ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 123 



wise 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 mollifying to nourish the 

 parts externally, but only to render them more capable of nour- 

 ishment ; 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 al- 

 ways allowed to proceed from moral modesty and reverence; 

 first, towards God, whose creatures we are; next, towards 

 society, wherein we live ; and, lastly, towards ourselves, whom 

 we ought to reverence still more than others. But false deco- 

 rations, fucuses, and pigments, deserve the imperfections that 

 constantly attend them ; being neither exquisite enough to de- 

 ceive, 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 whatever re- 

 lates 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 instances in the practices of 

 rope-dancers, the hardy lives of savages, surprising strength of 

 lunatics, and the constancy and resolution of many under ex- 

 quisite torments. Any other faculties that fall not within the 

 former division, as diving, or the power of continuing long un- 

 der 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 mas- 

 teries 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 im- 

 posed that taught. And, though this be not altogether true, 

 yet it is here of small consequence to note any deficiency, for 



