Underground Rivers - University of New Mexico

Chapter 12 -- Superterranean Metrics
Among the first of his nation to embrace Protestantism, had
it not been for his patron the High Constable of Saintes,
Palissy would have been executed.
But Palissy was more than a successful potter and free
thinker. He was a natural philosopher, his theories generally
based upon personal observation. Because Palissy was
familiar with Vitruvius (Chapter 3), it's likely that the
Frenchman lifted ideas from the Roman, but even so,
Palissy’s substantiation was by contemporary observation
carried out with contemporary logic,
In his Discours Admirables de la Nature des Eaux Etfonteines (1580, but not translated to English
until 1876) Palissy makes use of two voices: Theory, the one who imagines, and Practice, the
writer’s alter ego, the one who looks.
Theory challenges:
Looking back upon the whole body of doctrine taught by the old Potter in the last years of his
life, where have you found all this written? Or tell me in what school you have been?
And Practice responds:
I have no other book than the heavens and the earth, which are known of all men, and given to
all men to be known and read. Having read in the same I have reflected on terrestrial matters.
Practice unsuccessfully seeks water from a village spring:
When for a long time I had closely considered the cause of the source of natural fountains and
the places where they might proceed, at length I became plainly assured that they could
proceed from or be engendered by nothing but the rains.
Theory finds fault:
After having heard your opinion, I am compelled to say that you are a great fool. Do you think
me so ignorant that I should put more faith in what you say than in so large a number of
philosophers who tell us that all waters com from the sea and return thither? There are none
even to the old men who do not hold this language, and from time on we have all believed it. It
is a great presumption in you to wish to make us believe a doctrine altogether new, as if you
were the cleverest philosopher.
Practice:
If I were not well assured in my opinion, you would put me to great shame, but I am not alarmed
at your abuse or your fine language, for I am quite certain that I shall win against you and
against all those who are of your opinion, though they may be Aristotle and the best
philosophers that ever lived, for I am quite assured that my opinion is trustworthy.
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