evil.
10. Bull, or Calf, on Loadstone : the wearer thereof can safely go into
all places without molestation, and is protected against all spells and
witchcraft. 11. Horse, or Wolf, on Jasper, keeps oif fevers, and
stanches the flowing of blood. 12. Man raised on high, or crowned, on
Topaz, renders the wearer good, and beloved in the sight of all men.
13. Armed man holding a sword, on Sard or Amethyst, makes the wearer
get a good and perfect memory, and to acquire wisdom: 14. Stag, or
Goat, on Calcedony, augments riches, if the gem be kept in thy
money-box."
The
Esculapius of Pesaro thus offers his treasury of such invaluable
recipes to his redoubtable patron, who, by the bye, does not seem to
have been as black as he is painted by Protestant and Catholic alike,
chiefly, it may be suspected, on the score of his parentage. Had not
his father been a Pope and a politician, Cesare would probably have
passed for " virtuous as a gentleman ought to be, virtuous enough " for
an Italian prince of those days; and confessedly a more sagacious and a
better ruler for his subjects than most of his contemporaries. Some new
features in his character are disclosed by his physician. " My book I
entitle ' The Mirror of Stones,' wherein their nature, properties,
engravings, and the knowledge of many secrets, may be viewed as it were
in a looking-glass. I, therefore, who am attached, as bound both by
duty and affection, to your Highness, in whom rest all our hopes, who
are both father and prince of your country, to your Name do I dedicate
this work, inasmuch as you are fond of study, and devote
yourself not merely to arms and warfare, but also with equal ardour to
polite learning, so that when you have a moment's leisure you may cast
an eye and a thought upon my pages. In the which should you find ought
that is incorrect, and stands not the test of your sound judg
