The Travels and Adventures of James Massey Part 11

After I had robb'd Mr. _Van d.y.k.e_, I embark'd for _Nantes,_ where by the Name of _Vander Stel_, and pretending to be Nephew to a famous Wine-Merchant at _Rotterdam_, I soon contracted an Acquaintance with all the _Dutch_ Merchants there. The Caresses which I received from those honest People are inexpressible; for there was scarce a Day but I was invited to magnificent Entertainments at one or other of their Houses. During this an Intendant arriv'd from _Languedoc_ who was well known to several of those Gentlemen whose Houses I frequented. This gave me an Opportunity to sc.r.a.pe an Acquaintance with him. He was glad to see me, and as he delighted in Gaming he was rejoyc'd to find me in the same Disposition. Sometimes we play'd a Game at Chess, and we spent many Afternoons at Picquet, but never so as to win much of either. At length as I went one Day to see him, I had the Happiness to find him alone in his Room uneasy for want of some Company to pa.s.s the Time with. He call'd for the Cards, and we play'd at Ombre. He was a Dab at that Game, but I was too cunning for him. Whatever was his Design, 'tis certain that he encourag'd me to drink more than usual, at which I was not a little pleas'd because I imagin'd that when he had drank his Skin full of Wine, it would prevent him from discovering my foul Play. In short, I won 50 Pistoles of him in less than four Hours Time, at which he seem'd astonish'd, and desir'd I would give him Revenge at Lansquenet; which was the very Thing I wanted. However, I pretended not to understand that Game very well, and told him, that unless Fortune favour'd me as she had done before, it was impossible but I should lose my Money and my Breeches too. Now my Adversary began to lose Patience. We play'd high, and tho' I let him win now and then in order to keep him in Temper, yet about Midnight when we left off, I had won above 3000 Crowns of him, which he told me down two Days after in ready Cash. This Luck made me wonderful rich. I sew'd 500 Ducats in a Piece of Shammy Leather of which I made a Belt and wore if under my s.h.i.+rt, and then I set out for _Avignon_, the Intendant going out of the Town at the same Time another Way. Upon the Road I hir'd a Footman, and resum'd my old Name of _Heudde_.

My expensive Way of living at this new Stage made every body believe that I was a Person of the first Rank, I made no Scruple to introduce myself into the best of Companies, and they took a Pride in mine. After I had been there about Fortnight or three Weeks, I happened to meet a Wench in the Street of about twenty Years of Age the finest Beauty I had ever seen in all my Life. I let her pa.s.s me, and when she was fifty Paces behind me I turn'd back and follow'd her at a Distance 'till she went into a House.

Upon this I order'd my Footman to inquire privately if she dwelt there, and what her Parents were. He brought me an Account of every particular, and told me that her Father was a Jew Merchant who dealt largely in jewels. I went next Day to his House on Pretence that I wanted a small Diamond of 25 or 30 Pistoles, and in order to settle a closer Correspondence with him, I told him my Name and Country. To this I added that I knew several _Jews_ at Amsterdam, and mention'd some to him whom he knew. In fine, I left no Stone unturn'd to induce him to give me Admittance to his House, without speaking a Word to him either of Wife or Daughter.

This first Visit succeeded so well that I attempted to make a second. I actually bought a Ring by which the Usurer could not get less than one third, but that was no great Matter. The Hopes of more considerable Gain tempted: him to invite me often to his House. I did not fail to improve his Civility, and made Preparation to treat him now and then at my Quarters.

Every thing went swimmingly, but I did not see that it advanc'd my Design, so that I concluded I must take another Course. As I was musing what to do, it luckily happen'd that at our very first Interview he was accompany'd with another _Jew_. I drew them by degrees to talk of the Difference of Religions, which engag'd us in a Dispute. I pretended that 'till then I did not know the Force of their Arguments, and the Weakness of ours, with regard to the _Messiah_. The Hopes of making a Proselyte, induc'd them to desire that we might meet as often as possible in order to have an Opportunity to treat the matter thoroughly. Thereupon I deny'd that I might be present at their public Wors.h.i.+p. They open'd the Doors of their Synagogue to me with Joy, I caus'd myself to be instructed in their Religion, and at last being convinc'd of my Errors by the Truth of their Principles, they circ.u.mcis'd me, and I became a _Jew_. As soon as this was done, I was solemnly initiated into all their Mysteries, I ran thro' all their Ceremonies, and the Fair s.e.x who thought me a Saint, caress'd and honour'd me as well as the Men. As for my part there was no Complaisance which I did not put in Practice to them, especially I carry'd it with such a Respect to the fair Jewels as was not disagreeable to her. Besides, I often made her small Presents which she receiv'd with Pleasure, and which her Mother did not dislike, but the Father who was covetous, tho' he had a vast Fortune to give with this only Daughter, frown'd at this little Intercourse of Civilities.

Mean time, I cut a grand Figure but yet without running into Extravagance: He was surpriz'd at my way of Living, mad to know what Bottom I had to support it, and made Inquiry every where but could not hear the least Tidings. When I saw that, I sent my Footman to a Friend of mine a Jew Goldsmith to buy a couple of Crucibles, and not to speak a Word of it to any Body. The Jeweller it seems frequented that House, so that three Days after, my Footman was perfectly surpriz'd, when going to my Friend the Goldsmith's House, to know if he was at Leisure to receive me, the Jeweller took him apart into a Room, treated him with a Gla.s.s of his best Wine, and talking about Crucibles, ask'd him slily what I meant to do with mine. My Boy, whom I had tutor'd beforehand, pretended at first to be ignorant of the matter in order to make him think there was some Mystery in it: At last after a great many Questions on one hand, and swearing on the other that his Master would break his Neck if he reveal'd it to any Body, he told it him as a Secret that was to remain so for ever betwixt them two, that I made use of it to increase Gold, and that I was one of the best Chymists in _Europe_. This which he thought an ingenuous Confession, and not improbable, had its desir'd Effect. _Mascado_, which was the Jeweller's Name, was overjoy'd he had discover'd this, but he did not know which way to prevail on me to trust him with the Secret. First of all he sifted me concerning the nature of my Effects, whether they consisted in Money, Houses or Land, which way I was supply'd with Cash from my own Country, and then offer'd to remit me some for a small Charge. He ask'd if I intended to travel always, whether it would not be more for my Advantage to settle in some Place or other, and the like. I answer'd all this in a loose manner, which could not be very satisfactory to him. And when he saw that he could get nothing out of the Master, he address'd himself a second time to the Domestic, and by the Virtue of Promises and a small Present, he made him promise that the first time I went about the Grand Work he would not fail to give him Notice.

Ten Days after this, I put my Crucibles on the Fire, and tho' I was stripp'd as it were to my s.h.i.+rt, I was in such a Heat with blowing and stirring that no Vermilion was redder than my Face.

Mean time my Servant ran to _Mascado_'s House to inform him what was doing, on pretence that I had sent him out to buy some Drams of _Aqua Regalis_, so that the one was scarce return'd but the other came to ask if I was at Home. The Maid who then happen'd to be at the Gate, came and knock'd at my Door telling my Man that some Body wanted to speak with me, and that she had told him I was in my Chamber. I pretended to be angry with her for it, and sent out the Footman to tell him that I was not to be spoke with.

The _Jew_ made a Pish at that, and entering bluntly into my Room, I beg your Pardon, Sir, _said he_, you have been so retir'd since your Conversion that I thought you was engag'd in some Act of Devotion, and for fear that too much of it might throw you into a Fit of Melancholy and give you the Vapours, which it seems you were lately afflicted with, I took the Liberty of bolting in without being introduc'd, on purpose to chat with you for an Hour, and to invite you to spend the Evening at my House. But what are you doing here? _continued he_. Are you turn'd Chymist?

What have you there in those Crucibles? Upon my Faith, I believe you are in quell of the Philosopher's Stone. Let us call another Cause, _said I_, seeming to be very much confounded: We must be doing something or other while we live in this World; and other Things I said, of which 'tis needless to give you our Dialogue.

But after many Circ.u.mlocutions, and upon Condition he would not speak of it, the Conclusion was that I had the Art of multiplying Gold. To be plain with you, _said he_, I was surpriz'd to see how expensively you liv'd without any visible Way to maintain it, or speaking to any Body to help you to Money. But is your Art certain, and does it never fail? The next Time that I go to work, _said I_, you shall see an Experiment of it.

Some Days after this I appointed a Time, and bade him bring me ten Ducats. He cast those ten Pieces of Gold into one of my Crucibles, and I threw my Powder of Multiplication into the other. Then I mix'd the whole, and stirr'd it well with a hollow Rod of Iron into which I had put Gold-Dust to the Value of fifty Livres, having stopp'd it up with a little Wax, which immediately melted, so that the Gold-Dust ran out, and augmented the Ma.s.s of Metal which he himself had thrown in. The Time fix'd for the Operation being expir'd, I put into his Hands the little Ingot that resulted from the Mixture which he carry'd immediately to his Friend the Goldsmith, who told him that it was the best Gold that ever came out of a Furnace. He was charm'd with the Secret, and would have persuaded me to work at it every Day. I told him that I had already Money enough by me for my present Occasions, that it was time enough for me to work when I wanted more, and that as long as I had no House nor Family, I should not be solicitous for ama.s.sing a great deal of Wealth; besides, that it was very difficult to get the Powder I made use of, and that a Man endangers his Health in the Operation unless he has a great Laboratory, and all the Tools fit for a Work of such Importance.

You long Gentlemen, no doubt, to hear all these Particulars, but to cut the matter short by omitting many others, which perhaps would not be disagreeable at another Time, they did not put me under the Necessity of starting the Affair of the Marriage, for there were certain Matchmakers that propos'd it to me themselves.

I was willing that every thing should be done in form, and being sure of my Point, I demanded the fair _Jew_ of her Parents who granted her to me with Marks of entire Satisfaction, and took me immediately into their House.

We had not been marry'd long before my Father-in-law began to talk to me of the main Chance. You have a Talent, Son, _said he_, which ought not to be bury'd, let us be doing while we have the Means, and get Estates for ourselves and our Posterity, I immediately gave into his Sentiment, and we resolv'd to erect our Laboratory at his Country-House six Miles out of Town, that we might work without being disturb'd or observ'd. But my Multiplication Powder was all spent, more must be prepar'd, and because it would take up Time, and could not be done without great Charge and Trouble, we resolv'd to make enough of it at once as should serve for a Million of Ducats. Thereupon I gave him a List of the Drugs of which the Composition was to consist, of which the greatest Ingredient was Mercury. Then I made him believe that I must have Bay-Salt, Mineral-Salt, Antimony, the Seed of Pearls, Coral, the Ashes of a Heifer, Hartshorn, and the Horn of a Unicorn, the Eyes of a Lobster, Elephants Tooth, Dragon's Blood, Eagle's Claws, Birds of Paradise, the Beaks of _American_ Parrots, the Heads of Vipers, the Bones of a Camel, the Tail of a Crocodile, the Head of a Porpoise, the Rib of a Whale, all the Metals, and most of the Minerals; I told him likewise that a certain determin'd Quant.i.ty of each of these must be infus'd three Days in Sheep's Urine mix'd with one third in Proportion of the Dung of a Grey Cow, which had been steep'd in the Water of the Rhine the s.p.a.ce of nine Days, which is the Square of Number 3; and the Cubic Number of that same Quant.i.ty, _viz._ 27 Days or a Periodical Month, was the Time requisite for calcinating the whole Ma.s.s, and reducing it by, a slow Fire to this pretended Powder of Projection.

All this did not daunt the Good Man. His Hopes of great Gain made him think that easy, which another would have thought impracticable. The Business was where to get the Ingredients I desir'd. Some of them were to be had at Avignon and Parts adjacent, and the rest must be fetch'd from _Holland_, where in short there is something of every Thing in the World. I afterwards gave him to understand, that Gold after it had once pa.s.s'd thro' my Hands could not be multiply'd any more, and that therefore he must get a great Sum of Money together either by borrowing it upon Interest, or of some Friends who would be very glad to be let into a Share of the Profits. The Goldsmith being the first Man to whom he imparted the Secret, desir'd him to take 500 _Loui-dors_ of him on what Terms he pleas'd. Several others did the same, but all under the Rose, and upon Oath not to reveal it to any Body whatsoever, not even to their Wives, so that not one Man knew any thing of what was transacted with another. As fast as the Gold came in, it was carry'd to the Country-House where I was often employ'd in putting Things in order.

At last when I saw every Thing was ready, I said to my Father-in-law and my Wife, that I would now go and put the last Hand to the Work; but that as it requir'd a great deal of Application, and as I should want at least three Days for it, I desir'd 'em not to come and interrupt me in the mean while; and then seizing a Cabinet in which there were Jewels to the Value of at least 60000 Livres, I went to the Farm, and rising early next Morning, I took all the Money, and said to the Farmer that an Affair of the last Importance, and which I did not think of before, calling me to _Arles_, if my Wife happen'd to come three or four Days hence as she promis'd she would, I begg'd him to a.s.sure her from me that I would make as much Dispatch as I could, and mounting my Horse I bade him Farewel. As soon as I was out of the Countryman's Ken, I turn'd off another Way and rode to _Lions_.

When I arriv'd at that famous Town, the Marquis _de Villeneuve_ happened to come and sup at the Inn where I lodg'd, and wanted to be acquainted with me. I told him that I was a _Dutchman_ of the Family of _Wa.s.senaar_, and a Cornet in the Service of their High-Mightinesses, but that having had the Misfortune to fight a Duel with, and kill an Ensign of the Prince of _Orange_'s Regiment of Guards, who was of a very good Family, I had been oblig'd to fly my Country for fear of the Consequences, but that to my Comfort I did not come away empty-handed, nor without good Bills of Credit, upon which the Gentleman was extremely civil to me. I know your Family, Sir, _said he_, 'tis considerable in the _Netherlands_, and to shew you that I have an Esteem for it, if you will be at the Expence of raising a Company in a Regiment of Horse which I am going to form, it shall be your own Fault if you be not the Captain; I am going to Court, whither we will travel together, and I'll engage to make you acceptable to the King. I take you at your Word Mr. Marquise, _said I_, and pulling a Diamond of 500 Crowns off of my little Finger, which I had taken out of the Cabinet I ran away with, and at which the Colonel blink'd several times, there, _said I_, is a Present for you to bind the Bargain. Next Day I bespoke a Sute of Clothes lac'd to the Value of a hundred Pistoles, sold my Horse, got a _Valet de Chambre_, and having furnish'd my self with all Necessaries we took the Stage-Coach for _Paris_.

We had not been there long, but my Patron procur'd me a Commission, and press'd me earnestly to lose no time in railing my Company. M. _de St. John_, who was my Lieutenant, advis'd me to go with him toward _Joinville_ in _Champaigne_, where he had great Acquaintance, and we might be sure of finding Men and Horses at a reasonable Rate. We had been there actually scarce six Weeks when our Levies were almost full. But besides the excessive Charge I was at in every respect, it was my Misfortune to be known by that Rascal, my Footman, of _Avignon_, whom I had not paid as I ought for his Trouble, and who being of this Country happen'd to see me. The Knave, as well from a Principle of Revenge, as in Hopes of a handsom Reward from my Wife, immediately sent Advice of it to _Mascado_. This cunning Jew was so expeditious, and made such a powerful interest, that I was not only apprehended and clapp'd in Prison soon after, but being accused and convicted of the most consummate Roguery, I was stripp'd of all I had, and condemned for my Life to the Galleys.

Here, Gentlemen, continu'd _Peter Heudde_, was the Period of my infamous course of Life, by which you perceive that I have been a long time in Slavery. The Pleasures I have tasted are not equal to the Pains which I have endur'd on their Account. But the Governor of all Things wou'd have it so; and I bear his Chastis.e.m.e.nts with Patience, 'till he is so gracious as to put an End to them. We lamented his unhappy Fate, and Mr. _Elliot_ giving him a Crown, a.s.sur'd him that he wou'd endeavour to do him Service. We wou'd fain have known where this unfortunate Person was born and his Extraction, but he wou'd not tell us, so that we retir'd in Admiration of the wife Dealings of the Almighty with his Creatures both good and bad.

I car'd so little for _Algier_ while I stay'd there, and had so little Curiosity to traverse the Town, that I was surpriz'd when I was out at Sea to discover Beauties there which I cou'd not have thought of. This charming City is situate in form of an Amphitheatre upon the Declivity of a high Mountain, so that you may see it all at one View, tho' 'tis large and contains above 100000 Inhabitants. But there was no returning to view it, nor indeed did I much care for it. The Weather was agreeable, and we had so happy a Voyage that I did not see the least Inconveniency.

At length I arriv'd at _London_, that famous magnificent City (whose l.u.s.tre eclipses every thing that I had seen) the fourth of _May_ 1694, in my seventy third Year, but strong and vigorous for one of my Age.

The first thing I thought of was a new Sute of Clothes, because I was not willing to let my Friends see me in the Garb I had on then. My Landlord talk'd _French_ and I desir'd him to send for a Tailor who likewise understood that Language. The Tailor came and carry'd me to a Refugee Merchant's Shop, where, while we were viewing the Stuffs, there came in a Man, who, as soon as he had seen me, and heard that I had been a Slave in _Barbary_, was taken with a Bleeding at the Nose, which could not be staunch'd 'till he had lost above twenty Ounces of Blood. Every one try'd the Remedies he knew, but when I saw that all was to no purpose, and that they actually talk'd of sending for a Surgeon to open a Vein, I took his little Finger on that Side as the Nostril was that bleeded, and ty'd it very hard with a Needle-full of Thread between the Nail and the first Joint. This Remedy which never fail'd, tho' few Persons know how to use it, had its Effect, and was admir'd by the Company. The Merchant who knew the Man, call'd for a Gla.s.s of Brandy, and taking it out of his Maid's Hands, said, Here, Mr. _Ma.s.sey_, 'tis necessary that you take some of these Spirits towards supplying what you have now lost.

Tho' he was young when I went from Home, yet I presently knew him by some Features that I remember'd, besides his being very much pitted with the Small-Pox. Is your Name _Ma.s.sey_? said I, Yes, said he, at your Service. Did you know, reply'd I, Mr. _Elliot_ Consul at _Algier_? Intimately, said he. Very well, I reply'd, there's a Letter which he order'd me to give you. He took it, open'd and read it, and when he came to the Place where my Name was mention'd, he threw it down in a Hurry on the Counter against which he lean'd, and fell about my Neck without speaking one Word.

As much as I labour'd at it, I was not able to p.r.o.nounce a Word for a long time; we held each other about the Neck like two Statues, and I believe we should have died with Joy in one another's Arms if Care had not been taken to separate us. You are just come from Slavery, dear Brother, said he, with Tears in his Eyes, and no doubt you want the good Things of this World. But Heaven has bless'd me for us both, come home with me for the remainder of your Life to enjoy my Plenty, and your own Liberty.

'Tis but reasonable that you should govern in your Turn. I, my Wife and Children will now be your Slaves. I would have you be Master at my House, and I will be the first to obey. I was going to thank him for his Civilities, and to give him to understand that a Man of my Age would not be very agreeable so young People, that it would be better I should be put to board with some Stranger, who for my Money would be oblig'd to put up with my Infirmities. But he immediately interrupted me, and having order'd the Tailor to finish my Clothes with all Speed, he carry'd me to his House.

Yet, whatever I have said of my Brother is nothing in short to what his Family did. I thought my Sister his Wife, and my Nephews and Nieces his Children would have eaten me up alive for Joy. I had a very fine Apartment for my Lodging, and a domestic Servant always to attend me.

_Le Grand_ one of my Fellow Travellers having heard of my Arrival, did me the Favour to come and see me. He told me how, after having left _Goa_, he went to the Isle of _Java_, where he had the Happiness to be introduc'd into the Family of M. _de St.

Martin_, and by him to M. _Van Reden_, Governor of Batavia, that by M. _Martin_'s Means he had, an Opportunity to improve in the Mathematical Lectures I had given him, by acting in the Post of Engineer, which had enabled him to live genteelly the rest of his Days. He told me also that _La Foret_ died in those Parts in very good Circ.u.mstances, but he knew not what was become of the others.

To do Justice to this Gentleman, I frankly own, that the frequent Conversation I enjoy'd with him contributed not a little towards refres.h.i.+ng my Memory with a great many Circ.u.mstances which I had almost utterly forgot, and that tho' this Narrative wants very much of being so perfect as it would have been, if I had preserv'd my Journals, or had the Conveniency every where of putting down what occurr'd, yet without him it would not have been near so compleat as it is.

If I have omitted some Things, I have on the other hand advanc'd nothing but what I was either a Witness of, or came to me from the first hand. And I would have publish'd this Account of my Travels some Years ago, had not substantial Reasons prevented me, and especially these two. 1. My Brother being concern'd in the great Farms of _France_, had such ill Success in them that he was forc'd to leave all, and come and settle in _England_, where he lives as private as possible, for fear the Court should hear of him, and give him Trouble. The other Reason is of no less Weight, and affects myself in particular. I was afraid lest my Book would excite the Ambition of some insatiable Monarch to conquer the Kingdom I describe and that he would compel me to serve as a Guide to those who should be employed in so difficult an Expedition. But alas! I am weary of travelling, and too old to bear the Fatigues which I have endur'd heretofore. My Nephews are intrusted with the Care of this Ma.n.u.script, after my Brother and I are dead, so that when it comes out in print the World may be a.s.sur'd that we are not in Being.