The Virginia Gazette

Mr. Parks,

READING in your Paper, the Extract of a Letter from Verona, which contains an Account of a Woman's being burnt to Ashes after a very extraordinary Manner, at first I was somewhat doubtful of its Veracity, but after mature Deliberation, I am now thoroughly convinced. I heartily wish this grand Discovery had been first found out by an English Man, for an Honour to our Country, and must needs wonder that our famous Mr. Boyle, who was so great a Chimist, and who so well understood the Animal OEconomy, has never asserted the Possibility of such a Thing. Also, that the learned and indefatigable Boerhaave, who has display'd such a profound Knowledge in Chimistry, and Nature, Should likewise be deficient in this Point. Notwithstanding all this, since so great a Secret is laid open ( as the Possibility of a Human Body's Catching Fire by the Attrition of it's Parts, ) I say, tho' it be discovered by Foreigners, I cannot but rejoice at it, and must congratulate all Mankind thereupon, not doubting but it will be productive of much Good ; for from hence we must needs understand better the Materials whereof we are constituted ; and this will open a Field for many more Discoveries. Doubtless Signor Mulfey, and Father Bellavago, have been more industrious, in making Experiments by the Liquefaction of Blood, and discerning the Spirits in a Human Body, than either of the above Gentlemen. And is there not too much Reason to believe, that we shall henceforth have few or no Discoveries of this Kind from England, or Holland, but that such great Miracles will be found only by the learned Fathers of the Catholick Church.

Since I first read this Story, I by Chance fell into Company with some Physicians, who are not for believing it to be real, but I would have them know such eminent Persons are Infallible; besides, the Reasons to support them are cogent, and all drawn from very obvious Experiments. Can they not conceive how the Blood, and Juices, may be so far impregnated with camphorated Spirits, as to be equal to Spirit of Wine rectify'd, and that it's natural Heat must render it still more inflamable ! That the Grand Muscle, the Heart, in it's violent Systoles and Diastole, may at one Stroke, like Flint and Steel upon Tinder, at once cause a general Conflagration ! Do they not know, that the Blood consists of oleous and saline Particles; the latter is evinced by a small Inspection into Chamber-pots. Do they not comprehend, that Sulphur is part of the Element we breathe in, and that every the minutest Globule of Blood, contains part of this Air, without which it could not circulate! And can they suppose that a vehement Attrition in cold Bodies, (viz. Two Sticks rubb'd together) to be productive of a material Fire, and that a human Body thus sulphured and camphorated, should not be inflamable! This is to me surprizing! Methinks, since these Two Holy Men have thus enlightned me, I could corroborate this Argument Ten Times as much, did I not think enough said already, to convince any Person of common Sense.

I believe these venerable Sages had found out this Discovery long ago, tho' they did not think proper before now to communicate it ; what induces me to believe so, is their sagacious Foreight, and Care, for the Good of their Common People at Home : For, as their Country may be justly stiled the Garden of the World, their Wines and Oils, flow abundantly ; so they have wisely prevented the People from any Excess therein, which would certainly have rendered their Bodies very susceptible of a Conflagration: And they themselves take Care, plentifully to imbibe these oleous and tartarous saline Particles, which they only at convenient Times can with Pleasure extinguish or evacuate.

I must now communicate to you a Thought upon the Usefulness this Discovery will be of to His Majesty's Plantations in America; and first I recommend it as a Matter very serious to all Rum-Drinkers, and Spirit-Drinkers of what Kind soever, that they take particular Care, not to put their Bodies into any great Emotion, by any Sort of Exercise, no nor yet to think very intently upon any Subject whatever. Lest by the above Attrition, ( which will certainly follow, ) they be at once entirely consumed. But I am just now informed, that by an Instinct in Nature, those who incur the Guilt of the former, never come within the Verge of either of the latter.

I am Yours, &c.

CROCUS.