170 ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. [BOOK 17 



nor wholesome in their use. And it is much that this 

 depraved custom of painting the face should so long escape 

 the penal laws both of the church and state, which have been 

 very severe against luxury in apparel and effeminate trim 

 ming of the hair. We read ot Jezebel, that she painted her 

 face ; but not so of Esther and Judith. 



We take gymnastics, in a large sense, to signify whatever 

 relates to the liability whereto the human body may be 

 brought, whether of activity or suffering. Activity has two 

 parts, strength and swiftness ; so has endurance or suffering, 

 viz., with regard to natural wants, and fortitude under 

 torture. Of all these, we have many remarkable instances in 

 the practices of rope-dancers, the hardy lives of savages, sur 

 prising strength of lunatics, and the constancy and resolution 

 of many under exquisite torments. Any other faculties that 

 fall not within the former division, as diving, or the power 

 of continuing long under water without respiration, and the 

 like, we refer them also to gymnastics. And here, though 

 the things themselves are common, yet the philosophy and 

 causes thereof are usually neglected, perhaps because men are 

 persuaded that such masteries over nature are only obtainable 

 either from a peculiar and natural disposition in some men, 

 which comes not under rules, or by a constant custom from 

 childhood, which is rather imposed than taught. And though 

 this be not altogether true, yet it is here of small consequence 

 to note any deficiency, for the Olympic games are long since 

 ceased, and a mediocrity in these things is sufficient for use, 

 whilst excellency in them serves commonly but for mercenary 

 show. 



The arts of elegance are divided with respect to the two 

 senses of sight and hearing. Painting particularly delights 

 the eye ; so do numerous other magnificent arts, relating to 

 buildings, gardens, apparel, vessels, gems, &c. Music pleases 

 the ear with great variety and apparatus of sounds, voices, 

 strings, and instruments ; and anciently water-organs were 

 esteemed as great master-pieces in this art, though now 

 grown into disuse. The arts which relate to the eye and ear, 

 are, above the rest, accounted liberal ; these two senses being 

 the more pure, and the sciences thereof more learned, as 

 having mathematics to attend them. The one also has some 

 relation to the memory and demonstrations ; the other, to 



