Grounds of Natural Philosophy: Divided into Thirteen Parts: The Second Edition, much altered from the First, which went under the Name of Philosophical and Physical OpinionsNewcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Philosophy
Grounds of Natural Philosophy: Divided into Thirteen Parts: The Second Edition, much altered from the First, which went under the Name of Philosophical and Physical Opinions
Newcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Physics -- Early works to 1800
But, to conclude: As all the Creatures of our World, were made for the
Benefit of Human Creatures; so, 'tis probable, all the Creatures of the
Irregular World, were produced for the Torment and Confusion of Human
Creatures in that World.
The Fifth Part, Being divided into FIFTEEN SECTIONS.
Concerning Restoring-Beds, or Wombs. I.
At the latter end of my _Philosophical Conceptions_, the Parts of
my Mind grew sad, to think of the dissolving of their Society: for,
the Parts of my Mind are so friendly, that although they do often
Dispute and Argue for Recreation and Delight-sake; yet, they were
never so irregular, as to divide into Parties, like Factious Fellows,
or Unnatural Brethren: which was the reason that they were sad, to
think their kind Society should dissolve, and that their Parts should
be dispersed and united to other Societies, which might not be so
friendly as they were. And, after many several Thoughts, (which are
several Rational Discourses: for, Thoughts are the Language of the
Mind) they fell into a Discourse of _Restoring Beds_, or _Wombs_, viz.
_Whether there might not be Restoring Beds, as well as Producing Beds,
or Breeding Beds_. And, to argue the case, they agreed to divide into
Minor and Major Parts.
II.
The Major Parts of my Mind were of opinion, That there are Beds, or
Wombs, of Restoration, as well as Beds of Production: for, if Nature's
actions be poysed, there must be one, as well as the other.
The Minor Part's Opinion, was, That, as all Creatures were produced, so
all Creatures were subject to dissolve: so that, the poyse of Nature's
Productions, was Nature's Dissolutions, and not Restorations.
The Major Part's Opinion, was, That there are Restorations in Nature:
for, as some dissolved, others united in every kind and sort of
Creature, which was a Restoration to the kinds and sorts of Creatures.
The Minor Part's Opinion, was, That though every
sort and kind of Creatures, continued as the Species of each sort and
kind; yet, they did not continue by such Restorations as they were
arguing about: for though, when some Creatures dye, others of the
same Sort or _Species_, are born or bred; yet, they are Produced,
not restored: for, they conceived, that Restoration was a reviving
and re-uniting the Parts of a Dissolved Society or Creature; which
Restoration was not natural, at least, not usual.
The Major Part's Opinion, was, That Restoration was natural, and usual:
for, there were many things, or Creatures, restored, in some sort,
after they were dead.
The Minor Part's Opinion, was, That some Creatures might be restored
from some Infirmities, or Decays; but, they could not be restored after
they were dissolved, and their Parts dispersed.
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