e, which is the reciprocal of the square root of e to the pith power.

1609 (revised 1625), Francis Bacon, De Sapientia Veterum ('Wisdom of the Ancients')

Now thou hast unwished five thousand men.

He might, said Bacon, though I have small fear of his doubting the supernature of the android. He is much given to superstition, and his strange dream will confirm that bent of mind.