Note d — BOOK V.

To the Stature of Men in the foregoing Note, we may add some Remarks about their unusual Strength. That of Sampson (who is not said to have exceeded other Men in Stature as he did in Strength) is well known. So of old, Hector, Diomedes, Hercules, and Ajax are famed; and since them many others; for which I shall seek no farther than the before commended Hakewill, who by his great and curious Learning, hath often most of the Examples that are to be met with on all his Subjects he undertakes. Of the After-Ages he names C. Marius, Maximinus, Aurelian, Scanderberge, Bardesin, Tamerlane, Siska, and Hunniades. Anno 1529, Klunher, Provost of the great Church at Misnia, carry’d a Pipe of Wine out of the Cellar, and laid it in the Cart. Mayolus saw one hold a Marble Pillar in his Hand 3 Foot long, and 1 Foot diameter, which he toss’d up in the Air, and catched again, as if it were a Ball. Another of Mantua, and a little Man, named Rodamas, could break a Cable, &c. Ernando Burg, fetched up Stairs an Ass laden with Wood, and threw both into the Fire. At Constantinople, Anno 1582, one lifted a Piece of Wood, that twelve Men could scarce raise: then lying along, he bare a Stone that ten Men could but just roll to him. G. of Fronsberge, Baron Mindlehaim, could raise a Man off his Seat, with only his middle Finger; stop an Horse in his full Career; and shove a Cannon out of its Place. Cardan saw a Man dance with two Men in his Arms, two on his Shoulders, and one on his Neck. Patacoua, Captain of the Cossacks, could tear an Horse-Shoe (and if I mistake not, the same is reported of the present King Augustus of Poland.) A Gigantick Woman of the Netherlands could lift a Barrel of Hamburgh Beer. Mr. Carew had a Tenant that could carry a But’s Length, 6 Bushel of Wheaten Meal (of 15 Gallon Measure) with the Lubber, the Miller of 24 Years of Age, on the top of it. And J. Roman of the same County, could carry the Carcass of an Ox. Vid. Hakewill, ib. p. 238.

Viros aliquot moderna memoria tam à mineralibus, quàm aliis Seuthia & Gothia provinciis adducere congruis, tantâ fortitudine præditos, ut quisque eorum in humeros sublevatum Equum, vel Bovem maximum, imò vas ferri 600, 800, aut 1000 librarum (quale & alique Puellæ levare possunt) ad plura stadia portaret. Ol. Mag. ubi supr.