book containing all the canonical

books of the Old and New Testa- ment, according as you have them, while the Apocalypse itself and some other books of the New
Bacon's " New Atlantis."
see before our eyes is thy finger and a true miracle. And foras- much as we learn in our books that thou never workest miracles but to a divine and excellent end (for the laws of nature are thine own laws, and thou exceedest them not but upon good cause), we most humbly beaeech thee to prosper this great sign, and to give us the interpretation and use of it in mercy, which thou dost in some part secretly promise by sending it unto us."
" * When he had made his prayer, he presently found the boat he was in moveable and unbound, whereas all the rest remained still fast ; and taking that for an assur- ance of leave to approach, he caused the boat to be softly and with silence rowed towards the pillar : but ere he came near it, the pillar and cross of light brake up, and cast itself abroad, as it were, into a firmament of many stars ; which also vanished soon after, and there was nothing left to be seen but a small ark or chest of cedar, dry, and not wet at all with water, though it swam ; and in the fore-end of it, which was towards him, grew a small green branch of palm. And when the wise man had taken it with all reverence into his boat, it opened of itself, and there was found in it a book and a letter, both written in fine parchment, and wrapped in sindons of linen. The book con- tained all the canonical books of
8
BACON'S '' NEW ATLANTISy
Heydon's Voyaob to the Land of the Bosicrucians.
Testament) not at that time writ- ten, were, nevertheless, therein.* "
^* * At the same time, the inhabi- tants of the Holy Land did flourish. For though the narration and dis- cription made by a great man with you, that the descendants of Neptune planted there, and of the magnificent temple, palace, city, and hill (see my Rosie Crucian In- fallible Axi'omata), and the mani- fold navigable rivers (which as so many chains environed the site and temple), and the severall de- grees of ascent whereby men did climb up to the same as if it had been a Scala Cceli^ be all poeticall and fabulous, yet so much is true that the said country of Judea, as well as Peru, then called Coy a — Mexico, then named Tyrambel — were mighty, proud kingdomes in arms, shipping, and riches. At one time both made two great expeditions, they of Tyrambel through Judea to the Mediterrane sea, and they of Coya through the South Sea upon this our island.' "
Bacon's " New Atlantic"
the Old and New Testament, according as you have them (for we know well what the churches with you receive), and the Apo- calypse itself ; and some other books of the New Testament which were not at that time written, were nevertheless in the book."*
" ' At the same time, and an age after or more, the inhabitants of the great Atlantis did flourish. For though the narration and de- scription which is made by a great man, with you, of the descendants of Neptune planted there, and of the magnificent temple, palace, city, and hill, and the manifold streams of goodly navigable rivers, which, as so many chains, envir- oned the same site and temple, and the several degrees of ascent, whereby men did climb up to the same, as if it had been a acala cceli^ be all poetical and fabulous ; yet so much is true, that the said country of Atlantis, as well as that of Peru, then called Coya, as that of Mexico, then named Tyrambel, were mighty and proud kingdoms in arms, shipping, and riches ; so mighty, as at one time, or at least within the space of ten years, they both made two great expeditions : they of Tyrambel through the Atlantic to the Medi- terranean Sea, and they of Coya, through the South Sea, upon this our island.*"
'* Ye shall understand that among ** You shall understand, my dear
BA coirs ''NEW A TLANTISr
HeYD0N*8 " VoTAaK TO THE
Land of the Rosicrucians."
the excellent acts of that King one hath the pre-eminence — ^the erection and institution of an Order, or Society, which we call the Temple of the Rosie Crosse, the noblest foundation that ever was upon eatth, and the lanthome of this Kingdome. It is dedi- cated to the study of the works and creatures of Grod. Some think it beareth the founder's name a little corrupted, as if it should be F. H. R. C. his house, but the records write it as it is sp'»ken. I take it to be denominate of the King of the Hebrews, which is famous with you, and no stranger to us, for we have some parts of his works which you have lost, namely, that Rosie Crucian M which he wrote of all things past, present, or to come, and of all things that have life and motion. This maketh me think that our King finding himself to symbolize with that King of the Hebrews, honoured him with The Title of this Foundation, and I finde in ancient records this Order or Society of the Rosie Crosse is sometimes called the Holy House, and sometimes the Colledge of the Six Days' Works, whereby I am satisfied that our excellent King had learned from the Hebrews that God had created the world and all therein within six days, and therefore he instituting that House for the finding out of the one nature of things did give it also that second name. When the Kiug had forbidden to all his
Bacon's " New Atlantis."
friends, that amongst the excellent acts of that king, one above all hath the pre-eminence. It was the erection and institution of an order or society, which we call Solomon's House, the noblest foundation, as we think, that ever was upon the earth, and the lan- tern of this kingdom. It is dedi- cated to the study of the works and creatures of God. Some think it beareth the founder's name a little corrupted, as if it should be Solomona's House ; but the records write it as it is spoken. So as I take it to be denominate of the king of the Hebrews, which is famous with you, and no stranger to us, for we have some parts of his works which with you are lost ; namely, that natural history which he wrote of all plants, *• from the cedar of Lebanon to the moss that groWeth out of the wall,' and of all things that have life and motion. This maketh me think that our king, finding himself to symbolize in many things with that king of the Hebrews which lived many years before him, honoured him with the title of this foundation. And I am the rather induced to be of this opinion, for that I find in ancient records this order or society is sometimes called Solomon's House, and sometimes the College of the Six Days' Works ; whereby I am satisfied that our excellent king had learned from the Hebrews that God had created the world, and all that therein is, within six
lO
BACOJsrs ''NEW Atlantis:'
Hbydox's " Voyage to thb Land of the Rosicrucians.''
people navigation into any part not under his crown, he had, nevertheless, this ordinance, that every twelve years there should be set forth two ships appointed to several! voyages ; that in either of these ships there should be a mission of three of the Fellows or Brethren of the Holy House, whose errand was to give us know- ledge of the affaires and state of those countries to which they were designed, and especially of the sciences, arts, manufactures."
" The Father of the fraternity, whom they call the R C, two days before the feiist taketh to him three of such friends as he liketh to chuse, and is assisted also by the govemour of the city where the feast is celebrated, and all the persons of the family, of both sexes, are summoned to at- tend upon him. Then, if there be any discords or suits, they are compounded and appeased. Then, if any of the family be distressed or decayed, order is taken for their relief and competent means to live. Then, if any be subject to
Bacon's " New Atlantis."
days, and therefore he instituting that house for the finding out of the true nature of all things, whereby God might have the more glory in the workmanship of them, and men the more fruit in their use of them, did give it also that second name. But now, to come to our present purpose. When the king had forbidden to all his people navigation in any part that was not under his crown, he made nevertheless this ordinance, that every twelve years there should be set forth out of this kingdom two ships appointed to several voyages; that in either of these ships there should be a mission of three of the fellows or brethren of Solomon's House, whose errand was only to give us knowledge of the affairs and state of tiiose countries to which they were de- signed, and especially of the sciences, arts, manufactures."
'* The father of the family, whom they call the tirsan, two days be- fore the feast, taketh to him three of such friends as he liketh to choose, and is assisted also by the governor of the city or place where the feast is celebrated ; and all the persons of the family of both sexes are summoned to attend hinL These two days the tirsan sitteth in consultation concerning the good estate of the family. There, if there be any discord or suits between any of the family, they are compounded and ap- peased ; there, if any of the famOy
BACOJSrS ''NEW ATLANTIS:'
ir
HeyDON'8 " VOTAOB TO THE IiAND OF THE ROS I CRUCIANS."
vice, they are reproved and cen- sured. So, likewise, direction is given touching marriage and the courses of life. The govemour aasisteth to put in execution the decrees of the Tirsan if they should be disobeyed, though that seldonie needeth, such reverence they give to the order of Nature. The Tirsan doth also then chuse one man from amongst his sons to live in house with him, who is called ever after the Sonne of the Vine. On the feast day the father, or Tirsan, commeth forth after Di- vine Service in to a large room, where the feast is celebrated, which room hath an half -pace at the upper end."
" As we were thus in conference, there came one that seemed to be a messenger ,#& a rich huke, that spake with the Jew, whereupon he turned to me and said, 'You will pardon me, for I am com- manded away in haste.' The next morning he came to me joyfully, and said — 'There is word come to the Grovemour of the city that one of the Fathers of the Temple of the Bosie Crosse, or Holy House, will be here this
Bacon's " New Atlantis."
be distressed or decayed, order is taken for their relief, and com- petent means to live ; there, if any be subject to vice or take ill courses, they are reproved and censured. So likewise, direction is given touching marriages, and the courses of life which any of them should take, with divers other the like orders and advices. The governor assisteth to the end, to put in execution by his public authority the decrees and orders of the tirsan, if they should be disobeyed, though that seldom needeth, such reverence and obed- ience they give to the order of nature. The tirsan doth also then ever choose one man from amongst his sons to live in house with him, who is called ever after the sou of the vine : the reason will here- after appear. On the feast-day, the father or tirsan cometh forth, after divine service, into a large room where the feast is celebrated, which room hath an half-pace at the upper end."
" And as we were thus in con- ference, there came one that seemed to be a messenger, in a rich huke, that spake with the Jew ; whereupon, he turned to me, and said, 'You will pardon me, for I am commanded away in haste.'
" The next morning he came to me again, joyful, as it seemed, and said, ' There is word come to the governor of the city, that one of the fathers of Solomon's House
12
BACON'S ''NEW ATLANTISr
Heydon's " Voyage to the Land of the Rosicrucians."
day seven-night. We have seen none of them this dozen years. His oomming is in state, but the cause is secret. I will provide you and your fellows of a good standing to see his entry.' I thanked him and said I was most glad of the news. The day being come, he made his entry. He was a man of middle stature and age, comely of person, and had an aspect as if he pittied men. He was cloathed in a robe of fine black cloth, with wide sleeves and a cape. His under garment was of excellent white liunen, down to the foot, with a girdle of the same, and a sindon or tippet of the same about his neck. He had gloves that were curious and set with stones, and shoes of peach-coloured velvet. His neck was bare to the shoulders ; his hat was like a helmet, or Spanish montera,^ and his locks, of brown colour, curled below it decently. His beard was cut round and of the same colour with his haire, somewhat lighter. He was carried in a rich chariot, without
^ Can we not recognize Bacoa in this portrait, so familiar to us in the folios of his works (particularly the " Sylva Syl varum "), where he la repre- sented with a Spanish Monttra? He is described (in Rennet, ii. p. 736) as follows: — *'He was of a ^ middiimj stature;' his countenance had in- dented with age before he was old ; his presence grave and * comely,* says Arthur Wilson." Here are the same words used as in the " New Atlantis," *' middle stature " and *' comely." But the portrait is unmistakably meant for Bacon, inasmuch as he addresses his audience as *' my son," or " sons," which is repeated in Bacon's works, wbere one of his titles is adfilios suoa, Lloyd (in his '* State Worthies," li. p. 121)) says, " His make and port was stately." "Ho had a delicate lively hazel eye" (Dr Harvey). He was childless. Bicon i^ evidently presented here as the father or head of the fraternity.
Bacon's " New Atlantis."
will be here this day seven-night ; we have seen none of them this dozen years. His coming is in state, but the cause of his coming is secret I will provide you and your fellows of a good standing to see his entry.' I thanked him, and told him, ' I was most glad of the news.'
" The day being come, he made his entry. He was a man of middle stature and age, comely of person, and had an aspect as if he pitied men. He was clothed in a robe of fine black cloth, with wide sleeves and a cape: his under-garraent was of excellent white linen down to the foot, girt with a girdle of the same, and a sindon or tippet of the same about his neck: he had gloves that were curious, and set with stone, and shoes of peach- colouVed velvet; his neck was bare to the shoulders : his hat was like a helmet or Spanish montera, and his locks curled below it decently, — they were of colour brown : his beard was cut round, and of the same ^colour
BACON'S ''NEW ATLANTIS^
13
HetDON's " VOTAGB TO THE
Land of thb Rosicrucians."
wheels, litter- wise, with two horses at either end, richly trapped in blew velvet embroydered, and two footmen on each side in the like attire. The chariot was of cedar, gilt and adorned with chry stall, save that the fore-end had pannells of sapphire, set in borders of gold, and the hinder- end the like of emerauds of the Peru colour."
" * God bless thee, my son ; I will give thee the greatest jewel I have ; I will impart unto thee, for the love of God and men, a rehition of the true state of the Rosie Crosse. First, I will set forth the end of our foundation ; secondly, the preparations and instruments we have for our workes; thirdly, the several functions whereto our fellows are assigned; and fourthly, the ordinances and rights which we observe. The end of our foun- dation is the knowledge of causes and secret motions of things, and the enlarging of the bounds of Kingdomes to the effecting of all things possible. The preparations and instruments are these. We have large caves of several depths, the deepest sunke 36,000 feet. Some are digged under great hills and muuntaines, so that, if you reckon together the depths of the hill and of the cave, some are above seven miles deep. Tliese caves we call the lower region, and we use them for all coagu-
Bacon's " New Atlantis."
with his hair, somewhat lighter. He was carried in a rich chariot, without wheels, litter- wise, with two horses at either end, richly trapped in blue velvet, em- broidered, and two footmen on either side in the like attire. The chariot was all of cedar, gilt, and adorned with crystal, save that the fore-end had panels of sapphires set in borders of gold, and the hinder-end the like of emeralds of the Peru colour."
" * God bless thee, my son, I will give thee the greatest jewel I have ; for I will impart uuto thee, for the love of God and men, a relation of the true state of Solomon's House. Son, to make you know the true state of Solomon's House, I will keep this order :— first, I will set forth unto you the end of our foundation ; secondly, the preparations and instruments we have for our works ; thirdly, the several em- ployments and functions whereto our fellows are assigned ; and fourthly, the ordinances and rites which we observe.
"*The end of our foundation is the knowledge of causes and secret motions of things, and the enlarging of the bounds of human empire, to the effecting of all things possible.
" * The preparations and instru- ments are these. We have large and deep caves of several depths : the deepest are sunk six hundred fathoms, and some of them are digged and made under great hilla
14
BACON'S ''NEW ATLANTIS.''
Heydon's ** Voyage to the Land of the Rosicrucians."
latioDs, indurations, refrigerations, and conservations of bodies. We use them likewise for the imitation of natural mines, and the pro- duction of new artificial mettalls by compositions and materials which we lay there for many years. We use them also some- times for cureing some diseases, and for prolongation of life in hermits that choose to live there, well accommodated of all things necessary, by whom also we learn many things (read our " Temple of Wisdome "). We have burialls in several earths, where we put diverse cements, as the Chineses do their borcellane ; but we have them in greater variety, and some of them more fine. We have also great variety of composts and soyles for the making of the earch fruitful!. We have towers, the highest about half a mile in height, and some of them set upon high mountaines, so that the vantage of the hill with the tower is, in the highest of them, three miles at least/ "
Bacon's **New Atlantis."
and mountains; so that if you reckon together the depth of the hill and the depth of the cave, they are (some of them) above three miles deep : for we find that the depth of a hill and the depth of a cave from the flat is the same thing, both remote alike from the sun and heaven's beams and from the open air. These caves we call " the lower region," and we use them for all coagu- lations, indurations, refrigerations, and conservations of bodies. We use them likewise for the imitation of natural mines, and the pro- ducing also of new artificial metals, by compositions and materials which we use and lay there for many years. We use them also sometimes (which may seem strange) for curing of some diseases, and for prolongation of life in some hermits that choose to live there, well accommodated of all things necessary, and, indeed, live very long ; by whom also we learn many things.
" * We have burials in several earths, where we put divers cements, as the Chinese do their porcelain ; but we have them in greater variety, and some of them finer. We also have great variety of composts and soils for making of the earth fruitful.
" * We have high towers, the highest about half a mile in height, and some of them like- wise set upon high mountains ; so that the advantage of the hill with the tower is, in the highest of them, three miles at least.' "
BACON'S ''NEW ATLANTIS:'
15
HeTDON's " VOYAOK TO THE
Land of the Bosicrucians."
*' 'We have sound -hoases, where we practise and demonstrate all sounds and their generation. We have harmonies (read the " Har- mony of the World") which you have not, of quarter and lesser kindes of sounds— divers instru- ments of musick to you unknown, some sweeter than any you have, together with bells and rings that are dainty and sweet (See my book of *'Geomancy and Teles- mes/O We represent small sounds as great and deep, great sounds as extenuate and sharpe ; we make divers tremblings and warblings of sounds which in their originall are entire. We represent and imitate all articulate sounds and letters (read my " Cabbala, or Art, by which Moses shewed so many signs in i£gypt''), and the voices and notes of many beasts and birds. We have certain helps which, set to the ear, do further the hearing greatly. We have strange and artiticiall eochos, re- flecting the voice many times, and, as it were, to sing it, some that give back the voice louder than it came, some shriller, some deeper, some rendring the voice differing in the letters, or articular sound, from that they receive. We have also means to convey sounds in trunks and pipes, in strange lines and distances.' ^ ^
It
Lastly, we have circuits or
Bacon's " New Atlantis."
* where we practise and demon- strate all sounds and their gener- ation. We have harmonies, which you have not, of quarter-sounds, and lesser slides of sounds ; divers instruments likewise to you un- known, some sweeter than any you have ; with bells and rings that are dainty and sweet. We represent small sounds as great and deep, likewise great sounds extenuate and sharp. We make divers tremblings and warbling of sounds, which in their original are entire ; we represent and imitate all articulate sounds and letters, and the voices and notes of beasts and birds. We have certain helps, which set to the ear do further the hearing greatly. We have also divers strange and artificial echos reflecting the voice many times, and as it were tossing it ; and some that give back the voice louder than it came, some shriller, and some deeper ; yea, some ren- dering the voice differing in the letters or articulate sound from that they receive. We have also means to convey sounds in trunks and pipes in strange lines and dis- tances.' " *
« (
Lastly, we have circuits or
' This passage is a remarkable anticipation of the telephone, speaking tube, and phonograph. .
i6
BACOJSrS '' NEW ATLANTIS:'
Heydon's *' Voyage to the Land of the Rosicrucians.*'
visits of divers principal cities of the kingdome, where we doe pub- lish such news, profitable inven- tions, as we think good, and we doe also declare natural divina* tions of diseases, plagues, swarms of hurtful! creatures, scarcity, tempests, earthquakes, gi-eat inun- dations, comets, temperature of the year, and divers other things, and we give counsel thereupon for the prevention and remedy of them.*
" Whfu he had said this, he de- sired me to give him an account of my life, that he might report it to the Brethren of the Bosie Crosse, after which he stood up ; I kneeled down, and he laid his right hand upon my head, saying, * God blesse thee, my son, and God blesse these relations which we have made ! I give thee leave to publish them for the good of other nations, for we are here in God's bosome, a land unknown.'
*' And so he left me, having as- signed a value of about two thou- sand pounds in gold for a bounty to me and my fellows, for they give great largesses where they come upon all occasions."
Bacon's " New Atlantis."
visits of divers principal cities of the kingdom, where, as it cometh to pass, we do publish such new profitable inventions as we think good. And we do also declare natural divinations of diseases, plagues, swarms of hurtful crea- tures, scarcity, tempests, earth- quakes, great inundations, comets, temperature of the year, and divers other things ; and we give counsel thereupon what the people shall do for the prevention and remedy of them.'
" And when he had said this, he stood up ; and I, as I had been taught, kneeled down, and he laid his right hand upon my head, and said, ' God bless thee, my son, and God bless this relation which I have made ; I give thee leave to publish it for the good of other nations, for we here are in God's bosom, a laud unknown.' And so he left u)e, having assigned a value of about two thousand ducats for a bounty to me and my fellows ; for they give great largesses where they come upon all occasions."
Now, either Heydon was an impostor, who borrowed Bacon's "Atlantis" to give colour to his pretences, or a real Rosicrucian, in which case he knew the truth. He has always been considered and classed as a genuine Rosicrucian apologist His other works and his reputation all go in favour of his being above any trickery.
It seems to us we can find traces of Bacon's mind in the " Fama Fraternitatis," or "Universal Reformation," which appears to have been first published in 1614. This is the famous declara-
BA CON'S '*NEIV A TLANTIS:' 1 7
tion, which first revealed to the public, the existence of the Bosicrucians. The original edition contained a manifesto, with the title, ''The Fama Fratemitatis, or the meritorious order of the Rosy Cross, addressed to the learned in general, and the govemours of Europe." — " It was reprinted," says Mr Waite (in his interesting history of the Bosicrucians), " with the * Confessio Fratemitatis ' and the ' Allgemeine Reformation der Ganzen Welt,' at Frank- fort-on-the-Main in 1615." We find the following passage throwing contempt upon Aristotle and Galen : —
The " Fama Fraiemitatis; or, a Discovery of the FrcUemUy of the most LaudahU Order of the Rosy Cross"
" Seeing the only wise and merciful God in these latter days hath poured out so richly His mercy and goodness to mankind, whereby we do attain more and more to the perfect knowledge of His Son Jesus Christ, and of Nature, that justly we mSy boast of the happy time wherein there is not only discovered unto us the half part of the world,^ which was heretofore unknown and hidden, but He hath also made manifest unto us many wonderful and never-heretofore seen works and creatures of Nature, and, more- over, hath raised men, indued with great wisdom, which might partly renew and reduce all arts (in this our spotted and imper- fect age) to perfection, so that finally man might thereby understand his own nobleness and worth, and why he is called MicroeasmuSf and how far his knowledge exlendeth in Nature,
'' Although the rude world herewith will be but little pleased, but rather smile and scoff thereat ; also the pride and covetous- ness of the learned is so great, it will not suffer them to agree together; but were they united, they might, out of all those things which in this our age God doth so richly bestow on us, collect Librum Natures, or, a Perfect Method of all Arts. But such is their opposition that they still keep, and are loth to leave, the old course, esteeming Porphyry, Aristotle, and Galen,
^ The italics are ours. B
sN
1 8 BA CON'S ''NEW A TLANTIS.""
yesL, and that which hath but a meer show of leamingy more thau the clear and manifested Light and Tnith."
NoWy there is Bacon's mind very strongly emphasized in three separate points in this passage. The first is Bacon's master thought, . that the mind should make discoveries of new worlds, to parallel the discovery of America. From this idea, which he gives vent to in words to James I.,^ sprang his ship device and its motto, plus uttra^ sailing as it is (a precious argosy), between and beyond the pillars of Hercules. Then, again, the entire Baconian philosophy, or system, as works applied to Nature, is comprised in the words, ''how far Ms knowledge exiendeth in Nature.^* In Bacon's age, there were not many, who like him, distinctly realized the difference of vain words, from '* knowledge in Nature." It is the pith of his philosophy, — the progenitor of the Inductive method, — and its master key is application to Nature, to realize our knowledge in Nature. We also find in the above passage, disparagement of Aristotle. To mention this name is to recall Bacon's early and constant dislike of him and lus school The first striking record we have of Bacon, is his falling out, at a ridiculously early age with the stagirite. Thus we have the three main points of Bacon's mind, coming all together, for the overthrow of Aristotle, was with him, prepar- ation only, for new discoveries in a new hemisphere of thought, that should extend, to experiments in Nature herself. Joined to all this, which indeed, was part of it, he had an unbounded love of humanity — a philanthropy so universal that it is almost unnatural, and incredible, except in a God or Christ. He lives for after ages — for posterity, " after a little time be passed," in order to procure the "good of all men." Now this falls in exactly with the spirit, betrayed in these early manifestoes, which accompany the first tidings we have of the famous Brotherhood,
' "For how long shall we let a few received authors stand up like Hercules* columns, beyond which there shall be no sailing or discovery in science, when we have so bright and benign a star as your Majesty, to conduct and prosper us ? " — Bacon's Works.
BA coirs " NE W ATLANTIS:' 19
and their scheme of '' Umyersal Reformation." This is entirely Baconian. And I am sure, that everybody who has read and studied him lovingly, ivill agree with us, that the whole aim of his life, and mind, was the good of others, and that in this, he resembled God, for he saw that it was good. He was prepared for any sacrifice, for any trouble, for this end. It is writ large, from the earliest childhood of this marvellous man, who hardly seemed bom, before he was compassing ways and means, to lift mankind out of the slough, and the vicious circles, of the school- men and middle ages. Such a scheme as the '' Universal Be- formation " required a more than remarkable man to imagine it, far more to carry it out It wanted place, power, a man of many tongues, and the refinement of high culture to start the idea, of a secret society all over Europe, for the bettering of the times. But it could not be done openly — ^the envy, danger, evil of the world at that time can hardly be realized to us now. Mr Waite truly remarks —
'^ Beneath the broad tide of human history there flow the stealthy undercurrents of the secret societies, which frequently determine in the depths the changes that take place upon the surface."
The "undercurrents of secret societies" are most powerful for good, because they lie in the hearts of men — and make up for want of open force, by a brotherhood of craft, which tho common danger binds them to maintain and propagate to others. We find this constantly hinted at by Bacon. He deplores the universal insanity, and declares to his son, that it is only in- creased by resistance, and that Truth ought to be, but cannot be openly inculcated. Therefore he says " we must conform to the Universal Insanity." But how 1 We believe the reply is to be found in what we suggest and in what we have hinted to us in the " New Atlantis."
20 BA CON'S " NE W ATLANTISr
The Founders of Rosicnuianism,
With regard to the mythical story connected with the founda- tion of the secret Brotherhood or order of the Bosy Cross — the story of the death, burial, and opening of Christian Bosencreutz's tomb — Mr Waite disposes of it summarily in his recent " Eeal History of the Kosicrucians."
"Taking 1614 as the year when the 'Fama' was published, and supposing the discovery of the burial-place to have ante- dated the manifesto by the shortest possible period, we are brought back to the year 1494, one year after the birth of Para- celsus, whose books it is supposed so contain. This point is, of course, conclusive, and it is unnecessary to comment on the mystery which surrounds the ultimate fate of the corpse of that 'godly and high-illuminated Father, Brother C. B. C
" Thus it is obvious that the history of Christian Eosencreutz is not historically true, and that the Society did not originate in the manner which is described by the * Fama.' "
Now here we have at once positive proof of the fraudulent history and antedating of the origin of the society. This fact goes a long way to harbour the suspicion, that the real origin of the society was coeval with the end of the sixteenth, and early part of the seven- teenth century — Bacon's manhood. Mr Waite says : —
*' The Rosicrucian theorists may be broadly divided into three bands — I. Those who believe that the history of Christian Rosen- creutz is true in fact, and that the society originated in the manner recounted in the 'Fama Fraternitatis.' 11. Those who regard both the society and its founder as purely mythical, and consider with Liebnitz, ^qite totU ce que Von a dit des Frhes de la Croix de la Rose, est une pure inverUion de guelgue personne ingenieuseJ 111. Those who, without accepting the historical truth of the story of liosencreutz, believe in the existence of the Bosicrucians as a secret society, which drew attention to the fact of its existence by a singular and attractive fiction."
So, taking Mr Waite as our authority, we propose to briefly
JBA CON'S ''NEW A TLANTISr 2 1
ezanune the evidence with him, as to the historical truth of the myth, around which the founding of the society is associated.
In this history of the '' Fama " we arrive at the first inception of the society : —
" After this manner began the Fraternity of the Kosie Gross — first, by four persons onely, and by them was made the magical language and writing, with a large dictionaxy, which we yet dayly use to God's praise and glory, and do finde great wisdom therein. They made also the first part of the Book M, but in respect that that labour was too heavy, and the unspeakable concourse of the sick hindred them, and also whilst his new building (called Sandi ^ritus) was now finished, they concluded to draw and receive yet others more into their Fraternity. To this end was chosen Brother R. C, his deceased father's brother's son; Brother B., a skilful painter; G. G., and P. D., their secre- tary, all Germains except I. A., so in all they were eight in number, all batchelors and of vowed virginity, by whom was collected a book or volumn of all that which man can desire, wish, or hope for." — (Waite's "Beal History of the Rosi- crucians.")
Who is this Brother B., a skilful painter or Artist ) B. stands suspiciously for Bacon. It is perfectly true this history is ante- dated two centuries prior to Bacon's times. But we shall show that before 1614, when this "Fama" was published, nothing had been heard of this brotherhood, or of this mythical history of Father Rosycross. And Mr Waite seems to incline to the suspicion, that the entire story was a fabrication manufactured to give an air of romance, reality, and attraction to the world, in an age when these things acted powerfully upon the minds of men in Europe, — and to thus gain credit, authority, and power. Among the members inscribed in the vault where the body of Christian Rosenkreutz lay under the altar, are these names : —
1. Fra, I. A. Fra, C. H. dectione Fraiemitatis caput.
2. Fra, G. V. M. P. C.
22 BACON'S " NE W ATLANTIS."*
3. Fra. F. R. C, Junior hoeru S. Spiriius.
4. Fro, F. B. M. R A., Fidor d Archikcius.
5. Fro. G. G. M. P. I., CaMista,
No. 4. F. B. M. P. A. stands suspiciously for Francis Baeon^ Magister, Fidor d Archiiedus. Note this is Brother B., a " fkilful painter^ evidently identical with the ^^ Fidor d Archiiedus,*' not F. B. M. but F. B. only, the M. being either MagisUr, or for some other title.
To those who believe that Bacon wrote the plays ascribed to Shakespeare, and who also believe^ like ourselves, that he was the Master Spirit, who was the founder and the originator of the Rosicrucians, the words PiCTOR et Architectus are sufficiently startling. We find plenty of authority in the sonnets to couple the playwright's art with the painter's. And here it is. (Sonnet 24.)
" Perspective it is best painter's art. For through the painter must yon see his skill."
*' Like perspectives which show things inward when they are, but paintings."— (Bacon's "Nat Hist. Cent," i. 98.)
(Sonnet 24.)
" Mine eye hath played the painter and hath stelPd Thy beauty's form in table of my heart"
We have supposed that the reader is well acquainted with the celebrated " Fama FraternitcUis" either through De Quincey, or through some other source, like Mr Waite's '' Real History of the Rosicrucians," to which we are deeply indebted. It would be impossible to reproduce here the whole account, so must beg the reader to go to the originals, or the works mentioned, and then return to us.
We now proceed to maintain that the antedating of this fabulous tale of Christian Rosenkreutz was a splendid fiction, first for safety's sake; secondly, as we have said, to give romance, interest, and colour to the origins of the society. Our own con-
BA COJSrS ''NEW A TLANTIS:' 23
viction is that the society in the fonn presented to ns in the '' Fama Fraiemitaiis" never existed at all, or at least only a few years hefore its publication. Here are the grounds.
First, that we find John Heydon's narrative of " a voyage to the land of the Bosicrucians " is a facsimile repetition of Bacon's " New Atlantis." Secondly, that Johann FcUeniin Andreas^ to whom the composition of the Bosicrucian manifestoes are attributed, never viewed them seriously himself, but called the '* Chymical Marriage of Christian Rosencreutz " (round which the question of author- ship and founding of the order to a great extent revolves) a ludibrium or farce, and this is entirely contrary to the spirit of the publications and earnest character of the '' Universal Refor- mation." Thirdly, it is stated that Andreas wrote the " Chymical Marriage " at the early age of sixteen, which Mr Waite considers quite unacceptable. Indeed, Mr Waite, in the spirit of an impartial historical judge, seems to think that the "Fama Fratemitatis " issued from some other source. This is what he writes : —
"I. The 'Chymical Marriage' is called a ludibrium by its author, and Professor Buhle describes it as a comic romance, but those of my readers who are acquainted with alchemical allegories will discern in this singular narrative by a prepared student or artist who was supematurally and magically elected to partici- pate in the accomplishment of the magnum opus, many matters of grave and occult significance. They will recognise that the comic episodes are part of a serious design, and that the work as a whole is in strict accordance with the general traditions of alchemy. They will question the good faith of the author in the application of a manifestly incongruous epithet. Perhaps they will appear to be wise above what is written, but the position is not really unreasonable, for the passage in which reference is made by Andreas to the ' Nupiice ChymioB' ia calculated to raise suspicion. He was a shrewd and keen observer ; he had gauged the passions and the crazes of his period ; he was fully aware that the rage for alchemy blinded
24 BA COJSrS ''NEW A TLANTIS, "
the eyes and drained the purses of thousands of credulous indi- viduals, who were at the mercy of the most wretched impostors, and that no pretence was too shallow, and no recipe too worth- less, to find believers. He could not be ignorant that a work like the 'Chymical Marriage of Christian Rosencreutz' was eminently liable to impose upon e^Grj class of theosophists. When, there- fore, he supposes, and, by implication, expresses, astonishment that his so-called ludibrium became the object of earnest investi- gation and of high esteem, I freely confess that I, for one, cannot interpret him seriously ; in other words, that I reject the state- ment. This, however, is only the initial difficulty. The same passage of the ' Vita ab ipso Conscripta ' contains another piece of incredible information, namely, that Andreas wrote the ' Ntiptioe ChymiccB * before he woe sixteen. This story gives evidence of an acquaintance with the practice and purposes of alchemy which was absolutely impossible to the most precocious lad. Moreover, the boldness of its conception, and the power which is displayed in its execution, setting aside the debateable question of its occult philosophical character, are things utterly transcending the cacoeihes scribendi of a youngster barely attained to the age of puberty. I appeal to the discrimination of my readers whether the curious and ingenious perplexities propounded at the supper on the third day are in any way suggestive of * the light fire in the veins of a boy.' The romance supposed to have been written in 1602-8 did not see the light till 1616,^ when it appeared in the full tide of the Eosicrucian controversy. Why did it remain in manuscript for the space of thirteen years at a period when every- thing treating of alchemy was devoured with unexampled avidity) The ' Ghymical Marriage,' in its original draft, may have been penned at the age of fifteen, but it must have been subjected to a searching revision, though I confess that it betrays no trace of subsequent manipulation. These grave difficulties are enhanced by a fact which is wholly unknown to most Rosicrucian critics,
1 ShakespeftTO died 1616.
BACON'S " NE W ATLANTIS^ 25
and which was certainly not to be expected in the jest of a schoolboy, namely, that the barbarous enigmatical writings which are to be found in several places of ' The Hermetick Wedding/ are not an unmeaning hoax, but contain a decipherable and de- ciphered sense. The secretary of an English Rosicrucian Society says that the Supreme Magus of the Metropolitan College can read all three of the enigmas, and that he himself has deciphered two. Their secret is not a tradition, but the meaning dawns upon the student after certain researches. The last point is curious, and, outside the faculty of clairvoyance, the suggested method does not seem probable, but I give it to be taken at its worth, and have no reason to doubt the statement.
" From these facts and considerations the conclusion does not seem unreasonable, and may certainly be tolerated by an impartial mind, that, in spite of the statement of Andreas, the ' Chjrmical Marriage ' is not a ludibrium, that it betrays a serious purpose, and conceals a recondite meaning.
** II. With this criticism the whole theory practically breaks down. We know that the 'Fama Fratemitatis ' was pub- lished in 1615, as a manifesto of the ^ Biiukrschafft des loblichen Ordens des Rosen Creutses.* We have good reason to suppose that the original draft of the 'Chymical Marriage' was tampered with; we do not know that previous to the year 1615 such a work was in existence as the ' Chymical Marriage of Christian Bosencreutz.' What we know to have existed was simply the 'NuptisB Chymicse.'' Now, supposing the 'Fama Fratemitatis ' to have emanated from a source independent of Andreas , he would be naturally struck by the resemblance of the mysterious Eosicrucian device to his own armorial bearings, and when in the year 1616 he published his so-called comic romance, this analogy may, not inconceivably, have led him to re-christen his hero, and to intro- duce those passages which refer to the Rose Cross. This, of course, is conjectural, but it is to be remarked that so far as can be possibly ascertained, the acknowledged symbol of the Fra- ternity never was a St Andrew's Cross with four Boses, but was
26 BACON'S " NE W ATLANTIS:'
a Cross of the ordinary shape, with a Sed Sose in the centre, or a Cross rising out of a Eose. There is therefore little real war- rant for the identification of the mystical and the heraldic badge. It is on this identification, however, that the Andrean claim is greatly based.
"III. We find the 'Chymical Marriage,' like the 'Fama' and 'Confessio Fratemitatis,' crusading against the 'vaga- bond cheaters,' 'runagates and roguish people,' who debased alchemical experiments in the interest of dishonest speculation ; yet the one, under a thin veil of fiction, describes the proceedings in the accomplishment of the magnum opuSy while the other terms transmutation a great gift of God. These points of resemblance, however, do not necessarily indicate a common authorship, for a general belief in the facts of alchemy was held at that period by many intelligent men, who were well aware, and loud in their condemnation, of the innumerable frauds which disgraced the science. On the other hand, it is plain that the history of