius can afford you many, and the learned Relator in his Treatiſe of Bodies, one moſt remarkable of a blinde Schoole-Maſter. So likwiſe they who want their hearing, ſee more exactly, and their obſervations are more pregnant, becauſe the ſence of hearing doth not diſtract them other where, and being they can heare nothing, they looke alwayes more attentively, being Nature recompenſeth in one ſenſe the loſſe of another; and therefore we uſe when we would view a thing more exactly, to ſhut one Eye, and thereby the ſight becomes more accurate. And if a man would heare more attentively, and with leſſe diſtraction, let him ſhut his Eyes, and if he would ſee with leſſe diſtraction, it were good for him to ſtop his Eares: for any one ſenſe is more vigorous in ſenſation, when the other ſenſories are ſuſpended from action.

Hence, as my Lord Bacon obſerves, ſounds are meliorated by the intention of the ſenſe, where the common ſenſe is collected moſt to the particular ſenſe of hearing, and the ſight ſuſpended; wherfore he ſuppoſeth ſounds to be ſweeter to Blind men then to others. The like perchance may be ſaid of viſible objects to deafe men, and that the ſubtleties of articulate ſounds, or motions, are with more inquiſitive delight and attention, contemplated by them.

As for the other ſenſes, they do divers things beyond their ordinary function; ſo as one might ſay that perfection conſiſteth not in the diſtinctiō of the Organs of the ſenſe; but in the continuall uſe of them: ſo carefull is Nature like a good mother, to make amends for a fault, that none ſhould accuſe her to be a ſtep-mother: for what ſhe taketh away in ſome of the ſenſes, ſhe allows, and recompenſeth in the reſt: inſomuch as deafe and dumbe men, having a double defect, to wit of ſpeaking and hearing, they uſually have double recompence: this makes them good naturall Phiſiognomers. For as concerning the notes of the affections which appeare in mens Faces, by inſtinct they know and diſcerne them readier then we can; and as we know we are often beholding to the countenances of Men for the explanation of their Mindes; ſo they know by the motions of affections and paſſions that accompany the motions of ſpeech, the paſſions that are vented in thoſe locall motions o • Articulation, made in the parts about the Mouth. And it may not bee ſo difficult to them as unto us, to conceive and diſtinguiſh of each motion and ſignification of the lips: for wanting the ſenſe of Hearing, their Eie is more accurate, and apt to obſervation; ſo that wondring what thoſe motions of mens mouths meane, and heedfully obſerving at ſeveral times, noting both the occaſion and the returne of that occaſion, they ingeniouſly f • ame out of their owne obſervation, many things Art could not with any certainty inſtruct them in: ſo that the apparent motions of the lips, the formes of words ſeeme to have beene diſtinguiſhed by the obſervation of ſome deafe and dumbe men, without the helpe of a Teacher. Nature (the Patriarch of phyſick ſaith) being many times skilfull without a Teacher: for it ſeemes by ſome ſtories of deafe and dumbe men as they are recited by certaine Authors, that ſome, even of themſelves without teaching, have fallen upon obſerving the motions made in ſpeaking, and ſo have come to the underſtanding of the received ſignifications of thoſe motions.

Wee have, ſaith Camerarius, in Nuremberge a yong man and a yong maide, borne of one Father and Mother, of a good Houſe, and well knowne, that are endued with a ſingular quick conceit; for although they be Deafe and Dumbe by Nature, yet can both of them reade very well, write, cypher, caſt account: The young man conceiveth at firſt by ſignes that are made him, what he is required to doe, if his pen be wanting, by his countenance he ſheweth his thoughts, being the quickeſt and cunningeſt at all Games, both at Cards and Dice, that one can finde among the Germans, although they there uſe great adviſement and be marvellous ready and quick. His Siſter paſſeth all other Maydes for working with her needle all kinde of Sempſtry, Tapeſtry, Embrodery, &c. But above all the wonderfull recompences of Nature, this is remarkable in them; that moſt commonly as ſoone as they ſee ones lips ſtir, they underſtand his meaning: They are oftentimes at Sermons, and a man would ſay that they draw and conceive with their Eyes the wordes of the Preachers, as others uſe to doe with their Eares; for they will oftentimes, no body ever teaching them or ſetting them any Letters or Copies, write the Lords prayer, and other godly Prayers: Know by heart the Texts of the Goſpels that are read upon Holy Dayes, and write them readily, when in the Sermons the Preacher maketh mention of the name of Jeſus, the yong man is ready before any of the Hearers to take off his hat, and to bow his knee with all reverence.

Platerus makes mention of one borne Deafe and Dumbe, who nevertheleſſe could deſcribe his minde in a Table book which he alwayes carried about him, and could underſtand what others alſo wrote therein. Platerus his Father reported of him, that when he with great zeale heard Oecolampadius preaching by the motion of his lips, and his geſture, he underſtood many things, as he alſo could by any others lips that laboured before him. Zuinger ſpeaking of this Deafe and Dumbe man (who was according to his relation) a Poyntmaker, ſayes, that he heard Oecolampadius preaching, ſeeming to hear with his very eies.

The like ability of preception gained from his owne attentive obſervation (as I am informed by a Philoſophicall Friend) had one Gennet Lowes a woman dwelling in Edenburge in Stotland, who being Deafe and Dumbe by Nature, could underſtand any one in her Houſe, meerely by the moving of their lips. So that by their motions alone without a voice, or ſpeaking aloud to her, ſhe could exactly perceive their meaning.

The Civill Law ſeemes alſo to have tooke notice that men that are Deafe and Dumbe may come to heare others ſpeake, by obſerving the moving of their Lips: For among their extraordinary Law Caſes, they have inſerted this recondit, and very ſeldome heard of notion touching Deafe and Dumbe mens perceiving the efficacy of others wordes, by the moving of their lips, concerning whom their Inſtitutions run thus:

A Deafe and Dumbe man cannot be appoynted a Tutor, although he may heare by the moving of lips. Etiamſ. audiat ad motum Labiorum.

A Deafe and Dumbe man although he underſtand another by the moving of his Lips, yet he cannot ſtipulari, that is, interrogatus ſpondere ſtipem: For it is verbum interrogandi & ad promittendum inducendi; yet they may contract, although not by ſtipulation, for if they underſtand others by the motion of their lips, they may contract in thoſe things which are performed by conſent, which is the opinion of Bartolus, and others who have commented upon the Body of the Civill Law.

The word of the Text of the Civill Law is Surdus, which I confeſſe is ſomewhat ambiguous, as the Civill Lawyers uſe it: Yet here as I conceive, it is meant of men originally Deafe, and ſo conſequently Dumbe, which in the Caſe of ſtipulation is plaine, a Deafe man being excluded from that Act, for his defect of ſpeech, and therefore I have enlarged the Text, by making it ſpeake out plaine.

Yet if there be two men borne Deafe and Dumbe, alike qualified by Art as the Spaniſh Lord is, they might ſtipulari, becauſe they could both ſpeake, for the Rule that excluds mutes is, ſtipulatio nulla niſi uter que loquatur, and this would prove a new Caſe. And this Spaniſh Lord, who is yet living, may without breaking the Rule, doe as much with any man, which is another new caſe too.

And ſo may any one accidentally Deafe who retaines his ſpeech, and can audire ad motu • labiorum, which is the caſe of Mr. Crispe the Brother of Sir Nicholas Criſpe, whoſe dexterity in perceiving the meaning of men by the motion of their lips, is very well knowne to Merchants upon the Exchange ▪ whom by this Art, which he hath gained by his owne attentive obſervation, he hath driven many a bargaine: And it is very probable that ſometimes this faculty was of great advantage unto him, for he might chance to overheare with his eye newes of the arrivall of ſome ſhippe and of ſome good bargaine; when others who would perhaps keepe the intelligence to themſelves were not aware of it, and amid the buzzing noiſe of the Royall Bee-hive of our Emporium, where many ſpeaking together, one articulate voyce confounds another, his eyes being vigilant upon the motions of mens mouthes, and no way diſtracted with that bartering noyſe is there made, he might perceive a motion, which being a Merchant, he might eaſily turne to his owne profit; this and many other advantages might be much furthered by the nimbleneſſe of his hearing eye, it being conceived by ſome that ordinarily converſed with him, that by his eye, he many times apprehended a conceit of juſt uttered by the Mouth, and was thereupon advanced to laughter, before they who had their hearing had any intelligence of it, who are faine to expect the ſlow information of a duller Organ of Senſe; and there is good reaſon he ſhould have the ods of them, ſince he hath two Senſes united in one, and a double proportion of ſpirits to inable one Organ. Among other very ſtrange things I have heard related of him touching this the faculty; I was told by Mr. Hurſt, w •• keepes the Swan behinde St. Nicholas Shambles (upon occaſion of ſome diſcourſe with him about a ſonne he hath, who is Deafe and Dumbe) that he being an Officer of the Traine Bands, and appoynted to keepe the Scaffold cleere upon Tower Hill at the execution of Sir Alexander Carey, perceiving Mr. Crispe to preſſe on for a convenient place of Audience, he ſpake to him to forbeare; who not hearing him, becauſe his eyes were not upon him to minde him, continued to endeavour for a place of accommodation, untill Mr. Hurſt being told by ſome who he was, and what defect he had in his hearing, he converted his reſiſtance into obſervation, and ſuffered him to plant himſelfe right againſt the front of the Scaffold; And he told me that when Sir Alexander Carey ſtood up to ſpeake to the people, Mr. Crispe ſetled himſelfe ſtedfaſtly to obſerve the motions he made, and kept his eyes riveted upon Sir Alexanders face during the time of his laſt ſpeech, which he ſo perfectly underſtood and carried away with him, that he was able to relate it againe to others, who much wondred at the way of his perception; therefore if any man doubt of the certainety of 〈◊〉 Audition, one houres acquaintance with Mr. Crisp would have reſolved 〈◊〉 the truth of this buſineſſe, for it was a plenary ſatisfaction ipſo facto, but to have once beene in his company.

But betweene the writing and printing of this Tractate, this vow 〈◊〉 of Labiall interpretation by a ſad 〈◊〉 is withdrawne from us, with the fatall fall of an overburdened feeling, whoſe danger-threatning crack (he being unfortunately deafe, and wanting the common Sentinells which were ordained by Nature to watch againſt the motion of all approaching dangers) could not ſo well evade, as otherwiſe he might have done: And however wee have beene thereupon enforced to alter the Tenſes of the Relations concerning him with a (vixit) he hath left behinde him many living witneſſes of his ability in underſtanding the efficacy of Labiall motion.

The ſame ocular faculty of Audition (as I am informed by a Philoſophicall Friend) had one Dr. Stapl • a Phyſitian, who being incidently Deafe through ſome Diſeaſe yet retaining his ſpeech, could tell any ones meaning by the motion of their lips.

And it may be the capacity that Deafe men have of ſupplying their defect of hearing by obſerving the motions of mens mouthes, may be the 〈◊〉 of that which I have partly obſerved in Deafe and Dumbe m • n, and 〈◊〉 heard others relate more fully, that they will ſeeme diſcontented and be angry, if in your relations to them, among other motions and ſignes you make unto them, you doe not therewithall uſe the motions of ſpeech which are made with the mouth; as if you defrauded them of the meanes of underſtanding you, and out of a ſlight regard held back from them the Key of your beſt intelligence.

Obſervation. XVII.

HE could at the diſtance of a large chambers breadth, ſay words after one, that another ſtanding cloſe to the ſpeaker, could not heare a ſillable of. This argues, that diſtance of place hinders not, if it be within the diſcernable reach of the eye: and that the Low pitch of an unaudible voice of ſpeech, was no impediment unto him, being equally eaſie unto him who uſed his eye for an eare, to perceive and diſcerne a ſilent, or an audible Articulation of ſpeech; ſo he he had in view the motion of the lips, with which ſpeech is as perfect and abſolute in its articulations, as it is by any audible enunciation, the Eye being capable of the ſounds thoſe motions make, as they are bare motions; and I believe his information was more certaine then the Auricular uſually is, which puts the tongue to ſo many what ſay you's: the Eare being duller and deceitfull, ſed verba oculis commiſſa fidelibus, muſt needs afforde better intelligence: and I doubt not but he had one quality more then is here ſpoken of him; for, his improved Eye muſt needes be very quick in conceiving the viſible ſound of ſpeech: and therefore I thinke, that if he that ſpoke to him had ſpoke loud that the Relator might have heard him, this inſtructed hearing Oculiſt, or Ocular auriſt, would have underſtood the ſpeakers minde by his Eye, ſooner then the Relator could poſſibly have done with his Eares.

Obſervation. XVIII.

IN that the knowledge he had of what men ſaid, sprung from his obſerving the motions they made with their mouthes. This ſhewes he was inſtructed in the Art of Labiall Augurie, which we have proved to be a rationall and uſefull Art, well grounded upon the principles of Humane Philoſophy; and not only full of notions to delight ſpeculation, but uſefull and poſſible to be put in practiſe. Hence there was a neceſſity (as it follows in the Hiſtory) that if he would concurrently converſe with any, there was light required as the medium; for if he were in the darke, the objects of his attentive Eye were ſtrait loſt: or if he turned away his face out of his ſight that ſpoke unto him, for then he was render'd uncapable of what was ſaid: ſo that this Art inabled him not to tenebrize, or to performe any audible Act in the night, and Nocturnall Lucubrations of ſpeech, or candle light diſcourſe, might perchance prove deceitfull unto him: for it being a manifeſt, and apparent motion, which guided him to the knowledge of their words, the time proper for his obſervation, muſt be the all-revealing day: and it muſt be day in his body too, for if he ſhould be ſtrucken blinde, goodnight to all the Notions of this Art. A double care therefore had this Lord neede have of preſerving his ſight, ſince that loſt, he would looſe two ſenſes in one; Naturall ſight, and an acquired hearing, which would prove a double dammage unto him. We ſuppoſe alſo that ſome difficulties may encounter him in perceiving the naturall affections of the voice, and diſtinguiſhing the literall motions of their mouths, who have any impediment in their ſpeech, by reaſon of the ill conformation, or conſtitution of the inſtruments of ſpeech, by Nature, or any unhappy accident: for as in ſuch caſe the judgment of the Eare will be uncertaine: ſo likewiſe would the hearing Eye of this Lord, be ſomewhat put to it, to judge upon ſo imperfect an evidence: as for example, if he were to converſe with one borne with his upper lip too ſhort, that it ſufficeth not afterwards to cover his upper teeth, not without ſome deformity of aſpect, as, Schenckius knew an honeſt Matron of Patrician ſtock, was, whom he had long converſed with, in the Hague, who, although conſcious of the defect, when ſhe ſpoke with any by a wonderfull induſtry, and civility which ſhe uſed to thoſe that ſtood, or ſate by her, by extending downe her lip, and drawing it over her teeth, ſhe covered that deformity of Nature, with ſo great and faire an Art, that unleſſe one had ſtudiouſly obſerved her, it was not perceived: yet no queſtion it cauſed ſome alteration in the forming of her words, and conſequently might ſomewhat impede our Artiſt in diſcerning the exact ſenſe of the moving of her lips. They alſo who are borne with haire lips, that is not whole, but rather cloven, muſt neceſſarily falter in ſpeech, and conſequently exhibit but an uncertaine motion of their lips, from which, nothing can be exactly collected to infer the verball meaning of the endeavoured motions of the lips. Trincavellus affirmes. He had ſeene ſome with ſuch lips, who faultred not a little in their ſpeech. Great Blabber-lips may cauſe a little alteration to puzzle the ocular conſtruction, that is to be made upon the lip-labour of the ſpeaker. They alſo who are troubled with the diſeaſe Diarrhaea, or a Humerall lask of the belly, and with a Catarrh which makes them wreſt and writh their lips in ſpeaking, their lips will not preciſely anſwer the Rules of this obſervation. The like would a Plaice-mouth in the Cynick Spaſme. Old men in the defect of their Teeth, which are one of the deſtinated implements of ſpeech, their breath flows not out repercuſſed, wherefore it ſounds the leſſe; therefore to remedy this evill, they preſſe their lips together inward, as it were to ſhut up the voyd ſpaces of their Teeth, which muſt neceſſarily cauſe ſome alteration from the naturall and perfect garbe of verball motion And thoſe who are edentuli by age, ſo thoſe Natiōs who pay little homage to the Goddes Dentilla, as they of Gagas, and the ſubjects of Huacchacaviac in India, who have a Tooth-Right of beating out their fore teeth, were likely to put our Artiſt to it in diſcerning the pure naturality of their pronounced Letters. Thoſe Nations that have any notable defect or exceſſe in the extant parts of their mouth, muſt needes prefer exceptions againſt the generall Rules of this Art.

They of Gambra not far from Jay, are deformed, their neather-lip, hanging downe towards the breaſt, and is apt to putrifie, of which deformity being conſcious they trade with their Neighbors the Arabicks, without ſight or conference, leaving their commodities in a certaine place, for which they have gold in exchange: their upper lip little as ours.

They report of Nations in the Inland part of the Eaſt that want their upper-lip. They in the Iſle called Dodyn in the Indies, and the adjacent Iſles (if we will beleeve Sir John Mandevil, who hath not ſo much intereſt in the whetſtone as ſome imagine) have flat mouths without lippes. And others, their lips ſo great, about their mouth that when they ſleepe in the ſun, they cover all their faces with them. And Dwarfes that have no mouthe, but a round little hole, have no tongue, nor ſpeake, but they blow and whiſtle, and ſo make ſignes one unto another. But above al, the language of Jamuli Iſland if it be as true, as ſtrange, which is reported of them, would cauſe a great impediment and diſtraction in the perceiving the Litterall and Verball meaning of their mindes, whoſe Tongues have ſomewhat peculiar by Nature or Art; for they have a cloven Tongue which is divided in the bottome; ſo that it ſeemes double from the Roote, ſo they uſe divers ſpeeches, and doe not onely ſpeake with the voyce of men, but imitate the ſinging of Birds: But that indeed which ſeemes moſt no able, and indeede would puzle our Artiſt moſt, They ſpeake at one time perfectly to two men, both anſwering and diſcourſing, for with one part of their Tongue they ſpeake to one, and with the other to another: But theſe Hiſtoricall exceptions or likely impediments of this Art, I have admitted and inſerted rather for their ſtrangeneſſe then any weight of argument they have againſt the certainety of our Art, ſince all men know exceptio firmat Regulam.

To conclude theſe obſervations, the Prieſt who by his Art wrought this Miracle on this Spaniſh Lord, as is reported, was ſince in the ſervice of the Prince of Carignan, where he continued with ſome that have neede of his paines, the ſame imployment as he did with the Conſtable of Caſtiles brother, who as I heare is yet alive, as his Tutor alſo is; the ſteps whereby he proceeded in teaching friendſhip, and three hundred Ryals may ere long informe me in, which produced in ou • intended Academy, will ſoone aboliſh all apprehenſions of impoſſibility in this matter, by vertue of the countenance and juſtification of the event.

The firſt principles indeed are but ſimple and naked; but it is a wonderfull thing to conſider the great diſtance betweene them, and the ſtrange readineſſe and vaſt extent of ſpeech reſulting in proceſſe of time out of them: Whereof it is enough for us to finde a ground for the poſſibility of the operation, and then the perfecting of it and reducing of it to ſuch a height, as at the firſt might ſeeme impoſſible and incredible, we may leave to the energeticall power of Art. Hee that learneth to read, write, or to play on the Lute, is in the beginning ready to loſe heart at every ſtep, when he conſidereth with what difficulty and flownes he joyneth the Letters, ſpelleth ſyllables, formeth Characters, fitteth and breaketh his Fingers (as though they were upon the Rack) to ſtop the right frets, and to touch the right ſtrings; And yet you ſee how ſtrange a Dexterity is gained in all theſe by induſtry and practice; and a readineſſe beyond what wee could imagine poſſible, if wee ſaw not dayly the effects.

Since therefore wee have arrived to decypher the Characters of Natures Alphabet, and can ſpellingly read the firſt ſyllables of it, wee neede not doubt that Art with excellent cunning can diſpoſe all circumſtances ſo ap • ly, as to ſpeake readily a compleat Language riſing from thoſe Elements; and that ſhould have as large an extent in practiſe and expreſſion, beyond thoſe firſt principles, which we like children onely liſpe out, as the vaſt diſcourſes of wiſeſt and moſt learned men are beyond the ſpellings of infants: and yet thoſe diſcourſes ſpring from the ſame root, as the others ſpellings do, and are but a rayſing them to a greater height: as the admired Muſique of the beſt player of a Lute or Harpe that ever was, is derived from the harſh twangs of courſe bowe-ſtrings, which are compoſed together and refined, till at length they arrive to that wonderfull perfection And ſo without ſcruple, we may in this buſines conclude, that the admirable and almoſt miraculous effect we heare of in this Relation, are but the elevating to a wonderfull height, thoſe very actions and motions which we have heere produced as cauſes and principles of them.