, another learned protestant, of the same family as the preceding, but
, another learned protestant, of the
same family as the preceding, but of opposite character,
may be introduced here as the precursor of the celebrated
Martin Madan, in supporting the doctrine of polygamy.
Lyserus is said to have been so infatuated with the ambition of founding a sect of polygamists, that he sacrificed
his life and fortune to prove that polygamy is not only
permitted, but even commanded in certain cases; and travelled about Europe, endeavouring to find some countries
that would adopt his opinion. At length, after many fruitless journeys, Lyserus took the singular resolution of visiting France, with a view to repair his fortune by chess, a
game he was perfectly master of, and accordingly settled
at Versailles. Here, however, he likewise failed, and
having, when sick, set out to walk from Versailles to Paris,
he encreased his disorder so much, that he died at a house
on the road, in 1684. He left numerous pieces, under
fictitious names, in favour of polygamy, the most considerable of which is entitled “Polygamia triumphatrix,
” Polygamia triumphata,
” Monogamia victrix,
”