TO give an exact Definition or nice Division of Learning, or of the Advancement thereof, we shall not undertake (it being already so accurately done by the great Lord Verulam) Intending onely to shew where our owne shoe pincheth us, or to point at some pieces of Knowledge, the improvement wherof (as we at least conceive) would make much to the • enerall good and comfort of all mankind, and withall to deliver our own opinion by what meanes they may be raised some one degree neerer to perfection.

But before we can meddle with this great Work, we must first think of getting Labourers, by appointing some Generall Rande vouz, where all men either able or willing to take up armes against the many difficulties thereof, may finde entertainment. That is to say, We must recommend the Institution of an Office of common Addresse according to the projection of Master Hartlib (that painfull and great instrutment of this Designe) whereby the wants and desires of all may bee made knowne unto all, where men may know what is already done in the buisinesse of Learning. What is at present in doing, and what is intended to be done: to the end, that by such a generall communication of designes, and mutuall assistance; The wits and endevours of the world may no longer be as so many scattered coales or firebrands, which for want of union, are soone quenched, whereas being but layed together they would have yeeled a comfortable light and heat. For me thinkes the present condition of men is like a field where a battle hath beene lately fought, where we may see many leggs, and armes, and eyes lying here and there, which for want of a union and a soule to quicken and enliven them, are good for nothing but to feed Ravens; and infect the aire. So we see many Wittes and Ingenuities lying scattered up and downe the world, whereof some are now labouring to doe what is already done, and pusling themselves to reinvent what is already invented, others we see quite stuck fast in difficulties, for want of a few Directions, which some other man (might he be met withall) both could and would most easily give him; againe one man wants a small summe of mony, to carry on some designe, that requires it, and there is perhaps another, who hath twice as much ready to bestow on the same designe, but these two having no Meanes ever to heare the one of the other, the good Work intended and desired, by both parties doth utterly perish and come to nothing: But this we passe over sleightly, though very fundamentall to our businesse, because the Master-builder thereof himself hath done it so solidly. Having by this means procured work-men and what else is necessary to the Worke, that which we would have them to labour in, is, How to finde out such Arts as are yet undiscovered, How to learne what is already known, by more compendious and facile wayes, and to apply it to more, and those more noble uses, how to work in men an higher esteeme of Learning so as to give occasion, encouragement and opportunity to more Men to apply themselves to its Advancement.

The next thing then to be done, will be, First, to see what is well and sufficiently done already, exploding whatsoever is nice, contentious and meery phantasticall. All which must in some measure be suppressed and brought into disgrace and contempt with all men.

2. This survey may be made by perusing al Books and taking notice of all Mechanicall Inventions.

3. In this perusall, all the Reall or Experimentall Learning may be sifted and collected out of the said Books.

4. There must be appointed able Readers of all such Books, with certaine and well limited Directions what to collect out of them.

5. Every Book must be so read by two severall Persons apart, to prevent mistakes and failings from the said Directions.

6. The Directions for Reading must be such, as the Readers observing them, may exactly agree in their Collections.

7. Out of all these Bookes one Booke or great Worke may be made, though consisting of many Volumes.

8. The most Artificiall Indices Tables or other Helps for the ready finding, remembring, and well understanding all things contained in these Bookes must be contrived and put in practice.

Having thus taken the height or pitch wherunto al Arts and Sciences whatsoever, are already come; and observed where they now stick, the ablest Men in every respective Faculty must be set apart, to drive them on further with sufficient maintenance, and encouragement for the same. Whereunto it is requisite that two or three, one under another, be employed about each Faculty, to the end that some of them dying, or any other wise failing, there may never want men acquainted with the whole Designe, and able to carry it on, with the help of others to be admitted under them; And that at least yearly Accompts be taken of those mens endeavours, and rewards be proportioned to them accordingly.

And now we shall think of whetting our tooles and preparing sharp Instruments for this hard work, by delivering our thoughts concerning Education, which are,

1. That there be instituted Ergastula Literaria, Literarywork-houses, where Children may be taught as well to doe something towards their living, as to Read and Write.

That the businesse of Education be not (as now) committed to the worst and unworthiest of men, but that it be seriously studied and practised by the best and abler persons.

That all Children of above seven yeares old may be presented to this kind of Education, none being to be excluded by reason of the poverty and unability of their Parents, for hereby it hath come to passe, that many are now holding the Plough, which might have beene made fit to steere the State. Wherfore let such poor children be imployed on works wherby they may earne their living, equall to their strength and. understanding, and such as they may performe as well as elder and abler persons, viz. attending Engines, &c. And if they cannot get their whole living, and their Parents can contribute nothing at all to make it up, let them stay somewhat the longer in the Work-house.

That since few children have need of reading before they know, or can be acquainted with the Things they read of, or of writing, before their thoughts are worth the recording, or they are able to put them into any forme, (which we call inditing) much lesse of learning languages, when there bee Books enough for their present use in their owne mother Tongue; our opinion is, that those Things being withall somewhat above their capacity, (as being to be attained by Judgement, which is weakest in children) be deferred awhile, and others more needfull for them, such as are in the order of Nature before those afore mentioned, and are attainable by the help of Memory, which is either most strong or unpreoccupied in children, be studied before them. We wish therefore that the Educands be taught to observe and remember all sensible Objects and Actions, whether they be Naturall or Artificiall, which the Educators must upon all occasions expound unto them.

That they use such Exercises whether in work, or for recreation, as tend to the health, agility and strength of their bodies.

That they be taught to Read by much more compendious meanes then are in common use, which is a thing certainly very easie and feasible.

That they be not onely taught to Write according to our Common Way, but also to Write Swiftly and in Reall Characters, as likewise the dextrous use of the Instruments for Writing many Copies of the same thing at once.

That the Artificiall Memory be thought upon, and if the precepts thereof be not too farre above Childrens Capacities, We conceive it not improper for them to learn that also.

That in no case the Art of Drawing and designing be omitted, to what course of Life soever those children are to be applied, since the use thereof for expressing the conceptions of the mind, seemes (at least to us) to be little inferiour to that of Writing, and in many cases performeth what by words is impossible.

That the Elements of Arithmetick and Geometry be by all studied, being not onely of great and frequent use in all humane Affaires but also sure guides and helps to Reason, and especiall Remedies for a volatile and unstedy mind.

That effectuall Courses be taken to try the Abilities of the Bodies and Minds of Children, the strength of their Memory, inclination of their Affections either to Vice or Vertue, and to which of them in particular, and withall to alter what is bad in them, and increase and improve what is good, applying all, whether good or bad, to the least Inconveniencie and most Advantage.

That such as shall have need to learne Forraine Languages (the use whereof would be much lessened, were the Reall and Common Characters brought into practise) may be taught them by incomparably more easie wayes then are now usuall.

That no ignoble, unnecessary, or condemned Part of Learning be taught in those houses of Education, so that if any man shall vainely fall upon them, he himselfe onely may be blamed.

That such as have any naturall ability and fitnesse to Musick be Encouraged and Instructed therein.

That all Children, though of the highest ranke, be taught some gentile Manufacture in their minority, such as are

Turning of curious Figures.

Making Mathematicall Instruments, Dialls, and how to use them in Astronomicall Observations.

Making Watches and other Trochilick motions.

Limning and Painting on Glasse or in Oyle Colours.

Graving, Etching, Carving, Embossing and Molding in sundry matters.

The Lapidaries Art of knowing, cutting and setting Iewells.

Grinding of Glasses Dioptricall and Catoptricall.

Botanicks and Gardening.

Making Musicall Instruments.

Navarchy and making Modells for buildings and rigging of Ships.

Architecture and making Modells for houses.

The Confectioners, Perfumers or Diers Arts.

Chymistry, refining Metalls and Counterfeiting Iewells.

Anatomy making Sceletons and excarnating bowells.

Making Mariners Compasses, Globes, and other Magnetick Devices.

And all, for these Reasons.

1. They shall be lesse subject to be cousened by Artificers.

2. They will become more industrious in generall.

3. They will certainly bring to passe most excellent Works being as Gentlemen, ambitious to excell ordinarie Work-men.

4. They being able to make Experiments themselves, may doe it with lesse charge, and more care then others will doe it for them.

5. The Resp. Artium will be much advanced, when such as are rich and able, are also willing to make Luciferous Experiments.

6. It may engage them to be Mecaenates and Patrons of Arts.

7. It will keepe them from worse occasions of spending their time and estates.

8. As it will be a great Ornament in prosperity, so it wil be a great Refuge and stay in adversity and common calamity.

As for what remaines of Education, we cannot but hope that those, whom we have desired should make it their trade, will Supply it, and render the Idea therof much more perfect.

We have already recommended the studie of the Elements of Arithmetick and Geometry to all Men in generall, but they being the best grounded parts of Speculative knowledge, and of so Vast use in all Practicall Arts. We cannot but commend deeper enquiries into them. And although the way of advancing them in particular, may be drawne from what we have already delivered, concerning the Advancement of learning in generall, yet for the more explicite understanding of our meaning herein, we referre to Master Pells most excellent Idea thereof, written to Master Hartlib.

In the next place for the Advancement of all Mechanicall Arts and Manufactures, we wish that there were erected a Gymnasium Mechanicum or a Colledge of Trades-men (or for more expedition untill such a place could be built, that the most convenient houses for such a purpose may be either bought or hired) wherein we would that one at least of every Trade (but the Prime most Ingenious Work-man, the most desirous to improve his Art,) might be allowed therein, a handsom dwelling Rent free, which with the Credit of being admitted into this Society, and the quick sale which certainly they would have of their Commodities, when all men would repaire thither, as to a Market of rare and exquisite pieces of Workmanship, would be a sufficient Motive to attract the very ablest Mechanicks, and such as we have described, to desire a fellowship in this Colledge.

From this Institution we may clearly hope when the excellent in all Arts are not onely Neighbours, but intimate Friends and Brethren, united in a Common desire and zeal to promote them, that all Trades will miraculously prosper, and new Inventions would be more frequent, then new fashions of Clothes and household-stuffe. Here would be the best and most effectuall opportunities and meanes, for writing a History of Trades in perfection and exactnesse, and what Experiments and stuffe would all those Shops and Operations afford to Active and Philosophicall heads, out of which, to extract that Interpretation of Nature, whereof there is so little, and that so bad as yet extant in the world?

Within the walls of this Gymnasium or College, should be a Nosecomium Academicum according to the most exact and perfect Idea thereof a compleate Theatrum Botanicum, stalls and Cages for all strange Beastes and Birds, with Ponds and Conservatories for all exotick Fishes, here all Animalls capable thereof should be made fit for some kind of labour and imployment, thaa they may as well be of use living as dead; here should be a Repositorie of all kind of Rarities Naturall and Artificiall pieces of Antiquity, Modells of all great and noble Engines, with Designes and Platformes of Gardens and Buildings. The most Artificiall Fountaines and Water-works, a Library of Select Bookes, an Astronomicall Observatory for celestiall Bodies and Meteor, large pieces of Ground for severall Experiments of Agriculture, Galleeries of the rarest Paintings and Satues, with the fairest Globes, and Geographcall Maps of the best descriptions, and so farre as is possible, we would have this place to be the Epitome or Abstract of the whole world. So that a man conversant within those walls, would certainly prove a greater Schollar, then the Walking Libraries so called, although he could neither write nor read. But if a Child, before he learned to read or write, were made acquainted with all Things, and Actions (as he might be in this Colledge) how easily would he understand all good Bookes afterwards, and smell out the fopperies of bad ones. As for the Situation, Modell, Policy Oeconomy, with the Number of Officers and Retainers to this Colledge, and the Priviledges thereof, it is as yet time enough to delineate. Only we wish that a Society of Men might be instituted as carefull to advance Arts as the Iesuites are to Propagate their Religion for the government and mannaging of it.

But what relish will there be in all those dainties whereof we have spoken, if we want a palate to tast them, which certainly is Health, the most desirable of all earthly blessings, and how can we in any reason expect Health, when there are so many great difficulties in the curing of diseases and no proportionable Course taken to remove them? we shall therefore pursue the Meanes of acquiring the Publicke Good and comfort of Mankind a little further, and vent out conceits concerning a Nosocomium Academicum or an Hospitall to cure the Infirmities both of Physician and Patient.

We intended to have given the most perfect Idea of this Nosocomium Academicum, and consequently to have treated of the Situation and Fabrick of the House, Garden, Library, Chymicall Laboratorie, Anatomicall Theater, Apotheca, with all the Instruments and Furniture belonging to each of them, as also of the whole Policy and Oeconomy thereof. But since such a work could not be brought to passe without much charge (the very naming wherof doth deter men even from the most noble and necessary Attempts) we are contented to pourtray only such a Nosocomium, as may be made out of one of our old Hospitals, without any new donations or creeping to Benefactors, onely with a little paines taken by the Reforming hand of Authority. For we do not doubt, but that we have so contrived the businesse, that there is no Hospitall in its corrupt estate, can be more thriftily managed then Ours. For the Number of our Ministers are no greater then usuall, and absolutly necessary, their Pensions no larger then are allowed to those, who do not make the service of the Hospital, the sixth part of their Employment and meanes of subsistance, and yet we give encouragement enough to able men to undertake it, without medling with any other businesse, which we strictly forbid. For as the Salaries are but small, so the Charge of the Ministers is not great (they being all to be unmarried Persons) their Accommodation handsome, their Employment (being a work of Publike and highest Charity) honourable, and to Philosophicall Men, (who onely are to have a hand in this businesse) most pleasant and delightfull. Besides when their respective times are expired, their profit and esteeme in the world cannot but be very great. For their way of breeding will both procure them practice among such as are able to reward them, and give them a dexterity and ability, to manage and go thorough a great deale thereof.

Moreover the smalnesse of the Salary, the long servitude among poore wretches, and restraint from Marriages, the great paines and naturall parts required to performe duties, will I hope, prevent all intrusions of those, whose Genius doth not encline them to take pleasure in this way of life.

Wherefore being not at leasure to frame Utopias, we shall onely speak of the Number and Salary of Ministers, the time of their service with their qualifications in generall, and Duties in particular, which are to be employed in this Nosocomium Academicum.

The Nosocomium being fitted with all manner of Necessaries, shall be overseene by three or foure Curators, Men of Learning, Honour and Worth, such as shall out of Charity and good will to the Publique performe this Trust, who are to be Protectors and Chancellors thereof, as also Auditors of the Stewards Accompts.

Besides these, there shall be a Mathematician for Steward, a Physician, Chirurgeon and Apothecary, each well versed both in the Theory and Practise of their respective Professions. A young Physician capable at least of the degree of Doctor, who may be called the Vice-physician, and another of about five or sixe yeares standing in the University, who may be called the Student. There should be also a Chirurgeon and an Apothecary who have served their Apprentiships in the said Faculties called the Chirurgeons and Apothecaries Mate, with two other young men, the one to serve the Chirurgeon, and the other the Apothecary, all understanding at least the Latine Tongue, which may be called the Apprentices: All these are to be chosen at first by the Curators (but afterwards by the Society it selfe) being such as they shall be certified are Pious, Ingenious, Laborious, Lovers of Knowledge, and particularly of the Faculty of Physick, courteous, not covetous; and lastly such among whom there may be an harmony of Natures and studies, so as all feare of discords, Envie and Emulation may be taken away. There ought also to be entertained, as many honest carefull ancient Widowes, to serve as Nurses to the sick, as will be proportionable to their Number, some whereof are to be ordinary and some extraordinary, whereof the latter may be taken in, and dismissed againe, as Occasion of their help, requires,

There should be allowed out of the Revenues of the Hospitall to the aforenamed Ministers, besides their diets, houseroome, washing, firing, &c. and Exemption from all Taxes and Employments in the Common-wealth, the severall sums following, viz.

  l.   To the Steward 80 per annum. To the Physician 120 To the Vice-Physician 50 To the Chirurgeon and Apothec. each 60 To the Student 25 To the Chirurg. and Apotheck. mate 20 To each of the Apprentices 10 To each ordinary Nurse 4 To an Extraordinary by the week 3. shil.

It should be granted by the State, that whosoever hath served his respective time in the Nosocomium, and hath a Certicate therof from the Society, shall be thereby licensed to practice his profession in any place or Corporation whatsover, notwithstanding any former Law to the Contrary.

The Steward shall not be obliged to stay any longer then from yeer to yeer. Each of the Faculty of Physick may serve five yeers in each degree thereof, each of the Chirurgeons and Apothecaries but foure.

These Circumstances being premised, we now come to the very Essence of the whole businesse, that is, to the Description of each of the aforenamed Ministers their particular Duty and Function, which are as followeth, viz.

The Steward shall be a man of approved honesty, able to give order for all reparations about the house, garden, &c. to agree and bargaine with workmen, and all that shall serve in any Commodities into the house, he is to receive and pay all monies, and submit the accompts thereof to the whole Society, and they againe to the Curators. For which and other like duties he ought to be skill'd in Mathematicks; chifely in Arithmetick and keeping Accompts, measuring of Land, timber, board, Architecture, frugall contrivances and the like. But as to the Advancement of Physick, We desire he may be skill'd in the best Rules of Judiciall Astrology, which he may apply to calculate the Events of diseases, and Prognosticate the Weather; to the end that by his Judicious and carefull Experiments, the Wheat may be separated from the Chaffe in that Faculty likewise; and what is good therein may be applyed to good uses, and the rest exploded. He shall keep a Journall of all notable Changes of Weather, and fertility of Seasons, taking notice what fruits, &c. have abounded and what have failed, which have beene good, and which bad, with the Reasons thereof, whether the same were caused by Mildewes, Blasts, Unseasonable Weather, Caterpillers or other Vermin; he shall take notice of the severall diseases, as Staggers, Murraine, Rot, &c. which in each yeare have infested each Species of Annimals, and what Insects have most abounded; all which Particulars with the Epidemicall diseases befalling man, he may compare with the Aspects of the Celestiall bodies, and so examine the precepts delivered unto us by the Professors of that Art.

The Physician must be a Philosopher, skill'd at large in the Phaenomena of Nature, must understand the Greek Tongue, be well read in good Authors, and seene in the practice of all the ministrant parts of Physick, willing to instruct and foreward all that are under him, his work shall be twice every day deliberately to Visite and Examine all the Sick, and after due Consideration of their Condition, to prescribe them convenient Medicines, and shall dictate in Latine to the Vice-Physician attending him, the History of their severall Diseases (excluding impertinencies) he shall see all Patients in outward griefes (to whom he administreth any inward remedies) opened and dressed ever now and then, to the end that himselfe and the Chirurgeon may both have the same Intention and scope in their practice. He must take care that the Chirurgeon and Student keep the History of their Cures likewise, and that the Apothecary and Student doe the same in in their Pharmacy and Botanicks. He shall oversee the dispensation of all compound, and Preparation of all Chymical Medicaments, giving the Apothecary directions for the making of new Enquiries and Experiments in his way; and wise to the Chirurgeon and the rest, in theirs, when he seeth them not otherwise employed. In briefe, he shall have an influence upon all the rest, and all the rest reciprocally upon him, so that he being made acquainted with all the Histories taken in the Hospitall, Laboratory, Anatomical Chamber, garden, &c. may give the reason of the most notable Phaenomena hapning in either of them. All which he shall commit to writing and out of them, by the end of the terme of his service, shall collect a Systeme of Physick and the most approved Medicinall Aphorismes; taking notice by the way where those of Hippocrates are deficient or true, and by how many severall experiments he hath so found them. He shall either dissect or overlook the dissection of bodies dying of diseases, and lastly shall take care that all Luciferous experiments whatsoever, may be carefully brought to him, and recorded for the benefit of Posterity.

The Vice-Physicians proper charge is to see the History of Patients most exactly and constantly kept, he may now and then reade some good Authour, but in all other things shall endeavour to assist, and be subordinate to the Physician in all parts of his duty, stil acting by his directions, but shall not prescribe any Physick without the consent of the Chiefe, nor in his absence, upon emergent occasions, without the advice of the Master Chyrurgeons; he should be alwayes walking up and downe from bed to bed, feeling the pulses and looking on the Vrine and other excrements of the sick; that no considerable punctilio in any circumstance whatsoever escape his observation; for the compleating of the History, He shall apply himselfe to the making of Luciferous experiments, and to take notice of such as shall be made by others.

The Student shall assist the Chyrurgeon and Apothecary in making the History of their Practises, to the end he may have alwayes occasions to instruct himselfe in these ministrant parts of physick to read such Authors, as the Chiefe Physician shall appoint him, and compare all his reading with the things themselves, whereof he readeth, as herbs, drugs, Compound Medicaments, Anatomy, Chyrurgicall Instruments, bandages, operations, &c. all which we call the Real Elements of the Art. He shall by leave from the Physician in cases of need, put his hand to helpe the Chyrurgion or Apothecary and sometimes watch by night with the Nurses, that the perfection of the History may by no meanes be hazarded on their Ignorance or carelesnesse; he may serve the Physician as an Amanuensis, especially in such things, the transcribing whereof may tend much to the advancement of his owne knowledge.