download PDF version: 38.1MB - Global Grey

ROSICRUCIAN APOLOGISTS : ROBERT FLUDD. 291
Concerning Arithmetic, he asks mournfully, and with
apparent earnestness, " Which of us has, at this day, the
ability to discover those true and vivific numbers whereby
the elements are united and bound to one another 1 " And
then, with regard to music, which, as he remarks, non aliter
succedit Arithmetical quam medicina Philosophies Naturali, he
"
But, good God, what is
cries after the same fashion :
this when compared with that deep and true music of the
wise, whereby the proportions of natural things are investigated,
the harmonical concord and the qualities of the whole
world are revealed, by which also connected things are
bound together, peace established between conflicting ele-
ments, and whereby each star is perpetually suspended in
its appointed place by its weight and strength, and by the
harmony of its lucent spirit."
It is impossible to read with-
out a smile when the author urges the necessity for a musical
reformation, on the ground that we have lost that art of
Orpheus by which he moved insensible stones, and that of
Arion by which the fishes were charmed.
The cursory review of "
alchemy is :
equally gloomy The
art, also, of alchemy or chemistry is surrounded with such
insoluble enigmas that we can scarcely gain anything bub
ignorance therefrom, and ignotum per ignotius.^ He enlarges
on its fictitious vocabulary, and quotes Maricinus as follows
:
" The magisterium of the philosophers is hidden and
concealed, and wherever found is known by a thousand
names ; moreover, it is surrounded by symbols and is re-
vealed to the wise alone, yet this is, notwithstanding, the
Then
one, only, and lineal way of the whole operation."
"
he himself continues : Neither common fire, but Nature
herself, neither artificial furnaces, but natural matrices, are
needed in this work, which is the work of Nature only, and