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
The most Doubting Part's Opinion, was, That it was not natural to
Restore, although it was natural to Produce; and, that all Natural
Productions, were by degrees: but, for Restorations, (being not Natural
Productions) they could not be done by degrees: and therefore the
Action of Restoration, was but as one Action, although of many Parts.
The Believing Parts of my Mind were of opinion, That all Nature's
Actions, being by degrees, all Restorations were also by degrees.
The Doubting Part's Opinion was, That there were some actions that had
no degrees: for, One action might signifie a Thousand.
The other Part's Opinion was, That a Thousand actions, or degrees, were
in the figure of One.
The Doubting Parts were of opinion, That it was impossible. But, at
last, they agreed, That the Restoring actions were by degrees.
IX.
The Parts of my Mind were divided into Minor and Major Parts, about the
Time or Degrees of Restoration of Human Creatures.
The Minor's Opinion was, That the Restoring actions of Nature, were so
much quicker than the Producing actions, that a Human Creature might be
restored in a Months time; whereas the production of a Human Creature
was in ten Months: for, though a Human Creature may Quicken at Three
Months time; yet, it was not fully Ripe for Birth, before the time of
Ten Months.
The Major Part's Opinion was, That Restoration was according as the
Creature was Dissolved: for, a Man that was newly dead; or not so long
dead, that his Parts were not yet divided; that Man might be restored
to Life in an Hour's time, or less: but, if all the Parts, excepting
the bare Carcase, were dissolved, there would require as long a time in
Restoring, as in Producing.
The Minor's Opinion, was, That the Restoring-time, was no longer than
the time of Quickning.
The Major Part's Opinion, was, That though the Exterior Form or Frame
of a Child, might be before the Quickning; yet, it was not a perfect
Animal, until it was Quick: and although it might be a perfect Animal
when it was Quick; yet, not ripe, that is, not at the full Perfection
of a Human Creature. As it is with Fruits: for, a Green Plumb is not
like a Ripe Plumb; but, any Green Fruit, is like a Dead Fruit, in
comparison of a Ripe Fruit.
At last, the Parts of my Mind did agree, That if a Human Creature was
dissolved, excepting the bare Carcase; it would require Ten Months time
ere it could perfectly be restored: for, the Springing Parts would
require so long a time ere they could come to full Maturity.
X.
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