How is the generation of worms or those other creatures, which we fometimes fee bred in the bodies of men in the Shape of a wolf, of a serpent and of many other shapes: Now if equivocal generation be denied, it necessarily follows that there must be a plurality of those creatures in the body where there's one ?

I could multiply instances of the like nature, but shall not trouble you any further only to resolve how eels gene. rate ?

A. What you say concerning the spirit of popper has an assertion contrary to fact : For the spirit is not extracted by an excessive, but a moderate heat. And as for the generation of the little animals, that are there observ'd, some few, which may be in the fimple water, finding the particles of pepper very proper for batching their eggs, may on that account fix them to them, from whence may probably proceed a sudden and numerous swarm. The worms and other animals found in the bodies of men may derive their original from feed received in with their meat and drink, since in some species the seed of one only may be thus receiv'd, there is no necessary connection between one and a plurality. As for the generation of cels, tho' Aristotle and several others after him have positively affirmed, that having diffected them, they could neither find any of the parts making the distinction of sexes, nor any thing like eggs or seed, the contrary is asserted by Rondeler, who faith that he had feen some joyned and coupled together like male and female, and that they are not deftitute of the parts ne« ceflary to procreation which only are not very easily discovered, by reason of their being surrounded with much fat : But what is still much more to the

purpose, and puts an end to all dispute, the eminently learned Dr. Charlton in his óvodud sixàv {wixion relates that once he found eleven very small eels contained in the womb of a great one, and each of them enclosed in their own proper after-birth.

Q. What is the meaning of these words of St. Paul, I wou'd they were even cut off that trouble you, which

the

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the Bishop of Meaux (that champion of the Romish church) brings to support their cursed doctrine of persecution ?

A. Were the words meant of bodily excision, yet since they imply no other than a wish, they no ways vindicate persecuting doctrine: For we may wish many things which are unlawful for our selves to execute. When we behold an oppressor of the poor and needy, we may warrantably wish, that the magistrate, whose proper office it is, wou'd animadvert upon him, tho' forbid to punish him ourselves. If therefore we shou'd allow it was the Apostle's wish, that God wou'd be pleas’d to cut off the great disturbers of his Galatian converts, does it therefore follow ; that he was impower'd to do this bimself ? But we interpret the words of a fpiritual excision, of a cutting off from communion with the Christian church, and he, who considers, that St. Paul's interest with the Galatians was wonderfully impair’d by the insinuations of those false teachers, will forbear to wonder, why he shou'd only wish for that, which was within the compass of his proper jurisdiction. Thus, Sir, notwithstanding this Scripture passage, we may say to the fiery Boanerges of the church of Rome, je know not what fpirit ye are of.

Q. Why is it not in one's power to help being in love ? and why is it not reasonable to suppress that pasion ?

A. If the Lady who fent us the question will give her self the trouble of a little reflection, the will find much the same cause for our not commanding our love, as our anger, rage, etc. And we presume the moft finish'd temper wou'd take it very ill to be thought always pleas'd alike, or that joy and grief Thou'd not cause different sensations in them. All which depends on the unlimited power of our passions.

Our passions therefore, Madam, being feated in us, as the instrument and vehicles of pleasure, when they are rais'd by the beauty of an object, fill the soul with Lo agreeable sweetness, that it is not to be relifted.

And if these first impressions of love happen to be improv'd by a conversation of wit, honour and good

humour, reason is so far from lefsening such a passion, that it joyns with it, and adds force to it, by giving it a lasting, that is, a rational foundation.

For it is the business of reason only, to direct our passions in the choice of what is pleasant, or painful, and not to suppress them, when they are in full enjoyment of what is charming to the soul.

Q. A Gentleman, suppos’d to be of the brightest parts and greatest candour, about three months ago buried his wife, lamenting his loss with the greatest marks of forrom and contrition, and now being transported with an equal joy, is going to marry another. Your opinion therefore, whether bis grief was féign'd or real?

A. The gentleman's grief might be real and great, and yet as soon discharg'd as if less, since (it seems) he gave proportionably a great vent to it.

8. What are the rules and measures of fobriety, fo as also to avoid fcrupulofity ?

A. Different constitutions require different measures: We therefore think it proper only to observe, that as we must religiously abstain from such a quantity of liquor, as will

any wise impair our health, or prejudice our reason, so if any of us can bear a larger portion without any inconvenience to either our minds or bodies, we may yet be guilty of excess, and thence incapable of acquitting ourselves of too fond an indulgence to our inferior part.

Q. Which is most to the advantage of a General, to end a war gloriously, or have it continue ?

A. The word Advantage in the query appears to be drest in an ambiguous mantle; if it is meant that fordid interest which we distinguish by the name of Gain, it is undoubtedly THAT WAY, the advantage of a General to continue the war as long as possible; but we believe, the querist wou'd be satisfied if the glorious ending of a war is not more HONOURABLE to a General, than a continued bickering? And to this we answer in the affirmative. For if the war it self be justifiable, it must certainly be the highest pitch of merit in a General, to watch every opportunity, and VOL. I,

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bravely

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• per answer.

bravely skrew the fortunes of his country to the ele vated height of an illustrious VICTORY.

Q. The cause of the palpitation of the heart in a former paper was not answer'd like Apollo ; for it often proceeds from great fears, surprizes and a polypus, &c. Therefore what further satisfaction, &c. can you give ?

A. It had been impertinent to have told the Lady it might come from a fright, when she declar'd it did not; and a polypus (the effect of a thick coagulated blood) rather prevents it by stopping the vehicle of the heart, since 'tis a sharp thin blood which often occasions it: And since the Lady mention'd no symptom of any distemper ; we judge, by telling how it might happen without any such symptoms, the most pro

Q. Gentlemen, Is it a true or false notion that the crowing of a cock will frighten a lion ?

A. The poor cocks have often prov'd the notion false, by a very dear experience.

Q. Apollo's fons, whose winged reason flies,
And mounts above the large expanded skies ;
Soar to the starty regions of the light,
And let us know, what terminates our sight?
And why that blue extent of Space, which vies
With all the other beauties of the skies,
Shou'd represent that colour to our eyes ?
Since we behold ev'n in our Horizon,
A blushing RED always attends the fun,
And all the objects which he shines upon ?
4. The great Creator of this earthly ball

,
Whofe boundless pow'r and wisdom fram'd us all,
Gave Chaos form, chang'd DARKNESS into light,
And plac'd, 'twixt HEAVEN and us, a skreen to bound

our fight.
A gloomy darkness stops our eager eyes,
And INTERPOSING light adorns the skies ;
Thence, mingled Black and White familiar grew,

And knit in close embraces, form'd a Blue.
But when dark fogs their heavy pinions ply,
And draw their misty curtains o'er the skie,

That

That lovely Blue (trait leaves its azure bed,
And 'till the sun's Meridian beams are spread,

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Thick VAPOURS interpofc, and form a gloomy RED,
Q. Bright fons of Phoebus, pray declare

If luna is inhabited,
And then, if faithful lovers there,

Inform a tender maid,
Weary alas ! of dwelling here,
Since loyalty is fled ?
Gentlemen, you will oblige by a speedy answer the

impatient Conftantią, A. Be those lunarians false or true,

'Tis no great matter whether;
Or be they brightest forms, or shew

Like swine in fouleft weather ;
Twill harder be to solve how you,

Alas! will mount up thither.
Q. Tell me, ye learned offspring of Apollo,
Why after riches Avarice does follow,
When the poffeffor ought, by reason juft,
With wisdom to employ so great a truft?

A. Wealth with magnetick force attracts the mind,
To sordid earth ungenerously confign'd;
Thence in proportion to its larger store,
We need not wonder, if it draws the more.
But tho' this loadstone fix the iron soul,
The golden genius mounts without controui.

Q. We know, that your old father Apollo,
(Whose name you claim, and whom you follow )
Hid lodgings formerly at Delphos;
But cannot rell, who he himself was.

Some think him devil, canse fo cuming
In his mysterious way of punning.
But others say, thae he was true man,
And nothing in't, but what is human.
'Tis certain, that he was no layman,
Then, was he priest, or was he demon ?

You're bound to answer this the rather,
'Cause honest people know their father ?

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