Near the end of the sixth book of Browne's Pseudodoxia Epidemica there's a good portrait of the worthy 17th century Norwich physician engaged upon his essentially Baconian quest.
At the conclusion of a chapter entitled A further digression upon blackness there is evidence of the refinement of Browne's senses and his appreciation of beauty. In chapter 12 of book 6 Browne alludes to one of his numerous chymical experiments. Several paragraphs are devoted to the use and effects of various acids and vitriol, the causes of blackness in nature and speculation upon its causes and origins in human skin.
The study of optics was also of particular interest to Browne and optical imagery frequently occurs in his writings. One strongly suspects his use of the word irradiation, ' to shine brightly' (the near synonymous iridescence is later in origin, 18th century from iris, rainbow) to describe the well-known optical effect when viewing a peacock's feather, is one of Browne's many medical-scientific neologisms. These include the words medical, pathology, hallucination, electricity and ambidextrous, as the complete Oxford English dictionary testifies.
In a tone of near mystical apprehension and barely suppressed joy, Browne concludes his scientific investigations upon blackness, waxing lyrical upon the beauty of colour thus-.
At the conclusion of a chapter entitled A further digression upon blackness there is evidence of the refinement of Browne's senses and his appreciation of beauty. In chapter 12 of book 6 Browne alludes to one of his numerous chymical experiments. Several paragraphs are devoted to the use and effects of various acids and vitriol, the causes of blackness in nature and speculation upon its causes and origins in human skin.
The study of optics was also of particular interest to Browne and optical imagery frequently occurs in his writings. One strongly suspects his use of the word irradiation, ' to shine brightly' (the near synonymous iridescence is later in origin, 18th century from iris, rainbow) to describe the well-known optical effect when viewing a peacock's feather, is one of Browne's many medical-scientific neologisms. These include the words medical, pathology, hallucination, electricity and ambidextrous, as the complete Oxford English dictionary testifies.
In a tone of near mystical apprehension and barely suppressed joy, Browne concludes his scientific investigations upon blackness, waxing lyrical upon the beauty of colour thus-.
And this is also apparent in Chymical preparations. So Cinaber becomes red by the acide exhalation of sulphur, which otherwise presents a pure and niveous white. So spirits of Salt upon a blew paper make an orient red. So Tartar or vitriol upon an infusion of violets affords a delightfull crimson. Thus it is wonderful what variety of colours the spirits of Saltpeter, and especially, if they be kept in a glass while they pierce the sides thereof; I say, what Orient greens they will project: from the like spirits in the earth the plants thereof perhaps acquire their verdure. And from such salary irradiations may those wondrous varieties arise, which are observable in Animals, as Mallards heads, and Peacocks feathers, receiving intention or alteration according as they are presented unto the light. Thus Saltpeter, Ammoniack and Mineral Spirits emit delectable and various colours; and common Aqua fortis will in some green and narrow mouthed glasses, about the verges thereof, send forth a deep and Gentianella blew.
3 comments:
that seems the beauty of his age ,there were still things of wonder to be looked at and wondered at like a child with a watch ,been looking at the penguin classic collected vol of his works ,all the best stu
Stu my man ! You have the very best edition of Browne's selected works. C.A.Patrides 1977 introduction is brilliant. I've burned through 3 or 4 copies of that edition in 15 years! I think there are still many things to wonder at in nature and art, we just have to look a little harder and find that quiet space within to contemplate. Always good to hear from you Stu, maybe you will post and share some thoughts on Browne in 2011? I hope so! Blog on!
And I for my part love his apt neologisms, not mere neologisms of the evanescent kind but, as the five you cite show, words that were needed and still are needed.
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