Gems

"This Curious German having well improved himself by his Travels, and pursuant to the Advice of Montaigne, rubbed his Brains against those of other People, was upon his Return to England entertained as a Person of great Merit, and so made Secretary to the Royal Society."

-Samuel Sorbière, A Voyage to England

"[Digby] was also well known for a little treatise on the 'powder of sympathy' which, so it was alleged, would cure wounds when it was rubbed on the weapon which had caused the wound."

-MBH, Henry Oldenburg