九色堂

THE VOLCANO'S:

OR

Burning and Fire-vomiting Mountains,
Famous in the World:

With their Remarkables.

Collected for the most part out of KIRCHER鈥橲
Subterraneous World;

And expos鈥榙 to more general view in English, upon the Relation
of the late Wonderful and Prodigious Eruption of AETNA.

Therby to occasion greater admirations of the Wonders of Na--
ture (and of the God of Nature) in the mighty Element of Fire.

Res semper aliquid apportat novi.

---

None sadlier knows the unresisted Ire,
Then Thou, Poor London! Of th鈥檃ll- raging Fire.
But these occasion鈥檇 kindlings are but Blazes,
To th鈥檓ighty burnings, which fierce Nature raises.
If then a Town, or Hills blaze be so dire;
What will be th鈥� last, and universal Fire?

---

Licensed and Entred according to Order.

---

London, Printed by J. Darby, for John Allen; and are to sold by him at the White Horse in Wentworth Street near Bell Lane; and by Benjamin Billingsly at the Printing-Press in Broad-street near Gresham College, 1669.

 

THE
痴鲍尝颁础狈翱鈥橲:
OR,
Burning and Fire--vomiting Mountains,
Famous in the World:

With their Remarkables.
Collected for the most part out of KIRCHER鈥橲
Subterraneous World;

And expos鈥榙 to more general view in English, upon the Relation
of the late Wonderful and Prodigious Eruption of AETNA.

Therby to occasion greater admirations of the Wonders of Na--
ture (and of the God of Nature) in the mighty Element of Fire.

Res semper aliquid apportat novi.

None sadlier knows the unresisted Ire,
Then Thou, Poor London! Of th鈥檃ll- raging Fire.
But these occasion鈥檇 kindlings are but Blazes,
To th鈥檓ighty burnings, which fierce Nature raises.
If then a Town, or Hills blaze be so dire;
What will be th鈥� last, and universal Fire?

Licensed and Entred according to Order.

London, Printed by J. Darby, for John Allen; and are to sold by him at the White Horse in Wentworth Street near Bell Lane; and by Benjamin Billingsly at the Printing-Press in Broad-street near Gresham College, 1669.

The Epistle to the Reader.

Here are presented to thee in English, the most wonderful, most prodigious, and even miraculous Operations of Nature, in the Geocosm, or Terrestrial World. 鈥楾is confess鈥榙 鈥榯is not an exact, or compil鈥檇 History; But rather a scatter鈥檇 Collection of Historical Relations by others, of most remarkable passages. Which so came to pass: First, upon so fair an occasion given, by the late incredible Eruptions of Aetna, and past all belief: Had they not been confirmed by so honourable a Testimony, past all mistrust. And yet there were not wanting some such persons, so unknowing and faithless; as to question, not-withstanding at first, all for Rodamontado, or Isle of Pines, &c. Therfore, secondly also, by reason of so general and universal Ignorance of these Matters found among our Countreymen; as sufficiently appeared at the first coming forth of that late wonderful Relation. As if some such strange thing had hapned, as never before in the World; at least never so great, so prodigious and portentous. That therefore men might be more generally acquainted with the Wonders of Nature, (in this particular also of Fire) has this been undertaken. And then because there had yet been none in English of the Subject, for the general information of men, or of such as were desirous to know fuller of these matters. And yet there is a method sufficient for an exact History. Nor is there any thing Material, or Remarkable; that is not, in brief, at least taken notice of. Lastly, The Subject and Argument so admirable and curious, may excuse other defects. For thou no so much the Philosophy of these Matters, (yet there is a sprinkling of that too, as occasionally it occur鈥檇 in our Author) as the mighty Effects and Things themselves are here intended for the English Reader. 鈥楾is therefore an Historical Narration of the Worlds Volcano鈥檚, and their Wonders and Remarkables. But for the grand Literado鈥檚 and such as are past their English Tongue, let them be satisfied; that it was never calculated for men of their Degree and Elevation. So not to weary thee with Complements of a long Epistle, or to hang out Invitations of greater pretences, then realities; we leave thee to what entertainment the Book itself will afford. And if thou findst any occasion, not to repend, of so much time and labour as the perus. By so much the farther will the Author be from repenting of his pains, or thinking his labour lost, that is for no good or benefit to his Countreymen, in Englishing so wonderful things. He presumes to say; Read, and admire, and take the pleasure therof. Farwel.

The Explication of the Schemes, out of Kircher.

I.

The Central Fire A, through certain Fire-ducts, or Channels, diffuses round about, every where, far and near fiery exhalations and spirits. These driven into the Water-houses, it partly disposes into hot Baths; partly attenuates or rarifies into vapours; wich dashing, as it were, against the Arches or Vaults of Concavous Dens, and condens鈥榙 by the coldness of the place, and lastly dissolved into Waters, generate Fountains and Rivers; and then partly derived into fit Matrices and Receptacles, fruitful of other kind of Juyces, of several Minerals, contract fast together, and harden into Metallick Bodies; or else are ordered tfora ne Conception, and fructifying of combustible Matter, to nourish, and still feed and maintain the Fire. You see there also, how the Sea, by the Winds and pressure of the Air, or motion of the aestuating Tides, ejaculate and cast forth the Water, through Subterraneous, or under-ground Burrows, into the highest Water-houses of the Mountains. You see also the Sea and the Plains in the utmost surface of the Earth, to take place next to the Subterraneous World; and the Air next to them, as the Scheme teaches: Yet you are not to image, that the Fires and Waters, &c. are really thus disposed. But this onely was to signifie, according to the best imagination of the Author, that they are after some well ordered and artificial, or organiz鈥檇 way or other, contriv鈥檇 by Nature; and that the Under-ground World was a well fram鈥檇 House, with distinct Rooms, Cellars, and Store-houses, by great Art and Wisdom fitted together; and not, as many think a confused and jumbled heap or Chaos of things, as it were, of Stones, Bricks, Wood, and other Materials, as the rubbish of a decayed House, or an House not yet made.

And to the perpetuation of these hidden and unsearchable operations of Nature, there is a constant circulation and return round thereof. The Constellations, Sun, Moon, and Stars, cause the reciprocal flowings and Tides of the Sea to and fro. By the impetuousness of the Seas rage and Tides, an immense bulk of Waters, being, through hid and occult passages at the bottom of the Ocean protruded or thust forcibly into the intimate bowels of the Earth, excite and stirs up also Subterraneous Fire by the impetuousness of Winds, and restores it with new conveyance of Nutrient. The Subterraneous Fire not knowing how to be idle, being enkindled by the reciprocation, or return to and fro, of the Tides, as it were by certain Bellows; and raging does, by these, and those, and the other Fibres, or Veins of occult passages, which are replenished with Metallick and Mineral Juyces, carry, whiles it passes by, an huge plenty of vapors with it self; which protruded partly through the Terrestrial Conveyances of the Mountains, partly through the bottom of the Ocean, in to the uttermost Surface ;and there dilated and spread wider, do again, with their blasts, solicite and provike the Air, the Ocean, and Seas. And what is again insinuated through the Orifices of the Oceans bottom, doth convey new Provanr to the Subterraneous Fire, nourish and conserve it; and by this mians also doth sypply new matter to provoke and stir up the Sea again; as but now was declar鈥檇) You see therefore the manner and way of the Circulation of Nature. You see how Water, Fire; Fire, Water; mutually, as it were, cherish one another; and by a certain unanimous consent, conspire to the Conservation of the Geochosm, or Terrestrial World. For if Subterraneous Fire should emit no vapours for matters of Winds; The Sea, as it were torpid, and void of motion, would go into a putridness, to the ruine of the whole Globe. And consequently destitute of the aid of Winds, could neither also succour Subterraneous Fire, with necessary nutriment. Whence the Fire extinct, being the life of the Macrocosm, as spirituous blood is of the Microcosm, Universal Nature must necessarily perish. Lest therefore Nature, undergoing so great a detriment, should fail; Hereupon God most good and great, by provident Nature, the Hand-maid of the Supream Work-master, would have both Elements be in perpetual Motion, for admirable ends, elsewhere shewn. Fore the Water sliding through the secret passages underground, supplies moisture; and together therewith carries a mixture of Terrestrial portion to the Fire-houses, for their food. And these again swelling with hot Spirits, carried upwards, and elevated through wonted Fire-ducts, do with their heat cherish the Water houses, and other kind of Receptacles, whether of Air, or several Juyces of Minerals and Earths, (for there are Store-houses of all undergournd) and do animate them for the Generation both of Minerals, and also of Vegetables, to be promoted, or furthered by exhalations. And so in an everlasting, and circulatory motion, all things which are beheld in Nature, do exist and abide. And so Subterraneous Fire, together with Water, are the Effectors and Generators, we may say, of all things, &c.

II.

This Scheme expresses the Nests of Heat only, or, which is all one, the Fire-houses, variously distributed through the Universal Bowels of the Earth, by the admirable Workmanship of God; lest any where should be wanting, what would be so greatly necessary to the Conversation of the Geocosm. But let none perswade himself, as if the Firese were constituted, as here represented; and the Firehouses forthwith disposed in that order. In no wise this. We would onely hereby shew, that the bowels of the Earth are full of Aestuaries, that is places overflown, and raging with Fire, which we call Under-ground Fire-houses, or Concervatories; whether after such, or any other manner disposed. From the Centre therefore we have deduc鈥檇 the Fire, through all the Paths (to be supposed) of the Terrestrial World; even to the very Vulcanian Mountains themselves, in the Exteriour Surface. The Central Fire is signed with the letter A. The rest are the Aestuaries, or Fire-houses, signed with B. The Fire-ducts, C. But the least Channels, are Fissures, or clefts of the Earth, which the Fiery Spirits pass, and make their way through.

A. The Central Fire
B. The Fire-houses
C. The Fire-ducts
Fissures of the Earth, the rest.

The TABLE

CHAP. I
Of Subterraneous Fire-houses; That is, Abysses, or deep Storehouses of Fire: or, if you will, Aestuaries (that is, places overflown and raging with; or, as it were, Creeks of Fire) underground.

CHAPT. II
Of the Volcano鈥檚 or Ignovomous, that is Fire-vomiting Mountains in General.

CHAP. III
Of the Manifold Volcano鈥檚 of Italy in Particular.

CHAP. IV
Of the Remakables of Volcano鈥檚 and their Eruptions in General.

CHAP. V
Of the Remarkables of the Volcano鈥檚 of Italy, and their notorious Eruptions in particular, &c. Viz.
Of the Phlegraean Plains, or Volcano鈥檚 Court.
Of the Mountain Vesuvious, &c.

CHAP. VI
Of the Prodigious and Wonderful Aetna in Special; and of the Vulcanian Islands adjoining
Aetna鈥檚 Crater of Fire-Cup.
A Chronicle of Aetna鈥檚 Fires, &c.
Of the Volcanello鈥檚; Strombolo, and Volcano, &c.
A sad story of a Spanish Priest, &c.
A foolish Story of Sir Thomas Gresham.

The VULCANO鈥橲

OR,

Mountains vomiting Fire, famous in the World;
with their Remarkables.

CHAP. I.
Of Subterraneous Abysses, and Conservatories, or Store-houses of Fire; the Original Cause and Source of all fiery Eruptions, and Vulcanos.

That there are Subterraneous Conservatories, and Treasuries of Fire (even as well, as there are of Water, and Air, &c.) and vast Abysses, and bottomless Gulphs in the Bowels and very Entrals of the Earth, stored therewith, no sober Philosopher can deny; If he do but consider the prodigious Vulcano鈥檚, or fire-belching Mountains; the eruptions of sulphurous fires not only out of the Earth, but also out of the very Sea; the multitude and variety of hot Baths everywhere occurring. And that they have their sourse and birth place, not in the Air, not in the Water; nay, nor as the Vulgar perswade themselves, not at the bottom of the Mountains; but in the very in most privy-Chambers, and retiring places of the Earth; is as reasonable to think; And there Vulcan, as it were, to have his Elaboratories, Shops, and Forges in the profoundest Bowels of Nature.

For how else could there be every where such a quantity of Minerals, brimstone, and sulphurous unctuous matters, without any fire and subterraneous burnings of fire engendring, and all concocting nature; which by no means can be conceived to be enkindled, from the conflicts of air and moisture, in those most dark and deep Regions of the Earth, so remote from all influence of the Sun.

Therefore subterraneous fire was necessary in the internal Oeconomy, or constitution of, as it were, the organiz鈥檇 parts of the earth, and distribution of Life and heat, as we may so say, to all the exteriour members. Plato acknowledges hidden treasuries of ever flowing flames, and most huge Rivers of fires, as well as of waters. Yea and Aristotle himself affirms most ample sourses, as of water, so of spirit and fire. Also Pliny, Vitruvius, Cicero, have noted this Arcanum of nature; for in the bowels of the earth, are observed hidden operations of heat; and the greatest parts of the world are upheld and sustained by heat underneath. We see fire struck forth from the conflict and attrition of stones; and the reeking earth to smoke upon every new digging, especially if deep; And also hot and warm waters drawn out of Wells continually, and that chiefly in winter; for that a great force of heat is contain鈥檇 and pent up within the Caverns of the earth. All the Poetick Fables of Vulcan, Vesta, the Cyclops, seem to allude to this subterraneous fire.

This is the sense of Lucretius singing thus;

--- _____The Earth contains with its Womb,
First Seeds, whence th鈥� Sea, and flowing Rivers come
In constant course: Sources of Fire it has,
For burning Soyls we see in many a place.
But above all, Aetna鈥檚 impetuous Cell,
Rages wit flames from th鈥檒owest pit of Hell.

And Manilius,
But with all parts the Fires mingled are,
Quick Lightning, in the teeming Clouds of th鈥橝ir
They gender; Pierce the Earth; whence Aetna鈥檚 Mountains,
Dare Heaven: Also make Baths hot, in Fountains.

To this end the whole Earth is Cavernous, and the Terrene Globe contains fast spaces within its own bowels, arched Caves and Vaults, immense Tracts, and impenetrable Abysses. For, as Seneca relates of the Fields of Puteolum, There ware vast Caves, hugh Recesses, and vacuities; Stones of Mountains hanging here and there; Also cragged Gapings without bottom, which have often receiv鈥檇 them, as they fell in, and buried the mighty Ruine in the deep. For the whole Earth is not solid; but every where gaping, and hollow鈥檇 with empty rooms and spaces, and hidden burrows, as it were, whereth describes Pliny, Aelian, Lucretius, and other writers of Naturall things. For the Fire and Water sweetly conspire together in mutual service, with an inviolable friendship and wedlock, for the good of the whole in their several and distinct private-lodgings, as we may so say, and hidden receptacles; spreading themselves far and wide to a vast largeness, and capacity; which two Assoicates, and Agents of Nature, with pains work and bring about such variety of things we see, of Minerals, Juyces, Marles, Glebes, and other soyls, with ebullitions, and bublings up of Fountains also. As Manilius bu now sant to us.

Sith this fire thus shut up in the Cavers of the Earth, agitating it self, when it finds passage, it never leaves penetrating unto some vent, for many hundred Miles, even under the Sea, and unpassable and far fetch鈥檇 winding and turnings of the Earth, and even the very Stones and Mountains, it finds in its way, into easie fuel and nutriment: That except it were restrain鈥檇 by the encompassing of the Ocean, and the command of the Omnipotent Diety, it would attract and suck in the universal bulk, of all elementary Nature, into an unquenchable combustion, and Conflagration.

And there is need of such vast quantities of fires, for the uses of the Universe; And 鈥榯is reasonable to think that the Divine Providence hath made a very great provision of fire in the belly of Nature, whence by long Chimnyes or Funnels, as it were, it might diffuse an infinite heat aud fervour for the use of things necessary; and the emolument of the Earth, Men, and Beasts. Just as it hath constituted the vast Sea in such a manner so as to discribute an indeficient plenty of Waters, through the veins and channels of the whole body of the Earth. And as it hath appointed the Waters their bounds, so it hath so attempered and distributed these fires, in the hidden courses and apartments of subterrestrail Nature, that they might neither be suffocated by the insinuating and inflowing Waters of the Ocean, nor transgress their prescribed Limits and Confines: For otherwise, if they should be unlimited Eruptions, they would soon turn all into Ruines.

Which shall at length come to pass, in that fullness of time, when all the Reins of unruly Nature shall be broke loose, and the Cataracts, or Flood gates as it were, of suterraneous fire flung open; by the command of the Divine Power, not only the Earth, but even the Elements shall melt with fervent heat, to the ruine and destruction of the whole World. That even as in the universal Flood, the windows of Heaven, and Gulphs of the Abysses being opened, he destroyed the World by an Inundation of Waters, even so also, in the last times, he might destroy the same by a Deluge of Fires: which who could deny to be, if he should behold the perpetual boyling fires of the Earth; the vast burning of Provinces; Lastly, the manifest provision and preparation of so much Combustible matter, and Sulphur together, which is vomited forth, even at one Gaping and Eructation; without confessing it a certain and infallible Specimen and Example, and evident token of preparation to the total and final Conflagration prescribed by the Divine Wisdom.

The Prodigious Vulcano鈥檚 therefore and Fire-vomitting Mountains visible in the external surface of the Earth, do sufficiently demonstrate it full of invisible and under ground fires. For where-ever there鈥檚 a Vulcan, there also is a Conservatory, or Store-house under, as certain, as where there is a Chimney of smoke, there is fire; And argue deeper treasuries and storehouses of fire, in the very heart and inward bowels of the Earth. In so much that from hence the Holy Father鈥檚 have not in congruously placed the greatest of all the Fire-conservative Abysses in the Centre of the Earth, for an eternal Jakes and Prison, destin鈥檇 for the punishment of the Damned; and some others for Purgatory (according to the received belief of Papists).

Now flame is but flowing, or fluid fire, and the streaming efflux of sulphurous principles, or particles, &c. which from these burst forth in excessive raging streams, from the mouth of the these Ignivomous (or fire-vomitting) Mountains, and Vulcano鈥檚; which are wonders of Nature, not unworthy generally to be known, and taken notice of, of all men. And which we now come to enumerate, with their remarkable Phaenomena鈥檚, and Eruptions.

CHAP. II.

Of Vulcano鈥檚 in general; What, and where; In Asia, Africa, America, and Europe.

As Nature hath constituted various Store-houses of Waters, in the highest Mountains; so it has distributed various Receptacles of fire, within the bowels of the highest Mountains also; for the copleat fructifying of Nature with this primigenial heat as it were, and radical moisture together, as before has been shewn. For the fire cannot subsist without the water, nor the water without the fire. 鈥楾is certain, if only the moist, or only the fiery element, should domineer, all would be laid wast, and nothing fructifie, &c. The Water would stagnate and freeze without some kindly resolving heat, and afford no warm and friendly vapours, and fruitful exhalations. And the fire cannot live, without a moist and humid nutriment, or last any time without a free and an asswaging fomentation, and breathing of the Air, and as it were ventilation.

These Vulcano鈥檚 therefore are nothing but the vent-holes, or breath-pipes of Nature, to give vent to the superfluous choaking fumes and smoaky vapours, which fly upwards, and make way and free passage for the vehemency of the within-conceiving burning; and for the attraction and free entrance of the friendly cherishing Air, to revie and ventilate those suffocating flames, left they should continually shake the foundations of the Ground with intolerable commotions and Earthquakes. For Earthquakes are the proper effects of subterrestrial combustions. And so the fire is both exonerated of its superfluous clogg of fumes and dregs of dross, through those open and wide mouthed Gulphs and Orifices, as it were refreshed with the all-reviving Air; so serving as breath pipes both for expiration and inspiriation to the whole body of Nature, or the Universe.

Of this sort of Vent-holes, Chimneys, or Funnels, there are such a multitude and variety, that there鈥檚 hardly any Region in the world without them. Also, everywhere, in its several Regions, abounds with these vomiting Mountains of fire. Persia has divers Vulcano鈥檚. Anin the Island Armuzia: The Island Zeilan, remarkable by the name of Adam; In Persia it self, many sulphurous Craters, or Cups, very terrible to Travellers; with Sufis in Media, and Cophantus in the Region of the Bactrians, formidable to beholders.

In the Moguls Empire, in the Kingdom of Ingoston, Tibet, Camboi, every where these kind of Mountains; and in the most vast Kingdom of China. But especially the Molucco and Philippine Islands, and the universal Archepelago of St Lazarus, so abounds with these Vulcanian places, that there鈥檚 scarce an Island without them. Either in the Crater鈥檚 (or deep mouth鈥檇 Cups) and hellish ditches, if not upon the Mountains themselves. Also in the Band***鈥檚 whereof the Mountain Gourapi most eminent; in both the Java鈥檚, within the entrails of most high Mountains. The Mountain Batalvanus in Sumatra: The inaccessible Mountain in the Island Terenate. In the Maurician Islands, the Mountain Toal. In Tandaia, nigh the Promotory of the Holy Ghost, are found some also; as also in the Island Marindica. Moreover in Jappan, no small number, near the City Firandus; and a famous one over against the City Tanaxuma, in one of the Seven Sister (Islands so called) and several other circumjacent Islands everywhere; which through subterraneous Burrows or Channels have occult commerce with St. Lazarus Islands, in the Archipelago, even to Guiny, and those called Solomon鈥檚 Islands; and from thence to other Islands of the Pacifick, commonly call鈥檇 the South Sea. For in new Guiny, as also in the Southern Land are observed such Mountains, to the great astonishment of Mariners. And the like are seen in the vast Southern Ocean, or South Sea; In the Indian Ocean everywhere, Desert and Rockey Mountains discover their smoking Chemneys; even in the shore of Northern Tartary towards Muscovy, are frequent Vulcanello鈥檚; and in all the Ocean and Islands almost, &c. which we leave, and come to Africa.

Where Fight famous Vulcano鈥檚 are observ鈥檇; Two in Monomentopa; Four in Angola, Congus, and Guiny; One in Lybia, and One in Abessia; besides innumerable Crates and sulphurous Dens, every where obvious; some whereof having consum鈥檇 their comustible matter, have ceas鈥榙; again to reinkindle when they shall have ripen鈥檇 and concocted again their recruited matter and fuel. The Atlantick Sea so abounds with subterraneous Fires, that Plato鈥檚 Land, call鈥檇 Atlantis, seems to have been swallow鈥檇 up from no other cause; but the outrages of these fires and earthquakes thence arising. And to this very day some Tracts are every where infested with flames and fires breaking forth from their underground storehouses; the violenc ena rage whereof, bot Columbus and Vespuccius, at their great peril had experience of. The Terzer鈥檚 can scarce be inhabited for the vehemency of fires. The Canary Islands, and in them in Pico, or Pike, a Mountain of immense Altitude, equal to Taenariff, belches forth flames to this very day; as also the Plains of the circumjacent Islands stuffed with brimstone and sulphurous unctuous matter. The Islands of St. Helen, and of the Ascention, to have flam鈥檇 heretofore, bot the burnt Rocks of Mountains, and the Cinders, and plenty of Mineral and Stone-coals burnt and chark鈥檇 as it were, do sufficiently shew.

Yet no part of the world more famous than America, which you may call Vulcan鈥檚 Kingdom. In the Andes alone, which they call the Cordillera, from the Concatenation of Mountains, in the Kingdom of Chile, are fifteen Vulcano鈥檚. To these you may adjoin the Vulcano鈥檚 out of the Southern part of the Magellanick Sea, commonly call鈥檇 Terra del Fuego. In Peru not fewer then in Chile; six of inaccessible height; and three in the continued tops of the Andes, besides innumerable Vulcanian Ditches, Pits, and Jakes. In Carappa, a Province of Popayan, is a Mountain raging with smoke and flames, chiefly in serene weather. The City Paraquipa, ninety leagues distant from Lima, as a Mountain near it, casting forth continually such sulphurous fires, that the People are greatly afraid, left sometime at length the Eruptions should utterly destroy the whole Region. At the valley of Peru, call鈥檇 Mulahallo, fifteen leagues distant from the City Quito, is another Vulcan, continually belching forth flames far and near, and threatening the People.

In the Northern America, are observed five, partly in new Spain, viz. Three, formidable for their belching flames, partly in new Granada, partly in the very heart and midst of California, and the more in land Mexican Kingdom. In Nicaragua, one; Another neer Aquapulcus; three near the Continent of California; And in the (American) Mediterranean Sea two other; and innumerable others 鈥榯is like, not yet discover鈥檇 through all the Ter-aqueous Globe.

In Europe five chief ones are noted, viz. Aetna in Scicily, by the Monuments of all Writers, whether Poets or Historians most famous Stongylus, (and some other of the Liparitan Islands, not very remote from Scicily; especially that notorious by the name of Vulcano, to which is adjoyn鈥檇 another call鈥檇 Vulcanello) said all to have burnt heretofore, call鈥檇 the Vulcano鈥檚, or Vulcanian Islands. The Mountain Hecla in Izland, in the furthest North; and Chimera in Greece: besides many others in each particular Country; at least Fire-wells, Pits, and Orifices, &c. Among all which Italy throughout all Ages is the most notorious for such underground Harths and Aestuaries; of which more particularly by it self. And indeed Italy is most fitly seated of all Countries of Europe for such vast Combustions, and Eruptions of Fire.

Neither are Germany, France, Spain, and other Countries, wholly destitute of theirs; where, though there none answerable to the other, yet both frequent sulphurous Craters, and deep burning Ditches and Pits, vomiting forth smoke and flames; and also the innumerable multitude of hot Baths and Wells everywhere, do betray some store and work-houses of subterraneous fire, creeping between their Conservatories and Abysses of water. In Misnia, in Germany, the Mountain Carbo, ever and anon rages with fume and fire, &c.

Neither are the furthest Tracts of the North too cold and frozen for them. Four whereof Authors reckon in the Region of the Tynsei in Tartary. In Lapland high Mountains are observ鈥檇 to belch forth flames like Aetna. In Izland, the famous Hecla. And lest Nature might seem to have left the furthest Regions of the North curs鈥榙 with the Everlasting inclemency of Cold and Ice, it has constituted an huge Vulcanian Mountain, in the Island call鈥檇 Groenland, next to the Pole; And others in the Neighbouring, whether Islands, or Continents, scituated about the Pole, which they continue, even unto the Creekand Bays of the Southern Land call鈥檇 Del Fuego: So that many think that the Tract of the Northern Pole inaccessible by reason of the multitude of these fire-spewing Mountains.

CHAP. III.

Of the Vulcano鈥檚 of Italy, Scicily, and Neighbouring Islands.

Italy, and the adjacent Island, have in all times afforded prodigious Heats, Combustions, Aestuaries, hot Baths, Conflagrations, and Eruptions of burning flames, and all the might Arguments, and wondrous Products aud effects of Subterraneous fires. In somuch that we want not History to report to us, That heretofore it all burnt from Cuma and Vesuvius in Campania, or Terra de Lavoro, even to Hstira, not far from Venice; and therefore to have been called by the most ancient Inhabitants thereof, The burnt Country. And indeed Italy is every way disposed for such vast Combustions; As with straitness and narrowness of situation, whereby it is continually dashe鈥檇 and struck with the beating of waters and waves between two Seas; with subterraneous passages and cavernous hollow windings and turnings, easily penetrable and passable to fies and winds. And lastly, with plenty of sulphureous material, wherewith the whole luxuriously abounds. In so much that it burns, in certain places, above ground on the surface of the Earth. For in all the Southern parts of Italy, from the utmost Coasts of Sicily, to the very Confies of Tuscany; in some places, are seen pertetual burnings, as in Aetna. In other, Conflagrations by times, as in the Vucanello鈥檚, or Liparitan Islands; and over against Naples, as in Ischia, Prochyta, Pythacusa; and also in the Mountains of the Continent, Vesuvious, Misenum, the Puteoli, and Cuma, which often burn, and in certain places, shew great Aestuaries, with abounding fires, fumes, vapours, baths; winding labyrinths, also every where obvious; as Kircher with greatest diligence observed; and gapes with burrow鈥檇 breathing-holes, which when they send forth a blast, presently, no without terrour of standers-by, are perceived more inward crackings, as it were, of burning and blazing fires, and sounds of waters; as in the Phlegraean Hills, which surround the Vulcanian Plains, commonly called Sulpharata (or Land of Sulphur) is to be seen and heard. Also the Sybell鈥檚 Den at Cuma, not far distant; and most mighty horrid Gapings and Recesse, impenetrable, and not to be entred, for their raging heat, give further assurances. All Campania, everywhere on it鈥檚 Plains, carries ancient foot-steps of the same Conflagrations. The ground every where parch鈥檇 like Cinders, and Pumis-stones; and a dust, which they call the Puteolan, like Pouder; and extinct Coals included in living Rocks.

From Puteoli pass to Campagna di Roma, which is full of sulphurous Crater鈥檚. through the Minturnan Marshes to Sumo: whence a continued Mine of Sulphur, through the Roman Plain exerts itself, in divers places, but chiefly, in a certain Lake of unsearchable profundity, four miles distant from the City Tivoli, as also the most famous of the sixteen swimming Islands thereabouts, which they call the Barchettae (or little Barks.) Out of which, the sulphureous River of Tyber has its origine; and seems to have been famous heretofore, for hot Bath鈥檚. Hence a burrow of subterraneous fire, bends back to the Round Mountain; And thence into divers branches. One part whereof tends to the Stiglian Bath鈥檚, and the Lake in the middle Wood, horrible with stench of Brimstone, and for the spectacle of Waters boyling and bubling up in the form of a Column; and at length through the neighbour Mountins, where are also hidden pits of Serpents, full of Aestuaries, and smoking Funnels, or Chimneys; and even t o the very hundred Cells: All which places, lavish with sulphurous Bitumen and unctuous materials; and so terminate in the Sea. The other branch, towards the Mountain Rosea, and between which and Roncilion, new sulphurean Fire-Cups break forth, which have their occult communications with e Mountain Viterbo, and with the Village Vico; and are famous for sulphurean boyling Springs. And indeed the Mountain Viterbo seems yet to cherish a great force of fire undmost profound Dens; which t diffuses at its Roots, on the Morthern-side, towards Veterbium, into all the Plain, which is full of a most sulphureous Gas; The Glebes everywhere partch鈥檇, and covered with Pumice-stones, and has innumberalbe hot Fountians; among which Bullscamum is most famous for its intolerable fervour. This hath a great commerce with another neihbour Lake, between Viterbium, and the Mountain Flasco, where Water breaking forth from the bottom of the Lake, dos mightly tumultuate; And, which is wonderful to relate, here are beheld two Fountains together, distant scarce one pace, whereof one dances and leaps with most hot and boyling, the other with most cold and freezing water. Hence a burrow of subterraneous fire through whole Tuscany, diffusing itself into innumerable branches, scarce leaves any place free, from sulphureous Cups, and Mineral waters. Sith Tuscany, on that side looking towards the Tuscan Sea, even to the Ilsand Ilva, the whole Country everywhere, bubbles with hot waters, or luxuriously abounds with sulphureous Mines of Iron, or Brass; under which are indeed memorable, th stinking Ditches and Pools of Volterra, stuffed with served and bubling Water; And the Mines of the best Sulphur at Castro.

On the other part towards the East, a Burrow of Fire, extended far and wide, chiefly exerts it self, under the Mountian, cal Vivo, where it causes the famous Baths of St. Cossian, and St. Philip; and hence stretches it self towards those called the Avignon Baths, even to the Mountain Polititano; where a plentiful quantity of Mineral Waters, with the grievoustest stench, bubbles up. And hence on one side, even to the Apennine, which is also relenish鈥檇 with Aestuaries (or raging Gulphs;) on the other; to Siena, in Tuscany, and the neighboring parts adjoining to the Sea; And even to the Confines of Genoa, and fields of Luca, wich abound with so many Metals, so many sulphurous Wells and Fountains of hot and fervid Water, as perhaps all Italy hath not the like. Yet most of all the Breathing-holes of subterraneous fire, burst outin the Apenine Hills, at Petra Mala, and neighbouring places, wher the Air sparkles and glitters by night, and 鈥榯is thick and with darkness and smoak for a long time; as as it were from some flaming furnace underneath; and heats the waters that are cast in, and burns stubble. Now this Fountain seems to have continental veins, even to the Porretan waters in the Bononian fields; Hills whereof, every where, sparkle and lighten by night. And hence seems to be poured into the fields of Modena, where liquor of Bitumen, and Sulphur, and Fire rages, after a wonderful manner; And hence continues the burnings of its fuel, even to Hstria, of the Venetians. For that these Mountains of Padua, as ancient Historians testifie, did heretofore burn about the Baths of Albano, in the Paduan fields, both the bubling Tracts of Hills and Ashes, and the external surface of Pumice-stones; as also burnt and cindred Coals, and the fervor of stones, which make the very waters, running between, hot, do sufficiently shew.

Which things seeing they are so, it may be truly, a certain Argument to us, that all Italy universally is stor鈥檇 with continual matter of Sulphur; a Burrow which, as it does any where, more or less, far and wide stretch forth its branches; so it extends them under the Sea also, to adjacent Islands, and according to the singular and peculiar temper of mixture, and the virtue of the heat, which is has under a different Tract of Veins, produces various effects, and causes marvelous burnings, and Eruptions, at certain times.

We conclude therefore, saith Kircher, That Italy, the Nurse of Burnings and Comustions, as it is all over stuffed with subterraneous fires; which burn, in some places perpetually, in others by fits; so heretofore it had so great increases of Sulphur, such a coacervation and vast treasury of fies, that if it suffered not a total conflagration; yet at least to have burnt in a very great pat, as Berosus witnesses. Nor isit less credible, according to thse principles, of nature, standing, that even again and again, it shall burn with vast Conflagrations, till the very final Destruction and Consumation of the Whole Universe.

Lastly, Those of Aetna in Sicily, and Stongylus, Vulcano, &c. of the Lipparitan Islands; have no doubt their Sumbarine and Subterrane Communications with the Italian, Vesuvian, &c. also. The Soyl of Sicily springs with often and eternal fires; and the whole Island cavernous, producing Sulphur and Bitumen abundantly; whereby exceeding fertile, of old, and even to this very day.

CHAP. IV.

Of the Remarkables of Vulcano鈥檚, and their most prodigious
Phanomena鈥檚, hitherto observ鈥檇, in particular; With particular Relations, &c.

Thus all the World over are found Eruption of Fire by Natures own kindling, as if she kept House underground, and made several Hills her ignivomous and evacuating Chimneys.

In Ocmuzio, and Island of the Persian Gulph, all things are full of fires, whence 鈥榯is said to have burnt seven whole years continually. It yet belches forth daily, out of the Saline Mountains, which it abounds with, globes of flames, whereby the most famous Mart of the whole East, is almost quite laid wast.

In Media, Sifus, at the white Tower, breaks forth with fire, out of fifteen Chymney-holes, with such vehement noise and sound, that the Peiople round about are perswaded the Gates of Hell to be there.

In Japon, above other Islands, Vulcan seems to have forg鈥檇 a number of his Shops and Work-houses, vomiting forth fire and smoak, night and day. And as it is seventy miles distant from the famous City Firandus; so by night they illuminate the whole Region, like so many blazing Torches, to the admiration of Beholders.

In the Island Java, the Mountian not far from the City Panacura, having not burnt for many years; (for some places burn always, some by fits;) In the year 1586, raged with such a violent Eruption, that ten thousand persons are said to have perished, in the subjacent fields: and three whole dayes, darting forth mighty stones into the City, with fumes caused such a darkeness, as high the Sun, and turned day into night.

The Mountain Pico in the Island Timor, of such an height, that a flamy Spire or Pyramid was seen for three hundred miles in the Sea. This in the year 1638, had its very foundations shaken, by an horrible Earthquake; as whas wholly swallow鈥檇 up; together with the Island, leaving nothing behind it, but an huge mighty Lake. So the Annals of the Jesuites Society relate.

The Mountian Gonnapi, in one of the Bandan Islands, in the year 1586, after continual burning of seventeen years, at length burst asunder, sent forth such a quantity of stones, cinders, ashes, and sulphureous-Bituminous Pumice-stones, that the Sea almost cover鈥檇 therewith, all seem鈥檇 to burn, with the destruction of all Fish, and living Creatures.

In the Island Ternat, one of the Malacca鈥檚, there is an high and steep Mountain climbing up into the Clouds, whose lower parts are beset with thick Woods and Forrests, and upper parts peel鈥檇 and made bare with continual burnings. On the very top it hat a Cup or deep Mouth, with a vast gaping, made round into many circles, from greater to lesser, like an Amphitheater, or stage, one below another. This, at the time of the Aequinoctials, chiefly by the blast of the Northern winds, raging with smoak and flames, reduces all neighbour places round about, overwhelm鈥檇 with ashes and cinders into desolation.

The Maurecan Islands seem wholly to burn, whence frequent Earthquakes; end casts forth out of Caverns, and the very top of the Mountain Thola, such quantity of flames, ashes, and stones, as big as great Trees, that it seems a kind of Hell.

The Atlantick Sea, west of Africa, so abounds with subterraneous Fires, that Plato鈥檚 Land, call鈥檇 Atlantis, seems to have perish鈥檇 from no other cause but as swallow鈥檇 up with the fierceness of these Fires; and the frequency of Earthquakes following thereupon. And to this very day certain Tracts of Seas are abundantly infested with flames and fires, issuing out of their store-houses; whose rage both Columbus and Vespuccius, to their great hazard, try鈥檇.

Neer Hesperius, a Mountain in Ethiopia, the fields in the night all glitter with Light. As also a certain piece of ground does the like in Babylonia; and some places in Italy were noted before, for some such like thing.

Pliny, after reckoning up the most notorious, concludes with the burning of the high and vast Mountain Theonochema, or Chariot of the Godds, in Africa, as the most famous example of this kind above all others; at least in those days. And ends, saying, in so many places, with so many fires, does Universal Nature burn and roast the Earth. And this great Naturalist, who perish鈥檇, in prying too curiously into the se dangerous prodigies of Nature, considered how full fraught the World is with this Element, and how propagative it is of it self, says, It is the greatest Miracle that an universal Conflagration of the World has not happen鈥檇 already, Truly it exceed all Miracles, that there has been any day, wherein all things have not burnt. Those be his words.

Some of the Vulcano鈥檚 in the Andes, in the Kingdom of Chile, were so big-belly鈥檇 as it were, with fires, that in the year 1645, they brought fourth so great Calmities, to that Kingdom; that no Pen is able to express, whole Cities everywhere being both swallow鈥檇 up, and overturn鈥檇.

The City Paraquipa, ninety Leagues distant from Lima, has a neighbouring Vulcanian Mountain, continually darting forth fires, in so much that the People are sorely afraid, lest sometime it should burst asunder, and destroy the whole Country.

The Vulcano鈥檚 of Guatimalla, are more terrible. In the year, 1586, almost all the City of Guatimalla, fell with an Earthquake. This Vulcano had then, for six months together, day and night, cast from the top, and vomited, as it were, great flouds of Fire. As is also observable of the Vulcano of Quito, which cast such aboundance of ashes, that in many Leagues compass thereabouts, it darkened the light of day.

In Nicaragua, in North America, thirty five Leagues from the City Leon, an high Mountain vomits forth flames in such abundance, as to be seen for ten miles distance, and more. And another not far from Aquapulcus of the same fierceness.

Of these Vulcano鈥檚, some vimit out of their mouths smoke and ashes, or both; some fires, and there are some which never cast, either smoke, flames, or ashes; but in the bottom are seen to burn with a quick fire never dying. This impos鈥榙 upon a greedy Priest, and made him think it was nothing else, but heaps of Gold, melted in the fire, which he thought to have fetch鈥檇 up by letting down an Iron Kettle with Chains; But his device was not fire-proof, his Kettle and Chain melting so soon as they approach鈥檇 neer the bottom.

But the greatest wonder of all is that some of these Vulcano鈥檚 have for some hundreds, nay for thousands of years, cast out continually smoke, fire, and ashes.

For the European, to begin with more Northern. And here first, who knows not the notorious Mountain Hecla (and also Hegla and of the Holy Cross) in Island, by the Rlation of all Geographers, most remarkable, for mighty burnings. Mountains so terrible for Thunder, flaming out of fire, casting abroad stones, ashes, stink, and smoke; that the more fanciful conceit, that Hell is begun there aforehand: which were more plausible, fi the Apparitions that are seen there, were as true, as they are said to be frequent. And which seem as Miracle of Nature, its highest Top of Pike, is white, with perpetual Snow; and its Roots and sides blazing with unquenchable burnings. And the multitude of hidden Gulphs and Whirl-pits suffer none to come neer, for many furlongs. An d by the Eructuation of stones, and ashes, reduces all the circumjacent Plain into barrenness; together with a formidable noise, and crackling. Which while the Inhabitants hear, they superstitiously believe, the Souls of the wicked, to be tormented there, with a miserable howling.

And even in Groenland, perpetually frozen with extreamest cold, next to the very North Pole, there is an huge Vulcanian Mountain, at whose Roots, is a Monastery of the Order of Preachers, call鈥檇 St. Thomas鈥榮, built of Tophas-stone, from the casting out of the Mountains. Concerning which, Bartholomew Zenet, a Venetian, a diligent Inspector and searcher into these things, I know not by what accident cast on these Coasts, relates many wonderful things. Here, says he, is seen St. Thomas鈥榮 Monastary of the Dominicans. And not far distant an Ignivomous Mountain; at the foot whereof, a fiery Fountain breaks forth; With the Water of the Fountain, derived by Pipes, not only all the Cells of the Moncks are made hot, like Stoves鈥� but also their Meat dressed; yea and their very Bread bak鈥檇. These Mountain vomits forth the Tophaz, or Pumice-stone, which the whole Monastary is built of. For those Tophaz鈥檚 soked through with that hot Water, are cemented together, as it were with clammy Bitumen. Here are also most pleasant Gardens, watered with boyling Water, in which are Flowers and Fruits of all kinds. And this Water, when it hath run through the Gardens, falls into a neighbour Gulph, or Port; whereby it happens, that it never is frozen, and therefore the Fish, and innumerable Birds and Fowl frequent there; wherewith the Inhabitants live in full plenty. So he writes, who saw and discovered the Coast, the King of Danes chief Admiral, Nicholas Zenet, a Venetian.

Now it is most likely that the Vulcan鈥檚 of Izland, and Groenland, have communication together, by hidden Burrows and Channels鈥� and are perpetually imply鈥檇 by secret Aestuaries, to allay the vehemency of the Cold, and abundance of Ice. Whence also is drawn the Reason, why in some Northern Islands, and the Shores of Norway, Finmark, Biarmia, Lapland, in one part the Sea is easily frozen with Ice; in another part, not at all, by no force of cold, or snows. Also in some shores most abundant Pastures, together with Trees, and most fruitful fields are found: In otheres, as in Nova Zemblia, neither Grass, nor Trees, nor anything profitable for the nutriment of Man, to be met with.

There was also some Vulcanian Hill, Crate, or Pit, which burnt for sixteen years in Scotland, and consum鈥檇 a large quantity of ground. Even as now some Coal-Mines about Newcastle are said to have continued burning for several years of late, and 鈥榯is likely do so still.

In Germany, was violetn Eruptions formerly. Who in these latter Ages, hath ever heard, or read of such a Fire, issuing out of the Earth, as Tacitus describes? Which is burnt a whole Territory; against which Water was unavaileable; which could never be extinguish鈥檇, but with Stones, Cloaths, Linnen, and Wollen, and other dry Materials cast thereon. Tacitus words run thus.

The City of the Inhoanians in Germany, conferdate with us (saith he) was afflicted with a sudden disaster. For fires issuing out of the Earth, burned Towns, Fields, Villages every where, and spread even to the Walls of a Colony newly built; and could not be extinguished, neither by Rain, nor River-water, nor any other liquor that could be employed, until for want of remedy, and anger of such a distraction, certain Peasants cast stones afar off into it; then the flame somewhat slacking, drawing near, they put it out with blows of Clubs and otherwise, as if it had been a wild beast. Last of all they threw in cloaths from their backs, which the more worn, and fouler, the better they quenched the fires. We have omitted the high Mountains in Lapland also, which Olaus relates, belch forth hideous flames, like Aetna鈥檚.

In Greece the Mountain Nyphaus flings out fire also, and pitchy bituminous matter; the fury whereof is enkindled by rain and water: As also the fire of those Ignovomous Mountains of Lycia, and Pamphylia, in Asia minor, (not mentioned before) viz. The monstrous Mountain Chimaera heretofore famous for often belching forth Fires, It鈥檚 Fire is the more inkindled with Water, but quenched with Earth, or Hay. As also the Hephastian Mountains, near Chimera; whose Earth, touched with a lighted Torch or Brand, suddenly takes fire; so that the sontes burn in the very waters, and the fire is fed and nourished by Rains, and Waters. And if with a kindled, or burning brand, sorrows be made in the Earth; Streams or Rivers, as it were, of Fire, will run along after; As Pliny writes.

In the Mediterranean, in the Archipelago, the Island Santorin, has had formidable Fires and Earthquakes, as in the 1650, from the relation of Fa. Fr. Riccard fo the Jesuits society, who was present, and an eye witness; and with his own mouth related the whole event, to Kircher, at Rome, afterwards; and by the following Testimony, would have it known to posterity.

The Relation of Fa. Fr. Riccard, concerning Subterraneous Fires, which brake forth from the bottom of the Sea, in the year 1650, near the Island Santorin, in the Archipelago.

鈥淎lthough some reprove Pliny of Iyes, in that he relates certain stupendenous things, above humane capacity: yet daily experience teaches us, that in many things he spake true; chiefly in the History of many Islands, which in succession af time arose and started up from the bottom of the Sea; and amongst others Thera, in the 135. Olympiad, (which was about the year of the world 3200.) It was also call鈥檇 Calista, and Phylothera; But now Santorin, from St. Irene, the famous Virgin and Martyr, worshipped there. For Baronius himself, in his Ecclesiastick Annals of the year 726. seems to give credit to Pliny. For thus he speaks. A vapor was seen to bubble forth out of a Chimny of Fire, between the Islands Thera and Therasia, (or Santorin), from the very bottom of the Sea, for some dayes; whereby the burning of the fiery heat, by little and little being condensed, and dilated and spread, it all shewed like a fiery flaming smoak. Moreover, with the vastness of its earthy substance, it conveyed hugeous Rocky-Pumice-stones, and certain great heaps, through all Asia, and Lesbos, and Abydus, and the Maretime Coasts of Macedonia; so that the whole surface of the Sea was filled with these Pumices. But in the middle of so great a Fire, there was an Island made from the heaping and congestion of Earth together, and joyn鈥檇 to the Island called the Sacred, which never existed before. The like we understood happened in the year 1457, from certain Verses ingraved on Marble, for the perpetual Memory of the thing: which near the Gate of the Castle Scarus of the said Island, run to this purpose.鈥�

Magnanimous Francis, the Heroes undoubted Off-spring,
Thou seest with thine eyes, what Calamities & Wonders;
By joining five times eleven unto two;
Viz. 1547 On the seventh of the Calends of December,
With a vast murmur, vast Terasia groan鈥檇,
And pluck鈥檇 asunder mighty Camena鈥檚 stones;
From the Sea鈥檚 bottom, an huge Rock appears,
A Monster great, and most Memorable for ever.

鈥淔urther it appears, that there was another Island next to this, form鈥檇 in the year 1570. not without great Terror of those of Santorin. Sith the Burning lasted for a year, as some ancient folk, who saw it with their Eyes, do yet testifie. But in the middle of this smaller Island, which is now called Little Camena, to this very day is beheld an huge and profound ditch, which being narrow towards the bottom, by little and little inlarges it self round, like a funnel; out of which as out of a Chimney, bursted forth those mighty Sontes and Rocks, which co-mixed with the Cinders and Ashes, built that Bulk or heap, appearing aloft.

But that those Subterraneous Fires, which are fed with plenty of Bitumen and Sulfur, and sometimes break forth with greatest violence, are never extinct, is evident, from most hot Waters, which are found at the Sea-shoar, in the furthest South part of the Island, and which the Inhabitants use, as the most healthfussest Baths, to expel diseases sprung from
颁辞濒诲.鈥�

鈥淏ut if ever those Fires, pent up in the bowels of the Earth, exercised their force, it was most of all then, when in the year 1650 on the 24th of September, even to the ninth of October, they shook that Island with so mighty and so frequent Earthquakes; that the people, viz. of Santorin, fearing nothing but immediate ruin, were on their knees night and day before the Altars. But it cannot be spoke nor expressed what a fear invaded all; when those victorious flames, breaking open all obstacles, strove to make themselves a way through the midst of the Waters of the Ocean, about four miles from Santorin Eastward: For that forsooth the Sea, swell鈥檇 thirty cubits upwards, suddenly; and extending it self wide, through the Neighbouring Lands, overturn鈥檇 everything that it met in its way; In so much that the very Port of Candy which yet is 80 miles distant it broke in pieces, with its sudden assault, and impetuousness, both the Gallies and Ships. But the Air, infected with those ill-smelling and Sulphureous vapous, began to be darkened, and put on innumerable forms and appearances. Hence brandishing of fiery Lances and flammivomous Swords; thence darting forth bright and glittering Arrows. Here, as it were, terrible Serpents and Dragons flying; and there hideous Thunder-claps, Lightenings, and Thunderbolts, were stirred up.鈥�

鈥淎nd yet we could scarce see: for the eyes of all beholders were so hurt, with those sharp pricking and Sulphureous Smoaks and Vapours, that almost all became blind for three dayes; so as not only to see nothing, but also seiz鈥檇 with so great and so grievous a pain, that they wept continually, and bewail鈥檇 their most miserable lot. But when they return鈥檇 to their free eyesight, they saw all their Silver and Golden, both Vessels and Garments, and all Pictures, drawn over with a yellow colour. And such a great multitude of Pumice-stones that fiery Gulph vomited forth, that it covered the whole surface of the Sea, so that scarce anyone could pass in a Vessel. It is most certain, that they were convey鈥檇 even to Smyrna, and Constantinopll: and all Shoars and Coasts filled therewith. Now the force of this burning was greatest the two first months: forasmuch as the Neighbour-Sea seem鈥檇 even to bubble like a boyling Pot; And night and day huge Globes and flakes of Flames, and most thick heaps of furled pitchy Smoak mounted up.鈥�

鈥淲hich if at any time, by an adverse wind, were carried to the next places, brought, besides a most grievous stink, destruction both to Birds, Beasts, yea and to very Men themselves. As it happened the ninth of October, and fourth of November, that fifty Husbandment choak鈥檇 with the smoak and stench, most miserably perish鈥檇; besides an innumerable multitude of Birds, Sheep, Oxen and Asses. The same happened to nine Mariners, who passing by night that way, in their Vessel, after three dayes, were found all half burnt, and were buryed in the Island Nio, sixtly miles distant from Santorine.鈥�

But the other four Months, although that Hellish Hearth or Furnace, remitted much of its vigor and fierce heat, and could scarce lift it self above the waves: yet nevertheless it seem鈥檇 both to cast out Pumice-stones, and even to labour and strive towards the formation of a New Island: which although it does not yet appear above Water, yet in a calm Sea, a shallow Ford is observ鈥檇, which the Water swims over, scarce eight cubits high. But now if it be ask鈥檇, Whether yet these Fires are quite allayed? 鈥楾is answered, That they seem sometimes to revive: Sith 鈥榯is diligently observ鈥檇, that the Sea boyld and rages there very often, and sends up smoak with the waves; And especially this year 1656, the 11th day of June, and three dayes following.

Even the Geographick Dictionaries also record, that both this Santorine, and the other little Islands by, to have arose out of the Sea of late years; the one an hundred years since, and the other fifty. An that the Sea is exceeding deep thereabouts; and huge and fearfull Noises to be there heard.

Italy, Sicily, together with the neighbouring Islands of the Miditerranean, corresponding with them, &c. are most notorious; But of them, and their Remarkables, and particular Relations by themselves, in the next Chapter.

In the Atlantick Ocean, Westward; the Azores or Tecera鈥檚, can scarce be inhabited for the vehemency of Fires, and Earthquakes together therewith; Which about twenty years since, so shook the universal Island of St. Michael, and made so great ravegings, that it almost wholly sunk in an Abysse or bottomless Gulph.

鈥淔or on June the 26th, in the year 1638, formidable Earthquakes began to make the universal Island shake and quake, for the space of eight days; so that the Cities, Towns and Castles being deserted, Men were forc鈥檇 to dwell in open Fields; hiefly those of Vargen, where the Earthquakes raged more dangerously than in other places. After which Earthquakes, succeeded the following Prodigy. Six miles distant from the Pick (commonly called the Pick of Camerine) is a place called Ferreira, where Feshermen with their Boats were wont to fish, especially in the Summer-time. For there in a dayes time, the caught such a multitude of Fish of all kins, as no Boat returned laden with less than ten thousand Fish. In this tract therefore of the Ocean, on Saturday in the month of July, in the year 1638, Fire broke forth with such an unexpressible violence, notwithstanding the depth of the said place of the Ocean, found often heretofore by the Fisher to an 120 foot deep; that indeed the very Ocean would not suffice to extinguish so great a burning. The space which the boyling fire took up, was as great as would serve for the sowing of two Bushels of Wheat; breaking forth with so great violence, that notwithstanding the said profundity of the Ocean, it reach鈥檇 as high as the Clouds; being elevated in the supream Region of the Air; carrying with it the very Water, Sand, Earth, Stones, and other mighty heaps, just like Featherbeds flying up into the Air. Which afar off appear鈥檇 a sad spectacle to Beholders; But the melted matter returning down into the Sea again, resembled a kind of Pultis or Frumenty. Moreover, it is to be ascribed to the benignity of the Divine Providence, that at that time the Wind was terrestrial, rushing forth from the pars of the Island, against the rage of the outrageous Fire; without which, the whole Island had without doubt been burnt, and perished with this formidable combustion. Then presently after it cast forth stones of such fast bigness, of the height of three Lances, or piked Staves; that you would say, not Stones, but entire Mountians were cast out. And this was added to the horror; That the stony Mountains which were cast forth on high, falling back again, and meeting and dashing against others, thrown out aloft, at a good distance, out of the bowels of the Sea, broke into a thousand pieces with a terrible noise and ratling; which afterwards being took up into your hands, mouldred into a black Sand.鈥�

鈥淢oreover, out of the various and vast multitude of rejected Offalls, and the collection and heaping together of innumerable stones, a new Island arose, and that even in the midst of the most deep Ocean. In the beginning indeed, little, of five Acres only; but daily encreasing, grew to such a bigness, that four dayes after it took up the length of five miles. And so great a multitude of Fish perished with this burning; as scarce eight Ships of Indian Burden could contain; which being dispersed far and wide, up and down the Island, lest they should cause some Contagion by their putrifaction, they were collected together by the Inhabitants all about, and buried in most deep-dugg ditches for eighteen miles round about. But the scent of Sulphur was smelt for the space of twenty four miles. This from the Relation of the Fathers of the Society.鈥�

These visible instance of particular Burnings of the Earth, are notable presumptions, that there are laid in the hidden Mines of Providence, such a provision of combustible matter, as will serve for an Universal Conflagration of the Earth, when the day of Vengence shall make use of these Treasuries of Wrath.

We might add further Arguments of Subterraneous Fires, and the Fewel thereof; from Earthquakes, and hot Fountains; Of which there are some in Peru, as Acosta reports, that are so hot, that a Man cannot endure his hand so long, as the repeating of an Ave-Marie. There be infinite numbers of these in the Province of Charchas. He makes mention also, in the same place, of several Springs and Fountians that run with Pitch and Rosin. Which yet seems nothing so strange, as those Baths Fallopius speaks of, in the Territories of Parma, whose Water catches Fire at a distance; But these are something from our present design, and therefore pass them by.

CHAP. V.

Of the Remarkables of the Italian Vulcan鈥檚, and their prodigious Eruptions in particular; with particular Relations.

How Italy of all Lands, especially Continents, has been most notorious for Vulcanian Eruptions and Combustions, has already been observed. It remains therefore, now only to take notice of the most remarkable; which are those about Putzol, witht the Phlegraean Plain, now called Sulfatara; and the Vesuvian; All within the Kingdom of Naples, (which has near communication and commerce with the Aetnean in Sicily) namely in Terradi Lavoro; which Land was anciently called Campania Foelix, from the wonderful fertility therof. So exceeding fruitful in Wines and Wheat, that it is called by Florus, the Land of Strife between Bachus & Ceres, and deservedly: For in this noble Region, one may see large and beautiful Fields, overshaded with rich Vines, thick and delightful Woods, sweet Fountains, and most wholsom Springs of running Waters, as well for health, as delight and pleasure; and in a word whatsoever a covetous mind can possibly aim at, or a carnal cevet. And yet all this Campania, as before was shew鈥檇, is, or has been, obnoxious to Fires; and abounds with sulphureous and combustible Earth and Materials; which no doubt tend to it fructification. To begin with the Phlegraean fields. Concerning which,

Here first, what Mr. Sandys, in his Travels, sayes.

Vulcan鈥檚 Court described.

The Court of Vulcan, call鈥檇 the Phlegraen fields heretofore; for that Hercules here overthrew the Gyants, for their inhumanity and insolencies; assisted with Lightning and Heaven:

Th鈥橢arth with imbowell鈥檇 Flames, yet fuming glows;
And Water with Fire, Sulphur mixt, upthrows.

Whereupon grew the Fable of their warring with the Godds. But here we Petronius describing it:

A place deep sunk in yawning Cliffs, 鈥榯wixt great
Dicharchea and Parthenope, repleat
With black Cocytus waves: For Winds that strain
To rush forth there, a deadly heat contain.
Th鈥橢arth fruits in Autumn bears not, nor glad Field
Once puts on Green; or sprouting branches yield
Their Vernal Songs. But Chaos and ragg鈥檇 Stone,
Smircht with black Pumice, there rejoice, o鈥檙egrown
With mournful Cypress, Dis his head here raises,
Cover鈥檇 with Ashes pale, and Funeral blazes.

A naked Level it is, in form of an Oval, twelve hundred forty and six foot long, a thousand broad, and invironed with high cliffie hills, that fume on each side, and have their Sulphurous savour transported by the Winds, to places far distant. You would think, and not doubt think truly, that the hungry Fire had made this Valley with continual feeding; which breaks out in a number of places. And strange it seemeth to a stranger, that men dare to walk up and down with so great a security: The Earth as hot, as sufferable, being hollow underneath; where the Fire and Water make a horrible rumbling, conjoining together, as if one were fuel to the other: here and there bubling up, as such time as the Sea is inraged with tempests. In some places; of the colour of Water, which is mingled with Soot; in other, as if with Lime, according to the complexion of the several Minerals. The flames do many times shift places, abandoning the old, and making new Eruptions (the mouths of the vents invironed with yellow cinders) arising with so strong a vapour, that Stones thrown in, are forthwith ejected. Yet for all these terrors, it is hourly trod upon both by men and horses: and resorted unto by the diseased in May, June and July, who receive the fume at their mouths, ears, nostrils, and such other parts of their bodies, as are ill affected; which heateth, but hurteth not: that being only sovereign that evaporateth from Brimstone: It mollifieth the sinews, sharpneth the sight, asswageth the pains of the head and stomach, makes the barren pregnant, cures violent feavers, itches, ulcers, &c. From January to October, the Husbandmen hereabout do stir their Glebe at such time as much smoak doth arise, and that they know that it proceedeth from Sulphur: which doth add to the soyl a marvelous fertility. From hence they exact yearly three thousand pounds weight. Another kind of Sulphur is gotten here, not taken from the Fire; but found in the Earth: of especial use for the dying of Hair, and familiarly experimented by Women. White Salt-Armoniack is here found also. At the foot of this Mountain that regardeth the East, are Minerals of Allome, and best of the World. In the top of the Mountain are certain little veins of white matter like Salt; much used by Skinners: whereof a Water is made, that forthwith putteth out all characters that are written in Paper. The flower of Brass is here found everywhere, excellent, and transparent; with white and red Niter. This place is said by the Roman Catholics to be disquieted with Devils: and that the fire underneath, is a part of Purgatory, where departed souls have a temporal punishment. The Fryers that dwell hard by in the Monastary of Saint January, reprt that they often do hear fearful shreeks and groanings. They tell also of a late story of a certain youth of Apulia, a Student of Naples; who desperate in his fortunes, advised with the Devel, and was perswaded by him to make him a Deed of Gift of himself, and to write it in his own Blood; in doing whereof he should in short time recover his losses. Believing the Deluder, according to appointment he cam unto this place, with that execrable Writing: when affrighted with the multitudes of Devils that appear鈥檇 unto him, he fled to the aforesaid Monastery, and aquainted the Prior with all that happened, He communicated it to the Bishop, (now or late living) who informed the Pope thereof: by whose command he was cast into Prison, and after condemned to the Gallies. Possible it is that this may be true; but Damianus the reporter of that which followeth, (though a Cardinal) might have had the Whetstone, if he had not alledged his Author: who telleth of a number of hideous Birds, which accustomed to arise from hence on a sudden in the evening of the Sabbath; And to be seen until the dawning of the day, stalking on the tops of the hills, stretching out their wings, and pruning their feathers; never observ鈥檇 to feed, nor to be taken by the art of the Fowler: when upon the croaking of the Raven that chased them, they threw themselves into these filthy waters: Sain to damned souls, tormented all the week long, and suffered to refresh themselves on the Sabbath, in honour of our Saviour鈥檚 Resurrection. This he reports from the mouth of the Archbishop Umbertus. But if this be Hell, what a desperate end made that unhappy German, who not long since slipt into these Fornaces? Or what had his poor Horse committed that fell in with him, that he should be damned; at least retained in Purgatory? The matter that doth nourish these Subterranean Fires, is Sulphure and Bitumen. But there it is fed by the latter, where the flame doth mix with the water, which is not by water to be extinguished: approved by the composition of those Ignes Admirabiles, or Admirable Waters.

Nigh hereunto are the ruines of a magnificent Amphitheater, environing in an Oval, a Court, an hundred threescore and twelve feet long, and fourscore and eight over: thrown down by an Earthquake not many ages since; which here happen not seldem, by the violence of enflamed and suppressed vapoars. Dedicated it was to Vulcan; and not without cause, he seeming in these parts to have such a Sovereignty. A latter relation and a count we have of these Plains by Kercher, which we will give you also; and is as follows.

A Description of the Phlegraen Plain, in the Fields of Putzol, or Puteoli, near Naples, by Athanas. Kircher, his own Observation, An. 1638.

In the Year 1638, passing by Naples, I could not let slip the opportunity of inquiring and looking into these sulphureous Plains, so much celebrated in all Ages: Which the Antients called the Phlegraean Plains. Having therefore got through a subterraneous passage, which they commonly call the Grotte (which we have elsewhere describ鈥檇) Arched, and made hollow, or vaulted between the Mountain Pausilippus; not far from Putzol, between the Jaws of the Mountains, a Plain stretched forth far and wide, presents it self to view. A Plain altogether formidable and full of horror; in length they say 1200 foot, in breadth a 1000. Pliny writes, that they were called the Phlegraean Plains, from their flames and burning; (for so the word signifies.) But Cornel. Strabo calls it, Vulcan鈥檚 open Market place (publick Theater or Court.) For in manner of a huge Theater, as it were, it sends forth perpetual fires; and begets much Sulphur and combustible and inflammable matter, and therefore called Sulfatara. A place where also some fable the Giants to have been overcome by Hercules. Little Hills are beheld there to burn and flame in the very bottom; for they always exhale forth great smokes every where, with a sulphureous stench through many holes, which are carried by the Winds through all the neighbouring Regions, even unto Naples also. This whole Plain is surrounded with Hills, or high & steep Rocks; whereof the top or Pick, once very high, being at length devoured by perpetual fires, is concluded from the very form of the place, to have sunk into a most profound Vale. Therefore that which was one the top, is now a deep ditch, or hole, in a plain Vale. And what were the coasts or sides of the Mountain heretofore, are now the tops of Cliffs and Rocks. And these, theretofore indeed, as Dion Cassius witnesteth, vomited forth fires and flames in greater quantity. The neighbour Mountains also did continually burn, and cast forth thick fumes and fiery Waters, as it were, out of Furnaces. But now the very Plains, no otherwise then the Phlegraean Hills, being exhausted with perpetual flames, are cavernous, with an infinite number of holes, and are every where yellowish with a sulphureous matter and colour. The soil also when it is touch鈥檇 by such as walk thereupon, sounds and rattles like a Drum, as it were, by reason of the concavities; and you may feel, as it were, not without astonishment, boyling waters under your feet, and thick and fired fumes, to hiss and flow hither and thither, with a greate crackling noise, through Piper and Subterraneous Caverns, made by the force of the hot Exhalations. VVich force, how great it is, you may try, by stopping any hole, with a heavy stone, or so; for then you shall see the violent force of the smoke presently to belch it forth again.

Yet an huge Laky-ditch in the same Plain did wonderfully affect me: For it is found full of boyling waters, and ready to fright one with their blackness. You would say, it was a Kettle or Caldron boyling with Pitch and Rosin. VVith forthwith changes place; and the waters growing hard on the brim of the Calron, is made narrower or wider, as the force and impetuousness of the Exhalation is greater or lesser.

That also is wonderful; That that swallowing Gulph, casts forth waters on high, eight or ten foot above a mans hight, in the fashion of a Pyramid, and those fat and clayie, and almost of a sulphureous color. VVich even the Inhabitants of Putzol do confess; who affirm, that these boyling water are shot forth on high, to sixteen, or even twenty four palm height sometimes. And this especially when the Sea rages; but not so likewise when it is calm. A most clear sign certainly, that these marvelous effects of the exalted liquor, proceed from no where else, but from the Sea: For the Sea being tossed with the storms of winds, whilst through subterraneous passages it sollicites, as it were, the Steward or dispenser of this melted liquid matter; 鈥榯is no wonder, that a Liquor, no knowing how to contain itself in its own narrow bounds, should be darted forth on high; beyond its limits, constituted thereunto by nature. By so much indeed the more violently, by how much the impetuous afflux of the Sea thrusts it forth with greater violence. Yea, and the divers colour of the waters at that time; compounded of the various mixture of the Sea-water, with the various mixture of the Mienral Juices; Namely, of those waters, which, from the more profound boyling springs of the Earth, the subterraneous winds, agitated by the ragings of the Sea, and growing stronger and stronger amidst the flames, belch forth; does plainly teach. But the Sea being still cam, none of these things are perceiv鈥檇; but the waters are only beheld fat, or oyly; and filthy with a black coaly soot; together with a certain effervency or boyling.

What shall I say of the Moutains and rocks, with which this Vulcanian Plain is encompassed and guarded. There are beheld in these conveyances or passages, as it were, of Chimneys, not a few breathing-holes, some of which belch forth a perpetual wind, with a formidable sound, and crackling noise; and with such a force, that if you cast a stone thereinto, it being struck back presently, you shall receive it cast forth again with great force. Some dart forth smoak mixt with flames. You would think your self almost in the midst of Hell; were all things appear horrid, sad and lamentable, with a most formidable face of things. Also you are almost struck even breathlaess, with the stench of Sulphur, Bitumen, Napthe, and other Earths, Clayes, Marles, and Minerals. And yet although the place be so horrid; yet those who labour in making Sulphur, Niter, Virtiol, &c. reap much profit thereby.

Further; we must not omit here Mr. Sandys鈥榮 relation of a most memorable both Earthquake and Burning, which happened not far from these Plains, near unto the City Putzol, in the year 1538. with the new-formed Mountain. For the famous Lake Lucrinus, near Putzol, extended formerly (it seems indeed to have been joyn鈥檇 with it on one side) to the deadly sulphureous Lake Avernus, suppos鈥榙 the entrance into Hell by ignorant Antiquity; where they offered infernal sacrifice to Pluto and the Manes, there said to give Answers; is now no other than a little sedgy plash, choadk鈥檇 up by the horrible and astonishing eruption of the new Mountain; whereof as oft as I think, I am casie to credit whatsoever is wonderful.

For who here knows not, or who elsewhere will believe, that a Mountain should arise (partly out of a Lake, and partly out of the Sea) in one day and a night, unto such an height, as to contend in altitude with the high Mountains adjoining? In the year of our Lord 1538, on the 29th of September, when for certain dayes foregoing, the Country hereabout was so vexed with perpetual Earthquakes, as no one house was left so intire, as not to expect an immediate ruine; After that the Sea had retired two hundred paces from the shoar (leaving abundance of Fish, and Springs of fresh-water rising in the bottom) this Mountain visibly ascended about the second hour of the night, with an hideous roaring, horribly vomiting stones, and such store of cinders, as overwhelmed all the buildings hereabout, and the salubrious Baths of Tripergula for so many ages celebrated; consumed the Vines to Ashes, killing Bird and Beasts: The fearful inhabitants of Putzol flying through the dark with their wives and children, naked, defiled, crying out, and detecting their calamities. Maniforld mischiefs had they suffered by the Barbarous, yet none like this which Nature inflicted. But hear we it describ鈥檇 by Borgius.

What gloomy fumes dayes glorious Eye obscure?
The pitchy Lake effus鈥榙 through Sulphury Caves,
Higher than Aetna鈥檚 Fire, throws flaming waves;
Hath Phleg鈥檛on broke into Avern; with groans
Whirling the horrid flouds, and rumbling stones?
The Baian waves resound; fresh streams ascend;
And several wayes their speedy currents bend.
Misenus lets his Trumpet fall, scarce heard,
Sick Prochyta a second ruine fear鈥檇.
Lout roarings from Earths smoaking womb arise,
And fill with fearful groans the darkned Skies.
A sad sour face doth minace from the West;
Whence (harper plagues the Latian Towns infest.
Then furious Winds to Skies huge stones eject;
Which, like a Compass turn鈥檇 about, erect
A round Amphitheatral. Flouds of Stone,
From belching Gulf, in Millions straight forth thrown.

Nor can what they then suffered ever be forgotten, having such a testimony still in view as is this strange Mountain; advancing his top a mile above his basis. The stones thereof are so light and pory, that they will not sink when thrown into the water. The cause of this accident is ascribed unto the neighbourhood of the Sea and hollowness of the soil: whereby easily engendred exhalations, being hurried about with a most violent motion, do inflame that dry and bituminous matter; casting it upward, and making way for their fiery expirations. To those also is the retiring of the Sea to be attributed: who struggling to break forth, do ratifie and so raise the Earth, which thereby also as it were made thirsty, suck the water through crannies into her spungy and hot intrails: increasing the vapours, not decreasing the fire; by reason of the Bitumen. Perhaps Delos, and Rhodes, unseen in the first Ages, were made apparent by such means: however, divers of the Vulcanello鈥檚 or Liperitan Islands were without peradventure; All of them having flam鈥檇 and being now more in number than observed by the Ancients. This new Mountain, when newly raised, had a number of issues, at some of them smoking, and sometimes flaming: at other disgorging rivulet of hot waters; keeping within a terrible rumbling: and many miserably perished; that ventured to descend into the hollowness above. But that hollow on the top, is at this present an Orchard; And the Mountain thorow-out is bereft of his terrors.

Of Vesuvious, a Vulcanian Mountain, in the Kingdom of Naples likewise, now called Monte di Somma.

The most noted Vulcano of the Mountain Vesuvious, is also in this happy Country of Campania, a little further remov鈥檇 from Naples; whose ragings and eruptions have been wonderfully remarkable in all Ages: And yet notwithstanding all its fires and burnings, its Hills are full of Vines and Olives; and all its Fields about, of wonderful, fruitness; save only the Top alone, where it hath a great Plain bare, and bearing no manner of fruit at all. The face of the Earth like Cinders or Ashes, and old ruinated and wasted Rocks; undoubted signs of its ancient and often Burnings.

Vesuvius then is a Mountain of Campania Foelix, about eight miles from Naples; which also hath received great injuris and prejudices by its Cinders and violent hurling forth of Stones, flung even to its Walls and Edifices. This Mountain has vast Fountains of Fire; And heretofore was on every side high, before the inward parts were consumed with fires. It utters usually smoak by day; but by night flames. Its manner is to send forth a loud sound or roaring noise, and bellowing fist, and then to belch forth an huge force of Cinders, with the manifest danger of passers by. But if a more vehement Wind ply upon it, the Ashes or Cinders are rais鈥榙 so high, and drove so far in length, that 鈥榯is certain, they have sometimes been carried, as Procopius testifies, even as far as Constantinople it self; and All at length so affrighted, that they ran to their prayers for many years, to avert the wrath of God. Thus Coel. Rhodigin.

Mr. Sand鈥檚 Relation runs thus:

This Mountain hath a double top;; that towards the North doth end in a plain: the other towards the South aspireth more high, which when hid in clouds, prognosticates rain to the Neopolitans. In the top there is a large deep hollow, without danger to be descended into, in form of an Amphitheatre; in the midst a pit which leads into the entrails of the Earth, from whence the Moutain in times past did breath forth terrible flames; the mouth whereof is almost choaked with broken Rocks and Trees that are fallen therein. Next to this; the matter thown up is ruddy, light, and soft: more removed, black and ponderous: the uttermost brow that declineth like the seats in a Theatre, flourishing with Trees and excellent Pastorage. The midst of the Hill is shaded wit Cesnut-trees, and others bearing sundry fruits. The lower parts admirably cloathed with Veins, that afford the best Greek-Wines of the World: which hath given to the Mountain the name of Di Sommo, in regard of their excellency; affording to the Owners the yearly revenue of three hundred thousand Duckats. So now it hath lost the name of Vesuvius, with the cause why it was give, which signifieth a Spark, as Veseus a Conflagraion.

But never any thing appear鈥檇 so horrible, as that which happened in te first or third years Reign of the Emperour Titus, eighty years after Christ. For then it discgorg鈥檇 such boyling waves and flous of Fire, as consum鈥檇 th e neighbouring Cities; and then also it was that Pliny the Second, that great searcher of Nature, and famous Author of the Natural History, and then Admiral of the Roman Navy, desirous to discover the Reason, was suffocated in his too near approaches, and research after so great a Mystery of Nature; As witnesseth his Nephew, in an Epistle to Cornel. Tacitus. Not indeed willfully, and on set purpose, as 鈥榯is said, (but I think falsly) of the other grand Philosopher, that he threw himself into the contrary Element, because he could not understand the strange Mystery therof. At that time not only issued forth such store of Smoak, that the very sun seem鈥檇 to be in the Eclipse; but also huge Stones; and of Ashes such plenty, that Rome, Africk and Syria, were even covered: And besides Beasts, Fish and Fowl, it overwhelmed with Pumice-stones, two adjoining cities, Herculanum and Pompeios, with the people sitting in the Theater. There were heard dismal noises all about the Province, and Giants of incredible bigness seen to stalk up and down the top and edges of the Mountain (or rather in peoples extravagant fancies;) which extraordinary Accident was adjudged either a cause or presage of the future Pestilence, which raged in Rome and Italy long after. Hieonymus Borgius touching the horrible roarings and thunderings of this Mountain, thus sets it forth in sutable Verse;

Then remot Africk suffer鈥檇 the dire heat
Of twofold Rage, with showrs of Dust repleat:
Scorcht Egypt, Memphis, Nius felt, amaz鈥檇,
The woful Tempest in Campania rais鈥榙.
Not Asia, Syria, nor the Towers that stand
In Neptune鈥檚 surges; Cyprus, Creet, (Joves Land
The scatter鈥檇 Cyclads; nor the Muses seat,
(Minerva鈥檚 Town) that vast Plague scap鈥檇: Such
Such vapours break forth from full jaws, then shone;
When Earth-born, horrible Orimendon
Hot, vomits ire, beneath Vesuvius thrown.

Dion affirms in a manner as much. But Bodin, the censurer of all Historians, doth deride it. Nothwithstanding Cassiodorus writes as great matters of a later Conflagration; whereupon Theodoricus (first King of the Goths in Italy) did remit his Tribute to the damnified Campanians. Marcellinus further observes, that the Ashes thereof transported in the Air, obscured all Europe: and that the Constantinopolitans being wonderfully affrighted therewith, (insomuch as the Emporer Leo forsook the City) in memorial of the same, did yearly celebrate the 12th of November. It also burnt in the sixth year of Constantine the fourth; which was about the year of Christ 640: and at such time as Bellisarious took Naples; (which was about the year 540) and groaned, but ejected no Cinders: and again when the Saracens invaded Africa, sometime after, &c.

Plautina writes that it flamed in the year 685; prognosticating the death of Pope Benedict the second, with ensuing slaughters rapines, and deaths of Princes. During the Papacy of two other Benedicts, the 8th and the 9th, it is said to have done the like. The later, the last flaming thereof, which was in the year 1024; (yet often since it hath been wonderfully feared;) excepting of late years again. And although it hath made sundry dreadful devestations; yet the fruitful Ashes thrown about, did seem to repair the foregoing lsses with a quick and marvelous fertility. At the foot of the Hill there are divers vents, out of which exceeding cold winds do continually flue; such as by Venteducts from the vast Caves above Padua, they let into their Rooms at their pleasure, to qualifie the heat of Summer. It seems Records of History reach beyond the Beginnings and fast Eruptions of this Mountain. For Spartacus the Fencer, and Ring-leader of the fugitive Bond-slaves (which was about the year of the Word 3880, and before Christ about 70.) no less a terror unto Rome, than Hannibal, did make this Mountain the seat of his War: where besieged by Clodius, he by a strange straragem, with bonds made of Vines, descended into the bottom of the Hill, (being long before it first began to flam) and finding out a private passage, issued suddenly upon the unsuspecting Romans鈥� seiz鈥檇 on their Tents; and pursuing his Victory, over-ran all Campania.

Since, The year 1610 has been memorable, for the burning flames of the Mountain Vesuvium; wht which being renewed on the month of February, brought a very large wasting; but a great affrightment to the Neapolitans; who, solemn supplications being proclaimed, went in Procession with the Head of Januarius, their Patron, and Defender of their City, carried about; wereby the silly people were made to believe, the destruction hanging over their heads to have been turned away; even as they are to this day.

Also in the year 1631 was a new Eruption; Earthquakes and Roarings as usually preceding. And again in a flame in 1635, with an Earthquke in Messina; as likewise again in 1638. And indeed not quite appeas鈥榙 and extinct all that time, most likely. The same year 1634, or 35, (but this occasionally by the by) even England shook, and trembled about London; a Marsh there boyling with black waters, &c. Also at Wittenberg it rained Brimstone; And in the month of May 1644, a great Wood, belonging to the Dukedom of Norimberg, of eight thousand Acres of Land, burned in a flame; with divers other like Prodigies. Petav. Hist.

Lastly, in 1660, Vesuvius again brake forth with Combustions.

There remains nothing more to add, but Kircher鈥檚 particular relation and account thereof; who in the year 1638, ventured up to observe its nature and workings; As he had done Aetna and Strumboli before in the same year, when all those Mountains were outrageous with most devouring Eruptions. Where, observing things past all belief in all of them, could do so much with them, that from thence he took occasion and beginning of happily setting upon that glorious work of his Subterraneous World; since accomplished.

Of an exact Search and Enquiry made into the Mountain Vesuvious, by Kircher, in the year 1638.

Having a very earnest desire, a long time, to understand the Miracles of Subterraneous Nature, it happened that at the same time, by command of my Superiours, I undertook a voyage into Sicily and Malta, in attendance on the most excellent Prince Frederick, Land-grave of Hassia, at that time chief Admiral, now a most worthy Cardinal, whose confessor I was. Entring therefore into Sicily, I found such a Theatre of Nature, displaying here self under wonderful variety of things, as I had with so many desire wished for. Sith what ever thing occurs, in the whole body of the Earth that is wonderfull, rare, unusual, and worthy of Admiration, I found contracted here, as it were, in an Epitomie, by a certain industry of wise and sagacious Nature.

Being inflamed therefore with an huge desire of searching out all things particularly. Above all things, first I ascended Aetna, the fountain of all other Prodigious Effects in Sicily; that I might by my own experience, and with my own eyes, find out the wonderful things, which Historians of all ages have writ thereof. Then with utmost diligence I searched the Aeolian or Hophaestian, that is the Laparitan Islands, now call鈥檇 the Vulcanello鈥檚, or Vulcanian Islands. And above all the rest; Stongylus (now Stromboli) and Vulcano. And search鈥檇 out also the Sicilian Straits, called Faro di Messina, no less dangerous for the incredible Reciprocations of its Ragings, than infamous for Shipwracks; with the wonderful motions of Scylla and Charabdis, and vicissitudes of their Ebollitions. And whatsoever things stupendous did occur, were presently committed to Table-Books; and after return home, seriously weighed and deliberated by solid and exact Reason, &c.

But in return home, with some certain private persons, we were by wonderful and unusual storms and ragings of the Sea, to the danger of our lives; forced upon the Shoars of Calabria, or Terra di Oiranto; At the time of those horrible Earthquakes, and strivings of Nature, then outrageous in those places; to the greatest peril of our lives. But had thereby opportunity of learning many Secrets of Nature. After the happening of all which, I had then a desire, being in those parts, to visit the famous Vesuvius also.

The Relation of which wonderful Earthquakes, now mentioned; we, according to our present method reserve to another place afterwards; passing them by here, to give first his particular account of Vesuvius, (thought last with him) which is our present Argument.

The RELATION.

After therefore so great dangers sustained by Sea and Land; After having diligently searched out the incredible power of Nature working in subterraneous burrows and passages, I had a great desire to know whether Vesuvius also had not some secret commerce and correspondence with Strongylus and Aetna, in so powerfull a was and strife of Nature, as I had every where experience of before. I went therefore unto Porticus, (the Porch or Entrance) a Town scituated at the foot of the Mountain. Hence hiring an honest Country-man, for a true and skilfull companion, and guide of the wayes; (not without indeed an ample reward) I ascended the Mountain at midnight, through difficult, rough, uneven, and steep passages. At whose crator or mouth, when I arrived, I saw what is horrible to be expressed, I saw it all over of a light fire, with an horrible combustion, and stench of Sulphur and burning Bitumen. Here forthwich being astonished at the unusual sight of the thing; Methoughts I beheld the habitation of Hell; wherein nothing else seemed to be much wanting, besides the horrid fantasms and apparitions of Devils. There were perceived horrible bellowings and roaring of the Mountain; An unexpressible stink; Smoaks mixt with darkish globes of Fires; which both the bottom and sides of the Mountain continually belch鈥檇 forth out of Eleven several places; and made me in like manner, ever and anon, belch, and as it were, vomit back again, at it. O the depth of the Riches of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are thy wayes! If thou shewest thy power against the wickeness of mankind in so formidable and portentous Prodigies and Omens of Nature; What shall it be in that last day, wherein the Earth shall be drown鈥檇 with the Ire of thy Fury, and the Elements melt with fervent heat? Morning therefore waxing light, that I might search out the Constitution of the whole Interiours of the Mountain, with all the diligence I could, I chose a safe and secure place to set my feet sure upon; which was an huge Rock, of a plain surface; to which there lay open an Avenue, by a descent of the Mountain very far; And so I went down unto it. Here raking forth my Pantometer, (or universal Measurer) I set upon the dimension of the Mountain; and found by a Geometrical Computation, the compass of the Crater to contain almost three hundred paces, but the depth eight hundred. The Mountain all up and down every-where, cragged and broken. No gradual declining for any passage to the inward parts; but descended in its compass or circuit, after the manner of a Cylinder, made hollow directly and straight. And although the Bottom seemed to the eye to be contained in a more narrow circumference; yet according to Optick Accounts and Laws, That happened from the exceeding great distance, and profundity, from the innermost surface of the Crater or mouth. In the Center of the Bottom, Nature seem鈥檇 to have constituted, as it were, her Harth of Fire: And to say truth, a Shop or Workhouse to make a Vulcanian Kitchin; boyling with an everlasting gushing forth, and streamings of Smoak and flames; and imply鈥檇 in decocting of Sulphur, Bitument, and melting and burning other kinds of Minerals; and by a certain secret endeavour and enterprise, preparing for deadly ruines and slaghter afterwards to be committed. Sith the vapours included within; as they know not how to be contained: so they did discuse, or scatter the burden that lay upon them, with so great force and violence, accompanied with horrible cracklings and noise, that the Mountain seem鈥檇 to be tost with an Earthquake or trembling. Which whensoever it happened, the supream and softer parts of the Mountain, which clung together of Ashes, Cinders, Rains, and other Refuses of Minerals; being shook in pieces, and loosened by the trembling; and so falling like Hills, into the bottom of the Hellish Gulph; did from that various reflextion of the sound, stir up that crackling noise: So great and fearful a one, as that any, even of the stoutest and most undaunted heart, would scarce venture to suffer. The matter which was continually belched forth from the center of the Mountain, made as it were, a new Mountain, indued with wonderful variety of furrows, or hollow channels; which the various ebullition of the melted Minerals, stowing into all parts of the circumference; of a creenish colour now; from Brass; presently of a yellow colour, from Sulphur, Arsenick, and Sndarack: Now red; from Cinnabar, Minium or Red Lead, and Vermilion; then black; from Vitriol mixt with Water; or of an Ashy colour, from the very Cinders; did as it were, by the ingenious Pencil of Nature, form. This little Mountain, after the last burning of the Mountain, which happened in the year 1631, (at which time proceeded great Earthquakes, as well as Noises and Roarings and Tremblings; as its its custom) hath grown so big, that we may thence very reasonably conjecture that it is hereafter likely to rise unto the same height, which it once obtained of old; unless it be destroyed by some new burning supervening: Which hat happened in this very same year I now write these things, in the year 1660. For that the Mountain outrageous with a new and horrible burning, hath so cast down its top, and Crator; that it appears now much lower at this day, then what I a little before described it to be. And consequently, as it is found of greater circumference; so of lesser profundity. Having taken a view of all these things duly; and returning to Naples; the next day I bestook my self into the Island Aenaria, which they call Ischia; of much not, and celebrated with great fame by ancient writers. And thence into the Phlegraean Plain, of Putzol Fields, Vulcan鈥檚 Market-place or Theater; (of which before.) And whatsoever, either the Antients or Moderns, have related wonderfull of those places, I found to be most true.

It is also taken notice of in History, that there was an Eruption and great Burning, near Carignole in Terra di Lavoro, which laid three Acres of Ground, all in meer Ashes and Cinders. Tuscany also hath a burning Mountain in the Apennine; and another in the Fields of Bononia. There are also Laky Ditches, Pits, and Dens, between Pistorium and Petra Mala, belching forth perpetual Globes of Flames, especially by night. There are noted also in the Fields of Mutina, two famous places full of Burnings, &c. But these with the rest of Italy, have been barely enumerated before; of which we have nothing further remarkable to add.

And so we are at last come to the main Fountain and Spring-head, in a manner, as we may say, of all the subterraneous Fire, of these Parts, with their manifold desolating Eruptions, Aetna, now Monti Gibello.

CHAP. VI.

Of the Remarkables of the grand Volcano Aetna, in especial; and its most remarkable Eruptions: together with the Vulcanian Islands adjoining.

Notwithstanding the horrid face of things, by reason of the frequent, prodigious, and mischievous Eruptions and Devastations of Aetna: Notwithstanding it continually sendeth forth dreadful flames of Fire; to the astonishment of all Beholders; that its Soyl springs abundantly with often and eternal Burnings: Yet those subterraneous fountain of Fire, that continually feed and supply these Vulcano鈥檚; and the abundance of fat, oily sulphureous, and inflammable matter and fuel, or nourishment, wherewith the whole Country thereabouts, and all the Island over, is so richly stor鈥檇 and manur鈥檇 with, by Natures own bountiful hand, (everywhere plenteously producing Sulphur, Bitumen, and other rich and fat Earths and Marles, &c.) make Sicily one of the most fertile Islands in the World.

For the Soyl is incredibly fruitful in the best Wine, in Oyl, Hony, Saffron; Minerals also of Gold, Silver, and Allom; together with plenty of Salt and Sugar. There are also Gems of Agats and Emeralds. Quarries of Porphyre, and Serpentine. It yieldeth also great store of the richest Silks, which grow plentifully about Missinga, the chief City. Variety of most excellent and delicious fruits, both for taste and colour; with such abundance of all sorts of Grain, that it was called in old times, Horreum Romani Populi, or the Granary of the Roman Empire; whence also Cicero call鈥檇 it, The City of Romes Soul; and doth now furnish some parts of Italy, Spain, and Barbary, besides Malta, and the adjacent Isles, with that which she can spare of her superfluities. Nay, Tully doth not only call it, the Granary and Storehouse of the City of Rome, in regard of Corn; but adds, that it was accounted for a well-furnish鈥檇 Treasury; as being able of it self, without charge of the State, to cloath, maintain and furnish the greatest Army, with Leather, Corn, and Apparel. And if Diodorus Siculur may be credited in it, he tells us, that about Leontium, now Lentini, and some other places, Wheat did grow of it self without any labour of the Husbandman. At this day, in some parts of the Isle, the soyl is so exceeding fruitful, that it yields unto the Husbandman and hundred measures of Corn for one. And certainly the Corn of this Country must beeds yield a wonderful encrease, the King of Spain receiving an hundred thousand Crowns yearly for the Custom of Wheat. In this Country also is the Hill Hybla, so famous for Bees and Honey. But too much of the Country. We return to its greatest Wonder of all Ages, and indeed a vernagulous kind of Portent thereof, the horrible Mount Aetna.

Is a marvelous Hill, of fearful and stupendous Fires and Flames; as it were the very Mouth of Hell; distant Eastwards, ten miles from the City Catania, situated at the foot thereof; From which it ascends by degrees, to so many miles height. Others reckon it fifteen miles from Catania: but indeed scarce ten English miles. And yet its full height in a direct, descent, according to its Axis, is computed by exact Geometricians 30 miles; (Kircher has it) except the Printer has added a Cypher too much: as must needs be. This ancient City was build, as some say, in the year of the World 3469, eighty nine years after Rome; and near 500 before Christ. But others in the year 4462, about 500 years after Christ (The first, without all doubt, by most Authentick Authors, the truer account:) and receives both loss, and (if Strabo may be believ鈥檇) advantage, from its nearness to Aetna. For the ejected flames have heretofore committed horrible wasts, which gave Amphinomus, and Anapius, two Brethren, an occasion to become famous for their Piety; who rescu鈥檇 their Parents ingag鈥檇 by the Fire, and bear them away on their shoulders: whereof Ausonius;

Who will forget Gatania? Of high fame,
For Piety of Brothers, sindg鈥檇 in Flame.

Yet it was never known, in all this time, to have been wholly ruin鈥檇 or destroy鈥檇, by the terrible threatnings of so troublesome and dangerous a Neighbour; that spares none in his violent raging fits and Convulsions: Yet has been shrewdly in danger sometimes, and much havock鈥檇 and spoyl鈥檇 in some parts thereof; whereby it may appear, that this last and present Eruption (so prodigious and fearfull) has not been the greatest; as it has not been the first by some hundreds. Several Towns and Cities lay round about it; All or most now buried in Ashes and Ruines, by the late excessive burning and conflagration; even as many have been so in former times.

It was here in this Infernal Mountain, where the Poets fable that Jupiter with his Thunderbolts struck down the Rebel-Giants, the Cyclops, condemned to be Vulcan, the Godd of Fires Hammeres; whoin they feign, forges here his Father Jupiter鈥檚 Thunderbolts, and the Arms of the Heroes鈥� and laid this Mountain upon Enceladus the grand Conspirator鈥檚 back, there said to have been buries; and his hot breath to have fires the Mountain, lying on his face: As Virgil poetizes;

Encaladus with Thunders struck, they tell,
Under the weight of this huge Burthen fell.
Above him was the mighty Aetna laid,
Who now breaths Fires, through broken Trunks convey鈥檇;
And as he weary turns, a Thunder-Crack
Sicily shakes; and Heav鈥檔 is hung with Black.

Though Naturalists interpret the Giants, to be hot Spirits included in the Earth, which finding no passage out sometimes burst open most high Mountains, and rush out with violence; and even shoot forth, as it were, their darts against Heaven. The Poets therefore seing鈥檇 these Giants to have assaulted the Godds in the Plegraean Plains: but to be struck down, some into Aetna others into the Vulcanian Islands; and others into Hell. And as the grosser Heathen suppos鈥榙 it to be Vulcans Shop, and the Cyclop鈥檚; so the gross Papists there, take it for the place of Purgatory; All alike unfallible.

And here some report, or rather fable, the Empedocles affecting Divine Honour, departing from his company secretly by night, leapt in at the mouth of this Mountain, the he might be reputed an Immortal God; as Horrace witnesses.

Empedocles to be a Godd desires,
And casts himself into th鈥橝etnean Fires.

But that his Iron Slippers, or Brazen Shoes, which the Fire had thrown up again with its belching flames, to have discovered the matter. But wiser men more rightly relate him, to have perished only, as a curious and ventrouts Observator; going about to search out this Fiery Lake, and thereby to have fallen into some pit, or ditch, and consumed in the Burnging.

The barren top of the Mountain is encompassed with a Bank of Ashes, Cinders, and Pumices, &c. of the height of a Wall. In the middle is also a round Hill, of the same matter and colour; wherein to be two great Holes, fashioned like unto Cups, which be called Craters; Out of these do rise sometimes sundry great flames of fire; sometimes horrible smoak; sometimes are blown out burning stones, in infinite number. Moreover, Before the said Fire appears, there is heard within the ground, terrible noise and roaring. And also (which is more marvel) though it continually burns, nay when the smoak and fire is most abundant and fervent; yet round about the top of the said Hill and uppermost parts, where the Fire is greater and continual, are seen perpetual and most deep Snows, and hoary Frosts. And from all Antiquity has this Mountain burnt after an horrible manner; and often-times affects the Neighbouring Regions with incomparable and unvaluable loss; though yet not a more fertile Region in the whole World, as was before described, &c. The Cinders and Asches of Aetna, as Pliny testifies, fall down an hundred and fifty miles distant from thence. Mr. Sandys makes such a following Description of it.

Aetna (now Mount Gibel) call鈥檇 by Pindar, the Coelestial Column, is the highst Mountain of Sicily; for a great space leisurely rising; in so much as the top is ten miles distant from the uttermost Basis. It appeareth Eastward with two Shoulders, having an eminent Head in the middle. The lower parts are luxuriously frueful; the middle woody and shaded; the upper rocky, steep, and almost cover鈥檇 with Snow: yet smoking in the midst, like many conjoining chimneys; and vomiting intermitted flames; though not but by night to be discerned: As if Heat and Cold had left their contentions, and imbraced one another. This burning Beacon, doth shew her Fire by night, and her Smoak by day, a wonderful way off: yet heretofore discerned far futher; In that the matter perhaps is diminished by so long an expence; My self (says he) have seen both plainly unto Malta. And the Mountain it self is to be discovered an hundred and fifty miles off by the Saylors. Those that have been at the Top do report, That there is there, a large Plain of Cinders and Ashes; invironed with a Brow of the same; And in the midst an Hill of like substance; out of which bursteth a continual Wind, that keepeth an horrible rumbling; evaporating flames and smoak; which hangs about it like a great long Cloud, and often hurling forth Stones and Cinders. Wherefor the story of Empendocles the Sicilian Philosopher鈥檚 throwing himself down head-long thereinto, is by some call鈥檇 into question. For it is impossible to be approach鈥檇, by reason of the violent Wind, the suffocating Smoak, and the consuming Fervour: (yet he might approach too near, and perish:) This Mountain hath flamed in times past so abundantly, That by reason of the smoke, the Air involv鈥檇 with burning Sands, and thick Vapours; The Inhabitants hereabout could not see one another (if we may give credit to Cicero) for two dayes together. The extraordinary eruption thereof hath been, and is to this day, reputed ominous. For so the most famous Convflagrations, in former times, hapned hard before the Servile War in Sicily; which was not pacifi鈥檇 and ended, but by the slaughter of three score and ten thousand of the Slaves, (who had taken up Arms against Rome) by the Praetors; at which time it raged so violently, that Africa was thereof an astonish鈥檇 Witness. This was about the Year of the World 3900 not long before Christ. And so shortly after the death of Julius Caesar, when not only the Cityies thereabout were damnified thereby, but divers in Calabria also; and portended those Proscriptions and bloody Wars, which did after follow. But these great Eruptions of Fire, are not now so ordinary as they have been formerly; The matter which gave Fewel to it, being wasted by continual Burnings: So that the flames which issue hence, are hardly visible, but by night; thought the smoke shew it self the most part of the day: Yet even at this day, once in three of four years, it falleth in great flakes, on the Countrey below, and Vales adjoining; to the terror of the Inhabitants, the destruction of their Vintage, and great loss of the Countrey. But that, they say, is recompensed by the plenty of the following Years; The Ashes thereof (according to Strabo) so battling and enriching of the Soyl, that both the Vines, and Cornfields are much bettered by it, and prosper above admiration. For indeed we find by experience, that Turf of the Ground, burnt to Ashes; ans so spread on Land, and ploughed into it, doth yield a very great improvement, even to barren Soyls. Howbeit at this day, much Ground above it lies wast, by means of the ejected Pumice.

Besides, the Countrey hereabouts is daily foraged by Theives, who lurk in a Wood of eight miles compass, that neighbours upon Catania.

But Virgil鈥檚 admirable Description may serve for all.

Aetna here thunders with an horrid noise,
Sometimes black Clouds evapoureth to Skies,
Fuming with pitchy curls, and sparkling Fires,
Tosseth up Globes of flames; To Stars aspires:
Now belching Rocks; The Mountain鈥檚 Entrals torn:
And groaning, hurls out liquid Stones thence born
Through th鈥橝ir in showres; and from its bottom gloes,
Like boyling Fornace; ----------------------------

The reason of these Fires, is the abundance of Sulphur and Brimstone, contained in the Bosom of the Hill, inkindled by Subterraneous Heats, Spirits, and Fires; with the free ventilation of the Sulphurous, and asily inflammable Air, and agitating Winds, through these open Vulcanian Vents and Funnels; with innumerable Chinks, Trunks, Pipes, and Caverns, with other conveyances through the Earth, &c. Also through the Chinks and Chaps of the Earth, there is continual more sewel added to the Fire; the very Water adding to the force of it. As we see the Water cast on Coals in the Smiths Forge, doth make them burn more ardently: And besides, prepares the matter with due moisture to be fit Fuel for new Fires, &c. And Sicily is an Island all over Cavernous and Fistulous, and pervious to the penetrating Winds, and under-ground Fires, and inflammable Spirits; and within abounding with Sulphur, Bitumen, and other fit Fuel and Materials, &c. And so is most convenient both for inward Combustions, and outward Ventilations, and thereby for the extreamest Inflamations and Burnings. But the Original Sourse and Fountain, or first and principal cause of all these, are by some later accounted to be, the Subterraneous Abysses, and Storehouses of Fire and Heat, which Nature has provided and furnished her self with underground; in her inward parts, for the necessary uses and occasions of her exterior, &c. As was at the beginning observ鈥檇. The reason of this flame is thus set down by Ovid.

A Rozen Mould these fiery flames begin,
And Clayze Brinstone aids that Fire within:
Yet when the slimy Soyl, consumed, shall
Yeeld no more food to feed the Fire withal,
And Nature shall restrain her nourishment,
The flame shall cease, hating all famishment.

But more fully by Lucretius.

Hollow the Mountain is throughout; alone
Supported well-nigh with huge Caves of Stone.
No Cave but is with Wind and Air repleat;
For agitated Air doth Wind beget,
Which beats th鈥檌mprisoning Rocks, when hot it grows.
The Earth chas鈥榯 by his fury; and from those
Strikes forth fire and swift flame: It self on high
It mounts, and out at upright Jaws doth flie:
And Fire sheds far off; far off dead Coals
Transports: and fumes in misty darkness rowls.
Ejecting Stones withal of wonderous size;
All which from strength of struggling Winds arise.
Besides; against the Mountains Roots, the Main
Breaks her swoln Waves, and swallows them again.
From whence unto the Summit of th鈥橝scent
The undermining Caves have their extent:
Through which the Billows breath; and flames out thrust
With forced Stones, and darkning showrs of dust.

Besides as was said before, Aetna is full of Sulphur and Bitumen, apt to be kindled; And so is all Sicily, the principal Reason that it is so fertile

But after all this, we will give you Kircher鈥檚 later, and more particular Relation, and Description, both of it and its Causes; and of its most noted Eruptions, &c.

A Description of Aetna by Kircher.

Wherein, as in a certain Prototype, the Reasons of Subterraneous Fires, and their never failing food, are demonstrated, as we use to say, to the Eye.

When I survey鈥檇 Sicily, in the year 1638. before all things, I thought fit to examine the Mountain Aetna, most of all celebrated by the Monuments of all Writers. A great Prototype, I say, of all burning Grounds; and that the most famous type, of almost whatsoever kind of ragings, by Sea or Land, outrageous. And with this one onely spectacle of Nature alone, Sicily is (and ever was) admirable. Seeing you can scarce find an Author either of the Antients, or Moderns, who the violence of its ferocious nature, hath not drawn into admiration and astonishment. Yet because they have only beheld afar off the genuine Causes of so great effects: we coming a little nearer to the matter, from those things which in these last times, have been observed with my own eyes, intending to prosecute its Nature and Constitution, we will endeavor to demonstrate opportunely the cause of so strange and exotick effects.

Aetna therefore, is one onely Mountian, rearing up on high its Top or Spire, unto thirty miles, according to the Axis (or direct line through the Center, or midst) as by Maurolicus and Clavius attested, who searched out its altitude, by a Geometrical account and computation. But it takes up sixty, or as others say, an hundred miles space, with its roots, spread wide round about; fruitful with fat Fields, Vineyards, Fountains, Pastures, lying round about. And Woods of Pines and Beech; and full of Forrests of most high Fir-trees. But at the utmost top is broken and cragged, with unstable Cinders, and Pumice stones; and cleaves open with a most vast Crater, or deept mouth鈥檇 Cup of twelve miles in compass, which in a steep descent straightens it self narrower, even to the bottom of Hell, as it were. A most horrible Praecipice to see to, most formidable with flames, fumes, both from the very bottom, and from the sides of the Mountain; with an horrendous roaring and bellowing, not unlike bursting forth of Thunders. That the very imagination and thoughts of the fire and ruines, so nigh at hand, could not, presently at the first reencounter, amaze and afright any man; although the most audacious and fearless; and make him start therefrom, as it were from a certain infernal Gulph of Hell.

And I doubt not but those burnings which are here seen in all Ages, have by the constant rejectings forth of Ashes, much augmented this vast Mountain; which on every part, both the ghastly fight of steep descents of Cliffs; and the Cindry, and Pumice-stone-like face of burnt Rocks; as also the appearance of huge Dens, (one whereof you may see capable to contain thirty thousand men easily) formidable with burnt Pumice-stones, as also with refuses and recrements of various melted Mineral Matter, does abundantly shew. You may see in many places, paths of huge Torrents, from the said matter, call鈥檇 Sciarra, which have left, is it were, certain foot-steps and tracks of great havocks, and destructions, from the fiery flux of flowing of the melted Mettal. In the very top, Snows, and Ashes or Cinders; as if they had meditated an Eternal Wedlock, are seen to overwhelm all things with a sad and doleful countenance. Verily, by so much more dangerous to incautelous Visters; by how much certain profound devouring Gulphs, covered over with Snow and Ashes, and stretch鈥檇 forth all along, descending into the inmost Abysses, without bottom or end; are more frequent. Which as they have swallowed up very many, unadvisedly coming near to view without a guide; so have, by their ruine, left an example to others; not rashly to venture upon those places, which by such occult Artifices and Machines, and hidden deceipts cheat Mortanls out of their lives. Even as Fa. Matthew Taveran, a curious searcher out, as of all natural things, so of this Mountain also; try鈥檇 and experienced with great peril of his life. And to be short, All the matter of the upper part of the Mountain. Seem鈥檇 to be nothing else but a confused heap, and hanging of it self aloft, of Cinders, Pumices, and Stones, which they call burnt Coal-stones. Which seeing it is on every hand exposed, and easily penetrable, both to Mineral Spirits within; and also without, to Snows, Rains, Hails, and Winds. It out certainly, not to seem wonderful to any, that this adust and burnt matter, as it is impregnated, with new and new provision always from Heaven; so it should conceive, in succession of time, new Generations and increases, so as to burn again afresh; and without end, again and again flame with new Conflagrations. As Virgil testifies;

Whatever furious matter fees the Fire,
As soon as burnt, goes out: hat spent all鈥檛s Ire,
Wherewith to rage: Cinders and Seedless ground
Lie fallow: which course oft it suffers round:
And thus exhausted by a thousand fires,
Renews its former strength; new flames respires.

For wheras, in the utmost bottom of this Hellish Gulph, the fire is at not time extinguished, but always sends forth some marks and tokens of it self, either boyling heat, or smoke, or flame, as I have often in the examination of the Mountain observ鈥檇: Yet outwardly it begins to grow fierce and terrible, but only at certain intervals of time, more or less, according to the plenty of the combustible matter heap鈥檇 up together. And by how much the longer it hath ceased; as if the matter was more ripen鈥檇, vegetated and grown for burning; by so much it bursts forth with greater violence; and together with the very flame, sends forth huge heaps of Sands; and as Lucretius asserts, Prodigious Stones of wondrous weight hurls forth.

A Description of the Aetnaean Crater, or (deep and wide-mouth鈥欌�檇) Fire--Cup.

The Crater, or Fire-Cup of Mount Aetna, is found by different Observations to be of a different largeness and capacity. There are some, who say, they have observ鈥檇 it to be two miles, and eighty paces wide. Others thirty miles. Others, lastly, four hundred miles (No question here must be some mistake in the Printer, adding too many Ciphers to the numbring Figures.) But it cannot be that in an Orifice, expos鈥榙 to so great tumultations, and continually agitated and tossed, with so many assaults, fits, and convulsions of ferocious, and rageing Nature; it should not be found, ever and anon; sometimes larger, sometimes straighter; according to the condition of the Times. Which I my self also with greatest admiration have try鈥檇; not in Aetna only, but also in the Liparitan Mountains; yea and in Vesuvius too; sith the Mountain, even at the least more vehement eructation, is much shook; and from its shaking, heaps off more diseasy and slippery matter being gathered together, and accruing to the Mountain, fall down always with the Mountains more violent jogging, and convulsion, as it were; which heaps, as they are now big, with a new birth; so they give new food and nutriment to the Fires. And so from this fall of the Mountainous parts; its necessary that the Crater be made wider; whence it comes to pass, that the interiour parts of the Mountain rise up and swell, increasing by little and little; and the empty places of the diminishe鈥檇, or lessened Crater are fill鈥檇 up. Whence of necessity likewise, the Crater of the Mountain must be rendred straighter too. Yea Histories relate, that the matter heap鈥檇 up within, from the fall, have thereupon grown to such an excrescency, that for the course of many years, it sent forth neither smoke nor fire; And the devouring Gulph to have yielded access and admission, to the more curious, very far, without all hurt and danger; till the fuel of new copious matter, and now ripe and mature again to conceive fire; assaulting and setting, as it were, again upon the Mountain; and being re-kindled, aving shook off its Yoak, by so much the more power powerfully wax鈥檇 fierce with horrendous burnings; by how much its supply of combustible matter was greater and more ready. And this lot all the Vulcanian Mountains undergoe; which sometimes making respites, grow unto an immense greatness, by the coacervation of matter falling in; sometimes by occult Machinations, and contrivances of Subterraneous Fires, the Fuel and Sustenance of the prepared matter being kindled; That which was in so many years exceedingly grown, is shook asunder by horrible Tempests of burnings, and vomits it out even from the lowest Hell of the Mountain; even as at this day is apparent. Which spectacle is so formidable, that there is none so stout-heartrd, that can look into it without fear; and, as we say, his Hairs standing an end, and his head turning round with giddiness. The devouring Gulf is so deep, that it exceeds all eye-sight; and fearful with Rocks, rising up out of the sides like Pyramides. And whereas the sides by direct and perpendicular guidance and conduct of the Rocks verge, or bend and incline downwards, in a Parallel (and equal) descent; Yet according to the Laws of Opticks, they seem by reason of their too much distance, to meet in the Centre; which has impos鈥榙 on many Observators, deluded by this Optick Mockery, to think, the interiour sides of the Mountain to be drawn close and straight, into a Conick Surface and outside. In the bottom (wonderful to be spoke!) the Mountain always from continual eructation of Mineral matter, undermines and attempts, I know not what, towards the constituting and erecting a new Fabrick of a Mountain; And accordingly I remember, I always observ鈥檇 (as it were) a certain Laky Pit, glistering with melted Metal. The sides up and down, by fit and correspondent passages, vomit forth perpetual Smoak in abundance of places;which by night we understood to be an enkindled flame. This voraginous Gulph is never without roarings and bellowings; which now and then it utters so horrendous, that they make the very Mountain it self to quake and tremble. In a word whoseever desires to behold the power of the only Great and Good God, let him betake himself to these kind of Mountains; and he will be so astonish鈥檇 and stupefied with the ineffable effects of the Miracles of Nature, that he will be constrained ever and anon to pronounce, from the most intimate and inmost affection of his heart; O the depth of the Riches and Wisdom of God! How incomprehensible are thy Judgements, and how unsearchable thy wayes, by which thou hast constituted the World!

The Mountain is so high, that from thence all Sicily may be suvey鈥檇 at once; Yea, and your sight help鈥檇 with an opportune and seasonable time, may reach even unto Africa. But if by any Tempest the Mountain be troubled and disturb鈥檇; then you would think, that there was an end of the lives of all conversant there: All things are so invovl鈥檇 with horrendous Storms and Whirlwinds, together with thick Snows and Cinders.

I said a little before, that out of the sides of the Mountain great plenty of Smoak mixt with Fires, was discovered in very many places, which Aestuaries or raging places, if in time they be overwhelm鈥檇, either with the concussion and shaking of the Mountain, or any other accident; Then the raving fury and madness, as it were, of the Mountain growing on, it has been found to prepare and get its exit and way out, even from other places, through the outmost surface of the Mountain; which when it comes to pass, it effects such orrid clefts and openings, and such wide-mouth鈥檇 divulsions, with such formidable passages of the Subterraneous Vaults and Store-houses; which astonished with admiration we heheld, even to this very day, sometimes to have been. I saw a Cavern, which would easily contain an Army of thirty thousand men; as a little before we hinted.

There is there also a most dark and Caliginous Den, which they call, La Grotta della Palomba, of such profundity, as well as capacity; that the Inhabitants of the Mountain think, that therein is a passage made of some Submarine path to the Liparitan Islands. But that frome these and the like Cavers, and under-ground Vaults, fiery Flouds and Rivers have issued forth; The Channel hard by, fill鈥檇 and stuft with Pumice and adust stones, which the Sicilians call Sciarra鈥檚, does abundantly instruct us. Which Torrents indeed of liquid and melted Fire, Histories deliver to have flown and run down sometimes to eighteen miles in length; and sometimes, now one, then two, three, or four miles space in breadth. So that hereupon none can sufficiently admire, from whence such an incredible fertileness of melted matter should take its original; where, and in what places it should have shops, and fusory or melting furnaces, of so great capacity, hidden and laid up underneath, to the liquefaction and melting of so many Minerals and Metals.

But as these inaccessible works of God, are most remote from all Sense; so they can never be enough penetrated and pry鈥檇 into by any humane Understanding; And it remains only to wonder and admire at, what cannot be conceived of the incomprehensible Majesty of the Divine Works. For if you undertake an account or computation of the melted matter, according to the calculation of divers times; you would find it to grow to such an extravagant heap, that it would far exceed twenty Aetna鈥檚, in its bulk. But that we may more clearly confirm our Account and Reckoning according to Reason, I will subjoin here a brief Chronicle, of the more famous and celebrated Fires and Eruptions; wherewith the Mountain fiercely raging with horrendous destructions and slaughters, has at all times exerted and discovered its Burnings.

A Chronicle of the Eruptions, and Burnings of Aetna.

1. In the time when the Janigenae, or posterity of Janus, going about to seek new Colonies, first entred Sicily, (which was about the year of the World 2600; almost as many years before Christ, as since; and almost as far as any Writings or Records;) there was so great a burning of the Mountain, as Berosus delivers it; that the new Planters, leaving the Island for fear of the Desolation, went to seek new Colonies and Seats in Italy; by no means in the least thinking that a commodius station, which the horrible fierceness of Nature had rendred so formidable, with so many, and so great and so deadly and tragical slaughters and destructions; so that hence, upon this occasion, seems to be introduced the Fable of Proserpina鈥檚 Rape. (And hence perhaps may be concluded, that this Mountain has from the Creation, been used to vomit forth Flames, and may doso to the Worlds end; though Ovid divines otherwise.)

Aena, which flames of Sulphur now doth raise;
Shall not still burn; nor hat it burnt always.

2. The Janigenae sometime after followed the Sinanians; who were drove away from the Eastern parts to the Western, by new Tempests and Whirlwinds of the Aetnaean Burnings.

3. In the time of the Argonauts, (about the year 2714, and above a thousand before Christ) which when the most ancient Orpheus had seen, sang thus.

But now arriv鈥檇 at th鈥� Lilyboean Strait,
We feel fierce Seas; On high Fires reach our sight,
Of hot Enceladus, threatening dangers great.

4. In the time of Aenea鈥檚 expedition, who repulsed from the shoar of Sicily by the Cyclopses; and greatly terrified by the burning of the Mountain, left that deadly station. Virg.

And to unknown Cyclopean Coasts we run;
The Port was great and calm, with sheltering shoars;
But near, from horrid Ruines, Aetna roars, &c.

5. Under the Dominian of the Greeks in Sicily, viz. from the second Olympiad, even to the 88th; viz. from about 3180, till towards 3600, as Thucidides testifies, who lived in this time; The Mountain was all on fire, with three huge Burnings. A little after which time, the Mountain raging anew, is said to have drawn even Pythagoras himself into highest admiration. Also in the time of Hero, when Histories deliver, that even Empedocles, an observer of the Mountain, then perished.

6. In the time of the Roman Consuls; (for about 450 years) Four remarkable Burnings to have happened, is collected out of various Authors; Dlodorus, Polybius, and others. Whereof, that before the Servile Wars, about 3830, was prodigious; The Mountain belching forth into vast Fires, and spread it self far and wide. Of which before.

It seems to have reach鈥檇 Catania it self, when the two pious Brethren, before mentioned, rescuing their Father, perished all in the Flames.

7. In the time of Julius Caesar, (about fifty years before Christ) Diodorus delivers, that Aetna did again rage most violently; And which they will have, portended the death of Caesar. For it is reported to have been so great, that the Sea with its fervour and boyling heat, burnt even the very Ships, as far as the Vulcanello鈥檚; All the Fish being extinct, and decocted or boyled. And so within twenty years that the Mountain burnt four times.

8. In the time of Caius Caligula, forty nine years after Christ, the Mountain did again rage so, that Caligula abiding at that time in Sicily, and possest with the terror of the impendent mischiefs, betook himself to safer stations there. Yet they relate, that Hadrian Caesar, in the greatness of his mind, to have ascended the Mountain very far, whilst yet it raged, to consider more nearly so great Miracles.

9. About the Martyrdom of St. Agatha, the famous Martyr of Catania, by whose merits and intercession (as they are fondly imagin) it was effected, that the Mountain, although growing fierce, yet durst not touch or meddle with Catania. And so ever since have reposed great confidence in her, and her Reliques; which in this late fiery inundatation, the Religious carried in procession, with multitudes of people, whipping and mortifying themselves, with all signs of penance. But enraged Vulcan would not be scarr鈥檇 away nor appeas鈥榙 so. And yet 鈥榯is like they will be fondly made to believe still, that 鈥榯is by her virtue and merits that the City is preserved: For which (no doubt) she shall not lack her Festival Honours, and Publick Solmnities.

10. In the time of Charles the Great, in the year 812; who also much terrified with the fierceness of the Mountain, is said to have sought safer places.

11. From the year 1160, to 1169, all Sicily was shaken with huge Earthquakes, and the Mountain Aetna foming mightily, overthrew all the circumjacent places with incredible desolation; with the ruine of the Cathedral Church of Catania; In which also the Abbot John with his Monks was overwhelmed, and perished: (St. Agatha was to blame sure, and too too unkind.)

12. In the year 1284, a fearful burning happened about the death of Charles King of Sicily and Arragon.

13. In the year 1329, even till 1333, the Mountain raged after an horrible manner; In the time of the King Arragon.

14. In the year 1408, under King Martin.

15. In the year 1444, even to 47, again and again.

16. In the year 1536, even to 37, it sent forth a fiery floud, and Rivers of Flames; bringing desolation to the bordering places.

17. In the year 1554, raging more than ordinary, it battered Catania it self, its Suburbs and Fields, grievously. But St. Agatha forsooth, still came to help in time of need, and defended it still.

18. In the year 1633, even to 39, the burning raged by so much the more formidable, by how much it lasted the longer time; which seeing many have described, I will not insist in reciting it.

19. In the year 1650, raging afresh on the Northern and Eastern side, and bursting asunder the Mountains, it vomited forth such a quantity of Fires, that it almost brought Brontium into utmost hazard and destruction, with its fiery Torrents.

20. Lastly, this present year 1669, the most horrible of this Age for its mighty devastations, sorely threatening even Catania it self. And all respects considered, perhaps not inferior to any former Ages; according to the lat publick Relation, universally known; For its fiery Torrent was as vast for length and breadth, as any of old; and approach鈥檇 the very Walls of the City, ruining many Houses near thereunto. And which is remarkable, by the huge quantities of congeled matter, hath formed a convenient Port over against the Castle, seventy foot deep in water, able to contain many Ships.

Corallary I.

From these things it plany appears, that the Mountain, its matter being consumed, takes respite; sometimes for a greater, sometimes for a lesser space; till at length increased by new provision of combustible matter, it breaks forth, and acts those Catastrophe鈥檚, which with admiration we read of. And yet it is so far from being dimished by so great an eructation of matter, that it seems rater to be augmented. Sith indeed the Citizens of Catania digged for digged for Pumice-stones, and opening the Earth the depth of an hundred Palms, found Streets paved with Marbles, and various footsteps of Antiquities; which plainly teach, that Cities built here of old time, have been overwhelmed with the castings off, or rejectaneous offals and offcasts, not without the great increase of the Mountain. They found besides, very many Bridges of Pumices, which were made, and consisted only out of the meer flux or flowing of the fiery Torrents; the Earthy softer substances being eat away. And of late, not far from the City, an Image of our Lady, was under Earth (as they say) accidentally found. Whose reputed Miracles have got her already much fame. From the ruines, no doubt, of some Religios Place, &c. Flame also now and then appears in the exalted or higher rais鈥榙 Earth; anon disappears: which are clar and conspicuous signs and tokens of the Earths being rais鈥榙. Yet Aelian tells us, that as well Aetna, as Parnasses and Olympus, did appear to be less and less to such as sail鈥檇 at Sea. The height thereof sinking, as it seem鈥檇. And thereupon supposes the decay thereof, and of the World. But an answer is at hand to this; That it might then perhaps decrease in magnitude. For it may be sometimes, in some Ages, augmented; and sometimes diminished: But in the whole rather augmented. Or else; It was but a meer fancy and opinion. But these are known things. This one thing only hath, after a wonderful manner, tortur鈥檇 the wits of Philosophers hitherto; In that they apprehend not whence the unsatiableness and greedy devouring of the perpetual fire should be supply鈥檇 with new and new food always. And how the Pumices, Cinders and Ashes, and other refuses of burnt matter, should in succession of time be converted into new materials, fit for fires. Which knot, that it may ne untied;

You may remember that before (elsewhere) we shewed; how that to the conservation of Nature in its perpetual & constant course, there was a necessity of an everlasting circulation and return round of things. In the Heavens, the Elements; the Air, Water, Earth, and ist several sorts, soils, and Minerals, &c. even with the very Fire also, and its materials and nutriment. As appears in the perpetual wheeling round of the Planets and Stars, by a constant and inviolable Law of Nature, so many thousands of years. The perpetual motion and mutation of the Elements; always unvariable in the greatest variety of things. The perpetual circulation of waters, both within, and about the Earth. All Rivers come from the Sea, and return to the Sea again; as Solomon, the Wise, hath confirm鈥檇 to us. The Sun dries up the vapours of the Sea; the vapours are received into rain, and return back to the Earth and Sea again. Elegantly expressed by Ovid;

The Earth resolv鈥檇 is turned into streams;
Water to Air; the purer Air to flames.
From whence they back return; The fiery flakes
Are turn鈥檇 to Air; The Air thickned takes
The Liquid form of Water; That Earth makes.

Or, as Dubartas has it;

The purest humour in the Sea, the Sun
Exhales i'th Air; which there resolv鈥檇, anon
Return to Water, and descend again,
By sundry wayes into his Mother Main.

Many therefore wondring whilst they behold Aetna burning so many thousand years, how the Mountain should not be consumed by so long and lasting Burngings, Nor the Fire ever extinct. But

Bursting wide ope its Fornace Mouth, still streams
With melted stones; still spues out Globes of Flames.

And by a thousand Fires, as Virgil exprest it before,

It spending still the fewel which it burns;
Yet still to former strength afresh returns.

These certainly, if they understood the circling operations of Nature, would not so strangely admire; when as food is never at any time wanting thereto, to perpetuate the Burnings. The Fires burn the Mountain, and convert the Miscellany, or mixture of combustible matter into Ashes. Out of the Asches mixt with Water, a new food and nourishment of everlasting Fire is generated;

Omnia continuo rapidos vertuntur in orbes;
Natura motus perpetuante suos.

Which may be englished to of our Incomparable Cowly, alter a word for his extravagant allusionto drinking.

Nothing in Nature鈥檚 constant found;
But an Eternal course goes round.

This premised; I take for granted, First, That a great plenty of Salt lies hid in the Ashes: which even from hence is proved; That Salt is no wayes more easily got, than from a Lixive or Lee of things reduced into Ashes. By this means Nitre, Salt, Allom, in some more moist places, breaking or springing out of the walls and sides, as also in the dunging places of Pidgeons and other Animals, first vegetated and quickned with Urine, is dug forth in most plentiful store and abundance.

I suppose for granted, Secondly, That out of the humid Sea, tinctured and seasoned with a fat saltishness and mixture of other Mineral things; an huge quantity of Exhalations, together with the spirits, and insensible corpuscles of the said things, are extracted by virtue of the Sun. Which being both extrinsically resolved into Rain, Hail, Snows, settle about the top of the highst Mountains; and also intrinsically deriv鈥檇 through subterraneous passages of the Sea, do fertilize the matter of the Fire houses underground, with new provant.

These things supposed, I say, That the Fire perpetually powerful, and waxing strong in its Store houses, is also by occult fibres and veins of the Sea insinuating and entering underneath, perpetually augmented; whilst that it replenishesd and recruits the matter consum鈥檇 away with fire, (as are the Ashes, and the most porous stones of Pumices) with a Sulphureous Soot, and Bituminous Spirits; And in some measure prepares and siposes it for an enkindling and inflammation. But when by the melting of the Hail and Snow; both with the fervent heat of the Sun, and also with the heat of so near Fire lurking within; and by coming on in Rain, the Dust and Ashes be soked through with a most plentiful bewetting; From hance a certain mixt matter is propagated, which insinuated more deeply within the porous recesses and spaces of the Pumice stones; And then Sulphureous and Bituminous Spirits, which by now lately lodged there, intervening to their help; at length ends (presently, as soon as it is waxen ripe) in a new food and nourishment of the Fire. And that this is so; I found by an irrefragable experiment, in the brinks and edges of the Valleys of Aetna, Vesuvius, and Strongylus, burn up with Fire; in most of the Cindry and Ashy walls and sides of which I found an immense quantity of Salt, Allom, and Nitre springing forth; In some also, a flowing and gushing forth of Bitumen, Napthe, and the like fat oily liquors, together with a most copious quantity of Sulphur. Which have their original from no where else, but partly out of the Cinders of combust and burnt things; from which must necessarily be begot a new off spring and succession of Salt and Nitre; Partly from the Sulphureous corpuscles of spirits; which wile they continually exhale from the lowest Gulph of the Mountain, are condensed into Sulphur in the more cold climate of the Mountain. And so that mixt matter is generated, cut from Salt, Nitre, Allom, Bitument and Sulphur, which insinuated (as hath been said) into the pores of the Calx or Calcined Lime, or Ashes of the burnt and adust Pumices and Stones, it administers that perpetual and everlasting fuel and food of Fire, which we have hitherto inquired after. For this, corrupted by the Fire, as it prepares new burnings; so the fat and sulphureous matter being burnt up, which lurk鈥檇 and lay dormant within the Pumices, undergo some respites, or truces, as it were; Till the capacity of the Pumices, and the remaining Calx, or Calcined Ashes, be replenished again, as was said, with the like new birth of combustible matter. But now what happens in the exteriour and outmost surface of Aetna; It鈥檚 certain, the same is effected in all other flamivomous Mountains. Nature carrying it self after the same manner always. Yea, he that shall more narrowly and thoroughly dive into these things, he cannot be ingnorant, that the process of Nature, which we have expressed in the exterior surface of the Mountain; but that it keeps the same course and tenour, or order, in its intimate and inmost Fire houses, or Receptacles.

Corallary II.

Hence it follows, That the food and fuel of Subterraneous Fire, follows the Motion of the Sea, raging with a perpetual reciprocation of Flux and Reflux. For from the concitation and commotion of the Tide, The Sea being thrust through occult passages and Burrows, at its bottom; as hath already been inculcated; and joining its fat and humid, to the hot and dray, lodging under Sulphureous Glebes, in the intimate bosoms of the Earth; restores that which is consum鈥檇 away, with an uncessant conception and birth of a new generation. But in the external surface, by vapours attracted from the Sea, and which are fruitful, and even big with the said new Geniture (or Generation) of the Sea, it lies within the porous Hives or Cells of the now burnt matter, through the Snows, Hails, Rains, mixt with the Dust and Ashes, a new Geniture or Conception; which in its time, the matter being now mature and ripe, may at length break forth into great Burnings. You see therefore the wonderful and indeficient Circulation of Nature in its operations.

Corallary III.

From these things it follows, that the formal cause of the Burnings of this Mountain, is the Fire it self. The material; Sulphur, and Salt, Nitre, Bitumen, and the like matters apt to cherish Fires, propagated by a perpetual motion from the intimate dark recesses of the Earth, and also from the incumbent Sea plying thereon. The Instrumental; the Cavernous nature of the place; and the whole Body or Bulk of the Mountain wholly full of Burrows, and hanging together aloft, and pois鈥榙 of it self, and perpetually burdened, and oppressed with Sulphureous Smoak and Soot. Lastly, the efficient cause, are Winds and Blasts, which flowing out of the most inward Caverns at this kind of vent or issue, and as it were at their proper gorges and open jaws, exuscitate with certain Bellows, as we may so lay, the dormant Fires, to enkindle the matter, whatsoever shall be found next. Sith all Sicily is wholly bored through with innumerable Caverns and Burrows, as was before mention鈥檇. Else where we have abundantly demonstrated, the wounderful Ragings and Tides of the Sicilian Streight, and the alterations of its flux and reflux; and also the insatiable force of theh devouring gulf of Seylla and Charybdis; and how that it depends on the said Mountain; being disposed after a wonderful way and manner, in Subterraneous Shops, and work houses, throughout the universal Islands. Of which thing, this may be a clear Testimony; that Charybdis tumultuating after an unusual manner, Aetna also withal rages at the same time; being together with it, stirred up with the Spirit of Sedition and tumult; and the sulphureous dens receiving into themselves the more vehement winds and blasts, thereby the combustible matter, agitated and puffed, no otherwise then as with Smith鈥檚 Bellows, burst forth violently into huge Globes of Flames.

But other winds blowing, Aetna seems to take respite; for that the orifices of the passages are plac鈥檇 ina contrary way to the current waves and flouds of the Sea; and hindred by the neighbour Mountain. But at the East and South winds blowing, according to the constitution of the channels, now Flames, sometimes Smoke, now and then Embers, Sparkles, and Flakes. But sometimes, the Fuel being augmented in it self, it wonderfully rages with burnings, with a formidable stream and floud of Fire and Brimstone; which now and then it is wont to belch forth, out of the inmost shops of the aefluaries of fire underground; with an huge destruction and ruine of the subjected Villages, Fields, Cities, and Cattel. The forerunners of which, are groanings of the Caverns, from intercepted and shut up Spirits; Roarings of the Sea, joyn鈥檇 with trembling of the Earth; By all which coming so thick together, Nature, as it were, overpresse鈥檇, and impatient of bonds, breaks open all Prison Doors and Barrs, and rushes any way it can get out; and like a burning River of Floud, consumes, not only Fields, with the mighty rouling stream wherewith it is poured down, but also intire Villages; overturns neighbouring Towns and Cities; and everywhere leaving footsteps full of horrour; devours Woods, Rocks and Mountains; and nothing is able to stand in its way. Of which things the Monuments of Historians are full.

We conclude therefore, the matter of Subterraneous Fire to be not only Sulphur, Bitumen, Pit Coals: but also Allom, Salt, Nitre, Coaly Earth, and Calcanthum or Vitriol, and such kind of Metals. For Sulphur and Bitumen do not make the Fire so impetuous, as that Fire, which subverts Mountains, buries Cities in Ashes, and ejectments of Pumices; and by an incredible violence, belches out stony and Rocky Mountains, out of the very Mountains; as hath plainly appear鈥檇 from what hath preceded. But some other thing must needs be adjoined thereto; to perform this effect, which we go about to explain.

I say therefore that the universal matter of Subterraneous Fire, ought to be sharp and thick or gross, as Sulphureous and Bituminous matter are; whereto is joyn鈥檇, with a great and necessary alliance of Commerce, Salt peter; which having its substance replenished with most tumid spirits, and joyn鈥檇 to Sulphur, and enkindled; whilst it finds no exit or vent, it exercises that force upon the subterraneous obstacles, that lye in its way; which a little before we have expounded (especially if crude Antimony, and Mercurial Spirits be superadded;) as sufficiently appears from the mighty efficacy of Warlike Guns and Cannons.

Furthermore, the combustible materials, they are not found but in Subterraneous Dens; of which sort, are divers kinds of Stones, various species of terrestrial Glebes, Metallick Mixtures and Miscellanies of the other Minerals; And besides these, Salt, Allom, Saltpeter, Salt Ammoniack, and whatsoever is there found, even to the very Water it self. And even Mountains, and huge vast Stones are turned into matter and nutriment of the Fire; Then forthwith the matter generated only burns; and this being consumed away, the Fire is extinguished; and changing its station, invades another near unto it; as comes to pass in Bituminous Earths. Then afterwards the consumed matter, conceiving new Seeds, springs again; and a good while after is enkindled; which indeed if it be by a sudden generation born again in great plenty, as in Aetna, Strumbolo, the Phlegraean Plains, then they will burn with an everlasting Fire.

But the Generation of such kind of matters is made after this manner: The Sea replenished with fatness and unctuosity, while it enters the hidden Rooms and Chambers of the Earth, by and by nourishes anew the substantial parts of the Mountain extenuated with the Fire; and replenishes their substance, that hath lost its marrow and strength, with a new fatness; and if a way lie open into Sulphureous Vaults and Houses under ground, the water being driven in, will be turn鈥檇 into the nutriment of Sulphur; If into Bituminous places, into the nutriment of Bitument; if into Aluminous veins, of Allom; And so of the rest, the same reason. And thus the Substances destroyed by the Fire, are repaired almost after the same way, that Iron is renew鈥檇 again in the Island Elva, the Mines for several years lying idle and fallow, as it were; and as stones, which they call Travertine, in the Fields of Tivoli.

But how the said matters should conceive fire, was above said. As how indeed; scarcely from the Sun; not from Thunder and Lightnings; not from any other efficient: but from the very subterraneous fire it self, making its way unto them through hidden passages of the Rocks, which it burns. Or, if they be not immediately touched by actual Fire; then certainly from the Marine waves and billows, intruded by the force and impetuousness of the Winds, through the Submarine gutters and chinks at the bottom of the Sea. For that it cannot be that from the vehement dashing of the billows in the strait and narrow places, and the agitation of the spirits of combustible matter thereby, and the attrition or striking of the fat and Sulphureous Air, that they should not presently conceive Fire.

Of the Liparitan or Vulcanian Islands adjoining, commonly called the Vulcanello鈥檚

West of Sicily in the Tuscan Sea; but South and within sight of Messina, an hundred and fifty miles distant from Aetna, are the Aeolian Islands, so called from Aeolus King thereof. He taught at fist the use of the Sail; and by observing the Fire and Smoak that ascended from these Islands, (for heretofore they all of them flamed) prognosticated of Storms to come. And thence the occasion of the Fable of Aeolus鈥榮 being Godd and King of the Winds, for his admirable skill and invention that way. Of these anciently there were Seven only; (But now are Eleven; 鈥榯is like made since out of the excessive burnings of the other; as 鈥榯is said of the little one called Vulcanello) almost of an equal magnitude. Yet Liparis is the greatest, (being ten miles in circuit) as also the most famous, to which the others were subjected. (And hence they are now call鈥檇 the Liparitan, and Vulcanian Islands, or Vucanello鈥檚) Its fruitful and abounding with Bitument, Sulphur, and Alumne; having hot Baths much frequented by the diseased. The Fire here went out about an Age agoe; having (as is to be supposed) consumed the matter that fed it. But at this day Strombolo only burns; and that with ragings not inferior to the Aetnaean or Vesuvian. Yet Volcano smokes continually, from Subterraneous Fires. They are said heretofore to have burnt wholly, together with the Mountains, and Sea, as Strabo witnesses.

Volcano, formerly call鈥檇 Hiera, is a little Island, burning in the midst of the Sea; where Antiquity placed Vulcans Shop, or Forge; Because of the Fires seen by night, and abundance of smoak by day. And therefore received its name from its nature; consecrated formerly to Vulcan, and called his Mansion. It is said but first to have appeared above water, about the time that Scipio Africanus dyed. A barren Island, stony, and uninhabited. It had three Tunnels, wherewith it evaporated Fire; But now hath but one out of which it smoaketh continually, and casts out stones with an horrible roaring. It was heretofore all on Fire, and the Sea round about, for some dayes together, which Pliny reports, as a known truth, and an instance neer at hand. And has not ceased to be on a flame since, as it were a Mountain of flames only, in the midst of the Sea. For even in the year of our Lord 1444, on the 5th of February, it flamed so abundantly, and flung forth fire and stones, with such an hideous noise; that not only the rest of the Islands; but also Sicily trembled thereat. Perhaps the last blaze. For now flame it doth no: but retaineth the rest of its terrours.

But now Strombolo is the most notorious at this day. Here the Inhabitants formerly were wont from the Smoak, to predict what Winds would blow. Where Aeolus also, the first so skilled therein, was King, &c. as before. It was formerly call鈥檇 Strongyle, (corrupted at last into Stromboli) from the rotundity thereof. For it seems no other than an high round Mountain in the Sea; out of the top whereof issueth continually a flame like a burning Beacon; and exceeding clearly; so that by night especially it is to be discern鈥檇 a wonderful way. A place so full of horrour to the Neighbouring oslanders; (And yet in those parts where the Rage of the Fire offendeth not, it is of a very fruifull Soyl, and apt for Tillage) and many other of the Ignoranter Romish Catholicks, conceive it (and such like places) to be the Jaws of Hell it self; and that within the damned Souls are tormented. To which purpose the good Catholicks (who are excellent at pious frauds and tales) have, or rather haved rais鈥榙, a pretty Story of Sir Thomas Gresham, London鈥檚 most glorious Benefactor; which we shall by and by transcribe out of Mr. Sandy鈥檚 Travels verbatim; True it is he was full of pious and charitable good works and bublick Benefactures in his latter dayes. But upon such an occasion, as this Story pretends; we have not the least reason to believe: For surely all our Histories and Memories could never have been wholly silent thereof; and of a thing so publickly attested before the King, &c. But to return to the business again.

Kircher, in the said often mentioned year 1638, thought good also to examine among others of these Islands, those two chief ones, Volcano, and Stromboli. And Stromboli indeed for the fierceness and outrages of its Fires, which it continually vomited, was guarded from all access. But Volcano making Truces and Intervals with the Island adjoining, call鈥檇 Volcanello, annexed to Volcano, which they relate to have been generated of the rejected refuses and offalls of the Mountain, which it belch鈥檇 forth out of the last burning thereof; (perhaps that in the year 1444, a little before mentioned) All the Island springs and abounds with Sulphur, Nitre, Bitumen, Yea and the very bottom of the Sea is burrow鈥檇 through with innumeral Caverns and Tunnels or Trunks; which both the Vortices, or Whirlpools, and also the frequency of Winds bursting forth, and puffing the Sea after a wonderful manner, do shew. And this made our Author, as himself acknowledges, that he could in no wise dissent from those, who say, There are Submarine Mines and Burrows under the Sea; which correspond with Aetna; and thence, by continued passages and conveyances, through the concavous spaces of the Back of Appenine, with Vesuvius; which he, a prespaces of the Back of Appenine, with Vesuvius; which he, a present and Eye witness, found most true in the said year 1638. when in his return home from these Travels, he was driven on the Coasts of Terra de Lavora, in the Kingdom of Naples, which he found almost reduced unto utter ruine desolation, and the same time, by most horrible Earthquakes; wherein he very narrowly excaped himself with his life; and accordingly hath writ very sensibly and feelingly therefore; too large for this place. But on a certain day more curiously viewing Stromboli at this time, about sixty miles distant, he observ鈥檇 it to be more than ordinarily furious: For it appear鈥檇 wholly overwhelm鈥檇 with Fire, in so great plenty, that it seem鈥檇 to belch out flamy Mountains; (A most horrendous spectacle!) And then heard I know not what kind of dull murmer from the Mountain so far off, which time after time seem鈥檇 to grow towards them through Subettaneous Burrows, till it reached the subterraneous place, on which they stood; and there utter鈥檇 such horrendous Thunderings within the Earth, with so formidable Earthquakes, that none of the company were able to stand on their fee. After the Violence was over, getting up again, not without ineffable consternation, they beheld the Subversion and lamentable Catastrophe of the most famous Town St. Euphemia, three miles off, (which happened in that time;) and the Citty wholly swallowed up. For, seeking for the Town, they found in stead thereof, (wonderful to be spoke!) nothing but a most putrid Lake sprung up in its place. They could find no Men, nor Inhabitants: Thence passing on their Journy, the found nothing else for two hundred miles, but the Carkases of Cities, horrid Ruines of Cattles, Men stragling up and down in the open Fields, and through fear, as it were, withering away. Then passing by Naples, he could not after all this, leave out Vesuvious out of the way of his Observations; what that did also; Of which before in its place. And this was a leading us to another Chapter, concerning Earthquakes, as the proper effects and products of Subterraneous Fires also; and always preceding, and concomitant with these Vulcanian Eruptions; But that we found a Chapter was not sufficient for so great a Subject; and that we had already transgressed and exceeded the intended and prescribed bounds of This.

FINIS.

A fuller Relation of the Spanish Priests Error and attempt, about getting Gold out of one of these flaming Mountains in the West -Indes.

The most famous Vulcano鈥檚 in the West-Indies, are the Guatamala, discernable at vast distance on the South Sea. A Spanish Priest out of Avarice would needs found this Mountain, supposing the bottom to be full of Gold. This Priest was called Mossen, born at Antequera, who came to the Indies with Pirarow at the time of Ferdiand Cortez鈥檚 Conquest. He had a Sister living with him who had a fair Daughter, whom the Captain married to Lazart d鈥橝lmadia, Clark of the Ship, promising 1000 Ducket in Marriage. But the Clark being jealous of his Captain, left his Wife in Spain; and the Captain being come on Shore, with grief for his Mistress absence, died; to whom by his last Will he ratified the 1000 Duckets. Mean while the Clark took command of the Vessel, and arrived in New Hispaniola, where the Priest was very welcome, Priests being there very acceptable; and was accommodataed in the Town of Sanda, where he lived in great esteem for sincerity and devotion; so in few years he grew very wealthy. But no content with this, upon suggestion that the flaming Mountain, not far thence, was a Mine of Gold, he thought to get inestimable riches out of it: for this purpose he caused a strong Iron Chain to be made, to the measure of the height of the Moutain, which he had taken by Artizans; then by strength of Men began to cut a way for portage of his necessaries, which could no be doen but at great expence, a mans labour there being worth two Crowns a day; nevertheless Avarice made him pass it easily. But this beginning was a mean matter, for he must continue the Laboures; being yet not advanced far, by reason of the height of the Mountain, and firmness of the Rock, which he must cut through: nor though many lookud upon the Enterprize as extravagant and inconsiderate, yet the Priest every day got nearer the mouth of the Fornace with expence of time, labour and difficulty. After four moneths space the ponderous Chains and Caldrons, with great cost and pain were drawn up. The good man boasted, He doubted not now to come shortly to his ends, and that he had a Revelation of it in his sleep.

At length all these Iron Engines were set in order, and the workmen, to the number of fifty began to let down a Caldron well fastened to a strong Iron Chain, with other Engines secured, and the Priest himself set his hand to the work: But as they thought to draw up the Caldron full of rich melted metal, the strength of the fire consumed all, and they hardly escaped without burning their hands and feet, so violent a heat burst out upon them. The Priest half mad cried out, The Devil has broken his Chain; with a thousand Curses, ready to throw himself headlong into the Precipice, covered over with Soot and Cindars, and frying with heat, fright, and toyl, that he looked like a right Fury, running like a mad man to and fro; the rest in little better condition, the greatest part being lam鈥檇 and consum鈥檇 with labour and the violence of heat which had even melted them. The good man at last was brought to his Lodging in extream torment, where they laid him to bed in so much grief and discomfort that he was the pitty of the World. Walking in the night he was surprised with such rage, that he gave himself several stabs in the thoat with his knife; and in the morning his Sister coming to visit him, found him steeped in blood and gastly; half dead, whereupon she cried out for help, and friends came immediately in, and a Chirurgion applied the Country Balsom so fortunately to his wounds, that he was well within few dayes;