The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2Browne, Thomas, Sir
Religion
The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2
Browne, Thomas, Sir
Christianity; Ethics; Religion and medicine
We cannot but observe that in the Picture of _Jonah_ and others, Whales
are described with two prominent spouts on their heads; whereas indeed
they have but one in the forehead, and terminating over the wind-pipe.
Nor can we overlook the Picture of Elephants with Castles on their
backs, made in the form of land Castles, or stationary fortifications,
and answerable unto the Arms of _Castile_, or Sir _John_ Old Castle;
whereas the towers they bore were made of wood, and girt unto their
bodies; as is delivered in the books of _Maccabees_, and as they were
appointed in the Army of _Antiochus_.
We will not dispute the Pictures of Retiary Spiders, and their position
in the web, which is commonly made lateral, and regarding the Horizon;
although, if observed, we shall commonly find it downward, and their
heads respecting the Center. [SN: _Where the seven Stars be situated._]
We will not controvert the Picture of the seven Stars; although if
thereby be meant the Pleiades, or subconstellation upon the back of
Taurus, with what congruity they are described, either in site or
magnitude, in a clear night an ordinary eye may discover, from July unto
April. We will not question the tongues of Adders and Vipers, described
like an Anchor; nor the Picture of the Flower _de Luce_: though how far
they agree unto their natural draughts, let every spectator determine.
Whether the Cherubims about the Ark be rightly described in the common
Picture, that is, only in humane heads, with two wings; or rather in the
shape of Angels or young men, or somewhat at least with feet, as the
Scripture seems to imply. [SN: 2 Chron. 3. 13.] Whether the Cross seen
in the air by _Constantine_, were of that figure wherein we represent
it; or rather made out of Χ and Ρ, the two first letters of χριστός.
Whether the Cross of Christ did answer the common figure; whether so far
advanced above his head; whether the feet were so disposed, that is, one
upon another, or separately nailed, as some with reason describe it: we
shall not at all contend. Much less whether the house of _Diogenes_ were
a Tub framed of wood, and after the manner of ours, or rather made of
earth, as learned men conceive, and so more clearly make out that
expression of _Juvenal_ [SN: ----Dolia magni non ardent Cynici, etc.].
We should be too critical to question the letter Y, or bicornous element
of _Pythagoras_, that is, the making of the horns equal: or the left
less then the right, and so destroying the Symbolical intent of the
figure; confounding the narrow line of Vertue, with the larger road of
Vice; answerable unto the narrow door of Heaven, and the ample gates of
Hell, expressed by our Saviour, and not forgotten by _Homer_, in that
Epithete of _Pluto's_ house. [SN: Εὐρυπυλής.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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