Bacon as a Gardener. 107 



is wreathed at the Bottome and one smooth entire 

 Straw at the Top. They take onely the Part that is 

 Wreathed, and cut off the other, leaving the Beard 

 halfe the Breadth of a Finger in length. Then they 

 make a little Crosse of a Quill, long-wayes of that Part 

 of the Quill, which hath the Pith ; And Crosse-wayes of 

 that Peece of the (?i7/ without Pith ; The whole Crosse 

 being the Breadth of a. Finger high. Then they pricke 

 the Bottome where the Pith is, and thereinto they put 

 the Oaten-beard, leaving halfe of it sticking forth of 

 the 'Quill : Then they take a little white Box of wood, 

 to deceive Men, as if somewhat in the Box did worke 

 the Feat : In which, with a Pinne, they make a little 

 Hole, enough to take the Beard, but not to let the 

 Crosse sinke downe, but to stick. Then likewise by 

 way of Imposture, they make a Question; As, Who is 

 the Fairest Woman in the Company ? Or, Who hath a 

 Glove, or Card ? And cause Another to name divers 

 persons : And upon every Naming they stick the Crosse 

 in the Box, having first put it towards their mouth, as if 

 they charmed it ; And the Crosse stirreth not ; But 

 when they come to the Person that they would take ; 

 As they hold the Crosse to their Mouth, they touch the 

 Beard with the Tip of their Tongue, and wet it ; And so 

 stick the Crosse in the Box ; And then you shall see it 

 turne finely and softly, three or foure Turnes ; which is 

 caused by the untwining of the Beard\sy the Moisture. 

 You may see it more evidently, if you sticke the 

 Crosse betweene your fingers, in stead of the Box ; And 

 therefore you may see, that this Motion, which is 



