The Hartlib Papers

Sir/

After I had sent away my last, of Ian.22. the same day I received yours; & I hope that the way of sending yours to me by Mr Tooby, to be left for me at Mr Pigeons of Reading, will be safe; as also my way of sending to you by the Post. In mine to you, I expressed my dislike (for you must allow me freedome in writing, for I profess a Libera Philosophia, and also a libera Theologia) against The Theology of our great Doctors; for of late I haue iudged That all our common divinity, and (supposed) profound religion <doctrine> of our Nationall religion, & of all the Churches dra called Reformed, is drawn from that popish and putrid fountaine of The Schoolmen; and answearably I finde that in yours which pleaseth me, scilicet A man may as soon possess heaven by a Telescope, as by school-divinity: and to tell you my thoughts plainly, I finde more reall, practicall theology, and that which conduceth most to the bettering of Man, in the writings of the Quakers, Burroughs & Houghill (though I am of no sect, nor theirs in all things) than in all the Councills, School-men, Fathers, & commentators put together. That knowledge & learning shold be most inquired into, which is most usefull for mans life, and grounded upon the surest basis, and such are (speaking only of humane knowledg) The Mathematicks, Chimistry, & Husbandry.   What the new Diall of Hugenius is, I cannot imagine, because you only give me the Name without delineating the form, or use therof. The discoveries of Saturn by good Telescope, I <belieue> will open a door to great inquiries about this visible world; & may possibly cause a iudgment to be given of it much differing from vulgar apprehensions. If Mr Pococks Arabick history were put out <forth> in an intelligible language, I belieue it wold finde many desirous to peruse it. When Anthony Pearsons approved experiment for Vniversall husbandry, doth come forth, I would gladly know of it, that I may haue one from London.

     Your papers of a Vniversall Character, I thank you for; and I shall add this, That before now it hath been thought feizible; for I haue by me, & haue had aboue these 10 years, a coppy of Questions propounded by Sir Edmund Stafford, an englishman, that lived neare Paris, & I suppose hath been dead for some years; and he was reported to know the solution of those questions, fully, or very neare; his questions are about all kinds of knowledge, even the most profound, mysterious, and strange, that I think were ever made; the questions are about 300; his questions concerning Grammar (which is to the purpose in hand, I shall now give you.

Quest.1. A method of teaching Languages, wherby a boy may in the space of half a year attaine to a sufficient habit of Latine, Greek, or Hebrew, or any of ther modern tongues; so that he shall be able to interpret any ordinary author at the 1^st sight, and write orthography.

Q.2. An Vniversall language consisting but of 32 words, wherby a man may in the space of 24 hours taken sufficiently, discours with a man of any other Nation concerning any subiect, though to be ignorant of all other languages but that of his own country.

Q.3. A way whereby a man though to be ignorant of all other Languages but his own mother-tongue, may write a letter in his own proper tongue, & in a character usuall among European nations, in such a manner, That every man of every nation understanding that character, may read it in his own proper language, and understand it.

Q.4. A way naturall, lawfull, and perfectly good, wherby man may be enabled to speak, and understand all tongues, To be acquired in the space of 6 months.

Q.5. A way naturall, lawfull, and perfectly good, wherby one may propound a question to another at any distance, & receive an answear in the space of 48 hours.

     I renew that motion to which in my last I made to you, scilicet That you wold acquaint me with the most considerable speeches & actions of the Parliament now ensuing; for I think you haue opportunity to inform yourself of them, & I look for much good from this 2^d great Parliament ; for many things do concurr hopefully; & he that did let, is taken away. I obserue many great providences in taking away the last Vsurper, which are too long to write, but more fitt a discourse; I shall only minde you of one thing: scilicet His dying on Sept.3. was <is> reckoned as a piece of his glory; but I make a different construction; for as God sayd to Ahab In that very place where thou hast shed the blood of Ahab, shall thy blood be shed: so on that very day (for you know that Time & Place are accounted accidents of a like nature) in which thou shedst the blood of the Scots, & Cavaliers, shall thy blood be shed shed, thou shalt dy; for at Dunbar, & at Worcester the Scots & Cavaliers were overthrown for their upholding the Monarchy (which we declared, & swore against) and the Oppressions & tyranny upon the people by a Nationall ministry, Tythes, the corrupt mannage of the Law, an great Army in pay in time of peace: & the same things (but with the aggravacion of more guilt) were upheld by the late man, who ought, & might haue thrown them down.

I congratulate with you your hopes of a recovery to your former health, god say Amen to it. Present my respects, & service to your son Mr Clodius, to whom I wish an happiness answearable to his great worth. I shall now, & hereafter write to you without Name, & expect the same from you, remaining

      Ianuar.25.1658.       Your reall friend, & servant

                                     --------------

          For my honoured friend

             Mr Hartlib, the elder,

          at his house in Axe-yard, in

          Kinges-street/

         [hole]^d          Westminster./