ht a
man of spirit, that would not presently imitate the same? And so from
hand to hand it spreades, till it be practised by all, not for any
commoditie that is in it, but only because it is come to be the fashion.
For such is the force of that naturall Selfe-loue in euery one of vs,
and such is the corruption of enuie bred in the brest of euery one, as
we cannot be content vnlesse we imitate euerything that our fellowes
doe, and so prooue our selues capable of euerything whereof they are
capable, like Apes, counterfeiting the maners of others, to our owne
destruction.[E] For let one or two of the greatest Masters of
Mathematickes in any of the two famous Vniuersities, but constantly
affirme any cleare day, that they see some strange apparition in the
skies: they will I warrant you be seconded by the greatest part of the
Students in that profession: So loath will they be, to bee thought
inferiour to their fellowes, either in depth of knowledge or sharpnesse
of sight: And therefore the generall good liking and imbracing of this
foolish custome, doeth but onely proceede from that affectation of
noueltie, and popular errour, whereof I haue already spoken.[F]

The other argument drawen from a mistaken experience, is but the more
particular probation of this generall, because it is alleaged to be
found true by proofe, that by the taking of _Tobacco_ diuers and very
many doe finde themselves cured of diuers diseases as on the other part,
no man euer receiued harme thereby. In this argument there is first a
great mistaking and next a monstrous absurditie. For is it not a very
great mistaking, to take _Non causam pro causa_, as they say in the
Logicks? because peraduenture when a sicke man hath had his disease at
the height, hee hath at that instant taken _Tobacco_, and afterward his
disease taking the naturall course of declining, and consequently the
patient of recouering his health, O then the _Tobacco_ forsooth, was the
worker of that miracle. Beside that, it is a thing well knowen to all
Physicians, that the apprehension and conceit of the patient hath by
wakening and vniting the vitall spirits, and so strengthening nature, a
great power and vertue, to cure diuers diseases. For an euident proofe
of mistaking in the like case, I pray you what foolish boy, what sillie
wench, what olde doting wife, or ignorant countrey clowne, is not a
Physician for the toothach, for the cholicke, and diuers such common
diseases? Yea, will no