[p. 55]
Worthy Sir
Last week Dr. Cudworth was with me but staid but a little while, promising to give me another visit. He told me likewise of the arrival of Mr More to London, and that he hoped he [p. 56] would see me. I long much to speak with that Gentleman. I am glad that Mr Field is chosen Printer, and that the Liberty of the press reacheth to print omnimodos libros. Last week notice was given in the Mercurius Politicus that Janua linguarum juxta leges Methodi novissimæ was printed by Du-gard, which he hath kept by him near 4 years. I wish earnestly that not only this piece, but all the other School Books of Comenius might be printed together by your Printer. They are all to be printed very neatly at Norimberg, and as soon as I get that Edition, I shall [p. 57] give you Notice, and consult further with you about this affair. The great Collection of Proverbs is at a stand, and remains unprinted for ought I know in the hands of Mr Tho. Mason in Paul's Church Yard. The Collector himself (Mr Alexander) is gone into Ireland. I shall not fail (God willing) to write into Switzerland about that which you have suggested concerning Buxtorf's Supplement. Dr Pell is to reside for a while in Geneva, to look to [p. 58] the right distribution of the monies which have been collected in England for the poor Waldenses. The Italian Copy of the History of the Waldenses which my Lord Primat hath given to be translated and publish'd is very imperfect. But I have written to Mr Pell of a more perfect Copy to be had at Berne in Switzerland, and I make no doubt they will upon this occasion not be unwilling to part with it. I hear nothing of Kircheri Oedipus but that all his works are printing at Rome. I shall write shortly to Paris, having a special relation to one Borellius there (who hath written Biblio- [p. 59] thecam Chymicam) who tells me that he hath published Appendicem ad Vitam Peireskii, which is printed lately at the Hague. I suppose he will be the fittest man to resolve your Peireskian Queries. Bishop Usher is not yet come to Town, if he come not shortly, I must Write to him of some other matters also. I am of your opinion, that Jungius's Speech is very worthy to see the light. I will inform my self from him, as you have advised and let you know his final answer. Mr Dee's large Preface before his Commentary upon Euclid (which hath been epitomized and printed last year as I take it with the said Preface) is deservedly extolled as a Substantial, solid, and learned discourse to shew the Necessity and Excellency of Mathematicks, I should think, if this were added also to Jungius's Discourse, it would put many more young Scholars throughout the world, into a Mathematical Conversation. That great Scholar of Christ's Coll. in Camb. (I [p. 60] mean Sir W. Boswell,) I was pleased to attribute all his proficiency in learning whatever it was, to the goodness of the forementioned Preface of Dee's. Methinks, this should be a sufficient Incentive to stir up some able pen at Camb. to turn it in Latin. But such kind of Translation work must not be committed to young Scholars, but to the best of Latinists, which are in your University. I pray lay this Motion seriously to heart, and let me know your resolution upon it. By the adjoined confiding paper, you will see the State of the Reformed Protestant Churches of Dantzigh and Poland. What is become of Comenius I cannot tell, only last thursday I was advertised from Dantzigh as followeth. Of Ragotzi we hear that he is stirring with his Army, but whither he intends to March, is yet unknown. The Poles in great Pollonia having rebelled in several Troops have done a World of Mischief. I fear much the Town of Lesna, for the Papists have a special grudge and Indignation against that place, it being the chiefest resort of all the Bohemian exiled Protestants. Yesterday came sad news from Thorn, as if they had quite ruined Lesna and Transted both at once. If we have better news you shall have it by the next. The Letter is dated Nov. 3, 55. The Public intelligence and Mercurius Politicus have given you very fully what probabilities there are of the Pope's succeeding about the general peace. Those public papers [p. 61] being revised by the Secretary of State have many Copies of my Letters in them. The Book in Fol. called Musæum Wormianum, seu Historia rerum rariorum tam naturalium quam artiflcialium tam domesticarum quam Exoticarum, quæ Hafniæ Danorum in Oedibus Authoris Servantur, &c. Lugduni Batavorum 1655, hath many Remarkables in it. I wish it were in your University Library. Borel of Paris is now printing Centuriam Observationum Micros copicarum cum Fig. Oeneis una cum Tr. de vero Conspicillorum Inventore, ubi de omnium Conspicillorum confectione et utilitate obitur agitur. Also, Antiqui Philosophi Syri Chymici Poema Oenigmaticum cum Commentariis Borelli. The Book which I received, when once you were at my House, written by one Felgenhaver, under the name of Postillion, is now extant in English with a Catalogue of all the Books of this Author, that are printed and not printed. I sent the Copy of Mr Gronovius Letter to me, by a Friend to Mr Casaubon, who presently replied upon it as followeth. [p. 62] The Gentleman Mr Gronovius is very well known unto me, the MS that is enquired after I never heard of, but there be that have written of that argument, which perchance Mr Gronovius never saw, or if he had, I think he would not make such a Business about his Sterlings &c. Even since Sir H. Spelman & Dr Wats, my good Friend and acquaintance Mr Somner of Canterbury hath treated largely concerning the true Origin of these words in his late [p. 63] Glossary to the English Historians, printed by Mr Bee, where also as I remember, both Sir H. Spelman and Dr Wats, their Opinions are examined and refuted. Thus far Mr Casaubon. I have some where the paper about Duna, & if I can find it readily, I purpose to send it to Gronovius, who is an excellent Critick and a most neat Latinist. Thus I have run over all the particulars of you Letter. Yesterday I had a Letter from Dr Austen in these words. I have sent you Mr Medes description of the triple State of the Church, of which I spake unto you, I pray advise with my Lord Primate (& other Friends) what is best to be done with it, whether to be printed as it is, or as translated, or both. John Clarke is most [p. 64] likely to undertake the printing, if Andrew Crook will not. Thus far Dr Austen. That you may give your advice and assistance in it, I have sent the very MS in the adjoined Packet, which I had from the Dr, I wish the Cambridge printer would undertake the printing of the Latin Copie, and Clark the English. I pray let me have your speedy answer, or assurance for both. The subject is very seasonable to be disposed to Foreign parts. I send you herewithall another MS, having been very much importuned by some Theosophical and curious Wits to procure the Translation of it out of the German Original. You will lay a very great Obligation upon them and myself, if you can engage the printing of it at Cambridge, which I beg so much the rather, for that I have dedicated the same to so worthy a Friend of that University. I desire it may be done in a pretty large character and good paper. But if you do not like the Treatise itself, or cannot engage the printer, I shall expect the safe return of it with all convenient speed, remaining again upon all publick or privat Occasions.
Sir Your most ready & entirely Devoted friend
to serve you
Nov. 20, 1655. S. HARTLIB.