THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.

THE BOOK OF
KNOWLEDGE
TREATING OF THE
WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS. 
IN FOUR PARTS.
I. Shewing the various and wonderful Operations of
the Signs and Planets, and other celestial Constellations,
on the Bodies of Men, &c.
II. Prognostications for ever necessary to keep the
Body in Health ; with several choice Receipts in Phy-
sic and Surgery.
III. An Abstract of the Art of Physiognomy and
Palmistry, together with the Signification of Moles, 
and the Interpretation of Dreams, &c.
IV. The Farmer's Calendar, containing, 1st. Per-
petual Prognostications for Weather. 2d. The whole
Mystery of Husbandry. 3d. The complete and expe- 
rienced Farrier and Cowleech, &c. 
WRITTEN BY ERRA PATER,
A Jew Doctor in Astronomy and Physic, born in Bethany,
near Mount Olivet, in Judea. 
Made English by w. Lilly, Student in Physic and
Astrology.
TO WHICH IS ADDED,
The true Form of all sorts of Bills, Bonds, Counter-
Bonds, Indentures, Letters of Attorney and Licence,
Deeds of Gift, Bills of Exchange, &c.
HAVERHILL,
PRINTED BY PETER EDES.
MDCCXCV. 

TO THE READER
Desirous of KNOWLEDGE.
THE soul of man being a spark of immortality, 
infused by its Almighty Maker, does still retain
a relish of its original, that it covets knowledge above
all other things, not confining its speculation to earth,
but towering to Heaven, it searcheth out the Stars and
all their various influences ; nay, rifles all the Constel-
lations, unlocking all the secret cabinet of futurity, and
diving into the vast abysses of things unknown : For
man
Dame Nature's secret working doth inspect, 
He knows how to advise, what to direct :
Into the world, by art and science brings,
And searcheth out the hidden birth of things. 
The unplow'd earth he to his will subdues,
And all it brings forth he knows how to use :
He seeks out Jove : his thoughts will not be try'd
In vain from him the Stars themselves do hide.
Now to satisfy the inquisitive nature of the soul of
man, is the design of this book, which will gratify
his understanding with the knowledge of the most hid-
den secrets of art and nature, which the wisdom of the
ancients have hitherto concealed, but here made plain
to the meanest capacities.
THE

THE
BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE: 
TREATING OF THE 
WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS.
PART I.
Shewing the various and wonderful Operations of the
Signs and Planets, and other celestial Cancellations,
on the Bodies of Men, Women and Children, and the
mighty Influences they have upon those that are born
under them.
ONE part of the wisdom of the ancients consisted
in the observation of several days and times, and
from thence foretelling such good and bad events, as
from long experience they found always to follow :
And therefore revising what ancient astrologers have
said, which I found very defective, I have myself made
an exact judgment of what should befal men, women
and children, by the day of the week on which the
first day of the year happened to fall : As if it hap-
pened to fall on a
Sunday.] The winter following will be pleasant,
the summer seasonable ; there shall be plenty of corn, 
though the weather in harvest will prove but indiffer-
ent : fruit shall very much abound, and there will be
A2 a

6 THE BOOK of KNOWLEDGE.
a very good seed time following the harvest ; flocks of
sheep and great cattle shall increase and prosper ; but
there shall be robberies in most places, and perhaps
war before the end of the year : Also it denotes the
death of prelates and princes, dissention and discord
among men, but not of long continuance.
Monday.] If New-Year's-Day fall on Monday, ex-
pect a hard and cold winter, and a wet summer,and
as a consequence of that, many diseases ; the fruits of
the earth very indifferent, which will produce great
scarcity in some places : Also denotes the downfal of
the gentry and many marriages among the common
people.
Tuesday.] If on Tuesday, the winter shall be wet
and the summer very dry ; hay will be scarce, but
corn indifferently plenty. Many factions and divi-
sions among those that fit at the helm, and a great
mortality both of men and beasts.
Wednesday.] If on Wednesday, it denotes the first
part of the winter very hard and severe, but the last
part very mild and gentle, a seasonable spring and plenty
of fruit ; but great sickness and many distempers about
autumn. Many fables, with false news, shall be spread
abroad, and much discontent among the common peo-
ple.
Thursday.] If on Thursday, you may look for a
hard winter, but a seasonable and moderate spring,
and a great increase of the fruits of the earth ; sheep
and great cattle shall also prosper much, but towards
autumn expect to hear of war and bloodshed abroad,
and troubles at home, occasioned by contests and di-
visions among the clergy.
Friday.] If on Friday, look for an extreme hard
winter, a late spring, and a dry summer ; corn very
dear, and fruit very dear, very high winds, occasion-
ing shipwrecks ; cattle will die generally : women
will have very hard labours, and most others very
loose

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 7.
loose and licentious ; thunder and lightning will be
very frequent, and do much mischief.
Saturday.] If on Saturday, the winter shall be mod-
erate, the spring windy, but the summer shall be both
seasonable and fruitful ; corn shall be cheap, and fruit
plenty.
Of Astrology ; what it is.
ASTROLOGY is the Art that teaches us the influ-
ences and effects of the Celestial Planets upon
the bodies of men, women and children, which by
their various aspects, positions and configurations, do
foreshew the changes and mutations both of particular
bodies, and also of kingdoms and states.
Some would confound Astronomy and Astrology to-
gether, which are in truth different things : And both
have their particular use and excellence. Astronomy
teaches the various and different motions of the planets,
and astrology shews their influences and effects ; but now
that of the signs and planets more distinctly. And
first the twelve signs of the Zodiac, which govern the
several parts of man's body, and are summ'd up in
verse.
A Description 

8 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
A Description of the twelve Signs in Verse, shewing
what Part of the Body each rules.
MAN's head and face Heaven's ram obey,
His neck, the neck-strong bull does sway, 
The arm-twining twins guide hands and arms;
Breasts, sides and stomach Cancer charms,
The lion rules his back and heart,
Bowels and belly's Virgo's part ;
Reins, haunches, navel, Libra tends,
Bladder and secrets Scorpio befriends :
The half-hors'd bowman rules the thighs, 
And to the kid our knees suffice;
Our legs are but the butler's fees,
The fish our footsteps oversees.
The 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 9
The Names and Characters of the twelve Signs.
THE first is Aries ♈︎. This sign governs the head
and face, and is by nature cold and dry.
The second is Taurus ♉︎. This sign governs the
neck and throat, and is by nature cold and dry.
The third is Gemini ♊︎. This sign governs the
hands and arms, and is hot and moist.
The fourth is Cancer ♋︎. This sign governs the
bread and stomach, and is cold and moist.
The fifth is Leo ♌︎. This sign governs the heart
and back, and is hot and dry.
The sixth is Virgo ♍︎. This sign governs the bow-
els and belly, and is cold and dry.
The seventh is Libra ♎︎. This sign governs the
reins and loins, and is hot and moist.
The eighth is Scorpio ♏︎. This sign governs the
secret members, and is cold and dry.
The ninth is Sagittary ♐︎. This sign governs the
thighs and hips, and is hot and dry.
The tenth is Capricorn ♑︎. This sign governs the
knees and hams, and is cold and dry.
The eleventh is Aquarius ♒︎. This sign governs
the legs, and is by nature hot and moist.
The twelfth is Pisces ♓︎. This sign governs the
feet, and is cold and moist.
Besides the names and characters of the twelve
signs, they have other names and characters also by
which they are described and called. As Aries is call-
ed the Ram, Taurus the Bull, Gemini the Twins, Can-
cer the Crab, Leo the Lion, Virgo the Virgin or Maid,
Libra the Balance, Scorpio the Scorpion, Sagittary the
Centaur or half-hors'd Bowman, or the Archer, his
character being half man half horse, with bow and ar-
rows, Capricorn the Kid or Goat, and Pisces the Fish,
Of 

10 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE
Of the Triplicity of the Twelve Signs.
THESE signs are also divided by astrologers in
their several triplicities according to their seve-
ral natures ; thus Aries, Leo and Sagittary, being all
hot and dry, are called the fiery triplicity ; Taurus,
Virgo and Capricorn, being all cold and dry, are called
the earthly triplicity ; Gemini, Libra and Aquarius,
being all hot and moist, are called the airy triplicity ;
and Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces, being all cold and
moist, are called the watry triplicity.
Of the Twelve Houses.
THE knowledge and the nature of the houses is
reckoned by the ancients a great mystery, and
that which requires great study ; for there is nothing
relating to man's life but it is foreshewn by the nature
of one of the twelve houses, whose significations are
briefly summed up in the following verse.
The first house shews life, the second wealth doth give, 
The third how brethren, the fourth how parents live,
Issue the fifth, the sixth diseases bring,
The seventh wedlock, and the eighth death's sting.
The ninth religion, the tenth honor shews,
Friendship the eleventh, and the twelfth our woes.
The first house is called the ascendant: because there 
the fun ascends the horizon, let it be in what climate
it will ; and in astrological judgment is called the house,
of life. 
The second house is the succedent to the ascendant,
and is the signification of riches and wealth.
The third house is the signification of brethren,
kindred and alliance.
The fourth house signifies the parents of the native,
and all possessions, and lands of inheritance.
The 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 11
The fifth house is the succedent of the angel of the
earth, which is the fourth house, and therefore signifies
mirth and jollity, which is usually the effect of the birth
of children, which is also signified by this house.
The sixth house is cadent from the north angel, and
is significant of sicknes1s and diseases.
The seventh house is the angel of the west, and is
significator of wedlock, and also of lawsuits and quar-
rels. 
The eighth house is succedent from the angel of the
West, and signifies death.
The ninth house is cadent, and signifies religion and
learning.
The tenth house signifies dignity, honor, and pre-
ferment.
The eleventh house hath significations of friendship,
amity, and hope.
The twelfth house signifies misery, poverty, private
enemies, imprisonments, and disgrace.
How many Persons may know under which of the 
twelve Signs they are born.
HE that is born under Aries is of a nature hot and
dry, of a loud voice, inclined to choler; and if
a woman, subject to barrenness, or a least will have but
few children, and those sickly, and perhaps wanting
in some of their members ; very desirous of command,
and loving to be above others : such have also black
eyebrows, thick shoulders, and are of a dark swarthy
complexion, and of a middle stature.
Those born under Taurus are of a cold and dry con-
stitution inclined to melancholy, one that is sickly, and
loves pleasure, yet is very chaste, honest and religious;
seldom angry, but once provoked seldom reconciled ;
of short stature, but well set ; short legs, big buttocks,
a bull's neck, wide mouth, and black hair.
Persons

12 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
Persons born under Gemini are hot and moist, of
fair and sanguine complexions, and affable and cour-
teous in their behaviour, endued with wisdom and un-
derstanding, and accomplished with elegance of speech,
and a good delivery, having brown hair, brisk and
quick eyes, a large breast, long arms, hands and legs ;
and a tall, straight, and well-set body.
Those born under Cancer, which is a watery sign,
are cold and moist, and of a phlegmatic constitution ;
of a low stature, blackish hair, and a great belly. If
it be a woman, it shews she shall have many chil-
dren.
Those that are born under Leo (which is hot and dry,
and a sign of the fiery triplicity) are very choleric,
of a shrill voice, and viciously inclined ; much addict-
ed to anger, and very subtile ; if a woman, barren,
of a generous and free temper, very valiant and cou-
rageous, of yellowish or flaxen hair, broad shouldered,
great head and eyes, of middle stature, but lusty
body.
Persons born under Virgo, which is a sign of the
earthly triplicity, are cold and dry, of a melancholy
constitution, but of a free countenance, very courteous
of behaviour, and yet very self-opinioned ; the body
somewhat spare, but of a good proportion, of a brown
complexion, but black hair, and large eyes.
Those born under Libra, which is a sign of the airy 
triplicity, are hot and moist, and of a sanguine com-
plexion, fair, and of a good proportion, of homely vis-
age, well favoured, light-brown hair, pleasant and cour-
teous, rosy cheeks, and amiable countenance, some-
what inclining to tallness, and very slender. But if a
woman she will have but few children. 
Persons 

The BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 15
Persons born under Scorpio, which is the sign of the wa-
tery Triplicity, are by nature cold and moist, and conse-
quently phlegmatic, and of a sickly constitution, yet very
(fruitful, and withal vicious, fair of countenance, but of
an angry disposition, and many times crooked in their bo-
dies as well as in their tempers ; they are also of a sad
coloured hair, and of a serious and grave countenance,
very much reserved, but at the same time false and de-
ceitful ; the stature is commonly small, but the body is
pretty well set.
Those that are born under Sagittary, which is a sign
of the fiery Triplicity, are hot and dry, choleric, tall of
stature, hard favoured, but fair ; brown hair, which will
shed betimes. If a woman, she will have but few chil-
dren, and those very weak, but ingenious and exceed-
ing crafy.
Persons born under Capricorn, which is a sign of the
earthly Triplicity, are cold and dry, and of a melan-
choly constitution, and of a savage and cruel nature ;
and much inclined to lechery ; the body deformed, of
a swarthy complexion, short of stature, dry and lean ; 
the face also lean and thin, the colour pale and wan,
and generally broad favoured.
Those born under Aquarius, which is a sign of the
watery Triplicity, are hot and moist, and of a sanguine
complexion, and of a sweet and affable condition, with
a countenance very amiable and lovely ; of a free and
pleasant temper, and of a chaste, honest, and religious
nature, of a fair visage, middle stature, well shapen
body, and bright hair, virtuously inclined, and always
conceited. 
Those born under Pisces, which is a sign of the wa-
tery. Triplicity, are cold, moist, and phlegmatic ; of a
short stature, often crooked, deformed, and ill compos-
ed both in body and mind, having a great face, pale
and wan complexion, thick shouldered, short necked,
and stooping.
B By 

14 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
By these things persons may know under what sign
they were born, if they will compare themselves with
what is here written.
Of the seven Planets, their characters, names, natures
and in what times they make their Revolutions.
HAVING spoke of the several signs, with the
twelve houses, and of their natures and significa-
tions, I come now to speak of the seven planets, or er-
ratic stars, who in their several orbs or circles, pass
through the twelve houses of the Zodiack in more or
less time, according to the largeness or smallness of
their several orbs ; and as these planets pass through
the twelve signs, so they are said to be in such and such
houses ; thus the complement of one year, for on the
tenth of March, at which time the spring and most pro-
perly the year begins, the sun enters in Aries, and hav-
ing passed through that, in April he enters into Taurus,
in May into Gemini, and so of the rest. And accord-
ing to the houses or signs in which any of the planets
are, so they are said to be dignified or debilitated ;
for when a planet is in a sign of its own nature, it is
dignified ; but if in a sign of a contrary nature to its
own, it is then debilitated, or made weaker ; and ac-
cording to their position, their effects and operations
are wonderful upon the bodies of men and women ;
but I shall give you their characters, names, and nature.
The first is ♄ Saturn, who is by nature cold and dry,
of a swarthy, dull, obscure colour, like unto lead ; he
makes his revolution through the twelve signs in thirty
years.
The second is ♃ Jupiter, who is by nature hot,
moist, and temperate, he appears very bright and shin-
ing, and is of a warm nature: he makes his revolution
in twelve years.
The 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 15
The third is ♂ Mars, of nature hot and dry, he ap-
peareth of a fiery colour, and maketh his revolution in
twenty-three months.
The fourth is ☉ Sol, whose nature is hot, dry, and
temperate ; his glorious brightness is sufficiently known
to all. He makes his revolution in three hundred and
sixty-five days, six hours and twenty-four minutes.
The fifth is ♀ Venus, of nature cold and moist, the
most bright and splendent star in all the firmament,
she moveth equally with the Sun, though her motion
seems to be very irregular, and makes her revolution at
the same time.
The sixth is ☿ Mercury, whose nature is cold and
dry, variable, he is situated very near the Sun, and is
rarely seen ; he makes his revolution at the same time
as the Sun and Venus.
The seventh is	☽︎ Luna, or the Moon, which is the
last or lowest and whose nature is cold and moist, every
one knows she is of a pale colour, and she maketh her
revolution in twenty-seven days and eight hours.
Having given you a brief account of the names and
nature of the seven planets, I here add an account of the
five aspects also, which are these :
Of the five Aspects.
1. ☌ CONJUNCTION, which is when two planets
are in one sign, or thirty degrees.
2. * Sextile, which is when two planets are distant
two signs or sixty degrees.
3. □ Quartile, which is when two planets are distant
three signs, or ninety degrees.
4. △ Trine, which is when two planets are distant
four signs, or one hundred and twenty degrees.
5. ☍ Opposition, which is when two planets are dis-
tant six signs, or one hundred and eighty degrees.
These 

16 The BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
These are also two opposite points in the ecliptic
line, called Nodes, which we commonly call the Dragon's
head and tail, thus characterised, ☊ Dragon's Head,
☋ Dragon's Tail.
I would now shew you the various effects and op-
erations of the seven planets, as they are posited in the
several houses, but I think it most necessary to give you
an explanation of several terms used in the astronomi-
cal and astrological sciences. 
An Explanation of the Circle of the Sphere, and some
other Terms in Astronomy, for the easier understanding
of this Book, and for further Information of the Read-
er.
The Equinoctial Circle, Equator, or Equinox, is a
great circle or line equally distant from the two
poles of the world, dividing the sphere in the midst
Zodiack, is a broad oblique circle crossing the Equi-
noctial in two opposite places, viz. in the beginning of
Aries and the beginning of Libra, so that half declining
towards the north, the other towards the south ; and in
this circle is comprehended the twelve constellations of
signs, every sign containing thirty degrees in length, and
twelve in breadth. Note also, That the first are north-
ern signs, and the six last southern signs.
The Ecliptic Line, is a line imagined to go along
the midst of the Zodiack, as a girdle out of which the
sun never goeth ; but the moon and other planets are
sometimes on one side, and sometimes on the other side,
which is called their latitudes, only the fixed stars alter
not their latitude, whether great or small ; but the lon-
gitude of a star is in the arch or part of the Ecliptic in
degrees, between the beginning of Aries, and the cir-
cle which passeth through the body of the star ; where
note, that all circles of the sphere or heavens, whether
they are large or small, have three hundred and sixty
degrees allowed to each of them.
Colures. 

The BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 17
Colures are said to be two great moveable circles
eroding each other at the poles of the world, one cut-
ting the Equinox at the beginning of Aries and at the
beginning of Libra, and the other cutting the Ecliptic
at the beginning of Cancer and at the beginning of
Capricorn ; and so dividing the globe into four equal
parts.
Horizon is a great circle which divideth the upper
hemisphere, that is the upper hall of the world from
the lower, we being always supposed to be in the midst.
Meridian is a great circle passing through the poles
of the world, and the poles of the horizon, called the
Zenith and the Nadir (which are two points, one di-
rectly over our heads, the other directly under our feet)
on which the sun is always just at noon ; and to go di-
rectly north and south, the meridian is changed ; but to
go east and west it is changed to sixty miles either
way, and make one degree, or four minutes of time dif-
ference under the Equinox, viz. sixty miles eastward,
it is noon four minutes sooner, and sixty miles westward
four minutes later.
Tropicks are supposed to be two lesser circles, pa-
rallel with the Equinoctial, and distant from it on ei-
ther side, twenty-three degrees, thirty-one minutes each;
the ecliptic line touches the Tropick of Cancer on the
north side of the equinoctial, and it touches the Tro-
pick of Capricorn on the south side thereof, so that the
sun hath its motion between these two circles.
The Artick Circle is equally distant from the north
pole, as the Tropicks are distant from the Equinox
twenty-three degrees, thirty-one minutes.
The Antarctic. Circle is the same distance from the
south pole.
Zones, so called, are five in number, two cold, two
temperate, and one hot, which are divided by the two
Tropicks and polar circles from each other ; the hot
Zone is counted between the two Tropick that is ex-
B 2 tended 

12 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
tended from one to the other, being about forty-seven
degrees two minutes broad ; the temperate Zones are
extended from the Tropicks on either side, to about
forty-two degrees sixty-eight minutes, that is north-
ward to the artick circle and southward to the antarc-
tick circle, and the two cold Zones are each within
those two small circles having the poles for their center.
The Poles of the World, are two points exactly oppo-
site to each other in the heavens, one in the north, the
other in the south, the earth being in the midst, so that
it seems to turn about, as if it were borne up by them ;
wherefore by some it is termed the axle-tree of the
world, as if there was a line supposed to be drawn
from one pole through the center of the earth to the
other, and the earth turning thereon, tho' holy writ tells
us, The Lord hangeth the earth upon nothing, it being
upholden by his mighty power. The pole artick, or
north pole, is elevated above our horizon above fifty-
one degrees; and those stars within that distance from
it, never set with us, but keep their course round it
daily ; so likewise those that are at that distance from
the south pole, never rise with us, but perform their
course in the like order.
Azimuths are supposed lines or circles of distance
from the meridian, drawn from the zenith to any de-
gree, or two degrees of the horizon, or according to
cite thirty-two points of the mariner's compass, so that
in travelling or failing any way, supposing a circle to go 
from our zenith directly before us to the horizon, is the
Azimuth, called the verticle point as well as the zenith.
Almicantharats, or Almadarats, or circles of altitude,
are imagined circles passing through the meridian,
parallel with the horizon.
The Sphere is a round body, presenting the frame
of the whole world, as the circles of the heaven and the
earth ; this is sometimes called a martial sphere, for the
orbs 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 19
orbs of the planets are called their spheres, that is the
circles in which they move. 
Ascension is the rising of any star, or of any part of
the ecliptic above the horizon, Descension is its going
down.
Right ascension of a star, is that part of the equinox
that riseth or setteth with a star in a right sphere, but
in an oblique sphere, it is that part of the equinoctial
in degrees, containing between the first point of Aries,
and that place of the equinoctial which passeth by the
meridian with the center of the star.
Oblique Ascension is a part of the equinoctial in de-
grees, contained betwixt the beginning of Aries, and that
of the equinox, which riseth with any star, or part of
the ecliptic in an oblique sphere.
Assential difference, is the difference betwixt the
right and oblique ascension, or the number of degrees
contained between that place and the equinox that
riseth with the center of a star, and that place of
the equinox that cometh to the meridian with the same
star.
Solstice is in the summer, when the sun is in the be-
ginning of Cancer ; and in the winter when the sun en-
ters into, Capricorn ; because then the days seem to
stand still, and seem neither to increase nor decrease
above two minutes in ten or twelve days.
Constellation is a certain number of stars, supposed
to be limited within some form or likeness, as Aries
the ram, is said to have thirteen stars ; Taurus the bull,
thirty-three : Arcturus, Orion, and the Pleiades, men-
tioned in Job. ix. 9. are said to be Constellations,
Perihelium is the point wherein the earth, or any
planet, is, nearest the sun.
Aphelium is a point wherein the earth, or any planet,
is farther from the sun.
Planets are the seven eratique or wandering stars,
called, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sol, or the Sun, Venus,
Mercury,

20 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
Mercury, and Luna, or the Moon, whose characters,
names, and nature, we have mentioned before, and
whose influences we shall by and by give you a farther
account of. Those planets have also their several mo-
tions. As,
Direct. Is a planet's moving in its natural course,
which is forward.
Retrogade. Is their moving backward contrary to
their direct motion.
Combust. Is their being under the sun beams, or
within eight degrees of him.
Oriental. Is when a planet riseth before the sun,
Occidental, after him.
Latitude of the Earth, is the distance of breadth on
either side of the equinox, towards the pole, and they
that are under the equinox have no latitude, but the
poles of the world are in the horizon : This is a right
sphere, and every sixty miles directly north or south,
are said to make no degree of latitude, and the height
of either pole above the horizon, is answerable to the
degree of latitude in an oblique sphere ; as London is
counted to be in latitude fifty-one degrees, thirty-two
minutes, the pole thereof being elevated as much. The
like is to be observed in any other place or region.
Longitude of the Earth, is the outside thereof extend-
ed from west to east, crossing the latitude at right an-
gles, the beginning thereof according to some astrono-
mers) is the Canary Isles, so going eastward quite round
the world, unto, the same place again, which is three
hundred and sixty degrees ; and under the equinoctial
is reputed to be two millions one thousand six hundred
miles, reckoning sixty miles to a degree; but then fur-
ther off the equinoctial, the fewer miles are in a de-
gree ; for at London about thirty-seven makes a de-
gree of longitude ; so these degrees grow less and less,
until they are met in the latitude of ninety, that is un-
der the poles.
Parallels, 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE 21
Parallels, are lines straight and circular, equally dis-
tant from each other, as the Equinox, Tropicks, and
degrees of latitude, Sec.
Climate, or Clime, is such a space of earth compre-
hending between two parallels, in which space there is
half an hour's difference in the sun-dials, and length of
the days.
Antipodes, are those whose feet are directly against
ours, as if a line was drawn from one through the cen-
ter of the earth to the other.
And these shall suffice for an explanation of things,
which I have done as briefly as I could, for the advan-
tage of the reader, to whom possibly these things (so
necessary to be known) may have hitherto been con-
cealed.
Of the Sun's Revolution through the 12 Signs of the
Zodiac ; with an Astrological Judgment of those that
shall be born, when the Sun is in any of these Signs.
THO' there be seven planets (as we have before
shewed) yet the sun and moon being the two
great luminaries of the world, have greater influence
upon our bodies than all the rest, and the sun shining
by his own light, and being the fountain of both
light and life, has greater power than the moon, and
his influence is more in any of the twelve houses. I
therefore here (because I affect brevity) give the read-
er an astrologic judgment of the sun's power and influ-
ence, being in any of the twelve houses ; after I have
first acquainted my reader what a house is, and signifies
in astrology.
A house is a certain space in the firmament, which is
parted and separated by several degrees, by which the
planets have their motion metaphorically, called houses.
For as in a house there may be many mansions, for eve-
ry planet has a peculiar or proper place in the firmament, 
in  

22 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
in which it moves and in which it is resident, containing
thirty degrees, by which one house is differenced from
another, and these are thus placed by Astrologers, viz.
The sun being in Aries, makes a person born under
it, of a toward and peevish disposition, quickly angry,
but as soon pleased ; given to study and very eloquent,
but proud, living luxurious, promising all things,
but performing nothing ; not beloved among his kin-
dred, and obnoxious to danger among his enemies ; he
shall be in danger of receiving harm from four footed
beasts, or being thrown from a horse, and the like ; so
that he ought to avoid all hawking, hunting, and other
exercise to be performed on horseback, which are like
to be fatal to him, but in other things he may be more
fortunate. If the person born be a female, though she
may be fair and fruitful in children, yet she will be
given to lying, and of so bad a temper and disposition
that her husband will live but uneasy with her. Note,
this also, that those born in the day time, the sun being
in Aries, will be fortunate and happy, but those that are
born in the night, will be unfortunate and come to dis-
grace.
The sun being in Taurus, makes the native bold and
fortunate in attempting hard and difficult affairs ; it
shews him also victorious over his enemies, and a great
traveller, but banished from his native country. It also 
shews one servile, familiar, and angry, but in his old 
age only ; for in his youth he shall obtain riches by
marriage, which shall make him better honored. But
when age comes, it brings sickness with it, and that
makes men peevish.
It makes females wanton, yet painful and obedient,
but full of Tittle Tattle ; it also shews them inclined
to whoredom, which will wear off by degrees ; she shall
have many husbands and divers children.
The sun being in Gemini, denotes a fair child, also
one that is wise, liberal and merciful, also a boaster,
and 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE 23 
and one that runs up and down without any regard to
his business, whereby he shall obtain but little riches
of his own, but shall be of that fidelity and truth, that
he shall have the command of the public treasure : it
also denotes one to be of a complaisant behaviour, a
good understanding, and acceptable to those with whom
he has to do. It shews him also to be well versed in
the mathematical science and arithmetic ; and that he
shall be in great danger about three and twenty years
of age, either to be hurt by fire, or bitten by a mad
dog. 
The sun being in Cancer, shews a person to be of
a good wit, humility and wisdom, but one inclined to
pleasure, and the love of women. It also shews one at-
tempting many things, and especially on seas, and
thereby often in danger, and vexed with many incom-
modities, and with much poverty and misery, and that
though he may get much, yet he may be never the
richer ; he shall dig for treasure, and shall find that
which he looked not for : But if it be a maid, she shall
be witty, shamefaced, evil, wise, diligent, nimble and
beautiful, soon pleased, yet deceitful and crafty, saying
one thing, and doing another, subject to many dangers
by water, by falling, by childbearing and cholic ; and
after the age of twenty-six, whether the native, male or
female, it promiseth good success. It denotes also a
person to be painful, faithful, acquainted with great
men, and fortunate in husbandry.
The sun being in Leo, denotes a man proud and ar-
rogant, bold and stout ; a mocker, a scorner, unmerci-
ful, cruel, and hard to be entreated ; beset with many
enemies, and subject to many miseries ; also a captain
or other commander, looking for promotion from great
men, unfortunate children, and meeting with many af-
flictions by their means, putting himself into many dan-
gers ; he shall be also in danger by fire or sword, and
violence of beasts, by whom he shall be in danger of
death; 

24 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
death ; but with prudence may escape all threatened
dangers.
But if the native be of the female sex, she shall be
bold, have great and large breasts, and slender legs,
which are tokens of stoutness, angers, slanders, and
babbling ; though the softness natural to women do al-
leviate the excess thereof. She ought however to be
especially careful of hot waters, and fire, by which she
will be in great danger ; she shall also be much inclined
to sickness, or gnawing of the stomach. But after the
age of twenty-one years, she shall be fortunate in riches,
which she shall obtain by the help of great men, and
the use of other men's goods ; also by house-keeping,
beauty and love.
The sun being in Virgo, makes the men fortunate
and successful in houshold affairs, wise and fruitful, stout
and ambitious: his wife shall die suddenly in his ab-
sence ; he shall have many things stolen from him, but
shall be revenged on his enemies. He shall be so much
given to talk, that he cannot keep his own secrets.
It also shews one fairfaced, of a genteel behaviour, a
lover of women, and delightful to be in the courts of
princes and noblemen. It also denotes one wise, just,
and honorable, a patron and defender of his friends,
also religious and temperate, of a comely personage, and
well featured. If the native be a maiden, she will be
witty, honest and modest ; of a willing mind, diligent
and circumspect ; and shall be married about the age of
fifteen years. But whether male or female, they shall
be liable to meet with many afflictions.
The sun being in Libra, denotes the person to befor-
unate in all maritime affairs, and that he gains by trad-
ing in spices and precious stones. It also shews a
comely body, and a valuable pleasant tongue, a good
name, and one curious to understand secrets, but not
very careful to perform what he promise, how much
soever he may pretend to it. It shews also that he shall 
have 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 25
have several wives, and that he shall quickly bury the
first. He may also be a gainer by dead men, who will
leave him large legacies. He shall be a lover of wo-
men and entertain unlawful familiarities with them.
He shall be also a good interpreter of dreams, whether
he be born by day or night. If the native be of the
female sex, she shall be free and debonair, and of a jo-
cund humour, taking much delight in herbs, loving the
fields, and wandering into strange places. About 23
years of age she shall have a husband, and be happy,
married for her beauty ; pleasantness of conversation,
and good behaviour, shall much promote her. Like-
wise the children of Libra are such as are studious and
lovers of learning ; but without special care be taken,
they may receive prejudice by fire or scalding water.
The sun being in Scorpio increases the natives in-
heritance, and give them a boldness and stoutness, in-
clining them likewise to flattery, by which means those
they deal with are often deceived ; and when they ex-
pect bread may meet with nothing but a scorpion. It
likewise denotes a person full of mirth, given to jest-
ing and easy of belief at the same time a conqueror of
his enemies. It makes a woman to be full of craft and
wit, and yet her husband shall deceive her. She shall
likewise be subject to pain and the spleen, and have
some extraordinary mark, either in the head, shoulder,
or brawn of the arm.
It makes both sexes bold and rash, given to thieving,
and to search out hidden things ; also it makes them
wanton fornicators, and full of evil thoughts, and given
to too much talking.
The sun being in Sagittary, gives fortune and bold-
ness to take in hand and enterprise, inclining a person to
travel, and take voyages at sea, and journies by land,
and not without considerable advantage ; it also gives
access into courts of princes, where the native shall be
advanced to some honorable post. It also shews a per-
C son 

26 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 
son given to riding, hunting, hawking, leaping, fight-
ing and such manly exercises, at which he always comes
off with honor, by which means he is envied and has
many enemies, whom yet he shall vanquish and over-
come. It also shews he shall possess the inheritance of
his father, and that he shall be just, ingenious, faithful,
hearty, a sure friend, and a generous enemy. If the na-
tive be a woman, it likewise betokens the same ; she
shall be industrious, of an excellent temper ; she shall
be envied by her enemies, but shall overcome them ;
she shall be married about seventeen, and have many
children.
The sun being in Capricorn, shews the native shall
meet with many afflictions and adversities, which he
shall sustain with many resolutions: Yet it always shews
him angry and fretful, and one that keeps bad com-
pany. It also makes him merry and cheerful ; yet he
may fall in love to that degree, that he may be ready
to die for his mistress ; but if the nativity be by night,
he shall be inconstant ; it also shews in age he shall be
covetous. He shall thrive in navigation, especially in
the trade towards the east, for from thence his fortune
shall arise. If the native be a woman, she will be
modest and bashful, of a fearful disposition, and very
much addicted to travel.
The sun being in Aquarius, maketh the native of a
friendly disposition, fearful of waters, and in danger
of receiving prejudice thereby ; he shall be subject to
sickness and quartidian agues until about the fifteenth
year of his age, after which he shall be more fortunate, 
for by travelling through divers countries, he shall ga-
ther riches, which with a liberal hand he shall distri-
bute ; he shall meet with sundry losses and afflictions,
especially by means of his wife and other women ; and
shall live for a long time without the enjoyment of her.
But she being dead, his affair, will be more fortunate. 
If 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 27
If the native be a woman, she shall be comely of body,
and of a faithful and constant mind ; she shall he en-
riched with other men's goods, but her children shall
be a great affliction to her, and she shall receive much
damage by them. She shall not attain to any great
fortune until the two and twentieth year of her age,
and then she shall arrive to a competent estate.
The sun being in Pisces denotes a man to be quick,
of a voluble and ready tongue, bold and conceited, but
fortunate in finding out hidden treasure ; for this is
peculiar to those who are born when the sun is in Pisces,
that they shall find something unlooked for, and shall
be also enriched with other men's goods ; it also shews
them to be merry and jocose, of a good disposition,
and loving the company of good men ; they seldom
live very long, but if they reach to thirty-five years
they may live to a good old age. They shall never be
very rich, except in their own opinions ; they are al-
ways full of uneasy thoughts, and are in danger of be-
ing brought into captivity by means of women ; they
have commonly some mark in the elbow or foot, and
their fortune will come from the mouth. If the na-
tive be a woman, she will be bold, contumelious, scold,
and something worse, for she will forsake her own hus-
band, and cleave to an adulterer.
Thus I have given an account of the influences of
the sun, being in any of the celestial signs, by which
any person may know in what sign the sun was at the
time of his birth.
Of the evil or particular Days in every Month in the
Year.
THERE are certain days in the year which con-
cerns all persons to know, because they are so
perilous and dangerous ; for on these days if any man
or woman shall be let blood, they shall die within 21
days 

28 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
days following, or whoso falleth sick on any of these
days shall certainly die : and whoso beginneth a jour-
ney on any of these days, he shall be in danger of death
before he returns : also he that marrieth a wife on any
of these days, they shall either be quickly parted, or
live together in sorrow and discontent. And lastly,
whosoever on one of those days beginning any great
business it will never prosper, nor come to the desired
perfection. Now since these days are so unfortunate
it highly concerns every one both to know, and take
notice of them ; which that the reader may do, I have
here set down in the following order :
In January are eight days ; that is to say, the
2d, 4th, 5th, 10th, 15th, 17th, and 19th. In February
are three days ; that is the 8th, 10th, and 19th. In
March are three days ; that is the 15th, 16th, and 2lst.
In April are two days, the 15th, and 21st. In May
are three days, 15th, 17th, and 20th. In June are
two days, the 4th, and 17th. In July are two days,
the 15th, and 20th. In August are two days, the 20th,
and 25th. In September are two days, the 6th, and
7th. In October is one day, the 6th. In November
are two days, the 5th, and 19th. In December are
three days, the 6th, 7th, and 11th ; and others say,
15th and 19th.
Of the Planetary Days and Hours, and how to know
under what Planet a Man is born.
THE planetary hours are those hours in which each
planet reigns, and has their chief dominion ; of
which the ancients gave the following account :
Saturn is Lord on Saturday ; Jupiter is Lord on
Thursday ; Mars is Lord on Tuesday ; Sol is Lord on
Sunday ; and Luna on Monday.
On

The BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 29
On Saturday the first hour after midnight Saturn
reigns, the second Jupiter, the third Mars, the fourth
Sol reigns, the fifth Venus, the sixth Mercury, and the
seventh Luna ; and then again Saturn the eighth, Ju-
piter the ninth, Mars the tenth, Sol the eleventh, Venus
the twelfth, Mercury the thirteenth, Luna the four-
teenth ; and then the third time, Saturn the fifteenth,
Jupiter the sixteenth, Mars the seventeenth, Sol the
eighteenth, Venus the nineteenth, Mercury the twen-
tieth, and Luna the one and twentieth hour : Then in
the fourth place, Saturn the two and twentieth hour,
Jupiter the three and twentieth, and Mars the four
and twentieth : And then Sol begins the first hour af-
ter midnight on Sunday, Venus the 2nd hour, Mercury
the 3d, and also the 24th, which is the hour of Mercu-
ry, and then Luna begins the first hour after midnight
on Monday, Saturn the 2d, Jupiter the 3d, and so to
the 24th, which is the hour of Jupiter, and then Mars
begins the first hour after midnight on Tuesday, and
Sol the second, and so forward hour by hour, and planet
by planet, according to their order, by which every
planet reigns the first hour of his own day ; and so like-
wise the 8th, 15th, and 22d. As for instance, Saturn
reigns the first hour, the 8th, 15th, and the 22nd on Sa-
turday, Sol the same hours on Sunday, Luna the same
on Monday, Mars the same on Tuesday, Mercury the
same on Wednesday, Jupiter the same on Thursday,
and so Venus on Friday ; which for the readier and easi-
er finding out. I have thus set down.
C2 A 

30 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
A TABLE of the Planetary Houts for every Day in
the Week.
Sund.
Pl. H.
☉ 1
♀ 2
☿ 3
☽︎ 4
♄ 5
♃ 6
♂ 7
☉ 8
♀ 9
☿ 10
☽︎ 11
♄ 12
♃ 13
♂ 14
☉ 15
♀ 16
☿ 17
☽︎ 18
♄ 19
♃ 20
♂ 21
☉ 22
♀ 23
☿ 24
Mond.
Pl. H.
☽︎ 1
♄ 2
♃ 3
♂ 4
☉ 5
♀ 6
☿ 7
☽︎ 8
♄ 9
♃ 10
♂ 11
☉ 12
♀ 13
☿ 14
☽︎ 15
♄ 16
♃ 17
♂ 18
☉ 19
♀ 20
☿ 21
☽︎ 22
♄ 23
♃ 24
Tuesd.
Pl. H.
♁ 1
☉ 2
♀ 3
☿ 4
☽︎ 5
♄ 6
♃ 7
♁ 8
☉ 9
♀ 10
♁ 11
☽︎ 12
♄ 13
♃ 14
♁ 15
☉ 16
♀ 17
☿ 18
⚫ 19
♄ 20
♃ 21
♁ 22
☉23
♀ 24
Wedn.
Pl. H.
☿ 1
⚫ 2
♄ 3
♃ 4
♁ 5
☉ 6
♁ 7
☿ 8
⚫ 9
♄ 10
♃ 11
♁ 12
☉ 13
♀ 14
☿ 15
⚫ 16
♄ 17
♃ 18
♂ 19
☉ 20
♀ 21
☿ 22
⚫ 23
♃ 24
Thurs.
Pl. H.
♃ 1
♂ 2
☉ 3
♀ 4
☿ 5
⚫ 6
♄ 7
♃ 8
♂ 9
☉ 10
♀ 11
☿ 12
⚫ 13
♄ 14
♃ 15
♂ 16
☉ 17
♀ 18
☿ 19
⚫ 20
♄ 21
♃ 22
♂ 23
☉ 24
Frid.
Pl. H.
♀ 1
☿ 2
☽︎ 3
♄ 4
♃ 5
♂ 6
☉ 7
♀ 8
☿ 9
☽︎ 10
♄ 11
♃ 12
♂ 13
☉ 14
♀ 15
☿ 16
☽︎ 17
♄ 18
♃ 19
♀ 20
☉ 21
♀ 22
☿ 23
☽︎ 24
Satur.
Pl. H.
♄ 1
♃ 2
♂ 3
☉ 4
♀ 5
☿ 6
☽︎ 7
♄ 8
♃ 9
♂ 10
☉ 11
♀ 12
☿ 13
⚫ 14
♄ 15
♃ 16
♂ 17
☉ 18
♀ 19
☿ 20
⚫ 21
♄ 22
♃ 23
♀ 24
This Table is so easy, it needs little explanation.—
Its use is to find what planet rules any hour of the day,
every day in the week. As for example, I desire to
know what planet rules on Wednesday, at 7 o'clock at
night ; under the title of Wednesday, I look for 9,
which answers to 7 o'clock at night ; for the natural
day consists of 24 hours, beginning after midnight, so
that 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 31
that from 12 at noon, you begin to reckon 13, 14, 15, 
& c. you find that the 19th hour from midnight, answers
to 7 o'clock at night, over against which you will find ☉
which shews that to be the hour of the sun. And if
you would know what planet rules at 7 in the morning
that day, you will find against ♀ 7, which shews that
Venus rules that hour ; and so of any other hour in the
day.
But I shall now come to speak of the significations of
the planetary hours of each planet, and what it portends
to those that are born in them. The hour of Saturn is
strong, and is good to do all things that require strength :
such as fighting or bearing burdens, or the like ; but
for those things it is very evil. He that is born in the
hour of Saturn, is slow, dull and melancholy, of a dog-
ged temper and disposition, black and swarthy of com-
plexion, being quarrelsome, wrathful, and very mali-
cious.
The hour of Jupiter is in all things good, and de-
notes peace, love and concord : He that is born in the
hour of Jupiter, is of a ruddy and sandy complexion,
fair hair, well proportioned body, and of a lovely
countenance, his face rather broad than long, well
spoken and courteous, of a very affable carriage, sober,
just and religious. The hour of Mars is evil, and de-
notes the person born in it, to be of a cholerick con-
stitution, and of a robust strong body, soon angry, and
hard to be reconciled ; his face red, and his eyes spark-
ling and fiery, much addicted to fighting, and ready to
quarrel with every man he meets, which often times
brings him to an untimely end. The hour of the Sun
signifies great strength, and is very unfortunate for
kings and princes. He that is born in that hour, hath
sharp eyes, brown hair, and a round face, denotes one
that is a great projector, aims at high things, but is
often disappointed, and seldom brings his designs to
pass.
The 

32 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
The hour of Venus is very propitious and fortunate,
but is better by night than day, especially mid-day, for
then the sun covers it. He that is born in this hour
hath fair hair, soft eyes, a little forehead, and round
beard ; very complaisant in his carriage, mighty amor-
ous, and a great admirer of women ; much addicted
to singing and gaming, and spends his money in court-
ing the female sex.
The hour of Mercury is very good, but chiefly from
the beginning to the middle : He that is born in this
hour, his situation inclining to tallness, a sharp long
face, long eyes, and a long nose : His forehead narrow,
long beard and thin hair, long arms and long fingers ;
of a good disposition, and an obliging temper, much
given to reading, and very desirous of knowledge, de-
lighting to be among books ; very eloquent in his
speech, and yet addicted to lying ; and if he be poor,
he is commonly light fingered.
The hour of the Moon is both good and evil, according
to the day : For from the 4th to the 17th it is good to
those that are born under it ; but from the 17th to the
20th, it is counted unfortunate to be born under it ; and
from the 20th to the 27th, very unhappy. He that is
born in the hour of the Moon, especially upon her own
day, shall be pale faced, of a thin, meagre visage, with
hollow eyes, and of a middle stature, he appears very
courteous and obliging, but is very crafty and deceitful,
setting about many things, but so inconstant and varia-
ble in his humour, that he is presently off of them
again, and setting about something else ; insomuch,
that what he cries up in one hour, he shall as much cry
down the next ; he is also very malicious, and will 
never forget an affront once offered him, his constitu-
tion phlegmatic.
Thus have I given the reader the judgment of the
ancients upon the planetary hours, and what they por-
tend to those that are born under them, by which a
person, 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 33
person, comparing himself with what is here set down,
may easily know under what planet he was born.
Of the Signification of the Seven Planets, with respect
to Men's Bodies.
BEFORE I conclude my discourse of the seven
planets, their nature and influences, I shall give
you an account of the signification of them, as they re-
spect the several parts of man's body, and the diseases
that they govern, that proper remedies may be applied
accordingly.
Saturn governs the right ear, the bladder and the
bones ; and the diseases he governs, are quartian agues,
concerns, black choler, rheums, coughs, palsies, loose-
ness of the blood, &c.
Jupiter governs the lungs, ribs, liver, seeds, arteries,
and left ear ; and the diseases incident to them, are
pleurisies and apoplexies, and such as proceed from too
great a quantity of blood, or from wind in any part of
the body.
Mars governs the gall, the veins and the reigns, and
their distempers ; which are fevers, yellow jaundice,
madness, choler, carbuncles. Mars also governs the
stones and privy members of man or woman in part.
The Sun governs the eyes, heart, and right side, and
the diseases relating to them ; such as colds, especially
in the stomach and liver, fluxes in the eyes, cramp,
head-ach, & c.
Venus governs the liver, loins, matrix, paps and
throat: the diseases whereof are weakness in the body,
and members, catarrhs, French pox, &c.
Mercury governs the brain, thought, memory, speech,
and tongue, and also the distempers incident thereto,
are falling sickness, madness, coughs, hoarseness, stam-
mering, phthysic, and rheums.
The Moon governs the left eye of a man, and the right
eye of a woman, also the stomach, belly, and the left
side; 

34 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
side ; and the diseases proper to them, are dropsies,
palsies, rotten coughs, surfeits, worms in children,
king's evil, falling-sickness, convulsion fits, dimness of
sight, small pox, and measles. Here note, That in all
distempers, before you apply any thing to the patient,
it is proper and necessary to consult the motions and po-
sitions of the planets ; and when by the table of planet-
ary hours before recited, you know what planet rules ;
you must in the next place consider the nature of that
planet, as whether it be fierce or cruel, as Mars; or
friendly and benevolent, as Jupiter ; also whether they
be cold and moist, or hot and dry, and what is the pre-
dominent complexion, whether the sanguine choler,
phlegm or melancholy ; as also what member of the
body it governs, and what disease is under its power.
These things being diligently weighed and considered,
will furnish the ingenious physician with grounds suffi-
cient to make a judgment of the true nature of the dis-
ease, whereby he may apply the suitable and proper re-
medies that shall best consist with, and the most preva-
lent against the distemper ; whereas the want of a due
consideration of the matter, cause the physicians often-
times to administer those medicines that rather kill than
cure, tho' these very medicines may be good against the
same disease to a patient under other circumstances, and
falling sick under a different position of the signs and
planets.
The End of the FIRST PART.
THE 

THE
BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE:
TREATING OF THE
WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS.
PART II.
Containing Prognostications for ever necessary for keeping
the Body in Health, &c.
AS I have found in the Astrological Science there
are four different sort of humours in the body of
man, of which the four complexions are formed ; and
of these one is made of yellow choler, another of black
choler, a third phlegm, and a fourth of blood : And if 
any of these be wanting the body must perish, because
they equally sustain it.
And all those ought to be kept in an equality, or if
one be predominent over the rest, it puts the body out
of order and brings diseases, which many times end in
death, for the blood stagnated and gathering into clots,
causeth shortness of breath, which by degrees growing
less and less, at last proves without remedy ; but if a
person be let blood in the beginning of those disordered
humours, the danger may be easily prevented. To
purge the blood.
R. Of 

36 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
R. Of both sorts of scurvy grass, of each six hand-
fuls, of ground-ivy eight handfuls, of sage six hand-
fuls, of scapwort root, four ounces. Acrimony and
cresses, of each four handfuls ; of rosemary flowers,
two drams, of leaves of rosemary and balm, of each a
handful, four orange peals, a large nutmeg sliced ; put
all into four gallons of new ale ; and when it has done
working, stop the barrel close. Take a pint every
morning, and at four in the afternoon.
Likewise the black choler, or melancholy, is extreme-
ly dangerous, and when it gains the ascendant over the
other, do great prejudice to the body several ways,
causing divers distempers ; and sometimes prevails so
much over the senses, that a man becomes in a manner
a mere ideot, and also raises a kind of scurf all over
the body, which sometimes turns to the measles, and are,
besides, very apt to make a man afraid even of his own
shadow, and turn a stout man into a coward, and a well
bred person into one that's unmannerly : But by the
use of proper medicines, such as herbs, flowers, and
the like, all this may either be prevented or cured :—
First, shave the head, then bleed plentifully, afterwards
purge well with the extract of Hellebore ; lastly, let
them use the following diet drink.
R. Epithymum, dodder of thyme, wood sorrel, of
each a handful, rosemary flowers, lavendar flowers, of
each two drams, primrose and cowslip roots of each
an ounce, dock root half a pound ; slice the roots and
infuse all in a gallon of small ale, and drink as com-
mon drink. White Phlegm is also very hurtful, if it
exceed in quantity and overpower the other humours,
for then they cause the gout, and divers diseases, and
are also prejudicial to the feet, legs, knees, hands and
reins, causing an evil favor both from the teeth, mouth,
nose and ears : but also this may be cured by medicines
compounded of roots and flowers, likewise by physical
drinks, and taking a vomit.
R. Dried 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 37
R. Dried rosemary tops, rose leaves, lavender flowers,
red sage and mint, of each a handful, roots succory,
two ounces, fenna hermoducts turbith, and scammony,
of each two drams, of zedoary, ginger, cloves and
cubebs, of each one dram, infuse them in three quarts
of good white wine for two days ; take a wine glass
full three times a day.
Yellow Choler is likewise very bad when it predom-
inates in the body, affecting the heart, and troubling
the brain, and indeed weakening all the members of
the body, causing a general faintness, with such a loss of
appetite, that neither meat nor drink will go down :—
Besides which, it alters a man's colour, and is hurtful to
the eye sight. This also may be helped by taking a
vomit, and applying proper medicines, compounded of
the roots and flowers of several herbs.
R. Of the roots of turmerick half an ounce, tods
of centary the less, roman Wormwood and horehound,
of each an handful, roots of the greater nettle two
ounces, boil them in three pints of water to the half,
then add two scruples of saffron tied up in a bag, and
a pint of white wine, give it a warm or two, and strain
it for use ; dose, a small glass full night and morning.
Note. That the four humours are the four complex-
ions, which have their several times of dominion or go-
vernment in the body of man, according to the several
seasons of the year.
I. Of the Disposition of the Humours in the Body of Man
in the Winter Quarter, under the Signs of Capri-
corns, Aquarius, and Pisces.
THAT humour or complexion that governs man's
body in the winter quarter, is phlegm, which is
cold and moist, and is under the dominion of Capricorn,
Aquarius, and Pisces. This is predominant from the
24th of December, till the 25th of March.
D II. Of 

38 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
II. Of the Spring Quarter, and what Humour is pre-
dominant therein, which is governed by Aries, Tau-
rus, and Gemini.
THAT humour which is predominant in the second
quarter, or spring, is black choler, and is hot
and moist, and their signs are Aries, Taurus, and Gemi-
ni, and have their chief rule over the breast. They
initiate the 22d of March, and terminate the 3rd of
June.
III. Of the Disposition of the Humours in the third
Quarter, under Cancer, Leo, and Virgo.
THE third part is the summer quarter, and the com-
plexion presiding therein, is yellow choler, is hot
and dry, and the signs this quarter is under, are Can-
cer, Leo, and Virgo; which commence the 24th of June,
and continue to the 29th of September.
IV. Of the Disposition of the Humours in the fourth
Quarter, under Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius.
THE fourth part of the autumnal quarter, and
the humour bearing rule therein, is melancholy,
cold and dry, whose signs are Libra, Scorpio, and Sa-
gittarius, and continue their reign from the 29th of
September, till the 24th of December. By a due ob-
servation of these several seasons, and take heed to
keep to the rule of contraries, both as to cloathing,
food, and physic, according to what is in this book
related, and through the divine benediction, he may
keep himself free from all distempers. Note. That Pil-
litory of Spain, chewing in the mouth, purges both head
and body. And also cummun seed and fennel seed,
being eaten, is good to prevent phlegm, which is the
cause of most of the distempers that annoy the body
of man. V. Of 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 39
V. Of the Body of Man from the four Parts of the
World.
MUCH also may be known of the body of man
from any disposition of the four parts of the
world ; that is to say, east, west, north, and south.
First. As to the east ; this signifies the disposition
to be fiery and juvenile, and betokens summer. In
this part the water is thin and high coloured, the gross
male very hard and ruddy, and the spirit somewhat thick
and glutinous. The signs in this part or quarter, are
Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius ; and the distempers signifi-
ed hereby, are hot, dry, and subject to a choler : If
a person be taken sick in those original signs, he is in
danger, and cannot be cured but by medicaments of a
contrary nature, that is cold and moist, and his diet
ought also to be of the same nature : which advice, if
he follows, he may, by God's grace and mercy, be
recovered.
R. barley-water a gallon, leaves of mallows, marsh-
mallows, violets, of each a handful, roots of marsh-
mallows half a pound, liquorish four ounces ; boil all
to three quarters, strain, and drink it for a common
drink. Purge once a week with extrasdum rudis.
Secondly, As to the west ; this signifies the disposition
to be airy, brisk, and adolescent, and betokens the
spring.
In this quarter, the water is high coloured, but yet
thick withal, and the gross male very thick and ruddy,
the spittle being tenuous and of a sweetish taste, and
the excrementious parts disordered. The signs that
govern the west are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. Ac-
cidental distempers are such as proceed from sanguine
complexions, being hot and moist ; and therefore the
medicines that best compose them, are cold and dry,
and care must be taken that the diet of the patient be
of the same kind.
R. Shavings 

40 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
R. Shavings of ivory, hartshorn, china, sarsaparilla,
of each two ounces, raspings of box an ounce and a
half, green twigs of the willow half a pound, quick-
lime water a gallon, boiled to three quarters, and drink
as common drink ; you may sweeten it with sugar or
honey.
Thirdly, As to the north ; this signifies the disposi-
tion to be dull and earthly, increasing in years, and
betokens autumn.
In this quarter the water is thin and whitish ; the
gross male is thick, and of taste like vinegar, the excre-
ments will tetulent. The signs that have nomination
in the north, are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Sen-
tentional distempers proceed from melancholy, and are
cold and dry, which are best cured by medicines hot
and moist, and the food that the patients eat, ought to
be of the same kind.
R. Crab's eyes, calcined hart's horn, eggshells fine-
ly powdered, cream of tartar, of each two drams ;
sage half a dram, three times a day, in a spoonful of
good sack, drinking a glass after it.
Fourthly, As to the south ; this signifies the disposi-
tion to be cold, watry and weak, like to old age, and
betokens winter.
In this quarter, the water is somewhat thick, pale,
and white, the gross male pale and thick, and the spittle
renuous and sweet, the excrementuous matter being
weak. The signs that bear rule in the south, are
Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Meridian distempers pro-
ceed from phlegm, and are cold and moist, and by
necessary consequence, those medicines that oppose it,
must be hot and dry, and of the same nature must his
diet also be, that would either prevent or cure such
distempers. R. Lignum Vitæ a pound, sassafrass a 
pound, root of master-wort an ounce, angelica roots
two ounces, shavings of ivory, liquorish, of each four
ounces, sweet fennel seed bruised half an ounce; boil'd
in

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 41
in two gallons of water to six quarts, and drain it off
for common drinking.
VI. Directions for letting Blood in each of the twelve
Months.
January. ] THIS month beware of letting blood on
the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 10th, 15th, 19th, 
20th, and 25th days, because of these days it is very
dangerous : but to drink good white wine fasting, will
both cleanse the body, and procure an appetite, but if
thou hast a desire to be let blood, and necessity urge it,
see that the sign be good for that purpose, or else it is
better letting it alone.
February.] I caution thee this month to beware of
cutting any pottage made of ducks or mallows, for
they are right perilous, and if thou hast occasion to let
blood, whether it be on the wrist or arms, let it not
be upon the 4th, 8th, 16th, or 18th day, unless the
sign be very good, and the necessity very urgent.
March.] In this month take care how you eat figs
or raisins ; also sweet meats or drinks, but eat hot
meat, and if thou hast occasion to be let blood, let it
be on the right arm, and upon the 5th, 11th, or 17th
days, for then thou may'st do it with advantage, it
being good against all sorts of fevers, but take heed of
bleeding on the 1st, 15th, 10th, 19th, or 28th days,
if thou canst possibly avoid it ; but if thou art under a
necessity, see that the sign be favorable.
April.] In this month I would advise thee to be
let blood in the left arm, and upon the 3d, 12th, or
15th days, for thereby thou shalt both prevent the head-
ach and strengthen the eye sight all the year after.
In this month also eat fresh and hot meat ; but take
heed of bleeding on the 7th, 8th, 10th, and 20th days,
for on those days it will be perilous.
D2 May.]

42 The BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
May.] In this month it is good to walk abroad
early in the morning, and to drink sage ale, and to
eat sage and fresh butter, and other good meats and
drink, but neither eat the head nor feet of any creature
during this month. Letting blood may also be good
for thee on the 1st, or the 8th day, on which arm thou
pleasest, as likewise on the 27th or 28th days, and thou
shalt find it beneficial against all distempers ; but take
heed of the 2nd, 6th, and 25th days, for then it will
be hurtful.
June.] It is the opinion of some physicians, that
in this month it is good to drink cold waters fasting,
every morning, and to be temperate in thy meat and
drink, and if thou hast occasion to bleed, do it on the
28th day, and it may be beneficial ; but take heed that
thou bleed'st not on the 7th, 10th, 16th, 18th, nor
20th, for those are dangerous.
July.] In this month abstain from Venus, for now
both the brain and humours are open, bleed not at all
this month, except on very urgent necessity, and then
be sure thou avoid bleeding on the 13th and 15th days,
for they are perilous.
August.] In this month forbear eating any sort of
worts, or any kind of hot meats, drinks or spices, and
avoid bleeding on the 1st, 20th, 29th, and 30th days,
on the other days, if necessity urge, thou mayest, but
without an absolute necessity, it is better to let it alone.
September.] In this month thou mayest eat fruit
without danger, provided it be ripe, and not infected,
but bleed not on the 4th, 16th, 21st, nor 22d days ; for
then thou wilt find it prejudicial ; but if thou bleedest
on the 27th, or 28th days, either for the falling sick-
ness, frenzy, dropsy, or palsy, thou shalt not need to
fear them that year.
October.] In this month if you drink wine, and
other wholesome liquors, it will comfort thy heart :-
But bleed not unless there be great occasion, and then
see 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 43
see that the sign be good for thee : And yet let the oc-
casion be what it will, I advise thee to forbear bleed-
ing on the 3d, 4th, and 5th days.
November] In this month bleed not at all, unless
upon great necessity ; for now the blood lies in the head
vein, neither is it convenient for thee to bathe, but
thou may'st vent thee a little of grasing ; for all the
humours are now apt to bleed. But if urgent necessity
requires thou be let blood, yet see that thou bleedest not
on the 5th, 6th, 15th, 19th, 28th, nor 29th days.
December.] In this month bleed not at all, without
it be absolutely necessary ; and yet, even in such a
case, be sure thou dost not on the 5th, 7th, 15th, 17th,
nor 22d day ; but on the 26th day, thou may'st bleed
without danger. In this month also see that thou keep
thy shins from the fire.
Whoever it is that does intend to bleed,
Let 'em to the foregoing rules take heed :
For these directions were by the ANCIENTS pen'd,
To caution those that do to bleed intend;
For here thou all the several days may'st see,
In which thy bleeding may unhealthful be :
Nor need'st thou of a Doctor ask advice,
Our AUTHOR here has been so very nice.
VII. Directions for the letting of Blood, shewing where.
every Vein in the Body of Man may be readily found.
THOSE that are troubled with the megrims, fevers,
lethargy, or pains in the head, must be let blood
in the vein which is in the midst of the forehead.
Those that are of a dull understanding, and are
troubled with deafness and shortness of breath, also
those that have the measles or leprosy, must be let blood
in the arterial vein behind the ears. Those that are
troubled with too much blood in the brain, which is
bad for the fight, ought to be let blood in the arterial
veins 

44 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
veins near the temples;  which is also very good against
the gout, megrim, and divers other distempers of the
head.
For imposthumes, swellings in the throat, quinsey,
and other such like distempers, let a man bleed in the
two veins under the tongue.
When the leprosy proceeds from abundance of blood,
it will be proper to bleed in the two original veins in
the neck ; but not without the advice of a physician.
Those that are troubled with phthysic, and short-
winded, and are given to spit blood, ought to bleed in
the arm, and they will find ease.
Bleeding at the liver vein in the arm takes away the
extraordinary heat of the body, and keeping it in a
good state of health, and it is very available against
the yellow jaundice, and imposthumes of the liver,
and against the palsy.
The pains that come from the stomach and side, as
blains, bletches, imposthumes, and divers other acci-
dents that proceed from too much repletion of blood,
are cured in letting blood in the vein between the mas-
ter finger and the little finger.
For the dropsy, let blood on the right side, between
the womb and the branch. And here note, the party
should bleed proportionable, according to their fatness,
or leanness, and this ought not to be done without the
advice of a doctor.
For blotches and imposthumes proceeding from the
groin, let blood in the vein named Sophon, which is
one of the three under the ankle of the foot. It is also
of great advantage to courses to descend in men,  and
to prevent the Hemorrhoides in the secret parts.
When any  person is taken by the pestilence, caused
by repletion, of humours, let them bleed in the vein that
is between the wrists of the feet, and the great toe ; -
but let the patient be sure to bleed within twenty-four
hours after he is first seized with this distemper, and let 
it

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 45
it be with respect to the patient's body whether it be
fat or lean.
If the eyes run with water, or be red, or any other
ill, proceeding from the overflowing of blood and hu-
mours ; let the patient bleed in two veins that are in
the angle of the eyes.
If the nose be red and pimpled, and the face be red
and pimpled in the like manner, and be troubled with
red drops, scabs, pistules, and other infections, that
may proceed from too much blood ; let the patient
bleed in the vein which is at the end of the nose.
For the tooth-ach, and the canker in the mouth, let
the party troubled be let blood in the four veins that
are in the gums in the mouth. Those that are tainted
with a stinking breath, let them be let blood in the vein
that is between the lip and the chin.
There are four veins in each arm, the biggest of the
four is from the head, the heart challenges the second,
and the third from the liver ; the last is called the lower
liver vein, and comes from the melt. These different
veins should he bled upon different occasions : As for
instance, for pains in the head, eyes, brain, heart, swel-
led faces, and those that are red ; it is most proper to
bleed that vein in the arm which has relation to the
head. For fevers, either tertians or quartans, the lower
liver vein is the the most proper to be blooded ; but then
care must be taken that the orifice be made wider, and
not so deep as usual, led thereby it not only gathers
wind, but also damages a sinew that is underneath it,
called the lizard.
There are three veins in each, and  that above the
thumb is proper to bleed, in order to remove the heat
of the face, and to dissipate the thick blood, and hu-
mours that are in the head, this vein being more proper
than the arm.
Against all fevers, tertians, and quartans, phlegms,
And other obstructions about the paps and the melt, let-
ting 

46 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
ting blood between the little finger and the leech fin-
ger, helps very much.
Against pain and humours in the groin and genitals,
bleed a vein in the thigh.
Against pains in the flanks, and to dissipate all hu-
mours that would gather therein, and to restrain too
great a flux in the menstrues in women, it exceedingly
helps to bleed the vein under the ankle of the foot,
without, which is called the Sciot.
VIII. Choice Receipts both in Physic and Surgery,
I. Of the great Virtue of CORUS MARCUS.
'TIS a powder which you may have at the apothe-
caries, and this above all other medicines in the
world, is the most excellent against the bloody-flux,
used as follows:— Take one ounce of conserve of roses,
and one scruple of Corus Marcus, and  mix them to-
gether, then let the patient eat in the morning, and
fast thereon two hours ; and this (by the grace of God)
will help him, altho' he has had it never so long, or
sore : It is also given above all other medicines, in
the latter end of a dropsy, and also against the flux of
the menstrum, bleeding at the nose, and all other fluxes
whatsoever ; it helpeth those that spit blood ; it is ex-
cellent to stop the flux in wounds, and to heal them and
dry them ; yet strew the powder thereon.
2. Of the Virtue and Operation of the Quintessence of
Honey and the Oil of Wax.
YOU may understand, that honey is rather a liquor
divine, than human, because it falleth from hea-
ven upon herbs and flowers, and is such a sweet thing,
that the like cannot be found on earth : this quintessence
is of such a virtue, that if a man be almost dead, and
drink 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 47
drink two or three drams thereof, he will presently re-  
cover. If you wash any wound therewith, or other  
sore, it will quickly heal. It is excellent against the
cough, catarrh, or pain of the melt, and many other
diseases, it helpeth the falling sickness, palsy, and pre-
serveth the body from putrefaction. The oil of wax
worketh in wounds miraculously, healing them, be
the same never so big and wide (being before wide
stitched up) in the space of eleven or twelve days, but
smaller wounds in three or four days, by anointing
the same therewith, and laying a cloth thereon wet
with the same.
Moreover, for inward diseases it is excellent; it pro-
voketh urine which is stopped, it helpeth stitches, and
pain of the loins, if you drink one dram thereof in
white wine ; it helpeth the cold gout, or sciatica, and
all other griefs coming of the cold.
3. Of the manifold Operations of the Oil of Cinnamon.
THIS oil is of a malicious nature, for it pierceth
through the flesh and bones, being very hot and
dry, and is good against all cold and moist diseases,
being comfortable for the head and heart, working the
same operation on a dying man as the former. To be
short, the oil is of such operation and virtue, that if
a man drinks never so little, he shall feel it work to his
fingers and toes ends, therefore it pierceth through the
whole body, helping the diseases that come of cold
and phlegmatic humours : It availeth much with wo-
men in travail ; it driveth away the measles and spots,
if the face and hands be anointed therewith ; it warms
the breast, and helps the cold cough ; it consumes all
cold fluxes that proceed from the brain and head, and
causeth quiet sleep ; in brief, this oil may be used in-
stead of the natural balm for many diseases.
4. How

48 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
4. How to make Oil of Rosemary Flowers, with its
Virtue.
TAKE rosemary flowers and stamp them, then put
them into a glass with strong wine, and stop it
close, setting it in the sun for five or six days, and then
distil it with a soft fire, and you shall have both water
and oil, which you must separate, keeping the oil close
in the glass, whose virtues are these:—It helpeth against
all pains in the head, although they have continued
seven years ; it comforteth the memory, and also pre-
serveth the eyes, if you drink now and then a drop or
two, and then put another into the eyes ; it helpeth
those that are deaf, if it be put into the ears ; and also
drink with good wine it openeth all stoppings of the
liver and melt, and helpeth against the dropsy and yel-
low jaundice ; it breaketh wind, easeth cholic, and
rising of the mother.
It is also excellent against the pestilence, or those 
that have drank poison, if they drink of this oil, and
lay them down to sweat, it comforteth the heart, and
cleanseth the blood, and maketh a man merry, and
causeth a good colour, it helpeth those that have the
canker and fistula, and the like ; and to be  brief, it
helpeth all diseases of the body that come of cold and
moist humours, although ever so evil.
5. How to cure that troublesome Companion, the Ague.
TAKE the common bitter drink without the pur-
gatives two quarts, salt of wormwood two ounces,
the best English saffron a dram. After you have taken
the vomit, or a convenient purge, take half a pint of
this three times a day, viz. In the morning fasting,
three o'clock in the afternoon, and last at night. 
6. How

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 49
6. How to cure that tormenting Disease, the Cholic.
TAKE anniseed, sweet fenel seeds, coriander, car-
raway seeds, of each two drams, cummin seeds
a dram, and put them into a quart of Nantz brandy ;
let them infuse three days, shaking the bottle three or
four times a day, then drain and keep it for use. Take
two or three spoonfuls in the fit.
7. How to help Deafness, and expel Wind from the Head.
TAKE five or six drops or more of wine, or
good aqua-vitæ, in a spoon, and holding down
your head on one side, let one pour the same into your
ear, let it continue there for about the space of half a
quarter of an hour, still holding your head aside that
they run not out, and then you shall hear a most terrible
noise and rumbling in your head, which is the wind ;
then turn your head aside, and the water will run out
again very hot ; now when you have done thus much
on one side, you may do as much on the other, but be
sure keep your head warm after you have done ; this I
have often proved, and found ease thereby.
8. How to give ease, aud help the raging Pain of the
Teeth, without drawing.
THIS is also performed with the spirit of wine, or
good aqua-vitæ? (as you have read in the former
receipt) by pouring it in your ears, especially on that
side where the pain lieth, but after you have let the wa-
ter run from your ears, then with more of the same wa-
ter (against the fire) you must rub and chafe your cheeks,
and under your jaws, and under your ears, stroaking
of them upwards, with your hands toward the neck,
to drive back the humours ; for it is nothing else but
a cold rheum, that distilleth from the Head into the
E gums,

50. THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
gums, which causeth the pain, therefore be sure to keep
the head warm when you have done.
9. How to strengthen and comfort the Eyes.
DIP a clean rag into a few drops of aqua-vitæ, and
with the same wipe the corners of the eyes, eye-
brows, and temples, which will keep back the rheum,
and greatly strengthen and comfort the eyes: of which
I have often made trial, and found much comfort.
10. Of Persons who have Bones broken, and also Dislo-
cations, or Joints displaced, with their Cure.
MANY times it happeneth, that legs, arms, and
fingers are broken, or out of joint, and the
parties so hurt are void of help, by reason they have
no surgeon near them : therefore, for the relief of such
persons, I have here setdown some directions, by which
they may be eased of their pain ; but I will not wish
them to trust to their own skill, if they have any expert
surgeon near at hand.
If a leg or an arm be broken, then have a care to
place the member in the same manner as it were before,
which you will do in this mauner :
Take a towel, and make it fast about the place where
it is broken, and then take another towel and fasten it
underneath the place where it is broken, and then cause
two men to pull those two towels, that they may there-
by extend or stretch out the member, and when the
member is stretched forth at length, place the broken
bones as they were at first, and so by little and little,
let them slack their pulling ; then have a cloth ready,
so big that it may compass the whole member ; wet
this both in the white of an egg and oil of roses min-
gled together, and lay it upon the grieved part, then
roll it about with a linen roller of four fingers broad,
and

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 51
and two yards long ; wet the roller in the water and 
vinegar mixed together.
First, Roll it about the fracture three or four times;
then downward, and then upward, and fasten it ; then
roll it with another roller after the same manner, on
these place thin splints of light wood armed with tow, 
one finger's breadth from each other, and bind them
on with tape, then place the member on some soft pil-
low for twenty days ; but if a painful itch do arise,
open and foment the place with warm water, and then
anoint it with Unguentum Album, and roll it up again.
If a finger be broken, roll it with a convenient roller,
and splint it, and use the means aforesaid.
II. A precious Salve for all those that have any Member
out of joint, called JEREMY of BRUMSWICK'S
SALVE.
THIS Salve hath healed those that have had their
members out of joint, or that have been wounded, 
and could not stir or bow the member where they had
the hurt ; for by this salve did he bring many stiff and
crooked joints again to their former strength, to the
great admiration of all men, both surgeons and others.
How to make the Salve.] Take two ounces of old
hog's grease, and of duck's grease, and goose grease,
hen's or capon's grease : linseed meal, fenugreek meal,
of each two ounces ; oil olive, eight ounces ; opopo-
nax, mastich, and frankincense, of each an ounce ;
dissolve the gums in white wine, that are to be dissolved,
and powder the other ; mingle them all together when
stirring.
12. How to order and dress a Wound, when it is at first
hurt ; with the Remedy. 
FIRST remove all such things as are in the wound,
as clotted blood, wood, iron, or the like, then
dry 

52 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
dry the blood with a cloth or spunge, and wash with
cold white wine, apply some unguents or balms to the
same, and on that a plaister fit for a wound, then roll
it gently and in a good form, for that helpeth to hasten
the cure. If the wound be of any length, you may
stitch it in three or more places, but be sure to leave a
place at the lower part thereof, for to purge itself
thereby.
The End of the SECOND PART.
THE

THE
BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE:
TREATING OF THE
WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS.
PART III.
Being an Abstract of the Art of Physiognomy and Palm-
istry, together with the Signification of Moles, and
Interpretation of Dreams.
Of Physiognomy, and the Judgment made thereby.
PHYSIOGNOMY is an ingenious science of know-
ledge of nature, by which the inclinations and
dispositions of every creature are understood ; and be-
cause some of the members are uncompounded, and
entire of themselves, as the tongue, the ears, &c. and
some of a mixed nature, the eye, the nose, and others ;
we therefore say, that there are many signs which agree
and live together, which inform a wise man how to
make his judgment, before he be too rash to deliver 
it to the world.
Nor is it to be esteemed a foolish and idle art, see-
ing it is derived from the superior bodies. For there
is no part of the face of the man, but what is under the 
E2 peculiar

54
THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
peculiar influence or government, not only of the seven
planets, but also of the twelve signs of the Zodiack,
and from each governing part is the nature and inclin-
ation of a man or woman plainly foretold, if the per-
sons undertaking this province, or pretending to it, be
an arrist. Which, that my reader may attain to, I shall
set these things in a clearer light by the following figure.
By this the reader may see, at the first glance, that
the forehead is governed by ♂ Mars ; the right eye is
under the dominion of ☉ Sol; the left eye is ruled by
the ☽︎ Moon, or Luna ; the right ear is the care of ♃
Jupiter, the left of ♄ Saturn ; the ruling of the nose
is claimed by ♀ Venus (which by the way is one reason
that in all unlawful venereal encounters, the nose is so
subject to bear the scars which are gotten in those wars)
and the nimble ☿ Mercury, the significator of elo-
quence, claims the domination of the mouth, and
that very justly.
Thus 

The BOOK of KNOWLEDGE 55 
Thus have the seven planets divided the face among 
them, but not with so absolute a sway, but that the
twelve signs of the Zodiac come in for a part ; and
therefore the sign of ♋︎ Cancer presides in the upper-
most part of the forehead, and ♌︎ Leo attending upon
the right eye-brow, ♐︎ Sagittary does upon the right
eye, and ♎︎ Libra upon the right ear ; upon the left  
eye and eye-brow, you will find ♒︎ Aquarius and ♊︎
Gemini and ♈︎ Aries taking care of the left ear ; ♉︎
Taurus rules in the forehead, and ♑︎ Capricorn the
chin ; ♏︎ Scorpio takes upon him the protection of the
nose ; ♍︎ Virgo claims the precedence of the right
cheek, and ♓︎ Pisces of the left. And thus the face
of man is canton'd out among the signs and planets,
which being carefully attended to, will sufficiently in- 
form the artist how to pass a judgment. For according
to the nature of the sign or planet ruling, so also is the
judgment to be of the part ruled  ; which all those
that have understanding know easily how to apply.
I shall now proceed to give a particular judgment of
the several parts of the body : And first, Of the head,
A large head shews a person stupid and of a dull ap-
prehension, also a very small head signifies the same ;
but the head of a man being neither great nor small,
is the prognodic of a wise man ; for all extremes are
irregular, and a deviation from nature ; and experience
has made it manifest, that a great head and small mem-
bers, do always produce much indiscretion and folly,
both in man or woman ; but we must also consider the
several parts of the head : And first,     
Of the Hair.] The hair is only the excresence of a
moist brain ; yet the ancients observe several things
from it; as, if the hair be thin, it shews a man to be
of a weak constitution ; but if curled and thick, it
shews the person to be of a hot complexion: If the hair
be stiff, and stand upright, either upon the head, or
any other part of the body, it shews a person extreme-
ly 

56 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE, 
ly subject to fear, and very apt to be frighted.  If the
hair be thick and lank, it shews the person to be meek
and humble, and his constitution inclined to cold.
Of the Forehead.] A large forehead shews a liberal
man ; but the forehead narrow, denotes a foolish per-
son : A long forehead shews one apt to learn, and a high
forehead, swelling and round, is a sign of a crafty man,
and a coward ; a forehead full of wrinkles, shews a
man to be envious and crafty.
Of the Eyes.] The eyes being moist and clear, shews
mirth, good manners, and an honest life, but if the
eyes be declining and looking downward, or red and
very great, they betoken fleshly lust ; small hollow eyes
signify covetousness ; grey eyes an evil man, hollow
eyes a crafty man, rolling eyes a wicked and vicious
man, black eyes denote a sharp and piercing wit, but
one lustful and incontinent ; great eyes denote sloth;
trembling eyes sluggishness ; glittering  eyes betokens
drunkenness ; smiling eyes shew a merry life ; eyes of
divers colours, and small, denote one crafty and flat-
tering ; eyes turned towards the nose, shew a man
given to women ; great drooping eyes, with an unsta-
ble countenance, shew a man mad ; the circle of the
hall green, declares a crafty wicked man, and a thief;
moist eyes denote stoutness of stomach, perfect speech,
glutonous and mad ; high eyes, large, clear, pure and
moist, are tokens of circumspection, diligent persons,
and lovers ; eyes always running, without sickness cause
it, shew foolishness ; small and hollow eyes, the co-
vetous, deceitful, and angry man ; cheerful eyes be-
token just men, of pleasant disposition, kind and holy ;
twinkling eyes, shew a thief and one that lays wait to
catch and ensnare men ; blear eyes signify a whore-
master.
Of the Eye-brow;.] Upright eye-brows are amiable,
bat the eye-brows hanging overshew an effeminate
person. The brows very hairy, denote an impediment
in 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 57 
in his speech, and the brows being extended to the tem-
ples, shew a man to be a sloven, and uncleanly.
Of the Ears.] Open ears shew a man to be without
reason and understanding ; great ears an unwise man,
and small ears a fool ; square ears, and of a middle
size, shew a learned and wise man.
Of the Nose.] A great nose shews a good man ; a
little nose a deceitful person. A sharp nose denotes an
angry person, and a scold ; thick and low, a person of
bad manners. The nose stretching to the mouth, de-
notes honesty, strength, and aptness to learning. A
nose like an ape, betokens a libidinous and riotous
person ; a long crooked nose, magnanimity and gene-
rosity.
Of the Mouth.] A very big mouth, with the up-
per lip hanging over, signifies a man foolish and un-
steady, also a rash man, a babbler, a glutton, and an
ungodly man. An indifferent large mouth, sheweth a
bold and courageous man, a warrior.
Of the Lips.] Thin lips with a little mouth, shews
an effeminate person. Slender, thin and fine lips, be-
tokens eloquence ; fleshy and great lips, a fool ; and
those whose teeth bear up their lips, are generally con-
tumelious, slanderers, unfaitliful, also addicted to the
love of women.
Of the Face.] A lean face is a token of a wise man;
the face plain and flat, denotes a man of strife : The
face without any rising or swelling, denotes a person
injurious and unclean ; a fleshy face shews a man apt
to learn ; a sad face sometimes denotes foolishness, and
sometimes wisdom. A fat face shews a man to be a
liar, and foolish ; a round face signifies folly ; a great
face shews a man dull and flow about business ; a well
proportioned face shews a person to have virtuous qua-
lities, and to live a commendable life, whether they be
rich or poor,
Of 

58 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 
Of the Voice.] A shrill voice denotes a person to be
choleric and hasty. A great and hoarse voice shews a
person to be injurious, and of a merciless temper. A
weak and low voice shews a man to be fearful and cow-
ardly. A grave and slow voice shews a man to be of
a sedate and quiet temper, and one of great strength.
Of the Neck.] A neck inclining to the right side,
shews a temperate man ; but turning to the left side, a
fool, and a man given to unlawful love. A crooked
neck shews a covetous man. A thick neck denotes
a rude, barbarous, ill natur'd  man. A long slender
neck shews a man to be a coward. A thick and long
neck, a furious and stubborn person. A mean neck, a
strong and virtuous man, and one inclined to learning.
Of the Breast.] A broad bread is always good, and
presents magnanimity, boldness, honesty, and courage.
A narrow breast denotes imbecility, or weakness, both
of body and mind. A pursy or gross breast, shews a
man to be moross, cross, and void of pity. The paps
or dugs hanging down from the breast, shews a violent
choleric man.
Of the Back.] A broad back is a sign of strength ; 
but the mean proportion of both back and breast is
always commendable. A crooked or hunch back, is
generally a token of a niggardly and covetous person.
Of the Belly.] A lank belly, with a high breast,
denotes a man of understanding, courage, counsel; but
a great belly shews an indiscreet, foolish, proud man,.
and  given to luxury.
Of the Arms.] Very long arms are a sign of bold-
ness, strength and honesty. Short arms denote a so-
menter of discord and strife among friends.
Of the Hands.] The hand very short, denote a
clownish, rude, ill bred person and if fat and fleshy,
with the fingers so also, it shews they are inclined to
theft. Small hands and long fingers denote a person
of a genteel carriage, but crafty.                 
Of 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 59  
Of the Legs.] Large and well-set legs denote bold-
ness ; large legs and full of finews, shew fortitude and
strength. Slender legs denote ignorance ; short and
fat legs cruelty. Legs crooked and hollowed inward-
ly is  a sign of very ill men. Soft and swelling legs.
shew a man to  be of ill manners. The skin cross and
short, with a sharp heel, and fat thighs, denotes mad-
ness to happen to that party.
Of the Feet.] Small and slender feet denote hard-
ness, but the feet full of flesh declare foolishness.
II. Of Palmestry, shewing the various Judgments
drawn from the Hand.
I Shall next say something of Palmestry, which is a
judgment made of the conditions, inclinations, and
fortunes of men and women, from the various lines
and characters which nature has imprinted in the hand,
which are almost as various as the hands that have
them. And to render what I shall say more plain, I
will in the first place present the scheme or figure of a
hand, and explain the various lines therein.
By this figure the reader will see that one of the lines,
and which indeed is reckoned the  principal, is called
the line of life ; this line incloses the thumb, separating
it from the hollow of the hand. The next to it, which
is called the natural line, takes its beginning from the 
rising

60 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 
rising of the sore-finger, near the line of life, and
reaches to the table-line, and generally makes a trian-
gle, thus Δ. The table-line, commonly called the
line of fortune, begins under the little finger, and ends
near the middle finger. The girdle of Venus, which
is another line so called, begins near the joint of the
little finger, and ends between the fore-finger and the
middle finger.
The line of death is that which plainly appears in a
counter line to that of life, and by some is called the
sister line, ending usually at the other end ; for when
the line of life is ending, death comes, and it can go
no farther. There are also lines in the fleshy parts as
in the ball of the thumb, which is called the mount of
Venus ; under each of the fingers are called  mounts,
which are each one governed by a several planet, and
the hollow of the hand is called the plain of Mars. I
now proceed to give judgment of these several lines.
And in the first place take notice, that in Palmestry
the left hand is chiefly to be regarded, because therein
the lines are most visible, and have the strictest com-
munication with the heart and brains. Now having
premised these, in the next place observe the line of
life, and if it be fair, extended to its full length, and
not broken with an intermixture of cross lines, it shews
long life and health ; and it is the same if a double
line of life appears, as there sometimes does. When
the Stars appear in this line, it is a significator of great
losses and calamities ; if on it there be the figure of
two O's, or a Y, it threatens the person with blindness.
If it wraps itself about the table-line, then does it
promise wealth and honor to be attained by prudence
and industry ; if the line be cut or rugged at the upper
end, it denotes much sickness. If this line be cut by
any line coming from the mount of Venus, it declares
the person to be unfortunate in love, and business also,
and threatens him with sudden death, A cross be-
tween 


THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 61 
tween the line of life and the table-line, shews the
person to be very liberal and charitable, and of a noble
spirit. Let us now see the signification of the table-
line.
The table-line, when broad, and of a lovely colour,
shews a healthful constitution, and a quiet and con-
tented mind, and courageous spirit: but if it have
crosses towards the little finger, it threatens the party
with much affliction by sickness. If the line be dou-
ble, or divided in three parts in any of the extremi-
ties, it shews the party to be of a generous temper, and
of a good fortune to support it ; but if this line be
forked at  the end, it  threatens  the perfon fhall fuffer
by jealousies, fears, and doubts, and with the loss of
riches got by deceit. If three points such as these ..
are found in it, they denote the person prudent and
liberal, a lover of learning, and of a good  temper. If
it spreads itself towards the fore and middle fingers,
and ends blunt, it denotes preferment. Let us now
see what is signified by
The middle Finger.] The line has in it sometimes
(for there is scarce one hand in which it varies not)
divers significant characters. Many small lines between
this and the table-line threatens the party with sick-
ness, and also gives him hopes of recovery. A half
cross branching into this line, declares the person shall
have honor, riches, and good success in all his under-
takings. A half moon denotes cold and watery dis-
tempers, but a sun or star upon this line promiseth pros-
perity and riches. This line doubled in a woman
shews she will have several husbands, but without any
children by them.
The line of Venus, if it happens to be cut or divid-
ed near the fore-finger, threatens ruin to the party',
and that it shall befal him by means of a lascivious
woman, and bad company. Two crosses upon this
line, one being on the fore-finger, and the other bend-
F ing 

62 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE 
ing towards the little finger, shews the party to be weak,
and inclined to modesty and virtue ; and indeed, it ge-
nerally denotes modesty in women ; and therefore those
who desire such wives, usually choose them by this
standard.
The liver-line, if it be straint and crossed by other
lines, shews the person to be of a sound judgment, and
a piercing understanding ; but if it be winding crooked,
and bending outward, it shews deceit and flattery, and
that the person is not to be trusted. If it makes a tri-
angle △, or a quadrangle □, it shews the person to be
of a noble descent, and ambitious of honour and pro-
motion.
If it happens that this line and the middle line be-
gin near each other, it denotes a person to be weak in
his judgment, but if a woman, danger by hard labor.
The plain of Mars being in the hollow  of the hand,
or if the line passes thiough it, which renders it very
plain, is fortune: This plain being hollowed, and the
lines be crooked and dissorted, threaten the party to
fall by his ill conduct. When the lines begin at the
wrist, long within the plain, reaching the brawn of
the hand, they shew the person to be one given to
quarreling, often in broils, and of a hot and fiery spirit,
by which he shall suffer much damage. If deep large
crosses in the middle of the plain, it shews the party
shall obtain honor by martial exploits ; but if it be a
woman, that she shall have several husbands, and easy
labour with her children.
The line of death is fatal, when any crosses or broken
lines appear in it ; for they threaten the person with
sickness and a short life. A clouded moon appearing
therein, threatens a child-bed woman with death. A
bloody spot in the line, denotes a violent death. A star
like a comet threatens ruin by war, and death by pes-
tilence ; but if a bright sun appear therein, it promises
long life and prosperity. 
As

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 63 
As for the lines in the wrist being fair, they denote
good fortune ; but if eroded and broken, the contrary.
Thus much with respect to the several lines in the
hand. Now as to the judgment to be made from the
hand itself: If the hand be soft and long, and lean
withal, it denotes the person of a good understanding,
a lover of peace and honesty, discreet, serviceable, a
good neighbour, and a lover of learning. He whose
hands are very thick and very short, is thereby signifi-
ed to be faithful, strong and laborious, and one that
cannot long retain his anger. He whose hands are full
of hairs, and those hairs thick, and great ones, and his
fingers withal be crooked, he is thereby noted to be
luxurious, vain, false, of a dull understanding and dis-
position, and more foolish than wise. He whose hands
and fingers do bend upwards, is commonly a liberal
man, serviceable, a keeper of secrecy, and apt (to be
poor for he is seldom fortunate) to do any man cour-
tesy. He whose hand is stiff and will not bend at the
upper joint near his finger, is always a wretched mis-
erable person, covetous, obstinate, incredulous, and one
that will believe nothing that contradicts his own pr-
vate interest. And thus much shall suffice to be said of
judgment made by Palmestry.
III. Of the Signification of Moles in any Part of the
Body.
A MOLE on the forehead of man or woman, de-
notes they will grow rich, and attain to great
possessions, being beloved of their friends and neigh-
bours.
A mole on the eye-brow shews a man to be inconti-
nent, and given to the love of  women ; but if it be a
woman, it signifies a good husband.
He or she that has a mole on the nose, signifies they
love their pleasure more than any thing else.
A 

64 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 
A mole on the chin, shews the party shall never stand
in need of his kin, but shall get money and grow very
rich.
A mole on the neck, denotes him honorable and pru-
dent in all his actions ; but if a woman, it shews her
of a weak judgment, and apt to believe the word of
her husband.
A mole on a man's shoulder signifies adversity, and
threatens him with an unhappy end ; but a woman hav-
ing a mole in the same place, shews she shall abound
in honor and riches.
A man or woman having a mole on the wrist or
hand denotes increase of children, but affliction in old
age.
A man or woman having a mole near the heart upon
the breast, shews them irregular, wicked, and mali-
cious.
A mole on the belly shews the person shall be ad-
dicted to gluttony and lasciviousness.
A mole on the knee shews a man shall be fortunate
in marrying, and that his wife shall be beautiful, vir-
tuous, and very wealthy ; a woman having one in the
same place shews she shall be virtuous, happy, and
fruitful in children.
A mole on the foot shews a man shall get riches and
be happy in his children ; if a woman hath the same
it also betokens her the same happiness.
IV. Of the Interpretation of Dreams as they relate in
good or bad Fortune, &c.
TO dream you are bit by a serpent signifies some
danger will befal you by secret and subtil ene-
mies. To dream you fly in the air, signifies a speedy
journey, or some hasty news. To dream you fight
and overcome, signifies you will get the better in law
suits or other controversies. To dream a lion fawns.
upon 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 65 
upon you, denotes the favor of great persons. To
dream of black coffins and mourners denotes the death
of some loving friend or relation. To dream you see
a friend dead, denotes the person to be in good health.
To dream you are in a field of standing corn, betokens
prosperity and love. To dream of gathering up small
pieces of money, betokens loss and disappointment,
but receiving of money profit and advantage. To
dream you are on horseback, and that he runs away
with you, denotes you shall speedily be called away
from some business contrary to your liking. A wo-
man dreaming she kisses another woman denotes dis-
appointment in love and barrenness. To dream you
are pleasantly sailing on calm water denotes a peace-
able and quiet life ; but if a storm, it denotes trouble.
For a woman to dream a ring is put on her finger, de-
notes success in love and marriage ; but if it be sud-
denly took off, or near off, it signifies disappointment
in love, and the breaking off the match. To dream
of fire denotes anger and loss. To dream you see a
sow with pigs denotes fruitfulness. To dream you are
hunting a hare, and she escapes, denotes disappointment
in business. To dream a louse falls from your neck,
betokens the sign of friends. To dream you are court-
ing a beautiful woman, betokens flattery. To dream
you are sailing against your will, to descend from a
pleasant hill, betokens falling from promotion, and
disappointment in preferment. To dream of a sudden
fit of joy at the sight of any thing, betoken the arriv-
al of friends. To dream you are at banquets, but do
not eat, betokens scarcity. To dream you put on a
new glove, and it remains so, betokens new friendship
or marriage. To dream you fall into a deep pit, de-
notes some sudden surprise or danger. A woman to
dream she is with child, betokens sorrow and heavi-
ness. To dream that you can quench fire, denotes over-
coming anger, and recovery from sickness. To dream
F 2 you


66 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 
you hear a voice, but see not what utters it, denotes
you shall be deluded by feigned pretenders. To dream
you are walking in a garden of flowers, and among
groves of trees, denotes much pleasure and delight to
ensue from virtuous conversation. To dream of moons
contending in the firmament, denotes division among
friends and relations. To dream your teeth are drawn
or drop out, denotes the loss of children or other rela-
tions. To dream of drinking unmercifully, denotes
displeasure, crosses and sickness. To dream you are
pursued by furious wild beasts, but cannot avoid them,
denotes danger from enemies. To dream you see your
deceased brothers or sisters, signifies long life. To dream
you are shooting with a bow, signifies honor and preser-
ment. To dream you are making candles, denotes great
rejoicing. To dream you are going to hear divine ser-
vice, signifies consolation. To dream you build a
church, or erect an altar, signifies some of thy family
will become a priest. To dream you see a person sit-
ting or lying in a church, signifies change of apparel.
To dream that you are playing with cards is a very
good sign.
V. Pleasant Questions in Arithmetick.
A Thief breaking into an orchard, stole a certain
number of pears, and at his coming out he
met three men, one after another, who threatened to
accuse him of theft, and for to appease them he gave
unto the first man half the pears that he had stole, who
returned him back 12 of them ; then he gave unto the
second half of the pears he had remaining, who re-
turned him back 7 ; and upon the third man he gave
half his residue, who returned him back 4; and in the
end he had still remaining 36 pears. Now I do de-
mand how many pears he stole in all ? To answer this
question you must work backwards ; for if you take
4. from 20 there will remain 16, which being doubled
makes 


THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 67 
makes 32, from which abate 7, and there will remain.
25, which being doubled makes 50, from which sub-
stract 12, and there will remain 38, which again being
doubled, makes 76, the true number he gathered.
2. Let the party that thinketh double the number
that he thought, which done, bid him multiply the
sum of them both by 5, and give you the product,
which they will never refuse to do it being so far
above the number thought from which if you abate
the last figure of the product (which will always be a
cypher of 5) the number thought will remain.
Example. Let the number thought be 53, which
doubled makes 106, and multiply by 5, makes 530 ;
then if you take away the cypher which is the last
place, there will remain 53, the number thought.
3. A certain man having three daughters, to the
eldest he gave 22 apples, to the second he gave 16
apples, and to the third he gave 10 apples, and sent
them to market to sell them, and gave them command
to sell one as many a penny as the other (namely seven
a penny) and every one to bring home so much money
as the other, and neither change apples nor monies one
with another. How could that be ?
This to some may seem impossible, but to the arith-
meticians very easy. For whereas the eldest had three
pence worth and one apple over, the second two pence
worth and two apples over, and the youngest had one
penny's worth and three apples over : so that the
youngest had so many single apples and one penny's
worth, as the eldest had penny worths and one apple
over. So consequently to the second proportionable to
them both. They made their market thus, a
steward coming to buy fruit for his lady, bought all
the apples they had at seven a penny, leaving
the odd ones behind ; then had the eldest sister
three pence and one apple, the middle sister two pence
and two apples, and the youngest one penny and three
apples

68 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 
apples. The steward brought the fruit to his lady, she
liked it so well that she sent him for the rest, who re-
plied there were but few remaining.
She, notwithdanding, sent him for them at any rate.
The steward coming to the market again, could not
buy the odd apples under a penny a piece, he was fain
to give it, then had the youngest sister three pence
worth, the middle sister two pence worth, and the eld-
est one penny's worth, and so they had all four pence
a piece, and yet sold as many for a penny one as an-
other, and neither changed apples nor monies one with
another, as they were commanded.
4. A man bought 120 eggs at three a penny, having
120 to the hundred, also he bought 100 more at two a
penny, having likewise 120 to his hundred ; these
eggs being mingled, he fold them 5 for two pence, and
12c to the hundred as he bought them : The question
is, whether he gained or lost in the bargain ?
If you work by the rule of three direct, you shall
find that his 120 eggs, at three for a penny, came to
three shillings and four pence, and his 120, at two for
a penny, came to five shillings, which being added,
makes eight shillings and four pence. Then again, to
see what they come to at five for two pence, work like-
wise by the rule of three direct, and you shall find that
240 at 5 for two pence, comes but to 8 shilling, where-
by the seller loseth 4 pence of the money that they first
cost him.
The End of the Third PART.
THE 

THE
BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE: 
TREATING OF THE
WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS.
PART IV.
The Farmer's Calendar : Containing, 1ft. Perpetual
Prognostications for Weather, 2d. The whole-Mystery
of Husbandry. 3d. The complete and experienced Far"
rier, Cowleech, Shepherd, and Swineherd, &c.
A YEAR is the principal part of time, by which
not only the ages of man and other things, but
also the times of many actions in the world, their be-
ginning, progress, continuance, and intervals, are mea-
sured : and is a periodical revolution of a great circle
of months and days, in which ons of Spring,
Summer, Autumn and Winter, are one revolu-
tion of the sun, ordained to return to their course.
But there are divers sorts of years, as say the ancients,
according to divers nations, which are different from
one another, reduced to the rule of celesial motions.
The year is divided in astronomical and political parts.
The astronomical year is two fold, that is Solar, and 
Lunar.
The

70 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 
The solar year is the time in which the sun, by his
proper motion, departing from one point of the eclip-
tic, returns to the same again. And there is called
either natural or syderial.
i. The natural or tropical year, is the space of time
in which the sun is departing out of the tropical, equi-
noctial, or solstitial point, and returning through the
ecliptic, returneth to the fame again.
This natural, or tropical year, contains 365 days,
5 hours, 49 minutes, 15 seconds.
The true and unequal tropical year, is sometimes
more, and sometimes less than the equal, by 6 or 7 min-
utes ; so it increaseth, or decreaseth, according to the
swift or slow progress of the equinoctial or solstitial
points.
2. The syderial year is the space of time in which
the sun returns to the same star, from whence he de-
parted ; and is 365 days, 6 hours, 6 minutes, but in
the seconds there is a difference among authors.
Now the lunar year is likewise two fold ; the com-
mon, which is 12 moons, or 354 days, 8 hours, &c.
The embillismal, which is 13 moons or lunations,
containing 383 days, 21 hours, &c.
The political and civil years, are such as are com-
monly used for the distinction of times, wherein respect
had either to the motion of the sun or moon only, or
to them both together, according to the custom of di-.
vers nations. 
The Julian or old Roman year, consisted of 365
days and 6 hours ; this Julian account, or year, is
used by the English, Muscovites,  Syrians, Abassinees,
and Ethiopians though the names of the months differ.
It is held to begin (with the vulgar) on 1st of Jan-
uary, which is therefore called New Year's Day ; but
according to the state accounts, the year begins not
till the year; as for example : The first day of Janu-
ary next, will be reckoned the first day of the year 1796.
But 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 71  
But because the state first account begins not till the 25th
of March, they commonly write the date double, thus
1719.-20 from the 1st of January till the 25th of March,
after which they write only 1720.
The Gregorian, or new Roman year, is so called,
because mended by Pope Gregory XIII. consists of 365
days, 5 hours, 49 minutes and 12 seconds : It begins
on our 22nd of December, being ten days before the
Julian, and is received in all countries, as owing the
authority of the See of Rome, and in some protestant
countries also; as in six of the seven provinces, Utrecht
keeping the Julian account.
I. Of Months.
THE months by which we measure the year, are of
two sorts, viz. astronomical, and political, and each
hath several divisions; astronomical or natural, are ac-
cording to the motion of the sun and moon ; and be
either Solar or Lunar, the Solar are the space of time
in which the sun runs through a twelfth part of the
Zodiac, of which there are two sorts, mean or equal,
true or unequal; an equal solar month, is the time in
which the sun by his mean motion, goeth a twelfth
part of the Zodiac, and is always 30 days, 10 hours, 26
minutes, 6 seconds, Sec. But the true or apparent, is
according to the true motion of the sun through the
Zodiac ; for when he is in, or near his apogæon, the
months are longer, but when he is in, or near his peri-
gæon, they are shorter. Lunar months are referred to
the moon's motion, and are chiefly three fold, viz.—
First, periodical, which is the space of time in which
the moon, by her motion, goes through the Zodiac,
and is about 27 days, 8 hours; secondly, synodical,
which is the space of time from one conjunction to an-
other, being performed according to the moon's mean
motion, in 29 days, 22 hours, 44 minutes, and about
4 seconds ; but according to the moon's true motion,
it 

72 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE,  
it is sometimes greater or lesser, by about 12 hours.—
Thirdly, the month of illumination, or apparation, is
said to be 28 days, or four weeks, it being the longest
time that the moon is to be seen between the change
and change : lastly, the political months are evil and
usual : as every nation best please ; which differ both
in proportion and name.
II. Of the Days and Hours.
DAYS are either natural or artificial: a day na-
tural is one entire revolution of the sun about
the earth, which is performed in 24 hours, containing
both day and night : and this day the English begin at
mid-night ; but the astrologers begin at mid-day, or
noon. An artificial day is from sun-rising to sun-set-
ting ; differs in length of sequal hours, according to
the sun's place in the Zodiac, and latitude of the re-
gion ; but in unequal hours (called planetary hours) are
22, so that one hour is the 12th part of the day, be it
long or short, and the hours that make an artificial, are
from 9 to 6 ; that is, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, 3, 4,
5,6.
I shall now give some brief directions for the know-
ledge of the weather.
III. Signs of Fair Weather.
THE sun rising bright and clear, if he drive the
clouds before him into the west. If at the rising
there appears a circle about him, and it vanishes equal-
ly away. If the fun be red. If the moon be clear
three days after the change, or three days before the
full. If the clouds appear with yellow edges. A cloudy
sky, clearing against the wind. The rainbow after the
rain appearing meanly red. Mists coming down from
the hills, and setting in the vallies ; or white mists rising
from the waters in the evening. Crows or ravens gap-
ing against the fun. Beetles flying in the evening. 
Bats

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 73  
Bats flying abroad sooner than ordinary. Many flies or
grots playing in the sun-shine at evening.
IV. Signs of Rain,
IF the sun be fiery red at his rising. If he shews
pale and wan. If the moon, three or four days
after the change, is blunt at both ends, the thicker,
the more. A circle about the moon. If the great stars
be only seen, and they look only dim. The rainbow
appearing in a fair day, the greater it is, the more rain.
Birds washing themselves. The chattering of a pye,
peacocks and ducks often crying. The owl crying
chewit often ; swallows flying low ; the working of an
insect called a spinner. Many worms appearing above
ground. The beasts eating greedily, and licking their
hoofs. The biting of fleas, gnats, &c. The soot fall-
ing much from chimnies. The sweating of stones.—
A circle round a candle. Aches in ancient people's
limbs or corns. Bells heard at a farther distance than
usual. Sparks gathering together in the fire. No dew
morning nor evening, &c. All these are sure signs of
rain.
V. Signs of Wind or Tempest.
RED clouds appearing in the morning. Much shoot-
ing of stars. The rainbow red. Black circles
with red streakes about the moon, stars dim and fiery.
Autumnal fair, a windy winter. Clouds flying swift
in the air. Fire burning pale or buzzing. Ravens
clapping themselves with their wings. The high flying
of the hern. Crying of swine. The herb trefoil
looking very rough.
VI. Of the Rainbow.
THE rainbow is that bow which the Almighty was
pleased to place in the firmament, as a token for
Noah, that he would drown the earth no more. As to
the natural cause of it ; it is caused by many beams
G striking 

74 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.  
striking upon a hollow cloud, with which it is soon
repelled and driven back against the sun ; and this
ariseth variety of colours, by the mixing of clouds,
air and fiery light together: there it is soon in opposition
to the sun, for the most part in the evening.
VII. Of Rain.
THE ancients describe rain to be cold and earthly
vapours or humour, is exhal'd from the earth and
waters by the beams of the sun, and carried into the
middle region of the air, where, by the extremity of
the cold, it is thickened in the body of a cloud ; and
afterwards being dissolved through an accession of heat,
it falleth upon the earth ; and this is done by GOD'S
power, and at his appointment, as the prophet Amos
witnesseth. Amos iv, 6. and ix. 6.
VIII. Of Hail.
HAIL is nothing but rain congeal'd into ice by the
coldness of the air freezing the drops after the dis-
solving of the cloud ; and the higher it comes, and the
longer it tarries in the air, the rounder and lesser it is ;
we have sometimes great showers of hail in the heat of
summer after a thunder-clap ; which doth manifest, that
the air at that time is extreme cold, thus to congeal 
the water therein, notwithstanding the heat then upon
the earth.
IX. Of Snow.
SNOW (as say the ancients) is of the same humour
that hail is, but only looser parts ; and therefore in
the summer time is melted into rain before it cometh
down.                                           
X. Of Frost and Dew.
IN the day time, through the heat of the sun, there
is a cold and moist vapour drawn up a little from
the earth ; which, after the setting of the sun, descends
on the earth again, and is called dew ; but if by the
coldness

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
coldness of the air it be congeal'd, it is called frost ; and
therefore in hot seasons, and in windy weather, dews
are not so frequent, nor so much, as after a calm and
a clear night : for when frosts happen, they dry up
wet and moisture ; for the ice being melted, the water
is proportionably less.
XI. Of Wind,
WIND is said to be an exhalation hot and dry,
engendered in the bowels of the earth ; and
being gotten out, is carried side long upon the face of
the earth, and cannot mount upwards above the mid-
dle region of the air, which, by reason of its coldness,
doth beat it back, so as by much strife, and by meet-
ing other exhalations, its motion is forced to be rather
round than right in its falling ; and this makes it a
wrist-post or whirlwind, which oftentimes, by its vio-
lence, carrieth many things with it from place to place.
XII. Of Earthquakes.
THE ancients affirm that the cause of earthquakes
is plenty of winds gotten and confin'd within the
bowels of the earth which is driving to break forth,
causing a shaking, or sometimes a cleaving of the earth,
and thereby the destruction of many people, and ruin
of whole towns and cities, as the fate of Sicely has but
lately shewn us, by sinking of mountains, and raising
of vallies. But though what I have said may be the
natural cause of earthquakes, yet doubtless, the final
cause is God's anger against provoking sinful people ;
which ought to make our fears to tremble, lest God
for our sins should cause the earth under us to do so.
XIII. Of Thunder and Lightning.
THUNDER and lightning is occasioned by an
exhalation hot and dry, and being carried up
into the middle region of, the air, and there into the
body of a cloud : Now these two contrarieties beings
thus 

76 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
thus shut or inclosed into one place together, they fall
at variance, whereby the water and fire agree not, till
they have broken through, so that fire and water fly
out of the clouds, the breaking whereof, makes that
noise which we call thunder, and the fire is lightning ;
which is first seen, though the thunder-crack be first
given, because our sight is quicker than our hearing ;
for the sooner the thunder is heard, after the lightning
is seen, the nearer it is to us.
XIV. Of the Eclipses and Causes.
BY an eclipse, in general, is underdood a defect of
light happening in some of the cœlestial bodies,
and is caused by the interposition of an oblique body,
and our sight. Now the opinion of astronomers are,
that all the planets of themselves are dark bodies, hav-
ing no light but what they receive from the sun, but
the sun and fixed stars are naturally luminous ; whence
it will follow, that any planet interposing betwixt the
sun and our sight, so also our primary planet coming
betwixt the sun and its secondary, deprives the sec-
ondary of its light, and consequently renders such sec-
ondary planet unilluminated to its primary.
2. Of Eclipses of the Sun,
AN eclipse of the sun is caused by the diametrical
interposition of the moon betwixt the sun and
the earth, which commonly happens at the new moon,
or when she is in conjunction with the sun ;  but every
new moon doth not cause an eclipse, because of her
latitude ; yet the sun seldom escapeth a year together
without appearing eclipsed in some part of the earth
or other, because twice in one year the sun and one
node meet ; also in the conjunction, or new moon, doth
not happen just at the sun's palling by the node, but
within half a degree from the node, he then must suf-
fer an eclipse greater or lesser, according as the node
is nearer or remote from him at the time of true con-
junction ; 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 77
junction ; but if the meeting of the sun, and either
node, happen at the very full moon, then she shall to-
tally escape an eclipse of the new moon.
3. Eclipses of the Moon.
AN eclipse of the moon is nothing but her being
deprived of the sun's light, by the interposition
of the earth betwixt the sun and her, which can never
happen but when the moon is at full ; nor doth it al-
ways happen then because of latitude, for if the sun of
the semi-diameter of the moon, and the earth's shadow,
at the time of the true full, be more than the moon's
latitude, she will  be eclipsed ; but if the sun of the
semi-diameter be less than the latitude, she cannot suf-
fer an eclipse that's full ; and though every full moon
there are not an eclipse, yet she rarely passeth a year
together without being eclipsed little or much for the
sun passeth her nodes ever year.
4. Eclipses either Total or Partial.
TOTAL eclipses are such as quite cover the illu-
minated body, and are either central or not ;
central are when the centers of the sun, earth and moon
being in a straight line, or when the centers of the
sun, earth and moon coincide ; not central, are when
the centers do not coincide, though notwithstanding
they may be total : partial, are when the sun, moon,
or other luminous bodies are but partly darkened.
Now the moon being less than the earth, much less
than the sun, solar eclipses are never or very rarely to-
tal ; yet if it happen the moon be perigjeon and the sun
apogseon, an eclipse of the sun may be total ; for when
the, moon's apparent diameter exceeds the sun's con-
siderably, and her quick and perfect shadow reaches
the superfices of the earth, by which such places that
are situated within the compass of this perfect shadow
(the diameter which is about 300 miles) do lose the
G2 whole

78 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
whole light of the sun, which has caus'd such darkness,
that the stars have appeared at noon day, and so dread-
ful, that the birds have fell to the ground.
XV. Of the four Quarters of the Year ; and first of the
Spring.
THE spring of vernal quartet, begins when the sun
enters into the Ram or Aries (which is with us
the tenth day of March, astronomically) thereby mak-
ing the days and nights equal to all the world, the
sun then rising due east, and setting due west. This
quarter continues while the sun goes through Aries,
Taurus and Gemini.
This quarter is naturally hot and moist ; the most
temperate in all the year, being both pleasant and
healthful, and most convenient for taking of physick,
either to remove chronical distempers, or to prevent
them for the time to come.
2. Of Summer.
THE summer or festival quarter, begins when the
sun touches the first minute of Cancer or the
Crab, thereby making the longest days and shortest
nights, to those that dwell on the north side of the
equinox, which usually happen about the month of
June, after which the days decrease. This quarter
continues till the sun hath gone through Cancer, Leo,
and Virgo.
This quarter is hot and dry ; for then the sun is in
full height and strength, bringing in perfection the pro-
ductions of the earth ; the time of gathering in the
harvest, being chiefly in the last month of this quarter.
3. Of the Autumnal Quarter.
THE autumnal quarter begins when the sun is said
to touch the first minute of Libra, or Ballance,
thereby making the day and night again of equal
length, which is usually upon the 12th day of Septem-
ber, 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 79 
her, then likewise the sun riseth due east, and sets due
west. This quarter continues while the sun goes thro'
Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittary.
This quarter is generally held to be cold and dry,
though it often proves moist and wet ; for the sun now
withdraws his heat, and thereby causeth the falling of
the leaves from the trees, whence this quarter is also
called the fall of the leaf.
4. Of the Winter.
THE winter, or hymeneal quarter, begins when
the sun touches the first minute of the tropical
sign Capricorn, which is for the most part about the
middle of December, thereby making the shortest days
and longest nights to those who dwell on the north-side
of the equinoctial ; and the contrary to those that dwell
on the south-side. This quarter continues while the
sun makes his progress through Capricorn, Aquarius and
Pisces.
This quarter continues cold and moist, being directly
opposite to summer ; for now the fields look barren
and the trees naked.
XVI. The experienced Husbandman : shewing how to
Manure, Plough, Sow and Weed, &c,
THE first point of husbandry is, to prepare the
ground ; the second to plough it well ; the third
to dung it well. The ways of doing this are divers,
according to the nature of every soil and country.—
Only take notice, that all great fields are tilled with
the plough and shear, but the lesser with the spade.
The season of the year, and the weather also, is to
be observed in the ploughing of the ground ; you must
not plough in wet ground ; nor yet after very little
rain ; that is, if after a great drought, a little rain
falls which hath not gone deep, but only wet the upper
part, for the ground ought to be thoroughly mellowed,
but 

80 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
but not too wet, for if it be too wet, you can expect
but little benefit that year: you must therefore observe,
that the season be neither too dry, nor too wet, for
much dryness will hinder it from  working well, be-
cause either the hardness of the earth will resist the
plough, or if it should enter, yet it never will break
the clods small enough, which will be hurtful to the
next ploughing, but if your first ploughing has been
in a dry season, it will be necessary to have some moist-
ure in your second stirring, which will also make your
labor the more. When the ground is rich and wet
withal, it is to be stirred, when the weeds are full
grown, and have their seeds in the top, which being
ploughed so thick, that you can see where the coulter
hath gone, utterly kills and destroys them ; besides
through many stirrings, your fallow is brought to so
fine mould, that it will need very little harrowing when
you sow it ; and seeing so much depends upon the well
ploughing of the ground, the hushandman must try
whether his ground be well ploughed or not, or other-
wise, the stalks being covered with the mould, he may
be easily deceived ; to be certain, therefore, let him
thrust down a rod in the furrow, and if it pierce alike
in every place, tis a sign the ground is well ploughed,
but if it be shallow in one place, and deep in another,.
the ploughing is faulty. If you are to plough upon a
hill, you  must not plough up and down, but thwart,
for so the inconvenient steepness is to be avoided, and
the labor of men and cattle made more easy, but then
you must be careful not to plough always one way, but
sometimes higher, and sometimes lower, working aslope
as you see needful.
As to the season of ploughing, it must be chiefly in
the spring, the ground being in the summer too hard,
and in the winter too dirty ; but in the spring, the ground
being mellowed, is the more easy to be wrought upon ;
and the weeds are then turned in, and being plucked
up 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 81 
up by the roots before they are seeded, will not spring
again, but help to enrich the ground. And therefore
the middle of March is usually the best time to begin
ploughing. But yet if the ground be light and sandy,
it may be ploughed in the winter, if the weather will
permit. A slender and level ground, subject to water,
should be ploughed in the end of August, and stirred
again in September, and prepared for sowing about
the middle of March. The light hilly ground is,
broke up about the middle of September, for if it
be broken up before, it may be burnt up by the sun,
and have no goodness remaining in it, being barren
and without juice. But this shall suffice to be spoken
of breaking up the ground.
Now if your ground be barren and cold, producing
store of weeds or rushes, or to bring it to a moderate
heat, and so make fruitful, let it be manured with lime.
The lime-stones may be had among quarries of stones
and in divers other places, and you may burn them in
a kiln, in the most convenient place you have to save
the carriage ; and when you have fanded your ground
and hack'd it, make your lime small, and on every
acre bestow thirty or forty bushels of lime, spreading it,
and mixing it well with earth and sand ; and the strong-
er and sharper the lime is, the better the earth will be,
and you will find your improvement answer your labor.
And here note, that it is no matter what color your lime
stones are, whether white or grey, so that they be but
sharp and strong in quality, to give a good tincture to
the earth, it being the strength and goodness of the
lime, and not its beauty, that produces the profit. It
is a greater help to a cold, clayey wet ground ; such
grounds are also very much helped by laying dung, or
any soil that is fattening, either of cattle, or such as
is cast out of pond-lakes, or muddy ditches, for bar-
ren and hot earth can never be overlaid with good ma-
nure 

82 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 
nure and compost, for that warms the earth, and it is
the want of warmth makes it unfruitful.
As for the hacking and sanding before mentioned,
the first is, after the ground has been turned up with
the plough, to go over it with a long hoe, or hack, and
cut in pieces the grass which you see turned up
with ridges or furrows, or any uneven lumps, that it
may be dragg'd away, burnt, or carried together with
the weeds, not to grow up again, to incumber the corn.
And landing it, to bring loads of sand, and lay them
in convenient places, spreading them lightly, or thick
(as you see occasion) over the ground, that the lime
mixing with it, may the better embody with the mould,
and produce a good crop.
But beside what I have already mentioned, there are
several other ways of manuring land : I will mention
some of them, for the husbandman's better informa-
tion. But here it will not be amiss to take notice,
that what will do very well for one sort of land, will
not do at all for another ; and therefore in manuring
of land, regard must be had to the nature of it : As
for example; for a clayey ground, lime and sand is ex-
cellent to manure it with, but for a barren sandy
ground, good marle is much more proper. If it be
asked, What this marle is ? I answer, it is a rich cliff
clay, an enemy to all weeds that spring up of them-
selves, and gives a generative virtue to all seeds that
are sown in the ground. It is of a glewy subststance, in
quality cold and dry, and was earth before it was
marie, it is nothing but a rich clay of divers colours,
according to the strength of the sun and climate where
it is produced. This is so good a manure, that well
laid on, it will enrich the barrened ground for ten
years, and some for thirty. To find it, take an auger
whimble, made to hold many bits, one longer than an-
other, till you have tried, by drawing the earth into
one place, then proceed in the most proper places till
you

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 
you come to the marle, and the properest places are in
the lowest parts of high countries, near the brooks and
lakes, and in the high parts of low countries, upon the
knolls or little hills, and in the clefts of steep banks,
or branches in hills opening themselves ; in some pla-
ces it lies deep, in others shallow ; and commonly
barrenly sandy grounds are verged with it, lying very
deep. Having found it, dig it up in great lumps, and
lay it in heaps a yard distance one from another, and
when it is dried, spread all the heaps.-Many
mix the marle with the sand ; but because this is not
so easy to come at ; I will speak of others more general,
that will enrich any poor sand or city for grain, with
less trouble and cost than before.
Woolen rags are very profitable for manuring and
enriching of land, a sackful and half being sufficient
for dressing an acre of arable ground. The way of
using them is to chop them very small, and spread
them an equal thickness over the land before the fal-
lowing time, and then coming to fallow, let the plough
take them carefully into the ground, and cover them.
Shavings, or waste-horns, or hoofs of beasts, are very
good to manure land withal ; scatter the shavings in
the same manner, and plough them in after heat. These
will keep the ground in like quality as the rags, for
five years together, without any renewing. The hoofs
of cattle are approved of for this, and may be had of
trotter and tripe-men, &c. and must be used as the
rags and shavings. Soap ashes, when the lye has been
drained from them, is of excellent use in this case, and
has besides the property of killing weeds and insects
that breed in the ground, and eat up the corn. The
hair of beasts enriches land, being strewed and plough-
ed in, and there let lie to rot. Also malt dust is much
available to this purpose, allowing three quarts of it to
an acre. And to enrich your dung or lay-stall, is to
throw often beef broth, and other waste broths upon
it, 

84 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 
it, as also soap suds ; and in so doing one load will be
worth three of the same kind that is not so used. But
this shall suffice as to manuring of ground.
In sowing of your seed, let your grain be the best,
and scatter it according to the art of good husbandry,
and let your sprinkling be a medium, not too much,
nor too little. But to make the seed prosper the bet-
ter, steep it in thick slimy water, that drains from
dunghills, and if no such is to be had near at hand,
steep cow-dung in water, and soak the seed in it;
wheat will be well soak'd in 18 hours ; barley in 36 ; 
peas in 12 ; but rye and oats may be sowed dry, for
that agrees best with them.
But when the seed is sown, all is not done ; you must
take care to prevent the designs of those that will make
void all your labour, and defeat your hopes, or else,
though you have sown your corn, you shall never see it
come up ; rooks, crows and daws, are great devourers
of grain, who will be sure to be about you when you
go to sow ; to keep these at a distance, shoot some of
them, and hang them upon poles in divers angles of
your field : stick their feathers along the ridges of the
land ; lay trains of gun powder and blow the powder
up, or let it lie scattered in the most frequented places,
and the scent of it will make them forsake the field,
especially now and then shooting a little ; you may also
take great numbers of them by placing strong thick
brown paper, twisted taper wise, like those on sugar
loaves, in holes of the earth, the broad top coming
even with the ground, bird-lime the inside, and scatter
some grain in it, and then the fowl putting in his head
to take it out, the paper so limed will slick close, and
rise with him, when being blindfolded, in amaze he
will fly up a great height, and will fall down again, so
that if you be near at hand, he may easily be taken.
Also the scattering nux vomica, mingled with paste, if
taken by them (as seldom misses) will make them so
sick 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 85 
sick that they will forsake the field. If you lime your
corn they will forsake it ; and so they will, if it be
steeped in water wherein wormwood has been boiled,
or infused ; or else sprinkling you corn with the dregs
of bitter oil, and it will do the like, making them cast
it up sick, and not desirous of any more : and these,
with hanging bunches of feathers on lines or slicks,
that the wind may dangle and twirl them about, may
help to preserve your corn when newly sown ; and this
last also may be used when it is ripe. But these di-
rections relate only to fowl, who, notwithstanding all
you can do, will be sure to come in for a share with
you.
But there are other destroyers of your corn besides
birds, which you must likewise take care to destroy ;
among which are the pismires or ants, who will do a
great deal of mischief by biting off the chits or sprouts,
so that it will never grow, but rot in the ground : To
prevent this, search the corn-fields well, especially un-
der the hedges and the roots of old hollow trees, or on
the tops of hills cast up ; and if you find them there,
put your limed water strong aid hot among them, pre-
sently after sun-setting, and it will destroy them. For
want of lime make a lye of wood ashes and it will do
the same, though not so effectually.
Another devourer of corn, are your droves of great
black beetles, which lie under the clods, and in sprout-
ing time do much mischief: To destroy these make
smoaks in the field, in a still night or when there is a
little breathing wind that may carry it over the sur-
face of the ground, with wet rubbish or mouldy peas
straw, hay, or such like, and it will kill them, or chase
them out of the ground ; for they are of all other crea-
tures, the greatest enemies to smoke, and can least en-
dure it. But if your ground be limed, or if you sow
lime among your corn, you may trouble yourself with
H them 


86 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
them no farther, for if they bite where the lime has
touched, it kills them.
The next vermin to be destroyed is field rats and
mice, and water rats also, for these destroy a great
deal of grain, which to prevent, and ruin them, find
out their round holes when the field is bare, and put
hemlock seed into them, which they will eat, and it
will kill them, the sprinkling of juice of hellebore in
them, will also do the like : But that which I prefer
above the rest is, to beat common grass very small, mix
it with a little copperas, vitriol, and coarse honey, and
make it up in pellets, and scatter it in their haunts, in
the mouth of their holes, or other like places, and the
scent will draw them from all parts, and once eating it,
they will certainly die. This also may be used in
granaries and barns, for other rats and mice, with good
success.
Slugs and snails are another sort of devourers, which
do much mischief to corn and peas just sprouting up ;
to kill these, the best thing is soot or lime, sprinkled
thin over the ground, for touching it they will die.
Grasshoppers also do much injury, by feeding on
the leaf and blossom of corn and pulse, from the first
to the last: These are not easily destroyed, the best way
to get rid of them, is, by sprinkling corn with water
wherein wormwood, rue, or centaury has boiled, till
the strength of them are taken away by the water ; and
if they bite where the sprinkling happen, they will die.
The scent of any bitter thing being so offensive to them,
that they are never found where any such things grow.
Moles are another vermin to be destroyed, for they
are in a double regard destructive to corn ; that is, in
eating the roots, and rooting it up ; not making dis-
tinction of any sort, and tasting all alike ; there are
divers ways of taking them, but not so easily  when
the corn is well grown, for then they do the greatest
mischief when their tracts, or casting up their hills,
cannot 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 87 
cannot be discovered so easily ; however, you must do
as well as you can ; and when you see them casting, or
moving in their tracks, strike them with an iron of
many spears ; or dig pits in their track, and set earthen
glaz'd pots, which they will blindly fall into, and can-
not scramble out ; or fill an earthen jug with pitch,
rosin, and brimstone, with some loose tow or rag, and
firing it, clap the neck to the mouth of the hole, and
the air in the earth drawing in the scent to a great dis-
tance, will stifle them ; or mix juice of hellebore with
rye meal, scatter little bits in the furrows, and finding
it in their way, they will greedily eat it, and die.
Having shewed you how to destroy such vermin as
are devourers of corn, it will now be necessary to say
something about weeding your corn when it is sprung
up ; for weeds are very offensive and destructive to corn,
hindering its growth, and choaking it up.
When the corn is sprung up about a foot above the
ground, those sorts of soil that are apt to produce weeds,
will require your looking after to root them out : If
they be thistles, or such as are great and offensive, they
must be taken away with hooks and nippers, cutting
them off close by the roots, or rather pulling them up
by the roots, if you can do it without breaking the
ground, so as to bring corn along with them. The
nipper may be made with two long pieces of wood ri-
vetted, to be opened like a pair of pincers, with saw-
teeth, closing in one another, that they may take the
surer and firmer hold without slipping. And these
weeds may be much hindered in their growth, by sow-
ing two bushels of bay-salt in an acre of land, as you
do your wheat : for though it is a friend to corn, in
making it prosper and increase, yet it is an enemy to
the weeds, and hinders their growth.
2. How

88 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE 
2. How to turn barren Lands into good Pasture and
Meadows.
HITHERTO I have been speaking of the ordering
of corn, I come now to speak of enriching the
earth for-meadow and pasturage. And this is two ways,
viz. by watering and manuring it. And for this use,
the lower the ground lies so it be not subject to over-
flowings, or too much wet) the better it is, and the
sooner made good. Consider in the next place, what
kind of grass it naturally produces, whether clear and
entire, or mixed with that of worse growth, the first
is best ; but if it be of a worse sort, intermixed with
thistles, broom, and offensive weeds, then grub and
pluck them by the roots, clearing the ground of them
as well as you can, then dry them, mix them with straw,
and burn them upon the swarth of the ground, and
spread the ashes upon it, then fold your sheep upon the
ground for several nights, that their dung may increase
its strength, and their feet trample up the grass ; then
scatter it well over with hay seed, and go over them
with a roller, or beat them with a flat shovel, that they   '
may be pressed into the ground to take root; then over
these scatter hay, or the rooting of hay under stacks,
or the sweeping of the barns, or moist bottoms of any
hay that has been good, and is moist, and of no other
use, then spread on your manure, as horse dung, man's
odure, or the dung of any beast, which being thinned,
and the clods well broken, let it lie till the new grass
spring through it : but do not graze it the first year,
left the cattle tread it up, not having yet taken very 
good root : but mow it that it may have time to come
to perfection ; and though the first year it may prove
short and coarse, yet the second it will be fine and very
long, and in great plenty. And dressing it thus but
once in twenty years, will continue it for good meadow
or pasture ; especially if in dry seasons you have water
to relieve it, which may be done by bringing springs
through 

missing pages 89-92



THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 93 
powder of salt-petre, and wash therewith as you see
occasion, till he be cured.
21. For the glanders, take twenty cloves of garlick,
four quarts of ale, and one penny worth of fallad oil,
peel and beat the garlick, and mix them together, and
give it him to drink ; then take a pan of coals and
strew on them the powder of brimstone, laying it on a
little wet hay, and hold it under the horse's nose in a
funnel, that the smoak may ascend to his nostrils, and
perfume him well with the same, and then ride him
forth till he begins to sweat, and set him up warm, and
an hour after give him meat.
22. For galled thighs, wash them with the water of
roses, plantain, myrtle, and the leaves of mallows,
then anoint the place with ungentam popilion.
23. For a strain or stroke, take flower of linseed,
turpentine, and life-honey, of each a like quantity,
boil them all together with white wine, till they be
thick, like an ointment, then spread it on a cloth, and
lay it to the grief, and it will take away any pain in
the sinews.
24. For a hot impodume, stamp liver wort and hog's.
grease, then mix it hot, and lay it on the sore place.
Or for imposthumes in the ears or head, take a pen-
ny worth of pepper beaten to fins powder, a spoonful
of swine's grease, the juice of a handful of rue, two
spoonfuls of strong vinegar, mix all well together, re-
newing it once in two days, till the swelling goes
away.
25. For a cold impostume, damp balm, mix it
with hog's grease, and lay it in the manner of a plais-
ter.
26. The mare's evil, take oatmeal, mallows, worm-
wood, horehound, and smallage, wring them together
and boil them till they are soft ; then lay it to the
grief, and it will bring it to a head, then launch it,
and 

94 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 
and take red-lead, hole armoniac and rosin, beat them
well together, and lay it on the place.
27. For the menage, take one penny-worth of
May butter, a halfpenny-worth of brimstone in powder,
and the juice of hemlock, and boil them all together;
then with an old wool-card scrape away the hairs, and
lay on the medicine cold, where the menage is: then
with a warm bar of iron or fire shovel, put to it easily,
and in three or four times doing it will cure him.
28. To help an over-rid horse that forsakes his meat:
Wash his mouth with vinegar and salt, and he will feed
after a while.
29. To help a poor horse in flesh : Give him two
penny worth of horse spair, in one penny worth of ale,
and doing this two or three times, it will make him re-
cover his flesh.
30. For a horse that is pursy, take the powder of 
gentian at the apothecaries, give him some of that in
water or ale, and it will help him.
31. To staunch blood, take the scrapings of the
outside of a potage pot that you see the meat in, lay it
on the bleeding place plaister-wise, and it will stanch
the blood forthwith.
32. For the scratches, take English honey, verdi-
grease, and the powder of brimstone, beat them well
together, and wash the place very clean, and then anoint
it all over.
33. For the ring-bone or spavin : It groweth with
a hard knot between the knee, the hoof and the hair :
When you perceive it, burn it with an hot iron, and
anoint the hair about with neat's-foot oil, and it will
help it.
34. For the staggers, take two penny worth of
turmeric, anniseed, long pepper beaten, and falled oil,
of each one penny worth, give him this to drink, rowel
him in the forehead, and put in a piece of nutmeg ;
then take a spoonfol of aqua vita, and a spoonful of
salt

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 95
salt, put it into one of his ears, and so likewise in the
other ear, and bind them up for the space of twenty-
four hours together.
35. For the pole-evil, take running water and
chamber-lye, of each a quart, put therein a pint of
salt, and  boil them till they come to a quart ; then
boil them in a little wad of hay, and after you have
strained it, apply it very hot to the sore.
36. For a prick, take turpentine, tar, pitch, and
beef-suet, of each a dram, and one head of garlick ;
boil all these together, and lay them as hot as can be
suffered, and if it chance to break out about the hoof,
anoint the place with the same stuff, and it will draw
and help it.
37. To help a horse that cannot stale, take beer,
znniseeds, and sallad oil, of each one penny worth,
and elecampane, give it him to drink, then draw out
his yard, and wash it with butter and a little white
wine vinegar, two or three days together, and it will
give him ease, and cure him.
38. For the strangles, or strangullion, take crumbs
of brown bread, bayberries, or of the leaves in powder,
temper them with May butter, and give them in little
balls three days together, and it will cure him.
39. To help any swelling ; take hemlock, stamp
it and mix it with sheep's dung and vinegar, and make
of it a plaister, and apply it to the swelled place.
40. To cure any swelling in the leg: Mark the
ground where the said leg or foot doth stand, and with
a knife or other thing, dig up a turf or piece of earth
just where the leg or foot did stand, hang the same on
a white thorn, if it be summer, or dry weather ; if
it be winter or wet weather, hang it in your chimney,
and as the turf or earth drieth, so shall the swelling
cease.
41. For a broken bone, or joint out: You must
first bathe the grieved place with warm patchgrease,
then 

96 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
then put about it a binding plaister of pitch, rosin, mas-
tic and sallad oil, well mixed together, and melted on
the fire ; then fold that limb about with flax, then
splint it with soft, broad, flat, strong splints, but re-
move them not for fifteen days together, except the
rowels slacken, and then you may straighten them again;
yet it is a good sign : if it swell, and the roller grow
straighter, you may give it ease, it being bound too hard ;
and thus dressing it every fifteen days, the bone will
knit ; and if any gross matter appear, bathe it twice
or thrice a day.
42. For the yellows, chop sallendine and rue very
small, mix it with fresh butter and sallad oil, give it
him, let him blood in the forehead.
43. To skin sores, take melted butter and strew
upon it the powder of rosin a day or two ; then take
two spoonfuls of very thick cream, and with the soot
of the chimney make a paste thereof, and spread it
upon the sore.
44. To cause a stomach, stamp garlick and pepper
together, give it to him ; then rub his teeth with salt,
tied in a clout to a stick, and thrust it into his jaws and
let him chew upon the bridle awhile after it.
45. For splinter or spavin, take mercury, or white
arsenic ground to powder, then make a little slit the
length of a barley-corn, to the bone on the top of the
raising up the skin with a corner, and put in as much
mercury or arsenic as will lie upon the slit, and tie up
the horse's head to the rack, so that he may not bite
the sore place, for the space of two or three hours ; for
then the anguish will be over, and so let him fall to
his meat. It will rot and go away of itself, and you
may heal the sore with the former salve prescribed in
the 43d cure.
46. For a loose hoof, take bees-wax, hog's grease,
and turpentine, of each a like quantity ; melt the wax
and hog's grease, dissolve the turpentine into it, and
stir 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 97
stir it well together, then put it in an earthern pot to
cool, and with the same anoint the corner of the hoof,
and putting wheat bran unto it, boiled very hot, and
stop it in the horse's feet, helpeth a fretese or sounder.
47. To repair a broken hoof, take twelve heads of
garlic and bruise them, of rosin and allum each two
ounces, mingle them with half a handful of ass's dung,
then boil them together, and anoint the hoof there-
with.
48. For a gall or hurt with the saddle, that doth
swell ; seethe an onion in water, and so lay it as hot
to his back as can be suffered, bind it fast and it will
assuage the swelling.
49. For the vives, take a penny worth of English
honey, a handful of violet leaves, and stamp them to-
gether, and it will cure without fail.
50. To help all cramps, take peas grease or patch
grease and wine vinegar, a like quantity, boil it, and
being melted very hot, with the same bathe twice or
thrice a day, and exercise moderately before and after
dressing it ; it will not only take away his pain, but
also remove all swellings or cramps whatsoever.
51. To cure worms, or bots, take hartshorn and sa-
vin, stamped or chopped together, mix it with good
strong vinegar, and give it to drink ; or with your hand
wash his fundament with brine, or with the water of
germandine, it will give him ease presently.
52. To help a tired horse ; pour a quart of good
wine or ale down his throat, and it will very much re-
fresh him.—If your horse in travel fall suddenly sick,
where no town is nigh, alight, and with a knife or
bodkin prick him in the roof of his mouth, and make
him bleed, suffering him to chew and eat his own
blood is a cure to himself.
53. If a horse in halting bow not his hoof, mingle
hemp with the white of an egg, and stop the foot un-
der the shoe ; but if it be a wound, put in the powder
I of 

98 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
of oyster shells and verdigrease, to dry it up, or the
white of an egg with soap and vinegar.
2. The experienced Cowleech.
1. HOW to know and help a cow that is like to
cast herself: She will look hollow-eyed, and
pine ; take the grounds of ale and the powder of cin-
namon, liquorice and ginger, and give her to drink.
2. For a cow that has cast her calf ; take grains
and long pepper, of each two penny worth, in pow-
der, and give it her to drink in milk.
3. For a cow that has calved and cannot glean ;
take a quart of good ale, boil it and skim it well,
then put in a handful of the flower of barley malt, and
give her to drink in a warm mash.
4. To keep calves from worms ; when they are
troubled therewith they will run up and down, and
not stand stll in a place, but quiver and shake, and
hold their heads towards their side ; take southern
wood, or wormwood, and bruise it with dry figs and
stichets, and make a paste thereof, and put them into
the throat.
5. For weaning of Calves ; take five branches of
tansey, five branches of rosemary, and sprigs of mint,
stamp them, and give the juice to drink, with four
spoonfuls of good verjuice.
6. To increase milk ; take sugar-candy, cinnamon,
and strong drink, and give it to drink now and then.
7. To help the beasts that cannot piss ; take and
bruise cardus benedictus, then strain it with white wine,
and so give it to drink.
8. For the cholic ; take the powder of ore penny
worth of ginger, and so much of the powder of Li-
quorice, give it in a quart of milk, and it will help
her.
9. For loss of cud ; take half a pint of urine, bay
salt and wall earth, of each a handful, mix them well
together.

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 99
together, and wash the roof of the mouth ; but pull out
the tongue and force some down.
10. If a cow be bruised, she will piss blood ; take
perriwinkle, comfrem, harts-tongue, and blood wort,
chop and stamp them in a mortar, wring out the juice
and give a little thereof at a time in rennet to drink.
11. For a gore ; take ashes finely sifted, and mix
them with the grounds of ale or beer, and make it
thick like butter, and so lay it thereon ; use this and
it will heal it.
12. If a cow have the fret, her milk will go away,
and she will lie with her legs along ; take a little dan-
delion and groundfel, and boil them well in good
strong ale, then drain out the liquor, and give it her.
13. For a beast that cannot dung ; take hay, seethe
it well, stamp it, and drain the liquor, and put into it
fresh grease and soap, and give it.
14. If the beast be sick of the gall, and ready to
burst ; take a pint of stale ale, one penny worth of
ox gall, and a handful of salt, mix them together, and
give it to drink, arid it will cure forthwith.
15. If a cow's gall do run, she will scour and hang
down her ears ; take falleudine, turmeric, and rennet,
boil them well and drain them, then give it lukewarm.
16. If a beast be grieved in the lungs, it  will be
hoarse, short winded, and hang out the tongue ; take a
pint of stale ale, a half penny worth of bole armoniac
beaten, of hemp-seed and long-worth of each a hand-
ful, beat them well together.
17. If a beast be sick of the murrain, it will rattle
in the throat ; take a pint of stale ale, long pepper and
grains, of each one half-penny worth, of fenugreek a
farthing worth, beat them well, and mix them together,
and give it warm to drink. Or you may let them be
let blood in the nostrils, and give him sugar-candy,
cinnamon, and turmeric, beaten and put in milk.
18. For the daggers ; take cloves and fennel seeds,
beat 


100 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
beat them to powder, and with milk give it the beast
to drink, and then let him blood.
19. If beasts be maw-sick their eyes will settle in
their heads, and they will groan much, and pine away ;
take a pint of milk, a spoonful of tar, a half-penny
worth of honey, mix them together, and give it to the
beast to drink warm.
20. The more-evil, is known by the staling of
blood ; take more-water and more-grass, otherwise
called rosa solis, chop these herbs small, and give the
beast a dishful three or four times a day.
21. The tangen, and what it is : It is a disease
known by the swelling of the tongue, or by a bleb
thereon, it maketh them rough furred in the throat,
and to swell. To cure it, take a handful of dry mole's
earth, prick the bleb with the point of a knife, then
rub the root of the tongue about the bleb very well
with the earth, and cast some urine into the beast's
mouth.
22. A purge for cattle. Let the beast blood in the
neck vein, then take a quart of ale, boil it and skim it
well, then take it off and put into it a spoonfol of the
juice of garlic, and as much tar, then, take sugar-can-
dy, senugreek and brimstone, all beaten to powder, the
quantity of three spoonfuls ; brew all together with
the ale, till it be cool, putting in a quarter of a pint of
sallad oil, so give it to the beast to drink fasting, and
after it chase it to and fro for a pretty little while.
23. For the asprung ; take a running water, leaven
and salt, rub her mouth and nostrils therewith, and
break the bleb under the tongue.
24. For the dry-root ; take legwort, fallendine and
hay salt, of each an handful, and four heads of garlic,
damp all these together, then take a quarter of a pound
of leaven, a little dishful of soot, work it with the oth-
er things, then take a quart or less of good ale, in two
spoonfuls of mother, one penny worth of long pepper
beaten, 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 101
beaten, and give it the beast to drink, and then chase
her up and down an hour,  but keep her from water
five or six hours after.
25. For the itch. With old urine and ashwood
ashes make a strong lye, then to a pint of this lye put
tar, black soap, copperas, pepper, brimstone, boar's
grease, staneface, plantain, of each a like quantity, as
much as will make the lye a thick salve, and with the
same anoint all the sore places, and it will kill and
heal.
26. For a beast that has eaten venomous herbs ; a
good handful of wormwood, chop it very small, put it
into a good quantity of ale or beer, and give it the
beast to drink three or four days together, in the morn-
ing.
27. For the garret in the maw ; take a good quan-
tity of  whole mustard seed, and mix it with wine or
strong ale, and give it to the cow.
28. For the canker in the mouth; take woodbine
leaves, sage, salt, and plantain, of each a handful, boil
them well in a quart of running water, with half a
pint of honey, and a pint of good strong vinegar, mix-
ed together, wash the beast's mouth once a day.
29. For infirmities in the eyes ; take an egg and
put out half the white, then fill it again with salt, and
roast it on the embers so long that you may beat it to
powder, then mix that powder in a spoonful of water
of eye-bright, and as much of the juice of houseleek,
washing the beast's eye twice or thrice a day, if it
does not help them, bleed in the temple vein.
30. For inflammation in the eyes; take southern
wood, and bruise it with vinegar, and lay it to the
eye ; for a sore eye, spirt beer therein, or chew the leaves
of ground ivy, and drop it into the eye, with the juice
thereof, with the powder of ginger.
31. For a cow that hath the wither; take the more
of the flower-de-luce, wash them close, stamp them
I2 well,

102 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
well, and mix it with a penny worth of long pepper in
powder, make thereof three balls of the bigness of an
egg, and give the beast one in drink for three or four
days together.
32. To make a cow take bull; give her of the herb
called cow-make, which groweth like a white gilly-
flower among corn, two hours before she shall take
bull, if she should refuse the bull.
33. Against the biting of a mad dog ; take garlic
and put it in a linen-cloth, then chafe and rub the
bitten place therewith. Or take root of great bur,
bruised with salt, laid to the place, it will help man
or beast.
34. To fasten teeth ; first prick his gums beneath
on both sides, within and without, and the gums above
with the point of a knife, then take a whetstone or
rough pebble, rub the gums therewith, and make them
bleed ; so done, chafe them well with suet, and they
will fasten again, or rub them with sage and salt.
35. How to geld or cut a calf: you shall cause one
to hold down his forepart or legs, then bind his hinder
legs with some cord half a yard asunder, let his feet be
bound, and let the said holder set both his knees on the
cord, nigh to his legs, and so cut him gently, and anoint
his flanks with some grease, then rub his flanks with
cold water mixed with salt, and he shall do well.
36. Against hide-bound ; take and stamp the leaves
of the flower-de-luce, then strain it with good ale,
and so give it them warm.
37. Against pissing of blood, or bloody-flux ; if
this disease be newly begun, you shall take a frog, and
cut off his left leg, and so put him alive in the beasts
mouth ; but then you must have ready a handful of
salt mixed with a pint of good strong ale ; and so soon
as you can, after the frog, give the beast to drink, and
make him swallow down all together.
But if your beast have continued long, then shall you
take 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 103
take of sharp tanner's ouse, with old Marclemas beef,
mix'd and well stirred together, and then give it to
the beast.
The experienced Shepherd.
1. FOR the sheep that have the staggers, give them
one penny worth of treacle, one race of tur-
meric, and one penny-worth of English saffron, all
mix'd together.
2. For sheep that make red water; take a little piece
of roach allum, a little piece of butter, mix it to-
gether, and give it them as you see occasion.
3. For the scab and itch ; take tar and fresh grease,
of each a like quantity, mix them well with the juice
of chervill and a little brimstone ; make a salve, and
anoint the sore place therewith.
4. Looseness of teeth, and grief of the mouth ;
take salt, sage, and earth, of each a like quantity,
beaten together, and rub the mouth and gums of the
sheep until you make them bleed.
5. For the general rot, or water in the belly ; take
sage, tansey, holy thistle, horse mint, wormwood-
flowers, rosemary, rue, plantain, dill and lungworth
of each a like quantity; beaten in the mortar, then
drain out the juice, and to five spoonfuls of it, put
into a pint of honied water boiled, with two spoonfuls
of the powder of bay-berries, long-pepper, liquorice,
and anniseed, of each alike: then taken from the
fire, put in two spoonfuls of good salt, and as much
sweet butter as a walnut, stir all together, and give it
to the sheep lukewarm, in a horn, to drink morning
and evening rubbing the mouth very well with salt, is
a certain and approved cure.
4. The complete  Swineherd.
1. FOR the murrain, or garret; take gun-powder,
bay-salt, bole-armoniac, and garlic, beat them,
together, with a knife make a hole between their claws,
put 

104 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
put in the quantity of a hazle nut, and let them blood 
under the tongue, or in the shoulder-vein.
2. For scurf or manginess ; let them blood in the
tail, then take black-soap, brimstone, vinegar, swine's
grease and honey mix'd together, of each a like quan-
tity, and anoint the swine all over with it, having first
rubbed off all the scurf and filth with a wool-card.
3. For a sow that eateth her pigs; watch the pig-
ging, and take the least or worst pig, and anoint it all
over with the juice of the herb called stone-crap, and 
give her to eat, and she will never do the like again.
4. For the measles, or pox; let them blood under
the ears, or in the tail, then bind the sore with the bark
of green osiers, then take an ounce of treacle, the
juice of wormwood, liver-worth, and gall-worth, half
a pint, of red oaker and hen's dung, of each a hand-
ful, and of barley-meal three handfuls, mixed with a
bottle of urine and honey all together, put it into two
gallons or sweet warm wash, and give it to the swine
to drink, and anoint all the sore places with boar's
grease and brimstone, mixed together.
The End of the FOURTH PART.
THE 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 105
The true FORM of all Sorts of BILLS, 
BONDS, INDENTURES, LETTERS of AT-
TORNEY and LICENCE, DEEDS, BILLS 
of EXCHANGE, &c.                    
A Bill with Penalty.
KNOW all men by these presents, that I John Jen-
kins, of the town of Milton, in the county of Suf-
folk, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, victualler,
do acknowledge myself indebted to Martin Moneyman,
of Roxbury, in the county and commonwealth afore-
said, grazier, in the sum of twenty pounds, of good
and lawful money of Massachusetts, to be paid unto the
said Martin Moneyman, his heirs, executors, admini-
strators and assigns, in or upon the 29th day of Sep-
tember next ensuing the date hereof, without fraud or
further delay : For and in consideration of which pay-
ment, well and truly to be made and done, I bind my-
felf, my heirs, executors, and administrators, in the
penal sum of forty pounds, of the like lawful money,
firmly by these presents : In witness whereof, I have
hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-fifth day of
March, in the year of our Lord God, 1795.
JOHN JENKINS. ☉
Signed, Sealed, and Deli-
vered, in presence of
Titus Testimony,
Andrew Affidavit.
Note. The mark ☉, in this and the forms subsequent,
represents the seal, which in this, and in all those in
which it appears, ought to be affixed ; the person who
executes any of them, is, in the presence of the wit-
nesses, to take off the seal (that is the instrument with
which 

106 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE,
which the impression was made) and then taking the
paper or parchment, in his or her right hand, is to pro-
nounce these words : I deliver this as my act and deed
for the purposes within mentioned.
A short Bill or Note of one's Hand.
KNOW all men by these presents, that I Peter Pen-
nyless, of the town of Boston, in the county of
Suffolk, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, black-
smith, do owe, and own myself to stand indebted to
Robert Rich, of Salem, in the county of Essex, and
Commonwealth aforesaid, gent, in the just and due sum
of five pounds, of lawful money of Massachusetts, which
by these presents, I promise to pay unto him, the said
Robert Rich, at, or upon the 6th day of October next
ensuing the date hereof: For the true performance of
which payment, well and truly to be made, and in wit-
ness hereof, I have set my hand to these presents, this
fifth day of March, 1795.
PETER PENNYLESS.
Among men of business the following form is com-
monly used, and is equally effectual in law :
I PROMISE to pay to Mr. Robert Rich, or his order,
the sum of five pounds, five months after date,
for value received, this fifth day of March, 1795, by
PETER PENNYLESS.
This note is transferrable to another, if Robert Rich
writes his name on the back thereof; but then if Pe-
ter Pennyless doth not pay it, Robert Rich is liable
thereto.
A penal Bill from two to one.
KNOW all men by these presents, that we Laurence
Luckless and Peter Pauper, both of the town of
Boston, in the county of Suffolk, and Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, weavers, do acknowledge and own
ourselves to stand indebted to Gabriel Greedy, of the
town 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 107
town of Roxbury, in the county and Commonwealth
aforesaid, felt maker, in the just and due sum of ten
pounds, of good and lawful money of Massachusetts,
to be paid unto him the said Gabriel Greedy, his heirs,
executors, administrators, or assigns, at or upon the
thirteenth day of October next ensuing the date hereof,
without fraud or further delay ; for and in consideration
of which payment, well and truly to be made, we do
bind our heirs, executors, and administrators, in the
penal sum of twenty pounds of the like lawful money,
firmly by these presents. In witness whereof, we have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this sixteenth day of
February, in the year of our Lord, 1795. 
LAU. LUCKLESS. O
PETER PAUPER. O 
Signed, Sealed, and Deli-
vered, in presence of
Wimbleton Witness.
Timothy Testis.
Note, That bills without penalty are of no more
force or lasting than book-debts, as they are not sealed ;
yet they are esteemed better security, because the party's
hand, if he contends, may be proved against him :
but oft times, on an adjustment of accounts, it is usual
to have the party's hand to the book, which is as va-
lid as the other ; but, in my opinion, there ought to
be a witness to either of them.
Note also, All obligations ought to be in English,
and the words at length ; they may be suited to any
condition, by only altering the name or names, place
or places of abode, title or titles, sum or sums of mo-
ney, date, &c.
A Bond from one to one.
KNOW all men by these presents, that I Abraham
Darmell, of the town of Boston, in the county
of Suffolk, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, gent.
am 

108 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
am held and firmly bound to John Melver, of the said
town, Esq. in the sum of fifty pounds of good and
lawful money of Massachusetts, to be paid to the said
John Melver, or to his certain attorney, his executors,
administrators, or assigns ; for the true payment where-
of, I bind myself, my heirs, executors and administra-
tors, firmly by these presents, sealed with my seal.—
Dated this twenty-first day of January, in the year of
our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-
five.
The condition of this obligation is such, that if the
above bounden Abraham Darmell, his heirs, executors,
or administrators, do well and truly pay, or cause to be
paid, to the above-named John Melver, his executors,
administrators, or assigns, the full sum of twenty-five
pounds of good and lawful money of Massachusetts, on
the twentieth day of August next ensuing the date
hereof, with the lawful interest thereof; then this ob-
ligation to be void, or else to remain, continue, and be
in full force and virtue.
ABRAHAM DARMELL. O
Sealed and delivered in 
the presence of
George Needy.
Thomas Trusty.   
A general Release.
KNOW all men by these presents, That I Peter
Peaceable, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk,
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, tobaconist, have
remised, released, and for ever quit claim to William
Winter, of Roxbury, in the county aforesaid, fish-mon-
ger, his heirs, executors, and administrators, of all and
all manner of action and actions, suits, bills, bonds,
writings, debts, dues, duties, accounts, sums of money,
leases, mortgages, judgments by confession or other-
wise obtained, executions, extents, quarrels, contro-
versies, 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 109
versies, trespasses, damages, and demands whatsoever,
which by law or equity, or otherwise soever, I the
said Peter Peaceable, against the said William Winter,
ever had, and which I, my heirs, executors, or ad-
ministrators, shall or may claim, challenge, or demand,
for or by reason, means, or colours of any matter, cause,
or thing whatsoever, to the day of the date of these
presents.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this fifth day of April, &c.
PETER PEACEABLE. O
An Indenture of Apprenticeship.
THIS Indenture witnesseth, That Richard Reynolds,
son of Robert Reynolds, late of Boston, in the
county of Suffolk, hath put himself, and by these pre-
sents doth voluntarily put himself Apprentice to
Charles Carpenter, housewright, of said town, to learn
his art, trade, or mystery, and after the manner of an
apprentice, to serve him from the day of the date
hereof, for and during the whole term of seven years 
next ensuing : During all which time, he the said ap-
prentice his master shall faithfully serve, his secrets
keep, his lawful commands every where gladly obey.
He shall do no damage to his said master, nor see it
be done by others, without letting or giving notice
thereof to his said master.-He shall not waste
his said master's goods, nor lend them unlawfully to
others. He shall not commit fornication, nor con-
tract matrimony within the said term. At cards,
dice, or any unlawful game, he shall not play, where-
by his said master may be damaged. With his own
goods, or the goods of others, during the said term,
without licence of his said master, he shall neither buy
nor sell.
He shall not absent himself day nor night, from his
said master's service without his leave ; nor haunt ale-
K houses, 

110 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
houses, taverns, or play-houses: but in all things be-
have himself as a faithful apprentice ought to do, dur-
ing the said term. And the said master shall use the
utmost of his endeavours to teach, or cause to be taught
and instruct, the said apprentice, in the trade and mys-
tery he now professeth, occupieth, or followeth ; and
procure and provide for him the said apprentice, suffici-
ent meat, drink, apparel, washing and lodging, fitting
for an apprentice, during the said term. And for the
true performance of all and every the said covenants and
agreements, either of the said parties bind themselves
unto the other by these presents. In witness whereof,
they have interchangeably put their hands and seals, this
sixteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord, 1795. 
A Letter of Attorney.
KNOW all men by these presents, That I, Charles
Careful, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk, and
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, apothecary (for di-
vers considerations and good causes me hereunto mov-
ing) have made, ordained, constituted and appointed,
and by these presents do make, ordain, constitute, and
appoint, my trusty friend William Wagstaff, of Milton,
in the county aforesaid, gentleman, my true and law-
ful attorney, for me and in my name, and to my use, to
ask, demand, recover or receive, of and from A.B. of Rox-
bury, in the said county, the sum of forty pounds; giv-
ing, and by these presents granting to my said attorney,
my sole and full power and authority, to take, pursue,
and follow such legal courses, for the recovery, receiv-
ing, and obtaining of the same, as I myself might could
do, were I personally present; and upon the receipt of
the same, acquitances and other sufficient discharges,
for me, and in my name, to make, sign, seal and deliv-
er ; as also, one or more attorney or attorneys, under
him to substitute or appoint, and again, at his pleasure
to revoke ; and further to do, perform, and execute for
me, 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 111
me, and in my name, all and singular thing or things,
which shall or may be necessary, touching and concern-
ing the premises, as fully, thorougly, and entirely, as I
the said Charles Careful, in my own person, ought or
could do in and about the same; ratifying, allowing,
and confirming, whatsoever my said attorney shall
lawfully do, or cause to be done, in and about the ex-
ecution of the premises, by virtue of these presents :
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
seal, the sixth day of March, in the year of our Lord
God, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five.
A Letter of Attorney by a Seaman.
KNOW all men by these presents, that I, Timothy 
Tarpaulin, mariner, now belonging to the ship
Rye, for divers good causes and considerations me
thereunto moving, have, and by these presents do make
my trusty friend Henry Hearty, of Boston, in the
county of Suffolk, and commonwealth of Masachusetts,
baker, (or my beloved wife Penelope Tarpaulin) my
true and lawful attorney, for me, and in my name, and
for my use, to ask, demand, and receive, of and from
the captain or agent of said ship, or whom else it may
concern, as well of all such wages and pay, bounty
money, prize money, and all other sum and sums of
money whatsoever, as now are, and which hereafter
shall and may be due, or payable unto me : Also all
such pensions, salaries, smart money, or other money
and things whatsoever, which now are, or at any time
hereafter shall or may be due to me, for my service,
or otherwise, on board said ship, or any other ship,
vessel: Giving and hereby granting, unto
full and whole power, to take, pur-
or courses, for the re- 

112 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
And I do hereby ratify, allow and confirm, all and
whatever my attorney shall lawfully do, or cause to be
done, in and about the execution of the premises, by
viitue of these presents : In witness whereof, I have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this tenth day of March,
one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five.
TIMOTHY TARPAULINE. ☉
A Deed of Gift.
TO all people to whom these presents shall come, I
George Generous, do send Greeting. Know Ye,
That I the said George Generous, of the town of Worces-
ter, in the county of Worcester, brickmaker, for and
in consideration of the love, good-will, and affection
which I have and do bear towards my loving sister,
Sarah Sorrowful, of the same town and county, wi-
dow ; have given and granted, and by these presents
do freely give and grant unto the said Sarah Sorrowful,
her heirs, executors, or administrators, all and singular
my goods and chattles, now being in my present dwel-
ling-house, in the town aforesaid, known by the name
of Fisher's Figgary ; of which (before the signing of
these presents) I have delivered her, the said Sarah
Sorrowful, an inventory, signed with my hand, and
bearing even date, to have and to hold all the said
goods and chattles in the said premises or dwelling-
houses, to her the said Sarah Sorrowful, her heirs,
executors or administrators from henceforth, as her
and their proper goods and chattles, absolutely without
any manner of condition. In witness whereof, I have
hereunto put my hand and seal, this tenth day of March
1795. 
GEORGE G 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 113.
Note, This precedent may be  extended to the giv-
ing away of cattle, corn, house, or land if not entailed,
&c. but the particulars must be named, &c.
Of Bills of Exchange.
BILLS of Exchange are either inland or foreign.
The inland bills are drawn by one trader in one
city or town, upon another of another city or town in
the same kingdom ; as London upon Bristol, or Exeter
upon London, &c. and these chiefly concern our shop-
keepers and wholesale traders, either of town or coun-
try, and the foreign more, immediately concern the
merchants.
Bills of Exchange, if handsomely drawn, must be
written in a fair hand, on a long piece of paper, about
three inches broad, and writ in form after the follow-
ing precedent.
A Bill payable at Sight.
London, 5th January, 1795.
AT sight hereof, pay to Mr. Gregory Greedy, or
his order, the sum of Fifty Pounds, for value
received of Christopher Cash ; and place it to account,
as per advice from Your humble servant,
DANIEL DRAWBILL.
To Mr. Peter Punctual, Grocer,
in High-Street, Bristol.
Note, A Bill at sight is payable three days after the
acceptor seeth it.
A short Will in legal Form.
IN the name of GOD, Amen, I William Weakly, of
the town of Boston, haberdasher, being very sick
and weak in (or in perfect health of) body, but (or,
and) of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given
unto GOD ; calling unto mind the mortality of my
body, and knowing that it is appointed for all men
once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and 
K2 testament; 

114 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
testament; that is to say, principally and first of all, I
give and recommend my soul into the hand of Al-
mighty GOD that gave it, and my body I recommend
to the earth, to be buried in a decent christian burial,
at the discretion of my executors: Nothing doubting,
but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same
again, by the mighty power of GOD. And as touch-
ing such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased GOD
to bless me in this life, I give, demise, and dispose of
the same in the following manner and form.
First, I give and bequeath to Elizabeth, my dearly
beloved wife, the sum of five hundred pounds, lawful
money of Massachusetts, to be raised and levied out of
my estate, together with all my houshold goods, debts,
and moveable effects.
Also, I give to my well-beloved daughter, Elizabeth
Weakly, whom I likewise constitute, make, and or-
dain the sole executrix of this my last will and testa-
ment, all and singular my lands, messuages, and tene-
ments, by her freely to be possessed and enjoyed.—
And I do hereby utterly disavow, revoke and disannul
all and every other former testaments, wills, legacies,
bequests, and executors, by me in any wise before
mentioned, willed and bequeathed ; ratifying and con-
firming this, and no other, to be my last will and tes-
tament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this twelfth day of March, 1795.
WILLIAM WEAKLY. O
Signed, sealed, published, pronounced
and declared, by the said William
Weakly, as his last Will and Testa- 
ment, in the presence of us who,
in his presence, and in the presence
of each other, have hereunto sub-
scribed our names.
Henry Hardy.
Samuel Short.
William Wortle.
The 

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 115
The testator, after taking off the seal, must, in the
presence of the witnesses, pronounce these words, I
publish and declare this to be my last will and testa-
ment.
Note. If a will be already made, and the person
hath no mind to alter it, but to add something more,
there may be affixed the following Codicil or Sche-
dule to it, and it will stand good in law, as part of the
will.
A Codicil to a Will.
Be it known to all men by these presents, that I
William Weakly, of Boston, haberdasher, have made
and declared my last will and testament in writing,
bearing date the twelfth day of March, one thousand
seven hundred and ninety-five, I the said William
Weakly, by this present Codicil, do ratify and confirm
my said last will and testament, and do further give
aud bequeath upon my loving cousin and godson Wil-
liam Weakly, junior, the sum of fifty pounds of good
and lawful money of Massachusetts, to be paid unto him
the said William Weakly, by my executrix, out of my
estate : And my will and meaning is, that this codicil
be adjudged to be a part and parcel of my last Will
and Testament ; and that all things therein mentioned
and contained, be faithfully and truly performed, and
as fully and amply in every respect, as if the same
were so declared and set down in my said last Will and
Testament. Witness my hand this twentieth day of
March, one thoufand feven hundred and ninety-five.
WILLIAM WEAKLY.
Signed, in the prefence of us  
A. B.  
C. D.
The Wheel of Fortune, and what is meant by it.
WHEN any desire to know a question, state any
number not exceeding 30, to that let the
number 

116 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
number of the day be added and the first letter of
your name, which perhaps may prove a figure-letter,
and let the number be divided by three, and if the
division comes out even, then expect a good issue of
what you require, whether relating to love, business or
the like ; but if broken, and odd, then the success
will be bad, if not altogether unfortunate.
Several Queries resolving in Matters of Love and Bu-
siness, by throwing a Die, or pricking at a Figure,
after the Form and Rules of the following Table.
WHAT number, you throw, or what number
letter you prick upon, they being covered
with a piece of paper, thro' which you must prick, go
to the same number and letter in the following solu-
tions, for a true answer.
THE FORTUNE TABLE.
A 2 3 4 5 6 
B 2 3 4 5 6
C 2 3 4 5 6
D 2 3 4 5 6
As to what kind of a Husband a Widow or Maid shall
have.
A HANDSOME youth be sure you'll have,
Brown hair, high nose, he'll keep you brave.
2. A man unto thy lot shall fall,
Straight, but neither short nor tall,
3. An honest tradesman is thy lot,
When he proffers slight him not.
4. Fair

THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE. 117
4. Fair, ruddy, bush-hair is thy love,
He'll keep thee well, and call thee still his dove.
5. A widower, tho' rich, thou'lt marry,
You for a husband won't long tarry.
6. Proper and gay will be the man,
That will thee wed, my pretty Nan.
Whether a Maid shall have him she loves.
BE not too coy, he is your own,
But thro' delay he may be gone.
2. He of your wishes does not know
He'd soon comply if it we
3. Come set thy heart 
He will but plu
4. Fear not
And 
5. 
6

118 THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE.
Whether it be best to marry or not.
DON'T fear, thy husband will be kind,
And it is one shall please thy mind.
2. If he be of complexion fair,
For thee that man I do prepare,
3. Come never fear, it will be well,
Or say I can no fortune tell.
4. Pray lose no time, for if you do,
Age will come on, and you may rue.
this match slip, you may long stay,
ied without delay.
now to do't,
are dispute.