eee ee 
BOOK It. = 303 
"ascribed to Fracastorius, who speaks of it as “ Diascordium nostrum” 
in his De Cont. Morb. Cur. iii. 7. The confection of Alkermes in its 
original form seems to have been invented by Mesué, an Arabian 
physician. About Bacon’s time what was called mineral kermes, 
which was a preparation of antimony, was a popular medicine, but it 
is probable that he here refers either to the confection of Mesué or 
to some modification of it.’ 
P. 141. [1] the confections of sale which are in the shops: Lat. medi- 
camenta illa que in officinis prostant venalia, [2] for readiness and not 
for propriety : i.e. they are compounded for immediate use and not with 
reference to the particular disease. [10] probations: In old MS. books 
of receipts it is common to find probatum est written against such as have 
been tried and found effectual. [21] I do find strange: Lat. mirari subit. 
[23] extolled: i.e. by the school of Paracelsus. [33] more commanded: 
i.e. more under control. Some copies of ed. 1605 read ‘ commended,’ 
The Lat. has pro arbitrio regere. 
P. 142. [23] no more: Observe the repetition of the negative. We 
should now say ‘any more.’ See p. 208, 1. 19. [29] artificial decora- 
tion: i.e. painting the face. Lat. adulterina illa decoratio, que fucos et 
pigmenta adhibet. [31] Mr. Spedding conjectures ‘wholesome to use, 
nor handsome to please.’ [33] I take the subject of it largely: Lat. 
eam sensu intelligimus paulo largiori quam accipi consuevit, 
P. 143. [3] patience; i.e. endurance: Lat. folerantia, [7] The Latin 
adds ‘in the prodigious strength of madmen,’ [16] which though it be 
not true, &c.: Compare, for this construction, p. 81, 1, 11, and Shake- 
speare, Merch. of Ven. i. 3. 137: 
‘Who if he break, thou may’st with better face 
Exact the penalty, 
[23] Comp. Bacon, Ess, lviii. p. 237; quoted in note to p. 11, 1, 28. 
P. 144. [1] De Augm. iv. 3. [17,18] by the benediction of a pro- 
ducat; as in the fifth day of creation. See Gen. i. 20, 24: Producant 
aque .. producat terra, See p. 116, ll. 5-9. 
P. 145. [6, 7] Lat. Etiam Chaldeorum Astrologia solennior, non multo 
melior. [13] Sallust, Bell. Jug. 39. [16] referred over: i.e. to the ‘ par- 
ticular knowledges’ among which the various kinds of artificial divina- 
tion are distributed ; as astronomy, medicine, politics, and the like. [24] 
near death: As an illustration of this belief in the possession of the 
prophetic power by persons at the point of death, compare Shakespeare, 
Rich, II, ii. 1. 31, 32: 
‘Methinks I am a prophet new inspired 
And thus expiring do foretell of him’ 
[28] Plato, Timeeus, iii. 71: ofov év xarémrpw dexopnevw TUmovs. 
P. 146. [1] fury: Comp. Ovid, Met. ii. 640; vaticinos concepit mente 
