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HISTORY OF THE ROSICRUCIANS.
" Rosicrucius, say his disciples, made use of this method
to show the world that he had re-invented the ever-burning
lamps of the ancients, though he was resolved no one should
reap any advantage from the discovery."
The second story has suffered still further outrage. Mr
Hargrave Jennings asserts that it is related upon " excellent
authority." This authority is a work by Dr John Campbel,
entitled "Hermippus Redivivus; or, the Sage's Triumph
over Old Age and the Grave," and the reference therein is
" Les Memoires Historiques " for the year 1 687, tome i.
p. 365, which no one has been able to identify, and which,
according to William Godwin, 1
had perhaps no other exist-
ence than in the fertile brain of the compiler.
"There happened in the year 1687, an odd accident at
Venice, that made a very great stir then, and which I think
deserves to be rescued from oblivion. The great freedom
and ease with which all persons, who make a good appear-
ance, live in that city, is known sufficiently to all who are
acquainted with it; such, therefore, will not be surprised
that a stranger who went by the name of Signer Gualdi,
and who made a considerable figure there, was admitted into
the best company, though nobody knew who or what he was.
He remained at Venice some months, and three things were
remarked in his conduct. The first was, that he had a small
collection of fine pictures, which he readily showed to any-
body that desired it ; the next, that he was perfectly versed
in all arts and sciences, and spoke on every subject with
such readiness and sagacity, as astonished all who heard
him -
} and it was in the third place observed,
that he never
wrote or received any letter ; never desired any credit, or
made use of bills of exchange, but paid for every thing in
ready-money, and lived decently, though not in splendour.
1 Preface to " The Travels of St Leon."