There being thus no sufficient confirmation of their verity, some doubt may arise concerning their possibility, wherein, since it is not defined in what dimensions the soul may exercise her faculties, we shall not conclude impossibility; or that there might not be a race of _Pigmies_, as there is sometimes of Giants. So may we take in the opinion of _Austin_, and his Comment _Ludovicus_, but to believe they should be in the stature of a foot or span, requires the preaspection of such a one as _Philetas_ the Poet in _Athenæus_: who was fain to fasten lead unto his feet lest the wind should blow him away. Or that other in the same Author, who was so little _ut ad obolum accederet_; a story so strange, that we might herein excuse the PRINTER, did not the account of _Ælian_ accord unto it, as _Causabone_ hath observed in his learned Animadversions. Lastly, If any such Nation there were, yet is it ridiculous what Men have delivered of them; that they fight with _Cranes_ upon the backs of _Rams_ or _Partridges_: or what is delivered by _Ctesias_, that they are _Negroes_ in the middest of _India_; whereof the King of that Country entertaineth three thousand Archers for his guard. Which is a relation below the tale of _Oberon_; nor could they better defend him, then the Emblem saith, they offended _Hercules_ whilest he slept; that is, to wound him no deeper, then to awake him. [2] _The story of Pigmies rejected._ [3] _By Pigmies intending Fairies and other spirits about the earth as by Nymphs and Salamanders, spirits of fire and water._ Lib. De Pigmæis, Nymphis, _etc._ CHAPTER XII Of the great Climacterical year, that is, Sixty three. Certainly the Eyes of the understanding, and those of the sense are differently deceived in their greatest objects; the sense apprehending them in lesser magnitudes then their dimensions require; so it beholdeth the Sun, the Stars, and the Earth it self. But the understanding quite otherwise: for that ascribeth unto many things far larger horizons then their due circumscriptions require: and receiveth them with amplifications which their reality will not admit. Thus hath it fared with many Heroes and most worthy persons, who being sufficiently commendable from true and unquestionable merits, have received advancement from falshood and the fruitful stock of Fables. Thus hath it happened unto the Stars, and Luminaries of heaven: who being sufficiently admirable in themselves, have been set out by effects, no way dependent on their efficiencies, and advanced by amplifications to the questioning of their true endowments. Thus is it not improbable it hath also fared with number, which though wonderful in it self, and sufficiently magnifiable from its demonstrable affections, hath yet received adjections from the multiplying conceits of men, and stands laden with additions, which its equity will not admit.