The Hartlib Papers

ST: The reformed common-wealth of bees.

Wing Number: H997   Thomason Tracts: E.840(13)

THE REFORMED | COMMON-WEALTH | OF | BEES. | Presented in severall LETTERS and | Observations to Sammuel Hartlib Esq. | WITH | The Reformed VIRGINIAN SILK-WORM. | CONTAINING | Many Excellent and Choice Secrets, Experiments, | and Discoveries for attaining of Natio- | nal and Private Profits | and Riches. | [rule] | [ornament] | [rule] | LONDON, | Printed for Giles Calvert at the Black-Spread-Eagle at | the West-end of Pauls, 1655.

pp. [4] 1-51 [52] 53-62 [63-64]

 An Enlargement of the fore-going Philosophicall Letter, explaining more fully divers of those desirable Passages for general Riches and Profits: With the Reasons why no more is discovered at this time.

I Received yours of Admonitory Annotations from my last Letter touching Bees, in which my scope and intent being to speak concerning Mellification, in reference to yours sent to me, concerning the use of Anise in the keeping of Bees; many other things fell in accidentally, in which if I were the more brief, it is the more venial, since it was not directly, but onely collaterally agreeing with the propounded scope of that Discourse. I shall therefore, having perused those Annotations, return you a larger account of the things therein contained, which I hope will be sufficiently satisfactory to any ingenious Spirit.

   The first Answer (so it is called) doth seem to desire in that Epistle an open candidness, and a candid openness: in that I conceive I was not onely open, but also plain, and I doe not know what I should have added, as to the matter proposed, and not have exceeded the bounds of an Epistle, and therefore I [catchword: really]

really intended what I said, and did conceive my apertnesse a candid Testimony of my intentions.

   Now as to the second Answer, to my confident Assertion of the fecibility of Aqua vitæ out of grain unmalted, &c. and the producing of Wine out of fruit and also grain, equal to Spanish and French Wines, by the meanes of Honey, I conceive, that what was written is sufficiently full and plain.   For to write a Receipt is a thing both ticklish, and not so convenient.

   For first, a man who doth try many Experiments, doth not observe so nicely all the Circumstances, as if he were to improve the same for profit, onely takes notice what is the effect of his Experiments in general. Now it is certain, that the quantity of matter, and the quality of operation on the matter, may differ but little as to appearancy, and yet work a plain distinct effect. Besides there is not any one Mechanick, which hath its Basis on Phylosophy, in which there are not many errors, into which an Artist, that hath been long versed in the Practique, may hap to fall, and he may thank gray-headed Experience for teaching him to amend his errors, and for some casual disasters no remedy yet hath been found, either totally and infallibly to prevent, or to amend the same, as in Malting, Brewing, Tanning, Sope-boyling, &c. which I might instance in, if need required, and time would permit.

   So then, though I know that out of such Materials such a product may be, yet I know withall, that my self have in my Experiments oft been frustrated, even in those things which before I had done, which error could not on so few trials know to what cause directly to ascribe.

   Now if in things by me found by casualty, I can hardly hit the same thing again, when I assay it (de industria) without sometimes various errors, it would be not an edifying, but rather a stumbling course, to lay down a Receipt, and in so many words to relate my own Enchenia in its particularities; would be tediious, and not so useful, for I know, that he who tries many fortuitous Experiments, not to seek for any particular thing, before proposed to himself, but rather to see what will proceed from such and such things so ordered, it is to be conceived, that what he attaines to is by the farthest way about, which to him, in [catchword: those]

those accidental trials, proves the nearest way home.

   But if this were to be further proved upon the account of profit, another course must be taken; of doing in greater quantity, and the easiest and shortest Method is desired. Therefore I, like a Traveller, did intend onely a relation of things fecible, which I have my self again proved, and on my reputation affirm, both possibly and easie in nature; and this I did to shew the Good which might accrew to the Publique by the prosecution of your Design, both in storing the Land with Corn, Fruits and Honey. I added the Meanes or Key, both for the one and other, namely, by reiterated fermentation, and so writing, I wrote to such, who in some measure understood Phylosophy, who weighing the effect with its causes, might not streight condemn my Candour, in case he for once or twice should prove unsuccessful, whereas a Receipt is every mans meat, and to such who lesse understand Nature, what Receipt can be full enough. For he who writes, measures other mens understanding partly by his own, and what he understands fully and scientifically, he presupposeth another will understand sufficiently; and therefore leaves out many Circumstances which are not so necessary, or may be otherwise, or such which he presupposes (præcognita) or what a small insight into practique Phylosophy may dictate. My meaning is, that in as much as those Experiments were not so reiterated, as a Tanners making his liquor, I could not possibly throw the Receipts into the mouth of every one that could but gape. For what I try in a gallon, if I should prescribe in that quantity, my Receipt would be contemptible, if I should analogize by proportion, my Doctrine might be uncertain, in the particular which is most certain in the general. My work is to hint to the ingenuous what may be done, and let it be sufficient that (fide bona) I deliver what is really true in Nature, and adde the onely Meanes, which is by reiterate fermentation. But yet to adde what light I can to him, who would attempt this, I shall, so farre as in me is, discover things more punctually

     First as to Aqua vitæ, let Pease be taken and steeped in as much water as will cover them, till they swell and Corn, and be so ordered as Barley is for the Malting, onely with this difference, that for this work if they sprout twice as much as Barley [catchword: doth]

doth in making Malt it is the better: these Pease thus sprouted if beaten small, which is easily done they being so tender, put into a vessel, and stopt with a Bung and a Rag as usually, these will ferment, and after two, or three, or four moneths,if distilled, will really perform what I promised.

     The Water that soaked them, it is good to save, either for the soaking of fresh, or for putting on them, being beaten, which else require some quantity of water to be added to them, but not much, and the like may be done in all other Grain, which the addition of refuse Honey will advance (as to quantity of Spirit) exceedingly. Thus may a Spirit of Aqua vitæ be made out of any green growing thing, of which the leaves being fermented, will yeild a small quantity of such a Spirit. So Roots, Berries and Seeds, which are not oyly, yea and those which are oyly, whose fatnesse is essential, that is, which may be distilled over in an Alembick with water, will afford some more, some lesse of Aqua vitæ. Let me adde, that the Spirit which is made out of Grain not dryed into Malt, is more pleasant than the other.

     Now give me leave to adde my opinion, and what I would try further in this case. I would often stir the matter in fermentation, that is, once a day, during the first twenty dayes, and for the first week, when it begins to work, give it a small vent, which to me seemes a way of bettering the fermentation, and by consequent of augmenting and meliorating the Spirit. But in this I leave every man to his own Ingeny, and should be glad to have these my experiments ripened for the good of many.

     Now as to Vinification, let me for a ground lay this down for a Position, that the vegetable Spirit in all Hearbs, Trees, Plants, and Fruits, Berries, and also Seeds, (not of a grosse oyly nature) is vinous, but in Grain and Fruit more especially of the later, of which the Grape is but one Species. Now in both, the Rule to distinguish the copiousnesse of this vertue is the sweetnesse; for by how much the more of that, by so much the more of the Vinous Spirit.

     Now Honey is a Vegetable Magistery, in part perfected by the Specifick virtue of the flour, &c. on which the dew falling, is made sweeter than of it self it was, (yet formally distinguished [catchword: from]

from Honey, which I have oft proved by distilation) but is compleated by the peerlesse virtue of the Bee, which doth transmute that sweetnesse into a new Creature, which is Honey. This therefore, by reason of its eminent sweetnesse is rich of that vinous Spirit fore-mentioned, and may therefore be preferred to either Grain or Fruit; for example; Let the tryall be made with about a gallon of Honey, despume it, and adde to it about an equall part of Water, or three parts of Water to two of Honey, ferment it with a treble fermentation; and after six moneths this will be farre richer, both in tast and smell, than any Wine that comes from any of the Spanish Territories, and that by farre. But as the price of good Honey goes now, to have a quart of Wine in its materials to cost a shilling or sixteen pence, which is the price of good Honey, would be a dear rate; by which it may appear, what the benefit of your present Design of inriching us with store of Honey may be; for I say, what I have tried, that Wine made of Honey alone without any other thing, thrice fermented as it ought to be, gives a drink more like a celestial Nectar than a Terrestrial Wine, both for Taste and Odour.

     But Graines gives a more Austere Wine, and alone much resembled a fyall Wine, which is done thus. Take as much Malt as a Cask will hold, fill it with scalding hot water, that the water be no more than the Cask will hold after it is full of Malt; let it soak so for a day and night, then presse it out exquisitely, as Wines are pressed, then put it into a vessel, and with Yest bring it to work, which by every day moving with a rod, and covering it with cloths, and not giving it much vent, will be continued at least six or seven dayes, so much the better if the vessel be so big beyond what it containes, as that it work not over, and the vent that is left be small, but the bung so closed, as that it may be opened and shut daily for to stir the matter soundly, and when the ferment is ceased, with new Yest bring it to a Second, and so to a third fermentation, observing the same method as in the first, then close it well, and set it in a cool Cellar for about four moneths, in which time it acquires the natural properties of Wine, and may be accordingly handled.

     Now by this that hath so plainly been set down, any ingeni- [catchword: ous]

ous man may, by the addition of Honey in a various proportion make what distinction of Wine he pleaseth, and the same with the juyce of Fruits, with this difference, that Fruits doe yeild a Wine neerer to Rhenish and French then to Spanish Wines.

     Now as to the Spider which I mentioned, I was not then so principled in Phylosophy, when I lived in those Islands, as to observe every observeable thing, but since have heard of a Maid, who of that Silk hath (for tryal sake) spun and knit a pair of gloves, which prove no whit inferior or lesse durable than the best Silk, whether then they may be transported hither or no, I know not, but if not, yet in the Plantation, where they are naturally (being under this Government) I presume they might with ingenuity be made profitable; first, since they multiply so abundantly: Secondly, live in the open fields, not annoyed with weather: Thirdly, give Silk so copiously, for out of one large Spider, in a day, one may draw at the least two drachms of Silk, if they have an intire Web they spend little after it is made, but if fed fat, they may be taken in ones hand, without danger to ones self, or dammage to the Creature, and one may out of its body wind a good ball of yellow Silk daily, which being washed is white enough. Fourthly, they will feed on Flies, or any blood of beast cloddered exceedingly, and all their nourishment may be forced out in Silk, which they as naturally make in their tail (which is a great bag, like a Pigeons Egge in bignesse) as Bees doe Honey.

     Now if the Silk worm that is so tender, may be so improved, being so hard to feed, and must be Kept in houses, much more these Spiders, which are so hardy; and will feed on any trumpery (and who knowes what they may be brought to eat, I my self have fed them with pieces of Figs) may, in my opinion, be brought to singular profit, which, if kept in an open wicker Cage in the open air, may be fed at pleasure, and robbed of their Silk at least every day, and that not a small quantity at a time. I perswade my self, that one large Spider of this sort, would yeild more Silk in a Summer than six Silk-wormes, and that may render them worth the keeping, their Silk being full as good as any. Yet they may doe as well here as the Silk-worm, for ought I [catchword: know,]

know, being by ten fold more hardy than any Silk-worm, and Flies are a sufficient food for them, which how easily taken I need not mention.

     As to the Indian Fig, the usuall name of it is the Prickled Pear, so known in that place, and as to the transportation of it hither, here to grow, it is enough it growes there, being an English Plantation, or the fruit it self may, without the tree, be yearly brought over at rates reasonable enough, if first any ingenious man (whom it may concern) should, for trial sake, send for a small parcel, and upon tryal find it advantageous. I for my part procured of the fruit for my Experiment, and found the generation of that Insect out of it, which way I recommend to any that desires further resolution in that Point.

     Now as to the Generation of Insects, I shall give my usuall Encheiria, though I need not, having particularly set down the same work, how it is performed out of the blood and livers of beasts, which were enough to any, who by the length of Hercules foot, could calculate the proportion of his whole body.

     Vegetables of tincture are either Hearbs, Woods, or Fruits, as Berries, &c. as for Hearbs, I dry them (if dry they yeild the best tincture) otherwise stamp them, and let them dry, till they will suffer no juyce to run from them, (this in the Sun or in a proportionable heat) or if dryed, I infuse them with water in a heat about twenty four houres, then vapour away the water, till the dissolution be as thick a sirrup (but for this use strain them not from the feces) this masse I take and put it into an earthen or wooden Vessel, with some straw or something, and bottom (that it lie not too close) and so I proportion the quantity to the pot, that the air may come about, and into the masse, (yet not too much) then I set this Vessel in a ditch or pit made in the earth in a shady place, and put about it some wet leaves, or such putrifying rubbish, and over it a board, and on that some straw or the like, and so it produces, first a shelly husky Worm, and then a Fly of the tincture of the Concrete, but durable,and somewhat more advanced.

     Berries I stamp and boyle them, or evaporate them to the consistence of a Rob; and then use them as the other.

     Woods I infuse in water, being pulverised, and boyle out their [catchword: tincture,]

tincture, and then evaporate the water to such a consistence as the other, and use them in the like way. The Flies will play about the sides of the vessel and surface of the matter, which taken, are killed in a warm pan or stove, and dryed, and so kept.

     Thus out of a red Berry, of which I spake in my former Letter, I made an Insect no whit inferiour to the best Cochmeel and I suppose I have added sufficient to the Information of the weakest capacity.

     As for my History of one who did so feed Bees, as I spake of in my first Letter, the Gentleman is at present both out of London, England, and this Life, being lately dead.

     Now what concernes the Doctrine of Fermentations, on which depends the unfolding of the Mystery of Mellification, and making Wax, I have reserved that for another place and time, since being prolixe and Phylosophical, it doth require a peculiar Treatise, and I falling on it here, found it too abstruse to be briefly handled, lest brief Instances, which I should be forced to bring, should beget a thousand scruples and new questions. As for the practique of it, this dilemma answers all: Either it will, or it will not; if it will, then farre more Bees may be kept, if out of (Not Honey) they make Honey, and out of (Not Wax) they make Wax, by an actual transmutation, which I experimentally affirm: if not, then fewer can be kept, if they must seek their Wax out of the Gummosity of some floures, as some fondly imagine, since Wax formally differs from any fatness under Heaven. One half houres attendance in a day on a late Swarm of Bees in July or August, will put all out of question to any other that shall try it, as it hath been experimentally put out of controversie to me. But to lay down the Phylosophy of the thing will maime a large Treatise, which I have in Latine composed (de fermentis) which I shall be unwilling to dismember, and send part of it,out lamely in an English dresse.

     Lastly, as to the mending of Wines, it is done the same way as new are made. viz. by dissolvlng Honey in some quantity of it self, and warming it so, as it lose not the Spirit (which is to be therefore done in a close Vessel) then put to the Vessel of Wine, and by Yest (or otherwise) let it be brought to a thorough [catchword: work-]

working (as at its first making) so it recovers both life, taste, body and goodnesse, and may then be preserved as if it never had inclined to pricking.

     Sir, I hope this will be a full illustration of my former Letter, so as that no man shall be able to desire greater candidnesse. I commit you, in these your pious Endeavours of the Publique good, to his protection, who will undoubtedly at present blesse you in this your Enterprise, and hereafter requite the ungratefulnesse of men to you, on this account, with a plenteous reward.

                    I am,

                         Sir, your most affectionately

                             devoted to serve you

                                G. S.

Tostes of bread sopped in strong Ale, and put into a Beehive, is very good and cheap food for Bees, of which they will not leave one crum remaining.

     It will be fit sometime to lay some dry Meal or flower of beanes, which dry Meal is given them sometimes as Hey or Corn is to Conies, or upland pasture to Sheep in times of great rain, to prevent the rott, and such diseases, as will necessarily follow from continual moist food.

     By this meanes you may feed a whole Hive of Bees for eighteen pence or two shillings all the Winter long.

     Q. Whether any other Flower or Meal will not serve. And whether it would not be the sweeter, and therefore the better, if the Corn (whether beanes or any other) were well maulted?

Take an handful of Melissa (that is an hearb which we commonly call Baume.)

     One drachm of Camphire. Half a drachm of Musk dissolved in Rose-water. [catchword: A]

     As much yellow Bees-wax as is sufficient.

     Oil of Roses as much.

     Stamp the Baume and the Camphire very well, and put them into the Wax, melted with the Oyle of Roses, and so make it up into a masse; let it cool before you put in the Musk, for otherwise the heat will fume away most of the scent of it.

     Take of this masse as much as an haselnut, and cleave it within your Bee-hive. It will much increase the number of your Bees, not onely by provoking them to multiplication, but also by enticing many strange Bees to come thither, and abide there. You shall also find, both in Honey and Wax, three times more profit than otherwise you should have had.

   A Coppy of a Letter, written by Mr. William Mewe Minister at Easlington in Glocester-shire, to Mr. Nathaniel Angelo Fellow of Eaton Colledge.

 SIR,

Being made known to you, I could wish it had been by a better Character than a Bee-Master. Tis true, since I left the hot service of the City, I have an Apiary in the Country, wherein I found profit enough: But I considered, that Wax and Honey was not all the benefit which God afforded from that Creature; he that sends us to the Ant, gives us leave to observe the same and better qualities in the Bee; I observed many rarities in their work and government, by mine own experience upon Buttlers Observations : But when he told me of a Gentleman, in Plinies time, that endeavoured to make their works transparent (but, as he thought, improbable) I tryed,and finished that Essay, to the satisfaction of my self and others.

     The Invention is a fancie that suits with the nature of that Creature, they are much taken with their Grandeiur, and double their tasks with delight; I took fourteen quarts out of one of the transparent Hives, double their quantity of others, they quickly paid me the charges, with their profit, and doubled it with pleasure; I can take a strict account of their work, and thereby guesse how the rest prosper. Every time I view them (whilst their work lasts) I have aliquid novi (something new) [catchword: which]

which must needs be more pleasing than the sight of a Fountain, which affords but water, running in the same manner. This Honey diversly placed with diversity of Combs, whereof I have observed six fill'd in six dayes, of so many quarts, but it was in the time of a Mill-dew.

     If you desire the Model or Description, I shall give the same to you that I did to Dr. Wilkins, Warden of Waddham, who hath with great curiosity, set up one in his Garden, and as I hear, is setting up another with augmentations: I intended it at first for an Hyerogliphick of labour, upon which a Gentleman bestowed a Statue of that form to crown it, which in three yeares standing yeilded to the injuries of the Wind, Weather and Sun, which being repaird now leaves at the bottom of the Pedestal, with this Inscription, Non amissus sed submissus (the Emblem of our Calling) instead thereof are erected at the top three Trygonal Dyals, over them three Weather-Glasses, with a Clepsydra to shew the hour when the Sun shines not, over that a Cock, that will speak the Winds seat at Mid-night, upon which is bestowed a Saphique to satisfie the Latine or English Reader, thus;

          Labour held this, till storm'd (alas)

          By Weather, Wind, and Sun he was;

          All which are wacht, as here they passe,

          By Diall, Weather-Cock and Glasse.

     Thus farre have I denied my self to gratifie your friendship, which I hope will give the grains of allowance, and concealment to a suddain paper, which I could not deny to the Bearer of a letter from you; but if you please to take a sheet and napkin with me for some time, we shall discourse of this, and better Matters.   [catchword: Mr.]

     Mr. Hartlib is a Gentleman, whom I know not, but by your worthy Report, I never saw his Works, but shall get them as soon as I can, if in the meantime he shall visit me in person, or by letter, with Questions within my sphere, I am Flint that give fire at the first stroke; I like them well that veiw Magnalia Dei in Minimis, if every man of my ability, through the Land, cherished so many Hives as I doe, it would be in our Common-wealths way 3000000 per annum, which is lost by negligence or ignorance of the use of that Creature. When I see you, I shall offer more to your consideration than is fitting to be written; the Lord furnish you and me with ability, and fidelity, in our Calling, For 'tis no great honour (saith Plutarch) to be excellent out of that.

     Easlington this 19th               True Friend,

      of September.1653.               Your

                                        Faithful Servant,

                                         WILL. MEWE.

    A Coppy of Mr. Hartlib's Letter to that worthy Minister, at Easlington, Mr. Will Mewe.

  SIR,

I am willing to confesse my fault (if it be a fault) that my worthy Friend Mr. Angelo took notice of you, as an excellent Bee-Master: for knowing you by your other better Characters, which are so publique, that none can be ignorant thereof, who hath heard of your name, I gave him notice of your rare industry (a thing not so publiquely known it deserves) in discovering the industriousnesse of that pretty Creature, and my design was to get him to write to you, so as to make some overture for me, to use freedome afterwards with you about that Subject, which he having done, and you having entertained with so much alacrity, and hearty expressions, I am bound to thank you for it, and desirous to expresse my thankfulnesse with such Communications, as are within the sphere of my activity of this kind, or of any other better matters of a publique nature; [catchword: and]

and in testimony hereof, be pleased to accept of the adjoyned Packet with several Treatises and Books, wherein also you will happily find something, which may give occasion to your ingenious spirit, to try some other Conclusions of Husbandry with delight and profit: For God's Way's to such as find them out are full of both ; and I am apt to believe, that when God set Adam in the Garden Eden to keep it and dresse it, He meant to exercise his Industry, as well about the discovery of the fruitfulnesse of perfect nature, which could not be without much delight to his understanding, as about the pleasantnesse of the place, which he could have by dressing increased, and made compleatly answerable to the perfection of his own imagination. For although there was nothing imperfect in Nature before the Curse, yet all the imaginable perfections, which the seminal properties of the Earth contained, were not actually existent at the first instant; the kinds were each distinct by themselves, without any defect, but what Marriages and Combinations there might be made between them, and what the effects thereof would be, when the proper Agents and Patients should meet, I suppose was left to his industry to try: and although we now come farre short of that knowledge, which he had in Nature, and the Womb, thereof, by reason of that Curse is shut up unto us: Yet we find by Experience, that to such as are her faithful and laborious Servants, and find out the Seat of Gods Vertue in her, to trace the Way of his Operation, She rewards alwayes their paines both with profit and pleasure, which in your Answer to my fore-named worthy Friend you bear witnesse unto, when you tell him, that in your Apiary in the Country, you not onely found profit enough (and what you mean by enough is left to our conjecture) but that besides the benefit of Wax and Honey, you gained more delightful Observations of their Working, and Government, then happily the Ant can afford us; which because I doe very fully believe, therefore I am an humble Sutor unto you, that at some spare time you would renew to your own memory your delightful contemplation of the rare qualities of that Creature, and putting them to paper, shew forth the Wisdome of the Creator therein, for such things should not be concealed, because they are reall Demonstrations of his Power, [catchword: and]

and I am perswaded, you will take it in good part, that such as love Him for Himself are curious to know the Workmanship of his hands, and the Wayes by which the best discovery thereof is made.

     If then upon this account you would let some of your sparkes flie abroad amongst us, you may perhaps kindle some light more than we have, which in due time may reflect with some heat upon your self back again. For you tell us, that Dr. Wilkins, Warden of Wadham, is setting up a Glasse-Hive in his Garden, with augmentations to that Model which he received from you, which no doubt he is obliged to impart unto you, as to the Father ofthe Invention; and if I may be so happy, as to be your Schollar, both in that which is your own, and what is super-added by him, perhaps my Friends and I will not be altogether unfruitful, at least we shall not be unmindful of you, but give some return of what our Experiments may produce. But to doe this we must be set in the way by you; therefore give me leave to beg a full Description of your transparent Hive, in the Parts and Dimensions thereof, and if you have any to spare (now the reason is past) and would send one up by the Carrier which comes from your parts, I shall undertake to see it sent back again unto you without your cost. If you have many Glasse-Hives, you will be the better able to gratifie me herein, but if you have none to spare, I shall rest satisfied with that, which you shall be pleased to afford me with your convenience.

     The Reason wherefore in the Glasse-hives the Bees should double their Work, and delight in their Grandeiur, I conceive, by what you write, is discernable, but as yet I cannot reach it, till by your Experience and Sagacity the hint be given me, that I may in due time by my self, or some Friends, make also a tryall thereof.

     But have you yet been able to make any estimate of the quantity of Wax and Honey, which they are able to give one year with another, seeing you speak a very big word of 300000 li. a year, which might accrew to the Nation from this little Creature? I make no doubt, but you are able to make this out, although it doth, I confesse, goe beyond my reach, and to raise the Industrie which may be used towards the Common-wealth [catchword: of]

of Bees in this Nation, it would be a thing worth your publique disposition to give a Demonstration thereof ; for I suppose it will be grounded more upon the plenty, which your new Invention doth yeild, then upon the ordinary way.

     But happily your Experience to something also extraordinary concerning the feeding as well as the Hiving of that industrious Creature, will give some further addition. For no doubt there are certain Hearbs which make them thrive better than others, of all which, if at your convenient time you will be as good as your word, a good Flint to give fire at the first stroke, you will give some of us cause here to rejoyce in your light, and I dare promise by the grace of God, your sparkes will not fall in vain,but will find good tinder, at which many candles may be lighted in due time.

     You see how large and free I am, but your Ingenuity hath provoked me, and I aime at nothing, but what may be an advantage to the Publique, and a matter of credit and due respect to be yeilded to your self, by,

November, 1653.                           SAMUELL HARTLIB.

An Extract of Mr. Mewe's Answer to Mr. Hartlib's Letter.     

Worthy Sir,

     The knocks and calls of two such unknown Friends, as your self and Mr. Angelo, coming with such choyce Books, and so much candor, exprest in too many, and two friendly Letters, were enough to make the sourest Hermite look out of his Cell, especially if he spies the coasts clear without Swords and Pistols. The truth is, I am but one of many my fellow Shepherds, that have taken Sanctuary in our Cotts, ever since the Alarme was [catchword: given]

given us by the Anti-Pastoral Party, and being likely to be stript to the Bag and Bottle, you cannot blame us, if we whistle away some of our sad and spare houres (whilst Shepherds are smitten, and Sheep scatter'd) to observe Magnalia Dei in Minimis. Melancholy loosers will rather play at small games than give over.

     When I saw God make good his Threat (Solvam Cingula Regum) and break the Reines of Government, I observed, that this pretty Bird (whereof you write) was true to that Government, wherein God and Nature had set it to serve. Hereupon my pleasure began to vie with my profit,and I was willing, for once, to yeild the stakes to my pleasure.

     Briefly Sir, being sent for up amongst others of my Profession,to serve the State, I left a Model of this innocent Phancie in past-board, which at my return (by the care of my vertuous Wife, now with God) I found set up in the midst of my Garden in plain Free-Stone; In this I placed an upper and lower Hive, over them a Trygonal Dial, over that three Weather Glasses, over that a Water-watch topt with a Weather-cock: This placed in the stead of the Statue of labour, which the Wind and Weather had brought from top to bottom, so that it was obvious to my Phantasie, to conceit this to be the Hyerogliphick of their hyerarchy, whose labour was lost in their Grandeiur, and brought to that low price, that any of their meanest quality might come up to it, and be taken at his word, though he bid never so meanly.

     I considered, that God gives us leave to make the most and best we can of those Relicks of his goodness, whereof we have baffled away the better part; as those Travellers, that have benighted themselves by their frolick baitings, make much of their diversified reflections of the Sun set in the Clouds, and when they have almost lost his light, make pass-time with his colours.

     This will excuse me (in case I fall short of that profit which you suspect I make) that I begin and stand so long upon the pleasure, and shall now take leave to surfet you with my Honey-sops,before I light you out with my Wax-tapers,and then as you like this, you may call again at my Hermitage.   [catchword: Now]

     Now what concernes the profit, you tell me of a big word I should let fall, of 300000 lib. per annum, which our Nation might make of them, if all of my ability would undertake to keep as many as my self; one cipher mistaken may much alter the sum; but grant it so as you have set it, cast it thus, I never kept twenty Stalls, and usually take but half, yet doe I value my Wax and Honey worth twenty Nobles at the least; Now if he that is valued but as the tenth part of a Parish, at most, can make so much, what may the rest? what may the County? what the Nation?

     Whereas you say, a place may be over stockt (granting Milldewes) I deny it. Had we an hundred Hives for one, where there are store of Oakes and Maples, the place cannot be over stor'd with Bees. So that if there were a Statute for Parish Bees, as well as Parish Butts, and Parochial Appiaries design'd for those places, where observed best to thrive, I know not why a Parish may not make as much Honey (as one Gentleman of Norfolk) viz.300 li. de claro, as I heard per annum.

     As for your design of feeding them (as that Gentleman in Italy) I conceive it here unseasable, or if it were it would not quit cost; I care not to feed them, except to save them in spring time, and strenghen them for work: Hearbs and Floures are but from hand to mouth, serve for Bee-bread: If Mill-dewes fall not, Bees thrive not, for they are, with Gods blessing, the Antidote to that Curse: As for your honest pity to that poor Creature (I shall try a Conclusion this Summer which may save some few Stalls, but in saving (poor Stalls) we dammage them, and (in saving the rich) our selves; the middle sort are best for store, and enough for those that are not covetous, with whom they seldom thrive, because they over act their part in sparing, as carelesse persons in their neglect of keeping them, I can and shall afford you what satisfaction you please, in any useful question, that concernes the welfare of their Common-wealth.

     As for my transparent Hives, I have but two, which are not moveable, else you should willingly have them, whither you return'd them or not; they serve onely to give me an account of the daily income, and a diary of their Negotiations, whereby if I spend half an hour after dinner or supper, I know what hath [catchword: been]

been done that day; can shew my Friends the Queens Cells, and sometimes her person, with her Retinue; she afforded me 14. quarts, or neer upon, in one year, and if the rest afford ten a piece I think it a fair gain: there is not an Hive to be seen about my house, nor a child stung in a year: My Appiary consists of a row of little houses, two stories high, two foot apart, which I find as cheap at seven yeares end as straw hacles, and far more handsome: (where I have bay windowes I have a set of unseen Stalls) whose room is handcomly spar'd, and their company very harmonious, especially for those that lodge in their Chambers, whether they would wake or sleep, in so much as I have heard some say (that have there lodged) they would give twenty pound to have and here the like at home; the pleasure takes some, the profit others. But if either take off (and not take up) our hearts in minding the main, you and I may spare any farther enquiry about them.

     Thus have I stept out of my way, to gratifie you in the exchange of Ink and Paper, and shall be ready so to doe in things of weightier concernment than B Bs. if you shall give the stroke, 'tis hard if my flint yeild not some sparks: all your Subjects are marvellously well pleasing to me, but above all, your most Ingenious and Publique Spirit makes me love and honour you ; onely I fear your sweetnesse may be abus'd by some undertakers, that are apt to promise much upon the score of hopes and fancies,

     But you will say, I have done enough for once to weary you, and if I find I have, I shall doe so no more, but rest,

Easlington in                 Sir, your endeared Friend,

Glocester-Shire 20th of            to serve you, December,

1653.                               WILL MEWE.

    A Letter, concerning that pleasant and profitable Invention of a Transparent Bee-hive, written by that much accomplish'd, and very ingenious Gentleman, Fellow of All-Soules Colledge in Oxford, Mr. Christ. Wren, with the Figure and Description of the said Transparent Bee-hive.

HONOURED SIR,

You have by several hands intimated your Desires to me, of having a particular Description of our three-storied-Bee-hive. I confesse I was not over forward to execute this command of yours; and my reason was,because the Devise not fully answering our own expection, I thought it would be much more unsatisfactory to you: but since you please to persist in your desires, (as Mr. Rawlinson told me the other day) I can be no longer shameless to persist in my incivility, especially prompted by mine own Ambition, to find any way to shew my self a Servant to a Person so eminent amongst the Ingeniosi as yourself.

     The Description, I think, is evident enough in the Paper; I shall onely tell you what effects we find. Last May (as I remember) we put in two Swarmes together, leaving the places to goe in, open onely in the lowermost, but all the passage holes open from Box to Box: in the middlemost they first began their Combes, then in the lowermost, before they had filled the middlemost, and so continued till they had filled both, which before they had quite finished, they began to make two little Combes in the upper Box, (all this while deserted) and continued besides,a part of a Comb of the middle story an inch or two up into the upper box,filling almost the passage hole quite up, leaving themselves onely a little hole, as big as two fingers might go in, for their passage up and down : I am not very certain, whether this was not done at First when they wrought in the middle Box, and whether this was not the reason, why they wrought so little in the upper Box, because they stopped themselves up from an easie passage to it. The Combes in the lower stories were well replenished with Honey, and suddainly, but these little Combes [catchword: in]

in the upper they quite desert, contrary to our expectation, which was, that they would have wrought most in the upper story, and the middlemost, in which, when they had wrought enough for their own spending, that then we might take away the uppermost from the, and so have continued still: but if we find another year, that they fill not again the uppermost, it will be all one still to take away the lowermost from them,but if that be so,then two Hives will be sufficient. We must rather desire of you farther light in this business, which I presume you can afford us, from other mens Observations, that have tried the like Experiment,for as yet you see ours is imperfect, and we know not what to make of it.

                              Sir, I am

     All-Soules Coll.               Your most obedient

     Febr. 26. 1654.                     humble Servant,

                                        CHRIST. WREN

                         [Diagram]

     Considerations upon the Letter from Oxford.    

SIR,

Upon speech with Mr. Greatrix (according to your desires) I find, that the substance of what he intimated to you the other day, upon the sight of your Letter from Oxford, was no other than what truly any thoughts from my own reason, and the fight of Dr. Brown's Essay upon the same subject, confirmed me in: viz. that Bees,as they do naturally begin in the top of the Hive and work downwards, so do they not like that that top should be more than one, or at most two stories high. For as by the judgements of all that write of Bees, a valley is counted the best kind of seat for them, to the intent,that when they come heavy loaden home (as they do often in a day) their journey may be a descent, and consequently easie, so from the same reason ought the work within the Hive to be so ordered, as to be upon as little ascent as may be, or rather upon a descent. I mean, that it be so ordered, as that the Bees may go rather down than upwards within their Hive. Upon this ground my opinion is, that one Box is (at the beginning) sufficient, or but two at the most. When this one (if but one be used at first) shall be filled,it would (the entrance into it being first stopped, and the lower middle hole of it be left open) be set upon another lower Box,and when this second Box shall be also filled, a third would be set under the two first, and when the whole Body of the Bees is fully gone down into the third or lowest Box, then (and not before) may the first or upper Box be taken away ; and after this manner may the upper Box still be taken away from time to time,as often as the lower shall be filled,and a new empty one put under. This I have gathered from such Books as I have met with,but that which from my own private judgment I offer as a further Addition is, that I could wish that that lowest Box should be still so placed,as to hang down through and below the planke or seat upon which Hives are ordinarily placed, so as that the Bees,when they come heavey loaden home,may go downwards into it. When this lowest Hive is almost full (which might be discovered through windows left for that purpose) [catchword: then]

than would another empty one be put into its place, and the Box that is almost full so to be placed upon the empty one, as that the Bees may enter by a hole in the lower part of it, and (when it is absolutely full) go down into the lowest Box. And by this meanes the heavy loaden Bees (instead of carrying their loads three stories high, according to the Oxford practise) do still work either downwards, or very little upwards. I will conclude this Subject with an Observation concerning these little Creatures, viz. that their King weares no sword, I mean, hath no sting of their own, nor any Janizaries, nor other meanes of safety to themselves,than the loyalty of their Subjects.

Although Experience tells us, that Bees do naturally love to hive in woods and other places out of mens sight, and that chiefly at the time, when they send forth their numerous Swarms like so many new Colonies; yet notwithstanding, they may be brought so to part with that kind of wildness, as to give men leave to observe them, and to admire Nature whose pleasure it is,in this contemptible sort of Insects,to make shew of the great riches of her Treasury. This is not hard to prove.

     For it is known, that Bees,when they begin to swarm, and that the heat of the sun hath drawn them out of their Hive, do fly about till their King (whom Nature hath wisely unarmed) doth by his sitting down determine the place of their Rendezvous, which they immediately take notice of, and all those huge numbers of them (being from that time forwards to make their own fortunes, and to be their own Purveyors) do pitch their Camp round about their King. Presently after which, a certain kind of Bees, which are commonly called Scouts, are sent out to discover places for them to hive; and till these Scouts return, the whole Swarm sits still to refresh themselves, being weary with flying at their first swarming. These Scouts at their return rush violently in upon the Swarm, and carry away to the place which they have found, some part of the Swarm, together with the [catchword: King]

King, on whom depends the unity, good fortune and safety of them all.

     In the Northern Countries, as Poland, Lithvania and Muscovie, men use to make Hives for them on purpose in the Woods and where such are the Bees chuse them, but if they can find none such, then they hive in old, hollow and rotten trees, and that for many yeares together, till the hollow place being filled with that excellent liquor of Honey, they are forced to go to some other place. So that many times those that fell wood do, when they little think of it, find in hollow trees great store of Honey.

     It is remarkable, that most Swarms, as soon as they come out, do rest themselves in some place near to their old Hives, for two or three houres together, in which time, unless they have Hives provided them, they forsake their former Master, and betake themselves to the Woods and solitary places. But if they have Hives provided for them, they submit themselves to the Owners of those Hives, especially if their King (which is observeable) be shut into a little den made on purpose, and be kept there for three or four dayes together. In which time chiefly you may perceive a wonderful diligence in the Bees, and that it may be the better seen by such as are curious,and admirers of Nature. Industry hath shewed how to make Hives of Glass, which may be placed in Gardens, and other convenient places, and even in Windowes.

          The manner whereof is this following.

     Let great care be taken in the choice of the place; for Experience will shew, there lies much in that. It will be best for this purpose to chuse a window towards the Sun-rising, for by this meanes, the Bees will have their industry quickened, which from the very Sun-rising will set them to work, they being Creatures so intent upon their business: and besides, it will free the poor weak things from many inconveniencies. It will be otherwise, if you chuse for this purpose a place towards the West or North, for the light of the rising-Sun, coming but late upon a place that is towards the West, will make the Bees to late to worke, and the North with its natural sharpness will weaken and shrink up the tender bodies of those little Creatures, [catchword:they]

they delighting in heat: so that the East and the South are for this purpose farre better than the other two quarters of the world.

     Having so chosen the place, let there be made an Hive of about a yard high or a little more, after this fashion. Fasten four little pillars of wood in two boards, one on the top and the other at the bottom, and let the pillars be answerable to the height of your window, and let that side of the Hive, which is to be towards the air, be half a yard abroad, and the other side, which is to be towards your chamber, a quarter of a yard broad. In that side which is towards the air, you are to leave a slit of about two fingers breadth, for the Bees to fly in and out at, and in the middle of the slit you must put a cross peice of wood, which must be very well fastened, that it slip not up and down, and so crush the Honey-combes, but that it may the better bear the weight of them. In the inner side of the Hive, you are to make doors about a quarter of a yard broad, and well and strongly bolted, that the Bees may be kept from flying into your chamber. Through these doors you are to put in your Swarm, and take out your Honey. And for the space between the aforesaid pillars, you may have it closed either with whole glass, or with smaller peices leaded; or if you will have the whole Hive of glasse, the Glass-makers can make it for you, but you must observe the Conditions before expressed.

     Having thus prepared all things, you may place the Swarms where you intend to have them in the Hive, and with delight behold their work, and in a kind of rapture cry out, That the world is the great book of God, containing three leaves, viz. Heaven, Earth and Sea, wherein there are so many characters of the wisdom of God as there are Creatures.

    A singular Observations concerning Bee-Hives and Buck-Wheat, in reference to Bees, made by Mr. Thomas Babington in his Travels into Germany.

In Kempen-Land in Germany I have seen about fourty geat Bee-Hives, which contain, when they are full, about seventy pound weight in Honey, placed near a great field sown with [catchword: Buck-]

Buck-Wheat, and it was related to me of a truth by the Inhabitants, that the Bees did suck such plenty of Honey out of it, that in a fortnights time the said Hives were all filled therewith.

     The said Buck Wheat is a three square grain, which when it is ripe is made use of for Pan-cakes, and to brew Beer, and excellent good to fatten Hogs with, and in blowing time of singular use for Bees.

As concerning the passage in my Letters concerning Honey, I cannot exactly give you an account of it, till I see all the Discourse: Thus much I remember and know by experience,that if pure Honey be gently boiled in pure water, and well scummed, and afterward cooled, and then with barm or yest set to working, as we usually do Beer or Ale, and then put into a larger vessel for a time, and afterwards drawn into pottles, that a liquor hath, and may be made like fountain water, yet of such a fine excellent tast, and so strong, that some, who have thought themselves of very good pallats, have mistaken it for Greek Wine.

     And I question not, but Sugar will do the like, but whether I seem to speak of any more ingenious clarifications, as with white of Eggs, with salt of Tartar, or with other things, that Vintners use for their Wines, or whither I refer them to Glauber, who in his Appendix speaketh of some ingenious fermentations and clarifications, I cannot certainly tell. But this I dare boldly say, that if any Gentleman would trie Experiments upon Honey, Sugar, yea, or any sweet things, if the sweetness be not too flashy and watry, he shall find divers things both delightful and profitable.

     I hope Glauber, who hath promised divers things in these kinds, and I suppose is most able to accomplish them, will more clearly manifest them for the good and comfort of our Northern Countries.

     I desire to hear what other ingenious things are written of late. I think these times very fruitful, and that the great Se- [catchword: crets]

crets, which have a longtime been hid, will shortly be manifested.

Take one part of clarified Honey, and eight parts of rain Water, or other clear Water, and boil them well together in a copper vessel, till half the liquor be boiled away, but while it boiles, you must take off the scum very clean, and when it hath done boiling, and begins to cool, turn it up, and it will work of it self. As soon as it hath done working, you must stop the vessel very close, and bury it under ground for three months, which will make it loose both the smell and tast of the Honey and Wax, and will make it tast very like Wine.

Take of clarified Honey twenty pound, and of clear Water thirty two gallons, mingle them well together, and boil that liquor half away, and take off the scum very clean, when it hath done boiling, and begins to cool, put it into a vessel, where hath been Rhenish wine before, and put to it four gallons of Rhenish wine Must, and let it work; then stop the vessel very close, and bury it under ground for two months together, at the end of which draw it off the lees, and put it into another clean sweet vessel by it self, and it will be very like Wine; and if you would have it of an aromatick tast, you may put these following ingredients into the vessel at first, and let them work with the liquor, viz. of floures of Elder, Rosemary and Majoram, each one handful, of Cinnamon two ounces, of Cloves six ounces, of Ginger, Pepper and Cardamome, each two scruples, these will give the Mead a most pleasant tast. [catchword: The]

                    [decorative block]

                 The Common-wealth of Bees.

        Represented by Mr. Gerard Malynes, by way of

     a digression in his great Book called Lex Mercatoria,

               or the Antient Law-Merchant.

Let us somewhat digress from Manufacture to Apifacture, and (with Solomon the wife) send the sluggard to imitate the painful and laborious Bees; for the increase of Honey and Wax in England, Scotland and Ireland, and other of his Majesties Dominions: and let mans help succour this Apifacture, if it may be so called, as followeth.

     The meanes to increase Honey and Wax, doth properly consist in the preservation of Bees, and the making of convenient Skepes or Bee-hives after a new invention: Namely, you may make your Skepes either with Straw or Wicker of Two sorts, and to be of two peices, to take off at the crown, or near the midst of the Hive; that when they have gathered and filled up their house, and that the room is scant within, then take away the upper half, and clap on a board, or the bottom, or head of a pitch Barrel, or tar barrel, or the like, having pitch on it, casting Mault meal, or Bean meal upon the same; and then daube it well with clay about the skirts, and setting on with your clay mixt with some salt; and when you have thus done, then raise it up below with so many wreythes, as you took above for the gelding of your Hives before, which is very needful to make the greater plenty and increase: For making your Skepes in this manner, the Honey may be taken at all times; but especially, when you do perceive by the lifting up of your Skepes, that your Bees are well provided for the Winters provision, and that there [catchword: be]

be plenty of food yet to gather, then cap them. Take a strong wyer, make it flat, and cut your combes in two, and then have a parchment in readiness to follow the wyer, to keep asunder the wax from cleaving, laying on your board with pitch and meal, as aforesaid. This to be done in Summer.

1. In March your Bees do begin to breed, and then they begin to sit,let them at that time be served twice every week, because:

  2. In Aprill your Bees begin to hatch, serve them in hard and rugged weather, whereby they are hindered to be abroad.

  3. In May your Bee comming forth, look to serve them until Mid-May.

  4. In June are your Bees in their strength for casting, and then there is great plenty of Floures and Dews to feed upon.

  5. In July they are full of Honey, therefore cap your first swarmes, and take up the rest for Honey that you mean to take up for that year, and cap as followeth.

  6. In August is the most breed of Bees past, and you may cap likewise those you mean to keep over the year; I mean your old Stocks, for then they may forbear it.

  7. In September the gathering of Bees is past; stop close, and if there be any that is not capable, leave them and stop close with clay and salt, and daube below with Cow-dung, as the manner is.

  8. In October begin to look whether robbers have spoiled any or not; if it be so that they have, take away your Bees as in Honey time, and set up your Skepes with the combs whole, to be used as hereafter followeth.

  9. In November stop up all holes, let none pass in or out; but if they prove weak, then take away your Bees from the combs, and keep them for the second and third swarms after.

  10. In December house your Bees, if they stand cold: and in the North house all.

  11. In Ianuary turn up your Bees, and throw in Wort, and Water, and Honey twice or thrice, but let your water be warm.   [catchword: 12. In]

  12. In February set forth and serve all them that stand in need, with wort and honey, or honey and water, so it be warm; and then in March look for their breeding, as is before declared

     No corrupt combes to be left, but the bad are to be taken forth in the Spring time (being in feeding) and when you have thrown in one pint of warm wort, and that they are struggling with the clamminess of the wort; then may you very well take from them any thing that doth annoy them; which manner of dressing you may observe for many yeares during your Skepe, so long as they stand to work new again.

From the middle of Aprill, until the middest of May, look diligently to thy Bees; for then are they near beginning to hatch, and do stand in need of most help, especially if the Spring be cold, and the wind holding any part of the North or East; whereby the tender buds or blossomes do perish, and the Bees are driven to the blossomes of Apple-trees, which is their utter overthrow and decay.

Take Water and Honey mixt together made luke warm, and throw it amongst the combes, to the quantity of a pint at a time: or strong wort new run; or unboiled wort also luke-warm, and the same two or three times at the most; and this for the first Swarm.

     For the Second and third Swarm must be given in their Hives, to preserve that which they have gathered: Take Mulce, which is eight times so much water as honey, boiled to a quart or three pints; set the same with dishes in their shepes, laying a few straws in the dish to keep them from drowning. Wort and Figs boiled will serve also.

     The Smoak (as it were the Tobacco of Bees) wherein they delight, is Cows or Oxen dung, sophisticated with sweet wort; and the marrow of the Oxe or Cow, being well dried: take the [catchword: Shepe]

Shepe (which is deseased) and set it in a meal skiffe or riddle, and then kindle a little fire with your Cows dung, and set them over the smoak of the fire, and so smoak them by fits, scarce so long at every time as you can tell ten, and beware not to use this smoaking too oft, but as necessity requireth, and in gentle manner.

     The necessary use of Honey and Wax, made me to observe the premisses, wishing, That in all Parishes of Great Britain and Ireland, all the Parsons and Vicars in Country Towns and Villages, were injoyned to keep Bees for their own benefit, and the general good, which they may do conveniently in the Church-yards, and other places of their Gardens, and some of their children or schollars may attend the same.

     The multiplying of Bees is easie without destroying them, and creation of them is known to many, proceeding of the corruption of a Heyfar, the flesh whereof is fit to ingender Bees, as the flesh of Horses for Wasps, or that of Man for Lice. And to abbreviate, I do refer the desirous Reader hereof to Mr. Hill his book of Husbandry, where he speaketh of Bees, with the commodity of Honey and Wax, and of their uses and several profits,collected out of the best learned Writers, as Plinius, Albertus, Varro, Columella, Palladius, Aristotle, Theophrastus, Cardanus, Guilielmus de Conchis, Agrippa, and others. [catchword: Some]

          Some Writers of Bees extant

                    in English.

THe Feminine Monarchy, or the History of Bees. Shewing

Written out of Experience by Charles Butler, Magd.

               Plat. in Trucul. Act.2.Sc.6.

     Pluris est oculatus testis anus, quam auriti decem.

 Oxford, Printed by William Turner, for the Author. 1634

       A Book promised by Henry Gurnay, Gentleman.

Wherein is shewed what great losse cometh to the Common-wealth, by the neglect, carelesness and ignorance in the keeping of more store of Bees, and the right ordering them to most profit, partly shewed in, that some Man having a score of Shepes , and his next neighbour not any, or happily, not three in that Town of an hundred Housholds as many more : and that some Country is very plentiful thereof,and the next every way as apt for that commodity, yet very scarce thereof ; and yet the air and the year equally indifferent to all alike, the common errour being to ascribe a greater luck in these kinds to some men more than to others, which is onely through an unskilfulness therein. [catchword: The]

By the late unparallell'd experience, of JOHN LEVETS, Gent.

 London, Printed by Thom. Harper, for John Harison, 1634.

               By Edmund Southern Gent.

Imprinted at London by Thomas Orwin, for Thomas Woodcock, dwelling in Pauls Church-yard, at the sign of the black Bear. 1593.

                A Discourse or History of Bees.

            Written by Richard Remnant.

London, Printed by Robert Young, for Thomas Slater, dwelling in Duck-lane at the white Swan. 1637.

                    FINIS.