The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-05-21
Sir TAsma. Browne.s Prophecy.

Sir Thomas Browne died one hundred and
ninety-nine years ago. Among the papers un-
published till after his death was the Prophecy
Concerning Several Nations Although writ
ten for the diversion Of a friend and In no
sense pretending to the spirit of divination, 1t
evidently set forth the writer's views as to tho
probable course OF future events; and 1t IL in
teresting as the shrswd guess of the most
learned and ingenious mind OF that day. Here
is the Prophecy:
When New ENGLAND shan trouble New SPAIN;
When Iamaes sisll he lady q ne isles and tho main
xP%s s ss. sssI rs sccs. %saria;;
SS! ~: iS Ss se :ss
..nd Ssn.
sqs sTRoS :. M hSe .Ss me- a ,Pess.re
uni item s@ S or. n tsSw. in trade.
IN deep ' %str Sa s 80 SfR.s ID land
Unto those who pass to or from Cithay.
When Sin su ,ts.mrs ,npSs or; sos 70 light
How many Of these strange things have really
happened. and how many OF Sir Thomas
Brownies guesses were wild ? The general idea
pervading number Of the lines is the great fu-
ture Importance Of America. In an exposition
OF the verses Sir Thomas Browne explained
what he meant by New England troubling New
Spain. He thought II probable that In process
OF time the Puritan colony would be so far ad-
vanced rs to be able to send forth ships and
feets:' and he added. they are not like to be
unproyided. a. abounding in the materials for
shipping. oak and fir" He foresaw that the
New England element would extend over the
continent. acquiring territory at the expense Of
Spanish settlements. And when length OF
time" he wrote. shall so far increase that in
dustrious people that the ncighborinS country
will not contain them. they will range still
further. and be able In time. to set forth great
armies seek for new possessions, or make con.
siderable and conIoined migrations; wherein 1t
is not likely that they will move northward. but
toward the southern and richer countries, which
arc either in the dominions or frontiers of the
Spaniards." 1t is unnecessary 10 illustrate the
exact and literal fulhlment of these predictions.
Sir Thomas Browne thought that Jamaica
would become the seut OF great empire both
Of the isles and the continent" His prophecy
wac written probably about twenty years after
the rccapture Of the island by Admiral Penn
British enthusiasm was still rife over the event
Tho expectations in regard to Jamaica have
not been justified.
The ncNt couplet foreshadows the declining
power Of Spain al home. and the predominant
ing Influence OF the Spanish genius in South
and Central Amorica. Tho wealth and splcndor
Of Mexico have not yet come w 70 Sir Thomas's
predictions; nor are they likely to do so. oven
with the friendly services of jay Gould and our
esteemed contemporary, the World.
About the Turks, Sir Thomas was all wrong
During his lifetime Europe was exercised over
the Eastern question. The question was not
now To Keep the Turk on his legs, but how 10
prevent him from overrunnins Chrstendom.
nnlATl kt.N.,
foretold With distnctness that leaves nothing
to be desired. 1t must, DC said. however that.
although right MS to the event. Sir Thomas
Browne was altogether mistaken about the
agency that was to bring abou, the einancipa-
tion OF the African. He thought that Africa
would become so rich and civilized AS 10 need
all Its available labor at home. That moral
causes could operate to put an end 10 human
slavery never entered his hoad.
. IN sir Thomas Brownies time England and
Holland were rivals not only Tor tho mastery Of
the sea, but In colOhizlng the newly discovered
parts OF the world. The Dutch colonies never
ACQUIRED the Importance which there was then
The Man!ehu Tartars, who subducd China
during Sir Thomaas lifetime, still rule the land.
America has ceased to send forth its treasure
to maintain the state of European monarchS
and, 70. pay Tor their wars When we export
T Rep IS! SF wdrd s% SSs If" 1
American army, - When America eRplqined
the prophet, shall be 40 we'll poOpled civilized,
and divided into Kingdoms, they are like to
have 80 little regard Of thor originals as to ac-
knowledge no subsection unto thom and may
hostley and practically assault them This
was written u century before the Declaration Of
Independence and the, separation Of tho British
colonies from the mother country,
The last two prophecies refer to matters Of
minor importancc, but both OF them have been
strictly fulfilled. Mon now nabs 10 Venice by
land and " tho often sought for Northeast pass.
age unto China and Japan" has been made BY
discovery would I've made by an Englishman, a
Dutchman, or Dane
Taken all in all. Sir Thomas Brownies Proph-
ecy is u remarkable document And IL is a gem
nine forecast not q fraudulent prophecy like
the so-caiied Mother Bhipton's, composed after
the events which 1t pretsnds 10 forotsiL