THE LIBRARY 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 //10 ' 3 {fivi/MU 
 
 r //, 
 
 ' /<; 
 
 S I R I S: 
 
 A CHAIN of 
 
 PHILOSOPHICAL REFLEXIONS 
 A N D 
 
 INQUIRIES 
 
 Concerning the V i R T u E s of 
 
 TAR WATER, 
 
 And divers other SUBJECTS connected together 
 and arifing one from another. 
 
 BY THE 
 
 Right^Rev. Dr. GEORGE BERKELEY, 
 
 Lord Bifhop of C L o Y N E, 
 
 And Author of The Minute Philofcpber. 
 
 As "we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men. Gal. vi. I o. 
 Hoc opusy hocjludiurriy parvi proper emus et ampli. Hor. 
 
 -A NEW EDITION, 
 With ADDITIONS and EMENDATIONS. 
 
 DUBLIN Printed, 
 LONDON Re-printed, 
 
 For W. INNYS, and C. HITCH, in Pater-nofter -rciv* 
 
 and C. DAVIS in Holbourn. MDCCXLVU. 
 
 [Price Two Shillings.]
 
 A Letter to T. P. Efq. frm tie Aatbor of SIR is. 
 
 AMONG the great numbers who drink Tar-water in 
 Dublin, your Better informs me there are feveral, that make it 
 too weak or ten f-rongj rr ufe it in an undue manner. To ob- 
 viate thffe inconveniences, and render this water as generally ufeful as pofli- 
 ble, yi;u defire I would draw up fome rules and remarks, in a fruall com- 
 pafs ; which accordingly ] here kr.d you. 
 
 K .-lAvegijn tar Being theTnoft liquid, mrxerh beft with water. Put* gal- 
 lon of told water to a quart of this tar, ftir and work them very fhongly to- 
 gether, with a flat ftick, for about four minutes. Let the veflel (land cover- 
 ed forty eight houis, that the tar may fubfxle. Then pour off the clear wa- 
 ter, and keep it clofe covered, or rather bottled, and well flopped, for ufe. 
 This rn.iy do for a general rule ; but as ftomachs and conftitutions are fo vari- 
 ous, for particular petfons, their own experience is ttye beft'rule. The ftrong- 
 er trie-better j provided the ftomach can bear it. Lefs v.-a*r or moreJtirring 
 Makes it Wronger ; as more water, and lefs ftirring makes it weaker. The fame 
 Jar will not do quite fo well a fecond time, but may ferve for common ufri. 
 
 Tar-watar, when right, is not higher than French, nor deeper coloured, 
 
 n Spani/h white wine. If there be not a fpirit very fenfibty perceived on 
 
 \drinking, you may conclude, the tar water is not good. If you wouidlave 
 
 "it good, fee it made yourfelf. Thofe who begin with it, little %nd weak, 
 
 may, by habit, come to drrnk more and ftronger. According to the feafbu cl 
 
 tfae'year, or the humour of the patient, it may be taken, cold or warmST- 
 
 As to the quantity, in chronical cafes, one pint of tar-water a day may 
 'iWfrtce, taken on an empty ftomach, at two, or four times ; to wit, night 
 and morning j and about two hours after dinner and.brcakfaft. 'AltentiTej, 
 in gen ral, taken little and often, mix beft with the blood. How eft, or 
 how ftrongj each ftomach can bear, experience will flew : nor is there any 
 danger in making the experiment. Thofe who labour under old habitual ill- 
 neffes, muft have great patience and perfeverance in the ufe of this, as well as 
 5n all other medicines ; which, if fureand fafe, rouft yet be flow in chronical 
 diforder* \ which, if grievous or inveterate, may require a full quart every day 
 to be taken, at fix dofes, one third of a pint in each, with a regular 
 diet. In acute cafes, as fevers, of all kinds, it mujft be diank warm in bed, 
 and in great quantity } perhaps a pint every hour, till the patient be relieved ; 
 which I have known to wurk furprizing cures. 
 
 My experiments have indeed been made within a narrow compafs 5 but as 
 this water is now grown into publick ufe (though it feems not without that 
 oppi>"t'on which is wont to attend novelty) 1 make no doubt, 5ts virtues will be 
 ir<>re fully Jifcovtrcd. Mean while, I muft own myfelf perfuaded, from 
 what I have already feen and tryed, that tar water may be drink with great 
 fafety and fuccefs, ::; the cure or r-lief of mrft if not all dileafes, in ulcers, 
 eruption*, and .n]l foul cafes ; fcurvlescf all kinds, diforders of the lungi, fto- 
 jnach, and bowels ; in nervous c^frs, in all inflammatory diftempers j in de- 
 cays, ard othtr maladies : Nor is it of ufe only in the cure of ficknefs ; it is 
 alfoufcd to prcferve health, and a guard againft infection and old age; as it 
 gives lading fpirts, and invipcrates the blood. I am even induced, by the na- 
 ture and analogy of things, and its wonderful fuccefc in all kind: of fcvcrs f to 
 think, that tar water may be very uftfiil in the plague, both as a cure and pre- 
 fervative. 
 
 But, I doubt no medicine can withftand that execrable plrgue of diftilled 
 fpirits, which operate as a flow poifon, preying oh the vitals, aad waftingthe 
 health and ftrcngth of the body and foul ; which, peft of human kird, is, 
 'I am told, by the attempts of our * Whifky patriots, gaining ground in this 
 wretched country, already too thin of inhabitants. I am, &c. 
 
 * Whilky '* * fpirit dijlilled from malt, tbi making of -which po'ifon, cheap atd 
 fferty, ai Itir.g efnr frfivtkf it eftfemcd, ijjtmc unluckj patriots, a benefit tt 
 itfir autttrj.
 
 C T J? T ^ % 
 
 O / /V 1 ^3 * 0?>^ 
 
 A CHAIN of 
 
 PHILOSOPHICAL REFLEXIONS 
 AND 
 
 INQUIRIES, 
 
 
 FOR INTRODUCTION to the following 
 piece I afiure the reader, that nothing 
 could, in my prefent fituation, have in- 
 duced me to be at the pains of writing 
 it, but a firm belief that it would prove a valua- 
 ble prefent to the public. What entertainment fo- 
 ever the reafbning or notional part may afford the 
 mind, I will venture to fay, the other part feemeth 
 fo furely calculated to do good to the body, chat 
 both muft be gainers. For if the lute be not well 
 tuned, the mufician fails of his harmony. And in 
 our prefent ftate, the operations of the mind, fo 
 far depend on the, right tone or good condition of 
 it/s iriftrumenr, that any thing which greatly con- 
 tributes to prefer-ve or recover the health of the 
 body, is well worth the attention of the 'mind. 
 Thefe confiderations have moved me to communi- 
 cate to the public the falucary virtues of tar- wa- 
 ter j to which I thought myfelf indifpenfably 
 obliged, by the duty every man owes to mankind. 
 And, as effects are Jinked with their caufcs,. my 
 thoughts on this low, but ufeful theme, led to far- 
 ther inquiries, and thofe on to others j remote per- 
 haps, and fpeculadve, but r J hope, not altogether 
 
 nffIf>fc nr nnfntfrfQininrr 
 
 or unentertaming. 
 
 A 2 

 
 (4) 
 
 j. TN certain parts of America, tar- water is 
 made by putting a quart of cold water to a 
 quart of tar, and ft ii ring them well together in a 
 veffel, which is left (landing till the tar finks to 
 the bottom. A glais of clear water being poured 
 off for a draught is replaced by the fame quantity 
 of frcm water, the vefTcl being fhaken and left to 
 ftanci as before. And this is repeated for every 
 glafs, fo Jong as the tar continues to impregnate 
 the water fufficientjy, which will appear by the 
 frneJl and tafle. But as this method produceth tar- 
 water of different degrees of ftrength, I chufe to 
 make it in the following manner : Pour a gallon 
 of cold water on a quart of tar, and ftir and mix 
 them thoroughly with a ladle or flat flick for the 
 fpace of three or four minutes, after which the vef- 
 fel mufl fland eight and forty hours that the tar 
 rnay have time to fubftde, when the clear water is 
 to be poured off and kept covered for ufe, no more 
 being made from the fame tar, which may ftilJ ferve 
 for common purpofes. 
 
 2. The cold infufion of tar hath been ufed in 
 fome of our colonies, as a prefervative or prepara- 
 tive againfl the fmall-pox, which foieign practice 
 induced me to try it in my own neighbourhood, 
 when the fmall-pox raged with great violence. And 
 the trial fully anfwered my expectation : all thofe, 
 within my knowledge, who took the tar-water, 
 having either efcaped that diftemper, or had it 
 very favourably. In one family there was a re- 
 markable inflance of feven children, who came ail 
 very well through the fmall-pox, except one young 
 child which could not be brought to drink tar- water 
 as the reft had done. 
 
 3. Several were preferved from taking the fmall- 
 by the ufe of this liquor : others had it in the 
 
 mildeft
 
 ( 5) 
 
 mildefr. manner, and others, that they might be able 
 to take the infection, Were obliged to intermit 
 .drinking the tar-water. I have found it may be 
 drunk with great fafety and iiiccefs for any length 
 cf time, and this not only before, but alfo during 
 the diftemper. The general rule for taking it is, 
 about half a pint night and morning on an empty 
 ftomach, which quantity may be varied,- according 
 to the cafe and age of the patient, provided it be 
 always taken on an empty ftomach, and about two 
 hours before or after a meal. For children and 
 fqueamiih perfons it may be made weaker, and 
 given little and often. More cold water, or lefs 
 ftirring, makes it weaker ; as lefs Water, or more 
 ftirring, makes it ftronger. It mould not be light- 
 er than French, nor deeper coloured than Spanifh 
 white wine. If a fpirit be not very feniibly per- 
 ceiv'd on drinking, either the tar mult have been bad, 
 or already us'cl, or the tar- water carelefsly made. 
 
 - 4. It feemed probable, that a medicine of fuch 
 efficacy in a diftemper attended with fo many pu- 
 rulent ulcers, might be alfo ufeful in other fouf- 
 nerTes of the blood ; accordingly I tried it on feve 7 
 ral perfons infected with cutaneous eruptions and 
 ulcers, who were foon relieved, and foon after cu- 
 red. Encouraged by thefe fuccefles I ventured to 
 advife it in the foulcft diftempers, wherein it 
 proved much more fuccefsful than falivations and 
 wood-drinks had done. 
 
 5. Having tried it in a great variety of cafes, I 
 found it fucceed beyond my hopes -, in a tedious 
 and painful ulceration of the bowels, in a conlump- 
 tive cough and (as appeared by expectorated pus) an 
 ulcer in the lungs ; in a pleurify and peripeumony. 
 And when a perfon, who for fome years had beerr 
 fubje<b to eryfipelatous fevers, perceived the ufual 
 fore-running fymptoms to come on, I advifcd her 
 
 to
 
 (6 ) 
 
 to drink tar-water which prevented the eryfjpelas. 
 
 6. I never knew any thing fb good for th_ fto- 
 mach as tar-water : it. cures indigeftion and gives 
 a good appetite. It is an excellent medicine in an 
 afthma. It imparts a kindly warmth and quick 
 circulation to the juices, without heating, and is 
 therefore ufeful," not only as a pectoral and balfa- 
 rhic, but alfo as a powerful and fafe deobftruent in 
 cachectic and hyfteric cafes. As it is both healing 
 and diuretic, it is very good for the gravel. I 
 believe it to be of great ufe in a dropfy, having 
 known it cure a very bad anafarca in a perfon 
 whole thirft, though very extraordinary, was in a 
 fhort time jemoved by the drinking of tar- water, 
 
 7. The ufefulnefs of this medicine in inflamma- 
 tory cafes is evident, from what has been already 
 obferved (a). And yet fome perhaps may fufpect 
 that, as the tar itfelf is furphureous, tar-water 
 muft be of a hot and inflaming nature. But it is 
 to be noted, that all balfams contain an acid fpirit, 
 which is in truth a volatile fait. Water is a men- 
 ftruum that diflblves all forts of falts, and draws 
 them from their fubjects. Tar, therefore, being 
 a Balfam, it's falutary acid is extracted by water, 
 which yet is incapable of difforving it's grofs re- 
 fmous parts, whofe proper menftruum is fpirit of 
 xvine. Therefore tar- water, not being impregna*- 
 ted with, refin, may be fafely ufed in inflammatory 
 cafes : and in fact it hath been found an admirable 
 febrifuge, at once the fafeft cooler and cordial. 
 
 8. The volatile falts feparated by infufion from 
 tar, may be fuppofed to contain it's fpscific vir- 
 tues. Mr. Boyle, and other later chemifts, area- 
 greed, that fixed falts are much the fame in all bo- 
 dies. But it is well known that volatile falts do 
 greatly differ, and the eafier they are 
 
 (a] 5eft. 5. ; 
 
 from
 
 - 
 
 (7) 
 
 from the-fubject, the more do they poflefs of it's 
 fpecific qualities. , Now the^mofl eafy feparation 
 is by infufion of tar in cold water,' which to fmell 
 and tafte mewing it felf well impregnated, may 
 be prefumed to extract and retain the moft pure 
 volatile and active particles of that vegetable balfam. 
 
 9. Tar was b'y the ancients efteemed good 
 againfl poifons, ulcers, the bites of venomous 
 creatures, alfo for pthifical, fcrophulous, paralytic 
 and afthmatic perfons. But the method of ren- 
 dering it an inorTenfive medicine and agreeable to 
 the ftomach, by extracting it's virtues in cold wa- 
 ter, was unknown to them. The leaves and ten- 
 der tops of pine and fir are in our tiroes ufcd for 
 diet-drinks, and allowed to be antifcorbutic and 
 diuretic. But the molt elaborate juice, fait, znd 
 fpirit of thofe evergreens are to be found in tar ; 
 whole virtues extend not to animals alone, but alfo 
 to vegetables! Mr. Evelyn, in his treatife on Foreft 
 trees, obferves with wonder, that Items of trees, 
 /meared over with tar, are preferved thereby from 
 being hurt by the invenomed teeth of goats and 
 other injuries, while every other thing of an un- 
 ctuous nature is highly prejudicial to them. 
 
 10. It feems th'attar and turpentine may be had 
 more or leis, from all forts of pines and firs what- 
 ibever ; anct that the native fpirits and eiTcntial 
 falts of thofe vegetables are the fame in" turpentine 
 and common tar. In effect this vulgar tar, whicli 
 cheapnefs and plenty may have rendered contemp- 
 tible, appears to be an excellent balfam, contain- 
 ing the virtues of moft dtlieV 'bal&ms, which it 
 eaiily imparts to water, and by that means readily 
 and inoffenfively infinuates them into the habit of 
 the body. 
 
 ri. The refinous-exfudations 6f pines and firs 
 are an important branch of fhe materia medica, 
 
 and
 
 (8.) 
 
 and not only ufeful in the prefcriptions of phyfi- 
 cians, but have been alfo thought othervvife con- 
 ducive to health. Pliny tells us, that wines in the 
 time of the old Romans were medicated with pitch 
 and refin ; and Jonttonus, in his Dendrographia, 
 obferves, that it is wholefome to walk in groves of 
 pine trees, which impregnate the air with balfamic 
 particles. That all turpentines and refins are good 
 for the lungs, againft gravel alfo and obftructions, 
 is no fecret. And that the medicinal properties of 
 thofe drugs are found in tar-water, without heat- 
 ing the blood, or difordering the (iomach, is con- 
 firmed by experience : and particularly that pthifi- 
 cal and afthmatic perfons receive fpeedy and great 
 relief from the ufe of it. 
 
 12. Balfams, as all unctuous and oily medicines, 
 create a naufeating in the ftomach. They cannot 
 therefore be taken in fubftance, fo much or fo 
 long, as to produce all thofe falutary effects, which, 
 if thoroughly mixed with the blood and juices, 
 they would be capable of producing. It muft 
 therefore be a thing of great benefit, to be able to 
 introduce any requifite quantity of their volatile 
 parts into the finetf: ducts and capillaries, fo as not 
 to offend the ftomach, but, on the contrary, to 
 comfort and ftrengthen it in a great degree. 
 
 13. According to Pliny, liquid pitch (as he 
 calls it) or tar, was obtained by fetting fire to bil- 
 lets of old fat pines or firs. The firft .running was 
 tar, the latter or thicker running was pitch. Theo- 
 phraftus is more particular : he tells us the Mace- 
 donians made huge heaps of the cloven trunks of 
 thofe trees, wherein the billets were placed erect 
 befide each other. That fuch heaps or piles of 
 wood were fometimes a hundred and eighty cubits 
 round, and fixty or even a hundred high : and 
 that having covered them with fods of earth to. 
 
 5 prevenr
 
 (9) 
 
 prevent the flame from burfting forth (in which 
 cafe the tar was loft) they fet on fire thofe huge 
 heaps of pine or fir, letting the tar and pitch run 
 out in a channel. 
 
 14. Pliny faith, it was cuftomary for the anci- 
 ents, to hold fleeces of wool over the fleam of 
 boiling tar, and fqueeze the moifture from them, 
 which watery fubftance was called pifllnum. Ray 
 will have this to be the fame with the piflelaeum 
 of the ancients ; but Hardouin in his notes on Pli- 
 ny, thinks the pirTelasum to have been produced 
 from the cones of cedars. What ufe they made 
 of thefe liquors anciently I know not : but it may. 
 be prefumed they were ufed in medicine, though 
 at prefent, for ought I can find, they are notuibd 
 at all. 
 
 15. From the manner of procuring tar (a) it 
 plainly appears to be a natural production, lodged, 
 in the veiTels of the tree, whence it is only freed 
 and let loofe (not made) by burning. If we may 
 believe PJiny, the firft running or tar was called. 
 cedrium, and was of fuch efficacy to preferve from 
 putrefaction, that in Egypt they embalmed dead, 
 bodies with it. And to this he afcribes their mum- 
 mies continuing uncorrupted for fo many ages. 
 
 16. Some modern writers inform us that tar 
 flows from the trunks of pines and firs, when 
 they are very old, through incifions made in the 
 bark near the root ; that pitch is tar infpuTated ; 
 and both are the oil of the tree grown thick and 
 ripened with age and fun. -The trees, like old men, 
 being unable to perfpire, and their fecretory ducts 
 obftructed, they are, as one may fay, choaked and 
 Huffed with their own juice. 
 
 17. The method ufed by our colonies in Ame- 
 rica, for making tar and pitch, is in effect the 
 fame with that of the ancient Macedonians j as 
 
 (a) Seel. 1 3 , 
 
 B appears
 
 (10) 
 
 appears from the account given in the Philoibphical 
 Tranfactions. And the relation of Leo Africanus, 
 "who defcribes, as an eye witnefs, the making of 
 tar on mount Attes, agrees in fubftance with the 
 methods ufed by the Macedonians of old, and the 
 people of New England at this day. 
 
 1 8. Johnflonus in his DendFographia, is of opi- 
 .nion, that pitch was anciently made of cedar, as 
 
 well as of the pine and fir grown old and oily. It 
 fhould feem indeed that one and the fame word 
 was ufed by the ancients in a large fenfe, fo as to 
 comprehend tire juices iffuing from all thofe trees. 
 Tar and all forts of exfudations from evergreens 
 are, in a general acceptation, included under the 
 name refin. Hard coarfe refin or dry pitch is 
 made from tar, by letting it blaze till the moifture 
 is fpent. Liquid refin is properly an oily vifcid 
 iuice, oozing from the bar of evergreen trees, ei- 
 ther fpontaneoufly or by incifion. It is thought to 
 be the oil of the bark infpifiated by the fun. As 
 it ifTues from the tree it is liquid, but becomes dry 
 and hard being condenfed by the fun or by fire. 
 
 19. According to Theophraftus, refin was ob- 
 tained by ftripping off the bark from pines, and 
 by incifions made in the filver fir and the pitch 
 pine. The inhabitants of mount Ida, he tells us, 
 itripped the trunk of the pine on the funny fide two 
 or three cubits from the ground. He obferves 
 that a good pine might be made to yield refin 
 every year ; and indifferent every other year ; and 
 the weaker trees once in three years ; and that 
 three runnings were as much as a tree could bear. 
 It is remarked by the fame author, that a pine 
 doth not at once produce fruit and refin, but the 
 former only in its youth, the latter in its old age. 
 
 20. Turpentine is a fine refin. Four kinds of 
 this are in ufe. The turpentine of Chios or Cy- 
 prus
 
 ( II) 
 
 pms which flows from the turpentine tree ; the 
 Venice turpentine which is got by piercing the 
 Larch tree ; the Strafburgh Turpentine which 
 Mr. Ray informs us is procured from the knots of 
 the filver fir ; it is fragrant and grows yellow with 
 age : The fourth kind is common turpentine, neither 
 tranfparent, nor fo liquid as the former ; and this 
 Mr. Ray taketh to flow from the mountain pine. 
 All thefe turpentines are ufeful in the fame inten- 
 tions. Theophraftus faith the beft refin or turpen- 
 tine is got from the Terebinthus growing in Syria 
 and fome of the Greek iflands. The next bed 
 from the filver fir <ind pitch pine. 
 
 21. Turpentine is on all hands allowed to have 
 great medicinal virtues. Tar and it's infufion 
 contain thofe virtues. Tar- water is extremely pec- 
 toral and reftorative, and, if I may judge from 
 what experience I have had, it poflefleth the moft 
 valuable qualities afcribed to the feveral balfams 
 of Peru, of Tolu, of Capivi, and even to the balm 
 of Gilead ; fuch is it's virtue in afthmas and pleu- 
 rifies, in obftructions and ulcerous erofions of the 
 inward parts. Tar in fubftance, mix'd with honey, 
 I have found an excellent medicine for coughs. Bal- 
 fams, as hath been already obferved, are apt to offend 
 the ftomach. But tar-water may be taken without 
 offending the flomach : For the lengthening 
 whereof it is the beft medicine I have ever tried. 
 
 22. The folly of man rateth things by their 
 fcarcenefs, but Providence hath made the moft ufe- 
 ful things moft common. Among thofe liquid 
 oily extracts from trees and mrubs which are 
 termed balfams, and valued for medicinal virtues, 
 tar may hold it's place as a moft valuable balfam. 
 It's fragancy Iheweth, that it is porTelfcd of ac- 
 tive qualities, and it's oilinefs, that it is fitted to 
 retain them, This excellent balfam may b" pur- 
 
 B 2 chafed
 
 ( '2 ) 
 
 chafed for a penny a pound, whereas the balfam of 
 Judaea, when moft plenty, was fold on the very 
 fpot that produced it, for double it's weight in 
 filver, if we may credit Pliny ; who alfo informs 
 us that the bed balfam of Judaea flowed only from 
 the bark, and that it was adulterated with refm and 
 oil of turpentine. Now comparing the virtues I 
 have experienced in tar, with thofe I find afcribed 
 to the precious balm of Judasa, of Gilead, or of 
 Mecha (as it is diverfly called) I am of opinion, 
 that the latter is not a medicine of more value or 
 efficacy than the former. 
 
 23. Pliny fuppofed amber to be a refin, and to 
 diftil from fome fpecies of pine, which he gathered 
 from it's fmell. Neverthelefs it's being dug out of 
 the earth fhews it to be a foffil, though of a very 
 different kind from other foffils. But thus much 
 is certain, that the medicinal virtues of amber are 
 to be found in the balfamic juices of pines and firs. 
 Particularly the virtues of the moft valuable pre- 
 paration, I mean fait of amber, are in a great 
 degree anfwered by tar- water, as a detergent, 
 diaphoretic, and diuretic. 
 
 24. There is, as hath been already obferved, 
 more or lels oil and balfam in all evergreen trees, 
 which retains the acid fpirit, that principle of life 
 and verdure ; the not retaining whereof in fufficient 
 quantity, caufeth other plants to droop and wither. 
 Of theie evergreen trees productive of refin, pitch, 
 
 ' and tar, Pliny enumerates fix kinds in Europe ; 
 Johnftonus reckons up thrice that number of the pine 
 and fir family. And indeed, their number, their 
 variety, and their likenefs makes it difficult to be 
 exact. 
 
 25. It is remarked both by Theophraftus and 
 Johnftonus, that trees growing in low and fhady 
 places do not yield fo good tar, as thofe which 
 
 grow
 
 ( 13 ) 
 
 grow in higher and more expofed fituations. And 
 Theophraftus further obferves, that the inhabitants 
 of mounr Ida in Afia, who diftinguifh the Idaean 
 pine from the maritime, affirm, that the tar flow- 
 ing from the former is in greater plenty, as well as 
 more fragrant than the other. Hence it mould 
 feem, the pines or firs in the mountains of Scotland 
 might be employed that way, and rendered valua- 
 ble; even where the timber, by it's remotenefs from 
 water-carriage, isoffmall value. What we call the 
 Scotch fir is falfly fo called, being in truth a wild 
 foreft pine, and (as Mr. Ray informs us) agreeing 
 much with the defcription of a pine growing on 
 mount Olympus in Phrygia, probably the only 
 place where it is found out of thefe iflands ; in 
 which of late years it is fo much planted and culti- 
 vated with fo little advantage, while the cedar of 
 Lebanon might perhaps be raifed, with little more 
 trouble, and much more profit and ornament. 
 
 26. The pines which differ from the firs in the 
 length and difpofition of their leaves and hardnefs 
 of the wood, do not, in Pliny's account, yield Ib 
 much refin as the fir trees. Several fpecies of both 
 are accurately defcribed and delineated by the na- 
 turalifts. But they all agree fo far as to feem related. 
 Theophraftus gives the preference to that refin 
 which is got from the filver fir and pitch .tree 
 (l\r*i and sr/ruf) before that yielded by the pine, 
 which yet, he faith, is in greater plenty. Pliny, 
 on the contrary, affirms, that the pine produced! 
 the fmalleft quantity. It mould feem therefore that 
 the interpreter of Theophraftus might have been 
 miftaken, in rendering vr&w by pinus, as well as 
 Johnftonus, who likewife takes the pine for the v&*tj 
 of Theophraftus. Hardouin will have the pinus 
 of Pliny to have been by others called ardG'xjj, bun 
 by Theophraftus vh\if. Ray thinks -the common 
 
 fir,
 
 ( H) 
 
 fir, or picea of the Latins, to be the male fir of 
 Theophraftus. This was probably the fpruce fir ; 
 for the picea, according to Pliny, yields muchrefin, 
 loves a cold and mountainous fituation, and is di- 
 ftinguifhed, tonfili facilitate, by it's fitnefs to be 
 fhorn, which agrees with the ipruce fir, whereof I 
 have ieen clofe fhorn hedges. 
 
 27. There feems to have been fome confufion in 
 the naming of thefe trees, as well among the an- 
 cients as the moderns. The ancient Greek and 
 Latin names are by later authors applied very dif- 
 ferently. Pliny himfelf acknowledged, it is not 
 eafy even for the fkilful to diftinguifh the trees by 
 their leaves, and know their fexes and kinds : and 
 that difficulty is fince much encreafed, by the dif- 
 covery of many new fpecies of that evergreen tribe, 
 growing in various parts of the globe. But de- 
 Icriptions are not fo eafily mifapplitd as names. 
 Theophraftus tells us, that TH'TV? differeth from 
 vr&Ktj, among other things, in that it is neither fo 
 tall nor fo ftraight, nor hath fo large a leaf. The 
 fir he diftinguifheth into male and female : the 
 latter is fofter timber than the male, it is alfo a taller 
 and fairer tree, and this is probably the filver fir. 
 
 28. To fay no more on this obfcure bufinefs, 
 which I leave to the critics, I mail obferve, that 
 according to Theophraftus, not only the turpentine 
 trees, the pines, and the firs yield refm or tar, but 
 alfo the cedars and palm trees -, and the words pix 
 and refina are taken by Pliny in fo large a fenfe as 
 to include the weepings of the lentifcus and cyprefs, 
 and the balms of Arabia and Judasa ; all which 
 perhaps are near of kin, and in their moft ufeful 
 qualities concur with common tar, efpecially the 
 Norvegian, which is the moft liquid and beft for 
 medicinal ufes of any that I have experienced. 
 Thofe trees that grow on mountains, expofed to 
 
 the
 
 ( '5) 
 
 the fun or the north wind, are reckoned by Theo- 
 phraftus to produce the beft and pureft tar : And 
 the Idaean pines were diftinguimed from thofe 
 growing on the plain, as yielding a thinner, fweeter, 
 and better fcented tar, all which differences I think 
 I have obferved, between the tar that comes from 
 Norway, and that which comes from low and 
 fwampy countries. 
 
 29. Agreeably to the old obfervation of the Pe- 
 ripatetics, that heat gathereth homogeneous things 
 and difperfeth fuch as are heterogeneous, we find 
 chemiflry is fitted for the analyfis of bodies. But 
 the chemiftry of nature is much more perfect than 
 that of human art, inafmuch as it joineth to the 
 power of heat that of the moft exquifite mechanifm. 
 Thofe who have examined the ftructure of trees and 
 piants by microfcopes, have difcovered an admira- 
 ble variety of fine capillary tubes and veflels, fitted 
 for feveral purpofes, as the imbibing or attracting 
 of proper nourifiiment, the diftributing thereof 
 through all parts of the vegetable, the difcharge 
 of fuperfluities, the fecretion of particular juices. 
 They are found to have ducts anfwering to the 
 trachse in animals, for the conveying of air; they 
 have others anfwering to iacteals, arteries, and 
 veins. They feed, digeil, refpire, perfpire, and 
 generate their kind, and are provided with organs 
 nicely fitted for all thofe ufes. 
 
 30. The fap veflels are obferved to be fine 
 tubes running up through the trunk from the root. 
 Secretory vefTels are found in the bark, buds, 
 leaves, and flowers. Exhaling veflels for carrying 
 off excrementitious parts, are difcovered through- 
 out the whole furface of the vegetable. And 
 (though this point be not fo well agreed) Doctor 
 Grew in his Anatomy of plants, thinks there appears 
 
 a cir-
 
 ( 16 ) 
 
 circulation of the Tap, moving downwards in the 
 root, and feeding the trunk upwards. 
 
 3;. Some difference indeed there is between 
 Jearned men, concerning the proper ufe of certain 
 parts of vegetables. But whether the dilcovercrs 
 have rightly gueffed at ail their ufcs or 110, thus 
 much is certain, that there are innumerable fine 
 and curious parts in a vegetable body, and a won- 
 derful fimiiitude or analogy between themechanifm 
 of plants and animals. And perhaps fome will 
 think it not unreafonable to iuppofe the mechanifm 
 of plants more curious than even that of animals, 
 if we confider not only the feveral juices fecreted 
 by different parts of the fame plant, but alfo the 
 cndlefs variety of juices drawn and formed out of 
 the fame foil, by various fpecies of vegetables ; 
 which mud therefore differ in an endlefs variety, 
 as to the texture of their abforbent veffels and fe- 
 cretory duels. 
 
 32. A body, therefore, either animal or vege- 
 table, may be confidered as an organifed fyftem of 
 tubes and veffels, containing feveral forts of fluids. 
 And as fluids are moved through the veffels of 
 animal bodies, by the fyftole and diaftole of the 
 heart, the alternate expanfion and condenfadon of 
 the air, and the ofcillations in the membranes and 
 tunicks of the veffels ; even fo by means of air ex- 
 panded and contracted in the trachas or veffels 
 made up of elaftic fibres, the fap is propelled 
 through the arterial tubes of a plant, and the ve- . 
 getable juices, as they are rarefied by heat or con- 
 denfed by cold, will either afcend and evaporate 
 into air, or defcend in the form of a grofs liquor. 
 
 33. Juices therefore, firft purified by ftraining 
 through the fine pores of the root, are afterwards 
 exalted by the action of the air and the veffels of 
 the plant, but, above all, by the. action of the fun's 
 
 I light i
 
 Jighti which at the fame time that it heats, doth 
 wonderfully rarefy and raife the fap; till it per- 
 fpires and forms an atmofphere, like the effluvia of 
 animal bodies. And though the leaves are fuppof- 
 ed to perform principally the office of lungs, 
 breathing out excrementitious vapours, and draw- 
 ing in alimentary; yet it feems probable, that the 
 reciprocal actions of repulfion and attraction are 
 performed all over the furface of vegetables, as 
 well as animals. In which reciprocation, Hippo- 
 crates fuppofeth the manner of nature's acting, for 
 the nourifhment and health of animal bodies, chief- 
 ly to confift. And, indeed, what Ihare of a plant's 
 nourifhmeat is drawn through the leaves and bark, 
 from that ambient heterogeneous fluid called air, is 
 not eafy to fay. It feems very confiderable and 
 altogether neceffary, as well to vegetable as ani- 
 mal life. 
 
 34. It is an opinion received by many, that the 
 lap circulates in plants as the blood in animals: 
 that it afcends through capillary arteries in the 
 trunk, into which are inofculated other veflels of 
 the bark anfwering to veins, which bring back to 
 the root the remainder of the fap, over and above 
 what had been depofited, during its afcent by the 
 arterial vefiels, and fecreted for the fcveral ufes of 
 the vegetable throughout all its parts, Hem, 
 branches, leaves, flowers, and fruit. Others deny 
 this circulation, and affirm that the fap doth not 
 return through the bark veffds. It is neverthelefs 
 agreed by all, that there are afcending and defcend- 
 ing jukes , while fome will have the afcent and de- 
 fcent to be a circuhnon of the fame juices through 
 different veflels: others will have the afcending 
 juice to be one fort attracted by the root, and the 
 defcending another imbibed by the leaves, or ex- 
 tremities of the branches: Jaftly, others think that 
 
 C the
 
 ( 18 ) 
 
 the fame juice, as it is rarefied or -condenfed by 
 heat or cold, rifes and fubfides in the fame tube. 
 I fhall nor take upon me to decHe this controverfy. 
 Only I cannot help obfervinp:, than the vulgar ar- 
 gument from analogy between t and animals 
 
 lofcth much of its force, if it L-c c aidered, that 
 the fuppofed circulating of the fap, from the root 
 or lacteals through the arteries, and thence return- 
 ing, by inofculations, through the veins or bark 
 veflels to the root or lacteals again, is in no fort 
 conformable or analogous to the circulation of the 
 Wood. 
 
 35. It is fufficient to obferve, what all muft ac- 
 knowledge, that a plant or tree is a very nice and 
 complicated machine (a) ; by the feveral parts and 
 motions whereof, the crude juices admitted through 
 the abforbent veflels, whether of the root, trunk, 
 or branches, are varioufly mixed, feparated, alter- 
 ed, digefted, and exalted in a very wonderful 
 manner. The juice as it paffeth in and out, up 
 and down, through tubes of different textures, 
 fhapes, and fizes, and is affected by the alternate 
 comprefTion and expanfion of elaftic veflels, by the 
 viciffitudes of feafons, the changes of weather, and 
 the various action of the folar light, grows ftill 
 more and more elaborate. 
 
 36. There is therefore no chemiftry like that of 
 nature, which addeth to the force of fire, the moft 
 delicate, various, and artificial percolation (b). The 
 inceffant action of the fun upon the elements of 
 air, earth, and water, and on all forts of mixed 
 bodies, animal, vegetable and foffil, is fuppofed 
 to perform all forts of chemical operations. Whence 
 it mould follow, that the air contains all forts of 
 chemic productions, the vapours, fumes, oils, fairs, 
 
 and
 
 ( 19) 
 
 and fpirits of all dje bodies we know : from which 
 general aggregate or mafs, thofe that arc proper 
 being drawn in, through the fine vcffels of the 
 leaves, branches, and ftem of the tree, undergo, 
 in its various organs, new alterations, fecretions, 
 and digeftions, till fuch time as they uflume the 
 moft elaborate form. 
 
 37. Nor is it to be wondered, that the peculiar 
 texture of each plant or tree, co-operating with the 
 folar fire and pre-exifting juices, mould fo alter the 
 fine nourifhment drawn from earth and air (#), as 
 to produce various fpecific qualities of great effica- 
 cy in medicine: efpecially if it be considered that 
 in the opinion of learned men, there is an influ- 
 ence on plants derived from the fun, befides its 
 mere heat. Certainly doctor Grew, that curious 
 anatomift of plants, holds the folar influence to 
 differ from that of a mere culinary fire, otherwife 
 than by being only a more temperate and equal 
 heat. 
 
 38. The alimentary juice taken into the lackals, 
 if I may fo fay, of animals or vegetables, confifts of 
 oily, aqueous, and faline particles, which being dif- 
 folved, volatilifed, and diverfly agitated, part there~ 
 of is fpent and exhaled into the air ; and that part 
 which remains is by the ceconomy of the plant, and 
 action of the fun, (trained, purified, concocted, 
 and ripened into an infpiflated oil or balfam, and 
 depofited in certain cells placed chiefly in the 
 bark, which is thought to anfwer the panniculus 
 adipofus in animals, defending trees from the wea- 
 ther, and, when in fufficient quantity, rendering 
 them evergreen. This balfam, weeping or fvveat- 
 ing through the bark, hardens into refin 5 and this 
 molt copioufly in the feveral fpecies of pines anc| 
 
 C 2 firs, 

 
 firs, whofe oii being in greater quantity, and more 
 tenacious of the acid fpirit or vegetable ibul (as 
 perhaps it may not improperly be called) abides the 
 action of the fun, and attracting the fun beams, is 
 thereby exalted and enriched, Ib as to become a 
 mod noble medicine , fuch is the Jaft product of a 
 tree, perfectly maturated by time and fun. 
 
 39. It is remarked by Theophraftus, that all 
 plants and trees, while they put forth, have moft 
 humour, but when they have ceafed to germinate 
 and bear, then the humour is flrongeft and moft 
 iheweth the nature of the plant, and that, there- 
 fore, trees yielding refin mould be cut after ger- 
 mination. It feems alfo very reafonable to fup- 
 pofe the juice of old trees, whofe organs bring no 
 new fap, fhpuld be better ripened than . that of 
 others. 
 
 40. The aromatic flavours of vegetables feem 
 to depend upon the fan's light, as much as colours. 
 As in the production of the latter, the reflecting 
 powers of the object, fo in that of the former, 
 the attractive and organical powers of the plane 
 co-operate with the fun (0). And as from Sir 
 Ifaac Newton's experiments it appears, that all co* 
 lours are virtually in the white light of the fun, 
 and mew themfelves when the rays are feparated 
 by the attracting and repelling powers of objects, 
 even fo the fpecific qualities of the elaborate juices, 
 of plants, feem to be virtually or eminently contain- 
 ed in the folar light, and are actually exhibited 
 upon the reparation of the rays, by the peculiar 
 powers of the capillary organs in vegetables, at- 
 tracting and imbibing certain rays, which produce 
 certain' flavours and qualities, in like manner as 
 certain rays, being reflected, produce certain co- 
 lours, 
 
 () 36. 37- ' 
 
 41. 1$
 
 (21 ) 
 
 41. It hath been obferved by feme curious ana- 
 tomifts, that the fecretory veffels in the glands of 
 animal bodies are lined with a fine down, which in 
 different glands is of different colours. And it is 
 thought, that each particular down, being origi- 
 nally imbued with its own proper juice, attracts 
 none but that fort; by which means fo many vari- 
 ous juices are fecreted in different parts of the body. 
 And perhaps there may be fomething analogous to 
 this, in the fine abfbrbent veffels of plants, which 
 may co-operate towards producing that endlefs va- 
 riety of juices, elaborated in plants from the fame 
 earth and air. 
 
 42. The balfam or effential oil of vegetables 
 contains a fpirit, wherein confift the fpecific quali- 
 ties, the fmell and tafte of the plant. Boerhaave 
 holds the native prefiding fpirit to be neither oil, 
 fait, earth, or water; but fomewhat too fine and 
 fubtile to be caught alone and rendered vifible to 
 the eye. This, when fuffered to fly off, for in- 
 ftance, from the oil of rofemary, leaves it deftitute 
 pf all flavour. Thisfpark of life, this fpirit or foul, 
 if we may fo fay, of the vegetable, departs with- 
 out any fenfible diminution of the oil or water 
 wherein it was lodged. 
 
 43. It fhould feern that the forms, fouls, or 
 principles of vegetable life, fubfift in the light or 
 folar emanation (), which in refpect of the ma- 
 crocofm is what the animal fpirit is to the macro- 
 cofnv, the interior tegument, the fubtile inftru- 
 ment and vehicle of power. No wonder then that 
 the ens primum, or fcintilla fpirituofa, as it is call- 
 ed, of plants fhould be a thing fo fine and foga- 
 cious as to efcape our niceft fearch. It is evident 
 that nature at the fun's approach vegetates ; and 
 
 ( a ) 40, 
 
 languifhes
 
 (22) 
 
 languimes at his recefs ; this terreftrial globe feeming 
 only a matrix difpofed and prepared to receive life 
 from his light; whence Homer in his hymns ftileth 
 earth the wife of heaven, oih^ ov'^avK oisffwlof. 
 
 44. The luminous fpirit which is the form or 
 life of a plant, from whence its differences and 
 properties flow, is fomewhat extremely volatile. 
 It is not the oil, but a thing more fubtile, whereof 
 oil is the vehicle, which retains it from flying off, 
 and is lodged in feveral parts of the plant, parti- 
 cularly in the cells of the bark and in the feeds. 
 This oil purified and exalted by the organical 
 powers of the plant, and agitated by warmth, 
 becomes a proper receptacle of the fpirit ; part of 
 which fpirit exhales through the leaves and flowers, 
 and part is arrefted by this unftuous humour that 
 detains it in the plant. It is to be noted, this effen- 
 tial oil animated, as one may fay, with the fla- 
 vour of the plant, is very different from any fpirit 
 that can be procured from the fame plant by fer- 
 mentation. 
 
 45. Light impregnates air (a)> air impregnates 
 vapour j and this becomes a watery juice by diftil- 
 Jation, having rifen firft in the cold ftiil with a 
 kindly gentle heat. This fragrant vegetable water is 
 pofleflfed of the fpecific odour and tafte of the 
 plant. It is remarked, that diftilled oils added to 
 water for counterfeiting the vegetable water, can 
 never equal it, artificial chemiftry falling mort of 
 the natural. 
 
 46. The lefs violence is ufed to nature the bet- 
 ter its produce. The juice of olives or grapes if- 
 fuing by the lighteft preffure is beft, Refins that 
 drop from the branches fpontaneoufly, or ooze 
 upon the {lighteft incifion, are the fineft and moft 
 
 (*) -3 7-43- 
 
 fragrant.
 
 ( 23 ) 
 
 fragrant. And infufions are obferved to aft more 
 ftrongly than decoctions of plants, the more fub- 
 tile and volatile fairs and fpirits, which might be 
 loft or corrupted by the latter, being obtained in, 
 their natural ftate by- the former. It is alfo obferv- 
 ed, that the fined, pureft, and moft volatile part 
 is that which firft afcends in diflillation. And, 
 indeed; it mould feem the lighted and moft active 
 particles required lead force to difengage them from 
 the fubject. 
 
 47. The fairs, therefore, and more active fpirits 
 of the tar are got by infufion in cold water : but 
 the refinous part is not to .be diffolved there- 
 by (a}. Hence the prejudice which fome perhaps may 
 entertain againft Tar-water, as a medicine, the 
 ufe whereof might inflame the blood by its ful- 
 phur and refm, appears to be not well grounded; 
 it being indeed impregnated with a fine acid fpi- 
 rit, balfamic, cooling, diuretic, and poffefled of 
 many other virtues (b). Spirits are fuppofed to 
 confift of falts and phlegm, probably too fome- 
 what of a fine oily nature, differing from oil in 
 that it mixeth with water, and agreeing with oil, 
 in that it runneth in rivulets by diftillation. Thus 
 much is allowed, that the water, earth, and fixed 
 fait are the fame in all plants : that, therefore, 
 which differenceth a plant or makes it what, it is, 
 the native fpark or form, in the language of the 
 chemifts or fchools, is none of thofe things, nor 
 yet the fineft oil, which feemeth only its recep- 
 tacle or vehicle. It is obferved by chemifts, that 
 all forts of balfamic wood afford an acid fpirit, 
 which is the volatile oily fait of the vegetable : 
 Herein are chiefly contained their medicinal virtues, 
 and by the trials I have made, it appears, that the 
 
 (a] Sea. 7. (*) Sea, 42, 44,
 
 ( 24 ) 
 
 acid fpirit in tar-water pofiefieth the virtues, in 
 an eminent degree, of that of guaiacum, and other 
 medicinal woods. 
 
 48. Qualities in a degree too ftrong for human 
 nature to fubdue, and affimilate to itfelf, mud 
 hurt the conftitution. All acids, therefore, may 
 not be ufeful or innocent. But this feemeth an 
 acid fo thoroughly concocted, fo gentle, bland, and 
 temperate, and withal a fpirit fo fine and volatile, 
 as readily to enter the fmallefl veffels, and be alTi- 
 milated with the utmoft eafe. 
 
 49. If any one were minded to difiblve fome 
 of the refin, together with the fait or fpirit, he 
 need only mix fome fpirit of wine with the water. 
 But fuch an intire folution of refins and gums, as 
 to qualify them for entering and pervading the 
 animal fyflem, like the fine acid fpirit that firft 
 flies off from the fubjecl, is perhaps impoffible to 
 obtain. It is an apophthegm or the chemifts, deriv- 
 ed from Helmont, that -whoever can make myrrh 
 fbluble by the human body, has the fecret of pro- 
 longing his days: and Boerhaave owns that there 
 feems to be truth in this, from its refifting putre- 
 faction. Now this quality is as remarkable in tar, 
 with which the ancients embalmed and preferred 
 dead bodies. And though Boerhaave himfelf, and 
 other chemifts before him, have given methods 
 for making folutions of myrrh, yet it is by means 
 of alcohol, which extracts only the inflammable 
 parts. And it doth not feem that any folution 
 of myrrh is impregnated with its fait or acid fpi- 
 rit. It may not, therefore, feem ftrange if this 
 water mould be found more beneficial for procur- 
 ing health and long life, than any folution of 
 myrrh whatfoever. 
 
 50. Certainly divers refins and gums may have 
 virtues, and yet not be able for their grofTnefs to 
 
 pafs
 
 (25) 
 
 pafs the lacteals and other finer veficls, nor yet, 
 perhaps, readily impart thofe virtues to a men- 
 itruum, that may with fafety and fpeed convey 
 them throughout the human body. Upon all 
 which accounts, -I believe tar- water will be found 
 to have fingular advantages. It is obferved that 
 acid fpirits prove the ftronger, by how much the 
 greater degree of heat is required to raife them. 
 And indeed, there feemeth to be no acid more 
 gentle than this, obtained by the fimple affufion of 
 cold water ; which carries off from the fubject the 
 mod light and fubtile parts, and, if one may fo 
 fpeak, the very flower of it's fpecific qualities. 
 And here it is to be noted, that the volatile fait 
 and fpirit of vegetables do, by gently ftimulating 
 the folids, attenuate the fluids contained in them, 
 and promote fecretions, and that they are pene- 
 trating and active, contrary to the general nature 
 of other acids. 
 
 51. It is a great maxim for health, that the 
 juices of the body be kept fluid in a due propor- 
 tion. Therefore, the acid volatile Ipirit in tar* 
 water, at once attenuating and cooling in a mode- 
 rate degree, mud greatly conduce to health, as a 
 mild lalutary deobftruent, quickening the circula- 
 tion of the fluids without wounding the folids, 
 thereby gently removing or preventing thofe ob- 
 ftructions, which are the great and general caufe 
 of mod chronical difeaies j in this manner anfwer- 
 ing to the antihyfterics, afla fcetida, galbanum, 
 myrrh, amber, and, in general, to all the refins 
 and gums of trees or fhrubs ufeful in nervous, 
 cafes. 
 
 52. Warm water is it felf a deobftruent. There- 
 fore the infufion of tar drunk warm, is eafier infi* 
 nuated into all the nice capillary veflels, and acts 
 not only by virtue of the baifam, bu; alfo by that 
 
 D of
 
 (26) 
 
 of the vehicle. It's tafte, it's diuretic quality, it's 
 being fo great a cordial, fhew the activity of this 
 medicine. And at the fame time that it quickens 
 the fluggifh blood of the hyfterical, it's balfamic 
 oily nature abates the too rapid motion of the fharp 
 thin blood in thofe who are hectic. There is a 
 Jentour and fmoothnefs in the blood of healthy 
 flrong people ; on the contrary, there is often an 
 acrimony and .folution in that of weakly morbid 
 perfons. The fine particles of tar are not only 
 warm and active, they are alib balfamic and emol- 
 lient, foftening and enriching the fharp and vapid 
 blood, and healing the erofions occafioned thereby 
 in the blood-vefiels and glands. 
 
 53. Tar- water poffcffeth the ftomachic and car- 
 diac qualities of Elixir proprietatis, Stoughton's 
 drops, and many fuch tinctures and extracts, with 
 this difference, that it worketh it's effect more 
 fafely, as it hath nothing of that fpirit of wine, 
 which, however mixed and difguifed, may yet be 
 well accounted a poifon in fome degree. 
 
 54. Such medicines are fuppoicd to be diapho- 
 retic, which, being of an active and fubtile nature, 
 pafs through the whole fyflem, and work their 
 effect in the fined capillaries and perfpiratory 
 ductSj which they gently cleanfe and open. Tar- 
 water is extremely well fitted to work by fuch an 
 infenfible diaphorefis, by the finenefs and activity 
 of it's acid volatile fpirit. And furely thofe parts 
 ought to be very fine, which can fcour the per- 
 fpiratory ducts, under the fcarf fkin or cuticle, 
 if it be true that one grain of fand would co- 
 ver the mouths of more than a hundred thou- 
 fand. 
 
 55. Another way wherein tar-water operates, 
 is by urine, than which perhaps none is more fafe 
 and effectual, for cleaning die blood and carrying 
 
 off
 
 off it's fa/ts. But it feems to produce it's princi- 
 pal effect as an alterative, fure and eafy, much 
 lafer than thofe vehement purgative, emetic, and 
 falivating medicines, which do violence to nature. 
 
 56. An obftruction of fome veflels caufeth the 
 blood to move more fwiftly in other veffeis, which 
 are not obftructed. Hence manifold diforders. A 
 Jiquor that dilutes and attenuates, refolves the con- 
 cretions which obftruct. Tar-water is fuch a li- 
 quor. It may.be faid, indeed, of common water, 
 that it attenuates, alfo of mercurial preparations 
 that they attenuate. But it mould be con fide red 
 that mere water only diftends the veflels and there- 
 by weakens their tone , and that mercury, by it's 
 great momentum, may juftly be fufpected of hurt* 
 ing the fine capillaries, which two deobftruents 
 therefore might eafily over-act their parts, and (by 
 leflening the force of the elaftic vellels) remotely 
 produce thofe concretions they are intended to re- 
 move. 
 
 57. Weak and rigid fibres are looked on by 
 the moft able phyficians, as fources of two differ- 
 ent clafles.of dittempers : a flnggifli motion of the 
 liquids occafions weak fibres : therefore tar- water 
 is good to ftrengthen them as it gently accelerates 
 their contents. On the other hand, being an un- 
 ctuous bland fluid, it moiftens and foftens the dry 
 and ftiff fibres : and fo proves a remedy for both 
 extremes. 
 
 58. Common foaps are compofitions of lixivial 
 fait and oil. The corrofive acrimony of the fa- 
 line particles being foftened by the mixture of an 
 unctuous fubftance they infinuate themfelves into 
 the fmall ducts with lefs difficulty and danger. 
 The combination of thefe different fubftances 
 makes up a very fubtile and active medicine, fit- 
 ted for mixing with all humours, and refolving 
 
 D 2 all
 
 ( 28 ) 
 
 all obftructions. Soap therefore is juftly eileemed 
 a moft efficacious medicine in many diftempers. 
 Alcaline foap is allowed to be cleanfing, attenuat- 
 ing, opening, refolving, fweetening ; it is pectoral, 
 vulnerary, diuretic, and hath other good qualities, 
 which are alfo to be found in tar-water. . It is 
 granted, that oil and acid falts combined together 
 exiit in vegetables, and that confequently there are 
 acid foaps as well as alcaline. And the fapona- 
 ceous nature of the acid vegetable fpirits, is what 
 renders them fo diuretic, fudorific, penetrating, 
 abflerfive and refolving. Such, for inftance, is the 
 acid fpirit of Guaiacum. And all thefe fame virtues 
 feem to be in tar- water in a mild and falutary 
 degree. 
 
 59. It is the general opinion that all acids coa- 
 gulate the blood. Boerhaave excepts vinegar, which 
 he holds to be a foap, inafmuch as it is found to 
 contain an oil as well as an acid fpirit. Hence it 
 is both unctuous and penetrating, a powerful anti- 
 phlogiftic, and prefervative againft corruption and 
 infection. Now it feems evident that tar-water 
 is a foap as well as vinegar, For though it be 
 the character of refin, which is an infpiflated grofs 
 oil, not to difiblve in water (#), yet the falts at- 
 tract fome fine particles of effential oil : which fine 
 oil ferves as a vehicle for the acid falts, and mews 
 itfelf in the colour of the tar-water 5 for all pure 
 falts are colourlefs. And though the refin will 
 not diffo've in water, yet the fubtilc oil, in which 
 the vegetable falts are lodged, may as well mijf 
 with water as vincs;ar doth, which contains both 
 
 O 
 
 oil and fait. And as the oil in tar-water difcovers 
 M to the eye, fo the acid falts do rnanifeil 
 
 (} Seft. .
 
 ( 29) 
 
 themfelves to the tafte. Tar-water therefore is a 
 foap, and as fuch hath the medicinal qualities of 
 foaps. 
 
 60. It operates more gently as the acid falts 
 lofe their acrimony being fheathed in oil, and 
 thereby approaching the nature of neutral falts, 
 are more benign and friendly to the animal fy- 
 ilem : and more effectually, as, by the help of a vo- 
 latile fmooth infinuating oil, thofe fame falts are 
 more eafily introduced into the capillary ducts. 
 Therefore in fevers and epidemical djftempers it 
 is (and I have found it fo) as well as in chroni- 
 cal difeafes, a mofl fafe and efficacious medicine, 
 being good againft too great fluidity as a balfa- 
 mic, and good againft vifcidity as a foap. There 
 is fomething in the fiery corrofive nature of lixi- 
 vial falts, which makes alcaline foap a dangerous 
 remedy in all cafes where an inflammation is appre- 
 hended. And as inflammations are often occailoned 
 by obftructions, it mould feem an acid foap was 
 much the fafer deobftruertf. 
 
 61. Even the beft turpentines, however famous 
 for their vulnerary and detergent qualities, have 
 yet been obferved by their warmth to difpofe to 
 inflammatory tumours. But the acid fpirit (a) being 
 in fo great proportion in tar-water renders it a 
 cooler and fafer medicine. And the jetherial oil of 
 turpentine, though an admirable drier, healer, and 
 anodyne, when outwardly applied to wounds and 
 ulcers, and not lefs ufcful in cleanfing the urinary 
 paffages and healing their ulcerations, yet is known 
 to be of a nature fo very relaxing as fometimes to 
 do much mifchief, when taken inwardly. Tar-water 
 is not attended with the fame ill effects, which I 
 Relieve are owing in a great meafure to the astherial 
 
 () Sea 7, S. 
 
 oil's
 
 (30 ) 
 
 oil's being deprived of the acid fpirit in diftillation, 
 which vellicating and contracting as a flimulus 
 might have proved a counterpoife to the exceflive 
 lubricating and relaxing qualities of the oil. 
 
 62. Woods in decoction do not feem to yield fo 
 ripe and elaborate a juice, as that which is depo- 
 iited in the cells or loculi terebinthiaci, and fpon- 
 taneoufly oozes from them. And indeed though 
 the balfam of Peru, obtained by boiling wood and 
 fcumming the deception, be a very valuable medi- 
 cine and of great account in divers cafes, particu- 
 larly afthmas, nephritic pains, nervous colics, and 
 obftructions, yet I do verily think (and I do not 
 fay this without experience) that tar- water is a 
 more efficacious remedy in all thofe cafes than even 
 that coftly drug. 
 
 63. It hath been already obferved, that therefto- 
 rative pectoral antihyfterical virtues of the mbft pre- 
 cious balfams and gums are poflefled in a high de- 
 gree by tar-water (a). And I do not know any 
 purpofe anfwered by the wood drinks, for whicn 
 tar-water may not be ufed with at leaft equal fuc- 
 cefs. It contains the virtues even of Guaiacum 
 which feems the moft efficacious of all the woods, 
 warming and fweetening the humours, diaphoretic 
 and uieful in gouts, dropfies and rheums, as well 
 as in the foul difeafe. Nor mould it feem ftrange, 
 if the virtues obtained by boiling an old dry wood 
 prove inferior to thofe extracted from a balfam. 
 
 64. There is a fine volatile fpirit in the waters 
 of Geronfter, the moft efteemed of all the fountains 
 about Spa, but whofe waters do not bear tranfport- 
 ing. The ftomachic, cardiac, and diuretic qualities 
 of this fountain fomewhat re-fern ble thofe of tar- 
 water, which, if I am not greatly miftaken, con- 
 
 f<rj Seft. 9, 21, 22, 23.
 
 (3' ) 
 
 tains the virtues of the bell chalybeat and fulphur- 
 eous waters , with this difference, that thofe waters 
 are apt to affedb the head in taking, which tar- 
 water is not. Befides there is a regimen of diet 
 to be obferved, efpecially with, chalybeat waters, 
 which I never found neceffary with this. Tar- 
 water layeth under no reftraint either as to diet, 
 hours, or employment. A man may ftudy, or 
 exercile, or repofe, keep his own hours, pals his 
 time either within or without, and take wholefome 
 nourimment of any kind. 
 
 65. The ufe of chalybeat waters, however excel- 
 lent for the nerves and ftomach, is often fufpended 
 by colds and inflammatory diforders ; in which they 
 are acknowledged to be very dangerous. Whereas 
 tar-water is fo far from hurting in thofe cafes, or 
 being difcontinued on that account, that it greatly 
 contributes to their cure (a). 
 
 66. Cordials, vulgarly To called, act immedi- 
 ately on the , ftomach, and by confent of nerves 
 on the head. But medicines of an operation too 
 fine and light to produce a fenfible effect in the 
 prince vise, may, neverthelefs, in their paffage 
 through the capillaries, operate on the fides of thole 
 fmall veflels, in fuch manner as to quicken their 
 ofcillations, and confequently the motion of their 
 contents, producing, in iffue and effect, all the be- 
 nefits of a cordial much more lafting and falutary 
 than thofe of diftilled fpirits, which by their cauftic 
 and coagulating qualities do incomparably moremif- 
 chief than good. Such a cardiac medicine is tar- water. 
 
 . The tranfient fits of mirth, produced from fer- 
 mented liquors and diftilled fpirits, are attended 
 with proportionable deprefiions of fpirits in their 
 intervals. But the calm chearfulneis arifing from 
 
 (a) Sea. 7. 
 
 this
 
 (32 ) 
 
 this water of health (as it may be juflly called) is 
 permanent. In which is emulates the virtues of 
 that famous plant Gen Seng, fo much valued in 
 China as the only cordial that raifeth the fpirits 
 without deprefling them. Tar-water is fo far from 
 hurting the nerves as common cordials do, that it 
 is highly ufeful in cramps, Jpafms of the vifceraj 
 and paralytic numbnefs. 
 
 67. Emetics are on certain occafions adminiflred 
 with great fuccefs. But the overftraining and 
 weakening of nature may be very juflly apprehend- 
 ed from a courfe of emetics. They are neverthelefs 
 prefcribed and fubftituted for exercife. But it is 
 well remarked in Plato's Timaeus, that vomits and 
 purges are the word exercife in the world. There 
 is Ibmething in the mild operation of tar-water, 
 that feems more friendly to the ceconomy, and 
 forwards the digeftions and fecretions in a way more 
 natural and benign, the miidnefs of this medicine 
 being fuch that I have known children take it, for 
 above fix months together, with great benefit, and 
 without any inconvenience, and after long and 
 repeated experience I do efteem it a mod excellent 
 diet-drink, fitted to all feafons and ages. 
 
 68. It is, I think, allowed that the origin of 
 the gout lies in a faulty digeflion. And it is 
 remarked by the ableft phyficians, that the gout 
 is fo difficult to cure, becaufe heating medicines 
 aggravate it's immediate, and cooling it's remote 
 caufe. But tar-water, although it contain active 
 principles that ftrengthen the digeftion beyond any 
 thing I know, and confequently muft be highly 
 ufeful, either to prevent or leffen the following 
 fit, or by invigorating the blood to caft it upon 
 the extremities, yet it is not of fo heating a na- 
 ture 'as to do harm even in the fit. Nothing is 
 
 more
 
 (33 ) 
 
 more difficult or difagreeable than to argue men 
 out of their prejudices ; I fhall not therefore enter 
 into controverfies on this fubject, but, if men dif- 
 pute and object, mall leave the deciiion to time 
 and trial. 
 
 69. In the modern practice, foap, opium, and 
 mercury bid fairefl for univerfal medicines. The 
 firft of thefe is highly fpoken of. But then thofe 
 who magnify it moil, except againft tiie ufe of it in 
 fuch cafes where the obitruction is attended with a 
 putrefactive alkali, or where an inflammatory dif- 
 pofition appears. It is acknowledged to be very 
 dangerous in a phthifis, fever, and fome other 
 cafes, in which tar- water is not only fafe but ufe- 
 ful. ' 
 
 70. Opium, though a medicine of great extent 
 and efficacy, yet is frequently known to produce 
 grievous diforders in hyfterical or hypochondriacal 
 perfons, who make a great part, perhaps the 
 greatelt of thofe who lead fedentary lives in thefe 
 iflands. Befides, upon all. conftitutions dangerous 
 errors may be committed in the ufe of opium. 
 
 71. Mercury hath of late years become a medi- 
 cine of very general ufe. The extreme minutenefs, 
 mobility, and momentum of it's parts, rendering 
 it a moft powerful cleanfer of all obftructions, 
 even in the moft minute capillaries. But then we 
 fhould be cautious in the Lite of it, if we coniider, 
 that the very thing which gives it }x>wer of do- 
 ing good above other deobftruents, doth alfo dif- 
 pofe it to do mifchief. I mean it's great momentum, 
 the weight of it being about ten times that of 
 blood, and the momentum being the joint pro- 
 duct of the weight and velocity, it mutt needs 
 operate with great force ; and may it not be juftly 
 feared, that fo great a force entering the minutett 
 
 E velll-ls,
 
 ( 34 ) 
 
 veffcls, and breaking the obftructed matter, might 
 alfo break or wound the fine tender coats of thofe 
 fmall veflels, and fo bring on the untimely effects 
 of old age, producing more perhaps, and worfe 
 obftructions than thofe it removed ? Similar confe- 
 quences may juftly be apprehended from other mi- 
 neral and ponderous medicines. Therefore upon 
 the whole, there will not perhaps be found any 
 medicine, more general in it's life, or more falu- 
 tary in it's effects than tar- water. 
 
 72. To fuppofe that all diftempers arifing from 
 very different, and, it may be, from contrary 
 caufes, can be cured by one and the fame medi- 
 cine, muft feem chimerical. But it may with truth 
 be affirmed, that the virtue of tar- water extends to 
 a furprizing variety of cafes very diftant and un- 
 like (a). This I have experienced in my neigh- 
 bours, my family, and myfelf. And as I live in a 
 remote corner among poor neighbours, who for 
 want of a regular phyfician have often recourfe to 
 me, I have had frequent opportunities of trial, 
 \vhich convince me it is of fo juft a temperament as 
 to be an enemy to all extremes. I have known it 
 do great good in a cold watery conftitution, as a 
 cardiac and flomachic ; and at the fame time allay 
 heat and feverifh thirft in another. I have known it 
 correct coftive habits in fome, and the contrary 
 habit in others. Nor will this feem incredible, if 
 it be confidered that middle qualities naturally re- 
 duce the extreme. Warm water, for inftanee, 
 mixed with hot and cold will leflen the heat in 
 that, and the cold in this. 
 
 73. They who know the great virtues of com- 
 mon foap, whofe coarfe lixivial falts are the pro- 
 
 (*;Sett. 3, 4,5,6, 21. fc?< 
 
 duct
 
 (35) 
 
 duct of culinary fire, will not think it incredible 
 that virtues of mighty force and extent fhould be 
 found in a fine acid foap (<z), the falts and oil 
 whereof are a moft elaborate product of nature 
 and the folar light. 
 
 74. It is certain tar-water warms, and therefore 
 fome may perhaps ftill think it cannot cool. The 
 more effectually to remove this prejudice, let it be 
 farther confidered, that, as on the one hand, oppofite 
 caufes do fometimes produce the fame effect, for 
 inftance, heat by rarefaction and cold by conden- 
 fation do both increafe the air's elafticity : fo, on 
 the other hand, the fame caufe fhall fometime 
 produce oppofite effects : heat, for inftance, thins, 
 and again, heat coagulates the blood. It is not 
 therefore ftrange that tar-water fhould warm one 
 habit, and cool another, have one good effect 
 on a cold conflitution, and another good effect on 
 an inflamed one ; nor, if this be fo, that it fhould 
 cure oppofite diforders. All which juftifies to rea- 
 ibn, what I have often found true in fact. The 
 lalts, the fpirits, the heat of tar-water are of a 
 temperature congenial to the conftitution of a man, 
 which receives from it a kindly warmth, but no 
 inflaming heat. It was remarkable that two chil- 
 dren in my neighbourhood, being in a courfe of 
 tar-water, upon an intermifilon of it, never failed 
 to have their iifues inflamed by an humour much 
 more hot and fharp than at other times. But it's 
 great ufc in the fmall pox, pleurifies, and fevers, is a 
 fufficient proof that tar-water is not of an inflam- 
 ing nature. 
 
 75. I have dwelt the longer on this head, becaufe 
 fome gentlemen of the faculty have thought fit to 
 
 E 2 declare
 
 (36) 
 
 declare that tar-water muft inflame, and that they 
 vvould never vifit any patient in a fever, who had 
 been a drinker of it. But I will venture to affirm, 
 that it is fo Far from increasing a feverim inflam- 
 mation, that it is, on the contrary, a moft ready means 
 to allay and extinguish it. It is of admirable life 
 in fevers, being at the fame time the fureft, fafeft 
 and moft effectual both paregoric and cordial , for 
 the truth of which, I appeal to any pcrfon*s ex- 
 perience, who fhall take a Jarge draught of it 
 milk warm in the paroxyfm of a fever, even when 
 plain water or herb teas mail be found to have JittJe 
 or no effect. To me it kerns that it's fingtilar and 
 furprizing ufe in fevers of all kinds, were there 
 nothing elfe, would be alone fufficienc to recom- 
 mend it to the public. 
 
 76. The beft phyficians make the idea of a fe- 
 ver to confift in a too great velocity of the heart's 
 motion, and too great refinance at the capillaries. 
 Tar- water, as it foftens and gently ftimulates thofe. 
 nice veiTels, helps to propel their contents, and fo 
 contributes to remove the Jatter part of the difor- 
 der. And for the former, the irritating acrimony 
 which accelerates the motion of the heart is dilut- 
 ed by watery, corrected by acid, and foftened by 
 balfamic remedies, all which intentions are anfwer- 
 cd by this aqueous acid balfamic medicine. Be- 
 fides the vifcid juices coagulated by the febrile heat 
 are refolved by tar-water as a foap, and not too far 
 refolved, as it is a gentle acid foap ; to which we 
 may add, that the peccant humours and iaks are 
 carried off by it's diaphoretic and diuretic quali- 
 ties. 
 
 77. I found all this confirmed by my own expe- 
 rience in the iate fickly feafon of the year one thou- 
 and feven hundred and forty one, having had 
 
 twenty-
 
 ( 37 ) 
 
 twenty-five fevers in my own family cured by this 
 medicinal water, drunk copioufly. The lame me- 
 thod was practifed on feveral of my poor neigh- 
 bours with equa] fuccefs. It fuddenly calmed the 
 feverifh anxieties, and Itemed every glafs to re- 
 frefh, and infufe life and fpirit into the patient. 
 At firft fome of thofe patients had been vomited ; 
 but afterwards I found that without vomiting, 
 bleeding, Wittering, or any other evacuation or me- 
 dicine whatever, very bad fevers could be cured by 
 the fole drinking of tar- water, milk warm, and in 
 good quantity, perhaps a large glafs every hour, or 
 oftener, taken in bed. And it was remarkable, that 
 fuch as were cured by this comfortable cordial, reco- 
 vered health and fpirits at once, while thofe who 
 had been cured by evacuations often languifhed 
 long, even after the fever had left them, before 
 they could recover of their medicines and regain 
 their ftrength. 
 
 78. In peripneumonies and pleurifies I have ob- 
 ierved tar-water tq be excellent, having known, 
 fome pleuritic perfons cured without bleeding, by 
 a blifter early applied to the flitch, and the copi- 
 ous drinking of tar-water, four or five quarts, or 
 even more in four and twenty hours. And I do 
 recommend it to farther trial, whether in all cafes, 
 of a pleurify, one moderate bleeding, a blifter on 
 the fpot, and plenty of tepid tar-water may not 
 fuffice, without thofe repeated and immoderate 
 bleedings, the bad effects of which are perhaps 
 never got over. I do even fufpect, that a pleuritic 
 patient betaking himfelf to bed betimes, and drink- 
 ing very copioufly of tar- water, may be cured by 
 that alone without bleeding, bliftering, or any other 
 medicine whatever : certainly I have found this fuc- 
 ceed at a glafs every half hour. 
 
 79. I
 
 ( 38 ) 
 
 79- I have, known a bloody flux of Jong conti- 
 nuance, after divers medicines had been tried in vain, 
 curtd by tar- water. But that which I take to be 
 the moft fpeedy and effectual remedy in a bloody 
 flux, is a clyfter of an ounce of common brown 
 rofm diffblved over a fire in two ounces of oil, and 
 3dded to a pint of broth ; which not long fmce I 
 had frequent occafion of trying, when that diftem- 
 per was epidemical. Nor can I fay that any to whom 
 I advifed it mifcarried. This experiment I was led 
 to make by the opinion I had of tar as a balfamic : 
 and rofin is only tar infphTated. 
 
 80. Nothing that I know corroborates the fto- 
 mach fo much as tar-warer (a). Whence it fol- 
 lows, that it muft be of fingular ufe to perfons af- 
 flicted with the gout. And from what I haveobferved 
 in five or fix in (lances, I do verily believe it the 
 bed and fafeft medicine either to prevent the gout, 
 or fo to ftrengthen nature againil the fit, as to 
 drive it from the vitals ; or, at other times to change 
 a worfe illnefs into the gout, and fo get rid of it ; 
 Doctor Sydenham, in his treatife of the gout, declares, 
 that whoever finds a medicine the moft efficacious for 
 ftrengthening digeftion, will do more fervice in the 
 cure of that and other chronical diftempers, than he 
 can even form a notion of. And I leave it to trial, 
 whether tar- water be not that medicine, as I myfelf 
 am perfuaded it is, by all the experiments I could 
 make. But in all trials I would recommend difcreti- 
 on ; for inftance, a man with the gout in his fto- 
 rnach ought not to drink cold tar- water. This effay 
 leaves room for future experiment in every part of it, 
 not pretending to be a complete treatife. 
 
 8 1. It is evident to fenfe, that blood, urine, 
 and other ani ma) juices, being let to ftand, foon 
 
 
 
 . 68, 
 
 contract
 
 ( 39 ) 
 
 contract, a great acrimony. Juices, therefore, from 
 a, bad digeition retained and ftagnating in the 
 body, grow fharp and putrid. Hence a ferment- 
 ing hear, the immediate caufe of the gout. The 
 curing this by cooling medicines, as they would 
 increafe the antecedent caufe, muft be a vain at- 
 tempt. On the other hand, fpices and fpirituous 
 liquors, while they contribute to remove the ante- 
 cedent caufe, or bad digeftion, would, by inflanv- 
 ing the blood, increafe the proximate or immedi- 
 ate caufe of the gout, to wit, the fermenting heat. 
 The fcope therefore muft be, to find a medicine 
 that mall corroborate, but not inflame. Bitter herbs 
 are recommended i but they are weak in comparifonv 
 of tar- war. 
 
 82. The great force of tar-water, to correct the 
 acrimony of the blood, appears in nothing more 
 than in the cure of a gangrene, from an internal 
 
 t* c-J 
 
 caufe i which was performed on a fervant of my 
 own, by prefcribing the copious and conftant uier 
 of tar. water for a few weeks. From my reprc- 
 fenting tar-water as good for fo many things, feme 
 perhaps may conclude it is good for nothing. But 
 charity obligeth me to fay what I know, and whac 
 I think, howfoever it may be taken. Men may 
 cenfure and object as they pleafe, but I appeal to: 
 time and experiment- Effects mifimputed, cafes 
 wrong told, circumflances overlooked, perhaps: 
 too, prejudices and partialities againft truth, may 
 for a time prevail and keep her at the bottom of 
 her well, from whence neverthelefs me emergeth 
 fooner or later, and ftrikes the eyes of all who do 
 not keep them fhut. 
 
 83. Boerhaave thinks a fpecifk may be found, 
 for that peculiar venom, which infects the blood in 
 the fmall pox, and that the profpect of fo great 
 a public benefit fhould ftir up men to fearch for it. 
 
 It's
 
 (4 ) 
 
 It's wonderful fuccefs, in preventing and mitigating 
 that diftemper (#}, would incline one to fufpect that 
 tar-water is fuch a fpecific, efpecially fince I have 
 found it of fovereign ufe, as v/ell during the fmall 
 pox, as before it. Some think an Eryfipelas and 
 the Plague differ only in degree. If Jo, tar- water 
 mould be ufeful in the Plague, for I have known it 
 cure an Eryfipelas; 
 
 84. Tar- water, as cleaning, healing, and bal- 
 fatnic, is good in all diforders of the urinary paf- 
 fages, whether obftructed or ulcerated. Doctor 
 Lifter fuppofeth, indeed, that turpentines aft by 
 a cauftic quality, which irritates the coats of the 
 urinary duels to expel fand or gravel. But, it 
 mould feem, this expelling diuretic virtue confided 
 rather in the falts than the refin, and confequently re- 
 fides in the tar- water, gently ftimulating by it's fairs, 
 without the dangerous force of a cauftic. The vio- 
 lent operation oi Ipecacuanha lies in it's refin, but 
 the faiine extract is a gentle purge and diuretic, by 
 the ftimulus of it's falts. 
 
 85. That which ads as a mild cordial (), neither 
 hurting the capillary veffels as a cauftic, nor affect- 
 ing the nerves, nor coagulating the juices, muft in 
 all cafes be a -friend to nature, andaffift the vis vitas 
 in it's ftruggle againft all kinds of contagion. And 
 from what I have obferved, tar-water appears to 
 me an ufeful prefervative in all epidemical diforders, 
 and againft all other infection whatfoever, as well 
 as that of the fmall-pox. What effects the animi 
 pathemata have in human maladies, is well known, 
 and confequently the general benefit of fuch a cardi- 
 ac may be reafonably fnppofed. 
 
 86. As the body is laid to clothe the foul, fo 
 die nerves may be laid to conftttute her inner gar- 
 ment, And as the foul animates the whole, what 
 
 () 7, 3- " (*) 66. 
 
 near]/
 
 ( 41 ) 
 
 nearly touches the foul relates to all. Therefore 
 the afperity of tartarous falts, and the fiery aeri* 
 mony of alcaline falts, irritating and wounding- 
 the nerves, produce nafcent paffions and anxieties 
 in the foul; which both aggravate diftempers, 
 and render mens lives reftlefs and wretched, even 
 when 'they are afflicted with no apparent diitem* 
 per. This is the latent fpring of much woe, 
 ipleen, and tasdium vitas. Small imperceptible 
 irritations of the minuteft fibres or filaments, caur 
 fed by the pungent falts of wines and fauces, do 
 ib make and diiturb the microcofms of high liv- 
 ers, as often to raife tempefts in courts and fenates. 
 Whereas the gentle vibrations that are raited in 
 the nerves, by a fine fubtiie acid, fheathed in a 
 frnooth volatile oil (), foftly ftimulating and bra* 
 cirig the nervous veffels and fibres, promotes a due 
 circulation and fecretion of the animal juices, and 
 creates a calm fatisfied fenfe of health. And ac- 
 cordingly I have often known tar-water procure 
 fleep and compofe the fpirits in cruel vigils, occa- 
 fiorned either by iicknefs or by too intenfe applica- 
 tion of mind. 
 
 87. In dileafes fometimes accidents happen from 
 without by mifmanagernent, fometimes latent cau- 
 fes operate within, jointly with the fpecinc taint 
 or peculiar caufe of the malady. The caufcs erf 
 diftempers are often complicated, and there may 
 be fomething in the idiofyncrafy of the patient 
 that puzzles the phyfician. It may therefore be 
 presumed that no medicine is infallibJe, not even 
 in any one diforder. But as tar- water pofkrfTcth 
 the virtues of fortifying the ftomach, as well as 
 purifying, and invigorating the* blood, beyond any 
 medicine that I know, it may be prefamed of great 
 
 F and
 
 (4* ) 
 
 and general efficacy in all thofe numerous 
 which take their rife from foul or vapid blood, or 
 from a bad digeftion. The animal fpirits are ela- 
 borated from the blood. Such therefore as the 
 blood is, fuch will be the animal fpirit, more or 
 kfs, weaker or ftronger. This fheweth the ufe- 
 fulnefs of tar- water in all hyfteric and hypochon- 
 driac cafes j which together with the maladies 
 from indigeftion compnfe almoft the whole tribe 
 of chronical difcafes. 
 
 88. The fcurvy may be reckoned in thefe cli- 
 mates an univerfal malady, as people in general 
 are fubject to it, and as it mixes more or Jcfs in 
 almoft all difeafes. Whether this proceeds from 
 want, of elafticity in our air, upon which the tone 
 of the veflels depends, and upon that the feveral 
 fecretions; or whether it proceeds from the; 
 moifture of our climate, or the groflhefs of oujn 
 Food, or the falts in our atmofphere, or from all 
 thefe together; thus much at lead feems not 
 abfurd to fuppofe, that, as phyficians in Spain and 
 Italy are apt to fufpecl the venereal taint to be a 
 latent principle, and bear a part in every illnefs, 
 fo, for as good reafon, the fcurvy fhould be con- 
 Udered , by our phylicians, as having fome fhare 
 in mofl diforders and conftitutions that fall in their 
 way. It is certain our perfpiration is not fo free 
 as in clearer air and warmer climates. Perfpirable 
 humours not difcharged will ftagnate and putrify. 
 A diet of animal food will be apt to render the 
 juices of our bodies alcalefcent. Hence ichorous 
 and corrofive humours and many diforders. Moift 
 ;iir makes vifcid blood ; and faline air inflames this 
 vifcid blood. Hence broken capillaries, extravafa- 
 ted blood, fpots, and ulcers, and other fcorbutic 
 fymptoms. The body of a man attracts and im- 
 bibes the moifture and falts of the air, and what- 
 ever
 
 (43) 
 
 ever floats in the atmofphere, which, as it is com- 
 mon to all, fo it affects all more or lefs. 
 - 89. Doctor Mufgrave thinks the Devonmire 
 fcurvy a relicque of the leprofy, and that it is not 
 owing to the qualities of the air. But as thefe infu- 
 lars in general live in a grofs faline air, and their vef- 
 fe'ls being lefs elaftic, are confequently lefs able to 
 fubdue and caft off what their bodies, as fponges, draw 
 in, one would be tempted to fufpect the air not a 
 little concerned, efpecially in fuch a fituation as that 
 of Devonfhire. In all thefe Britifli iflands we enjoy 
 a great mediocrity of climate, the effect whereof is, 
 that we have neither heat enough to exalt and diflj- 
 pate the grofs vapours, as in Italy, nor cold enough 
 to condenfe and precipitate them, as in Sweden. So 
 they are left floating in the air, which we conftantly 
 breath, and imbibe through the whole furface of our 
 bodies. And this, together with exhalations from 
 coal fires, and the various foflils wherein we abound, 
 doth greatly con tribute, to render us fcorbutic and hy- 
 pochondriac. 
 
 90. There are fome who derive all difeafes from 
 the fcurvy, which indeed mud be allowed to create 
 or mimic moft other maladies. Boerhaave tells us, 
 it produceth pleuritic, colic, nephritic, hepatic pains, 
 various fevers, hot, malignant, intermitting, dyfen- 
 teries, faintings, anxieties, dropfies, confumptions, 
 convulfions, palfies, fluxes of blood. In a word, 
 it may be faid to contain the feeds and origin of al- 
 moft all diftempers. Infomuch that a medicine which 
 eures all forts of fcurvy, may be prefumed good for 
 moft other maladies. 
 
 91. The fcurvy doth not only in variety of 
 fymptoms imitate moft diftempers, but alfo when 
 <:ome to a height, in degree of virulence equal the 
 moft malignant. Of this we have a remarkable 
 proof, in that horn ble defcripdon of the fcorbutic 
 
 F 2 patients
 
 (44) 
 
 patients in the hofpitals of Paris, given by mon- 
 fieur Poupart, in the Memoirs of the royal aca- 
 demy of fciences, for the year one thouland fix 
 hundred and ninety-nine. That author thinks he 
 faw fome refemblance in it to the plague of Athens. 
 It is hard to imagine any thing more dreadful than 
 the cafe of thofe men, rotting alive by the fcurvy 
 in its fupreme degree. To obviate fuch putre- 
 faction, I believe the mod effectual method would 
 be, to embalm (if one may fo fay) the living body 
 with tar-water copioufly drunk j and this belief is 
 not without experience. 
 
 92. It is the received opinion that the animal 
 falts of a found body are of a neutral, bland and 
 benign nature: that is, the falts in the juices pail 
 the prim^ via?, are neither acid nor alcaline, hav- 
 ing been fubdued by the conftitudon, and changed 
 into a third nature. Where the constitution wants 
 force to do this, the aliment is not duly aflPimilat- 
 ed -, and fo far as the falts retain their priftine qua- 
 lities, fickly fymptoms enfue, acids and alkalies, not 
 perfectly fubdued, producing weak ferments in the 
 juices. Hence fcurvy, cachexy, and a Jong train 
 of ills. 
 
 93. A cachexy or ill habit is much of the fame 
 kind with the fcurvy, proceeds from the fame cau- 
 fcs, and is attended with like fymptoms, which are 
 
 manifold and various, that the fcurvy may well 
 be looked on as a general cachexy, infecting the 
 whale habit, and vitiating all the digeftions. Some 
 have reckoned as many iorts of the fcurvy, as there 
 are different taints of the blood. Others have fupr 
 pofed it a collection of all illnefles together. Some 
 fuppofe it an accumulation of feveral difeafes in 
 fieri. Others take it for an aflemblage of the re- 
 pcfues of old diftempers. 
 
 04. But
 
 (45 ) 
 
 94- But thus much is certain, the cure of the 
 fcurvy is no more to be attempted by flrongly 
 active medicines than (to ufe the fimilitude of an 
 ingenious writer) a thorn in the flefh, or pitch on 
 filk to be removed by force. The viicid humour 
 xrmft be gently refolved and diluted, the tone of 
 the veffels recovered by a moderate ftimulation, 
 and the tender fibres and capillary veffels gradually 
 cleared from the concreted i'cuff, that adheres and 
 obftructs them. All which is in the apteft manner 
 performed by a watery diluent, containing a fine 
 vegetable foap. And although a complete cure 
 by alteratives, operating on the fmall capillaries, 
 and by infenfible difcharges, muft require length 
 of time, yet the good effect of this medicine on 
 cachectic and fcorbutic perfons, is foon perceived, 
 by the change it produce th in their pale difcolour- 
 ed looks, giving a florid healthy countenance in 
 Jefs time than perhaps any other medicine. 
 
 95. It is fuppofed by phyficians, that the imme- 
 diate caufe of the 'fcurvy lies in the blood, the 
 fibrous part of which is too thick and .the ferum 
 too thin and iharp: and that hence arifeth the 
 great difficulty in the cure, becaufe in the correct- 
 ing of one part, regard muft be had to the other. 
 It is well known how extremely difficult it is to 
 cure an inveterate fcurvy: how many fcorbutic 
 patients have grown worfe by an injudicious courfe 
 of evacuations: how many are even rendered in- 
 curable by the treatment of inconfiderate phyfi- 
 cians: and how difficult, tedious and uncertain the 
 cure is in the hands even of the beft, who are 
 obliged to ufe fuch variety and change of medi- 
 cines, in the different l.tages of that malady: which 
 neverthelefs may be cured (if I may -judge by whac 
 I have experienced) by, the fole, regular, conftant, 
 -copious ufe of tar- water. 
 
 c.6. Tar-
 
 ( 46 ) 
 
 96. Tar-water moderately -infpiffates with its 
 balfamic virtue, and renders mild the thin and 
 Ibarp part of the blood. The fame, as a foapy 
 medicine, diffolves the grumous concretions of the 
 fibrous part. As a balfam it defiroys the ulcerous 
 acrimony of the humours, and ar, a deobftrucnt it 
 opens and cleans the veflels, reftores their tone, and 
 ftrengthens the digeftion, whofe defects are the prin- 
 cipal caufe of fcurvy and cachexy. 
 
 97. Jn the cure of the fcurvy, the. principal aim 
 is to.fubdue the acrimony of the blood and juices. 
 But as this acrimony proceeds from different caufes, 
 or even oppofite, ;.s acid and alkaline, what is 
 good in one fort of fcurvy proves dangerous, or 
 even mortal, in another. It is well known, that 
 hot antifcorbutics, where the juices of the body 
 are alcalefcent, increafe the difeafe. And four 
 fruits and vegetables produce a like effect in the 
 fcurvy, caufed by an acid acrimony. Hence fatal 
 blunders are committed by unwary practitioners, 
 who, not diftinguifhing the nature of the difeafe, 
 do frequently aggravate, inftead of curing it. If 
 I may truft what trials I have been able to make, 
 diis water is good in the feveral kinds of fcurvy, 
 acid, alcaline, and muriatic, and I believe it the 
 only medicine that cures them all without doing 
 hurt in any. As it contains a volatile acid (a) with 
 j. fine volatile oil, why may not a medicine cooi 
 in one part and warm in another, be a remedy to 
 either extreme (b] ? I have obferved it to produce 
 a kindly genial warmth without heat, a thing to 
 be aimed at in all .forts of fcurvy. Befides, the 
 balfam in tar-water (heaths all fcorbutic falts 
 alike: and its great virtues as a digefter and cleob-. 
 
 ftrqcnt
 
 ftruent are of general ufe in all Icorbutic, and," I 
 may add, in all chronical cail'S whatfoever. 
 
 "98. I cannot be fiire that I have tried it in a fcro- 
 phulous cafe, though I have tried it fuccefsfully 
 in one that I fufpected to be fb. And I appre- 
 hend it would be very ferviceable in fuch diforders. 
 For although Doctor Gibbs, in his treadle of the 
 King's Evil, derives that difeafs from a. coagulat- 
 ing acid, which is alfo agreeable to the opinion of 
 fome other phyficians, and although tar- water con- 
 tains an acid, yet as it is a foap (), it refoives in-. 
 ftead of coagulating the juices of the body. 
 
 99. For hyilerical and hypochondriaca! diforders 
 fo frequent among us, it is commonly fuppofed 
 that all acids are bad. But I will venture to ex- 
 cept the acid foap of tar-water, having found, 
 by my own experience, and that of many others, 
 that it raifeth the fpirirs, and is an excellent anti- 
 hyfteric, nor lefs innocent than potent, which 
 cannot be faid of thofe others in common ufe, 
 that often leave people worfe than they found 
 them. 
 
 TOO. In a high degree of fcurvy a mercurial fa- 
 Jivation is looked on by many as the only cure. 
 Which, by the vehement fhock it gives the 
 whole frame, and the fenfible lecretion it producsth, 
 may be thought to be more adequate to fuch an 
 effect. But the diforder occafioned by that vio- 
 lent procefs, it is to be feared, may never be got 
 over. The immediate danger, the frequent bad 
 effects, the extreme trouble and nice care attend- 
 ing fuch a courfe do very defervedly make people 
 afraid of it. And though the fenfible fecretipn J 
 therein be fo great, yet in a longer tract 'of 
 lime the ufe of tar-water may produce as great 
 
 3-
 
 ( 43 ) 
 
 a difcharge of fcorbutic fa Its by urine and' by per- 
 fpiration, the effect of which la ft, though not fo 
 fenfible, may yet be greater than that of faliva- 
 tion; efpecially if ic be true, that in common life 
 infenfibie perfpiration is to nutrition, and all fen- 
 fible excretions, as five to three. 
 
 joi. Many hyderic and fcorbutic ailments, ma- 
 ny taints contracted by them (elves, or inherited 
 from their anceflors, afflict the people of condition 
 in thefe iflands, often rendering them, upon the 
 whole, much more unhappy than thofc whom po- 
 verty and labour have ranked in the lowett lot of 
 life; which ailments might be fafely removed or re- 
 lieved by the ible ufe of tar- water; and thole lives, 
 which feem hardly worth Jiving, for bad appetite, 
 low fpirits, reliefs night?, wafting pains and anxie- 
 ties, be rendered ealy and comfortable. 
 
 102. As the nerves are inftruments offenfation, 
 it follows that ipafms in the nerves may produce 
 all fymptoms, and ' therefore a diforder in the net* 
 vous fyitem mail imitate all diftempers, and occa- 
 fion, in appearance, an aft h ma for inilance, a pleu- 
 rify, or a fit of the-ftone. Now whatever is good 
 for the nerves in general, is good againft all fuch 
 fymptoms. But tar-water, as it includes in an 
 eminent degree the virtues of warm gums and re- 
 
 O ' O 
 
 fms, is of great ufe for comforting and ftrengthen- 
 ing the nerves (a) 9 curing twitches in the nervous 
 fibres, cramps alfo, and numbnefs in the limbs, re- 
 moving anxieties and promoting fleep, in all which 
 cafes 1 have known it very fuccefsful. 
 
 103. This fafe and cheap medicine fuirs all cir- 
 cumftances and all conftitutions, operating eafily, 
 curing without difturbing, raifing the fpirits with- 
 out deprefiing "them, a circumftancc that deferves 
 
 () 86* 
 
 repeated
 
 (49) 
 
 repeated attention, efpeciaJJy in thefe climates 
 \vhere ftrong liquors fo fatally and fo frequently pro- 
 duce thofc very diftreffes they are defigned to re- 
 medy ; and, if I am not mifinformed, even among 
 the ladies themfelves, who are truly much to be 
 pitied. Their condition of life makes them a prey 
 to imaginary woes, which never fail to grow up 
 in minds nnexercifed and unemployed. To get 
 rid of thefe, it is faid, there are who betake them- 
 ieJves to diftilled fpirits. And it is not improbable 
 they are Jed gradually to the ufe of thofe poifbns 
 by a certain complaifant pharmacy, too much ufed 
 in the modern practice, palfy drops, poppy cordial, 
 plague water, and fuch like, which being in truth 
 nothing but drams difguifed, yet coming from the 
 apothecaries, are confidered only as medicines. 
 
 104. The foul of man was fuppofed by many 
 ancient iages, to be thruft into the human body as 
 into a prifon, for punimment of paft offences. But 
 the worft prifon is the body of an indolent Epi- 
 cure, whole blood is 'inflamed by fermented li- 
 quors (a) and high fauces, or render'd putrid, 
 iharp, and corrofive, by a ftagnation of the animal 
 juices through floth and indolence ; whofe mem- 
 branes are irritated by pungent falls, whofe mind 
 is agitated by painful ofcillations of the nervous 
 (b) fyflem, and whofe nerves are mutually af- 
 fected by the irregular paffions of his mind. This 
 ferment in the animal ceconomy darkens and con- 
 founds the intellect. It produceth vain terrors 
 and vain conceits, and ftimulates the foul with mad 
 defires, which, not being natural, nothing in na- 
 ture can fatisfy. No wonder, therefore, there are 
 fo many fine perfons of both fexes, mining them- 
 felves, and fhone on by fortune, who are inwardly 
 miferable and fick of life. 
 
 () 66, (ft 86. 
 
 G 105. The
 
 ( 5) 
 
 105. The hardnefs of flubbed vulgar conftitu- 
 tions, renders them infenfible of a thoufand things, 
 that fret and gall thofe delicate people, who, as 
 if their fkin was peeled off, feel to the quick every 
 thing that touches them. The remedy for this ex- 
 quifite and painful fenfibility is commonly fougKt 
 from fermented, perhaps from diftilled, liquors, 
 which render many lives wretched, that would 
 otherwile have been only ridiculous. The tender 
 nerves, and low fpirits of fuch poor creatures, would 
 be much relieved by the ufe of tar-water, which 
 might prolong and cheer their lives. I do there- 
 fore recommend to them the ufe of a cordial, not 
 only fafe and innocent, but giving health and fpirit 
 as furely as other cordials deftroy them. 
 
 1 06. I do verily think, there is not any other 
 medicine whatfoever, fo effectual to reftore a crazy 
 conftitution, and cheer a dreary mind, or fo likely 
 to fubvert that gloomy empire of the fpleen (#), 
 which tyrannizeth over the better fort (as they are 
 called) of rhefe free nations ; and maketh them, 
 in fpight of their liberty and property, more wretch- 
 ed flaves than even the fubjedts of abfolute power, 
 who breath clear air in a funny climate. While 
 men of low degree often enjoy a tranquillity and con- 
 tent, that no advantage of birth or fortune can 
 equal. Such, indeed, was the cafe, while the rich 
 alone could afford to be debauched ; but when even 
 beggars became debauchees, the cafe was altered. 
 
 107. The public virtue and fpirit of the Britifh 
 Icgiflature never fhewed itfelf more confpicuous 
 in any act, that in that for fupprefling the 
 immoderate ufe of diftilled fpirits among the 
 people, whofe ftrength and numbers conftitute 
 the true wealth of a nation : though evafive arts 
 
 will
 
 will, it is feared, prevail fo long as diftilled fpirit* 
 of any kind are allowed, the character of EngliOV 
 men in general being that of Brutus, Quicquid 
 vult, valde vult. But why mould fuch a canker be 
 tolerated in the vitals of a ftate, under any pre- 
 tence or in any Hiape whatfoever ? Better by far, 
 the whole prefent fet of diftillers were penfioners 
 of the public, and their trade abolifhed by law ; 
 fince all the benefit thereof put together would noC 
 balance the hundredth part of its mifchief. 
 
 1 08. To prove the deftructive effects of fuch 
 fpirits with regard both to the human fpecies and 
 individuals, we need not go fo far as our colonies, 
 or the favage natives of America. Plain proof 
 may* be had nearer home. For, albeit there is in 
 every town or diftrict throughout England, fome 
 tough dram-drinker, fet up as the Devil's decoy 
 to draw in profclytes ; yet the ruined health and 
 morals, and the beggary of fuch numbers evident- 
 ly mew, that we need no other enemy to compleat 
 our deftruction, than this cheap luxury at the lower 
 end of the ftate, and that a nation lighted up at 
 both ends muft foon be confumed. 
 
 109. It is much to be lamented that our Infu- 
 lars, who act and think fo much for themielves, 
 mould yet, from grofihefs of air and diet, grow 
 ftupid or doat fooner than other people, who, by 
 virtue of elaftic air, water-drinking, and light 
 food, preferve their faculties to extreme old age ; 
 an advantage which may perhaps be approached, 
 if not equalled, even in thefe regions, by tar- 
 water, temperance, and early hours ; the lad is a 
 fure addition to life, not only in- regard of time, 
 which, being taken from fieep, the image of 
 death, is added to the waking hours, but alfo it.} 
 regard of longevity and duration in the vulgar 
 
 Q 2 fcnfe, 
 
 Uiw
 
 ( 5* ) 
 
 fenfe. I may fay too, in regard of fpirit and viva- 
 city, which, within the fame compafs of duration, 
 may truly and properly be affirmed to add to 
 man*s life : it being manifeft, that one man, 
 by a brifker motion of his fpirlts and fucceflion of 
 his ideas, fhall live more in one hour, than ano- 
 ther in two : and that the quantity of life is to be 
 eftimated, not merely from the duration, but alfo 
 from the intenfenefs of living. Which intenfe 
 Jiving, or, if I may fo fay, lively life, is not 
 more promoted by early hours as a regimen, than 
 by tar- water as a cordial ; which acts, not only as 
 a flow medicine, but hath alfo an immediate and 
 chearful (a) effect on the fpirits. 
 
 IIQ. It muft be owned, that light attracted, fe- 
 Cfeted, and detained in tar (), and afterwards 
 drawn offin its finefl balfamic particles, by the gentle 
 menftruum of cold water, is not a violent and fud- 
 den medicine, always to produce its effect at once, 
 (fuch, by irritating, often do more mifchief than 
 good) but a fafe and mild alterative, which pene- 
 trates the whole fyftem, opens, heals, and ftrength- 
 ens the remote vefiels, alters and propels their con- 
 tents, and enters the minuteft capillaries, and can- 
 not therefore, otherwife than by degrees and in 
 time, work a radical cure of chronic diftempers. 
 It gives neverthelefs fpeedy relief in moft cafes, as 
 I have found by my felf and many others. I 
 have been furprized to fee perfons, fallen away and 
 Janguiming under a bad digeftion, after a few 
 weeks recover a good ftomach, and with it fiefh and 
 ftrength, fo as to feem renewed, by the drinking 
 of tar-water. The ftrength and quantity of this 
 water to be taken by each individual perfon is beft 
 determined from experience. And as for the time 
 . 
 
 to) 60. 0) 8, 29, 40. 
 
 Of
 
 ( 53 ) 
 
 of taking, I never knew any evil enfue from its 
 being continued ever fo long -, but, on the con- 
 trary, many and great advantages, which fome- 
 times would not perhaps begin to fhew themfelves 
 till it had been taken two or three months. 
 
 in. We learn from Pliny, that in the firft fer- 
 ment of new wine or muflum, the ancients were 
 wont to fprinkle it with powdered rofin, which 
 gave it a certain fprightlinefs, quaedam laporis acu- 
 mina. This was efteemed a great improver of its 
 odour and tafte, and was, I doubt not, of its fa- 
 lubrity alfo. The brown old rofin, that is to lay, 
 hardened tar, as being more eafily pulverized and 
 fifted, was mod in requeft for this purpofe. They 
 ufed like wife to feafon their \vine-veflels with pitch 
 or rofin. And I make no doubt, that if our vint- 
 ners would contrive to medicate their wines with 
 the fame ingredients, they might improve and 
 preferve them, with lefs trouble and expence to 
 themfelves, and lefs danger to others. He that 
 would know more particulars of this matter may 
 confult Pliny and Columella. I mall only add, 
 that I doubt not a fimilar improvement may be 
 made of malt liquor. 
 
 112. The pVi'vj of Theophraftus and refina of 
 Pliny are fometimes ufed in a general fenfe, -to 
 fignify all forts of oily vilcid exfudations from 
 plants or trees. The crude watery juice, that ri- 
 feth early in the fpring, is gradually ripened and 
 infpiffated by the folar heat, becoming in orderly 
 fucceffion with the feafons an oil, a balfam, and at 
 laft a refin. And it is obferved by chemifts, that 
 turpentine difiblved over a gentle fire, is, by the 
 conftant operation of heat, fucceflively transform- 
 ed into oil, balfam, pitch, and hard friable refin, 
 which will incorporate with oil or rectified fpirit, 
 >ut not with water, 
 
 Sir
 
 ( 54 ) 
 
 ii3- Sir John Floyer remarks, that we want a 
 method for the ufe of turpentine, and again, he 
 who fhall hit, faith he, on the pleafanteft method 
 of giving turpentine, will do great cures in the gout, 
 ftone, catarrhs, dropfies, and cold fcurvies, rheu- 
 matifms, ulcers, and obftrudtlons of the glands. 
 Laftly, he fubjoins, that for the ufe of altering and 
 amending the juices and fibres, it muft be given 
 frequently, and in fuch fmall quantities at a time, 
 and in fo commodious a manner, as will agree beft 
 with the flomach (#), ftay Jongeft in the body, and 
 not purge itfelf off , for large doles (faith he) go 
 through too quick, and befides offend the head. 
 Now the infufion of tar or turpentine in cold wa- 
 ter feems to fupply the very method that was 
 wanted, as it leaves the more unctuous and grofs 
 parts behind (), which might offend the flomach, 
 inteftines, and head ; and as it may beeafily taken, 
 and as often, and in fuch quantity, and fuch degree 
 of ftrength, as fuits the cafe of the patient. Nor 
 mould it feem, that the fine fpirit and volatile oil, 
 obtained by infufion of tar (c) is inferior to .that 
 of turpentine-, to which it fuperadds the virtue 
 of wood foot, which is known to be very great 
 with refpect to the head and nerves ; and this ap- 
 pears evident from the manner of obtaining tar 
 (d}. And as the fine volatile parts of tar or tur- 
 pentine are drawn off by infufion in cold water and 
 eafily conveyed throughout the whole fyftem of 
 the human body i fo it mould feem the fame me- 
 thod may be ufed with all forts of balfams or refins 
 whatfoever, as the readied, eafieft, and mod in- 
 offenfive, as well as in many cafes the moil effectual 
 way of obtaining and imparting their virtues. 
 
 '( a ) 9. (1} 47. (c} 7l 2> 5& (^,13- 
 
 114, After 
 
 1
 
 (55) 
 
 1 14. After having faid fo much of the ufes of 
 tar, I muft farther add, that being rubb'd on them 
 it is an excellent prefervative of the teeth and gurns ; 
 that it fweetens the breath, and that it clears and 
 ftrengthens the voice. And, as its effects are va- 
 rious and ufeful, fo there is nothing to be feared 
 from the operation of an alterative fo mild and 
 friendly to nature. It was a wife maxim of certain 
 ancient philofophers, that difeafes ought not to 
 be irritated by medicines. But no medicine di- 
 flurbs the animal ceconomy lefs than this (a), which, 
 if I may truft my own experience, never produces 
 any diforder in a patient when rightly taken. 
 
 115. I knew indeed a perfon who took a large 
 glafs of tar- water juft before breakfail, which gave 
 him an invincible naufea and difguft, although he 
 had before received the greateft benefit from it. 
 But if the tar-water be taken and made in the man- 
 ner prefcribed at the beginning of this efTay, it will, 
 if I miftake not, have enough of the fait to be ufe- 
 ful, and little enough'' of the oil to be inoffenfive. 
 I mean my own manner of making it, and not the 
 American ; that fometimes makes it too ftrong, 
 and fometimes too weak ; which tar-water, how- 
 ever it might ferve as there ufed, merely for a pre- 
 parative againft the fmall-pox, yet I queftion whe- 
 ther it may be fitly ufed in all thofe various cafes 
 wherein I have found tar-water fo fuccefsful. Per- 
 fons more delicate than, ordinary may render it 
 palatable, -by mixing a drop of the chemical oil of 
 nutmegs, or a fpoonful of mountain wine in each 
 glals. It may not be amifs to obferve, that I have 
 known fome, whofe nice ftomachs could not bear 
 it in the morning, take it at night going to bed 
 without any inconvenience -, and that with fome it 
 agrees beft warm, with others cold. It may be 
 
 W-33- 
 
 made
 
 made Wronger for brute beads, as horfes, in whofe 
 diforders I have found it very ufeful, I believe more 
 ib than that bituminous fubftance call'd Barbadoes 
 far. 
 
 li 6. In very dangerous and acute cafes much 
 may be taken and often ; as far as the ftomach can 
 bear. But in chronical cafes, about half a pint, 
 night and morning, may fuffice ; or in cafe ib large 
 a dofe mould prove difagreeablej half the quantity 
 may be taken at four times, to wit, in the morn- 
 ing, at night going to bed, and about two hours 
 after dinner and breakfaft. A medicine of fo 
 great virtue in fo many different diforders, and 
 efpecially in that grand enemy, the fever, muft 
 heeds be a benefit to mankind in general. There arc 
 neverthelefs three forts of people to whom I would- 
 peculiarly recommend it : Sea-faring perfons, la- 
 dies, and men of fludious and fedentary lives. 
 
 117. To failors and all fea- faring perfons, who 
 are fubjecl: to fcorbutic diforders and putrid fevers, 
 efpecially in long fouthern voyages, I am perfua- 
 ded this tar-water would be very beneficial, And 
 this may deferve particular notice in the prefent 
 courfe of marine expeditions, when fo many of our 
 country-men have perifhed by fuch diftempers, 
 contracted at fea and in foreign climates. Which, 
 it is probable, might have been prevented, by the 
 copious ufe of tar- water. 
 
 11 8. This fame water will alfo give charitable 
 relief to the ladies (<z), who often want it more 
 than the parilh poor ; being many of them never 
 able to make a good meal, and fitting pale, puny, 
 and forbidden like ghofls, at their own table, vic- 
 tims of vapours and indigeftion. 
 
 119. Studious perfons alfo, pent up in narrow 
 holes, breathing bad air, and ftooping over their : 
 
 (*) I0 3- 
 
 books,
 
 ( 57) 
 
 books, arc much to be pitied. As they are debar- 
 red the free ufe of air and cxercife, this I will ven- 
 ture to recommend as the bed fuccedaneum to both. 
 Though it were to be wifbedj that modern fcholars 
 would, like the ancients, meditate and converfe 
 more in walks and gardens and open air, which, 
 upon the whole, would perhaps be no hindrance to 
 their learning, and a great advantage to their 
 health. My own fedentary courfe of life had long 
 fi nee thrown me into an ill habit, attended with ma- 
 ny ailments, particularly a nervous colic, which 
 rendered my life a burden > and the more fo, be- 
 caufe my pains were exafperated by exercife. But 
 fince the ufe of Tar- water, I find, though not a per- 
 fect recovery from my old and rooted illnefs* yet 
 fuch a gradual return of health and eafe, that I 
 efteem my having taken this medicine the greateft 
 of all temporal bleffings, and am convinced that, 
 under Providence, I owe my life to it. 
 
 1 20. In the diftilling of turpentine and other 
 balfams by a gentle heat, it hath been obferved, 
 that there rifeth firft an acid fpirit (n), that will 
 mix with water; which fpirit, except the fire bs 
 very gentle, is loft. This grateful acid fpirit 
 that firft comes oVer^ is, as a learned chemiffc 
 and phyfician informs us, highly refrigeratory, 
 diuretic, fudorific, ballamic or prefervative from 
 putrefaction, excellent in nephritic cafes, and for 
 quenching thirft, all which virtues are contained 
 in the cold infufion, which draws forth from tar 
 only its fine flower or quinteflfence, if I may fo 
 fay, or the native vegetable fpirit, together with n. 
 little volatile oil. 
 
 121. The diftinguiming principle of all vege- 
 tables, that whereon their peculiar fmell, tatte, 
 and fp?cific properties depend, feems to be fome 
 
 (*) 7- 
 
 extremely
 
 ( 58 ) 
 
 extremely tine and fubtile fpirir, whofe immediate 
 vehicle is an exceeding thin volatile oil, which is 
 irfcJf detained in a grofTer and more vifcid re- 
 Jin or ballam, lodged in proper cells in the bark 
 and feeds, and moit abounding in autumn or win- 
 ter, after the crude juices have been thoroughly 
 concocted, ripened, and impregnated with fbla: 
 light. The fpirit itfclf is by fome fuppofed to 
 be an oil highly fubtilized, fo as to mix with 
 water. But fuch volatile oil is not the fpirit, 
 but only its vehicle. Since aromatic oils, be- 
 ing long expofed to air, will Jofe their fpecific 
 irnejl and tafte, which fly off with the fpirit or 
 vegetable fait, without any fenfible diminution of 
 the oil. 
 
 12,2. Thofe volatile falts, that are fct free and 
 raifed by a gentle heat, may juftly be fuppofed 
 eflential (a), and to have pre-exifted in the ve- 
 getable; whereas the lixivial fixed falts obtained 
 by the incineration of the fubjecl, whofe natural 
 condiment parts have been altered or deftroyed by 
 the extreme force of fire, are by later chemifts > 
 Vipon very good grounds, fuppofed not to have 
 pre-exifted therein;, all fuch falts appearing, from 
 the experiments of fignor Recli, not to preferve 
 the virtues of the refpeclive vegetable fubjects; 
 and to be alike purgative and in an equal de- 
 gree, whatfoever may be the fhape of their points, 
 whether fharp or obtufe. But although fixed or 
 Jixivious falts may not contain the original pro- 
 perties of the fubjcct; yet volatile falts raifed by a 
 flight heat from vegetables are allowed to preferve 
 their native virtues : and fudi falts are readily im- 
 bibed by water. 
 
 123. The mod volatile- of the falts, and the 
 nloft attenuated part of the oil,- may be fuppofed 
 
 (a)' 8. 
 
 the
 
 ( 59 ) 
 
 the firft and readiefl to impregnate a cold infu- 
 fion (b). And this will afliit us to account for 
 the virtues of tar-water. That volatile acid in 
 vegetables, which refifts putrefaction, and is their 
 great prefervative, is detained in a fubtile oil mif- 
 cible with . \vater r which oil is itfelf impriibned in 
 the refin or groflfer part of the tar, from which it 
 is eafily fet free and obtained pure by cold wa- 
 ter. 
 
 124. The mild native acids are obferved more 
 kindly to work upon, and more thoroughly to 
 ciifiblve, metallic bodies, than the fbrongeft acid 
 (pints produced by a vehement fire; and it may 
 be fufpected, they have the fame advantage as a 
 medicine. And as no acid, by the obfcrvation 
 of fome of the bed chemifts, can be obtained 
 from the fubftahce of animals thoroughly affirm- 
 kted, it fhould follow, that the acids received 
 into a healthy body muft be quite fubdued and 
 changed by the vital powers : but it is eafier to fub- 
 due and afiimilate (c) the gentler than the Stronger 
 acids. 
 
 125. I am very fenfible, that on fuch fubjech 
 arguments fall fhort of evidence: and that mine 
 fall fhort even of what they might have been, if I 
 enjoyed better health, or thofe opportunities of a 
 karned commerce, from which I am cut off in 
 this remote corner. I fhall neverthelefs go on as 
 I have begun, and proceed by reafon, by .con- 
 jedure, and by authority, to caft the bed light. 
 I can on the obfcure paths that lie in my way. 
 
 126. Sir I faac Newton, Boerhaavc, and Hoin- 
 berg are all agreed, that the acid is a fine fubtile 
 fubftance, pervading the whole terraqueous globe-, 
 which produceth divers kinds of bodies, as it is 
 united to different fubjecls. This, according to 
 
 ' (1>) i, 7. ( c ) 4 8. 
 
 H 2 Hamburg,
 
 ( 60 ) 
 
 H'omberg, is the pure fait, fait the principle, in it 
 felf fimilar and uniform, but never found alone. 
 And although this principle be called the fait of 
 the earth, yet it mould feem it may more pro- 
 perly be called the fait of the air, fince earth 
 turned up and lying fallow receives it from the 
 air. And it fhould feem that this is the great 
 principle of vegetation, derived into the earth 
 'from all forts of manures, as well as from the 
 air. This acid is allowed to be the caufe of fer- 
 iiientation in all fermented liquors. Why there- 
 fore, may it not be fuppofed to ferment the earth, 
 and to conftitute that fine penetrating principle, 
 which introduces and affimilates the food of plants, 
 und is fo fugitive as to efcape all the filtrations and 
 perquifitions of the niofl nice obfervers? 
 
 127. It is the doctrine of Sir Ifaac Newton 
 and Monfieur Homberg, that, as the watry acid 
 js that which renders fait foluble in water, fo it is 
 that fume which joined to the earthy part makes it 
 a fait. Let it therefore be confidered, that the 
 organs (d) of plants are tubes, the filling, un- 
 folding, and diftending whereof by liquors, doth 
 conflitute what is called the vegetation or growth 
 vf "the plant. But "earth itfeif is not foluble in 
 water, fo as to form one vegetable fluid there- 
 with. Therefore the particles of earth muft be 
 joined with a watry acid, that is, they muft be- 
 come falts in order to difiblve in water; that ib, 
 in the form of a vegetable juice, they may pals 
 through the ftrainers and tubes of the root into 
 
 : body of the plant, fv/elling and diftending 
 
 parts and organs, that is, increafing its bulk. 
 
 Therefore the vegetable matter of the earth is 'in 
 
 teH earth changed into fair. And to render earth 
 (<*) 3> 3 f > 35- 
 
 fertile
 
 (61 ) 
 
 fertile, is to eaufe many of its particles to aflame 
 a feline form. 
 
 128. Hence it is obferved, there are more 
 faks in the root than in the bark, more falts in 
 vegetables during the fpring, than in the autumn 
 or winter, the crude faline juices being in the 
 iummer months partly evaporated, and partly ri- 
 pened by the action and mixture of light. Hence 
 alfo it appears, why the dividing of earth, fo as 
 to enlarge its furface, whereby it may admit 
 more acid from the air, is of fuch ufe in pro- 
 moting vegetation : Arid why afhes, lime, and 
 burnt clay are found fo profitable manures, fire 
 being in reality the acid, as is proved in the le- 
 quel (a). Marls alfo and fhells are ufeful, foral- 
 much as thofe alkaline bodies attract the acid, and 
 raife an effervescence with it, thereby promoting 
 a fermentation in the glebe. The excrements of 
 animals and putrid vegetables do in like manner 
 contribute to vegetation, by increafing the falts of 
 the earth. And where fallows are well broken, 
 and lye long to receive the acid of the air into all 
 their parts; this alone will be fufficient to change 
 many terrene particles into falts, and confequently 
 render them foluble in water; and therefore fit ali- 
 ment for vegetables. 
 
 129. The acid, faith Homberg, is always join- 
 ed to fome fulphur, which determines it to this or 
 that fpecies, producing different falts, as it is the 
 vegetable, bituminous, or metallic fulphur. fi- 
 ve n the alkaline, whether volatile or lixivial falts, 
 are fuppofed to be, nothing but this fame acid 
 ftridly detained by oil and earth, in fpight of 
 the extreme force of fire, which lodgeth in them, 
 without being able to diflodge fome remains of the 
 acid, 
 
 (a) 202. 
 
 $30. Salts,
 
 1 30. Saits, according to Sir Ifaac Newton, are 
 dry earth and watery acid united by attraction, 
 the 'acid rendering them foluble in water (/). He 
 fuppofeth the . watery acid to flow round the ter- 
 reitrial part, as the ocean doth round the earth, 
 being attracted thereby, and compares each par- 
 ticle of fait, to a chaos whereof the innermoft 
 part is hard and earthy, but the furface foft and 
 watery. Whatever attracts and is attracted mod 
 ftrongly is an acid in his fenfe. 
 
 131. It feems impofiible to determine the figures 
 of particular falts. All acid folvents together with 
 the diffolved bodies are apt to Ihoot into certain 
 figures. And the figures, in which the foflil falts 
 cryftallize, have been fuppofed the proper natural 
 fnapes of them and their acids. But llomberg 
 hath clearly mewed the contrary : forafmuch as the 
 lame acid diilblving different bodies, affumes dif- 
 ferent fhapes. Spirit of nitre, for inllance, hav- 
 ing diflblved copper, Ihootsinto hexagonal cryrb. 
 the fame having diffolved iron, moots into irregu- 
 lar fquares; and again, having difiblved fii'vcr, 
 forms thin cryilals of a triangular figure. 
 
 132. Homberg nevertheiefs holds in general, 
 that acids are fbaped like daggers, and alcaiies like 
 iheaths: and that moving in the fame liquor, die 
 diggers run into the fbeaths fitted to receive them, 
 with fuch violence as to raife that effervefcence ob- 
 fervcd in the mixture of acids and alkalies. But it 
 fcems very difficult to conceive, how, or why the 
 mere configuration of daggers and iheaths, floating 
 in the fame liquor, mould caufe the former to rufli 
 with fuch vehemence, and direct their points ib 
 aptly into the latter, any more than a parcel of fpir 
 gots, and foffets floating together in. the fame water, 
 :1roi:Id rufh one into the other. 
 
 133- It
 
 ( 63 ) 
 
 133- It fnoukl feem rather, that the vehement 
 attraction which Sir Ifaac Newton attributes to all 
 acids, whereby he fuppoieth them to ruLh towards, 
 penetrate, make, and divide the mcft folid bodies, 
 and to ferment the liquid of vegetables, could bet- 
 ter account for this phenomenon. It is in this at- 
 traction, that Sir Ifaac placeth all their activity, 
 and indeed it fhould feem, the figures of falts were 
 not of fuch efficacy in producing their effects, as 
 the llrong attractive powers whereby they are 
 agitated and do agitate other bodies. Efpecially if 
 it be true (what was before remarked) that lixivious 
 falts are alike purgative, whatever may be the 
 lhape of their angles, whether more or Ids acute or 
 obtufe. 
 
 134. Sir Ifaac Newton accounts for the water 
 acids making earthy corpufcles foluble in water, by 
 fuppoiing fhe acid to be a mean between earth 
 and water, its particles greater than thole of wa- 
 ter, and Jefs than thofe of earth, and ftrongly to 
 attract both. But perhaps there is no neceiTary 
 reaibn for fuppofing the parts of the acid groflet 
 than the parts of water, in order to produce this . 
 effect; may not this as well be accounted for, by 
 giving them only a ftrong attraction or cohefion 
 with the bodies to which they are joined ? 
 
 135. The acid fpirit or fait, that mighty inftru- 
 ment in the hand of nature, refiding in the air, and. 
 diffufed throughout that whole element, is difcer- 
 niblealfo in many parts of the earth, particularly in 
 foflils, fuch as fulphur, vitriol, and allum; it was 
 already obferved from Romberg, that this acid is 
 never found pure, but hath always fulphur joined 
 with ir, and is ciafied by the difference of its fui- 
 phurs, whether mineral, vegetable, or animal. 
 
 136. Salts are vulgarly reckoned the moft active- 
 of chemical principles. But Hocnberg derives alf 
 
 their
 
 ( 64) 
 
 their activity from the fulphurs joined with them. 
 From which alfo, as hath been faid, he derives all 
 their kinds and differences QJ-). Salt, water, oil, 
 and earth feem to be originally the fame in all ve- 
 getables. All the difference, according to the 
 chemifts, arifeth from a fpirit refiding in the oil, 
 called the Redor or Archsus. This is otherwifc 
 called by chemifts, ens primum, or the native fpi- 
 rit, whereon depend, and wherein are contained, 
 the peculiar flavour and odour, the ipecific quali- 
 ties and virtues of the plant. 
 
 137. Thefe native Ipirits or vegetable fouls are 
 all breathed or exhaled into the air, which feems 
 the receptacle as well as Iburce of all fublunary 
 forms, the great mafs or chaos which imparts and 
 receives them. The air, or atmofphere, that fur- 
 rounds our earth, contains a mixture of all the active 
 volatile parts of the whole habitable world, that is, 
 of all vegetables, minerals, and animals. Whatever 
 perfpires, corrupts, or exhales, impregnates the air; 
 which, being acled upon by the folar fire, produ- 
 ceth within itfelf all forts of chemical operations, 
 difpenfing again thofe falts and fpirits in .new 
 generations, which it had received from putrefac- 
 tions. 
 
 138. The perpetual ofcillations of this elailic and 
 reftlefs element operate without ceafing on alJ 
 things that have life, whether animal or vegetable, 
 keeping their fibres, veffels, and fluids in a motion 
 always changing-, as heat, cold, moifture, drynefs, 
 and other caufes alter the elafticity of the air. Which 
 accounts, it muft be owned, for many effecls. But 
 there are many more which muft be derived from 
 other principles or qualities in the air. Thus iron 
 and copper are corroded and gather ruft in the air, 
 and bodies of all forts are difiolved or corrupted, 
 
 (s) 12 9- 
 
 which
 
 which meweth an acid to abound and difTuie itfelf 
 throughout the air. 
 
 139. By this fame air fire is kindled, the Limp 
 of life prefcrved, refpiration, d : geftion, nutrition^ , 
 the pulfe of the heart and motion of all the muf- 
 cles feem to be performed. Air therefore is a ge- 
 neral agent, not only exerting its own, but calling 
 forth the qualities or powers of rJl other bodies, b^ 
 a divificn, comminution, and agitation of their 
 particles, caufing them to fly off and become vo- 
 latile and aclive. 
 
 140. Nothing ferments, vegetates, or putrefies 
 without air, which operates \vith all the virtu s of 
 the bodies included in it; that fc> cfall nature; 
 there being no drug, falutary or poifonous", whofe 
 virtues are not breathed into the air. The airthefe'- 
 fbre is aruictive mafs of numberlefs different prin- 
 ciples, the general fource of corruption and gen'e- 
 ratfioni on- one hand dividing, abrading, and car- 
 rying off the particles of bodies, that is, corrupt- 
 ing or diflblving them ; on the other, producing 
 new ones into being', dcfbroyrng and beftowing 
 forms wirhout intermiflion. 
 
 14 r. The feeds of things feem to lye latent in 
 the air, ready to appear and produce their kind, 
 whenever they light on a proper matrix. The ex- 
 tremely fmall feeds of fern, mofle^ muftirooms, 
 and fome other plants are concealed and wafted a- 
 bout rn the air, every part - whereof fccms rcpL te 
 with feeds of one kind or other. The whole' at- 
 mofpHere feems alive. There is* every where acid 
 ro corrode, and ft-cd to engender. Iron will rtifr, 
 and mold wHl grow in ail places. Virgin earth be- 
 comes fertile, crops of new phnts evtr and anon 
 ihew themfelves; all which demonstrates the' air to- 
 be a common feminary and reccpcablc" of air vivi-' 
 fying principles. 
 
 I 142, Air
 
 (66) 
 
 142. Air may alfo be faid to be the feminary of 
 minerals and metals, as it is of vegetables. Mr. 
 Boyle informs us, that the exhaufted ores of tin 
 and iron being expofed to the air become again im- 
 pregnated with metal, and that ore of alum having 
 loft its fait recovers it after the fame manner. And 
 numberlefs inftances there are of falts produced by 
 the air, that vaft collection or treafury of active 
 principles, from which all fublunary bodies feem to 
 derive their forms, and on which animals depend 
 for their life and breath. 
 
 143. That there is fome latent vivifying fpirit 
 difperfed throughout the air, common experience 
 fheweth j inafmuch as it is neceffary both to vege- 
 tables and animals (b) whether terreftrial or aquatic, 
 neither beafls, infects, birds, nor fifties being able 
 to fubfift without air. Nor doth all air fuffice, 
 there being fome quality or ingredient, of which 
 when air is deprived, it becometh unfit to main- 
 tain either life or flame. And this even though the 
 air mould retain its elafticity ; which, by the bye, 
 is an argument that air doth not act only as an an- 
 tagonift to the intercoital mufcles. It hath both 
 that and many other ufes. It gives and preferves a 
 proper tone to the veflels: this elaftic fluid pro- 
 motes, all fecretions: its ofcillations keep every part 
 in motion : it pervades and actuates the whole ani- 
 mal fyilem, producing great variety of effects, and 
 even oppofite in different parts, cooling at the fame 
 time and heating, diftending and contracting, co- 
 agulating and refolving, giving and taking, fuf- 
 taining life and impairing it, prefling without and 
 expanding within, abrading fome parts, at the 
 fame time infinuating and fupplying others, pro- 
 ducing various vibrations in the fibres, and fer- 
 
 (b) 138, 139. 
 
 ments
 
 (67) 
 
 ments in the fluids ; all which mufl needs enfue 
 from fuch a fubtile, active, heterogeneous and 
 elaflic fluid. 
 
 144. But there is, as we have obferved, fome 
 one quality or ingredient in the air, on which life 
 more immediately and principally depends. What 
 that is, though men are not agreed, yet it is agreed 
 that it mufl be the fame thing that fupports the vital 
 and the common flame ; it being found that when 
 air, by often breathing in it, is become unfit for 
 the one, it will no longer ferve for the other. The 
 like is obferveable in poifonous damps or fleams, 
 wherein flame cannot be kindled. As is evident in 
 the Grotto del cane near Naples. And here it oc- 
 curs, to recommend the plunging them into cold 
 water, as ah experiment to be tried on perfons af- 
 fected by breathing a poifonous vapour in old 
 vaults, mines, deep holes or cavities under ground. 
 Which, I am apt to think, might fave the lives of 
 feveral, by what I have fcen pra^lifed on a dog 
 convulfed, and in all appearance dead, but inflantly 
 reviving on being taken out of the abovementioned 
 grotto and thrown into a lake adjacent. 
 
 145. Air, the general menftruum and feminary, 
 feemeth to be only an aggregate of the volatile parts 
 of all natural beings, which varioufly combined 
 and agitated produce many various effects. Small 
 particles in a near and clofe fituation ftrongly aft 
 upon each other, attracting, repelling, vibrating. 
 Hence divers fermentations, and all the variety of 
 meteors, tempefls, and concuflions both of earth 
 and firmament. Nor is the microcofm lefs affected 
 thereby. Being pent up in the vifcera, veffels, and 
 membranes of the body, by its falts, fulphurs, 
 and elaftic power, it engenders colics, fpafmsj 
 hyileric diforders, and other maladies. 
 
 16. The fpecific quality of air is taken to be 
 1 ? permanent
 
 (68 ) 
 
 permanent elafticity. Mr. Boyle is exprefsly of this 
 opinion. And yet, whether there be any fuch 
 thing as permanently elaftic air may be doubted, 
 there being many things which feem to rob .the air 
 of" this quality, or pt lead kflen and fufpend its 
 exertion. The falls and fulphurs, for inflance, that 
 float in the air abate much of its elafticity by their 
 attraction. 
 
 147. Upon the whole it is manifeft, that air is 
 no diitinct clement, but a mafs or mixture of things 
 the moft heterogeneous and even oppofite to each 
 other (?), which become air, by acquiring an 
 elafticity and volatility from the attraction of fome 
 active, fubtile fubftance; whether it be called fire, 
 Aether, light, or the vital fpirit of the world ; in 
 like manner as the particles of antimony, of them- 
 .felves not volatile, are carried off in fublimation 
 and rendered volatile, by cohering with the par- 
 ticles of fal ammoniac. But action and reaction 
 being equal, the fpring of this ethereal fpirit is 
 diminifbed by being imparted. Its velocity and 
 fubtilty are alfo lefs from its being mixed with 
 groiTer particles. Hence found moves flower than 
 light, as mud than water. 
 
 148. Whether air be only freed and fixed, or 
 generated and destroyed, it is certain that air begins 
 and ceafes to exert and fhew itfelf. Much by expe- 
 riments feems to be generated, not only from ani- 
 mals, fruits, and vegetables, but alfo from hard 
 bodies. And it is obferved by Sir Ifaac Newton, 
 that air produced from hard bodies is moft elaftic. 
 The tranfmutation' of elements, each into other, 
 ba'-h been anciently held. In Plutarch we find it 
 \vasthe opinion of Heraclitus, that the death of 
 fire \v:s a birth to air, and the death of air a birth 
 to \vatcr. This opinion is alio maintained by 
 
 fJ'37 H5- 
 
 Sl f
 
 ( 69 ) 
 
 Sir Ifaac Newton. Though it may be queftioned, 
 whether what is thought a change be not only a 
 difguife. 
 
 149. Fire feems the moft elaftic and expanfive of 
 all bodies. It communicates this quality to moid 
 vapours and dry exhalations, when it heats and a- 
 gitates their parts, cohering clofely with them, 
 overcoming their former mutual attraction, and 
 caufing them, inftead thereof, reciprocally to re- 
 pel each other and fly afunder, with a force pro- 
 portionable to that wherewith they had cohered. 
 
 150. Therefore in air we may conceive two 
 parts, the one more grofs, which was raifed and 
 carried off from the bodies of this terraqueous 
 mafs: the pther a fine fubtile fpiritby means where- 
 of the former is rendered volatile and elaftic. 
 Together they compofe a medium, whofe elaiticity 
 is lefs than that of pure aether, fire, or fpirit, in 
 proportion to the quantity of falts, vapours, and 
 heterogeneous particles contained therein. Hence 
 it follows, that there is no fuch thing as a pure fim- 
 ple element of air. It follows alfo, that on the high- 
 eft mountains air mould be more rare than in pro- 
 portion to the vulgar rule, of the fpaces being re- 
 ciprocally as the preffures : and fo in fact it is faid 
 to have been found, by the gentlemen of the 
 French Academy of Sciences. 
 
 151. .Ether, fire, or fpirit being attracted and 
 clogged by heterogeneous particles becometh lefs 
 active; and the particles cohering with thofe of 
 aether, become more active than before. Air there- 
 fore is a mafs of various particles, abraded and fub- 
 limated from wet and dry bodies of all forts, co- 
 hering with particles of aether ; the whole per- 
 meated by pure aether, or light, or fire: for thefe 
 words are ufed promifcuoufly by ancient philofo- 
 
 TS. 
 
 152. This 
 
 php
 
 ( 7) 
 
 152. This asther or pure invifible fire, the 
 molt fubtile and elaftic of all bodies, feems to 
 pervade and expand itfelf throughout the whole 
 univerfe. If air be the immediate agent or inftru- 
 ment in natural things, it is the pure invifible fire 
 that is the firft natural mover or fpring, frotn 
 whence the air derives its power (#). This migh- 
 ty agent is every where at hand, ready to break 
 forth into action, if not reftrained and governed 
 with the greateft wifdom. Being always refhlefs 
 and in motion, it actuates and enlivens the whole 
 vifible mafs, is equally fitted to produce and to 
 deftroy, diftinguifhes the various ftages of nature, 
 and keeps up the perpetual round of generations 
 and corruptions, pregnant with forms which it 
 conftantly fends forth and reforbs. So quick in 
 its motions, fo fubtile and penetrating in its na- 
 ture, fo extenfive in its effects, it feemeth no o- 
 ther than the vegetative foul or vital fpirit of the 
 world. 
 
 153. The animal fpirit in man is the inftru- 
 mental or phyfical caule both of fenfc and mo- 
 tion. To fuppofe fenfe in the world, would be 
 grofs and unwarranted. But loco-motive faculties 
 are evident in all its parts. The Pythagoreans, 
 Platonifts, and Stoics held the world to be an ani- 
 mal. Though fome of them have chofen to con- 
 fidcr it as a vegetable. However the phenomena 
 and effects do plainly mew there is a fpirit that 
 moves, and a mind or providence that prefides. 
 This providence, Plutarch faith, was thought to 
 be in regard to the world, what the foul is jo re- 
 gard to man. 
 
 154. The order and courfe of things, and the 
 experiments we daily make, mew there is, a mind 
 that governs and actuates this mundane fyftem, 
 
 (a) 139, 149, 1 5 1. 
 
 as
 
 ( 7' ) 
 
 as the proper real agent and caufe. And that the 
 inferior inftrumental caufe is pure ^ther, fire, or 
 the fubfhnce of light (V) which is applied and de- 
 termined by an infinite mind in the microcofm or 
 univerfe, with unlimited power, and according 
 to ftated rules j as it is in the microcofm, with 
 limited power and fkill by the human mind. 
 We have no proof either from experiment or 
 reafon, of any other agent or efficient caufe than 
 mind or fpirit. When therefore we fpeak of cor- 
 poreal agents or corporeal caufes, this is to be under- 
 ilood in a different, fubordinate, and improper fenfe. 
 
 155. The principles whereof a thing is com- 
 pounded, the inftrument ufed in its production, 
 and the end for which it was intended, are all in 
 vulgar ufe termed Caufes, though none of them be 
 flriclly fpeaking agent or efficient. There is not 
 any proof that an extended corporeal or mecha- 
 nical caufe doth really and properly act, even mo- 
 tion itfelf being in truth a paffion. Therefore 
 though we fpeak of this fiery fubftance as acting, 
 yet it is to be underftood only as a mean or in- 
 ftrument, which indeed is the cafe of all mecha- 
 nical caojfes whatfoever. They are neverthelefs 
 fometimes termed agents and caufes, although they 
 are by no means active in a ftrict and proper fig- 
 nification. When, therefore, force, power, vir- 
 tue, or action are mentioned as fubfilling in an 
 extended and corporeal or mechanical being, this 
 is not to be taken in a true, genuine, and real, but 
 only in a grofs and popular fenfe, which flicks 
 in appearances, and doth not analyfe things to 
 their firft principles. In compliance with efta- 
 blifhed language, and the ufe of the world, we 
 muft employ the popular current phr r e. But 
 then in regard to truth we ought to diftinguifh 
 (') 29, 37 136, '49- 
 
 its
 
 ( 72 ) 
 
 its meaning. It may fuffice to have made this 
 declaration once for all, in order to avoid mi- 
 ftakes. 
 
 156. The calidum innatum, the vital flame, 
 or animal fpirit in man is fuppofed the caufe of 
 all motions, in the fevcral parts of his body, whe- 
 ther voluntary or natural. That is, it is the in- 
 ftrument, 1 by means whereof the mind exerts and 
 manifefts herfelf in the motions of the body. In 
 the fame fenfe may not fire be faid to have force, 
 to operate, and agitate the whole fyilem of the 
 \vorid, which is held together and informed by 
 one prefiding mind, and a'nimated throughout by 
 one and the fame fiery fubftance, as an infr.ru.men- 
 tal and mechanical agent, not -as a primary real 
 efficient ? 
 
 157. This pure fpirit or invifible fire is ever 
 ready to exert and mew itfelf in its effects (</), 
 cherifhing, heating, fermenting, diffolving, fhin- 
 ing and operating in various manners, where a 
 fubject offers to employ or determine its force. It 
 is prefent in all parts of the earth and firmament, 
 though perhaps latent and unobterved, till fomc 
 accident produceth it into act, and renders it vili- 
 ble in its effects. 
 
 158. There is no effect in nature, great, mar- 
 vellous, or terrible, but proceeds from fire, that 
 diffufed and active principle, which at the Jams 
 time that it makes the earth and heavc-ns, will en- 
 ter, divide, and diffolve the fmallelt, clofdt, and 
 molt compacted bodies. In remote cavities of the 
 earth it remains quiet, till perhaps an acd 
 fpark from the colhfion of one irone again it ano- 
 ther kindles an exhalation, that gives birth to an 
 earthquake or tempetr, which fphts mountains, or 
 overturns cities. This fume fire ftands un&cn in 
 
 ' (d) S2 . 
 
 the
 
 (73 ) 
 
 the focus of a burning glafs, till fubjects for it to 
 ad: upon come in it's way, when it is found to 
 melt, calcine, or vitrify the hardeft bodies. 
 
 159. No eye could ever hitherto difcern, and 
 no fenfe perceive, the animal fpirit in a human 
 body, otherwife than from it's effects. The fame 
 may be faid of pure fire, or the fpirit of the uni- 
 verfe, which is perceived only by means of fome 
 other bodies, on which it operates, or with which 
 it is joined. What the chemifts fay, of pure acids 
 being never found alone, might as well be ud of 
 pure fire. 
 
 1 60. -The mind of man acts by an inftrument 
 necefiarily. The TO ^uov/xov, or mind prefiding 
 in the world, 'acts by an inftrument freely., With- 
 out inftrumental and fecond caufes, there coqld be 
 no regular courfe of nature. And without a re- 
 gular courfe, nature could never be underftood. 
 Mankind muft always be at a lofs, not knowing 
 what to expect, or how to govern themfelves, or 
 direct their actions for the obtaining of any end. 
 Therefore in the government of the world phyfical 
 agents, improperly fo called, or mechanical, or 
 fecond caufes, or natural caufes, or inftrurnents, 
 are neceflfary to aflifl, not the governor, but the 
 governed. 
 
 1 6 j. In the human body the mind orders and 
 moves the limbs : but the animal fpirit is fup- 
 pofed the immediate phyfical caufe of their mo- 
 tion. So likewife in the mundane fyftem, a mind 
 prefides, but the immediate, mechanical, or in- 
 ilrumental caufe, that moves or animates all it's 
 parts, is the pure elementary fire or fpirit of the 
 world. The more fine and fubtile part or fpirit 
 is fuppofed to receive the impreffions of the firft 
 mover, and communicate them to the grofTer fcn- 
 fible parts of this world. Motion, though in me- 
 
 K taphyfical
 
 (74) 
 
 taphyfical rigor and truth, a paffion or mere effect 
 yet, in phyfics, pafTeth for an action. And by this 
 action all effects are fuppofed to be produced. 
 Hence the various communications, determinati- 
 ons, accelerations of motion ccnilitute the laws of 
 nature. 
 
 162. The pure sether or invifible fire contains 
 parts of different kinds, that are impreffed with 
 different forces, or fubjected to different laws of 
 motion, attraction, repulfion, and expanfion, and 
 endued with divers diftinct habitudes towards other 
 bodies. Thefe feem to conftitute the many vari- 
 ous qualities (<?), virtues, flavours, odours, and co- 
 lours, which diftinguim. natural productions. The 
 different modes of cohefion, attraction, repulfion 
 and motion, appear to be the fourc,e from whence 
 the fpecific properties are derived, rather than diffe- 
 rent mapes or figures. This, & hath been already 
 obferved, feems confirmed by the experiment of 
 fixed falts operating one way, notwithstanding the 
 'difference of their angles. The original particles 
 productive of odours, flavours, and other proper- 
 ties, as well as of colours, are, one may fufpect, all 
 contained and blended together in that univerfal and 
 original feminary of pure elementary fire ; from 
 which they are diverfly feparated and attracted, by 
 the various fubjects of the animal, vegetable, and 
 mineral kingdoms ; which thereby become claffed 
 into kinds.,, and endued with thofe diftinct proper- 
 ties, which continue till their feveral forms, or fpeci- 
 fic proportions of fire, return into the common mafs. 
 
 163. As the foul ab immediately on pure fire, 
 fo pure fire operates immediately on air. That is, 
 the abrafions of all terreftrial things being rendered 
 volatile and elaftic by fire (/), and at the fame time 
 kffening the volatility and expanfive force of the 
 
 {<} 37 4> 44- (/) H9 '5> '5 2 - 
 
 fife.,
 
 ( 75 ) 
 
 fire, whofe particles they attract and adhere to (/('), 
 there is produced a new fluid, more volatile than 
 water or earth, and more fixed than fire. There- 
 fore the virtues and operations imputed to air muft 
 be ultimately attributed to fire, as that which im- 
 parts activity to air itfelf. 
 
 164. The element of sethereal fire or light feems 
 to comprehend, in a mixed ftate, the feeds, the 
 natural caufes and forms (g) of all fubl unary things. 
 The groffer bodies feparate, attract, and repe! 
 the feveral confcituent particles of that heterogene- 
 ous element ; which, being parted from the common, 
 mafs, make diftinct efiences, producing and com- 
 bining together fuch qualities and properties, as are 
 peculiar to the feveral fubje,cts, and thence often ex- 
 tracted in effential oils or odoriferous waters, from. 
 r whence they exhale into the open air, and return 
 into their original element. 
 
 165. Blue, red, yellow )s and other colours, have 
 been difcbvered by Sir Ifaac Newton to depend on 
 the parted rays or particles of light. And in like 
 manner, a particular odour or flavour feemeth to 
 depend on peculiar particles of light or fire (h] ; as 
 appears from heat's being neceflfary to all vegetation 
 whatfoever, and from the extreme minutenefs and 
 volatility of thofe vegetable fouls or forms, flying 
 off from the fubjects without any fenfible diminuti- 
 on of their weight. Thefe particles, blended in one 
 common ocean, mould feem to conceal the diftinct 
 forms, but, parted and attracted by proper fub- 
 jefts, difclofe or produce them. As the particles 
 of light, which, when feparated, form diftinct co- 
 lours, being blended are loft in one uniform ap- 
 pearance. 
 
 (*) H7- fe) 43- (*) 40- 
 
 K 2 166. A-
 
 (76) 
 
 1 66. Agreeably thereto, an ethereal fubftance 
 or fire was fuppofed by Heraclitus to be the feed 
 cf the generation of all things, or that from which 
 all things drew their original. The Stoics alfo 
 taught, that all fubftance was originally fire and 
 fhould return to fire : that an active fubtile fire was 
 di&ufed or expanded throughout the whole uni- 
 verfe ; the feveral parts whereof were produced, 
 iuftained, and held together by it's force. And it 
 was the opinion of the Pythagoreans, as Laertius 
 informs us, that heat or fire was the principle of 
 Jife animating the whole fyftern, and penetrating 
 all the elements (a). The Platonifts too, as well 
 as the Pythagoreans, held fire to be the immedi- 
 ate natural agent, or animal fpirit ; to cherifh, to 
 warm, to heat, to enlighten, to vegetate, to pro- 
 duce the digeflions, circulations, fecretions, and or- 
 ganical motions in all living bodies, vegetable or 
 animal, being effects of that element, which, as 
 it actuates the macrocofm, fo it animates the mi- 
 crocofm. In the Timaeus of Plato, there is fuppo- 
 fed fomething like a net of fire and rays of fire 
 in a human body. Doth not this feem to mean 
 the animal fpirit, flowing, or rather darting thro* 
 the nerves ? 
 
 167. According to the Peripatetics, the form 
 of heaven, or the fiery ethereal fubftance, contains 
 the forms of all inferior being's (). It may be faid 
 to teem with forms, and impart them to fubjects 
 fitted to receive them. The vital force thereof in 
 the Peripatetic fenfe is vital to all, but diverfly re- 
 ceived according to the diverfity of the fubjects. 
 So all colours are virtually contained in the light ; 
 but their actual diftinctions of blue, red, yellow, 
 and the reft, depend on the difTerenjce of the ob- 
 jects which it illuftrates. Ariftotle in the book De 
 
 (.*) '5 2 > '53- I*) 43. 
 
 munda>
 
 ( 77 ) 
 
 mnndo, fuppofeth a certain fifth efTence, an sethe- 
 real nature unchangeable and impafllve -, and next 
 in order a fubtile, flaming fubftance, lighted up, 
 or fet on fire by that ethereal and divine nature. 
 He fuppbfeth, indeed, that God is in heaven, but 
 that his power, or a force derived from him, doth 
 actuate and pervade the univerfe. 
 
 168. If we may credit Plutarch, Empedocles 
 thought asther or heat to be Jupiter. -/Ether by 
 the ancient philofophers was ufed to fignify pro- 
 mifcuoufly fometimes fire and fometimes air. For 
 they diftinguimed two forts of air. Plato in the 
 Timaeus fpeaking of air, faith there are two kinds, 
 the one mofe fine and fubtile, called asther ; the o- 
 ther more grofs and replete with vapours. This 
 asther, or purer medium, feems to have been the air 
 or principle, from which all things, according to 
 Anaximenes, derived their birth, and into which 
 they were back again refolved at their death. Hip- 
 pocrates, in his treatife De diasta, fpeaketh of a 
 fire pure and invifible ; and this fire, according 
 to him, is that which, flirring and giving move- 
 ment to all things, caufes them to appear, or, 
 as he ftyles it, come into evidence, that is, to ex- 
 id, every one in it's time, and according to its 
 deftiny. 
 
 169. This pure fire, sether, or fubftance of 
 light, was accounted in itfelf invifible and im- 
 perceptible to all our fenfes, being perceived only 
 by it*s effects, fuch as heat, flame, and rarefaction. 
 To which we may add, that the moderns pretend 
 further to have perceived it by weight, inafmuchas 
 the aromatic oils which mod abound with fire, as 
 being the moft readily and vehemently enflamed, 
 are above all others the heavieft. And by an ex- 
 periment of Mr. Homberg's, four ounces of regu- 
 lus of antimony, being calcined by a burning glafs 
 
 for
 
 (78) 
 
 for an hour together, were found to have imbibed 
 and fi^ed feven drams of the fubftance of light. 
 
 170. Such is the rarefying and expanfive force 
 of this element, as to produce in an inftant of time 
 the greateft and mofl ftupendous effects : a fuffici- 
 ent proof, not only of the power of fire, but alfo 
 of the wifdom with which it is managed, and with- 
 held from burfting forth every moment to the ut- 
 'ter ravage and deftruction of all things. And it is 
 very remarkable, that this fame element, fo fierce 
 and deflructive, fhould yet be fo varioufly temper- 
 ed and applied, as to be withal the falutary warmth, 
 the genial, cherifhing, and vital flame of all living 
 treatures. It is not therefore to be wondered that 
 Ariftotle thought the heat of a living body to be 
 fomewhat divine and celeftial, derived from that 
 pure aether to which he fuppofed the incorporeal 
 deity faufisov <Jof) to be immediately united, 
 or on which he fuppofed it immediately to act. 
 
 171. The Platonifts held their intellect refided in 
 foul, and foul in an asthereal vehicle. And that as 
 the foul was a middle nature reconciling intellect 
 with asther ; fo asther .was another middle nature, 
 which reconciled and connected the foul with groffer 
 bodies (d}. Gale'n likewife taught, that admitting 
 the foul to be incorporeal, it hath for it's immedi- 
 ate tegument or vehicle a body of sether or fire, 
 by the intervention whereof it moveth other bodies 
 and is mutually affected by them. This interior 
 clothing was fuppofed to remain upon the foul, 
 not only after death, but after the moil perfect pur- 
 gation, which in length of time, according to the 
 followers of Plato and Pythagoras, cleanfed the foul, 
 
 purumque reliquit 
 
 .ffithereum"fenfum atque aura'i fimplicis ignem. 
 
 (J) 152, JC4'. ' 
 
 This
 
 (79) 
 
 This tunicle of the foul, whether it be called pure 
 aether, or luciform vehicle, or animal fpirit, feemeth 
 to be that which moves and acts upon the" grofs 
 organs, as it is determined by the foul, from which 
 it immediately receives imprefllon, and in which 
 the moving force truly and properly refides* Some 
 moderns have thought fit to deride all that is faid of 
 asthereal vehicles, as mere jargon or, words without 
 a meaning. But they-fhould have confidered, that 
 all fpeech concerning the foul is altogether, or for 
 the moft part, metaphorical ; and that, agreeably 
 thereunto, Plato fpeaketh of the mind or foul, as a 
 driver that guides and govern a chariot, which is, 
 not unfitly, Jlyled ^JyogiJ'g?, a luciform ^ethereal ve- 
 hicle, or oxi^* terms expreflive of the purity, 
 lightnefs, fubtilty and mobility of that fine celeftial 
 
 nature, in which the foul immediately refides and 
 
 * 
 operates. 
 
 . 
 
 172. It was a tenet of the Stoics, that the world 
 was an animal, and that providence, anfwered to 
 the reafonable foul in man. But then the provi- 
 dence or mind was fuppofed by them to be im- 
 mediately refident or prefent in fire, to dwell there- 
 in, and to act thereby. Briefly* they conceived 
 God to be an intellectual and fiery fpirit, smujwa 
 yoigov K] iffv(>uhg. Therefore though they looked 
 on fire (/}as the TO jytyWHcov, or governing principle 
 of the world ; yet it was not fimply fire, but ani- 
 mated with a mind. 
 
 173. Such are the bright and lively fignatures of 
 a divine mind, operating and difplaying itfelf in 
 fire and light throughout the_ world, that, as Ari- 
 ftotle obferves in his book De mundo, all things 
 feem full of divinities, whofe apparitions on all 
 
 fides flrike and dazzle our eyes. And it muft he 
 
 J 
 
 (f) '66. 
 
 owne4
 
 (8o ) 
 
 owned, the chief philoibphers and wife men of 
 antiquity, how much foever they attributed to fe- 
 cond caufcs and the force of fire, yet they fuppofed 
 a mind or intellect always refident therein, active 
 or provident, reftraining it's force and directing it's 
 operations. 
 
 , 1 74. Thus Hipocrates, in his treatife De diseta, 
 fpeaks of- a ftrong but invifible fire (), that rules 
 all things without noife. Herein, faith he, refides 
 foul, underftanding, prudence, growth, motion, 
 dimunition, change, flcep, and waking. This is 
 what governs all things and is never in repofe. And 
 the fame author, in his tract De carnibus, after a 
 ferious preface, fetting forth that he is about to de- 
 clare his own opinion, expreJTeth it in thefe terms : 
 " That which we call heat, B^cw, appears to me 
 " fomething immortal, which underftands all 
 *' things, which fees and knows both what is pre- 
 " fent, apd what is to come." 
 
 175. This fame heat is alfo what Hippocrates calls 
 nature, the author of life and death, good and evil. 
 It is farther to be noted of this heat, that he maketh 
 it the object of no fenfe. It is that occult, univer- 
 fal nature, and inward invifible force, which actu- 
 ates and animates the whole world, and was wor- 
 fhipped by the ancients under the name of Saturn ; 
 which Voffius judges, not improbably, to be derived 
 from the Hebrew word Satar, to lye hidden or con- 
 cealed. And what hath been delivered by Hip- 
 pocrates agrees with the notions of other philofo- 
 phers : Heraclitus (), for inftance, who held fire 
 to be the principle and caufe of the generation of 
 all things, did not mean thereby an inanimate ele- 
 ment, but, as he termed it, nv ctsifuov, an ever. 
 Jiving fire. 
 
 (g) 1 68. (} 1 66. 
 
 176. Theo-
 
 176. Theophraftus, in his book De igne, 
 diftinguimeth between heat and fire. The fir It he 
 confiders as a principle or caufe, not that which ap- 
 peareth to ienfe as a paffion or accident exifting in 
 a fubject, and which is in truth the effect of that 
 unfeen principle. And it is remarkable, that he re- 
 fers the treating of this invifible fire or heat, to 
 the investigation of the firft caufes. Fire, the 
 principle, is neither generated nor deftroyed, 'is 
 every where and always prefent (a)\ while its ef- 
 fects in different times and places fhew themfelves 
 more or lefs, and are very various, loft, and 
 cherifhing, or violent and destructive, terrible or 
 agreeable, conveying good and evil, growth and 
 decay, life and death, throughout the mundane 
 fyftem. 
 
 177. It is allowed by all, that the Greeks deri- 
 ved much of their philofophy from the Eaftern na- 
 tions. And Heraclitus is thought by fome to 
 have drawn his principles from Orpheus, as Or- 
 pheus did from the Egyptians ; or, as others write, 
 he had been auditor of Hippafus a Pythagorean, 
 who held the fame notion of fire, and might have 
 derived it from Egypt by his mafter Pythagoras, 
 who had travelled into^Egypt, and been inftructed 
 by the fages of that nation. One of whofe te- 
 nets it was, that Sre was the principle of all action ; 
 which is agreeable to the doctrine of the Stoics, 
 that the whole of things is adminiftered by a fiery in- 
 tellectual fpirit. In the Afclepian Dialogue, we 
 find this notion, that all parts of the world vege- 
 tate by a fine fubtil asther, which acts as an engine 
 or inftrument, fubject to the will of the fuprcme 
 God. 
 
 178. As the Platonifts held intellect to be 
 lodged in foul, and foul in sether (If)', fo it pafieth 
 
 (a) 43, (b) 157. 
 
 L for
 
 (82 ) 
 
 for a doctrine of Trifmegiftus in the Pimander, 
 that mind is cloathed by ibul, and foul by ipirir. 
 Therefore as the animal fpirit of man, being fub- 
 til and luminous, is the immediate tegument of 
 the human foul, or that wherein and whereby flic 
 ads ; even fo the fpirit of the world, that active 
 fiery ^ethereal fubftance of light, that permeates 
 and animates the whole fyflem, is fuppofed to 
 cloath the foul, which deaths the mind of the uni- 
 verfe. 
 
 179. The Magi likewife faid of God, that he 
 had light for his body and truth for his foul. And 
 in the Chaldaic oracles, all things are fuppofed to 
 be governed by a ^ icecv or intellectual fire. 
 And in the fame oracles, the creative mind is faid 
 to be cloathed with fire, 'Eo-eoipsvos TTM^ KU^ which 
 oriental reduplication of the word fire, feems to 
 imply the extreme purity and force thereof. Thus 
 alfo in the Pfalms, Thou art clothed with light as 
 with a garment. Where the word rendered light 
 might have been rendered ,fire, the Hebrew letters 
 being the fame with thofe in the word which figni- 
 fies fire, all the difference being in the pointing, 
 which is juftly counted a late invention. That 
 other fcripture fentence is remarkable : Who ma- 
 keth his minifters a flaming fire; which might, 
 perhaps, be rendered, more agreeably to the con- 
 text, as well as confidently with the Hebrew, after 
 this manner: Who maketh flaming fire his mini- 
 fters; and the whole might run thus: Who maketh 
 the winds his meflengers, and flaming fire his mi- 
 niilers. 
 
 1 80. A notion of fomething divine in fire, 
 animating the whole world, and ordering its fe- 
 veral parts, was a tenet of very general extent (a)> 
 
 (a) 156, 157, 163, 1 65, 167, 1 68, 170, 172, 173, 174, 
 
 175. '77. & f - 
 
 being
 
 (3) 
 
 being embraced in the moft diflant times and 
 places, even among the Chinefe themfelvesj who 
 make tien, aether, or heaven, the fovereign prin- 
 ciple, or caufe of all things, and teach, that the 
 celeftial virtue, by them called li, when joined to 
 corporeal fubftance, doth fafhion, diftinguifh, and 
 fpecificate all natural beings. This li of the Chi- 
 nefe feems to anfwer the forms of the Peripatetics. 
 And both bear analogy to the foregoing philofo- 
 phy of fire. 
 
 iSr. The heaven is fuppcfed pregnant with 
 virtues and forms, which constitute and difcrimi- 
 nate the various fpecies of things. And we have 
 more than once obferved, that, as the light, fire, 
 or celeftial sther, being parted by refracting or 
 reflecting bodies, produceth variety of colours j 
 even fo, that fame apparently uniform fubftance, 
 being parted and fecreted by the attracting and re- 
 pelling powers of the divers fecretory ducts of 
 plants and animals, that is, by natural chemiftry, 
 produceth or imparteth the various fpecific pro- 
 perties of natural bodies. Whence the taftes and 
 odours and medicinal virtues fo various in vegeta- 
 bles. 
 
 182. The tien is con fide red and adored by the 
 Jearntd Chinefe, as living and intelligent cether, 
 the 9ru vos\ of the Chaldsans and the Stoics. And 
 the worfhip of things celcftial, the fun and flars, 
 among the eaftern nations lefs remote, was on ac- 
 count of their fiery nature, their heat and light, 
 and the influence thereof. Upon thefe accounts, 
 the fun was looked on by the Greek theologers 
 -as the fpirit of the world, and the power of the 
 world. The clcanfing quality, the light and heat 
 of fire are natural fymbols of purity, knowledge, 
 and power, or, if I may fo fay, the things them- 
 L 2 fdves
 
 ( 84) 
 
 felves, fo far as they are perceptible to our fenfes, 
 or in the fame fenfe as motion is faid to be action. 
 Accordingly, we find a religious regard was paid 
 to fire, both by Greeks and Romans, and indeed 
 by moft, if not all, the nations of the world. 
 
 183. The worfhip of Vefta at Rome was, in 
 truth, the worfhip of fire. 
 
 Nee tu aliud Veflam quam vivam intellige flam- 
 mam, 
 
 faith Ovid in his Fafti. And as in old Rome 
 the eternal fire was religioufly kept by virgins, fo 
 in Greece, particularly at Delphi and Athens, it 
 xvas kept by widows. It was well known that 
 Vulcan, or Fire, was worfhipped with great du 
 ftinclion by the ./Egyptians. The Zabii or Sa- 
 beans are alfo known to have been worfhippers 
 of fire. It appears too from the Chaldsean ora- 
 cles, that fire was regarded as divine by the fages 
 of that nation. And it is fuppofed that Ur of the 
 Cnaldseahs was fo called from the Hebrew word 
 iignifying fire, becaufe fire was publickly wor- 
 fhipped in that city. That a religious worfhip was 
 
 d to fire by the ancient Perfians and their Ma- 
 
 fted by all antiquity. And the feel of 
 
 ., or old Gentils, of whom there are confi- 
 
 able remains at this day both in the Mogol's 
 country and in Perfia, doth teftify the fame. 
 
 iS-j.. It doth not feem that their proftrations 
 before the perpetual fires, preferved with great 
 care in their Pyreia, or fire temples, were merely 
 
 ;vil refpecl, as Dr. Hyde would have it thought. 
 
 .hough he brings good proof that they do not 
 
 )ke the fire on their altars, or pray to it, or 
 call it God: and that they acknowledge a fupreme 
 
 ifible deity. Civil refpeds are paid to things
 
 as related to civil power : but fuch relation doth 
 not appear in the prefent cafe. It mould feem 
 therefore, that they worfhip God as- prefent in 
 the fire, which they worfhip or reverence, not 
 ultimately or for itfelf, but relatively to the fu- 
 preme being. Which it is not unlikely was elfe- 
 where the cafe at firft; though the practice of 
 men, efpecially of the vulgar, might in length 
 of time degenerate from the original inftitution, 
 and reft in the object of fenfe. 
 
 185. Doctor Hyde, in his hiftory of the re- 
 ligion of the ancient Perfians, would have it 
 thought, that they borrowed the ufe and reverence 
 of perpetual fires, from the Jewifh practice pre- 
 fcribed in the Levitical law, of keeping a per- 
 petual fire burning on the altar. Whether that 
 was the cafe or not, thus much one may venture 
 to fay, it feems probable that whatever was the 
 original of this cuftom among the Perfians, the 
 like cuftoms among the Greeks and Romans were 
 derived from the fame fource. 
 
 1 86. It muft be owned there are many paf- 
 fages in holy fcripture (a), that would make one 
 think, the fupreme being was in a peculiar man- 
 ner prefent and manifeft in the element of fire. 
 Not to infift that God is more than once faid to 
 be a confuming fire, which might be underftood 
 in a metaphorical fenfe, the divine apparitions 
 were by fire, in the bum, at mount Sinai, on 
 the tabernacle, in the cloven tongues. God is 
 reprefented in the infpired writing?, as defcend- 
 ing in s fire, as attended by fire, or with fire going 
 before him. Celeftial things, as angels, chariots, 
 and fuch like phenomena are inverted with fire, 
 light, and fplendor. Ezekiel in his vifions beheld 
 
 (*) 179- 
 
 fire
 
 fire and brightnefs, lamps, burning coals of fire, 
 and flafhes of lightening. In a vifion of Daniel 
 the throne of God appeared like a fiery flame, and 
 his wheels like burning fire. Alfo a fiery flame 
 iffued and came forth from before him. 
 
 187. At the transfiguration, the apoftles faw 
 our Saviour's face mining as the fun, and his rai- 
 ment white as light, alfo a lucid cloud or body 
 of light, out of which the voice came; which 
 vifible light and fplendor was, not many centuries 
 ago, maintained by the Greek church, to have 
 been divine, and uncreated, and the very glory 
 of God: as may be feen in the hiftory wrote by 
 the emperor John Cantacuzene. And of late 
 years bifhop Patrick gives it as his opinion, that 
 in the beginning of the world, the Shecinah or 
 divine prefence, which was then frequent and OP- 
 dinary, appeared by light or fire. In commenting 
 on that paffage, where Cain is faid to have gone 
 out from the prefence of the Lord, the bifhop ob- 
 lerves, that if Cain after this turned a downright 
 idolater, as many think, it is very likely he in- 
 troduced the worihip of the fun, as the beft re- 
 femblance he could find of the glory of the Lord, 
 which was wont to appear in a flaming light. It 
 would be endlefs to enumerate all the paflages of 
 holy fcripture, which confirm and illuftrate this 
 notion, or reprefent the Deity as appearing and 
 operating by fire. The mifconftruclion of which 
 might poiTibly have mifled the Gnoftics, Bafilidians, 
 and other ancient heretics into an opinion, that 
 Jefus Chrift was the vifible corporeal fun. 
 
 1 8 8. We have feen, that in the moft remote 
 ages and countries, the vulgar as well as the learn- 
 ed, the inftitutions of lawgivers as well as the 
 reafonings of philofophers, have ever confidered 
 
 the
 
 [*) 
 
 the element of ore in a peculiar light, and treated 
 it with more than common regard, as if it were 
 fomething of a very fmgular and extraordinary 
 nature. Nor are there wanting authors of princi- 
 pal account among the moderns, who entertain 
 like notions concerning fire, efpecially among thofe 
 who are moil converfant in that element, and ihould 
 feem bed acquainted with it. 
 
 1 89. Mr. Homberg the famous modern chemift, 
 who brought that art to fo great perfection, holds 
 the fubftance of light or fire to be the true chemic 
 principal fulphur (a\ and to extend itfelf through- 
 out the whole univerfe. It is his opinion that 
 this is the only active principle : That mixed with 
 various things it formeth feveral forts of natural 
 productions ; with falts making oil, with earth 
 bitumen, with mercury metal : That this princi- 
 ple of fulphur, fire, or the fubftance of light, is in 
 itfelf imperceptible, and only becomes fenfible 
 as it is joined with fome other principle, which 
 ferves as a vehicle for it: That, although it be 
 the moft active of all things, yet it is at the fame 
 time the moft firm bond and cement to combine 
 and hold the principles together, and give form to 
 the mixed bodies : And, that in the analyfis of 
 bodies it is always loft, efcaping the fkill of the 
 artift, and paffing through the clofeft vefTels. 
 
 190. Boerhaave, Niewenty't, and divers other 
 moderns are in the fame way of thinking. They 
 with the ancients diftinguifh a pure, elementary, 
 invisible fire from the culinary, or that which ap- 
 pears in ignited bodies (b}. This laft they will not 
 allow to be pure fire. The pure fire is to be dif- 
 cerned by its effects alone; fuch as heat, dila- 
 tation of all folid bodies, and rarefaction of fluids, 
 (a) 129. (1} 163, 166. 
 
 the
 
 ) 
 
 the fegregating heterogeneous bodies, and con- 
 gregating thofe that are homogeneous. That 
 therefore which fmoakes and flames is not pure fire, 
 but that which is collected in the focus of a mir- 
 rour or burning glafs. This fire feems the fource 
 of all the operations in nature : without it nothing 
 either vegetates, or putrefies, lives, or moves or 
 ferments, is difiblved, or compounded or altered, 
 throughout this whole natural world in which we 
 fubfift. Were it not for this, the whole would 
 be one great flupid inanimate mafs. But this 
 active element is luppofed to be every where, and 
 always* prefent, imparting different degrees of life, 
 heat, and motion, to the various animals, vegeta- 
 bles, and other natural productions, as well as to 
 the elements themfelves, wherein they are produced 
 and nourifhed. 
 
 191. As water acts upon fait, or aqua fortis up- 
 on iron, fo fire diiTolves all other bodies. Fire, 
 air, and water are all three menftruums but the 
 two laft feem to derive all their force and activity 
 from the firft (a). And indeed there feems to be, 
 originally or ultimately, but one menftruum in 
 nature, to which all other menftruums may be 
 reduced. Acid falts are a menftruum, but their 
 force and diftinct powers are from fulphur. Con- 
 fidered as pure, or in themfelves, they are all of 
 the fame nature. But, as obtained by diftilla- 
 tion, they are conftantly joined with fome ful- 
 phur, which characlerizeth and cannot be fepa- 
 rated from them. This is the doctrine of mon- 
 fieur Homberg. But what is it that characteriz- 
 eth or differenceth the fulphurs themfelves? If 
 fulphur be the fubftance of light, as that author 
 will have it, whence is it that animal, vege- 
 
 () 149. 
 
 table,
 
 (8 9 ) 
 
 table, and metallic fulphurs impart different 
 ties to the fame acid fak ? Can this be explained 
 aipon Homberg's principles? And arc we not ob- 
 liged to fuppofe, that light feparated by -the at- 
 tracting and repelling powers -in the drainers, duels, 
 and pores of thofe bodies, forms feveral di- 
 ftinct kinds of fulphur, all which, before fuch fe- 
 paration, were loft and blended together, in one 
 common mafs of light or fire feemingly homoge- 
 neous. 
 
 192. In the analyfis of inflammable bodies, the 
 fire or fulphur is loir, and the diminution of weight 
 fheweth the lofs (a). Oil is relblved into water, 
 earth, and fait, none of which is inflammable. 
 But the fire or vinculum which connected thofe 
 things, and gave the form of oil, efcapes from 
 the artift. It difappears, but is not deftroy. 
 Light or fire impriioned made part of the com- 
 pound, gave union to the other parts, and form 
 to the whole. But having efcaped, it mingles 
 with the general ocean of zether, till being agaift 
 parted and attracted, it enters and fpeciiicar.es ion-ie 
 new fubject of the animal, vegetable, or mineral 
 kingdom. Fire therefore in the fenfe of philofo- 
 phers is alfo fire, though not always flame. 
 
 193. Solar fire or light, in calcining certain 
 bodies, is obferved to add to their weight. There 
 is therefore no doubt but light can be fixed, and 
 enter the compofition of a body. And though it 
 fnould lye latent for a long time, yet, being fee 
 free from its prifon, it (hall flill fhew itfelf to be 
 fire. Lead, tin, or regulus of antimony, being 
 expofed to the fire of a burning glafs, though they 
 lofe much in fmoak and fleam, are nevertheleis 
 found to be confidently increafed in weight, 
 which proves the introduction of light or fire in- 
 
 (a) 169. 
 
 M to
 
 (9) 
 
 to their pores. It is alfo obferved, that urine pro- 
 duceth no phofphorus, unlefs it be Jong expofed 
 to the folar light. From all which it may be con- 
 cluded, that bodies attract and fix the light; 
 whence it Ihould feem, as fome have obferved, 
 that fire without burning is an ingredient in many 
 things, as water without wetting. 
 
 194. Of this there cannot be a better proof, 
 than the experiment of Monfieur Komberg, who 
 made gold of mercury, by introducing light into 
 its pores, but at fuch trouble and expence, that I 
 fuppofe no body will try the experiment for pro- 
 fit. By this junction of light and mercury, both 
 bodies became fixed, and produced a third diffe- 
 rent from either, to wit, real gold. For the 
 truth of which fact, I refer to the memoirs of the 
 French academy of Sciences. From the foregoing 
 experiment it appears, that gold is only a mals 
 of mercury penetrated and cemented by the Jub- 
 ilance of light, the particles of thofe bodies attract- 
 ing and fixing each other. This feems to have 
 been not altogether unknown to former philofo- 
 phers-, Marfilius Ficinus the Platonift, in his com- 
 -raentary on the firft book of the fecond Ennead of 
 PJotinus, and others, likewife before him, regard- 
 ing mercury as the mother, and fulphur as the fa- 
 ther of metals-, and Plato himfelf in his Timseus 
 defcribing gold to be a denfe fluid with a fhining 
 yellow light, which well fuits a competition ot 
 Jight and mercury. 
 
 195. Fire or light mixeth with all bodies (a), 
 even with water; witnefs the fkihing lights in the 
 jea, whofe waves jfeem a frequently all on fire. 
 Its operations are variou according to its kind, 
 quantity, and degree of vehemence. One degree 
 
 () '57-
 
 ( 9' ) 
 
 keeps water fluid, another turns it into elaftic 
 air (a}. And air itfeJf feems to be nothing die 
 but vapours and exhalations, rendered elaftic by- 
 fire. Nothing flames but oil : and fulphur with, 
 water, fait, and earth compofe oil ; which fulphur 
 is tire: therefore fire encloied attracts fire, and 
 caufeth the bodies whofe competition it enters to 
 burn and blaze. 
 
 196. Fire collected in the focus of a glafs ope- 
 rates in vacuo, and therefore is thought not 
 to need air to lupport it. Calx of lead hath gone 
 off with an explofion in vacuo, which Niewenty't. 
 and others take for a proof that fire can burn 
 without air. But Mr. Hales attributes this effect 
 to air enclofed in the red lead, and perhaps too in 
 the receiver, which cannot be perfectly exhaufted. 
 When common lead is put into the fire in order 
 to make red-lead, a greater weight of this comes 
 out than was put in of common Jead. Therefore 
 the red-lead fhould feem impregnated with fire." 
 Mr. Hales thinks it is with air. The vaft expanfion 
 of compound aqua fortis, Mr. Niewenty't will have 
 to proceed from fire alone. Mr. Hales contends 
 that air muft necefTarily co-operate. Though by 
 NiewentyYs experiment it fhould feem, the phot 
 phorus burns equally, with and without air. 
 
 197. Perhaps they who hold the oppofite fides 
 in this queftion, may be reconciled by obferving 
 that air is in reality nothing more than particles of 
 wet and dry bodies volatilifed, and rendered elaftic 
 by fire (b). Whatever therefore is done by air 
 muft be afcribed to fire, which fire is a fubtile 
 invifible thing, whofe operation is not to bz dif- 
 cerned but by means of fome groffer body, which 
 
 (a) 149. (I) 147, 150, 151. 
 
 M 2 ferves
 
 ( 92 ) 
 
 > T CS not for a pabulum to nourifh the fire, but 
 for a vehicle to arreft and bring it into view. 
 Which feems the fole ufe of oil, air, or any other 
 *hing, that vulgarly paficth for a pabulum or food 
 of that element. 
 
 19^. To explain this matter more clearly, it is 
 to be obferved, that fire, in order to become fen- 
 fible, muft have fomc fubjeft to act upon. This 
 being penetrated and agitated by fire affects us 
 with light,, heat, or fome other fenfible alteration. 
 And this fubjeft ib wrought upon may be called 
 culinary fire. In the focus of a burning glafs ex- 
 po fed to the fun, t-here is real actual fire, though' 
 not difcerned by the fenfe, till it hath fomewhat to 
 work on, and can" fhew itfelf in its effects, heat- 
 ing, flaming, melting, and the like. Every ig- 
 nited body is, in the foregoing fenfe, culinary fire. 
 But it will not therefore follow, that it is conver- 
 tible into pure elementary fire. This, for ought 
 that appears, may be ingenerable and incorruptible 
 by the courfe of nature. It may be fixed and im- 
 prilbned in a compound (a), and yet retain its na- 
 ture, though loft to fenfe, and though it return in- 
 to the irwfible elementary mafs, upon the analyfis- 
 of the compounded body : as is manifeft in the fo- 
 iution of (tone lime by water. 
 
 199. It fhould feem, therefore, that what is faid 
 f air's being the pabulum of fire, or being con- 
 verted into fire, ought to be underftood only in 
 this ienfe ; to wit, that air being leis grofs than- 
 other bodies, is of a middle nature, and therefore 
 more fit to receive the impreffions of a fine aethe- 
 rial fire (),. and impart them to other things. Ac- 
 cording to the antients, foul ferveth for a vehicle to 
 
 (*) 169, 192, 193, (I) 163.
 
 (93) 
 
 intellect (Vz)> and light or fire for z vehicle to 
 foul; and, in like manner, air may be luppofed 2 
 vehicle to fire, fixing it in fome degree, and com- 
 municating its effects to other bodies. 
 
 200. The pure invifible fire or aether doth per- 
 meate all bodies, even the hardefl and moft foiid, 
 as the diamond. This alone, therefore, cannot, as 
 fome learned men have fuppofed, be the caufe of 
 mufcular motion, by a mere impulfe of the nerves 
 communicated from the brain to the membranes 
 of the mufcles, and thereby to the enclofed sether, 
 whofe expanfive motion, being by that means in- 
 creafed, is thought to fwell the mufcles, and caufe 
 a contraction oi the fielhy fibres. This, it mould 
 feem, the pure sether cannot do immediately, and 
 of itfelf, becaufe, fuppofing its expanfive motion 
 to be increafed, it mutt itill pafs through the 
 membranes, and confequently not fwell them, in- 
 afmuch as aether is fuppofed freely to pervade the 
 moft foiid bodies. It mould feem therefore, that 
 this effect muft be owing, not to pure sether, but 
 to sether in fome part fixed and arrefled by the par- 
 ticles of air. 
 
 201. Although this sether be extremely elaftic, 
 yet as it is fometimes found by experience to be 
 attracted, imprifoned, and detained in grofs bodies 
 (), fo we may fuppofe it to be attracted, and 
 its expanfive force diminimed, though it fhould 
 not be quite fixed, by the loofe particles of air, 
 which combining and cohering therewith may 
 bring it down, and qualify it for intercourfe with 
 groffer things. Pure fire may be faid to animate 
 air, and air other things. Pure fire is invifible ; 
 therefore flame is not pure fire. Air is neceflfary 
 both to life and flame. And it is found by experi- 
 
 (a) 178. (i>) i6g. 
 
 ment,
 
 (94) 
 
 ment, that air lofeth in the lungs the power of 
 feeding flame. Hence it is concluded, that the 
 fame thing in air contributes both to life and flame. 
 Vital flame furvives culinary flame in vacuo: there- 
 fore it requires lefs of that thing to fuftain it. * 
 
 202. What this may be, whether fome certain 
 proportion, or Ibme peculiar parrs of aether, is 
 not eafy to fay. But thus much feems plain, that 
 whatever is afcribed to acid may be alib afcribed 
 to fire or sether. The particles of aether fly afun- 
 der with the greateft force : therefore, agreeably to 
 Sir Ilaac Newton's doctrine, when united they muft 
 attract each other with the greateft force. There- 
 fore they conftitute the acid. For whatfoever 
 ilrongly attracts and is attracted, may be called an 
 acid, as Sir Ifaac Newton informs us in his tract De 
 acido. Hence it mould feem, that the fulphur of 
 Homberg, and the acid of Sir Ifaac are at bot- 
 tom one and the fame thing, to wit, pure fire or 
 anher. 
 
 203. The vital flame or ^ethereal fpirit, being 
 attracted and imprifoned in grofier bodies, feemeth 
 to be fet free and carried off by the fuperior at- 
 traction of a fubtil and pure flame. Hence, per- 
 haps, it is that lightening kills animals, and turns 
 ipirituous liquors vapid in an inftant. 
 
 204. Hippocrates, in his book concerning the 
 Heart, obferveth, that the foul of man is not nou- 
 riflied by meats and drinks from the lower belly, 
 but by a pure and luminous fubftance, darting its 
 rays and diftributing a non-natural nourifliment, as 
 he terms it, in like manner as that from the in- 
 teftines is diitributed to all parts of the body. This 
 luminous non-natural nourifliment, though it be 
 fecreted from the blood, is exprefly faid not to 
 come from the lower belly. It is plain, therefore, 
 
 he
 
 (95 ) 
 
 he thought it came into the blood either by refpi- 
 ration, or by attraction through the pores. And 
 it muft be acknowledged, that fomewhat igneous or 
 ethereal brought by the air into the blood feems 
 to nourifh, though not the foul itfelf, yet the inte- 
 rior tunicle of the foul, the aurai fimplicis ignem. 
 
 205. That there is really fuch a thing as vital 
 flame, actually kindled, nourifhed, and extinguifhed 
 like common flame, and by the fame means, is an 
 opinion of fome moderns, particularly of Doctor 
 Willis in his tract De fanguinis accenfione: that it 
 requires conftant eventilation, through the trachea 
 and pores of the body, for the difcharge of a fu- 
 liginous and excrementitious vapour: and that this 
 vital flame, being extremely fubtil, might not be 
 feen any more than mining flies or ignes fatui by 
 day-light. And yet it hath fometimes become vi- 
 jfible on divers perfons, of which there are undoubt- 
 ed inftances. This is Dr. Willis's notion: and 
 perhaps there may be fome truth in this, if it 
 be fo underftood, as that light or fire might indeed 
 conftitute the animal fpirit or immediate vehicle of 
 the foul. 
 
 206. There have not been wanting thofe, who, 
 not content to fuppofe light the moil pure and re- 
 fined of all corporeal beings, have gone farther, 
 and beftowed upon it fome attributes of a yet high- 
 er nature. Julianus the Platonic philofopher, as 
 cited by Ficinusj faith, it was a doctrine in the 
 theology of the Phoenicians, that there is diffiifed 
 throughout the univerfe, a pellucid and fhining na- 
 ture pure and impaffive, the act of a pure intelli- 
 gence. And Ficinus himfelf undertakes to prove, 
 that light is incorporeal, by feveral arguments: Be- 
 caufe it enlightens and fills a great fpace in aM 
 inftant, and without' oppofition: Becaufe feveral 
 
 lights
 
 ( 96) 
 
 lights meet -without refilling each other : Becaufe 
 light cannot be defiled by filth of any kind: Be- 
 ciufe the folar light is not fixed in any fubject: 
 LaiUy, becaufe it contracts and expands itfelf fo 
 eafily without collifion, condenfation, rarefaction, 
 or delay throughout the wafted fpace. Thefc rear 
 fons are given by Ficinus, in his comment on the 
 firft book of the fecond Ennead of Plotinus. 
 
 207. But it is now well known, that light 
 moves, that its motion is not inftantaneous : that 
 it is capable of condenfation, rarefaction, and colli- 
 fion: that it can be mixed with other bodies, en- 
 ter their ccmpofition, and increafe their weigh}: (). 
 All which feem fufficiently to overthrow fthofe 
 arguments of Ficinus, and fhew light to be cor- 
 poreal. There appears indeed fome difficulty at 
 firft fight, about the non-refiftance of rays or par- 
 ticles of light occurring one to another, in all pof- 
 fible directions or from all points. Particularly, if 
 we fuppofe the hollow furface of a large fphere, 
 iludded with eyes looking inwards one at another, 
 it may perhaps feem hard to conceive, howdiftind 
 rays from every eye mould arrive at every other eye 
 without juftling, repelling, and confounding each 
 other. 
 
 20 S. But thefe difficulties may be got over by 
 confidering in the firft place, that vifible points 
 are not mathematical points, and confequently, 
 that we are not to fuppofe every point of fpace a 
 radiating point. " Secondly, by granting that many 
 rays do refift and intercept each other, notwith- 
 fhinding which the act of vifion may be perform- 
 ed. Since as every point of the object is not 
 i'een,. fo it is not nece'flary that rays from every 
 iurh point arrive at the eye. We often fee 
 
 :6o/ 192, 193,
 
 (97) 
 
 an object, though more dimly, when many rays, 
 are intercepted by a grofs medium. 
 
 209. Befides, we may fuppofe the particles of 
 light to be indefinitely Imali, that is, as fmall as 
 we pleafe, and their aggregate to bear as fmall a 
 proportion to the void as we pleafe, there being 
 nothing in this that contradicts the phenomena. 
 . And there needs nothing more in order to con- 
 ceive the pofilbility of rays pafiing from and to 
 all vifible points, although they be not incorpo- 
 real. Suppofe a hundred ports placed round a 
 circular fea, and mips failing from each port to 
 every other ; the larger the fea, and the fmalfer 
 the veflels are fuppofed, the lefs danger will there 
 be of their linking againft each other. But as 
 there is by hypothefis no limited proportion be- 
 tween the fea and the fhips, the void and folid 
 particles of light, fo there is no difficulty that can 
 oblige us to conclude the fun's light incorporeal 
 from it's free pafiage ; efpecially when there are 
 fo many clear proofs of the contrary. As for the 
 difficulty, therefore, attending the fuppofidon of 
 a fphere ftudded with eyes looking at each other, 
 this is removed only by fuppofing the particles 
 of light exceeding fmall relatively to the empty 
 fpaces. 
 
 210. Plotinus fuppofeth, that from the fun's 
 light which is corporeal, there fprings forth ano- 
 ther equivocal light which is incorporeal, and as 
 it were the brightnefs of the former. Marfilius 
 Ficinus alfo, obferving it to be a doctrine in the 
 Timaeus of Plato, that there is an occult fire or 
 fpirit diffufed throughout the univerfe, intimates 
 that this fame occult invifible fire or light is, as it 
 were, the fight of the mundane foul. And Pio- 
 tinus, in his fourth Ennead, fheweth it to be his 
 opinion, that the world feeth it felf and all it's 
 
 N parts.
 
 ( 9* ) 
 
 parts. The Platonic philofophers do wonderfully 
 refine upon light, and foar very high : from coal 
 to flame , from flame to light ; from this vifible 
 light to the occult light 'of the celcftial or mun- 
 dane foul, which they fuppbfed to pervade and 
 agitate the fubftance of the univefe by it's vigo- 
 rous and expanfive motion. 
 
 211. If we may believe Diogenes Laertius, the 
 Pythagorean philofophers thought there was a 
 certain pure heat or fire, which had fomewhat di- 
 vine in ir, by the participation whereof men be- 
 came allied to the gods. And according to the 
 Platonifts, heaven is not defined fo much by it's 
 local fituation, as by it's purity. The pureft and 
 moft excellent fire, that is heaveri, faith Ficinus. 
 And again, the hidden fire that every where ex- 
 erts it fclf, he calls celeftial. He reprefents fire 
 as moft powerful and active, dividing all things, 
 abhorring all compofition or mixture with other 
 bodies. And, as foon as it goes free, relapfing 
 inftantly into the common mafs of celeftial fire, 
 which is every where prefent and latent. 
 
 212. This is the general fource of life, fpirit, 
 and ftrength, and therefore of health to all ani- 
 mals, who conftantly receive it's illapfes cloathed 
 in air, through the lungs and pores of the body. 
 The fame fpirir, imprifoned in food and medicines, 
 is conveyed into the Itomach, the bowels, the 
 lacteals, circulated and fecreted by the feveral 
 duels, and diftributed throughout the fyftem (a). 
 Plato, in his Timaeus, enumerating the ignited 
 juices, names wine in the firft place, and tar in 
 the fecond. But wine is prerled from the grape, 
 and fermented by human induflry. Therefore of 
 all ignited juices purely natural, tar or refm muft 
 in his account be efteemed the firft. 
 
 (") 37 4*> 44- 
 
 213. The
 
 ( 99 ) 
 
 The vivifying luminous sther exifts in all 
 places, even the darkeft caverns, as is evident 
 from hence, that many animals fee in thofe dark- 
 places, and that fire may be kindled in them by 
 the collifion or attrition of bodies. It is alfb 
 known, that certain perfons have fits of feeing in 
 the dark. Tiberius was faid to have had this faculty 
 or diftemper. I my.lelf knew an ingenious man, 
 who had experienced it fcveral times in himfelf. 
 And doctor Willis, in his tract De fanguinis ac- 
 cenfione, mentions another of his own knowledge. 
 This luminous aether or fpirit is therefore faid by 
 Virgil, to nourifh or cherifh the innermoft earth, 
 
 as well as the heavens and celeftial bodies. 
 
 'sol 
 -Principio ccelum ac terras, campofque liquentes, 
 
 Lucentemque globum Luns, Titaniaque aftra 
 Spiritus intus alit. 
 
 214. The principles of motion and vegetation 
 in living bodies feem to be delibations from the 
 invifible nre or fpirit of the univerfe (a). Which, 
 though prefent to all things, is not neverthelefs 
 one way received by all ; but varioufly imbibed, 
 attracted, and fecreted by the fine capillaries, and 
 exquifite flrainers'in the bodies of plants and ani- 
 mals, whereby it becomes mixed and detained in 
 their juices. 
 
 215. It hath been thought by fomes obfervers 
 of nature, that the fine glandular veflels admit 
 from the common mafs of the blood, only fuch: 
 juices as are homogeneous to thofe, with which 
 they were originally imbued. How they came to 
 be fo imbued doth not appear. But thus much, 
 is. plain; that fine tubes attract fluids, that the 
 glands are fine tubes, and that they attract very 
 
 (,J 43 , 157/164, , 7f . 
 
 * N 2 diffe-
 
 ( 1-00 ) 
 
 different juices from the common mafs. The fame 
 holds alib with regard to the capillary veffels (<z) 
 of vegetables, it being evident, that through the 
 fine drainers in the leaves and all over the body 
 of the plant, there be juices or fluids of a parti- 
 cular kind drawn in, and feparated from the com- 
 mon mafs of air and light. And that the moft 
 elaborate fpirit, whereon the character or diftin- 
 guifhing virtue and properties of the plant depend, 
 is of a luminous (b) and volatile nature, being 
 loft or efcaping into air or aether, from effential 
 oils and odoriferous waters, without any fenfible 
 diminution of the fubject. 
 
 ;! 216. As different kinds of fecreted light or fire 
 produce different effences, virtues, or fpecific pro- 
 perties, fo alfo different degrees of heat produce 
 different effects. Thus one degree of heat keeps 
 the blood from coagulating, and another degree 
 coagulates the blood. Thus a more violent fire 
 hath been obferved to fet free and carry off that 
 very light, which a more moderate fire had in- 
 , troduced and fixed in the calcined regulus of an- 
 timony. In like manner, one kind or quantity 
 of this aetherial fiery fpirit may be congenial and 
 friendly to the fpirits of a man, while another 
 nay be noxious. 
 
 217. And experience fheweth this to be true. 
 For the fermented fpirit of wine or other liquors 
 produceth irregular motions, and fubfequent de- 
 prefiions in the animal fpirits. Whereas the lu- 
 minous fpirit lodged and detained in the native bal- 
 fam of pines and firs, is of a nature fo mild and 
 benign, and proportioned to the human conftitution, 
 as to warm without heating, to cheer but not ine- 
 
 (*) 3. 3t 33. 35- C*)37 43- 
 
 briate,
 
 ( J0] ) 
 
 briate, and to produce a calm and fteddy joy like the 
 effect of good news, without that finking of fpirits, 
 which is a fubfeqaent effect of all fermented cor- 
 dials. I may add, without all other inconvenience, 
 except that it may, like any other medicine, be taken 
 in too great a quantity for a nice ftomach. In 
 which cafe it may be right to lefTen the dofe, or 
 to take it only once in the four and twenty hours, 
 empty, going to bed) when it is found to be leaft 
 ofrenfive) or even to fufpend the taking of it for 
 a time, till nature mail feem to crave it, and re- 
 joice in it's benign and comfortable fpirit. 
 
 218. Tar- water ferving as a vehicle to this fpirit 
 is both diuretic and diaphoretic, but feems to work 
 it's principal effect by afiifting the vis vi*se, as an 
 alterative and cordial, enabling nature by an ac- 
 cefiion of congenial fpirit, to affimilate that which 
 could not be afiimilated by her proper force, .and 
 fo to fubdue the fomes morbi. And this mould 
 feem in moft cafes the beft and fafeft courfe. Great 
 evacuations weaken nature as well as the difeafe. 
 And it is to be feared that they who ufe falivations 
 and copious bleedings may, though they mould re- 
 cover the diftemper, in their whole life be ne- 
 ver able to recover of the remedies. 
 
 219. It is true indeed, that in chronical cafes 
 there is need of time to compleat a cure, and yet 
 I have known this tar-water in diforders of the 
 lungs and ftomach to prove a very fpeedy remedy, 
 and to allay the anxiety and heat of a fever in an 
 inftant, giving eafe and fpirits to the patient. 
 This I have often experienced, not without fur- 
 prize, at feeing thefe falutary effects follow fo im- 
 mediately in a fever on taking a glafs of tar-water. 
 Such is the force of thefe active vivifying princi- 
 ples contained in this balfam. 
 
 220. Force
 
 no. Force or power, flrickly fpeaking, is in the 
 agent alone who imparts an equivocal force to the 
 invi.fible elementary fire, or animal fpirit (a] of 
 the world, and this to the ignited budy or vifible 
 flame, which producerh the fcnfe ot light and 
 hear. In this chain th.; Hi 11 and hit Jink:> are al- 
 lowed to be incorporeal : the two intermediate -re 
 colored, being capable of me: ion, rarefaction, 
 gravity, and other qualities of bodies, It is fit 
 to d;fi;nguim thefe things, in order to avoid am- 
 biguity concerning the nature of fire.. 
 
 221. Sir Ifaac Nev/ton in his Optics, afks ; Is 
 not fire a body heated fo hot as to emit light 
 copioudy ? for what die, adds he, is a red hoc 
 iron ihan fire ? Now it fhouM ieem, that to define 
 fir^. by heat, would be to explain a thir.g by it 
 felf. A body heated fo hot. as to emit iight is an 
 ignited body, that is, hath fire in ir, is psr.ctra- 
 ted and agitated by fire, but is not itklf fire. 
 And although it fhould. in the third foregoing ac- 
 ceptation, or vulgar fcnfc, pafs for fire, yet it is 
 not the pure elementary (//) fire in the fc-cond or 
 philofophic fenfe, fuch as was upderflood by the 
 lages of antiquity, and fuch as is collected in the 
 focus of a burning glafs j much lefs is it the vis, 
 force, or power of burning, deftroying, calcining, 
 melting, vitrifying, and railing the perceptions, 
 of light and heat. This is truly and really in the 
 incorporeal agent, and not in the vital fpirit of 
 the univerfe. , Motion, and even power in an 
 equivocal fenfe, may be found in this pure asthe- 
 real fpirit, which ignites bodies, but is not itfelf 
 the ignited body, being an inftrument or medium 
 (c) by which the real agent doth operate on 
 gr offer bodies. 
 
 . . . . 
 
 () '53 IS 6 * 57- (*) '9. (<0 160. 
 
 222, Ic
 
 222. It hath been fliewrv in Sir Ifaac Newton's 
 Optics, that light is not 'reflected by impinging on 
 bodies, but by fome other caufe. And to him it 
 feems probable, that as many rays as impinge oh 
 the folid parts of the bodies, are not reflected but 
 ftifled and retained in the bodies. And it is cer- 
 tain, the great porofity of ail known bodies affords 
 room for much of this light or fire to be lodged 
 therein. Gold itfelf, the moft folid of all metals, 
 fecms to have far more pores than folkl parts, from 
 water being preficd through it in the Florentine ex- 
 periment, from magnetic effluvia paffing, and from 
 mercury entering its pores fo freely. And it is ad- 
 mi'tted that water, though impofllble to be com- 
 preffed, hath at lea ft forty times more pores than 
 folid parts. And as acid particle?, joined with 
 thofc of earth in certain proportions, are fo clofely 
 united with them, as to be quite hid and loft to 
 all appearance, as in mercurius dulcis and com?-- 
 mon fulphur, fo alfo may we conceive the particles 
 o'f light or fire to be abforbed and latent in groffer 
 bodies. 
 
 223. It is the opinion of Sir Ifaac Newton, that 
 fomewhat unknown remains in vacuo, when the 
 air is exhaufted. This unknown medium he calls 
 jEther. He fuppcfeth it to be more fubcil in its 
 nature, and more iwift in its motion, than light, 
 freely to pervade all bodies, and by its immenfe 
 elafticity to be expanded throughout all the hea- 
 vens. Its denfity is fuppofed greater in free and 
 open fpaces, than within the pores of compact 
 bodies. And, in pafling from the celeftial bodies 
 to great dillances, it is fuppoied to grow denfi-r 
 and denfer continually ; and thereby caule t' * 
 great bodies to gravitate towards one another, 1 
 their re fpedive- parts towards their centers, ev r
 
 . body endeavouring to pafs from the denfer parts of 
 the medium towards the rarer. 
 
 224. The extreme minutenefs of the parts of this 
 medium, and the velocity of their motion, together 
 with its gravity, denfity, and elaftic force, are 
 'thought to qualify it for being the caufe of all the 
 natural motions in the univerfe. To this caufe arc 
 afcribed the gravity and cohefion of bodies. The 
 refraction of light is alfo thought to proceed from 
 the different denfity and elaftic force of this sethe- 
 real medium in different places. The vibrations of 
 this medium alternately concurring with, or ob- 
 flructing the motions of the rays of light, are fup- 
 pofed to produce the fits of eafy reflexion and tranf- 
 mifiion. Light by the vibrations of this medium 
 is thought to communicate heat to bodies. Ani- 
 mal motion and fenfation are alfo accounted for by 
 the vibrating motions of this astherial medium, pro- 
 pagated thro' the folid capiliaments of the nerves. 
 In a word, all the phenomena and properties of 
 bodies, that were before attributed to attraction, 
 upon -later thoughts feem afcribed to this aether, 
 together with the various attractions themfelves. 
 
 225. But in the philofophy of Sir Ifaac Newton, 
 the fits (as they are called) of eafy tranlmiffion and 
 reflexion, feem as well accounted for by vibrations 
 excited in bodies by the rays of light, and the re- 
 fraction of light by the attraction of bodies. To ex- 
 plain the vibrations of light by thofe of a more fub- 
 til medium, feems an uncouth explication. And 
 gravity feems not an effect of the denfity and elafti- 
 city of sether, but rather to be produced by fome 
 other caufe ; which Sir Ifaac himfclf infinuates to 
 have been the opinion even of thofe ancients who 
 took vacuum, atoms, and the gravity of atoms for 
 the principles of their philofophy, tacitly attri- 
 
 ' buting 
 
 L
 
 ( 10 5 ) 
 
 buting (as* he ' well'obferves) gravity to fome 
 other caulc diftinct from matter, from atoms, and 
 confequently from that homogeneous sether or 
 elartic fluid. The elafticity of which fluid is fup- 
 pofcd to depend upon, to be defined and meafurcd 
 by its denfity ; and this by the quantity of mat- 
 ter in one particle, multiplied by the number of 
 particles contained in a given fpace ; and the quan- 
 tity of matter in any one particle or body of a 
 given fize to be determined by its gravity. Should 
 not therefore gravity feem the original property 
 and firft fuppoied ? On the other hand, if force 
 be confidered as prefcinded from gravity and mat- 
 ter, and as exifting only in points or centers, what 
 can this amount to but an abftract fpiritual incor- 
 poreal force ? 
 
 226. It doth not feem neceffary from the phse- 
 ncmena, to fuppofe any medium more active and 
 fubtil than light or fire. Light being allowed to 
 move at the rate of about ten millions of miles in 
 a minute, what occafion is there to conceive ano- 
 ther medium of ftill fmaller and more moVeable 
 parts. Light or fire feems the fame with aether. 
 So the ancients underftood, and fo the Greek 
 word implies. It pervades all things (#), is every 
 where prefent. And this fame fubtil medium, ac- 
 cording to its various quantities, motions, and 
 determinations, fheweth itfelf in different effects 
 or appearances, and is asther, light, or fire. 
 
 227. The particles of aether fly afunder with 
 the greateft force, therefore when united they 
 muft (according to the Newtonian doctrine) at- 
 tract each other with the greateft force ; therefore 
 rhey are acids (), or conftitute the acid ; but 
 this united with earthy parts maketh aikali, as Sir 
 Ifaac teacheth in his trad De acido j alkali, as ap- 
 
 (a] 157. (4) 130. 
 
 O pears
 
 pears in cantharides and lixivial falts, is a cauftic * 
 cauftics are fire -, therefore acid is fire ; therefore 
 jedier is fire ; and if fire, light. We are not 
 therefore obliged to admit a new medium diftin& 
 from light, and of a finer and more exquifite 
 fubflance, for the explication of phenomena, 
 which appear to be as well explained without 
 it. How can the denfity or elasticity of sether 
 account for the rapid flight of a ray of light from 
 the fun, ftill fwifter as it goes farther from the 
 fun ? or how can it account for the various mo- 
 tions and attractions of different bodies ? Why 
 oil and water, mercury and iron repell, or why 
 other bodies attract each other ? or why a parti- 
 cle of light mould repell on one fide and attract 
 on the other, as in the cafe of the Iflandic cry- 
 ilal ? To explain cohefion by hamate atoms is ac- 
 counted ignotum per ignotius. And is it not as 
 much fo to account for the gravity of bodies by 
 the elafticity of sether ? 
 
 228. It is one thing to arrive at general laws 
 of nature from a contemplation of the phsenome- 
 na ; and another to frame an hypothefis, and 
 from thence deduce the phenomena. Thofe who 
 fuppofed epicycles, and by them explained the 
 motions and appearances of the planets, may not 
 therefore be thought to have difcovered principles 
 true in fact and nature. And albeit we may from 
 the premifes infer a conclufion, it will not follow, 
 that we can argue reciprocally, and from the 
 conclufion infer the premifes. For inftance, 
 fuppofing an elaftic fluid, whofe conftituent mi- 
 nute particles are equidiftant from each other and 
 of equal denfities and diameters, and recede one 
 from another v/ith a centrifugal force which is in- 
 verfly as the diftance of the centers, and admit- 
 ting that from fuch fuppofition it muft follow, 
 
 I hat
 
 ( 107) 
 
 that the denfity and elaftic force of fuch fluid are 
 in the inverfe proportion of the fpace it occupies 
 when compreffed by any force ; yet we cannot re- 
 ciprocally infer, that a fluid endued with this pro- 
 perty muft therefore confift of fuch fuppofed equal 
 particles ; for it would then follow, that the con- 
 ftituent particles of air were of equal denfities and 
 diameters ; whereas it is certain, that air is an he- 
 terogeneous mafs, containing in its compofition 
 an infinite variety of exhalations, from the dif- 
 ferent bodies which make up this terraqueous 
 globe. 
 
 229. The phenomena of light, animal fpirit, 
 mufcular motion, fermentation, vegetation, and 
 other natural operations, feem to require no- 
 thing more than the intellectual and artificial fire 
 of Heraclitus, Hippocrates, the Stoics (#), and 
 other ancients. Intellect, fuperadded to astherial 
 fpirit, fire, or light, moves, and moves regularly, 
 proceeding, in a method as the Stoics, or incrcaf- 
 ing and diminishing by mealure, as Heraclitus 
 expreffed it. The Stoics held that fire compre- 
 hended and included the fpermatic reafons or forms 
 (Ao'ysff <nrs,ua-nx.*V) of all natural things. As the 
 forms of things have their ideal exiftence in the 
 intellect, fo it mould feem that feminal principles 
 have their natural exiftence in the light (), a me- 
 dium confiding of heterogeneous parts, differing 
 from each other in divers qualities that appear to 
 fenfe, and not improbably having many original 
 properties, attractions, repulfions, and motions, 
 the laws and natures whereof are indifcernible to 
 us, otherwife than in their remote effects. And 
 this animated heterogeneous fire fhould feem a 
 adequate caufe, whereby to explain the pha> 
 
 () 1 66, 1 6 8. () 164. 
 
 O 2 nomena
 
 nomena of nature, than one uniform aetherial me- 
 dium. 
 
 230. Ariftotle indeed excepts againft the ele- 
 "ments being animated. Yet nothing hinders why 
 that power of the foul, ftyled by him xi^mjf, 
 or locomotive, may not refide therein, under the 
 direction of an intellect, in fuch fenfe, and as 
 properly as it is faid to refide in animal bodies. 
 It muft neverthelefs be owned, chat albeit that 
 philofopher acknowledgeth a divine force or ener- 
 gy in fire, yet to fay that fire is alive, or that 
 having a foul it mould not be alive, feem to him 
 equally abfurd. See his fecond book De parti- 
 bus animalium. 
 
 231. The laws of attraction and repulfion are 
 to be regarded as laws of motion, and thefe only 
 as rules or methods obferved in the productions of 
 natural effects, the efficient and final cauics where- 
 of are not of mechanical confideration. Certain- 
 Jy, if the explaining a phenomenon be to af- 
 fign its proper efficient and final caufc (a], it 
 fhould feem the mechanical philofophers never 
 explained any thing , their province being only 
 to difcover the Jaws of nature, that is, the gene- 
 ral rules and methods of motion, and to account 
 for particular phenomena by reducing them un- 
 der, or mewing their conformity to fuch general 
 rules. 
 
 232. Some corpufcularian philofophers of the 
 Jaft age have indeed attempted to explain the for- 
 mation of this world and its phenomena, by a few 
 fimple laws of mechanifm. 'But if we confider 
 the various productions of nature, in the mine- 
 ral, vegetable, and animal parts of the creation, 
 I believe we mail feecaufe to affirm, that not any 
 ?'. ,3i<n 
 
 (a) 154, 155, 1 60. 
 
 one
 
 one of them has hitherto been, or can be account- 
 ed for on principles merely mechanical ; and that 
 nothing could be more vain and imaginary, than 
 to fuppofe with Defcartes, that merely from a cir- 
 cular motion's being imprefied by the fupreme 
 agent on the particles of extended fubftance, the 
 whole world with all its feveral parts, appurte- 
 nances, and phenomena, might be produced by 
 a neceflary confluence from the laws of .mo- 
 tion. 
 
 233. Others fuppofe that God did more at the 
 beginning, having then made the feeds of all ve- 
 getables and animals, containing their folid or- 
 ganical parts in miniature, the gradual filling and 
 evolution of which, by the influx of proper juices, 
 doth conftitute the generation and growth of a 
 Jiving body. So that the artificial ftructure of 
 plants and animals daily generated, requires no 
 prefent exercife of art to produce it, having been 
 already framed at the origin of the world, which 
 with all its parts hath ever fince fubfifted, going 
 Jike a clock or machine, by itfelf, according to 
 the laws of nature, without the immediate hand 
 of the artift. But how can this hypothecs explain 
 the blended features of different ipecies in mules 
 and other mongrels ? or the parts added or changed, 
 and fometimes whole Jimbs loft by marking in 
 the womb ? or how can it account for the refur- 
 rection of a tree from its ftump, or the vegeta- 
 tive power in its cutting ? in which cafes we mufl 
 neceffarily conceive fomething more than the mere 
 evolution of a feed. 
 
 234. Mechanical laws of nature or motion di- 
 rect us how to act, and teach us what to expect. 
 Where intellect prefides, there will be method and 
 order, and thertfore rules, which if not ftated 
 
 and
 
 and conftant would ceafe to be rules. There is 
 therefore a conftancy in things, which is flyled 
 the courfe of nature (a). All the phenomena in 
 nature are produced by motion. There appears an 
 uniform working in things great and fmall, by 
 attracting and repelling forces. But the particu- 
 lar laws of attraction and repulfion are various. 
 Nor are we concerned at all about the forces, nei- 
 ther can we know or meafure them otherwife than 
 by their effects, that is to fay, the motions, which 
 motions only, and not the forces, are indeed in 
 the bodies (). Bodies are moved to or from eack 
 other, and this is performed according to different 
 laws. The natural or mechanic philofopher en- 
 deavours to difcover thofe laws by experiment and 
 reafoning. But what is faid of forces refiding in 
 bodies whether attracting or repelling, is to be 
 regarded only as a mathematical hypothecs, and 
 not as any thing really exifting in nature. 
 
 235. We are not therefore fcrioufly to fuppofe 
 with certain mechanic philofophers, that the mi- 
 nute particles of bodies have real forces or powers 
 by which they act on each other, to produce the 
 various phenomena in nature. The minute cor- 
 pufcles are impelled and directed, that is to fay, 
 moved to and from each other according to various 
 rules or Jaws of motion. The laws of gravity, 
 magnetifm, and electricity are divers. And it 
 .is not known, what other different rules or laws 
 of motion might be eftablifhed by the author of 
 nature. Some bodies approach together, others 
 fly afunder, and perhaps fome others do neither. 
 .When fait of tartar flows per deliquium, it is vifi- 
 ble that the particles of water floating in the air 
 
 (a) 1 60. (1} 153. 
 
 are
 
 ( III ) 
 
 are moved towards the particles of fait, and joined 
 with them. And when we behold vulgar fait not 
 to flow per deliquiura, may we not conclude that 
 the fame law of nature and motion doth not ob- 
 tain between its particles and thofe of the floating 
 vapours ? A drop of water afiumes a round figure, 
 becaufe its parts are moved towards each other. 
 But the particles of oil and vinegar have no fuch 
 difpofition to unite. And when flies walk in wa- 
 ter without wetting their feet, it is attributed 
 to a repelling force or faculty in the fly's feet. 
 But this is obfcure, though the phenomenon be 
 plain. 
 
 236. It is not improbable, and feems not un- 
 fupported by experiments, that, as in algebra, 
 where pofitive quantities ceafe there negative begin, 
 even fo in mechanics, where attracting forces ceafe 
 there repelling forces begin ; or (to exprefs it more 
 properly) where bodies ceafe to be moved towards, 
 they begin to be moved from each other. This 
 Sir Ifaac Newton infers from the production of air 
 and vapours, whofe particles fly afunder with fuch 
 vehement force. We behold iron move towards 
 the loadftone, ftraws towards amber, heavy bodies 
 towards the earth. The laws of thefe motions are 
 various. And when it is faid, that all the motions 
 and changes in the great world arife from attraction ; 
 the elafticity of the air, the motion of water, the 
 defcent of heavy, and the afcent of light bodies, 
 being all afcribed to the fame principle ; when from 
 infenfible attractions of moft minute particles at 
 the fmalleft diflancc are derived cohefion, diffb- 
 iution, coagulation, animal fecretion, fermenta- 
 tion, and all chemical operations ; and when it is 
 fold, that without fuch principles there never would 
 have been any motion in che world, and without 
 
 the 

 
 the continuance thereof all motion would ceafe. la 
 all this we know or underfcand no more, than that 
 bodies are moved according to a certain order, and 
 that they do not move themlelves. 
 
 237. So Jikewife, how to explain ail thofe vari- 
 ous motions and effe&s by the denfity and eJafti- 
 city of asther, feems incomprehensible (a). For 
 inftance, why mould the acid particles draw thofe 
 of water and repell each other ? why fhould fome 
 falts attract vapours in the air, and others not ? 
 why .mould the particles of common fait repell 
 each other, fo as not to fubfide in water ? why 
 ihould the moil repellent particles be the mod at- 
 tractive upon contact ? Or why fhou!d the re- 
 pellent begin where the attractive faculty leaves 
 off. Thefe, and numberlefs other e liters it-em in- 
 explicable on mechanical principles, or ctherwife 
 than by recourfe to a mind or lp! ritual agent (b}. 
 Nor will it fuffice from prefent phsenomena and 
 effects, through a chain of natural caufes and 
 fubordinate blind agents, to trace a divine in- 
 tellect as the remote original caufe, that fir (I cre- 
 ated the world, and then fct it a going. We can- 
 not make even one fingle ftep in accounting for 
 the phenomena, without admitting the immedi- 
 ate prefence and immediate action of an incorpo- 
 real agent, who connects, moves, and difpofes 
 all. things, according to fuch rules, and for inch 
 purpofes as feem good to him. 
 
 238. It is an old opinion adopted by the moderns, 
 that the elements and other natural bodies are 
 changed each into other (c}. Now, as the particles . 
 of different bodies are agitated by different forces, 
 attracting and repelling, or, to fpeak more accurate- 
 ly, are moved by different laws, how can thefe forces 
 
 , (m) 153, 162. () 154, 220. (0 148. 
 
 or
 
 ( "3) 
 
 or laws be changed, and this change accounted for 
 by an elaftic aether ? Such a medium, diftinct from 
 jight or fire, feemeth not to be made out by any 
 proof, nor to be of any ufe in explaining the 
 phenomena. But if there be any medium em- 
 ployed as a fubordinate caufe or inftrument in 
 attraction, it would rather feem to be light () ; 
 fince by an experiment of Mr. Boyle, amber, that 
 fhewed no fign of attraction in the made, being 
 placed where the fun-beams fhone upon it, imme- 
 diately attracted light bodies. Befides, it hath been 
 difcovered by Sir Ifaac Newton, and an admirable 
 difcovery it was, that light is an heterogeneous me- 
 dium (/) confifting of particles endued with ori- 
 ginal diitinct properties. And upon thefe, if I may 
 venture to give my conjectures, it feemeth probable 
 the fpecific properties of bodies, and the force of 
 Ipecific medicines may depend. Different fides of 
 the fame ray fhall, one approach and the other re- 
 cede from the Iflandic cryftal ; can this be account. 
 ed for by the elafticity of a fine medium, or by the 
 general laws of motion, or by any mechanical prin- 
 ciples whatever ? And if not, what mould hinder 
 but there may be fpecific medicines, whofe opera- 
 tion depends not upon mechanical principles, how 
 much foever that notion hath been exploded of late 
 years? 
 
 239. Why may we not fuppofe certain idiofyri- 
 crafies, fympathies, oppofitions, in the folids or 
 fluids or animal fpirit of a human body, with re- 
 gard to the fine infenfible parts of minerals or -ve- 
 getables, impregnated by rays of light of different 
 properties, not depending on the different fize, 
 figure, number, folidity, or weight of thofe particles, 
 
 (*) 152, 156, (1) 40, 181. 
 
 P nor 
 

 
 nor on the general laws of motion, nor on the den- 
 fity or elafticity of a medium, but merely and al- 
 together on the good pleafure of the Creator, in the 
 original formation of things? From whence divers 
 unaccountable and unforefeen motions may arife in 
 the animal ceconomy ; from whence alfo various 
 peculiar and fpecific virtues may be conceived to 
 arife, refiding in certain medicines, and not to be 
 explained by mechanical principles. For although 
 the general known laws of motion are to be deem- 
 ed mechanical, yet peculiar motions of the infenfible 
 parts, and peculiar properties depending thereon, 
 are occult and fpecific. 
 
 240. The words attraction and repulfion may, in 
 compliance with cuftom, be ufed where, accurately 
 fpeaking, motion alone is meant. And in that fenfe 
 it may be faid, that peculiar attractions or repulfions 
 in the parts, are attended with fpecific properties in 
 the wholes. The particles of light are vehement- 
 ly moved to or from, retained or rejected by objects. 
 Which is the fame thing as to fay with Sir Ifaac 
 Newton, that the particles of acids are endued with 
 great attractive force (m), wherein their activity 
 confifts; whence fermentation and diflblution ; and 
 that the mofl repellent are, upon contact, the mofl 
 attracting particles, 
 
 241. Gravity and fermentation are received for 
 two moft extenfive principles. From fermentation 
 are derived the motion and warmth of the heart 
 and blood in animals, fubterraneous heat, fires, and 
 earthquakes, meteors and changes in the atmo- 
 Iphere. And, that attracting and repelling forces 
 operate in the nutrition and diflblution of animal 
 and vegetable bodies, is the doctrine both of Hip- 
 
 (m) 202. 
 
 pocrates
 
 , 
 
 ( "5 ) 
 
 pocratcs and Sir Ifaac Newton. The former of 
 thefe celebrated authors, in his treatife concerning 
 diet or regimen, obferves, that in the nourifriment 
 of man, one part repells and another attracts. 
 And again, in the fame treatife, two carpenters, 
 faith he, faw a piece of timber ; one draws, the 
 other pufhes ; thefe two actions tend to one and the 
 fame end, though in a contrary direction, one up, 
 the other down : This imitates the nature of man : 
 
 JTVtVfAOt TO alv AJtf, TO 31 &)$*. 
 
 242. It is the general maxim of Hippocrates, that 
 the manner wherein nature acts confifteth in attract- 
 ing what is -meet and good, and in repelling 
 what is difagreeable or hurtful. He makes the 
 whole of the animal ceconomy to be adminiftered by 
 the faculties or powers of nature. Nature alone, 
 faith he, fufficeth for all things to animals. She 
 knows of herfelf what is neceffary for them. 
 Whence it is plain, he means a confcious intelli- 
 gent nature, that prefides and moves the setherial 
 fpirit. And tho* he declares all things are accom- 
 pliflied on man by neceffity, yet it is not a blind 
 fate or chain of mere corporeal caufes, but a divine 
 neceffity, as he himfelf exprefly calls it. And what 
 is this but an over-ruling intelligent power that dif- 
 pofeth of all things ? 
 
 243. Attraction cannot produce, and in that 
 fenfe account for the phenomena, being itfelf one 
 of the phenomena produced and to be accounted 
 for (n). Attraction is performed by different laws, 
 and cannot therefore in all cafes be the effect of the 
 elafticity of one uniform medium. The phsenome- 
 na of electrical bodies, the laws and variations of 
 magnetifm, and, not to mention other kinds, even 
 
 (n) 160, 235. 
 
 P 2
 
 gravity, is not explained by elafticity, a pheno- 
 menon not lefs obfcure than itfelf. But then, al- 
 though it fhews not the agent, yet it fheweth a rule 
 and an alogy in nature to fay, That the folid parts 
 of animals are endued with attractive powers, where- 
 by from contiguous fluids they draw like to like; 
 and that glands have peculiar powers attractive of 
 peculiar juices (0). Nature feems better known and 
 explained by attractions and repulfions, than by 
 thofe other mechanical principles of fize, figure, 
 and the like: that is, by Sir Ifaac Newton, than 
 Defcartes. And natural philofophers excel, as 
 they are more or lefs acquainted with the laws and 
 methods obferved by the Author of nature. 
 
 244. The fize and fhape of particles, and general 
 laws of motion can never explain the fecretions 
 without the help of attraction, obfcure perhaps as 
 to its caufe, but clear as a law. Numberlefs in- 
 flances of this might be given : Lemery the young- 
 er thought himfelf obliged to fuppofe, the particles 
 of light or fire (contrary to all reafon) to be of a 
 very grofs kind, even greater than the pores of 
 the burnt limeflone, in order to account for their 
 being detained or imprifoned therein ; but this phe- 
 nomenon is eafily reduced to attraction. There 
 would be no end of enumerating the like cafes. 
 The activity and force of setherial fpirit or fire by 
 the laws of attraction is imparted to grofier par- 
 ticles (/>), and thereby wonderfully fupports the 
 ceconomy of living bodies. By fuch peculiar com-r 
 pofitions and attractions it feems to be effected, 
 that denfer fluids can pafs where air itfelf cannot 
 (as oil through leather) and therefore through 
 
 (c] 41, ty) 152, 163. 
 
 the
 
 ( "7 ) 
 
 the niceft and fineft drainers of an animal or vege- 
 table. 
 
 245. The ancients had Tome general conception of 
 attracting and repelling powers (q) as natural princi- 
 ples. Galilaei had particularly confidered the attrac- 
 tion of gravity, and made fome difcovery of the 
 laws thereof. But Sir Ifaac Newton by his fmgu- 
 lar penetration, profound knowledge in geometry 
 and mechanics, and great exactnefs in experiments, 
 hath caft a new light on natural fcience. The laws 
 of attraction and repulfion were in many inftances 
 difcovered, and firft difcovered, by him. He 
 fhewed their general extent, and therewith, as with 
 a key, opened feveral deep fecrets of nature, in the 
 knowledge whereof he feems to have made a great- 
 er progrefs, than all the feels of corpufcularians 
 together had done before him. Neverthelefs, the 
 principle of attraction itfelf is not to be explained 
 by phyfical or corporeal caufes. 
 
 246. The Cartefians attempted to explain it 
 by the nifus of a fubtil element, receding from the 
 center of its motion, and impelling grofler bodies 
 towards it. Sir Ifaac Newton in his later thoughts 
 feems (as was before obferved) to have adopted 
 fomewhat not altogether foreign from this notion, 
 afcribing that to his eiaftic medium (r) which Def- 
 cartes did to his fecond element. But the great 
 men of antiquity refolved gravity into the immediate 
 action of an intelligent incorporeal being. To which 
 alfo Sir Ifaac Newton himfelf attefts and fubfcribes, 
 although he may perhaps fometimes be thought to 
 forget himfelf, in his manner of fpeaking of phy- 
 fical agents, which in a ftrict fenfe are none at alJ r 
 and in fuppofmg real forces to exift in bodies, in 
 
 (q) 241, 242. (r) 237, 238. 
 
 which,
 
 ( "8 ) 
 
 which, to fpeak truly, attradion and repulfioil 
 ihould be confidered only as tendencies or motions 1 , 
 that is, as mere effeds, and their laws as laws of 
 motion. 
 
 247. Though it be fuppofed the chief bufme& 
 of a natural philofopher to trace our caufes from 
 the effects, yet this is to be understood not of 
 agents (j) but of principles, that is, of component 
 parts, in one fenfe, or of laws or rules, in another. 
 In ftrid truth all agents are incorporeal, and as fucll 
 are not properly of physical consideration. The 
 Aftronomer, therefore, the Mechanic, or the Che- 
 mift, not as fuch, but by accident only, treat of 
 real caufes, agents or efficients. Neither doth it 
 feem, as is fuppofed by the greatefl of mechanical 
 philofophers, that the true way of proceeding in 
 their fcience is, from known motions in nature to 
 inveftigate the moving forces. Forafmuch as force 
 is neither corporeal, nor belongs to any corporeal 
 thing (/); nor yet to be dilcovered by experiments 
 or mathematical reafonings, which reach no farther 
 than difcernible effects, and motions in things pafilve' 
 and moved. 
 
 248. Vis or force is to the foul, what extenfion 
 is to the body, faith faint Auguftin, in his trad;" 
 concerning the quantity of the Soul , and without 
 force there is nothing done or made, and confequent- 
 ly there can be no agent. Authority is not to de- 
 cide in this cafe. Let any one confult his own no- 
 tions and reafon, as well as experience, concerning 
 the origin of motion, and the refpedive natures, 
 properties, and differences of foul and body, and he 
 will, if I miftake not, evidently perceive, that there 
 is nothing adive in the latter. Nor are they natural 
 
 155. (t) 220, 
 
 agents
 
 agents or corporeal forces, which make the parti- 
 cles of bodies to cohere. Nor is it the bufmefs of 
 experimental philofophers to find them out.' 
 
 249. The mechanical philofopher, as hath been 
 already obferved, inquires properly concerning the 
 rules and modes of operation alone, and not con- 
 cerning the caufe, forafmuch as nothing mechanical 
 is or really can be a caufe (). And although a 
 mechanical or mathematical philofopher may fpeak 
 of abfolute fpace, abiblute motion, and of force as 
 exifting in bodies, caufing fuch motion and pro- 
 portional thereto; yet what thefe forces are, which 
 are fuppofed to be lodged in bodies, to be impreffed 
 on bodies, to be multiplied, divided, and commu- 
 nicated from one body to another, and which feem 
 to animate bodies like abftraft fpirits or fouls, hath 
 been found very difficult, not to fay impoffible, for 
 thinking men to conceive and explain ; as may be 
 feen by confulting Borellus De vi percuffionis, and 
 Torricelli in his Lezioni academiche, among other 
 authors. 
 
 250. Nor ; if we confider the proclivity of man- 
 kind to realize their notions, will it feem ftrange 
 that mechanic philofophers and geometricians fiiould, 
 like other men, be mifled by prejudice, and take 
 mathematical hypothefes for real beings exifting in 
 bodies, fo far as even to make it the very aim and 
 end of their fcience to compute or meafure thofe 
 phantoms; whereas it is very certain that nothing 
 in truth can be meafured * or computed, befide the 
 very effects or motions themfelves. Sir Ifaac New- 
 ton afks, Have not the minute particles of bodies 
 certain forces or powers by which they act on. 
 
 (u) 236, 247. 
 
 This fubjeft is handled at large in my Latin trad De motu, 
 publilhed above twenty years ago. 
 
 one
 
 ( 120 ) 
 
 one another, as well as on the particles of light, 
 for producing moft of the phasnomema in nature ? 
 But in reality, thofe minute particles are only agi- 
 tated according to certain laws of nature, by fome 
 other agent, wherein the force exifts and not in 
 them, which have only the motion; which motion 
 in the body moved, the Peripatetics rightly judge 
 to be a mere paflion, but in the mover to be m^i* 
 or act. 
 
 251. It paffeth with many, I know not how, 
 that mechanical principles give a clear folution of the 
 phenomena. The Democritic hypothefis, faith 
 doctor Cudworth, doth much more handfomely 
 and intelligibly folve the phenomena, than that of 
 Ariflotle and Plato. But things rightly confidered, 
 perhaps it will be found not to folve any phsenome- 
 non at all. For all phenomena are, to fpeak tru- 
 ly, appearances in the foul or mind; and it hath 
 never been explained, nor can it be explained, how 
 external bodies, figures, and motions mould pro- 
 duce an appearance in the mind. Thofe principles, 
 therefore, do not folve, if by. folving is meant aflign- 
 ing, the real, either efficient or final, caufe of appear- 
 ances, but only reduce them to general rules. 
 
 252. There is a certain analogy, conftancy, and 
 uniformity in the phenomena or appearances of na- 
 ture, which are a foundation for general rules : and 
 thefe are a grammar for the understanding of na- 
 ture, or that feries of effects in the vifible world, 
 whereby we are enabled to fore fee what will come 
 to pafs, in the natural courfe of things. Plotinus 
 obferves, in his third Ennead, that the art of pre- 
 faging is in fome fort the reading of natural letters 
 denoting order, and that fo far forth as analogy ob- 
 tains in the univerfe, there may be vaticination. 
 And in reality, he that foretells the motions of the 
 
 pla-
 
 planets, or the effefls of medicines, or the refult 
 of chemical or mechanical experiments, may be laid 
 to do it by natural vaticination. 
 
 253. We know a thing when we underftand it: 
 and we underfland it, when we can interpret or tell 
 what it fignifies. Strictly the fenfe knows nothing. 
 We perceive indeed founds by hearing, and charac- 
 ters by fight : but we are not therefore faid to un- 
 derftand them. After the fame manner, the pha?- 
 nomejia of nature are alike vifible to all : but all 
 have not alike learned the connexion of natural 
 things, or underfland what they fignify, or know 
 how to vaticinate by them. There is no queftion, 
 faith Socrates, in Theceteto, concerning that which 
 is agreeable to each perfon ; but concerning what 
 will in time to come be agreeable, of which all men 
 are not equally judges. He who forcknoweth what 
 will be in every kind, is the wifeft. According to 
 Socrates, you and the cook may judge of a difh on 
 the table equally well ; but while the dim is making, 
 the cook can better foretcl what will enfue from 
 this or that manner of compofing it. Nor is this 
 manner of reafoning confined only to morals or po- 
 litics ; but extends allb to natural fcience. 
 
 254. As the natural connexion of figns with the 
 things fignified is regular and conftant, it forms a 
 fort of rational difcourfc (tf), and is therefore the 
 immediate effect of an intelligent caule. This is 
 agreeable to the philofophy of Plato and other an- 
 cients. PJotinus indeed faith, that which ads natu- 
 rally is not intellection, but a certain power of mov- 
 ing matter, which doth not know, but only do. 
 And it mull be owned, that, as faculties are multi- 
 plied by philolbphers according to their operations, 
 the will ma be diftinuifhed from the Intel left. 
 
 may 
 
 ~i 
 
 W fa- 
 
 Q But
 
 But it will not therefore follow, that the will, which 
 operates in the courfe of nature, is not conduced 
 and applied by intelle6t, although it be granted that 
 neither will underftands, nor intelle6l wills. There- 
 fore, the phenomena of nature, which ftrike on 
 the fenfes and are underftood by the mind, form 
 not only a magnificent fpectacle, but alfo a moft 
 coherent, entertaining, and inftructive difcourfe , 
 and to effect this, they are conducted, adjufted, and 
 ranged by the greateft w;fdom. This language or 
 difcourfe is fludied with different attention, and in- 
 terpreted with different degrees of fkill. But fo far 
 as men have ftudied and remarked its rules, and 
 can interpret right, fo far they may be faid to be 
 knowing in nature. A beaft is like a man who 
 hears a ftrange tongue, but underftands nothing. 
 
 255. Nature, faith the learned Doctor Cud- 
 worth, is not mafter of art or wifdom : Nature is 
 ratio merfa et confufa, rcafon immerfed and plung- 
 ed into matter, and as it were fuddled in it and con- 
 fcunded with it. But the formation of plants and 
 animals, the motions of natural bodies, their va- 
 rious properties, appearances, and viciffitudes, in a 
 word, the whole ftries of things in this vifible world, 
 which we call the courfe of nature, is fo wifely 
 managed and carried on, that the moft improved 
 human reafon cannot thoroughly comprehend even 
 the leaft particle thereof ; fo far is it from feeming 
 to be produced by fuddled or confounded reafon. 
 
 256. Natural productions, it is true, are not all 
 equally perfect. But neither doth it fuit with the 
 order of things, the ftructure of the univerfe, or 
 the ends of providence, that they mould be fo. 
 General rules, we have feen (<z), are neceffary to 
 
 (a) 249, 252. 
 
 make
 
 ( I2 3 ) 
 
 make the world intelligible : and from the conftant 
 obfervation of fuch rules, natural evils will fome- 
 times unavoidably enfue : things will be produced 
 in a flow length of time, and arrive at different (de- 
 grees of perfection. 
 
 257. It mud be owned, we are not confcious of 
 the fyftole and diaftole of the heart, or the motion 
 of the diaphragm. It may not neverthelefs be 
 thence inferred, that unknowing nature can act re- 
 gularly, as well as ourfelves. The true inference 
 is, that the felf- thinking individual, or human per- 
 fon, is not the real author of thofe natural motions. 
 And in fact no man blames himfelf if they are 
 wrong, or values himfelf if they are right. The fame 
 may be faid of the fingers of a mufician, which 
 fome object to be moved by habit which underftands 
 not -, it being evident, that what is done by rule 
 muft proceed from fomething that underftands the 
 rule j therefore, if not from the mufician himfelf, 
 from fome other active intelligence, the fame per- 
 haps which governs bees and fpiders, and moves 
 the limbs of thofe who walk in their deep. 
 
 258. Inftruments, occafions, and figns (b} 
 occur in, or racher make up, the whole vifible 
 courfe of nature. Thefe, being no agents them- 
 felves, are under the direction of one agent con- 
 certing all for one end, the fupreme good. All 
 thofe motions, whether in animal bodies or in other 
 parts of the fyftem of nature, which are not effects 
 of particular wills, ieem to fpring from the fame 
 general caufe with the vegetation of plants, an 
 astherial fpirit actuated by a mind. 
 
 259. The firft poets and theologers of Greece 
 and the Fail confidence! the generation of things, 
 as afcribed rather to a divine caufe ; but the Phyfic; 
 
 (b) i 60. 
 Q 2 to
 
 ( 124 ) 
 
 to natural caufes, fubordinate to, and directed (till 
 by a divine , except fome corporealifts and me- 
 chanics, who vainly pretended to make a world with- 
 out a God. The hidden force that unites, adjufts, 
 and caufeth all things to hang together, and move 
 'in harmony, which Orpheus and Empcdocles ftyl- 
 ed love ; this principle of union, is no blind prin- 
 ciple, but acts with intellect. This divine Jove and 
 intellect are not themfelves obvious to our view, or 
 otherwife difcerned than in their effects. Intellect 
 enlightens, Love connects, and the fovereign Good 
 attracts all things. 
 
 260. All things are made for the fupreme good, 
 all things tend to that end : and we may be faid to 
 account for a thing, when we fhew that it is fo 
 beft. In the Phasdon, Socrates declares it to be 
 his opinion, that he, who fuppofed all things to 
 have been difpofed and ordered by a mind (V), 
 fhould not pretend to afllgn any other caufe of 
 them. He blames phyfiologers for attempting to 
 account for phenomena, particularly for gravity 
 and cohefion, by vortexes and sether, overlooking 
 the TO dyu&lv and TO <^ov, the ftrongeft bond and 
 cement which holds together all the parts of the 
 univerfe, and not difcerning the caufe it felf from 
 thofe things which only attend it. 
 
 261. As in the microcofm, the conftant regular 
 tenor of the motions of the vifcera and contained 
 juices doth not hinder particular voluntary motions 
 to be impreiTed by the mind on the animal fpirit ; 
 even fb in the mundane fyftem, the fleddy obfer- 
 vance of certain laws of nature, in the grolTer mafies 
 and more confpicuous motions, doth not hinder 
 but a voluntarily agent may fometimes communicate 
 particular impreffions to the fine astherial medium, 
 
 (c) 154, 1 60. 
 
 which
 
 ( '25 ) 
 
 which in the world anfwers the animal fpirit in man. 
 Which two (if they are two) although mvifible and 
 inconceivably fmall, yet feem the real latent fprings, 
 whereby all the parts of this vifible world are moved -, 
 albeit they are not to be regarded as a true caufe, 
 but only an infirument of motion ; and the inftru- 
 jnent not as a help to the creator, but only as a 
 fign to the creature. 
 
 262. Plotinus fuppofeth that the foul of the uni- 
 verfe is not the original caufe or author of the fpe- 
 cies, but receives them from intellect, the true 
 principle of order and diftinction, the fource and 
 giver of forms. Others corifider the vegetative foul 
 only as fome lower faculty of a higher foul, which 
 animates the fiery jErheri.il fpirit (d). As for the 
 blots and defects which appear in the courfe of this 
 world, which fome have thought to proceed from 
 a fatality or neceflity in nature, and others from an 
 evil principle, that fame philofopher obferves, that, 
 it may be, the governing reafon produceth and or- 
 dained all thofe things , and, not intending that all 
 parts mould be equally good, maketh fome worfe 
 than others by ctefign, as all parts in an animal are 
 not eyes : and in a city, comedy, or picture, all 
 ranks, characters, and colours are not equal or like ; 
 even fo exceffes, defects, and contrary qualities, 
 confpire to the beauty and harmony of the world. 
 
 263. It cannot be denied, that with refpect to 
 the univerfe of things, we in this mortal {late are 
 like men educated in Plato's cave, locking on fha- 
 dows with our backs turned to the light. But 
 though our light be dim, and our luxation bad, 
 yet if the beft ufe be made of bolh, perhaps fome- 
 thing may be .feen. Prcclus, in his commentary 
 on the theology of Plato, obferves there arc two 
 
 {,/) 178. 
 
 forts
 
 .( 126 ) 
 
 forts of philofophers. The one placed body firft 
 in the order of beings, and made the faculty of think- 
 ing depend thereupon, fuppofing that the principles 
 of all things are corporeal : that body moft really 
 or principalfy exifts, and all other things in a fecon- 
 dary fenfe, and by virtue of that. Others, making 
 all corporeal things to be dependent upon foul or 
 mind, think this to exift in the firft place and pri- 
 mary fenfe, and the being of bodies to be altogether 
 derived from, and prefuppofe that of the mind. 
 
 264. Senfe and experience acquaint us with the 
 courfe and analogy of appearances or natural effects. 
 Thought, rcafon, intellect, introduce us into the 
 knowledge of their caufes. Senfible appearances, 
 though of a flowing, unftable, and uncertain nature, 
 yet having firft occupied the mind, they do, by an 
 early prevention, render the after tafk of thought 
 more difficult : and as they amufe the eyes and 
 ears, and are more fuited to vulgar ufes and the 
 mechanic arts of life, they eafily obtain a preference, 
 in the opinion of moft men, to thofe fuperior prin- 
 ciples, which are the later growth of the human 
 mind arrived to maturity and perfection, but, not 
 affecting the corporeal fenfe, are thought to be fo 
 far deficient in point of folidity and reality; fenfible 
 and real to common apprehenfions being the fame 
 thing : although it be certain, that the principles 
 of fcience are neither objects of fenfe nor imaginati- 
 on -, and that intellect and reafon are alone the fure 
 guides to truth. 
 
 265. The fuccefsful curiofity of the prefent age, 
 in arts and experiments and new fyftems, is apt to 
 elate men, and make them overlook the ancients. 
 But notwithftanding that the encouragement and 
 purfe of princes, and the united endeavours of great 
 focieties in thefe later ages, have extended experi- 
 
 2 mental
 
 ( I2 7 ) 
 
 mental and mechanical knowledge very far, yet it 
 muft be owned, that the ancients too were not 
 ignorant of many things (>), as well in phyfics as 
 metaphyfics, which perhaps are more generally, 
 though notfirft known in thele modern times. 
 
 266. The Pythagoreans and Platonifts had a no- 
 tion of the true fyftem of the world. They allowed 
 of mechanical principles, but actuated by foul or 
 mind : they diftinguifhed the primary qualities in 
 bodies from the fecondary, making the former to 
 be phyfical caufes, and they underftood phyfical 
 caufes in a right fcnfe : they faw that a mind infi- 
 nite in power, unextended, invifible, immortal, 
 governed, connected, and contained all things : they 
 faw there was no fuch thing as real abfolute ipace : 
 that mind, foul, or fpirir, truly and really exifts : 
 that bodies exift only in a fecondary and dependent 
 fenfe : that the foul is the place of forms : chat the 
 fenfible qualities are to be regarded as acts only 
 in the caufe, and as pafllons in us : they ac- 
 curately confidered the differences of intellect, ra- 
 tional foul, and fenfitive foul, with their diftinct 
 acts of intellection, reafoning, and fenfation ; points 
 wherein the Cartefians and their followers, who 
 confider fenfation as a mode of thinking, feem to 
 have failed. They knew there was a fubtil aether 
 pervading the whole mafs of corporeal beings, 
 and which was itfelf actually moved and directed 
 by a mind : and that phyfical caufes were only 
 inftruments, or rather marks and figns. 
 
 267. Thofe ancient philofophers underftood the 
 generation of animals to confift in the unfolding 
 and diftending of the minute imperceptible parts or 
 pre-exifting animalcules -, which paffeth for a modern 
 difcovery : this they took for the work of nature, but 
 
 . 
 (e) 166, 167, 168, 241, 242, &c. 
 
 nature
 
 ( 128 ) 
 
 nature animate and intelligent (f ) : they underftood 
 that all things were alive and in motion : they fup- 
 pofed a concord and difcord, union and difunion 
 in particles, fome attracting, others repelling each 
 other : and that thofe attractions and repulfions, fo 
 various, regular, and ufcful, could not be account- 
 ed for, but by an intelligence prefiding and direct- 
 ing all particular motions, for the coniervation and 
 benefit of the whole. 
 
 268. The ./Egyptians, who imperfonated nature, 
 had made her a diitinct principle, and even deified 
 her under the name of IBs. But Ofiris was under- 
 ftood to be mind or reafon, chief and fovereign of 
 all. Ofiris, if we may believe Plutarch, was the 
 firft, pure, unmixed, and holy principle, not difcer- 
 nible by the lower faculties ; a glympfe whereof, 
 Jike lightening darting forth, irradiates the under- 
 ftanding : with regard to which Plutarch adds, that 
 Plato and Ariftotle termed one part of philofophy 
 ITTCT/UJCO'V , -to wit, when having ibared above com- 
 mon mixed objects, and got beyond the precincts 
 oi~ fenfe and opinion, they arrive to contemplate 
 the firfl and moft fimple being, free from all mat- 
 ter and compofition. This is that xciot, oWw? *V<x 
 of Plato, which ernployeth mind alone , which 
 alone governs the world, and the foul is that which 
 immediately informs and animates nature. 
 
 269. Although the ./Egyptians did fymbolically 
 repreient the fupreme divinity fitting on a lotus, 
 and that gefture has been interpreted to fignify 
 the moft holy and venerable being to be utterly 
 at reft repofing within himfelf ; yet, for any thing 
 that appears, this geflure might denote dignity as 
 well as repofe. And it cannot be denied, that 
 Jamblichus, fo knowing in the Egyptian notions, 
 
 (/) 172- 
 
 taught
 
 ( -129 ) 
 
 taught there was an intellect that proceeded to ge- 
 neration, drawing forth the latent powers into 
 light in the formation of things. Nor was this to 
 be underflood of an external world, fubfifting in 
 real abfolute fpace : For it was a doctrine of thofe 
 antient figes, that foul was the place of forms, 
 as may be feen in the twelfth book of the arcane 
 part of divine wifdom, according to the ./Egyptians. 
 This notion was embraced by divers philofophers 
 of Greece, who may be fuppofed to have derived 
 it from the fame fource from whence many of their 
 other opinions were drawn. 
 
 270. The doctrine of real abfolute external 
 fpace, induced fome modern philofopfrers to con- 
 clude it was a part or attribute of God, or that 
 God himfelf was fpace ; inafmuch as incommuni- 
 cable attributes of the Deity appeared to agree 
 thereto, fuch as infinity, immutability,, indivifi- 
 bility, incorporeity, being uncreated, impaflive, 
 without beginning or ending; not considering that 
 all thefe negative properties may belong to no- 
 thing. For nothing hath no limits, cannot be 
 moved or changed, or divided, is neither created 
 nor deftroyed. A different way of thinking ap- 
 pears in the Hermaic as well as other writings of 
 the ancients. With regard to abfolute ipace, it is 
 obferved in the Afclepian dialogue, that the 
 word Space or Place hath by itfelf no meaning ; 
 and again, that it is impoffible to underftand what 
 fpace alone or .pure fpace is. And Plotinus ac- 
 ^knowledgeth no place but foul or mind, exprefly 
 affirming that the foul is not in the world, but the 
 world in the foul. And farther, the place of the 
 foul, faith he, is not body, but foul is in mind, 
 and body in foul. See the third chapter of the 
 fifth book of the fifth Ennead. 
 
 R 271.
 
 ( '30 ) 
 
 271. Concerning abfolute fpace, that phantome 
 of the mechanic and geometrical phiJofophers (), 
 it may fuffice to obferve, that it is neither per- 
 ceived by any fenfe, nor proved by any reafon, 
 and was accordingly treated by the greateft of the 
 ancients as a thing merely vifionary. From the no- 
 tion of abfolute ipace fprings that of abfolute mo- 
 tion*; and in thefe are ultimately founded the no- 
 tions of external exiftence, independence, necef- 
 fity, and fate. Which fate, the idol of many mo- 
 derns, was by old philofophers differently under- 
 ftood, and in fuch a fenfe, as not to deftroy the 
 cofrslijcriov of God or man. Parmenides, who 
 thought all things to be made by neceffity or fate, 
 underftood juftice and providence to be the fame 
 with fate; which, how fixed and cogent foever 
 with refpecl: to man, may yet be voluntary with 
 refpect to God. Empedocles declared fate to be 
 a caufe ufing principles and elements. Heraclitus 
 taught, that fate was the general reafon that runs 
 through the whole nature of the tiniverfe ; which 
 nature he fuppofed to be an ethereal body, the 
 feed of the generation of all things. Plato held 
 fate to be the eternal reafon or law of nature. 
 Chryfippus fuppofed that fate was a fpiritual power 
 which difpofed the world in order; that it was the 
 reafon and law of thofe things which are admini- 
 ilred by providence. 
 
 (b) 25 o. ' 
 
 * Our judgment in thefe matters is not to be over-born by a 
 prefumed evidence of mathematical notions and reafonings, fince 
 it is plain, the mathematicians of this age embrace oblcure no- 
 tions, and uncertain opinions, and are puzzled about them, 
 contradicting each other and difputing like other men : witnefs 
 their dodlrine of fluxions, about which, within thefe ten years, 
 I have feen publifhed about twenty tradls and difTertations, whofe 
 authors being utterly at variance, and inconfiltent with each 
 other, inftruft by-ftanders what to think of their pretenfions to 
 evidence. 
 
 272. All
 
 272. All the foregoing notions of fate, as. re- 
 prefented by Plutarch, plainly fhew that thofe 
 antient philofophers did not mean by fate a blind, 
 head- long, unintelligent principle, but an orderly 
 fettled courfe of things conducted by a wile and 
 provident mind. And as for the ./Egyptian doc- 
 trine, it is indeed afierted in the Pimander, that 
 all things are produced by fate. But Jamblichus, 
 who drew his notions from JEgypt, affirms, that 
 the whole of things is not bound up in fatej but 
 that there is a principle of the foul higher than 
 nature, whereby we may be raifed to an union 
 with the gods, and exempt ourfelves from fate. 
 And in the Afclepian dialogue it is exprefly fa*id, 
 that fate follows the decrees of God. And indeed, 
 as all the motions in nature are evidently the pro- 
 duct of reafon (c J, it fhould feem there is no room 
 for neceffity, in any other fenfe than that of a fted- 
 dy regular courfe. 
 
 273. Blind fate and blind chance are at bottom 
 much the fame thing, and one no more intelligible 
 than the other. Such is the mutual relation, con- 
 nection, motion, and fympathy of the parts of 
 this world, that they feem as it were animated and 
 held together by one foul : and fuch is their har- 
 mony, order, and regular courfe, as Iheweth the 
 foul to be governed and directed by a mind. It 
 was an opinion of remote antiquity that the world 
 was an animal (d). If we may truft the Hermaic 
 writings, the /Egyptians thought all things did par- 
 take of life. This opinion was allb fo general and 
 current among the Greeks, that Plutarch aiTerts,all 
 others held the world to be an animal, and govern- 
 ed by providence, except Leucippus, Democritus, 
 and Epicurus. And although an animal, contain-. 
 
 (c) 154. (d) 153, 172. 
 
 R 2 ing
 
 ( '32 ) 
 
 ing all bodies within itfelf, could not be touched 
 or feniibly affected from without-, yet it is plain 
 they attributed to it an inward fenfe and feeling, 
 as well as appetites and averfions-, and that from 
 all the various tones, actions, and paffions of the 
 univerfe, they fuppofed one fymphony, one animal 
 act and life to refill t. 
 
 274. Jamblichus declares the world to be one 
 animal, in which the parts, however diftant each 
 from other, are neverthelefs related and connected 
 by one common nature. And he teacheth, what is 
 alfo a received notion of the Pythagoreans and 
 Platonics, that there is no chafm in nature, but a 
 chain or fcale of beings rifing by gentle uninter- 
 rupted gradations from the lowed to the higheft, 
 each nature being informed and perfected by the 
 participation of a higher. As air becomes igneous, 
 fo the pureft fire becomes animal, and the animal 
 foul becomes intellectual, which is to be underftood 
 not of the change of one nature into another, but 
 of the connection of different natures, each lower 
 nature being, according to thofe philofophers, as it 
 were a receptable or fubject for the next above it to 
 re fide and act in. 
 
 275. It is alfo the doctrine of the Platonic philo- 
 fophers, that -intellect is the very life of living 
 things, the firft principle and exemplar of all, from 
 whence, by different degrees, are derived the in- 
 ferior claffes of life-, firft the rational, then the 
 fenfuive, after that the vegetal, but fo as in the 
 rational animal there is ftill fomewhat intellectual, 
 again in the fenfitive there is fomewhat rational, 
 and iii the vegetal fomewhat fenfitive, and laftly 
 in mixt bodies, as metals and mineral, fomewhat 
 of vegetation : By which means the whole is 
 thought to be more perfectly connected.. Which 
 
 * doctrine 
 
 98
 
 ( 133 ) 
 
 doctrine implies, that all the faculties, inflincts, and 
 motions of inferior beings, in their fcveral refpec- 
 tive fubordinations, are derived from, and depend 
 upon mind and intellect. 
 
 276. Both Stoics and Platonics held the world 
 to be alive, though fometimes it be mentioned as a 
 fentient animal, fometimes as a plant or vegetable. 
 But in this, notwithftanding what hath been fur- 
 mifed by fome learned men, there feems to be no 
 atheifm. For fo long as the world is fuppofed ' to 
 be quickened by elementary fire or fpirit, which is 
 itfelf animated by foul, and directed by under- 
 ftanding, it follows that all parts thereof originally 
 depend upon, and may be reduced unto, the fame 
 indivifible Item or principle, to wit, a fupreme 
 mind ; which is the concurrent doctrine of Pytha- 
 goreans, Platonics, and Stoics. 
 
 277. There is according to thofe philofophers a 
 life infufed throughout all things: the srCf voegoV, 
 sru TXweov, an intellectual and artificial fire (*), an 
 inward principle, animal fpirit, or natural life 
 producing and forming within as art doth without, 
 regulating, moderating, and reconciling the various 
 motions, qualities, and parts of this mundane fyftem. 
 By virtue of this life the great mafies are held 
 together in their orderly courfes, as well as the 
 minuted particles governed in their natural motions, 
 according to the feveral laws of attraction, gravity, 
 electricity, magnetifm, and the reft. It is this 
 gives inftincts, teaches the fpider her web, and the 
 bee her honey. This it is that directs the roots of 
 plants to draw forth juices from the earth, and the 
 leaves and cortical veffels to feparate and attract 
 fuch particles of air, and elementary fire, as fuit 
 their refpective natures. 
 
 278. Nature feems to be not otherwife diftin- 
 
 (e) 166, 168, 174, 175, &e. 
 
 guifhed
 
 ( '-34 ) 
 
 guiflied from the anima mundi, than as life is frorn 
 Joul, and, upon the principles of the oldeft philo- 
 ibphers, may not improperly or incongruously be 
 fly led the life of the world. Some Platonics, in- 
 deed, regard life as the aft of nature, in like man- 
 ner as intellection is of the mind or intellect. As 
 the firft intellect acts by understanding, fo nature 
 according to them acts or generates by living. But 
 life is the act of the foul, and feems to be very 
 nature itfelf, which is not the principle, but the 
 refult of another, and higher principle, being a Jife 
 refulting from foul, as cogitation from intellect. 
 
 279. If nature be the life of the world, anima- 
 ted by one foul, compacted into one frame, and 
 directed or governed in all parts by one mind : This 
 lyftem cannot be accufed of atheifm ; tho' perhaps it 
 may of miftake or impropriety. And yet, as one 
 prefiding mind gives unity to the infinite aggregate 
 of things, by a mutual communion of actions and 
 paflions, and an adjuftment of parts, caufmg all to 
 concur in one view to one and the fame end, tne 
 ultimate and fupreme good of the whole, it fhould 
 feem reafonable to fay, with Ocellus Lucanus the 
 Pythagorean, that as life holds together the bodies 
 of animals, the caufe whereof is the foul ; and as a 
 city is held together by concord, the caufe whereof 
 is law ; even fo the world is held together by har- 
 mony, the caufe whereof is God. And in this 
 fenfe, the world or univerfe may be confidered 
 either as one animal (/) or one city. 
 
 280. Ariftotle difapproves the opinion of thofe 
 who hold a foul to be diffufed throughout the 
 world ; and for this reafon, becaufe the elements 
 are not alive. Tho' perhaps it may not be eafy to 
 prove, that blood and animal fpirit are more alive in 
 man, than water and fire in the world. That phi- 
 
 V- (f) 172.277. 
 
 lofopher,
 
 , hi his books of the foul, remarks upon 
 an opinion fet forth in the Orphics, of the foul's 
 entering from the univerfe into living creatures, be- 
 ing bom by winds, that this cannot be true of 
 plants or of certain animals which do not breath. 
 But air veflels are by later experiments allowed to 
 be found in all plants and animals. And air may 
 in fome fort not improperly be faid, to be the car- 
 rier or vehicle of the foul, inafmuch as it is the ve- 
 hicle of fire, which is the fpirit immediately moved 
 and animated by the foul (). 
 
 281. The living fire, the living omniform femi- : 
 nary of the world, and other expreffions of the 
 like nature occurring in the ancient and Platonic 
 philofophy, how can they be underftood exclu- 
 five of light or elemental fire, the particles of 
 which are known to be heterogeneous, and, for 
 ought we know, may fome of them be organized, 
 and, notwithstanding their wonderful minutenefs, 
 contain original feeds, which, being formed and 
 fown in a proper matrix, do gradually unfold and 
 manifeft themfelves, ftill growing to a juft propor- 
 tion of the fpecies. 
 
 282. May not this aethereal leminary, con- 
 fiftently with the notions of that philofophy, which 
 afcribed much of generation to celeftial influence, 
 be fuppofed to impregnate plants and animals with 
 the firft principles, the ftamina, or thofe animal- 
 cules which Plato, in his Timseus, faith are invi- 
 fible for their fmallnefs, but, being fown in a pro- 
 per matrix, are therein gradually diflended and ex- 
 plicated by nourimment, and at length the animals 
 brought forth to light. Which notion hath been 
 revived and received of late years by many, whcs 
 perhaps are not aware of its antiquity, or that it 
 was to be found in Plato. T-imsus Locrenfis in 
 
 (g) 163, 171. 
 
 his
 
 his book of the foul of the. world, fuppofeth even 
 fouls to be derived from the celeftial luminaries, 
 excepting only the rational or intellectual part. 
 But what influence or influx is there from the 
 celeftial bodies, which hath not light for its ve- 
 hicle (*)? 
 
 283. What other nature there mould be inter- 
 mediate between the foul of the world (b) and 
 this grofs corporeal fyftem, which might be the 
 vehicle of life, or, to ufe the language of philofo- 
 ph'ers, might receive or be imprefled with the 
 forms of things, is difficult to comprehend. It is 
 a ^ vulgar remark, that the works of art do" no't 
 bear a nice microfcopical infpection, but che more 
 helps are ufed, and the more nicely you pry into 
 natural productions, the more do you dilcover 
 of the fine mechanifm of nature, which is endlefs 
 or faexhauftible ; new and other parts, more fub- 
 rile and delicate than the precedent, (till continu- 
 ing to offer themfelves to view. And thefe mi- 
 crofcopical obfervations have confirmed the ancient 
 theory concerning generation, delivered in the 
 Timseus of Plato. -But that theory or hypothefis, 
 how agreeable foever to modern difcoveries, is not 
 alone fufficient to explain the phenomena, without 
 the immediate a<5tion of a mind. And Ficinus, 
 notwithftanding what himfelf and other Platonics 
 fay of a plaftic nature, is obliged to own, that 
 with the mundane force or foul ' it is to be under- 
 ftood there is joined an intelligence, upon which 
 the feminal nature conflantly depends, and by 
 which it is governed. 
 
 284. Alcinous, in his tract of the doctrine of 
 Plato, faith that God hath given the world both 
 mind and foul : others include both in the wCrd 
 foul, and fuppofe the foul of the world to be God. 
 
 (} 43- (I) '?' 
 
 Philo-
 
 C '37 ) 
 
 Philo appears to be of this opinion in feveral parts 
 of his writings. And VirgiJ, who was no ftranger 
 to the Pythagorean and Platonic tenets, writes to the 
 fame purpofe. 
 
 Deum namque ire per omncs 
 
 Terrafque tra&ufque maris ccelumque profun- 
 dum. 
 
 Hinc pecudes armenta, viros, genus omne fe- 
 rarum, 
 
 Quemque fibi tenues nafcentem arceflere vitas, 
 Thus much the fchools of Plato and Pythagoras 
 feem agreed in, to wir, that the foul of the world 
 () whether having a diftincl: mind of its own, 
 or .directed by a fuperior mind (r) doth embrace 
 all its parts, connect them by an invifible and in- 
 diflbluble chain, and preferve them ever well ad- 
 jufted, and in good order. 
 
 285. Naturalifts, whofe proper province jit js 
 to confider phenomena, experiments, mechanical 
 organs and motions, principally regard the vi- 
 fible frame of things or corporeal world, fuppo- 
 fing foui to be contained in body. And this hy- 
 pothefis may be tolerated in phyiks, as it is not ne- 
 ceffary in the arts of dialling or navigation to men- 
 tion the true fyftem or earth's motion. But thoie 
 who, not content with fenfibkr appearances, would 
 penetrate into the real and true caufes (the object 
 of theology, metaphyfks, or the philoibphia pri^ 
 ma) will rectify this error, and fpeak of the world 
 -as contained by the foul, and not the Ibu! by the 
 world. 
 
 286. Ariftotle hath obfervcd there were in- 
 deed fome who thought fo grafty, as to fuppofe 
 the univeffe to be one only corporeal and extend- 
 ed nature : but in the fiid book of his Metaphy- 
 
 0) IJ3, 172. (r) 154. r-r>.. 
 
 S fics
 
 ( '38 ) 
 
 fics he juftly remarks they were guilty of a great mil- 
 take i forafmuch as they took into their account 
 the elements of corporeal beings alone ; whereas 
 there are incorporeal beings allb in the imiverle , 
 and while they attempted to afTjgn the caufes of ge- 
 neration and corruption, and account for the nature 
 of all things, they did at the fame time deftroy the 
 very caufe of motion. 
 
 287. It is a doctrine among other fpeculations 
 contained in the Hermaic writings, that all things 
 are one. And it is not improbable that Orpheus, 
 Parmenides, and others among the Greeks, might 
 have derived their notion of TO ev, THE ONE, from 
 j^Egypt. Tho* thatfubtil metaphyfician Parmenides, 
 in his doctrine of > >&)f, feems to have added ibme- 
 thing of his own. If we fuppole, that one and the 
 fame mind is the univerfal principle of order and 
 harmony throughout the world, containing and 
 connecting all its parts, and giving unity to the 
 fyftem, there fcems to be nothing atheiltical or im- 
 pious in this fuppoiition. 
 
 288. Numbt-r is no object of fenfe : it is an act 
 of the mind. The fame thing in a different con- 
 ception is one or many. Comprehending God and 
 the creatures in one general notion, we may 'fay 
 that ail things together make one univerle, or TO" 
 K*Y. But if we mould fay, that all things make 
 one God ; this would, indeed, be an erroneous no- 
 tion of God, but would not amount to atheifm, ib 
 long as mind or intellect was admitted to be the 
 TO K^jwoxxav, the governing part. It is neverthe- 
 lefs more refpectful, and coniequently the truer no- 
 tion of God, to fuppofe him neither made up- of 
 parts, nor to be himfelf a par: of any whole what- 
 ioever. 
 
 289. All thofe, who conceived the univerfe to 
 \>c an animal, muft in confcquence of that notion, 
 
 fu ppofe
 
 '( '39 ) 
 
 flippofe all things to be one. But to conceive God 
 to be the fentient foul of an animal, is altoge- 
 ther unworthy and abfurd. There is no fenfe, nor 
 fenfory, nor any thing like a fenfe or fenfory in 
 God. Senfe implies an imprefiion from fome other 
 being, and denotes a dependence in the foul which 
 hath it. Senfe is a paflion ; and paffions imply im- 
 perfection. God knoweth all things, as pure mind 
 or intellect, but nothing by fenie, nor in nor 
 through a fenfory. Therefore to fuppofe a fenfo- 
 ry of any kind, whether fpace or any other, irt 
 God, would be very wrong, and lead us into falfe 
 conceptions of his nature. The prefuming there 
 was fuch a thing as real abfolute uncreated fpace, 
 feems to have occafioned that modern miftake. But 
 this preemption v/as without grounds. 
 
 290. Body is oppofite to fpirit or mind. We 
 have a notion of fpirit from thought and action. 
 We have a notion of body from refinance. So far 
 forth as there is real power, there is fpirit. So far 
 forth as there is refiftance, there is* inability or 
 want of power ; that is, there is a negation of 
 fpirir. We are embodied, that is, we are clogged 
 by weight, and hindered by refinance. But in re- 
 fpect of a perfect fpirit, there is nothing hard or 
 impenetrable : there is no refinance to the Deity r 
 nor hath he any body : nor is the fupreme being 
 united to the world, as the ibul of an animal is to" 
 its body, which neceflarily implieth defect, both 
 as an inftrument, and as a conilant weight and im- 
 pediment. 
 
 291. Thus much it confifts with piety to fay, 
 that a divine agent doth by his virtue permeate 
 and govern the elementary fire or light (V), which- 
 ferves as an animal fpirit to enliven and actuate the- 
 
 O3 :- 
 
 (/) 1-57, j.72.. fttfcn jiiimins nc 3t| 
 S 2 whole
 
 whole mafe, and all the members of this viu i.e. 
 world. Nor is this doctrine lefs philofophical than 
 pious. We fee aji nature alive or in motion. We 
 tee water turned into air, and air rarined and made 
 ciaftic (*) by the attraction of another medium, 
 more pure indeed, more fubtil, and more volatile 
 than air. But ftil!, as this is a moveable, extended, 
 and, confequently, a corporeal being (/), it cannot 
 be it(H the principle of motion, but leads us na- 
 turally and neceflarily to an incorporeal fpirit or 
 agent. We are confcious that a fpirit can begin, al- 
 ter, or determine motion, but nothing of this ap- 
 pears in body. Nay the contrary is evident both 
 w experiment and reflection. 
 
 202. Natural phenomena are only natural ap- 
 pearances. They are, therefore, fuch as we fee and 
 perceive them; Their real and obje&ive natures 
 are, . therefore, the feme; pafiive without any thing 
 aftive, fluent and changing without any thing per- 
 manent in them. However, as thefe make the firft 
 imprefijons, and the mind takes her firft flight and 
 fpring, as it were, by refting her foot on thefe ob- 
 jects, they are not only firft confidered by all men, 
 but moft confidered by moft men. They and the 
 . phantomes that refult from thofe appearances, the 
 children of imagination grafted upon fenfe, fuch for 
 example as pure fpace (i), are thought by many the 
 very firft in exiftence and (lability, and to embrace 
 and comprehend all other beings. 
 
 293. Now although fuch phantomes as corpo- 
 real forces, abfolute motions, and real fpaces, do 
 pafs in phyfics for caufes and principles (), yet arc 
 they in truth but hypothefes, nor can they be the 
 objects of real icience. They pafs nevertheless in 
 phyfics converfant about things of fenfe, and con- 
 
 (*\ 149, 152, zoo, (/? ** ! > ' V, 270.- fe) 4. 
 249, 250. 
 
 fined
 
 , 
 
 ( 14*- ) 
 
 fined to experiments and mechanics. But when we 
 enter the province of the philofophia prima, we 
 difcover another order of beings, mind and its acts, 
 .permanent being, not dependent on corporeal things, 
 nor reful ting, nor connected, nor contained ; but 
 containing, connecting, enlivening the whole 
 frame ; and imparting thofe motions, forms, qua- 
 lities, and that order and fymmetry to ail thofe tran- 
 fient phenomena, which we term- the- courfe of na- 
 ture. 
 
 294. It is with our faculties as with our affefti- 
 ons : what firft feizes, holds. faft (a), it is a vul- 
 gar theme, that man is a compound of contrarieties, 
 which breed a reftiefe ftruggle in Jiis nature, bcnveen 
 flefh and fpirit, the beaft and the angel, earth and 
 .heaven, ever weighed down and ever bearing up. 
 During which conflict the character fluctuates : when 
 cither fide prevails, it is d>en fixed for vice or vir- 
 tue. And life from different principles takes- adif- 
 ferent ifliie. It is the fame in regard to our facul- 
 ties. Senfe at firft befets and overbears the mind. 
 
 .Thefenfible appearances are all in all, our reaibnings 
 are employed about them , onr defires terminate in 
 them ; we look no farther for realities or caufes ; 
 till intellect begins to dawn,, and caft a ray on this 
 m^dowy icene. We then perceive the true princi- 
 ple of unity, identity, and exiftence. Thole things 
 that before feemed to conftitute the whole of being, 
 upon taking an intellectual view of things, prove 
 to be but fleeting phantomes. riite *. 
 
 295. From the outward form of grofs maffcs 
 which occupy, the vulgar, a curious inquirer pro- 
 ceeds to examine the inward ftructure and minute 
 parts, and from obierving the motions in nature, 
 to difcover the laws of thofe motions. By the vtay 
 he frames his hypothecs and fuits. his' language to
 
 this natural philofophy. And thefe fit the occafi- 
 on and anfwer the end of a maker of experiments 
 or mechanic, who means only to apply the powers 
 of nature, and reduce the phenomena to rules. But 
 if, proceeding ftill in his analyfis and inquiry, he 
 afcends from the fenfible into the intellectual world, 
 and beholds things in a new light and a new order, 
 he will then change his fyflem, and perceive, that 
 what he took for fubftances and caufes are but fleet- 
 ing fhadows j that the mind contains ail, and acts 
 all, and is to all created beings the lource of unity 
 and identity, harmony and order, exigence and (la- 
 bility. 
 
 296. It is neither acid, nor fait, nor fulphur, nor air, 
 nor aether, nor vifible corporeal fire (), much lefs 
 the phantome fate, or neceffity, that is the real agent, 
 but by a certain analyfis, a regular connection and cli- 
 max, we afcend through all thofe mediums to a 
 glympfe of the firft mover, invifible, incorporeal, un- 
 cxtended, intellectualfourceof life and being. There 
 is, it muft be owned, a mixture of obfcurity and pre- 
 judice in human fpeech and reafonings. This is un- 
 avoidable, fince the veils of prejudice and error are 
 flowly and fmgly taken off one by one. But if 
 there are many links in the chain which connects 
 the two extremes of what is grofly fenfible and pure- 
 ly intelligible, and it feem a tedious work, by the 
 flow helps of memory, imagination, and reaibn, op- 
 prefled and overwhelmed, as we are, by the fenfes, 
 through erroneous principles and long ambages of 
 words and notions, to itruggle upwards into the 
 light of truth ; yet as this gradually dawns, further 
 djfcoveries (bill correct the ftylc, and clear up the 
 notions. 
 
 297. The mind, her acts and faculties, furnifh 
 a new and diftindt clafs of objects (c) from the 
 
 (1) 155. {<) 163, 266. 
 
 4 ..-.-:. . .. contempla-
 
 ( '43 ) 
 
 contemplation whereof arife certain other notions, 
 principles, and verities, fo remote from, and even 
 fo repugnant to, the firft prejudices which furprize 
 the fenfe of mankind, that they may well be ex- 
 cluded from vulgar fpeech and books, as abftracl: 
 from fenfible matters, and more fit for the (pecu- 
 lation of Truth, the labour and aim of a few, than 
 for the practice of the world, or the fubjedts of ex- 
 perimental or mechanical inquiry. Neverthefefs, 
 though, perhaps, it may not be relifhed by fome 
 modern readers, yet the treating in phyfical books 
 concerning metaphyfical and divine matters can be 
 juftified by great authorities among the ancients ; 
 not to mention, that he, who profeiTedly delivers 
 the elements of a fcience, is more obliged to method 
 and fyftem, and tied down to more rigorous laws, 
 than a mere efTay writer. It may, therefore, be par- 
 doned if this rude effay doth, by infenfible rranfiti- 
 ons, draw the reader into remote inquiries and fpe- 
 culations, that were not thought of, either by him 
 or by the author, at firft letting out. 
 
 298. There are traces of profound thought as 
 well as primaeval tradition in the Platonic, Pytha- 
 gorsean, ^Egyptian, and Chaldaic philofophy (/>). 
 Men in thole early days were not overlaid with lan- 
 guages and literature. Their minds feem to have 
 been more exercifed, and lefs burdened, than in 
 later ages ; and, as fo much nearer the beginning 
 of the world, to have had the advantage of pa- 
 triarchal lights handed down through a few hands. 
 It cannot be affirmed indeed (how probable fotver 
 it may feem) that Moles was that lame Mochus, 
 with whofe fuccefibrs y ' priefts and prophets, Pytha- 
 goras is faid to have converfed at Sidon. Yet the 
 itudy of philofophy a-ppears to be of very great 
 antiquity and remoteJorigina! ; -inafmuch asTimaeus 
 ,.*ii -#>.r 7 s, 266. 
 
 Locrenfis, '
 
 Locrenfis, that ancient Pythagorean, author of the 
 book concerning the foul of the world, fpeaks of a 
 moft ancient philofophy, even in his time, arfe<r- 
 CuVo. <piAe<ro$ flirring up and recovering the foul 
 from a ftate of ignorance to the contemplation of 
 divine things. And though the books attributed to 
 Mercurius Trifniegiftus were none of them wrote 
 by him, and are allowed to contain fome manifefl 
 forgeries , yet it is alfo allowed, that they contain 
 tenets of the ancient ^Egyptian philofophy, though 
 dreffed perhaps in a more modern garb. To account 
 for which, Jamblichus obferves, that the books under 
 his name contain indeed mercurial opinions, though 
 often exprefied in the ftyle of the Greek philofo- 
 phers j as having been tranflated from the ./Egyp- 
 tian tongue into Greek. 
 
 299. The difference of If>s from Ofuis (d) re- 
 fembles that of the moon from the fun, of the fe- 
 male from the male, of natura naturata (as die 
 fchoolmen fpeak) from natura naturans. But Ifis, 
 though moftly taken for nature, yet (as the Pagan 
 divinities were very fluctuating things) it fometimes 
 fignified TO r*. And we find in Mountfaucon an 
 ICs of the ordinary form with this infcription StS 
 aravTcV. And in the men fa Ifiaca, which feems to 
 exhibit a general iyftem of the religion and fuperfti- 
 tion of the ./Egyptians, Ifis on her throne poffefleth 
 the center of the table. y&Thich may feem to fig- 
 nify, that the univerfe or ro &* was the center of 
 the ancient fecret religion of the ./Egyptians ; their 
 Ifis or TO sr* comprehending both Ofiris the au 
 thor of nature, and his work. 
 
 300. Plato and Ariftotle confidered God as ab- 
 ftradled or diftincl: from the natural world But 
 the ./Egyptians confidered God and nature as ma- 
 
 *3 268.
 
 king one whole, or all things toother as making 
 one univerfe. In doing which they 'did not excl>- 
 the intelligent mind, but confidercd it us contain- 
 ing all things. Therefore, whatever was wronL 
 their way of thinking, it doth not, nevertheless 
 Imply or lead to Atheifm. 
 
 301. The human mind is fo much clogged, and 
 born downward, by the flrong and early imprd- 
 fions of fenfe (<z), that it is wonderful, how tire 
 ancients mould have made even fuch 'a progr 
 and fecn Ib far into intellectual matters, without 
 fome glimmering of a divine tradition. Whoever 
 con fide rs a parcel "of rude favages left 'to' tlie)^?- 
 felves, ho\v they are funk and (wallowed up in 
 fenfe and' prejudice, and how unqualified by th 
 natural force. to emerge from 'this irate, will be apt 
 to think that the firft 'fpark of philofophy was de- 
 rived from heaven , and that it was (as' a'Hcathen 
 writer exprefleth it) $t&ecti#id& iAi?3?!x. 
 
 302.' The lapfed ftatc of human kind is a t' 
 to which the ancient philofophers were not ftrang- 
 ers. The AuVif, the $wy],thc ar^.i^ir'a. fhew ti 
 the Egyptians and Pythagoreans, the Platoniil 
 and Stoics, had all fome notion of this doftri 
 the outlines of which feem to have been flcetclien 
 out in thofe tenets. Theology and philofopny 
 gently unbind the ligaments, that chain the foul 
 down to the earth, and Rift her flight tov/ards the 
 fovereign Good. There is an inftincl: or tenden- 
 cy of the mind upwards, which fheweth a natural 
 endeavour to recover and raife ourfelves, from our 
 prefent fenfual and low condition, into a ftate of 
 light, order, and purity. 
 
 303. The perceptions of fenfe are grofs; buc 
 even in the fenfes there is a difference. Though 
 harmony and proportion are not objects of fenfe, 
 fa) 264. 
 
 ^t
 
 ( '46 ) 
 
 yet the eye and the ear are organs, which offer to 
 the mind fuch materials, by means whereof flie 
 may apprehend both the one and the other. By 
 experiments of fenfe we become acquainted with 
 the lower faculties of the foul ; and from them, 
 whether by a gradual (a} evolution or afcent, we 
 arrive at the higheft. Senfe fupplies images to me- 
 mory. Thefe become fubjects for fancy to work 
 upon. Reafon confiders and judges of the imagi- 
 nations. And thefe acts of reafon become new ob- 
 jects to the underftanding. In this fcale, each 
 lower faculty is a ftep that leads to one above it. 
 And the uppermoft naturally leads to the Deity, 
 which is rather the object of intellectual knowledge 
 than even of the difcurfive faculty, not to mention 
 the fenfitive. There runs a chain throughout the 
 whole fyftem of beings. In this chain one Jink 
 drags another. The meaneft things are connected 
 with the higheft. The calamity therefore is neither 
 Itrange nor much to be complained of, if a low 
 fenfual reader fhall, from mere love of the animal 
 life, find himfelf drawn on, furprifed and betrayed 
 into fome curiofity concerning the intellectual. 
 
 304. There is, accord ingto Plato, properly no 
 knowledge, but only opinion concerning things 
 ienfible and periming (b\ not becauie they are 
 naturally abftrufe and involved in darknefs, but 
 becaufe their nature and e*iftance is uncertain, ever 
 fleeting and changing; or rather, becaufe they do 
 not in ftrict truth exift at all, being always gene- 
 rating, or in fieri, that is, in a perpetual flux, with- 
 out any thing liable or permanent in them to con- 
 fiitute an object of real fcience. The Pythagore- 
 ans .and Platonics diftinguifli between TO -fijoufacv 
 and ia cv, that which is ever generated and that 
 which exifls. Senfible things and corporeal forms 
 (a) 275. fl) =63, zt 
 
 are
 
 are perpetually producing and perifhing, 
 and difappearing, never reiling .in one ftate, but 
 always in motion and change - 3 and therefore in 
 effeci, not one being but a iucceflion of beings: 
 while 73 ov is underftood to be fomewhat of an 
 abfiract or fpirhual nature, and the proper objedt 
 of intellectual knowledge. Therefore as there can 
 be no knowledge of things flowing and inftable, the 
 opinion of Protagoras and Thtastetus, that fenfe 
 was fcience, is abfurd. And indeed nothing is 
 more evident, than that the apparent fizes and 
 fliapes, for inftance, cf things are in a conftanc 
 flux, ever differing as they are viewed at different 
 dillances, or with glafies more or lefs accurate. As 
 for thole abfolute magnitudes and figures, which 
 certain Cartefians and other moderns fuppofe to be 
 in things, that mufl feem a vain fuppofition, to 
 whoever confiders, it is fupported "by no argument 
 of reafon, and no experiment of fenfe. 
 
 305. As undefftanding perceiveth not, that is, 
 doth not hear, or fee, or feel, fo fenfe knoweth not: 
 And although the mind may ufe both fenfe and 
 fancy, as means whereby to arrive at knowledge, 
 yet fenfe or foul, fo far forth as fenfitive, knoweth 
 nothing. For, as it is rightly obferved in the 
 Thesetetus of Plato, fcience confifts not in the 
 paffive perceptions, but in the reafoning upon 
 them, TW <o/ c4ivav ff^f^oyicfjiu. 
 
 306. In the ancient philofophy 
 Pythagor-as, we h'nd ^diiiinguifhed 
 
 objects: In the firft place a form or fpecies that is 
 neither generated nor deilroyed, unchangeable, in- 
 vifib'Ie,- and altogether imperceptible to fenfe, be- 
 ing only underftood by the intellect; A fecond 
 fort there is ever fluent and changing (g), genera- 
 ting and perifHjng, appearing and vaniihing. This 
 Cf) 263, (g) zgz : 293. 
 
 T 2 is
 
 e 148 ) 
 
 is comprehended by fenfe and opinion. The third. 
 kind is matter which, as Piaro teacheth, being 
 neither an object of understanding- nor of fenle, 
 is hardly to be made out by a certain fpurious way 
 of reafoning Aoj/r ( ww TW voOw poyig snfc'v. See his 
 TimsEUS. The lame doctrine is contained in the 
 Pythagoric treatife De anima mundi, which ciif- 
 tinguifhing ideas, fenfible things, and matter, ma- 
 keth the firfi: to be apprehended by intellect, the 
 fecond by fenfe, and the Jaft, to wit, matter, 
 Ko-yiffu<*> vc'Sw' whereof Themiftius the Peripatetic 
 afiigns the reafon. For, faith he, that aft is to be 
 efteerncd fpurious, whofe /object hath nothing pofi- 
 tive, being only a mere privation, as filence or 
 darknefs. And fuch he accounteth matter. 
 
 307. Ariftotle maketh a threefold diftinftion of 
 objects according to the three fpeculative fciences. 
 Phyfics he fuppofeth to be converfant about fuch 
 things as have a principle of motion in themfelves; 
 mathematics about things permanent but not ab- 
 :'i rafted; and theology about being abftrafted and 
 immoveable; which diftinftion may be feen in the 
 :iinth book of his Metaphyfics. Where by ab- 
 itrafted, ^we^^ v > ^ ie underftands feparable from 
 corporeal beings and fenfible qualities. 
 
 308. That philofopher held that the mind of 
 .11 was a tabula rala, and that there were no 
 
 innate ideas. Plato, on the contrary, held original 
 ideas in the mind, that is, notions which never 
 e or can be in the fenfe, fuch as being, beauty, 
 goodnefs, Jikenefs, parity. Some perhaps may 
 rlunk the truth to be this : That there are proper- 
 jy no ideas or paffivc objects in the mind, but 
 \yhat were derived from fenfe : but that there are 
 alib befides thefe her own afts or operations; fuch 
 ;ire notions. 
 
 ?r.o. It is a maxim of the Platonic philofophy, 
 
 that
 
 ( 149 ) 
 
 that the foul of man was originally furnillied with 
 native inbred notions, and Hands in need or jfen- 
 fible occaiions, not abfolutely for producing them, 
 but only for awakening, foufing, or exciting into 
 act what was already prc-exiiient, dormant, and 
 latent in the foul ; as things are laid to be laid up 
 in the memory, though not actually perceived, 
 until they happen to be called forth and brought 
 into view by other objects. This notion feemeth 
 fqmewhat different from that of innate ideas, as 
 underitood by thofe moderns who have attempted 
 to explode them. To underftand and to be, are 
 according to Parmenides the fame thing. And 
 Plato, in his feventh letter, makes no difference be- 
 tween $ and i^f jj'pj, mind and knowledge. Whence 
 it follows, that mind, knowledge, and notions, ci- 
 ther in habit or in act, always go together. 
 
 310. And albeit Ariftotle confidered the foul 
 in its original Hate as a blank paper, yet he held 
 it to be the proper place of forms, ilu> -^"xlu) 
 tiveti -T07T6V Juv (a}. Which doctrine firfl main- 
 tained by others he admits, under this reitriction, 
 that it is not to be underHood of the whole foul, 
 but only of the vorfiw ; as is to be feen in his 
 third book De anima. Whence, according to The- 
 miitius in his commentary on that treadle, it may 
 be inferred, that all beings are in the foul. For, 
 faith he, the forms are the beings. By the form 
 every thing is what i: is. And he adds, it is the 
 foul that imparteth forms to matter; tin) U'A/O/ 
 (jaflutroc, src/jt/Ac**? MC<pr?. Therefore they are nrft 
 in the foul. He further adds, that the mind is all 
 things, taking the forms of all things it becomes 
 all things by intellect and fer.fe. Alexander 
 Aphrodifseus faith as much, affirming the mind to 
 be all things, x<x7 ft TO vceTy & TO *:&.*&. And 
 (a) 263. 
 
 this
 
 this in fact is Ariftotle's own doctrine in his third 
 book Ds anirm, where he alfo afierts, with Plato, 
 that actual knowledge and the thing known are all 
 
 , . ' '',.' f i ' ' -,:/- , , 
 
 is fiaiy u.otli Whence it follows that the things are 
 where the knowledge is, that is to fay, in the mind. 
 Or, as it is otherwife exprefied, that the foul is 
 aH 'things. More might be faid to explain Ariftotle's 
 nftfton, but it would lead too far. 
 
 '311. As to an abfolute actual exiftence (b) of 
 fenfible or corporeal things, it doth not feem to 
 have been admitted either by Plato or Ariftotle. 
 In the Theastetus we are told, that if any one 
 
 Man *n*^\tf 
 
 faith a 'tiling is or is made, he muft withal fay, 
 for what, or of what, or in refpect of what, it is 
 or is made; for, that any thing fhouldexift in it- 
 felf or absolutely, is abfurd. Agreeably to which 
 doctrine it is alfo farther affirmed by Plato, that 
 it is impofiible a thing fliould be fweet, and fweet 
 to no body. V It muft mv^rthelefs be owned with 
 
 fd to Ariftotle, that, even in his Metaphyfics 
 are fome exprefllons which feem to favour 
 iblblnte exiftence of corporeal things. For 
 iftttance, in the eleventh book fpeaking of cor- 
 poreal fenfible things, What wonder, faith he, if 
 they never appear to us the fame, no more than 
 to fick men, fmce we are always changing, and 
 never remain the fame ourfelves? And again 4 he 
 iaith, Senfible things, "although they receive no 
 change in themfelves, do neverthelefs in fick per- 
 fons produce different fenfations and not the fame. 
 Thefe paflages would feem to imply a diftinct and 
 abfolute exiftence of the objects of fenfe. 
 
 312. But it muft be obferved, that Ariftotle 
 diftinguifheth a twofold exiftence, potential and 
 actual, It will nor, therefore, follow, that, ac- 
 
 (b) 264, 292, 294. 
 
 cording
 
 cording to Ariftotle, becaufe a thing is, it mud 
 actually exift. This is evident from the eight,!) 
 book of his Metaphyfics, where he animadverts 
 on the Megaric philofophers, as not admitting a 
 pofiible exiftence diftinct from the actual:, frorrji 
 whence, faith he, it muft follow, that there is no- 
 thing cold or hot or fweet or any fenfible thing 
 at all, where there is no perception. He adds, 
 that in confequence of that Megaric doctrine, wp 
 can have no fenfe but while we actually exert it: 
 we are blind when we do not fee, and therefore both 
 blind and deaf feveral times in a day. 
 
 313. The itlfri'Xf-Kti z3-gT* of the Peripatetics, 
 that is, the fciences, arts, and habits, were by 
 them diftinguifhed from the acts or sYleAs^ixi 
 $&-rt%a.i> and fuppofed to exift in the mind, 
 though not exerted or put into act. This feems to 
 illuftrate the manner in which Socrates, Plato, and 
 their followers conceived innate (c} notions to ,be 
 in the foul of man. It was the Platonic doctrine, 
 that human fouls or minds defcended from above, 
 and were fowed in generation, that they were ftun- 
 ned, ftupified, and intoxicated by this defcent and 
 immerfion into animal nature. And that the foul, 
 in this o'v^w|if , or (lumber, forgers her original no- 
 tions, which are fmothered and oppreflfed by many 
 falfe tenets and prejudices of fenfe. Infomuch that 
 Proclus compares the foul, in her defcent invefted 
 with growing prejudices, to Glaucus diving to 
 the bottom of the fea, and there contracting divers 
 coats of fea- weed, coral, and fliells, which flick 
 clofe to him and conceal his true fhape.. 
 
 314. Hence, according to this philofophy, the 
 mind of man is fo reftlels to make off that flum- 
 ber, to difengage and emancipate herfelf from 
 thofe prejudices and falfe opinions, that fo flraitly 
 
 (C} ^' befct 
 
 Delec
 
 hefet and cling to her, to rub off tliofe cov. 
 difguiie her original form, and to regain her primse- 
 v,il ilate and ftrft notions: Hence, that perpetu- 
 al- ftr'irrgle to recover the loft region of light, that 
 ardent third and endeavour after truth and intel- 
 lectual ideas, which fhe would neither f'eek to at- 
 tain, nor rejoice in, nor know when" attained; ex- 
 cept' flic had fome prasnotion or anticipation of 
 them, and they had lain innate and dormant like 
 habits and fciences in the mind, or things Jaid up, 
 which are called out and roufed by recollection or 
 reminifcence. So that learning Teemeth in effect 
 reminifjcence. 
 
 ' 3 "15. The Peripatetics themfelves diflinguifh 
 between reminifcence and mere memory. The- 
 miftius obferves that the beft memories commonly 
 go with the worft parts; but that reminifcence is 
 mod perfect in the moft ingenious minds. And 
 notwithftanding the tabula rafa (d) of Ariftotle, 
 yet fome of his followers have undertaken to make 
 him fpeak Plato's fenfe. Thus Plutarch the Peri- 
 patetic teacheth, as agreeable to his matter's doc- 
 trine, that learning is reminifcence, and that the 
 i2V KK%' 'ifrv is in children. Simplicius alfo, in 
 his commentary on the third book of Ariftotle., 
 aJ vj,u;5;?, fpeaketh of a certain intcriour reafon 
 in'the foul, acting of itfelf, and originally full of 
 its. own proper notions, ' 
 
 3 1 6". And as the Platonic philofophy fuppofed 
 intellectual notions to be originally inexiftent or 
 innate in the foul (e), fo likewife it fuppofed fen- 
 lible qualities to exift (though not originally) in the 
 foul, and there only. Socrates faith to Theastetus, 
 You muft not think the white colour that you fee 
 is in any thing without your eyes, or in your eyes, 
 (d) 308. (e) 309, 314. 
 
 or 
 
 3
 
 or in any place at all. And in the Timasus Plato 
 teacheth, that the figure and motion of the particles 
 of fire dividing the parts of our bodies, produce that 
 painful fenfation we call heat. And Plotinus, in the 
 fixth book of his fecond Ennead, obferves, that 
 heat and other qualities are not qualities in the 
 things themfelves, but acts : that heat is not a 
 quality, but aft, in the fire : that fire is not really 
 what we perceive in the qualities light, heat, and 
 colour. From all which it is plain, that whatever 
 real things they fuppofed to exift independent of 
 the foul, thofe were neither fenfible things, nor 
 cloathed with fenfible qualities. 
 
 317. Neither Plato nor Ariftotle by matter, 
 VA>J, underftood corporeal fubftance, whatever 
 the moderns may underftand by that word. To 
 them certainly it fignified no pofitive actual being. 
 Ariflotle defcribes it as made up of negatives, hav- 
 ing neither quantity, nor quality, nor effence. And 
 not -only the Platonifts and Pythagoreans, but alfb 
 the Peripatetics themfelves declare it to be known 
 neither by fcnfe, nor by any direct and juft rea- 
 foning, but only by fome fpurious or adulterine 
 method, as hath been obferved before. Simon 
 Portius, a famous Peripatetic of the fixteenth cen- 
 tury, denies it to be any fubftance at all, for, faith 
 he, nequit per fe fubfiftere, quia fequeretur, id 
 quod non eft in actu effe in actu. If Jamblichus 
 may be credited, the ^Egyptians fuppofed matter 
 fo far from including ought of fubftance or effence, 
 that, according to them, God produced it by a 
 reparation from all fubftance, effence, or being, 
 "&yn> fcVjoTJT?-' &TD<3jo9<rK JXaTij7(gK That matter is 
 actually nothing, but potentially all things, is the 
 doctrine of Ariftotle, Theophraftus, and all the 
 antient Peripatetics. 
 
 318. According to thofe phiiofophers, matter is 
 U only
 
 ( '54 ) 
 
 only a pura potentia, a mere poffibility. But Anax- 
 imander, fuccefibr to Thales, is represented as 
 having thought the fupreme Deity to be infinite 
 matter. Neverthelefs though Plutarch calleth it 
 ma;ter, yet it was fimply TO aTrw^ov, which means 
 no more than infinite or indefinite. And although 
 the moderns teach that fpace is real and infinitely 
 cxrended ; yet if we confider that it is no intellec- 
 tual notion, nor yet perceived by any of our 
 fenfes, we fliall perhaps be inclined to think with 
 Plato in his Timascs, that this alfo is the refult of 
 \oytc pcs vo'S'cf, or fpurious reafoning, and a kind of 
 waking dream. Plato obferves that we dream, 
 as it were, when we think of place, and believe 
 it necefiary, that whatever exifts mould exift in 
 fome place. Which place or fpace (/) he alfo 
 obferves .is ^tr' #Wo9-j<n? cirri ov 9 that is to be felt 
 as darknefs is fcen, or filence heard, being a mere 
 privation. 
 
 319. If any one mould fhink to infer the reality 
 or actual being of matter from the modern tenet, 
 that gravity is always proportionable to the 
 quantity of matter, let him but narrowly fcan the 
 modern clcmpnftration of that tenet, and he will 
 -o}$nd it to be a vain circle, concluding in truth no 
 more than this, that gravity is proportionable to 
 weight, that is to it felt. Since matter is conceived 
 only as defect and mere poffibility , and fince God 
 is abfolute perfection and aft ; it follows there is 
 the greatest diftance and oppofition imaginable 
 between God and matter. Infomuch that a ma- 
 ferial God would be altogether inconfiflent. 
 . 320. The force that produces, the intellect 
 that orders, the .gocdnefs that perfects all things, 
 is the fupreme being. Evil, defect, negation, is 
 
 not the object of God's creative power, prom 
 i_ 
 
 (/} 250, 270. ' . 
 
 motion
 
 ( '55 ) 
 
 motion the Peripatetics trace out a firft im move- 
 able mover. The Platonics make God ait- 
 thor of all good, author of no evil, and unchange- 
 able. According to Anaxagoras there was a ccn- 
 fufed mafs of all things in one chaos, but mind 
 fupcrvening, iirtMv t diftinguifhed and divided 
 them. Anaxagoras, it feems, afcribed the motive 
 faculty to mind, which mind fome fubfequent phi- 
 lofbphers have accurately difcriminated from foul 
 and life,' afcribing to it the fole faculty of intellection. 
 
 321. But ftill God was fuppofed the firft agent, 
 the fource and original of all things, which he 
 produceth, not occafionally or infrrumentally, 
 but with actual and real efficacy. Thus, the trea- 
 tife De fecretiore parte divinse fapientiae fecundum 
 ^Egyptios, in the tenth book, faith of God, that 
 he is not only the firft agent, but alfo that he 
 it is who truly acts or creates, qui yere efficit. 
 
 322. Varro, Tully, and St. Auguftin underftand 
 the foul to be vis, the power, or force, that acts 
 moves, enlivens. Now although, in our con- 
 ception, vis, or fpirit, might be diftiriguimed from 
 mind, it would not thence follow, that it acts 
 blindly or without mind, or that it is not clofely 
 connected with intellect. If Plutarch is to be 
 trufted in his account of the opinions of phiiofo- 
 phers. Thales held the mind of the world to be 
 God : Democrittis held the foul of the world to be 
 an igniform deity (g) : Pythagoras taught that 
 God was the monad and the good, or ? oiyafov : 
 Socrates alfo and Plato pronounced him to be 
 the TJ ev -(&), the fingle, felf-originate one, 
 eflfentially good. Each of which appellations and 
 forms of fpeech directly tends to, and determines 
 jn mind, V TO\ v?v corevj, faith Plutarch. 
 
 2 2 3 . Whence that author concludes, that in the fenfe 
 (g) 166, 168, 277. (b] 287. 
 
 U 2 Of
 
 ( '56 ) 
 
 of thofe philofophers God is a mind, xa 
 not an abftract idea compounded of inconfiftencies 
 and prefcinded from all real things, as fome mo- 
 derns underftand abftradion ; but a really exifting 
 Spirit, diftinct or feparate from all fcnfible and cor- 
 poreal beings. And although the Sroics are re- 
 prefented as holding a corporeal deity, or that the 
 very fyftem of the world is God, yet it is certain 
 they did not, at bottom, dififent from die fore- 
 mentioned doctrine ; inafmuch as they luppofed the 
 world to be 'an animal (*), confiding of foul or 
 mind as well as body. 
 
 324. This notion was derived from the Pytha- 
 goreans, who held the world, as Timseus Locrus 
 teacheth, to be one perfect animal, endued with 
 iqul and reafon : but then they believed it to have 
 been generated : whereas the Stoics looked on 
 the world as the fupreme God, including therein 
 mind or intellect. For the elementary fire, or, if 
 one may fo fpeak, the animal fpirit ot the world, 
 iecmetb, according to them, to have been the ve- 
 hicle of the foul (}, the vehicle of intellect or vis< ; 
 fmce they ftyled the Divinity arv votpv (0> or intel- 
 lectual fire. 
 
 325. The ^Egyptians, if we may credit the Her- 
 maic writings, maintained God to be all things, 
 not only actual but poffible. He is (lyled by them, 
 that which is made and that which is unmade. And 
 therein it is faid, Shall I praife thee for thofe things 
 thou haft made manifeft, or for the things thou 
 haft hidden ? therefore, in their fenfe, to mamfeft, 
 was to create ; the things created having been be- 
 fore hidden in God. 
 
 326. Now whether the v5V be abftracled from 
 the- fenfible world, and confidered by it felf, as 
 diftinct from, and prefiding over the created fy- 
 
 (*) S7 ,. 279- > OS ( (*) 277' 2 ? 4" (') 2 72- 
 
 ^ ftem,
 
 ( '57 ) 
 
 ftem, or whether the whole unlverfe, including 
 mind together with the mundane body, is conceived 
 to be God (</), and the creatures to be partial mani- 
 feftations of the divine eflence, there is no atheifm. 
 in either cafe, whatever mifconceptions there may 
 be; fo long as mind or 'intellecl: is underftood to 
 prefide over, govern, and conduct the whole frame 
 of things. And this was the general prevailing 
 opinion among the philofophers. 
 
 327. Nor if any one, with Ariftotle in his JVTe- 
 taphyfics, mould deny that God knows any thing 
 without himfelf ; feeing that God comprehends all 
 things, could this be juitly pronounced an atheifti- 
 cal opinion. Nor even was the following notion 
 of the fame author to be accounted atheifm, to 
 wit, that there are fome things beneath the know- 
 ledge of God, as too mean, bafe, and vile ; how- 
 ever wrong this notion may be, and unworthy of 
 the divine perfection. 
 
 328. Might we not conceive that God may be 
 faid to be all in divers fenfes ; as he is the caufe 
 and origine of all beings ; as the u? is the vofl*, 
 a doctrine both of Platonics and Peripatetics (e) ; 
 as the ws is the place of all forms, and as it is the 
 fame which comprehends, and orders (/), and fuf- 
 tains the whole mundane fyftem. Ariftotle de- 
 clares, that the divine force or influence permeates 
 the intire univerfe (), and that what the pilot is 
 in a fhip, the driver in a chariot, the prascentor in 
 a choir, the law in a city, the general in an army, 
 the fame God is in the world. This he amply fets 
 forth in his book De mundo, a treatife which ha- 
 ving been anciently afcribed to him, ought not to" 
 be fet afide from the difference of ftyle, which (as 
 
 Patricius rightly obferves) bein<* j n a letter to 
 
 ^ > . . . ' . ep 
 
 GO 3- (') 309, 310. (/) 320. (*) 173. 
 J a king,
 
 ( '5 s ) 
 
 a king, .might .well be fuppofed to differ from the 
 other dry and crabbed parts of his writings. 
 . 329. And although there are fome cxpreffions to 
 be met with in the philofophers, even of the Platonic 
 and Ariftotelic feds, which fpeak of God as mix- 
 ing with, or prevading ?l\ nature and all the ele- 
 ments , yet this muft be explained by force and 
 not by extenfion, which was never attributed to 
 the mind (h] either by Ariftotle or Plato. This 
 they always affirmed to be incorporeal : and, as 
 Plotinus remarks, incorporeal things are diftant 
 each from other not by place, but (to ufe his ex- 
 prefiion) by alterity. 
 
 330. Thefe difquifitions will probably feem dry 
 and ufelefs, to fuch readers as are accuflomed to 
 confider only fenfible objects. The employment 
 of the mind on things purely intellectual is to moft 
 men irkfome : whereas the fenfitive powers, by 
 conftant ufe, acquire ftrength. Hence, the objects 
 of fenfe more forcibly affect us (), and are too 
 often counted the chief good. For thefe things men 
 fight, cheat, and fcramble. Therefore, in order to 
 tame mankind, and introduce a fenfe of virtue, the 
 bed humane means is to exercife their undcrftand- 
 ing, to give them a glympfe of another world, 
 fuperior to the fenfible, and while they take pains 
 to cherifh and maintain the animal life, to teach 
 them not to neglect the intellectual. 
 
 331. Prevailing ftudies are of no fmall confe- 
 quence to a ftate, the religion, manners, and civil 
 government of a country ever taking fome bias 
 irom its philofophy, which affects not only the 
 minds of its profeflbrs and (Indents, but alfo the 
 opinions of all the better fort, and the practice of 
 the whole people, remotely and confequentially, in- 
 deed, though not inconfiderably. Have not the 
 
 (h) 290, 293, 297, 319. (*) 264, 294- 
 
 polemic
 
 ( '59 ) 
 
 polemic and fcholaftic philofophy been obferved 
 to produce controverfies in law and religion ? And 
 have not Fatalifm and Sadducifm gained ground, 
 during the general paffion for the corpufcularian 
 and mechanical phibibphy, which hath prevailed 
 for about a century ? This indeed might ufefully 
 enough have employed fome mare of the ieifure 
 and curioHty of inqnifitive perfons. But when it 
 entered the femiriaries of learning as a necefiary ac- 
 complimment, and m oft important part of educa- 
 tion, by engroffing men's thoughts, and fixing their 
 minds fo much on corporeal objects, and the laws 
 of motion, it hath, however undefignedly, indi- 
 rectly, and by accident, yet not a little indifpofed 
 them for fpiritual, moral, and intellectual matters. 
 Certainly had the phi'ofophy of Socrates and Py- 
 thagoras prevailed in this age, among thofe who 
 think themfelves too wife to receive the dictates of 
 the gofpel, we Ihould not have feen intereft take 
 fo general and fall hold on the minds of men, nor 
 public fpir'it reputed to be j/svvr#v <^<*v, a gene- 
 rous folly, among thofe who are reckoned to be 
 the moft knowing, as well as the mod getting, part 
 of mankind. 
 
 332. It might very well be thought ferious trifling 
 to tell my reader?, that the greatefl men had ever an 
 high efteem for Plato ; whofe writings are thetouch- 
 ftone of a hafty and mallow mind ; whofe philofo- 
 phy has been the admiration of ages ; which liipplied 
 patriots, magiftrates, .and lawgivers to the moft flou- 
 rifhing ftates, as well as fathers to the church, and 
 doctors to the fchools. Albeit in thefe days, the 
 depths of that old learning are rarely fathomed, and 
 yet it were happy for thefe lands, if our young nobi- 
 lity and gentry, inftead of modern maxims, would im- 
 bibe the notions of the great men of antiquity. But 
 in thefe free-thinking times many an empcy head is 
 
 ihook
 
 fhook at Ariftode and Plato, as well as at the holy 
 fcriptures. And the writings of thole celebrated an- 
 cients are by mod men treated on a foot with the 
 dry and barbarous lucubrations of the fchoolmen, It 
 may be modeftly prefumed, there are not many 
 among us, even of thofe who are called the better 
 fort, who have more fenfe, virtue, and love of their 
 country than Cicero, who in a letter to Atticus could 
 not forbear exclaiming, O Socrates et Socratici viri ! 
 nunquam vobis gratiam referam. Would to God 
 many of our countrymen had the fame obligations 
 to thofe Socratic writers! Certainly where the people 
 are well educated, the art of piloting a flate is bed 
 learned from the writings of Plato. But among bad 
 men, void of difciplineand education, Piato, Pytha- 
 goras and Ariftotle themfelves, were they living, 
 could do but little good. Plato hath drawn a very 
 humorous and inftructive picture of fuch a (late ; 
 which I mall not tranfcribe for certain reafons. But 
 whoever has a mind, may fee it in page 78. of the 
 fecond tome of Aldus's edition of Plato's works. 
 
 333. Proclus, in the firil book of his commen- 
 tary on the theology of Plato, obferves, that, as in the 
 myfterics, thofe who are initiated, at firft meet with 
 manifold and multiform gods, but being entered and 
 thoroughly initiated they receive the divine illumina- 
 tion and participate the very deity ; in like manner, 
 if the foul look abroad me beholds the lhadows and 
 images of things; but returning into herfelffhe un- 
 ravels and beholds her own ellence : At firft me 
 feemeth only to behold her felf : but having pene- 
 trated farther, fhe discovers the mind. And again, 
 flill farther advancing into the innermoft fanctuary of 
 the foul, lhe contemplates the S-tuv ytvo;. And this, 
 he faith, is the molt excellent of all human acts, in 
 the filence and repofe of the faculties of the foul to 
 tend upwards to the very divinity ; to approach and 
 
 be
 
 be clofely joined with that which is ineffable and fn- 
 jvrior to all beings. When come fo high as the 
 firft principle flie ends her journey and relts. Such 
 is the doctrine of Proclus. 
 
 334. But Socrates in the firft Alcibisdes teacheth 
 on the other hand, that the contemplation of God is 
 t-he proper means to know or Understand our own foul. 
 As the eye, faith he, looking rtedfaftly at thevifive 
 part or pupil of another eye, beholds itfelf, even ib 
 the foul beholds and underllands hericif, while fhe 
 con-templates the Deity which is wifuom and virtue 
 or like thereunto. In the Phaxlon Socrates fpcaks of 
 God as being roiyatQw and -ra ^o (}, tl>e good and 
 the decent': Plotinus represents God as order; Ari- 
 ilocle as law. 
 
 335. It may feem perhaps tothofe, who -have been- 
 taught to difcourfe about fubftratums, more reafon- 
 able and pious to attribute to the Deity a more fub- v 
 rtantial being, than the notional entities of vvifdorn, 
 order, law, virtue, or goodnefs, which being only 
 complex ideas, framed and put together by the under- 
 Handing, are its own creatures, and have nothing 
 fubftantial, real, or independent in them. But it mult 
 be confidered, that in the Platonic fyftem, order, vir- 
 tue, law, goodnefs, and wrfdom are not creatures of 
 the foul of man, but innate and originally exiftenr 
 therein, not as an accident in a fubftance, but as light 
 to enlighten, and as a guide to govern. In Plato's 
 ftyle, the term idea doth not merely fignify an inert in- 
 active object of the understanding, but is ufed as fyno- 
 nymous with #<TV and ^ 7 caufe and principle. Ac- 
 cording to that philofopher, goodnefs, beauty, virtue 
 and fuch like, are not figments of the mind, nor mere 
 mixed modes, nor yet abftract ideas in the modern 
 fenfe, but the moft real beings, intellectual and un- 
 changeable ; and therefore more real than the fleet- 
 ing tranfient objects of fenfe (}, which wanting 
 
 (a) 260, zzo. (b) 306. 
 
 X {lability
 
 ( '62) 
 
 liability cannot be fubjects of fcience (d), much Ids 
 of intellectual knowledge. 
 
 336. By Parmenides, Timseus, and Plato a di- 
 ftinction was made, as hath been obferved already, be- 
 tween genitum and ens. The former fort is always 
 generating or in fieri (e), but never exifls, becaufe 
 it never continues the fame, being in a conftant 
 change, ever periihing and producing. By entia they 
 understand things remote from fenfe, invilible and in- 
 tellectual, which never changing are ftill the fame, 
 and may therefore be faid truly to exift: sW#, which 
 is generally tranflated fubftance, but more properly 
 eflence, was not thought to belong to things fenfible 
 and corporeal, which have no (lability; but rather to 
 intellectual ideas, tho* difcerned with more difficulty, 
 and making lefs imprefiion on a mind ftupified and 
 immerfed in animal life, than grofs objects that con- 
 tinually befet and fbllicit our fenfes. 
 
 337. The moft refined human intellect exerted to 
 its utmoft reach, can only feize fome imperfect glymp- 
 fes (/) of the divine ideas, abftracted from all things 
 corporeal, fenfible, and imaginable. Therefore Py- 
 thagoras and Plato treated them in a myfterious 
 manner, concealing rather than expofing them to 
 vulgar eyes; fo far were they from thinking, that 
 thofe abftract things, altho* the moft real, were 
 the fitteft to influence common minds, or become 
 principles of knowledge, not to fay duty and virtue, 
 to the generality of mankind. 
 
 338. Ariftotle and his followers have made a, 
 monftrous reprefentation of the Platonic ideas; and 
 fome of Plato's own fchool have faid very odd things 
 concerning them. But if that philofopher himfelf was 
 not read only, but ftudied alfo with care, and made 
 his own interpreter, I believe the prejudice that now 
 lies againft him would foon wear off (g) or be even 
 
 ^264, 266,297.^ 34>3 6 - (f) 3 I J33.- fcJ393'3 
 
 con-
 
 converted into a high efteem for thofe exalted notions 
 and fine hints, that fparkle and fhine throughout his 
 writings; which feem to contain not only the moft 
 valuable learning of Athens and Greece, but alfo a 
 treafure of the moft remote traditions and early fcience 
 of the eaft. 
 
 339. In the Timaeus of Plato mention is made of 
 ancient perlbns, authors of traditions, and the off- 
 fpring of the gods. It is very remarkable, that in 
 the account of the creation contained in the fame piece, 
 it is faid that God was pleafed with his work, and 
 that the night is placed before the day. The more 
 we think, the more difficult fliall we find it to con- 
 ceive, how mere man, grown up in the vulgar habits 
 of life, and weighed down by fenfuality, mould ever 
 be able to arrive at fcience, without fome tradition (b) 
 or teaching, which might either fow the feeds of 
 knowledge, or call forth and excite thofe latent feeds 
 that were originally fown in the foul. 
 
 340. Human fouls in this low fituation, border- 
 ing on mere animal life, bear the weight and fee 
 through the dufk of a grofs atmofphere, gathered 
 from wrong judgments daily patted, falfe opinions 
 daily learned, and early habits of an older date than 
 either judgment or opinion. Through fuch a medium 
 the fharpeft eye cannot fee clearly (z). And if by 
 fome extraordinary effort the mind mould furmount 
 this dufky region, and fnatcha glympfe of pure light, 
 me is foon drawn backward and deprefled by the 
 heavinefs of the animal nature, to which me is 
 chained. And if again me chanceth, amidft the 
 agitation of wild fancies and ftrong affections, to 
 fpring upwards, a fecond relapfe fpeedily fucceeds 
 into this region of darknefs and dreams. 
 
 341. Neverthelefs, as the mind gathers ftrength 
 by repeated acts, we mould not defpond, but con- 
 tinue to exert the prime and flower of our faculties, 
 
 W 2 9 8 301, 3 02 - (') 292, 2 93 294. 
 
 X ?. ftill
 
 (. 164 T 
 
 ftill recovering, and reaching on, and ftrnggling into 
 the upper region, whereby our natural weakneis and 
 blindnels may be in fome degree remedied, and a 
 tafte attained of truth and intellectual life. Befide 
 the conttant prevailing opinion of the greateft men of 
 antiquitv, that there is both an univerfal fpirit author 
 of life and motion, and an univerfal mind enlighten- 
 ing and ordering all things, it was a received tenet 
 among them, that there is a!fo -w & or ray cutty (a), 
 ' which they looked on as the fons deiratis, the firft 
 hypoftafis in the divinity. 
 
 342. Theone,or TO ev, being immutableand indivifi- 
 ble, always the fame and entire, was therefore thought 
 to exift truly and originally, and other things only fo 
 far as they are one and the fame, by participation of 
 the isgv. This givesunity, (lability, reality to things (b). 
 Plato defcribes God, as Mofes, from his being. Ac- 
 cording to both, God is he who truly is, o C-JTUS u-j. 
 Change and divifion were efteemed defects or bad. 
 Evil fcatters, divides, deftroys: Good, on the con- 
 trary, produceth .concord and union, aflembles, 
 combines, perfects, and preferves entire. The feve- 
 ral beings which compote the univerfe are parts of 
 the fame fyftem, they combine to carry on one end, 
 and perfect one whole, And this aptnefs and con- 
 currence thereunto furnifhes the partial particular idea 
 of good in the diftinct creatures. Hence it might 
 have come to pafs, that T'y*6o and c v were re- 
 garded as one and the fame. 
 
 343. Light and fight (faith Plato in the fixth 
 book of his Republic) are not the fun , even fo truth 
 and knowledge are not the good itfelf, altho* they 
 approach thereunto. And again, what the fun is in 
 a vifible place with refpect to fight and things feen y 
 shat fame is rdyaQov or good in an intelligible place, 
 
 v/ith refpect to underflanding and things underltood. 
 
 
 
 (a) 329.- (t) 264, 306. 
 
 Therefore
 
 Therefore the good or one is not the light that en- 
 lightens, but the fource of that light. 
 
 344. Every moment produceth ibme change in the 
 parts of this vifible creation. Something is added or 
 diminifhed, or altered in effence, quantity, quality, or 
 habitude. Wherefore all generated beings were laid 
 by the ancients to be in a perpetual flux (c). And that 
 which, on a confufed and general view, feems one 
 fingle conftant being, ihall upon a nearer infpection 
 appear a continued feries of different beings. But 
 God remains for ever one and the fame. Therefore 
 God alone exifts. This was the doctrine of fiera- 
 clitus, Plato, and other ancients. 
 
 345. It is the opinion of Plato and his followers, 
 that in the foul of man, prior and fuperior to intellect, 
 there is fomewhat of an higher nature, by virtue of 
 'which we are one , and that by means of our one or 
 unit, we are mod clofcly joined to the Deity. And, 
 as by our intellect we touch the divine intellect, even 
 ib by our 10 ev or unit the very flower of our eiTence, 
 as Proclus exprefieth it, we touch the firfb one. 
 
 346. According to the Platonic philofophy, ens 
 and unum are the lame. And confequently our minds 
 participate fo far of exiftence as they do of unity. But 
 it fhould feem that perfonality is the indivifible center 
 
 'of the foul or mind, which is a monad fo far forth as 
 flie is a perfon. Therefore perfon is really that which 
 exifts, inafmuch as it participates of the divine unity, 
 In man the monad or indivifible is the auw TJ aw the 
 felf fame felf or very felf, a thing, in the opinion of 
 Socrates, much and narrowly to be inquired into and 
 difcuffed, to the end that, knowing ourfelves, we may 
 know what belongs to us and our happinefs. 
 
 347. Upon mature reflexion the perfon or mind of 
 all created beings feemeth alone indivifible, and to 
 partake molt of unity. But fenfibie things are rather 
 confidered as one than truly fo, they being in a perpe- 
 
 (cj 3.04, 336. 
 
 tual
 
 ( 166 ) 
 
 tual flux or fuccefilon, ever differing and various. Ne- 
 verthelefs, all things together may be confidered as 
 one univerfe (d), one by the connexion, relation, 
 and order of its parts, which is the work of mind, 
 \vhofe unit is by Platonic fuppofed a participation 
 of the firft i tv. 
 
 348. Socrates, in the Thesetetus of Plato, fpeaketh 
 of two parties of philofophers, the peom? and ol T 
 eAou f&ffiwTott) the flowing philoibphers, who held all 
 things to be in a perpetual flux, always generating 
 and never exifting ; and thofe others, who maintained 
 the univerfe to be fixed and immoveable. The diffe- 
 rence feems to have been this, that Heraclitus, Pro- 
 tagoras, Empedocles, and in general thofe of the for- 
 mer feel, confidered things fenfible and natural ; 
 whereas Parmenides and his party confidered rinSr* 
 not as the fenfible but as the intelligible world (e)^ 
 abftracled from all fenfible things. 
 
 3 49. In effect, if we mean by things the fenfible ob- 
 jects, thefe, it is evident, are always flowing ; but 
 if we mean things purely intelligible, then we may 
 fay on the other hand, with equal truth, that they are 
 immoveable and unchangeable. So that thofe, who 
 thought the whole or TO TT*V to be iv !$? a fixed or 
 permanent one, feem to have underftood the whole 
 of real beings, which, in their fenfe, was only the 
 intellectual world, not allowing reality of being to 
 things not permanent. 
 
 350. The difpleafure of fome readers may perhaps 
 be incurred, by furprifing them into certain reflexions 
 and inquiries for which they have no curiofity. But 
 perhaps fome others may be p leafed, to find a dry 
 fubjecl varied by digreflions, traced through remote 
 inferences, and carried into ancient times, whofe hoary 
 maxims (f) fcattered in this effay are not propofed as 
 principles, but barely as hints to awaken and exercife 
 the inquifitive reader, on points not beneath the at- 
 
 (d) 287, 288. (e) 293, 294, 295. (f) 298, 301. 
 
 tention
 
 tention of the ableft men. Thofe great men, Pytha- 
 goras, Plato, and Ariftotle, the moft confummate in 
 politics, who founded dates, or inftructed princes, or 
 wrote moft accurately on publick government, were 
 at the fame time moft acute at all abftracted and fub- 
 lime fpeculations ; the cleared: light being ever ne- 
 cefiary to guide the moft important actions. And 
 whatever the world thinks, he who hath not much 
 meditated upon God, the human mind, and the 
 Summum bonum, may poffibly make a thriving 
 earth- worm, but will moft indubitably make a forry 
 patriot and a forry ftatefman. 
 
 351. According to the nice metaphyfics of thofe 
 ancient philofophers, -n gv, being confidered as what 
 wasfirftand fimpleft in the Deity, was prefcinded even 
 from entity to which it was thoughtpriorand fuperior ; 
 and is therefore by the Platonics ftyled fuper-eflential. 
 And in the Parmenides it is faid, n) %v doth not exift; 
 which might feem to imply a negation of the divine 
 being. The truth is, Zeno and Parmenides argued, 
 that a thing exifting in time was older and younger 
 than itfelfi therefore the conftant immutable -re tv did 
 not exift in time ; and if not in time, then in none of 
 the differences of time paft, prefent, or to come -, 
 therefore we cannot fay that it was, is, or will be. 
 But neverthelefs it is admitted in the fame Parmenides, 
 that TV vuv is every where prefent to ic \v : that is, 
 inftead of a temporary fuccefilon of moments, there 
 is one eternal now, or punctum ftans, as it is termed 
 by the fchoolmen. 
 
 352. The fimplicity of *J t (the Father in the 
 Pythagoric and Platonic trinhyj is conceived fuch as 
 to exclude intellect or mind, to which it is fuppofed 
 prior. And that hath created a fufpicion of atheifm 
 in this opinion. For, faith the learned doctor Cud* 
 worth, mall we lay that the firft hypoftafis or perfon 
 is atvus and aAayor, fenfelefs and irrational, and alto* 
 gether devoid of mind and underftanding? or wo-uld 
 
 (f) 298, 30.. 
 
 not
 
 ( '68 ) 
 
 not this be to introduce a land of myftcrious atheifm ?' 
 To which it may beanfvvered, that whoever acknow- 
 ledgeth the univerfeto be made" and governed by an 
 eternal mind, cannot be juftly deemed an atheift^.) 
 And this was the tenet of thofe ancient philoibphers. 
 In the Platonic doctrine, the generation of the v3<r or 
 Xojos was not contingent but necefiary, not temporary 
 but from everlafting. There never was a time fup-' 
 pofed wherein TO fubfifted without intellect, the 
 priority having been underftood only as a priority of 
 order or conception, but not a priority of age. 
 Therefore, the maintaining a diftinction of priority 
 between TO & and v*<r doth not infer, that the one 
 ever exifted without the other. It follows, therefore, 
 that the father or is ev may, in a certain fc-nfe, be faid 
 to-be awe without atheifm, or without defcroying the 
 notion of a deity ; any more than it would deiiroy the 
 notion of a human foul, if we mould conceive a di- 
 ftinction between felf and intellect, or intellect and 
 life. To which we may farther add, that it is a doc- 
 trine of Platonics, and agrees with their matter's te- 
 nets, to fay that -re ev, or the firft hypoftafis, contains all 
 excellence and perfection, whereof it is the original 
 fource, and is eminenter, as the fchools fpeak, intel- 
 ]e& and life, as well as goodnefs; while the fecond 
 hypoftafis is effentially intellect, and by participation, 
 good nefs" and lifej and the third, life eflfentially, 
 and by participation, goodnefs and intellect. 
 
 353. .Therefore, the whole being confidered, 
 it will rot feem jnft, to fix the imputation of atheifm 
 upon thofe philofophers, who held the doctrine of 
 iol>5 whether it be taken in an abflracted or collec- 
 tive, a rnetaphyfical or merely vulgar meaning (^); 
 that is, whether we prefcind unity from effence and 
 intellect, fmce rnetaphyfical diftinctionsof the divine 
 attributes do not in reality divide them : or whether 
 we confider the univeffal fyftem of beings, as one, 
 (ince the union, -xonnexion, and order ofr its mem- 
 
 (g) 154, 276, 279^287. (b) 300. 
 
 bers,
 
 bcrs, do manifeftly infer a mind or intellect to be 
 the caufe thereof. 
 
 354. THE ONE ot To gV may be conceived either by 
 compoficion or divifion. For as, on the one hand, we 
 may fay the world or univerfe isone whole, orone ani- 
 mal i fo we may, on the other hand, confider THE ONE, 
 re ev, by divifion or abstraction, as fomewhat in the 
 order of things prior to mind. In either fenfe there 
 is no athcifm, fo long as mind is admitted to prelide 
 and direct the animal; and fo long as the unum or 
 re tv is fuppofed not to exift without mind (a). So 
 that neither Heraclitus, nor Parmenides, nor Pytha- 
 goras, nor Plato, neither the ^Egyptians, nor Stoics, 
 with their doctrine of a divine whole or animal, nor 
 Xenophanes with his fv ^ irv, are juftly to be ac- 
 counted atheifts. Therefore modern atheifm, be it 
 of Hobbes, Spinofa, Collins, or whom you will, is 
 not to be countenanced by the learning and great 
 names of antiquity. 
 
 355. Plato teacheth, that the doctrine concerning 
 the one or unite is a means to lead and raife the 
 mind (b) to the knowledge of him who truly is. 
 And it is a tenet both of Ariftotle and Plato, that 
 identity is a certain unity. The Pythagoreans alfo, as 
 well as the Platonic philofophers, held unum and ens 
 to be the fame. Confiftently with which that only 
 can be faid to exift, which is one and the fame. In 
 things fenfible and imaginable, asfuch, there feems 
 to be no unity, nothing that can be called one, prior 
 to all act of the mind ; fince they being in themfelves 
 aggregates, confiding of parts, or compounded of 
 elements, are in effect many. Accordingly it is re- 
 marked by Themiftius, the learned interpreter of 
 Ariftotle, that to collect many notions into one, and 
 to confider them as one, is the work of intellect, and 
 not of fenfe or fancy. 
 
 356. Ariftotle himfelf, in his third book of the 
 
 (a) 287, 288. (b) 294, 295. 
 
 Y Soul,
 
 Soul, faith it is the mind that maketh each thing to 
 
 be one, & / tv now T^TB o vSV txctsev. How this i$ 
 done, Themiftius is more particuhr, obferving, that 
 as being conierrcth effence, the mind by virtue of her 
 fimplicity coriferreth fimplicity upon compounded 
 And, indeed, it feemeth that. the mind, fo 
 fe&fQr-thasperfon, is individual (#),therein refembling 
 the divine one by. participation, and imparting to 
 e^her things what itfclf participates from above. 
 This is agreeable to the doctrine of the ancients, how- 
 over the contrary opinion of fuppofing number to be 
 an original primary quality in things, independent 
 of the mind, may obtain among the moderns. 
 357. The Peripatetics taught, that in all divifible 
 things there was fomewhat indivifible, and in all 
 compounded things fomewhat fimple. This they 
 derived from an ad of the mind. And neither this 
 fimple indivifible unite, nor any fum of repeated 
 unites, confequently no number, can be feparated 
 from the things themfelves, and from the operation 
 of the mind. Themiftius goeth fo far as to affirm, 
 that it cannot be feparated from the words or figns; 
 and, as it cannot be uttered without them, fo, faith 
 he, neither can it be conceived without them. Thus 
 ipiich upon the whole may be concluded, that, di- 
 ftinct from the mind and her operations, there is in 
 created beings neither unite nor number. 
 
 358. Of inferior beings the human mind, felf, or 
 perfon, is the mod fimple and undivided efiencef^). 
 And the fupreme father is the moft perfect one. There- 
 fore the flight of the mind towards God is called by 
 the Platonics $uyjj pw* TT^O( povav. The fupreme be- 
 ing, faith Plorinus, as he excludes all diverfity, is 
 ever alike prelent. And we are then prefent to him, 
 when, recollected and abftra^ted from the world and 
 fenfible objects, we are moft free and difengaged (c) 
 from all variety. He adds, that in. the intuition of 
 
 (a) 345 346, 347- (*>) 347- (<) z68 - . 
 
 the
 
 die fupreme Deity the foul finds her wifhed for end 
 and repofe-, which that phi lofopher calls awaking 
 out of his body into himfelf. 
 
 359. In the tenth book of the arcane, or divine 
 wifiom of the ^Egyptians, we are taught that the 
 fupreme being is not the caufe of any created thing ; 
 but that he produced or made the word ; and that all 
 
 created beings were made by the word, which is ac- 
 cordingly ftyled the caufe of all caufes: and that 
 this was alfo the doctrine of the Chaldeans. Plato, 
 likewife, in his letter to Hermias, Eraftus, and 
 Corifcus, fpeaks of God the ruler and caufe of all 
 things, as having a father: And in his Epinomis, 
 he exprefly teacheth that the word or hoygr made 
 the world. Accordingly faint Auguftine in his com- 
 mentary on the beginning of faint John's Gofpel, 
 having declared that Chrift is the wifdom of God 
 by which all things were made, obferves that this 
 doctrine was alfo found in the writings of philofo- 
 phers, who taught that God had an only begotten 
 Son, by whom are all things. 
 
 360. Now, though Plato had joined with an ima- 
 gination the moft fplendid and magnificent, an intel- 
 lect not lefs deep and clear ; yet it is not to be fup- 
 pofed, that either he or any other philofophers of 
 Greece or the Eaft, had by the light of nature attain- 
 ed an adequate notion of the Holy Trinity, nor even 
 that their imperfect notion, fo far as it went, was 
 exactly juft; nor perhaps that thofe fublime hints^ 
 which dart forth like flames of light in the midft of 
 a profound darknefs, were originally (truck from the 
 hard rock of human reafon; but rather derived, at 
 
 _ Jeaft in part, by a divine tradition (a) from the au- 
 thor of all things. It feems a remarkable confirma- 
 tion of this, what Plotinus obferves in his fifth Ennead, 
 that this doctrine of a Trinity, father, mind, and foul, 
 was no late invention, but an ancient tenet. 
 
 (a) 298, 301. 
 
 T 2 361. Soul,
 
 361. Certain it is, that the notion of a Trinity is 
 -to be found in the writings of many old heathen phi- 
 lofophers, that is to fay, a notion of three divine hypo- 
 itafes. Authority, light, and life did, -to the eye of 
 reafon, plainly appear to fupport, pervade, and ani- 
 mate the mundane fyitem or macrocofm. The fame 
 appeared in the microcofm, preferving foul and body, 
 enlightening the mind, and moving the affections. 
 And thefe were conceived to be neceffary, univerial 
 principles, co-exifting and co-operating in fuch fort, 
 as never to exift afunder, but on the contrary to con- 
 (titute<one Sovereign of all things. -And, indeed, 
 how could power or authority avail or fubfiit without 
 knowledge ? or either without life and action ? 
 
 362. In the adminiftration of all things there is 
 authority to eftablifh, law to direct, and juibce to 
 execute. There is firft the fource of all perfection, 
 or fons deitatis, fecondly the fupreme Reafon, order, 
 or AC'J^, and Jaftly the Spirit, which quickens and 
 anfpires. We are fprung from the father, irradiated 
 or enlightened by the fbn, and moved by the fpirit. 
 Certainly, that there is father, fon, and fpirit-, that 
 thefe bear analogy to the fun, light, and heat , and 
 are otherwife exprefTed by the terms, principle, mind, 
 and foul , by one, or m> ev, intellect, and life ; by 
 good, word, and love; and that generation was not 
 attributed to the fecond hypoftafis, the vx? or AO'^-, 
 in refpect of time (g) 9 but only in refpect of origrne 
 and order, as an eternal neceffary emanation ; thele 
 are the exprefs tenets of Platonifts, Pythagoreans, 
 ^Egyptians, and Chaldasans. 
 
 363. Though it may be well prefumed there is 
 nothing to be found on that fublime fubject in hu- 
 man writings, which doth not bear the fure figna- 
 tures of humanity; yet it cannot be denied, that feve- 
 raj fathers of the church have thought fit to illuftrate 
 tiie chriftian doctrine of the Holy Trinity by fimi- 
 
 .832i. (g) 352- 
 
 litudes
 
 ( '73 ) 
 
 litiides and exprefiions borrowed from the moft emi- 
 nent heathens, whom they conceived to have been 
 no ftrangers to that myftery ; as hath been plainly 
 proved by BeiTarion, Eugubinus, and Doctor Cud- 
 worth. 
 
 364. Therefore, how unphilofophical foever that 
 do&rine may feem to many of the preient age, yet 
 it is certain, the men of greateft fame and learning 
 among the ancient philofophers held a Trinity in the 
 Godhead. It muft be owned, that upon this point 
 fome later Platonifcs of the Gentile world feem to 
 have bewikler'd themfelves (as many Chriftians 
 have alfo donej while they purfued the hints de- 
 rived from their predeceflbrs, with too muchcuriofity. 
 
 365. But Plato himfelf confidered that doctrine as 
 a venerable myftery, not to be lightly treated of or 
 rafhly divulged. Wherefore in a letter to Dionyfius 
 He writes (as he himleJf profeffeth) aenigmatically and 
 briefly in the following terms, which he giveth for a 
 fummary of his notion concerning the fupreme being, 
 and which being capable of divers fenfes, I leave to be 
 decyphered by the learned reader : TTS^ iiv sravrwv /3- 
 ff/Asa sr<xvr' 5"*, K, witix eWosarasvIa, ^ IttTva a'trtov 
 
 TftlVTWH JCaAwv, Jf'JTieoV <?? TTtfl} TK tV1tf>6t, Cj TfriTOV'IF 
 
 T^I'T*. Plato enjoins Dionyfius over and over, 
 great earneftnefs, not to fuffer what he commu- 
 nicates concerning the myftery of the divine nature, 
 to fall into illiterate or vulgar hands; giving it with- 
 al as a reafon for this caution, that nothing would 
 feem more ridiculous or abfurd to the common run of 
 mankind. He adds, that in regard writings might 
 mifcarry, the prudent way was to write nothing at all 
 on thole matters, but to teach and team them "by 
 word of mouth : for which reafon, faith he, I have 
 never wrote any thing thereon-; nor is there, nor fhall 
 there ever beany thing of Plato's extant on that 
 fubjecl. He farther * adds, as for what hath beh 
 now faid, it belongs all to Socrates. 
 
 366. 
 x
 
 ( '74) 
 
 366. And, indeed, what this philofopher in his 
 Phaedrus fpeaketh of the fuper-celeftial region, and 
 the divinity refident therein, is of a ftrain not to be 
 relifhed or comprehended by vulgar minds ; to wit, 
 efTence really exiftent, object of intellect alone, with- 
 out colour, without figure, without any tangible qua- 
 
 fty. He might very juftly conceive that fuch a de- 
 ription muft feem ridiculous to fenfual men. 
 
 367. As for the perfect intuition of divine things, 
 that he fuppofeth to be the lot of pure fouls, behold- 
 ing by a pure light, initiated, happy, free, and un- 
 ftained from thofe bodies, wherein we are now im- 
 prifoned like oyflers. But in this mortal ftate, we 
 muft be fatisfied to make the beft of thofe glympfes 
 (/&) within our reach. It is Plato's remark in his 
 Thesetetus, that while we fit fbill we are never the 
 wifer, but going into the river and moving up and 
 down, is the way to difcover its depths and fhallows. 
 If we exercife and beftir ourfelves, we may even here 
 difcover fomething. 
 
 368. The eye by long ufe comes to fee even in the 
 darkeft cavern : and there is no fubject fo obfcure, but 
 we may difcern fome glympfe of truth by long poring 
 on it. Truth is the cry of all, but the game of a 
 few. Certainly where it is the chief patTion, it doth 
 not give way to vulgar cares and views , nor is it con- 
 tented with a little ardour in the early time of life, 
 active perhaps to purfue, but not fo fit to weigh and 
 revife. He that would make a real progrefs in know- 
 ledge, muft dedicate his age as well as youth, the la- 
 ter growth as well as firft fruits, at the altar of truth. 
 
 Cujufvis eft errare, nuilius nifi infipientis in errore 
 perieverare. Cic. 
 
 (*>) 335> 337- 
 
 FINIS.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 TAR- WATER,how made, 
 Sect, i 
 
 How much to be taken at a 
 
 time, 3. 116.217 
 
 How long to be continued, 1 10 
 
 How made palatable, 1 1 5 
 
 A prefervative and preparative 
 
 againft the fmall-pox, 2 
 
 Ufeful in it, 74 
 
 A cure for foulnefs of blood, 
 
 ulceration of bowels, lungs, 
 
 confumptive coughs, pleurify, 
 
 peripneumony , eryfipelas, 
 
 afthma, indigeftion, cacheftic 
 
 and hyfteric cafes , gravel, 
 
 dropfy, and all inflammations, 
 
 4 7 
 
 Anfwers all thepurpofes of Elixir 
 
 proprietatis,Stoughton'j 'drops, 
 
 belt turpentines, decoftion of 
 
 the woods, and mineral waters, 
 
 53.6165 
 
 And of the moft coftly bal- 
 fams, 21. 22. 62. 63 
 
 May be given to children, 67 
 
 Of great ufe in the gout, 68. 80 
 In fevers, 7577.114 
 
 Cures a gangrene as well as ery- 
 fipelas, 82, 83 
 
 The fcurvy and all hypocondri- 
 ac diforders, 86 1 09 
 
 Whence this Englilh malady 
 proceeds, 88, 89 
 
 High food how prejudicial, 
 
 66. 104 
 
 More particularly fpirittlous li- 
 quors, 103. 1 06 i 08 
 
 Tar-water a prefervative for the 
 teeth and gums, 1 14 
 
 Is .particularly recommended to 
 fea-faring perfons, ladies, and 
 men of itudious and fedentury 
 lives, 117 119 
 
 Its fpecific virtues conlift in its 
 volatile falts, 8. 123 
 
 Tar preferves trees from the bi- 
 
 ting of goats, and other inju- 
 ries, Seel. 1 1 
 
 Its virtues heretofore known, but 
 only in part, 9. 1 1. 1 1 1 
 
 Tar, whence produced, 10 17 
 
 Rofin, whence, 18 19 
 
 Turpentine, what, 20 
 
 Tar mixt with honey, a cure for 
 a cough, 2 1 
 
 Rofin an effectual cure for a 
 bloody flux, 79 
 
 Recommended to vintners to 
 medicate their wines with, 1 1 1 
 
 Method to cure perfon^ afFe&ed 
 by breathing a peftilential va- 
 pour, 144 
 
 Scotch firs what, and how they 
 might be improved, 25 
 
 Pine and fir, different fpecies of 
 each, 2628 
 
 The wonderful ftru&ure of trees, 
 
 . 2938 
 Juices produced with the leaft 
 
 violence beft, 46 
 
 Myrrh foluble by the human 
 
 body would prolong life, 49 
 Tar-water, by what means, and 
 
 in what manner, it operates, 
 
 r f 5057 
 
 Is a foap at once and a vinegar, 
 
 59 
 
 Soap, opium, and mercury, tho' 
 
 they bid fair for universal me- 
 dicines, in what refpedls dan- 
 gerous, 69 71 
 
 Aromatic flavours of vegetables 
 depend on light as much as 
 colours, 46. 162. 214, 5 
 
 Analogy between the fpecific 
 qualities of vegetable juices 
 and colours, 165. 181 
 
 A fine fubtiie fpirit, the diftin- 
 guifhing principle of all vege- 
 tables, 121 
 
 What the principle of vegetation, 
 
 and how promoted, 1 26 8 
 
 Theory
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Theory of acids, falts, and al- 
 calies, Sect. 129 136.227 
 
 Air the common feminary of all 
 vivifying principles, 1 3 7 
 
 '44, 
 
 Air, of what it conftfts, 147 
 
 151.19; 7 
 
 Purezether, or invisible fire, the 
 
 fpirit of the univerfe, which 
 
 operates in every thing, 152 
 
 62 
 
 The world how underftood to be 
 
 an animal, 152156.166. 
 
 175. 262. 273 9 
 
 Opinion of the ancients concern- 
 ing it, 166 75.229 
 
 And of the Chinefe conformable 
 to them, i So 82 
 
 What meant by the forms of the 
 Pej-ipatetics, 167.310 
 
 Fire worfhipped among various 
 nations, 183 5 
 
 Opinion of the bed modern che- 
 mifts concerning it, i 89- 90- 
 
 Ultimately the only menftruum 
 in nature, 191 
 
 Adds to the weight of bodies, 
 and even gold made by the 
 introduction of it into quick- 
 filver, 169. 192 6 
 
 Pure elementary fire how inhe- 
 rent in bodies without being 
 fubject to the fenfes, 198201 
 
 Opinion of Hippocrates and Dr. 
 Willis of a vital flame, 204, 5 
 
 The theory of Ficinus and others 
 concerning light, 206 13 
 
 Sir Ifaac Newton's hypothecs of 
 
 a fubtle anher examined, 221. 
 
 228. 237. 246. 
 
 Pure aether the fame with his 
 acid, 130. 202. 227 
 
 No accounting for natural phse- 
 nomena, either by attraction 
 and repulfion, or by elaftic x- 
 ther, without the prefence of 
 n incorporeal agent, 231 
 38. 246. 249. 29497 
 
 The doctrine of all things un- 
 folding themfelves from iee^i 
 ill founded, Sect. 233 
 
 More ancient than many are a- 
 ware, 282 
 
 Nature better explained by at- 
 traction than by Defcartes's 
 principles of fize and figure, 
 
 2 43. 4 
 
 Attraction in fome degree dif- 
 covered by GaliUei, 245 
 
 Phenomena are but appearances 
 in the foul, not to be account- 
 ed for upon mechanical prin- 
 ciples, 251, 2. 310 
 
 The ancients not ignorant of 
 
 many things in phyfics and 
 
 rnetaphyfics, which we think 
 
 the dilcovery of modern times, 
 
 = 65 69 
 
 Had fome advantages beyond 
 us, 298 
 
 Of abfolute fpace, and fate, 
 270 3 
 
 Of the anima mundi of Plato, 
 276 84. 322 
 
 What meant by the ./Egyptian 
 Ifis and Ofiris, 268.299 
 
 Plato's and Ariftotle's threefold 
 distinction of objects, 306, 7 
 
 Their opinion of ideas being in- 
 nate, or not, 308, 9 
 
 Neither of them believed the ab- 
 folute exiftence of corporeal 
 things, 311,12.316 1 8 
 
 The ftudy of the philofophy 
 of Socrates and Pythagoras 
 would have fecured the minds 
 of men from that felfifhnefs 
 which the mechanic philofo- 
 phy has introduced, 331, 32 
 
 The lludy of Plato recommend- 
 ed, 332* 33 
 
 Who agrees with Scripture in 
 many particulars, 339 
 
 His opinion of the Deity, and 
 particularly of aTrinity,agree- 
 able to revelation, 341365
 
 An Authentick 
 
 NARRATIVE 
 
 Of the SUCCESS of 
 
 TAR-WATER, 
 
 In curing a great NUMBER and 
 
 VARIETY of DISTEMPERS, 
 
 WITH 
 
 R E M A R K S, 
 
 AND 
 
 OCCASIONAL PAPERS 
 
 Relative to the Subjedl. 
 
 To which are fubjoined, 
 Two LETTERS from the Author of S IR IS, 
 
 Shewing the Medicinal Properties of TAR-WATER, 
 and the beft Manner of making it. 
 
 By THOMAS PRIOR, Efq ; 
 
 -To do good, and to communicate, forget not. HEB. xiii. 1 6. 
 
 DUBLIN Printed, 
 LONDON Re-printed, 
 
 For W. INNYS, C. HITCH, and M. COOFER, in Pater" 
 - .wfter*row > and C. DAVIS, \nHolbourn. MDCCXLVI. 
 
 [Price Two Shillings 1
 
 ( 3 
 
 To His Excellency 
 
 PHILIP, 
 Earl of CHESTERFIELD, 
 
 Lord Lieutenant General, and 
 
 General Governor of IRELAND. 
 
 h> 
 
 IGH Stations furnifli great Op- 
 portunities of doing Good, 
 where there is a Head to difcern, and 
 a Heart to apply. Your Excellency 
 is eminent for both. Since your Ar- 
 rival in this Kingdom, you have ac- 
 quired a thorough Knowledge of its In- 
 terefts, which you apply to the Service 
 of his Majefty, and the Public ; in fuch 
 a Manner, that your Adminiftration 
 will be always remembered with Gra- 
 titude and Honour. Your Manage- 
 ment, fo generous of your own, and fo 
 frugal of the public Treafure, joined 
 
 with
 
 (4) 
 
 with a conduct fo open and fincere, 
 without the leaft Tincture or Sufpicion 
 of private Views, leave us at a Lofs to 
 determine, which to admire moft, the 
 true Policy, or the Probity of our 
 Governor. 
 
 That benevolent and difinterefted 
 Spirit, which diftinguifhes your Ca- 
 racter, hath emboldened me to addrefs 
 this fmall Treatife to your Excellency r 
 which, as it is calculated to promote: 
 the public Good, coincides fo far with 
 your own Views, as to feem entitled to 
 fome Share of your Protection and Pa- 
 tronage. 
 
 I am y 
 
 Wtlh the greateft Refpefl, 
 Tour Excellency s moft Obedient^ 
 and moft Humble Servant, 
 
 THOMAS PRIOR.
 
 An AUTHENTIC*: 
 
 ACCOUNT 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 O F 
 
 T A R-W A T E R. 
 
 i.y I-AVING publifhed, in the Dublin 
 
 i 1 Journal of the Third of July, 1744, 
 
 JL JL Remarks on an Advertifement, and up- 
 on certain Affidavits mentioned therein, concerning 
 the Effects of Tar- water in Stephens^ Hofpital, and 
 having promifed to communicate to the Public, 
 an Account of feveral Perfons, who have been en- 
 tirely cured, or greatly relieved by the Ufe of Tar- 
 water only, together with their Names, Places of 
 Abode, and Nature of their Ailments; I now 
 addrefs myfelf to the Performance of my Promife, 
 which hitherto has been delayed by many interven- 
 ing Affairs, and -by the Length of Time that was 
 requifite to obtain full Information in a Multitude 
 of Cafes that daily occurred , but this Delay hath 
 .given me an Opportunity of procuring a more par- 
 
 B ticular
 
 2 tte Effetts of 
 
 ticular and exact Account of the Cafes of many Pa- 
 tients, and the Progrefs of their Relief, which muft 
 give more Satisfaction, than a fhort imperfect De- 
 tail of the Effects of Tar- water on the firft Tryals 
 could pofllbly afford. And rinding that new Tryala 
 and Difcoveries were made of the Virtues of Tar- 
 water in many different Diftempers, and that fome 
 Patients, who drank it for one Ailment only, yet 
 found furprifing and unexpected Relief in other 
 Ailments they laboured under, I thought it proper 
 to wait for the full Effect of thofe Tryals, and to 
 find out if others, in the like Cafes, had not alfo re- 
 ceived the fame Benefit; which would be a farther 
 Confirmation of the Efficacy of Tar- water in fuch 
 Diftempers. 
 
 2. Many, on the general Invitation given in the 
 Journal above-mentioned, feveral others, on particu- 
 lar Application, very freely communicated their Ail- 
 ments and Reliefs for the good of Mankind. Some, 
 who had received Benefit by Tar-water on the firft 
 drinking of it, chofe to poftporie fending their Ac- 
 counts, till they had received the full Benefit they 
 expected by a longer Ufe of it. Some, efpecially 
 of the Female Sex, communicated their Cafes, and 
 the Benefit they received, yet were unwilling to 
 have their Names mentioned in public. Some 
 Cafes required a long Ufe of Tar-water, before any 
 Judgment could be formed of the Efficacy of it, 
 and before a Cure could be effected. It was alfo 
 fuggefted by fome, who decried the Ufe of Tar- 
 water, that whatever feeming Benefit fome might 
 have received on their firft drinking of it, yet, that 
 towards the Fall of the Leaf, or the Winter follow- 
 ing, they would feel fatal Confequences from it, in- 
 finuating, at the fame time, that it was dangerous 
 to drink it in the Dog-days, or in cold Weather, by 
 which Means feveral were prevailed upon to lay a- 
 fide the drinking of it for fome Months ; but find- 
 i ing
 
 TA-R-1VAT Ett. 3 
 
 ing no fuch Conferences, they have fince refumed 
 the drinking of it with great Advantage. 
 
 3. For thefe, and many other Reafons, the Pub- 
 lication of the Effects of Tar- water has been folong 
 deferred ; but now that we find many Thoufands 
 have drank Tar- water, and great Numbers have re- 
 ceived Benefit thereby ; fince Time, Experience, 
 and many Tryals (the fureft Guides in Cafes of this 
 Nature) have eftablifhed the Credit and Ufe of this 
 Medicine, it would be a Prejudice to the Public, 
 and an Injury to Mankind, to defer any longer the 
 Publication of the many unexpected and furprifing 
 Cures effected by Tar- water. And as particular In- 
 ftances and Facts, within the Knowledge and Ob- 
 fervation of every one, make ftronger Impreffions 
 than general Afiertionsand Reafonings can do j it is 
 with great Satisfaction lean inform the Public, that 
 I am furnifhed with a great Number of authentic 
 Accounts of the Effects of Tar- water, (more per- 
 haps than ever happened in the Cafe of any other 
 Medicine in fo fhort a time) and that chiefly from 
 the Patients themfelves, moft of them Men of Cha- 
 rafter and Integrity, who, befides the Pleafure of 
 recounting the Benefits they received, had no other 
 View in communicating their Cafes, but to promote 
 the Good of others, and particularly of thole, who 
 might have the Misfortune of labouring under the 
 fame Diforders. 
 
 4. Having no other View in publilhing this Nar- 
 rative, but to promote the fame good Intentions, I 
 can aflure the Public, that I have, with the greateft 
 Candor'and Impartiality, laid before them the Facts 
 and Cafes, as they were communicated to me; for 
 which Purpofe I beg Leave to publifh the Letters 
 of particular Gentlemen, who have been fo good as 
 to give a Detail of their own Diforders, or of thofe 
 of their Neighbours and Acquaintance, and of the? 
 Benefit they received ; the Originals of which may 
 
 B 2 be
 
 4 *fhe Effe&s of 
 
 be viewed in my Hands, and I hope thofe Gentle- 
 men will excufe the Liberty I have taken in publifh- 
 ing their Letters, which, as they were defignedfor 
 the Good of Mankind, fo I do not in the leaft 
 doubt, but that they were communicated with the 
 fame beneficent Intentions ; and as they come from 
 Gentlemen of Character and Worth, they will not 
 fail to be much regarded, make the following Nar- 
 rative more Authentick, and be the Means of pro- 
 moting the good of Thoufands. 
 
 5. From fome, I had the Accounts of their Cafes 
 from their own Mouths , and any one, who will 
 give him felf the Trouble of enquiring, may be fa- 
 tisfied of the Truth thereof from the Perfons them- 
 felves, whofe Names are herein mentioned. Some 
 Gentlemen in the Country hearing of the Succefs of 
 Tar-water among their Neighbours, made a ftricT; 
 Enquiry, and were pleafed to fend me Accounts of 
 feveral relieved thereby. I have alfo taken Notice 
 of the Cafes of feveral Perfons, without mentioning 
 their Names, in Compliance with their Dcfires not 
 to have their Names publifhed-, but if any mould 
 be defirous to know who the Perfons are, whofe 
 Names are omitted, I fhall be ready, for their pri- 
 vate Satisfaction, to let them know fo much. 
 
 6. At firft many Cafes occurred, of Perfons trou- 
 bled with Colds, Coughs, Difficulty of Breathing, 
 want of Reft and Appetite, which were foon re- 
 moved by the Ufe of Tar-water; but as it may be 
 ihought, that thefe Ailments might be removed 
 by Exercife, Air, proper Diet, or other Medicines, 
 without being beholden to Tar- water, I have omit- 
 ted mofb of thofe Cafes, though the Quicknefs and 
 Eafe with which they were relieved, and the Num- 
 ber of the Cures, muft greatly recommended the Ufe 
 of this Medicine. Thofe Cafes were thought too 
 flight to lay any Strefs upon : But the Inflances 
 produced in this Narrative, are, for the moft part, 
 
 Cafes
 
 TAR-WATER. 5 
 
 Cafes of the moft grievous and dangerous Diftem- 
 pers, Acute and Chronical ; fuch as the Gout, 
 King's-Evil, inveterate Scurvies, and Ulcers, con- 
 firmed Afthmas, and Coughs, Fevers, Pleurifies, 
 Rheumatifms, and Colics, &c. which rarely give 
 Way to any Medicines-, thofe in common Ufe 
 having generally failed in the Inftances herein men- 
 tioned; but they all, in a great meafure, yielded to 
 the Power and Efficacy of Tar- water, as will ap- 
 pear by the fubfequent Narrative. 
 
 7. But, in order to lay the Whole in a fair Light 
 betore the Reader, I fhall beg Leave, by Way of 
 Introduction, to re-publifh the Affifiam* and my 
 Remarks thereon, which gave the firft Occafion of 
 writing on this Subject, together with fome Ob- 
 fervations, publifhed in England^ relating to that 
 Affidavit, and fhall then proceed to give an am- 
 ple Account of the Effects of Tar-water, according 
 to Promife. 
 
 8. The faid Remarks were as follow: 
 Remarks on a late Advertifement, and upon certain 
 
 Affidavits mentioned therein, concerning the Effdls. 
 of Tar-wafer in Stephens's Hofpital. 
 
 9. The Advertifement waspublifhed in the Dub- 
 lin Journal of the Second of June, 1744, in the 
 following Words, viz. 4< We are very well inform- 
 ed, that many voluntary Affidavits have been made 
 before Alderman Walker, of the unfuccefsful Ufe 
 of Tar- water in Dr. Stephen? s Hofpital, by Num- 
 bers of Patients in that Houfe, fetting forth, that, 
 after a long Series of ufmg Tar- water, in the moft 
 ftrict and regular manner, none found themfelves in 
 any wife better, but many of them much worfe ; 
 and that thefe Affidavits are in the Hands of the 
 Vifitorsof the Hofpital, and may, at any Time, be 
 viewed by the Curious in this Matter." 
 
 10. Being furprized to hear, that in Stephens'^ 
 Hofpital alone, none found themfelves any way 
 
 B 3 better,
 
 6 Me Effetfs of 
 
 better, and many of them worff, by the Ufe of 
 Tar- water, when, at the fame Time, great Nun> 
 bers both in Town and Country had received great 
 Benefit thereby ; and being fully perfuaded, by the 
 furprizing Benefits which many of my Acquaint- 
 ance have received, and daily do receive by Tar- 
 water, that it is a ufeful and moft fafe Medicine ; 
 my regard to Truth and the good of Mankind in- 
 duced me to make an Enquiry into the Contents of 
 thofe Affidavits, on which fo much ftrefs had been 
 laid in the Advertifement. 
 
 i r. I accordingly addrefled myfelf to the vifiting 
 Phyficians of the Hofpital, who fhewed me the ori- 
 ginal Affidavits, and gave me leave to take Copies 
 of them, and at the fame time declared, that the 
 faid Advertifement was publilhed without his 
 Knowledge. 
 
 12. That the Public maybe better able to judge 
 of the Force of thole Affidavits, and the Truth of 
 the Advertifement, I fhall here publifh one of them, 
 which may ferve for the reft, all of them being 
 written in the fame Form and Words, except an 
 Addition to three of them, which I fhall alfo take 
 notice of. Th.e Affidavit I fhall mention, is in the 
 following Words : 
 
 . 
 
 County of thel Syhefter Dowdal^ one of the Patients 
 ;ity ofDuMn.r in Stephen^ Hofpital, came this Day 
 before me, and made Oath, that he 
 con ftantly, drank theTar-water by the 
 Directions of Dr. Lehunte, for about 
 nine Weeks, and depofed that he hath 
 pot found any Benefit thereby. 
 
 Sworn before me the His 
 
 55th of May^ \ 744. Syl O Dowdal 
 
 William Walker. Mark.
 
 TAR-WAVER. 7 
 
 13. The Do<5lor informed me, that the faid Dow- 
 dal had an Impofthumein his Stomach, and mention- 
 ed the Difeafe which the others laboured under, 
 and faid the Patients began to drink the Water on 
 the 26th of March, and that fome, who were 
 ordered to drink the Water, neglected fo to 
 do. 
 
 14. There were but fix Affidavits in all, the 
 Depolitions of the remaining Five, which were 
 taken at the fame Time, are to the following Pur- 
 pofe : 
 
 15. ' James Martin, in a high Degree of Lepro- 
 fy, fwears he drank Tar- water near fix Weeks with- 
 out any Benefit. 
 
 1 6. <c Bartholomew Hughs, in an Afthmaand Con- 
 fumption of the Lungs, drank Tar- water feven "- 
 Weeks without any Benefit as to his Shortnefs of 
 Breath, which was his principal Diforder. 
 
 1 7. " Mary Malone, for the Itch, drank the Tar-" 
 water five Weeks, without any Benefit; but being 
 put into another Courfe for three Weeks, finds her- 
 fclf much better. 
 
 1 8. " Patrick Shaghnuffy^ for an inveterate Itch, 
 drank Tar-water fix Weeks, found no Benefit, but - 
 found himfelf much worfe; but being put into ano- 
 ther Courfe finds himfelf much better. 
 
 19. < MA. in the foul Difeafe, drank Tar- 
 water fix Weeks, without any Benefit, but found 
 herfelf much worfe; but being put into another 
 Courfe, finds herfelf much better." 
 
 20. This is the Subftance of the Affidavits, 
 whereof four were made by Perfons that could not 
 write their Names. 
 
 21. When Tar-water firft began to obtain fome 
 Vogue, it was expected, that the Learned would 
 have left it to its own Fate, as was done in the Cafe 
 of Quickfilver, and Ward's Pill ; and indeed one 
 would have thought, that an Oppofition to a Me- 
 
 B 4 dicine
 
 8 The Efetfs of 
 
 dicine of this Nature, muft have been either need- 
 Jefs or criminal : If the Medicine be bad, it will die 
 away of itfelfi if good, it is plainly unwarrantable 
 to oppofe it. How far this Oppofition, coming 
 from a Quarter that may poffibly be fu' peeled of 
 having fome Intereft in the Matter, can be recon- 
 ciled with the Rules of Prudence, is fubmhted to 
 the publick Confideration : The Doctor, who is 
 known to be a Man of Worth and Skill in his Pro- 
 feflion, acted very properly, and with good Inten- 
 tion, in prefcribingthis Water, to be taken, even in 
 the worft Cafes, in the Hofpital ; and I hear he has 
 prefcribed it to others, out of the Hofpital, with 
 Succefs ; but the Ufe that others have made of what 
 he had done, without his Knowledge, gives room 
 for making the following Remarks. 
 
 22. It is faid in the Advertisement ^ that many 
 voluntary Affidavits have been made by Numbers of 
 Patients in the Hofpital, letting forth, that " after a : 
 " long Series of ufing Tar- water, in the mod flricl 
 " and regular manner, none found themfelves in any 
 " wife better, but many of themmuch worfe.'* Now 
 upon comparing the Advertifement with the Affida- 
 vits, we can find no Words in the latter to fupport 
 thofe AfTertions ; not a Word of a long Series^ or the, 
 rncft ftrift and regular Manner , or that none received 
 Benefit i and it was impoffible that any one Patient 
 could fafely fwear, that none in the Houfe received 
 the lead Benefit, whatever he might have faid of his 
 own Cafe.; And by the Words mentioned in the 
 Adveriijem <?;./, that many voluntary Affidavits have 
 been made by Numbers of Patients in that Houfe, 
 one might have expected to have met with a nu- 
 merous Train of fuch Affidavits \ but behold, they 
 are dwindled to Six only, by which it appears, that 
 the Advertifement doth no way tally with the Affi- 
 davits, nor can be fupported or warranted by them. 
 |S}# of the moft defperate Cafes in the whole Hofpital, 
 
 were
 
 TAR- WATER. 9 
 
 were culled out for the Affidavits, and thefe made 
 the only Tefts of the Virtues of Tar- water, upon fo 
 Ihort a Trial as five or fix Weeks ; altho' the Dif- 
 tempers n :e inveterate and chronical, and plain- 
 ly required a Length of Time to effect a Cure. Did 
 ever any prudent Man try the Force of a Medicine 
 at firft, in defperate Cafes only! What Medicine in 
 the World could fhind, if a few Inftances of its Un- 
 fuccefsfulnefs were fufficient to deftroy its Credit? or 
 what would become of the Practice, or Credit of 
 Phyficians, if Inftances of their failing to cure, by 
 the Medicines they prefcribe, mould be urged againft 
 their Medicines or Practice? were not feveral of the 
 laid Patients in the Hofpital without Relief many 
 Months before they drank Tar- water? 
 
 23. It does not appear by the Affidavits, that 
 Juftice was done to Tar- water in Quantity, in Time, 
 in accompanying it with any outward Wafh of Tar- 
 water, as was proper in the Cafe of outward Sores, 
 or in acknow.ledging that it concurred in the Cure 
 of the Itch , in which Lift Cafe Tar-water, by 
 driving the Venom from the Blood to the Surface, 
 will incrcafe the Sores for a time, and make igno- 
 rant Patients think themfelves worfe. And proba- 
 bly this very Thing facilitated and proved the main 
 Part of the Cure ; for as foon as they were anointed 
 with Brimftone, they found themfelves better; and 
 it is not probable they would have been kept in the 
 Hofpital fo long before they drank Tar- water, if a 
 bare outward anointing could have cured them. The 
 Conduct of the Advertifers doth not appear to be 
 very fair; in order to difcourage the Ufe of Tar- 
 water, they fay that none of the Patients in the Hof- 
 pital received any Benefit by Tar- water, though they 
 produce Affidavitsof but Six of them, and thofe i.j 
 defperate Cafes; but they take not the leaft Notice 
 at the fame time of any Perfons who received any 
 Benefit by it : In this Point they are intirely filent ;
 
 30 The Efetfs of 
 
 I appeal to the Publick, if this be fair and equal 
 , Dealing, but we (hall take Care to fupply that De- 
 fect: They them felves know, and the whole City 
 can teftify, the many Inftances of Perfons of all 
 Ranks, who have received the greateft Benefit by 
 Tar-water, and this in a great Variety of Cafes. 
 
 24. In Proof whereof, for the Good of Mankind, 
 and for the fake of Truth, we mall publifh a Lift of 
 thofe within our Knowledge, who have been either 
 intirely cured, or greatly relieved by theUfe of Tar- 
 water alone, with the Places of their Abode, and in 
 what Ailments they received Benefit; that every 
 other Perfon, who may have the fame Sort of Ail- 
 ment, may know what Perfons to apply to, and be 
 informed of the Particulars of their Cure, and there- 
 by may have an Opportunity of obtaining the like 
 Relief themfelves , and in order to make the Lift as 
 complete as pofiible, it isearneftly defired, that they 
 who have received Benefit by Tar-water, would be 
 fo good and humane, as to fend their Names, and 
 Places of Abode, to Thomas Prior, Efq; at his 
 Houfe in Bolton- Street-, and at the fame Time it is 
 alfo defired, that they-who have received any Harm 
 by Tar-water, (if any fuch there be) would be fo 
 good to fend their Names, and Places of Abode, in 
 like manner ; and we have the greateft Hopes of be- 
 ing gratified in this Particular, as we have no other 
 View or Intention in this Affair, but, on the one 
 hand, to do all the Good in our Power, and on the 
 other, to guard againft all the Evils that may poffi- 
 bly happen, and fo do equal Juftice to the Publick. 
 
 25. By what we have already experienced, and 
 daily doexperience, of the good Effeclsof Tar-water, 
 we have great Reafon to be perfuaded, and greater 
 ftill to rejoice, that the World is bleft with a Me- 
 dicine, fo efficacious as feldom to fail of Succefs, fo 
 general as to relieve in moft Difeafes, fo fafeas never 
 to be attended with Danger, and yet fo cheap, as to 
 
 be,
 
 TAR-WATER. ii 
 
 be in the Power of the pooreft Perfon to purchafe, 
 and we hope in GOD, that every Day's Experience 
 will, more and more, confirm us in this Perfuafion. 
 
 26. The aforefaid Advertifement from Stephens'* 
 Hofpital,be-ingpublimMinthe/z/??News papers, 
 moved a Gentleman, in the North of England^ to fend 
 a Letter to the Publifhers of the Newcaftie Journal, 
 which they printed in their Journal, with a Preface, 
 and was after re-printed in the Dublin Journal on 
 the 2 1 ft of Augutt, in the Words following : 
 
 27. " There appears fo benevolent a Defign in 
 the following Letter, that fhould we delay the 
 Publication of it, we might be accufed, not on- 
 ly of Ingratitude to the ingenious Author, but 
 of Injuftice to the Public." 
 
 To tbe Pullijbers <?//^Newcaftle Journal. 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 28. I was moved with no little Indignation and 
 Concern, at reading a fly inveterateParagraph againft 
 Tar- water, in a late Newcastle Courant^ published, it 
 feems originally for an Article of News, in the Pa- 
 pers of Dublin: But what Quarter it mould come 
 from there, together with the Purpofes intended it 
 fhould anfwer, are plain enough to be gueffedat: 
 To obviate, therefore, as much as in me lies, the 
 ill Effects of fo malevolent a Defign, I think myfelf 
 indifpenfibly obliged, as well by the Ties of Juftice 
 and Gratitude, to the excellent Writer upon the ex- 
 tenfive Virtues of Tar-water, and Difcoverer of its 
 powerful Effects, as by thofe of Charity and Bene- 
 volence to my Fellow-Creatures and Sufferers, to 
 make known to the Public, through the Means of 
 your Paper, the ineflimable Benefits that have ac- 
 crued to me and mine, from the Ufe of it. 
 
 29. ! had long laboured under thefe following 
 complicated Diftempers ? viz, Palfy, Colic, Rheu- 
 
 matifm,
 
 12 The Ejfefts of 
 
 matifm, Gravel and Piles -, in all which Cafes I 
 found furprifing Relief from Tar-water, and that in 
 confiderably lefs time than a Month from beginning 
 to drink it. And it has worked dill greater Effects 
 upon my Wife, who was infefted to the higheft 
 Degree, with that Engli/h Plague, the Scurvy, to- 
 gether with a large Train of Disorders, naturally 
 incident to fuch a Height of it ; from which, by 
 the fame Means, and in the fame Compafs of Time, 
 flie is recovered in fuch a Manner, as amazes all who 
 were acquainted with her Condition j and that for the 
 Time it has been effected in, both me and myfelf 
 are reftored to Health, in a Degree infinitely beyond 
 our moft fanguine Expectations ; the Truth where- 
 of I am ready to atteft to any one who mall require 
 it of me ; moreover I have been a Witnefs of its 
 extraordinary falutary Effects in fome of my Ac- 
 quaintance, to a Degree little fhort of our own : So 
 happy an Experience, therefore, both in myfelf and 
 others, of its wonderful Operation and Force, leaves 
 me not the leaft room to doubt that Tar-water is 
 the moft fovereign, and extenfive Remedy, and 
 Cure for Difeafes in general ; fafeft to be taken, as 
 well as the eafieft in the Operation, that ever was 
 found out in the whole Matena Medico, ; and as 
 fuch, may be recomended to the World, not- 
 withftanding the finifter Paragraph above mention- 
 ed. And, if it is not an Abfurdity to fuppofe fuch 
 a Thing in Nature as a Panacea^ nothing furely, 
 ever bid fofair as this for that Character before. In 
 my thus praifing Tar-water, I think I cannot be 
 fufpected to be actuated by any other Intereft 
 than the general Welfare and Happinefs of the hu- 
 man Species, willing them to fhare and enjoy the 
 precious Effects of it equally with myfelf. I pur- 
 pofely forbore, Gentlemen, troubling you with this 
 fooner, becaufe I would firft be well warranted in 
 my own Mind for whatever I had to fay upon the 
 
 Subject,
 
 7* AR-WATER. 13 
 
 Subject, that I might not in the leaft invade the 
 bounds of Truth, which in all Cafes, and efpecially 
 in fo delicate an Affair as this, every one ought to 
 be very cautious of. 
 
 30. I fhall conclude with the good Bifhop's own 
 "Words, (Telected from his admirable Treatife of 
 Siris, for the generous difinterefted Prefent whereof, 
 together with the invaluable Services likely to re- 
 fult therefrom, the World will forever remain the 
 Debtor ;) viz. *' Men may cenfure and object as they 
 " pleafe, but I appeal to Time and Experiment. 
 " Effects mifimputed, Cafes wrong told, Circum- 
 " fiances overlooked, perhaps too, Prejudices and 
 '* Partialities againftTruth, may for a Time prevail, 
 " and keep her at the Bottom of her Well : From 
 " whence, neverthelefs,,me emergeth fooner or la- 
 ' ter, and ftrikes the Eyes of all, who do not keep 
 " them fhut." I am, Gentlemen, yours, &c. 
 
 N .B. If the Genuinefs of the above Letter fhould 
 be doubted, or any one defire further Information 
 concerning it, the Author, who lives in the County 
 of Durham, has authorized us to fatisfy any Perfon, 
 upon Application to the Printer of this Paper. 
 
 31. This Inftance mews that many different Ail- 
 ments in the fame Perfon, and a Complication of 
 Diftempers, may be all cured at the fame Time 
 by the fame Medicine. 
 
 23. William Ward of Cocker ton near "Darlington 
 in the County of Durham, Efq; having feen the 
 aforefaid Advertifement and Remarks in the New- 
 caftle Journal, was pleafed to communicate his Cafe 
 and Relief in feveral Letters, according to the Pro- 
 grefs of his Cure. And his Cafe being very fingu- 
 larand worth taking Notice of, I take this Oppor- 
 tunity of publifhing Extracts of his Letters in his 
 own Words, which are as follow : 
 
 From
 
 14 We Efefts of 
 
 From his Letter, dated June 8, 1744. 
 
 33. " I began to drink Tar- water for an Afthma 
 this Day Fortnight, and take it Night and Morning 
 a Glafs, whereof three make a Pint. I find it opens 
 my Body gently, about two Stools a Day ; but I 
 have had my Fits, as often and violently as before. 
 I am not fo weak as to think I was to have found 
 a perceptible Benefit in fo fhort a Space, but (hall 
 ftill continue it ; I have had my Afthma upwards 
 of twelve Years, but not fo violent as at prefent, 
 and for feven Years laft ; in which Time I have 
 not been in Bed, or at moft, not above three or four 
 Hours once in a Year, when I.have flattered myfelf 
 with being tolerably well ; and then, as foon as I 
 awaked, I found by the Head of the Bed, I was 
 quite loaden, as I thought, with Phlegm, though 
 a dry Afthma ; fothat I was obliged to get up and 
 have Recourfe to a Pipe of Tobacco, which I ufe 
 all the Time I am ill, for I have no Eafe when I 
 do not fmoak. I am feldom without a Fit above 
 three or four Days, and continue as long in it, and 
 as foon as Rain comes I am eafy j I have it alfo a- 
 gainft the leaft Change of Weather. 
 
 My Father has it, and my Grand-mother died of 
 it ; fo that I have lefs Hopes of a Cure, as it feems 
 to be hereditary. I have tried many of the moft 
 eminent Phyficians in England, but never found 
 Benefit. I have had Iflues in my Shoulders, and at 
 prefent one under each Breaft, but cannot fay I reap 
 any Advantage. The Medicines I have taken are 
 innumerable." 
 
 From his Letter, dated July 27, 1744. 
 
 " I now relate to you the Succefs I have met 
 with from the Tar- water. The firft Month I took 
 it my Fits were as violent and frequent as ufual. 
 The fecond Month I had not one Fit, but one 
 
 Night,
 
 f A~R.-WATER. 15 
 
 Night, which was very eafy j and I believe I might 
 have continued to have found a daily Benefit, if 
 I had not been obliged to attend at the Affizes; 
 where I have received a moft violent Cold, which 
 has brought on both my Afthma and a Cough : So 
 that at prefent I am very ill, but am taking all the 
 Care I can now to recover myfelf; for I found 
 fo much Pleafure in that Month's Eafe, that no 
 Temptation can induce me to fwerve from Rules. 
 I can*t fo much as lye back in an eafy Chair; for 
 I have a Table fet by the Side of my Chair, with 
 Pillows on it, fol lay my Arm on them, and my 
 Head on my Arm i and if I am very ill, can't even 
 reft that Way, fo that no Bed can be contrived for 
 me to reft on yet -, and though I fay above, that 
 I had not a Fit for a Month, yet if I lay back in 
 my Chair then, it made me uneafy in two Minutes: 
 I drank Tar-water frequently in the Day, but not a 
 Quarter of a Pint at a time, for I find it agrees bet- 
 ter with my Stomach than drinking a larger Quan- 
 tity ; and in the Day, I may take fuch a Quantity 
 five or fix times, as agrees with me. I muft beg to 
 take Notice of one very great Effect it has had on " 
 me (which I hope is a good Symptom:) 
 
 35. Before I drank the Tar- water, my Feet were 
 always as cold as Ice, fo that I had not the leaft Per- 
 fpiration in them ; for if 1 had not warned them 
 for a Year, they were as clean and dry as the back 
 of my Hand : But now, in the laft Month I was 
 fo eafy, I found my Feet fweatvery copioufly, and 
 found, in wearing a Pair of new Stockings oftly a 
 Week, that all the Soalswere worn and mouldered 
 away; and what was left was very red, as if I had 
 burnt them. 
 
 36. I beg Pardon for dwelling fo long upon this 
 Particular, as it was fo furprifing ; and my Apo- 
 thecary telling me, when I related it to him, that 
 he was fure I fhould be cured by drinking the 
 
 Tar-
 
 1 6 7 be Efetis of 
 
 Tar- water, as it had this Effect ; for it was what he 
 and all my Phyficians had drove at, to make me 
 have a Perfpiration in rny Feet, which was never 
 in their Power to get, not even by fitting with my 
 Feet in warm Water." 
 
 Extraft from his Letter of 'September 18, 1744. 
 
 37. " As to my prefent State of Health, I have 
 the Pleafure to tell you, I was in Bed the ioth,i ith, 
 1 2th, and i5th Inftant at Night; I went to Bed 
 about eight a Clock, and Jay until feven the next 
 Morning, as well as ever I was in my Life ; and 
 found, when I awaked, I was lying on my Back ; 
 and am quite another Man.'* 
 
 Extract from his Letter of January 1 6, 1744. 
 
 38. ** I find the leaft Cold does me Harm, and 
 therefore keep clofe to my Houfe, which is no In- 
 conveniency to me, fince I am all Air and Vivaci- 
 ty, which before was a meer State of Hebetude. I 
 was obliged to go on the 4th of November laft into 
 Northumberland^ when it was very cold with Snow ; 
 and as the Roads would not admit of Wheels, I 
 was compelled to go on Horfe-back; and when I 
 had rode a Mile eafily (for it is only fince I took 
 Tar- water I could ride above a Mile on Horfeback) 
 I found I was able to go fafter, and put on fo faft, 
 that I obferved by my Watch, that I rode at the 
 Rate of fix Miles an Hour. My Journey was thir- 
 ty fix Miles, which I completed between the Hours 
 of Ten in the Morning, and Four in the After- 
 noort, without drawing Bridle ; I refted one Day, 
 and came home on the 6th of November in the fame 
 Time. 
 
 This I declare upon my Honour to be Faft, and 
 which was as great a Surprize to myfelf as others/* 
 
 39. So extraordinary a Cafe as this, and fo well 
 vouched by the I^itient hirnfdf, gives us Reafon to 
 
 believe,
 
 . 17 
 
 believe, that any Afthma whatsoever may be cured 
 by a Courie of Tar-water, and at the fame Time 
 fhews, that People ought to wait for the Effect of 
 this Medicine, and not lay it afide on a fhort Trial ; 
 though it is very probable, as will appear by other 
 Inftances, that if Mr. Ward had drank a greater 
 Quantity of Tar-water at firft, and avoided catch- 
 ing cold, he would have been much fooner re- 
 lieved. 
 
 As I had a few more Cafes, and printed Accounts 
 from England^ which fhew the Power and Efficacy 
 of Tar-water in a high Degree, I mall beg Leave 
 to introduce them in this Part of the Narrative, 
 before I mention InJ/j Cafes. The Singularity of 
 the Cafes, will, I doubt not, juftify my exceeding 
 the firft Intentions, of publifhing only fuch Ac- 
 counts, as occurred to me in this Kingdom. 
 
 Extract of a Letter from John Hardcaftle, Efq; of 
 Haughton, near Darlington, in the County of 
 Durham, a Civilian. 
 
 40. ." My Diforder began with violent Pains in my 
 Bread, which, being removed by Fomentation, were 
 fucceeded by a great Cough. I was, in fome Time, 
 almoft freed from it ; but within two or three Days 
 after it was ftopped, I was fuddenly feized with a 
 Palpitation of the Heart, in a very high Degree, 
 which laded, with very little Intermimon, for two 
 Days. That Diforder being partly calmed by bleed- 
 ing, my Cough returned again with as much Force 
 as ever. I became much emaciated, loft my Ap- 
 petite, grew very weak, and had frequent Sweats ; 
 my Urine was loaded, during this Illnefs, with a large 
 Quantity of red Matter, which, when evaporated to 
 Drynefs, did not feem, to the Touch, to be of the 
 Nature of Sand or Gravel, but rather like Loam or 
 fine Clay. The Phyfician declared my Cafe fcor- 
 butic, and treated it accordingly. As I had been 
 
 C long
 
 3 8 *fbe Effetfs of 
 
 long following the Prefcriptions of the Phyfician I 
 confulted, I cannot impute my Recovery, with any 
 Certainty, wholly to Tar- water. But, I think, the 
 lenfible, and moil immediate Alteration I perceiv- 
 ed in myfclf after taking it, leaves me no room to 
 doubt, that Alteration was caufed by the Tar. It 
 refrefhecl my Stomach with a kindly and agreeable 
 Warmth, reftored my Appetite, and, in all Proba- 
 bility, caufed a good Digeftion : As thefe gradually 
 increafed, my Cough declined, my Sweats abated, 
 and my Strength returned. 
 
 41. Having received feveral Letters from Liver- 
 pool, giving an Account of the extraordinary Vir- 
 tues of Tar-water in the Cure of a great Number of 
 Negroes in the Small-pox, on board the Little Fojler 
 of Liverpool, Ciptain Drape, Commander, on the 
 Coaft of Guinea, I (hall here mention the Particu- 
 lars of my Information. The Reverend Mr. Tho- 
 mas Hay-ward, of Warnngtcn in Lancnjhire, in a Let- 
 ter dated the iSth of Offober, 1744, writes, that 
 having received from a Friend an account of this 
 furprifmg Cure of the Negroes, he made a Jour- 
 ney, on purpofe, to Liverpool, to be fully informed 
 cf the Particulars of the Fact , and there was tho- 
 roughly fatisfied of the Truth thereof, by Mr. Con- 
 liff, Mr. Anniiage, Mr. Reed, and Mr. John Ather- 
 lon, Perfons of the belt Credit, and the moll con- 
 fiderable Merchants of the Place, the three firft 
 Owners of the faid Ship; and they all allured him, 
 that they received the Account from Captain Drape 
 himfelf, who was ready and willing to make an Affi- 
 davit of the Truth thereof, at any Time when de- 
 fired. And as fo new and extraordinary a Cure, in 
 a diltant Country, required the beft Proof and Evi- 
 dence, which the Nature of the Cafe could afford, to 
 fupport the Credit thereof, Mr. Alberton was after- 
 wards pleafed to tranfmit to me, at my Requell, 
 Captain Drape's Narrative, and his Affidavit fworn 
 
 before
 
 TAR-WAT E R. 19 
 
 before the Mayor of Liverpool, at the public Sei- 
 fions, where Mr. Conliff, and the other Gentlemen 
 were prefent, and who were fatisfied of the Truth 
 of the Particulars, before it was confirmed by Oath, 
 which Narrative and Affidavit I here publifh, for 
 the Satisfaction of the Public, in the Words of the 
 Original, now in my PofTeflion, which are as fol- 
 low : 
 
 42. " The Little Fofter, of Liverpool, Captain 
 Drape, Mafter, in the Year 1742, made a Voyage 
 to Guinea, and having taken in 216 Negroes, be- 
 fore he left the Coaft, he had the Misfortune to fee 
 the Small-pox break out amongft them : In a very 
 fliort Time there were no lefs than One hundred and 
 feventy ill of that Diftemper all at once. 
 
 43. The Captain was under great Concern, and 
 fully expected, that, for want of Room, and other 
 Neceffiiries, he muft infallibly lofe the greateft Part 
 of them. A Perfon on board advifed the Mafter 
 to infufe a Quantity of Tar in Water, and give it 
 the Slaves to drink, faying, it was practifed in the 
 fame Cafe with good Succefs: The Tar-water was 
 prepared, but the ftrftto whom it was offered, ol> 
 ftinately refufed it, and fo did many more , that Man 
 died in two or three Days, which the reft feeing, 
 were more eafily brought to Compliance, fo that, 
 
 ' partly by Perfuafion, partly by Force, the refl were 
 all brought to drink. The good Effects followed 
 foon after, and were fo plainly perceived, by the 
 poor Creatures themfelves, that they came upon 
 Deck, and crouding about a Tub of Tar-water, 
 that wasfet there for them, drank plentifully of it, 
 from time to time, of their own accord. 
 
 44. This had an Effect that could hardly be ex- 
 pected under the mod commodious Circumstances ; 
 for of thole one hundred and feventy (mod of them 
 grown Perfons) not one died, except that one Man, 
 that could not be brought to drink the Tar water. 
 
 C 2 Captain
 
 20 <tbe Effects of 
 
 Captain Drape fays farther, that the Negroes con- 
 tinued drinking Tar-water after their Recovery, 
 which they found fo much Relief from, that they 
 could hardly be brought to drink any other ; and 
 that from the Time of their Departure from Guinea^ 
 to their Arrival in Jamaica, he verily believes they 
 did not drink above a Hogfhead of Water, that was 
 not impregnated with Tar, though the ordinary 
 Confumption of Water for fo many Slaves, could 
 not be }efs than a Hogfhead a Day. 
 
 I do hereby certify upon Oath, that the Contents 
 of the above Narrative are actually and bona 
 fide true. 
 Liverpool, the i4th $ January. 1 744. 
 
 Jofepb Drape. 
 Taken and fworn before me, 
 
 Owen Prichard, Mayor of Liverpool. 9 * 
 
 45. The faid Mr. Atherton, in a Letter dated 
 the Fourth of February > 1744, writes in the follow- 
 ing Words : 
 
 " We have a very high Opinion of the Vir- 
 tues of Tar- water in my Family; my Wife hav- 
 ing drank about a Pint a Day or" it for eight Months 
 Jaft pad, by which fhe received furprizing Bene- 
 fit in an Inflammatory Diforder, m which Phyfick 
 and Bleeding had brought her very low; neither of 
 which fhe has made ufe of fince : Doctor Dickins, 
 one of the mod eminent Phyficians in this Part of 
 the Kingdom, had her under his Care, and advifed 
 her to Tar-water, as an Alterative. So you fee 
 Doctors differ about it! Some afferting it to be 
 inflammatory, the contrary of which, I have the 
 ftrongeft Instances of in my own Family, and for 
 which Mrs. Atherton and myfelf, think ourfelves 
 under the greateft Obligations to the Bi (hop of Cloyne. 
 Thefe f nftances of the Virtues of Tar-water, fo well 
 authenticated, together with many others, which 
 
 will
 
 TAR-WATER. 21 
 
 will be mentioned hereafter, put it out of all Doubt, 
 that Tar-water is fo far from being of an inflam- 
 matory Nature, or dangerous in inflammatory Dif- 
 orders, as has been fuggefted by fome, that it is 
 a moft fafe and fovereign Medicine in fuch Cafes. 
 And I am very well informed, that it is now be- 
 come a conftant Rule and Practice at Liverpool, 
 and other Places, which fit our Ships for the Guinea 
 Trade, to provide a fufficient Quantity of Tar, to 
 make Tar-water in order to be adminiftred in 
 Plenty, to fuch Seamen, as may happen to be 
 feized, in their Voyages, with the Small-pox, Scur- 
 vies, and other Diftempers, which Seamen are fub- 
 jec~t to. 
 
 4,6. Mr. Hayward writes, in the faid Letter, that; 
 he had laboured under an Ague of four Months 
 Continuance, which had reduced him to a very low 
 State, but that he very happily recovered his Health 
 by the ufe of Tar- water only i and in his Letter of 
 the 29th of June, 1744, he adds, that he was in 
 no manner of Pain about the Return of l--.is Ague ; 
 that he had fpent the Winter, thus far, in the moft 
 comfortable Manner, and enjoys a more lively and 
 comfortable Flow of Spirits, than ever he did in 
 his Life ; which, upon all Occafions, are apt to exert 
 themfelves in extolling the Source from whence 
 they are drawn, and giving others as high an Opi- 
 nion of Tar-water, as he had himfelf ; he alfo makes 
 thisObfervation, that the Virtues afcribed, and that 
 very juftly, to Tar- water, particularly that of remov- 
 ing the Load, that, at times hang heavenly on the 
 Spirits, and infufing into the Soul, thofe lucid 
 gladfome Senfations, which many unhappily feek 
 ior in Drams and Cordials, would almoft incline 
 one to think, the Egyptians were not ignorant of 
 Tar- water. If that fovereign Cordial of theirs, de- 
 fcribed by Homer under the Name of Nepenthes, 
 W;is not Tar-water, he is fure it was fomething very 
 
 C 3 like
 
 22 The Ef efts of 
 
 like it, as, he fays, will appear from thefe and the 
 
 following Lines in Homer's>0d\fles> 4th Book. 
 
 c//.ytycx.i\a, 
 
 "Qs -n KftT6ftt|M. Horn. Odyflf. A. 
 
 Thus tranfiated by Mr. Po/><? : 
 Mean time with genial Joy to warm the Soul, 
 Bright Helen mix'd a Mirth infpiring Bowl ; 
 Temper'd with Drugs of fov'reign Ufe, t'afiuage 
 The boiling Bofom of tumultuous Rage i 
 To clear the cloudy Front of wrinkled Care, 
 And dry the tearful Sluices of Defp.iir j 
 Charm'd with that virtuous Draught, th* exalted 
 
 Mind 
 
 All Senfe of Woe delivers to the Wind : 
 Thefe Drugs fo friendly to the Joys of Life, 
 Bright Helen kzrn'd from Toone'* imperial Wife, 
 Who fway'd the Scepter, where prolific Nile 
 With various Simples cloaths the fatten'd Soil. 
 
 Milton mentions tins Nepenthes in his Mafc of 
 Co M u s. 
 
 Behold this Cordial Julep here, 
 That flames and dances in his cryftal Bounds j 
 Not that Nepenthes i which the W 7 ife of^hoae 
 In Mgypt gave to Jove-born Helena, 
 Is of luch Pow'r as this, to ftir up Joy 
 To Life fo friendly, or focool to Thirft. 
 
 A Letter from the Reverend Mr. James Menteatb> 
 from /idderbi'.ry in Oxfordjhire^ dated the J2th of 
 February i 1744. 
 
 47. 4t As foon as I heard of theTreatife on Tar- 
 var, an4 of the Directions therein mentioned, I 
 maue the Water with different Proportions of Tar, 
 
 . drank between two and three Gallons of if, but 
 
 felt
 
 TAR-WATER. 23 
 
 felt no other Effect, but that it increafed a good 
 Appetite to a ftronger, from which Time I gave it 
 over; having, I thank GOD, no need of that, or 
 any other Medicine. As to myfelf, I was by no 
 Means a fair Subject to make an Experiment of its 
 Virtues upon, being young, of a robuft Ccniti- 
 tution, which I have kept fo, by drinking only 
 common Water and Tea, and eating little Animal 
 Food ; and I only drank the Tar- water to convince 
 others, that it couid do them no Harm. On the 
 Second of May lafr, being Curate of this PJ2ce, I 
 was fent for to pray by a young Woman, who, I 
 was told, lay at the Point of Death : When I came, 
 I found her no better than was reprefented , fpecch- 
 lefs, fo weak, that me could fcarcely open her 
 Eyes -, her Parents told me, that a Phyfician of this 
 Country, a Man of much Knowledge, and great 
 Integrity, had juft been with her, and faid, there 
 was no Hopes of a Recovery, for that me could not 
 live above three Days. The young Woman was 
 about Twenty, born of poor Parents ; fhe had, lor 
 fome Months, been troubled with a Cough, and a 
 Swelling in her Legs and Arms, which was now 
 become a Dropfy, and, was feemingly, in the Jnft 
 Stage of a Confumption. Alter performing my Du- 
 ty, as a Clergyman, I told the Mother, that as t 
 Doctor faid her Cafe was fo defperate, if (lie would 
 give Leave, I would try a Medicine, which I be- 
 lieved might poflibly do her Service ; fhe readily 
 confented, and 1 gave her two Quarts of the Wa- 
 ter, and gave Directions, that me fhould drink 
 Haifa Pint of it at a Time, Twice, or il (lie couid 
 bear it, Three times a Day, and that warm ; as the 
 Cafe was defperate, the greater Quantity I thought 
 neceflary. ' After two Days, fhe was able to fit up, 
 in four or five was brought down. Stairs, had fortv 
 Appetite, her Cough abated, and the Swellings of 
 her Legs and Arms much funk i in fix Weeks {"he 
 
 C 4 feemed
 
 24 tf>e Efeffs of 
 
 feemed fo well, that I advifed her to let alone the 
 Tar-water for fome Time. I did not fee her again 
 till the beginning of Auguft , when her Mother 
 came and told me that her Daughter was again out 
 of Order. I went to fee her, and found her a little 
 fwelled, with a Cough, her Appetite in fome Mea- 
 fure loft, and a pale Look ; upon this I fent her 
 more of the Water, made according to the printed 
 Directions, which me drank for a Month, and 
 which intirely recovered her , infomuch, that me 
 went out to Service at Michaelmas Term, and, I 
 underftand, has been well ever fmce. As me was 
 going to fome Diftance from this, I gave her Di- 
 rections how to make the Water and advifed her to 
 drink it, whenever (he felt the lealt Complaint. 
 
 48. This is the mod extraordinary Cure that 
 has come fo my Knowledge, though I had many 
 Patients, who have found great Benefit from it. 
 Bun I had jurtiajLir Succefs with young Girls, 
 who have been troubled with that deftructive Dif- 
 order, rhe Green Sicknefs ; though I could not in- 
 quire into fuch Complaints, I can eafily difcover 
 them from the Complexion ; indeed of the almoft 
 innumerable Experiments that have been made of 
 it, many of which were by my Recommendation, 
 I am fully fatisfied, that there is no Proof of its 
 ever doing hurt ; fo far from it, that, when properly 
 taken, I have never found that it failed of Succefs." 
 
 49. Thus far Mr. Menteatb, on which I fhall^ 
 make the following Obfervation. That fince it is 
 always allowed, in Cafes where all Hopes of Re- 
 covery are loft, to make Trials of any Kind which 
 may give the lead Hopes of preferving Life, it is 
 humbly fubmitted, whether it is not advifeable in 
 luch defperate Cafes, when every thing elfe has 
 .ii!e<j, to make Ufe of Tar- water, which may pof- 
 fibiy recover the Patient from the Brink of Death ; 
 
 ic has done in this and many other Inftances men- 
 tioned
 
 TAR-WdfER. 25 
 
 tioned in the Courfe of this Narrative, to the great 
 Surprize of all, Phyficians and others, who knew 
 the Diforders of thofe Patients. 
 
 An Extract of a Letter from Mr. John Berry of 
 Manchejier in Lancajhire^ dated the 3Oth of May 
 1744. 
 
 50. " I have taken Tar- water twenty-four Morn- 
 ings, and fometimes in the Afternoon, for a Dizzi- 
 nefs in my Head, which I have had at Times for 
 twelve Months paft, and fince I began taking it, 
 am as well (blefTed be GOD) as ever 1 was in my 
 Life." 
 
 Part of a Letter from a Phyfician in Tork, to one 
 at Eath^ dated Auguft 25, 1744. 
 
 51." The Bifhop ofCloyne is no better treated here 
 than at other Places , but for your Satisfaction, I can 
 inform you, that a Lady, tho' reduced to nigh n 
 Skeleton by a bleeding Cancer, and thought only 
 fit for Gufs Hofpital of Incurables, by the Ufe of 
 Tar-water is fo much better, as to be thought in a 
 fair Way of enjoy ing a comfortable State of Health. 
 She. has recovered her Appetite and Flem, and all 
 bad Symptoms are almoft overcome, and her Bread 
 is become foft 4nd eafy. This I think will ftand 
 as a Sort of Balance to the Hofpital Account from 
 Dublin." 
 
 Part of a Letter from one in Li/Ion, to his Cor- 
 refpondent at Bath, dated the 21 ft of January^ 
 
 1744. 
 
 52. " In refpect to Tar- water, I am fure it has 
 been of great Service here in many Cafes. It is in 
 Vogue in the Portugal Hofpital, and they gave it 
 the Princefs De Eocra in the Small-pox, and fhe 
 has done very well. I am not a Friend to Quack Me- 
 dicines,
 
 26 The Effects of 
 
 dicines, but there is nothing to be faid againft 
 Proof." 
 
 53. I fhall here add fome Pieces printed in the 
 Englijh News-papers on the Subject of Tar-water. 
 
 A Letter to the Author of the Gemral-E'vening- 
 Poft, June the 4th, 1744. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 54. While Thoufands daily experience the Be- 
 nefit of the Bifhop of Cloyne'& Tar-water, give me 
 Leave to teftify my Thanks for the Pleafure I have 
 received from his Difcourfe upon it. I little expeded 
 on fo low a Subject, to have met with fuchVariety of 
 Matter, fiich Penetration of Thought, or that it was 
 poflible to have exprefled either in Language fo clear, 
 and eafy. Where fhall we fee a more accurate 
 Theory of various Diftempers, or of the Operations 
 of the mod prevailing Medicines upon them ? How 
 beautiful his Anatomy of Trees and Plants? How 
 rational his Principles of Vegetation ? How refined 
 his Doctrine of Metals, and of their being tranf- 
 formed into each other? How learned his Hiftory of 
 the Opinions and Syftems of the Antients? While 
 he gradually leads me on from the firnpleft Opera- 
 tions of Nature, through the animal and vegetable 
 World, up to the great Author of both, I am 
 charmed with my Progrefs, and think I fee in this 
 Chain of his, that golden one, which hung down 
 to Earth from Heaven, as this by feveral Links car- 
 ries us up thither. Whether he teaches, reafons, pre- 
 icribes, or analyzes, he does all with the Know- 
 ledge of a Profeflbr, the Humanity of a Gentleman, 
 and, to crown all, with a good Bifhop's Piety ; 
 and leaves us uncertain whether to admire in him 
 ir/oft, the Chemift, Phyfician, Philofopher, or Di- 
 vine. Somewhat like that fine fubtile Spirit, which, 
 he tells us, operates through the Univerfe, diftin- 
 guifhes his Writings ; a Principle of pure Light, 
 
 i which ,
 
 TAR-WAfER. 27 
 
 which you feel in him, as in other Syftems nothing 
 but Gravitation. I am, Sir, &V. 
 
 A Pindarique by the Right Honourable, L. C. 
 
 y. M. infcribed to the Author ofSiris. 
 55. Majeftick thus great Nilus fiirowds 
 His facred Head in Darknefs and the Clouds, 
 His Birth divine from vulgar Eyes conceals, 
 But to the Wife by Miracles reveals. 
 Homage to him ten thoufand Torrents pay 
 
 Replete with JEther's vital Flame, 
 While thro* the burning Zone he wings his Way, 
 
 While Sir is is his my (tick Name. 
 Parch'd Afric courts him to the Libyan Plain, 
 
 And drives to intercept his Courfe; 
 But marble Mountains are oppos'd in vain, 
 
 Refiftlefs his as Ocean's Force. 
 From the deep Cataracts impetuous as he bounds, 
 Earth trembles at his Voice, each diftant Rock re- 
 founds : 
 Then fmooth o'er Egypt's Plain his welcome Deluge 
 
 flows, 
 And fmiling Plenty brings, and chearful Health bo 
 
 flows: 
 Hail Egypt, happy Realm, thy Monarchs were the 
 
 Gods, 
 
 There Arts, and Wifdom there firft fix'd their bleft 
 Abodes. 
 
 On the Difputes about Tar- water. 
 56. To drink, or not to drink, that is the Doubt, 
 With Pro and Con, the Learn'd would make it out. 
 Britons, drink on, the jolly Prelate cries : 
 What the Prelate perfuades the Dotftor denies. 
 But why need the Parties fo learnedly fight, 9 
 Or Choleric * / r n fo fiercely indite? C 
 
 the Senfes can tell, if the Liquor be right.. \ 
 
 * A Phyfidan and Writer ngninft Tar-water. 
 
 What
 
 28 The Efetfs of 
 
 What agrees with his Stomach, and what with his 
 
 Head, 
 
 The Drinker may feel, tho' he can't write or read. 
 Then Authority's nothing, the Doctors are Men ; 
 And who drinks Tar-water will drink it again. 
 
 57. On the Enemies of Siris, by a Drinker of 
 
 Tar-water. 
 
 How can devoted Siris ftand 
 Such dire Attacks? The licens'd Band 
 With up caft Eyes and Vifage fad 
 Proclaim, alas ! " The World's run mad. 
 The Prelate's Book hath turn'd their Brains, 
 " To fet them right will coft us Pains. 
 " His Drug too makes our Patients fick, 
 " And this doth vex us to the Quick.'* 
 And vex'd they muft be, to be f ure, 
 To find Tar-water cannot cure, 
 But makes Men ficker flill and ficker, 
 And Fees come thicker ftill and thicker, 
 Burfling with Pity for Mankind, 
 But to his own Advantage blind, 
 Full many a Wight with Face of Funeral, 
 From Mortar, Still, and Urinal, 
 Haftes to throw in his fcurvy Mite 
 Of Spleen, ofDulnefs, and of Spight. 
 To furnifh the revolving Moons 
 With Pamphlets, Epigrams, Lampoons 
 Againft this Siris, you'd know why ? 
 Think who they are > you'll foon difcry, 
 What means each angry doleful Ditty, 
 Whether themfelves, or us they pity ? 
 
 From the Daily Gazetteer^ publifhed in London* 
 April^, 1745. 
 
 To the Right Reverend the Bifliop of Cloyne. 
 My LORD, 
 
 58. Upon the Foundation of fome Hints I took 
 from the 29th and 49th Sections of your Siris, I 
 
 rdblved
 
 . 29 
 
 refblved to attempt a Solution of Myrrh, by a low, 
 aqueous Menftruum ; and confidering the Affinity, 
 and fimilar Properties that are in Tar, and in Myrrh, 
 I was led to think, that as all homogeneous Bodies 
 attract more ftrongly than thofe of different Clafies; 
 To pofiibly the native Vegetable, or acid Spirit 
 of Tar, when gently fermented, might invite the 
 like Principle from Myrrh. Accordingly I put a 
 Drachm of coarfe Myrrh, without any Delicacy of 
 Choice, into half a Pint of Tar- water, and fet it 
 in a Pint Bottle, in a Degree of Heat of my Fire, 
 equal to that of a hot Sun : In two or three Days I 
 obtained fo perfect a Solution, that, upon filtring, 
 I found no other Refiduum, than fuch as is apt to 
 (lick to gummy Bodies. 
 
 Of this Infufion, I mix about half an Ounce in 
 each Half- pint of Tar- water, which I daily drink ; 
 and take them fo mixed, with good Succefs. Ic 
 makes the Tar-water much more pleafant, giving 
 it an agreeable fub-acid bitter Tafte. 
 
 59. The fecond Procefs I ufed, after having 
 fpent my firft Preparation, was very inaccurate ; 
 for I threw in an indeterminate Quantity (but as 
 near as I can guefs) four Drachms of fine pick'd Myrrh 
 to a Pint of Tar- water. Upon filtring off this Infu- 
 fion, I had Caufe to think the Tar-water was more 
 than faturated with Myrrh, becaufe, among the 
 Refiduum, I found a kind of Static, or fine, tranf. 
 parent, liquid Myrrh, of the Confiftency of the belt 
 Turpentine-, which, however, might perhaps have 
 yielded to a longer Infufion. 
 
 60. To you, my Lord, we owe the Tar-water , 
 and to you, how nearly had we owed the Solu- 
 tion of Myrrh ? fince you furnilhed the only aque- 
 ous Menftruum that will diffblve, and render it fit 
 for internal ufc : As your Lordfiiip fuggefted the firft 
 Hint, fo I know no Per fort fo capable of -improving, 
 and i"j willing to apply this Difcovery (if it be one) 
 
 to
 
 30 Toe Efetfs of 
 
 to the Good of Mankind as your Lordfhip. To 
 you, therefore, I addrefs it, with all its Virtues, all 
 its Honours. For my Part, J have not Skill enough 
 in any Branch of medical Knowledge, toaffure whe- 
 ther there be any thing new or valuable in this Ex- 
 periment of mine, only I conjecture, that at leafl, 
 it muft be a gopd vulnerary Water ; but were the 
 Secret as rich as the Treafures cfLoretfo, both my 
 Fortune and my Love to Mankind forbid me to 
 make any private Advantage of it -, therefore I free- 
 ly give it to the Public under your Lordfbip's Pa- 
 tronage, lam, with great Duty and Efteem, 
 Your Lordfhip's molt obedient humble Servant, 
 
 Pbilanthropos. 
 
 6 1. I fhall now proceed to give a Narrative of 
 fuch Cafes, which happened in Ireland, as they were 
 communicated to me by Letters from Gentlemen of 
 known Character and Integrity, in this Kingdom, 
 giving A particular Detail of their own Diforders, or 
 of thole of their Neighbours and Acquaintance, and 
 of the Relief they received, together with fuch far- 
 ther Accounts as I had from feveral Patients from 
 their own Mouths, in and near Dublin^ with their 
 Names and Places of Abode. 
 
 A Letter from the Reverend Mr. Nat. Frajice> of 
 Tongball, in the County of Cork, dated July 6, 
 1744, to Thomas Prior > Efqi 
 SIR, 
 
 62. Reading an Advertifement in the Dublin 
 Courant^ dated July the 3d, I thought my felf bound 
 by the ftrongeft Obligation, Gratitude for an inc-fti- 
 mable Benefit received, as well as for the good of 
 Mankind, which every Man ought to have at Heart, 
 to give Teftimony to the Truth. Upwards of 20 
 Years I have laboured under a very dreadful Dif- 
 order, occafioned, as I am fully perfuaded, by a 
 
 prevailing
 
 TAR-WJTER. 31 
 
 prevailing Acid in my Stomach. Frequently for ma- 
 ny .Weeks together, I never rofe from fleep, with- 
 out: violent vomiting, and a continual Sicknefs in 
 my Stomach ; rarely free from a Heart-burn, and 
 that commonly ending in a violent Cholick ; ner- 
 vous Difcorders, frightful Spafms, a frequent Palpi- 
 tation of the Heart in Bed, were the fure unhappy 
 Confequences ; my Diforder baffled the Art of Phy- 
 fick, the whole Power of Medicine. The Pyrmont 
 and German Spaw- water, with the conftant Ufe of 
 Gum-pills for the nervous Complaint, gave fome 
 little Relief, but were very far from rooting out the 
 Caufe of my Diforder. I induftrioufly fhun'd every 
 Acid; my Drink for many Years was Wine and 
 Water, not daring to touch Malt-liquor or Cyder. 
 I have drank Tar-water thefe three Years paft, 
 and, I blefsGoo for it, have no Complaint to 
 make ; no Heart-burn ; no vomiting in the Morn- 
 ing, which aJmoft deprived me of my Sight ; no 
 Return of any nervous Diforder, unlefs occafioned 
 by a violent Cold, from which I am quickly re- 
 lieved, by taking a plentiful Draught of Tar- wa- 
 ter. Laft Summer I laid a- fide Tar-water for three 
 Months, believing, I did not any longer ftand in 
 need of it ; and that the Medicine would ceafe to 
 be efficacious by the conftant Ufe of it; my Co- 
 lick, Heart burn, and nervous Spafms return'd up- 
 on me as violent as ever. I again had recourfe to 
 Tar- water; its happy Effects was beyond Expecta- 
 tion, in a few Days it perfectly relieved me. I do 
 now, and Jfhall, for the Remainder of my Life, make 
 it my Morning Draught ; having no other Com- 
 plaint againft it, but this one ; that by creating an 
 Appetite, which it never fails to do; by ftrength- 
 ning the Stomach, and caufing a good Digeftion, it 
 renders me more corpulent, than I could wimto be. 
 I am, Sir, your very humble Servant, 
 
 Nat, France, 
 63, A
 
 32 The E/etfs of 
 
 63. A Letter From the Corporation of Augher^ in 
 the County of Tyrone, dated July 7, 1744. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 Agreeably to your Inftructions in the laft News- 
 paper, we the under- written, In habitants of Angher^ 
 take this Opportunity of informing the Public, that 
 mod of us, having for many Years been greatly 
 afflicted with chronical Difeafes, fuch as the Gout, 
 inveterate Scurvy, and rheumatic Pains, &V. were 
 induced, from the high Character given to the Tar- 
 water, to make Trial thereof. 
 
 That thofe of us, who had any out-breaking, 
 found, after a Fortnight's Trial, the Spots rather 
 more inflamed and painful, but afterwards daily 
 growing eafier and better. That fome of us who 
 were feized with the Rheumatifm found after the 
 like Time a fenfible Remiflion of the Pains , how 
 far it may anfwer in the Gout we cannot yet pretend 
 to fay, but, from the furprizing Recovery of moft of 
 us, we in the Gout, refolve to continue the regular 
 and conftant Ufe of that moft excellent Remedy ; 
 and all of us do, in the moft affectionate Manner, 
 return our publick Thanks to the Author of the 
 Tar water. 
 
 Edmund Mac Girr. Robert Thomson. 
 
 Rev*. Mac Quigan. Adam Smyth. 
 
 Dudly Harvey. Uri. Mac Dowall. 
 
 64. A Letter from the Reverend Mr. Thomas Squire, 
 from Tallow in the County of Waterford^ dated 
 July u, 1744. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 The Enemies of Tar-water, I find, are greatly 
 provoked, feeing they endeavoured to have it fworn 
 out of Credit and Practice ; however, I make no 
 doubt, but that for the fix Affidavits againft it, you 
 will foon have many Hundreds of creditableVouchers
 
 TA&-17ATER. 33 
 
 for it; I fend you fome Cafes: Firft my own. 
 Turned of Sixty, my Stomach began to fail me, 
 and what little I did eat, lay heavy there for two or 
 three Hours after Dinner , my FJefh wafted fo that 
 my Cloaths were much too big for me, the Calves 
 of my Legs became foft, and hung from the Bones, 
 and the red in my Cheeks grew dark and livid ; I 
 look'd on thefe, and fome other bad Symptoms, as 
 Warnings from my Creator to prepare for my ap- 
 pearing before him in another State. 
 
 I had the Honour of being known to the Bifhop 
 of Cloyne, who advifed me to drink Tar-water ; 
 which I did for fifteen Months, in which Time I 
 found my Appetite reftored, my Food fat eafy on 
 my Stomach, I grew up to my former Dimenfions, 
 my Flefh became firm, as it had been twenty Years 
 before, and the Blood in my Cheeks of a good Red, 
 fo that I reckoned myfelf in as fair a way of living 
 as any Man of my Age, in the Neighbourhood. 
 
 65. A Gentlewoman in my Houfe far advanced 
 in Years, of a tender Conftitution, and in a bad State 
 of Health, has for near two Years taken a fmall 
 Glafs of Tar- water every Morning, and often ano- 
 ther about Noon ; the Phyfician who has attended 
 her for eight Years, and confented to the Tar-water, 
 has frequently for this laft Year exprefied his great 
 Surprize at her being fo much better, than at any 
 Time fince fhe wasfirft under his Care. I muft ob- 
 ferve to you, that me takes feveral other kinds of 
 Phyfick by the Doctor's Directions ; it may not be 
 amifs likewife to obferve, that her Apothecary's 
 Bill was laft Year reduced to lefs than half of what 
 it has formerly been, and I am furc, when it comes 
 in next, will fall very fliort of that. 
 
 66. A Servant of mine was fo ill of a Cold and 
 violent Cough, that he was going to take to his Bed. 
 I ordered him to drink about half a Pint of Tar-wa- 
 ter warm'd ; he then fet about his Bufmels, and I 
 
 D have
 
 34 tte Effe8s of 
 
 have not heard him complain firice, tho* I forgot to 
 make him repeat the Medicine. I could givelnftances 
 of many in this Neighbourhood, who have received 
 great Benefit by Tar- water. This Morning a Gen- 
 tleman, who, by a Cold taken in February Jait, was 
 apprehenfive of a Decay, told me that his Fears 
 were over by drinking Tar- water for three Weeks; 
 and Yefterday a Phyfician, who ftudkd under the 
 great Eoerbaave^ told me that he had prefcribed the 
 Courfe of Tar- water to five of his Patients lately ; of 
 thofe it is probable I may give you an Account here- 
 after, as well as of two more, whofe Cafes were very 
 defperate, and recovered, but I am not fully in- 
 formed in the Particulars as yet. 
 
 I am your moft humble Servant, 
 
 67. A Letter from the faid Mr. Squire from Curry- 
 
 glafs in the County of Cork y dated November 30, 
 
 1744. 
 SIR, 
 
 When I wrote to you formerly, I propofed to fend 
 you fome farther Accounts of the Cures effected by 
 Tar-water; one of which was on a Gentlewoman 
 near Limerick, (whom I have not leave to name.) 
 Her Hufband was in this Village h&Cbriftmas 9 who 
 defcribed his^ Wife's Diflemper in fuch a manner, 
 that Hie feemed to have fuffered more by the Scur- 
 vy, than Mr. Connor of Eandon \ fhe was, as the 
 Exprefiion was, juft flayed alive, and had almoft loft 
 the Ufe of her Limbs. I advifed Tar- water, which 
 a Phyfician approving, Ihe drank for fome Time; 
 fo that the Scurvy-fplotches are perfectly healed, and 
 fhe is recovering claily the Ufe of her Limbs. This 
 I had from her Hufband's Brother. 
 
 68. The following Account I had fromMr. Robert 
 Aikins near Mallow. A young Gentlewoman related 
 to him had been long ill ; Ihe had a great hard Swel- 
 
 ling
 
 35 
 
 ling in her Side, loft her Stomach, was extremely 
 thin and pale; fome Phyficians, who had attended 
 fora confiderable Time, at length gave her up. She 
 earneftly entreated one of them, Doctor Connell^ for 
 Advice, who recommended Tar- water-, fhe drank 
 it for fome Months and perfectly recovered. 
 
 69. In Currygtafs, Fourteen, as I find, have drank 
 Tar- water, every one of them have received Benefit 
 thereby, but the moft remarkable, after thofe in my 
 former Letter, were Hannah Evans, Wife to Henry 
 Evans, Mafon, cured of an hereditary Afthma, un- 
 der which fhe laboured for two Years, and could not 
 lie down in Bed ; but now goes to Bed as formerly, 
 and adds to her nightly Devotion, GOD blefs the 
 good Bijbop. 
 
 70. Henry Evans in the great Froft took a vio- 
 lent Cold, and every Winter fince, has kept his 
 Head and Jaws tied up in Handkerchiefs ; he drank 
 Tar- water, the Pain in his Jaws is gone, and he bears 
 Cold as well as ever he did. Lawrence Linehan, 
 a Paper- maker, had taken fo great Cold as his Work, 
 that he wafted away, had a moft deadly Cough, and 
 was thought by all to be in a Decay j he drank Tar- 
 water, and is now as well as ever. 
 
 71. Mr. Crips drinks Tar- water for an hereditary 
 Afthma , when he is regular in it, fome Splotches 
 break out in feveral Parts of his Body, and the Afth- 
 ma quite gone ; but when he iscarelefs the Splotches 
 difappear, and the difficulty of breathing returns. 
 
 72. Mrs. Rollefton, whcrnurfes her Child,- had 
 fome Occafion to drink Tar- water, which fucceeded 
 well with herj fhe had a vaft Flow of Milk, when 
 fhe drank it, and her Child was extremely well , our 
 Phyficians here prefcribed Tar-water frequently, 
 and all own that no Medicine has ever made fo great 
 a Progrefs in fo fhort a Time. 
 
 I am your moft obedient humble Servant, 
 
 'Thorn. Squire. 
 D 2 73. A
 
 Effetfs of 
 
 73. A Letter from Mr. Henry Parfons, Attorney, 
 dated from William-ftreet, Dublin, July 26, 1744. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 I lately read an Advertifement in Mr. Faulkner's 
 Weekly Journal, dcfiring, that Perfons who had re- 
 ceived Benefit irom drinking Tar- water, would fend 
 you an Account thereof, with the Nature of their 
 feveral Diforders. As that Advertifement was chief- 
 ly intended for the Benefit of Mankind, I think 
 every one ought readily to comply therewith. I 
 therefore fend you the following Account : 
 
 I have been thefe twenty Years paft, and upwards, 
 grievoufly afflicled with violent Pains and Swellings 
 hi my Limbs ; and for want of my natural Reft, 
 which they frequently prevented, I was reduced to> 
 a very great Weaknefs ; and I had toft my Stomach 
 to that Degree, that I may fay, My Soul abhorred 
 all manner of Meat, and 1 was even hard at Death's 
 Door. I was reduced to that unhappy State, which 
 the Bifhop of Cloyne, in his Treatife on Tar-water, 
 calls Tedium Vitce^ a Wearinefs of Life, that I could 
 have bleft the Means that would have finifhM my 
 Days -, and if any one was to have bought ati Annu- 
 ity on my Life, I am fure no one would have given 
 fix Months Purchafe for it. I am certain that every 
 one, who has known me thefe twenty Years paft, 
 can and will readily 'vouch the Truth hereof; and 
 not above five Months ago, a Gentleman falling in- 
 to a groundlefsPaffion with me, for no other Rea- 
 fon, but beowfe he was lofing a Game at Backgam- 
 mon, declared to fome Gentlemen, who afterwards 
 informed me thereof, that he would certainly have 
 been the Death of me, but that he was well fatisfied 
 1 would foon dye by the Courfe of Nature. 
 
 74. I was alfo afflicted with a violent fcorbutic 
 Humour, which broke out to a great Degree in my 
 Face j and about tire Beginning ofM^ laft, on my
 
 TAR-WATER. 37 
 
 firft hearing the Virtue of Tar- water fo greatly re- 
 commended, and on reading the Magazine for the 
 Month of March, wherein it is fet forth, I refolved 
 on drinking it, and tho' I have only drank about 
 five Gallon* thereof, it has not only perfectly cured 
 me of the Scurvy, but has alfo intirely eafed me 
 of ail my Pains ; reftored me to my former 
 Strength, a good Stomach, and a great Flow of Spi- 
 rits ; that now ( I thank GOD) I may juftly fay, I 
 am a Man again. 
 
 lam, Sir, your humble Servant, 
 
 Henry Parfom, 
 
 Mr. Parfom, who may be feen every Day in the 
 Streets of Dublin, continues in a perfect State of 
 Health, and Flow of Spirits, and conftantly drinks 
 Tar- water. 
 
 75, A Letter from the Reverend Mr. 
 
 dated from Bel/aft, July 23, 1744. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 Inclofed I fend you the Cafes of three Perfons, 
 who have received Benefit by the Ufe of Tar- water. 
 In the firft I prefcribed it myfelf j thead, I had from 
 the Mother of the young Lady, and her Permiffion 
 to fend it to you ; the gd I had from the Father of 
 the Child, who perufed and approved of the Ac- 
 count which I fend you. I think it the Duty ot 
 every Perfon, as far as he can, to make the World 
 acquainted with the Cafes of fuch as receive Benefit 
 frpm the Ufe of new Medicines, efpecially if they 
 b~ fuch as are fafe in the Application, and cheap, 
 fo as to render them of Ufe to the Poor : Tar- wa- 
 ter, I am perfuaded, is of this Kind, and I dare fay it 
 will give the good and moft ingenious Author of 67- 
 risa. very fenfible Pleafure, to find that his Medicine 
 is likely toanfwer the End, which he had in publifh- 
 it, that is, to become of univerfal Ufe, and to 
 
 D 3 remove 
 
 3
 
 38 TheEffettsof 
 
 remove moft of the Diforders to which Men are 
 
 fubject. 
 
 I venture to fend you the inclofed without any 
 Apology, the Truth of tha Facts you may depend 
 upon. I am, Sir, 
 
 Your rncfl obedient humble Servant, 
 
 Bernard Ward. 
 
 The Honourable Arthur Hill, Efq; adds by way 
 of Podfcript, that though thefe Instances are but 
 three, yet Tar- water is in great and* univerfrl Re- 
 pure here, and I have no Doubt, but, in a little time, 
 abundance more may be given. 
 
 76. N i. William Gawdy of the Parifh. of Kir- 
 dor.nell, and County of Down, Farmer, aged about 
 forty Years, had been many Years afflicted with the 
 Rheurnatifm, About two Years ago he applied to 
 me, when by the Ule of jEtheriai Oil of Turpen- 
 tine, his Complaint was removed for that Time: In 
 May laft I met him near his own Houfe, moft grie- 
 vouily tormented with the fame Diforder which had 
 then fixed ufelf in his Loins, and had for fome 
 Weeks entirely di fabled him from doing any Work ; 
 he told me he hadufed the Turpentine, but without 
 Succefs-, that for fome Weeks he had fcarce been 
 able to walk. I recommended the Ufe of Tar- 
 water, four Quarts of which did fo effectually re- 
 move his Diforder, that, to ufe his own Words, 
 he was able to lift a Hogfhead Sack full of Corn, 
 and to put it upon his Horfe, and, in fhort, was 
 as well as he ever had been. 
 
 77. N2. Mifs Small, of the Parifh of Knockbre- 
 da, in the County of Down, a young Lady of about 
 fix teen Years cf Age, had for fome Time been trou- 
 bled with a Pain in her Side, Shortnefs of Breath, a, 
 Palpitation of the Heart upon the lead Motion, and 
 ap entire Lofs of Appetite; her Mother was ap- 
 
 ." ve cf a Consumption ; yet by drinking Tar- 
 
 y/ater
 
 TAR-WATER. 39 
 
 water about a Fortnight, all the above Symptoms 
 were removed, and (he can now walk a Mile or two 
 without giving her the leaft Uneafmefs, and is in 
 perfect Health. 
 
 78. N3. John, the Son of the Reverend An- 
 nejley Baile, Curate of Cornier in the County of 
 Down, at the Age of two Years, was active and 
 fprightly, and could walk as well as any Child of his 
 Age; he was then feized with a Fever, which de- 
 prived him of the Ufe of his Limbs , his Joints grew 
 large, and his Belly hard, like a ricketty Child; he 
 continued in this Condition about two Years, till, 
 upon the Publication of Siris^ his Father made him 
 drink Tar- water, a Wine Glafs full three Times a 
 Day, and in three Weeks time, he recovered the Ufe 
 of his Limbs, and has been ever fince in the higheft 
 Spirits, and very good Health. 
 
 79. A Letter from the Reverend Mr. U/ber, of 
 
 Maryborough, dated Auguft 23, 1744. 
 Margaret Large^ of the Parifh of Coolbonagher 
 near Mountmelick in the $eetf County, being a- 
 bout forty-three Years old, laboured under a violent 
 Cough and Opprefllonon her Stomach for ten Years, 
 which afflicted her without Intermiffion to that 
 Degree, that me loft her Appetite, her Body was 
 emaciated, and her Spirits low and deprefled ; but 
 by drinking Tar-water conftantly every Morn- 
 ing fince the Beginning of June laft, the Cough and 
 Oppreffion on her Stomach were entirely removed, 
 her loft Appetite reftored, her Spirits became brifk 
 and lively, and her whole Conftitution and Habit of 
 Body wonderfully improved, and this Change evi- 
 dently appeared in about fix Weeks after me began 
 to drink the Tar- water. This Account, he fays, 
 he had from tha Patient herfelf. H 
 
 D 4 86. A
 
 40 The E/etfs of 
 
 80. A Letter from Mr. Henry Gervais, of Lifmore 
 in the County of Wnterford, dated the i5th of 
 September , 1 744, to Thomas Prior Efq; 
 Purfuant to your Defire, fignified in the public 
 Prints, I take the Liberty of communicating to you 
 the Cafe of Mr. William Bryen^ which may not be 
 unworthy your Notice. Mr. Bryett, who is an Attor- 
 ney in Lord Burlington's Manor-courts, after riding 
 five Miles, about two Years fince, without a great 
 Coat, in a Winter*s Night of very heavy Rain, and 
 fo fueled, tint, when he came home he could not 
 put off his Cloaths, threw himfelf on his Bed, where 
 he flept about fix Hours, and, when he awoke, was 
 in an high Inflammation, and not able to fpeak. A 
 Phy fician of no fmall Repute in this Country, came 
 to his Aid, and by the common Procefs in fuch 
 Cafes, by bleeding, bliftering, &c. brought fome 
 prefent Relief; but in a little Time a violent Cough 
 enfued, attended with a grievous Pain in his Side, 
 fpicting ofBlood, and large Sweats , fo that having 
 fuffered much, and gone through the Apothecary's 
 Shop for a Courfeof fix Months, and exhaufted his 
 little Subftance, the Phyficians, in a Confultation, 
 pronounced that he would die tabid. The Patient 
 not being able to purchafecoflly Medicines, in De- 
 fpair had recourfe to Tar- water, which he has ever 
 fince continued the Ufe of, with thegreateft Bene- 
 fit ; infomuch, that when I talk'd with him, fome 
 little Time ago, he told me that he had recovered 
 his Appetite and Reft, and was free from the Pain in 
 his Side, and as well in Health as he could wifh, 
 faving a light Cough which remained, but was, in 
 his Opinion, gradually wearing off. 
 
 8j. Mr. Gervais mentions in his own Cafe in the 
 following Words: "I wasundergreatApprehenfions 
 from the Reliques of the Influenza, which in its 
 Courfc fdzed me in a mpft heavy Manner, and left 
 an acu:e Pain in my Head, violent Palpitations in the 
 
 Heart,
 
 TAR-WATER. 41 
 
 Heart, a conftant Pulfation in the Brain, and Spafms 
 through my whole Body. Flagherty cum Sociis had 
 me in hand for Months; Gum- pills and Spirits of 
 Vitriol I almoft lived upon, and to no Purpofe ; 
 but now, by the Ufe of Tar- water, I am (GoD be 
 praifed) reftored to good Spirits and Health.*' 
 
 82. He alfo mentions the Cafe of Mrs. C 
 
 of Limerick, who was, many Years, afflicted with a 
 Scurvy in the higheft Degree ; that he had been in- 
 formed, by a near Relation of hers, that (he had been 
 quite flay'd from Head to Foot, fo that for many 
 Months, me lay in Cere-cloths, and could not turn 
 in her Bed, but as me was helped by the Sheets : 
 When all Remedies prov'd ineffectual, Tar-water 
 was the dernier Refort, by the Ufe whereof, for 
 ten Weeks, me has got a new Skin, her Sores have 
 ceafed to run, and her Health is thoroughly retrieved. 
 
 83. Mr. Gertrais, foon after, fent me the follow- 
 ing Cafe, drawn up by Doctor William C , of 
 
 Mallow, in the Words following: 
 
 Carrol Daly, of Ardprior in the County of Cork, 
 aged about 28, on exercifing feverely in the Year 
 1742, was feized with a violent Cough, Streightnefs 
 in his Cheft, difficulty of Refpiration, and had large 
 Quantities of Blood difcharged from his Lungs ; in 
 which State he remained near fix Months, without 
 other Affiftancethanwhathis poor Neighbours could 
 adminifter; till at length (quite emaciated, and in 
 a hectic State, with Flufhings in his Face, fucceeded 
 by Rigors and conftant Night-fweats) he applied to 
 the neighbouring Phyficians, who recommended a 
 Courfe of pectoral and balfamic Medicines, with 
 Tincture of Jefuits Bark, and a Milk-diet, which 
 Regimen he ftrictly obferved ten Months and better, 
 when finding little Amendment, and no Hopes of 
 Recovery, he applied to me ; I recommended his 
 continuing the fame Method for fome time longer, 
 which he fubmitted to 8 without further Benefit than 
 
 that
 
 42 tte Efetfs cf 
 
 that his Sweats fomewhat abated ; he was now fet 
 down as incurable, and, at moil, not likely to furvive 
 the following Spring; when hearing fo much of the 
 Virtues of Tar-water, publifhed by the Bifhop of 
 Ckyne, and willing to try the Succefs, as every Thing 
 elfe failed-, I recommended earneftly the conftant 
 Ufe of it to him, and prepared it for him according 
 to the Bimop's Directions. At firft it difagreed pro- 
 digioufly, inducing frequent Naufea's, Sicknefs in 
 the Stomach, and a Lax, which, in his Condition, I 
 was very apprehenfive of; notwithftanding, I made 
 fome lighter, which, in a few Days, was fo recon- 
 cileable to his Stomach, that he took it in large 
 Quantities after, and is now perfectly recovered from 
 all his Symptoms, only a fmall Cough, which he is 
 fubject to, on taking Cold, or any Irregularity. 
 
 84. A Letter from Mr. William Peacocke, Merchant^ 
 /VzAbbey-ftreet, Dublin/ ^/^ Sept. 22, 1744. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 My Brother, Marmaduke Peacocke, Merchant in 
 Abbey-ftreet, was, forfeveral Months, very unwell, he 
 had a great Cough, little or no Appetite, and a great 
 Lownefs of Spirits; he cold not walk the Length 
 of a Street, without being in a violent Sweat, and 
 was very much emaciated ; he applied to fome Phy- 
 ficians here, and to no Purpofe. He, by Accident, 
 heard of the Virtues of Tar- water; he made fome, 
 drank of it Morning and Evening, and in lefs than 
 three Weeks, he was as heal as ever, in great Spirits, 
 and as well as he could wifh; this I aver for Truth. 
 
 85. Laft Spring I had a Fit of the Gout coming 
 on me ; the Reafon I fay fo, is, becaufe I was feized 
 with the Cramp in my Legs, moft violently, forfe- 
 veral Nights, I had a great Lofsof Appetite, and 
 my Stomach faint and weak, with great Tendernefs 
 in my Feec ; this is always a Forerunner of a Fit of 
 fhe Gout with me. I was prevailed upon, by my 
 
 Brother,
 
 TAR-WATER. 43 
 
 Brother, Marmaduke Peacocke, to drink Tar-water, 
 which I did Morning and Evening: The doing fo 
 occafioned great Perfpiration in my Feet, and in 
 three Nights after, I had no Cramps, no Tender- 
 nefs in my Feet, I had a good Appetite and Dige- 
 ftion, and was every other Way very well. I conti- 
 nued drinking this Water for two Months ; after- 
 wards I left it oft for a Week, and drank of it only 
 every Morning. I flill do the fame, and am now 
 (thank G o D) as well as any one. Given under my 
 Hand this 22d of September 1744. 
 
 William Peacocke. 
 
 Mr. Peacocke, who may be feen every Day at Lu- 
 cas's Coffee- houfe, informs me now in June 1745, 
 that he has all along, and now continues to drink 
 Tar-water every Day, and that with Pleafure -, that 
 he has by Means thereof a great Perfpiration in his 
 Feet, and Strength in his Limbs, and is free from 
 all Symptomsand Apprehenfions of the Gout, which 
 fo long troubled him. 
 
 86. A Letter from Stephen Bernard, Efq\ Member of 
 Parliament from Youghall, October 2, 1744. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 Asfoonas I could completely, and with certainty, 
 I was determined to communicate and acknowledge 
 the Services I had received from the Ufe of Tar- 
 water-, which I have taken for three Months, 
 Morning, Noon, and Night, half a Pint each time 
 warm ; and which I can now with certainty fay, has 
 relieved me frorrf a Sicknefs in my Stomach, that 
 ever attended me, but more fevere for fix Years lail 
 pad, and fo much more for the two laft, that it was 
 very rare to have a Day pafs without being troubled 
 with violent Heavings, at leaft twice, and a Loathing 
 of all Suftenance , which reduced me to fo low a 
 Condition, as utterly diiabled me from ufing any 
 Exercife. Jwasglfo fiibjefttca frequent Giddinefs, 
 
 which
 
 44 The Efetfs of 
 
 which remained, and was encreafing, notwithftand- 
 ing a longCourfe of Vomits ; in leis than a Week af- 
 ter I drank the Tar-water, I not only found my Sto- 
 mach relieved, but I had really an Appetite, which, 
 IthankGoD,ftilkontinues, and, 1 think, ftrengthens, 
 and the Giddinefs is almoft gone ; thefe are the Par- 
 ticulars I can with Truth and Certainty aver. As to 
 ray other Complaints which are a flatulent Colick, 
 a Numbnefs in my Hands, and Obftruclions, the 
 Relief not being very fenfible, I would not prefume 
 troubling you with an Account of it -, tho', with 
 GOD'S Permiffion, I have the utmoft Confidence, I 
 ihall be able to give you an Account of a complete 
 Cure ; and make all the Acknowledgments in my 
 Power for the Good received from the moft ingeni- 
 ous learned Labour of the excellent Author of Sins. 
 I am. Sir, your molt obedient humble Servant, 
 
 Ste. Barnard. 
 
 P. S. A Servant of mine, for Years was troubled 
 with a confumptive Cough, and is quite recovered 
 by Tar-water. 
 
 87. An Extraft of a Letter from Charles Coote, 
 Efq\ Member of Parliament for Cootehill, Oc- 
 tober 6, 1744. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 lam to inform you, that I drink Tar-water con<- 
 ftantly ; befides the Diforders, I have always been 
 fubjec\ to, which are called nervous, I have the 
 Gravel to a great Degree, but without Pain. J 
 difcharge great Quantities, by Urine, and my Sto- 
 mach, Digeftion, and whole Frame, ufed to ha 
 greatly dilbrdered, when I was loaded with it; the 
 Ufe of this Water, not only difcharges it, but I be- 
 lieve alters thatDiipofition in my Conflitution,and 
 I have always found myfelf better in Spirits, Digef- 
 , and the Enjoyment of myfelf fmce I drank it. 
 
 88. By
 
 , 45 
 
 88. By the Teftimonies of Samuel Moore, and 
 John Maxwell, Efqs; the Reverend Mr. Handcock, 
 Curate of Cavan, and many others of this County, 
 Mr. T)onatdfon of Cavan, late Sub-Sheriff of this 
 County, has been long afflicted with the Gout in an 
 extreme Degree ; he has drank the Tar-water, fome 
 Months, and from a clofe Confinement to his Bed 
 and Chair, to his great Lofs while he was Sub- 
 Sheriff, he is now walking about the Streets, and 
 does not remember when he was able to do ib for 
 many Years paft, and refers it wholly to that fin- 
 gle Medicine. 
 
 89. Mr. /i^raz, within two Miles of me, is A- 
 gent to Alderman Daivfon-, he was Aftmatic, and 
 leemed to be confumptive to the laft Degree. 1 have 
 not feen him lately, butMr.Ricbardfon, our Rector, 
 afiures me, that he is recovered of all his Com- 
 plaints to a wonderful Degree, folely by the Tar- 
 water, and that he confefles he never knew tolera- 
 ble Comfort, fmce his Illnefs, till he took it. 
 
 90. A poor Fellow, in fome Under- Office about 
 the Church of this Town, was alfo Aflhmatic, and 
 almoft incapable of any Action, and is now reftored 
 by it, as our Rector afiures me. lam, dearSir, 
 
 Your mod affectionate Servant, 
 
 Charles Coote. 
 
 91. P. S. My Brother-in-law, Mr. Prat, who 
 has been extremely ill, many Years, of fcorbutick 
 Diforders, and has, in vain drank all the Waters in 
 Europe, drank the Tar- water a good while, and I 
 believe continues to do fo; he is now active, in Spi- 
 rits, and able to do Bufmefs, and, indeed, appeared 
 to me, not long ago, to be quite recovered; he 
 made it but of half the Strength, the full Strength 
 difagreeing with him, and he declared, he thought 
 his Amendment was entirely owing to it. 
 
 92. A
 
 46 Vbe Effects of 
 
 92. A Letter from William Ryves, Efa\ from Caftel- 
 jane w^rTipperary, dated October n, 1744. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 I mall always takePleafure in any Thing for the 
 publick Good, therefore with Pleafure fit down to 
 anfwer your's, and to give you the Account you de- 
 fire, of the Benefit my Tenant, John Comtek, re- 
 ceived from the Ufe of Tar- water. 
 
 This Man has been, for many Years pad, a 
 Mower and a Plowman, in the Occupation of which, 
 by Heats and Colds, he acquired a Cough, which 
 continued on him for feveral Months, and which 
 fometimes, efpecially in the Spring, difabled him 
 from following the Plow j but about March lait, 
 he was obliged to keep his Bed, notwithftanding he 
 had the Advice and Directions of two Phyficians, 
 at different times , and being worn away to perfect 
 Skin and Bone, the Phyficians pronounced him ve- 
 ry near his End. About July laft, I got, and read 
 Sirisy and immediately directed this poor Fellow to 
 drink Tar-water, which he did conftantly, twice or 
 three times a Day : For the firft Week, or ten 
 Days, he coughed prodigioufly, and brought up 
 great Quantities of fetid Corruption ; every Day 
 after his Cough abated, and his Stomach increafed, 
 and at the End of three Weeks drinking, he was 
 able to walk half a Mile with Pleafure, which he 
 did, every Morning, between his firft Draught and 
 Breakfaft; and, in five Week's time, had gathered 
 a good deal of Strength , his Tar being then out, 
 and hs thinking himfelf pretty well, he omitted 
 drinking fincej but I have now ordered him a frefh 
 Parcel of Tar, and do not doubt but he will be as 
 well able to hold his Plow, next Spring, as ever, 
 and mow the following Summer: In mort, his 
 Cough is gone, and he rmds himfelf hearty j I this 
 Day examined him. 
 
 93, Edward
 
 -WATER. 47 
 
 93. Edward Moore> Efq; of Moore's Fort in the 
 County of Tipperary^ a Gentleman of Fortune, was 
 extremely out of Order, and, by all the Phyficians 
 that attended him, was judged to have an Ulcer in 
 his Bladder, and was preparing to go to fome Wa- 
 ters proper for him ; he had quite loft his Stomach 
 and Complexion, but by the Ufe of Tar- water, for 
 five or fix Weeks, is not only quite well of his Dif- 
 order, but has recovered his Stomach and Com- 
 plexion ; and, I do believe, ftill continues to drink 
 it. I can alfo allure you, my Wife has drank it, for 
 fome time, for a little barking Cough, which fne 
 has had thefe three Years paft, which afflicts her 
 moft, juft as me gets up in the Morning; and me 
 has found fuch an Abatement of it, that I do not 
 doubt, but, in a little time, fhe will be quite free 
 from it. If thefe Accounts be of any Ufe to the 
 Publick, and a fatisfactory Anfwer to your Letter, 
 it will fully anfwer the Defign of, Sir, 
 
 Your very humble Servant, 
 
 William Ryues, 
 
 94. A "Letter from William Connor, Efq\ from 
 Bandon in the County of Cork, dated October 23. 
 1744. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 I am favour'd with your's of the Sixth Inftanr, 
 and have fince communicated the fame to my Bro- 
 ther George Connor, who is the Perfon, you heard, 
 had been relieved, in a fcorbutick Diforder, by the 
 Ufe of Tar-water; for which he is full of Ac- 
 knowledgments to the Author of Siris\ and (had 
 not the Badnefs of the Weather, and fome other 
 Accidents in his Family, hitherto prevented) he de- 
 figned, e'er now, to have paid his Compliments per- 
 fonally to the Bifhop ftfCleytft, and have acquaint- 
 ed him with the whole Progrefs of his Diforder, 
 and almoft incredible Benefit he had received in 
 
 lefs 
 1
 
 48 The Effetfs of 
 
 lefs than a Month, by the Ufe of that moft fove-* 
 reign and univerfal Remedy ; for which Purpofe, 
 he defined me to let you know, that he intends 
 waiting on his Lordfhip as foon as he can conve- 
 niently leave Home ; there are feveral other In- 
 ilances in this Neighbourhood, of Perfons benefited 
 by the fame Means, but none more fo (that I have 
 heard of) than one of my Daughters, who had la- 
 boured under a kind of hyfterick and nervous Dif- 
 order for fome Months, which afflicted her with a 
 Palpitation and Difficulty of Breathing, infomuch, 
 that fhe frequently imagined me was expiring ; of 
 which Complaint, fhe is now(GoD be praifed) 
 quite free, and attributes her Cure folely to that 
 moft excellent Remedy, Tar- water, having received 
 little or no Benefit from any Thing elfej tho* fhe 
 had been under a Courfe of Medicines, for fome 
 Months, before me took to the drinking Tar- water, 
 for theDifcovery of which fhe is infinitely obliged 
 to the good Bifliop, and fo is, Sir, 
 
 Your moft obedient Servant, 
 
 William Connor. 
 
 95. Mr. George Connor, whofe Name is men- 
 tioned in the precedent Letter, having been pleafed 
 himfelf to communicate his own Cafe, and Relief, 
 in November, 1744, I fhall here infert the Particu- 
 lars thereof, which fliew the wonderful Powers of 
 Tar-water. 
 
 Mr. Connor had been feveral Years affli&ed with 
 a fcorbutick Diforder, and finding no Relief here, 
 from the Prefcriptions of Phyficians, he went to 
 England, where he made ufe of the Bath, and other 
 Waters, without receiving any Benefit; upon his 
 Return to Ireland, his Diftemper became fo violent, 
 and increafed to fuch a Degree, that his Phyficians, 
 not knowing what to do elfe, were for fending him 
 to Bath again, when, by Chance, he met with Sins, 
 
 which,
 
 <T A R-WA r E R. 49 
 
 which put him upon the making and drinking 
 Tar-water, which quite recovered him in a Month 
 or fix Weeks Time ; his Cafe was wonderful, his 
 Body was all over one continual Sore, he was ob- 
 liged to (hi ft himfelf four times a Day, and his 
 Shirts ftood on End, ftiffened by Corruption ; his 
 .Limbs and Body were wrapped up in Linen fpread 
 with Suet, to keep any Thing from' touching 
 him. 
 
 The (harp Humours ufed to run through his 
 Cloaths on the Ground. He could neither digeft, 
 deep, nor reft. The firft Effect, of the Tar-water 
 was, that an incredible Number of blind Boils ap- 
 peared in the Skin over his whole Body, and very 
 fore, by which the morbifick Humour was driven 
 to the outward Parts, and by conlhnt drinking 
 Tar-water, thefe Boils grew milder, and by De- 
 grees healed and dried away, fo that in lefs than fix 
 Weeks, he was quite eafy, and he attributes his 
 Cure folely to Tar-water. Upon firft taking the 
 Water, he was very coftive for feveral Days, which 
 frightened him, and made him take feme gentle 
 opening Purge. But this rather retarded his Cure, 
 for where the Tar-water throws out the Venom in- 
 to the Skin, it mould not be difturbed by the 
 Revulfion of a Purgative, howfoever fuch cafting 
 out may naturally produced a Coftivenefs. Such, 
 Coftivenefs is not to be reckoned a bad Effect, but 
 a good Symptom , it (hews that Nature is throw- 
 ing out the bad Humours through the Skin, and 
 not by Stool, and when it has fufficiently done that 
 Service, in which it ought not to be difturbed, the 
 Body will naturally return to its ufual Difcharges ; 
 as many have experienced. 
 
 96, 

 
 50 XbeEfeSls of 
 
 96. A Letter from* Cornell us Townfend of Betfbo- 
 rough near Mallow in the County of Cork, Effr 
 dated the 30/6 of October, 1 744. 
 
 S I R, 
 
 I received the Favour of yours, but a Hurry of 
 Bufinefs prevented my anfwering it fobner -, I allure 
 you, I never had it in my Inclination to conceal any 
 Thing that I thought maybe of general Ufe to Man- 
 kind. Before I enter on the Particulars of my com- 
 plicated Diforders, I muft beg leave to oblerve to 
 you, that I am thoroughly convinced, from my 
 own Experience, and my Obfervations on others, 
 that nothing yet difcovered (lands fairer for being 
 confidered as an univerfal Medicine for all Difor- 
 ders, than Tar-water, taken as lately directed by 
 that great good Man, the Bifhop of Cloyne, in his 
 Treatife on the Virtues thereof. As to my own Ex- 
 perience, about fifteen Years ago, and about the 
 32d of my Age, after a moft remarkable good 
 Stock of Health from my Infancy, I was firfl feized 
 with a violent Heart burn, and foon after had flight 
 Fits of the Rheumatifm, which in a few Years be- 
 came very violent, and then getting the better of 
 my often envied good Conftitution, a moft invete- 
 rate Scurvy appeared, particularly on my Temples, 
 and Forehead ; my Fits of the Rheumatifm were in 
 the Beginning irregular, and did not hold above a 
 Month or fix Weeks at a Time j but about eight 
 Years ago, they became regular, and ufed to con- 
 fine me to my Bed during the whole Winter and 
 Spring, and always began with a light Fever and 
 terrible Head-ach, which generally held for the firft 
 nine or ten Days. I have been likewife fubject to a 
 Scurvy in my Gums, and in fpight ot all my 
 Care, apt to get old, which frequently afflicted my 
 Lungs and Glands, and occafioned a Deafnefs ; till 
 about three Years ago by the Advice of theprefent 
 Bifhop of Killaloe, I began the Ufe of Tar- water, 
 
 which
 
 TAR-WATER. 51 
 
 which within a Month carryed off the Heart burn -, 
 and foon after the Scurvy in my Gums, Temples, 
 6fr. began to leffen, and about that time twelve 
 Month, was quite gone ; it has alib carryed off the 
 Inflammation of my Glands, and I am not fo apt to 
 get cold, or be very deaf as formerly ; and when* 
 through Carelefnefs of myfelf, it happens I get 
 either, I am under no Apprehenfion about any ill 
 Confequences, finding that honeft Tar-water does 
 the Bufmefs. My Fits of the Rheumatifm, fincethe 
 Ufe of Tar-water, have indeed been as tedious, with 
 as great a Weaknefsin my Kneesand Ancles as ever, 
 fo that I am not able toftand, but not near fo pain- 
 ful, and almoft free from the Fever and Head-ach 
 I have mentioned. I am now under a Courfe of 
 bathing my Legs in warm Tar-water, by Direction 
 of the Bilhop of Cloyne, and hope in fome Time to 
 be able to give you an Account of its Succefs. I 
 fear I have tired your Patience, but as you defired 
 I mould be particular in the Account of my Ail- 
 ments, I muft farther let y*ju know, that from the 
 Beginning of my Diforders, I have had fuch a coftive 
 Conftitution, that I feldom had the Benefit of Na- 
 ture, without the Help of Electuaries, or fome other 
 Openers ; my Fundament was fo inflamed with 
 Piles, that I was very apprehenfive of a Fiftula, my 
 Flefh was bloated and very tender every where ; I 
 was fubjecl: to a Palpitation of the Heart, Cramps, 
 Meagrims, &c. from all which (I thank God) I 
 am quite free by the conftant Ufe of Tar-water 
 only. 
 
 The famous Doctor Barry feveral Years ago, put 
 me under a Courfe of Rhubarb and Sulphur, to 
 which I regulary ftuck for upwards of two Years \ 
 and other Phyficians fmce pun me under 'different 
 Courfes of Phyfick for my Rheumatick and other 
 Diforders, but all to no manner of Purpofe. 
 
 E 2 97. As
 
 5 2 fhe Efetfs of 
 
 97. As to my Obfervations on others, a Gentle- 
 woman in my Family, who had a. paralytick Dif- 
 order, and the Scurvy to a great Degree, with 
 many Diforders in her Stomach, for which {he (luck 
 to the Mallow Waters for feveral Seafons, and was 
 only lor the Prefent relieved thereby, and my Wife, 
 who has been tormented with the Scurvy, Hi- 
 llericks, 6?f. are both recovered, and very well by 
 the Ufe of Tar- water. 
 
 98. One Mrs. Bujlid, who lives near Killmallock, 
 having had a Heart-burn for fome Years to fuch a 
 Degree, that in her Strainings, fhe would frequent- 
 ly difcharge Blood out of her Stomach , fhe was fub- 
 jecl to a racking Pain in her Bowels, had a Ganger 
 in her Mouth, and her Teeth were all loofe; (he 
 was given over by all the fkilful Perfons in her 
 Neighbourhood; but, hearing of the great Benefits 
 I received by the Ufe of Tar- water, began to drink 
 it, and foon found herfelf much better. Of which 
 an Apothecary in Killmalkck having had an Account, 
 fenther word, that fhe'xvas ill advifed to take it that 
 way, and ordered her by all Means to mix her Tar 
 with hot Water, and then drink if, which fhe ac- 
 cordingly did ; but it operated fo violently by purg- 
 ing up and down, that fhe was at Death's Door; 
 however, flie afterwards found, that taking it even 
 that way, did her vafl Service; (he is now perfectly 
 recovered, and firmly refolved never to take the 
 Advice of an Apothecary again. I could mention 
 feveral more, who, by my Advice, in various Dif- 
 orders, received very great Benefit, or were per- 
 fectly cured by drinking Tar- water; in fhort, I 
 make it my Bufinefs to recommend it to all my Ac- 
 quaintance, and whatever your Diforders are, you 
 may fafely take it ; if you do, I don't at all doubt 
 but you will foon join in thePraife of Tar-water, 
 with, Sir, 
 
 Your moft obedient humble Servant, 
 
 Corn. Townfend*
 
 TAR-WATER. 53 
 
 99. An Extra ft of a Letter from a Phyfician, wbofe 
 Name I am not at Liberty to mention ; communi- 
 cated to me in November, 1 744. 
 
 " A Man of about thirty-five Years ofAgecon- 
 fulted me, who] from a pleuritic Diforder imper- 
 fectly cured, fell into an hectic Fever, attended 
 with a defperate Cough, with this dreadful Symp- 
 tom, an Ulcer in the left Lobe of his Lungs ; which 
 plainly appeared, firft from his being at firft at- 
 tacked by the Pleurify in the left Side. Secondly, 
 from almoft an impoffibility of lying on the right 
 Side. Thirdly, from a vaft rjeavinefs and fufFocat- 
 ingBurthen he complained of in the left Part of his 
 Thorax; till relieved ijx Tome Meafure by throwing 
 up a vafl Quantity o/ fetid purulent Matter, inter- 
 mixed with pure Blood, and (I may fay) fatiguing 
 fpumofo^ fo juftly called by the great Hippocrates ; 
 which Excretion generally happened to him once a 
 Month or thereabouts, and which, as he informed 
 me, had always like to have fufFocated him. This 
 evacuated Pus muft have been gathered in its pro- 
 per Veficula, which being external in the Lobe was 
 ufually broke by a ftrong Fit of Coughing, or fome 
 other violent Shock of Nature. [Upon further Exa- 
 mination, I found he had cold nocturnal Sweats, 
 and almoft all the Signs of the Fades Hipppcratica. 
 You may eafily judge, that the Prognoftic I form- 
 ed, was very doubtful, as his Cafe was both danger- 
 ous and difficult. However, I ordered him imme- 
 diately to drink Tar-water, and, as the Indication 
 required, I prefcribed fome balfamic and detergent 
 Pills, befides fome Stomachic Medicines, as he al- 
 moft entirely loft his Appetite , I have alfo ordered 
 him to take a Ride, Morning and Evening conft.mt- 
 ly. I can now with great Truth and Pleafure aflure 
 you, that he is quite recovered; which I muft in 
 Juftice attribute to the Tar-water, as the laftMeni- 
 
 E 3 cines,
 
 54 The Efetfs of 
 
 cines, though prefcribed before Tar-water, had little 
 or no Effect. I have tried this Medicine of Tar- 
 water in two Ciifes of the afthmatic Kind, and in 
 three acute ones, in all which it has had wonderful 
 Succcfs." 
 
 joo. An Extraft of a Letter from Henry Edg- 
 worth o/ Lizard in the County of Longford, Efq; 
 Member of Parliament t dated the loth 0/" Novem- 
 ber, 1744. 
 
 " I fhall foon be able to fend you fome very 
 remarkable good Effects of Tar-water, which has 
 been taken both by myfclf and two others of my 
 particular Friends, andthofeof Judgment and good 
 Senfe, who have given this innocent, ufeful, and 
 cheap Medicine, fair Play. I can*t have their Leave 
 to mention their Names; but as to myfclf, I muft 
 do it the J uft ice as to fay, that few Men of my Age 
 r.nd temperate Way of Life, I believe, have been 
 more afflicted with theRheumatifm ; more efpecial- 
 jyin the Winter Seafon, and in changeable Weather; 
 and after the Violence of the Firs abated, it fre- 
 quently and alrnoftthefe fourteen Years pa ft, (about 
 which Period of Time I was firft attacked by that 
 inveterate Enemy) left me in a worfe Condition, 
 etren Pain cannot in my Apprehenfions in any Sort 
 be compared to the exceffive Lownefs and Dejection 
 of Spirits, I laboured under for certain Times, more 
 or lefs, till I took Tar-water ; and though my Af- 
 fairs would not perrr'.'t me to have Recourfe to it as 
 regularly ns I cugU, yet yen as I took it, it has 
 plcafed God, not only in a great Meafure to miti- 
 gate the Violence of the Firs of the Rheumatifm, 
 bir 1 have in no Sort had the lead Return of any 
 D i ction of Spirits this whole- Winter. I am no 
 B'g->i of ny S... 1 1, I afTlif. you , but I am fully per- 
 f/ult-cl ihis -noft excellent Remedy, if properly pre-' 
 pared and taken, wculd work more miraculous Cures, 
 ' than
 
 TAR-WAfER. SB 
 
 than ever were pretended to have been wrought ac 
 the Tomb of 'Thomas a Becket ; and has more real 
 Virtue in it, than the Touch or Blood of any of the 
 Line of the Stuarts whatever ; and this Account you 
 may publifh whenever you think fit, as Truth and 
 Matter of FacTr." 
 
 101. A Letter from Charles Tottenham ^/Totten- 
 ham- Green in the County of Wexford, Efq\ Mem- 
 ber of Parliament , November 18, 1744. 
 " For the good of the Publick, and in Honour 
 of the Bifhop ofCloyne, I inform you, that&tjliqm 
 Cooper ', my Servant, on Tuefday the 9th of laft 
 October , fell ill of a violent Fever, Stitch and Pleu- 
 rify ; on Wednefday and wurfday was bled, his 
 Blood very bad each Time, on Wednesday Evening 
 he began to drink warm Tar- water, and by yourjjay 
 at Noon, had drank above two Quarts ; at which 
 Time his Stitch and Fever left him ; he fweated 
 greatly ; a bliftering Plaifter was fent for on Tburf- 
 day Morning, which was brought to the Patient 
 that Evening, but finding himfelf eafy would not 
 fuffer it to be applyed , he continued free from 
 Pain till Saturday Morning, at which Time his 
 Stitch returned, his Lungs fo greatly opprefled, that 
 he could fcarce breath, his Infide very fore, and his 
 Head very painful. On Saturday Evening a blifler- 
 ing Plailler was put on between his Shoulders ; he 
 continued very ill till Sunday Evening, at which 
 Time his Blifter began to run, on which he had 
 immediateEafe, and continuing to drink Tar- water, 
 by Eleven o'Clock that Night his Head was free 
 from Pain, his Stitch and Cough gone, flept well 
 that Night, and on the 2oth of the fame Month, 
 was as hearty and as heal as ever. Said William 
 Cooper is between fifty and fixty Years old, has had 
 a violent Cough and bad Lungs thefe thirty Years 
 paft, until now, not having any Cough, Pain within- 
 
 E 4 fide>
 
 56 "The Effetfs of 
 
 iide, or Opprefiion on his Lungs : This fliould 
 have been fooner fent, but that I thought it pro- 
 per to wait, and know whether any of his old Dif- 
 crders returned ; they did not, he never was better 
 nor fo full of Spirits. 
 
 P. S. It is to be obferved that the Patient drank 
 Tar- water the whole Time.*' 
 
 102. A Letter from Mr. George Johnfon, a young 
 Ojficer in the Army, to Thomas Prior, Efq; dated 
 the 2$tb of November, 1744. 
 
 *' I was great afflicted with the Bloody-flux 
 from February 1742-3, to the Beginning of May 
 1744, the greateft Part of which Time, I was fo 
 ill, that I was not expected to live, nor could I eat 
 or drink any Thing that would ftay upon my Sto- 
 mach ; nor had I any Eafe during the whole 
 Time, but when I ufed to ride, which I did 
 three or four Weeks fucceffively, three or four 
 Times djring my Illnefs, on Bufinefs; a Week or 
 fix Days after which, I was tolerably eafy, and 
 could eat pretty hearty, after which, tho* J took 
 feveral Things, and by the bed Advice, I ftill 
 grew worfe. I was ad-vifed to take Tar-water, 
 which I did once a Day for near a Week in the 
 Beginning of April, 1/44, but it would not ftay on 
 my Stomach,- and made me fick, fo I left it off 
 for about three Weeks , but continuing to grow 
 \vorfe, I was advifed to take it May following, which 
 I did (I thank GOD) with Succefs, for by taking re- 
 gularly twice a Diy, with a Dofe or two of Rhubarb 
 during the Time, which was about three Weeks, (I 
 thank GOD) I was perfectly well. 
 
 A T . B. I feveral Times before took Rhubarb 
 durjng my Illnefs in all Shapes, without any Be- 
 nefit." 
 
 103.
 
 VAR-WAfER. 57 
 
 103. An Extraft of a Letter from the Reverend Mr. 
 
 Thomas Collier of Aunfield near Rofs in the 
 
 County of Wexford, to Thomas Prior, Efa\ dated 
 
 January 24, 1744. 
 S I R, 
 
 I have had it often in my Thoughts to commu- 
 nicate to you a particular Account of the Cafe of 
 he Woman mentioned in your Letter, and of fomc 
 others, in regard to the Effects of Tar-water. The 
 poor Woman had for three Years before (he drank the 
 Tar-water, been troubled every Summer with very 
 ugly Blotches and Ulcers, efpecialJy on her Face ; 
 and as the poor People about me generally apply 
 for fome Cure or other for their Diforders, I advifed 
 her to a Courfe of Marfh, or wild Celery-Tea. 
 This gave fome Relief for the Prefent, but fhe 
 grewworfe in the main, that is, every Summer the 
 Ulcers increafed in Number and Size, fo that I ad- 
 vifed her to the Hofpital in J-Vaterford. Juft as I had 
 read Siris, fhe came to my Door, her Face f welled 
 to a monflrous Size, hardly any Eyes to be feen, 
 and in as loathfome a Way as ever I faw one in 
 the worft and moft difmal Stage of the Small-pox. 
 She told me fhe was dying, and begged a little 
 Charity from me: I had fome Tar-water juft made 
 for myfelf, and I made her take along with her 
 two Quarts, and defired her to drink them off, and 
 come to me again ; I did not fee her for a Week, 
 and then fhe told me, fhe had tried to take the 
 Water, and it was fo cold on her Stomach, that 
 it almoft killed her ; that inftead of comforting her, 
 it threw her into a cold Sweat, all mortal Symptoms. 
 I then advifed her to go home and take it as warm 
 as fhe could poffibly bear it ; fhe did fo, and in a 
 Week came to me for more Water. By that Time, 
 the Swelling had much fubfided, and fhe could fct- 
 with both her Eyes. I then gave her a Gallon of Wa- 
 ter
 
 5 8 tte E/etfs of 
 
 ter more, and in about a Month after flie came to me 
 quite well, no Swelling in any Part of her Body, 
 and only a Rednefs in her Face juft as after the 
 Small-pox. I forgot to mention, that, when fhe 
 firft came to me, her whole Body was greatly fwel- 
 led ; fhe continued well till laft Summer, when fhe 
 had a fmall Return of theDiforder, which was cured 
 the fame Way, and is at this Time feemingly well. 
 In this Cafe the Cure was prodigious, and what I 
 efteemed almoft miraculous, becaufe I had known 
 the Woman's Ailment a long Time before fhe took 
 the Tar-water, and as it was inveterate and of a 
 long (landing, I thought it would take up a good 
 deal of Time and Water, if fhe could be cured at 
 all. As far as I am able to judge, her Diforder was 
 a Scurvy occafioned by poor Living in every Senfe, 
 and this in its lafl Stage attended by a Dropfy. Her 
 Name is Catherine Dobbin. 
 
 104. The next Cafe I tried was for a violent Pain 
 in the Stomach, which had greatly troubled a young 
 Gentlewoman of my Acquaintance for about a 
 Twelve-month, and for removing which, fhe had 
 taken feveral Things, but to no Purpofe ; one Gal- 
 lon of Water cured her, and fhe has had no Com- 
 plaint of the Kind thefe fourteen Months paft. 
 
 105. A third Patient who received Benefit by 
 drinking Tar- water, was an old labouring Man, 
 who was fo weakened by a long dry Cough, that 
 when I faw him I took him to be on the extreme 
 Verge of Life. He was fo weak, that he was aflifted 
 in coming a Quarter of a Mile to my Houfe, and 
 was obliged to flop at every third or fourth Step : 
 I gave this Man a Pitcher of Tar-water, and in 
 about a Month he came to me to know if I had any 
 Work for him, his Cough quite removed, and with 
 a ruddy healthy Countenance; he has been fince 
 labouring conftantly, and is in a better State of 
 Health this Moment, than he was for any time 
 
 i during
 
 TAR-WATER. 59 
 
 during three Years before he took the Water. His 
 Name is Edmund Dunfy. 
 
 106. Within this Month paft a very extraordina- 
 ry Cure has been owing to Tar-water : A Servant- 
 Maid in this Pariflh, was feized about a Month paft 
 with a violent Itching all over her Body, which in 
 three or four Days broke out all over tar in wa- 
 tery Puftules, which as they broke, threw out a 
 fcalding fharp corroding Liquor, which burnt the 
 Skin wherever it touched it ; fo that the poor Crea- 
 ture was almoft diftradled : But prepoffefled violent- 
 ly againft Tar- water. At laft, with great Perfuafion, 
 ihe was prevailed on to take it, and by the time fhe 
 had finiflied two Bottles the Puftules difappeared, 
 and fhe is now free from all the Symptoms, and in 
 very good Health : The common People called it 
 the St. Anthony's Fire, but I can't pretend to fay 
 what the true Name of the Diforder was. If any 
 thing elfe remarkable fhould occur, I fhall make 
 bold to let you know it, and am, 
 ' Sir, Your moft obedient humble Servant, 
 
 Tbo. Collier t 
 
 107. A Letter from Col. Nicholas Lofrus, of Lof- 
 tus-hall in the County of Wexford, Efq\ Member 
 of Parliament, to Thomas Prior, Efq\ dated Feb. 
 the i/?, 1744. 
 
 I have your Favour of the 2pth of lafl Month: 
 I have drank Tar-water thefe three Months paft, 
 half a Pint Morning and Evening, with great Suc- 
 cefs : My Diforder was fevere Pains in all my Bones, 
 and particularly in my Joints, which I believe were 
 Rheumatick, and was very apprehenfive of a Re- 
 turn of the 'Sciatica, having had a fevere Fit of it 
 laft Spring. I had a StifFnefs in my Limbs, which 
 mad? wafking very uneafy to me : Which Exercife 
 1 ufed a great deal of before. My Pains are now 
 
 all
 
 60 tte Effetfs of 
 
 all vanifhed, and I can walkfome Miles in a Morn* 
 ing as well as I ever did. Some in my Neighbour- 
 hood have taken it, for a Year paft, in the Gout, 
 and the Fits of it have been much lighter than they 
 had been many Years before. 
 
 1 08. I have a Servant who had a very violent 
 Afthma, who I made drink it, and he hath been 
 fince furprizingly relieved : I am convinced that it is 
 very good for many Diforders , I have found it very 
 diuretick. I am told, that you are about publifhing 
 fomething about it, for the Good of the Publick : 
 As you deferve their Thanks in many Inftances, pray 
 accept of thefe, particularly from, Dear Sir, 
 
 Your moft obedient humble Servant, 
 
 Nicholas Loftus. 
 
 109. A Letter from Peyton Fox, Efq-, of Weftmeath, 
 to Thomas Prior, Efq\ dated Feb. the i5th,i 744. 
 
 Dear S I R, 
 
 I had Yefterday the Favour of your's of the 2pth 
 of laft Month ; and according to your Defire ac- 
 quaint you, that for thefe feveral Years paft, I have 
 been fubjecT: to great Colds; but laft Winter I had 
 fucha violent Cold and Cough, as confined me with- 
 in Doors for five Months, and found not the leaft 
 Benefit from Remedies, of which I took a vaft Quan- 
 tity: But when I got the good Bifhop's Siris, I 
 took the Tar- water, which perfectly recovered\me, 
 and do not find I am fo apt to get cold as I was. 
 My Stomach is not extraordinary good, but much 
 better than it was. Within thefe three Months I 
 got, by venturing too much in my Garden in cold 
 Weather, two Colds; but the Tar- water, in a few- 
 Days, carried them off without fevere coughing. 
 Since I firft took the Tar- water, I have not had the 
 lea ft Touch of the Gout, and my Spirits are more 
 lively : I look on my Cure to be the more extraordi- 
 nary, confidcring my great Age, being feventy-four. 
 
 I hear
 
 R-W A T E R. 61 
 
 I hear of many who have received Benefit by the 
 Tar- water, bu can*t be particular: If I hear of any 
 worth acquainting you with, I will ; and allure your- 
 ielf, I am, 
 
 Dear Sir, Your molt humble Servant, 
 
 Pey. Fox. 
 
 no. A Letter from tbe Rev. Mr. Roger Lyndon, of 
 BallyfaxzV/ /<?C0#()>0/Kildare, March 26, 1 744. 
 
 Dear S I R, 
 
 I had the Favour of your Letter by laft Poft, de- 
 firing I would inform you concerning my drinking 
 Tar-water, and the good EfiecT: it hath had on me. 
 
 Laft Summer, and fometimes before, I found my- 
 felf under feveral Diforders, a Gravel, Pains in my 
 B.ick, confining me fome fhort Times to my Bed -, 
 great want of Appetite, frequent Dizzinefs in my 
 Head,unfeafonable Sleepinefs, Sorenefs in my Gums, 
 and the loofening and falling of fome of my Teeth, 
 infomuch that I could fcarcely chew my Meat ; and 
 by fuch great Uneafmefs in my Mouth, I was often 
 reduced to Broths, and other foft Aliments. All 
 thefe Diforders, I was informed, proceeded from the 
 Scurvy -, and therefore I was relolved to try the Be- 
 nefit of the fo much talk'd of Tar^ water. I began 
 to drink it, purfuant to all the Rules, laft Michael- 
 mas ; and have continued it to the middle of this 
 Month, without Intermiffion : I was from the be- 
 ginning very exact in keeping up to Difcipline, and 
 therefore foon found the Benefit ; and, I blefs God, 
 have not, in the lead Degree, felt any of the Difor- 
 ders before- mention : I can walk great lengths ; 
 have a conftant and good Appetite , can eat my 
 Meat, with Teeth as well-faftened and eafy in my 
 Mouth, as I could for fome Years paft. Tins, Sir, 
 is in Fact all I have to acquaint you with, the Argu- 
 ings I leave to better Judgments; and if you think 
 this Account may be of any Service to others, you 
 
 may
 
 62 the Effects of 
 
 may (as you have defired) communicate it, in what 
 manner you pleufe, to fo good an End. I am, Sir, 
 Your affectionate humble Servant, 
 
 Roger Lyndon. 
 
 m. A Letter from John Ufher, of Lifmore in the 
 County of Wacerford, Efq; dated from Lifmore, 
 Feb. the 4/, 1 744, to Thomas Prior, Efq\ 
 In Performance of my Promife, I fend you the 
 two following Cafes, which happened lately, and 
 may be relied upon. A Soldier in Capt. Burfton's 
 Company, in General Frampion's Regiment, whofe 
 Name I cannot learn, tho' he was fome time in this 
 Town, being afflicted with a fpitting ofBlood and 
 purulent Matter, for a confiderable Time (which 
 Diforder was occafioned by a Peripneumony orPlcu- 
 rify, tho' he could not tell which, having had it be- 
 fore he came to Quarters to Diwgaruan, about two 
 Years ago) and having alfo a violent Cough and 
 ftrong Night- fweats, Symptoms of a deep Decay, 
 which quite emaciated him, Mr. Charles Smith, 
 Apothecary in that Town, ordered him to drink 
 Tar-water, which was made with Lime-water, in- 
 ftead of common Water, knowing Lime-water to 
 be a great Dryer of Ulcers: He had not ufed it 
 long, when he found his Cough and other Symp- 
 toms left him entirely, and in a fhort time he grew 
 furprizing fat and healthy. 
 
 112. Richard Kearney , Servant to Mr. Thomas 
 Barbon in Dungarvan, was for many Years afflicted 
 with a Cough and Difficulty of Breathing, which 
 arrived at length to a confirmed and violent Afthma, 
 fo that upon the lead PrefTure of the Atmofphere 
 he was conftantly vifited with his Diforder, anddif- 
 abled from rendering his Matter any Service : About 
 four Months fince, by the Perfuafion of his Mailer, 
 he began to drink Tar- water ; and had not ufed it 
 above a Fortnight, when, to his Surprize, he found 
 
 a great
 
 TAR-WATER. 63 
 
 a great Heat and Scalding in his Urine, and a Go- 
 norrhea of a mod virulent Colour enfued, which fo 
 frighted him, that he left off drinking the Tar- water, 
 attributing thefe Symptoms to the Ufe of it ; but 
 upon his Mailer's urging him to it, he again took 
 to the Ufe of it, when, in about a Month, not only 
 thefe Symptoms left him entirely, but in a great 
 meafure, his Cough and Afthma. He (till ufes the 
 Tar- water, and is much recruited in both his 
 Strength and Flefh, infomuch that laft Week he 
 walked up a fteep Hill at the Back of the Caftle 
 here, nimbly and in a few Minutes, which, he af- 
 fured me, before he took the Tar- water, he could 
 not crawl up in an Hour. The above Charles Smith 
 enquired of him, whether formerly he had not fomc 
 venereal Taint, which he did not deny, and he at- 
 tributes the above Symptoms to fome Remains of 
 that Diftemper, which the Tar- water carried off; it 
 wrought him and ftill doth much by Urine. Thefe 
 two fhall fuffice for this time ; in my next you fliall 
 have more on the fame Subject, from 
 Your mod humble Servant, 
 
 John UJher. 
 
 113. The faid Mr. Ufaer having alfo communi- 
 cated the Effects and Virtues of Spruce- beer, which 
 hejuftly reckons to be a Kind of Tar-water, both 
 proceeding from the Juices of the Fir Kind : I Ihall 
 beg Leave to infert in this Place, the Particulars 
 thereof: He writes " That having an Eftate on the 
 Coall in the County of Waterford^ from whence ma- 
 ny of his Tenants go yearly to the Fifhery ^New- 
 foundland^ he frequently obferved, that fuch of them 
 as went out meagre and pale, like Skeletons, and 
 troubled with Itch and Scurvy, always returned fat, 
 with ruddy Complexions and great Health, not- 
 withftanding their great Fatigues there; and on 
 Enquiry into the Caufe thereof, he found that they 
 all attributed their Recovery to their conftantly drink- 
 ing
 
 64 The Effetts of 
 
 ing of Spruce-beer while they are there ; that a$ 
 foon as they arrive there, they cut the Branches of 
 the black Spruce Fir, which is the only Fir made ufc 
 of there for Spruce-beer, and therewith make their 
 Beer in the manner mentioned hereafter ; and this 
 Practice of making and drinking Spruce-beer, they 
 continue during the Time they ftay there, and in: 
 their Return, and bring great Quantities of the 
 Branches with them to make Spruce-beer, after their 
 Arrival, which they are very fond ofj andnotwith- 
 (landing they live on fait Provifions many Months, 
 and have frequently thick Fogs on the Banks, yet 
 they are no way troubled with Scurvy, Itch, or any 
 Eruptions whatfoever, owing, as they fay, to the 
 conftant drinking Spruce-beer. They fay farther,that 
 the People are very prolific, and that no Part of the 
 World has fo many Children as St. John's in New* 
 foundland, confidering the Number of the Inhabi- 
 tants} probably this may be owing to the conftant 
 Ufe of Spruce-bser, or their living fo much on Filh $ 
 or both." 
 
 114.. The Way of making Spruce -leer m Newfound- 
 land, as communicated from the Fijhermcn to Mr. 
 Ufher. 
 
 Let fixteen Gallons of Water be well boiled in a 
 Pot, along with a good Quantity of the Branches of 
 the Black Spruce Fir cut into fhort Pieces, as much 
 as will fill the Pof, it will take three or four Hours 
 boiling, and the Method to know when it is boiled 
 enough, is when the Bark of the Spruce flips readily 
 orTthe Sticks between your Fingers. The Spruce is 
 then taken out, and a Gallon of Molafies put to the 
 Water, which is fufficient to make a fixty Gallon 
 Cafk, and proportionably a greater Quantity of Mo- 
 laffes for a larger Cafk. The Water is then to be 
 well ftirred and well boiled once after the Molafles 
 is put to it 5 it muft then be put into a Calk, which 
 
 is
 
 TAR-WARIER. 65 
 
 is to be filled up with cold Water, and to be very 
 well ftirred with a Stick at the Bung, and, by the 
 Help of the Grounds remaining in the Calk from a 
 former Brewing, will immediately ferment, and the 
 next Day the Bung is to be clofed up, and the Day 
 following it will be fit for Ufe. But if you have no 
 Grounds of a former Brewing, then put a foiall 
 Quantity, of Barm to it, which will in one Night's 
 Time fufficiently ferment it; next Morning clofe it 
 up, and it will be fit for Ufe the Day following, and 
 will hold good a Fortnight. But if you would make 
 Spruce-beer to laft feveral Months, then you muft 
 add a greater Quantity of Molafles two or three, 
 or more Gallons, and more Spruce tc give it a 
 ftronger Body. 
 
 115. A Letter from John Umerc/" Lifmore, in the 
 County of Waterford, Efq\ dated April the 6tb 
 1745, to Thomas Prior, Efq-, 
 
 The conftant Employment, I have here, has 
 hindred me from collecting Cafes relating to Tar- 
 water ; however, you mall have fome in a Foil or 
 two: My own is worth taking Notice of, and is as 
 follows. I have been, for twelve or fourteen Years, 
 troubled with a Diforder in my Nerves ; it came on 
 gradually, but at laft to fuch a Pitch, that there was 
 feldom a Night that I have not been obliged to get 
 out of my Bed, and walk about the Room for fome 
 Minutes, before I could compofe myfelf to Reft ; 
 efpecially on the leaft Excefs in Drinking, or the 
 leaft Cold. As I was ready to drop aflrep, my Mind. 
 ufed to be extremely agitated, in a manner not to 
 be defcribed : I ufed to feel at the fame time a 
 Thrilling down my Thighs, and a Defire tofcretch* 
 as in an Ague-fit, which relieved me for that Mo- 
 ment : The Bed was then intolerable to me, nor could 
 I find any Relief but by getting up and walking 
 about tho* I have bore it with the utmoft Pain for 
 F above
 
 66 <T/jeEfetfs of 
 
 above an hour. I was at Spa, and took all the 
 nervous medicines from divers Phyficians to no Pur- 
 pofe. Doctor Lacky's Advice concurred with my 
 own Inclinations, to induce me to drink Tar- water ; 
 and Ifolemnly affirm, that in a Fortnight's drink- 
 ing it, I never hud a fingle return of it from that 
 Day to this, which has made my Life comfortable, 
 us I ufed before to dread the Approach of Night. 
 This I the rather infift on, as I am very furc I never 
 drank a drop of good Tar-water : For a Cafk of Tar 
 I had from Cork, I am now confident, had been all 
 ufed before ; and I am now, to my great Concern 
 obliged to difcontinue it for want of good Tar; for 
 there is not a drop to be had in Cork that is good ; 
 and I have had Complaints from the good Bifhop 
 on that Head : However I have had no Return of 
 my Diforder. 
 
 1 1 6. P. S. I am not at Liberty to mention the 
 Names to you of two Women that have been cured 
 of an inveterate Fluor albus, even by bad Tar- water, 
 and in a fliort Time; in fuch Disorder's Names are 
 not to be mentioned, but I am thoroughly convinced 
 of the facts, and have as much Evidence as the Na- 
 ture of them will admit. I lhall for the prelent 
 conclude this long Letter with afiuring you, that I 
 am yours, &c. 
 
 117. A Letter from Mr. Lewis Lloyd of Kinfale, 
 dated March the Stb 9 1 744. 
 
 A poor Labourer of this Town, rendered incapable 
 to get his Bread, by a moft violent Itch that fiezed 
 both Legs , after the Advice of Doctors, Surgeons 
 and Apothecaries, and the laft Expedient, Saliva- 
 tion, proved ineffectual, being advifed to rub the 
 Sores with Tar- water, was in three or four Days 
 perfectly cured, to the great Surprize of thofe who 
 had before adminiftred to him, 
 
 118.
 
 TAR-WATER. 67 
 
 118. A Letter from the Revered Deanlhac Gervais 
 
 of Lifmore in the County of Waterford, dated 
 , May the Stb, 1 745. 
 
 I have, for a considerable Time, been prevented 
 by many incidental Avocations, from communicat- 
 ing a Cafe, as much to the Honour of Tar- water, as 
 perhaps any yet publickly known, and the more fo, 
 in that it is the only Inftance of that Nature I have 
 heard of. 
 
 Being in Waterford^ fome time in July laft, I ad- 
 vifed a Sifter of mine, now in Years, who had been 
 long afflicted with an inveterate Rheumatilm, to the 
 Ufe of Tar- water, which me readily complied with ; 
 fo that, having a Call there about feven Weeks fince, 
 I had the Pleafure of feeing her flrong enough to 
 meet me on the Stairs without Stick, without which, 
 for a long time, fhe was not able to wafk acrofs her 
 Room. 
 
 119. That is not all, but an ufual Effect of it 5 for 
 befides, fhe had, for near two Years before, been 
 grievoufly tormented with a cruel and unquenchable 
 Thirft, to which the other Diforder was nothing, in 
 Comparifon. It was become the Plague of her 
 Lifv-. She had by fcrupulous Care, and Choice of 
 Diet, the Advice of Neighbours and Acquaintance, 
 and others, pretending to more Skill, done all that 
 could poffibly be deviled to get the better of it ; but 
 all in vain, till, by the Bit fling of GOD on the Ufe 
 of Tar-water, her Thirft gradually Icflened , fo that 
 at prefent, (lie is perfectly eafy, and fo effectually 
 cured, as fhe feems almoft to have loft her Appe- 
 tite to Drink itfelf j though not yet quite relieved 
 from the other Diforder, yet fhe bears it patiently, 
 it being eafy in Comparifon of the Torment fhe has 
 got rid of. I am yours, 
 
 //' Gervais. 
 
 ' 
 
 F 2 SIR,
 
 68 fbeEffeStsof 
 
 JuneiKy 1745- 
 S I R, 
 
 In Compliance with your Requeft, I fend you 
 the following Account of certain Perfons in my 
 Neighbourhood, who have received Benefit by drink- 
 ing Tar-water. Many others, about me, have 
 taken it to good Effect ; but I mention none but: 
 fuch whofe Maladies and Cures fell within my own 
 Knowledge. I am, 
 
 Sir, your very affectionate humble Servant., 
 
 Benj. Everard. 
 
 An Account cf certain Perfons, near Bleflington in 
 the County of Wicklow, who have recei^td Benefit 
 by drinking Tar-water, to wit : 
 
 120. Catherine Cardy,' forty-one Years of Age, 
 troubled w^h a Cough, Stuffing in her Cheft, and 
 Shortnefs of Breath, all the Winter of 1742, not 
 free from thefe Complaints in the Summer of 1745, 
 and feeling them all morefeverely in the following 
 Winter ; but in the Spring of 1744, affected with 
 them all in the higheft Degree, labouring under a 
 Difficulty of Breathing, without Appetite, not be- 
 ing able to work or walk, or lie down at Night, 
 getting little or no Sleep, her Body emaciated, her 
 Breaft, Neck and Face fwelled ; and her Lips 
 black, and fcarce able to fpeak. She began with 
 Tar-water the 4th of April 1744, and thought her- 
 felf recovered with drinking fix Bottles ; but find- 
 ing a Streightnefs in her Sreaft, after leaving it off 
 four Days, fhe took two Bottles more, and became 
 quite well. 
 
 The firft Morning after taking it, me fpit a 
 Quart of tough Phlegm and ropy Matter, after 
 much Coughing. She coughed for ten Mornings 
 after with Jefs and lefs fpitting : In this time her 
 Complaints wore off; in three Days fhe could lye 
 down in her Bed, and deep all Night ; her Sto- 
 mach 
 
 ,
 
 . 69 
 
 mach came to her, and me recovered her Strength 
 and Freedom of Breathing; fo that, on the eighth 
 .Day, fhe walked a Mile up Hill, and back again, 
 without being disordered, and towards the latter 
 JEnd of May, was able to bear the Fatigue of nur- 
 fing a Foundling Child, left at her Door, and walk- 
 ed with it feven times in that Month, to and from 
 Bleflington, which is a Journey of more than three 
 Miles. She patted the laft Winter and Spring 
 without any other Diforder than a Cough, at odd 
 times, upon catching Cold ; which was always re- 
 moved by a Bottle or two of Tar-water. 
 
 121. James Dooling, Labourer, aged about thirty, 
 fiveYears, taken with a Fever in the Spring of 1744. 
 .which increafed with threatening Symptoms* parti- 
 cularly a Loofenefs, fo that his Life was defpaired 
 of: On the 9th Day Tar-water was given him, and 
 on the 1 3th the Fever turned ; in a Week after he 
 got out of Bed, and walked about his Cabbin -, in 
 about another Week he went abroad, and foon afar 
 fell to his Work, looking clear and ruddy, and of a 
 healthful Countenance. 
 
 122. Anne Ojborn^ about fifty Years old, trou- 
 bled with Stitches at times, for four or five Years, 
 kept her Bed for three Months in the Winter of 
 1743, labouring under Stitches, a Cough, and 
 Shortnefs of Breath, without Appetite or. Sleep, and 
 worn away to Skin and Bone, drank Tar-water, 
 Night and Morning, the Beginning of 'April \ 744, 
 and with eight Bottles was perfectly recovered. At 
 firft, fhe threw up a great deal of foul Stuff from 
 her Stomach: In three Takings her Stitches left her ; 
 fhe foon recovered her Appetite and Reft, and Wis 
 able to lye down in Bed ; her Cough ceafed, fhe 
 gained Flefli and Strength, and walked abroad in 
 three Weeks Time. 
 
 123. Eleanor Dowling, aged about thirty-five 
 Years, troubled with a hard dry Cough for ten 
 
 F i Yea ;s
 
 ;o The Effetts of 
 
 Years together, worn away by it greatly, and trou- 
 bled with a Wheezing and Shortnefs oi Breath, by 
 drinking Tar-water in the Summer of 1744, all the 
 above Complaints wore off equally to her Surprize 
 and Joy, which me exprefTed by faying, " That 
 " if me had twenty Cows, inftead of two, me 
 " would have parted with them all, to have become 
 44 as well as a few Gallons of Tar- water had made 
 her." 
 
 124. Joan Ardle, a Gatherer of Ruflies for Can- 
 dles, fluffed up and choaked with a Cough, without 
 Stomach or Sleep, and her Hufband affected much 
 the fame way, both cured by two Bottles of Tar- 
 water : They are aged Perfcns. 
 
 125. Lawrence Kane^ Pedlar, about fifty Years 
 old, laboured under an Ague, about Holland-tide 
 1743, which was followed by a fevere Cough, that 
 held him for fix Months ; he drank but two Bot- 
 tles of Tar- water in May i744,and found himfelf 
 perfectly recovered. 
 
 126. Bryan Met* troubled with a Pain in his 
 Stomach, and Lofs of Appetite, cured with one 
 Bottle of Tar- water. 
 
 127. Three Children, in one Family, between 
 fix and eight Years old, took the Small-pox in the 
 Summer of 1744, and came very fafe and well 
 through the Diilemper, without any other Prepa- 
 ration or Medicine than Tar- water, which they had 
 drank conftantly from April foregoing, and conti- 
 nued to drink it during the whole Time of their 
 Illnefs, except about two Days, when the Pock in 
 their Mouths and Throats became fore, and broke, 
 and i mar ted by the Tar-water; they have gone on 
 drinking Tar-water ever fince without any Reluc- 
 t.:nce to, or Mifchief from if, on the contrary, 
 they fall a crying, it by any Accident, they do not 
 get it at the ufual Times; and by theconitant Ufe 
 thereof, one of them hath been kept from the Re- 
 
 i turns
 
 TAR-WAfER. 71 
 
 turns of a threatening Fever, to which he was fub- 
 ject, and had been feized by it ihrt** Times in the 
 fpace of fix Months. Another was troubled with 
 Lumps under his Jaw, and other glandular Swel- 
 lings, which have abated fince his drinking Tar- 
 water, and are now almoft gone ; and all the three 
 fince their drinking Tar- water, have better^Stomach, 
 and more Spirits and are much freer from Coughs 
 and Colds than formerly. 
 
 128. A Letter from a Gentleman of Character and 
 Integrity, who defires bis Name might not be men- 
 tioned^ dated June the iStb, 1745, to Thomas 
 Prior, Efq-y 
 
 What Mr. Arthur Hill told you, of the Benefit 
 I have received by Tar- water, is fo much Fact, that 
 J now enjoy a very good State of Health, compared 
 with what I had for feveral Years pad, owing en- 
 tirely, under GOD, to that eafy, ufeful Medicine, as 
 I have Reafon to believe. 
 
 As you defire a particular Account of my Diforder 
 and the Relief I have had from it, I think it is but 
 imitating the Benevolence of the Author, to give 
 you that as diftinctly as I can, in hopes the fame 
 may prove ufeful to others in the like Circum- 
 (tances. 
 
 129. You muft know then, that about twenty- 
 five Years ago, I had the firft regular Fit of the 
 Gout, which ufed to lay me up frequently after, in 
 Autumn and Spring especially, but never affected 
 me higher than my Feet or Ancles, until 1738, 
 when I was feized with a mod violent Fever, which 
 occafioned my being feverely blifter'd on my Legs, 
 which gave the Humours a Courfe that Way, and 
 being mixed with gouty Matter, prevented the 
 Sores, made by the Blifters, from healing, though 
 all Care was taken by the Phyficians for that End: 
 
 F 4 After 
 
 : lo sue
 
 72 Me Effetfs of 
 
 After I recovered from my Fever, it was thought 
 that this prevented the regular Fits of the Gout, 
 which I ufed to have, and made it fly about my Bo- 
 dy and Head, from whence Indigeftion, Lowncfs of 
 Spirts and Sweatings followed ; and at length I 
 iiicd to be frequently feiztd with a Giddmefs or 
 Swimming in my Head, especially after e-.uing, 
 v/hich would continue until I had iighcen'd my 
 
 mach by puking: In hopes to get better Relief- 
 jbr thefe Diforders from the Phyficians in Town, I 
 went to Dublin in 1742, and by the Directions <3>f 
 iv/o there, juftly eltecmed for their Knowledge, I 
 went through a continued Courfe of gentle Phyfick, 
 and was forbid every Thing of Nourifhmcnt, but 
 
 at, white Meats, and a little Port Wine, until 
 Summer 1743, when they ordered me a Courie of 
 Spa Water with Exercife. Thefe Rules I obferved 
 pretty carefully, and found myfelfagood deal re- 
 Jiev'd from my Lownefs of Spirits, and the Giudi- 
 r.tfs in my Plead, until the Autumn following, when 
 I had a fcvere Return of both, to which, I believe, 
 rny great Hurry and Fatigue contributed not a lit- 
 de. This put me under a NeceiTity of returning to 
 my Courfe of Phy nek during the Winter 1743, and 
 until May 1744, when I read the worthy Bifhop's 
 elaborate Treatife on Tar-water, of which (tho* in 
 many Parts too refined for my Knowledge) I ui>der- 
 ftcod ib much, as convinced me of its Ufefulnefs, 
 and the kind Defign of the Author ; whereupon I 
 altered my Intention from Sfa^ to Tar-water, and 
 drank about Half a Pint in the Morning, and as 
 much in the Evening, with due Regard to the 
 Rules prefcribed, as to not eating before or after 
 for two Hours ; v/hich produced a regular and pret- 
 ty frnrp Fit of the Gout in my Feet and Ancles, 
 foon afrer I began the Courfe, and feem'd to warm 
 me and increafe my Sweatings. In about two Months 
 after I had a Return of the Gout, but much 
 
 gentler
 
 TAR-IPAfER. 73 
 
 gentler, and my Sweatings abated. Then I had a, 
 violent Itchinefs over all my Body and Limbs, 
 which was followed by Blotches and Eruptions oft 
 the Skin. In Autumn I got fome Cold, and I be- 
 lieve had lived too freely for an Invalid, which was 
 attended with a little of the Swimming in my Head, 
 and Diforder in my Stomach ; but I had fo much 
 Faith in Tar- water, that I made ufe of it air'd, in- 
 llead of Sack-whey, or Tanzey and Sack, which I 
 formerly ufed to take, with Intention to repel the 
 Gout-, and through this laft fevere Winter, I have 
 continued in very good Spirits, freed from the Dif- 
 order of my Head and Stomach, tho' I have not 
 confined myfelf to any regular Diet ; and notwith- 
 ftanding I am much thinner in Fleih, I find my- 
 felf .much ftronger and abler to undergo Fatigue 
 than at any Time fince my Fever. The Benefit I 
 have received, makes me recommend and prepare 
 it ior feveral of my poor Neighbours, who generally 
 receive Benefit by it, if they will continue to ufe it. 
 
 1 30. A Collier, that was forced to quit his La- 
 bour by an afthmatic Diforder, is wonderfully reco- 
 vered, tho' he ufed it but about a Fortnight. 
 
 131. And my Mafter S alter was often feized with 
 a violent Palpitation in his Heart, and had taken 
 feveral Medicines for it, but it was rather increafing ; 
 when he made ufe of Tar-water about three Weeks. 
 he recovered from a violent Fit, and was fo well 
 that he quitted the Water, and then had a Return; 
 upon which he was again relieved by the fame 
 Means, which he now continues to ufe, and enjoys 
 better Health than for fome Years pail. 
 
 132. We have many Inftances in this Neighbour- 
 hood of Perfons being relieved by Tar-water, under 
 very different Diforders, tho' I am furprized they 
 fliould, for if the common People do not immediate- 
 ly receive all the Relief they wifli and promife to 
 themlclves upon once or twice drinking of it, like a 
 
 Charm x
 
 74 *fbe Effetfs of 
 
 Charm, they give it up, not confidering what the 
 Bifhop has fo plainly urged ; that in all chronical 
 Cafes it is an alterative, that requires Time to change 
 the Mafs of Blood. I find I am going out of my 
 Depth, and I am fure I have trefpafied too long up- 
 on your Time, if any Enthufiaft in Praife of Tar- 
 water can do fo ; therefore I will now releafe you 
 with only this Obfervation, that if thefe Hints can 
 afford you any Matter, to be reduced into more 
 ufeful Form for the Benefit of others, I fhall be 
 highly pleafed, 
 
 133. The Cafe of Mr. John Brooks Engraver, liv- 
 ing at the Sign of Sir Ifaac Newton'j Head, on 
 Cork-Hill, Dublin , communicated by him to 
 Thomas Prior, Efq_\ on the 22d of June, 1745. 
 
 The faid Mr. Brooks was, in November 1744, 
 feized with Stitches, and a pleuritic Fever which 
 continued eight or ten Days ; he was blooded once 
 and became better, but going abroad too foon, 
 caught Cold andrelapfed, and was much worfe than 
 before, being feized with more violent Stitches, Op- 
 preffion on his Cheft, Difficulty of Breathing, with 
 moft profufe Sweatings fo as to wet his Bed-cloaths 
 twice a Night, which fo weakened him in fome 
 Time, that he was reduced to Skin and Bone, with- 
 out any Appetite or Reft, fo that it was thought 
 he could not live an Hour, as he could hardly draw 
 his Breath ; he was advifed to go out of Town to 
 the Park, and drink Tar-water, which he did at 
 the Rate of three Pints a Day, for ten Days, warm, 
 going to Bed, and getting up, and cold at other 
 Times, at eight different Times a Day ; along with 
 which he only took thin Gruel, or Chicken- 
 broth ; at the End of Ten Days as he was able 
 to go abroad, mending every Day, the Tar-wa- 
 ter having removed his Stitches, Sweatings, and 
 made him breathe as free as ever. He was ad- 
 vifed
 
 TAR-WAfER. 75 
 
 vifed to ride, which he did, and on the firft Day 
 of riding an Impoflhume broke, which lay upon his 
 Lungs -, the firft thing thrown up was a Bag which 
 contained the impoftumated Matter, which was fol- 
 lowed by a great Difcharge of corrupted Stuffmixed 
 with Blood : He was immediately feized with a vio- 
 lent Spitting of Blood, which continued feveral 
 Days, and was blooded, but ftill continued to drink 
 the Tar- water as before, which he found to heal his 
 Lungs, and ftop his Spitting of Blood, and in a 
 Fortnight's Time got into fo good a State of Health 
 as to be able to purfue his Bufinefs ; he is now as 
 well as ever he was, his Spirits and Appetite rather 
 better than at any Time before, and he flill conti~ 
 nues to drink Haifa Pint every Morning, 
 
 134. Mr. Benjamin Prince , of Great-Britain- 
 Sireet^ an Officer in the Excife, came to me, on the 
 7th of Auguft 1745, out of a ftrong Senfe of the 
 Benefit he received by the Ufe of Tar- water, and 
 communicated his Cafe, which I took from his own 
 Mouth, as follows : He faid, that for four Years he 
 had been troubled with violent Pains in his Back 
 ,and Kidneys, and frequent Colics , that he ufed to 
 have" two or three fharp Fits of the Gout every 
 Year, and, after a Fever, had a fixed Pain in one of 
 his Arms, fo that he was not able to lift it up ; he 
 had loft his Appetite, Spirits, and Reft: But being 
 advifcd to drink Tar-water to get him a Stomach, 
 he began to drink it \njune 1744, at the Rate of 
 half a Pint every Morning, and no more. In a 
 Fortnight's time the Pain in his Arm abated, and 
 foon after went off; fo that he got the full Ufe of 
 it , in lefs than a Month's drinking he voided by 
 Urine, a great deal of (limy Matter, and in two or 
 three Months, after frequent Stoppages of Urine, 
 he had great Pains in his Reins, and at laft difcharg- 
 cd a S.one as large as an Olive-ftone, which was 
 
 nine
 
 76 "The Efetfs of 
 
 nine Days paffing; after which he voided, from time 
 to time, twenty-five Gravel-ftones, of different Sizes, 
 nine at once, and frequently difcharges fmall Gravel 
 or Sand all jagged and pointed, which feem to be 
 broken off from a larger Body of Stone: He is now 
 at eafe as to his Gravel, and but feldom troubled 
 with Colics, and what Pain he has that way, he im- 
 putes to the Remainder of the Gravel not yet dif- 
 chargedj he had no Apprehenfion or Sufpicion, 
 before he drank Tar- water, anddifcharged Gravel, 
 that his Pains arofe from the Stone or Gravel; he 
 thought hisDiforder was nothing but a Colic, for 
 which he took many things to no Purpofe. He 
 alfo fays, that he has not had the leaft Fit or Symp- 
 tom of the Gout fmce he drank Tar- water, which 
 is near fifteen Months ago , and he never fails to 
 drink it conftantly every Day, findingl that he has 
 thereby got a good Stomach, high Spirits, and 
 good Sleep, and imputes all his Relief to Tar-water 
 only. 
 
 Augv.jk the 1 5th 1745. 
 
 135. This Day Mr. John Powell, living at the 
 Glals-ware-houfe in Crvw-jlreet, Merchant, was 
 pleafed to come to me, and gave the following Ac- 
 count of his Cafe and Relief, which I took down in 
 Writing, from his own Mouth, as follows : Mr. 
 Powell had the Gout for near twenty Years, off and 
 on, but in the Winter 1743, he had a violent Fit 
 which laded twelve Weeks. He was alfo troubled 
 with violent Pains in his Bowels, for two Years be- 
 fore that time, which he thought was a Colic, had 
 no Appetite, a bad Digeftion, and little Sleep ; he 
 had thofe Fits of the Colic twice or thrice a Week, 
 each Fit lading twenty four Hours, with racking 
 Pains, fo that it was thought that his Life was in 
 great Danger. In the beginning of the Year 1744, 
 
 oh
 
 TAR-WATER. 77 
 
 on reading the Treatife on Tar-water, he was advif- 
 ed by his Phyfician todrink the Water, which he did 
 regularly for fix Weeks at" the Rate of a Pint a Day, 
 taken in the Morning and Evening ; and in three 
 Weeks- time his Pains began to abate, and in fix 
 Weeks all his Colic Pains went off, and he has not 
 had the leaft Fit ever fince: He feldom fails to 
 drink the Water every Morning, and refolves to 
 continue the conftant Ufe of it, having got a very 
 good Stomach and Digeftion, and fleeps very well j 
 nor has he had the Jeaft Fit of the Gout ever fince 
 he began to drink Tar- water, being perfectly free 
 from all Symptoms of it ; he has the full Ufe of his 
 Limbs, and walks as well as ever he did, and he im- 
 putes all his Cures to Tar-water only. 
 
 136. James Brown, about ten Years old, to 
 whom the late Earl of Kildare left an Annuity of 
 twenty Pounds a Year, for his Father's- long and 
 faithful Services under him, was miferably afflicted 
 with the King's Evil for four Years, and being long 
 under the Care of Surgeons in Dublin, wasfent in 
 Auguft 1744, to his Relations in the County of Cork 
 to take care of him, as there were no Hopes of his 
 Recovery 'in Dublin. When he came there, he had 
 many running Sores in his Arms, Hinds and Feet, 
 and Swellings on each fide of lr . hroat without: 
 Appetite or Digeftion. In this condition he was 
 immediately put into a Courfe of Tar- water he 
 cjrank about a Quart a Day, a Naggin at a time, 
 and after fomeDays drinking the Water, they wafh- 
 ed his Sores with ftrong Tar-water, and for a Plainer 
 ufed the Oil of Tar, which was fkimmed off the 
 Water, fpread on Lint or Linen : The Effect was* 
 that in a Fortnight's Time moft of his Sores were 
 healed up, and Swellings gone, and in lefs than. 
 fix Weeks Time he was perfectly recovered, ancf 
 now continues very well, with good Appetite and 
 Spirits. This Account the Author had from the 
 
 young
 
 7 8 tte Effe&s of 
 
 young Man himfelf, and from his Relations ; and 
 though he is very well, yet he continues to drink 
 Tar-water, by which he received fo much Benefit, 
 but in fmaller Quantities. 
 
 * 
 
 137. Another Inftance of the Efficacy of 'Tar-water 
 
 in the Cure of the King's Evil, is as follows. 
 Michael Carney of Proteftant Row in Cavan-Jlreef, 
 about fixteen Years old, was troubled with the 
 King's Evil fix Years, having running Sores in his 
 Arms, Neck, Legs and Body, and had been in 
 Mercer's Hofpital a Year without Benefit, and had 
 almoft loft one of his Eyes by the Evil ; the Author 
 being informed that this Boy was in Danger of 
 having his Eye rotted out of his Head by the Evil, 
 directed the Wrift Plaifter to be applied to him, 
 \vhich was attended with fuch Succefs, that in a 
 Fortnight's Time, in the latter End of the Year 
 1743, the Evil was quite driven from his Eye-, but 
 the Boy continuing full of running Sores, and great 
 Pain in -one of his Arms, of which he had little 
 Ufe, in April 1 744, I gave him Tar- water to drink, 
 a Pint a Day ; in a little Time he difcharged two 
 Splinters of Bone, black and carious, from his Arm, 
 whereby he had immediate Eafe there, and conti- 
 nuing to drink Tar-water, and wafliing his Sores 
 with it alfo, in two Months Time all his Sores 
 healed up, his Appetite and Strength returned, and 
 he was perfectly recovered, and continues very well, 
 and now lives with Mr. Barry Colles, Attorney, at 
 Stephen's Green. Thefe Inftances, and many more 
 come to my Knowledge, convince me, that th& 
 King's Evil, hitherto reckoned incurable, may, in a 
 fhort Time, by the Method before mentioned, be 
 perfectly cured. 
 
 'The
 
 r A R-W AVER. 79 
 
 The Rev. Dean Madden, of Molefworth-ftreet, 
 Dublin, was pleafed to give me, in July 1745, 
 the following \lnjlances of Cures by 'Tar-water, 
 which came to bis Knowledge. 
 
 138. The Rev. Mr. George 'Philips, of Anne- 
 ftrcet, Dublin, was feized laft Summer with a vio- 
 lent Pleuritick Stitch : He was then in the Coun- 
 try, three Miles from Dublin. He fent for a Sur- 
 geon to bleed him ; as he was long a coming, his 
 Pain increafed. He drank freely of Tar-water warm, 
 and in a few Hours his Pain fo far abated and the 
 Height of his Pulfe lefiened, that when the Sur- 
 geon came, it was refolved not to bleed him. He 
 continued to drink Tar- water ; the Diforder abated, 
 and in a few Days went entirely off. 
 
 139. John Waller \> of the Parifh of St. Anne^ 
 "Dublin, aged fixty feven Years, had in Spring 1745, 
 a violent Cough, and a general Failure of Nature. 
 He was reduce fo low, that all who faw him gave 
 him over. He was perfuaded to drink Tar-water 
 in his extream low Condition, and in five Weeks, 
 he was able to go about his Bufinefs, and continues 
 hearty and well. 
 
 140. Mrs. Stear of Ginnets in the County of 
 Meath near 'Trim, had the worft Symptoms of the 
 mod violent Scurvy, her Hands and Arms black in 
 fome Parts, fo that a Mortification was fometime 
 apprehended. She drank Tar-water for feveral 
 Months ; it (truck the moft virulent Humour out 
 on her Face and Arms, fo that no one could know 
 her : She was not difcouraged, but continued to 
 drink Tar-water, and in a few Months her Skin 
 was intirely clean. Before me drank Tar-water, {he 
 was often fick and low fpirited ; while (he drank it, 
 (he was hearty and well every way, and has conti- 
 nued well many Months. 
 
 141. Mrs.
 
 8a ?be Efetfs of 
 
 141. Mrs. Woodrof, who livei, near Cork, was 
 troubled with a Rheumatifm in her Head, Dropfy 
 in her Legs, and an Afthma, from which fhe was 
 relieved in two Months Time by drinking Tar- 
 water. Her Son Mr. Woodrtf, a Clergy man who gave 
 this Account, fays, that above two Years are pafied 
 fince fhe was relieved. 
 
 142. The Reverend Mr. Thomas Goodwin, of 
 Dawfon-Jlreet, Dublin, was relieved of a Megrim 
 and a Sleepinefs by the Ufe of Tar-water, and con- 
 tinues well, June 29, 1745. 
 
 143. Mr. Palma the Mufician, was troubled 
 with a Rheumatifm, his Limbs fo fwollen, that he 
 could not walk, but was cured in a Month's Time 
 by drinking Tar-water, and continues well. 
 
 144. The Reverend Mr. Edmond V/hlte of the 
 County of Wexford, was in like manner relieved of 
 Tiolent Pains in his Limbs, and a Colic of a long 
 ftanding. 
 
 145. Mr. Jones of Graf ion-fired, between fixty 
 and feventy Years old, had for feveral Yearsa vio- 
 lent Afthma, attended with a great Cough and fre- 
 quent fpitting of Blood and Corruption in great 
 Quantities, finds himfelf greatly relieved in every 
 Refpect, by the Ufe of Tar-water; and he neither 
 ipit Corruption, nor Blood laft Winter. 
 
 146. Mr. Wollafton of Trim, Clerk to Mr. Juf- 
 tice Tork) was althmatic for a long Time^ and 
 not able to live in Dublin, was relieved by Tar- 
 water in fix Weeks Time, and is an altered Man, 
 and continues well, June 20, 1745. Thus far 
 Dean Madden. 
 
 147. Mrs. Ann Fitzgerald, Wife of Mr. Will. 
 Fitzgerald of Ballyrone in the Queer? s County, was 
 for feven Years afflifted with violent Hyftericks, 
 Pain and Wind in her Bowels, which threw her fre- 
 quently into fuch Diitractions as deprived her of the 
 Ufe of her Underltanding, fo that me was utterly
 
 . 81 
 
 uncapable of minding the Affairs of her Family, and 
 a Servant was conftantly employed to take care 
 of her, and fometimes to prevent her laying violent 
 Hands on herfelf. Many Phyficians in Dublin and 
 the Country, had her under their Care, and pre- 
 fcribed many Medicines, which had no Effect ; at 
 laft fhe was prevailed upon to drink Tar- water, 
 and in a few Days, found fome Benefit, and by 
 continuing to drink it for a confiderableTime, fhe 
 is now perfectly recovered, andTree from all her 
 Ailments , and the only Inconvenience me had froth 
 Tar-wattr is, that as it gave her a good Appetite, 
 fhe is grown much fatter and more corpulent than 
 fhe was before, ordtfires, and fhe ftill continues to 
 drink the Water in fmall Quantities by way of 
 Prevention. This Account I had from herfelf and 
 her Husband. 
 
 148. The faid Mrs. Fitzgerald alfo informed me, 
 that fome Years ago, one of her Sons was gn'ev- 
 oufly troubled with a running Sore in one of his 
 Arms, that the Humour which iflued out was fo 
 corrofive, that it eat into the Fltfh, and fpread all 
 over his Arm, notwithftanding all the Pains taken, 
 and Piaifters applied to flop the Prcgrefs of it, 
 whether it was a Tettar or Cancer, or what elfe fhe. 
 could not tell , fhe then recollected what fhe had 
 formerly been told, that a Plaifter of Tar had been 
 ufed with Succefs on fuch Occafions; accordingly, 
 fhe put fome Tar into a Pot over the Fire, and 
 added fome Mutton Suet to it, and having gently 
 boiled, and mixed them well together, fhe made 
 a Plaifter and fpread it thin on Linen, and applied 
 it to the. running Sore as hot as the Child could 
 bear-, the Effect was, that in ten Day's Time, 2!! 
 the Sores were healed up, and the Arm entirely 
 cured, and continued foever after. 
 
 G 149- A
 
 82 fbe Efetts of 
 
 149. A Letter from the Reverend Mr. Robert Brere- 
 ton, of Bur ton in the County of Cork, dated No- 
 vember 9*, 1745. 
 
 I here fend you an Account of the Benefit receiv- 
 ed by me from drinking Tar-water. 
 
 I had been greatly afflicted with a Jaundice for 
 two or three Years, which returned on me feveral 
 Times in that Period, and was always attended with 
 exceeding lownefs and dejection of Spirits. I was 
 advifed by my Phyficians to enter on a Courfe of 
 Steel Preparations ; but unwilling to undergo a te- 
 dious Courfe of Phytick, I had Recourfe to Tar- 
 water, from which in five or fix Weeks I found 
 great Relief, and at length a perfect State of Health, 
 and good Spirits, which I now enjoy. 
 
 150. I am farther to inform you that Mr. Ralph 
 Crofts of Lifcarrol in the County of C0r, my 
 Neighbour, above feventy Years old, was greatly 
 emaciated, and worn out with lownefs of Spirits and 
 want of Appetite, and, did not expect to live out 
 the Winter 1744. He was advifed to drink Tar- 
 water, from which in lefs than a Month, he was 
 much better, and in two or three Months perfectly 
 recovered to as good a State of Health and Spirits 
 as he had in any Part of his Life. 
 
 I am, Sir, your moft humble Servant, 
 
 Robert Brereton. 
 
 151. Mr. Jocelyne Davifon, of the Town of Car- 
 faw, came to me on the I9th of November 1745, 
 and gave me the following Account of his Diforder 
 and Relief, which I took down in writing from his 
 own Mouth, and is as follows : 
 
 In Winter 1744, he got a great Cold, which 
 
 caufed a violent Cough, and an Inflammation in his 
 
 Lungs, attended with very great Spitting and Dif- 
 
 i charges ^
 
 TAR-WAVER. 83 
 
 charges ; he continued in this miferable State for 
 near four Months, without receiving any Benefit by 
 the Medicines he took, fo that it was thought he 
 could not live ; his Father advifed him to drink 
 Tar-water, which he neglected to do for fome 
 Time, but finding his Diforder increafe, he took to 
 Tar-water, and drank about half a Pint warm every 
 Day in the Morning as foon as he got up, and in 
 fix Days Time, he found himfelf much eafier 5 he 
 then obferved, that the Tar- water had thrown out 
 a great Rafh, like an Itch or Scurf on the Surface 
 of his Body, which alarmed him at firft, and in- 
 clined him to lay afide the Water, but finding him- 
 felf ftill better, and that the Venom of the Diftemper 
 was caft off that Way, he continued the Ufe of ir, 
 and in fix Weeks perfectly recovered from all his 
 Ailments, and now continues very well. 
 
 152. He alfo informed me, that Mr. David 
 Shnms the Prefbyterian Minifter at Carlow, was long 
 troubled with an Afthma and Difficulty of breath- 
 \ ig and fpeaking, fo that it was thought by all who 
 faw him that he could not live long* but by drink- 
 ing Tar-water a confiderable Time, he is quite re- 
 covered from all thofe Diibrders, and as well as can 
 be expected of one of his Age. 
 The Reverend Doctor Bacon of Lemavaddy in the 
 County of D<frry, communicated to me in No- 
 vember 1745, the three following Cafes : 
 
 1 53-7 ames CttHGw&rJjFoftilliori to Colonel Forward 
 of the County of 'Donnegal, Memberof Parliament* 
 was feized with a violent afthmatick Cough, fwelled 
 all over his Body, and no Appetite, fo that it was 
 thought it was impoffible he could Jive : He 
 drank Tar-water about a Month, Morning and 
 Evening, a large Glafs, which purged him violently, 
 and perfectly cured him : This happened about a 
 G 2 Year
 
 8.4 Me Effetfs of 
 
 Year and halt ago, and he continues perfectly well 
 ever fince. This was confirmed to me by Mr. For- 
 ward himfelf. 
 
 154. Mrs. Ann G <?, a Widow Lady of the 
 
 County of Derry, had been troubled with an afth- 
 matick Diforder for about feven Years ; her Cafe 
 was", that me breathed freely in a fmoaky or foggy 
 Air, but was ready to expire in thin Iharp Air. 
 After trying many Medicines, and efpecially Goat- 
 whey in vain, (he drank Tar-water, of which me 
 took only a Wine Glafs full at Night, when a-bed, 
 and in the Morning before me got up, (for it made 
 her very fick, when me took it in the Day, and 
 was obliged to go to. Bed immediately.) The Effect 
 was, that fhe grew better upon her taking the Tar- 
 water, and was quite cured upon drinking it three 
 Months-, fhe has continued well ever fince, which 
 is fix Months, and has begun to drink a little lately, 
 by way of Precaution. 
 
 155. The Reverend Mr. S 1 of the Diocefe 
 
 of Dcrry, was troubled with anAfthma of the op- 
 pofite Kind, could not live in foggy Air, and was 
 obliged to remo/e from his own Houfe, which was 
 in a low Situation, to a Friend's Houfe, fituated up- 
 on a Hill, where he found himfelf better , at length 
 he drank Tar-water, which recovered him fo much 
 that he returned to his Dwelling quite well, and has 
 continued fo for a Twelve-month pad. 
 
 156. Mr. Cunningham, Collector of Portpatrick in 
 Scotland, arrived in Dublin in Ju?ie 1744, and then 
 declared to me and feveral others his Cafe and Re- 
 lief, which I had from his own Mouth, and is as 
 follows. He had been troubled with the Gout for 
 many Years, but the laft two Years he was fo mi- 
 ferably afflicted with it, that he was confined to his 
 Bed and Chamber for many Months, not being 
 able to go abroad or walk at home, having fuch a 
 
 Stiffnefs
 
 TAR-WATER. S 5 
 
 Stiffnefs in his Knees after the Fits were over, that 
 he had not the Ufe of his Limbs } but in May 1 743 , 
 he was advifed by Mr. Makenny a Surgeon, to 
 drinkTar-water,which he did for four or fiveMonths, 
 the firft Effect was, that in a little Time. he was 
 freed from a Difficulty of breathing he laboured 
 under, and finding his Limbs grew eafier and 
 ftronger by Degrees, he drank the Water till Win- 
 ter following, by means whereof he recovered the 
 Strength of his Limbs fo much, that in the Spring 
 following he had the full Ufe of them. Whereas 
 for feveral Years before, he never failed to have a Fit 
 in the Beginning of Winter, and another in Spring -, 
 fince that Time he has had no Symptom of the 
 Gout; and he told me that he could then mount the 
 higheft Horfe in Ireland with Eafe, and could 
 walk as well as ever he did, and was refolved to 
 drink Tar-water three Months in every Year of his 
 Life. 
 
 157. Mr. John Milton, Confectioner in Caple- 
 ftreet, Dublin, gave me in November 1745, the fol- 
 lowing Account of the Benefit he received by Tar- 
 water. He was afflicted with the Gout ever fince 
 he was fixteen Years old, frequently attended with 
 very violent Pains, fometimes he was laid up three 
 or four times in a Year, and laft Spring was laid 
 up for eight Weeks , and it left fuch a Weakneis 
 after it, that he was hardly able to crawl for a long 
 Time, till he had recourfe to Tar-water, to which 
 he was advifed by one who received Benefit by it. 
 He began to drink it in July 1745, and continu- 
 ed the Ufe of it to the middle of November follow- 
 ing, taking a Pint each Day, half a Pint in the 
 Morning, and the fame at Night ; which has fully 
 reftored him to the Ufe and Strength of his Limbs, 
 and removed all his other Complaints : He has goc 
 a good Appetite and Digeftion, which he had 
 not for many Years before, and tho* he ufed to be 
 
 G 3 laid
 
 86 *fke Effetfs of 
 
 Jaid up at this Seafon of the Year, yet he has not 
 the Jeaft Symptom of the Gout, and is as ftrong, 
 and can walk as well as ever he did. He had alfo 
 great Pains and Swellings in his Bowels, and Hard- 
 nefs in his Belly, which were quite carried off in a 
 Week or ten Days Time by drinking Tar-water 
 only. 
 
 158. Mr. Cavanaugh, Hatter, at the Raven in 
 Skinner-row, Dublin, was long afflicted with Rheu- 
 matick Pain, great Swellings and Stiffnefs in his 
 Loyns, Thighs and Knees, infomuch that he could 
 not walk abroad, or ftir at home without Difficulty 
 and Pain , to remove which Ailments, he tryed 
 every Thing that was prefcribed by Phyficians and 
 Surgeons, but to no Effect. In the Summer 1744, 
 when Tar-water began to be in Vogue, he drank 
 near a Pint a Day for fix Week, without any fen- 
 fible Benefit as to the Weaknefs and Pains in his 
 Limbs, but got much better Appetite and Spirits. 
 However he dill perfifted in drinking the Water, 
 and in three Months Time he found his Swellings 
 abate, his Limbs grew flronger every Day, and in 
 a few Months after all the Swellings, Stiffhefs, 
 Hardnefs and Pains in his Limbs went off, and he 
 recovered the Ufeofthenv, and continuing ftill to 
 drink Tar- water, he can walk without Difficulty or 
 Pain, and is in great Spirits. This Account I had 
 from himfelf in July 1745, and now in December 
 1745, he continues perfectly well. 
 
 159. Mrs. Duggan, Midwife, living at the Cra- 
 dle in Great- Britain-ftreet, Dublin, gave me the 
 following Account of her Cafe, Thatfhe had been 
 Jong troubled with a violent inveterate Scurvy, at- 
 tended with a great OpprefTion in her Cheft and 
 Heart, and Difficulty of breathing, that fhe had 
 loft all Appetite, and was in a miferableWay, that 
 fhe took many Things for her Relief to no manner 
 of Advantage, that at laft fhe had Recourfe to Tar- 
 water,
 
 r A R-WA sr E R. a 7 
 
 water, which he took at the Rate of half a Pint a 
 Day every Morning, and before fhe drank three 
 Gallons, all the fcorbutic Heat and grofs Humours 
 were driven out on the Surface of her Body, and 
 continuing (till to drink it, all the aforefaid Symp- 
 toms went off, fhe breaths freely without the lead 
 Opprefiion, recovered her Appetite, and fhe never 
 knew herfelf in better Health or Spirits, and refolves 
 never to be without Tar-water, rinding it always 
 relieves her when flie catches Cold, or is out of 
 Order. 
 
 1 60. A Letter from Mr. James Hanning, of 
 Cloyne in the County of Cork, to Thomas Prior, 
 
 My Daughter, Mary Hanning, about eleven 
 Years old, was laft May taken ill of a Fever, after 
 which, fhe came by Degrees to be entirely deprived 
 of the Ufe of her Tongue and Limbs, being una- 
 ble to fpeak, fland, or put her Hand to her Mouth, 
 and all her Joints fhaking with the Palfy. She 
 took Medicines prefcribed by a Phyfician, and was 
 often exercifed in open Air, while the Weather 
 permitted, but all to no Purpofe. Whereupon we 
 put her into a Courfe of Tar-water about the be- 
 ginning of November laft, and fhe has ever fince 
 drank a Quart a Day, which in five Weeks has fo 
 far recovered her,' that fhe can fpeak and read plain, 
 feed herfelf, fland and walk without Help, and 
 even go up and down Stairs, to the Amazement 
 of all thofe, who had feen her lately carried about 
 damb and helplefs like an Infant. She has taken 
 no other Medicine fince fhe began to drink Tar- 
 water, nor had fhe the Benefit of Air and Exercife 
 from that Time, the Weather not permitting. 
 One of her Arms continues fomewhat weak, and 
 fhe has a Weaknefs too in one of her Legs, but a? 
 #13 daily grows better, I hope Tar- water, with GOD'S 
 
 G 4 Bleffing,
 
 88 the Efetfs of 
 
 Bieffing, will perfect her Cure. December 17, 1745. 
 
 James Hanning. 
 
 1 61. A Letter from a Gentleman of Charter and 
 Credit^ giving a particular Detail of an extraordi- 
 nary Fever cured by Tar-water, dated December 
 20, 1745. 
 
 A Youth about fifteen Years of Age, being 
 ftrized with a Fever in April 1745, an old French 
 Woman of the Family, who was appointed to at- 
 tend him, with Direct ions to give him Tar-water (the 
 only Medicine prcfcnbed) about a Pint every Hour, 
 gave him a much fmaller Quantity, and indulging 
 his Appetite, fed him fecretly, five Days together, 
 with Roaft Beef, feafoned Pye, Cheefe, Ale, and 
 fuch like Diet inftead of Water-gruel, which alone 
 had been ordered. 
 
 162. This unnatural Diet terribly inflamed his 
 Fever, and produced fuch an intire Proftration of 
 Appetite, that for thirteen Days together, he took 
 no Nourishment of any Kind but Tar-water, 
 whereof he drank about a Gallon every Day, which 
 made him fleep at Night and kept up his Spirits by 
 Day in a furprizing Manner. Having fo long fad- 
 ed, he at length took a little A r tf/^5-Bifcuit, with 
 two or three Spoonfuls of Sack and Water, which 
 increafed his Fever and difordered his Head, but 
 he was foon quieted by Tar- water. While he re- 
 gularly took this wholefome Draught he flept found 
 every Night. But one Day being difgufted at the 
 Tar-water, it was judged proper to change it for 
 Sage and B.iulm Tea, which he drank plentifully 
 though not with equal Succefs. For his Spirits 
 iunk, he loft his Colour and Look, he pafied the 
 Night reftlefs and anxious: All which Symptoms 
 were removed next Day by Tar-water. 
 
 163. After this, his Diftemper took feveral ftrange 
 arj violent Turns, being fometimes attended with 
 
 the
 
 r A R-W A f E R. 89 
 
 the worft Symptoms. He was at Times fpeechlefs 
 convulfed, dilirious, and his Blifters would not rife. 
 In the Dilirium Tar-water could not be given ; he 
 was then bliftered, and the Blifters not rifing, he 
 was brought with fome Difficulty to drink his Tar- 
 water again, which had a fpeedy good Effect, when 
 nothing elfe gave him Relief. And in general, it 
 was obferved, that upon negleding to give him Tar- 
 water, the feverifh Symptoms of Heat, Anxiety and 
 difficult Refpiration became very troublefome, be- 
 ing confbntly heightened by omitting, and as con- 
 ftantly allayed by returning to drink it. 
 
 164. It were tedious to relate all the furprizing 
 Changes in the Courfe of this Illnefs, which lafted 
 ten Weeks. Probably fuch a Cafe was never known 
 before, as it is probable, that no Fever ever hap- 
 pened to be inflamed and heightened by the fame 
 Caufe. For I believe no' Patient was ever known 
 to have been dieted in the firit Days of a Fever on 
 fuch extraordinary Food, which Nature isaccuftom- 
 ed to loath at thofe Seafons. But Tar-water gives 
 an Appetite even in Fevers. 
 
 165. Tar-water, during its long and obflinate 
 Conflict with the Venom of the Difeafe, operated in 
 divers Manners, as a cardiac, diaphoretic, fudorific, 
 emetic, carminative and paregoric, feeming to adapt 
 itfelf to the feveral Symptoms and Stages of his 
 Malady, and for themoft Part gave him a great Flow 
 of Spirits, a florid lively Look, a clean well-coloured 
 Tongue, with fuch Vigour in his Voice and Eyes, as 
 aftonifhed all who faw him, and knew how long he 
 had been ill, and how little Nouriilment he had 
 taken. It is to be obferved, that on fome Days he 
 drank greedily, even fo far as ten or twelve Quarts 
 of Tar-water, calling for it with great Impatience, 
 even though it wrought him as an Emetic , whereas 
 both beforeand after hris Illnefs, he fhewed the greateft 
 diflike and loathing of it. 
 
 1 66. In
 
 90 'The Efetfs of 
 
 1 66. In the laft Stage of the Fever, his Face and 
 Body fwelled, and a general Eruption appeared all 
 over both, fomewhat like an Erifipelas or cohering 
 Small-pox, which lafted a Week. For two or three 
 Daysofthis Period he drank fparingly of Tar-water, 
 perhaps not more than a Quart a Day ; but during 
 all that Time he conftantTy, by his own Choice, 
 held his Mouth to the Spout of a Tea-pot, half 
 filled with hotTar-water, fucking the Vapour, which, 
 he faid, he found very chearing and comfortable. 
 
 167. At the Clofe of this tenth Week, he fell into 
 a moft copious Sweat and the next Day his Puftules 
 were quite gone, and his Fever left him, notfpiritlefs, 
 puny and pale, but as lively and hail, in appearance, 
 as ever he had been known, though after an Illnefs, 
 that for Length of Time, and Variety of defperate 
 Symptoms, furpafied any I remember to have heard 
 of, or met with in the Hiftory of Fevers. 
 
 1 63. But he did not continue in this healthy 
 State; for the very fame Day, he expreffed fuch an 
 earneft longing Defire to change his Bed and fhift 
 his Linnen, that it was thought proper to indulge 
 him, and although this Step was made with the ut- 
 moft Caution, yet it gave him a frefh Cold, which 
 feized upon his Head, and produced a new Fever 
 with a Raving or Frenzy, that continued many 
 Weeks, in all which time, he could not be prevailed 
 on to take one Glafs of Tar- water. But at length 
 by a proper Ufe of AfTes-milk, and Ground-ivy, 
 with a careful Regimen, he was recovered fo far, as 
 that he might be perfuaded to drink daily four 
 Glafles of Tar- water, which, with GOD'S Blefling, 
 reftored his Strength and completed his Recovery. 
 
 I have here given the general Sum and Subltance 
 rather than a regular and complete Diary, containing 
 all the particular Circumftancesof this extraordinary 
 Cafe, which it had been impofilble to recollect at the 
 Diftance of fo many Months. 
 
 169. An
 
 TAR-WATER. 91 
 
 169. An Extraft of a Letter from the Honourable 
 Colonel John Cuftis, of Williamfburgh in Virgi- 
 nia, and one of the Council of that Province. 
 Dated from Williamfburgh, July 10, 1745. 
 
 Mr. Cuftis writes, that he unfortunately got a great 
 Cold, which threw him into the Chin or Hooping 
 Cough, which caufed cruel Fevers ; that when the 
 Cough was gone, he was troubled with a prodigious 
 Spitting , that he took great Dofes of Elixir Vitriol 
 to allay his intenfe Third in his burning Fever, 
 which fo relaxed his falival Glands, that he feared 
 they would never come to their due Tone again, nor 
 perform their proper Offices , they are the Sluices 
 that caft off the vitiated Lympha : That he had ftu- 
 died and read Phyfic more than forty Years ; that he 
 had the Opinion of Doctor Brown, of Maryland, 
 deemed the greateft Phyfician in America, that the 
 Seat of thisDiftemper lay in hisfalivary Glands, and 
 that it was dangerous to flop the Spitting, which he 
 well knew by woful Experience, having flopt it by 
 faking an Ounce of Diacodium going to Bed, which 
 flung him into Fevers, Faintings, and many other 
 Diforders, fo that he was obliged to procure the Spit- 
 ting again ; he was once fo reduced, that he could 
 not get up when down, nor was able to put on his 
 Cloaths, and had no Appetite to any Sort, of Food. 
 But, to ufe his own Words, he writes, that reading 
 one Day in the Magazine, I found the Virtues of 
 Tar-water, which I verily believe faved my Life; I 
 had not taken it a Week, before I began to have an 
 Appetite to Victuals, and continued taking it three 
 Months, Night and Morning, which miraculoufly 
 reflored me, fo that I can now eat heartily any 
 Thing my Palate has a Mind to, tho* I cannot tafte 
 any Thing, but what is fait, fweet or four, and I 
 blefs GOD, I am much mended. But my Spitting 
 continues with a great Difcharge, but eating fupports 
 
 that
 
 92 the Efefts of 
 
 that Difcharge, and I refolve to take nothing that 
 may lefTen my Stomach, the Saliva not performing 
 its due Office, keeps my Palate and Throat always 
 hot and dry, tho' I have not any Fever, which the 
 Doctors tell me I muft bear -, but I hope Time and 
 Tar-water will entirely free me from that Unea- 
 finefs. 
 
 This Letter was fent from Virginia, to Mr. Peter 
 Collinfon of Grace-church-ftreet, London, who was 
 pleafed to tranfmit the fame hither, giving this Rea- 
 fon for doing fo, That he was perfuaded, that the 
 reading fome Parts of this Letter would not be dif- 
 agreeable to the good Bifhop to find that his laud- 
 able Endeavours to benefit Mankind, are attended 
 with fuch great Succefs, and perhaps not more re- 
 markably fo, than in the uncommon Cafe of the 
 faid Colonel Cuftis. 
 
 170. The Reverend Mr. Sion Hill, Chaplain to 
 the Work-houfe in Dublin, having had great Op- 
 portunities of trying and knowing the Effects of 
 Tar-water, both in the iliid' Houfe, and all over the 
 City, where he had difperfed above a thoufand Gal- 
 lons of the Water to thofe who hadoccafion to call 
 upon him for it, and having fetdovvn in writing the 
 Particulars thereof, as the Facts came to his Know- 
 ledge he has been pleafed to communicate the fame 
 to me in the following Narrative, entitled, 
 
 A Jhort Account of fame remarkable Cafes, with tbeir 
 Succefs, by GOD'S Blfffitig, on Tar -water. 
 
 171. In April \ 744, after reading the Treatife on 
 Tar- water, Curiofity as well as Humanity, prompted 
 me to make tryal of the Effects of the Water, and if 
 I mould find it anfwer the Character given of it in 
 Sins, to make ufe of it on feveral Occafipns that 
 offered ; having it greatly in my Power, as Chaplain 
 to the Work-houfe, to make Experiments on a great 
 .many Subjects, who, fmce I came there, were long 
 
 troubled
 
 r A R-W A T E R. 93 
 
 troubled with cutaneous, fcrophulous, and chronical 
 Diforders. 
 
 172. For this End, I picked out of the many in 
 the Work-houfe, four of the m of taffl idled, to whom, 
 for four Days, I adminiftred Tar- water : And indeed 
 the Succefs fo furprized me, that being at that Time, 
 feverely attacked with an Hoarfenefs, and fore 
 Throat, I ventured to take it alfo ; and with fome 
 Pain (my Throat being inflamed) I got down about 
 the Quantity of a Naggin ; after which, I felt no 
 Pain 'in that Part, but could fwallow without the 
 leaft Difficulty. From this welcome and aftonifhing 
 Experiment, I naturally conceived future joyful 
 Hopes of this powerful Medicine , accordingly, I 
 rook it for three Days after, twice each Day with 
 Pleafure ; which fo wrought me the third Day, I 
 was not able to fit, by Reafon of the Acrimony of 
 the Difcharge. Notwithstanding, I rtuck to my 
 Medicine, and the fourth Day, I perceived myfelf 
 much better without any Manner of Complaint ; 
 and, I thank GOD, have continued fo ever fince; 
 whereas, before I took Tar-water, I was fubject toa 
 Head-ach, Cramps, Pains in -feveral Parts, more 
 efpecially in the Kidneys, very acute from anyWheei- 
 carriage , I was tormented alfo with an Heart-burn- 
 ing, all which Diforders, I now a fib re you are per- 
 fectly vanifhed, and I am reftored, bieffed be GOD, 
 as it were, toa new Life, having a keen Appetite, 
 good Digeftion, Spirits fufficient to bear me through 
 all Fatigues, with found and eafy Sleep, tho'now on 
 the Borders of Sixty. 
 
 173. The great Benefit I received from Tar water, 
 induced me for the general Good, to make it for 
 other poor People ; who had it fince laft April 
 1744, and mail always have it Gratis, while I make 
 ir, to whom I have dift abated, with others, above a 
 thoufand Gallons, without any Complaint yet, but 
 with great Acknowledgments, as by theSequcl will 
 
 appear.
 
 94 ?&? Efe&s of 
 
 appear. Having difpatched my own Cafe, I beg 
 Leave to lay before you thofe others, with their Sue - 
 cefs, which I durft not do till Oftober was paft, be- 
 caufe fome predicted frightful Confequences at that 
 Time to all fuch, who ventured on this Medicine. 
 But now May 1745 being paft, and ftill no bad 
 Symptoms appearing on thofe Adventures, I look 
 now on this Prediclion as a Brutum Fulmen. 
 
 174. I have now been eight Years Chaplain to 
 the City Work-houfe, in all which Time the Chil- 
 dren of that Houfe, have been forely afflifted with 
 an inflammatory Itch, or Scurvy, of which we could 
 never get them entirely cured. This I have often 
 complained of to the proper Officer, who once 
 allured me, all theDruggs in the Apothecary's Shop 
 would not cure them ; nay more, that it was not in 
 his Power to clean fe them, whilft the Children were 
 continued on an Oat- meal Diet: On this frank and 
 helplefs Confefiion, I imagined I might, without 
 Offence, try Tar- water on thofe poor Incurables, as 
 well for their Relief, as the Good of others -, ac- 
 cordingly, I did fo, and really I obferved the joyful 
 Succefs exceeded my Expectations: For above a hun- 
 dred Children varioufly affected, were for the moft 
 Part comfortably relieved in one Month's Time, at 
 my own Expence , each Day administering eight 
 Gallons, often with my own Hands, with three 
 Pounds of Liquorice-ball, cur into little Bits given 
 to the Children, to render the Water agreeable. 
 
 175. At this Time, there was a Girl about nine 
 Years old in the Work-houfe, by Name, Mary Mac 
 Culla^ confined to her Bed for fome Time, with a 
 moft violent Scurvy ; (he had little or no Appetite, 
 full of Pain, becaufe flay*d in feveral Parts by re- 
 peated Rubbings of Brimftone ; at laft the Girl fell 
 into a moft languishing Way, taking neither fuffi- 
 cient Food, nor Reft to fupport Nature, every Day 
 declining, fo look'd on by all who came to ice her, 
 
 as
 
 TAR-WATER. 95 
 
 as pad all Hope. Neverthelefs, by taking Tar- 
 water a Week, the Girl recovered wonderfully ; and 
 by continuing the Life of the Water her Sores foon 
 dried and fcaled off, and me looked as one out of the 
 Small-pox, but her Appetite returning, fhe revived 
 immediately, and is at this Day, May the 6th, 1 745, 
 one of the ftrongeft Children in our Houfe, reads 
 well, and is worth all my Expence and Trouble. 
 
 176. The next Subject was John Hall, about nine 
 Years old, who in April 1744, could neither fleep, 
 nor eat what was fufrkient^to keep the Child alive, 
 as his Mother informed me, (till moaning, and com- 
 plaining of his Belly, which was greatly fwelled, and 
 in all human Probability, would foon have died, had 
 the Child not been relieved feafonably by Tar- 
 water, which caufed the Child to void a large Quan- 
 tity of Worms, fince which Difcharge, is well, and 
 I hear of no Complaints as formerly: This Child's 
 Mother, Mary Hall, then a Nurfe in the Work- 
 houfe, being called on by the Governors for her fo- 
 Jemn Teftimony in this Matter, fwore, that her 
 Son, foon after taking Tar- water, voided a Chamber- 
 pot full of Worms, fome of which, fhe obferved to 
 be alive ; and further fwore, that fhe herfelf was 
 relieved from a violent Pain in her Side and Stomach, 
 by a wonderful Difcharge both Ways, caufed by two 
 Quarts of Tar- water taken in four Days, and from no 
 Appetite before, Ihe then, May the loth, 1744, en- 
 joyed a very good one. 
 
 177. The next was James Ellis, now in the Work- 
 houfe, a Lad of above thirteen Years old, whofe 
 Hands for a long Time were in a manner ufelefs by 
 a running Evil, but are now perfectly cured by this 
 Medicine. Nay, there is another Boy in the fame 
 Houfe, by Name, George Darton, whofe Glands 
 beneath the Chin, were greatly fwelled and inflamed, 
 ever oozing forth putrid Matter, moving a Naufea 
 in all Beholders, This Boy took Tar-water one 
 
 Month
 
 96 *fhe Effetis of 
 
 Month only, which greaxly dried up his Sores, and 
 
 is now very well. 
 
 178. A fimil.ir Cafe like this is that of a young 
 Woman, named Mary- Ann Empty , in the Pariih. of 
 Glandorkw, about lour Miles from Dublin, who was 
 of late frightfully affiichd with an Evil in many 
 Parts, tfpecially her Face ; fhe was fome Time ago 
 recommended to me by her ParifhMinifter, and is 
 greatly relieved, of which I am an Eye-witnefs : Her 
 Mother gave me the following Account of her Cure: 
 That by drinking Tar- water, her Daughter's Ulcers 
 dried up, which fo afTtdted her Face and Jaws, that 
 (he could neither eat nor fwallow, but the Ulcers in 
 the Girl's Face bur ft as fhe flept, making a large 
 Difcharge. The Mother overjoyed at her Daugh- 
 tei's unexpected Relief, was curious to examine the 
 Filth which lately tormented her Daughter, and fhe 
 afifured me, fhe found in the Filth that was dif- 
 charged, a fiat Bone about an Inch long, not quite 
 fo broad, both black and jagged: This I fuppoie 
 ftopt the Vent of the Ulcers in the Face, becaufe, 
 
 ' when removed, the Difcharges for fome Time we're 
 very large, after which the Maid grew well, and is 
 very little disfigured, and by continuing to drink 
 Tar- water, the Girl is now, in December 1745, per- 
 fectly cured of the Evil. 
 
 179. Another Cure like this was performed on a 
 Lad, Son to a Servant of Alderman Kane. This Lad 
 received a Contufion in one of his Hands ;. the Cure 
 not perfected, the Sore broke out again on the Back 
 of the fame Hand ; moreover, another Ulcer broke 
 out at the fame Time in the Lad's Heel, both Ulcers 
 fubmitted to this Medicine, tho' for a long Time 
 obftinate, and before the Lad took Tar-water 
 thought incurable. 
 
 180. Ann Maddin, Sifter to Woman who nurfes 
 for Mr. Putland, had a very fore Hand fo fwellcd 
 and inflamed, that the Surgeons believed it mortified, 
 
 and
 
 TARAWA* ER. 97 
 
 and fo doomed ic to be cut off-, yet the Doctor that 
 attended, as I am informed, advifed, before taking 
 this laft Extremity, to try Tar- water, which fhe did ; 
 and when I viewed the young Woman's Hand fome 
 Time ago, it looked kindly from a fhapeJefs black 
 Lump; and I am informed by i Relation of the 
 young Woman, thatfhe is in a manner well, having 
 no Pain in that Part, and can ufe it like the other 
 Hand. 
 
 181. Peter Evard, Stocking- weaver, to be heard 
 of at the Ship, in Old Corn-market^ was fo ulcerated 
 all over his Body, and in many Parts eat away with 
 the Scurvy, that he could not work: Tho* all Me- 
 thods were ufed by the Infirmary feveral Months, 
 but in vain; fo reckoned amongll the Incurables; 
 on this he took this Medicine, and immediately re- 
 covered, now follows his Trade, and comfortably pro- 
 vides for himfelf and others. His Mother, an aged 
 Woman, long afflicted with an Afthm.i, took with 
 her Son part of his Medicine, which relieved her of 
 her Aithma, though an old Diforder. 
 
 182. A Gentleman bred an Apothecary, (and 
 therefore will not mention his Name) came one 
 Evening into our Hall in a very melancholy Way 
 with an inflamed fore Throat ; he laid he could not 
 f wallow his Spittle, and that he had a great Lump 
 in his Throat, which he mull get hunched imme- 
 diately, or it would choak him ; with much a- do, I 
 prevailed on the young Man to take a little Tar- wa- 
 ter, which relieved him immediately, and he felt no 
 more of his frightful Lump, but continues botheafy 
 and well. From this, and many other Inftances, I 
 find nothing ever relieved a fore Throat fo foon and 
 fo effectually as this Medicine. 
 
 183. Mrs. Catharine William^ who fells Earth- 
 en-ware near the End of Dirty lane, Thomas -ft re t :^ 
 had one of her Legs fo long ulcerated, that it was 
 doomed to be cut off, after great Expence and mcft 
 
 H acute
 
 ^8 fhe Effefts of 
 
 acute Pain ; yet that very Leg was rtftored toEafe- 
 and perfect Scundnefs by this powerful Medicine 
 in a fhort Time without any external Application. 
 
 184. Mary Philips, now in the Work-houfe, 
 for a long Time had loft in a manner, the Ufe of 
 a Leg, with a conftant Numbnefs or Tingling,, as 
 if it were afleep; me could not walk on it but with 
 Difficulty; but if me flirred quick ever fo little, fhe 
 then felt mod acute Pain, and in frofty Weather, 
 would often be forced to ftt up in Bed many an 
 Hour by Night, moaning and rubbing it; but by 
 Tar- water that Numbnefs is entirely gone, and tho* 
 Hie walks ever To quick or long, fhe feels no man- 
 ner of Pa hi in that Part, the fare Con fequence (be- 
 fore Tar- water) of fuch Motion. 
 
 185. A Son of Mr. B y t Iron-monger, in 
 
 Tbomas-fireet, was infected with a dry Scurf in the 
 Scarf- fkin, for fome time, much like a Leprofy; 
 no Expence, no Advice, was either with-held or 
 wanting, yet the Youth found no Relief: On this 
 the tender Mother afked the Doctor, if fhe might 
 venture to give the Child Tar-water, fo much in 
 vogue about that Time , " Ay, ay," fays the Doc- 
 tor, " if you have a mind to kill your Son." To 
 demonflrate which, he gave this Reafon, " what 
 " Nature kindly throws out, "fays he, " you will 
 " certainly cork up by the fear ing Quality of Tar- 
 * c water, and fo your Son mufl inevitably perifh." 
 Neverthelefs, Tar-water was ventured upon, with the 
 utmofl Dread ; but behold in a fhort Tkne the Lad 
 became perfectly clean and healthy, and flill conti- 
 nues fo. Of this lam both an Eye and Ear-witnefs, 
 becaufe the Lady and the Lad paid me a Vifit, and 
 acknowledged thankfully this greatBleffing, and re- 
 lated the above Story. 
 
 1 8 6. Robert Sco! y Tape- weaver, to be heard of 
 at Paul JobnjJon's in James-flreet^wzs cured fud- 
 dently by this powerful Medicine, of an old Ulcer 
 
 in.
 
 + WAT'ER. 99 
 
 in the Thigh, and relieved from a confumptive 
 Cough, which fo weakened the poor Man, that he 
 was not able to work ; but now locks briik, and 
 gets his Bread comfortably, and, to ufe his own 
 Words, he makes his Paws maintain his Jaws. 
 
 187. Mrs. Birmingham^ then living at Mrs. 
 Kecks in James's-ftreet, labouring for many Years 
 under an acute Pain in her Side, fuppofed to bean 
 Impofthume, by this Medicine was fuddenly reliev- 
 ed by a Difcharge of an incredible Quantity of 
 Filth and Matter upwards; fi nee which Time, the 
 Woman, tho' much in Years, enjoys the Comforts 
 of Life, being now both vigorous and eafy. 
 
 1 88. Elizabeth Wwd^ at Mr. Mac Quires, the 
 Corner of Meatb-ftreet, was relieved by Tar-water 
 from an old Afthma and Dropfy, with both which 
 the poor Woman fcemed every Moment to be ready to 
 expire; both her Ailments are cured by this Water, 
 and fhe now thinks of living as long as any of her 
 Neighbours, being both hearty and itrong. 
 
 189. William Billing jly, formerly of the Work- 
 houfe, now living on Crooked- jlaff, was troubled 
 with Swellings and violent Pains in both his Legs 
 and Feet, which furTered him neither to work, nor 
 walk ; but after taking this Medicine only one 
 Month, all his Diforders vanilhed, he grew fo ftrong 
 and hearty that he wove in the Work-houfe four 
 Yards of Check-linnen each Day -, I fpoke to him 
 February 7, 1744, at which time Time he was very 
 well. 
 
 190. John Rofe, now in the Work-houfe, was a 
 long Time bed-rid, with Cramps all over him, 
 from whence the Pain was fo acute and con flan t, 
 that his piteous Moans both Night and Day, dif- 
 turbed all about him ; but by takingTar-water one 
 Month, his Diforder vanifhtrd, as it were, without; 
 the lea ft Return fince May 1744, and new enjoys 
 his Limbs, tho 5 not able to, II ir one Foot before. 
 
 H 2 191. R:-
 
 rtfo The Etj'effs of 
 
 191. Rcfart Turnbowl, a Boy of the fame Houfe, 
 was brought on a Boy's Back, and laid down at my 
 Chamber- door, not being able to ftir one Step, yet 
 by ufing this powerful Medicine one Month, reco- 
 vered his Legs, and now goes tolerably. 
 
 192. JcbnWarburgbS) of the fame Family, was 
 frightfully afflided with an Inflammation in his 
 Head, his Eye-lids were fo f we lied, that the Boy 
 was led to my Apartment, being as dark as one 
 Stone-blind, and there fupplicated very folemnly and 
 fervently for Tar- water; he obtained his Requeft, 
 tho* I was then doubtful of Succefsj yet on taking 
 this Medicine three Days, the Inflammation fo cool- 
 ed, that the Boy 's Eyes were perfectly reftored ; how- 
 ever, his Forehead, Chi-n, and the Back of his Head, 
 were covered with a large and ftrange Eryfipelas-, 
 all which in three Days Time fcaled off, the whole 
 Inflammation cooled, and the Boy continues very 
 \vd], and free from that Diforder now upwards 
 cf twelve Months. 
 
 193. Richard Keeves, of this Family, had two 
 bleeding Ulcers in his Thigh, which did not per- 
 mit him toflecp, work, or walk, both which were 
 cured in amort Time by this Medicine without any 
 outward Application. 
 
 194. There is a Gentlewoman on Arbour-bill, 
 who fufrered a great deal a long Time by an Ulcer 
 in her Leg, and after many coftly Experiments, and 
 painful ones too, was injoined Patience, as being in- 
 curable. Then, as her laft Shift, fhe fell to Tar- 
 water, by which ilie is fo well recovered, that fhe 
 is now able to go to Church, to return Thanks for 
 fo great aBlefling; nay, walks without Pain or 
 Difficulty any where, though before fhe could not 
 ftir a Foot without both. 
 
 195. There is an Officer in the Barracks, who, 
 for a long Time felt, after walking a little Way, a 
 grievous Pain in theBack-finewsof his Legs, but 
 
 on
 
 , lot 
 
 on drinking Tar-water, all Complaints there are 
 perfectly vanifhed, tho* he walks ever fo much and 
 faft, having made the Experiment; and this I had 
 from his own Mouth. 
 
 196. Matthew Lynch, an old Man, feventy Years 
 at leaft, now living at Mr. Floyd's in Kilmainbam, 
 was lately afthmatic to a great Degree, and fo af- 
 flicted with the Piles, that he was always feared to 
 Death whenever he had a Call that Way, the Pain 
 was fo great ; but now by the powerful Help of this 
 Medicine, he can do every natural Office with Eafe, 
 and is not only relieved from all his old Diforders, 
 but feems to have regained new Life and Vigour. 
 
 197. The prefent Reader in Cbrift Cburcb, was 
 attacked with an Hoarfenefs a considerable Time, 
 and affured me he was frightened at its Continuance, 
 but is now fo cleared up by Tar-water, that he is 
 able now to fing, O be joyful. 
 
 198. Mr. John Purcell^ Son to the prefent Trea- 
 furer of the Work-houfe, feemed for fome Time to 
 be in a declining Way, from a confumptive Cough 
 and frequent Stitches; but by taking this Reftora- 
 tive, he revives daily, and no Wonder, for from 
 Time to Time the Lad voided feveral large Worms, 
 accidentally difcovered, and many probably we 
 know nothing of. 
 
 199. Jane Hamilton^ now in the Work-houfe, 
 Dublin, being grievoufly afflicted with a fcald Head, 
 for which (he was four Years under Cure in Mercer's, 
 Hofpital, but without EfFexfr,, was after admitted 
 into the Work-hoiife, where for feveral Years all 
 Methods of Cure were purfued, but to as little Pur- 
 pofe: On which Account, fhe was fent to me as an 
 obftinate Cafe, to try what Tar-water would do. I 
 accordingly took the Girl in Hand, and gave 
 her nothing but Tar-water, Morning; and Evening 
 
 ^y * t^ c^ 
 
 for a Month j then I had her Head wafhed and 
 
 rubbed twice a Day with a Spunge dipp'd in warm 
 
 H 3 , ftrong
 
 102 *Tke Effetfs of 
 
 flrong Tar-water, made of a Quart of Tar, and 
 two Quarts of boiling Water, till all the Scurf 
 c.tme orF-, by which Method, the Girl is now per- 
 fectly clean, healthy and ftrong, with a thick Head 
 of Hair, as if nothing had ever ailed her, to the 
 Admiration of all, who once knew her in a moib 
 miferable Condition. 
 
 200. One Mrs. Eager^ now living at MuHinehack^ 
 near New-row, Ttomas firect, threw up from time 
 to time, fuch vaft Quantities of Blood that fhe was 
 as pile as a Ghoil, and ib feeble that fhe could 
 fence (land: But after taking Tar- water, the 
 bloody Difcharge ceafed, and fhe improved 
 daily, till now fhe is become a hearty ftrong 
 Woman. 
 
 20 1. Mr. William Dickifon, oppofite James's 
 Church, was for fome Time very Deafj he took 
 Tar water, on which his Chin broke out, after 
 which he could hear as well as ever, and continues 
 to do fo, though upwards of two Years ago. 
 
 There are a great many more Cafes, very ado- 
 riming for their Succefs, which I muft pafs by in 
 Silence, not being permitted for fome Reafons to 
 mention the Names of the Parties concerned ; yet 
 there is one fo remarkably true and aftonifhing, 
 that I cannot omit it, without Detriment to the 
 Publick: On \vh ich Account, I hope the Perfons 
 concerned will take no Offence, fmce defigned only 
 for the Benefit of others. 
 
 A mofl remarkable Cafe. 
 
 202. The Third of November Jaft, a Surgeon of 
 this City paid me a vifit, in order (as he laid) to 
 thank me for a moft wonderful Cure performed by 
 my Tar- water: This made me curious to know the 
 Caie: He afilired me, a Perfon in this Town had 
 laboured for fome Time under the foul Diforder, 
 which had fo jiifcftcd the whole Mafs, that Part of
 
 TAR-WATER. 103 
 
 the unhappy Creature's Nofe was loft, before he 
 was called in ; fo that the Infection by that Time 
 was fpread from Top to Toe; for in one of 
 the Calves of the poor Creature's Leg, he could 
 thruft his Fifr, and the whole Back was as bare as 
 a cafed Rabbet ; as alfo the Head and Glands were 
 fo inflamed, he often fpent two Hours about this 
 one Subject*, but, fays he, to fhorten my Story, 
 having fome Time tried in va-in all Methods in 
 Practice for fuch aDiforder, I then gave my Pntient 
 your Tar- water ; the fenfible and fudden Effects of 
 which aftomthed me ; all the Ulcers appearing 
 more cool and kindly ; I then began (continues he) 
 to conceive fome Hope of my Patieaf, though be- 
 fore in good Truth, I had none at all. After my 
 Patient had taken a Gallon of your Tar- water, as 
 I came in one Morning, I found my Patient full 
 of Complaints, feemingly very fretful, and uneafy -, 
 on afking the Caufe, my Patient protefled w^-y 
 folemnly, never to touch one Drop more of Tar- 
 water, becaufe the laft Night's Operation caufed 
 by Tar- water, was fo violent and fearching-, I drove 
 to get the better of this rafh Ditlike, by (hewing 
 plainly the true Reaforr and future Benefit of this 
 ftrong Operation, but to no Purpofe ; fo Tar- water 
 was omitted forty-eight Hours, at the End of which 
 Time, all the Sores and Ulcers became once more 
 putrid, and inflamed very fenfibly, plainly demon- 
 ilrating an abfolute Neceflity of returning to our 
 old Medicine ; after fome Struggle with my Patient's 
 obftinate Prejudice, we did fo, and now I am abie 
 to aflfure you, Sir, fays the Surgeon, my Patient 
 is perfectly recovered, the Nofcexcepted ; and this 
 whole Cure, ftrange as it is, was accompli (bed by 
 your Tar-water, and no other Medicine. Now, Sir, 
 continues he, I muft confefs, that a Principle of 
 Gratitude is not the only Motive of this Vifit and 
 frank Confefnon, but alfo to in treat you, to inform 
 
 H 4 them
 
 104 3T2tf Effc&s of 
 
 me of your Sort of Tar, and how you make your 
 "Water : Which I imagine, fays he, will be of grea: 
 Service to the moft wretched of Mankind: Ac- 
 cordingly I informed him of the Sort of Norway 
 T-.r 1 nude ufe of, and how 1 prepared the 
 .Water. 
 
 203. A Gentleman, now lodging on Arbour bill, 
 10 afflicted with inward Pains, and emaciated 
 
 to fuch a Degree, that he was obliged to part with 
 an honourable and profitable Commifilon, when 
 commanded lately abroad. When all other Medi- 
 cines and Advice failed, he drank for fome time 
 Tar-water of his own making, which he aflured 
 me had almoft poifoned him, without any manner 
 of Eafe or Relief. On this Difappointment, by 
 Advice of a Friend, he fent to me for fome of my 
 Tar- water: On taking which, for fome time, his 
 Pains immediately vanifhed, and never returned, 
 though upwards of four Months, he flill continuing 
 the Ufe of the Water. Moreover the Night pafles 
 now infenfibly, whereas before he drank my Tar- 
 . water, he generally reckoned, by the Clock, every 
 Hour of the Night, from which comfortable Com- 
 pofure, his natural Appetite returned, and he is 
 now become an hail brifk ftrong Man. 
 
 204. Mrs. Dick/en, now living at Mrs. Ford's at 
 Zfirtnd-brid'ss, laboured a long time under a Com- 
 plication of Diibrders, but more efpecially, a fre- 
 quent Colic, and inveterate Scurvy, which affected 
 her whole Body, and her Face particularly, which 
 are now all cured by this Medicine only. 
 
 205. Mifs Martha Dowers, living oppofite to 
 the Cock and Bowl in Plunket-Jlreet, was long 
 afflicted with an inveterate Scurvy over her whole 
 Body, and for Years continued incurable, tho* all 
 Methods were tryed,. th.it the young Woman could 
 cither purcSaii." or think of-, at lait me took Tar- 
 
 :-, Y/hu ii clll-ch^ ISy cured Ivjrs of which I:im
 
 . 105 
 
 an Eye-witnefs, being with me at the Work-houfe 
 the 26th of November 1745, to acknowledge the 
 Bleffing (he received, and to return Thanks, not 
 having the lead Speck or Spot, and looking healthy 
 and well. 
 
 206. Mr. William Fo/ler, Brother to Mr. Fofter^ 
 Brewer in James' s-ftreet, Dublin, came to Town 
 the Beginning of November 1745, forely afflicted 
 with a Swelling in both his Legs, together with a 
 fevere Cough, tor which he took but one Gallon of 
 Tar- water, and this Day, Navember 26, I am af- 
 fured by his Nephew, that the Swelling is gone, 
 and alfo the Cough, and he who feemed to be in a 
 languishing Condition when he came to Town late- 
 ly, revives daily, and feemsto be reftored to a new 
 State of Health. 
 
 207. Mefiieurs Maffy and Boucher, of the County 
 of Limerick, from long Confinement, and other 
 Misfortunes, contracted fuch ill Habits of Body, 
 that their PhyficiansgaveTeftimony that they could 
 not live, if confined in the Place where they were, 
 fo were brought into my Neighbourhood topreferve 
 their Lives: by which happy Accident, hearing of 
 Tar-water, they immediately fent for fome, which 
 they drank, and were reftored furprizingly in a 
 Jhort time, after every other Method, prefcribed by 
 the beft Phyficians, had failed. The 5th of this 
 Inftant November 1745, I fpoke to them both, 
 and they allured me, that they have been well 
 ever fince they took Tar-water, now upwards of 
 fix Months. 
 
 208. A Gentlewoman of my Acquaintance, was 
 attacked September laft 1 745, with a fevere Ague-fit, 
 about Three in the Morning, which fhook her up- 
 wards of two Hours. On this I gave her about a 
 Naggin of Tar- water, which compofed her immedi- 
 ately, and flie took a refrefliing Nap for fome time; 
 at Nine the lame IVJorning preparing to rife, fhe 
 
 could
 
 IC 6 VbcEffc&sof 
 
 could not ftir her Left Leg, being very ftifTand fore, 
 and greatly fwelied and inflamed. On this a : 
 geon vvas called in, who afiured it was a mo(t vio- 
 lent Difordcr, nor could he forefee the Confeq .ence -, 
 being thus alarmed, fne kept her Bed tor ibme 
 time, and ftuped her Leg with Spirits of Wine, but 
 took no Medicine inwardly but Tar-water, by 
 which Means, (he had no other Ague-fit, and her 
 Leg is now neither fwelied nor inflamed, but in all 
 Appearance, and by its eafy natural Ufe, as well 
 and as found as the other. 
 
 209. A irjft remarkable Cure of a Gentleman's 
 Daughter about nine Tears old, lately in tht 
 S mail -$ox. 
 
 Mifs Hannah Hartnell, now living at Mrs. Green's 
 in Rainsford-ftreettthe 6th of November 1745, fell 
 ill of the Small-pox, her Parents having, from rea-d- 
 ing Siris, a good Opinion of Tar- water, were wil- 
 ling to makeufe of it ; accordingly I ordered the 
 Quantity of a Naggin of Tar- water to be given 
 to the Child warm every fixth Hour; the Child 
 took it, and it fat eafy on her Stomach, till the 
 third Day, but then fhe threw it up in a fhort 
 time after it was clown with a Load of Filth and 
 Phlegm ; by which Means all Oppreflion and Pain 
 in the Child's Stomach ceafed, of which fhe conti- 
 nually complained before. Moreover, on that Day, 
 (viz. the thirJ) fhe hud a violent Lax, which conti- 
 nued about twenty Hours, dill fhe took her Tar- 
 v.'.ater as before, but obferving fhe threw up all or 
 mo(t of it, I then ordered a third of warm Water to 
 be nrixt with it, to make it weaker, which caufed it 
 to fit, for fhe never threw it up after, nay was not fo 
 much as lick, or made the lea ft Complaint, until 
 Motulav the i7th of November^ being the i?th 
 
 *r t _ * \J ./ 
 
 T).iy j at which rime when I payed my Vifit in the 
 Moi :iing, I found the Child in a nioft hopckfs Way > 
 
 the
 
 . 107 
 
 the Difcharge at her Nofe and Eyes was ftopt, 
 which before that time was very large (the Diforder 
 on the Child's Face being confluent, and never filled, 
 the Pus difcharging itfelf that way) the Small- pox 
 on her Hands appeared black or livid ; the Child 
 grew cold, with little or no Pulfe, together with art 
 hard Hoarfenefs, and a continual Cough. Thofe 
 deadly Symptoms and fudden Alteration aftonifh- 
 ed me greatly, having left the Child the Evening 
 before in "a very promifing Way. I then ftriclly 
 examined how this frightful Alteration happened, 
 and found, that by Accident, Water was fpilt in the 
 Child's Bed, out of which (he was taken, tho' in a 
 cold frofty Day, and continued fo for fome confider- 
 able Time, becaufe me was not put into Bed till all 
 the wet Things were dried and adjufted. From that 
 Inftant, all our former Hopes of the Child's Reco- 
 very vanifhed, and as for my Part, I did not ima- 
 gine (he could druggie twelve Hours, from the Ob- 
 liruftions in both Head and Throat, which appear- 
 ed molt ftubborn and obftinate, the Child being 
 able neither to fpeak, fwallow, or breathe freely: 
 However, tho* my Hope was indeed but very fmall, 
 immediately I warm'd a Naggin of Tar-water, with- 
 out any Mixture, and obliged the poor Child with 
 fome Difficulty to fip it, little by little, till in fome 
 considerable Time, fhe got all down, and it ftaicl 
 with her. On this I ordered fome healthy careful 
 Perfon to be put into Bed, and to take the Child in- 
 to their Arms, to infufe Heat if pofTible. The ten- 
 'ler Mother readily obeyed, in fome time the Child 
 j;rew warm and eafy, fell into a fine Sweat, and flept 
 for about two Hours, after which, the former Dif- 
 -harge from both Nofe and Eyes burft forth a- new, 
 md appeared as large, if not larger for fome time 
 han ever-, which greatly promoted the Child's 
 peedy Recovery from this moft imminent Danger. 
 Jeing now up and well, with a keen Appetite, good 
 
 Digefti
 
 ic8 fie Effefts of 
 
 Digeftion, and what is moft aftoniming in the whole 
 Procefs, for the Space of twenty-one Days, fhe was 
 not cnce fick, or" made the leaft Complaint, the 3d 
 and 1 3th Days excepted. Now I beg Leave to 
 afTure the Publick, that this Child took no manner 
 of Medicine, but only Tar- water, not one Drop of 
 Sack or Sack-whey, her common drink was two- 
 milk Whey, or boiled Milk and Water, of which 
 (lie took plentifully, and always warm: By a Blef- 
 fing on which Method, fhe is now livelier and hear- 
 tier than before fhe lay down, being only the 23d 
 Day, this 28th of November 1745. 
 
 210. Mr.J^illiamCbarleton y in November 1745, 
 was attacked with a violent Fever, of which he 
 feem'd to get the better, but relapfed immediately, 
 under which he languished for fome Time, and 
 feem'd paft Hope-, as an Addition to his Diforder, 
 an inflamed Ulcer fo affecled his Throat inwardly, 
 that he could not fwallow; upon this he fent to me 
 for Tar-water ; on taking which his Ulcer vaniihed, 
 his Appetite returned, his Fever entirely left him, 
 without any bad Symptom, and the young Gentle- 
 man is now, I thank GOD, both lively and ftrong, 
 from a very languishing dangerous State: All 
 xvhich, this Morning December 24, he thankfully 
 acknowledged in my Room, where he took with me 
 a Cup of Tar- water with the greateft Alacrity. He 
 lodges at Mr. &V/?'s oppofite the Work-houfe. 
 
 211. John Mac Donald, now in the Work-houfe, 
 was miferably eat away with the King's-evil-in 
 many Parts of his Body, itconfumed hall his Face, 
 fo that he was naufeous both to himfelf and others. 
 This firft happened to him in the Country: In 
 Hopes of Relief, he fet out for this City, and by 
 Accident met the Bifhop of Cloyne, who advifed 
 him to Tar-water, and gave him fome Money to 
 provide ir. The Lad neglected this good Advice, 
 bur cbubcd Admifllon into one of the Infirmaries, 
 
 v/herc
 
 . icg 
 
 where being twice falivated, but nothing better, he 
 \vas turned out as incurable -, being in great Dif- 
 trefs, he came into the Work-hcufeas a Vagabond, 
 where he was falivated alfo, but his Evil {till conti- 
 nued obftinate, without the.leaft Sign of Relief, tho' 
 reduced in a manner to a Shadow, as he was crawl- 
 ing about, I took notice of him, and advifed him 
 to Tar- water, he complied, and in the Space of a 
 Fortnight, he found moft fenfible Relief, fo conti- 
 nued taking Tar-water about fix Weeks longer, 
 which cured all the Ulcers of his Body ; but where 
 the Sores were, the Skin is drawn up in Wrinkles, 
 tho* without any Weaknefs or Pain. Thus far 
 Mr. Hill. 
 
 212. An Extraft of a Letter from a Gentleman of 
 Veracity and Credit, relating to bis own Cafe ; 
 dated the i otb of December 1745. 
 It is fomewhat more than a Year ago I firft med- 
 dled with Tar- water, only playing with it. I found 
 it good for a flow Digeftion, and a Strengthner of 
 a weak Stomach. Ac Times I was wont to be trou- 
 bled with the Piles, and with a Pain in the lower 
 Part of my Back* in both which Cafes it befriended 
 me. But afterward being pretty well at Eafe, I 
 thought but little of Tar- water, till the Beginning 
 of July laft, when the fame Pain in the lower Part 
 of my Back afflicted me fo'violently, as to caufe 
 me to apply to a Phyfician, from whom I gathered 
 that what 1 had deemed to be of the Gravel-kind, 
 was gouty. However I determined with myfelf 
 to go into the Ufe-of Tar- water in earned; which 
 I have regularly done fince that Time, only with 
 fhort Intermifilons now and then ; and, by the di- 
 vine Bleffing, with rrmch Advantage to my Health 
 and Strength, Freedom of Spirits and Chearfulnefs. 
 When I came into the regular Ufe of it, I took a 
 Refutation to oblige myfelf ;o as cool and niild Diet 
 
 as
 
 no The Efetfs of 
 
 as I could well bear, and to deal lefsthan formerly 
 in Flefh-meat, and Malt-liquor, or Wine, or Cyder : 
 And many Times, I believe, much lefs than a Pound 
 of Flefh, and a Quart of thofe Liquors put together, 
 had ferved me a Week. This I did on Account 
 of its being warm, as I fuppofed, and Cordial in 
 its Nature, concluding it would fufficiently fupport 
 the Conftitution, as the Effect has proved. Indeed, 
 I find little or no Inclination to drink except at 
 Meals, and then lefs than formerly, nor find the 
 want of Cordials, whilftin the Ufes of Tar-water. 
 
 I was near thirty Years old, when an ulcerous 
 Ailment came upon me in my. Seat; and 'tis now 
 fomewhat more than thirty Years, that it hath been 
 a running Grief or IfTue, more or lefs, to be fure 
 fome time in every Moon pretty plentifully dif- 
 charging a purulent Matter ; but this Difcharge is 
 now Hopped by the Means of Tar- water. 
 
 This Gentleman, though perfectly freed from all 
 1/13 Ailments, yet is apprehenfive, that the flopping 
 and healing up his Ulcer may be attended with bad 
 Confequences, under the Notion, that the want of 
 fuch a Difcharge, which he has been fo long ar- 
 cu ftomed to, may occafion fome Diforder el fe- where, 
 and therefore would be advifed about continuing 
 the Ufe of Tar-water ; and at the fame time, fays, 
 that having found it fo friendly, he is afraid of fceing 
 advifed to forbear the Ufe of it, as long as theBe- 
 nefit received is manifeft in the Enjoyment of a better 
 State qf Health and Eafe, unattended with any 
 prcfent Inconvenience. It is pleafant to fee how thrs 
 Patient is frighted at his being cured of a running 
 Ulcer, which had infefted him for thirty Years: He 
 could not be perfectly cured, unlefs his Ulcer was 
 healed, and there is nothing to fear from thence, as 
 the peccant Humour was not repelled, or driven to 
 other Parts, but corrected and mended ; fuch is the 
 wonderful Force of Tar- water in (weetening the 
 Blood and Juices. 213. In
 
 TA R- WATER, m 
 
 213. In September 1745, the two following Gen- 
 tlemen gave me, at their refpefli-ve HonfesiriCk-yne^ 
 an Account of the Benefits they received ly the Uje 
 of Tar-water. 
 
 Mr. James Harming t by catchingcold, was feized 
 with a violent Fever in November 1743, his Feet 
 and Legs were at firft extreamly cold, his Head 
 much difturbed, and he loft all Appetite, being 
 judged by all to be in a dangerous Condition by the 
 Height of his Fever v he had recourfe to Tar- 
 water, which he drank in Plenty, and took nothing 
 elfe; in ten Days drinking, his Fever, and all other 
 bad Symptoms went off, and in a Fortnight's Time 
 he was perfectly recovered. 
 
 214. Mr. Clement Forfter^ who deals much there 
 in the Worited-trade, was in Summer 1744, feized 
 with a Fever, which greatly affected him, and made 
 him incapable to do any Bufmefs: He wasadvifed to 
 drink Tar-water, which had fuch an Effect, that ia 
 ten Days his Fever turned to an Ague, which w^s 
 fo eafy, that on the firft taking the Bark, he was 
 perfectly cured ; he informed mealfo, that he ufed to 
 be troubled with one or two Fits of the Gout every 
 Year for feveral Years paft, but that he had no Re- 
 turn of it, fmce he began to drink Tar- water. 
 
 215. Robert Dillon of Clonbrock in the County 
 way, Efq-, Member of Parliament, was pleafed 
 
 to give me the following Account in January \ 743.; 
 that he had been afflicted with the Gout above 
 fifteen Years, which became more violent every 
 Year-, that he ufed to be confined in the Fits for 
 many Months together, with great Pain, and fucli 
 "Weaknefs in his Limbs, that he could hardly walk > 
 that when he was out of the Fits, he was troubled, 
 in the Morning efpecially, with a great Uneafinefs 
 and Loathing in his Stomach, and a Discharge of .t 
 great deal of Phlegm, that ]K had ;:o Relief from 
 
 a - any 
 
 / 
 
 .
 
 112 TheEffettsof 
 
 any Medicine he took-, but that in Summer 1744, 
 he began to drink Tar- water, which he has continu- 
 ed for a Year and half without Intermiffion, taking 
 constantly half a Pint in the Morning, and as much 
 every Night, which he was encouraged to do by 
 the Benefit he received by it; all the Loathing in 
 his Stomach is quite gone, and though he has now 
 and then fome Fits of the Gout, yet they happen 
 but feldom, and laft but a fhort time with little or 
 no Pain, and he now enjoys good Appetite and 
 Spirits, though his Limbs are ftill weak, and he 
 thinks himfelf happy in comparifon of his former 
 Condition. 
 
 216. Henry Left range of the King's County Efq; 
 Member of Parliament, informed me in January 
 1745, that he had been troubled with the Gout for 
 ten Years paft, that about four Years ago he was 
 feized with the Small- pox, from which he recovered 
 with great Difficulty, that for a Year after he had 
 no Return of. the Gout, but that for the hft three 
 Years, the Gout returned upon him with more Vio- 
 lence, fo that he had a Fit every Autumn and Spring ; 
 that the Fit in the laft Spring lafted three Months, 
 which deprived him of Reft, Appetite, and Spirits; 
 that being advifed to drink Tar-water, he began to 
 drink it in Summer 1745, which he has continued 
 the Ufe of ever fince, with fuch good Effect, that 
 he has had no Return of the Gout in the ufual Sea- 
 fon, nor any Symptom of it, and now enjoys a good 
 Appetite, Flow of Spirits, and Freedom from all 
 Uneafinefs, and has the full Ufe and Strength of his 
 Limbs as much as ever, and refolves to drink Tar- 
 water conftantly, to which he imputes all his Re- 
 covery. 
 
 217. Colonel. Charles Tottenham, of Tottenham- 
 green, in the County of Wexford, Efq; Member of 
 Pari iament, informed meon the 3Oth of January 1 745, 
 that he had beenafHicl:ed with a dead Ague for five 
 
 Years,
 
 TAR-WATER. 113 
 
 Years, and had not any cold Firs, but th.it his hot 
 Fits were very violent, being conftaiuly attended 
 with prodigious Sweats, which waded and weaken- 
 ed .him greatly ; he had loft his A npetite and Spirits, 
 and though he took great Quantities of the Bark, 
 he found himfelf the worfe for it. In tin's decaying 
 Condition, he confulted the Phyficians in D;.'3/;>, 
 and took their Prefcriptions without any Relict". 
 But in Summer, 1744, he had Recourfe to Tar- 
 water, which he drank cold, half a Pint in the 
 Morning, and as much at Night, fora Month 
 fix Weeks, and found that the Tar- water griped him 
 very much, and gave him no Relief; upon which 
 he difcontinued the Ufe of it : but finding that his 
 Diforder (till crew worfe, and hearing that it VMS 
 
 O O 
 
 adviied in Cafes of Agues, Colics, and Fevers, to 
 drink Tar-water warm, and in fmaller Quantities 
 at a Time, he followed that Advice, and from the 
 Moment he drank it Milk-warm, he fount! it agree 
 with his Stomach, and got immediate Relief, a; 1 
 continuing to drink it plentifully in that Form, he 
 has entirely got the better of his dead Ague, and is 
 quite free from all Symptoms of if, he has reco- 
 vered his Appetite, Spirits, and Reft, and artrib'j > 
 his Recovery altogether to Tar- water, which he iliil 
 drinks, and refolves always to drink, as it is no way 
 difagreeable to him, and fo very ufeful. 
 
 2 1 8. Mr. William Wiilan, Tape- weaver, in T'koriias- 
 ftreet, Dublin^ informed me in January., \ 745, that 
 for many Years, he had been affiicted with the Gonr, 
 which gave him much Pain, and frequently con- 
 fined him to his Chamber ; that being advifed to 
 drink Tar-water, he did fo in a regular Manner, 
 which gave him Spirits, Appetite, and Eaie, by 
 which, he is now able to attend all his Buiineis 
 abroad without Pain from cht Gout ; and though he- 
 has ftill a Wcakneis in his Limbs, he imputes thac 
 to the Necefitty of walking much abroad, which his 
 
 I Alters
 
 Effetfs of 
 
 Affairs frequently require, and acknowledges the 
 great Benefit he received by drinking Tar-water. 
 
 219. Captain Solomon Debrifay, of the City of 
 Dublin, favoured me with the following Detail of 
 his Cafe in January? 1745. He was troubled with 
 a fcoi butical Diforder above twenty Years, for which 
 he took feveral Medicines in England, France, and 
 Ireland-, and though he fometimes had fome Abate- 
 ment of his Diforder, yet at laft it grew very vio- 
 lent, breaking out into running Sores, and Scruff, 
 and attended with great Pain, fo that he could hard- 
 ly ride or walk without great Uneafmefs. In this 
 Condition in September, 1744, he got an Inflam- 
 mation of the Lungs and violent Cough, by catch- 
 ing cold, for which he was blooded and vomited ; 
 and when he had got the better of the Inflamma- 
 tion, he took Tar-water to remove his Cough, at 
 the Rate of a Pint a Day, which in a little Time 
 carried off his Cough ; and finding the Water to a- 
 gree with him, and that it made him eafier in the 
 Scurvy, he continued the drinking of it for fix 
 Months, by which Means, he was entirely cured of 
 the Scurvy, without the lead Sore or Spot remain- 
 ing, and has had no Return of it fince that Time, 
 though he has left off the Ufe of the Water, as 
 having no firther Occafion for it. 
 
 220. Mr. George Rumford, aged Seventy-five 
 Years, who lives at the Black-pits, Dublin, was in 
 the Year 1744, feized with a moll violent Cough, 
 attended with a continual Spitting of corrupt Stuff 
 and Phiegm. In this dangerous Condition he made 
 Ufe of every Thing the Doctors had ordered, with- 
 out receiving the leaft Benefit, upon which they 
 gave him up as pad all Hopes of Cure. But a 
 Friend of his coming to fee him, and finding him 
 given over, begg'd he would drink Tar- water, which 
 he did in the Quantity of Pint each Day, till he 
 made ufe of three Gallons of Tar- water ; in which 
 
 ,.-!-, 
 
 lime,
 
 TAR-WATER. 115 
 
 Time, he was quite recovered, freed from his vio 
 lent Cough and Spitting, and reftored to a good 
 Appetite, and is now in a great Flow of Spirits, 
 and as well as he could wifh. for one of his Years, 
 and he verily believes, that, had it not been for 
 Tar-water, he would have been dead long ago, 
 and that he owes his Life to the Ufe of it. 
 
 221. James Reyly, Servant to Mr. Phepce Brewer 
 in Milljireet) was in the Year 1745, afflicted with. 
 an Afthma, Shortnefs of Breath, and great Cough, 
 and at the fame Time, his Belly, Thigh?, and Legs 
 were fwollen to a monftrous Size, fo that he could 
 not walk or breath but with great Difficulty, and he 
 loft all Appetite ; he made ufe of many Things pre- 
 fcribed for him without receiving any Benefit, and 
 he continued in this mifcrable Way for fome Time ; 
 but hearing of the Effects of Tar- water, and what 
 Relief others had received from it, he began imme- 
 diately to drink it, about a Pint a Day, until he had 
 made ufe of a Gallon, by which Time his Breath, 
 was reitored, his Cough was gone, and all the Swel- 
 lings in his Body and Limbs fell away, and he re- 
 covered a good Appetite, and could eat three 
 Times for once he could before. He had alfo ac 
 the fame Time a great Scurvy in his Face, which 
 was alfo carried off by drinking Tiir-water, and 
 he is now hearty and well, and able to go through 
 his Bufmefs as well as ever. 
 
 222. Mr. Enoch Mafon, who lives with Mr. Bur- 
 fiquot, Clothier, near Ejjex-bridge, gave me the fol- 
 lowing Particulars of his Diforder, on the gift of 
 January^ 1 73.5. He had been troubled with rheuma- 
 tic Pains in his Joints for fifteen Years, which he 
 could not remove by any of the Medicines he took ; 
 but in 1744, his Diforder appeared in a new Form , 
 he had great Difficulty of breathing, infomuch, 
 that he could not lie down in his Red ior fix Werks, 
 his Belly was drawn up, and he fuficred great Pains ; 
 
 I 2 the
 
 n6 < fbe E/ctfs of 
 
 the Phyfician called it a Contraction of the Bowels -, 
 he could not deep by Reafon of his Pains and Dif- 
 ficulty of breathing, and though he took many com- 
 pofing Draughts, which made him doze, yet he got 
 no Refrefhment: he went through the common 
 Courfe of Phyfic, vomiting and other Prefcriptions, 
 \vhich giving him no Relief, his Cafe was judged' 
 to be dcfpcrate, and accordingly, hewasadvifed to 
 go into the Country and drink Milk, which might 
 pciTibly prolong his Life for fome Time, but with- 
 out any Hopes that he could laft long. At this 
 Time, he heard much of Tar- water, and was ad- 
 vifed to drink it, which he did at the Rate of a 
 Pint a Day ; which in a little Time removed the 
 Contraction in his Belly, reftored him to a Free- 
 dom of breathing, and brought him to a good Ap- 
 petite, fo that he mended every Day, and continuing 
 to drink the Water, obtained a perfect Recovery 
 from his Rheumatifm, and all his other Diforders, 
 which he attributes altogether to the Ufe of Tar- 
 water. 
 
 223. Mr.JobnffflkinjGn, Clerk in the Surveyor 
 General's Office in the Caflle of Dublin, informed 
 me the firft of February ^ 1745, that he had the 
 Misfortune to break his Leg by a Slip in the Street, 
 which confined him for three Months ; that by lay- 
 ing fo long on his Back in Bed, he got the Gravel, 
 which gave him great Uneafrnefs ; that at the fame 
 Time, by catching cold, he loft his Hearing, and 
 was fo deaf,, that he could not hear the Drums that 
 beat near his Chamber in the Caftle. To cafe him 
 of his Gravel, he was advifed to drink Tar-water, 
 - and he had not drunk above a Gallon, when, to his 
 Surprize, he found his Deafnefs carried off, and he 
 could hear as well as ever he did, and continuing to 
 drink Tar- water, which he found very diuretick', 
 he voided a fmall rough craggy Stone, and, by De- 
 grees, a great Deal cf Gravel j and he is now err- 
 
 3
 
 TAR- WATER. 197 
 
 'tirely free from alj Pains or Symptoms of the Gra- 
 ve], and hears perfectly well. 
 
 224. Matthew Ba\n?s^ Swoj-d Cutler, at the 
 Black- lion on the Blind quay, oppofite to Mr. Tho- 
 mas's Mohogany Ware-houfe, informed me on the 
 firft of February, 174-, that he was for fifteen 
 Months ill of a Decay, He was fo fore and (height- 
 ened all over his Body, that he could not bear his 
 Apron or his Cloths on without much Pain .-, he had 
 loft all Appetite and |eft, and was b: ought fo low., 
 that he was not able to work ar his Trade, or even 
 to go up or down St$rs without Help , and though 
 he was opprefied w/th Phlegm, and could hardly 
 breath, yet he dared not cough or fpit, en Accoui.c 
 cf the great Pain caufed thereby in his Bread and 
 Body. Being in this miferable Condition, he vvr.s 
 advifed by Mr. Eradijb^ who employed him, to drink 
 Tar- water, and being refolved to try any Thing 
 recommended to him, he incautioufiy : J rank near a 
 Pint of cold Tar-water at once, which he iiulantiy 
 threw up with great Violence, together with a grease 
 deal of Phlegm. He then thought himfelf a dead 
 Man, and was for fending .for a Clergyman to .pray 
 v/ith him for the la ft Time, as he thought - 9 but in a 
 few Minutes after, he found himfeli much eaiaer in 
 his Stomach and Chcft, and mended all the Day. 
 This good EfTecT: reconciled him to Tar- water, and 
 made him refolve to drink it in frnaller Quantities, 
 and Milk- warm, which he did twice a Day, half a 
 Pint each Time, and, by continuing to drink it that 
 Way for fome Time, aJi the Sores in his Bread and 
 Body went away, he breathed with E?.fe, .and re- 
 covered his Reft and Appetite, and eats a hearty 
 Breakfaft, which he never could do before in his 
 bed State of Health. He is able to work at hi* 
 Trade as formerly, and is perfuadeci thai he owes 
 Ills Life to Tar-water. 
 
 I 3 225. /&
 
 1 1 8 fbeE/e&sof 
 
 225. An Extract from a Letter cf William Plea/ants, 
 cf Kncckbeg in the County cf Carlow, Efq; to 
 Thomas Prior, Ejq; dated February 4, 1745. 
 
 The Perfon who received fuch great Benefit by 
 drinking Tar-water, was a Boy who drove my 
 Plough , he laboured under what was judged, by 
 molt who faw him, a fcrophulous Diforder, or 
 King's-evil , he had feveral ulcerous Sores about his 
 Jaws and Neck, which continued running for great 
 Part cf fome Years. His Mother, who had fome 
 Knowledge in Herbs, applied different Kinds to 
 his Sores, which eafed a little, but had no other 
 Succefs. 
 
 I recommended him to a Friend in Dublin, who 
 prevailed on fome Gentlemen of Skill, to endeavour 
 to cure him. They had Compaffion on the Crea- 
 ture, and gave him Medicines, but they alfo prov- 
 ed ineffectual. My Friend then gave him Tar- 
 water-, when he had taken a fmall Quantity, he 
 found more Relief from it, than he had done from 
 all that had been done for him before. He return- 
 ed to his Mother, and I fupplied him with Tar- 
 water , and, as well as I can remember, he had not 
 taken a Gallon of it, when the Ulcers began to dry, 
 and his Face, which was very much fvvollen with 
 his Diflemper, began tore-afiume its natural Form. 
 He left me lad Spring, and itayed from me till 
 Harveft. At his Return, he told me, that Tar- 
 water had cured him, and that his Diforder had gi- 
 ven him no Uneafinefs, the Time he was abfent 
 fjom me. I am 
 
 Your mofl humble Servant, 
 
 William Pleafants, 
 
 216. Mr. Patrick Eutler, Shoemaker in Cran&~ 
 line, Di'.blin, informed me on the 5th of February^ 
 1745, that he had been affiifted with the Rheuma- 
 
 fr-T-IP . .-. 
 
 dfra
 
 JAR-WATER. 119 
 
 tifm for feveral Years, that about two Years ago, 
 the Fits were fo violent, that he was laid up three 
 Months together, that for eight Days in that Time, 
 he could not ftir Hand or Foot, and was turned in 
 his Bed by other People, the rheumatick Pains hav- 
 ing feized his whole Body ; that when the Violence 
 of the Fit abated in 1744, he made ufe of Tar- 
 water, which in a little Time gave him great Re- 
 lief, which encouraged him to pern" ft in the Ufe of 
 it ever fmce, with fuch good Effect, that all his 
 rheumatic Pains are gone, and he has had no Return 
 of them fince he began to drink the Water: he has 
 got the full Strength of his Limbs, Appetite, and 
 Spirits, and refolves to drink Tar- water conftantly, 
 finding that if he gets any twitching in his Limbs, 
 by cold or (harp Weather, Tar- water immediately 
 relieves him. 
 
 227. V/illiam Heany\ Shoemaker, Journeyman, 
 to the faid Mr. Butler, was in 1744, feized with fuch 
 violent Pains in his Legs, that he could not walk, 
 reft, or work at his Trade. Pie was advifed to 
 drink Tar-water, which he did, and found in a 
 little Time all his Pains go off, and was reftored 
 to the full Ufe of his Limbs, and able to get his 
 Bread by his Trade, though before he was appre- 
 henfive that he Ihould not be able to fubfift, hav- 
 ing no other Means to fupport him but his Labour, 
 which the Violence of his Pains difabled him from 
 performing. 
 
 228. Mrs. Bsnviflet, who lives in Kings- ft rect, 
 near Stephen* s-green 9 informed me on the 3d of 
 February, 1745, that near twenty-eight Years ago 
 fhe had the Misfortune to fall down Stairs, and 
 pitched upon her Shoulder, which occafioned a 
 Contufion in that Part, but as the Pain foon went 
 off", (he did not then take any Care about it. She 
 afterwards obferved a Sort of Pimple in that Parr, 
 but finding no Pain in it, Die Hill neglected it. 
 
 I 4 However,
 
 120 'TkeEffe&sof 
 
 However, it ftill incrcafed every Year, without any 
 Manner of Pain, till in the Year 1744, it had form- 
 ed a Wen of an enormous Size, which fpread from 
 her Shoulders to one of her Ears, and under her 
 Arm pit, as large as the Mould of a Hat; fo that 
 ibe \\v.s obliged to enlarge her Cloaths to cover it, 
 and hide the Dcformuy ; but as fhe had no Pain with 
 it, fhe negiecl-ed all Thoughts of preventing its 
 Progrefs, which might have been eafily effected in 
 ihe Beginning: but in 1744, we found hcrfdf 
 troubled with other Ailments, with Vapours, Low- 
 nefs of Spirits, want of Appetite and Reft, which 
 greatly reduced her-, for removing thefe laft Dif- 
 orders, fhe was advifed to drink Tar-water, which 
 ihe did regularly for a confiderable Time. The firft 
 Kikcl was, that in a little Time fhe recovered her 
 Appetite, got Refc and Spirits, and was freed from 
 ail her Vapours and Disturbance in her Stomach, 
 and has continued well from thofe Diforders ever 
 fmce; as fhe found that Tar- water did her fo much 
 Service, fhe ftill drank it for feveral Months, and 
 obferved that in fome Time, the great Wen on 
 her Shoulders began to grow foft and fall away. This 
 encouraged her to continue the drinking of the 
 Water, and in a few Months after the Wen was re- 
 duced to a Fourth of its firit Size, and daily grew 
 ibfcer, r;nd teemed to have fome floating Roots in 
 MI fi ruling hertelf eafy, and in fo good a Way, 
 ihe laid a fide Tar- water for fome Months before the 
 "Wen W3S quire difperfed, and then found that it 
 began to grew hard and fvvell again i upon which, 
 fhe has of late refumed her Tar- water, oi which fhe 
 i ; rinks near a Quart a Day, and finds that the Hard- 
 rids and Swelling have already greatly abated ; and 
 fhe refjlves to perfift in the conftant Ufe of it, in 
 Kill Hopvs that in fome Time fhe will quite get rid 
 <>f htr Wen. And her Hopes are the greater, con- 
 f;ier;;-^ the Benefit which a French Gentleman rsr 
 
 ccivcd,
 
 . 121 
 
 by it in a parallel Cafe : This Gentleman had, 
 as fhe informed me, a great Lump, that by De- 
 grees grew on the Crown of his Head, which be- 
 came at laft as large as an Egg, infomuch, that 
 he could hardly keep his Hat on his Head, and 
 though it was not attended with Pain, it was very 
 troublefome. The Gentleman took Tar-water for 
 fome other Diforder, from which he was relieved, 
 and found at the fame Time, that this Lump or 
 Wen foftened and wafted by Degrees, and that at 
 laft it quite melted away and vanifhed. 
 
 229. Mr. John Wilme, Silver-fmich, who lives 
 in Coles-alley, near Caftle ftreet, informed me on the 
 5th of February 1745, that by an Accident he got 
 a Hurt in his Shin-bone, which caufed a Running 
 and Swelling, and being laid open by a Surgeon, 
 was in fome Time healed ; yet he after found, 
 that a Humour flowed to and fwelled the Part, 
 and gave him great Uneafinefs. He had at the 
 fame Time, a Lump or Excrefcence on the Crown 
 of his Head, which grew to the Size of a fmall 
 Egg, at leaft an Inch high, and was fo angry and 
 fore, that the leaft Thing that touched it gave 
 him great Pain, and he could hardly bear a Hat on 
 his Head. His Mother had alfo the like Lumps 
 on her Head. He was advifed to take Tar- water 
 for the firft Ailment, which he did for three 
 Months, and though he drank fcarce half a Pint 
 a Day, yet he foon found a great Abatement of 
 the Swelling and Uneafinefs in his Leg -, and to his 
 great Surprize the Excrefcence on his Head grew 
 eafy and melted away, and became as flat as any 
 Part of his Head, and finding fuch Benefit from 
 the Water, he refolves to take it in greater Quan- 
 tity for the future. 
 
 230. Mrs. Morgan, Wife of Mr. Morgan, Pac- 
 ten-maker at Nicholas-gate, Dublin, informed me 
 pn the ^d of February 1745, that fhe had been 
 
 troubled
 
 122 'The Effetfs of 
 
 troubled with a paralytic Diforderfor Tome Time ; 
 that her Fingers were fo drawn up, that me could 
 hardly open them,<hat Ihe was hardly able to walk 
 in the Streets, her Feet were fc tottering and weak, 
 and very cold and ftitt'; and fhe was apprehenfive 
 that Ihe would quite lofe the Ufe.of them, and have 
 a Palfy all over her Body, as nothing that fhe took 
 gave her any Relief-, and hearing that Tar- water 
 was ufeful in many Diilempers, fhe relblved to try 
 it in her own Cafe, and foon found a fenfible Benefit ; 
 in fix Weeks drinking fhe recovered the Ufe of her 
 Fingers and Hands, got Strength, Warmth, and 
 Supplenefs in her Limbs, and by continuing the 
 drinking of the Water, fhe has recovered the full 
 Ufe of them, and now walks with Eafe. She laid a- 
 fide Tar-water for feveral Months, and if fhe finds 
 heifelf out of Order at any Time, fhe has Recourfe 
 to the Tar-water, which always gives her Relief. 
 
 231. Mr. Hewetfon* between Seventy and Eighty 
 Years old, who lives in School-boitfe-lane, informed 
 me the 3d of February 1745, that he had been for 
 many Years troubled with the Gout, during which 
 Time, he was fure of having a Fit the Beginning of 
 every Winter,which laid him up for feveral Months; 
 but that in Summer 1744, he drank Tar- water for 
 feveral Months running, and the Effect was, that 
 he had no Fit of the Gout in the Winter 1744, 
 and got a good Stomach and Spirits, and walked 
 tolerably well without Pain ; in Summer 1745, he 
 drank fome Tar- water, and then laid it quite afide 
 for fix Months together, but in Winter 1745, on 
 catching cold, he had a Return of the Gout, at- 
 tended with great Weaknefs in his Limbs, though 
 with little Pain ; and it is probable, that, had he 
 continued taking Tar-water all along in fufficient 
 Quantity, and avoided catching cold, he would 
 either have had no Fit at all, or a flight one. In 
 fych Cafes, Tar- water mould be drank warm, before 
 
 ths
 
 TAR-WATER. 123 
 
 ihe Fit, in the Fit, and after the Fit, at lead a Pint 
 a Day, or a Quart, which would be much better, 
 without any Danger from the Quantity, and with 
 great Comfort to the Patient. 
 
 232. Mr. Francis Watfon^ Sadler in Capel-Street^ 
 informed me on the 4th of February 1 745, that he 
 had been troubled with a Stuffing, Wind and Op- 
 prCiQlon in his Stomach for five or fix Years paft, at- 
 tended at Night-time with a Difficulty of breathing, 
 and with a great Cough in the Mornings, which 
 made him drain and heave, and deprived him of 
 his Stomach and Digeftion; that in 1743, he was 
 firft feized with the Gout, and had another Fit in 
 1744, which was followed by a Fit of the Gravel. 
 That in October 1 744, he began to drink Tar-water 
 at about half a Pint a Day, which he continued 
 to do till Cbriftmas following, with fuch good Ef- 
 fect, that in three Weeks Time he found great Be- 
 nefit, and foon after he was free from the Wind and 
 Oppreffion in his Stomach, breathed freely, reco- 
 vered his Appetite, loft his Cough, and discharged 
 a great deal of Gravel without Pain, and has had 
 no Return of the Gout ever fince ; and he now con- 
 tinues perfectly well, and free from all his former 
 Diforders, and at Times ftill drinks Tar-water. 
 
 233. Mr. Pafqualino,the Mufician, now in Dub- 
 lin, informed me on the 8th of February 1745, that 
 having play'daPart in Mr. Handel's grand Orato- 
 rio of Deborah, which was performed on Ihurfday 
 the 2gd of January 1745, for the Support of the 
 Charitable Infirmary on the Inns- quay and being in 
 a great Heat and Sweat, was after the Performance 
 expofed to a very cold Air near half an Hour, by 
 the Footmen breaking into the Room where he 
 was; by which he was immediately ftruck with a 
 cold fhivering, and was fo much out of Order that 
 he could not fleep one Wink that Night. In the 
 Morning, on Friday, he had a violent Head-ach, 
 
 Colic
 
 824 The EffeSls of 
 
 Colic Pains, and great Heat all over his Body, 
 which obliged him to kerp his Bed. By four o* 
 Clock in the Afternoon, his Fever grew fo high 
 and violent, that, he became a little delirious; his 
 Wife had a mind to fend for a Phyfician, but as he 
 had been cured of a Fever fome Time before by 
 drinking Tar-water, he ordered, that Tar-water 
 iliould begot for him in plenty, and nothing elfe; 
 which he began to drink about five o'Clock Milk- 
 warm, near half a Pint every Quarter of an Hour, 
 and continued to drink at that Rate till eight 
 
 O 
 
 o'Clock next Morning, on Saturday, bating fome 
 little Intcrmifiions, when he got a little Skep-; 
 though he had given Directions to his Servant, ro 
 awake him if he mould happen to fleep, and make 
 him drink the Water: and he computed, that in 
 the faid Space of Time, he drank eight Quarts: 
 And the Effeft was, that during the whole Night, 
 he was in high Spirits, had a great Perfpiration, 
 and by Eight o'Clock in the Morning, his Heat and 
 Fever had quite left him, and he was perfectly ea- 
 
 j and very hungry. On Saturday he kept his Bed 
 by way of Precaution againft catching cold, free 
 from all Symptoms of a Fever; and on Sunday 
 went abroad, and took the Air, being perfectly 
 recovered. 
 
 234. A Gentlewoman new Sycamore -Alley, Dub* 
 /?/?, informed m-e on the i2th of February 1745, 
 r/hat me had been troubled with Fits for fome Time, 
 which came upon her all at once, without any pre- 
 vious Symptom, and deprived her, of her Senfes for 
 three, four, or five Minutes at a Time; that thefe 
 Fits became -more frequent, and disordered her Spi- 
 rits and Mind, and fhe was apprehenfive that fhe 
 would be carried ofF in one of them. She took f~- 
 vt-ral Things to prevent their Return, without any 
 Efrt-et. She was advifcd to drink Tar-water, and 
 ficus;!i Hie had no Opinion of it, yet fhe cemplyed 
 
 to
 
 J2 $ 
 
 to fatisfy the Defires of her Friends in trying every 
 Thing they recommended. She drank near a Pint 
 a Day for five Days, in July 1745, and found no 
 Return of her Fits, and got good Appetite and 
 Spirits ; at the End of five Days, fhe obferved a 
 great Itching all over her Body, and foon after, a 
 great Number of black Spots appeared all over her 
 Arms, Shoulders, and Body, as black as Ink. She 
 then thought that fhe was poifoned by Tar- water, 
 and exclaim'd againft if, but her FYiend, who re- 
 commended Tar- water, came to fee her in this Con- 
 dition, and finding that fhe was in good Spirits, 
 ancf otherwife very well, told her, that fince the 
 Water had driven that Humour out on the Surface 
 of her Body, it was fo far from doing her Harm, 
 that it did her ail the Service imaginable; and en- 
 couraged her to perfifb in drinking it, fince it ha.9 
 fogood an ErTeci, which fhe continued to do for 
 two or three Months in fmall Quantities; and fhe 
 found, in a little Time, that all the black Spots firft 
 became yellow, and by Degrees difappeared one 
 after another, fo that fhe became entirely freed from 
 them, and has had no Return of the Fits fince fhe 
 began to drink Tar-water, but found y that, by 
 getting a greater Appetite, fhe has grown much 
 fatter than fhe was before. 
 
 235. A Captain of a Man of War in 1744, in- 
 formed me, that he had been troubled with the 
 Scurvy feveral Years, and had taken many Medi- 
 cines, and went to Bath, and drank the Waters, bus 
 all to no Purpolfc; his Diforder rather increafed, 
 and broke out in Sores, and ScurfF over his Arms 
 and other Parts of his Body, efpeciatly his Head, 
 which he could not fufk-.r tobefnaved; but that 
 by taking Tar-water fix Weeks, all the Sores, Spots, 
 and ScurfF went off, and he became as hail and 
 clean as ever he was, with, a great Incrcafc of Ap- 
 petite. 
 
 I mall
 
 126 The Bffc&s of 
 
 I mall now give an Account of fome Cafes com- 
 municated to me from Gentlemen of Character and 
 Veracity who afiured me of the Truth of the Facts, 
 but did not think proper to mention the Names of 
 the Patients, moft of them being of the female 
 Sex. 
 
 236. Two Sifters in this Kingdom, at the fame 
 Time drank Tar-water, the one for a Strangury, 
 the other for a Diabetes, and both were cured, in 
 a little Time, of thofe oppofite Diforders. 
 
 237. A Gentlewoman had a Deafnefs, which 
 daily increafed, fo that me was apprehenfive of quite 
 Jofing her Hearing ; me had drank Tar-water in 
 fmall Quantities feveral Weeks with no Effect ; but 
 being advifed to take double the Quantity of the 
 Water every Day, me did fo, and was foon after 
 cured of her Deafnefs. 
 
 238. One Gentleman was cured of an habitual 
 Coftivenefs by Tar- water, and another was made 
 coflive by it. 
 
 239. Two Gentlewomen near Toughall^ were 
 likewife affected in different Ways, one was made 
 coflive, and the other loofe by Tar-water. 
 
 240. An old Beggar-womin with a moft fhock- 
 ing cancerated Breaft, was in a few Days much 
 better by drinking, and warning the Sores with 
 Tar- water. 
 
 241. A Woman that was twice married, and yet 
 never was with Child, took Tar-water for a Dif- 
 order flie laboured under, and conftantly drank ic 
 for a confiderable Time, which removed her Ail- 
 ment. She foon after became pregnant, and me 
 imputes her Pregnancy to Tar- water. I defired to 
 know whether her Hufband alfo drank Tar-water, 
 and I was afiured, that lie drank it at the fame 
 Time. Many other Inftances have been mention- 
 ed to me of Perfons who unexpectedly became with 
 Child, which they verily believe was owing to the 
 Ufe of Tar-water. 242.
 
 TAR-WATER. 127 
 
 242. A young Lady was cured by Tar- water of 
 violent Head-achs, to which fhe had been long 
 fubject. 
 
 243. A poor Woman, whofe Legs were mon- 
 ftroufly fwollen, and deformed with Ulcers, was 
 advifed to apply Tar as a Salve or Poultice, and 
 to drink Tar-water at the fame Time, which (he 
 did, and was foon perfectly cured, having before 
 in vain ufed many Things prefcribed for her. 
 
 244. A Gentleman's Servant had the Misfortune 
 of having a Coach- wheel run over his Foot, which 
 was thereby terribly bruifed, and fwollen to a great 
 Size, w;th much Pain. A Poultice of Tar was ap- 
 plied to the Part, which foon put an End to both 
 the Swelling and the Pain. 
 
 245. A Maid Servant, who for many Years had 
 a Tetter in her Arm, confulted a Country Practiti- 
 oner, who applied the blue Stone, upon which her 
 Arm fwelled up to her Shoulder, and was pained 
 to fuch a Degree, that her Mafter apprehended fhe 
 might lofe it. He then made her wafh and foment 
 it with hot flrong Tar-water, and apply a Plaifter 
 or Poultice of warm Tar, which fpeedily cured 
 both the Ulcer and Swelling. 
 
 246. A Gentleman in an e.minent Station, was 
 troubled with a fixed Pain in his Side for two 
 Years, he took feveral Medicines without Benefit. 
 He was advifed to drink Tar-water, which he did 
 for a confiderable Time ; and he affured me of 
 late, that his Pain is quite removed, and that he 
 is at perfect Eafe from that Diforder. 
 
 247. A Perfon ill of the Ague, was cured in 
 January 1745, by drinking two Quarts of Tar- 
 water warm in the cold Fit. 
 
 248. Many Parts of the Country have been of 
 late infefted with fore Throats, whereby feveral 
 Children have died -, but thofe who drank a Gallon 
 of warm Tar- water a Day, immediately recovered 
 
 of
 
 J2 8 PbeEfefaof 
 
 of it, without any other Application, as I am af- 
 fured by a Perfon of Credit. 
 
 249. Many Inftances have been communicated 
 to me of the great Succefs and Efficacy of Tar- 
 water in the Cure of venereal Diforders, Gleets, 
 We. but in fuch Cafes, Names are not to be men- 
 tioned. But in Charity to thofe unhappy Creatures 
 who labour under fuch Ailments, it may be proper 
 to hint fo much, and to recommend to them the 
 fole conilant copious drinking of Tar-water, viz. 
 one Quart a Day, at fix or eight Glafles, which 
 without any other Medicine, but only a prudent 
 Regimen, avoiding the catching of Cold, aud eat- 
 ing of improper Food, has been found in many In- 
 fbances to work a perfect Cure. 
 
 250. A Gentlewoman in the Country had hurt 
 her Leg, which being neglected, grew exceeding 
 bad, a Gangrene was apprehended, Ihe had a Phy- 
 fician and Surgeon from Cork to attend her. After 
 fome Months phyficking, cutting, and tenting* 
 they abandoned her, declaring fhemuft never hope 
 to recover the Ufe of her Leg, which was wafted 
 and ufelefs, and left her with a running Ulcer, kept 
 open with Tents. Her Son came to the Gentle- 
 man who gave me this Information, to know whe- 
 ther flie might not take Tar-water with the Bark, 
 which had been prefcribed by the Doctor. She was 
 advifed to abftain from the Bark, from the Sur- 
 geon's Fomentation, and every other Thing but fim- 
 ply Tar-water ; whereof (he mould take three Pints 
 daily, in nineGlafles, which in three Weeks quite 
 cured her, to the Surprize of all the Neighbour- 
 hood. She had a Houfe full of Children, who 
 depended on her Care, and who had defpaired of 
 her Life. 
 
 251. A Maid Servant was feized with a vehement 
 Fever and Stich, on the ipth of Jpt\l 1744, 
 in the Morning; her Face as red ais >n, her 
 
 Pulfe
 
 TAR-WATER. 129 
 
 Pulfe exceeding high, fcarce able to utter a Word 
 Jor the great Oppreffion about her Heart, and her 
 Blood and Flefh hot in an extreme Degree, with 
 other Symptoms declarative of the word Kind of 
 Fever and Pleurify. Her Cafe was looked upon as 
 defperate from the Manner of her falling ill ; which 
 was, that the Night before, after hard Work in the 
 Houfe, being in a Heat and Sweat, fhe drank a 
 great Quantity of cold fmall Liquor, and after that 
 fat abroad in the open cold Evening Air in her 
 Sweat. In this threatening Cafe, fhe was ordered 
 to drink five Quarts of Tar-water in ten Hours, 
 which fhe did with fuch good Effect, that the next 
 Morning her Fever left her, and fhe was fo well re- 
 cover*d, that fhe put on her Cloaths, and was rea- 
 dy to go to work, but fhe was ordered to keep 
 quiet in Bed for a Day or two longer. This laft 
 Caution is found neceffary to prevent a Relapfe, 
 which Patients in fuch Cafes are fubject to by catch- 
 ing the lead Cold ; for as they find themfelves in 
 high Spirits, and free from the Fever, they imagine 
 themfelves to be quite recovered before they are out 
 of Danger, and therefore 'tis found necefTary, that 
 the Patient mould keep quiet in Bed fora Day or 
 two longer, in which Time the Danger of a Relapfe 
 may be over. There is nothing fo much to be ap- 
 prehended in Fevers cured by Tar-water, as an O- 
 pinion of their being relieved and quite out of Dan- 
 ger before they are really fo. 
 - 252. On Wednesday ^ the if! of Auguft^ 1744* a 
 - young Boy about nine Years old, was feized wich a 
 dangerous Illnefs, a Peripneumony or Inflammati- 
 on of the Lungs, fhort Coughs, Pain, Sorenefs in 
 the Throat and Thorax, Difficulty of Breathing, 
 glazed Eyes, Scarlet Cheeks, and burning Heat. In 
 this Condition he was put to Bed, and, drank Tar- 
 water five Pints the firft Day, and about two Quarts 
 the fecond, at a Glais every half Hour, The firft 
 
 K Day,
 
 130 *fhe Effetfs of 
 
 Day it produced an extraordinary Difcharge by 
 Urine; thefecond, it threw him into moift Perfpi- 
 rations, and fometimes Sweats-, every Glafs put Life 
 into him, eafed his Symptoms, and kept him in 
 continual high Spirits and good Appetite i on i 1 n- 
 day, which was two Days following, he was p.. it 
 all Danger. It was remarkable, that on drinking 
 Water coloured with Milk (which he defirul) he 
 conftantly reJapfed, and wasas immediately*.- . jp- 
 on taking a Glafs of pure Tar- water. Thr Child 
 was fo fenfibleof this, that he cried out, " Mamma, 
 tc What is this Tar- water made of, th t it is fuch a 
 tl fudden Cure?" It was of this Diforder that the 
 late Bifhops of OJfery&nd Elpbindied: Theie is no 
 Diftemper more threatening and fudden, than a 
 Pleurify or an Inflammation of the Lungs. The 
 moil copious Bleedings are prefcribed by Phyficians, 
 even to feventy or eighty Ounces ; but without 
 bleeding, bliftering, or any other Medicine, Tar- 
 water alone effects the Cure ; were the World fuffi- 
 ciently apprized of its Virtue in acute Cafes, that 
 alone would prefei ve a Multitude of Lives. To in- 
 duce the Child to drink plentifully of Tar- water, 
 they gave him a Groat a Glafs, and heearn'd half a 
 Guinea in two Days. This is the only Way to 
 prevail on young Children to drink it, and 'tis fur- 
 prizing how foon they recover Strength and Spirits, 
 who are recovered from Fevers by the fole Ufe of 
 Tar-water. 
 
 253. A Boy was feized with a violent Fever in 
 September 1744, having wetted his Shoes and 
 Stockings (anew Thing to him) and fufFered them 
 to dry on his Feet. The Attack was violent, firft 
 a fhivering cold Fit, then blood-fhot Eyes, wild 
 Look, burning Heat all over his Body, he drank a 
 Gallon of Tar-water, which made him vomit, after 
 that heflept and fweatedmoft copioufly for fixteen 
 Hours, and when be awoke, was outragioufly hun- 
 gry.
 
 . 131 
 
 gry, and in very high Spirits, every Symptom re- 
 duced very low, and the Fever almoft gone the 
 third Day ; but was kept in Bed two Days longer, 
 to prevent a Relapfe. 
 
 254. In Offober 1744, a Boy was feized with a 
 violent Fever, and being put to Bed, he drank near 
 two Quarts of Tar-water the firft Hour, and conti- 
 nued drinking very copioufly. The next Day, he 
 was in Appearance very well, but he was kept quiet 
 from all Company, and confined in Bed one Day 
 longer i after the third Day, he was as well as 
 ever. 
 
 255. Another young Lad in OSidber 1744, 
 was feized with a violent racking Pain all over his 
 Body, attended with a hot Fever ; about Noon he 
 was put to Bed, and at a Groat a Glafs, he drank 
 in nine Hours twenty- five Half-pint- glafies of Tar- 
 water; with all which (what is very fingular) he 
 did not fwear, but vented it all by Urine; and his 
 Pain and Fever left him at nine a Clock at Night ; 
 and next Day was hearty, merry, and in as good 
 a Temper, as ever in his Life. It is wonderful in 
 this Medicine, that it works as an Emetic, Diuretic, 
 Diaphoretic, Sudorific or Cordial, as the Cafe and 
 Conftitution requires, and that this alone Ihould, as 
 one may fay, in the twinkling of an Eye, cure all 
 Fevers of different Kinds. 
 
 256. In January 1744, a young Woman was 
 milerably tormented with a Pain and Swelling in 
 her Side, which threw her into aFeverifh Diforder. 
 She drank Tar-water copioufly, and in a fhort time 
 found herfelf eafy and well. It is to be noted, thac 
 fhe applied a Plaifter of Tar and Honey to the Part, 
 which ripened, broke, and then healed it, fhe 
 drinking Tar- water all the Time. 
 
 257. A Gentleman in February 1744, had tfce 
 Gout five Days; at firft he drank Sack Whey, and 
 his Pain and Fever were violent, fo as to pafs a 
 
 K 2 whole
 
 1 32 Vbe Efe&s of 
 
 whole Night awake and reftlefs. From that Time 
 he drank nothing ftrong, but doubled or trebled his 
 Dofes of Tar-water ; this made him deep found 
 every Night after, and kept up his Appetite and 
 Spirits, fo that he then reckoned his Gout as 
 good as over, and in a few Days after, was free 
 from it. 
 
 258. Mr. Foulks, Captain in the Army; Mr. 
 Philips, who lodges at the Watch-maker's in Crane- 
 lane^ and feveral others, have informed me, that 
 having had frequent Fits of the Gout, they drank 
 Tar-water ; and though they took it but in fmall 
 Quantities, they found great Benefit from it ; their 
 Fits either not returning at the ufual Time they 
 expected them, and when they did, they had lefs 
 Pain and fhorter Fits. 
 
 259. One of my Correfpondents informed me in 
 February, 1744, that his Daughter being feized 
 with the Small-pox, he gave her no other Medi- 
 cine than Tar-water, which me drank all the Time, 
 and that me had it very favourably with little or 
 no Sicknefs. 
 
 260. A Boy was very ill of a Worm fever in 
 February, 1744, when the Small-pox feized him; 
 both Evils joined, made his Cafe extremely bad. 
 He was treated as only ill of Worms, the Small- 
 pox not being then apprehended. He was reduced 
 to the loweft State, without Senfe or Motion, and 
 many Cordials were applied to bring him to him- 
 felf ; but all to no Purpofe, till a few Spoonfuls of 
 Tar-water poured down his Throat without his 
 Knowledge, brought him irom Death to Life ; 
 and by continuing the drinking Tar-water, the 
 Child recovered daily, and was loon perfectly well. 
 My Correfpondent fays, that they never had a 
 ftronger Inftance of the Efficacy of Tar- water, (and 
 its Superiority to all other Cordials) than in this 
 
 Child's
 
 TAR-WATER. 133 
 
 Child's extreme IlJnefs, much heightened by the 
 uncommon and fierce Severity of the Weather. 
 
 261. In March 1744, a Boy complained heavily 
 of a Stitch about eight a Clock in the Morning; 
 he was immediately put to Bed, and in about an 
 Hour drank eight Glafles of Tar-water, at three 
 Glafies to a Pint ; then fell into a found Sleep, and 
 againft three a Clock in the Afternoon was up, 
 dr^ft and well, as if nothing had ailed him. 
 
 262. In April 1745, a Labourer in the Country, 
 having been taken ill, was bled a little, only one 
 Plate i he afterwards grew very ill of a violent 
 Pleurify, attended with fpitting of Blood j he then 
 betook himfelf to his Bed, and drank copioufly of 
 Tar-water, which quite recovered him, when his 
 Cafe had been thought defperate. 
 
 263. A Gentlewoman in April 1745, took the 
 Air in a cold dry windy Day ; that afternoon, (he 
 was taken with fomething like a Palfy, not being 
 able to walk or ftand upright. She went to Bed, 
 grew feverifh, and drank immenfely of Tar-water, 
 a moderate Glafs every Quarter of an Hour, which 
 flie continued to drink the next Day in fmaller 
 Quantity, the Morning following, me could turn 
 eafily in her Bed (which me could not do before) 
 and her Fever and blunt Pain in her Back and Limbs 
 left her, and the Day following (he was quite reco- 
 vered. 
 
 264. A Man Servant had a pleuritic Stitch, 
 which he concealed, and went about the Houfe with 
 
 it for two Days. After this he was violently ill, went 
 to Bed in a Fever, and fpit Blood. Then he drank 
 Tar-water plentifully, which threw him into a great 
 Sweat; being impatient under this Sweat, in order 
 to cool and dry himfelf, he flung off his Shirt, and 
 lay almoft naked, which had like to have killed 
 him. But Tar-water copioufly taken, recovered 
 him intirdy. 1 have had many Inftances of Pcrfons 
 ibioj K 3 recovered
 
 134 fhe Efetfs of 
 
 recovered from pleuretic Fevers, without bleeding, 
 or any Medicine whatfoever, by the fole copious 
 conftant drinking of Tar-water warm, one Pint, or 
 even a Quart in an Hour. They cannot drink too 
 much in Inch Cafes; they will be fooner well, and 
 ilrong without that Weaknefs, which attends thofe 
 copious Bicyclings, which ruin a Conilitution, and 
 entail chronical Difeafes. 
 
 205. A Lawyer of my Acquaintance in Dublin, 
 and two young Ladies, have been cured of Fevers 
 by the copious drinking of Tar- water only. 
 
 266. I have had feveral Inftances communicated 
 to me of Perfons of both Sexes, who have been 
 cured of the Piles, fome by the bare drinking of 
 Tar-water, others by fitting at the fame time on a 
 Clofe-ftool filled with very hot ftrong Tar- water, 
 which with anointing the Parts with the Oil fkum- 
 med off from the Tar- water, foon healed the Sores, 
 and removed the Diforder. 
 
 267. In December 1744, a Prola/fus Uteri, &c. 
 given over as incurable by the Surgeons, was per- 
 fectly cured by Tar-water. 
 
 268. My Correfpondent informs meof twoPerfons 
 given over, one ill of a Palfy at Bath^ and the other 
 of a Cancer at2V, who were both cured in a fhort 
 time by Tar- water. 
 
 269. A Gentleman's Son in the County of Lime- 
 rick, was cured of a fpitting ot Blood by Tar- water. 
 
 270. An Infant had a Cough from us Birth, and 
 fhewed no Sign of Apprehenfion ; thofe who faw it, 
 thought it could not live, or if it did, that it would 
 beftupid; the Mother was advifed to give the 
 Child Tar-water, and to make the Nurfe drink it 
 alfo, which being done, the Child got rid of the 
 Cough, and came to its Apprehenfion, and is now 
 lively. 
 
 27 1 . A Gentleman writes in the following Words 
 from England. I know fome Jnftances, where 
 
 Tar-
 
 TAR-WATER. 135 
 
 Tar-water has done Wonders, particularly on a 
 Lady, who has long had a Cancer in her Bread, and 
 fuffered greatly ; and by taking Tar-water, the only 
 Thing fhe has found good from, is freed from Pain, 
 and in a fair Way of Recovery. 
 
 272. A Gentleman in the County of Limerick, as 
 I am informed, was cured by Tar-water of an Im- 
 pofthume in his Head, for which he had tried Waters, 
 andconfulted Phyficians in England to noPurpofe. 
 
 273. A Lady was cured of a Megrim and inve- 
 terate Head-ach by Tar- water. Several other Per- 
 fons have informed me, that they ufed to be feized 
 with a Dizzinefs in their Heads on walking in the 
 Streets, fo that they were obliged to catch hold of 
 the Rails as they went along to prevent falling; and 
 that fmce they took Tar water, they have had no 
 Uneafinefs of that Kind. 
 
 274. I am well informed, that a Ship being 
 bound from Portobello to Jamaica^ and being de- 
 tained long in the Paffage, the Men on board were 
 reduced to great Diftrefs from the Want of Water, 
 which threw many of them into the bileous or yel- 
 low Fever. But to their great Comfort, a heavy 
 Rain fell, which fet all their Hands to Work to eaten 
 all the Water -they could ; and the Deck of the Ship 
 and Cordage having been new dawbed with Tar to 
 preferve them againil the Heat of the Climate, all 
 the Water they got was impregnated with the Tar ; 
 notwithftanding which, they drank plentifully of 
 it, -and it had this good Effect, that all thofe who 
 were ill of the bileous Fever, and drank it, re- 
 covered in a fhort Time from their Fevers, to 
 the great Surprize of them all, as it is reckoned 
 the mod fatal Diftemper in that Part of the World. 
 
 275. A Boy had a Sore in his Leg, which Leg 
 was allb inflamed and hard , and being advifed to 
 warn, it with Tar-water, and apply the Oil of Tar, 
 h^: was foon recovered. 
 
 K 4 276. A
 
 136 TheEffetfsof 
 
 276. A Man of Youghall, was deaf for many 
 Years, but by drinking Tar- water for fome Time, 
 he is much improved in his Hearing, and though 
 not quite cured, yet has Hopes of Relief by a 
 longer Ufe of it. Any Relief is an Advantage, 
 and many Reliefs may at laft come up to a Cure. 
 
 277. A Gentleman who had a Pain in his right 
 Side for fifteen Years, confulted many Phyficians, 
 and took a World of Drugs to no Purpofc ; but on 
 taking Tar-water (and that but a very indifferent 
 Sort) for five Weeks, found himfelf greatly relieved. 
 At the fame time, it caufed a Pain a-crofs his Dia- 
 phragm, and alib in his other Side, which he judg- 
 ed to be a Sign of the Efficacy of Tar-water in dif- 
 Jodging the peccant Humour, which being once 
 fet a-float, may afterwards be eafily worked off. 
 
 278. I have an Account of a remarkable Cure 
 performed by Tar-water, on a Woman, who was 
 given over. Her Diforder was owing to the Re- 
 tention ofohe After-birth, by the unfkilful Manage- 
 ment of the Midwife in her Delivery. The Cafe 
 was attended with the worft Symptoms, and account- 
 ed defperate ; and when all other Things had failed, 
 fome advifed Tar-water, rather fro rn not knowing 
 what elfe to do, than from any Hopes of the Pa- 
 tient's Recovery , fhe neverthelefs recovered by that 
 Medicine, contrary to all Expectation. 
 
 279. Margaret Mafterfon, a young Woman, who 
 livcsat Doctor #3wtf<?'sHoufe at Harold* s-crofs^ near 
 Dublin, came to me the 2 ift of February 1 745, and 
 gave me the following Account of the remarkable 
 Benefit fhe received by Tar-water in the Cure of an 
 Ulcer in the Bladder. She informed me, that one 
 D.^y in the Spring, about five Years ago, fhe walked 
 very faft from Harold* s-crofs to Crumhn Church, 
 which is about two Miles, and being in a great 
 Heat and Sweat, fhe fat on the cold Ground in the 
 Church-yard for above half an Hour, which gave 
 
 her
 
 TAR-WATER. 137 
 
 her a great Cold, and threw her immediately into 
 Diforders. She grewworfe every Day, having great' 
 Pains in her Right- fide, and lower Parts of her Belly ; 
 her Pain was fo exquifite, that fometimes, for twenty 
 Days together, (he could not get the leaft Sleep ; Ihe 
 loft her Flefh and Appetite, and was reduced to a 
 Skeleton. She could not Hand upright, and walked 
 double, nor could fhe bear any Carriage, every Mo- 
 tion put her to the Rack, and fhe was forced to con- 
 fine herfelf for the molt Part to her Bed, and, even 
 there, was not able to ftira Limb, when her Pains 
 came upon her. Nothing that fhe took did her any 
 Service. She was fent to Mercers Hofpital, where 
 fhe flayed three Months, without any Benefit, tho* 
 fhe had the Advice and Affiftance of feveral Phyfi- 
 cians and Surgeons there, who for fome time thought 
 fhe was troubled with a Stone, but they were all of 
 Opinion afterwards, that fhe had an Ulcer in the 
 Bladder. After ilie left the HofpitaJ, fhe was fali- 
 vated, and took many Things by the Advice of 
 Phyficians \ but nothing gave her any Reliefer Eafe, 
 and fhe was judged to be incurable, She continued 
 in this miferable Condition a long Time, fhe had 
 alfo a Sort of Diabetes or involuntary and almoft 
 conftant Dilcharge of Water. But in Summer 
 1744, her Brother hearing that Tar-water had 
 wrought many Cures, advifed her to drink it, which 
 flie did for two or three Months together. On the 
 firft drinking of it, fhe found it agreed with her 
 Stomach, and gave her fome Eafe ; in a few Days, 
 fhe received great Benefit, and mended daily, and in 
 a few Weeks, all htr Pains and other Ailments went 
 off-, fhe recovered her Appetite, Flefhand Reft, and 
 got the Ufe of her Limbs, and walked as well as 
 ever, to the great Surprize of the Surgeons, and 
 others, who had her under their Care, and who 
 thought fhe could never recover. She then laid afide 
 Tai>water, thinking fhe had no farther Occafion 
 
 for
 
 138 TheEfettscJ 
 
 for it, and has continued free from her Pains ever 
 fince, except now and then (he has fome Twitches 
 on catching cold, which Ihe imputes to her Difufe of 
 Tar- water for eight or ten Months paftj but re- 
 folves to take it again, to remove the Remains of 
 her Ailments. I have obferved in feveral Inftances, 
 that fome who had received great Benefit by Tar- 
 water, laid it afide too foon, thinking themfelves 
 quite recovered, before they were really fo, and that 
 afterwards their Ailments returned upon them in 
 fome fmall Degree, which they totally removed by 
 perfifling longer in the Ufe of it. 
 
 280. A Tradefman in the Earl of Meath's Li- 
 berty, was in the Year 1744, greatly afflicted with 
 a Difcharge of bloody Urine, which was fometimes 
 fo violent, that what came from him appeared as 
 clear Blood as any that comes from a Vein on bleed- 
 ing, and this was attended with great Torture. He 
 could not walk a Quarter of a Mile, but in great 
 Pain, and he wafted away. He continued in this 
 Condition feveral Months together, and took many 
 Things for a Cure, without any Effect ; but hearing 
 of the great Good that Tar- water had done in fe- 
 veral Cafes, he drank it, and foon found Benefit 
 from it, which encouraged him to continue .the 
 drinking of it, with fuch good Succefs, that he was 
 loon perfectly recovered ot his Ailment. His Dif- 
 charge of Blood ceafed, and he made his Water as 
 clear as ever, without the leaft Colour or Tincture 
 of Blood, and without any I?ain, all the Parts being 
 healed, and in February 1745, he continues very 
 well, and attributes his Cure wholly to Tar- water. 
 
 281. A Gentlewoman, who lives in the Country 
 not far from Dublin, was for many Years afflicted 
 with a Cancer in her Breaft, which had been cut by 
 Surgeon D0j, but it fHligrew again, became hard, 
 and was exceffively painful-, and notwithftandirtg 
 the great Danger and Torture tint-attends the Ope-- 
 
 ration,
 
 fAR-WATER. 13^ 
 
 ration, fhe refolved to undergo another Cutting to 
 get rid of her conftant Pain, and came to Town for 
 that Purpofe ; but the Surgeon finding that Ihe had 
 got a frefh great Cold, and a violent Cough with it, 
 he would not venture to cut her Bread till her Cough 
 was removed, and advifed her to go to the Country 
 to be cured of her Cough. She was there perfuaded 
 to drink Tar-water on that Account, which fhe did 
 with fuch EffecT:, that me foon got rid of her Cough ; 
 and rinding that Tar- water agreed with her Stomach, 
 and that it alfo made her Bread eafier, fhe continued 
 the drinking of it for a confiderable Time, by which 
 Means her Bread grew eafy and foft, and fhe mend- 
 ed daily to her great Comfort and Surprize ; and 
 fhe got fo much Relief, that fhe laid afide the Wa^ 
 ter for fome time. In what State fhe now continues 
 in, I am not informed. 
 
 282. A Copy of a Letter from the Reverend Mr. 
 Thomas Dawfon, of Tallow, in the County of 
 Waterford, to Thomas Prior, Efq\ dated Febru- 
 ary 25, 1745. 
 
 I take leave to fend you the two following Cafes, 
 wherein, among feveral others in my Neighbour- 
 hood, Tar- water has proved fuccefsful ; and as the 
 Diforders therein mentioned are common and often 
 fatal, fo a Publication of the Cure of them may be 
 of Service to Mankind, whoffc general Good feem$ 
 to be the Defign and End of your Enquiries. 
 
 283. The Cafe of Mrs. Guinane, Wife of John 
 Guinane, of Tallow, in the County of Waterford, 
 Merchant. 
 
 The faid Mrs. Guinane, was violently feized with 
 hyfteric Fits in the Year 1744, attended with 
 Laughing, Crying, and frequent Swoonings, which 
 continued for feveral Months, though Phyficians, 
 by various Medicines, endeavoured to cure her of 
 
 them.
 
 140 The Effetts of 
 
 them. She went to the Salt-water, and bathed 
 therein, purfuant to their Advice, fora confiderable 
 Time; but received very little Benefit thereby. At 
 laft fhe betook herfelf to the drinking of Tar- 
 water, purfuant to the Directions of the Author of 
 SiriSj and by regularly and conftantly drinking the 
 fame for about the Space of three Months, fhe per- 
 fectly recovered her Health, and has been free from 
 thefaid hyfteric Fits ever fince, though (he defpaired 
 of being ever cured of them. 
 
 284. The Cafe of Mr. Thomas Lowris, of Tallow, 
 
 in the County of Waterford. 
 
 The faid Mr. Lowris was in a deep Confump- 
 tion for four or five Years, and fo greatly emaciated, 
 and fo yellow, that all who faw him, feemed to 
 defpair of his Life. About two Years ago, he be- 
 gan to drink Tar- water, and having in a few Months 
 received great Benefit thereby, he continued ever 
 fince to drink the fame regularly, and has perfectly 
 recovered his Health and Complexion, to the great 
 Surprize of all that knew him. 
 
 285. A Gentleman near Caple-ftreet, informed 
 me on the 22d of February 1745, that for feveral 
 Years he ufed to be troubled w>th Fits, which gave 
 him great Uneafinefs in his Stomach, and were at- 
 tended with a violent Pain, which ran along the 
 Bottom of his Belly, and fixed itfelf in his left Hip, 
 with a great Inclination to puking. Thefe Pains 
 continued for two or three Days, while the Fits 
 lafted, He thought his Ailment was a windy Co- 
 lic-, and accordingly he took many Things, but 
 without any Benefit. He found that he grew worfe, 
 and that his Fits returned upon him more frequently 
 and with more Violence. He ufed alfo to have 
 Fits of the Gout in his Feet, without any great Vio- 
 lence. But having read the Trc-atiie on 'Far-water 
 in April 1744, he refolved to drink it, and he had 
 
 not 
 -
 
 . 141 
 
 not taken it above three Weeks, before he had a 
 fenfible Benefit, and, continuing to drink it, he in a 
 little timeafter, to his great Surprize, difcharged two 
 Stones near as big as Peas, and then, and not till 
 then, he difcovered that his Diforder was the Stone 
 and Gravel ; upon which the Pain in the Bottom of 
 his Belly went off, he got Eafe in his Stomach, and 
 recovered his Appetite and Reft. He has fmce 
 voided Gravel at feveral Times, and of late, three 
 fmaller Stones, which gave him Pain in their Paffage, 
 and he does not doubt, but that he voided Gravel 
 and fmall Stones formerly, without knowing it, 
 when he had thofe violent Fits. But now that he 
 knows what his Diforder is he can better guard 
 againft it. Thefe Fits of the Gravel and Stone re- 
 turn now and then upon him, and are likely to do 
 fo, till they are all carried off; for which Purpofe, 
 he finds Tar-water to be very ufe/ul. He allured 
 me, that, fmce he began to drink Tar- water, which 
 he conftantly doth, he has not been confined one Day 
 with the Gout. He has had fome Twitches of it now 
 and then, but they go off foon without Pain; and 
 as he has received fo much Benefit by Tar- water, 
 he often recommends the Ufe of it to others. 
 
 286. I am informed, that a Gentleman, who had 
 gone through a Courfe of Stephen's Medicines, 
 took Tar- water, which he found more fuccefsful in 
 the 'Gravel. 
 
 287. Some Gentlemen, who, on catching the 
 lealt Cold, ufed to be troubled with fore chopp'd 
 Lips, which they could not heal or cure by any of 
 the Salves prefcribed for them, were eafed of that 
 Diforder by bathing their Lips with Tar-water, 
 which foon healed them ; and they who had fore 
 and running Nofirils received the fame Benefit, by 
 bathing them with the Water. Thefe flight In- 
 ftances are mentioned, only to fhew the healing 
 Quality of Tar- water: and it isalfo found by Ex- 
 perience
 
 142 'The Efefis of 
 
 perience that a Plaifter o! Tar is a fafe and effectual 
 Cure for Sores and Swellings in the Backs of Horfes. 
 And now I am upon thisTopick, I fhall beg Leave 
 to mention what feveral Gentlemen informed me of, 
 that they gave two or three Quarts of Tar- water a 
 Day to fome of their Horfes which had great Colds 
 and Diforders, and received no Benefit by the 
 Drenches of Farriers, fo that they were afraid of 
 lofing them, and the Effect was, that they foon re- 
 covered. And perhaps it may be advifable in all 
 Diftempers ot Brute Creatures, where the Blood 
 is corrupted, as in Glanders in Horfes, and in In- 
 fections of the horned Cattle and Sheep, which are 
 thought to be incurable, to give them Tar- water 
 warm in plenty, as it is found by Experience in fo 
 many Inftancesto correct and fweeten the Blood and 
 Juices of the Body, remove Obftructions, and in- 
 vigorate the Spirits. At lead it may be proper to 
 make Tryal when the Cafe is defperate. 
 
 288. The Small-pox having proved very mortal 
 laft Seafon, fome were advifed to give their Chil- 
 dren Tar-water warm, and the Effect was, that they 
 who drank it before they were feized with the Small- 
 pox, generally had it favourably; but they who 
 took it during the Time of the Sicknefs alfo, came 
 off ftill better, there was no Appearance of Danger, 
 the Pock generally diftinct, little or no Sicknefs, 
 and no Marks left by it. ' Thefe Accounts I had 
 from feveral Perfons of Credit, and in particular, 
 that in and about Clonmell^ the Small-pox was fo 
 very fatal laft Summer, that above three Hundred 
 dyed of it, for the moft Part of the confluent Kind. 
 Some were at laft advifed and prevailed upon to 
 give their Children Tar- water warm, and in plenty, 
 as Mr. Gordon, an eminent Brewer there, did tq 
 four or five of his Children, who all came off very 
 well. This encouraged Mrs. Powel to give it co 
 three of her Children, who had the like Succefs, arid 
 
 had
 
 TAR- WATER. i 4S 
 
 had it fo favourably, that they were hardly fick. 
 Whereas others, who were treated in the common 
 "Way, were for themoft part carried off by the Ma- 
 lignity of the Diftemper; and I can't hear that any, 
 who took Tar- water, mifcarried. For which Reafon, 
 many now fall into the Ufe of it with great Benefit, 
 and do not apprehend fuch Danger from that fatal 
 Difterr.peras formerly they did. Such is the Power 
 and Efficacy of Tar- water in afTwaging and curing 
 Fevers and inflammatory Diforders. 
 
 289. The Reverend Mr. Skelton^ Minifter of 
 Newry, made his Son about thirteen Years old, 
 drink Tar- water, before he had the Small-pox, and 
 when he was lately feized with it, he gave him a 
 full Wine glafs of it every two Hours, during the 
 Time he was ill of the Diforder -, by practifing on 
 him in this Manner, the Child was hardly fick, the 
 Pock filled very well, and left no Marks. When 
 Children are treated after this Manner in the Small- 
 pox, and drink plentifully of the Water warm, they 
 generally have it very favourably. 
 
 290. Several Inflances have been communicated 
 to me by Perfons of Credit, of wonderful and un- 
 expected Cures performed by Tar-water in Difor- 
 ders peculiar to the Female Sex at the Times of 
 their Delivery ; and alfo in provoking the Menfes 
 in fome where they were wanted, and in retraining 
 them in others, when they become immoderate. But 
 in thefe Cafes, Names are not to be publilhed. 
 
 291. There are ieveral Gentlewomen in this 
 Town, whofe Names I fhall forbear to mention, 
 who, having been troubled with Rheumatic Pains, 
 OpprefTion and Load in their Stomachs, Want of 
 Appetite and Reft, Streightnefs in their Chefts, 
 Cough, and fcorbutical Diforders, were cured or 
 greatly relieved by the Ufe of Tar- water, though 
 drank but in finall Quantities. Several Gentlemen 
 of my Acquaintance were affected the fame Way* 
 
 and
 
 144 TbeEffetfsof 
 
 and received the like Benefit. But it would be end- 
 lefs to enumerate all Q( them, or to wait for more 
 
 Cafes, which come every Day to our Knowledge. 
 If any new remarkable Inftances mould happen for 
 the Future, of Cures performed by Tar-water, in 
 any of the Diforders mentioned in this Narrative; 
 or if any Difcoveries mould be made of it's Succefs 
 in other Diftempers ; it is to be hoped that they, 
 who ihall receive the Benefit, will be fo good and 
 grateful, as to communicate the Particulars of their 
 Cafes, and that others will be found, who will give 
 themfelves the Trouble to collecl: and publifh them 
 for the good of Mankind, with or without the 
 Names of the Patients, as the Patients themfelves 
 mall defire. And this Requeft is defired not only 
 in the Cafe of Tar- water, but of every other Medi- 
 cine, which may have the fame good Effefts. 
 
 292. Having now fwelled this Narrative to a 
 Size far beyond my firfl Intentions, I fhaJl forbear 
 troubling the Reader with any more Cafes. A 
 great Number of others have been mentioned to me 
 from Time to Time ; but the Want of Leifure, or 
 Opportunity of getting a particular Account from 
 the Patients themfelves, who lived at a Diifonce, 
 and were Strangers to me, and the Shynefs of 
 others in communicating their Ailments and Re- 
 coveries, left their Names mould be publifhed, 
 (though I always declared that when I mould publifh 
 the Cafe of any one, I would forbear mentioning 
 their Names if they defired it) for thefe Reafons, 
 I neglected to make a Collection of more Cafes ; 
 and indeed, there was the lefs Occafion for doing 
 fo, as every City and large Town in the Kingdom 
 can fufnifh many Inftances of great and unpexpefted 
 Cures performed by Tar-water alone, which every 
 one may be fatisfied of the Truth of, who wi'I 
 himfelfthe lead Trouble of enquiring. 
 ! was already furnifhed with :\ p r 
 
 rem.. .
 
 TAR-WATER. 145 
 
 remarkable Cafes and Cures in feveral Diftempers, 
 I had the lefs Reafon to take Notice of others of the 
 fame Kind. But as the Power and Efficacy of Tar- 
 water, in curing many Diforders, is happily experien- 
 ced by great Numbers, and flands fufficiently con- 
 firmed by the many authentic Inftances produced in 
 this Narrative, which the World hath not been yet 
 acquainted with, it would be a Prejudice to Mankind 
 to defer any longer the Publication of them ; it being 
 reafonable to expect, that others,in the like Diforders, 
 may receive equal Benefit by the fame Means. It 
 has often grieved me, to hear of feveral Perfons dy- 
 ing of acute Diforders, which were fuddenly and 
 effectually cured by Tar-water alone, as appears 
 from feveral Inftances in this Narrative ; and it is 
 probable, they might have received the fame Bene- 
 fit, if the fame Medicine had been made ufe of-, at 
 leafl, it was proper to try it, when the Cafe was 
 defperate. For the Reafons aforefaid, it was high 
 Time topublifh this Narrative, that every one may 
 be fully apprized of the Power of this Water, and 
 make trial of it in parallel Cafes. 
 
 293. The Gentlemen of the Faculty, who are 
 Men of fuperior Skill and Abilities, can and will, 
 \vithout Doubt, apply and improve thefe Hints and 
 Experiments. But though I am no Phyfichn, yet 
 I hope I may be allowed to relate Matters of Fact 
 in this Narrative, and to give an hiftorical Account 
 of the Effects of Tar-water, as they were communi- 
 cated to me by Letters from the Patients themfel ves, 
 and in their own Words, or from other Gentlemen, 
 who had their Informations from the Patients, at 
 the fame Time mentioning their Names and Places 
 of Abode. I took from others the Particulars of 
 their Cafes from their own Mouths, and for greater 
 Exactnefs, read them over to them, when they were 
 written down. I have mentioned fome Cafes, where 
 the Names of Perfons and Places are omitted ; but 
 
 L thefe
 
 146 fbeEffe&s of 
 
 thefe Cafes I had from Gentlemen of Integrity and 
 Credit, who allured me of the Truth of the Facts, 
 in the Letters which they fent me, at the Times 
 the Cafes happened, and when every Circumftance 
 was freih in their Memories, which Letters are now 
 in my Cuftody ; they were not willing to mention 
 the Names of Patients, particularly of the Female 
 Sex, without their Confent, which could hardly be 
 obtained. But I have not the leaft Reafon to 
 doubt of the Truth of the Facts, which are fo well 
 uttelted. But if any Perfon fhould be defirous to 
 know the Names, or Places of Abode, of any of the 
 Patients whofe Names are omitted, I Ihall, for their 
 private Satisfaction, gratify them in that Particu- 
 lar. 
 
 294. Havingclofed my Regifter of Cafes, I fhall 
 beg Leave to make fome Remarks, which occurred 
 to me from Reading thofe Cafes, and from the Ob- 
 iervations of my Correfpondents. 
 
 I. It mud be Matter of Surprize, to find, that in 
 the Space of one Year and an half, fuch a Number 
 and Variety of Diftempers have been cured, or great- 
 ly relieved by this one Medicine. Thoufands have 
 received Benefit, and daily do receive Benefit in 
 Ireland, England, Holland, France, Portugal, and 
 Germany, by the Ufe of Tar- water. The Letters 
 fent to me fignify the fame; the leaft Enquiry may 
 fatisfy others of the Truth thereof-, this Narrative 
 Ihews it, and the Index, hereunto annexed, points 
 out the various Sorts of Ailments, wherein it has 
 proved fuccefsful. The Treatife on Tar- water, 
 called Siris, has been tranflated into the French, Low 
 Dutch, German and Portugese Languages, and Ex- 
 tracts thereof have been publiihed in the Maga- 
 zines. By fo general a Publication, the Ufe of Tar- 
 water, as a Medicine, came to be univerfally known, 
 and being ftrongly recommended by the Author, 
 from his own Experience, for the Cure of feveral Di- 
 ftempers,
 
 TAR-WATER. 147 
 
 ftempers, many were induced to make Trial of it, 
 and found '.immediate Relief: This encouraged o- 
 thers to make Ufe of it alfo, and they received the 
 fame Benefit thereby. And fuch was the growing 
 Credit of this Medicine, that feveral, who had been 
 long afflicted with grievous Ailments, without re- 
 ceiving any Relief by the PrefcriptionsofPhyficians, 
 though they never heard that Tar- water was made 
 ufe of in the like Diforders, yet were willing to try, 
 and foon found a wonderful and unexpected Relief. 
 Some who had taken Tar- water for one Diforder, 
 were, at the fame Time, affected with another, and 
 both were removed by this powerful Medicine. 
 Some of the Virtues of Tar- water were thus acci- 
 dentally difcovered, and by many fubfequent Trials, 
 on others, fully confirmed. 
 
 295. The happy Difcovery of the Efficacy of 
 Tar-water, in curing moft Kinds of Fevers and 
 Pleurifies, is a Thing of fingular and moft exten- 
 five Benefit to Mankind, and confirmed by fo many 
 Trials, that they who are acquainted with this Prac- 
 tice, think themfelves in little Danger from Fevers; 
 and it is found by Experience, that the larger the 
 Quantity of Tar-water that is taken in Fevers by 
 the Patient, the fooner he recovers. If he takes 
 but two or three Quarts a Day, the Fever may laft 
 four or five Days , but if four, five, or fix Quarts, or 
 more, be drank warm in twenty four Hours, they 
 often find the Fever quite carried off in a Day or 
 two. And what is very remarkable, there is no 
 Jnftance of Danger or Harm done by any Quantity 
 taken ; on the contrary, Patients in Fevers are in 
 higher animal Spirits, the more they drink, the 
 Water paffing through their Bodies by Urine or 
 Perforation, as faft as it is taken in, and thereby 
 carrying off the noxious Humours, and Venom of 
 the Diitemper the fooner. The Patients at the fame 
 Time gee found Sleep, and a better Appetite than 
 
 L 2 is
 
 148 Me Efetfs of 
 
 is ufual in Fevers. My Correfpondents farther af- 
 fure me, that they never knew an Inftance where 
 warm Tar-water was given betimes in a Fever, and 
 in due Quantity, that it failed of Succefs. It is 
 judged, that the greater Part of grown People, who 
 die in their Beds, die of fome Kind of Fever or o- 
 ther : Therefore, if Refpect were only had to this 
 one Article of Fevers, wherein Tar-water is fo fuc- 
 cefsful, it would feem to follow, that nothing is 
 more beneficial to the Life of Man, or that would 
 lave more Lives, than this Water duly prepared 
 and taken. 
 
 296. II. The next Obiervation I (hall make, is, 
 on the Variety of Diltempers cured by Tar-water, 
 and even fuch as are oppofite in their Natures. 
 This has been judged to be impoflible by fome, who 
 have decried the Ufe of Tar-water : Though Fact 
 and Experience, the fureft Guides for knowing the 
 Force of any Medicine, are entirely againft them ; 
 not only in the Cafe of Tar-water, but of feveral 
 other Medicines, which frequently produce con- 
 trary Effects in different Conftitutions, and fome- 
 times different Effects in the fame Constitution. 
 Some who firft wrote and fpoke againft Tar-water, 
 at the fame Time frankly owned, that they had ne- 
 ver made any trial of it. How then could they 
 form any Judgment of the good or bad Qualities of 
 it, or expect that others mould be fwayed by their 
 Opinions, when no Way fupported by Experiment, 
 the only fure Rule to go by? A Gentleman of the 
 Faculty, one Day, afked me, if Tar- water was a 
 Panacea or a Cure for all Diftempers. I told him, 
 that I thought no Body could anfwer that Queftion, 
 but a Perfon who had tried it in all Diilempers, and 
 in Variety of Cafes of every Diflemper, which I had 
 not done, and I believe no Body living had yet 
 done; and that until Trial had been made, no 
 Judgment could be formed in what Cafes it was 
 i good
 
 ER. 149 
 
 good or not. I then defired leave to afk him the 
 following Queftion, In what Diforder Tar-water 
 was not good ? This, I faid, becaufe I was amply 
 furni med with many Inftances of Cures performed 
 by Tar-water in all the common Diftempers in Dub- 
 lin, to which I could refer him for his Satisfaction, 
 if he fhould mention any of them: but after conii- 
 dering fome time, he afked me, if it was good for 
 the Stone ? I anfwered, that I had not yet heard that 
 it was made Ufe of for the Stone, but that I could 
 give him many Inftances, where it was of great Ufe 
 in the Gravel, and I thought what was good for the 
 Gravel, might alfo be good for the Stone. But that 
 in all thefe Cafes, nothing but Experience and un- 
 doubted Facts can or ought to determine our Opini- 
 ons. Some who were offended to find Tar-water 
 recommended for fo many different Diftempers, for 
 that very Reafon were for exploding it, as of no 
 Ufe in any Cafe whatfoever ; without confidering 
 that whatever corrects and fweetens the Blood, 
 mends the Stomach and removes Obftructions, as 
 Tar- water manifeftly doth, muft be of Ufe in all 
 Diftempers, and thereby aflift Nature to make a 
 perfect Cure. The univerfal Medicine as well as 
 the Philofopher's-ftone have been always treated nx 
 vain Attempts: But if the former be poflible in Na- 
 ture, no Medicine feems to bid fo fair for that Cha- 
 racter as Tar-water : but without making any Pre- 
 tenfions to fuchan extraordinary Prerogative, I ihall 
 only obferve, that it is happy for the World to be 
 poffeifed of a Medicine that has done, and daily doth 
 great Service in fo many different Maladies, without 
 repining, that it cannot do the fame in all. 
 
 297. III. The third Remark I fhall make, is on 
 the Safety of this Medicine. Some Phyficians ad- 
 vife and prefcribe it. Others fay, that it is good in 
 many Cafes, and that they do not find it do Harm 
 in any. Some fay, that it is neither good nor bad, 
 
 L 3 whil
 
 150 The Effefts of 
 
 while others fuggeft, that it is dangerous in inflam- 
 matory Cafes, by an over-heating Quality : But the 
 contrary thereof is manifeft, from its curing Fevers, 
 Pleurifies, Small-pox, and other inflammatory Dif- 
 orders, in a fhort Space of Time ; and it is fo far 
 from increafing Inflammations, that it wonderfully 
 afluages them. Some Patients, on drinking Tar- 
 water, were immediately feized with a Vomiting, 
 which much alarmed them ; but they foon found 
 that Tar- water, by thus difcharging a great deal of 
 foul Stuff out of their Stomachs, gave them imme- 
 diate Relief, and the Vomiting foon after (lopped. 
 Others had a Purging for a Uay or two, on taking 
 Tar- water, which they a'fo did not like; but the Pur- 
 ging foon ceafed, when it carried offthe peccant Hu- 
 mours, and they received great Benefit by the Opera- 
 tion. Some Patients, who were troubled with violent 
 fcorbutical Diforders, Eruptions, Itch, Blotches, run- 
 ning Sores, found, on the drinking Tar- water a few 
 Days, that their Sores, Itchings, and Eruptions grew 
 more troublefomc, and increafed on the Surface of 
 their Bodies, in greater Quantity and Violence, and 
 then thought Tar- water did them Harm , fome were 
 fo imprudent as to (lop drinking the Water, when it 
 was doing them all the Good imaginable, by driving 
 from the Blood all the noxious Humours to the Sur- 
 face of the Body ; while others, who perfifted in 
 drinking it, foon found the Scurvy, Eruptions, and 
 other Blotches on their Bodies, die away and heal, 
 to their great Relief. Some, on whom Tar- water 
 works by Perfpiration, found that it made them 
 Coltive, and heated them ; upon this, they laid it 
 afide; others, who in the like Cafe perfifted in 
 drinking it, foon found, that, after the Tar-water 
 had done its Work by Perfpiration, they returned to 
 their natural State, and got the Relief they expect- 
 ed. Nature does not work two different Ways at 
 the fame Time ; if it works by Stool, Perfpiration 
 
 ceafes
 
 ceafes for the Time -, if by Perfpiration, then the 
 other flops. If both thofe Channels are flopped, 
 there is no Way left for Nature to difcharge the 
 vitiated Humours, but by Urine : And this is the 
 way that Tar-water generally operates. Thefe are, 
 for the moft Part, the Cafes wherein Tar- water 
 has been imagined to do Harm. But it is hard, 
 that Tar-water mould be charged with doing Hurt 
 in fuch Cafes, when it was doing the greateft Ser- 
 vice to the Patients. It is true, that very bad Tar, 
 and Tar-water, have often been made ufe of, and 
 as true, that feveral Perfons, at the Tims they 
 drank Tar-water, indulged themfelvesin the Ufe of 
 ftrong Liquors, and Spirits ; and therefore, k is 
 no Wonder, if they did not receive the Benefit that 
 otherwife they might have got. On the whole, I 
 do not find any Inftance, where Tar-water ever 
 did any real Harm, which cannot be faid of any 
 other Medicine. 
 
 298. IV. Chronical Diforders, wherein the whole 
 Mafs of Blood and Juices of the Body have been 
 long vitiated, require a Length of Time and Pati- 
 ence to effect a Cure; and if they be very grievous, 
 the Quantity of Tar-water to be taken in fuch 
 Cafes mould be increafed from a Pint to a Quart a 
 Day, beginning with a Noggin or a Quarter of a 
 Pint, to find how it agrees with the Stomach ; and 
 fo continuing to drink it often in fmall Quantities ; 
 it being found by Experience, that the more the Pa- 
 tients drink in fuch Cafes, the fooner they recover. 
 
 299. Scurvies make a great Part of the Ailments 
 of People, in this Part of the World, and yet we 
 find by the many Jnftances produced in this Narra- 
 tive, that the worft Kinds of them, attended with 
 running Sores, Blotches, Scruff, &c. were perfectly 
 cured by Tar- water, which heals up all the Sorer, 
 and in fome Meafure, embalms fcorbutic Bodies 
 alive. 
 
 L 4 300. The
 
 152 Tike Effefis of 
 
 300. The fame Succefs has attended internal Ul- 
 cers in the Bladder, Lungs, urinary Pafiages, ve- 
 nereal Taints, and in Ulcers on the outward Parts 
 of the Body, owing to the healing Quality of Tar- 
 water. Even the King's Evil, and other fcrophu- 
 lous Diforders, which are commonly reckoned incu- 
 rable, have yielded to the Power of this Water, as 
 may be feen by feveral Cafes in this Collection ; in- 
 lomuch, that we have Reafon to believe, that any 
 King's Evil may be cured by Tar-water ; having 
 never heard that it failed of Succefs, when regular- 
 ly and plentifully taken, and efpecially when at the 
 fame Time the Sores were anointed with the Oil 
 fkimmed from the Tar- water. 
 
 301. Scald Head, inveterate Itch, and even Can- 
 cers, have yielded to the healing Quality of Tar- 
 water. 
 
 302. Though nervous Cafes require a long time 
 to perfect a Cure, yet we find that Hyfterics, Fits, 
 and Palfies have been cured by Tar- water alone. Mr. 
 llamiir.gs Daughter mentioned in the Collection, 
 who was feized with a Palfy, fo that fhe could 
 nchher fpeak nor move a Limb in November laft, 
 is now in March following, brifk and lively, and 
 perfectly well, notwithftanding the Severity of the 
 Weather. And I am informed, that a Woman, 
 who was troubled with Fits for above a Twelve- 
 month, which often returned, and caufed her to 
 lye fpeechlefs and fenfelefs a long Time together, 
 being advifed to take Tar-water, a Quart a Day ; 
 on doing fo, fhe had but one Fit in three Weeks 
 paft, and that occafioned by a Fright. I know of 
 others, who having been long troubled with Fits, 
 have had no Return of them fmce they began to 
 drink Tar- water. It is advifed in fuch Cafes, to 
 give it freely and boldly. 
 
 303. Many Inftances are produced of Perfons 
 who hfW been cured or greatly relieved of Difor* 
 
 tiers
 
 VAR-WATER. 
 
 ders in the Bowels, Colics, Megrims, inveterate 
 Head-achs, Agues, Rheumatifms, exceflive Thirft, 
 and fixed Pains in fome Parts of the Body. Others* 
 who were tortured with exceffive Pains, on taking; 
 
 r? 
 
 Tar-water, unexpectedly difcovered that their Ail- 
 ment was owing to the Stone and Gravel, in dif- 
 charging which, they found Tar-water to be very 
 ufeful. 
 
 304. Many who laboured under a lownefs of Spi- 
 rits, Diforders in their Stomachs, want of Appetite 
 and Sleep, found thofe Diforders carried of by the 
 Ufe of Tar-water- 
 
 305. many are the Inftances of thofe who being 
 long afflicted with Afthmas, Shortnefs of Breath, 
 and Difficulty of Breathing, violent Coughs, Wheez- 
 ing, Stuffings and Decays, fore Throats and Squin- 
 cy, have been either entirely cured, or greatly re- 
 lieved by Tar- water. 
 
 306. As to the Gout, the Difeafe of the Rich, 
 we find that fome, greatly affiided with that Dif- 
 order, by the conftant and regular Ufe of Tar-wa- 
 ter, have had no Return of their Fits fince they be- 
 gan to drink the Water-, occafioned by a kindly 
 Perfpiration in their Limbs, which they never had 
 before, and which recovered the Ufe of them, and 
 removed all their Pains. Others, on drinking the 
 Water, found the fame Benefit ; but by laying afide 
 the Ufe of it too foon, their Fits returned upon 
 them, though later than ufual, yet with this Ad- 
 vantage, that they were not fo violent nor lafring. 
 Others grown in Years and much enfeebled with the 
 Gout, though they got Spirits, Appetite, and Red, 
 and fome Relaxation of their Pains by the Ufe of 
 Tar-water, yet, as this Liquor was not to their Tafte, 
 they either difcontinucd the Ufe of it, or took it in 
 fuch fmall Quantities, that the Weaknefs in their- 
 Limbs ftill continued, and their Fits returned on 
 Change of Weather, or OR catching Cold. And 
 
 now
 
 154 ?fo Effe&s of 
 
 now we find by Experience, that the fureft Way of 
 dealing with the Gout, is not only to drink the Wa- 
 ter before and after the Fit, but during the whole 
 Time of the Fit, and that in the Quantity of a Quart 
 a Day, warm, which gives fuch a Difcharge by Per- 
 fpiration or Urine, as relieves Nature and removes 
 the Pains. But if Gentlemen will continue in the 
 Ufe of ftrong Liquors, and high Feeding, it muft 
 be prefumed, that the fame Caufe will ftill produce 
 the fame Effects. 
 
 307. As to the Small-pox, with which nine 
 Parts in ten of all People are feized in one Part or 
 other of their Lives in this Part of the World, I 
 fhall only obferve, that the great Number of Ne- 
 groes cured on the Coaft of Guinea of the Small- 
 pox by Tar- water, as mentioned in this Narrative, 
 and many others who have been cured in this King- 
 dom the latter End of lafl Seafon, when it was fo 
 rife and mortal, by the fame Means, evidently Ihew, 
 that Tar-water is a fovereign, fafe, and efficacious 
 Medicine for the Cure of this fatal Diftemper, by 
 giving it warm, and in Plenty, both before, and in 
 the whole Time of the Illnefs. And I do not doubt, 
 but that others, who will put it in Practice, will 
 find the fame furprizing Succefs. 
 
 308. But the greatefl and moft ufeful Difcovery 
 of this, or perhaps of any other Age, is that of Tar- 
 water curing fo fuddenly and effectually, all Sorts 
 of Fevers, Pleurifies, and inflammatory Diftempers, 
 whereby two Thirds of Mankind are carried off be- 
 fore their natural Time. Thefe Maladies deflroy 
 more of the human Species, than all the Artillery 
 great and fmall in the World can do, and yet are 
 themfelveseafily fubdued by Tar-water. 
 
 This late Difcovery of the Virtues of Tar- water 
 ftands fo confirmed by the Authentic Proofs menti- 
 oned in the Narrative, that nobody can doubt the 
 Truth thereof, who doth not at the 'fame Time de- 
 ny
 
 ny Facts, which are fo many, and fo well attefted. 
 But this may be put on a fliort Iffue, it is in the 
 Power of any one, and every one is concerned in 
 the Event, to make a fair Tryal of the Truth or 
 Falfliood of this Difcovery, and fee whether Tar- 
 water taken in due Time and Quantity, before the 
 Fever has utterly deftroyed the Crafisand Conftitu- 
 tion of the Blood, will not entirely fubdue and 
 carry oft" the Fever in a few Days, of any kind 
 whatever. 
 
 309. But then to give Tar- water fair Play, the 
 following Caution mould be obierved a which has. 
 been found neceffary in many Inftances, viz. That 
 the Water be good in its kind, that it beadmini- 
 llered to the Patient lying in Bed, in the Beginning 
 of the Fever, and that warm, in the Quantity of 
 half a Pint or more every half Hour, according 
 to the Age and Strength of thePerfon, till the Pa- 
 tient takes fix or eight Quarts in the Space of twen- 
 ty four Hours ; and that no other Medicine be ta- 
 ken with it ; that Care be taken againft catching 
 Cold , that when the Fever abates, no Nourifhment 
 be given but what is very light and cooling , and 
 that when the Fever is gone, the Patient keep his 
 Bed a Day or two longer, free from Noife and Peo- 
 ple's talking, to prevent a Relapfe. It is found by 
 Experience in many Inftances, that Patients in Fe- 
 vers cannot drink too much Tar Avater, there is no 
 Danger from Excefs, the more they drink the fooner 
 they are cured ; it hath been often obferved, that 
 the Heat and Third they have on fuch Occafions fo 
 reconciles the Water to them, that they can drinka 
 great Quantity wjthout difguft; they have general- 
 ly a great flow of Spirits during the whole Time 
 they drink, get Intervals of Sleep, and when the 
 Fever abates, they have commonly keen Appetites, 
 which ought not to be indulged too foon or too 
 much. It is amazing to fee with what Speed and 
 
 Succefs
 
 156 
 
 Succefs Tar- water taken copioufly, as above-men- 
 tioned, cures the moft violent PJeurifies, without 
 Blifters or Medicines, and without bleeding, which 
 in the common Practice is exceffive. It is faid, the 
 ]ate Honourable Mr. Hamilton, Collector at Cork> 
 had 150 Ounces taken from him in pleuretic Dif- 
 temper of which he died. It is proper to repeat and 
 inculcate the Advantage of being cured by a Cor- 
 diel, rather than by Evacuations, which at beft often 
 leave a Patient weak and languifhing for Years to- 
 gether. Nothing is fo dangerous as neglecting the 
 Beginnings of Fevers. Principiis obfta, is a good 
 Maxim with Refpect to the natural as well as poli- 
 tical Body: Some People are apt to hold out as long 
 as they can, and go abroad with Fevers upon them ; 
 By thus expofing themfelves, they inflame their 
 Diforders, and render them very dangerous. The 
 beft Courfe to take in fuch Cafes is to go to Bed 
 and drink Tar-water. The Efficacy of Tar- water 
 in curing Fevers, evidently fhews, that it is not of 
 an inflaming or heating Nature. And yet fome 
 have thought themfelves heated by Tar-water, who 
 at the fame Time drank too freely of ilrong Liquors. 
 And I am credibly informed, that fome noted 
 Drinkers of Whifky complained that Tar-water 
 gave them the Megrim, a Diforder which in others, 
 it is known to have cured. If therefore any one 
 complains of being heated by Tar-water, let it be 
 enquired at the fame Time whether he doth not 
 indulge himfelf in the Ufe of fermented or diftilled 
 Liquors. 
 
 310. Some People cannot comprehend, that a 
 Medicine, which in flow gradual Courfe removes 
 chronical Difeafes, fhould be proper in acute Cafes 
 which require Difpatch. But nothing hinders, why 
 the fame Medicine, which drank daily in final 1 
 Quantities proves a leifurely Care for chronical Ills, 
 rmy i-otalib, if drank copioufly, and in very largs 
 
 Quantities,
 
 . 157 
 
 Quantities prove a fpeedy Cure for acute Cafes, 
 fuch as all kinds of Fevers. 
 
 311. Having thus recapitulated feveral Maladies 
 in which Tar-water has been found fuccefsful, I 
 fhall beg Leave to recommend the Ufe of it in a 
 particular Manner to feafaring Men, who are fo 
 ufeful to every trading Nation, and whofe Lives 
 ought therefore to be preferved with the utmoft 
 Care. They are fubject to many Diftempers, be- 
 fides thofe common to other Men at Land, which 
 they contract at Sea, by the Change and Inclemen- 
 cy of the Weather in long Voyages, by the Heat or 
 Cold of the Climate, by great Fatigues, faltProvi- 
 fions, dole fuffocating Air in the Ships, &c. which 
 produce Fevers, Calentures, Scurvies of feveral 
 Kinds, Ulcers, running Sores, Loofenefs of their 
 Teeth and many other Diforders, for which they 
 commonly have little or no Provifion of Medicines 
 or Accommodation, or any Perfon on board of Skill 
 to affift them, by which Means great Numbers of 
 them perifh miferably. Now as it is found by Ex- 
 perience, that Tar- water cures thofe Diforders, it is 
 recommended, that in every Ship, Provifion be made 
 of feveral Barrels of good Tar, and that a Vefiel of 
 Tar-water be always prepared to be given in Plenty 
 to fuch of the Crew, who happen to labour under 
 any of thofe Diftempers; by which Means, the 
 Lives of Thoufands may be faved. Spruce-Beer, 
 which is a great Antifcorbutic, and a-kin to Tar- 
 water, would alfo be very ufeful in Sea Voyages. 
 
 312. Since Tar-water is fo fafe and cheap a Medi- 
 cine, and found by Experience to cure many chro- 
 nical Diftempers as well as flight Diforders, it is 
 recommended to provide Tar and Tar- water in every 
 Hofpital, Infirmary, and Work-houfe ; and that a 
 Barrel of Tar-water be always at hand for every 
 one to repair to, who may be afflicted with fuch 
 Maladies, to drink thereof, <as much, and as often 
 
 as
 
 156* The Effetts of 
 
 as there is Occafion. By thefe Means, the Lives 
 of Numbers may be faved, and the Patients either 
 cured or greatly relieved. From many Tryals of 
 the good Effects of this Medicine, we find that the 
 Ufe of Tar-water is introduced into the Hofpitals at 
 JJJbon^ with great Advantage. We have many In- 
 ftances in this Narrative of People, who were kept 
 a long Time in the Infirmaries, in Order to be cured, 
 and were afterwards turned out as Incurable, and 
 yet thofe very People, were in fome Time after per- 
 ifectly recovered by Tar-water, to the Surprize of 
 thofe who had them under their Care before. Be- 
 fides, this Method would fave great Sums to the 
 Hofpitals in the Expence for Medicines. And as 
 all Hofpitals and Infirmaries are fupported at the 
 Charge of the Public, or by private Donations and 
 voluntary Contributions, it fhould be the Bufinefs 
 of thofe concerned in the Government of them, to 
 leflen the Expence as much as poffible, confident 
 with the Health and Lives of the Patients. And I 
 am inclined to believe, that many of thofe who are 
 lodged in Guy's and other Hofpitals as Incurables, 
 may be cured or greatly relieved by Tar- water, and 
 fo make room for others to be admitted. Whereas 
 at prefent, little Care is taken of their Recovery, as 
 being deemed incurable, and they flay there onlj 
 to fpend a wretched Life. Though it is believed 
 that fome of them would be forry to be cured, and 
 thereby be obliged to leave the Hofpital, where 
 they live in tolerable Eafc, to get a Livelihood a- 
 broad by their own Labour. This deferves the 
 Attention of the Public. 
 
 313. It is recommended to all Gentlemen who 
 live in the Country and Market-towns, that in Com- 
 panion for their poor Tenants, Neighbours and 
 Servants, they will be fo good and humane, as to 
 provide Quantities of Tar, and make Tar-water 
 thereof, and diftrrbure the fame liberally to fuch as 
 
 want
 
 . 159 
 
 want it, and are deftitute of all Means, which are 
 proper to cure them of the Diforders they are fre- 
 quently afflicted with. 
 
 314. The Ufe of Tar- water is alfo recommend- 
 ed to fedentary Perfons, which by its diuretic Qua- 
 lity, greatly prevents Head-ach, Bloating, Dropfy, 
 Stone and Gravel, which fedentary People are fub- 
 jecttofrom the want of Exercife. 
 
 315. V. In all odd and new Cafes, where People 
 are at a lofs what to do, and even in defperate Cafes 
 where Patients are given over, and no Hopes left, 
 it is recommended to try Tar- water, which has 
 been found in feveral Inftances to recover Patients 
 from the Brink of Death. 
 
 316. I have an Account, that Tar- water is in 
 great Vogue at Paris, notwithflanding the En- 
 deavours of fome interefted Perfons againit it. An 
 Irijh Phyfician prefcribes it to his French Patients 
 with great Succefs, and has got into good Bufmefs 
 thereby. 
 
 317. Since I have mentioned foreign Practice, it 
 comes into my Thoughts to infert the Teftimo- 
 ny or Atteftation of two foreign Phyficians, againfl 
 the Notion of an inflaming Heat in Tar- water, en- 
 tertained by fome among us who would decry that 
 Medicine. Doctor De Linden, a German Phyfician 
 now in London, wrote a Letter about fix Months 
 ago, from which are taken the following Extracts. 
 It feems that learned Foreigner had miftaken the 
 Senfe of Siris, as attributing fuch Heat to Tar- 
 water, which Opinion both he and his foreign 
 Correfpondent, fet themfelves to refute. I myfelf 
 (faith Doctor De Linden) have drank about twenty 
 fve Gallons of Tar-water conflanlly every twenty-four 
 Hoars three Pints, and that of the Colour tffSpanifh 
 Wine, and I never found any Effeft that ive may call 
 a pbyfical Heat in tb? Blood, notiuithftatiding that 1 am 
 of a very famine Zemreramtut, and the Iteijl 'Thing can 
 
 occafiou
 
 160 The Efetfs of 
 
 occafeon in me an Incarnation. He adds, 1 would 
 not have taken the Freedom to acquaint you with this 
 if I had not in this Point been attacked by the firft 
 Phyfician to a certain great crowned Head in Ger- 
 many, and Prefident of a moft illuflrwus Collegium 
 Medicum. After which, Doctor De Linden, fets 
 down Part of this Correfpondent's Letter, contain- 
 ing the following Words : 7 am glad we have got 
 into our Faculty a Reverend Divine^ but I am jlill 
 more ^leafed with his Difiovery ; and 1 agree in every 
 'Thing with him, becaufe I have experienced Tar- 
 water myfelf; but there is one Error committed. He 
 then proceeds to refute the Error, fuppofed to be in 
 Siris, viz. that 'Tar -water is Heating. After which, 
 he fubjoins thefe Words : In Reality , Tar-water is 
 cffucb a mild Nature, that it never can inflame, nor 
 create an Inflamation in the Blood. 1 agree with every 
 Thing elfe, and blejjed Thanks be to the Bijhop for his 
 valuable Difcovery. It is probable, Foreigners might 
 miftake warming for healing , and fo conceive that 
 when Tar-water was faid in Siris to warm, it was 
 underltood to heat. But certain it is, that in many 
 Parts of that Treatife, all inflaming Heat is exprefs- 
 ly denied to be in Tar- water. Thus in the feventy- 
 fourth Section it is faid; The Salts, the Spirits, the 
 Heat of Tar-water, are of a Temperature congenial 
 to the Nature of Man, which receives from it a 
 kindly Warmth, but no inflaming Heat. And in the 
 following Section, Tar- water is affirmed to be fa 
 far from increafing afeveri/h Inflammation, that it is 
 on the contrary, a mosJ ready Means to allay and ex- 
 tinguijh it. There are fo many other PafTages to 
 the fame Effed, throughout the whole Book of 
 Siris, that it would be endlefs, as well as needlefs to 
 enumerate them. 
 
 318. I Ihould not omit to take Notice, that fe- 
 veral Ladies, who had received great Benefit by 
 Tar-water, at the fame Time recovered their Com- 
 plexions
 
 TAR-WATER. 161 
 
 plexions and Bloom, and that others, who had 
 fqueamifh Stomachs, and could not bear to take 
 Tar- water in the Morning before Breakfaft, yet 
 found it to agree well with them an Hour or two 
 after eating. An old Lady has been greatly re- 
 lieved hy drinking conftanrly every Day, no more 
 than one Wine-glafs in the Morning. 
 , 319. A great Deal depends on the Goodnefs of 
 Tar-water. Tar t being looked upon as a Naval 
 Store, could not be imported without*Rifque and 
 Difficulty in time of War: Hence for fome time no 
 Tar could be got that was fit for making Tar- 
 water; fome was ad u Ire rated with the Mixture of 
 other Stuff, and Retailers frequently fold for frefli 
 Tar, that which had been formerly ufed. By thefe 
 Means feveral have been difappointed and abufed by 
 bad Tar-water; fuch Tar-water as is of a brown 
 Colour or fweetifli flat Tafte, is bad, but they who 
 have once drank good Tar-water, can eafily diftin- 
 guifh the bad, which has no Spirit. Liquid Tar, 
 which is the firft running from the Billets, from 
 whence the Tar flows by fmother ing Heat of Fire, 
 is generally the beft. And yet no certain Judg- 
 ment can be formed of the Goodnefs of Tar, by the 
 Colour or Confiftence, till Trial be made, by 
 making Tar- water of it. When a Veflel of Tar 
 has flood long on an End, a Sediment often falls to 
 the Bottom, which Sediment mould not be made 
 Ufeoffor Tar-water. 
 
 320. The adding artificial Helps to plain fimple 
 Remedies, often difturbs their Operation, and render 
 thofe Medicines ineffectual : I have an Account of 
 two Cafes, where Phyficians prefcribed the Bark 
 with Tar-water: But the Patients found not the 
 Benefit, till they took Tar-water alone. Some have 
 put a Drop of the Oil of Nutmegs to a Glafs of 
 Tar- water, which made it more palatable , others 
 have added a fmall Spoonful of Mead, Whice-wine, 
 
 M or
 
 1 62 The Effeffs of 
 
 or Cyder, which made the Draught more agreeable ; 
 but it were better no Spirits mould be taken with it, 
 or any Thing elfe that might weaken the Virtue of 
 the Water, and it is therefore more advifeable to take 
 it pure, and a little Ufe will reconcile it to the Palate. 
 Fir-trees grow naturally in mod Parts of the 
 World, in hot Countries as well as cold, but chiefly 
 in the mountainous Parts of both. After this Man- 
 ner, Providence furnimes in great Plenty, the Means, 
 of preferving Health and Life by the fimpleft Me- 
 dicines. 
 
 321. It is proper to warn thofe who expect the 
 whole Benefit of Tar-water, to be very temperate in 
 the Ufe of ftrong Liquors fermented or diftilled. 
 They weaken and fruilrate the Powers of Tar- water, 
 which of itfelf is a fufficient Cordial. It has a 
 great Effect upon the Nerves and Spirits, animates 
 the Heart without difordering the Brain, and is an 
 Antidote againft Cold, Fatigue, and Thirit. That 
 is certainly the beft Cordial which encreafes the ani- 
 mal Spirits, without inflaming the Blood, or difturb- 
 ing the Nerves, as all inebriating Liquors never fail 
 to do: If this be the Effect of Tar-water, as I am 
 allured it is, it may be of Ufe in our Armies and 
 Fleets. 
 
 322. I have no View in giving myfelf this 
 Trouble, but to promote the good of Mankind, 
 without any Define to incroach on the Province of 
 Others. They who railed and argued againft Tar- 
 water on the firft Publication of Siris 9 infifted that 
 particular Cafes, withalhheirCircumftances, mould 
 have been exhibited to the Publick, that they might 
 examine into the Truth of the Cafes, and be better 
 able to judge of the Effects of this Water. The 
 Names of Perfons, who were alledged as Inftances 
 of the Virtues thereof, were not mentioned in Siris. 
 On this OmifTion they triumphed, and treated the 
 Whole with Ridicule. But this Narrative fuffici- 
 
 3 ently
 
 T4R-WATER. 163 
 
 ently fupplies that Defecl, and is the beft Anfwer to 
 all their Objections. Such a Number of Cafes fa 
 fully defcribed and attefted, mud be the beft Refu- 
 tation of all their Railleries and Reafonings, which 
 are directly againft Matter of Fact, the only fate 
 Rule to judge by. 
 
 323. It is very probable, that I fiiall be judged, 
 and even condemned by fome, for being fo fanguine, 
 and fo greatly prepoficfTed in Favour of Tar- water. 
 I own I am, but it is for the beft Reafon in the 
 World. I am fully convinced of the Efficacy of 
 Tar- water in curing a great Number of Diftempers 
 of the moft grievous and dangerous Kinds, by the 
 many Inftances, Cafes, and Matters of Facl:, pro- 
 duced in this Narrative, and communicated to me 
 from time to time, by a great Number of Gentle- 
 men and others of good Credit and Integrity from 
 all Parts; who had no other View in fo doing, than 
 that others might receive the fame Benefit they 
 Jiad obtained themfelves. And all this fo well at- 
 tefted, that I have not the leaft doubt of the Truth 
 thereof. If there are any, who have any Doubts, 
 they may repair to the Patients themfelves, whofe 
 Names and Places of Abode, are herein mentioned 
 for that very Purpofe, and be fully fatisfied of the 
 Truth of all, or any of the Cafes herein related. I 
 have recommended Tar- water myfelf to many ; fe- 
 veral of them were perfectly cured of their Diforders ; 
 hardly one that did not receive Benefit, and none 
 that got Harm by it. What greater Proof can be 
 given of the Truth or Certainty of any Matter of 
 Fact? Or what better Criterion or Rule can be 
 chofen for determining the Ufe of Power of any 
 Medicine, than many and frequent Trials and Ex- 
 periments, well attefted and vouched, and open to 
 all the World? Such Proofs and Evidences are pro- 
 duced in behalf of Tar- water. Some few Inftances 
 of Cures wrought by Tar-water, being communi- 
 M 2 cared
 
 1 64 tfx Effetfs of 
 
 cated to me in the Beginning, induced me to make 
 farther Inquiries into the Effects of it; the more I 
 enquired,,the more I was iatisfied of the extraordina- 
 ry Virtues of Tar- water: And found many as ready 
 to communicate their Cafes, as I was to receive 
 them. From thefe Informations, this Narrative has 
 been formed, and has fwelled to the Size the Reader 
 fees it in. 1 had promifed to publifli fuch Cafes as 
 occurred to mej they who fent them, as well as 
 others, expected it from me, and it would have been 
 very wrong, and even criminal in me, to have (lifted 
 or fuppreffed them. 
 
 324. The Variety of Examples in the Collection 
 will direct any Perfons, where to find their Cures in 
 particular Cafes for which they might not otherwife 
 think of Tar-water. And for this Purpofe, an al- 
 phabetical Index or Table is annexed to this Narra- 
 tive, which points out the feveral Diftempers men- 
 tioned in this Collection, wherein Tar-water has 
 proved fuccefsful, with a Reference to the Sections, 
 where thofe Diftempers are taken Notice of. 
 
 325. After the foregoing Sheets were printed off, 
 the following Inftances of curing the KingVevil by 
 Tar-watercame to my Knowledge, and are therefore 
 inferted in this Place. 
 
 A particular Gentleman having informed me of 
 three Perfons cured of the King's-evil, he brought to 
 my Houfe,atmy Dcfire, on the 1 2th of March 1745, 
 two of the Patients, and a Gentlewoman, who is a 
 near Relation of the Third, who gave me the fol- 
 lowing Account of their Cafes. 
 
 326. Martha guarle, about eleven Years old, 
 late of Glafntviri, and now living in Dolpbins-barn- 
 lane^ near the Rofe and Crown, foon after the hard 
 Froft was afflicted with running Sores, and Holes in 
 one of her Hands and Arms, and under one of her 
 Eyes, which continued to increafe, infomuch that 
 ic infected her upper Jaw; in this Condition fhe 
 
 was
 
 VAR-WATER. 165 
 
 was fent to Mercers Hofpital, where fhe flayed three 
 Weeks, in which time the Sore under her Eye 
 was a little healed, and flopped running; but in a 
 Fortnight after (he left the Hofpital, it broke out 
 again, and a Splinter of a Bone came off from her 
 Hand. But in 1744 her Parents were advifed to 
 give her Tar- water, half a Pint a Day, and to apply 
 a Plaifter of Tar to all the Sores, and a large Tent 
 covered with the Plaifter to theHole under her Eye: 
 In a little time, a large Piece of her Jaw-bone, with 
 fome of her Teeth, came off, and by drinking the 
 Water, and applying the Plaifters for near three 
 Months, all her Sores healed, and fhe perfectly re- 
 covered, and has continued well this Year and half 
 pafl. 
 
 327. William Murray^ about twelve Years old, 
 Son of Matthew Murray, in Black-horfe-lane, had 
 gunning Sores in his Hands and Legs foon alter the 
 great Froft, fo that he was not able to flir a Foot, 
 and had great Pains in his Head for a Year. The 
 Boy drank Tar- water, which in a Fortnight's Time 
 carried off the Pains in his Head and then applied 
 the Tar-Plaifter to the Sores a little before Lift 
 Cbritfmas, whereby all the Sores are healed upheaving 
 a great many Marks in his Arm. And the Boy Hill 
 continues to drink Tar- water, and finds himfelf very 
 hearty. 
 
 328. A young Gentlewoman, aged 21 Years, 
 from the Time me was three Years old had a run- 
 ning Evil in one of her Hands, and her Jaws, and 
 fhe continued in this State many Years without Re- 
 lief: She was at the Waters of Lougbleab> in the 
 County of Cavan, and was long under the Care of 
 Surgeons without Benefit. Splinters of Bone came 
 from her Hands. But in 1744 fhe drank Tar- 
 water in fmall Quantities, and applied the Plaifter of 
 Tar, which in four Months Time healed them up, 
 and fhe is npw perfectly well. 
 
 M 3 329. And
 
 166 'The Effefa of : 
 
 329. And on the i%th of March 1745, James 
 Moony ) .Shoe-maker, Son of Arthur Moony , who 
 lives at the Bidl's-bead'm Stafford Street, came to me 
 at the Defire of a Gentleman to give me his Cafe 
 which is as follows : In the Winter after the great 
 Froft, he was afflicted with running Sores, which 
 broke out in many Parts of his Left-hand, and in 
 his Rick, and quite difabled him from following his 
 Trade, and for which he tried many Things with- 
 out any Benefit. He attended at the Infirmary on 
 the Inns- quay, for two Months, where many Surgeons 
 practifed upon him; but he got no Relief by any 
 Things they did, and was at lad told by them, that 
 there was no other Remedy than to cut off his Hand 
 above the Wrift : Upon which, he attended no more 
 at the Infirmary. But in Augitft 1745, he was ad- 
 vifed to drink Tar- water; which he did for two 
 Months, about a Pint a Day, and wafhed the Sores 
 with the fame Liquor, and the Effect was, that he 
 found the Sores begin to heal in the fecond Month, 
 and moftof them were healed up in the End of that 
 Month, and he recovered his Appetite and Spirits, 
 which he had loft before, and then laid afide Tar- 
 water, before he was perfectly cured, having two 
 fmall Sores not quite healed j but he has began to 
 drink the Water again, and finds himfelf much bet- 
 ter already, and hopes to perfect his Cure in a 
 little Time. 
 
 230. It is very probable that thefe Patients, would 
 have been fooner cured, if they had taken Tar-water 
 in great Plenty; half a Pint a D.iy was too fmall a 
 Quantity to effect a Cure in a fhort time: In fuch 
 grievous Cifes a Quart a Day mould have been' 
 taken, which might have recovered the Patients in 
 kfs than half the Time, as we find to have hap- 
 pened in other Inftances ; and the Water fhould not 
 be laid afde, till they were perfectly cured. 
 
 i. In fome Hofjpitals and Infirmaries, where 
 
 Patientt
 
 ER. 167 
 
 Patients have had their Hands, Arms, or Legs, 
 fwollen and inflamed with terrible running Sores, 
 which ate into, and rotted the Bones, and which 
 could not be cured by any of their Medicines, the 
 Surgeons in fuch Cafes, for fear of a G.mgrene or 
 Mortification, fometimes cut off the Limb; which, 
 if it doth not end with the Death of the Patient, 
 reduces him at leaft to Want and Beggary. Such 
 Operations mould not be attempted, but in fhe laft 
 Extremity. And we have Reafon to fufped, that ic 
 is fometimes done without fuch NeceiHty ; in Regard 
 we find feveral Patients mentioned in this Narrative, 
 who were condemned to be ferved the fame Way, 
 as the only Means to fave their Lives; and being 
 told fo much, and terrified, ran a way, or quitted the 
 Hofpital ; yet thofe very Patients were afterwards 
 recovered by the Ufe ot Tar-water, and perfectly 
 reftored to the Ufe of their Limbs, without any fiich 
 Mutilations. It is to be hoped that for the future, 
 we mail hear but little of fuch Amputations, fo 
 fhocking to Nature, fince we find that Tar-water 
 not only prevents thofe Ailments from coming to a 
 dangerous Height, but cures them when they do, 
 and when all other Hopes are loft. And indeed, it 
 is reafonable to believe, when the whole Mafs of 
 Blood is corrupted, that the cutting off a Limb will 
 not cure the Corruption, which will be apt to break 
 out in fome other Part. 
 
 332. The Murrain, which has lately raged in 
 many Parts of Europe^ among the horned Cattle, 
 and now prevails in fome Parts of England, fliould 
 engage our Attention to prevent the fpreading of fo 
 destructive a Malady. And as this Diltemper ap- 
 pears by its Symptoms to be a Kind of Fever, it is 
 recommended that Tar-water be tried in the follow- 
 ing Manner: Let the fick Bead have ppured clown 
 its Throat a Qjart of warm Tar-water, made 
 Wronger than ufual, by ftirringeach Gallon eight or 
 M 4 ten
 
 i68 MeE/etfs of TAR -WATER. 
 ten Minutes, and this to be repeated every Hour or 
 two for [he fiift Day, while the Beaft is awake. On 
 the fecond, let one Half of the former Quantity be 
 given, and on the third Day, half of that which was 
 given on the fecond : Which laft Quantity is to be 
 continued till the Cure is perfected -, during which 
 time, the Beaft fhould be hoofed and lie warm. I 
 have no Experience of the Succrfs of this Method, 
 as there is no Infection of that Kind in this King- 
 dom, but recommend it from the analogous Effects 
 that Tar- water hath in curing Fevers and Infections, 
 It is worth while to try it for the good of the Publick, 
 the Expencc being but a Trifle. It may be advife- 
 able alfo to dawbthe Noflrils, Ears, &V. of all the 
 Cattle, whether infected or not, to prevent catching 
 Or communicating the Infection by the Air. And 
 alfo to make the Beaft fwallow one Egg- fhell full or 
 two of crude Tar. 
 
 333. I mall add no more, but only fubjoin to this 
 Treatife two Letters from the Author of Siris ; the 
 firft addrefled to me, containing fome farther Re- 
 marks on the Virtues of Tar- water, and the Me- 
 thods for preparing and ufing of it, which was firft 
 publifned in the Year 1744-, and the fecond, lately 
 fcnt to me from the fame Author, containing fome 
 farther Difcoveries, Obfervations and Reflections oq 
 the Virtues and Efi'e&s of Tar- water. 
 
 A LET-
 
 [ i6 9 ] 
 
 LETTER 
 
 T O 
 
 Thomas Prior ^ Efq; 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 AUTHOR of SIR IS, 
 
 Containing fome farther Remarks on the Virtues 
 of TAR- WATER, and the Methods for preparing 
 and ufing it. 
 
 Non fivi, fed toti. 
 
 Nothing is tnore difficult and difagreeable, than to argue Men out 
 of their Prejudices ; I Jhallnot, therefore, enter into Contro<uerjjes on 
 this Subjefl, but if Men difpute and objeff, Jhall leave the Decifion 
 to Time and Trial. SIR is, Seft. 68. 
 
 I. A MONG the great Numbers who drink Tar- 
 /-% water in Dublin, your Letter informs me, there 
 
 ^ -^ are fome that make or ufe it in an undue Man- 
 ner. To obviate thefe Inconveniences, and render this 
 Water as generally ufeful as pofiible, you defire I would 
 draw up fome general Rules and Remarks in a fmall Corn- 
 pafs, which accordingly I here fend you. 
 
 2. Pour a Gallon of cold Water on a Quart of liquid 
 Tar, in a glared Earthen Veflel ; ftir, mix and work them 
 thoroughly together, with a wooden Ladle, or flat Stick, 
 for the Space of five or fix Minutes. Then let the 
 Veffel ftand clofe covered three Days and Nights, 
 that the Tar may have full Time , to fubfide. Ai ter 
 vybich, having firft carefully fkimmed it, without mov- 
 ing
 
 I '7 ] ' 
 
 ing the Veffel, pour oft the clear Water, and keep it in 
 Battles, xvell corked, for Ufe: This Method will pro- 
 duce a Liquor ftronger than that firft pubiifh'd in Sin's, 
 but not orfenfive if carefully /kimmcd. Ic is a good gene- 
 ral Rule, but as Stomachs and Conftimticns ere various, 
 it may admit of fome Latitude. Lefs Water or more ftir- 
 ring, makes it ftronger, as rnofe Water, or lefs ftirring, 
 makes it weaker. It is to be noted, that if feveral Gal- 
 lons are made at once in the fame ' Veflel, you muf; add 
 five or fix Minutes ftirring for every Gallon. Thus two 
 Gallons of Water, and two Quarts of Tar, require ten 
 or twelve Minutes ftirring. 
 
 3. The fame Tar will not do fo well a fecond Time, 
 but may ferve for other common UYes : The putting off 
 Tar that hath been ufed, for frcfh Tar, would be a bad 
 Fraud. To prevent which, it is to be noted, that Tar al- 
 ready ufed is of a lighter Brown than other Tar. The only 
 Tar that I hive ufed, is that from our Northern Colonies 
 in America, and that from Norway^ the latter being thin- 
 ner, mixetb eaiier with Water, and feems to have more 
 Spirit. If the former be made ufe of (as I have known it 
 wkh good Succefs) the Tar-water will require longer ftir- 
 ring to make ir. 
 
 4. Tar-water, when right, is not paler than French, nor 
 deeper coloured than S/rfw/^/vVhite-wine, and full as clear ; 
 if there be not a Spirit very (enfibly perceived in drinking, 
 you may conclude the Tar-water is not good ; if you 
 would have it good, fee ic made yourfelf. Thofe who be- 
 gin with ir, Hide and weak, may, by Habit, come to drink 
 more and ftronger. According to theSeafon, or the Hu- 
 mour of the Patient, it may be drank either cold or warm : 
 In Colics I take it to be belt warm. If it difgufts a Patient 
 warm, let him try it cold, and vice verfa. If at firft ic 
 creates, to fome fqueamifli Perfons, a little Sicknefs at S.o- 
 rnach, or Naufeating, it may be reduced both in Quality 
 and Quantity. In general, fmall Inconveniences are ei- 
 ther removed, or borne with fmall Trouble ; ic lays under 
 no Rcftraint, as to Air, Exercife, Cloarhs, or Die:, and 
 may be taken nt all Times of the Year. 
 
 5. As to the Quantity in common chronical Indifpoll- 
 tions, one Pint or Tar- water a Day may fuffice, taken on 
 an empry Stomach, at two or four Times, to wit, Night, 
 
 auJ
 
 [ '7' 1 
 
 and Morning, and about two Hours after Dinner and 
 Breakfaft ; more may be taken by ftrong Stomachs. Al- 
 teratives in general, taken in fmall Dofes, and often, mix 
 beft with the Blood ; how oft, or how ftrong each Sto- 
 mach can bear, Experience will mew. But thofe who 
 labour under great and inveterate Maladies, muft drink 
 a greater Quantity, at leaft one Quart every twenty-four 
 Hours, taken at four, fix, or eight GlafTes, as beft fuirs 
 the Circumftances and Cafe of the Drinker. All of this 
 Clafs muft have much Patience and Perfeverance in the 
 Ufe of this, as well as of all other Medicines, which, if 
 fure and fafe, muft yet, from the Nature of Things, be 
 flow in the Cure of inveterate chronical Diforders. In 
 acute Cafes, Fevers of all Kinds, it muft be drank in Bed 
 warm, and in great Quantity, (the Fever ftill enabling the 
 Patient to drink) perhaps a Pint every Hour, which I 
 have known to work furprifing Cures. But it works fo 
 quick, and gives fuch Spirits, that the Patients often 
 think themfelves cured before the Fever hath quite left 
 them. Such therefore mould not be impatient to rife, 
 or apply themfelves too foon to Bufinefs, or their ufual 
 Diet. 
 
 6. To fome, perhaps, it may feem, that a flow Altera- 
 tive in chronical Cafes, cannot be depended on in Fevers 
 and acute Diftempers, which demand immediate Relief. 
 But I affirm, that this fame Medicine, which is a flow Al- 
 terative in chronical Cafes, I have found to be alfo a mod 
 immediate Remedy, when copioufly taken, in acute and 
 inflammatory Cafes. It might indeed be thought rafh to 
 have tried it in the moft threatening Fevers and Pieurifies 
 without Bleeding, which in the common Practice would 
 have been held neceflary. But for .this I can fty, that I 
 have Patients who would not be bled, and this obliged me 
 to make Trials of Tar-water without Bleeding, which 
 Trials I never knew unfuccefsful. The fame Tar-warer I 
 found a flow Alterative, and a fudden Febrifuge. If the 
 Reader is furprized, I own myfelf to be fo too. Buc 
 Truth is Truth, and from whatever Hand it comes, mould 
 be candidly received. If Phyficians think they have a 
 Right to treat of religious MatterSj I think I have an equal 
 
 Right to treat of Medicine. 
 
 7. AU-
 
 7. Authority I have no Pretence to j but Reafon is 
 the common Birth-right of all : My Reafons I have given 
 in Siris : My Motives every one will interpret from his 
 own Breaft : But he rnuft own hirnfelf a very bad Man, 
 who, in my Cafe, (that is, after long Experience, and un- 
 der full Conviction of die Virtues and Innocence of Tar- 
 warer) would not have done as tnuch. Ail Men are, I 
 will not fay allowed, but obliged to promote the com- 
 mon Benefit j and ror this End, what I could not in Con- 
 Icience conceal, that I do, and fhall pubiickly declare, 
 tnaugre all the Spleen and Raillery of a World, which can- 
 not treat me worfe than it hath done my Betters. 
 
 8. As the Morning's Draught is moft difficult to nice 
 ScomachSj fuch may leilen, or even omit it, at the Be- 
 ginning, or rather poftpone it till after Breakfalr., and take 
 a larger Dofe at Night. The Diftance from Meal-time 
 need not be more than one Hour, for common Stomachs, 
 when the Liquor is well clarified and fkimmed. The 
 Oil that floats on the Top, and was fkimmed off, fliould 
 be carefully laid by, and kept for outward Sores. In the 
 Variety of Cafes and Conttitutions, it is not amifs that 
 there fhould be different Manners of preparing and taking 
 Tar-warer : Trial will direct to the beft. Whether there 
 be any Difference between old Tar, or new Tar, or which 
 of all the various Tars, produced from different Trees, or 
 in different Parts of the World, is moft medicinal, future 
 Trials muft determine. 
 
 9. I have made a fecond Sorr of Tar-water, to be ufed 
 externally, as a Wafh or Lotion, for the Itch, Scabs, Ul- 
 cer?, Evil, Leprofy, and all fuch foul Cafes, which I have 
 tried with very good Succefs, ana recommend it to the 
 Trial of" others. For invercrate Cafes of that Kind, Tar- 
 water fhould be drank, a Quart every twenty- four Hours, 
 a* four, fix, or eight Glaffes j and after this hath been 
 done, at leaft for a Fortnighr, the Lotion is to be ap- 
 plied outwardly, and warm, by bathing, fomenting, and 
 fteeping, and this feveral times in the twenty-four Hours, 
 to heal and dry up the Sores, the Drinking being (till con- 
 tinued. This Water, for external Ufe, is made in the fol- 
 lowing Manner : Pour two Quarts of hot boiling Water 
 on a Quart of Tar, ftir and work it ftrongly, with a flat 
 Stick, or Ladle, for a full Quarter of an Hour } let ic 
 
 ftand
 
 [ '73 ] 
 
 ftand fix Hours, then pour it off, and keep it elofe covered 
 for Ufe. It may be made weaker or ftronger, as there is 
 Occafion. 
 
 10. From what I have obferved of the Lotion, I am 
 inclined to think, it may he worth while, in obftimte and 
 cutaneous Ailments, Leprofy, and Weaknefs of Limbs, 
 to try a Bath of Tar-water ; allowing a Gallon of Tar to 
 every ten Gallons of boiling hot Water j ftirring the In- 
 gredients a full half Hour ^ fuffering the Veflel to ftand 
 eight or ten Hours, before the Water is poured off, and 
 ufing the Bath a little more than Milk-warm. This Ex- 
 periment may be made in different Proportions of Tar 
 and Water. In Dublin many Cafes occur for Trial, which 
 are not to be met with in the Country. 
 
 11. My Experiments have been made in various Cafes, 
 and on many Perfons j and I make no Doubt its Virtues 
 will foon be more fully difcovered > as Tar- water is now 
 growing into general Ufe, though not without that Oppo- 
 lition which ufually attends upon Novelty. The great 
 Objection I find made to this Medicine is, that it pru- 
 inifes too much. What ! fay the Objectors, do you pre- 
 tend to a Panacea ? a Thing ftrange, chimerical, and 
 contrary to the Opinion and Experience of all Mankind. 
 Now, to fpeak out, and give this Objection, or Queftion, 
 a direct Anfwer, I freely own, that I fufpect Tar- water is 
 a Panacea. I may be miflaken, but it is worth Trial 
 for the Chance of fo great and general a Benefit, I am 
 willing to ftand the Ridicule of propofing it. And as the 
 old Philofopher cried aloud, from the Houfe-tops, to his 
 Fellow Citizens, Educate your Children > fo, I confefs, if 
 I had a Situation high enough, and a Voice loud enough, 
 I would cry out to all the Valetudinarians upon Earth, 
 Drink Tar-water, 
 
 12. Having thus frankly owned the Charge, I muft ex- 
 plain to you, that by a Panacea is not meant a Medicine 
 which cures all Individuals, (this confifts not with Morta- 
 lity) but a Medicine that cures or relieves ail thediffe- 
 rent Species of Diftempers : And if God hath given us fo 
 great a Blefling, and made a Medicine fo cheap and plen- 
 ty as Tar, to be withal fo univerfal in its Effects, to eale 
 the Miferies of human Life, fhall Men be ridiculed or 
 bantered out of its Ufe, efpecially when they run no 
 Rifque in the Trial ? For I can truly affirm, that I never 
 
 knew
 
 t '74] 
 
 knew any Harm attend ir, more than fometlmes a litrle 
 Naufea, which if the Liquor be well cleared, fkimmed and 
 bottled, need not, I think, be apprehended. 
 
 13. It muft be owned I have not had Opportunities of 
 trying it myfelf in all Cafes, neither will I undertake to 
 demonftrate a priori^ that Tar-water is a Panacea. But 
 yet, methinks, I am not quite deftitute of probable Rea- 
 Ibns, which, joined to what Facts I have obferved, in- 
 duced me to entertain fuch a Sufpicion. 
 
 14. I knew Tar was ufed to preferve Cattle from 
 Contagion ; and this may be fuppofed to have given Rife 
 to that Practice of drinking Tar-water for a Prefervative 
 againft the Small-pox. But as the Tar-water ufed for that 
 Purpofe was made by mixing equal Quantities of Tar and 
 Water, it proved a moft offenfive Potion , befides, as a 
 frefli Glafs of Water was put in for each Glafs that was 
 taken out, and this, for many Days, on the fame Tar, ic 
 followed that the Water was not equally impregnated with 
 the fine volatile Spirit, though all alike ftrongly faturated 
 with grofs Particles. 
 
 15. Having found this naufeous Draught very ufeful 
 againft the Small-pox, to as many as could be prevailed 
 on to take it, I began to confider the Nature of Tar. I 
 reflected that Tar is a Balfam flowing from the Trunks of 
 aged Ever-greens ; that it refifts Putrefaction j that it hath 
 the Virtues of Turpentine, which, in Medicine, are known 
 to be very great and manifold j but I obferved withal, 
 that Turpentines, or Balfams, are very ofFenfive in the 
 taking : I therefore confidered diftinctly the feveral con- 
 ftiruent Parts of Balfams j which were thofe, wherein the 
 medicinal Virtues refided, and which were to be regarded 
 rather as a vifcous Matrix, to receive, arreft, and retain 
 the more volatile and active Particles; and if thefe laft 
 could be fo feparated and difengnged from the grofTer 
 Parts, as to impregnate a clear and potable Liquor, 1 con- 
 cluded, that fuch Liquor muft prove a Medicine of great 
 Force, and general Ufe. I confidered, that Nature was 
 the beft Chemift and Preparer of Medicines, and that the 
 Fragrance and Flavour of Tar argued very active Quali- 
 ties and Virtues. 
 
 1 6. I had, of a long Time, entertained an Opinion a- 
 greeable to the Sentiments of many ancient Philofophers, 
 
 That
 
 [ '75 ] 
 
 . That Fire may le regarded as the animal Spirit nf this <v(/i- 
 ble World. And it feemed to me, that the attracting and 
 fecreting of this Fire in the various Pores, Tubes, and 
 Duds of Vegetables, did impart their fpecifick Virtues to 
 each Kind j that this fame Light, or Fire, was the imme- 
 diate inftrumental or phyfical Caufe of Senfe and Morion, 
 and conlequently of Life and Health to Animals ,- that on 
 Account of this Solar Light, or Fire, Phoebus was, in 
 the antient Mythology, reputed the God of Medicine : 
 Which Light, as it is leifurely introduced, and fixed in the 
 vifcid Juice of old Firs and Pines, fo the fetting it free in 
 part, that is, the changing its vifcid for a volatile Vehicle, 
 which may mix with Water, and convey it throughout the 
 Habit copioufly and inofrenfively, would be of infinite 
 Ufe in Phyfick, extending ro all Cafes whatlbever, ioaf- 
 irmch as all Diftempers are, in effect, a Struggle between 
 the Vis vittE and the peculiar Miafma, or Femes morbi , and 
 nothing ftrengthens Nature, or lends fuch Aid and Vigour 
 to Life, as a Cordial which doth nor heat. 
 
 17. The folar Light, in great Quantity, during the Space 
 of many fucceffive Years, being attracted and detained in 
 the Juice of antient Ever-greens, doth form and lodge 
 itfelf in an Oil fo fine and volatile, as fhall mix' well with 
 Water, and lightly pafs the Prima vite, end penetrate every 
 Part and Capillary of the organical Syftem, when once ex- 
 empt and freed from the groffer naufeous Refm. It will 
 not therefore feem unreafonable, to whoever is acquaint- 
 ed with the medicinal Virtues of Turpentine in fo many 
 different Diftempers, for which it hath been celebrated 
 
 -both by ancient and modern Phyficians, and withal reflects 
 on the Nauiea, or Clog, that prevents their full Operation 
 and Effect on the human Body , it will nor, I fay, feem 
 unreafonable to fuch a one to fuppofe, that, if chis fame 
 Clog were removed, numbeilefs Cures might be wrought 
 in a great Variety of Cafes. 
 
 1 8. The Defideratum was, how to feparate the active 
 Particles from the heavy vifcid Subftance, which ferved 
 to attract and retain them, and fo to order Matters, that 
 the Vehicle of the Spirit fhould nor, on the one hand, be 
 volatile enough to efcape, nor on the other, grofs enough 
 to offend. For the performing of this, I h k >ve found a 
 woft eafy, limple, and effe&ual Method', which furnifhcd 
 
 a po-
 
 r 
 
 a potable inoffenfive Liquor, clear and fine as the beft 
 White-wine, cordial and ftcinachic, to be kept bottled, 
 as being endued with a very fenfible Spirit, though not 
 fermented. 
 
 19. I tried many Experiments as to the Quantity of 
 Water, and the Time of ftirring and {landing, in order to 
 impregnate and clarify it, and, after all, fixed on the fore- 
 mentioned Receipt, as the moft generally ufeful for mak- 
 ing this falutiferous Liquor well impregnated, and not of- 
 fenfive to common Stomachs, and even drank with Plea- 
 fure by many : In which the moft medicinal and active 
 Particles, that is, the native Salts and volatile Oil of the 
 Balfam, being difentangled and feparated from its grofs Oil 
 and vifcous Refin, do, combined together, form a fine 
 balfamic and vegetable Soap, which not only can pafs the 
 Stomach and Primes via^ but alfo infinuate itfelf into the 
 minuteft Capillaries, and freely pervade the whole animal 
 Syftem ; and that in fuch full Proportion and Meafure, as 
 fuiteth every Cafe and Conftitution. 
 
 20. The foregoing general Confederations put me upon 
 making Experiments in many various and unlike Cafes, 
 which otherwife I mould never have thought of doing, 
 and the Succefs anfwered my Hopes. Philosophical Prin- 
 ciples led me to make fafe Trials, and on thofe Trials is 
 founded my Opinion of the falutary Virtues of Tar-water ; 
 which Virtues are recommended from, and depend on, 
 Experiments and Matters of Fact, and neither ftand nor 
 fall with any Theories or fpeculative Principles whatever. 
 Howbeit, thofe Theories, as I faid, enlarged my Views of 
 this Medicine, led me to a greater Variety of Trials, and 
 thereby engendered and nourifhed my Sufpicion, that it is 
 a Panacea. I have been the more prolix in thefe Particu- 
 lars, hoping that, to as many as fhall candidly weigh and 
 confider them, the high Opinion I conceive of this Me- 
 dicine, will not feem altogether an Effect of vain Prepof- 
 feffion, or blind empiric Rafhnefs, but rather the Refuk 
 of free Thought and Enquiry, and grounded on my beft 
 Reafon, Judgment, and Experience. 
 
 21. Thofe who have only the Good of Mankind at 
 Heart, will give this Medicine fair play j if there be any 
 who aft from other Motives, the Publick will look Iharp 
 and beware. To do Juftice to Tar-water, as well as 
 
 to
 
 [ '77] 
 
 to thofe who drink it, regard muft be had to the particu- 
 lar Strength and Cafe of the Patients. Grievous or inve- 
 terate Maladies muft not be treated as common Cafes. I 
 cured a horrible Cafe, a Gangrene in the Blood, which 
 had broke out in feveral Sores, snd threatened fpeedy 
 Death, by obliging the Perfon to drink nothing but this 
 Liquor for feverai Weeks, as much and as often as his 
 Stomach would bear. Common Senie \vill direct a pro- 
 portionable Conduct in the other Cafes. But this muft be 
 left to the Confcience and Difcreticn of the Givers and 
 Takers. 
 
 22. After all that can be faid, it is moft certain, that a 
 Panacea founds odd, and conveys fomewhat Shocking to 
 the Ear and Senfe of moft Men, who are wont to rank 
 the univerfal Medicine with the Philofophers S:one, and 
 the Squaring of the Circle j whereof the chief, if not fole 
 Reaion, I take to be, that it is thought incredible, the 
 fame Thing mould produce contrary Effects, as it muft 
 do, if it cures oppofite Diftempers. And yet this is no 
 more than every Day's Experience verifies. Milk, for In- 
 ftance, makes fome coftive, and others laxative : This re- 
 gards the Poflibility of a Panacea in general j as for Tar- 
 water in particular, I do not fay it is a Panacea, I only 
 fufpect it to be fo. Time and Tryal will fhev/. 
 
 23. But I am moft fincerely perfuaoed, from what I 
 have already feen and tried, that Tar- water may be drank 
 with great Safety and Succefs, for the Cure or Relief of 
 moft, if not all Difeafes ; of Ulcers, Itch, Scald-heads, 
 Leprofy, Kings-Evil, Cancers, the foul Difeafe, and all 
 foul Cafes , Scurvies of all Kinds, Diforders of the Lungs, 
 Stomach, and Bowels, in Rheumatic, Gouty and Nephri* 
 tic Ailments, Megrims, inveterate Head-achs, EpilepfieC, 
 Pleurifies, Peripneumonies, Eryiipelas, Small-pox, all Kinds 
 of Fevers, Colics, Hyfteric and all nervous Cafes ; Ob- 
 ftructions, Dropfies, Decays, and other Maladies. Note 
 that for Agues it fliould be drank warm, and often, in 
 fmall Glafles, both in and out of the Fir, rind continued 
 for feveral Days to prevent a Relapfe. Nor is it of Ufe 
 only in the Cure of Sicknek, it is alfo ufeful to preferve 
 Health, and guard againft Infection, and in fome Meafure 
 even againft old Age, as it gives lading Spirits, and invt- 
 
 N goraies
 
 gorates the Blood. I am even induced, by the Nature 
 and Analogy of Things, and its wonderful Succefs in Fe- 
 vers of all Kinds, to think that Tar-water may be very 
 ufeful againft the Plague, both as a Prefervadve and a 
 Cure. 
 
 24. But I doubt no Medicine can withftand that exe- 
 crable Plague of diftilled Spirits, which do all, with- 
 out Exception, (there being a cauftic and coagulating 
 Quality in all diftilled Spirits, whatever the Subject or 
 Ingredients, may be) operate as a flow Poifon, preying 
 on the Vitals, and wafting the Health and Strength of 
 Body and Soul ; which Peft of human Kind is, I am 
 told, gaining Ground in this Country, already too thin of 
 Inhabitants. 
 
 A SE-
 
 A SECOND 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 AUTHOR of SIR IS, 
 
 T O 
 
 Thomas Prior ^ Efq; 
 
 i. ^C T"OUR Attention to whatever promotes the pub- 
 j lick Good of your Country, pr the common Be- 
 "*- nefit of Mankind, having engaged you in a par- 
 ticular Enquiry concerning the Vircues and Effects of Tar- 
 water, you are entitled to know what fanher Diicoveries, 
 Obfervations and Reflections I have made on thar Subject. 
 
 2. Tar-water, in the feveral Editions of <S/m, hath been 
 directed to be made by ftirring three* four, five> or fix 
 Minutes, for a Gallon of Water, and a Quart of Tar. 
 But although it feem beft made, for general Ufe wkhin 
 thofe Limits, yet the Stomach of the Patient is the befl 
 Rule, whereby, to direct the Strength of the Water ; 
 with a little more ftirring, fix Quans of good Tar-warer 
 may be made from one of Tar j and with eight Minutes 
 ftirring, I have known a Gallon of Tar-water produced 
 from fecond-hand Tar, which proved a good Remedy 
 in a very bad Fever, when better Tar could not be had. 
 For the Ufe of Travellers, a Tar-water may be made va- 
 ry ftrong, for Inftance, with one Quart of Water, and a 
 Quart of Tar, ftirred together for the Space of Tvverr/ 
 Minutes. A Bottle of this may ferve long on a Road, a 
 little being put to each Ghfs of common Wster, more or 
 leDj as you would have it itronger or weaker. Near ten 
 
 N 2 Years
 
 [ i8o ] 
 
 Years ago, a Quart of about this Strength was given to an 
 old Woman, to be taken at one Draught by Direction of 
 a young Lady, who had confulted one in my Family, a- 
 bour the Method of preparing and giving Tar-water, which 
 yet fhe happened to miftake. But even thus, it did Ser- 
 vice in the Main, though k wrought the Patient violently 
 all manner of Ways. Which fhews, that Errors and Ex- 
 ccfles in Tar-water, are not fo dangerous, as in other Me- 
 dicines. 
 
 3. The beft Tar, I take to be that, which is moft Li- 
 quid, or firft running from the Billets of Fir or Pine, 
 which grew on the Mountains : It hath a greater Share of 
 thofc antifcorbutic vegetable Juices, which are contained 
 not only in the Leaves and tender Top?, but in all Parts 
 of the Wood j and thefe, together with the Saks of Wood- 
 foot, being in the Compofition of Tar fuperadded to Tur- 
 pentine, render Tar-water a Medicine, if I am not milla- 
 ken, much more exrenfive and efficaciou?, than any that 
 can be obtained from Turpentine alone. 
 
 4. The Virtues of the Wood- Juices fliew themfelves 
 in Spruce-Beer, made of Melaffes, and the black Spruce- 
 Fir in the northern Parts of America ; and the young 
 Shoots 'of our common Spruce-Fir, have been put to 
 Malt-Liquor in my own Family, and make a very whol- 
 lome Drink. 
 
 5. Tar- water feldom fails to cure, or relieve, when right- 
 ly made of good Tar, and duly taken. I fay, of good 
 Tar, becaufe the vile' Practice of adulterating Tar, or of 
 felling the Dregs of Tar, or ufed Tar for frefh, is grown 
 frequent, to the great Wrong of thofe who take it. Who- 
 ever hath been ufed to good Tar-water, can readily difcern 
 the bad by irs flat Tafte, void of that warm cordial Quali- 
 ty found in the former it may alfo be expedient for know- 
 ing frefh Tar, to obferve, whether a fat oily Scum floats 
 on the Top of the Water, which is found to be much left, 
 if any at all, on the feccnd making of Tar-water. This 
 Scum was directed to be taken off, not from its being cpc 
 to do Harm when drank, but to render theTar-water more 
 palatable to nice Stomachs. Great Quantities of Tar are 
 produced in Germany, Italy, and other Parts of the Wolrd. 
 The different Qualities or Virtues of thefe, k may be worth 
 while to trv and I' wifh the Tryal were made principally 
 
 by
 
 [ ii] 
 
 by obferving, which giveth moft Seflfe of a lively cordial 
 Spirit upon drinking the Water. 
 
 6. This Medicine of Tar- water worketh various Ways, 
 by Urine, by Perfpiration, as a fudorific, carminative, car- 
 diac, aftringent, detergent, reftorative, alterative, and 
 fometimes as a gentle purgative or emetic, according to the 
 Cafe or Conftitution of the Patient, or to the Quantity 
 that is taken ; and its Operation fhould not be diiturbed. 
 I knew two Brothers ill of a Fever about the fame Time j 
 it wrought on the one by copious Sweating, on the other 
 altogether by Urine ; and I have known it to adl at diffe- 
 rent Times differently, even on the fame Perfon, and in 
 the fame Dilbrder ; one while as a Diaphoretic, or Sudo- 
 rific, another as a Diuretic. Irs general Character is Diu- 
 retic, which fliews, that it cleanfeth the urinary PafLges, 
 preventing thereby both Stone and Gravel, againit which ic 
 hath been found very ufeful, and much fafer than mineral 
 Waters, by reafon of its balfamic healing Quality. 
 
 7. Tar-water doth recover and impart vital Hear, buc 
 imparts no inflaming Heat. I have feen a wonderful Cute 
 wrought on a Child about eight Years old, and paft alj. 
 Hopes, by pouring feveral Spoonfuls of Tar-warer dov/a 
 his Throat, as he lay quite fubdued by a moft violent Fe- 
 ver, without any Appearance of Senfe or Motion, the 
 Noftrils drawn back, the Eyes fixed, the Complexion dead- 
 ly wan. And yet Tar-water, forced down by Spoonfuls, 
 feem'd to kindle up Life a-new j and this after Sage-tea, 
 Saffron, Milk-water, Venice-treacle, tsc. had been ufad 
 w out any Succefs. 
 
 . This is of itfelf a fufficient Cordial, friendly and con- 
 genial to the vital Heat and Spirits of a Man. If therefore 
 (trong Liquors are in the accuftomed Quantify fuperadded, 
 the Blood being already, by Tar-warer, faitki -;< / warmed 
 for vital Hear, the flrong Liquors fuperadded wiil be ape 
 to over-heat it, which over-heating is not to be imputed 
 to the Tar-water, fince, taken alone, I could never ob- 
 ferve it attended with that Symptom. 
 
 9. And tho' it may be no eafy Matter to perfucde fuch 
 as have long indulged themfelves in the free Uie of ilrcng 
 fermented Liquors and diftilled Spirus., to forfake their per- 
 nicious Habits, yet I am myfelf thoroughly psrfuaded, thac 
 in Weaknefs or Fatigue of Body, or in low Spirits, Tar- 
 
 N 2 water
 
 wster alone doth far furpafs all thole vulgarly-efteemed CorJ 
 dials, which heat and intoxicate, and which coagulate the 
 Fluids, and, by their cauftic Force, d<-y up, ftiffcn, and de- 
 ft roy the fineVeffds and Fibres of the unhappy Drinkers, 
 obftruding the Secretions, impairing the animal Functions, 
 producing various Diforders, and bringing on the untime- 
 ly Symptoms of old Age. Nothing doth fo much obftrucl 
 the good Effl-dts of Tar-water, as the Abufe of ilrcng 
 Liquors. Where this is avoided, it feems no chronical 
 Malady can keep its Ground, cr ftand before Tar-water 
 conftantly and regularly taken, not even hereditary Diftem- 
 pers, as the moft invecerare King's- Evil, nor even the moffc 
 confirmed Gout ; provided it be drank a Quart a Day, an 
 fix or eight Glailes, and at all Seafons, both in and out: of 
 the Fie, and that for a great Length of Time, the longer 
 the better. Ic is to be noted, that in Firs of the Gone, 
 Colic, or Fever, it fhould be always drank warm. On 
 other Occsiions, warm or cold, as the Patient likes. 
 
 10. The Inference T make is, that thofe who expcel 
 Health from Tar-water, have lefs Need of any oiher Cor- 
 di.il, and would do well to facrifke ibme Part cf their 
 Pleafure to their Health. At the fame Time I will ven- 
 ture to affirm, that a Fever produced either from hard 
 Drinking, or any other Caufe, is moft effectually and fpee- 
 dily fubdued, by abftaining from all other Cordial?, and 
 plentifully drinking of Tar-water: For it warms the 
 Cold, and cools the Hot: Simple Water may coo!, bun 
 this, at the fame Time that it cocls, gives Life and Spirir, 
 Jt is, in Truth, a Specific for all Kinds of Fevers j the 
 fsrr.e Medicine, which is a leifurely Alterative in chronical 
 Difarder?, being taken in larger Qnanritics, is a fpeedy 
 Cure in acute ones, 
 
 11. Thole \\ho, without Knowledge or Experience of 
 Tir-water, have been fo active and earnt-ft to cifcredit its 
 Virtues, have much to anfwer for, especially with Regard 
 to acure inflammatory Diitempeiv, in which it doth Won- 
 ders. I: is in thofe Diforders, fo faral and frequcnr, that 
 I have had moft Opportunities of observing its Virtues, 
 nor can the World ever know the juft Value of this jVle^- 
 
 'dicine, but by trying it in the like Cafes. 
 
 12. When Patients are given over, and all known Me- 
 thods foil, it is aliowpd to try new Remedies, If Tar? 
 
 water
 
 water was tried in fuch Cafes, 1 do verily believe, that 
 many Patients might thereby be refcued from the Jaws of 
 Death : Particularly, I would recommend theTryal of it 
 in the moft malignant and defperate Fevers, or Small-pox, 
 attended with purple, livid, or black Spots. It is my fin- 
 cere Opinion, that warm Tar-water, drank copioufly, may 
 often prove falutary, even in thofe deplorable Cafes. 
 
 13. My Opinion is grounded on its fmgular Virtues in 
 correcting, fweetening, and invigorating the Blood, and 
 in curing Cancers and Gangrenes, or beginning Mortifica- 
 tions, fuch TS thofe Spots do indicate. I hive latejy known 
 it drunk wi.h good Succefs in a very painful and unpro- 
 tniting Wound j and am perfuaded, that if it were drank 
 plentifully, during the Dreffing of all Sorts of dangerous 
 Wounds, it might affwage the Anguifh, and forward the 
 Cure,- as it abates feverifh Syrrproms, and by rendering 
 the B!ood balfamic, and difpofing the Parts to heal, pre- 
 vent a Gangrene. 
 
 14. Tar itfelfisan excellent Medicine, being fpread on 
 a Cloth, and appl/ed warm to an Ulcer or Wound. I have 
 known the fame applied to a very large and painful Tu- 
 mour, caufed by a Sprain or Bruife, fpeedily aflwage the 
 Pain, and reduce the Swelling. I may add, that Tar 
 (mixed with. Honey to m.:ke it Icfs cffenfive, and) takei 
 inwardly, is 211 admirable Bilfam for the Lungs ; and a lit- 
 tle of this, taken togeiher wkh Tar-water, haftens its Effect 
 in curing the moft obffinate an'd wafting Coughs; snd an 
 ?g fhell full of Tar, fwallowed and wnfhed down with a 
 Quar: of Tar-water, Night and Aborning, ha:h been found 
 very ufeful for the fime Diforder in Hories. 
 
 15. Sitting over the Vapour of the heated Lotion, de- 
 fcribed in my former Lccter, is excellent in the Cafe cf 
 Piles or Fiftula j efpecially if fomenting \vith the faid Lo- 
 tion be added, as alfo anointing with the Oil fcumrr.ed 
 from the Top of Tar- water Tar-water hath been fnuffcd 
 up the Noftrils with good Succefs, for a great He;:vintfs 
 of the Head, and Drowfinefc. Ic is a very ufeful VVafh 
 for wejk, dr , or irchingEyes- an excellent Prefcrvative 
 for the Teeth and Gums,- alfo a good Diir.k and Gargle 
 for a fore Throat : I may add, that I have knovvn ic !u,-- 
 ceed in Caies v.'here ic rus been tried without Hopes or" 
 iJuccefs, particularly ia Dcafncfs. I have known Life fi,i- 
 
 N 4 ftainei
 
 friined many Days together, only by drinking of Tar-water, 
 without any other Nourimment, and without any remark- 
 able Diminution of Strength or Spirits ; it may therefore 
 be of fmgular Ufe, and fave many Lives in the Diftrefs of 
 famine at Sea, or in Sieges, and in Seafons of great Scar- 
 city. The Virrue of Tar-water flowing like the Nile *, 
 from a Secret and occult Source, brancheth into innume- 
 rable Channels, conveying Health and Relief, wherever 
 it is applied ; nor is it more eafy and various in its Ufe., 
 than copious in Quantity. How great Havock, neverthe- 
 lefs, is made by the Small-pox, raging like a Plague, in 
 New England^ and other Parts of America^ which yet a- 
 bound with Tar ! and how many thoufand Sailors, in all 
 Parts of the World, are rotting by the Scurvy with their 
 Remedy at Hand ! 
 
 \6. Many in this Town of Cloyne have, by the copious 
 drinking of Tar-water alone, been recovered of the moft 
 violent Fevers, attended with the moft threatning Sympr 
 roms, and much heightened by Relapfes from Mifmanage- 
 irienr. It would be tedious to enumerate all the Cafes of 
 this Kind, which have happened at Cloyne^ and in my 
 own Family ; where many Fevers, pleuretic, as well as 
 others, attended with violent Stitches, Difficulty of Breath- 
 ing, and Spitting of Blood, have been cured by Tar-wa- 
 ter j and this I can with Truth affirm, that 1 never knew 
 it regularly tried, in any inflammatory Cafe, without Suc- 
 Cefs : But then it muft be given in Bed, warm and very 
 copioufly, with all due Caution againft Cold, Nolle, and 
 improper Diet. 
 
 17. I have often obferved, when a Patient, on the firft 
 Attack of a Fever, hath betaken himfelf to his Bed, and 
 drank Tar-water regularly and conftantly, that he hath 
 had fuch favourable Symptoms, fo good Appetite, and fo 
 found Sleep, that the Fever pa (Ted almoft as nothing j 
 nor was to be diftinguifhed otherwife, than by a quick- 
 lirfs of Pul'fe, a little feverifh Heat, and Thirft. The 
 more that Patients in a Fever drink, the better they find 
 thcrr.felves-; and" their liking to Tar-water grows with 
 their wunt of r, by a certain Inftinct or Dictate of Na T 
 ture i info much that I have known Children in very high 
 
 * The Nile was by the antient &?yptiar.s called Siris, which Word alfq 
 fijjpifies, in Greet, a Chain, though not fo copirncnly ufei as Sira, 
 
 Fevers
 
 Fevers, who, at other Times, could hardly be prevailed on to 
 drink a fmgle Glafe, drink fix or eight in an Hour. 
 
 j 8. I can truly affirm that for the Cafes within my 
 own Obfervation, inflammatory acute Diftempers cured, 
 by Tar-water, have been, at leaft, ten Times the Num- 
 ber of any other. Thefe indeed ofteneft occur, as cauftng 
 the chief Deftruftion and general Ravage of Mankind ; 
 who are confequently debarred from the principal Ufe 
 and Benefit of this Medicine fo long, as they give Ear to 
 the Suggeftions of thofe, who, without any Experience 
 thereof, would perfuade them, it is of an heating or en- 
 flaming Nature 5 which Suggeftion, as I am convinced 
 myfelf, by long and manifold Experience, that it is abfo- 
 lutely falfe, fo may all others alfo be fufficiently convinc- 
 ed of its Falfliood, by the wonderful Fad attefted by a 
 folemn * Affidavit of Captain Drape, at Liverpool ; where- 
 by it appears, that of 170 Negroes feized at once by the 
 Small-pox on the Coaft or" Guinea, one only died, who 
 refufed to drink Tar- water; and the remaining 169, all 
 recovered by drinking it, without any other Medicine, 
 nbtwithftanding the Heat of the Climate, and the Incom- 
 modities of the Veffel. A Fact fo well vouched muft, 
 with all unbyaffed Men, outweigh the pofitive Affertions 
 of thofe who have declared themlelves Adverfaries of 
 Tar-water, on the Score of its pretended heating or in- 
 flaming Quality. 
 
 19. The Skill and Learning of thofe Gentlemen in 
 their Profeffion, I mall not difpute; but yet it feems 
 ftrange, that they mould without Experience pronounce 
 at once, concerning the Virtues of Tar-water, and afcribe 
 to it pernicious Qualities, which I, who had watched its 
 Workings and Effects for Years together, could never 
 difcover. Thefe three laft Years, I have taken it myfelf 
 without one Day's Imermiffion j others in my Family have 
 taken it near the fame Time, and thofe of different Ages 
 and Sexes ; feveral in the Neighbourhood have done as 
 much, all without any Injury, and wuh much Benefit. 
 
 20. It is to be noted, the Skin and the Belly are Antago- 
 nifts; that is, the more paffeth by Peripiration, the lefs will 
 pafs another Way. Medicines therefore, which caufe the 
 
 * See Captain Drape's Affidavit in page 19, 2.0. 
 
 Patient
 
 t i36 ] 
 
 Patient to perfpire, will be apt to make him coftivc. 
 Therefore, when Tar water worketh much by Perfpira- 
 tion, the Body m.-y chance to be bound. But i'uch Symp- 
 tom, though it mould be attended with a liccle more than 
 ordinary Warmth, need not be crecded by the Patient; 
 it being only a Sign, that his Cure is carried on by 
 driving out the peccant Matter through the Skin j which 
 is one of the Ways whereby Tar-water workcih its Ef- 
 feft. And when this Effect or Cure is wrought, the 
 Body of irfelf returneth to irs former natural State ; and 
 if fome have been bound in their Bodies, I have known 
 others affected in a contrary Manner upon drinking Tar- 
 \vater, a> it hath happened to operate either in the Shape 
 of a Diaphoretic, or of a gentle opening Medicine. 
 J have even known a coftive Habit more than once re.- 
 moved by it, and that, when the Cafe was inveterate, and 
 other Methods had failed. 
 
 21. I mentioned the foregoing Article, upon calling ro 
 mind, that two or three Patients had, for a Time, com- 
 plained of a binding Quality in Tar- water. I likewife re- 
 membtr that one in a high degree of the Scurvy was 
 difcouraged from the Ufe of Tar-water, by its having 
 caufed an uneafy Itching ail over his Boc'y. Bat this was 
 a good Symptom, which mewed the peccant Humours to 
 be put in Motion, and in a fair Way of^ being diicharged 
 through the Skin. 
 
 22. An Humor or Flatus put in Motion, and diflodged 
 from one Part, often produceth new Pains in fome other 
 Part; and an efficacious Medicine, as it produceth a Change 
 in the Oeconomy, may be attended with fome Uneaiinefc, 
 which yet is not to be accounted a Diftemper, but only 
 an Effect or Symptom of the Cure. 
 
 25. 7 he Saks of Tar- water have nothing of the firey 
 and coirolive Nature of lixivial Salts produced by the 
 incineration of the Subjeclj they not being fixed Salts, 
 ruaoe by the extreme Force of Fire, but volatile Salts, 
 fucii as pre-exifled in the Vegetable, and would have ai- 
 cended in Smoak, if not prevented by the Sods or Co- 
 vering of the Billet Piles. This though already hinted in 
 ir is, and plain from the Manner of making Tar, I have 
 thought fit to repeat and inculcate, becaufe, if duly at- 
 tended
 
 [ i8 7 ] 
 
 tended to, it may obviate Sufpicions about Tar-water, 
 proceeding only from an Ignorance of its Nature. 
 
 24. Every Srep that I advanced in difcovering the Vir- 
 tues of Tar-water, my own Wonder and Surprize increaf- 
 ed, as much as theirs to whom I mentioned them : Nor 
 could I, without great Variety and Evidence of Facts, 
 ever have been induced to fufpecl:, that, in all Sorts of 
 Ailments whatfoever, it might relieve or cure, which ac 
 firft Sight may feem incredible and unaccountable ; but on 
 roaturer Thought, will perhaps appear to agree with, and 
 follow from the Nature of Things. For it is to be noted, 
 that the general Notion of a Difeafe feemeth to confift in 
 this : That what is taken in, is not duly affimilated by 
 the Force of the Animal Oeconomy ; therefore it fliould 
 feem whatever affifts the Vis Vitee may be of general Ufe 
 in all Difeafes, enabling Nature either to afilmilate, or 
 difcharge all unfubdued Humours or Particles whatfoever. 
 But the Light or ^Sther detained in the volatile Oil, 
 which impregnates Tar-water, being of the fame Nature 
 with the Animal Spirit, is an Acceffion of fo much Strength 
 to the Conftitution, which it affiils to affimilate or expel 
 whatever is alien or noxious. 
 
 FINIS.
 
 An ALPHABETICAL 
 
 INDEX or TAB L 
 
 Of the feveral Diftempers mention- 
 ed in the foregoing 
 
 NARRATIVES 
 
 ^Wherein TAR- WATER hath been found fuccefsful 
 with References to the Sections, where thofe 
 Diftempers are taken Notice of. 
 
 Note, The Figures refer to the Sections* and not 
 the Pages, 
 
 A. 
 
 AGUE, Seffion, 46. 208. 
 214. 247. 
 
 Afthma, 33. 69. 71. 89. 
 5>o. 99. 108. 112. 130. 
 145. 146, 152. 153. 
 154. 155. 181. 188. 196. 
 221. 
 
 B. 
 
 B^rrennefs, 241. 
 Bileous Fever, 274, 
 Bloody-flux, 102, 
 Bloody-urine, 280. 
 Blood from the Lungs, 83. 
 Boiles, 95. 
 Bruife, 244. 
 
 C. 
 
 Cancer, 51. 271. 281. 240. 
 Canker in the Mouth, 98. 
 
 Colic, 29. 62. 134, 135. 
 
 144. 204. 
 Cold, 151. 287. 
 Confumption, 186. 284. 
 Contraction of the Bowels, 
 
 222. 
 
 Coftivenefs, 96. 238. 239. 
 Cramps, 85. 96. 172. 190. 
 Coughs, 40. 47. 66. 70. 79. 
 
 80. 83. 84. 92. 93. 101. 
 
 112. 120. 122. 123. 124. 
 
 125. 139. 145-151- '53- 
 
 2O6. 219. 220. 221. 232. 
 270. 
 
 D. 
 
 Deafnefs, 96. 201. 223. 23 7. 
 
 276. 
 
 Dead Ague, 217. 
 Decay, 64. 70. 89. 92. 
 in.
 
 INDEX. 
 
 in. 133. 139. 150. 203. 
 224. 
 
 Diabetes, 236. 279. 
 Difficulty of Breathing, 112. 
 
 120. 124. 133. 152. 159. 
 224, 
 
 Diforders of Women in Ly- 
 ing-in, 278. 290. 
 Dizxinefs, 50. no. 129. 
 
 273. 
 
 Dropfy, 57. 103. 188. 
 Dry Cough, 105. 
 
 E. 
 
 Eryfipelas, 106. 192. 
 Excrefcence on the Head, 
 
 229. 
 
 F. 
 
 Facies Hippocratica, 99. 
 Fever, 95. 101. 121. 127. 
 
 161. 210. 213. 214. 233. 
 
 251. 252.253. 254.255. 
 
 256. 
 
 Firs, 234. 285. 302.- 
 Fluor Albus, 115. 
 Foul Diforder, 202. 
 
 G. 
 
 Giddinef?, 86. 
 Gonorrhoea, 112. 
 Gour, 85. 88. 107. 109. 
 
 129. 134. 135. 156. 
 
 157. 214. 215. 2.16. 
 
 2.18.231. 232. 257. 258. 
 
 285. 
 Gravel, 29. 87. no. 134. 
 
 223. 232.285. 286. 
 Green Sicknefs, 48. 
 
 H. 
 
 Hardnefs of the Belly, 157. 
 Heaving, 86. 
 Head~ach, 96. 232. 242. 
 
 273. 
 Heart-burn, 98. 172. 
 
 189 
 
 Heftic, 83. 99. 
 Hoarfenefs, 172. 197. 
 Hyfterics, 94. 97. 147. 
 
 ^ L 
 Jaundice, 149. 
 Ill Habit of Body, 207. 
 Impofthume in the Head, 
 
 272. 
 
 Incurables, 83.' 279. 
 Inflammation in the Head, 
 
 192. 
 in the Leg, 180. 
 
 275. 
 -in the Lungs, 151.' 
 
 252. 
 Inflammatory Diforders, 45. 
 
 80. 
 Itch, 113. 117. 129. 
 
 K. 
 Kings- evil, 136. 137. 177; 
 
 178. 179. 21 r. 225. 326. 
 
 3*7. 328. 329. 
 
 Li. 
 Lamenefs in the Limb?, 
 
 191. 
 Loathing in the Stomach of 
 
 all Suftenance, 73. 86. 
 Loofenefs, 121. 239. 
 Loofenefs of the Teelh, 
 
 no. 
 Lofsof theUfe of the Limbs, 
 
 78. 
 
 Lofs of Completion, 93. 
 Lownefs of Spirits, 46. 84.' 
 100. 129. 149. 150, 
 228. 
 
 Lumbago, 76. 
 Lumps in the Head, 228.' 
 under the Jaws, 127. 
 
 M. 
 Megrim, 96. 142. 273. 
 
 Menfes,
 
 igo 
 
 Menfes, 200. 
 
 N. 
 Nervous Diforders, 62. 87. 
 
 94- "? 
 Nurnbnefs, or tingling in the 
 
 Legs, 184. 
 O. 
 
 Oppreffion in the Stomach, 
 64. 79- 176. 291. 232. 
 
 -in the Cheft andHeart, 
 159. 
 
 P. 
 'Pains in the Arm, 154. 
 
 - in the Back, 134. 
 
 172. 
 in the Back-fmews, 
 
 195. 
 
 in the lower Parts of 
 the Back, 2,12. 279. 
 no. 
 
 in the Belly and Hip, 
 285. 
 
 in theCheft and Body, 
 
 224. 
 
 in the Bowels, 104. 
 
 135. 147. 
 
 in the inward Parts, 
 203. 212. 
 
 in the Legs, 189. 
 227. 
 
 in the Head, 81. 
 1 "in the Side, 77. 80. 
 176. 187.246. 256. 277. 
 279. 
 
 in the Stomach, 104. 
 
 125. 
 
 in the Limbs, 73. 
 
 144. 
 
 Palfy, 29. 1 60. 
 Paralytic Diforder, 97. 230. 
 Palpitation of the Heart, 62. 
 
 77. 81. 94.9^. 131. 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Piles, 29. 212. 
 Peripneumcny, 252." 
 Pleurify, 101. 309. 
 Pleuritic Diforders, 99. 133. 
 
 138. 230. 
 Prolapfus Uteri, 267. 
 
 R. 
 Rheumatifm, 29. 100. 118. 
 
 143. 222. 225. 
 
 Rheumatic Pains, 6^.76. 96. 
 
 107. 158. 291. 
 
 S. 
 Shortness of Breath, 77. 120. 
 
 122. 123. 221. 
 Scald Head?, 199. 
 Sciatica, 107. 
 ScurrT, 185. 235. 
 Scurvy, [and fcorbutic Dif- 
 
 orders, 29. 40. 63. 67. 
 
 73. 82. 91. 95. 9 5. 97. 
 
 103. 113. 140. 159. 175. 
 
 181. 185. 204. 205. 2iy. 
 
 Small-pox, 41. 52. 127. 
 
 209. 259. 260. 288. 289. 
 St. Antonys Fire, io5. 
 Spitting of Blood, 80. 1 1 1. 
 
 145. 200. 259. 
 Great Spitting, 159. 220. 
 Spocs black, 234. 
 Sicknefs in the Stomach, 62. 
 
 85. 
 
 Spafms, 52. 8r. 
 Sores, outward running, 235. 
 Sore Leg, 250. 275. 
 Sore chopped Lips and No- 
 
 ftrils, 287. 
 
 SoreThroar, 172. 182.248. 
 Sores and Swellings in the 
 
 Back of Horfes, 287. 
 Sleepineis, no. 142. 
 StifFaefs in the Limbs, 107. 
 Stitches
 
 I N D 
 
 Stitches, 101.122.133.251. 
 
 261. 
 
 Strangury, 236. 
 Srreighmefs in the Breaft, 
 
 120. 291. 
 Stone, 134. 285. 
 Stupidity, 270. 
 Swears, 80. 95?. 
 Sweats in the Nighr, 83. 
 
 in. 129. 133. 
 Swellings in the Bowels, &c. 
 
 47. 68. 103. 153. 157. 
 
 158. 189. 
 Swellings in the Legs, 
 
 Thighs, fcff. 206. 221. 
 
 229. 256. 
 Swooning, 283. 
 T. 
 
 Tendernefs in the Peer, 8). 
 Teeth loofe, 98. no. 
 Tetter, 245. 
 Great Thirft, 119. 
 
 U. 
 Ulcer in the Bladder, 93. 
 
 279. 
 
 Ulcer in the Lungs, 99. 
 Ulcer in the Throat, 210. 
 Ulcers, 103. 179. 183. 186. 
 
 193. 194. 202.211. 212. 
 225. 243. 250. 
 
 Urinary Paflage in Pain, 
 
 280. 
 
 Vapours, 228. 
 Vomiting, 62. 
 W. 
 
 A large Wen, 208. 
 Wind in the Stomach, 232. 
 Want of Perfpiration in the 
 
 Feet, 85. 
 Want of Appetite, 40. 64. 
 
 68. 73. 77. 79. 80. 84. 
 
 93. no. 122. 126. 133. 
 
 134. 135. 150. 153. 
 
 E X. 191 
 
 158. 169. 217.224. 228. 
 232. 
 
 Wan: of Sleep, 73. 80. 120. 
 122. 133. 134-135. 217. 
 224. 228. 
 
 Want of Complexion, 318. . 
 
 Tar-water particularly re- 
 commended to Seafaring 
 Men, 311. 
 
 to Hofpitals, Infir- 
 maries, Poor-houfcs, fcfr. 
 312. 
 
 to Gentlemen in the 
 
 Country, for the Relief of 
 the Poor, 313. 
 
 to fedemary Perfons, 
 
 314. 
 
 in new and defperate 
 
 Cafes, 315. 
 
 for the Murrain a- 
 
 mong Cattle,, 332. 
 
 The Opinion of fome foreign 
 Phyficians, that Tar-water 
 is not inflaming, 317. 
 
 The firjt LETTER of 
 of the Author of Sins. 
 
 Gangrene in the Blood, Sec- 
 tion, 21. 
 
 In what Diftempers Tar- 
 water is fuccesfulj 2 3 . 
 
 The Second'LETTER. 
 
 Tar- water for Travellers, 
 how made, 2. 
 
 The beft Tar, 3. 
 
 Tar-water workerh feveral 
 Ways, 6. 
 
 Tar-water fuccefsful in a def- 
 perate Fever, 7. 
 
 Tar-
 
 192 I N 
 
 Tar-water a fufficient Cor- 
 dial, 8. 
 
 Strong Spirits deftru&ive, 9. 
 
 Tar-water recorhmended in 
 the moft malignantFevers, 
 
 12. 
 
 in dangerous Wounds. 
 
 13- 
 Tar good for Ulcers, 
 
 Wounds, Tumors, and 
 Coughs, 14.. 
 
 Tar- water good for Piles, 
 and Fiftula, Heavinefs in 
 the Head, and Drowfinefs, 
 for weak, dry, and itch- 
 ing Eyes, for the Teeth, 
 Gums, fore Throat, and 
 Deafnefs, and to fupply 
 theWantofNourifhmentj 
 
 i?- 
 
 Tar-water fuccefsful in many 
 
 Inftances in Fevers, 16. 
 
 always gives great Spi- 
 rits, 17. 
 
 Inflammatory acute Difor- 
 ders, cured by Tar-water, 
 ten Times the Number of 
 
 D E X. 
 
 any other, hjo inflam- 
 ing, or heating Quality in 
 Tar- water, 18. 
 
 Tar-water taken for Years, 
 without any Injury, and 
 with much Benefit, 19. 
 
 Tar-water fometimes binds, 
 but this is no bad Symp- 
 tom, but a Sign of Cure - y 
 and- fometimes removes a 
 coilive Habir, 20. 
 
 A Humor diflodged from one 
 Parr, fometimes produceth 
 an Uneafinefs in another, 
 this a Symptom of Cure, 
 22. 
 
 Saks of Tar- water, have no- 
 thing of the fiery or cor- 
 rofive Nature of lixivial 
 Salts, 23. 
 
 Tar-water may be of Ufe in 
 all Ailments by affift- 
 ing the Vis Vita, and en- 
 abling Nature to affirm- 
 late or remove all noxious 
 Humours, 24.
 
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