ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 197 



parts: but astringents keep in the virtue of them both, and 

 somewhat fix it, and also stop perspiration, which would 

 otherwise be contrary to mollifying, as sending out the 

 moisture; therefore the whole affair is to be effected by 

 these three means used in order and succession, rather than 

 together. Observe only, that it is not the intention of molli 

 fying to nourish the parts externally, but only to render 

 them more capable of nourishment; for dry things are less 

 disposed to assimilate. And so much for the prolongation 

 of life, which we make the third, or a new part of medicine. 



The art of decoration, or beautifying, has two parts, 

 civil and effeminate. For cleanliness and decency of the 

 body were always allowed to proceed from moral modesty 

 and reverence; first, toward God, whose creatures we are; 

 next, toward society, wherein we live; and lastly, toward 

 ourselves, whom we ought to reverence still more than 

 others. But false decorations, fucuses, and pigments, de 

 serve the imperfections that constantly attend them; being 

 neither exquisite enough to deceive, nor commodious in 

 application, 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 trimming of the hair. We read of Jezebel, that 

 she painted her face: but not so of Esther and Judith. 



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

 ever relates to the hability 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 in 

 stances in the practices of rope-dancers, the hardy lives of 

 savages, surprising 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 with 

 out respiration, and the like, we refer them also to gymnas- 



