2. In the second place is _Ctesias_: the Cnidian, Physitian unto _Artaxerxes_ King of _Persia_, his Books are often recited by ancient Writers, and by the industry of _Stephanus_ and _Rhodomanus_, there are extant some fragments thereof in our days; he wrote the History of _Persia_, and many narrations of _India_. In the first, as having a fair opportunity to know the truth, and as _Diodorus_ affirmeth the perusal of _Persian_ Records, his testimony is acceptable. In his _Indian_ Relations, wherein are contained strange and incredible accounts, he is surely to be read with suspension. These were they which weakned his authority with former ages; for as we may observe, he is seldom mentioned, without a derogatory Parenthesis in any Author. _Aristotle_ besides the frequent undervaluing of his authority, in his Books of Animals gives him the lie no less then twice, concerning the seed of Elephants. _Strabo_ in his eleventh Book hath left a harder censure of him. _Equidem facilius Hesiodo & Homero, aliquis fidem adhibuerit, itémque Tragicis Poetis, quam Ctesiæ, Herodoto, Hellanico & eorum similibus._ But _Lucian_ hath spoken more plainer then any. _Scripsit Ctesias de Indorum regione, deque iis quæ apud illos sunt, ea quæ nec ipse vidit, neque ex ullius sermone audivit._ Yet were his relations taken up by some succeeding Writers, and many thereof revived by our Countryman, Sir _John Mandevil_, Knight, and Doctor in Physick; who after thirty years peregrination died at _Liege_, and was there honourably interred. He left a Book of his Travels, which hath been honoured with the translation of many Languages, and now continued above three hundred years; herein he often attesteth the fabulous relations of _Ctesias_, and seems to confirm the refuted accounts of Antiquity. All which may still be received in some acceptions of morality, and to a pregnant invention, may afford commendable mythologie; but in a natural and proper exposition, it containeth impossibilities, and things inconsistent with truth. 3. There is a Book _De mirandis auditionibus_, ascribed unto _Aristotle_; another _De mirabilibus narrationibus_, written long after by _Antigonus_, another also of the same title by _Plegon Trallianus_, translated by _Xilander_, and with the Annotations of _Meursius_, all whereof make good the promise of their titles, and may be read with caution. Which if any man shall likewise observe in the Lecture of _Philostratus_, concerning the life of _Apollonius_, and even in some passages of the sober and learned _Plutarchus_; or not only in ancient Writers, but shall carry a wary eye on _Paulus Venetus_, _Jovius_, _Olaus Magnus_, _Nierembergius_, and many other: I think his circumspection is laudable, and he may thereby decline occasion of Error. [Sidenote: _A like opinion there is now of Elder._]