THE CONFERENCE. 41 



that it might make mankind to think miracles are not 

 ceased. He that at midnight, when the very labourer sleeps 

 securely, should hear, as I have very often, the clear airs, the 

 sweet descants, the natural rising and falling, the doubling 

 and redoubling of her voice, might well be lifted above earth, 

 and say," Lord, what music hast Thou provided for the saints 

 in heaven, when Thou affordest bad men such music on earth ? " 



And this makes me the less to wonder at the many 

 aviaries in Italy, or at the great charge of Varro's aviary, the 

 ruins of which are yet to be seen in Rome, and is still so 

 famous there, that it is reckoned for one of those notables 

 which men of foreign nations either record, or lay up in their 

 memories, when they return from travel. 



This for the birds of pleasure, of which very much more 

 might be said. My next shall be of birds of political use. I 

 think 'tis not to be doubted that swallows 5 have been taught 

 to carry letters between two armies. But it is certain, that 

 when the Turks besieged Malta or Rhodes (I now remember 

 not which it was), pigeons were then related to carry and 

 re-carry letters. And Mr. G. Sandys, d in his Travels, relates 

 it to be done between Aleppo and Babylon. But if that be 

 disbelieved, it is not to be doubted that the dove was sent 

 out of the ark by Noah, to give him notice of land, when to 

 him all appeared to be sea ; and the dove proved a faithful 

 and comfortable messenger. And for the sacrifices of the 

 law, a pair of turtle-doves or young pigeons were as well 

 accepted as costly bulls and rams. And when God would 

 feed the prophet Elijah after a kind of miraculous manner, 

 He did it by ravens, who brought him meat morning and 

 evening. Lastly, the Holy Ghost, when He descended visibly 

 upon our Saviour, did it by assuming the shape of a dove. 



