| Title: | Extract, ? To Hartlib?, Sent To John Thurloe |
|---|---|
| Dating: | 28 July 1656 |
| Ref: | British Library Add. MSS 4365 ff. 271A-272B: 271B, 272A BLANK. |
| Notes: | Included in a volume of the Birch Papers, mainly relating to the Swiss Cantons (Add. 4365). The recipients of unaddressed extracts are likely to be either John Pell or John Thurloe. |
[271A]
Amsterdam, Iulj 28. 1656.
Concerning Helmont, his way is odde & cloudie; he walkes with few in the Light, so farre as I have beene able to learne of those, that conversed with him in Switzerland, in Germanie & here. Hee was here 6. weekes agoe, & went into Brabant; his abilities no bodie can certainly iudge of, for he delights in darke & mysticall expressions. Concerning Chymicall matters & Medicins; what cures hee hath done, I cannot certainly learne. He meddles much in State matters, & designes to crosse the Iesuits: his Religion is like an indifferencie, towards all Religions, which is the Politic mode: & vpon this ground, hee hath drawen over the Prince of Sultzback, to make Profession of Poperie, for some hopes of worldly advantages. It is said, that hee had a hand in making Peace between the Elector Palatin, & the Elector of Mentz: Hee is expected here again, & then hee will goe for England, as hee hath given out when hee went from hence. This is all that I have beene able to learne concerning him.
If Mr Dury had not come, I should have beene much troubled, because 3. weekes agoe, there was found one killed betweene this & Vtrecht, & some say it is an English man. I have warned Mr Dury to looke to himself for I make no question there are such in these Countries, who would think to merit Heaven, if they killed such as hee, who is conceived an approover of the Death of the late King. I suppose hee cannot bee gone out of these Countries, before a Moneth passe, although hee make never so great haste, except hee will spoile the busines, by offending these Churches & States, & leaving out a Member of the Reformed partie, which the Lutherans think very considerable, by reason of that famous Synod, heretofore held at Dort./.
[272B]
[another hand:] Advise from Amsterdam
about Helmont.
28 Iuly. 1656
[Hartlib:]
For Mr. Secretary
Thurloe etc.etc.
these
with my humble
service/
[seal]