The New Atlantis | Page 6

Francis Bacon
and with handsome windows,
some of glass, some of a kind of cambric oiled. He brought us first into
a fair parlour above stairs, and then asked us, "What number of persons
we were? And how many sick?" We answered, "We were in all, (sick
and whole,) one and fifty persons, whereof our sick were seventeen."
He desired us to have patience a little, and to stay till he came back to
us; which was about an hour after; and then he led us to see the
chambers which were provided for us, being in number nineteen: they
having cast it (as it seemeth) that four of those chambers, which were
better than the rest, might receive four of the principal men of our
company; and lodge them alone by themselves; and the other fifteen
chambers were to lodge us two and two together. The chambers were
handsome and cheerful chambers, and furnished civilly." Then he led
us to a long gallery, like a dorture, where he showed us all along the
one side (for the other side was but wall and window), seventeen cells,
very neat ones, having partitions of cedar wood. Which gallery and
cells, being in all forty, many more than we needed, were instituted as

an infirmary for sick persons. And he told us withal, that as any of our
sick waxed well, he might be removed from his cell, to a chamber; for
which purpose there were set forth ten spare chambers, besides the
number we spake of before. This done, he brought us back to the
parlour, and lifting up his cane a little, (as they do when they give any
charge or command) said to us, "Ye are to know, that the custom of the
land requireth, that after this day and to-morrow, (which we give you
for removing of your people from your ship,) you are to keep within
doors for three days. But let it not trouble you, nor do not think
yourselves restrained, but rather left to your rest and ease. You shall
want nothing, and there are six of our people appointed to attend you,
for any business you may have abroad." We gave him thanks, with all
affection and respect, and said, "God surely is manifested in this land."
We offered him also twenty pistolets; but he smiled, and only said;
"What? twice paid!" And so he left us.
Soon after our dinner was served in; which was right good viands, both
for bread and treat: better than any collegiate diet, that I have known in
Europe. We had also drink of three sorts, all wholesome and good;
wine of the grape; a drink of grain, such as is with us our ale, but more
clear: And a kind of cider made of a fruit of that country; a wonderful
pleasing and refreshing drink. Besides, there were brought in to us,
great store of those scarlet oranges, for our sick; which (they said) were
an assured remedy for sickness taken at sea. There was given us also, a
box of small gray, or whitish pills, which they wished our sick should
take, one of the pills, every night before sleep; which (they said) would
hasten their recovery.
The next day, after that our trouble of carriage and removing of our
men and goods out of our ship, was somewhat settled and quiet, I
thought good to call our company together; and when they were
assembled, said unto them; "My dear friends, let us know ourselves,
and how it standeth with us. We are men cast on land, as Jonas was, out
of the whale's belly, when we were as buried in the deep: and now we
are on land, we are but between death and life; for we are beyond, both
the old world, and the new; and whether ever we shall see Europe, God
only knoweth. It is a kind of miracle bath brought us hither: and it must
be little less, that shall bring us hence. Therefore in regard of our
deliverance past, and our danger present, and to come, let us look up to

God, and every man reform his own ways. Besides we are come here
amongst a Christian people, full of piety and humanity: let us not bring
that confusion of face upon ourselves, as to show our vices, or
unworthiness before them. Yet there is more. For they have by
commandment, (though in form of courtesy) cloistered us within these
wall, for three days: who knoweth, whether it be not, to take some taste
of our manners and conditions? And if they find them bad, to banish us
straightways; if good, to give us further time. For these men that they
have given us for attendance, may withal have an eye upon us.
Therefore
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