92 History of Nature. [BooK II. 



or obtained by Entreaty. There is an ancient Report in 

 Etruria, that such a Lightning was procured by Entreaty, 

 when there entered into the City Volsinii (after all the Terri- 

 tory about it was destroyed) a Monster, which they named 

 Volta. Also, that another was called forth by P or senna, 

 their King. Moreover, L. Piso (a Writer of good Credit) 

 reporteth in his first Book of Annals, that Numa before him 

 performed the same Act many a Time : and when Tullius 

 Hostilius would have imitated him (for that he observed not 

 all the Ceremonies accordingly), he was himself struck with 

 Lightning. And for this Purpose, we have sacred Groves, 

 Altars, and Sacrifices. And among the Jupiters surnamed 

 Statores, Tonantes, and Peretrii, we have heard that one 

 also was called Elicius. Men's Opinions are various con- 

 cerning this Point, and every Man according to his own 

 Liking. To believe that Nature may be compelled, is a very 

 audacious Opinion : but it is as senseless on the other Side 

 to make her Benefits of no effect ; considering that in the 

 Interpretation of Lightning, Science hath thus far proceeded 

 as to foretell when they will come at a prescribed Day : and 

 whether they will frustrate the Dangers pronounced, or 

 rather open other Destinies, which lie hidden in innumerable 

 public and private Experiments of both Kinds. And there- 

 fore (since it hath so pleased Nature) let some of these Things 

 be certain, others doubtful : some proved, and others con- 

 demned. As for us, we will not omit the Rest which in 

 these Matters are worth Remembrance. 



CHAPTER LIV. 

 General Rules of Lightning. 



THAT the Lightning is seen before the Thunderclap is 

 heard, although they come indeed jointly together, is cer- 

 tain. And no Wonder, for Light is more rapid than Sound. 

 And yet Nature doth so modulate, that the Stroke and 

 Sound shall accord together. But when there is a Noise 1 , 



1 Ovid refers to this also, as the popular opinion. But silent lightning 

 in a clear sky was judged to be unaccountable, except as coming from the 

 gods. Hence Horace, though disposed to the doctrines of Epicurus, found 



