Chapter II: AS to the unsuccessful ACT of Coition, I shall refer what may be

offer’d on _that Point_, until I come to treat of _Sterility_, in SECTION viii: And therefore I shall only farther observe _Here_, that the _Parties_ ought not to encounter with full _Stomachs_, _Bellies_, or _Bladders_; much less when BOTH, or EITHER, are _weary_, _fatigu’d_, _depriv’d of Sleep_, _angry_, _troubled in Mind_, or in any other real respect _out of Order_. For in these _Cases_, it is very detrimental to the Health[39] of such imprudent _Parents_; and (if _Conception_ follows) it infallibly _intails_ some respective EVIL upon the _Innocent Production_: Because all the _Affections_ or _Disturbances_ of their MINDS, virtually devolve upon the EMBRYO. And besides, as (by such perverse Means) the _Conception_ becomes _irregular_; so also does the _Maturation_, _Nutrition_, and _Birth_ carry the same _Impression_: For from the least _Perturbation_ of _SPIRIT_, the _Infant_ may contract various _Blemishes_ of BODY, as well as _Errors_ of MIND.

WHEREFORE, in fine, as this _Affair_ is to be undertaken with a serene and contented _Mind_, a chearful and undisturbed _Heart_, so it ought to be perform’d with _Moderation_ and _Decency_: Not in any _brutal Manner_ or _Posture_; but according to the rational _Law_ and proper _Instinct_ of _Nature_.

CHAP. VI.
_Remarks upon COPULATION._

Supposing now this amicable _Engagement_ of NATURE to be over, I may be modestly allow’d (I hope) to add a few Words upon its necessary _Consequences_; and _First_, of what has happen’d in the ACT, _Retention_, and _Conception_ following.

FIRST then, If the WOMAN has contributed most _Seminal Matter_, it may reasonably be concluded, that the CHILD will favour the MOTHER most: If the MAN predominantly, the FATHER: If _Both_ equally, it will resemble _Both_, or in part the FATHER, and partly the MOTHER.

AND according to _Anaxagoras_, if the SEED has flown into the _Right Side_ of the WOMB, from the Right _Rein_ of the Man, a _Male_ will be conceiv’d; if into the _Left_, from the Left _Rein_, a _Female_; by reason of the _Frigidity_ and _Humidity_ of that Place. Which _Notion_ may seem _probable_; considering, that tho’ the WOMB has but one _Cavity_, yet it has two _Sinuses_[40] for conceiving the _Two different Sexes_: As _Nature_ has in other Respects accordingly given the WOMAN two _Breasts_.

_LACTANTIUS_ also observes[41], That, if peradventure a _Male_ should be conceiv’d of the SEED fallen to the _left Side_, the Place destinated for the _Female_, he will make but a SEMIVIRILE MAN; distinguishable by some _Womanish Qualities_, such as a _weak_ or _tender Heart_, _small Voice_, a _smooth_, or _unbearded Face_, &c: And so, on the contrary, if a _Female_ should be conceiv’d of the SEED fallen to the _right Side_, she will have some distinguishable _Marks_ of VIRILITY; such as a _large Stature_, _robust Members_, _dusky Colour_, _rough hairy Face_, _coarse Voice_, &c: And that because the _Conception_ happen’d in that Place, which _Nature_ had appropriated to the _Male_.

THIS likewise seems to be the best Reason which may be given why _some Women_, like _Hector’s_ WIFE, mentioned in _Homer’s Iliads_, are naturally inclin’d to intermeddle with MEN’S _Affairs_; for having thus (as it were) _originally_ invaded his RIGHT _ex traduce_, they are always for maintaining their _wrong Conquests_, and defending their _unjust Possessions_ in future Progress of Time.

BUT I should rather in this Topick agree with _Velthuysius_[42], that _Both_ SEEDS are each of them naturally endued with the _Faculty_ of generating its _Like_: I mean, the MAN’S, to produce a _Male_; and the WOMAN’S, a _Female_: And that therefore by a natural _Predominancy_, where the _Masculine Faculty_ has prevail’d, a MAN-CHILD is begot; and a GIRL, where the _Feminine Virtue_ has exceeded it.

THIS, in short, is the best and only Reason I know, why _Children_ like to either _Parent_ in SEX, may yet differ in _Physiognomy_, _Manners_, &c: the SEED of the _one_ perhaps prevailing in _making_ the SEX, and That of the _other_, in _determining_ the rest of the Parts. Hence it is, in all Probability, that a CHILD like his _Father_ in SEX, may be like his _Mother_ in natural _Disposition_ and Tenderness of _Constitution_. Although by the way (without doubt) the _Place_ or _Sinus_ of the WOMB, _Matter_, _Heat_, and _Imagination_ of the WOMAN, contribute very much to the _Difference_ of the SEX; as will hereafter more plainly appear at large. AND, in fine, _This_ is the only _Cause_ of the _Conception_ of HERMAPHRODITES, that the emitted _Substance_ of BOTH PARENTS containing the full respective _Faculty_ of EACH, is sufficiently prolifick and prevalent to constitute and distinguish each proper SEX, in one and the same _personal Production_. But before I proceed farther on the _Similitude of Children_, I beg leave previously to describe the _Force_ of _IMAGINATION_.

CHAP. VII.
_Of the Power of the IMAGINATIVE FACULTY._

THE _Imagination_ is the strongest and most efficacious of all the SENSES; for the _Vivacity_ of all the _others_ (mention’d in Sect. I. Chap. 5.) in some measure, depend upon it.

IT works upon, and affects, _others_ as well as _ourselves_, and operates in the very _Soul_, as well as _Body_ of Man; moving the Powers of all the _Passions_ of the Mind.

AS it happens frequently by reason of the _Similitude_ of things; that by _seeing_ or _imagining_ ONE to eat some sharp or sour Matter, or _hearing_ it only mention’d, ANOTHER’S _Teeth_ may be set on edge, and his _Tongue_ wax tart; so by seeing _One_ gape, _Another_ often falls a yawning. In like manner, as the _sight_ of any _filthy_ Thing causeth _Nauseousness_; so the _sight_ of Man’s _Blood_, makes many Persons fall a-swooning.

_GUILLAUME de Paris_ writes, that he saw a Man, who at the _SIGHT_ of a _Medicine_, went to _Stool_ as oft as he pleas’d, tho’ it neither in _Substance_, _Odour_, or _Taste_, did affect him; but only by an _Apprehension_ of a kind of _Resemblance_. Which is much the same Case of one in a _Dream_, who thinks he _burns_ and is in a _Fire_, or as much tormented, as if he did _really burn_, tho’ far enough from any Substance of _Fire_; only because of a _Resemblance_ apprehended by the Strength of _IMAGINATION_.

AND besides, this _IMAGINATION_ hath not only such Power over the _Body_, but also over the very _Soul_ of Man; which Power of the _Soul_, hath its respective _Influence_ upon the _Body_: As _Avicen_ remarkably describes a certain _Man_, who (when he pleas’d) could affect his _Body_ with the PALSY.

IT is wonderfully related of _Gallus Vibius_, that he became _Mad_, not casually, but on purpose; for whilst he imitated Mad-Men, he so assimilated their _Madness_ to himself by the _Counterfeit_, that he fell at last into _real_ MADNESS.

ST. _AUSTIN_ mentions _some Men_, who could move their _Ears_; and _others_ who could move the _Crown_ of their Heads to their _Foreheads_, and _replace_ them at Pleasure. He writes of _Another_ also, who could sweat whenever he had a mind.

I have likewise known some _Persons_ myself, who could weep and shed abundance of _Tears_ at Will and Pleasure; _others_, who could bring up what they had _swallow’d_ of any kind, as _Gold_, _Silver_, &c; and _others_ again, who could so naturally _imitate_ and express the VOICES of _Birds_, _Cattle_, _Dogs_, &c; that they could not easily be distinguished.

YEA, and farther yet, many _Learned Authors_[43] testify by divers Examples (of _Cajetava_, _Æmilia_, &c.) that _Women_ have been turn’d into _Men_: Which some would persuade us to believe, to be an _Effect_ of the Force of a vehement _IMAGINATION_, acting upon the _Soul_, with which it is of a near _Affinity_, beyond all the Power of SENSE.

AS to this Point, I am no ways to question the _Veracity_ of what so many excellent Men have confirmed; but (granting it to be so) I think we may find more probable _Reasons_ for it, than all the _Powers_ of _IMAGINATION_, how great soever and marvellous they may be: Whereof I shall mention _That_, which seems to be the most _rational Cause_; viz. An extinguish’d or latent _forming Faculty_[44], which (however) sometimes has _exerted_ itself again, like the BLAZING of a raked or resuscitated _Fire_.

FOR as our _Teeth_ take their Beginning _in_ the WOMB, but are perfected _without_, as _Bartholomæus Eustachius_ teacheth; and as the _Teeth_, call’d _Dentes sapientiæ_, are generated, and break out, even after the 30th Year of our Age: So it may be, that the _virile Genitals_ have been imperfectly begun in the WOMB, and that this _forming Faculty_ has only perfected them by little and little; so that at last they have sprung forth and appear’d, after shaking off the _Pudendum_. And consequently such WOMEN as _Those_ (upon _Dancing-Bouts_, or the like, when the _Blood_ and _natural Heat_ had been strongly exagitated) have turned into MEN.

HOWEVER _That_ be, I very well know that when the _Soul_ is elevated and inflam’d with a fervent _IMAGINATION_, it may not only _affect_ its own proper _Body_, but also _That_ of ANOTHER.

FOR the _Longing_ of a _Woman_ that has conceiv’d, acts apparently upon _Another’s Body_, when it _marks_ the _Infant_ in her WOMB with the _Figure_ or MARK of the _Thing long’d for_: Besides, who knows not that _one Body_ may be easily affected with the _Vapours_ of _another_ diseased Body? As is plain in Cases of _Plague_, _Leprosy_, and several other _Distempers_. Thus also in the _Effluvia’s_ or _Vapours_ of the EYES, there is so great a _Power_, that they can bewitch and infect the _Beholders_ about them; as the monstrous _Catoblepas_, and _Cockatrice_ or _Basilisk_, kill People with their very _Looks_[45]. So in like manner _Witches_ by their intent Desire to _hurt_, have been thought to bewitch Persons most perniciously by their steady malicious _Looks_ only, directed and inforc’d by _IMAGINATION_.

NOW this Force of _IMAGINATION_ affecting other _Bodies_, holds good even among _Brute-Creatures_; as One bit by a _Mad Dog_, presently falls a-raging, and the LIKENESS of _Dogs_ is clearly impressed upon his _Urine_. Moreover, by _IMAGINATION_ in time of _copulating_, PEACOCKS and other _Birds_, impress a particular _Colour_ upon the _Wings_, &c. of their Brood; and from hence it is, that the Curious may have store of _white young-ones_, by hanging the _Places_ where they _couple_ with white _Linnen-Cloths_, _Papers_, &c: As in _Snowy_ Mountainous Countries we find always _white Peacocks_, _Quails_, _Wolves_, _Hares_, and other _Creatures_.

AND _This_ holy JACOB[46] was not ignorant of, when he used that ingenious subtile _Stratagem_ of placing _white-streaked Rods_ before LABAN’S _Flocks_; which also answer’d effectually, in the _Cattle_’s producing their _speckled and white spotted Young_. In like manner by the same _Experiment_, the curious Admirers may be supply’d with Variety of _spotted Birds_, _speckled Horses_, _Dogs_, &c.

THE _Mind_ also being inflam’d with a vehement _IMAGINATION_, may affect both the _Soul_ and _Body_ of ANOTHER: Which we need not wonder at, considering how much more powerful, fervent, and prevalent the MIND is in its _Motion_, than any exhaling VAPOURS; and that it does not want its proper and peculiar _Mediums_ by which it may operate.

THIS (I think) is also evidently shewn from the many MIRACLES, which we find have been done by _Prophets_, _Apostles_, and other _Holy Men_; (not to mention those _Wonders_ of _Pythagoras_, _Apollonius_, _Empedocles_, &c. which cannot come in Competition with the _Others_, being ascrib’d to _Natural Causes_): Whose _Minds_ being firmly fix’d upon GOD, with full Intent for _Good_, affected both the SOULS and BODIES of _others_, as well as _Themselves_, with what _Divine Gifts_, or other _Blessings_, they wanted.

HENCE it is that _Philosophers_ advise, to shun the _Society_ of wicked and impious Men; because their _Souls_, being full (as it were) of pernicious _Rays_, infect them who are _near_, with a _resembling Contagion_: As they enjoin likewise on the other hand, to keep and frequent the _Fellowship_ of good and fortunate Men; because (by such a _Proximity_) they are diffusive of their own _Good_, and infuse it into _Those_ about them. For as BAD of something _bad_, so GOOD of something _good_, always descends and adheres to the _nighest_; which virtually (like the _Smell of Musk_, or _Assa-Fœtida_) continues a long time its lasting _Impression_.

HERE might be indeed a great deal said upon the EFFICACY of the _Constancy of the Mind_; but because I’ve already been too prolix on this _Head_, I shall only observe, that in all our _Business_ and _Applications_, a strong _IMAGINATION_, zealous _Affection_, firm _Hope_, and stedfast _Belief_, are great Advantages, and necessary Helps. As some most excellent _Physicians_ have experimentally verified this Notion, that a strong _Belief_, and constant _Hope_, together with the _Love_ and _Confidence_ of the PATIENT towards the _Physician_, conduce very much to the Recovery of _Health_, and sometimes perhaps more than the _Medicine_ itself: Because the firm _IMAGINATION_ of the honest _Physician_ concurring (in effect) with the _Medicine_, and strongly hoping it will do him _Good_, he thereby influentially changes the _Symptoms_, and virtually alters the _Qualities_ in the _Body_ of the _Sick_; especially if the PATIENT reposes an _entire Confidence_ in him, by which means he becomes mutually disposed to receive the VIRTUE of the _Physician_, as well as _That_ of the PHYSICK.

THE[47]_Arabian Philosophers_ join’d in this Opinion, establishing it for a _Fundamental Maxim_ among them; that _whatever the constant Mind_ affected _with a fervent Desire_, _would be_ effected: As in the Case of the MIND of _Him_, who is vehemently in _Love_, whatever it _affects_, has an _Efficacy_ to cause LOVE; and so in other such like Cases.

BUT however, to come closer to the _IMAGINATION_ of the Pregnant _Woman_, who knows not that it _affects_ the INFANT in the _Womb_? Whence is it then that we have so many _deform’d Persons_, _crooked Bodies_, _ugly Aspects_, _distorted Mouths_, _wry Noses_, and the like, in all Countries; but from the _IMAGINATION_ of the _Mother_; while she either conceives such shapeless _Phantasms_ in her _Mind_, or while she frequently and intently fixes her _Eyes_ upon such _deform’d Persons_ or disagreeable _OBJECTS_? Wherefore it is very wrong, and highly imprudent in _Women_ that have conceived, to please themselves so much in playing with _Dogs_, _Squirrels_, _Apes_, &c. carrying them in their _Laps_ or _Bosoms_, and feeding, kissing, or hugging them, as I have both often heard, and seen with my own Eyes.

AND besides, the same is the Case, when the _Natural Faculties_ are all at work in _forming_, or ripening the FŒTUS; for if the _Woman_ be _surpriz’d_ at any sudden Evil, or _frighted_ at any unseemly Sight, the _Humours_ and _Spirits_ presently retire downwards, and (as it were) abscond themselves in the _Recess_ of the WOMB: From whence immediately a strong _IMAGINATION_ of the disagreeable _Thing_ (whether _seen_ or _heard_ only) seizes her _Mind_; and the _Forming Faculty_ (going on in the _Interim_) quickly impresses the _Imaginary Idea_ of _That_ thing heard off, or the _Shape_ and _Form_ of _That_ thing seen, upon the FŒTUS. The same is the _Reason_, that if a _Mouse_, _Rat_, _Weazel_, _Cat_, or the like, leaps suddenly upon a _Woman_ that has conceived, or if an _Apple_, _Pear_, _Plum_, _Cherry_, &c. fall upon any part of her _Body_; the _MARK_ of the thing (be what it will) is instantly _imprinted_, and will manifestly appear on the same _Part_, or _Member_ of the _CHILD_: unless the _Woman_ (in that very Moment) wipe _That Part_ or _Member_, and move her _Hand_ to some more remote, private, or convenient _Place_ of the _Body_: which done, the _MARK_ is actually averted, or at least stamped upon the _other Part_ touch’d, where the deep _Impression_ of the _Mind_, directs, and fixes the _IMAGINATION_; and whither the _Forming Faculty_ (not so much by any _Virtue_ of the simple TOUCH, as by _Force_ of the strong _IMAGINATION_) infallibly converts it.

IN fine, having thus briefly defin’d, and variously described the _Powers_ of _IMAGINATION_, I come in the next Place, more particularly, to treat of the Reasons of SIMILITUDE in _Children_.

CHAP. VIII.
_Of the SIMILITUDE of Children._

WHATEVER may be advanced on this _Head_, the most probable and solid Reason for the _Child_’s _Likeness_ or _Resemblance_, is the _IMAGINATION_ of the _Mother_ in the ACT of _Copulation_; together with the _Liberty_ she gives herself in her _Thoughts_ and _Actions_, during the Time of _Formation_, commonly call’d the Time of _Breeding_.

HENCE it is, that whatever she intentively fixes her _Eyes_ upon, or _conceives_ and _impresses_ in her Mind, the INFANT represents the same in its _extimous Parts_: And particularly whatever OBJECT she directs her _Eyes_ or _Thoughts_ upon, in the Interval between the _Embrace_ and the _Charm_, its _Effigies_ is afterwards manifest in the CHILD. As St. _Jerom_ thus relates of a certain _Woman_, who conceiv’d and brought forth a _Black-Child_, tho’ both _She_ and her _Husband_ (the real Father) were _white_; meerly by eying a _PICTURE_ in the Bed-Chamber at that _critical Juncture_.

UPON this Chapter[48]_Pliny_ has most elegantly express’d the _Artifice_ of NATURE, together with all the _Reasons_ and _Causes_ of SIMILITUDE, to this Purpose; _viz._ “_The Cogitations of the Mind make much for the_ SIMILITUDES and RESEMBLANCES _of Children: As many other accidental Occurrences are thought to be very efficacious in the same, and that whether they come by_ Sight, Hearing, _or calling to_ Remembrance; _or by_ Imaginations _conceiv’d, and deeply apprehended in the very Act of_ Generation, _or the very Instant of_ Conception: _The inconstant_ Mind, _and wandering_ Thought, _of either_ Parent, _is justly suppos’d to be one_ Cause.”

HENCE it is, that some _Children_ favour and resemble their _Fathers_, some their _Mothers_, some their _Grandfathers_, or _Mothers_, and some their _Kinsmen_: And hence also it is, that there is more Difference and Diversity in the _Rational Kind_, than in all _other Creatures_; because the Velocity of their _Thoughts_, the Celerity of their _Minds_, and the Variety of their _Dispositions_, impress a far greater _Diversity_ of various peculiar _MARKS_: While the rest of _irrational Creatures_ have their _Minds_ continually fixed (in a manner) immoveable, steady, and alike: every _One_ of them in its own peculiar Kind, and specifick Nature.

INSOMUCH that the _Woman’s_ _IMAGINATION_ frequently induces a strange _Likeness_ to her INFANT; that is, in no Part, and in no Respect, favouring the FATHER. From whence it often happens, that a _Woman_ abusing her HUSBAND’_s_ Bed, and fearing perhaps to be surpriz’d by him in the _ACT_, brings forth (in due time) her _CHILD_, no ways _resembling_ the _real_ FATHER, (namely the GALLANT); but altogether _LIKE_ to the _injur’d_ HUSBAND.

UPON which Case the following facetious _Epigram_ was occasionally written by the famous and celebrated Sir _Thomas More_.

_“Quos ante Conjux quatuor
“Natos_, SABINE, _protulit,
“Multùm ecce dissimiles tui,
“Tuos nec ipse deputas.
“Sed quem tibi puellulum
“Enixa jam nuperrimè est,
“Solum tibi simillimum,
“Pro quatuor complecteris.
“Adulterinos quatuor
“Vocas, repellis, abdicas.
“Atqui graves tradunt Sophi,
“Quodcunque matres interim
“Imaginantur fortiter,
“Dum liberis datur opera,
“Ejus latenter & notas
“Certas, & indelebiles
“Modóque inexplicabili
“In semen ipsum congeri.
“Quibus receptis intimè,
“Simúlque concrescentibus,
“A mente Matris insitam
“Natus refert imaginem.
“Quum tot abesses millibus,
“Dum gignit Uxor quatuor,
“Quòd esset admodum tui
“Secura, dissimiles parit.
“Sed unus omnium hic Puer
“Tui refert imaginem,
“Quòd mater hunc dum concipit,
“Sollicita de te plurimùm,
“Te tota cogitaverat,
“Dum pertimescit anxia,
“Ne tu_, SABINE, _incommodus,
“Velútque lupus in fabulâ
“Supervenires interim._

HOWEVER, as to what relates to the _Tempers_, _Dispositions_, _Miens_, _Manners_, _Qualities_, and _Propensions_ of the MIND, daily _Examples_ convince us, that _Children_, after all, generally much resemble _Those_ of their _Progenitors_; which proceeds merely from the _Efficacy_ of the SEED, containing the Power of the natural _Faculties_ of their Minds and _vital Spirits_, which are thence infus’d into their _Posterity_.

BUT I take this _Matter_ to depend much upon the _Passion_, _Indolence_, or _Indifferency_ of the Mind, with which the ACT of _Copulation_ is perform’d. For as the _Ardour_ and _Fervency_ of the _Parents_, and their plentiful prolifick _Contribution_, tend much to the _CHILD’s_ affecting the same _Behaviour_, _Gestures_, _Actions_, _Tempers_, and _Motions_ of BODY and MIND; even sometimes to their representing the very _Nature_, and treading the very _Foot-Steps_ of their PARENTS, to so nice a degree, of an exact Resemblance, that I’ve more than once observed a MOLE-MARK of a _Father_ plainly impress’d on his _Child_. Which, I think, is also conformable to[49] _Horace_’s Meaning;

_“Fortes creantur fortibus & bonis:
“Est in Juvencis, est in equis patrum
“Virtus: nec imbellem feroces
“Progenerant Aquilæ Columbam._

To valiant _Fathers_, valiant _Sons_ succeed;
Thus _Bulls_ from _Bulls_ descend, and _martial Horses_ breed.

AND because the _Institution of Nature_, perfects its own _Gifts_, which, by the Help of _Education_, corrects _Errors_, and abolishes _Blemishes_; the _Poet_ very pertinently adds,

_“Doctrina sed vim promovet insitam,
“Rectíq; Mores pectora roborant._

Yet the best _Blood_ by _Learning_ is refin’d,
And _Virtue_ arms the _solid Mind_;
Whilst _Vice_ will stain the _noblest Race_,
And the _paternal Stamp_ efface.

BUT, however yet, there are many _Parents_ still less salacious and less fervid; who rather vilify, than covet, and rather abstain from, than delight themselves in this _Encounter_. In short, there are some of both Sexes, who, in patiently gratifying their active _Consorts_, esteem it rather a sort of _Hardship_ and _TASK_ for _Family-Quiet_, than any incumbent _DUTY_ of _Nuptial Benevolence_; Which[50]St. _Paul_ seems to allude to, by calling it the _defrauding of one the other_.

FROM hence it is, that _Children_ often degenerate from the _Nature_ and _Qualities_ of their PARENTS; from hence also it is, that _brisk Men_ sometimes have _stupid_, and _wise Men_ frequently beget _foolish Children_. This happens only because of the _Indifferency_, _Indolence_, or _Coldness_, either of Mind or Constitution, in their _Conjugal Pleasures_: The dull heavy _Faculty_ of their _Inclinations_ to the ACT, being diffus’d and transmitted through the SEED into the _Infant_, according to _Catullus_;

_“Naturæ sequitur semina quisque suæ._

BUT farther still, the SEED flowing from the _principal Parts_ of the Body, comprehends in itself the _Vigour_ and _Quality_ of their respective Members: Whence it follows, that _Diseases_, _Imperfections_, _Blemishes_, or any other _Deformity_, inherent in any _Part_ of the PARENTS, becomes commonly _hereditary_ to their CHILDREN.

THIS is the Case of the whole Dutchy of upper _Styria_, where all the _Natives_ have a huge _Excrescence_ of FLESH, which grows up with the _Body_ (however visibly increasing and decreasing with the MOON) generally lying upon the Left side from the _Jaw-bone_, and hanging downwards: So that the _Women_ giving SUCK of that _Breast_, commonly cast this _carnous Excrescence_ (which they call CRAPE) over their Shoulders. This is so _Natural_ to them, and remarkable, that in a Journey once from _Venice_ to _Vienna_, passing thro’ the chief Town of that Country, call’d _Judenburg_, I had the Curiosity to go off the _Post-Waggon_, into the _Church_, with five other Gentlemen, Fellow-Passengers, to be better satisfy’d of the Truth of it. The _People_ were at MASS, but the sight of us soon confounded, or at least disturb’d their _Devotion_; for in a Moment, the Eyes of the whole _Congregation_ were staring upon us, wondering to see so many _deform’d Men_ (as they call’d us) in that Place at one Time.

AND the same is the only Reason, that most _Children_ in _Spain_ and _Portugal_, are born with some SYMPTOMS of the _Venereal Disease_; which, however, is without any infectious _Malignity_, and so _Natural_ to them, that they seldom apply to the _Doctor_ for CURE, until the Case becomes more dangerous or desperate by the _Party’s_ own Means: which generally happens to them in a very few Years, being exceedingly _Salacious_ from their INFANCY, because of the stimulating _Acrimony_ of the _putrid Humours_ of the Body, which they only strive to mitigate, or allay, by _continual_ WHORING.

FROM what’s already said, we see that the _Efficacy_ of the _Father’s_ SEED is very considerable; insomuch, that indeed many calamitous _Misfortunes_ may derive from it, to his _Posterity_: But it is, however, to be strictly observ’d, that what _Disorder_ soever of a vitious Nature derives itself this way from the _Mother_, hath yet the greater _Malignity_, and more powerful _Effect_ upon her _CHILDREN_[51]; the _Habits_ of her Body, Good or Bad, her _Virtues_ or _Vices_, taking still a deeper _Root_, or firmer _Footing_ in the Constitution of the FOETUS. Which _Distinction_, in short, must needs be a most plain _Case_, considering that the _Maternal Blood_ is its chief ALIMENT, and the very _secundary ORIGIN_ of its _Procreation_.

AND this, in fine, is the only _natural Reason_ to be given, why many _Things_, no ways commendable in either SEX, are the less excusable in the WOMAN.

SECT. III.

CHAP. I.
_Of CONCEPTION._

CONCEPTION, in a word, is _Two-fold_; True and _Natural_, or False and _Præternatural_. It is call’d _True_, in opposition to a _False Conception_; and _Natural_, because it answers to the _Institution of Nature_. Wherefore I shall begin with _This_, and conduct the _Woman_, who has truly and naturally _conceiv’d_, thro’ the different _Stages_ of Life she is to pass; describing plainly, and laying before her the many various _Scenes_ of every respective _Stage_, which can any ways affect her Person.

IN this nice Affair, like a faithful PILOT, in a _narrow Channel_, I shall not only point out the _Barrs_ and _Rocks_, on which she may be _Shipwreck’d_; but also direct and prescribe her _Course_, by which she may _sail_ safe into her wish’d-for PORT: Where when I have duly secur’d _Herself_ and her _Cargo_ to the Best of my Capacity, I shall thereafter proceed in their Order, to treat of the different _Preternatural Conceptions_; as I shall in this place now discourse only of the _Natural_.

THIS _Natural Conception_ then, is the first principal _Action_, and peculiar _Function_ of the WOMB, in duly commixing and fomenting the retain’d SEEDS of _Man_ and _Woman_: Since as the SEED of _Plants_ requires the Matrix of the _Earth_, to nourish it well, and safely defend it; so doth _That_ SEMINAL _Virtue_ of _Men_, the WOMB, in this _Act_ of _CONCEPTION_.

BUT as to the _Time_ of _CONCEPTION_, I cannot but differ from _Those_, who protract and put it off till the _seventh Day_ from the first _Seminal Retention_, for I am clearly of Opinion with _Lud. Mercatus_[52], that if the SEED be retain’d _seven Hours_, the _Woman_ hath CONCEIV’D: Neither can I find sufficient Reason to think _Nature_ one Moment _Idle_, much less _seven Days_. Therefore _CONCEPTION_ ought to be reckoned, from the very _Day_[53] of the _First Retention_.

HOWEVER yet, it is certain that, if the _Debility_ of the SEED, or WOMB, or _Both_, happen to hinder or impugn the Work, _Nature_ ejects the GENITURA, or _Thing conceiv’d_, on the _seventh_ Day; which Time is the common _Crisis_ of all _Diseases_, and _Morbifick Accidents_: Whereas if no such _Effluxion_ happens about that Time, _CONCEPTION_[54] is certain, and _Formation_ goes on.

THIS _True CONCEPTION_ is likewise known by many various _Signs_; whereof I shall mention a _Few_, not out of any vain Curiosity, but meer Necessity: Because, supposing a _Woman_ to labour under any dangerous _acute Disease_, it is of the greatest _Importance_, to be certain, whether she hath conceiv’d, or not; by reason that the Means of her _future Relief_ must (of Necessity) be adapted to her _present Condition_.

CHAP. II.
_Of the Signs of CONCEPTION._

THE _Signs_ of CONCEPTION are many and various, and accordingly some more, some less _certain_, as hereafter set forth; whereof I shall only mention such as are most common and familiar to the _Generality_ of WOMEN: _viz._

I. THE _Retention_ or _Suppression_ of the MENSTRUA; when not occasion’d by some other _Indisposition_.

II. SUDDEN _Weakness_, _Feebleness_, and _Imbecility_ of the Body and Limbs.

III. LAZINESS, _Weariness_, and _Sleepiness_, with a _Heaviness_ of the whole Body; but especially of the _Reins_ and the _Thighs_.

IV. A sort of little SPOTS, or hard WARTS, arising in the _Face_ and _Forehead_.

V. A small _Pain_ about the NAVEL, and _Commotions_ in the _lower_ BELLY.

VI. COLD Shivering, and trembling _Fits_; wandring _Pains_, and _Head-Aches_.

VII. LOSS of wonted _Colour_, sunk _Eyes_, discolour’d _Eye-Balls_: A sparkling _Dimness_, and _Glimmering_ of the EYES; the _Ball_ growing less, and the _White_ larger.