a plain declaration of the vulgar new heavens flatform serving not onely fore this age, but also fore the future age of 100 years. halley, edmond, 1656-1742. 1679 approx. 18 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 3 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2009-03 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a45349 wing h452 estc r39228 18283100 ocm 18283100 107300 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a45349) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 107300) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1635:8) a plain declaration of the vulgar new heavens flatform serving not onely fore this age, but also fore the future age of 100 years. halley, edmond, 1656-1742. 4 p. s.n., [london? : 1679] attributed by wing to halley. date of publication suggested by wing. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets 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creation partnership web site . eng astronomy -observations -early works to 1800. sun -observations -early works to 1800. dialing -early works to 1800. 2008-04 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2008-06 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2008-07 paul schaffner sampled and proofread 2008-07 paul schaffner text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-09 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a plain declaration of the vulgar new heavens flatform . serving not onely fore this age , but also fore the future age of 100 years . here you are at first to knowe , that the motion of the sun and the time do alwayes concur , and therefore is the one the measure of the other . fore by the time is to be knowne the place of the sun , and again by the suns place you may knowe the time : therefore you must either knowe the time or the place of the sun , both of them you may easily find in the heavens-flatform , do but lay the dial a or b on the desired day of the yeare and see then what degree the dial doth touch upon the sodiack , and you wil find the thing desired . i. exemple . how to knowe at anny time of the yeare in what degree of the sodiack the sun is . ●y exemple on the first day of may , lay the dial a upon the suid day , and see what degree the dial doth cut upon the sodiack , you wil finde it to be the 12th of taurus being the place of the sun. ii. exemple . how at anny time to knowe the rising and going under of the sun. suppose it be the 24th . of may , then you must lay the dial on the said day , and see where it cuts the sodiac , there you must make upon the dial a signe of chalck or anny thing else that may easily be rubbed out , which signe demonstrates the sun , turn then the dial first so long to the east-side of heaven , til the said signe comes to touch the crombe horizon , see then without upon what houre and minute the dial doth lye on the houre cirkle , you wil find the suns rising at 4 a clock in the morning , and if you turn the said point to the west-side of heaven upon the horizon , then you wil see the dial to lye upon 8 a clock in the evening , being the going under of the sun , then you wil also see that the sun riseth then 36 degr . 30 minut . from the east to the northward , and by consequence so manny degrees and min. lesse from the west to the northward . iii. exemple . hou you may see in the night by the starrs what time it is , suppose you doe but see anny acquainted starre to rise or stand in the s. n. e. or westward , let it be the three kings arising the first day of october , in the night , and that by it you would knove how late it is ; then you must lay the dial a on the said day , and the dial b over the 3 kings , and give then a signe upon the dial b over the 3 kings , then you must firmly turn both dials alike to the eastward , til the said signe upon the dial b doth cut or touch the horizon , and see then upon what houre and minute the dial a lieth , you 'l find it to be 11 a clock in the evening , beingh the right time of the night . i. probleme . how you may upon every poles higth find the riseing and going under of the heavens lights after you have taken the poles higth , and the declination or anny aquainted starres . you must place one foot of the compassis in the centrum of the heavens-mirrour , upon the dial a , and the other downewards , as far as the degree of the declination of the sun or starres ; with this opening of the compassis you must place the one foot upon the edge-side of the dial a upon the complement of the poles higth which you have taken ; and slide the dial a towards 6 a clock , ( or to the dial b which may be laid along by 6 a clock ( or the edge-side of the dial b. ) see then how in anny degrees the dial a lieth upon the houre-circkle from 6 a clock , which wil be the true breadth of the rising and going under of the sun or starres . i. exemple . desiring to knowe on the 21th . of june , where the sun riseth and goeth under , being beginning of cancer , on the poles heigth of 52 degrees . then you must place one foot of the compassis in the centrum of the dial a , and the other downewards as far as on 23 degr . 30 min. being then the declination of the sun ; with this opening of the compassis you must place one foot on the edge-side of the dial a upon the complement of the poles heigth , being 38 degr . then you must turn the dial a towards 6 a clock , til the other foot of the compassis comes triangularly to touch the lin . of 6 a clock . see then how manny degrees the dial a lieth off from 6 a clock . you 'l find it to be very neare 40 degr . 20 min. and so far doth the sun then rise from the e. to the n. upon each northern breadth of 52 degr . and goeth likewise 40 degr . 20 min. under from the w. to the northward . and if the sun be in the first degr . of capricornus , then it is just the same . ii. exemple . desiring to know on the northern breadth of 50 degr . how manny degrees the southern ey of the bul called ●●debaran riseth from the e. to the n. fore the doing of it , you must place one foot of the compassis in the centrum , 〈◊〉 the dial a , and the other as far as the declination of aldebaran being 16 degrees , with this opening of the compassis you must place one foot upon the complement of the poles heigth of 40 degrees , on the dial a , then you mus● turn the said dial til the other foot of the compassis comes triangularly to touch te line of 6 a clock . see then how manny degrees the dial a lieth off from 6 a clock , you 'l find verry neare 25 deg . 20. min. and so manny d●g . doth aldebaran then rise from the e. to the n. it doth also go under 25 deg . 20 min. lesse from the w. to the n. iii. exemple . desiring to knowe on the southern breadth of 20 degr . how many degrees the spica virginis riseth from the e. 〈◊〉 the s. and that , because the declination of spica virginis is sourhly . you must place one foot of the compassis in the center of the dial a , and the other downewards as far as on 9 degr . being the declination of spica virginis , with this opening you must place one foot of the dial a upon the complement of the poles higth of 70 degrees , then you must turn the dial a from the e. to the s. till the other foot of the compassis comes triangularly to touch the east line or the line of 6 a clock . see then how manny degr . the dial a lieth off from 6 a clock , you find verry neare 10 degr . and so far doth s. virginis from the e. to the s. and goeth like wise so far unter from the w. to the s. ii. probleme . how to find the rising and going under of the sun , or of anny acquainted starrs , and that upon every poles higth . place one foot of the compassis in the center of the dial b , and the other downeward , along by the edge-side as far as on the degree of the declination of the sun or starrs , with this opening of the compassis you must place one foot on the edge-side of the dial b upon the complement of the poles heigth , add slide the dial b from the e. to the n. or s. til the other foot comes triangularly to touch the line of 6 a clock . then you must see o● what houre and min. the dial b lieth , which is the true time of the suns rising , which you may also being to the going under . i. exemple . desiring to knowe the rising of the sun , on the n. breadth of 25 degr . being the 21th . of june , when the suns declination is northly 23 degr . 32 min. you must place one foot of the compassis in the centrum of the dial b , and open the other foot douwnewards as far as on 23 degr . 32 min. with this opening of the compassis you must place one foot on the edge-side of the dial b upon the complement of the poles hitgh of 38 degrees , sliding the dial b from the e. to the n. til the other foot of the compassis comes triangulary to touch the line of 6 a clock . see then upon what houre and min. the dial b lieth on the houre circkle , you 'l find it to be in the morning at 5 a clock 15 min. being the right ti●● of the suns rising , the same is in the evening at 8 a clock 15 min. the suns going under . ii. exemple . desiring to knowe on the southern breadth of 40 degr . being on the 21 of june , at what time the sun doth there rise . then you must place one foot of the compassis in the centrum of the dial b , and the other foot downewards , as far as on 23 deg . 30 min. being at the said time the declination of the sun , with this opening you must place one foot of the compassis on the dial b upon the complement of the poles higth of 50 degr . and turn the dial b from the e. to the n. til the other foot of the compassis comes triangularly to touch the east line of 6 a clock , see then upon what houre and min. the dial b lieth , you 'l find neare enough in the morning 17 houres 30 min. being there the rising of the sun , the same is its going under in the evening at 4 a clock 35 min. nota. you must knowe that if you wil , use the heavens flatform over the south-side of the equinoctial line , then you must take the house contrary to that as they are signed upon the heavens mirrour , fore that which is over the north-line 4 a clock in the morning , the same is southly from the line 8 a clock in the morning , and so is the rest accordingly . iii. exemple . desiring to knowe on the northern breadth of 40 degrees , being the first of august , what time the great dog syrius shal rise . lay the dial b over syrius and the dial a upon the first of august , then you must place one foot of the compassis upon the center of the dial b , and open the other as far as on 16 degr . 15 min. being the declination of syrius , with this opening you must place one foot the compassis on the dial b , upon the complement of the poles higth of degrees . then you must firmly turn both dials alike from the e. to the s. , till the other foot of the compassis comes triangularly to touch the east line of 6 a clock . see then upon what houre and minutes the dial lieth , you 'l find neare enough 4 a clock 42 minutes . fore to find its going under , you must firmly turn both dials alike from the west to the southward til the other foot of the compassis comes triangularly to touch the west line of 6 a clock , see then upon what houre and min. the dial a lieth , you 'l find 2 a clock 48 minutes . iii probleme . how to find at al set times the declination of the sun upon the heavens mirrorr . which is indeed verry proffitable for al sea men , fore it serves not onely fore this present age , but also fore the future age of 100 years ; when al books that are made fore that purposse shal be of no worth . fore to find the declination of the sun upon the heavens-mirrour , you must knowe that the suns place is there set according to the two jears , before and after the leape-yeare , and that especially upon the future age , which doth almost differ a whole degree in the sodiack with this present age to the yeare 1700 , and in the suns declination in march and september about 24 minutes . so that al tables of the suns declination which are reckened out with such a difficult calculation , shal after the yeare of 1700 be of no use or worth to a●ny seaman ; because the yeare of 1700 must be a common yeare . desiring then to knowe the declination of the ●un upon some certain or set day in this present age , then you must alwayes lay the dial a one daye farther then the set day , and in the second yeare after the leap-yeare you must lay the dial upon the midst of the day , but being the third yeare after the leape-yeare , then you must lay the dial a on the first fourth part , being in the sodiack about 15 min. backward . but being the first yeare after the leap-yeare , then you must lay the dial upon the third fourth part of the day , being verry neare 20 min. farther in the sodiack , then in the third yeare . and when it is a leap-yeare , then you must lay the dial a upon the beginning of the day , til to the 28 of february ; but being after the 28 of february , then you must al the yeare along lay the dial a upon the end of the day . and if you do truely understand and perform this , then you wil at al times knowe the declination of the sun so perfect and exactly , as the navigation requires . this is the head thing i have to say of my heavens-mirrour . i. exemple . desiring to knowe the suns declination on the 30th . day of april 1691 or 95 being the third yeare after the leap-yeare , then you must lay the dial a upon the first of may , to wit upon the fourth part of the parck of that day . see then where the dial dath cut or touch the sodiack , you find it to be verry neare the 10th . degr . 15 min. ( being at the ●ame time the true place of the sun ) that is 40 degr . 15 min. of ♈ . farther you must lay the dial a over the 40 degr . 15 min. off from ♈ . , in the degrees of the equinoctial or houre cirkle , then you must place one foot of the compassis on the dial a upon the greatest declination of the sun , being 23 degrees 32 min. then you must open the other foot of the compassis towards the line of 6 a clock , to come triangularly with this opening of the compassis . then you must place one foot of it in the center of the dial a , and turn the other downewards , and see where it falls , you find it to be verry neare 14 degrees 55 minutes , being at the said time the suns declination . ii. exemple . desiring to knowe the suns declination on the 30th . of april 1688 or 92. being the first yeare after the leap-yeare . then you must lay the dial a on the first of may , upon the utmost of the days parck , see then where the dial a doth cut the sodiack , you find it to be verry neare the eleventh degree of taurus , being the true place of the set time , that is 41 degrees of ♈ . then you must further lay the dial a on 41 degrees of ♈ . as before , and place one foot of the compassis on the dial a upon the greatest declination of the sun , being 23 degr . 32 min. then you must open the other foot of the compassis , til it comes rect-angularly to touch the line of 6 a clock , with this opening of the compassis , you must place one foot of it in the center of the dial a , and the other you must turn downewards , seeing upon what degree and minute it falls , you 'l find it to be verry neare 15 degr . and 10 min. being at the set time the true declination of the sun , differing litle or nothing with the wise and artificial calculation , do so at al other times , til to the yeare of 1700 , but after that time you must lay the dial upon the set day , considering that this use is principally ( as i told you ) practised and formed upon the future age , where upon we shal also give some exemples , which also wil serve fore the better understanding of the former . iii. exemple . desiring to knowe the suns declination on the 30th day of april 1706. being the second yeare after the leape-yeare . then you must at the same time lay the dial upon the midle of the parck of the said day , and see where the dial a doth toutch the sodiack , you 'l find it to be verry neare the 9th degree and 30th minute of taurus , being at the said time the true-place of the sun , differing almost a whole degree with the yeare of 1686 , fore the sun is 39 degr . 30 minut . of ♈ then you must further place the dial a on 39 degrees 30 minutes of ♈ . upon the dial , in the same manner as i told you before , and then you must place one foot of the compassis on the dial a upon the greatest declination of the sun , being 23 degrees 32 min. , then you must open the other foot of the compassis , till it comes triangularly to toutch the line of 6 a clock : with this opening you must place one foot of compassis in the centrum of the dial a , and the other downewards , see then on what degre and minute the foot stands , you 'l find it to be verry neare 14 degrees 42 minutes , which is on the said 30 day of april about noon , the declination of the sun , differing also in the suns declination with the yeare of 1686 almost 18 min. so that by this exemple you may see that al boocks and tables ●●●●●ning this matter which are formerly made , wil altogether be in vain , and of no vallue , as soon as ever the yeare of 1700 begins . iv. exemple . desiring to knowe the suns declination in the yeare of 1710. whe the sun is in the 18th . degr . of ♌ . then you must lay the dial a upon the 18 degr . you 'l also see that the dial doth then lie on the eleventh day of august , about on the third fourth part of the parck of that day , being in the evening about 6 a clock . then you must further lay the dial a upon the 42th . degree , from ♎ . to cancer upon the houre circkle , being on the 18th . degree of ♌ , then you must place one foot of the compassis on the dial a upon 23 degr . 32 min. as before , en then you must open the other foot , rectangularly unto the line of 6 a clock , with this opening you must place one foot of the compassis in the centrum of the dial a , and then you must turn the other foot downewards , and see on what degree and minute it falls , you 'l find it to be verry neare 15 degr . 30 min. being at the said time the declination of the sun. finis . the first lecture of an introduction to cosmographie: being a description of all the vvorld. read publiquely at sr. balthazar gerbiers academy. imprimatur, hen: scobell, cleric: parliamenti. gerbier, balthazar, sir, 1592?-1667. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a85919 of text r206228 in the english short title catalog (thomason e584_6). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. 29 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 11 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo 2017 a85919 wing g558 thomason e584_6 estc r206228 99865402 99865402 117642 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a85919) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 117642) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; 89:e584[6]) the first lecture of an introduction to cosmographie: being a description of all the vvorld. read publiquely at sr. balthazar gerbiers academy. imprimatur, hen: scobell, cleric: parliamenti. gerbier, balthazar, sir, 1592?-1667. england and wales. parliament. [4], 16, [2] p. for robert ibbitson dwelling in smithfield neer hosier lane, printed at london : 1649. the last leaf is blank. annotation on thomason copy: "decemb: 1st". reproduction of the original in the british library. eng astronomy -early works to 1800. cosmography -early works to 1800. a85919 r206228 (thomason e584_6). civilwar no the first lecture of an introduction to cosmographie:: being a description of all the vvorld. read publiquely at sr. balthazar gerbiers aca gerbier, balthazar, sir 1649 5330 4 0 0 0 0 0 8 b the rate of 8 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the b category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 2007-04 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2007-06 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2007-08 angela berkley sampled and proofread 2007-08 angela berkley text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the first lecture of an introduction to cosmographie : being a description of all the vvorld . read publiquely at sr. balthazar gerbiers academy . psalm . 8. ver. 3. 4. when i consider the heavens , the work of thy fingers , the moon and the starres which thou hast ordained : what is man , that thou art mindfull of him , and the son of man that thou visitest him ? imprimatur , hen : scobell , cleric : parliamenti . printed at london for robert ibbitson dwelling in smithfield neer hosier lane , 1649. to the right honorable william lenthall esq ; speaker of the most honourable assembly of parliament . right honourable , i shall not need ( as i humbly conceive ) to seek farre for a just argument that the dedication of this lecture ( being an introduction to cosmography , read in the academy , which i doe zealously labour to settle , for the glory of god , the honor of this nation , the encouragement and improvement of all lovers of vertue : ) belongs to your eminent place of trust , and from whose determinations , as from the highest influences of so many stars , guide , direct , move , and preserve the whole body of this common wealth . my academy-reader in part to make good my more large intentions , having begun with cosmography ( as the most noble subject to read on ) presents therefore these his first productions to your honourable hands , as an unquestionable duty , and with all submissivenesse , and possible reverence , wishing that the state may please not only to protect these hopefull beginnings , but likewise to cherish and promote them . that all lovers of vertue may receive content and profit thereby , and the nation glory , that such capable spirits need not to runne unto salamanca in spaine , to padua in italy , no● to paris in france , there to seek ( with hazard of their godlinesse , goodnesse and loyalty to their native country ) that which they may have at home , with more ease and safety , and with lesse charge to themselves . and if in this case the lawfull interest of a particular zealous well-wisher to the state may be comprehended , i shall with a joyfull confidence conclude , that i have not been ill-perswaded thereunto , nor can i have a greater hope , or reap a greater contentment , than by putting my hand to so good a work , which giving me an assured confidence that my indeavours may meet with a favourable acceptance from your honour , unto whom i shall remaine as i was long since , your honours most humble and most obedient servant , balthazar gerbier . from the academy this 28 of novemb. 1649. the first introduction to cosmography . cosmography is the description of the celestiall and elementary region . in the celestiall region , we learne to know heaven , its matter , its qualities ; the planets , their motions , and their order , &c. in the elementary region , we see the most admirable construction of the elements , the which by their unequall proportioned assemblings , do compose the severall sorts of kindes , of mixt ones , which wee see here below . all this we shall particularly describe with their qualities , properties , and scituations . and in that region which seemes for a center unto the universall world , we shall see an innumerable number of most remarkable , satisfying and most necessary things to be observed , viz. the proofes of its circular forme : whether the earth or water exceeds the one or the other in quantity : the scourses or heads of springs and floods , the smallnesse of the terrestriall globe , not onely in comparison of the heavens , but also of the sun , and of the stars : and how that the said earth may be measured , both on its superficies , and on its solidity . afterwards we shall describe the circles which are to be imagined in the heavens , that so we may learn the course of the planets , and the various effects which we feele by them . as the causes of their rising and setting , of the summer and winter , of the long and the short dayes , so also we must have regard to the solstices , and equinoxes , from whence the different constitutions of the earth do proceed , and severall other things , the curiosity whereof , as its extreame commendable , so its familiar incidents prove altogether necessary unto those who are desirous to passe for men of knowledge and understanding . and that we may end in our owne sphere , we will finish with a lecture on the meteors , wherein all the impressions that are made as well of fire , as of the aire , and of the water ; both in the high , middle , and low region of the aire , shall be clearly shewed and set forth unto our view . that is to say , whence the fiery impressions proceed , and how those impressions are framed which are seen in the high region of the ayre , viz. like unto fiery darts , launces , flying stars , and commets , and how it happens that the heavens themselves seem to be sometimes al on fire , whence the lightening , thunder and thunderbolts proceeds : whence the wild fire , glow-wormes , and such like , have their being : and so consequently , we will treate of the impressions framed in the aire , as the winds , stormes , and the whirlewindes : those of the waters , as the clouds , raine , snow , and hail , which are framed in the middlemost region . then we will proceed to describe other impressions which are not real ones , as that crown of resplendant rayes , which seems to be about the sun , the rain-bow , and the like ; from thence we shall descend lower , and observe from whence all fogs , dewes , mists , frosts , and ice proceeds . finally , we will end with the three kinds or species contained in the earth , as mineralls , vegetables , and animalls ; observing in the mineralls , their generation in the bowells of the earth , their qualities , and connexions , and how they chance to be seven , correspondent to the seven planets . moreover we will treate of all kind of stones , as also of the sappes conducing in the mines , like unto vitriol , allum , and such like , which depend of these . in the ingendering of the vegetables , we are to consider the nature of plants , their faculties in producing their severall effects , and their multiplying by their seed ; after all , wee will conclude with the animalls , the which besides their vegetating soule and faculty of budding , and shooting forth , have over and above the sensitive part , which gives them both feeling and motion , and these are much esteemed above the plants , all their organs , and naturall parts being much perfecter then those of the others . but of these these are two sorts , the rationall and irrationall , man and beast ; but we shall leave the beasts , for to speake of rationall creatures , it being more proper in this place , let us then say that man , far more worthy then all other things , was created by god , for that by his word all things were made , fiat lux , genesis the second , and the light straight appeared : but when god came to make man , he formed him , formavit dominus deus hominem de lima terrae : et inspiravit in faciem ejus spiraculum vitae , & factus est homo in animam viventem , and both animated and endowed him ( besides the precedent said qualities ) with an intellectual soule , of which both the understanding and wil of man depends . now let us consider i beseech you , how the mercy of god hath alwayes augmented some degree of perfection in each body , for to compleate in man a fulnesse of the perfection of all his workes , and how hee hath placed him as a king to command over , and to make use of the aforesaid things , et praesit piscibus maris , & volatilibus coeli , & bestiis universaque terra , omnique reptili quod movetur in terra . all which are only made for mans use and advantage . for god was no lesse before the world then he is now , and hath no need of any of the creatures to bee more glorious , wee ought therefore to have a great and deep sense of acknowledgement . and that our labour be not in vaine , we must consider that great architector in his wisdom , in his power , in his liberality , and in his bounty , we must adore him , honour him , and admire him in all his attributes , and thanke him incessantly , not onely for the present meanes ( the vicissitude of which sufficiently shew their vanity ) but for the hope of eternall blessings , to which hee hath designed us , provided that we prove true by faith , and that we make good by our workes , that we acknowledge him above all things ; but alas ! unhappy men as we are , in what an age doe we live ? wherein the creature is more praised then the creator , the gift is perfected to the giver ; and that which we should but take notice of , as a transitory thing , we do abuse oft ( christian prudence permitting and willing it ) by a most horrid blindnesse , preferring those things unto the author of them , which are but created in order according to nature . therefore the most insensible things , and most inanimate ones , both dictate unto , and convince those with a most horrid shame and confusion , who dare so boldly and impudently abuse that great author , guider and preserver of all things . but he will not be abused doe what thou canst , o inraged atheist , thou perverse wit , of the most perverse times ; for he will make thee confesse thy wilfull malice in the day of vengeance , when thou shalt not be able to pleade ignorance ; since as thy senses condemne thee , so doe likewise the elements , which at all times seek their proper places , the fire being light , ascends ; the aire not so light , remaines in the lower sphere ; the earth , the heaviest of the foure , keepes to its center ; and the water lesse heavy , swims above it . now as those things that are mixt , have one of the elementary qualities in one eminent degree above the other , so they seek their sphere , & do not rest til they have attained unto it : for a ston would descend even to the center of the earth , if there were an overture in it , as being the most properest place of its abode , being its altogether terrestriall . we see that wood swims above the water , and the reason is , that there is more aire and fire in its composition , then either in the water or in the stone . and let man do what he will , it shall ever be so , because that god hath created them , and bestowed on them those properties , of lightnesse and heavinesse , which causeth those motions , making the light things to ascend , and the heavy ones to descend , and since gods will is inviolable , all things must obey it . now let us come to man , made by god as well as all the other elements , and likewise all other things , and to what end made god man ? only to admire his greatnesse , and to adore him , which certainly is the sole reason why god made man according to his owne resemblance , and indued him with a rationall soule , and a sensible appetite or desire . unto what can man then more fitly apply that sensible appetite or desire , but to follow in all things , the designe and intent of his maker , from the beginning to the very end of his life : and this doubtlesse is the true reason of mans being , and the true vocation man ought to apply himselfe unto : and no more to vary therein , then the stones change their property of descending , nor the fire its course of ascending : god hath created thee oh man to this effect , and intent , but if thou wilt not follow his dictates , to what serveth thy intellectuals , thy knowledge , and thy will , save only to harden thy heart against god , and against his will , far more then all inanimate creatures do , and hereby to hinder the effect of his graces in thee ; wherfore we ought seriously to meditate hereon , and to rest assured , that if so bee wee doe abuse the tallent , which we have received , by rendring more honour unto vice , and unto our stubborne , lawlesse senses , than unto god ; we shall render our selves unworthy to be placed even beneath the insensible things , and that instead of an eternall blisse , for the which we were created , we shall most justly deserve to indure eternall torments , from which god in his mercy preserve us all , and grant unto us that true sense of reason , which may preserve his true image and workemanship in us , and inable us to destroy our owne , voide of sensuality . dele quod fecisti , ut deus salvet , quod secit : saith augustine . now let us enter into some particulars , concerning the treaty of the severall parts of the universe , or world ; particularly described by this science of cosmography , which may stand us in stead for the present , and so enable us for the future , that we may be the better disposed , to contemplate the same from above . what the sphere is . the science or understanding of the sphere , is the knowledge , or the being acquainted with the particulars of this worlds parts , and properties : the world is the assembling , and ordering of all that god hath created , it s the composure of heaven , and of earth , or of the celestiall and elementary region , and therefore it is called the universe : and to the end that we might have a more particular insight in this science , an artificial sphere hath been framed , being of a round forme , composed of sundry circles , by the which , though imaginary ones , the motion of the heavens are described : the reasons of the severall changes in the seasons of the yeare ; that of the difference of dayes and nights , according to the severall places and scituations or the terrestriall globe . finally by the sphere , you may observe the whole course of the world , being it was made according to the worlds resemblance . what the heaven is . as we are not resolved to build castles in the aire , nor to entertaine our auditory with imaginary things , but to give most evident proofes of what we alledge , so it will be necessary to make appeare unto you that there is a heaven , before we come to distinguish its qualities , and herein we shall meet with no great difficulties ; since that nature admitting of no emptines , that space which is between , the firmament , the imperial orbe , and the lowermost of the planets , to wit , the moon , must of necessity be filled with some matter ; and this matter is called heaven , which is both simple , sollide , fixt , shining , transparent , incorruptible , and exempted from any changes . of the qualities of heaven . all naturall things have two principles , first god , secondly nature , unto which hee hath given full power to work by a certaine universall spirit , which he hath inclosed in her . all naturall things are corporall essences , which subsist of themselves , and result from the union of the substance , and of the forme : so that nature then consisting in these two points , substance , and forme , all naturall bodies are ingendred by the substance of it , and the forme makes them to be what they are . but the matter being susceptible , of divers formes , having not so soone quitted one , but that it receives another : and for as much as it cannot receive a second , before it be deprived of the precedent , therefore the philosophers have establisht three principles ; the substance , forme , and privation : now there are two sorts of natural bodies , the one simple , the other mixt : the simple bodies are the heavens , and the elements , because that in their creation they are simple , and never admit of severall formes , on the contrary , the mixt ones , are such as receive their composition from the elementary qualities , and are susceptible of divers formes . the matter of the heaven is therefore simple , as likewise solide and fixt . because that the starres , which though they do turne , and have moved since the beginning of the world , yet they never change nor vary their figures , nor the distances which they observe betwixt each other : now this order could never have been kept , unlesse some solide matter had constrained them thereunto , which cannot be by any other thing , then by the solide and fixt matter of the heaven : likewise it 's the opinion of the most learnedest ancient astronomers , and all those who have written on this subject , besides the most approved authorities , that the stars are of the same matter that heaven is of , save of a more dusky and danky substance , which they have adjudged them to be of , by reason that they stop , and as it were , hinder the light of the sunne ; the which heaven doth not , as we shall shew hereafter : moreover they alledge the stars are just in heaven , as knots are in boards ; others deem the stars and planets to be in a continued aire like as the birds are : but then there ought to be many particular properties for to maintain the stars in so permanent and immutable an order , against the violent swiftnesse of so many contrary motions , which opinion i shall wave , as well as the flight of their birdes . the matter of the heaven may bee said to bee of an abundant luster : since that the sunne , the moon , and the stars are so , all which are comprehended of the same matter : but to speak more properly , the matter of heaven is transparent , and the sun and the stars are not . that the heavens are transparent , is very easie to prove , since experience sufficiently denotes it unto us : for if the heaven of the moon were dusky , it would hinder us from seeing of the sunne , and the rest of the stars which are about it . that the sun , the moon and the stars are dusky , is apparent by their eclipses : this matter is also incorruptible , and consequently exempted from all changes , since that it 's simple , and that in those scituations , or regions , generation finds no imployment . of the celestiall region . the celestiall region , is the assembling of all the heavens , and comprehends them all intirely , the order and course whereof shall be shewn in its proper place . their matter or substance as we have proved , is sollide , so is that of the stars , and planets , but more dusky and danky , that is to say , their matter is more close and compacted , and since they are most pure and polished bodies , they receive , and cause the light which they borrow from the sun , to reverberate , as shall be proved hereafter , but as for the heaven it 's altogether transparent . now in the celestiall region , there are two sorts of stars , fixt , and errants ; the fixt are those that never change their figures , but have all one and the same motion , which is that of the firmament : the errant stars are the planets , which have all different motions from that of the firmament , and they are seven in number ; unto which the ancients have given the names of their deities , viz. saturne , jupiter , mars , sol , mercury , venus , and the moone , which names were likewise appropriated unto them , because of their powerfull influences . the duskey matter , is that which gives no passage to the sight , as you may perceive in wood , and in the stones . the solide and fixed matter is that which will not suffer any very easie penetration , as you may observe in chrystall , or in glasse . but the penetrable matter is that which suffers the peircing with ease , as the aire doth , the water and the fire . the transparent matter is that which gives passage to the light , as chrystall , and glasse doth : and so consequently , we may justly infer , that the heavenly matter or substance , is both solide , fixt , impenetrable , and transparent that there are many heavens . by the diversities of the motions , we prove that there are many heavens , thus ; since the matter is solide , two planets having different motions , cannot be in the same heaven , or orbe , and by this same reason you may observe , that it s not the planet which moves , but its orbe , or heaven ; for otherwise they would penetrate the matter , which is both fixt and solide : but the sun and the moon have different motions , for that the sunne accomplishes its course in a day , and the moone in a month ; then the sun and the moon cannot be in one and the same orbe , or heaven : and by the same reason , no two of al the seven planets having the self-same motion , there must then of necessity be seven orbes , or heavens , requisite for the seven planets : since also the matter of heaven is fixt , and impenetrable : against this may be objected , that there might be but one heaven of an impenetrable matter , in the which many spaces may be imagined , and by which the planets having different motions , may make their courses . and let them say what they please , yet it will alwayes come to this period , that of necessity there must be seven spaces for the seven planets , to move in , which must be filled by seven bodies , and these are by astronomers called the planets attributes , and these we call orbes , joyning close the one to the other . of the firmament or eight heaven . having demonstrated that there are seven orbes for the seven planets ; it will be necessary to shew how that its requisite that there be also another heaven , for all the fixed stars are differing from the seven others : for the ancient astronomers observing that the motion of the stars was very slow , not advancing above a degree from one hundred to a hundred years , concluded , that it was most necessary to admit an eight orbe , in the which al the fixed stars are , and the which never vary their scituation , distance , nor figure , or shape , and this heaven is called by them , the firmament . how the astronomers divide the stars , or whether they be numberlesse or no . as for the fixed stars we hold them to be numberlesse , the holy scriptures giving us a testimony thereof , i meane , that besides the great infinite number that we see , there are yet a far more infinit number of lesserstars which are by us not seen , as hath been observed by certain prospective glasses , made in italy , and though the ancients have not marked above 1022. their meaning was not , that there were no more stars , but that they had observed none but those , as being only the cheifest which they had need of ; and those thousand twenty two stars , are divided into forty eight constellations , or figures of animalls , which the ancients have supposed , for to discerne the one from the other ; and have separated and disposed of them into three ranks , as septentrionalls , zodiackes , and meridionalls . moreover , the stars are distinguisht by their severall magnitudes , or bignesses , which have been found to be six : so that all the great stars are of the first bignesse , the lesser of the second , third , fourth , fifth , and sixth magnitude or bignesse , in which the least of them all are comprehended . whether or no the stars be translucent of themselves , and transparent . the stars have no proper light of themselves , save in this manner , all the stars and planets are of one and the selfe-same nature . but the moone hath no other light then what she borroweth of the sunne , so no more can any of the other stars have any other light but from the sun . but suppose it be objected , that the moon loseth not altogether its light , though she eclipses in the shadow of the earth ; because that in the eclipsed party there appears a rednesse , and that such a rednesse for ought we know , might be her natural light . i answer , that that rednes cannot be her natural , because that if it were so , she would never quit that rednes , save when she increases , or that she is in her first quarter , and then that part of the moon which is not illuminated by the sun , ought to have that rednesse , which is not so , as we see by experience : and therefore all rednesse is not naturall to the moon : moreover , if it be demanded from whence that rednesse proceeds ? its from the reflection of the lig 〈…〉 is encountered by the moone in the shado 〈…〉 earth : for as the moone is a polisht body , 〈…〉 the shadow of the earth is never destitute of some little light , so it 's that little light which causes the rednesse in her . so that by what is aforesaid , it clearly appeares that the sunne is the principle of light , it being gods pleasure to adorn it with such an eminent quality . furthermore , we say that the stars are not so transparent as the heaven is , which may be seen by the moon and mercury , when they are interposed , between our eyes and the sunne , and that they eclipse her ; and so its apparent that the stars are both dusky and danky . that the heavens are round , and that they move the one within the other , from the east to the west , their usuall course . as we have hitherto proved , that there are eight heavens , so must we prove that they are round , and that they turne the one within the other , from east to west , the which may appear unto us most manifestly , for we see that the sun , the planets , and all the other stars , do rise first in the east , on our horizon , then little by little they advance toward the south , and that finally , they set in the west , so next againe they rise all in the east . we will but instance in the sun , and say that it must be either the selfe same sun , or another which we daily see to rise , and set , it cannot be any other , for that then every day would require a new one : and if it be the same sun , it must either have past over , within , or underneath the earth : over the earth it cannot have past , for as much as then there would have been no night , the presence of the sun causing the day ; neither can it have past within the earth , because , as we shall see hereafter , its greater then the earth , it remains then , that it must have past underneath the earth , and that consequently its orbe , or heaven turnes about the earth ; and since all the heavens turne , the one within the other , about the earth , and that from the east to the west , we may justly then say that the heavens are round . it s also granted that the heavens are round , because that being they are the most noble part of the world , and in which all the rest are contained ; it is most necessary , that they should be of a round forme , which is the most capablest and most perfectest of al others . for if the heavens had any other figure or forme , those which are inferiour to the others , could not possibly transport their planets from the east to the west , because of their angles , or else we must grant that they penetrate each other , and so there would chance to be a penetration in the matter of the heavens , which would contradict what hath been formerly proved , to wit , that its matter or substance , is both solide and fixt , &c. the end of the first lecture , concerning cosmography . a second defence of the new theory of the earth from the exceptions of mr. john keill. by william whiston, m.a. vicar of lowestoft, suffolk; and chaplain to the right reverend father in god, john lord bishop of norwich whiston, william, 1667-1752. 1700 approx. 38 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 14 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a65673 wing w1697 estc r220939 99832323 99832323 36795 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a65673) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 36795) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 2103:07) a second defence of the new theory of the earth from the exceptions of mr. john keill. by william whiston, m.a. vicar of lowestoft, suffolk; and chaplain to the right reverend father in god, john lord bishop of norwich whiston, william, 1667-1752. [2], 22 p. printed for benj. tooke at the middle-temple-gate in fleetstreet, london : 1700. a response to john keill's "examination of dr. burnet's theory of the earth", in which keill, an astronomer, attacked whiston as well as burnet. reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntingon library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng keill, john, 1671-1721. -examination of dr. burnet's theory of the earth -controversial literature -early works to 1800. new theory of the earth -apologetic works -early works to 1800. astronomy -religious aspects -early works to 1800. 2000-00 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2001-10 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2001-11 tcp staff (michigan) sampled and proofread 2001-11 tcp staff (michigan) text and markup reviewed and edited 2001-12 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a second defence of the new theory of the earth from the exceptions of mr. iohn keill . by william whiston , m. a. vicar of lowestoft , suffolk ; and chaplain to the right reverend father in god , iohn , lord bishop of norwich . london : printed for benj. tooke at the middle-temple-gate in fleetstreet . 1700. a second defence of the new theory of the earth , &c. since i have resolv'd to be as short as possible in this rejoinder , and have ever determin'd with my self to avoid all heat and passion ; all recriminations and personal reflections ; which i look upon as things unworthy of the professors of the peaceable and charitable religion of our saviour ; as immoralities in philosophers , and crimes in christians : i shall therefore wave all things in mr. keill's defence which might occasion any reflections of that nature , and endeavour only to debate the matters in dispute between us with all the calmness and fairness possible . and as wherever i am convinc'd by his reasons , i shall freely own it ; so it is but equal that i expect the same of him upon the same occasions . only he must give me leave to say , that the reason of my surprize at his appearing in publick against me , was not any special obligations i thought him under to me ; but his having declar'd his satisfaction with the principal assertion , nay the main foundation of my theory , viz. that a comet pass'd by the earth at the deluge . after which concession i could not , i thought , expect an opposition in print to my book from him . i will repeat mr. keill's words at large , in the beginning of his former remarks , and appeal to the candid reader , whether i had not some reason to be surpriz'd . i cannot but acknowledge , says mr. keill , that the author of the new theory of the earth , has made greater discoveries , and proceeded on more philosophical principles , than all the theorists before him have done . in his theory there are some very strange co-incidents , which make it indeed probable , that a comet at the time of the deluge pass'd by the earth . it is surprizing to observe the exact correspondence between the lunar and solar year , upon the supposition of a circular orbit , in which the earth mov'd before the deluge . it cannot but raise admiration in us , when we consider , that the earth at the time of the deluge was in its perihelion , which would be the necessary effect of a comet that passed by at that time , in drawing it from a circular to an elliptical orbit . this , together with the consideration that the moon was exactly in such a place of its orbit at that time , as equally attracted with the earth , when the comet pass'd by , seems to be a very convincing argument that a comet really came very near , and pass'd by the earth , on the day the deluge began . but to leave this preface , and to come to the matters themselves in dispute between us . in the first place therefore , because moses at the beginning of the six days creation , says , that darkness was upon the face of the deep ; whereas the atmosphere of a comet , which i suppose to be the chaos here meant , is a transparent fluid while it is such : mr. keill argued , that this transparent atmosphere could not be the dark abyss of moses . now what i answer'd was , that moses did not concern himself with the ancient state of the chaos , but only with its state at the commencing of his creation : at which time it would be a dark abyss in the properest sense , and highest degree imaginable . now all that mr. keill adds about this matter ( whether as to the light and shining of the central solid , and his calculations thereto relating : as to the change from a pellucid to an opake fluid : or as to the restraint of the word abyss to the dense fluid alone ) might have been omitted , if he had first rightly understood and consider'd the propositions in the new theory , where these matters were explain'd already . for certainly , though the central solid were as luminous as the sun it self ; yet to a spectator , plac'd in so thick a mist , there could no more of its light from within , than of the sun 's from without , appear : though truly the calculations here suppose ( 1. ) the earth , when a comet to have mov'd as near the sun as the last ; whereas perhaps no other ever did so besides . ( 2. ) the heat of its own nucleus the main cause of its tail ; which is utterly false , and never imagin'd by me . and ( 3. ) the spectator at only ten miles distance from the nucleus , when he must have been as many hundreds at least : and so are wholly groundless , and my theory not at all concern'd in them . besides ; though all the upper parts of the atmosphere of a comet , through which we see the fix'd stars , is transparent ; yet the lowest part next the nucleus , or dense body , seems opake and dark ; like a very thick mist ; so as to hide the nucleus it self from our sight , and cause darkness upon the face of the deep . for the changes which some observe in the nucleus of comets , are to be suppos'd not in the solid body , but in the cloudy bottom of the atmosphere , which next encompasses the nucleus . and this darkness upon the face of the deep might continue till the comet was grown cold , and all the denser part of the atmosphere was subsided : and be greatest while those denser parts were in a state of coagulation and subsiding . 't is also evident in my book that i ascribe the changes of the chaos to the operations of the spirit of god introducing such laws of bodies by which the earth would first be form'd , and its phaenomena ever after be govern'd . and 't is sure no hard interpretation to include all that fluid region beneath the earth's future surface under the term abyss ; though after the separation of the earthy parts , and their consolidation , the dense fluid may most properly go by that name : and upon the face of the abyss there was at first darkness , and that succeeded by light , according to the exact description of moses ; and according to the solution of the first day 's work in the new theory . my next answer was to mr. keill's objection against the sudden formation of the earth in a few years time by the laws of mechanism . for since , says he , the confusions of the comet 's atmosphere seem to arise from the violence of the heat in its perihelion ; as that heat gradually decreas'd , ( which would not be under many hundreds , or perhaps thousands of years ) the confusions would cease also ; and the subsidence and mechanical formation be compleated proportionably in the same time , and not sooner ; contrary to my theory . my answer to this was , it seems , by me so obscurely express'd , that mr. keill could not apprehend my meaning : which therefore i shall endeavour to explain more distinctly thus . i deny that all the confusions of a comet 's atmosphere are owing to the heat at the perihelion ; and i also affirm , that since astronomers find by observation , that upon a comet 's return to the solar regions , the atmosphere does still return , and is not at all settled and formed like a planet , i must have contradicted that observation if i had ascrib'd the formation of our earth to such a gradual and tedious operation . in short : my chaos was a comet 's atmosphere . such an atmosphere does not subside in the period about the sun ; and consequently mr. keill , who makes that an objection against me , is mistaken , and the formation of the earth is to be ascribed to other causes , and perfected by other measures than he here imagines ; and so for ought that appears , by those assign'd in my theory . i had said , that all the same laws , properties , and operations of bodies , which we find establish'd here on earth , do not so universally obtain in the atmosphere of comets . which assertion mr. keill is surpriz'd at , and endeavours to expose . now in this case i would desire mr. keill to shew how , according to the laws of bodies with us , that so thin atmosphere of a comet can sustain , at the distance of so many thousand miles from its center , such clouds or opake masses as it frequently does . nay , if we come to the planets , which appear to be bodies so like to our earth , as to require the same general measures and laws in them ; we may find such a ring about saturn , as 't will be hard to account for by the mechanical laws upon our earth . sure there is no reason to imagine that , because god has been pleas'd to fix several arbitrary laws , and powers of bodies resulting from them , in our little system ; that therefore he has confin'd himself to ordain no others in different ones . to give an instance : the particles of our elastical fluid , or air , may be preserv'd from coming close together , as mr. keill , i suppose , will not deny , by a special law directly opposite to that of gravity ; or by a particular vis centrifuga belonging alone to such particles of matter as the air is composed of . now i believe mr. keill will hardly affirm this to be an universal law , obtaining all over the universe , but confin'd to some parts of it at pleasure . and many such laws there may be in the opinion of that great man , whose very name is enough to defend one ( as mr. keill justly speaks : ) upon which the particular phaenomena among us do generally depend . now though i believe such laws as these various in various systems , yet i never imagin'd that the mechanical powers demonstrable from the necessary laws of motion are at all so ; whatsoever , for the diversion of his readers , mr. keill is pleas'd to suppose . however , by this answer i not only , it seems , have prevented all possible objections against my theory : [ a thing , to be sure , i cannot but be very fond of : ] but i have granted mr. keill all he design'd to prove , viz. that the earth was not form'd according to the known laws of mechanism , but by the efficacy of the divine spirit , which moved on the face of the waters . now i must here deny the opposition , and affirm , that in my opinion the earth was form'd according to the known laws of mechanism , some of them introduc'd then by the efficacy of the divine spirit , which mov'd on the face of the waters ; and ever since continu'd among us . for almighty god to introduce new and regular laws at the beginning of a new world , which are to be ever afterward observ'd in it , i take to be a miraculous interposition very worthy of god , and very accountable to our reason . but to suppose him by a multitude of miracles acting so disproportionably and disorderly , as the common scheme of the creation obliges one to do , is to introduce miracles sufficiently strange and unaccountable to me : and such as i can't be persuaded of by such reasonings as i have yet met with upon this occasion . though to mr. keill , who finds so little difficulty in this matter ; and without authority , can admit the creation , and , i suppose , the annihilation of the waters of the deluge ; i little expect to shew that any miracle can be strange and unaccountable . as to the internal heat in the earth , which is allow'd by mr. keill ; and by reason of some earthquakes , of a very large compass deriv'd from it , can't but reach downwards to a mighty depth ; it must be accounted for , whether it be a cause of fountains or not . and if mr. keill think it more easily ascrib'd to the mixture of sulphureous , nitrous , and mineral principles , than to a hot central solid ; he must give me leave to retain my former opinion , for these two reasons : viz. because the earth , at the depth necessary for the mixture , is too close and fast , and has no caverns or hollows requisite thereto : and because such a mixture it self supposes that heat and motion of parts as causes , which ought only to be the effects thereof : besides ; i am still inclinable to ascribe the origin of springs in great part to the vapors ascending , and elevated by the subterranean heat , for this particular , and to me substantial reason , among others , that the springs break forth extraordinarily , and run the fastest in a frost , as they ought to do in this hypothesis : when the vapors in the air seem most at rest and quiet ; as is commonly observ'd , and particularly in the great frost , by the excellent mr. ray. to some other of whose reasonings also i refer him upon this occasion . as to my receding , without reason , from the letter of moses in the fourth day 's work ; mr. keill has so little still to say against those large accounts i have given of that matter , that i shall venture the reasons i have already alledg'd with the impartial and considering , without any addition . only his argument against the nature of the hexaemeron , viz. that of an historical iournal , such as a spectator on the earth would have made : because there was , in his opinion , no such spectator in being to make it ; is , i think , neither conclusive , nor true. for though there were no real spectator at first , yet the nature of the history might , for good reasons , be such as i assign notwithstanding . but , to tell him my mind freely , i believe that the messias was there actually present : that he made the journal : that he deliver'd it afterwards to moses on mount sinai : and , that from thence it appears in the front of his pentateuch at this day . in the next place mr. keill endeavours to vindicate his assertion , that the heat of the sun for half the second day , or year of the creation , could not elevate vapors enow to fill the seas of the primitive earth . i had told him that i did not suppose the waters in the small seas and lakes of the primitive earth much above the thousandth part of those in the present seas and ocean ; and so there was no need of the raising of so many vapors that day as he imagin'd . now to confute this , he says , that so little water would necessarily render that earth dry , barren , and unfruitful . for since the quantity of vapor rais'd is proportionable to the surface of those waters from whence 't is rais'd ; and since the thousandth part of the present water must have only the thousandth part of the present surface ( which he must say , or say nothing : ) it will follow that the rains and dews before the flood were but the thousandth part of those at present in a year's time : and since by the absence of the ocean the dry land then was near double to that now , and to be supply'd with only the thousandth part of its water , every region would have in particular little more than the two thousandth part as much moisture as it has at present . now this looks like a very formidable calculation , and sufficient to destroy a main foundation of the new theory . but for answer : how comes it about that mr. keill , who knows it so well , should forget the different proportions between solids and superficies ? between the quantity of water for use , and the quantity of its surface for evaporation ? 't is certain , that though the channels of the primitive seas and lakes were similar to those at present , yet a little more than a thousandth part of the present waters would have near an eightieth part of the present surface : besides , 't is evident , that as our ocean affords vast quantities for vapor , so the much greatest part of those vapors return upon it self again , and are of no use to the dry land , especially in the middle parts ; from whence the clouds seldom or never march so far as is necessary for that purpose : nay , i will venture to say , that near the thousandth part of the waters of our present ocean might be so dispos'd of in the plains and smaller valleys of our present earth , as to afford not much less surface , and so not much less vapor than it does at present ; if once all those middle parts were away , whence little or nothing does accrue to the dry land , which alone stands in need of it . which things being suppos'd , as they are , i think , undeniably true ; i answer thus ; ( 1. ) i never assign the sun as the sole cause of the ascent of the vapors at the time referr'd to . my words are , the heat of the sun , with the continual assistance of the central heat . from which assistance mr. keill may imagin , that i believe vast quantities of vapors would be rais'd , at a time when it was really greater , and had a much freer passage ; since i still derive so much of the vapors of our present rivers from it , even after its inclosure within the crust of earth consolidated together . ( 2. ) i fear not to assert that a small part of the water now rais'd in a year , when it fell regularly and constantly in equal dews , and went not off in violent rains and torrents , not insufficient for the antediluvian earth . ( 3. ) at a time when the ground was every night very wet with a mighty dew , the surface of the dry land did afford much more vapor than the present surface ; which is only sometimes wet with some uncertain showers , and that in some particular places only . ( 4. ) the channels or receptacles of the waters would scarcely then be similar to the channel of the ocean now , but more level and shallow ; which would still make the surface larger in proportion to the solid content ; and so afford much more vapor for the supply of the earth proportionably . ( 5. ) if all my own computations fail , i will for once beg one of mr. keill ; which will certainly help us over this difficulty , [ though it increase upon us by his next , which takes away nine tenths of our former quantity by the interposition of the atmosphere : ] and that is from his assertion , which we shall come to by and by ; that the heat of the sun , at the time assign'd , was several hundreds of times as great as at present . now though i shall shew anon that this computation is much too great ; yet let us allow but a small part of that , and it will set us over this difficulty . for if the heat were but twenty times as great , it would in the same space elevate twenty times as many vapors : which i hope will satisfy even mr. keill's own expectations ; and being from his own assertion , will be allow'd as satisfactory in the present case . but after all ; sure mr. keill has forgotten that solution in my theory , whence all this objection is rais'd : otherwise he would have seen , that the vast quantity of vapors in the air , on the second day of the creation , came thither in ways very different from that of the raising of them now by the heat of the sun upon the surface of our present ocean , at a time when neither its surface nor itself was in being . which therefore has little to do with all the computations us'd by mr. keill upon this occasion . neither has the next objection any more weight in it : that the waters in the seas are call'd by moses , waters under the firmament : and so are of a different nature and original from those in the air , which are waters above the firmament : whereas i derive the one from the other , and suppose the seas to have once been vapor , and so part of the other waters . for certainly if vapors in the air , or waters above the firmament , fall down , become water , and run into the seas , they must be allow'd to change their name , and become waters below the firmament . i am sure this change is no new thing , but has been continual from the creation till our times . every day vapors become rain , and run into the seas ; and the seas are every day resolving into small parts , and become vapors : and so the inferior and the superior waters still communicate with , and supply each other , and accordingly change their denomination perpetually . and truly this , and the next shadow of a difficulty about the appearance of the dry land , might have been so easily avoided by a little more careful perusal of a solution or two in my theory , that mr. keill need not have desir'd a farther answer . we are now come to the great point of the inconveniences which would arise from the long days and nights in my first hypothesis ; and how entirely they all vanish upon that additional one of the elliptick orbit till the fall. now though mr. keill does not disown that his former objections are of no force against me now ; yet because this additional hypothesis did not appear before in my theory , he thinks it not worth while to confute it : which is truly a short and easy way of answering . now for my part , i am far from thinking worse of any discovery upon the account of the time in which it was made : and if i can shew good reason for this , as i think i can , i shall not be much concern'd at mr. keill's passing it over untouch'd . for the only thing he says , viz. that 't will hardly be allow'd that but one half of the primitive earth was habitable before the fall , seems to me too inconsiderable to be made an objection . i should think it no great matter if all the earth , excepting the regions about paradise , were uninhabitable at a time when they were not to be inhabited . for to what great purpose is it that all proper provision be made for the entertainment of a company of guests at a table , when 't is certainly known that not one guest will be there ? providence does ever wonderfully provide for the accommodation of his creatures wherever it places them : but that a suitable provision is made for them where they will never be plac'd , i see no reason to imagin . if i ever attempt another edition of my book , this hypothesis , with several other discoveries since made , will be inserted ; and will , i believe , with fair and considering persons , be thought far from spoiling the beauty of the theory ; whatsoever mr. keill , who is no friend to theories in general , may think to the contrary . but to proceed . mr. keill still asserts , that the heat in my hypothesis before the fall , when the sun was half a year at least above the horizon at once , was several hundred times greater than that with us at present . now in answer to this , i alledg'd , that if we compute the quantity of heat from that of the sun's rays , it will be equal in both cases , and so his assertion must be a plain error . but it seems he meant quite otherwise than i imagin ; viz. that the degree of heat , produc'd by so long continuance of the sun's presence , would at last be several hundred times as great as with us at present . i answer , that in this sense the assertion is not much truer than in the other . the heat produc'd by the fire , or the sun , for some time continually increases ; and perhaps pretty nearly in proportion to the time . but this only for a while , till a suitable or competent degree of heat be produc'd ; but no longer . let us try this by calculation . a piece of wax will melt in a second of time , suppose , at the distance of an inch from the fire ; because the degree of heat there is sufficient to dissolve its texture immediately . let us remove it to the distance of a hundred inches , where the heat is ten thousand times weaker ; for ten thousand seconds , or near three hours space , the quantity of heat is therefore ( as the rectangle , contain'd betwixt the sine of the angle of incidence ( the same in both cases here ) and the time of continuance ) exactly equal to the former heat ; and must therefore have the same effect : which yet , i presume , mr. keill does not believe it will. thus let us compare the heat of the sun at the equator , and near the poles ; where the sines of the sun's angle of incidence are as 10 to 1 , [ for the day-time , or 12 hours at the equator ; and for the 12 hours at the conclusion of the half-year-day near the poles ] which will , according to mr. keill , be as 10 + 12 to 1 + 4320 ; or as 120 to 4320 ; and so the heat near the pole 36 times as great as that at the equator : which , i presume , experience does not attest . but after all , this objection , if it were true , only refers to the circular orbit before the fall : but as my theory stands at present , with the hypothesis of an elliptick orbit , 't is no way concern'd in it . but now we are come to a point of much greater consequence , whether the dense fluid , on the approach of the comet at the deluge , would have force enough to burst the earth , or that upper crust which is situate upon the surface of the dense fluid . for mr. keill , with no mean appearance of demonstration , urges , that since the first impetus of the dense fluid is infinitely less than any succeeding impetus acquir'd by motion ; and since here is no room for actual motion , here cannot be impetus sufficient to break the crust , which otherwise mr. keill owns it would easily do . in answer to this i say , that since mr. keill does not disown the first original of the earth's fissures , and the breaking of the crust by the diurnal rotation ; he ought much less to scruple it here . a plank or board , when once 't is cut into several pieces , let the pieces be laid as true and close as possible , will be separated without any difficulty upon all occasions . and just thus it is here . the strata having been formerly separated , and by the continuance of the diurnal motion not permitted to join or close afterward upon any impetus of the fluid below , they will open again ; as i have asserted in the new theory . but because mr. keill imagines that the upper crust of earth would hinder the force of the fluid below from breaking open its fissures ; let us compute the force of the comet 's attraction upon it self , and see whether even that alone , without the assistance of the dense fluid , would not be sufficient to break it in the manner i have assign'd . mr. keill may remember , that i suppose the comet at the deluge about half as big as the earth ; and the nearest distance of its center to that of the earth about 30000 miles . let us see what force this will afford towards breaking the earth . at the nearest distance the gravity of the parts of our earth nearest the comet , towards the comet 's center , would be near 1 / 100 of their gravity towards the center of the earth ; and the difference between the gravity of those parts towards the comet , and of the middle parts or center of our earth towards the same , would be the difference of the squares of their several distances , or about a quarter of the former force 1 / 400 so that the parts nearest to the comet , and farthest off it , [ the regions about b and a in my 7 fig. ] if the crust be suppos'd 400 miles thick , will have a force upon them equal to the weight of an entire mile of earth : and this sure will be more than sufficient to break and separate those strata which are already broken and separated ; and which therefore , at the first impulse , would yield to that powerful attraction which the neighbourhood of so mighty a body would occasion in the case before us . as to the sudden condensation of the vapors from the comet , upon their first fall , whether by the air or earth , were it never so evident and universal , 't is of very small consequence to me ; since , as mr. keill does not deny , their own heat would ratify vast quantities of them again , and occasion their elevation into the air immediately : which is all i desire of him . but still he urges , that then the first violent fall would it self do the business of the deluge , without any occasion for the great and long rains : and so the forty days rain , which occasion'd the flood in moses , can't be accounted for , and is almost wholly superseded by us . in answer to which i say , that though the primary violent fall of the vapors were in less than a day 's time , as i have shewn in my theory ; yet because as many would immediately arise again as the air could hold , here is a fund abundantly sufficient for the most violent forty days rain imaginable . and though the vapors did originally fall in so short a time , and with such violence , on that hemisphere of the earth exposed to them , as there to do the business of the deluge immediately : yet because the regions near the ark were not in that hemisphere , their deluge must arise from the forty days rain succeeding , and from the flowing in of the waters from those other parts of the earth on which they first fell : according as this matter is already stated in the new theory ; and , i think , need not be alter'd from any thing here suggested . we are now got to the principal thing considerable in mr. keill's objections ; and that is his demonstrations , that the pressure of the incumbent fluid could not raise the subterranean waters to the surface of the earth . and i must own , that i see the force of his demonstrations now , which i did not before . and i heartily thank mr. keill for correcting so considerable a mistake in the new theory ; and a mistake that before was the only obstacle to as remarkable a confirmation of the main parts of it , as perhaps any other whatsoever ; which in due time shall appear . all that moses says relating to this matter , is , that the fountains of the great deep were broken up at the beginning , and shut up at the conclusion of the deluge , without the least affirmation that any waters issued out of them ; as has hitherto been universally suppos'd , and as i accordingly believed also . though , in truth , i am now so far from that opinion , that i believe the use of that disruption of the fissures was only to drain off , and not at all to send out the waters of the deluge , as will more distinctly be shewn upon a proper occasion hereafter . but if mr. keill's reasoning under this last head appear so strong , what follows , touching the removing of the waters of the deluge , seems to me of a very different character . for ( 1. ) let the cracks and fissures be full during the deluge ; nay , let the waters be draining away by them continually into the bowels of the earth : yet till this drain took away more than the rains and the running in of the waters brought , the flood would continually increase notwithstanding . ( 2. ) i say still , certainly the pores and interstices of 30 or 40 , i might say of 60 or 80 miles of dry earth , or earth that can still admit vast quantities of water , are capable of receiving 3 , 4 , or more miles of water into them . ( 3. ) mr. keill's assertion , that the inward strata of the earth are almost wholly compos'd of a tough clay , common stone , whinstone , coal , metalline ores , and the like , uncapable of containing any water considerable , is not generally true . i appeal to the following table of the several strata of a well at amsterdam , mention'd by varenius , which is the best and deepest that i know where readily to meet with . and let the reader judge whether all the strata are such as will exclude water or not , or such as mr. keill supposes the whole body of the earth below compos'd of . feet . garden-mould 7 turf 9 soft clay 9 sand 8 earth 4 clay 10 earth 4 sand in which the piles for the amsterdam buildings are fix'd 10 clay 2 white gravel 4 dry earth 5 mud 1 sand 14 sandy clay 3 sand mix'd with clay 5 sand mix'd with sea-shells 4 a clayey bottom 102 gravel 31 in all 232 ( 4. ) i look upon his last argument , viz. that these fissures would not drain off the waters in half a year , nor indeed under several hundred years ; as so far from affecting me , that i heartily thank mr. keill for so considerable a confirmation of my conjecture to this purpose at the end of my former vindication . for though i think his computation of the time much too long , because the fissures were then very much more open than now ; and because the vast weight of the waters , at first especially , would hasten the velocity of their descent : yet in general i am fully of his mind ; that the waters of the deluge could not be mechanically drain'd off so soon as the common opinion is ; as he may see in the place referr'd to , which 't is a little strange he should not discover before , and so perceive that he was , by the last computation , but confirming one of the points i had observ'd since the publishing of the new theory . in short ; the remarks and objections mr. keill and others have made against some branches of the new theory , have occasion'd me to correct some parts , to confirm others , and to improve the whole . but so little do i esteem the principal foundations of that book destroy'd by all that has been hitherto said , ( though mr. keill is pleas'd to presume , that by those few objections he before made against a few particulars in it ; and this after he had granted me the principal point of all , it was in general already confuted : ) that i may venture to say , i am prepar'd , upon a second edition , more fully to confirm and establish the main conclusions in it than ever ; as i hope will appear in due time . i shall add no more : but because the two concluding questions i put to mr. keill before , are wholly past over in silence , i shall reprint them here again ; and if he make another rejoinder , again desire his free and ingenuous answer : and so take my leave . ( 1. ) since mr. keill grants that a comet pass'd by at the deluge , and yet contends that the flood is not to be solv'd therefrom , but is to be believ'd wholly miraculous ; to what purpose did the comet so providentially pass by just at that time , if it had no relation to the deluge ? does mr. keill imagine , that the same miraculous power which caus'd the deluge , could not also , without the attraction of a comet , make the earth's orbit elliptical ? a strange , unheard-of , and most surprizing phaenomenon happens in the world ! a blazing star , which we but seldom discover at a vast distance in the heavens , descends hard by the body of our earth : which without the greatest exactness in the chain of providence does not happen in thousands , nay millions of years : and as soon as ever 't is pass'd by , a wonderful , and incredible deluge of waters overflows the whole earth , and drowns all its inhabitants without any other visible or imaginable occasion in the world : and yet , as it seems , the comet only accidentally pass'd by , and had no hand at all in the deluge ! — credat iudaeus apella . ( 2. ) how could those effects i have mention'd be avoided upon the passing by of the comet ? we are not now in a cartesian vortex , where fancy and contrivance can introduce or hinder any effect at pleasure : but we are in mechanical and experimental philosophy , which is an inflexible thing , and not at all subject to our inclinations . when the comet therefore was just pass'd by us , i desire to know how the earth could possibly avoid passing through its atmosphere and tail : if it could not , pray what could prevent the acquiring that column of vapours i , by computation , find would fall on its surface ? and if such a column of vapours was left on the earth , what could hinder their becoming water , and drowning the earth ? i shall not , though i easily might , carry on the chain of queries any longer . but if mr. keill can fairly answer me these few leading questions , i shall then believe him alike able to answer the rest : and so i shall not pursue this particular any farther , but leave it and this whole matter to his and the reader 's leisure and consideration . lowestoft , suffolk , octob. 4. — 99. finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a65673-e140 vind. p. 4 , 5. vid newt . p. 301. vid. verb. newt . n.t. pag. 225. marg . p. 134. pag. 4 , 5. 3. disc. 2 d edit . p. 109. n. t. p. 242. p. 181 , 182. coroll . 8. post hyp. 10. new theor. fig. 7. gen. 7.11 . & 8. 1. varen . greg. p. 46. vind. p. 46 , 47,48 . an essay on the certainty and causes of the earth's motion on its axis, &c. sheeres, henry, sir, d. 1710. 1698 approx. 42 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 16 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-07 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a59618 wing s3059 estc r9477 12029871 ocm 12029871 52738 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a59618) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 52738) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 877:41) an essay on the certainty and causes of the earth's motion on its axis, &c. sheeres, henry, sir, d. 1710. 30 p. printed for jacob tonson ..., london : 1698. reproduction of original in huntington library. attributed to sir henry sheeres. cf. nuc pre-1956. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng astronomy -early works to 1800. earth -rotation. 2003-02 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-03 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2003-04 jennifer kietzman sampled and proofread 2003-04 jennifer kietzman text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-06 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion an essay on the certainty and causes of the earth's motion on its axis , &c. london : printed for iacob tonson , at the iudge's-head in fleetstreet . mdcxcviii . an essay on the certainty and causes of the earth's motion on its axis , &c. in an essay so new and difficult , it may become me to begin with some apologie to men of learning in mathematical science ; wherein i profess to have never aim'd higher than to be competently furnish'd for business and practice in an active life . wherefore to those gentlemen , ( for whose merits no man has a greater value ) i make this short excuse for treating my subject in so plain and familiar a manner : namely , that being conscious of my insufficiency , by any show of learning to add to their stature ; it sorts better with my talents and choice to speak my mind intelligibly to common capacities , whereby increasing the number of my judges , the truth , probabillity or error of my conceptions will be better sifted and discern'd ; for it shou'd be no mortification to consider with the wise man , that chance has a great hand in every thing we do or think ; which by a kind of revelation often leads us to the retreats of truth through unaccountable labyrinths and long obscurity of causes . on which reflection if i ( who am best acquainted with my self ) ascribe nothing to my own forces of learning , or penetration in my attempt to untie so hard a knot , may thereby have a better claim to the candour of my readers , and they shall but barely allow me the priviledge of having stumbled on a new and profitable notion , capable of cultivation by the learn'd , and of yeilding matter of speculation to others ; i shall reap all the pleasure i look for , and as much honour as comes to my share . thus bespeaking the candour of my readers , i proceed ; by first imparting a few articles of my physical creed , viz. so far as i conceive it may concern my subject ; which till i shall be better inform'd , bear great sway with me , as being gather'd from the best collections ( and my meditations thereupon ) that i have been able to make from experiments and observations of matters of fact. which articles being first known , as conceiving them a necessary introduction towards clearing the ground whereon i am to build ; i shall then proceed to my hypothesis for solving the earth's motion on its axis &c. by explaining the causes by which i conceive it may fairly and by mechanical laws be prov'd . and lastly ( in a discourse by it self ) i shall come to the proofs and thereby show by what clue of deductions from natural causes i came to be establish'd in the perswasion i profess to be of touching this hard question ; wherein i have the rather ingag'd from my observation of late of so many unprofitable attempts in new theories on philosophical subjects ; where with ostentation of erudition and elocution , authors obtrude strange opinions , dangerous in their consequence to our common faith , and of no manner of instruction to human life ; neglecting the while ( as perhaps thinking it beneath them ) to ingage in studies of utility ; whereby to improve our knowledge in nature , which wou'd inable us to see better before us in our way through this darksom vale of mortality wherein we sojourn ; conduct us with more pleasure and assurance in our passage , and bring us with more safety to our port , where all speculation about doubtful subjects will be resolv'd into certainty . first , i believe that we neither have , nor can attain any clear knowledge of the effects of matter and motion , otherwise than as we become inlightned by their operations on our senses , which by means of the impressions made on them , make report thereof to the mind , which gives sentence true or false therein . i hold also that the remoter the situation of any cause is , the lighter or weaker the action and impressions thereof must needs be on our organs of sensation ; and consequently the reports made by them to the understanding are proportionably ( as i may say ) doubtful and inarticulate , and the judgment thereupon to be made necessarily more confus'd and uncertain : 'till at length by a scale ( as it were ) of cessation , the force of such cause gradually expiring ; all reasoning thereupon must needs there be at an end too . i say , that this is my belief , built on a rigid examination of my own heart , touching the objects of natural knowledge and our speculations about them ; from whence i have determin'd with my self , that while i can by this rule conceive ( without much difficulty ) how a period of any action whatsoever may be collected from such a sensible gradation of stronger and weaker power in the agent , ( which our senses inable us to distinguish ) i may i think safely and mechanically thence infer , that such power so working must have some certain boundaries which it cannot exceed ; and beyond which it is idle and of no effect . wherefore i hence conclude , that all rational reflection must needs there expire , where the powers by which those images are stamp'd which furnish the matter of our argument determine ; and that all speculation , refining and excogitation about any thing whatsoever beyond or without this sphere of action , ( which i shall have occasion further to explain ) is vain and fabulous . this reflection , tho' it may humble us by correcting the enthusiasm of human imagination , which is apt licentiously to soar and wander without light or guide ; yet the fruit may be profitable ; for by thus containing our inquiries within that circle which holds all things that are adequate to , and may yield proper matter for our contemplation ; we shall have leisure to turn our minds with greater attention and effect on subjects of publick utility , which may at once avail us in the conduct of our life , and do good in our generation ; than which no study is more praise-worthy , nor can we by any means better fulfill the ends of our being . pursuant to this reflection , let us take into our view , and thence frame an argument for our meditation , some of the most remarkable objects of the creation , or of this visible material world : namely , such as seem to us to share the greatest power of action on this our globe . among which , after sorting the whole species of things , and as i may say , ransacking nature over and over , i believe i may challenge the most sceptical man living , to specify or point us out to any one single instance of a visible being that may claim any degree of comparison with the sun ; whether we consider it in its beauty and glory , ( surpasing every thing we see ) or in its situation in the center of the planetary world , a position the most proper to dispense its ruling power and influence ; or in its plain and sensible effects , as being the visible cause of day and night , winter and summer ; of animation , vegetation &c. all which are the indisputed product of that planet's motion and virtue . from these so many shining evidences ( handed to us by our senses ) of the sun's force and predominancy , we are compell'd or taught as by instinct , to ascribe a yet greater extent of power to its operations , and to collect and infer from what we see and feel ( and thereby know ) that the sun has a greater right than any visible being , to be the cause also productive of many of those other appearences , which being eminent subjects of our observation are so much the greater objects of our wonder , by how much they are effected more in the dark ; namely , by means more remote , as acting on a medium not so familiar to our senses ; whereby the cause lies more hid and out of the reach of our knowledge — among these phoenomena , that of the earth's motion on its axis is one , which to prove and give some aim at the certainty and cause thereof , in regard it may be of publick benefit in the consequence , i have therefore chosen it for the subject of this essay . i hold then ( as being taught and confirm'd by observation , and the proofs i shall produce ) that the sun is both the cause and center of motion and gravity of the earth and the rest of the planets ; whose motions and periods tho' we may calculate and arrive at a degree of certainty therein , yet perhaps while we continue in the dark , touching the reason of such motion , we shall remain to seek in our conclusions , about many useful points of knowledge , and by searching and penetrating with but never so little success into the cloud that seems to cover the cause ; such sparks may by chance be struck out , as may suffice at least to light others quicker sighted ( whose heads are better turn'd for such subjects ) to a nearer view of truth therein . i further hold , that by the sun's action and influence on the universal fluid , wherein that luminary presides ; all the heavenly bodies , within the solar system , ( whose motion i take to be owing to his virtue ) are bound also to that determin'd and unerring distance from him their common center , by such laws of mechanism , as in the proofs to be produc'd will not i hope appear frivolous , borrow'd , or any way inconsistent with the principles i have laid down , wherein i shall endeavour to show that the planets respective ranck and positions also in heaven are by mechanick laws assign'd them , and explain not only why , and how they move , but in what manner also the poles of their verticity are obtain'd ; and how it comes to pass that their motions are so regulated both on their axes and in their respective orbits , so as they cannot be thought to err and wander in the ocean of fluid wherein they float ; fareing like a ship becalm'd , of whose fluctuation no pilot can keep any account . in which argument , i have some hope , that a glimmering at least of light may shine forth to show us how the harmony of the heavenly motions is establish'd and preserv'd . i believe also , ( and hope by intelligible means to show ) that my granting the sun to be the universal cause and center of motion and gravity in the planets , ( among which this our own globe is compriz'd ) whereby their verticity on their axes and revolutions in their orbits are made and govern'd ; that this original virtue of the sun acting immediately on those bodies , namely , the planets , does not gainsay or oppugn , but infer and prove the like effects of motion and gravity belonging to and producible by themselves also , as proceeding from the same cause in nature by which those first greater bodies are mov'd . by means of which motions , i conceive , that new and by-laws of gravity ( as i may say ) are obtain'd and establish'd , to which all matter and every being which belongs to , exists , or resides within the circle of their jurisdiction , viz. the reach of their action respectively becomes liable . which for a present interpretation of my meaning , i thus exemplifie , viz. the globe of this earth , gravitates , towards , or has a tendency to the sun : iron or a stone gravitate ; the one towards the magnet , rather than towards the earth ; the other towards the earth , more than towards the magnet ; the like may be said also of the moon , with respect to our globe , and of the other secondaries with regard to the planets to which they belong ; so that this diversity of gravitation here produc'd to give an image of my meaning , tho' it grows from one and the same cause , if we respect the original impression ; yet springing from collateral agents , ( acting as i may say by subaltern powers ) becomes thus diversify'd , and thence those by-laws of gravity ( as i term them ) are begotten , as an effect of nearer and more prevalent impressions on the fluid that surrounds them respectively ; caus'd by their verticity on their poles ; which verticity acts in such manner on the fluid that surrounds them , as absolves , ( if i may use that form of speech ) those lesser bodies that are creatures ; beings or inhabitants of the planets themselves , from any obedience to those general laws of gravity and motion , to which the primary bodies their principals are subject ; which i shall elsewhere further explain . and thus in a word i am taught to believe , that gravity is of manifold production , and that there is a devolution , descent or lineage thereof from the sun , the first cause which acts immediately on the greatest and most dignify'd bodies , by a chain of relation and dependancy , down to the nearest and least particle of matter and product of motion existing in this world of matter and motion . lastly , from my conjecture that the sun has no dominion beyond those circles , whereof he is the center and cause of motion , which we call the planetary heaven wherein he presides : from this belief , i say , touching the extent and boundaries of that planets action and influence , ( which i conceive prescribes limits to all sound reasoning and reflection about his effects ) i am taught in like manner to believe , that this race of thought , or course of philosophizing here with us , must needs , as it is bounded in its extent , have a beginning too from some certain point or place or other ; wherefore i conceive , that the center of this circle which is the scene of action , and contains all those operations which by mediation of our senses is reveal'd , more or less to the mind ; ( and which i observe to be the sun ) , must necessarily assign also a beginning to our meditations about them ; further than which , or beyond that center , our chain of thought has no linck , but is there fastn'd and lock'd up in darkness ; for as it is impossible to conceive the harmony of a lute by all that my sight can impart to me ; which tho' it may plainly tell me at a distance , that the fingers of the artist move with great quickness and variety , yet the proper organs of sensation not being within the reach of the sound ; all that action which i behold , may for ought i know , be no other than grimace , and playing the fool — so , tho' we can see the fix'd stars and perhaps other objects , without or beyond the bounds of the suns action or dominion , yet being our selves creatures whose organs are fram'd and tun'd to his operations , to whose unfluence ( by the decree of the almighty , ) we manifestly owe our life and being ; i say , that while we inhabit this mortal tabernacle of flesh and blood , and have no motion , animation or sensation ; that we cannot by fair reasoning derive from the force and impressions of this planets virtue , by what clue of reason or deduction , ( when our reason it self has neither tools , nor materials , whereby to build any scheme or notion about natural knowledge , that is not deriv'd from this fountain ) can we be thought to have any radical reflection or sound imagination beyond this being ; or in a word by what method of thinking can we go about ( mechanically speaking ) to inquire into the cause of that power to whose action alone we owe the means of thinking at all . after this first necessary account of some notions and opinions about general causes that have obtain'd with me , as i conceive they may somewhere or other relate to my subject ; i come now to my argument ; namely , a mechanical solution of the earths motion on its axis ; by explaining the causes by which i conceive that motion is produc'd . first , by granting the sun to be the center of gravity of the earth , and the rest of the planets ; i am from thence taught , to conclude that the tendency or gravitation of this globe towards that center , ought to yield the like effects and produce the same appearances ( mechanicaly discoursing , ) that we find to be brought to pass by any solid body here with us by means of our center of gravity : as namely , if any solid matter be fram'd or cast into a sphaerical form , whereby it recieves perhaps a resemblance of the earths globe ; this sphear being fitted with poles , nicely plac'd and exactly poiz'd , shall by the least addition of weight duly apply'd , or the application of any proper degree of force , presently acquire a motion on its axis : viz. a verticity or turning on its poles . secondly , among the many great effects i have observ'd to be produc'd by the suns virtue on this our globe , i have remark'd that the power of that planets influence is hardly any where , or on any thing more conspicuous than by his action on fluids , on which bodies it works so suddenly , so apparently , and with such force , that by my frequent meditation thereupon , i came at length to think it might be no unprofitable attempt , to inquire after some yet remoter than the common and visible effects of its power , acting on that matter by that medium : having i thought some hints from the ordinary and familiar lights his daily operations afforded , that the sun might also be the cause of manifold other great productions , which seem hitherto to want a clear solution ; among which , this of the earth's motion on its axis i conceiv'd might possibly be one . i observ'd , that tho' there might be many other causes of the production and variation of winds ; yet that the sun was manifestly the cause of all those we call periodical winds , as the trade-winds , munsons , &c. as also of the sea and land breezes , in warm countries in the summer time . that the sun visibly wrought the like effects in many parts of the globe on the watery element , by currents in the ocean ; spouts , &c. that what i had observ'd for many years together of the production and force of the levant-winds , which will be calm in the morning , and by noon , will often blow with such impetuosity as to become a storm ; and so die away again , as the sun withdraws ; and become still and quiet all night , till his return to the meridian again : for thus have i beheld the scene shift , and the sun act this part daily in those countries about the summer solstice for a month or six weeks together . from which observation , ( when i came to turn my thoughts to this subject , of the earths motion , and the causes thereof ) i gathered such materials as in the issue of the question will not i trust be thought to have been impertinently apply'd . but to hasten to the most prevalent reasons occurring to my understanding , how the sun might be the cause of the earth's motion on its axis ? take them as followeth , viz. by my observation and calculation ( as i have been able ) of the effects of the suns force in general , acting on different subjects in divers manners : i conciev'd nevertheless that his power by rarifaction was of all others the most remarkable , and seem'd to me not obscurely to intimate that by that action alone , having so spacious a field as the globe of earth , sea and air , wherein to display his power , i cou'd discern cause enough whereby to determine a good deal towards the solution of this notable question . and first , i consider'd , ( and have no need at all to doubt it ) that the hemisphere of this globe , wheresoever the sun chances to be in the meridian ; ( that is , where his virtue is in greatest force ; ) must needs be the most rarifi'd part thereof , whither we consider'd it in the solid and consistent parts thereof , or in the fluid that surrounds it ; which fluid ( namely , that portion thereof that resides nearest the earth , ( which we call the atmosphere ) being imbu'd with infinite variety of combustible and inflamable particles steaming from the earth ; is as i may say the storehouse of those materials , which by the suns action thereon produces all that variety of appearances which we behold , and daily converse with on this our globe ; such as heat and cold , wind and rain , storms and calms , hail , frost and snow ; foggs , vapours , meteors , exhalations , thunder and lightning ; &c. all which are legible instances of that planets power working on matter furnish'd from this globe ; whereof we can have no doubt from our knowledge of many situations and heights , that are above all this hurry and variety of action and motion ; as namely , some part of mount-atlas ; the peak of teneriffe , mount arrarat ; a long chain of mountains in america , called , the andes &c. which places are known to injoy a perpetual serenity ; from whence men can look down and contemplate as in a gallery the whole action and shifting of those scenes that by the suns predominancy is produc'd on the stage of the world below ; from whence i gather , and make two remarkable observations thereupon , viz. first , that the several species of things that furnish subject matter for this action , are for the most part of the earths product : secondly , that the effects reach not beyond a certain limited distance from its surface . which observation of fact may save us the pains and words , of philosophizing by the laws of gravity , about limiting the action of the surrounding fluid , which by the sun's rarifiing virtue is put is put into motion . wherefore having noted , that the earth furnishes the materials for this motion ; and that the action it self , is contain'd within conceivable bounds ; it remains , that we determine how , and which way , this fluid put into motion , may be thought to take its flight . i say then , that the fluid , investing that hemisphere wherein the sun's fire chances to be in its greatest vigour , is directed in its course by lines drawn or produc'd from the cause that acts thereon ; namely , the sun , and this by the same mechanick laws , by which any body is found to move , that is , impell'd and driven out of its place , by another body that has force enough to do it ; namely , by right angles from the plane of the cause that acts : wherefore remarking barely that a line conceiv'd to be at any time , drawn from the body of the sun , through the axis of the earth any where betwixt the tropicks , will not vary much from east and west ; this single note , may suffice to show , that the course or tendency of the moving matter or fluid must be that way , namely by right angles , or thereabouts , from the axis of the globe , or ( which better expresses it ) by circles parallel a little more or less to the aequator , and not towards the poles . thus stating the boundaries and tendency of the action or course by which the fluid wings it's way , that surrounds this earth , i mean that portion thereof which we call the atmosphere : i come lastly to make a short necessary note or two , touching the effects of rarifaction , and condensation , ( viz. according to common acceptation ) where i observe that the same body or quantity of matter , when it is rarifi'd becomes bigger , or is extended in all its dimensions , and so comes to require more space , wherein to be contain'd than it did before ; and ( on the contrary ) when the same body comes to be condens'd or compress'd , it needs consequently a less space to contain it ; by which means any body so alter'd , becomes lighter , or heavier , with respect to the fluid or medium , wherein it has its residence . but this alteration by extension or contraction , can by no means come to pass but by being the cause of some certain motion ; for whatsoever thing requires a greater space to contain it , than it did the instant before ; must needs in the same moment remove some other thing to obtain such new space ; and whatsoever thing becomes on the sudden lessen'd or contracted , must occasion the motion of something or other , at the same time , to replenish the space it deserted , by such contraction or shrinking into narrower bounds . having in some degree , clear'd the way , and conducted the reader by those steps , and that train of reflection , by which i became establish'd in my opinion touching the certainty and causes ( as they seem to me to be ) of the earth's motion , on its axis , &c. i come now to interpret that motion as i conceive it to be an effect of those causes . first , then i take for granted , ( and hope in due place to give probable proof thereof ) that the sun is the center of the earth's gravity , towards which it tends . secondly , i have observ'd that the fluid which invirons the earth's globe , by the concurrence of proper admixtures of matter , furnish'd from thence , is dispos'd for motion , and by a posture of obedience to proper causes , cannot but be deem'd to be actually ever in a ready state of mobillity . thirdly , i have noted , that rarifaction and condensation are causes of motion , and that the same quantity of matter , rarifi'd or condens'd becomes lighter and heavier as an effect of such causes . fourthly , i note that every action of fire ( be it more or less ) breaks or alters the aequilibrium of the neighbouring fluid , which we see verifi'd every moment , by the fire in our chimneys , which is the cause of that noise and whistling of the wind through the crannies and key-holes of a close shut room , where a good fire is kept ; the air tending and rushing thitherwards , by stronger or weaker impulses , ratably to the strength or weakness of the cause acting thereon . fifthly , i am in no great doubt but the sun is the universal fountain of fire , ( by whose transcendent masculine force i conceive , all the seeds or sparks of that element existing every where here below , is disseminated and propagated , through out the world ) which planet i conceive , acts in the fame manner on this whole globe , and the fluid that surrounds it , as any part or particle of its fire , is found to do on any fragment of the same matter . we see and know that a very small parcel of his beams united or contracted by a glass , will as certainly burn , and therefore as certainly act in proportion by rarifaction , as any body of fire of never so much greater dimentions can be thought to do : whence we may i think safely conclude from the uniformity : we find in the operations of nature ; that the sun ( which is an immense body of fire , whose magnitude we know to be such as to imbrace with his heat , and inlighten with his beams more than half the earth's globe at once ) acts in like manner and proportion on the universal mass , as a spark of his fire shot through a burning glass , does on a drop of water , or any other visible fluid ; which we are sure it will exhale and cause to disappear in a moment . i say , that since we are certain , that there can be no very great disparity of proportion betwixt such drop of water and the least spark of the sun's fire , acting thereon , and that of this globe of the earth , and fluid compar'd with the collected force of his universal influence , on the whole terrestrial mass ; we can hardly withstand the evidence of this truth , namely , that the entire hemisphere which is at once imbrac'd , illumin'd and warm'd , by that planets virtue , cannot chuse but be affected in the same degree , and be lyable to all those motions , and alterations which we behold and know to be the effect of the like action , on the like subject in lesser proportions . sixthly , we may determine from a bare guess by what we see and observe , that there is an unspeakable store , or reserve , of combustible , and proper matter , contain'd on the surface and in the bowels of the earth , prepar'd to obey the sun's action and impression thereon , and we shall not i hope be thought to resolve too boldly , if we conclude , that as far as that planets force penetrates and warms , so far he may be computed to act by exhalation , ( or rarifaction ) call it what you please on the universal mass of matter . so that by this mighty force employ'd on a sufficient proportion of subject matter , we may be taught to expect proportionable effects . wherefore i believe it will be hard to gainsay but that the enlighten'd hemisphere or that face of the globe , which is at any time the scene of this action , must unquestionably suffer a manifest dimunition of matter , and consequently of weight , by the transpiration , extension and motion , of the volatile parts , which ever wing their way from the light , to the dark side of the globe ; where by the same laws , by which they mov'd , they must also cease from motion ; and there subside and be at rest , till actuated anew , and put on the wing again by the return of the cause ; by which means , namely this revolution of action , we may conceive a constant course of diminution , and restitution of matter ; or an alternate gravitation , and alleviation thereof on the earth's globe , which by plain mechanick laws , urges a manifest succession of change in the aequilibrium thereof ; and that in a double proportion , viz. by borrowing from one scale , to lend to the other . whereby the preponderancy of the dark hemisphere , or alteration of the aequilibrium of the globe , becomes i say so much the greater : and thus i conceive how by the laws and action of gravity , we may discern with some evidence , a proclivity in the earth's globe towards a motion of verticity , or turning round ; and that from a cause , as familiar and intelligible , as a bird 's ringing the chimes , in a cage . lastly , having produc'd and assign'd the causes , how i imagine the earth's revolving motion , may by mechanick laws be obtain'd ; i come now to inquire after the poles of this motion without which , we shall be at a loss , and want a sound footing of reason , whereon to build , and govern this motion ; which , while we consider its regular and stated periods , it cannot be thought to be fortuitous , but founded and stated on adequate causes . the earth's globe being as i have noted , immers'd in the great fluid or aether , wherein both that and the rest of the planets , are granted to move : this fluid according to its nature , and property , claspes and embraces it universally ; pressing or gravitating on the surface therefore equally every where ; ( i say equally because i wou'd not ingage here in any statical questions ) but subject and obedient still to certain adventitious causes , which may alter , and diversify such pressure or gravitation . let it be permitted me then to conceive , that this fluid being simply consider'd , and in its own native purity ; namely , clean from all whatsoever admixtures ; i say this elemental aether , ( if i may so call it , ) nakedly understood , viz. stripp'd of all foreign and heterogenius ingredients , ( which by there inflamable and explosive virtue , may be conceiv'd to act thereon ) is of it self , a passive lifeless matter ; destitute of any intrinsick force of action , and is no other in short than the vehicle of those powers or ingredients that swim and reside in it ; which matter or fluid becomes lighter and heavier , slow , swift , rappid , and at rest , just as it is impregnated inspirrited , or deserted by those forreign agents ; or any heterogenius body casually mixing or floating therein ; to which i say the fluid or aether is nothing else but the meer vehicle . this remark being duly weigh'd , we need but recurr to the cause of that variety of action and motion , which we have observ'd to exist on the earth's surface , which i observe to be the sun , by whose force ( acting on proper matter ) all that tumult of action is rais'd and begotten ; in proof whereof we need not go further , than to note that the greatest storms and hurrican's are ever found where that planets power reigns with greatest force . from a reflection on the power , let us go to the situation or position of the agent , with respect to the earth's globe , which furnishes the materials whereon it works : and therein may be considered , that the greatest vigour of the sun's action is contain'd betwixt the tropicks ; his beams ever darting somewhere or other within or between those two circles , ( and no where else ) at right angles on the earth's surface ; and from or without the tropicks , ( viz. towards the poles ) the angles of insidence become oblique , and ever fall with greatest obliquity at the poles . the use i wou'd make of this observation is , that since we can determine where , and on what part of the earth's globe , the sun's beams fall with least obliquity , we may resolve also that it is on that part , and within those boundaries , that his fire acts with greatest fervour . but this force of the sun's virtue is found to be greatest betwixt the tropicks ; where by his action on the greater circles of the globe , the effect becomes so much the surer , by how much we observe a greater wheel , or a longer lever , to act more forcibly than a lesser ; which as it fortifies the reasons already offer'd for the earth's verticity , by assigning such a position to the cause as may render the effect so much the more probable , so it leads us not obscurely to concieve , how the poles of this motion also are begotton . for if there shall appear , any evidence from the causes we have assign'd , for the fluids pressing or gravitating less on the earth's globe on the greater circles , ( namely betwixt the tropicks ) which cannot ▪ fairly be gainsaid ; the alleviation thereof , being greatest where the rarifaction and motion is granted to be greatest ; it will not then be hard to allow , that every degree of remission of the power , of the agent ( viz. the sun , ) must produce a proportionable diminution of the effect . but i have shown ( or lead the reader to conceive , ) how it comes to pass , that the surrounding fluid presses lightest on the surface of that region of the globe , that shall be found remotest from the poles , and therefore there will be no difficulty to infer , that as the angles of incidence of the sun's beams ( by whose action that alleviation of the fluids pressure is begotten , which we have endeavour'd to explain ) grow more and more oblique , the effect becomes more and more diminish'd . so that by a scale , as i may say of diminution , or by the gradual obliquity of the angles of incidence , which begins at the tropicks , and are ever most oblique at the poles ; we may be taught to discern how the fluid ( by this remission of the sun's action thereon ) comes to press harder or gravitate more on the globe at the poles than elsewhere ; or rather infer , that by this necessary superiour pressure , the poles of the earth's verticity are begotten . for in a word the fluid ( which i have over and above , endeavour'd to show ) being heaviest or pressing hardest , when in its native purity ; must needs abide there above all other parts of the globe , most clean and unmix'd from all such heterogenius matter ; those two points of the earth's surface , being the most absent from that active and rarifying force by which , by means of such matter , it is put into motion , as i have shewn how . and i am in no doubt , but all those combustible and inflamable ingredients , which in other regions of the globe , are the cause ( cooperating with the sun ) of all that agitation we have observ'd ; remain here lazy , and lifeless on the surface , and in the bowels of the earth , and like a snake in winter benum'd , and bereft of all power of motion , through the absence of that inlivening virtue to which it owes all its power of motion and action ; by which means the fluid or aether , which invirons the globe ; abides there in a perfect state of tranquillity , and ( unmolested by any foreign force ) has leave to rest , press or gravitate by its own laws , and according to its native tendency ; which liberty i say it doth not injoy on other parts of the globe , where the sun's action is more in force . thus then , i concieve , and have as well as i can explain'd how the poles of the earth's verticity are obtain'd ; the surrounding fluid leaning or gravitating on the surface thereof , by a stronger pressure in those two points of the globe , than it can be thought to do in any other part whatsoever : which pressure like two fulciments , props , holds and sustains it in that regular posture wherein we find it to move ; or to give a plainer similitude of my meaning , by the stronger resting of the fluid , in and about these two opposite points ; whereby cliping as i may say , and embracing the globe by a superiour pressure there , those two points become by that means , the centers of the earth's revolving motion , as intellibly as a polish'd ball , or sphere , being held and press'd betwixt the finger , and the thumb on the two centers by which it was turn'd , is thereby dispos'd to a motion of verticity , by means of any competent force in a proper manner apply'd to produce it . when i enter'd on this discourse , i thought to have pursu'd my argument through all the difficulties , that seem'd to occur to me and had been fairly hitherto suggested , by others to my hypothesis as i have here simply explain'd it . but being inform'd that i am to expect farther , and more material objections than i may be aware of , i have therefore consented to publish the first naked draught , of my conjectures on this subject in a single essay , which containing my principles , and the out-lines of my design , the reader being thereby furnish'd with light into the proportions and consistency , at least of my meaning , will have more room and liesure , for his reflection and to impart his doubts , which i shall recieve with gratitude , and consider with my utmost care — truth is painted naked , because in that simplicity of appearance , she is best known , and the more we beg or borrow , or are driven for supplies to wit or art , to imbelish her , the more we seem to disguise her , and bewray the uncertainty of our knowledge about her — her abode to ( as in our case ) is often in the clouds , so that he who attempts to shew her in the greatest undress , may be thought to do most right to her charms , and whosoever shall give the best aim at the means of resolving distant and doubtful causes , by the plainest and most familiar methods , such as nature by the laws of mechanism seems to approve , may be deem'd to be more in the way , and to make the approaches to truth more lightsom and intelligible , than by remote and metaphysical speculations , wherein we know the greatest wits have wander'd , who according to their different modes of thinking , have compass'd to solve appearances so many different ways ; whereby we are taught just so much truth as to be sure that their systems may be all false , because we are most certain , there can be but one true. in a word , whatever may be the destiny of this essay , the author trusts to have some title to excuse , both from the learn'd and others , for his attempt : from the one for propounding so much a nearer , and more likely way to the unravelling this skain , which hath been left more intangl'd and perplex'd by dispute , and the diversity of learn'd men's opinions about it , which infaelicity may perhaps have sprung from their speculating so far after distant and obscure causes , that they have thereby miss'd and overlook'd the true. to these gentlemen , if any thing in this theory has been started new , or of moment enough to be consider'd , i may have given an occasion of meriting from the world , by my laying this rude foundation whereon by their better abilities some useful structure of knowledge may perhaps be rais'd . from the rest who are much the majority , i will not doubt of acceptance while i do my best , to shorten and ascertain the way to truth , by calling in our senses more to our aid , which being the surest succours , and clearest conduits of knowledge , our researches and reasonings , on these dark phaenomena , will thereby stand on a surer basis ; and to conclude with one single instance here , of my method in this pursuit ; i note , that to obtain a proof of my seeming at least to have reason'd right , about this problem of the earth's motion on its axis , i fram'd a machine , with all the accuracy possible ; wherein i imitated , according to my best knowledge , the earth's globe with its atmosphaere , &c. which being poiz'd very nicely , and tenderly sustain'd on its poles to adapt it for motion , and then fairly substituting and applying the causes , which i conceive , by the laws of gravity , are productive of the earth's diurnal motion : i reap'd the contentment , to behold the effect of such causes working on the said matter , to give credit in every article to what i had thereupon before imagin'd : the machine so fram'd and fitted , visibly revolving on its axis ; each revolution finishing in about the space of three hours . which experiment beheld by my friends , who were not presently aware of the springs of such motion , they were no less pleas'd than surpriz'd . finis . learned: tico brahæ his astronomicall coniectur of the new and much admired [star] which appered in the year 1572 astronomiae instauratae progymnasmata. conclusio. english brahe, tycho, 1546-1601. 1632 approx. 55 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 21 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2007-10 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a16631 stc 3538.5 estc s106182 22142171 ocm 22142171 25151 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a16631) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 25151) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 734:15 or 1747:3) learned: tico brahæ his astronomicall coniectur of the new and much admired [star] which appered in the year 1572 astronomiae instauratae progymnasmata. conclusio. english brahe, tycho, 1546-1601. v. v. s. [12], 26, [2] p., 1 leaf of plates : ill., port. by b.a. and t.f. for michaell [sparke] and samuell nealand, printed at london : 1632. "translated according to his originall astronomicall prediction"--p. 1. engraved and illustrated t.p. on double leaf (with rebuses for the words "star" and "spark"). translator's dedication signed: v.v.s. translation of the conclusion of: astronomiae instauratae progymnasmata. signatures: [pi]³ a-d⁴ e². colophon imprint: london : printed by b.a. and t.f. for michael sparke, at the blue bible in greene-arbor, 1632. reproductions of originals in the british library (reel 734) and peterborough cathedral (reel 1747). created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and 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guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng stars, new. astronomy -early works to 1800. 2006-05 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2006-05 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2006-09 jonathan blaney sampled and proofread 2006-09 jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion learned tico brahae his astronomicall coniectur of the new and much admired ⋆ which appered in the year 1572 non haberi sed esse portrait of tycho brahe effigies tychonis brahe ottonidis dan●… dn̄ide knvdstrvp et arcis vranienbvrg in insvla hellisponti danici hvenna ▪ aetatis suae 40 ann● dn̄i . 1580 diagram of new star found in cassiopeia printed at london by ba and t f for michaell depiction of 'spark (s)' and samuell nealand 1632 to the high and mighty emperour , rvdolphvs the ii. the preface of the heyres to tycho brahe . an orphant worke ( most mighty emperour ) we doe now present unto the view of your sacred maiesty , and doe dedicate it to your renowned name , being the astronomicall exercises of our parent of late approved memory , which by the leysurable studies of the author are increased to so large a volume , that so they may be more commodious to posterity , than the bare title of exercises doth promise . for if ever horaces law were observed , it is in this booke , which commeth forth after three times nine yeares are expired . for when our parent at the first , had onely purposed to treat in this booke of that wonderfull new starre , which was seene in the yeare of seventy two , and diligently to examine the opinions of others concerning the same , and had begun to print it at vraniburg , ( all things going forward according to his owne desire ) it happened in the mean time , that he began to make a new and exact description of the course of the sunne , and to assigne and point out the severall places of the fixed starres , even to halfe a minute , according to their latitude and longitude , and lastly to search out the intricate motions of the moone , all which at length be performed , and hate heere added to this volume ; so that we may truly affirme , that this booke in respect of the worthinesse of the matter , deserveth a more famous title , than to be called astronomicall exercises . how difficult it was to performe , in respect that things lay deeply hidden , and therefore required the more labour to find out , having beene before in paine attempted by others in former ages , i leave to their consideration , that have any the least knowledge in astronomy . now this incomparable labour , which is above the envy of malevolent persons , seeing that our parent in the last yeares of his life , together with his other studies , hath devoted to your sacred maiestie , we therefore his surviving heyres , having printed it after his decease , doe now most humbly offer it to your highnesse : which wee have done to the end , that we might give an account of his studies to the chiefe monarch of the christian world , and might take away all occasion of detraction from the envious , whom eyther their owne malitious natures have stirred up against him , or their evill dispositions and ignorance have so corrupted and blinded their iudgments , that they should thinke it all lost , which was bestowed on these royall sciences ; which was very little , in respect of that which was necessary , and in regard of the honour and glory which redoundeth from thence . but in this complaint , the most learned and excellent men of all ages , may beare us cōpany , who were envyed while they lived . since no age hath wanted some who with aristippvs and epicvrvs , have disdained mathematicall learning as vaine and idle , and have hated the professors thereof with more than barbarous malice . neverthelesse , most mighty emperor , we being held up and sustained by the authority of your imperiall maiesty , who are placed on the highest pinacle of honour , have no reason to regard the envy of others . but have cause not to dispise such idle censures , and call to minde the examples of your maiesties ancestors ; namely , alphonsvs king of aragon and castell , albertvs of austria , frederick , charles the fifth , and the like , who were all favourers of this noble study , and did extend their munificence and bounty to the professors thereof . for ( that i may instance one of many ) who could be more magnificent than alphonsvs , who out of his owne praise-worthy and memorable bounty , did bestow upon the tables of the coelestiall motions , above fodre hundred thousand ducats . notwithstanding the aristippusses of our time , doe thinke it might better have beene bestowed on sports and idle pleasures . but yet these men doe not consider that alphonsvs by this meanes hath gotten to himselfe everlasting glory , while the fame of other kings is buried in obscurity . but yet how lame and defective are these costly tables ! and not to be compared with the labours of our parent . because they never made any observation from the heavens , but by comparing the observations of the ancients , and noting the progresse of the starres , they have pacthed up this bundle of tables . this defect divers learned men have endeavoured to supply , and especially the most famous copernicvs , who yet was much hindred by wanting fit instruments , so that hee could not attaine to his desire , although he hath more perfectly rectified the motions than any of his predecessors . wherefore with consident modesty we dare affirme , that our . parene hath excelled all the astronomers of former ages , in the accurate restoring of the motions , and that neyther any king or prince except alphonsvs , hath bestowed so much upon astronomy , so that he did not onely employ his whole revenewes , arising from his lands and offices which he held under the king of denmarke , but also of his owne proper stocke , he layd out aboue a hundred thousand thaleri . but when after the death of this praise-worthy king , the charges grew so great , that he was almost tyred therwith , being sent for out of his country by your maiesties command , he endeavored to make the tables of the coelestiall motions dedicated to rvdolphvs , to exceed the tables of alphonsvs and copernicvs , that so your maiesty ( having promised to helpe him in the charges thereof astronomy might live by your maiesties liberality , and your maiesties name might live eternally by astronomy . when having thus intended to doe , god tooke him away both in the middle of his age and worke , to the great hinderance of learning , and the losse of us his heyres . now therefore , that we may benefit posterity , whereof we ought to have especiall regard , we beseech your maiesty by the holy rites of vrania the heavenly muse , that you would not in these trouble some times of warre , neglect the opportunity of gaining eternall praise , by finishing those i ables , which albeit they require some charge , yet it is a worke that may well beseeme your imperiall maiesty . for as the poet said , sint maejenates , non dierunt , flacce , marones . so we may say , that if we could have such patrons as albertvs , frederick , and charles the great , there will not be wanting such , who will cheerefully undertake this labour , and finish that which remaineth . whereby we dare promise , that your maiestie by rectifying the study of astronomy , shall gaine perpetuall fame and glory , which shall continue as long as the starres endure . and so to conclude this our dedication , wee commend your most sacred maiesty to the protection of almighty god , and our selves as beeing the heyres of tycho brahe to your maiesties protection . from prague the day before the calends of august , in the yeare of christ , 1602. your majesties most obedient servants the heyres of tycho brahe . the translatovr to the reader . this books like to a commet will appeare for to be gaz'd at in the following yeare , which though * in time perhaps it come behind , yet heere the reader shall most amply find renowned tycho's owne prognostication of the new starre in this same new translation . whereof a learned and most grave divine hath made some observations for this time. but wee make tycho speake even word forword . yet with that leave which * horace doth afford , who thinkes it merits a translators name to change the wordes , and yet the sence retaine , for this same starre it selfe before did shroud within the latine , hid as in a cloud , but now it is unvayl'd , and heere in sight it shineth forth againe , as cleere and bright as when it first appeared in the skie , and was the object of each wandring eye . * astrologie is but the speech of starres , which doe fore-tell vs both of peace and warres , and by this starre great tycho did intend to shew the world was comming to an end . it was no nine dayes wonder , but , shall last vntill old * cronos with his sythe be past , and all thinges bee into a chaos hurl'd , and that an end doe come upon the world : the thought whereof , should still a motive bee to make vs thinke on our eternitie . mens super astra valet . interp : v. v. s. an elogie made and written by iames the vi. king of scots , in commendation of tycho brahe his workes , and worth . qvam temerè est ausus phaëton , vel praestat apollo qui regit ignivomos aethere anhelus equos . plus tycho ; cuncta astra regis : tibi cedit apollo charus & vraniae es hospes , alumnus , amor . iacobvs rex . what phaeton dar'd , was by apollo done who rul'd the fiery horses of the sunne . more tycho doth ; hee rules the starres above and is vrania's favorite , and love. learned ticho brahe his propheticall conclusion of the new and much admired starre of the north , 1572. translated according to his originall astronomicall prediction . that which i intended to deliver to posterity , concerning the new and admirable starre which appeared in the yeare 1572. in the beginning of november , and neare unto the constellation of cassiopeae , i have now finished , and by gods assistance ( from whom wee acknowledge all things to bee received ) brought it to a desired end . and i thinke that in those things which i have propounded and explained , no materiall point is omitted , having taken such paines in finding out the truth and clearing it from the pollutions of error , that all those who understand the mathematickes , and will consider of things with a sincere judgment , shall find no occasion eyther to doubt or contradict . but yet to the end that those things which i purposed to divulge concerning this strange and wonderfull starre , being written according to the rules of astronomy , and compared with other mens opinions , might attaine to the greater perfection ; i thought it meet in the former part of this booke , to intreat of some things in generall , thereby to lay a ground-worke , not onely to the explanation of this starre , but also to the whole science of astronomy . therefore in the first two chapters , we have handled all matters appertaining to the exact rectifying and renewing of the course of the sunne , & of the moone his sister , according to their own motions in the heavens . after this , i have described no lesse than eight hundred of the fixed starres , and have assigned them their severall places , according to their longitude and latitude . for by that amiable bright morning and evening starre of venus , wee have set forth by many approved trials , the limits of the fixed starres , in respect of the aequinoctiall points and have added to these all the other chiefe starres , which doe appeare neare the zodiacke : and so at last we discended to the rectification of the starres belonging to the constellation of cassiopea , the knowledge whereof , we knew would availe much to our present purpose . and now albeit , the performance hereof in due manner required more study and labour , then the unexperienced can judge , who are ready to alledge that i have tooke more paines in searching out and declaring the nature of this starre according to the fundamentall rules of astronomie , then indeed was necessary . yet to the end , that some solid and certaine truth might bee knowne concerning this unusuall appearance , i thought fit to lay a sound and firme foundation to build upon , which could not be performed without the rectification of the course of the sunne , and the fixed starres . so that i doubt not , but i shall obtaine pardon of those which will consider things with an equall and favorable judgement ; but if i seeme to have heaped divers matters together , in more ample manner , than the proper attributes of this starre did require , i have done it to that end , that so i might profit the whole art of astronomy , and might vindicate it from divers faults as occasion was offered ; for which i hope i shall rather deserve thankes , than the envie of those which are studious of this sublime science . and moreover this starre , of which i purposed chiefly to intreat , albeit it were ascitious and chanceable ; yet because it shined forth most miraculously , and contrary to the lawes of nature , even in the highest firmament , like to the other naturall starres , and stood there fixed and immoveable for the space of a whole yeare and more , it seemed fit that some diligent paines should be taken , in considering and unfolding the circumstances belonging thereunto . besides , we shall alwayes gratefully acknowledge the labour of hypparchus ; who with great diligence hath noted out unto us , the places of all the starres which are seene in the eight sphaere , which hee hath left unto us by his will , by the occasion onely of one new starre which was seene in his time , although it is likely that it was not to be cōpared with that which appeared in our dayes , neither in magnitude , nor shining brightnesse , not yet in the duration , and continuance thereof . for albeit , it shined without a taile or any scattered beames , ( for then it had beene a comet ) yet neverthelesse it might be likened to some of those appearances , which are beheld in the forme of obscure starres without any streaming beard at all , and so doe exercise some proper motion , as that did which was seene in the yeare 1585. but howsoever , it doth not repent us of our labour which we have bestowed , according as our time and leysure would permit us ; in asmuch as we trust that those things which we have delivered will be much availeable , not onely to point out the due place and position of this novell starre , but also of all the other starres in the firmament , and likewise for the exact measuring of the course of the planets . for if our ancestors had used that diligence which they ought to have done , in decyphering the motions of the sunne , and in rectifying the true places of the fixed starres according to their longitude and latitude , we might then have spared that labour , which we bestowed in the two first chapters , and might presently have declared those things which concerned the starre it selfe , whose description we had undertaken . therefore , i thought it fit to prefixe some observations concerning the sunne , the moone , and the fixed starres ; because we shall have occasion to mention them hereafter . now in the other part of this booke , i have faithfully and accurately exhibited out of our owne observations , these things which properly appertaine to this new starre , and after that i had declared these observations which could be gathered eyther by ocular animadversion , or by the extrinsecall adjuncts thereunto belonging , i have also set downe the forme and use of those instruments , that so the certainty thereof might appeare . after this , i demonstrated the very place of the starre , in respect of the eclipticke , and equator , and by working of the small divisions , at last reduc'd them into whole numbers . and so passing to the unfolding of the paralax , i have cleerely prooved by divers invincible reasons that it had none at all , and that it was exalted , not onely above the elementary region , and the confines of the moone , but farre beyond the orbes of the planets , even to the highest spheare of the fixed starres , and so at last i have measured his true magnitude , and that i might the more truly compare it both to the earth , and to the celestial bodies , i have also prescribed the orders , and quantities of the planets , and fixed starres , according as they are placed in the heavens , though somewhat different from my predecessors in the same kinde . lastly , in the third partition , i have compared the opinions of other men concerning this matter , and have examined them by the touchstone of truth . and first , i have shewed their consents , who in this did agree with us , that this starre did admit of no particular ; and next their assertions , who did attribute unto it some diversitie of aspect , yet not so great as to make it sublunary . in the third place , i have searched out their suppositions , who have determined nothing mathematically concerning it , but have brought in some absurd coniectures farre differing from the truth ; namely , that it was not a new starre , but that it received an accidentall light from some of the old starres , while some againe indeavored to thrust it out of the heavens , and to place it nearer the moone , have drawne it downe to the aethereall element . and so in the three last chapters , i have weighed their opinions who have eyther come neere unto the truth , or wādred frō it concerning this new starre , which i have done , that so the truth might appeare and shine forth , more clearely , and not by flattery to obtaine the favour of any one , by reciting their opinions , who have iudged somewhat neare the matter , nor yet to enveigh against those who have produced strange conceits very wide from the purpose ; but i have onely tooke care , that the truth might not be violated in any thing , but have endeavoured to suppresse their boasting endeavours , who eyther through ignorance , or wilfulnesse have opposed themselves against it , and have openly reiected and confuted their erronious opinions . for so the truth shall bee more easily brought to light , not onely by inducing probable conceits , but also by removing contrary and erronious supponsions . but when i consider with my selfe , how many vaine opinions there have beene concerning this starre , both in respect of his scituation and distance from the earth ( when yet they were more easie to be found out , in regard of the immobilitie of the starre , and in that it appeared alwayes aboue the horizon , than in commets which are alotted some motion ) i doe not so much wonder at it , seeing not onely the motions of the starres are not hitherto declared in such an accurate manner as is fitting ; but also , that there doe so many questions and controversies arise in philosophy and divinity . for if that which plainely appeared to the sight , and might easily be measured and demonstrated geometrically by fit instruments , was yet subject to so great variety and difference of iudgements : how much more those things which are not discernable by the senses , nor subject to humaine industry , but are so full of doubts and perplexities , that truth ( which is alwayes but one , as the center in the circie ) is very hardly or never found out . hence arises so great a confusion of opinions in every science , and divers severall questions are discussed , not onely in naturall philosophy , but also in divine and morall matters , that it is hard to find out , and firmely to establish any certainty , which may bee equall to geometricall demonstrations , or which cannot bee contradicted . such are the blind apprehension of mans nature , and in such a darknesse of error doe we spend our dayes heere on earth . and therefore moved by these considerations , i have illustrated and discovered whatsoever i thought did belong to the consideration of the unusuall starre , both by declaring the true nature thereof , as also by detecting the errours of divers and sundry writers : now there remaineth yet two other questions to bee unfolded , whereof the one is physicall , concerning the matter and procreation of this starre ; the other astrologicall , concerning the effects and signification thereof , whereof i purposed not to intreat seriously , or by way of iudiciall divination to set downe any certainty in this present worke , in as much as they are not subiect to the senses nor to any geometriall demonstration , but are onely grounded upon probable coniectures , and not on mathematicall principles : yet neverthelesse , because many doe desire a physicall and prognosticall explanation of this starre , and are very desirous to see them set forth , especially , the latter : therefore for the satisfaction of their minds , i will declare my opinion concerning this starre , but yet with this caution ; that those things which i shall disclose are not to be compared in respect of their indubitable certainty , with that which i have propounded demonstratively in the former part of my booke ; for these prognostick matters are grounded onely upon conjecturall probabilitie . therefore i will not insist long upon them , but speake of them as briefely as i may ; and for this purpose i have reserved them to be handled here in the conclusion of my whole booke , that so i might the more sparingly intreat of them . therefore , concerning the matter of this adventitious starre , that i may first give you my opinion , i thinke it was coelestiall , not differing from the matter of the other starres , but yet in this it did admit of some diversitie , that it was not exalted to such a perfection , nor solid composition of the parts , as appeareth in the everlasting and continuing starres : and therefore it had no perpetuall duration , as these have , but was subiect in processe of time to dissolution ; forasmuch as this starre could not consist of any elementary matter , sith that cannot be carried into the highest part of the ayre , nor can obtaine there any firme place of abiding . besides , this starre did at the first in his magnitude exceed the whole globe of the earth , and was three hundred times bigger then the whole circumference thereof , and therefore what sublunary matter could be sufficient to the conformation of it ? but some may say , how or whence could it bee framed of coelestiall matter ; i answere that the heavens did afford it themselves , in like manner as the earth the sea , and the ayre ; if at any time they exhibite some strange sight , doe produce it out of their owne proper substance . for although the heaven it selfe be thinne and pervious , giving way to the motion of the starres without any hinderance , yet it is not altogether incorporeall , for then it should be infinite and without place . therefore the very matter of heaven , though it be subtile , and possible to the courses of the planets , yet being compacted and condens●ted into one globe , and being illustrated by the light of the sunne , might give forme and fashion to this starre . which because it had not his beginning from the common order of nature , therefore it could not have a continuall duration equall to the rest ; as in like manner , new and monstrous generations arising and compounded out of the elements cannot long endure . and albeit the large vastnesse of the coelestiall world may afford sufficient matter for the conformation of any adventitious starre , yet there is no where more plenty then neere unto vialactea or the milkie way , which i suppose to be a certaine heavenly substance not differing from the matter of the other starres , but diffus'd , and spread abroad , yet not distinctly conglobated in one body , as the starres are : and hence i conjecture it came to passe , that this starre appeared in the edge of the milkie way , and had the same substance as the galaxia hath . besides , there is discerned a certain marke or scarre as it were in that part of the galaxia , wherein this starre was seated , as in a cleare night when the milkie way is not vailed with cloudes we may easily perceive . which marke or scarre i never saw before this starre did arise , neither did i ever reade of it . but howsoever , the substance of the milkie zone is able to supply matter for the framing of this starre , which because it had not attained so excellent a consummation , and solid existence , as the genuine and naturall starres have , therefore it was subiect to dissolution and dissipation , eyther by its owne nature , or by the multiplicitie of the beames of the sunne and other starres . neither is aristotle here to be allowed of , who disapproving of the opinions of others , doth himselfe bring in no lesse absurdities , while hee maketh the galaxia to be a certaine sublunary concretion attracted and formed out of the starres which are above it ; so that it becommeth a meteor , in the highest part of the ayre , not unlike to the comets , which he ( grounding one absurdity upon another ) supposeth to be generated there . for if it were so , the milkie way would not have continued in the same forme , place , and magnitude , as it hath done from the beginning of the world . and besides , other starres would attaine unto the like luminous concretion ; and moreover , this galaxia of aristotle , would then admit of a paralax , and according to the opticke consideration , by the shining of the fixed starres through it , it would beget a strange refraction , differing from that which is occasion'd by the vapors that are seene about the horizon , which seldome riseth to the twentieth degree of altitude , when this proceeding from the via lactea would reach to the greatest height . all which , aristotle rather guested at , grounding it upon coniecture rather than on the doctrine of the mathematicks & opticks ; and therefore it is no marvell , if he hath endeavoured , to banish those seldome appearing cornets out of the heaven , and to equall them to sublunary meteors , whereby he hath thrust downe the galaxi● beneath the moone , and hath made it participant of a sublunary nature . hence it is , that aristotle and other philosophers , have ioyned the description and explication of the galaxia , together with the commets , because they knew not , the affinity which is betweene , having onely learned by experience , or by the relation of ancient writers , that these beamy starrs have their originall and beginning neere to the milkie way . neither can it be a solaecisine , in that i affirme , that this new starre was framed of coelestiall matter , being the same whereof the galaxia and other starres doe consist , yet not so well compacted ; when we may discerne the like productions in the earth , which bringeth forth mettals and precious stones . yet though all mettals and iems have one and the same matter , yet all are not concocted and brought to the same subtility , and maturity by the powerfull working of nature ; hence it is , that some are sooner corrupted ; others very hardly ; so that pure gold and silver , in respect of the homogemly and perfection of their parts , are able to resist the violence of the fire , without any losse or detriment at all , when more imperfect mettals , as lead and tinne , are soone calcinated into ashes , or else vanish into smoake ; in like manner , this starre might bee framed of coelestiall marter , although it had not attained to such a perfect existence as the naturall starres ; and therefore , it could not with them be able to endure the beames of the sunne and starres , and the motion of the heaven , and with all it was subiect to a successiue alteration , untill at last it was quite dissolu'd . but why this starre although it had the same matter with the galaxia , which is not obnoxious to corruption , yet was in time extinct , i wil declare some reasons hereafter . wherfore having spoken sufficiently of the first part , namely of the physicall nature of this starre , i will now discend to give you my coniecturall opinion , concerning the signification of this starre as it did betoken some thing that was to come . i know there were some ( otherwise learned men ) who did hold , that these new appearances which are sometimes seene in the heavens , have no effectuall operation , or signification , being ( it may be ) led unto that opinion , because those things which astrologers foretell concerning the effects of such adventitious starres , are full of vanity , and doe seldome come to passe , or prove true in the end . yet notwithstanding in my opinion , we should not take away all power of divination , from such admirable and strange appearances , because astrologers cannot by evident demonstration presage of their events . but rather , such are to be taxed , who rashly deliver their uncertaine conjectures ; and the weaknesse of mans judgment , which is ready to wander from the truth is to be pardoned , but we ought not to imagine that god and nature doth vainely mocke us , with such new formed bodies , which doe presage nothing to the world . yet truly the prognostication and fore-knowledge of and concerning such strange appearances in the heavens , is very hard to finde out , and doth oftentimes delude the understanding of man , seeing we doe not certainly know the influences of the other starres . whence it may come to passe , that astrology , which entreateth of the effects of the starres , may deliver that which is true , as well as astronomy , which onely declareth their motions and appearances , since the cause cannot want an effect , whether it is to be knowne or not . neither hath humaine industry beene able to search out the motions of the starres , although they are most certain . so that it is lesse marvaile , that their effects which are not obvious to the sense should lye so deeply hidden , and oftentimes deceive mens judgements . for if there were ever any difficulty in discerning , and foretelling the significations of the starres , truly this new starre , which appeared in our age for a whole yeare together , doth require much labour and diligence , in revealing the portent thereof , and in shewing what it might signifie . especially , since there were never any apparitions like unto it , from whence any knowledge might be gathered by the likenesse of events , for arts of divination are not grounded on any principles , but upon experimentall observation . but no apparition like this was ever testified by any monument of antiquity , to have beene seene and beheld of men , except that which pliny mentioneth to have beene observed by hypparchus , which in regard it had a proper motion ( as wee may gather from the words of pliny ) cannot be compared with this new star , which alwayes stood fixed in one place . yet it is probable , that as the starre which hypparchus beheld , did fore-signifie the declining of the graecian monarchy , and the enlarging of the roman empire . so farre , that the whole world should be in subjection to this one city ; so likewise , some strange alteration in the publike government of estates and commmon-weales , shall ensue in the following yeares . for , as this was a rare and wonderfull starre , shining forth in the heavens unexpectedly , so it is likely and probable , that it will produce strange , great , and wonderfull effects , but what they shall be in particular , i thinke no mortall man is able to guesse , being as farre distant from our knowledge , as the rising of this starre was before it did appeare . yet the forme of it , when it shewed it selfe from the beginning , shining forth with a joviall , cleere , and bright lustre , doth seeme to fore-shew a prosperous and pe●c●able estate of humane affaires ; but yet the martiall fiery glistering thereof , doth foresignifie that some violence and trouble shall be intermingled with it . and besides , by this joviall figure , it seemeth to portend , a great alteration , if not an utter subversiō of religion ; so that those devices which by outward shewes and pharisaicall hypocrisie , have long time bewitched ignorant people , shall now come to their full point and end : and even as this new false starre shined foorth at the beginning , with a cleare and amiable aspect , but yet at last did change in colour , and lessen in proportion , untill at length it vanished quite away : so those false planets , which by an outward plausible appearance , doe seduce and leade men from the light of the truth , shall be quite extinguished . also , it is worthy of consideration , that albeit this starre was so neare to the semicircle of the colure , that his beames almost touched it , yet his whole body was seated toward the vernall quarter , and in respect of the poles of the world , in the middle of the first degree of aries , which may seeme to declare , that some great light is now at hand , which shall enlighten and by degrees expell the former darknesse ; as the sunne having passed the vernall poynt of the aequinoctiall , doth make the day longer than the night , which before had the advantage of the day . and as this starre appeared in the highest heavens , to the view of the whole world , so it is credible , that there shall happen a great catastrophe and universall change throughout all the chiefe nations of the earth , especially those which are scituated northward from the aequinoctiall . moreover , forasmuch as this starre was placed in the eight spheare , above the orbes of the planets , it seemeth that the predictions issuing from it , do not only concerne one peculiar tract of land , but all the nations of the world ; and therefore it will bee the longer before the effects will be declared by succeeding events . which , as they shall not begin , untill some yeares after the apparition , so they shall continue for a long time afterward . and if wee may take leave to conjecture by astrologicall computation of time , concerning the first beginning of that which is portended , we may guesse it will be nine yeares after the great conjunction , whereof this starre was the prodromus or fore-runner . if therefore wee frame our astrologicall direction by the place of this cōjunction which was in the one and twentieth degree of aquarius , the events of this starre shall begin to shew themselves , nine yeares after this conjunction . and when this is finished , in the yeare of christ 1583. and in the latter end of the moneth of aprill , the confirmation and end of this equinoctiall progression to the place of the new starre , will fall out in the yeare 1592. when the third septinary of yeares after the first appearing of the starre shall be accomplished . and those noble heroes which shall happen to be borne at the first rising of this starre , being ordained to be the authors and atchievers of those great mutations , shall about that time come to full ripenesse of age , that they may be fit and able for the performance of such great enterprises , and for the reducing of these predictions into act . and in the fourth septenary of yeares , when they have attained to their chiefe strength , they shall make the truth of these conjectures appeare most plainly ▪ but if we take our direction by comparing the place of this conjunction from the zodiacke , or the degrees of the eclipticke , unto the place of this new starre , then it is likely that the force and influence of this starre , will chiefly shew it selfe in the yeare of our lord 1632. for all the significations of this star doe depend on the trigonall revolution and tansmutation of the planets . and therefore if this rbee the seventh revolution of the planets , the first whereof was in the dayes of enoch , the second in noahs time , and at the vniversall deluge , the third in the dayes of moses , when the people were freed from the egyptian servitude , the fourth in the dayes of the kings of israel , the fift in the time of christs incarnation , when the roman empire was at the highest , and the sixt in the dayes of charles the great , when the empire was translated to the germanes , this last and seventh , is as it were the sabbath to all the rest , and doth foreshew something of greater consequence than all the former , wherein it is worthy of observation , that all the trigonall revolutions , as the first , third , and fift , were very profitable and advantagious to the world ; and so it is not unlikely that this seventh revolution being an unequall number , doth point out and fore-signifie the happy estate of things which is to come . neyther doth this conjecture differ from the prophesies of wise men which were illuminated with divine knowledge , who have foretold , that before the universall consummation & end of all things , there shall be a peaceable and quiet age , wherein the divers formes of religions and politike government , shall be changed and be made agreeable and conformable to the will of god. which assertion we may collect out of the prophets , who did fore-tell , that at last there should be a golden age ; in which they shall breake their swords into plough-shares , and their speares into pruning-hookes , nation shall not life up a sword against nation , neither shall they learne warre any more : but they shall sit every man vnder his vine , and vnder his fig-tree , and none shall make them afraid : as the prophet micah hath it . chap. 4. and isaiah , chap. 11. doth foretell of it , in this manner : the woolfe also shall dwell with the lambe , and the leopard shall lye downe with the kid , and the calfe and the young lyon , and the fatling together , and a little childe shall leade them , and the cow and the beare shall feed ; their young ones shall lye downe together : and the lyon shall eate straw like an oxe . and the sucking child shall play on the hole of the aspe , and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice den , they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountaine : for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the lord , as the waters cover the sea. also , in the sixty chapter of isaiah , speaking of the mysticall hierusalem , and perfect state of christianity , he saith , for brasse i will bring gold , and for yron i will bring silver , and for wood brasse , and for stones yron ▪ i will also make thy officers peace , and thine exactor ▪ righteousnesse : violence shall no more be heard in thy land , wasting nor destruction within thy borders , but thou shalt call thy walls salvation , and thy gates praise ; & at length he concluded thus ; for , i the lord will hasten it in his time . besides , many other places are found both in the prophets , and the revelation , which doe promise this unexpected happinesse . therefore that this prophesie may be fulfilled , which was delivered by divine inspiration , it must needs come to passe , even before the end and consummation of the world . but seeing the event of these things shall come to passe in the new revolution of the planets , before which this starre appeared , some doe suppose , that the light of religion doth now shine out cleerely having over come the darknes of error ; but if it were so , whence are then those controversies , and varieties of opinions which are defended by learned men ; insomuch that the warre of pennes , is more dangerous than that of swords . truely , it is rather to bee feared , least wee take this dawning and breake of day , to be the cleere noone-light . therefore , i suppose that this starre doth signifie , that there shall be a new change both in religion , and the estate of humaine affaires . ventum ad supremum est patientur summā ruinam , qui deus in coelis regit & reget omnia terris . that is to say , wee are come now to the highest perfection , the power of antichrist and the pope shall decay and bee brought to ruine , and god who ruleth in heaven shall rule all thinges on earth . but if any doe obiect , that the end of the world is at hand , and that therefore there will not be sufficient time to bring about a new change. i answere , that saint paul doth assure us , that the iewes shall be engraffed into the church , before the finall consummation of the world , which ( by humaine coniecture ) must needs require some time before , they being scattered over the whole face of the earth , shall be gathered into one nation . yet i thinke it not unnecessary to admonish and stirre up the mindes of men to thinke upon the end of the world , that so they may remember the eternity which shall follow after it . but yet it is impossible to limit and set forth a certaine time for the consummation of the world , which only dependeth upon the good-will and pleasure of god , and is not reuealed to the angels , and therfore cānot be knowne by any humain prescience ▪ but if some doe suppose , that the tract of hand to which this starre was verticall , is ominous aboue the rest , as if from thence the occasion and author of so great mutations are to bee expected , we must then chuse out those parts of the earth , which had the new starre in their meridian at the time of the new moone next following , which fel out , accounting the time by our meridian , upon the fifteenth of november , seaven houres , thirteene minutes ⅔ . in the afternoone ; to which if we apply , the latitude or distance from the equinoctiall agreeable to the declination of the starre which was in 61. ¾ . so that the place on the earth answerable thereunto , must needs be russia or moschovia , especially that part thereof which is ioyned unto finland ; for in that tract of earth this new starre in the new moone following , was in their zenith , and iust over their heads , where it stood equally distant from the horizon , and with a right angled aspect beheld this countrey . therefore , if this position of the starre doe point out the place of the earth , from whence these events shall arise , moschovia seemes especially to be designed , before any other regions , which are scituated towards the north , to whom this new starre was every day verticall . whither therefore , the first occasions of so great disturbances and mutations shall arise from hence which afterward shall be sowed and dispersed into other parts of the world , i leave it to be decided by others . truely ▪ that gogus , whereof mention is made in the eight and thirtieth chapter of ezekiel , and to whom esay chapter 17. 56. and micha chap. 5. doe allude , and with whom magog is named in the revelation , chap. 20. may be rightly understood of the msochovite , as castellio hath interpreted it in the 38. and 39. of ezekiel ; that gog should be the leader of the moscovites and iberians , because the old translation reades it , that he should be the prince of mosoch ; and thubal . for seeing the hebrewes reade it mesech , and the greekes and latine interpreters doe reade it mosoch , it is probable that the moschovites are signified heereby ; or else by this name , the whole northerne tract of earth is included . therefore it is very likely , that moschovia is principally denoted by this starre , and gogus the leader of the moschovites , of whom it is foretold in the prophets and the revelation , who having made great slaughters in europe , hee at last with his whole army shall be overthrowne , and so the earth shall be disburthened of her wicked inhabitants . for it is probable , that there must be a great clensing and extirpation of all earthly impurities , before that peaceable and happie age ( whereof the prophets have spoken ) shall come , but to shew the particular manner thereof is above humaine knowledge ; wee purpose onely to make some coniectures in generall , for the event will shew it selfe . moreover , because a certaine ancient prophesie of sibylla tiburtina , which was found in the yeare 1520. in switzerland , engraven in a marble stone in old latine characters , which was discovered by the force of the water washing away the earth , may be fitly applyed to this starre , i will heere insert it and ioyne it to our coniectures , for it is worthy of observation , beeing recited by cornelius gemma in his treatise of supernaturall apparitions , in these words . the sybils prophesie . a starre shall arise in europe over the iberians , at the great house of the north , whose beames shall vnexpectly inlighten the whole world. and this shall bee in a most desired time , when all nations shall lay by their weapons and imbrace peace ; but they shall contend during the interregnum , and strive to obtaine the reynes of government ; yet the ancient house shall prevaile , and shall be prosperous in warre , vntill contrary fates shall encounter one with another . for in the same time after this starre is gone , another great light shall shine foorth with martiall sparkling beames , and shall inlarge his empire even to the bounds of the antipodes . after this there shall bee bloudy comets , and flashings of fire seene in the heavens , so that there shall be no safety any where . the firmament of heaven shall bee dissolved , the planets shall forget their courses , and the spheares shall iustle one another , the fixed starres shall out-goe the planets . the heavens shall bee leveld with the seas , and after these thinges come to passe , there shall be continuall night , destruction , ruine , condemnation and eternall darknesse . g. s. g. there were divers expositions of this prophesie , at that time when it was first found out , some interpreting it of charles the fift , others drew the meaning of it to philip king of spaine , and some thought that the king of france was meant thereby ; but i thinke , that it doth rather point out those iberi , which inhabite northward toward moschovia . so that this oracle of sibilla tiburtina , did not denote the spaniards , but those iberians , which are neare unto the moschovites ; especially , when she useth these words ; supra iberos ad magnam septentrionis domum : over the iberi at the great house of the north. and truly moschovia , scythia , and tartaria , doe make a great part of europe , so that it may well be called the great house of the north. and therefore , seeing we have formerly shewed , that this unusuall starre did cast his perpendicular beames and influence on the country of moschovia , it is not to be doubted but that this starre , together with that tract of land , doth agree with the sybilline oracle . but concerning the other matters which are mentioned , i will not touch upon them in particular , but leave them to other mens judgments . moreover , some of the other sybils , have prophesied concerning gog and magog , who should come in the latter times , and have expresly foretold of the rising of this starre , and among the rest sybilla babilonica , thus saith : then a great signe , shall from above be given , and a bright starre shall then arise in heaven : which shall like to a glistring crowne appeare , and many dayes it shall stand fixed there . what can be more evident , concerning this cleere starre which was beheld in our time , for that was more bright and shining than any of the rest , and was round in forme like unto a crowne , having no beames right shooting from it as comets have , besides it continued for a whole yeare and kept his station in the firmament with the other starres . and therefore , this sybilline prediction , doth fitly describe the forme , light , scituation , duration , and consumption of this starre , as if it had beene then seene . besides , shee speaketh , of that great commet , which immediatly followed after this starre , in these word ▪ within the west , a blazing-starre ▪ shall rise , which named comets are ▪ and in another place , thus ▪ after this starre within the fourth yeare ▪ a flaming comet shall appeare , which on the deepest seas below , his gloring beames abroad shall throw , behold , how iustly we doth limit out the time betweene the apparition of this new starre , and the comet following ; for there were almost foure yeares betweene the vanishing of this new starre and the rising of the comet which followed . and by the sea shore , meaneth the westerne ocean , for in this part of the world , presently after the setting of the sunne , this comet was seene ; those who would know more concerning these predictions , let them reade the bookes of the sybils , in which it doth appeare , that there shall bea catastrophe and change of things before the vniversall consummation of the world . yet in what order things shall come to passe , it is hard to guesse , either by the signification of this starre , or by the sybilline oracles , or by divine prophesies . but yet is likely , that those happy times shall not preceed , but follow after a more troublesome time ; even as this starre at the first , did shine with a bright and cleare lustre and with a ioviall light , but afterward did assume a martiall sparkling colour , as may bee gathered out of the words of the same sybilla . and god who dwelleth in the heavens shall then save the remainder of the sonnes of men , then peace and knowledge of the truth shall flourish the earth her plentious fruits shall likewise cherish it shall not bee devided as before nor to the plough be subiect any more . which also , the holy prophets doe seeme to intimate , who foretell that the happy & peaceable estate of the church , shall be after the destruction of this gogus . but i thinke it not fit , to proceed any further in unfolding these mysteries , having promised to handle them sparingly ; as also in regard , that these prophesies , are not to be declared by humaine coniecture , neither can be geometricially demonstrated , as those matters which belong to the knowledge of astronomie . and so leaving these my coniectures , to the consideration of the reader : i will heere leave of to entreat any further concerning this starre . finis . london . printed by b. a. and t. f. for michael sparke , at the blue bible in greene-arbor . 1632. deus & rex . this king of swed , gustavus is by name , and both words doe include an anagram . for svved is devs , gvstavvs , it doth make augustus , shewing that hee doth pertake of gods great power , and of augustus fame which both this starre , and titles doe proclaime , besides god-acre-field , which hee did winne where god did give the victorie to the king. deus & rex . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a16631-e510 tempore posterior . nec verbum verbo curabis reddere , fidus interpres . astrologie is a word compounded of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying ; the speech of the starres . or time. posthuma fosteri the description of a ruler, upon which is inscribed divers scales: and the uses thereof: invented and written by mr. samuel foster, late professor of astronomie in gresham-colledg. by which the most usual propositions in astronomy, navigation, and dialling, are facily performed. also, a further use of the said scales in deliniating of far declining dials; and of those that decline and recline, three severall wayes. with the deliniating of all horizontall dials, between 30 and 60 gr. of latitude, without drawing any lines but the houres themselves. foster, samuel, d. 1652. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a40034 of text r218296 in the english short title catalog (wing f1635a). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. 85 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 46 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo 2017 a40034 wing f1635a estc r218296 99829904 99829904 34351 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a40034) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 34351) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 2029:21) posthuma fosteri the description of a ruler, upon which is inscribed divers scales: and the uses thereof: invented and written by mr. samuel foster, late professor of astronomie in gresham-colledg. by which the most usual propositions in astronomy, navigation, and dialling, are facily performed. also, a further use of the said scales in deliniating of far declining dials; and of those that decline and recline, three severall wayes. with the deliniating of all horizontall dials, between 30 and 60 gr. of latitude, without drawing any lines but the houres themselves. foster, samuel, d. 1652. [8], 80, [2] p. : ill. printed by robert & william leybourn, for nicholas bourn, at the south entrance into the royall exchange, london : 1654. with final page of errata. reproduction of the original in the british library. eng astronomy -early works to 1800. nautical astronomy -early works to 1800. navigation -instruments -early works to 1800. a40034 r218296 (wing f1635a). civilwar no posthuma fosteri: the description of a ruler, upon which is inscribed divers scales: and the uses thereof: invented and written by mr. samue foster, samuel 1654 13737 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 b the rate of 2 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the b category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 2003-06 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-06 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2003-07 marika ismail sampled and proofread 2003-07 marika ismail text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-08 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion posthuma fosteri : the description of a ruler , upon which is inscribed divers scales : and the vses thereof : invented and written by mr. samvel foster , late professor of astronomie in gresham-colledg . by which the most usual propositions in astronomy , navigation , and dialling , are facily performed . also , a further use of the said scales in delineating of far declining dials ; and of those that decline and recline three severall wayes . with the delineating of all horizontall dials , between 30 and 60 gr. of latitude , without drawing any lines but the houres themselves . london : printed by robert & william leybourn , for nicholas bourn , at the south entrance into the royall exchange , 1654. to the reader . courteous reader , we here present to thy view , this short treatise , ( written by that learned professor of astronomie in gresham colledge , mr. samuel foster deceased ) containing in it the description and vse of certain lines to be put upon a streight ruler , in the ready solution of many necessary questions , as well geometricall , as belonging to astronomie , navigation , and dialling . we should not thus hastily have thrust this into the world without its fellows , had we not been assuredly informed that some people , greedy rather of unjust gain to themselves , then with honesty to sit still , had prepared one for the presse , from a spurious and imperfect copie , both to the abuse of thee , and discredit of the industrious author : who had he thought such things as these worthy him or the presse , could have daily cram'd thee with them , to his own losse of time , and thy satiety . however , such as it now is , we assure thee was his own , and doubt not , but thou wilt finde it pleasant in the use , profitable to thee , and portable in it selfe . we thought fit farther to advertise thee , that there are abroad in particular hands , imperfect copies of some other treatises of the same author : namely , an easie geometrical way of dialling . another most easie way to project houre-lines upon all kinde of superficies , without respect had to their standing , either in respect of declination or inclination . a quadrant fitted with lines for the solution of most questions of the sphere : with some other things of the like nature . we fear least sinister ends of some mean artists , or ignorant mechanicks , ( for those of ingenuity in whose hands they may be , we no way distrust ) may engage them to father these things as their own , or at least under the authors name put out lame and imperfect copies of otherwise good things : to prevent which we give thee this timely notice , assuring thee , that these , together with divers other pieces never yet seen , except by very few , and if we deceive not our selves , of much greater weight , are making ready for the presse by the authors approbation , and from his own copie in our command , with his other papers , of which thou shalt be made partaker within few moneths . in the mean time , we desire thee not to lose thy time in reading , or money in buying any the forementioned treatises put out by any other , either under their own , or our authors name , except such as shall be attested by me , who am one of those intrusted for that purpose , and who shall be ever studious of thy good . grayes inne , july 26 , 1652. edm. wingate . the description of the scales on the ruler . there are 9 scales upon the ruler . 1. of inches or equall parts . 2. of horizontall spaces : with 3. a scale of 60 chords fitted to the same radius , proper to that horizontall scale . 4. a scale of sines , to a radius of two inches . 5. a scale of secants : and 6. of tangents , both of the same radius with the sines . all these are upon one side . on the other side is , 7. a little scale of 60 chords , of the same length with the common radius of sines , secants , tangents , and common in use to them all . 8. a large scale of versed-sines of the whole length of the ruler , with a zodiac annexed to it . 9. a scale of unequall parts divided into 90 , noted with ☉ , of two inches radius as is the line of sines . the vses of the scales on the ruler . chap. i. of the scale of equall parts . the scale of inches is a scale of equall parts , and will performe ( by protraction upon paper ) such conclusions as are usually wrought in lines and numbers , as in master gunters 10. prop. 2. chap. sector , may be seen , and in others that have written in the same kinde . an example in numbers like his 10th . prop. as 15 to 5 , so 7 to what ? but if your second terme shall be greater than the first , then the form of working must be changed ; as in this example . as 5 to 15 , so 20 to what ? upon the line ab , i set the second terme 15 , which here suppose to be ad : then with the first terme 5 , upon the center d , i describe the arke gh , and draw ag that may just touch it . again , having taken 20 the third term , out of the same scale , i set one foot of that extent upon the line ab , removing it till it fall into such a place , as that the other foot being turned about will justly touch the line ag before drawn , and where ( upon such conditions ) it resteth , i make the point c. then measuring ac upon your scale , you shall finde it to reach 60 parts , which is the fourth number required . the form of work ( though not so geometricall ) is here given because it is more expedite than the other by drawing parallel lines . but in some practises , the other may be used . i have been the more large upon this , because the solutions of proportions which follow must be referred hither , the forme of their operations being the same with this . in them therefore shall only be intimated what must be done in generall , the particular way of working being here explicated . chap. ii. of the scales of chords . the scales of chords are to protract and measure angles . the manner how they must be used is well enough known . only note here , that you may make the line of sines , the line of versed sines , or the zodiacke , ( beginning at the middle of these two last mentioned ) to serve for chords of severall extents , if you count each halfe degree for a whole degree , and so double all the numbers , accounting 10 to be 20 ; and 30 to be 60 , 45 to be 90 , &c. by this you are fitted with severall scales of chords which are of different lengths , and may be used , each of them , as occasion shall require . and ( by the way ) the versed scale being taken for chords , it will be of the same radius or length with the sines , tangents and secants and so will protract angles to a circle of their radius , which is usefull in projections , and many other things : and so the little scale of 60 chords might be spared . chap. iii. the joynt use of equall parts and chords . by these two together , may be resolved all cases in plaine triangles without proportionall work , if the three quantities given be protracted by help of these two scales . for their principall uses are to measure lines and angles . here must be remembered . first , that if the three angles alone be given , then will the proportions only of the sides be found , but not the sides themselves . secondly , that if two angles be known , then is the third also known ; because it is the residue of the sum of the other two to 180 gr. then with a line of chords protract the angles at a and b according to their known quantities , so shall the two legges of the same angles meet at c : and if the length ac be taken and measured upon your scale of equall parts , the same will shew about 1004 , intimating that c is from a 1004 feet . so again bc being measured in the same scale will give 1120 ; shewing that from b to c are about 1120 feet . in this manner may perpendicular altitudes ( as of towers or such like ) be measured , though no accesse can be had to them ; and that much better than by the geometricall square . for it is not here requisite that the ground whereon the mensuration is made , should be levell , as if you work by the square it is most commonly required ; neither are you tyed to right angled triangles here , as there you are . as for example , if one station be at a , and the other at b , you may , by the precedent work get the distance ad . then ( standing at a ) observe the altitude of c , the complement of that altitude gives the angle acd . and again from a , if you observe the altitude of d , the difference of these two altitudes observed , gives the angle cad . or if d had appeared lower then your station , then the summe of your two observed altitudes had made the angle cad . however , you have now the three angles and side ad ; you may therefore , by help of them , finde the length of cd . in such manner may all cases in plain trigonometry be resolved . chap. iv. of the scales of sines , secants , and tangents . these being joyntly used with a scale of equall parts , will resolve all things in plain triangles , by working such proportions as are usually given for that purpose . the manner of the work may be gathered by the former delineation in the 1 chapt. for if ac and ad had been taken out of the scale of sines , or tangents , or secants ; and ce , dg , out of the scale of equal parts ; then had the work been resolved in sines and equall parts , or tangents and equall parts , &c. and so this kinde of work will produce the quantity required ; although there be no delineation of the particular parts of the triangle , as was before done by protraction . by these same three scales of sines , tangents , and secants , may be wrought all things pertaining to sphericall triangles . that is to say . 1. proportions in sines alone . 2. proportions in tangents alone . 3. proportions in secants alone . 4. proportions in sines and tangents together . by naturall sines and tangents . by ☉ and versed-sines . 5. proportions in sines and secants together . 6. proportions in tangents and secants together . an example in sines alone what declination shall the sun have in the 10 gr. of aries ? upon the line ab ( see chap. 1. ) set the radius or sine of 90 ac : and make ad equall to the sine of 10 gr. ( which is the suns distance from the next equinoctiall point . ) then with the sine of 23½ ( taken out of the same scale of sines ) upon the center c , describe the arke ef ; to which , from a , draw the tangent line ae . lastly , from d , to this line ae , take the least distance , the same measured in the line of sines , gives about 4 gr. for the declination required . the proportion that is here wrought stands thus . as the radius , to the sine of 23 ½ ; so the sine of 10 , to the sine of 4 gr. the like manner of work is to be used in sines and tangents ( or any of the other two ) joyned together ; if it be remembred that the greater terms be kept upon the line ab ; as was before prescribed in the first chapter . chap. v. of navigation . some things in this kinde will be performed very conveniently by these lines : as , sect. 1. to make a sea-chart after mercators projection . a sea-chart may be made either generall or particular ; i call that a generall sea-chart , whose line ae , in the following figure , represents the equinoctiall , as the line ae there doth the parallel of 50 gr. and so containeth all the parallels successively from the equinoctiall towards either pole : but they can never be extended very neere the pole because the distances of the parallels increase so much , as the secants doe . but notwithstanding this , it may be termed generall , because that a more generall chart cannot be contrived in plano , except a true projection of the sphere it selfe . and i call that a particular chart which is made properly for one particular navigation , as if a man were to sail between the latitude of 50 and 55 gr. and his difference of longitude were not to exceed 6 gr. then a chart made ( as the figure following is ) for such a voyage , may be called particular . now the making of such a chart , is master gunters first proposition page 104 of the sector , and this the line of secants will sufficiently perform . for it were required to project such a chart : having drawn the line ab , and having crossed it at right angles with another line ae , representing the parallel of 50 gr. you must then take the secant of 51 from your scale , and set it from 50 to 51 on both sides the chart , and draw the parallel 51 51. again , take the secant of 52 from your scale , and set it upon your chart from 51 to 52 , and so draw the parallel 52 52. and so you are to draw the rest of the parallels . if therefore you take the radius , and run it above and below , you shall make the spaces or distances of the meridians such as in the bottome of the chart are figured with 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6. these degrees thus set on the chart , may be sub-divided into equall parts , which in the graduations above and below ought so to be . but in the graduations upon the sides of the chart , they ought as they goe higher , still to grow greater . yet the difference is so small that it cannot produce any considerable errour , though the sub-divisions be all equall . divide them therefore either into 60 minutes , or english miles , or into 20 leagues , or into 100 parts of degrees , as shall best be liked of . it a little more curiosity should be stood upon for the graduations of the meridian , instead of the secants of 51 , 52 , 53 , &c. you may take 50½ , 51½ , 52½ , &c. alwayes halfe a degree lesse than is the latitude that should be put in . now if each of those divisions at the bottome of the chart , as a 1 , &c. be made equall to the common radius of the sines , secants , and tangents , and if a chart be made to that extent upon a skin of smooth velame ; well pasted on a board ; you may work upon it many conclusions very exactly . the vses of the sea-chart are set down in 12 propositions by master gunter , beginning page 121. in each of which propositions is shewed how to resolve the question upon the chart it selfe , which will be direction enough how the work must be performed , without any more words here used . the working of these propositions also may be applyed to the scales of sines and tangents , on the ruler , and wrought by protraction , according to the rules given in the first chapter , if the proportions , as he layes them down in the forecited pages , be so applyed . if a scale of rumbs be thought more expedient for these operations then is a scale of chords , it may be put into some spare place of the ruler . his two propositions , page 114. 116 , may be done upon the chart as is there shewed , but his second proposition , which is , sect. 2. to finde how many leagues doe answer to one degree of longitude , in every severall latitude . this ( i say ) may be done upon the scales of sines and equall parts : and for this purpose , the two last inches of the same scale of equall parts , being equall in length to the radius or sine of 90 , are divided into 20 at one end , and into 60 at the other end . take therefore upon the line of sines , the complement of the parallels distance from the equator , ( or the complement of the given latitude ) and measuring it upon the scale of 20 parts , it will shew you what number of leagues make one degree of longitude in that parallel of latitude . and being measured upon the scale of 60 parts , it gives so many of our miles , or so many minutes of the equinoctiall , or any other great circle , as are answerable to one degree of longitude in that latitude . example , let it be required to finde how many leagues doe answer to one degree of longitude , in the latitude of 18 gr. 12 ' . take out of the line of sines , the complement of the given latitude , namely . 71 gr. 48 ' . then applying this distance to the scale of 20 equall parts , you shall finde it to reach 19 , and so many leagues doe answer to one degree of longitude , in the latitude of 18 gr. 12 ' . and the same distance being measured upon the scale of 60 equall parts , will give you 57 parts , and so many minutes of the equator are answerable to one degree of longitude , in that parallel of latitude . so likewise , in the latitude of 25 gr. 15 ' , if you take the complement thereof 64 gr. 45 ' , out of the scale of sines , and apply it to the former line of 20 , you shall finde it to reach 18 parts , and so many leagues doe answer to one degree of longitude , in the latitude of 25 gr. 15 ' . ¶ in the appendix to master norwoods doctrine of triangles , there is by him laid down 15 questions of sailing by the plain sea-chart , and others by mercators chart , all which the line of chords and equall parts will sufficiently perform , if the work of the third chapter of this booke be rightly understood . sect. 3. how to set any place upon your chart , according to its longitude and latitude . if the two places lie under one parallel , and so differ only in longitude , then the course leading from one to the other is east or west : as a and e being two places under the parallel of 50 gr. and differing 5½ gr. in longitude . but if the two places differ only in latitude , and lie under one meridian , as a and b , then the course is north or south . chap. vi . of projections of the sphere . for this purpose chiefely , is the lesser line of chords added , being made to the same radius that belongs to the sines , secants , and tangents . for when any projection is to be made , the fundamentall circle must be of that common radius , and then the angles to be inserted upon it may be taken out of this line of chords which is fitted to it . see the second book of the sector , chap. 3. for these tangents and secants will performe the same things in those stereographicke projections that there are done ; and in all other irregular projections likewise . by this kinde of work may any sphericall conclusions be performed by protraction in plano . also true schemes of the sphere may be drawn , sutable to any question , which will not a little direct in sphericall calculations . as suppose it were required to project the sphere sutable to this question . having the latitude of the place , the declination of the sun , and the altitude of the sun , to finde either the azimuth or the houre of the day . first , with the radius of the line of chords , upon the center c describe the fundamentall circle zhno representing the meridian , and draw the diameter ho for the horizon , and zcn at right angles thereto , zn being the zenith and nadir points . then by your line of chords set the latitude of your place ( which let be 51 gr. 32 ' ) from z to e , and from n to q , drawing the line ecq for the equinoctiall , and at right angles thereto , the line mp for the axis of the world , p representing the north , and m the south pole secondly , supposing the sun to have 20 gr. of north declination , take 10 gr. ( the semitangent of the declination ) out of the line of tangents , and set it from c to g. likewise , take 20 gr. ( the declination ) from your line of chords , and set that distance upon the meridian from e unto d , and from q unto k : then describe the arke of a circle which shall passe directly through the points dgk , the center whereof will alwayes fall in the line cp if it were extended , and this arke dgk shall be the line of the suns course when his declination is 20 gr. from the equinoctiall northward . ¶ 1. the centers of the parallels of declination , and of the parallels of altitude , may readily be fouud by the scale it selfe ; as in this projection , having found the point f upon the line zc , extend the line zc without the circle , and because the suns altitude is 50 gr. take therefore out of your scale the secant of 40 gr. ( the complement of the altitude ) and set that distance from c to i , so shall the point i be the center of the parallel of altitude . or take the tangent of 40 gr. out of your scale and place it from f to i , either of which will fall in the point i , the center of the parallel of 50 gr. in the same manner may the center of the parallel of declination be found , by taking out of your scale the secant complement of the declination , and setting it from c , upon the line cp , ( being extended ) and where that distance ends , that is the center of the parallel . ¶ 2. for the finding of the centers of the hours and azimuths , the scales of secants and tangents will much help you ; so the azimuth from the south being 49 gr. 52 ' , if you take the tangent thereof out of the scale of tangents , & set it upon the horizon from c to l : the point l shall be the center of the circle ntz. or the secant of 49 gr. 52 ' being set from t , that also shall give you the center las before . the center of the houre-circle is found in the same manner , for the houre from the meridian being 31 gr. 28 ' , if you take the tangent thereof our of your scale , it shall reach from c to r , the point r being the center of the houre-circle mvsp . or the secant of 31 gr. 28 ' , being set from v , shall give the point r for the center of the same houre . and in this manner may any houre or azimuth whatsoever be drawn . many other propositions in astronomie , may be wrought upon this projection , and indeed any of the 28 cales of sphericall trigonometry , may by this kinde of projection be easily illustrated and resolved , which will cleerely informe the fancie in the resolving of sphericall triangles . an example or two for practise shall be , 1. to finde the suns amplitude . in this projection , the amplitude from the east or west is represented by the line cx , take therefore the distance cx in your compasses , and apply it to the line of tangents , ( counting every degree of the tangents to be two degrees ) and where it resteth , that shall be the amplitude from the east or west , which will be found to be 33 gr. 22x . or if you lay a ruler upon z and x , it will cut the circle in y , and the distance ny being measured on the line of chords , shall give the amplitude also . 2. to finde the distance of the sun from the zenith . the distance of the sun from the zenith is the arke z s , therefore to finde the quantity thereof , you must first finde the pole of the circle ns z , which is done after this manner . lay a ruler from z to t , and it will cut the circle in a , then take in your compasses a quadrant of the outward circle , and set it from a to b , then lay a ruler from z to b , and it shall cut the horizon in e , which point e is the pole of the circle ztn. now to measure the arke z s , you must lay a ruler upon e and s ; which will cut the outward circle in the point a , so shall a z , being measured upon the line of chords , give you the quantity of degrees contained in the arke z s , which will be 40 , equall to the complement of the suns altitude . ¶ this latter proposition was inserted rather to shew how the arke of any great circle of the sphere ( the sides of all sphericall triangles being such ) may be measured , then for any need there was to finde the distance of the sun from the zenith , for that mighe have been more easily effected , it being only the complement of the suns altitude ; but according to this operation , may the side of any sphericall triangle whatsoever be measured . the line of sines also will project the analemma , as master gunter sheweth , if this proposition be added . how to divide any line given , into such parts as the scale of sines is divided . which proposition may be done by that which is set down in the 1 chapt. for if ad mn c were parts or divisions made equall to those upon the scale of sines , and ce were a line in the same manner to be divided : after you have prepared your work as is there prescribed , you need only to take the least distances between the points c nm d and the line ae , and insert the same into your given line , so shall the divisions thereof be proportionall to the line of sines . chap. vii . of the line of versed-sines . the generall use of this scale is principally to resolve these two sphericall cases . first , by having three sides of a sphericall triangle , to finde an angle . secondly , by having two sides and the angle comprehended , to finde the third side . according to which two generall cases you shall finde particular examples ; namely , the first and third sections of this chapter sutable to the first case : and the 5 section answerable to the second . sect. 1. to finde the suns azimuth . first , finde the summe and difference of the complement of your latitude , and complement of the suns altitude . then having made ab equall to the length of the whole scale , count upon the same scale the summe and difference before found . after this , take with your compasses the distance from the suns place to the summe , and setting one foot of that extent upon b , with the other describe the arke cd . so again , take the distance upon the scale from the suns place to the difference , and with that extent upon the center a , describe the arke ef : which done , draw the streight line de , so as it may justly touch those two arks , cutting the line ab in g : so shall bg ( being measured upon the scale , from the beginning of it ) shew the azimuth from the south . and ag measured upon the same scale will give the azimuth from the north . sect. 2. to finde the amplitude of the suns rising or setting . if you suppose the sun to be in the horizon , or 00 gr. high , and so the complement of the altitude to be 90 , and if ( upon these suppositions ) you work as in the last section is shewed , then shall bg give the graduall distance of the suns rising or setting from the south ; ag from the north , and from the midst of the line to g , is the amplitude from east or west . sect. 3. to finde the houre of the day . make ab equall to the whole scale , as before : and count from the beginning of the scale to the suns place what number of degrees there are ; the same number shews the graduall distance of the sun from the north pole . of this distance and the complement of your latitude , finde the sum and difference , and count them both upon the scale , as was done before . then again , count thereon also the complement of the suns altitude : upon which point , setting one foot of your compasses , extend the other to the forenamed summe ; and with that extent upon the center b describe the arke cd . again , setting one foot of your compasses upon the complement of the suns altitude , extend the other to the forenamed difference , and with that extent upon the center a , describe the ark ef. lastly , draw the streight line de , which only touching the two former arks , may cut the line ab in g : so shall ag ( measured on the scale , from the beginning of it ) give the degrees of the suns distance from the south . these may be turned into houres , counting 15 gr. for one houre , and 1 gr. for 4 minutes of an houre . sect. 4. to finde the semidiurnall and seminocturnall arks . if you suppose the suns altitude to be 00 gr. and so the complement of it to be 90 , and then work as is directed in the 3. sect. of this chap. then shall ag give the semidiurnall arke , and bg the seminocturnall arke : each of these turned into houres and minutes , and doubled , will give the length of the day and night . sect. 5. the suns place being assigned in any point of the ecliptick , to finde his altitude at all houres . by this , may tables of the suns altitude be made to all houres , the sun being in any signe of the zodiacke , whereby many particular instruments for finding the houre of the day , may be made , as rings , quadrants , cylinders ▪ and such like . [ this alwayes , and then only , happens , when the sum ( found at first ) is greater than 90 gr. ] look then how much it is beyond , for so many degrees is the sun below the horizon at that houre of the night : or ( which is all one ) so many degrees is the sun elevated above the horizon in that signe or point of the eclipticke which is so much on the other part of the equinoctiall . that is , if the suns place given were the beginning of taurus or virgo , and your compasses ( suppose at the 9th . houre ) goe beyond the 90th gr. of the scale , you shall there see how low the sun is under the horizon at 9 a clock at night , or at 3 in the morning . and the same also sheweth how high the sun is at 9 in the morning , or at 3 afternoon , if his place were in the entrance of scorpio or pisces , which two signes are so much beyond the equinoctiall on the other part , as taurus and virgo are on this side . sect. 6. all proportions in sines alone , where the radius stands first , may be wrought upon this scale , without any protraction at all . the manner of the work will best appear by an example . let the proportion set down before in sines alone be here repeated . the terms stand thus : as the radius , to the sine of 23½ ; so the sine of 10 , to the sine of what ? take the sum and difference of the second and third arks , the sum is 33½ the difference is 13½ : count these both upon the scale , and there take their distance : apply the same to the middle of the scale ; so as that the same number of degrees may be above 90 , that is below ; so shall the degrees either above or below , be about 4 ; and this is the sine required for a fourth proportionall to the former . chap. viii . how to work proportions in sines and tangents , by the lines of versed-sines and ⊙ . let the sines ( given or required ) be measured out of ⊙ , and let them be set upon the radius from a , to ac or ae . let the tangents ( given or required ) be measured out of the versed scale , from 90 to 00 , or to 180 , which are 90 chords belonging to 90 equall parts of the semicircle abdp , and the same tangents must ever be set upon the circle from a , as ab , ad : then draw a right line through the first and third of the given terms , as from b and c to o ; and another right line from o to d or to e. so the fourth terme required shall be either the sine ae , or the tangent ad , each to be measured in its proper scale . the further use of this line is shewn afterwards in the making of declining reclining dials . chap. ix . to finde the declination of a plain . to effect this , there are required two observations : the first is of the horizontall distance of the sun from the pole of the plain , the second is of the suns altitude , thereby to get the azimuth . and these two observations must be made at one instant of time , as neer as may be , that the parts of the work may agree together the better . 1 for the horizontall distance of the sun from the pole of the plain : apply one edge of a quadrant to the plain , so that the other may be perpendicular to it , and the limbe may be towards the sun , and hold the whole quadrant horizontall as neer as you can conjecture : then holding a threed and plummet at full liberty , so that the shadow of the threed may passe through the center and limbe of the quadrant , observe then the degrees cut off by the shadow of the threed , and number them from that side of the quadrant that standeth square to the plain , for those degrees are the distance required . 2 at the same instant observe the altitude of the sun , these two will help you to the plains declination by the rules following . first , by having the altitude , you may finde the azimuth by the 1. sect. of the 8. chap. then by comparing the azimuth and distance together , you may finde the plains declination in this manner . when you make your observation of the suns horizontall distance , marke whether the shadow of the threed fall between the south and that side of the quadrant which is perpendicular to the plain . for , 1. if the shadow fall between them , then the distance and azimuth added together , do make the declination of the plain , and in this case , the declination is upon the same coast whereon the suns azimuth is . 2. if the shadow fall not between them , then the difference of the distance and azimuth is the declination of the plain , and if the azimuth be the greater of the two , then the plain declineth to the same coast whereon the azimuth is : otherwise , if the distance be the greater then the plain declineth to the contrary coast to that whereon the suns azimuth is . ¶ note here further , that the declination so found is alwayes accounted from the south , and that all declinations are numbred from either south or north towards either east or west , and must not exceed 90 gr. 1. if therefore the number of declination exceed 90 , you must take the residue of that number to 180 gr. and the same shall be the declination of the plain from the north . 2. if the number of declination doe exceed 180 gr. then the excesse above 180 gives the plains declination from the north , towards that coast which is contrary to the coast whereon the sun is . ¶ and here note , that wheresoever in this chapter the use of a quadrant is required , the scale of chords will effect the same ; if upon a piece of plain board you describe a quadrant , whose sides may be parallel to the edges of the board , upon which you may set off the horizontall distance and altitude , which will performe the work thereof when a quadrant is not at hand . chap. x. of dials . to draw upright declining dials , by the lines of sines and tangents . the declination of the plain being found by the last chap. upon your plain describe a rectangled parallelogram , in which let the sides ab and cd be perpendicular to the horizon , and each of them equall to the tangent of your latitude : and let ac and bd be equall each of them to the co-tangent of your latitude , and let bd be prolonged if need be . then taking that side of the parallelogram ( for the houre of 12 ) which looketh towards that coast unto which the plain declineth , as here namely , the side ab ; and on that line having assumed the superiour angle a in south-declining-plains , or the inferiour in north-decliners , for the center of your diall : let be and cg be made equall to the sine of the plains declination , so ae being drawn , shall be the substilar , and ag shall be the houre of 6. then from e , raise ef perpendicular to ae , and make a 12 and ef equall to the co-sine of the declination : and if you draw af , the same shall represent the axis , and the angle fae sheweth how much the same is to be elevated above the substylar . again , make ah equall to the co-sine of your latitude , and draw h6 parallel to ab ; which will cut ag in the point noted with 6. to this a6 , let a6 also beyond the center be made equall , and then draw the lines 12 6 and 12 6 , which lines must have the houre points set upon them ; and to performe that worke doe thus . draw upon paper , or some other plaine , the line lm , upon which set lr and rm , each of them equall to your tangent of 45 gr. then make rn equall to the tangent of 30 , and ro equall to the tangent of 15 , so shall you have points to finde all the houres , and if you desire halves and quarters , you must also put their tangents into the same line rm. being thus prepared , if you would divide the lesser line 12 6 into its requisite parts , take the same line in your compasses , and with it , upon l as a center describe the arke pq , and from m draw mp , which may only touch the same arke . then from n take the least distance to the line mp , and the same will reach from 12 to 11 , and from 6 to 7 ; so the least distance from o to the line mp , will give from 12 to 10 , and from 6 to 8. and the least distance from r will reach from 12 or 6 to 9. in the same manner you must divide the larger line 12 6. take it out of your diall , and with it describe the arke st from the same center l , and draw ms touching only the same arke . then the least distances from n , o , r , to the line ms , will give the points or distances 12 1 ; 6 5 ; and 12 2 ; 6 4 ; and 12 3 ; or 6 3. these upon the south-decliner ; the like may be done upon the north-decliner . lastly , from the center a , through these points you must draw the houre-lines . an upright plain declining from the south towards the east , 30 gr. an upright plain declining from the north towards the east , 30 gr. in both these plains . a rectangle parallelog . ab = tang . lat. bd = co-tang . lat . be = cg = sine declination . a12 = ef = co-sine declina . ah = co-sine lat . a6 = a6 . rl = rm = tang . 45. rn = tang . 30. ro = tang . 15. chap. xi . of the horizontall and full south dials . the upright north plain is the same with the south , only turned upside down , and the course of the figures altered . the east and west upright plains may be made by the tangent line , in such manner as others have prescribed . chap. xii . of the scale of horizontall spaces . for the horizontall plains in speciall , there is a peculiar scale by which the houres may sodainly be described , to any latitude between 30 and 60 degrees . the manner of which work is easie . for you have the numbers from 30 to 60 five times repeated , serving for the five houres in so many latitudes . suppose then a horizontall diall were to be described for the latitude of 51½ gr. first , by the radius ( which is from the beginning of the line to r ) describe a circle , and draw the line of 12 from the center . then take from the beginning of the line to vi , and set it in the circle both wayes from 12 , these two are the points of the two sixes . again out of the same scale take the length from the beginning to 51½ in the remotest numbers , and set that upon the circle on both sides 12 , these are the points of 5 and 7. so from the beginning of the scale to 51½ in the next remotest numbers , being set as the other were , will give the points of 4 and 8. the third 51½ will give the points of 3 and 9. and the fourth gives 2 and ●0 . the last gives 1 and 11. ¶ the chord line that is fitted to this horizontall scale , is of good use in other delineations : but the further use of these two joyntly , must be referred to another place . chap. xiii . how to draw upright declining dials when the latitude of the place is very little or very great . in the work of the 10 chap. it may fall out that either the tangent or co-tangent of the latitude may be too great , such as the scale wil not afford . this will frequently fall out in the new latitude of re-in-cliners : to remedy that inconvenience , i have added these helps . where the latitude is but small a rectangle parallelo . 1. ab = cd = tang . of latit . 2. bd = ac = radius . 3. be = cg = sine declination . 4. a12 = ef = cosine of declination . 5. ah = consine of latitude . 6. h m ♒ ab . 7. draw eg , it will cut cd in k. ak is the line of six : it cuts h m at 6 , make a6 = a6 , on both sides , and draw 12 6 ; 12 6 ; and divide them as the other are in the 10 chap. or you may draw bc the diagonall , and ek ♒ thereto , and so omit cg . or you may make the ∠ dek = to your latitude , and so omit the two former . or thus . after the 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , you may omit the 6. then 7thly . draw eg it will cut cd in k , and ak is the line of six . then lay a ruler from 12 to h , cutting dc in l. make 12m = cl , and an = ak . so shall km , mn , be ♒ to the two former lines 6 12 ; 6 12 ; and may supply their offices somwhat better , because they are larger . where the latitude is great . a rectangle parallelogr . 1. ab = cd = radius , 2. bd = ac = co-tang . lat . 3. br = cg = sine declination . gr a right line cutting db in e. ae substilar . ag houre of 6. 4. gp = rt = a12 = co-sine of declination . tp a right line , cutting bd in o. aef a right angle . 5. ef = eo . af the style . 6. ah = co-sine latitude . hm ♒ ab , cuts ag in 6. a6 = a6 , on both sides . draw 6 12 ; 6 12 , &c. or after the 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5. 6. draw 12 h , it cuts dc in l. make 12 m = lc : and an = ag. then gm , mn shall be ♒ to 6 12 ; 6 12 : and may therefore supply their uses . chap. xiiii . concerning reclining and inclining plains , how to draw houres upon them . they may be referred to a new latitude , in which they shall stand as upright plaines : and then the delineation will be the same with those in the 10 chap. the meridian line is not here to be taken for the line of 12 at mid-day ( for it often represents the mid-night ) but for that part which helps to describe the diall . 1. the first thing to be done upon these plains , is ( by some levell ) to draw the horizontall , and then the verticall line perpendicular thereto . 2. next is the placing of the meridian upon the plain , in a true position . in direct plains that re / in-cline , and in upright decliners , the meridian is the same with the plains verticall line . in east and west re / in-cliners , it is the same with the horizontall line . in the rest , it ascendeth or descendeth from the horizontall line , and must be placed according to the rules hereafter given . i. zb iein-clination . bg ♒ zo oc co-sine of declination . rc ♒ fo. ord radius . ds ♒ bo . out of this structure will follow . dae new latitude lesse than 90. or co-sine of new declination . ds sine of meridians ascension or descension . ii. zb rein-clination . bg ♒ zo . oa sine of declination . hai ♒ fo. io radius . am ♒ io . out of this structure will follow . ok is the sine of zd or nd in the former figure , where the new latitude dae will be found . ho sine of new declination . am co-sine of meridians ascension or descension . ¶ how all re/in-clining plains ( being counted as upright in their new latitude ) are to be taken ; whether as north or south decliners . as also , ¶ how the meridian line is to be placed , whether ascending above , or descending below the horizontall line : and from which end of that line , whether that which looks the same way with the declination of the plain , or that which looks the contrary way . in north re / in-cliners . if d fall below p , the recliners are north plains , and the meridian ascends above the horizontall line , from that end of it which looks to the same coast of declination . incliners are south plains , and the meridian descends below that end of the horizontall line , which looks to the contrary coast of declination . if d fall above p , the recliners are south plains , and the meridian goes below : contrary , incliners are north plains , and the meridian goes above the end looking the same way with declination . in south re / in-cliners if d fall above ae , the recliners are north plains , and the meridian goes above the horizontall line , from the same end with the coast of declination . incliners are south plains , and the meridian goes below the horizontall line , from that end which is contrary to the coast of declination . if d fall below ae , the recliners are north plains , and the meridian goes below the horizontall line : contrary , incliners are south plains , and the meridian goes above the horizontall line , from that end which looks to the coast of declination . if d fall into p , both re / in-cliners , are called polar plains , and the meridian , in both , ascends from the same end in recliners . contrary end in incliners . if d fall into e , the recliners are north plains , and the meridian ascends from the same ; descends from the contrary end to that which looks upon the coast of declination . incliners are south plains , and the meridian ascends from the contrary ; descends from the same end that looks upon the coast of declination . ¶ east & west recliners are north plains , declining from north , so much as the complement of their re / in-clination comes to . this is their new declination , & their new latitude is the complement of the latitude of your place . incliners are south plains , declining from south , 4. for that which follows , take notice of these four things . first , that from d to the neerest ae ( measured by the line of chords ) gives the new latitude , in which the re / in-clining plain , is an upright declining plain . secondly , that or ( measured upon the line of sines ) gives the complement of the plains new declination in that new latitude : this new declination is to the same coast with the old , but alwayes lesse in quantity than it . thirdly , that ds ( measured upon the sines ) gives the quantity of the meridians ascension or descension . this gives the quantity , the former rules gave the coast . fourthly , that in the description of the diall , you must only make use of the new latitude , and new declination : having nothing to doe with the other . 5. having the former things known , you must ( by the tangent and co-tangent of the new latitude ) describe your rectangled parallelogram ( as in the 10 chap. ) and according as the plain was discovered to be a decliner from the north or south , you must make choice of your center , place the substylar , style , and six a clock line , by help of the sine and co-sine of the new declination , and new latitude , and then prick down and draw the houres , all in the same form that was before shewed in the 10 chap. for upright decliners . this for the dials description . 6. lastly , for placing your diall . first , consider which way , and how much , your meridian ascended or descended from the horizontall line . then goe to your plain , and there draw the same meridian line answerably , setting off so many degrees by your scale of chords . when this is done , take your paper description , and lay the meridian of it , either upon , or else parallel to , the meridian drawn upon the plain , and take care to place it the right way ; namely so , as that the imaginary style of your paper ( or a reall pattern of the style cut fit and set upon the paper diall ) may point into the north or south pole , according as the plain is esteemed to be a north or south plain . after this is performed , you may transfer each houre from the paper to the plain , and so finish all the work . chap. xv . concerning full east and west re-in-clining plains . here in this sort of plain , you are only to take notice , that the new latitude ( wherein they stand as erect plains ) is ever the complement of your own latitude . and the new declination ( in that latitude ) is the complement of their re / in-clination . by knowing these , you may describe the diall according to the 10 chap. the meridian line ( in all these ) lyeth in ( or parallel to ) the horizontall line . all which things will appear also out of the former figures , if according to them you should make a draught , and suppose your plain to decline 90 degrees , as all these east and west plains do . all other things will follow of themselves , agreeable to other plains . chap. xvi . concerning re-in-cliners , that are direct , or have no declination . if the line cb be placed ( as is prescribed in the former figure ) and drawn quite through , it will represent your plain that is re / in-clining towards the north , and without any declination . so also bl , if it be drawn quite through , will represent such plains as re / in-cline towards the south , and have no declination . for which lines so drawn ( or imagined only ) you may gather ( according to the former rules ) which of the poles ( a or x ) is elevated , and how much it is elevated ( which is shewed by the arke ca or lx . ) you may also see which end of the meridian is to be taken for the substilar line , over which ( in these direct plains ) the stile is ever to be erected , and must stand . then for drawing the houres , you have no more to doe , but to describe an horizontall diall to that elevation , which is due to the plain . the manner whereof is shewed before in the 11 chap. chap. xvii . how to deal with those plains , where the pole is but of small elevation . such plains whose styles lie low , cannot have the houre-lines distinctly severed , unlesse the center of the diall be cast out of the plain . in such cases therefore the diall is to be made without a center , in this manner . 1. place ab the meridian , a● the substilar , af the style , by the rules before given in the 10 and 13 chapt. omitting what is done for the line of six , being here of no consequence . 2. finde the plains difference of longitude by the 18 chap. following . 3. assume any two points in the substilar ae , as at r and s , and through them draw two infinite right lines , at right angles to ae . 4. to the style af , draw the parallel gh , at any convenient distance , such as you shall think fit , for your new style to stand from your plain . 5. take the least distance from r to gh , and set it upon the substilar from r to k. so from s to gh , set from s to l. 6. upon the two centers k and l , describe two circles : and in them both , make the two angles rkm , slm , equall to the plains difference of longitude ; and set it on that side the substilar rs , upon which the meridian ab standeth . 7. the rest of the work will be easie to finish , if you begin ( in each circle ) from the points at m , to divide them into 24 equall houres ; and from the centers to those equall divisions , draw out lines to cut their respective contingent lines in 12 , 11 , 10 , &c. and from each correspondent houre , you must draw the lines 12 12 , 11 11 , 10 10 , &c. an vpright plaine declining from south towards east 80 gr. difference of longitude 82d 08 ' south pole elevated 6 12 chap. xviii . having the latitude of the place , and the plains declination , to finde the plains difference of longitude . it must be understood , that the plain is supposed ( in this work ) to be alwayes erect ; and that therefore for re / in-clining plains , the latitude and declination here mentioned is meant of the new latitude and new declination . two wayes to doe it . make abc a right angle . i. ab sine of new latitude . bc tangent of new declination . bac is the difference of the plains longitude from your meridian . make def a right angle . ii. de radius . eg sine of new latitude . ef co-tangent of plains new declination . draw gh parallel to df. hde is the complement of the difference of longitude . or dhe is the difference it felfe . if this work be done for upright plains in your own latitude , which will be needfull in far decliners , then instead of the new latitude and new declination here mentioned , you are to use your own latitude , and the upright plains declination . the new latitude and declination are for re-in-clining plains . chap. xix . of polar plains , on which the pole is not elevated at all . those are called polar plains , upon which neither of the two poles is elevated at all , but the plaine lies parallel to the axis , such are the upright east and west : and in every declination from the south some one recliner : in every declination from the north some one incliner . the new declination of all polar plains is their difference of longitude , in these you must work by the 10 and 14 chap. to place ab the meridian , ae the substilar ; & for the style af , it hath no elevation from the substilar , but is the same with it . so that the work will be much like that in the 17 chap. make gh for the style , parallel to the substyle ae , at some convenient distance . then assigning any point in the line ae , as s , through it draw an infinite right line perpendicular to ae . and take the least distance from s to gh , make sl equall thereto . upon l describe a circle , and make slm equall to the difference of longitude , on the same coast from sl unto which the plain declineth , or to the same coast upon which the first line of 12 namely ab standeth . then having found the houre points upon the line which passeth through s , namely , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , &c. draw lines through them , all parallel to thē substilar aesl . chap. xx . another way to prick down the hourepoints , by the tangent line on the scale . let the first four sections of the 17 chap. be performed according to the directions there given . after them , you must gather the angles at the pole , by help of the plains difference of longitude in this manner . let the former example serve . the difference of that plains longitude will be 82 gr. 08 ' . out of this , take the greatest number of some just houre ; viz. 75 gr. the remainder is 7 gr. 8 ' . having then set down the substile 00 00 , as in the margin , write this 7 gr. 8 ' . next under it , to which adde 15 gr. continually , and you shall produce all the following numbers as you there see them . and note , that in this work 82 gr. 8 ' . the difference of longitude will ever stand against the houre of 12 , if you work right . then take the first number 7 gr. 8 ' . out of 15 gr. the remainder is 7 gr. 52 ' ; set this above the substyle , and to this number adde continually 15 gr. ( or one houre ) the numbers will be produced such as you here see .   gr. ' 3 52 52 4 37 52 5 22 52 6 7 52 substyle 00 00 7 7 08 8 22 08 9 37 08 10 52 08 11 67 08 12 82 08 when this is done , draw a right line , therein assuming the point s or r. then upon your scale of tangents , count the numbers 7 08 , 22 08 , &c. in the table , and take them off from the same scale , setting them severally from s to a , b , c , d , e. so again , upon the same scale of tangents count the other numbers , 7 52 , 22 52 , 37 52 , &c. and take them off thence severally , and place them from sat f , g , h , i. but because the tangents upon the scale goe but to 63 gr. 26 ' , it must therefore here be shewed how those that exceed that quantity may be supplyed . namely thus , double the number of degrees and minutes , and from the sum take 90 gr. so shall the tangent and secant of the remaining arke ( both of them put together ) give the tangent required . as if in the former example , it were required to finde the tangent of 67 gr. 8 ' noted upon the line by the length s e , we must doe thus . the double of 67 gr. 8 ' is 134 gr. 16 ' , from which takeing 90 gr. the remainder will be 44 gr. 16 ' . accordingly we must first take the secant of 44 gr. 16 ' , and set it from s to y ; then take the tangent of the same 44 gr. 16 ' . and set it also forward from y to e , so shall you have s e the whole tangent of 67 gr. 8 ' . as is required . thus doe for any other which shall goe beyond the scale . chap. xxi . a second way for re-in-cliners . take notice of these terms . 1. verticall distance , is the distance of the plains pole from the vertex or zenith of the place . 2. polar distance , is the distance of the plains pole from the north pole . preparatory works . 1. draw the horizontall line upon the plain , and crosse it at right angles with a verticall line . 2. get the plains re / in-clination , and consequently the distance of the plains pole from the zenith of the place : which is here called the verticall distance . 3. get the plains declination , and alwayes account how much it is from the north . for that is here called the angle of declination . sect. 1. by the scale of versed sines , how to finde the elevation of the pole above the plain : and which pole it is , whether north or south , that is elevated . first , finde the summe and difference of the complement of your latitude , the plains verticall distance . and observe likewise , that if the point of your compasses ( applyed to the scale ) doe fall just upon 90 , then is your plain a meridionall or polar plain , and hath no pole elevated above it . if it fall short of 90 then is the north pole elevated ; and the elevation is so much as the point fals short of 90. if it fall beyond 90 , so much as it falls beyond , so much is the south pole elevated . sect. 2. to finde the plains difference of longitude from the south part of your meridian , and which way the said difference of longitude is to be taken . first , finde the sum and difference of the complement of your latitude , the fore-mentioned polar distance . then make ab equall to your whole line of versed sines . and upon your scale count your difference now found , and the fore-mentioned verticall distance , taking the distance of these two as they are numbered upon the scale . with which length upon a , describe the arch cd . take also upon the scale , from the verticall distance to the fore-mentioned sum , and with that length upon b , describe the arke ef. then draw the line fc , so as to touch both these arks , cutting the line ab in g : so shall ag ( being measured upon the scale ) give the plains difference of longitude from the south , which is here required . ¶ this difference of longitude is to be taken to the same coast in the heavens unto which the plain declineth , and may afterwards , in the description of the diall , be easily accounted either from the south or north part of the meridian , viz. so as that the said difference may be alwayes lesso than 90 gr. sect. 3. to finde how much the substilar ( or plains proper meridian ) must lie from the verticall line of the plain , and which way . frist , finde the summe and difference of the polar distance , the verticall distance . then make ab equall to your whole versed scale . and on the same scale , take the extent from the complement of your latitude to the difference now before found , with which length , upon a as the center , describe the arke cd . also upon the scale , take from the complement of your latitude to the summe here before found , and with that length , upon the center b , describe the arke ef. then draw the line fc , justly touching both these arks , and cutting the line ab in g , so shall ag ( being applyed to the scale ) give the quantity of the angle here required . according to this angle the substylar line must alwayes stand off from the verticall line of the plain . which way must the substilar lie from the verticall line . if the plain hath the north pole elevated upon it , then must the substilar alwayes lie from the upper end of the verticall line towards the north pole , so much as the angle was ( in the last section ) found to be . if the south pole be elevated , then the substilar lyeth alwayes from the lower end of the verticall line towards the same south pole , according to the forenamed angle . if the plain be meridionall ( upon which neither of the poles is elevated ) then the substilar must doe either , or both ; these two : according to the angle before found . according to these rules you may place the substilar line upon the plain in its true position requisite . sect. 4. to draw the houre-lines upon the plain . first , consider by the first of these sections , whether it is the north or south pole that is elevated upon your plain . if it be the north pole , then must the center of your diall stand downward , and the style must point upward to the said north pole . but if the south pole be elevated , then the center of the diall is to be set upward , and the style comming from thence must point downwards into the south pole . lastly , from the center of the diall a or b , and through the said unequall parts , draw right lines . these last lines shall give you 12 of your houres required : and if you draw each of them quite through the center , you shall have the whole number of 24 , of which , you may take such as are sutable and necessary for your plain . when your paper diall is thus finished , you may transfer it to your plain , by laying the substilar upon ( or parallel to ) the substilar before placed upon the plain , and so insert all the houres from the paper to the plain . after all this , you may make the style to the angle of the poles elevation , and fit it in according to its requisite place and position . ¶ note , that because some of the houre points found in the circle will happen so neere to the center of the diall that you cannot well draw the houre-lines true ; you may therefore help your selfe by that direction which i have given in my geometricall way . [ this geometricall way shall shortly be published by the authors own copie , with his own demonstrations of the whole work . ] for drawing houres upon plains that have small elevations , and upon polar plains , use the former directions . chap. xxii . a third way for all re-in-clining dials . sect. 1. to finde a re-in-clining plains difference of longitude from the south part of your meridian : and how much the plains meridian or ( substyle ) must lie from the verticall line of the plain .   i. ii. iii. complement of your latit . 38 30 k 38 30 k 38 30 k plains verticall distance . 100 00 z 60 00 z 30 00 z their summe . 138 30 98 30 68 30 their difference . 61 30 21 30 8 30 their halfe summe . 69. 15 r compl. 20 45 v 49. 15 r comp. 40. 45 v 34. 15 r compl. 55. 45 v their halfe difference . 30. 45 s. compl. 59. 15 x 10. 45 s compl. 79. 15 x 4. 15 s compl. 85. 45. x plains declinat . from sou. 50. 00 y 140 00 y 160 00 y describe a circle with your common ( or lesser ) scale of chords . and out of the same scale make a y = plains declination from south . out of the line ⊙ make a r = r , and a s = s , & draw y r m and m s b and make a d = a b. out of the same line ⊙ make a v = v , and a x = x , and draw y v n , and n x c. ¶ then if k be lesse than z c a d is the differ . of longitude required . and c b is the angle between the substile & the verticall line . ¶ but if k be greater than z c a d is the forementioned angle . and c b is the difference of longitude . these two arks c d and c b , must be measured from 90 in the line of versed sines , and looke what number of degrees they there cut , the same must be accounted for their quantities . sect. 2. to finde the elevation of the pole above the plain : and which of the poles it is , whether north or south , that is elevated . measure a b upon the versed sines ( from 90 ) as before : the complement of that is e b. measure also e c upon the same scale , in the same manner . count these quantities e b and e c ( so found ) upon the line ⊙ , and set them from e , to f and g , and make er = r ( taking e r out of the scale of versed sines from 90 ) draw r f o , and o g p. measure e p upon your scale of chords , it will there give you the polar distance . if e p fall to be 90 , it is a meridionall plain , and hath no pole elevated . if it be lesse than 90 , the complement of it is the elevation of the north pole . if it be greater than 90. the excesse is the elevation of the south pole . ¶ note , that the three figures following have relation to the three columns of the foregoing table ; and to these rules last delivered . figure i. in this first figure c a d 62 49 c b 34 13 e p 122 00 figure ii. in this second figure c a d 110 29 c b 42 19 e p 36 28 figure iii. in this third figure c a d 118 26 c b 44 56 e p 14 00 sect. 3. which way must the substilar lie from the verticall line ? the rules are the same with those before in the second way of dialling , where the same question is propounded . you may therefore have recourse to them . or thus . upon all plains whereon the north pole south pole is elevated ; the substilar must lie from the upper end lower end of the verticall line towards the full north . south . for drawing the houres , and finishing the diall , you must doe as is prescribed in the 4th . sect. of the former second way . for , having placed the substilar , and knowing the plains difference of longitude , you are to use the same course here that was there given . it will be easie to doe these things in plains that are upright , and have no re-in-clination . note in all these three wayes of dialling . all directions here given suppose you to be in the northern hemisphere of the world . if therefore you should be in the southern hemisphere , you may easily make these precepts serve there too , by only altering the name of north , northen , &c. and south southern , &c. one into the other . finis . this scheme hath relation to the 16th . chapter , page 54. errata . page 32 , in the diagram , for h p g , read h f g. page 51 , for , if d fall into e , read , if d fall into ae . page 54 , line 16 , for for , read from . in the diall page 57 , at the other end of the line m , place the letter k upon the substilar . page 62 , line 19 , for l p , read s p. in the diagram page 76 , the letter r is wanting , at the intersection of the line y m , with the line a e. notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a40034e-1660 the wayes how to effect these are shewed other-where , and are here taken as known . the use of the astronomical playing-cards teaching any ordinary capacity by them to be acquainted with all the stars in heaven, to know their place in heaven, colour, nature, and bigness. as also the poetical reasons for every constellation, very useful, and pleasant, and delightful for all lovers of ingeniety. by joseph moxon hydrographer to the kings most excellent majesty. moxon, joseph. 1692 approx. 101 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 31 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2005-12 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a51558 wing m3027a estc n66308 99834803 99834803 39340 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a51558) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 39340) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1837:7) the use of the astronomical playing-cards teaching any ordinary capacity by them to be acquainted with all the stars in heaven, to know their place in heaven, colour, nature, and bigness. as also the poetical reasons for every constellation, very useful, and pleasant, and delightful for all lovers of ingeniety. by joseph moxon hydrographer to the kings most excellent majesty. moxon, joseph. hood, thomas, fl. 1582-1598. aut [2], 50, [9] p. printed by j. moxon, and are to be sold at the sign of the atlas in warwick lane, london : 1692. with a caption title on p.15: here follows the ancient stories of the several stars and constellations. shewing the poetical reasons why such various figures are places in heaven. collected from dr. hood. signatures: a-d(-d8). reproduction of the original in the harvard university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng astronomy -early works to 1800. sky -early works to 1800. constellations -early works to 1800. 2005-02 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2005-03 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2005-04 andrew kuster sampled and proofread 2005-04 andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the use of the astronomical playing-cards , teaching any ordinary capacity by them to be acquainted with all the stars in heaven , to know their place in heaven , colour , nature , and bigness . as also the poetical reasons for every constellation , very useful , pleasant , and delightful for all lovers of ingeniety . by joseph moxon hydrographer to the kings most excellent majesty . london : printed by j. moxon , and are to be sold at his shop at the sign of the atlas in warwick lane. 1692. of the stars in heaven . the stars are divided into six sorts or sizes called magnitudes , ( which are you may see ) distinguisht with six several sizes of asterisks made like stars , as sēt down in a table on the card over dorado , whither i ●efer you . astronomers have computed the sizes of these stars by comparing them either to the diameter , or ●lse to the whole globe of the earth . the diame●…er of the earth is 6872 of our common miles , viz. ●uch miles , as the whole circumference of the earth ●nd water makes 21600 miles ; allowing for every ●egree of the greatest circle 60 miles . now the diameter of a star of the first magnitude compared with the diameter of the earth hath such proporti●…n to it as 19 hath to 4 ; therefore it containeth ●he diameter of the earth 4 times and ¾ . the diameter of a star of the second magnitude ●s unto the diameter of the earth as 269 is to 60 : ●herefore it containeth it 4 28 / 90 times . the diameter of a fixed star of the third magni●ude is unto the diameter of the earth as 25 unto 6 : ●herefore it containeth it 4 ⅙ times . the diameter of a fixed star of the fourth mag●itude is unto the diameter of the earth as 19 unto 〈◊〉 : therefore it containeth it 3 ⅘ times . the diameter of a fixed star of the fifth magnitude is unto the diameter of the earth , as 119 unto 36 , therefore it containeth it 3 11 / 36 times . the diameter of a fixed star of the sixth magnitude is unto the diameter of the earth as 21 unto 8 therefore it containeth it ⅝ times . as for the proportions of the cloudy and obscure stars , they are not expressed , because they are but few , and of no great account in respect of their smalness . the proportions of the fixed stars compared with the globe of the earth , are as follow . a star of the first magnitude is to the globe o● the earth , as 6859 to 64 , therefore it containeth the globe of the earth 107 ⅙ times . a star of the second magnitude is to the globe o● the earth , as 19465109 is to 216000 , therefore i● containeth it 90 ⅛ times . a star of the third magnitude is to the globe o● the earth ▪ as 15625 is unto 216 , therefore it containeth it 72 ⅓ times . a star of the fourth magnitude is to the globe o● the earth , as 6850 is unto 125 : therefore it containeth the globe of the earth 54 11 / 12 times . a star of the fifth magnitude is to the globe o● the earth , as 1685159 is unto 46656 , therefore i● containeth the globe of the earth 36 8 / 1 times . a star of the sixth magnitude is to the globe o● the earth as 9261 is unto 511 , therefore it containeth the globe of the earth 18 1 / 10 times . i confess all this may seem matter of incredulity to those whose understanding is swayed by their visual sence , because they cannot perhaps conceive it possible that the heaven which appears so small to the bare eye should be able to contain so great a number of such great bodies as is here spoken of ; yet if those be capable to consider the vast distance of this heaven , and consequently of the stars placed in it from the face of the earth , and also the diminutive quality of distance , their reason will be rectified , and their incredulity turn'd into an acknowledgment of the unspeakable wisdom of almighty god ; and they will say with the psalmist , great is our lord , great is his power , his wisdom is infinite , psal. 147.5 . the distance of the stars therefore from the earth , is according to mr. john dee's computation , 2008 1 ½ semidiameters of the earth . the semidiameter of the earth containeth of our common miles 3436 4 / 11 , such miles as the whole earth and sea round about is 21600 : allowing for every degree of the greatest circle 60 miles , so that the distance of the stars from the earth is in miles 69006540 , a distance so vastly great , that were there a path for a footman to walk in of that length , he must have set forth 9452 years 347 days ago , and have travelled 20 miles every day to have been just now at his journeys end . now as mr. dee saith ( almost in the same words ) if you weigh well with your self this little parcel of fruit astronomical , as concerning the bigness and distance of the stars , &c. and the huge massiness of the starry heaven , you will find your consciences moved with the kingly prophet to sing the confession of gods glory ; and say , the heavens declare the glory of god , and the firmament sheweth the works of his hands . of the constellations in heaven . a constellation is a certain number of stars placed by god almighty neer one another in heaven , and by astronomers circumscribed in one figure depicted about them , as aries the ram is a constellation . taurus the bull is another constellation , &c. astronomers brought them into these figures , for instructions sake , things cannot be taught without names ▪ to give a name to every star had been troublesom to the master , and for the schollar , for the master to devise , and for the schollar to remember ; and therefore the astronomers have reduced many stars into one constellation , that thereby they may tell the better where to seek them , and being sought , how to express them . and they brought them into these figures , and none other , being moved thereto by these three reasons : first these figures express some properties of the stars that are in them ; as those of the ram to be hot and dry , andromeda chained betokeneth imprisonment : the head of medusa cut off , signifieth the loss of that part : orion with his terrible and threatning gesture , importeth tempest , and terrible effects : the serpent , the scorpion , and the dragon signifie poyson : the bull , insinuateth a melancholly passion : the bear inferreth cruelty , &c. secondly , the stars ( if not precisely , yet after a sort ) do represent such a figure , and therefore that figure was assigned them : as for example , the crown , both north and south ; the scorpion and the triangle , represent the figures which they have . the third cause was the continuance of the memory of some notable men , who either in regard of their singular pains taken in astronomy , or in regard of some other notable deed , had well deserved of mankind . the first author of every particular constellation is uncertain ; yet are they of great antiquity ; we receive them from ptolomy , and he followed the platonicks ; so that their antiquity is great . moreover we may perceive them to be ancient by the scriptures , and by the poets . in the 38 chapter of job there is mention made of the pleiades , orion , and arcturus , and mazzaroth , which some interpret the 12 signs : job lived in the time of abraham , as syderocotes maketh mention in his book de commensurandis locorum distantiis . now besides all this , touching the reason of the invention of these constellations the poets had this purpose , viz. to make men fall in love with astronomy : and to that intent have to every constellation invented strange conceited stories , ( as you may read hereafter , therein imitating demosthenes , who when he could not get the people of athens to hear him in a matter of great moment , and profitable for the common-wealth , he began to tell them a tale of a fellow that sold an ass ; by which tale he so brought on the athenians , that they were both willing to hear his whole oration , and to put in practice what he exhorted them to . the like intent had the poets in inventing of those stories : they saw that astronomy being for its commodity singular in the life of man , was almost of all men utterly neglected : hereupon they began to set forth that art under fictions , that thereby such as could not be perswaded by commodity might by the pleasure be induced to take a view of these matters ; and thereby at length fall in love with them . for commonly you shall note this , that he that is ready to read the stories , cannot content himself therewith , but desireth also to know the constellation , or at leastwise some principal star therein . all the constellations formerly notified by the antients , were in number 48 , because no more were seen in our hemisphere , though in this latter age there are 12 more discovered about the south pole , which because it may be somewhat more pleasant for reading , and much more helpful for your memory , i shall give you their names in plain english rhythmes . the constellations of the fixed stars . the army of the starry skie declares the glory of god most high ; seen and perceived of all nations in eight and fourty constellations . first near unto the northern pole the dragon and two bears do role ; whose hinder parts and tails contain the lesser and the greater wain . the hair , the bear-ward , and the crown , and then comes hercules kneeling down . and next below a place doth take great serpentarius with his snake . under the harp of orpheus the eagle and antinous . the silver swan her wings doth spread above the dart and dolphins head . then pegasus comes on amain , andromeda follows in her chain . the triangle below her stands ; and at her feet in perseus hands the gorgon's head . above are seen her parents cepheus , with his queen cassiope . not far below heniochus his goat doth show on his left shoulder : in his hand he doth the stormy kids command . of the zodiack . here in the zodiaque begins the ram , the bull , the loving twins ; the crab , the lyon , and virgin tender , the ballance , scorpion , and bow-bender ; goat , waterman , then fishes twain shall bring you round to th' ram again . fifteen images appear in the southern hemisphere . the monstrous whale before the rest , eridanus scarce wets his brest : over the hare orion bright sparkles in a winters night . then comes the great dog , at whose tail the famous argo spreads her sail . above the little dog doth flame , for whom the latines had no name : long hydra on her tail allow carries the pitcher and the crow . the centaure holds the wolf by th' heel . the altar , and ixions wheel are never seen of us : but here the southern fish brings up the rear . southern constellations . about the southern pole there be twelve constellations we can't see , which frederick houtman did survay upon the island sumatrae : they 'r call'd the crane , the phoenix , and the indian , with three darts in 's hand , the bird of paradice , the fly , the peacock , the camelion sly , the south triangle , and south snake , the toucan goose with its long beak , the flying fish and dorado : two magellanick clouds also . of the nature of the stars . to many of the principal stars there is in planetical characters prefixed their planetical natures . the astrologers make great use of them for knowing the nature of the stars ; for those stars that have the character of ♄ adjoined , are said to be of the nature of ♄ ; those that have ♃ adjoyned , are of the nature of ♃ , and so of the rest . if a star have the characters of two planets adjoyned , that star participates of both their natures , but most of that planets whose character is first placed . the use astronomers make of those characters , is for knowing the colour of any star ; as if a star have ♄ adjoyned , it is of the colour of ♄ ; if ♃ , it is the colour of ♃ , &c. the fixed stars are known from the planets by their continual twinckling , for the planets never twinckle , but the fixed stars do . how you may learn to know all the stars in heaven by these playing cards . to each of these cards i have set down the day of the month that the constellation in it rises at the time of sun-setting , as also the point of the compass it rises on , so that if you will observe it , when the sun sets , you will see the constellation rising upon that point of the compass set down on the card with the letters of the point of the compass . for example . if you would know when the little dog rises in the evening , look in the bottom of the card , and you will find jan. 11. e. by n. which shews that on the 11 th . of january at sun-set the constellation of the little dog rises east and by north ; therefore looking into that part of heaven , you shall see the constellation rising , and the stars placed in heaven , just as you find them placed on the card. but if the constellation be risen some considerable time , you must know the time since it rose , and estimate how high it may be above the earth , by allowing about the twelfth part of heaven for every hour since sun-set , and about that esteemed height look for it , and when you find a number of stars placed in heaven like those on your card , you may conclude that to be the constellation , and to your great delight and satisfaction . see in what part of the constellation each particular star lies , and of what nature , colour , and magnitude it is . these cards are divided into four suits , as other playing cards are , viz. spades , hearts , diamonds , clubs : and astronomers have divided the whole face of heaven into four colures , viz. the vernal colure , or spring , the aestival colure , or summer , the autumnal colure , or autumne , the hyemnal colure , or winter . because when the sun comes to any of these colures , the season of the year alters into spring , summer , autumn , winter ; and so have i divided these cards ; for all the constellations that are in the vernal colure are known by the suit of spades , in the aestiral colure are hearts , in the autumnal colure diamonds , and in the hyemnal colure are clubs , which are placed on the top at the left hand of every card ; and the number of each suit is marked on the top of the card close by it with numerical letters thus , i , ii , iii , iv , v , &c. to x , and the kings , queens , and knaves of each suite are also depicted on the top in the middle of the card. of via lactea , or the milky-way . this circle is not set down on the cards , because it takes up the whole compass of heaven , but it is so plain to be seen every clear night , that it needs no picture : yet i shall tell you what constellations it passeth through , so that you may easily find any part of it that is above the horizon when you please . via lactea , or circulus lacteus by the latines so called ; and by the greeks galaxia , and by the english the milkey way . it is a broad white circle that is seen in the heaven : in the north hemisphere , it beginneth at cancer , on each side the head thereof , and passeth by auriga , by perseus , and cassiopeia , the swan , and the head of capricorn , the tail of scorpio , and the feet of centaur , argo the ship , and so unto the head of cancer . some in a sporting manner do call it watling-street , but why they call it so , i cannot tell , except it be in regard of the narrowness that it seemeth to have , or else in respect of that great high-way that lyeth between dover and st. albans , which is called by our men watling-street . concerning this circle as there are sundry opinions , so there is great difference among some writers , both touching the place , matter , and efficient cause thereof : aristotle dissenteth from all other , both philosophers and poets , in the place , matter , and cause of this circle ; saying that it is a meteor ingendred in the air , made of the vapors of the earth , drawn up thither by the heat of the sun , and there set on fire . but his opinion is of all men confuted . first , touching the place , it cannot be in the air , whatsoever is in the air , is not seen of all men , at all times , to be under one and the same part of heaven ; if we see it in the south , they that are in the west shall see it under the east side of the heaven ; and they that are in the east , shall see it in the west part of the heaven , but this circle is of all men seen always under the same part of heaven , and to be joined with the same stars : therefore it cannot be in the air. again , for the matter , it cannot be made of that which aristotle nameth ( i. e ) the vapours of the earth because of the long continuance of the thing , and that without any alteration : for it is impossible that any meteor made of vapours drawn up from the water , or exhalations from the earth , should last so long ; as may be seen in blazing stars ; which though they have continued long , as namely 16 months , some more , some less ; yet at the length they have vanished away ; whereas this circle hath continued from the beginning unto this day . besides , put case it were made of these exhalations ; whence will they infer the uniformity thereof ? the comets do alter diversly , both in the fashion of their blazing , and also in their several quantities , whereas in this circle there is nothing but the same part , always of one form , and of one bigness . in the efficient cause thereof he must needs erre : for if it be neither in the air , nor made of the exhalations of the earth , it cannot be caused by the sun ; for the one is the place , and the other the matter , wherein , and whereupon the sun sheweth his power . all other ( besides aristotle ) agree in the place , but differ in the efficient cause thereof : and rhey are either philosophers , or poets . both these affirm that it is in the firmament , ( i. e. ) in the eight sphere ; but they disagree in the cause thereof . the philosophers , ( and chiefly democritus ) affirm the cause of the thing , to be the exceeding great number of stars in that part of heaven , whose beams meeting together so confusedly , and not coming distinctly to the eye , causeth us to imagine such a whiteness as is seen . but the best opinion is this , that this milkey way is a part of the firmament , neither so thin as the other parts thereof are , nor yet so thick as the stars themselves . if it were as thin as the other parts of the heaven besides the stars , then could it not retain the light , but the light would pass through it and not be seen ; if it were as thick as the stars , then would the light be so doubled in it , that it would glister and shine , as the stars themselves do : but being neither so thin as the one , nor so thick as the other , it becometh of that whiteness we see . thus far dr. hood . but our modern philosophers conceive this lactean whiteness ariseth from a great number of little stars constipated in that part of heaven , flying so swiftly from the sight of our eyes , that we can perceive nothing but a confused light ; this the telescope ( more lately found out ) doth evidently demonstrate to us : by the benefit of which , little stars ( otherwise inconspicuous to our eyes ) are there clearly discerned . about the southern pole are seen two white spots , like little clouds , coloured like the via lactea . one of which is trebble the latitude of the other ; some mariners call them nubeculae magellani . here follows the ancient stories of the several stars and constellations . shewing the poetical reasons why such various figures are placed in heaven . collected from dr. hood . and first , of the northern constellations . ursa minor , this constellation hath the preheminence , because it is nearest of all the rest unto the north pole ; and is called of the greeks arctos , whereupon the pole is called the pole artick , for that it is near unto this constellation . it is also called helice minor , because of the small revolution which it maketh round about the pole : or rather of elice , a town in arcadia , wherein calisto the great bear , and mother to the less , was bred . it is called cynosura , because this constellation , though it carry the name of a bear , yet it hath the tail of a dog : last of all , it is termed phaenice , because that thales , who first gave the name to this constellation , was a phaenician : and therefore the phaenicians being taught how to use it in their navigations , did call it by the name of the countrey wherein thales was born : it consisteth of seven stars , which the latines call septentriones , because by their continual motions those seven stars do as it were wear the heaven . the spaniards do call them all bosina , that is an horn ; because they may be very well brought into that form ; whereof that which is the end of the tail is called the pole-star , by reason of the nearness thereof unto the pole of the world ; for it is distant ( according to the opinion of most ) from the true pole , but 3 degrees 30 minutes . the arabians call it alrukaba . and of the scythians it is said to be an iron nail , and is worshipped by them as a god. the two stars that are in the shoulders of the bear , are called the guards , of the spanish word guardare , which is to behold ; because they are diligently to be looked unto , in regard of their singular use which they have in navigation . the reason why this constellation was brought into the heavens is diversly set down , and first in this manner ; saturn having received of the oracle that one of his sons should banish him out of his kingdom , determined with himself to kill all the men-children that he should beget ; whereupon he gave command to ops his wife , being then great , that she should shew him the child so soon as ever it was born : but she bringing forth jupiter , and being greatly delighted with his hair , gave the child unto two nymphs of creet , dwelling in the mount dicte , whereof this was one , and was called cynosura , the other was helice . jupiter , after that ( according to the oracle ) he had bereft his father of his kingdom , in recompence of their pains and curtesy , translated them both into the heavens , and made of them two constellations , the lesser bear , and the greater bear. other-some say , that it was arcas the son of calisto , and they tell the tale on this manner ; calisto a nymph of singular beauty , daughter to lycaon king of arcadia , induced by the great desire she had of hunting , became a follower of the goddess diana . after this , jupiter being enamoured with her beauty , and out of hope , by reason of her profession , to win her love , in his own person , counterfeited the shape of diana , lay with calista , and got her with child , of whom was born a son which was called arcas . diana , or rather juno , being very much offended herewith , turned calisto into a bear. arcas her son at the age of fifteen , hunting in the woods , by chance lighted on his mother in the shape of a bear , who knowing her son arcas , stood still that he might come near unto her , and not be afraid : but he fearing the shape of so cruel a beast , bent his bow of purpose to have slain her : whereupon jupiter to prevent the mischief , translated them both into heaven , and of them made two several constellations : unto the lesser bear there belongs but one star unformed . 2. vrsa major , the greater bear , called also of the greeks arctos , and helice , consisteth of 27 stars ; among the which , those seven that are in the hinder part and tail of the bear are most observed ; the latines call them plaustrum , and of our met they are called charles wayn ; because the stars do stand in such sort , that the three which are in the tai● resemble the horses , and the other four which are in the flank of the bear , stand ( after a manner ) like the wheels of a wagon , or chariot ; and they are supposed by some to be greater than the sun. the reason of the translation of this constellation into the heaven , is at large set down in the other constellation● and therefore needs not here to be repeated . this constellation was first invented by nauplius , the father of palamedes the greek ; and in great use among the grecians ; and this is to be noted both in this and the former constellation , that they never set under the horizon in any part of europe : which though it fal● out by reason of their scituation in the heavens ; ye● the poets say , that it came to pass through the displeasure and hatred of juno , who for that she was by calisto made a cuckquean , and they notwithstanding ( as she took it ) in despight of her ' were translated into heaven , requested her brother neptune , that h● should never suffer those stars to set within hi● kingdom , to which request neptune condescended● so that in all europe they never come near unto th● sea , or touch the horizon . if any one marvel , tha● ( seeing she hath the form of a bear ) she should have a tail so long ; imagine that jupiter fearing to come too nigh unto her teeth , laid hold on her tail , and thereby drew her up into heaven ; so that she of her self being very weighty , and the distance from the earth to the heaven very great , there was great likelyhood that her tail must stretch . the unformed stars belonging to this constellation are eight . 3. draco , the dragon , of some named the serpent ; of others the snake , by the arabians , aben , and by junctinus florentinus , vrago ; because he windeth his tail round about the ecliptick pole ; it containeth 31 stars . this was the dragon that kept the golden apples in the orchard of the hesperides , ( now thought to be the islands of cape de virde ) and for his diligence and watchfulness , was afterwards translated into heaven : yet others say that he came into heaven by this occasion ; when minerva withstood the gyants fighting against the gods ; they to terrifie her , threw at her a mighty dragon , but she catching him in her hands , threw him presently up into heaven , and placed him there , as a memorial of that her resistance . others would have it to be the serpent python , whom apollo slew , after the deluge . 4. cephevs , containeth in him 11 stars , and hath two unformed . this was a king of the aethiopians , and husband unto cassiopeia , and father of andromeda , whom perseus married : he was taken up into heaven , with his wife and daughter , for the good deeds of perseus his son in law , that he and his whole stock might be had in remembrance for ever . the star which is in his right shoulder is called by the arabians alderahiemin ( i. e. ) his right arm. 5. bootes , the driver of the oxen ( for so i suppose the name to signifie , rather than an herdsman , for he hath not his name because he hath the care of any cattel , but only because he is supposed to drive charles his wain , which is drawn by 3 oxen ) he is also called arctophilax , the keeper of the bear , as tho' the care of her were committed to him : this constellation consisteth of 22 stars . some will have bootes to be arcas , the son of her who before was turned into the great bear ; and they tell the tale thus : lycaon the father of calisto , receiving jupiter into his house as a guest , took arcas his daughters son , and cut him in pieces ; and among other services , set him before jupiter to be eaten ; for by this means he thought to prove if his guest were a god , as he pretended to be jupiter perceiving this heinous fact , overthrew the table , fired the house with lightning , and turned lycaon into a wolf : but gathering , & setting together again the limbs of the child , he committed him to a nimph of aetolia to be kept : arcas afterwards coming to mans estate , and hunting in the woods , lighted at un-awares upon his mother , transformed by juno into the shape of a bear , whom he pursued into the temple of jupiter lycaeus , whereunto by the law of the arcadians , it was death for any man to come . for as much therefore as they must of likelihood be both slain , calisto by her son , and he by the law , jupiter to avoid this mischief , of meer pity took them both up into heaven . unto this constellation belongeth but one star unformed , and it is between the legs of bootes , and by the grecians it is called arcturus , because of all the stars near the great bear named arctos , this star is first seen near her tail in the evening . the poetical invention is thus . icarus the father of erigone , having received of the god bacchus a flagon of wine , to declare how good it was for mortal men , travelled therewith into the territoires of athens , and there began to carouse with certain shepheards , they being greatly delighted with the pleasantness of the wine , being a new kind of liquor , began to draw so hard at it , that er'e they left off , they were past one and thirty ; and in the end , were fain to lay their heads to rest . but coming unto themselves again , and finding their brains scarce in good temper , they kil'd icarus , thinking indeed that he had either poysoned them , or at the least-wise made their brains intoxicate . erigone was ready to dye for grief , and so was mera her little dog . but jupiter to allay their grief , placed her father in heaven , between the legs of arctophilax . 6. corona borea , the northern garland , consisteth of eight stars ; yet ovid saith , that it hath nine . this was the garland that venus gave unto ariadne , when she was married unto bacchus , in the isle naxus , after that theseus had forsaken her : which garland bacchus placed in the heaven ; as a token of his love . novidius will have it to be the crown of the virgin mary . 7. engon asis ; this constellation hath the name , because it is expressed under the shape of a man kneeling upon the one knee , and is therefore by the latines called ingeniculum it containeth 29 stars and wanteth a proper name , because of the great diversity of opinions concerning the same . for some will have it to be hercules , that mighty conqueror who for his 12 labours was thought worthy to be placed in the heaven , and nigh unto the dragon whom he overcame . others tell the tale thus : that when the tytans fought against the gods , they for fear of the gyants , ran all unto the one side of the heaven : whereupon the heaven was ready to have fallen , had not hercules together with atlas , set his neck unto it , and stayed the fall : and for his desert he was placed in heaven . 8. lyra , the harp , it containeth 10 stars , whereof thus goeth the fable . the river nilus swelling above his banks , over-flowed the country of egypt ; after the fall whereof there were left in the fields divers kinds of living things , and amongst the rest a tortoise ; mercury , after the flesh thereof was consumed , the sinews still remaining , found the same , and striking it , he made it yield a certain sound ; whereupon he made an harp like unto it , having three strings , and gave it unto orpheus the son of cassiopea . this harp was of such excellent sound , that trees , stones , fowls , and wild beasts are said to follow the sound thereof . after such time therefore that orpheus was slain by the women of thrace the muses by the good leave of jupiter , and at the request of apollo , placed this harp in heaven . novidius will have it to be the harp of david , where by he pacified the evil spirit of saul . this constellation was afterwards called vultur cadens , the falling grype : and falco the falcon ; or timpanum the timbrel . 9. olor , or cygnus the swan , called of the chaldaeans adigege , it hath 17 stars : of this constellation the poets fable in this manner . jupiter being overtaken with the love of laeda the wife of tyndarus king of oebabia , and knowing no honester way to accomplish his desire , procured venus to turn her self into an eagle , and himselfe he turned into the shape of a swan . flying therefore from the eagle , as from his natural enemy that earnestly pursued him he lighted of purpose in the lap of laeda , and as it were , for his more safety crept into her bosom , the woman not knowing who it was under that shape , but holding ( as she thought ) the swan fast in her arms , fell asleep . in the mean while jupiter enjoyed his pleasure , and having obtained that he came for , betook him again unto his wings ; and in memorial of his purpose ( attained under that form ) he placed the swan among the stars . ovid calleth this constellation milvius , the kite and telleth the tale thus . the earth being greatly offended with jupiter , because he had driven saturn his father out of his kingdom , brought forth a monstrous bull , which in his hinder parts was like a serpent ; and was afterwards called the fatal bull , because the destinies had thus decreed , that whosoever could slay him and offer up his entrails upon an altar , should overcome the eternal gods , briareus that mighty gyant , and ancient enemy of the gods , overcame the bull , and was ready to have offered up his entrails according to the decree of the destinies : but jupiter fearing the event , commanded the fowls of the air to snatch them away : which although to their power they endeavour'd , yet there was none of them found so forward and apt to that action as the kite , and for that cause he was accordingly rewarded with a place in heaven . some call this constellation orvis , that is the bird : others call it vultur volans , the flying grype : it is called gallina , the hen. unto this constellation do belong two unformed stars . 10. cassiopeia , she consisteth of 13 stars . this was the wife of cepheus , and the mother of andromeda , whom perseus married , and for his sake was translated into heaven , as some write . others say that her beauty being singular she waxed so proud , that she preferred her self before the nereides , which were the nymphs of the sea : for which cause , unto her disgrace , & the example of all others that in pride of their hearts would advance themselves above their betters , she was placed in the heaven with her head as it were downwards ; so that in the revolution the heavens she seemeth to be carried head-long . 11. persevs , he hath 26 stars . this was the son of jupiter , whom he in the likeness of a golden-shower begat upon danae , the daughter of acrisius . this perseus coming unto mans estate , and being furnished with the sword , hat , and wings of his brother mercury , and the shield of his sister minerva , was sent by his foster-father polidectes , to kill the monster medusa , whom he slew ; and cutting off her head , carried it away with him : but as he was hasting homewards , flying in the air , he espied andromeda the daughter of cepheus and cassiopea , for the pride of her mother , bound with a chain unto a rock , by the sea side , there to be devoured by a whale : perseus taking notice and pity of the case undertook to fight with the monster , upon condition that andromeda might be his wife , to be short , he deliver'd andromeda , married her , and returning homeward unto the isle seriphus , he found there his grand-father acrisius , whom by mischance and unadvisedly he slew with a quoit : ( or as ovid reporteth ) with the terrible sight the horrible head of medusa not knowing that it was his grand-father : but afterwards understanding whom he had slain , he pined away through extream sorrow whereupon jupiter his father pitying his grief took him up into heaven : and there placed him in that form wherein he overcame medusa with the sword in one hand , and the head of medusa in the other , and the wings of mercury at his heels . this constellation because of the unluckiness thereof , is called by astrologers cacodaemon ( i. e. ) vnlucky , and vnfortunate . for ( as they say ) they have observed it that whatsoever is born under this constellation , having an evil aspect , shall be stricken with sword , or lose his head. novidius saith that it is david with goliah his head in one hand , and his sword in the other . the unformed stars belonging unto this constellation , are three . 12. avriga , the wagoner , or carter : he consisteth of 14 stars : the arabians call him alaiot ; the greeks heniochus , ( i. e. ) a man holding a bridle in his hand and so is he pictur'd . eratostenes affirmeth him to be ericthonius king of athens , the son of vulcan : who having most deformed feet , devised first the use of the waggon or chariot , and joyned horses together to draw the same , to the end that he sitting therein might the better conceal his deformities . for which invention , jupiter translated him into the heavens . in this constellation there are two other particular constellations to be noted ; whereof the one consisteth but of one star alone , which is in the left-shoulder of auriga , and is called hircus , or capra the goat ; the arabians call it alhajoth : the other consisteth of 2 little stars a little beneath the others , standing as it were in the hand of auriga ; this constellation is called haedi , the kids . the tale is thus ; saturn ( as you heard before ) had received of the oracle , that one of his sons should put him out of his kingdom , whereupon he determined to devour them all : ops by stealth conveyed away jupiter , and sent him to melissus king of crete , to be nourished . melissus having 2 daughters , amalthaea , and melissa , committed jupiter unto their nursery ; amalthaea had a goat that gave suck unto 2 kids , so that by the milk of this goat , she nourished jupiter very well : to requite this her care and courtesie , jupiter ( after he had put his father out of his kingdom ) translated her goat and her two kids into heaven , and in remembrance of the nurse , the goat is called capra amalthaea . novidius saith , that when christ was born , and his birth made manifest by the angels unto the shepherds , one of them brought with him for a present , a goat and two young kids ; which in token of his good will , were placed in heaven . 13. ophivcvs , or serpentarivs , that is the serpent bearer . this constellation hath no proper name , but is thus entituled , because he holdeth a serpent in his hands . it containeth 24 stars . some say that it is hercules , and report the tale on this manner . juno being a great enemy to hercules , sent two snakes to kill him as he lay sleeping in his cradle : but hercules being a lusty child ( for jupiter had spent two days in begetting him ) without much ado strangled them both : in memorial of so strange an event , jupiter placed him in the heavens , with a serpent in his hands . 14. serpens , the serpent of ophiuchus , which consisteth of 18 stars . some say that it is one of the serpents that should have slain hercules in his cradle . novidius saith , it is the viper that bit paul by the hand . others deliver the tale in these words ; glaucus the son of minos king of crete , was by misfortune drowned in a barrel of honey : minas his father craved the help of aesculapius the physician : and that he might be driven perforce to help the child , he shut him up in a secret place , together with the dead carcass : whiles esculapius stood in a great maze with himself what were best to be done , upon a sudden there came a serpent creeping towards him , the which serpent he slew with the staff which he had in his hand . after this there came another serpent in , bringing in his mouth a certain herb , which he laid upon the head of the dead serpent , whereby he restored him unto life again . esculapius using the same herb , wrought the same effect upon glaucus . whereupon ( after that ) esculapius ( whom some affirm to be ophiucus ) was placed in the heaven and the serpent with him . 15. sagita , or telum ; the arrow or dart. this was that arrow wherewith hercules slew the eagle or grype that fed upon the liver of prometheus being tyed with chains to the top of mount caucasus , and in memorial of that deed , was translated into heaven . others will have it to be one of those arrows which hercules at his death gave unto phyloctetes , upon which the destiny of troy did depend . the whole constellation containeth five stars . 16. aqvila , the eagle , which is called vultur volans , the flying grype . it hath in it 9 stars . the poetical reason of this constellation , is this ; jupiter transforming himself into the form of an eagle took ganimedes the trojan boy , whom he greatly loved up into heaven , and therefore in sign thereof : ( because by that means he performed his purpose ) he placed the figure of the eagle in heaven . there belong unto this constellation 6 stars ( before time ) unformed , but now brought into the constellation of antinous . but whereupon that name should come , i know not , except it were that some man devised it there to curry favour with the emperour adrian , who loved one antinous bithynicus so well , that he builded a temple in his honour at mantinea . 17. delphinvs , the dolphin : it containeth 10 stars ; yet ovid in his second book de fastis , saith that it hath but nine . neither did the ancient astronomers attribute unto it any more , according to the number of the muses ; because of all other fishes the dolphin is said to be delighted with musick . the tale goeth thus concerning this constellation . when neptune the god of the sea greatly desired to match with amphitrite , she being very modest and shame-faced , hid her self ; whereupon he sent many messengers to seek her out , among whom , the dolphin by his good hap , did first find her ; and perswaded her also to match with neptune : for which his good and trusty service , neptune placed him in the heavens . others say , that when bacchus had transformed the marriners that would have betrayed him , into dolphins , he placed one of them in heaven , that it might be a lesson for others to take heed how they carried any one out of his way , contrary both to his desire , and their own promise . novidius referreth this constellation unto the fish that saved jonas from drowning . 18. eqvicvlus , is the little horse , and it consisteth of 4 stars . this constellation is named almost of no writer , saving ptolomeus , and alphonsus who followed ptolemy , and therefore no certain tale or history is delivered thereof by what means he came into heaven . 19. equus alatus , the winged horse , or pegasus , it containeth 20 stars . this horse was bred of the blood of medusa , after that perseus had cut off her head , and was afterwards taken and tamed by bellerophon , whiles he drank of the river pirene by corinth , and was used by him in the conquest of chimera ; after which exploit bellerophon being weary of the earthly affairs , endeavoured to fly up into heaven . but being amazed in his flight , by looking down to the earth , he fell from his horse , pegasus notwithstanding continuing his course ( as they feign ) entred into heaven , and there obtained a place among the other constellations . 20. andromeda , she consteth of 23 stars ; but one of them is common both unto her and pegasus . this was the daughter of cepheus and cassiopeia , and the wife of perseus ; the reason why minerva or jupiter placed her in the heavens , is before expressed . novidius referreth this constellation unto alexandria the virgin , whom s. george through the good help of his horse delivered from the dragon . 21. triangulum , the triangle , called also deltoton , because it is like the fourth letter of the greek alphabet δ , which they call delta ; it consisteth of four stars . they say it was placed in heaven by mercury , that thereby the head of the ram might be the better known . others say , that it was placed there in honour of the geometricians , among whom , the triangle is of no small importance . others affirm , that ceres in times past requested jupiter that there might be placed in heaven some figure representing the form of sicily an island greatly beloved of ceres for the fruitfulness thereof : now this island being triangular ( at her request ) was represented in the heaven under that form . thus much concerning the constellations of the northern hemisphere . now follow the poetical stories of the constellations of the southern hemisphere . secondly , of the southern constellations . 1 cetus , the whale , it is also called the lyon , or bear of the sea. this is that monstrous fish that should have devoured andromeda , but being overcome by perseus , was afterwards translated into heaven by jupiter , as well for a token of perseus his manhood , as for the bigness of the fish it self . this constellation consisteth of 22 stars . 2. orion , this hath 38 stars . the poetical reason of his translation into the heavens , shall be shewn in the scorpion amongst the zodiacal constellations . the ancient romans called this constellation jugala , because it is most pestiferous unto cattel , and as it were the very cut-throat of them . there are bright stars in his girdle , which we commonly call our ladies yard , or wand . novidius , applying this sword of orion unto scripture , will have it to be the sword of saul , afterwards called paul , wherewith he persecuted the members of christ : which after his conversion was placed in heaven . in his left shoulder there is a very bright star , which in latine is called bellatrix the warriour , in the faeminine gender . i cannot find the reason except it be this ; that women born under this constellation shall have mighty tongues : the reason of the ox hide which he hath in his hand , may be gathered out of the next story . 3. fluvius , the river ; it comprehendeth 34 stars : it is called by some eridanus , or pagus ; they say that it was placed in heaven in remembrance of phaeton , who having set the whole earth on fire by reason of misguiding his father phoebus his chariot , was slain by jupiter with a thunder-bolt , and tumbling down from heaven , fell into the river eridanus , or padus , which the italians call po. others say that it is nilus , and that that figure was placed in heaven because of the excellency of that river , which by the divines is called gihon , and is one of the rivers of paradice . others call it flumen orionis the flood of orion ; and say that it was placed there , to betoken the off-spring from whence orion came : for the tale is thus reported of him . jupiter , neptune , and mercury , travelling upon the earth in the likness of men , were requested by hyerus to take a poor lodging at his house for a night : they being overtaken with the evening , yeilded unto his request ; hyreus made them good cheer , killing an ox for their better entertainment : the gods seeing the good heart of the old man , willed him to demand what he would in recompence of his so friendly cheer . hyerus and his wife being old , requested the gods to gratify them with a son. they to fulfil his desire , called for the hide of the ox that was slain , and having received it , they put it into the earth , and made water into it all three together , and covering it , willed hyreus within ten months after to dig it out of the earth again ; which he did and found therein a man-child ; whom he called ourion , ab urania , of piss ; although afterwards by leaving out the second letter , he was named orion . at such time therefore as he was placed in heaven , this flood was joyned hard to his heels , and the ox hide wherein the gods did piss , was set in the left hand , in memorial of his off-spring . 4. lepus , the hare , which consisteth of 12 stars . this constellation was placed in heaven between the legs of orion , to signifie the great delight in hunting which he had in his life time : but others think it was a frivolous thing , to say that so notable a fellow as orion would trouble himself with so small and timorous a beast as the hare ; and therefore they tell the tale thus . in times past there was not a hare left in the isle leros ; a certain youth therefore of that island , being very desirous of that kind of beast , brought with him from another country thereabout , an hare great with young ; which when she had brought forth , they in time became so acceptable unto the other country men , that every one almost desired to have and keep a hare . by reason whereof , the number of them grew to be so great , within a short space after , that the whole island became full of hares , so that their masters were not able to find them meat : whereupon the hares breaking forth into the fields , devoured their corn. wherefore the inhabitants being bitten with hunger ; joyned together with one consent , and ( though with much adoe ) destroyed the hares . jupiter therefore placed this constellation in the heavens ; as well to express the exceeding fearfulness of the beast , as also to teach men this lesson ; that there is nothing so much to be desired in this life , but that at one time or another bringeth with it more grief than pleasure . some say , that it was placed in heaven at the request of ganimedes , who was greatly delighted with hunting the hare . 5. canis major , the great dog , it consisteth of 18 stars . it is called sirius canis , because he causeth a mighty drought by reason of his heat . this is the constellation that giveth name unto the canical or dog days ; whose beginning and end is not alike in all places , but hath a difference according to the countrey and time : as in the time of hippocrates the physitian , who lived before the time of christ 400 years , the canicular days began 13 or 14 of july . in the time of avicenna , the spaniard , who lived in the year of lord 1100. the canicular days began the 15 , 16 , or 17 of july . in our country ; they begin about st. james-tide , but we use to account from the 6 of july , to the 17 of august ; which is the time when the sun beginneth to come near unto and to depart from this constellation . novidius will have it to be referred to tobias dog which may very well be , because he hath a tail ; tobias dog had one ; as a certain fellow once concluded , because it is written that tobias his dog fawned upon his master , therefore it is to be noted ( said he ) that he had a tail . the poets say , that this is the dog whom jupiter set to keep europa , after he had stolen her away , and conveyed her into creet , and for his good service was placed in heaven . others say , that it was one of orion his dogs . there belong unto this constellation 11 stars unformed . 6. canis minor , the lesser dog ; this of the greeks is called procyon , of the latines antecanis ; it containeth but two stars . some say , that this was also one of orion's dogs . others rather affirm it to be mera the dog of origone , or rather of icarius her father , of whom mention is made in the constellation of bootes and virgo . this dog of meer love to his master , being slain , as aforesaid , threw himself into the river anygrus , but was afterward translated into heaven , with origone . among the poets there is great dissention which of the two should be the dog of origone , some saying one , and some the other , and therefore they do many times take the one for the ●●her . 7. argo navis , the ship argo which comprehendeth 41 stars ; this is the ship wherein jason did fetch the golden fleece from colchis , which was afterward placed in heaven as a memorial , not only because of the great voyage , but also , because ( as some will have it ) it was the first ship wherein any man sailed . their reason why this ship is not made whole is that thereby men might be put in mind not to despair , albeit that their ship miscarry'd in some part now and then : some avouch it to be the ark of noah . novidius saith it is the ship wherein the apostles were , when christ appeared unto them walking on the sea. in one of the oars of this ship there is a great star , called canopus , or canobus , which the arabians called shuel , as it were a bone-fire because of the greatness thereof . it is not seen in italy , nor in any country on this side of italy : some say that canobus the master of menelaus , his ship was transformed into this star. 8. hydra , the hydra , that hath 25 stars and two unformed . 9. crater , the cup , or standing-piece ; that hath seven stars , some say that this was the cup where in tagathon , that is the chief god , mingled the stuff whereof he made the souls of men. 10. corvus , the crow ; this hath seven stars . these 3 constellations are to be joyned together , because they depend upon one history , which is this . upon a time apollo made a solemn feast to jupiter , and wanting water to serve his turn , he delivered a cup to the crow ( the bird wherein he chiefly delighted ) and sent him to fetch water therein . the crow flying towards the river , espied a fig-tree , fell in hand with the figs , and abode there till they were ripe : in the end when , he had fed his fill of them , and satisfied his longing , he bethought himself of his errand , and by reason of his long delay , fearing a check , he caught up a snake in his bill , brought it to apollo , and told him that the snake would not let him fill the cup with water , apollo seeing the impudence of the bird , gave him this gift , that as long as the figs were not ripe upon the tree so long he should never drink : and for a memorial of the silly excuse that she made , he placed both the crow , cup , and snake , in heaven . 11. centaurus , the centaure , which comprehendeth 37 stars . some say , that this is typhon , others call him chiron , the schoolmaster of those three excellent men , hercules , achilles , and esculapius : unto hercules he read astronomy , he trained achilles in musick , and aesculapius , in physick : and for his upright life he was turned into this constellation , yet virgil calleth sagittarius by the name of chiron . in the hinder feet of this constellation , those stars are set which are called the crosiers , appearing to the marriners as they sail towards the south sea , in the form of a cross , whereupon they have their name . the four stars which are in the garnish of the centaurs spear , are accounted by proclus as a peculiar constellation , and are called by him thyrsilochus which was a spear compassed about with vine leaves : but they are called by copernicus , and clavius , and other astronomers , the stars of his target . it should seem that they were deceived by the old translation of ptolomy , wherein scutum is put for hasta ( i. e. ) the target , for the spear , as it is well noted by our country-man mr. r. record , in his book entituled the castle of knowledge . 12. lupus , the wolfe , or the beast which the centaur holdeth in his hand , contaneth 19 stars ; the poetical reason is this , chiron the centaur being a just man , was greatly given to the worship of the gods : for which thing , that it might be notified to all posterity , they placed him by this beast , which he seemeth to stick and thrust through with his spear ( as it were ) ready to kill for sacrifice . 13. ara , the altar , it is also called lar , or thuribulum ( i. e. ) a chimney with the fire , or a censor . it consisteth of seven stars , and is affirmed of some poets to be the altar whereon the centaur was wont to offer up his sacrifice . but others tell the tale thus . when as the great gyants called the tytans laboured as much as might be to pull jupiter out of heaven , the gods thought it good to lay their heads together , to advise what was best to be done : their conclusion was , that they should all with one consent join hands together to keep out such fellows , and that this their league might be confirmed , and throughly ratified , they caused the cyclops ( which were workmen of vulcan ) to make them an altar : about this altar all the gods assembled , and there sware , that with one consent they would withstand their enemies ; afterwards , having gotten the victory it pleased them to place this altar in heaven as a memorial of their league , and a token of that good which unity doth breed . 14. corona austrina , the south garland , it hath 13 stars . some say that it is some trifling garland which sagittarius was wont to wear , but he cast it away from him in jest , and therefore it was placed between his legs ; others call it the wheel of ixon , whereupon he was tormented for that great discourtesie he would have offered unto juno , thinking indeed to have gotten up her belly : but jupiter seeing the impudency of the man , tumbled him out of heaven ( where by the license of the gods he was sometimes admitted as a guest ) into hell there to be continually tormented upon a wheel : the figure of which wheel was afterwards placed in heaven , to teach men to take heed how they be too saucie to make such courteous proffers unto other mens wives . the greeks call this constellation by the name of vraniscus , because of the figure thereof : for it representeth the palate or roof of the mouth , which they call vraniscus . 15. the last is piscis austrinus , or notius , the south fish , which comprehendeth 11 stars , besides that which is in the mouth thereof , belonging to the water , which runneth from aquarius , and is called by the arabians fomahant . the reason why this fish was placed in the heaven , is uncertain : yet some affirm , that the daughter of venus going into a water to wash her self , was suddenly transformed into a fish the which fish was afterwards translated into heaven . the unformed stars belonging unto this constellation are six . thus much concerning the constellation of the northern and southern hemispheres ; now follow the poetical stories of the zodiacal constellations . thirdly , of the zodiacal constellations . 1. aries , the ram , it is called by the greeks criot , it containeth in it 13 stars , which were brought into this constellation by thyestes , the son of pelops , and brother of a●reus . this is the ram , upon which phr●xus , and h●lle his sister , the children of athamas did sit , when they fled from their step-mother ino , over the sea of hellespont : which ram was afterwards for his good service , translated to heaven ven by jupiter others say , that it was that ram which brought bacchus unto the spring of water , when through drought he was likely to have perished in the desert of lybia . novidius will have this to be the ram , which abraham offered up instead of his son isaac . the star that is first in the head of the ram , is that from whence our later astronomers do account the longitude of all the rest , and it is distant from the head of aries , in the tenth sphere , 27 degrees 53 minutes . the unformed stars belonging unto this constellation , are five . 2. tavrvs , the bull , which consisteth of 23 stars . this was translated into heaven in memorial of the rape committed by jupiter on europa the daughter of agenor , king of sidon ; whom jupiter in the likeness of a white bull stole away , and transported into candia . others say , that it was io the daughter of inacus , whom jupiter loved , and turned into the form of a cow , to the intent that juno coming at unawares , should not perceive what a part he had played : jupiter afterward in memorial of that crafty conveyance , placed that figure in heaven ; the reason why the poets name not certainly whether it be a cow or a bull , is because it wanteth the hinder parts ; yet of the most of them it is called a bull. in the neck of the bull there are certain stars standing together in a cluster , which are commonly called the seven stars ; although there can hardly be discerned any more than six , these are reported to be the seven daughters of atlas , called atlantiades , whereof 6 had company with the immortal gods , but the 7 th . ( whose name was merope ) being married unto sysiphus a mortal man , did therefore withdraw and hide her self , as being ashamed that she was not so fortunate in matching herself as her sisters were . some say that that star which is wanting is electra , eldest daughter of atlas , and that therefore it is so dim , because she could not abide to behold the destruction of troy ; but at that time and ever since , she hid her face . the reason why they were taken up into heaven , was their great pity towards their father , whose mishap they bewailed with continual tears . others say , that whereas they had vowed perpetual virginity , and were in danger to lose it , by reason of orion , who greatly assailed them , being overtaken with their love ; they requested jupiter to stand their friend ; who translated them into stars , and placed them in that part of heaven . the poets call them pleiades , because when they rise with the sun , the mariners may commit themselves to the sea. others will have them to be so termed a pluendo , because they procure rain . others give them this name , of the greek word cleiones , because they be many in number ; they be also called virgiliae , because they rise with the sun in the spring time : likewise athoraiae , because they stand so thick together . our men call them by the name of the seven stars , or brood hen. the astronomers note this as a special thing concerning these stars , that when the moon and these stars do meet together , the eyes are not to be medled withal , or cured if they before : their reason is , because they be of the nature of mars and the moon . moreover , there be five stars in the face of the bull , representing the form of the roman letter v , whereof one ( which is the greatest ) is called the bulls eye , they be called hyades , and were also the daughters of atlas , who so long bewailed the death of hyas their brother , slain by a lyon , that they died for sorrow , and were afterwards placed in heaven , for a memorial of that great love they bare to their brother . the ancient romans call the bulls eye parilicium , or palelicium ; of pales their goddess , whose feast they celebrated after the conjunction of this star and the sun. the unformed stars belonging unto this constellation , are eleven . 3. gemini , the twins consisteth of 18 stars . the poets say , they are castor and pollux , the sons of leda , brethren most loving , whom therefore jupiter translated into heaven . some say that one of them is apollo , and the other hercules : but the most affirm the former . the unformed stars of this constellation are seven , whereof one is called tropus , because it is placed next before the foot of castor . 4. cancer , the crab , it hath 9 stars . this is that crab which bit hercules by the heel as he fought with the serpent hydra in the fen lerna , and for his forward service , was placed in heaven by juno , the utter enemy of hercules . in this constellation there are stars much spoken of by the poets ; although they be but small , whereof one is called the crib , other two are the two asses , whereof one was the ass of bacchus , the other of vulcan , whereon they rode to battel , when as the gyants made war with the gods ; with whose braying and strange noise , the gyants were so scared upon the sudden , that they forsook the field , and fled . the gods getting the victory , in triumphing manner translated both the asses , and their manger into heaven . the unformed stars of this constellation are four . it is called animal rerrogradum , for when the sun cometh into this sign , he maketh retrogradation . 5. leo , the lyon ; it hath 27 stars , this is that lion which hercules overcame in the wood nemaea , and was placed in heaven in remembrance of so notable a deed . novidius saith , this was one of the lyons that were in the den into which daniel was cast , and was therefore placed in heaven , because of all other he was most friendly unto daniel . in the breast of this constellation is that notable great star , the light whereof is such , as that therefore it is called by astronomers bazileus or regulus ( i. e. ) the viceroy or little king among the rest . the unformed stars belonging to the lyon are eight , whereof three make the constellation which is now called coma berenices that is , the hair of berenice . this constellation was first found out and invented by canon the mathematician , but described by calimachus the poet. the occasion of the story was this . ptolomeus euergetes having married his sister berenice , was shortly after enforced to depart from her , by reason of the wars he had begun in asia : whereupon berenice made this vow , that if he returned home again in safety , she would offer up her hair in venus temple . ptolomy returned safe ; and berenice , according to her vow , cut off her hair and hung it up . after certain days , the hair was not to be found ; whereupon ptolomy the king was greatly displeased ; but canon , to please the humor of the king , and to curry favour with him , perswaded him that venus had conveyed the hair into heaven . canon attributeth seven stars unto it , but ptolomy allotteth it but three , because the other be insensible . 6. virgo , the virgin , it hath 26 stars . this is affirmed to be justice , which among all the gods sometime living upon the earth , did last of all forsake the same , because of the wickedness that began to multiply therein , and chose this place for her seat in heaven . others say , that it was astrea , the daughter of astreus , one of the gyants that were called titans , who fighting against the gods , astraea took their parts against her own father , and was therefore after her death commended unto the heavens , and made one of the 12 signs . others say , that it was origone , the daughter of icarius , who for that her father was slain by certain drunken men , for very grief thereof hanged her self : but jupiter taking pity of the virgin for her natural affection , translated her into heaven . in her right wing there is one star of special note , which by the astronomers is called vindemiator , ( i. e. ) the gatherer of grapes . this was ampulos the son of a satyr and a nymph , and greatly beloved of bacchus unto whom in token of his love , bacchus gave a singular fair vine , planted at the foot of an elm ( as the manner was in old time . ) but ampelos in harvest gathering grapes , and taking little heed to his footing , fell down out of the vine , and brake his neck . bacchus in memorial of his former affection , translated him into heaven , and made him one of the principal stars in this constellation . there is another great star in the hand of the virgin , called of the latines spica , of the greeks stachus , of the arabians azimech ( i. e. ) the ear of corn : whereby they signifie , that when the sun cometh to this sign , the corn waxeth ripe . albumazar the arabian , and novidius , take this constellation for the virgin mary . the unformed stars in this constellation are six . 7. libra the ballance , it containeth eight stars , cicero calleth jugum the yoke , and here it is to be noted , that the ancient astronomers that first set down the number of the constellations contained in the zodiack , did account but eleven therein , so that the sign , which now is called libra , was heretofore called chelai , that is to say , the claws of the scorpion , which possesseth the space of two whole signs . but the latter astronomers , being desirous to have 12 signs in the zodiack , called those eight , whereof the claws of the scorpion do consist , by the name of libra , not that there was any poetical fiction to induce them thereto , but only moved by this reason , because the sun joyning with this constellation , the day and the night are of an equal length , and are ( as it were ) equally poized in a pair of ballances . yet ( as i remember ) some will have this to be the ballance , wherein justice , called also astraea , weighed the deeds of mortal men , and therein presented them unto jupiter . it hath 9 unformed stars appertaining unto it . 8. scorpio , the scorpion , called of the arabians , alatrab ; of cicero , nepa . it consisteth of 21 stars . the fiction is thus ; orion the son of hyreus greatly beloved of diana , was wont to make his boast : that he was able to overcome what beast soever was bred upon the earth : the earth being moved with this speech brought forth the scorpion , whereby orion was stung to death . jupiter thereupon ( at the request of the earth ) translated both the scorpion and orion into heaven ; to make it a lesson for ever , for mortal men not to trust too much unto their own strength ; and to the end he might signify the great enmity between them , he placed them so in heaven , that whensoever the one ariseth , the other setteth ; and they are never both of them seen together above the horizon at once : gulielmus postellus will have it to be the serpent which beguiled eve in paradise . the unformed stars about this scorpion are three . 9. sagittarivs , the archer . it hath 31 stars . touching this sign , there are among the poets many and sundry opinions . some say that it is crocus , the son of paphene , that was nurse unto the muses . this crocus was so forward in learning of the liberal sciences , and in the practice of feats of activity , that the muses entreated jupiter that he might have a place in heaven . to whose request jupiter inclining , made him one of the 12 signs : and to the end that he might express the excellent qualities of the man , he made his hinder parts like unto a horse , thereby to signifie his singular knowledge in horsemanship : and by his bow and arrow , he declared the sharpness of his wit. whereupon the astrologers have this conceit , that he that is born under sagittarius , shall attain to the knowledge of many arts , and be of prompt wit , and great courage . virgil affirmeth this to be chiron the centaur , who for his singular learning and justice was made the master of achilles . at which time hercules coming to visit him ( for he had heard both of the worthiness of the school-master , and of the great hopes of the scholar ) brought with him his quiver of arrows dipped in the blood of the serpent hydra ; but chiron being desirous to see his shafts , and not taking heed of them being in his hand , let one of them fall upon his foot , and being greatly tormented , not only by the anguish of the poyson working in the wound , but much more because he knew himself to be immortal , and his wound not to be recovered by medicine , he was enforced to make request unto the gods , that he might be taken out of the world , who pitying his case , took him up into heaven , and made him one of the 12 signs . 10. capricornvs , the goat , it consisteth of 28 stars . the poets say , that this was pan the god of the shepherds , of whom they feign in this manner : the gods having war with the gyants , gathered themselves together into aegypt , typhon the gyant pursued them thither , whereby the gods were brought into a quandary , that well was he that by changing his shape might shift for himself . jupiter turned himself into a ram : apollo became a crow : bacchus a goat : diana lurked under the form of a cat : juno transformed her self into a cow : venus into a fish : pan leaping into the river nilus , turneth the upper part of his body into a goat , and the lower part into a fish. jupiter wondring at the strange device , would needs have that image and picture translated into heaven , and made one of the 12 signs . in that the hinder part of this sign is like a fish. it betokeneth that the latter part of the month wherein the sun possesseth this sign , inclineth unto rain . 11. aqvarivs , the waterman : it hath 42 stars , whereof some make the figure of the man : othersome the water-pot ; and some , the stream of water that runneth out of the pot . this is feigned to be ganimedes the trojan , the son of oros and callirhoe , whom jupiter did greatly love for his excellent favour and beauty , and by the service of his eagle carried him up into heaven , where he made him his cup-bearer , and called him aquarius . others notwithstanding think it to be deucalion the son of prometheus whom the gods translated into heaven , in remembrance of that mighty deluge which hapned in his time ; whereby mankind was almost utterly taken away from the face of the earth . the unformed stars belonging unto this sign are three . 12. pisces , the fishes : these together with the line that knitteth them together , contain 24 stars . the poets say , that venus and cupid her son coming upon a certain time unto the river euphrates , and sitting upon the bank thereof , upon a sudden espied typhon the gyant , that mighty and fearful enemy of the gods coming towards them ; upon whose sight , they being stricken with exceeding fear , lept into the river , where they were received by two fishes , and by them saved from drowning . venus for this good turn , translated them into heaven . gulielmus postellus would have them to be the two fishes wherewith christ fed the 5000 men. the unformed stars of this constellation are four . thus have i briefly run over the poetical reasons of the constellations : it remains now that i speak of the milky way . via lactea , or circulus lacteus ▪ by the latines so called ; and by the greeks galaxia ; and by the english the milkey way . it is a broad white circle that is seen in the heaven : in the north hemisphere , it beginneth at cancer , on each side the head thereof , and passeth by auriga , perseus , cassiopeia , the swan , and the head of capricorn , the tail of scorpio ▪ the feet of centaur , argo the ship , and so to the head of cancer . some in a sporting manner do call it watling-street , but why they call it so , i cannot tell ; except it be in regard of the narrowness that it seemeth to have ; or else in respect of that great high way that lyeth between dover and st. albons , which is called by our men watling-street . ovid saith , it is the great causey , and high-way that leadeth unto the pallace of jupiter , but he alledgeth not the cause of the whiteness ; belike he would have us imagine that it is made of white marble . others therefore alledg these causes : jupiter having begotten mercury of maia the daughter of atlas ▪ brought the child when he was born , to the breast o● juno lying asleep : but juno awaking threw the child out of her lap , and let the milk run out of her breast in such abundance , that ( spreading it self about the heaven ) it made that circle which we see . others say , that it was not mercury , but hercules ; and that juno did not let the milk run out of her breast , but that hercules suckt them so earnestly , that his mouth run over , and so this circle was made . others say , that saturn being desirous to devour his children , his wife ops presented him with a stone wrapped in a clout , instead of his child : this stone stuck so fast in saturn's throat as he would have swallowed it , that without doubt he had therewith been choaked , had he not been relieved by his wife ▪ who by pressing the milk out of her breasts saved his life : the milk that missed his mouth ( whereof you must suppose some sufficient quantity ) fell on the heavens , and running along made this circle . dr. hood commenting upon constellations saith ; the stars are brought into constellations , for instruction sake , things cannot be taught without names ; to give a name to every star had been troublesome to the master , and for the scholar ; for the master to devise , and for the scholar to remember ; and therefore the astronomers have reduced many stars into one constellation ; that thereby they may tell the better where to seek them ; and being sought , how to express them . now the astronomers did bring them into these figures , and not into other , being moved thereto by these three reasons : first , these figures express some properties of the stars that are in them ; as those in the ram to be hot and dry ; andromeda chained betokeneth imprisonment , the head of medusa cut off signifieth the loss of that part : orion with his terrible and threatning gesture , importeth tempest and terrible effects . the serpent , the scorpion , and the dragon , signifie poyson : the bull insinuateth a melancholy passion : the bear inferreth cruelty , &c. secondly , the stars ( if not precisely , yet after a sort ) do represent such a figure , and therefore that figure was assigned them , as for example , the crown , both north and south , the scorpion and triangle , represent the figures which they have . the third cause was the continuance of the memory of some notable men , who either in regard of their singular pains taken in astronomy , or in regard of some other notable deed , had well deserved of mankind . the first author of every particular constellation is uncertain ; yet are they of great antiquity ; we receive them from ptolomy , and he followed the platonicks ; so that their antiquity is great . moreover , we may perceive them to be ancient by the scriptures , and by the poets . in the 38 chapter of job there is mention made of the pleiades , orion , and arcturus , & mazzaroth , which some interpret the 12 signs : job lived in the time of abraham , as syderocrates maketh mention in his book de commensurandis locorum distantiis . now besides all this , touching the reason of invention of these constellations , the poets in setting forth those stories , had this purpose , to make men fall in love with astronomy : when demosthenes could not get the people of athens to hear him in a matter of great moment , and profitable to the common-wealth he began to tell them a tale of a fellow that sold an ass ; by which tale he so wrought on the athenians , that they were both willing to hear his whole oration , and to put in practise that whereunto he exhorted them . the like intent had the poets in these stories : they saw that astronomy being for commodity singular in the life of man , was almost of all men utterly neglected : hereupon they began to set forth that art under these fictions ; that thereby such as could not be perswaded by commodity , might by the pleasure be induced to take a view of these matters , and thereby at length fall in love with them . for commonly note this , that he that is ready to read the stories , cannot content himself therewith , but desireth also to know the constellations , or at least wise some principal star therein . finis . a catalogue of globes coel●stial and terrestrial , spheres , maps , sea-plats , mathematical instruments , and books , with the●r prizes , made and sold by j. moxon at the sign of atlas in warwick lane. globes 26 inches the diameter . the price 20 l. the pair . globes near 15 inches diameter . the price 4 l. globes 8 inches diameter . the price 2 l. globes 6 inches diameter . the price 1 l. 10 s. concave hemispheres of the starry orb , which serves for a case to a terrestrial globe of 3 inches diameter , made portable for the pocket . price 15 s. the english globe , invented by the right honourable the earl of castlemain , 12 inches diameter . the price ordinary made up 40 s. and with the projection at bottom 50 s. best made up 5 l. spheres , according to the copernican hypothesis , both general and particular , 20 inches diameter . price of the general 5 l. of the particular 6 l. of both together 10 l. spheres , according to the ptolomaick system , 14 inches diameter . price 3 l. spheres , according to the ptolomaick system , 8 inches diameter . price 1 l. 10 s. gunter's quadrant , 13 inches radius , printed on paper , and pasted on a board , with a nocturnal on the back-side . price 5 s. gunter's quadrant , 4 inches radius , printed on paper , and pasted on brass , with a nocturnal on the back-side , and a wooden case covered with leather fit for it : a new invention contrived for the pocket . price 6 s. a large map of the world , 10 foot long , and 7 foot deep , pasted on cloth and coloured . price 2 l. a map of all the world , 4 foot long , and 3 foot deep , pasted on cloth and coloured , price 10 s. in sheets 2 s. 6 d. a map of the english empire in america , describing all places inhabited there by the english nation , as well on the islands as on the continent . price 15 s. six scriptural maps , 1. of all the earth , and how after the flood it was divided among the sons of noah . 2. of paradise , or the garden of eden , with the countreys circumjacent inhabited by the patriarchs . 3. the 40 years travel of the children of israel through the wilderness . 4. of canaan , or the holy land , and how it was divided among the twelve tribes of israel , and travelled through by our saviour and his apostles . 5. the travels of st. paul , and others of the apostles , in their propagating the gospel . 6. jerusalem , as it stood in our saviours time ; 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and by turning up the several dissections of the papers , take a view of all their inwards ; with alphabetical references to the names of every member and part of the body . set forth in latin by remelinus , and michael spaher of tyrol ; and englished by john ireton , chyrurgeon ; and lastly , perused and corrected by several rare anatomists . price 14 s. vignola , or the compleat architect ; shewing in a plain and easy way , the rules of the five orders in architecture , viz. tuscan , dorick , ionick , corinthian , and composite ; whereby any that can but read and understand english , may readily learn the proportions that all members in a building have to one another : set forth by mr. james barozzio of vignola , and translated into english by joseph moxon , &c. price 3 s. 6 d. christiologia , or a brief but true account of the certain year , month , day and minute of the birth of jesus christ. by john butler , b. d. and chaplain to his grace james duke of ormond , &c. and rector of lichborough in the diocess of peterborough . price 3 s. 6 d. a tutor to astrology , or astrology made easie ; being a plain introduction to the whole art of astrology ; whereby the meanest apprehension may learn to erect a figure , and by the same to give a determinate judgment upon any question or nativity whatsoever . also new tables of houses , calculated for the latitude of 51 degr . 32 min. also tables of right and oblique ascensions to 6 degr . of latitude . whereunto is added an ephemeris for three years ; with all other necessary tables that belong to the art of astrology . also how to erect a figure the rational way , by the tables of triangles , more methodically than hath been yet published ; digested into a small pocket volume for the conveniency of those that erect figures abroad . by w. eland . price 2 s. the use of a mathematical instrument called a quadrant , shewing very plainly and easily to know the exact height and distance of any steeple , tree or house , &c. also to know the time of the sun-rising and setting , and the length of every day in the year , the place of the sun in the ecliptick , the azimuth , right ascension , and declination of the sun : with many other necessary and delightful conclusions : performed very readily . also the use of a nocturnal , whereby you may learn to know the stars in heaven , and the hour of the night by them ; with many other delightful operations . price 6 d. a brief discourse of a passage by the north-pole , to japan , china , &c. pleaded by three experiments and answers to all objections that can be urged against a passage that way : as 1. by a navigation into the north pole , and two degrees beyond it . 2. by a navigation from japan towards the north-pole . 3. by an experiment made by the czar of muscovy , whereby it appears , that to the northward of nova zembla is a free and open sea as far as japan , china , &c. with a map of all the discovered land nearest to the pole. by joseph moxon , &c. price 6 d. regulae trium ordinum literarum typographicarum ; or , the rules of the three orders of print-letters , viz. the roman , italica , and english , capitals and small ; shewing how they are compounded of geometrick figures , and mostly made by rule and compass . useful for writing masters , painters , carvers , masons , and others that are lovers of curiosity . by joseph moxon , &c. price 5 s. geographical playing cards , wherein is exactly described all the kingdoms of the earth , curiously engraved . price plain 1 s. coloured 2 s. best coloured and gilt 5 s. the pack . the genteel house-keepers pastime ; 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teaching any man , though of an ordinary capacity , and unlearned in the mathematicks , to draw a true sun-dial on any given plane , however situated ; only with the help of a straight ruler and a pair of compasses ; and without any arithmetical calculation . by joseph moxon , &c. price 1 s. 6 d. mathematicks made easie : or , a mathematical dictionary , explaining the terms of art , and difficult phrases used in arithmetick , geometry , astronomy , astrology , and other mathematical sciences , wherein the true meaning of the word is rendred , the nature of things signified discussed , and ( where need requires ) illustrated with apt figures and diagrams . with an appendix , exactly containing the quantities of all sorts of weights and measures : the characters and meaning of the marks , symbols , or abbreviations commonly used in algebra . and sundry other observables . by joseph moxon . price 2 s. 6 d. at the place aforesaid , you may also have all manner of maps , sea-plats , drafts , mathematical books , instruments , &c. at the lowest prizes . finis . a new treatise proving a multiplicity of worlds that the planets are regions inhabited and the earth a star, and that it is out of the center of the world in a third heaven, and turns round before the sun which is fixed : and other most rare and curious things / by peter borell ... discours nouveau prouvant la pluralité des mondes. english borel, pierre, 1620?-1671. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a28817 of text r19665 in the english short title catalog (wing b3753). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. 124 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 112 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo 2017 a28817 wing b3753 estc r19665 12221681 ocm 12221681 56411 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a28817) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 56411) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 128:1) a new treatise proving a multiplicity of worlds that the planets are regions inhabited and the earth a star, and that it is out of the center of the world in a third heaven, and turns round before the sun which is fixed : and other most rare and curious things / by peter borell ... discours nouveau prouvant la pluralité des mondes. english borel, pierre, 1620?-1671. sashott, d. [10], 200 p. printed by john streater, london : 1658. translation by d. sashott of: discours nouveau prouvant la pluralité des mondes. reproduction of original in thomason collection, british library. imperfect: introductory material on film difficult to read; t.p. is illegible. eng cosmology -early works to 1800. astronomy -early works to 1800. a28817 r19665 (wing b3753). civilwar no a new treatise, proving a multiplicity of worlds. that the planets are regions inhabited, and the earth a star, and that it is out of the ce borel, pierre 1658 21950 8 0 0 0 0 0 4 b the rate of 4 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the b category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 2006-06 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2006-06 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2006-07 andrew kuster sampled and proofread 2006-07 andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a new treatise , proving a multiplicity of worlds . that the planets are regions inhabited , and the earth a star , and that it is out of the center of the world in the third heaven , and turns round before the sun which is fixed . and other most rare and curious things . by peter borell , counsellor and physitian to the king of france . london , printed by john streater ▪ 1658. to the vertuous , and most renowned gentleman , mr. frederick clodius , doctor in physick , his truly honoured friend . worthy sir , three considerations have induced me to offer these rude and unpolished lines to your patronage and favourable acceptance . the first is , the learning and fame of the author of this treatise , who carrieth the same title as your self . the second is , the worthinesse and great esteem and acuity of spirit of that person of honour , sir kenelm digby , to whom it was offered by the author . the third is , the worthiness , wisdom and deep learning wherewith you are indued & adorned , which that noble knight well knowing , for an acknowledgment thereof , hath presented this book to your view , as a piece of great novelty . i shall not presume to implore your protection for the subject , but onely for this my rash attempt in the translating of it ; which if it may auspiciously be admitted into your friendly estimation , doubtlesse 't will find an universall acceptance amongst persons of greatest eminency ; all i humbly crave for the present is , my boldnesse might be favourably excused , since 't was my lawfull ambition thereby to avoid ingratitude ; however this work be esteemed , may your deserved good name and honor encrease more and more ; which is and shall be the constant vote of , sir , your humbly devoted servant , d. sashott . a new treatise , proving a multiplicity of worlds . chap. i. of the plurality of worlds in general , being as a preface to the following chapters . we may truly say , that preoccupation is an horrid monster , which makes a strange havock in the spirits of men , hinders the progress of sciences , and causes men to droop in a constant ignorance ; for they who by it are once prepossessed , can judge of nothing by themselves , censure the best opinions that are , assert those of their masters , whether good or bad ; and having conceived a distaste of whatsoever checks what is contrary to their belief , though grosse and ignorant , bring forth nothing but contempts and blames against those who endeavour to open their eyes , and root them out of the darknesse of their ignorance , to draw them to the enjoyment of the true light and knowledg of things . the which is more particularly practised now in this age wherein we live , wherein men live but by imitation , wherein learned men are despised , wherein they who have some particular and rare notions upon subject matters of great moment and concernment to mens knowledge , are esteemed extravagant and ridiculous , wherein no new proposition can be admitted . but alas , what may i hope , seeing this evill is like a gangrene , and hath taken so deep root , that it hath robb'd men of their senses and feeling , who by it are infected , considering , that those who are most possess'd with it , do not think so themselves to be ; what then may i expect , who am going to propose some novelties , not of things that are in the earth , but even in the heavens ; and not onely in the heavens , but also in the bodies of the stars . as soon as the title of this discourse shall appear to the eyes of men , they will condemn me before they hear me ; neither will they so much as read my reasons , and will rather live in ignorance , then change their opinion ; and be as beasts in the world , than know the secrets thereof . most men think it a shame to confesse , that they are ignorant of some thing , and that they are in the wrong ; for on the contrary , it 's the way to find out the truth , considering , that new reasons are alwayes sought for what we esteem our selves ignorant of . mens ignorance is so great , that the holy scriptures have declared mens knowledg to be nothing else but vanity ; and if we do not flatter our selves , we shall find , that we know nothing but is or may be controverted . divinity it self is not exempted from it ; and as for the other sciences and arts , those great & many volumes that we have of them , sufficiently testifie the same . and this hath moved the pyrrhonians and scepticks , to doubt and question all things , and hath brought forth severall books of the vanity of sciences , the astrology , the medicine , the jurisprudence , and the naturall physick are daily moved and shaken , and see their foundations totter ; ramus did overthrow aristotle's philosophy ; copernicus , ptolomey's astrologie ; paracelsus , galen's physick ; so that every one hath followers and disciples , and all appearing plausible . we have much ado whom to believe , and thereby are constrained to confesse , that what we know , is much lesse then what we know not . i greatly esteem michael mountanus's judgment , who is the honour of our age upon this point ; for it is consonant to reason , and my opinion hereupon is for the most part agreeing with his ; and especially with that is the subject matter of this treatise : amongst a thousand rare thoughts that he hath upon it , he alledges a most exquisite similitude , by which he compares learned persons to the ears of corn , which being well fill'd , do bow down their heads ; for after they have learned all sciences , and have consumed themselves in them , they are constrained to confesse , that they know nothing by the acknowledgment of that great philosopher , in these words ; hoc unum scio , quòd nihil scio , i know this one thing , that i know nothing . if then we be ignorant of all things , may we not yield , that we can be ignorant of heavenly things especially , and that they are praise-worthy , who have endeavoured to raise their contemplations and meditations up into heaven ; and having , as it were , loosened their souls from their bodies , have made it to wander and run through the vaults and concavities of heaven , there to observe those things which were above our reach ? our understanding being heavenly , and our soul full of knowledg & perfection , is not ignorant of these things ; but the lump & corpulency of the body , which is its prison , hinders it freely to perform its functions ; it would willingly rise up , and at every moment lenche it self up towards the place of its original ; but the weight of its body keeps it low and under , and the mixture of the elements wherewith the body is composed , makes its agility dull and heavy . if , before the invention of artillery , of printing , of prospect-glasses , and of infinite number of other inventions , that in these times are practised , their effects had been told to us , we had never believed them ; for if it had been asserted , that with the powder , without stirring , we might kill beasts distant from us ; and not onely the beasts on the earth , but also the fowls and birds flying high through the ayr , throw down walls of cities , and batter and thunder down the strongest places ; and that in a moment those instruments should execute our will : that by printing , and the letters , we might communicate our thoughts to another , and write in a short time a number infinite of books , and even write a thousand times faster then we speak , transmit and leave to our posterity our exquisite conceptions , and get an immortal name ; and that by the prospective glasses , we might approach to objects far distant , strengthen our sight , and make us distinctly to see things sar remote ; if these things ( i say ) had been proposed to us in a time , wherein farther speech and enquire had never more been made of it , who had believed them ? but rather who had not laughed at them , and derided the first motioner of them ? and yet experience daily sheweth the effects of these inventions to be true . so the former ages did condemne as hereticks , those who believed the ▪ antipodes ; and this belief was a long time held for a false and ridiculous opinion ; christophorus columbus was rejected of divers kings , when he proposed to them the discovery of the west-indies ; and yet his propositions have been found very true , and have immortalised their author . so likewise do i hope , that time will bring forth the truth of this my opinion , which i do not produce to the light , without many strong reasons , and the authority of the most learned men , the holy scripture it self is not repugnant and contradictory to it , but rather leans much towards my opinion : and as touching those philosophers , who grant it not , some deny not , but that this may be ; others dare not contradict it ; and others have so ridiculous reasons , that i cannot imagine weaker can be found ; and considering all they , no more then i , have ascended into heaven , and therefore who ever hath the best reasons , ought to be believed ; which being doubtlesse on my side , my opinion ought not at all to be esteemed ridiculous . democritus , king of the abderitanes , constantly smiled , because the world could not apprehend the multiplicity of worlds ; i , like him , have also sufficient occasion to smile , and laugh at those , who are ignorant of the plurality of the worlds , and even to compare them to bruit beasts , which eat the fruits of the earth , without considering whence they come to them : for man is lodged in this world , to contemplate in it the wonders that god exposes to the sight of his eyes , and to which end he hath given him a face looking upward , for to look up to heaven ; but he will not make use of his gifts , nor enquire after the place of their habitation . why open ye not your eyes , o ye learned and wise men ? and why awake ye not out of your slumber , and deep sleep ? awake up the eyes of your understanding and reason towards the heavens , contemplating the wonderfull things thereof ; despise the earthly things ; and as true philosophers , consider the rest of men in a dunghill , having their thoughts low , and earthly souls , which not being able to stretch themselves beyond the limit of their weak activity , dare even accuse those who by noble projects desire to lend them their hands , for to draw them out of their ignorance . having then so many , and so good reasons and authority on my behalf , i shall not longer fear those , who scarce can find any for the confirmation of their opinion , or what they have is so weak , that the building , that the edifice is upon , tottereth and leans on every side ; therefore will i not fear those backbiting tongues which envy anothers good repute and fame , which i already foresee in great number opened against me ; but i shall justly say , that they accuse god and nature of weaknesse and insufficiency , and their own proper reason of incapacity ; can it be possible , that so many rare and great persons , who in former ages did believe it , and whose memory is by us honoured and reverenced , had erroneous opinions ? and that so many pertinent reasons should have no solid ground ? could it be possible , that you would not willingly hearken to those who desire to free you from your mistakes ? nor suffer your eyes to be unfolded , when they be folded with the vail of preoccupation ? no , i hope , that some of the most reasonable at least will be found , who will adhere to me , and take my part against the assaults of the ignorants , who endeavour to discredit me , thinking to obtain great glory , for the endeavouring the overthrow of so great a project ; for that is their ordinary scope ; alta petit livor , praestant altissima venti , alta petunt dextrâ fulmina miss a jovis . that is , envy , nothing but high things emulates , as by the whirlwinds shaken are high states ; and the thunders of great jupiter the god of gods , fall upon the steeples , and not upon the valleys . but i shall smile at them in my heart , and applaud my self , if none can be found to second me , hoping that the ages to come will produce men more reasonable ; and who , better esteeming my conceptions , will accuse this present age of great ingratitude . chap. ii. proving the plurality of the worlds , by a reason taken from the place wherein are ingendred the comets . proclus , cardanus , telessius , and others have observed , that most of the comets are formed not onely out of the region of the meteors , but even far above the moon ; and tycho brabe , that great astrologian , who by his exquisite and rare observations , hath gotten an everlasting name , discoursing of it , hath asserted , that all the comets are formed above the moon , even according to kepler , as high as the sun . now it 's impossible for the vapours to pierce and penetrate into the fiery region , there to be changed into comets even far above it , considering , that according to all the philosophers judgment , the fiery region is under the concavity of the moon , and so these comets are formed out of the exhalations of other lands which are the starres ; it 's so clear and perspicuous , that i cannot believe that any man is so void of reason as to deny it . if it be objected , that it cannot positively and certainly be known , that the comets are above the region of the moon ; i shall send them to the school of astrologie , which teaches by true rules and demonstrations , the way to measure all the bodies , and their far distances from the earth ; the which galileus , a person of great fame and renown in this our age , hath confirmed by such like observations . chap. iii. proving the same , by another argument taken from the bignesse and continuancy of the comets . the same astrologers have observed , that some comets have so vaste and great bodies , that it 's impossible to believe , that the exhalations of this earth could furnish them sufficiently with matter ; but i shall dare to go beyond , and shall say , that though all the earth should be dissolved into vapours and exhalations , yet it could not form so great comets , and of such long continuancy , as those which sometimes have been seen , although it should all be burned ; insomuch , that it 's needful to say , that the other stars , whose body is so great in comparison of this our little globe , did furnish it with matter . chap. iv. proving the multiplicity of the worlds , by a reason drawn from the conformity of the moon with the earth . all philosophers and astrologers are agreed , that the earth and moon have this commune between them , that they both are thick , grosse , dark , and solid bodies , able to receive and refresh the light of the sun ; this being granted , what is easier than to conclude , that the earth reverberating the beams of the sun , would appear lightsome to them who should be raised high towards heaven ? that it would seem so little and small by its far distance from us , that it would be almost like the moon , both in light and bignesse ; and that it would even have its spots , because of the waters which bury and smother the sun beams ; and do not reverberate them . we might discover in it by prospective glasses some of the chiefest mountains , whereby we might soon be perswaded to believe , that those seas and mountains are inhabited and filled with living creatures . and if we turn what we have said of the earth , to the moon , shall we not say the same of it ? wherein we discover those spots , that by galileus's prospective-glasses helps us so naisty to distinguish , that we see in it , as in a table and mapp , some seas , some straights , some lakes , some rivers , and some islands , some rocks and mountains , that are perceived to swell out , especially at the new moon . and if it be true of the moon , can it not be true also of the other stars ? but their far distance stealing from our eyes their spots , we must judge of it by the moon , which though lesser , is nearer to us , and appears greater to our eyes ; and that we may not think , that the same things that are seen in the moon , cannot appear in the other stars , the telescope sheweth us a mountain in mars , some spots in other stars , and that venus increaseth and diminisheth even as the moon . chap. v. wherein is proved , this opinion of divers worlds , in that the earth is a starre , as the others . the foregoing chapter declaring to us , how the earth would appear lightsome to us , if we were once high raised up from it , because it reflects the beams of the sun , which according to the divers places by it inlightned , would cause it to increase and decrease ; considering also , that mountains seen from far are bright and shining ; and that , as milchius saith , the fields adjacent to mount hesperides , shine at night as the stars ; and seeing also that the earth is moveable , as hereafter we shall prove it , that it is situated in the ayr , and weighed and counterpois'd in its proper weight , and that the ayr is the heavens , as the holy scriptures do sufficiently prove it , when at every moment they confound the ayr with the heavens , shall we not then say , that the earth is a star situated in heaven , as well as the other starres ? that this at the first sight will amuse the readers , but they shall be pleased to yield , that the yolk of an egg is in its shell , neither can they deny , that the earth is in heaven , which wraps and compasses it on every side as an egg-shell ; and that the infinite spaces of the aires , which are the heavens , do not contain divers bodies far distant one from the other , and so consequently the earth seeming from on high little and lightsome , may be a star inhabited . but if the earth be a star inhabited , the others may be earths inhabited , being they , as well as the earth , seem and appear to be great and lightsome bodies to those who are far remote from them . and that no man may object , that the heaven is a place coloured , solid and separated from their aire , i beseech him to consider , that things far remote from us , appear as the skie , even the mountains and seas seen from far , seem blewish ; so that this skie-colour'd heaven that we see , is not a solid and reall thing , but the limit of our sight in a certain place of the infinite spaces of the aire , which are the common place , wherein are lodged an infinite number of great globes of divers natures , or inhabited by several living creatures , which the sun being in the middle , equally inlightens ; as a great torch set in the midst of a chamber , shines in every corner of it , with the brightnesse of its light . chap. vi . proving the same , by the great number of the stars , and by their noblenesse . those who imagine , that the infinite number of the heavenly bodies are created for the globe of the earth , and for the advantage of its inhabitants , are much mistaken : for natural reason doth sufficiently disswade us to believe , that the greater things serve the lesser ; and that those that are the noblest , serve the vilest , and that are of lesse consequence and moment ; is it not very like , that every globe makes a world , or a particular earth ? and that this great number is suspended in the air , whereof the vast space conjoyns them all as so many dependances from the everlasting and divine empire : the greatnesse and bignesse of the whole world is composed of divers creatures , which though far remote and differing one from the other , as well by their nature , as by their place , do notwithstanding so well agree in a mutual love , that they compose and make up a perfect harmony in the world , where the heaven or the air is their common space , and the sea , whereof the earths or stars are the islands , which doth so joyn and separate them , and therefore is this ayr purest , near the perfectest bodies ; neverthelesse , this spiritual body of the air equally receives the influences and operations of every globe , and communicates with great speed to every one those of all the others . chap. vii . wherein the same is proved , by a reason drawn from the bignesse of the stars . pythagoras did often call the earth a moon ; and , all well considered , what hinders , that the earth be not as well reckoned in the number of the stars , as the moon , seeing that ( as we have said ) the body of both of them is of a thick , dark , and heavy matter , that both do borrow their light from the sun , that they are both solid , and reverberate the beams of this light of the world , that both produce vertues and spirits of themselves , and that both are heng'd and suspended each in its aire or heaven , and upon its center : and having all these things common together , may not the moon , and so consequently the other stars , infinitely bigger then it self , have inhabitants ? and indeed this exceeds all belief , that so great bodies as the stars , which many times over exceed the earth in bignesse , should be so idle and barren , that no creature should dwell in them , and that their motions , labours , and actions , should onely redound to the advantage of this terrestriall globe alone , which is the least and meanest of all . chap. viii . proving the same , by the creation , multitude , and society of things . god ( with respect be it spoken ) finding himself weary of solitarinesse , did in a manner go out of himself , by the creation , and poured himself , as if it were wholly , into creatures , and commanded them to multiply ; and is it not also more meet and convenient to his goodnesse and divine glory , to have made one whole world alone , as an empire adorned with varieties of worlds , as with provinces and cities ; and that these divers worlds be the habitations of so many citizens and numberlesse inhabitants of divers kinds , and that all these things be created for the praise and everlasting glory of their maker , and that the sun be in the midst of them , to inlighten them all equally . chap. ix . confirming the plurality of the worlds , by the privation of mens sciences and knowledg after adam's sin . this doctrine of many worlds or globes inhabited , is not repugnant to the holy scriptures , which do onely discover to us the creation of that which we inhabit ; of which they even speak what they mention , in a discourse more mystical then clear ; onely briefly mentioning the other creatures of the world , for to yield greater occasion of admiration , then of knowledg to mens weak spirits , of old fallen from the knowledg of sciences ; this obscurity of the truth , and these darknesses of mens understanding have been part of the pains and miseries that adams sin drew upon us , by reason whereof man was excluded from the delights of paradise , from the satisfaction that is in the knowledg of sciences , from the true knowledg of the nature of heavenly things , that he who had raised himself up to the wicked desire and appetite of forbidden things , might justly be deprived of the knowledg that had been granted him . chap. x. containing a reason drawn from this , that the earth is not the center of the world , but the sun ; with a description of copernicus his sphere . theophrastes writes , that plato in his old age repented , to have placed the earth in the center of the world ; and st. chrysostome saith , that the seat and scituation of the earth is not known : and after him nicolas copernicus , that great astrologer , who after long study in astrology , hath thereof known the falshood , did so well confirm this opinion , and unto this day hath rendred it approved by the best and rarest spirits of these ages , that i doubt not , but that the reason i thence intend to draw , will be sufficient and pertinent enough : he hath grounded his opinion upon admirable demonstrations which have overthrown the ancient astrology ; yet without overturning the science ; but he did onely find the truth , and the same predictions , aspects , and other needful things with his new maximes , which have established this science : with much more perspicuity and certainty , he settles the sun in the center of the world , where it is immoveable as a great torch in the middle of the world , as a great king upon his throne , whence he rules all the heavenly globes , which are nothing but earths , like unto that we inhabit ; and round the earth he causes the moon to move alone ; and round about the sun , venus and mercury ; then mars , jupiter , and saturn , and the other spheres wrap all that in ; and so the earth is found to be distant from the center of the world , and in the third heaven ; so that being distant from the center , it may easily be said , that the other globes of equall , or even , of more vaste extension , that are in equal distance from the center of the world , which is the sun ; may be globes inhabited with creatures , whose true descriptions we know not : the figure of this may be seen in campanella , gassendi , and other authors . chap. xi . proving the same thing , by the motion of the earth . the same copernicus , who after philolaus , crotoniatus , e●phantes , ponticus , heraclides , nicetas , syracusius , democritus , timeus , aristarchus , and seleucus , hath confirmed and renewed the opinion concerning the motion of the earth : and the immobility of the sun , gives us by this motion yet one means to prove our opinion ; for if the earth be moved in the aire , and doth its course as the stars far distant from the center of the world , what hinders , that it be not put in the number of the stars ? and contrariwise , that the stars which have such a motion , be not earths ; and if they be lands , to what purpose , if they be not inhabited ; and that we may say nothing without proof , the next following chapter shall prove the motion of the earth . chap. xii . proving the motion of the earth . wee have here above promised to prove , that the earth moves , because we have hence drawn an argument to confirm our opinion ; though most men of understanding now adayes believe this motion of the earth as better clearing the course of the stars , the order of the heavens , and the ebbing and flowing of the sea , yet i shall speak something of it . the heavens and the stars had cheaten three thousand years , all the world did so believe it ; untill that cleanthes the samian , or , as theophrastes saith , nicetas of syracuse , was resolved , that the earth moved upon its prop. and in our age , copernicus hath so well grounded this doctrine , that he makes use of it for a rule to the consequences of astrologie , and freeth our spirit from those impossibilities , that the astrologians of old would make us believe ; for , according to their judgment , the first mobile should run in one minute 706640 miles and a half , and that one and the same body had contrary motions ; is it not more probable , that the earth turns round in 24. hours from the west to the east , as in former ages , timeus locrenfis , philolaus , aristarchus , franciscus marius , and others , did believe it ? keplerus , longomonus , origanus , campanella , and others of our age have acknowledged this truth ; galileus also seems to be of the same opinion , when he saith , that if the earth did not move and turn , the sea could not have its flux and reflux . we are as those who are in floating islands , or in a ship , who think that they move not , but that , on the contrary , sea-banks seem to flye from them ; for we cannot perceive the motion of the earth , as well because of its bignesse , as because that we are not loosed from it . but if in opposition to this , be alledged those texts of the word of god , which say , that the sun is moveable , and the earth fixt ; may it not suffice to answer , that god speaks according to mens belief , as he hath done upon a thousand of other subject matters ; as when he calls the moon the great light , though an infinite number of others are greater . as for the argument that is alledged from a stone cast down from high far from us , if the earth turn ; i answer , that the ayr roles and turns with the earth , and that a ponderous body falls down in so short a time , that the earth cannot by its motion in 24. houres be alienated from it . it 's also objected , that the towers would fall , and that the clouds and rivers would all follow the course of the earth . but i answer , that the clowds are agitated by the winds , and therefore cannot follow the course of the earth ; and as for the towers , they cannot fall , considering that the earth's motion is not violent , and that the towers , by reason of their ponderosity , bend still towards the center of the earth , and are not removed from their situation ; and as touching the rivers , the earth being as a gall-nut , a river may run towards the east , by the bending of its seats towards the center of the earth , although the earth tends towards the west ; which may easily be apprehended , if we conceive , that a man walking in a ship , directs his steps towards the east , whilest that the ship sayles to the west . many severall other reasons are objected , which are but weak ; but because there are divers discourses touching the earth's motion , which resolve them , and reconcile the places of the holy scripture upon this subject matter , amongst whom are foscarinus , and barantzanus ; i shall desire the curious readers to read them , and shall content my self with what i have said . chap. xiii . proving the plurality of the worlds , by the variety of all natural things : nature is various in all its operations ▪ and god hath put such variety in all his works , that we can find nothing uniform in this world ; all things in it are various and different : and this great diversity causes us the more to admire the creator of this whole fabrick . if it be so concerning the earth , which is near-upon the smallest of all the globes , what will it not be of the heavenly , which are incomparably greater ? for this cause did campanella say , that though god and nature do nothing in vain , yet such a great number of stars , greater then the earth , would be in vain , if there was not in them divers demonstrations of the idea's of god ; it 's then consonant to reason , that not only the four elements be in every one of the starres , but also that men , bsasts and plants , and all whatsoever is seen amongst us , be in them . and thus did this famous person of our time speak . chap. xiv . of the measures and dimensions of the stars , and their distance from the earth , and proportions with it ; with an argument taken from those distances , for to prove the multiplicity of worlds . but because we have often mentioned the bignesse of the stars , and how they exceed the earth in extension , and also spoken of their infinite distances ; it will not be out of purpose , and beyond our present discourse , to insert them in this chapter . these distances are somewhat variously given by divers authors ; but the difference being but small , is not of great concernment to us : charles rapineus gives these distances in his book , called nucleus philosophiae . the moon is lesser then the earth 39 times ; and according to cardan , thirty nine times and a half . mercury is lesser then the earth by 1100 times . venus by 37 times . the sun is greater then the earth , by 166 times . mars by 1 time . jupiter by 95 times . saturn by 91 times . the fixt stars are innumerable , but those that are observed by the astrologians , are 1022 , and are of proportions of bignesse : those of the first magnitude , are 15 in number , and are bigger then the earth by 117 times . those of the second magnitude are 45 , and are bigger then the earth by 90 times . those of the third , are 208 , and are bigger then the earth by 70 times . those of the fourth , are 472 , and are bigger then the earth , by 54 times . those of the fifth , are 17 , and are bigger then the earth , by 37 times . those of the sixth , are 49 , and 5 dark , and 9 bright ones , and are all bigger then the earth by 18 times . the concavity of the moon is distant from the center of the earth 14291 leagues , which are 28541 miles . from the center of the earth to venus , there is 542749 miles . to the sun , 3640000 miles . to mars , 3965000 miles . to jupiter , 28845000 miles . to saturn , 46816250 miles . to the concavity of the firmament , 65357500 miles . the thicknesse of the moons round , is of 99504 miles . mercury's round is of 334208 miles . that of venus , of 3097251 miles . that of the sun , 32500 miles . that of mars , 248820000 miles . that of jupiter , 17969250 miles . that of saturn , 18541250 miles . that of the firmament , 55357500 miles . the diameter of the earth is of ten thousand and eight hundred miles ; but cardanus saith , of 10000 miles . it s circumference is of 32400 miles ; and according to cardanus , of 31000 miles and a half . it s semidiameter , or half diameter , is of 5000 miles . these things being thus , is it not very like , that so huge and vaste bodies , so distant one from the other , should hide and contain in themselves something , as well as the earth ? at least those that move , and are planets , as it is ; and that turn round the bright body of the sun , which communicates his light to them all ? chap. xv . wherein the plurality of worlds is proved , by a reason drawn from the colour of the stars . if we see , and punctually discern , not onely with jacob's staffe , but also with our own sight , without the help of any instrument , a great diversity in the stars in their bignesse , colour , light , and other circumstances ; shall we not say , that those various colours do testifie their various nature , and their bodily mixtures ; and that they may consequently be bodies , as well as the earth ? chap. xvi . proving the same , because that there is nothing empty nor vain in nature . we cannot remark any thing empty in the whole nature ; this passes for a sure maxim : therefore did hermes in his asclepe say , that all the parts of the world are very full , the whole world is full of globes or stars ; these stars , and especially the earth which we inhabit , is filled with seas , rivers , four-footed beasts , men , birds , minerals ; the waters are filled with fishes ; these things have yet in themselves , and unto their very center , so great a variety , that their anatomy drawes us to admiration : in a word , we may lose our selves in the subdividing of them ; and why may not the stars be so too , seeing that , as it hath already been proved in the foregoing chapter , we may see and observe in them some certain variety ? especially in the moon , where mountains and waters evidently appear , and may very well be discerned with a good prospective glasse , with which instrument is a notable mountain discerned in mars . chap. xvii . proving the plurality of worlds , by the plurality of men , and because things above , are as things below . great mercurius trismegistus , who for his eximious learning , hath obtained the name of thrice most great , hath left us this notable aphorism , that things below , are as things above ; and , vice versa , those above , as them below ; the meaning is , that this world is an example to us , without any need to go out of it , for to know those things that role over our head ; and god hath even bestowed upon us sufficient capacity to draw reason from every thing ; if we consider our own selves , we shall see by a generall approbation , that man is a little world ; so that men being infinite in number , who are microcosms ; likewise ought the macrocosms or great worlds , to be many , after whose idea's and images he is built ; as may appear by the conformity of one with the other : but here might we speak of this conformity , had it not been fully described by many philosophers of note ; therefore omitting it , we shall proceed . chap. xviii . wherein the same is proved , by some reasons taken from god's power , from man's reason , from hence , that there is nothing onely one , and such other considerations . i shall not fear to say , that those who deny this exquisite opinion , seem to be offended against themselves , to accuse god of impotency , and their own reason of falshood : and that i may bring them to passe sentence of condemnation by another mouth then mine , i would have them to hearken to great michael montanus , who is esteemed one of the wisest , and reasonablest men of his age ; he hath these words in his apologie for raymond of sebone ; thy reason hath in nothing else more likely truth and foundation , then in that , wherein it perswades thee of the plurality of worlds . terramque et solem lunamque et caetera quae sunt non esse unica sed numero magis innumerabilia . that is to say , the earth , the sun , and the moon , are not one alone , but many in number . the ratest spirits of former ages did believe , yea , even some of our age , constrained to it by humane reason , because that in this building and fabrick that we see , there is nothing alone and one . cùn , in summa , res nulla sit una , vnica quae gignatur , et unica solaque crescat . that is to say , being there is nothing that is onely one in this world , that is engendred alone , nor in the sea , nor in the earth . and every species is multiplyed in some reasonable number ; whence it appears , that it 's not likely that god hath formed this work alone , without some more , and that all the matter of this form was spent in this individual alone . quare etiam atque etiam tales fate are necesse est , esse alios alibi congressus materiai : qualis hic est avido complexu quem tenet aether . wherefore it must be confessed , that some where else there are heaps of matter , as that which is wrapt up in this our aire . especially , if it be a living creature , as by its motions we may be perswaded it is , as plato asserts it ; and many of the learned of our time either do confirm it , or dare not deny it . now if there be many worlds , as democritus , and almost all the philosophers did judge , what do we know , whether the principles and rules of this do concern particularly the others ? perhaps they may have another face and policy ; but being all things are divers in this , yea in a small distance , we may believe , that the other worlds ought to be divers and various ; for why should god , who is almighty , have limited and restrained his power and virtue ? chap. xix . by what reason , the world may be proved to have a soul . vvhereas montanus hath here above spoken of the soul of the world , it will be meet for our present subject , to demonstrate those arguments by which this opinion may be proved , that he may not be judged to have incongruously spoken of it , it being also advantageous for our discourse . if the world is a reasonable creature , as divers learned persons have proved , it may not be strange and ridiculous to believe . that the earth hath a motion , nor consequently that it is a moving star or planet inhabited , and that so likewise all the others may be inhabited : now if the earth turns and moves ; is it not also needfull to grant , that that whereby it is moved , is as it were , its soul moving it , as our soul moves our body ? some have thought , that god is the soul of the world , and that he is in the world , as the soul in man's body ; that is to say , all in all , and all in each part ; and that therefore the world might have a soul , and be called a living creature , great and round , and as montanus saith , is it not more likely , that this great body by us called the world , is a thing quite contrary then we esteem ? the pythagorians , xenophon , plato , and all his schollers , have taught and believed this opinion ; and since them marsilius ficinus , and hierome fracaster , most renowned doctors of physick ; and in our age campanella , who alledges seneca , origenes , eusebius , and gregorius nazianzenus , as witnesses of it . but if any one should say , that the world cannot be a living creature , seeing it hath nor feet , nor eyes , nor hands , nor any such member as living creatures have ; i beseech him to consider , that it s not requisite it should have some feets , being it treads not upon the other living creatures ; nor eyes , nor ears , because it can neither see nor hear any thing out of it self ; but the hands of this living creature , as those that in it are contained , and we have , are its beams and virtues ; its eyes , the stars ; its bloud , the waters ; and so hath other things besides , consonant and correspondent to our members , without having need of the same as we have ; are there not strange and monstrous beasts in respect of us , and yet live well , and are perfect in their kind , doing well enough without such members as we have , though they have not the same situation with us . how many fishes is there , that have their mouth in the belly , the eyes and other members in extravagant places ? some creatures have the gall in their head , and some in their tail ; yea , there are some men , whose head is in their bosome ; some likewise may be formed , so as we cannot comprehend nor know how . its motion sets forth its life ; and the flux and reflux of the waters its breath and respiration . there are divers such reasons to prove the same : but i shall desire the curious reader to peruse plato , sextus , empiricus , ficus , macrobius , campanella , and others , to avoid tediousnesse . chap. xx . proving the multiplicity of worlds , by a reason drawn from infinite number of causes , and by the spots of the moon . the spots in the moon , touching which plutarch hath made a whole discourse , whereof we might here alledge divers observations ; are to us a sufficient testimony , that the moon is as the earth , filled with rivers and seas , mountains , valleys , plains , and other such things ; for its spots are not the shadow of the earth , as some have thought ; considering , that they never change their shape , as they would do , according unto the divers parts of the earth , to whom the moon by its motion would answer , and having no conformity at all with the earth , nor with the sea ; and lastly , because that our sight holpen by the prospective-glasses , observes in it some seas , and the tops of divers mountains , and such like remarkable things , whereof the maps and figures may be seen in hevelius , argolius , and several others , and in our book de telescopio . these spots shew , that the moon is partaker of the elementary and terrestriall nature , and consequently of the rest of the elements . this did move plato to say , that the stars are composed of fire and earth , by reason of their splendour , and of their great and lumpish body . this plurality of worlds may again be proved by the variety of the causes that compose it , and by the divers combinations that may thence be made ; which is the argument used by morodorus in plutarch , in his book of the philosophers opinion , wherein it 's said , that where the causes are , there the effects ought to be also ; and the causes of the world being a great many , so also ought the worlds to be many ; the causes of the world are the four elements , and others that may yet be unknown to us , or the infinite number of democritus atomes ; unlesse we had rather say , that its god , who being infinite , so likewise hath created an infinite not onely of worlds , but of all things : and indeed , as the same philosopher saith , it would be a sad spectacle , if there were but an ear of corn in a great field ; the same would it be of heaven , if it were true , that there is no more earth but one . chap. xxi . wherein is the same proved , by certain reasons drawn from galileus's observations , and others ; as of the stars of jupiter , and of the spots in the sun . that great galileus , who seemed onely to be in the world for to resolve the doubts in astrologie , hath discovered with his admirable invention of prospective-glasses , which immortalize his name , by the discovery of what is contained in the stars ; he is the first who hath directed his telescopes or prospective-glasses towards heaven , and by help of them , that the milky line were small stars , which by reason of their proximity and great number , do confound their light : he also hath discovered the moons superficies , not smooth , but rugged , and full of risings of hills , and hollownesse of valleys . he also hath observed , that the star venus doth imitate the course of the moon , being now full , then half , then in the first quarter as a sithe ; and hath observed the perspicuous change of bignesse in venus and mars's diameters ; things of great concernment and note , for the theories of copernicus and tycho brahe . he hath ashamed the sun , discovering in him those spots , which for so many ages he had buried and hid in his bright obscurity , and hath discerned , that those spots were not fixed , and alwayes lasting , as those in the moon , but that they disappear & appear again , turning round the sun : he hath also discovered four new planets , that had not yet bin observed by some of the ancient astrologers , which he hath called the planets of medicis , in favour of his prince ; these planets move onely round about jupiter , which hath induced some to believe , that jupiter was another world , or another sun , round about which other planets do run , as round about that which in lightens us . he hath farther observed , that the planet saturn hath three bodies , having two more at his sides ; and that the planet jupiter is be spotted with girdles or zones that do girth it ; the which may plainly and perspicuously be seen by those telescopes or prospectives , admirably well made by torricelli the florentine . these are those rare observations of that illustrious person , who though but little in body , yet so great in ingenuity , and acuity of spirit , that all the world hath suffered by the losse of him ; he became blind , by reason of his too great propensity and labour in these observations ; and he who had in these things given light to all this world , could not enjoy the light , nor his invention . foscarius adds to all these observations , that venus hath been seen with three bodies , as well as saturn , and that jupiter hath 4. bodies ; but gassendus fontana , neapolitan , hath now the excellentest telescope in the world , with which he hath seen the four planets which are adjacent to jupiter as four moons ; two about saturn , which make a figure of a pot handle at each side of it . in the midst of mars , a little globe , at his brimmes a darkish circle , and about venus two moons or stars . chap. xxii . proving the plurality of worlds , by a reason taken from the clouds , and the waters above in heaven . with the prospective-glasse we may see some clouds flying round about the sun , which can arise but from the moon , from other stars , or from the sun it self , because they be beyond the region of the meteors : now if the stars ingender clouds , they have water within themselves ; but if the element of water is in them , the element of earth and the rest have as great priviledge to be in them , as it . now that there is water in them , the first chapter of genesis proves it clearly , when he saith , then god said , let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters , and let it divide the waters from the waters ; and god made the firmament , and divided the waters which were under the firmament , from the waters which were above the firmament ; & he called the firmament , heaven , and the waters under the firmament , seas . esdras in chap. 6. of his second book , saith the same , in these terms , thou madest the spirit of the firmament , and commandedst it to part asunder , and to make a division betwixt the waters , that the one part might go up , and the other remain beneath . where are these waters above , i beseech you , if they are not in the stars ? for it 's a very weak reason to say , that they are in the clouds ; because that , besides that they could not contain the seas , it s said in the second chapter of genesis , that god had not caused it to rain upon the earth , but there went up a mist from the earth , and watered the whole face of the earth ; and so consequently there was no vapour raised up to form them : and what should have raised them , seeing there was yet no sun created to light the world ? let us then lift up our eyes to heaven , and , as the new gymnosophists , who daily contemplated the sun , let us observe in them those new worlds , wherewith it is wonderfully enriched , which are divers and various in bignesse , light , and other qualities ; let us not be as poor simple countrey fellowes , who having seen no farther then the corner of their own chimney , cannot apprehend , that there can be any town or city bigger then their village ; but let us raise our spirits to the contemplation of the remotest and highest things that are ; thereby ennobling our selves , though it be a very high attempt . o how happy is that man , who when he pleaseth , can spiritually loosen his soul , and by his exquisite meditations rise up to the meditation and contemplation of these worlds ! when once we are well acquainted with it , and freed from all preoccupation , nothing can be found sweeter , pleasanter , and more consonant to truth . what patents and particular priviledges have they , who believe the contrary , that we should adhere to them ; and our belief should be ruled by them , as if it were under their commands ? men feign and forge to us five zones in heaven , and seen other things , that are nothing but dreams and foolish fancies , as if they had been there above to see it . we may say the same to them , as diogenes said to such other creatures , how long is it since thou camest from heaven ? it 's then as lawful for us to establish new maxims , as for them ; and to believe in the strength of our reason , what we here have attempted , and what others say with reason , or appearance of truth . o that nature would once open us her bosome , and plainly shew us the direction and government of its motion , with what is contained in those great and vaste bodies , which sparkle and glister in heaven ; what abuses and grosse mistakes should we find in all sciences ? chap. xxiii . wherein the same is proved , by an argument taken from the place where the clouds stay without going farther . we have here above spoken of the clouds , and thence have drawn an argument to assert this our opinion ; we may yet draw this from them , viz. that the clouds and vapours being light should ascend without limitation , untill that they were lost from our sight , if there were not some other terrestrial globes in heaven , nor any other attraction then that of the center of the earth ; but we may observe even in the hottest of summer , that the clouds do not ascend above 3. miles , and the strongest vapours that are , not above 30 miles ; whence we must infer , that they ascend unto the limit of the activity and attraction of the center of the earth , not being able to go beyond , because it would be to bend downward , viz. towards the center of some other terrestriall globe . but , that i may better be understood , it 's to be observed , that as the loadstone hath a certain inward virtue to draw iron , or to move the needle of the sea-compasse unto such a distance , and no farther ; so likewise the earth , which by the opinion of some , is a great loadstone , whose circumference and activity is extended towards the moon , unto such a certain heighth ; and the other stars also have such like circumference , wherunto their virtue & attraction may reach ; insomuch , that the clouds having attained unto that distance which makes a middle between us and the moon , there they are stayed , not being suffered to go beyond it , because then they would descend towards the moon , or some other stars , which would be contrary to their nature , which is to rise upward still ; so that if a ponderous body as a stone being cast up , could go beyond the earth's attractive point , it would not fall back upon the earth , but upon that star , whose attractive center should reach unto that place whither the stone was cast ; therefore hath bacon said in his book de progressu scientiarum , that gilbert did not doubt incongruously , that the bodies of weight and ponderosity , being at a far distance from the earth , would by little and little forsake their motion towards things below . chap. xxiv . containing a reason , drawn from the bird of paradise . the new world discovered by our fathers amongst those infinite riches and rare things it communicates to us , makes us partakers of a bird , called by the indians , manucodiata , that is to say , the bird of god , or of paradise ; this bird is so beautiful , that no one in the earth is to be compared to it ; its figure is of so rare a form , and so extraordinary , that never the like hath been found ; for it hath neither feet nor wings , but is clothed with a skin of feathers , made otherwise then that of other birds ; it 's not found but dead either upon the earth , or in the sea , no body ever saw its eggs , nor its nest ; and it 's asserted , that it lives by the air ; this bird never being found upon earth , is it not confonant to reason , that it may come from some other starre , where it lives and breeds , and that having flown higher , and beyond the attractive center of that earth or star where he lived ; he dyeth by changing his ayr , unto that which is not proper and natural , and dying , falls upon this earth . now if birds be found in the stars , there also may other living creatures be , having all the same right of habitation . and grant , that what some object , be true , that it hath feet , but that they are very short , or that its feet are cut , that it may appear the rarer , yet it hinders not the consequence drawn from it ; provided , that the other circumstances of its nature be true ; for if it hath feet , it must be understood of some of its species onely ; for aldrovandus mentions five or six sorts of them , whereof some have feet , and some none . chap. xxv . wherein is alledged , an argument taken from the eclipses . before the creation of this whole fabrick , god did inlighten himself , and contemplate himself , he was a sealed book , which at length is opened , and hath set forth to the view , that which remained in himself ; wherefore the whole world is nothing else , then an evident image , an idea of his hidden god-head , he is through it all , as our soul is throughout all our body , and by his will , encompasses all the motions of the spheres , having spread through them all the aires , as a scrowl ; which folding it self away at the last day , shall be reduced to its former silence , or rather to nothing . this wonderful order , thus by him established , may be seen in the constant and unchangeable course of the planets , upon which the astrologians make some certain almanacks for many years together , and foretell the eclipses of ages to come , without missing a moment of time . these stars being all of one and the same nature , do eclipse one another ; the earth eclipses the moon , the moon the sun , and so all the rest , if their small body is not overcome by the bignesse of those they intend to darken , as it s testified by averroe's observation , who hath seen mercury in the center of the sun , which seemed to grow in it ; its light , if it hath any , being covered and put out . now from these eclipses , or want of light in the stars , we may draw this strong reason for the assertion of our position , for it sheweth and verifieth , that they are of an earthly nature , and that their light is borrowed ; the moon appears black , when the earth hinders it to receive light from the sun : and divers philosophers have believed , that all the stars do borrow their light of the sun ; they are then obscure , and thick of their own nature , and consequently earthy , and may have such variety and diversity as the earth , viz. men , beasts , plants , and whatsoever is seen here amongst us , and the pythagorians did believe , and to which copernicus agreeth . chap. xxvi . proving the same , because otherwise it were to make god to act by necessity . if there were not many worlds in this whole fabrick , god could not act so powerfully and freely , but that by some certain necessity and constraint ; which would be a great impiety and blasphemy even to imagine it : for god could assuredly , not onely have made other worlds , but also much more perfect then this ; for his power is neither shortened , nor exhausted , neither the matter , which he could create of nothing , as well as that of this our earth ; therefore as he hath created this world , could he not also have created others ? chap. xxvii . how could we see the earth , if we were far distant from it ? some may ask , if the planets are so many earths , and the earth a planet , how could we see the earth , if we were far remote from it ? clavius in his commentary upon sacroboscus , hath endeavoured some suppositions upon this question , and hath found , that if any one were in the globe of the moon , and should look towards the earth , it would appear to him three times bigger then the moon appears to us , and somewhat more ; and if a man were in the globe of the sun , it would appear to him twice bigger then venus seems to us ; and in the globe of mars , thence it would appear lightsome , and would seem to be of the bignesse of one of the stars of the sixth proportion ; and if he were in the highest heavens , he could not see it at all ; and this is ( saith he ) the astrologers common opinion . chap. xxviii . of the number of the worlds . it may also be asked , what number of worlds there is ? but though it is a thing not certainly known , considering the infinite number of stars to us perspicuous , besides those that we cannot see by reason of our eyes weaknesse . yet i shall here alledge the judgment of some authors upon this question ; baruck the philosopher , and clemens a disciple of the apostles , as origen saith , do mention seven ; perhaps meaning the seven planets . an ancient author , according to plutarch in his book , touching the ceasing of miracles , did believe , that there were an hundred and eighty nine worlds disposed in a triangle , every side containing sixty three . petro of sicily thought the same thing touching the plurality of worlds . but the thalmudists going beyond , say , that there are nineteen thousand ; and democritus did believe , that they were infinite , and innumerable . chap. xxix . touching divers ancient philosophers , who have believed the plurality of worlds . pythagoras , who first called this fabrick , worlds , is also one of the chiefest , who believed the plurality of them , and hath had many disciples and citators , who have continued to establish and maintain this assertion ; for socrates hath publickly asserted the worlds to be infinite ; so did also his disciple archelaus , who perswaded it also to xenophanes the colophian , who also did assert , that there are many moons and suns in the world . this same axiome was believed by melisseus of samia , parmenides's disciple ; as also by his school-fellow zeno of elis , and his disciple lucippus of elis also . item , by democritus of miletum , pythagoras's hearer , who saith , that in these worlds the stars are more beautifull and bright , which i think may be according to their proximity . by reason of which opinion , that king of the abderitanes was esteemed by his ignorant people , to be out of his wits , and thereupon they sent for hippocrates to cure him of his disease ; but hippocrates found him very well in his mind , and said nothing against his opinion ; which moved democritus perpetually to laugh at them who were ignorant of the same . joubertus , who hath composed a book concerning laughter , in it hath set down hippocrates's letter upon this subject . diogenes of apollonia , anaximenes's disciple , together with seleucus , hath also pronounced their assertion touching the plurality of the worlds . orpheus , origines , and baruck the philosopher , anaxagoras , and many stoicks more , do a vouch the same ; plinius also seems to have been of this opinion ; but anaximander , anaximenes , epicureus , and others , following francis i. picus mirandulanus , have fully asserted it . mahomet , who though an infidel , wanted not wit and knowledg to establish his belief , did believe the same thing , and in his alcoran mentions several earths and seas to be in heaven and the four elements ; and all that is amongst us to be in every one of the stars . epicureus did say , that these worlds were some of them without sun or moon , and some had greater then those that lighten us ; and that others had divers suns , and that some of them were without living creatures in them , without plants , and without all moisture , and that at the same that things are thus in our worlds as we see them , so also are they in divers other worlds ; but had he seen how the indians and we agree in severall things , he would questionlesse have believed it more constantly . icetes the pythagorian , together with philolaus , did believe there were two earths opposite one to the other ; and picus mirandula was forced to say , that he thought that the moon was an earth like unto ours ; herein conforming himself to those pythagorians , who sometimes did call our earth , moon ; and the moon , earth . francastor , physitian at zerona ( following eudoxus and calispus's judgment ) together with divers others , whom for brevity sake i shall omit , did also believe the same . but whereas so many philosophers have asserted the position of this opinion ; it will be answered , that i am not the first author of 〈◊〉 ▪ to this i answer , that it 's sufficient for me to renew it , and plainly professe it , the which hitherto was not yet publickly practised . chap. xxx . of those things that are in the moon , and other planets . though the ancients had not the help of prospective-glasses , as we have , wherewith we see as new linxes , the seas , the mountains , and other things which are in the moon ; yet they did inquire and speak of things more particular that are in the stars ; as the pythagorians and orpheus , who did believe that the moon was not onely of the colour of the earth , but that it contained men , beasts , and trees , 15 times bigger then we , or 50 times bigger , as herodotus , who also asserts , that in it are towns and cities . xenophanes did also think , that there are men within the body of the moon ; anaxagoras and democritus have also said , that in it are contained mountains , valleys , and fields . lucianus in his book of true history , & aristoteles , have both mentioned some particularities of what is in the moon ; but we shall not take notice what the first saith , because he relates it as a fable ; though for the composing of his work , he hath made use of a great deal of those ancient philosophers opinions . plutarch in his discourse of the moon , reasons pro and con , whether the moon is inhabited ? and whether it is an earth as ours , and inclines sometimes to one , sometimes to the other ; but at length it seems that he did believe it , because he answers to divers objections that might be alledged against this opinion . bacon desires us seriously to cast our eyes upon the opinions of pythagoras , philolaus , xenophanes , anaxagoras , parmenides , lucippus , and of other ancient philosophers , indicating to us the truth thereof , and wishes , that some body would compose a book of their opinions ; this present discourse is part of it ; and therefore do we in some measure satisfie the desire of so rare a person . lucretius , whom we have here above quoted , did confidently believe the same , and hath testified it in divers places of his works , and especially in these verses , besides those already alledged in the 18. chapter . esse alios alibi terrarum in partibus orbes , et varias hominum gentes et saecla ferarum , huc accedit , uti in summa res nulla sit una , unica quae gignatur et unica solaque crescat . that is to say , there are other new worlds , wherein is variety of men and beasts , and of all other living creatures , because that there is nothing groweth single and alone in this world , nor in the earth , nor in the sea . and in another place , praeterea cùn materies est multa parata , cùn loci est praeslò , nec res nec causa moratur ulla , geri debet nimirum et confitier res . whereas there is store of matter , and that the causes and the places do suffice , this therefore ought to be declared , and men must needs grant it so to be . paracelsus hath said , that there are in heaven some certain men called tortelii and penates , for whom christ did not die , of whom some are without soul , and some not composed of the four elements ; he yet names others , never mentioned but by him . some of the stoicks were of opinion , not onely that there are people in the moon , but also in the body of the sun ; and campanella saith , that those lively and bright habitations may have inhabitants , perhaps more wise and learned then we , and better informed in those things that to us are incomprehensible . but galileus , who in our age hath perspicuously seen into the moon , hath observed , that it may be inhabited , seeing that there are mountains in it , &c. for those parts in it that are the plains and valleys are obscure and dark , and the mountains are bright and clear . for this cause have some said , that the stars do not shine , but by reason of their irregularity , asserting , that we could not see them , if they had not mountains for to reflect and reverberate the light of the sun . chap. xxxi . containing the solution of some objections that may be made against this paradox of the world's plurality . but some may say , there cannot be such men as we , in the starres ; for they could not live there , because men are divers , even after the diversity of countreys ; and those who ascend that high mount piracaca in the indies , dye there by reason of the too subtile ayr of the place . to which i answer , that those men must needs be different from us , or indued with more robust and strong bodies then we ; or so well proportioned in the mixture of the elements , that that ayr cannot be obnoxious and hurtful to them ; but that god hath so formed them , that they may well live where he hath placed them , but no where else . and if we had never seen or heard of the sea , we could not be perswaded , that fishes could live in salt-water , and that therein they could breed and grow for our food ; nor that those countreys of the burning and frozen zones , could be inhabited : so must we believe , that god hath by prevention of inconvenience , ordered all things for the best . here also might be objected , the incommodities and incongruences that might befall the inhabitants of the moon , viz. the meteors as the clouds , and other which would offend them , and would hinder plants to grow therein . we answer to this , that those meteors are far enough from it , and that rather they are lesse molested by them then we ; for galileus did see with the telescope , that it doth not rain upon the earth of the moon . but it may be replyed , how then do the plants grow ? to which i answer , that they may grow in it , not only by reason of the moon 's natural humidity and moisture , but also by the inundations of its rivers ; as in egypt , where likewise no rain is seen ; i say farther , that those inhabitants of the moon have no more ground to alledge these objections , being that when they look upon the earth , through the mists and clouds that incompass it , they might doubt whether any creatures could be contained in it . but hitherto we have answered none but weake objections . now come we to that with which our opponents do arm themselves chiefly , which is that of the prince of the aristotelists , who as the otthomans aymed to slay all his brothers , that he might reign more securely , viz. to beat down and suppresse all opinions contrary to his ; now this is his argument ; if there were many worlds , the earth of those worlds would move towards our earth ; or ours towards that of the other worlds ; and so the other elements of the other worlds would reach ours , and so there would be nothing but a great tumult and chaos . this argument is so weak , that magirus is constrained to speak in these terms when he alledges it , not being himself able to find others , because he maintains not the truth ; all these reasons , ( saith he ) and such like philosophick arguments , cannot perspicuously demonstrate , that there is but one world ; and charles rapineus speaks thus , that it can but weakly be so perswaded . aristoteles could not comprehend what we have above said , viz. that each world hath its center , whereunto tend those heavy bodies that are in its sphere ; but he arguments upon a false foundation , making the earth to be the center of all the worlds , and allotting but one center for all ; his argument would be good , if his ground were good : for what he saith was true , it would be requisite that all heavy and ponderous things should tend towards our center ; but there being many , they also go into divers centers ; for each star hath its center that upholds it , and though it be of a ponderous nature , yet is it light , in itself . having thus answered , and so plainly and fully resolved the objection of aristoteles , the grand prince of philosophers , what may they expect who have not such pregnant objections as his . chap. xxxii . continuing the solution of divers philosophers objections against the plurality of worlds . these following arguments are yet objected ; first , that whereas there is but one principle and first mover , or but one god and first cause , and that the world ought to answer in likenesse to its architype , there also ought to be but one world . but we have here above shewed the contrary , because that god is infinite , so also ought the worlds to be infinite . for a second argument , it 's objected , that if there were more then one world , the divine scriptures would have communicated it to us ; but speaking but of one onely , it 's not likely there should be any more . to this i answer , that the holy scripture speaks clearly of none but of ours ; though yet in severall places it agreeth in the plurality of worlds , as we shall hereafter demonstrate ; and that it speaks after the manner of men , of all heavenly things , condescending to our weaknesse , and to the common opinion ; as when it saith , that the sun and moon are the great lights , and yet the moon is one of the smallest stars ; and there are some others that are as bigg as the sun , as canopus starre , and others , and an infinite number bigger then the moon : likewise the scripture saith , that god is angry , and doth repent , though he is immutable and unchangeable ; and therefore might the scripture do the like concerning the motion of the earth , and the plurality of worlds . for a third argument , plato speaks thus ; the matter requisite for the composition of the world is but one , and heaped up together into one lump or body alone , and the heaven contains within it self all the simple bodies , so that no part of the matter can remain , for therewith to compose and frame other worlds . to this i answer , that it 's not necessary that all the matter be exhausted and spent in the creation of this our earth alone , yea rather in the creation of the whole fabrick ; but and if it had been all spent at the creation alone of this our earth , god could yet create some new : and last of all , concedo totum , i grant the whole argument , it proving nothing against my assertion ; for i comprehend all the worlds or earths to be in heaven . plato saith farther against this opinion , that the world would be imperfect , if it should not contain all ; and secondly , would not be like its pattern , if it were not single and onely one , and that it would not be incorruptible , if there was any thing out of it . but we have already answered the objection touching unity ; where we have discovered , that god being infinite , there must also be infinite worlds : for as sextus empiricus saith , there is nothing one alone of all whatsoever is numbred in the world . and as for the last , plutarch answers it , saying thus , that it hinders not the world's perfection , that there are other worlds besides ; for man is perfect , and yet contains not every thing . and to this answer i adde , that by this word world , plato did understand the whole fabrick of all these earths or worlds which make up but one whole world ; his arguments cannot at all overthrow my position . timplerus forms yet this argument , if there were divers worlds , they would have been made in vain , and to no purpose , because no use of them can be shewed . this his reason is so weak , that it will suffice to say , for to confute it , that though we may not know for what use they are made , yet they are not made for nothing ; for by this same reason , the indies , from whence we receive great advantage and profit , and the northern countreys that yet are unknown to us , would also have been created in vain . again , there are some who object , that if the stars were inhabited , they would have need of the influence of other stars and heavens , usque ad infinitum , without number . to this i answer , that i am not much perswaded , that the starres are advantageous to us , the sun and moon excepted ; it 's not possible , that the stars communicate and serve one another mutually , and therefore there is no need of an infinite number of heavens . last of all , zabarella arguments thus , if there were other worlds , what in them should be contained , would be either like to what is in this our world , or differing from it ; if it were like it , in vain would individuals be multiplyed ; if differing , it could not be found out how it 's disposed . to this objection i answer , that men and other things in the indies , would also have been created in vain , if his reason was valid ; and that though we knew not what was in those new lands and countreys , yet it was in them notwithstanding ; so likewise though we be ignorant of what is in the other worlds , yet this our ignorance excludes not their being . chap. xxxiii . answering pacius's argument against this assertion : in this whole fabrick ▪ considered at large , may be observed divers worlds contained within it ; as the individuals under the species ; but pacius labours to oppose this position thus ; that the world , such as it is , comprehends all , and that all the matter was spent in the composition of it , and that therefore there can be no other bodies out of it ; for if there were any , they would be either simple , or composed ; if simple , it would be the heaven or the elements : but they cannot be the heaven , considering it changes not fully its place , but turns round upon it self : nor likewise can it be an element , because it would be beyond nature ; nor also a mixt body , because that if there be not some simple bodies , there can be no mixt ones . to which i answer , that , as i have already said , by worlds , is to be understood earths onely ; and by the general word of world , or whole fabrick , are by me understood , all the things of the whole fabrick , in the frame and composition of which , i yield , that all the matter was spent and employed , and that out of them there is no other universe or generall world . chap. xxxiv . answering melancthon's objections , together with others , who say , that this doctrine tends to introduce new maxims against religion . but there may yet some stand up , and say with melancthon , that god ceased from creating , and rested himself ; but moses in the second of genesis speaks , and meaneth onely the creation of this our world : and truly it 's more consonant , that some end , and others be created of new ; as empedocles did believe it , together with democritus ; god hath limited his power , and he is still the same for to create again , as he was afore : and as it 's said in the book of wisdome , ch. 11. v. 18. he wanteth not means to create of new unknown wild beasts : therefore both this and the other arguments alledged by melancthon , are weak against this our position , which he himself being forced to confesse , he saith in his natural physicks , that though his arguments do not fully conclude , yet they must be considered and weighed , lest that if we believe that there are other worlds , we also should believe other religions , and other natures of men . for my part , i see no necessity , that because there are more worlds , there must also be more religions ; the increase of this world , through the discovery of the indies , hath not caused any new religion ; and it 's very unlike from being capable of introducing heresie and atheism ; i confidently believe , that this admirable order of the world , which disperses the confusisions and chaos , which by reason of mens ignorance do yet reign , will even make the greatest atheists of this world to confesse , that they cannot have their originall but from god alone , who is the soveraign creator of all things . melancthon saith farther , that if there were divers worlds , it would be requisite , that jesus christ should suffer death several times for to save them all : but what do we know , whether those men in the stars are better then those that are in this world , whereof satan is called the prince , and where he abides ; for which cause st. john saith in chap. 12. & v. 12. of the revelations , therefore rejoyce ye heavens , and ye that dwell in them ; wo to the inhabitants of the earth , and of the sea , for the devil is come down unto you . and though we should certainly know , that those men in the starres have need of salvation , god hath so many means and wayes , to us unknown , for to save them , and to satisfie his justice , that we need not inform our selves about these things , but believe them in faith , captivating our understandings ; as an ancient father of the church hath well spoken . but some may object , who is he that will believe it ? to whom i shall reply with plato , no wicked man shall ever know it ; but he onely who shall be found worthy of it . let then those who are unworthy of so high and sublime knowledge , withdraw hence , their gross spirit cannot apprehend the subtilty of it ; and as spiders do turn the best food into venome and poyson , they call that which is the true way to the knowledge of god , the high-way to atheism . chap. xxxv . proving the plurality of worlds , by a reason drawn from the place of hell . some scrupulous persons might say , that the reason of this chapter seems in something to contradict the doctrine of the church : but i shall answer him , that if any one should endeavour to prove , that there is no hell , his opinion should certainly be esteemed erroneous and pernicious ; but to do nothing but to establish and confirm it , as i do in this chapter , and to remark the place where it is , being that the divines cannot certainly point out the place , i find nothing in it repugnant to christianity . now whereas our bodies are to rise from the dead , for to be rewarded according to their deserts good or evill , and that the damned are in greater number then the saved , the place of hell must needs be very spatious and great to contain them all , and solid and firm to uphold them ; but it cannot be anywhere but in one of the stars , and so consequently the stars may have inhabitants in them ; for it 's said , that the center of the earth , because it is the center of the world , and the farthest place from heaven ; but that i cannot find it needful to place it in the center of the world , considering that god is equally every where , and that men cannot alienate themselves from him ; and also because it 's very easie to prove the contrary , not only in that it could not be sufficient to contain in it self all the damned that have been since the creation , and shall be unto the end , nor can be penetrated through by their lumpish bodies ; and also because the earth it self at the day of judgment must be consumed and done away , as esdras saith in 4th chapter , and 42 verse of his second book ; but also in this , that not the earth , but the sun is the center of the worlds ; the sun then by reason of its far distance from the highest heavens , saith foscarinus , is the true place of hell , even as its siery nature required ; for the internall habitations seems to perswade it : but i cannot admit this opinion , though that i hold , that hell must be in one of the stars ; but to seat it in so beautiful a star as the sun is , i cannot consent to it ; seeing that the damned souls cannot merit so good and advantagious an habitation . but on the contrary , it may seem more plausible and consonant to truth , to seat the paradise of god in the sun , according to that text in the psalms , in s●le posuit tabernaculum suum , god hath placed his tabernacle in the sun . but to prove more certainly , that hell is not within the earth , let us but observe , that it was created before the earth , seeing that the wicked angels were banished into it before the creation of the earth ; to which agrees the first chapter , and 14 verse of the wisdome of solomon , saying , the kingdom of death is not upon the earth . chap. xxxvi . proving the plurality of worlds , by an argument drawn from the seat of paradise both celestial , and terrestrial . it may likewise be proved , that paradise is no where else but in the stars : now it 's most clear and certain , that it 's not this earth , but a new earth , wherein is the heavenly jerusalem , which must needs be a solid place , as well as our earth , that it may hold us up , wherein all joy and happinesse shall be ; and out of which shall all miseries and torments be banished ; this place is prepared of old for men , and what do we know but that we shall be dispersed into severall stars ; doth not our lord christ jesus assure us , that in his fathers house are many mansions : and esdras , in the 4. chap. & 7. ver. of his second book , tels us , how many springs are above the firmament , and which are the out-goings of paradise . it may be that after we have inhabited this earth of misery and sorrow , wherein death and infirmity are the wages of our sins , we shall be introduced into those high globes wherein we shall live for ever , in fulnesse of happinesse and joy . is it not said in rev. 2. ver. 28. to him that overcomes , will i give the morning star ? and job , in the 38. and 7. v. doth see through faith , the morning stars singing together , and all the sons of men shouting for joy . this his vision shall be accomplished , when we shall trample upon these moving wonders , and if by reason of those glorious objects we may remember the things of this earth , we shall from those vast habitations of glory , look with great contempt and disdain upon this lump of earth , so highly esteemed of men , and by them divided into so many regions , and countreys ; and upon that drop of water , by them divided into so many seas . may it not also be that the earthly paradise , or garden of eden , out of which adam was driven , was the same place whereunto we shall return ; he was driven out of it for his sins , without which he had not tasted death . and now that jesus christ by his satisfaction to the father's justice , hath blotted them out , we shall be therein introduced . munster faith , that many ancient philosophers did imagine it scituated in a high place , encompassed with fire , adjoyning the circle of the moon , and that there are elias and enoch , those antients were not far from my opinion , seeing the inconveniencies that would follow , if we did seat it in this our world : for if to believe that this paradise was upon this earth , it 's a very hard thing ; for it 's of no moment to rely upon the names of the rivers , and countreys , that are named in the translation of the holy scripture , considering that the hebrew names in it are not conforme ; and that the translators do yeild , that they have interpreted them but by conjecture , and as nigh as they could guesse . again , this paradise can no more be found on the earth ; nor those rivers , that are said to be those whom moses , doth mention , do not issue from one and the same spring , as it 's recorded of those of paradise . and lastly , it would be a ridiculous thing , to believe that god hath driven his people from that place , which he suffers the turks , and other infidels to enjoy , it being that whole country , apprehended to have been this earthly paradise of delight . before i conclude this chapter , i will here alledge two notable things . the first is , that as there is no book , though never so bad , but there is also some good in it : neither is there any religion but hath some good maxims . the chineans , and the turks , being perswaded by appearances do not at all doubt but that after death , they go to inhabit the world of the moon . the second is , that there are already divers bodies in hell , and also in paradise . in hell are those who have yeilded up their bodies to the unclean spirits , and daemons ; but in paradise are elias and enoch , which both places to hold up those bodies , must needs be solid , which solidity cannot be but in some stars , or star , where god doth manifest himself more clearly and visibly , and where are those rocks of eternity , whereof it 's spoken by moses , whereunto we must desire to go , and there to dwell , exchanging this valley of misery to the great advantage and comfort of our glorious bodies . chap. xxxvii . proving the worlds plurality , by an answer made by the daemons . if any creature can know the pure and naked truth of things , and that may decide and resolve this question to the full , certainly the evil spirits may ; but how may we enquire of them about it ? thus it may be done ; for it 's very certain , that pans , sylvaines , and other gods , who in former ages did appear to men , were wicked spirits and daemons , who required worship from men ; but a certain silenus , who was one of that nature , suffering marsias to take possession of him , told him , that there were other worlds , where men lived as old again as we , and were of higher and greater shape and stature . and in the history of faustus the magician , it 's said , that his spirits did walk him amongst the starres , for the space of eight dayes , and that he was carried 80000 miles high far from us ; and that ascending up very high , he did perceive from far off this earth , the cities and other things in it contained ; but this his relation is but in brief . chap. xxxviii . proving the same , by a reason drawn from the unprofitablenesse of the light of the sun , and others . if there were no globes inhabited above the sun , for what use would that light be which the sun casts above him ? it would be altogether unprofitable and uselesse , if it was lost in the air ; it is then cast upon those bodies that have need of it , which cannot be any thing else but the starres , which of their nature are dark and obscure , and earthly , as the earth that we inhabit ; for otherwise they would have no need of the sun's light . shall not so many reasons suffice for to overcome that obstinacy and preoccupation ? great alexander may break the ice , and shew us the way , who having heard anaxarch the philosopher , discoursing upon this subject matter , did believe him , and fell a weeping , because that there being other worlds , he had yet conquered but one . chap. xxxix . proving the same , by the suns mutual ravishments betwixt the earth and the moon ; and by their equal qualities , and by other notable reasons . we may say , that the time spoken by seneca in his medea , is come now . quae typhis novos deteget orbes . wherein we may learn things unheard , viz. the discovery of new worlds . et tabula pictos ediscere mundos . we may say it with better ground then he , seeing he onely spoke of the indies , and we speak of worlds distinct and separated , and prove it by so many arguments , as if we could not come to an end of them ; for it may yet be proved , in that the earth and the moon deprive each other mutually of the sun ; which deed doth testifie their conformity , and that both may suffer eclipses ; also by their mutual communications , cold qualities , solidity and roughnesse , that help us to see it ; for many think , that we should scarcc see it , were it not for its irregularities , which cause its light better to reverberate the beames of the sun . i shall add to this , that if god , who could make many worlds , had not made them , his power might be said , in some respects , to have been idle , unprofitable , and limited ; for though it ayms not so much to the works , as to the end of them , yet it being for his greater glory , though he doth not whatsoever he can , we cannot assert , that he was not willing to make many worlds ; as we cannot deny , but he had the power to make them . thirdly , the common and general opinion grants , the four elements to be in heaven ; for it believed , that there is the empyred heaven , that is the heaven of fire , the crystal heaven , that is of a waterish nature ; the heaven of the stars , which is solid , and by consequence of an earthly nature ▪ and the air is apprehended to be amongst those stars : the four elements then are in heaven , and why may not there be also mixt and composed bodies ? and why not the effects as well as the causes , which compose them , are in it ? and why could they not act as well within themselves , as in things far remote ? fourthly , the creation of the world , or of many worlds , is a thing that wholly depends from the free will of god , neither can it be denyed by any natural reason ; for god acts not outwardly by necessity , as to limit himself onely to this our world ; but on the contrary , god willeth whatsoever implyeth not contradiction : but many worlds do not imply contradiction , neither from god , nor from the thing created ; and it seems requisite , that the object be the measure of the power ; but this world not being infinite as god is , there must needs be an infinity of them . chap. xl . discoursing of those stars discovered of late , and of the spots of the sun . having above mentioned the spots of the sun , and some new starres , and thence having drawn some arguments , it may not be out of our purpose to speak of them now . as concerning the new stars , galileus relates , that in the yeares 1572 , and 1604 , were seen some new stars , that were higher then any one of the planets ; whereof the first was in cassiopeia , as tycho brahe , and campanella declare ; so likewise did hipparchus observe a new starre 100 years before christ's birth . and as touching the spots of the sun , i shall content my self to say , hat galileus asserts , that these spots are bigger then all asia and africk ; some there are , who believe them to be onely vapours , and some impressions of the ayr , because that their figures are irregular , and that they are seen in great number disappearing , and again appearing ; but they onely hide themselves in the sun ; or to say more congruously , they onely disappear by reason of their too nigh approach to the light of the sun ; and besides , they have a regulated course , according to which they fail not to return at a certain time ; and therefore they are some stars , touching which i send the reader to tardus's book , who calls them the stars of bourbon , after the name of the king of france , under whose reign these new stars were first discovered . chap. xli . containing divers reasons drawn from several places of scripture . as it is said in divers places of the holy scripture , that the earth is full of corruption ; or that it sings out the miracles of god by a figure of rhetorick , that puts the continent for the thing contained ; several texts of the scripture do also say , as in job 25. v. 5 , 6. that the stars are not clean before god , that they sing his praises , and are his armies . these are things that very hardly enter into the heart of men , and very likely part of them that paul saw in his extasie ; but being he saith , that it never entred into the heart of man , he might mean , unto his time no body had believed it , or at least hath not had the full and particular knowledg of them : wherefore job saith , chap. 38. v. 37 , 38. who can number the clouds in wisdom ? or who can stay the bottles of heaven . and solomon in the book of wisdome , ch. 9. v. 16. and hardly do we guesse aright at things that are upon earth , and with labour do we find the things that are before us ; but the things that are in heaven , who hath searched out ? and esdras in his second book , chap. 4. v. 21. they that dwell upon the earth , may understand nothing but that which is upon the earth ; and he that dwells above the heavens , may onely understand the things that are above the heighth of the heavens . it may be replyed , that these texts are to be understood of the angels ; but the texts alledged in the following chapter will make it clear , that it 's to be understood of men onely ; for campanella hath even observed , that paul to the colossians , chap. 1. verse 20. saith , that by jesus christ's blood all things are reconciled to god , whether they be things in earth , or things in heaven ; and consequently it will follow , that there are men in heaven , who have need of redemption as well as we . chap. xlii . containing the reasons drawn from the word of god . if then there be divers worlds , and that the stars be inhabited , those worlds may have been created some before the others , and so shall end at divers times ; and perhaps some are ended already , and some are created of new : the believers of those former worlds seem to speak in psal. 90. ver. 1 , 2. saying , lord , thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations , before the mountains were brought forth , or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world . and god seems to be angry against the men of those worlds , in 2. of esdras , c. 9. v. 18 , 19. because those who were before , were better in these terms . and now when i prepared the world which was not yet made , even for them to dwell in that now live , no man spake against me , for then every one obeyed , but now the manners of them which are created in this world ; that is made , are corrupted by a perpetuall seed , but there is yet one text more pregnant for to prove that there were other worlds before this , that are ended , and have been judged as we shall be one day , he speaks in these terms in the 2. book of esdras , c. 7. v. 34. and the world shall be turned into the old silence 7. dayes , like as in the former judgments , so that no man shall remain : and if it be thus , might we not say that those great comets that remain so long above the region of the meteor , are the burnings and consummations of some stars that are ending , and which we had not perceived by reason of their far distance : for as in former ages , new ones have often been seen , yea , even in this our own ; so likewise may some others end : and to all this , we may adde that of the revelations , viz. that the stars shall fall , that is to say , shall end . many ancient authours were of this judgment , believing not only that there are divers worlds at one and the same time , but that there had already been some before . origenes was of this belief , and that ours shall last seaven thousand years , and that many of the others shall last forty nine thousand years . campanella differs not much from this judgment , the wisedome of god speaking in the proverbs , saith , ch. 8. v. 23. 31. before the earth was , i was with god , rejoycing in the habitable part of his earth , and my delights were with the sons of men . and in the 26. v. while as yet he had not made the earth , nor the fields , nor the highest part of the dust of the world . chap. xliii . which is a sequell of the texts of the holy scripture . though we have divided these places of scripture into two chapters for to confirm this opinion ; yet i will not omit some few others , which may in some respects sit this same subject . paul to the ephesians , c. 1. v. 10. speaking of christ jesus , saith , that in the dispensation of the fullnesse of times , he might gather together in one , all things in christ , both which are in heaven , and which are on earth , even in him . and to the colos. 1. v. 20. god having made peace through the bloud of christs crosse , reconciled all things to himself , whether they be things in earth or things in heaven . how may these two texts be expounded if we do not understand them of these men who are in the heavens or stars , whom god hath gathered to himself , and redeemed ? for if it be said that they are those that died before christ ; it cannot stand with reason , because their souls were already in paradise , or in hell : but where the soul is , thither also shall the body go after the resurrection . david speaks thus in the psal. 112. v. 6. god humbles himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in earth , for he dwells on high ; this text indicates that god is beyond the heavens , and that in the heavens whereunto he humbles himself , there are inhabitants as well as in the earth . and in the ps. 148. he bids the angels , stars , and earth , &c. to praise him : that is to say , he spoke thus to the inhabitants thereof by a figure ; which takes the continent for the thing conteined . ecclesiasticus , saith in his 16. chap. and 18 , 19 , 20 , 21. verses , behold the heaven , and the heaven of heavens , the deep , and the earth , and all that therein is shall be moved , and the foundations of the earth shall be shaken with trembling , when he shall visit them , and who can conceive his wayes , for the most part of his works are hid . and in the chap. 43. ver. 32. saith , that there are yet hid greater things then these be , for we have seen but a few of his works . by these two places it plainly appears that those things which we have not seen , and are greater then any that we know , are somewhere else then in this earth , viz. in the heavens , and that consequently there is more then one world . i might yet alledge divers other scriptures , as that of the 2. chap. to the phillip . verse 10. and psalm 89. verse 7. but that i may not be too tedious , i shall not make farther mention of others . chap. xliv . how the naked truth of the plurality of worlds may be discovered ; and especially what is in the moon . but being we have neither the wings of birds , nor the eyes of eagles or lynxes , nor can heap up mountains one upon another as gyants , how can we see perspicuously the things that are in the moon , and in the other etherial bodies ? to this i answer , that those ancient ages have shewed us the way , by the tower of babel , by pyramides and phares , from the top of which , scarce could men be discovered and perceived ; and from those tops were discovered countreys of far distance , immortalizing the memory of their authors . it would be requisite , that a king or great prince , desirous by emulation to immortalize his name , would set poor prisoners , with other workmen , to the work , that from it ( being high elevated up into the ayr ) we might more distinctly behold by the help of the prospective-glasses , what is within the stars , and chiefly in the moon ; no doubt such a tower would serve much , being built upon a very high hill . but if it be objected , that there are very high mountains , from which neverthelesse no new thing can be seen . i answer , that besides that , no body went to try it with a prospect-glasse , those mountains , though high , by reason of their crookednesse , are not very high , if we consider them perpendicularly ; and yet it hath been observed , that from the highest hill of mount pyreneus , the sun appears more majesticall then ordinarily , which cannot proceed but from the heighth of that mountain . and though nothing could be discovered from such a tower , which i cannot believe , yet it would be a work of immortal name to that prince who would do it . and that it may be out of doubt , that from a high mountain , or some such place high elevated , something may be seen and observed in the stars , bethancour in his travels asserts , that from the top of tenerisa , a very high mountain in the canaries , the sun may be seen to turn round upon himself , without the help of any prospective-glasses . secondly , it 's most certain , that if the prospective-glasses can be brought to a full perfection , that many things will be discovered new in the stars , and at the first time that they were invented , divers things have already been discovered ; for galileus and descartes declare , that there may be made prospective-glasses , that shall multiply the object a thousand times in his bignesse : if it be so , what is there in the firmament that may not perspicuously be seen ? lastly , some have imagined , that as man hath imitated the fishes in swimming , that he may also find out the art of flying , and that by such an artifice , he may without any other help see the truth of this question ; the histories relate to us some examples of men that have flown . many philosophers think it feasable , and amongst others roger bacon ; i might here relate all those examples , and divers reasons for it ; yea , some instruments and engines for that effect : but i shall shew these things in my book of naturall magick ; and in my discourse , de arte volandi ; because though one could attain the art of flying , yet it would avail him but little for this purpose , because that besides , by reason of his weight he could not rise very high , he could not remain fixt to behold heaven , or to make use of prospective-glasses , but would wholly bend his mind to the guiding of his engine . chap. xlv . of scipio's dream ; with some new reason upon this subject-matter . vve read in several authors , that scipio dreamed a very notable dream , wherein he thought that he was carried up high , and that he saw other worlds in the stars , whence he perceived the roman empire ; and seeing it from very far , found , that it took so little room in this our terrestrial globe , that upon that he conceived an exceeding great contempt of those , who despising their life , did venture it , for to get a famous name ( though but vain ) in that little corner of the earth . both cicero and macrobius have composed books concerning this dream , and have doubted under what sort of dreams this was to be entred . for my part , i think that it must be called a vision , being he saw things that are reall , viz. the airy lands , and the stary and planeticall people . or it may be , that having such a belief , he was desirous to propose it , as many others in such like case have done , thereby to see how it would be received : and truly , if this was his scope , he hath had no bad successe ; for it hath been embraced by many illustrious persons , who have found it consonant to reason . besides all this , is it not beyond all reason and appearance , that so many huge and vaste bodies as the stars are , should remain barren and fruitlesse . i think , that if i should discourse orderly , and gradually with the most opinionative man that is , that i should obtain of him , that those bodies , whereof some are three hundred times bigger then the earth , do at least bear some plants ; and if this were granted , how could these plants be there , if they were not for the use of some living creatures : and if it could be granted , that there be some creatures , may it not also be granted , that there are men for to make use of them , being they are made for them ? and lastly , is it not lawfull and equall , that there be men whither soever their dominion reaches ; but man rules the stars , as well as the earth and sea , the whole world is made for him ; and consequently there must needs be some inhabitants in the stars . chap. xlvi . answering the objection of those , who believe , that the spots of the moon are the figure of the earth . before i conclude this discourse , i think it yet convenient to answer them , who think that they have hit right on the head of the nayl , when they say , that the spots in the moon are nothing else but the figure of the earth's shadow , which communicate themselves in the moon , as in a looking-glasse ; but they do not consider , that there is no analogy nor resemblance between those spots , and those of our general mapp ; nor that in dark nights this figure can be communicated to the moon ; or could it be said , that those mountains in the moon , are nothing but some flat and low obscurities ; but i answer , that the shadow of those mountains appears and turns as the needle of a sea-compasse , proportionably as the sun inlightens them diversly , which could not be , were they not bodies high elevated ; for they would be without shadow , and monsieur gassandus did sometimes say , that he had mathematically measured the heighth of some mountains and valleys in the moon by means of their shadows ; and that he had found the heighth of the mountains in the moon to be much more remarkable , then of those of the earth . chap. xlvii . containing an argument drawn from those mountains that are in the moon . we must observe that the moon being half full , more or lesse out of it are seen many little spots , as drops of water , or orient pearls very bright . now they are the tops of the mountains , that are lighted by the splendour of the sun , because they ascend as high as that part of the moon which is inlightned ; but because the mountains are broad at the foot , and are dark at the bottome , those drops appear to be somewhat scattered one from the other , and so seem loosed from the moon , though they be not . so likewise if one should contemplate from above the mount pireneus , or the alps , he would only see their top in the form of so many pearls , because the top of them would reverberate the splendour of the sun , and their snows would encrease the light of it . observe also that paul in his 1. to the cor. c. 15. v. 40. asserts that the glory of the celestial bodies , is divers from that of the terrestrial , and that there is one glory of the sun , and another glory of the moon , and another glory of the stars . but if they differ in glory , they do so by reason of the variety of creatures that are in them ; in the 47. verse , the apostle seems to indicate that there are heavenly men , and also earthly men . the courteous reader is intreated to consider that this is onely a fragment of the volume intended by the authour , for to set forth the life and philosophy of democritus , who asserted this opinion : so that i say onely what he himself would have said to confirm his position . but if it seems in any particulars to oppose and contradict the principles of religion , and that my arguments do not give full satisfaction , i shall freely retract and uncloath my self of this opinion , if it be any wayes noxious to religion : if it be recited and blamed by ignorant persons , who are not able , nor sit to answer to the objections , and cannot or will not weigh them by reason , i have what i expect . but if learned and wise persons can shew me the contrary with sound proofs , and strong reasons , they shall find me ready to yield up this my opinion to their censures . though above fifty authors of this same opinion , going before me , have not yet been contradicted . i hope that i give no more occasion of distaste then they . finis . the description and vse of the sphaere· deuided into three principall parts. whereof the first intreateth especially of the circles of the vppermost moueable sphære, and of the manifold vses of euery one of them seuerally. the second sheweth the plentifull vse of the vppermost sphære, and of the circles thereof joyntly. the third contayneth the description of the orbes whereof the sphæres of the sunne and moone haue been supposed to bee made, with their motions and vses. by edvvard wright. the contents of each part are more particularly set downe in the table. wright, edward, 1558?-1615. 1627 approx. 159 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 51 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2005-03 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a15751 stc 26022 estc s120334 99855533 99855533 21028 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a15751) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 21028) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1475-1640 ; 1264:9) the description and vse of the sphaere· deuided into three principall parts. whereof the first intreateth especially of the circles of the vppermost moueable sphære, and of the manifold vses of euery one of them seuerally. the second sheweth the plentifull vse of the vppermost sphære, and of the circles thereof joyntly. the third contayneth the description of the orbes whereof the sphæres of the sunne and moone haue been supposed to bee made, with their motions and vses. by edvvard wright. the contents of each part are more particularly set downe in the table. wright, edward, 1558?-1615. [8], 95, [1] p. : ill. (woodcut) printed by b[ernard] a[lsop] and t. fawcet, for iohn tap, and are to bee sold at his shop at s. magnus corner, london : 1627. printer's name from stc. reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. lacks n4. title page and pages 82-end from the british library copy filmed at end. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy 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remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng celestial globes -early works to 1800. astronomy -early works to 1800. 2004-10 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2004-10 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2004-11 judith siefring sampled and proofread 2004-11 judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-01 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the description and vse of the sphaere . deuided into three principall parts . whereof the first intreateth especially of the circles of the vppermost moueable sphaere , and of the manifold vses of euery one of them seuerally . the second sheweth the plentifull vse of the vppermost sphaere , and of the circles thereof joyntly . the third contayneth the description of the orbes whereof the sphaeres of the sunne and moone haue beene supposed to bee made , with their motions and vses . by edvvard wright . the contents of each part are more particularly set downe in the table . london , printed by b. a. and t. fawcet , for iohn tap , and are to bee sold at his shop at s. magnus corner . 1627. a table of the contents of this booke . the first part. of the circles of the vppermost sphaere , and their seuerall vses . the definition and deuision of this sphaere , chap. 1. the description of the horizon , chap. 2. the vses of the horizon , chap. 3. the description of the meridian , chap. 4. the vses of the meridian , chap. 5. the description of the houre-circle , and poles of this sphaere , chap. 6. of the equinoctiall circle , and why it is so called and how diuided , together with his manifold vses , chap. 7. the description of the zodiacke of this sphaere , chap. 8. the vses of the zodiacke , chap. 9. the description of the two colures , together with the vses common to them both , chap. 10. the vses of the equinoctiall colure , chap. 11. the vses of the solstitiall colure , chap. 12. the description of the two tropickes , chap. 13. the vses of the tropickes , chap. 14. the polar circles , chap. 15. vses of the polar circles , chap. 16. of the zones , chap. 17. the difference of shadowes that the sunne maketh in these zones , chap. 18. the second part. of the vses of the vppermost sphaere , and of the circles thereof joyntly . to rectifie the sphaere , that is to sett the sphaere to the latitude of that place for which you would vse it , prop. 1. to know ▪ the place of the sunne by this sphaere , prop. 2. to know the declination of the sunne , or of any point of the ecliptick , prop. 3. to know the right ascention of the sunne , or any point of the zodiack , prop. 4. to know the oblique ascension of the sunne , or of any starre or point in the zodiack , prop. 5. to finde the difference of ascension , prop. 6. to finde at what time the sunne riseth or setteth , prop. 7. to finde the length of the artificiall day or night , prop. 8. to know the time of the sunne rising , or sunne setting , prop. 9. to find the length of the artificiall day or night , otherwise by the sphaere , prop. 10. to know the meridian altitude of the sunne at any place , whose latitude is knowne , prop. 11. to know how high the sunne is about the horizon at any time of the day , prop. 12. to find the houre of the day by the height of the sunne , the place of the sunne , and height of the pole being giuen , prop. 13. to find the bredth of the sunnes rising or setting , that is , how farre he riseth or setteth from the point of true east or west at any time , prop. 14. to finde the place of the sunne , his declination , and the quarter of the yeare being knowne , prop. 15. to finde what day of the moneth it is by knowledge of the sunnes declination , prop. 16. the day of the moneth being knowne to find at what time the day breaketh , prop. 17. to finde how long the twylight continueth , prop. 18. to finde how much the declination of the sunne must alter at any time of the yeare , to make the day one houre longer or shorter , prop. 19. to finde how many dayes it is ere the day lengthen or shorten an houre , prop. 20. to make an horizontal diall by the sphaere , prop. 21. how to make a direct murall diall by the sphaere , prop. 22. to make any direct inclining , or direct reclining dyall by the sphaere , prop. 23. to know at what time the moone , or any other of the planets , or fixed starres that are within the bredth of the zodiack rise or sett , or come to the meridian : as also with what degree of the ecliptick they rise set or midde heauen , together with their declinations , and their right and oblique ascensions , and descensions , and their amplitudes or bredths of rising or setting , prop. 24. to know how long the moone , or any of the planets or fixed starres doe shine , or continue aboue the horizon , prop. 25. to find which of the planets of fixed starres ( that are within the compasse of the zodiack ) are aboue or vnder the horizon at any time of the day or night , prop. 26. to find in what time any signe , or part of the ecliptick , riseth or setteth , prop. 27. to finde the houre of the night by any of the planets , or fixed starres in the zodiack , that appeare aboue the horizon , prop. 28. to know at any time of the yeare , what starres in the zodiack arise or set cosmically , achronycally , or heliacally , prop. 29. the meridian line . of the vse of the sphaere and globe . pars , 1. the description of the sphaere and globe , diuided into three principall parts .. whereof this first intreateth specially of the circles of the vppermost moueable sphaere and of their peculiar vses . chap. i. the definition and diuision of the sphaere . this sphaere , is nothing else but a representation of the coelestiall orbes and circles , that haue beene imagined for the easier vnderstanding , expressing , and counting of the motions and appa●ences , eyther common to the whole heauens , or proper to the sunne and moone . the circles of this sphaere are eyther inmoueable , as the two greatest and vtmost circles , the horizon and meridian , ( whereto is adioyned the little houre circle that is fixed to the meridian ) or else moueable ▪ as all the rest contayned within these . chap. ii. the description of the horizon . the greatest and vtmost circle of the sphaere that lyeth leuell on all sides from the ground , is called the horizon , which is deuided into 7. limbs , or borders . the first and vtmost of them conteyneth the 32. points of the compasse , or the windes ( as they are at this day deuided and vsed by sea-men ) with their latine names adjoyned vnto them . the second limbe conteyneth the names and diuisions of the 12. windes as they were wont to bee deuided in old time . the third is deuided into the moneths and dayes of the new kalender , first established by pope gregorie the xiii . and now vsed in many places beyond the seas . in the fourth limbe are set downe the moneths and dayes of the ordinarie kalender vsed in england . next within this , are placed the 12. signes and degrees of the zodiacke , that so the place of the sunne might bee presently knowne for any day of the yeare giuen , or contrariwise , that the day of the moneth might be readily found by the place of the sunne . after this , followeth the sixt limbe conteyning the 32. windes or points of the compasse , with letters representing the names now in vse amongst english marriners . the seuenth and last limbe next the innermost edge of the horizon , is deuided into 360. degrees with figures set to euery tenth degree , beginning from the points of east and west , and ending at north and south ; that so the number of any degree of the horizon might bee the easilier knowne : which circle appeareth most plainely to them that are in a plaine champion countrie , or vpon the sea close by the water in a cleare calme day . chap. iii. the vses of the horizon . 1. it deuideth the vpper and visible part of the heauens from the nether halfe that is hidden out of our sight . 2. it sheweth partly the difference of a right and oblique sphaere , for when this circle and the equinoctiall , crosse each other at the right angles , it is said to be a right sphaere , otherwise when they make oblique angles one with another , it is called an oblique sphaere . 3. in an oblique sphaere this circle seuereth those starres which neuer rise nor set , but are alwayes eyther aboue or beneath the horizon , from such starres as rise and set in euery 24. houres . for all the northerly starres that are no further distant from the north pole , then the north pole is from the horizon , doe neuer set , but are alwayes aboue the horizon : and contrariwise , those starres that bee about the south pole , no further distant from it then it is from the horizon , doe neuer rise , but are alwayes hidden out of sight vnder the horizon . 4. in respect of this circle , the sunne , moone and starres , or any other part or point of the heauens , are sayd to rise or set : for when they come vp from vnder the horizon , they are sayd to rise ; otherwise when they goe from aboue the horizon downe vnderneath the same , they are sayd to set . 5. and hereof it commeth that the ascendent , and descendent are found by this circle : for that part of the ecliptick that is at the east part of the horizon arising , is the ascendent ; and the point opposite to this at the west part of the horizon , may be called the descendent . 6. this circle partly sheweth the difference of ascention of any part or point of the heauens . 7. in this circle we reckon how farre the sunne , the moone , or any starre , or point of heauen , ariseth from the point of due east . 8. the horizon determineth the time of the artificiall day and night : for we call the time w●●rein the sunne abideth aboue the horizon , an artificiall day : and the time that he continueth vnder the horizon , is the artificiall night . 9. this circle sheweth the reason of the equality of artificiall dayes and nights , in a right sphaere : and of the inequality of them in an oblique sphaere . for in a right sphaere , the horizon deuideth all the paralels of the sunne or circles of the naturall dayes , into equall parts : but in an oblique sphaere , it deuideth them into vnequall parts . 10. by meanes of this circle , wee know what starres , and what eclipses , coniunctions , or other aspects of the planets may bee seene in our hemisphere at any time . 11. from the horizon is measured the twilight : for in the morning the sunne being vnder the horizon about 18. degrees of the verticall , circle , the twilight beginneth : and when the sunne is so much vnder the horizon at euening , the twilight endeth . 12. this circle is of especiall vse in geography , for from it wee begin to account the eleuation of the pole , and of the equinoctiall circle , whereby the latitude of any place is knowne . 13. in astrologie for erecting a figure , this circle sheweth the beginning of the first and seauenth houses . chap. iiii. the description of the meridian . next the horizon , succeeds the meridian standing vpright on edge , and crossing the horizon at right angles in the points of north and south . this circle is diuided on both sides at the inner edge into 360 ▪ degrees , with figures set to euery tenth degree , beginning at the equinoctiall , and ending at the poles with 90. and beginning also at the poles , and ending at the equinoctiall with 90. the numbers beginning at the pole , serue to set the sphaere readily to any eleuation desired . the other numbers beginning at the equinoctiall , shew presently the declination of any degree of the zodiacke , or of any point assigned in the sphaere , one quarter of the meridian on eyther side thereof from the equinoctiall to both poles , sheweth the climates , and the quantities of the longest dayes . chap. v. the vses of the meridian . 1. it deuideth the world into two halfes or hemisphaeres : that is , the east and the west hemisphaeres . the easterly hemisphaere is all that part of the world which is on the east-side of the meridian , and the other halfe may bee called the west hemisphaere . 2. it sheweth the north and south parts of the world , for the two intersections of the meridian with the horizon , shew the very points of north and south . the south point is that which is directly vnder the sunne at noone : and the point right ouer against this , is called the north-point . 3. it deuideth the arches of the equinoctiall , and of all his paralels , into two equall parts both aboue and beneath the horizon . 4. and therefore it deuideth the artificiall day and night into two equall parts . 5. and consequently , it sheweth midday and midnight . 6. in an oblique sphaere it serueth in stead of a right horizon ( that is ) an horizon that maketh right angles with the equinoctiall . 7. therefore the astronomers begin their account of times ( which are measured by the equall motion of the equinoctiall ) from the meridian : the principall of which times , is the naturall day which is vsually begun from midday , or midnight . 8. this circle sheweth the highest and lowest heights of the sunne and starres , which is most manifest in those starres that are alwayes aboue the horizon . these heights are called the meridian altitudes of the sun or starres , which heights are chiefely obserued by astronomers and nauigators with great diligence . 9. in this circle , wee obserue the distance of the tropickes , and the greatest obliquitie of the zodiacke . 10. in this circle , wee obserue and count the latitudes of places , the height of the pole , and of the equinoctiall . for the height of the pole or equinoctiall , is nothing else but the arch of the meridian contained betweene the pole or equinoctiall and the horizon . the height of the pole is alwayes equall to the latitude of the place . the height of the equinoctiall is equall to the complement of the latitude and therefore it being substracted out of 90. 〈◊〉 shall remaine the height of the pole. 11. the meridian sheweth the longit●●● of places in geographie . 12. in the meridian , are measured the bredth of the zones and climates . 13. this circle in astrologie , sheweth the highest and lowest parts of heauen , which are the beginnings of two principall houses : that is , the fourth and the tenth houses . chap. vi. the description of the houre-circle , and poles . the little circle fastned to the meridia● is called the houre-circle , which is deuided into 24. equall parts , signifying and representi●● vnto vs so many equall houres , whereof both the 〈◊〉 houres are fixed iust vpon the meridian , becaus●●●hen the sunne commeth to the meridian , it is iust twelue a clocke : the vpper xii . serueth for the day ; and the other xii . beneath serueth for the night . the index , or the painter in forme of an arrow , fastned vpon the pinne that commeth through the midst and center of this circle , is made to shew and point out the said houres as need shall requite , in the vse of the sphaere . the vse of this houre circle shall be shewed hereafter , when we shall speake of the common vse of many circles of the sphaere together . and these two circles ( that is , the meridian and horizon ) are called immoueable , because they keepe themselues alwayes , and in all places ouer the same parts of the earth ; where as all the rest ( conteyned within these two ) moue round about altogether with one motion in the space of foure and twenty houres . this motion ( being common to the whole heauens ) is made about two points or poles , represented in this sphaere , by the two wyre pinnes about which the sphaere is turned ; whereof the one that commeth through the middest of the little circle fastned to the meridian ( which wee call the houre circle ) representeth vnto vs the pole articke or the north pole : the other because it is opposite to this , is called the antartick pole , that is the right opposit , to , or right ouer against the north pole , which is also the south pole . chap. vii . of the equinoctiall circle . that circle which compasseth about the midst of the sphaere , and is euery where of equall distance from both poles , is called the equinoctiall circle , or the equator ; either because it is equally distant from both poles of the world ; or ●●se because the sunne comming vnder this circle maketh equality of dayes and nights throughout the world . it is deuided at the vtmost edge , or both sides thereof into 360. degrees , with figures 〈◊〉 to euery tenth degree , beginning at the beginning of aries , and proceeding eastwards , till you become about to the same point againe . this circle hath many vses . 1. it is the measure of the first 〈◊〉 . for this onely amongst all the circle of the sphaere is moued equally both in a right and 〈…〉 sphaere , because ● alone being perpendicular to the 〈…〉 world , about which the sphaere is equally turned , is deuided into two haltes by euery horizon in the same points . 2. it is the measure of time ; because it measureth the quantitie of the artificiall and naturall dayes , of which moneths and yeares are made : it measureth also the quantitie of houres and of other times which the sunne maketh going vnder the zodiacke . and therefore the degrees of the equinoctiall are called tempora ( that is ) times . 3. it sheweth the two equinoctiall points in the eclipticke , cutting the ecliptick in two places , which are the beginnings of aries and libra : and the sun when hee commeth to those two points , is equally distant from both poles of the world , and maketh equalitie of dayes and nights in all places ; which hapneth in our time about the 10. or 11. day of march , and the 13. or 14. of september . 4. the irregularitie of the zodiacke , and of all the signes and degrees thereof , is measured by this circle . for seeing the most part of the apparences of the first motion are referred to the zodiacke , which is not turned about his owne poles , but about the poles of the sphaere , and therefore must needs bee vnequally turned about ; it was needfull that this inequalitie should be ruled and measured by some other equall motion . 5. it deuideth the sphaere into two halfes ( which they call hemisphaeres ) that is , into the north halfe or hemisphaere , wherein is the north pole , and into the south hemisphaere , wherein is the south pole . 6. so it deuideth the zodiacke into the north halfe , and the south halfe ; or into the north signes , and the south signes . 7. from this circle are numbred the declinations of the starres , and of the degrees and parts of the eclipticke , and of any other point of heauen . 8. and in this circle are counted the right ascentions of the same degrees and starres , &c. for the right ascention of any starre or point of the heauens , is nothing else but the arch of the equinoctiall circle contained betweene the beginning of aries and the meridian , the same starre or point being first brought vnder the meridian . 9. in the equinoctiall is counted the ascentionall difference and the oblique ascention and descention of any point of heauen . and from the same circle is reckoned the distance of the sunne rising from the true east point . for the oblique ascention or descention is nothing else but the arch of the equinoctiall , contained betweene the beginning of aries , and that point of the equinoctiall eastwards , which ariseth or setteth together with the starre or point that is giuen , in an oblique sphaere . and the difference ascentionall or descentionall is nought else but the arch of the equator , whereby the right and oblique ascention or descention of a starre , or any other point in heauen doe differ each from other . the distance of the sunnes rising from the true east point ( which in latine is called amplitudo ortiua , ) is the arch of the horizon contayned betweene the equinoctiall and the paralell of the sunne , or his center when he riseth . 10. in geographie wee count the longitudes of places in this circle ; and from it we reckon the latitudes , in the globe of the earth , and in maps , and sea charts . for the longitude of a place is nothing else but the arch of the equinoctiall circle contayned betweene two meridians , whereof one goeth by the canary ilands , and the other by the place that is giuen , and the latitude of a place is the arch of a meridian contayned betweene the equinoctiall , and the zenith of the place that was giuen . 11. in dialling this circle is of especiall vse . for by meanes of it the spaces of the houres are deuided in all kindes of dials , horizontall , erect , direct , declining , inclining , reclining , &c. 12. in astrologie the twelue houses are set out by the equall diuisions of this circle into twelue parts , according to the way deuised by regiomontanus , which way is commonly called rationall or reasonable . and this circle gouerneth the directions , whereby things to come are artificially fore-told . chap. viii . the description of the zodiacke . the great broad circle that compasseth about the sphaere obliquely , comming nearer the pole of the sphaere in one place then in another , is called the zodiacke . round about through the middest of this circle , is drawne the circumference commonly called the eclipticke line , deuiding the whole sphaere , and the whole bredth of the zodiacke throughout , into two equall parts . in this sphaere there are represented vnto vs two eclipticke lines . the one may be called the middle , or fixed eclipticke , which keepeth alwayes the same distance or obliquitie from the equinoctiall . the other may bee called the true or moueable eclipticke , because it maketh not alwayes the same angles of intersection with the equator , but sometimes greater , sometimes lesse . for the greatest obliquitie of the zodiacke , which not long before ptolomees time was obserued to bee 23. degrees and 52. minutes ; in copernicus his time , was hardly found to exceed 23. degrees 28. minutes , according to his obseruation , and therefore hee thought that the difference betweene the greatest and least obliquitie of the zodiacke , was 24. minutes : and the middle or meane obliquitie betweene both these , to bee 23. degrees 40. minutes . the manner of the variation of this obliquitie may in some sort bee shewed by this sphaere , if we suppose the fixed eclipticke drawne round about through the middest of the zodiack to be 23. degrees 40. min. distant from the equinoctial at the beginning of cancer and capricorne : and the moueable eclipticke ( fastned as it were vpon two poles at the beginning of aries and libra , and so hauing alwayes the same points of intersection with the middle eclipticke and equinoctiall ) to bee moued vp and downe aboue and beneath the middle eclipticke , by the space of 12. minutes at the beginning of cancer and capricorne : and this motion to finish his reuolution once in 3432. iulian yeares . the bredth of the zodiacke is bounded by the greatest latitudes of the planets , especially of venus and mars , which sometimes hath almost 7. degrees of latitude . the zodiacke is diuided by the equinoctiall into two semicircles . the one aboue the equinoctiall is called the northerly semicircle : the other halfe beneath the equinoctiall , is the southerne semicircle of the zodiacke . so long as the sunne moueth vnder the first of these semicircles , the dayes are longer then the nights , otherwise they are shorter . each of these semicircles is againe deuided into two parts , and so the whole zodiack into foure quarters : the first from aries to cancer , may be called the vernall or spring-quarter , which in this sphaere is also shewed by the word ver ( signifying the spring : ) the next from cancer to libra , the summer quarter , wherein is written the word ae●tas signifying the summer . the 3. from libra to capricorne , is the haruest quarter , wherein you shall finde in this sphaere the word autumnus which signifieth autumne or haruest . the fourth and the last , from the beginning of capricorne to aries , is called the winter quarter , which in this sphaere is shewed by this word hiems , which signifieth the winter . and these foure quarters of the zodiacke are thus called by the names of the quarters of the yeare , because the sunne mouing vnder those quarters of the zodiacke , maketh those foure quarters of the yeare . euery one of these quarters of the zodiacke is againe deuided into three parts , and so the whole compasse of the zodiacke into 12. which are called the 12. signes , whereof euery one contayneth 30. degrees in length from west to east , and is in bredth equall to the bredth of the zodiacke . these signes , and the zodiacke it selfe haue their beginning from that common meeting , or crossing of the eclipticke , and the equinoctiall , where the eclipticke beginneth to arise aboue the equinoctiall towards the north pole : and they are called by these names ; aries , taurus , gemini , cancer , leo , virgo , libra , scorpio , sagitarie , capricorne , aquarie , pisces . that is to say , the ramme , the bull , the twinnes , the crab , the lyon , the virgin , the ballance , the scorpion , the shooter , the goat , the water-pourer , the fishes . and they are signified by these characters , ♈ ♉ , ♊ , ♋ , ♌ , ♍ , ♎ , ♏ , ♐ , ♑ , ♒ , ♓ . this deuision of the zodiacke into 12. signes and of euery signe into 30. degrees , nature it selfe seemeth to haue shewed by the motions of the sun and moone . for in what time the sunne moueth once about the whole compasse of the zodiacke , the moone maketh twelue reuolutions through the same . therefore as the time of a yeare is deuided into 12. moones , so the zodiacke is deuided into 12. signes : and as euery moneth contayneth 30. dayes , so euery signe is deuided into 30. parts , which they call degrees , which signifieth as much as steps , because the sunne steppeth , or goeth forwards almost so much as a degree in euery day , from the west eastwards vnder the zodiacke . the zodiacke is otherwise also deuided into two semicircles , the one ( from capricorne to cancer ) ascending , because that so long as the sunne or any of the planets are in that semicircle , they still ascend and rise higher and higher aboue the horizon . the other semicircle of the zodiacke , from cancer to capricorne , is called descending , because the sunne or planets being in that semicircle , come downe euery day lower then other . the 12. signes are by the astrologians diuersly deuided , first into chiefe , meane , and common signes . the chiefe signes ( which are also called cardinall , that is the principall signes ) are aries , cancer , libra , and capricorne , because they come next after the principall points of the zodiacke , that is , the two equinoctiall points at the beginnings of aries , and libra ; and the two solstitiall points of cancer and capricorne . the meane signes ( which are also called fixed ) are taurus , leo , scorpio , and aquarius . they are called meane , because they are placed betweene the chiefe or principall , and the common signes . they are called fixed signes , because that when the sunne is in those signes , wee finde a more perfect temperature of the ayre , then when he is in the other signes . the common signes ( which are also called double bodyed ) are gemini , virgo , sagitarie , and pisces . they are called common , because they take part of the nature of the fixed signes going before them , and of the cardinall signes following after them . they are called double bodied , by reason of their images , as they are imagined in the eight sphaere , which are compounded of two bodies : for there be two twinnes ; and the virgin holdeth an eare of corne in her hand ; sagitarie is made of a man and an horse ; and there are two fishes . the placing , and nature of these signes brought in this diuision . the astrologians also deuide the 12. signes into foure trigons of triplicities , so called because they are distant the third part of a circle , one from another . the first triplicitie contayneth aries , leo , and sagitarius ; and is called the fiery trigon , or triplicitie : the second triplicitie contayneth taurus , virgo , and capricorne ; and is called the earthly trigon . the third triplicitie contayneth gemini , libra , and aquarius ; and is called the ayrie trigon . the fourth triplicitie contayning cancer , scorpio , and pisces ; is called the watrie trigon . nature it selfe is the cause of this diuision of the signes also . for into these trigons of the signes , shee hath distributed the coniunctions of the three superiour planets : especially the coniunctions of saturne and iupiter , which the astrologians call great coniunctions . for examples sake , if there bee a great coniunction in aries , the same shall be twenty yeares after in sagitarie , and other twenty yeares after in leo ; and after as many more yeares , it returneth againe into aries . the reuolution of one trigon contayneth almost 200. yeares , after which time the same great conjunctions remoue into the next trigon . chap. ix . the vse of the zodiack . 1. the zodiack is the measure of the second motions , as the equinoctiall is the measure of the first motion . 2. for in this circle wee reckon the longitudes , and from it we count the latitudes of all the starres . for the longitude of a starre is nothing else but the arch of the ecliptck conteyned betweene the beginning of aries , and the circle of the starres latitude . and the latitude is the arch of a great circle , drawne by the poles of the ecliptick , conteyned betweene the starre and the ecliptick . 3. according to this circle , the whole heauen , yea , the whole world is deuided into twelue signes . whereof it commeth that because of this circle , aswell the fixed , as the wandring starres which we call planets , yea , and those starres also that appeare of a sudden , as blazing starres or comets , and other meteors , are said to be in this or that signe ; and that three manner of wayes . first , to be in a signe , is to be vnder some one of the 12. parts of the ecliptick . thus the starres which are vnder the ecliptick , but especially the sunne which runneth alwayes vnder it , are said to be in the signes . secondly , because the zodiack hath latitude , those starres are said to be in a signe , which although they be beside the ecliptick , yet are vnder the zodiack , and so any of the other planets , which for the most part wander beside the ecliptick , may be said to bee in some signe . thirdly , if we vnderstand six great circles to bee drawne by the beginnings of the twelue signes , and by the poles of the eclipticke ; by these circles the whole heauen ( or rather the whole world ) is deuided into twelue parts , which with a generall name are called signes : thus all the starres aswell fixed as planets and comets , which are without the zodiacke in any of these parts , may be said to be in some signe . 4. in this circle are noted the degrees of the signes , with which the starres doe rise and set , as well in a right as in an oblique sphaere . for because this circle is the chiefest , all caelestiall apparances ( or at least the most part of them ) are referred vnto it , and not vnto the equinoctiall . but the equinoctiall measureth the times of their risings and settings . 5. the obliquitie of the ecliptick is the cause of the inequalitie , aswell of naturall dayes in both sphaeres , as of artificiall dayes in an oblique sphaere . for seeing it is moued vnequally , because it is moued vpon other poles then his owne , the sunne which is the author , and maker of times mouing vnder it , must needs make vnequall dayes . 6. the chiefe times are defined by this circle , as the time of a yeare , by the motion of the sunne ; the time of a moneth by the motion of the moone , through the whole compasse of this circle . also the foure quarters of the yeare , spring , summer , autumne , and winter , whereto may be added plato his great yeare , which is the time wherein the fixed starres make one reuolution about the axtree and poles of the zodiack , if god would haue the world to last so long . 7. the eclipticke line sheweth the places , and times of the eclipses : for the sunne and moone , are eclipsed onely vnder it , or neere vnto it . 8. as the description of the tropicks dependeth on the obliquitie of the eclipticke , so the polar circles are described by the poles thereof . 9. hereof it commeth , that by reason of the same obliquitie , the zones and climats are set forth and bounded . 10. this circle is of especiall vse in astrologie , for it distinguisheth the points of the 12. houses , and in it the aspects and configurations of the planets are obserued . the chiefest judgement aswell in casting figures as in reuolutions and directions is taken from this circle . chap. x. the description of the two colures . the two circles crossing each other at right angles in the poles of the sphaere , are called the colures : whereof the one that passeth by the common meeting of the eclipticke and equinoctiall , is called colurus aequinoctiorum , that is the equinoctiall colure , or the colure of equall dayes and nights . the other passing by the poles of the eclipticke , and the solstitiall points , is called colurus solstitiorum , the solstitiall colure , or colure of the sunne-standings . vses common to both colures . 1. by meanes of these two colures , all the mouable circles of the materiall sphaere are framed together , that so they might be turned about , like as the whole heauens are moued . 2. the poles are fastened in the common meeting of these two circles : and the poles are also shewed by the same common meetings . 3. they shew the foure principall points of the eclipticke ; that is , the two equinoctiall , and the two solstitiall points . 4. these circles shew those points of the eclipticke , wherein the sunne is either equally distant from both poles of the sphaere , or commeth neerest to either of them : in which points the sunne maketh the dayes longest or shortest , or of a meane length betweene both these in an oblique sphaere . 5. they deuide the ecliptick into foure quarters , in which the sunne maketh foure quarters of the yeare , the spring , the summer , autumne , and winter . 6. they deuide the ecliptick and equinoctiall into such foure quarters , as in a right sphaere doe rise together in equall time . chap. xi . vses of the equinoctiall colure . 1. the section of this circle with the ecliptick ; sheweth the equinoctiall points , wherein the equinoctiall and the eclipticke doe deuide and crosse each other . in which points the sunne maketh equality of dayes and nights throughout the whole world : whereof this circle is also called colurus aequinoctiorum ; that is , the colure of equall dayes and nights , or the equinoctiall colure . 2. it deuideth the eclipticke into the north and south halfes . 3. it deuideth the signes wherein the sunne maketh the dayes longer then the nights , from those signes wherein the dayes are made shorter then the nights . 4. it sheweth which halfes of the eclipticke and equator , doe arise together in equall time in an oblique sphaere . 5. it sheweth the two high sunne-standings in a right sphaere , in the time of which sunne-standings , the sunne passeth by the zenith . chap. xii . vses of the solstitiall colure . 1. the common meetings of this circle with the ecliptick , shew the solstitiall or tropicall points ; in which points the sunne seemeth to stand , and then returneth backe againe : for which cause this circle is called the colure of the sun-standings . these points are called tropicall ( which is as much to say as turne-points , or points of returne ) because that when the sunne going alwayes vnder the eclipticke commeth to these points , which are furthest distant from the equinoctiall circle , it returneth againe towards the same circle . but they were called solstitiall or sun-ding points , because that whilest the sunne is about those points , the difference of the sunnes returning is ( for certaine dayes ) insensible . hereof the sunne is said to make his station , or to stand , when he commeth to either of those points . they that dwell without the tropickes , haue two sunne-standings , that is the summer sun-standing , or high sun-standing ( when the sunne in summer time is at the highest , and next vnto our zenith being in the beginning of cancer ) and the winterly , or low sun-standing , when the sunne in winter time is lowest in the meridian , and furthest from our zenith . but they that dwell within the tropicks ( by a certaine similitude taken from our sun-standings , wherein the sunne is either highest or lowest ) are said to haue foure sun-standings ; that is two high sun-standings , when the sunne passeth by their zenith ( the highest point in the heauens ) which hapneth twice euery yeare in two places , equally distant from the beginnings of cancer and capricorne : and two low sun-standings , when the sunne is in the beginning of cancer and capricorne . 2. in this circle by the arch conteyned betweene the equator and eclipticke , we measure the greatest declination of the sunne , or obliquity of the eclipticke , which in ptolomees time was 23. degrees 51. minutes , and one third part of a minute . but euer since that time it hath beene found by obseruation to decrease ; so as in this our age , it is no more then 23. degrees and one halfe , or little more : notwithstanding copernicus thought that the greatest obliquity was 23. degrees 28. minutes . 3. it sheweth the places of the eclipticke , in which the sunne ( comming neerest to our zenith ) maketh the artificiall day longest ; or going furthest from the same point , maketh the same shortest . 4. it deuideth the zodiacke into two halfes , the one ascending , and the other descending . 5. hereby also the signes are distinguished , which doe rise rightly , and which rise obliquely in an oblique sphaere . for the descending halfe riseth rightly , and the ascending halfe riseth obliquely . 6. so the points of the eclipticke are shewed by this circle , wherein the greatest difference of right and oblique ascensions happeneth . it distinguisheth those signes in which when the sunne moueth , the artificiall dayes are increased , and the nights decrease ; from those signes wherein the dayes are diminished , and the nights increase . 7. in this circle are the bredths of the zones bounded ; for the obliquity of the eclipticke doubled , sheweth the bredth of the torrid or burnt zone : the distance of the poles of the ecliptick , and of the poles of the equator , shew the bredth of the cold or frozen zones ; and the other two arches remaining , shew the bredths of the temperate zones . chap. xiii the description of the two tropickes . the two smaller circles equidistant in all places from the equinoctiall , and comming vnder these solstitiall points of the eclipticke on both sides , are called the tropicks , that is circles of returne . and they are so called , because that when the sun commeth to them , it beginneth to returne backe againe towards the equinoctiall circle . or else they may be so called , because they are described by the turning about of the tropicall points of cancer and capricorne . they are also called solstitiall circles ; that is circles of the sun-standings ; because that by reason of the insensible alteration of the declination of the ecliptick , for some space both before , and after the tropicall points , the sunne ( in respect of his meridian altitudes , or in respect of the motion he hath towards the north or south , by reason of the obliquity of the eclipticke ) seemeth to stand ( as it were ) for certaine dayes in those places . there be two tropicks , the tropick of cancer , and the tropicke of capricorne . the tropick of cancer , toucheth the ecliptick in the beginning of cancer , which is the most northerly point of the ecliptick : or it is the tropick described in the first mouable sphaere , by the summer solstitiall point . this circle is called the tropick of cancer , because it toucheth the ecliptick in the beginning of cancer . it is also called the summer tropick , and the tropick of the summer sun-standing , because that when the sunne commeth to it , the summer beginneth . it is called the north tropick , because it is in the north part of the world : and the circle of the high sunne-standing , because the sunne comming to it , is highest in the meridian , and next vnto our zenith which dwell in the north part of the world , without the tropicks . the tropick of capricorne is the tropick which toucheth the ecliptick in the first point of capricorne . it is called the tropick of capricorne , because it toucheth the ecliptick in the beginning of capricorne . it is called the winter tropicke and tropick of the winter sun-standing , because the sunne commeth to it in winter . it is also called the circle of the lowest sunne-standing , because that when the sunne commeth to this tropicke , it is furthest distant from our zenith , and hath his lowest height in the meridian . chap. xiiii . vses of the tropickes . 1. the tropicks shew the tropicall , or solstitiall points of the eclipticke : that is , the points wherein the sunne seemeth to stand , and beginneth to returne backe againe . 2. they bound out the greatest declinations of the sunne , which in our times is about 23. degrees and an halfe . 3. therefore they doe also bound out the obliquity of the ecliptick , for they are the bounds of the sunnes way , beyond which the sunne goeth not at any time . 4. the sunne comming to either of these circles , is either neerest , or furthest distant from our verticall point . 5. in an oblique sphaere , they measure out the shortest , and longest artificiall day and night . 6. the tropicks ( aswell in heauen as in earth , conteyne betwixt them the torrid zone , and separate it from the temperate . chap. xv. the polar circles . the two smallest circles that are next about the poles of the sphaere , are called the polar circles . they are drawne by the poles of the eclipticke , and are euery where equidistant from the equinoctiall , and from the poles of the sphaere . they are called polar circles , either because they are neere the poles of the sphaere , or else because they are described by the motion of the poles of the eclipticke . and therefore there be two polar circles , that is , so many as there are poles of the ecliptick : the polar circle artick , and the polar antartick . the articke polar circle , is that which passeth by the north pole of the ecliptick , or which is described by the north pole of the ecliptick being carried about with the motion of the first moueable sphaere . the antartick polar circle , is that which goeth by the south pole of the eclipticke , being described with the first motion by the antartick pole of the ecliptick . the distance of these polar circles from the poles of the sphaere , is equall to the distance of the tropicks from the equinoctiall , which in our time is about 23. degr . and an halfe : for so much as is the obliquity of the zodiack ( whereto the distance of the tropicks from the equinoctiall is alwayes equall ) so much are the poles of the ecliptick distant from the poles of the world . chap. xvi . vses of the polar circles . 1. the polar circles shew the poles of the zodiack , and shew their distance from the poles of the equinoctiall . 2. the temperate zones are bounded by these polar circles ; for the articke circle boundeth the north side of the north temperate zone ; and the antartick circle boundeth out the south side of the south temperate zone . 3. the polar circles separate the temperate zones , from the cold zones which they compasse round about , and inclose within them . therefore the foure lesser circles , that is the two polar circles , and the tropicks , deuide heauen and earth , into fiue zones . chap. xvii . of the zones . a zone is a space of heauen , or earth , conteyned betweene two of the smaller circles ; or inclosed within the compasse of either polar circle . they are called zones ( that is as much to say as girdles ) because they compasse about heauen or earth like a girdle . the zones are deuided by auncient writers into two kindes ; that is into temperate , and vntemperate zones . a temperate zone is the space of heauen or earth , conteyned betweene either of the tropicks , and the next polar circle . there be two temperate zones ; the one north , the other south . the north temperate zone is conteyned betweene the tropicke of cancer , and the artick polar circle . the south temperate zone is that which is conteyned betweene the tropicke of capricorne , and the antartick polar circle . they are called temperate zones , because they haue a better temperature of the ayre for the most part , and more meer for habitation , then the vntemperate zones . the bredth of eyther temperate zone is alwayes equall to the complement of the distance of the tropicks , and therefore in this age is about 43. degrees , that is 2580. english miles . there be two kinde of vntemperate zones , the one exceeding in heat , the other in cold , for the most part . the hot vntemperate zone , ( called also the torrid ; that is , the burnt or broyled zone ) is that space of heauen or earth , which is conteyned betweene the tropicks . it is called the burnt zone , because that by reason of the sunnes continuall going ouer that zone ; and casting his beames directly downe thereupon , it is scorched with ouer-much heat , and is not so meet to be inhabited as the temperate zones . the bredth of this zone is alwayes equall to the obliquitie of the zodiack , or greatest declination of the sunne , doubled ; which in our time is about 47. degrees , that is 2820. english miles . the cold or frozen zones , are the spaces of heauen or earth , conteyned within the polar circles . there be two cold zones , the one north , conteyned within the compasse of the articke circle : the other south , conteyned within the compasse of the antartick polar circle . these zones exceed in cold , because they want the sight of the sunne for a great part of the yeare , and when the sunne appeareth vnto them , his beames fall so obliquely vpon them , that they can ( in all likelyhood ) receiue but small heat thereby for the most part . the bredth of these zones is measured from the poles of the world to the polar circles , and therefore must alwayes bee so much as the polar circles are distant from the poles : that is , in our age about 23. degrees and a halfe , which make 1410. english miles . chap. xviii . the difference of shadowes that the sunne maketh in these zones . they that dwell in the torride zone , doe cast their shadowes which the sunne maketh at noone ( which we may therefore call their noone shadowes ) both towards the north , and towards the south : towards the north , when the sunne is betwixt their zenith and the south point of the horizon ; and towards the south , where the sunne is betweene their zenith and the north. for seeing the zenith of them that dwell in that zone is betweene the tropicks , the sunne must needs bee sometimes northwards from their zenith , and so make a south shadow : and sometime southwards , and then make a north shadow . for which cause they that inhabite this zone are called amphiscij ; that is , such as cast their noone shadowes on both sides . but they that dwell in the temperate zones , are called heteroscij ; that is , such as cast their shadowes at noone , one way onely . for they that dwell in the north temperate zone , haue the sunne alwayes at noone from their zenith southwards , and therefore must needs alwayes cast their noone shadowes northwards . whereas contrariwise they that inhabit the south temperate zone , hauing the sunne at noone alwayes northwards from their zenith , must needs haue their shadowes at noone , alwayes towards the south . and they that are in the cold zones , are called periscij ; that is , such as cast their shadowes round about them . for seeing the sunne continueth euery yeare for certaine dayes together , alwayes aboue their horizon , and therefore moueth round about them without setting : it must needs bee , that their shadowes also are carried round about them , falling towards all parts of the world in the space of 24. houres . * ⁎ * the second part . of the vses of the vppermost sphaere , and of the circles thereof joyntly . prop. i. to rectifie the sphaere to the latitude . &c. first finde by obseruation , or otherwise the height of the pole , or latitude of that place for which you would rectifie the sphaere . then ( by turning about the meridian of the sphaere ; lift vp or put downe the north pole of the sphaere ( about which the houre circle is fastened ) till the arch of the meridian from the north part of the horizon vpwards vnto the pole , be iust so many degrees as the eleuation of the pole or latitude of the place was found to be : for so haue you the sphaere duly rectified . as for example , the latitude of the citie of london is 51. degrees and 32. minutes , therefore if you lift vp the north pole of the sphaere , aboue the north part of the horizon , so many degrees and minutes you shall haue your sphaere rectified for that place . prop. ii. to know the place of the sunne ; &c. looke the day of the moneth ( for which you desire to know the place of the sunne ) in the horizon , and see what signe and degree of the zodiacke vpon the horizon answereth thereto ; for there haue you the place of the sunne . take for example the 25. of december : looke this day therefore in the horizon , and you shall finde answerable thereto 13. degrees , and about 40. minutes of capricorne , which is the place of the sunne at that time . prop. iii. to know the declination of the sunne , &c. bring the point whose declination you desire to know , vnto the meridian of the sphaere , and look what number of degrees and minutes of the meridian is conteyned betweene that point , and the equinoctiall , for so much is the declination . as if you would know the declination of the 10. degree of taurus , bring that degree to the meridian , and you shall finde the arch of the meridian between that degree and the equinoctiall , to be 14. degrees and about 51. minutes . prop. iiii. to know the right ascention of the sunne , &c. bring that point ( as before ) to the meridian , and see then how many degrees and minutes of the equinoctiall are conteyned betweene the beginning of aries and the meridian : for that is the right ascension of that point . so you shall finde the right ascension of the 10. degr . of taurus to be 37. degr . 35. min. for if you bring that degree of taurus to the meridian , you shall finde so many degrees and min. between the beginning of aries , and the meridian . prop. v. to know the oblique ascension of the sunne , &c. set the sphaere to the eleuation of the place for which you desire to know the oblique ascension ; then bring the sunne , starre , or point whose oblique ascention you would know , vnto the east semicircle of the horizon , and looke how many degrees and minutes of the equinoctiall circle , are conteyned between the east point of the horizon , and the beginning of aries ; for so much is the oblique ascension desired : as for example , if you see the sphaere to the latitude of london 51. degr . 32. min. and then bring the 10. degree of taurus to the east part of the horizon , you shall finde about 19. degrees and an halfe of the equinoctiall , at the same east part of the horizon ; which is the oblique ascension of that degree of taurus , for the latitude of the citie of london . prop. vi. to finde the difference of ascension . compare the right and oblique ascensions of the sunne , ( or of any point of the zodiacke ) together , and subtract the lesse from the greater , for the remainder shall bee the difference of ascension . as for example , the right ascension of the 10. degree of taurus , being found by the 4. propo. to be 37. degrees , 35. min. and the oblique ascention of the same degree at london , by the 5. prop. 19. degree 30. min. by subtraction of the lesse out of the greater , the difference shall be found to be 18. degr . and 5. minutes , which is the difference of ascension sought for . prop. vii . to finde at what time the sunne riseth or setteth . reduce the difference of ascention into houres and minutes ( taking for euery 15 degrees 1. houre , and for euery one degree that remayneth 4. minutes , and for euery minute of a degree 4 seconds ) for these houres , minutes and seconds , being added to 6. houres , if the sunne bee in any of the south signes ; or subtracted , if hee be in the north signes , sheweth the time of the sun-rising . and contrariwise , the same houres and minutes subtracted from sixe houres when the sunne is in the south signes , or added when he is in the north signes , sheweth the the time of the sunne-setting . as for example , the sunne being in the 10. degree of taurus which happeneth about the 20. or 21. day of aprill ) i would know at what houre and minute the sunne riseth , and setteth at london : hauing therefore found by the former proposition the difference of ascention to be 18. degr . and 5. minutes i take for 15. degrees thereof one houre , and for the three degr . remaining , 12. minutes of an houre , and for the 5. minutes , 20. seconds of an houre . which houre , minutes and seconds being subtracted out of 6. houres , because the sunne is in a north signe , there remaineth the time of the sunnes rising at 4. a clocke 47. minutes , 40. seconds . and adding the same houre , min. and seconds to 6. houres , you haue the time of the sun-setting that day at 7. a clocke , 12. min. and 20. seconds . prop. viii . to finde the length of the artificiall day or night . the artificiall day , is the time conteyned between the sun-rising and the sun-setting : and the artificiall night is the time betweene sunne-setting and sun-rising . the length of both these is found after this manner : hauing found the difference of ascension , and reduced it into houres and minutes ( as in the former proposition ) double th●se houres and minutes , and adde them to 12. houres if the sunne be in the north signes , or subtract them from 12. houres if the sunne be in the south signes , for so shall you haue the length of the day : but ( contrariwise ) subtract the same houres and minutes ( being doubled ) from 12. houres , the sunne being in the north signes ; and adde them to 12. houres when he is in the south-signes ; so haue you the length of the night . or else , double the time of the sun-setting , so haue you the length of the day . and double the time of the sun-rising , so haue you the length of the right . as the time of the sun-rising being found by the former proposition to be 4 houres 48. minutes after mignight at london , the sunne being in the 10. degr . of taurus , by doubling the time of the sun-rising , the length of the night shall be found to be 9. houres and 36. minutes . and doubling the time of the sun-setting that is 7. houres , and 12. minutes , you haue the length of the day , 14. houres ; and 24. minutes . prop. ix . to know the time of the sun rising and sun setting . the place of the sunne being found by the 2. proposition , bring the same to the meridian , and withall set the point of the index of the houre circle , to the 12. houre in the same circle : then bring the place of the sunne to the horizon eastwards ; and the point of the houre index shall shew you in the houre circle , the time of the sun-rising . but if you bring the place of the sunne to the horizon westwards , the point of the index will shew in the houre circle the time of the sun-setting . as for example , the sunne being in the 10. degree of taurus , bring the same degree to the meridian , and bring the point of the houre index also to the meridian : then ( the sphaere being set to the latitude of london ) bring the same 10. degree of taurus to the east part of the horizon , for then the houre index will shew you in the houre circle , that the sunne riseth at 4. of the clocke and 48. minutes . and bringing the same degree to the west semicircle of the horizon , the same index will shew the time of the sun-setting to be 7. houres and 12. min. after noone . prop. x. to finde the length of the artificiall day or night . bring the place of the sun ( being found as before to the east semicircle of the horizon : set the houre index 12. a clocke in the houre circle : turne about the sphaere from the east westwards , till the place of the sunne come to the horizon , and marke how many houres the index hath runne ouer vpon the houre circle in the meane time , for so much is the length of the day . and to finde the length of the night : bring the place of the sunne to the west semicircle of the horizon , and set the index to 12. a clocke as before ; then turning forwards the sphaere from east westward till the place of the sunne come to the east semicircle of the horizon ; see how many houres the index passeth ouer in the houre-circle , for so many houres long is the night . as for example ; supposing the sunne to be as before in the 10. degree of taurus , bring the same degree to the east part of the horizon , and the point of the index to the meridian : then turning about the sphaere , till the same degree come to the west part of the horizon ; you shall finde that in the meane time , the point of the index shal passe ouer 14. houres and 24. minutes , which is the length of the day . likewise , if you bring the same 10. degr . of taurus to the west part of the horizon , and the index to the meridian , and turne about the sphaere , till that degree come to the east semicircle of the horizon , the number of houres that the index runneth ouer in the meane time vpon the houre circle , shall be found to bee 9. degrees , and 36. minutes . prop. xi . to know the meridian altitude , or the height of the sunne at noone , for any time and place . set the sphaere to the latitude of the place where you d●sire to know the sunnes height at noone : bring the place of the sunne ( being found as before by the 2. prop. ) to the meridian , then see how many degrees of the meridian , are contayned betweene the horizon , and the place of the sunne , for so much is the height of the sunne at noone . in like sort it may be knowne how much the sunne is vnder the horizon at midnight , after this manner : bring the place of the sunne in the zodiacke to the meridian vnder the horizon , and see how many degrees of the meridian , are contayned betweene the vpper-side of the horizon , and the place of the sunne downewards : and so shall you haue that you sought for . or else if you cannot well come to the meridian vnder the horizon : bring that point of the eclipticke which is opposite to the place of the sunne , vnto the meridian aboue the horizon ; for the arch of the meridian , or the number of degrees and minutes of the meridian , betweene that point and the horizon sheweth how much the sunne is vnder the horizon at midnight . after this manner ▪ the sunne being in the 10. degr . of taurus , you shall find that his meridian altitude at london is 53. degrees , and about one halfe . as also that hee is vnder the horizon at midnight about 23. degrees and a halfe at london . prop. xii . to know how high the sunne is aboue the horizon at any time of the day . bring the place of the sun ( found by the 2. prop. ) to the meridian : set the houre index to 12. a clock vpon the houre circle : turne the sphaere about till the index come to the houre at which you desire to know the height of the sunne aboue the horizon ; take the distance of the place of the sunne from the horizon with a large payre of compasses : then set both feet of the compasses in the ecliptick , and looke how many degrees are conteyned betweene them , for so much is the height of the sunne . thus may you finde by the sphaere , that when the sunne is in the tenth degree of taurus , his height at 10. of the clocke in the fore-noone ( the sphaere being duly rectified by the first proposition ) shall be about 45. degrees and an halfe at london . prop. xiii . to finde the houre of the day by the height of the sunne ; &c. set the pole artick of the sphaere to his eleuation for that place where you desire to know the houre of the day : bring the place of the sunne in the zodiack to the meridian , and the houre index to 12. a clocke of the houre circle : take so many degrees of the ecliptick betweene the feet of your compasses , as the height of the sunne amounteth vnto . then set one foot of your compasses in the place of the sunne , and turne the sphaere about , eastwards , if it be in the fore-noone , or west-wards , if in the after-noone , till you can but onely touch the horizon with the other foot of your compasses ; for then the index pointeth out the houre of the day in the houre circle . as suppose you obserue the height of the sun being in the 10. degr . of taurus , and find him to bee 30. degrees high in the fore-noone : you shall find ( following the directions prescribed in this proposition ) that it shall then be about 8. of the clocke in the morning . prop. xiiii . to finde the amplitude or bredth of the sunnes rising , or setting , &c. the pole of the sphaere being set to his eleuation , and the place of the sunne to the east semicircle of the horizon : see how many degrees of the horizon , are contayned betweene the place of the sunne , and the true east point , for so you shall haue the bredth of the sunnes rising . thus the sunne being in the 10. degree of taurus , you shall find by the sphaere , that ( for the latitude of london ) hee riseth about 23. degr . and a halfe northwards , from the true east point , and that hee setteth as many degrees towards the north , from the true west point . prop. xv. to finde the place of the sunne , &c. the quarter of the yeare being knowne , bring the quarter of the eclipticke that is answerable thereto , vnder the meridian ; and turne the sphaere to or fro , till there bee so many degrees and minutes of the meridian , conteyned betweene the ecliptick and the equator , as the declination commeth to : then looke what degree of the ecliptick is vnder the meridian , for that is the place of the sunne . as suppose the declination of the sun in some day of the spring-time of the yeare be found to bee 14. degr . 51. min. ( turning therefore the sphaere to and fro , till some part of the spring quarter of the ecliptick , come right vnder that degree and minute of declination in the meridian ) you may finde that the sunne is then in the tenth degree of taurus . prop. xvi . to finde what day of the moneth it is , &c. the place of the sunne being found by his declination ( as is already shewed ) seeke the place of the sunne in the horizon of the sphaere , and looke what day is answerable thereto , for that is the day of the moneth which was sought for . as the place of the sunne being found by his declination ( as is shewed in the former proposition ) to be in the 10. degree of taurus , the day of the moneth shall thus be found to be the 21. of aprill . prop. xvii . the day of the moneth being knowne , to finde at what time the day breaketh . finde the place of the sunne ( by the 2. prop. ) and bring it to the meridian , then bring the houre index , to 12. a clocke vpon the houre circle . finde out also the point of the eclipticke that is right ouer against the place of the sunne : then take betweene the feet of your compasses 17. degrees of the eclipticke , and setting one foot of the compasses in the point opposite to the place of the sunne , turne the sphaere westwards , till you can but onely touch the horizon with the other foot , for then the index sheweth in the houre circle at what time the day breaketh . so the 21. of aprill , the sun being in the 10 degr . of taurus , you shall finde that the day breaketh about halfe an houre past 2. of the clocke in the morning . prop. xviii . to finde how long the twylight continueth . finde out by the former prop. at what time the day breaketh , and learne also at what time the sunne riseth by the 7. or 9. prop. then subtract the lesser from the greater , and there shall remayne the length of the twylight . or else thus : hauing brought the point that is opposite to the place of the sunne to be 17. degrees aboue the horizon west-wards , in such sort as is shewed in the former proposition ; and keeping the sphaere in that position , bring about the point of the houre index vnto 12. a clocke vpon the houre circle ; then tune the sphaere westwards vntill the degree or point of the eclipticke that is opposite to the place of the sunne come to the horizon : and see how many houres the point of the index hath runne ouer in the meane time vpon the houre circle : for so many houres continueth the twylight . by eyther of these wayes , the sunne being in the 10. degr . of taurus , you shall finde that the twylight ( that is the time from the breake of the day till sun-rise ) is about 2. houres and 20. minutes . prop. xix . to finde how much the declination of the sunne must alter at any time of the yeare , to make the day an houre longer or shorter . bring the place of the sunne ( found by the second prop. ) to the east semicircle of the horizon , and marke what degree or point of the horizon it falleth vpon ; bring one of the colures to the same degree or point , and there make a pricke in that colure ; and holding the sphaere immoueable , ) marke withall what degree of the equinoctiall , or of eyther of the tropickes is then at the horizon : then turne the sphaere 7. degrees and an halfe forwards , towards the west , if the dayes shorten : but contrariwise if the dayes lengthen ; and holding the sphaere there immoueable , make another prick in the colure at the horizon : for the distance of these two prickes in the colure taken with the compasses and brought to the ecliptick , or equinoctiall , sheweth how much the sunnes declination must alter to make the day an houre longer , if the dayes increase ; or shorter , if they decrease . after this manner you shall finde that the sunne being in the 10. degree of taurus , his declination must increase about 5. degrees , ( or little more ) to make the day an houre longer ; but when the sunne is in the 20. degree of pisces , his declination , or rather his meridian altitude , must increase about 6. degrees to make the day an houre longer : and when hee is in the beginning of capricorne , his declination decreaseth scarce 5. degrees to make the day an houre longer . prop. xx. to find how many dayes it is ere the day lengthen or shorten an houre . bring the foresaid prickes ( made in the colure by the former proposition ) vnto the meridian , and there make two markes iustly answerable vnto those prickes in the colure : turne about the sphaere till the eclipticke line come iust vnder one of those markes , and there make a pricke in the eclipticke : then againe turne the sphaere till the ecliptick come iust vnder the other marke made in the meridian , and there make another pricke in the eclipticke : ( but here it is to bee noted , that whereas the eclipticke may be brought vnder that marke whether way soeuer you turne the sphaere , it must ( i say be noted that the sphaere must be turned that way which may soonest bring the eclipticke vnder that marke . ( lastly , finde out amongst the signes and degrees described vpon the horizon , the like arch to this , that is contayned betweene these prickes in the eclipticke : for the number of dayes answerable to this arch in the horizon , is the time wherein the day groweth an houre longer or shorter . thus shall you finde , that when the sunne is in the beginning of aries , it will bee about 18. dayes after , ere the day be one houre longer . but when the sun is in the beginning of capricorne , you shall finde that it will be almost twice so much , that is neare 34. dayes before the day will be an houre longer . hereby therefore the error of them manifestly appeareth , which thinke that in euery 15. dayes , the day is lengthened or shortened an houre , whereas indeed the lengthning or shortning of the dayes , keepeth no such rule . for when the sunne is about the equinoctiall points , the dayes lenghthen or shorten very fast : but when he is neere the tropicall points , they grow longer or shorter very slowly . prop. xxi . to make an horizontall diall . set the sphaere to the eleuation of the place for which you would make the diall turne about the sphaere , till the solstitiall colure be 15. degrees ( measured in the equinoctiall ) from the meridian ; and where the colure crosseth the horizon , there make a prick ; then turne the colure yet 15. degr . further , that is 30. degrees from the meridian ; and where the colure crosseth the horizon , there make an other prick : againe turne the colure forwards yet 15. deg . more , ( that is 45. degrees from the meridian ) and at the common meeting of the colure and horizon , make the third prick in the horizon ; and so proceed with the rest , till you haue made so many pricks on that side of the horizon as there are houres in halse the longest day . then looke how many degrees the first , second , third , fourth pricks , &c. are from the meridian , for so many degrees must the houre lines of 11. a clocke , and one a clocke ; of 10. and 2 , of 9. and 3. of 8. and 4. &c. be from the 12. a clock line in the horizontall dyall . after this manner in an horizontall diall made for the latitude of london , ( which is 51. degr . and 32. minutes ( you shall finde the distances of all the rest of the houre-lines from the 12. a clocke line as followeth : betwixt twelue and 11. and twelue and 1. are conceyned 12. degrees almost : betweene 12. and 10. and 12. and 2. there are conteyned 14. degr . and an halfe : betweene 12. and 9. and 12. and 3. 38. degr . betweene 12. and 8. and 12. and 4. 53. degr . betweene 12. and 7. and 12. and 5. 70. degrees and an halfe . betweene 12. and 6. both before and after noone , 90. degr . the other houre spaces before 6. in the morning ; and after 6. in the euening , are equall to the houre spaces after sixe in the morning , and before 6. in the afternoone . prop. xxii . how to make a direct mural diall . set the pole artick of the sphaere so much vnder the horizon as is the complement of the poles eleuation : the horizon therefore being thus set as it were to the zenith of the sphaere , and so representing the verticall circle of east and west ( that is the plaine super fices of a direct mural diall ) you shall finde the distances of all the houre-lines , ( both before and after noone ) from the 12. a clock line , in such sort as you did before for the horizontall dial. so you shall finde the distances of the houre-lines in an erect direct murall dial made for the latitude of london to bee as followeth : betweene the twelue a clock line and the lines of 11. and 1. 9 , degr . and about one third part of a degree : betweene 12. and 10. and 12. and 2. 19. degrees and one quarter ; betweene 12. and 9. and 12. and 3. 32. degr . or little more : betweene 12. and 8. and 12. and 4. 48. degrees : betweene 12. and 7. and 12. and 5. 67. degr . or little more : betweene 12. and 6. both before and afternoone 90. degrees . prop. xxiii . how to make any direct inclining , or direct reclining dial. reckon from the equinoctiall vpwards in the meridian , so many degrees as the height of the pole commeth to at that place where you would make your diall ; for there is the verticall point or zenith of that place : from this zenith reckon southwards in the meridian , the inclination of south dials , and the reclination of north dialls ; but contrarywise , reckon from the zenith northwards the inclination of north dialls , and the reclination of south dialls . then bring that degree of the meridian , where this reckoning endeth to the horizon , for so the horizon representeth vnto you the plaine or the flat superficies of the diall which you would make . therefore you shall finde how 〈…〉 euery one of the houre lines should be dist●●● from the 12. a clock line , in such sort as you did before in making the horizontall diall . thus in a south direct diall inclining 30. degr . or in a north direct reclining 30. degrees made for the latitude or eleuation of the pole at london , you may finde the distances of the eleuen a clock line , and of the one a clock line , from the 12. a clock line , to be about 14. degrees . but the houre lines of 10. in the forenoone , and of 2. in the afternoon , are distant from the 12. a clock line 28. degr . & one halfe ; from 12. to 9. and to 3. you shall find 43. deg . from 12. to 8. in the forenoone , and 4. in the afternoone , you shall haue 58. deg . & an halfe : also from 12. to 7. & to 5. shall be about 74. deg . and from 12. to 6. in the morning , & 6. afternoone 90. degrees . likewise in a south direct reclining , or north direct inclining 20. deg . for the eleuation of london ; the spaces between 12. & 11. & 12. & 1. shall be about 5. deg . or little lesse : between 12 , & 10. & 12 , & ● . about 10. deg . & ● . third parts . from 12 , to 9. in the forenoone , & 3. in the afternoon , 18. almost ▪ from 12. to 8. & 4. ●g . deg . or little more . from the 1● . a clock line ; to the line of 7. a clock in the forenoone , & 5. in the afternoone , 50. deg . or thereabouts . from 12. to 6. both before and afternooe ▪ 90. deg . as in the former kindes of d● . in all which it is to be noted , that there is alwaies 〈◊〉 distance betweene the houre lines of 5 , & ● . & 4 , & 6. that there is betweene 7 , & 6. and 8 , & 6. in the forenoone , and betweene 5 , & ● . & 4 , & ● . and 7 , & 6. & 8 , & 6. in the afternoone . so as the distances of all the houre lines from the 12. a clock line being found from 6. in the morning , till 6. at night , the distances of the other houre-lines before 6. in the morning , and after 6. at night shall easily be had . prop. xxiiii . to know at what time the moone , or any other of the planets or fixed stars , that are within the bredth of the zodiack ; rise or set , or come to the meridian , &c. finde the place of the moone , or any other of the planets , both in longitude and latitude , by the epheme●ides : and finde the place ( that is , the longitude and latitude ) of any of the fixed star●es in the zodiack by some table of the fixed starres , or otherwise ; and marke the same place of the moone ; planet or starre , in the zodiack of the sphaere : and hauing set the sphaere to the latitude of the place , bring the place of the sunne ( found by the 2. proposition ) to the meridian , and the houre-index to 12. a clock vpon the houre-circle● , then turne the sphaere till the place of the moone , planet or starre marked in the zodiack , come to the east semi-circle of the horizon ; for then the index sheweth the time when the moone , or that planet or fixed starre riseth . al●● the number of degree in the horizon , contayned betweene the point of the moones , planets , or starres rising , and the point of true east , sheweth the bredth , ●●denesse , or amplitude of rising ; and you may at the same instant , 〈◊〉 , what degree of the ecliptick riseth with any of them , and what the oblique ascension of any of them is : for if you tell hour many degrees of the equinoctiall are 〈…〉 betweene the beginning of aries in the horizon , proceeding eastwards , or according to the order of the signes : you shall haue the oblique ascension of the moone , planet or starre , that 〈…〉 for . but bring the same place of the moone , planet , or starre to the meridian , and the index sheweth in the houre circle at what time they come to the meridian : where you may also see , first what degree of the zodiath middeth heauen ( that is , 〈◊〉 to the meridian ) with any of them ; secondly , you may see how much the declination of any of them is ; for count how many degrees of the meridian are contayned betweene the equinoctiall and the place of the moone , planet , or fixed starre , and so much is the declination . thirdly , you may there see what the right ascension of any of them is : for the place of any of them being brought to the meridian and there 〈◊〉 , r●ckon eastwards how many degrees of the equinoctiall are contayned betweene the beginning of aries and the meridian , so haue you the right ascension . lastly , bring the place of the moone , planet or star , to the west semi-circle of the horizon ; for then the index sheweth the time of their setting ; and the number of the degrees of the horizon betweene the point where any of them setteth , and the equinoctiall , or true west point ( where the equinoctiall , and horizon crosse each other ) is the amplitude or bredth of the setting of any of them , shewing how much they set from the true west point . you may there also see what degree ; either of the ecliptick , or of the equinoctiall , setteth with any of the● and consequently you may know the oblique descension of any of them , by reckoning how many degr . of the equinoctiall there are from the beginning of aries eastwards , till you come about to the west part of the horizon . take for example the great starre called the bulls eye , whose place in longitude is about the 4. degr . of taurus , and his latitude about 5. degrees and an halfe southwards . following therefore the directions prescribed in this proposition , you shall finde that vpon the first day of aprill this present yeare , 1600. the same starre riseth here at london about halfe an houre past 7. of the clock in the morning , and setteth about a quarter of an houre past 10. at night , and commeth to the meridian about 3. a clock afternoone : also you shall finde that it riseth with the 15. degree of gemini , and setteth with the last degr . of taurus , and commeth to the meridian , or middeth heauen , with the 5. deg . of gemini : thirdly you shall finde his declination to be about 15. deg . and 2. third parts , his right ascension 63. degr . and a quarter , his oblique asce●sion 43. degr . and his oblique descension about 84. deg . and an halfe : and lastly his amplitude of bredth of rising or letting about 25. degr . and an halfe from the true east and west points towards the north. prop. xxv . to know how long the moone , or any of the planets of fixed stars doe shine or continue aboue the horizon . the sphaere bring set up the latitude of the place , and the place of the moone , planet , or fixed starre , being found and marked in the zodiack , hoth in longitude and latitude , ( as in the 〈◊〉 prop. ) bring the place of the moone , planet , or star , 〈◊〉 east semi-circle of the horizon , and the index of houres to 12. a clock : then 〈◊〉 about the sphaere west-wards , till the same place of the moone , or 〈◊〉 the same planet , or starre , come to the west semi-circle of the horizon , and marke 〈◊〉 how many houres the index runneth ouer in the meane time vpon the houre circle , for so many houres continueth the moone , planet , or starre aboue the horizon . thus shall you finde that the foresaid 〈…〉 the bulls eye 〈…〉 the horizon at london , about 14. 〈…〉 and 3. quarters . prop. xxvi . to finde which of the planets or fixed starres are aboue or vnder the horizon at any time , &c. the place of the plantes or fixed starres being marked in the zodiack of the sphaere , as in the former propositions , and the place of the sunne brought to the meridian , and then the index to 12. 〈…〉 sphaere 〈◊〉 the index 〈◊〉 to that houre vpon the houre 〈◊〉 at which you desire to know what planets are aboue or vnder the horizon ; and then hold still the sphaere , and marke what planets or starres are aboue or vnder the horizon in the sphaere for the same planets or starres are aboue or vnder the horizon in the heauens . as for example : the 1. of aprill 1600 at 9. of the clocke at night , you may by the proposition finde ; that the most part of the fixed starres , that are in the constestation of taurus , gemini , cancer , leo , virgo , and libra , together with the three superiour planets , 〈◊〉 , ●upiter , & mars , are at 〈…〉 to be seene aboue the horizon , and that the rest of the planets and fixed stars , that are within the compasse of the zodiack , are vnder the horizon , and cannot then be seene . prop. xxvii . to finde in what time any signe or part of the ecliptick riseth or setteth . bring the beginning of the signe , or part of the ecliptick to the east semi-circle of the horizon , if you would know in how long time it riseth , or to the west part of the horizon , if you would know in what time it setteth ; then set the index to 12. a clock , and turne forwards the sphaere , till the whole signe or part of the zodiack be risen , or set : for then the index sheweth vpon the houre circle in how long time , that signe or part of the zodiack riseth or setteth . thus you may finde ( for example ) that the whole signe of aries here at london riseth in one houre or somewhat lesse , and setteth in two houres and three quarters , or something more : and that the whole quarter of the zodiack , from the beginning of aries to the beginning of cancer , riseth in lesse then foure houres , but setteth in more then 8. houres . prop. xxviii . to finde the houre of the night by any of the planets or fixed starres in the zodiack , &c. the place ( that is to say , the longitude & latitude ) of any planet , or fixed starre in the zodiacke , that is aboue the horizon , being first found , and marked in the zodiack of the sphaere ; bring the place of the sunne ( found by the 2. proposition ) to the meridian , and the index to 12. a clocke vpon the houre circle : then hauing found the height of the starre , or planet by obseruation , and the sphaere also being set to the latitude of the place of obseruation , take betweene the feet of your compasses , so many degrees of the ecliptick , or equinoctiall , as the height of the planet , or starre obserued , commeth to ; and setting one foote of your compasses in the place of the planet , or fixed starre that you obserued in th zodiack , turne the sphaere forwards or backwards , till you can but onely touch the horizon with the other foot : for then the index in the houre circle , shall shew you the houre of the night . suppose ( for example ) i should obserue the height of the foresaid bulles eye , and should finde the same to be 29. degrees the first day of march at euening : finding therefore the place of that starre in the zodiack of the sphaere , and bringing it ( with helpe of the compasses ) to the height obserued ( hauing first set the place the sunne and houre-index both together to the meridian ) the index of the houres will shew , that when that starre hath that height of 29. degrees , it is about 9. of the clock at night . prop. xxix . to know at any time of the yeare , what stars in the zodiack , arise or set , cosmically , achronically , or heliacally . svch stars as rise together with the sunne , are said to rise cosmically : and such stars as set when the sunne riseth , are said to set cosmically ; but those stars which set together with the sun , set achronycally ; and those stars that rise when the sunne setteth , are said to rise achronically . lastly , those starres that rise a little before the sunne , rise heliacally ; and those that set a little after the sunne , set heliacally . all which may thus bee found : bring the place of the sunne to the east semicircle of the horizon : for the stars that are then a little aboue the horizon rise heliacally ; but those that are in the horizon in the east , rise cosmically ; and they that are in the west semicircle of the horizon set cosmically : but bring the place of the sunne to the west semicircle of the horizon , for those starres as are at the west part of the horizon at the same time , set achronycally ; but those that are then in the east semicircle of the horizon , rise achronycally : and they which are a little aboue the west semicircle of the horizon set heliacally . thus you may know that vpon the 26. or 27. day of may ( it our latitude of london ) the bulles eye riseth cosmically , and the starres in serpentarius his right foot , set cosmically , you may see also that the same day the starre in the bulls south horne setteth achronycally : and the northermost starre in serpentarius his right foot , riseth achronycally : and lastly , you may finde that about the same time the ple●ades and the starre in the bulls north home , rise heliacally , and that the same starre also , and the former twinnes feet set heliacally . prop. xxx . to finde the foure principall or cardinall points of heauen ( as the astrologians call them ) at any time . these foure cardinall points are nothing else but foure points of the ecliptick , whereof one is at the east part of the horizon , ascending , and is therefore called the ascendent : another is at the vpper part of the meridian aboue the horizon , and is called the midst of heauen , and the hart of heauen : the third is at the west part of the horizon descending , and may be therfore called the descendent : the fourth point is that which is at the nether part of the meridian vnder the horizon . which foure points are the beginnings of the first , tenth , seuenth , and fourth houses . therefore to finde these points at any time by the sphaere , bring the place of the sunne ( being found for that time by the 2. proposition ) to the meridian , and the index to 12. a clocke : then turne the sphaere till the index come to that houre at which you desire to know those foure points , and there hold the sphaere that it moue not : and looke withall , what points of the ecliptick are at the east and west semicircle of the horizon ; and at the vpper and nether parts of the meridian : for those bee the foure principall or cardinall points you sought for . take for example the time of the sunnes entrance into aries this present yeare 1600. which was vpon the tenth day of march about eight of the clocke in the morning , or little after with vs here at london , hauing therefore brought the beginning of aries together with the houre index to the meridian , and then turned back the whole sphaere till the index come to 8. of the clocke vpon the houre circle : you shall finde the ascendent at that time , to be the 27. degree of taurus ; the middest or hart of heauen , the 27. of capricorne ▪ the descendent , the 27. deg . of scorpio ; and the lowest part of heauen the 27. degree of cancer . prop. xxxi . to finde out the bredth of any climate , &c. lift vp , or put downe the pole of the sphaere , till you finde that there are 7. deg . and an halfe of the tropick of cancer , more or lesse aboue the horizon , then there were before ; and marke with all how much the pole of the sphaere is raised , or let fall in the meane time , more then it was before ; for so much is the bredth of that climate . as far example : hauing set the sphaere to our latitude of london of 51. deg . and an halfe , with the point of your compasses , holding and guiding some point of the tropick of cancer right vnder the horizon ; then lifting vp the pole till you finde 7. degrees and an halfe more aboue the horizon then were before , you shall finde the pole eleuated about 2. degr . and an halfe more then it was before . likewise , if you put downe the pole till there be 7. degrees and an halfe of the tropicke of cancer , fewer aboue the horizon then was before ; you shall finde the eleuation of the pole to be about 3. degrees lesse then before . prop. xxxii . the reason of the inequalitie of naturall dayes , &c. the reason hereof is shewed partly by the inequality of the differences of right ascentions answerable to equall arcks of the zodiack ; and partly by the vnequall apparent motion of the sunne . for the first : the differences of right ascentions answerable to the parts of the ecliptick , about the tropicall points of cancer and capricorne , are much greater then about the equinoctiall points of aries and libra . in so much that whereas the difference of right ascension answerable to one signe , or 30. degrees taken about those tropicall points , is more then 32. degrees and an halfe : about the equinoctiall points it is little more then 27. degrees and an halfe ; as it may appeare by the sphaere . so as you may hereby gather , that the difference of ascention answerable to one degree , which about the beginning of capricorne is one degree , and about 6. minutes ; about the beginning of aries , or libra , is onely 55 minutes . secondly , the apparent motion of the sun is much swifter about his parig●●● , in the signe of capricorne , then about his apogaeum in cancer , or in other parts of the zodiacke : so that whereas the sunne being in capricorne moueth 61. minutes and something more in a day : in aries or libra he moueth but 59. min. or very little more in the same time . therefore seeing the naturall day is nothing else , but the time wherein the sunne moueth from the meridian about , till it returne again to the same part of the meridian ; it must needs bee that alwayes in one naturall day , there is made one whole reuolution of the equinoctiall circle , and so much more as is the difference of right ascention answerable to the apparent motion of the sun in the meane time : which differences of ascention because they be vnequall , for the two causes before alledged ; the naturall dayes must needs also bee vnequall , the motion of the equinoctiall circle about his owne center being ( as it hath beene alwayes supposed to be ) equall , that is mouing alwayes an equall space in equall time . which by this example may most plainly appeare : the sunne being in capricorne moueth 61. minutes in a naturall day : difference of ascention agreeable thereto is 67. minutes , or something more . therefore at that time , in the space of one naturall day , the equinoctial circle must make one full reuolution , and 67. minutes more . but when the sun is in aries , mouing onely 59. minutes in a day , and the difference of right ascention answerable thereto , scarce 54. minutes more then one reuolution of the equinoctiall circle ; there shall passe onely 54. minutes more in a naturall day ; so as here the equinoctiall circle moueth not about so much in one day as before by 13. minutes . seeing then that 15. degr . or little more of the equinoctiall circle doe passe the meridian in euery houre , and consequently one degree of the equinoctiall passeth the meridian in 4. minutes of an houre , and one minute of a degree in 4. seconds of an houre ; therefore 13. minutes of the equinoctiall shall passe the meridian in 52. seconds : that is , almost in one minute of an houre : whereby it manifestly appeareth that the naturall day , that is to say , the space of 24. houres , which is the time wherein the sunne moueth from the noone-stead to the same noone-stead againe , is in our age greater almost by one minute of an houre , when the sunne is in capricorne , then when hee is in aries or libra ▪ prop. xxxiii . to finde by the sphaere how much the naturall dayes are longer at one time of the yeare then at another . for this purpose it will be best to take a good number of dayes together ; as for example , take the whole moneth of december , and the whole moneth of march : both which moneths consist of the same number of 31. naturall dayes : find the place of the sunne for the beginning and ending of both moneths , which you may finde by the second proposition to be for the beginning of march this present yeare 1600. about 20. degrees and 13. minutes of pisces ; and for the ending about 20. degr . 48. minutes of aries : also for the beginning of december the same yeare 18. degr . 46. minutes of s●gitarie ; and for the ending , 20. degrees 24. minutes of capricorne : then seeke out the right ascensions of the same places of the sunne for the beginnings and endings of both those moneths by the fourth proposition , and the differences of ascension answerable to the motion of the sunne in each moneth , by the sixt proposition ; which you may finde by the sphaere to be about 33. degrees , 24 ▪ minutes for december , and 28. degrees , 39. minutes for march. lastly , finde out the difference of these differences of ascension by substracting the lesser out of the greater ; which in this example is 4. degrees 45. minutes ; which resolued into minutes of an houre , by taking for euery degree 4. minutes of an houre , and for euery 15. minutes of a degree , one minute of an houre shall amount to 19. minutes of an houre , that is a quarter of an houre and 4. minutes . and so much is the moneth of december longer then the moneth of march ; notwithstanding both of them consist of the same number of 31. naturall dayes . the third part. of the orbes whereof the sphaeres of the sunne and moone haue beene imagined to bee made , and of their motions and vses . chap. i. of the orbes whereof the sphare of the sunne is made . within the sphaere or orbe contayning all the circles that wee haue hitherto spoken of , and representing vnto vs the primum mobile ; that is , the first and highest moueable heauen , that hath been imagined by the astronomers , to shew the reason of that daily motion , which appeareth to bee in all the heauens , and of all the apparences that follow thereupon , are included the sphaeres and orbes of the sunne and moone . the sphaere of the sunne contayneth three orbes : the vppermost of them ( which in this sphaere is signified by the yellow circle that commeth next within the compasse of the zodiacke ) is called deferens apogaeum solis ; that is , the orbe which carrieth about that point , wherein the sunne is furthest distant from the earth . next within this orbe is placed the eccentrick carying about the body of the sunne ; which in this sphaere is represented by the greene coloured circle that commeth next vnder the deferens apogaeum . againe , within this eccentrick is included the third orbe of the sphaere of the sunne called deferens perigaeum solis ; that is , the orbe carying about that point wherein the sun is nearest to the earth . this is the nethermost of the three orbes of the sunne , and in this sphaere is represented vnto you by the yellow coloured circle next vnder the sunnes eccentricke . chap. ii. of the vppermost and nethermost orbes of the sphaere of the sunne , more particularly . in the vppermost and nethermost of these three orbes , there be 4. points especially to bee considered : that is , the points where they bee narrowest and where they be broadest , and where they are of a meane bredth betwixt the narrowest and broadest . for at the narrowest part of the vppermost orbe , where you may see written aux solis , and the broadest part of the nethermost orbe , is the place of the sunnes apogaeum ; so that whensoeuer the sun commeth there , he is furthest distant from the earth . as you may easily try , if ( with a payre of compasses , or otherwise ) you take the distance betwixt the earth and the sunne , being brought about to that place , and compare the same with the distances that the sun hath from the earth in other places . this point is called aux solis , and longitude longior , that is , the point of the sunnes furthest distance from the earth . but vnder the broadest part of the vppermost and vttermost orbe , where you see printed perigaevm , and right aboue the narrowest part of the nethermost orbe , is the place where the sun commeth nearest to the earth , as you may easily find ( with your compasses , or otherwise ) in like sort as before was shewed . the point where the sun commeth nearest to the earth , is called oppositum a●gis , and longitudo propior , that is , the point opposite to the apogaeum , and the nearest distance . and at those parts of this orbe , which are in the midst betweene the former ; the sunne hath a meane distance from the earth : a meane ( i say ) betweene the least , and greatest distance . the very point wherein this meane or middle distance hapneth , is shewed by the points that are iust in the middest betweene the short lines ab , and ik , which are drawne ouerthwart on eyther side of this orbe . these points are called longitudines media ; that is , the meane distances of the sunne , because the sunne comming to these points , hath a meane distance betweene the least and the greatest . about these points also , the true motion of the sun , is as it were in a meane between the slowest , which hapneth the sunne being about the apogaeum , and the swiftest , which hapneth about his perigaeum . moreouer the lines a , and k , shew the places wherin there is the greatest prosthaphaerisis , or equation of the sunne : that is , the greatest difference betweene the true , and middle , or meane place of the sunne . lastly , the distance betweene the lines i , and k , or a , and b , shew how much the eccentricitie of the sunnes eccentricke is , that is , how farre the center of the eccentricke is distant from the center of earth . chap. iii. to finde how much the sunne is nearer or further from the earth , at one time then at another . by meanes of this circle , you may easily find with your compasses , how much the sunne is nearer to , or further from the earth at one time , then at another : for hauing set one foot of the compasses vpon the vtmost edge of the deferens apogaeum , vnder the place of the sunne in the zodiacke , found by the second prop. stretch out the other foot , to the innermost edge of the same orbe ; for then , if you set one foot of your compasses , vpon the vtmost edge of this orbe , at the apogaeum , the other foot turned inwards towards the center of the sphaere , will shew you how much the sunne is nearer to the earth at that time , then when he is in his apogaeum : for so much as that foot reacheth within the inner edge of the orbe , so much is the sunne nearer . likewise if you set one foot of your compasses , vpon the vttermost edge of this orbe , at the perigaeum , and turne the other foot towards the center of the sphaere , so much as this foot of the compasse , is from the inner edge of the deferens paerigaeum , so much is the sun further distant from the earth at that time , then when he is in his paerigaeum . chap. iiii. of the situation and motion of the uppermost , and nethermost orbes of the sunne . the vppermost , and nethermost of these three orbes , called deferens apogaeum , & perigaeum solis , doe alwayes answer each to other , in such sort that the broadest part of the one , is alwayes against the narrowest part of the other : and therefore both of them are moued thgether , with one motion about the axtree and poles of the ecliptick , making one reuolution vnder the zodiack , in the space of 17000. yeares almost . for in ptolemee his time ( that is about the yeare of our lord 134. ) the place of the sunnes apogaeum , was about the middest of the 6. deg . of gemini ; as it may appeare by the 4. chapter of the 3. booke of his almagest . but in our time we finde that it cannot exceed the 7. degr . of cancer , although after the account of copernicus , and of the prutenicke tables , it should be in the 9. degr . of cancer . so as , if the rest of the motion of the sunnes apogaeum , that is to come hereafter , be proportionable to that is past , the whole reuolution thereof shal be finished in 1699. yeares vnder the zodiack . for in 1463. yeares betwixt ptolemee his time and ours , it hath moued about 31. degn therefore it shall moue 300. degrees , ( that is , the compasse of the whole circle ) in 16990. yeares . which number of yeares being deuided by 360. it shall appeare that the apogaeum of the sunne moueth one degr . in little more then 47. yeares whereby the yearely motion thereof may be sound to be little more then one minute and a quarter . chap. v. how to find the place of the suns aux or apogaeum , &c. therefore the place of the sunnes apogaeum , being found for the yeare 1600. to be about 7. degr . in cancer , the place thereof for any other yeare before or after , may easely be found in our age , onely by subtracting , or adding for euery 4 , yeares 5 , min. and for euery single yeare 1. minute and a quarter , although indeed we need not stand so precisely neyther vpon quarters of minutes , neither yet vpon whole minutes , in the place of the sunnes apogaeum , which cannot be by any art so exactly found , but that the diligentest man that is , may erre many minutes therein . take for example the yeare of our lord 1558. ( in which our gracious q. elizabeth began her happie reigne , which is now 42. yeares since ) taking therefore for euery 4. yeares 5. minutes , that is , for 40. yeares 50. minutes , and for the two yeares remaining 2. minutes and one halfe ; that is in all 52. minutes and an halfe , and subtracting the same out of 7 , deg of cancer , there shall remaine the place of the sunnes apogaeum at the beginning of her maiesties reigne , in 6. degr . and about 8. min. of cancer . the vses of these two orbes are these . 1. first to make the sphaere of the sunne concentricall ; for these orbes be framed together , that the narrowest part of the one , answereth alwayes to the broadest part of the other : it commeth to passe by this meanes , that both the out-side , and the in-side of the sphaere of the sunne , haue alwayes the same center , that the world it selfe hath . 2. the second vse is to shew the reason , and manner of the motion of the sunnes apogaeum and perigaeum . chap. vi. of the eccentrick of the sunne , &c. the orbe conteined betweene the two former , and carying about the body of the sunne it selfe , is called the eccentricke of the sunne ; because it hath another center , then the center of the world . the especiall reason , that moued the skilfull in this coelestiall science , to make this orbe ( wherein the body of the sunne is carryed ) eccentricall , was because they found the apparent motion of the sunne vnder the ecliptick line to be vnequall , that is , swifter in the southerly signes : and slower in the northerly . for hipparehus , and ptolemee found in their times , that the sunne continued in the northerne semicircle of the ecliptick , from aries to libra , 187. dayes : and in the other halfe of the zodiack , that is southward from libra to aries , 178. dayes and a quarter onely . but in our time by diligent obseruation it is sound , that the time of the sunnes continuance in the first of those semicircles from aries to libra , is 186. dayes 14. houres and an halfe : and consequently in the other semicircle , from libra to aries , 178. dayes 15. houres and an halfe . taking it therefore for a ground , according to the doctrine of aristotle , that the motion of the coelestiall bodies is circular and equal ; it must needs follow , that a greater part of the circle described by the proper motion of the sunne must be conteined vnder the northerly semicircle of the ecliptick , then vnder the southerly : and consequently that the circle or orbe that caryeth about the body of the sunne vnder the ecliptick , hath another center then the center of the ecliptick . 2. another reason to proue , that the sunne is caryed in an eccentricall circle , is the vnequall apparent , bignes of the sunnes diameter , the sunne being of the same height aboue the horizon and the ayre alike affected , and alike cleare ; so as if there were any refraction by reason of the thicknes of the ayre , it must needs be the same in both places . for in sommer , when the sun is at , or neare his apogaeum , his apparent diameter hath beene found by exquisit obseruation to be 13. minutes 48 seconds . but in winter being about his perigaeum 33. min. 54. seconds , as it may appeare in copernicus his reuolutions 4. booke 21. chapter . therefore seeing euery visible obiect appeareth greater when it is neare , and lesse when it is further remoued from vs , it is manifest that the sun appearing greater in winter , then in sommer , must needes be nearer to the earth in winter , then in sommer . the reason of which apparance is most easely shewed , by supposing the sunne to be moued , in an eccentricall orbe . 3. a third reason may bee the vnequall greatnesse and continuance of the eclipses of the moone , euen at those times when she hath had the same latitude , or distance from the ecliptick , and the same distance from the center of the earth : which argueth that the conicall sharp pointed shadow of the earth , in the place where the moone in time of the eclipse passeth through that shadow , at the same distance from the earth , is sometimes greater , and sometimes lesser : wherof there can no cause be shewed more reasonable then this , that the sun is sometimes further distant from the earth , and the maketh the shadow greater and sometimes nearer , and so maketh it lesser . whereby it is also manifestly proued , that the sun is moued about another center then the center of the earth , and therefore that the circle or orbe , wherein the sunne is moued , is an eccentricke . chap. vii . of the vses of the sunnes eccentricall orbe . therefore the vses of the sunnes eccentricke may bee these : 1. first to shew the reason of the apparent inequalitie , which seemeth to bee in the motion of the sunne : for although the sunne mo●e equally in his owne o●be , and about his owne center ; yet to them that are at the center of the world , or vpon the earth , he shall seeme to moue vnequally ; that is , swiftly when he is in that part of his eccentricke which is nearest vnto the earth ; and slowly when he is farthest from the earth . and therefore in sommer , when the sunne is about his apogaeum , and in his greatest distance from the earth , he seemeth to moue little aboue 57. min. in one day . but in winter , being about his perigaeum and nearest vnto the earth , he seemeth to moue more then 16. minutes : whereas notwithstanding he moueth equally in his eccentricke , euery day about nine and fifty minutes and 8. seconds ; and so finisheth his reuolution in 365. dayes , and six houres almost . 2. the second vse of the sunnes eccentricke , may be to shew the reason why the sun appeareth greater at one time then at another ; for the sun being in those parts of the eccentrick that are nearest vnto vs , seemeth greatest , and when he is in those parts of his eccentrick that are furthest from vs , he appeareth to be least . 3. and lastly the inequality of the sunnes distance from the earth , caused by his eccentrick , is one especiall cause of the inequalitie of the eclipses , both of the sunne and moone . chap. viii . the definitions of certaine astronomicall wordes of art , for the better vnderstanding of the theorick of the sunne . 1. what the aux or apogaeum of the sunne is it hath beene partly shewed already : that ●●mely it is that part , or rather point of the orbe carying the sunnes apogaeum , wherein the said orbe is thinnest , or narrowest : or it is that point of the eccentrick which is furthest distant from the earth , and is alwayes shewed by a right line vnderstood to be drawn from the center of the world , by the center of the eccentrick , vnto the orbe carying the sunnes apogaeum . which line is therefore called the line of the sun his aux or the line of the sunnes apogaeum . 2. the motion of the aux , or of the apogaeum of the sunne ( which is also called the sunnes aux in the second signification ) is nothing els but the arch of the ecliptick , conteyned betweene the beginning of aries , and the line of the sunnes apogaeum , drawne forth to the zodiack ; where this line also sheweth the place of the sunnes apogaeum . 3. the middle or meane place of the sunne in the zodiack , is shewed by a line drawne from the center of the world vnto the zodiack , equidistant from the center of the eccentricke , and of the sunne . 4. this line is therefore called the line of the meane or middle place of the sun. 5. the middle or meane motion of the sunne is the arch of the ecliptick betweene the beginning of aries , and the middle place of the sun. 6. the true place of the sunne is shewed by a streight line drawne from the center of the earth by the center of the sun vnto the zodiack , which line is therefore called the line of the true place of the sun. 7. the true motion of the sun is the arch of the eclipticke from the beginning of aries , vnto the true place of the sun. 8. the argument of the sun ( at the 〈◊〉 ●erme it ) or the motion of the sunnes anomalie ( as copernicus calleth it ) is the arch of the ecliptick conteyned betweene the place of the sunnes apogaeum and the middle place of the sunne according to the order and succession of the signes . this arch is called the argument , or motion of the sunnes anomalie or irregularitie , because that by it is alwayes found how much the suns true motion which ( is vnequall and irregular ) differeth from his middle motion ; which difference they call the suns equation , or prosthapheresis . 9. the equation , or prosthapheresis of the sun is nothing els but the arch of the ecliptick conteyned betweene the true , and middle places of the sunne . this arch is called the sunnes equation , because it maketh the suns middle motion equal to his true motion , being added to it or subtracted from it , as occasion requireth : for which cause it is more significantly and fitly called prosthaphaeresis , that is as much to say , as that which is to be added to or subtracted from the middle motion , that so we might haue the true motion . for so long as the sunne is in the semicircle of his eccentrick , discending from his apogaeum to his ●●●gaeum , so long this prosthapheresis is to be subtracted from the middle motion : but the sunne being in the other halfe of his eccentrick ascending , the prosthapheresis or equation of the sun must be added to the middle motion , that 〈…〉 motion and place of the sunne may be found , because that in the first semicircle of the eccentricke descending , the middle place of the sunne goeth before the 〈◊〉 , and the middle motion is 〈…〉 greater 〈…〉 the sun , and therefore the difference of these 〈◊〉 motions , ( that is to say , the 〈◊〉 or prosthaphaeresis ) must be subtracted , to findeth 〈…〉 for the true place of the sunne goeth alwaies 〈…〉 motion and place of the same , chap. ix . of the vppermost orbe of the sphaere of the moone carying the dragons head and tayle . next within the orbes of the sun in this sphaere are conteyned the orbes of the sphaere of the moone : which 〈…〉 in number . the vppermost of them ( which in this sphaere is next vnder the orbe that caryeth the suns perigaeum and is coloured with red ) is called the caryer of the dragons head and tayle , or 〈…〉 which is as much to say as the caryer of the knots , that is of the two intersections , or pointes wherein the rest of the orbes of the moone , doe crosse ouer-thwart this orbe . this orbe is deuided into foure nineties of degree , for the easier reckoning of the motion and place of the dragons head or tayle in this sphaere . and it is moued about in 18. iulian yeares 224. dayes 3. houres and 5. minutes almost , from the east westwards , vnder the ecliptick . by reason of this motion it commeth to passe , that the eclipses , or rather the places wherein the eclipses of the sunne or moone doe happen in the heauens , are remoued continually more backwards in the zodiack , contrary to the order and succession of the signes . as for example ; the eclipse of the moone hapning this present yeare 1600. the 20. of ianuarie neare vnto the dragons tayle about the 9. degree and 40. min. of leo ; the next eclipse that shall happen neare the same intersection of the dragons taile , in the yeare 1601. the 29. of nouember , shall be in 17. degrees and an halfe of gemini ; and that eclipse which shall be the next yeare after neare the same intersection the 19. of nouember in the morning , shall be about the 6. degree and 40. minutes of gemini , &c. all this remouing of the eclipses backwards commeth to passe , by reason of the motion of this orbe carying the dragons head and tayle , contrary to the course and order of the signes . this orbe continueth alwaies right vnder , and euen with the orbes of the sphaere of the sunne which abide alwaies in all parts iust vnder the ecliptick line , and hath his center agreeing , and all one with the center of the world , and of the ecliptick : and therefore the poles and axtree , about which this orbe is turned , agree iustly with the axtree of the ecliptick . the rest of the orbes of the moone , that are conteyned within this , haue all theire playnes agreeing in one , and lying euen one with another . but the one halfe of all their playnes , ariseth aboue the playne of the former orbe , and of the ecliptick , towards the north pole of the zodiack : and the other halfe descendeth beneath the playne of the ecliptick , toward the south pole : euen as the one halfe of the zodiack ariseth aboue the equinoctiall circle towards the north : and the other halfe descendeth towards the south . and as the angle of intersection , or obliquitie of the ecliptick with the equinoctiall circle , is 23. degr . and an halfe or little more : so the angle of intersection , or obliquity of the playnes of these orbes of the moone , from the plaine of the ecliptick , and of the former orbe carying the dragons head and taile , is 5. degrees , or ( according to tig●● brahe his obseruation ) 5. degr . and a quarter almost sometimes , and sometimes lesse then 5. degr . that point or intersection of these orbes with the former , from which they begin to arise about the playne of the ecliptick towards the north , proceeding east-wards , is called the dragons head ; and is signified by this character ☊ : and the other point or intersection diametrally opposite vnto this , is called the dragons tayle , which is also signified by the former character turned vp side downe after this manner , ☋ . the two points of these orbes that are furthest distant from the plaine of the 〈◊〉 , are called the bounds or limites of the moones latitude , and they are 90. deg . from the dragons head and tayle , and 5. deg . and a quarter almost from the playne of the ecliptick , according to the obliquity , or greatest declination of the playnes of these orbes , from the playne of the ecliptick : of these two points , that which is in the north side of the ecliptick , is called the north limit , or bound of the moones latitude ; and contrariwise , the other point opposit to this on the south side of the ecliptick , is called the south limite of the moones latitude . and when the moone commeth to eyther of these two points , she hath her greatest latitude . chap. x. of the orbes carying the moones apogaeum and perigaeum . next within the orbe carying the dragons head and tayle , is contayned the orbe called deferens apogaeum lunae which is the point wherein the moone is furthest distant from the earth . and vnder this orbe is placed the moones eccentrick , which is also called deferens epiculum lunae ; that is the orbe carying the moones epicycle . againe within this eccentrick of the moone , is conteyned the least and lowest orbe , of all that are in this sphaere , which they call diferens perigaeum lunae ; that is , the orbe carying the moones perigaeum , which is the point wherein the moone commeth nearest to the earth . the vppermost and nethermost of these three orbes , that is to say , the orbes carying the moones apogaeum and perigaeum ( both which orbes in this sphaere are coloured with blew ) are alwaies placed in such sort , that the nar●●west part of the one , is continually answerable to the broadest part of the other ; whereby it commeth to passe , that the sphaere of the moone is made concentricall , that is to say , to haue the same center with the world : which also is one especiall vse , why these orbes were deuided . another vse of these orbes , is to shew the reason of the motion of the moones apogaeum and perigaeum : therefore both these orbes are moued togither with one motion equally , about the center of the world , in the same time from the east westwards , in the space of 32. dayes 3. houres and 5. minutes almost : so mouing in one day 11. deg . 12. min. and 1. third part almost . the axtree , about which these orbes are moued equally , passeth through the center of the world and of the ecliptick : but the poles of these orbes differ from the poles of the ecliptick and of the orbe carying the dragons head and tayle , by the space of 5. degr . and a quarter , or thereabouts , which poles are caryed about the poles of the orbe carying the dragons head and tayle , with the motion of the same orbe , in the space of 19. yeares almost . whereby it commeth to passe , that the poles of the orbe carying the apogaeum and perigaeum of the moone , describe certaine litle circles about the poles of the orbe that carieth the dragons head and taile , euen as the arctick , and antarctick circle in the ordinary sphaere , are described by the motion of the poles of the ecliptick , caryed about dayly with the motion of the first and highest moueable sphaere , in the space of 24. houres almost . chap. xi . of the eccentricke of the moone . the eccentrick of the moone contained betweene the two former orbes and coloured with a sad yealow colour in this sphaere , is moued equally about the center of the same orbes , from the west towards the east , finishing his motion vnder the zodiack , in the space of 27. dayes , and 8. houres almost : and with this motion , it caryeth about the moones epicycle equally , vnder the zodiack . therefore the motion of this orbe , about his owne center , must needs be vnequall , that is to say , swifter in those parts that are about the apogaeum , and slower in the lower parts about the perigaeum : because that greater arches of the eccentrick , doe answer to equall arches of the zodiack about the apogaeum , then about the perigaeum of the eccentrick . the axtree about which this orbe is moued , is alwaies in all places equidistant from the axtree of the orbe carying the apogaeum of the moone : and the poles of the axtree of the moones eccentrick , are fastned in the orbe carying the moones apogaeum , equidistantly from the poles of the same orbe : therefore these poles together with the whole axtree of the eccentrick , are caryed and equally moued about the poles and axtree of the orbe carying the apogaeum from the east , towards the west . with this motion therefore , the poles and center of the eccentrick , describe certaine litle circles of equall bignes , about the poles , and center of the orbe carying the apogaeum , from the east west-wards . and therefore also the apogaeum of the eccentrick , is moued about equally , vnder the ecliptick , contrary to the order of signes from the east west-wards . whereby it commeth to passe , that both the apogaeum and center of the eccentricke , are somtimes vnder the ecliptick , that is , when they are vnder the dragons head or taile : but for the most part they are beside the plaine of the ecliptick , either towards the north , or else towards the south . hereby also it appeareth , that the plaine of the ecliptick doth not alwayes deuide the plaine of the eccentricke into epqall parts or halfes ; but then onely , when the center and apogaeum of the eccentrick , is right vnder the dragons head or tayle ; for then onely the plaine of the ecliptick deuideth the plaine of the eccentrick , by the center therof ; and consequently deuideth it precisely into two halfes . otherwise , if the apogaeum of the eccentrick , be not vnder the dragons head or tayle , looke on which side of the plaine of the ecliptick the apogaeum is , for on the same side of the ecliptick is the greater part of the eccentrick . chap. xii . in what proportion the moones eccentrick , and orbe , carying her apogaeum are moued . now the eccentrick of the moone , and the orbe carying her apogaeum , are moued in such sort , that the middle place of the sunne , is alwayes right in the midst betweene the center of the epicycle caried in the eccentrick , and the apogaeum of the eccentrick ; except it be when the center of the epicycle is in coniunction , or opposition to the middle place of of the sunne . for in euery middle coniunction and opposition of the sunne and moone , the center of the epicycle , and the apogaeum of the eccentrick are vnited together ; but in the coniunction they are both conioyned with the middle place of the sun ; and in the opposition they are both together opposite to the same . whereof it followeth , that in the first and last quarters of the moone , the center of her epicycle is diametrally opposite to the apogaeum of her eccentrick . hereof it commeth to passe , that although the moone haue the same position in her epicycle at the time of the new and full moone , and of the first and last quarters ; yet the equation , or prosthaphaeresis of the moones argument ( as they call it ) that is the difference betweene the true , and middle places of the moone , is alwayes greater in the first and last quarter , then in the full and new moone . hereby likewise it appeareth that in the time contayned betweene new moone and new moone ( which they call mensem synodicum , that is the moneth coniunctional , or the time from coniunction to coniunction ) the center of the epicycle maketh two complete reuolutions , vnder the orbe carying the apogaeum of the moones eccentrick . and therefore in euery moneth , the center of the epicycle commeth twise to the apogaeum and twise to the perigaeum of the eccentrick ; and so the monthly motion of the center of the epicycle , describeth an oual figure : the ends whereof are alwayes towards the place of the full and new moone , and the ●ides towards the places of the first and last quarter . by this that hath beene spoken , it is also manifest , that if the middle motion of the sunne , be subtracted out of the middle motion of the moone , there remaineth the middle motion of the moones longitude from the sunne , and that if this longitude againe be doubled , you shall haue the motion of the center of the moones epicycle from the apogaeum of her eccentrick , which motion they call the center of the moone , chap. xiii . of the epicycle of the moone , and how it is moued . the little orbe placed in the eccentrick , is called the epicycle of the moone ; in the circumference whereof is also placed the body of the moone , represented by the round beade , set into the moones epicycle in this sphaere . the plaine superficies of this epicycle agreeth euen with the plaine of the eccentrick : and the axtree about which it is moued , is perpendicular to the plaine of the eccentrick . this epicycle is moued equally from his middle apogaeum , about his owne center and axtree from the east westwards , contrary to the motion of the eccentrick , carying forwards the body of the moone with this motion 13. degrees and almost 4. min. euery day , and finishing his reuolution in 27. dayes 13. houres and 19. minutes almost . the middle apogaeum of the epicycle is shewed by a right line , imagined to be drawne , from that point of the little circle ( described by the motion of the center of the moones eccentrick ) which is opposite to the center of the eccentrick , by the center of the epicycle vnto the vpper part of the epicycle . but the true apogaeum of the epicycle , is shewed by a right line , vnderstood to be drawne from the center of the earth by the center of the epicycle , vnto the vpper part of the circumference thereof . by the motion of this epicycle it may easily be conceiued why the moone seemeth to moue sometimes swifter and somteimes slower : for seeing that the vpper part of the epicycle , moueth contrary to the motion of the eccentrick from the east westwards , when the moone commeth in that part , shee must needs seeme to moue more slowly , to them that are at the center of the world . but when the moone commeth in the nether part of the epicycle , the eccentrick caryeth the epicycle and the epicycle caryeth the body of the moone both one way : that is , from the west east-wards , and therefore at that time the moone seemeth to moue more swiftly . according as you may see in ephemerides , the d●●●ne motion of the moone to be sometimes little more then 11. degrees and sometimes againe little lesse then 15. degrees . the true motion of the moone seemeth then to be swifter , when the moone is in the perigaeum of her epicycle , and the epicycle in the perigaeum of the eccentrick ; because then she is not onely caryed forwards the same way both by her epicycle and eccentrick , but she is also at that time nearest vnto vs for which cause her motion shall seeme swifter , then when the epicycle is in other parts of the eccentrick . 〈…〉 chap. xiiii . the definitions of certayne astronomicall wordes of art , for the better vnderstanding of the theoricke of the moone . 1. the line of the moones middle motion , is a line vnderstood to be drawne from the center of the earth , by the center of the moones epicycle , vnto the zodiack . 2. this line sheweth the middle place of the moon in the zodiack . 3. and the middle motion of the moone , is the arch of the zodiack , from the beginning of aries , vnto the same line . 4. so likewise the line of the true motion , or of the true place of the moone , is drawne from the center of the world , by the center of the moone , to the zodiack . 5. this line therefore sheweth the true place of the moone in the zodiack . 6. and the true motion of the moone , is the arch of the zodiack , from the beginning of aries , vnto the true place of the moone . 7. the middle longitude of the moone from the sunne , is the arch of the zodiack , from the middle place of the sunne eastwards vnto the middle place of the moone . 8. and this arch doubled , is called the doubled longitude of the moone from the sunne , or the center of the moone ( as the alphonsines call it ) which is nothing else but the arch of the zodiack , betweene the place of the apogaeum of the eccentrick and the middle place of the moone . it is called the doubled longitude of the moone from the sunne , because it is alwayes twice so much , as is the middle longitude of the moone from the sunne . 9. and it is called the center of the moone , because it sheweth the distance of the center of the moones epicycle from the apogaeum . 10. the equation , or prosthaphaeresis of the center , is the arch of the epicycle , betweene the middle and true apogaeum of the epicycle . this equation or prosthaphaeresis is nothing at all , when the center of the epicycle is in the apogaeum , or perigaeum of the eccentrick . but the epicycle being in any other part of the eccentricke there is alwaies some equation of the center ; yea in some parts thereof , where it groweth greatest , it is 13. degr . 9. minutes : and so long as the center of the epicycle , is in the halfe of the eccentrick descending from the apogaeum to the perigaeum , that equation is to be added to the motion of the epicycle ; but in the other halle of the eccentricke ascending ; , it must be subtracted ; that so the true argument 〈…〉 the epicycle may be had . 11. the argument , or anamalie of the moone is nothing els , but the motion of the moones epicycle . 12. the true or middle argument , 〈…〉 is the arch of the epicycle from the true or middle apogaeum of the epicycle , vnto the center of the body of the moone , reckoned that way , which the epicycle moueth . 13. the equation of the argument , or prosthaphaeresis of the epicycle , is the arch of the zodiack , 〈…〉 the middle , and 〈◊〉 place of the moone . this equation is 〈◊〉 , when the moone is in the true apogaeum , or perigaeum of her epicycle . but it is greatest , when the center of the moone commeth 〈…〉 of the world , and touching the epicycle , when it is in the perigaeum of the eccentrick . and the moone being in the first , that is in the 〈…〉 of the epicycle , 〈…〉 from the true apogaeum thereof , the middle place of the moone goe 〈◊〉 before the true place , and the equation of the argument must therefore be subtracted : but when the moone is 〈…〉 semicircle of the epicycle , 〈…〉 before the middle place , and to that equation must be added to the moones 〈◊〉 middle motion , that the true motion and place of the 〈…〉 may be found . chap. xv. the reason of the variety of the moones equation , &c. this equation becommeth lesser or greater , according as the epicycle 〈…〉 or nearer to the center of the world . the least equations are , when the epicycle is in the apogaeum of the eccentrick , and contrarywise , the greatest must happen , the epicycle being in the perigaeum of the eccentrick . the difference between these greatest , and least equations , ptolemee and copernicus call the excesse : but 〈◊〉 , and the alphonsines call it the diuersitie of the diameter ; because that difference of the equations ariseth by reason of the diuerse apparent hignesse of the diameter of the epicycle , according as it is nearer to vs , or further from vs. therefore in the astronomicall tables , they vse to set downe those equations onely , which happen when the epicycle is in the apogaeum of the eccentrick , which are the least equations , whereto they also adioyne the excesse , or diuersity of diameter , shewing how much those equations , which happen when the epicycle is in the perigaeum of the eccentrick , exceed those which happen , the epicycle being in the apogaeum of the eccentrick . moreouer , there are annexed certaine min. which they call scrupula , or minuta proportion●alia : that is , proportionall minutes : whereby is found , how much of the sayd excesse , is to be added to the foresayd equations , when the epicycle is in any other part of the eccentrick , then in the apogaeum : that so the true equation of the argument , for the same part of the eccentrick might at any time be found . for then onely is that whole excesse to be added , when the epicycle is in the perigaeum of the eccentrick . but if the epicycle be in any other part of the eccentrick ; then looke what proportion 60. hath to the whole excesse , the same proportion haue the proportionall minutes , answerable to that part of the eccentrick , wherein the epicycle is , vnto the part proportional of the excesse , which ( part proportionall ) being added to the equation before found , shall giue you the true equation . chap. xvi . the reason 〈◊〉 moones proportionall minutes , &c. the reason of those proportionall minutes , may in some sort be shewed , by those concentricall arches of circles , which you see drawne vppon the moones eccentricall orbe , in this sphaere : but indeed all those arches must bee vnderstood , to haue alwayes the same center with the world , and not to be moued about togither with the eccentrick . the vppermost of them is to be drawne by the center of the epicycle being in the apogaeum of the eccentrick , and the nethermost is drawne by the same center when it is in the perigaeum of the eccentrick : so as the distance of these two arches , or peripheryes , is iust twise so much as the eccentricitie ; that is the distance of the center of the eccentrick , from the center of the world , shewed by the distance of the short lines no , or ff , vppon the orbe carying the apogaeum ; or of pq , or gh , vpon the caryer of the perigaeum of the moone . the whole distance , between these two peripheries , from the vttermost to the innermost , is vnderstood to be deuided into 60. equall parts , imagining euery one of these to contayne 10. as may appeare by the figures set to euery one of them , from the vppermost to the nethermost , in this order : 10. 20. 30. 40. 50. 60. now the intersections of these peripheries with the eccentrick ( that is ) with the vppermost of the two deuided peripheries , which are drawne round about through the midst of the moones eccentricall orbe ) do shew what proportionable min. answer to any part of the eccentrick , after this manner : in the vppermost of the two foresaid graduated peripheries , looke that distance of the center of the moones epicycle from the apogaeum of the eccentrick , ( that is to say ) that doubled longitude of the moone as the alphonsines call it ) which you desire : then looke which of the consentricall arches before mentioned passeth by the the terme , or end of that distance or doubled longitude : and thirdly , looke about in the same arch , what number is set thereuppon , for that sheweth you the number of the proportionall minut . answerable to the scituation of the epicycle , at that distance from the apogaeum of the eccentrick . these proportionall min. therefore may be defined to be nothing else , but the sixtieth parts of the diuersity of diameter , or of the excesse wherwith the equations of the argument , or prostaphaeresis , of the epicycle are to be augmented when the epicycle is any other part of the eccentrick , then in the apogaeum . otherwise also , these proportionall min. may be defined , to be sixtieth parts of the excesse , wherewith the line drawne from the center of the earth , to the apogaeum of the moones eccentrick , exceedeth the line drawne from the same center to the perigaeum of the eccentrick : for these sixtieth parts also may not vnfitly be called proportionall min. because that alwaies looke how many of these parts there are left without the circumference of the eccentrick , or beyond the center of the epicycle ; so many of the former sixtieth parts of the diuersity of diameter , or of the excesse of the prostaphaerses of the epicycle , must be added to the equation of the argument , that the true equation of the argument may bee had , for that position , or scituation of the epicycle , in the eccentrick . chap. xvii . the reason of the eclipses of the sunne and moone , &c. now by this sphere , it may easily be conceiued , why there is not an eclipse , in euery coniunction or opposition of the sunne and moone . for seeing that the moone hath for the most part a greater apparent latitude , then the visible or apparent conioyned semediameters of the sunne and moone in the coniunction : and because the true latitude of the moone , is also for the most part greater then the apparent semediameters of the moone and shadow of the earth ( at that place where the moone should passe through that shadow ) in the oppossition , to make an eclipse : it commeth to passe , that in most coniunctions and oppositions of the sunne and moone , there is no eclipse . and the reason hereof is this , because that the moone commeth vnder the way of the sunne ( which wee call the ecliptick line ) onely twise in a moneth , and those 2. points ( wherin the wayes of the sunne and moone crosse each other ) onely twise in a synodicall moneth , which two points wee called the dragons head and taile ; whereof wee haue also spoken before , ) wherfore , seeing the sunne ( going but once only through the compasse of the ecliptick in a yeare ) can come but once in a yeare to eyther of those points ; the moone for the most part , when she cōmeth to bee in opposition , or coniunction with the sun , must needs be fo farre wide from the ecliptick line , or way of the sunne , either towards the north or south : that she can neither come betwixt vs and the sun in the coniunction , nor yet within the compasse of the shadow of the earth in the opposition . but when the sunne commeth neare eyther of those points ( which hapneth once in six moneths ( there must needs for the most part be some eclipse , eyther of the sunne or moone , or both . chap. xviii . of the diuersity of the bounds or spaces , within which an eclipse may happen : and the reason of that diuersity . the bounds or distances from the dragons head or taile , within which there may happen an eclipse of the moone , are sometimes greater and sometimes lesse , by reason of the diuers distances of the sunne , or moone , or both of them , from the earth . for seeing the body of the sunne is greater then the globe of the whole earth ( as it is manifestly demonstrated by ptolemee and copernicus ) it must needs be , that the greater distance the sun hath from the earth , the greater shadow must the earth haue ; and the nearer the sunne is to the earth , the lesse shadow shall the earth haue , at the place of the moons passage through the shadow , at equall distances from the earth . contrariwise , the further that the moone is from the earth , the lesse shall the shadow of the earth be , and the nearer the moone is to the earth , the greater shall the shadow be , at the place where the moone is to passe through the shadow . the greatest distance therefore from the dragons head or taile , wherein there can at any time happen any eclipse of the moone , is about 13. degrees . and the least distance at which it is possible for the moone to auoid an eclipse , is about 10. degr . and one third part of a degree ; which hapneth when the moone is in the apogaeum of her epicycle , in her greatest distance from the earth , and the sunne in his perigaeum , in the time of his greatest eccentricity , for then the sunne commeth nearest to the earth and maketh the least shadow : as contrarywise at the same time of his greatest eccentricity , beeing in his apogaeum , he hath his greatest distance from the earth , and so maketh the earth cast forth her greatest shadow . at which time , if the moone also chance to be in the perigaeum of her epicycle , and so in her nearest distance from the earth , she may be something eclipsed , although she be full 13. degrees or something more from the dragons head or taile . chap. xix . how to find the place of the dragons head and taile for any time . now the place , and time of the full moone , being easily knowne by some almanack , or prognostication ; it shall not be hard , to giue a reasonable neare estimate , and to foretell both the time , and quantity of the eclipse of the moone , the place of the dragons head and taile , being first knowne after this manner . the place of the dragans head , being first giuen for any time , for euery yeare before the same time , adde to the same place : and for euery yeare after the same time subtract 19. degrees and one third part of a degree and for euery moneth a degree and an halfe and a tenth part of a degree and for euery day 3. minutes and the remainder shall shew you the place of the dragons head after the same time : or the summe before that time without any great errour . as for example , the 30. of iune this present yeare 1600. suppose you would know the place of the dragons head : the place therefore of the dragons head being first giuen , for the beginning of the same yeare , in 0. degree 45. minutes , of aquarius : and six moneths onely of that yeare being passed , i take for those six moneths 6. degrees and 6. halfe degrees that is 9. degrees and sixteenth parts of a degree that is 36. min. the summe of all which is 9. degrees and 36. minutes . which being subtracted out of 0. degree , 45. minutes of aquarius , there remaine 21. degrees 9. min. of capricorne , for the place of the dragons head at that time . chap. xx. a table for finding the place of the dragons head and taile more exactly and the declaration thereof . bvt if you would haue the place of the dragons head more exactly , you may find the same most easily , by meanes of the table following , for any time within the space of these 20. yeares , yet to come . this table conteyneth three principall parts or columnes , the first part sheweth you in what signe , degr . and min. the dragons head is , at the beginning of any yeare ; from this present yeare 1600. till the yere 1620. the second part sheweth how much the dragons head moueth , in any number of moneths of the yeare : the third part giueth you the motion of the dragons head , in any number of dayes of the moneth . the place of the dragons head .   yeare sign . deg. mt. moneths complete . de. mi. da. de. mi. 1600 aquarius 0 45 ianuary 1 38 1 0 3 1601 capricorn 11 21 february 3 8 2 0 6 1602 sagittar . 22 2 march 4 46 3 0 10 1603 sagittar . 2 42 aprill 6 22 4 0 13 1604 scorpio 13 22 may 8 0 5 0 16 1605 libra 23 59 iune 9 36 6 0 19 1606 libra 4 39 iuly 11 14 7 0 22 1607 virgo 15 19 august 12 53 8 0 25 1608 leo 25 59 septemb. 14 28 9 0 29 1609 leo 6 35 october 16 7 10 0 32 1610 cancer 17 15 nouemb. 17 42 11 0 35 1611 gemini 27 55 decemb. 19 21 12 0 38 1612 gemini 8 35     13 0 41 1613 taurus 19 12     14 0 44 1614 aries 29 52     15 0 48 1615 aries 10 32     16 0 51 1616 pisces 21 12     17 0 54 1617 pisces 1 49     18 0 57 1618 aquarius 12 29     19 1 0 1619 capricorn 23 9     20 1 4 1620 capricorn 3 49     21 1 7             22 1 10             23 1 13             24 1 16             25 1 19             26 1 13             27 1 26             28 1 29             29 1 32             30 1 35 chap. xxi . to finde the place of the dragons head or tayle , by the former table . finde out in the former table , the moneth next going before the moneth giuen ; finde out also the day of the moneth , adde together the numbers of degrees and minutes answerable to that moneth and day of the moneth , and subtract the same out of the place of the dragons head at the beginning of the yeare , adding thereto 30. degr . ( ●●at is the whole signe next going before resolued in to degr . ) if the sunne aforesayd be greater then the number of degr . shewing the place of the dragons head at the beginning of the yeare : so shall you haue the place of the dragons head for the time giuen . and the point of the zodiack opposite to this , is the place of the dragons taile . take for example , the 29. of nouember 1601. i find therefore against october ( the moneth going next before nouember ) 16. degrees 7. minutes and against the 29. day 1. degree 32. minutes , the summe of both these added together is 17. degrees 39. min. the place of the dragons head for the beginning of the yeare 1601. is 11. deg . 21. min. of capricorne , which because they be lesse then 17. deg . 39. min. i adde vnto them 30. deg . that is the whole signe of sagittarie , and the summe of both is 41. deg . 12. min. out of which subtract 17. deg . 39. min. and there shall remaine 23. deg . 42. minutes of sagittarie ; the place of the dragons head at that time . and the point of the zodiacke which is opposite hereto ( that is the 2● 〈◊〉 42. minutes of gemini ) is the place of the 〈◊〉 tayle . chap. xxii . to know at what time there shall be an eclipse of the moone . the place of the dragons head being thus knowne , finde out the same place vpon the horizon of the sphaere , and see what day and moneth answereth thereto finde out also the place of the full moone , which hapneth next before or after that day , which place if it chance to bee within 11. or 12. deg . eyther before or after that point of the zodiack which is opposite to the dragons head , there must needs be for the most part in eclipse of the moone . likewise if you finde what day and moneth is answerable to the place of the dragons taile vpon the horizon of the sphaere if the place of the full moone which hapneth next before or after that day chance to be within 11. or 12. degrees of the dragons head , for the most part there shall bee an eclipse of the moone . as for example , the 20. of ianuarie last this present yeare 1600. the place of the dragons head was found ( by the former chapter ) to haue beene in 29. deg . 41. min. of capricorne ; whereto there answereth in the horizon the 10. day of ianuarie the place of the full moone hapning next after , vpon the 20. of the same moneth in the morning must needs be in the place opposite to the place of the sunne the same 20. 〈◊〉 therefore because 〈◊〉 sun that day is in 9. deg . 〈◊〉 one halfe of aquarius , therefore the place notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a15751-e720 why this circle is called the equinoctiall or equator . notes for div a15751-e5910 the scituation of the orbe carying the dragons head and tayle . the scituation of the rest of the orbes . why the moone seemeth sometimes to moue swifter , sometimes slower . to finde the moones proportionall minutes . what the proportionall minutes of the moone are . ●t the begining of the 〈◊〉 of our ●●rd . the principles of astronomy and navigation, or, a clear, short, yet full explanation of all circles of the celestial and terrestrial globes and of their uses : being the whole doctrine of the sphere and hypotheses to the phenomena of the primum mobile : to which is added a discovery of the secrets of nature which are found in the mercurial-weather-glass &c. : as also a new proposal for buoying of a ship of any burden from the bottom of the sea / by george sinclair. sinclair, george, d. 1696. 1688 approx. 146 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 82 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-11 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a60283 wing s3857 estc r26242 09398782 ocm 09398782 42972 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a60283) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 42972) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1315:23) the principles of astronomy and navigation, or, a clear, short, yet full explanation of all circles of the celestial and terrestrial globes and of their uses : being the whole doctrine of the sphere and hypotheses to the phenomena of the primum mobile : to which is added a discovery of the secrets of nature which are found in the mercurial-weather-glass &c. : as also a new proposal for buoying of a ship of any burden from the bottom of the sea / by george sinclair. sinclair, george, d. 1696. sinclair, george, d. 1696. proteus bound with chains, or, a discovery of the secrets of nature which are found in the mercurial-weather-glass. [6], 85, 49, 14 p. printed by the heir of andrew anderson, edinburgh : 1688. "proteus bound with chains, or, a discovery of the secrets of nature which are found in the mercurial-weather-glass" has special t.p. and separate pagination. reproduction of original in the cambridge university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng astronomy -early works to 1800. navigation -early works to 1800. 2003-07 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2003-07 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2003-09 mona logarbo sampled and proofread 2003-09 mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-10 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the principles of astronomy and navigation : or , a clear , short , yet full explanation , of all circles of the celestial , and terrestrial globes , and of their uses , being the whole doctrine of the sphere , and hypotheses to the phenomena of the primum mobile . to which is added a discovery of the secrets of nature , which are found in the mercurial-weather-glass , &c. as also a new proposal for buoying up a ship of any burden from the bottom of the sea. by george sinclar , sometime professor of philosophy in the colledge of glasgow . edinburgh , printed by the heir of andrew anderson , printer to his most sccred majesty , anno d 〈…〉 academiae cantabrigiensis liber . to the right honourable magnus prince , lord provost ; alexander brand , alexander simpson , iohn morray , and william montgomery , baillies ; iames nicolson dean of gild , edward marjorebanks thesaurer ; and remanent members of the honourable senate , of the antient city of edinburgh . may it please your lordship , and the honourable senate , it is neither ambition , nor ignorance of your worth and merit , which have inclin'd me , to prefix your names to the frontispiece of this mean pamphlet , but the sure experience i have of your encouraging all vertuous actions and learning . what i have now in equity and reason presented , i humbly desire the honourable senate , may accept favourably . i owe all i have , and my self too , to your devotion and service . i chuse rather to be doing somewhat amiss , than doing nothing . 't is the widows mite , which i have shelter'd under the wings of your protection . if i should endeavour , but to recapitulat , what sentiments of your kindness i have found , both time , and my memory would fail me . none can think , that there is any deserving in me , which can be proportionable to those unvaluable acts of your bounty . if there be any , i am confident , it is too too scanty to oblige . when i was able to do more , none were found more willing . i endeavoured indeed , according to my capacity , to contribute my assistance for promoving that great and noble design , which was accomplish'd ; for which the generations to come , shall call you happy , whom you have enriched , with refreshing-streams of cooling-waters , more advantagious and useful to the city , than the fruit of the vine . i cannot satisfie all the obligations to duty , which ly upon me . the more i was inclin'd to offer this trifle , the more i was overcome with reasons perswading to the contrary . but the uprightness of my intention , to beautify this trivial subject , with the splendor , and glory of your names , will excuse the faillings of my understanding . i cannot remunerat the kindness of the honourable senate , better , than by hearty prayer , that the lord may give you , the spirit of wisdom , and government , to manage the weighty affairs of the city , and his conduct , not only to guide each one of you , in his particular calling , but all of you , to the endless fruition of immortal life . this i fervently wish , while i am your lordships and the councils , much obliged servant , george sinclar . to the reader . i iudge it altogether needless to preface any thing by way of commendation to the following tracts . they will ( i hope ) commend themselves , to the intelligent reader . there is first , the doctrine of the sphere , so compendiously set down , that nothing can either be added , or subtracted . it is the very rudiments of astronomy and navigation , and of many other mathematical sciences . by the use of the globes , the whole doctrine of the sphere may be easily comprehended , even by the meanest capacity . the second tract , is not so evident , because more physical , and less mathematical , but perhaps as sure . i have set down my own thoughts only , if any man shall offer to salve the phenomena better , i shall be glad . the third tract is , a new invention for buoying up of ships from the ground of the sea. this proposal was made some few years ago , to try the invention and wit of some notional men , but though they have plowed with my heifer , yet were they not able , to find out my riddle : nay some of them were so confident to aver , that when this proposal was made to them , how to make a vessel sail below the water ; they replyed , it might be easily resolved by their analyticks . errata . in the second tract , page 28. line 13. for earthly read earthy . pag. 33. lin . ult . for idaea read idea . the principles of astronomy and navigation . chap. i. of the circles of the sphere in general . the material sphere , is an instrument , whereby all the phenomena of the primum mobile , are most easily known . it is composed of ten circles chiefly , which are , the equinoctial , the zodiack , the two colures , the horizon , the meridian , the two tropicks , and the two polars . those circles , are three manner of ways distinguished among themselves . first , some of them are called circuli maximi , the greatest circles ; others are called circuli minores , the lesser circles . the greatest are , the equinoctial , the zodiak , the two colures , the horizon , and the meridian ; because there cannot be greater circles in the sphere , than they are . the lesser circles are , the two tropicks , and the two polars . they are so called , because there are found in the sphere greater ones . secondly , the circles of the material sphere , while the primum mobile is turning about , are either parallel one to another , right , or oblique , that is , to ly crosly . the parallel circles , are the two polars , the two tropicks , and the equinoctial , which ly middle between them , together with their equinoctial , who live under the poles . the oblique circles are , the zodiack , and the oblique horizon . for this cutteth the equinoctial , at oblique angles ; the other by reason of its situation doth the same to the rest of the circles . the circles called right circles , are the two colures , the meridian , and the right horizon , because they cut the equinoctial at right angles . thirdly , the circles of the sphere , are either moveable , or immoveable . the moveable circles , are these which are turned about with the sphere , being eight in number , to wit , the equinoctial , the zodiack , the equinoctial colure , the solstice colure , the tropick of cancer , the tropick of capricorn , the polar artick , and the polar antartick . the circles immoveable , are the meridian , and the horizon ; so called , because while the sphere is carried about , they stand stedfast , and unmoveable . chap. ii. of the equinoctial . the equinoctial , is one of the greatest circles , of the sphere moveable , and equally distant from the poles of the world. it is called one of the greatest , that it may be distinguished from the lesser , as well from those , which are fixed in the sphere , as from others , which we must imagine to be in it . it is called movable , that it may be distinguished , from the horizon of those , who live under the poles , which coinciding with the equinoctial , must differ from it in this , that the one is movable , the other immovable . lastly , by reason of the third difference ( equally distant from the poles of the sphere ) it is distinguished from the oblique , and right circles of the sphere . it is called by divers names . for sometimes it is called the equator , sometimes the equinoctial , and sometimes the middle , and greatest of the parallels . the uses and offices of the equinoctial are these . 1. it measureth the first motion . for this circle , of all the circles of the sphere , under any position whatsoever , moveth equally ; and therefore , it ought to be also the measure of time , it being most fit for determining the quantity of the artificial , and natural days . for this cause , it is , that the degrees of the equinoctial , are called by some , tempora , times . 2. it pointeth forth to us in the ecliptick , the two equinoctial points ; those points , in which the equinoctial , and ecliptick cut one another , in the beginning of aries and libra . for when the sun cometh to these points , the day and the night are of equal length over all the earth , which falleth out on the 10 or 11 of march , and on the 13 or 14 of september . 3. that which is anomolous , and irregular in the oblique motion of the zodiack , is reduced to a sure rule , by the help of the equinoctial . 4. it divideth the sphere into two equal parts ; the one called the north part , in which is the pole , named polus septentrionalis , boreus , or articus : the other called the south part , in which is the pole , named polus australis , meridionalis , or antarticus . 5. by this means , it divideth the zodiack into six signs , called northern signs , and into other six called southern signs . 6. from the equinoctial are numbred the declinations of all , and whatsoever points in heaven , as well south as north. the declination of any point , or star , is an arch of a circle of declination , measured between the equinoctial , and the said point , or center of the said star. circles of declinations , are of the greatest circles in the sphere movable , passing thorow the poles of the world , and any point given . 7. upon the equinoctial , we reckon the right ascension of any , or whatsoever point in heaven . right ascension , is nothing else , but an arch of the equinoctial , measured between the first point of aries , and that circle of declination , which passes thorow the point given . 8. upon the same equinoctial , we measure the oblique ascension , and descension of any point in heaven whatsoever . oblique ascension , is an arch of the equinoctial , measured between the first point of aries , and that point of the equinoctial , which riseth in the same moment of time , with the point given . oblique descension , is an arch of the equinoctial measured between the point foresaid , and that point of the equinoctial , which sets in the same moment of time , with the point given . 9. upon the equinoctial , we count and reckon the ascensional difference , which is nothing else , but an arch of the equinoctial , by which right ascension differs from oblique . 10. upon the equinoctial , we measure the rising and setting amplitude . this rising and setting amplitude , is nothing else , but an arch of the horizon , measured between the rising , or setting of the equinoctial , and the rising or setting of any star , or point given . 11. upon the equinoctial , we number the longitudes of places , and upon the same , we reckon the latitudes of places . the longitude of a place , is an arch of the equinoctial , measured between the first meridian , and the meridian of the place . the latitude of a place , is an arch of the meridian measured between the equinoctial , and zenith of the place . 12. the equinoctial is most useful for making of sun-dials : for there must be as many hours upon the plain , as there are 15 degrees in the equinoctial , four and twenty times numbred . chap. iii. of the zodiack . the zodiack , is one of the greatest circles of the sphere , movable , under which the planets perpetually haunt . the first and second difference are added , as in the definition of the equinoctial . the third , which is in these words ( under which the planets perpetually haunt ) do distinguish the zodiack from all other circles . for it may come to pass , that , this or that planet , by his proper motion , may be under the meridian , may be under some horary circle , may touch lightly the horizon , but that is not always , nor do they always abide in the same situation : but their stay is perpetual under the zodiack . and because the planets wander in the heavens , viâ obliquâ , therefore this circle is made oblique , and seing in this obliquity , they make digression , from this side , to that side , and from that to this , therefore astronomers have granted to this circle latitude , whereby also it may be differenced from all other circles , none of which ever claimed latitude . the zodiack is divided , first in relation to its latitude , into north latitude , and south latitude . north latitude , is that half part of the zodiack , which from the ecliptick ( the middle line of it ) declines toward the north. south latitude is opposite to this . each one of them contains eight degrees , whereof the equinoctial contains 360. the ecliptick , or middle line of the zodiack , is one of the greatest circles of the sphere , moveable , under which , the sun from west to east moves perpetually . this line , as likewise the zodiack , is divided according to longitude into twelve parts , which are called in greek 〈◊〉 . every one of these twelve , are subdivided into 30 parts , so that the whole zodiack contains 360 degrees . these twelve divisions are called aries , taurus , gemini , cancer , leo , virgo , libra , scorpius , sagittarius , cap●…s , aquarius , pisces . but seing there are four cardinal points , two of the equinoctial , and two solstice points , it hath pleased astronome●… , to make the beginning of their reckoning , from the vernal equinoctial point ; because the sun being there , he not only begins the spring , but openeth the earth , and giveth life to all vegetables , and things which grow ; which cannot be done , either in any of the solstices , or when he is in the autumnal equinoctial point . next , the distinction of the signs is manifold . for some of them are called northern signs , and others are called southern . the northern , decline from the equinoctial towards the north , which are aries , taurus , gemini , cancer , leo , virgo . the southern decline from the equinoctial towards the south , which are libra , scorpius , sagittarius , capricornus , aquarius , pisces . secondly , some of them are called , signs ascending , others are called signs descending . the first sort , are these , wherein the sun , and the rest of the planets do ascend from the south towards our zenith , which are capricornus , aquarius , pisces , aries , taurus , gemini . the descending are these , wherein the sun , and the rest of the planets , do move from our zenith towards the south , which are cancer , leo , virgo , libra , scorpius , sagittarius . thirdly , the signs of the zodiack , are either vernal , estival , autumnal , or hybernal . the vernal , are aries , taurus , gemini . the estival , are cancer , leo , virgo . autumnal , are libra , scorpius , sagittarius . and the hibernal , are capricornus , aquarius , pisces . fourthly , the signs are either cardinal , middle , or fixed , or common , or two-bodied . the cardinal signs , are aries , cancer , libra , capricornus : so called , because their beginnings are the very cardinal points . the middle or fixed signs , are taurus , leo , scorpius , aquarius . they are called middle or fixed , because they keep the middle place between the cardinal and common signs . they are fixed , because when the sun is in them , we have a perfect temperament of the air , agreeing to the given quadrant of the heavens . as when the sun is in taurus , we have a perfect spring ; in leo , a perfect summer ; in scorpius , a perfect harvest ; and in aquarius , we have a perfect winter . they are called common , or two ▪ bodied , as gemini , virgo , sagittarius , and pisces ; because each one of them , hath two bodies indeed . for gemini are two twins . virgo hath an ear of corn in her hand . sagittarius is made up of a man , and a horse . and lastly , the fishes are double . they are called common , because astrologers find , that they participate of the nature , both of the fixed signs , and the cardinal which follow . fifthly , the signs are divided into four triplicities , which are called by astrologers trigons . the first is called the fiery trigon , which contains aries , leo , and sagittarius . the second is the earthy , which contains , taurus , virgo , and capricorn . the third is the aerial , which contains , gemini , libra , and aquarius . the fourth is the watery , which contains , cancer , scorpius , and pisces . if it happen , that saturn , and iupiter be in conjunction this year in leo , their next conjunction will happen 20 years after , or truly 19 years , 315 days , and 19 hours , after in sagittarius . from sagittarius to aries , from aries to leo , and so in round till 198 years and 236 days passing , they make a transit into a new trigon ; so that the revolution of one trigon , consumes almost 200 year . the uses of the zodiack and ecliptick are these . 1. as the equinoctial , is the measure of the pri●… mobile , so is the zodiack and ecliptick , the square and rule of the second movables . for as the sun is always , in or under the ecliptick ; so are the rest of the planets always , in or under the zodiack . therefore as in the celestial globe , the zodiack hath the chief place , so in the terrestrial globe the equinoctial . 2. upon the ecliptick we reckon the longitude of stars , and from the same ecliptick , we count their latitude . the longitude of a star , is an arch of the ecliptick , measured between ●●e true equinoctial point , or begin●ing of aries , and the circle of lati●●de passing thorow the center of that ●tar . circles of latitude , are great movable circles , passing thorow the poles of the ecliptick , and the center ●f the star given . they are of that ●umber of circles , which cannot be ●●aced artificially in the sphere . ne●ertheless , of that same number , is the ●olurus solstitiorum fixed in the sphere . the latitude of a star , is an arch of a circle of latitude , measured between ●he ecliptick , and the center of the ●tar . 3. according to the degrees , and ●arts of the zodiack and ecliptick , the whole heavens , and the whole universe 〈◊〉 divided into twelve signs ; nay eve●y point contain'd in the sphere of the fixed stars , is said to be in this or that sign ; tho , to be in a sign , is said many ways . for first , to be in a sign , is nothing else , but to be under any ●welfth part of the zodiack . in this ●ense , the sun is said to ●e in a sign , because he is always under the ecliptick . then the stars are said to be in a sign , which are indeed out of the ecliptick , nevertheless are under the zodiack . in this sense , the planets , which wander from the ecliptick , are said to be in the sign of aries , and taurus , &c. thirdly , any thing is said to be in a sign , which is included , in any of the twelve parts , which arise from the division of the whole heavens , passing thorow the beginnings of the dodekatemoria , or the poles of the ecliptick ; they being six great circles , which mutually cut one another , in the same poles . in this sense , any star , as well fixed , as wandring , or new appearing , as a comet , are said to be in the sign of aries , taurus , &c. 4. the obliquity of the ecliptick , is the cause of the inequality of days : for seing it moves unequally , and not evenly , the sun , which is the true parent of time , must of necessity make the days unequal . 5. the year , the month , and the four seasons of the year , are determined by the ecliptick . 6. when the sun and moon , are both of them in the ecliptick , of necessity there must be eclipses ; and for this cause , it is called the ecliptick . 7. how much is the obliquity of the ecliptick , so much is the distance , between the poles of the world , and the poles of the ecliptick : so much also is the distance , between the equinoctial , and either of the tropicks . chap. iv. of the colures . the colures are nothing else , but circles of declination , defined above , in the second chapter of the equinoctial . they are called colures from two greek words , kolos , or kolobos , mancus , maimed or defective , and oura , cauda , a tail , because in an oblique sphere , they have some part unseen , as if they were maimed , or wantting . but all the rest of the circles of the sphere , while it is going about , may be seen : but the colures , have always some of their parts towards either of the two poles , lying hid , and unseen . there are only two of them , which use to be placed in the sphere , one whereof is called the solstice colure , the other the equinoctial colure . the equinoctial colure , is one of the greatest circles of the sphere , movable , passing thorow the poles of the sphere , and the equinoctial points , the first of aries , and the first of libra , which are called cardinal . by the word movable , the colures are differenced ; first , from the meridian ; secondly , from the right horizon ; and thirdly , from the horary circles , with all which , by one turning about of the sphere , they are twice united . but in this they differ , that those do not move , but these follow the motion of the primum mobile . the solstice colure , is one of the greatest circles of the sphere , movable , drawn thorow the poles of the sphere , and the two solstice points , by which difference , they are distinguished from other colures . the uses of all the colures in common are these . first , we reckon upon them , the declinations of all the points of the heavens whatsoever . 2. they terminate and bound the right ascensions . 3. they are like unto a right horizon , and a meridian in any sphere , whether right , oblique , or parallel . the uses of the colures , which are set down in the sphere , are these in common , 1. without them , the parallel circles in the material sphere cannot stand , 2. by their mutual cutting one another , they shew the poles of the sphere . 3. they divide the ecliptick into four quadrants . the peculiar uses of the equinoctial colure are these . 1. it demonstrats to us the equinoctial points , by its mutual section , with the ecliptick ; in which points when the sun is existing , there is an universal equinox over the whole earth . 2. it is divides the ecliptick into two halfs , the one called the north part , the other the south part . 3. it distinguishes the signs , in which when the sun is existing , the days are longer than the nights , from those signs , in which when the sun is existing , the nights are longer than the days . the proper uses of the solstice colure are , 1. it demonstrats to us the two solstice points , in which when the sun is existing , he is either nearest to our zenith , or furthest removed from it . 2. upon this colure , we reckon the suns greatest declination , or the greatest obliquity of the ecliptick , which is found to be this day twenty three degrees , and thirty minuts . 3. it divides the zodiack into two halfs ; the one called ascending , the other descending . 4. it distinguisheth the signs , in which when the sun is existing , the days become longer , and the nights become shorter , from those signs , in which when the sun is existing , the nights become longer , and the days become shorter . 5. in this circle , are the two poles of the ecliptick , as many degrees , distant from the poles of the world , as the greatest obliquity of the ecliptick contains . 6. upon this colure , the latitudes of the zones are determined . for between the tropicks , is contained the breadth of the torrid zone , between the tropicks , and the nearest polar circles , are contained the two temperate zones , and the other two remaining arches of this circle , contain the breadth of the two frigid , or cold zones . chap. v. of the horizon . the horizon , is one of the greatest circles of the sphere , immovable , and equally distant from the vertical point . it is called immovable , that it may be differenced from the rest of the movable circles ; but especially , first , from their equinoctial , who live under the poles . secondly , from their ecliptick , whose zenith is placed in the polar circles : for their ecliptick every day is twice united with their horizon , but without delay . thirdly , from their circles of declination , or their colures , who live under the line : for there , the forementioned circles , and the horizon , are twice , by every revolution of the sphere , united : but the circles of declination follow the motion of the primum mobile , but the horizon stands immovable . the horizon is said indeed to be immovable , but not unchangable , for there are as many horizons , as there are vertical points ; and while we change our vertical point , of necessity we change our horizon also . two ways is the horizon divided . first , in relation to the equinoctial , which is called a right horizon , an oblique horizon , and a parallel horizon . the right horizon , is so called , because it cuts the equinoctial at right angles . it is called oblique , because it cuts the equinoctial at oblique angles . and it is called a parallel horizon , when it lies parallel to the plain of the equinoctial , or rather when it is united , with the equinoctial . and according to this relation , it hath to the equinoctial , the sphere it self , hath obtained the same division . secondly , the horizon is either rational , or sensible . the rational horizon , is defi●…ed above , and is understood to divide the whole world , or sphere of the world into two equal parts , the first whereof is called the uppermost hemisphere , the second the nethermost hemisphere . it is called rational , because tho we cannot see the whole world , or the exact half of it , yet reason tell us , by the rising and setting of the sun , moon , and stars , that the inferior part of the world , is equal to the superior part . the sensible horizon , is nothing else , but so much of the earth , as a man , by turning his eye once , doth behold round about him . the uses of the horizon are these . first , it divides that part of the heavens , which is seen , from the other which is not seen , the superior part from the inferior part . 2. thorow the poles of the horizon the meridian ought to pass : therefore the description of the meridians depend from the horizon . 3. by the situation of the horizon , we know whether it be a right sphere ▪ oblique sphere , or a parallel sphere . 4. in the horizon , the rising or setting of the stars are observed 5. the horizon sheweth , what degree of the ecliptick , what part also of the equinoctial , or what degree , with any given point of the heaven riseth or setteth . 6. it boundeth and terminats the ascensional difference . 7. upon the horizon is numbred , the rising or setting amplitude , of any point in the heaven . 8. it demonstrats , and sheweth the cause and reason of the equality of days and nights in a right sphere , and of the unequality of the same in an oblique sphere . for the horizon in a right sphere cutteth all the circles of the natural day equally , but unequally in an oblique sphere . 9. from the horizon we number the morning-twilight : for when the sun ●…s distant , in some vertical circle 18 or 19 degreees from the horizon , so that ●…rom that moment , he approach nearer ●…nd nearer unto it , then begins the morning-twilight . but the evening-twilight ends , when the sun after his set●…ing comes to that 18 or 19 degree ●…oresaid ; for then doth the light turn ●…nto darkness . 10. from the horizon , we number the elevation of the pole , ●…nd equinoctial . 11. from the hori●…on are numbred various and divers ●…inds of hours , as the italick , and iewish nocturnal hours from the west part of the horizon : but the babylonish hours , ●…nd the iewish unequal diurnal hours , ●…rom the east part . chap. vi. of the meridian . the meridian is one of the greatest circles in the sphere , passing thorow the poles of the world , and the poles of the horizon . by the words , thorow the poles of the horizon , it is distinguished from the horary circles , of which none but it self , passes thorow the poles of the horizon . it has acquired divers and sundry names , by reason of its manifold uses , by astrologers , which are not fit to repeat now . what was said above concerning the colures , and circles of declination , to wit , that they are in number equal to the vertical points , the same may be said of the meridian , for as many of them may be imagined , as there are vertical points , which are infinite , providing a man travel from east to west : for if a man go from north to south , or from south to north , he travels round about the world , without variation of his meridian . the brasen meridian in the celestial , or terrestrial globe , supplyes the office of them all , which are innumerable . but in geographical tables , and mapps , geographers use to extend one meridian , thorow two , and two opposite degrees of the equinoctial , for finding out , the more easily the latitudes of places . of all these meridians there is a common beginning se●…led in the fortunate , or canary islands , because the antient geographers deemed those islands to be the westmost part of the world , and therefore they fixed their first march-stone there , whence they begin to reckon . but the later geographers , have removed this march-stone 10 degrees more westerly , and have made the common beginning of the meridian to pass thorow one of the islands called osores , whence they begin to reckon from west to east , imita●…ing the order of the 12 signs . the uses of the meridian are these , 1. it distinguisheth the eastern part , of the world , from the western part , the anterior part , from the posterior part . 2. it lets us know the south part of the world , and the north part . for when the sun is in the meridian , ●…en is mid-day , and when the sun is in the northern part , of the meridian , then is mid-night . 3. it divides the nocturnal and diurnal time into two halfs : that is , when the sun is come to the meridian in our hemisphere , as much of the day is past , as what is to come : and when the sun is come to the northern part of the meridian , as much of the night is past , as what is to come . 4. the meridian supplies in every oblique sphere the place of the right horizon : therefore , as the stars do ascend above the right horizon , so they pass over the meridian , and those ●…ransitions are called the right ascensions of the middle heaven . 5. from the meridian , astronomers begin their time. 6. in the meridian , we find out the zenith ; therefore when the stars come to it , they are either highest above the horizon , and are said by astrologers to culminate , or they are in the lowest , and opposite part of it , which is the nadir . 7. in the meridian , we find out the distances between the tropicks , and the whole obliquity of the ecliptick . 8. upon the meridian , we number the latitude of places upon the earth , and likewise the elevation of the pole , and equinoctial . the elevation of the pole , is defined , an arch of the meridian , measured between the horizon , and the apparent pole of the world , which may be found out , after the following manner . observe the greatest and least altitude of any of the stars , which do not set . subtract the least altitude from the greatest , and divide the difference . this difference being subtracted from the greatest elevation , or added to the least , gives the true height of the pole. december 17. 1669 , i observed with a large quadrant , half 9 a clock at night , the foremost guard-star , when it was in the meridian , and lowest , to have 41 degrees , 22 minuts of altitude . and on ianuary 7. 1670 , at 7 a clock in the morning , i found it , when it was in the meridian , and heighest , to have 70 degrees , 27 minuts . i subtract 41 degrees , 22 minuts , from 70 degrees , 27 minuts , and the difference is 29 degrees , 5 minuts . divide this , and you have 14 degrees , 32 minuts , and 30 seconds . this being added to 41 degrees , 22 minuts , gives you 55 degrees , 54 minuts , 30 seconds . or subtract 14 degrees , 32 minuts , and 30 seconds , from 70 degrees , 27 minuts , and there remains 55 degrees , 54 minuts , and 30 seconds , for our height of the pole at edinburgh . 9. the meridians do terminate , and bound the longitudes of places , as well in the terrestrial globe , as in the mapps , and cards projected in plano . 10. the meridians do terminate , and bound the breadths and latitudes of the zones , and also of the climats . 11. we find out in the meridian , the antipodes , the anteci , and perieci . chap. vii . of the tropicks . the tropicks are lesser movable circles of the sphere , described from the solsticial points , by the mo●…ion of the primum mobile . they are called lesser , because there are in the sphere greater circles , than they are . they are called movable , that they may be distinguished chiefly , from the paral●…els of their horizon ( called almican●…ars ) , who live under the poles ; and ●…rom the antient polars of those , who ●…ive under the polars , with whom the tropicks are equal to those circles , which comprehend the stars , which never come above the horizon , nor ever go under it . they are two in number , to wit , the tropick of cancer , and the tropick of capricorn . the tropick of cancer , is a lesser movable circle , described from the summer-solstitial-point of the ecliptick , by the motion of the primum mobile . the tropick of capricorn , is lesser movable circle , described fro●… the winter-solstitial-point of the ecliptick , by the motion of the primum mobile . the uses of the tropicks are these 1. they demonstrate to us , in the ecliptick , the two tropical or solstic points , to wit , the beginning of cancer , and the beginning of capricorn 2. they terminate and bound , the sun greatest declination , and consequently the greatest obliquity of the ecliptick 3. when the sun comes to either of th●… two tropicks , he is either nearest t●… our vertical-point , or furthest removed from it . 4. in an oblique sphere , they ly parallel to the longest , and shortes●… day . 5. between the tropicks , i●… comprehended the torrid zone , as well in the heavens , as in the earth : and by the same tropicks , the torrid zone is divided from the temperate zones . chap. viii . of the polars . the polars are lesser circles of the sphere , movable , described from the poles of the ecliptick , by the motion of the primum mobile . for this cause , they are called the polar circles . they are two in number , the polar artick , and the polar antartick . the polar artick is a lesser circle of the sphere , movable , described from the north pole of the ecliptick , by the motion of the primum mobile . the polar antartick , is a lesser circle of the sphere , movable , described from the south pole of the ecliptick , by the motion of the primum mobile . they let us see first , the poles of the zodiack , and they measure their distance from the poles of the world. 2. they bound the temperat zones , and separats them from the cold zones , which are bounded and inclosed by their circumferences . it is to be observed , that the antient astronomers , proclus , cleomedes , and the rest , had not the same description of the polars , which we have . for the antients , did not describe them , as passing thorow the poles of the ecliptick , but thorow the common sections of the meridian , and horizon , equidistant to the equinoctial ▪ and therefore , so much was their distance from the poles of the world , a●… the height of the pole was above the horizon . and by this means , where there is no elevation of the pole , as in a right sphere , there are no polars . but from thence , they are more , and more gradually augmented , and enlarged , according to the increment of the poles elevation . the uses of the polars , according to the antients , are these , 1. they comprehend the arch of the elevation of the pole. 2. of all the parallels of the equinoctial , which are always seen above the horizon , they are the greatest and of all the parallels of the equinoctial , which ly hid under the horizon , they are the greatest also . but contra●…iwise , of all the parallels of the equinoctial , which arise and set in twenty four hours , they are the least . therefore ( 3. ) the foresaid polars , comprehend within their compass , and circle , ●…he whole stars and points of heaven , which are always in sight , and do not ●…et . hence , there ariseth a threefold ●…istinction of the stars . 1. there are ●…ome , which have a perpetual day , and ●…ever set , or fall under the horizon , to ●…it , those which are comprehended within the circle of the polar artick . 2. there are others , which have a perpetual night , which never rise , or come ●…p above the horizon , to wit all those , which are included within the circle of ●…he polar antartick . there are ( 3. ) others which both rise and set in four ●…nd twenty hours , to wit those , which ●…ither on this side , or that side of the equinoctial , tend towards and come nearest to the foresaid polars . chap. ix . concerning other circles of the sphere , both greater and lesser , which cannot be conveniently drawn upon it . beside the circles of the sphere hitherto explained , there are yet innumerable more , both of the greatest and lesser sort , which astronomers have excogitated for attaining a more perfec● knowledge of the heavenly motions ▪ 1. there are of the greatest sort verticals , which pass thorow every point o● the horizon , cutting one another there which by the arabians are called azimuths . 2. there are the horary circles , which divide the heavens , into four and twenty parts , which are o● three sorts . for either they have the beginning in the meridian , and pa●● thorow the poles of the world , or the have their beginning in the east , o● west-part of the horizon , by whic● means they touch lightly , the two circles lying parallel to the equinoctial , of which one is the greatest of all , which are always seen above the horizon , the other the greatest of all , which are not seen above the horizon : or lastly , they have their beginning in the horizon , but neither go thorow the poles , of the world , nor go near to the foresaid parallels , but divide all the segments of the parallels , which are above or below the horizon , into twelve equal parts . 3. there are circles of declination , which pass thorow the poles of the world , and every point of the equinoctial . there are 4. circles of latitude , which pass thorow the poles of the ecliptick , and every one of his degrees . the lesser circles are infinite also ; for there is no great circle , which hath not his own parallels . as first the horizon , which hath circles of altitude , called by the arabians almicanthars . the equinoctial , hath its own parallels , to wit , described by the primum mobile , from all , and whatsoever points are in the heavens . so hath the zodiack his parallels , described about the poles of the ecliptick , which parallels every star , or point of the heavens , according to the proper motion of the eight sphere , do describe , and many more are there invented by astronomers for astronomical uses . chap. x. of the zones . to the doctrine of the sphere , is commonly annexed the geographical tractat of the zones . the zones therefore are nothing else , but as much bounds , of the heaven , or of the earth , as is comprehended between both the tropicks , or between either of the two tropicks , and the next polar , or between either of the two polars , and the neighbouring pole. therefore the zones , are either celestial , or terrestrial . the celestial zones , are bounded by themselves , and their own circles in the heavens . the terrestrial zones , ly directly under the same places of the heavens . they are five in number , one torrid , two temperate , and two frigid . the torrid zone , is that space of the heavens , or the earth , comprehended between the two tropicks . this is divided into two parts , of which one is called the northern , the other the southern part . it is called torrid , because here , the rays of the sun are more perpendicular , and so hotter , that the inhabitants are in a manner scorched , and burnt up with heat . the temperate zones , are that space of the heavens , or of the earth , comprehended between either of the two tropicks , and the neighbouring polars : and that which is included , between the tropick of cancer , and the polar artick , is called the temperate northern zone , wherein are contained , all europe almost , and a great part of asia , and also a part of america . but that which is included between the tropick of capricorn , and the antartick polar , is called the southern temperate zone . this contains more sea , and less land. they are called temperate , because the rays of the sun , being more oblique , there is not such a reflection of heat , but offer a most commodious dwelling to the inhabitants . the frigid zones , are that space of the heavens , and of the earth , comprehended between either of the polars , and the neighbouring pole of the world. and that bounds , which is included between the polar artick , and the north pole , is called the northern frigid zone : and that bounds which is included , between the polar antartick , and the south pole , is called , the southern frigid zone . they are called frigid , because the rays of the sun are most oblique , and are absent almost half a year ; so that all things become rigid and stiff , with frost , yce , and snow . in this zone , lyes island and greenland , but in the southern cold zone , the parts are unknown to us . the inhabitants of the five zones , have obtained divers names . for those , who inhabite the torrid zone , are called amphiscii , as having a shadow on both sides . i say on both sides , in respect of the vertical point . for the sun with them , is sometimes on this side , and sometimes on that side of their vertical point : sometimes the shadow of their dials is projected from south to north , and sometimes from north to south , when he is in the meridian . the inhabitants of the temperate zones , are called heteroscii , as having but one shadow . for at 12 a clock in the day , the shadow is either casten towards the north , as with us , or towards the south , as with those , who dwell in the southern temperate zone . but those , who live in the frigid zones , are called periscii , as having a shadow , which goes round about them ; because they have the sun for several months of the year , above their horizon , and the heavens there , like a milstone , is whirled about , so that the sun and stars describe parallels to the horizon , and therefore in four and twenty hours , he runs about without rising and setting , and projects his shadow into an orb , or circle . there are likewise , the antipodes , anteci , and perieci . antipodes , are those , who have the same meridian , but dwell in points of it , diametraliter opposite , and are under opposite parallels , ( to wit in an oblique sphere , ) of which the one is southern , the other northern . these following phenomena , are proper to them . 1. though they have the same rational horizon , yet beholding the opposite faces , all things fall out to them contrariwise . for when we have day and mid-day , our antipodes have night and mid-night . when we have summer , they have winter . when the sun rises to us , he sets to them . we have north latitude , they have south latitude . the anteci are those , who dwell under opposite parallels , equally distant from the equator , towards both the poles , under the same meridian , but not in points diametraliter opposed , but in a semi circle of the meridian intercepted between the poles . they have these phenomena proper to them . first , they agree in the same longitude , and latitude ; for how much is the south pole elevated to those , so much is the north pole elevated to these . 2. in the same moment of time , both of them have the sun in their meridian . but in this they differ ; while the sun is coming to the tropick of cancer , those have summer and longer days , but these have winter , and shorter days . again , when the sun is returning , those have harvest , the days decreasing , but these have the spring , the days increasing . hence it is , that the sun doth not rise , and set to both , at the same time . the perieci are those , who dwell under the same parallel and meridian , but in points of the same parallel diametraliter opposite ; so that both of them behold the same pole , with equal height above the horizon . first , they dwell in the same zone . secondly , they have the same elevation of the same pole. they have the same winter , the same summer , the same longest day , and the same increment , and decrement of the natural days . but here they differ ; those having the sun rising , these have it setting ; those having the sun in the meridian , these have it at our mid-night : and contrariwise , when to those the sun is setting , to these he is rising , when to those it is mid-night , to these it is the meridian . chap. xi . of the rising and setting of the stars according to the poets . hitherto we have treated of the hypotheses , to wit , the circles of the sphere , which so much conduce for explaining the phenomena of the primum mobile . it now remaineth , that we speak and treat of the thing it self , to wit , the phenomena themselves . and in the entry , we ought to have spoken of the rising and setting of the stars , called ortus & occasus stellarum astronomicus ; but the knowledge of those things , cannot be taught here compendiously , nor without the science of spherical trigonometry ; therefore passing this , we come to explain the rising and setting of the stars , called ortus & occasus poeticus , which is the second phenomenon of the primum mobile . this rising and setting of the stars according to the poets , is nothing else , but the rising of a star above the horizon , and the setting of a star under it , in relation to the various position of it , with the sun. it is called poetical , not because it doth not belong to astronomers ; for it is a part of their science to determine those risings and settings , but because the poets in describing certain seasons of the year , use this method , as will be seen afterward . of this poetical rising and setting , there are three forms . first , that which is called the rising and setting of a star cosmice . secondly , that which is called the rising and setting of a star , acronyce . thirdly , that which is called the rising and setting of a star heliace . each one of those hath a double signification ; one general , the other special . the rising of a star cosmice generally taken , is the rising of a star above the horizon , falling out from the rising of the sun to his setting . the setting of a star cosmice , generally taken , is the setting of a star , falling out from his rising to his setting . the rising of a star acronyce , generally taken , is the rising of a star above the horizon , falling out the whole time , the sun is under the horizon . the setting of a star acronyce generally taken , is the setting of a star under the horizon , falling out all the time the sun is under the horizon . the rising of a star heliace generally taken , is the appearing of a star after the sun is risen . the setting of a star heliace generally taken , is the disappearing of a star , after the sun is set . but their special signification denotes , and determines , a certain , and definite time . therefore , the rising of a star cosmice , is the ascending of a star above the horizon , in the same moment , wherein the sun rises . the setting of a star cosmice , is when a star goes down , while the sun is rising . the rising of a star acronyce , is when a star comes above the horizon , the sun going down under the horizon that same moment . the setting of a star acronyce , is when a star sets with the sun , that same moment . the rising of a star heliace , is when a star , which could not be seen , by reason of its nearness to the sun , is now seen in the night time . the setting of a star heliace , is when a star , by reason of the suns great distance from it , might have been seen in the night time , but the sun coming nearer to it , it disappears out of our sight . we have an example of the rising of a star cosmice , in the first book of the georgicks . vere fabis satio : tunc te quoque medica putres accipiunt sulci , & milio venit annua cura candidus auratis aperit , cum cornibus annum taurus , & adverso cedens canis occidit astro. when taurus with his gilded horns , begins the year , then sowe your corns sowe millet-seed , an yearly toil , sowe claver-grass , in putrid soil , sowe yearly pulse , and what you please sowe in the spring , both beans and pease . virgil doth express here the spring time , when the millet-seed is to be sown●… which is in the beginning of april : an●… seing the sun at that time , is about th●… end of aries , it must be understood of the rising of taurus , which at that time riseth with the sun cosmice . at this time the romans used to sowe their beans , their claver-grass , and their millet , which every year must be renewed ; whereas the claver-grass is to be sown but once in ten years . we have likewise an example of the setting of a star cosmice , from that same place in virgil. ante tibi eoae atlantides abseondantur gnosiaque ardentis decedat stella coronae debita quam sulcis committas semina . when pleiades , the maidens seven , are set into the western-heaven , when ariadnes crown full bright before the sun comes in our sight , then sowe your ground with wheat and rye 't is of october eighteen day . before you sowe your ground ( says he ) let the pleiades , or seven-stars be set , which about october 18 , go down in the west , in the same moment of time , while the sun is rising in the east , which is called occasus cosmicus . we have an example of the rising of a star acronyce , from ovid , in his first book de ponto . quatuor autumnos pleias orta facit . four harvests surely there have been , for pleias four times have been seen . ovid is here speaking of the harvest time , when the sun is in scorpio , therefore when the sun is setting , taurus or the bull , and the pleiades are rising acronyce . we have also an example of the setting of a star acronyce , from the same ovid , in his second book of his fasts . illa nocte aliquis tollens ad sidera vultus dicet ubi est hodie , quae lyra fulsit heri . last night when i surveyed the sky , saw the harp , 't is gone away this night . this time , is the second day of fe●…uary , at which time the constellation ●…lled the harp , sets acronyce , with the ●…u . we have likewise an example of the rising of a star heliace , from the first book of the georgicks . gnosiaque ardentis decedat stella coronae . when ariadnes crown full bright before the sun comes in our sight . 't is eviden●… that virgil speaks here of the rising of this constellation heliace , called aridnes crown , when the sun is in the beginning of scorpio . for seing this constellation rises at rome , where virgil lived , with the 27 degree of virgo , it is needful to conceive this crown to be seen in the morning , the sun being yet under the horizon . note , that there is a figure called hypallage in the word decedat : for the crown doth not recede from the sun , but the sun from it . and lastly , we have an example of the setting of a star heliace , from the same place of virgil. taurus , & adverso cedens canis occidit astro. and when the dog shall disappear , by phebus beams him coming near . the poet is here speaking of the suns ingress into taurus , which fell out in virgils time on the 1●… of april . but seing the dog-star sets at rome with the 22 degree of taurus , therefore , the sun setting in the evening , the dog-star setteth heliace , or disappears out of our sight , by reason of the suns rays , which now are nearer him . observe , that what stars do arise cosmice , which is also called ortus matutinus , they set acronyce , which is called occasus vespertinus : and what stars do arise acronyce , which is called ortus vespertinus , they set cosmice , which is called occasus matutinus , according to the following rhyme . cosmice descendit signum , quod chronice surgit , chronice descendit signum , quod cosmice surgit . aliter . mane vehit supra terram tibi cosmicus ortus sidera , sed phoebi lumine tecta latent . mane dat heliacus quaedam subvecta videre astra , sed achronycus nocte videnda trahit . note secondly , that the word cosmicus , comes from kosmos , the world. that the word chronicus , comes from the greek word chronos , time. but acronycus comes from acra & nux , which is the first part of the night , or the evening ▪ twilight . that heliacus comes from helios , the sun. lastly , that chronice , and acronyce have the same signification . chap. xii . concerning the natural , and artificial days . now follows another phenomenon of the primum mobile , to wit , the doctrine of days natural and artificial . days are twofold , astronomical , and civil . astronomical days , are such as are measured , by the revolutions of the equinoctial , and determined by a certain quantity . days civil , are such as every nation , according to their own custom make use of . the astronomical day , is either natural , or artificial . the natural astronomical day , is a space of time , wherein the sun , by the motion of the primum mobile , being carried about , from whatsoever immovable point of the heavens , returns to that same point again . these astronomical days have their beginning in the meridian , as was insinuate before . the artificial astronomical day , is a space of time , wherein the center of the sun remains above the horizon . and the artificial night , is as much time , as the center of the sun remains under the horizon . the doctrine of the artificial days and nights , is contained in the following theorems . 1. the artificial days and nights , with the amphiscii , heteroscii , and partly with the periscii , are parts of the natural day : but with the periscii , in those parts of the earth , wherein the sun , by the going about of the primum mobile , perfects some circumgyrations , either above the horizon , without setting , or under the horizon , without rising , one artificial day , or one artificial night , doth excresce into many natural days ; so that indeed under the poles , the artificial day contains half a year , and the artificial night as much ; and so to speak properly , the whole year consists but of one day , men looking to the analogy of the natural day . 2. under a right sphere , the artificial day , is equal to the night : for the horizon , in this position of the sphere , cuts the circuli dierum , the day-circles , into two equal parts . the day-circles , are called those parallels of the equator which the sun doth dayly describe , by the motion of the primum mobile . 3. in an oblique sphere , there are only twice a year , two equinoxes , when the sun is in the beginning of aries and libra . the reason of this appears , from the mutual section of the horizon , with the circuli dierum , or day-circles , which is indeed unequal , except when the sun is in the equinoctial . 4. in an oblique sphere , which hath the vicissitude of the artificial , and natural day , by one revolution of the equator , the sun being in the. tropick of cancer ( we are now speaking of this uppermost part of the sphere ) we have the longest day in all the year , and the shortest night : but the sun being in the winter solstice , the day is shortest , and the night longest . 5. in the same position of the sphere , thorow the whole half of the ecliptick descending , the sun maketh the following days shorter , than the days going before , but the nights longer . but in the half of the ecliptick ascending , the sun maketh the days following longer , than the days going before , but the nights shorter . 6. when the sun is existing , in places of the ecliptick , equally distant , from the same solstitial point , days are equal to days , and nights to nights . 7. when the sun is existing in places of the ecliptick equally distant , from the same equinoctial point , the day of one place , is equal to the night of another . 8. in an oblique position of the sphere , the greater the elevation of the pole is , the greater are the increments of the longest day , and shortest night , until coming under the polars , the longest day contains twenty and four hours . 9. in an oblique sphere , of such as dwell between the polar , and next pole , the longest day excresceth into many natural days , as also the longest night . but there are certain intermediat horary circles , a part of which is above the horizon , and a part under , in which , when the sun is existing , the artificial days , as also the nights , are ▪ parts of the natural day . 10. in a parallel sphere , such as they have , who live under the poles , the whole year , is divided into one artificial day , and one artificial night . the length of every artificial day , is known by the diurnal , and nocturnal arch. first , find the oblique ascension or point of the equinoctial , which riseth with the sun , and oblique descension , or point of the equinoctial , which setteth with the sun. subtract the lesser from the greater , and half the difference , is the ascensional difference , which added to six hours in the summer half year , but subtracted therefrom in the winter half year , gives half the diurnal arch , whose double is the whole diurnal arch , and the complement of the diurnal arch to 24 hours , is the nocturnal arch. for example , the tenth day of april 1687 , the oblique ascension of the sun ( being in the first degree of taurus ) is 10 deg . 21. m. the oblique descension is 45 deg . 27 m. whose difference is 35 deg . 6. m. whose half is 17 deg . 33 m. the ascensional difference , which being added to 90 deg . or 6 hours , is 107 deg . 33 m. which make 7 hours , 10 m. fere , for the time of the suns setting , which is always half the diurnal arch. therefore the diurnal arch is 14 hours , 20 m. which taken from 24 hours , there remains 9 hours , 40 m. for the nocturnal arch required . note , that the ascensional difference added to the oblique ascension in the summer half year , but subtracted from it , in the winter half year , gives the right ascension of the sun , or any of the stars . what is said of the day in respect of the sun , may be most commodiously applyed to the stars . for the day of a star , is rightly called the space of time , wherein it is above the horizon : and the night of a star , the space of time , wherein it is below the horizon . concerning the days of the fixed stars , let the following theorems be observed . 1. in a right sphere , the stars have a perpetual equinox . 2. but in an oblique sphere , the fixed stars , whose north declination , is greater than the complement of the altitude of the pole , are said to have an eternal day : but those stars , whose south declination , exceeds the complement of the altitude of the pole , are said to have an eternal night . the intermediate stars , have the course of rising and setting . 3. in a parallel sphere , the fixed stars are said to have eternal days , and eternal nights . days civil , are called the space of time , of one revolution of the equinoctial , which according to every nation , or countrey , is divers ways begun , and made use of . for as there are various and divers nations in the world , so each one hath a different way of beginning their hours . for the iews , by divine institution , began their day , from the setting of the sun , which custom the italians do observe . the babylonians began their day from sun rising , whose practice , the norinbergers , the people called the umbri , and the egyptians do imitate . the arabians as the astronomers , begin their day from the meridian . the romans from midnight . the germans , the frenches , and spainards begin their day from the meridian , and mid-night . for their clocks , and watches are so contrived , that they return from one a clock in the night-time , to twelve a clock in the day-time , and from one a clock in the day-time , to twelve a clock at night-time . their days are divided , as the astronomical days , into one artificial day , and likewise into forenoon , and afternoon . and because hours are parts of the days , therefore we must speak a little of them . the hour is the twentieth and fourth part of the natural day , or the space of time , wherein the twentieth and fourth part of the equinoctial , or 15 degrees thereof , riseth above the horizon . but this definition is not sufficient , because it doth not agree to all hours : for every twelfth part of every day , and every night whatsoever , was called by the iews , and the antients an hour . but 15 degrees of the equinoctial , do not always ascend above the horizon , every one of these hours ; but sometimes more , and sometimes fewer , as will appear afterward . therefore , an hour may rather be defined thus , a certain part of the artificial day , and night , made use of by divers nations , after a divers manner , that it may be known generally , what the hour is . for in effect , that definition agrees only to to those hours , which are called hor●… aequales , equal hours . the hours then , which are called unequal , ought to be defined thus . the twelfth part of every artificial day and night : therefore according to the divers seasons of the year , the hours are sometimes shorter , and sometimes longer : in summer longer , and in winter shorter , as are th●… iewish hours : for they divide both the day , and the night into twelve parts , both in summer and in winter , calling the rising of the sun , the beginning of the first hour , and consequently nine their third hour ; twelve their sixth hour , three a clock in the afternoon their ninth hour , and the setting of the sun , the end of their twelfth hour , by which means , their hours must be far longer in summer , than in winter . the equal hours are of three sorts : for some take their beginning from the setting of the sun , as the italian hours . others take their beginning from the rising of the sun , as are the babylonish hours , and the hours of the city of norimberg , who from the rising of the sun begin the number of the hours of the day ; the circles of which hours do lightly touch the greatest parallels , of all , which do appear above the horizon , and of all which do not appear . lastly , others do take their beginning from the meridian , which astronomers make use of , and these nations , which either take their beginning of hours from the superior part of the same circle , or from the inferior part . chap. xiii . concerning years . as hours make up days , so days make up years , therefore we must speak somewhat of years . the year then is twofold , astronomical , and political . the astronomical year , is the space of time , wherein the sun returns , either to the same point of the ecliptick , or to the same fixed star. and this is twofold , the tropical year , called annus vertens , or the syderial year . annus vertens , is a space of time , wherein the sun leaving some point of the ecliptick , returns again to the same point . the quantity of this year is changeable ; for sometimes it is more , and sometimes it is less . between these two extreams , the middle year contains 365 days , hours 5 , m. 49 , sec. 15. thirds 46. but the true or apparent year is sometimes 365 days ▪ hours 5 , min. 56. sec. 53 , thirds 1. sometime it is 365 days , hours 5 , min. 42 , sec. 28 , thirds 27. the syderial year , is a space of time , wherein the sun under the starry sky , returns to the same fixed star. the quantity of this year is 365 days , hours 6 , min. 6 , sec. 39. it is always equal to it self , and therefore the measure of the year called annus vertens . the beginning of this annus vertens , is taken from the vernal equinox , but the beginning of the syderial year , from the first star of aries . the political year , is an annual space of time , which is either accommodated to the course of the sun , or the moon , or to both , according to the common reckoning of several countries and nations . this political year is manifold ; for it is either iulian , which contains 365 days , hours 6 , which six hours , if they were reckoned every year , would make confusion : therefore the masters of astronomy have appointed , they should be omitted , till the fourth year , and then four times six , make 24 , which make up a full and compleat day , which being inter caled , that is , interlaced , or put between , as in leap year there is a day put between the 28 of february , and the first of march , the year is called annus intercalaris , or bissextile year . it is to be adverted , that the cause of correcting the iulian calendar , by pope gregory the 13 , in the year 1582 , was the unjust quantity of it . for by this , it came to pass , that after some ages , the four cardinal points did anticipate and prevent their seats ; and so at length the four seasons of the year , might be interchanged . from this it is evident this day , that according to these times , the equinoctial , and the ingress of the sun into the 12 signs have anticipated almost 13 degrees . that is , the entering of the sun , into aries , taurus , &c. falleth out sooner by 13 degrees , than to the romans : which comes to pass , because more , than what is just , is given to the space of the year . for there were given to the year , by the correction of iulius cesar , 365 days , and six hours : for which hours , every fourth year , one day is added , and so the common iulian year contains 365 days , but the bissextile 366. but seing the solar year , in which the sun runs thorow the whole ecliptick , is less than this space , by almost eleven minuts of time every year ; it comes to pass , that in 50 year , and a half , one hour remains , and in the space of 130 years , a whole day remains . i said the political year , was manifold , either iulian , of which hitherto , or egyptian , or iudaical . the egyptian year contains always 365 days . this year was esteemed most useful by the antient astronomers , for the art of reckoning the celestial motions . the iudaical year is accommodated and fitted to the motion of the moon , and contains , for the greatest part , twelve , and sometimes thirteen lunations . this year did the astronomers use , before the reformation of the calendar , instituted by iulius cesar , by the help of one sosigenes , a famous and learned mathematician . the beginning of these years is divers also . for the antient romans , began their year from march : the later romans from the midst of winter , called bruma . the iews , by divine institution , began their year from the new moon , which was next after to the vernal equinox . that we this day begin our year from the first of ianuary , it is for this , because we following the custom of the late romans , beginning their year from the midst of winter , which was nearest to the first of ianuary , by little and little the winter solstice did prevent , and anticipat its seat , and place . the egyptian year , hath not a sure beginning , by reason that six hours are omitted . hence is it , that every fourth year it anticipats one day : and therefore within 365 years , four times numbered , or 1460 iulian years , the beginning of the egyptian year , wanders over all the days of the iulian year . chap. xiv . concerning the divers phenomena , which are to be seen in the various positions of the sphere . the last part of this little tractat , shall be in examining the phenomena , which are proper to the various situations , and positions of the sphere . the sphere may have seven different positions , 1. when both the poles of the world do rest in the horizon , which is called a right sphere . the second position is oblique , when our vertical point , is terminated between the equinoctial , and either of the tropicks . the third position is , when our zenith is under either of the tropicks . the fourth is , when our zenith is between either of the tropicks , and the neighbouring polar . the fifth is , when our zenith is in the very polar itself . the sixth is , when our zenith is between either of the polars , and the neighbouring pole of the world. and lastly , when the poles of the world , do fall in with the poles of the horizon , which is called a parallel sphere . chap. xv. concerning the phenomena of the first position . 1. every star in the heavens riseth and setteth , neither is there one of them , without this property : and therefore in this position , there is neither polar artick , nor antartick , according to the antients . 2. there is here a perpetual equinox . 3. the sun every year passing twice over their heads , is to them twice vertical , to wit , when he is in the equinoctial points . 4. as much , as the sun declines from their vertical point , towards the north , as much also doth he decline from their vertical point , towards the south . 5. they have four solstices , two when the sun is highest in their vertical point , and two , when he is lowest , in cancer , and capricorn . 6. they have two summers and two winters , but only analogically : for even in winter , their bodies are scorched with heat . 7. there are here in this position , five different shadows , the meridional , or south shadow , the north shadow , a shadow from the east , a shadow from the west , and a perpendicular shadow , which falls out only , when the sun is in the equinoctial points . 8. the end or extremity of their gnomons , upon their horizontal dialls , which are our polar dialls , describe the whole year , the figure called hyperbole , except when the sun , is in the beginning of aries and libra , where he describes a straight and right line . chap. xvi . of the phenomena of the second position ▪ 1. some northern stars tarrying always above our horizon , have eternal days ; and contrariwise , there are some about the south pole , which never come above the horizon , but have eternal nights . 2. the artick , and antartick circles , according to the antients , are not as yet equal to our polars . 3. the artificial day is not equal to its own night , two days only excepted , when the sun is in the equinoctial points , at which time , there is thorow the whole world an equinox . 4. the longest day there , doth not exceed thirteen hours and a half . 5. the sun is to them , twice vertical every year , to wit , when he comes to those degrees of the ecliptick , whose declination , is equal to the latitude of the place ; for he describes then , a parallel thorow the zenith . 6. the sun in the meridian , goeth further towards the south , than towards the north. note , that we are now speaking , and in the following discourse , of those seven positions , which are in the northern sphere . 7. there are here , four solstices , two high , and two low . the two highest fall out , when the sun is in that parallel , which passeth thorow the zenith . the two lowest are , when the sun is in the tropicks . yet that which falls out in the tropick of capricorn , is lower , than that which falls out in the tropick of cancer . 8. they have two summers , and two winters , but unequal , as appears from the various situation of the parallels . 9. the longest day is not , when the sun is in the highest solstices , but in the tropick of cancer . 10. there are five different shadows , as we observed in the first position . 11. the end or extremity of the gnomon , by its shadow , when the sun is out of the equinoctial , describes ( as in the first position ) the figure called hyperbole , but the opposite sides are not equal as there , but unequal . 12. in any part of this position , where the elevation of the pole , is less , than the declination of the sun , the shadow of a style perpendicularly erected upon a plain , may have a natural , visible , retrocession . in the matter of ahaz his dial , the retrogradation of the shadow was miraculous , because it was done without , and not within the tropicks , neither is it possible in nature , it can happen , but where the elevation of the pole , is less than the suns declination , which is only within the tropicks . but the foresaid dial was placed far without , to wit , under the latitude of 35 degrees . chap. xvii . of the phenomena of the third position . 1. all the stars , which are comprehended within the north polar , remain always above the horizon , neither do they ever set , unless it be , by a general setting heliace : and contrariwise , all the stars , which are comprehended within the south polar , have a perpetual night ▪ therefore the polars , according to the antients , are now equal to our polars . 2. the longest artificial day is , when the sun passeth over our zenith ; the shortest , when the sun is farthest in the meridian removed from it . 3. once a year only is the sun vertical , to wit , when he is in the beginning of cancer . 4. the sun in the meridian , never descendeth from the zenith towards the north , but returning from the tropick of cancer , he is alway in the south . 5. there are here , but two solstices , one high , another low . the highest , when the sun is in the tropick of cancer ; the lowest when the sun is in the tropick of capricorn . 6. the day is longest , when the sun is in the tropick of cancer , it is shortest when the sun is in the tropick of capricorn . 7. there is one summer , when the sun is in the zenith , and one winter , when he is in the winter solstice . 8. they have four different shadows , one perpendicular , one oriental , one occidental , and one meridional . here begin the heteroscii , for the meridional shadows begin there to decay , that is , the shadows projected towards the south . 9. the extremity or end of their gnomon , upon their dials , describe also the figure called hyperbole , the sides opposite being unequal . chap. xviii . of the phenomena of the fourth position . as the artick and antartick of the antients , are greater than our polars , so there are more stars in this position of the sphere , seen perpetually , and more perpetually lurking under the horizon , than in the last position . 2. the unequality of days and nights , are also augmented . the artificial day is at the longest , when the sun comes nearest to our zenith , and at the shortest , when he is furthest removed from it : and as the shortest artificial day cannot be less , than 13 hours and a half , so the longest day cannot be 24 hours . this least artificial day , is truly the longest day , our vertical point coming nearest to the tropick . it is called the least artificial day , because it is the shortest of all the longest days , which can arise from the variation of the vertical point , between the tropick and the polar : and therefore , itis not called minima the least , in respect of the rest of the days of the same elevation of the pole , but in respect of the rest of the longest days , which may be found between the tropick and polar . the longest day in this fourth position of the sphere , the zenith coming nearest to our tropick , cannot be less , than 13 hours and a half , as the longest day cannot contain 24 hours . for this comes to pass , when the zenith is in the polar : therefore we must read , as the shortest artificial longest day , cannot be less , than 13 hours and a half , &c. 3. the sun can never come to their zenith , neither can he ever touch lightly ( stringere ) their horizon , when he is in the meridian . 4. there are two solstices , one when the sun is in cancer , and highest , another lowest , when he is in the tropick of capricorn . 5. there is one summer , and one winter . 6. there are only three different shadows , one oriental , the second occidental , and the third northern . 7. the extremity or end of their gnomons , fixed upon the ground perpendicularly , describe as yet hyperboles . chap. xix . of the phenomena of the fifth position . all the stars , whose distance from the equinoctial , is greater than the obliquity of the ecliptick , either do not set under the horizon , if they be northern stars , and do not rise above the horizon , if they be southern stars : therefore the artick , and antartick of the antients are equal to the tropicks . 2. the longest day contains 24 hours , and then there is no night : and contrariwise , the longest night consists of twenty and four hours , and the artificial shortest day is nothing . 3. the sun every year toucheth lightly the border of the horizon twice , without rising and setting , namely when he is in the tropicks . 4. the sun at twelve a clock in the day , is alway south , nevertheless , when he is in the tropick of cancer , the half of his body may be seen in the north , at 12 a clock at night . 5. there are here two solstices , one high in cancer , the other low in capricorn . but according to the similitude of solstices , which are in other zones , we may say there are three solstices there , one high in cancer , when the sun is high in the meridian , to wit , 47 degrees above the horizon , which is the distance of the tropicks ; there are two lower , of which one is in the same tropick of cancer towards the north , when he toucheth lightly the border of the horizon , the other in the tropick of capricorn , where he also lightly toucheth the border of the horizon . 6. there is one summer , and one winter . 7. there are four different shadows ; one eastern , one western , one northern , and one southern ; tho this happens but once a year , the sun shineing with the half only of his rays , which makes the light more obscure and dark , than when he shines with his full rays . here begin the heteroscii . 8. the extremity or ends of the gnomons , describe the figure called parabola , upon the horizontal dials , but an hyperbole , so soon , as the sun is gone from the equinoctial , whereas on all other plains , he describes always straight and right lines . chap. xx. of the phenomena of the sixth position . there are very few stars , which can rise or set , to wit , those only , whose declination is less than the distance of the tropicks ; because the artick , and antartick circles , comprehending within them , the stars which do set , and do not set , are greater than the tropicks . 2. they have an equinoctial , as other parts of the earth . but when the sun is in that parallel whose declination from the equinoctial , is equal to the distance of the poles of the world from the zenith , the day is twenty and four hours , and the artificial day excresceth , and shoots out , into many natural days . 3. the sun being in the same parallel , he lightly toucheth , the border of the horizon , and coming to it , she shines only with an half orb. 4. they have but only one solstice , in the tropick of cancer ; for the other in the tropick of capricorn cannot be seen . but analogically , and ●…n similitude there are six solstices . two high , when the sun is in the tropick of cancer : for there , as well to the ●…outh , as to the north , the hight of ●…he sun in the meridian is highest , al●…eit the northern be greater than the ●…outhern : and four lowest , when the ●…he sun toucheth lightly the horizon . ●… . they have one summer , and one ●…inter , but their summer may be so ●…alled only analogically : for these ●…laces of the earth , are perpetually stiff ●…ith snow and yce . 6. they have four different shadows , one from the east , one from the west , one from the south , and one from the north. here are the periscii . 7. the gnomons , and stiles of their dials , describes with their points , elliptical figures . chap. xxi . of the phenomena of the seventh and last position . 1. there are here no stars , which either rise or set , but all of them are whirled about , equally distant from the horizon . the artick and antartick circles , are one and the same with the horizon , and equinoctial , which are now united . understand this of the fixed stars only ; for the planets absolving their course , rise and set , in their appointed times . 2. the artificial day is extended to half a year ; so is the artificial night , and therefore the quantity of the natural day , and the whole year is one and the same . 3. when the sun is in the equinoctial , he shines only with half his orb , and toucheth lightly the horizon , and there he riseth and setteth only at those times . 4. no point of the heavens , can be called , either west , east , south or north , seing the pole of the world doth not incline to any part of the horizon , by which inclination the four points of the universe , have their distinction . 5. they have only one solstice , to wit , in cancer , but analogically two other may be added , to wit , when the sun is in the beginning of aries , and libra . 6. there is one summer and one winter : but their summer is rather to be called a slender slaking of the cold. they have one winter , because the sun is under their horizon a whole half year together . 7. the gnomons of their dials , describe with the extremity of the shadow , upon an horizontal plain , perfect circles . finis . proteus bound with chains : or , a discovery of the secrets of nature , which are found in the mercurial-weather-glass , unfolding the reasons , and causes , why before fair weather the quicksilver ascends , and before foul weather , it falls down , and descends . a subject not hitherto treated of . together with some brief observes upon the parisian weather-glass , and an explanation of the sealed weather-glass , and common weather-glass . to all which is added the theory of the weather , according to the perpendicular weather-glass . by george sinclar , sometime professor of philosophy in the colledge of glasgow . felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas . edinburgh , printed by the heir of andrew anderson , printer to his most sacred majesty , anno dom. 1688. proteus bound with chains : or , a discovery of the secrets of nature , which are found in the mercurial weather-glass , &c. there are many excellent questions to be refolved , and causes of the various phenomena of nature to be rendred , before a man can have knowledge to mount the mercurial-weather-glass . yet there are many , who rashly adventure , and bring upon that unerring and infallible master-piece of nature , the scandalous and odious character of falibility , either by raising the mercury too high , or fixing it too low in the cylindrical-glass , both which extreams must be cautiously shunned . for if it be not ordered according to the authentick observations of the weather for many years past , it cannot but err . and herein its infallibility and perfection consists , to give the theory of the weather a just and determinate hight , according to long observation , and by consequence the top of the cylinder the same hight , none of which no ignorant person can do . the questions to be resolved , are such as follow , 1. what sustains the mercury in the glass-tube , whilst the orifice is always downward , and open ? 2. why the glass must exceed in length , one and thirty inch ? 3. why the mercury falls not down , if it be shorter than twenty and eight ? 4. why the mercury is carried up with violence to the top of the glass-tube , whilst the orifice is raised above the surface of the stagnant mercury ? 5. why as much mercury in hight , is sustained in the wide glass , as in the narrow ? 6. why , tho the glass were in hight many foot , yet the whole mercury falls down to twenty and nine , or thirty inch above the cistern ? 7. what fills up the space left empty behind ? 8. why the mercury subsides by degrees , as the weather-glass is carried up some high mountain , and why it rises again , as it is carried down ? 9. why a glass of thirty six foot high is required to make a weather glass with water in it ? 10. what 's the reason , i do not find the weight of the mercury within the glass , whilst i poise it between my fingers , and yet i find another weight exactly the weight of it ? 11. what that other weight is ? all these and many more are fully and clearly resolved in my philosophical experiments twenty years ago . but there is a late question , which troubleth all the learned to resolve , which now i intend shortly to explain , viz. what 's the reason , why the quicksilver in the weather-glass creeps up before fair weather , and falls down before foul weather ? for an answer to this considerable question , it is to be observed , that in the foulest weather , i have found the quicksilver fall down to twenty and eight , and in the dryest , and fairest weather , i have found it up at thirty and one inch. from this excellent phenomenon only , it is called the weather-glass , kat'exohen , by way of excellency : because before this alteration was found in it , it was called by the most part of philosophers , the torricellian experiment . for clearing the question in hand , i suppose that in the beginning , there went up a damp from the earth to water the whole face of the ground . moses ( gen. 2. ) relates now the ordinary means appointed by god in nature , for bringing forth of herbs , bushes , and trees out of the ground , viz. the damp , which causeth the rain , and moistneth the earth , which damp being by the heat of the sun rarified , ascendeth to the middle region of the air , where by means of the coldness thereof , these vapors are condensat , and thickned , and tur●…d into a cloud , and afterward are turned into rain , and so fall down . that there are such damps and vapors , which ascend from the earth , and waters , cannot rationally be denyed ; nay many thousands and millions of them ascend , which we do not see nor observe . i have seen in frosty mornings the mouths of coal-sinks , and empty passages from waste ground , where coals have been digged out , fumes and vapors coming out so plentifully , as fumes from a salt-pan . some do fitly compare this earth to a bag-pudding , taken out of a boiling-pot , which sends forth vapors in abundance . likewise from the surfaces of standing and running water , what numbers may be seen in a warm summers evening . nay from the bodies of men and beasts , there is a perpetual perspiration . but the finest and purest of all , are those which are exhaled from the earth , and waters . we see , that when the sun is hot in summer , the whole face of the ground after rain , covered over with unduls , or little curled waves , a small gale of wind being stirring , like unto the curled waves of the sea , analogically . and so slender and pure are they , that whilst a man is among them , he cannot see them , but at a distance he may , looking alongs the face of the ground . likewise what multitudes of them may be seen alongs the surface of the sea , a man standing at a considerable distance from the coast. and so thick are they , that they have wonderfully lifted up , and magnified , much of the land , and have made it appear , far otherwise than it was ; nay , eclipsed whole villages and towns , and metamorphosed them into various shapes and forms , all which have come to pass , by reason of their multiplicity and thickness . now these vapors , flowing from the earth and waters , are carried up to the middle region of the air , where by process of time , they are condensat , and thickned , by the coldness thereof , and fall down in rain . but here it may be inquired , by what cause , ●…r power , are these vapors carried up , seing they are material things , and endued with weight ? for answer , i must premit some few things , which do not ordinarly occur . first , that in all heavy bodies , there is a twofold weight , one specifical , the other individual . the specifical weight is found in bodies , which differ by nature , as wood , and stone , ballanced one with another , equal quantity with equal quantity . ●… individual weight , is likewise found in the same bodies , but after a different way and manner . for example , stone is naturally , or specifically heavier than wood , putting equal quantity against equal quantity ; for a cubical-foot of stone , is heavier , than a cubical-foot of water . bodies of the same individual weight , or such as are weighed in a pair of scales , as a pound of lead , and a pound of wool , are individually of the same weight , but of different weight specifically . secondly , there are two sorts of ballances , the one natural , the other artificial . the natural ballance , is the mercurial weather-glass , wherein the mercury counterpoiseth the air , and the air the mercury , both of them observing an equal altitude , according to their natural weights : for since the mercury is reckoned 14000 times heavier than the air , the pillar of the one must be 14000 times lower than the other ; and so both are of the same hight , according to their specifical weights . the artificial ballance , is that mechanical power , called the libra . thirdly , that one body naturally lighter than another , may become of equal weight , or heavier , than that other . for example , the vapors , which ascend are far lighter specifically , than the air , yet they become heavier specifically , when contracted , and reduced by a cold , to a thicker habit , or consistency , and most of all when they are converted to rain . but how shall it be known , that the vapors are naturally lighter , than the air ? i answer , if it were possible to take an equal quantity of vapors , with an equal quantity of air , and weigh them in a ballance , the air would be heavier . we know that oil is lighter than water , for being put under water , it riseth to the surface : so the vapors go up thorow the air , as oil goeth up thorow the water . now i come to the question in hand , and i affirm , that the vapors are carried upward , not by the heat of the sun , which is an vulgar error , but they being specifically , and naturally lighter , than the air , are prest up by it , as smoak , till they come so far up , as the pressure of the air , is able to carry them . i shall make this evident , by the following experiment . let a diver go down to the bottom of the sea , with a bottle of oil in his hand , and pour it out there , he shall find , that such is the pressure of the water , it shall drive it all up to the surface above . for as the oil is naturally lighter than the water , so these vapors are naturally lighter than the air. now these vapors , which are infinite in number , ascending from all the parts of the earth , to the atmosphere many miles above the clouds , causeth the air here below press with greater weight , upon the stagnant mercury , and so raiseth the quicksilver in the weather glass , one inch or two , and sometimes three : for it is not possible , that the air above , can be prest down , and burdened , with that new weight , and addition of vapors ascending , but the stagnant mercury below must find the said pressure . but how are these vapors condensat and thickned together , and fall down in rain ▪ i shall do this , by a most evident , and clear example . we cannot more fitly compare these vapors , ascending and descending again in rain , than to an alembick , or distillater . for these fumes being carried upward within the pot , and meeting with a cold receptacle ( for the pipe descending goeth ordinarly thorow a vessel full of cold water ) they are presently reduced , to their first condition , and fall down in liquor . so are the vapors , which ascend from the stomach to the cold brain received and distilled . but why should the falling down of the rain cause the quicksilver fall down , and why should the rising of the vapors , cause the quicksilver to rise ? for clearing of this , it is to be adverted , that whilst the mercury is up at one and thirty inch , there is an equal ballance or weight between the weight of the atmosphere and the weight of the quicksilver , so that there cannot be the least weight subtracted from the pressure of the atmosphere , but as much must be subtracted , from the hight of the quicksilver : as by taking away one ounce from this scale of a ballance , the other presently goeth down , or by adding one ounce to this scale of a ballance , the other scale presently goeth up . hence is it , that the pressure of the atmosphere becomes less , by the falling down of the vapors , and consequently the hight of the quicksilver , must decresce also . and contrariwise ( which clears the second part of the question ) whilst the vapors are ascending , and going up , the atmosphere is more burdened , and by consequence the quicksilver riseth , sometimes less , and sometimes more , sometimes one inch , sometimes two or three . but how comes it to pass , that the whole air , or that great and vast bulk of it , can be in equal weight , with so small a portion of quicksilver , granting the air to be so heavy , as is commonly reported ? i answer , it is not the air according to its thickness , or bulk , which makes any counterballance with the quicksilver , but it is the air reckoned according to hight , because fluid bodies do not counterpoise one another , according to all their dimensions , but only according to altitude ; this is only proper to solid bodies . for let never so much weight be added to the air in thickness , itshall never make the least alteration in the mercury . but if there be but the least addition made in hight , the quicksilver presently knows it , by rising and falling accordingly . for by how many thousand times the air is specifically lighter than quicksilver , by so many thousand times is the pillar of air , higher than the pillar of quicksilver . and contrariwise , by how many thousand times the quicksilver is naturally heavier than the air , by so many thousand times must the cylinder of quicksilver , be shorter than the cylinder of air , which sustains it . the proportion is ordinarly reckoned as 1 to 14000. that is to say , one cubick-inch of quicksilver counterpoiseth 14000 cubick-inches of air , both being put into a ballance . it is evident from this , and many other things , that there is a proportion observed in all the works of nature , as here between the hight of the atmospere , and the hight of the quicksilver : for all the lords works , are made in weight , measure , and number . this truth is so evident in the mathematical part of learning , that there is no need of proof . and if this proportion be not observed in things artificial , viz. by architects and builders of houses , the whole fabrick looks pitifully , and wants that face , and delicate aspect , it ought to have . and as the most wise artist of the world , hath created all things in proportion one to another , so all the parts of his holy word , are in such a proportion one to another . for this we have scripture , and divine authority : for it is said , whether we prophesie , let us prophesie according to the proportion of faith. the original word is , analogia pisteos , well rendered in our vulgar language , the proportion of faith , or analogy of faith , not as some , the measure of faith. god is not tied to numbers , yet nevertheless , he doth and disposeth his works , by number , weight , and measure . it is observed , that after the going up out of egypt , god caused to be numbred all the israelites , from the age of twenty years and upward , ( exod. 38. 26. ) and there were found six hundred three thousand five hundred and fifty men . the year following , god commanded to make a second review of the people , ( numb . 1. 46. ) but without comprising the levites , which had been numbred the first time with the other tribes . notwithstanding this subtraction , and the casualities , which might have changed the number of the people , since the year foregoing , it is found that their number was yet justly and precisely six hundred three thousand five hundred and fifty men . in which is seen a proportion which god held in the multiplication of that people . there is also observed a mystery in the exact number of the two and twenty thousand levites , which were then reckoned ( numb . 3. 39. ) for the rest , i contend not against the common opinion , touching the hundred fourty and four thousand of the seventh of the revelation , that they ought to be taken for an indefinite number , as well as the seven thousand which had not bowed the knee to baal . but it ought to be considered , why the holy ghost , who speaketh nothing superfluous , is not contented to have named the total sum of them , that were sealed in israel , but also divideth it , in twelve times twelve thousand , distributed by equal portions among the twelve tribes , every one of which is mentioned , the one after the other , with the expression of its particular number : for this sheweth , that the number of the elect , and the multitude of believers , are measured by certain proportions , which are known to him , who is the author . certainly , the resemblance of the seventy disciples of christ , to the seventy judges , which were substituted to moses , and to the seventy children , which iacob had when he went down into egypt , is a line of this admirable symmetry , with the which god hath limited , and proportioned the body of the church . now this fortifieth that maxime , that the number of the elect cannot suffer addition , nor diminution : and that election proceedeth not , from the will of the elect , but that of god , which prevented them . for it cannot be said , that all the elect , from the beginning of the world to the end , have agreed together to make a company composed precisely of a number certain and regular . but i return . it may be here inquired , whether those vapors , and exhalations go perpetually up from the earth , or not ? 't is probable , that they are alway ascending , tho insensibly to us , and as many of them in the night , as in the day-time . nay , more ( it seems ) in extream frost and cold weather , than at any other time ; as we see in greenland , where the greatest extremity of cold is , there are infinite treasures of snow , which snow could not fall down so plentifully , if there were not vapors perpetually ascending . next , after rain , and the falling down of the mercury to 28 , or 29 inch , i have found the ascent of it , in that same night eight or ten degrees , which could not happen , unless there had been an addition of new weight to the atmosphere . and this is observed , to be rather in the winter , than in the summer season , especially in calm nights . i have observed , that the next morning after frost all the night , the standing waters in furrows , which have remained many days entire , dry up , and nothing remaining , but emptiness below a surface of thin white y●…e . this water could not sink into the ground , more that night , than many others before ; but the frost coming on , and the air becoming dry have turned all the waters into vapors , and so have been exhaled . i would have it made more evident , how the greater pressure of the atmospere by the weight of these vapors make the quicksilver rise in the weather-glass ? i answer , take the weather-glass , and place it within a dry harbour , before the water begin to flow . then suppose the hight of the mercury to be eight and twenty inch. i say , when once the water hath flowed , but three foot and a half in hight , above the stagnant mercury in the cistern you will find the mercury in the weather-glass three inch higher . for as the growing of the tide above the stagnant mercury raiseth it higher , and higher in the glass , so the ascending of the vapors loadneth the atmosphere , more and more , and consequently it presseth with more weight upon the mercury in the cistern . and as the vapors are turned into rain , and the mercury falls down ; so by the ebbing of the water , the three inch of mercury , falls down within the weather-glass . it may be inquired , how far do these vapors ascend ? i answer , that philosphers distinguish the air into three regions , the first , second , and third . but both philosphers and astronomers do vary exceedingly in determining the hight of any of them . i shall not curiously inquire , but shall speak a little to what concerns the present purpose . 't is probable , that these thin and light vapors , which flow out of the earth and waters , go many miles above the clouds , where there is neither wind nor rain : for the pressure of the air being powerful many miles up , must carry the vapors , so far up . but to determine particularly , it is not possible , only in general they ascend very far . now it is evident , that the atmosphere , is composed , and consists of such vapors being called sphaera halituum , which no doubt , is of a considerable thickness , and hight . these vapors , when they are once past the inferior region of the air , which will not exceed an english mile , and a half , go up quickly , and are received by the atmosphere , where they accresce to a considerable hight , perhaps 40 or 50 mile above the clouds , where by some extrinsick cause , as extremity of cold , they fall down from the atmosphere , first as mist or dew , till they come to the lowest region , where in a very short time , they cover the whole heavens , tho never so clear before . how many times before rain , will this be seen . besides , there is above the atmosphere , that which astronomers call the diluculum and the crepusculum , that is , both the dawning of the day , and the twilight in the evening , the one beginning about two hours before the sun rise , and the other ending about two hours after the sun is gone down . for if that crepusculum were not there , we should have no light , until the body of the sun were above the horizon , and should have no light after the body of the sun is set . this sphere is unalterable , and without accresce or decrease , but the atmosphere is not so , by reason of the vapors coming to it , and decreasing again . next , the refraction , which makes the sun or star to appear above the horizon higher , than really it is , is caused by the atmosphere . 't is observed by shepherds , that if the sun appear sooner above the horizon , than ordinary , the day following shall be rainy . they see indeed the image of the sun , a little before he rise , which is caused by the refraction , or thick medium of the vapors , which ly about the horizon . for example , let a man so fix his eye , upon a wide vessel , with an open mouth , with a piece of money in the bottom , he shall not see it , till the vessel be fill'd with water . for water being a thick medium raiseth the image of the money , and brings it to the eye by a broken and crooked line , which is radium refrangere , or rather refringere . it may be further inquired , why the clouds are sustained , or what keeps them up from falling down ? this is a considerable question , and well worthy of a divine answer . the lord says to iob , dost thou know the ballancing of the clouds , the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge ? the clouds then are suspended , not miraculously , yet wonderfully by natural causes ; for as a ship is sustained from sinking by an even ballance with the water , so are the clouds keeped up , by an even and equal ballance with the pressure of the air , which really sustains them . if they be light and thin , they go further up , but if they be heavy and black , they come nearer to the earth , but are still in an equal ballance , with the pressure of the air. and as the loadned ship goeth further down in the water , than the ship , that 's not burdened ; so do the black and heavy clouds swim lower , than the light and white clouds . but when there is a great convocation of clouds together in one place , each one presseth upon another , and so like honey-combs they distil their drops upon the earth . note , that the greatest ship in europe , with all her furniture for war , is but the just and exact weight of the water , thrust out of its place by the ships water-draught . it may be yet inquired , how far are these clouds from the earth , which send down the rain ? i answer , the surest way to know , is by the thunder . observe then , how many seconds of time , do pass , between the first seeing of the glance , and the hearing of the crack . if the noise be straight up , five or six will pass , which make an english mile . in mountainous ground , which lyeth higher , three at the most will interveen , about five hundred pass . to know exactly a second of time , whereof 3600 make an hour , follow this method . take a small chord of thirty and seven inch and a half exactly . to which append a lead-bullet of seven or eight ounce . hang it so , that it may swing to and fro of its own accord . each one of these swings are a second of time. but may it not be affirmed , that the greater pressure of the air , which raiseth the quicksilver , is caused by the weight of the clouds , which swim above us : and that the falling down of the quicksilver is caused by the dissolution of these clouds into rain ? i answer , this cannot be : for when the heavens are most serene and clear , the mercury is furthest up ; and when the heavens , are nubilous , and covered with clouds , the mercury many a time is furthest down . it may be inquired , whether the cracking of thunder , maketh any alteration upon the weather-glass ? i answer , there are three things to be considered in thunder , first , the lightning . secondly , the crack . thirdly , the thunder-bolt : which three are lively represented to us by the shooting of a cannon ; for the fire coming out of the muzzle , represents the lightning ; the report , represents the crack ; and the bullet , the thunder-bolt . but there is a more lively representation of thunder , in aurum fulminans , which like the thunder-bolt carrieth its stroak downward , three grains of which , tho never so little made hot , takes fire , and gives a greater report , than two ounces of gun-powder , so stupendious is it . but there is nothing here , which can make any alteration upon the weather ▪ glass . it may be inquired , if the winds make any alteration upon it ? i answer , winds are nothing but air agitated ; nor tempests , but air-floods , or violent agitations of the air. these do really influence the weather-glass , not only in causing the quicksilver subside , and fall down , but in causing the top of the mercury tremble , and make some visible reciprocations up and down , especially , when the wind blows very high . next , winds which come from the south and south-west , by reason of much moistness , which they bring alongs with them , influenceth the quicksilver much indeed . but northerly winds , which are more drying , have less influence . nay easterly and north ▪ east winds even with rain , keep up the mercury , and suffers it not to fall down so far , as other winds . because such winds come from the great continent , bringing with them many earthly particles , and atoms , which being dry , have not that influence upon it , as moist winds from the south and west . it may be inquired , if the weather-glass doth foretell winds , as it doth rain ? i answer , it doth not so much foretell winds , as it is actually influenced by them . yet , if a man were a diligent observer of the winds , before they blow , and took narrow inspection of the weather-glass , he would surely foresee them approaching , by some alteration or other in it . it may be inquired , whether mist or fog , doth affect the weather-glass ? i answer , yes , for i have observed , when the mercury has been up at fair , the falling down of a fog , hath brought it down three or four degrees . it may be inquired , when the mercury i●… at the highest station , in the fairest weather , as above long fair , how many days doth it prognostick rain , before it come ▪ i answer , when it first begins to alter , it must fall down to long fair , half an inch ; next to fair , another half inch. thirdly , to changeable , as much : and lastly , to rain . this motion is slow , and therefore it foretells , sometimes three days , sometimes four , sometimes less ▪ but this is sure , it cannot fall down in one day so much bounds , nor in two , neither in three . i have seen it fall down from long fair to fair , and then halt , by reason of some stirring winds , or by reason , of some small change of weather , in some county near hand . when it 's far up , as at long fair , or above it , it is next to impossible , that either wind or rain can be . some , who are not acquaint with the weather-glass judge it erring , when they see the mercury at rain , and yet no rain . i confess it may be so , if it be not rightly adjusted , at the first setting up ; but if it be set , according to art , the mercury cannot be at rain , but there must be rain , either here , or some place near hand . it may be inquired , if snow and hail have the same effects upon the weather-glass , which rain have ? i answer , yes ; for they are both from the same cause , namely moist vapors . i have 〈◊〉 s the next adjacent hills covered with snow , when there was neither rain nor snow in the valley countrey , and the mercury down at rain , tho it had been always up before the snow fell . and many times it is found , that rain falling in the next shires , or counties , tho none here , have made the quicksilver fall down to rain . the last year 1687 , in november , i have seen the quicksilver , below much rain , and yet the days going before , or following , have been pretty fair . but the weather , was under a strong disposition , and inclination to be tempestuous and stormy , which soon followed . 't is observable , that the quicksilver , is never so high in the weather-glass , as about the hinder end of the month of october , or rather in the winter season . in rainy years , i have not seen the mercury further up than fair , and that seldom . might the weather-glass be useful in ships ? i answer , yes ; but the commotion of the ship , ( you say ) renders it useless . i answer , it might be so suspended , that it might hang always perpendicular . and tho this were not , yet the nature of it is such , that it can recline without hurt , as much as the ship can●…ly , either to starboord , or larboord , and fall right again , when the helm is righted . in a word , whatever advantage a man might have by it , in his chamber , he may have as much , by having it in his cabin . there is a person of honour , and great learning , who hath written lately in natural philosophy , and among other things , hath not omitted to shew the reason of this marvellous phenomenon , whereof i have been treating . he toucheth it briefly in 9 or 10 lines , and says , id autem mirum satis videtur , &c. 't is a strange thing ( says he ) that in rainy and windy weather , when the air seems to be heaviest , yet the mercury is furthest down . the reason ( says he ) is taken from the temperament of the air , where the clouds are ; for when the clouds are grosser , tho much elevated , they intercept the rays of the sun , and are thereby melted , and turned into rain . and the air being eased of the burden of these clouds , and being rarified above , by the sun-beams , is becomes lighter , and so bears less down the surface of the stagnant mercury in the cistern . but when the air is nubilous and cloudy , the weight of the air , is augmented , by the weight of the clouds , which make it press with greater weight upon the stagnant mercury in the cistern . i dare not oppose any thing to the opinion , of such an eminent man , tho i might , he being a hundred stages beyond many . yet there are not some wanting , who male-apartly set at nought his philosophical system , as insufficient both for matter , and form ; whereas among all the learned abroad , his writings are held in great estimation . there is one of the professors of philosophy at aberdeen , whose publick theses the last year , came to my view : yet i shall adventure to say something anent them . the author , ( whom i have not the favour to know ) seems to be well acquaint with the new philosophy , and a good schollar . he confutes rationally malebranch , and spinosa , two wild philosophers . he seems to be a cartesian in his philosophy , yet affirms that the demonstration ( as he calls it ) of god's existence , by the idaea , being abstract and metaphysical , goeth far beyond the capacity of the vulgar , and therefore being compell'd by reason , he averreth , that the apostle paul reasons far better in the first to the romans . he speaks honourably of the late lord president in confuting some of his doctrine , for which he deserveth more thanks for his good estimation of him , than for the strength of his reasonings against him . he hopes the lord stair , will hold him excused , if he do not acquiesce to his decisions . this seems to be jeastingly spoken . casting my eye further thorow , i found somewhat anent the causes of winds , tempests , and rain , and the reason why the atmosphere , is sometimes lighter , and sometimes heavier . but he hath not touched the nail upon the head. some notes upon the parisian weather-glass . there is a new invention of a weather-glass , which cometh from paris ( facile est inventis addere , ) set in a curious gilded frame , more specious to behold , than profitable and useful . it is lyable to several abatements . the first makes it a dumb weather-glass , wanting the whole theory of the weather , so that when a man looks to it , he knows not whether it shall be fair or foul. a man seeth indeed the sides of the frame , divided by french measure into inches and half inches ; but these measures have no signification of the weather . when a man looks upon it in the morning , he sees the tinctured liquor at such a hight ; and in the afternoon , he observes again , and finds it higher or lower . this is all it signifieth . and if perhaps he be informed that in fair weather , the liquor descends , and in foul weather it ascends , then he may conclude , observing it further down than it was , that it is probable to be fair. the second abatement is , that there are two oval-glasses , which rather ought to be cylindrical . now unless there be a just and exact measure in hight , between the top of the one oval-glass , and the bottom of the other , it cannot be un-erring , or between the middle of the one , and the middle of the other . because the mercury cannot raise the liquor in the right side , by equal portions , since the rising of it depends essentially upon the falling down of the mercury from the left oval-glass . for the glass being in form of a pullets egg , more mercury falls down , whilst it is terminate about the middle , being there wider , than whilst the mercury , is near either of the extreams , which are narrower . and i believe the contriver hath foreseen this . the third abatement is , that the tinctured liquor is subject to corruption , the orifice of the glass being open , suffering evaporation , by which means , the whole contrivance is rendred useless . the fourth abatement is , that the orifice of the glass , upon the left hand , must be hermetically sealed , which few or none can do . the fifth abatement is , if it be once mounted , and set a going , it cannot be well dismounted , for the end which is hermetically sealed , must be opened , and cannot be well sealed again . lastly , the glass is brought home from abroad , not without hazard of breaking , the glasses being very small and slender . but there are none of these difficulties found in the perpendicular glass . for it may be set up , and dismounted , as oft as you please , and transported from one place to another . and the excellency of it is , that it sets it self ; for whatever weight of mercury it once takes , the same will suffice it for ever . and which is marvellous , the mercury falls down alway according to the nature of the weather , and there halts , whether it be fair , or foul. there is a second sort of weather-glass much in use , called the sealed weather-glass , whose use is only to shew the heat and coldness of the air. it hath a round glass below , about two inch in diameter , and a stem going up from it , about a foot and a half in length , but slender and narrow within . this glass is filled with the finest spirit of wine , three or four times distilled , so in effect , being full of fiery spirits , the least heat or warmness in the air , rarifieth it , and the least coldness contracteth it . when the ball is once full , and the stem too , the open orifice above is hermetically sealed , and coming to the cold air , from the warm place it was in , the liquor creeps down towards the ball , and by this means , it demonstrats by its creeping up , the warmness of the air , and by creeping down it shews the degrees of cold. it is hermetically sealed , that the outward ▪ air , may have no influence upon it . it is set in a curious gilded frame , with the several degrees of heat and cold affixed to it . they come from paris , and london , not without hazard of breaking by the way . there is a third sort , specially different from the rest , called the water weather-glass . it hath a round head above , with a long stem going down from it , and the mouth below remaining open , is drown'd among tinctured water . to set it a going , they use to warm the head , and body of it , at the fire , and then to thrust the open end among the liquor in the cistern . when the heat begins to abate in the top , the air within , begins to contra●… it self , and so the water follows up , and hangs about the middle of the stem . this in cold weather creeps up , and in warm weather creeps down . it creeps up for fear of vacuity , as was maintained long since , before the pressure of the air was known by the torricellian experiment . this weather-glass was esteemed infallible ; but now it is known to be most fallacious , and uncertain . the reason is , because it is acted and moved , not only with heat and cold , but with the greater and lesser pressure of the air. if it be demanded , how shall i know , whether it be the coldness of the air , or the greater pressure of the air , which causeth the water to ascend : and whether it be , the warmness of the air , or the iesser pressure of the air which causeth the water to descend ? i answer , it is difficult to know ; for both do sometime concur , that is , the weight and greater pressure of the air , and the coldness too . and sometime the lesser pressure of the air with warmness , make the water fall down . and sometime the greater pressure of the air raiseth the water , without any addition of cold : and sometimes the addition of cold , without any alteration in the air , as to more weight , will raise it . and tho by this means it be fallacious , yet many notable phenomena do appear from it . by the help of this , and the mercurial-weather-glass , and the sealed one , and by the help of the hygroscope , which marvellously shews the least alteration in the air , as to moisture and dryness , and by contemplating the heavens , the sky and the clouds , and considering the winds , how they blow , and the various aspects of the planets one to another , ( as star-gazers do affirm ) men might come to foretell the weather particularly . the theory of the weather , according to the mercurial-weather-glass . the theory of the weather , is either ingraven upon brass-plates tichtly polished , or upon a piece of lombard-paper , wrought in the taliduse-press . the brass , or the paper , is divided into six half inches ; and every half inch into five degrees ; or every whole inch into ten equal parts . i call the upmost station , long fair ; the second half an inch under it , fair : the third , changeable : the fourth , rain : the fifth , much rain : the sixth , storm●… ; and if you please to add the seventh , call it tempests . these six or seven , contain the whole alterations , which use to be in the weather . when the top of the quicksilver is at long fair , it toucheth exactly the line under it . if it fall down , it is said to be one degree under long fair , or two or three , accordingly as it falls down , till the top be at the line under fair , and then it is fair weather , and so of the rest of the stations . it may be asked , at what hight , must long fair be affixed ? i answer , the situation of the place must be considered , and the climat under which we live : for a glass appropriated to this parallel , will not serve in the braes of athol , or annandale . and if there be not a just , and exact hight , to a hairs breadth , of all the stations from below , it cannot be un-erring . the several stations are found out , not by algebra , or any mathematical demonstration , but by many years observations . whosoever taketh upon him to mount a weather-glass , without the knowledge of these praecognita , he plays but the fool. there are many other things necessary to be known , which every fallow , which hath no more in his scull , but a bag-pudding in stead of brains , is not capable to understand . i shall briefly run thorow the several stations , with some observes upon each one of them . in the first and upmost , is long fair , or most pleasant weather . i have seen the quicksilver sometimes above it , yet seldom doth this fall out , but in extraordinary seasons . the mercury being at this hight , it is next to impossible , either to be wind or rain . nothing for several days , but settled calm weather . sometime the heavens are covered with dry and gray clouds , but not the least appearance of rain . the second ●…tation , half an inch lower , is fair. the mercury being here , i have observed a small showre of rain to fall , from the lowest region of the air , as a th●…ck dew or mist , but immediatly after , the day became clear and fair. the whole year 1686 almost , it was a rare thing to see the mercury up at fair , but frequently below rain , and changeable , because of the frequent rains , which fell out that year . and which is observable , all that summer , the hygroscope went not once about , whereas in dry summers , it goeth twice about , sometimes more and sometimes less . the third station half an inch lower , is changeable . that is , sometimes fair , sometimes foul , sometimes frost , sometimes thaw , sometimes sleet , and sometimes snow , sometimes wind , and sometimes calm . the fourth station is rain , not actually rain , but a stormy inclination in the air to be rain , and sometimes rain . nay , sometimes the whole day will be fair. but still the rain is approaching , or hath been rain , either here , or some place about . the fifth station is much rain , the worst of weather almost , as in the summer , or winter season , when rain is accompanied with stormy south-west winds , or westerly winds . this last october , or november , i have seen the mercury below this station , and yet no rain in the mean time , nor all the day , but the sky black , and tempestuous , thick clouds lying about the horizon . above fife , great heaps of them : some like castles and towers , others like ragged rocks , hanging over each one another . all of them fore-runners of rain . the sixth station , stormy , extraordinary foul weather . in the last place , i have subjoyned tempests , or hirricano's , which do not fall out in this countrey . if it be asked , why doth not the mercury fall down to tempests ? and why doth it not go half an inch above long fair ? i answer , there are here two tropicks , namely storms , the nethermost , and long fair the upmost . above this , the air is not able to press , except some few degrees . and at storms the pressure is least . the length of the tropicks then , are about three inch. general rules . the further the mercury goeth up , the weather inclines to be the fairer , and the further it falls down , it inclines to be the fouler . secondly , when the mercury is highest , fair weather seems to be universal ; when it is lowest , foul weather seems to be universal . thirdly , it is not so much foul weather actually , which influenceth the mercury , as it is the disposition and inclination of the weather to be foul : so that the mercury will be many times at rain , when it is not actually raining , which is wanting when the quicksilver , is at fair , or long fair. fourthly , not only foul weather in this county or shire , maketh the mercury fall down , but foul weather , in the next adjacent county , tho there be none here : as the weather-glass at edinburgh , will be altered , with rain in tweeddale , or in lammer-moor . and as it shews the nature of the weather , so it predicts and foretells , sometimes a day , sometimes two or three , if so be the mercury hath been far up . but if it hath been only at changeable , or below fair , it predicts some few hours , before it be rain , by falling down a degree , two or three , or four . when it is a falling down , the top of the mercury is flat and level , but when it is a rising , it is somewhat round . 't is said , that the ladies , and gentlewomen at london do apparel themselves in the morning by the weather-glass . whatever be in this , 't is certain , that when a man riseth in the morning , he may know infallibly , what sort of weather will fall out ere night . it is most useful for the husband-man , both in seed-time , and harvest , and for winning of hay . it is useful for taking a journey , for when i see the mercury up at fair , or long fair , i may be confident , there shall be no rain for eight or ten days , chiefly when it 's up at long fair. there are many other uses , for which it is profitable , which are needless here to repeat . it is always infallible , because guided by god in nature , tho to our apprehension it seems to err . there are so many changes , and alterations in the air , that a particular rule cannot be assigned for each one of them . but the general observations which are affixed , are sure . if any man would find out all these intricacies , he must diligently observe , the changes , and quarters of the moon , and the several aspects of the planets , and the winds how they blow , comparing them with the changes and alterations of the weather-glass . neither can it be subject to corruption , tho it stand an hundred year . the glass cannot fail , neither the quicksilver , which are incorruptible by nature . neither can the frame decay , for many years , being made of oak . finis . postscript . to buoy up a ship , of any burden , from the ground of the sea. the art of diving hath not been much known , but of late ; for it depends essentially upon the knowledge of the pressure of fluid bodies , which knowledge hath not been further known to the generality of learned men , than by name : tho some ignorantly have averred , that the hydrostaticks , is a science long ago perfected . among the first , who have essayed in this nation , was the late marquess of argile , who having obtained a patent from the king , of one of the spanish armado , which was sunk in the isle of mull , anno 1588 , employed iames colquhoun of glasgow , a man of singular knowledge , and skill , in all mechanical arts and sciences . this man , not knowing the diving bell , went down several times , the air from above , being communicated to his lungs , by a long pipe of leather . he only viewed , and surveyed the ship , but i suppose buoy'd nothing up . about the year 1664 , when this art became more perfected , and was advanced , by the practice , and invention , of learned men. the late lord argile did employ a most ingenious gentleman , the laird of melgim , who went down with a diving bell , and made a further inquiry . after some pains , and labour , he buoy'd up three guns , one of iron , judging it to be of some other mettal , one of copper , and one of brass , about eight foot long apeice , and eight inches of diameter . the third essay was made by the late earl of argile himself , several years after , who did more . there was one captain smith , who undertook after that , yet more , who thought himself so sure of the spanish gold , that he would not suffer a carpenter with himself : but this interprize turned to nought . to effectuate the proposal , i shall offer these six propositions , which with small pains may be made evident , from hydrostatical principles ; and next infer some conclusions , needful for the design in hand . first , the whole ship , with all its loadning , is the just and precise weight , of as much water , as the lower part of the hull expells , or is expelled by the ships water-draught . secondly , when the ship becomes heavier than the said quantity of water , it sinks . thirdly , water doth not weigh in water . this is evident , for when a man pulls a bucket full of water from the bottom of a well , he finds no weight thereof , till it come to the surface . fourthly , nothing lighter in specie than water , or of the same weight with water , can sink . hence , neither timber , wine , bear , nor oil , can tarry at the sea ground , but must be buoyed up of necessity . fifthly , by how much , the whole timber of the ship , is lighter in specie , than as much water equal to it in bulk , by so much is it the more able to buoy up . imagine , the whole timber of the ship , reduced to a cube of so many foot , and a cube of water given of the same quantity . now i say , as many pounds , as this cube of water , is heavier , than that of timber , so many pounds of iron , lead or stone , will the ship buoy up , or support , even tho full of water . sixthly , a heavy body , as iron , lead or stone , weighs as much less in water , than in air , as the quantity of water it expells . a square foot of lead , which i suppose weighs in the air 728 pound , weighs but 672 pound in the water , less by 56 , the weight of a square foot of water . from these propositions , i infer , that when a ship is to be buoy'd up from the ground of the sea , nothing of her weighs , save her ballast . by ballast , i understand , taking the word largely , every thing in the ship , heavier in specie , than water , as guns , ankers , bullets of iron , and lead , iron-bolts , nails , and all manner of iron-work . next , that the whole weight of the ballast , doth not preponderate or weigh down . lastly , that the timber of the ship , and all things in it , lighter in specie , than water , concur for buoying up the ballast . the best expedient for raising of ships entirely , are arks of wood , applyed either to the sides of the ship without , or just above the orlop . these arks must be so close , on all sides , that neither air , nor water , can pass . the ark , to describe it more particularly , must have four sides , and a cover above , but open compleatly below . at every corner , next to the mouth , must be fixed , a strong iron-ring . four likewise above , that is , one in each corner , answering to the four below , which are for fixing a second ark above the first , if need be . if the ship , which is to be raised , be twenty foot over , make your ark twenty foot wide , and as much in hight . bring it just over the place , where the ship lyeth , and filling it with water , that it may sink without difficulty , thrust it down , till it come just above the orlop , and fasten it within five or six foot of the same , with ropes passing thorow the four rings , and the beams or balks of the ship. the arks being thus fastned to the ship , by a diver , the next work is to beget a power , or force within it , which shall be able to buoy up the ship from the ground of the sea. this may be done , either by sending down buckets full of air , with their mouth foremost , one after another , from the surface of the water , and then cause a diver receive them , and thrusting them somewhat within the mouth of the ark , turn up the orifice , by which means , the whole air in it , shall ascend up thorow the water of the ark , and rest above , next to the top . this device being often repeated , will at last expell , the whole vvater of the ark , and fill it compleatly with air. this is so sure an experiment , that none needs to call it in question . or by communicating air to the ark from above , by the help of a pair of large bellows , and long pipes of leather , going down within the mouth of the ark. or thirdly , by the multiplication of bladders full of vvind , filling the ark within , which may be done more easily . the ark being oncefull of air , will have a considerable pull with it , which is more , and less , according to the dimensions thereof . for knowing this , you must consider , that whatever t●…e dimensions of the ark are , it will buoy up , as much weight as the vvater weighs , which fills it . i●… then , the ark be twenty foot wide , and as much in hight , it must contain eight thousand square foot of water ; and since every square foot of water thereof weighs fifty six pound trois , the whole must be 448000. an ark then of twenty foot square , will buoy up , four hundred and fourty eight thousand pound weight , the weight of 58 cannons royal , each one whereof , i suppose weighs 8000 pound . or the weight of 74 demi-cannons , or the weight of 97 culverings : or of 149 demi-culverings : or of 298 sakers , each one of this sort weighing 1500 pound . or lastly , the weight of 250 tun of wine , reckoning four hogsheads to a tun , and each one of these weighing 448 pound . if you fasten a second ark above the first , by the help of the rings upon the top , which i mentioned , both will buoy up together 896000 pound , the weight of 112 cannons royal. but if your ark be 30 foot in all its dimensions , it must contain twenty and seven thousand square foot of water , which will weigh , one million , five hundred and twelve thousand pound weight of the weight of 189 cannons royal , or the burden of 252 demi-cannons , which is the weight of 844 tun of wine . but supposing the ark to be more in quantity , the one way than the other , that is 40 footlong , it shall be able to buoy up , two million and sixteen thousand pound , the weight of 252 cannons royal , or the weight of 1125 tun of wine , or water . if the arks be applyed to the sides of the ship , you must fix , as many upon the one side , as upon the other , which need not be so large , as those which are fastned upon the orlop . i shall suppose , that upon each side , there are four arks , each one 10 foot square . if this be , every single ark , must contain 1000 square foot of water , which will weigh fifty six thousand pound . all of them together , therefore must buoy up 448000 pound weight , the burden of 56 cannons royal. to know , how to proportion the quantity of your ark , to the burden of the ship , which is the great secret , follow this method . consider first , that neither the timber of the ship , nor the water which is in her , nor any other thing , which is lighter in specie than water , ( that is , any thing which floats upon the surface ) or of the same weight , with it , preponderats , or weighs down , but only what is heavier in specie , than water , as guns , ankers , iron-bolts , iron-nails , and such like , the just quantity , or very near , may be found . calculate then , as near as you can , and supposing the weight of all this ballast , to be about 448000 pound ; you must next consider , what the dimensions of the ark , must be , which is able to buoy up so much weight , which may be found out thus . divide the just account of your ballast by 56 , and the cubique root of the product , gives you the just dimensions of the ark. for example , divide 448000 by 56 , and you will find 8000 , the cubique root whereof is 20 , the quantity of your ark within . if you judge ▪ it more convenient to apply lesser arks , namely to the sides of the ship , ye may have eight , by dividing this into so many parts , four for each side , and every single ark 10 foot square , which are equivalent . remember , that tho the whole ballast , weigh 448000 pound , yet this whole weight is not to be buoy'd up by the ark , seing heavy bodies weigh less in water , than in air , according to the sixth proposition . as for fastening the arks , either to the sides of the ship , or just above the orlop , several ways may be thought upon , which i leave to the invention of others , who are skilful in building of ships . let it suffice , that i have made it probable , if not evident with reason , that the greatest ship may be buoy'd entirely up from the ground of the sea , which was the thing to be demonstrated . if it be objected , that the strong pressure of the water , will put the ark in hazard of bursting , when its full of air. i answer , there is here not so much hazard , as every one may believe . the reason is , because the pressure within the ark , is very near equal , to the pressure from without . this i add , because the top of the ark within , is more prest up by the air within , than it is prest down with the water without . the pressure upon the sides , is more uniform , and so there is the less hazard there . in a word , if the ark be able to support , as much vvater , as fills it , without bursting , it shall go down thorow the deepest vvater imaginable without trouble . that is , hang it by ropes in the air , full of vvater . if the bottom be able to support this weight , there shall be no hazard of bursting , when it 's full of air within the deepest vvater . from this unequal pressure , which the top of the ark suffers , it follows of necessity , that if there be any rift , or leck in it , the whole air will go out by degrees , and so render the ark useless . i answer , this endeavour , which the air within , hath to be out , is just the same , with that , which the vvater within , hath to be out , when the ark is full , and hung in the air with ropes . if art can cure the one , it may find a remedy for the other also . but i leave this to such as are skilful in calking of ships . tho i seem to insinuate , that the arks must be cubical or foursquare in their form , yet there is no necessity for that ; for they may be made under what fashion or form you please , provided they contain , as much air as will be sufficient to raise the vessel . and though i mention arks of 20 or 30 foot square , which will go near to buoy up the greatest ships , as men of vvar ; yet for ordinary vessels , arks of far less size will suffice . some may imagine , that a ship sunk ( for example ) with coal , is as difficult to buoy up , as to raise her out of a dry harbor . but this cannot be , since a pound of coal , will not weigh three or four ounce in the vvater . a ship loadned with vvine or oyl , weighs nothing at all in the vvater , but may be very easily buoy'd up , if the ballast be considered , as i said . many ships have been buoy'd up entirely , by thrusting down empty hogsheads , and putting them below the deck . but here occurs a difficulty , if the water exceed eight or nine fathom , the strong pressure of it crusheth the sides of the hogshead together . but here is a soveraign cure against that trouble . bore a small hole in any part of the vessel , where you please : for the water entering , brings the air within , to press equally with the water without . tho this invention , may seem difficult to some , to be made practicable , yet to such who are intelligent , and know well the principles of the hydrostaticks , it appears plain and easie . but the very speculation of it wants not its own pleasure , being founded upon infallible and sure conclusions , drawn from the surest grounds in nature . labor improbus omnia vincit . meteors, or, a plain description of all kind of meteors as well fiery and ayrie, as watry and earthy, briefly manifesting the causes of all blazing-stars, shooting stars, flames in the aire, thunder, lightning, earthquakes, rain, dew, snow, clouds, sprigs, stones, and metalls / by w.f. fulke, william, 1538-1589. 1655 approx. 199 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 93 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2004-11 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a40528 wing f2260a estc r28245 10456179 ocm 10456179 45121 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a40528) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 45121) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1384:49) meteors, or, a plain description of all kind of meteors as well fiery and ayrie, as watry and earthy, briefly manifesting the causes of all blazing-stars, shooting stars, flames in the aire, thunder, lightning, earthquakes, rain, dew, snow, clouds, sprigs, stones, and metalls / by w.f. fulke, william, 1538-1589. f. w. observations on dr. f. his booke of meteors. [8], 174, [1] p. printed for william leake, london : 1655. 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2004-10 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion meteors : or , a plain description of all kind of meteors , as well fiery and ayrie , as watry and earthy : briefly manifesting the causes of all blazing-stars , shooting-stars , flames in the aire , thunder , lightning , earthquakes , rain , dew , snow , clouds , springs , stones , and metalls . by w. f. doctor in divinitie . london , printed for william leake at the crown in fleet-street , between the two temple gates , 1655. to the reader . i shall not beg your pardon for publishing this book ; for as 't is none of mine ( being written by a famous and learned divine ) so i doe not set it forth relying on my own judgement , but had the opinions ●nd approbation of divers persons of known abilities , who knew best what is most usefull for publique benefit . and i may ( without breach of modesty ) affirm , that there is not in our language any booke of so small a bulke , containes so much of the doctrine of the meteors . we daily behold and view divers meteors , but very few are skill'd in their causes ; but those that are not , may be informed . and i must tell you also , that this book on perusall hath been found so advantagious , that a person of quality hath lately taken paines to make divers worthy observations upon it , which here i have subjoyned , because you should not pay for two books instead of one . these observations were never published till now , and i trust thou wilt find the author did thee a courtesie . farewel . the table . the first booke . why meteors be called unperfectly mixed . 3. why they be called perfectly mixed . 3. the generall cause of all meteors , and first of the materiall cause . 4. the places in which they are generated . 10. the second book , of fiery meteors . 13. the generation of the impression , called burned stubble , or sparkles of fire . 14 torches . 15 dancing or leaping goates , ibid. shooting and falling stars . 16 burning candles . 18 burning beams and round pillars , ibid. burning spares , ibid. shields , globes , or bowles , 20. l●mps . ibid. flying dragons , or fire drakes , ibid. the pyramidal pillar , like a spire or broched steeple . 23 fire scattered in the aire , ibid. lights that goe before men , and follow them abroad in the fields in the night season . 24 helena , castor and pollux . 27. flames that appeare upon the haires of men and beasts 29. comets , or blazing stars . 30 apparitions . 35 colours , wide gapings , and deep holes which appear in the clouds . 36. wide gaping . ibid. round openi●g hiatus . 37. the third book , of airy impressions . 37. of winds . 38. earthquakes . 41. divers kinds of earthquakes . 43 how so great winds come to be under the earth . 46 the signs and tokens that go before an earthquake most commonly . 47 thunder . 50 lightning , 55 fulgetrum . ibid. coruscation . 57 fulgur . 58 the fourth kind , called fulmen . 59. the first kind . 60 the second k●nd . 62 the third kind . ibid. the marvailes of lightning , and their causes . ibid. storme winds . 67 whirle winds . 70 the fired whirlewind , 72 circles . 73 the rainbow . 77 the milk way , called of some the way to s. james and watling-street . 81 beames or streames of light appearing through a cloud . 86 of many suns . 89 many moons . 92 wonderfull apparitions . 94 the fourth booke , of watry impressions . 100 of clouds . 101 mists . 103 empty clouds . 104 raine . 106 the signes of raine . 109 monstrous or prodigious raine . 111 dew . 115 hoare frost . 117 haile , snow . 118 , 120. springs and rivers . 121 fountaines , brooks , rivers . 123 lakes . 125 hot baths , ibid. the divers tasts that are perceived in wells , 126 a recitall of such rivers and springs , as have marvelous effects , whereof no natural caus can be assigned by most men , although some reason in a few may be found . 127 of the sea. 132 the saltnesse of the sea , 133 the ebbing and flowing thereof . 134 the fifth booke , of earthly meteors , or bodies perfectly mixed . 135 of earth● . 136 liquors concrete 139 metals 142 gold. 143 silver . 145 copper . 146 tynne . 148 lead . ibid. iron . 149 quicksilver . 150 stones . 151 the divers kinds of stones 153 the vertue of stones . 154 finis . the first book . for as much as wee intend in this treatise , to declare the causes of all those bodies that are generated in the earth called fossilia , as well as those other impressions named of their height meteors ( which no writer hitherto hath done , that we have seen ) the common definition given by the most writers , in no wise will serve us ; and whether we may borrow the name of meteoron , to comprehend the whole subiect of our worke , we are not altogether out of doubt ; although the philosopher deriving it from doubtfulnes , giveth●us some colour so to take it ; and peradventure we might be as well excused to apply it to minerals , as other authors are to use it for earthquakes : yet to avoid all occasions of cavilling at words , we shall both define and also describe the subject of our matter on this manner : it is a body compound without life natural : and yet to stop one hole , because here wanteth the name of the thing to be defined ; it is no new thing to them that have read aristotles workes , to find a definition of that whereof there is no name . but what need you be so precise ( will some man say ) ? meane you so to proceed in all your discourse ? no verily , but because many of quick iudgement , not considering the stile to bee attempered to the capacitie of the readers , will impute the plainesse to the ignorance of the author , wee thought good in the beginning to pluck the opinion out of their minds that ( as the common saying is ) they may know , wee have skill of good manners though we little use them . the meteors are divided after three manner of wayes : first , into bodies perfectly and imperfectly mixed : secondly , into moist impressions and drie : thirdly , into fiery , airy , watry , and earthly . according to this last division ▪ we shall speake of them in foure bookes following : but first we must be occupied a little in the generall description of the same , that afterward shall be particularly treated of . why they be called imperfectly mixed . they are called imperfectly mixed , because they are very soon changed into another thing , and resolved into their proper elements of which they do most consist , as do all impressions , fierie , airie , watry : as snow into water , clouds into waters &c. why they be called perfectly mixed . the last sort , namely earthly meteors , are called perfectly mixed , because they will not easily be changed and resolved from that form which they are in , as be stones , metalls , and other mineralls . according to the qualitie of the matter , they are divided into moist and drie impressions , consisting either of vapors or exhalations . vapors are called moist , and exhalations drie , which termes must be well noted , because they must be much used . of the general causes of all meteors ; and first of the material cause . the matter whereof the most part of meteors doth consist , is either water or earth : for out of the water , proceed vapors , and out of the earth come exhalations . vapor , as the philosopher saith , is a certain watry thing , and yet is not water ; so exhalation hath a certain earthly nature in it , but yet it is not earth . for the better understanding of vapors , understand that they be as it were fumes or smokes warme and moist , which will easily bee resolved into water , much like to the breath that proceedeth out of a mans mouth , or out of a pot of water standing on the fire . these vapours are drawn up from the waters and watery places by the heat of the sun , even unto the middle region of the aire , and there after divers manner of meeting with coldnesse , many kind of moist meteors are generated , as sometimes clouds and raine , sometime snow and hail ; and that such vapours are so drawn up by the sunne , it is plaine by experience : for if there be a plash of water on a smooth and hard stone , standing in the heat of the sun , it will soon be drie ; which is none otherwise but that the sun draweth up the water in thinne vapors : for no man is so fond to say , that it can sink into stone or mettal ; and it is as great folly to think it is consumed to nothing : for it is a general rule , that that which is once a thing , cannot by changing become nothing : wherefore it followeth , that the water on the stone , as also on the earth , is for the most part drawn up , when the stone or earth is dryed . exhalations are as smokes that be hot and dry , which because they be thinne , and lighter then vapors , passe the lowest and middle region of the aire , and are carryed up even to the highest region , where for the excessive heat , by neerness of the fire , they are kindled , and cause many kind of impressions . they are also sometimes viscose , that is to say , clammy , by reason whereof , they cleaving together and not being dispersed , are after divers sorts set on fire , and appear sometimes like dragons , sometimes like goats , sometimes like candles , sometimes like spears . by that which is spoken of vapours and exhalations , it is evident , that out of the fire and aire , no matter whereof meteors should consist , can be drawn , because of their subtilty and thinnesse . for all exhalation is by making a grosser body more thinne : but the fire ( we mean the elemental fire , and not the fire of the kitchin chimney ) is so subtil and thinne , that it cannot be made thinner ; likewise the aire is so thinne , that if it be made thinner , it is changed into fire ; and as the fire , if it were made thicker , would become aire ; so the aire being made grosser , would be turned into water . wherefore to conclude this part , the great quantity of matter , that causeth these meteors , is taken out of the earth and the water . as for the aire and the fire , they are mixed with this matte● as with all other things , but not so abundantly , that they may be said th● material cause of any meteor , thoug● without them none can be generated . the efficient cause of all meteors , is tha● caus which maketh them ; even as the carpenter is the efficient cause of an house . this cause is either first or second . the first and efficient cause is god the worker of all wonders , according to that testimonie of the psalmist , which saith , fire , haile snow , ice , wind and storme , doe his will and commandment ; he sendeth snow like wooll , &c. almightie god therefore being the first , principall and universall cause efficient of all natural works and effects , is also the first cause of these effects , whose profit is great , and operation marvellous . the second cause efficient , is double , either remote , that is to say , farre off or next of all . the farther cause of them as of all other naturall effects , is the same ; the sun with the other planets and stars , and the very heaven it self in which they are moved ; but chiefly the sunne , by whose heat all or at least wise the most part of the vapors and exhalations are drawn up . the next cause efficient as the first qualities , are heat and cold , which cause divers effects in vapors & exhalations . but to return to the heat of the sun , which is a very neere cause , it is for this purpose two wayes considered . one way , as it is meane and temperate ; otherwise , as it is vehement and burning . the meane , is by which he draweth vapors out of the water , and exhalations out of the earth , and not onely draweth them out , but also lifteth them up very high from the earth into the aire , where they are turned into divers kinds of meteors . the burning heat of the sunne is , by which he burneth , dissipateth and consumeth the vapors and exhalations before he draweth them up , so that of them no meteors can be generated . these two heats proceed from the sun , either in respect of the place , or the time ; but most properly according to the casting of his beames either directly or undirectly . in place where the sunnes beames strike directly against the earth and the water , the heat is so great , that it burneth up the exhalations and vapours , so that there are no fiery meteors , much lesse watery : as it is in the south parts of the world , under and neere to the equinoctiall line . but in places where the beames are cast indirectly and obliquely , and that where they are not too nigh to the direct beams , nor too far off from them ; there is a moderate heat , drawing out great abundance of matter , so that in those countries , many meteors of many sorts are generated , as in the far north parts are few but watry impressions . also in autumn and spring are oftner meteors seene , then in summer and winter , except it be in such places where the summer and winter are of the temper of the spring and autumne . let this be sufficient for the efficient causes of impressions , as well first and principall , as second and particular . concerning the formal and finall cause , we have little to say , because the one is so secret , that it is known of no man : the other so evident , that it is plaine , to all men . the essentiall form of all substances , gods wisedome comprehendeth ; the universall chiefe and last end of all things , is the glory of god. middle ends ( if they may be so called ) of these impressions are manifold profits to gods creatures , to make the earth fruitfull , to purge the aire , to set forth his power , to threaten his vengeance , to punish the world , to move to repentance ; all which are referred to one end of gods eternall glory , ever to be prased , amen . of the places , in which they are generated . the places in which meteors are caused , be either the aire or the earth : in the air be generated rain , hail , snow , dew , blazing stars , thunder , lightning , &c. in the earth be welles , springs ▪ earthquakes , metals , minerals , &c. made , and as it were , in their mothers belly begotten and fashioned . but for the better understanding hereof , such as have not tasted the principles of philosophy , must consider that there be foure elements , earth , water , aire , and fire , one compassing another round about , saving that the waters by gods commandement are gathered into one place , that the land might appear . the highest is the spheare of the fire , which toucheth the hollownesse of the moons heaven : the next is the aire , which is in the hollownesse of the fire : the aire within his hollownesse comprehendeth the water and the earth , which both make but one spheare or globe , or as the common sort may understand it , one ball . so each element is within another , as scales of a perch are one above anothes : or ( to use a grosse similitude ) as the peeles of an onion are one within another : after the same sort from the highest heaven to the earth that is lowest , one part that is greater compasseth round about another that is lesser . but for this present purpose it is to be knowne , that the aire is divided into three regions , the highest the middle and the lowest . the highest because it is next to the region of the fire , is exceeding hot : the lowest being next the earth and waters , is temperate , and by repercussion or striking backe of the sunne beames waxeth hot , and by absence of them is made cold , being subject to winter and summer . the middle region of the aire , is alwaies exceeding cold , partly because the sunne beames cannot be cast back so high , and partly because the cold that is there , betweene the heat above , and the heat beneath it , is so kept in , that it can not get out , so that it must needs be excessively cold : for the water and the earth , being both cold elements , after the sunne setting in the night season , doe coole the aire , even to the middle region . but in the morning the sunne rising warmeth the aire , so farre as his beames which are beaten backe from the earth and the water , can extend and reach ; which is not so high as the middle region , and by heat on both sides is inclosed and kept , saving that a little thereof falleth downe in the night , which the next day with much more is driven back againe . wherefore this region being so cold , is dark and cloudy , in so much that some doting divines have imagined purgatory to be there in the middle region of the aire . in the highest region be generated comets or blazing stars and such like of divers sorts . in the middle region clouds , rain , stormes , winds &c. in the lowest region , dew , frost , hoar-frost , mists , bright rods , candles , burning about graves , and gallowses , where there is store of clamy , fattie or oily substance , also lights and flaming fires seen in fields , &c. and thus much for the general causes of all meteors . the second booke of fiery meteors . a fiery impression , is an exhalation set on fire in the highest or lowest region of the aire , or else appearing as though it were set on fire and burning . they are therefore divided into flames and apparitions . flames are they which burn indeed , and are kindled with fire . these are discerned by four ways ; by the fashion of them , by their place , by the abundance of their matter , and by the want of their matter . their placing is after the abundance and scarcity of the matter whereof they consist : for if it be great , heavy and grosse , it cannot be carried so far as the middle region of the ayre , and therefore is set on fire in the lowest region : if it be not so great , light , and full of heat , it passeth the middle region , and ascendeth to the highest , where it is easily kindled and set on fire . according to their divers fashions , they have divers names : for they are called burning stubble , torches , dauncing or leaping goates , shooting or falling starres , or candles , burning beames , round pillars , spears , shields , globes or bowles , firebrands , lampes , flying dragons or fire drakes , painted pillars , or broched steeples , or blazing starres , called comets . the time when these impressions doe most appeare , is the night-season : for if they were caused in the day time , they could not be seen , no more then the stars be seen , because the light of the sunne which is much greater , dimmeth the brightness of them being lesser . of the generation of the impression called burning stubble or sparkles of fire . the generation of this meteor is this ; when the matter of the exhalation is in all parts alike thin , but not compacted or knit together , then some part of it being caryed up into the highest region , by the fiery heat is set on fire before another part that cometh up after it , and so being kindled by little and little , flieth abroad like sparkles out of a chimney , insomuch that the common people suppose , that an infinite number of stars fall down , whereas it is nothing else but the exhalation that is thin , kindled in many parts , sparkling as when sawdust or cole-dust is cast into the fire . of torches torches or firebrands are thus generated : when the matter of the exhalation is long and not broad , being kindled at one end thereof in the highest region of the aire , it burneth like a torch or firebrand , and so continueth till all the matter be burnt up , and then goeth out ; none otherwise then a torch when all the stuffe is spent , must needs burne no longer . of dancing or leaping goates dancing goates are caused when the exhalation is divided into two parts , as when two torches be seen together , and the flame appeareth to leap or dance from one part to the other , much like as bals of wild fire dance up and down in the water . of shooting and falling stars . a flying , shooting , or falling star , is when the exhalation being gathered as it were on a round heape , and yet not throughly compacted in the highest part of the lowest region of the ayre , being kindled by the sodaine cold of the middle region , is beaten backe , and so appeareth as though a starre should fall , or slide from place to place . sometime it is generated after another sort ; for there is an exhalation long and narrow , which being kindled at one end burneth swiftly , the fire running from end to end , as when a silk thred is set on fire at the one end . some say it is not so much set on fire , as that it is direct under some star in the firmament , and so receiving light of that star , seemeth to our eies to be a star. indeed sometimes it may be so ; but that i● is not so alwayes , nor yet most commonly , it may be easily demonstrated . the epicureans , as they are very grosse in determining the chiefe goodness : so they are very fond in assigning the cause of this meteor . for they say , that the stars fall out of the firmament , & that by the fall of them , both thunder and lightning are caused : for the lightning ( say they ) is nothing else but the shining of that starre that falleth , which falling into a waterie cloud , and being quenched in it , causeth that great thunder , even as hot iron maketh a noise if it be cast into cold water . but it is evident , that the starres of the firmament cannot fall , for god hath set them fast for ever ; he hath given them a commandement which they shall not passe . and though they should fall into the clouds , yet could they not rest there , but with their weight being driven down , would cover the whole earth . for the least starre that is seen in the firmament , is greater then all the earth . here will step forth some merrie fellow which of his conscience thinketh them not to be above three yards about , and say it is a loud lie ; for he can see within the compasse of a bushell , more then 20 stars . but if his bushell were on fir● 20 mile of , i demand how bigge it would seeme unto him ? he that hath any wit will easily perceive , that starres being by all mens confession , so many thousand miles distant from the earth , must needs be very great , that so far off should be seen in any quantity . thus much for the shooting or falling starres of burning candles . when the exhalation carried up into the highest part of the ayre , is in all parts thereof of equall and like thinness , and also long , but not broad , it is set on fire and blazeth like a candle , until the exhalation be quite consumed . of burning beames and round pillars . these are caused , when the exhalation being long and not very broad , is set on fire all at once , and so burneth like a great beame or logge . the difference of beames and pillars is this ; for beams are when they seeme to lie in length in the ayre , but they are called pillars , when they stand right up , the one end neerer to the earth then the other of burning speares . burning speares are generated , when a great quantity of exhalations , which may be called a dry cloud , is set on fire in the middest , and because the cloud is not so compact , that it should suddenly rend , as when thunder is caused , the fire breaketh out at the edges of the cloud , kindling the thin exhalations , which shoot out in great number like fiery speares , or darts , long and very small ; wherefore they continue not long : but when they fayle , within a short while after , more fire breaking out , they shoot as many more in their place : and likewise , when they are gone , others succeed , if the quantity of the matter will suffice , more then a douzen courses . this impression was seene in london , anno dom. 1560. the thirty day of ianuary , at eight of the clock at night , the ayre in all other places being very darke ; but in the north-east where this cloud burned , it was as light as when the day breaketh toward the sunne rising , in so much that plaine shaddow of things opposite was seene . the edge of this cloud was in the fashion like the raynebow , but in colour very bright , and oftentimes casting forth almost innumerable darts of wonderfull length , like squibs that are cast into the ayre , saving that they move more swiftly then any squibs . of shields , globes or bowles . these meteors also have their name of their fashion , because they are broad , and appeare to be round ; otherwise their generation differeth not from the cause of the like impressions before mentioned . of lampes . the lampe consisteth of an exhalation that is broad and thick , but not equally extended ; namely , smaller at one end then at another , which being kindled about the middest thereof , burneth like a lampe . the cause why , as well this impression , as many other , appeareth round , is not for that alwaies they are round indeed , but because the great distance causeth them to seem so . for even the square formes far off seem to be round . 〈◊〉 is written , that a lamp fell down at rome , when germanicus caesar set forth forth the fight of sword players . of flying dragons or fire drakes . flying dragons , or as englishmen call them , fire-drakes , be caused on this manner . when a certaine quantity of ●apors are gathered together on a heap , ●eing very neere compact , and as it were ●ard tempered together , this lump of ●apors ascending to the region of cold , ●forcibly beaten back ; which violence ●f moving is sufficient to kindle it ; ●lthough some men will have it to be ●used between 2 clouds , a hot and a ●●ld ; then the highest part , which was ●iming upward , being by reason more ●btill and thin , appeareth as the dra●ns neck , smoking , for that is was ●ely in the repulse bowed or made ●●oked , to represent the dragons belly . ●e last part by the same repulse turned ●ward , maketh the tayle , appearing ●aller for that it is both further off , ● also for that the cold bindeth it ▪ ●is dragon thus being caused , flyeth ●ng in the ayre , and sometime turneth ●nd fro , if it meet with a cold cloud eat it back , to the great terrour of 〈◊〉 that behold it : of whom some 〈◊〉 it a fire drake : some say it is the ●ill himselfe , and so make report ●thers . more then 47 yeeres ago● , on may day , when many young folk went abroad early in the morning , remember by six of the clocke in th● forenoone , there was newes come to london , that the devill , the same morning , was seen flying over the thames ▪ afterward came word , that he lighte● at stratford , and there was taken an● set in the stockes , and that though h● would fane have dissembled the matte● by turning him selfe into the likenes● of a man , yet was he known well enoug● by his cloven foot . i knew some the● living , that went to see him , and returning , affirmed , that he was seen flying in the ayre , but was not take● prisoner . i remember also , that som● wished he had been shot at with gun● or shafts , as he flew over the thame● thus do ignorant men iudge of the things that they know not . as for th● devill , i suppose , it was a flying dr●gin , whereof we speake , very fearefu● to looke upon , as though he had 〈◊〉 because he moveth , whereas it is n●thing else but clouds and smoake : 〈◊〉 mighty is god , that he can feare 〈◊〉 enemies with these and such like op●rations , whereof some examples may be found in holy scripture . of the pyramidall pillar like a spire or broached steeppe this sharpe poynted pillar , is generated in the highest region of the ayre , and after this sort : when the exhalation hath much earthly matter in it , the lighter parts and thinner ( as their nature is ) ascending upward , the grosser , heavier , and thicker , abide together in the bottome , and so is it of fashion great beneath , and small poynted above , and beeing set on fire it is so seene , and thereof hath his name . of fire scattered in the ayre . fire scattered in the ayre , or illuminations , are generated in the lowest region of the ayre , when very drie and hot exhalations are drawne up , and meeting with cold clouds , are sent back again , which motions doe set them a fire ; whose parts being not equally thick or ioyned together , seeme as though fire were scattered in the ayre : yea sometimes , the whole ayre seemeth to burne , as though it would rayne fire from heaven , and so it hath come to passe , burning both cities and townes . then iudge how easy it was for god to raine fire upon sodom and gomorra , for their sins and wickedness . of lights that goe before men , and follow them abroad in the fields , by the night season . there is also a kind of light that is seen in the night season & seemeth to goe before men , or to follow them , leading them out of their way into waters , and other dangerous places . it is also very often seene in the night , of them that saile on the sea , and sometime will cleave to the mast of the shippe , or other high parts , sometime slide round about the shippe , and either rest in one part till it goe out , or else be quenched in the water . this impression seene on the land , is called in latine ignis fatuus , foolish fire , that hurteth not , but onely feareth fooles . that which is seene on the sea , if it be but one , is named helena ; if it be two , it is called castor and pollux . the foolish fire is an exhalation kindled by meanes of violent moving , when by cold of the night , in the lowest region of the ayre , it is beaten downe ; and then commonly , if it be light , seeketh to ascend upward , and is sent down againe ; so it danceth up and downe . else if it move not up and downe , it is a great lumpe of glewish or oyly matter that by moving of the heat in it selfe , is enflamed of it selfe , as moyst hay will bek indled of it selfe . in hot and fennie countries , these lights are often seene , and where is abundance of such unctuous and fat matter , as about church-yards , where through the corruption of the bodies there buried , the earth is full of such substance : wherefore in church-yards , or places of common buriall , oftentimes are such lights seene , which ignorant and superstitious fooles have thought to be soules tormented in the fire of purgatory . indeed the devill hath used these lights ( although they be naturally caused ) as strong delusions to captive the minds of men with feare of the popes purgatory , whereby he did open injury to the blood of christ , which onely purgeth us from all our sins , and delivereth us from all torments both temporall and eternall , according to the saying of the wise-man , the soules of the righteous are in the hands of god , and no torment toucheth them . but to returne to the lights , in which there are yet two things to be considered . first , why they lead men out of their way . and secondly , why they seeme to follow men and goe before them . the cause why they lead men out of the way , is , that men , while they take heed to such lights , and are also sore afraid , they forget their way , & then being once but a little out of their way , they wander they wot not whither , to waters , pits and other very dangerous places . which , when at length they hap the way home , will tell a great tale , how they have beene led about by a spirit in the likenesse of fire . now the cause why they seeme to goe before men , or to follow them , some men have said to be the moving of the ayre , by the going of the man , which ayre moved , should drive them forward if they were before , and draw them after if they were behind . but this is no reason at all that the fire , which is oftentimes three or foure miles distant from the man that walketh , should be moved to and fro by that ayre which is moved through his walking , but rather the moving of the ayre and the mans eyes , causeth the fire to seeme as though it moved , as the moone to children seemeth , if they are before it , to run after them : if she be before them , to run before them , that they cannot overtake her , though she seeme to be very neere them . wherefore these lights rather seeme to move , then that they be moved indeed . of helena , castor and pollux when the like substance in the lowest region of the ayr , over the sea , by the like occasion is set on fire , if be one only , it is called helena ; if their be two , they are called castor , and pollux . these impressions will oftentimes cleave to the mast , and other parts of ships , by reason of the claminesse and fatnesse of matter . helena was of the heathen men taken as a goddesse , the daughter of jupiter and leda . castor and pollux were her brethren . helena was the occasion that troy was destroyed ; therefore the mariners by experience trying , that one flame of fire appearing along , signified tempest at hand , supposed the same flame to be the goddesse helena , of whom they look'd for nothing but destruction . but when two lights are seen together , they are a token of fair weather , and good luck : the mariners therefore beleeved that they were castor and pollux , which sayling to seek their sister helena being carried to troy by paris , were never seen after and thought to be translated into the number of the gods that gave good successe to them that sayl , as we read in the last chapter of the acts of the apostles , that the ship wherein s. paul sayled , had a badge of castor and pollux . a naturall cause why they may thus foreshew either tempest or calmnesse , is this ; one flame alone may give warning of a tempest , because that as the matter thereof is compact , and not dissolved ; so it is like , that the matter of the tempest ( which never wanteth ) as wind and clouds , is still together , and not dissipated , then is it like not long after to arise . by two flames together may be gathered , that as this exhalation which is very thick , is divided : so the thick matter of tempests is dissolved and scattered abroad by the same cause that this is divided . therefore not without a reason , the mariner to his mates may promise a prosprous course . of flames that appeare upon the haires of men or beasts . there is another kind of fiery impression , which is flames of fire upon the haires of men and beasts , especially horses . these are sometime clammy exhalations , scatered abroad in the air in small parts , which in the night , by resistance of the cold , are kindled , cleaving on horses eares , on mens heads and shoulders that ride or walke . in that they cleave upon hayres , it is by the same reason that the dew will be seen also upon haires or garments , whose wooll is high , as frize mantels and such like . another sort of these flames are caused , when mens or beasts bodies being chafed , send forth a ●at and clammy sweat , which is in like manner kindled as the sparks of fire that are seene when a black horse is curried . livius reporteth of servius tullius , that as he lay asleep , being a child , his hair seemed to be all on a flame , which for all that did not burn his hair or hurt him . the like history he reciteth of one marius a knight of rome , that as he made an oration to his soldiers in spain , they saw his head burning on a light fire , and himself not ware of it . thus much concerning these flames . of comets or blazing stars . a comet is an exhalation hot and dry , of great quantity , fat and clammy , hard-compact like a great lump of pitch , which by the heat of the sun is drawn out of the earth into the highest region of the air , and there by the excessive heat of the place is set on fire , appearing like a star with a blazing tayl ; and somtime is moved after the motion of the air which is circular , but it never goeth down out of the compass of sight , though it be not seen in the day-time for the brightness of the sun , but still burneth until all the matter be consumed . an argument of the greatness is this , that there was never any comet yet perceived but at the least it endured 7 days ; but much longer they have been seen ; namely forty days long , yea fourscore days ; and some , six months together . wherefore it must needs be a wonderfull deal of matter that can give so much nourishment for so great and fervent fire , aud for so long a time . there are considered in a comet specially the colour and fashion , which both arise of the disposition of the matter . their colours be either white , ruddy , or blew . if the matter be thin , the colour is white ; if it be meanly thick , then is the comet ruddy , after the colour of our fire ; but when the matter is very thick , it is blew , like the burning of brimstone . and as the matter is more or less after this disposition , so is the comet of colour more or less like to these three principal colours : some yellowish , some duskish , some greenish , some watchet , &c. in fashion are noted three differences ; for either they seem to be round , with beams round about , or with a beard hanging downward , or else with a tayl stretched out sidelong in length . the first fashion is when the matter is thickest in the midst , and thin round about the edges ; the second is when the exhalation is upward thick , and in length downward also meanly thick ; the third form is like the second , saving that the tayl hangeth not down but lyeth aside and is commonly longer then the beard . the time of their generation is oftnest in autumn or harvest : for in the spring there is too much moisture , and too little heat to gather a comet ; in summer is too much heat which will disperse and consume the matter that it cannot be joined together ; as for winter , it is clean contrary to the nature of a comet which is hot and dry , winter being cold and moyst : therefore no time so meet as autumn . now for so much as many learned men have gone about to declare the signification of blazing stars , we will omitt nothing that hath any shadow of reason , but declare what is written of them . such things as are set forth of the betokening of comets are of two sorts : the first is of natural ; the second of civil or politick effects . they are said to betoken drought , barrenness of the earth and pestilence . drought , because a comet cannot be generated without great heat ; and much moysture is consumed in the burning of it . barrenness , because the fatness of the earth is drawn up whereof the comet consisteth . pestilence , for so much as this kinde of exhalation corrupteth the air , which infecteth the bodies of men and beasts . the second sort might well be omitted , saving that aristotle himself disdaineth not to seek out causes for some of them . generally it is noted of all historiographers , that after the appearing of comets most commonly follow great and notable calamities . beside this , they betoken ( say some ) wars , seditions , changes of commonwealths , and the death of princes and noble men . for what time comets do shine , there be many hot and dry exhalations in the ayr , which in dry men kindle heat whereby they are provoked to anger : of anger commeth brawling : of brawling , fighting and war : of war , victory : of victory , change of commonwealths : then also princes living more delicately then other men , are more subject to infection ; and therefore dye sooner then other men . if it were lawfull to reason of this sort , we might enduce them to betoken not only these few things , but all other things that chance in the world . yet these predictions have a shew of reason : though it be nothing necessary ; but it is a wonder to see how the astrologians dote in such devices ; they are not ashamed to an earthly substance to ascribe an heavenly influence , and in order of judgment to use them as very stars . surely , by as good reason as to the celestial stars they attribute divine influences and effects . but this their folly hath been sufficiently detected by divers godly and learned men , and this place requireth no long discourse thereof . wherefore this shall suffice , both for the natural causes of blazing stars , and also for all flames in general . it followeth therefore that with like brevity we declare the causes of fiery apparitions . of apparitions . an apparition is an exhalation in the lowest or highest region of the air , not verily burning , but by refraction of light either of the sun or of the moon seeemeth as though it burned : which appearance of colour riseth not of the mixtion of the four qualities , as it doth in bodies perfectly mixed , as herbs , stones , &c. but only the falling of light upon shadow : the light is instead of white , and the shadow of darkness instead of black . these diversly mixed according to the divers dispositions of the exhalation , which ministreth variety by thickness or thinness , cause divers colours . there be commonly recited three kindes of fiery apparitions ; colours , wide-gapings , and deep holes which appear in the clouds . of colours . colours are here meant when there is nothing else to be noted but the colours of the clouds : and they are caused ( as it is said ) by casting the light into the shadowy cloud , according as it exceedeth more or less in thickness ; whereof some be very bright-white , and that is when the exhalation is very thin ; some yellowish , when the exhalation is thicker ; some ruddy , when it is meanly thick ; and very black , when it is very thick . the red and ruddy colours are seen in the morning and evening , when the light of the sun is not in his full force : for at other times of the day his light is too vehement , clear , strong and peircing . thus much of colours . of wide-gaping . wide-gaping is caused when an exhalation is thick in the midst , and thin on the edges , then the light being received into it , causeth it to appear as though the sky did rend , and fi●e break out of it . of round opening hiatus . these holes called hiatus , differ from wide-gapings in nothing but that they be less , and therefore seem as though they were deep pits or holes , and not rending or gaping ; and these be those apparitions that appear fiery , and yet be not so indeed . therefore let this be sufficient to have shewed the natural causes of all fiery meteors . the third book . of airy impressions . under the name of airy impressions , be comprehended such meteors , whose matter is most of the air. of this sort be winds , earthquakes , thunder , lightnings , storme-winds , whirlwinds , circles , rainbowes , the white circle , called of some watling street , many suns , many moons . of winds . the wind is an exhalation hot and dry , drawn up into the air by the power of the sun , and by reason of the weight thereof being driven down , is laterally or sidelong carried about the earth . and this definition is not to be understood of general winds that blow over all the earth , or else some great regions ; but besides these there be particular winds which are known but only in some countries , and them not very large . these winds oftentimes have another manner of generation , and that is on this manner ; it must needs be confessed , that within the globe of the earth be wonderfull great holes , caves or dungeons , in which when air aboundeth ( as it may by divers causes ) this air that cannot abide to be penned in , findeth a little hole in or about those countries as it were a mouth to break out of , and by this meanes bloweth vehemently : yet that force and vehemency extendeth not far ; but as the wind that commeth forth of bellows , neer the comming forth is strong , but far off is not perceived : so this particular wind , in that particular country where it breaketh forth , is very violent and strong , in so much that it overthroweth both trees and houses , yet in other countries not very far distant , no part of that boysterous blast is felt . wherefore this wind differeth from the general winds both in qualities and substance or matter : for the matter of them is an exhalation , and the qualities such as the nature of the exhalation is , very airy , but not air indeed : but of this particular wind the matter and substance is most commonly air. there is yet a third kinde of wind , which is but a soft , gentle and cool moving of the air , and commeth from no certain place ( as the general wind doth ) yea it is felt in the shadow under trees , when in the hot light and shining of the sun it is not perceived . it commeth whisking suddenly , very pleasant in the heat of summer , and ceaseth by and by ; this properly is no wind , but a moving of the air by some occasion . as for the general winds , they blow out of divers quarters of the air now east , now west , now south , now north , or else inclining to one of the same quarters : among which the east-wind following the nature of the fire is hot and dry ; the south-wind expressing the quality of the air is hot and moyst ; the western blast agreeing with the waters property , is cold and moyst ; the north that never was warmed with the heat of the sun , being cold and dry partaketh the condition of the earth . the middle winds have middle and mixed qualities , after the nature of those four principal winds , more or less , as they incline toward them more or less . generally the profit of all winds , by the wonderfull wisdom of the eternal god , is very great unto his creatures . for besides that these winds alter the weather . some of them bringing rain , some driness , some frost and snow , which all are necessary ; there is yet an universal commodity that riseth by the only moving of the air , which were it not continually stirred as it is , would soon putrify , and being putrified would be a deadly infection to all that hath breath upon the earth . wherefore this wind whose sound we hear , and know not from whence it commeth nor whither it goeth ( for who can affirm from whence it was raised , or where it is laid down ? ) as all other creatures beside , does teach us the wonderfull and wise providence of god , that we may worthily cry out with the psalmist and say , o lord , how manifold are thy works ! in wisdome hast thou made them all &c. let this be sufficient to have shewed the generation of the winds . of earthquakes , an earthquake , is a shaking of the earth which is caused by meanes of wind and exhalations , that be enclosed within the caves of the earth , and can find ●o passage to break forth , or else so narrow a way that it cannot soon enough be dilivered . wherefore , with great force and violence it breaketh out : and one while shaketh the earth , another while rendeth and cleaveth the same : somtime it casteth up the earth a great hight into the air , and somtime it causeth the same to sink a great depth down , swallowing both cities and townes , yea and also mighty great mountaines , leaving in the place where they stood , nothing but great holes of an unknown depth , or else great lakes of waters . of divers kinds of earthquakes . divers authors write diversly of the kinds of earthquakes , some making more and some less , but we shall be content at this time to comprehend them in four sorts . the first kind is when the earth is shaken laterally , to one side , which is when the whole force of the wind driveth to one place , and there is no other contrary motion to let it . this wind , if it be not great , shaketh the earth , that it trembleth as a man that hath a fit of an ague , and doth no more harme : but if it be great and violent , it looseth the foundations of all buildings , be they never so strong , and overthroweth whole cities , but especially the great buildings , and not only such buildings , but somtimes also casteth down great hilles , that cover and overwhelm all the valleys under them . many noble and great cities have been overthrown by this kind of earthquake . it is written , that twelve of the most beautifull cities , and most sumptuous buildings in all asia , were overthrown and utterly destroyed with an earthquake . how often antiochia , yea within short time was destroyed , they which have read the histories , can testifie . how terrible was the earthquake that shook constantinople a whole year together , that the emperour and all the people , were fain to dwell abroad in the fields under tents and pavilions , for fear their houses would fall on their heads , it is recorded in the chronicles , and worthy to be remembered . the second kind is , when the earth with great violence is lifted up , so that the buildings are like to fall , and by and by sinketh down again : this is , when all the force of the winds striveth to get upward , after the nature of gunpowder , and finding some way to be delivered out of bondage , the earth that was hoysied up , returneth to his old place . the third kind is a gaping , rending , or cleaving of the earth , when the earth sinketh down , and swalloweth up cities , and townes , with castles , and towers , hilles and rocks , rivers , and floods , so that they be never seen again . yea the sea in some places hath been drunk up , so that men might have gone over on foot , untill the time of tide or flood returning covered the place with waters again . but in the land , where this earthquake swalloweth up any city , or country , there appeareth nothing in the place thereof , but a marvellous wide and deep gulfe , or hole . aristotle maketh mention of divers places , and regions that were overthrown with this kind of earthquake . the fourth kind , is when great mountaines are cast up out of the earth , or else when some part of the land sinketh down , and in stead thereof arise rivers , lakes , or fires breaking out with smoake and ashes . it causeth also overflowings of the sea , when the sea bottome is lifted up , and by this means arise many islands in the sea , that never were seen before . these and other such miracles , are often found in the writers of histories , also in the philosophers , as aristotle , seneca , and plinius . nevertheless , the effects of some as most notable , it shall not be unprofitable to recite . plato in his dialogue intituled timeus , maketh mention by the way of a wonderfull earthquake , whereby not only africa was rent asunder from europe and asia ( as it is indeed at this day , except a little neck by the red sea ) the sea entring between them that now is called mare mediterraneum : but also a wonderfull great island , which he affirmeth , was greater then africa and asia both , called atlantis , was swallowed up , and covered by the waters , in so much , that on the sea called atlanticum , for a great while after , no ship could sayl , by reason that the same huge sea , by resolution of the earth of that mighty iland , was all turned into mudde . the famous i le of sicilia was also somtime a part of italy , and by earthquake rent asunder from it● seneca maketh mention of two ilands , theron and therea , that in his time first appeared . it should seeme both by aristotle , and also by herodotus , that egypt , in ancient time , was a gulph of the sea , and by earthquake made a drie land . during the reign● of tiberius the emperor , twelve notable cities of asia were overthrown in one night , &c. how so great vvinds come to be under the earth . the great caves and dennes of the earth , must needs be full of ayr continually : but when by the heat of the sunne , the moysture of the earth is resolved , many exhalations are generated as well within the earth as without ; and whereas the places were full before so that they could receive no more , except part of that which was in them , were let out in such countries where the earth hath few pores , or else where they are stopped with moysture , it must needs follow , that these exhalations striving to get out , must needs rend the earth in some place , or lift it up , so that either they may have free passage , or else room enough to abide in . of signes and tokens that go before an earthquake most commonly . the first , is the raging of the sea , when there are no tempestuous winds to stirre it , yea , when the ayr is most calme without wind. the caus why the sea then rageth , is , that the wind beginneth to labour for passage that way , and finding none , is sent back , and soon after shaketh the land . the second signe is calmness of the ayr , and cold , which commeth to pass by reason that the exhalation that should be abroad , is within the earth . the third signe , is said to be a long thinne strake of cloud seen , when the skie is clear ; after the setting of the sun. this ( say they ) is caused , by reason that the exhalation or vapor , which is the matter of clouds , is gone into the earth . others affirm , that it is the exhalation that breaketh out of some narrow hole of the earth , out of which the rest of the wind cannot issue , neither will it waite the time : wherefore within a while after , it seeketh and maketh it self by sudden eruption a broader way to be delivered out of prison . also the sunne , certaine daies before it appeareth dimme , because the winds that should have purged and dissolved the grosse ayr , that causeth this dimness to our eyes , is enclosed within the bowels of the earth . the water in the bottome of deepe wells is troubled , and the savour thereof infected , because the pestilent exhalations that have been long inclosed within the earth , doe then beginne a little to be sent abroad . for thereof cometh it , that in many places where earthquakes have been , great abundance of smoak , flame , and ashes is cast out , when the abundance of brimstone that is under the ground , through violent motion is set on fire and breaketh forth . finally , who knoweth not , what stinking minerals and other poysonous stuff doe grow under the earth ? wherefore it is no wonder , if well-water , before an earthquake , be infected : but rather it is to be marvelled , if after an earthquake there follow not a grievous pestilence , when the whole mass of infection is blown abroad . last of all , there is heard before it in the time of it , and after it , a great noise and sound under the earth , a terrible groaning , and a very thundring , yea , somtimes when there followeth no earthquake at all , when as the wind , without shaking of the earth , findeth a way to passe out at . and these for the most part , or at least some of them , are forewarnings , that the most fearfull earthquake will follow , then the which there is no naturall thing that bringeth men into a greater feare . cato was very curious to confesse himselfe , that he repented that ever he went by water , when as he might have gone by land . but what land can be sure , if it be the lords will by this work of his to shake it ? what building so strong , that can defend us , when the more strong , the more danger , the higher , the greater fall ? of thunder . thunder is a sound caused in the clouds by the breaking out of a hot and dry exhalation beating against the edges of the cloud . it is often heard in spring and summer by reason that the heat of the sun then draweth up many exhalations , which meeting in the middle region of the air with moyst and cold vapors , are together with them inclosed in a hollow cloud : but when the hot exhalation cannot agree with the coldness of the place ; by this strife being driven together made stronger and kindled , it will straight break out , which sudden and violent eruption causeth the noyse which we call thunder . a similitude is put by great authors , of moist wood that cracketh in the fire : we may adde hereunto the breaking of an egge in the fire , of an apple or any like thing ; for whatsover holdeth and withholdeth inclosed any hot wind , so that it can have no vent , it will seek it self a way by breaking the skin , shell or case . it were no ill comparison to liken thunder to the sound of a gun , which be both caused of the same or very like causes . the sound of thunder is divers ; after which men have divided the thunder into divers kinds , making first two sorts , that is , smal thunder and great . but as for the diversity of sounds , generally it comes of the divers disposition of the clouds , one while having more holes then at another ; somtime thicker in one place then in another . the smal or little thunder is when the exhalation is driven from side to side of that cloud making a noise , and either for the smal quantity and less forcibleness , or else for the thickness of the clouds walls , is not able to break them , but rumbleth up and down within the cloud , whose sides be stronger then the force of the exhalation is able to break , it runneth up and down within , and striking against the cloud and moist sides , maketh a noise not unlike the quenching of hot i●on in cold water . and if the exhalation be meanly strong , and the cloud not in all places or like thickness , it breaketh out at those thin places with such a buzzing as wind maketh blowing out of narrow holes . but if the cloud be so thin that it cannot keep in the exhalation , although it be not kindled , then it bloweth o●t with like puffing as wind commeth out of a pair of bellowes . a great thunder is when the exhalation is much in quantity , and very hot and dry in quality ; the clouds also very thick and strong , that easily will not give place to the wind to escape out . wherefore if the exhalation do vehemently shake the cloud , though it do not at the first disperse it , it maketh a long and fearfull rumbling against the sides of the cloud , untill at the last being made stronger by swifter motion , it dissolveth the cloud , and hath liberty to pass out into the open air ; the cloud dissolved droppeth down , and then followeth a showre of rain . otherwhiles it shaketh the cloud not long , but straight way rendeth it a long space and time , whose sound is like the rending of a broad-cloth , which noyse continueth a pretty while . and sometime it discusseth the cloud at once , making a vehement and terrible crack like a gun , sometime with great force casting out stones , but most commonly fire which setteth many high places on fire . as in the year of our lord 1561. the fourth day of june , the steeple of saint pauls church in london was set on fire , as it hath been once or twice before , and burned . the noyse of thunder though it be great in such places over which it is made , yet is not hard far off , especial-against the wind ; whereof we had experience also in the year of our lord , 1561. on saint matthias day in february , at the evening , when there was a great flash of lightning and a very ter●ible crack of thunder following ; they that were but 15 miles from london westward heard no noise nor sound thereof ; the wind that time was western . the effect of thunder is profitable to men , both for that the sweet showre doth follow it , and also for that it purgeth and purifieth the air by the swift moving of the exhalation that breaketh forth , as also by the sound which dividing and peircing the air , causeth it to be much thinner : which may be verified by an history that plutarch in the life of quincius flaminius reporteth , that there was such a noyse made by the grecians , after their liberty was restored , that the birds of the air that flew over them were seen fall down by reason that the air divided by their cry , was made so thin , tha● there was no firmity or strength in i● to bear them u● . and let this suffice for thunder , which lightning succeedeth in treaty , that seldom is from it in nature . of lightning . among the divers kinds of lightnings which writers in this knowledg do number , we shall treat only of four kinds ; yet so , that under these four all the rest may be comprehended . the names we must borrow of the latine tongue ; the first is fulgetrum , the second coruscatio , the third fulgur , the fourth fulmen . of fulgetrum . fulgetrum we call that kinde of lightning which is seen on summer nights and evenings after a hot day . the generation hereof is such ; when many thin , light and hot exhalations by the immoderate heat have been drawn up from the earth , and by the absence of the sun be destitute of the force whereby they should have been drawn further upward ; yet something ascending by their own nature , in that they be light and hot , they meet with the cold either of the night in the lowest region , or else of the air in the middle region ; and so by resistance of contraries ( as it hath been oft before rehearsed ) they are beaten back , and with vehement moving set on fire . this lightning commonly goeth out in the air terrible to behold , not hurtfull to anything , except sometime when the matter is earthy and gross , being stricken down to the earth , it blasteth corn and grass with other smal hurt . sometime it setteth a barn or thatched house on fire . the colour of this lightning as of all other , is divers , partly according to the matter , and partly according to the light . if the matter be thin , it is white ; if the substance be gross , it is ruddy , like flames of fire . in great light as in the day , it appeareth white ; in the night , ruddy : yet sometime in the day time we may see it yellow , wich is a token that the matter is wonderfull thick and gross . old wives are wont to say that no night in the year except one , passeth without lightning , but that is true as the rest of their tales , whereof they have great store . of coruscation . coruscation is a glistering of fire , rather then fire indeed ; and a glimering of lightning , rather then lightning itself : which is two manner of ways : one way , when clouds that be lower then the upper part of the earth , without the compass of our fight are enflamed , and the reflection of that flame is cast up into our sight , appearing in all points like lightning , saving that the air where it appeareth , is so clear , that we are perswaded , no lightning can be there caused . another way is , when there be thick clouds over us , and commonly a double order of clouds , one above another : if lightning or any other inflammation be in the upper part of these clouds , the light of them peirceth thorow the lower parts as thorow a glass , and so appeareth as though it lightned , when perhaps it did lighten indeed , yet that which we saw , was but the shadow thereof : and this is often without thunder . of fulgur . fulgur is that kinde of lightning which followeth thunder , whereof we have spoken before . for when that violent exhalation breaks forth , making a noyse as it beateth against the sides of the cloud , with the same violence it is set on fire , and casteth a great light , which is seen far and neer . and although the lightning appear unto us a good pretty while before the thunder-clap be heard , yet it is not caused before the noyse , if any thunder at all follow , but either is after it or with it . wherefore that we see it before we hear the thunder , may be ascribed either to the quickness of our sight that preventeth the hearing , or else to the swift moving of the fire and the light thereof to our eyes , and the slow motion of the sound unto our ears and hearing . these three kindes of lightnings are more fearfull then hurtfull , but the fourth seldom passeth without some dammage doing . of the fourth kind , called fulmen . the most dangerous , violent and hurtfull kind of lightning is called fulmen , whose generation is such as followeth : what time a hot exhalation is enclosed in a cloud and breaking the same , bur●reth forth , it is set on fire and with wonderfull great force stricken down toward the earth . the crack of thunder that is made when this lightning breaketh out , is sudden , short , and great , like the sound of a gunne . and oftentimes a great stone is blowne out with it , which they call the thunder-bolt , which is made on this maner . in the exhalation which is gathered out of the earth , is much earthly matter , which clortering together by moysture , being clammy by nature , consisting of brimstone , and other metalick substance by the excessive heat , is hardened as a brick is in the fire , and with the mighty force of the exhalation strongly cast toward the earth , and striketh down steeples , and high buildings of stone , and of wood , passeth thorow them , and setteth them on fire ; it cleaveth trees and setteth them on fire : and the stronger the thing is that resisteth it , the more harme it doth to it . it is sharp-poynted at one end , and thick at the other end , which is caused by reason that the moyster part , as heavier , goeth to the bottome of it ; so is the top small , and the bottome thick . men write , that the thunder-bolt goeth never above five foot deep , when it falleth upon the earth : which standeth with reason , both because the strength of it is weakned before it come so neer the ground , and also because the continual thicknesse of the earth breaketh the force , were it never so great . both aristotle , seneca , and plinius divide this lightning into three kinds . of the first . the first is drie , which burneth not to be felt , but divideth and appeareth with wonderful swiftnesse : for being subtil and pure , it passeth thorow the pores of any thing , be they never so small ; and such thing● as give place unto it , it hurteth not ; but such things ●s resist , it divideth and peirceth . for ●t will melt money in mens purses , the purses being whole and unharmed . yea , ●t will melt a sword in the scabberd , and not hurt the scabberd at all . a wine ●essell it will cleave , and yet the wine shall be so dull that by the space of three dayes , it will not runne out . it will hurt a mans hand , and not his glove . it will burne a mans bones within him ●o ashes , and yet his skinne and flesh shall appearefaire , as though nothing had come to him . yet otherwise the whole man in the moment of an houre shall be burned to ashes , whereas his clothes shall not seeme to have been touched . it will also kill the childe in the mothers belly , and not hurt the mother : and all because the matter is very subtill , and thinne , burning , and passing thorow whatsoever it be , that will not give it free passage . of the second kind . the second kinde is moyst : and because it is very thin , it burneth not to ashes , but only it blasteth or scorcheth trees , corn and grass : and by reason of the moystness it maketh all things black that it commeth neer , as moyst wood burning is smoaky , and maketh things neer it to be black and smoaky . of the third kinde . the third kinde is most like our common fire that wee have here on the earth of gross and earthly substance ; wherefore it leaveth a print where it hath been , or else consumeth it into ashes , if it be such a body as will be burned with fire . of the marvels of lightning , and their causes . beside the wonderful effects of lightning , that have been already remembred , there be many other which hereafter ensue , with the reason and causes unto them belonging ; as thus : the nature of lightning is , to poyson beasts that are stricken therewith , as though they had been bit by a serpent . the cause of this is that the matter of lightning is much infected with brimstone & other poysonous metallike substance , because it is thin , and giveth them passage into every part of the body . it is notable that seneca writeth how winevessels of wood being burned with lightning , the wine would stand still , and not run out : the reason hereof , is , the swift alteration and change , whereby also all the clamminesse of the wine is drawne to the outward most part , and so keepeth in the wine as in a skin , that by the space of three days it will not run . it will also poyson wine , insomuch that they which drink thereof shall either be mad or dye of it : the cause hereof was set● forth before . lightning that striketh a poysonous beast , purgeth it from the poyson , in so much that it causeth a serpent or snake which it killeth , to breed worms , which otherwise it would not do : but being purged from the natural poyson by the swift peircing of the lightning , nothing letteth but that it may breed wormes as all other corrupt flesh will doe . if lightning strike one that sleepeth , it openeth his eyes ; and of one that waketh , it shutteth the eyes . the cause is this , that it waketh him that sleepeth , and killeth him , before he can close his eyes againe . and him that waketh it so amazeth , that he winketh , as he will doe at any sudden chance : so he dyeth , before he can open his eyes againe . all living things turne their face toward the stroke of the lightning , because it is their nature , to turne their head if any thing come suddenly behind them . the rest that have their face toward it when it commeth , never turn before they be killed . the reason why it killeth the child in the mothers womb , not hurting the mother , is the tenderness of the one and the strength of the other , when the lightning is not vehement ; otherwise both should dye together . sometime lightning burneth onely the garments , shooes or hair of men , not hurting their bodies , and then the exhalation is nothing vehement . sometime it killeth a man , and there appeareth no wound without , neither any hurt within , no not so much as any sign of burning : for then the exhalation which being kindled is called lightning , is wonderfull subtil and thin , so swiftly passing thorow , that it leaveth no mark or token behind it . they that behold the lightning , are either made blind , or their face swelleth , or they become lepers ; for that fiery exhalation received into the pores of their face and eyes , maketh their face to swell and break out into a leprosy , and also dryeth up the chrystalline humour of their eyes , so that consequently they must needs be blind . eutropius sheweth that the same day in which marcus tullius cicero was born , a certain virgin of rome riding into apulia , was stricken with lightning , so that all her garments being taken from her without any rending , she lay starke naked , the lasing of her breast being undone , and her hose-garters untyed , yea her bracelets , collars , and rings being all loosed from her : likewise her horse lay dead , with his bridle and girts untyed . the places of them that are burnt with lightning , are colder then the rest of their bodyes , either because the greater heat draweth away the lesser , or else because that by the great violence the vital heat is quite extinguished in that place . the sea-calf is never hurt with lightning : wherefore the emperours tents were wont to be covered with their skins . the bay trees and box trees are never , or seldom stricken with lightning ; the cause of these may be , the hardness of their skinne , which hath so few pore-holes , that the exhalation cannot enter into them . the eagle also among fouls , is not stricken with lightning ; wherefore the poets feigne , that the eagle carrieth jupiters armour , which is lightning . the reason may be the thickness and dryness of her feathers , which will not be kindled with so swift a fire . of storme winds . a storme wind is a thick exhalation , violently moved out of a cloud , without inflammation or burning . the matter of this storme is all one with the matter of lightning , that hath been spoken of : namely , it is an exhalation very hot and dry , and also gross , and thick , so that it will easily be set on fire ; but then it hath another name and other effects . the form or manner of the generation is such ; when abundance of that kinde of exhalation is gathered together within a cloud , which needs will have one way out or other , it breaketh the cloud and causeth thunder , as it hath been taught before : but if the matter be very thick , and the cloud somewhat thin , then doth it not rend the cloud , but falling down , beateth the cloud before it , and so is carried as an arrow out of a bowe . it doth always goe before a great sodain showre : for when the cloud is broken , the water must needs fall down . also it is so gross and so thick , that it darkneth the air and maketh all the lowest region of the air to be in a manner as a dark smoaky cloud . it causeth tempests in the sea , and wonderfull great danger to them that bear sayle ; whom if it overtake , it bringeth to utter destruction . so sodain is this kinde , that it cannot be resisted with sodain helpe : so violent it is , that seeble force cannot withstand it . finally , it is so troublesome with thunder , lightning , rayne , and beasts : besides these , darkness and cold , that it would make men at so neer a pinch , to be at their wits end if they were not accustomed to such tumultuous tempests . wherefore it were profitable to declare the signes that goe before it , to the end men might beware of it . but they are so common to other tempests , that either they are known well enough , or else being never so well known , in a seldom calamity they would little be feared . the sea-ships subject to more danger , have more helpe , if it be used in time : but no signes foreknowne can profit the dweller of the land to keep his house from ruine , except it were to save his life from the fall of his mansion . the sudden violence of this tempest to him is more seldome times , but more incurable when it commeth then to the mariner who hath some ayd to look for by his comming ▪ the other if he escape with his life , may comfort himself that he was neer a great danger , and cast with himself to build up his house again . of whirlwinds . a whirlwind , is a wind breaking out of a cloud , rouling or winding round about , overthrowing that which standeth neer it , and that which commeth before it , carrying it with him aloft in the air. it differeth from a stormy wind in three points . first , in the matter which is less in quantity , and of thinner substance . secondly , in the moving , which is circular , winding about : whereas the storme bloweth aslope and sidelongs . also a whirlwind , in the moving divideth not it self abroad and bloweth directly , as the storme doth . and thirdly , in the manner of the generation ; for a storme doth always come out of one cloud ; but a whirlwind sometime is caused by means of two contrary winds that meet toether . in like manner , as we see in the streets of cities , where the wind is beaten back from two walles , meeting in the middest of the street , there is made a little whirle-wind , which whisking round about , taketh up the dust , or strawes , and bloweth it about , after the very similitude of the great and fearefull whirlewind . the reason of the going about is this , that when the walls beat back the wind from them , which aboundeth in that place , and those winds when they meet , by reason of equall force on both sides , can neither drive one the other back againe , nor yet passe thorrow one the other ; it must needs be , that they must both seek a way on the side at once , and consequently be carried round about , the one as it were pursuing the other , untill there be space enough in the aire , that they may be parted asunder . the matter of a whirlewind , is not much differing from the matter of storme and lightning , that is , an exhalation hote and drie , breaking out of a cloud in divers partes of it , which causeth the blowing about . also it is caused , as it hath been said , by two , or more windes , blowing from divers places , which may be of particular causes , that have been shewed before in the chapter of windes ; this tempest is noysome to man and beast , sea and land , things living , and life lacking : for it will take up both men and beasts , stones and clods of earth : which when it hath borne a great way , will not be so curteous as to set them downe againe , but negligently letteth them fall from a great height , or else violently throweth them downe to the earth . it breaketh trees , winding them about , and pulling them up by the roots . it turneth about a ship , and bruiseth it in peeces with other mischiefes besides . of fired whrlewinds . sometime a whirlewind is set on fire within the cloud , and then breaking forth , flyeth round like a great cart-wheele , terriblie to behold , turning and over browing all drie things that it commeth neer , as houses , woods , corn , grasse , and what soever else standeth in the way . it differeth not from a whirlewind , saving that it is kindled and set on fire , so appearing , else the generation of both is called one . of circles . the circle called halon is a garland of divers colours that is seen about the sunne , the moon , or any other star , especially about jupiter or venus , for their great brightnesse . it is called of the greeks a compassed plat , of the latines , a crown or garland . the matter wherein it is made , is a cloud of equall thickness , or thinnesse , comming directly under the body of the sunne , the moone , or other starres , into which the light of the heavenly body is received & so appeareth round , because the starre is round : as a stone cast into the water , maketh many round circels , dilating in breadth , untill the violence of the moving is ended ; so is it in the aire ; the light beames peircing it , cause broad circles to be dilated , which appeare white , purple , black , red , green , blew , and other colours , according to the disposition of the clouds matter . the cause of such colours , is shewed before in the peculiar treaty of colours . this circle is oftner seene about the moone , then about the sunne , because the heate of the sunne draweth the vapors too high , where it cannot be made . also , because the night is a more quiet time then the day from wind , it is more often in the night , then in the day . seldome , about other starres , because their light beames , are too weake often to pierce a cloud : yet oftner about smal stars then the sunne , because the light of the sunne pierceth the cloud more forcibly , than that this halon can many times be cause . otherwhiles it is seen about a candle , which must be in a very thicke and grosse aire of such proportionate thickness , that it may receive the light as the cloud doth from the starres , as in the smoaky places , or hot houses . this kinde of circle is sometimes like a rainebow , saving that it is a whole circle unlesse the starre under which it is caused , be not all risen , or else the cloud , in which it is seen , be not all come under the star , or after it hath come under some part therof , be dissolved from the rest . these circles be sings of tempests and windes , as witnesse both virgil , and aratus . the wind shal blow from that quarter , where the circle first beginneth to break . the cause whereof is this , that the circle is broken by the winde that is above which is not yet come down towards us , but by this effect above ; we may gather , both that it will come , and also from what quarter . a great circle about the moon , betokeneth great cold and frost to follow after . but if it vanish away and be dissolved altogether , it is a signe of faire weather . if it be broken in many parts , it signifieth tempest . if it wax altogether thicker and darker , it is a forewarning of raine . one alone , after ptolomee , pure and white , vanishing away by little and little , is a token of faire weather . two or three at once , portendeth tempest : if they be ●uddy , they shew wind to come ; and toward snow , they seem as it were broken and rocky . being darke or dimme , they signifie all these foresaid events , with more force and abundance : it is oftner caused in autumne and spring , then in winter or summer : the cause is the temperatenesse of the time . the cause why it appeareth sometime greater , and sometime lesser , is in the quality of the matter , which as it is grosse or thinne , will more or lesse be dilated and stretched abroad , & also as some will have it , of the weakenesse of mans sight . of which , aristotle bringeth an example in one antipho , which did alwayes see his owne image before him in the ayre , as in a glasse : which he affirmeth to have been for the weaknesse of his sight-beames that could not peirce the aire , so that they were reflected again to himself . and thus much for halon , and the causes , signes , or toke●s of it . of the rainebow the rainebow , is the apparition of certaine colours in a cloud , opposite against the sunne , in fashion of half a circle . possidonius said , it was the sunnes looking glasse , wherein his image was represented , and that the blue colour was the proper colour of the cloud ; red of the sunne ; all the other colours of commixtion . it differeth manifoldly from halon : for the raynebow is alwayes opposite against the sunne : but halon is directly under it . they differ not onely in place , but also in fashion : the raynebow is but halfe a circle : the halon is a whole circle . likewise they vary in colour : for the raynebow is more dimme , and of purple colour ; the halon , whiter and brighter . also , in continance ; for the rainbow may continue longer then halon . the image of the rainebow may be seen on a wall , the sunne striking thorow a fix poynted stone , called iris , or any other christall of the same fashon ; also thorow some glasse window . halon is seen about candles , in smokie places , as are baths and kitchings . the manner of the generation of the rainebow is such : there is opposite against the sunne , a thick watery cloud , which is already resolved into dewy drops of raine , is ( for a grosse similitude ) is seene on the potlid , when the water in the vessell hath sodden , or is very hot , the lid will be all full of small drops of water , which come from the water in the vessell ; first , by heat resolved into smoake ; after , when it cannot goe at large , it is resolved again . wherefore upon such a cloud , the sunne beams striking , as upon a smooth glasse , do expresse the image of the sun unperfectly , for the great distance . or else the sunne beames striking into a hollow cloud , where they are refracted or broken , and so come to the eyes of him that beholdeth the rainbow . the similitude thereof is seen , when men sayle or row in boats , the sunne shineth upon the water , which casteth on the vessels side , the colours and image of the rainbow . lifewise , water in an urinall holden against the sunne , receiveth the light , and sheweth colours on the wall . there be two kinds of rainbows , one of the sun , another of the moon ; the one by day , the other by night : the rainebow of the sun often , but of the moon very seldome , in so much that it can be but twice in fifty yeeres , and that when the moon is in the east or west , full in perfect opposition . it hath not been many times seene since the writing of histories , yet sometimes , and for the rarenesse , is taken for a great wonder . yet is it in colour nothing so beautiful as the sunnes , but for the most part white as milke : other diversities of colours are scant perceived . when it appeareth , it is said to signifie tempest . the time of the rainbow is often after the point of autumne , both for the placing of the sunne in competent lownesse , and also for abundance of matter , seldom or never is the rainebow see about the midst of summer . there may be many rainebows at one time , yet commonly but one principall , of which the rest are but shaddows and images ; the second shaddow of the first , the third of the second , as appeares by placing of their colours . it remaineth to shew why it is but halfe a circle , or lesse , and never more ; and why the whole cloud receiveth not the same colours that the raynebow hath . the cause of the first is , because the center or middle part of the raynebow , that is diametrally opposite to the center of the same , is alwayes either in the horizon ( that is , the circle cutting off our fight of heaven by the earth ) or under it . the cause why the whole cloud is not coloured , is , because that in the middest , the beames as strong , peirce thorow , but on the edges where they are weaker , they are reflected or refracted . now for so much as god made the raynebow a sign and sacrament of the promise , some think it was never seene before the flood : their reason may be this , that the earth , after the first creation was then so fruitfull , that it needed hone or very little raine , so that such dark clouds were not often gathered , the fruitfull ground not so easily remitted his moysture , that then was fat and clammy , hard to be drawne up : so it might be , that there was no rainebow before , as we cannot find that ever , it rained before . but whether it were or not , it is certaine , that then it became a sacrament , whereas it was none before which when we behold , it behoveth us to remember the truth of god in all his promises , to his glory and our comfort . the milke way , called of some the way to s. james , and watling streete . the milke way is a white circle seen in a cleare night , as it were in the firmament , passing by the sings of sagittarius and gemini . the cause thereof is not agreed upon among philosophers , whose opinons i thought best to report , before i come to the most probable causes . first of all , pythagoras is charged with a poeticall fable , as though it had been caused by reason that the sun did once run out of his path way , and burned this part , whereof it looketh white . others , as anaxagoras and democritus sayd , that it was the light of certaine starres , shining by themselves , of their owne light , which in the absence of the sun might be seene . but this opinion is also false ; for the starres have no light of themselves , but of the sun : also if it were so , it should appear about other starres . democritus is also reported to have said , that it was nothing else but innumerable little starres , which with their confuse light , caused that whitenesse : to this opinion , cardane seemeth to subscribe . the poets have foure fables of it : one of phaeton , which on a time guided the chariot of the sunne , and wandring out of the way , did burne that place , wherefore of jupiter he was striken downe with lightning . the second , that it is the high street in heaven , that goeth streight to jupiters palace , and both sides of it the common sort of gods doe dwell . the third , that hebe , one which was jupiters cupbearer , on a time stumbled at a straw , and shed the wine or milke that was in the cup , which coloured that part of heaven to this day : wherefore she was put out of her office . the fourth , that apollo stood there to fight against the giants , which jupiter made to appear , for a perpetual memory . theophrastus , a philosopher , affirmed , that it was the joyning together , or came of the 2 half globes , which made ●t appeare more light in that place then anothers . others said , it was the reflexion of the shining light of fire or starre light , ●s it is seen in a glasse , but then it should ●e moveable . diodorus affirmed , that it was heavenly fire , condensed or made thick into a circle , and so became visible , whereas the rest , for the pureness , clearnesse , and thinnesse , could not be seen . possidonious , whose mind to many seemeth very reasonable , said , it is the ●nfusion of she hea● of the stars , which therefore is in a circle , contrary to the zodiake , ( out of which the sun never wandereth ) because it might temp●● the whole compass with vital and livel●hea , although in my mind he hath rather expressed the finall cause , then th● efficient . aristotles opinion is , that it should be the beames of a great circle which 〈◊〉 caused by a cloud or exhalation draw● up by those starres , which be calle● sporades . this opinion of aristotles 〈◊〉 misliked of most men that have travailed in this science ; and worthil● ▪ for if it were of the nature of elements as exhalations are , it would be at length consumed . but this circl●● never corrupteth , therefore it is not 〈◊〉 exhalations . also it neither increase● nor diminisheth , which is a plain pro●● that it consisteth not of elemental matter , although aristotle seem to make double circle , one celestiall , another elemental . the last opinion is , of them that 〈◊〉 it is the nature of heaven , thicker 〈◊〉 substance , then other parts of heaven be , having some likenesse to the substance of the moon , which being light ●●ed by the same as all the starres b● appeareth white . and this opinion i take to be most probable , because that sentence of starre light seemeth not so reasonably , to be only in that place , and not elsewhere . the finall cause of this milke-white circle , hath beene already touched in the opinion of possidonius , whereunto also plinius in the 18. book , and 29. chapter of his natural history agreeth , affirming , that it is very profitable for the generation and fruitfull increase of things that grow on the ear●h . the mathematitians that have measured the breadth thereof , affirme , that toward the north it passeth over the ecliptical line of the ninth spheare , from the 18. degree of gemini , unto 2 degrees of cancer , which is 13. degrees and toward the south , from the 8 degree of sagittarius , to the 13 degree of the same signe : and because it is there divided into two branches ( as may easily be seen in a cleare night ) it reacheth from 24 of sagittarius , to the 2 degree of capricorne . this circle , if it be of the nature of heaven , is unproperly placed among meteors or impressions : but because of aristotles mind , who will have it to be an impression kindled , and their opinion which think it proceedeth of the light of starres , it is not without good cause in this place treated of . of beames , or streames of light , appearing thorow a cloud . there is yet another kind of impression caused by the beames of the sunne , stricken through a watery cloud , being of unequall thinnesse , and is thinner in one part then in another , so that it cannot receive the beames in any other forme , then that they appeare direct or slope downeward of divers colours ; and the same that are the colours of the rainebow , though not so evident , because the reflexion is not so strong . they vary in colours : some are more urple or ruddy , when the cloud is thicker ; some yellow and whitish , when the cloud is thinner , and so other colours are caused likewise , whereof you may read the proper cause in the colours of clouds and other like parts of this treatise . the common people call it the descending of the holy ghost , or our ladies assumption , because these things are painted after such a 〈◊〉 others say that it is raine , striking down in another place , as though they 〈◊〉 see the drops falling . and they are 〈◊〉 altogether deceived , but in the time ; for soon after it will raine , because this impression appeareth out of a watry cloud . they are called by divers names , as rods , wands , cords of tents , unto which they are not touch unlike staves and little pillars , when they seeme greater and thicker , many being ioyned together . the rainebow , the circles , and these light beams , are all of one manner of generation , in so much that if you divide the circle , it shall be a rainbow ; if you draw it streight in length , it maketh streames or beames . herein they agree , namely , in forme and matter , but they differ in outward form , which we may call fashion , as the one is round , the other halfe round , and the third direct , straight or falling aslope . also they differ in place about which they stand : for streames are onely about the sunne ; rainebowes about the sunne often , and seldome about the moon ; but circles both about the sunne and the moon , and also about any other of 〈◊〉 the starres , yet rather and oftner about bright starres . to make an end of these streams , they appear diversly , after the fashion and place wherin the cloud hangeth , in respect of the sunne ; for sometimes they are seen only in the edge of a cloud , all the breadth of that cloud : sometime thorow the midst of a cloud , being thinner 〈◊〉 then in other parts , and then they are spred round about like a tent or pavillion used in war. they are most commonly seen in such times as there 〈◊〉 abundancee of raine , which they by their apparition do signifie not yet to be ended . and thus much concerning direct light beames , called roddes , &c. of many sunnes . it is strange and marvelous to behold the likelyhood of that which alexander the great , sending word to darius , said to be impossible , that two sunnes should rule the world. but oftentimes , men have seen , as they thought in the firmament , not only two sunnes , but oftener three sunnes , and many more in number thought not so often appearing . these , how wonderfull soever they appear , proceed of a natural cause , which we will endevour to expresse . they are nothing else but idols or images of the sun , represented in an equall , smooth , and watery cloud placed on the side of the sunne , and somtimes one both sides , into which the sunne beams being received , as in a glasse , expresse the likenesse of fashion and light that is in the sunne appearing as though there were many sunnes ▪ whereas indeed there is but one , and all the rest are images . this thick and watery cloud , is not said to be under the sunne ; for then it would make the circles , called crowns or garlands : it is not opposite to the sunne , for then would it make the rainbow : but it is said to be on the side where the image may be best represented . also it may not be too far off , for then the beams will be too feeble to be reflected : neither yet too neer ; for if it so be , the sunne will disperse it : but in a competent and middle distance : for so representation of many sunnes is caused . they are most often seene in the morning and evening , about the rising or going down of the sunne , seldome at noone time , or about the midst of the day , because the heat will soone dissolve them : yet have there been some seen , which began in the morning , and continnued all the day long , unto the evening . somtimes there appeare many little suns , like unto little starres , which are caused after the same sort as we do see a mans face to be expressed in all the pieces of a broken glasse . so when the cloud hath many separations , there appeare many sunnes , on one , side of the true sun , somtimes great and somtimes little , as the parts of the cloud separated are in quantity . they do naturally betoken tempest and rayne to follow , because they cannot appeare but in a watery disposition of the ayre . also , if they appeare on the south-side of the sunne , they signifie a greater tempest , then if they appeare on the north-side . the reason is alleadged , because the southerne vapor is sooner resolved into water then is the northerne . for a supernaturall signification , they have oftentimes been noted to have portended the contention of princes of kingdomes : as not long before the contention of galba , otho , and vitellius for the empire of rome , there appeared three sun. also of late , toward the slaughter of lewis king of hungary , were seen three suns , betokening three princes that contended for the kingdome , namely ferdinnando since emperour , john vayvode , and the great turke . of many moones . after the treaty of many suns , it were not hard for any man without farther instruction to know the natural cause of many moons ; for they are likewise images of the moon , represented in an equal cloud , which is watry , smooth and polished , even like a glass . some call them ( as plinius saith ) night-suns ; because they , joined with the light of the true moon , give a great shining light , to drive away the shadow and darkness of the night . it were superfluous to write more of their causes or effects , which are all one with those that have been declared of the suns . it may be doubted , why the other stars do not likewise expness their image in watry clouds ; and so the number of them , as to our sight , should be multiplyed . it may be answered that their light or beams are too feeble and weak to express any such similitude or likeness in the watry clouds . for although they have garlands or circles about them , that are caused in a vapour that is under them , yet it is manifest that this apparition hath not need of so strong a light as is required to print the images of them in the clouds . again , the garlands are direct under , and therefore apter to receive such apparition . it may be again objected that the stars have their image perfectly and sufficiently expressed in glasses here on the earth ; yea and at the day-time , when their light is either none , or most feeble and weak : as we see it is used at midsummer to behold that great star called syrius in a glass even at noon-days . also we see every night the image of the stars in calm and quiet standing waters : then what should let but that their images might also be expressed in watry clouds ? hereto may be answered that the let is in the cloud , which is neither so hard as is the glass , nor yet so continual as is the water , but consisteth of innumerable smal drops : so that except the light of the stars were stronger , it can in them express no uniform images of them , as it doth in glasses and in the water . notwithstanding , in writers of wonders we read some such likething sometime to have chanced . there hath been often seen many suns in the day-time and after the sun setting : at the rising of the full moon there have appeared many moons , which was by this means , that the same cloud that received the sun-beams in the morning , tarried in the same place , and at the moons rising was ready also to receive her image . of wonderfull apparitions . we will close this book with a brief declaration of the natural causes of many things that are seen in the air , very wonderfull and strange to behold , which in these latter years have been often seen and beheld to the great admiration of all men , not without the singular providence of god , to forewarne us of many dangers that hang over us in these most perillous times . the apparitions of which , as it is most wonderfull , so the searching of the cause to us is most difficult : a great deal the rather , because no man hath hitherto enterprised ( to my knowledge ) to seek out any cause of them , but all men have taken them as immediate miracles , without any natural meane or cause to procure them . and i truly do acknowledge that they are sent of god as wonderfull signs to declare his power , and move us to amendment of life ; indeed miraculous , but not yet so that they want a natural cause ; for if they be well weighed and considered , it is not hard to find that they differ much from such miracles as are recorded in the scripture and admitted of divines . so that as i abhorre the opinion of epicurus to think that such things come by chance , but rather by the determined purpose of gods providence : so i consent not with them that suppose when any thing is derived from any natural caus , god the chief and best cause of all things is excluded . some of these wonderfull apparitions consist of circles and rainbowes of divers fashions and placings , as one within another , the edge of one touching another , one dividing or going thorow another , with like placing of small circles about great circles or parts of small circles , some with the ends upward , some downward ; some aside , and some across ; but all for the most part in uniform order constituted or placed for the order of them pleasant to behold , but for the strangness somwhat fearfull . such a like apparition is made with the suns or moons images joined unto these circles set also in good and uniform order . the cause of all these is the meeting together of all those several causes that make the circles , rainbowes , streames and images of the sun or moon , which joined all together , make the wonderfull sight of rainbowes , positions of circles , crosses and divers lights which pertain to the knowledg of optice and catoptrice that teach how by divers refractions and reflects , ons of beams such visions are caused . so that he which will know how they are generated , must return into the several treatises of rainbowes , circles , streams & images of the sun or moons and if in them he find not knowledg sufficient to instruct him , i must send him to the demonstrations of perspective , where he shall want nothing . another sort of them , no less often beheld within these few years then the former , but a great deal more strange and wonderfull to look upon , are the sights of armies fighting in the air , of castles , cities and towns , with whole countries , having in them hils , vallies , rivers , woods , also beasts , men and fouls , monsters of which there are no such kindes on the earth , and finally all manner of things and actions that are on the earth , as burials , processions , judgments , combates , men , women , children , horses , crowns , armes of certain noble men and countries , weapons of all sorts , somtimes stars● , angels as they are painted with the image of christ crucified , beseiging of castles and townes , many things and gestures done by men or beasts , thevery similitude of persons known to the beholders ; as of late was seen the very image of the emperour charles , insomuch that they which beheld it , put off their caps , thinking verily it had been he : and of john frederick prince elector of saxony , who that time was prisoner with the emperour : also the image of smal crosses , which hath been not only in the air , but also on the earth , on mens apparell , on dishes , platters , pots , and all other things , so that the jewes have been full angry that they could neither wash nor rub them out of their apparell . in germany also fires and many such things as it were long stories seen in the air. all these wonderfull apparitions may be caused two manner of ways ; the one artificially , the other naturally . artificially , by certain glasses and instruments made according to a secret part of that knowledg which is called catoptrice ; and so peradventure some of them have been caused ; but the most part ( doubtless ) naturally , when the disposition of the air hath been such , that it hath received the image of many things placed and done on earth . and because it is apt to receive divers images , as well in one place as in another , these monstrous forms and strange actions or stories proceed of the joining of divers forms and actions : as if two histories were confusedly painted in one , the whole picture would be strange : or ( as the poet saith ) if a painter , to a mans head , should sett a horses neck , and after , divers feathers . sometimes also one image is multiplyed in the air into many or infinite , as are letters and crosses which fill the air , even beneath : and the light of the sun received into little parts , maketh to appear as it were many smal stars . let this suffice concerning these wonderfull apparitions : once again admonishing the reader , though i have enterprised to declare these by natural reason , yet verily believing that not so much as one sparrow falleth to the ground without gods providence . i do also ackowledg gods providence bringeth these to pass , to such ends as before i have shewed , using these causes as meanes and instruments to do them . the fourth book . of watery impressions . those be watery impressions that consist most of water . in the treaty of them are wont to be handled these impression ; namely , clouds , rain , dew , hoar frost , hail , snow , springs , and the great sea it self . of clouds . a cloud is a vapor cold and moist , drawn out of the earth and waters by the heat of the sun into the middle region of the air ; where by cold it is so knit together , that it hangeth untill either the weight or some resolution causeth it to fall down . the place wherein the clouds do hang , is said to be in the middle region of the air , because men see it is necessary that there should be a cold which should make those vapors so gross and thick , which for the most part are drawn so thin from the earth , that they are invisible as the air is . and although they are known often times , as aristotle witnesseth , to be in the lowest region of the air , neer to the earth , insomuch that sometimes they fall down to the earth with great noise , to the great fear of men , and no less loss and danger : yet may it be reasonably thought that these clouds were generated in the middle region of the air far distant from the earth , which by their heaviness do by little and little sink down lower into the lowest region , and sometimes also fall down to the earth . the common opinion is , that they goe not higher then nine mile ; which because it leaneth to no reason , is uncertain . albertus magnus whose reason also is to be doubted of , affirmeth that the clouds do scarce exceed three miles in height when they are highest . and some let not to say that oftentimes they ascend not past the half of one mile in height . again , others pretending to finde out the truth by geometrical demonstrations , make it aboue fifty mile to the place where the generation of clouds is . how these men take the distance from the earth , it is uncertain : whether that they assigne the least distance and meane it from the highest parts of the earth as are hill tops , or from the common playn . again , whether they that assign the highest distance to be from the lowest valleys of the earth , or from the hill tops . the reason before shewed , moveth me to think that the most usual and common generation , i mean the condensation or making thick of these thin vapors into clouds , is in the middle region of the air : but for the distance of the clouds when they be generated , i think they be sometime nine mile , sometime three mile , sometime half a mile , and sometime less then a quarter of a mile from the earth . of mists . there be two kindes of mists ; the one ascending , the other descending . that which ascendeth , goeth up cut of the water or the earth as smoak , but doth not commonly spread over all other parts : it is seen in rivers and moist places . the other mist that goeth down toward the earth , is when any vapor is lifted up into the air , by the heat of the sun , which being not strong enough to draw it so high that the cold may knit it , suffereth it after it is a little made thick , to fall down again , so it filleth all the air with the gross vapors , and is called mists , being usually a sign of fair weather . of empty clouds . there be certain cloudes that are empty , and send no rain ; they come of two sorts . one sort are the remnants of a cloud that hath rained , which cannot be converted into water for their dryness . another sort is of them that are drawn up out of wett and dry places , and be rather exhalations then vapors ; that is , they be dry , hot and light , so that it were hard for them to be turned into rain : they look white like flocks of wooll , when the light striketh into them . there be also empty clouds , which when the winds have dispersed abroad any cloud , are scattered over all the sky : but these clouds though for a time they be empty , yet because they consist of such a substance as is watry , they may be , and are oftentimes gathered together , and give plentifull rain . of the colours of clouds we have spoken in the second book of fiery meteors , where those colours and the causes of them are described , which seem to be fiery , or may be thought to be inflammations or burnings , as to be red , fiery and yellowish . but besides those there be white , black , blew and green. white clouds be thin , and not very watry : so that the light received in them , maketh them to appear white . black clouds be full of thick , gross and earthly matter that makes them look so dark . blew clouds be full of thick drose and earthly , as the black : so the light received in them , maketh them to seem blew . green clouds are altogether watry , resolved into water , which receiving into them the night , appear green as water doth in a great vessel , or in the sea and rivers . of rayne . after the generation of clouds is well knowne , it shall not be hard to learne from whence the rayne commeth . for after the matter of the cloud being drawne up , and by cold made thick ( as is said before ) heat following , which is most commonly of the southerne wind , or any other wind of hot temper , doth resolve it againe into water , and so it falleth in drops , to give increase of fruit to the earth , and move men to give thankes to god. there be small showers of small drops , aud there be great stormes of great drops . the showres with small drops , proceed either of the small heat that resolveth the clouds : or else of the great distance of the clouds from the earth . the streames with great drops contrariwise doe come of great heat , resolving or melting the cloud , or else of small distance from the earth . whereof we see a plaine experiment , when water is powred forth from an high place the drops are smal , but if it be not from high , it will either have no droppes , or very great . the caus why raine falleth in round drops , is both for that the parts desire the same forme that the whole hath , which is round , and also that so it is best preserved against all contrary qualities : like as we see water powred upon dry or greasy things to gather it selfe into roundels , to avoid the contrariety of heat and drynesse . it is not to be omitted , that raine water , although a great part of it be drawne out of the sea , yet most commonly it is sweet not salt . the caus is , becaus it is drawn up in such small vapors , and that salt part is consumed by the heat of the sunne . the raine water doutlesse doth more encrease and cherish things growing on the earth , then any other water wherewith they may be watered , becaus the raine water retaineth much of the sunnes heat in it that is no small comfort to all growing plants . the water that commeth from heaven , in raine , will sooner come to putrifaction , or stinking , then any other , becaus it hath been made very subtill by heat and also for that it is mixed with so many earthly and corruptible substances . rain water , that falleth in the summer , by avicens judgement , is more wholesome then other water , becaus it is not so cold and moyst as other waters be , but hotter and lighter . sometime there is salt rayne , when some exhalation which is hot and dry , is commixed with the vapor whereof the rayne consisteth . somtime it is bitter , when some burnt earthly moysture is mixed with it . this rayne is both unwholesome , and also unfruitfull . in these countreys , there is great store and plenty of rayne , becaus the sunne is of such temperate heate , that it gathereth many vapors , and by immoderate heat doth not consume them . but in the east parts , in some ho● countrys , it never or seldom is seen to rayne , as in egypt and syria , but in stead of rayne , egypt hath the river nilus , whose overflowings doe marvilously fatten the earth . in syria and other like countries they have more plentifull dew then we have , which doth likewise make their earth exceeding fruitful . seneca testifieth that the rain soaketh no deeper into the earth then ten foot deep . of the signes of rain . first , if the skie be red in the morning , it is a token of rain , because those vapors which cause the redness , will be shortly resolved into rain . if a darke cloud be at the sun rising , in which the sunne soon after is hid , it will dessolve it , and rayne will follow . if then appeare a cloud , and after , vapors are seen to ascend up to it , that betokeneth rayne . if the sunne or moone looke pale , looke for rayne . if the sunne in the east seem greater then commonly he appeareth , it is a signe of many vapours which will bring rayne . if the sunne be seen very earely , or few stars appeare in the night , it betokeneth rayne . the often changing of the winds , also sheweth tempest . the most sure and certaine signe of raine is the southerne wind , which with his warmenesse alwayes resolveth the clouds into raine . when there is no dew at such times as by nature of the time there should be , raine followeth : for the matter of the dew is turned into the matter of watry clouds . if in the west , about the sunne setting there appeare a black cloud , it will rayn that night , becaus that cloud shall want heat to disperse it . when much dust is raised up , and when the woods make a great noyse , some tempest is towards . hard stones will be moyst , and sweate against rayne : lamps and candles by sparkling , frogs crying , trees breaking , leaves falling , and dust clottering , forewarne us of tempest . fleas , flyes and gnats , bite sore toward a tempest , kin● feed greedily , birds seeke their victuals more busily : for in the grosse ayre disposed to rayn , their stomacks are hotter , and they more hungry . but these kind of signes pertaine not so properly to meteorologie , as to mariners and husbandry , which have a great many more then these . and virgil in the first booke of georgikes , hath a great number for them that list to learn. wherefore let these hitherto suffice . of monstrous or prodigious rayne . hitherto we have made mention onely of naturall rayne , and that which is common , which no man doth marvell at . but there is some time such rayne , that worthily may be wondred at : as when it raineth wormes , frogges , fishes , blood , milke , flesh , stones wheat , iron , wooll , bricke , and quicksilver . for historic maketh mention , that at divers times , it hath rayned such things whose naturall caus , for the most part , we will goe about to expresse , notwithstanding , accounting them among such wonders , as god sendeth to be considered for such ends , as we have before declared , wormes and frogges may thus be generated : the fat exhalations are drawn up into the ayr , by a temperature of hot and moyst , such vermine may be generated in the air , as they are one the earth , without copulation of male and female . or else that with the exhalations and vapors , their seed and egges are drawn up , which being in the clouds brought to form , fall down among the rain . likewise the spawn of fishes , being drawn up , maketh fishes to rain out of the clouds . the vehement heat of the sunne in summer , and specially in hot countries , draweth milke out of the paps of beasts and cattel , which being carryed up in vapors , and dissolved againe into milke , falleth downe like rain . after the same manner , the sun also from places where blood hath been spilt draweth up great quantity of blood , and so it raineth blood . it raineth flesh , when great quantity of blood being drawn up , it is clotted together , and seemeth to be flesh . avicen saith , that a whole calfe fell out of the air ; and some would make it seem credible , that of vapors and exhalations , with the power of heavenly bodies concurring , a calfe might be made in the clouds . but i had rather thinke , that this calfe was taken up in some storme of whirlwinde , and so let fall again , then agree to so monstrous a generation . it is a great deale more reasonable , that stones of earthly matter gathered in clouds , should be generated as we said before of the tunder-bolt . yet some men think , that wind in caves of the earth breaking upward violently , carryeth before it , earth and stones into the aire , which cannot long abide , but fall down , and are counted among prodigious raine . exhalations that be earthly and drawn out of clay , have much grosse substance in them , which gathered together , and by great heat burned in the clouds , make brick , which is no great marvell . he that hath seen an eggs-shel full of dew drawn up by the sun into the air , in a may morning , will not think it incredible , that wheat and other graine should be drawne up in much hotter countries then ours is , much rather the meale or flower which is lighter . a certaine mostinesse , like wooll , as is upon quinces , willowes , and other young fruits and trees , is drawne up of the sunne among the vapors and exhalations , which being clottered together , falleth downe like locks of wooll . quicksilver , all men know with small heat , will be resolved into most thin vapors , whereof when quantity is drawne up , it falleth downe againe : as it is read , that once at rome it rained quicksilver , wherewith the brazen money being rubbed it looked like silver . titus livius maketh mention that it rained chalk , whereof the cause cannot be hid to them that read how stone and brick come in the air. iron hath also rained out of the clouds , and sundry times , as histories witness , whereof this hath been the cause . the general matter of all mettals which is quicksilver and brimstone , with the special matter of mixtion that maketh iron , were all drawu together and there concocted into the mettal : so came the strange rain of iron . avicen saith he saw a piece of iron that fell out of the clouds , that weighed about an hundred pound weight , whereof very good swords were afterwards made . of dew . dew is that vapour which in spring and autumn is drawn up by the sun in the daytime , which because it is not carried into the middle region of the air , abiding in the lower region , by cold of the night is condensed into water , and falleth down in very smal drops . there is common dew , and sweet dew . one kinde of sweet dew is called manna being white like sugar , which is made of thick and clammy vapors , which maketh it so to fall thick and white . it falleth only in the east parts . as for that manna which god rained to the israelites , it was altogether miraculous . in arabia ( as plinius writeth ) is a very precious kinde of dew that is called ladanum , which falling upon the herb cusus , and mixed with the juice of that herb which goats do eate , is gathered off goats hairs and kept for a treasure . there is another kinde of sweet dew that falieth in england , called the meldews , which is as sweet as honey being of such substance as honey is : it is drawn out of sweet herbs and flowers . there is also a bitter kinde of dew that falleth upon herbs , and lieth on them like branne or meal ; namely because it is of an earthly exhalation , and so remaineth when the moisture is drawn away : this dew killeth herbs . the common dew drunk of cattle doth rott them , because the matter is full of viscosity , bringing them to a fluxion . there be three things that hinder dew from falling ; that is , great heat , great cold , and wind ; for dew falleth in the most temperate calme time . of hoare-frost . hoare frost , or white frost , is nothing else but dew congealed by overmuch cold . the south and east wind do cause dew , but the north and northern winds do freeze the vapors , and so it becommeth hoar frost ; which if that excessive cold had not beene , should have turned into dew . the dew and the hoare frost agree in three things , namely , in matter , in quality of time , and place of the generation . in matter they agree ; for they are both generated of a subtill and thin vapor , and also small in quantity . in quality of time they consent , for both are made in a quiet and calm time : for if there were great wind , it would drive away the matter , and so could there be no generation . thirdly , they are both generated in the lowest region of the air ; for ( as aristotle affirmeth ) upon the high hills there is neither dew nor hoar frost . they differ also in three things . for the hoare frost is congealed before it be turned into water ; so is not the dew . secondly , the dew is generated in temperate weather , the white frost in cold weather . last of all , hot winds , as the south and east , do cause dew ; but cold winds as the north and west , do cause hoare frost , hoare frost doth often stinke , because of the stinking matter whereof it consisteth , which is drawn out of lakes and other muddy and stinking places . of hayle . hayle is a hote vapor in the middle region of the air , by the cold of that region made thick into a cloud , which falling down to the sudden cold of the lowest region , is congealed into ice . there be so many kinds of haile , as there be of raine : the fashion of haile is sometime round , which is a token that it was generated in the middle region of the air , or very near it ; for falling from high , the corners are worn away . when the haile stones are square , or three-cornered , the haile was generated neere the earth . oftentimes there is heard a great sound in the cloud as it were of thunder before haile , or of an army fighting , &c. the cause is , that vapors of contrary qualities , being inclosed in the cloud , do strive to break out , and make a noyse , even as cold water doth , being put into a seething pot . in spring and harvest-time is often haile , seldome in summer and winter . in winter there want hot vapors , in summer the lowest region is too hot to congeale the raine falling down . in spring and autumne , there want neither hot vapors to resist the cold , nor sufficient cold to harden the drops of that hot shower of raine . the haile stones are sometimes greater , and sometimes lesser ; greater , with greater cold ; and lesser , with lesser cold . there is seldom haile in the night , for want of hot vapors to be drawn up . sometime haile and rain fall together , when the latter end of the cloud , for want of cold in the lowest region , is not congealed . haile-stones are not so cleare as ice , because they are made of grosse and earthy vapours , ice is congealed of clear water . haile is sooner resolved into water , then snow , because it is of a more sudden and swift generation . of snow . snow is a cold congealed by great cold , before it be perfectly resolved from vapours into water . snow is white , not of the proper colour , but by receiving the light into it , and so many small parts ; as in fome , or the white of an egge beaten . snow is often upon high hills , & lyeth long there , because their tops are cold , as they be neer to the middle region of the air ; for oftentimes it raineth in the valley , when it showeth on the hills . snow melting on the high hills , and after frozen again , becommeth 〈◊〉 hard , that it is a stone , and is called christall . other matter of snow , because they are common with rain , are needlesse to be spoken of . to be short , feet is generated even as snow , but of lesse cold , or else beginneth to melt in the falling . snow causeth things growing to be fruitfull , and encrease , because the cold driveth heat unto the roots , and so cherisheth the plants . of springs and rivers . the generation of springs is in the bowels of the earth , and therefore something must be said of the body of the earth . the earth , though it be solid and massie , yet hath it many hollow gutters and veines , in which is alwaies aire to avoid emptinesse : for the ignorant in phylosophie must be admonished , that all things are full , nothing is empty ; for nature abhorreth emptinesse ; so that where nothing else is , there is air and vapors , which by cold , as it hath often been said , will be resolved into drops , as we see experience in marble pillars and such like hard stones toward raine . this air and vapors therefore being turned into drops of water , these drops sweat out of the earth , and find some issue at the length , where many being gathered together , make great abundance of water , which is called a fountaine or spring . the cause why such springs do run continually , is , because that air can never want in those veines , which by cold will alwaies be turned into water , so that as fast as the water runneth forth , so fast is aire againe received into the place , whereby it commeth to passe , that so many springs are perpetuall , and never dryed : but if any be dryed up , it is in a hot summer , and such springs also they be , whose generation is not deep in the earth , and therefore the vapors may be made dry , and the earth warm , so the spring may fail . there be foure kinds of springs ; fountaines , brookes , rivers and lakes . of fouutaines . fountaines be small springs , which serve for wels and conduits , when there is but one place where the water is generated ; and that is not very abundant , either because it is of small compasse , or small veines , and not many . of brookes . brookes , boornes or fordes , be small streames of water , that run in a channell like a river . they are caused when either the spring occupieth a great compasse , or else two or three small springs meet together in one channell . of rivers . rivers are caused by the meeting together , not only of many springs but also of many brookes and fords , which being received in divers places as they passe , are at the length caried into the broad sea for the most part . howbeit some rivers as swallowed up into the earth , which perchance run into the sea , by some secret and unknowne channels : some rivers there be , that hide their heads under the earth , and in another place , far off , breake out againe . they write also , that some rivers being swallowed up of the earth , in one island do run under the bottome of the earth and sea , and breake forth in another island . there be also many great rivers , that run under the earth in great caves , which never breake forth . aristotle sheweth of ponds and lakes , that be under the earth . and seneca speaketh of a pond that was found by such as digged in the earth , with fishes in it , and they that did eat of them , dyed . as eeles that be found in darke places , as wells that have beene dammed up , &c. are poyson , of lakes . lakes are made by the meeting together of many rivers , brooks and springs into one deep valley : whereof some are so great , that they have the name of the seas , as the lake called hircane , or caspian sea. these lakes sometimes unlade themselves into the sea by small rivers , sometimes by passages under the earth . the cause of the swiftnesse of rivers , is double ; for they are swift , either for the great abundance of waters , or else because they 〈◊〉 down from an hilly place , as the river rhene falleth down from the top of wonderful high hills . of hot bathes . some waters that are generated and flow out of veines of brimstone , are sensibly warm , and some very hot , because they run out of hot places . these waters being also drying by nature , are wholesome for many infirmities specially breaking forth of scabs , &c. such are the baths in the west country , and s. anne of buck-stones well in the north part of england , and many other elsewhere . of the divers tastes that are perceived in wells . for a generall reason , the waters receive their taste of that kinde of earth thorow which they run as thorow a strayner . some salt , that run thorow salt veines of the earth : some sweet , that be well strained , or run thorow such mineralls as be of sweet taste : some bitter , that flow out of such earth as is bitter by adustion or otherwise . some sowre or sharpe , like vineger , which run thorow veines of allome , coperas , or such minerals . aristotle writeh of a well in sicilia , whose water the inhabitants used for vineger . in bohemia neare to the city called bilen , is a well that the people used to drink of in the morning , in stead of bunrt wine . and in divers places of germany , be springs that taste of such sharpeness . some have the taste of wine ; as in paphlagonia is a well that maketh men drunk which drink thereof ; which is , because that water receiveth the ●●●osity of brimstone and other minerals thorow which it runneth , and so filleth the brain as wine doth . a recitall of such rivers and springs as have marvellous effects , whereof no naturall cause can be assigned by most men , although some reason in a few may be found . clitumnus , which maketh oxen that drink of it white , is a river or spring in italy , propert , lib. 3. this may be the quality of the water , very flegmatick . in boetia is a river called melas , that maketh sheep black if they drink thereof . seneca speaketh of a river that maketh red hairs : these two with the first may have some reason , that the quality of the reason may alter complexion , and so the colour of hairs may be changed , as we see in certain diseases . in lybia is a spring , that at the sun rising and setting is warme , at mid-day cold , and at mid-night very hot . this may be , by the same reason that wel-water is colder in summer then it is in winter . seneca writeth , that there be rivers whose waters are poyson : this may be naturally the water running thorow poysonous mineralls , taking much fume of them . other wells that make wood and all things else that can be cast into them , stones , such wells be in england , the cause is great cold . another well maketh men mad that drinke thereof . this also may have as good reason , as that which maketh men drinke : as also that well which maketh men forgetfull by obstruction of the brain . the same seneca speaketh of a water , that being drunke , provoketh unto lust and lechery . and why may not that quality be in a water which is mixed with divers mineralls and kinds of earth , which is in herbs , roots , fruits and liquors ? s. augustine speaketh of a well in egypt , in which burning torches are quenched , and being before quenched , are lighted . among the garamants is a well so cold in the day , that no man can abide to drink of it : in the night so hot , that none can abide to feel it . it is incredible that is written of a well in sicilia , whereof if thieves did drink , they were made blind . in idumea was a well that one quarter of a year was troubled and muddy , the next quarter bloody , the third green and the fourth cleer . seneca writeth of another well that was six hours full and running over , and six hours decreasing and empty : perchance because it ebbed and flowed with the sea or some great river that was neer it . in the hill anthracius is said to be a well , which when it is full , signifieth a fruitfull year : when it is scarce and empty , a barren and dear year . the sufficiency of moisture maketh fertility , as the want causeth the contrary . men say there is a river in hungary , in which iron is turned into copper : which may well be , seeing inke in which is but smal coperas , and artificially mixed of iron , doth counterfeit copper in colour . in this stream may be much copperas , and that is naturally mixed . both seneca and theophrastus witness that waters there be , which within a certain space , being drunk of sheep , ( as seneca saith ) or of birds ( as theophrastus will have it ) changeth their colours from black to white , and from white to black . vitruvius writeth , that in arcadia is a water called nonacrinis , which no vessel of silver , brasse , or iron can hold , but it breaketh in peices , and nothing but a mules hoof will hold it and contain it . in illyria , garments that are holden over a most cold well , are kindled and set on fire . in the isle of andros , where the temple of bacchus stood , is a well , that the fifth day of january flowed wine . isidore saith , there is a well in italy , that healeth the wounds of the eyes . in the isle of chios is a well that maketh men dull-witted that drink thereof . there is another , that causeth men to abhor lust . lechnus , a spring of arcadia , is good against abortions . in sicilia are two springs , of which one maketh a woman fruitful , and the other barren . in sardinia be hot wells , that heale sore eyes . in an isle of pontus , the river astares overfloweth the fields , in which whatsoever sheep be fed , doe alwaies give black milke . in aethiopia is a lake , whose water is like oyle . also many springs of oyl have broken forth of the earth , which commeth of the viscosity or fatnesse of the same earth . the lake clitory in italy , maketh men that drink of it , to abhor wine . the lake pentasium ( as solinus saith ) is deadly to serpents , and wholsome to men . seneca writeth of certain lakes that will bear men which cannot swim . and that in syria is a lake , in which bricks do swim , and no heavy thing will sinke . it is said , that the river rhene in germany will drown bastard children that be cast in it , but drive aland them that be lawfully begotten . the river in hypanis in sythia , every day brings forth little bladders , out of which flyes do come that die that same night . matrona . the river of germany , as the common people saie , never passeth day but he taketh some prey . of the sea. the sea , in this treatise hath place as a mixed substance : for else the element of waters being simple , were not here to be spoken of . the sea is the naturall place of the waters , into which all rivers and other waters are received at the length . and here it is to be understood , that the very proper and naturall place of the water , were to cover all the earth , for so be the elements placed : the earth lowest , and round about the earth the water , about the water , the air , and about the ayr , the fire . but god the most mighty and wise creator of all things , that the earth might in some parts be inhabited of men and beasts , commanded the waters to be gathered into one place , that the dry land might appeare , and called the dry land earth , and the gathering of waters he called seas . in the sea are these two things to be considered ; the saltnesse , and the ebbing and flowing . of the saltnesse of the sea. the saltnesse of the sea , according to aristotles mind is caused by the sun , that draweth from it all thin and sweet vapors to make raine , leaving the rest as the setling or bottome , which is salt . but men of our time , peradventure more truely , doe not take this for the only and sufficent cause to make so great a quantity of water salt , but say , that the sea , by gods wisdom ; is gathered into such valleyes of the earth , as were otherwise barren and unfruitfull ; such earths are salt , the sea water then mixed with that earth , must needs be salt ; else rivers by aristotles mind , should be salt as well as the sea. the reader may choose which opinion is most probable . of the ebbing and flowing . the ebbing and flowing of the sea , as aristotle sermeth to teach , is by reason of exhalations that be under the water , which driveth it to and fro , according to contrary bounds and limits , as upward and downeward , wide and narrow , deepe and shallow . this opinion of aristotle also , as more subtil then true , experience teacheth men to mislike , and to ascribe the cause of ebbing and flowing , to the course of the moone , which ruleth over moysture as the sunne doth over heat : for from the new moone to the full , all humors do encrease ; and from the full to the new moone decrease againe . also , the very true time of the ebbing and flowing may be known by the course of the moone , with whom , as the lady of moysture , we will close up the fourth book of m●yst and watery impressions . the fifth book . of earthly meteors , or bodies perfect●y mixed . this last treatise containeth such bodies whose chiefe matter is the earth , and are called perfectly mixed , because they are not easily resolved into the chief matter whereof they are generated . these are divided into four kinds . the first be divers sorts of earth : the second be liquors concrete : the third be metalls and metallikes : the fourth be stones . this division is not altogether perfect , both for that there be many of these minerals which partake of two kinds , and also for that the names of these kinds may be said of others . yet minding as plainly as can be , to declare the things themselves ; the controversie and cavillation of names , shall not greatly trouble us , especially seeing we pretend not to teach philosophers , but such as need a ruder and plainer instruction . they may therefore be content with this division , which shall not serve them to dispute of these matters , but to understand the truth of these things that they desire . of these foure therefore we will speak orderly and generally , not minding to treat of every particular kind ( for that were infinite ) but to open such universall causes , as they which have wit may learn ( if they list ) to apply unto all particulars . of earths . the earth is an element , one of the four , cold and dry , most gross and solid , most heavy and weighty , the lowest of all other in place . when i say an element , i meane a simple body uncompounded . this earth is no meteor , but as it was shewed in the water , to the end there should be generation of things . there is no element that we have which is pure and simple , but all are mixed and compound . our fire is grosse and compound , so is our aire , our water , and our earth : but the earth notably and above the rest , is mixed . for the pure and naturall earth is dry and cold ; but we see much to be moist , and much to be hot . the natural earth is black of colour : but we see many earths white , many yellow , and many red . so that first , the greatest part of the earth is mixed with water , that maketh it to cleave together , with aire and some fire , which make an oylie , fat or clammy earth , as is clay made , &c. another great part is dried , not into the naturall drinesse of the first quality , but as a thing once mixed , and after dryed , either by cold , as sand , gravell , &c. or else by heat , as chalke , oaker , &c. and yet somewhat more plainly and particularly to discourse upon these causes , admitting the natural colour of the earth to be black , of the water to be blue , of the aire to be white , and of the fire to be ruddy , it followeth , that upon the mixtion of these colours , or chiefe domination of them , all things have their colour . the grosse substance of the earth therefore being diversly mixed with other elements , and those mixtures again being eftsoones altered by divers and sometime contrary qualities , hath brought forth so many kinds of earth , as clay , marble , chalke , sand , gravell , &c. clay is mixed with fat moysture , taking his colour of the mixture with red from white ; but being cold , it is not so fruitful as marble , which is not alwaies so moist as it . chalke is an earth by heat concocted , after divers mixtions , and dried up . oker , both yellow and red , with such like , are of the same nature , with mixtion of red , more or lesse . sand and gravell , are dryed earths , as it were frozen by cold : gravell is grosse and apparent ; sand , though it be finer , is of the same generation , consisting of many small bodies , which are congealed into stones . sand seemeth to be clay dryed by cold , and clotted together into small stones ; whereof some are thorow-shining , which were the moist parts ; the thick were of the grosse part : the same is gravell , but of greater stones consisting . the like judgment is to be given of all other kinds of earth , whose generation by the similitude of these will not be very hard to find out . they that list to know the divers kindes of earths , must have recourse to plinius , cardanus , and other writers , that recite a great number of them : but these are the chiefe and most common kindes . of liquors concrete . we take not liquors concrete so largely as the word doth signifie , for then should we comprehend both the other kinds following . but only those liquors , called in lattine succi , which are as it were middle betweene metalls and stone , of which , some being fat and oyly , doe burne as brimstone , sea-coles , jet , bitumen , &c. and the kinds of all these . othersome do not burne , as salt , allum , copperas saltpeeter , &c. and the kinds of these . of the first sort , which are generated of earthy and airy vapors , fumes and exhalations , the chief and most notable is brimstone , which seemeth to be the matter of all dry and hot qualities that are in earthly meteors . the rest are generated of such like vapors as brimstone is , but then they be diversly mixed : as the coles have much earth mixed with brimstone ; jet seemeth to be all one but better concocted then coles . of amber is great contention , whether it be a minerall , or the sperme of a whale : for it is found in the sea , cast upon the shore . now the whales seed being of the very same qualities , is taken more and lesse concrete of divers hardness ; some almost as hard as amber : some softer , and some liquid : yet cardan plainly defineth , that amber is a mineral . whether he have reason or experience , contrary to the vulgar opinion , let them consider that list to contend . these minerals that will resolve with fire , it is apparent , that they were concrete with cold : in that they burnt , it is manifest , they have a fat and clammy substance mixed with them , as the other kind hath not , which will not resolve so well with fire as with water ; which be salt , copperas , saltpeeters , &c. these burne not , being watery , earthy , and not fat , unctuous , nor clammy . these be of divers colours , black , as coles , and jett , because there is much earthy substance mixed with their sulphurous matter . some be sheere , as salt , and allome , having a substance watery dryed , and concrete . copperas is greene , because it hath much cold matter that is blue , mixed with it . salt , the most common and necessary of all these liquors concrete , that be moist and not fatty , hath two manner of generations ; one natural , and the other artificial . the natural generation is when it is first generated in the earth ; after commeth the water of the sea , and is infected with it ; out of which the salt is againe artificially gathered . of these liquors concrete , be those strange wel● and springs infected , of which was spoken in the latter end of the fourth book . most notably brimstone causeth the hot bathes , and burneth in aetna of sicilia , and vesuvius of italy , casting up the pumice stones , of which is no place here to treat . of metals . metals be substances perfectly mixed , that will melt with heat and be brought into all manner of fashions that a man will. of these the alchymists say there be seven kinds to answer to the seven planets ; gold , silver , copper , tinne , lead , iron , and quick-silver that they call mercury . but saving their authority , quick-silver is no more a metal then brimstone , which is as necessary to the generation of metal as quick-silver is . for they all agree , that all metals are generated of sulphur , that is brimstone , which because it is hot they call the father ; and mercury , that is quick-silver , which because it is moist , they call the mother : so by as good reason may they call brimstone a metall as mercury . then there remaineth but six perfect metals ; gold , silver , copper , tinne , lead and iron . of gold. that most unprofitable and hurtfull of all metals , gold which most men dispraise , and yet all men would have , is of all other metals the rarest : it is only perfect , the rest are corruptible . gold never corrupteth by rust , because it is pure from poysonous infection , and most solid , that it receiveth not the air into it which causeth all things to corrupt . it is perfectly concocted with sufficient heat and mixture of sulphur : all other metals either are not so well concocted , or else they have not the due quantity of brimstone . this opinion hath also place among the alchymists , that because nature in all her works seeketh the best end , she intendeth of all metals to make gold ; but being lett , either for want of good mixture , or good concoction , she bringeth forth other metals , indeed not so precious , but much more profitable ; and the less precious , the more profitable : for there is more use to the necessities of mans life in iron and lead , then in gold and silver ; but either the beauty or the perfection , or at least the rareness of gold and silver have obtained the estimation of all men , so that for them is sold all manner of things , holy and profane , bodily and spiritual . what paines do not men take to win gold ? every man hath one way or other to hunt after it : but the alchymist despising all other ways as slow , unnatural and unprofitable , laboureth either to help nature in her work , as of unperfect metals to make perfect , or else to force nature to his purpose by his quintessences and elixars , so that whatby purging , what by concocting , what by mixing of sulphur and quick-silver and much other like stuff , at length he turneth the wrong side of his gown outward , all the teeth out of his head , and his body from health to a palsey , and then he is a philosopher , and so he will be called . of silver . silver the most pure metal next unto gold , hath indifferent good concoction in the earth , but it wanteth sufficient heat in the mixture that maketh it pale . it is found ( as they say ) running into divers veins , as all other metals be , but this most specially , after the shape and fashion of a tree lieing along with a body or stock , of proportion like to the body of a tree , also with armes● , branches , leaves and fruits . this metal silver lacketh sufficient heat , and therefore commeth neither to the colour , solidity nor perfection of gold , and is generated in cold countries , neer unto the north and south poles , in so great quantity , that the husbandmen when they plow their ground , turn up silver among he clods in their daily labours , which they do hide and conceal , least the greedy princes for coveteousness of the mettal , should overturn and destroy their land . the gold mines are contrariwise most found in the hot countries of india and aethiopia , because in them is sufficient of heat for that unhappy generation . this silver also the alchymists would fain make by ai● ; but mercury the chief master of the work , is so subtile and so sly , that nothing can hold him , nothing can kill him : for if the glass be not very thick , he will soon break out of prison , and so there is nothing left . of copper . copper in colour comming neerest to gold , being not so solid nor massy ( for of all metal gold is the heavyest ) giveth way to corruption , being infected with that green mineral copperas . hereof be divers kindes , brass , latin and such like , which differ in digestion ; the copper being purest , is of best digestion and neerest unto gold : and so the rest in like degrees . copper is most like silver in the weight and in the hammering : wherefore the alchymists have learned to make it white , that it deceiveth mens sight and handling : but the gold miths do easily try it , and by the taste of counterfeit silver make copper again . copper or brass doth always grow neer to the mine of copperas , which running with it in the digestion or natural concoction , hindereth it of perfection , maketh it to stink , and to be eaten of a green rust . much adoe the alchymists have to tu●n it into gold , if it might be : they dispute very reasonably and conclude almost necessarily in their talk , that it may be converted into gold as a body that wanteth little of perfection , which may be easily added unto it : but in conclusion of the work , it is an harder matter to bring to pass , then it was to purpose , before they had done it , to build an abbey at every miles end upon salisbury plain , as one was minded . of tinne . tinne whereof great plenty groweth in the west parts of england , in beauty and colour commeth neerest to silver , and of silver wanteth nothing but solidity and hardness : for tinne is raw and undigested metall , also very porose and compact , which causeth it to crash when it is broken or bitten : so it faileth of heat in the commixtion , and also sufficient digestion in the earth : otherwise it is a fair and profitable metall , to serve the use of them unto whom silver and gold are not so plentifull . of lead . lead also found in great abundance within this realm , is a raw and undigested metall as tinne is , but yet of better digestion then commixtion : for it is mixed with a gross earthy substance , which maketh it to be in colour so black and so fowl to corrupt : so that of the same fumes and exhalations ( which if they had been pure and well digested , if the place and matter would have suffered should have ben concrete into silver ) for lack of the same , lead is generated , which comming plentifully , doth better service then silver . of iron . iron the most necessary and profitable of all other metals ( and yet as ill used of many as any other ) is generated of such substance as silver is , but mixed with a red mineral which ●ateth it with red rust , and also being of too extreame digestion , passing ●ll other metals in hardness . and as other metals to the perfection of silver want sufficient concoction , whereby ●hey come not to the same hardness : ●o iron passeth and exceedeth silver in ●mmoderate digestion . but though it ●ome not to the perfection of silver , god forbid that all iron had been tur●ed into silver : for then we should ●ore have missed it then silver or gold , ●e want of which would hinder us ●othing at all . of quick-silver . though quick-silver be no metal , yet because it is the mother of all metals , something is here to be spoken of it . there be divers and sundry opinions , both of the generation and also the qualities of it , which make the generation hard to find out . for if the quality were certainly agreed upon , there were an easier way found to try out the generation . some affirm that it is exceeding hot , and that they would prove by the swift peircing thereof into other things that be porose . others say it is exceeding cold , and that they prove by the exceeding weight of it . as for the peircing , they say it is caused of the exceeding moistness , of which quality both parts d● grant that it is . concerning the generation , some have said that it is pur● and elemental water : some again have thought that it droppeth out o● heaven , and is a part of the heavenl● stance . and others say that it is generated in the clouds , and falleth down in the feilds in a circle , on those round circles which are seen in many feilds , that ignorant people affirm to be the rings of the fairies dances . it is certain that quick-silver hath divers times faln out of the clouds , as we have declared in the treatise of wonderfull and marvellous raine : but whether it so fall in ●ircles it is doubtfull . the most probable opinion is , that it is generated of moyst vapors of the earth , coacted by cold , much like to water , as brimstone is of hot fumes , coacted by cold , much like to fire . and thus much of metals . of stones . stones , the fourth kind of earthly mixed bodies have two manner of generations , by most contrary qualities for heat doth harden moist bodies into stones ; and we see that , clay , it maketh exceeding hard brick . also the thunderbolts in the clouds are generated by heat , as before hath been shewed . but cold doth by congealing , generate many more stones then heat doth ; for the most part of all the stones that are digged out of the earth , are generated by cold , which is able to convert any other kind of mixed substance into stone , as hath beene partly shewed in the nature of wels and springs , of which , there be some in england , which by their cold , turne wood , or any like thing into stones . i have seene a peece of rotten wood , which to sight was very light , and like wood , but in handling , a very stone that was taken out of such a wel. also of other things taken out of the earth , turned into stones , i have seene and found my selfe , fl●●s ; with head and wings , very hard stones ; also , i have seen a heart , a birds tongue , a beasts stone , a peare , a plumme , and divers other things turned into hard stones . of divers kinds of stones . stones may first be divided into rude and beautifull : the rude containe those great rocks , which are generated by many small parts ioyned together , and the common pibble stones that be found every where in the earth , among gravell , and on the shore of the sea , or bancks of the rivers . these are generated of grosse and earthly humours , congealed by cold : and because they be neither faire of colour , nor thorow shining , and also common , they are contemptible . the faire or beautifull stones , be either great or small . the great be as marble of divers kinds and colours , alablaster , and such like , which being hard and well concocted , may be polished and become beautifull . their colour is as they are mixed , being uncongeled , so is their purenesse . the small are more precious , and they be either thick or pellucide . the thick be neither so faire nor so precious , as the achates , the tasper , prassios , &c. these consisting of a pure matter , and not very watery , are congealed into such stones . the clear stones be liquore concrete , as the diamond , the saphir , the emerald , &c. they are praised for their greatnesse , hardnesse , clearnesse , and faire colours , of which enough hath bin spoken , saving that some be of opinion , that these be generated by heat , becaus the best are found in hot countries , in the east , and in the south . answer may be made , that the hotter the air is , the colder is the earth : so that reason is of small force . of the vertue of stones . some perchance , would looke that we should make a long discourse of the vertue of stones , and would be well content that we should treat of divers properties of gemmes and precious stones , which matter though it be out of our purpose ( which considereth only the generation ) yet seeing it is not out of their expectation , some thing briefly , and yet sufficiently shall be said of the vertue of stones . that vertue that is ascribed unto them , is either natural or magical . naturall vertue , is either that which is known to have a natural cause , or a natural effect , as the magnes or loadstone to draw iron , which is by a simitude of nature , & such an appetite as is between the male and the female . also , the said magnes moveth toward the north , and as some say , there is another kind found in the south , that draweth toward the south . they say , that there are great hils of this stone in the north and south , which maketh it look that way . others bring a mathematicall reason , which because it is more curious then can be understood of the common sort , not exercised in geometry , i omit . the jet and amber draw hairs , chaffe , and like light matter , but being before chafed , for heat is attractive . also the precious stone called astroites , moveth it self in vinegar , the sharpnesse of the vineger peircing it , and the aire excluded driving it forward . these vertues because i have seen , i have set for an example ; generally all other like naturall vertues , proceed of like naturall causes , which by their effect , the ingenious must seek to find out . as for magical vertues , they be they which are grounded on no reason , or natural cause ; which if they take effect , it is rather of the superstition and credulity of him that useth them , then of the vertue of the stones . as that an emerald encreaseth love , a saphir favour , a diamond strength , and such like vertues , of which alberius in his age , surnamed the great , took paines to write a book , which i suppose to be englished . to conclude with the cause why stones melt not , as metalls do , may be gathered by that which hath been said before , because they are congealed past that degree , and also because there is left in them no unctuous or clammy matter . let this suffice for stones ; and and so the whole purpose is at an end . observations on dr. f. his booke of meteors . by f. w. london , printed for william leake at the crown in fleet-street . chap. i. of the earth . it is a great question amongst philosophers , whether the external and visible riches and plenty which groweth and springeth on the face of the earth : or the internal and hidden treasure be more precious and valuable ? flowers and fruits , corn and cattel , and all other external terrestrial births are of most rare and exquisite use for mankind : but the earth is an element not only beautified without , but most richly stored within with great varieties of admirable creatures , both pleasant , rare and profitable for humane content and conservation . from this very consideration the philosophers of old reckoned and esteemed the earth as the first and most antient of all the gods , and so stiled her * the grandmother or mother of all the gods. and the heashens did not only honor the earth as a mother , but did adore her as a goddess , giving her the names of ops , cibele , rhea , proserpina , vesta , ceres , and other appellations to signify the diversities and several effects and vertues which she produced . the earth was called ops , which signifyeth aid , because she affordeth aid and comfort to all creatures inhabitant on her : and pausanias reports that neer the river crasside in greece , there stood a little temple dedicated to the earth , wherein she was adored dea largi pectoris as the goddess of the open and large brest , freely feeding all her children which in numerous companies were ranged by her . her robe was rich aud glorious , embroidered with the most pleasant flowers of all colours : and she was adorn'd with a mantle of tissue whose ground was a beautifull green , signifying her great plenty of all things wherewith man-kind might be affected , as most valuable and precious ; and such are her rich mines of gold , silver , copper , brasse , and iron : or yet more highly priz'd commodities , as precious stones , and rare rich gems of all kinds . chap. 2. of metalls . the visible beauty of the earth is obvious to every eye , which is not the subject here in hand : her abstruse and hidden riches , preciosa periculaterrae , as boetius calls them ; her precious metalls and mines , which force men to be so bold and ingenious , are the matter of this discourse : these aristotle calls corpora perfectè mixta , inanimate bodies of compleat mixture , made up of sulphur and quick-silver , the veines of the earth being composed of a fit temper for such production : some philosophers make the 〈◊〉 of metallum , from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which signifies a change effected in the subterranean veines with long labour and much difficulty . some naturalists are more short , and seem more plain ; affirming , that metalls is that which is plyable by the hammer , and hard : stones are hard , but not plyable , and wax and mud are plyable , but not hard . chap. 3. of the number of metalls . metalls are seven in number , as the planets are ; gold , silver , amber , iron , lead , brasse , copper . gold presenteth the sun , silver the moon , amber called electrum mercury , iron mars , lead saturn , brasse venus , and copper jupiter ; or else the seven may be distinguished thus : all metall is perfect , soft and pure as gold ; or it is pure and hard as silver ; or it is hard and impure as iron ; or it is soft and impure as lead : and for amber , it is compounded of gold and silver , as cyprus copper is made of brasse and iron , containing an equall substance of brasse and iron , which causeth that too much concocted , and high tincted is easily changed into brass , and rechanged againe into copper . chap , 4. of gold. gold is metallnm puriffimum , the purest metall of all others ; and nature never took delight to make a more perfect elementary substance then gold is ; and therefore in price and estimation , is far above all other riches . the composition of gold is proportioned in equall quality , fitly correspondent in the symmetry of the elements which compound it ; it is even in the originals so purified already , as are the simple & pure elements , in such sort , that by their conjunction together in equall power , there is engendred so delicate and perfect a mixture of indissoluble union , composing an accord so faithfully , that there is made thereby an incorruptible past , which is permanent to all eternity , in the excellency and goodnesse thereof ; wherefore gold cannot be vanquished by injury of time and antiquity ; neither can contain in it felte , nor support any excre●●ncy and superfluity of rust ; for though it be put into the water or fire , and there remain a long space ; yet it is never stained , nor accepteth it any other quality but what is naturall . nor yet doth gold fail any whit , which is a sole priviledge belonging to this royall metall , all other being subject to alteration and corruption , for though gold be drawn into the smallest wire , and be extenuated as fine as the threds in the spiders wed ; and though it be buried in the most piercing medicaments as are sublimatum , verdegrease , salt , venegar , and that it remain three thousand years therein , it will not for all that be corrupted , but rather the more refined , provided the gold be perfect , and not sophisticated and false . chap. 5. where gold is found . gold is found in divers manners , to wit , mixt with sand as in bohemia : on the shore-side amongst the water neer to goldborough & risegrond ; and amongst the stones in mountaines , as in calecut , and in the indies . the generation of gold is usually on the tops of mountaines , because that there in the highest places the sun doth more easily purifie that which retaineth too much earthiness in it : and when the raine and torrents do flow downe , they carry the gold downe with them to the foot thereof , where it is gathered amongst the sand , or else in waters neer thereunto , whether it is driven by the violence of floods , except the ground perhaps open with those inundations , and the gold fall into the gaping jaws of the earth , and so stick there . now it is observable , that that which is found in the entrance of the mine , is not the purest , but is as an earnest to invite to farther labour and pains . that which is found in waters and rivers is fished for , and is in form of little grains : in rocks and mountains it is taken out by delving and digging . and there be three sorts of mines , some are called pendent , some jacent , and some oblique and turning : pendent are those which are found in the superficies and tops of mountains : jacent are low , and lie in plain fields : oblique have a cross course , whether it be to that which is pendent , or jacent , all whereof is driven by rivers into the next floods . chap. 6. of silver . the most noble amongst metalls next to gold , is silver ; for though copper in colour , and lead in waight do nearest approach unto gold ; yet in tenuity of substance , in pureness and fastnesse , silver is so like unto it , that good silver may be rightly said to be imperfect gold in substance ; sailing in colour , and that by succession of time , it is sometimes changed into gold , as in many years space lead turneth into silver . the mines of silver are more ordinary then mines of gold ; and it is usually engendred in four manners , to wit , either in the earth , or in brass , or in lead , or in stones , which being purged and melted , yeeld some quantity of silver . in the mountain called mons regius , stones retain very much silver , which being put in the fire , there is found in every pound of silver that runneth out of them , half an ounce of gold at least . silver is many times found to be mixed with copper , as in alsaria , near to the rhine in the mountains of s. anne , and in messein . when silver is separated from lead , it leaveth a scum which is called lithargyrium , which is a kind of impure lead . chap. 7. of quick-silver . quick-silver is called materia metallaris , the matter of the metalls ; and though it have the name of silver , yet in nature it approacheth nearer to gold ; for it is like unto it in tenuity and weight , and to silver onely in colour . and notwithstanding the opinions of many chymists , quick-silver is not a metall , but a water condensate , not by heat ( for it is not hardned ) nor by cold ( for then it would be a stone or metall ) but by some other terrestriall rare and pure portion , whereby it commeth to be weighty and cold , splendent and liquide , and is therefore ranked amongst those metalline substances which differ but little from water ; and it is common in experience , that the mountains wherein quick-silver is found , are very green and full of fountains . chap. 8. of electrum or amber . many authors , philosophers , and chymists , disagree in their opinions and discourse of amber ; some reckon amber amongst plyable and hard metalline substances ; others will not acknowledge it but to be but the gum of a tree producing rosin which is common in arabia . philemon writeth , that in two places of scythia , amber is digged out of the ground like a kind of stone , and in one place it is white , and in another it is yellow ; to omit this argument , and to agree with those who allow amber to be a metall , is most consonant to reason : the nature and property of it is a mean betwixt gold and silver , and such is the true and naturall amber : as for that which is used for beads , it is but artificiall . amber partaketh more of gold then silver , because it is more pure , & more apt to be wrought ; for if it consist more of silver , it could not endure the forge and hammer . vessels are made of amber , some for beautie , some for profit : and if composed of true and good amber , they will discover poysons by cracking , and making signs of an arch within : for when the rare humidity thereof commeth to be consumed by the force of venome , it cracketh , and the colour changing in the vessel , it seemeth in stead of the great splendor thereof , there doth a kind of stain represent it selfe like unto an arch. now that this metall is more rare , is ignorance that knoweth not the vertue ; or avarice , that greedily thirsteth after gold and gaine . chap. 9. of iron . iron is taken out of the earth , and to make it malleable , the mass thereof is laid to drie in the sun ; and that which is earthy , doth soften and moulder with the rain , as that which is moist doth melt with the sun ; which as the venome of it is consumed in the furnace by the fire , by how much more it is purged in the fire , by so much the more it is pure in its goodnesse , in such sort as that which is earthy , doth at last turn to schales and dross , and the most subtil part thereof doth convert into steel . chap. 10. of steel . the common steel is artificiall extracted iron , iron more excellently purged , and a little marble added thereunto ; but in many places there is naturall steel , namely in persia very good , and in the chaldean isle , and neer damascus , whereof the best cemiters and faulchions in the world are made , which cut so well , that there is no rasor , be it never so well steeled and tempered , that hath a more keene and sharper edge ; for this cause some say , that there are some kinds of steel and iron so excellent , that weight for weight , they are esteemed of greater price then gold. chap. 11. of lead . lead is a gross dull metall , procreated and consistent of more impure quicksilver , and more feculent and crass sulphur ; it least indures the fire of any metall , and therefore soonest melteth . galen saith , lead buryed long in moist subterranean caves and holes , increaseth in magnitude and weight , and therefore is a cover ( if wel considered ) lesse proper for any buildings but where the roofs are of infinite strength . there be divers kinds of lead , some red , some white , some balck , and a fourth sort of a m●an quality betwixt white and black , found in the mountaines of bohemia . the ore of lead is melted in furnaces , and is let runne through pipes out of the furnace , whether the workmen will. lead is an incongruent and malignant metal to all others ; and if but one ounce be mixt incorporated with one hundered ounces of silver or gold , the mixture will reader the whole mass brittle and fragil ; and so it will be in all like proportions . chap. 12. of tinne . tin is a white metal somwhat like to silver for i●s splendor & whiteness , and yet not much above lead for its softnesse and porosity . and this is the difference betwixt tinne and white lead , that the one is ingendered where there is some silver mine or veine , but the other is generated apart without the company of so rich a neigbour . chap. 13. of brasse . brass is a more impure metal : which composed of much sulphurous matter , is more hot , light , and less pory , and so less subject to corruption and rust by reason of all moisture and humidity ( almost ) consumed in it . in times past , it was very usuall to make shields and bucklers , and pike● , & launces therof , as homer reports how menelaus pursued paris with a brazen launce . this metal is proper for ●rumpets , because it maketh a great noise in dorick musick , and inflameth men to combat : that of cyprus is harder , and therefore better then any other . chap. 14. of copper . copper , or orichalcum , is latten , or as some call it as factitium , artificiall brass ; it represents with it a golden complexion , but is somwhat more yellow then gold ; some because of copper , make two kinds of brass , the one natural , the other artificial ; the best hath spots of shining gold intermin gled ; and the merchants tell us , that in nova hispania in america , a peice of it hath bin found of two hundered pound weight . the artificial brass , commonly called copper or latten , is very ordinary ; and the most excellent is that which in foure pounds of brass , doth containe in it one pound of white lead . also when the white lead is mixed to the eight part of brass , then is the copper very good ; but it is base when mixed with black lead : the use of copper is chiefly for faire instruments , as ordinance , cauldrons , and such like , wherein it is more excellent then brass ; and it giveth no ill taste or smell to meat boyled in it . finis . the table . of the earth in general , chap. 1 page 159 of metalls , chap. 2. p. 161 of the number of metalls , chap. 3. p. 162 of gold , chap. 4. p. 163 where gold is found , ch. 5. p. 165 of silver , ch. 6. p. 166 of quick-silver , ch. 7. p. 167 of electrum or amber , ch. 8. p. 168 of iron , ch. 9. p. 170 of steel , ibid. of lead , ch. 11. p. 171 of tinne , ch. 12. p. 172 of brasse , ch. 13. p. 173 of copper , ibid. printed or sold by william leake , at the signe of the crown in fleetstreet between the two temple gates : these bookes following . york's heraldry , folio a bible of a very faire large roman letter , 4● orlando furioso , folio callis learned readings on the stat. 21. hen. 8. cap. 5. of sewers . perkins on the laws of england . wilkinsons office of sheriffs persons law. mirrour of justice . topicks in the laws of england sken de significatione verbor● . delaman's use of the horizontal quadrant . wilby's 2 d set of musick , 3 , 4 , , 5 , & 6 parts . corderius in english. exercitatio scholastica . nyes gunnery and fire-works . cato major with annotations . mel helliconium , by alex. ross. the history of vienna and paris . lazarillo de tormes two parts . posing of the accidence . man become guilty , by john francis senalt , and englished by henry earl of monmouth . the ideot in 4 books . the life and reign of hen. the eighth , written by the l. herbert . aula , 〈◊〉 or the house of light. the for● royall of ● ly-scriptures . by 1. h. ● a tragedy of christs passion , written by the most learned hugo grotius , & englished by geo. sands . mathematical recreations , with the generall horologicall ring , and the double horizontall dial , by william outhtred . the garden of eden , or an accurate description of all flowers & fruits now growing in england , with particular rules how to advance their nature and growth as well in seeds and herbs , as the secret ordering of trees and plants , by sir hugh plat. knight , the 2 d edition enlarged . playes . hen. the fourth . philaster . the wedding . the hollander . maids tragedy . king and no king. the gratefull servant . the strange discovery . othello the moor of venice ; the merchant of venice . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a40528-e1230 aristot. the materiall cause . what be vapors , and what exhalations . what the middle region is , shall bee told afterward a generall rule . what exhalations be . the efficient cause . what the regions of the aire be notes for div a40528-e1890 sparks of fire . torches . dancing goats shooting starres . the epicurians opinion . ps. 148 the greatnes of starres a proofe of the starres greatness burning candles . burning beames and round pillars burning speares . shields , globes or bowles . lampes . flying dragons , or fire drakes , of spires fire scattered . light that goeth before men , & followeth them in the night helena , castor , pollux . flames upon haires of men and beasts . livius . servius tullius . comets or blazing starres ▪ the temper of the four quarters . the signification of comets . aristot. apparitions . colours in the aire . wide gaping of clouds in the aire . round opening in the aire . notes for div a40528-e3530 winds . the second kind of winds . the third kind of winde . the qualities of the winds and the four quarters of the world . the quality of middle wind . the profit of wind . joh. 3. psal. 104. earthquakes . divers kinds of earthquakes . twelve cities overthrown with one earthquake . constantinople the chiefest city of greece , now the turks palace . the second kind . the third kind . earthquake on the sea. aristot. the fourth kind . new islands in the sea. aristot. seneca . plinius . plato . a wonderfull earthquake . africa , europe , asia , the three parts of the earth maremediterraneum , because it goeth thorow the midst of the earth . atlantis an island . senecca . theron & therea . arist. herodotus . egypt sometime a gulph of the sea. the signes of an earthquake . thundering under the earth . cato . thunder . a similitude . divers kinds of thunders . small thunder , and the kinds thereof . great thunder and the kinds whereof . how far thunder is heard . the profit of thunder plutarchus t. quincius flaminius . lightning . fulgetrū . coruscatio . fulgur ▪ fulmen . fulgetrum . the colour of this lightning . coruscation . fulgur . the lightning is not before the thunder , though it seeme so . sight preventeth hearing . the thunder-bolt cast out of the clouds . strongest things are most hurt of lightning . how deep a thunder-bolt goeth into the earth . aristot. seneca . plinius . day lightning . money melted in mens purses , and swords in scabberds . moyst lightning . why it maketh black . grosse lightning . the mmrvell of lightning . lightning poysoneth . seneca . wine not running , the vessels being broken . lightning pur●eth a poysonous beast . a snake breedeth no worms lightning openeth his eyes that sleepeth , and closeth his that waketh . living things turn their face toward lightning . garments burnt , the body unhurt . lightning causeth blindnesse , swelling or leprosie . eutropius , marcus tullius cicero . apulia . the wounds of lighting cold . sea calfe not hurt with lightning . bayes and box trees seldome hurt with lightning . the eagle jupiters harnesse-bearer . storm winds . whirlewinds . the troubles of whirlewinds . fired whirlewinds . circles about the sunne , the moone , and other starres , jupiter & venus planets . circles in the water . the colours of circles . circles at bout a candle . the fignes of these circles . virgilius , aratus , poets . signe of frost . signe of faite weather . signe of tempest . signe of raine . ptolomeus sign of faire weather . signe of snow . aristotle . antipho . raynebow possidonius a 〈◊〉 stone 〈…〉 a similitude . the similitude of the rainebow . rainbow of the sun. rainbow of the moone . the white circle seed in the night pythagoras anaxagoras democri●●● cardanus . phaeton . ovid. me●a . hebe . apollo . theophrastus . diodorus . possidonius . zodiake . aristotle . sporades . possidonius plinius the breadth of this circles beames or streames . many sunnes at once . alexander the great . darius . many sm●l sunnes like stars . similitude . the signification of many sunnes . galba , otho , and vitellius . many moones . plinius . why other stars are not so represented . objection . syrius a great star seen at noone in summer . an answer . wonderfull apparitions . optice . catoptrice catoptrice . horarius . notes for div a40528-e8460 clouds . astristor . the height of the clouds . albertus magnus . mists . empty oleuds . of the colours of clouds . raine . why rain water is not salt . avicen . salt raine . bitter raine . the river nilus . seneca . signes of raine . of monstrous raine . worms & frogs . fishes . milke . blood. flesh. avicen . stones . brick . wheat . wooll . quicksilver . chalke . t. livius . iron . avicen . dew . manna . plinius . arabia . ladanum . cusus . bitter dew . hoare frost . aristot. hayle . snow . original● of christall . nothing is empty . fountaines . brookes . rivers . astristot . seneca . lakes . hot baths . tastes of waters . aristotle . well water used for vineger . bohemia . paphlagonia . marvelous waters . clitumnus propert. boetia . melas . seneca . libia seneca . s. august . garamants sicilia . idumea . seneca . anthracius hungaria . seneca . theophrastus . vitruvius . arcadia . nonacrinis . illyria . andros . bacchus . isidore . chios . lechnus . sicilia . sardinia . pontus . astares . aethiopia . clitory . pentasium . solinus . syria . rhene . hypanis . sythia . matrona . the sea. the naturall place of the water . gen. 1. aristot. ebbing & flowing . aristot. notes for div a40528-e12270 earthly bodies . of earths . plinius . cardanus . aetna and vesuvius . metals mercury . gold. why gold rusteth not . the opinion of the alcumists . silver . tinne . lead . iron . quick-silver . stones . rockes . pibble stones . marble . aehates . jasper . prassios . diamond . saphir . emerald . the praise of precious stones . the vertue of stones . the vertue of stones , either naturall or magicall , magnes . jet and amber draweth chaffe . astroites , a stone moveth in vineger . albertus magnus , notes for div a40528-e13640 * ils l'appelloient lamere grand & la mere de dieux . antoine du verdier en la relligions de pagens . ops. a discovery of new worlds from the french, made english by a. behn. fontenelle, m. de (bernard le bovier), 1657-1757. 1688 approx. 226 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 103 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-03 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a39865 wing f1412 estc r27986 10285760 ocm 10285760 44838 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a39865) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 44838) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 1383:34) a discovery of new worlds from the french, made english by a. behn. fontenelle, m. de (bernard le bovier), 1657-1757. behn, aphra, 1640-1689. [44], 158 p. printed for william canning, london : 1688. "to which is prefixed a preface, by way of essay, on translated prose, wherein the arguments of father tacquet, and others, against the system of copernicus (as to the motion of the earth) are likewise considered and answered. wholly new." reproduction of original in the university of illinois (urbana-champaign campus). library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng plurality of worlds. astronomy -early works to 1800. 2002-10 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2002-11 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2002-12 olivia bottum sampled and proofread 2002-12 olivia bottum text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-02 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a discovery of new worlds . from the french . made english by mrs. a. behn . to which is prefixed a preface , by way of essay on translated prose ; wherein the arguments of father tacquet , and others , against the system of copernicus ( as to the motion of the earth ) are likewise considered , and answered : wholly new . london , printed for william canning , at his shop in the temple-cloysters , 1688. to the right honourable , william , earl of drumlangrig , eldest son to his grace , william , duke of queensberry ; and one of his majesty's most honourable privy-council in the kingdom of scotland . my lord , the esteem i have for your nation in general , and the great veneration i am obliged to have for some particular persons of quality of it , has made me ambitious of being known to all those of wit and fine parts . amongst that number , none has a greater character than your lordship , whose early knowledge of all that is excellent in learning , and of all the graces of the mind , promised the world that accomplished great man , it now with so much pride and satisfaction beholds ; and which , even without the addition of your illustrious birth , were sufficient , to gain you the esteem of all mankind ; and you are never mentioned , but with such vast accumulations of praise , as are given only to uncommon men , and such , as something extraordinary alone can merit . to all your advantages of nature , elevated birth , virtue , knowledge , wit , youth , and honours , to compleat your happiness , fortune has added her part too ; and has ally'd your lordship by marriage to the great and noble family of burlington , which has at once been honour'd with more earls than any great family cou'd ever boast , and whose vertues , and loyalty , deserve particular and lasting trophies to celebrate them to posterity . my lord , i presume to dedicate this little book to your lordship , which i ventured to translate , because it pleased me in the french ; and tho but a trifle , has something in it out of the way of ordinary wit , which renders it more worthy to be laid at your lordships feet . if it is not done with that exactness it merits , i hope your lordship will pardon it in a woman , who is not supposed to be well versed in the terms of philosophy , being but a new beginner in that science ; but where i have failed , your lordship's judgment can supply ; and if it finds acceptance with your lordship , i am already so much a philosopher , as to despise what the world says of it , and will pride my self only in being , my lord , your lordship 's most humble and most obedient servant , a. behn . the translator's preface . the general applause this little book of the plurality of worlds has met with , both in france and england in the original , made me attempt to translate it into english. the reputation of the author , ( who is the same , who writ the dialogues of the dead ) the novelty of the subject in vulgar languages , and the authors introducing a woman as one of the speakers in these five discourses , were further motives for me to undertake this little work ; for i thought an english woman might adventure to translate any thing , a french woman may be supposed to have spoken : but when i had made a tryal , i found the task not so easie as i believed at first . therefore , before i say any thing , either of the design of the author , or of the book it self , give me leave to say someting of translation of prose in general : as for translation of verse , nothing can be added to that incomparable essay of the late earl of roscommon , the nearer the idioms or turn of the phrase of two languages agree , 't is the easier to translate one into the other . the italian , spanish and french , are all three at best corruptions of the latin , with the mixture of gothick , arabick and gaulish words . the italian , as it is nearest the latin , is also nearest the english : for its mixture being composed of latin , and the language of the goths , vandals , and other northern nations , who over-ran the roman empire , and conquer'd its language with its provinces , most of these northern nations spoke the teutonick or dialects of it , of which the english is one also ; and that 's the reason , that the english and italian learn the language of one another sooner than any other ; because not only the phrase , but the accent of both do very much agree , the spanish is next of kin to the english , for almost the same reason : because the goths and vandals having over-run africk , and kept possession of it for some hundred of years , where mixing with the moors , no doubt , gave them a great tincture of their tongue . these moors afterwards invaded and conquered spain ; besides spain was before that also invaded and conquered by the goths , who possessed it long after the time of the two sons of theodosius the great , arcadus and honorius . the french , as it is most remote from the latin , so the phrase and accent differ most from the english : it may be , it is more agreeable with the welsh , which is near a-kin to the basbritton and biscagne languages , which is derived from the old celtick tongue , the first that was spoken amongst the ancient gauls , who descended from the celts . the french therefore is of all the hardest to translate into english. for proof of this , there are other reasons also . and first , the nearer the genious and humour of two nations agree , the idioms of their speech are the nearer ; and every body knows there is more affinity between the english and italian people , than the english and the french , as to their humours ; and for that reason , and for what i have said before , it is very difficult to translate spanish into french ; and i believe hardly possible to translate french into dutch. the second reason is , the italian language is the same now it was some hundred of years ago , so is the spanish , not only as to the phrase , but even as to the words and orthography ; whereas the french language has suffered more changes this hundred years past , since francis the first , than the fashions of their cloths and ribbons , in phrase , words and orthography . so that i am confident a french man a hundred years hence will no more understand an old edition of froisard's history , than he will understand arabick . i confess the french arms , money and intrigues have made their language very universal of late , for this they are to be commended : it is an accident , which they owe to the greatness of their king and their own industry ; and it may fall out hereafter to be otherwise . a third reason is as i said before , that the french being a corruption of the latin , french authors take a liberty to borrow whatever word they want from the latin , without farther ceremony , especially when they treat of sciences . this the english do not do , but at second hand from the french. it is modish to ape the french in every thing : therefore , we not only naturalize their words , but words they steal from other languages . i wish in this and several other things , we had a little more of the italian and spanish humour , and did not chop and change our language , as we do our cloths , at the pleasure of every french tailor . in translating french into english , most people are very cautious and unwilling to print a french word at first out of a new book , till use has rendered it more familiar to us ; and therefore it runs a little rough in english , to express one french word , by two or three of ours ; and thus much , as to the ease and difficulty of translating these languages in general : but , as to the french in particular , it has as many advantages of the english , as to the sound , as ours has of the french , as to the signification ; which is another argument of the different genius of the two nations . almost all the relatives , articles , and pronouns in the french language , end in vowels , and are written with two or three letters . many of their words begin with vowels ; so , that when a word after a relative , pronoun or article , ends with a vowel , and begins with another , they admit of their beloved figure apostrophe , and cut off the first vowel . this they do to shun an ill sound ; and they are so musical as to that , that they will go against all the rules of sense and grammar , rather than fail ; as for example , speaking of a man's wife they say , son epouse ; whereas in grammar , it ought to be sa epouse ; but this would throw a french-man into a fit of a fever , to hear one say , by way of apostrophe s' epouse , as this makes their language to run smoother , so by this they express several words very shortly , as qu'entend je , in english , what do i hear ? in this example , three words have the sound but of one , for sound prevails with them in the beginning , middle and end . secondly , their words generally end in vowels , or if they do not , they do not pronounce the consonant , for the most part , unless there be two together , or that the next word begins with a vowel thirdly , by the help of their relatives , they can shortly , and with ease resume a long preceeding sentence , in two or three short words ; these are the advantages of the french tongue , all which they borrow from the latin. but as the french do not value a plain suit without a garniture , they are not satisfied with the advantages they have , but confound their own language with needless repetitions and tautologies ; and by a certain rhetorical figure , peculiar to themselves , imply twenty lines , to express what an english man would say , with more ease and sense in five ; and this is the great misfortune of translating french into english : if one endeavours to make it english standard , it is no translation . if one follows their flourishes and embroideries , it is worse than french tinsel . but these defects are only comparatively , in respect of english : and i do not say this so much , to condemn the french , as to praise our own mother-tongue , for what we think a deformity , they may think a perfection ; as the negroes of guinney think us as ugly , as we think them : but to return to my present translation . i have endeavoured to give you the true meaning of the author , and have kept as near his words as was possible ; i was necessitated to add a little in some places , otherwise the book could not have been understood . i have used all along the latin word axis , which is axle-tree in english , which i did not think so proper a word in a treatise of this nature ; but 't is what is generally understood by every body . there is another word in the two last nights , which was very uneasie to me , and the more so for that it was so often repeated , which is tourbillion , which signifies commonly a whirl-wind ; but monsieur des chartes understands it in a more general sense , and i call it a whirling ; the author hath given a very good definition of it , and i need say no more , but that i retain the word unwillingly , in regard of what i have said in the beginning of this preface . i know a character of the book will be expected from me , and i am obliged to give it to satisfie my self for being at the pains to translate it , but i wish with all my heart i could forbear it ; for i have that value for the ingenious french author , that i am sorry i must write what some may understand to be a satyr against him . the design of the author is to treat of this part of natural philosophy in a more familiar way than any other hath done , and to make every body understand him : for this end , he introduceth a woman of quality as one of the speakers in these five discourses , whom he feigns never to have heard of any such thing as philosophy before . how well he hath performed his vndertaking you will best judge when you have perused the book : but if you would know before-hand my thoughts , i must tell you freely , he hath failed in his design ; for endeavouring to render this part of natural philosophy familiar , he hath turned it into ridicule ; he hath pushed his wild notion of the plurality of worlds to that heighth of extravagancy , that he most certainly will confound those readers , who have not iudgment and wit to distinguish between what is truly solid ( or , at least , probable ) and what is trifling and airy : and there is no less skill and vnderstanding required in this , than in comprehending the whole subject he treats of . and for his lady marquiese , he makes her say a great many very silly things , tho' sometimes she makes observations so learned , that the greatest philosophers in europe could make no better . his way of arguing is extreamly fine , and his examples and comparisons are for the most part extraordinary , just , natural , and lofty , if he had not concluded with that of a rose , which is very irregular . the whole book is very unequal ; the first , fourth , and the beginning of the fifth discourses are incomparably the best . he ascribes all to nature , and says not a word of god almighty , from the beginning to the end ; so that one would almost take him to be a pagan . he endeavours chiefly two things ; one is , that there are thousands of worlds inhabited by animals , besides our earth , and hath urged this fancy too far : i shall not presume to defend his opinion , but one may make a very good use of many things he hath expressed very finely , in endeavouring to assist his wild fancy ; for he gives a magnificent idea of the vastness of the vniverse , and of the almighty and infinite power of the creator , to be comprehended by the meanest capacity . this he proves judiciously , by the appearances and distances of the planets and fixed stars ; and if he had let alone his learned men , philosophical transactions , and telescopes in the planet jupiter , and his inhabitants not only there , but in all the fixed stars , and even in the milky-way , and only stuck to the greatness of the vniverse , he had deserved much more praise . the other thing he endeavours to defend and assert , is , the system of copernicus . as to this , i cannot but take his part as far as a woman 's reasoning can go . i shall not venture upon the astronomical part , but leave that to the mathematicians ; but because i know , that when this opinion of copernicus ( as to the motion of the earth , and the sun 's being fixed in the centre of the vniverse , without any other motion , but upon his own axis ) was first heard of in the world , those who neither understood the old system of ptolemy , nor the new one of copernicus , said , that this new opinion was expresly contrary to the holy scriptures , and therefore not to be embraced ; nay , it was condemned as heretical upon the same account : after it had been examined by the best mathematicians in europe , and that they found it answered all the phaenomena's and motions of the spheres and stars better than the system of ptolemy ; that it was plainer , and not so perplexing and confused as the old opinion ; several of these learned men therefore embraced this ; but those that held out , when they saw all arguments against copernicus would not do , they had recourse to what i said before , that this system was expresly against the holy scriptures . amongst this number is the learned father tacquit , a iesuite ; who , i am told , has writ a large course of mathematicks , and particularly , of astronomy , which is deservedly much esteemed . in the end of this treatise , he cites several texts of scripture ; and particularly , the 19th . psalm , and the sun standing still at the command of ioshua . if i can make it appear , that this text of scripture is , at least , as much for copernicus as ptolemy , i hope it will not be unacceptable to my readers : therefore , with all due reverence and respect to the word of god , i hope i may be allowed to say , that the design of the bible was not to instruct mankind in astronomy , geometry , or chronology , but in the law of god , to lead us to eternal life ; and the spirit of god has been so condescending to our weakness , that through the whole bible , when any thing of that kind is mentioned , the expressions are always turned to fit our capacities , and to fit the common acceptance , or appearances of things to the vulgar . as to astronomy , i shall reserve that to the last , and shall begin with geometry ; and though i could give many instances of all three , yet i shall give but one or two at most . the measure and dimensions of solomon's molten brass sea in 1 king. 7.23 . the words are these , and he made a molten sea , ten cubits from one brim to the other , it was round all about , and his heighth was five cubits , and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about : that is to say , the diameter of this vessel was a third of its circumference : this is indeed commonly understood to be so , but is far from a geometrical exactness , and will not hold to a mathematical demonstration , as to the just proportion between the diameter and circumference of a circle . in the next place , as to chronology , i could give many instances out of the bible , but shall only name two that are very apparent , and easie to be understood by the meanest capacity . see 1 king. 6.1 . the words are these , and it came to pass , in the four hundred and fourscorth year after the children of israel were come out of the land of egypt , in the fourth year of solomon's reign over israel , in the month zif , which is the second month , he began to build the house of the lord. compare this text , and number of years with act. 13.17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22. which is the beginning of st. paul's sermon to the jews of antioch , and the number of years therein contained : the words are these , ver. 17. the god of this people of israel chose our fathers , and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of egypt , and with an high hand brought he them out of it . ver. 18. and about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness . ver. 19. and when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of canaan , he divided their land to them by lot. ver. 20. and after that , he gave unto them judges , about the space of four hundred and fifty years , until samuel the prophet . ver. 21. and afterwards they desired a king , and god gave them saul , the son of kish , a man of the tribe of benjamin , for the space of forty years . ver. 22. and when he had removed him , he raised up unto them david to be their king. king david the prophet reigned seven years in hebron , and thirty three years i jerusalem ; and for this see 1 king. 2.11 . to this you must add the first three years of his son solomon , according to the text i have cited , in 1 king. 6.1 . put all these numbers together , which are contained in st. paul's sermon at antioch , with the reign of king david , the first three years of solomon , and seven years of joshua's government , before the land was divided by lot , which is expresly set down in act. 13.19 . the number of the years will run thus : forty years in the wilderness , the seven years of joshua , before the dividing the land by lot ; from thence , till samuel , four hundred and fifty years ; forty years for the reign of saul , forty years for the reign of david , and the first three years of solomon ; all these numbers added together , make five hundred and eighty years ; which computation differs an hundred years from that in 1 king. 6.1 . which is but four hundred and eighty . it is not my present business to reconcile this difference ; but i can easily do it ; if any body think it worth their pains to quarrel with my boldness , i am able to defend my self . the second instance is , as to the reign of king solomon ; for this , see 1 king. 11.42 . where it is said , he reigned but forty years over israel . josephus says expresly , in the third chapter of his eighth book of antiquities , that king solomon reigned eighty years , and died at the age of ninety four . i would not presume to name this famous historian in contradiction to the holy scriptures , if it were not easie to prove by the scriptures , that solomon reigned almost twice forty years . the greek version of the bible , called commonly the septuagint or seventy two interpreters has it most expresly in 3 king. 2. but the first book of kings according to our translation in english , says , that solomon sat upon the throne of his father david , when he was twelve years of age. but for confirmation , be pleas'd to see 1 chr. 22.5 . and 29.1 . where it is said , that solomon was but young and tender for so great a work , as the building of the temple . rehoboam the son of solomon was forty one years old , when he began to reign , see 1 king. 14.21 . how was it possible then that solomon could beget a son , when he was but a child himself , or of eleven years of age according to the septuagint ? this difficulty did strangely surprise a primitive bishop , by name , vitalis , who proposed this doubt to st. jerome , who was strangely put to it to return an answer ; and the learned holy father is forc'd at last to say , that the letter of the scripture does often kill , but the spirit enlivens . the difficulty is still greater than what vitalis proposed to st. jerome in his epistle . rehoboam was the son of naamah an ammonitish , stranger woman , as you may see in 1 king. 14.31 . now it is clear , that solomon did not abandon the law of god , nor give himself to strange women till the end of his reign , see 1 king. 9. where he had so many strange wives and concubines , besides his lawful queen , the king of aegypt's daughter ; and i hope this will convince any rational man , that the scripture names only the first forty years of the reign of king solomon , which was the time , wherein he did what was right in the sight of the lord ; which i think is demonstration , that the holy scripture was not designed , to teach mankind geometry , or instruct them in chronology . the learned anthony godean , lord and bishop of venice , seems to have been sensible of this great difficulty ; for in his learned church-history , his epitome from adam to iesus christ , writing the life of solomon , he says , he was twenty three years old when he began his reign . vpon what grounds , or from what authority i know not ; but this agrees better with the age of solomon's son rehoboam ; but it doth not remove the difficulty , so well as what i have said . i come now in the last place to perform what i undertook , which is to prove , that the scripture was not designed to teach us astronomy , no more than geometry or chronology . and to make it appear that the two texts cited by father tacquet , viz. that of psal. 19.4 , 5 , 6. and iosh. 10.12 , &c. are at least as much for copernicus his system , as they are for ptolemy's . the words of the 19th psalm are , in them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun , which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber ; and rejoices as a strong man to run his race , &c. that these words are allegorical is most plain . does not the word set import stability , fix'dness and rest , as much as the words run his race , and come forth of his chamber , do signifie motion or turning round ? do not the words tabernacle and chamber express places of rest and stability ? and why may not i safely believe , that this makes for the opinion of copernicus , as well as for that of ptolemy ? for the words of the scriptures favour one opinion as much as the other . the texts of the suns standing still at the command of joshua , are yet plainer for copernicus , in josh. 10. and the latter part of v. 12. the words are these . sun stand thou still on gibeon , and thou moon on the valley of ajalon , &c. the best edition of the english bible , which is printed in a small folio by buck , in cambridge , has an asterism at the word stand , and renders it in the margent , from the hebrew , be thou silent : if it be so in the hebrew , be thou silent makes as much for the motion of the earth , according to copernicus , as for the motion of the sun according to ptolemy , but not to criticize upon words , consider this miraculous passage , not only the sun is commāded to stand still , but the moon also , and thou moon on the valley of ajalon . the reason the sun was commanded to stand still , was to the end the children of israel might have light to guide them , to destroy their enemies . now when by this miracle they had the light of the sun , of what advantage could the moon be to them ? why was she commanded to stand still upon the valley of ajalon ? besides , be pleased to consider , the holy land is but a very little country or province : the valley of ajalon is very near gibeon , where joshua spoke to both sun and moon together to stand still above , in places so near each other , it is demonstration , that the moon was at that time very near the sun ; and by consequence was at that time either a day or two before her change , or a day or two at most after new moon ; and then she is nearer to the body of the sun , as to appearance , so could not assist the children of israel with light , having so little of her own : it was then for some other reason that the moon stood still ; and for some other reason that it is taken notice of in holy scripture . both systems agree that the moon is the nearest planets to the earth , and subservient to it , to enlighten it , during the night , in absence of the sun. besides this , the moon has other strange effects , not only on the earth it self , but upon all the living creatures that inhabit it ; many of them are invisible , and as yet unknown to mankind ; some of them are most apparent ; and above all , her wonderful influence over the ebbing and flowing of the sea , at such regular times and seasons , if not interrupted by the accident of some storm , or great wind. we know of no relation or corresponding between the sun and the moon , unless it be what is common with all the rest of the planets , that the moon receives her light from the sun , which she restores again by reflection . if the sun did move , according to the system of ptolemy , where was the necessity of the moon 's standing still ? for if the moon had gone on her course , where was the loss or disorder in nature ? she having , as i demonstrated before , so little light , being so very near her change , would have recovered her loss at the next appearance of the sun , and the earth could have suffered nothing by the accident ; whereas the earth moving at the same time , in an annual and diurnal course , according to the system of copernicus , would have occasioned such a disorder and confusion in nature , that nothing less than two or three new miracles , all as great as the first , could have set the world in order again : the regular ebbings and flowings of the sea must have been interrupted , as also the appearing of the sun in the horizon , besides many other inconveniences in nature ; as , the eclipses of the sun and moon , which are now so regular , that an astronomer could tell you to a minute , what eclipses will be for thousands of years to come , both of sun and moon ; when , and in what climates they will be visible , and how long they will last , how many degrees and digits of those two great luminaries will be obscured . so that i doubt not but when this stupendious miracle was performed by the almighty and infinite power of god , his omnipotent arm did in an instant stop the course of nature , and the whole frame of the vniverse was at a stand , though the sun and moon be only named , being , to vulgar appearance , the two great luminaries that govern the vniverse . this was the space of a day in time , yet can be called no part of time , since time and nature are always in motion , and this day was a stop of that course . what is there in all this wonderful stop of time , that is not as strong for the system of copernicus , as for that of ptolemy ? and why does my belief of the motion of the earth , and the rest of the sun contradict the holy scriptures ? am not i as much obliged to believe that the sun lodges in a tabernacle ? ( as in psal. 19. ) are not all these allegorical sayings ? in the above-named edition of the english bible of buck's at cambridge , see isa. 8.38 . where the shadow returned ten degrees backwards , as a sign of king hezekiah's recovery , and there follow these words , and the sun returned ten degrees ; but on the margin you will find it from the hebrew , the shadow returned ten degrees by the sun ; and this is yet as much for copernicus as ptolemy . whether god almighty added ten degrees or hours to that day , or by another kind of miracle , made the shadow to return upon the dial of ahaz , i will not presume to determine ; but still you see the hebrew is most agreeable to the new system of copernicus . thus i hope i have performed my vndertaking , in making it appear , that the holy scriptures , in things that are not material to the salvation of mankind , do altogether condescend to the vulgar capacity ; and that these two texts of psal. 19. and josh. 10. are as much for copernicus as against him . i hope none will think my vndertaking too bold , in making so much use of the scripture , on such an occasion . i have a precedent , much esteemed by all ingenious men ; that is , mr. burnet's book of paradise , and antedeluvian world , which incroaches as much , if not more , on the holy scriptures . but i have another reason for saying so much of the scriptures at this time : we live in an age , wherein many believe nothing contained in that holy book , others turn it into ridicule : some use it only for mischief , and as a foundation and ground for rebellion : some keep close to the literal sense , and others give the word of god only that meaning and sense that pleases their own humours , or suits best their present purpose and interest . as i quoted an epistle of st. jerome to vitalis before , where that great father says , that the letter kills , but the spirit enlivens ; i think it is the duty of all good christians to acquiesce in the opinion and decrees of the church of christ , in whom dwells the spirit of god , which enlightens us to matters of religion and faith ; and as to other things contained in the holy scriptures relating to astronomy , geometry , chronology , or other liberal sciences , we leave those points to the opinion of the learned , who by comparing the several copies , translations , versions , and editions of the bible , are best able to reconcile any apparent differences ; and this with all submission to the canons of general councils , and decrees of the church . for the school-men agitate and delate many things of a higher nature , than the standing still , or the motion of the sun or the earth . and therefore , i hope my readers will be so just as to think , i intend no reflection on religion by this essay ; which being no matter of faith , is free for every one to believe , or not believe , as they please . i have adventur'd to say nothing , but from good authority : and as this is approved of by the world , i may hereafter venture to publish somewhat may be more useful to the publick . i shall conclude therefore with some few lines , as to my present translation . i have laid the scene at paris , where the original was writ ; and have translated the book near the words of the author . i have made bold to correct a fault of the french copy , as to the heighth of our air or sphere of activity of the earth , which the french copy makes twenty or thirty leagues , i call it two or three , because sure this was a fault of the printer , and not a mistake of the author . for monsieur des cartes , and monsieur rohalt , both assert it to be but two or three leagues . i thought paris and st. denis fitter to be made use of as examples , to compare the earth and the moon to , than london and greenwich ; because st. denis having several steeples and walls , is more like paris , than greenwich is to london . greenwich has no walls , and but one very low steeple , not to be seen from the monument without a prospective glass . and i resolv'd either to give you the french book into english , or to give you the subject quite changed and made my own ; but having neither health nor leisure for the last i offer you the first such as it is . the author's preface . i find my self reduced almost to the same condition in which cicero was , when he undertook to put matters of philosophy into latin ; which , till that time , had never been treated of , but in greek . he tells us , it would be said , his works would be unprofitable , since those who loved philosophy , having already taken the pains to find it in the greek , would neglect , after that , to read it again in latin ( that not being the original ; ) and that those who did not care for philosophy , would not seek it , either in the latin , or the greek . but to this cicero himself answers ; and says , that those who were not philosophers would be tempted to the reading of it , by the facility they would find in its being in the latin tongue ; and that those who were philosophers would be curious enough to see how well it had been turned from the greek to the latin. cicero had reason to answer in this manner ; the excellency of his genius , and the great reputation he had already acquired sufficiently defend this new undertaking of his , which he had dedicated to the benefit of the publick . for my part , i am far from offering at any defence for this of mine , though the enterprize be the same ; for i would treat of philosophy in a manner altogether unphilosophical , and have endeavoured to bring it to a point not too rough and harsh for the capacity of the numbers , nor too light and trivial for the learned . but if they should say to me as they did to cicero , that this work is not at all proper for the learned , nor would it instruct the rest of the world , who are careless of knowledge ; far be it from me to answer as cicero did , who , perhaps , in searching for a middle way to philosophy , such as would improve every understanding , i have taken that which possibly will be advantageous to none : it is very hard to keep to a medium , and i believe i shall scarce take the pains to search a second method to please . and if it happen that this book should be read , i advertise those that have some knowledge in philosophy , that i have not pretended to instruct , but to divert them , in presenting to them in a more agreeable manner , that which they already know solidly : and i also advertise those to whom this subject is new , that i believe it will at once instruct and please them : the knowing will act , contrary to my intentions , if they seek only profit ; and the rest , if they seek only pleasure . i will not amuse my self in telling you , that i have taken out of philosophy the matter the most capable of inspiring a curiosity ; for in my opinion , we ought to seek no greater interest , than to know how this world which we inhabit , is made , and that there are other worlds that resemble it , and that are inhabited as well as this : after all , let those that please , give themselves the trouble of finding out this truth , but i am sure they will not do it in complaisance to my book : those that have any thoughts to lose , may cast them away here ; but all people are not in a condition , you will say , to make such an unprofitable expence of time. in this discourse i have introduced a fair lady to be instructed in philosophy , which , till now , never heard any speak of it ; imagining , by this fiction , i shall render my work more agreeable , and to encourage the fair sex ( who lose so much time at their toylets in a less charming study ) by the example of a lady who had no supernatural character , and who never goes beyond the bounds of a person who has no tincture of learning , and yet understands all that is told her , and retains all the notions of tourbillions and worlds , without confusion : and why should this imaginary lady have the precedency of all the rest of her delicate sex ? or do they believe they are not as capable of conceiving that which she learned with so much facility ? the truth is , madam the marquiese applies her self to this knowledge ; but what is this application ? it is not to penetrate by force of meditation , into a thing that is obscure in it self , or any thing that is obscurely explained ; 't is only to read , and to represent to your selves at the same time what you read , and to form some image of it that may be clear and free from perplexing difficulties . i ask of the ladies ( for this system ) but the same attention that they must give the princess of cleve , if they would follow the intrigue , and find out the beauties of it ; though the truth is , that the idea's of this book are not so familiar to the most part of ladies , as those of the princess of cleve ; but they are not more obscure , than those of that novel , and yet they need not think above twice at most , and they will be capable of taking a true measure , and having a just sense of the whole . i do not pretend to take a system in the air , without a foundation , but i have made use of true philosophical reasons ; and of those , employed as many as are necessary ; and , as it happily falls out , the notions of philosophy upon this subject are pleasant ; and at the same time that they satisfie the reason , they content the imagination with a prospect as agreeable , as if they had been made on purpose to entertain it . where i found some pieces not altogether so diverting as i wish'd , i gave them foreign ornaments : virgil made use of the same method in his georgicks , where he adorned his subject ( of it self altogether dull ) with several disgressions , and very often agreeably . ovid himself has done as much in his art of loving , though the foundation of his theme was infinitely more agreeable than any thing that could be mixed with it ; therefore it is to be supposed , he imagined it would be tiresome , always to treat of one and the same thing , though it was of gallantry : but for my part , i , who have much more need of the assistance of disgression , have , notwithstanding , made use of them very frugally : i have authorized them by the liberty of natural conversation , and have put them but in those places where i thought every body would be glad to find them ; i have put the greatest part of them in the beginning of my work , because the mind will not be then so well accustomed to the principal idea's that i present . in fine , i have taken them from the subject it self , or , at least , approaching to it . i would not have any imagination of the inhabitants of the worlds that are entirely fabulous , but have endeavoured to relate only that which might be thought most reasonable ; and the visions themselves that i have added , have something of a real foundation in them ; the true and the false are here mixed , but they always are very easie to be distinguished ; yet i do not undertake to justifie a composure so fantastical : this is the most important point of this work , and 't is this only that i cannot give a reason for ; but the publick censure will inform me , what i ought to think of this design . there remains no more for me to say in this preface , but to speak to one sort of people , who , perhaps , will be the most difficult to content ( and yet i have very good reasons to give them , but , possibly , such as they will not take for current pay , unless they appear to them to be good ; ) and these are the scrupulous persons , who may imagine , that in regard of religion , there may be danger in placing inhabitants any where , but on this earth ; but i have had a respect , even to the most delicate niceties of religion , and would not be guilty of any thing that should shock it in a publick work , though that care were contrary to my opinion . but that which will surprize you is , that religion is not at all concerned in this system , where i fill an infinite number of worlds with inhabitants ; and you need only reform and clear one error of the imagination : but when i shall tell you the moon is inhabited , you presently represent to your fancy men made as we are ; and if you are a little of the theologician , you will then be presently full of difficulties : the posterity of adam could not possibly extend to the moon , nor send colonies into that country ; then they are not the sons of adam : and that would be a great perplexing point in theology , to imagine there should be men , and those not to descend from adam ; there is no need of saying any more , all the difficulties are reduced to that , and the arguments we ought to employ in a tedious explanation , are too worthy of gravity to be put into this book , though perhaps i could answer solidly enough to their objections , if i undertook it ; but 't is certain , i have no need of answering them ; let the men in the moon do it , who are only concern'd ; for 't is they that put the men there , i only put inhabitants , which , perhaps , are not men. what are they then ? 't is not that i have seen them , that i speak of them ; yet do not imagine that i design , ( by saying there are no men in the moon ) to evade your objections , but you shall see , that 't is impossible ( according to the idea's that i have of the infinite diversity that nature ought to use in her works ) that there can be none . this idea governs all the book , and it cannot be confuted by any philosopher ; therefore i believe i shall meet with no objection from any , but those who speak of these entertainments , without having read them . but is this reason enough for me to depend on ? no , 't is rather a sufficient reason for me to fear , that this objection will be often urged in several places . to monsieur de l — sir , yov expect i shou'd give you an exact account in what manner i pass'd my time in the country , at the castle of madam the marquiese of — but i am afraid this account will enlarge it self to a volume , and that which is worse , to a volume of philosophy , while you , perhaps , expect to hear of feasting , parties at play , and hunting-matches . no , sir ; you will hear of nothing but planets , worlds and tourbillions , nor has there been any other things discours'd on . perhaps you are a philosopher , and will not believe my discourse , so ridiculous as it may appear to the less learned ; and possibly , you will be glad to hear that i have drawn madam the marquiese into our party : we cou'd not have made an advantage more considerable , since i always esteem'd youth and beauty as things of great value . if wisdom her self wou'd appear to mankind , with a design to be well received , she wou'd not do ill to assume the form and resemblance of madam the marquiese ; and cou'd she be so agreeable in her conversation , i assure you , all the world wou'd run after her precepts . you must not expect to hear wonders , when i shall make you a relation of the discourse i had with this beautiful lady ; and i ought to have as much wit as her self , to repeat all she said in the same graceful manner she express'd it ; however , i hope to make you sensible of the readiness of her genius , in comprehending all things ; for my part , i esteem her perfectly witty , since she is so with the most facility in the world. perhaps you will be apt to say , that her sex must needs be wanting in those perfections which adorn ours , because they do not read so much . but what signifies the reading of so many vast volumes over , since there are a great many men who have made that the business of their whole lives , to whom , if i durst , i wou'd scarce allow the knowledge of any thing ? as for the rest , you will be oblig'd to me . i know , before i begin to open the conversation i had with madam the marquiese , i ought , of course , to describe to you the castle , whither she was retir'd , to pass the autumn . people are apt , on such occasions , to make very large descriptions , but i 'll be more favourable to you . let it suffice , that when i arriv'd there , i found no company , which i was very glad of : the two first days there pass'd nothing remarkable , but our time was spent in discoursing of the news of paris , from whence i came : after this , pass'd those entertainments which , in the sequel , i will impart to you . i will divide our discourse therefore into nights , because , indeed , we had none , but in the nights . the first night . we went one evening after supper to walk in the park , the air was cool and refreshing , which made us sufficient amends for the excessive heat of the day , and of which i find i shall be obliged to make you a description , which i cannot well avoid , the fineness of it leading me so necessarily to it . the moon was about an hour high , which shining through the boughs of the trees , made a most agreeable mixture , and checker'd the paths beneath with a most resplendent white upon the green , which appeared to be black by that light ; there was no cloud to be seen that could hide from us , or obscure the smallest of the stars , which lookt all like pure polisht gold , whose luster was extreamly heightened by the deep azure field on which they were placed : these pleasant objects set me a thinking , and had it not been for madam la marquiese , i might have continued longer in that silent contemplation ; but the presence of a person of her wit and beauty hindered me from giving up my thoughts intirely to the moon and stars . do not you believe , madam , said i , that the clearness of this night exceeds the glory of the brightest day ? i confess , said she , the day must yield to such a night ; the day which resembles a fair beauty , which though more sparkling , is not so charming as one of a brown complexion , who is a true emblem of the night . you are very generous , madam , said i , to give the advantage to the brown , you who are so admirably fair your self : yet without dispute , day is the most beautiful thing in nature ; and most of the heroines in romances , which are modelled after the most perfect idea fancy can represent by the most ingenious of mankind , are generally described to be fair . but , said she , beauty is insipid , if it want the pleasure and power of charming ; and you must acknowledge that the brightest day that ever you saw could never have engaged you in so agreeable an ecstasie , as you were just now like to have faln into by the powerful attractions of this night . i agree to what you say , madam , said i , but i must own at the same time , that a beauty of your complexion would give me another sort of transport than the finest night with all the advantages obscurity can give it . though that were true , said she , i should not be satisfied ; since those fair beauties that so resemble the day , produce not those soft effects of the other . how comes it , that lovers who are the best judges of what is pleasing and touching , do always address themselves to the night , in all their songs and elegies ? i told her , that they most certainly paid their acknowledgments to the night ; for she was ever most favourable to all their designs . but , sir , replied the marquiese , she receives also all their complaints , as a true confident of all their entrigues ; from whence proceeds that ? the silence and gloom of the night , said i , inspires the restless sigher with thoughts very passionate and languishing , which the busier day diverts a thousand little ways ( though one would think the night should charm all things to repose ) and though the day affords solitudes , dark recesses , groves and grottoes , equally obscure and silent as the night it self ; yet we fansy that the stars move with a more silent motion than the sun , and that all the objects which the heavens represent to our view , are softer , and stay our sight more easily ; and flattering our selves that we are the only persons at that time awake , we are vain enough to give a loose to a thousand thoughts extravagant and easing . besides , the scene of the universe by day-light appears too uniform , we beholding but one great luminary in an arched vault of azure , of a vast extent , while all the stars appear confusedly dispersed , and disposed as it were by chance in a thousand different figures , which assists our roving fancies to fall agreeably into silent thoughts . sir , replied madam la marqueise , i have always felt those effects of night you tell me of , i love the stars , and could be heartily angry with the sun for taking them from my sight . ah , cry'd i , i cannot forgive his taking from me the sight of all those worlds that are there . worlds , said she , what worlds ? and looking earnestly upon me , asked me again , what i meant ? i ask your pardon , madam , said i , i was insensibly led to this fond discovery of my weakness . what weakness , said she , more earnestly than before ? alass , said i , i am sorry that i must confess i have imagined to my self , that every star may perchance be another world , yet i would not swear that it is so ; but i will believe it to be true , because that opinion is so pleasant to me , and gives me very diverting idea's , which have fixed themselves delightfully in my imaginations , and 't is necessary that even solid truth should have its agreeableness . well , said she , since your folly is so pleasing to you , give me a share of it ; i will believe whatever you please concerning the stars , if i find it pleasant . ah , madam , said i , hastily , it is not such a pleasure as you find in one of mullier's plays ; it is a pleasure that is — i know not where , in our reason , and which only transports the mind . what , replied she , do you think me then incapable of all those pleasures which entertain our reason , and only treat the mind ? i will instantly shew you the contrary , at least as soon as you have told me what you know of your stars . ah , madam , cry'd i , i shall never indure to be reproach'd with that neglect of my own happiness , that in a grove at ten a clock of the night , i talk'd of nothing but philosophy , to the greatest beauty in the world ; no , madam , search for philosophy some where else . but 't was in vain to put her off by excuses , from a novelty she was already but too much prepossest with : there was a necessity of yielding , and all i could do was to prevail with her to be secret , for the saving my honour ; but when i found my self engaged past retreat , and had a design to speak , i knew not where to begin my discourse , for to prove to her ( who understood nothing of natural philosophy ) that the earth was a planet , and all the other planets so many earths , and all the stars worlds , it was necessary for the explaining my self , to bring my arguments a great way off ; and therefore i still endeavoured to perswade her that 't was much better to pass the time in another manner of conversation , which the most reasonable people in our circumstances would do ; but i pleaded to no purpose , and at last to satisfie her , and give her a general idea of philosophy , i made use of this way of arguing . all philosophy is grounded on two principles , that of a passionate thirst of knowledge of the mind , and the weakness of the organs of the body ; for if the eye-sight were in perfection , you could as easily discern there were worlds in the stars , as that there are stars : on the other hand , if you were less curious and desirous of knowledge , you would be indifferent , whether it were so or not , which indeed comes all to the same purpose ; but we would gladly know more than we see , and there 's the difficulty : for if we could see well and truly what we see , we should know enough ; but we see most objects quite otherwise than they are ; so that the true philosophers spend their time in not believing what they see , and in endeavouring to guess at the knowledge of what they see not ; and in my opinion this kind of life is not much to be envied ; but i fansy still to my self that nature is a great scene , or representation , much like one of our opera's ; for , from the place where you sit to behold the opera , you do not see the stage , as really it is , since every thing is disposed there for the representing agreeable objects to your sight , from a large distance , while the wheels & weights , which move and counterpoise the machines are all concealed from our view ; nor do we trouble our selves so much to find out how all those motions that we see there , are performed ; and it may be among so vast a number of spectators , there is not above one enginier in the whole pit , that troubles himself with the consideration how those flights are managed that seem so new and so extraordinary to him , and who resolves at any rate to find out the contrivance of them ; you cannot but guess , madam , that this enginier is not unlike a philosopher ; but that which makes the difficulty incomparably greater to philosophers , is , that the ropes , pullies , wheels and weights , which give motion to the different scenes represented to us by nature , are so well hid both from our sight and understanding , that it was a long time before mankind could so much as guess at the causes that moved the vast frame of the universe . pray , madam , imagine to your self , the ancient philosophers beholding one of our opera's , such an one as pythagoras , plato , aristotle , and many more , whose names and reputations make so great a noise in the world ; and suppose they were to behold the flying of phaeton , who is carried aloft by the winds , and that they could not discern the ropes and pullies , but were altogether ignorant of the contrivance of the machine behind the scenes , one of them would be apt to say — it is a certain secret virtue that carries up phaeton . another , that phaeton is composed of certain numbers , which make him mount upwards . the third — that phaeton has a certain kindness for the highest part of the theatre , and is uneasie when he is not there . and a fourth — that phaeton was not made for flying , but that he had rather fly , than leave the upper part of the stage void : besides a hundred other notions , which i wonder have not intirely ruined the reputation of the ancients . in our age des cartes , and some other moderns would say — that phaetons 's flight upward is because he is hoisted by ropes , and that while he ascends , a greater weight than he descends . and now men do not believe that any corporeal being moves it self , unless it be set on motion , or pusht by another body , or drawn by ropes ; nor that any heavy thing ascends or descends , without a counter-poise equal with it in weight to balance it ; or that 't is guided by springs . and could we see nature as it is , we should see nothing but the hinder part of the theatre at the opera . by what you say , said madam la marquiese , philosophy is become very mechanical . so very mechanical , said i , that i am afraid men will quickly be ashamed of it ; for some would have the universe no other thing in greeat , than a watch is in little ; and that all things in it are ordered by regular motion , which depends upon the just and equal disposal of its parts ; confess the truth , madam , have not you had heretofore a more sublime idea of the universe , and have not you honoured it with a better opinion than it deserved ? i have known several esteem it less since they believed they knew it better ; and for my part , said she , i esteem it more since i knew it is so like a watch : and 't is most surprising to me , that the course and order of nature , how ever admirable it appears to be , moves upon principles and things that are so very easie and simple . i know not , replied i , who has given you so just idea's of it , but 't is not ordinary to have such ; most people retain in their minds some false principle or other of admiration , wraped up in obscurity , which they adore : they admire nature , only because they look on it as a kind of miracle , which they do not understand ; and 't is certain that those sort of people never despise any thing , but from the moment they begin to understand it : but , madam , i find you so well disposed to comprehend all i have to say to you , that without further preface , i need only draw the curtain , and shew you the world. from the earth where we are , that which we see at the greatest distance from us , is that azure heaven , or that vast vault , where the stars are placed as so many golden nails , which are called fixt , because they seem to have no other motion , but that of their proper sphere , which carries them along with it , from east to west ; between the earth and the last , or lowest heaven ▪ are hung at different heights , the sun , the moon , and five other stars , which are called planets , mercury , venus , mars , iupiter , and saturn . these planets not being fixt to any one sphere , and having unequal motions , they are in different aspects , one to another , and according as they are in conjunction , or at distance , they make different figures ; whereas the fixt stars are always in the same position , one towards another : as for example , charles's wain , or the constellation of the great bear , which you see , and which consists of seven stars , has always been , and will still continue the same ; but the moon is sometimes near the sun , and sometimes at a great distance from it , and so through all the rest of the planets : it was in this manner that the celestial bodies appeared to the ancient chaldean shepherds , whose great leisure produced these first observations , which have since been so well improved ; and upon which all astronomy is founded : for astronomy had its beginning in chaldea , as geometry , was invented in egypt , where the inundations of the river nile , having confounded and removed the limits and the land-marks of the several possessions of the inhabitants , did prompt them to find out sure and exact measures , by which every one might know his own field from that of his neighbours : so that astronomy is the daughter of idleness , geometry is the child of interest ; and should we inquire into the original of poetry , we should in all appearance find , that it owes its beginning to love. i am extreamly glad , said the marquiese , that i have learned the genealogy of the sciences , and i find that i must content my self with astronomy , geometry , according to what you have said , requiring a soul more interested in worldly concerns , than i am , and for poetry , 't is most proper for those of a more amorous inclination ; but i have all the leisure and time to spare that astronomy requires : besides that i live now happily retired in the fields and groves , and lead a sort of pastoral life , so very agreeable to astronomy . do not deceive your self , madam , said i ; 't is not a true pastoral life , to talk of planets and fix'd stars : be pleased to consider , that the shepherds in the story of astroea did not pass their time in that kind of divertisement ; they had business of a softer , and more agreeable nature . oh , said she , the life of the pastorals of astraea is too dangerous : i like that of the chaldean shepherds better , of whom you spoke but now : go on with them , for i will hear nothing from you , but chaldean : so soon as that order , and these motions of the heavens were discovered , what was the next thing to be considered ? the next thing , said i , was , to guess how the several parts of the universe were to be disposed and ranged in order ; and that is what the learned call , the making a system : but before , madam , i explain to you the first system , be pleased to observe , that we are all naturally made like a certain athenian fool , of whom you have heard ; who fansied that all the ships that came into the port of piraa , belonged to him ; for we are so vain as to believe , that all this vast frame of nature was destined to our use : for if a philosopher be asked , for what all this prodigious number of fixed stars serve ( since a very few would supply the business of the whole ) he will tell you gravely , that they were made to please our sight . upon this principle , at first , man believed , that the earth was immoveably fixed in the centre of the universe , whilst all the celestial bodies ( made only for her ) were at the pains of turning continually round , to give light to the earth : and that it was therefore above the earth , they placed the moon ; above the moon , mercury ; then venus , the sun , mars , iupiter , saturn ; and above all , the sphere of the fixed stars : the earth , according to this opinion , was just in the middle of the several circles , described by the planets ; and the greater these circles were , the further they were distant from the earth ; and by consequence , they took a longer time in compleating their round ; which is certainly true . i know not , said the marquiese , why you should not approve of this order of the universe , which seems to be so clear and intelligible ; for my part , i am extreamly pleased and satisfied with it . madam , said i , without vanity , i have very much softned and explained this system : should i expose it to you such as it was first invented by its author ptolemy , or by those that have followed his principles , it would frighten you : the motion of the planets being irregular , they move sometimes fast , sometimes slow ; sometimes towards one side , sometimes to another ; at one time near the earth , at another far from it . the ancients did imagine i know not how many circles , differently interwoven one with another ; by which they fansy'd to themselves , they understood all the irregular phaenomena's , or appearances in nature . and the confusion of these circles was so great , that at that time , when men knew no better , a king of arragon , a great mathematician ( not over devout ) said , that if god had call'd him to his council when he form'd the vniverse , he could have given him good advice . the thought was impious , yet 't is odd to reflect , that the confusion of ptolemy's system gave an occasion for the sin of that king : the good advice he would have given , was , no doubt , for surpassing these different circles , which had so embarrass'd the celestial motions ; and , it may be also , with regard to the two or three superfluous spheres , which they had plac'd above the fixed stars . the philosophers , to explain one kind of motion of the heavenly bodies , did fansie a sphere of christal above that heaven which we see , which set the inferior heaven on motion ; and if any one made a new discovery of any other motion , they immediately made a new sphere of christal : in short , these christalline heavens cost them nothing . but why spheres of christal , said madam la marquiese ? would no other substance serve ? no , said i , madam ; for there was a necessity of their being transparent , that the light might penetrate ; as it was requisite for them to be solid beams . aristotle had found out , that solidity was inherent in the excellency of their nature ; and because he said it , no body would adventure to question the truth of it . but there have appear'd comets , which we know to have been vastly higher from the earth , than was believed by the ancients : these , in their course , wou'd have broke all those christal spheres ; and indeed , must have ruined the universe : so that there was an absolute necessity to believe the heavens to be made of a fluid substance ; at least , 't is not to be doubted , from the observation of this , and the last age , that venus and mercury move round the sun , and not round the earth . so that the ancient system is not to be defended , as to this particular : but i will propose one to you , which solves all objections , and which will put the king of arragon out of a condition of advising ; and which is so surprisingly simple and easie , that that good quality alone ought to make it preferrable to all others . methinks , said madam la marquiese , that your philosophy is a kind of sale ▪ or farm , where those that offer to do the affair at the smallest expence , are preferr'd . 't is very true , said i ; and 't is only by that , that we are able to guess at the scheme , upon which nature hath fram'd her work : she is very saving , and will take the shortest and cheapest way : yet notwithstanding , this frugality is accompany'd with a most surprising magnificence , which shines in all she has done ; but the magnificence is in the design , and the oeconomy in the execution : and indeed , there is nothing finer than a great design , carried on with a little expence . but we are very apt to overturn all these operations of nature , by contrary idea's : we put oeconomy in the design , and magnificence in the execution : we give her a little design , which we make her perform with ten times a greater charge than is needful . i shall be very glad , said she , that this system , you are to speak of , will imitate nature so exactly ; for this good husbandry will turn to the advantage of my understanding , since by it i shall have less trouble to comprehend what you have to say . there is in this system no more unnecessary difficulties . know then , that a certain german , named copernicus , does at one blow cut off all these different circles , and christalline spheres , invented by the ancients ; destroying the one , and breaks the other in pieces ; and being inspir'd with a noble astronomical fury , takes the earth , and hangs it at a vast distance from the centre of the world , and sets the sun in its place , to whom that honour does more properly belong ; the planets do no longer turn round the earth , nor do they any longer contain it in the circle they describe ; and if they enlighten us , it is by chance , and because they find us in their way : all things now turn round the sun ; among which , the globe it self , to punish it for the long rest , so falsly attributed to it before ; and copernicus has loaded the earth with all those motions , formerly attributed to the other planets ; having left this little globe none of all the celestial train , save only the moon , whose natural course it is , to turn round the earth . soft and fair , said madam la marquiese ; you are in so great a rapture , and express your self with so much pomp and eloquence , i hardly understand what you mean : you place the sun unmoveable in the centre of the universe ; pray , what follows next ? mercury , said i , who turns round the sun ; so that the sun is in the centre of the circle he describes : and above mercury , venus ; who turns also round the sun : next comes the earth ; which being more elivated than mercury , or venus , describes a circle of a greater circumference that those two planets : last , come mars , iupiter and saturn , in their order , as i have nam'd 'em : so that you see easily , that saturn ought to make the greatest circle round the sun ; it is therefore that saturn takes more time to make his revolution , than any other planet . ah , but , said the marquiese , interrupting me , you forget the moon . do not fear , said i , madam ; i shall soon find her again . the moon turns round the earth , and never leaves it ; and as the earth moves in the circle it describes round the sun , the moon follows the earth in turning round it ; and if the moon do move round the sun , it is only because she will not abandon the earth . i understand you , said she : i love the moon for staying with us , when all the other planets have left us ; and you must confess , that your german copernicus would have taken her from us too , had it been in his power ; for i perceive by his procedure , he had no great kindness for the earth . i am extreamly pleas'd with him , said i , for having humbled the vanity of mankind , who had usurp'd the first and best situation in the universe ; and i am glad to see the earth under the same circumstances with the other planets . that 's very fine , said the marquiese : do you believe that the vanity of man places it self in astronomy ; or that i am any way humbled , because you tell me the earth turns round the sun ? i 'll swear , i do not esteem my self one whit the less . good lord , madam , said i , do you think i can imagine you can be as zealous for a precedency in the universe , as you would be for that in a chamber ? no , madam ; the rank of place between two planets will never make such a bustle in the world , as that of two ambassadors : nevertheless , the same inclination that makes us endeavour to have the first place in a ceremony , prevails with a philosopher in composing his system , to place himself in the centre of the world , if he can : he is proud to fansie all things made for himself ; and without reflexion , flatters his senses with this opinion , which consists purely in speculation . oh , said the marquiese , this is a calumny of your own invention against mankind , which ought never to have received copernicus his opinion , since so easie , and so humble . copernicus , said i , madam , himself was the most diffident of his own system ; so that it was a long time before he would venture to publish it , and at last resolv'd to do it at the earnest intreaty of people of the first quality . but do you know what he did , the day they brought him the first printed copy of his book ? that he might not be troubled to answer all the objections and contradictions he was sure to meet with , he wisely left the world , and died . hold , said the marquiese , we ought to do justice to all the world ; and 't is most certain , 't is very hard to believe we turn round , since we do not change places , and that we find our selves in the morning , where we lay down the night before . i see very well by your looks , what 't is you are going to say ; that since the earth moves all together — most certainly , said i : 't is the same thing as if you were asleep in a boat , sailing on a river , you would find your self in the same place in the morning , and in the same situation as to the several parts of the boat. true , said she , but with this difference ; i shou'd at my waking , find another shoar ; and that would convince me , my boat had chang'd its situation : but 't is not the same with the earth ; for there i find every thing as i left it the night before . not at all , madam , said i ; the earth changes the shoar , as well as your boat. you know , madam , that above and beyond all the circles , described by the planets , is the sphere of the fixed stars ; that 's our shoar : i am on the earth , which makes a great circle round the sun ; i look towards the centre of this circle , there i see the sun ; if the brightness of his rays did not remove the stars from my sight , by looking in a streight line , i shoud easily perceive the sun corresponding to some fixed star beyond him ; but in the night-time , i see clearly the stars , to which the sun did answer , or was opposite to , the day before ; which is , indeed , the same thing . if the earth were immoveable , and did not alter its situation in its own circle , i shou'd always see the sun opposite to the same fixed stars ; but i see the sun in different opposition to the stars , every day of the year : it most necessarily follows then , the circle changes its situation , that is , the shoar , round which we go daily : and as the earth performs its revolution in a year , i see the sun , in that space of time , answer in direct opposition to a whole circle of fixed stars ; this circle is called the zodiack : will you please , madam , that i trace the figure of it on the sand ? by no means , said she ; i can satisfie my self , without that demonstration : besides that , it would give a certain mathematical air to my park , which i do not like . have not i heard of a certain philosopher , who being shipwreck'd , and cast upon an unknown island ; who seeing some mathematical propositions drawn on the sea-sands , called to one of those with him , and cry'd , courage , my friend , here are the foot-steps of men ; this country is inhabited ? you know , it is not decent in me to make such foot-steps , nor must they be seen in this place . 't is fit , continued i , madam , that nothing be seen here , but steps of lovers ; that is to say , your name and cypher engraven on the bark of trees by the hand of your adorers . pray , sir , said she , let adorers alone , and let us speak of the sun. i understand very well , how we imagine he describes that circle , which , indeed , we our selves describe ; but this requires a whole year's time , when one wou'd think the sun passes over our heads every day : how comes that to pass ? have you not observ'd , said i , that a bowl thrown on the earth , has two different motions ; it runs toward the jack , to which it is thrown ; and at the same time it turns over and over several times , before it comes that length ; so that you will see the mark that is on the bowl , sometimes above , and sometimes below : 't is just so with the earth ; in the time it advances on the circle it makes round the sun , in its yearly course , it turns over once every four and twenty hours , upon its own axis ; so that in that space of time , which is one natural day , every point of the earth ( which is not near the south or north-poles ) loses and recovers the sight of the sun : and as we turn towards the sun , we imagine the sun is rising upon us ; so when we turn from it , we believe she is setting . this is very pleasant , said the marquiese : you make the circle to do all , and the sun to stand idle ; and when we see the moon , planets and fixed stars turn round us in four and twenty hours , all is but bare imagination . nothing else , said i , but pure fancy , which proceeds from the same cause ; only the planets make their circle round the sun , not in the same space of time , but according to their unequal distance from it ; and that planet which we see to day , look to a certain point of the zodiack , or sphere of fixed stars , we shall see it answer to every other point to morrow ; y as well because that planet moves on its course , as that we proceed in ours : we move , and so do the other planets : by this means we vary both situation and opposition , as to them , and we think we discover irregularities in their revolutions , which i will not now trouble you with ; 't is sufficient for you to know , that any thing that may appear to us to be irregular , in the course of the planets , is occasion'd by our own motion meeting theirs in such different manners ; but upon the whole the course of the planets , is most regular . i agree with all my heart , said the marquiese ; yet i wish with all my heart , that that regularity were not so laborious to the earth : i fansie copernicus has not been very careful of its concerns , in making so weighty and solid a mass run about so nimbly . but , madam , said i , wou'd you rather , that the sun , and the stars ( which are generally far greater bodies ) shou'd make a vast circumference round the earth in a day , and run an infinite number of leagues in twenty four hours time ? which they must of necessity do , if the earth have not that diurnal motion on its own axis . oh! answered she , the sun and stars are all fire , swiftness of motion is easie to them ; but for the earth , that does not seem to be very portable . and wou'd you believe it , said i , madam , if you had never seen the experiment , that a first-rate ship , of a hundred and twenty guns , with fifteen hundred men , and proportionable provision , with all her ammunition and tackle a-board , were a very portable thing ? notwithstanding , a gentle breeze will move this ship on the sea , because the water is liquid , and yielding easily , makes no resistance to the motion of the vessel : so the earth , notwithstanding of as vast bulk and weight , is easily mov'd in the celestial matter , which is a thousand times more fluid than the water of the sea ; and which fills all that vast extent , where the planets swim , as it were : and to what wou'd you fix or grapple the earth , to hinder it from being carry'd along with the current of this celestial matter or substance ? it wou'd be just as if a little wooden ball shou'd not follow the current of a rapid river . but , said she , how does the earth support its vast weight , on your heavenly substance , which ought to be very light , since it is so fluid ? that does not follow , answered i , madam , that a thing must be light , because it is fluid : what say you to the first-rate ship , i spoke of , with all its lading ? yet 't is lighter than the water , because it swims upon it . as long as you command your first-rate frigat , said she , angrily , i will not argue with you ; but can you assure me , that i am in no danger , by inhabiting such a little humming-top , as you have made the world to be ? well , madam , said i , the earth shall be supported by four elephants , as the indians fansie it is . here 's a new system indeed , cry'd madam la marquiese ; yet i love those men , for providing for their own security , by resting upon a solid foundation ; whereas we that follow copernicus , are so inconsiderate , as to swim at a venture upon your celestial matter : and i dare say , if these indians thought the earth in any danger of falling , they wou'd quickly double the number of their elephants . they wou'd have all the reason in the world to do so , said i , madam ; ( laughing at her fancy ; ) and wou'd not spare elephants to sleep in quiet , without fear of falling : and , madam , we will add as many as you please to our system for this night , and take them away by degrees , as you get more assurance . really , said she , i do not think they are needful at present ; for i feel i have courage sufficient to turn round . you must go a step further , said i , and you shall turn round with delight ; upon this system you will form to your self very pleasant and agreeable idea's : as for example ; sometimes i fansie i am hanging in the air , and that i stay there without moving , while the earth turns round under me in four and twenty hours time , and that i see beneath me all those different faces ; some white , some black , some tawny , others of an olive-colour ; first i see hats , then turbants , there hands cover'd with wool , there shav'd heads ; sometimes towns with steeples , some with their long small-pointed pyramids , and half-moons on their tops ; sometimes towns with porcelane towers ; after them , spacious fields , without towns , only tents and huts ; here vast seas , frightful desarts ; in short , all the variety that is to be seen upon the face of the earth . indeed , said she , such a sight wou'd be very well worth twenty four hours of ones time : so that by this system , through the same place where we now are ( i do not mean this park , but that space of air which our bodies fill ) several other nations must successively pass , and we return hither , in twenty four hours , to our own place again . copernicus himself , said i , madam , did not understand it better . at first will be here the english , discoursing , it may be , upon some politick design , with more gravity , but less pleasure , than we talk of our philosophy : next will come a vast ocean , in which there will be sailing some ships , perhaps not so much at their ease as we are : then will appear the canibals , eating some prisoners of war alive , they seeming very unconcern'd at what they suffer : after them , the women of the country of iesso , who spend all their time in preparing their husbands meals , and in painting their lips and eye-brows with blew , to please the ugliest fellows in the world : next will succeed the tartars , who go , with great devotion , on pilgrimage to that great priest , who never comes out of an obscure place , where he has no other light but lamps , by which they adore him : after them , the beautiful circassian women , who make no difficulty of granting any favour to the first comer , except what they essential know does belong to their husbands : then the crim , or little tartars , who live by stealing of wives for the turks and persians : and at last , our selves again , perhaps talking as we do now . i am mightily taken , said the marquiese , with the fancy of what you say ; but if i cou'd see all these things from above , i wou'd wish to have the power to hasten and stop the motion of the earth , according as i lik'd or dis-lik'd the several objects that pass under me ; i wou'd make the polititians , and those that eat their enemies , to move very fast : but there are others that i shou'd be very curious to observe ; and particularly , the fine cercassian women , who have one so peculiar a custom . that is , said i , their husbands , who finding so many charms in their embraces , as more than satisfie them , do freely abandon their fair wives to strangers . the women of our country , said the marquiese , must be very ugly , if compar'd to the circassians ; for our husbands will part with nothing . that is the reason , said i , that the more is taken from 'em ; whereas — no more of these fooleries , said the marquiese , interrupting me ; there 's a serious difficulty come into my head : if the earth turn round , then we change air every moment , and must breath still that of another country . by no means , madam , said i ; the air which encompasses the earth extends it self to a certain heighth , it may be , about twenty leagues , and turns round with us . you have , no doubt , seen a thousand times the business of the silk-worm , where the balls which these little creatures do work with so much art , for their own imprisonment , are compact , and wrought together with silk , which is very closely join'd ; but they are cover'd with a kind of down , that is very light and soft : thus it is , that the earth , which is very solid , is wrapp'd in a covering of soft down of twenty leagues thickness , which is the air that is carried round at the same time with it : above the air is that celestial matter i spoke of , incomparably more pure , more subtile , and more agitated than the air. you represent the earth to me , said the marquiese , as a very contemptible thing , by the despicable idea's you give me of it : 't is , nevertheless , upon this silk-worm-ball , there are perform'd such mighty works ; and where there are such terrible wars , and such strange commotions as reign every where . 't is certainly true , said i , madam ; while at the same time , nature , who is not at the pains to consider these troubles and commotions , carries us all along together , by a general motion , and does , as it were , play with this little globe . it seems to me , said she , that 't is very ridiculous to inhabit any thing that turns so often , and is so much agitated ; and the worst of all is , that we are not assur'd whether we turn round , or not ; for , to be plain with you , and that i may keep none of my doubts from you , i do extreamly suspect , that all the pre-cautions you can take , will not convince me of the motion of the earth : for is it possible , but nature wou'd have taken care to have given us some sensible sign , by which we might discover the turning round of so vast a body ? the motions ( answer'd i ) which are most natural to remove , are the least perceptible ; and which holds true , even in morality ; for the motion of self-love is so natural to us , that for the most part we do not feel it , while we believe we act by other principles . ah , said she , do you begin to speak of moral philosophy , when the question is of that which is altogether natural ? but i perceive you are sleepy , and begin to yawn ; let us therefore retire , for there 's enough said for the first night , to morrow we shall return hither again ; you with your systems , and i with my ignorance . in returning to the castle , to make an end of what might be said to systems , i told her , there was a third opinion invented by ticho-brahe , who wou'd have the earth absolutely immoveable , and plac'd in the centre of the universe , and made the sun to turn round it , as he did the other planets to turn round the sun ; because , since the new discoveries , it cou'd not be imagin'd that the other planets turn'd round the earth . but my lady marquiese , whose judgment and understanding is solid and penetrating , found , there was too much affectation in endeavouring to free the earth from turning round the sun , since several other great bodies cou'd not be exempt from that labour ; and that the sun was not so proper and fit to turn round the earth , since the other planets turn round the sun ; and that this new system was only good to maintain the standing still of the earth , if one had a mind to undertake that argument ; but 't is not proper to perswade another to believe it . at last , we resolv'd to hold our selves to the opinion of copernicus , which is more uniform , and more agreeable , without the least mixture of prejudice ; and , indeed , its simplicity and easiness perswades as much as its boldness pleases . the second night . as soon as one could get into my lady marquiese's apartment , i sent to know how she did , and how she had slept that night in turning round . she sent me word , that now she was pretty well accustom'd to the motion of the earth , and that copernicus himself cou'd not have rested better that night than she did . a little after this , there came company to visit my lady , which , according to the nauseous country-fashion , stay'd till the evening , and yet we thought our selves happy that we were so easily rid of 'em then , since , according to the custom of the country , they might have prolong'd their visit till the next day ; but they were so civil , as not to do it ; so that madam the marquiese and i found our selves at liberty . in the evening we went again to the park , and the conversation began as it ended before , of our system : my lady marquiese had comprehended 'em so well , that she wou'd not be at the pains to re-assume any thing of what had pass'd , but press'd me to lead her to something that was new . well , said i , since the sun , which is now immoveable , and no longer a planet ; and that the earth , that moves round the sun , is now one , be not surpriz'd if i tell you , the moon is another earth , and is , by all appearance , inhabited . said she , i never heard of the moon 's being inhabited , but as a fable . so it may be still , said i ; i concern my self no further in these matters , than men use to do in civil wars ; where the uncertainty of what may be , makes people still entertain a correspondence with the adverse party : as for me , tho' i see the moon inhabited , i live very civilly with those that do not believe it ; and i carry my self so trimmingly , that i may , upon occasion , with honour go over to their side who have the better ; but still they gain some considerable advantage over us . i 'll tell you my reasons that make me take part with the inhabitants of the moon : suppose then , there had never been any commerce between paris and st. denis , and that a citizen of paris , who had never been out of that city , shou'd go up to the top of the steeple of our lady , and shou'd view st. denis at a distance , and one shou'd ask him if he believ'd st. denis to be inhabited ; he wou'd answer boldly , not at all ; for ( he wou'd say ) i see the inhabitants of paris , but i do not see those of st. denis , nor ever heard of ' em . it may be , some body standing by , wou'd represent to him , that it was true , one cou'd not see the inhabitants of st. denis from our lady's church , but that the distance was the cause of it ; yet that all we cou'd see of st. denis , was very like to paris ; for st. denis had steeples , houses and walls ; and that it might resemble paris in every thing else , and be inhabited as well as it . all these arguments wou'd not prevail upon my citizen ; who wou'd continue still obstinate in maintaining , that st. denis was not inhabited , because he saw none of the people . the moon is our st. denis , and we the citizens of paris , that never went out of our own town . ah , interrupted the marquiese , you do us wrong ; we are not so foolish as your citizens of paris : since he sees that st. denis is so like to paris in every thing , he must have lost his reason , if he did not think it was inhabited : but for the moon , that 's nothing like the earth . have a care , madam , said i , what you say ; for if i make it appear , that the moon is in every thing like the earth , you are oblig'd to believe that the moon is inhabited . i acknowledge , said she , if you do that , i must yield ; and your looks are so assur'd , that you frighten me already : the two different motions of the earth , which wou'd never have enter'd into my thoughts , make me very apprehensive of all you say . but is it possible that the earth can be an enlighten'd body , as the moon is ? for , to resemble it , it must be so . alas , madam , said i , to be enlightned , is not so great a matter as you imagine , and the sun only is remarkable for that quality : 't is he alone that is enlightned of himself , by virtue of his particular essence ; but the other planets shine only , as being enlightned by the sun : the sun communicates his light to the moon , which reflects it upon the earth ; as the earth , without doubt , reflects it back again to the moon , since the distance from the moon to the earth is the same as from the earth to the moon . but , said the marquiese , is the earth as proper for reflecting the light of the sun , as the moon ? you are always for the moon , said i , and you cannot rid your self of those remains of kindness you have for her . light is compos'd for little balls , which rebound upon any solid body , which is opaque , or obscure , and are sent back another way ; whereas they pass through any thing that offers them an opening , or passage , in a streight line ; which is diaplanus , or clear ; such as air and glass : so that the moon enlightens us , because she is an opaque , solid body , which retorts these little balls upon us ; and i believe you will not dispute the same solidity to the earth . admire then , madam , how advantageous it is , to be well posted ; so that the moon being at a great distance from us , we see it as an enlightned body only , but are ignorant that 't is a gross , solid mass , very much like the earth : on the other hand , the earth having the ill luck to be seen by us too near , we consider it only as a great massy body , fit only for the producing of food for living creatures . 't is just , said the marquiese , as when we are struck and surpriz'd with the splendour of quality above our own ; we do not perceive , that in the main , there 's no difference between them and us . 't is just so , said i ; and we will needs be judging of every thing ; but we have the mis-fortune , still to be plac'd in a false light : wou'd we judge of our selves , we are too near ; if of others , we are too far off : cou'd one be plac'd between the moon and the earth , that wou'd be a true station to consider both well : to this end , we ought only to be spectators of the world , and not inhabitants . i shall never be satisfy'd , said the marquiese , with the injury we do the earth , in being too favourably engag'd for the inhabitants of the moon , unless you can assure me , that they are as ignorant of their advantages , as we are of ours ; and that they take our earth for a star , without knowing that the globe they inhabit is one also . be assur'd of that , madam , said i , that the earth appears to them to perform all the functions of a star : 't is true , they do not see the earth describe a circle round 'em , but that 's all one ; i 'll explain to you what it is : that side of the moon which was turn'd towards the earth at the beginning of the world , has continu'd towards the earth ever since ; which still represents to us these same eyes , nose and mouth , which our imaginations fansie we see compos'd of these spots , lights and shadows , which are the surface of the moon : cou'd we see the other half of the moon , 't is possible our fancy wou'd represent to us some other figure . this does not argue , but the moon turns however upon her own axis , and takes as much time to perform that revolution , as she does to go round the earth in a month. but then , when the moon performs a part of her revolutions on her own axis , and that she ought to hide from us ( for example ) one cheek of this imaginary face , and appear to us in another position , she does at the same time perform as much of the circle she describes in turning round the earth ; and tho' she is in a new point of sight or opposition as to us , yet she represents to us still the same cheek : so that the moon , in regard to the sun , and the other planets , turns upon her own axis ; but does not so as to the earth . the inhabitants of the moon see all the other planets rise and set in the space of fifteen days , but they see our earth always hanging in the same point of the heavens . this seeming immovability does not very well agree with a body that ought to pass for a planet ; but the truth is , the earth is not in such perfection : besides , the moon has a certain trembling quality , which does sometimes hide a little of her imaginary face , and at other times shews a little of her opposite side ; and no doubt but the inhabitants of the moon attribute this shaking to the earth , and believe we make a certain swinging in the heavens , like the pendulum of a clock . all these planets , said the marquiese , are like us mortals , who always cast our own faults upon others : says the earth , it is not i that turn round , 't is the sun : says the moon , it is not i that tremble , 't is the earth : there are errors and mistakes every where . i wou'd not advise you , said i , to undertake to reform any of 'em ; 't is better that i make an end in convincing you , that the moon is in all things like the earth . represent to your self these two great globes , hanging in the heavens ; you know that the sun does always enlighten one half of any globe , and the other half is in the shadow ; there is therefore always one half of both moon and earth that is enlightned , or half day , and the other half is still in the darkness of night . be pleas'd , besides , to consider that a ball has less force and swiftness after it re-bounds from a wall , against which it was thrown , than it had before it touch'd the wall , which sends it another way ; so light is not so strong , after 't is reflected by any solid body : this pale light which comes to us from the moon , is the light of the sun it self , but we have it only by reflection from the moon , and has lost a great deal of that strength and vivacity which it had when 't was receiv'd by the moon , directly from the sun ; and that bright and dazling light which we receive from the sun , must in the same manner appear to the inhabitants of the moon , after 't is reflected by the earth , on the moon : so that the surface of the moon , which we see enlightned , and which shines upon us in the night , is that half of the moon that enjoys the day , as that half of the globe of the earth which is enlightned by the sun , when 't is turn'd towards the darkned half of the globe of the moon , does give light to the inhabitants there , during their nights . all depends upon the different opposition and aspects between the moon and the earth : the first and second day of the moon , we do not see her , because she is betwixt the sun and us , and moves with the sun by our day ; it necessarily follows , that the half of the moon which is enlightned , is turn'd towards the sun , and the obscure part towards the earth ; 't is no wonder then , that we cannot see that half which is dark ; but that same half of the moon which is in darkness , being turn'd towards the enlightned half of the earth , the inhabitants see us , without being seen , and the earth appears to them , as their full-moon does to us ; and so , if one may use the expression , 't is with them full-earth . after this , the moon going on in her monthly circle , dis-engages her self from the sun , and begins to turn towards us a part of her enlightned half , which is the crescent ; at the very same time , the darkned half of the moon loses some share of the enlightned part of the earth , and then the earth is in the wain , as to its inhabitants . say no more , said the marquiese , briskly , i shall know all the rest when i please ; i need only think a little , and follow the moon in her monthly circle : i see in general , that the inhabitants of the moon have their month , the exact reverse of ours ; and i am perswaded , when 't is full-moon , the enlightned half of it is turn'd towards the obscure part of the earth , and then they do not see us , but a certain new earth . i wou'd not have any body reproach me with the want of so much sence , as that you need explain so easie a thing to me . but as to the eclipses , what is the cause of them ? if you do not understand that , said i , 't is your own fault . when 't is new moon , and that she is between the sun and the earth , and that all her obscure half is turn'd towards us , who then enjoy the day , you may see easily , that the shadow of this darkned half is cast upon the earth ; if the moon be directly under the sun , this shadow hides the sun from us , and at the same time darkens a part of the enlightned half of the earth , which was seen by the inhabitants of the obscure half of the moon : and this is an eclipse of the sun to us , in our day ; and an eclipse of the earth to those in the moon , in their night . when the moon is at the full , the earth is betwixt her and the sun , and all the obscure part of the earth is turn'd towards the enlightned half of the moon , the shadow of the earth is then cast upon the moon ; and if it falls directly on her surface , it obscures the enlightned half which we see , and hides the sun from that enlightned part of the moon that enjoy'd the day : this is an eclipse of the moon to us , during our night ; and an eclipse of the sun to them , during their day . by this reason , it falls out , that there are not always eclipses when the moon interposes between the sun and the earth , or the earth is interjected between the sun and the moon ; because these three bodies are not opposite one to another , in a streight line ; and by consequence , that of the three , which ought to make the eclipse , casts its shadow a little to one side of that which shou'd be eclips'd . i am extreamly surpriz'd , said the marquiese , that ( since there is so little of mystery or difficulty in eclipses ) every body does not find out the cause of ' em . do not wonder at that , said i , madam ; there are many nations in the world , that , as they go to work , will not find it out for ages to come ; for all over the east-india's , the inhabitants believe , that when the sun or moon is eclips'd , certain demons , or spirits , who have very black claws , do stretch them forth upon these two luminaries , which he endeavours to sieze : and during the time of the eclipse , you may see all the rivers cover'd with heads of indians ; for they go into the water , up to the neck , thinking that most devout posture for obtaining from the sun and moon , a defence against that demon. in america , the people were perswaded , that the sun and moon were angry with 'em when they were eclips'd ; and god knows what pains they are at , to make their peace with ' em . but the grecians , who were so polite a people , did not they believe for a long time , that the moon was bewitch'd , and that the magicians made her come down , to throw a certain poisonous scum or dew upon the herbs and grass ? and even we our selves , were we not frightned out of our wits at an eclipse of the sun , that happen'd about thirty years since ? did not a great many people shut themselves up in vaults and cellars ? and did not the learned men write in vain , to assure us , there was no danger ? certainly , said the marquiese , that 's very disgraceful to mankind ; and i think there ought to be a law made by universal consent , never to speak of eclipses hereafter , lest the memory of such folly shou'd be preserv'd to posterity . pray , madam , said i , let there be another law made , for abolishing the memory of all things past ; for i know of nothing , that is not a monument of the folly of mankind . pray , tell me , said the marquiese ; are the inhabitants of the moon as much afraid of eclipses as we are ? it seems to me very ridiculous , that some of 'em shou'd run into the water up to the neck ; that others shou'd think our earth angry with 'em ; some , that our earth shou'd be bewitch'd , and that we are coming to spoil their grass . without all doubt , said i , madam : why shou'd the inhabitants of the moon have more sense than we ? and what right have they to frighten us , more than we have to frighten them ? nay , more ; i am apt to believe , that as there has been , and still are , many inhabitants in our globe , who are such fools to adore the moon ; there are also inhabitants in the moon , foolish enough to adore our earth . at that rate , said the marquiese , we may very well pretend to send influences to the moon , and to give a judgment on their distempers . but since there is only requisite , a little more wit and ingenuity in the inhabitants of that country , to blast the honour we flatter our selves with , i confess , i am still apprehensive , they may have some advantage over us . do not fear , said i ; there is no likelihood that we are the only fools of the universe . ignorance is naturally a very general talent ; and though i do but guess at that of the inhabitants of the moon , yet i no more doubt of it , than i do of the most certain news we have from thence . and what , pray , are these certain news you have from thence , interrupted she ? they are , said i , madam , such as are brought us every day by the learned , who travel daily thither by the help of long telescopes : they tell us , they have discover'd vast countries , seas , lakes , high mountains , and deep valleys . you surprize me , said the marquiese : i know very well , that mountains and valleys may be discover'd in the moon , by the remarkable inequality we see in its surface ; but how do they distinguish countries and seas ? very easily , said i ; because the water permits a part of the light to pass through it , and reflects less , and appears , at a great distance , to be obscure spots ; and that the earth , which is solid , reflects the whole light , and therefore must appear the brightest part of the globe of the moon . these different parts are all so well known , that they have given them all names of learned men : one place is call'd copernicus ; another , archimedes ; and a third , galileus : there are too a caspian-sea , porphory-hills , and the black lake . in short , they have fram'd so exact a description of the moon , that a learned man , if he were there , wou'd be in no more danger of losing his way , than i wou'd be , if i were at paris . but , reply'd the marquiese , i shou'd be very well pleas'd to have a farther account of this country . 't is impossible , reply'd i , that the nicest observators shou'd inform you so well as astolpho , of whom you ought to enquire ; and who was conducted to the moon by st. iohn . what i shall tell you now , is one of the most pleasant fooleries in all ariosto ; and i am satisfy'd , 't will not displease you to know it . i own , i ought not to meddle with st. iohn , whose name is so worthy of respect : but since there is a poetical licence , and liberty of conscience , it ought to pass as a gayety . the whole poem is dedicated to a great church-man , and another great church-man has honour'd it with a signal approbation ; which one may perceive by the several editions . see what he treats of . orlando nephew to charlemain , became mad , because the fair angelica had proffer'd medora to him ; one day astolpho the brave paladine , found himself in a terrestrial paradise , which was on the brink of a very high mountain whither his flying horse had carry'd him ; there he met saint — who told him that to cure the madness of orlando , 't was necessary they shou'd take a voyage to the moon ; astolpho who desir'd nothing more than to see that country , wanted no intreaties , and behold on a sudden a chariot of fire carry'd the saint , and the paladine through the air. as astolpho was no great philosopher , he was much surpriz'd to see the moon so vastly bigger than it had appeared to him upon the earth , and was much more amaz'd to see rivers , lakes , mountains , plains , groves , towns , and forests , ( and that which wou'd have surpriz'd me also ) beautiful nymphs that hunted in those forests . but that which he beheld yet more rare , was a valley where he found all things that were lost on earth , of what kind soever , crowns , riches , renown , and grandure , infinity of hopes , time lost in waiting and depending on promising states-men , or thrown away at play ; the alms that one causes to be given after ones death ; the verses and dedications one presents to princes and the sighs of lovers . as for the sighs of lovers , reply'd the marquiese , interrupting me , i know not whether in the time of ariosto they were lost or not , but in ours , i know of none that go into the moon . were there none but you madam reply'd i , smiling , you have caus'd so many to sigh in vain , that you have made a considerable treasure in the moon : in short the moon is exact in collecting all that is lost here below , and which are all to be found there , even to the donation of constantine . ( but astolpho told me this only in my ear. ) besides all the folly that was ever committed upon the earth is well preserv'd there ; these are so many vials full of a subtil and penetrating liquor , which easily evaporates as soon as opened , and upon every one of these vials is writ the name of those to whom it belongs . i believe that ariosto put 'em all in one cup , but i had rather fansie to my self that they were orderly plac'd in one gallery . astolpho was very much astonisht to see the vials of so many persons whom he believed to be very wise , and yet notwithstanding their vials were so very full ; and for my part , i am perswaded that mine is as full as any since i entertain you with visions , both philophick and poetical . that which comforts me is , that 't is possible by what i am perswading you to believe , i shall very suddenly make you have a vial in the moon as well as my self . the good paladine did not fail to find his own among the number , and by the permission of the saint , he took it and snuff'd up the spirit as if it had been the queen of hungary's water : but ariosto said he wou'd not carry it far , and that it wou'd return to the moon again by a folly that he committed seven years after : but he did not forget the vial of orlando which was the occasion of his voyage ; he had a great deal of difficulty to carry it , for the spirit of this hero was in its own nature very heavy , and did not want a drop of being full . but here ariosto according to the laudable custom of speaking what he pleas'd , addressing himself to his mistriss , speaks to her thus in good verse . that i ought to cause one to mount the heavens , my fair one , to make me recover the senses your charms have made me lose , yet i will not complain of this loss , provided it does not go too far , but if there be a necessity that your cruelties must continue , as they have begun , i have no more to do but to expect just such a fate as orlando's ; however i do not believe , that to recover my senses 't is requisite i go through the air to the moon ; my soul does not lodge so high ; it wanders about your fair eyes , and mouth ; and if you will be pleas'd to give me leave to take it , permit me to recover it with my lips. is not this witty for me to reason like ariosto ? i am of opinion that a man never loses his wits but for love ; and you see they do not travel far , while their lips only know so well how to recover ' em . but when one loses 'em by other means ( as we lose 'em by philosophizing ) they go directly to the moon , and one cannot retrieve 'em when one pleases . in recompence of this , said the marquiese , our vials shall be honourable among the ranks of the philosophers : for our spirits will go on in wandring and erring on something that is worthy of 'em ; but to accomplish this , and rid me of mine . but pray tell me seriously , said the marquiese , do you believe that there are men in the moon ? for hitherto , you have said nothing to me positively as to that . i do not believe there are men there , madam , but some other odd sort of creatures : pray , madam , consider but how much the face of nature is chang'd betwixt this and china ; other faces , other shapes , other manners , and almost quite different principles of reasoning , from this to the moon the difference ought to be more considerable . when one travels towards the new discovered world of america , &c. and finds the inhabitants there to be hardly men , but rather a kind of brutes in humane shape , and that not perfect neither , so that could we travel to the orb of the moon , i do not think we should find men and women there . what kind of creatures should we find then said the marquiese , with a very impatient look ? i swear i cannot tell , said i madam , were it possible for us to be rational creatures and yet not men , and that we inhabited the moon , cou'd it ever enter into our imagination , that there dwelt here below so extravagant an animal as that of mankind ? could we fansie to our selves any living creatures with such foolish passions , and so wise reflections ; of so small duration , and yet can see so vast a prospect beyond it ; of so much knowledge in trifles , and so much ignorance of important things ; so earnest for liberty , yet so enclin'd to servitude and slavery ; so very desirous of happiness , and yet so uncapable of attaining it ; it wou'd require a great deal of wit and judgment in the inhabitants of the moon , to find the reason and mystery of such an odd composition ; for we that see one another daily , have not as yet found out how we are made . it was said of old amongst the heathens , that the gods when they made man were drunk with nectar , whom when they had consider'd when sober , they cou'd not forbear laughing at the ridiculousness of their handy work. we are then secure enough , said the marquiese , that the inhabitants of the moon will never guess what we are ; but i wish we could attain to the knowledge of them ; for i must confess it makes me uneasie to think there are inhabitants in the moon , and yet i cannot so much as fansie what kind of creatures they are . and why are you not as uneasie , said i , upon the account of the inhabitants under and near the south-pole , which is altogether unknown to us ? they and we are carried as it were in the same ship , they in the stern , and we in the head ; and yet you see there is no communication between the stern and the head , and that those at the one end of the ship do not know what kind of people they are on the other , nor what they are doing , and yet you would know what passes in the moon , in that other great ship sailing in the heavens at a vast distance from us . ah , said the marquiese , i look upon the inhabitants under the south-pole , as a people known to us , because they are most certainly very like us ; and that we may see them if we please to give our selves the trouble ; they will continue still where they are , and cannot run away from our knowledge ; but we shall never know what these inhabitants of the moon are ; 't is that that vexes me . if i shou'd answer you seriously , said i , that we may one day know 'em , wou'd not you laugh at me ? nay and i shou'd deserve it : yet i cou'd defend my self very well if i shou'd say so ; there is a certain ridiculous thought in my head , which has some shadow of likelihood , which satisfies me , tho i do not know on what it is founded , it being so impertinent as it is ; yet i will lay you what you will , that i will oblige you to believe against all reason , that there may one day be a correspondence between the earth and the moon . reflect a little , madam , upon the state and condition of america , before it was discovered by christopher columbus ; it's inhabitants liv'd in a most profound ignorance , so far from the knowledge of sciences , that they were ignorant of the most simple and useful art : they went stark naked and cou'd not imagine that men cou'd be cover'd by skins of beasts ; had no other arms but bows , and who look upon the sea as a vast space forbidden to mankind , joining , as they thought , to the sky ; beyond which they saw nothing . 't is true after having spent several years with hollowing the root of a great tree with sharp flints , they after ventur'd to go in this kind of boat , which was driven along the shore by the winds and the waves ; but as this kind of vessel was very subject to be over-set very often , they were necessitated to swim to catch their boat again ; and indeed , they did swim for the most part , except when they were weary . if any body had told them there was a navigation much more perfect than that they knew ; and that by it , it was easie to cross that vast extent of water to any side , and in what manner we pleas'd , and that it was possible to stop and lie still in the midst of the waves , while the vessel is in motion ; that men cou'd move fast or slow as they pleas'd ; and that the sea , notwithstanding the vastness of its extent , was no hindrance to the commerce of distant nations , provided that there were people on the other shoar ; surely the indians wou'd never have believ'd that man that should have told 'em this , to them impossibility : nevertheless , the day came , that the strangest and least expected sight that ever they saw , presented it self to their view , huge great bodies , which seem'd to have white wings with which they flew upon the sea belching fire from all parts , and at last landed upon their shoar a race of unknown men , all crusted over with pollish'd steel , ordering and disposing at their pleasure the monsters that brought 'em thither , carrying thunder in their hands which destroy'd all that made any resistance , while the wondring indians cried , from whence came they ? who brought them over the seas ? who has given 'em the power of fire and thunder ? are they gods or the children of the sun ? for certainly , they are not men. i know not , madam , whether you conceive as i do , the extraordinary surprize of these americans , but certainly there was never any equal to it ; and after that , i will not swear , but there may be one day , a commerce betwixt the earth and the moon : had the americans , any reason to hope for a correspondence betwixt america and europe , ( which they did not know ? ) it is true , there will be a necessity to cross the vast extent of air and heaven that is betwixt the earth and the moon . but did these americans think the ocean more proper to be crossed , and pass'd through ? sure , said the marquiese , you are mad ; and looking earnestly on me ; i do not deny it , answer'd i ; nay , said she , it is not sufficient to confess it , i will prove you to be mad . the americans were so ignorant , that the possibility of making a way or passage through the vast ocean , cou'd never enter into their thoughts ; but we that know so much , we easily find out that it wou'd be no hard matter to pass through the air if we cou'd support our selves . there are those men , said i , who have found out more than a possibility of it ; for they actually begin to fly a little , and several have made and fitted wings to themselves , and invented a way to give themselves motion , for supporting the body in the air , for crossing of rivers , and flying from one steeple to another . 't is true , these were not flights of an eagle ; and it has cost some of these new birds a leg or an arm : but this essay is like the first planks that were carry'd on the water , which yet gave beginnings to shipping ; and there was a very great difference between these planks and ships of mighty burden ; yet you see that time by degrees has produc'd great ships . the art of flying is but in its infancy , time must bring it to maturity , and one day men will be able to fly to the moon . do you pretend to have discover'd all things , said she , or to have brought them to that perfection that nothing can be added ? pray , madam , said i , by consent , let us save something for the age to come . i will never yield , said she , that men will ever be able to fly without breaking their necks . well , said i , madam , since you will needs have men always to fly so ill , it may be the inhabitants of the moon will fly better , and will be fitter for that trade ; for 't is all one , if we go to them or they to us . and we shall be like the americans , who did not believe navigation possible , when at the same time , sailing was so well understood on the other half of the globe . sure , said she , in anger , the inhabitants of the moon wou'd have been with us before now , if that were likely . pardon me , said i , madam , the europaeans did not sail to america , till after six thousand years , all that time was requisite for performing navigation . the inhabitants of the moon , it may be , at that time , knew how to make little journeys in the air , and are now practising ; and it may be when they have more skill , we shall see ' em . and god knows what a strange surprise 't will be to us . this is insupportable , said the marquiese , to banter me on thus with such frivolous arguments . if you anger me , said i , i know what i have to say to enforce 'em , and make all good . observe , madam , how the world is daily more and more unfolded . the ancients believed the torrid and the frozen zones uninhabituable for extremity of cold or heat : and the romans confin'd the general map of the world to their own empire , which carry'd as much of grandure as ignorance . but we know that there are inhabitants both in these extreme hot , and extreme cold countries ; by this the world is much augmented . then it was believed , that the ocean cover'd all the earth , except what was inhabited : and that there was no antipodes ; for the ancients never heard of them : besides they cou'd not believe men cou'd have their feet opposite to ours , with their heads hanging down ; and yet after all this the antipodes are discover'd , the map of the world is corrected , and a new half added to the world. you understand my meaning , said i , madam ; these antipodes which have been discover'd contrary to all expectation , ought to make us more circumspect in judging by appearances : the world , and secrets of nature will be daily more and more discover'd ; and at last we may come to know somewhat more of the moon . certainly , said the marquiese , looking earnestly on me , i see you so charmed with this opinion , that i doubt not but you believe all you say . i shou'd be very sorry to find my self so , said i ; my endeavour is only to show , that chimerical opinion may be so far defended by strength of argument , as to amuse a person of your understanding and sense , but not to perswade : nothing but truth it self has that influence ; even without the ornaments of all its convincing proofs ; it penetrates so naturally into the soul , that one seems but to call it to mind ; tho it be the first time that ever one heard of it . now you ease me , said she , for your false way of arguing did confound and incommode me , but now i can go sleep soundly ; so , if you please , let us retire . the third night . my lady marquiese wou'd needs engage me to pursue and continue our discourse by day-light ; but i told her , 't was more proper to reserve our fancies and notions till the night ; and since the moon and stars were the subjects of our conversation , to trust it only to them . we did not fail to go that evening into the park , which was now become a place consecrated to our philosophical entertainment . i have a great deal of news to tell you , said i : the moon , which i told you last night ( by all appearance ) was inhabited , now i begin to think , may be otherwise ; for i have been reflecting upon a thing , which puts its inhabitants in great danger . i shall never suffer that , said the marquiese ; for you having prepar'd me last night , put me in hopes to see these people arrive one day upon our earth ; and to day , you will not allow them a being in the universe : you shall not impose upon me at this rate . you made me believe there were inhabitants in the moon ; i have overcome all the difficulties my reason suggested to me against that opinion , and now i am resolv'd i will believe it . you go too fast , said i , madam ; one ought to give but one half of ones thoughts and belief to opinions of this nature , reserving the other half free for receiving the contrary opinion , if there be occasion . i am not to be deluded , reply'd the marquiese , with fair words ; let us come to the subject matter in debate : must not we reason the same way of the inhabitants of the moon , as we did of your st. denis ? not at all , madam , answer'd i ; the moon does not so much resemble the earth , as st. denis does paris . the sun draws from the earth , waters , exhalations and vapours ; which ascending into the air , to a certain heighth , are gather'd together , and form clouds ; these clouds , hanging in the air , move regularly round our globe , and over shadows sometimes one country , sometimes another : and if it were possible for any one to see and consider the earth at a great distance , he wou'd perceive great changes as to the appearance of its surface ; for a great country , cover'd with clouds , wou'd appear to be a very obscure part of the globe , and will become clear and enlightned as soon as these clouds dis-appear ; and one wou'd see these obscure places change their situation , meeting together in different figures , or disappearing all together . we shou'd see therefore the same changes upon the surface of the moon , were it encompass'd with clouds , as the earth is ; but on the contrary , all the obscurities , or dark places , as also those parts that are enlightned , are still the same , fix'd to the same situation , without variation or change ; there lies the difficulty : and for this reason , the sun draws no vapours or exhalation from the globe of the moon ; and by consequence , 't is a body infinitely harder , and more solid than our earth , whose subtile parts are easily separated from the rest , and mount upward , being once set in motion by the heat of the sun : so that the moon must needs be nothing else but a vast heap of rocks and marble , from which no vapour can be exhal'd ; which vapours are so essential and natural to waters , that 't is impossible the one can be without the other . who can then be the inhabitants of those rocks that produce nothing ? or what living creatures can subsist in a country without water ? how ! cry'd my lady marquiese ; have you forgot that you assur'd me , there were seas in the moon , which we cou'd distinguish from hence ? that 's only a conjecture , said i ; and i am very sorry that these obscure places , that may be taken for seas , are , possibly , nothing else but deep caverns , and vast cavities ; and guessing is pardonable , at the great distance we are at from the moon . but , said she , is that sufficient to make us reject the inhabitants of the moon ? not altogether , madam , said i ; nor must we absolutely declare either for 'em , or against ' em . i confess my weakness , said she ; i am not capable of such indifference , and i must be positive in my belief ; therefore let us free our selves of one opinion ; let us either preserve the inhabitants of the moon , or annihilate 'em for ever , never to be heard of again ; but , if possible , let us preserve 'em , for i have an inclination and a kindness for 'em , i wou'd not willingly lose . i shall not unpeople the moon then , madam , said i , but for your sake shall restore to it its inhabitants : and the truth is , that by the appearance of the obscure and enlightned places of the moon , which are still the same , without change , we have no reason to believe that there are any clouds surrounding it , which might obscure sometimes one place , sometimes another ; but yet that does not argue , but she may emit vapours and exhalations : our clouds which we see carry'd in the air , are nothing but exhalations and vapours , which are separate in particles , too small to be seen ; which meeting with cold airs , as they ascend , by it are condensed , and render'd visible to us , by the re-union of their parts ; after which , they become thick and black clouds , which float in the air , as stranger-bodies , till at last they fall upon the earth in rain : but sometimes it falls out , that the same vapours and exhalations are extended , and kept from joining together , and so are imperceptible , and are only gather'd together so far as to form a kind of small dew , so very subtile , that it cannot be seen as 't is a-falling . it may be , in like manner , that the vapours which proceed from the moon ( for certainly it emits vapours ; ) and 't is impossible to believe , that the moon can be such a body , as that all its parts shou'd be of an equal solidity , and so equal a temper , one with the other , that they are incapable of receiving any change , by the attracting and moving influence of the sun upon 'em : we know no body of this nature , the hardest marbles are not of this kind ; and there is no body , how hard and solid soever , but is subject to change and alteration , either by secret and invisible motion in it self , or by some exterior impulse it receives from another . it may be therefore , as i said , that vapours which arise from the moon are not gather'd together , as a rounded surface , into clouds , but fall gently upon it again in insensible dews , and not in rain : and 't is sufficient to demonstrate this , to conjecture only , that the air which environs the moon , is as different from the air that environs the earth , as the vapours of the air from the exhalations of the other ; which is more than likely to be true ; and it must follow , that matter being otherwise dispos'd of in the moon , than in the earth , its effects shou'd also be different ; and imports nothing , whether it be an interior motion of the parts of the moon , or the production of external causes , which furnish it with inhabitants , and them with a sufficient food for their subsistence ; so that , in our imagination , we may furnish 'em with fruits and grain of several sorts , waters , and what else we please ; for fruit , grain and water , i understand , are agreeable to the nature of the moon , of whose nature i know nothing ; and all these proportion'd and fitted to the necessities of the inhabitants , of whom i know as little . that is to say , said the marquiese , that you only know , that all is very well there , without knowing in what manner ; that is a great deal of ignorance , with a little knowledge ; but we must have patience : however , i think my self very happy , you have restor'd the moon its inhabitants again ; and i am very much pleas'd , you have surrounded it with air of its own ; for without that , i shou'd think a planet too naked . these different airs , answer'd i , hinder the communication and commerce of these two planets : if flying wou'd do the business , what do i know , but we might come to perfection in that art i discours'd of last night . i confess , madam , there seems but little likelihood of what i say , since the great distance between the moon and the earth makes the difficulty so hard to overcome , which is very considerable ; but tho' it were not , and that the earth and the moon were plac'd near one another , yet it wou'd not be possible to pass from the air of the earth , to the air of the moon . the water is the air and element of fish , who never pass into the air and element of birds ; 't is not the distance that hinders 'em , but 't is because every one of 'em are confin'd to the air which they breath . we find that our air is mix'd with vapours , that are thicker and grosser than those of the moon ; and by consequence , any inhabitants of the moon , who shou'd arrive upon the confines of our world , wou'd be drown'd and suffocated as soon as they enter'd into our air , and we shou'd see 'em fall dead upon the earth . oh , but i shou'd be glad , cry'd the marquiese , that some great ship-wreck , occasion'd by a mighty tempest , wou'd throw a good many of these people upon our world , that we might at leisure consider their extraordinary shape and figure . but , answer'd i , if they had skill enough to sail upon the external surface of our air , and that from thence they shou'd catch us , like fish , out of a curiosity of seeing us ; wou'd that please you , madam ? why not , said she , laughing ? i wou'd go of my self into their nets , to have the satisfaction of seeing those that had caught me . consider , said i , that you wou'd be very weak and feeble , before you come to the surface of our air ; for we cannot breath it in all its extent , and we can hardly live on the tops of high mountains ; and i wonder that those who are so foolish as to believe , that corporeal geniuses inhabit the purest air , do not tell us why these geniuses visit us so seldom , and stay so short a while : i do believe , 't is because few amongst 'em know how to dive ; and that even those who are skilful in that art , have great difficulty to penetrate the grosness of the air which we breath . you see therefore , that nature has set many bars and fences , to hinder us from going out of our world , into that of the moon . however , for our satisfaction , let us conjecture and guess as much as we can of that world : for example ; i fansie that the inhabitants of the moon must see the heavens , the sun , and the stars , of a different colour than what they appear to us . all these objects we see through a kind of natural perspective-glass , which changes them to us ; this perspective-glass of ours is mix'd with vapours and exhalations , which do not ascend very high . some of late pretend , that the air of it self is blew , as well as the water of the sea ; and that that colour is not apparent in the one , nor the other , but at a great depth : the heavens , say they , in which are plac'd the fixed stars , has of it self no light ; and by consequence , ought to appear black : but we see it through our air , which is blew ; and therefore the heavens appear of that colour . if it be so , the beams of the sun and stars cannot pass through the air , without taking a little of its tincture , and at the same time lose as much of their own natural colour : but supposing the air had no colour of it self , 't is certain , that a flambeau , seen at a distance , through a thick fog , appears of a reddish colour , tho' that be not natural to it ; so all our air , which is nothing else but a thick fog , must certainly alter the true natural colour of the heavens , sun and stars to us ; for nothing but the pure heavenly substance is capable to convey to us light and colours , in their purity and perfection , as they are : so that the air of the moon is of another nature than our air , or is , of it self , of an indifferent colour ; or , at least , is another fog , changing , in appearance , the colours of the celestial bodies . in short , if there be inhabitants in the moon , they see all things chang'd , through their perspective-glasses , which is their air. that makes me prefer our place of habitation , said the marquiese , to that of the moon ; for i cannot believe , that the mixture of the heavenly colours is so fine there , as it is here . let us suppose , if you will , the heavens of a reddish colour , and the stars of a greenish , the effect wou'd not be half so agreeable as stars of gold , upon a deep blue . to hear you speak , said i , one wou'd think you were fitting of furniture for a room , or chusing a garniture for a suit of cloths : believe me , nature is very ingenious , therefore let us leave to her care the finding out a mixture of colours agreeable to the inhabitants of the moon ; and i assure you , 't will be perfectly well understood ; she certainly has not fail'd of changing the scene of the universe , according to the different situation and position of the beholders , and still in a new and agreeable way . i know the skill of nature perfectly well , said madam the marquiese ; and she has spar'd her self the pains of changing her objects , as to the several points from whence they may be seen , and has only chang'd the perspective-glasses , through which they are seen ; and has the honour of this great variety , without the expence : she has bestow'd on us a blue heaven , with a blue air ; and it may be , she has bestow'd upon the inhabitants of the moon , a heaven of scarlet , with an air of the same colour , and yet their heaven and ours is one and the same : and it seems to me , that nature has given every one of us a perspective-glass , or tube , through which we behold objects in a very different manner , one from the other . alexander the great saw the earth as a fine place , fit for him to form a great empire upon : celadon only look'd upon it , as the dwelling-place of astraea : a philosopher considers it as a great planet , all cover'd over with fools , moving through the heavens : and i do not see that the object changes more from the earth to the moon , than it does here from one man to another . the change of sights is more surprizing to our imagination , said i ; for they are still the same objects we see at different views ; and it may be , in the moon they see other objects than we see ; at least , they do not see a part of those we see : perhaps in that country they know nothing of the dawning of the day , of the twi-light before sun-rising , and after sun-setting ; for the beams of the sun , at these two times , being oblique and faint , have not strength to penetrate the grosness and thickness of the air , with which we are environ'd ; but are receiv'd and intercepted by the air , before they can fall upon the earth , and are reflected upon us by the air ; so that day-break and twi-light are favours of nature which we enjoy by the by , or , as it were , by chance , they not having been destin'd for us ; but 't is likely that the air of the moon , being purer than ours , is not so proper and fit for reflecting the faint beams of the sun before its rising , and after its setting ; therefore i suppose , the inhabitants of the moon do not enjoy the favourable light of the aurora , or dawning ; which growing stronger and stronger , does prepare us for the glorious appearance of the sun at noon ; nor the twi-light , which becoming more faint by degrees , we are insensibly accustom'd to the absence of the sun : so that the inhabitants of the moon are in profound darkness , when on a suddain a curtain is drawn , as it were , and their eyes are dazl'd with the rays of the sun , and they enjoy a bright resplendent light ; when by a suddain motion , as quick as the former , down falls the curtain , and instantly they are reduc'd to their former darkness : they want those mediums , or interstices , which join day and night together ( and which participates of both ) which we enjoy . besides , these people have no rain-bow ; for as the dawning is an effect of the thickness of our air , so the rain-bow is form'd upon exhalations and vapours , condens'd into black clouds , which pour down rain upon us , by divers reflections and refections of the sun-beams upon these clouds : so that we owe the obligation of the most agreeable and pleasant effects , to the ugliest and most dis-agreeable causes in nature : and since the purity of the air of the moon deprives it of clouds , vapours and rain , adieu to rain-bow and aurora : to what then can the lovers in the moon compare their mistresses , without these two things ? i do much regret that loss , said the marquiese , for in my opinion , the inhabitants of the moon are fully recompens'd for the want of the rain-bow , day-break and twi-light , since for the same reason , they have neither thunder nor lightning , both which are produc'd by clouds and exhalations ; they enjoy bright serene days , and never lose the sun by day , nor the stars by night . they know nothing of storms and tempest ; which seem to us the effects of the wrath of heaven . and can you think their condition is so much to be lamented ? you , said i , madam , represent the moon as a most charming abode . now methinks it should not be so desirous and agreeable to have a burning sun always over ones head , without the interposition of any clouds to moderate its heat : and it may be for this reason , nature has sunk these caverns in the moon , which are big enough to be seen by our telescopes : who knows but the inhabitants of the moon , retire into these cavities , when they are incommoded with the excessive heat of the sun , and it may be they live no where else , but build their towns and villages in these hollow places ? and do not we know that rome , which is built under ground , is almost as great as the city above ground ? so that if we shou'd suppose , that the city of rome above ground shou'd be ras'd , and quite remov'd , rome under ground wou'd then be just such a town , as those i have imagin'd to be in the moon . whole nations live in these vast caverns ; and i doubt not but there may be passages under ground , for the communication and commerce of one people and nation with another . you are pleas'd to laugh , madam , at my fancy , do so with all my heart , i agree you shou'd ; and yet you may be more mistaken than i : for you believe , that the inhabitants of the moon dwell upon the surface of their globe , as we do on that of the earth ; it is very likely that 't is just the contrary ; for there is most certain , a vast difference between their way of living and ours . no matter , said the marquiese , i cannot resolve to suffer the inhabitants of the moon to live in perpetual darkness . you wou'd be harder put to it , madam , said i , if you knew that a great philosopher of old , believ'd the moon to be the abode and dwelling of the souls who had merited happiness by their good life in this world ; and that theit felicity consisted in hearing the harmony of the spheres as they turn'd round , and that they were depriv'd of this heavenly musick , as often as the moon was obscur'd by the shadow of the earth ; and that then these souls roar'd and cry'd out as in despair , and that the moon made haste to recover her light again , to bring the souls out of that affliction . at that rate , said she , we shou'd see the bless'd souls come from the moon to us ; for why shou'd not the earth be to the moon , as the moon is to the earth , since according to the opinion of your philosopher , there was no other felicity for the souls of the blessed , than to be transported from one world to the other ? seriously , said i , madam , 't would be a great pleasure and satisfaction to see several different worlds ; and i am often glad , to make these journeys in imagination ; what joy then it wou'd be to do it in reality ; that wou'd be far better than to travel from hence to iapan , crawling as it were with difficulty from one point of this globe to another , and still to see nothing but men and women over and over again . well , said she , what hinders , but we shou'd make a journey through the planets as well as we can ? let us by imagination place our selves in several positions , and situations , fit for considering the universe . have we no more to see in the moon ? no , said i , at least , i have shown you all i know . going out of the moon towards the sun , the first planet you meet with is venus ; and here i must again make use of my former simile of paris and st. denis . venus turns round the sun on her own axis , as the moon does round the earth ; and by the means of telescopes , we discover that venus waxes and wanes , being sometimes altogether enlightned , and sometimes darkened according to her different positions in respect to the earth . by all appearance the moon is inhabited , why shou'd not venus be so , as well as she ? ay , but interrupted the marquiese by your why nots , you will people all the planets . do not doubt of it , madam , answer'd i ; why has not nature sufficient to give inhabitants to 'em all ? we see that all the planets are of the same nature , that they are all opaque solid bodies , having no light but what they receive from the sun ; which they send one to another by reflection , and that they have all the same kind of motion ; thus far equal , and after all this must we conceive that all these vast bodies were made not to be inhabited ? and that nature has made only an exception in favour of the earth , he that will believe this , may , but for my part i cannot . i find you , said the marquiese , very resolute and settled in your opinion of a sudden : a little while ago , you wou'd scarce allow the moon to be inhabited ; and seem'd to be very indifferent , whether it were so or not ; whereas now , i am confident , you wou'd be very angry with any body that shou'd tell you that all the planets were not inhabited . it is true , madam , in the minute wherein you have surpriz'd me , had you contradicted me , as to the inhabitants of all the planets , i wou'd not only have defended my opinion , but have proceeded , to have given you an exact description of all the several inhabitants of the planets . there are certain moments of believing things ; and i never so firmly believ'd the planets to be inhabited , as in that moment i spoke of 'em ; but now , after cooler thoughts , i shou'd think it very strange , that the earth shou'd be inhabited as it is ; and the other planets shou'd be so entirely desolate and desarted : for you must not think , that we see all the living creatures that inhabit the earth . for there are as many several species and kinds of animals invisible , as there are visible . we see distinctly from the elephant to the mite ; there our sight is bounded , and there are infinite numbers of living creatures lesser than a mite , to whom , a mite is as big in proportion , as an elephant is to it . the late invention of glasses call'd microscopes , have discover'd thousands of small living creatures , in certain liquors , which we cou'd never have imagin'd to have been there . and it may be the different tastes of these liquors , proceed from these little animals , who bite , and sting our tongues and palates . if you mix certain ingredients in these liquors , ( as pepper in water , ) and expose 'em to the heat of the sun , or let 'em putrefie , you shall see other new species or living creatures . several bodies , which appear to be solid , are nothing else but collections or little heaps of these imperceptible animals ; who find there as much room , as is requisite for them to move in . the leaf of a tree , is a little world inhabited , by such invisible little worms : to them this leaf seems of a vast extent , they find hills and valleys upon it : and there is no more communication between the living creatures on the one side , and those on the other , than between us and the antipodes . and i think there is more reason , to believe a planet ( which is so vast a body ) to be inhabited . there has been found in several sorts of very hard stones , infinite multitudes of little worms , lodg'd all over them in insensible varieties ; and who are nourish'd upon the substance of these stones which they eat . consider the vast numbers of these little animals , and how long a tract of years they have liv'd upon a grain of sand. and by this argument , tho my moon were nothing but a confus'd heap of marble rocks , i wou'd rather make it be devour'd and consum'd by its inhabitants , than to place none at all in it . to conclude , every thing lives , and every thing is animated ; that is to say , if you comprehend the animals , that are generally known ; the living creatures lately discover'd , and those that will be discover'd herafter , you will find that the earth is very well peopl'd ; and that nature has been so liberal in bestowing them , that she has not been at the pains to discover half of ' em . after this , can you believe , that nature , who has been fruitful to excess as to the earth , is barren to all the rest of the planets ? my reason is convinc'd , said the marquiese , but my fancy in confounded with the infinite number of living creatures , that are in the planets ; and my thoughts are strangely embarass'd with the variety that one must of necessity imagine to be amongst 'em ; because i know nature does not love repetitions ; and therefore they must all be different . but how is it possible for one to represent all these to our fancy ? our imaginations can never comprehend this variety , said i , let us be satisfied with our eyes , or we may easily conceive by an universal view , nature has form'd variety in the several worlds . all the faces of mankind are in general near the same form. yet the two great nations of our globe , the europaeans and africans , seem to have been made after different models . nay , there is a certain resemblance and air of the countenance peculiar to every family or race of men. yet it is wonderful to observe how many millions of times , nature has varied so simple a thing as the face of a man. we , the inhabitants of the earth , are but one little family of the universe , we resemble one another . the inhabitants of another planet , are another family , whose faces have another air peculiar to themselves ; by all appearance , the difference increases with the distance , for cou'd one see an inhabitant of the earth , and one of the moon together , he wou'd perceive less difference between them , than between an inhabitant of the earth , and an inhabitant of saturn . here ( for example ) we have the use of the tongue and voice , and in another planet , it may be , they only speak by signs . in another the inhabitants speaks not at all . here our reason is form'd and made perfect by experience . in another place , experience adds little or nothing to reason . further off , the old know no more than the young . here we trouble our selves more to know what 's to come , than to know what 's past . in another planet , they neither afflict themselves with the one nor the other ; and 't is likely they are not the less happy for that . some say we want a sixth sense by which we shou'd know a great many things we are now ignorant of . it may be the inhabitants of some other planet have this advantage ; but want some of those other five we enjoy ; it may be also that there are a great many more natural senses in other worlds ; but we are satisfi'd with the five that are fal'n to our share , because we know no better . our knowledge is bounded to certain limits , which the wit of man cou'd never yet exceed . there is a certain point where our ingenuity is at a stand ; that which is beyond it is for some other world , where it may be some things , that are familiar to us , are altogether unknown . our globe enjoys the pleasure of love ; but is destroyed in several places by the fury of war. another planet enjoys constant peace , without the delights of love , which must render their lives very irksom . in fine , nature has done to the several worlds in great , as she has done to us mortals in little by making some happy , others miserable . yet she has never forgot her admirable art in varying all things , tho she has made some equal in some respects , by compensating the want of any one thing , with another of equal value . are you satisfi'd , said i , madam , very gravely ; have not i told you chimeras in abundance ? truly , i find not so much difficulty to comprehend these differences of worlds ; my imagination is working upon the model you have given me and i am representing to my own mind odd characters and customs for these inhabitants of the other planets . nay more , i am forming extravagant shapes and figures for 'em : i can describe 'em to you ; for i fansie i see 'em here . i leave these shapes , said i , madam , to entertain you in dreams this night , to morrow , we shall know , if they have assisted you , to describe the inhabitants of some other planet . the fourth night . the dreams of my lady marquiese were not lucky , they still represented to her something like what we see on earth ; so that i had as much reason to reproach her , as certain people have to blame us when they see some of our pictures ; for they being ignorant of drawing , and designing , and pleasing themselves with their extravagant and grotesque figures , tell us , our pictures are nothing but men and women , and that there is no fancy in 'em ; there was therefore a necessity of laying aside all sorts of the forms and figures of those animals that inhabit several planets , and to rest satisfy'd by guessing as well as we can , in pursuing our journey , which we had begun , through the several worlds of the universe . we were at venus : and there is no doubt , said i to my lady marquiese , but venus turns upon her own axis , but 't is not known in what time , and by consequence , we know not the length of her days , but her years must consist but of eight months , since venus turns round the sun in that space of time . as venus is forty times less than the earth , the earth must necessarily appear to the inhabitants of venus , to be forty times bigger than venus appears to us ; and as the moon is also forty times less than the earth , by consequence , it must appear to the inhabitants of venus , about the same bigness that venus appears to us . you afflict me , said the marquiese , extreamly ; i see very well , that our earth is not that happy planet to the inhabitants of venus , as she is to us ; for our globe of the earth must appear too big to the inhabitants of venus , to be the fountain of love , but the moon , which appears to the world of venus , of the same size that venus appears to us , is exactly cut out to be the source of their amours , and the lucky star of their intrigues ; which titles are most agreeable to the pretty , clear , twinkling planets , which have in 'em a certain air of gallantry . 't is certainly a happy fate for our moon to give laws to the loves of the inhabitants of venus : no doubt , but these people are very soft , and have the art to please extreamly well . without dispute , madam , said i ; the very mobile of venus are all made up of celladons and silvanders , and their most ordinary conversations excel the finest in clelia ; the climate being more savourable to love : venus being nearer the sun than we , receives from its influence a brighter light , and a more enlivening heat . i perceive very well , interrupted the marquiese , what kind of people the inhabitants of venus are ; they are , like our moors of granada , a sort of little sun-burnt gentlemen , always in love , full of life and fire , given to making verses , and great lovers of musick , and every day inventing feasts , balls and masquerades , to entertain their mistresses . pray , madam , said i , you are very ill acquainted with the inhabitants of venus ; for our moors of granada are , in respect to them , as the inhabitants of lapland , or greenland , for coldness and stupidity . but what then must the inhabitants of mercury be , for they are yet more near to the sun ? they must certainly be mad , by having too much light and fire ; and i believe they have no more memory , than the most part of our negroes ; they never think , and are void of all reflection , and they only act by chance , and by suddain impulses . in short , the planet mercury must certainly be the bethlem of the universe ; they see the sun a great deal bigger than we do , because they are so much nearer to it ; he darts upon 'em so strong a light , that if the inhabitants of venus were here , they wou'd take our finest days for the remains of a saint twi-light ; and it may be , the light we enjoy , wou'd not serve them to distinguish one object from another ; and the heat they are accustom'd to is so excessive , that the greatest warmth enjoy'd by the inhabitants of the middle of africk , wou'd frieze them to death . their year casts but three months ; the length of their day is yet unknown , mercury being so little a planet , and so near the sun , in whose rays he is so continually lost , that he is hitherto scarce discoverable by the art and skill of astronomers , who cou'd never yet get so much hold of mercury , as to observe the time in which he performs his revolution upon his own axis or centre ; but the smallness of his planet perswades me 't is in a very short time , and then , by consequence , his days are very short , and his inhabitants must see the sun as a very great flaming brasier , very near their heads , which , to their apprehension , moves with wonderful rapidity ; this makes them so earnestly wish for the coming night , which , no doubt , must be much more grateful to 'em than the day ; and during those cooler hours , they are enlightned by venus , and by the earth ; which two planets must appear to them of considerable bigness . as for the other planets , since they are remov'd further than mercury , towards the firmament , his inhabitants must see them less than they appear to us , and receive but little light from 'em , it may be , none at all ; the fixed stars must appear less to 'em also , and they lose the sight of some of 'em entirely , which , in my opinion , is a very great loss ; for i shou'd be very sorry to see the vast arch'd roof of the heavens adorn'd with fewer stars , or those i do see , appear less , and not so bright . i am not so much concern'd for that loss , said the marquiese , as for their being so extreamly incommoded with excessive heat ; and i wish with all my heart , we cou'd ease 'em of that trouble . let us therefore allow 'em long and continued rain , to refresh 'em ; such as are in some of the hot countries of our earth , which fall for four months together , during the hottest seasons . that may be done , said i ; but we may find out another remedy , to relieve the inhabitants of mercury ; for there are countries in china , which , by their situation , must be very hot ; yet notwithstanding , the cold is so excessive during the months of iuly and august , that the rivers are frozen : the reason is , these climates abound with salt-petre ( whose exhalations being very cold ) the force of the heat draws out of the earth in great abundance . let us therefore suppose mercury to be a little planet , made of salt-petre ; and let the sun extract out of himself a remedy to his disease which he gives to the inhabitants . this is certain , that nature produces no animal , but in places where they may live ; and custom and use , joined with ignorance of what is better , supplieth all defects , and makes life agreeable ; for ought we know , the inhabitants of mercury want neither rain , nor exhalations of salt-petre . after mercury , you know , the next planet we find in our journey , is the sun ; and if we judge by the earth ( which is inhabited ) that other bodies of the same kind may be so too , we are mistaken , and the why not will fail us here ; for the sun is a body of a quite different nature from the earth , and other planets : he is the source and fountain of all that light , which the other planets do only reflect from one to another , after having receiv'd it from him ; and so they can exchange light one with another , but are incapable of producing it : the sun alone draws from it self this precious substance , which he darts a-round him with great force and violence , and which is intercepted by every body that is solid ; so that there is reflected from one planet to another long streams and streaks of light , which crossing and traversing each other in the air , are interwoven a thousand different ways , and so form a mixture of the richest substance in nature : for this end the sun is plac'd in the centre , which is the situation most proper and commode ; from whence he may equally dispence and distribute his light and heat , for the livening and enlightning all things round him . the sun is therefore a body of a particular substance ; but what kind of body , or what kind of substance , is all the difficulty : heretofore 't was believ'd , that the sun was a pure fire ; but the error of this opinion was found out in the beginning of this age , by spots which were discover'd upon the surface of the sun ; as a little after that time , there were new planets discover'd , of which i shall speak hereafter : the learned part of the world were full of nothing else but these new planets ; and discourses of 'em were so much in fashion , that they believ'd the spots in the sun were nothing else but these new planets , moving round 'em , which necessarily hid a part of his body from our sight , when their obscure side was turn'd towards us . the learned men of the world made their court to most kings and princes , with these new discover'd planets ; giving the name of one prince to one , and of another prince to another ; so that they were like to quarrel , to whom they shou'd belong . i am not pleas'd with that at all , said the marquiese : you told me the other night , that the philosophers and learned men had given names of philosophers , astronomers and mathematicians to the several countries of the moon , and i was very well satisfy'd , and think it but just , that since the kings and princes possess the earth , that they ought to suffer philosophers and astronomers to rule in the moon and the stars , without incroaching upon ' em . what , said i , madam , will not you allow kings and princes some corner of the moon , or some star , to take their part in time of need ? as to the spots in the sun , they can be of no manner of use to 'em ; for it has been found , they are not planets , but clouds of smoak and vapours , and , as it were , a scum arising from the surface of the sun ; for sometimes they appear in great quantities , sometimes in less , and at other times they dis-appear ; sometimes they join in one , and other times they are dispers'd and dissipated ; so that it shou'd seem , the sun is a liquid substance ; some say , 't is of melted gold , which boils incessantly , and produces those impurities ; and by the force of its motion , throws upon the surface its scum and dross ; and as those consume , new ones are produc'd . pray , madam , fansie to your self what strange bodies these spots of the sun must be ; there are some of 'em full as big as the globe of the earth ; judge then what a great quantity there must be of this melted gold , and of the extent of this vast ocean of light and fire , which we call the sun. they say , the sun appears , through telescopes , to be full of great mountains which vomit flames , and that it is , as it were , a million of mount aetna's , join'd together ; but at the same time they acknowledge that these mountains may be altogether visionary , and that they are nothing else but the effects of the glasses of the telescopes . to whom shall we trust then , when these very glasses , to which we owe so many new discoveries , deceive us ? in fine , let the sun be what it will , it does not at all seem proper to be inhabited ; and yet 't is pity , for the situation wou'd be extreamly fine ; its inhabitants wou'd be plac'd in the centre of the universe , and wou'd see all the other planets turn regularly round 'em , whereas we observe infinite irregularities in their course ; and 't is only because we are not in a proper situation to consider 'em , as not being in the centre of their motion . is it not hard , that there is but one place in the universe , where the study of the stars wou'd be easie , and that that place alone shou'd be uninhabitable ? you do not think , whilst you speak , said the marquiese , were any living creature in the sun , he wou'd see neither planets , nor fixed stars ; nor , indeed , any thing ; the brightness of the sun wou'd render all things else invisible ; and if there were inhabitants in the sun , they wou'd be apt to believe themselves the only people in nature . i confess , said i , i am mistaken , i consider'd only the situation of the sun , without the effects of its light. but , pray , madam , allow me to tell you , that you who have corrected me so justly , may also be mistaken your self : the inhabitants of the sun wou'd not so much as see it self ; for they wou'd be incapable to support the dazling of his light , or unable to receive it , by being too near ; and all things well consider'd , the sun wou'd be a country of blind men only . so that , once for all , i conclude , the sun cannot be inhabited ; and if you please , madam , we will continue our journey to the other worlds : we are now come to the centre , which is the lowest point in all circular figures ; and therefore must return back again , and go upwards . in the way , we shall find mercury , venus , the earth , and the moon ; all which planets we have visited . the next that presents it self to our observation is mars , who contains nothing rare or curious that i know of : his days are not a full hour longer than ours , but his years are double the length of ours . mars is less than the earth , and his inhabitants see the sun neither so big , nor so bright as we do . in short , mars is not worthy the pains of a longer discourse ; but 't is very curious to observe iupiter , and his four moons , or guards : they are four little planets , which turn round iupiter , as our moon turns round us . but , says the marquiese , interrupting me , why are there some planets attending upon others , who , it may be , are no better than themselves ? in my opinion , it wou'd be more regular and uniform if all the planets , great and small , had but one motion round the sun. ah , madam ! said i ; if you understood the tourbillions , or whistlings of monsieur des cartes , whose name is so terrible , and idea's so agreeable , you wou'd not talk at that rate . let my brains turn round , said she , laughing , if they will ; i long to know what these tourbillions are ; make haste therefore to satisfie me , i 'll manage my self no longer , but henceforth abandon all my thoughts to philosophy , without reserve , let the world talk what they please ; but let me understand these whirlings . i did not think you capable of such transports , said i , madam ; and i am sorry they have not a fitter object : but to satisfie you , a tourbillion is a heap of matter , whose parts are disjoin'd one from another , yet moving round all one way ; each little part being allow'd a particular motion of its own , provided always they do not obstruct the general circular motion . as for example ; a tourbillion of air , call'd a whirl-wind , or a hurricain , is an infinite quantity of little particles of air , turning all round together , carrying along every thing they meet with in their way : you know that the planets are carry'd round in the celestial matter , which is incredibly subtile and swift ; all that vast ocean , and mass of celestial substance , which is between the sun , and the sphere of the fixed stars , turns round , and carries with it the planets one way , from east to west , round the sun , which is plac'd in the centre ; but in shorter or longer time , as they are distant or nearer the centre , all things turn round , even the sun it self ; but he turns round upon his own axis : and you are to observe thus ; if the earth were in the middle of the celestial matter , as the sun is , she wou'd also turn round upon her own axis , like that : this is that great tourbillion , of which the sun is , as it were , governor ; but at the same time , all the planets have little whirlings peculiar to themselves , in imitation of that great one , the sun ; notwithstanding , they are all carry'd round the sun , yet every one of them turns round upon his own axis , and sweeps along with him a share of the celestial substance , which yields easily to any impulse of motion it receives , provided that does not obstruct its general motion round the sun ; and this is call'd the particular whirling , or tourbillion of a planet , which extends as far as the sphere of its activity can reach ; and if it falls so out , that any lesser planet than that which governs the tourbillion comes in its way , 't is carry'd with it , and indispensably forc'd round it ; but yet that does not hinder both the greater planet , and the lesser , with their whirlings , to turn round with the great tourbillion of the sun. 't was thus that , after the creation of the universe , the earth carry'd the moon round it self , because the moon fell within the extent or sphere of activity , and forc'd its obedience . iupiter , of whom i have said somewhat already , was happier or stronger than we ; there fell four little planets in his neighbourhood , and he subdu'd 'em all four : our earth , which is now a chief planet , had it fallen within the tourbillion of iupiter , you may easily believe he wou'd have forc'd us to have turn'd round him also , iupiter being ninety times bigger than our earth ; and then we had been nothing but a moon depending upon iupiter , whereas now the earth has a moon of her own turning round her : so true it is , that chance of situation has decided our fortune . pray , what assurance have we , said the marquiese , that our earth shall always remain in the same situation ? i am afraid we may make a trip one day or other , towards some planet as dangerous as iupiter , who may sweep us round with it self ; or that some other stronger planet may approach nearer to us ; for i fansie , that the violent motions of the heavenly matter you speak of , may agitate and shake the planets so irregularly , that it might sometimes bring 'em nearer together , and at other times remove 'em farther from one another . we might gain rather than lose by that bargain , said i ; for it may be , our earth wou'd be carry'd near venus and mercury , which are little planets , and cou'd not resist ours : but we have nothing either to hope or fear from such an accident ; the planets must remain where they are , new conquests are forbid them , as they were heretofore to the kings of china . you know very well , when one mixes oil and water together in a vessel , the oil will swim above ; and if you throw any very light thing into the vessel , the oil will support it , and it will not penetrate into the water : throw in any other thing , somewhat heavier , of a proportionable weight to penetrate the oil , which is too weak to stop it ; 't will fall upon the water , and swim , the water being sufficiently strong to bear it up . so that this vessel , full of two liquors , which does not mingle together two bodies of an unequal weight , rests naturally in two different positions , the one above the other ; so as the lightest can never descend , the heaviest can never ascend . if you add other liquors that will not mingle together , and throw as many bodies into 'em of proportionable weight , 't will still be the same thing . imagine to your self , that the celestial substance which fills the vast tourbillion , or whirling of the sun , is compos'd of different coats , wrapp'd within one another , like an onion ; these coats are of different weights and force , as oil and water , and other liquors . the planets also are of different weights ; and by consequence , every one of the planets must stop upon that coat proportionable to its weight , and which has necessary strength for supporting it , and keeping it in an equal balance ; and you will perceive it is not possible in nature they can remove from thence . i understand very well , said the marquiese , how these different weights are regulated , according to their several degrees : wou'd to god , there were some such order amongst us mortals , to confine every man to the station that is fit for him . i am now no longer in fear of iupiter ; i am satisfy'd that he will leave us at ease in our own little whirling , or tourbillion ; i am easily pleas'd , and do not envy iupiter his four moons . you wou'd be to blame if you shou'd , said i ; for he has no more than what is necessary for him ; considering the great distance he is from the sun , his moons receive and reflect but a very faint light. 't is true , that iupiter turns upon his own axis in the space of ten hours , his nights are but four hours long ; and being so short , one wou'd think he had no great need of four moons : but you must consider , in our earth , under the north and south poles , there are six months of day , and six months of night ; because the two poles being the two points of the earth , remotest from those countries and places , upon which the sun darts his beams directly , and over which , to our apprehensions , he seems to perform his course : the moon holds , or appears to us to hold the same road with the sun : so that if the inhabitants near the south and north poles see the sun during one half of his yearly course , and then lose his light during the other half , it must follow , that they see the moon during one half of her monthly revolution , and lose her during the other half ; that is , for the space of fifteen days . one of iupiter's years is twelve of ours , and there must be two opposite poles in that planet where there are days and nights of six years long apiece . a night of six years long is very long , and i believe these four moons were chiefly created for that reason : the highest of the four , as to iupiter , performs its course round him in seventeen days , the second in seven days , the third in three days and an half , and the fourth in forty two hours . these revolutions being thus divided by equal halves in these unhappy climates , where there are six years of continued night , one and twenty hours cannot pass without their seeing appear , at least , the last of the four moons ; which is a very great satisfaction , during so long and irksome a darkness : but upon whatever place of iupiter you shou'd inhabit , these four moons wou'd represent to your view one of the most agreeable sights in nature : sometimes they rise all four together , then they separate according to the inequality of their motions ; sometimes they see 'em over their heads , directly above one another ; at other times they see 'em appear above their horzion , at equal distances ; at another time , two of the four are rising , when the other two are setting ; but above all , i shou'd be pleas'd to see their constant eclipsing one another , or the sun ; for there passes no day , without one of the two ; and since eclipses are so familiar to that world , they must certainly be a divertisement to them , whereas they frighten the inhabitants of our earth . and you will not fail , i hope , says the marquiese , to bestow inhabitants upon these four moons , though they be little , inferior planets , and only made to enlighten the inhabitants of a greater , during their long nights . you need not doubt of it , said i , madam ; these four planets are no less deserving of inhabitants , because they are so unhappy as to be subject to , and turn round a more important planet . i wou'd , says the marquiese , have the inhabitants of these four moons to be colonies of iupiter , and receive their laws and manners from thence , and pay homage and respect to iupiter , and not to look upon that great planet , but with veneration . and wou'd you not also , said i , have these four moons to send ambassadors , from time to time , to the inhabitants of iupiter , and swear fealty to him ? for my part , we having no authority over the inhabitants of our moon , makes me think that iupiter has no more over the inhabitants of his four ; and i believe , one of the advantages he has most reason to brag of , is , that he frightens ' em . for example ; the inhabitants of that moon next to iupiter , see him three hundred and sixty times bigger than our one moon appeareth to us : and as i believe that little moon to be much nearer to iupiter than ours is ; so his greatness must be by that considerably augmented ; and they must constantly see that monstrous planet hanging over their heads , at a very small distance . and if it be true , that the gauls of old , apprehended the falling of the heavens : the inhabitants of that moon have more reason to fear the falling of iupiter . it may be , said she , they have that fright , instead of that of the eclipses , which you told me , they are free from ; and which must be supply'd by some other piece of folly. it must be so infallibly , said i , madam , for the great inventer of the third system , of which i spoke to you the other day , the ticho-brahe one of the greatest astronomers that ever liv'd , was far from fearing eclipses as the vulgar do ; but instead of that , he fear'd , if the first he met ( as he went out of his house in the morning ) were old , or if a hare happen'd to cross his way , he instantly return'd home , shut himself up , and did believe that day to be unlucky ; nor wou'd he dare to attempt business of the smallest consequence . it is not just , said the marquiese , that since that great man was not free from the fear of eclipses for nothing , that the inhabitants of that little moon , shou'd come off at an easier rate : let us give 'em no quarter , but force 'em to submit to the common law of nature , and oblige 'em to yield to some other folly. but since i will not trouble my self to guess at this time , what that may be , pray solve me one difficulty , which my fancy has just now suggested ; if the earth be so little , in respect of iupiter ; does the inhabitants of iupiter see our earth ? i am afraid we are altogether unknown to ' em . really , i believe it to be so , said i , for the inhabitants of iupiter must see the earth ninety times less than iupiter appears to us ; which is too small to be perceiv'd by them ; and all we can imagine for our advantage , is , to suppose that there are astronomers in iupiter , who after having taken a great deal of pains , and fitting excellent telescopes ; and having chosen a very clear night for making the observation , they at last discover in the heavens a little planet , they had never seen before ; and streight they set it down in the philosophical transactions of that country . the rest of the inhabitants of iupiter , either never hear of it , or laugh at it if they do ; the philosophers themselves whose opinion that discovery destroys , resolve not to believe it ; and there are but some very rational people , that will trouble themselves with the thoughts of it . these astronomers make new observations ; they again look upon this little planet , and they begin to be assur'd that it is no fancy but a real thing ; then they begin to conclude , this little planet has a motion round the sun ; and after a thousand observations , they at last find out that this motion or revolution , is performed in a years time . so that , thanks to these learned men , the inhabitants of iupiter know our earth is a planet and a world : the curious are earnest to look on it through a telescope ; tho 't is so little , 't is hardly discoverable . if it were not , said the marquiese , very disagreeable for me to believe , that our earth is not to be perceiv'd by the inhabitants of iupiter , but by the help of a telescope , i shou'd find an infinite pleasure in imagining , i shou'd see those telescopes pointing towards us ; and ours from a mutual curiosity are levell'd at them , whil'st those two planets gravely considering one another , the inhabitants of both ask at one and the same time , what world is that ? what people are those ? don't go so fast , madam , said i ; suppose , the inhabitants of iupiter , cou'd see our earth ; yet , they cou'd never see us , or so much as suspect our earth to be inhabited ; or if any body were fool enough to imagine it , god knows , how he wou'd be laugh'd at and ridicul'd by the rest of the inhabitants . and it may be , we are the cause , that some philosophers in that world have been sued and persecuted for this opinion : however , i believe , that the inhabitants of iupiter are employed enough in the discovery of their own planet , without troubling themselves with the thoughts of us . and had christopher columbus been of that country , and understanding navigation so well , he cou'd not have wanted employment . and the people of that world know not the hundredth part of its own inhabitants ; whereas , in mercury ( which is a very little planet ) they are all neighbours one to another , and converse familiarly together ; and they esteem it , as but a walk to go round their little world ; and if the inhabitants of iupiter do not see us , you may easily judge , they can far less perceive venus and mercury , both which are more diminutive worlds , and further distant from it than we : but in lieu of this , they see mars , and there are four moons , and saturn with the five that belong to him . there are planets enough , to perplex all the astronomers there : and nature has had the goodness to hide from 'em what remains of the universe . what , said the lady marquiese , do you look upon that as a favour ? without doubt , said i , madam , there is in this great tourbillion or whirling of the sun , sixteen planets . and nature , who is willing to save us the labour of studying all their motions , has discover'd to us only seven of them ; and is not that a great favour . but we who are not sensible of this grace , have so ordered the matter that by our endeavours we have found out the other nine , which nature had conceal'd from us , and we are sufficiently punish'd for it , by the great pains and labour , which is at present requisite for the study of astronomy . i see , answer'd she , by the number of sixteen planets , that saturn must have five moons . he has so , said i , madam , and two of the five are discover'd very lately , but there is yet something more remarkable in that planet ; for his year is as long as thirty of ours ; and consequently there are climates in that world , where one night lasts for fifteen years together . can you guess what nature has intended for the enlightning of nights so long and dreadful ? she was not satisfied to bestow on saturn five moons ; but has also given him a great circle or ring , which environs him entirely , and which is elevated sufficiently high enough to be out of the shadow of this planet . it reflects the light of the sun perpetually upon the inhabitants of saturn , who have the misfortune to live in that climate , that is , so long a time depriv'd of the influence of his beams . well , said the marquiese , ( with the air of a person return'd to herself from some great astonishment ) all that you say is contriv'd with wonderful order , and sure nature has seen and provided for the necessity of some animate beings ; and that the distribution of these moons , was not a work of chance , since they are bestowed only upon these planets , that are at a great distance from the sun , the earth , iupiter and saturn ; for venus and mercury have no need on 'em ; they enjoy but too much light already ; and their nights are very short ; and it may be the inhabitants of this planet esteem night a greater benefit of nature , than the day it self . but hold , said madam the marquiese , it seems to me , that mars , who is farther distant from the sun than the earth , ought to have a moon too . i must confess , said i , madam , he has none ; but certainly , the inhabitants of that planet enjoy some other advantage , which supplies that defect . you have seen several bodies , both liquid and dry , which draw in the light of the sun ; and afterwards shine and cast a light in the dark . it may be , that there are great rocks very high ; which are naturally of such a kind of substance , as to receive great provision of light in the day time from the sun , which they restore in the night ; and if it be so , you cannot deny , but it must be a very pleasant scene or representation , to see all those rocks from all quarters begin to shine , as soon as the sun is down , and make magnificent illuminations without art or expence . you know also that in america , there are certain birds , which shine so in the dark ; that one may read by their light , as well as by that of a candle ; and who knows , but there are many of these birds in the planet mars , which fly about and enlighten that world as soon as the sun is set ? your rocks , and your flying birds , said the marquiese , do not at all satisfie me . i confess such objects wou'd be very pretty ; but since nature has given so many moons to saturn and iupiter ; 't is a sign , that they are absolutely necessary as well to mars . i shou'd have been glad that all the worlds distant from the sun , cou'd have had their moons ; and that mars might not have been so disagreeably excepted . oh! madam , said i , if you think it worth your pains to make any further progress in philosophy , you must accustom your self to such exceptions ; in the best systems , there are always some things that agree exactly ; but there are other things , that one must adjust as well as one can , or leave them as they are , if there be no hopes to overcome the difficulty : let us do so if you please with mars ; and since he is not favourable to us , say no more of him . and tell me if it wou'd not be strangely surprizing , if we were in the world of saturn , to see above our heads in the night that great ring in the form of a semi-circle , going from opposite points of the horizon ; and which reflecting the light of the sun upon us , wou'd have the effect of a continu'd moon . and shall we place no inhabitants upon that great ring , said the marquiese , laughing ? i answer'd her , that ( tho in the humour i was in , i was enclin'd to put inhabitants every where ) i confess , i dare not set any upon so irregular a habitation ; but for the five little moons , there is no dispensing with them , for they must have inhabitants . but some do imagine , that this ring or great circle is compos'd of moons join'd very near together , having all an equal motion , and turning one way , and that the five little moons i spoke of , had only escaped out of this great ring ; what an infinity of worlds are there then in the tourbillion or whirlings of saturn ? and yet whatever is the cause , the inhabitants of saturn are miserable enough , notwithstanding the assistance of this great ring . 't is true , it gives them light , but what kind of light ? sure a very feeble one at that great distance from the sun , where she her self appears to 'em , but as a little pale star , a very faint heat and light , so that if you wou'd carry some of the inhabitants of saturn to our coldest countries , as green-land , or lap-land , you wou'd see 'em all of a sweat , and melt away with heat . you give me an idea of saturn , said the marquiese ; that makes me shiver with cold ; whereas before you warm'd me as much with the descriptions you gave me of mercury . there is a necessity , said i , that the two worlds that are at the extremity of this great tourbillion , must be contrary one to another in every thing . at that rate , said she , the inhabitants of saturn must be very wise ; for you told me the inhabitants of mercury were down-right mad . if the people of saturn , said i , be not wise , they are at least in all appearance so , and are very flegmatick , they know not what it is to laugh ; and who take a whole days time at least , to answer the most trifling question : they wou'd have look'd upon the grave cato the censor , as too wild and youthful for their conversation . there is a thought come into my head , said the marquiese ; all the inhabitants of mercury are verly lively , and the inhabitants of saturn extremely dull : now upon our earth , we have a mixture of both , some are very airy , and some as insipid : does not that proceed from our being situate in the middle , between these two worlds , that we participate so of the qualities of both these extremes ; and there is no fixt settled character of mankind ; some resemble the inhabitants of mercury , others of saturn ; and we are a mixture of all the several kinds of people , that inhabit all the other planets ? i like that idea well enough , said i , we are of such an extravagant composition , that one wou'd really believe , that we were collected and drawn together from all the other worlds . and at this rate , 't is very convenient to live in ours , since here we see an abridgement of all that can be seen in the other worlds . at least , said the marquiese , our world has one real advantage and conveniency , that it is neither so hot as mercury or venus , nor so cold as iupiter and saturn : and we have the good luck over and above , to be born in a climate of this earth , that has neither excess of heat nor cold . and if a certain philosopher thank'd nature for being a man and not a beast , a grecian , and not a barbarian ; for my part , i thank her , that i inhabit the most temperate planet of the universe , and the most temperate climate of that planet . if you will trust me , said i , madam , you ought to thank her for being young , and not old , young and handsome , and not young and ugly , young , handsome , and a french woman , and not a young and handsome italian . you have abundance of other reasons of gratitude , than those of the situation of your tourbillion , or the temperate qualities of your country . good god , said she , suffer me to be grateful for every thing ; even to the very tourbillion where i was born : the measure of the happiness bestow'd upon us , is too little to lose any part of it ; and it is good to have such a sense and taste of the commonest and most inconsiderable things , as to turn all to our advantage and profit . if we shou'd look after no other pleasure or satisfaction , than this world afforded , we shou'd enjoy but very few , expect 'em long , and pay dear for ' em . if philosophy be the pleasure , you propose , said i , madam , i have the boldness to wish , that when you remember the tourbillions , you wou'd be pleas'd to think of me . yes , answer'd she , provided you take care your philosophy furnishes me always with new pleasures . at least , for to morrow , answer'd i , i hope you shall not want ; for i have the fixed stars prepared for you , which surpass all you have hitherto heard . the fifth night . my lady marquiese was very impatient to know what shou'd become of the fix'd stars . can they be inhabited as the planets are , said she to me ? or are they not inhabited ? what shall we make of ' em ? if you wou'd take the pains , you cou'd not fail to guess , said i , madam , the fixt stars cannot be less distant from the earth , than fifty millions of leagues ; nay , some astronomers make the distance yet greater ; that between the sun and the remotest planet is nothing if compared to the distance between the sun or earth , and the fix'd stars ; we do not trouble our selves to number 'em , their lustre as you see is both clear and bright . if the fix'd stars , receive their light from the sun , it must certainly be very weak and faint before it comes to 'em , having passed through a hundred and fifty millions of miles of the celestial substance , i spoke of before : then consider , the fix'd stars are oblig'd , to reflect this borrow'd light upon us at the same distance , which in reason must make that light yet paler and more faint , it is impossible that this light if it were borrow'd from the sun , and not only suffer'd a reflection , but pass'd through twice the distance of a hundred and fifty millions of miles , cou'd have that force and vivacity , that we observe in the fix'd stars : therefore i conclude they are enlightned of themselves ; and are by consequence so many suns . do not i deceive my self , cry'd out the marquiese , do i see whither you are going to lead me ? are you not about to tell me the fix'd stars , are so many suns , and that our sun is the center of a great tourbillion which turns round him ; what hinders but a fix'd star may be the center of a tourbillion , whirling or turning round it ? our sun has planets , which he enlightens , why may not every fix'd star have planets also ? i have nothing to answer , but what phoedra said to oenone , 't is you that have hit it . but said she , i see the universe to be so vast , that i lose my self , i know not where i am , and have conceived nothing all this while . what is the universe thus divided into tourbillions , confusedly cast together ? is every fixt star the center of a tourbillion ; and it may be full as big as our sun ? is it possible , that all this immense space , wherein our sun and planets have their revolution , is nothing but an inconsiderable part of the universe ? and that every fix'd star must comprehend and govern an equal space with our sun ? this confounds , afflicts , and frightens me . and for my part , said i , it pleases and rejoices me ; when i believ'd the universe to be nothing , but this great azure vault of the heavens , wherein the stars were placed , as it were so many golden nails or studs , the universe seem'd to me too little and strait ; i fansied my self to be confin'd and oppress'd : but now when i am perswaded , that this azure vault has a greater depth and a vaster extent , and that 't is divided into a thousand and a thousand different tourbillions or whirlings , i imagine i am at more liberty , and breath a freer air ; and the universe appears to me to be infinitely more magnificent . nature has spared nothing in her production , and hath profusely bestow'd her treasures upon a glorious work worthy of her : you can represent nothing so august to your self , as this prodigious number of tourbillions , whose center is possess'd by a sun , that makes the planets turn round him . the inhabitants of the planets of any of these infinite tourbillions , see from all sides the enlightned center of the tourbillion with which they are inviron'd ; but cannot discover the planets of another , who enjoy but a faint light , borrow'd from their own sun , which it does not dart further than its own sphere or activity . you show me , said the marquiese , so vast a prospect , that my sight cannot reach to the end of it : i see clearly the inhabitants of our world ; and you have plainly presented to my reason the inhabitants of the moon , and other planets of our tourbillion or whirling : after this you tell me of the inhabitants of the planets of all the other tourbillions . i confess , they seem to me to be sunk into so boundless a depth , that whatever force i put upon my fancy , i cannot comprehend 'em ; and indeed you have annihilated 'em by the expressions you made use of in speaking of 'em and their inhabitants . you must certainly call 'em the inhabitants of one of the planets , of one of these infinite tourbillions ; and what shall become of us in the middle of so many worlds ; since the title you give to the rest agrees to this of ours ? and for my part , i see the earth so dreadfully little , that hereafter i shall scorn to be concern'd for any part of it . and i admire why mankind are so very fond of power , so earnest after grandure , laying design upon design , circumventing , betraying , flattering , and poorly lying , and are at all this mighty pains to grasp a part of a world they neither know nor understand , nor any thing of these mighty tourbillions : for me , i 'll lazily contemn it , and my carelesness shall have this advantage by my knowledge , that when any body shall reproach me with my poverty , i will with vanity reply , oh! you do not know what the fix'd stars are . i do believe , said i , madam , that alexander the great himself did not know : for a certain author who holds that the moon is inhabited , says very gravely , that it was impossible , but aristotle must be of so reasonable an opinion ( for how cou'd such a truth escape so great a man as aristotle ? ) but that he wou'd never say any thing of it for fear of displeasing alexander ; for had he known there had been a world which he cou'd not have conquer'd , it wou'd have reduc'd him to certain despair . there was yet more reason to conceal the tourbillions of the fix'd stars from him ; if they had been known in those days , he wou'd have made his court very ill to that great prince , who shou'd but have mention'd ' em . as for me who know 'em , i am very sorry i can draw no advantage from that knowledge , which can cure nothing but ambition and disquiet , and none of these diseases trouble me . i confess a kind of weakness in love , a kind of frailty for what is delicate and handsom , this is my distemper , wherein the tourbillions are not concern'd at all . the infinite multitude of other worlds may render this little in your esteem , but they do not spoil fine eyes , a pretty mouth , or make the charms of wit ever the less : these will still have their true value , still bear a price in spight of all the worlds in the universe . it is a strange thing , said the marquiese laughing , that love saves himself from all dangers , and there is no systeme or opinion can hurt him : but tell me frankly , are your systemes certainly true ? do not dissemble , for i promise to keep it secret : i fansie 't is founded upon a very small bottom , a fix'd star enlightned of it self , as the sun is , and therefore it must be a sun , the soul and center of the world having planets turning round it as that also has . is this absolutely necessary , says she ? i fear , madam , said i : since we are always in the humour of mixing some little gallantries with our most serious discourses , give me leave to tell you , that mathematical reasoning is in some things near a-kin to love ; and you cannot allow the smallest favour to a lover , but he will soon perswade you to yield another , and after that a little more , and in the end prevails entirely ; so if you grant the least principle to a mathematician , he will instantly draw a consequence from it , which you must yield also , and from that another , and then a third , and maugre all your resistance , in a short time , he will lead you so far , that you cannot retreat . these two sorts of men , the lover and philosopher always take more than is given ' em . you must acknowledge that when i see two objects alike in every thing that i do see , i have reason to believe them to be also alike in what i see not ; for where is the hindrance or difficulty ? from thence i have argu'd that the moon is inhabited because it is like the earth ; that the other planets are inhabited because they are like the moon . i find that the fix'd stars are like our sun as to what i see ; and therefore , i conclude they are suns , and have planets turning round about 'em ; and every thing else we attribute to our suns . now , madam , you are too far engag'd to retire ; and therefore you must generously yield . by this rule of resemblance , said she , which you make betwixt our sun and the fix'd stars , the inhabitants of another tourbillion , must only see our sun as a small fix'd star , which only appears to them , during their night . without doubt , said i , madam , our sun is so near us , in respect of the suns of the other tourbillions , that his light must have infinitely greater force upon our sight than the light of the other suns ; when we see our sun , we see nothing else , his brightness makes all other things disappear : in another great tourbillion , where another sun governs , he in his turn removes and darkens our sun , which does not appear , but in the night as a fix'd star amongst the other strange suns ( that is ) fix'd stars , and our sun appears to the inhabitants of that tourbillion in the great vault of the heavens , as a star of some constellation , such as the bear or the bull : as to the planets which turn round about him ( as our earth for example ) since they cannot see it at so great a distance , they do not so much as think of it , so that all these suns are suns by day for the tourbillion which they govern , and fix'd stars by night ; for all the other , every one of them is the only one of his kind in his own world ; but serve only to make up the number of fix'd stars for all the other worlds . notwithstanding , said she , of this equality of resemblance of the worlds , yet i cannot believe , but they differ in a thousand things , for likeness upon the main does not hinder infinite little differences . most certainly , said i ; but the difficulty will be , to find out those differences . what do i know but in one tourbillion , there are more planets turning round it than in another ? in one there are inferior planets turning round the greater , in another there are none at all : in one tourbillion the planets are gather'd together , as it were a little party , round their sun , and beyond them a vast vacuity , extending to the next tourbillion ; in another , the planets take their course towards the extremity of their tourbillion , and leave a void in the middle , and i do not doubt but there are tourbillions destitute of planets ; and others , where their sun is not plac'd in the middle , and yet has a free motion , and carries his planets round with him ; others , where the planets rise and fall in respect of their sun , according to the changes of the counterpoise which balances ' em . what wou'd you have , madam ? have not i said enough for a man that was never out of his own tourbillion ? no , said she , not for the quantity of worlds which you say there is : what you have describ'd will suffice but for five or six , and i see thousands . what wou'd you say , madam , said i , if i shou'd tell you that there are infinitely more fixed stars than those you see , that by the help of telescopes an unaccountable number are discover'd , which we cannot see with our eyes alone ; and that in one constellation , where we counted but twelve or fifteen fixed stars , there have been discover'd more than we see with our eyes in the whole heavens ? i ask your pardon , said she ; i yield and confess , you have over-charg'd me with worlds and tourbillions . madam , said i , i have still a reserve for you : you see that whiteness in the hemisphere , call'd the milky way ; can you imagine what it is ? 't is nothing but an infinity of little fixed stars , which cannot be seen by our eyes , because they are so very small , and are plac'd so near to one another , that they appear to be but one continued whiteness : i wish you cou'd see this ant-hill or stars , and these seeds of worlds ; they look like the maldevia-islands , or those twelve thousand little isles , or banks of sand , separate only by small canals of the sea , which one may over-leap with as much ease as a ditch . so that these little tourbillions of the milky way , being so near one to another , may converse and shake hands with those of their neighbouring world ; at least , the birds of one world may fly into another ; and they may teach pidgeons to carry letters , as they do in the levant . by which , the sun , in his own tourbillion , as soon as he begins to spread his light , he faceth that of all other stranger-suns ; for if you were in one of these little tourbillions of the milky way , your sun wou'd not be so near to you ; and by consequence , wou'd have but little more power , force , or influence upon your eyes , than a hundred thousand other suns of the neighbouring tourbillions ; you wou'd then see your heaven shining with an infinite number of fires , very near to one another , and not far distant from you ; and tho' you shou'd lose the sight of your own sun , you wou'd still have light enough , and your nights wou'd be no less bright than your days ; at least , you wou'd not be sensible of the difference ; or , to speak more properly , you wou'd have no night at all : the inhabitants of this world , accustom'd to perpetual day , wou'd be strangely surpriz'd if one shou'd tell 'em , that there are several people in the universe , who are under the tribulation of dismal , real nights , and who fall into long and profound darknesses , and who , when the light returns , behold one and the same sun : they wou'd look upon such people as the out-casts of nature , and the very thoughts of our sad condition wou'd sieze them with horrour . i do not ask you , said the marquiese , whether there be any moons in the world of the milky way ; i see very well , that they wou'd be of no use to these planets that have no night ; and who besides , move in too little room to be troubled with an equipage of inferior planets . but do you know that by your multiplying upon me such a multitude of worlds , you have started a great difficulty to my fancy , which , i doubt , you will hardly satisfie : the tourbillions , whose suns we see touch the tourbillions where we are , and all the tourbillions are round , how is it possible that so many different globes can touch one single one ? this i wou'd willingly understand , but find i cannot . there 's a great deal of sense , said i , madam , in your proposing of this difficulty , and no less in your not knowing how to salve it ; for 't is very judicious in it self , and unanswerable , as you understand it ; and 't is an argument of very little wit , to answer an objection that is unanswerable . if our tourbillion were in the shape of a dy , it wou'd have six plain superficies , and wou'd be very far from being round ; yet upon every one of these six superficies , or flat sides , a tourbillion might be plac'd , being of the same figure : but instead of six flat sides , suppose it had twenty , fifty , or a thousand ; then it were possible to place a thousand tourbillions upon it , every side bearing one ; and you easily understand , that the more superficies , or flat sides any body has , the nearer it approaches to a globe : so a diamond cut in fossets on all sides , if those fossets were very small , that diamond wou'd be as round almost as a pearl of the same bigness ; the tourbillions are only round in this sense , they are compos'd of an infinite number of flat sides , and every one of 'em carries another tourbillion : the flat superficies are very unequal ; here they are big , there they are little ; the smallest superficies of our tourbillion , for example , answer to the milky way , and support all those little worlds ; but if two tourbillions , that rest upon two neighbouring sides or faces , have any void space below between 'em ( as that must fall out very often ) nature , who will lose nothing , and turns all her work to the best advantage , instantly fills up that vacuity with one , two , or it may be a thousand little tourbillions , which does not at all trouble or incommode the rest , and yet every one of these may have a world in it ; so that there may be more worlds , than our tourbillion has flat sides to support : and i dare say , that although these little worlds were only made to fill up chinks of the universe , which otherwise wou'd have been useless , and that they are altogether unknown to the other worlds which touch them ; yet i doubt not but they are very well contented with their own condition , and 't is they whose little suns we discover by the helps of telescopes , whose number is so prodigious . in fine , all these tourbillions are so rightly adjusted , and join'd to one another in so delicate a form , that every one turns round his own sun , without changing his situation ; every one takes that way of turning , which is most proper and commode to its place : they are fixed to one another like the wheels of a watch , assisting one another in their motions , and yet moving contrary to one another . and 't is said , that every world is like a balloon , or foot-ball , which swells and fills of it self , and which wou'd extend farther , if it were not hinder'd by neighbouring worlds , who press it , and then it shrinks to its first form ; after that , it swells a-new , and is again depress'd . and the philosophers pretend , that the fixed stars transmit to us a trembling light , and an unequal sparkling , because their tourbillions push against ours , and ours against theirs . i am extreamly in love , said the marquiese , with these idea's you give me of the balloons , which swell and fall every moment ; and those worlds , which are always justling together : but , above all , i am pleas'd to consider , that this strife amongst 'em produces a commerce of light , which is the only traffick they can have . no , no , said i , madam ; that is not the only traffick ; the neighbouring worlds send envoys sometimes to us , and that with a great deal of splendor : we have comets from thence too , who are always adorn'd with shining hair , a venerable beard , and a royal train . good god! said the marquiese , laughing ; what ambassadors are these ? we cou'd easily dispence with their visits , for they do nothing but fright us . they fright only fools and children , madam , said i ; but of those ignorants , i confess , there are a great number : the comets are nothing but planets which belong to some neighbouring tourbillion , who make their course toward the extremity , or out-side of it : but this tourbillion being press'd by others that encompass it , 't is rounder above than it is below , and it is from below that they appear to us . these planets , which have begun to move in a circle above , and not fore-seeing that their tourbillion will sail 'em below , because it is , as it were , braz'd or squeez'd in that part ; these planets , which we call comets , are necessitated , for the continuance of their circular motion , to come into another tourbillion , which happens sometimes to be ours , making their passage through the extremity of it : they all appear to us highly elevated , their course being constantly above saturn . 't is very necessary for the defence of our system ( for reasons that do not at all relate to our present subject ) that there shou'd be a great vast space betwixt saturn , and the extremities of our tourbillion , free from planets . our adversaries do constantly reproach us with the unusefulness of this great void ; but let 'em not trouble their heads with that , for we have found an use for it ; and it is the appartment , or chambers of state , where we receive the stranger planetary ambassadors . i understand you , said she , and am pleas'd with your chamber of state ; for we do not permit 'em to come directly in the middle of our tourbillion , but receive 'em as the grand seignior does his foreign ministers ; he does 'em not the honour to lodge 'em in constantinople , but sends 'em to the suburbs . madam , reply'd i , we agree with the turks also in one thing more ; that is ( as they ) so we receive ambassadors , but send none ; for none of our planets ever go to visit other worlds . at this rate , said the marquiese , we are very proud , yet i know not what to think of the matter ; these stranger-planets , with their long tails and beards , have usually but a scurvy threatning look , and it may be they are sent to terrifie us ; whereas ours , not being made of that terrible form , wou'd not be so proper to frighten people , were they sent into another world. these tails and beards , said i , are not real , but only appearances , and these stranger-planets differ in nothing from ours ; but entring into our tourbillion , they take a tail , or a beard from a certain kind of illumination which they receive from the sun ; which , as yet , is not fully explain'd amongst us . but let this be found out when it can , we now are sure it is nothing but a kind of illumination , or false light. i wish then , said the marquiese , that our saturn wou'd take a tail , or a beard , and go into some other tourbillion , to frighten its inhabitants ; and that afterwards , laying aside this terrible equipage , he wou'd return , with the rest of our planets , to his own place . 't will be better for him , said i , not to go out of our tourbillion : i have told you already of the encounter between two tourbillions pushing against one another ; and i believe , upon that occasion , a poor planet is strangely shaken , and that his inhabitants are not the better for it . we believe our selves very miserable when we see a comet appear , but it is the comet it self that is most unhappy . i do not believe that , said the marquiese , for it brings its inhabitants to us in good health ; and you know , nothing is wholsomer than change of air : as for us that never go out of our own , life languishes but dully on . if the inhabitants of a comet had but the skill to fore-see their passage into our world , those who have already made that voyage will tell these new adventurers what they will see in their way : a planet , say they , which has a great ring round him , meaning saturn ; and then you will see another that has four little ones following him , and it may be that amongst them there are people set a-part , on purpose for observing the very minute when they shou'd enter into our world , and who are instantly to cry out , a new sun ! a new sun ! as our mariners do , land ! land ! after a long sea-voyage . i hope you will no longer pity the inhabitants of a comet ; but , no doubt , you will commiserate those who live in a tourbillion where the sun comes to be extinct , and leaves them in eternal night . what! cry'd out madam the marquiese , can suns be extinguish'd ? yes , said i , without dispute . the ancients have seen fixed stars in the firmament , which we see no more ; these suns have lost their light : a great desolation certainly for that tourbillion , and a great mortality for all the inhabitants of its planets ; for there is no living without a sun. that idea , said she , is too mournful ; is there no way to pass it by ? if you please , said i , madam , i 'll tell you what very learned men say ; that the fixed stars which have disappeared are not however extinguished , but that they are half-suns ; that is to say , they have one side obscure , and the other englightned ; and as they turn upon their own axis , sometimes they present their enlightned half , and then we see 'em ; and sometimes their obscure half , and then we lose ' em . to oblige you , madam , i shall follow this opinion , because 't is more favourable than the other ; but it must only be for certain stars , who have regular seasons of appearing and disappearing , as hath been discover'd ; otherwise these half-suns cannot subsist . but what shall we say of stars that disappear , and do not shew themselves again after the time in which they ought certainly to have perform'd the revolution upon their own axis ? you are too just , madam , to oblige me to believe that these stars are half-suns : however , for your satisfaction , i will endeavour to solve this objection another way : those suns shall not be extinguish'd then , but shall only be sunk into the depth of the vast heavens , which removes 'em from our sight ; and in that case , these suns are follow'd by their tourbillions , and all is well . 't is true , that the greatest part of the fixed stars have no such motion as carry them from us ; if they had , they might as well approach more near us , and we shou'd see 'em sometimes bigger , sometimes less ; which can never fall out : let us therefore suppose that there are some little tourbillions of less light and activity , which slide in among the others , and make certain turnings ; after which , they come back again , whilst in the mean time the great tourbillions remain where they did before ; and 't is a strange misfortune that there shou'd be certain fixed stars which appear to us , and after a great deal of time of appearing and dis-appearing , entirely vanish , and are lost . in that time the half-suns , i spoke of , wou'd appear again , and suns that were sunk into the heavens wou'd dis-appear once , and not to appear again for a long time . resolve well what to think , madam , and take courage ; there is a necessity that these stars must be suns , which grown obscure enough to be invisible to our sight , are afterwards enlightned , and in the end must lie extinguished . how ! said the marquiese ; can a sun be obscur'd , or entirely extinguish'd , who is himself the fountain of light ? the most easily in the world , said i , madam : according to the opinion of des cartes , our sun has spots ; let 'em be scum or vapours , or what else you will , these spots may condense , and many of 'em may come together , and form a kind of crust , which may afterwards augment , and then farewel the sun and all its light. 't is said , we escap'd once very hardly , for the sun was grown extreamly pale for several years together ; and particularly the year after the death of iulius caesar , it was that crust that began to gather , and the face of the sun brake and dissipated it ; but had it continu'd , we had been all undone . you make me tremble , said the marquiese ; and now that i understand the consequences of the paleness of the sun , i shall henceforth every morning , instead of going to my looking-glass to consult my own face , go and look up to the heavens to consider that of the sun. madam , said i , be assur'd there goes a great deal of time to ruin a world. then , said she , there is nothing requisite but time. i acknowledge it , madam , said i ; all this vast mass of matter which composes the universe , is in perpetual motion , from which no part of it is entirely exempt ; and therefore changes must come sooner or later , but always in time proportionable to the effect . the ancients were foolish to imagine , that the celestial bodies were of an unchangeable nature , because they never saw any change in 'em ; but they had neither leisure nor life long enough to undeceive themselves by experience ; but the ancients were young in respect of us . suppose now , madam , that the roses , which last but for a day , shou'd write histories , and leave memorials from one to another ; the first wou'd have describ'd the picture of their gardener of a certain manner ; and after fifteen thousand ages of roses , the others that had follow'd 'em wou'd have alter'd nothing in that description of the gardener , but wou'd have said , we have always seen the same gardener , since the memory of roses we have seen but him , he has always been as he is , he dies not as we do ; nay , he changes not , and certainly will never be other than what he is : wou'd this way of arguing of the roses be good ? yet it wou'd be better grounded than that of the ancients , concerning celestial bodies ; and tho' there had never happen'd any change in the heavens to this day , and tho' they shou'd seem to last for ever , yet i wou'd not believe it , but wou'd wait for a longer experience ; nor ought we to measure the duration of any thing by that of our own scanty life . suppose a thing had a being a hundred thousand times longer than ours , shou'd we therefore conclude it shou'd last for ever ? eternity is not so easie a matter ; and some things must have pass'd many ages of men , one after another , before any sign of decay had appear'd in ' em . i am not so unreasonable , said the marquiese , as to consider the worlds as things eternal , nor will i do them the honour to compare 'em to your gardener , who liv'd so many ages longer than the roses : they are themselves but as a rose , which are produc'd but in a garden , that bud one day , and fall the next ; and as those roses die , new ones succeed ; so for some ancient stars that dis-appear , other new ones are born in their places , and that defect in nature must be so repair'd , and no species can totally perish . some will tell you , they are suns , which draw near to us after having been long lost in the depth of heavens : others will say , they are suns that have cast off the crust which began to cover them . if i cou'd easily believe all this , yet i shou'd believe also that the universe was made in such a manner , that new suns have been , and may be form'd in it from time to time ; and what shou'd hinder the substance proper to make suns from gathering together , and producing new worlds ? and i am the more inclin'd to believe these new productions , since they are more correspondent to the great idea i have of the glorious works of nature : and why shou'd not she who knows the secret to bring forth and destroy herbs , plants and flowers , in a continu'd succession , practise also the same secret on the worlds , since one costs her no more pains and expence than the other . indeed , says the marquiese , i find the worlds , the heavens and the celestial bodies so subject to change , that i am altogether returned to my self . let us return yet more , said i , and if you please , make this subject no longer , that of our discourse ; besides you are arriv'd at the utmost bounds of heaven ; and to tell you , that there are any stars beyond that , were to make my self a wiser man than i am , place worlds there , or place none there , it depends upon your will. these vast invisible regions , are properly the empires of philosophers , which it may be are or are not , as they themselves shall fansie . 't is sufficient for me to have carried your understanding as far as your sight can penetrate . what , cry'd out the marquiese , have i the systemes of all the universe in my head , am i become so learned ? yes , madam , you know enough ; and with this advantage , that you may believe all or nothing of what i have said , as you please . i only beg this as a recompence for my pains , that you will never look on the heavens , sun , moon or stars , without thinking of me . finis . books lately printed for w. canning . la montre ; or , the lover's watch : by mrs. behn . the lucky chance ; or , an alderman's bargain : a comedy . by mrs. behn . the island-princess ; or , generous portuguese : a comedy . altered by mr. tate . an historical and geographical account of the morea , negropont , and the maritime places , as far as thessalonica : illustrated with forty two maps of the countries , plains and draughts of the cities , towns and fortifications . written in italian by p. m. coronelli , geographer to the republick of venice . englished by r. w. gent. gesta grayorum ; or , the history of the high and mighty prince , henry prince of purpoole , arch-duke of stapulia and bernardia , duke of high and nether holborn , marquis of st. giles and tottenham , count palatine of bloomsbury and clerkenwell , great lord of the cantons of islington , kentish-town , paddington and knights-bridge , knight of the most heroical order of the helmet , and sovereign of the same : who reigned and died , a. d. 1594. together with a masque , as it was presented ( by his highness's command ) for the entertainment of q. elizabeth ; who , with the nobles of both courts , was present thereat . hearing a translation of the plurality of worlds , was doing by another hand , the translator had not the opportunity to supervise and correct the sheets before they were wrought off ; so that several errata have escaped . the most material ones are under-written . page 17. line 26. read piraeum . p. 20. l. 21. for beams , r. bodies . p. 21. l. 6. f. least , r. last . p. 28. l. 1. f. circle , r. earth . p. 29. l. ult . f. circle , r. earth . p. 30. l. 13. f. every , r. any . p. 32. l. 1. f. as , r. it s . p. 34. l. 6. f. hands , r. heads . p. 36. l. 28. for twenty , r. two or three . p. 37. l. 11. for twenty , r. two or three . p. 38. l. 17. del . to remove . p. 44. l. 20. r. diaphanous . p. 48. l. 13. r. hath day . p. 50. l. 21. f. certain , r. say it is . p. 65. l. 17. f. waves , r. sea. l. 18. f. vessel is , r. waves were . p. 72. l. ult . r. irregularly . p. 76. l. 25. f. as a rounded , r. around her . p. 77. l. 2. f. air , r. one . p. 85. l. 13. for refections , r. refractions . ibid. l. 25. after i do , add not . p. 92. l. 16. f. varieties ; r. vacuities . p. 100. l. 20. f. easts , r. lasts . p. 106. l. 23. f. effects , r. defects . p. 109. l. 8. r. or whirlings . p. 125. l. 19. f. flying , r. shining . p. 147. l. 26. f. braz'd , r. embarass'd . p. 154. l. 8. f. face , r. force or heat . the new planet no planet, or, the earth no wandring star, except in the wandring heads of galileans here out of the principles of divinity, philosophy, astronomy, reason, and sense, the earth's immobility is asserted : the true sense of scripture in this point, cleared : the fathers and philosophers vindicated : divers theologicall and philosophicall points handled, and copernicus his opinion, as erroneous, ridiculous, and impious, fully refuted / by alexander rosse ; in answer to a discourse, that the earth may be a planet. ross, alexander, 1591-1654. 1646 approx. 343 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 64 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2003-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a57666 wing r1970 estc r3474 11790114 ocm 11790114 49171 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a57666) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 49171) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ;547:9) the new planet no planet, or, the earth no wandring star, except in the wandring heads of galileans here out of the principles of divinity, philosophy, astronomy, reason, and sense, the earth's immobility is asserted : the true sense of scripture in this point, cleared : the fathers and philosophers vindicated : divers theologicall and philosophicall points handled, and copernicus his opinion, as erroneous, ridiculous, and impious, fully refuted / by alexander rosse ; in answer to a discourse, that the earth may be a planet. ross, alexander, 1591-1654. [8], 118 p. printed by j. young and are to be sold by mercy meighen and gabriel bedell ..., london : 1646. reproduction of original in cambridge university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng astronomy -england -early works to 1800. 2000-00 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2001-06 spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images 2002-08 olivia bottum sampled and proofread 2002-08 olivia bottum text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-10 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the new planet no planet : or , the earth no wandring star ; except in the wandring heads of galileans . here out of the principles of divinity , philosophy , astronomy , reason , and sense , the earth's immobility is asserted ; the true sense of scripture in this point , cleared the fathers and philosophers vindicated ; divers theologicall and philosophicall points handled , and copernicus his opinion , as erroneous , ridiculous , and impious , fully refuted . by alexander rosse . in answer to a discourse , that the earth may be a planet . lactant . do falsâ sapientiâ lib. 3. cap. 24. quid dicam de iis nescio , qui cum semel aberraverint , constanter in stultitia perseverant , & vanis vana defendunt , nisi quòd eos interdum puto , aut joci causâ philosophari , aut prudentes & scios mendacia defendenda suscipere , quasi ut ingenia sua in malis rebus exerceant vel ostentent . london . printed by i. young , and are to be sold by mercy meighen , and gabriel bedell , next to the middle-temple-gate . 1646. to the right honourable george lord berkley , baron of berkley , &c. my lord , they who have been long at sea , when they come on shore , think that the earth moveth as the sea did , till their brains be settled ; even so these men who have been lately travelling in the new found world of the moon , which swiftly moveth about the earth , think when they come down hither , that it is the earth which moveth : this false imagination i have endeavoured to remove in this book , which now comes abroad under your lordships name ; the reason of my dedication is , because i understand by your lordship , that the gentleman , who came down a while agoe from the moon , with newes of a late discovery there , is of this opinion ; and one who hath relation to your lordship , which indeed i knew not till now , that the book is almost printed : my other reason is , for that i am bound in a dutifull recognition of your lordships respects to scholars in generall , and to me in particular ; which sheweth that not only are you noble by extraction , but by your affection also and disposition to learning , which is now so much slighted , yea vilified , by such as are either ignorant , or wicked ; the one slight learning , because they know it not , — ignoti nulla cupido ; and like the fox in the fable , disparage the grapes , because he could not reach them ; the other raile against learning , as the mad africans do against the sun ; and how can owles and bats love the light , which manifest their deformity ? can theeves and cut-throats , whilst they are penetrating the works of darknesse , abide the light of a torch ? the infernall ghosts tremble to see any light , — trepdiant immisso lumine manes : but your lordship , being de meliore luto , — knowes the worth of learning , and therefore loves it ; which that you may long know , love , and live , shall be the wish of your honours most humble servant to command , alexander ross . to the reader . good reader , there is a namelesse man come down from the moone , who brings us strange newes of a late discoverie ; to wit , of a world found there ; this man of the moone goeth about to perswade us , in a booke which he hath set out , come lately to my hands ; that the world , ever since adam , hath been in a dreame , in thinking that the heavens move , and the earth rests : he tells us another tale , to wit , that it is the earth that moveth , and the heavens stand still : he lieth in ambush , and from his darke lurking place , shoots abroad his arrowes ; so that we can no more see him , then if he were in the moone still ; but it is a cowardly part to hide himselfe ; and from the cloud , in which he is wrapt , to let fly his darts against me , and that book which a few yeares agoe i wrote in latine , in confutation of this new phantasticall chimaera . my case is like that of volscus in the poet , who knew not whence those darts came that killed sulmo and tagus , saevit atrox volscus , nec teli conspicit usquam authorem , nec quo se ardens immittere possit . i might be thought , luctari cum larvis , to fight against shadowes , as aeneas did going down to hell . if i should make any reply to a namelesse disputer , but i am advised however to answer him , least he should sing ( iò triumphe ; ) and not to suffer by silence my reputation to be wounded , the truth prejudiced , and the scriptures abused , with his idle glosses . therefore here i present to thee the weaknesse and vanities of this mans conceits , as far as the shortnesse of time , and my other studies and affaires would permit me ; which i pray thee accept in good part , and so farewell . the preface . the title of this new book is a may be ( that the earth may be a planet ) but i say that may not be : for a planet is a wandring starre , and the earth is not a starre in its essence , nor a wanderer in its motion . and indeed you wrong our common mother , who so many thousand yeares hath been so quiet and stable , that now she should become a wonderer in her old age ; but if she may be a planet , tell us whether she may be one of the seven planets , who are called errones in latine , ( not for that they have an erroneous , but because they have a various motion ) or whether she may be an eighth planet , that so wee may make up our week of eight dayes ; for why should not mother earth have one day of the week , aswell as the other planets , to carry her name ? and so let there be dies terrae , aswell as dies solis , & lunae , earth day , aswell as sunday , or moonday ; and whereas the planets are moved according to the motion of the spheares , you had done us a pleasure , if you had told us the spheare in which the earth moveth : againe , if the earth be a planet , and each planet hath its period of time for finishing its course : saturne 30. yeares , iupiter 12. mars 2 , &c. what is the time which you will allot to the earth for the accomplishing of her annuall motion ? if it be true , that the lower the planet is , the swifter it is in its annuall motion ; as the moon in 27. dayes , and 8. houres , doth finish her course , which saturne ends not but in 30. yeares space ; doubtlesse , this earth-planet , being the lowest of all , must in a very short time expire its annuall race . moreover , if the earth be the eight planet , sol , who is the king of this planeticall common-wealth , cannot have his throne in the midle , as antiquity , and truth too have placed hiw ; for hee shall have three on his one hand , and four on the other , and so cannot impart his light equally to all . and whereas every one of the planets hath his office in this reipublick ; to wit , saturne the counceller , iupiter the judge , mars the captaine , venus the steward , mercury the scribe or chancellour , and the moone the messenger : wee must needs finde out some office for the earth , otherwise she will be counted idle , and none of the planets . but that the earth may be a planet , is as true as that the sun may be a burning stone , that there may be a man in the moon , that there may be an infinite number of suns and worlds , that the stars and planets may have had their first originall and being from the earth , which have been the extravagant conceits of giddy headed philosophers : but i remember what aristotle saith of some may-bees or possibilities ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that which may be , may not be , and never shall be , and so the earth may be a planet ; that is , it neither is , not ever shall be a planet . but now let us leave your title , and examine the substance of your following discourse . the contents of this book . chapt . i. in the preface , and first chapter , is shewed . 1. the vanity and falshood of this new opinion . 2. the fathers concerning their judgement of the antipodes cleared and vindicated , and the philosophers condemned . 3. job defended and explained . 4. pythagoras deciphered , and his opinions condemned . 5. some pythgoreans touched and censured . numa was not of this new opinion , nor pythagorean . 6. this opinion hath few followers , and how condemned by the colledge of cardinals . 7. what is to be thought of those who have revolted from the truth of our opinion . 8. the church , the scripture , sense , and reason must be beleeved in this point of the earths stabilitie , &c. 9. this new opinion how and when an heresie . chap. ii. 1. wee must beleeve the scripture , not our owne phansies . 2. the scripture never patronizeth a lye or an errour , nor doth it apply it selfe to our capacity in naturall things , though it doth in supernaturall mysteries . 3. we must sticke to the literall sense , when the scripture speaks of naturall things . 4. some particular scriptures vindicated from our adversaries false glosses , as namely , psal. 19 of the suns motion like a gyant and bride-groom , of the ends of heaven , and of his heat . eccles. 1. of the suns rising and setting . jos. 12. of the suns standing still , of the midst of heaven ; how over gibeon , and how no day like that . isa. 38. of the suns returning ten degrees , of the greatnesse and meaning of this miracle ; neither known to the gentiles . the testimony of herodotus concerning this . chap. iii. 1. the scripture doth not speake according to vulgar opinion , when it calls the moone a great light , for so it is . 2. nor when it speakes of waters above the heavens , for such there are . 3. nor when it calls the starres innumerable , for so they are . 4. nor when it mentions the circumference of the b●as●n sea to be thirty cubits , and the diameter tenne , for so it was . why the lesser number is sometime omitted . 5. nor in saying the earth is founded on the waters , which is true . 6. the right and left side of heaven how understood , and how the heaven is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and of the intelligences . 7. the scripture speaketh properly in attributing understanding to the heart . the galenists opinion discussed . 8. of ova aspidum , and the vipers egges , how understood . 9. the aspe or adder how hee stops his eare . 10. of the north and south winde in scripture . 11. the sun shall be truely darkned , the moon turned to blood , and the starres shall fall , &c. 12. of the windes whence they come , &c. 13. the sea the onely cause of springs . 14. the thunder is truly gods voice . 15. the 7. stars . chap. iiii. 1. many philosophicall points are handled in scripture . 2. the heavens how round in the opinion of the fathers . 3. wee must have a reverend esteem of the fathers 4. how the seas not overflowing the land may be esteemed a miracle . 5. the works of nature may be called miracles . chap. v. divers scriptures vindicated from false glosses : as , eccles. 1. 4. by which is proved the earths immobility , and heavens motion . 2. how the earth is eternall and renewed . 3. the scripture speaketh not plainly and ambiguously in the same place . 4. the scripture useth metaphors . 5 how the earth stands out of the water , 2 pet. 3. 5. by which its immobilitie is proved 6. what is meant , 1 chron. 16. 30. &c. by these words , the world is established , &c. 7. what is meant psal. 90. 2. by the earth and the world . 8. how the heavens prov. 3. 19. are established : and the moon and starres , psal. 89. 37. &c. 9. how the heavens 2 sam. 22. 8. bath foundations . 10. what are the pillars of heaven in job 10. of the ends , sides , and corners of the earth in scripture . 11. what is meant isa. 51. 6. by the planting of the heavens . 12. how the earth is established . 13. what job meanes by the earth moved out of its place . chap. vi. 1. the earth is in the middle and center of the world , and why . 2. hell is in the center or middle of the earth . 3. the earth lowest and basest , how . 4. every thing is made questionable by some . 5. aristotle defended . 6. the earth is in the center , because in the midst of the equinoctiall horizon , &c. 7. the imagination must be conformable to the things , not these to it ; the vanity of imagininary circles . 8. astronomers reproved , and their vanity shewed , chiefly about the bignesse of the stars . 9. the earth is the least cirle : therefore the center , how understood . chap. vii . 1. the starres have not their light because the sun is in the center , nor hath the sun lesse light being out of it . 2. why the earth in the center . 3. the sun is not the center , because the planets move about him . 4. the center is not the most excellent place , neither are the best things next it or in it . 5. there is an harmony amongst the starres , though the sun be not in the center . chap. viii . 1. how the eye is deceived , and how not ; and that if the earth moved , we should see it . 2. motion and rest how the objects of the eye , and of the common sense . 3. if the earth moved , the clouds would but seeme to move as well as the sunne . 4. how the eye can be deceived in the motion of a lucid body . 5. the naturall motion of the foundation cannot keep buildings from falling . 6. the heavens fitter for motion then the earth . 7. rugged bodies not fittest for motion . 8. the sight hindred by the motion of the subject , medium , and object . 9. one simple body hath but one naturall motion , proved . 10. essentiall properties more chiefly in the whole then in the parts , the earth is heavy in its owne place how , bignesse how a hinderance to motion , of the earths ineptitude to a swift motion . 11. the magneticall qualities of the earth , a fiction . 12. similitudes no prooses ; the seas ebbing and flowing , what . 13. the whole earth moveth not , because the parts move not round . 14. absurd phrases ; and the spots about the sunne , censured . 15. that the earth turnes about the moone is ridiculous . 16. some observations to prove that the earth turnes about the clouds refuted . 17. of a mixed motion , of the place , medium , and space . 18. of the motion of comets . 19. my nine arguments defended . 1. that the earths motion would make it hot . 2. the aire purer . 3. a sound . 4. heaven hath all things fit for motion . 5. of similar parts and the whole . 6. the sunne is the heart of the world . 7. it workes by motion . 8. the earth is the firme foundation . 9. the authority of divises ; the heaven called aether ; the earth hath not two distinct motions . chap. ix . 1. the earth cannot be the cause of its owne motion . 2. the vastnesse and thicknesse of the heaven no hinderance to its motion . 3. the matter of the heavens and their smoothnesse no binderance to their motion . 4. bignesse helps motion . 5. the heavens swistnesse illustrated by other motions . 6. the earth neither the finall nor efficient cause of its motion , the heaven sitter for motion , because greater , and more constant ; nature worketh not still the most compendious way , some idle similitudes refuted . 7. bodies having the same properties have not alwayes the same motion ; motion belongs to the noblest creatures . 8. the smoothnesse , subtilty , and purity of bodies no hinderance to their motion ; the aire moves the water , the circular motion of the fire naturall how . 9. of intelligences how and why they move the heavens . 10. magneticke vertue an idle conceit . chap. x. 1. the idle and uncertaine conceits of astronomers concerning the celestiall bodies . 2. the appearances of the sunne , and other planets cannot be so well discerned by the earth if it did move . 3. the excellency of divinity above astronomy , and an exhorlation to the study of it . the new planet no planet . the contents . 1. the vanity and falshood of this new opinion . 2. the fathers concerning their judgement of the antipodes cleared and vindicated , and the philosophers condemned . 4. pythagoras deciphered , and his opinions condemned . 5. some pythagoreans touched and censured . numa was not of this now opinion nor pythagorean . 6. this opinion hath few followers , and how condemned by the colledge of cardinals . 7. what is to be thought of those who have revolted from the truth of our opinion . 8. the church the scripture , sense , and reason must be beleeved in this point of the earths stabilitie , &c. this new opinion how and when an heresie . chapt . i. i had shewed how unreasonable it was , that an upstart novelty concerning the earth's motion , should thrust out a truth of so long continuance and universality , as this of the earth's immobility . you answer , that wee must not so doat upon antiquity , as to count that canonicall , which is approved by the consent of the ancients . to this i answer : 1. make it appeare that your opinion of the earth's motion is true , and ours false ; and we will prefer yours , though new . 2. if you can make it appeare that your opinion is any waies usefull or advantageous , wee will admit it . 3. suppose that both your and our opinion were but conjecturall , and that there were but an equall probability in both ; yet you must not prefer , nor equall your opinion to ours , because we have antiquity and consent of all times , of all nations , of so many holy , wise , and learned men for us , which you want ; in this respect then , if both our opinions were put in the balance , yours will be found too light , though you should adde to the scale that heavie prussian copernicus . 4. though there were no hurt in your opinion , yet wee may not entertaine it ; for the world is pestered with too many opinions already ; and a great many might be well spared . 5. but whereas your opinion is false , absurd , and dangerous , as we have partly shewed , and will shew afterwards , wee were mad to receive it ; having neither truth , reason , sense , consent , antiquity , or universality to countenance it . 6. that which you call the preserving of philosophicall libertie , is indeed the loosing of the reines to exorbitant wits , to run headlong into every kinde of absurdity . 7. wee doe not inslave our selves to the opinion of any one man , ( as you suppose we doe ) but we are of the opinion of all men , of all times , and nations . you inslave your selfe to one man , and is guilty of that which you accuse in us : quis tulerit gracchos ? 8. wee condemne not your opinion because it is new , but because not true . a new falshood , a false novelty ; and such a new deformed brat is to be choaked in the infancy : principiis obsta ; kill the cockatrice in the egge . 9. you say it 's but a novelty in philosophy , but i say it intrencheth upon divinity : for divinity tells us , that the standing of the sun , and moving of the earth are the miraculous workes of gods supernaturall power : your new philosophy tells us , that they are the ordinary workes of nature ; and so this scope being granted , you may turn divinity into naturall philosophy , and confound the works of god , and of nature . 10. you tell us , that antiquity consists in the old age of the world , not in the youth of it . what antiquity ? of the world ? then you speak not properly , as you say you doe , but tautologically ; the worlds old age consists in its old age . if you mean that your opinion is not new , but old , because the world is old , you speak absurdly : for old opinions are so called , not because they were found out in the youth , or in the old age of the world , but because they have continued a long time in the world ; and so new opinions are new , though found out in the old age of the world . opinions have no relation to the ages of the world , but to their owne continuance : are you older then your great grand-father , because the world is older now , than it was when hee lived ? 11. you are the fathers ( you say ) in such learning as may be increased by experiments and discoveries , and of more authority then former ages . why doe you not tell us plainly , that you are fathers of learning , as well as in learning ? but indeed you are not the fathers of learning , you are onely fathers of your new discoveries and fresh experiments ; that is , of new , fond , and savourlesse phansies : and why you must be of more authority then former ages , i see no reason . shall not iuball , and tuball-cain , the inventors and fathers of their arts , be of as great authority , as you that are the fathers of such mishapen monsters , though they lived in the infancy , and you in the old age of the world ? why should i rather credit you in telling us of a world in the moon , and of the earth , that it is a planet , then those wise men of former ages , who never dreamt of such idle and ridiculous conceits ? you say , truth is the daughter of time ; so say i , but errors , heresies , falshoods , are times daughters too . we see how fruitfull this later age of the world is of new and frivolous opinions . but how much are you beholding to old mother time , who hath bestowed her eldest daughter , truth , upon you , having past by so many worthy suitors in all ages ? this is a transcendent favour , you are homo perpaucorum hominum , and have been wrapped in your mothers smock . 12. in leaving us to our liberty , to accept or reject your opinion ; i perceive you have no great confidence in your new married wife , times daughter : you mistrust your cause , and the validity of your arguments ; and that you have imployed your pen more to shew your wit , then to evince our understanding . 2. you will not have this philosophicall doubt decided by common people , for they judge by their senses , nor yet by the holy fathers , for they were ignorant ( you say ) in this part of learning . aristotle you have already disabled , for his works are not necessarily true ; and , i say , it is not fit that you should be judges in your owne cause . whom then will you name for judges , seeing scriptures , fathers , senses , peripateticks , are rejected ; reasons and arguments you have none : i think you must be faine to call for some of your people out of the moon . iuno lucina . fer opem . but in calling of the fathers ignorants in this part of learning , you doe them wrong ; for they were neither ignorant of philosophy , nor of astronomy ; they condemned the idle opinions of both ; amongst the rest , that of the antipodes . for although i deny not the antipodes , yet the * philosophers opinions concerning them were vaine : as , that they inhabited that region to which the sun riseth , when it sets with us . 2. in that they could not tell how these people came thither , seeing the vast ocean , beyond the straight of gibraltar , was not navigable ; and they confessed that it could not be passed . 3. the reasons which they alledged to prove antipodes were not demonstrative , nor experimentall , but meerly conjecturall ; so that the fathers could receive no satisfaction from their reasons . 4. they held that those antipodes were another race of men , then these of this hemisphere , and that they had been there perpetually ; and that they neither could , nor ever should know what kind of men they were . 5. they did waver in their opinion , sometimes saying that the westerne people were antipodes to us ; sometimes the southerne people ; sometime confounding antipodes and antichthones . 6. they would necessarily inferre from the roundnesse of the earth , that the lower hemisphere was dry earth , and inhabitated with people : the consequence of which s. austine denies . 7. they held that the opposite earth to ours had an opposite motion . of these , and other vaine opinions concerning antipodes , you may see in pliny , austine , macrobius , lactantius , &c. it was not then out of ignorance , or peevishnesse , but upon good grounds and reasons , that they denyed antipodes , as the philosophers esteemed of them . otherwise s. austin knew and acknowledged there might be antipodes . 2. what though the fathers or aristotle had been ignorant in this point , must therefore their authority in other points be slighted ? must their failing in one or two points of philosophy , lessen their credit in all philosophicall truths ? what if they had been ignorant in some one point of divinity , must we therefore reject their authority in other points ? the apostles were ignorant of the day of judgement , and of some other points ; yet wee beleeve them never a whit the lesse in all other points . 3. there is odds between denying of antipodes , and denying the motion of the earth , and standing of the sun : for the reasons which philosophers brought to prove antipodes , were neither experimentall , nor demonstrative , nor any waies satisfactory ; but for the stability of the earth , and motion of heaven , wee have both sense , reason , authority , divine and humane , consent , antiquity , and universality , as is said ; and what can be wanting to confirme a truth , which wee have not to confirme this ? 4. you say , that solomon was strangely gifted with all kinde of knowledge : then would i faine know why hee did not plainly tell us , ( being so great a philosopher ) that the earth moved , and that the sun stood still ; but quite contrary proves the transient vanity of humane affaires , from the earth's stability , and constant motion of the sun . 3. iob , ( you say ) for all his humane learning , could not answer these naturall questions which god proposeth to him : as , why the sea should be so bounded from overflowing the land . what is the breadth of the earth ? what is the reason of snow or haile , raine or dew , yee or frost ? which any ordinary philosopher in these daies might have resolved . answ. you would make iob , who was both a king and a priest , a very simple man , if wee would beleeve you . but how know you that iob could not answer god ? mary , because hee sayes of himselfe , that hee uttered that , he understood not : things too wonderfull for him which hee knew not . but , good sir , these words are spoken of the secret waies of gods providence , and of his hid and unsearchable judgements , which are these wonderfull things that iob knew not nor understood ; for his judgements are a bottomlesse depth , his waies are past finding out ; and they are not spoken of naturall causes of meteors . i pray , were there not haile and snow , raine and dew , yce and frost , in those daies , and did not hee know that these meteors were generated of vapours , as well as you ? or what should be the cause of his stupidity , and of your quicknesse of apprehension ? alas ! how doe wee please our selves in the conceits of our supposed knowledge , whereas indeed wee have but a glimmering insight in natures works , a bare superficiall and conjecturall knowledge of naturall causes ? doubtlesse iob was not ignorant but modest , in acknowledging the insufficiency of philosophicall reasons , and therefore thought it better to be silent , then to shew his folly in superficiall and vaine answers : for both astronomy , and naturall philosophy , are arts of diviners , rather then disputers ; and philosophy is but opinion , saith lactantius ; and even in those things which philosophers bragge that they found out , they are opinantes , potiùs quàm scientes ; carried with opinion , rather then knowledge , saith s. austine ; which i have found by long experience . iob knew that though humane and philosophicall reasons would seem plausible enough to man , yet that god , to whom only truth is known , would check him , and account his wisedome but folly , to speak with lactantius . if hee had answered god that the sea is bounded from overflowing the land , because the drienesse of the earth resisteth the moisture of the sea , which is the reason of philosophers ; god would have shewed him the folly of his reason , by the daily flowing of the sea , on the dry lands ; and by the many inundations of the sea over whole couutries . i doubt not but if god had asked you the causes of clouds and raine , you would have answered him , that they were generated of moist vapours elevated into the aire , and there dissolved or squized by heat or cold ; but then why be there no clouds nor raine in egypt , seeing the sun elevates vapours out of nilus ? so you will tell me that hail or snow are generated of moist vapours , condensate by cold into that form : but then why in the hottest countries , even under the line , are the greatest showres and biggest haile ? so might i reason with you of the other meteors ; but that i will hasten to be rid of this taske , having other imployments . 4. i had said that there was no credit to be given to pythagoras , whom you make a patron of your opinion ; because he was both a sorcerer , as saint austin sheweth , and the father of many monstrous absurdities , as i have shewed out of theodoret. you would salve his credit by telling us , that all men are subject to errours ; and i deny it not : but it is one thing for a man to fall into an errour accidentally , and an other thing to broach a multitude of errours . a man may speake a lie by chance , and that shall not derogate from his credit ; but if he use to lie , i will scarce beleeve him when hee speakes truth . that pythagoras was a witch , his name sheweth from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; either because hee spoke as apollo pythius did , falsly and obscurely ; or because he was possessed with the pythian spirit , or the devill who deluded the gentiles ; who appearing and deceiving them in the forme of the serpent python , which hee was said to kill , was called pythius . his causing of an eagle to flie to him by certaine conjuring words , and being at the same time in two severall places , at thurii and metapontii , with many other such like conjuring tricks , shew what he was . pliny saith , that he went to egypt , and many other places to learne magicke : the pythagoreans would kill no serpents , so highly they honoured them . saint austin saith out of varro , that pythagoras was much addicted to hydromancie and necromancie , and to consult the infernall spirits by bloud . and tertullian deciphers him to be a notable impostor , who to make people beleeve his doctrine of transanimation , hid himselfe seaven yeares under ground ; macerating his body with hunger , thirst , nastinesse : hazarding his health and life with damps and filth , to confirme a grosse lie . quomodo credam non mentiri pythagoram , qui mentitur ut credam ? he that will with swearing , lying , and deceiving trickes , perswade us that he was in hell , and that he had been aethalides , euphorbus , pyrrhus , and hermotimus , would make small bones to broach such monstrous opinions , as of the motion of the earth , and immobilitie of the heavens , out of ambition to get him a name . and this is the goodly patron of your opinion . dignum patella operculum . the man of eminent note and learning as you call him ; highly esteemed for his divine wit and rare inventions . againe when you say , that many of his absard sayings are to be understood in a mysticall sense : why will you in a literall sense understand his sayings of the earths motion , and heavens immobilitie ? 5. i had said that indeed pythagoras was not the author of this opinion , for no ancient writer ascribes it to him ; you reply , that many ancient authors ascribe it to the pythagorean sect. for proofe whereof , in stead of many authors , you bring one , as if one were a multitude ; and that one is aristotle . answ. there is a difference betweene pythagoras , and pythagoreans ; betweene the scholar and the master : i spake of pythagoras ; aristotle , of the pythagoreans . the scholars oftentimes broach opinions which the masters never knew ; it is ordinary in all heretickes and sectaries to father opinions on the first founders , and on other learned men , which they never knew nor dreamed of . that impure sect of the nicolaitans , fathered their opinions on nicolas the deacon . the arians would have made the world beleeve that origen , dionysius of alexandria and lucian the martyr , had been the authors of their impieties . the donatists alledge saint cyprian for the author of their separation from the catholick church : and the mad-headed circumcellions called themselves donatists . therefore , when you say that it appeares by aristotles testimony , that pythagoras thought the earth to be one of the planets , you are deceived ; for he speakes not of pythagoras , but of the pythagoreans , of which number you are one ; not onely for affirming the earth to be a planet , but also in holding transanimation ; for you make no difference betweene pythagoras and his disciples : thinking ( as it seemes ) that the soule of pythagoras which had beene in so many bodies before , was now entred into the bodies of the pythagoreans . 2. i said that pythagoras held , that the heavens by their motions made a musicall harmonie , which could not consist with the earths motion ; you say it may consist , but you doe not prove how it may ; tell me , for what end doth the heaven move ? is it not for the benefit of the earth ? but if the earth move to receive its benefit from the heaven , surely the heaven moveth to no end or purpose . againe , you would faine escape by telling us , that pythagoras meant by the musicall concent , i. the proportion and harmony that is in the bignesse and distance of the orbes . you tell us so , but how shall we beleeve you ? this saying of his is not reckoned amongst his symbolicall speeches ; and if it be symbolicall , why not that saying of the earths motion ? is not that also mysticall ? 6. you set down seaven or eight men of speciall note ( as you say ) for their extraordinary learning , and for this opinion . answ. if this opinion makes men to be of speciall note , then you must needs be a noted man , or shall be hereafter , when you are come downe from the moone , or freed from the cloud that inwraps you , for you are of this opinion ; but you might have spared your labour , for these men were pythagoreans ; and i told you before , that pythagoreans were of this opinion ; but few of these were noted men for their extraordinary learning : they were obscure men , and very little spoken of in old histories . aristarchus the tyrant , aristarchus the poet , and that rigid aristarchus the grammarian , and censurer of homer , were noted men ; but not your aristarchus the mathematician . so philolaus , nicetas syracusanus , ecphantus and lysippus have little said of them : as for heraclides ponticus , he was a man noted more for his ambition , then for his learning ; in that he affected to be a god , causing his friends to convey his dying body out of the way , and a dragon to be laid in his bed : that the world might thinke he was now a dragon ; and that he should be worshipped in that forme : and indeed he shewed himselfe to be that , which he desired to be ; to wit , a beast , and not a man. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as diogenes laertius speakes of him . as for plato it is not certaine if he were of your opinion , and if he had been , the matter is not great . and as for numa pompilius , he was not pythagoras his scholar , for he lived about a hundred years before pythagoras ; who live about the time that brutus was consul , who drove out the kings , as solinus witnesseth , and tullie . livie saith , that he flourished in the time of servius tullus . neither doth plutarch affirme that numa was scholar to pythagoras , but because their institutions were much alike , it was supposed by some ( saith he ) that numa had familiarity with pythagoras . it is true that numa built a round temple , not in reference to this opinion of the earths motion , as you dreame ; for he was not of this opinion ; but in reference to the roundnesse of the world , as plutarch saith : and he placed the vestall fire in the middle , not to represent the sunne in the center of the world , ( that is your glosse , ) but to represent the site of the elementary fire , which he conceived to be in the midst of the world . 7. sure , brag is a good dog with you ; for you tell us that there is scarce any of note or skill , who are not copernicus his followers ; and more there are of his opinion , then all the rest put together ; and yet you tell us but of one cardinall cusanus , and sixe more , to avoide tediousnesse . but in this you speake by the figure antiphrasis , by contraries : you name but one cardinall on your side , and within three leaves after , you tell us of two sessions of cardinalls on our side who condemned this opinion : are not twelve more then one ? and shall not the judgement of so many be preferred to one ? how many more can you picke out of the whole colledge of cardinalls , that were of your opinion , beside cusanus , who was knowne to be a man that affected singularitie ? but i think you looked through a multiplying glasse , when you concluded from the induction of five copernicits , that there were more of his opinion , then all the rest put together . are you not like him who thought that all the ships and goods that came into the pyreum were his owne ? and yet of these five which you muster up for your defence , there was one , even the chiefest , and of longest experience , to wit , galileus , who fell off from you ; being both ashamed , and sorry that he had been so long bewitched with so ridiculous an opinion ; which was proved to him both by cardinall bellarmine , and by other grave and learned men ; that it was contrary both to scripture , divinitie , and philosophie : therefore galilie on his knees did abjure , execrate , and detest , both by word and writ , his errour which you maintaine ; and promised with his hand on the holy evangil , never to maintaine it againe : the other five , are men of no great note , except in your bookes . 8. you advise us out of aristotle and ptolemy , to speake that which is most likely ; to entertaine that which is most agreeable to reason ; to frame such suppositions of heaven as be most simple : and you tell us that rheticus and keplar wish that aristotle were alive againe . but your advice is superfluous , and their wish is ridiculous : for we speake and intertain that which is most reasonable ; if we do not , prove it , that we may amend our errour . our suppositions of heaven are not so simple as could be wished ; but we were better content our selves with them , then move the earth with you : for that is , ex fumo in flammam , to leap out of the frying-pan into the fire . now to wish aristotle alive , or to thinke that he or clavius would ever be of your opinion , are meere dreames and phancies . and though clavius had found that ptolomies hypotheses had not beene so exact as should be ; yet he would not have beene so mad , as to beleeve the earths motion , and the suns rest . and though some have fallen off from aristotles and ptolomies opinion , to copernicus , that will but little help your cause : for in all professions there have ever been some unconstant and giddy-headed men ; many have fallen off from christianity to mahumetisme ; from calvinisme to anabaptisme ; will you condemne therefore their former professions ? so some have revolted from copernicus to ptolomie . you challenge then too great a priviledge , when you say that none who having bin once setled with any strong assent on your side , that have afterwards revolted from it : besides that it is false , there was never any profession that could brag of such a priviledge : not christianity the best of all professions . and though some men reject that opinion in which they were nursed , and have approved for truth , and now embrace your absurd paradox , which is condemned in the schooles ; yet it will not follow that yours is the righter side : for will you say that because many christians become turks and jews ; many orthodox men have become arians , nestorians , eutychians , macedonians ; that therefore these heretickes were in the right ? there are too many wavering spirits shaken like reeds , and carried about like clouds with every winde of doctrine , unsetled and instable in all their wayes . you tell us , that most of those opposers of your opinion , have been stirred thereunto , either by a partiall conceit of their owne inventions , for every one is affected to his owne brood : or by a servile feare , in derogating from the ancients authoritie ; or opposing of scripture phrases ; or by judging of things by sense rather then by reason . answ. the first of these reasons will be retorted upon your selfe ; for the partiall conceit of your owne inventions , and the affection you carry to your own brood , have made you fall off from that ancient and universall truth , to embrace an errour : and this was it that moved copernicus to oppose ptolomie , alphonsus , and the other famous astronomers . therefore , tycho did not oppose copernicus to make way for his owne hypothesis as you say , but to maintaine that truth which had so long continued in the world . as for your second reason , i answer , that we should not without extraordinary and urgent cause , derogate from the authority of the ancients ; much lesse , from the meaning of scripture phrase ; which the church of god from the beginning hitherto hath delivered to us : neither doe we adhere to the meaning of scripture phrase , out of a superstitious feare of the supposed infallible church , as you say ; but out of a filiall feare to the true church , our mother , the ground and pillar of truth : if wee heare not the voice of this mother , we cannot have god for our father . a wise son honoureth his father , but he is a foole that will despise his mother . why should we thinke that you or copernicus can better understand the scripture phrase , then the church of god from time to time hath done ? this was the proud conceit of nestorius , that he onely understood the scripture phrase , as vincentius complaines of him . that which you call the new creed of pius the fourth , that no man should assent unto any interpretatione of scripture , which is not approved by the ancient fathers ; is indeed the old creed of the church , as vincentius sheweth : let us no wayes no wayes ( saith he ) depart from that sense which our holy fathers and predecessours have maintained . and againe , whatsoever ( saith he ) the catholique church hath of old retained , that onely shall a true catholique maintaine and beleeve : therefore he shewes that it is the trick of heretickes to delight in novelties ; and to reject and despise old doctrines . us profanis novitat bus gaudeant , antiquitatis scit a fastidiant . if then the jesuites , in reverence to the churches authority , and to the ancient fathers doe oppose this opinion they deserve commendation : and so did these cardinals that called it in , and punished the defenders of it . thirdly , you say that we judge of things by sense , rather then by reason ; but indeed you have no reason to say so : for although that sensitive things , such as the earths stability , and sunnes motion , are to be judged by sense ; yet we have many reasons for us , whereby we judge it must be so as i have shewed heretofore . but i confesse we judge not by your reasons , because they are but shadowes of reason , and no way satisfactory : neither doe we so tie the meaning of scripture to the letter of it ( as you say , ) but that we give freedome to raise other senses , whether allegoricall , tropologicall , or anagogicall ; so they be not repugnant to faith and good manners . but in historicall things , saint austin tells us , that we must chiefly adhere to the literall sense ; and it is a maxime in the schooles , that we must not reject the literall sense , which is not contrary , agendis aut credendis , to the creed or the law : neither is it unlawfull to conclude philosophicall points from the letter of gods word , seeing there is but one truth in divinitie and philosophie . but to conclude philosophicall points flat contrary to the letter of divine scripture , as you doe , is too much boldnesse : therefore , i will speake to you in the words of saint austin , writing of the philosophers of his time ; quicquid de tuis voluminibus his nostris literis contrarium protuleris , an t aliqua facultate oftendamus , aut nulla dubitatione credamus esse falsissimum . your assertion of the earths motion , is contrary to the letter of the scripture ; therefore we doubt not to say , is it most false . as for our ignorance of your astronomicall grounds , it is excusable , seeing your owne ignorance is the cause of it : how can the scholar know , if the master be ignorant himselfe of these principles which he undertakes to teach ; or knowes not which way to make them intelligible ? how can the blinde lead the blinde ? non obtusa adeo gestamus pectora . we are not so dull but we can understand other principles : but yours being chimaera's , fictions , non entities ; having no other ground but your owne phansie , cannot informe our understandings which have entities for their objects . 9. no councell hitherto ( say you ) have censured this opinion for an heresie . answ. the church by her councells doth not presently censure heresies ; she knowes best her owne times and seasons , and reasons too . the physician doth not alwayes in the beginning of a disease , prescribe purging physicke . 2. from the churches forbearance to censure an heresie , you must not conclude the nullitie of an heresie : for the heresies of arius , macedonius , euryches , and nestorius , were heresies , before they were censured by the four generall councells . and the church , saith saint austin , suffers and beares with many heretickes , so long as they doe not pertinaciously maintaine , nor maliciously ( to the disturbance of the church ) spread abroad their falshoods ; quod si fecerint , tune pollantur . many are heretickes in sore coeli , which are not in foro ecclesie : and he is not onely an hereticke which denieth an article of the creed , but he also that gain-sayeth any plaine place of scripture . the broacher or maintainer of any false and new opinion , is an hereticke saith saint austin . 3. either you have not read , or have not observed the censure of galilies opinion by the councell of cardinals ; who not onely call it a false opinion , erroneous in the faith , a doctrine contrary to the holy scripture : but also in plaine tearmes they call it heresie . 4. when you say that fromundus calls it a rash opinion , bordering upon heresie , that paul the third was not so much offended at copernicus , when he dedicated his booke to him ; that the fathers of trent call epycicles and eccentrickes , but fictions : these are such weake helps to support your cause , that if you leane on them , they will prove no stronger then reeds or cob-webs : if i should insist on them , i should but discover your weaknesse , in alledging of them . and likewise , your instancing of shonbergius , who importunately begged the commentaries of copernicus : was is not rather out of curiosity to see how he could defend such an absurd paradox , then out of true affection to embrace it ? so herod desired to see christ ; i doubt not but many will desire to see your booke of this subject , which ( i dare presume ) will never be of your opinion . lastly , where as you say , it is absurd not to assent to any thing in naturall questions , but what authority shall allow of . i say , it were both absurd and dangerous for mens soules , and the peace of the church , if men were suffered to assent to any absurditie , against scripture , sense , reason , and the churches authority . chap. ii. 1. wee must beleeve the scripture , not our own phansies . 2. the scripture never patronizeth a lye or an error , nor doth it apply it self to our capacity in naturall things , though it doth in supernaturall mysteries . 3. wee must stick to the literall sense , when the scripture speaks of naturall things . 4. some particular scriptures vindicated from our adversaries false glosses : as namely , psal. 19 of the suns motion like a gyant and bridegroome , to the ends of heaven : and of his heat , eccles. 1. of the suns rising and setting . josh. 12. of the sunne standing still , of the midst of braven ; how over gibeon , and how no day like that . esay 38. of the sunnes returning tenne degrees ; of the greatnesse and meaning of this miracle : whether knowne to the gentiles . the testimony of herodotus concerning this : it were happy for us ( say you ) if we could exempt scripture from phisophicall controversies . and i say , it were happy for us , if all philosophicall controversies could be decided by scripture ; or if men would be so modest , as to rest contented with scripture phrases , and expressions of such philosophicall points , as are mentioned there : but what hope is there to end controversies , when many are so wedded to their own phansies , that neither will they yeeld to scripture , except they may have leave to interpret them ; nor to reasons , except they may have leave to forme them ; nor will they trust their own senses , but will captivate and enslave them also to their groundlesse imaginations ? the scripture tells us in plaine tearmes , the earth is immoveable : our senses doe assure us , and many reasons which i have heretofore alledged , induce us to beleeve the truth of this assertion : and yet you spurning at scripture , sense , and reason , as if your phansie were instar omnium , would have our judgements , senses , scripture , church , and all regulated by your absurd dictates ; therefore it is an unreasonable thing in you , to desire that the holy ghost should not be judge of his owne assertions in naturall truths ; and that there should be more credit given to your conceits , ( which you call industry and experience ) then to gods own words . indeed this travell hath god left to the sonnes of men , to be exercised with , as a punishment for their sins ; to toile and labour all their dayes about shadowes , imaginations , and indeed meer nothing ; groping at the doore of knowledge ( like blinde sodomites ) all their dayes , and cannot finde it ; so that they who have spent their whole life in astronomie , may with saint peter , say on their death bed ; master we have laboured all night , but have caught nothing . thus with martha , they are busie about many things , and neglect that one thing which is onely necessary . 2. it is but a conceit of yours to say , that the scripture accommodates it selfe to the vulgars conceit , in saying , the sunne riseth and falleth , &c. i warrant you , if the vulgar should conceive that the heavens were made of water , as the gnostickes held ; or that the sunne and moone were two ships , with the manichees ; or that the world was made of the sweat of the aeones , with the valentinians : or whatsoever other absurd opinion they should hold , you would make the scripture say so , and to accommodate it selfe to their conceits . the stability of the earth , and motion of the heaven , are absurd and false opinions in your conceit ; and yet the scripture affirmes them . you are as unapt i know to beleeve that the sunne moves , as others are that it stands still ; therefore it 's a wonder you do not begin to call the scripture authority in question , that affirmes the suns motion : seeing you say men would be apt to doe so , if the scripture had said , the sunne standeth , &c. how shall the scripture please both parties ? if it say the sun moveth , your side will except against it : if it say the sun standeth , ours will be offended at it . why should the scripture be more loath to offend us then you , except it be because we are the stronger side ; and we have our senses to witnesse with us , which you have not ? i wish you would conceive a more reverend opinion of the spirit of truth , who cannot lie ; nor will affirme a falshood upon any pretence whatsoever ; neither will he countenance a lie , to confirme a truth ; or speake false in one thing , that wee may conceive his meaning the better in another thing . he needs not such weake and wicked helps as falshoods , to make us understand his will ; his word is strong and mighty in operation ; it 's the power of god unto salvation ; a sharp two edged sword ; his hammer , his scepter , &c. as it stands not with his truth to affirme a lie , so doth it no wayes consist with the power of his word and spirit , to helpe our understanding by a lie . 3. you say , that if the scripture had said , the earth riseth and setteth , and the sunne stands still ; the people being unacquainted with that secret , would not have understood the meaning of it . answ. what matter is it whether they had understood it or not ? for you tell us that these things are not necessary in themselves ; and that it is besides the scope of these places , to instruct us in philosophicall points . will you have the holy ghost then speake a falshood ? for feare lest we should not understand the meaning of a secret , which is not necessary for us to know : if it be not needfull for us to know whether the earth stands or not ; so it was lesse needfull for the scripture to say the earth standeth , when it doth not stand . but you doe well to call the motion of the earth a secret , for so it is a great secret , hid from the wise and prudent of this world , and revealed onely to such babes as your selfe . but why is this a secret ? if it be a naturall effect , it is no secret ; for though naturall causes doe not incurre into our senses , yet the effects doe ; and if this be a secret effect and not sensible , it cannot be an effect of nature ; but i thinke it be such another secret as the philosophers stone , which never was , and never shall be . though it be beside the chiefe scope of scripture to instruct us in philosophicall points : yet it will not follow , that these philosophicall tearmes are to be otherwise understood , then as they are expressed . there be many geographicall , historicall , and chronologicall passages in scripture , mentioned incidently , and not chiefly to instruct us in such points : shall we therefore understand them otherwise then they are set downe , or rather the cleane contrary way ? but when you say the earths motion is beyond our reach ; i grant it : because we cannot reach that which is not made manifest to us , either by sense or reason , or divine authority ; if you can either of these wayes make it appeare , i doubt not but our understanding will reach it : and if you cannot one of these wayes make it appear to us , we will account it a meere nothing . for idem est non esse , & non videri : and indeed you say well out of the glosse , that god doth not teach curiosities which are not apprehended easily ; for your motion of the earth is an incomprehensible curiosity . and it is well said by you againe , that the scriptures authority might be questioned , if it did teach naturall things contrary to our senses ; and therefore if any booke of scripture should affirme , as you doe ; that the earth moves naturally and circularly , i should verily beleeve that that booke had never been indicted by the holy spirit , but rather by a pythagorean spirit , or by the spirit of dutch beer . you condemne tertullians heretickes for retching scripture a wrong way , and forcing it to some other sense agreeable to their false imagination ; and rather then they would forgoe their tenents , yeelded the scripture to be erroneous . de te fabula narretur . you retch the scripture a wrong way , forcing it to your false imaginations ; you do not indeed call the scripture erroneous , but you make it to speake one thing , and meane the cleane contrary ; therefore , you shall doe well to apply saint austins counsell to your selfe , and doe not settle your opinion rashly on that darke and obscure conceit of the earths motion . it is true also what you alledge out of saint austin , that the holy ghost being to deliver more necessary truths , left out to speake of the forme or figure of heaven , &c. because hee would not have us spend too much time in these things , and neglect the meanes of salvation ; but you should have done well to have subjoined the following words of that same father , to wit ; that is true which is affirmed by divine authority , rather then that which is guessed at by humane infirmity . for there he speakes of philosophicall points , which seeme to be contrary to scripture : but you are mistaken when you say , that god descends to our capacity in naturall things ; and conformes his expressions to the mistake of our judgements , as he doth apply himselfe to our apprehensions , by being represented like a man. there is infinite oddes betweene god and naturall things ; wee that are corporall cannot understand spirituall things , much lesse that infinite spirit , but by familiar expressions ; yet such as doe in some sort represent his attributes to us : as he is said to have eyes , hands , &c. by which are signified his knowledge , operations , &c. but for naturall things there was no such necessity , because naturall men , by natures light are able to understand naturall things : so wee know what a circular motion is ; and if the earth did truely move , we should as soon apprehend the motion of it , as we do the suns motion : therefore , there was no need why god should descend to our capacity in affirming an untruth , because wee cannot understand the earths motion . god then doth not conforme his expressions to the errour of our judgements ; for our judgements doe not erre in this ; but he speakes according to the truth of the thing , which wee judge and apprehend as it is . we apprehend the fire to be hot ; if you were of an opinion that it were cold , ( which you may as well maintaine as the earths motion ) you would doubtlesse tell us , that the scripture in saying the fire is hot , applies it selfe to the vulgar errour or mistake of our judgements ; thus you may make the scripture to serve you for defence of any absurdity , by using such a subterfuge , and running into such a starting hole . 4. you examine those particular scriptures which are urged to prove the suns motion , and you tell us that they are spoken in reference to the appearance of things , and the false opinions of the vulgar ; and in the 75. pag. of your booke , you say it is a frequent custome for the holy ghost to speake of naturall things , rather according to appearance and common opinion , then the truth it selfe . i would 1. know if this consequence be logicke ; the holy ghost speakes of naturall things according to appearance , frequently , and of some , ergo continually , and of all ; or particularly of this ; to wit , the earths immobility . the scripture oftentimes speakes of god according to mens opinion and capacity ; as , that he is angry , that he repents , &c. ergo , the scripture speaks still of god thus : and so , when the scripture sayes , that god is a spirit , or just , or infinite , or eternall ; that may be understood ( if your logicke be good ) according to opinion or appearance ; this will prove a dangerous kind of reasoning . 2. why doth not the holy ghost tell us in plaine tearmes , that the earth moves , if it doth move ? what end hath hee to tell us that it is immoveable ? is it because we are not capable to understand such a high mysterie ? that is ridiculous . for is it a greater mysterie then christs incarnation , resurrection , ascension , &c. which are set downe in plaine tearms ? but indeed it is no mysterie ; it 's easie to understand the earths motion , if it did move . or is it because the holy ghost would not give offence to the world , in telling them plainly that the earth moved , being an opinion so repugnant to sense and reason ? then doubtlesse he would not have told us , that the sun and moone stood still at ioshua's command ; or that the sea was divided by moses rod ; and those other miracles of holy writ , as much repugnant to sense and naturall reason , as the earths motion is : the holy ghost useth not to hide or mince the truth , for feare of offending men . 3. there is great oddes betweene asseverations and allusions ; betweene the affirmation of a truth , and an allusion to a fiction the scripture speaking of perverse men that will not heare gods word , alludes to the fiction ( as you call it , ) of the adder stopping his eare ; ergo , when the scripture speakes of the earths immobility , it speaks according to common opinion . a goodly consequence ; as if you would say , the scripture speakes figuratively of christ , when it calls him a lamb , a doore , a vine : ergo , when the scripture speakes of the beheading of iohn baptist , it speakes according to common opinion : if there be no better logicke taught in the universities of the moone , we will never send our sons thither . 3. it is a rule in saint austin , that we should expound scripture as the saints have expounded it before us ; quomodo bac verba intellexerunt sancti , sic utique intelligenda sunt : but name me that saint that ever expounded these scriptures , which speake of the heavens motion and of the earths immobilitie , according to appearance and common opinion . of st. austins minde was the sixth generall councell , prohibiting any man to interpret scripture , otherwise then the lights and doctors of the church , have hitherto expounded them by their writings ; which canon is confirmed in the eleventh session of the third lateran councell . 5. the ancient fathers warne us , that we doe not deviate or depart from the literall sense of scripture , so long as no absurdity doth follow thereupon : now , no absurdity doth follow upon the literall sense of the earths immobilitie ; but upon your sense and exposition many absurdities follow ; therefore we must not depart from the literall sense . 6. where the holy ghost speakes obscurely and figuratively in one place , hee doth in another place open himselfe in plaine tearmes , as saint hierome observes : but speaking of the earths immobilitie , he useth still the same phrases ; neither doth he explaine himselfe otherwise in any one place ; which doubtlesse hee would have done , if he had meant otherwise then hee spoake . 7. i absolutely deny that the holy ghost speakes of naturall things , otherwise then in truth and reality ; and not ( as you say , ) according to common opinions . as for your expositions of these scriptures which are for us , and your instances against our opinion ; they are wrested , and false , and impertinent , and of no soliditie , as we will shew by our answer or reply to each of them severally . 1. it is usuall with you to cut your throate with your owne sword , and to bring passages against your selfe ; for you would prove that the scripture speakes of the heavens motion , in reference onely to the vulgars false opinion ; because , the sunne is in his glory like a bridegroome ; and in his motion like a gyant . i answer , if the sunne be in his motion like a gyant , then sure the sunne hath motion ; for how can that which is not , be compared to that which is ? similitudes cannot illustrate non entities . 2. if the sun were not a glorious creature , david had not compared his glory to without motion , he had not compared his motion , to the motion of a gyant : if there be no motion in the winde and thunder , it had been idle to give wings to the one , or arrowes to the other , as david doth . 3. will you make the scripture not onely ass●er● a falshood in positive tearmes , but also bring similitudes to illustrate it ? this is to make the holy ghost a cherither , fomenter , and maintainer of untruths ; for so it must be , if the sunne move not , the scripture shewing it doth move , and declaring by similies how it doth move . 4. what consequence is this ? the scripture compareth the sun to a bridegroome , and a gyant ; ergo , the scripture speaking of the suns motion , speakes in reference to the false opinion of the vulgar ? it is all one with this : the gospel compares christ to a bridegroome ; ergo , the gospel speaking of christs humanity , speakes in reference to the false opinion of the vulgar . 5. there is ods between positive speeches and comparisons ; the sun is never called a bridegroome in scripture , but is said to be like a bridegroome : simile non est idem . but in scripture still , the sun is said to move , and the earth to be stable , in positive tearmes . 6. that david in this comparison did allude to the phansie of ignorant people , supposing the sun by night to rest in a chamber , is but your groundlesse conceit : you might say rather that he alluded to the fiction of poets , describing aurora to go to bed every night with tythonus ; tythous croceum ●●● quens aurora cubile : or to that golden bed which vulcan made him ; in which he is carried through the sea. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . but neither to this pleasant bed , nor to that of tythonus , nor to the vulgar conceit doth david allude ; but simply sets out gods majesty in the glory of the sunne , by a familiar example , taken from the glory of a bridegroome coming out of his chamber . 7. this former part of the psalme is interpreted by the fathers mystically of christ , whose motion and alacrity to run his race from the wombe to the grave , from heaven to earth , and from earth to heaven ; i hope you will not say , are to be understood in reference to the false opinion of the vulgar . 8. he is not compared to a gyant , in respect of his bignesse in the morning , ( as you say ) no more then he is to a dwarfe , in respect of his littlenesse at noone ; but in respect of the indefatigable swiftnesse of his motion , he is compared to a mighty runner : for there is no mention made of a gyant in the hebrew text , neither was it fit to compare him to a gyant . 9. nor doth david allude to the vulgar opinion , when he speakes of the ends of heaven ; for in a round globe or circle there are no ends : but he speaks with relation to the hemisphere , which you must needs yeeld hath ends ; for it terminates and ends in the horizon , called therefore finitor . besides , in the hebrew , greeke , and latine texts , it is not said , the ends ; but the remotest parts of heaven : and so you cannot deny but some parts are remoter from us then other parts . 10. neither hath the scripture any reference to the common mistake , as if the sun were actually hot , when it saith , ( nothing is hid from the heate thereof : ) these philosophers who deny any actuall heat in the sun , yet say the sun is hot : and i doubt not but you have said so many a time , and yet you have no reference to any actuall heate in the sun. do not you use to call cinnamon-water , and such like distilled waters , hot waters ? and yet they are actually cold . philosophers tell us that saturne is cold , and yet they doe not thinke that he is the subject of cold , but the cause onely . the scripture saith , that none can avoid the anger of god ; and yet you will not say that this passion is in god. the sunne then is hot , not by any heate in him , but by calefaction from him . 2. when the scripture saith , the sunne riseth and goeth downe ; this is not spoken in relation to the circumference which is equally distant from the center ; but in reference to the horizon as you confesse , or rather to the scituation of judea ; and so of other countreys : and in this respect , the sunne doth not onely seeme , but doth in very deed rise and fall to the inhabitants . for doth not the sunne truely ascend when he comes to your meridian , and truely descend , when he removes from it ? doth he not truly ascend and descend , to those who have him for their zenith in their meridian ? astronomers tell us that there is a true and reall rising and falling of the starres , as well as an apparent ; and then are they not truely said to rise and fall , when they doe truely ascend above , and descend beneath the horizon ? if the sunne doth not truely ascend and descend , then the shadowes doe not truly increase and decrease ; and so our sun-dialls doe not truely shew us the hours of the day , but in shew onely , and in appearance ; but wee see that the shadow still decreaseth , as the luminous body ascendeth , and encreaseth as that descendeth . virgils tytirus can tell you so much : majoresque cadunt altis de montibus umbrae , et sol discadens crescentes duplicat umbras . 3. joshua saith , that the sunne stood still in the midst of heaven : now , heaven ( you say ) hath no midst but the center , and so this is also spoken in reference to the vulgar opinion . answ. by the center , either you must understand the earth , or the sunne ; the earth indeed is in the midst of the world , but not in the midst of heaven ; for it is not there at all : if it were , christ needed not to ascend to heaven , being in the midst of it , when he was on the earth . wicked men then would have the best of it ; for as they have the largest possessions on earth , so should they have the largest shares in heaven . if by the center you meane the sunne , then you speake in reference to the vulgar opinion ; for the center is in the midst of heaven , the sunne is the center ; therefore the sun is in the midst of heaven , and so joshua saith . 2. by the heaven he doth not understand the whole celestiall globe , but the hemisphere ; and so this having its horizon or outmost limits and extreames , must also have its middle : and what can that else be , but the meridian passing through the zenith ? thus then it is demonstrable that whatsoever is equally distant from the extreames is in the midsts ; but the sun being in the zenith or meridian , is equally distant from the extreames : therefore the sun being in the zenith , is in the midst of heaven . 3. the hebrew doctors tell us , that when the sun stood still , hee was then in the summers solstice , being the tropicke of cancer ; from which judea is not farre distant : and so in that regard also joshua might truly say , that the sunne was in the midst of heaven , being then over their heads . 4. if it be a vulgar opinion to say , that the sunne is in the midst of heaven ; then all the chiefe learned both in divinitie , philosophie , and poetrie , speake as the vulgar doe ; for they use the same phrase : hence came the word meridian , meridies , mid-day , mid-night . if the sunne were not every day in the midst of heaven ; how should the artificiall day be divided into equall parts ? therefore clavins tells us , that the meridian is called by astronomers , the midst of heaven ; the line of the midst of heaven , &c. and the prince of poets speakes both of the sunne and moone in the midst of heaven : iam medium phoebus conscenderat igneus orbem . phoebe — noctivago curra medium pulsabat olympum . 5. i would know of you if all vulgar opinions be false . that ( i hope ) you will not say : if then the vulgar speake sometime truth , why may not the scripture speake truth with the vulgar ? or why should truth be of lesse esteeme , because vulgar ? it should be otherwise , for , bonum quo communius eo meliús . it is ridiculous to think with you , that the sun was over gibeon only in appearance and vulgar conceit : for indeed the sun was truly over gibeon , although he was no more over that then over other places . suppose you were in pauls church , and divers others were there too ; is the roofe of that church over your head only in appearance and vulgar conceit , because it is over other heads as well as yours ; or because it is much larger then your head ? or must that phrase be thought improper , the roofe is over your head ? 2. the figure eclipsis is frequent in scripture , when there some words wanting in a phrase which are to be supplied : as , 2 sam. 6. 6. vzza put forth to the arke , is understood , his hand . so 2 chro. 10. 11. i with scorpions , is understood , will chastise you . so here , sun stand still in gibeon , is understood , while we are fighting ? and so the words must be rendered : stand still whilest we are fighting in gibeon ; for not onely the city , but its territories where ioshua's army was , are called by the same name . so , moon in the valley of ajalon , is understood , goe not downe . these words , ( there was no day like that before it , or after it ) you say , are not to be understood absolutely , but in respect of the vulgar opinion ; because there be longer dayes under the pole. answ. ioshua spoke not this with any reference to vulgar opinions , but to the climate in which he lived , and where the miracle was shewed ; it was the longest day that ever was in those parts ; and what reason had he to except the dayes under the poles , being nothing to his purpose ? when christ saith , there be twelve houres in the day , his words cannot be understood absolutely ; for there be more houres where the horizon hath any obliquity ; and the higher the pole is elevated above the horizon , the more houres have the dayes in summer ; yet his words are true , in sphera recta , and in those countreys that are under and neere the line . and what will you conclude from this ? that because these and such like phrases , are not to be understood absolutely ; therefore this phrase ( the sun moves , ) is not to be understood absolutely ? but i will reply . these phrases are true in respect of the climate they were spoken of ; ergo this phrase also , ( the sun moves ) is true , in regard of the climate it is spoken of . if then judea be the place where the earth is stable , and the sun moves , your opinion is quite overthrown by the force of your own instance : for if the earth be immoveable in any climate , and the sun moveable , we have that which we desire : it lieth on you to shew how , and why the sun should move there , and not elsewhere ; why and how the earth moves here and not there . 2. these words of ioshua's , perhaps have no reference to the length of the day , although the vulgar translation read it so ; but rather to the greatnesse of the miracle , the heavens hearkening to the voyce of a mortall man. ioshua acknowledgeth , that never any such day was before or since ; that the lord hearkned to the voyce of a man : for so the hebrew and greeke read it . 4. the scripture saith , that the sun returned ten degrees in the dyall of achaz ; this you will have to be understood of the shadow only : so i perceive the sun and the shadow , light and darknesse , is all one with you . take heed of the woe denounced against them that call light darknesse , and darknesse light : why may you not in other places , aswell as in this , by the sun understand the shadow : as , at ioshua's command the sun stood still ; that is , the shadow stood . wee shall shine as the sun , that is , wee shall be dark as the shadow ? 2. you mince the miracle , and the power of god too much ; for , is it not as easie for him to make the sun goe back , as to make the shadow returne ? wherein is his absolute soveraignty seen , and his transcendent puissance , but in the obedience of all creatures , even of the sun , moon , and stars , to his commands ? st. austin , disputing against the gentiles , sheweth them , that nature is not the supreme guider of all things ; and hee instanceth in the standing , and going back of the sun. his argument had bin of no force , had not the sun moved at all , as you think . 3. if the shadow moved onely without the sun , then either that shadow moved it self , which is ridiculous to think ; or it was moved by the motion of the dyall , or of the gnomon and index of the dyall : now , if the dyall or gnomon was moved by god or an angel , tell us where you read it . why might it not as well be turned about with a mans hand , or by some engine , and so this would have bin a suspected miracle ; or else the shadow returned according to the motion of some other luminous body , & so this were to multiply miracles needlesly ; for 1. that light must be created for that purpose . 2. it must have a particular motion of its own . 3. it must be a greater light then that of the sunne , otherwise the shadow had not beene discernible . 4. it must either be united to some other light , or else vanish ; all which was needlesse : is it not safer then to adhere to gods word ? from which when we wander , we fall into many by-wayes . and whereas you tell us , that the miracle is proposed onely concerning the shadow : i answer , we are not to consider so much what is proposed , as what was effected . god useth to effect more , then he proposeth , and to performe more then he promiseth . 2. you say , there would have been some intimation of the extraordinary length of the day , as it is in that of ioshua : i answer , there was no such reason , why the length of this day should be mentioned ; because this day was much shorter then ioshua's , in respect it fell out in the winter solstice ; whereas that of ioshua was in the summer solstice , as the hebrew doctors observe . 3. had the sunne returned , this had been ( you say ) a greater miracle then those which were done on more solemne occasions . answ. god regards not the solemnity of occasions , in shewing of his miracles ; if he had , christ had never wrought his miracles in obscure and remote places , as hills and deserts : he would rather have shewed his transfiguration in jerusalem , to all the world , then upon mount tabor , onely to three disciples . he useth his miracles , as he did the loaves ; he bestowed seaven loaves on foure thousand men , and but five loaves upon five thousand : on small occasions god sometimes produceth great miracles , and upon great occasions sometimes hee sheweth none . 2. we must looke rather to the fitnesse of the miracle , then to the solemnity of the occasion : the sunne represented the king , who was the life and glory of his kingdome . god would let him and all men see , that as he onely hath power to rule , and alter the course of the sunne ; so it is he onely , that rules and turnes the hearts of kings : the sunne was obedient to gods command , so should the king be . as the sun moves to and fro , so doth the shadow ; and as the king is affected , so is the people . the going down of the sunne bringeth sadnesse on the earth , so doth the death of a king. 3. the occasion of this miracle was not so small as you take it ; the sicknesse , prayers and teares of a good king ; the prayers of a great prophet , the affection that god would shew his people , in delivering them from the hand of assyria ; and the love that hee carried to such a king , that rather then his faith shall faile , the sunne shall change his course ; and the lesson that he would teach us , that wee should honour kings , whom god doth so much honour ; as to make the king of planets stand still at the request of one , to goe backe at the petition of another : these i say were the occasions of this miracle . 4. the going backe of the sunne is not a greater miracle ( as you say ) then his standing still ; for the standing of the red-sea , was as great a miracle , as the going backe of jordan . 5. the shadow in the historie of the kings is onely mentioned , because the shadowes moving was more visible then the suns . 6. this signe ( you say ) appeared not in the sunne , because the wonder was done in the land . answ. the signe was in the sunne , and that the babylonians saw ; they sent to know the wonder , that is , what strange effect it had done in the land of judea . there be oftentimes strange prodigies in the aire , which cause strange effects on the earth . if i should send to italie or germanie , to know of some strange prodigies seene there in the aire ; and if i should enquire what wonder or effect these had wrought in the land , or in these countreys ; would you conclude that there was no prodigious signe at all in the aire ? the wisemen saw a new starre , which shewed to them the miraculous birth of a new king ; because they came to judea , to see the wonder done in the land : you will therehence conclude , that there was no signe at all in the heaven , neither starre , nor motion of a starre . 7. you doubt of the truth of the sunnes going backe , because no mention of it in ancient writers : but if you will doubt or deny all passages and miracles of scripture , which are not mentioned by the heathen writers , our bible will be reduced to a small handfull : they mention not the standing of the sunne , will you deny that too ? but you reply , that they had some light of it , by alluding to it in the fable of phaeton , when the sun was so irregular in his course , that he burned some part of the world : but indeed , this seems rather to allude to the suns going backe , then to his standing ; for an irregular course is more like a retrograde motion , then a standing still . but it is most likely that this fable alludes to the conflagration of sodome , and the other cities of the plaine : but however the gentiles were not ignorant of this miracle , as may be seen by that message sent to ezechias by the babylonians , who were then the onely astronomers . and saint austin proves , that this miracle was knowne to the heathen , by that verse in virgil : sistere aquam fluviis , & vertere sidera retro : ascribing both the standing of the red-sea , and of jordan ; and the going backe of the sunne , to art , magicke , which the scripture attributes to the power of god. but ioseph's in his first booke against apion , will tell you the reasons , why the gentile writers made little mention of the jewish affairs and miracles ; partly out of ignorance ; as knowing little or nothing of the jewes ; because they were not a people given to travell , or merchandising , and dwelt not in maritime towns : and partly out of malice to that nation , they concealed gods love to them , and the wonders done amongst them ; and indeed most of the ancient records by injury of time , fury of fire and waters , and neglect of those that should have kept them are lost ; both amongst the gentiles and the jewes , as those bookes of the kings of judah and israel , which are onely named in scripture . you reject the testimony of herodotus concerning the returning of the sunne , ( which he calls the rising of the sun in the west ; ) because he exceeds in the computation of years : but by this means you will wrong all historians , if you question the substance of the story for an errour in the circumstance : an errour in the computation of time takes not away the truth of the thing it selfe . the china people reck on an incredible number of yeares from the creation of the world ; yet you will not deny but that they had some knowledge of the creation , and that their relation of it is true . the chaldeans and egyptians reckon 432. thousand yeares before the floud ; will you therefore say , they had no knowledge of the floud ? the septuagints reckon from adam to the floud , 2262. yeares ; whereas the hebrews number onely 1656. yeares ; and yet the fathers reject not the septuagints testimony concerning the floud ; but most of them also follow their supputation . and how doe you know but that herodotus number of yeares may agree well enough with ours ; seeing divers countreys did reckon their years diversly . the arcadian year consisted but of three moneths ; the acarnanian of sixe : the roman at first but of tenne . the egyptian year was various ; for sometime it consisted of thirteen months , sometime but of foure , and sometime of three onely , and of two , and of one onely sometime . therefore doubtlesse herodotus years were either arcadian , or egyptian ; and so compare them with our yeares , you will finde that there is no such oddes as you make : and that in speaking of the sunnes retrogradation , he hath not reference to the times that never were . and whereas you say that this miracle hapned when hesiod flourished , you faile in your chronologie ; for hesiod was above a hundred yeares before this miracle was effected , if you will beleeve gentbrard and the other chronologers . you are a wise philosopher to tell us , that the shadow ( as well as the heat and beames ) is the effect of the sunne . can darknesse be the effect of light ? a privation is a defect , not an effect : if the shadow were an effect at all , it should be the effect of the darke and condensate body , but not of the luminous . take heed that the light which is in you be not darknesse , for then how great will that darknesse be ? chap. iii. 1. the scripture doth not speake according to vulgar opinion , when it calls the moone a great light , for so it is . 2. not when it speakes of waters above the heavens , for such there are . 3. nor when it calls the starres innumerable , for so they are . 4. nor when it mentions by circumference of the brasin sea to be thirty cubits , and the diameter tenne , for so it was . why the lesser number is sometime omitted . 5. nor in saying the earth is founded on the waters , which is true . 6. the right and left side of heaven how understood , and how the heaven is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and of the intelligences . 7. the scripture speaketh properly in attributing understanding to the heart . the galenists opinion discussed . 8. of ova aspidum , and the vipers egges , how understood . 9. the aspe or adler how hee stops his eare . 10. of the north and south winde in scripture . 11. the sun shall be truely darkned , the moon turned to blood , and the starres shall fall , amp ; c. 12. of the windes whence they come , &c. 13. the sea the onely cause of springs . 14. the thunder is truly gods voice . 15. the 7. stars . in this proposition you goe about to shew us , that the scripture in naturall things conformes it selfe to our conceived errours , and that it speakes of things not as they are in themselves , but as they appeare . and yet the testimony of vallesius which you bring to help you , overthrowes you ; for , whatsoever ( saith hee ) is in scripture concerning nature , is most true , as proceeding from the god of nature , from whom nothing could be hid . if the scripture expressions of naturall things be most true , then they cannot agree with our erroneous conceits ; for truth and errour agree like light and darknesse : and you confesse your selfe that all naturall points in scripture are certain and infallible ; but in that sense ( say you ) wherein they were first intended , and that is the sense that you give ; for you only are acquainted with the first intended sense of the holy ghost , and so wee must take it upon your bare word that that onely is the true sense which your side delivereth : and i pray you what heresie may not be maintained by scripture this way ? for heretickes will also say , that all things in scripture are true , certaine , and evident , in that sense which was at first intended ; but when it comes to the point , it is the sense which they themselves have invented obtruded . the first instance which you bring for proof of your assertion , is from the moon , which is called in scripture , one of the great lights ; and yet by infallible observation ( say you ) may be proved to be lesse then any visible starre . answ. other astronomers will prove as strongly as you can , that mercury is the least of all starres ; shall wee beleeve you , or them ? 2. though i should yeeld that the moon were a small starre in bulk , will it follow that therefore it is a lesser light ? must the light be intended , as the body is extended ? i have seen a fire yeeld lesse light then a candle ; mercury , which you say is bigger then the moon , hath not the hundreth part of that light which is in the moon : so that if mercury and the moon should change places , yet the light of the moon would not appeare much lesser , nor the light of mercury much bigger : the eie which is the light of the body , is not the clearer because the bigger ; there is not so much light in an oxe eie , as in an eagle's : divines hold , that the light which was created the first day , was no other then the light of the sun diffused over the hemispheare ; the whole hemispheare is much bigger , i hope , then the body of the sun ; and yet the world , i think , was not more enlightened the first day , then the fourth , when that diffused light was contracted and compacted in a narrower compasse . 3. to what end should there be so much light in each starre exceeding the light of the moone ? they received their light not for themselves , but for us ; ( except you will say there be innumerable worlds , which must be enlightened aswell as ours ) but wee receive by many degrees more light from one halfe of the moon , then wee doe from all the starres together . surely god made nothing in vaine ; but in vain hath the starres so much light , if man , for whom they were made , receive no sight nor benefit from this light . 4. astronomicall positions concerning the magnitude and heighth of each starre , on which they ground their darke conjecture of light , are toyes and fictions of their owne heads : they make false maximes , and on these they build confused babels of their owne conceits : yeeld to them that they have the semidiameter of the earth , and then graeculus esuriens ad coelum jusseris ibit ; every smatterer will exactly tell you the height and bignesse of each starre , haud secus ac si oculo rubricam dirigat uno . 5. i will tell you what st. austine saith of this question , and of the astronomers of his time : let them ( saith hee ) talk of heaven , who have but small interest in heaven ; wee confidently beleeve that these lights are greater then others , which the scripture commends to be such . let them give us leave to trust our owne eyes ; it is manifest that they give more light to the earth then all the rest do , &c. the scripture then , and our owne senses assure us that these are the great lights . if you say that each starre is a bigger light in it selfe then the moon , i will beleeve it when i see it ; or have talked with one of your world in the moon , who perhaps can informe us better , then any reason you can bring to evince us . 2. wee grant that moses tells us of waters above the firmament , but we deny that this is in reference to an erroneous conceit ( as you say ) but rather wee hold , that it is an erroneous conceit to forsake the true fountaines of knowledge , to digge crackt cisternes ; to preferre any opinion to the plaine text of scripture . what a forced exposition is it , to call clouds and raine below in the aire , and which are oftentimes lower then the tops of hills , to call these i say , waters above the heaven , of which the psalmist speaks ; whereas these waters are so farre below the heaven ? and how can any conceive , that the second day there was raine below in the aire , and that god by the firmament did separate that raine from the waters of the sea ? and though i should yeeld that the aire is called heaven sometime synecdochically ; and that raine or clouds being in the aire , may be said to be in heaven : yet i cannot yeeld , that therefore they are above the heaven , for to be above , and to be in , differ much : therefore i hold with the ancient doctors of the church , that there be waters above the heaven , which is no more incredible ( saith st. austine ) that there may be waters in the upper part of the great world , then that there may be waters in a mans head , which is the upper part of the little world . if wee look ( saith st. ambrose ) 1. on the greatnesse and omnipotency of god in creating the world . 2. on his ordinary power in preserving the world , sustaining all things by the word of his might , by which he holds up the sea that it may not drown the low land . 3. on his miraculous power in causing the waters of the red-sea to stand upon an heap , and iordan to goe back : which miracle he made visible , that thou mayst beleeve these things which are invisible ; then why should wee doubt of these waters which be above the heavens ? if any aske mee what is the nature , use , or end of those waters , and how they are there ; st. austine shall answer for me : quomodo , aut quales ibi aquae sint , &c. how , or what kind of waters these be , is uncertain ; but that there be waters there wee doubt not , because greater is the authority of this scripture , then the capacity of all humane wit. 3. when the scripture speaks of innumerable starres , you say , that is to be understood according to the vulgar opinion : but i say , that it is the opinion of the best learned , that they cannot be mumbred , even clavius , whom you cite for you , confesseth , that though astronomers have reduced the most conspicuous starres to the number of 1022. yet that there are multitudes of starres , besides these , that cannot be told , hoc nunquam negabo , ( saith hee ) i will never deny this : and hee saith also , that god so enlarged abraham's sight , that hee made him see all the starres of heaven . if then you looke in a cleare winters night towards the north ; if you look on the milkie way , if you consider the stars towards the south pole , not discernable by us ; you must confesse that the scripture speakes properly , and not according to vulgar opinion , when it saith , that the starres are innumerable : therefore saith saint austin , whosoever brags that he hath comprehended and set down the whole number of the starres , as aratus and eudoxus did ; eos libri hujus contemnit authoritas ; the authority of scripture contemnes them . but when you tell us , that the israelites did farre execed the number of the starres ; that is nothing to our purpose : besides wee can easily answer , that god did not compare abrahams carnall seed to the starres , but his spirituall seed . his carnall seed is compared to the sand and dust ; and so writes saint austin . againe , when you have found out the true number of all the starres , then tell us , whether they or abrahams seed be greatest in number . 4. you prove that the holy ghost speakes not exactly of naturall secrets ; for he sets not downe the exact measure or proportion of solomons brasen sea . answ. i had thought that a brasen vessel had been the worke of art , and not a secret of nature : that geometricall proportions are secrets of nature , is a maxime onely in your philosophie . 2. i had said that iosephus held this sea not to be perfectly round ; you reply , that then the disproportion will be greater , and that scripture which calls it round , is to be beleeved before iosephus . i answer , that i alledged not iosephus to preferre him in my beliefe to the scripture , but to shew that there could not be an exact proportion , betweene the diameter and the circumference , in a vessell not exactly round ; and yet the scripture doth not say , it was exactly round , but onely round . every thing that is called round is not of an exact round figure ; an egge is called round ; the rainbow is said to be round about the throne . and the hills to be round about ierusalem . and children to sit round about the table &c. which you will not say are to be understood of an exact round figure . but indeed i know not how to please you ; if i alledge scripture , you answer , that scripture speakes not exactly of naturall secrets ; that it accomodates it selfe to the errours of our conceits ; that it speaks according to the opinion of the vulgar , &c. if i alledge iosephus or any other author , then you tell us , that scripture is to be beleeved before iosephus ; so that you are more slippery then any eele . 3. i had said , that the scripture for brevities sake in numbering , used onely to mention the greater number , and to omit the letter ; as iacobs family were seaventy soules , which indeede were seaventy five ; and many other such passages i alledged . you answer , that this confirmes your argument ; for the scripture is so farre from speaking exactly of philosophicall secrets , that in ordinary numbering , it doth conform to common customs . answ. 1. shew us that this kinde of numbering , was the common custome . 2. will it follow : the scripture doth not exactly number , sometimes for brevities sake ; ergo , it never speakes exactly of philosophicall points ? 3. if this consequence be good , then it will follow , that you never speake exactly of philosophicall points : for you sometimes in mentioning of numbers , omit the lesser number ; as when you say seaventy interpreters , whereas there were seaventy two . lastly , i answer , that there is great oddes betweene an historicall narration of the measure of a vessell , as it was taken by the work-men , who are not still exact geometricians : and a plaine and constant affirmation of a philosophicall truth . he that wrote the bookes of the kings , sets down the circumference of the brasen sea to be thirty cubites , and the diameter to bee ten ; for so doubtlesse the measure was taken by the work-men : but when the scripture saith , the earth is immoveable ; it records this as a philosophicall or theological maxime ; and not as an historicall passage . concerning the ends and sides of the earth , and of heaven we will speake anon . 5. that the earth is founded on the waters , is not the opinion of common people , but rather the contrary ; for they are led by sense as you use to say : and their sense shewes them , that the seas are above the earth ; and reason will teach them , that a lighter body cannot be the foundation of a heavier . but you bring a ridiculous reason , why some thinke the earth to be upon the water : because when they have travelled as farre as they can , they are stopped by the sea : by the same reason , if you were travelling and stopt by a river , or lake ; you will conclude that the earth is upon that river or lake . but your opinion is true in some sense ; for when we are stopt by the sea , lake or river , we get up into a boate or ship , and then indeed earth is above water : but i thinke you was asleep when this watrish reason dropt from your pen. i have already shewed how the earth is said to be upon the sea ; that is , ( by the hebrew phrase which wants comparatives ) that it is higher then the sea ; and that it is in some parts of it above the seas , flouds , and rivers , that are in the concavities of the earth . 6. you speake much of the right and left side of heaven , and dextro mercurio ; you have conveyed a great part of your discourse out of clavius , without acknowledgement : but quorsum perditio bac ? this waste of words might have been better spared , as being impertinent . for that place of iob speakes indeed of the right and lest hand , but not a word of heaven : neither is there any right or lest sidein heaven , nor needs there to be . for the left side is more imperfect and weak then the right , which cannot be said of heaven , being an uniforme , and every way perfect body . and how can there be a right and left side , where there is neither sense nor life , nor distinction of organicall parts ? therefore , in trees and plants , there is no right or left side , though they have life ; much lesse can this be in heaven . 2. tell us what part of heaven doth the scripture call right or left ? this i know you cannot tell . 3. though the scripture should speak after the vulgar phrase , in naming the right and left side of heaven : doth it therefore follow , that the scripture speaketh so concerning the stability of the earth ? 4. whereas you say , that aristotles opinion in this point is delivered upon wrong grounds , supposing the orbes to be living creatures , and assisted with intelligences : i confesse that he calls the heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as having a soule or spirit , which he calls intelligence , we angel , by which the heaven is moved : but he doth not hereby suppose the heaven to be a living creature ; for the angels are not informing sormes of their orbes , but assisting . when the angel was in the poole of bethesda , and moved the water , you will not inferre upon this , that the poole was a living creature : whatsoever is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , animatum , that is , hath a soule or spirit in it ; is not therefore a living creature : for so you may say a paire of bellowes , or winde instruments of musicke , are living creatures ; for winde , breath and aire , are called sometimes soules : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or anima , or animus , is common to them all . quicquid ignes , animaeque valent : phrygias audire animas , are spoken of bellowes , and musicall instruments ; so , phrygius cornus liquida canit anima : and yet i will not deny , but metonymically , heaven may be called a living creature ; as being that which giveth life to living creatures : or by analogie , it may be said to live , in respect of the angel which supplies the roome of a soule , not in giving life , but , motion to it . 5. it was no wrong ground in aristotle to say , that the heavens were assisted with intelligences , seeing they cannot move themselves being simple substances ; neither can naturall forme give such multiplicitie of motions , as are in the heavens ; neither are they moved by other bodies ; for these bodies at last must be moved by spirits ; neither doe naturall bodies move naturally in their place , but , to their place : now the heavens are in their place . of this opinion were not onely the philosophers , but also the christian doctors : heavenly bodies are moved by the ministery of angels , saith saint austin . origen saith , that the angels have the charge of all things , of earth , and water , aire , and fire : and perhaps saint hierome mistooke his meaning , when he attributes to origen this errour , of assisting reasonable soules to the heavens ; he meant the angels . and thomas , by that spirit , that compasseth the world by its motion , eccles. 1. 6. understandeth an angel. it were strange to thinke that so many angels should be assigned by god for the earth ; and for inferiour officers towards men , and none should have the moving of the heavens : but of the angels moving their spheares , i have spoken already against mr. carpenter . 7. the spirit ( you say ) applies himselfe to the common tenent generally received heretofore , in attributing wisdome and understanding to the heart ; whereas reason and discursive faculties , have the chiefe residence in the head . answ. 1. how know you that this was the generall tenent in solomons dayes ? from what stories of these times have you had this ? the word ( heretofore ) must signifie the time before solomon : i doubt me , if you should be put to it , you could not prove that the opinion of the understandings residence in the heart , was the common tenent in the world before solomon ; but i perceive you would have it to be so , because solomon placeth understanding in the heart : as if the scripture set downe no positive doctrines , but what were common tenents , whether true or false . 2. the word ( heart ) here may signifie the soule or minde ; as it doth often in scripture , and in humane writings too ; the soule is called heart , and the heart is called soule oftentimes . so in homer , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , eating their soules , that is , their hearts with cares . and in plutarch , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , is to be without reason or understanding : vecordes and excordes , are men whose minds are distempered . so in saint peter , by the hidden man of the heart , is meant , the renovation of the minde . if then by the heart is understood the mind or soule , you must needs grant , that it is a tenent no lesse true then common , that the understanding is in the heart , whether you take it for a part , or for a power , or for a facultie of the soule . 3. this was not a common tenent many yeares after solomon ; for neither empedocles , nor the epicures , nor the egyptian philosophers , nor the arabians , nor the academicks , held the understanding to be in the heart ; but some in the head , some in the breast , some in all the body . herodotus affirmed it to be in the ears ; blemor in the eyes ; strato in the eye-browes : onely the peripatetickes and stoicks , placed it in the heart . 4. the holy ghost attributes understanding to the heart ; not because it was a common , but because a true tenent : for howsoever galen and his sectaries hold the contrary , yet it is certaine , that the heart is the true seat of the understanding . for 1. the will is in the heart , therefore the understanding is there also ; such is the dependency of these two faculties , the one from the other , that the will is never without the understanding ; and indeed these two are but one in essence ; for the will is nothing else , but the understanding dilated , extended , inlarged to the desire and fruition of that object which it apprehends . 2. the apostle saith , that we beleeve with the heart , ( except you will have this also to be spoken according to opinion , and not according to truth ) but without understanding , we cannot beleeve ; for to beleeve ( saith thomas ) is the act of understanding , moved by the will to assent . 3. the heart is the originall subject of sense and motion , and consequently of understanding ; which cannot be in us without sense and motion . 4. understanding is in the soule , the soule in the spirits , the spirits in the blond , and the bloud is originally in the heart ; which though it be in the liver as in a cisterne , and in the veines as conduit-pipes , yet it is in the heart , as in the fountaine . 5. the animall spirits in the braine , in which they say the understanding is , are both generated of , and preserved by the vitall spirits of the heart , being conveyed thither by certaine arteries , small strings , or fibrae . 6. in a sudden feare , which is the passion of the heart , the understanding is much darkened and disturbed . 7. hippocrates every way a better man then galen affirmes this truth : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : mens , minde or understanding is in the left ventricle of the heart . that booke , de morbo sacro , which goeth under the name of hippocrates , which contradicteth this truth , is justly affirmed by galen to be none of his . 8. though i should yeeld to the galenists , that the understanding is in the braine ; yet i will yeeld that it is there onely instrumentally and secondarily , and in respect of its act or exercise ; for originally , principally , and in respect of its faculty , it is in the heart onely : neither would there be any exercise of understanding in the braine , if it were not from the influence which it receiveth from the heart . neither is this strange , that the act should be in one part , and the faculty in another ; for the faculty of seeing is in the brain , and yet the act of seeing is in the eye : so that though the eye were lost , yet the faculty would remaine still in the braine . as for any thing that the galenists can say against this , it is of no moment ; for although the braine be hurt , wounded , or inflamed , yet the faculty of understanding is not lost , though the act or exercise be hindered . besides , there is a phrensie or alienation of the minde , upon a hurt or inflamation of the diaphragma , as well as of the braine ; therefore , the ancient physicians called this muscule , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because it being hurt , the minde was hurt : the remedies applied to the head by which the braine is cured , doe not argue that the understanding is there ; but that there it doth exercise it selfe : and yet remedies are applied sometimes to those parts where the disease is not , but in some other place ; but this i leave to physicians . i remember that philo will have the understanding which he compares to a king , to be in the head ; because there be all the senses , as the kings guard : but he is deceived , for the guard may be in the same house with the king , but not in his bed-chamber . the guard or outward senses are in the outward court , the inward senses are in the privy chamber , but the king himselfe is in the heart , as in his bed-chamber . if any reply that the head is uppermost , and therefore the worthiest part of the body , and fittest for the king to be there ; i answer no ; for the garret or upper part of the house is for the servants to lodge in ; the king ought to be in the most inward and safest part of his palace . it is evident then by what we have said , that the holy ghost by placing the understanding in the heart , did speake according to truth , and not to common opinion ; and therefore to write that the spirit of truth who leadeth us into all truth , speaketh rather according to opinion then truth ; is a note blacker then your inke , unfit to fall from the pen of a christian. for even allegories , tropes , figures and parables , are truths : but i impute this slip rather to negligence in you , then malice . 8. the vipers egges will not help you : ova aspidum ruperunt , they have broken the vipers egges , as you translate it : but 1. the viper hath no egges ; for whereas other serpents lay egges , the viper excludeth young vipers and not egges : therefore called vipera , quasi vivipara : vipers egges are such chimera's , as your world in the moone . 2. the aspis and the viper are of different kinds ; to say that aspis is a viper , is as true , as if you did say , a cat is a pig , or a crow is a goose . read aelian , pliny , and others who have written the stories of these creatures , and physicians who make treakle of vipers , not of aspes ; if you will not beleeve me . it was a viper , not an aspe , that leaped upon saint pauls hand : they were aspes , not vipers , that cleopatra applied to her breasts . 3. this scripture doth not allude to that common fabulous story of the viper , as you say , breaking his passage through the females bowels : but it compares the counsels and plots of wicked men to the egs of the aspes , which being white and faire to the eye , are venomous within , and cannot be broken without the indangering and poysoning of him that breakes them : so wicked mens smooth counsels and plots , howsoever specious in their pretences , are notwithstanding venemous and deadly in their intentions and execution . 4. though i should grant you that vipers have egges , yet it is one thing for men to breake vipers egges , and another thing for young vipers to breake through the bowels of the female ; the scripture speaketh of the former breaking , and not of the latter ; neither hath it any relation at all in this place to that story of the vipers breaking through the belly of the female . 5. nor is this story so fabulous as you take it , having the patrocinie of so many great and grave authors for it ; namely , aristotle , theophrastus , herodotus , aelian , plutarch , horapollus , pliny , saint basil , saint hierome , isiodor , and divers others . scaliger indeed writes , that he saw a viper bring forth her young ones without hurt ; and perhaps angelus , brodaeus , and some others have seen the like : but what though we have seen some unhurt ? it is a hard skirmish where none scapes . to inferre that no vipers are killed by their young ones , because some are not , is as much as if you would say , no women are sicke or pained in their childe-birth , because some are not . thus you see that you can make no treakle or antidote of your viper for the strengthening of your opinion ; the very names which are given by the greekes and latines to this creature , shew that this is no fiction ; for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , having much paine in bringing forth ; and vipera , quasi vi pari●ns . but we will shake off this viper from our pen , as saint paul did that viper in malta from his hand ; and if your viper hath bit us , let us see if your aspe ( for so naturalists doe write ) will cure us . 9. the aspe ( which you translate the adder ) stops his eares , ( saith the psalmist ) against the voyce of the charmer . this you say is fabulous , if we may beleeve many naturalists , yet the holy ghost alludes to it because it was the generall opinion of those dayes . answ. you are a great antiquary , for you know the common opinions that were in davids dayes , and you tell us not out of what records or manuscripts you have this ; but indeed i will not beleeve you , nor your many naturalists , whom you , should have named , and shewed us their reasons , why they think this to be fabulous . 2. you will not ( i think ) hold inchanting of serpents to be fabulous , except you will ( as you use to doe ) contradict both sacred and profane , ancient and recent stories . 3. nor will you deny that there is great cunning and prudence in serpents to avoid dangers , and to preserve themselves ; our saviour will have us to learne wisdome of them ; why then may not the aspe naturally have this piece of policie to stop his eare ? 4. though there were no such naturall policie in the serpent , yet may he not be taught by inchanters to do so ? you shal read in stories of stranger matters done by serpents ; if you will reade irenaeus , austin and epiphanius of heresies , you shall finde how that sect of the valentinians or gnostickes called ( from worshipping of the serpents ) ophits , did teame and teach their serpents to come out of their holes or boxes where they were kept , to crawle on their altars ; eo licke their oblations , to wrap themselves about their eucharist , and so returne to their holes : the like is recorded by virgil of a serpent on the altar which aentas erected on his fathers tombe : tandem inter pateras & levia pocula serpent , libavitque dapes , &c. i will not speake of olympias her serpent , and of many others . 5. may not satan who hath still abused the serpent to superstition , cause the aspe stop his eares when he is inchanted ? is it a more incredible thing for an aspe to stop his eare , then for a serpent to speake and discourse , as he did to eva. i could tell you strange stories of the serpent epidaurius at rome ; of that serpent that barked at the ejection of tarquinius , and of others recorded by grave historians , which i will not account fabulous , though you perhaps will ; because i know that satan by permission can doe strange things . 6. it is manifest that beasts , birds , and fishes , are diversly affected , with joy , fear , courage , anger , &c. according to the qualitie of the sound which they heare : why then should the relation of the aspe stopping his care be accounted so incredible ? it may be as naturall for him to stop his eare at an ungratefull sound , as for other creatures to run away from it . 7. though men have but small knowledge of this , yet ( as st. austin saith ) the spirit of god knowes better then all men do ; who had not recorded this had it not been true ; so that what is by men accounted an opinion , in scripture it is truth , saith the same father : by all this you may see that the holy ghost speaketh not according to mens opinions , but according to truth ; and though you should erect your two serpents over your dore , as the gentiles used to doe over their temples , yet they will not priviledge your opinion . 10. the north winde which the scripture calleth cold and drie , the southwinde which is hot and moist , are phrases as you say which doe not containe any absolute generall truth : for though the north-winde to us on this side of the line be cold and dry , yet to those beyond the other tropicke it is hot and moist . answ. there is no absolute generall truth in most of the sublunarie works of nature , for they are subject to much change ; and especially the windes which are the emblemes of unconstancy . so that even here in this island i have known northern windes warme and moist , and southerne cold and dry ; and if you read acosta he will tell you , that ordinarily beyond the line , the north-winde is cold and dry , as it is in this side ; and not hot and moist ( as you say ) though it blow from the line . the windes doe vary according to the climate they blow through , and yet they keep not the same tenure still in the same climate : the north-winde is ordinarily cold and dry in that climate , where these scriptures of iob and proverbs were penned ; and the scripture speaketh onely of that climate : and yet if you will beleeve acosta's owne experience , these scriptures are true also of the north-winde beyond the line . but what will you inferre upon this ? marry that this proposition , the earth is immoveable , containes not a generall truth , because the north-winde is not generally cold and drie ; as if you would say , this proposition , the sea ebbes and flowes , containes not a generall truth ; ergo , this proposition , man is a reasonable creature , is not generally true ; who will not laugh petulants splene , to heare such logick ? but you give a reason why this phrase of the coldnesse and drinesse of the north-winde is not generally true , because in some places it is hot and moist : prove unto us that the earth in some places moves circularly , and then we will yeeld that this phrase of the earths immobility is not generally true . 2. these scriptures which you alledge for the coldnesse of the north-wind may be diversly understood : for iob 37.9 . there is mention made of dispersers or scatterers , but not of the north-wind : and this quality is in every wind to disperse the clouds , as well as to bring them . in the pro. 25. 23. it is said , that the north-winde bringeth forth raine ; for so the hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth , as well as to drive away ; and so iunius and tremelius translate it , gignit ; and instead of aquilo , they have caecias , which is the north-east-winde , though some think it to be the north-west : so the seaventy translatours have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to excite and stirre up : so iob 37. 21. where some translate , faire weather ; in hebrew , greeke , and in the old latine translation , it is , gold cometh out of the north. thus upon tottering and uncertaine foundations , you raise the structure of your wilde phantasies . 11. the darkning of the sunne , the turning of the moone into bloud , and the falling of the stars will not help you ; for these are not naturall effects , but miraculous workes of god to be done afore christ second coming : and to say that these things shall be but in shew or appearance , is to make us thinke that god will affright the world , as we doe little children with hobgoblins . how will the truth of his miracles , the terrour of his judgements , the greatnesse of his majestie be seene , if these things shall not truely and really be effected ? you may as well say , that all former miracles were but in shew or appearance : as christs turning of water into wine ; his walking on the sea ; his raising of the dead ; curing of diseases ; appeasing of the storme , &c. is it a thing more incredible for the sun to be miraculously darkened at christs second coming , then it was at his passion , when the sun lost his light , the moone being at full ? which miracle was acknowledged by that learned areopagite , being then in egypt . or is it more incredible that the moone shall be turned into bloud , then for clouds to raine bloud ? of which bloudy showers , you may read in the roman and french stories , and in our owne chronicles at home , of bloud that rained seaven dayes together in this island , so that the milke was turned into bloud . what say you of all the waters of egypt which were turned into bloud ? and if wee may beleeve the church stories , when felix the martyr suffered , for not delivering up the bible to be burned , about the yeare of christ , 302. the moone was turned into bloud : thus god is able to make your world in the moone aceldama . and why shall we not as well beleeve that the starres shall fall , as that they sought against sisera , or that a new starre conducted the wise-men to christ ? god is as able to shake the heavens , and the stars from them , as a winde is to shake a fig-tree and spoile it of leaves : he that setled the stars may remove them . and to tell us that these meteors which wee call falling stars , are meant ; is a childish conceit , seeing such doe fall almost every night , and are the meer works of nature , no wayes fit to expresse gods judgements , and the terrour of that day . 12. christ saith to nicodemus , that he knew not whence the winde cometh , nor whether it goeth . you inferre that none knows this as the vulgar thinke ; and therefore this , and such like phrases are to be understood in relation to their ignorance ; and the scripture ( you say ) speaks of some naturall effects , as if their causes were not to be found out , because they were generally so esteemed by the vulgar . i perceive you are none of the vulgar , but , de meliore luto ; for it seemes you know these causes which the vulgar know not : you are gallinae filius albae ; a happy man that knowes the hid cauises of things : foelix qui poteris rerum cognoscere causas . i confesse my ignorance in the most of these naturall causes ; philosophers reasons are not satisfactory to me : obstat cui gelidus circum praecordia sanguis . but if the wiser sort know from whence the winde commeth , which the vulgar doe not ; so likewise must the wayes of the spirit in our regeneration be known to them also , though not to the vulgar : but sure that is not christs meaning ; for he meanes that the way and manner of our regeneration are as hid & secret to men without divine revelation , as the wayes of the winde are : and as none knows the one , so none the other . 2. if you know from whence the winde cometh , and whither it goeth , i pray tell us , and hide not your light under a bushell : perhaps you will say that it cometh from north , or south , east , or west ; if you can say no more , you were as good lay your finger on your lip with harpocrates , and say nothing . for tell us , out of what part of the earth or sea doth the north-winde arise , when it blowes over our island ; and how farre doth it goe , or where doth it end ? whence came the great south-west-winde , which the 27. of december last sunke so many ships , overturned so many trees , overthrew so many barnes and dwelling houses ? and where did this winde end ? can you tell us whence the brises or trade-windes under the line which blow continually from east to west , doe proceed ? or doe you know whence the aniversarie windes in egypt , called etesiae , doe come ? these begin to blow when the dog-starre ariseth , and continue forty dayes together ; such windes blow in spaine and asia , but from the east ; in pontus from the north. i thinke that though you should aske of the finlanders who used to sell windes , ( if you will beleeve olaus ) they cannot informe you . 3. how can philosophers tell us from whence the winde cometh , when they know not as yet what the winde is , whether an exhalation , or the aire moved , whether it ariseth out of the sea , as homer thinks , or out of the bowells and caves of the earth , as others suppose . pliny will tell you of caves where the winde blowes continually ; and neptune , in virgil , will shew you , that aeolus hath no power in his kingdome , but in the hollow caves and rockes of the earth : — tenet ille immania saxa , — illâ se jactet in aulâ aeolus & caeco , &c. — 4. st. austine was no vulgar man , and yet hee confesseth his ignorance , that he knowes not out of what treasure god bringeth forth his windes , and his clouds ; indeed wee may all acknowledge with seneca , that our knowledge is but ignorance ; and because of the uncertainty of humane conjectures , it is best to content our selves with the knowledge of that supreme cause of all naturall effects revealed to us in scripture . 13. solomon ( you say ) doth onely mention the sea being obvious , and easily apprehended by the vulgar , to be the cause of springs and rivers , though in nature there be many other causes of them . i answer , solomon doth mention the sea onely , not because the vulgar apprehends it so , but because indeed and verily it is so ; to wit , the onely prime cause of springs and rivers : if you should tell mee that raine and vapours are other causes , you would say nothing , for these are subordinate to the sea ; hee that names the prime and superiour cause of any effect , doth not exclude , but include all subordinate and inferiour causes . if , i say , the sea is the cause of springs , i say inclusively , that raine and vapours ( which have their originall from the sea ) are the causes also . when the jewes said they were the sons of abraham , they excluded not isaac and iacob . when saint paul saith that god giveth to every seed its body , hee excludes not the sun , raine , earth , and the formative power of the seed , which are subordinate causes to god. 2. solomons drift was not to make a philosophicall discourse about the causes of rivers , but to shew the vanity of things by the continuall issuing and returning of rivers from and to the sea , as hee had done before by the sunnes motion . 14. for the thunder , which david calls the voice of god ; wee say that this phrase is not to be understood with relation to some mens ignorance , as you fondly conceit , but to gods omnipotency and providence ; who by his thunder , as by a voice , speaks unto the world : and a powerfull voice it is to shake the hearts of the proudest atheists , even of caligula himselfe ; and to teach the most perverse epicures , that there is a god in heaven who ruleth and judgeth the earth . no eloquence prevailed so much with horace as this , when hee was parcus deorum cultor , an epicure : it made him renounce his errour , — & retro vela dare ; by which the gentiles acknowledged there was a supreme god , whom they called iupiter , and that hee had the power of thunder , — qui fulmine concutit orbem . — qui foedera fulmine sancit . so the same virgil acknowledgeth that the thunder made the people to stand in awe of god : — an te genitor cum fulmina torques , nec quicquam horremus , &c. by this , god moved the hearts of the romanes to use the christians kindly , when by thunder hee overthrew the marcomans ; and the christian legion from thence was called , the thundering legion . it is his weapon with which hee fights against wicked men , and which hee flings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , against perjurers , as aristophanes saith : all the thundering disputations of philosophers , and the small sparkes of light or knowledge which they have of naturall causes , are but toyes ; they are no better then glow-wormes . what is the croaking of frogs , to the cracking of thunder , or the light of rotten wood , to lightning in the aire ? therefore , in spight of all naturalists , let us acknowledge with david , that it is the lord that maketh the thunder , that this voice of the lord breaketh the cedars , and divideth the flames of fire , and shaketh the wildernesse , &c. besides , the thunder is called gods voice , as the winde gods breath , by an hebraisme : as tall cedars and high mountaines are called the cedars and mountaines of god : the voice of god is as much as if you would say , an excellent voice . then whatsoever naturalists affirme peremptorily of the thunder , i will with iob and david , acknowledge god to be the onely cause ; and will aske with iob , the thunder of his power who can understand ? quis tonitrus sonum , aut quemadmedum oriatur explicandis rationibus assequi possit ? saith symmachus , on these words of iob. 15. the constellation called the 7. starres , are found ( you say ) by later discoveries , to be but six : what if i should grant you this , and more too then you desire ; to wit , that of old they were accounted but six of some : so ovid , dicuntur septeno , sex tamen esse solent . so aratus , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and generally the poets held , that though atlas had seven daughters , called atlantides from him ; yet one of them , to wit , merope , or as others say , electra , hides her face : but divers others hold there be seven to be seen . and s. basil tells us in plain termes , that there are seven stars of these , and not six , as some think : but let there be seven , or but six , what is this to your purpose ? mary , that the scripture , amos 5.8 . speakes of seven starres , according to common opinion , being but six in galilies glasse ; but indeed the scripture speaks neither of six nor seven , but of a certaine constellation , which the seventy interpreters leave out , as a thing unknown to them . symmacbru , and theodotion interprete 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the old latine hath it arcturus , which is a starre in bootes behinde the taile of the great beare ; in english we call them seven starres , and to mine eyes they seem to be so many : but if in galilies glasse there be but six ; it 's no wonder , for you tell us elsewhere , that the better the glasse is , the lesse will the starres appeare . it is not like then , that so small a starre can be seen through it : let therefore the number of 7. remaine , it is a sacred nnmber ; — numero deus impare gaudet . chapt . iiii. 1. many philosophicall points are handled in scripture . 2. the heavens how round in the opinion of the fathers . 3. wre must have a reverend esteem of the fathers . 4. how the seas not overflowing the land may be esteemed a miracle . 5. the works of nature may be called miracles . here you tell us of learned men which have fallen into great absurdities , whilst they have looked for the grounds of philosophy out of scripture , which you shew by the iewish rabbines , and some christian doctors . ans. as it is vanity to seek for all philosophicall grounds in the scripture , so it is stupidity to say there be no philosophicall grounds or truths to be found in scripture : whereas moses , iob , david , solomon , and other penmen of the holy ghost , have divers passages of philosophy in their writings , as i have shewed heretofore of divers constellations out of iob : and why may not philosophicall truths be sought for out of scripture , seeing philosophy is the contemplation or knowledge of divine and naturall things ; both which are handled in scripture , divine things principally , naturall things in the second place ; that by naturall things we may come to the knowledge of divinity , and by this to the attainment of eternall felicity . therefore in scripture is recorded the creation , the cause , qualities , and effects of the creature , that by these we may come to the knowledge of the creator . if the gentile philosophers had not found much philosophy in scripture , they had never conveighed so much out of it , ( as they did ) into their philosophicall books , as theodore sheweth . the idle opinions of many philosophers , which are grounded neither on sense , nor reason , ( as yours of the earth's motion ) are not to be sought for in scripture , but philosophicall truths which are grounded on either , or both , may be sought and found there : and whatsoever idle conceits the jewes have had of scripture , or their idle fables which they have grounded on it , concerne us not : they were a giddy headed people , given over to a reprobate sense , groping at noone day ; having their hearts fat , and their eyes blinded , that they may not see : their seeking for philosophicall truths in scripture was not the cause of their foolishnesse , ( for few or none of them were addicted to the study of philosophy ) but their owne voluntary blindnesse , pride , stubbornnesse , and contempt of christ the internall and essentiall word of god , are the causes of their ignorance in the externall word ; so that they ( having forsaken the truth ) follow lyes . but as for the christian doctors , they have not exposed themselves to errours , by adhering to the words of scripture , but you are fallen into grosse errors by rejecting the words of scripture : these which you count errours , are truths ; as , that the sun and moon are the greatest lights , that there are waters above the firmament , that the starres are innumerable , as wee have already shewed . as for the roundnesse of the heaven , though the fathers doubt of it , yet they doe not absolutely deny it . iustine martyr doth but aske the question , whether their opinion may not be true , which hold the roundnesse of the heaven . st. ambrose saith , that it is sufficient for us to know that god hath placed the heaven over us like a vault , and stretched it out like a curtaine or skin . st. chrysostome ( whom theodoret and theophylact doe follow ) deny the roundnesse of heaven , as it hath relation to our climate or habitation ; for so the heaven is indeed , as the scripture saith , a vault or skin ; so that albeit the whole heaven being considered with the whole earth , be round , yet being considered with reference to parts or climates of the earth , it is not round : or wee may with st. austine so understand the word [ vaults ] or [ curtaine ] or [ skin ] that these tearms may stand well enough with the roundnesse of heaven ; si sphaera est , undique camera est : if it be sphericall , it is a round vault ; pellis in rotundum sinum extenditur , a skin may be made round or sphericall : for a round bladder ( saith hee ) is a skin ; so then neither the word vault , skin , canopy , or tabernacle , are words repugnant to the roundnesse of heaven , neither have you such reason to insult over the fathers , as if absolutely and peremptorily they had denyed the roundnes thereof : for s. austine sheweth , that the stretching out of heaven like a skin , is mentioned onely to shew the power of god , and with what facility hee made the heavens , with more ease then wee should extend a skin : and st. hierome saith , that the opinion of the earths roundnesse is the most common opinion , agreeing with ecclesiastes . so when the fathers say that the earth is founded on the seas , &c. they doe but follow the scripture phrase , which how to be understood wee have already shewed , and will touch it againe anon . 3. suppose these were errours ; yet you must not take advantage from some errours in the fathers , to lessen their credit in other things ; they were but men , and had not the perfection of knowledge which is in angels , called therefore daemones and intelligentiae . st. bernard saw not all things ; we should be sparing in raking into their errours , in uncovering of their shame ; and like flies , delighting in their soares . but yet you cannot obtain your purpose in ripping up of their errours ; for it will not follow : the fathers erred in denying the sphericall figure of the heaven , &c. therefore they erred in denying the motion of the earth : must it follow , that because s. cyprian erred in the point of rebaptization , therefore no credit must be given to him in affirming christs incarnation ? and , i pray , what great error was this in them , to conclude from manifest places of scripture , that the seas not overflowing the land is a miracle , and that they are restrained by the speciall power of god ? i grant that all seas are not higher , nor so high as some lands ; but it is manifest , that the sea in some places is much higher then the land , as the hollanders and zelanders know ; and that their lands are not overwhelmed with the sea in a storme , is a miracle ; and the finger of god is to be seen in restraining of them : which seas , when hee is angry with the inhabitants , hee lets loose sometimes , to the overthrow of townes and villages : — camposque per omnes , cum stabulis armenta trahunt — in the dayes of sesostris king of egypt , it was by measure and observation knowne , that the red-sea was much higher then the land ; but we need not goe so farre , the coast of our owne island in divers places being lower then the sea , will prove this to be true ; where we may daily see gods power , in curbing the violence of that furious creature : — for the eternall knowing the seas commotive , and unconstant flowing , thus curbed her , and 'gainst her envious rage , for ever fenc'd our flowry mantled stage : so that we often see those rowling hills , with roaring noise , threatning the neighbours fields ; through their owne spite to split upon the shoare , foaming for fury that they dare no more . 5. why then may not this be called a miracle , whereas many strange , yea ordinary effects of nature are called miracles ? plato called man the miracle of miracles : and david saith , that fearfully and miraculously he was made . doe not you know that diana's temple , the egyptian pyramides , and the rest of those stupendious buildings , were called the seven miracles of the world ? not only gods extraordinary works above nature , but also his ordinary works in nature , are miracles , though they be not so accounted ( saith saint austin ) because we are so used to them . for as it was a miracle to turn water into wine in cana of galilee , so ( he saith ) that miracle is seene daily : for who drawes the moisture or water from the earth by the root into the grape , and makes wine , but god ? that gods finger is to be seen in every worke of nature , the poet doth acknowledge : — deum namque ire per omnes terrasque tractusque maris , coelumque profundum . a miracle is so called because it excites admiration ; and doe we not admire gods power in earth-quakes , prodigious births , thunders , lightnings , and in the eclipses of the great luminaries ? therefore saint austin checks the vanity of philosophers who went no higher in the contemplation of these naturall effects , then to naturall causes ; not looking unto god the supreme cause of all . hence then it appeares that the fathers are not mistaken , in attributing the not over-flowing of the sea to a miracle : howsoever ( as your figure sheweth ) the sea may seem to be , and yet is not higher then some lands . neither is there any contradiction in scripture , though sometime it make the sea higher then the land , and sometime lower ; for so it is according to the diversity of coasts ; and because of much moisture and water found in the bowels of the earth , and in that it is encompassed with the sea , it may be said , that the earth is founded on the waters : therefore no man can be deceived in concluding points of philosophie from expressions of scriptures ( as you say ) but from the misunderstanding of scripture ; for what is true in philosophie cannot be false in divinitie ; for in subalternall sciences there can be no repugnancy . chap. v. divers scriptures vindicated from false glosses ; as , eccles. 1. 4. by which is proved the earths immobility , and heavens motion . 2. how the earth is eternall and renewed . 3. the scripture speaketh not plainly and ambiguously in the same place . 4. the scripture useth metaphors . 5. how the earth stands out of the water , 2 pet. 3. 5. by which its immobilitie is proved . 6. what is meant , 1 chron. 16. 30. &c. by these words , the world is established , &c. 7. what is meant psal. 90. 2. by the earth and the world . 8. how the heavens prov. 3. 19. are established : and the moon and starres , psal. 89. 37. &c. 9. how the heavens 2 sam. 22. 8. hath foundations . 10. what are the pillars of heaven in job 10. of the ends , sides , and corners of the earth in scripture . 11. what is meant isa. 51. 6. by the planting of the heavens . 12. how the earth is established . 13. what job meanes by the earth moved out of its place . you would faine here overthrow those scriptures which shew the immobilitie of the earth . 1. that place of ecclesiastes , ( one generation cometh , and another passeth , but the earth standeth for ever . ) you say , that it is not the purpose of this place to deny all kinde of motion to the whole earth ; but that of generation and corruption . but i say , that it is neither the purpose of this place to deny the motition of the earth , nor to affirme the motion of the sunne : for why should he either deny the one , or affirme the other , which no man doubted of , or called in question ? his drift is to prove the vanity of mankinde , from the stability of the earth , and motion of the sun , windes and waters ; thus man is inferiour to the earth , because the earth is firme , stable , and immoveable ; whereas man abideth not in one stay , but cometh forth like a flower , and is cut downe , he flyeth like a shadow , and continueth not . or ( as it is here ) he cometh and goeth ; so that coming & going are motions , to which man is subject , and are opposite to the immobilitie of the earth . the antithesis then or opposition here is not between the substance of man and of the earth ; for man in respect of his substance is permanent as well as the earth , if either we consider his soule , or his body , according to the first matter ; but the opposition is between the qualities , outward estate , and life of man , and the immobilitie of the earth , so that the standing of the earth must be meant either of its permanency , or immutabilitie , or immobilitie : not the first , for man ( as i said ) is not inferiour to the earth in permancie ; not the second , for the earth is subject ( as all sublunary things are ) to mutability and changes ; therefore the third , which is the earths immobility , must needs be understood . and if solomon had thought otherwise , to wit , that the earth moved , and the sun stood still ; he would have said , the sunne standeth for ever , the earth ariseth , and the earth goeth downe , &c. but , for all his knowledge , he was ignorant of this quaint piece of philosophie . againe , he proves mans vanity from the motion of the sunne , windes , and waters , though they move and are gone for a while , yet they returne againe ; but man being gone returnes no more : so that man hath neither the stability of the earth , but passeth away , and being past , hath not the power to returne againe , as the sunne , winde , and waters doe . it is plaine then , that the standing of the earth is opposed to its locall motion , and to the motion of men coming and going ; but it were ridiculous , as you say , to inferre that the earth is immoveable , because permanent ; for the mill and ship may be permanent , and yet move ; this illation is none of ours , we say it is immoveable because solomon here sayes so ; for he saith it standeth ; and if standing be motion , then the earth moves . it is more safe for us to say , that the earth is immoveable , because solomon saith it stands ; then to say it is moveable , because the word standing may signifie permanency , or abiding . as for the motions ( as you cal them ) of generation and corruption , from which you free the earth , they are not indeed motions , but mutations : metus est à termino positivo , ad terminum poserivum . you checke the jewes for collecting the earths eternity from the word ( legnolam : ) albeit i know that this word doth not alway signifie eternity , but a long continuance of time ; yet that the earth is eternall , à posteriori , i thinke you will not deny , except you will tread in some new way of your owne different from that both of ancient and modern divines , who affirme with the scripture , that there shall be a new earth ; but new in qualities , not in substance ; a change of the figure , not of the nature ; of the forme , not of the substance ; a renovation of that beauty which is lost by man , but no creation of a new essence ; so that the jewes might justly inferre from solomons words , that the earth is eternall , or stablished for ever . you snap at mr fuller for urging that these words of solomon must be all understood literally , and not some of them in reference to appearance , but without cause ; for can the same scripture with one breath blow hot and cold ? at the same time speake plainly and ambiguously ; in the same sentence have a double meaning ? the scripture which is plaine and simple , is farre from double dealing . will any thinke that when solomon saith , there be three moveable bodies , the sun , windes , and rivers that there are indeed but two ; and that the sun moves not but in appearance , that is , moves not at all ? this is to make the scripture indeed a nose of wax ; for what may i not interpret this way ? christ fed the people with five barley loaves , that is , with foure loaves , for one was a loafe but in appearance . three wise-men came from persia to worship christ , that is , two came indeed , but the third came onely in appearance . you would laugh at me , if i should tell you , that of any three ships or mills , which move really , one did move apparently ; whereas both you & i see them move really . now , if the sun doth not move , why doth the scripture say it doth ? what danger would arise if it spoke plaine in this point ? you say , that the scripture speaks of some naturall things , as they are esteemed by mans false conceipt : but this is a false conceit of yours ; the scripture doth not cherish or patronise the falshood of our conceits ; the end of it is to rectifie our erroneous conceits . it is true that in high and obscure points of divinitie , the scripture condescending to our capacity , useth the tearms of familiar and earthly things ; that by them we may by degrees ascend to the love and knowledge of spirituall things ; for the naturall man understandeth not the things of god : but in naturall things which are obvious to our senses , we need no such helps . if the sunne stood still , it were as easie for us to understand his standing , as his moving . what you talke of the ends of a staffe , and of the ends of the earth , is impertinent and frivolous ; for the scripture for want of proper words useth metaphoricall : and because there is no other word to expresse the remote bounds of the earth , then the word end , therefore the scripture useth it . but you inferre that because the ends of a staffe , and the ends of the earth cannot be taken in the same sense ; that therefore the motion of the sun , and of the winds must be understood in divers senses : make an enthymeme and see the consequence ; the scripture saith , that a staffe hath ends , and that the earth hath ends , which cannot be understood properly , and in the same sense ; ergo , when the scripture saith , the sunne moveth , and the winde moveth , both cannot be understood properly and in the same sense : as if you would say , the scripture affirms that angels are the sons of god , and that judges are the sons of god , but not in the same sense : ergo , when the scripture saith , that the raven flew out of the arke , and the dove flew out of the arke : both must not be understood in the same sense , but the one properly , the other in appearance . our second proofe out of scripture which you goe about to undermine , is that of saint peter : the heavens were of old , and the earth standing out of the water , and in the water . you say , that the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , is equivalent to ( fuit , ) but i say , that this were to confound two predicaments , to make the essence and accident all one : the site or immobility of the earth , and the essence or existence thereof cannot be one or equivalent . 2. this were to commit a plaine tantology , for so the words must run ; the earth was , was out of the water ; if these two words ( was ) and ( standing ) be equivalent . 3. the apostles scope is not only to shew that god made all the earth , ( as you say ) but that he made it thus ; that is , standing or immoveable : that he is the authour not onely of its being and essence , but also of that inseparable accident of immobilitie . 4. we collect not the rest and immobilitie of the earth from the bare expression of its being or creation , but from its being thus made ; for so we may reason ; what god hath made to stand fast out of , and in the water , is immoveable ; but god hath made the earth thus : ergo , it is immoveable . 5. it were ridiculous to conclude the immobility of a ship or a mill-wheele , because a part of them was made to stand above , and another part under the water for they were not made for that end to stand , but to move : but if you had brought your simile from the rockes of the sea , you had done well ; for god made these rockes to stand partly above , and partly under the water ; and hee made them not to fleete with the isles of the lake lommond , therefore they are not moveable , for god hath made them immoveable ; and so hee hath made the earth : therefore , both the old and new latine translations , doe use the word consistere , which signifieth constanter stare . our third argument is taken from these words , the world is established that it cannot be moved ; which words you will have to be spoken of the world in generall , or the whole fabricke of heaven and earth ; but you are widely mistaken ; for in the hebrew text , the word [ holam ] which signifieth the whole universe of heaven and earth , is not used in any of these places ; but the word [ tebel ] which signifieth the round globe of the earth , or the habitable world , as pagnine hath it . so the greek interpreters in all these places use the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which signifieth the whole bulk of the world , so called from its beauty : now 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is alwaies used for the habitable earth , so that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , is a synod of men dwelling upon earth , and not of angels or stars : and when the patriarch of constantinople assumed the title of oecumenicus episcopus , he did not purpose ( for all his pride ) to bring the angels and starres within the verge of his diocesse or episcopacy . so the old latine translation never useth the word mundus , but orbis , and orbis terrae ; and iunius with tremelius , use the words orbis habitabilis , that is , the earth ; so that orbis is not used for mundus in any classick author in prose , but for the earth , or regions and dominions of the earth : as , orbis asiae , europae , orbis romanus , &c. besides , in the 96. psalme , the heavens and the world ( as wee translate it ) are distiuguished in the 5. ver . god made the heavens : in the 10. ver . hee established the world , or earth . we need not then to have recourse to a synecdoche iu the three originall tongues . but you tell us , that david ( you would have said moses ) seems to make a difference between the earth and the world , when hee saith , before thou hadst formed the earth and the world : hee doth but seeme to make a difference , but indeed hee makes none ; for the copulative [ and ] is put exepeticè , for the disjunctive [ or ] here , and elsewhere in scripture : as in exodus , hee that smiteth his father ; in the hebrew it is abiu ve immo , his father and his mother : and in the 17. ver . of the same chapter , hee that curseth his father and his mother , which the evangelist st. matthew rendereth , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , father or mother : so among profane authors the same kind of speech is used : as , natus annos 60. & senex . here then god made the earth and the world , that is , hee made the earth , or the habitable world . 2. wee may explain moses his words here thus : god made the earth the first day , and then it was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , earth ; but it was not made habitable till the third day , and then it became 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a habitable world ; and so in this respect there is some difference between the earth and the world , that is , between the earth mingled with the water , and separated from it . because solomon saith , that god hath founded the earth , and established the heavens , you inferre , that the places of scripture can no more prove an immebility in the earth , then in the heavens . but here also your speak at randome ; for the hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 conen here , which arias montanus and the old latine translate , stabilivit , doth properly signifie , to dispose , or order ; and so we translate the word conenu , ps. 37.23 . a good mans steps are ordered by the lord. this word also signifieth to prepare : as , david prepared a place for the ark. therefore the lxx . interpreters explain this word here by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , hee hath prepared the heavens ; and iunius , with tremelius , by [ statuit ] hee hath appointed , [ or disposed ] the heavens . but what though wee should yeeld that the word may signifie to establish , will it therefore follow that the heavens are immoveable , because established ? no : for there is the stability of nature , and naturall qualites , which is opposite to mutability , and so the heavens are established ; and there is the stability of rest , and so it is opposite to mobility : thus the earth is established . but , you will say , seeing the same word [ establish ] is spoken of both the heaven , and of the earth , how shall you know that it implyeth immobility in the earth , and not in the heaven ? i answer , well enough ; because the scripture , speaking of the earth , saith , it is established that it cannot be moved : but the scripture never speakes so of the heavens , but onely that they are established ; not a word to shew any rest or immobility in them . now you urge us with those places that speak of establishing of the moon , ps. 89.37 . of the stars , psa. 8.3 . of the heavens , pro. 8.27 . why ( say you ) should these be counted sufficient expressions to take away motion from the earth ? i answer , we do not count this word [ establish ] of it self a sufficient expression ; for the originall word is ambiguous , and diversly interpreted , both by the greek and latine ; and moveable things may be established ; the moving tabernacle , as well as the immoveable temple . but if i should tell you , that though the tabernacle be fastened or established , yet it is moveable , and the temple is so stablished that it cannot be moved : you cannot but say , that my expression is sufficient to shew the difference of stability in the one , in and the other . so speaks the scripture in plain tearms of the earth's stability , thou hast founded , [ or established ] the earth , and it shall stand : thou hast laid the foundations of the earth , that it shall not be moved for ever ; so it is in the hebrew . when a thing then is said to be so established , as that it standeth fast on a sure foundation , and cannot be moved , wee must needs acknowledge , that this is a full expression of its immobility ; which phrases are never spoken of the heaven , or any starre ; wee reade that the sun stood once , but that was by miracle : of any other standing in scripture we never read . so we read of the moving of the earth by earthquakes , but not else , isa. 13.13 . and of removing of islands , rev. 6.14 . but never of a circular motion of the earth : for in that respect he hath made the earth that it shall not be moved . and to tell us , as you do , that the earth is established so onely that it shall not be removed , is both to mince the scripture , and the power of god ; for as it is more easie to move an heavy body then to remove it , so is the power of god so much the greater , in that hee hath made a body of such solidity , weight , and bignesse , that it cannot be so much as moved , farre lesse removed : and if the scripture be so carefull and punctuall in setting forth gods greatnesse and power on so small a matter , as is the moving of a little part of the earth by earthquakes ; doubtlesse it would not have been silent in a matter of such admiration and power , as is the moving of the whole body of the earth , if ever hee had moved it , either by himselfe , or by his angels , or by nature his handmaid . whereas you say , that fundavit cannot be taken properly , as if the earth , like other artificiall buildings , did need any bottoms to uphold it . i answer , that fundare terram is not to settle the earth upon a foundation or bottome , but to make it the foundation of all heavy bodies ; and therefore it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , fundum , the bottome , and fundus , the foundation ; so that nothing hath any foundation but on and by the earth . ships floating on the water , have not any foundation , till they be tyed by anchors to the earth ; which the poet knew , when he said , anchora fundabat naves : therefore not metaphorically , but properly , doth the scripture speak , in saying , god hath founded the earth ; but whereas the heavens are said to have foundations , 2 sam. 22.8 . by heavens there are understood the mountaines , and so the vulgar latine reads it : and so in psal. 18.8 the text hath mountaines , and not heavens . mountaines are called heavens metonymically , because they are in that part of heaven which we call the aire ; therefore by the poets they are called , aërel montes ; and so all the space from the superficies of the earth upward , is called heaven both in sacred and profane writings ; even this upper part of the earth wherein wee live is called heaven by the poet : sed falsa ad coelum mittunt insomnia manes ; and the inhabitants of the earth are called superi by the same poet , quae quis apud superos surto laetat us inani . and as hills are called heaven , so heaven is called hills by david , when hee saith , i will look unto the bills , from whence cometh my salvation . by the foundation of the heavens then , is meant nothing else but the foundation of the hills . now why you should call the earth an artificiall building , i know not : it was neither built by an artificer , nor by the rules and tooles of art ; your earth in the moon may rather be called artificiall , as being the work , not of god , nor nature , but of copernicus the master carpenter , and his workmen , of which number you are one ; but you should doe better , if with that wise master builder st. paul , you would build upon the corner stone , and the foundation christ jesus , according to the grace of god which is given to you . you say well , that the pillars of heaven mentioned by job will not prove them to be immoveable ; for wee know that heavenly pillars are moveable as the heavens are : so were these two pillars that conducted israel through the desart , and those night meteors , called fierie pillars . 2. by heaven may be meant the church called oftentimes heaven in scripture , and by pillars the eminent doctors of it : so peter , and paul , were called pillars , and every good man shall be made a pillar in gods temple . 3. by the pillars of heaven may be understood the angels , called also the powers of heaven , in the gospell . 4. high hills may be called pillars of heaven , not because they uphold heaven , as the poets write of atlas , but because they are high in the aire , which is called heaven , — caput inter nubila coxdunt . 5. the onely true pillar by which both heaven and earth is sustained , is the power of god ; which power cannot be shaken in it selfe , but in its effects . 6. which way soever you take the pillars of heaven they are moveable ; but now it will not follow that the pillars of earth are moveable also : though the pillars of the tabernacle were moveable , the pillars of the temple were not so . such as the earth is , such be its pillars ; its selfe is immoveable , and so are its pillars ; except when that great sampson shakes them being grieved for the many wrongs that hee suffers by our sins ; then hills , rocks , houses , and cities tumble down , and multitudes are buried before they be dead . if then we should prove the immobility of the earth , from the stability of its pillars , wee should have reason for it ; but to inferre that the heavens were immoveable , because they have pillars , were ridiculous . we read ( say you ) of ends , sides , and corners of the earth , and yet these will not prove it to be of a long or square forme . answ. yes it will : for the scripture doth not describe the earth to us as a smooth and uniforme globe , but as a great body consisting of divers unequall parts ; as hills and vallies , and as a body broken by the irruption of many seas , as the mediterran , &c. consisting also of lakes and rivers , not to speake of isles and isthmus : hath not then the earth in this respect many ends , corners , and sides ? if you did saile along the coasts of the earth , you should finde it so . 2. the earth of it selfe is not round , for without the water it doth not make a globe . 3. though it were perfectly round , yet it must have its longitude and latitude . 4. by the earth the scripture oftentimes meanes the land of judea , with the neighbouring countreys : as , his dominion shall be from the river to the ends of the earth ; which words were spoken of solomon literally . all the ends of the earth have seene the salvation of god ; which was not seen by the americans in davids dayes . so all the world was taxed under augustus , that is , the roman world . 5. whatsoever is finite hath bounds and ends , but such is the earth ; ergo , it hath ends . therefore as the scripture by the ends , sides , and corners of the earth , doth shew that it is not round ; so doth it also by the stable foundations thereof , shew , that it doth not move . isaiah speaketh of the planting of the heavens , which you say , may as well prove them to be immoveable , as that which followes in that verse concerning the foundation of the earth . answ. i perceive your case is desperate , for like a man that is sinking in the water , you catch hold of every thing that is next you , though it be weeds and such as cannot help you . for 1. by heavens here may be meant the church , which is that vine , that god hath planted with his owne right hand . 2. though this word heaven were taken in its proper signification , yet the planting of heaven is a metaphor , out of which you can conclude nothing , but must spoile your syllogisme with quatuor termini . 3. nothing is properly planted but what hath motion in it , as trees , hearbs , and such like vegetables . this word then may intimate , that there is motion in the heavens , as the word ( foundation ) sheweth , that there is no motion in the earth ; for it is very improper and dangerous for a foundation to move . when the scripture saith , the earth is established : by this word you answer ) is means onely the keeping of it up in the aire , without falling to any other place . answ. if the earth be established onely so , that it may not fall or be removed to any other place ; what singular thing hath the earth , that is not in other bodies ? for so are the heavens established , and every starre , that they shall not be removed out of that place or station which is appointed for them ; so is the sea confined within its bounds , which it cannot passe . but there is something else in the earth whereby it differs from other bodies , and wherein gods power is the more admired ; to wit , that it is so established , that it cannot be removed : nay , more then so , it cannot be stirred or wagged at all . thus as gods glory is admired in the perpetuall motion of other bodies , so is it in the perpetuall immobilitie of this . 2. the earth ( you say ) is kept up from falling . i pray you whither would the earth fall , being in its owne place , and sowest of all the elements ? if it fall any where , it must fall upward , and that is as proper a phrase , as if i should tell you , the heaven must mount downeward : therefore , mute hauc de poctore euram ; never feare the falling of the earth . the gentiles were afraid that the heavens might fall being held up by the shoulders of hercules ; therefore artemon it seemes was afraid of this , who never durst venture abroad , but under a brasen target , carried over his head . and one phaenaces in plutarch was sore afraid , that the moon would fall downe , and therefore pitied the ethiopians and others that were under the moone ; but if he had knowne what you know , that there is a world in the moone , his feare had been just . it may be the great shower of stones that fell heretofore in agro piceno , were the stones of some buildings that had fallen downe in the moone . we need not feare the falling of our earth , which god hath so established , that it cannot be moved . you see no reason , but that we may prove the naturall motion of the earth from that place in iob , who moveth or shaketh the earth out of her place ; that is to say , we may prove a naturall motion out of a violent , or one contrary out of another ; we may prove the fire to be cold , because it is hot ; or that the earth may move naturally , becanse it moves violently . the motion that iob speakes of , is an earth-quake extraordinary , which is a violent and temporary motion , and of some part only ; and a concussion rather then a motion ; the motion that you would inferre from thence , is a naturall , perpetuall , totall , regular , and a circular motion . will you inferre that because the mill-wheele is turned about violently , that therefore the whole mill is turned about naturally . i have seen a church-tower shake when the bells have been rung ; but if i should inferre that the whole church therefore may move circularly , i should feare , nè manus auriculas imitetur mobilis albas : lest i should be thought a creature of arcadia . and i hope you are not so simple as to thinke that god did ever shake the whole earth out of its place , or if he had , that therefore it may move naturally and circularly . chap. vi. 1. the earth is in the middle and center of the world , and why . 2. hell is in the center or middle of the earth . 3. the earth lowest and basest , how . 4. every thing is made questionable by some . 5. aristotle defended . 6. the earth is in the center , because in the midst of the equinoctiall horizon , &c. 7. the imagination must be conformable to the things , not these to it ; the vanity of imagining circles . 8. astronomers reproved , and their vanity shewed , chiefly about the bignesse of the stars . 9. the earth is the least circle : therefore the center , how understood . here you will not upon any tearmes admit , that the earth is the center of the vniverse , because our arguments ( you say ) are insufficient . answ. our arguments may be insufficient to you , who hath an overweening conceit of your selfe , and a prejudiciall opinion of other men . but our arguments have been hitherto accounted sufficient , by moderate , wise , and learned men ; but to your sublimated understanding they give no satisfaction ; there are some men that are never content , and nothing to them is sufficient , no not gods owne word : but what though our arguments were insufficient ? will you therefore reject them ? you may by this meanes reject all humane learning , for it hath not that sufficiency which perhaps you require . we know here but in part , the sufficiency of knowledge is reserved for a better life . — si quid tamen aptius exit : but if you have more sufficient arguments for your opinion , impart them to us , and we will imbrace them ; if you have not , his utere mecum ; content your selfe with these till you know better . but you promise that you will cleerly manifest the insufficiency of our arguments in this chapter . let us see if you will be as good as your word , which we have not yet found in you ; only , large promises without performance . larga quidena semper drance tibi copia fandi . 1. we say that the earth is the center , not the sun ; because the earth is lowermost , and under the sunne . to this you answer , that since the sun is so remote from the center of our earth , it may be properly affirmed that we are under it , though that be in the center of the world . answ. that the sunne cannot be the center of the world , and that the earth must needs be the center ; we have proved against lansbergius , for neither could there be eclipses of the moone , nor could we discerne the medietie of heaven , nor of the zodiac , if the earth were not the center . and whereas the center is the middle of the globe equally distant from all the parts of the circumference ; the wise god placed the earth in the midst of this great systeme of the world , not onely for mans sake , who being the lord of this universe , and the most honourable of all the creatures , deserved to have the most honourable place , which is the middle : but chiefly that man with all other animall and vegetable creatures , might by an equall distance from all parts of heaven have an equall comfort and influence . for imagine there were two earths , this which is in the center , and another out of the center ; the influence and powers of heaven must needs more equally concurre and be united in this , then in that : and if the place be it which conserves the creatures , what place more fit for conservation , then that which is in the midst of the world ? having an equall relation to all parts of heaven , and all the powers of the universe uniting themselves together in the earth , as in a small epitome . therefore nature which is the hand-maid and imitatour of god , layes up the seed in the middle of the fruits , as being not onely the safest part , but also because in the middle as in the center , all the powers of the plant meet together in the forming of the seed , wherein it doth perpetuate it self . how unconvenient and unhealthy were mans habitation , if it were neerer the heaven then it is ? for the aire would be too pure and unproportionable to our grosse bodies , for they that travell overhigh hils find their bodies much distempered . acosta witnesseth , that they who travel over the high hils of peru , fall into vomiting , & become desperately sick , and many lose their lives , by reason of the subtilty & purenes of the air . but your words would be a little corrected ; for since the sun ( you say ) is so remote from the center of the earth , we are under it . indeed we are under it , in that it is above us ; but not for that it is remote from us or from the earth . under and above are relative tearms , so are neerenes & remotenes . 2. you slight the constant and perpetuall doctrine of the church from the beginning , concerning the site of hell , which is in the center or bowels of the earth ; and you call it an uncertainty ; but so you may call any doctrine in scripture , for where will you have hell to be , but either in heaven or in the earth ? these are the two integrall parts of this universe ; in heaven i hope you will not place it , except you will have it to be in the moone . but if there be any hell there , it is for the wicked of that world : as for the wicked of this world , they are not said to ascend to hell in the moone , but to descend to hell in the earth , as core and his fellowes . therefore it is called a lake , burning with fire and brimstone ; abyssus , a deepe gulfe ; gehenna , the valley of hinnon . by tertullian , thesaurus subterraneus ignis arcant , the treasure of hid fire under ground . the apostle speakes of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of those that bow to christ under the earth . horrende voragines , fearfull gulfes they are , saith lactantius . and that which you call uncertainty , is called certa fides , a sure faith , an undeniable truth by prudentius : certa fides rabidos sub terra nocte caminos , &c. and as this hath been the constant opinion of the church , as may be seen both in the greeke and latine fathers , so hath it been beleeved by the gentiles , as i could instance out of greeke and latine poets of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , tartarus , phlegerbon , cocytus , styx , acheron : which they shew to be in the center or bowels of the earth ; therefore i hope you are none of those that iuvenal speaks of , who would not beleeve there was any hell under ground : esse aliquos manes , & subterranea regna , &c. nec pueri credunt . — for whosoever denied hell to be below , denied that there was any such place at all : as , pythagoras , epicurus , lucretius , tully , seneca , lucian , pliny , and some others ; to whom i may adde the gnostickes , who held there was no other hell , but this world , whom irenaeus resutes . 2. as hell must needs be in the earth below , so must heaven the place of the blessed , be above all these visible heavens ; which is called , the third heaven , and the heaven of heavens . therefore , it is no uncertainty ( as you say ) that it is concentricall to the stars : for if it be not , tell us where you will have it ? in the moone , or in the elysian fields , or in mahomets paradise ? i wish you would thinke the dictates of gods word to be more certaine then your groundlesse phansies , and that the scripture is a more stable foundation to build upon , then the moone . 3. it is not an uncertainty that places must be as farre distant in scituation as in use : therefore abraham saith , that there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a great gulfe , or gap between lazarus and dives . so david distinguished between the height of heaven , and the deepe of hell ; so doth amos , and esay : and it 's fitting that heaven and hell , the saints and the wicked , the joyes of the one , and torments of the other , be as remote as may be ; which the poet knew : — tartarus ipse , bis patet in praeceps tantum , tenditque sub umbras , quantus ad aethereum coeli suspectus olympum . 3. these things also you will have to be uncertaine . 1. that bodies must be as farre distant in place as in nobility . 2. that the earth is of a baser matter than other planets . 3. that the center is the worst place . answ. these are not uncertainties to men that have sense and reason ; for sense tells us , that the grosser simple bodies are , the lower place have they in this universe : the heaven being a quintessence and of the purest matter , is uppermost ; next is the fire , then the aire , then the water , and lowest of all , the earth , as being the grossest ; and reason tells us , that god is the god of order ; and what a disordered world should we have , if grosse and heavy bodies were uppermost , the light and purest bodies beneath ? we see in our owne bodies , that the grosser the spirits are , the lower they are : the animall having their residence in the head , the vitall in the heart , the naturall in the liver . 2. nor is it uncertaine that the earth is of a baser matter then the planets ; the obscurity and dulnesse of the one ; the beauty , light , and swiftnesse of the other , doe shew what oddes there is in the matter . how are all divines deceived who put men in minde of the base materialls of their body ; and teach that god made men of the basest element to humble him ? animalium superbissimi origo vilissima ; and i thinke you are planet-struck , or have a planeticall head , who thinke the earth to be a planet . 3. that the center is the worst place , is not held by us ; for though we say the earth to be the ignoblest and basest element , in respect of its matter , and therefore the lowest ; yet as it is the center and habitation of the noblest creature , it is placed in the middle , as being the noblest place . 4. our second argument is grounded ( you say ) upon two foolish foundations . 1. that the whole frame of nature moves round , excepting onely the earth . 2. that the whole earth is heavy , and more unfit for motion then the planets : these you reject , because they are ( you say ) the thing in question . answ. you are doubtlesse that third cato that fell from heaven ; or octavus sapientum . our foundations of the earths stability , and gravity , are foolishnesse with you ; so was the gospell foolishnesse to the gentiles ; but you doe well to observe solomons rule : answer not a foole according to his folly ; which is the reason that you answer not at all to these foolish foundations of ours ; but onely with this ; they are the thing in question . but if you question the stability and gravity of the earth , is not your question as foolish as our foundation ? but seeing you may question every thing , every thing may be a foolish answer , or position to you . and what doe you thinke of the scripture when it saith ; the earth standeth fast , and the stars move ? doth the scripture in this speake foolishly ? surely we are content to preferre the foolishnesse of scripture to the wisdome of your scribling ; because such conceited wisdome is but foolishnesse with god. what foundation either in divinity or philosophy , what article of the creed hath not been questioned ? shall they be counted foolish foundations , or unfit to discusse controversies , because they have been questioned by pernicious heretickes ? if you were as wise a man as you pretend your selfe to be , you should have with solid arguments refelled our foundations , which are so fully demonstrated by so many philosophers , and then you should have shot your fooles bolt . the truth of these foundations i have shewed already , to which you answer nothing , therefore here i will not actum agere . 5. our third argument is , that our earth , must be in the center , because it is in the lowest place , or middest of the world ; this aristotle proves by the descending of all heavy to the center , and the ascending of light bodies from it : but you reject aristotle as being a master of syllogismes , and being deceived whilst be supposeth that , which he pretends to prove . but indeed you are much deceived your selfe , whilst you reject this master of syllogismes , who doth not suppose what he pretends to prove , but substantially proves , what you thinke hee supposeth . hee saith the earth is the center , and thus syllogistically out of him it is proved ; to what place heavy bodies descend , that place is the center ; but to the earth , heavy bodies descend ; ergo , the earth is the center . you see now that this master of syllogismes doth not suppose that which he brings unto the conclusion , but proves the earth to be the center by a medium , which you cannot answer : so that being put to your shifts , you know not how to elude the force of this and other arguments ; but by falling to your art of multiplying centers and circumferences , which is not difficult to you , that can multiply worlds . and because cause you cannot be so impudent as to deny the ascending of light bodies ; you say , that they ascend to some circumference which we cannot reasonably affirme to be concentricall with that of the world . but i would know of you , how you can reasonably affirme that circle to be eccentricall , which we sensibly perceive to be concentricall to the world ? if neither you nor we can perceive that circumference to which light bodies ascend eccentricall to the world , what reason have you to affirme it ? or how doe you prove what you affirme ? may you not as well tell us , that there are more suns then this one which we see ? for you will say that we cannot reasonably affirme there is but one sun . but you say , we cannot prove the descent of heavy bodies to the center , nor the ascent of light bodies to the circumference of the world ; because all our experience in this kind , extends but to things that are on earth , or in the aire above it . i pray you good sir , how farre doth your experience reach beyond ours , that you should deny this our assertion ? have you beene in the moone , and observed that which we cannot finde here below ? we see quantum acie possunt oculi servare , as farre as our eyes will give us leave ; to wit , light bodies mounting from the center towards the circumference ; doe you see otherwise ? i know you doe not , and cannot though you had as many eyes as argus : therefore keep your wilde opinions to your selfe , for so long as you can neither by sense nor reason perswade us , your bare word will be too weake an argument to worke upon our beliefe . you conclude , that it were a senslesse thing , from our experience of so little a part , to pronounce any thing infallibly concerning the scituation of the whole . i grant our experience to be little , but yours is lesse , or none at all : a little is better then none , and we may more boldly inferre , that there is but one center , and one circumference ; ( because all light things ascend to one circumference , and all heavy things descend to one center ) then you can inferre two centers , and two circumferences ; whereas you never knew any light thing ascend , or heavy thing descend to any other circumference and center , then to these which we maintaine : are not you therefore much more senslesse then we ? for we follow the direction both of our sense and reason ; so doe not you . 6. our astonomicall reasons you refell as wisely as you have done the rest : for you grant us , that the earth is in the midst of the equinoctiall , horizon , and other circles ; but you deny that from hence can be concluded that it is in the center of the world . it seemes then that the equinoctiall , &c. are not concentricall to the world , and that the earth may be in the midst of the horizon and equator , though never so much distant from the center ; and what is this but to make another world ? consisting of another heaven and earth ? for if this earth be under any other equinoctiall besides that of the primum mobile , or any other horizon , it cannot have the heaven equally on all sides of it , and so cannot be in the lowest place which is the center , though it be the heaviest body ; and so against its nature must be higher then that body which is in the center . this is to take away that order which god hath placed in the creatures , to multiply worlds , and to bring in a strange confusion . and what a wise reason doe you give us why the earth would remaine in the midst of these circles , that is , the equinoctiall , &c. though distant from the center ; because it is the eye that imagins them to be described about it ? so then the earth doth not goe out of the midst of these circles , because the eye imagines them , &c. you have a strange fascinating eye , that can keepe the earth within its circles ; if you should winke ; or if you lose your eyes with your great patron ` democritus , would not the earth give you the slip and fall out of your circles into the center of the world ? besides , i had thought that the action of the eye had been to see , not to imagine . as you have made a confused chaos in the great world , so you doe in the little world too , confounding the inward and outward senses , the sight and the imagination : i thinke you were begot of chaos and caligo . againe , what a reaching eye have you , that can describe circles about the earth ? if you had spoken of an artificiall globe , you had said something ; but if your eye were as big as that of polyphemus , argolici clypei , aut phoebaeae lampadis instar , yet you could not describe with your eye a circle about the earth : your imagination may describe it , but not your eye : your imagination cannot be the cause why the earth remaines within its circles ; your imagination must be conformable to the reality of things , and not they to your imagination : for though you imagine that there is a world in the moone , that the earth moves , &c. yet there is no such thing , because the earth is in the center : wee imagine it to be so , and beleeve it also ; but our imagination or beliefe do not make it to be so ; therefore , our collection is not weak when we inferre that the earth is in the center , because it is in the midst of these circles which are concentricall to the world ; or because the parts and degrees of the earth doe answer in proportion to the parts and degrees of heaven , which they could not well doe if the earth were eccentricall . 7. now i thinke you go about to conjure us with your figures , circles , and characters , and to hem us in with a circle made by your pen , as popilius the roman legate did inclose king antiochius within a circle made with his rod : you remove the earth from one center to another , with more facility , then archimedes could have done with his engine : you transferre the starres from one circle to another at your pleasure ; you can doe i thinke as she in the poet , sistere aquam fluviis & vertere sidera ritro ; and all this stirre is to informe us , that though the earth be never so farre distant from the center of the world ; yet the parts and degrees of your imaginary spheare about it will be alwayes proportionable to the parts and degrees of the earth . and what of all this ? you may imagine what spheares you will , and in your imagination place the earth as you will , yet the earth standeth fast for ever in this great fabricke of the world as the center , though in your head it move to and fro . you may place the earth upon the top of the primum mobile , and imagine a spheare about it , with proportionable degrees , and parts to those of the earth ; wee may retort these words upon the sunne your center , that though it be never so farre distant from the center of the world , yet the parts of an imaginary spheare about it will be proportionable to the parts of the sun : but though in your imaginary circle there be a proportion of parts and degrees to the earth removed from the center , i would know if the earth therefore is removed from the center : or if you should remove the earth ten or twenty degrees neerer the pole articke , or to the zenith of the meridian from the center ; is there , or can there be any proportion between the two hemispheares ? will not the one be so much the lesse , by how much the other is inlarged ? or can the true spheare of heaven be divided equally into twelve parts , or signes , so that sixe be alwayes above the earth , and sixe below ? or can the stars in both hemispheares appeare of the same bignesse ? doubtlesse though you make a proportion in your imaginary spheare , to your imaginary earth , in your imaginary center ; yet there can be no proportion between the reall spheare of heaven , and the reall earth , which is the reall center of the world : if it should be removed from its place where it is , your imaginations then are but the images , phansies , and toyes of your head , without ground or solidity ; therefore they are neither so strong , nor we so weake , as that they should make any impression upon our beliefe , as the mothers imagination doth upon the tender embryo in her wombe . when you are pressed with the manifest absurdities and inconveniences which arise from removing of the earth from the center of the universe , you have no other way to escape , but like a hedgehog , to shrinke back into your imaginary globe or circle : for you grant that the earth must needs be placed both in the axis and aequator , but that must be in the center of the spheare which you imagine about it , and not in the midst of this universe . but why must the earth be removed from being the center of the universe , which by sense , reason , daily experience , and continuall observation of astronomers , is knowne to be the center ? why i say must it be removed from its owne reall circle , to your imaginary circle ? what inconvenience will follow in the world , if it remaine the center of the universe ? or wherein shall the world be bettered , if it be removed to your supposed circle ? nay , what absurdities will not follow upon this removall , which you will never be able to avoid for all your starting hole ? for whereas you say , that though the earth were as far distant from the center , as we conceive the sunne to be , yet it may be still scituated in the very concourse of the axis and aequator . truly , though we should conceive it to be so farre distant , yet it would not be still in the concourse of these two lines ; for if either the sunne or the earth were there still , there would be a perpetuall equinox through the world , neither would there ever be any increase or decrease of dayes and nights . now you present unto us a scenography or plat-forme of your imaginarie world , in which , like another joshua , you make the sunne to stand still , so that here is a perpetuall solstice ; if that american ( who would not acknowledge the sunne for a god , because it never rested ) had seen your sun , or had known of him what you know , he would have recanted his opinion . what fooles were the poets to bestow so rich a chariot , and foure prancing horses on the sunne , who could make no use of them ? they should have bestowed this gift upon the earth , for she it is that undertakes all the toile , and rejoyceth as a gyant to run her course . ovid's second booke of metamorphosis must be mended , and phaeton must preferre his petition to the earth his mother , and not to the sun his father ; except perhaps in those dayes the sun did travell about the earth , but now being wearie to go about so often , and to take such paines for her thanklesse inhabitants , hath given over this toile , and hath left the earth to shift for her selfe and children . the reason why you present this figure to us , is to let us see , that though the sunne be in the center , and the earth in the suns orbe , yet that there can be no eclipse , but when the sunne and moone are diametrically opposite . but here your opinion is diametrically opposite to the truth , for the line from the center to the circumference , is but a semidiameter ; and indeed the sunne is distant from the moone in your figure , nothing neere a semidiameter , and yet your moone is eclipsed . but what a mishapen world have you made us ? in which you have placed the sunne lowermost , and the earth above the sunne , and hath made such a vast circuit for the earth , and such a little circle for the moone . you told us afore , that the earth drawes about the moon , but in your figure it cannot be so ; for you have made the earth to compasse the sunne round ; but the moone to fetch a compasse of her owne aside off from the sunne : so that whereas you have placed the earth in aries , she is between the sunne and the moone , but when she comes about to libra the opposite signe , then the sunne will be between the moon and her . this is indeed a strange world , and doubtlesse none of gods making ; i wish i were out of it , for i am wearie and sorrie to spend time in refuting of such toyes . you doe well to confesse the uncertainty of finding out the exact distance of the firmament , which is but conjecturall according to mens fancies , and so indeed are the motions , and magnitudes , and number , and order of the spheares , and starres ; about which astronomers have so many digladiations and oppositions , which were tedious but to name . from their conjectures and uncertainties have proceeded such a number of conjuring words : as , trepidations , retrogradations , excentricities , concentricities , epicyles , accessions , recessions , and i cannot tell what ; so that as cato said of sooth-sayers , i may say of astronomers , it is a wonder that they do not laugh at one another . the best of them all are but cu va in terris animae , & coelestium inanes : they gaze and stare on the stars , and dispute , and assever with great boldnesse , that each star is of such and such a bignesse and altitude , and that they move thus and thus ; and that there be so many of each magnitude : and so expert they are , and quick-sighted in these things that are so remote , and yet cannot perceive the things that be hard at hand : therefore anaximines gazing on the stars , fell in the ditch , and was checked by his maid for his curiosity in things beyond his reach , and neglecting that which most concerned him . saint ambrose complained of the astronomers of his time , that they were busie in measuring of the heaven , in numbering of the stars , but carelesse of their salvation ; that was indeed , relinquers causans salutis , error is quaerere . even like the pharisees whom christ reproves , that they could discerne the face of the skie , and of the earth , but could not discerne the time . saint austin preferres that man who is conscious of his owne infirmities , to him that is curious in the speculation and serutiny of the stars : laudabilior est animus cui nota est infirmitas sua , &c. even in the opinion of socrates , it 's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to be mad , to inquire curiously into these celestiall things , which are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , not to be found outby us ; furiosi dementesque sunt judicandi , they are furious and mad men , &c. saith lactantius . i will not condemne the good uses that may be made of astronomy in calculation of times , observation of seasons , prediction of eclipses , and such things as have their immediate dependence from the opposition and conjunction of starres ; and the uses that may be made of it in physicke , and in the campe : but that which i reprove , is the vaine curiosity of men , who cannot be content to know with sobriety things revealed , must needs with phaeton and icarns meddle with these heavenly bodies , in vaine and curious speculations ; the knowledge whereof in this life is denyed us , as being a part of adams punishment for his affected knowledge , and being a meanes for us to have recourse to christ , in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge . therefore , for their needlesse paines , and presumptuous curiosity , god doth punish them with multitudes of contradictory opinions . who can sufficiently laugh to heare their jars and dissentions , saith theodoret ? for their difference is not about the measuring of an acre of ground , but of the whole world . now ( saith the same father ) who can measure the whole earth ! 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 god himselfe asketh iob , who is it that hath laid the measures of the earth , and who hath stretched the line upon it ? and he asketh him , whether he hath perceived the breadth of the earth , ver. 18. intimating hereby , the impossibility thereof , and shewing what difference there is between gods knowledge and mans : saith saint chrysostome on that place ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . for god ( saith the same father ) will let iob see how much man is inferiour to him , in that not onely hee cannot doe the workes that god hath done , but also that he hath not the knowledge of them . as it was gods proper worke to make the earth , so it is proper to him alone to know the measure of it : if then we know not the earths measure which is but a point in comparison of heaven , what madnesse is it to measure the heavens , or to define the motions , scituations , altitude , densitie , or other accidents of them unknowne to us ? this is , coelum ipsum petere stulritia . knowest thou the ordinances , ( or as some translations have it ) the conversions of heaven ? saith god to iob. the psalmist tels us , that it is onely he that numbereth the stars , and calleth them all by their names . he bids abraham tell the starres if hee could , shewing that indeed he could not . 8. from hence appeares the vanity of your side , who thinke , that the stars would seeme no bigger to us then they now are , though our earth were neerer to them by 2000000. germane miles , which is granted to be the diameter of that or be wherein the earth is supposed to move . i pray how come you to know this ? by relation , or revelation , or reason , or experience ? or have you dreamed it ? qui amant ipsi sibi somnia singunt . or doe you know it by the help of a perspective ? you tell us , that the better the perspective is , the lesser it makes the stars to appeare ; if my spectacles were of that quality , i could fling them away , and trust to my owne eyes : i wish you could tell us , how many germane miles would suffice to finde out the true bignesse of the stars ; or in how many yeares will the bodies of the saints be in ascending to heaven ; you must pardon us if we beleeve not what you say , such an infinite disproportion doe you make both betweene the bignesse and distance of our earth and the fixed stars . and though we will not thinke elephants and whales to be fictions and chimaera's , because they are bigger then mice ; yet if you should tell us of a whale that were as big as the i le of saint laurence , or of great britaine ; and of an elephant that were able to overturne the alpes with his trunke ; or of a camell that had a bunch on his backe as high as the cape or top of tenarisf , we would laugh sooner then beleeve such monstrous absurdities . and yet the disproportion of these supposed creatures to mice is nothing , to that of the earth and fixed stars . and the like credit doe we give to that incredible celerity of the eighth spheare , of which astronomers write , and to the rest of their conceits concerning the reaching of the suns orbe to the pole starre ; and that the circle of the pole star is above foure times bigger then the orbe of the sunne ; and that the semidiameter of the earth , makes little or no difference in the appearance of the sunne ; as if the observations from the center and surface , were of the same exactnesse . whereas , never any man hath been in the center to know this , neither doe the astronomers agree amongst themselves about the compasse and diameter of the earth ; aristotle , hipparchus , eratosthenes , ptolomy , alphragan , fernelius , and the later professors of that faculty , being all of different opinions ; so that many astronomicall principles are grounded upon meere uncertainties . 2. wee doe not ground our argument ( as you say ) upon this supposition , that every body must necessarily be of an equall extension to that distance from whence there doth not appeare any sensible difference in its quantity , as you instance in a bird , and a tree : as that the tree should be accounted by us forty paces thick because wee approaching neerer to it by forty paces , doe not finde any sensible difference . this is a crotchet hammered in your own head , but never supposed by us . 3. wee grant with you , that it is presumption to conclude that to be superfluous , whose use wee understand not ; but yet wee must needs say , that what is not usefull at all , is superfluous ; as that immense and stupendious bignesse , and incredible distance of some starres , seeing they were made for the use of man onely ; ( for to what other end should they be made ? ) whereas if they had been neerer and lesser , they might have been more effectuall : therefore wee cannot beleeve you that they are of that bignesse and distance you speak of . and as for other inhabitants , beside those that are upon this earth , by whom ( as you say ) these lesser stars may be discerned , i have nothing now to say to them ; i think you mean your men in the moon , of whom perhaps i will speak hereafter : and as for these small stars , which you say are lately discovered ; i grant that they were made for mans use , though they be scarce discernable ; for their influence may be great though their light be small : and we have by them occasion to see how one star differeth from another star in glory , and we may admire gods greatness in the least , aswell as in the biggest ; therefore he hath made flies aswell as eagles , and mice aswell as elephants . 9. you chase as if you had been slung with nettles at an argument of mine against lansbergius , who held , as you doe , that the sun was the center : my argument is this ; that which is least in a circle ought to be the center of it ; but the earth is farre lesse then the sun , and the terrestriall equinoctiall ( secundum te ) according to your owne words , is the least of all the circles , &c. this ( you say ) is so simple , that every fresh man would laugh at it , and it would make one suspect , that hee who should urge such an argument , did scarce understand any thing in astronomy . answ. 1. for any great skill that either you or i have in astronomy , wee may shake hands : astronomy is not my profession , yet so much i have as is convenient for a divine , and enough to discover your vaine and ridiculous conceits ; and i have not the lesse because of your suspicion : i understand so much as that i dare say there be many absurd and foolish fancies taught by astronomers , though the science it selfe be usefull in many things . 2. if you , or your fresh men laugh at this argument , you will shew that you have little salt in you , especially that salt whereof the apostle speaks . 3. you shewed more malice then knowledge , more ill-will then skill , in repeating my argument ; for you left out ( secundum te ) that is , according to your owne words ; which sheweth that these were the words of lansbergius , not mine ; to wit , the terrestriall equinoctiall is the least of all circles : so that you cunningly would derive the ignorance and simplicity of your champion upon mee , whereas i spake in his owne tearmes . 4. i did not speak of the earth , as it had relation to the moon , or mercury , but in reference to the sun ; for i say that the earth is lesser then the sun , and therefore fitter to be the center then the sun , as lansbergius would have it . 5. there is no certainty amongst astronomers , whether the earth , moone , or mercury , be the least spheare . 6. i said , minimum in circulo , not circuli ; that which is least within the circle , not that which is the least part of the circle . the moon , and the rest of the planets , are the thicker parts of the spheares , so is not the earth , it is no part at all of any sphear , but it is within the sphears ; therefore the earth , not the moon , is fittest to be the center . thus you have made mee say more now , then i did before . you had no reason then to put so much vinegar in your ink ; but you are a namelesse moon-man wrapt in a cloud : cernere ne quis te , ne quis contingere possit . but be not so high conceited of your selfe ; though your habitation be in the moon , yet learn humility ; tecum habita , & noris quàm sit tibi curta supellex . as for the other objections , which you say are not worth the eiting , are indeed such as you know not how to answer them ; therefore you slight them , as the fox did the grapes , which he could not reach . chap. vii . 1. the starres have not their fight because the sun is in the center , nor hath the sun lesse light being out of it . 2. why the earth is in the center . 3. the sun is not the center , because the planets move about him . 4. the center is not the most excellent place , neither are the best things next it or in it . 5. there is an harmony amongst the starres , though the sun be not in the center . in this proposition you say , that the sun may be the center ; and you tell us of deformities , wheeles , and screws , as if nature in framing of the world had been put to such hard shifts by ptolomie's and tycho's hypothesis : but indeed the wheeles , and screwes you speak of , are the whirle-gigs of your own head ; and i hope your creed is , that not nature , but the god of nature , framed the world : but let us consider the weight of your arguments , by which you would prove copernicus his assertion . 1. you say , that the light which is diffused in the starres , is contracted in the center , which can onely be by placing the sun there : so then it seemes by you , that if the sun were not in the center , the light of the starres could not be so eminently contained and contracted in the sun : either you must mean that the starres could not receive so much light as they doe from the sun , or else that the sun could not have in himselfe so much light as hee hath , if hee were not in the center : but both these are frivolous whimsies ; for neither hath any starre its light , because the sun is in the center , ( as you would have ) nor would the sun lose any of his light , if he were out of the center , no more then a candle can lose its light , though it be not placed in the midst of the roome . now , whether the light of the starres be all one with that of the sun , or any parcell of it , is not yet fully resolved . in your next edition tell us more plainly what you meane by the light in the starres contracted in the center , and wee will give you a more satisfactory answer . 2. because clavius and others say , that the sun was placed in the midst of the planets , that hee might the more conveniently distribute his beat and light amongst them ; the force of this reason ( you say ) may more properly prove him to be in the center . i answer , that it will rather prove the earth to be in the center thus : the sun is in the midst of the planets , that they may the more participate of his light ; so is the earth placed in the midst and center of the world , that the sun might the more conveniently distribute his light and heat to it : for the sun was made chiefly for the earth's sake , and the inhabitants thereof ; neither doe the stars so much need his light and heat as we , without which we can neither live , nor procreate : and as it is questionable whether the stars receive their light from the sun , ( though the moon doth ) so is it much to be doubted that they receive no heat from the sun , seeing saturne is cold ; and the suns heat comes by reflexion , which cannot be in the starres . 3. you say , that the planets move about the center of the world , and that i grant you ; but saturne , jupiter , mars , venus , mercury , move about the body of the sun ; ergo , the sun is in the midst of the world . answ. if you had been better acquainted with the master of syllogismes , you had not framed such a lame syllogisme as this ; for thus it runnes in briefer tearmes ; some planets move about the center of the world , some planets move about the sun ; ergo , the sun is the center of the world . besides , that it consists all of particulars , the conclusion is falsly inferred against the lawes of the third figure ; for it should be formed in the first figure thus : what moves about the sun , moves about the center of the world : the planets move about the sun , ergo , they move about the center of the world ; and all this i grant you , that the planets move about the earth which is the center : now then i hope you will not say that the sun is the center of the world , because the planets move about him ; no more then iericho was the center of canaan , because the priests went about it . 4. when you tell us that the revolution of venus and mercury is about the sun , because they are never at any great distance from him , you alledge a cause fit to be laughed at ; for is the vicinity of one starre to another , the cause of its revolution about that starre ? because the mill-wheele is not farre distant from the miller , doth it therefore goe about the miller ? 5. the reason which you alledge from pythagoras is also weak , for though the sunne in respect of his light were the most excellent body , and the center the most excellent place , yet it will not follow that he is there ; for we see that the most excellent creatures are not placed still next the center or in it , but farthest from it : as man is placed in the superficies or circumference of the earth , and not in the center of it the heart is not in the midst of the body ; if the middle or center were alwayes the sittest place for a luminous body , god would have commanded moses to set the candlesticke with the lamps in the midst of the tabernacle , and not in the side of it : our eyes had beene placed in our navels , not in our heads . and albeit plato say , that the soule of the world resides in the innermost place of it , yet i hope you doe not by this understand the sunne ; and you did well to alledge macrobius against your selfe , in comparing the sunne in the world , to the heart in a living creature ; for as the heart is not in the center of the body , neither is the sun in the center of the world . but you give us a profound reason why in living creatures the chiefest part is not alwayes placed in the midst , because they are not of an orbicular forme as the world is ; then it seems that the outward figure is the cause why the best part is not placed in the midst . what thinke you of a hedge hog when he wraps himselfe up in his prickles as round as a bowle , is the best part then more in the middle of his body then it was before ? or hath the earth which is of a round forme better things in the center then in the superficies ? what difference is there betweene the middle and out-side of a round stone ? againe , you say , the center is not the worst place , although aristotle proves it from the dignity of the thing containing over that which is contained ; and your reason is , that though the center be contained , yet it is one of the termini or limits of a round body , as well as the circumference : but i reply , that though it be one of the limits , yet it is contained , and therefore more ignoble then that which containeth it ; so you have but offered to answer this argument , and indeed you know not how to answer it . 6. if we suppose the sunne to be in the center ( say you ) we may conceive an excellent harmony , both in the number and distance of the planets . for my part i give you leave to conceive what you will , so that you doe not obtrude your conceits on us as oracles , but will keep them to your selfe ; if you continue to divulge them , we will conceit that your conceits are but idle phansies , if you cannot set them forth with better proofes then as yet you have done . we are confident the earth is in the center , and doe conceive that there is an excellent harmony in the planets , though the sunne be not in the center ; and therefore to say that the harmony would be disturbed if the sunne were amongst the planets , you wrong both pythagoras your master , whose conceit of the musicall harmony in heaven was grounded on the motion of the planets ; and injurious to apollo himselfe the author of musicall harmony , and the continuall companion of the muses , without whom there can be no consort . chap. viii . 1. how the eye is deceived , and how not ; and that if the earth moved , we should see it . 2. motion and rest how the objects of the eye , and of the common sense . 3. if the earth moved , the clouds would but sceme to move as well as the sunne . 4. how the eye can be deceived in the motion of a lucid body . 5. the naturall motion of the foundation cannot keep buildings from falling . 6. the heavens sitter for motion then the earth . 7. rugged bodies not fittest for motion . 8. the sight hindred by the motion of the subject , medium , and object . 9. one simple body hath but one naturall motion , proved . 10. essentiall properties more chiefly in the whole then in the parts , the earth is heavy in its owne place how , bignesse how a hinderance to motion , of the earths ineptitude to a swist motion . 11. the magneticall qualities of the earth , a fiction . 12. similitudes no prooses ; the seas ebbing and flowing , what . 13. the whole earth moveth not , because the parts move not round . 14. absurd phrases ; and the spots about the sunne , censured . 15. that the earth turnes about the moone is ridiculous . 16. some observations to prove that the earth turnes about the clouds , refused . 17. of a mixed motion , of the place , medium , and space . 18. of the motion of comets . 19. my nine arguments desended . 1. that the earths motion would make it hot . 2. the aire purer . 3. a sound . 4. heaven hath all things sit for motion . 5. of similar parts and the whole . 6. the sunne is the heart of the world . 7. it workes by motion . 8. the earth is the firme foundation . 9. the authority of divines ; the heaven called aether ; the earth hath not two distinct motions . the chiefe businesse of this chapter ( you say ) is to desend the earths diurnall motion . indeed you are too busie ; non amo nimium diligentes : neither is this businesse of yours anything else then idlenesse , otiosi negotium . and because you cannot answer our objections , you are as busie here as you can be to illude them , and to delude the world with your great brags & rhodomontado's ; but let us see with what dexterity you dissipate the strength of our arguments ; you doe as cacus did to hercules , cacus being too weake to resist that invincible champion , laboured to escape his hands by darkning the cave , and hercules his eyes with smoake and ashes which hee belched out against him : the like stratagem you use with intricate words and smoakie phrases to darken the understanding of the reader . 1. we objected , that if the earth did move we should perceive it ; you answer ( but in many intricate and ambiguous tearms which were tedious to relate ) that the sight judges of motion deceitfully ; your reason is , because motion is not the proper object of the sight , nor belonging to any other peculiar sense : and that the common sense apprehends the eye it selfe to rest immoveable , as when a man is carried in a ship . ans the sight is oftentimes deceived , either in respect of the distance of the object , so the stars appeare lesse then they are ; or in respect of the agitation of the object , so a square thing seemes round being swiftly turned about . 2. in respect of the indisposition of the medium , and so the planets rising and falling seeme biggest , the aire being thickned . 3. in respect of the organ , when the eye , optick nerves , or visive spirits are disturbed , vitiated , indisposed , or agitated , and so things that rest seeme to move , because the eye moveth ; for that apparent motion is not the object of the eye , as a true motion is , but as it were the effect of the eye moved . so then , tell us the cause why we cannot perceive the earth move , seeing it moves with such a stupendious swiftnesse ? you cannot say that the distance of it , nor the indisposition of the medium are the causes ; the eye then must be the cause . but are all mens eyes from the creation till now so disturbed , or agitate with an insensible motion , that they cannot perceive the earth nor any part of it to move , and yet doe perceive the sunne to move ? what ? will you make god so defective in his work of mans body , as to give him such eyes which shal continually delude him ; neither shall they ever apprehend their object , though never so neere ; or the medium , though never so well disposed ? or will you make him so envious , as to give us such eyes , by which we should receive the knowledge of visible objects , and yet cannot see them when they are so neere us ? this is the curse of the sodomites , who could not see lot's dore though they were close by it . your simile of the ship will not hold ; for though it be true that the shore apparently moves when the ship removes , yet we see and feele the true motion of the ship , as well as we see , or rather seeme to see the apparent motion of the shore . when i have beene in a ship , i have observed by looking on the mast how swiftly it is moved from the shore ; but being on the shore , and looking upon trees , i see no other motion in them then what is caused by the winde . when i am in a ship , i perceive the motion of the other ship that saileth by me , though the motion of both be equall and uniforme : but when i am in an island , i can neither perceive the motion of it , nor the motion of the other island that is by it . and although the motion of the eye makes a thing seeme to move which doth not move , yet it doth not make the thing seeme to move which doth really move , if it be within distance : for being in a ship i have discerned the running of horses and carts upon the shore really , though the shore it selfe moved apparently ; therefore , though i should yeeld that the earth did move , yet that motion could not make me thinke that the sun did not move really , no more then the motion of the ship can hinder me from discerning the true motion of a horse or wheele on the shore ; and albeit , motion be not the proper object of the eye , yet it is an object ; neither is the eye more deceived in apprehending or receiving the species of motion , then it is in receiving the species of colours , caeteris paribus : the action of the eye , or passion which you will , being no other towards the motion of a coloured object , then towards the colour of a moving object . againe , it would be considered , whether the naturall motion of the earth ( as you call it ) and the violent motion of a ship produce the same effect in our eye ; as because the moving of a ship makes the shore seeme to move , therefore the moving of the earth makes the sunne seeme to move . 2. your words seeme to be contradictory when you say , that motion is not the proper object of the sight , nor belonging to any other peculiar sense . we say that colours are the proper object of the sight , because they belong not to any other peculiar sense , and that motion is not the proper object of the eye , because it doth belong to other peculiar senses : but your other words are false , when you say , that the common sense apprehends the eye it selfe to rest immoveable . for when the eye is moved , the common sense apprehends it to be moved ; and so when it rests , the common sense apprehends it to rest ; otherwise , it and the imagination should be still deceived . but when you say , that the eye is an ill judge of naturall secrets , you should have said , that it is no judge of naturall secrets ; for the visible workes of nature are no secrets ; natures secrets are invisible , and therefore are judged by reason , not by sense . now , though this be a good consequence , the earth doth not move , because it doth not appeare so to us , yet this consequence will not hold , the earth doth move , because it appeares to move : for an object that is immoveable may seeme to move , because the eye is moved ; but when we see a great body neere us , ( to stand still , wee justly inferre that it moveth not , because we see it not . for the apparent motion of the shore , there is a manifest cause , but for the apparent rest of the earth there can be no cause ; for if it did move it would not seem to rest , being there is no cause , not so much as imaginable of this supposed rest , but rather the contrary ; for if it did move , it and all things else would seeme to move : as for the apparent bignesse of the sunne and moone , i have already told you a reason , but you have not , nor can you tell mee a reason for the apparent rest of the earth . 2. i objected , that if the motions of the heavens be onely apparent , that then the motion of the clouds would be so too : your answer is , that i might as well inferre , that the sense is mistaken in every thing , because it is so in one thing . answ. you should have rather inferred , that as the sense is mistaken in one thing , so it might be in any other thing ; but i will stand to your illation , the sense is mistaken sometimes in every thing , when it is mistaken in one thing of the same kinde : the eye is mistaken in the bignesse of one star , and so it is in the bignesse of every star , because the reason or cause of the mistake is alike in all , to wit , the distance . the eye is mistaken in the motion of one tree or house upon the shore , and so it is in all the trees and houses it seeth on the shore ; for the reason of this mistake is alike in all , to wit , the agitation of the eye : even so if the heavens move apparently , the clouds also move apparently ; nam in horum motu potest decipi visus , non minus quam in motu coelorum : these are my words which you cunningly left out . the eye is deceivable in the one as well as in the other , therefore , my eye being alike disposed ( in respect of its agitation , by the supposed motion of the earth ) to the heavens , and to the clouds , it will follow , that as it is mistaken in the one , so it is in the other ; and consequently wee must no more trust our eyes in the motion of the clouds , then in the motion of the heavens , if the earth did move . therefore , what you speake of anaxagoras his opinion concerning the blacknesse of the snow , is fit for your selfe : for to hold the snow to be blacke , and the earth to move , are both alike absurd and ridiculous ; but this opinion is more dangerous then that . as for your conceit of the common sense , conceiving the eye to be immoveable , i have said already that it is false , and indeed the opinion of one that seems to want common sense ; and as boldly without proofe doe you affirme , that the clouds , though they seeme not to move , are carried about with our earth by a swift revolution ; for so you make the inferiour bodies against that order that god hath placed in the world , to move the superiour : as if you should say , the foot originally moves the head , and not the head the foot . but this is no hinderance ( you say ) why we may not judge aright of the other particular motions . it is true , i judge aright of the particular motions of the clouds , when i see them carried to and fro by the winde , and so i judge aright of the motion of the sunne ; but when i see the sun and a cloud moving from east to west , and you should tell me that the sunne doth not move , though the cloud doth move , i would know the reason why my eye should be more deluded in the one then in the other ; seeing the motion of the earth , and so of my eye , is alike disposed to both . it is as much as if you would tel me , when i see a horse and a man run both on the shore , that the man runs , but not the horse , whereas my eye is alike disposed to both . as for your similies of a man walking in the ship , and of the moving of the oares , they will not hold : for it is true , that though the banks seeme to move , yet it will not follow that my friend doth but seem to walke , or the oares seeme to move , when as they move truely ; the reason is , because the motion of the ship is no hinderance to the sight of that motion of my friend , or of the oares , being so neer to my eye ; although that same motion of the ship is a hinderance both to the sight of the earths stability , as also of the motion of such things as be afar off : for a horse a great way off on the shore running , will seeme to me a bush moving with the trees and bankes ; even so the motion of the earth may as well delude my eye in the moving of the clouds , as of the sunne . 3. i said that the eye could not be still deceived in its sight or judgement of a lucid body , which is its prime and proper object ; your answer is , that the deceipt is not concerning the light or colour of these bodies , but concerning their motion , which is neither the primary nor proper object of the eye . answ. the motion of the sunne as you take it , is no wayes the object of the eye ; for it is non ens in your opinion : what is apparent , is not , quod videtur non est ; a seeming motion is no motion , and therefore no object . 2. i said that a lucid body was the eyes object , the light it selfe , objectum quo , or the cause that bodies are discernable by the eye : now what probability is there , that the eyes which were made to looke upon these lucid bodies , should be still deluded , or can be , seeing their motion is rather the object of the eye , then their light , as is said ? albeit motion be a common object , i see their motion , i see their lucid bodies , but their light i see not properly : their light is the cause or meanes by which , but not the objectum quod , or thing that i see . 4. we say that our high buildings would be hurled down if the earth did move : you answer , that this motion is naturall , and therefore regular , and tending to conservation . answ. earth-quakes are naturall motions , which neither are regular , nor tend to conservation : the motion of windes , haile , raine , thunder , &c. are naturall , and yet doe much hurt ; therefore , the naturality of the earths motion cannot preserve our buildings from falling . but you say , if a glasse of beere may stand firmely in a ship , moving swiftly , much lesse will the naturall and equall motion of the earth cause any danger in our buildings . answ. there is no proportion betweene a glasse of beer and a high building , nor is there between the motion of a ship and of the earth ; for the ship moves upon the plaine superficies of the water , being carried by the winde or tide : the earth moves circularly and with an incredible celerity , as your side say . you should compare the earths motion , to the motion of a wheele or great globe , and then set your glasse of beer upon it whilst it is whirling about : but you need not feare the fall of your high buildings though the heaven whirle about , except you meane to build castles in the aire , or to raise your house as high as the tower of babell ; i thinke your buildings in the moone cannot stand upon such a whirling foundation . 5. i perceive by your interjection ha , ha , he , that you are a merry gentleman , indeed you cannot answer for laughing ; but , per resum multum , &c. i doubt me you are troubled with a hypochondriacke melancholy , or with the spirit of blinde democritus : take heed of risus sardonius . but let us see what it is that tickles you . i had said , that though this circular motion of the earth were naturall to it , yet it was not naturall to townes and buildings , for these are artificiall : to this you answer not but by your interjection of laughter , which is a very easie way to solve arguments , and so fooles will prove the best disputants . i hope you doe not thinke that townes and buildings are naturall bodies , or that the motion of the earth is naturall to them ; and if you thinke that artificiall things are priviledged from falling , by the naturall motion of a naturall foundation , you speake against reason and experience ; for a ship is not priviledged from sinking , because the foundation on which it is carried moves naturally ; and high buildings must needs be weakned by motion , let it be never so equall and regular ; hee that thinkes otherwise deserves to be laughed at . i have read of moving islands , but without buildings , you were best goe build there . 6. i said , that the aire could never be quiet about us , but that there would be a continuall and forcible motion of it from east to west , if the earth did move with that celerity you speak of ; to this you answer , that the aire is carried along with the same motion of the earth : but this will not help you , for the carrying of the aire about with the earth , cannot hinder the forcible motion of it , nor can we be so senselesse as not to feele it . doth not the whirling about of a great wheele move the aire about it ? and if you stood by , you should feele it . but you are very witty in your words following , if the motion of the heaven ( say you ) which is a smooth body be able to carry with it a great part of the three elements , &c. much more may our earth which is a rugged body be able to turne the aire next to it . you should rather say , if the earth which is but a small , dull , low , and heavy body , can carry the aire about with it , much more may the heavens doe this , which are vast , agil , active , and high bodies : for we finde that the superiour bodies are more apt to work upon , and to move the inferiour , then to be moved by the inferiour : as the inferiour parts of the little world of mans body are moved by the head , so it is in the great world . againe , the heavens in respect of their agility , activity , subtlety , come neerer to the nature of spirits , then the earth , which is a dull , heavy , lumpish body , not apt to be moved , much lesse to move . is it the earth that moves the aire , or the aire that moves the earth in earth-quakes ? is it the earthy and heavy part of mans body that moves these aereall substances in the nerves , which we call animall spirits ? or are not these rather the movers of our grosse bodies ? your argument is just such another as this ; if the winde or aire be able to move about the weather-cocke , much more may the tower or steeple which is a rugged body move it : but that rugged bodies are more apt to move , or to be moved , then smooth bodies , i never heard before . i have observed that the smoother the bowle is , the swifter it runneth ; why did david choose five smooth stones to sling , if rugged ones were apter for motion ? when you would have your maid make you some mustard , give her a rugged dish , and a rugged bullet , and tell her that these are apter for motion ; she will presently entertain this new philosophie with your interjection , ha ha he : so when you say that a rugged body carrieth more aire with it then a smooth ; you meant perhaps the bodies of satyrs , or of the wilde irish in their rugges . but now distrusting your rugged conceit , you flie to the earths magneticall vertue , whereby it can make all things neer unto it , to observe the same revolution : this is a farre fetched shift , and a strange property of the magnes ; did you ever know a loadstone move any thing except iron or steele , or to move it selfe circularly , and to make all things neere to it , to observe the same revolution ; that these conceits are , non sani hominis , non sanus juret orestes . 7. i said , that when the man or subject , the medium , and the object were all moved , the sight was hindered that the eye could not exactly judge of any thing . you answer , that it 's true where be seveverall motions , but when the subject , medium , and object , are all carried with the same equall motion , there is no impediment in the act of sieing . but this is a meere shift of yours ; for though the motion be equall in all , yet the sight will be hindered . sit downe in a turning chaire , or on a turning table , take a booke in your hand , and spectacles on your nose , and let me turne you about , the motion shall be equall in all three , but i doubt me you will read ill-favouredly your instance of reading in a ship is nothing ; for the ship moves sometimes so slowly that it is scarce discernable : but let a ship or coach move swiftly , and you shall not read distinctly . if a ship should move foure miles in a minute as you say the earth doth , you should scarce see the booke in which you read , much lesse the letters . 8. i said out of aristotle , that one simple body had but one naturall motion , as the earth to descend , the aire to ascend , and therefore could not have a circular motion . you answer , that these right motions belong onely to parts of the elements , and that too when they are out of their proper places . indeed you shew your selfe a weake philosopher , for from whence have the parts of the earth their motion of descent , but from the whole ? doe you not know that old and triviall maxime : propter quod unumquodque est tale , illud ipsum est magis tale ? if your hand be heavy , much more heavy is your whole body ; if a part of the sea be salt , much more salt is the whole . 2. when you say that the elements have these motions , onely when they are out of their owne places ; if you meane of the act of ascending and descending , you say true ; but if you meane of the power or naturall possibility , you are deceived : for though they bee in their proper places , yet this naturall power of these motions is not taken from them . 3. when you say that a load-stone , in respect of its matter and condensity naturally tends downward ; you doe againe bewray your ignorance in philosophy , for gravity is the cause of descent , not matter and condensity ; for the stars have matter and condensity , and yet they neither can , nor do descend . 4. when you say , that the load-stone which is a heavy body , and naturally tends downward , may naturally move upward , you shew your selfe more and more absurd ; for besides that it is repugnant to the maxime above said , for a simple body to have two contrary motions , so it overturns the naturall properties of the elements : for if heavy bodies may naturally ascend , then light bodies may naturally descend ; and so we shall not know how one element differs essentially from another ; and consequently the descending of fire of old upon the sacrifices , and the ascending of elias his body into heaven , were not miracles , but naturall motions . 5. that desire of union and coition which one load-stone hath with another , by which it breaks the laws of nature , is but your conceit : if one load-stone draw another , or if it draw yron upward , that ascent is no naturall motion , but in some sort is a violent attraction : therefore aristotle's maxime remaines firme , that one simple body hath but one naturall motion , and consequently the earth doth not naturally moved round . 9. we hold , that the gravity and magnitude of the earth makes it unfit for so swift a motion . your answer is , that heavinesse can onely be applied to those bodies which are out of their proper places , or to such parts as are severed from the whole . to this wee have partly answered already , that the essentiall properties of simple bodies are in the whole principally , and in the parts by reason of the whole . 2. it is false that heavy bodies are not heavy in their proper places ; for they lose not their essentiall qualities by being in their places . is a mill-stone lesse heavy when it is on or in the ground , then when it is raised from the ground ? put to your hand , and trie if you can with more ease wagge it upon the ground , then when it is raised some paces above it . 3. when you say , that the globe of the earth in its right place cannot truly be called heavy : i say the contrary , that it can never be more truly called heavy , then when it is there ; for if it were not heavy there , it would not be there : it is in its owne place because it is heavy , if it were possible to remove it from its place , it would never rest till it returned thither , because its heavinesse would not suffer it to rest in any other place but in its owne , which is the lowest place fit for so heavy a body . 4. when you say , that in it , and in the rest of the planets there is an ineptitude to motion by reason of the matter , and condensity of their bodies ; you know not what you say : for if there be no naturall aptitude to motion in the planets , and in the earth , that motion must be violent or preternaturall . why is the motion of the fire downward , and of the earth upward , violent motions , but because these elements have no aptitude to such motions ? 5. when you make the matter the cause of this ineptitude , you know not the grounds of naturall philosophy ; for it is the matter that gives the aptitude , as the forme gives the act . 6. you say , that nature may endow the earth with a motive faculty , proportionable to its greatnesse , as shee bestowes spirits upon other creatures ( for instance , an eagle and a flie , ) proportionable to their severall bodies . sic parvis componere magna selebas : there is indeed so me proportion between an eagle and a flie ; but between an eagle , and the vast body of the earth , there is none at all . if you had compared the motion of the eagle , to the motion of the great bird ruc , you had spake within compasse : if one should say that a little wheele , and a great mill-stone may be moved according to the proportion of their bodies : so likewise may the hill athos or atlas be turned about , he would be counted ridiculous : and yet there is a farre greater proportion between a mill-stone and those hills , then between an eagle and the earth . 7. though the magnitude of the earth make it incapable of so swift a motion , yet this doth not make the heaven much more incapable , as you say : for it is the magnitude joyned with the heavinesse of the earth , that makes it incapable of such a motion : but the heavens are not heavy , though great . a cloud which may be a mile or two about , hath a greater magnitude then a pebble small stone ; and yet you see with what facility the cloud is carried , whereas the stone is not moved , ( though it were high in the air ) but with the motion of descent . 8. as for the swiftnesse of the earth's course , which exceeds not ( you say ) the celerity of clouds driven by a tempestuous winde ; of a cannon bullet which in a minute flies foure miles , &c. these ( i say ) are the phansies of a crasie braine in a dream : you are the onely darling and favourite of nature , who both knowes the earth's motion , and how much it can runne in a minute . it seemes this incredible swiftnesse of the earth hath made your head giddy , that you know not what you write : and how can it be otherwise ? for if you be carried 240. miles in an houre , and your pen whilst it is forming almost every letter foure miles in a minute , your braines flie as fast as the bullet out of the cannon : if this be true , i doe not think that either you know what you write , or where you are , nay you could not write at all ; nor were it possible for you to live , or for your lungs and heart to move , or draw breath . your subsequent discourse of the earths magneticall property is grounded ( as indeed all your book ) upon ridiculous suppositions ; and on such grounds do you raise the structure of your babel or bables . 1. you suppose that the lower parts of the earth do not consist of such a soft fructifying soyl as in the surface , because there is no use for it . but what if i should suppose the contrary , that it doth consist of a fructifying soyle , and that there be people there , aswell as in your moone ? i doubt not but i could prove it with as good reasons as you do your world in the moon . 2. you suppose it consists of a hard rock is substance , because these lower parts are pressed close together by the weight of the heavy bodies above them . what if i should suppose the contrary , that the softest ground is in the lowest parts , as being farthest from the sun which hardneth the earth ; therefore they that dig deep into to the bowells of the earth , finde it still softer and softer the deeper they goe : and wee know that many fruits and heavy bodies are hard and stonie without , but soft within ; the earth then is not like a cheese that by pressing groweth hard . 3. you suppose that this rockie substance is a load-stone . but what if i should suppose it to be a diamond , which is more likely ; both because it is the more precious stone , and nature commonly layeth up the most precious things within her most inward parts ; and because it is harder , for according to your doctrine , the pressing close of heavy bodies is the cause of hardnesse . 4. it 's probable ( you say ) that this rockie substance is a load-stone , because the earth and load-stone agree in so many properties . what if i should say that they disagree in many more properties , and that therefore this cannot be the load-stone ? but what an argument is this ? the earth and loadstone agree in many properties , therefore the lower part of the earth consists of load-stones : as if you would say , a man and an horse agree in many properties , therefore the lower part of a man consists , or is made up of a horse : or thus , the elementary and our culinary fire agree in many properties , therefore the inmost or lower part of the one consists of the other . 5. you say well that what hath all the properties of the load-stone , must needs be of that nature ; but because you are not well read in the master of syllogismes you inferre that the inward parts of the earth consist of a magneticall substance , which is the conclusion without an assumption , which should have been this : but the lower parts of the earth have all the properties of the load-stone , which wee deny . now let us heare how you prove it ; the difference ( you say ) of declination and variation in the mariners needle cannot proceed from it selfe , being the same every where ; nor from the heavens , for then the variation would not be still alike in the same place , but divers according to the severall parts of heaven , which at severall times happen to be over it ; therefore it proceeds from the earth , which being endowed with magneticall affections , diversly disposeth the motions of the needle . i answer , the earth may have a disponent vertue to alter the needle , and yet not be a load-stone ; so the heavens are the causes of generation , corruption , alterations , &c. in the world , and yet they are not capable of these qualities : the moon causeth the sea to ebbe and flow , doth shee therefore partake of the like affections ? or hath shee the properties of the sea ? the load-stone disposeth the motions of the yron , will you therefore inferre that the load-stone hath the properties of yron ? 2. if the variation , as you say , of the needle be divers , according to the severall parts of heaven passing over it ; it must follow , that the needle must vary every minute and scruple of an houre , even here where we live ; seeing every scruple or minute divers parts of the heaven are still passing over it . 3. if the inclination or motion of the needle towards the north , is caused by the heaven , not by the earth ; why should not the variation and declination of it be caused by the heaven likewise ? you are driven to hard shifts , when you are forced to flie to similitudes for want of proofs , to strengthen your weak and absurd assertions ; for similitudes may illustrate , they cannot prove . 2. because you cannot shew any similitude of the earth's motion with such things as you are acquainted , you are forced to borrow similitudes from those things with which you are not acquainted , rather then you will seeme to say nothing . you flie beyond the moon , saturne and iupiter must serve you at a dead life , but i know not upon what acquaintance . this is your conceit : a bullet , or any part of the earth , being severed from the whole , observes no lesse the same motions , then if they were united to the whole : whereas jupiter , saturne , &c. doe constantly and regularly move on in their courses , hanging in the etheriall aire . but first tell us if iupiter and the rest are separated from the whole ; if they be , what is it that moves them with contrarie motions ? if they be not , then your simile hath never a foot . againe , doth this follow : iupiter , saturne , &c. have such and such motions ; therefore bullets and parts of the earth being separated , observe the motion of the whole ? you had been better to have brought your simile from the sea , which is neerer to the earth in place and nature then the heavens are ; thus : the sea ebbs and flowes , therefore parts of the earth being separated , may observe the motion of the whole . doth not this hang well together like a rope of sand ? if you had told us that parts of the sea being separated , observe the motion of the whole in ebbing and flowing ; therefore parts of the earth separated , observe also the motion of the whole , you had said something ; but you know the contrary of the antecedent to be true ; for you tell us that a bucket of sea water doth not ebbe and flow , though this motion be ( as you said ) naturall to the sea : but here you are deceived ; for if this motion were a naturall property flowing from the essence of the sea , the whole sea , and every part of it should ebbe and flow ; but it is not so , for the adriatick sea hath this motion ; the tyrrhene , baltick , and some other seas have it not ; so some parts of the sea ebbe and flow more and longer then others ; but essentiall properties are not capable of more and lesse ; some thinke that this is no pure motion , but an alteration rather in the sea : but be it what it will be , it proceedeth not from the nature of the sea , but from externall causes ; partly from the force and motion of the stars , chiefly of the moon ; and partly from vapours and exhalations in the sea . 12. you say , the whole earth may moveround , though the severall parts thereof have no such revolution particular of their stone ; for there be many things agreeing to the whole frame , which are not discernable in the divers parts of it , which you instance in the sea water , and in the bloud and humours of our body , which ascend in the body , but descend , being separated from it . answ. there is nothing proper and essentiall to the whole , but is also proper and essentiall to the parts separated or not separated ; thus if circular motions were naturall to the whole earth as you say , the parts of it would retaine their nature still though separated : therefore every part of the earth descends , because the whole doth , but no part thereof moves circularly , because the whole doth not . as for the parts of the sea water in a bucket , there is not ebbing and flowing as in the whole ; because that motion is not naturall to it , nor doth it proceed from the active forme , but from its passive , whereby it is apt to receive such a motion from externall agents : that motion which is essentiall and naturall to it , is not lost in the parts , being separated ; for every bucket , yea , every drop of sea water descends , because that motion is naturall , therefore not separable . as for the bloud and humours in our body , which you say ascend naturally to the head , i say , they ascend not naturally , for naturally they descend , because heavy ; but they are carried upward by the spirits in them , and drawne up by the attractive faculty , for each part drawes its aliment : now this bloud and humours being separated from the body , lose their heate and spirits , and so descend . your instances then will not evert our maxime , to wit , that if the whole earth move circularly , the separated parts would retaine the same motion : but you say that this motion is not discernable in the parts ; i grant it , neither is it discernable in the whole ; and seeing it is neither discernable by the sense , nor demonstrable by reason , how come you to know it ? if you can perceive in the swift violent course of a bullet , the magneticall revolution of the whole earth , you are more quick-sighted then lynx . you have certaine phrases like riddles , which stand in need of some oedipus to explaine them . 1. you call the earth a great magnet ; what 's that ? a great load-stone ? if there be great store of iron in your moone world , this great magnet in time may draw down the moone upon us . 2. you say , that parts of the earth may according to their matter be severed from the whole : perhaps you meane they may be severed in respect of place , not of matter ; for if they have not the same matter with the whole , they cannot be parts , nor can they be the subject of these common magneticall qualities you speak of . 3. you say , that iupiter and saturn hang in the etheriall aire : you love to confound what our wise fore-fathers have distinguished , because you have an etheriall earth in the moon , you would fain have an etheriall aire to : god hath separated the heaven or etheriall region from this aereall , so must we . i have read once of aura aetherea in virgil , but there the poet divinely meanes our breath which wee have originally from heaven ; i know no other etheriall aire but this . 4. you say , that the flesh , bones , &c. tend downeward as being of a condensate matter : but gravity is the proper cause of descent , and not density ; for the fire and aire may be condensate , and yet tend upward . 5. you say , that saturne , iupiter , and the sunne , are magneticall bodies : if you meane that these stars have the essentiall properties of the magnes to draw iron , then you wil make the earth and planets to be of the same kind and species : if mahomeis iron chest were hanged between the sun and the earth , it 's a question whether it should be drawne more forcibly upward or downeward . 6. you aske a reason , why the earth should not move about its center as the planets doe : i may rather aske you why it should , seeing it was made for rest , and they for motion ; neither is there any thing wherein they agree , but that they are corporeall substances , in all things else they differ : why then should wee inferre the earths motion from their motion ? 7. you that prove nothing , but boldly sayes any thing , as if men were bound to receive your dictates though never so unreasonable and ridiculous , as if they were oracles ; you i say tell us , of spots about the sun , thought to be clouds or evaporations from his body : if your eagle eyes can see spots about the sun , then the heavens are not pure in your sight ; but who hath spotted them which god hath made cleare and pure without spot or wrinkle ? are not the spots in your glasse , or in your eye rather ? i have heard of one who with his spectacles , reading in a booke , beat the booke three or foure times , thinking he had seen a flye on the paper , when it was a spot in his glasse . if you had read the absurd opinion of the manichees , who held with as great confidence as you doe your conceits , that the sunne was a great ship sailing about the world : perhaps you would have told us , that these spots are great whales playing about the sides of the ship ; and we should as soone beleeve you in this as in the other : but now you cannot certainly tell us , whether these spots may not be clouds or evaporations from the body of the sunne . but i would know what use is there for clouds there ; except it be to shadow now and then , and to refresh with raine your world in the moon : and if there be any such watry meteors about the sun , they must needs be extracted out of the sea , lakes , and rivers , that are in your upper world . and seeing these vapours cannot be condensate into clouds without cold , it confirmes my opinion , that the sun is not hot formally ; and that the heaven was nick-named when it was called aether , ab ardore : but i much muse what these evaporations should be from the body of the sun ? what , doth the sun pant and sweat with his daily labour ? evaporations are hot and moist exhalations , is there any moisture in the sunne ? doe not these clouds and evaporations proceed rather from his horses nostrils ? but the prince of poets tels us that they blow light out of their nostrils ; — lucem que elatis naribus efflaus . thus you afford us matter of sport . but you goe on in your absurdities ; for having once plunged your selfe in this mire , the more you strive and struggle to get out , the faster you sticke , and the deeper you sinke in . you tell us , that the moone is turned about by our earth : why doe you not tell us also that the sunne is turned about by the moone , and the firmament by the sunne , and the primum mobile by the firmament , and the first mover by the primum mobile ? and so the world shall be turned topsie turvie . for is not any of these turnings as probable as the moon to be turned about by the earth ? perswade me this , and then you shall easily assure me that the cart drawes the horse , the crab courses the hare , and the ship turns about the wind ? you would make the common-wealth of heaven like many disordered common-wealths here on earth , where the inferiour and meaner sort of people will take upon them to rule and guide their superiors , princes and magistrates , and then all comes to confusion ; the horses run away with the coach and coach-man : — frustra retinacula tendens , fortur equis auriga , neque audit currus habenas . is it not reasonable that the inferiour bodies should receive their motion from the superiour , as they have from them their beauty , perfection , and conservation ? but you give the moone many turners ; the earth by her magneticall motion ; iupiter ( who turnes the foure lesser planets ) by his body ; the sun by his revolution . so here be three severall wayes of turning ; motion , body , and revolution : but is not revolution , motion ? and when iupiter turnes by his body , is there no revolution ? or when the sunne turnes by his revolution , doth he not turne by his body ? it seemes that he that turneth by his body , toucheth , and so iupiter toucheth the lesser planets . he touched indeed venus in the poet when he kissed her : oscula libavit natae : — but how he toucheth and turneth these planets by his body , you doe not instruct us ; but your drift in all this , is to shew that if the sunne carry about his spots or clouds ; the earth carry about the moone , &c. much more may the earth carrie about an arrow or bullet : as if you would say , if the water carrie about the mill-wheel , and the wheele carrie about the mill-stones , much more may the mill carrie about the miller and his horse . concerning other mens observations of the flame of a candle carried equally in a ship ; of an equall force , casting an heavy body but at an equall distance with & against the motion of the ship ; of a heavy body in a ship falling down in a straight line ; of a man leaping up in a ship , and abiding in the aire , one second scruple of an houre , and yet the ship not withdraw it selfe fifteene foot : of these i will say but little , because i have already said something of them elsewhere ; yet i must tell you , that though the smoake and flame of a candle within the ship are carried with the ship , it will not follow that the clouds which are without the earth are turned about by the earth . if you could thrust the clouds within the bowels of the earth , they should be carried about with the earth if it did move ; but take the same candle which you talke , and place it in a calme night on the top of the mast , when the ship is carried with the tyde , then you shall see that though the candle is carried along with the ship , yet the smoake being separated from the candle doth not follow the ship , but remaines mounting upward in the aire . if the ship then carrie not along with it the smoak of the candle which is in it , how shall we thinke that the earth can carrie about the clouds which are so farre above it ? now to salve this , you tell us , that the aire is as well limited in bounds , as that which is included in a roome . but then i answer , that it is one thing to be included , and another thing to be limited ; every thing that is included in a roome is limited , but not every thing limited is included ; what is included must needs partake of the motion of that which includes it : the aire within the ship is moved by and with the ship , because it is included ; but the aire without the ship though it be limited , yet moves not by or with the ship because it is not included . you ask where the bounds of the air are terminated , and you answer your selfe by the spheare of vaporous aire ; or which is all one , by the orbe of magneticall vigour ; so you distinguish between the aire , and vaporous aire : but you tell us not how farre this spheare of vaporous aire , or this orbe of magneticall vigour reacheth ; so that wee are not satisfied with your answer , except you meane that it reacheth to the moon ; for you told us before that the moon is turned about by the earth , but then you contradict your selfe , for you say here , that these bounds are not terminated by the concavity of the moone's orbe ; so where to finde you , and the bounds of your spheare of vaporous aire , i cannot tell ; neither doe i understand how vaporous aire being a substance , can be all one with magneticall vigour which is an accident : and how this accident can have its orbe , this is a new piece of philosophie which would be illustrated , and so doe the words following ; that all earthly bodies are contained within these limits , as things are in a close roome , and as parts in that whole to which they belong . though a heavy by equall force be cast at an equall distance , whether it move with or against the motion of the ship , yet will it not follow that a bullet being shot towards east or west shall passe the same distance ; for though you cast your bullet against the motion of the ship , it is not hindered nor furthered by its motion : so if the earth did move , that motion were no more to the bullets motion then if it stood still ; but it is the motion of the aire that furthers or hinders the bullets motion , whether in the ship , or out of it . the earth then turning about the aire with great violence from east to west , must hinder the motion of the bullet or arrow flying to the east , and further that which cometh from the east ; but it is not so in a ship , for the ship doth not carry the aire before it , but divides the aire whilst it moves , so that the aire gives place , as the water also doth to the ship , that there may not be penetration of dimensions . how then can the bullets motion be hindered or furthered by the motion of the ship , seeing the aire in which it moveth , is neither with it , nor against it ? of the winde here i doe not speake . you grant that in a ship under saile , a stone being let fall from the mast will not descend to the same point , as if the ship stood still ; but you say , the motion of a ship is accidentall , and it is otherwise in these motions that are supposed to be naturall . i have shewed against lansbergius , that there is no naturall motion in the earth , but though there were , what 's that to the furtherance or hinderance of the stones motion to the same point ; suppose that not nature but an angel turned about the earth , the motion notwithstanding is circular , be the mover what it will be , externall or internall , nature or angel : therefore , it is true still , that as the stone falling from the mast will not descend to the same point when the ship saileth , as if it stood still ; so likewise a stone falling from an high tower , will not descend perpendicularly to the same point , the earth moving , as it would doe , if it stood still . now , how farre the ship will withdraw it selfe in its greatest swiftnesse , from him that leaps up and stayes in the aire a second scruple of an houre : and how far the earth in that space will goe from him in that certaine , neither is it materiall ; it is sufficient that it will remove a certaine space , and that he shall not fall upon the same place from which he leaped up . what you granted but now you recall , and tell us of galilaus , that the stone would still descend unto the very same place , whether the ship moved or not . so farre i yeeld , that if a heavy stone be let fall from a short mast whilest the ship moveth slowly , it is scarce discernable that the stone hath fallen or varied any thing from the perpendicular line : but if a small stone be let fall from a high mast whilest the ship moveth swiftly , then it is plaine to any man that hath sense , that the stone doth not fall upon the same point on which it would have fallen , if the ship had stood still . now to say that the motion of the ship is impressed in the stone , is a toy ; for how can one body impresse a motion in the other whilest they are separated , as the stone and ship are before it fall ? of magneticall bodies i speake not . being weary a ship-board you come on shore , and so having taken horse , you put spurs to his sides , and in your full cariere , you let a bullet drop out of your hand , which you say , hath a transverse motion , besides the motion of the descent . but how should it have the transverse motion of the horse , seeing the hand doth but unfold it selfe to let it fall ; the arme indeed is carried by the swiftnesse of the horse , and so is the bullet whilest it is in the hand , but being let fall , how can it have a transverse motion , seeing the hand did not expresse any such motion in it ? for to let fall is not to give a transverse motion : and though you would make it all one to cast a thing from us , and to let drop a thing when we are on horseback , yet the contrary of this is so cleare , that any man may see it without the help of spectacles . and sure if there were any transverse motion in the descent of the bullet , it is rather to be ascribed to the motion of the aire , then to the opening of the hand ; therefore this is but a crotchet , as likewise your conceit of a bullet shot out of a cannon set on end ; you spend your powder , and bullets , and paper too , to no purpose ; for you shall never perswade me ( for all your two printed canons ) that the bullet shot out and being in the aire can partake of the earths circular motion , till first you prove that the earth doth move , and then bring me better reasons then as yet you have done , for the circular motion of the bullet in the aire ; it is not the picture ( which is the expression of your conceit and idea only ) that can evince my understanding , when sense and reason are on my fide ; for what may not men set forth in pictures ; chimaera's , centaures , gorgons , &c. and what not ? pictoribus atque poetis , — you know what followes . now you goe a birding ; for what is a gentleman but his pleasure ? and you discharge your peece with that dexterity that you hit the poore bird flying , as surely as if he were sitting upon a tree : and what followes upon this ? namely , that the motion of the piece as in aiming it is made to follow the bird in its flight , is communicated to the bullet in the aire . but i see that though you have killed the bird , yet you are no good birder ; for at the instant whilst the peece is discharged , it is held steadie , so there is no motion of the peece imparted to the bullet in the aire ; but though the peece did move , will it follow therefore that the earth turnes about bullets in the aire ? if your powder and shot be not better then your arguments , you 'l never kill birds . but what a monstrous absurdity doe you tell us , that if a violent winde be able to drive ships , throw downe towers , turne up trees , much more may the diurnall motion of the aire ( which doth so farre exceed in swiftnesse the most tempestuous winde ) be able to carry with it the bodies of birds ? if the diurnall motion of the aire exceed the windes in impetuositie , how comes it , that it doth not the same effects that the winde doth ? why doe we not feele its force ? surely , if the aire did move with that violence from east to west , that a tempestuous winde doth , we should never have any ships come from the west eastward ; nor ships bound westward should stay for a winde , seeing the motion of the aire at all times would carrie them with a witnesse . if we should have occasion to saile to new england , wee should be there quickly , but no hopes ever to returne thence ; how should we be able to walke or sit on horsebacke , travelling against the motion of the aire , if it did move with that violence you speak of ? much lesse could birds in their flight resist such a force ; not the great bird ruck ( that i may fit you with a bird somewhat proportionable to your conceits ) whose wings are twelve paces long , and snatches up elephants ( as if they were but mice ) in his talons a great way in the aire : sometimes you play the painter , as in your circles and other figures ; and sometimes the poet , as here : admiranda sanis , sed non credenda . — as for your distinction of the motion of heavie and light bodies , to wit , that they being considered according to the space wherein they move , their motions are not simple but mixed of a direct and circular ; but according to the medium wherein they move , they have properly right motions . this i say is such a riddle , that oedipus could scarce have solved it ; for why should not the motion be mixed as well in the medium as in the space ? is the aire or medium a hinderance to circular motions , so that these bodies can onely move there in a straight line ? if so , you contradict your selfe , for you tell us still that bodies are moved round by the aire , and this by the earth . and how shall we understand that a stone falling downeward hath a mixed motion of a direct and circular according to the space wherein it moves , but a simple straight motion according to the aire wherein it moves ? what mean you by this word ( space ? ) you cannot meane the ubi of these bodies moving , for that is their rest in the place to which they move : ultima perfectio corpor is mobilis . you doe not understand i thinke the intervall of the ancients which aristotle hath refuted , as being neither a substance nor an accident ; not a substance , because there would be penetration ; not an accident , for so an accident should be better then the substance ; for locus est prior & nobilior locato . and if by space you understand the aire , then how will your distinction stand , the aire or medium , and the space being all one ? the place it cannot signifie , for the stone descendeth not in its place , but to it ; therefore what your space is , and how distinguished from the medium , i thinke you doe not know . if wee should aske you with what motion christs body ascended into heaven , you will answer that according to the space wherein it moved , it ascended by a mixed motion of a direct and circular , but according to the medium , it ascended by a simple straight motion ; and so wee shall depart from you as wise as we came , like those that consulted with sibylla ; inconsultì ab●unt — you say , that aristotle would not deny but that fire may ascend , and yet participate of a circular motion , so likewise must it be for the descent of any thing . aristotle is beholding to you , for if you will beleeve him that heavie bodies must have a double motion , because he would not deny but that the fire may have a double motion ; then if he would not deny but that the heavens may move round , and that the earth may stand still , you will beleeve him ; much more i hope you will credit him when by irrefragable reasons hee proves the motion of the one , and immobilitie of the other : but how ever , it is bad reasoning from the possibilitie of one thing to the necessity of another ; great oddes between may be , and must be ; between fire and earth ; because croesus may be poore , must therefore irus be rich ? because aristotle saith the fire may descend , must the earth therefore ascend ? there is no consequence à posse ad esse ; much lesse à posse ad necesse . i will suppose with you , that whilst the ship is in her swistest motion , a ball of wax being let fall into a vessell full of water , may be slow in sinking , and that the motion of the ship will not be discernable in it . but that the wax should seem to the eye to descend in a straight line i wil not suppose , because i have found it otherwise ; the wax will seeme to have a transverse motion in the water though it descend in a straight line : so an oare seemes to be broken in the water , which element is not a true medium for the sight ; now the reason why the motion of the ship in the way is not discernable , is because the great disproportion betweene the bignesse of the ship , and smallnesse of the wax : and because that motion is not the waxes owne , but the ships : these two reasons concurring , make this motion in the wax indiscernable ; but suppose what you say were true in preternaturall motions , it will not therefore follow , that is also true in motions naturall . if the aire did move round with the earth , it is most certaine that the comets would seem alwayes to stand still , being carried about by the revolution of this aire ; but experience sheweth that they rise and set ; to this you answer , that most comets are above the spheare of the aire which is turned round with our earth . answ. you told us before that the earth turneth about the moone , therefore it must follow that the comets are above the moone , if they be above that aire which is turned about with our earth . 2. we have already shewed that the aire sometimes moveth the earth , but that the earth moveth the aire is false and preposterous . 3. you tell us , that those comets which are within the orbe of our aire seeme to stand still , you instance that comet mentioned by josephus , which hung over ierusalem . answ. that was no ordinary comet or the worke of nature , but a miracle or worke of supernaturall power , as the rest of those prodigies which happened about the same time ; to wit , the sudden light which appeared halfe an houre about the altar ; the cow that brought forth a lambe in the temple ; the flying open of the brasen gate of its owne accord ; the chariots and armed men that were seene in theaire , &c. now when you say , that this comet being within the orbe of our aire , seemed to stand still ; you are deceived , for it was gods worke that it stood still over that place : and it did not seeme , but did truly stand still , by which it is plaine that the earth moveth not ; for if it did move , then the comets which are neerest to it would move swiftest ; but the contrary of this is true , for the higher the comet is , the swister it moveth , the lower , the slower ; yea scarce at all ; because it is the heaven that moveth the comets , and not the earth : so you falsifie seneca , for he doth not say that these low comets seeme to move , but the clean contrary , that they are altogether immovable , undique immota . you say , that you might justly passe over my nine arguments which i urged in one chapter , against your opinion ; but because i proceed ( say you ) with such scorne and triumph , you will examine my boastings . you doe wisely , like the romans , who that their generals might not be puffed up with the glory of their triumphs , caused some to walke along by their chariots , using upbraiding words ; the like doe you , calling my arguments cavills not worth the naming ; yet you are pleased to name them , to shew doubtlesse their weaknesse , and your wit. my first cavill ( as you call it ) is this ; if the earth move , it will be hotter then the water , because motion is the cause of heat : but that the earth should be hotter then water , is repugnant to that principall in naturall philosophie which affirmes the earth to be colder ; besides , the water would never freeze if it were moved as swiftly as the earth . this argument because you cannot answer , you picke ( as you thinke ) a contradiction out of it , which is this ; the earth by motion is hotter then the water , and yet the water moves along with it , which water is made warme also by motion , that it is not capable of congelation . answ. is this a contradiction thinke you : the earth is hotter then the water , and yet the water is hot too ; the fire is hotter then the aire , and yet the aire is hot too ? who ever heard that the degrees of comparison make a contradiction ? i should not contradict my selfe , if i should say , keplar was a cold disputant , but you are a colder . 2. though i say that the water moveth along with the earth , yet the earth may be hotter then the water without any contradiction ; for of two bodies moving together , one may be hotter then the other , especially , if they be of different natures ; who knowes not that drie and solid bodies ( such as the earth is ) are more capable intensively of heate , then thin and moist bodies , such as the water is ? 3. though the earth , water , and aire next to it , be not severed one from another , yet they are made hot by such a violent motion : when you runne , your cloathes , skin , flesh , bloud , &c. are not severed one from the other , and yet your motion makes them all hot . 4. if motion in fluid bodies were the cause of coldnesse ( as you say some do think ) then it would follow , that the more you move , your bloud should be the colder . scaliger shewes , that they who water their horses being hot , use to stirre the water violently , that it may be brought to a warme temper , that the horses may drinke without danger . 5. i deny that all running waters are the coldest , neither are they the colder because they run , but because the meet still with fresh aire : so shall you in a cold day ( if you rise to walke ) be colder for a while , then when you sit still ; not because you walke ( for that in time will warme you ) but because you meet with fresh aire , vvhich you did not vvhilest you sate ; neither is there yet so much heat in you as to abate the sense of the cold aire , till your motion have caused it . 6. i deny that the strongest windes are still the coldest , though they blow from the same coast at the same time of the year , for i have observed that in one february , a gentle easterly vvind hath brought snovv , and the next february a strong east vvinde hath brought raine . 7. if rest be the cause that in cold vveather vvater doth freeze , then all vvaters that rest vvould freeze , and no running vvaters vvould freeze ; but this is false , for some vvaters resting doe not freeze , and sometimes running vvaters doe freeze , vvhen the motion is not so strong as to stirre up the heat ; therefore , it remaines that the heat caused by the motion , and not the motion it selfe , is the hinderance of the waters freezing . 8. if this motion were true that the earth runnes foure miles in a minute , the heat of the aire would be more then moderate ; even in winter you could not indure the heat of it ; we should need no fire to warme us ; wood would be cheap enough . 2. my second argument was this : if the earth did move the aire , then the aire which is next to the earth would be purer , as being more rarified ; but the contrary is true , for the higher the aire is , the purer it is . you answer never a word to this argument , which shewes you assent ; qui tacet consentire videiur . 3. my third argument : if the earth did move the aire , it would cause a sound , but this is no more audible then the pythagoricall harmony of heaven . you answer , that there is no reason why this motion should cause a sound , more then the supposed motion of the heavens . but i say , there is a great deale of reason , for if any solid body , be it never so small though an arrow , bullet , or wand , moving the air , cause a sound ; will not the vast body of the earth turning the aire with that violence cause a hideous noise , which would make us all deafe ? now , there is no reason why the motion of the heavens should make any sound , for neither are they solid bodies themselves , nor doe they move or encounter any solid body , nor is there any aire in heaven ; which things are required to make a sound . 4. i argued , that nature had in vaine endowed the heavens with all conditions requisite for motion , if they were not to move ; for they have a round figure , they have neither gravity nor levity , they are incorruptible , and they have no contrary . this you say will prove the earth to move as well as the heavens ; for that hath a round figure , it is not heavy in its proper place , and being considered as whole , the other two conditions you reject as being untrue , and not conducing to motion . answ. though i should grant you that the earth were round , yet it is not so exactly round and smooth as the heaven ; for it hath many mountaines and vallies , and some hills higher , some lower : is a globe or boule that hath knobs and dents in it so fit for motion as that which is smooth , and equally round ? 2. i have shewed already the folly of that conceit , which holdeth the whole earth not to be heavy in , it s own place ; as if the elements must loose their essentiall properties being in their own places , whereas it is the place that preserveth the propertiese and essenc of things . have the fire and aire lost their levity because they are in their own places ? and is it not absurd to say ( as i have already shewed ) that there should be weight in a part of any thing , and not in the whole ? as if a piece of an yron bullet were heavie , but not the whole bullet : you were as good say , that totum non est majus suâ parte . 3. whereas you say that the heavens are corruptible , you may say also that they are generable ; and so being subject to generation and corruption , they are of the same nature with sublunary bodies , and must have the same matter ; so that as there is a transmutation of the elements into each other , even so the heavens may be changed into the elements , and these into them : heaven may become earth , and earth heaven ; this is your admirable learning which passeth all understanding . 4. heaven ( it seemes by you ) hath a contrary , but you tell us not what that is ; they are not contrary to one another , as fire and water ; nor are they contrary to sublunary things , for they cherish and preserve them ; neither have they the same common matter . 5. any sensible man may easily conceive , that contrariety and corruption are hinderances to a perpetuall circular motion ; and because ( as is said ) the heaven is not capable of them , but the earth is , it will follow that i argued upon good grounds , that the heavens onely are endowed with all things requisit for motion , and not the earth : and therefore god will have nothing idle , as hee made nothing in vaine : hee hath made the heavens , and the three superiour elements to be exercised with motion , and the lowest element with generation and corruption ; but it were strange if the earth should be subject to all three , and the heavens to none , but should stand still , and be perpetually idle ; this is not sutable to the wisdome of the maker . 5. i reasoned that all similary parts are of the same nature with the whole , but each part of the earth doth rest in its place , therefore doth the whole also . you say this argument would prove , that the sea doth not ebbe and flow , because every drop of water hath not this motion ; or that the whole earth is not sphericall , because each part hath not the same forme . answ. i have shewed already that the ebbing and flowing of the sea are not essentiall to the sea , for in many places the sea doth not ebbe and flow ; therefore it is no wonder , that parts of the sea , being severed from the whole , lose that motion , seeing many parts being joyned with the whole have it not . this motion then is caused by externall agents ; but those qualities which are essentiall to the whole , are not lost in the parts : every drop of water is heavy , and moves downward , because the whole doth ; every drop of sea water is salt , because the whole is . 2. i have said already that the earth is not exactly sphearicall , and though it were , your conceit is nothing : for roundnesse belongs not to the earth , quà talis , as it is earth , sed quà tota , as it is whole . when a thing ceaseth to be whole , it loseth the figure of the whole , neither are external figures or outward qualities essential to things , but common accidents onely : now , the qualitie of resting in the lowest place is essentiall to the whole earth , therefore to the parts also . 6. i said that the sun in the world is as the heart in mans body , but the motion of the heart ceasing , , none of the members stirre ; so neither would there be motion in the world if the sun stood still : this ( you say ) is rather an illusturation , then a proof . i grant it ; for i used it as an illustration to discover with its light the weaknesse , and to dispell the darknesse of your opinion . and were it not an absurd thing to think that the arteries move , but the heart standeth still ? so no lesse absurd is it to say , that the earth moveth , but the sunne standeth still . 2. illustrations oftentimes are forcible proofs , and used they are both by divines and philosophers . 7. i said that the sun and heavens work upon these inferiour bodies by their light and motion . you say , that the sun and planets working upon the earth by their owne reall , daily motion , is the thing in question , therefore must not be taken for a common ground . answ. if nothing shall be taken for a common ground which is or hath been in question , then there are no common grounds in divinity and philosophy ; for i know no fundamentall doctrine in the one , or principall in the other , which hath not been questioned by wanton and unsettled spirits . 2. i said that the heavens work by motion ; you inferre , as if i had said , of a reall daily motion : i spake neither of daily nor annuall motion ; if hee doth not work by his daily , doth hee work by his annuall revolution ? 3. tell mee if you can , from whence proceed the many motions and mutations that are in sublunary things ? from themselves they cannot ; from a superior cause then they must , and what is that but the heavens ? and what other media or meanes are in heaven by which they work , but light and motion ? if you can tell us any other besides these , wee will be beholding to you . 8. i proved that the earth must be firme and stable , because it is the foundation of buildings . you say , that it is firme from all jogging , and uncertaine motions . answ. this is a jogging conceit of yours , and an uncertain answer , as i have shewed already ; for motion , as it is motion , is an enemy to buildings , be it never so uniforme ; and a moving foundation can be no settled foundation : if a foundation be stable , how can it move ? if it move , how can it be stable ? 9. my ninth argument was taken from the authority of divines , grounded on scripture ; thy sun shall no more goe downe , &c. in the revelations the angel sweares there shall be no more time ; therefore the heavens must rest , whose motion is the measurer of time ; so s. paul saith , the creature is subject to vanity ; this is the vanity of motion of which solomon speaks : the sun riseth , and the sun goeth downe , &c. this ( you say ) is but a weake argument ; for it is granted that this opinion is a paradoxe . answ. as it deviates from the opinion of other men , it is a paradoxe , but as it is repugnant to scripture , it is a cacodoxe . 2. when you say that isaiah speaketh of that light which shall be in stead of the sun and moon , doe you answer any thing at all to his testimony ? thy sun shall no more goe downe , &c. for hee distinguisheth between that light which god shall give to his saints , and the light of the sun which shall no more goe downe ; so that hee doth not confound these two lights which are in god and in the sun , as you would have it . a part of the churches happinesse shall be , that shee shall both enjoy the light of the sun without intermission , and also that new inaccessible light of divine vision . if then the sun shall goe downe no more , it argues that the sun useth to goe downe : now , if you will have these words understood mystically , yet the thing to which they doe allude must be understood properly ; to wit , the going down of the sun. 3. you will have time to be measured by the motion of the earth , not of the heaven ; and this you prove out of pererius , who saith , that time depends upon the motion and succession of any duration : but pererius explaines himselfe in another place : that that is only time properly and principally , which is measured by the motion of the primum mobile : because the motion of the heaven is the first , and the cause of all other motions ; and because it is the least , as being the swiftest ; and it is most certaine , and uniforme , universall , and known to all : so that if the earth did move ( which as yet you have not proved ) yet these conditions cannot agree with the earths motion : time which is measured by other motions , is not properly and formally , but materially and improperly so called , ; so it is false that the earths motion is the cause of time , which pererius never affirmed or dreamed of . 4. you will have the heavens subject to other vanities besides that of motion ; as first unto many changes , witnesse the comets seen amongst them ; and then to that generall corruption in the last day , when they shall passe away with a noise , &c. answ. if changes be vanity , to how much vanity is your world in the moon subject , which so often changeth ? 2. though the heavenly bodies were subject to other vanities , as you say , yet these will not exempt them from the vanity of motion . 3. how comets , which are gods extraordinary workes , and denouncers of his judgements , are vanities , i understand not . 4. that the apostle speaks of comets in that place , is your part to prove either by reason or authority . 5. that comets which are seen onely by us in the aire , are discerned by you amongst the heavenly bodies , is no wonder , seeing you can discern a world in the moon . 6. st. ambrose on that place sheweth , that the vanity to which the heaven is subject , is the continuall toile of their motion , and that it expects rest , that it may be delivered from servile work . 7. if the heavens be subject to the vanity of corruption , as you say , tell us whether you speak properly and philosophically , or metaphorically ? if philosophically , you are absurd ; for every fresh-man can tell you that heaven is not capable of generation and corruption ; if metaphorically , you speak impertinently ; for by the passing away of heaven , is meant onely the abolition of imperfect qualities , and a perfecting of it to a more glorious estate . 8. the heavens ( you say ) are subject to that generall corruption in which all creatures shall be involved in the last day . but you cannot tell us what that corruption shall be , and so you speak at randome : you doe not mean ( i hope ) that the heavens shall be involved in the same corruption with snakes , rats , toads , and other such kinde of creatures . you say that there is not such invincible strength in my arguments , as might cause me triumph before hand . but i say there is so much vincible weaknesse in your answers , that makes me think that the refutation of them deserves neither triumph nor ovation ; so that my strife with you is but — pugna nullos habitura triumphos : neither did i purpose to make you any reply , had not some friends solicited me to vindicate the truth and my owne credit , which seemed to be somewhat eclipsed by the unwholsome fogs , and misty discourses of your book . i said that the heaven was called aethera , ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from its continuall motion ; and the earth vesta , quòd vi suâ stat , from its immobility . you say they were so called because it was then the common opinion , that the heaven moved , and the earth stood . but now because you are of another opinion , it 's fit that the names be changed aswell as the nature ; let the heaven now be called vesta , and the earth aetherae ; or let heaven be called terra , quòd perenni cursu omnia terat , and the earth should be called coelum , à caelando ; so let all things and arts be confounded : grammar , aswell as your logick , philosophy , and astronomy . 2. if heaven and earth have their etymology from what they seeme to be , not from what they are ; then the like may be said of other things . fire is called focus , à fovendo , from cherishing ; the sea is called mare , quasi amarum , because it is salt or bitter ; not that these things are so , but because they seem to be so : the like may be said of other etymologies . 3. for your conceit of the hebrew word erets from ruts , because it runs , is but a running motion of your head . the hebrews who were better skilled in their owne language , then you are , derive erets from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because it continually desires to beare fruit , as munster sheweth in genes . c. 1. you object to your selfe , how are two distinct motions conceiveable in the earth at the same time ? and you answer you selfe , that it is easily apprehended , considering how both these motions tend from west to east , as you instance in a bowle . answ. how the earth should have two distinct circular motions , is not conceiveable by us , nor demostrable by you . your similie of the bowle is a poor demonstrastration , and indeed , false ; for it running on the superficies of the ground , hath not two circular motions , as you should have shewed , but onely one such motion or rowling ; the other as it moves from your hand to the mark , is the motion of projection ; or rather the bowles motion , is indeed but one , being a mixed or compounded motion ; neither doth it move with two distinct circular motions in the same place the same time , as you will have the earth to doe : but it runs from one place to another ; neither is it naturall , but violent : and though it were true that the bowle had two distinct circular motions in the same place at the same time , yet it will not prove that the earth is either capable , or we conceiveable of these two motions , considering the disproportion that is between the vast and heavy earth , and a small light bowle . you conclude this chapter , singing the triumph before the victory ; for you say that we may gather some satisfaction out of it , but indeed we can gather none : neither are we a whit the wiser for it , but leave it with as great discontents , and as little satisfaction , as they did sibylla's cave , who came to consult with her intricate oracles ; . inconsulti abeunt , sedemque odêre sibyllae . chap. ix . 1. the earth cannot be the cause of its owne motion . 2. the vasinesse and thicknesse of the heavin no hinderance to its motion . 3. the matter of the heavens and their smoothnesse no hinderance to their motion . 4. bignesse helps motion . 5. the heavens swistnesse illustrated by other motions . 6. the earth neither the finall nor efficient cause of its motion , the heaven fitter for motion , because greater , and more constant ; nature worketh not still the most compendious way , some idle similitudes refuted . 7. bodies having the same properties have not alwayes the same motion ; motion belongs to the noblest creatures . 8. the smoothnesse , subtilty , and purity of bodies no hinderance to their motion ; the aire moves the water , the circular motion of the fire naturall how . 9. of intelligences how and why they move the heavens . 10. magneticke vertue an idle conceit . in this chapter , ampullas loqueris & sesquipedalia verba ; you talk not like a man of this world , but like one who hath dwelt long in the moone ; or as if you were iupiters secretary with minos , and had the honour with aeolus . — epulis accumbere divûm . you dispute of the magnitudes and distances of the orbs , and of the swiftnesse of their motion with that exactnesse , as if you had measured them with a line : but i wonder how you could stand steady to take their measure , seeing the foundation on which you stand whirles you about foure miles every minute of an houre . i should thinke that your head was giddy when you wrote this , and that indeed you can no more dispute of these things , then a blinde man can doe of colours ; neither can we give you any credit untill first you goe thither , and bring us a certificate signed with the hands of these angels which turne about the orbes ; otherwise you will but loose your labour : — nec quidquam tibi prodest aereas tentasse domos , anintóque rotundum , percurrisse polum — . 1. you will have us suppose that the earth is the cause of this motion ; but this wee may not suppose , for if there be any motion in the earth , the earth is the subject of that motion , but not the cause ; for nothing can move it selfe ; movens & mobile are distinct things : but what if we should suppose what you desire , what will be gained thereby ? to wit this , that the heavens shall be freed from their inconceivable swiftnesse : and is not this a goodly reason . we cannot conceive how the heavens move so swiftly as they say , ergo we must suppose the earth to move ? shall we suppose the fire to be cold , because we cannot tell how the sunne is hot ? if one cannot tell how the eye seeth , will you bid him suppose that the foot seeth ? this is , homines ex stultis insanos facere : let the swiftnesse of heaven be never so great , we cannot suppose the earth to move . for that they may be swifter then our thoughts , is not impossible , if either we look on gods power , or on the aptitude in these bodies for such a motion : but you will not have us flye to gods power what he can doe : i pray you then whither shall we flie ? if we goe up into heaven he is there , if we goe downe to hell he is there also . &c. whatsoever is done in heaven , and in the earth , &c. he doth it himselfe , saith david . hee sustaineth all things by the word of his power ; in him we live , move , and have our being : therefore the philosophers said well , that he was the first mover , and that the outmost heaven was the first moveable . but if you will have us looke unto the usuall way of providence what is most likely to be done , then we say that it is most likely , that the heavens move , and the earth stands still , as is already proved . 2. you say , the heavens being vast , materiall , condensate substances , are not capable of such a motion : i heare words but to no purpose , for you should tell us , whether the matter of heaven , and the condensation thereof be like this of the earth ; and whether the mover be so weake as that he cannot turne about that vast body . i had told you heretofore that bodies move swifter or slower , not because they are greater or lesser , but because they are heavier or lighter motion which you call a geometricall thing ( but you are in this decived ) depends not from quantitie , lesser bodies move oftentimes flower then the greater ; a snaile then an elephant , a pebble stone then a great cloud : it is not then beyond the phansie of a poet , or mad-man , ( as you madly speake ) for the heaven to move very swiftly ; but if any man will take upon him to tell exactly how swiftly the heaven moveth , or that the earth moveth at all ; i must needs tell him that he needs hellebor . 3. when we say that the heavens are bodies without gravitie , you answer us with your recocted coleworts , or idle evasion of yours so often repeated , that the whole earth in its owne place is not heavy : which shift we have divers times already refuted : but when you say , that the heavens being of a materiall substance , it 's impossible but that there should be in them some ineptitude to motion : you speake like one who is a stranger to philosophie , for if it were not for the matter , there would be no motion in the world . as the forme moveth , so it is by reason of the matter that all things are moved , so that where there is matter , there can be no ineptitude to motion in respect of the matter . but it is a rugged conceit in you when you say , that it 's not conceiveable how the upper spheare should move the lower , unlesse their superficies were full of rugged parts , or else they must leane one upon the other . answ. what rugged parts are there in the superficies of winds and clouds , when the windes move the clouds ? or what ruggednesse is there in smooth waters , when in rivers the formost waters are moved forward by the hindermost ? or in the smoake when it carrieth upward a piece of paper ? but when you say , that the farther any spheare is distant from the primum mobile , the lesse it is hindered by it , in its proper course : it is true , and yet not repugnant to ptolomies opinion , who saith , that in heaven there is no reluctancie ; for his meaning is , that there is no inferiour spheare that hindereth the swiftnesse of the primum mobile , and that is the reason why it is so swift : because it hath no resistance either from the forme , or from the matters ; or thicknesse of the medium . novv , in nova fert animus , — you vvould faine play the poet , and build castles in the aire , but indeed you have already played the poet too much ; for your vvhole booke is nothing else but a heap of fictions ; your vvorld in the moone , your moving earth , your standing heavens , your figures and characters , what are they else but pleasant dreames , and idle phansies , fit enough to be inserted into ovids metamorphosis , if you could digest them into good verses ? and you doe not onely play the poet , but the painter also in your figures , for a fictitious picture is a visible poem , and a poem is an audible picture , painters and poets have authority you knovv . but you wonder much why poets have not feigned a castle to be made of the same materials with the solid orbes . answ. i thinke the reason is , because they did not knovv that there vvere people in the moone ; if they had knovvn this , doubtlesse they vvould have fitted them vvith inchanted castles , and other buildings ; novv vvhat they have omitted , doe you , that posterity vvhen you are dead may say ; — nunc non cinis ille poetae faelix ? now levior cippus nunc imprimit ossa ? but i vvill not novv spend time in vievving the parts and materials of your poeticall castle , till you have brought it to perfection ; and then i vvill take a survey of every particular . 4. i had said that a bigger body , as a mill-stone , vvill naturally descent svvifter then a lesse , as a pebble stone ; the cause of this , you will not have to be ascribed to the bodies bignesse , but to the strength of naturall desire which that big body hath to such a motion . answ. you make a shevv as if you did ansvver our argument , but in effect you ansvver nothing : for if i should aske you vvhy a mill-stone falls faster then a pebble , you will answer , because it hath a stronger desire to fall ; but if i aske againe why it hath a stronger desire , you answer , because the bigger a thing is , the stronger is its desire , &c. and is not your opinion now all one with mine in effect ? that it is the bignesse that is the cause of this swiftnesse ? now the same reason is appliable to bodies moving circularly : for though they were in their proper scituations , yet there is in them as great a desire to move about the center , as there is in elementary bodies to move to and from the center ; therefore , the greater the body is , the greater desire it hath to move according to your opinion . againe , i said that the winde will sooner move a great ship then a little stone , you answer , this is not because a ship is more easily moveable then a little stone , but because a little stone is not so liable to the violence from whence its motion proceeds . this answer is as wise as the former , for why is not the stone as liable to the violent cause of its motion as the ship , but because it is not so big , therefore the ship is more easily moveable then the stone ; because by reason of its bignesse it 's more liable to the violent cause of its motion . and when you say , that i cannot throw a ship as farre as a stone ; i grant it , but this will onely argue want of strength in me , but not want of aptitude for a swifter motion in the ship then in the stone , if i had strength to sling the one as well as the other . a bigger bullet out of the same peece will flie farther and swifter then a lesser . 5. i brought some instances to illustrate the possibility of the heavens swiftnesse , as the sound of a cannon twenty miles off ; of the sight of a starre in a moment , of the light passing suddenly from east to west ; of the swiftnesse of a bullet carried by the powder ; to these you answer , that the passage of a sound is but slow , compared to the heavens motion ; that the species of sound or sight are accidents , and so is the light ; that the disproportion is great betwixt the heavens motion and the swiftnesse of a bullet . answ. let the sound , and light , and species be what they will be , they are moved ; and if they be accidents they cannot be moved alone , but with the subject in which they are inherent : therefore , if there be such swiftnesse in the motion of these , what need we doubt of the swiftnesse of the heavens ? and if accidents can be so swiftly moved with and in their subjects , much swifter must be these heavenly substances having no resistance , whose matter is so pure , that it is a great furtherance to their motion : and though there be great disproportion betwixt the bullets motion and the heavens swiftnesse , yet the motion of the one serves to illustrate the swiftnesse of the other . and yet i take not upon me as you doe , peremptorily to tell how swift the heavens are ; and though i said that the light was an accident , yet i said also that it was corpori simillimum , that it comes very neere to the nature of a body : neither did aristotle prove the light to be no body , because of its swiftnesse , as if no body were capable of that swiftnesse , for then he should contradict himselfe as you use to doe ; but he meanes that no sublunarie body had so swift a motion . it had been folly to illustrate the swiftnesse of the bullets motion by the motion of the hand in the watch ; for there by many other motions far swifter then this to expresse the bullets motion : but of sublunary motions there be none swifter then those i alledged to illustrate the motion of heaven . 6. you would have the earth to be both the efficient and finall cause of its motion : but indeed it is neither the one nor the other , for if it move at all , it must be moved by another mover then it selfe : and god made the heavens not for the earth , but for man ; so the diurnall and annuall motions have man for their finall cause , and heavenly movers for their efficient . 2. you say , that nature is never tedious in that which may be done an easier way : this i will not grant you , for nature doth not still worke the easiest , but the most convenient way ; but i deny that the earths motion is either more easie or more convenient then that of heaven ; for a light body , such as heaven is , is more easily moved then a heavy ; and it is more convenient that the foundation of our houses should remain firme and stable , then moveable , as i said . i could tell you how laborious and tedious nature is in the perfecting of mans body , and of many other things , therefore she doth not take still the most compendious way . 3. you say , it is not likely that the heaven should undergoe so great and constant a worke which might be saved by the circumvolution of the earths body . how tender hearted are you ? are you afraid that the heavens will grow wearie ? and i pray you , is not heaven sitter to undergoe a great and constant worke then the earth , so small , so dull , so heavy , so subject to change ? a great worke is fit for a great body , and a constant work fit for that body that knoweth no unconstancy . 4. you are deceived when you say , that the heaven receiveth no perfection by its motion , but is made serviceable to this little ball of earth . the perfection of heaven consisteth in its motion , as the earths perfection in its rest ; neither was heaven made to serve this ball , but to serve him who was made lord of this ball . 5. your similies of a mother warming her childe , of a cooke rosting his meat , of a man on a tower , of a watch maker , are all frivolous . for a mother turneth her childe , and a cook his meat to the fire , because the fire cannot turne it selfe to them ; the motion is in them , not in the fire : so he that is on a tower , turnes himselfe round to see the countrey , because the countrey cannot turne it selfe about him . if you had proved to us that the heaven cannot move , but that it is the earth that moveth , then we should yeeld that the earth did foolishly to expect the celestiall fire to turne about her ; but this you have not as yet proved , neither will you be ever able to prove . the earth indeed is a mother , but as senslesse and stupid as niobe , who would suffer her children to starve with cold , if that heavenly fire did not move about her . as for your instance of a watch-maker , i will use it in your owne words , but to our purpose : if a wise watch-maker will not put any superfluous motion in his instrument , shall we not thinke that nature is as provident as any ordinary mechanicke ? therefore doubtlesse it had been superfluous for the earth to move . and whereas you say , that the motion of the starres is full of confusion and uncertainties : that is true in respect of your ignorance ; there is an heavenly order , and harmony amongst them , the confusion is in your head , and the uncertainty in your knowledge . 7. you say , that motion is most agreeable to that which in kinde and properties is neerest to the bodies that are moved . but this i say is false , for an immoveable body is not made capable of motion , because it is neere in some properties to the body that is moved . a rocke and a mill-stone which perhaps was taken out of the same rocke , agree in kinde and properties , will it therefore follow , that because the mill-stone moves round , the rocke also moves round ? the sea-water and well-water agree in kinde and properties , doth the well-water therefore ebbe and flow ? but your drift is to shew , that the earth moveth with the six planets , because both earth and planets have a borrowed light , whereas the sunne and fixed stars have it of their own . answ. a goodly reason , the earth must move as well as the sixe planets , because it hath a borrowed light as well as they ; as if you would say , saturne and the moone have a borrowed light , therefore they have the same motion and bignesse : or thus , the planets have a borrowed light as well as the earth , therefore , they rest , or be as heavie as the earth ; but what if i should say , the planets have some light of their owne , as may be seen by the moone , which the earth hath not ; and therefore they agree not in this property of light , and consequently the earth moveth not as they doe . but when you say the fixed stars have light of their owne , you speake at randome , for you can shew no reason of this conceit , why the fixed starres should have light of their owne , and not the planets ; or why the planets borrow light , and not the fixed stars . againe , you thinke , that the sunne and stars should rest , because they are of a more excellent nature : as if motion did belong to the ignoblest creatures ; we know the contrary , man is a more noble creature then a rocke , yet man moveth , and the rocke is immoveable . the heart in our bodies is more noble then the guts , yet that moveth , they move not . is the body of man lesse excellent when it is moved by the soule , then when it is at rest putrifying in the grave . when water rests from its motion it loseth its excellencie , and stinketh , therefore , motion in many things is more noble then rest : as for the rest which you say is ascribed to god , that is not to our purpose , for it is transcendent and hyperphysicall ; and as god is said to rest , so he is said to move , therefore called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . but why you should thinke the fixed starres of a more excellent nature then the planets , i know not , neither can you give any reason for it . 8. aristotle you say tels us , that the time of the revolution of each orbe should be proportionable to its bignesse , which can only be you thinke , by making the earth a planet . i answer , that of two evills the lesse is to be chosen , and better it is that there should be some disproportion between the bignesse of the orbes , and the time of their motion , then that the earth should move . 2. you cannot exactly tell what disproportion there is in their motions , till first you finde out the true knowledge of their magnitudes . that the comets which move in the aire are not moved by the heavens , but by the earth , you prove ; because the concave superficies of the moone is thought to be smooth , so that the meere touch of it cannot turne about the fire with a motion not naturall to it ; nor can the subtle fire move the thicker aire , nor this the waters . answ. how the upper spheares move the lower , is neither knowne to you nor me but by conjectures . 2. i have already shewed that one smooth body by its touch may move another , as the winde moves the clouds ; so in the northerne seas , one mountaine of ice which is smooth , moves the other forward . 3. the subtiltie and puritie of the fire is no hinderance to its moving of the thicker aire , for doe not our animall spirits which are pure and subtle , and yet materiall , move our grosse bodies ? doth not the winde move grosse substances ? 4. that the aire doth not move the water , is repugnant to experience , for within the tropickes , the sea is continually moved from east to west by the aire ; and this by the heaven as i have shewed elsewhere . 5. that the circular motion of the fire is not naturall , is false ; for though this motion proceed not from an inward principle , as the straight motion doth , yet it is naturall , because the nature of the fire is preserved by it ; for the fire never gives off moving upward , till it begin to move circularly , and then is it in its chiefe perfection when it hath attained this motion . lansbergius you say concludes that the earth is easily moveable , from the words of archimedes , who said , that he could move the earth , if he knew where to stand and fasten his instrument ; it is a foolish conclusion , for so he might as well conclude , that armed men may arise out of the ground , because pompey said , that if he did but stampe with his foot , the ground would yeeld him armed men . so because medaea said : ego inter auras aliti curru vebar ; that shee would flie in the aire in a chariot drawne by dragons , that therefore shee could doe as shee said ; this is to play the poet. 9. the opinion of intelligences , by which the heavens are moved ( you say ) hath its originall from aristotle's mistake , who held the heavens to be eternall . i answer , that aristotle was mistaken in holding the heavens to be eternall à priori ; but i deny that there is any errour in holding them to be eternall à posteriori , in respect of their substance . 2. aristotle might have held the opinion of intelligences , without holding the heavens to be eternall ; for the eternity of the mover doth not necessarily inferre the eternity of the thing moved : god is eternall , so is not the world , our soules are eternall , so are not our bodies . 3. you prove , that intelligences are superfluous , because a naturall power intrinsecall to these bodies will serve the turne as well : so you might inferre that our soules are superfluous , because a naturall power resulting from the matter of our bodies , and intrinsecall to them will serve the turne as well . but indeed such excellent bodies as the heavens did require a more excellent forme then sublunary bodies doe ; for these are content with an informing form , but the heavens stood in need of an assisting forme : and how can we conceive that out of such pure and simple materials as the heavens are , there should result a naturall power to move them circularly , orderly , constantly , perpetually ? if our grosse and decaying bodies are moved with reasonable soules , which though they be internall formes , result not from the power of the matter ; much more should the heavens be regulated by intelligent spirits , and not by any naturall power . 4. this naturall power of moving must be either the forme brought out of the matter , which is done by generation , but in heaven there is no generation , because there is no privation of an other forme , or any appetite in the matter to it ; or else this power must be a forme brought into the matter : but no forme is introduced into the matter , except the reasonable soule ; therefore , there is no informing forme in heaven , and consequently there can be no other movers but angels . this argument i urged against carpenter , but you winked at it and said nothing . 5. you say , that intelligences being immaterials cannot immediately worke upon a body . what is this to the purpose ? if they work upon bodies , it 's no matter how they worke ; wee know that our soules worke upon our grosse bodies , and so doe the intelligences upon the heavens : we know that spirits work upon muteriall substances immediately , or else there would be no working at all ; and it is ridiculous in you to disable the angels from working or moving , because they have no instruments or hands to take hold of the heavens . what hands hath your soule when it works on your body ? what hands hath the winde when it moves the clouds ? 6. you have no reason to insult so over the schoole-men , who affirme , that the faculty whereby the angels move their orbes , is their will ; for what faculty else can you imagine in them ? doth not your soule worke upon your body by the will ? so , that albeit there be many instruments by which the soule moveth the body , yet the prime faculty by which it moveth is the will : so that if you suspend your act of willing a motion , you must needs stand still ; and on the contrary , your onely willing to move the hand or foot is sufficient as the chiefe medium or faculty to move them . and so it is with the heavens , saving onely that there are no subordinate organs by which the angelicall will doth move the heavens : but when you say that there was no need of angels , since this might be as well done by the will of god : you speake idlely , for so you may say that there is no need of our soules to move our bodies , since this might be as well done by the will of god : angelicall and humane wills are subordinate and serviceable to the will of god , but not excluded by it ; for in him we live and move , and yet we live and move by our soules too . and as impertinent is your other question , how the orbes are capable of perceiving this will in the intelligences , or what motive faculty have they of themselves to inable them to obey ? answ. the orbes are as capable to perceive the will of the angels , as your body is to perceive your will , or as those bodies were which the angels of old assumed , and by them conversed with the patriarchs : and as those bodies had a motive faculty to obey the angels will , so have the heavens much more . keplar's opinion that the planets are moved round by the sunne , and that this is done by sending forth a magneticke vertue , and that the sun-beames are like the teeth of a wheele , taking hold of the planets , are senselesse crotchets , fitter for a wheeler or miller , then a philosopher : this magneticke vertue is a salve for all sores , a pin to stop every hole , for still when you are reduced to a non-plus , magneticke vertue is your onely subterfuge , like aeneas his target , unum omniae contra tela latinorum : if you had told us that the north starre had a magneticke vertue , because the needle touched with the magnes looketh towards it , some silly people perhaps would have beleeved you , and yet the magneticke vertue is in the needle , not in the star ; but that in the sunne there should be a magneticke vertue , it hath no show of probability . this vertue ( you say ) may hold out to as great a distance as light or heat : but if this comparison hold , it will follow , that there is no such vertue in the sunne , for that light which is in the aire is not in the sunne , neither is that heate which wee feele caused by the sunne , in the sunne : but your following words are admirable ; that if the moone may move the sea , why may not the sunne move the earth ? as if you would say , if the north-winde shake the woods , why may not the south-winde shake the mountaines ? or ( according to your doctrine ) if the earth can move the moone , why may not venus or mercury move the sunne ? or why may not the sunne move the firmament ? you conclude well , that your quare's are but conjectures , and that no man can finde out the workes of god from the beginning to the end : and yet you have found out that which god never made , to wit , a rolling earth , a standing heaven , a world in the moone ; which indeed are not the workes of god , but of your owne head : for his workes are incomprehensible , his wayes past finding out . trouble not then your selfe too much in these things , which in this life you cannot understand ; learne to know your selfe that wee may know you too , and by the knowledge of your selfe , strive to know god , the knowledge of whom is life eternall . i will give you good counsell in the words of hugo : nosce teipsum ; melior es si te ipsum cognoscas , quaem si te neglecto cursus siderum , vires herbarum , &c. coelestium omnium & terrestrium scientiam haberes ; multi multa sciunt , seipsos nesciunt , quum summa philosophia sit cognitio sui . chap. x. 1. the idle and uncertaine concetes of astronomers concerning the celestiall bodies . 2. the appearances of the sunne , and other planets cannot be so well discerned by the earth if it did move . 3. the excellency of divinity above astronomy , and an exhortation to the study of it . this proposition is full of suppositions , fraughted with figures and characters , which more affect the eye then satisfie the minde ; neither doe they demonstrate the motions of the earth , but the motions of your head . the pictures in ovids metamorphosis adde not the more credit to his fictions , neither doe these figures to you phansies : wee will beleeve no more then you can demostrate by sense or reason ; demonstrations are of things true and reall , not of dreames and imaginations : therefore , neither your pictures , nor bare words , shall perswade us , that dayes , moneths , yeares , houres , weekes , &c. are or can be caused by the earths motion , till first you have proved that the earth moveth ; you that cannot abide eccentrickes and epicycles in the heavens , are forced now to make use of them , both for the motion of the moone , and of the earth too ; so that you have not mended but marred the matter , rejecting ptolomy because of eccentrickes and epicycles , aud yet you admit copernicus with his new devised moone eccentricks , and earth eccentrickes , so that you thinke by these fictions to solve the divers illuminations , bignesse , eclipses , &c. of the moone . a phantasticall astronomer might devise other wayes besides these of ptolomy and copernicus , to shew the different appearances of the planets ; for of things that are uncertaine and beyond our reach , divers men will have divers conceits and conjectures : many have held , and doe at this day yet maintaine , that the stars have soules and are living creatures , and why may not this be as true as your opinion , that there is a world of living creatures in the moone ? what if i should hold that the eight spheare is a solid substance , therefore called firmamentum , full of holes , some great and some small ; so that these lights which wee call starres are but beames of that bright and cleare heaven above , called empyreum , shining through these holes ? or if i should say , that every starre had its angel moving it about the earth , as wee use in darke nights to carry lanternes : divers nations of asia , africke , and america , have divers opinions of the starres , and few or none true , all which do argue our ignorance and foolishnesse ; we are but curvae in terris animae , & coelestium inanes . but any of these conjectures mentioned , is as probable as yours of the earths motion ; therefore , i was not without sense and reason when i concluded my booke with this argument , that if the sunne stood still , there could be no variation of the shadow in the sunne diall : you will say that may be altered by the earths motion , but i say to you as i said to mr. carpenter , prove that , and what i profered to him , i also profer to you : — phillida solus habeto . you will say this may be easily proved , if i will admit the earth to move : but so you may say , that you will easily prove an asse to flye , if i should admit that hee hath wings ; but i will not admit that upon a false maxime of your devising , you shall inferre what you please . what if i should admit an absurd conceit of yours , that the earth draweth the moone about ? can you prove mee , that when the moone shineth there is any variation of shadowes , when both the luminous and opace body are moved with the same motion ? 2. the difference ( you say ) betweene summer and winter , between the number and length of dayes , and of the sunnes motion from signe to signe , and all other appearances of the sunne concerning the annuall motion , may be seene by your figures ; and easily solved by supposing the earth to move in an eccentricall orbe about the sunne . answ. not the sunnes appearances but your phantasies are to be seene by your figures ; the earth doth not move because your figure represents it : it is also an easie matter to suppose things that never were , nor can be ; you suppose the earth to move about the sunne , and not the sunne about the earth : you may as well suppose the house to be carried about the candle , and not the candle about the house , and so all appearances may be solved as well this way as the other ; for if the house did move about the candle , the house shall be seene as well as if the candle did move about the house : and why may we not suppose the house to move sometimes neerer to , and sometimes farther from the candle , the neerer it moveth , the more it is illuminate , &c. but what cato is so grave as to refraine from laughter at such absurd and foolish suppositions ? you spend much paper to shew how the planets will appeare direct , stationary , retrograde , and yet still move regularly about their owne centers . this is , magno conatu magnas nugas dicere ; and who but iudaeus apella will beleeve , that one motion of the earth should cause so many different appearances in the severall planets ? howsoever you talke of ptolomie's wheele-worke , i preferre his wheele to your whirlegig . it is more easie for many planets to wheele about , then for one rocke or piece of earth to whirle about : but you are as exact in placing the planets , as if you had been upon the top of iacobs ladder . you place mercury next to the sunne , hiding himselfe under his rayes ; you say well , for theeves doe use to hide themselves ; but for one to hide himselfe in the open light is not usuall : darknesse ( one would thinke ) were more proper then that ; but how mercury hath a more lively vigorous light then any of the other , i understand not : i should rather thinke that there were a more lively vigorous light in the sun , moone , and venus . and whereas you say that venus in her conjunction with the sunne doth not appeare horned , is true ; but if her husband vulcan had beene as neere the sunne , his hornes doubtlesse had beene seene ; doe not you know how much ashamed venus was , when the sunne looked upon her , being in bed with mars ? now , that the orbe of mars containeth our earth within it , i will not deny ; but i am sure our earth containeth mars within it , who is oftentimes too exorbitant : — toto saevit mars impius orbe . and that the orbe of the moone comprehends the earth in it , because shee is sometimes in opposition to the sunne , is a feeble reason ; as , though the opposition of two round bodies should be the cause why that which is in the midst betwixt them , should be within the circumference of either of their circles or orbes . other planets have their oppositions , is therefore the earth within the orbe of either of them ? or why is the earth more within the orb of the moone then of the sun , seeing the moone is no more in opposition to the sun , then the sun is to the moone ? 3. you conclude your booke with a large digression upon the commendations of astronomy , which hath for its object the whole world you say , and therefore farre exceeds the barren speculation of universale , and materia prima . answ. it seemes you have left nothing for the objects of other sciences , if astronomy must ingrosse the whole world for its object . 2. vniversum , belike , exceeds vniversale with you , and the extent of the one is not so large , nor the speculation so fruitfull , as of the other ; but surely your vniversum or world in the moone is as barren a notion , as that of vniversale . 3. the knowledge of philosophy and logicke , is but cobweb learning in your conceit ; but we thinke that these cobwebs are strong enough to catch such flyes as you ; and indeed there is more substance in these cobwebs then in your astronomicall dreames and phansies . 4. what you say of other knowledge , that is depends upon conjectures and uncertainty ; is most true of your astronomicall booke , wherein i have found nothing but suppositions , may-bee's , conjectures , and uncertainties . 5. whereas you say , that man had os sublime , a face to looke upward , that he might be an astronomer : you are deceived , it was that hee might be a divine ; for the starres were made , not that he should doate upon them in idle speculations and niceties full of uncertainty , but that by their light and motion he might be brought to the knowledge of divinity , which your self in your subsequent discourse is forced to acknowledge . but take heed you play not the anatomist upon these celestiall bodies , ( whose inward parts are hid from you ) in the curious and needlesse search of them ; you may well lose your selfe , but this way you shall never finde god. 6. whereas you say , that astronomy serves to confirme the truth of the holy scripture : you are very preposterous , for you will have the truth of scripture confirmed by astronomie , but you will not have the truth of astronomie confirmed by scripture : sure one would thinke that astronomicall truths had more need of the scripture confirmation , then the scripture of them . and indeed , all learning beside the scripture , is but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as theodoret saith ; that is , meere contention and strife of words not to be reconciled . let us not then spend that time in vaine and needlesse speculations , which we should imploy in knowing god , and in working out our salvation with feare and trembling ; for it is life eternall to know god in christ : in respect of which excellent knowledge , the apostle accounted all things but drosse and losse . moses was a great astronomer , yet he reckoned the knowledge of this , and of all the egyptian wisdome , but detrimentum & stultitiam , but losse and foolishnesse in respect of the knowledge of holy scripture , saith saint ambrose . astronomers with martha , are busie about many things , but the divine with mary , hath chosen the better part which shall never betaken from him . how small was the store of gold and silver which the hebrewes brought out of egypt , in comparison of that wealth which under solomon they had in jerusalem ? so small and meane is all humane knowledge compared to the scripture : for whatsoever learning is nought it is condemned here , whatsoever is profitable it is to be found here ; and more abundantly in the wonderfull height and depth of scripture , then any where else , saith saint austin . let it then be our delight , nocturna versare manu , versare diurna : still to be meditating in this holy law of god ; that like trees planted by the river side , wee may fructifie in due season . and as alexander did carry about him homers iliads in the rich cabinet of darius , even so let the holy scripture be still our vade mecum , and in the cabinet of our heart let us lay it up , as mary did the words that were spoken of christ. i may say of scripture as the apostle said of christ , whither shall we goe from thee ? thou hast the words of eternall life . thus briefly and by snatches ( being with-drawne and distracted with many other businesses ) have i answered your booke , which i undertooke partly out of the considence i have of the truth of our side ; partly to vindicate my owne credit ; partly to satisfie my friends ; and lastly , to excite others whose abilities exceed mine to maintaine and defend the truth of our opinion , and to explode the contrary as false , which in time may prove dangerous and pernicious to divinitie . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a57666-e410 l.g. meta. 5.4 . notes for div a57666-e2090 cont. lansbergium , l. tsect . 1. c. 20. * plin. li. 2. cap. 65 . august . de civit . li. 16. cap. 9. macrob. in som. scipionis li. 2. c. 5. lactanti . de falsá sapien. li. 3. cap. 24. l. categ . c. 10. iob. 42.3 . lactan. de fals . i sapi. lib. 3. cap. 3. aug. ad lau. li. 1. cap. 10. lact. li. 3. ca. 3. defal . sap. cont. carpentar . sect 2. c. 10. aug. l. 7. de civit. c. 35. theod. ser. ad grac. infid . plin. l. 30. c. 1. decivit . dei , l. 7. c. 35. tertul. l. de anim. c . 28 , 29. vide laertum , l. 8. de viit . phil. o. 5. solin c. 16. cic. 4. tuscul. litius dec. 1. l. 1. plutarch . in numa . mercure francois an. 1633. vincent . lyr. adver . hares . vincent . ibid. cont. lansbergum . l. 8. de genes . ad lit . c. 1 &c. 2. l. 1. de genesi ad liter . c. 21. lib. quast . e. vang . in mat. 4. 12. lib. de . utilit . s●edend . c. 1. le mercure franc. an . 1633. in gen. ad fteram . de verbis domini , ser. 18. in isai. c . 19. psal. 19. eccles. 1. josh. 12. 14. in cap. 2. spharajaero b●se . geor. 4. aen . 10. esay 38. 8. 2 king. 20. 11. de civit. lib. 21. c. 8. vide in iosuam munster . lyram , &c. 2 chr. 32. 31 de civit . dei l. 21. c. 8. l. 2. chron. l. 1. prooem . philes sacr . de genes . ad liter . l. 2. cap. 16. psal. 148. de civitat . l. 11. cap. 34. hexam . l. 2. cap. 3. de genes . ad lit . l. 2. cap. 6. gen. 15. 5. psal. 147. 4. ier. 35. 22. inc. 1. sphae . de civit . dei l. 16. c. 23. august . ibid. rev. 4. psal. 125. cons. lansberg . l. ● . sect . 1. 6. 9. iob 23.8 , 9. de cognit . ver . vitae . c . 6. hom. 8. in ierem. epist. 59. ad aritum . sect. 1. c. 6. sect. 1. c. 1,4,5 . prov. 8.5 . 10.8 . eccles. 1.13 , 16 , 17. & 8. 5. odyss . 1. 1 pet. 3.4 . secund. sec. 9.4 . artic . 2. oportet intelligentem speculari phantasmata . arist. lib. d corde . esay 59. 5. exercit. 201 psa. 58.4,5 . aen . 5. 7. in psal. 57. & 67. pinge duos angues . histor. indicar . l. 3. c. 3. iob 37.9 . & 22.17 . pro. 25.29 . iohn 3. 8. in psal. 134 eccles. 1.7 . 1 cor. 15. lib. 1. od. 34. act. 4. psal. 29. iob 26.14 . lib 4. fast. in apparen . in caten . comitoli in iob 9. cont. lan the. l 1. sc. 1. c. 7. rerum divinarum humanarumque , cognitio . serm. 2. ad grac. infid . resp. ad qu. 93. hexamer . li. 1. cap. 6. psal. 104.2 . isa. 40.22 . de genes . ad liter . l. 2. c. 9. august . in psal. 104. hier c. 3. ad ephes. iob 8.8 . prov. 8.29 . ier. 5.22 . psal. 104. du eartas 3. day . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . barbara pyramidum sileat miracula memphis martial . perseverantia consisetuimis amisit admirationem . de trin l. 3. c. 2. c. 5. &c. 6. virgil. l. 4. geor. eccles. 1.4 . 2 pet. 3.5 . 1 chr. 16.30 psal. 93.1 . & 96.10 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , habitor , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , habito . psal. 90.2 . prov. 3.19 . 2. chro. 1.4 . ps. 119.90 . ps. 104.5 . psal. 98.3 . luke 2. 51.6 . iob. 9.6 . c. 1. sec. 2. apol. c. 47. philip. 2. l. 7. inslie . c. 7. de hamartigenia . satyr . 2. irenaeus l. 5. c. 31. psal. 139. amos 9. esay . 14,13 , 14,15 . an. 6 . pliny . prov. 26. 4. contra lansberg . luke 12.56 l. 4. de trin . in prooem . in xenoph. l. 3 . c.c . de fals . sapiens . serns , 1. de side . iob 38.5 . verse 22. l. 1. sec. 1. c. 1. l. 1. sec. 1. c. 1. l. 1. sec. 1. c. 5 aen . 11. aen . 1. de teros motu l. 1. c. 3. 4 , 5 , &c. de bello iudaico . 7. c. 12 natural . quaest . 1.7 . c. 6 l. 1. sec. 1. c. 6 . isa. 60.20 . rev. 10.6 . rom. 8. iovis arcanis minos admissus . l. 2. sec. 1. c. 1. de coelo . l. 2. c. 10. lib. 1. de anima . serm. 1. de f. de . l. 1. de officus . de doctrina christian. l. 2.6.41 . the english globe being a stabil and immobil one, performing what the ordinary globes do, and much more / invented and described by the right honorable, the earl of castlemaine ; and now publish't by joseph moxon ... castlemaine, roger palmer, earl of, 1634-1705. 1679 approx. 442 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 96 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2007-01 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a31232 wing c1242 estc r3787 12268677 ocm 12268677 58149 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a31232) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 58149) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 624:1) the english globe being a stabil and immobil one, performing what the ordinary globes do, and much more / invented and described by the right honorable, the earl of castlemaine ; and now publish't by joseph moxon ... castlemaine, roger palmer, earl of, 1634-1705. moxon, joseph, 1627-1691. [9], 147 [i.e. 153], [6] p., 12 leaves of plates : ill. printed for joseph moxon ..., london : 1679. errata: prelim. p. [6]-[7]. advertisement: p. [1]-[6] at end. reproduction of original in bodleian library. created by converting tcp files to tei p5 using tcp2tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the 25,363 texts created during phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 january 2015. anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng astronomy -early works to 1800. globes -early works to 1800. 2006-07 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2006-07 apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images 2006-08 judith siefring sampled and proofread 2006-08 judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the english globe sch. 1 the english globe being a stabil and immobil one performing what the ordinary globes do , and much more . invented and described by the right honorable , the earl of castlemaine . and now publish't by joseph moxon , member of the royal society , and hydrographer to his most excellent majesty . fundasti terram super stabilitate sua . psal . 104. 5. london . printed for joseph moxon , at the sign of atlas on ludgate 〈…〉 to the reader concerning this globe , and the occasion of the inventing of it . new and profitable inventions in arts are like hidden treasures found , which ought not to be reburied , and concealed again , but dispersed and made use of for the common good . this globe then , and its description ( which i have humbly obtained from the right honorable , the earl of castlemaine ) being both highly curious and useful , i thought i could not better serve ( as i have always endeavoured ) this , and future ages , then by communicating it to them ; and because the occasion of the invention is so accidental , and ( as it proves ) so happy , i shall give you a short account of it . waiting upon my lord in the beginning of anno 1672 , at his then arrival into england , i brought his lordship ( knowing that any thing new and ingenious would be acceptable to him ) one of my 3 inch terrestrial globes , with the stars described in the inside of its case , which when his lordship had considered , and bin inform'd by me , that its only vse was to keep in memory the situation of countries , and order of the constellations and particular stars , he intimated , that certainly much more might be done by it , and so returning beyond sea fell upon this excellent work. when he came home again ( which happned above a year ago ) and was pleased to shew me what he had done , i was as much ravisht and suprised at the admirable contrivance of his globe , and the many unexpected operations performed by it , as if i had bin a new beginner in the study of the sphere ; nor could my admiration be less , when i saw how ( without the usual assistance of a meridian line , mariners compass , or other such helps ) it composed it self to the true site and position of the world ; how that in an instant , the suns altitude was naturally and plainly found by it , and this in all places of the world at the same time ; nor did it seem less strange to me , that so many curious questions relating to eclipses should be resolved by it , and what is more that altimetry could possibly have any relation to a globe . besides , i saw that not only the practical part of dialling was now rendred easy to a wonder , but the theorical also so plain , that every mean capacity might streight comprehend it ; nay , all the forrain requisites to this art ( as the declination of planes , their inclination , reclination , &c. ) are here as artificially and exactly found , as by any instrument invented for that intent alone . and this i can also say , that as to the geographical part , it is ( considering its bigness ) not only the most useful , but also the best order'd and the best divided globe extant ; and yet it would have bin not a little better , had not his lordships late troubles hinder'd him from finishing it , as he design'd ; for directions are not always sufficient to express an authors mind . but truly notwithstanding these and other prodigious operations , that which surprised me with the most admiration was to find , that in a subject so trite as the globe ( and so nicely canvast by the greatest mathematicians of all ages ) any thing should be left to be added or invented to it ; which also shews that the wit of man has no bounds ; nor can any thing better demonstrate the noble authors great parts , who moreover ( because he would omit nothing that i had offered at in the proto-type ) has here shew'd his excellent skill in relation to the stars by a projection on the pedestal ; and doubtless this kind of projection was never brought to that perfection before . but gentle reader , i shall injure you too much if i detain you longer from this rare present , and therefore after rendring again my thanks to his honour for this favour and libertie , i subscribe my self his and your humble servant , joseph moxon . june 24. 1679. a postscript concerning the erratas , and the geographical part of this globe . the erratas of the press being many , i shall not set them down in a distinct catalogue as usually , least the sight of them should more displease , than the particulars advantage , especially since they are not so material or intricate , but that any man may ( i hope ) easily mend them in the very reading . i confess i have bin in a manner the occasion of them , by taking from the noble author a very foul copy , when he desir'd me to stay till a fair one were written over , so that truly 't is no wonder , if workmen should in these cases not only sometimes leave out , but adde also , by taking one line for another , or not observing with exactness what words have bin wholly obliterated and dasht out . as to the geographical part of the globe be pleased to take notice that 1st , the terms or bounds betwixt evrope and asia , or between asia and africa , are strokes and pricks — thus : between great empires , single strokes in this manner — ; and between province and province only pricks . and by the way , the author calls here an empire , every great tract of ground of one appellation , as barbary and zara in affric , siam and pegu in asia , italy and germany in europe , as well as france ; spain , persia , &c. that belong to one only prince . these empires are in little capital letters , but the provinces or subdivided kingdoms are in round roman , as algiers and tunis in barbary , pomeren and austria in germany , &c. and for the towns as london , paris ; venice , &c. they are generally in italick , but when they happen to be in round roman , as fez ; morocco , agra , &c. it shews that the province gives the name to the capital city ; for the name properly belongs to the province , but to save trouble and room it is now by a reference or dash joyn'd to the town . 2. the old name of any place is in old hand , and when it belongs to an empire , 't is very big , as sarmatia , ethiopia , &c. when a province , a great deal less , as mesopotamia , caldea , assyria and the like , and when a town very little , as hippo , cyrene , and so forth . 3. the hills that are exprest have all before them the letter m , and the capes the letter c , but the rivers have eithe either an r or else sl . after them ; and whereas some old names , as thule , ophir , &c. are repeated , it is to shew where one author would have their situation to be , and where another . but be pleas'd to remember , that whereas his lordship did direct in this * treatise , that the grand meridian should pass throu ' st. vincent , i have presum'd to draw it over st. mary and st. michael , 2 isles of the azores ; for truly thus it suits best ( according to my tables ) with the 2 a clock circle , as his lordship would have it do . an advertisement . because there are several who either want time , or patience to go throu ' the whole treatise , i here present the reader with a catalogue of the operations , which are most pleasing and suitable to the fancy and humour of such , and which they may easily in a day or two learn , especially if they have a master to help them . 1. to set the globe level . pag. 4. 2. to compose the globe . p. 8. 3. to know the day of the month. p. 9. 4. to take the suns height above our horizon , when he shines out clear ; and also when he shines dimly , and is overclouded , p. 5. and 6. 5. to find the suns azimuth and bearing . p. 10 and 12. 6. to know the hour several ways . p. 13. 7. to know at what hour the sun rises or sets . p. 16. 8. to know what a clock 't is all the world over . p. 31. 9. to find where 't is day and where 't is night all the world over . p. 33. 10. to find where ( at that moment ) they have nothing but day , and where nothing but night ; as also when this happens in any place subject to this alteration . p. 33. 11. to find the sun 's present height and depression all the world over , if he shines . p. 37. 12. to find where the sun is rising and setting all the world over . p. 34. 13. to find what people have then the sun vertical , or over their heads . p. 35. 14. to know where they are rising , where they are going to dinner , where to supper , and where to bed all the world over . p. 35. 15. to find how much any people ( if it be day with them ) are past morning , or want of evening ; and ( if it be night with them ) how much they are past evening and want of morning ; and consequently the babilonish and italian hour all the world over . p. 36. 16. to know the judaic hour , p. 39. 17. to find in what clime any place lyes . p. 26. 18. to know in any lunar eclipse , what countries see it wholly , what in part , and what not at all ; as also the true hour , which each people see her at , in her several affections ; with her continual height , azimuth , and bearing all the while . p. 59. 19. to represent the several phases of the moon . p. 61. 20. to find the proportion between any perpendicular and it's shade . p. 65. 21. to take the height of a tower by the globe . p. 66. 22. to do it seemingly without any instrument . p. 66. 23. to know the hour by your stick . p. 67. 24. to learn presently how to make ( all the 5 dials of a cube , ( to wit , that on its * horizontal , that on its direct † south , that on its direct * north , that on its direct † east , and that on its direct west plane ) tho' a man be never so unacquainted with mathematics . 25. to represent at any time the posture of the heavens in relation to the appearing fixt stars ; and consequently to find the present hour , with the height , azimuth and bearing of any star ; as also the time of its rising , setting and continuance both above and below the horizon . p. 138. the general heads . 1. the figure , or delineation of this globe , as also an account of it , and the occasion of its invention , together with a catalogue of the operations fittest for those that cannot run over the whole treatise , are contain'd in the unfigur'd or preceeding pages . 2. the introduction begins pag. 1. 3. the first section , solving the questions which relate to the sun in our elevation . p. 4. 4. the second section , resolving the operations that concern geography , and the sun all the world over . p. 20. 5. the third section , concerning the moon , p. 48. 6. the fourth section relating to perpendiculars and their shades . p. 64. 7. the fifth section treating of dialling . p. 70. the figure of the globe fitted for a garden or open portico . p. 121. geometrical problems , necessary for dialling . p. 122. 8. the vse of the line of lines , and line of sines on the sector . p. 125. & 127. 9. the sixth section , solving ( both by the globe and pedestal ) all the usual questions which relate to the stars . p. 129. & 135. the explication of the letters , &c. on sch. 1. p. the north pole of the world. n. the northern polar circle . z. the zenith . e e. the ecliptic . ♋ ♋ . the tropic of cancer . jun. 1. the parallel of that day . may 1. the parallel of that day . apr. 1. the parallel of that day . ae ae . the aequator . mar. 1. the parallel of that day . feb. 1. the parallel of that day . jan. 1. the parallel of that day . ♑ ♑ . the tropic of capricorn . h h. the horizon . s. the southern polar circle . p the south pole. n. the nadir . z h. the quadrant of altitude : n. the quadrant of depression . z h. the quadrant of proportion . p ae p. the meridian of the place or solstitial colure . ll the meridian of the world. ♈ p. p. the aequinoctial colure . xii . i. ii. &c. the hour circles , or particular meridians . the introduction . this globe whose several operations we are here describing , neither hangs in a frame , nor is moved about as the ordinary ones are , but stands stable and immobil on its pedestal , which makes it not only to represent the earth more naturally , according to the common hypothesis , but renders it also more expedite and useful , as shall be fully shewn in the conclusion or last chapter ; for then ( after a view of the whole treatise ) every body will the better comprehend all the new operations it performs , and all the particular advantages , it can any ways challenge to its self . but here my reader must remember that though i endeavour all along ( even in the most ordinary things ) to be clear and easy , yet unless he has formerly read , hewes , bleau , or rather moxons book on the globes , i cannot promise him i shall always be understood without the help of a master ; for i have not time to descend to all the definitions and minute explanations , which those that are wholly unacquainted with astronomical or geographical principles , may perchance expect . as for the circles here describ'd , there are some common to all globes ; as the aequator , the ecliptick , the coluri , the ordinary circles of longitude , the tropics , and the polar circles ; and some also particular to this globe only , as the horizon , the meridian of the place , and 16 parallels to the aequator , all within the said tropics . now that these circles in general may be the sooner found and comprehended by any new beginner , there are capital letters in the great figure , or delineation of the globe , in scheme the first , which sufficiently distinguish them ; for the aequator is markt with ae , the ecliptic with e , the polar circles with n. and s. the circles of longitude with the roman figures , i. ii. iii. &c. as well where they fall upon the polar circles , as the aequator ; and tho all the circles , that thus cut the aequator and polar circles at a roman figure be circles of longitude , yet they now serve for true hour circles also , since they are not here express'd , and drawn ( according to the usual manner of terrestrial globes ) at the distance of 10 degrees , but of 15 asunder . and here be pleas'd to remember that since there is a difference between the roman figures which belong to the same circle ( for if it cuts for example at iiii. on the polar circles , 't wil cut , you see at six hours difference , viz. at x in the aequator , ) the reason of it will appear by and by very plainly when we come to the operations , that concern these circles ; of which the broadest ( passing through the zenith and nadir ) has two quadrants gradually divided on one half of it , the first called the quadrant of altitude , reaching from the pin z or zenith , to the horizon h , the second ( called the quadrant of depression ) reaching from thence to the nadir ; whereas on the other half , or back part of the said circle , there is a single quadrant only , viz. from the zenith to the horizon , which we shall for the future term the quadrant of proportion . this circle is also markt on the polar circles with the figure xii . representing thereby , not only the 12 a clock hour circle or meridian of the place , for which the globe is particularly design'd , but the colurus solstitiorum also ; so that the colorus aequinoctiorum must be the 6 a clock circle , whose half is ( as you see ) divided for several uses into degrees from pole to pele . by these two circles then , you have readily presented to you the 4 cardinal sections , or points of the globe ; for as the graduated half of the said meridian , shews the globes southern part or face , and the opposite its northern , so the graduated half of the six a clock circle gives its eastern , and the plain side of it its western . now for the aequinoctial parallels , or sun 's track for every 10th day , throughout the year , ( for to avoid confusion of circles , i describe no more ) they are distinguish'd by the days of the month , when the sun comes to them , the uttermost of which are the two tropics markt not only with the 11th . of june and 11th . of december , but with ♋ and ♑ , the usual characters of cancer and capricorn . lastly , for the meridian of the world , or first circle of longitude , 't is markt with the letter l , and prickt also ; and tho in the present longitude ( i. e. that of london ) it stands for the 2 a clock hour-circle , yet in its self 't is changeable , as shall be shewn hereafter , when we treat of its * properties , and divisions . these are then the circles here describ'd , either common , ( as i said ) to all globes , or particular to this , and being well observed and remembred will much facilitate the ensuing operations , which are all naturally performed , either by the shadow of the sun and moon alone , or by the help of a small string , hanging sometimes from the pin p , representing the north-pole , sometimes from the pin z , representing ( as i said ) the zenith , and garnisht with a little bead and plumet , according to its figure in the scheme aforesaid . and here you are to take notice that tho the one end of the string be absolutely fastned to the pole , to prevent the loosing of it , yet 't will serve for the zenith as commodiously as if it always hung from thence ; for there is made at a convenient distance from the said fastned end , a little noose or ring , which ( as occasion requires ) is now to be over this pin , and now over that ; nay if you give your string but half a turn about either of the pins , you will ( with a little allowance ) as exactly perform your operation as if you used the said noose it self . to conclude , the whole treatise is divided into six sections ; the first solving several questions that relate to the sun in our elevation . the second , many geographical ones , together with some that concern the sun , not only where we live , but all the world over . the third is of the moon ; the 4th . of the proportion of perpendiculars to their shades , with some useful corollaries thence arising ; the 5th . of dialling , and the 6th . of the stars . sect . i. solving many questions , relating to the sun in our elevation . operation i. to set the globe level or parallel to the horizon . i begin here , because 't is what we first suppose done in most operations , especially in the nice ones , nor is the performance difficult , for we have nothing to do , but to place the string and plumet exactly upon the south side of the meridian or 12 a clock hour circle , and if it hangs just over the little star on the pedestal , then the plane where the globe stands is horizontal and level ; otherwise 't is faulty as much as the plummet varies from being perpendicular to the said star ; for the star ( you must suppose ) is engraved by the globe-maker there , where he found the plumet to hang upon his placing the globe truly level . let therefore the string and plumet be always long enough to touch almost the pedestal , for thereby you may better perceive any error ; and remember also that in case the said pedestal ( to be less cumbersom ) be not as big as the diameter of the globe , then there is to be under it a little wooden ruler , which being drawn out , and markt with a star will serve for this and several other uses as you will see anon . there is another way speculatively true , tho perchance not so exact in practice , which is thus perform'd . place your globe on your plane with the string lying on the meridian as before , and if the extuberancy or swelling of the globe just touches and bears up the string at the horizontal circle , then the plane is level , or parallel to the horizon , otherwise it differs as many degrees , as are between the point , where the said string touches the globe , and its horizon . the reason of this is , that seeing the greatest and most extuberant circle on a globe is that which lies 90 degrees from its pole , the horizon becomes here the greatest and most extuberant one that can be described from the zenith , therefore the globe being on a level which makes its zenith to correspond with the zenith in the heavens , the string cannot fall short of the horizon , because it must rest on the most extuberant circle that occurs ; nor can it touch below it , because the plummet drawing the said string perpendicular from the greatest extuberancy , hinders its bending , and consequently its inclination to any part of the globe beneath the horizon . now if the plane be not level , then the zenith of the globe and heavens not corresponding , another circle or part of the globe , instead of the horizon must have the greatest extuberancy and this circle , being 90 degrees from the point of the globe , ( which lies directly under our zenith ) it must differ from the horizon of the globe , as many degrees as its zenith differs from that in the heavens ; therefore the way prescribed is at least speculatively true . operation ii. to find the suns almucantar , or height . there are three distinct ways of performing this independent of the following operations , and each of great use ; for the first gives you the suns height in an instant if he shines . the second if you have the least glimps of him , or can guess at his place in a cloud . the third , if you know the hour by any good watch , pendulum or the like , whether we see the heavens or no. i. as for the first way , 't is this ; your globe being level , move it 'till the shade of the pin in the zenith falls directly upon the meridian , and then the shade of the extuberancy ( i. e. that made by the swelling or bellying out of the globe ) will touch the true degree in the quadrant of altitude reckoning from the zenith to it . and thus you will find not only the sun's height , sooner perchance than by any ordinary quadrant , but will still have it before your eyes as long as you please , nothing being to be further done , but to move sometimes the globe that the shade of the said pin may still concur with the meridian . but if your globe be fix'd , ( or that for some particular reason , you have no mind to stir it at all , draw your string from the zenith , through the shade of its pin , i. e. lay the string in the plane of the sun , and then if you mount your bead till it reaches the nearest part of the shade of extuberancy , it will ( by bringing it to the meridian or quadrant of altitude ) lye on the true degree , reckoning ( as before ) from the zenith to it . the reason of the operation is this ; the sun when he rises brushes the zenith and nadir of the globe with his rayes , for he illuminates alwayes ( within some few minutes ) just half of it , therefore when he gets ( v. g. ) a degree higher , he must needs illuminate a degree beyond the zenith , and so proportionably from time to time , or else he would sensibly illuminate more or less of the globe at one moment than at another , which is absurd . now since the sun in truth illuminates more than an hemispere , the reader must remember that ptolomy reckons this excess ( take one time with another ) to be about 26 minutes , and tycho something less , therefore substract 13 minutes ( or half the said excess ) from what the shade of extuberancy mark 's , and you have his height with all ordinary exactness : but should you chance at any time to doubt how far the said shade of extuberancy ( which is not so discernable as that made by a gnomon ) just reaches , erect then a piece of stick , straw , quill , &c. or , if you please , rest your finger on the globe , between the sun and the point in dispute , and where the shade of your finger , straw , stick or quill is lost , that will be the true term of the shade . as for the second way ( for both the former we reckon but one ) turn the meridian of your globe to the sun as before , or because we suppose him not to shine out-right , direct by your eye the said meridian , so that it lye in the same plain with him , and this you may do in a manner as well ( if you have the least glimps of him , or can by any accident guess whereabouts he is ) as if you had the fore-mentioned help of the pin's shade in the zenith . having thus done , take your string in both hands , and cross with it ( as exactly as you can at right angles ) that part of the meridian next your body , whether it happens to be the quad. of alt. or that of proportion , then putting your face close to it , and moving your ey lower and lower , till by reason of the extuberancy you can but just see the sun , or his supposed place in heaven , do but bring your string ( held as before ) to this point , viz. bring your string towards you till it just takes away the sun or his supposed place from your ey , and the degree in the meridian on which it then lies will be ( counting from the zenith ) the height required ; for so far his raies would reach did he shine out-right . the third way is when we know the hour by any watch , pendulum , &c. thus , find among the aequin . or diurnal parallels that belonging to the present day , which we will suppose apr. 10. and drawing your string from the zenith over that point in the said parallel , where 't is cut by the hour given , i. e. by the morning 9 a clock circle , move your bead to the said point , and the distance from the bead to the horizon will be the required height , viz. about 36 degrees , as you 'l find if you bring the bead to the meridian and count the degrees between it and the horizon . the suns height may be also known by its azimuth , as by operat . 5. having therefore by any of the aforesaid waies his height , 't will ( upon any doubt ) soon appear whether it be fore or afternoon , for as long as ever he increases in degrees , i. e. mounts higher and higher above the horizon , it wants of noon , whereas if he falls or declines , 't is after noon . operat. iii. to compose the globe , either by a meridian line , or without it , to the site of the world. if you have a merid. line drawn , viz. a line lying exactly north and south , place the globe * level with its merid. directly over it , i. e. place so the little notch in the pedestal ( markt s ) that it cover the southern extremity of the said line , and the notch n the northern , and then the poles and circles on the globe will ( without sensible error ) correspond with those in heaven , and each painted region or countrey on it , will be turn'd towards the real one which it represents . but if you have no line drawn , know the day of the moneth , and you have two quick waies to do this operation without any forreign helps . the globe having in it smal pin-holes , on the several intersections of the merid. with the aforesaid diurnal parallels , or ( to be exacter ) on each point of the merid. which an imaginary parallel of each fifth day would cut ; for tho' we are to suppose parallels for every day throughout the year , yet there being no sensible difference in the sun from 5 daies to 5 days , such holes will be abundantly sufficient ; nay the aforesaid ones from ten dayes to ten days , may very well serve the turn in any ordinary operation : i say , the globe having holes in its meridian at this distance , put the zenith pin , or , if you think better a needle , in the hole , which most agrees with the true day of the month , and then exposing your globe level to the sun , do but move it till the shade of the said needle or pin falls directly along the diurnal parallel where 't is placed ; or , if it be not placed in any of the said parallels , move the globe till the shade falls parallel to the next diurnal parallel , and 't will be as truly compos'd as before , supposing you know ( as we have already * taught you ) whether it be forenoon or afternoon when you operate ; for , as in the morning the stiles of dials cast their shades westward , and in the afternoon eastward , so must your needle or pin do when the globe is compos'd . but here the reader must take notice , that in case the shade of the needle or pin will by no means fall sensibly parallel , but ( as you move the globe ) draws nearer and nearer its being so , till at last it shortens to nothing , then the sun is exactly south , and consequently your globe is compos'd , as soon as the shade thus vanishes . now , because the shadow of the pin is on the globe an arch of a great circle , this way of composing the globe cannot be accounted mathematically true , for as the sun approaches each tropick and the tropicks not great circles , it will happen mornings and evenings ( when the pin projects long shadows ) that the shadow of the pin will not ly exactly in the parallel of the day , but will ( more or less ) intersect it in the center or pin-hole . therefore tho' the aforesaid way of composing the globe be true enough for ordinary uses , yet i shall give you two other waies without exception . observe the concentrics between the north pole and its polar circle , and first you will find that they are equal in number to the parallels , either from the equator to the tropick of cancer , or to those from the said aequator to capricorn ; for to avoid the confusion of too many parallels , there are usually but 8 northern and 8 southern described on the globe . 2ly . that they are distant from the pole as the said parallels are from the equator . and 3ly . that they are markt not only with the daies of the month of the northern parallels , but with those of the southern also . the day of the month then being ( for example sake ) apr. 10. move but the globe ( when level ) till the shade of extuberancy touches the concentric markt apr. 10. and 't will be truly composed ; supposing that the eastern face of the globe looks towards the forenoon or eastern parts of heaven , and the western face towards the afternoon . in like manner , if the day of the month or suns parallel be an imaginary one between any two that are exprest ; for to avoid ( as i mention'd ) the confusion of too many parallels there are usually but 8 northern and 8 southern described ; i say in like manner , if the day of the month , or suns parallel happens thus , let the said shade but touch or fall proportionably between the correspondent concentrics , and the globe will be compos'd , as before . the reason of the operation is this ; the sun illuminating ( as has been said ) half the globe , the shade of extuberancy ( or in other terms the confines between the obscure and illuminated parts ) will be still 90 degrees from the point or place where the sun is vertical ; therefore if the sun be ( v. g. ) in the equator , the aforesaid shade or illumination must terminate in the poles of the world ; and when he is in the parallel of ap. 10. the illumination must fall short of the south pole , and go beyond the north pole as many degrees as the said parallel declines from the equator ; but the concentric of ap. 10. is by construction just distant from the pole those degrees ; ergo when the said shade of extuberancy or the illumination touches this concentric , the globe must ( if its eastern face looks towards the fore-noon part of heaven or the western the afternoon ) be illuminated as the earth is , and consequently compos'd ; for its corresponding with the earth in its site and position is all we mean by composing . as for the reason why i mark each concentric with the 4 opposite months , whereas the parallels are markt only with 2 of them , 't is that the globe may be composed by the help of the northern concentrics , even when the sun is in his southern declension , it being more convenient and ready for one to cast his ey on the north pole than to stoop to the south pole ; about which otherwise there must have been the like number of concentrics , and markt as the southern parallels are ; i say this is the reason of thus marking the concentrics ; for since the sun in its northern declension illuminates beyond this pole , he must in his southern fall proportionably short of it ; therefore move the globe as before ( let it be summer or winter or any other time of the year ) till the said illumination or shade touch the concentric markt with the day of the month , and 't will be still composed . the second way i shall defer to operat . 10. because the intermediate ones conduce much to the facilitating it , as you 'l see . operation iv. to find the day of the month. this operation is also perform'd two ways , as being the converse of the former ; therefore since that requires the knowledge of the day of the month , this must require the globe compos'd . having then compos'd it by a meridian line , or otherwise , consider upon what excentric , or between which of them the said shade of extuberancy or illumination falls , and that will shew the day of the month. as for the second way , you shall have it when we come to operat . x. which treats ( as we said ) of the second way of composing the globe . operation v. to find the sun's azimuth . the sun's azimuth is an arch of a great circle , which passeth through the zenith and nadir over his body , so that his mornings or afternoons distance ( reckon'd by the degrees of the horizon ) from the meridian or southern cardinal section of the globe is the thing requir'd ; and for performing the operation there are four several ways . * compose your globe ; then standing on the illuminated side , or side next the sun , and fixing your string by its nooze in the zenith , hold it up by the plummet-end , and move it along till its shade falls on the middle of the fulcrum or supporting pillar , or ( to be more exact ) till it covers the center of the projection , being the point ( you see ) directly answering the nadir ; for then the degree in the horizon , which the said shade falls upon , gives from the above mentioned meridian the requir'd azimuth . or else guide your string by winking ( or by any other convenient means , which practice will show you ) till it concur with the shade of the zenith-pin , that is to say , till they both ly in the same plane ; for then the shade of the string it self ( if it hangs strit along the globe ) will cut the horizon , as before . in case you have onely a glimpse , or faint sight of the sun , then stand ( the globe being compos'd ) on the obumbrated , or other side of it , and letting your string hang down on that side also , aim or look along it with one by towards the sun , and role the string gently with your finger backwards or forwards , till it lies exactly in the same plane as the sun does , or ( if the clouds suffer you not clearly to see him ) till it lies in the plane of its supposed place , and the degree under your string ( reckoning the contrary way , that is to say , from the northern or back part of the meridian ) is the requir'd azimuth . therefore ( by the by ) if the sun shines out , 't is but drawing the string through the shade of the zenith-pin , and it will ( reckoning thus ) answer the question . 3dly , having taken the sun's * height , and having found it to be , suppose 36 deg . bring the string to the merid. and by the help of the degr. in the quad. of alt. mount the bead above the horizon 36 deg . which operation we shall frequently call hereafter , rectifying your bead to the sun's height . i say having taken the suns height , and rectifi'd your bead to it , put your ring or noose on the zenith , and move your string , till your bead lies exactly on the parallel of the day . which we will alwayes in our examples , or for the most part at least , suppose to be that of the 10th of april , and the said string will cut the horizon at 58 degrees eastward ( or thereabouts ) for his then true azimuth . and here you may remember , that as the height gives the azimuth , so the azimuth once known , gives the height ; for your string being on the true azimuth , if you mount your bead to the parallel of the day , it will show you in the meridian the requir'd height . fourthly , supposing that on the 10th of april , the hour given be 9 in the morning , draw your string from the zenith over the point where the parallel of the day , and the 9 a clock hour-circle intersect , and it will fall on the 58 degree in the horizon eastwardly of the meridian for the then azimuth . operation vi. to find the sun's declension , parallel , and place on the globe at all times . by the sun's declension is meant , his northerly and southerly distance from the aequator , therefore if you know the day of the moneth to be the 10th of april , you have his parallel , because 't is mark'd with the said day : now since the colurus aequinoctiorum , or 6 a clock hour circle , is ( as we said ) gradually divided from the aequator to the poles , and that the said parallel passes almost throu ' its 12th degree , you have his declension , as also his place in his parallel , if you have his almucantar , or azimuth as you will find by the second or following way . if now you know not the day of the moneth , take the sun 's * almucantar and † azimuth by some of the foregoing wayes , and rectifying your bead to the height , draw your string from the zenith on the horizon , according to the azimuth found , and your bead will lie on his true place , and consequently show his declension and parallel ; for , as his declension is ( as we said ) his distance from the aequator , so his parallel is a circle described from the pole according to his declination . and pray observe well this second way ; for tho' it be not extremely necessary in relation to the sun , yet it is of singular use , when you come to the moon and stars , whose declensions depend not on the day of the moneth . operation vii . to find the sun 's bearing , i. e. in what part of the heavens he lies , according to the points of the compass . having found by the foregoing operation ( on the 10th of april . ) the sun 's true place in his parallel to be , suppose there where the 9 a clock hour circle cuts it , say over this point your string , from the zenith , and 't will fall at the horizon a little beyond the character of sebe for his bearing according to the points of the compass . operation viii . to find when the sun comes to true east or west , or any other bearing . having found the parallel of the day ( viz. that of the 10th of april ) and put your string over the zenith , bring it straight to the east point , that is to say , to the point of the globe where the horizon and 6 a clock circle intersect , and you will find the said string to cut the said parallel about 20 minutes before 7 in the morning , which is the exact time of the sun 's then coming to full east . now if the string be laid on the western intersection , 't will cut the said parallel at 20 minutes or thereabouts after 5 in the evening , for the time of the sun 's coming to full west . in like manner , if you would know , when he come's ( v. g. ) to s. w. you are only to draw your string ( as before ) over that bearing , and you will find by the intersection of your said string and parallel , that at a quarter past 2 of the clock in the afternoon , or thereabouts he will have that bearing . operation ix . to find what signs and degrees of it the sun is in , at any time . seek out the parallel of the day ( viz. that of the 10th of april ) and you will find it to cross the ecliptic in two places , to wit at the first of taurus , and the first of leo ; now because in april the sun is still ascending , that is to say , the dayes encrease , you may conclude that the first of taurus is his then true place in the ecliptick ; for were he in leo he would descend toward the aequator , and consequently shorten the dayes . operation x. to find the hour of the day by the sun , together with a second way of composing the globe , and finding the globe , and finding the day of the moneth . many are the wayes to perform this operation as to the hour , but now wee 'l insist on four only , each of which has some peculiar propriety belonging to it ; for the first gives us the hour by the help of the natural stile ; the second by an artificial one ; the third without any stile at all ; and the fourth ( together with the said hour ) the contemplation of several pleasing operations at a time , and among the rest this of composing the globe by the shade . i. having * compos'd your globe , ( and thus wee 'l suppose it in each of the following wayes ) look among the hour circles ( which are , as we said , distinguish'd near the polar circles , with little roman figures ) and the shade of the north-pole , or axis of the world ( which we may justly call the natural stile , ) will , during the sun's northern latitude , as well as the shade of the south pole in his southern , shew you the hour . and thus you may find it for a while by the ordinary globes , in circulo horario , when they are once set or compos'd , which i wonder none , of those who writ of their uses take notice of ; i say for a while , for it will only serve your turn there from march to september . ii. your string hanging by one end on the north pole , hold it straight by the other , some little distance from the globe , and moving it on the noose , till its shade touch , or cover , the apex of the south-pole , 't will show you ( among the aforesaid polar roman figures ) the true hour , even to a minute ; for the shadow of the string ( which we call an artificial stile , because 't is independent and forrein to the globe ) cutting at that instant the aequator , and polar circles , gives you in each place the degrees of the hours , and consequently the minutes , since the 4th part of a degree is an exact minute in time . iii. look where the shade of extuberancy cut 's on the aequator , and the great roman figures , ( which are there for that purpose ) will give you without a stile or more adoe the exact hour , on what side soever of the globe , you stand ; for you must remember that the extuberancy casts on the aequator two shades , the one still preceding or going before the sun , and the other following him . now if this shade be dubious , your finger ( as i show'd you * before ) will help you , it being the constant remedy on all occasions of this nature . iv. as now you find the hour by your string hanging on the pole , so this fourth way is to show it you , in case it had hung on the zenith ; nor have you more to do than to hold it by the end as before , and to move it on its noose 'till its shade concurrs and agrees with that of the pin in the zenith , or for more assurance till the strings shade fall's so on the upper part of the pillar or fulcrum that it would cover the very nadir , were it not hid , and then where the said string it self , or its shade cuts the parallel of the day , there will be the true hour , according to the roman figures of the polar circles . this way i would have you well observe for from hence i shall hereafter lead you to the contemplation ( as i hinted before ) of several pleasing and useful * operations at one glance or view ; and to give you a little taste at present , i will here shew you the second way of composing the globe by the shade . having for expedition's sake , turned the north-pole of the globe , as near as you can guess to that of the world , hold up your string with one hand to the sun in the manner now prescribed ; that is to say , 'till the string hanging from the zenith ) casts its shade on the nadir , then move the globe with your other hand , and making by a proportionable motion of the string its shade to pass still throu ' the said two points , observe when it cuts the parallel of the day at the like hour with that , which the shade of the illuminated pole indicates , and your globe will be composed ; or , to express this in fewer words , move thus the globe , till the shade of the string and the shade of the illuminated pole agree in the hour . nay fixing your string in the zenith as before , and fastning a thred on the north-pole , do but hold up both to the sun till the shade of the string passes the nadir , and that of the thred the south pole , if any body then moves your globe about till the two shades ( passing still throu ' the foresaid points ) intersect on the parallel of the day , you have your intent ; for the sun being you see in the planes of the thred and string ▪ he must be in their intersection . i. e. in the parallel of the day ; but 't is impossible for him ( as we * show'd you ) to be in the plane of that parallel , on the true side of the meridian , except the globe be compos'd , for the corresponding circles of the globe and heavens can never else agree ; therefore the operation is true ; and if so , let the globe be but on a meridian line , or any way else compos'd , and the agreement of the hour in both places , or the intersection of these two shades shews the sun's parallel and consequently the day of the moneth . so much then for this second way of composing the globe , and finding the day of the month , which first came into my thoughts by reflecting on the projection of that great man mr. oughtred , who would have bin the wonder of this age , had he bin as ambitious and forward , as he was throughly learned . operation xi . to find the hour of the day when the sun shines not . to perform this operation , we must suppose you know either the suns almucantar , azimuth or bearing ; and by the way you may find these , tho he * shine's not ; i say you must suppose either his almucantar , azimuth , or bearing , for they giving you his place in his parallel , the next hour circle to his said place shews you the time of the day ; for if ( v. g. ) in the forenoon on the 10th of april . ) you know that the sun is 36 degrees high , rectify your bead but to that height , and moving the string from the zenith your said bead will touch the parallel of the day at 9 of the clock . in like manner if you know the morning azimuth to be suppose , 58 degrees , draw your string from the zenith over the said degrees in the horizon , and 't will also cut the parallel of the day at 9. or , if the sun 's bearing be ( for example ) a little more than sebe the laying of your string from the zenith on that character in the horizon shows you on the parallel of the day that 't is 9 as before . operation xii . to know when the sun rises and sets . find the parallel of the day ( to wit that of the 10th of april ) and where it cuts the horizon on the east-side of the globe , there the suns place at his rising will be so that the time of the day appears by the next hour circle to be a very little past 5 in the morning ; and if you cast your eye in the intersection of the said circle on the west , you 'l find the hour to be almost 7 in the evening . this being so , here follow 's a very pleasant and useful operation , as a corallary , viz. how to find at what time of the year , and at what declension the sun rises or sets , an hour , or any other space of time , either early or later , than it does at the proposing of the question : for , if you observe but what parallel intersects with the horizon , on the 4 a clock morning hour-circle which is an hour earlier than when it rises on the 10. of april , you will find it an imaginary parallel , which the next real or mark't one shews to be the parallel , for the 14. of may and 12. of july , and consequently by the devisions of the aequinoctial colure that the then declension is about 21 degrees . in like manner you must have look't on the west side of the globe if you would have had the time of the sun 's setting an hour later than 7 ; and thus you are still to operate when any other space of time is required . operation xiii . to find the sun's amplitude , ortive or occasive . by the sun's amplitude we mean his distance in the horizon from the true east and west points at his rising or setting ; so that this operation is also a corollary from the former ; for , knowing ( on the said 10. of april ) the point or place where he rises , you will find the ortive amplitude to be northward from east about 18 degrees , and ( on the other side of the globe ) the occasive amplitude , to be northward as much from the west . operation xiv . to find the length of the day and night . double the hour of the sun 's setting , ( which on the 10. of april happens , as we said , about 7 at night ) and the product ( to wit near 14 hours ) will be the length of the day ; or double ( 5 ) the hour of his rising , and the product ( 10 hours ) gives the length of the night . nay , if you do but consider how the parallel of the day is cut by the horizon , you have the whole business represented to the life at one view , even as it happens in the very heavens themselves ; for that part of the said parallel above the horizon , being devided to your hand by the hour-circles , into almost 14 hours , shews the days length , and consequently that part under the horizon ( shewing a little more than 10 hours , ) gives the length of the night . operation xv. to find the beginning and end of the crepusculum . by the crepesculum is understood the twilight which appears before the sun 's rising , and continues after his setting ; for as soon as the sun comes within 18 degrees of the horizon ( according to the opinion of the antient astronomers ) or within 16. deg. according to that of tycho , and some modern ones ) his rays are reflected from the atmosphere or circumambient vapours , and consequently illuminates , so that this light still encreases , by how much the sun approaches the said horizon , and decreases as it recedes . now to find it , you are to bring the string hanging on the zenith to the meridian , and making the bead ( if you follow the latter hypothesis ) to stand by the help of the quadrant of depression ) at 16 degrees under the horizon , move it on the east side of the globe along the parallel of the day ( i. e. that of the 10. of april ) till it just touches the said parallel , under the horizon , and there will be the true point of the morning crepusculum , which the adjacent hour-circle tells you begins about 3 in the morning ; in like manner if you move your bead on the west or eveningside of the globe ▪ you will find it to end neer 9. operation xvi . to find the sun's depression at any time of the night . by depression we mean , how many degrees the sun is then under the horizon , which is easily perform'd if you know the hour of the night , by the moon , stars , clock , or the like ; for , finding ( as hath been * shown you ) what part or point of his parallel the sun is then in ; i.e. where the hour-circle ( corresponding to the time of the night ) and parallel of the day intersect , draw the string from the zenith over it , and moving your bead to it , bring the said bead to the merid. or quadr. of depression , and then by the help of the degrees there ( reckoning from the horizon to the bead ) you have before you the required depression . operation xvii . to find the sun 's right ascension . the right ascension is that point or degree of the aequator cut by the meridian , or hour circle that runs through the sun's place in the ecliptic ; and this degree is called the right ascension , because in the position termed by astronomers and geographers the right sphere , ( which together with the oblique and parallel spheres , shall be farther explained in the * geographical section ) it rises or ascends with the sun. to find then the sun 's right ascension ( a thing often of great use ) you are only to take the string ( hanging from the pole ) and lay it on the degree of the ecliptic possest then by the sun , that is to say upon the 1st . of ♉ ( for the 10. of april is still our example ) and the degree of the aequator cut by the said string is the required right ascension , which counting from ♈ or east point ( as you must always do ) happens to be 28 degrees , or thereabouts . operation xviii . to find the ascensional difference . as for the ascensional difference ( i. e. the difference between the right and oblique ascensions ) we have it here before our eyes at a view , as being that portion of the day 's parallel which lyes between the sun 's rising or setting , and the 6 a clock hour circle , so that if he rises on the 10. of april at almost 5. and sets near 7. we may conclude that the ascensional difference is about 14. degrees , for 15. make an hour . but if you will be exact , then lay the string from the pole on the point where the sun rises or sets , and when it cuts the aequator , count there the degrees from the said string to the 6 a clock circle , and all is done . thus then you see , that when we know the ascensional difference we have the time of the suns rising and setting , for it is but adding it to 6 a clock , if the sun be in his northern declension , or substracting it in his southern . the end of the first section . sect . ii. of the operations that concern geography . having given you a short account of the operations immediately relating to the sun , without reflecting upon any part of the earth , but that , on which we then stand , wee 'l now descend to those that concern geography , where you may have a view not only of all countries , as to their situations , extent and the like , but see at one glance when you please , several other things appertaining to them worth the knowing , as , what a clock it is in any place imaginable ; what people are rising , who are going to bed , and who to dinner : as also , where it is they have no night , where no day , with divers particulars of the same nature , which were thought by many formerly not performable without magic . that our instrument is geographical , no body will ( i dare say ) doubt , it being the terrestrial globe , and consequently the epitome of the very earth it self ; and besides its many other operations ) it may be perchance useful in this , that all countries are here more obvious , and consequently more easily found out than in any common universal map or globe . nor do's it a little contribute to it , and fix the position and order of the said countries in our memory , that not only the divisions and subdivisions of the earth are ( by our present directions ) clear and distinct , as far as this small bulk can afford , but freed also from the usual crowd of towns and places , very often neither of note nor use , unless for distraction . for the business of a terrestrial globe , is to represent the situation of famous regions and provinces , and how they are distant each from the other ; to show us also where the late discoveries are ; where more may chance to be made ; what proportion any place bears to the known parts , or they to the whole terraqueous mass . these ( i say ) and the like , are what a globe is properly to represent ; for small and inconsiderable places ought not to be there , as being the chief object of chorographical and topographical charts , to which the curious are to recur upon occasion . as for the first or grand devision of this globe , to wit , the four quarters , their names are in the midst of them in remarkable capital letters ; nor is there any trouble about their bounds , after that that joyns europe and asia is consider'd ; for bating the little isthmus made by the mediterranean and marerubrum ( which contains the limits of asia and africa ) there is no part of the said quarters , which is not surrounded by the sea. for the separation then or boundary between europe and asia , it is a fine black line , that beginning at the mouth of the tanais , runs up the stream to tuia ( situated on its most easterly f●exure , ) and thence going to the nearest banks of the river oby , accompanies it till it falls into the northern ocean . this i say is the separation drawn by me , and not from tuia to the mouth of duina at arch-angel ; for since there are ( as to the question in hand ) different and various opinions among geographers , i follow the rather this devision than any other , since it contains almost all the vast dominions of the russian emperor , and so makes him as it were an intire europaean monarc . the devision of each modern country from the other ( which have all their names on them in small capital letters ) is also a black pric't line , and that you may have a glimps also of antient geography , i have exprest some of the most considerable old nations and empires , by prick lines of several colours ( as the directions on the globe it self shews you ) to amplify or contract their bounds , when they agree not with the present limits ; but as for cities and towns , there are ( as i said ) but very few of any sort set down , for in all the island of great britain , we mention but london and edinburgh , besides a port or two , in which proportion we proceed all along . thus having acquainted you with these few preliminaries , wee 'l now , after you have a little consider'd the names of each country , and how they all lye from your zenith , where you are ever to suppose the country or place to be , which the globe is made for ; i say , we will now , after you have a little considered these things , fall upon the operations , an employment commonly much more diverting and pleasant than speculation . operation i. how to find the distance between any two places . if the question be ( for example ) between constantinople , and the place you dwell at , ( which we shall for the future suppose still to be at london ) draw your string from the zenith streight over constantinople , and having mounted your bead thither , bring it to the meridian , or quadrant of altitude , and it will lye ( counting from the zenith to it ) on the 24 degree , or thereabouts , which multiply by 60 ( the number of miles contained according to the common account in each degree ) shews you that the distance required is some 1440 miles . but if it be demanded how far it is from constantinople to tangier , i. e. from any other two places , when neither lye under your zenith , then take a pair of compasses , and placing one foot on the first town , and the other foot on the second , find ( in the meridian , aequator , horizon , or any other divided great circle ) the number of degrees between the feet , which making about 31. amounts to near 1860 miles . or if you have no compasses , fix the loose or plummet end of your string with your finger on tangier , and drawing the rest of it streight over constantinople , place there the bead ; and if you measure that distance in any of the said devided circles 't will give you the above mentioned degrees and miles . and here be pleased to remember that to free you from multiplication in relation to miles , i have ordered a little table to be plac't in the vacant part of the globe towards the southern ocean , where you may find from 1. degree to 20. how many miles any number of degrees give ; but if your question contains more degrees than are set down , as for example 31. you are only to add 660. ( which you will see in the table is the vallue of 11. degrees ) to 1200 ( the value of 20. ) and the sum total makes 1860. miles for the required distance . in this manner you must operate in other cases . the table of reduction is to be in the following manner . 1 60 11 660 2 120 12 720 3 180 13 780 4 240 14 840 5 300 15 900 6 360 16 960 7 420 17 1020 8 480 18 1080 9 540 19 1140 10 600 20 1200 operation ii. how to find the latitude and longitude of any place . the latitude of a place is its nearest distance from the aequator ; if therefore you would know the latitude of , ( suppose ) constantinople , draw the string from the pole over the said city , and placing thereon the bead , bring it to the gradual devision of the colurus aequinoctiorum , or 6 a clock hour circle , and it will lye on the 43 degrees , and about 5 minutes more , for the latitude required . the longitude of a place is the number of degrees ( reckon'd eastwardly in the aequator ) from the grand meridian to the hour circle , or particular meridian that passes through the place required . as for the said grand or general meridian , 't is that from whence we begin our reckoning ; and since it matters not ( as you will plainly see in the memorandum of the third or following operation ) where we commence , to wit whether from the meridian that runs thro' london , or that thro' paris , rome or any other place , if people be acquainted with it before hand ; i say , since this is so , what wonder is it , ( there being by reason of some accidental proprieties and causes infinit fit places ) if geographers and other learned men quarrel in the affair , and earnestly strive to have the prerogative granted that countrey , which they are pleased to propose . of all places , the hesperides , azores and canaries , ( by reason of their westerly site , or the pretended non-variation of the needle in some of them ) have had the most vogue ; but since each of the said places make not one but many isles , they afforded new occasion of dispute ; for among the hesperides , or isles of cape verd , some would have fuego to carry away the bell , some st. nicholas , but others st. vincent , as appears by hondius's globe . now langrenius , in his , begins from st. mary and st. michael in the azores ; johnsonius in his universal map , counts from corvo and flores , whereas the learned dudley ( the late titular duke of northumberland ) gives the honour to pico , and has as much reason for it as the rest . nor is there less do about the canaries , for the french fix it at ferro , several of the hollanders at teneriffa , and many other nations at palma , which is the place i would willingly choose , ( since the great ptolomy thought fit at last to assign it there ) were it as convenient for my present purpose as st. vincent . 't is st. vincent then i here pitch upon for this meridian to pase throu ' , because it differs in longitude from london within less than 20 minutes of just 30 degrees , or 2 hours , so that the 2 a clock circle will represent it ( within almost a minute in time ) without need of drawing a particular one , and the said meridian is ( as i told you in the beginning ) distinguished from the rest by pricks , which being distant from each other a quarter of a degree , are useful on several occasions . having thus fixt our grand meridian , or first longitude , that of other places follow 's with ease ; for if you would know the longitude of constantinople , draw but your string from the pole over it , and it will cut the aequator neer the 62. degree for the longitude required , as you may readily percieve by the lower little aequinoctial figures . operation iii. how to find out any place , the longitude and latitude being given . this operation is not only usefull for the finding out of towns express'd on the globe , when you cannot guess whereabout they are situated , but also for the placing them truly in case they should chance not to be set down . suppose then constantinople were the town sought for , and that you found its latitude to be 43 g. 5′ . and longitude 61 g. 46′ . in some book or geographical table ; i say supposing this , you have nothing to do , after having mounted your bead ( by the help of the devided colurus ) 43 g. 5′ . above the aequator , but to move your string on its noose from the pole to 61. 46. in the said aequator , and constantinople will be just under your bead ; and if ( in case of omission ) it should not , you may then if you please marke it out your self , for that is its exact place . but by the way , if the geographical tables agree not with the longitude of your globe as telling you that ( v. g. ) constantinople has but 54 g. 36′ , you are then to look from whence the said tables begin , and finding their commencement , suppose at palma , and that palma ( according to the former operation ) has by your globe 7 g. 10′ . of longitude , you must add this number to your tables , and then you will agree . operation iv. to find the situation of any place according to the angle of position , or points of the compass . draw the string from the zenith over , v. g. constantinople , and 't will cut the horizon about 5 degrees beyond e b s eastward , for the true situation of the said town from your habitation ▪ according to the points of the compass . operation . v. to find in what clime or parallel any place lies . before we can here well come to operation , there are some few particulars to be consider'd ; and first what a clime is ; which is no hard thing to conceive , since most know that after the vernal equinox our days not only exceed 12 houres , but that every neerer countrey to the pole has days of greater length than the remoter : nor are there many ignorant , that when our days ( that live on this side of the line ) increase , theirs on the other side decrease proportionably , and when theirs encrease ours decrease ; so that no people are at a constancy , but they that dwell exactly between both poles , to wit under the aequator . this diversity was thought by the ancients a thing so fit to be known , that they invented the devision of the earth into climes , so that as soon they heard a countrey named , they presently ( besides the fond reflections concerning the temperament of the air , ingeniety of men , &c. ) knew the length of its longest day , and consequently how much any other place exceeded or came short of that length . for suppose the first northern-clime were to pass over all the places on this side of the aequator , whose longest day is 12 hours and 1 / 2 ; and the second clime those of 13 hours , and so on towards the pole by a half hourly increment , what difficulty could there be to resolve immediately the question , when we once know the clime , or having the length of the longest day to find out the very clime it self . i wonder therefore , that so ingenious a man as 〈◊〉 , should seem to assert , that this devision is useless , it being as easy to find the longest day as the clime ; whereas , were climes in esteem and fashion , the memory would as soon conceive and remember in which of them any countrey lay , as now it does it's bounds , the manner of its situation , and the like ; and if so , one may quickly judge whether they are useless , and whether it be possible that the length aforesaid can be known by any other means so universally , and at so easy a rate . a clime then ( generally speaking ) is a space contained between two circles parallel to the aequator , having the places thro' which they pass differing ( as to the length of their longest days ) half an hour ; and this space takes the name of clime from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inclinare vel deflectere ; for the greater our deflection is from the aequator or right sphere , the longer our summer solstitial day will be . nor were the antients content with this large devision of the earth , but subdevided it into parallels , so that places differing a quarter of an hour , were reckon'd to be under such and such parallels , which some call artificial ( from their relation to the artificial day ) to distinguish them from all others that occur . as for the antiquity of climes , 't is immemorial ; nor could there be many in the beginning by reason of the small extent of the known parts of the world ; for tho' ptolemy reckons about 10 , that is to say 21 parallels , as making them to reach as far as thule ; yet homer , ovid and other poets , so possess'd men with the fancy , that from the cimerians northward , there was nothing by reason of the hideous vapours and exhalations , but a dubious and creperous light , that even pliny , and after him the arabians insisted only on seven , looking on all countries that lay farther as not worth perchance the taking notice of . as for the seven in vogue with them ▪ and mention'd also very particularly by our countryman sacro-bosco ( whose credit and great repute has perchance not a little kept up their fame among the moderns ) they were , dia-meroes , dia-syenes , dia-alexandrias , dia-rhodou , dia-romes , dia-boristheneos , and dia-riphoeon , being all names made by the addition of the greek preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( i. e. per ) to some remarkable town , river , or place , thro' which the middle of each clime past ; so that the middle of the first went thro' meroe , an ethiopian city on the nile , where ( according to some ) queen candace reigned ; the second thro' syene in egypt , lying just under the tropic , the third thro' alexandria ; the fourth thro' the isle of rhodes ; the fifth thro' rome ; the sixth thro' the mouth of boristhenes , now called nieper by the cossacks and the other inhabitants ; and the seventh and last thro' the riphoean hills , part of which lay according to their account in or about , the latitude of 50 degrees , and consequently corresponded with the cimerians . 't was here then that alfraganus and other arabians ended northwards , who besides several smal particulars , err'd not a little in making rome and the boristhenes only a clime asunder , when as their longest days differ at least an hour . and as for the southern climes ( to wit those on the other side of the aequinoctial ) they thought fit to consider them , but not knowing what to call them , as being ignorant ( for the most part ) of the places they went through , they added 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( i. e. contra ) to the former denominations , so that making anti-dia meroes serve for the first clime , anti-dia sienes for the second , they proceeded in the same order with the rest . but now before i end , i shall endeavour to solve a difficulty which startles not a few , viz. how it comes to pass ( seeing the climes are assigned ( as we mentioned ) by the antients , to know the length of the summer solstitial day in every country ) that the middle of the first clime ( which in rigour should lye no further from the aequator , than to encrease the day a quarter of an hour ) runs over meroe , where the excess is at least an hour . i answer , the antients , deeming it more equal that the middle of the clime , and not the end of it should be the point where the half hourly increment was to begin , fixt the terme à quo , not in the aequator , but a quarter of an hour further , and therefore taprobane ( which some now think sumatra ) was the place where ptolemy commences all his climes , making thereby the middle of his first to pass per sinum avalitum or ( mouth of the red sea ) and the middle of his second per meroen ; but the arabians , thinking that for several degrees from the aequator all was either sea , or ( by reason of the heats ) scarce habitable , or else judging it for their honour , to have their own country ▪ in the first clime , began half an hour beyond taprobane , and so dia meroes , ( tho the days are there 13 hours long ) leads the van in their catalogue . these few things premis'd , i shall now shew you the way i take therein , which i think in all respects clear and ready . first , i make the primary circle of longitude to be the circle particularly appropriated to this use , being devided and mark't according to the true distance of each clime from the other ; and as to the place where they commence on our globe , i rather follow ptolomies astronomical than geographical method ; for ( besides the aforementioned excess of the arabians ) should we begin but a quarter of an hour from the aequator , it makes a great space of the earth , viz. from taprobane to the aequator , to be in no clime at all ; and which is more , it causes a little confusion , when the length of the day is greater in every clime , than what the said clime can justly challenge , according to its rank and number ; i say , as for the place where the climes commence , i rather follow ptolomies astronomical than geographical way ; and therefore beginning at the very aequator , my first parallel ( or middle of my first clime ) is supposed to run over the places that enjoy 12. hours and a quarter of day , and the end of it ( noted on the primary circle of longitude or 2 a clock hour circle with the figure i. ) over the places that have 12. and 1 / 2 ; and thus we proceed to the polar circles , to wit , where the 24th . clime , or 48th . parallel terminates , so that from thence we come to the devisions on the said circle of longitude , which show where the days are as long as an ordinary week , where as long as a month , and where as two , arriving at last at the poles themselves , where there is a constant half year of light , and as much of darkness . and to give you a remembrance of the names of the aforesaid old climes , and that you may also see without calculation or trouble where the ancients plac'd them , i have set down the first syllable of their names ( as mer. sy. al. &c. ) according to their respective latitudes . to find then in what clime any place is ( v. g. constantinople ) you are only to draw your string from the pole over that city , and mounting up the bead thither , to move it to the said primary circle of longitude , and 't will lye on the clime or paralel required . but if you would know what places are ( suppose ) under the 4th . clime , throu'out the world , i. e. what places have their longest day just 14. hours ; fix the bead ▪ on the 4th . clime and moving it on its noose from the pole round the globe , you may conclude that every place it passes over , has the sun exactly so long above the horizon , when the days are at the longest ; and in the same manner you must proceed on the south of the aequator , to find the countrys that lye under the 4th . southern clime . in short , here we have , besides ( what has been already said ) a view not onely of the strange inequallity of the climes , ( especially between the first and last ) but also of their exact distance in degrees , and consequently in miles , by help of our table of reduction , mentioned in the first * operation of this section . but seeing we are a little fallen into speculation , 't will not be , perchance , improper to proceed yet further , and to consider here , as in a natural and fit place the bounds and terms of the five zones , so called from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cingulum , as enclosing the whole world within their respective districts : 't is with the torrid one we 'l then begin , whose bounds are the two tropics , so that the diurnal parallels not only remarkably distinguish it from the other zones , but shew why the several inhabitants within this space were called by the ancients amphiscii , i. e. vtrinque umbrati , or men that had two shadows , from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 utrinque & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vmbra ; nay , by the said parallels you may find when the shade will change and be different ; for , since by these paths or traces the sun ( as we often hinted ) passes from tropic to tropic , 't is evident that sometimes he must be on the northside and sometimes on the southside , of all that live here , which must then needs alter the shadow . and as for knowing the time of this change , we are only to consult the days of the month on each parallel ; for that which passes over the heads of the propos'd inhabitants , shews that from that time to the 11. of june ( or the sun 's coming to cancer ) and so till he comes again to be vertical , their shade will be full south at noon : whereas from his said vertical station to the 11. of december ( when that he enters into capricorn ) and so till he comes again to them , their shadow will be directly north. from this torrid and hot residence ; we 'l now run to the other extream , viz. to the two frozen zones , which lying from each polar circle to the very poles themselves , are sufficiently distinguish'd from the rest . now since the longest day within these limits is at least 24. hours in length ( as we show'd you even now in treating of the climes ) and since the sun in this space of time , compasses the world , it must follow that here he runs round the inhabitants , which gave the name of periscii to them , that is to say circum vmbrati , or surrounded with their shadow , from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 circum & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vmbra . as for the two remaining zones , they are the temperate ones , bounded by the tropic's and polar circles : nor do the inhabitants of this moderate and more excellent position want an appellation from the property of their shadow also ; for never having the sun but on one side of them ( as still setting before he gets round ) and unable to pass , as he could in the torrid zone over their heads , by reason he has no excursion beyond the tropics ) it must needs follow that their shade who live in the northern zone , will ever fall north , and theirs in the southern , south ; so that they were called heteroscii , i. e. habentes alteram solum vmbram , or people having but one kind of shadow , from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 alter & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vmbra . so much then for the climes and zones , together with their various inhabitants , and now we will proceed to the operations that follow . operation vi. to know what a clock 't is at any time , in any place of the world. there is no operation perchance in the whole treatise , more diverting and pleasant than this ; nor scarce any more readily perform'd after a very little reflection , even in the most difficult cases . for having compos'd your globe , if it be then 12. a clock with you , the standing hour circles or meridians already described , will ( by the common or little figures which lye within or upon the roman ones , that surround the polar circles , ) shew you exactly the hour , wheresoever you cast your eye ; that is to say , that 't is about 2. of the clock at constantinople , 3 at aleppo , &c. but now , if it be not 12. with you ▪ but ( v. g. ) 3 in the afternoon , when you desire to know the then hour at constantinople , add the said 3 a clock to the figure 2. ( which you see lyes , as i now mention'd on the meridian or hour-circle , that runs near that city ) and 't will tell you that 't is about 5 a clock there ; and thus you must always do , unless the time of the day with you , and the figure that lies on the meridian of the place in question make a greater number than 12 ; for then the hour sought for , is what remains above 12 ; as for example , if it be 11 with you , then this with 2 , ( i. e. the figure near the meridian of constantinople ) making 13 , do but cast away 12 , and you may conclude it there 1 in the afternoon . there are several other ways of performing this operation ; as finding the difference of longitude between you and the place in dispute , and so adding or substracting it ( as need requires ) from the true time of the day , or else by calling it always mid day , there where the hour circle that shews your then true time of the day ( which by our example is 3 in the afternoon ) crosses , for by counting from thence to the meridian of the place in question , either forwards or backwards ( as 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , or 11 , 10 , 9 , 8 , &c. ) according as the said place lies east or west from 3 , and all is done ; i say there are several ways to perform this operation , but seeing the first is the most clear and expedite , i solely insist on it : and now because you may be perchance running over with your eye , the whole globe , and considering how one situation or country differs from another in time , 't will not be amiss to tell you that there are 3 places , that have more particular relation to your dwelling or habitation than any other . the first is that , which lies opposite to you in your own parallel , whose inhabitants are called by the antients periaeci , or circumcolae , from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 circum & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 habito , and though by the word , all people are comprehended that dwell any where in the said parallel , yet geographers commonly mean those by it , that are thus diametrically situated . these then live in the same zone and in the same clime , and cast the same kind of shade with you : these enjoy your proportion of heat and cold , your seasons of the year , your encrease of days and nights , and in short all things else of this kind , saving that your hours are opposite ; their six in the evening being your six in the morning ; and your noon their midnight . the second place lyes under your very meridian , or 12 a clock hour circle , which makes your hours and theirs the same , but by being 51 g 30′ . on the other side of the aequator , it happens that tho you all agree in the temperament of your zones , number of climes , in the casting a shadow on one side onely , and the like ; yet their zone and clime are southern , their shade falls toward that pole , their summer is your winter ; and your spring their autumn ; so that from this contrariety they are named antaeci or adversicolae from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 contra , & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 habito . the last is the nadir or point on which the globe stands , whose inhabitants are called antipodes . i. e. opposita habentes vestigia , or men that walk feet to feet with you , from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 contra , & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pedes . these imply ( even by the vulgar acception of the word ) the height of opposition ; and since they are the very antaeci of our periaeci , participating thereby of whatever was opposite to you in either of the former places , it is no wonder that you enjoy together neither day nor night , nor season of the year , nor any thing else of this nature . operation vii . to find where 't is day , and where 't is night , all the world over . compose your globe , and all people that live in the illuminated hemisphere , enjoy day at that moment ; and all that live in the obscure one , night. operation viii . to know where at that moment of time the inhabitants enjoy nothing but day , and where nothing but night ; as also when the day and night will be thus perpetual in any place subject to this alteration . describe with your eye an imaginary circle about the illuminated pole , its radius being the distance from the said pole to the nearest part of the shade of extuberancy , and all places within that circle will have then no night , and all places within the dark circle of the like radius , round the obscur'd or obumbrated pole will have then no day : now if you desire to know , when 't will be in this manner perpetual day or night , at any place between the poles and the polar circles , ( for you know 't is never perpetual day and night any where else ) you have nothing to do but to measure with your string , or compasses the distance between the place requir'd and the next pole , which now for examples sake , we will suppose the northern pole ; i say you have nothing to do , but to measure this distance ; for placing one end of your string , or one foot of your compasses on the interfection of the meridian and the aequator , if you observe what northern parallel the other end of your string , or foot of the compasses ( extended at the aforesaid distance ) touches , 't will shew you by touching ( v. g. ) the parallel mark't with the 10th . of april , and 12th . of july , that it begins to be on the said 10th . of april , perpetual day there ; and so continues until the 12th . of july . now if you measure from the before mentioned intersection towards the southern pole , and find the end of your string , or foot of the compasses to touch the 13th . of october , and 9th . of january , 't is certain that from the said day in october to that of january 't will be perpetual night there , and consequently from the 12 of july to the 13th . of october , the days and nights succeed each other after the ordinary manner . operation ix . to find where the sun is rising , and where he is setting , all the world over . compose your globe , and having consider'd the confines or extremity of the preceeding and following shades of extuberancy , you may conclude that to all the inhabitants under the first , the sun is rising , and to them under the second , that he is then setting . operation x. to find where the sun is vertical at any time , i. e. what people have him just over their heads . the sun is always vertical to those that lye in the middle of the illuminated part of the globe , i. e. to those that dwell under his then present place in his parallel ; therefore ( as i show'd you in the * first section ) if you compose your globe and hold up your string against the sun from the pole , till its shade passes thro' the other , or from the zenith , till it passes thro' the nadir , 't will cut the parallel of the day at the suns true place , and consequently show you who they are , that have him then just over their heads ; which happens ( for examples sake , on the 10th . of april , about our 6 in the morning ) to them that dwell about the middle of the coast of malabar . operation xi . to know where they are rising , where they are at dinner , where at supper , and where going to bed all over the world. this operation depends on this maxim , that it is the same hour with all people that have the same longitude , that is to say , that live under the same semi-hour circle , or semi-meridian , therefore as the drawing of your string from the pole , over half the illuminated part of the globe , i. e. over the sun 's present place , shows you that 't is noon or dinner-time with all that inhabit under the said string , so the drawing it over any place distant 6 hours westward ( i. e. over so many hours towards the left hand from the vertical point ) shows where 't is then all the world over 6 in the morning , or tunc to rise ; whereas had you drawn it six hours eastward ( i. e. towards your right-hand , ) it would have shewn you where 't was six in the evening or supper-time , and four hours further ( i. e. two hours short of midnight , or the point opposite to noon ) where 't is 10 of clock , or bed-time . operation xii . how much any people ( if it be day with them ) are past morning , or want of evening ; and ( if it be night with them ) how much they are past evening or want of morning . if the place you propose has a diurnal parallel that runs over it , then see what point of the said parallel the preceding shade of extuberancy cuts , and if you count the hour circles or distance in time between the said point and the proposed place , 't will give you ( if it be there night ) how much it lack 's of morning ; and the distance in time between the said place and the point made by the following shade of extuberancy gives you how much it is since evening . on the other side , if it be day there , the distance between the said place , and poynt made by the preceding shade tells you how long 't is since morning , and the following shade how long 't is since evening . now if there be no parallel that run's over or neer your said proposed place , mount your bead to it , and moving your said bead on the noose from the pole it will describe a parallel , and then you may operate as before . the reason of the operation is this ; the shade of extuberancy getting every hour in the aequator ( as you saw * before ) fifteen degrees , 't will proceed in the same proportion on all parallels over which it passes , therefore , if the distance between any point in the aequator and the following shade be the distance in time of the said point from evening or sun-set , and if the distance there between any point and the preceding shade be the distance of the said point from morning or sun-rising , it follows that the distance between any point in an aequinoctial parallel and these two shades of extuberancy that cut it , must be also it 's true measure or distance in time both from morning and evening . operation xiii . to find the sun's height in any place , where the globe shews 't is day , or his depression where it show's 't is night ; as also what people throughout the world see the sun , at the same height . suppose on the 10 of april ( having compos'd your globe , and found it about 6 in the morning with you ) you should desire to know how high the sun is at rome , as also all the people that then see him at that , or any other determin'd height , measure by your string or compasses , the nearest distance between rome and the shade of extuberancy , and 't will give you in any great circle about 22 degrees for his height there at that moment . and the reason of it is , because when the sun ( i. e. the place where he is vertical ) is distant 90 degrees from rome , then rome sees him in his horizon , and as soon as he gets above the horizon ( v. g. ) 22 degrees , his rayes will illuminate beyond rome 22 degrees ; for else there would not be always 90 degrees from the place where the sun is verticale to the confines of the shade and light , or utmost extent of his rayes ; but the distance from rome to the nearest part of the shade of extuberancy , is the distance of his illumination beyond rome ergo 'tis his true height . in like manner if it be night at any place on your globe , and you desire to know how much the sun is there depress'd or under the horizon : take the distance ( as before ) between the said place , and the nearest term of the shade of extuberancy , and that ( for the former reason ) will be the required depression . as for the finding out of all places , that have the sun ( suppose 22 degrees above their horizon , you are only to lay the plummet end of your string or foot of your compasses on the middle of the coast of malabar ( where we now suppose the sun to be vertical ) and making your bead or the other foot of your said compasses to lye on rome , describe an imaginary circle ; and then all people under the said circle will have the sun 22 degrees high , since they are all distant from him like rome ; and thus you must operate in all other cases . operation xiv . to know what a clock 't is with you , the italian , babilonish , and judaic way . you are first to know that as england , france , spain , denmark , sweden , most part of germany , and many other places follow the astronomical account in their diurnal computation of time , with this only difference that the astronomers begin at noon , and so go on from 1 to 24 ; whereas the aforesaid nations begin at mid-night , dividing the whole natural day into twice twelve hours ; i say , as these nations begin their account at mid-night , so the italians do theirs at sun-set , continuing to 24 without interruption , after the athenian manner of old , which is also now usually observed in bohemia , austria , silesia , &c. on the contrary some places in germany , and particularly noremberg , still follows the antient babilonian or caldean way , as commencing their 24 hours from sun-rising : therefore the difficulty and seeming confusion of counting by either of these 2 last wayes proceeds from the sun's inconstancy in its rising and setting ; for when he is in the aequinoctial our globe show's us the hour , as soon after their manner as our own : as for example , if you would then know what hour 't is with you , the babilonian way , hold up your string against the sun , and moove it on it's noose from the pole , till the shade fall on the contrary pole , ( i. e. look what a clock 't is the * second way , and where the shade of the string cuts the aequator , the roman figures there will give you the true babilonish hour . or ( which is all one ) see what a clock 't is by the shade of extuberancy , or * 3d way , and finding the said shade to fall , suppose , on the 9 a clock hour-circle in the aequator as the then true hour after our english fashion ; do but cast your eye on the polar circles , and the said 9 a clock hour-circle , will cut there at the roman figure 3. so that you may conclude it then 3 a clock the babilonian way . nor does the italian manner materially differ from this , for 't is but adding 12 hours to the 3 found as before , and then 15 will be the true hour after that account . now if you would know the hour when the sun is out of the aequator ( as for example , on the 10th . of april ) consider the parallel of the day , which giving you at first sight about one hour for the ascensional difference , ( as i show'd you in the former * section ) do but add this hour to the three found , as we now show'd you , and 't will give you four for the true babilonian hour ; whereas if you substract it from 3 ( i. e. from the aforefaid 15. ) you have the true italian hour ; and thus you are to proceed in all other cases ; only remember that when the sun is in his southern declension the substraction of his ascentional difference gives the babilonian , and the addition of it the italian hour . but if you would have yet an easier way of performing this , consult the 12th . operation , and the distance in time there from day gives you the babilonian , and the distance from night the italian hour . as for the jews , they devided the day always into 12. equal parts , which they called hours , as appears by our saviours demand ; are there not 12 hours in the day ? therefore when the sun is in the aequator ( as it happened about the time of the passion ) this and the babilonish way are the same , for then the 3d. hour is 9 a clock with us ; and our 3 in the afternoon is their 9th hour ; so that at 6 our way , or at 12 theirs , the sun sets , and the night begins , which they also devided into 12 equal parts ; i say , this is the same as the babilonish way , when the sun is at or about the aequator , and consequently easy ; but afterwards , by reason of the strange inequallity of both day and night , the computation must be troublesom , especially if we use reduction ( the common prescribed way on the globe ) for the summer days with us contain above 16 of our hours , and the winter ones not half so many , and yet both kind of days are to be devided into 12 ▪ equal parts or hours ; nor were the jews the only people that reckon'd thus , for the manner was in use among the romans , as we see by persius his drunkards , who lay a bed to digest their wine — quinta dum line a tangitur vmbra . nay the greeks followed it also , and had machines or clocks ( as achilles tatius tell us ) which could ( notwithstanding the forementioned strange inequality of dayes ) measure their time. but this seemingly odd and exotic account , may very exactly and expeditely be perform'd by our globe ; for , if the globe-maker devides each diurnal parallel by distinct specks or pricks into twenty four parts , that is to say ; if he devides that part of each parallel above the horizon into 12 equal ones , and that below it into the like number , you have nothing to do but to hold up your string against the sun , and if you move it from the pole on its noose , 'till its shade passes over the contrary pole , then upon what prick soever the shade falls , that will be the requir'd hour ; and in like manner if you know the sun's depression , draw but your string over his then place , and it will cut the parallel at the true judaical time of the night . these vnequal hours were also called planetary by the ancients , who allowed to each a planet to govern it ; so that the first hour ( suppose ) on saturday , belonging to saturn , if you go on still in the usual coelestial order , as 't is exprest * in the margent , and consequently assign jupiter to the second hour , mars to the third , &c. the 25th ( i. e. the first hour of sunday ) will happen to the sun's lot , and the first of munday to the moon 's , and so forward : and thus you may see how it came to pass that the dayes of the week succeeded in the present order , and not according to that of the planets in the heavens , that is to say , why dies lunae ( or munday ) and not dies veneris ( or fryday ) immediately follows sunday . i shall now end this discourse , after i have told you , that if we english-men think these computations strange , they that use them , wonder as much at ours ; nay , each man pretends some particular convenience and advantage by his method ; for first ; an italian says , that without breaking ones brains no body can tell our way when the day-ends , so that idle men , who usually hate computing do often couzen themselves , and take false measures in their affairs ▪ for ( continues he ) if they chance to get up at 8 of the clock in winter , they fancy a whole day ( even st. barnabas's ) before them , when as this hour or early rising to him , is 16 of the clock , which informs him at the very instant , there are but 8 hours to night . the caldean on the other side urges that morning , being the most precious part of the day , is fittest to be nicely known , and tho' his hour gives him not presently the distance to the evening , yet it so alarms him , as to what relates to the morning , that he cannot make the least slip therein , without being at the same moment conscious of his failure . lastly , the jew approving both reasons highly , triumphs in his way ; for he no sooner looks ( he says ) upon his dial , but sees there not only what hours are past , but also what remain , and are yet behind . but notwithstanding all these shews and pretences of reasons our account is so far from coming short of any , that in reality it surpasses all ▪ for we not only know exactly what we want every moment of noon ( a thing of mighty concern ) but can appoint positive hours all the year long , for any employment whether private or publick , whilst these other ways ( by reason of the suns inconstancy in rising and setting ) have all orderly and set times ( as when to dine , when to sup , when to rise , when to go to bed , &c. ) still mutable and fleeting . operation xv. how to make the globe universal . this operation is quite beyond both my proposal and design ; for i really intend nothing but a dial , ( according to a determin'd elevation ) fraught with several easy and natural performances , as well divertising as useful ; and if a man cannot be content with one for his study or garden , unless it may serve for jerusalem also , he must not only quarrel with mr. oughtred's excellent projection , and all particular analems , quadrants and the like , but with stoffler's astrolabe , an instrument received with mighty applause by all . besides , 't is forty to one ( especially since there are , as we already see , so many vniversal operations performable ▪ by our globe , tho fixt for a particular place , ) if there chance a case in seven years that would move one to wish the elevation changed ; yet least this might happen , the instrument maker will prepare a thin brass circle , gradually devided like the horizon , and of the same bigness ; therefore if the new elevation were ( suppose ) for rome , open but your compasses at 90 degrees in any of the great circles ▪ or , take the same distance with your string and bead , and having designed by your said compasses or string any two points thus distant from rome , clap over your new horizon so , that it s devided edge rests on the said two points ; or in short , let rome be the pole of the brass circle , and 't will cut all the equinoctial parallels , as if the globe had been made for that city , and consequently you will soon have there , the suns rising , setting , amplitude , ascensional difference , &c. moreover the circle being exactly made , will stick of it self , or , at least by the help of any scrap of paper between , so that if at any time you set but the plumet-end of your string on rome , you may then hold it down with one finger , and operate as you would do from your own zenith . but since i am fallen upon this needless affair , and since the operation is in effect the changing of the fixt and standing site of our globe , 't will be perchance not amiss to inform you ( if you are not already well verst in the sphere ) that there are three different and distinct positions of it , which you will better comprehend , if you consider your self in these three places . sch. 1 suppose first , that you were under one of the poles , and for example sake , the northern one , it must needs follow that that pin on your globe will not only be useful there , in relation to the several operations that must ( as we show'd you ) be done from the polar pin , but from that of the zenith also ; because now 't is the zenith there , and therefore the south-pole being the nadir , all circles must lye as they are represented in scheme the first . seeing then that the horizon is a great circle , and always 90 degrees from both zenith and nadir , it will necessarily happen that the horizon and aequator must concur , so that the aequator describ'd on the globe will serve for an horizon in this position of the sphere , which is called by geographers the parallel one , because by reason of the concurrence aforesaid , all the heavenly bodies according to their diurnal motion i. e. according to the motion of the primum mobile ) parallel to the horizon ; so that the sun cannot set during the six months of his northern declension , nor rise during the six of his southern ; for his rising and setting imply the cutting or intercepting of some part of his daily road or track by the horizon . nor want the stars here their particular properties also ; for being carried daily on the poles of the world , and consequently moving parallel to the aequator , all that are above the horizon cannot go under it , nor the others emerge , unless some , by their proper motion after a long series of time , change that order . having then in this sphere the zenith and horizon , whatsoever is performable by your own zenith and horizon , may be here ( mutatis mutandis ) perform'd after the same manner . sch. 2. sch. 3. as for the oblique sphere which is the third and last position , and here express'd by the third scheme , we are in it ( you must know ) our selves , and so are all other people and places of the world that are in neither of the two former ones ; for take any point not under the poles or the aequator for your zenith , and 't will be impossible to describe an horizon or circle 90 degrees from it , which cuts not the aequator and all its parallels obliquely . 't is this obliquity then that gives name to the position , and 't is this that makes the great inequalities in days and nights ; for if the horizon has a greater portion of one diurnal parallel above it , than of another ( as it must needs have by its slanting ) 't will follow , when the sun is in such a parallel , that the day will be longer than when the portion was less , and consequently ( since more of one parallel is under the horizon than of another ) that one night is shorter than another ; and seeing the nearer the pole is to the horizon , the more equally it cuts the said parallels , and the further it is from it , the greater the inequality happens to be , 't is no wonder that by how much the greater the elevation is , by so much the longer the days are ▪ and when the whole horizon falls below some of the parallels , that then ( during the sun's aboad there ) the inhabitants have no night at all ; therefore it follows that if a star be neerer the pole than is the latitude of a place , it can never set in that place . yet notwithstanding this strange inequality and disproportion of day and night , all people in all positions ( by that time the sun finishes his annual course ) make them even , and thereby enjoy an equal share of both , for if under the pole the sun be six months above the horizon , he is as long under it , and if we and the rest , that live in the oblique sphere , have summer days of a mighty length , our winter nights are of the same dimension ; therefore it follows , that at the long run the inhabitants under the aequator , or in the right sphere ( who have always 12 hours of day and as much of night ) cannot boast of having more of the suns company than they that live in the two other , and consequently that the assertion is true . 't is in the oblique sphere then that the above-mentioned brazen horizon is chiefly intended ; but as i said in the beginning , 't is forty to one ( so many universal operations being perform'd by the globe in its set posture ) that in 7 years a man lights on a question , that could invite him to change it , were it moveable as other globes are ; so that having show'd you that ( in case of necessity ) it may be in effect altered even without stirring it from its pedestal . i shall proceed . operation . xvi . how to take the elevation of the pole in any place whatsoever . suppose you were in a strange place , and that your globe being one , that had bin fitted for london , you desire to know the present elevation . expose your globe to the sun on a meridian line with the pin or needle in the * hole on the parallel of the 10 of april , or true day of the moneth , and observing at 12 a clock ( when the sun comes into the plain of the globes meridian ) that the shade of the said needle or pin loses not it self as it would do were the sun directly opposite to it , for so it had hapn'd at london , or in any place in the latitude of 51 e 30′ . i say , having thus expos'd your globe , and observing this , move your pin or needle from hole to hole , or from one degree of the meridian to the other , 'till it's shade be wholly lost , and finding the said needle or pin on the parallel ( suppose ) of june 11th . which is about 11. 30′ higher then it 's proper place ( to wit the parallel of the 10th of april ) you may conclude that your present elevation is 63 degrees , i. e. 11. 30′ higher than the globe's ; whereas had ▪ you bin oblig'd to move your needle or pin so many degrees lower than the 10th of april , your elevation had bin but 40. the demonstration is obvious , for since the earth is round ; as nothing perchance proves it better , than the experience we have , that as so many miles ( suppose 60 ) elevates or depresses the pole one degree , so just 60 miles more elevates or depresses it another : i say , since the world is round , and that the degrees of the globe answer to its degrees , it must follow that the difference between the pins situation now on the globe and where it would have stood on it at london is the true difference of the two elevations . operation xvii . how to know in what elevation the sun rises or sets , an hour , or any other space of time , earlier or later than he do's in the globes elevation . if the sun rising at london on the 10th . of april about 5 , and setting about 7 , you would know in what elevation or latitude he then rises , ( for examples sake ) at 4 and sets at 8 , take the distance of 90 degrees with your string or compasses in any great circle , and placing one end of your string or one foot of your compasses , where the parallel of the day intersects with the hour-circle of either 4 in the morning , or 8 at night , observe where , or at what point the other end of your said string or other foot of your said compasses touches in the meridian , or 12 a clock circle of the globe , and you will find it to be at , or about 8 degrees and 30 minutes , beyond the zenith towards the north pole , so that the elevation required is greater than your own by those 8 degrees and 30 minutes , that is to say the elevation is that of 60 or thereabout ; whereas had your string or compasses touch't 8. ° 30 ′ on the other side of your zenith , the required elevation would have been less than your own so many degrees , i. e. it would have been that of 43 degrees or thereabout . this appears true by placing your brazen horizon , or by describing an imaginary one over the two points made by the intersection of the parallel of the day , and hour-circles of 4 in the morning and 8 in the evening ; for in the elevation belonging to such an horizon , 't is evident that the sun rises at 4 and sets at 8. now the pole of every circle being 90 degrees from it , and the point in the meridian being 90 degrees from the aforementioned intersection , it follows that the said point in the meridian is the zenith or pole of this new horizon , and consequently by being distant from the aequator 60 degrees , that so many degrees is the latitude or elevation required . the end of the second section . sect . iii. of the moon . having now finish'd with the sun , wee 'l make a step , if you please , to the moon , and show you how to resolve all the useful ordinary questions concerning her , whether we see her by night or by day ; for 't is equal to us whether she shines out right , and consequently casts a shade , or appears only faint and wan , by reason of thin clouds , or by the excess of light during the sun's aboad above the horizon . let us then begin with her almucantar and azimuth , as being the basis and foundation of all operations here relating to her ; nor can there be the least difficulty in any of them ▪ unless perchance in the 7th . since they have so great a correspondence and affinity with those already handled in the former sections . operation i. to find the moon 's almucantar or height . this is to be perform'd as well when she cast's a shade , as when she cast's none , by the two first ways of finding the suns almucantar , and therefore consult the * second operation in the first section . operation ii. to find the moon 's azimuth . this is also to be found by the two first ways of finding the sun's azimuth , treated of in the * 5th . operation of the first ▪ section . operation . iii. to find her true place on the globe . if she casts no shade , her place is to be found by her almucantar and azimuth , as we hinted in the * 6th . operation of the first section , since she must ever be where these two circles intersect ; but if she shines out cleer , you have nothing to do ( having plac't your globe on a meridian line ) but to see what hour the shade of the enlightned pole , or that of your string ( passing over both poles ) mark 's ; for this giving you her hour-circle ( which we 'l call the lunar hour hereafter ) her height or almucantar must needs tell you in what part of the said circle she resides . this operation is to be well understood and readily perform'd , seeing most that follow are as it were corollaries from it ; and for the better illustrating and explaining them , we will imagine the moon 's place to be in the hour circle of 2 in the afternoon , about 43 degrees above the horizon . operation iv. to know the moon 's declension from the aequator . this is only the nearest distance of her true place from the aequator , which your bead or compasses will show you to be about 12 degrees northward , if ( according to the foregoing example ) she be 43 degrees high , in the hour circle of 2 in the afternoon . operation v. to find the moon 's diurnal parallel , and consequently how to compose the globe by the moon . by the moons diurnal parrallel i mean a real or imaginary circle parallel to the aequator , and answerable to her present declension , which by the former operation we suppose to be about 12 degrees ; having therefore this ▪ parallel you may compose the globe by the moon , as you do by the * sun. and here you must remember , that tho' the finding of the parallel implies at first a meridian line , yet the knowing how to compose thus your globe will not be useless ; for now you are no longer confin'd to one place or line , but may compose it where you please by the help of the said parallel . operation . vi. to find the moon 's bearing according to the points of the compasse . this is to be perform'd after the way of finding the sun's bearing , in the * 7th . operation of the first section ; for if you draw your string from the zenith over the moons present place , the said string cuts ( by our example ) the horizon at s. w. and some few degrees towards the south for her then bearing . operation vii . to know what a clock it is by the moon . there is no operation treated of so intricate as this , and therefore if the reader ( who would have his curiosity satisfy'd ) has not patience enough to descend to a little niceness , he had better ▪ fall upon another subject ; but tho' we may be somewhat long at first , in laying down and explicating all particulars , yet at the end we will contract the whole into half a dozen lines , and thereby make the operation very expedit , and easy ; i say , there is no operation so intricate as this ; for , the moon by reason of her different place in her epicicle , is so inconstant in her dayly elongation from the sun , that sometimes she spends from ( v. g. ) her conjunction to her first quarter above 8 days , tho ▪ at another time a great deal less than 7 will serve the turn ; and to this variety and skittishness is the space also between any of her other changes liable . if then her distance from the sun be so uncertain , and yet is the thing that must be known before her place , or shade on the globe can give us the hour seek ▪ how strangely fallible is the usual way ( as well in some authors of note , as in ordinary almanacks ) of finding it , to wit , the adding of as many 48 minutes to the hour she shows on a dial , as she is days old ; for the tables , made in pursuance of this rule , suppose her always on the 15th of her age to be at full , which may happen ( as i now mention'd ) not only much sooner , but also much later , so that most commonly her true age and the said tables are at variance ; nay , when they agree , there can be no reliance on them , seeing that if ( v. g. ) at 6 they show tolerably what a clock it is , yet by 12 there may happen an error of near a quarter , by reason that she is every moment at a new distance from the sun , and at one also which presently becomes very sensible . thus therefore we see that there must be exceptions and restrictions in any one rule that appertains to this business ; nor is it to be perform'd by an instrument in a trice , as the operations commonly are belonging to the stars , that have a regular motion , or to the sun , whose extravagance is not soon perceptible ; i say , thus we see that there must be here exceptions and restrictions , and in truth nothing but a down right astronomical calculation can really perform it ; yet since such a critical exactness in the hour is never necessary in our ordinary affairs , i shall propose this method , which will at least come always very near the mark. when you desire to know what a clock it is by the moon , take an almanac ( for if you would only have her true age , you must recur to one , or to something analogical ) and reckon therein how many dayes there are in the present quarter from one change to the other , i. e. from new moon to her first quarter , or from her first quarter to her full , and so on ; for i call any of these four aspects a cardinal point , or change , and the whole time between one change and the other a quarter ; i say , reckon how many days there are , in the then quarter , and you will find either 6½ , or 7 , or 7½ , or 8 ▪ so that if the number be 6½ , her elongation from the sun is 55 minutes and ½ , per diem , if 7 days 51′½ , if 7 days and half , 48′ ; and lastly if 8 dayes , 48′ . i mean not nevertheless that from change to change there maynot sometimes happen 6 days and 16 hours or 6 days and 20 hours , and several such fractions and deviations from the positive terms prefixt by me : but since the forementioned whole and half dayes will bring us to a knowledge exact enough of the hour sought for , we call 6 days and 16 hours 6 dayes and a ½ only , as coming neerer to it than 7 whole ones ; in like manner , we call 6 , and 20 hours 7 days , and deal in this proportion with all other number of days and hours which the ephemerides or almanack give us concerning the length of the requir'd quarter . and here you may be pleas'd to remember also , that it would not be amiss , in case you exceed much any of the foresaid terms , to add or cast away sometimes a minute or a little more , as you shall see cause ; for if ( v. g. ) you find the moon to be six days and 17 hours in her journey ( which according to our former directions is to be reputed only six days and ½ ; and consequently the elongation 55′½ , you may then cast away 1′½ , because of this great excess above the half day ; and if you should find her at another time to be 7 days and twenty houres , i. e. eight days , you may add for the want of the four hours a minute , and make her dayly elongation , 46 instead of the forementioned 45 ; but here you may do as you you please , for the error will not be considerable . these particulars being premis'd , let us come to an example ; and suppose then that on the fifth of january , finding the moons shadow to marke two in the afternoon on your globe for the lunar hour , you should desire to know the true , or solar hour . first your almanac can tell you not only that the moons last cardinal point , was ( v. g. ) her conjunction , but how many days and hours she spends in going from it to the next cardinal point ; for finding there her said conjunction to be on the first day ( suppose ) at seven at night , and that she comes to her first quarter on the ninth day , near the same hour , you may presently conclude she is 8 whole days in this voyage , and consequently that her diurnal elongation from the sun will be 45 minutes . now because the said fifth day is the 4th of her journey , if you multiply 45 by 4 , or lookin the tables ( which we shall presently show you ) belonging to her 8 days journey , you 'l have three hours for the time that she is behind the sun , so that the solar or true hour must be five at night , wanting four minutes ; for you are always carefully to substract two minutes for every hour the moon wants of compleating her whole days march , which in the present case happens , not before seven at night ; whereas you must have added them , had the solar hour bin nine at night , because then her elongation from the sun would have been 4 minutes more than the aforesaid three hours . 't is in this manner you are to opperate in all cases ; but before we proceed , take these two memorandums with you . first , that by the moon 's compleating a day's journey , i mean 24 hours after the time ( let it happen by night or by day ) of her entring into her last cardinal point ; as for example , if she comes to her conjunction , or any other cardinal point , at 7 in the evening on ( v. g ) munday , then at 7 in the evening on tuesday , she has compleated one day's journey , and at the same hour on wednesday two dayes , and so on till she comes to her next cardinal point . the second memorandum is , that whereas ( in the late example ) her elongation from the sun was three hours ( because you sought what a clock it was on her fourth days journey from her conjunction to her first quarter , at the elongation of 45 minutes per diem . ) now had she been thus advanced in her course from her first quarter to her full , or from her last quarter to her conjunction , you must have added 6 hours to the said 3 hours , so that then the true hour would ( instead of 5 at night ) have been 11 ; and this is to be a general rule . thus much then for the way of finding what a clock it is at any time by the moon , and now let us make good what we have said . first we see , that to know the hour by the moon , is to know the difference between the lunar and solar hour , i. e. between the hour circle she is in , and that in which the sun happens ( at the same time ) to be ; or , in other terms between the hour she marks on the globe by her shade , and that which the sun would mark did he then appear ; now seeing that in her course from one cardinal point to the other , she seldom spends the same number of days and half days , it follows ( as we hinted in the begining ) that no certain number of minutes , can be allowed for her daily elongation ; but if we divide 6 hours , or 360 minutes ( i. e. her total elongation from one cardinal point to another ) by the days and half days she spends in the journey , the quotient must be her diurnal elongation ( at least to sence ) during that quarter . now since the diurnal elongation is , as you see most commonly above three quarters , and somtimes almost an hour , the horary one must be ( as i said ) considerable , seeing in the space of every 7 hours it may amount to above a quarter more ; therefore this inconvenience we obviate by allowing two minutes for each hour after her compleat days journey , and substracting them from what she wants of it . here i confess there may be an error , but it is hardly worth the mentioning ; for when she is either 8 days , or 7 , in her journey from one cardinal point to another ; i. e. when her diurnal elongation is either 45′ , or 51′ and ½ , the difference from 48 minutes a day ( or 2 minutes an hour ) cannot be but 3′ and ½ in a whole day : nay , when her elongation is 55′ and ½ i. e. when she spends 6 days and ½ in her voyage , the difference is but 7′ and ½ from the aforesaid 48 minutes ; nor can this happen till the end of every compleat days journey , and consequently is not perceivable for the greatest part of it . but since we here see where and how any error may arise , it is easily remedied by an allowance , if any man thinks it worth the while to be so exact . as for the reason why , if she be in her course from her first quarter to her full , or from her last quarter to her conjunction , we must add always six hours to the elongation , which our calculation or the tables give , it is , because the said elongation is only the precise time of her departure from her last cardinal point , whereas if she be past her first quarter in her journey towards her full , she is so much and six hours more , i. e. so much and the six hours , which happen from her conjunction to her first quarter . now in rigor we should add twelve hours to the elongation we find , when she is gone from her full , towards her last quarter , but seeing she is in the plane of the same hour-circle or very near it , both at full and in conjunction , therefore the bare adding the said simple elongation will serve as well in one case as in the other ; for if , the full moon ( at suppose 2 of the clock at night ) casts really her shadow on the hour-circle of 2 in the afternoon , yet there 's no need of hints ( the thing being so plain ) to prevent your mistaking day for night . the like also is to be said of the last quarter , whose elongation should be in truth eighteen hours , but the additional six hours ( as we allow her after her first quarter ) are sufficient , since no man can be so ignorant as to take the morning for the evening , notwithstanding the lunar hour should be upon a morning hour-circle . to facilitate then this operation ( least what we have already said has proved tedious ) we will conclude ( as i promis'd ) with a short recapitulation ▪ or abstract , as also with the tables of her daily elongation , let the time be what it will ( as we said ) that she spends in her journey from one cardinal point to the other . the abstract of the operation in finding the true hour by the moon according to the late example . as for the almanac , there are three things ( we see ) it informs us of , viz. 1. the hour when the moon came to her last cardinal point . 2. how many days she is going from the said point to the next ; and , 3. in which days journey she is at present . knowing then , according to the late example that the moon will be eight days running throu ' her quarter , and that she is in the fourth days voyage ; 't will follow that the fourth day in the table ( whose title is eight dayes ) will tell you that her present elongation from the sun is three hours ; so that the lunar-hour being two in the afternoon , the true hour must be just five at night ; only twice two minutes are to be abated , because she lacks 2 hours from compleating her said fourth days voyage ; for your almanack ▪ ( according to our supposition ) informing you that it was seven at night when she set out from her last cardinal point , it must be still seven at night before she compleat's any whole day's journey during that quarter . this then is the summ of the whole business , nor need you trouble your self with any other reflexion unless it be to add six hours ( as i already said ) to the elongation , in case she be going from her first quarter to her full , or from her last to her conjunction . and to conclude take notice , that the hour ( if you see the moon , ) may be as well found by day as by night , for her place on the globe ( which the third * operation show's how to find ) is always the true lunar hour . tables of the diurnal elongation of the moon from the sun , whether she goes in 6½ , 7 , 7½ , or 8 days , from one cardinal point to the other . 6. ½ days card. point . 0. days from her cardinal point . 0. hor. 0. min. elongation . 1. days from her cardinal point . 0. hor. 55. ½ min. elongation . 2. days from her cardinal point . 1. hor. 51. min. elongation . 3. days from her cardinal point . 2. hor. 46. ½ min. elongation . 4. days from her cardinal point . 3. hor. 42. min. elongation . 5. days from her cardinal point . 4. hor. 37. ½ min. elongation . 6. days from her cardinal point . 5. hor. 33. min. elongation . 6½ days from her cardinal point . 6. hor. 0. min. elongation . 7. days . card. point . 0. days from her cardinal point . 0 hor. 0. min. elongation . 1. days from her cardinal point . 0. hor. 51. ½ min. elongation . 2. days from her cardinal point . 1. hor. 43. min. elongation . 3. days from her cardinal point . 2. hor. 34. ½ min. elongation . 4. days from her cardinal point . 3. hor. 26. min. elongation . 5. days from her cardinal point . 4. hor. 17. ½ min. elongation . 6. days from her cardinal point . 5. hor. 9. min. elongation . 7. days from her cardinal point . 6. hor. 0. min. elongation . 7 ½ days . card. point . 0. days from her cardinal point . 0. hor. 0. min. elongation . 1. days from her cardinal point . 0. hor. 48. min. elongation . 2. days from her cardinal point . 1. hor. 36. min. elongation . 3. days from her cardinal point . 2. hor. 24. min. elongation . 4. days from her cardinal point . 3. hor. 12. min. elongation . 5. days from her cardinal point . 4. hor. 0. min. elongation . 6. days from her cardinal point . 4. hor. 48. min. elongation . 7. days from her cardinal point . 5. hor. 36. min. elongation . 7½ . days from her cardinal point . 6. hor. 0. min. elongation . 8 days . card. point . 0. days from her cardinal point . 0. hor. 0. min. elongation . 1. days from her cardinal point . 0. hor. 45. min. elongation . 2. days from her cardinal point . 1. hor. 30. min. elongation . 3. days from her cardinal point . 2. hor. 15. min. elongation . 4. days from her cardinal point . 3. hor. 0. min. elongation . 5. days from her cardinal point . 3. hor. 45. min. elongation . 6. days from her cardinal point . 4. hor. 30. min. elongation . 7. days from her cardinal point . 5. hor. 15. min. elongation . 8. days from her cardinal point . 6. hor. 0. min. elongation . these tables are to be on the globe in the most vacant and free parts of it . operation viii . to know how many hours the moon has been up , and how many she lacks of her setting , as also how long she is to be that day above the horizon . this is done by numbring the hours or hour circles between the moons place in her parallel on the globe and the intersections of her said parallel with the horizon ; for having found that her parallel cuts the horizon in the east at the five a clock hour circle , and in the west at that of seven , and seeing that her present place is ( v. g. ) at that of two in the afternoon , you may conclude that she has bin up nine hours wanting eighteen minutes , that is , eight hours and forty two minutes ; and will set within 5 hours wanting ten minutes , or four hours and fifty minutes ; for the moon goes from east to west ( by the motion of the primum mobile or motum raptus ) two minutes ( as we suppose ) every hour ( take one time with the other ) slower than the sun ; which happens by her being too quick for the sun in her own motion , that is to say , in the motion of the center of her epicicle , which carries her from west to east ; therefore the moon according to the present example or supposition will be above the horizon fourteen hours wanting twenty eight minutes , i. e. about thirteen hours and a half . operation ix . to find at what at lack the moon rises and sets . by the last operation you are inform'd of the hours from her present station to her rising and setting , which hapning in the example to be about eight hours and fourty two minutes for the one , and four hours , and fifty minutes for the other , it must follow , ( having found the true hour to be within four minutes of five at night ) that she rose about eight and fourteen minutes in the morning , and will set at nine and fourty six minutes at night . operation x. to find how long the moon shines every night . having found by the precedent operation , that the moon sets at 9 and 46 minutes at night , and that the sun ( by the 12th . of the first * section ) sets the same day , ( suppose the 8th . of february ) at 5 in the evening , 't will follow that she shines four hours and 46 minutes . operation xi . to find when the moon comes to south , and consequently when t is high water at london bridge . having found by the * third operation the moons place to be in the 2 a clock circle , you thereby see that she is past the south 2 hours and 4. minutes ; now since it is always high-water at the bridge three hours after her coming to south , and since the solar or true hour is ( according to our example ) 5 at night , it follows 't was high-water at 4 minutes before 6. and consequently 't will be high water again at the same hour next morning , and 24 minutes ; for from one tide to the other there are always about 12 hours and 24 minutes . operation xii . to know in any eclips of the moon , what countries see it wholly , what in part , and what not at all . place your globe on a meridian line , or otherwise compose it , and when you percieve the moon to begin to enter into the shade of the earth , consider ( as you do when you seek by the * suns rays where 't is day and night ) what part of the globe is illuminated , and what not ; for , since she appears to all countries that lie in the light , and is hid from those in the shade , you have not only a view of what people see her in her then condition , but may ( till her total immersion ) perceive by her illumination how the countries , that lye in or near the following shade of extuberancy , loose every moment the sight of her , and consequently , who they are that took leave of her in the beginning of her eclips , who when she came to half of it , and who when wholly obscur'd , with infinite more reflections of this nature . on the other side you may find , how some that lay in the preceding shade of extuberancy saw nothing of her at first , but now begin to discover her in her angony ; and if you draw on the globe a little circle with chalk or the like , in the confines of the obscurity and light , just as she begins to be wholly in the shadow , you will discern ( by the space between the said chalk and the new shade of extuberancy at her emersion ) what people never saw her , tho she were above their horizon . infinite are the reflexions ( as i said ) of this nature , but these are sufficient to show you how to make more your self ; so that now i will end after i have remembred you , that the sun being by his opposition in the same hour circle with the moon , especially in all central eclipses , nay he is so ( as to sense ) for some time both before and after such eclipses ; i say , the sun being so , you may therefore not only ( by the bare shade of the string , or that of the illuminated pole ) know what a clock it is from time to time in the polar circles , but in the aequator also , by the shade of extuberancy , which performs the observations above mentioned ; and thus by the very same shade you find not only what people see the eclipse , either in whole or in part , ( as we now told you ) but at what hour it appears to each of them , and how long ; as also the duration of her decrease and encrease in light , together with the time of her total obscurity ; moreover , this very shade gives you her height and azimuth all along , as you may see in the * operations that concern them . operation xiii . to represent the several phases or shapes of the moon by the globe . this is rather a speculation than an operation , nor should i have mentioned it , were it not that several ( who know something in mathematics ) cannot comprehend the cause of the moon 's continual metamorphosis or change , that is to say , why she should be now more , now less illuminated , and that also in so different a shape and manner . to comprehend therefore this , expose your globe ( elevated on a stand or a table as high as your eye ) to the sun or moon , and place your self so before it as to see the whole illuminated half ; for ( as to sense ) the illuminated and shady parts of all spheres are ( as we formerly mentioned ) equal . having then a while consider'd this great circle made by the limb or extremity of the illumination , remove your station a little on the one side ( as for example towards the righthand ) and you will find the illuminated part to appear gibbous or oval , i mean not so broad as long , because so much of it is hid from you , as you can now discover of obscurity . from hence go yet farther side-wise , and the visible part of the globe will be dicotomous , or party per pale , that is to say the light and shade will become equal . after this make another proportionable step , and all that is illuminated will appear horned or lunular , and the obscure part gibbous ; but if you remove to the point opposite to your first station , you will see nothing besides a dark and shadow'd hemisphere ; whereas should you proceed further in the same order , you would perceive light on the other side , first lunular , then dicotomous , next gibbous , and lastly totally predominant . now as the globe is always half illuminated , whether we see little or much of the illumination , so it happens with the moon , who being in conjunction appears all dark to us ▪ because her illuminated half is towards the sun , and opposite to us ; but as soon as she gets from him , and consequently is no longer in the same plane with him and our eye , we must needs have a view of some part of the illumination , seeing she can only appear wholly obscure when she is thus before the sun. the said illumination also ( since she is spherical ) must seem as on the globe the more horned the less it is , and then blunter and blunter according to her encrease or elongation , till at last she becomes dicotomous , afterwards gibbous , and lastly full ; for by being at her greatest distance from the sun , or in opposition with him ( which causes our eye to be in the middle or between them ) 't is impossible she should appear otherwise than all light : and here you may be pleased to take notice , that if you compass your globe with a string or thred that passes throu ' the zenith and nadir , and let one half of the describ'd circle represent the illumination and the other the obscurity , you may perform this operation at any time , whether the aforesaid luminaries shine or no. how easy therefore is it to conceive the whole mistery of the moons four principal changes , and what men mean by them . for first we see that as she is call'd new by an astronomer from her being with the sun , ( i. e. as fully between our eye and the sun , as her then course permits ) so no sooner has he found by their several motions that she is gotten 90 degrees or six hours from the sun , but he says , she is in her first quarter ; and when they are asunder 180 degrees or 12 hours ( to wit as far as ever they can be ) that she is full ; and lastly , as soon as they are distant 270 degrees or 18 hours on the same side , and 90 degrees or six hours on the other , that she is in her last quarter ; so that at their next meeting she becomes new again . operation xiv . how to find how long the moon wants of any change , or cardinal point , and consequently how old she is . i propose not this operation as a thing exact , but seeing it is a corollary of the former , i thought fit to hint it ; therefore pray take it ▪ for better , for worse , and make of it what you can : to resolve then these questions by the globe , you are to expose it as before to the moon when she shines , and move about it till you can there just describe her shape ; and by the way you will come nearer the mark , if you only consider the lunular or lesser portion , whether it happen to be the obscure or the illuminated part of her whole discus or orbe ; i say , describe her shape on the globe , as neer as you can , and observe how many degrees the breadth of the horn'd or lunular portion will be in any great circle , that crosses it in the middle at right angles , and that will give you taliter qualiter what you seek for , as appears more clearly by the ensuing example . having observ'd , suppose , the illuminated portion of the moon to be lunular , expose your globe , and move about it 'till you perceive on it an illuminated lunula proportionable to the real one , then finding its measure by some great circle that crosses it at right angles , to be 40 degrees , these consequences will follow . first if the moon be in her encrease , she is past being new 40 degrees , i. e. three days and about seven hours , seeing her hourly elongation from the sun ( is one time with another ) about half a degree and half a minute ; but if she be in her decrease , she wants so many days and hours from being again new. in the next place it will happen that the obscure part of the globe is 140 degrees broad ; for ( both parts or portions making up the apparent hemisphere ) the said obscur'd part becomes the supplement of the former 40 degrees ; so that 140′ amounting to about 279 hours , or 11 days and 15 hours , you may conclude that if she be encreasing , she wants so much of being full , as also that she is 50 degrees or almost 100 hours ( i. e. four days and almost four hours ) past her first quarter ; whereas if she be decreasing , she will want eleven days and fifteen hours from her next conjunction , and be four days and almost 4 hours beyond her last quarter . as for knowing the moons state in relation to her waxing and waining , you need only observe on what side of her discus her illuminated part stands ; for if it be on the west-side of it , she is in a waxing condition , if on the east-side in a waining or declining one : and here also remember that as to the measuring the aforesaid portions of the moons discus , represented on your globe , you may do it by the horizon , if she illuminates not much beyond the zenith , or by the aequator , when the illumination reaches to the pole or neer it , or by the ecliptic when it extends it self a good way further ; for the said portion of the moons discus is measur'd at first sight by that great circle which lies equally distant from each horn of the lunula on the globe , i. e. by that great circle which crosses it ( as we said ) in the middle at right angles ; and when no great circle does so . you had best measure it exactly with your compasses , seeing that on the knowledge of its breadth , the resolution of all the former questions depend . many things of great use may be drawn from knowing the true proportion of the illuminated and obscure parts of the moons orb , but this i leave to them that have exacter instruments than the globe , and more time to make deductions . the end of the third section . sect . iv. shewing the proportion between perpendiculars and their shades . seeing there is the same proportion between all shades and their perpendiculars ; at least to sense , and seeing the several almucantars of the two great luminaries are the chief cause of the lengthning or shortning of them , i have here adjoin'd a few by operations even in altimetry it self , as belonging naturally to our globe , since it not only shows us several ways of finding from time to time the said almucantars , but gives us also at the same instant without trouble ( as appears by the ensuing operations ) the above-mentioned proportion , and consequently the height of all things perpendicular to the horizon . operation i. how to find the proportion between the perpendicular and its shade . consider the northern or back part of the globes meridian , which we will call hereafter the quadrant of proportion , and which is not only devided like the southern or fore-part into degrees , but markt also ( in relation to the affair in hand , ) with several figures , of which that next the zenith is 17 , and the remotest 188. and by the way you must take notice , that when you see a cross behind any figure , it signifies half an integer more , so that 17 + is 17 degrees and a half , 26 + is 26 and a half , &c. when you would therefore operate , turn the southern or fore-part of the meridian towards the sun , 'till they be both in the same plane , i. e. 'till the shade of the pin in the zenith falls directly upon the quadrant of proportion , and what figure soever , ( suppose 25 ) the shade of extuberancy cuts , that will be the then proportion between perpendiculars and their shades ; for here you may take notice , that we ever suppose the shade to be 100. nay , if finding ( by any of the * former ways ) the sun's height to be ( suppose ) 14 degrees , you rectify your bead to 76 degrees , or the complement of it , you need only clap back your string , that is to say , draw it from the zenith , over the devisions of the afore-mention'd quadrant , and then the figures under the bead ( to wit 25 ) will shew you the required proportion ; in short , take but the suns height ( any how ) and reckon from the zenith as many degrees on your said quadrant of proportion , and the figures at the end of your account will give the proportion sought for . now if the shade of extuberancy , or the bead marks not even degrees for the sun's height , but ( for examples sake ) 13 . 30′ , and consequently falls between the figures of 23 and 25 in the quadrant of proportion , you had best ( to avoid all calculation and allowance ) expect a moment longer , for then the sun's height being even , and without fraction , you may operate as before . operation ii. how to find the height of a tower by the globe . this operation appears at first sight to be a corollary of the former , for finding , as i showd you , that the shade of extuberancy falls in the quadrant of proportion , on the number ( v. g ▪ ) 25 , and that the said ▪ number represents a perpendicular , do but measure the shade of any tower and you will soon have its height , seeing that as 100 is to 25 ( i. e. as 100 is to the number found on the said quadrant ) so is the shade of the tower , ( which being measur'd wee 'l suppose 80 yards long ) to a fourth number , viz. to 20 the required height . operation iii. how by the help of your globe to measure any tower or height , and yet not ▪ to seem to use any instrument in the operation . this operation may perchance a little surprise some , and yet it differs not in reality from the former ; that showing you how to measure a height by your globe upon the place , and this how to do it privately . to perform then the operation , you must choose ( when you are alone ) any of the aforesaid numbers , on the quadrant of proportion , as suppose 25 , and seeing that belongs to the 14th . degree from the zenith , rectify your bead to the complement , i. e. to the 76th from the zenith in the said quadrant ; this being done move your string hanging on the zenith's pin , till your bead touches the parallel of the day , which we now suppose to be the tenth of may , and the hour-circle , that meets with it there ( to wit that of six in the morning , or six in the afternoon ) tells you that at those hours , on that day of the month , the perpendicular will be the fourth part of the shade , i. e. as twenty five to an hundred , so that having discours'd with some body of the possibility of measuring heights without an instrument , repair with him to any convenient place , about the foresaid times of the day , and when you find by your watch that 't is exactly six , do but measure the shade and you will have the required height . and by the way take notice , that as it is in your power to choose what proportion you please , and the more odd and exotic it happens ( if you can quickly reduce it ) the better it is , for then people will not perchance so soon comprehend the operation ; i say , as you can choose your proportion , so you may choose the hour also , for if your bead be rectify'd to the chosen proportion , according to the foregoing example and instructions , and brought to the hour pitcht upon ( suppose 3 in the afternoon ) the parallel , ( to wit , that of the fifth of february , ) which meets with the the said bead and hour-circle , tells you that then the proportion will thus happen ; nay , you may choose what day and hour you please , if you will be content with the casual proportion or number which the bead , when rectify'd ( as we mentioned ) falls upon . operation iv. how to find the hour by your stick . your stick being divided into ten equal parts , and each part by pricks into as many equal subdevisions , you must operate thus . rectify your bead ( on the tenth v. g. of april ) to the sun's meridian altitude , and if you then move your string on the pin of the zenith , to the quadrant of proportion , the bead will lye ( for example ) on 87 , so that having writ this on paper with the figures of 12 above it , draw your string from the zenith over the next hour-circle on which hand you please , i mean either over that of 11. or 1. and where your string cuts it on the said parallel of the day , there place your bead , and 't will lye ( v. g. ) on 93 in the said quardrant of proportion ; noting then 93 in your paper under the hours of 11. and 1. proceed then in this manner from hour-circle to hour-circle , 'till you come to 6 , for after the sun is within an hour of his rising or setting , you may easily guests what time of day 't is ; besides shadows are then so long that they are troublesome to measure ; i say proceed in this manner to 6 , and a table like that in the * margin will show you the hour not only during that day , but during five or six successively ; without any considerable errors , for you have nothing to do but to erect your stick , as perpendicularly as you can , and to measure its shade with it , so that finding the length of the said shade to be , suppose 200 i. e. twice as long as the stick , your paper will tell you , that when this proportion happens , 't is either eight in the morning , or four in the afternoon . operation . v. how to to take an angle in altimetry by the globe . this operation is to be perform'd like that of finding the height of the sun and moon when they shine not out , as i formerly * show'd you ; that is to say , you must place your globe horizontal , and having turned the meridian towards ▪ the tower , move your eye along the said meridian , till the extuberancy of the globe permits you only to see the top of the tower , and then bring but your string , ( which we suppose you hold in both hands cross the meridian ) towards you , till it just takes away the sight of the said top , and the degree which your string then lies on , ( counting from the zenith ) is that of the required angle , to wit , of the angle which is ordinarily taken by any quadrant , jacobs staff , &c. operation vi. how to make and figure the quadrant of proportion , as also the demonstration of the foregoing operations . it appears plainly by the scheme here before us , that the shade ( ab ) being radius , the perpendicular ( cb ) is tangent of ( a v. g. 14. ) the degrees of the suns height , as also that the perpendicular ( cb ) being radius , the shade ▪ ( ab ) is tangent of the complement of the said height ; therefore if the radius being 100 , you mark from the zenith to the horizon each degree of your quadrant of proportion with figures according to the value of their respective tangents , you must necessarily perform the late operations , that give us the height of things , the hour of the day , &c. for if your bead be rectify'd ( from the horizon of your globe ) to ( 76 ) the complement of the suns height , it will be distant from the zenith just as many degrees as the sun is high , to wit 14 , and consequently being moved to the quadrant of proportion ( which is figur'd we see , from the zenith downwards ) must lye there on 25 , the tangent of his said height , therefore as the radius 100 is to ( 25 ) this tangent , so ( 80 ) the length of the shade must be to the perpendicular 20. in the next place if your bead be rectify'd every hour to the suns height , it must ( when moved to the quadrant ) still lye on tangent complement of his said hourly height ; now the shade being always as i told you the tangent complement of this height , the former little tables must needs shew you the corresponding hour , when we once know the value of the shade , i. e. its proportion to the stick . to conclude the tangents of the first 10 degrees are not exprest on the quadrant ▪ because when the sun is no higher , we may easily guess at the hour , and besides ( as we said ) the shade is then extremely long , and consequently very troublesom to measure ; nor need we go further than 62 degrees , since his greatest meridian altitude exceeds not that value . the end of the fourth section . sect . v. of dialling . the performance of this section no less appertains than the rest to our globe ; since it not only represents to our view , what dials are in themselves , and why they shew us the time of the day , but afford's us also so natural and so easy a way of describing them , that no person can be hardly so ingnorant , who will not ( with the least instruction ) in three hours time be able to make one on most planes , unless perchance ▪ for want of a little digestion and private practice , the rules shove one another out of his memory . nay all the accidental requisits to dialling ( being these that follow ) are here performed without the help of any forrein instrument . 1. to draw a meridian line . 2. to draw a line parallel to the horizon on a plane not horizontal . 3. to find the declension of a plane . 4. to find how much a plane reclines . 5. to find how much a plane inclines . 6. to find how long the sun shines on a plane ; that is to say , when he 'l come on , and when he 'l go off it , at any time of the year . besides we have already taught you , how to know when a plane is * level ▪ how to find the † height ▪ of the sun , and how his * azimuth , all which properly appertain to this science . these then are the operations , i mean by requisites , which shall be all treated of either immediately before , or immediately after each dial that requires them . but tho' i intend to show you , as i now mentioned , this easy and natural way of dialling , even in what bigness you please without need of quadrant or scale of reduction , without your knowing the least problem in the mathematics , or my requiring any thing else of you , let that you can draw a line from point to point , and describe a circle , when the radius is given ; i say , tho' i intend this , yet that you may not be wholly ignorant of their geometrical construction , i shall teach you that also , and therein perchance something both expedite and new ; but then i must suppose ( for i have not time to instruct you , ) that you can erect a perpendicular , draw a true parallel , and know so much of the * sector as how ( besides the use of the line of lines ) to find the chord and sine of any number of degrees by it . i mention the sector , not that any ordinary ruler , with a line of sines , line of chords , &c. is unsufficient , but because you have under the pedestal of your globe a sector to your hand , which i have order'd there for two reasons ▪ first it will be necessary , the globe standing erect and at right angles with the horizon , to bring the edge of its pedestal to your plane in several operations ; now seeing this cannot be done unless the pedestal be greater than the globes diameter ( which would , make it perchance cumbersome , and to take up too much room ) there are therefore under it two small wooden rulers about half an inch broad , to slip in , or out to a determin'd length , so that it will be better to have one of them a sector ( which is a very necessary instrument ) than not , especially since 't is no hindrance to the use , we chiefly intend it for . nor would i have any thing more on it ( to avoid the confusion of devisions ) than the line of sines on the one side , and the line of lines on the other ▪ and as for its length , if it be six inches , it will make an even foot at full extension ▪ which renders it a very convenient standing measure . my second reason for the said sector is , because i will show you , how to find by it the tangent and secant of any degree even according to any radius , and how usefull an operation this is ( and particularly in dialing , ) everybody well knows that has the least insight in it . suppose then you desire the tangent and secant of 50 degrees ; open your sector , and taking ( gr ) the given radius between your compasses , put it over in the line of sines , at the sine of 40 , viz. at the complement of the angle required , and the distance between the figures of 50 and 50 , will be the tangent sought for ; and the distance between the figures of 90 and 90 will be the secant of the said 50 degrees . these two problems i recommend to you because they are extremly ingenious and useful , found out it seems a while ago by mr. line ( the author of that admirable horological pile in white-hall garden ) as , since his death , one of his scholars ( that hinted them to me ) informed me , and upon consideration i found them exactly true , having thus demonstrated them . sch. 1. 't is evident by sch. 1. that as the sine complement ab is to the sine cb , so the radius ad is to the tangent ed. again 't is evident by scheme 2. that as kc : ks : : cr : st , but by construction kc is on the sector the sine of 4 or sine complement of 50 , and cs the sine of 50 it self , therefore cr being the radius given , st must be the tangent requir'd , viz. the tangent of 50 , according to that radius . on the other side we see by the said first scheme that as the sine complement ab is to the radius ad , so is the radius ac . ( or ad ) to the secant ae . again you see by scheme second , that kc : kd : : cr : dp ; but by construction kc is the sine of 40 or sine complement of 50 , and kd is sine of 90 or radius of the sector , and cr is the radius given , ergo pd must be the secant required . having thus done with the preliminaries , we 'l now come to the business it self , after i have told you there are five principal planes on which a dial may be made ; to wit the horizontal , the vertical , the declining , the reclining and the inclining plane ; and first of the horizontal , since that dial is the basis and foundation of all the rest . sch. 3. sch. 4. sch. 5. sch. 6 sch. 10. sch. 7. sch. 9. sch. 8. sch. 11. sch. 12. sch. 13 sch. 14. sch. 15. sch. 16. sch. 17 sch. 18. sch. 19. sch. 20. sch. 21. sch. 22. sch. 23. sch. 25. sch. 26. sch. 27 sch. 24 sch. 28 sch. 31 sch. 32 sch. 33 sch. 34 sch. 35. sch. 36. sch. 37. sch. 39 sch. 38 sch. 41 sch. 42 sch. 34 operation i. before you proceed further , you must know reader , that the printer ( skipping a line in the last paragraph , and then adjusting the number of planes to those he found exprest ) has left out two , so that the before mentioned principal planes are 7 ; viz. the horizontal plane , the direct vertical plane , the declining vertical plane , the direct reclining plane , the direct inclining plane , the reclining declining plane , and the inclining declining plane . first , then of the horizontal , that dial being ( as is said ) the foundation of this science , and afterwards of the rest in order ; for the author treats of all dials that are to be described on the aforesaid planes . j. m. how to describe an horizontal dial by the globe , for the elevation of london . the first way . open your compasses at 60 degrees in any great circle of your globe , and draw on a sheet of paper a blind circle with a fair diameter throu ' it , for the meridian or 12 a clock hour line of your dial ; then take with your compasses in the horizon of your said globe , the several distances between the next 8 morning or evening hour circles and its meridian or ordinary 12 a clock hour circle , and marking these distances successively in the blind circle on both sides of its diameter , they and the center will be the points by which you may draw all hour lines from 4 in the morning till 8 at night ; and if you would have a dial bigger than the blind circle , draw about it a bigger circle , if a lesser a less : nay , if you describe any other figure as an oval , square oblong , &c. the said points will as well guide your ruler , as when the blind circle it self was the extremity or border of your plane . but least this direction should be too obscure for a beginner , i will here adjoyn an example . having opened your compasses , as i said , at 60 degrees in any great circle of your globe , and describ'd a blind circle , to wit , i p t c , as in scheme third , draw a fair line it any how throu ' the center o for your meridian or 12 a clock hour line ; and by the way remember that in the fabrique of this dial you place the point i ever towards you , and t farthest from you , to the end you mistake not when directed to this or that hand . having then proceeded thus far , put one foot of your compasses on the meridian or ( according to the polar figures ) the 12 a clock circle of your globe where it cuts the horizon , and the other foot on the 1 a clock circle , and mark this distance in the blind circle from i towards the left hand , to wit from i to k , and it will give you a point or mark for your 1 a clock hour line , and from i to h towards your right hand the mark for your 11 a clock hour line . in the next place take in the said horizon the distance between the 1 and 2 a clock circles , and place it from k onwards to l for a mark for your 2 a clock line , and from h to g for the 10 a clock line , and so on till you come to r , 8 at night , and to a , 4 in the morning , which are the latest and earliest summer hours . if then you would have a larger dial describe a larger circle , suppose , nesw ; or if a lesser dial , a lesser circle , as mpqr , and laying your ruler on the center o , and on each of the former marks or letters in the said blind circle successively , draw but a fair line to the designed limb or border ( whether it be a circle ; or the square vxyz or any other figure , ) and your dial wants nothing bdt a cock ; but remember that you need not draw your hour lines quite from the center o , because meeting all there , they will be apt to blur ; therefore describe about the said center , at what distance you please , a little circle ( like γ ♌ λ ) and your lines will terminate there with more neatness and convenience . now if you have a mind to put on half hours and quarters , you will not much err if you divide each hour into four parts , but to be exact you must make use of your string , thus . you know that the distance between each hour-circle in the aequator is 15 degrees , draw therefore your string from the pole throu ' the aequator of your globe , over 7 degrees and 30 minutes , ( or half the distance between each hour circle ) and where the string cuts the horizon there will be the true half hour of that hour ; so that if you mark with your compasses the said distance on the blind circle , between the corresponding hour lines , the ruler ( passing throu ' that mark and center ) will give you in the border the place of that half hour ; and in like manner you are to proceed in marking out the rest , as also the quarters , and all other subdivisions . as for the stile or cock of this dial , it must always at the center make an angle with the meridian or 12 a clock line ( oi ) equal to the distance between the pole and the nearest part of the horizon of the globe ; that is to say an angle equal to the elevation or latitude of the place ; therefore your dial being made ( suppose ) for london , open your compasses at the aforesaid distance , or at 51 degrees and ½ , and placing one foot on i , the other will fall on k in the said blind circle ; so that drawing the blind line ok to π , you will have the triangle io π , which if you so erect , that the point o lyes just on the center , and the base io on your 12 a clock line ( or substile ) your dial is finish'd . and here you may take notice , that tho' this stile be the triangle io π , yet you may fashion it into what shape you please , in case the side π o ( which indicates or shows the hour ) makes still an angle of 51 degrees and 1 / 2 with the meridian io ; nay , you may make it a pin or upright stile , as appears by the perpendiculars ab , gh and π i , for either of them will serve the turn by marking the hour with the shade of its apex or top : but then they must not be plac'd in the center o , but thereon the substilar , where ( falling from the indicating side o π ) they stand perpendicular to it ; that is to say , the pin ab ( being part of the triangle or stile io π ) must be erected at b , the pin gh at h , and π i at i ; and the reason , why they perform this office , as well as the whole triangle io π is , because their tops are parts of the line o π , which is the only side of the said triangle , that shows the hour , as we mention'd before . now for the demonstration of all , it follows in the next operation . operation ii. how to describe an horizontal dial by the globe for the elevation of london . the second way . describe a circle of what bigness you please , and draw a meridian , or 12 a clock line throu ' it , as before ; then count in the horizon of your globe how many degrees there are between the hour-circles of 12 and 1 , or , ( which is the same thing ) between 12 and 11 , and you will find their number to be about 11. 40′ . these place on both sides of your said meridian line by the help of a quadrant , or line of chords , and they 'l give you ( if you lay your ruler as before on the center ) the 11 and 1′ a clock hour lines of your dial , to wit , the distance from i to k , and from i to h , as may be seen in the aforesaid third scheme . proceed then in this manner as to the rest of the hour lines , and for your stile and substilar , the former directions are sufficient . the demonstration or reason why these dials show the hour is not difficult ; for if : you consider your globe , you will see that all its . hour circles are equally distant from each other , and that the axis of the world ( of which the two poles are the extremities ) lies in the middle of them , and is in truth a part of each , as being the common section of them all ; therefore when the sun comes into the plane of any hour circle ( for example to that of 4 in the morning ) the shade of that hour-circle will fall there , where the said hour circle cuts the horizon on the opposite or western side , and consequently the axis being in that plane , as a part of it , its shade must needs fall there also . now since the blind circle or limb of the dial described is a circle representing the horizon , and having by construction its hour-lines distant from each other as the hour circles of the globe or world are distant in their horizons , and since the hour-lines of this ( and consequently of all other dials ) are only the intersections of the hour-circles with their respective planes , it must needs follow , if we place in the middle of the said dial a cock or stile , making an angle of 51 , 30 , with its meridian line or substilar ( to wit , the angle which the axis of the world makes with the intersection of the meridian and plane of the horizon ) 't will cast a shade directly on the hour line corresponding to the hour circle in whose plane the sun then lies , in case the meridian or 12 a clock line of the dial be plac't north and south , like the meridian of the globe when compos'd ; for the globe it self without it be compos'd will not ( as we have formerly mention'd ) shew the hour , because its hour-circles do not then correspond with the heavenly ones . and as for the reason why the 12 a clock line is the substilar , 't is because the true height of the axis above the plane ( which the stile or cock , as i showd you , represents ) is to be measured in the hour circle that falls on the plane at right angles , which being the meridian or ordinary 12 a clock hour circle , it follows that its intersection with the plane must be the substilar , or line with which the stile is to make the angle of the elevation . all that we have then said of this dial may be clearly seen by sch. 5. which represents your globe cut into an horizontal plane , with its dial on it , as sch. 4. does the globe entire , when you consider it in the description of the said dial ; for there you have before your eyes ( by the letters i k , l , &c. ) not only how to open your compasses from hour-circle to hour circle for the true placing the distances of each hour-line on your blind circle , but also the number of degrees in the horizon between every hour circle and the meridian . besides , by the horizons oblique cutting the hour circles , you may see how that ( notwithstanding the equality of the suns horary motion ) the hour-lines of this dial must be unequal , and consequently that they are of different distances in different latitudes . operation iii. to describe an horizontal dial geometrically , for the elevation of london . describe a fair circle as abcd , and if you would have your dial of another shape , you may afterwards describe about it what figure you please ; i say , describe the fair circle abcd , and draw throu ' its center o the line aoc for your meridian or 12 a clock hour line , and crossing it at right angles with bd for the morning and evening 6 a clock hour lines , mark in it ( by the help of your line of sines or any way else ) from a the value of 51. 30. or latitude of your dwelling , which happening to reach , ( for example sake ) to k , draw the blind line ok ; then throu ' any point of ao ( suppose a ) draw gh , another blind line , parallel to bd , or at right angles with the said ao , and taking with your compasses the nearest distance between a and ok , which being ( suppose ) the point l , let al , by the help of your sector ( according to our former * directions , ) be the radius to the tangent line gh , so that marking in it on both sides of a , the tangents of 15 , 30 , 45 , 60 , and 75 degrees , the said center o and the point 15 will give you the hour-lines of 1 and 11 , the center o and 30 , those of 2 and 10 , and in this manner proceed to 75 , which will give you the hour-lines of 5 and 7 ; and as for those beyond the 6 a clock lines , do but produce 8 in the morning , and 't will give you 8 at night , and 7 in the morning 7 at night , as will 4 and 5 in the evening , the like forenoon hours . thus then you have not only an horizontal dial geometrically described , almost as soon as the former , ( and this without embroyling the plane with multiplicity of blind circles and lines ) but a way also ( in case you have no sector ) how to make any tangent line serve your turn ; for , 't is but taking between the compasses 45 degrees of it ( i. e. a distance equal to its radius ) and finding out ( by a trial or two ) the point ( suppose ) r in the line oa , where one foot of your compasses being placed , the other just touches m ( the suppos'd nearest point or distance in ok from the said r ) draw throu ' r a line at right angles with the meridian , and noting in it , as we show'd you before , the degrees of each hour ( according to this new tangent line ) the center o and these degrees will give you the points of each hour line ; for as the former radius al was to the several degrees in its tangent line , so will the now radius rm be to the several degrees in its tangent line . as for the demonstration or reason of this dial , every body that understands gnomonics comprehends it , i doubt not , at the first sight ; for the angle o in the triangle koa , being by construction equal to the elevation , do but place the base ao on a meridian line , and if you consider the side ko as the indicating side of the stile or cock , it necessarily follows , that it will represent the axis of the world ; for it is evident that its top k will point directly to the pole , and touch it , if produc'd , whilst o its other extremity passes throu ' the center of the horizontal plane ; therefore if a circle ( whose radius is al ) were so plac't on this stile or axis , that its diameter crost it at right angles at l , the said circle would represent circulum maximum semper apparentium , for that circle in the heavens ever touches the horizon , as this would do at a. this circle then being parallel to the aequator , is divided by the hour circles into twenty four equal parts , and consequently each fifteen degrees in its tangent line gh , will correspond with its said equal parts or divisions . now gh is also the tangent line of the horizon , as touching it in the point a , but where the hour circles cut the horizon , or its tangent line , there the points will be , to which ( from the center ) the hour lines in an horizontal dial are to be drawn ; ergo o the center of your horizontal plane , and the several fifteen degrees in the common tangent gh are the true points of the hour lines . besides as the distance ▪ between each hour line ( if al , be the radius ) is 15 degrees , so if ao be radius ( i mean oa the radius of the horizontal plane ) the said hour lines will be distant as many degrees asunder , as they are in the horizon of the world , or as you found them in the fabrick of the second horizontal dial by the globe . here also you may see , that the true place of this dial is to be in the center of the earth , and not on its superficies , but by reason of the suns vast distance , the error , which thereby happens ) is not sensible ; nay , because the error is not sensible , we may safely conclude , that the sun is vastly distant from us . so much then for horizontal dials , since there now remains nothing necessary to be known , but how to find whether they stand level or no ( which is handled in the first * section ) and how to draw a meridian line for their true placing , which is learnt by the following operation . but before we go further let me advise you ( whensoever you make a dial of consequence , of what kind soever it be ) to describe it first on paper , and thence to mark out the lines on your real plane , for thereby you will not only keep your said plane neat , and more judiciously chuse the best place for the center of your dial , but ( besides the several conveniences which practice will show you ) the lines themselves will be more exactly drawn , by reason you can manage your paper draught as you please . operation . iv. how to draw a true meridian line on any horizontal plane . * compose your globe on the plane , or place where your dial is to stand , and making marks or pricks there ( on each side of the pedestal ) at the letters s and n , draw but a line throu ' those marks , and that will be a true meridian line , and if you do the like under the letters e and w , you will have a true east and west line . operation . v. how to describe a vertical , or an erect direct south dial by your globe for the elevation of london . the first way . this dial is made on the plane of the primary vertical , which passes from the zenith to the nadir throu the east west points , and being therefore erect , and facing also directly the south , t is commonly called an erect direct south dial ; so that if you draw but your string from the zenith to the nadir thro either of the intersections of the horizon with the equator , 't will appear upon the superficies of the globe , like the emerging edge of a thin plate , and consequently represent the said plane , or at least as much of it as is requisite . this being don't open your compasses at 60 degrees , as * before , and describe on a sheet of paper the blind semi-circle i pc ( as in 〈◊〉 10 ) with the diamiter or meridian iot throu ' it , then take with your compasses the distance between the zenith of your globe , and the intersection of your string with the nearest hour circle , and 't will in your blind circle on both sides of the meridian or twelve a clock line , ( to wit from i to k , and i to h ) give you marks , by which you may draw from the center o the hour lines of 1 and 11 ; as will the distance from k to l , and h to g ( viz. the distance from the said first intersection to the second ) the marks of 2 and 10 ; and in this manner you must proceed to 6 and 6 , as the latest and earliest hours , that this kind of dial shows ; for since its sides lye full east and west , and that the sun never comes to the east before 6 in the morning , nor is later in the west than 6 at night , 't is impossible that the plane should significantly contain more hour-lines . and as for the stile or cock ▪ the distance on your globe between the zenith and the pole ( being the complement of the elevation ) gives you from i to k the degrees of its height above the plane , so that you may easily place and erect it , the substile being still the meridian . the rules in the first horizontal dial will show you also both how to contract and enlarge it , and how to resolve ( especially if you consult the 7th . 8th . and 10th . schemes ) any difficulty that can possibly arise in the present operation ; for scheme the 7th . shows you the globe it self with the string drawn from the zenith to the nadir throu ' the east intersection of the aequator with the horizon ; and scheme the 8th . the globe cut into this plane by the said string , and lastly the lower part of scheme the 10th . ( to wit , the semi-circle pic ) the dial described by the foregoing directions . now for the demonstration it follows in the 8th . operation . operation vi. how to make this vertical south dial by the globe for the elvation of london . the second way . describe a blinde circle of what bigness you please with a diameter throu ' it , and placing your string on the east or west poynt of the globe as before , measure ( by your bead or compasses in any great circle ) the distance between the zenith and each intersection of the said string with the hour circles , and you will have the degrees of every hour from 12 a clock , as the before mentioned seventh scheme shows you ; so that by the help of your sector ( or of any line of chords or quadrant ) you may mark them successively in your blind circle on both sides of the diameter , and then if you draw from the center lines throu ' those marks , your dial is finish't ; for as to the stile and substilar , you need no other instruction than what you had in the last operation , which also directs you to the demonstration , since the same serves both . operation . vii . how to draw a line parallel to the horizon ; together with two ways how to place truly all paper draughts on their respective plane . having lately advised you to delineate all dials on * paper , before you draw them on your designed plane , and having show'd you how to describe this dial , 't is now time to teach you how to draw an horizontal line on this plane , that you may thereby truly place your draughts . slip therefore out your two rulers , which are under the the pedestal ( as i already mentioned ) and placing the end of one on a convenient center ▪ ( chosen by you ) in your plane , you 'l have by the end of the other ( when the plummet falls on the asterisk or little star ) a cond point , and consequently marks to draw the required line by ; so that if you then place the center of your said draught on the center of the plane , and its 6 a clock hour line on your horizontal line , all the other lines will fall on their true places , and thereby show you where ( with a cole or the like ) to mark out points for the perfect and final drawing of them . the cock also of the paper dial , will direct you in the placing of the other ; for they are both to be of the same height above their respective planes , with their tops pointing the same way ; viz. downwards to the horizon in all these south dials . but if you will have yet a more easy way of placing a paper draught not only on this , but on any plane for which 't is made , look what a clock 't is by your globe , and moving your said draught on its plane 'till it shows exactly the true hour , do but fix it there , and you may mark out the points for your fair lines with all the ease imaginable . operation . viii . how to make a vertical or erect direct north dial for the elevation of london . there is no difference between the fabrick of this dial and the former , unless it be in figuring it ; for a south dial reverst is a north dial , the after-noon hour lines being mark't with the morning figures , and the morning ones with those of the afternoon ; so that the top of the stile points now upwards , as may be seen by scheme 9th , and by the upper part of scheme 10th . to wit , by the semi circle ptc ; therefore when you chuse a center in your design'd or real plane for this dial , let it be in the lower part of it to have room for the hour lines to run upwards . and by the way you must here remember , that tho' i bad you in the making of this your vretical south dial , to take the distance between the zenith and the intersection of the string with the next hour circle for the 1 and 11 a clock hour lines , &c , yet that section of your globe by your string from the zenith as aforesaid , gives in truth a north dial , and therefore in strictness you ought to have taken the distance between the nadir and the several intersections of the plane with the hour-circles ; but since both dials are ( as i told you ) alike , 't is best always to operate thus from the zenith , as being more at hand than the nadir , and consequently more convenient . the demonstration or reason why these dials show the hour , differs even at first conception but little , and at the second not at all from that already given for the horizontal dial. by the first conception i mean our considering these planes as vertical and erect ; for since , the hour-lines of all dials are ( as i show'd you in the former demonstration ) the intersections only of the respective hour-circles with the planes , and since the hourly indicating shade , is the shade of the axis or of the hour-circle , which then lies in the plane of the sun , it must follow , that the mark made ( for example sake ) by the 4 a clock morning hour circle on the string , and the center of the said plane ( which is the common passage of all the hour-circles ) will be two true marks or points for you to draw that hour-line by , and consequently that the shade of the axis will still fall on the said hour-line as often as the sun comes into the plane of that hour-circle . now your blind circle is ( by construction ) equal to the circle made by the string on the globe , and the marks on its limb are equal to the marks on the said string , therefore the dial must be truly drawn , and the stile plac't on the 12 a clock line ( to wit on the intersection of that hour-circle , which falls on the plane at right angles ) must truly cast its shade from time to time , seeing by its site and angle it corresponds with the axis of the world. as for our second conception in reference to these dials , we shall find by it that their planes are real horizontal ones to some people or other ; for this section of the globe being a great circle will be the horizon to those that live in the pole of it , viz. to those under our meridian 90 degrees from our zenith , which being a point in our horizon , makes their horizontal dials always our direct vertical ones , and their direct vertical dials our horizontal ones . 't is plain then , that the present dials are exactly describ'd , if our former directions and proof of an horizontal one be true ; for all the hour lines are here drawn from the center to the several intersections of the hour-circles and horizon , which ( as we are to suppose ) the string represents . nor do's the cock of these dials differ from the former rules ; for having the meridian or 12 a clock line for substilar for the former reason , and being 38 degrees and a half above it , it makes an angle equal to the elevation of the people , who have the said plane for horizon . operation ix . to make the aforesaid north and south dials geometrically , for the elevation of london . there is no need of a scheme for this operation , since 't is a corollary from what we have now said ; for make but an horizontal dial geometrically ( as we formerly show'd you in scheme the 6th ) according to the complement of the elevation of your place , and that will serve ( the figuring only consider'd ) for either dial. here then you may see that os , or on the basis or foot of the stile of these dials , ( that is to say , the distance between its center and its horizontal edge or side ) is ever the tangent of the elevation ; for 't is the tangent complement of fs or nr the stiles height above the plane . and here also you see that the very same dial ( the figures only transpos'd ) will serve both for an horizontal and this direct vertical one to those that live in the latitude of 45 degrees , since the elevation of the pole and complement of it is there the same . operation x. to describe by the globe , meridian dials , or ( as others call them ) east or west dials for the elevation of london . these dials tho' vertical and direct ( as passing thro' our zenith , and facing also two cardinal points or quarters of the world ) are very different from the former , nor has any body ( i believe ) taught yet their description by the globe . to perform therefore this operation , you must by the help of your string or compasses describe on your globe , with chalk ( or the like matter ) an arch ( as in sch. 11. ) which having its pole at k ( the east-point , for examples sake , of the aequinoctial ) cuts somewhere or other the 11 a clock northern hour circle , i mean the 11 a clock hour circle on the northern , or black part of the globe ; and this arch by reaching from the point c in the aequinoctial colure ( or 6 a clock circle ) to h in the horizon on the said northern side of the globe , will be a piece of a little circle parallel to the meridian containing the degrees of the elevation of the pole , and cutting all the hour-circles also from 6 to 11. but if this be thought too troublesom a work , the globe-maker may avoid it by putting 6 pricks or asterisks upon the globe , where the said arch and hour-circles would intersect , as may be seen in the said 11 scheme at c , o , s , t , v and z ; so that if beyond c he adds one prick more , viz. at r , to give you from h the radius , or 60 degrees of the said arch , you need nothing else . this being premis'd , describe on a sheet of paper ( hr , or 60 degrees of the said arch being radius ) a blind circle as in sch. 12 , and drawing the line h h how you please throu ' k its center to represent the intersection of the horizon , open your compasses to the said arches full extent , to wit , from h to c , and putting one foot on the blind circle at h , and the other marking there at c , draw the line pc π , throu ' the center k , and 't will represent the intersection of the aequinoctial colure ( or 6 a clock hour circle ) with your said blind circle or plane ; so that if you take from off your globe , the distances between the point c , and the several intersections of the hour circles with the said arch ch , and place them on your blind circle on the right hand side of pc π , as well below the horizon h h , as above it , and draw lines thro' them ( viz. o ο , s σ , t τ , v υ , and z ζ ) you will have a compleat east dial describ'd , after you have drawn 2 lines more on the left side of the said c π , to wit , the line n ν distant from it as is o ο , and the line m μ , as is s σ. as for the figuring each hour line , it must be according to the figures of the corresponding hour-circles cut by the aforesaid arch ch , and thus you will find them figured in the forementioned scheme 12 , which shews you too how the borders or parallels are drawn for the said figures to lye in , as being only double lines ( equidistant at pleasure ) on both sides of the horizon h h ; and here also by the blind lines , and by the fair ones , you have before your eyes what is necessary to be exprest on your fair plane , and what not . nor is there any difference in the construction of a west-dial , except it be in turning on your draught the hour-lines or parallels the other way , to the end they may all point northwards on their respective planes ; for thus ( in sch. 11. ) do the prick lines ( m 8 , n 7 , c 6 , o 5 , s 4 , t 3 , u 2 and z 1. ) which would truly represent this dial , if they were produced in the said scheme . now for the substilar 't is the 6 a clock hour line , since that hour circle falls on the plane at right angles , and as for the cock it may be a gallows stile ( as in scheme 13 ) or a pin ( as in scheme 14 ) so it be plac't on the substilar and perpendicular to it , having its height equal to the distance between the pricks or asterisks c and p in the said 11 scheme , or ( which is all one ) to the distance between k and x. viz. the nearest distance between the substilar , and the 9 a clock hour line in an east-dial , and the substilar and the 3 a clock line in a west dial. but here you are to remember , that when i say , that the height of the stile is to be equal to the distance between c and p. i mean in rigour equal to the sine , and not the chord of that arch ; but seeing the chord of 10 degrees , differs not sensibly from the sine ( and by the way the arch cp on the globe will not be above 10 degrees from the meridian , ) the interval between c and p will serve the turn . but if you would be more exact take between your compasses the distance of double cp , to wit the interval of ( suppose ) 20 degrees , and half of it is the required distance ; for half the chord of 20 deg. is equal to the sine of 10. or if you , please you may erect a needle at c paralel to p ( the elevated pole of the globe ) and the distance between them will be the true height of your stile . to conclude , you may contract and enlarge these dials as you please , by drawing the hour-lines twice or thrice ( or according to any other proportion ) nearer or farther asunder , and so abateing or heightning in the like manner your stile . the demonstration is obvious , for since the points m , n , c , o , s , t , v and z in the upper part of the blindcircle or plane , and the points μ , ν , π , ο , σ , τ , ● , ζ , on the lower part of it are ( by being equal in distance to those on the arch ) the intersections of the morning hour circles of 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ▪ with the edges of the said plane , it follows that the lines drawn from the corresponding points , must be the true hour lines of this dial , since the hour lines ( as we said ) of all dials , are only the intersections of the respective hour circles with the plane . again the shade of the axis ( the axis being a part of all the hour circles ) falls ever on the hour-line or interfection of this or that hour circle , as often as the sun comes into the plane of that hour-circle , therefore the stile of this dial representing truly the axis ▪ ( since 't is above the plane , and distant from it as 't is on the globe ) will cast its shade every hour on the corresponding hour line ▪ and as for the reason , why the height of the said axis is equal to the distance between the 3 or 9 a clock lines and the substilar , it shall be shown in the demonstration of the next operation . operation xii . how to describe an east or west dial geometrically for the elevation of london . draw the blind line h h and cross it from your left hand ( as in sch. 13. ) with ae ae another blind-line to make an angle at their intersection k equal to the complement of the elevation , then pricking in the said line ae ae on the right side of k , the respective tangents of 15. 30 45. 60. and 75 degrees , as also on the left the tangents of 15 and 30 , draw but perpendiculars through the pricks , and you have an east-dial ; whereas should you cross ( as in sch. 14. ) h h with ae ae from the right hand , and pricking the aforesaid tangents the other way , draw perpendiculars through them , you would have a west-dial . by these schemes also you may know how each dial is to be figur'd , the east-dial containing ( as you see ) all the hours from 4 in the morning 'till noon : and the west all the hours from noon to 8 at night . now for their cocks , they are ( as i said , in the last operation ) to be a pin , or a gallowes stile , and in height equal to the tangent of 45. degrees , or distance between the 9 or 3 a clock hour lines and that of six , which is ever their substilar . these dials must be true , if their planes lye in or parallel to the meridian ; for since the line h h , by being plac'd according to our hypothesis horizontal , represents the intersection of the horizon , and the line ae ae that of the aequator , by making an angle with the said h h equal to the complement of the elevation , the substilar must be the intersection of the aequinoctial colure ( or 6 a clock hour circle ) with the plane , since that hour-circle falls on the plane at right angles . if then a gallows stile be set on the said substilar and perpendicular to it , its shade must needs constantly cross the aequator ae ae at right angles . now when the sun is in the plane of the 6 a clock hour circle , his ray makes no angle with the said stile , because the sun , and the stile are in the same plane , and so the shade falls directly along the substilar ; but when he gets ( for examples sake ) into the next hour circle , his ray ( the height of the stile being radius ) makes an angle of 15 degrees with the said stile , and consequently the distance of the two shades are in the line ae a the tangent of those degrees . the like therefore being said of the next hour circle and so on , it follows ( as i mention'd in the beginning ) that the pricking from the intersection k , the tangents of 15 , 30 , 45 , 60 and 75 degrees in the line ae ae , must give you points to draw the perpendiculars or true hour-lines of this dial by , as also , that the tangent of 45 degrees gives the height of the stile , since the tangent of those degrees , ( which you see gives the 3 and 9 a clock lines ) is equal to the radius . here also we see not only why these hour-lines are so unequally distant , since they are so many parallels marshall'd according to the divisions of a tangent line , but why the 12 a clock hour line can never be really express'd , for 't is the tangent of 90 degrees which is infinite . operation xiii . how to describe a declining dial by the globe for the elevation of london . the first way . this plane ( as passing from the zenith to the nadir ) is still vertical , and should ( you may suppose ) be by right the primary vertical , but by its tendency towards the east or west points , its dial takes the appellation of a declining one , that is to say , of a dial , whose plane declines so many degrees from facing directly the north and south , as is its tendency towards the said east or west points . as for the way of making this dial it differs little from the first direct erect one , already * treated of ; for supposing your present given plane declines 40 degrees from full south towards the east , you must draw your string ( which ever represents the edges , as we have said , of your plane ) not throu ' the east point of the horizon of your globe , as before , but throu ' 40 degrees further towards the north , for this makes the string to represent part of a plane that comes nearer ( by so many degrees ) the facing of the east than it did . then opening your compasses at 60 degrees in any of the great circles , and describing ( as in sch. 17th . ) the blind one pzw , prick in it from its meridian line oz , the distance between the zenith of your globe and the intersection of your string with the first hour-circle ( to wit between z and b in sch. 15. ) and it will give you a mark for the 11 a clock line on your dial ; and the distance between the zenith and the intersection of your string with the next hour-circle ( to wit between z and c ) will give you the mark of the 10 a clock line , and thus you must proceed to every hour-circle cut thus by your string , till it falls on the horizon , that is to say from z to d , e , f , g , h , letters marking ( as you see in the said scheme ) the 9 , 8 , 7 , 6 , 5 and 4 a clock hour circles ▪ and consequently giving you those hour-lines on your dial. now for the afternoon hour lines ( which are no longer equal in distance to the morning ones , ) you have nothing to do but to draw your string , on the west-side of your globe , throu ' 40 degrees in the horizon the contrary way ( viz. from the west towards the south ) and the distance between the zenith and the point in the first hour-circle cut by your string ( to wit from z to k in sch. 16. ) will give you the mark for 1 a clock , and the distance from thence to the next point or intersection gives you that of 2 , to wit , from z to l , and in this order you are to proceed to n , the ▪ 4 a clock hour circle , that is to say , till you come to the intersection of the string with the horizon on the west-side of your globe . as for your stile and substilar they differ also from those of direct north and south dials ; for the said stile or cock is to be no longer plac'd on the 12 à clock line , nor will its height now be equal to the complement of your elevation , therefore having drawn your string throu ' the degrees of declension in the horizon as before , and putting one foot of your compasses in the north pole , find with the other the nearest point on your string , to wit s ( as in sch. 15. ) and the distance between s the said nearest point and the zenith of your globe will be zs in the blind circle of scheme the 17th , to wit the distance between the meridian line of your dial and your substilar , which in this our example lyes from the moridian towards your left hand or morning hours , and the distance from the said point in the string to the pole ( being from s to p ) will in the said blind circle be the height of your stile ; so that if you erect and place your said stile from the center all along the substilar os it will continually show you the hour . but if you fancy that the extension of your compasses from the pole to the string will not give you precisely this point , since your said compasses may seem to touch it in several points ; i say , if you doubt or fancy this , fasten a thred on the pole , and drawing it streight over the horizon at 40 degrees from the meridian of your globe eastwardly ( i. e. till it passes thron ' the pole of the plane ) see where the said thred crosses your string ( or edge of the plane ) and there the true requir'd point will be . the demonstration of this dial is in the following operation . operation xiv . how to describe by the globe a declining dial for the elevation of london . the second way . draw your string over at 40 degrees in the horizon from the east northwardly , and from the west southwardly , as before , and the respective distances between the zenith and the intersection of your string with the hour-circles will give you in any great circle of the globe the degrees of their respective distances as well for the morning as afternoon , and the proportionable degrees in any circle will give you the points for the drawing of your hour-lines , as i showd you in the construction of the former vertical north and south dials ; and as for the stile and sub-stilar , you must operate as directed in the foregoing operation , that is to say , the number of degrees between z and s gives you the sub-stilar , and those from p to s the height of your stile . as for the demonstration or reason why dials thus made show the hour , it is this ; first you see that the string , by being on one side removed 40 degrees from the east point northward , and on the other side 40 degrees from the west point southward , represents on the globe the requir'd plane , and therefore wheresoever the hour circles cut it , there the shade of the axis will fall , as we show'd you before in the former dials ; now two points made by the intersections of each hour circle with the plane being given you ( to wit , the center where they all meet , and their respective marks on the string , or supposed edges of your plane ) it must needs follow , that if you draw lines throu ' those points , they will be true hour lines ; for ( as we have often said ) the hour-lines of all dials are only the intersections of the plane with the hour circles . in the next place , since ps by construction is the nearest distance from the pole to your string or plane , it appears that the hour-circle which cuts the said plane at s , falls on it at right angles , and consequently that as ps ( the height of the pole or axis above the string or plane ) gives the true height of the stile of this dial , so the intersection of the plane with the said hour-circle must be the true substilar ; for the substilar ( as we already mention'd ) is only the intersection of the plane with the hour-circle , which falls at right angles on it ; ergo the distance between z and s gives in your blind circle the distance from your 12 a clock line to the substilan , and ps the height of the stile . and by the way , here it appears not only why the 12 a clock lines of declining dials continue perpendicular , but also why their centers keep the same distance from the horizontal edges of their planes , as do the centers of the primary vertical or direct north and south dials ; i say , here all this appears ; for the 12 a clock line ( which is ever the intersection of your meridian with these planes ) being a perpendicular in the primary vertical plane , becomes the axis of the horizon , and all vertical dia's ▪ by their declension more only about it , so that both the center and the said 12 a clock line remain the same in all ; therefore the tangent of the elevation , being ( as i * formerly show'd you , ) the length of the foot of the stile , or distance between the center of a primary vertical dial and its horizontal edge is that of a declining one also . but to proceed with the demonstration ; you must remember that this dial is an horizontal one ( as we show'd you * before ) to those that dwell in the pole of the circle describ'd by the string , i. e. to those in our horizon 40 degrees eastward from the meridian , or ( which is all one ) to those that dwell where the thred cuts the horizon ; but all the hour-lines are truly drawn according to the former rules of an * horizontal dial , to wit from the center to the points where the respective hour circles cut the string or limb of the plane , therefore it must truly shew the hour . operation . xv. how to describe geometrically a declining dial for the elevation of london . the first way . this dial being ( as i said ) an horizontal one to those in our horizon 40 degrees eastward from the meridian , find ( as we show'd you in the * geographical or 20 section ) what elevation or latitude they have , and describe geometrically an horizontal dial on paper for the said elevation . in the next place consider the difference between both longitudes , to wit how many hours the sun comes sooner to their meridian than yours , so that if he comes , suppose , 3 hours , 't will follow , that the 3 a clock hour line is to be the true 12 a clock line of this plane , because 't is really so late with those people , when 't is but noon with you , and consequently that their 4 will be your 1 a clock , and their 2 your 11. and in the like manner you are to mark the rest , having nothing more to do but to draw on your fair plane a * line parallel to the horizon , and to place on it at right angles the true 3 a clock line , ( that is to say the 12 a clock line according to your now alteration or present figuring the hour-lines , ) for you will have all the requisite marks or points , not only to draw the other hour lines , but also plainly to see , where the substilar will fall , and how high the cock it self is to be ; for they are all to correspond with those in the said horizontal or paper draught . now in case the difference of longitude between these 2 places happens to be a fraction , as ( suppose ) one hour and 10 minutes , then ( if the declination of your plane be still eastward as in the former example ) 10 minutes past 1 must be markt in the horizontal draught with the figure 12 , as the meridian line , and 2 and 10 min. with figure● . and so on all along ; whereas if the declination were westward , then 11 and 10 minutes will be the said meridian line , 10 and 10 minutes your 1 a clock line , for thus you must operate in all other cases , that is to say , you must still allow by the new figures the difference of longitude , that chances to be between you and them , to whom the declining plane is horizontal . but because this manner of dialling may seem to some troublesom and confus'd ( especially when the said difference of longitude happens to be a fraction , and not even hours ) i shall here adjoin a second geometrical way . operation . xvi . how to describe geometrically a dial declining 40 degrees eastward , for the elevation of london . the second way . having made an horizontal dial for this elevation in the lower part of your paper plane , ( as 't is exprest by the prick lines in scheme 18 ) and drawn from the center a the several hour-lines upward as far as you think fit , and figur'd them to show what hour-lines they are , chuse in ac ( the 12 a clock line ) any point , suppose p , and draw throu ' it the blind line gd making with the said ac an angle of 50 degrees or complement of your declension ; then erect the perpendicular pb on the said blind line at p , and taking with your compasses ( ap being your radius ) the tangent of 5● degrees and ½ , or true elevation of the pole , put one foot on p , and where the other marks on the said perpendicular ( suppose at f ) there will be the center of your declining dial ; so that having bordred your plane with fitting parallels , to contain the standing figures of each hour , you have nothing more to do , but to draw fair lines from the said center f , to your border , throu ' the intersections of the line gd with the several hour-lines of the horizontal dial ; that is to say , you have nothing more to do , but to draw fair lines throu ' the points klmno pqr which give the hours of 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 1 and 2 ; and by the way you may have as many other morning or evening hours as you please if you draw the said gd long enough for the other hour-lines of the horizontal to meet with it . nor is there more difficulty here about the stile and substilar than in any of the former dials ; for ( ap being radius ) 't is but taking the sine of 40 degrees ( or declination of the plane ) with your compasses from the sector , and putting one foot on your 12 a clock line at p , the other foot will in the line gd ( to wit , at m ) give you the point for to draw the substilar fm , and the sine complement of the declension , or sine of 50 degrees , will be xm the stiles height . nay , if ( for want of a sector or the like ) you cannot conveniently find the sine of the said declension , do but observe where a perpendicular from a falls on gd suppose at m , and pm will be the distance in the said gd between the 12 a clock line of this dial and its substilar , and am ( equal to xm ) the height of the stile above it . thus then we see that the fabrique of a declining dial ( which is wont to terrify young students ) is in a manner as quick and easy as that of the horizontal , since two ordinary lines more , viz. gd and bp give us all the points necessary for its description . the demonstration and reason of this dial is evident ; for , the horizontal being by construction true , any erect plane facing the south , that crosses its meridian ( or 12 a clock line ac ) at right angle● will represent a primary vertical or direct south plane , and then the center of the dial described on it will be distant from p the intersection of the two planes on the said ac ) the tangent of the elevation , as i shew'd you * before . now since gd is ( by hypothesis ) the edge of a vertical declining plane , and since ( as we show'd you in the before cited place ) that the 12 a clock line , as well in a declining as in a primary vertical dial , is perpendicular to the horizon , containing in it the centers of the said dials , it follows that fp ( being the tangent of the elevation , and perpendicular also to the said dg where it cuts the 12 a clock line of the horizontal ) must be the 12 a clock line , and f the center of our present dial , whose declension is 40 degrees eastward , since fp declines so many degrees from cp toward the morning hours ; for the said cp and fp represent the 12 a clock lines of a direct , and of our thus declining vertical plane , if you consider them flatted down , and lying in the horizon . this being so , 't is evident that the lines drawn from f to klmn , &c. are the true hour lines of our dial , as falling from its center to the several points made on its horizontal edge , by the hour circles or ( which is all one ) by their intersections with the horizontal dial. as for the stile and substilar , let us but consider the triangle amp , and we shall find that p is by construction the angle of 50 degrees , and a that of 40 , as substended by the sine of the declension , so that a being a right angle , am must be a perpendicular ; therefore the hour circle , whose intersection the said am happens to be , falls at right angles on our present plane , and consequently gives the substilar ; now since the axis of the world passes through f and a , the centers of the two dials , when they are joyned ( as we now suppose them ) at gd the common section of their planes ; i say , since the axis passes throu ' their centers , its elevation or height above our plane must be am , as being the only perpendicular that can fall from it upon the said plane , and consequently its measure ; but am you see is the sine complement of 40 , since pm is the sine of 40 , therefore in all declining dials , the sine of the declension ( from their 12 a clock line ) gives in their horizontal edge their substilar , and the sine complement their stile . q. e. d. operation xvii . to take the declension of a plane . compose your globe and find exactly the azimuth , i. e. what degree of the horizon is cut by the string 's shade , when it passes throu ' the zenith and nadir , which wee 'l suppose to be the 50th from the south towards the west ; then having slipt out ( to an equal length ) the two rulers from under your pedestal , hold your globe level , and apply the said rulers , as soon as you can , to your plane , ( as you did when you drew an * horizontal line ) and find again the azimuth , which now being ( for example ) 90 degrees shows your plane declines 40 towards the east , because , the azimuth being now increast so many degrees , the meridian ( which by the help of the said rulers was perpendicular to your wall or plane ) is turned thereby from true south ( as formerly it stood ) towards the east the above-mentioned number of 90 degrees ; but had the shade fallen on the 10th . degree , your plane would ( for the same reason ) have declin'd 40 degrees towards the west . in short therefore , the difference of these two azimuths is the thing that resolves the question ; for when they are equal there is no declension at all . of reclining dials . the horizontal plane lay open ( we saw ) to the whole hemisphere , whilst each vertical one enjoy'd but half of it ; for , by being vertical , a moiety of the said hemisphere is before , and the other behind it . now the reclining plane ( which is exprest by sch. 29. ) instead of being perpendicular to the horizon bends towards it , yet so , that its bending has nothing in it of overwhelming or tendency towards those , that behold it ( as it happens to inclining planes exprest by * scheme 30 ) but still receeds , according to the degrees of its reclination , farther * and farther from them , making thereby an obtuse angle with the horizon , and consequently faces more than half the apparent heavens , as the inclining one does less , whose angle is therefore ever acute . as for the kinds of reclining planes , there are ( i may say ) 4 , to wit , the aequinoctial , the polar , the direct reclining , and the declining reclining plane ; for each of these appropriates to it self a particular fabric , or way of making , and therefore we will treat of them in order . operation xviii . how to describe a dial on an aequinoctial plane , both by the globe , and geometrically also . this plane is represented by the globe , when 't is compos'd and cut ( as in scheme 20 ) quite throu ' at the aequinoctial , therefore open your compasses at 60 degrees there , and describing the blind circle abcd in scheme 21 , divide it as the hour-circles cut the said aequinoctial ( in sch. 19th . ) that is to say , divide it into 24 equal divisions , and there will rest nothing more to be done , but to draw lines from the center o , through as many of those divisions as you shall think necessary , and then to figure them successively from morning to night . as for the stile ( seeing the axis of the world is at right angles with any diameter of the aequator , and runs throu ' the center of it ) it must needs follow that the perpendicular pin op plac't in the center of your dial , will perform that office ; for when it directly points to the pole it represents the said axis , as the divided blind circle does the aequinoctial , and its divisions ; therefore since the shade of the axis ever falls ( according to the time of the day ) on this or that intersection of the hour-circles with the aequator , the shade of the pin must fall also on the corresponding hour-line of the dial , as being ( in the effect ) the same thing , in case the 12 a clock line be plac't on a meridian line , and mounted at a ( its south side ) above the horizon , the complement of the elevation of the pole , i. e. 38 degrees and a half for by this means your plane , from an horizontal one , will be perfectly that of the aequator . nor is it hard to mount thus the said south side of your dial , since 't is but opening your compasses , in any great circle of your globe at twice as many degrees as is the complement of the elevation , to wit 77 deg. and they will give you the true length of a perpendicular to underprop withal the aforesaid a ▪ or southern point of the 12 a clock line of your dial. and the reason of it is , because ac the diameter of your dial being ( by hypothesis ) equal to the diameter of the globe , becomes now ( c being center of the new arch , made by the mounting or raising the side of your plane above the horizon ) a radius double to oa the former radius . therefore since the chord of a double arch is ever the sine of the single arch in a circle , whose radius is double the other , it follows that the chord of 77 degrees is ( in respect to the double radius ac ) the sine of 38 g. 30 m. and consequently will perform ( if erected perpendicularly ) the design'd operation . now for the geometrical construction of this dial , ( since it consists only in dividing a circle into 24 equal parts , with a perpendicular cock or stile , ) there is no need of more words about it ; so that we 'l end here with a memorandum , viz. that as the reclining face of this plane , shews the hour from spring to autumn , so the inclining face , or other side of it does the same , for the remaining half year , to wit , from autumn to the spring . operation xix . how to describe a polar dial , both by the globe , and geometrically also . the true plane of this dial is speculatively the plane of the aequinoctial colure or 6 a clock hour-circle , but in practice that of any circle parallel to it , so that the construction and demonstration of a dial on it , is ( mutatis mutandis ) the same with that on a meridian plane , of which we have already so fusely * treated . make then by your globe ( for example sake ) an east dial on a meridian plane , according to any of the former ways , and if you alter but the figures , that is to say , if having figur'd the substilar instead of 6 with 12 , you mark the morning 7 a clock hour line of the said east dial with 1 , that of 5 with 11 , and so on in order , it will be a true polar dial , showing you exactly the hour , when it directly faces the south , and reclines so , that the apex or uppermost part of the substiler or 12 a clock line points just to the north pole ; for then the back-part of the plane makes an angle with the horizon equal to that of our elevation . this operation may be also perform'd of it self without the former consideration , since 't is but putting one foot of your compasses on the intersection of your meridian or 12 a clock hour circle with the aequator of your globe ( to wit , on k in scheme 22 ) and so describing with chalk the arch cae , i mean an arch which reaching from the said meridian , cuts the morning 7 a clock , or if ( you please ) the evening 5 a clock hour circle somewhere or other ; for then if you draw a blind circle ( as in sch. 23. ) of the same bigness , and take the several distancces between the pricks or intersections of the hour-circles with the said arch , to wit , the distances between c and o , c and s , &c. and place them on the blind circle , on both sides of pck π the substilar or 12 a clock line , as well below the line ae ae , as about it ) the lines drawn from the said pricks will be true hour lines , and the distance between c and p or between k and x will ( for the reasons mentioned in the description of the meridian dials ) be the height of the stile . now to describe this dial geometrically , 't is yet more easily performed , for if you draw ( as in scheme 24. ) the line ab parallel to the horizon , and then take a point in the middle of it ( suppose k ) do but prick on both sides of it the tangent of 15 , 30 , 45 , 60 , and 75 , and the several perpendiculars drawn throu these pricks will be true hour-lines , which you may figure as you see in the before mention'd 24th scheme ; and as for the stile the tangent of 45 , ( or distance between the 12 a clock line , and that of 9 or 3 ) gives you its height , which is to be a pin or gallowes stile as before , and the 12 a clock line the substilar . operation xx. how to describe a direct reclining north or south dial. suppose then that the plane lay directly south , and that its reclination were 20 degrees , you have nothing to do , but either geometrically to make on it a direct vertical south dial for the elevation of 71 degrees and ½ ( i mean for a plane 20 degrees neerer the pole than your own zenith ) or to fix your string on 71 gr . and 30 min. in your meridian ( that is to say at a in scheme 25th . and then to draw your said string over the east or west points of your globe , for 't will represent this plane , since it reclines or falls back from the zenith 20 degrees ; therefore the distances between the hour-circles that intersect with your string , must ( for the former reasons ) give you in any blind circle ( which shall be equal to a great one on your globe ) marks ( viz. b , c , d , e , f , g , ) for the corresponding hour-lines ; and the meridian being the substilar ( since 't is the hour circle that falls on the plane at right angles ) the height of your stile must ( as in all direct vertical dials ) be the distance from the pole to a , the supposed point , or place where your string is fixed . now had your plane reclin'd 20 degrees the other way , that is to say ▪ had it reclin'd so many degrees facing the north , you must have fixed your string at n , viz. 20 degrees short of the zenith , and consequently your said string would have intersected with the hour circles at o , p , q , r , s ; therefore a direct vertical north dial for the latitude of 31 g. 30 m. will be the required dial. operation . xxi . how to make a declining reclining dial by the globe . suppose your plane declin'd 40 degrees eastward ( as did the late declining * vertical ) and then reclin'd 20 degrees with a southern aspect , and by the way you must remember , that i mean in general by a planes reclining with a southern aspect , its looking towards that quarter , tho' it be turned more or less from direct south towards the east or west ; in like manner a declining reclining plane with a northern aspect turns from direct north towards one of the aforesaid points . supposing then a plane thus reclining , do but describe or place it on your globe , and your operation will be as easy as any of the former . first mount your bead 71 degrees and half above the horizon , that is to say fix it to 20 degrees from the zenith of the globe ; then seeing your plane has a southern aspect , ( and so lies beyond your said zenith northward ) move your string till it cuts in the horizon 40 degrees westward from the northern meridian , or back part of the 12 a clock hour circle . in the next place take a thred and tying it about your globe so , that it lies not only on your bead , but crosses also the horizon at 40 degrees from the east point northward , and 40 degrees from the west point southward , the said thred will represent your plane reclining and declining , as aforesaid . or , in short fix , a small needle in the point where the bead lies ( which we suppose at a in sch. 26. ) and fastning to it a thred or part of the string , draw it over the horizon at 40 degrees from the east-point northwards , and it will give you the eastern or morning side of your plane , as it will the western or afternoon side ; if you draw it ( as in scheme 27. ) over 40 degrees of the horizon from the west-point southwards . this being done , describe a blind circle or semi-circle equal to a great one on your globe , for example sake , the blind semi-circle a. t. c , and drawing from ( o ) the center the blind line oa perpendicular to the horizontal line h h , take the distance with your compasses between a the station of your needle or bead , and the point in the 12 a clock hour circle crost by the thred or edge of your plane , and this distance from a in your blind circle , gives you there towards your left hand the point k , to which if you draw a fair line from the center it will be the 12 a clock line of your dial , and the distance from the said station of your bead or needle to the intersection of the thred with the next hour-circle will give you l , the mark of the 11 a clock line ; and in this manner you must run over all other intersections of your thred and hour-circles to the very horizon on both sides of the globe ( i mean on the morning and evening side of it , represented by scheme 26 and 27 ) and placing their distances on your blind circle , on both sides of the aforesaid oi , do but draw lines to them from the center , and your dial is describ'd . and here you must observe that i have ( in scheme 26. or eastern face of the globe ) plac't a ( the station of the bead or needle ) above the meridian , since its true place cannot be exprest ; for it ought to have bin on the other side of it , i mean on the western side , which scheme 27 is supposed to represent . now for the stile and substilar there is no difference from the rules of the declining vertical , since 't is but finding the nearest point on your thred to the pole by your compasses ; for the distance between the said point on your thred and it's intersection with the 12 a clock hour-circle is the distance in the blind circle between , k and m for the substilar and the distance between the said neerest point and the pole , gives mx the height of the stile above the plane . nay , if you measure the distance between each point and a in any great circle , * 't will give you the degrees or distances between a and your stile , substilar , and each hour-line , and consequently performs the second way ( as we have all along mention'd ) of describing dials by the globe . as for the demonstration of this dial , what we have formerly said about the rest proves it also ; for supposing that the thred represents truly your plane , and that the hour lines of a dial , are ( as i have show'd you all along ) the several intersections of the hour-circles with the plane , this dial must be true , since all the lines on it are the said intersections , as drawn from its center to the points made by the hour-circles on its edges : nor can there be any error in the substilar or stile , the first being the intersection of the plane with it's true meridian of the plane , i mean with that hour circle which falls on it at right angles , and the other being the real height ( as you see ) of the pole above the plane , ergo , the whole must be true . operation xxii . how to describe by the globe a dial declining and reclining as the former , with a northward aspect . there is no need here of a scheme , the construction of this dial being in a manner the same as the former , only now you must draw your string and bead ( fitted to the reclination ) the contrary way , that is to say , over the south or forepart of the globe throu ' the 40th degree in the horizon east-ward from the meridian or 12 a clock hour circle , then fixing a needle ( as * i show'd you ) on your globe , or else tying a thred round it so , that it crosses still your bead ▪ and the aforesaid two points in the horizon , you have there the plane represented , and may consequently ( by the help of the former instructions ) describe this dial , whose stile is to point upward , because of its northern aspect . operation . xxiii . how to describe all inclining dials , whether direct or declining . an inclining dial ( of what sort soever it be ) is the back or hinder part of a reclining one of the contrary aspect so that its hour-lines must be mark with the opposite figures , and ▪ the stile must point the other way ; therefore if you desire a dial declining east-ward 40 degrees , and inclining 20 with a southern aspect , describe only the last dial , ( which has , you see , the ▪ same declination and reclination with a northern aspect ) and then if you mark the morning hour lines with the evening figures , and place the paper draught the contrary way , that is to say , let the apex of the stile point downwards , you will perform the operation . as for the geometrical description of reclining or inclining dials since 't is very intricate , i shall not now trouble you with it , especially having already show'd you so facil a way by the globe . operation . xxiv . how to find the degrees of the reclination or inclination of any plane by the globe . there are two ways to perform this operation ; for first ( as i show'd you in taking the * level of a plane , ) the string rests just on the horizon of the globe , when it stands on an horizontal plane , or one 90 degrees from being erect and vertical . draw therefore on the reclining face or side of the plane ( represented by scheme 29. ) a line parallel to the horizon ( suppose ab ) and let fall the perpendicular cd , then place the notches of the pedestal of the globe ( mark't with sn ) on the said perpendicular , and consider what degree in the meridian ( counting from the zenith ) the string just lyes or rests upon , and that will be as well the inclination , if the plane inclines , as the reclination if it reclines ; for the complement of this ( i mean the distance between the point , or resting place of the string and the horizon ) showing always how much the plane want's of being * level or horizontal , the degrees from the zenith , must needs show how much it wants of being erect or vertical . as for the second way , draw a perpendicular on the reclining side of your plane ▪ as i now show'd you , and placing on it ( after the same manner ) the notches of the pedestal , expect 'till the shade of the pin in the zenith falls upon the meridian of your globe ; for this show's the sun to be at that moment in the plane of the said meridian ; then observing on what degree of it the shade of extuberancy falls , place but your globe level or horizontal with your meridian in the plane of the sun as before , and as the difference of these degrees shows how much your plane wants of being horizontal , so that the complement show's what it wants of being erect , and consequently the value of it's reclination if it reclines , or inclination if it inclines . sch 29. sch 30 you may also if you please draw your perpendicular on the inclining side of your plane ( as in scheme 30th ) but then the requir'd inclination , if it inclines , or reclination if it reclines , will be the difference in degrees between the aforesaid shades of extuberancy , after you cast away 90 ; for by how much the inclination happens to be , by so much the shade of extuberancy exceed's 90 , since 90 is the difference between an horizontal , and an erect plane . operation xxv . how to find how long the sun can possibly shine on a plane , as also ( from time to time ) when we may expect him after his rising to come on , or before his setting to go off the said plane . i defer'd this operation till we had treated of all planes , because the applying of it would then be better understood . 't is ( tho' obvious and easy , of great use ) as not only showing us what hour lines are absolutely necessary on all dials , and what not , but telling us also at what a clock ( all the year long ) we may expect the sun on our plane , and at what a clock he must go off it ; for ( notwithstanding he be above the horizon , he will not always so long shine on a plane not horizontal , as by the earliest and latest hour lines ( that may be justly exprest on it ) one might expect . if then you would find ( suppose on a declining plane ) what hour lines may be justly and necessarily drawn on it , i mean what the earliest and latest hour lines ought to be , you are only to draw you string from the zenith ( according to the declension ) on both sides of the meridian ( or 12 a clock hour circle ) to the very horizon ; that is to say , you must operate in the same manner as you do , when you describe the plane in the fabrick of this kind of dial ; for the hour circles cut by your said string in the horizon show you exactly how early he can come on , and how late he can stay on it ; so that to express further lines were needless . this then makes you stop at 4 in the afternoon in your late * example , where the plane declines 40 degrees eastward , whereas had it declin'd but 20 your earliest hour ( as you may see if you try ) would have bin five in the morning , and the latest five at night . in short , describe your plane ( let it be what it will ) on your globe with your string , and your hour circles , ( as we said ) that intersect with it in the horizon answer the question , since it clearly appear's ( your string ever representing the edges of the plane ) that if the sun lyes easterly in the morning , and westerly in the evening of the hour-circles , that meet your string in the horizon , he must be behind your plane ; therefore since he is not then able ( tho' up ) to shine upon it , 't were needless ( as we said ) to express more hour lines . 't is the describing also of the plane with your string that brings us to the knowledge of the second part of this operation , i mean the knowing at all times when the sun comes on , and goes off any plane ; for having describ'd one ( declining , v. g. 20 degrees eastward ) do but observe what diurnal parallels and hour-circles intersect on the edges of your plane , and you have your intent ; for you will by this means see , that , ( tho' the sun rises ( for example sake ) on the 11 of june before 4 ) the first hour circle , which intersects with this parallel on the edges of the plane , is that of a quarter before six , whereas about the beginning of may , he is there at half an hour past five , and on the 10 of april at or near 5. now if you consider in the same manner the west-side of the globe , you will see from time to time at what hour he goes off it ; and thus you may do , let the plane be what it will. here therefore it evidently appears , if you should erect at any time ( suppose about the 10th of april ) a perpendiculur stile on an horizontal plane , and draw every hour a line along the shade of the said stile , why such a dial will be false , as only telling you the true hour twice in the year , to wit on the 10th of april , and about the 10th of august , viz. on the days on which the sun run's in the same diurnal parallel ; i say , all this now evidently appears , since every line thus drawn on an horizontal plane ( except the meridian , or 12 a clock line ) is no hour line but an azimuthal section ; i mean the section of the said plane , with a circle that then passes over your head throu ' the body of the sun ; so that if one of these lines should bear ( suppose ) almost se , and be figur'd with 10 in the morning , draw but your string from the zenith , over that bearing , or point of the compass in the horizon of your globe , and it will truly represent the said shade or line on your plane ; for it show's it to be 10 of the clock on the parallel belonging to the said 10th of april : but since your string cuts also on your globe ( v. g. ) the tropic of ♑ at a little before 9 , and the tropic of ♋ at almost half an hour past 10 , you may conclude that this will be the true time of the day on the 11 of december , and 11 of june , tho' the shade of the perpendicular stile still show's 10 a clock at the aforesaid bearing , let the season of the year be what it will ; therefore a dial thus made must be false . of several ingenious and humersome dials . having thus run throu ' all planes , i shall at present show you how to make use of the former principles , as to the ready describing of several ingenious and humersome dials , for all are now in a manner but corollaries from what we have already said , and consequently easy both in speculation and practice . operation xxvi ▪ how to make a dial on any plane whose stile shall be an arrow fixt casually on it . examine what the plane is , and having found it to be , suppose , a vertical one declining 40 degrees east-ward , describe by your * former rules : such a dial on paper with the paper stile f x , m. ( as in scheme 31. ) exactly set , and mounted ; then draw on the plane an horizontal line h h , and place on it your said paper draught so , that the 12 a clock line fp may fall at right angles on the said horizontal line . lastly , move your draught along it , till some part of f x or indicating side of the stile , ( suppose the point a ) just touches the top or most prominent part of the arrow , and fixing there the said draught , if you draw fair lines on your plane under those on the paper , the said arrow will always show you the hour with its top. the reason is plain : for you see by the said top's just touching the edge , or indicating side of the paper-stile , it has the effect of the top of ab , i mean the top of a perpendicular falling from the said side on the sub-stile , so that x the top of xm ( both in the present scheme and also in scheme . * 18. or example of a declining plane ) has this effect also . now since the top of ab or xm or of any other perpendicular , that falls from the indicating side xf on the substile fm will perform the office of the stile ( as we show'd you at large in demonstration of the * first horizontal dial or first example , ) it must necessarily follow , that a the arrow's top do's the like . operation xxvii . how to make a dial to show the hour without a stile on any plane . describe ( as in scheme 32. ) a dial on p the given plane , and erect for the present a true stile ( as fab ) of paper or the like , then fixing a glass or any other transparent matter ( suppose g ) at what distance you please , before the said given plane and parallel to it , mark where a the top of the stile just touches the said glass ; and if there you paint a little asterisk or spot , it will ( as often as the sun shines ) describe such another figure ( at suppose d ) by its shade on the said plane p , and move also from hour line to hour line , according to the true time of the day . the reason of this is also evident ; for , if a the top of the real stile show's the hour by casting a shade ( as we show'd you all along ) on the hour lines , then the asterisk being there painted where the said top touches the glass , must do the like ; for it is , you see , the stile 's apex or top , and consequently casts a true shade to know the hour by . this dial serves not only for all double windows , or for cavities that have over them any glass or transparent matter , but shows us how to make one for any plane , that is illuminated by a ray coming throu ' a hole , since if you describe the planes proper dial on paper , and move it duly ( as before ) on the said plane , 'till the stile , or ( if that be too short ) 'till a thred drawn along its indicating side , touches the hole , it will give you marks for the drawing the fair and standing hour-lines of your plane , which the said ray will dayly run over in order , and consequently show you from time to time the hour ; for the ray passing ( as you see ) throu ' the hole ( v. g. ) at a , and falling on the true hour line at d , performs what a , the apex of the true stile ( fab ) would do . operation xxviii . how to describe a dial , having a picture of a man in it , that shall point to the hour from time to time with his finger . this dial is on several planes of mr. lines his forementioned pile in whitehal garden ; and as no dial can be more useful , so perchance none ever struck the fancy , both of the ignorant and learned , with a more sudden admiration than this , as i have often found by experience , both in england , and elsewhere . nor truly can it but surprize one at first to think , that a picture ( without a machine or movement ) should have his finger ever on the hour , and as duly attend the sun's motion , as if he were alive ; i say , this cannot but surprize one , and yet this very dial is as easy to be made , as any of the former . suppose then ( as in scheme 33 ) that the plane given you were that of the vertical cavity , a b c d , lying directly south ; describe therefore on the glass ( abcd ) the contrary dial , i. e. a direct north dial , with a paper style truly mounted ; and placing the said glass over the plane , and paralel to it , see where the stile just touches the said plane , and at that point ( suppose e ) let the top of the pictures finger be painted ; then throwing away your paper stile , and now ( by the help of a handsome frame or the like ) fixing there your glass , all its painted hour lines ( by hindring the sun's passage or light ) will project so many dark lines on you plane , whilst the then true one falls directly on the mans finger , and consequently shows you what a clock it is . for if there were a hole that passed at e ( the top of the mans fingers ) throu ' the center of the world to our antipodes , it necessary follows ( by the reasons in our former operation ) that at 10 of the clock , ( suppose ) at night , the sun ( being then northward ) must cast its rays throu ' the said hole or top of the finger , on the 10 a clock line of this north dial on the glass ; but since at 10 a clock in the morning , the sun is in the same plane as he was at 10 at night ( only his station is contrary ) therefore he must now cast the shade of the hour line the contrary way , i. e. on the mans finger ; for , in the day time the hour-line is between the sun and the finger , whereas in the night time the finger or hole is between him and the hour-line . this dial needs not always be made on a glass , for 't is sufficient if you raise a thin frame ( aaaa in scheme 34. ) on the pillars bbbb , above p your plane , as high as the glasse's true station or place , for then you may cross the said frame with small strings or wyars , which will by their interposition cast the same shade as the hour-lines of the glass would have done ; so that if the figures belonging to the said lines be put on the frame , at the end of each corresponding wyar , and then pierc'd , the sun beams passing throu ' their cavities , will distinguish each very perfectly on the plane . tho i have not time to show you all the particulars of this learned man's rare invention in dialling ; ( for most of the dials on the aforesaid pile may be naturally and expeditely describ'd by the help of this globe ) yet i will give you two more , viz. the two following ones , because , besides their prettiness , we may have use of them , as you shall see by and by . operation xxix . to make a dial by which a blind man may constantly know the hour . you must first get made in brass the armillary hemisphere abcde ( as in scheme 35 ) 8 inches , suppose in diameter , representing your globe cut throu ' the horizon ; but the said hemisphere is not to have any thing solid remaining , besides the horizon abce with the pieces of the hour circles ( 1234 , &c ) that reach to it from the nadir , or rather from the tropic of capricorn afc on the northernside , for the southerly circles are superfluous . then having plac'd the said hemisphere directly north and south , as your globe stands when compos'd , fix g a glass bowl of clear water 4 inches in diameter ( i. e. half the former ) in the midst or center of it ; for the sun's beames passing throu ' the water will contract in a point , and ever burn at ( suppose h ) the true hour-circle ; so that if a blind-man puts but his hand on the said brazen hour circles , he will soon find by the heat where the sun marks , and consequently tell you the hour ; for he may easily feel how far it is from the middlemost hour circle , i mean the 12 a clock circle or meridian . as for the reason of this operation , 't is presently conceiv'd ; for when the sun is over against ( suppose ) the 5 a clock hour circle on the south-side of the dial , he must needs be over against the same hour on the north-side , both hours making but one circle ; now since the center of the bowl ( by being in the center of the hemisphere ) is in the plane of all the hour circles , and since ( according to the nature of refraction ) all parallel rays of the sun , passing throu ' a sphere of water , are ( where they meet with the direct ray , that passes throu ' the said center ) contracted into a point , viz. on the opposite side , at the distance of half its diameter , or two inches according to our present example ; i say , seeing this , it must needs follow , that at 5 of the clock , the sun will burn on the corresponding hour-circle , and if so , then a blind-man ( by feeling the heat , and finding its distance from 12 ) must needs be able to tell you the true time of the day . operation xxx . to make a dial to show the hour when the sun shines not . prepare a blew glass bowl , ( as in scheme 36th ) and describe on it ( with their respective figures ) all the hour-circles of the globe , or as many as you think fit ; then fixing it where you intend , and composing it truly by your globe , if you place your self so at some distance , that ( a little hole being made at each pole , to wit at p p ) you may see quite throu ' the bowl , 't will follow that the hour-circle ( suppose a , which the sun's picture appears on ) will be the true time of the day . i call this to know what a clock it is when the sun shines not , because now the least faint appearance of him serves the turn , tho' it be not enough to cast any shadow ; nay let the sun be quite cover'd , and if you can but guess ( by the adjacent brightness , ) whereabout he is , you will be able to guess the hour without any sensible error ; for the said brightness appearing on the bowl will be proportionably distant from the sun 's true place there , as 't is from the sun in the heavens . 't is clear that the suns picture must fall ( if any where ) on the true hour-circle , because ( by composing the bowl according to the true position of the heavens ) the hour-circles of the one concur with the other , and fall exactly in the same plane ; therefore were your eye in the center of the bowl , its true hour circle , ( i. e. that which corresponds with the time of the day , ) would be just interpos'd between your eye and the sun ; but since the whole axis is the common section of the hour-circles , let your eye be but in any part of it , the same interposition must happen ; so that seeing the suns ray ( by reason of the blew colour ) penetrates not the glass , his picture must needs be on the outside of it , where the said ray would have otherways past ; now the ray that goes from your eye throu ' the two holes being the axis , therefore whilst your eye remains in this posture , it will follow that wheresoever you see the suns picture on the glass , there his place must be , and consequently his said picture must show the hour . operation xxxi . how to make an horizontal concave dial by the globe , and geometrically also . compose so your globe in the concavity given ( suppose bac in scheme 37. ) that a the center of the said concavity shall concurr with the center of the said globe ; then drawing your string over each necessary hour circle on the globe to the sides of the concavity , mark as many points , as shall be convenient for the describing the corresponding hour circles , and the pin ( ad ) erected in the nadir at d as high as the said center a , i mean a pin equal to the semi-diameter of the concavity , will with its top always show you the hour . tho the former way be impracticable when the hole is less than the globe , yet it serves to illustrate and make easy the geometrical operation ; for you have nothing ( you see ) to do , but to draw hour circles within as you would without , were the said concavity a whole sphere , and then the top of its semi-diameter ( i. e. the poynt which lyes in the center a ) will perform the stiles part ; for since the sun is every hour ( as we have before showd you ) in the same plane of the true hour circle , and since a the top of the semi-diameter ( being in the center of the concavity , ) is part of the axis ( or common section of all the hour-circles ) it follows , that its shadow must fall on the true hour . operation xxxii . how to describe geometrically a cieling dial. seeing the glass ( which reflects the suns rayes to show us the hour ) is commonly fixt in the corners and by-places of windows , the globe can seldom be so well order'd ( by reason of its bulk ) as to help us in the construction of this dial , therefore i shall only give you the geometrical way , which is ( as i take it ) both short and new ; and because these dials have commonly the windows ( or inlets for the sun ) southerly , for otherwise they will show but very few hours , we 'l suppose ours also in the following example to stand thus , and afterwards you shall see the difference between such a dial , and those whose windows have another aspect . first make on any past-board , trencher , &c. an horizontal dial , as in scheme 38. and fix in o its center a thred of a good length , to wit op ; then fasten the said dial so with a nail to a long masons ruler , that its fiducial edge ( kl ) may lye upon the meridian or 12 a clock line , and having cemented and plac't level a piece of looking glass ( of the bigness of a three pence ) in the window , or what convenient place else you please of your chamber , ( which we 'l suppose to be g ) find by the plumet ae the poynt a in the cieling ( wxyz ) being the poynt ( in scheme 39. ) directly over the said g , and draw throu ' it a meridian line , viz. the line al. in the next place , fix one end of a piece of packthred on g the center of the glass , and the other on some point of your meridian line in such manner that it make an angle with it of 51. 30′ . i. e. the angle of the elevation , which may be easily perform'd by the application of the side of a quadrant to the said extended packthread , and when 't is right , let the point thus found in your meridian line be called b. lastly , take the distance between the aforesaid points a and b , and marking it , suppose at c , on the edge of your ruler from o , the center , ( or fastning of the horizontal ) place so the said rulers fiducial edge ( kcl ) along the meridian line on the cieling , that the point c may lye just on a , and all is done ; for then if you draw but the thred op streight over each hour-line of the horizontal , it shows you where you are to draw all the fair lines of the required dial. sch. 40. as for the truth of this dial , it appears ( in scheme 40. ) by the right angle triangles ogh and ghf , where hf is part of hm , a suppos'd meridian line on the floor , under that in the cieling , g the station of the glass in the window , h the point under the said station , as formerly a was the point over it , and to facilitate the demonstration , let us imagine gh equal to ga , i. e. that the glass lyes in the middle , between the floor and cieling ; this being so , suppose that gh ( instead of representing a perpendicular line in the wall ( as here we conceive it ) had been a perpendicular stick , and that you were to describe an horizontal dial on the floor , whose stile was to be the said stick ; i say supposing this , you must ( you know ) to perform the operation , produce the meridian line mh to suppose n , and fastning a string on g , find in it the point ( v. g. ) o for the center of the dial , ( i mean a point , to which a string being extended from g , makes with the meridian ( oh ) the angle of the elevation ) and so draw the several hour-lines from the said o according to their respective angles and distances ; all which is exprest at large in the third * scheme or first horizontal dial ; for there ( you see ) gh is a perpendicular stile , showing the hour with its top , and that o is the center of the dial , having a line drawn to it from g making the angle of the elevation with the meridian oh : now since o in our present case is a point without the chamber and consequently the line mh cannot be produc'd to it , you must draw your thred from g to the said meridian line ( hm ) within the chamber , and find in it the point f , to wit the point where the said thred gf makes with it an angle equal to that of the elevation , for thereby you will have the distance of o , your true center from h , as being the distance of f from h , seeing the side gh is common , and the angles in both triangles equal : this being so , if you put out of the chamber an horizontal dial whose center shall lye on o , and its meridian line concurr with hf , 't is but producing all its hour-lines on the floor , and it must necessarily follow that g the top of the perpendicular stile , will show you truly the time of the day ; but by construction all the hour-lines are thus drawn on the cieling , and consequently are exactly over the supposed ones on the floor , ergo , the reflext ray from g must as truly show you the hour above , as the direct ray below ; for both rayes are ever in the same plane . nor is there to be any real difference in the operation tho' the chamber-window should look another way ; for you are only to remember , that whilst it enjoys the least point of south , the center of your dial is without the chamber , when it looks full east or west 't is in the side or edges of it , and when it verges northward , 't is altogether within ; so that in a full southern aspect , the said center will be most abroad , and in a full northern one the contrary ; all which plainly appears to any one , that will consider an horizontal dial truly plac'd ( having a perpendicular for its stile ) if he draws over the hour-lines , a line that shall represent the aforesaid side of your chamber according to its position and site . operation xxxiii . to make a compound dial to wit , one containing several useful operations . innumerable are the ingenious dials that may be invented , but since we have been long enough on this subject , either for my reader 's speculation or curiosity , i will now conclude , and that with a recapitulation or summing up of much of what we have already said , by showing the fabrick of a compound dial ; that is to say , one that contains many useful operations , besides the hour ; for nothing rubs up the memory more efficatiously , or makes us more masters of our rules , than a practical example . the said dial shows as follows . 1. the hour with us at all times . 2. the hour in what other countries you please . 3. the sun's place in each sign . 4. the day of the month. 5. the time of the sun 's rising and setting . 6. the sun's amplitude . 7. the sun's height . 8. the sun's azimuth . 9. the sun 's bearing according to the points of the compass . 10. the proportion between perpendiculars and their shadows , and consequently the height of any tower or the like . to make then this dial , you must first describe an horizontal ( as in sch. 41. ) about a foot in diameter , and let b the center of the plane be the point , where an erect , or vpright stile ( according to our directions in the * first horizontal ; ) shews you with its top the hour . now because the shade of an vpright stile , unless it be very short , will presently fall out of the plane , as well in the morning as toward night , therefore it will be convenient to have your cock or stile made so , that ab the perpendicular or fore-part of it ( as in scheme 42. ) should stand at b the said center of the plane , to represent this upright stile , and its angle aob at o the center of the dial , or point from whence all the hour-lines are drawn ; for thus the side oa ( making with the meridian line at o , the angle of the elevation ) represents the axis of the world , and consequently casts its shadow on the hour-lines , as the usual cocks of all horizontal dials do . 2. having chosen all the places , which you desire from time to time to know what a clock it is at , consider well your globe , and find under what hour-circles the said places lye ; as for example , suppose rome lies under the 11 a clock hour-circle , constantinople under that of 10 , aleppo 9 , &c. place therefore the said towns towards the limb of your dial , under the corresponding hour-lines , and you will constantly know the time of the day in the said places ; for calling it always noon at each place you seek after , you have nothing to do but to count the hours from thence to the shade of the stile ; as v. g. if it be 4 a clock with you in the afternoon , and you would know the hour at aleppo , let aleppo be 12 , and counting from thence ( 1. 2. 3. &c. ) 'till you come to the hour of the day , ( i mean the hour then shown you by the shade , ) you will find it to be 7 a clock there ; for aleppo is ( you see ) three hours eastward of you ; now had the hour with you been 4 in the morning , you must have counted backwards , as 11 , 10 , 9 , 8 , and consequently you would have found it there 8 in the morning . in this manner then you must operate all along . 3ly . and 4ly , find by your globe exactly the sun's height every hour at his entrance into each sign , then take by the help of your sector ( ab , the erect stile in scheme 42. being radius ) the tangent complements of the heights , and putting one foot of your compasses on your dial at b , make pricks or marks in each corresponding hour-line accordingly ; that is to say , if the sun be high ( suppose ) 50 degrees at 12 of the clock , when he enters ♉ or ♍ , then take the tangent of 40 and prick that distance in the meridian line , viz. from b to f ; and if his height at 1 and 11 a clock be ( v. g. ) 48 degrees , take the tangent of 42 , and prick that distance in the 11 and 1 a clock lines , viz. from b to h and g , and when you have gone thus over all the hour-lines , no sooner will the sun come into ♉ or ♍ but the shade of the point or apex of the stile ab will fall every hour on the aforesaid pricks , and consequently show you the suns place in the ecliptic . in like manner you must do with the rest of the signs , and then with the 10th degree of every sign , placing still the character of each sign about the limb of your dial , near the last mark or prick belonging to it . this being done , see by your globe what day of the month corresponds with each sign , and what with their subdivisions , and if you mark this ( as the said 41th scheme shows you ) on both sides of the meridian , then the said pricks will ( by the help of the shade of the top of ab ) show you also the day of the month . i mention here pricks not only as an easier way , but a better way than lines ; for besides the great difficulty of drawing them , they embarras and confound a dial very much , especially if there be many of them ; whereas the said pricks are never out of an hour-line , and consequently take up no new room . now to avoid confusion and mistakes , i would have the said pricks of 3 sorts at least , for if one row were ( v. g. ) astericks and another crosses , and a 3d plain pricks , you would then know at first sight , to what sign or day of the month any of them belongs . 5ly . instead of troubling you with deviding the circle gklt ( the upper part of the border of the dial ) for the finding out the time of the suns rising and setting , you need only consult the days of the month on your globe , first , when he rises earliest , secondly , when he rises at 4 a clock , thirdly , when at 4½ ; fifthly , when at 5 ; and in the like proportion go on , till the days come to their greatest decrease , and putting the said days of the month in order ( as they are in the scheme ) under the corresponding hours on the morning side of your dial for his rising , do the like for his setting on the evening side of it , and you may perform the operation with sufficient exactness . in like manner you are to proceed for the quarters , half quarters , &c. if you would have them exprest . 6ly . to avoid also the trouble of deviding the circle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the suns diurnal increment and decrement in amplitude , you need only find by your globe , what the said amplitude amounts to on every of the aforementioned days ( which are markt on your dial for the suns rising and setting ) and then put it in figures under each day , as the scheme shows you . 7ly . open your compasses at the tangent of 28 degrees ( ab being the radius ) and putting one foot on b describe the circle xyz , afterwards describe another according to the tangent of 35 degrees , then a third , according to that of 40 , and so on in the same proportion as far as your plane permits . now if you mark these circles with the figures of the complement of their degrees , that is to say the circle of 28 degrees with the figure 62 , that of 35 with 55 , that of 40 with 50 , &c. you will always know the height of the sun ; for what circle soever the shade of ab touches with its top , that will be the requir'd height ; and if it falls between 2 circles , 't is but considering which of them it comes nearest to , and then you may guess at the height with sufficient exactness . 8ly , and 9ly . devide one of these circles viz. sewn into degrees , and under each 11 degree and ¼ , place the several points of the pixidis nauticae , or mariners compass in the order as they are express'd in our said scheme , and you will not only have ( by the shade of ab ) the suns azimuth at all times , but see also how he bears from you according to the points of the compass ; and if the shade be at any time too short , lay on it but a ruler , label of paper or the like , and that will truly lengthen the said shade , and resolve your question . 10thly . devide af the northern half of the meridian , as many times as you can by the stile or radius ab , and then each devision into ten equal parts ( as you see it done in the said scheme ) and by it you will know at all times the proportion between any perpendicular and its shade , and consequently , ( besides many other things ) the height of any tower , tree or the like , for having found the sun to be ( suppose ) 25 degrees high , and that the circle of altitude cuts the linc af in the 22 devision , if therefore you measure the shade of your tower , and finding it ( for examples sake ) to be 66 yards long , you have what you seek ; for as the said 22 is to 10 ( the stiles height ) so is 66 the length of the shade to 30 the height of the tower. so much then for the construction of dials . and now let me desire all those that are pleased to follow this geometrical way ( which perchance is as expedite a one , and as free from blind lines as can be , ) not to rest satisfy'd till they fully comprehend what they do ; for the mechanical way of dialling is as soon lost as learnt , it being impossible ( without continual practice ) not to forget the rules , especially if one can make many dials ; when as a man that understands the reason of the operations ( by having in his head a true idea of the sphere and its projection ) will 20 years after without memorandums or notes , be able ( reflecting but a little ) to make not only all dials he formerly knew , but new ones also at first fight . to conclude , i here present my reader with the globe in a new dress , for being painted or stain'd on marble ( according to sch. 43. ) 't will be fit for any garden or open portico ; and least it might appear too plain , the corners of its base or pedestal may be adorned with handsom well turn'd branches , which not only embellish the whole machin by their make , but hold out bowls of glass and wyar for use also . for on the first corner , to wit , that markt with a , there is placed ( as a rarity . ) the blind man's * dial. on the second markt with b. the † dial that shows the hour , when the sun shines not , which will be often very useful . on the third , mark't with c , there is an armillary wyer sphere having a vane on the top , that continually shows on the brass plane within ( graduated and nautically character'd ) from what quarter the wind exactly blows ; as also , ( if you turn the said vane into the plane of the sun ) his azimuth and bearing . besides , the sphere ( being an horizontal concave dial ) shows the hour too ; for the shade of the pin's top in the center ever fall's on the true hour-circle , as i show'd in the * construction of such a dial. and by the way you must know this branch stands not in it's true place in the scheme ; i mean on the third corner of the base , because in perspective 't will fall on the globe it self , and consequently not appear well to the eye in a picture . lastly , on the fourth corner markt with d there is another glass bowl of the former dimension , containing orderly all the constellations , and remarkable stars , and therefore , if you know the hour , it will compose the said bowl or globe , and so represent the then position of the heavens ; but ( tho you are ignorant of the hour ) if you see a known star , and move the bowl on its axis , till the painted star on it lyes just between your eye and the real one , you have the hour , and consequently may know ( the globe being now compos'd ) any star or constellation above the horizon ; for the axis of this bowl having one end pointing directly to the north pole , and the other fixt in the center of a rundle containing on its limb the days of each month , fitted to the right ascension of the stars , and moving also on a plane divided into 24 equal parts , figured with the hours of a natural day , 't will follow that the day of the month ( when the globe is compos'd ) must lye on the true hour , as the true hour move'd to the day of the month must compose the globe , as is before hinted . these short directions are sufficient for any mathematician , or instrument-maker ; and as for the branch it self , 't is ( as you see ) not in its true place for the above mentioned reason . j. moxon to the reader . having courteous reader * engaged to show you the problems and operations on the sector , which the noble author supposes every one ( that studies the geometrical way of dialling ) to know , i shall here begin . i. upon a line given ( ab ) to erect ( cd ) a perpendicular . if there be a point ( as c ) given in ( ab ) the line on which the perpendicular is to fall , mark on both sides of the said point ( with your compass ) the equidistant points m and n , then opening them at pleasure , put one foot on m and describe the blind arch ef , and putting the other foot in n , describe the blind arch gh , and the fair line from ( d ) their intersection to the point c , will be the perpendicular requir'd . now if you have no point assign'd ( in the said line ( ab ) to terminate your perpendicular by take two points there at pleasure , as suppose m and n , and opening how you will your compasses , describe the blind arches ef and gh above your line , and op and qr below it , and the intersections of these arches ( to wit , d and s ) will be two points to draw your perpendicular by . ii. upon ( c ) the end of ( ac ) a given line , to draw ( dc ) a perpendicular . open your compasses at a convenient width , and putting one foot on c , let the other ( within reach of ac ) mark any where , as at f : then touching or cutting from thence the said ac ( with the moving foot of your compasses ) at , suppose , e , and describing on the other side of f the blind arch gh , lay your ruler on fe , and it will cut the said arch , at , suppose d , so that dc will be the requir'd perpendicular . iii. a line ( ab ) being given how to draw ( dg ) a parallel to it . having taken two points in the said line , as suppose a and b , open your compasses at what width you please , and putting one foot on a , describe the blind arch cde , and putting one foot on b describe the blind arch fgh , then if you lay your ruler on the highest part or greatest extuberancy of the said arches , to wit on the points d and g , the line so drawn will be the requir'd parallel . iv. to describe a true square . ab being a line as long as the side of the square you design , erect on the end a , the perpendicular da of the former length ; then taking between your compasses the said ab , put one foot on d , and describe the blind arch ef , and again putting one foot on b , describe the blind arch gh , to cut ef , and if from their intersection c , you draw the fair lines cb and cd , you have a true square . v. to draw an oblong , or ( as they commonby call it ) a long square . ab being the longest side of this square , erect on the end a , the perpedicular da , of the length of the shortest ; then taking between your compasses , the line ab , put one foot on d , and describe the blind arch ef : and taking between your compasses the line ad , describe the blind arch gh , to cut the said ef , and if from their intersection c , you draw the fair lines cb and cd , you have the square you design . vi. to describe an equilateral triangle , or an isosceles . open your compasses at ab , being the side of the triangle you design , and putting one foot on a , describe the blind arch ef , and again putting one foot on b , describe the blind arch gh to cut the said ef , and if from their intersection c , you draw the fair lines ca , and cb , you have a true equilateral triangle ; nor is there any difference in the description of the isosceles asb , for the only difference between them is , that the sides as and bs of the isosceles are longer ( or if you please they may be shorter ) than the base ab , whenas all three sides are equal in the equilateral triangle . vii . to make a triangle of three given lines . suppose the first line given be ab , the second ac , the third bc , and that you are to make a triangle of them : let ab be the base , and taking the given line ac between your compasses , put one foot on the base at a , and describe the blind arch ef , then taking the given line bc , between your compasses , put one foot on the base at b , and describe the blind arch gh , to cut the said arch ef , and if you draw lines , from their intersection at c , to a and b , on the aforesaid base , you have your intent . viii . to describe an oval . cross rp at right angles with im , and taking with your compasses ( on the said lines from the intersection o ) equal distances , to wit , oa , ob , oc , and od , and draw through the point c , the lines ak and bh , each equal to twice ac , as also throu ' d the lines an and bl , each equal to twice bc , then a and b being centers , describe the arches kpm , and hlr ; in like manner c and d being centers , describe the arches hik , and lmn , and the figure thus drawn will be a perfect oval . so much for the geometrical problems necessary for dialling , and as for the instrumental ones , i. e. those performed by the sector , they are , as i may say , of two sorts , some belonging to one side of it , and some to the other ; for the side marked with l is divided into 100 equal parts , and called the line of lines , and the side mark'd with s , the line of sines . first then of the line of lines , which by the way , tho' it be divided ( as i said ) but into 100 parts , may yet stand for 1000 , if you fancy every 10 divisions a line of 100 parts , and in like manner it will stand for 10000 parts , if every division be deemed 100 , therefore a line ( v. g. ) of 75 equal parts , may be exprest by 75 of those divisions , or by 7½ or by ¾ . the use of the line of lines marked with l. i. to divide a line into any number of equal parts . suppose your line were to be divided in 23 equal parts , take it between your compasses , and opening your sector , place one foot of your said compasses on the 23 division of the sector , and the other foot on the 23 over against it , and the distance between the figures 1 and 1 ▪ on the said sector will give you one equal division of your line , and the distance between 2 and 2 , will give you two equal divisions of it , and in this manner proceed till you quite run over it , as you design . ii. to find the proportion between any two lines . set over the greater line at 100 , and 100 on the sector , then taking the lesser between your compasses , find where it will be just set over also , or lye parallel to the former , which hapning suppose at 50 and 50 , you may conclude , that the proportion required , is as 100 to 50. iii. to divide a line as any other line proposed is divided ; that is to say , according to any proportion . suppose you saw a line , containing 65 equal parts of the sector devided into three pieces , the first containing five equal parts of the sector , the other fifteen , so that the last must be 45 ; then suppose you would divide ( after this proportion ) another line , containing but thirteen equal parts of the sector ; open your compasses at 13 , or length of the line to be devided , and putting it over at 65 , and 65 on the sector , the parallel at 5 and 5 will be the first division of the line to be divided , and one equal part of the sector in value ; the parallel at 15 and 15 will be the second , and three equal parts in value ; and the remainder ( being 9 in value , ) will be the third ; and thus you may do in all other cases . iv. to encrease or diminish a line in any proportion . suppose the proportion were as 4 to 7 , take the line given between your compasses , and setting it over on your sector , at the figures 4 and 4 , the distance from 7 to 7 will be a line encreast ( in respect of the given one ) as is the proportion of 4 to 7 ; in like manner you must do , if any other proportion were requir'd . now if you would diminish a line as is 7 to 4 , put over the line given at 7 and 7 , and the distance of 4 and 4 is the requir'd proportion . v. two lines being given , to find a third proportional . find by your compasses how many parts of the equal divisions of your sector will measure both your given lines , so that supposing the one to contain 10 parts , and the other 20 , set the second line ( i. e. the line 20 ) over at 10 , and 10 on the sector , and the distance or parallel at 20 , and 20 on the sector , will be 40 , the requir'd proportional . vi. three lines being given , to find a fourth proportional . the value of the lines being found as before , and supposing the first to be 10 , the second 20 , the third 30 , put over the second line ( to wit , 20 ) at 10 and 10. ( the value of the first line ) and the distance or parallel at 30 and 30. ( or value of the third line ) will be 60 , the required proportional . of the use of the line of sines , markt with s. i. how to find the sine of any angle , according to any radius . suppose the sine of the angle you require be 50 , take the radius between your compasses , and put it over at the extremity of the sector , that is to say , at 90 and 90 , and the parallel at 50 and 50 will be the sine of 50 degrees , according to that radius . ii. how to find the chord of any arch. suppose you would have the chord of an arch of 50 degrees , open your compasses at the length of the given radius , and put it over at 90 and 90 , then take with your said compasses the parallel , at the figures 25 and 25 on the sector , ( i. e. at the figures of half the degrees given ) and prick or measure it twice upon any streight line , and that will be the required chord . iii. how to make an angle of any value , as also how to find the value of any angle already drawn . suppose you are to make an angle of 50 degrees , draw a line , as ( for example sake ) ad , and taking any point in it , as b , open your compasses to a convenient radius , and put one foot on b , and describe the blind arch cf , then taking between your compasses the chord of 50 , according to the radius of the said arch , put one foot on c , and the other marking at suppose e , draw the line be , and you have the required angle , to wit , the angle ebc . but if the angle you would make be above 90 degrees , as suppose 130 , make the angle of its supplement , viz. the angle of 50 as before , and the angle on the other side , viz. eba will be the angle you look for : here therefore you see how to find the value of any angle already drawn , as suppose the angle ebc , since 't is but describing a blind arch , as cf , and setting over ( on the sector ) the radius of the said arch at 90 and 90 ; for if you observe where the measure of this arch ( viz. c. e ) marks a parallel on the sector , as before , the figures there ( to wit , 25 ) being doubled ( and amounting consequently to 50 ) will be the requir'd angle . as for the tangent and secant of any number of degrees , the noble author has himself showd you how to find them at pag. 71. and so gentle reader having finish'd my promise , i bid you farewel . sect . vi. of the stars . as for the stars , it is not my set business to meddle with them , nor is there any instrument that so naturally resolves all the usual questions concerning them , as the coelestial globe ; for there things appear as they do in the heavens themselves ; but because such a globe is not always at hand , i will shew you how its most necessary operations may ( in case of necessity ) be perform'd , even by our present globe , and then i shall treat of the pedestal , on which all the appearing stars are truly projected . the usual and most necessary operations of the coelestial globe in relation to the stars are these . 1. to find the declination of any star. 2. to find the right ascension of any star. 3. to find the difference between the suns right ascension , and that of any star , or the difference between the right ascensions of any two stars . 4. to find the true place of any star on the globe , i. e. the point that corresponds there , with its then place in the heavens . 5. to find the bearing of any star according to the points of the compass . 6. to take the height of any star you see . 7. to find the height of any star by the hour tho' unseen . 8. to find the azimuth of any star. 9. to find how many hours any star stays above or below the horizon . 10. to find when any star rises or sets . 11. to find what a clock 't is by any star. 12. to know the name of any star you see . operation i. to find the declination of any star. as for the declension of the stars , since the coelestial globe and other instruments , that shew their motions , perform this operation by their make ( for on them the stars are always plac'd , according to their respective declensions ) we shall require here a proportionable concession , viz. that in some of the vacant parts of our globe there may be a little table , containing the declension and magnitude of the most noted stars , as also the degree of the ecliptick , which agrees with their respective right ascensions : that is to say , a table containing their declension and magnitude , with the suns place in the ecliptic , when his and their right ascension are the same ; and the said table may be made in the following manner . the table for the stars . mag. name . declension . deg. eclip . 1. bulls eye . 15 48. ♊ 6. 1. lions heart . 13 33. ♌ 26. 1. arcturus . 51 4. ♏ 2. 2. little dog. 6 3. ♋ 19. 2. medusa , or algol . 39 40. ♉ 13. and so for as many as the globe maker thinks fit to express . operation ii. to find the right ascension of any star , v. g. of the lion's heart . having found by the table , that the lions heart has the same right ascension with the sun , when he is in the 26 of ♌ , draw your string over that degree of the ecliptic , and it will cut the aequator at almost 148 degrees , for the stars right ascension . operation iii. to find the difference between the suns right ascension , and that of any star , as also the difference of the right ascensions of any two stars . having found by the former operation , that the right ascension of the lion's heart is towards 148 degrees , and that the * suns ( on v. g. the 10 of april ) is near 28 , the difference ( by substraction ) will appear to be about 120 degrees , or ( by the intermediate hour circles ) 8 hours . in like manner having found ( for example sake ) the little dogs right ascension , to be about 110 degrees , the difference between it and that of the lions heart is 38 , or 2 hours and a half . operation iv. to find the place of any star on the globe , i. e. the point that corresponds with its then place in the heavens . having found by the foregoing operation , that the difference between the suns right ascension and the lions heart , is about 120 degrees , or 8 hours , substract the said hours ( for so much the sun rises and sets now before the star ) from the time given ( suppose from 10 at night ) and the remaining 2 hours shows you , that the star is at that moment in some part of the hour-circle of 2 in the afternoon , or thereabouts ; so that the bead rectify'd to the stars declension , and moved on its noose from the pole to the said hour-circle , determins the very point or place requir'd , the like may also be performed by your compasses open'd from the pole , at the complement of the stars declension . but here you must remember that the readiest way still to find the present place of a star is by its almucantar and azimuth ; for where these circles intersect , there the stars then place will be ; and as for the almucantar and azimuth of any star , they are found by the 6th , and 8th , operation of this section . operation v. to find the bearing of a star at all times . having found the true place of the lions heart by the former operation , if you draw your string over it from the zenith , 't will cut the horizon at or about s. w. for its then bearing . operation vi. to take the almucantar or height of any star you see . because stars cast no shade , you must take their height as you do the suns when he is overcast , and therefore consult the first operation of the first * section , or the 5th , of the * 4th . section . operation vii . to find the height of a star at any time , by the hour tho' unseen . the hour being ( v. g. ) 10 at night , on the 10 of april , the suns place is where his parallel cuts the 10 a clock hour circle , so that knowing by the difference of their right ascensions that the lions heart is ( v. g. ) 8 hours behind the sun , you may conclude the star to be somewhere in the hour-circle of 2 in the afternoon , to wit , in that point , which answers to the said stars declension ; having therefore its place , draw but your string from the zenith over it , and mounting your bead to it , if you move your said bead to the meridian or quadrant of altitude , 't will lye on or about the 45th . degree for the required height . operation viii . to find the azimuth of any star. find but the lions heart's bearing , or his then true place in the heavens as before , and the string will cut the horizon on its true azimuth . now if you see the star , you may perform this operation without any of the former postulats ; for placing your globe on a meridian line , and holding your string streight from the zenith , do but move it in that posture by the direction of your eye ( as we show'd you in the first * section ) till it be in the same plane with the star , and the degrees of the horizon under your string , give you the required azimuth , which will now be about 45 degrees westward . operation ix . to know how many hours any star stays above or under the horizon . rectify the bead to the declension of the lions heart , and moving your string on the noose from the pole , till the said bead touches the horizon on the west side , see what hour-circle cuts with it there , and you will find it to be that of 7 and a quarter or thereabouts ; and this doubled ( making in all some 14 hours and a half ) gives the true time of its stay above the horizon ; so 4 and three quarters doubled ( i mean the hour-circle which intersects with it on the east side ) gives you 9 hours and a half for its stay below the horizon . operation x. to find when any star rises or sets . having found by the third operation , the difference between the suns right ascension and that of the lyons heart to be 8 hours on the 10th of april ; and having also found by the foregoing operation , that it rises where the hour-circle of 4 and 3 quarters cuts the horizon , and sets where that of 7 and a quarter do's the like , add the 8 hours difference ( because the star is now so much behind , or too slow for the sun ) to 4 and 3 quarters , which making 12 and 3 quarters in all , shows that the star rises at 12 a clock , and 3 quarters in the afternoon ; and by adding it to the aforesaid 7 and a quarter , that it sets at 15 and a quarter , to wit , at 3 and a quarter in the morning . operation . xi . to find what a clock 't is by any star. having ( v. g. ) on the 10th . of april found the true place of the lyons heart , on the globe , by some of the former ways , as ( for example ) by its height and azimuth : i say ; having thus found the stars true place on your globe ( which hapning ( v. g. ) to be in the 2 a clock circle ) find by the third operation the difference between its and the suns right ascension , which being 8 hours , add it to the said 2 ( for the star is as we said 8 hours now behind or too slow for the sun ) and the then true hour will be 10 at night . operation xii . to know the name of any remarkable star which you see . by a stars height and azimuth you may ( as we have show'd you ) quickly find its present true place on the globe , and consequently its declension , as being the nearest distance between its said place and the aequator ; so that your tables of declension gives you its name ; and if there should be two of the same declension then their right ascensions ( being different ) will resolve the doubt . to conclude , all the former operations may be yet more readily performed , and that without any table , if the globe-maker place 10 or 20 of the most noted stars ( which will be enough to these schemes are properly sch 3d & 4 belonging to page 141 as showing the way to describe the projectiō but they may serve for sch 1 & 2 pag. 135. if on the higher the constellation are supposd to be engravd & on the lower a line was draw̄ frō the center to lack hour in the limb & no almucantar or azi●●th exprest but by pricks satisfy any ordinary curiosity ) on the globe it self , according to their true longitude and latitude ; for then their declensions , parallels , and right ascensions appear in a manner at first view , which must needs therefore facilitate the other operations . of the pedestal . thus you see that our globe ( tho' it be a terrestial one ) may ( in case of necessity ) be serviceable in relation to the very stars ; but because all operations that have the least reflection in them , seem intricate and troublesome to some , i have here adjoyned ( for them that will be at the expence of the best sort of these globes ) a most facile way , that shall resolve in an instant , all the former questions and more ; for there is not only a steriographical projection on the pedestal of the appearing stars in our horizon , but one also so ordered , that it obviates the inconveniences which make stofflers admirable astrolabe so much neglected of late ; for some say , there is no finding a star on it without much poring , tho' we should know near what constellation it lyes ; others , that when we see a star there , we are still ignorant to what constellation it belongs ; many quarrel at the great confusion which the azimuths , almucuntars , and other circles exprest on it make ; and some again object , that the numeral figures belonging to the said circles are oftentimes so hid by the solid part of the rete , that we cannot without a new trouble and motion perform the intended operation . i say , this projection on the pedestal ( besides several other things ) obviates these inconveniences , as you will presently see . the explanation of the circles and lines of the whole projection or pedestal . the uttermost circle ( in sch. 1 ) or limb senw of the lower or first plane , represents circulum maximum semper latentium , or ( if you think that too large ) what parallel you please . it may be conveniently nine inches or a little more in diameter , if the globes be a foot , and being of fine pastboard or the like substance , it is to be let into the pedestal , which is purposely made cradle or frame wise , that it may ( by your hand underneath ) be easily turn'd round , and be also taken quite out , if any particular or extraordinary occasion should require it ; nay , the whole pedestal may be pulled off , ( if you think fit ) from the handle or fulerum , and us'd apart as a distinct instrument . 2. the great circles described on it are only two , viz. the aequator ( ♈ ae ♎ ae ) and the ecliptic ( ♈ ♋ ♎ ♑ ) divided into the 12 signs , with their gradual subdivisions . now ( since it will be no incumbrance to your plane ) you may express on it also ( if you please ) the two tropics , by two fine circles , that of cancer touching the ecliptic at ♋ , and that of capricorn at ♑ . and as for the limb , it is divided into 360 degrees , for being in projection greater than the aequator , 't will prove more useful in all the operations , that concern such divisions . nor are the circles or stars placed here as on the globe ( i mean according to the degrees of a quadrant equally divided ) but steriographically projected by half tangents , i. e. as they would appear and fall on an aequinoctial plane , or a plane parallel to it , were our eye in the pole , of which more hereafter , as also the centers and radius's of each circle , when we come to the description and demonstration of the whole projection ; and in this manner also ( to wit , by half tangents ) the line p. e. is divided , which shows the declension of any star. thirdly . the stars being all plac'd on this plane according to their respective right ascensions and declensions ; and by the way , when you once know how to find by this projection the right ascension and declension of a star ( as you will presently do by the following instructions , that concern operation ) you will then also know by the help of astronomical tables ( which give each star's right ascension and declension ) how to place them here : i say , the stars being all plac't on this plane , according to their respective right ascensions and declensions , they are to be marshall'd and reduc'd into constellations ; and therefore you must suppose either fit pictures drawn about them to express what they are , or that the uttermost stars of each be join'd by a fine prick't line , which will give you perchance , the most clear and just representation of them , and consequently prove the easiest way for the finding them out in the heavens ; but since pictures have conveniences and great ones also ; for thus without consulting the written names , we cannot only find presently ( even a far off ) the constellation we seek after , but know at the same time the place of each star in it , which place for the most part gives the star its ordinary name : i say , since pictures have great conveniences , let them be us'd ; but then they must be as faintly and simply express'd as can be ; for deep shadows , and unnecessary flourishes both distract the fancy , and cause even the stars that are express'd to be less conspicuous and observ'd . fourthly , when the first plane is thus garnished and plac'd in its frame , there is another of the same bigness , either of glass , or talk ( represented by scheme the second ) to be put over it , and fixt or fastned in the uttermost molding or ledge of the pedestal . and here be pleas'd ( for distinction sake ) to remember , that by the terms first , and second , these two planes are distinguish'd , and that by projection is meant the whole pedestal , or astronomical machin , which ( as i said ) may be taken off , and used apart , as a particular instrument . lastly , the second plane ( represented , as i said by scheme the second ) has its limb s. e. n. w : divided ( besides the subdivisions or quarters ) into 24 equal parts , by so many streight lines , drawn from the. center p , and figur'd ( i. ii. iii , &c. ) according to the hours of a natural day . as for the circle hrst , it represents the horizon ; and the circular pricks within it give the almucantars and azimuths of every 10 degrees ; for ( on the one side ) if you consider the said pricks as so many circles ascending from the horizon towards the zenith , the figures along the lines , ps and pn give you from the horizon upwards the height of that star which touches any of them . on the other side , if you consider them in file , ( i mean as so many arches passing thro' the zenith , and terminating in the horizon ) their distance from ps ( the southern part of the meridian ) shows the azimuth of the star next any of them , by the figures round the horizon ; and least you might not readily distinguish arch from arch , if the pricks were all of the same kind or species , there are two sorts here , viz. one of plain and simple pricks the other of small astricks alternatively plac'd ; so that 't is but observing of what species the prick next a star is , ( as suppose an astrisk , ) and then following with your eye a file or arch of astrisks 'till you come to the horizon ; for the figures at their termination there give you the requir'd azimuth . thus then the confusion which the several almucantars and azimuths would make ( were they all describ'd on the plane ) is avoided , seeing the plane is now less fill'd than if the almucantars were only exprest on it ; for disjoyn'd pricks circularly plac'd occupy not the room of a continued circle , and yet each row or circle of the said pricks perform both the forementioned offices . how to operate by the projection or pedestal . first the reader must remember , that i call rectifying the first plane ; the placing and adjusting it so that all the stars may appear above and below the horizon , as they then really do in the heavens themselves ; which operation being a main and principal matter ( for all the other are in truth but so many deductions or corollaries ) i will now begin with it ; nor is there any thing here requir'd but the height of some star in view ( as the lion's heart , or the like ) which you may find by the globe as you do the * sun 's or † moons height as i mentioned * before . now for cleerness sake , let us suppose this star to be about 45 degrees high westwardly , and then if you move your plane till the said star , lyes thus under a prick of this height , you have ( without ever moving more the plane ) the several following operations at a time . first , you see all the stars that are then above the horizon and below it ; for all the painted ones within the circle hrst , on the second plane represent the real ones then in sight , and the rest those that are below the horizon . secondly , you see what stars are rising , what are setting , what are culminating , and what are in their lowest depression . thirdly , if you look after any particular star ( suppose the lion's heart ) by seeing him on the west-side of ps ( the meridian of the said second plane ) you are sure he is not only in a declining state but also ( by following the prick next him to the horizon , according to its species ) that his azimuth is 45 degrees . fourthly , you will see his bearing , to be about s. w. if you follow the azimuthal arch to the nautical characters there . fifthly , you see that the hour of the night is 10 , by observing under what hour-line the 10th . of april ( i. e. the day of the month , the suns place in the ecliptick ) lyes . sixthly , by any real or imaginary hour line that runs over the said star , you find his right ascension to be near 148 degrees ; for thus the said hour line cuts the limb. seventhly , by his being behind the sun about 8 hours ( as appears by the hour lines that pass over the star and the suns place ) you have the difference of their right ascensions , which amounts to about 120 degrees . eighthly , which is the most surprising ( and not performable even by a coelestial globe ) you no sooner see these things in relation to this or any other particular star , but at the same time also ( even without touching your projection ) you have them in relation to all the stars in general ; for when the first plane is rectify'd , we have ( besides the hour ) the heighths , azimuths , bearings , right ascensions , &c. of all the other stars above the horizon . concerning the other operations , they are more restrain'd , as being peculiar to the star you enquire after ; for if you would know when the lions heart sets , ( which for continuation's sake we will call the ninth operation ) do but move your first plane till the said star touches the horizon , and the imaginary hour line that passeth over the sun's place in the ecliptic , show's you , that 't will be then about 3 and a quarter in the morning . 10ly . by the figures about the horizon , you will see at the same time , that his occasive amplitude is near 23 degrees ▪ northward , and his then bearing ( by the nautecal caracters ) to be wnw , or thereabouts . 11. by the imaginary hour-line that then passes over the said star ( viz. that of about 7 and a quarter ) you have half the time of his constant aboad above the horizon , and consequently know , that from his rising to his setting there are about 14 hours and an half . 12. by reason that the imaginary hour-line of about 7 and a quarter passes over the star ( as we said ) at his setting , it follows that it 's ascensional difference ( i. e. the difference between its right and oblique ascension ) is about an hour and a quarter , or 18 degrees . 13. by the degree of the ecliptic that sets with the star ( which is the 26 of ♌ ) and by the opposite degree which then rises ( viz. the 26. of ♒ ) you see that on the 8th . of august he sets achronically , and on the 2. of february cosmically . 14. remove the said plane , till the said star brushes the horizon on the east-side , and by the precedent method ( mutatis mutandis ) you will find when he rises , what his ortive amplitude is , how he then bears , how long he is under the horizon , when he rises cosmically , and when achronically . 15. by placing the point of a pin or needle , on the class over the lions heart , and then moving the first plane , till the divided 6 a clock hour-line pe , lyes just under the said point the divisions there will show its declination to be about 13 degrees and 33 minutes . the like you may do with your compasses ; for if you take the distance between the pole and star , and measure it on pe , you have what you seek for . many other operations are performable by the projection , touching the stars ; but since these are the most material ones , and since i have not time to treat more fusely , i leave the rest to be found out by my reader himself , who may easily do it , if he understands either the caelestial globe , or any instrument belonging to the stars . and here he is to remember , that knowing but the hour at any time , let him put the suns place , or day of the month under the hour-line , that corresponds with it , and the projection will be rectified , and consequently ( having a true view of the then posture of the heavens ) he may opperate as before . in the next place , if he knows but the suns place in the ecliptic of the first plane , and opperates with the said place as if it were a star , he may find out the former operations in relation to the sun it self ; that is to say , he may at that moment know his height , azimuth , bearing , amplitude , &c. 16. if you would know the stars in the heavens , you may also do it by the help of this projection ; for your first plane being rectified , it gives you ( as i said ) the true posture of all the stars ; so that if those you seek after be near the horizon , meridian , or any other noted quarter , those on your plane near its horizon , meridian , or corresponding quarter will resolve the question . or , if you take the height of a star , and its azimuth ( according to any of the former directions ) then whatever star on your plane has the same , it will be that you seek after , and consequently you have its name . now knowing once a star , your said first plane shows you what they are that lye about it , and so by degrees you may run from one to another round the heavens . nor need you , as to the knowing of the stars , be so exact ( either in rectifying your projection , or in having the hour of the night , or in taking the heights , and the like ) as in other operations : for , by the bigness of the star , by its nearness to some remarkable one , and by twenty other particular properties , you will be so regulated and confined , that you may safely conclude , when you examine your projection , that the real star you see , can be no other than such and such a one . how to describe the projection . having thus show'd you the use of the pedestal or projection , i shall fall on the way of describing it , and ( according to my manner all along ) on the demonstration of it also , especially since it conduces to a more easy comprehension of all steriographical projections ; and if i be a little longer than ordinary , it is now no great matter , for i have ended all the operations i intend at present , so that what is here further said may be omitted without inconvenience , if the reader be disgusted at speculation . as for the nature of the projection , t is optical , representing all things in the heavens , as they appear to the eye , from such and such a station , and not according to their true and real distances . 't is chiefly founded on the 20th . proposition of the third book of euclid , which proves , that the angle at the periphery is but ½ that at the center ; for from thence 't is infer'd , that if placeing our eye on the superficies of the sphere ( v. g. at the south pole ) we look into its cavity , the angle made at our eye , by the two rayes that issue from it ( the one along or throu ' the axis to the opposite pole , and the other to a determined point ) will be the angle only of half the value of the arch , or real distance between the two objects , i. e. between the said opposite pole and point ; now since any diameter on the plane of the aequator ( for that , or some parallel circle to it , we now suppose to be the plane of our present projection ) meeting with those rays , will be the tangent of the angle they make , which being in value ( as we said ) but half the real distance between the said objects , it must need follow , if any star or point in the heavens be distant from this opposite pole , suppose 20. degrees , that the tangent of 10 degrees from the center of the projection ( which represents the said pole ) gives its true apparrent place there , and the like is to be said of any other distance . i shall not trouble the reader with any scheme to demonstrate this further , because ( being fusely treated of by aguilonius and others ) 't is obvious enough to all mathematicians ; and as for new beginners ( if they desire a fuller conception of it ) let them but apply themselves to any man vers't in projections , and in the space of ten minutes he will shew it them more clearly and naturally , by strings fitly placed on an armillary sphere , than i can here in many hours ; therefore supposing ( if to such , what i have already said be not evident ) that the heavens may be thus projected by half tangents , let us proceed to the way of doing it , that is to say , to the finding of the centers and radius's of all the circles which conduce to the before mentioned operations . as for the concentric circles of the first plane , to wit , the aequator , the tropics , and the limb , which is ( as i said ) circulus maximus semper latentium , or some parallel ▪ to it , there is no difficulty in describing them ; for having drawn at right angles the lines ns and ew ( representing the four cardinal points ) throu'p , the center , or projected pole , if you open your compasses at the tangent of 45 degrees , and place one foot on the said p , you must needs project the aequator ; because being distant from either pole 90 degrees , the ray that touches it , and that which runs along the axis to the opposite or north pole , makes an angle at your eye ( as we said before ) of only half so much . in like manner , the tropic of cancer being 66 g. 30 m. from this pole , the tangent of 33 g. 15 m. gives his radius , as the tangent of 56. g. 45 m. does capricorn , whose real distance from the said pole is 113 g. 30 m. for it lies 47 degrees beyond the former tropick . and lastly , the tangent of 64 g. 15 m. projects the limb or uttermost circle , if it be circulus maximus super latentium , as being yet 15 degrees further ; for the true distance of that circle from the said pole 128 degrees and 30 minutes . now for the main matter , to wit , the great circles which fall obliquely on the plane , take this easy general rule for them all , viz. that their centers are distant from the center of the projection the tangent of as many degrees as their poles are distant from the pole of the plane , on which the projection is made ( that is to say , in our present case , from the north-pole of the world ) and the secant of the said degrees is their radius . suppose then you were to project ( v. g. ) the ecliptic , which is the only oblique circle of your first plane ; you know that its northern pole , ( being in your meridian ) is distant from the north pole of the world 23 g. 30 m. open therefore your compasses at the tangent of those degrees , and place one foot in p , and the other will give you in the line pn ( the northern half of the meridian of your plane ) or in the line ps , ( the southern half of the said meridian ) the point d , for the requir'd center . d then being the center , open but your compasses at the secant of the said degrees , and you have the radius ; nay , the distance from d to e , or from d to w , the east and west points of the aequator ( or points where the ecliptic intersects with the aequator on the sphere ) gives this secant ; for if pd be the tangent of 23 g. 30 m. then d e and d w are ( you see ) the secants . but before we demonstrate the aforesaid rule , let us make an end with the great oblique circles of the transparent or second plane , which are only the horizon hrst , and the azimuths of every 10 degrees , exprest ( as i said ) by plain pricks and astrisks . as for the pole of the horizon , it is ( you know ) the zenith , which being distant in your meridian 38 g. 30 m. southwards from the north pole of the world , it must follow by the former rule , that the tangent of 38 g. 30 m. ( or complement of the elevation ) from p ( the center of the projection ) giving you ( southwards in the meridian of your plane ) h , the requir'd cent●● , the secant of these degrees will be the requir'd radius ; nay the distance from h to e , or from h to w the east and west points of the aequator , ( or points where the horizon cuts the aequinoctial colure ) gives this secant ; for if p h be the tangent of 38 g. 30 m. h e and h w are the secants . the poles of all the azimuths , are ( as every body knows ) in the horizon ; now that of the primary vertical , being in the meridian also , 't is distant in the heavens ( on the north side of your meridian ) the value of the elevation , or 51 g. 30 m. so that by the foregoing rule ( pv ) the tangent of those degrees will , from the center p ( northward , ) give you in the meridian of the plane the center of this circle , and the secant the radius . nay , the distance from v to e , or from v to w , the east and west points of the aequator , ( or points where the said primary vertical cuts the aequinoctial colure ) gives this secant ; for if pv be the tangent of 51 g. 30 m. v e and v w are the secants . besides , where the moving foot of your compasses ( thus extended ) touches the meridian of the plane , there will be the zenith in projection , and consequently distant from p ( southward , ) the tangent of 19 d. 15 m. or half the complement of the elevation ; for our zenith lyes in the meridian 38 g. 30 m. beyond the pole on the south-side of the sphere or heavens . as for the centers of the other azimuths , tho' there be no tables calculated to shew how their repective poles are distant from that of the plane or projection , and consequently the aforesaid rule may seem useless , yet by resolving a triangle , these distances may be found , as also the value of the angle , made by your meridian ( or 12 a clock hour circle ) with the meridian that passes throu ' the proposed degree of the horizon , so that the rule serves as before ; for if you draw a blind line thro' p , that makes an angle with pn , answerable to the value of the angle of those two meridians in the said triangle , the tangent of the distance found between the pole of the plane and that of the propos'd azimuth will still give you its center from p in the said blind line , and the secant its radius . but you may avoid the resolution of a triangle , by the usual expedite way , viz. by drawing thro' v ( the center of the primary vertical , found as before ) the blind line k. m. at right angles with p. n. ( the northern part of the meridian of your plane ) and then pricking on both sides of the said v ( zv being radius ) the tangents of all the azimuths you would express , as ( for example ) those of 10 , 20 , 30 degrees , &c. for the said pricks give their centers , and the secant of those deg. their radius . this way also agrees not a little with the above mentioned rule ; for if the distance from v ( the center of the primary vertical ) to 10 ( the center of the azimuth of 10 degrees ) be the tangent of those degrees , 't is evident , that the radius z 10 is the secant ; and if this be the secant , the distance from v to 10 is the tangent . thus then in short may be drawn ( mutatis mutandis ) all other great oblique circles in any steriographical projection , when their poles lye in one and the same circle ; and now since the aforesaid rule agrees even with this usual way of describing these circles , i will here demonstrate it , having done with the great circles on both our planes ; for as to the hour circles , they are all seen in cultro , ( that is to say , they lye directly under your eye , and consequently are in projection streight lines , and distant ( as on the sphere ) 15 deg. asunder ; i say , since the rule agrees not a little with this way , and that i have done with the great circles both planes , i will now demonstrate it by the two lemmas that follow . the demonstration . sch. 5. i. the secant of any arch is equal to the tangent of the same arch more by the tangent of half its complement . that is to say , ce the secant ( for example sake ) of 60 degrees ( in scheme 5 ) is equal to eb ( the tangent of 60 ) and to ba the tangent of 15 , or half the complement of 60 : for the angle eca being equal by hyp. to the angle ach , becomes equal to * the angle eac . therefore ea is equal to † ec , and consequently eb plus ba is equal to ec . qed. sch. 6. ii. the tangent of any arch greater than 45 degrees is equal to the tangent and secant of double its excess above 45 degrees ; that is to say , ab tangent ( for example ) of 46 deg. ( in sch. 6th ) is equal to cd secant of 2 degrees plus db tangent of the said degrees ; for the angle dca being by hyp. † equal to the angle ach becomes equal to the angle dac ; therefore cd is equal to * ad , and consequently ad plus db is equal to cd plus db. these two lemmas being premis'd , let us consider the projection ( for example sake ) of the ecliptic , and see how it agrees with our said rule , to wit , that the centers of all the projected great oblique circles are distant from the center of the projection , the tangent of as many degrees as their poles are distant from the pole of the plane on which the projection is made and that the secant of those degrees gives their radius's . the ecliptic is to touch both tropics on the solstitial colure or meridian of the plane , because it touches that colure thus in the heavens , and on the sphere ; so that by construction p ♋ ( the distance in projection between the center of the plane and the point where the ecliptic touches the tropic of cancer ) is the tangent 33. 15′ . or half 66. 30′ , ( its real distance on the sphere from the north pole ) and on the other side p ♑ ( the distance in projection between the center and the point where the ecliptic touches capricorn ) is the tangent of 56. 45. or half 113. 30′ . it s real distance as before . now d by construction being distant ( on the meridian or diameter of the plane ) from the center p the tangent of 23 d. 30 m. ( or real distance between the pole of the plane of the projection and that of the ecliptic ) must needs be , according to our rule , the center of this circle in projection , and the secant of those degrees its radius , if we prove the said d to be the middle of the line ♋ ♑ ( or diameter of the ecliptic ) and d ♋ and d ♑ to be secants of 23 d. 30 m. 't is manifest that d ♋ is secant of 23 d. 30 m. because 't is equal ( by lem. 1. ) to pd , tangent of 23 d. 30 m. plus p 69 tangent of 33 d. 15 m. again d ♑ is secant of 22 d. 30 m. because p ♑ ( tangent of 56 d. 45 m. ) is equal by lemma the second to the tangent and secant of 23 d. 30 m. now pd being tangent of those degrees , d ♑ must be secant ; therefore d ♋ and d ♑ being equal , d is the middle of the line ♋ , ♑ , and consequently pd ( the tangent of 23 d. 30 m. from the center of your plane ) gives in its meridian the center of the ecliptic , and the secant of those degrees the radius , q. e. d. and in this maner the way of projecting the other great oblique circles is to be demonstrated . nor do's this rule solely serve for the description of the great oblique circles on the present planes , but for all that are expressed on stofflers astrolabe , or mr. oughtreds horizontal ; nay it shews not only how to draw the meridians in gemma frisius his projection , but , by the bare conversion of the terms , the parallels themselves , tho little circles . for first as to the meridians , whose poles , ( as every body knows ) lye all in the aequator , suppose you would describe the 10th . from the limb or grand meridian , which is to be the solstitial colure , since , in this projection , your eye lies in the east or west points of the aequator , to wit in the pole of the said colure ; i say , suppose you were to describe the 10th . from the limb , it follows by our rule , because their poles are 10 degrees asunder on the sphere and in the heavens , that the tangent of those degrees gives from a ( the center of the projection in sch. 7th . ) the requir'd center b , and the secant the radius ; for this circle on the sphere cutting the aequator at the 80th . deg. from the pole of your plane , ( or point opposite to your eye ) its extremity c must in projection be distant from a the tangent of 40 deg. only ; now since bc ( to wit ba plus ac the tangents of 10 and 40 deg ) is equal by lemma the first ) to the secant of 10 degrees , and since bn . and bs ( or distance from b to the two poles of the world ) are visibly the secants of those degreees , it necessarily follows , that the meridian to be describ'd ( which pass we know throu ' the said three points c. n. and s. ) can have no other center but b , nor radius but the said secant . besides if if we make this arch an entire circle ( by the prickt arch naes ) then ab the tangent of 10 degrees plus bae = bc ( the secant of 10 ) is equal ( by lemma the 2d . to the tangent of 50 degrees , but the other part of the said meridian lyes ( we know on the sphere ) 100 degrees from the forementioned pole of the plane , and in projection the tangent of 50 from the center a ; ergo b is the true center of the requir'd meridian , and the secant of 10 degrees the radius . sch. 7. 2. for the parallels or circles of latitude , the same rule ( the terms as i said being converted ) finds both their centers and radius's ; for if you would project ( suppose ) the 80th . parallel from the aequator , that is to say , the 10th . from the pole of the world , 't is but saying , that the secant of 10 degrees from the center of the plane gives you the center of the parallel requir'd , and the tangent of the same degrees the radius . to prove this , let af ( in sch. 7. ) be by construction the secant of 10 degrees , and opening your compasses at the tangent of those degrees place one foot on the said f , and describe the circle klpo ; now because af the secant of 10 degrees is equal ( by lemma the 1st . ) to the tangent of 10 and tangent of 40 degrees , therefore ak is the tangent of 40 degrees . again because af ( secant of 10 ) plus fp = fk ( tangent of 10 degrees ) is ( by lemma the 2d ) equal to the tangent of 50 , ergo ap is tangent of 50 ; but the parallel requir'd is a circle which on one side cuts ( in the sphere ) the aequinoctial colure 80 degrees from the pole of your plane ( or point opposite to your eye ) and on the other side at 100 , or supplement of the said 80 degrees , therefore seeing k and p the two extreme points of the projected circle oplk are distant from the center a on the produc'd axis ( or intersection of the aequinoctial colure with the plane ) the tangents of 40 and 50 degrees ( to wit , the tangents of half the real value of these arches ) it must follow that the said oplk truly represents the requir'd parallel , and consequently that the arch okl is that part of it , which is farthest from your eye , to wit , so much of the whole circle as falls on the plane . thus much then for these parallels , since all are to be describ'd after the same manner , and now having mention'd little circles , 't is fit the reader should know how the circles of altitude are to be describ'd on the second plane of the pedestal or projection which are little circles also . the way is easy for if you would have the almucantar , ( suppose ) of 10 degrees ( viz. abcd in scheme 4th ) you must proceed thus . because the horizon in projection ( as we show'd you before ) is distant from the center , ( on the north side of the meridian ) the tangent of 25 , 45m . or half the elevation , to wit from p to h , and ( on the south side ) from p to s , the tangent of 64. 15 , or half 128. 30′ . the supplement of the said elevation , therefore the almucantar of 10 degrees ( being on the sphere 10 degrees neerer the pole than the horizon , ) will in projection be nearer the center 5 degrees . so that the tangent of 20 , 45′ from the center p giving ( a ) its extremity on the north side of the meridian , and the tangent of 59. 15. giving ( c ) its extremity on the south side , it follows that ( g ) half the distance between the said ( a ) and c becomes the center to describe it by ; for since all the circles of the sphere are still circles in projection ( except those that are seen in cultro ( as we said ) if you have the diameter ( or streight line that joyns the extreme points of any of them ) half of it must needs give you the center ; and in this manner then are the other circles of altitude , to be describ'd . but here take notice that whereas in sch. 2. ( representing the second or trasparent plane ) the azimuths and almucantars are found ( as i * show'd you ) by the consideration of the pricks or asterisks there exprest : now , that the reader may know how to place them , the very circles and arches are describ'd on it , sch. 4. as it represents for the said pricks and asterisks are ever to be in their intersections . and by way the instrument maker may ( if he pleases ) make use of pricks , and no asterisks on the real transparent plane of the pedestal ; for they will upon second thoughts perform better the operation . the conclusion . having thus finish'd all the operations that at present occur , i shall now end with what i promis'd in the * beginning , to wit , with showing the reader the particular advantages of this globe , which are of four kinds ; for , first it does several operations not performable by the ordinary globes . 2ly . it does even the operations ( which the other perform ) much easier and quicker . 3ly . it performs many at a view , which are to be done by the other ( for the most part ) successively . lastly , it has several by-advantages and conveniences belonging to it by it's make independent of the operations . as to the operations not performable by any other globe , they are : 1. the placing of it self * level , or horizontal . 2. the ‡ composing of it self to the position of the heavens . 3. the showing of the * hour , even several wayes : and this not only at home but at the same time also in all ‡ places of the world. * 4. the knowing how much any place wants of day , if it be night there ; or of night if day there ; and consequently the ‡ babilonish and italian hour without any computation . 5. the showing the * judaical hour , without any computation . 6. the showing the sun 's true place in the heavens every * moment , and consequently in what countrey he is then vertical . 7. the sun's height at any time of the day both at * home , and in all other ‡ places , where the globe show's 't is day , as also his depression where it show's 't is night . 8. the sun's * azimuth and ‡ bearing . 9. the antient * geography as well as modern . 10. the hour by the ‡ moon ; with several other operations concerning her . 11. the * proportion of perpendiculars to their shades , with corollaries in relation to altimetry , and showing the hour by your stick . 12. the performing of all the accidental * requisites to dialling , as how to draw meridian lines , and lines parallel to the horizon , how to find the declension of all planes , as also their reclination , inclination , &c. but here the reader must remember , that when i say none of the forementioned operations are performable by other globes , i mean not this alwayes in a strict sence ; for if ( suppose ) we have the hour of the day given , we may then ( as every body knows ) soon find by it the sun's height , or if ( suppose ) we have his azimuth , we have the hour ; i say , i mean not this alwayes in a strict sence , but call all these operations not performable by other globes , since they at first require ( for the operations they do ) somthing as hard to be found as what we seek after ; whereas by exposing only of this globe to the sun , and having but the day of the month , most of the premises present themselves to us at all times with as much facility as the very hour it self by an horizontal dial. besides , the reader must know , if a brazen graduated semi-circle were hung on the poles here , with an erected moveable pin , or cursor on it , there would be no need of the holes ( i * formerly mention'd ) in each parallel of the globe , for the true composing of it ; nay this semi-circle ( omitting several other things ) will also give the hour , by being still directly over it , as often as 't is moved into the plane of the sun ; but seeing i pretend to show all the operations here treated of , even on a naked and free globe , by the sole help of a little string or thred , i hint only the said semi-circle , that the reader may use it , if he shall judge it any time fit for his business . in the second place , as to the operations common to all globes , but more easily perform'd by this , take some few examples that follow . 1. if you would find ( suppose ) the aurora by the common globes , you must ( after knowing the day of the month , or suns place in the ecliptic ) bring it to the meridian ; then you must put the index horarius on 12 , and so move the said sun's place to the east side of the horizon . afterwards you must find the opposit point to the sun's place , and fixing your quadrant of altitude in the zenith ; you must mount the said opposite point till it meet with the 18th degree , and then the index gives you what you seek for , whereas by this globe you have nothing to do but to * depress your bead 18 degrees below the horizon , and to move the string on the zenith till the said bead touches the parallel of the day on the east side of the globe ; for then it lyes on the requir'd hour . 2. if you would but know when the sun rises by the other globes ; you must ( after finding of the sun's place ) lay your index on 12 and when you have brought the said place to the east side of the horizon , the index will show the hour : whereas now the * intersection of the parallel of the day with the horizon performs the operation without more a-doe . 3. if you would know the ascensional difference by the other globes , you must first find the right ascension , then you must find the oblique , and lastly you must substract the greater from the less ; whereas here the * distance on the parallel of the day ( which the hour-circles measure ) between the 6 a clock hour circle and the intersection of the said parallel with the horizon gives at a view the requir'd ascensional difference in time , and consequently in degrees . i shall not trouble my reader with more instances at present , leaving the rest to his own observation , and he will still find ( at least generally speaking . ) that the operations ( as i said ) common to both globes are more easily and readily perform'd by this than by any other . as to the advantages of the third kind , to wit , the performing several operations at one view , which are perform'd successively by other globes , there are at least 15 that present themselves to you ( the globe being compos'd ) as soon as ever you have made the shade of the string ( hanging on the zenith ) to pass throu ' the nadir ; for then you have before your eyes . 1. the hour of the day ; by considering the shade of the * illuminated pole. 2. the day of the month ; by considering on what diurnal parallel the shade of the string marks the same hour with that * shewn by the shade of the said illuminated pole. 3. the place where the sun is vertical ; by considering the sun's * place in his parallel , and consequently the country under it . 4. the sun's sign or place in the ecliptic ; by considering ( according to the increment or decrement of the days ) throu ' what part of the * ecliptic the parallel of the day passes . 5. the suns declination ; by considering throu ' what * degree of the aequinoctial colure , the parallel of the day passes . 6. the sun's azimuth and bearing ; by considering what * degree of the horizon and what nautical character , are cut by the shade of the string hanging from the zenith . 7. the time of the sun 's rising and setting ; by considering on what * hour circle the parallel of the day and horizon intersect on the east and west sides of the globe . 8. the length of the day and night ; by considering how many hour-circles cross that part of the diurnal parallel * which is above the horizon ; for they show the length of the day , as the hour-circles , that cross the part under the horizon , do the length of the night . 9. the sun 's ascensional difference ; by considering the * hour-circles on the parallel of the day between the 6 a clock hour-circle , and the intersection of the said parallel with the horizon . 10. the sun's amplitude ; by considering how many * degrees in the horizon the sun rises from the true east point , or sets from true west . 11. where 't is day or night over all the world ; by considering the * illuminated and obscur'd parts of the globe ; for the one show's ever where 't is day , and the other where 't is night . 12. where they enjoy nothing but day , and where nothing but night : by considering the * illumination and obscuration about the poles : for a circle describ'd about the illuminated pole , to the nearest shade of extuberancy , shows , that all the inhabitants within that circle have nothing but day , and that all they that dwell within the like circle about the obscur'd pole , have nothing but night . 13. where the sun is rising and setting all the world over ; by considering the * preceeding and following shade of extuberancy ; for the first , show's the people to whom the sun then is rising , and the other to whom the sun is then setting . 14. how many hours any place wants of day or night ; by considering first a parallel to run over the place propos'd , and then by reckoning the number of * hours between the said place , and the preceeding , and following shade of extuberancy ; the one bringing with it day and the other night . 15. what a clock 't is all the world over ; by considering ( according to the little polar figures ) the * hour-circle that passes over any place , and adding to the time thus found ( if it be in the afternoon ) as many hours as are past since midday with you , or substracting ( if it be in the morning ) as many hours as you want of midday . now for the last kind of conveniences , which this globe challenges , to it self , to wit. those independent of the operations , they are 4. 1. for , first it takes up little or no room wheresoever it stands , the bottom of the pedestal not being ordinarily much bigger , than the foot of a large hour-glass , whereas other globes are cumbersom , and embarras any table or place on which you set them . 2. it is wholly expos'd to our eye as well below as above the horizon ; whereas the frame , meridian , and the other appendices of common globes , always hide more than half of them . 3 it is as cheap as a single ordinary globe , and yet performs the operations of the terrestrial and celestial ones . 4. it never declines from its position ; whereas other globes by moving on their poles encline presently more or less to this or that side of the meridian and horizon , so , that ( besides their usual grating ) all the operations become sensibly false . finis . decemb. 28. 1672. a catalogue of globes , coelestial and terrestrial , spheres , maps , sea-plats , mathematical instruments , and books , with their prizes , made and sold by joseph moxon , on ludgate-hill , at the sign of atlas . globes 26 inches the diameter . the price 20 l. the pair . globes near 15 inches diameter . the price 4 l. globes 8 inches diameter . 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discovered land nearest to the pole. by joseph moxon , &c. price 6d . regulae trium ordinum literarum typographicarum ; or , the rules of the three orders of print-letters , viz. the roman , italica , and english , capitals and small ; shewing how they are compounded of geometrick figures , and mostly made by rule and compass . useful for writing masters , painters , carvers , masons , and others that are lovers of curiosity . by joseph moxon , &c. price 5s . the use of the astronomical playing cards , teaching an ordinary capacity by them to be acquainted with all the stars in heaven ; to know their places , colours , natures and bignesses . also the poetical reasons for every constellation . very useful , pleasant , and delightful for all lovers of ingeniety . by joseph moxon , &c. price 6d . the astronomical cards . by joseph moxon , &c. price plain 1s . coloured 1s . 6d . best coloured , and the stars gilt. 5s . geographical playing cards , wherein is exactly described all the kingdoms of the earth , curiously engraved . price plain 1s . coloured 2s . best coloured and gilt 5s . the pack . the genteel house-keepers pastime ; or , the mode of carving at the table , represented in a pack of playing cards . by which , together with the instructions in this book , any ordinary capacity may easily learn how to cut up , or carve in mode , all the most usual dishes of flesh , fish , fowl , and bak'd meats : and how to make the several services of the same at the table ; with the several sawces and garnishes proper to each dish of meat . set forth by several of the best masters in the faculty of carving , and published for publick use . price 6d . carving cards . by the best carvers at the lord mayor's table . price 1s . compendium euclidis curiosi . or , geometrical operations , shewing how with one single opening of the compasses and a straight ruler , all the propositions of euclid's first five books are performed . translated out of dutch into english . by joseph moxon , &c. price 1s . an introduction to the art of species . by sir jonas moor. price 6d . two tables of ranges , according to the degrees of mounture . by henry bond senior . price 6d . mechanick exercises : or , the doctrine of handy-works , in nine monthly exercises . the first three , viz. numb . i. numb . ii. numb . iii. teaching the art of smithing . the second three , viz. numb . iv. numb . v. numb . vi. teaching the art of joynery . the third three , viz. numb . vii . numb . viii . numb . ix . teaching the art of house-carpentery . accommodated with suitable engraved figures . by joseph moxon , &c. price of each monthly exercise 6d . mechanick dialling ; teaching any man , though of an ordinary capacity , and unlearned in the mathematicks , to draw a true sun-dial on any given plane , however situated ; only with the help of a straight ruler and a pair of compasses ; and without any arithmetical calculation . by joseph moxon , &c. price 1s . 6d . mathematicks made easie : or , a mathematical dictionary , explaining the terms of art , and difficult phrases used in arithmetick , geometry , astronomy , astrology , and other mathematical sciences , wherein the true meaning of the word is rendred , the nature of things signified discussed , and ( where need requires ) illustrated with apt figures and diagrams . with an appendix , exactly containing the quantities of all sorts of weights and measures : the characters and meaning of the marks , symbols , or abbreviations commonly used in algebra . and sundry other observables . by joseph moxon . price 2s . 6d . the english globe , invented by the right honourable , the earl of castlemain , ( and of which this book shews the use ) containing about a foot in diameter , are made by joseph moxon . price ordinary made up 40s . and with the projection described in section 6. of this book . price 50s . at the place aforesaid , you may also have all manner of maps , sea-plats , drafts , mathematical books , instruments , &c. at the lowest prizes . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a31232-e380 * pag. 24. notes for div a31232-e1170 * p. 73. † p. 80. * p. 82. † p. 85. notes for div a31232-e2460 of the circles describ'd on the globe . the 4 cardinal points of the globe . * vid. oper : 2. & 5. in sect. 2. what the operations of the globe are perform'd with . a memorandum . how the treatise is divided . notes for div a31232-e4180 the first way . a memorandum . the second way . the reason and demonstration of the operation . the first way . the reason and domonstration of the operation . how much the sun illuminates more than half the earth . how to know the terms of the shade of extuberancy when the sun shines faintly . the second way . the third way . to know at any time whether it be forenoon or afternoon . * operat . 1. pag. 4. a way to compose the globe by the sun. * operat . 2. pag. 7. a memorandum . the first way of composing the globe . the demonstration . the 2d way vid. op. 10. the 1. way . the second way . vid. op. 10. the first way . * operat . 3. pag. 8. the second way . the third way . * vid. oper. 2. pag. 5. a memorandum . the 4th . way . the first way . the 2. way . * op. 2. pag. 6. † op. 5. pag. 10 a memorandum . * op. 3. pag. 8. the 1st . way . the 2. way . the 3d. way . * 2. pag. 6. the 4th . way . a memorandum . * vid. the particulars in the conclusion or last chapter . the 2d . way of composing the globe by the shade . demonstration . * op. 3. pag. 8 the 3d. way of finding the day of the month . * op. 2. pag. 6 & op. 5. pag. 10. to find when , and at what declension , the sun rises or sets earlier or later , accord * op. 6. pag. 11. * vid. oper. 13. sect. 2. notes for div a31232-e13600 preliminary considerations the grand divisions of the earth . the boundary between europ and asia . the division of each modern country from the other the ancient limits of several nations . a table of reducing degrees into miles . what the latitude of a place is , and how to find it . what the longitude is . of the grand meridian . of the most noted places where author 's have plac't the grand meridian . where we fix our grand meridian . how to find the longitude of any place . a memorandum : a preliminary discourse of climes . what a clime is . what a parallel is . of the antiquity and number of climes . of the 7 common northern climes . of the 7 southern climes . why the middle of the first clime has 13. hours of day . how the first circle of longitude is divided as to the climes . to find in what clime any place lies . of the inequality of the climes . * pag. 23. of the 5 zones . of the bounds of the torrid zone , which contains the amphiscii , to find when the shade changes side here . of the bounds of the frozen zones which contain the periscii . of the bounds of the temperate zones which contain the heteroscij . first way . second way . third way . of the periaeci . of the antaeci . where they have no night , and where no day . when 't will be perpetual day or night at any place . * op. 6. pag. 11. where 't is dinner-time all the world over . where 't is the time of rising all the world over . where 't is supper time all the world over . where 't is bed-time all the world over . the reason or demonstration of the operation . * oper. 10 sec . 1. pag. 14. to find the sun's height in any place . the reason of the operation to find the sun's depression . to find all the places , that have the sun at the same height . how astronomers begin their computation of time how the italians . how the babilonians . to find the babilonish and italian hour when the sun is in the aequator . * op. 10. sec . 1. pag. 14. * op. 10. sec . 1. pag. 14. to find the italian hour when the sun is in the aequator . to find the hour both the said ways at any time . * op. 18. p. 19 a most ready way of finding at any time the babilonian and italian hour all the world over . of the judaic way of computing time . a most ready way to find the judaic hour . why the days of the week being called by the names of the planets follow not each other after the order of the planets * ♄ saturn . ♃ jupiter . ♂ mars . ☉ sol , ♀ venus , ☿ mercury , ☽ luna . the advantage in reckoning the italian way . the advantage in reckoning the babylonian way . of the parallel sphere . oblique sphere . all positions ( taking the year round ) enjoy an equal share of the sun's presence . * vid. op. 3. sec . 1. pag. 8. the demonstration . how the earth is prov'd round . the demonstration . notes for div a31232-e26310 * pag. 5. * pag ▪ 10 ▪ * pag. 11 : * vid. pag. 8. & 15 : a memoran . * p. 12. how you are to operate ; a memorandum . an example . two memorandums . the reason or demonstration of the operation . a memorandum . why 6 hours must be added sometime to the tables . * p. 49. * p. 16. * pag. 49. * op. 7. sec . 2. pag. 33. * vid. op. 1. & 2. pag. 49. a corollary . an example . notes for div a31232-e32470 a memorandum . * sect. 1. op. 2. p. 5. *   1. 2. 3. 4. 6.   12. 11. 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. — — — — — — — 87. 93. 110. 140. 200. 300. 625. * op. 2. sect. 1. pag. 6. notes for div a31232-e35120 a preliminary discourse . * pag. 4. † pag. 5. * pag. 10 ▪ * ☞ because every body ( that desires to know these and the following problems ) has not perchance at hand mr. gunter's book , i shall add them to this treatise as the reader will find at the end of it : j. moxon . how to find the tangent and secant of any degree . demonstration . a memorandum . the construction . an example . how to draw the half hours , quarters , &c. the construction . demonstration . * pag. 71. the demonstration . * pag. 4. a memorandum . * pag. 8. * pag. 73. the construction . the construction . * pag. 79. how to draw a line paralel to the horizon , and how to place truly the draught on its plane an easier way how to place any paper draught on its plane . a memorandum . demonstration . a memorandum . some few things to be premis'd . the construction of an east dial. of a west dial. of the stile and substilar . the demonstration . the construction . the demonstration . the reason of the unequal distance of these hour-lines . what a declining plane is . the construction . * pag. 80. to describe the morning hours of a declining dial. to describe the afternoon hours . how to make the stile and substilar of a declining dial. a memorandum . the construction . the demonstration of these 2 declining dials . a memorandum . * pag. 84. another demonstration . * pag. 83. * pag. 73. the construction . * pag. 23. * pag 8. the construction . a ready way to find the stile and substile of a declining dial. demonstration . * pag. 92. the demonstration of the stile and substilar . * pag. 82. * vid. pag ▪ 104. * vid. pag ▪ 105. the construction and demonstration . how to make an horizontal plane an aequinoctial one . the demonstration . the geometrical construction . a memorandum . * pag. 8. the construction . the construction and demonstration of a declining direct dial facing the south . a direct north reclining plane . * pag. 89. how to describe the plane of this reclining dial on the globe . the construction . a memorandum . of the stile and substilar * pag. 82. another demonstration : the construction . * pag. 2. first way . * pag. 4. * pag. 4. the second way . the first part of the operation . * pag. 89. the second part of the operation . why every erect stile or perpendicular show's not always the true hour . the construction : * pag. 89. the demonstration . * pag. 94. * pag. 75. demonstration . the advantage or use of this dial. the construction . demonstration . another dial of the same nature . the construction . the demonstration . the construction . demonstration . the construction . the geometrical way . the demonstration . the construction . the demonstration . * pag. 73. how this dial is to be made when the windows lye not southward . the construction of it , as to the hour at home . * pag. 73. the construction of it as to the hour in other places . to find the suns place and day of the month. to find the rising and setting of the sun. to find the suns amplitude . to find the height of the sun. to find the suns azimuth and bearing . to find the proportion of perpendiculars to their shades . the description of the branches or embellishments in sheme 43. * p. 111. † p. 112. * vid. p. 113. * p. 71. of the sector . notes for div a31232-e68720 * op. 17. sect. 1. pag. 19. a memorandum . * p. 6. * p. 68. * op. 5. way 2. p. 10. a memorandum . of the first plane and its bigness . of the circles and stars on it , and how they are placed . of the second plane , and it's bigness . * p. 6. † p. 68. * p. 132. two memorandums . the principle on which this projection depends . of the concentric circles . the general rule for projecting the great oblique circles . of projecting the ecliptic . of projecting ▪ the horizon . of projecting the primary vertical . of projecting the rest of the azimuths . an expedite way of finding the said centers and radius . lemma 1. * eucl. 27. 1 ▪ † 6. 1. lemma 2. † eucl. 27. 1. * 6. 1. the ecliptic truly projected . a memorandum . the way of describing g. frisius's meridians . the way of describing g. f. hia parallels . how to describe the circles of altitude on the 2 plane . * p. 138 and 139. notes for div a31232-e82150 * p. ● . first kind . * pag. 4. ‡ p 8. & 15. * pag. 13. ‡ p. 31. * pag. 36. ‡ pag. 39. * p. 40. * p. 35. * p. 5. ‡ p. 37. * p. 10. ‡ p. 11. * p. 21. ‡ p. 51. * p. 65. * p. 70. a memorandum . * p. 8. 2d kind . * p. 18. * p. 9. 3 kind . * p. 14. * p. 15. * p. 35. * p. 13. * p. 11. * p. 10. & 12 * p. 16. * p. 17. * p. 19. * p. 17. * p. 33. * p. 33. * p. 34. * p. 36. * p. 31. 4th kind . the five books of mr. manilius containing a system of the ancient astronomy and astrology : together with the philosophy of the stoicks / done into english verse with notes by mr. tho. creech. astronomicon. english manilius, marcus. 1700 approx. 502 kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from 160 1-bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : 2005-12 (eebo-tcp phase 1). a51767 wing m431 estc r28801 12579842 ocm 12579842 63721 this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons 0 1.0 universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase 1, no. a51767) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set 63721) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, 1641-1700 ; 965:32) the five books of mr. manilius containing a system of the ancient astronomy and astrology : together with the philosophy of the stoicks / done into english verse with notes by mr. tho. creech. astronomicon. english manilius, marcus. creech, thomas, 1659-1700. [2], 68, 134, 88, [7] p. : ill. [s.n.], london : 1700. reproduction of original in cambridge university library. index: p. [1]-[6] errata: p. 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ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p5, characters represented either as utf-8 unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng astrology. astronomy, ancient. stoics. 2005-07 tcp assigned for keying and markup 2005-07 aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images 2005-08 andrew kuster sampled and proofread 2005-08 andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the five books of m. manilius , containing a system of the ancient astronomy and astrology : together with the philosophy of the stoicks . done into english verse with notes . by mr. tho. creech . nunc autem quid est sine his cur vivere volimus ? mihi vero cum his ipsis vix : his autem detractis , ne vix quidem . cicero ad var. london , printed , and sold by the booksellers of london and westminster . 1700. an account of manilius . sir , the campaign being over , and councils not yet begun , the world is very much at quiet ; nor can i find news enough to fill a letter : but to keep up our usual correspondence , i send you an account of an old latin poet , very little known , tho' as worthy your acquaintance , as many of those who are in credit . he lay buried in the german libraries , not heard of in the world , till poggius publish'd him from some old manuscripts found there ; and tho' 1 burde cotzus , thinks lucian consulted this poet when he wrote his little treatise of astrologie ; tho' julius firmizus is 2 accus'd as an ungrateful plagiary , for not acknowledging from whom he transcrib'd the chiefest parts of his books ; yet there is no good evidence , that any one writer mention'd this author before poggius . pliny is suppos'd to speak of him as a 3 mathematician , and gerbertus , as an 4 astrologer ; but concerning the poet , there is as dead a silence as if he had never been ; nor can his greatest admirers find any character of him in old writers . yet it must be own'd , that he is an author of some considerable age ; for the manuscripts which poggius , bonincontrius , scaliger , and franciscus junius us'd , were ancient : tanaquil faber , spanhemius , and the severest criticks allow him to be as old as theodosius the great , and pretend to find some particular phrases in him , which are certain characters of that time. others , who believe they have very good reasons to place him higher , find it very difficult to account for this universal silence : what they offer , is either bare may-be and shift , and scarce ever amounts to a tolerable reason : 't is true , they say , he is not mention'd by ovid in his 5 catalogue of poets , and no wonder , since he did not begin to write before the 6 banishment of ovid , and published nothing before his death ; perhaps he was one of those young men , — 7 quorum quod inedita cura est appellandorum nil mihi juris adest . or his fame did not reach so far as pontus : otherwise they are confident there are too many graces in his poem to be neglected ; at least , the singularity of his subject would have deserved to be taken notice of , as well as that of 8 gratius . but why quintilian doth not propose him to his orator , tho' he encourages him to 9 read macer and lucretius , and 1 affirms , that a competent skill in astronomy is necessary to make him perfect in his profession ? why the following philologers never use his authority , tho' it might very often have been pertinently cited by gellius and macrobius ? why the grammarians and mythologists , seem to be altogether unacquainted with his writings ? they confess these are questions not easie to be answer'd . of this poet , who is acknowledged by all parties to have lain very long unknown , and about whom , since he first appear'd in the world , so many controversies have risen , i am now to give you an account . his name is commonly said to be marcus manilius , which in some copies of his poem is shortned into manlius , in others softned into mallius : this variation is inconsiderable , and the common fault of unaccurate transcribers ; but 2 bonincontrius affirms , that the title of his very ancient copies was , c. manilii poetae illustris astronomicon ; and that he had seen a medal , in which was the figure of a man , but in a foreign habit , with a sphere plac'd near his head , and this inscription , c. manili . 3 lilius gyraldus mentions another of the same stamp ; but that these medals belong'd to this poet , may be as easily deny'd , as 't is affirm'd , or rather , as 't is conjectured : however all parties agree , that the most ancient copies constantly bear the title of manilius ; but whether the books of poggius and bonincontrius , which call him caius , or those of scaliger and others , in which we find marcus written , are to be follow'd , is submitted to every man's discretion ; the matter is not of any consequence , nor a fit subject for dispute , because impossible to be determin'd : tho' if conjecture may be admitted , i should fancy that it is more probable a transcriber may err , when he puts m. before manilius , than when he writes a c. because in the former case , the sound of the following word , which is the most considerable in the title , and consequently the chiefest in his thoughts , may pervert him ; but in the latter , he hath no temptation to mistake . this m. or c. manilius , was born a roman , and liv'd in rome when rome was in her glory ; commanding the biggest part of the known world , and full of the greatest men that ever any time produc'd : for the same age that saw manilius enjoy'd varro , lucretius , cicero , caesar , virgil , varius , horace , and ( to close the catalogue ) augustus . in the beginning of this astronomical poem that emperour is 4 invok'd , that very emperour who was the 5 adopted son of julius caesar , who 6 beat brutus and cassius at philippi , 7 overthrew pompey the great 's son , 8 who sent tiberius to rhodes , 9 who lost three legions in germany under the command of varus ; who 1 routed anthony and cleopatra at actium , and sav'd the roman empire by turning that overgrown dissolute republick into a well regulated monarchy . here are so many characters , that the person cannot be mistaken , not one of them agreeing to any but the first great augustus . so that this author liv'd in that age to which he pretends by so many very particular circumstances , or else he is a most notorious cheat , and one of the greatest impostors in the world. it seems 2 tanaquil faber thought him to be so , since without giving any reason he brings him down as low as the time of theodosius : 3 vossius was once of the same opinion , having observed , as he then thought , some measures , words and phrases peculiar to that age , and therefore he concludes against scaliger , that julius firmicus did not follow manilius , but manilius wrote in verse what firmicus had published in prose under the reign of constantine the great : but upon second reading this 4 critick alter'd his first sentiments , and allows him to be as ancient as the poet himself desires to be thought . 5 gassendus often quotes him , and always sets him after firmicus , as may be seen in many places of his writings ; but gives no reason why he constantly observes that order : but gevartius , who had study'd and design'd to publish notes upon this author , says in a letter to mr. cambden , 6 i have been long acquainted with this writer , and know him well , but cannot , with scaliger and other learned criticks , allow him to be as ancient as augustus , for in my notes i will demonstrate that he liv'd in the age of theodosius and his sons arcadius and honorius , and that he was the same with manlius theodorus , upon whose consulship claudian writes a panegyrick , in which he mentions his astronomicon . the same thing he asserts in his comments upon 7 statius , and promises to do wonders in his 8 electa upon this subject ; what his performance was i do not find taken notice of by any of the criticks , nor am i concern'd for it , being certain that he fail'd in his attempt , because it was ridiculous and rash : yet the learn'd ezechiel spanhemius endeavours to support this conjecture of gevartius , 9 and tells us , that sub armis , a phrase familiar to manilius , as lib. 1. v. 795. — matrisque sub armis miles agrippa suae — lib. 4. v. 656. — regnum sortita sub armis . and in another place , — quumque ipsa sub armis pax agitur — was us'd in the time of theodosius , as appears by the following passage in that emperour 's code , 1 quicunque sub armis militiae munus comitatense subierunt . scaliger himself unwarily gave a very great advantage to this opinion , when he 2 affirm'd , that the word decanus , which manilius uses , was brought from the camp , and that a sign which govern'd ten degrees was call'd decanus , because an officer who commanded ten men in the army had the same title : but 3 salmatius , who discover'd the mistake , ( for decanus was not heard of in the roman camp before the time of constantine the great ) hath so well corrected it , or rather 4 huetius hath given so good an account of that word , that tho' an argument drawn from it may be strong against the critick , it will never be of any force against the author . it is almost needless to mention the exceptions of those criticks who think his stile impure , or , as they please to speak , too barbarous for the age he pretends to ; indeed 5 gyraldus endeavours by this very argument to prove he was no roman born : but 6 scaliger laughs at him for his attempt , tells him that he does not distinguish between idiotisms and barbarisms , and that vitruvius ( to whom he should have added lucretius ) might be call'd barbarous as well as he : 7 franciscus junius commends the propriety of his language , 8 salmatius and 9 huetius have approved many passages which lesser criticks thought to be impure ; and the accurate vossius , 1 after he had studied and considered him well , found nothing in him inconsistent with the age of augustus , and the politeness of his court. indeed most of the instances that are produc'd upon this head , do not fasten on the author himself , but on the transcribers and publishers of his writings . there ought to be a new edition of his astronomicon , and i do not despair of seeing one which will have a pure genuine text , and free that text from many of his interpreters comments , especially from the notes of the miserable wretched 2 fayus . you see , sir , i have brought this diffus'd controversie within a very narrow compass ; tanaquil faber and gassendus keep their ( if they had any ) reasons to themselves . their authority i confess had been perswasive , had they considered , and after a fair hearing determin'd the controversie ; but an incident declaration , and an unweigh'd sentence concerning the age of any writer ought not to be submitted to , but appeal'd from : and therefore if i can shew the observation of spanhemius to be unconcluding , and refute the bold conjectures of gevartius , i shall leave manilius in possession of that age , which he so often , and with so much assurance claims . and here i am sure we should not have been troubled with spanhemius's observation , had he been pleas'd to consider , that sub armis , and sub armis militiae , being very different from one another , might be us'd in very different ages of the empire ; and that he argues very ill , who says , the one was known in the time of theodosius , and therefore the other was not common in the court of augustus : 't is certain that it was , for virgil ( whom manilius often imitates ) hath — sedet circum castella sub armis , — equitem docuere sub armis insultare solo — and in another place , — ludunt belli simulachra sub armis . and this virgil himself borrow'd from ennius , who says , ter me sub armis malim vitam cernere . i could produce more authorities , were not these sufficient to secure manilius from spanhemius's observation . but gevartius , as he is bolder , so he is much more unhappy in his conjectures ; he fixes upon the man , and says this manilius is mallius theodorus , celebrated by the poet claudian ; for the author of this astronomicon , is in many of the old copies call'd mallius , and this mallius theodorus , was a good astronomer , and a writer of great industry and reputation : but did gevartius ever meet with the astronomicon , under the title of fl. mallius theodorus ? or of fl. mallius and not alwaies of c. or m. manlius , mallius or manilius ? doth claudian commend the poetry of his consul , or mention his acquaintance with the muses ? or could a poet forget , or not celebrate that talent which he himself must look upon as a very great perfection , and the age would have highly valued , had he been the author of this poem ? doth he say he wrote books of astronomy , knew the depths of astrology , and was admitted into the councils of the stars ? here was a large field for that luxuriant wit to have wanton'd in , and it cannot be thought he would have conceal'd the deserts of his patron when he study'd to commend him : but instead of this he praises his justice , integrity , clemency and honor ; he extols his eloquence , and prefers the sweetness of it before all the delicate charms of poetry and musick . 3 ut quis non sitiens sermonis mella politi deserat orpheos blanda testudine cantus ? and tho' all the muses are concern'd for him , and busie in his service , yet he is devoted to none of them but ura●ie , who assisted him in his astronomical diversions . 4 uranie redimita comas , quâ saepe magistra mallius igniferos radio descripserat axes . gevartius very well observes that this consul mallius was an astronomer . 5 invenit aetherios signantem pulvere cursus , quos pia sollicito deprendit pollice memphis : quae moveant momenta polum , quam certus in astris error : quis tenebras soli causisque meantem defectum indicat numerus . quae linea phoeben damne , et excluso pallentem fratre relinquat that he publish'd some admir'd books 6 consul per populos , idemque gravissimus author eloquij , duplici vita subnixus in aevu● procedat , libris pariter , fastisque legendus . but how doth it appear that astronomy was his subject , when claudian himself tells us it was the origine and constitution of the world ? he represents him as well vers'd in all the several hypotheses of the natural and moral philosophers , acquainted both with the physicks and ethicks of the greeks , and able to discourse of their opinions very properly , and very elegantly in latin. 7 graiorum obscuras romanis floribus artes irradias — but when he speaks of his writings he says he describ'd the origine and disposition of the world , and gave very convincing proofs of his own wit , capacity , and judgment , by his exact account of the beautiful order , and regular contrivance of that wonderful machine . 8 qualem te legimus teneri primordia mundi . scribentem , aut partes animae per singula , talem cernimus , et similes agnoscit pagina mores . from these verses and other passages in claudian , as — 9 quae vis animaverit astra , impuleritque choros , quo vivat machina motu ; it may be inferr'd that this consul mallius , was as to natural philosophy a stoick , and built his world according to the hypothesis of that sect , and therefore wrote something very like what we find at large in the first book , and hinted at in several passages of the other books of manilius . but this being the least part of our author , and subservient to his greater and general design , it must not be suppos'd that claudian should enlarge only upon this , and leave his whole astrology untoucht ; unless we think claudian as ridiculous as that painter would be , who being to fill his canvas with a noble family should draw a single servant , or paint only a finger or a nail when he had a large beautiful body to represent . i have been the more particular in this matter , because gevartius pretends to demonstration , tho' to confute his conjecture it had been sufficient only to observe , that it is the most ridiculous thing in the world to imagine that mallius a man well known both for his personal endowments and publick employments , who had been governour of several provinces , and at last consul should publish a treatise under his own name , and yet in almost every page of the book endeavour to perswade his readers it was written four hundred years before . for it must be granted that the prince whom he 1 invokes in the beginning of his poem , who is stiled patriae princepsque paterque , who is deify'd whilst 2 alive , and ( not to repeat the other particulars i have already reckon'd up ) whose 3 horoscope was capricorn , was the first great augustus , and therefore there is no need of calling in the authorities of 4 horace , 5 and 6 suetonius to prove it . this last character puts me in mind of another objection that may be drawn from f. harduin's 7 observation , for he says that suetonius was himself deceiv'd , and hath deceiv'd all those who have thought capricorn was concern'd in the nativity of augustus : for if this be true all the pretences of manilius are ruin'd ; but since that writer doth not back his assertion with any reasons , i shall not submit to his bare authority , nor wast my time in guessing what arguments he may rely on , being not bold enough to conjecture what the daring author may produce . having thus fixt the age of this author , and prov'd him to have liv'd in the time of augustus caesar , i shall venture farther to affirm that he was born under the reign of that emperour , not only a roman , but of illustrious extraction , being a branch of that noble family the manilij , who so often fill'd the consul's chair , and supply'd the best and greatest offices in the roman commonwealth . and here i must oppose many of the criticks , and be unassisted by the rest : for 8 scaliger confesses , that from his own writings , it cannot be known what countryman he was , and no other authors give us any information . bonincontrius and gyraldus endeavour to prove from the medal already mention'd , that he was no roman ; the learned 9 isaac vossius thinks he was a syrian , and all who look upon him to be the same with that manilius mention'd by pliny , nat. hist . lib. 35. cap. 17. say he was a slave : only petrus crinitus 1 affirms , he was nobly born , and mr. tristan will 2 have him to be that manilius , of whom pliny gives a very honourable character , in the tenth book and second chapter of his natural history ; where he says , he was of senatorian dignity , an excellent scholar , and ( if we believe mr. tristan ) a very good astronomer . but since crinitus doth not prove what he says , and mr. tristan but conjectures at best , and upon examination , will be found to be very much mistaken in his conjectures , therefore i cannot expect any assistance from either of these authors . now it is not certain that the gentleman whom pliny speaks of in the second chapter of his tenth book was nam'd manilius . copies differ , and in the m. ss . of salmasius 3 he is call'd mamilius : pliny doth not say one word of his skill in astronomy ; he only 4 affirms , that he was the first of all the romans who wrote concerning the phoenix , that never any man saw it feed , that in arabia it is sacred to the sun , that it lives 660 years , and that with the life of this bird is consummated the conversion of the great year , in which the stars return again to their first points , and give significations of the same seasons as at the beginning : and all this any one may write who is in an entire ignorance of the courses and influence of the stars : but when mr. tristan farther observes that pliny insinuates , besides a particular respect , a kind of intimacy and acquaintance between this manilius and himself , he gives us a very convincing argument against his own conjecture : for there is good reason to believe this manilius the poet dy'd before augustus , and therefore could not be intimate with pliny . to set this whole matter in its due light , i shall , as the learned and ingenious sr. edward shirburn hath already done in his preface to the sphere of manilius take a view of those , who have been by the name of manilius deliver'd down to posterity as men of letters , and then consider which of all those , or whether any one of them was this manilius the poet. of that manilius whom pliny mentions in the second chapter of his tenth book i have already said enough ; and about that manilius , whom varro 5 cites , i shall not be concern'd , there being no ground to think he was the author of this poem . 6 pliny lib. 35. cap. 17. tells us of one manilius surnam'd antiochus , who with publius syrus , and staberius eros were brought to rome , all three of servile condition , but persons of good literature . his words are these , pedes venalium trans mare advectorum [ creta ] denotare instituerunt majores ; talemque publium [ syrum ] mimicae scenae conditorem , et astrologiae consobrinum ejus manilium antiochum , item grammaticae staberium erotem , eadem navi advectos videre proavi . our ancestors us'd to mark with chalk the feet of those slaves who were brought over from beyond sea to be sold ; and such an one was publius [ syrus ] the founder of the mimick scene , and his cousin german manilius antiochus of astrology , and staberius eros of grammar ; whom our great grandfathers saw in that manner brought over in one and the same ship : this manilius laurentius bonincontrius ( who near two ages agoe commented on our author ) conceives the same with manilius who wrote this astronomical poem , to confirm which opinion he produces the evidence of a silver medal in his possession whereon was the figure of a man , in an exotick habit with a sphere plac'd near his head , and this inscription manili : the same is affirm'd says lilius gyraldus by stephanus dulcinus , and the said gyraldus farther assures us that a familiar friend of his , one nicolaus trapolinus , had another medal of the like stamp and inscription . but against this opinion of bonincontrius and gyraldus , scaliger opposes a double argument , one drawn from the seeming inveracity of that suppos'd evidence ; no such medal being at this day to be found in the cabinets of any , no not the most curious antiquaries ; the other from the reason of time , for manilius antiochus being brought to rome in the beginning of sylla's days ( for he was brought in the same ship with staberius eros , who open'd his grammar school in rome whilst sylla was alive ) must needs , if he were the author of this poem have been 120 years old when he began to write , this piece being written in the latter years of augustus . besides , the author in the proem of this work wishes for long life to compleat his intended poem , and therefore certainly he was not of that age , it being ridiculous for a man to wish for long life , when he is at the extream already . the same pliny , lib. 36. cap. 10. speaks of one manilius a mathematician , who when the obelisk which augustus erected in the campus martius for finding out the hours of the day by the shadow of the sun , with the increase or decrease of the days and nights , plac'd a guilded ball , cujus vertice umbra colligeretur in semetipsam , alia atque alia incrementa jaculantem apice , ratione ( ut ferunt ) à capite hominis intellecta , says pliny , who commends the design . to this person scaliger conceives this work may with fairer probability be ascrib'd than to the former ; which opinion is by divers other judicious men embrac'd . the excellently learn'd isaac vossius conceives yet , that the manilius antiochus , and the manilius mathematicus before mention'd are not two distinct persons , but one and the same under different titles and appellations , and the very author of the poem we now publish , whose particular sentiments upon this subject , and arguments confirming the same , he was pleas'd not long since to impart to me , by his most obliging letter , in answer to some queries by me propounded in one of mine to him upon occasion of my intended publication of this piece , which for the readers satisfaction , i shall here make publick , tho' not in his own words , yet as near as may be in his own sense . and first in answer to scaliger's argument drawn from reason to time , against manilius antiochus , upon the supposition of staberius eros ( one of the three before mention'd ) set open his grammar school in the time of sylla ninety five years before the death of augustus ; and that therefore manilius could not probably be ( according to scaliger's computation ) less than 120 years old at the time when this poem was written ; he urges by way of reply , that suetonius ( from whom scaliger takes the ground of his argument ) doth not say that staberius eros open'd his school in sylla's time , but that he taught gratis the children of those who in sylla's time were proscrib'd . the words of suetonius are these , sunt qui tradunt tanta eum ( staberium ) honestate praeditum , ut temporibus syllanis proscriptorum liberos gratis , et sine mercede ulla in disciplina receperit . how long that was after the times of proscription will be needless here to declare ; and that manilius was not so old as scaliger conceives , when this piece was written , may be made out from this , that he was the cousin german of publius syrus , who that he was brought a young boy to his patron , macrobius affirms , from whom likewise , and from the verses of laberius it may be collected , that he was but a youth when he came upon the stage against laberius , which was but a little before the death of julius caesar and laberius also ; to whom he succeeded on the mimick stage in the second year of 184 olympiad , that is in the year of rome 711 , as eusebius testifies . and therefore seeing it is , manifest that manilius publish'd this poem soon after the varian defeat , which happened in the year 762 of rome , it is as evident likewise that between the youth or adolescence of manilius , and the time wherein he wrote this piece , there could not pass above one and fifty years , and consequently there is no reason to assign so great an age to manilius , as scaliger here doth , since perhaps he was not seventy years old when he had finish'd this his astronomical poem . as to what scaliger subjoyns touching manilius his wish for long life together with a cheerful old age , and the inference he thence makes that he could not reasonably be thought to be old then , who wish'd he might live to be so . the argument is but weak , for senium is one thing , and senium annosum is another ; nor doth he simply wish for vitam annosam , but vitam annosam quae conjuncta sit cum molli senecta , which may be wish'd for even by those who are very old . as for the name of antiochus , he seems to have taken it from the famous philosopher antiochus ascalonita , often mention'd by cicero , plutarch , sextus empiricus , and others , whose school not only cicero , but varro , brutus , and divers others are said to have frequented , and in all probability this our manilius also , as being not only of the same nation , but happily born in the same town ( ascalon . ) so that it may seem no wonder if after the manner of those times , he took upon him the name of his worthy tutor and instructor . for that he was a syrian is not only manifest from his consanguinity with publius mimus , but may likewise be collected from the title or inscription of this work , which is an ancient and excellent manuscript in the possession of vossius is this m. mallii poeni astronomicon divo octavio quirino aug . that the phaenicians were by the romans called poeni is manifest out of horace , cicero apud nonium , and our author in this very poem ; he concludes therefore than this our manilius , or ( as he is rather pleased to call him ) manlius was a phaenician , and in all probability native of the same town as antiochus his tutor , whose name he assum'd . from this dedication of his work to augustus , by the name of quirinus , as the inscription shews , will appear the error of those , who who imagine the same to be dedicated to tiberius , or some later roman emperour : and the reason of attributing the name of quirinus to augustus , may be made clear from the words of suetonius , censentibus quibusdam romulum appellari oportere quasi et ipsum conditorem urbis , &c. dion likewise tells us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that augustus caesar extremely desir'd to be call'd romulus : and joannes philadelphensis ( scripto de mensibus in aug. ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 octavianus son of octavius was after his great victories honoured with divers names , for by some he was called quirinus , as another romulus , &c. as to that manilius stiled by pliny mathematicus , he conceives that titular distinction to make no difference in the person , but that he is the same with the former , further adding , omnino existimo et illum quoque de nostro manilio accipi debere . and whereas salmasius affirms that the name manlius or manilius is not to be found in that place of pliny in any ancient manuscripts , he makes it appear that salmasius is extreamly mistaken by the testimony of several antient manuscript copies of pliny in his possession , one of which was written above 8 or 900 years agoe , in all which the word manlius is found , though with some small difference in writing of the name . nor doth he think the name of marcus prefixd to manilius ought to be scrupled at , upon the account that none of the manlian family after the 360th year from the building of rome could or did use that praenomen , seeing the prohibition as cicero intimates is only to be understood of the patrician race , now that this manilius , or ( as he calls him ) manlius was before his manumission a slave , not only the place of pliny already cited , but the very agnomen of antiochus sufficiently demonstrates , for as much as a greek agnomen joyn'd to a roman name is always a most certain token of a servile condition . thus far sir edward shirburn , who is very much inclin'd to rest satisfied with this rational discourse of the incomparable vossius , and thinks others should be so too ; but upon examination it will appear that scaliger's objections are still in force , and that vossius's his reasonings are all to little purpose . it must be granted that the agnomen antiochus proves that manilius to be of servile condition , tho' there is no need of this argument , since pliny in very express terms asserts that he is so : t is likewise true that that manilius was a syrian , being a near kinsman to publius syrus , and brought to italy in the same ship with him : but that that manilius the syrian was the same with manilius the poet , is a question that still returns , and will not , i fear , be determin'd by the title of that ancient and excellent manuscript of vossius : for if instead of m. mallii poeni , we read m. mallii poetae , which is found in other manuscripts , ( and every body knows there is so little difference in the traits of the letters of those two words in ancient copies , that they may very easily by ignorant transcribers be mistaken for one another ) then the evidence drawn from this inscription is lost : besides that title is not to be regarded , it not being written by the author but affixt by some heedless copyer of the poem : for it is divo octavio , whereas augustus was never stil'd divus though often deus before his death , and the writer of the astronomicon , as will by and by appear , dy'd before augustus . to speak out what i think will not be deny'd , manilius the author of this poem was young when he wrote it , and dy'd young ; and therefore cannot be that manilius antiochus whom scaliger reckons to be 120 , and vossius is forced to confess was 70 years of age about the time varus was defeated by the germans . the first part of this assertion may be demonstrated from almost all the pages of his book , in which we meet with many things that are not to be accounted for on the hypothesis of sixty : he is too fierce and fiery for that age , and bounds every step he takes : in a man of years when we find a warmth we feel it to be regular , he never starts , his pace is equal , and seldom varies but when his subject forces him to a more than ordinary quickness . judgment appears all thro' , and a strength well govern'd : when he rises he doth not affect to climb but to walk , like a sober traveller , who knowing his own force seeks the easiest ascent , when his ground is uneven , or he is oblig'd to take the advantage of a prospect . but 't is not so in youth whose fancies as well as passions are impetuous ; that pleases them most which is most daring , finding they have strength they use it to the utmost , and when at last they sink they seem rather worn out , than tired . i cannot compare the spirit of poetry possessing a youth , of a strong generous imagination and vigorous constitution , to any thing better than to a flame seizing on the body of a meteor , the whole mass blazes , and mounts upon a sudden ; but its motion is all the way uneven , and it quickly falls in a despicable gelly : he that looks on the latin of manilius will see that i do him no injury when i compare him to this meteor , for even when he is oblig'd to give rules , and is ty'd almost to a certain form of words , he struggles against those necessary fetters , he reaches after the strongest metaphors , uses the boldest catachresis , and against all the rules of decency labours after an obscure sublime , when he should endeavour to be plain , intelligible and easy : but as soon as he hath room to get loose , how wildly doth he rove ? he is not free but licentious , and strives to err greatly . 't is needless to produce particulars , since they are so visible in the prefaces , fables , and descriptions thro' his books : and upon the whole it may be affirm'd , there are so many boldnesses scatter'd thro' his poem , and so much of toysomness just by them , that a man may read his youth in his writings , as well as his contemporaries could do it in his face . i would mention and enlarge upon his conspicuous vanity , and from thence endeavour to support the judgment i have already pass'd ; but that i consider that fault when it hath once possess'd a man is not to be cool'd by all the frost and snow of age : yet from the vanity of manilius i think a particular argument may be drawn to prove him to be young , for he had a design to rival or perfect the inimitable virgil. this is evident from the preface to his third book : — 7 romanae gentis origo , totque duces orbis , tot bella , tot otia , et omnis in populi unius leges ut cesserit orbis differtur — for here it is plain he had this mighty project in his head , and after he had prepar'd himself by this astronomical poem , rais'd his fancy and got a good turn of verse , was resolv'd to prosecute it with his utmost vigour ; he saw the vastness of the design — 8 spatio majore canenda quam si tacta loquor — yet he hop'd to live to finish it , though in the beginning of this poem he wishes for old age that he might compleat the work he then had in hand ; yet having gone through the most difficult part of it sooner , and with more ease than at first he thought he should have done ; he sets up for new schemes and thinks he shall have years enough before him prudently to begin , and strength succesfully to carry on so great an undertaking . in this very preface he reckons up a great many other subjects fit to employ a poet , but in express terms lays them all aside . colchida nec referam , &c. non annosa canam , &c. but the roman history is in his thoughts tho' he will not begin to write , till his greater leisure gives him opportunity to do it . these two observations perswade me , that manilius was young when he began this poem , and that he dy'd young , and did not live to finish his design , or accurately revise what he had written , will i think be very evident from what follows : it cannot be deny'd , that this poet had advanc'd very far in his work , whilst tiberius was at rhodes , for in his fourth book , he gives this character of that island : 9 virgine sub casta felix terraque marique , et rhodos , hospitium recturi principis orbem , tuque domus verè solis , cui tota sacrata es , cum caperes lumen magni sub caesare mundi . now 1 tiberius retired to rhodes , when c. antistius and l. balbus , were consuls ; he continu'd there seven 2 years , and return'd in the consulship of p. vinicius and p. alfinius varus ; and yet in the first book we meet with the 3 description of the prodigies that appeared before the defeat of varus in germany which hapned when poppaeus sabinus and q. sulpicius camerinus were consuls , about eight years after the return of tiberius from rhodes : what shall we say then ? was the fourth book written and publish'd before the first ? or would the poet have strain'd for that complement to rhodes after the varian defeat ? with what propriety could that island be call'd hospitium recturi principis orbem , or with what truth could it be said to contain the most glorious luminary next to caesar , when that imagin'd star had not for many years been in that horizon , and now shone in other quarters of the world ? no , this had been banter and inexplicable riddle : but if we suppose manilius to have had this work under his hand several years , to have revis'd it , and added what he thought would adorn his poem , then we can easily give an account why his fourth book should appear to be eight years younger than his first : a little before tiberius's return from rhodes he wrote his fourth book , after that he composs'd his fifth , and sixth which is now lost ; then at several times revising his work , and about the time of the varian defeat being upon the end of his first book , he added to his discourse of comets a short account of those prodigious meteors that then appeared , and which historians 4 tell us were the most amazing that were ever seen : soon after this he dy'd before he had corrected the fourth book , as appears from the character which in that book he gives the island rhodes , and which his last and finishing hand could not have left there . these observations will help us to give some tolerable account of the other difficulties relating to this author , for to any one who enquires why the first book is more correct than the rest ? why the impurities of stile the criticks charge upon him are for the most part pickt out of the four last books ? i would answer , we have only the first and rude draughts of them ; and that as poets and painters are said to be very near ally'd , so they agree in nothing more than they do in this , that though in their scetches we see the master , yet we may find something that the finisher would correct : to him who asks why there is no mention of this poet in any of the antients , i would reply , that manilius having left an unfinisht piece , his family was studious both of his credit and their own , they carefully preserv'd the orphan , but would not expose it : in that age when poetry was rais'd to its greatest highth , it had argued the utmost fondness or the extreamest folly in a noble family to have publish'd a crude uncorrect poem , and thereby engage their honors to defend it . besides , augustus who was infinitely jealous of his reputation ( — si palpere recalcitrat undique tutus , says horace who knew his temper very well ) would not have born the too officious complement of being invok'd , unless the poem had been as correct as virgil's georgicks , and fit for his genius to inspire . lucan afterward suffer'd for the like complement , though indeed upon a far different account : he lost his life for pretending to be inspir'd by nero , when he made better verses than the emperour himself ; his flattery to nero was too great , as this of manilius to augustus had been too little , and a defect in such addresses was as dangerous under the wise , as an excess in them was under the vain emperors of rome . you are sufficiently tired , i fear , with this long discourse about manilius full of guesses and conjectures , yet i cannot dismiss this subject without adding something concerning his quality , and place of birth . his quality he carries in his name , the manilij being one of the best families in rome , which so often fill'd the consul's chair , and was employ'd in the greatest offices of that common-wealth . indeed some have affirm'd that he was of servile condition , and being made free , according to custom , took the name of his patron : but since i have already prov'd , that he was not the manilius antiochus in pliny , there is no reason left for any one to say he was a slave ; he himself very expresly , i think , declares himself to be a roman born , for in his fourth book he shews a concern for the interests of the roman common-wealth down as low as the age of hannibal . 5 speratum hannibalem nostris cecidisse catenis : which he could not with any propriety have done , had his relation to that state commenc'd so lately , or had his ancestors had no interest in the then losses or victories of rome . and seeing he was born a roman , and of the family of the manilij , we may farther from some other evidences conclude that he sprung from a very considerable , if not one of the noblest branches of it ; for if we reflect that tho' he dy'd young , yet he had been well instructed in the several hypotheses of the antient philosophers , accurately taught the doctrine of the stoicks , led thro' all the intricate mazes and subtilties of astrology , that he was acquainted with the mathematicks , knew all the mythology of the antients , and had run thro' the greek poets , we shall find in him all the signs of a very liberal and costly education , and consequently of a considerable quality , or at least a great fortune . but if we reflect farther that he was conversant at court , and acquainted with the modish , and nicest flattery of the palace , that he made his complements in the same phrase that the most intimate and finisht courtier ever us'd , we may raise another probable argument that his quality was great : now this reflection may be supported by one observation made on the complement he pays tiberius when at rhodes : he stiles him 6 magni mundi lumen , using the very same word , which we meet with in velleius paterculus , who wrote all court language , upon the very same occasion . 7 alterum reipublicae lumen is tiberius , and he retir'd to rhodes , ne fulgor suus orientium juvenum , c. et l. caes. obstaret initiis , says that historian . as to his place of birth , since we find him at rome when he wrote this poem , 8 qua genitus cum fratre remus hanc condidit urbem : and no author settles him any where else , it may with some shew of probability be concluded , that he was born in that city , in which we are certain he both studeid , and led his life : but if we consider farther that he takes all occasions to shew his respect for rome , that with zeal he mentions those extravagant honours which the flattery 9 of asia , and the vanity of her own citizens had put upon her , we shall find so much veneration in his writings , that it could not well rise from any other spring than that piety which men of generous sense and spirit always retain for the places of their birth . to close this discourse , i have prov'd this author was not the manilius antiochus mention'd by pliny , nat. hist . lib. 35. cap. 17. nor that manilius lib. 10. cap. 2. and that both vossius and mr. tristan are very much mistaken in their conjectures . there remains another manilius whom the same 1 pliny , commends for his skill in mathematicks ; this mathematician scaliger thinks to be the same with the poet , because he liv'd in the time of augustus , and was conversant in the same studies with our author ; these i must own are not convincing proofs ; but as there are no good arguments for , so there are no objections against his pretences , and therefore he still stands fairest for the person . this manilius of a noble family , born in rome , and living in the age of augustus , had a liberal education suitable to his quality and the time in which he liv'd : his writings shew him to be well acquainted with the principles of the several sects of philosophers , but addicted to the stoicks , whose hypothesis in all its out-lines bears a very near resemblance to some of the theories that are now in fashion . the modern philosophers build worlds according to the models of the antient heathens , and zeno is the architect . the stoicks principles were in short these : they say there is one infinite , eternal , almighty mind , which being diffus'd thro' the whole universe of well order'd and regularly dispos'd matter , actuates every part of it , and is as it were , the soul of this vast body : the parts of this body they say are of two sorts , the celestial , viz. the planets and the fixt stars , and the terrestrial , viz. the earth , and all the other elements about it : the celestial continue still the same without any change or variation ; but the whole sublunary world is not only liable to dissolution , but often hath been , and shall again be dissolv'd by fire : from this chaos which , because it is made by fire , they call fire , they say another system would arise , the several particles of it settling according to their respective weights : thus the earth would sink lowest , the water would be above that , the air next , and the fire encompass the other three : but because all the earthy parts are not equally rigid , nor equally dispers'd thro' the chaos , therefore there would be cavities and hollows in some places fit to receive the water , and to be channels for rivers : in other places hills and mountains would rise , and the whole system appear in that very form and figure which it now bears . they farther add , that this infinite mind hath made one general decree concerning the government of the lower world , and executes it by giveing such and such powers to the celestial bodies , as are sufficient and proper to produce the design'd effects : this decree thus executed they call fate , and upon this principle their whole system of astrology depends : that some things happen'd in the world which were very unaccountable every days experience taught them ; they learn'd also or pretended to have learn'd from very many accurate , and often repeated observations , that there was a constant agreement between those odd unaccountable accidents and such and such positions of the heavenly bodies , and therefore concluded that those bodies were concern'd in those effects : hence they began to settle rules , and to draw their scatter'd observations into an art ; and this was the state of the hypothesis and astrology of the stoicks , ( i must call it so for distinction sake , tho' , neither the hypothesis it self , nor the astrology built upon it was invented by zeno , but deliver'd down to him and his scholars by the chaldeans and other philosophers of the east ) 'till the greeks ambitious of making it appear their own , endeavour'd to establish support and adorn it with their fables , and by that means made that which before seem'd only precarious , ( as all arts which are drawn from bare observation and not from any settled principles in nature must appear to be ) ridiculous fancies , and wild imaginations : but i do not design an account , nor a defence of the astrology of the antients : you know , sir , it hath been spoken against and derided on the one hand , and supported and applauded on the other by men of great wit , judgment , piety , and worth : and he who shall take a view of it , will always find enough in it to divert his leisure , if not to satisfie his curiosity , and raise his admiration . this is the hypothesis which manilius endeavour'd to explain in latin verse : had he liv'd to revise it , we had now had a more beautiful and correct piece ; he had a genius equal to his undertaking , his fancy was bold and daring , his skill in the mathematicks great enough for his design , his knowledge of the history , and acquaintance with the mythology of the antients general : as he is now , some of the criticks place him amongst the judicious and elegant , and all allow him to be one of the useful , instructive , profitable poets : he hints at some opinions which later ages have thought fit to glory in as their own discoveries . thus he defends the fluidity of the heavens against the hypothesis of aristotle . he asserts that the fixed stars are not all in the same concave superficies of the heavens , and equally distant from the center of the world : he maintains that they are all of the same nature and substance with the sun , and that each of them hath a particular vortex of his own ; and lastly he affirms that the milkie way is only the undistinguish'd lustre of a great many small stars , which the moderns now see to be such , thro' the glass of galilaeo : in short , we do not give him too great a character , when we say he is one of the most discerning philosophers that antiquity can shew . in my version i have endeavoured to render this author in●●lligible and easie , and therefore have been sometimes forc'd to take a larger compass than a strict tra●slation would allow ; and have ●dded some notes to make him ●ess obscure : amongst those notes y●u will find one relating to the th●ory of the earth , which i must desire you to lay aside , it being written and printed several years ago , and before i had well considered the weak unphilosophical principles , and pernicious consequences of that vain hypothesis . and now , sir , you are near the end of this long letter , give me ●eave to tell you , that i have not tired ●ou half so much , as at first i design'd to do ; having left unsaid a great many things relating both to the author and his writings : those perhaps will appear at the head of a latin edition of his works , which i shall think my self oblig'd to undertake , unless a very learned gentleman , from whom i have long expected it , frees me from that trouble , and obliges the world with his own observations . i am your humble servant , t. c. all-souls , octo. 10●● 96. manilius . the first book . after a short account of his design , and a complemental address to augustus , he begins , 1. with the rise and progress of astronomy , and other arts : 2. discourseth of the several opinions concerning the beginning of the world : 3. describes the order of it : 4. proves the earth to be the centre of the world : 5. proves it to be round : 6. asserts the soul of the world : 7. reckons up the signs of the zodiack : 8. describes the axis : 9. the northern constellations : 10. the constellations between the tropicks and the south-pole : 11. explains the figures of the constellations : 12. asserts providence against epicurus : 13. discovers the bigness of the world : 14. treats of the movable and immovable circles : 15. makes a long description of the milky-way : 16. reckons up the planets : 17. discourseth of comets and meteors , and concludes that they presage . stars conscious of our fates and arts 1 divine , the wondrous work of heaven's first wise design , in numerous verse i boldly first inclose ; too high a subject , and too great for prose . at what the ancients with a wild amaze and ignorant wonder were content to gaze , my verse brings down from heav'n , design'd to show celestial secrets to the world below : what yet the muses groves ne'er heard , i sing , and bring unusual offerings to their spring . rome's prince and father , thou whose wide command with awfull sway is stretcht o'er sea and land , who dost deserve that heaven thy love bestow'd on thy great father , thou thy self a god , now give me courage , make my fancy strong , and yield me vigour for so great a song . nor doth the world this curious search refuse , it kindly courts the daring of my muse , and will be known ; whilst you serenely reign , instruct our labour , and reward our pain . wings raise my feet , i 'm pleas'd to mount on high trace all the mazes of the liquid sky , their various turnings , and their whirls declare , and live in the vast regions of the air : i 'll know the stars , which yet alone to gain is knowledge mean , unequal to the pain ; for doubts resolv'd it no delight affords , but fills soft empty heads with ratling words : i 'll search the depths , the most remote recess , and flying nature to confession press ; i 'll find what sign and constellation rule , and make the difference 'twixt the wise and fool ; my verse shall sing what various aspect reigns when kings are doom'd to crowns and slaves to chains . i 'll turn fate 's books , there reade proud parthia's doom , and see the sure eternity of rome . two temples rais'd with sacred incense shine , i bow at nature's and the muses shrine ; both aids i need , for double cares do throng , and fill my thought ; the subject and the song : and whilst i 'm bound to verse with orbs immense the world rouls round me , and distracts my sense ; vast is my theme , yet unconceiv'd , and brings untoward words scarce loosned from the things . who first below these wondrous secrets knew ? who stole that knowledge which the world withdrew ? whose soaring mind those airy mazes trod and spight of heaven desir'd to seem a god! open the skies , and teach how stars obey , and run their race as nature marks the way , their power and influence , what directs their course what whirls them round , and what confines their force . first mercury disclos'd these mysteries , by him we view the inside of the skies , and know the stars , and now mankind admires the power , not onely lustre of their fires : by him all know how great , how just and wise , and good is the contriver of the skies ; at whose command the stars in order met , who times appointed when to rise and set ; that heaven 's great secrets may lie hid no more , and man instructed gratefully adore . nature disclos'd her self , and from her springs pure streams deriv'd o'erslow'd the minds of kings , kings next to heaven , who o'er the east did sway , where swift euphrates cuts his rapid way , where 2 nile o'erflows , and whence the whirl restores the day to us , and passing burns the moors . and next o'er priests , whose constant cares employd in publick service did obleige the god , his presence did their holy minds inspire with sacred flames , and rais'd their fancies higher , till by degrees to due perfection wrought he made himself the object of their thought : such were those wondrous men who first from far lookt up , and saw fates hanging at each star : their thoughts extended did at once comprise ten thousand revolutions of the skies , they markt the influence , and observ'd the power of every sign , and every fatal hour ; what tempers they bestow'd , what fortunes gave , and who was doom'd a king , who born a slave ; how aspects vary , and their change creates , though little , great variety in fates . thus when the stars their mighty round had run , and all were fixt whence first their race begun , what hints experience did to search impart they join'd , and observation grew to art ; thus rules were fram'd , for by example shown they knew what would be , from what had been done ; they saw the stars their constant round maintain perform their course , and then return again ; they on their aspects saw the fates attend , their change on their variety depend ; and thence they fixt unalterable laws , settling the same effect on the same cause . before that time life was an artless state of reason void , and thoughtless in debate : nature lay hid in deepest night below , none knew her wonders , and none car'd to know : upward men look , they saw the circling light , pleas'd with the fires , and wondred at the sight : the sun , when night came on , withdrawn , they griev'd , as dead , and joy'd next morn when he reviv'd ; but why the nights grow long or short , the day is chang'd , and the shades vary with the ray , shorter at his approach , and longer grown at his remove , the causes were unknown : for wit lay unimprov'd , the desart plains were unmanur'd , nor fed the idle swains : ev'n gold dwelt safe in hills , and none resign'd their lives to seas or wishes to the wind ; consin'd their search , they knew themselves alone , and thought that onely worthy to be known : but when long time the wretches thoughts resin'd , when want had set an edge upon their mind ; when men encreast , and want did boldly press , and forc'd them to be witty for redress ; then various cares their working thoughts employ'd , and that which each invented all enjoy'd . then corn first grew , then fruit enricht the grounds , and barbarous noise was first confin'd to sounds : through seas unknown the sailer then was hurl'd , and gainfull traffick joyn'd the distant world : then arts of war were found , and arts of peace , for vse is always fruitfull in encrease . new hints from settled arts experience gains , instructs our labour , and rewards our pains : thus into many streams one spring divides , and through the valleys rouls refreshing tides . but these were little things compar'd , they knew the voice of birds , in entrails fates could view ; burst snakes with charms , and in a bullock's bloud , see rage appeas'd , or fear an angry god. they call'd up ghosts , mov'd deepest hell , the sun could stop , and force a night upon his noon ; then make him rise at night , for all submit to constant industry , and piercing wit. nor stopt they here , unwearied industry rose boldly up and mounted through the sky , saw all that could be seen , view'd nature's laws , and young effects still lying in their cause . what wings the lightning , why from watry clouds the thunder breaks , and roars the wrath of gods. what raiseth storms , what makes the winds to blow , why summer's hail's more stiff than winter's snow : what fires earth's entrails , what doth shake the ball , why tempests rattle , and why rain doth fall : all this she view'd , and did their modes explain , and taught us to admire no more in vain . heaven was disarm'd , mad whirlwinds rul'd above and clouds and vapors thundred instead of jove . these things explain'd , their hidden cause known , the mind grew strong , and ventur'd boldly on ; for rais'd so high , from that convenient rise she took her flight , and quickly reacht the skies ; to every constellation shapes and names assign'd , and markt them out their proper frames then view'd their course , and saw the orbs were mov'd as heaven did guide , and as the world approv'd ; that chance was baffled whilst their whirls create the interchang'd variety of fate . this is my theme , ne'er yet in numbers wrought , assist me , fortune , and improve my thought ; equal my mind to my vast task ; prolong my life in ease , smooth as my flowing song ; that while my muse is working o'er the heap , and forms this chaos to a pleasing shape , i may with equal care , and equal heat , declare the little and disclose the great . but now since fate and verse do joyntly flow from heaven , and both rule equally below . first let my muse whole nature's face design , its figure draw , and finish every line . whether from seed it ne'er 3 began to be , secure from fate , and from corruption free ; knew no beginning , and no ending fears , but was , and will be , as it now appears . or huddled 4 chaos by a wondrous birth archt the vast sky and fixt the solid earth ; and when this shining world once rais'd its head to shades infernal banisht darkness fled . or whether unseen 5 atoms blindly thrown compos'd it , and as years whirle nimbly on , it must dissolve , and as it first was wrought from almost nothing , fall to almost nought . or rose from working 6 fire's enlivening rays , which form heaven's eyes , and live in every mass . in thunder roar , and in the lightning blaze . or whether 7 water which combines the frame compos'd , and keeps it from the loosning flame . or whether 8 water , air , and flame and earth knew no beginning , no first seeds of birth ; but first in being from themselves arose , and as four members the vast god compose ; in which thin , thick , hot , cold , and moist and dry , for mutual actions mutual parts supply . from whose agreeing disagreement springs , the numerous odd variety of things . these qualities to act provoke the seed , make vital elements and bodies breed . what 't was at first , and whence the all began is doubted , and the doubt too deep for man ; and let it be , but whencesoe'er it came its face is certain , 't is an order'd frame . upward the 9 flame on active pinions fled , to heaven's high arch it rais'd its shining head , there stopt as weary grown , and round the frame for nature's bullwark roll'd a wall of flame . then liquid air spread through the empty space less light and active took the second place . but next the flame the lightest parts aspire to waste themselves , and feed the greedy fire . the heavyer water makes an humbler claim , and lies the third in order in the frame ; that vapours rising may , like seed , repair what fire destroys , and feed decaying air : weight sank round earth to the remotest place , and floating sand in clinging mud's embrace stuck fast , whilst seas squeez'd out flow'd o'er the mass : as those grew limpid , and diffus'd the waves , through spacious hollows and descending caves rocks started forth , their heads the mountains rear'd , and earth surrounded by the floud appear'd . lowest of all , and in the midst it lies compass'd by seas , and cover'd by the skies . the place doth fix it , for still rising higher the other elements equally retire , and that by falling stops its farther fall , and hangs the midst and lowest of them all , its parts to one fixt point press jointly down , and meet , and stop each other from moving on . for did not earth hang midst the airy space , how could the sun perform his constant race ? drive on the day , fall headlong down the west , force up the stars , and rise again at east ? how could the moon her usual round maintain , rise , set , and rise near the same point again ? or he that leads the stars at night return to east again , and usher forth the morn ? but since earth did not to a bottom fall , but hangs , and yielding air surrounds the ball , the way is open , and no stop to force the stars return , or to impede their course . for who can think that when the 10 sun doth rise he 's born anew , or when he sets he dies ? that when one day he hath display'd his light his race is finisht , and goes out at night ? since he the same doth every morn appear , and as he drives a day he whirls a year . from the same east he comes with equal pace , to the same west he still directs his race ; and not one change is seen in nature's face . the same moon shines , and at a certain day , her light encreases , and her horns decay . the track she made nature doth still pursue , nor like a novice wanders in a new . phoebus still warms those signs where first he shone , and day goes round with one eternal sun. thus prov'd : because by just degrees the hours in different countries are the same with ours . the eastern nations view the rising fires whilst night shades us , and lazily retires . and as to distant west we nimbly run , that still removes , nor can we reach the sun. no east begins , no west his race doth bound , but he drives on in one continued round . nor is it wondrous that one single ball should hang , since 't is the nature of the all. no prop supports , but as their motions prove , the whole world hangs , and all that whirls above . the sun doth drive his race through yielding skies , wheel round the liquid bound , and set and rise . through aether , moon and stars direct their race , like these earth unsupported keeps its place , though no fixt bottom props the weighty mass . well then , the earth hangs midst the yielding air not stretcht into a plain , but every where it rises and declines into a sphere . in other parts this figure nature drew , the sun and stars , if we exactly view , seem round , the moon is vary'd every night , nor with an equal face receives her brother's light. this proves her round since different rays adorn , now shape , now bend , now fill her borrow'd horn , this form's eternal and may justly claim a godlike nature , all its parts the same ; alike and equal to its self 't is found , no end 's and no beginning in a round . nought can molest its being nought controul , and this enobles and confines the whole . hence every countrey sees not every sign , what sailer views the bright 11 canopus shine o'er egypt's shores , and when its rays appear who sees the little circles of the bear ? for earth still rising to a round denies , a larger scene , and bounds our feeble eyes . this truth the 12 moon confirms when deep in night earth interposes , and diverts her light , she doth not all the world at once surprize , but now seems dark to these , now other eyes . the eastern parts first view her darkned face , then o'er the south she rolls her broken rays ; and then still prest by the obscuring shade , she hears the western brass resounding to her aid . now if the earth were flat the darkned moon would seem to all eclypst as well as one . at once presenting to the common view her gloomy looks , and prove this fancy true . but since its figure 's round , dim cynthia's beams by just degrees must visit the extremes ; not all at once ; she must divide the skies , and while she sets to some , to others rise . for in the mighty concave whirl'd above she rising must , and must declining move ; now climb this rising , and her glories show , then sink again , and scatter beams below . this proves ( nor shall the subtlest wits escape these twining reasons ) the disputed shape . by various animals this globe's possest , the common house of man , of bird , and beast ; the northern 13 parts rise high , the southern fall beneath our fee , the adverse of the ball. yet as it lies its surface a flat , though false , its bigness doth improve the cheat , and take the roundness off , though every where it riseth and declines into a sphere . hence when with setting beams the sun withdrawn beholds our east , they see the morning dawn ; and when their toils he with his light restores , sleep sits on us , and gently easeth ours . the sea 14 runs round , and with its circling waves the floud at once divides , and joyns the halves . to that vast frame in which four parts conspire of different form , air , water , earth and fire , united 15 god the world's almighty soul by secret methods rules and guides the whole ; by unseen passes he himself conveys through all the mass , and every part obeys . to proper patients he kind agents brings in various leagues binds disagreeing things . makes some powers act , and some receive their force ; and thus whilst nature keeps her vital course , though different powers the several things divide , the world seems one , and all its parts ally'd . now constellations , muse , and signs rehearse , in order , let them sparkle in thy verse . those which obliquely bound the burning zone , and bear the summer and the winter sun , those first : then those which roll a different way from west : nor heaven's diurnal whirl obey : which nights serene disclose , and which create the steddy rules , and six the laws of fate . first aries , glorious in his golden wool , looks back , and wonders at the mighty bull , whose back-parts first appear : he bending lies with threatning head , and calls the twins to rise , they clasp for fear , and mutually embrace ; and next the twins with an unsteady pace bright cancer rolls : then leo shakes his mane : and following virgo calms his rage again : then day and night are weigh'd in libra's scales , equal a while , at last the night prevails , and longer grown the heavyer scale inclines and draws bright scorpio from the winter signs : him centaur follows with an aiming eye his bow full drawn and ready to let fly : next narrow horns the twisted caper shows , and from aquarius urn a floud o'erflows . near their lov'd waves cold pisces take their seat , with aries joyn and make the round compleat . now view the point where turn the shining bears , and from their height look down on other stars . which never set but onely change their sites to the same point ; and whirl the meaner lights ; thither the axis runs , whose adverse poles bears the poiz'd world , and heaven about it rolls ; no solid substance that the weight might bear but an imagin'd line stretcht through the air ; begun from either pole the line extends earth's centre through , and in the other ends . for since the frame turns round , that fancy'd line which cuts the middle , too minutely thin by turning round it self to measure space , but still confin'd to one imagin'd place , is call'd the axis ; cause unapt to move it sees stars whirl , the shining planets rove , and swiftly measure the vast space above . fixt near the pole appear those friendly stars well known to wretched greedy mariners ; which guide their sails , and which direct their oars , when mad for gain they fly to foreign shores. ( whilst heaven it self befriends their avarice , what pleas may wretched mortals make for vice ? ) seven equal stars adorn the greater bear , which measure larger circles of the sphere , and teach the grecian sailers how to steer . the smaller bear , though less in size and light in narrower circles she commands the night , yet tyre prefers , for through the ocean tost they sail by her and find the foreign coast ; these stand not front to front , but each doth view the others tayl , pursu'd as they pursue . betwixt and round these two the serpent twines , at once divides , and to their place confines ; secure from meeting they 're distinctly roll'd , nor leave their seats , and pass the dreadfull fold : these keep the vertex , but betwixt the bear and shinning zodiack where the planets err , a thousand figur'd constellations roll , some near the zodiack , some plac'd near the pole : whose differing powers by tempering skies combin'd make seasons fruitfull , and refresh mankind . first near the north , as conscious of his shame a constellation kneels without a name ; and next bootes comes , whose order'd beams present a figure driving of his teams . below his girdle , near his knees , he bears the bright arcturus , fairest of the stars . behind his back the radiant crown is view'd , and shines with stars of different magnitude ; one plac'd i' th' front above the rest displays a vigorous light , and darts surprizing rays . this shone since theseus first his faith betray'd , the monument of the forsaken maid . nor far from these distended lyra lies , well strung , the sounding glory of the skies . this orpheus struck when with his wondrous song he charm'd the woods , and drew the rocks along ; when hell obey'd , when death resign'd her chain , and loos'd his dear eurydice again ; this gain'd it heaven , and still its force appears , as then the rocks it now draws on the stars . the planets dance , and to the tunefull sound the heaven consents , and moves the fatal round . next ophiuchus strides the mighty snake , untwists his winding folds , and smooths his back , extends its bulk , and o'er the slippery scale his wide stretcht hands on either side prevail : the snake turns back his head , and seems to rage , that war must last where equal powers engage . next view the swan , whom jove advanc'd above , that form's reward by which he caught his love. when shrouded in the fair deceitfull shape , he cheated trusting leda to a rape : now grac'd with stars his wings stretcht o'er the skies . and next the swan the shining arrow flies : the towring eagle next doth boldly soar , as if the thunder in his claws he bore : he 's worthy jove , since he , a bird , supplies the heaven with sacred bolts , and arms the skies . next rais'd from seas the dolphin's tail appears , the glory of the floud and of the stars . whom while the horse ( one radiant star doth grace his generous breast ) pursues with eager pace , his legs before , as running , he extends , but clos'd in fair andromeda he ends . her perseus joyns , her foot his shoulder bears proud of the weight , and mixes with her stars . five splendid stars in its unequal frame deltoton bears , and from the shape a name ; but those that grace the sides dim light display and yield unto the basis brighter ray. next with her cepheus cassiopeia shines , her posture sad , and mourns amongst the signs ; she sees her daughter chain'd , the rolling tide the monster spout , and curses her old pride : she fears that perseus will inconstant prove , and now in heaven forget his former love ; but he attends , and bears the gorgon's head , his spoil , and witness of a coming aid . near the bent bull a seat the driver claims , whose skill conferr'd his honour and his names , his art great jove admir'd , when first he drove his rattling carr , and fixt the youth above . next stormy hoedi shine which shut the main , and stop the sailers hot pursuit of gain . then shines the goat , whose brutish duggs supply'd the infant jove , and nurst his growing pride . from that wild food he did to heaven aspire , fierce thunder throw , and dart the blasting fire . then mindfull of her care the gratefull god repaid her with those skies which she bestow'd . then pleiades and hyades appear , the sad companions of the turning year . born by the bull they lead they tempests forth , and close the constellations of the north. farewell cold north , thy ice benums my muse , i fly from thee , and warmer regions chuse ; betwixt the tropicks of the traveling sun , i 'll trace the signs that burn the torrid zone , then pass those bounds and view the stars that roll between cold caper and the lower pole. first next the twins , see great orion rise , his armes extended stretch o'er half the skies : his stride as large , and with a stately pace he marches on , and measures a vast space . on each broad shoulder a bright star's display'd , and three obliquely grace his hanging blade . in his vast head immerst in boundless spheres three stars less bright , but yet as great , he bears . but farther off remov'd , their splendor's lost , thus grac'd and arm'd he leads the starry host . next barks the dog , and from his nature flow the most afflicting powers that rule below , heat burns his rise , frost chills his setting beams , and vex the world with opposite extremes . he keeps his course , nor from the sun retreats , now bringing frost , and now encreasing heats : those that from taurus view this rising star , guess thence the following state of peace and war , health , plagues , a fruitfull or a barren year . he makes shrill trumpets sound , and frightens peace , then calms and binds up iron war in ease . as he determines , so the causes drawn , his aspect is the world 's supremest law. this power proceeds from the vast orb he runs , his brightness equals or exceeds the sun's . ●ut far remov'd he through the distant space ●arts feeble splendour from his azure face . yet others he excells , no fairer light ascends the skies , none sets so clear a bright . next procyon view , view , and next the nimble hare , then argo sailing through the liquid air ; advanc'd from all the dangers of the tides , which first she stem'd , she now securely rides . heaven is her port , and now she rules the flouds , a goddess made for saving of the gods. close by the serpent spreads ; whose winding spires with order'd stars resemble scaly fires . next flies the crow , and next the generous bowl of bacchus flows , and chears the thirsty pole. the centaur next in double shapes exprest , a humane body joyns a horse's breast . the world 's great temple next , and altar lies grac'd with the gifts of conquering deities , when earth-born giants did the skies invade , the lesser gods implor'd the greater's aid ; his power jove doubted when he view'd from far the threatning force of the unequal war. when he inverted nature's frame beheld , that earth rose upward , and that all rebell'd . that hills on hills heap'd , rais'd their threatning head , and frighted stars approaching mountains fled ; when impious armies at a monstrous birth broke through the bowels of the gaping earth , of disagreeing forms , and frightfull makes , vast humane bodies twisted into snakes . e'er this no danger and no fear was known , and wanton jove sate idly in his throne . but lest some greater power ( soft ease betray'd his mind to doubt ) should yield the rebels aid , he rais'd this altar , and the form appears with incense loaded , and adorn'd with stars . next on his belly floats the mighty whale he twists his back , and rears his threatning tail ; he spouts the tide , and cuts the foaming way , wide gapes his mouth , as eager on his prey ; such on andromede he rusht , and bore the troubled waves beyond their usual shore . next swims the southern fish , which bears a name from the south-wind , and spreads a feeble flame . to him the flouds in spacious windings turn , one fountain flows from cold aquarius urn ; and meets the other where they joyn their streams one chanel keep , and mix the starry beams . betwixt th' eclyptick and the latent bears whose creaking axis turns the rolling spheres , those stranger skies are painted with these stars . which ancient artists in their wondrous lines transmit to fame , and call the southern signs . the other part lies hid , the vast abode of unknown nations , by our feet untrod . from the same sun they take their common light , but different shades : in an inverted site , their signs o' th' left hand 16 set , and rise o' th' right . their skies as large , their stars as splendid run , equal i' th' rest , but are excell'd by one , by caesar's star which doth o'er us preside , earth's present joy , and heaven's future pride . for that the lower pole resemblance bears to this above , and shines with equal stars ; with bears averse , round which the draco twines , at once divides them , and at once consines , that there as many constellations move , we must believe from what we find above . for fancy , which decaying sense supplies , not onely feigns a vertex like to this , but all resembling beauties of the skies . these are the stars which scattered o'er the pole in different places fixt complete the whole ; but raise thy thought from sense , nor think to find such figures there , as are in globes design'd ; nor think that stars set close compose the frames , or that the signs are all continued flames . for then we soon should see the world expire , frail nature could not bear so great a fire ; some places vacant conscious of her state she leaves , unable for so vast a heat . for 't is her kind intent alone to show by certain stars , those signs that rule below ; such notice give , and such fair hints impart ; as men may take , and may improve to art : the stars mark out the shapes , the lower beams answer the high , the middle the extremes . fansie those parts that lie obscur'd between , for 't is enough that some of them are seen : but chiefly then when cynthia's beams are clear , and full , but few , though still the same , appear ; and whilst the vulgar fly , their place possess ; nor lose their light , nor mingle with the less . yet these still keep one course , they still pursue their constant track nor vary in a new. from one fixt point they start , their course maintain repeat their whirl , and visit it again : and this is strange , and this doth more surprize than all the other wonders of the skies , that such unwieldy frames their signs should draw , as mov'd by reason , and confin'd by law ; no change in distance nor in site appear , though great their number , long the rolling year . a most convincing reason drawn from sense , that this vast frame is mov'd by providence . which like the soul doth every whirl advance ; it must be god , nor was it made by chance ; as epicurus dreamt , he madly thought this beauteous frame of heedless atoms wrought , that seas and earth , the stars and spacious air which forms new worlds , or doth the old repair , first rose from these , and still supply'd remain , and all must be , when chance shall break the chain , dissolv'd to these wild principles again . absurd and nonsense ! atheist use thine eyes , and having view'd the order of the skies , think , if thou canst , that matter blindly hurld , without a guide should frame this wondrous world. but did chance make , and chance still rule the whole why do the signs in constant order roll ? observe set times to shut and open day , nor meet , and justle , and mistake their way ? perform their course as if by laws confin'd , none hasten on , and leave the rest behind . why every day doth the discovering flame , show the same world , and leave it still the same ? e'en then when 17 troy was by the greeks o'er-thrown , the bear oppos'd to bright orion shone ; she near the pole in narrow rounds did move , he fac'd her then , and measur'd the vast space above . and e'en at night when time in secret flies , and veils himself in shades from humane eyes ; they by the signs could know how fast he fled , and in the skies the hasty minutes read . how many towns have fall'n , what well-built states , since troy , have sunk below oppressing fates ? how many times hath sporting fortune hurld the chance of rule and slavery through the world ? how hath she now reverst troy's ancient doom , and built her relicks greater up in rome ? reviv'd old ilium doth new spoyls enjoy , and greece now bends beneath the fate of troy. why should i count how oft the earth hath mourn'd the sun's retreat , and smil'd when he return'd ? how oft he doth his various course divide 'twixt winter's nakedness and summer's pride ? all mortal things must change . the fruit full plain , as seasons turn , scarce knows her self again ; such various forms she bears : large empires too put off their former fance , and take a new . yet safe the world , and free from change doth last , no years encrease it , and no years can waste ; its course it urges on , and keeps its frame , and still will be , because 't was still the same . it stands secure from time's devouring rage , for 't is a god , nor can it change with age. and that the sun ne'er drives the rising day from north to south , nor leaves the beaten way ; that weary grown he still falls down the west at night , nor turns his horses to the east ; that light by just degrees the moon adorns , first shews , then bends , then fills her borrow'd horns , and that the stars in constant order roll , hang there , nor fall , and leave the liquid pole ; 't is not from chance ; the motion speaks aloud the wise and steddy conduct of the god. these equally dispos'd in order lye , make various shapes , and chequer all the skie . above them nought ; to the world's top they rose , painting the roof of natures common house ; which in a wide embrace doth all contain , the spatious air , the earth , and raging main ; these set in order , and in order rise , as west drives down , or east brings up the skies . but now how vast the arch , how next immense the zodiack's round , though far remov'd from sense , plain reason shews ; whose active force can pierce , the deep recesses of the universe . no bars can stop it , through the world it flies , and heaven it self lies open to its eyes . as great a space as earth , and humble seas from heaven divide , so great two signs possess . the world 's 18 diameter by art is found , almost the third division of the round . therefore as far as four bright signs comprize , the distant zenith from the nadir lies . and two thirds more almost surround the pole , the twelve signs measure , and complete the whole . but since the earth hangs midst the spacious all , the solid centre of the liquid ball , therefore as far as e'er our eyes can pass upward , or downward , could they pierce the mass , till bounding sky the wearied sight confines , is equal to the distance of two signs . and six such spaces the vast round complete where all the signs their constant whirls repeat , and each lies distant in an equal seat. nor must you wonder such varieties of different fates from the same stars should rise . since great their empire , and unlike their force , their seats so large ▪ and so immense their course . thus far advanc't my towring muse must rise , and sing the circles that confine the skies , describe the track , and mark the shining way , where planets err , and phoebus bears the day . one towards the north sustains the shining bear and lies divided from the polar star ; exactly 19 six divisions of the sphere . another drawn through cancer's claws confines , the utmost limits of the fatal signs ; there when the sun ascends his greatest height in largest rounds he whirls the lazy night . pleas'd with his station there he seems to stay , and neither lengthens nor contracts the day . the summer 's tropick call'd . — it lies the fiery sun 's remotest bound , just five divisions from the other round . a third twines round , and in the midst divides the sphere , and see the pole on both its sides . and there when phoebus drives , he spreads his light , on all alike , and equals day and night . for in the midst , he doth the skies divide , and chears the spring , and warms the autumn's pride . and this large circle drawn from cancer's flame , just four divisions parts the starry frame . another southward drawn exactly sets the utmost limits to the sun's retreats ; when hoary winter calls his beams away , obliquely warms us with a feeble ray , and whirls in narrow rounds the freezing day . to us his journey 's short , but where he stands with rays direct , he burns the barren sands . to wisht-for night he scarce resigns the day , but in vast heats extends his hated sway. the last drawn round the southern point confines those bears , and lies the utmost of the lines . wise nature constant in her work is found : as five divisions part the northern ●ound ; from the north point , this southern round appears just five divisions distant from its bears . thus heaven 's divided , and from pole to pole four quadrants are the measure of the whole . the circles five , by these are justly shown , the frigid , temperate and the torrid zone . all these move parallel , they set , they rise , at equal distance moving with the skies ; turn'd with the orbs the common whirl repeat , are fixt , nor vary their allotted seat. from pole all round to pole two lines exprest , adversely drawn , which intersect the rest and one another ; they surround the whole , and crossing make right angles at each pole : these into four just parts , by signs , the sphere divide , and mark the seasons of the year . one drawn from heaven's high top descends from far , and cuts the serpent's tail , and the dry bear : the equinoctial scales , the snake's extremes , and next the southern centaur's middle beams ; then thwarts the adverse pole , and next divides the mighty whale , and parts its scaly sides ; bright aries point , and splendid trigon past , the fair andromeda below the waste , and next her mother's head it cuts , and then the pole , and closeth in it self agen . cross this , and from the pole doth first appear the other , through the forefeet of the bear , and through its neck ; ( which when the sun retires first shines , and spreads black night with feeble fires ) then parts the twins and crab , the dog divides , and argo's keel that broke the frothy tides . and then the pole and other circle crost to caper turns contracted in his frost : the eagle cuts , and the inverted lyre , black dracos folds — the hinder paws o' th' bear , and near the pole it 's tail , and closing there compleats the whole . these rounds immovable , their site the same , here seasons fix , nor vary in the frame . two more are movable : one from the bear describ'd surrounds the middle of the sphere , divides the day , and marks exactly noon betwixt the rising and the setting sun : the signs it changes as we move below , run east or west , it varies as you go ; for 't is that line , which way soe'er we tread , that cuts the heaven exactly o'er our head , and marks the vertex ; which doth plainly prove that it must change as often as we move . not one meridian can the world suffice , it passes through each portion of the skies ; thus when the sun is dawning o'er the east 't is their sixth hour , and sets their sixth at west : though those two hours we count our days extremes , which feebly warm us with their distant beams . to find the other line cast round thine eyes , and where the earth's high surface joyns the skies , where stars first set , and first begin to shine , there draw the fancy'd image of this line : which way soe'er you move 't will still be new , another circle opening to the view ; for now this half , and now that half of sky it shews , its bounds still varying with the eye . this round's terrestrial , for it bounds contains that globe , and cut the middle with a plain ; 't is call'd the horizon , the round's design , ( for 't is to bound ) gives title to the line . two more oblique , and which in adverse lines surround the globe , observe : one bears the signs where phoebus drives and guides his fiery horse and varying luna follows in her course . where planets err as nature leads the dance , keep various measures undisturb'd by chance ; it s highest arch with cancer's beams do glow , whilst caper lies , and freezes in the low : twice it divides the equinoctial line , where fleecy aries , and where libra shine . three lines compose it , and th' eclyptick's found i th' midst ; and all decline into a round . nor is it hid , nor is it hard to find , like others open onely to the mind ; for like a belt with studs of stars the skies it girds and graces ; and invites the eyes : to twelve degrees its breadth , to thrice sixscore its length extends , and comprehends no more : within these bounds the wandring planets rove , make seasons here , and settle fate above . the other round from bears oppos'd begun runs adverse to the chariot of the sun , it leaves the pole , and from its round retires , and cuts inverted casiopeia's fires : thence still descending and obliquely drawn it passes through the body of the swan , then cancer's fires , the headlong bird of jove , the line and zodiack where the planets rove : and thence in various windings turns to meet the other centaur , and entwines his feet : and thence to mount through argo's sails begins , the line , and lowest portion of the twins ; then joyns the driver , and from thence ascends o'er perseus , and to cassiopeia tends , there 't is receiv'd in her inverted chair , in her the round begins , and ends in her. twice cuts the tropicks , zodiack and the line , and is as often cut by those agen . nor need we with a prying eye survey the distant skies to find the milky way , it must be seen by all , for every night it forcibly intrudes upon our sight , and will be mark'd for shining streaks adorn the skies as opening to let forth the morn . and as a beaten path that spreads between a troden meadow , and divides the green. or as when seas are plow'd behind the ship , foam curls on the green surface of the deep . in heaven's dark surface such this circle lies , and parts with various light the azure skies . or as when iris draws her radiant bow such seems this circle to the world below . it all surpriseth , our inquiring sight it upward draws , when through the shades of night it spreads its rays , and darts amazing light. fond men the sacred causes strive to find , and vainly measure with a feeble mind : and yet they strive , they madly whirl about through various causes , still condemn'd to doubt . whether the skies 20 grown old , here shrink their frame , and through the chinks admit an upper flame . or whether here the heavens two halves are joyn'd but odly clos'd , still leave a seam behind : or here the parts in 21 wedges closely prest , to fix the frame , are thicker than the rest , like clouds condens'd appear , and bound the sight , the azure being thickned into white . or whether that old 22 tale deserves our faith , which boldly says , that this was once the path where phoebus drove ; and that in length of years the heated track took fire and burnt the stars . the colour chang'd , the ashes strew'd the way , and still preserve the marks of the decay : besides , fame tells , by age fame reverend grown , that phoebus gave his chariot to his son , and whilst the youngster from the path declines admiring the strange beauty of the signs ; proud of his charge , he drove the fiery horse , and would outdoe his father in his course . the north grew warm , and the unusual fire dissolv'd its snow , and made the bears retire ; nor was the earth secure , each countrey mourn'd the common fate , and in its city 's burn'd . then from the scatter'd chariot lightning came , and the whole skies were one continued flame . the world took fire , and in new kindled stars the bright remembrance of its fate it bears . thus fame , nor must the softer fable die that juno's breast o'erflowing stain'd the skie , and made that milky way , which justly draws its name , the milky circle from its cause . or is the spatious bend serenely bright from little stars , which there their beams unite , and make one solid and continued light ? or souls which loos'd from the ignoble chain of clay , and sent to their own heaven again , purg'd from all dross by vertue , nobly rise in aether wanton , and enjoy the skies . great atreus sons , tydides fixt above , and stout achilles equal to our jove ; with three-ag'd nestor : he that bravely stood the dangers of the land and of the floud . vlysses , nature's conquerour , enjoy the skies deserv●d ; with all the chiefs at troy. jove's son sarpedon , he that lycia sway'd : the black merione , the martial maid , had fate stood neuter , troy's securest aid . with all those kings that greece or asia bore , or pella 23 greatest in her conquerour . next these the grave and prudent heroes rise , whose solid riches lay in being wise ; there good zeleucus , stout lycurgus shine , solon the just , and plato the divine . his master next , whose bloud unjustly spilt on athens still reflects a real guilt . next persia's scourge who strew'd the joyfull floud with xerxes fleet , and check'd the growing god : who broke his force , when neptune bore the chain , and prov'd his juster title o'er the main . here romans joyn'd , the greatest croud , reside , the kings , e'er tarquin stain'd the throne with pride . the horaces our army in our wars , the town which he defended , cocles bears ; next clelia rides , the brightest maid in fame , and scevola more glorious by his maim . then he on whom the helping crow bestow'd a name , and in the figure brought a god. camillus who the stars deserv'd to gain for saving jove , when thunder roar'd in vain ; patient of wrongs , and whilst alive ador'd , the founder of that rome that he restor'd . next brutus sits , and next , unlearn'd in fear , the fierce revenger of the pyrrick war , papyrius shines ; the decii , o'er their foes in triumphs equal , rivals in their vows . fabritius , curius , for their country bold , alike in courage , and too great for gold. marcellus , sword of rome , the third that bore a royal spoyl , and cossus grac'd before : next fabius sits , who left the common way to victory , and conquer'd by delay . livy and nero glorious for the fall of haughty carthage in her asdrubal . the scipio's africks fate both joyn'd in one , the latter ending what the first begun . pompey by thrice the conquer'd world ador'd , before god caesar stoopt to be our lord : the fam'd metelli ; tully , rome's defence , deserving heaven for pretious eloquence . the claudian race , and the emilian line with fortune's conquerour great cato shine . but venus julian race , who drew their rise from heaven ▪ return again and fill the skies ; where great augustus , with his partner jove presides , and views his father fixt above . quirinus joyns him , and is pleas'd to see the caesars grow rome's founders more than he. the highest arch contains the greater gods , the godlike heroes fill these next abodes ; those generous souls , that ran an equal race in vertues paths , and claim a second place . thus far my muse hath with success been crown'd , or sound no stops , or vanquisht those she found . and thus incourag'd now she boldly dares to sing the fatal compacts of the stars . but stop thy flight , sing all the fires that shine and influence too , and finish thy design . seven fires refuse the worlds diurnal force , from west to east they roll their proper course . cold saturn , jove , fierce mars , the fiery sun , with mercury 'twixt venus and the moon . some swift ▪ some slow , they measure different years , and make the wondrous musick of the spheres . but these are constant , these adorn the night , whilst others seldom shine and then affright . for few have view'd a comet 's dreadfull train , which wars foretells , and never shines in vain , soon catch on fire , and die as soon again . the reason's this ; when days serenely fair have chas'd the clouds , and cleans'd the lower air , and mists breath'd out from earth rise through the sky , the moister parts are conquer'd by the dry. and fire entic'd by the convenient mass descends , and lights it with a sudden blaze : but since the body's thin , the parts are rare and mists , like smoak , lie scattered through the air ; as soon as e'er begun , the feeble fire must waste , and with the blazing mass expire . for did they long exist , their constant light would seem to bring new day upon the night ; whole nature's course would change , and from the deep the sun would rise , and find the world a-sleep . but since in various forms the mists must rise , and shine in the same figures o'er the skies , these sudden flames thus born by chance at night , must shew as much variety of light. some equally diffus'd , like flaming hair , draw fiery tresses through the liquid air. and streight the mass that fiery locks appear'd grows short , and is contracted to a beard . whilst some in even and continu'd streams , are round like pillars , or are squar'd like beams . and some with belly'd flames large tuns present , alike in shape , and equal in extent . some ty'd in knots like hairy curls are spread , a narrow covering o'er the comets head. the meteor lamp in parted flames appears , the sheaf uneven shakes her bended ears . but still when wandring stars adorn the night , the falling meteors draw long trains of light. like arrows shot from the celestial bow , they cut the air , and strike our eyes below : fire lies in every thing , in clouds it forms the frightfull thunder , and descends in storms . ●t passes through the earth , in aetna raves , and imitates heaven's thunder in its caves . ●n hollow vales it boyls the rising flouds , ●n flints 't is found , and lodges in the woods , ●or tost by storms , the trees in flames expire , ●o warm are nature's parts , so fill'd with fire . therefore when mists , which wandring flames retain , ●ursue and catch , and leave as soon again , blaze o'er the skies when through the parted frame the meteors break in one continued flame , or when midst rain , or through a watry cloud quick lightning flies , or thunder roars aloud , wonder no more ; for o'er the spatious all is fire diffus'd , and must consume the ball. when eating time shall waste confining clay , and fret the feeble body to decay . thus far through paths untrod my muse has gone , found different causes , but not fixt on one , such various flowers in nature's field invite her gathering hand , and tempt her greedy sight ; that drawn by many she scarce one enjoys , lost in the great variety of choice . for earthy mists involving seeds of flame may rise on high , and fiery comets frame ; or little stars by nature joyn'd in one may shine , though undiscover'd when alone . or they are constant stars , whose natural course the sun o'er powers by his prevailing force , draws from their orbs , and shadows by his light , then frees again , and opens to our sight . thus mercury , thus venus disappears , then shines again , and leads the evening stars . or god in pity to our mortal state hangs out these lights to shew approaching fate ; they never idly blaze , but still presage some coming plague on the unhappy age. no crop rewards the cheated farmer 's toil , he mourns , and curses the ungratefull soil ; the meagre ox to the successless plow he yoaks , and scarce dares make another vow . or wasting plagues their deadly poisons spread , encreasing the large empire of the dead . men die by numbers , and by heaps they fall , and mighty cities make one funeral . on groaning piles whole huddled nations burn , and towns lie blended in one common urn. such plagues achaia felt , the fierce disease laid athens waste , and spoil'd the town in peace . it bore the helpless nation to the grave , no physick could assist , no vows could save ; heaps fell on heaps , and whilst they gasp'd for breath , heaps fell on those , and finisht half their death . none nurst the sick , the nearest kinsmen fled ; none stay'd to bury , or to mourn the dead . the fires grown weary dy'd beneath their spoils , and heapt-up limbs supply'd the place of piles . vast emptiness and desolation reign'd , and to so great a people scarce one heir remain'd . such are the plagues that blazing stars proclaim , they light to funerals their unlucky flame . they shew not onely private plagues to come , but threaten mortals with the day of doom . when piles eternal heaven and earth shall burn , and sickly nature fall into her urn. they sudden tumults , and strange arms declare , and when close treach'ry shall start up to war. when faithless germans did of late rebell , and tempt their fate , when generous varus fell , and three brave legions bloud the plains did drown , o'er all the skies the threatning comets shone . e'en nature seem'd at war , and fire was hurld at fire , and ruin threatned to the world. these things ▪ are strange , but why should these surprize , the fault is ours , since we with heedless eyes view heaven , and want the faith to trust the skies . they civil-wars foretell , and brothers rage , the curse and the disgraces of an age. never more comets drew their dreadfull hair than when philippi saw the world at war. scarce had the plains drunk up the former bloud , on scatter'd bones and limbs the romans stood and fought again ; disdaining meaner foes , ( a wretched conquest where the victors lose ) our empire 's power did its own self oppose ; and great augustus o'er the slaughter'd heaps pursu'd bright victory in his father's steps . nor did the rage end here , the actian fight , that bloudy dowry of a wanton night , remain'd , and rais'd by cleopatra's charms the headlong nations ran again to arms. the chance for the whole world was thrown again , and the skies ruler sought upon the main , then war obey'd a woman , timbrels strove with thunder , isis with the roman jove . nor stopt it here , but the degenerate son stain'd all the glory that his father won . the seas great pompey freed he seiz'd again , his pirates lay like tempests on the main . the relicks of the wars , the impious slaves were arm'd for fight , and ravag'd o'er the waves . till the torn fleet di'd all the seas with bloud , and asia's chains reveng'd the injur'd floud . let this , o fates ! suffice ; let discord cease , and raging tumults be confin'd by peace . let caesar triumph , let the world obey , and long let rome be happy in his sway. long have him here , and when she shall bestow a god on heaven enjoy his aid below . the end of the first book . notes . 1 whether divinas is to be rendred divining or divine is not yet agreed by the interpreters of the poet ; by rendring it divine , manilius is freed from a redundancy of words , and the origine of astronomy , which he so often inculcates in other places , is hinted at : beside , divinus seldom signifies divining , but when a substantive follows which determines it to that sense , as divina imbrium , and the like , and in that case i find milton venturing at it in his poem : — divine of future woe . 2 it seems very plain that this whole description respects onely the eastern kings , and therefore manilius must be reckoned amongst those who believed the head of nile to be in the east ; and lest he might be thought to have forgotten the egyptians , i am inclin'd to think he includes them under the priests , to whose care astronomical observations were peculiarly committed . 3 this was the opinion of xenophanes , melissus , aristotle and others ; and pliny thus concludes in the second book cap. 1. of his natural history : 't is reasonable to believe that the world is a deity , eternal and immense , that never had a beginning , and never shall have an end . as absurd an opinion as ever was propos'd , and repugnant to all the appearances of nature ; look upon the rocks on the sea shore , and having observ'd their continual wearing , consider how few thousands of years they must have stood : direct thy eye to heaven , and view the several changes in that which was thought impassible ; and in short , reflect on the essential vileness of matter , and its impotence to conserve its own being ; aud then i believe you will find reason to put this opinion amongst those absurdities which tully hath allotted to one or other of the philosophers to defend . 4 this blind fancy we owe to the phoenicians , who ( if philo biblius's sancuniathon may be trusted ) taught that the principles of the universe were a spirit of dark air , and a confus'd chaos ; this spirit at last began to love , and joyning with the chaos , produced 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or slime , and thence fashioned the world. and hence likely the more sober part of the greek philosophers , ( for they were but borrowers of learning ) who requir'd two eternal principles , the one active and the other passive , such as plato , anaxagoras , &c. took their notions , and having added some few new ornaments , vented them for their own . 5 the philosophy of epicurus is too well known to need any explication . 6 the opinion of heraclitus , concerning which see the first book of lucretius . 7 thales the milesian endeavoured to establish this by arguments drawn from the origine and continuation of most things : the seminal principle of animals is humid , plants are nourished by mere water ; fire it self cannot live without air , which is onely water rarefied , and the sun and stars draw up vapors for their own nourishment and support . these were the considerations upon which he grounded his opinion ; and hence 't is easie to guess that he kept up the credit of his school rather by those riches which he gain'd by his lucky conjecture at the scarcity of olives , than by the strength of argument and reason . 8 the assertion of empedocles , agreeable to which ovid sings , quatuor aeternus genitalia corpora mundus continet — . 9 there is something in this scheme of manilius so like the ingenious conjecture of the excellent authour of the theory of the earth , that what reflects on the one must have an influence on the other , and when the fiction is confuted the serious discourse will find it self concern'd : the stoicks held the material part of their deity to be changeable , and that too as often as the fatal fire prevail'd , and reduc'd the elements into one chaos ; in such a confusion the poet supposeth the first matter of his world , and then makes the different parts separate , and take proper places , according as they were light or heavy : agreeable to this opinion the theory of the earth supposeth a chaos , which he defines to be a mass of matter , fluid , consisting of parts of different sorts and sizes , blended together without any union or connexion . the solid and heavyer parts of this chaos descend to the centre , by their own weight , and there fixing and growing hard , compose the inward body of the earth ; the lighter parts fly upward , and being continually agitated , make that body which we call air ; the middle sort being somewhat heavyer , and not so much agitated , cover-over the solid interiour body of the earth ; and its fat and oily parts rising , and swimming on the surface , stop and detain those heavyer particles which upon the first separation were carried up by the air , and afterward according to their several degrees of gravity fell back again toward the centre : these particles sticking in this oily matter , made a soft crust , which in time being hardned by the sun and those breezes which always attend its motion , became the habitable earth . this earth thus form'd was solid , and without caverns , nor had it any inequalities on its surface ; as to its site , its axis was parallel to the axis of the ecliptick , both its poles being equally inclin'd to the sun ; and as to its figure it was oval . these are the few easie principal parts of that excellent hypothesis , settled on the obvious notions of gravity and levity , and on the acknowledged nature , and allow'd motion of a fluid . and from these so many curious propositions are naturally deduced , so many difficulties concerning paradise and the floud happily explain'd , and all set off with that neatness and aptness of expression , and that variety of curious thought , that i am very much inclin'd to believe that nature was never so well drest before , nor so artificially recommended . and it is pity that the first acknowledged principles of philosophy will not allow it to be true . inherent qualities are now generally exploded , as unphilosophical , not to be understood , and unfit to explain the phaenomena of nature . the acceleration of a heavy body in its descent ( beside a thousand other arguments ) quite overthrows gravity both as an accident of aristotle , and as essential to matter , according to the fancy of epicurus ; so that this motion proceeds onely from external impulse , and depends upon the present order of the world. so that philosophy will not allow the supposition of gravity or levity in a confus'd chaos , since it can sufficiently demonstrate that they are neither inherent qualities , nor essential to matter , and that it is in vain to look after them , before the system of the world was settled in the present order . from this hint it is easie to infer that the supposed chaos would have still continued such , the solid parts would have been agitated this or that way indifferently by the restless particles of the fluid , but there could have been no orderly separation , because no principle of it . but suppose such a separation , why must the outward crust of the globe be without caverns in its body , and inequalities on its surface ? what law of nature doth necessarily prove that in such a confusion the solid parts must be equally dispersed through the body of the air ? if we trust our eyes , and look upon a dust raised by the ruin of a house , or onely consider what confusion is , it will be very hard to find such a regular and orderly disposition . and since these solid bodies may be unequally dispers'd , and every one of them tends to the centre by a direct line , whenever they settle , the body which they compose must be unequal in its surface . yet to let this difficulty pass , its figure according to this hypothesis will be much more oval than common observation will allow , for since it is said to be oval because the motion of the aequator is swifter than that of the polar circles , the figure must be almost as much oval , as the circle of the aequator is bigger than the circle of the pole ; there being nothing to hinder the utmost effect of this motion but the weight of the fluid endeavouring to reduce it self to a levell , which of what moment it will be in this case i leave to be considered . and as for its site , that renders the torrid and the frigid zones unhabitable ; intolerable heats still burning the former , and the continual gathering and dropping of the vapours making the others too cold and moist to entertain either man or beast . and this one concession , i am afraid , spoils most part of the contrivance ; for these portions of the crust could never grow hard , being continually moistned by the vapours , and so little expos'd to the sun , or that breeze which attends its motion : and therefore , whenever vapours were drawn from the abyss in the torrid zone , these parts of the arch being not firm enough to sustain themselves , must sink in ; and those vapors that were imprisoned between the surface of the abyss and the solid part of the crust of the earth , might have found an easie passage through this soft portion of the crust , and therefore could not contribute to the general dissolution of the frame . besides , from such a muddy fountain what could be expected but streams unwholsome and corrupted , and unfit for that end for which they were design'd , and for that use , to which sacred scripture tells us they were imploy'd ? a great many other inconveniences in nature may be observ'd to follow this contrivance ; but because this hypothesis was not set up for its own sake , but to give an intelligible account of noah's floud ; i shall close these reflexions with a few considerations upon that . and first the authour pleads for an universal floud , it being inconsistent with the demonstrated nature of a fluid , that water should stand up in heaps fifteen cubits above the tops of the highest mountains . this i am willing to admit , though there is no reason why omnipotence might not be immediately concern'd in this , since he himself confesseth , that the forty days rain cannot according to his hypothesis be explain'd by any natural cause that he can find out . secondly , he compares the height of the mountains and the depth of the sea , and having as to both made allowable suppositions ( though the course of the longest river , even the nile it self , will not prove its head to be above three foot higher than its mouth ) he infers that eight oceans will be little enough to make an universal deluge : the waters above the firmament are exploded ; the rain would afford but the hundredth part of such a mass of water , unless the showers were continual , and over the face of the whole earth , and the drops came down ninety times faster than usually they do . ( though here a man would be apt to think from the expressions in genesis , the windows of heaven were opened , that there was somewhat very extraordinary in this rain , and that all those requir'd conditions were observ'd . ) the caverns of the earth , if they threw out all the water they contain'd , could afford but little in comparison of the great store that was requir'd ; and if the whole middle region of the air had been condens'd , still there had not been enough , because air being turn'd into water filleth onely the hundredth part of that space which it formerly possess'd . though all the other ways by which some have endeavour'd to explain the floud , were demonstrably insufficient , yet this last which gives an account of it from so natural and easie a cause as the condensation of the air deserved to be considered a little more ; but it is the art of a disputer to touch that least which presseth most on that opinion which he would advance . for it being allowed that air by natural causes may be chang'd into water , and a vacuum in this very chapter being excluded , it necessarily follows , that as much air as riseth fifteen cubits higher than the tops of the mountains is sufficient to make such a deluge as is describ'd to have been in noah's time . because where there is no vacuum , there can be no contraction into a less space , and every particle of matter , whatever form or schematism it puts on , must in all conditions be equally extended , and therefore take up the same room . but suppose a vacuum , or ( as it happens in our imperfect condensations ) that a hundred cubical feet of air would make but one foot of water , yet sure the region is large enough to make amends for this disproportion : now since nature is sufficient for condensation , and since its powers may be considerably invigorated for the execution of the almighty's wrath ; why must it be thought so difficult to explain a deluge ? and why should an excellent wit waste it self in fashioning a new world , onely to bring that about which the old one would permit easily to be done ? it is above the province of philosophy to make a world , let that be suppos'd to have been form'd as it is reveal'd , it is enough for us to search by what laws it is preserv'd ; and a system erected on this foundation will be agreeable both to reason and to religion . 10 he explodes the opinion of xenophanes , and the fancy of epicurus . vid. lucretius's fifth book . 11 canopus is a star in the southern keel of the ship argo , of the first magnitude : these particulars as to the appearance of the two stars are not mathematically true , yet serve well enough for the poets design , sufficiently proving the roundness of the earth . 12 this argument being taken from the eclipse and not from the increase or decrease of the moon , the poet must be understood , not as to divers moments of time , for the moon at the same instant is seen eclips'd by all to whom she appears above the horizon , but as to the diversity of hours at which the eastern or western people reckon the eclipse to begin or end . 13 this is to be understood in respect of those who inhabit the northern hemisphere , to whom the north pole is still elevated . 14 it was the opinion of the ancient poets , and some others , that the sea was as a girdle to the earth , that it ran round it as an horizon , and divided the upper hemisphere from the lower . 15 release this soul from that union which the stoicks foolishly assign'd , and then to hold a soul of the world and providence is all one . 16 manilius is not constant in his position ; most commonly as a poet he turns his face to the west , and then the north is on his right hand , and the south on the left : sometimes as an astronomer he turns his face to the south , and this is the position in this place . 17 alluding to the two verses in homer's sixth iliad , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 18 demonstrated by archimedes in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , prop. 3. that the circumference of every circle exceeds three times the diameter thereof by a part that is less than 1 / 7th , and greater than 10 / 70. 19 eudoxus divided the sphere into sixty parts , and this division manilius follows , and according to that describes the position of the celestial circles . 20 the opinion of diodorus . 21 macrobius reports theophrastus to be the authour of this fancy . 22 from plutarch we learn that metrodorus and others asserted this , and achilles tacius fixes this foolish opinion on oenopides chius . 23 the learned mr. hayns dislikes scaliger's reading , which i have followed , and thinks that he meant that pella was a woman ; a more solemn foppery was never met with , and this note , beside a great many others , may serve to credit the dauphin editions of the classick authours . manilius . the second book . manilius takes care frequently to tell his reader that he is the first that ever ventur'd on an astrological poem ; he seems mightily pleas'd with his undertaking , hugs it as his first-born , and the son of his strength , and is very troublesome in acquainting us with the pains which he suffered at its birth ; and then reckons up the beauties of the child , and what great hopes he conceives of it : if ever he deserv'd scaliger's character , that he knew not when to leave off , it must be acknowledged that this is the case in which it may be chiefly apply'd : we need look no farther than the beginning of this book to be satisfied in this matter ; he spends about sixty verses in reckoning up the chief subjects of homer , hesiod , theocritus and others ; all which being laid aside , he declares his design to be wholly new ; and then begins , 1. to prove the world to be one animal : 2. the influence of the heavens : 3. he describes the several species of the signs . 4. the various configurations or aspects of the signs ; and tells us what are trines , what quadrates or squares ; what hexagons or sextiles ; and what are right and left in each of these . 5. what signs are said to be conjoyn'd , what not , and what oppos'd ; to what sign each part of man's body is appropriate ; what signs are said to hear , what to see one another ; what are friendly , and what not . 6. the friendly and unfriendly aspects of the signs , and the various aspects of the planets in the signs . 7. the twelfths or dodecatemoria of the signs and planets . 8. the twelve celestial houses , and assigns to each its proper planet . in lasting verse the mighty homer sings the trojan wars , the king of fifty kings , stout hector's brand , the bloudy dreadfull field , and troy secure behind the hero's shield : vlysses wandrings , and his travelling years , in time and glory equal to his wars : how twice with conquering fleets he plough'd the main , whilst scylla roar'd , and neptune rag'd in vain . and how at home he fixt his tottering throne , redeem'd his honour , and secur'd his son : usurping woers felt his thundring sword , and willing nations knew their native lord. his subjects these , and from his boundless spring manilius . the second book . manilius takes care frequently to tell his reader , that he is the first who ventur'd on an astrological poem : he seems mightily pleas'd with his vndertaking , hugs it as his first-born , and the son of his strength : he at large acquaints us with the pains which he suffer'd in bringing it to perfection , and then reckons up the beauty of the child , and what great hopes he conceives of it : ' if ever he deserves scaliger's character , that he knew not when to leave off , it must be principally then when he speaks of himself and his own performance . we need look no further than the beginning of this book to be satisfied in this matter : he spends about sixty verses in reckoning up the chief subjects of homer , hesiod , theocritus , and other poets , all which being laid aside . he declares his design to be wholly new , and then begins , 1. to assert , that the whole word is animate , and god the soul of it 2. the influence of the heavens . 3. he reckons up the several kinds or sorts of signs , as , 4. male and female signs : 5. human and brute signs . 6. single and double signs . 7. pairs . 8. double signs made up of different species . 9. signs double by place , viz. those that immediately precede the four tropick signs . 10. signs of natural or unnatural postures . 11. day and night signs . 12. earth and water signs . 13. fruitful and barren signs . 14. signs of different postures . 15. maim'd and intire signs . 16. season signs . 17. he sings the various configurations or aspects of the signs : as , 18. trines . 19. quadrates or squares ; shews what are to be accounted right and what left in these figures : and , 20. adds several cautions concerning squares and trines . 21. he describes the intercourse or agreement of trines and quadrates . 22. of hexagons or sextiles , of which he gives a particular account . 23. of contiguous signs . 24. of unequal signs . 25. of opposites . 26. he shews what gods are the guardians of each sign . 27. the signs for the several parts of the body . 28. what signs see , hear , love , or hate each other . 29. he makes a short digression about friendship . 30. he treats of the friendly and unfriendly aspects . 31. of the dodecatemoria , or twelfths . 32. of the dodecatemoria of the planets , and proposes two ways to find them . 33. he describes the celestial houses , assigning them their proper charges and their titles , together with the planets which presided in them ; and then concludes this second book . the mighty bard in lasting numbers sings ilium's long wars , the king of fifty kings ; brave hector's brand , the bloody dreadful field , and troy secure behind the hero's shield . he sings vlysses , and his wandring years ●n time and glory equal to his wars : he sings how twice he conquering plough'd the main whilst scylla roar'd , and neptune rag'd in vain , and how at home he fixt his tottering throne , redeem'd his honour , and secur'd his son : usurping woers felt his thundering sword , and willing nations knew their native lord. his subjects these , from whose 1 abundant spring ●ucceeding poets draw the songs they sing ; ●rom him they take , from him adorn their themes , ●nd into little channels cut his streams , ●ich in his store — next hesiod sings the gods immortal race , ●e sings how chaos bore the earthy mass ; ●ow light from darkness struck did beams display , ●nd infant-stars first stagger'd in their way : ●ow name 2 of brother vail'd an husband's love , ●nd juno bore unaided by her jove : ●ow twice-born baccbus burst the thunderer's thigh , ●nd all the gods that wander through the sky . hence he to fields descends , manures the soil , instructs the plowman , and rewards his toil : he sings how corn in plains , how vines in hills delight , how both with vast encrease the olive fills : how foreign graffs th' adulterous stock receives , bears stranger fruit , and wonders at her leaves : an useful work , when peace and plenty reign , and art joyns nature to improve the plain . the constellation 's shapes 3 some make their themes , sing whence they came , and how adorn'd with beams , andromeda enjoys kind perseu's aid , the sire unbinds , the mother mourns the maid : callisto ravisht now the pole surveys , nor grieves to change her honor for her rays : the little bear that rock'd the mighty jove , the swan whose borrow'd shape conceal'd his love are grac'd with light , the nursing goat's repaid with heaven , and duty rais'd the pious maid ; the lion for the honors of his skin , the squeezing crab , and stinging scorpion shine for aiding heaven , when giants dar'd to brave , the threatned stars ; and thunder fail'd to save : and now the fish ignoble fates escape since venus ow'd her safety to their shape : the ram having pass'd the sea , serenely shines , and leads the year , the prince of all the signs . thus whilst by fables they the stars advance , they vainly make the heaven one large romance ; earth fills the sky , the mass ignobly reigns , and heaven 's upheld by that which it sustains : fables absurd , which nature's laws reject , to make the cause depend on the effect . the sweet theocritus with softest strains makes piping pan delight sicilian swains ; thro' his smooth reed no rustick numbers move , but all is tenderness , and all is love ; as if the muses sate in every vale , inspir'd the song , and told the melting tale. some birds , some wars of beasts , or serpents write , snakes in their poems hiss , and lions sight : some fate in herbs describe , some sovereign roots , or see gay health spring up in saving fruits : one breaks thro' nature's stubborn bars , invades the rest , and sacred silence of the shades , turns up the inside of the world , and night , and brings eternal darkness into light. of every subject now the muses sing , and floods confus'd come tumbling from their spring , yet dry as fast , nor can parnassian streams suffice the throngs that crowd to common themes . i seek new springs which roul refreshing waves thro' plains untrod , and purls in hidden caves , kept pure for me , which birds did ne'er profane , and thirsty phoebus oft hath sought in vain : my verse shall be my own , not stoln , but wrought ; mine , not the labor of another's thought . my vessel 's trimm'd , tho' never launch'd before , i spread my sails , and boldly leave the shore : i 'll sing how god the world's almighty mind thro' all infus'd , and to that all confin'd , directs the parts , and with an equal hand supports the whole , enjoying his command : how all agree , and how the parts have made strict leagues , subsisting by each others aid ; how all by reason move , because one soul lives in the parts , diffusing thro' the whole . for did not all the friendly parts conspire to make one whole , and keep the frame intire ; and did not reason guide , and sense controul the vast stupendous machine of the whole , earth would not keep its place , the skies would fall , and universal stiffness deaden all ; stars would not wheel their round , nor day , nor night , their course perform , be put , and put to flight : rains would not feed the fields , and earth deny mists to the clouds , and vapors to the sky ; seas would not fill the springs , nor springs return their grateful tribute from their flowing urn : nor would the all , unless contriv'd by art , so justly be proportion'd in each part , that neither seas , nor skies , nor stars exceed our wants , nor are too scanty for our need : thus stands the frame , and the almighty soul thro' all diffus'd so turns , and guides the whole , that nothing from its setled station swerves , and motion alters not the frame , but still preserves . this god or reason , which the orbs doth move , makes things below depend on signs above ; tho' far remov'd , tho' hid in shades of night , and scarce to be descry'd by their own light ; yet nations own , and men their influence feel ; they rule the publick , and the private will : the proofs are plain . thus from a different star we find a fruitful , or a barren year ; now grains encrease , and now refuse to grow ; now quickly ripen , now their growth is slow : the moon commands the seas , she drives the main to pass the shores , then drives it back again : and this sedition chiefly swells the streams , when opposite she views her brother's beams ; or when she neer in close conjunction rides she rears the flood , and swells the flowing tides ; or when attending on his yearly race the equinoctial sees her borrow'd face . her power sinks deep , it searches all the main , testaceous 4 fish , as she her light regains , increase , and still diminish in her wain : for as the moon in deepest darkness mourns , then rays receives , and points her borrow'd horns , then turns her face , and with a smile invites the full effusions of her brother's lights ; they to her changes due proportion keep , and shew her various phases in the deep . so brutes , whom nature did in sport create , ignorant both of themselves , and of their fate , a secret instinct still erects their eyes to parent heaven , and seems to make them wise : one at the new moons ● rise to distant shores retires , his body sprinkles , and adores : some see storms gathering , or serenes foretel , and scarce our reason guides us half so well . then who can doubt that man , the glorious pride of all , is nearer to the skies ally'd ? nature in man capacious souls hath wrought , and given them voice expressive of their thought ; in man the god descends , and joys to find the narrow image of his greater mind . but why should all the other arts be shown , too various for productions of our own ? why should i sing how different tempers fall , and inequality is seen in all ? how many strive with equal care to gain the highest prize , and yet how few obtain ? which proves not matter sways , but wisdom rules , and measures out the bigness of our souls : sure fate stands fixt , nor can its laws decay , 't is heaven's to rule , and matter 's essence to obey . who could know heaven , unless that heaven bestow'd the knowledge ? or find god , but part of god ? how could the space immense be e're confin'd within the compass of a narrow mind ? how could the skies , the dances of the stars , their motions adverse , and eternal wars , unless kind nature in our breasts had wrought proportion'd souls , be subject to our thought ? were heaven not interessed to advance our mind , to know fate 's laws , and teach the way to find , did not the skies their kindred souls improve , direct , and lead them thro' the maze above ; discover nature , shew its secret springs , and tell the sacred intercourse of things , how impious were our search , how bold our course , thus to assault , and take the skies by force ? but to insist on tedious proofs in vain , the art defends it self , the art is plain ; for art well grounded forces to believe , it cannot be deceived , nor can deceive ; events foretold fulfil the prophesie , what fortune seconds , how can man deny ? the proofs are sacred , and to doubt would be not reason's action , but impiety . whilst on these themes my songs sublimely soar , and take their flight , where wing ne're beat before ; where none will meet , none guide my first essay , partake my labors , or direct my way , i rise above the crowd , i leave the rude , nor are my poems for the multitude . heaven shall rejoyce , nor shall my praise refuse , but see the subject equall'd by the muse ; at least those favour'd few , whose minds it shows , the sacred maze , but ah ! how few are those ! gold , power , soft luxury , vain sports , and ease possess the world , and have the luck to please : few study heaven , unmindful of their state , vain stupid man ! but this it self is fate . my subject this , and i must this pursue , this wondrous theme , tho read , and prais'd by few ; and first the signs in various ranks dispose , as nature prompts , or their position shows : six male from aries , from the bull comprise ( see how he rises backward in the skies ) six female signs ; but intermixt they fall in order turn'd , 6 one female , and one male. some signs bear 7 humane shapes , some signs exprest in single figures bear the form of beast : these shapes direct us , and from those we know how each inclines , what tempers signs bestow ; their figures will not let their force escape , their tempers are agreeing to their shape . these signs are single , now observe the 8 pairs , double shapes confess a double force in stars : and each companion still in each creates a change , and vast variety in fates : ambiguous force from both exprest combines , no single influence flows from double signs . what powers , or good or bad , one part displays , they may be alter'd by the others rays : two of this kind in all the round of sky appear , the pisces and the naked gemini : these different powers , tho both pair signs , possess , because their parts position disagrees ; for tender gemini in strict embrace stand clos'd , and smiling in each others face : whilst pisces glide in two divided streams , nor friendly seem , nor mix agreeing beams . thus tho in both two parts compose the frame , in form alike , their nature 's not the same . these pairs alone an equal frame can boast , no stranger parts are mixt , no parts are lost from their due form ; whilst other pairs are join'd of natures disagreeing in their kind ; such is the goat , he twists a scaly train , the centaur such , half horse , and half a man. observe this well , in these mysterious arts vvhether the signs are fram'd of different parts , or only pairs , it much imports to know , for hence comes great variety below . midst double signs the pious maid may claim a place , not from the figure of her frame , but ' cause in her the summer's heats decay , and gentler autumn spreads a weaker ray. but to be short ; the same account defines that double still precede the tropick signs , because in those two seasons mixt unite their powers , and make them double by their site . thus of the twins the one the bull requires , the other feels the crab's unruly fires ; one sees the fading flowers , and spring decline , the other boy leads on the hottest sign : but naked both , for both feel scorching rays as summer comes , or as the spring decays . thy face , bright centaur , autumn's heats retain , the softer season suiting to the man ; whilst winter's shivering goat afflicts the horse with frost , and makes him an uneasie course . thus thou midst double signs mightst doubly claim a place , both from thy seat , and from thy frame : the like in pisces is observ'd , one brings the winter's end , the other leads the springs ; in them spring 's dews , with winter's rage combine , both moist , and both agreeing to the sign : how wise , and how obliging in her grants is nature's bounty suited to our wants ! with moisture she the watry signs supplies , and they enjoy their ocean in the skies . but there is war , sign disagrees with sign , and three rise adverse to the other nine : bull 's back , 10 twins feet , crab's shell do first appear , and stop the progress of the rising year ; whilst others in their usual postures rise , nor shew unnatural figures in the skies : since then thro' adverse signs the summer's sun makes way , no wonder that he drives so slowly on . how vast this knowledge , and how hard to gain , the subject still encreasing with the pain ; yet my swift muse , like larks on towring wings mounts to the skies , and as she mounts she sings : she sees signs various in her aiery flight some signs of day , and other signs of night : not so 11 distinguish'd cause those signs maintain those times distinctly , and then choose to reign : for then as years roul round , the circling lights would all be of one kind day 's all , or all the night 's . but ' cause wise nature in her first designs by laws eternal fixt them to these times : the centaur , lion , and the golden ram , fish , crab , and scorpio with his venom'd flame or near in site , or in an equal space by two alike divided , are the day 's : the rest the night 's . but who can hope to see opinion's join , or find the world agree ! some with the ram begin , and thence convey the five in order following to the day . the rest from libra are to night confin'd : whilst others sing male signs affect the light , and female safely wanton in the night . but others , this is plain from common sense , demand some signs for 12 sea , and other signs for land : thus watery pisces , and the crab retain their proper nature , and respect the main : the bull and ram possess their old command , they led the herds , and still they love the land , tho' there the lion's force their rest invades , and poysnous scorpio lurks in gloomy shades ; the danger is despis'd , the ram , the bull keep land , so powerful is the lust of rule : the twins , the centaur , and the scales dispose in the same rank ; and join the maid with those . of middle nature some with both agree , one part respects the land , and one the sea : the double goat is such , whose wild command now sea affects , and now enjoys the land : and young aquarius pouring out his stream here spreads a watry , there an earthy beam. how shall these things , yet they reward thy pain , reason's in all , and nothing's fram'd in vain : the crab 13 is fruitful , and a numerous brood pierce scorpio yields , and pisces fill the flood ; the lion's barren , and no vows can gain the maid ; aquarius spends his youth in vain , ah too remov'd , too far disjoyn'd to prove the fruitful pleasures of encreasing love ! 'twixt these two kinds a third nor fruitful beams nor barren spreads , but joyns the two extreams : the goat all beast above , and fish below , the centaur glorious in his cretian bow , the scales that autumn's equinoctial rule , the twins , and ram , to whom we join the bull. nor must you think it undesign'd , a cast of busie nature as she wrought in haste ; that some shew running 14 postures in their frame , the lion , centaur , and the turning ram ; erected some , aquarius rears his head , the twins are upright , and the pious maid : some crouching signs a lazy posture show , thus taurus bends , as wearied by the plough ; the scales press'd down appear , and caper lies by his own frost contracted in the skies : the crab and scorpio flat are found , they show the postures there which they maintain below , whilst watry pisces low , and gently glide in streams divided , always on their side . but search minutely , and you find a 15 maim in many signs , the mighty bull is lame , his leg turns under , scorpio's claws are lost in libra's scales , nor can the centaur boast a form compleat , tho' we distinctly find one eye , the other 's lost , and cancer's blind . thus heaven to wretched mortals sends relief by these examples it corrects our grief , since signs , on which our fates depend , do share the like misfortunes , which we grieve to bear . the different 16 seasons likewise share the signs , from pisces spring , and summer from the twins , from centaur winter , autumn from the maid begins : each hath three signs , and as the seasons fight in the years round , so these lie opposite . nor is 't sufficient that my muse defines the kinds , and figures of the single signs , they work by compact , they their beams unite to mutual aid determin'd by their site . from aries rightways draw a line , to end in the same round , and let that line subtend an equal triangle ; now since the lines must three times touch the round , and meet three signs , where e're they meet in angles those are 17 trines . because they are at equal distance seen on either side , and leave three signs between . thus aries sees on either side below the lion roar , and centaur draw his bow : the bull with caper and the maid are found in trine : thus fix the others of the round . signs left and 18 right are in the trines agreed ; the left still follow , and the right precede ; the maid is left , and caper to the bull is right : thus fix the others by this rule . tr : 1. ♈ ♐ ♌ tr : 2. ♉ ♑ ♍ tr : 3. ♊ ♒ ♎ tr : 4. ♋ ♓ ♏ q : 1 : ♈ ♑ ♎ ♋ q : 2 : ♉ ♒ ♏ ♌ q : 3 : ♊ ♓ ♐ ♍ but more , in quadrates ; not in trines alone signs right and left are by position shown ; in 19 quadrates : which to know , the round divide by squares exactly equal on each side ; where angles close the perpendiculars there lie the signs agreeing in the squares . to give an instance then , observe the site , the narrow goat sees libra on the right , o th' left the ram , at equal distance lies the crab , and on the left sees libra rise , to make a square agreeing in the skies . this single instance all the rest declares , and shews that twice six signs compose three squares . but now should any 20 think their skill designs the squares aright , and well describes the trines , and that they hit the rule when e're they ' give four signs to squares , to trines allotting five ; and thence presume to guess what mutual aid the signs afford , they 'll find their work betray'd : for though on every side five signs are found to make the several trines that fill the round , yet births in each fifth sign no fates design to share th' united influence of the trine . they lose the thing , though they preserve the name , for place and number still oppose their claim : for since the round where phoebus guides his reins three hundred , and thrice twenty parts contains , one third of those , as we the round divide by trines , to every trine must make one side ; but sign apply to sign , not part to part , this number 's lost ; and therefore false the art. for tho three signs appear to interpose between the two in which the angles close ; yet take the scheme as 't is expos'd to sight , and joyn the utmost parts of left and right ; then count the number ; on the slightest view you 'll quickly find it much exceeds the true : thrice fifty parts it holds , and thus one line defrauds the other , and destroys the trine ; and therefore though the several signs retain the name of trines , they claim the parts in vain . the like mistake , when you design a square , thy art may baffle , and elude thy care ; for as the round we by degrees divide to every quadrate ninety make one side : now from the first from which begins the line , toth ' last degree of the succeeding sign if you count on , twice sixty parts prepare to crowd upon thee , and deform the square : or from preceding signs last parts descend to signs succeeding , let the reckoning end i' th' first degree of those : the space consines but sixty parts , the number of two signs ; thus count from fourth to fourth , degrees too few , or else too many will thy work pursue , elude thy skill , and prove the scheme untrue . then take advice , nor from my rules depart nor think thy figures well design'd by art , ' cause four in squares , three equal lines in trines in angles meeting there divide the signs ; for in all trines the single sides require sixscore degrees to make the scheme intire squares ninety ask : but more or less proclaim the figure , faulty , and destroy the frame . and where the several lines in angles close , they there the trines , or else the squares dispose ▪ sext : 1 : ♈ ♊ ♌ ♎ ♐ ♒ sext : 1 : ♉ ♋ ♍ ♏ ♑ ♓ these mutual aid by nature's laws convey , and jointly act with an agreeing ray. and therefore every birth , that squares or trines enjoys , not always carries all the lines ; and tho' the signs the name of squares may gain , or trines , they never shall their force obtain : they cannot jointly act , their rays unite , tho trines they seem , and shew like squares to sight : for wide the difference , whether those degrees , the line takes up , which to it art decrees ; or from the numbers , which the circle fill , detracting somewhat , it cludes thy skill : for then of signs too many or too few it will possess ; and make the scheme untrue . thus far of these : but now expect to share more vigorous influence from the trine than square ; for lines that measure squares remotely tend , and almost close with the celestial bend ; but those that make up trines to earth repair , downwards they shoot , from signs the influence bear , and with a nearer ray infect our air. from signs alternate little friendship 's due , asquint they look , and with a partial view ; the line that measures them obliquely drawn , thro' various angles goes not freely on ; many its stops , in every other sign the angle closing still diverts the line ; forward it darts , but soon it meets a bound , and six times broak , it leisurely creeps round : from taurus stretcht to cancer , thence it bends to virgo's sign , and thence to scorpio tends ; cold caper meets it next , and thence it goes to aries , upward then to taurus flows , where , whence it first began , we find the figure close . the other , for the round contains no more , meets all the signs the second mist before ; then passing those already sung , go on , to all the others let the lines be drawn , and equal angles make the other hexagon . you see their site , and thus oblique they lie , and view each other with a squinting eye , too near , because thus plac'd , for mutual aid , which freely flows in lines direct convey'd . high in the concave signs alternate lie , the lines that mark them almost touch the sky and therefore far from earth thro' distant way they dart their influence with a feeble ray. and yet some intercourse in these we find , for signs alternate are alike in kind ; in the first he●agon six males are found , with females only is the second crown'd : thus nature works , and , when the place denies , sex makes agreement , and unites the skies . in concord no contiguous signs agree , for what can love when 't is deny'd to see ? they to themselves , which they behold alone , their passion bend , and all their love 's their own alternately of different kinds they lie , one male one female fill the round of sky . from signs unequal any way remove all thoughts of union , they 're averse to love : thus never think between the sixths to find an intercourse , nor hope to see them kind ; because the lines , by which we mark their place , in length unlike stretch thro' unequal space . for take the zodiack , from the ram begin , and thence on either side extend the line to meet the sixth from aries , then dispose a third , and let the three in angles close ; between the two first lines four signs are found , the third includes but one , for that fills up the round . but more , the signs oppos'd in site , that lie with beams directly darting thro' the sky ; tho' much remov'd they seem , yet mix from far their friendly influence , or declare for war ; as the sun's aspect and the planet's fire for peace determine , or to rage inspire . these signs 21 adverse would you distinctly note ? let summer's crab oppose the winter's goat . the scales the ram where day and night appear equal in adverse seasons of the year : the fish oppose the maid , the watry vrn with adverse fires sees raging leo burn . when scorpio fills the highest arch of skies , then bending taurus in the lowest lies , and when the centaur sets the twins arise . yet though in site oppos'd these rowl above , yet joyn'd by nature or by sex they love : thus males to males strict leagues of friendship bind , and female signs to their own sex are kind . the fish and maid oppos'd are friendly signs , for nature couples what the place disjoyns : but nature sometimes yields , the trines prevail , and females females fight , and males the male : tho' female both the goat the crab defies winter in this , in that the summer lies ; here snow makes white , and frost binds up the fields ; there sweat o'reflows and winter's rigor yields ; here day exults , there night extends her sway , and winter's darkness equals summer's day : thus nature sights , nor must we hope to find the signs of disagreeing seasons kind . tho' differing seasons hold the scales and ram , they are half friends , and mix agreeing flame : in this gay flowers the painted beds adorn , this fills the plains , and stores the barns with corn ▪ their days and nights in equal balance meet , not vext with too much cold , nor too much heat : they summer's wars and winter's rage compose , nor will these seasons let their signs be foes . thus are the several aspects taught — these things considered , press no more divine ▪ and know the gods the guardians of each sign whom nature order'd to controul their course , direct their influence , and assist their force : great powers are godlike , we at least assign gods to great powers , to make them seem divine for where things want , high titles there bestow admir'd worth , and makes them great in show . pallas the ram 2● , and venus guides the bull , the twins share phaebus , and enjoy his rule ; the crab is mercury's , and jove divides his mother's servant , and the lion guides : ceres the maid , for this her sheaf declares , and fighting scorpio owns the god of wars : juno pours out the vrn , and vulcan claims the scales , as the just product of his flames : the frozen goat kind vesta's aid requires , she cheers his cold , and warms him with her fire ▪ diana draws the hunting centaur's bow , and mighty neptune now is prov'd to know the fish above , which he had fed below . and now that reason guides , that gods do move the various orbs , and govern all above , must needs erect thy mind , it must impart strong inclinations to pursue the art ; since man securely may his thoughts advance , and hope to find , when undisturb'd by chance . now learn what signs the several limbs obey , whose powers they feel , and where obedience pay . the ram defends the head , the neck the bull , the arms , bright twins , are subject to your rule : i' th' shoulders leo , and the crab's obey'd i' th' breast , and in the guts the modest maid : i' th' buttocks libra , scorpio warms desires in secret parts , and spreads unruly fires : the thighs the centaur , and the goat commands the knees , and binds them up with double bands . the parted legs in moist aquarius meet , and pisces gives protection to the feet . but stars have proper laws , and signs maintain an intercourse , and compact in their reign ; some hear each other , some each other see , some fight and hate , whilst some in leagues agree : some foreign passions cautiously remove , but make themselves the object of their love. thus signs in sex by nature closely join'd are foes , whilst signs in sex oppos'd are kind ; and signs , whose opposite position tends to disagreement , breed the greatest friends . when god ordain'd this mighty frame to rise , he setled these affections in the skies , that some might hear , and some each other see , some hate and fight , and some in leagues agree ; some love themselves alone ; all this appears in men , who take their tempers from the stars . the ram , as it becomes the prince of stars , is his own council , and himself he hears ; he libra sees , but unsuccessful proves in loving taurus , for in vain he loves ; taurus ( for aries finds but cold returns for all those fires with which he freely burns ; nay more , by treachery all his love 's repaid ) sees , hears the fishes , and adores the maid : thus from the tyrian pastures lin'd with jove he bore europa , and still keeps his love : the twins see leo , and they hear the vrn pouring out his streams , but for the fishes burn . the crab ( as caper adverse in the skies ) first makes himself the object of his eyes ; he loves aquarius vrn , and then repays the friendly goat by hearkning to his rays . the lion sees the twins embracing fires , he hears the centaur , and the goat admires : mischief the maid for sagittarius brews , she hears the scorpion , and the bull she views . but libra hears her self , her mind applies to following scorpio , to the ram her eyes : the scorpion sees the fish , the maid he hears ; to leo sagittarius bends his ears ; to young aquarius he his eyes resigns , his love prefers the maid to other signs . the goat admires , and loves himself alone , ( for since at 23 caesar's birth serene he shone ; what glory can be greater than his own ? ♈ loves ♉ ♉ ♍ ♊ ♓ ♋ ♒ ♌ ♑ ♍   ♎ ♏ ♏   ♐ ♍ ♑   ♒ ♋ ♓   he hears the crab : aquarius hears the twins , and sees the centaur , and amidst the signs the towring crab alone his mind can move , and is the only object of his love. whilst pisces to the bull their ears apply , and view the scorpion with a longing eye . these powers the tempers of their births define , each carries the affection of his sign ; these love to see and love to hear create , and all the intercourse of love and hate : hence some embrace , and some as odly fly each other ; love and hate , but know not why . thus far of single signs : but trines engage with trines , and all the heaven is full of rage : signs war in bodies , and in parties fight , as adverse in their manners , as in site : the ram , lion , centaur joyn'd in trine oppose the heavenly scales , and to their trine are foes . and this on two accounts ; three signs to three shine opposite , and who can hope to see two differing natures , 24 man and beast agree ? for he that holds the scales celestial , bears a humane shape , a brute the lion wears , and therefore yields , for reason's force controuls brute strength , and bodies still submit to souls . the lion conquer'd to the skies was thrown , and fleecy aries flead before he shone ; the centaur's forepart still commands the rest , so much the humane form exceeds the beast . no wonder therefore that with great success the scales fight aries , and his trine oppress . but this we may in one short rule comprise , for view the signs that fill the round of skies , and those that are in humane forms exprest are conquering foes to all the shapes of beast . but yet their hate not equally extends , signs have their proper foes , as well as friends ; the ram's productions friendly leagues refuse to all the fishes , maid , or scales produce : what scorpio , cancer , pisces , scales create are foes to taurus , and his births they hate : whilst those productions that the twins design are enemies to aries , and his trine . against the crab and bull the goat declares , and virgo too , and libra feels his wars : nor shall ( could i write curious verse , my muse to shew her art in precepts would refuse ; i teach an art , and 't is by all confest instruction when 't is plainest than 't is best : ) the furious lion rous'd with desperate rage with fewer enemies than the ram engage . the double centaur with his threatning bow affrights the maid , the bull that bends his brow , with caper , and with pisces is her foe . o're libra's sign a crowd of foes prevails , the icy goat , the crab which square the scales , with those of aries trine consent to hate the scales of libra , and her rays rebate . nor doth the sign of fiery scorpio find foes less in number , or of better mind ; the urn , twins , lion , bull , the scales , the maid he frights ; and they of him are equally afraid : nor can the centaur's bow his peace defend , the twins , vrn , virgin force his sign to bend by nature's law , nor are the scales his friend . the same oppress thy sign with equal hate contracted caper , and thy force rebate . whilst those that are in brutal forms exprest afflict the vrn , and all his trine molest . the neighbouring fish the vrn with hate pursues , and those the maid , and those the twins produce . and those that own the centaur's angry star he treats as foes , and still afflicts with war. these rules are true , but somewhat else defines the friendship and the enmity of signs : thus thirds are foes , for with a squinting ray they view each other , and their hate convey : signs opposite , whatever place they fill averse to peace , and are unfriendly still : thus sevenths their adverse sevenths are doom'd to loath , and thirds from both , and which are trines to both : nor is it strange that trines unfriendly prove when kin to signs that are averse to love. so many sorts of differing signs dispose mens tempers , and produce such crowds of foes ; look o're the world , see force and fraud increase , rapine in war , and treachery in peace ; but look for truth and faith , the search were vain , no mind is honest , and no thoughts are plain : what bulky villanies bestride the age ! what envy pusheth on mankind to rage ! envy not to be dispossest , her throne is firmly fixt , and all the world 's her own ! friends kill their friends , a husband stabs his wife , sons sell their father's and their mother's life ; bold atreus feasts , and at the barbarous sight the sun retires , and leaves the world to night . whilst brothers poyson , with a smiling face they mix the cup , and kill where they embrace : no place is safe , no temple yields defence against secret stabs , or open violence ; and many a slaughter'd priest profanely dies on the same altar with his sacrifice . those most betray who kindness most pretend , and crowds of villains skulk behind the name of friend . the world 's infected , wrong and fraud prevails , whilst honesty retires , and justice fails ; nay laws support those crimes they checkt before , and executions now affright no more . for disagreeing stars that men produce , their tempers fashion , and their own infuse : hence peace is lost , pure faith we seldom find , kind leagues are rare , and then but feebly bind ; for as the signs above , so things below do differing minds and inclinations show ; they form men's thoughts , and the obedient clay takes disagreeing tempers from their ray. hence 't is that friendship is so thinly sown , it thrives but ill , nor can it last when grown ; rare it's production : and the world pretends to boast but one poor single pair of friends : one pylades and one 25 orestes name , and you have all the instances of fame ; once death was strove for , 't was a generous strife , not who should keep , but who should lose a life was their dispute , contending to deny each other the great priviledge to die . the surety fear'd his guilty friend's return , the guilty friend did his own absence mourn ; careless of life , impatient of delay , he broak thro' hindring friends that choak'd his way , and ran to danger : here they disagreed , one hop'd to free , one fear'd to be so freed . but now if you would know what signs dispose to leagues , and peace , and friendly thoughts disclose ; the ram's bright births you may securely joyn as friends to the productions of his trine : but the ram's births are more sincerely plain , they give more love than they receive again from thine fierce leo , or than his can show that strides thro' heaven , and draws the cretan bow : for 't is a sign of thoughtless innocence , expos'd to harms , unpractis'd in defence ; unus'd to fraud or wrong , but gentle , kind , and not more soft in body than in mind . the others carry fierceness in their ray , their nature's bruitish , and intent on prey ; ungrateful still , nor can they long retain a sense of kindness , and unjust for gain : but tho' by nature these are both enclin'd to frequent quarrels , yet expect to find more force in that which is of double kind , than in the single lion : hence increase some sudden heats , but intermixt with peace . the bull and goat are equally inclin'd to mutual friendship , both alike are kind ; the bull 's productions love fair virgo's race , yet frequent jarrs disjoin their close embrace . the scales and vrn one friendly soul inspire , their love is setled , and their faith intire ; to both their births the twins productions prove the surest friends , and meet an equal love. the crab and scorpion to their births impart a friendly temper , and an open heart ; yet scorpio's ( fraud amongst the stars is found ) tho' friends they seem , yet give a secret wound . but those whom pisces watry rays create , are constant neither in their love , nor hate ; they change their minds , now quarrel , now embrace , and treachery lurks behind their fawning face . thus signs or love , or hate : and these bestow their differing tempers on their births below . nor is 't enough to know the signs alone , the planets stations must be justly known , and all heaven's parts , because the site and line and aspect change the influence of the sign : thus when oppos'd the signs this influence bear , in trine a different they are known to share , in sextile this , another when in square . and thus the sky now gives , now takes away the influence , now it points , now blunts the ray here hate infects them , when they thence remove ; they lose that hate , or change the rage to love. for signs , or when they rise , or culminate , or set , send down a different sort of fate . to hatred signs oppos'd in site incline , the quadrates kinsmen aid , and friends the trine ; the reason's obvious : the celestial round observe , there signs of the same kind are found in each fourth place : in each fourth sign appear the several seasons that command the year ; thus aries gives the spring , flat cancer glows with summer's heat ; the generous bowl o'reflows in libra , caper scatters winter's snows . besides , by signs in double forms exprest each fourth celestial place is found possest , two fishes glide ; two smiling boys embrace , a double figure we in virgo trace , the centaur's double with a single face . next simple signs with their refulgent stars fill each fourth space , and still are found in squares . without a rival taurus fills his throne , the dreadful lion shakes his mane alone , th' 26 unbodied scorpion no companion fears , and still the vrn a simple sign appears . therefore to each fourth place the stars assign'd in time agree , in number , or in kind ; this makes them kindred signs , and these preside o're kinsmen's minds , and their affections guide . but those four signs on which the hinges move belong to neighbours , and direct their love. the other square with all its stars attends on guests , acquaintance , and remoter friends . thus all the signs as they are plac't obtain their rule , and with unequal vigor reign . for tho' the site and form of squares they bear , they work not like the other signs in square ; for whilst the cardinals more force confess , the rest , which we from number nam'd express double or simple signs , still work with less . the line extended thro' the larger space with trines determines , and makes out their place , presides o're friends , whose mutual faiths supply the room of blood , and draw a closer tie : for as it measures a long space , to joyn the distant , stretching out from sign to sign . so those , whom nature doth in spight remove , it brings together ; and knits in bands of love. and these before the others most commend , for tho' the nearest kinsmen oft pretend deluding kindness ; who deceives a friend ? no sign nor planet serves it self alone , each blends the others vertues with its own . mixing their force , and interchang'd they reign , signs planets bound , and planets signs again . all this my muse shall orderly reveal , and keep the method she begun so well ; she 'll sing what parts the several signs require , in what the planets spread commanding fire ; this must be shown , if in your search for fate the signs of love you 'd know from those of hate . now with expanded thought go on to know a secret great in use , tho' small in show ; for which our scanty language , poor in words , no single fit expressive term affords , but greek supplies , a language born to frame fit words , and show their reason in the name . 't is dodecatemorion 27 , thus describ'd — thrice ten degrees with every sign contains let twelve exhaust , that not one part remains ; it follows streight that every twelfth confines two whole , and one half portion of the signs : these twelfths in number , as the signs , are twelve , and these the wise contriver of the frame plac't in each sign , that all may be the same . the world may be alike , each star may guide , and every sign in every sign preside ; that all may govern by agreeing laws , and friendly aids be mutual as their cause . and therefore births ; o're which one sign aspires , in powers are various , different in desires ; males follow females , and from man deprest weak nature sinks , and errs into a beast : for all on signs depend , in which succeed the different twelfths , and vary in the breed . now whose , and how dispos'd , the muse must sing , and draw deep knowledge from its secret spring ; lest this unknown you should from truth decline , mistaking the chang'd influence of the sign : each sign 's first twelfths is by its self possest , the others shar'd in order by the rest ; each hath its twelfth , they take their equal shares , ( ambition is a vice too mean for stars ) thus every sign hath for its proper throne two whole , and one half portion of its own ; of other signs that rowl in order on each takes as much , till all the thirty parts are gone . but there are many sorts , to find the true wise nature orders we must all pursue ; this is her will : tho partial search may fail , yet he 's secure of truth who seeks for all. for instance , grant it were thy great concern to know the 28 planet's twelfths ; securely learn ; i 'll shew the method : as you count the signs , first mark that sign 's degree where phoebe shine and views the new-born child ; that multiply by twelve : ( because twelve signs adorn the sky ) observe the product , and from thence assign to those gay stars where phaebe's found to shine thrice ten degrees : then go in order on , assigning thirty till the number 's done ; and where the number ends there fix the moon : that is her twelfth . the following planets lie in following twelfths , and there enjoy the sky . another method claims my next essay , another differing from the former way ; this too i must explain , its rules impart , and fix the subtle niceties of art , first take the 29 sun 's true place , and that confest , observe the portion by the moon possest : count those degrees the middle space contains , take all the thirtys thence , and what remains dividing into twelfths , from thence assign to those gay stars in which the moon does shine one twelfth : to signs that orderly come on apply their twelfths , till all the number 's done , and where the number ends there fix the moon . that is her twelfth . the following planets lie in following twelfths , and there enjoy the sky . the task 's not done : the muse must next unfold a nicer thing , in fewer numbers told : which less in show and in extent appears , yet than the greater more of force it bears : in every 30 twelfth a twelfth the planets claim , the thing is different though we use the name ; 't is thus describ'd . five half degrees do lie in every twelfth , five planets grace the sky , and every planet in its proper course one half degree possessing there exerts its force . 't is useful therefore to observe the sign , and mark the twelfth in which the planets shine ; for where the planets , as they rowl their course , a twelfth possess , they there exert their force . these must be jointly sung : yet these belong to future thoughts , and claim another song : 't is now enough that i have clearly shown things hid before , and made their vses known ; let it suffice , that i have brought the muse materials proper , and prepar'd for use : when all is ready , let her build the frame , and raise a lasting monument of fame : the single elements distinctly known thee sees her way , and may go safely on ; and all the parts describ'd the verse will roul with freer force , and orderly erect the whole . for as to boys at school we first propound the letters , show their form , and teach their sound , and then go on , instruct them how to spell , and join their letters in a syllable ; then to frame words , and thence their fancies raise , to bind these words in verse , and reach the bays . and as the boys proceed , they find their past , and first acquirements useful to their last ; for precepts without method got by pain , prove empty , and the labour is in vain : so since my songs fate 's dark intrigues reherse , their influence show , and bind the stars in verse ; since they mount high , and from the signs above , bring down the god , and open hidden jove : all must be taugth , and i must first impart the elements peculiar to this art ; that thence , as she proceeds , my labouring muse may draw materials , and go on to use . and as wise builders , who design a town , first clear the field , and cut the forest down , and streight new stars behold as new a sun : from antient seats , and hospitable glades the beasts are forc'd , and birds forsake their shades . some stones for walls , some marble square for shrines , and suit materials to their great designs ; and when they have provided sit supplies for future art , the piles begin to rise ; nor doth the interrupted work disgrac't by any stop , accuse their foolish haste : so i , that raise this mighty work , must choose materials proper to employ my muse , bare fit materials ; and not build one part 'till all lies ready to compleat the art ; lest whilst my thoughts the noble work pursue , as all materials lay expos'd to view , they start surpriz'd , and stop amaz'd with new . be careful then , and with a curious eye , observe the 31 four fixt hinges of the sky ; one constant point their settled place defines , altho' they vary in their moving signs : one fixt i' th' east , where with a gentle ray the sun views half the earth on either way , and here brings on , and there bears off the day . one in the west , from whose declining steep the sun falls head-long , and enjoys the deep : the third in heaven's high point , where midst the course bright phoebus stops , and breaths his weary horse ; he stands a while , and with an equal ray , views east and west , and then drives down the day . oppos'd to this , the fourth securely lies , the immoveable foundation of the skies ; the lowest point , to which with steddy rein the stars descend , and whence they mount again : these points in fate the greatest interest claim , because they settle , and support the frame ; in these fixt points were not the quarters ty'd . o th' top , o th' bottom , and on either side , the ball would cleave , the whirls would dissipate the agitated parts ; and break strong fate . now different powers these several hinges grace and vary with the dignity of place ; the chiefest that which on the top doth lie , and with a narrow limit parts the skye , there glory sits in all her pomp and state , the highest place requires the highest fate ; thence places , dignities , preferments flow , and all that men admire and wish below ; high honours , offices , in suits success , right to make laws , and power to give peace ; thence scepters , and supreme command accrne , and power to give them , where rewards are due . the next , ( tho' lowest and contemn'd it lies ) the fixt , and sure foundation of the skies , great in effect , altho' it seems but small ; it governs wealth , and wealth 's the stay of all : it rules estates , it shows what mines contain , what secret treasures we may hope to gain , without this power the other fates were vain . as great in power is that where beams display their rising luster , and renew the day ; the greek ( no other scanty tongues afford a single proper and expressive word ) names this the horoscope . this governs , life , and this marks out our parts , our humours , manners , qualities , and arts ; this when and where the birth is born declares and guides the various vertues of the stars : by this they are settled , and as this defines the birth , enjoys the influence of the signs . the last , the point , whence stars descending fall , and view the lower surface of the ball ; this rules the ends of things , this point declare the period , and result of all affairs ; this governs marriage , and on this depends religion , recreation , death , and friends . these points considered , their powers distinctly seen , observe the spaces that are plac't between ; the points are little , but the spaces large , and every space has a proportion'd charge . first then the space that rising from the east mounts upward , is by infancy possest , there childhood plays : from thence the western space gay youth demands , and fills the second place . next from the western point a space descends , thro' under heaven , and in the lowest ends ; there manhood , having past the various maze of infancy and youth , compleats its race : to finish this ; the space that upward tends , and creeping slowly o're the steep ascends to join the round at east , is made the way of feeble age and flitting life's decay . but more all signs , whatever form they bear , the several vertues of their stations wear ; with good or hurtful powers those points their ray , the places govern , and the signs obey : ♈ hates ♍ ♎ ♒ ♉ ♋ ♎ ♏ ♓ ♊ ♈ ♌ ♐ ♋ ♑ ♎ ♍ ♉ ♌ ♍ ♎ ♒ ♍ ♈ ♐ ♓ ♑ ♎ ♈ ♉ ♋ ♌ ♑ ♏ ♈ ♌ ♐ ♒ ♊ ♉ ♍ ♎ ♐ ♊ ♎ ♍ ♒ ♑ ♊ ♎ ♍ ♒ ♒ ♈ ♉ ♋ ♌ ♏ ♑ ♓ ♓ ♒ ♊ ♍ ♐ they turn the round , and as they wheel their course , the place now gives , and now takes off their force ; for as the planets thro' the stations err , those places their own ifluence transfer ; and force them , whilst within their bounds , to take their ruling vertues , and their own forsake . hence now they smile , and now severely frown with foreign influence that commands their own : here sovereign send , there showr malignant rays , and spread the fatal venom of their place . that station which above the east doth lie , the third in order from the middle sky , ●s an unhappy seat ; destructive still to all events , and too replete with ill. nor is this bad alone , the seat that lies below the western hinge oppos'd to this , ●s like it : nor doth this that seat surpass , 〈◊〉 vertue of its dignity of place , ●s near the nobler hinge : but both decline , ●●om both begin a wretched round of time , ●f labor full , for here you fall , and there you climb . nor is the world with better stations blest above the west , nor yet below the east , ●hat hangs above , this downward seems to bend , ●his in the neighbouring hinge still fears an end , ●hat unsustain'd is eager to descend . unhappy seats ! here typho rules alone and fills a dark inhospitable throne : ●his typho earth produc't , when giants strove ●o conquer heaven , and shook the throne of jove . when monsters rose , and at a wondrous birth in bigness equal to their mother earth , vast sons broke forth : but thunder stopt their course , and tumbling mountains dasht the rebells force . typhorus fell : earth was too weak to save , and war and he lay buried in one grave ; yet now he heaves in his aetnean t●●●b , and earth still fears new struglings in her womb that next heaven's topmost point , which riseth high , almost it 's equal in the middle sky with fairer hopes , and better fortune blest , erects its head , and much excells the rest ; plac't near the highest hinge , it riseth higher , this empire 's seat , and almost fills desire : it 's title , the exalted place may claim a glorious patron , and as great a name , is happy ; happy , if that word can fill the greek expression and commend my skill . here jove presides in all his pomp and state , and to this ruling fortune trust thy fate . oppos'd , and next the bottom of the ball there lies a seat as wearied with its fall ; and yet prepar'd , tho' with a world of pain for other labour , and to mount again : about to bear , and destin'd to obey the hinge's power , submitting to its sway ; yet prest not by the world , it gives a scope to haughty thoughts , and still permits to hop● in greek demonie : but our scanty tongue affords no proper word to grace my song : yet mind this station , it thy thoughts may clai● observe its patron , nor forget the name : tho' troublesome it seems , no toil refuse the labour 's great , but equal'd by the vse . i th' ninth , and third gay strength and health delight , or sickness arms its venom'd darts for fight ; why contraries should thus these seats possess 't is hard to find , but phoebus aids my guess ; the mighty patrons , whom these seats obey , in one determin'd time bear different sway and day succeeds the night , and night the day . that seat which next the highest hinge doth lie the first declining from the middle sky the sun possesses : from his rays we draw our state of health , he gives our bodies law : its title god. oppos'd to this , which first begins to rise from heaven's low bottom , and brings up skies , a seat appears just tipt with light , and guides the starry night , in this the moon presides . the moon that sees her brother's adverse ray , that looks up to him as he guides the day . and imitates his influence the wrong way : she rules our bodies , but her face derives moist rotting powers , and wastes the health he gives . it 's title goddess : but how mean these words compar'd with those , expressive greece affords ? but as for heaven's high top , the utmost point of rising , and beginning of descent , where 'twixt the eastern rise , and western fall jove hangs the beam at which he weighs the ball ; this venus graceth , here she seats her throne , and in the world 's high face erects her own ; that face , whose awful force mankind admires , and yields obedience to her pleasing fires : her charge is marriage , for what else can prove the office of the beauteous queen of love ? pleasure 's her aim , yet she forgets her ease , and puts on providence on design to please . fortune 's the station 's name ; observe the place ; my muse grows weary , and contracts her pace , refusing to expatiate in her race . but now go on , the lowest point of all the fixt foundation of the solid ball , which looking upward , sees the circling light , and lies it self immerst in deepest night , is saturn's seat ; tho' once he rul'd above , enjoy'd that power , and fill'd the throne of jove ; but thence thrown down , he makes his last retreat to this low place , and fills this humble seat : himself a father , he pretends to bear respect to fathers , and makes age his care : this only station double cares enlarge , for sons and fathers fortune are its charge : severe and thrifty ; this the greeks proclaim demonium , its power expressing in its name , now turn thine eye , and view the eastern plain , the space whence stars renew their course again ; where moistned phoebus from the floods retires , climbs up , and shakes the water from his fires , then gathers beauties , whose enlivening heat first strike thee , mercury , and refresh thy seat. o happy seat , on whom the art that sways o're heaven it self , bestows its 32 authors rays ! the fates of children this is doom'd to bear , and all the hopes of parents are its care . one seat remains , from whose declining steep , the stars fall headlong , and enjoy the deep , which turns the world , and now can only trace the back of phoebus , that once view'd his face : no wonder nature doth this seat bequeath to pluto , and inexorable death ; for here the day expires , this draws the light from all the world , and buries day in night , nor is this all its care , on this depends , faith , solid constancy , and friends , so great that place's power , which waste the ray , which takes in phoebus , and puts out the day . the stations these , to which in constant course the stars arriving give and take new force , where planets touching as they wheel their round , mix foreign powers , and with their own confound : admitted once they make the seat their own , and turn usurpers in another's throne . but this , if fate my life and health prolong , shall make the 32 subject of a future song : now ends the book , which hath describ'd at large the heavenly houses , guardians , and their charge ; for which the masters of the art have found a proper name , but of a foreign sound ; 't is octotopos . with mighty labour i these rules prepare , forgetting pleasure , and possest with care : so hard it is in numerous verse to close unwieldy words , and smooth uneven prose . the end of the second book . notes . 1. manilius having mention'd the chief arguments of homer's poems , concludes with a high character , stiling him the fountain of all poetry . ovid. amor. lib. 3. el. 8. to the same purpose , a quo , ceu fonte perenni , vatum pieriis ora rigantur aquis ▪ and longinus ( de sublim . sect. 13 ) says not only stesichorus and archilocus , but herodotus the historian , and plato the philosopher , owe their chiefest beauties to that poet. 2. several poems of hesoid are lost , and scaliger with other criticks conjecture , that manilius refers us to those lost poems : but i think this and the preceding verse ought to be corrected , ( of this correction perhaps i may give an account in a latin edition of this author ) and then they will be found in those pieces of hesiod that are now extant . 3. eratosthenes a greek poet , flourished in the time of ptolemy euergetes , about the 138 olymp. he wrote of the stars and constellations , and gave an account of all the fables relating to them : i have not time to explain all these fables and therefore shall only direct where they may be found . concerning perseus , andromeda , her father cepheus , and her mother cassiopeia , vid. ovid . metam , lib. 4. ver . 665. concerning callisto , or the great bear , ovid. lib. 2. ver . 405. the fable of the little bear may be found in diodorus siculus , lib. 4. of the swan in the first book of manilius . of the goat in the first book of manilius , and in casaubon's animadversions on athenaeus : the maid or erigone , is said to be the daughter of icarus , who upon the death of her father , hang'd her self . the nemean lion being slain by hercules , was plac'd amongst the stars for his shining skin . the crab for pinching hercules when he fought the hydra : the scorpion for killing orion , or rather , for assisting the gods against the giants . the stories of venus taking the shape of a fish when she fled from the giant typho , and of the ram who swam over the hellespont with phryxus and helle on his back , are well known , and may be found in manilius , and selden de diis syris . 4. this was a fancy of the antients , which some are not asham'd , after experience hath so often confuted it , to maintain still . 5. the elephants do so , if we believe pliny : nat. hist . lib. 8. cap. 1. 6. aries is male. gemini m. leo m. libra m. sagittarius m. aquarius m. taurus female . cancer f. virgo f. scorpius f. capricornus f. pisces f. 7. the humane signs are gemini , libra , virgo , aquarius . the brute , aries , taurus , sagittarius , capricornus , leo , cancer , scorpius , pisces . 8. of double signs some are pairs , as gemini , and pisces : others are made up of two different species , such as sagittarius and capricornus . 9. the tropick signs are aries , libra , cancer , and capricorn . 10. their position is unnatural ; but this , as well as the fore-going differences , will be easily understood upon view of the signs upon a globe . 11. concerning day and night signs , there are different opinions : some fancy that aries , taurus , gemini , cancer , leo , virgo , are the days , and the other six the nights . others teach that the male and female are the same with the day and night signs . but the opinion that manilius follows is this . aries is a day sign , taurus , gemini , night . cancer , leo , day . virgo , libra , night . scorpius , sagittarius , day . caper , aquarius , night . pisces day . so that begin with pisces , and then you find two day signs together , and then two night signs , and so in order . 12. the water signs are pisces and cancer . the earth aries , taurus , leo , scorpio , gemini , sagittarius , libra , virgo : capricornus and aquarius belong to both earth and water . 13. the fruitful signs are cancer , scorpio , pisces . the barren are leo , virgo , aquarius . the remaining six are partly barren , partly fruitful . 14. the running signs are leo , sagittarius , aries : the standing or erected signs , aquarius , gemini , virgo . the crouching signs , taurus , cancer , libra , scorpius , caper , pisces . 15. the maim'd signs , taurus , scorpius , sagittarius , cancer . 16. the season signs are pisces , belonging to the spring . gemini to summer . virgo to autumn ; and sagittarius to winter . 17. suppose in the zodiack circle twelve signs , and in every circle 360 parts or degrees , and 30 of these degrees to belong to each of the twelve signs . begin at any of the signs , for instance , aries ; and in this circle inscribe a triangle , all whose sides are equal ; it is evident that the arch of the circle which each of these sides subtends , contains 120 parts or degrees ; and therefore between that sign from which you begin to draw each side of this triangle , and that to which you draw it , there must be three signs . but see fig. 1st . 18. to shew what signs are to be accounted right , and what left , the poet mentions only the trine of taurus : yet it is sufficient , upon view of fig. 1st . direction for all the rest . 19. to know the quadrate , begin from any sign , and in the circle inscribe a square , all whose sides are equal ; the angles shew the signs , and what are right or left , you may find that in quadrates , as you did in trines . 20. the meaning of all these cautions concerning trines and quadrates , is in short , this , you must reckon by degrees , and not by signs ; for if you reckon by signs , the figures , as manilius shews at large in each particular , will not be equilateral . see fig. 1st . and 2d . 21. the signs which have an opposite aspect are , aries . taurus . gemini . cancer . leo. virgo . libra . scorpius . sagittarius . capricornus . aquarius . pisces . 22. the guardians of the signs . of aries . taurus . gemini . cancer . leo. virgo . libra . scorpius . sagittarius . capricornus . aquarius . pisces pallas . venus . phoebus . mercurius . jupiter . ceres . vulcan . mars . diana . vesta . juno . neptune . the reasons of this assignment are to be taken out of the old fables . 23. whether capricorn was in the horoscope of augustus , when he was born , or when he was conceived , is disputed : however 't is certain , augustus took capricorn for his sign , and many times its figure is found upon his coins . vid. sueton. vit . aug. cap. 94. and spanhemius de nummis . p. 210. 24. see the figures of these signs on a globe . 25. pylades and orestes being taken prisoners , orestes was condemned to die , but was allow'd to go and settle some affairs , upon condition that pylades would stay behind , and engage his life for his return : pylades becomes surety : orestes goes , settles his affairs , and returns at the day appointed . 26. so call'd , because in the sign scorpius we see nothing but the claws . 27. the dodecatemorion is the twelfth part , or two degrees and an half of a sign . every sign containing thirty degrees ; for twelve times two and an half make thirty . scaliger gives this instance . let the propos'd degree be the thirteenth degree of gemini , multiply thirteen by twelve , the product is one hundred fifty six : of these give thirty to gemini the propos'd sign , thirty to cancer , thirty to leo , to virgo thirty , and thirty to libra : there remain six , and therefore the dodecatimorion of gemini is in the sixth degree of scorpius : but this instance doth not seem to agree with the doctrine of manilius . 28. scaliger affirms , that manilius proposeth two ways to find the dodecatemoria or twelfths of the planets ; huctius says he gives but one : this dispute will be best determin'd by observing the poet himself , and illustrating his doctrine by two instances : let the moon be in the sixth degree of aries , multiply six by twelve , the product ●s seventy two : out of this seventy two give the first thirty to aries , the second to taurus , and ●hen there remain twelve ; and therefore the dodecatemorion of the moon is in the twelfth degree of gemini , that is , in the second of the five half degrees of the dodecatemorion of gemini . 29. to this method scaliger applies this example : let the sun be in the thirteenth of gemini , the moon in the twenty third of scorpius , the arch of the zodiack between the two planets , contains one hundred and sixty degrees : in this number there are five thirties , which being taken away there remain ten ; divide these ten by twelfths , or two and an half , the quotient is four twelfths , or dodecatemoria ; of which give one to scorpius , another to sagittarius , a third to capricorn , and the fourth falling in aquarius , shews the moons dodecatemorion to be in the twenty third degree of that sign . 30. the third sort of dodecatemorion is this . in every dodecatemorion or twelfth , there are five half degrees , and the planets ( which the antient astrologers counted but five , not reckoning the sun and moon amongst the planets ) have in each dodecatemorion or twelfth , one half degree assign'd to every one of them . 31. from this verse to the end of this book , manilius treats of the twelve celestial houses , which he divides into the four cardines or hinges , and the eight spaces that lie between these hinges : the hinges are the eastern point , the middle point , the western point and the lowest point of heaven : the spaces , &c. but see fig. 10. 32. manilius in the beginning of his first book tells us mercury was the inventor of that art , which he intended for the subject of his astrological poem . 33. either the poet never finish'd this part which he here promises , or it is now lost . manilius . the third book . manilius begins this third book as he did the second , reckoning up and slighting the several subjects which have imploy'd other poets , and declaring his design to be new and difficult : then he proceeds to shew , 1. that the twelve signs of the zodiack are the chief disposers , and principal governours of fortunes . 2. that there are twelve lots belonging to these twelve signs . 3. he names and describes these lots : the first is fortune : the second warfare and travelling : the third , civil employments : the fourth , pleadings , and all the concerns of the bar : the fifth , marriage acquaintance , guests : the sixth , plenty , wealth , and the means of preserving it . the seventh , dangers : the eighth , nobility , honour , reputation : the ninth , children , education . the tenth , manners , institution , family . the eleventh , state of health , physick : the twelfth , wishes , and the ends of them . 4. he teaches how to suit these lots , labours , or athla to the several signs , when the birth belongs either to day , or night . 5. he proposeth rules how to find the horoscope . 6. refuting the method prescrib'd by the chaldaeans . 7. and shewing how to find the different lengths of days and nights , together with the several risings and settings of the signs in order to find the horoscope . 8. he resumes the dispute against the chaldaeans , and subjoins an account of the several lengths of days and nights , in the three different positions of the sphere , direct , oblique , and parallel . 9. he proposes another way to find the time of the signs rising and setting . 10. he particularly discourses of the days encrease from capricorn to cancer . 11. he shews what are the proper years , months , days , and hours of the signs , and confutes the opinion of some astrologers concerning them . 12. he sings how many years belong to each sign , and station . 13. and concludes the book with an account of the tropick signs . i am not to answer for the astronomy , it is enough if i have made the poet speak intelligible english . vvhilst i new ways attempt my groveling name to raise from earth , and wing my flight for fame ; thro' woods untrodden whilst i take my way , ye muses lead ; for i extend your sway to larger bounds , and make the world obey . no heaven 's besieg'd , no thunder thrown from far intombs the giants , and concludes the war : no fierce achilles tells brave hector's spoil , nor priam bears the hero to his pile . no barbarous 1 maid betrays her father's trust , nor tears her brother to secure her lust . no bulls breath fire , no dragons guard the prize , nor from the poysnous seed arm'd harvests rise : no youth returning here renews the old , nor treacherous presents carry flame in gold. nor will i sing the babes medea bore , got by much guilt , but ah ! destroy'd by more . the theban siege , the highest pride of fame , nor how the town by thunder sav'd from flame lost whilst it 2 conquer'd ; nor how spartans fought round old messana , shall enlarge my thought . no sons 3 and brothers shall be joyn'd in one , nor mother bear a granchild in a son ; no murder'd babes 4 shall feast their injur'd sire , nor days break off , and frighted suns retire . none shall defy the sea , the floods enslave , sail o're the mountains 5 , and walk o're the wave : no asian kings . and thee , o mighty rome , thy arms , thy conquests , and thy world o'recome thy laws , thy wars , thy leagues my verse refuse , those claim the leisure of a greater muse . smooth seas the artless sailer safely tries , and flowers undress'd in fruitful gardens rise ; he works securely , who in gold designs , when e'en the rude unpolisht metal shines ; on specious subjects common wits compose , for where the matter takes , the fancy flows ; and every vulgar author writes with ease , secure of credit , where the themes can please . this way some take to fame : thro' words unknown , and things abstruse my muse goes boldly on , observes all interchange of times , compares the fatal turns , and views the leagues of stars , things so remote , so intermixt , and wrought with parts in parts ; they are too fine for thought . to know them is too much , but to explain how great ! to bind in verse shews more than man. then come , who e're thou art that bring'st a mind to know high truth , and patient thoughts to find ; hear solid reason , and go on to gain true serious knowledge , but neglect the vain : no kings at aulis sworn , no tales of troy with priam's tears , or helen's fatal joy , nor hope sweet verse , and curious turns to find , i 'll leave thy passions , and instruct thy mind : and tho' some words of foreign stamp appear , seem harsh , untun'd , uneasie to thy ear ; this is the subject's not the writer's fault , some things are stiff , and will not yield to thought ; i must be plain : and if our art hath found expressions proper , it neglects the sound . thy mind well purg'd from vainer cares compose , for now my muse is eager to disclose , the nicest secrets ; which observ'd , impart fate 's laws , and prove the surest guides to art. when nature order'd this vast frame to rise , nature , the guardian of these mysteries , and scatter'd lucid bodies o'er the skies ; when she the concave , whence directly fall streight lines of influence round the solid ball , had fill'd with stars ; and made earth , water , air , and fire , each other mutually repair ; that concord might these differing parts controul , and leagues of mutual aid support the whole ; that nothing which the skies embrace might be from heaven's supreme command and guidance free , on man the chiefest object of her cares long time she thought , then hung his fates on stars ; those stars , which plac'd i' th' heart of heaven , display the brightest beams , and share the greatest sway ; which keep a constant course , and now restrain the planets power , now yield to them again ; thus sometimes ruling , sometimes rul'd , create the strange and various intercourse of fate . to these her powers wise nature's laws dispense submitting all things to their influence : but then as emperours their realms divide , and every province hath its proper guide , so 't is in signs ; they have not equal shares of common power , each fortune claims its stars . our studies , poverty , wealth , joy and grief , with all the other accidents of life she parcels out ; to proper stars confines the lots in number equal to the signs . these grac'd with proper names and place contain the various fortunes incident to man , yet so contriv'd , that they are always found in the same 6 order , in the fatal round . yet are not lots thus fixt to signs to lie possessing the same 7 station in the sky ; and from one place directing down to earth an equal influence work on every birth ; but still the time of every birth confines these lots to seats , and makes them change their signs , that every lot from every sign may flow , and vary the nativity below . but lest confusion too much change produce , and make the art too intricate for vse ; 't is order'd thus : — that when the birth 's first minute hath decreed the first lot's station , then the rest succeed in following signs ; each fortune takes its seat in proper order , till the round's compleat : take these short rules till flowing verse dilate , unfolding all the mysteries of fate . these lots which thus decreed to signs contain the various fortunes incident to man ; as planets joyn with a malignant ray , or kind ; or as the rolling skies convey to different hinges , so the fortune spreads , and well or ill the whole design succeeds : their names and kinds obliging muse reherse , and sing their titles in no vulgar verse , that late posterity with joy may throng to themes unknown , and crowd to learn my song . fortune 's the first : this name our art bestows , and what it signifies the title shows . here house is found , with all that may conduce to house , either for ornament or use : what train of servants , what extent of field shall aid the birth , or give him room to build : when large foundations may be safely laid , or houses roof'd ; if friendly planets aid . warfare's the next : and 't is in this decreed how every native shall in arms succeed : what dangers wait them when abroad they roam , to pick up follies which they miss at home . civil employments in the third we find , tho those too justly may be styl'd a kind of warfare ; when two different interests jarr , oppos'd in sides , and make a sort of war. here 's patronage , and here our art descries what breaks its bands , what draws the closer ties , shows what rewards our services may gain , and how too often we may court in vain : all this as planets friendly aids conspire , or temper signs with their unlucky fire . proceed , my muse , for in the next appear the court concerns , and fortunes of the bar , the pleading patron with the fearful throng of trembling clients hanging on his tongue . the smooth perswader who shall teach the laws , and settle right , whilst truth supports the cause ; for from this lot the planets rays dispense the various powers of winning eloquence . the fifth to marriage sacred yet pretends to guests , acquaintance , company , and friends ; here we discern the common league that binds the equal souls , and joyns agreeing minds . but in the sixth , rich plenty takes her throne , with preservation : and from this 't is known what stores of wealth shall come , how long their stay , as planets tamper with their ruling ray : the seventh in horrid dangers shall engage the birth , if planets not correct its rage . the eighth nobility pretends to claim , where honour sits with her attendant fame ; where family erect maintains her place , and smiling favour with her winning face . the ninth the doubtful lot of children bears with all the pious parents hopes and fears , the tutor's industry , and guardian 's cares . the next to this the act of life contains , and shews how far a good example reigns : how by their masters form'd slaves take their way to tasks assign'd , and chearfully obey . the following is a lot of high concern , for hence the state of strength and health we learn , when griev'd , we live obnoxious to disease , or free from sickness , and consign'd to ease : let none who value health , this lot refuse , when they would time for wholsome physick choose ; for hence we are with most exactness taught to gather drugs , or mix the saving draught . the last , and which the round concludes , contains the end of all our wishes and our pains , shews if to what our several aims address obtain'd , shall crown our studies with success ; whether with fauning arts we court the great , or shunning crouds , to privacy retreat ; whether we plead at the contentious barr , or plough the sea , and gather wealth from far ; or tear the earth , to crowd our stores with grain , or bring unruly bacchus to the press again . for these , if planets prosper the effect , you may fit moments , and fit days expect from this one lot , and all the rest neglect . these planets 8 powers , and how their rays infuse , or good , or bad , shall then engage my muse , when their effects she sings — but now lest hudled things confusedly wrought , distract thy mind , and discompose thy thought ; let verse in method orderly impart the single naked elements of art ; and since my ventrous muse hath bound in rhime , the various labours of the round of time , ( what greece calls athla , happy greece in song , are now call'd labours in a meaner tongue ) which to twelve lots conveniently assign'd determine all the fortune of mankind : her theme pursuing , she will next comprise the several signs with which the labours rise ; for to one seat they are not always ty'd , nor from one sign at every birth preside ; they change their station , as the round they move , yet still their order is the same above . but lest you should imperfect schemes compleat , nor justly suit each labour to its seat ; first find the place by fortune's lot possest , ( fortune the first , and leader of the rest ) that done , to following signs in order join the lots , and give each labour to its sign : and to secure thy search for fortune's place two rules shall guide thee , and enfold the maze . the moment known when first the birth began , the planets join'd to signs to form the plan , and scheme erected for the future man ; if then the sun with an exalted ray above the east and west commands his way , then safely fix , and give the birth to day : but if through lower skies he wheels the light , the day resigns , and yields the birth to night . this settled , if the birth belongs to day , the rule is short , and not obscure the way ; from that degree , where then the 9 sun presides , to that degree where gloomy luna rides : count thro' the following signs , and as you pass , exactly mark what numbers fill the space : thence from the eastern point , which artful greece hath stil'd the horoscope , an equal number of degrees , following the circling zodiack as it bends , count thro' the signs ; and where the number ends , there fix the seat of fortune ; thence confine in order , every labor to its sign . but if when night her sable wings hath spread , the birth starts forward from his genial bed ; in different manner , then thy numbers range , with nature's order , let thy 10 method change ; the moon , who imitates her brother's light , and governs in her own dominion , night , observe : thence thro' the signs in order run , to find how far she 's distant from the sun. the native's horoscope be next thy care , and from that point , begin to count as far as those degrees permit thy thoughts to pass ; and where they stop , there settle fortune's place . and then to following signs the rest confine in order , every labor to its sign . perhaps these precepts may appear too nice , for who can find the horoscope in skies immense , still circling with impetuous force , in motion restless , and so swift in course ? yet this not rightly fixt , our art can boast no certainty , and all our labour 's lost : as wretched travellers are doom'd to stray , when those mistake , who should direct the way . because the points which all the rest controul , misplac'd at first , must influence the whole , and since the rouling skies move swiftly on , a different face is every moment shown , the scheme must be uncertain , and the birth unknown . yet tho' of greatest vse , 't is hard to gain this knowledge ; and our search is oft in vain : for who can in his narrow breast comprise the world immense , and who observe the skies , which with eternal revolutions move , and circling , measure the vast orb above ? what diligence can e're describe its face , what art can fix in so immense a space ? those points where east and west exactly fall , which crowns the top , and which supports the ball ? i know the method , the 11 chaldaean schools prescribe , but who can safely trust their rules ? to each ascending sign , to find their powers , they equal time allow , that time two hours : and then from that degree , from which the sun begins to start , his daily course to run , two hours to each succeeding sign they give , still thus allowing , 'till their search arrive at the degree and sign they seek , for where the number ends , the horoscope is there . but false the rule ; oblique the zodiack lies , and signs as near , or far remov'd in skies , obliquely mount , or else directly rise : in cancer , so immense his round , the ray continues long , and slowly ends the day ; whilst winter's caper in a shorter track soon wheels it round , and hardly brings it back : aries and libra , equal day with night , thus middle 12 signs to the extreams are opposite and signs extream too , vary in their light. nor are the nights less various than the days equal their measure , only darkness sways , in signs 13 adverse to those that bore the rays : then who can think when days and nights are found , in length so differing thro' the yearly round , there should be given to every sign in skies , an equal space , an equal time to rise ? but more than this : the 14 hours no certain space of time contain , but vary with the days : yet every day in what e're sign begun , beholds six signs above the horizon , leaves six below ; and therefore rules despise , because the hours no equal time comprise , which give two hours to every sign to rise . the hours in number twelve divide the day , and yet the sun with an unequal ray now makes a shorter , now a longer stay . nay farther , tho' you many ways pursue to find their length you 'l never meet the true , but thus : take all that space of time the sun meets out , when every daily round is run , let equal portions next that time divide ; and then those portions orderly apply'd to days , will shew their length , from thence appears their varying measures through the rouling years . the standard this , by which our art essays winter's slow nights , and tries the summer's days . this must be fixt , when from th' autumnal scales , the day declines , and winter's night prevails : or in the ram whence winter's nights retire the hours restoring to the summer's fire : in those two points , the day and night contain twelve equal hours . for with an even rein the sun then guides , and whilst his care doth roul thro' heaven's midd line , he leans to neither pole : but when remov'd , he to the south declines , and in the 15 eighth degree of caper shines , the winter 's hasty day moves nimbly on , nine 16 hours and half ; so soon the light is gone . but night drives slowly in her gloomy carr , takes fourteen hours and half for her unequal share ; thus twice twelve hours in day and night are found , to fill the natural measure of the daily round . thence light encreases still , as nights decay , 'till cancer meets her in the fiery way , and sets sure bounds to her encroaching sway . then turns the scene , and summers day descends thro' winter's hours , still losing as it bends : and then the days of equal length appear , with nights , ' th' adverse season of the year , and nights with days : for by the same degrees that once they lengthened , now the times decrease , these times our art can shew , but these belong to future rhimes , and claim another song . thus measure those , who live where fruitful nile , with summer torrents swoln o'reflows the soil ; whose seven large mouths ; the skies can boast no more of planets , vomit with impetuous roar , and beat the ocean from the foaming shore . now learn what 17 stadia , learn what times in skies signs ask to sett , and what they claim to rise : observe , short rules my muse , but full she brings , and words roul from her , crowded up with things . for aries , prince of all the signs comprise full forty stadia , for his time to rise , but eighty give him when he leaves the skies : one hour , and one third part his rise compleats , this space of time , he doubles when he sets . the following signs to libra rising , claim eight stadia more , and setting lose the same . and thus in order following signs require still sixteen minutes more to raise their fire , and lose as much , when setting they retire : thus signs to libra , 18 as they rise increase ; and thus they lose when they descend to seas : for all the signs that do from libra range , take equal measures , but the order change ; for signs adverse to equal times engross , but setting gain , and still arise with loss . thus hours and stadia which bright aries gets when rising , libra loseth when she sets ; and all the time , which when he leaves the skies , the ram possesses , libra takes to rise : by this example , all the rest define , the following imitate the leading sign . this rightly fixt , if you these rules pursue , the horoscope lies open to thy view ; securely work , since you can fix in skies the times , and stadia , for the signs to rise : from that degree and sign , in which the sun begins to start , his daily course to run , count fairly on , and all the work is done . another method , if you this refuse , shall lead thee right , and be as plain to use : for if the horoscope you seek by day , observe these rules , which shew the surest way ; first find what 19 hour , the birth is born , and then add five to that , and multiply by ten : add five , for every hour the signs ascend thrice five degrees , in the celestial bend : this done , take that degree in which the sign then rouls the sun , and to this number join ; from this whole sum , one thirty parts apply'd to the sun's sign , nor to the rest deny'd , as following they in order lie , will show the thing you sought for , and design to know : for where the number ends , that sign and part is horoscope : thus speak the rules of art. by night your search demands a different way ; to the nights hour , 20 add all the twelve of day , from this whole sum the thirty parts apply to following signs as they in order lie ; and where the number ends , that sign and part is horoscope : thus speak the rules of art. thus you may find the horoscope in skies , and tho' oblique the circling zodiack lies , this point determin'd , you may fix them all , what crowns the top , and what supports the ball : the signs true setting , and true rising trace , assign to each their proper powers and place , and thus what stubborn nature's laws deny , our art shall force , and fix the rowling skie . nor is o're all the earth , the length of night , and day the same ; they vary with the sight ; nor , would the ram alone and scales agree , in day and night ; in every sign would be the equinox , if as these rules devise , two hours were given to every sign to rise . in that position where direct's the sphere , and in the horizon both poles appear ; the day maintains an equal length to night , and that usurps not on the others right : no inequality in skies is found , but equal day , and equal night goes round . those days and nights which spring and autumn bear , they see unvary'd thro' the rowling year , because the circling sun in every sign runs round , and measures still an equal line ; whether thro' cancer's height he bears the day , or thro' the goat oppos'd he bends his way , the day 's alike , nor do the nights decay . for tho' oblique the zodiack circle lies , yet all the zones do at right angles rise still parallel ; and whilst the sphere is right half heaven is hid , and half expos'd to sight . hence take thy way , and o're earth's mighty bend from this midst region move to either end , as weary steps convey thee up the ball by nature rounded and hung midst the all to either pole ; whilst you your way pursue some parts withdraw , and others rise to view . to you thus mounting as the earth doth rise so varies the position of the skies , and all the signs that rose direct before obliquely mount , and keep that site no more ; oblique the zodiack grows , for whilst we range , tho fixt its place , yet ours we freely change ; 't is therefore plain that here the days must prove of different lengths , since signs obliquely move , some nearer roul , whilst some remoter rove , and measure still unequal rounds above . as nearer to the arctick round you go the hours increase , and day appears to grow ; the summer signs in ample arch invade our sight , the winter lie immerst in shade ; the more you northward move , the more your eyes their lustre lose ; they set as soon as rise : but pass this round , as you your way pursue , each sign withdraws with all its parts from view , then darkness comes , and chaces light away , and thirty nights excludes the dawn of day : thus by degrees day wasts , signs cease to rise , for bellying earth still rising up denies their light a passage , and confines our eyes . continued nights , continued days appear , and months no more fill up the rouling year . should nature place us where the northern skies creak round the pole , and grind the propping ice ; midst snows eternal , where th' impending bear congeal'd leans forward on the frozen air ; the world would seem , if we survey'd the whole , erect , and standing on the nether pole. its sides , as when a top spins round , incline nor here nor there , but keep an even line , and there six signs of twelve would fill the sight and never setting at an equal hight , wheel with the heavens , and spread a constant light. and whilst thro' those the sun directs his way for long six months with a continued ray he chaces darkness , and extends the day . but when the sun below the line descends with full career , and to the lower bends , then one long night continued darkness joins , and whilst he wanders thro' the winter's signs the arctick circle lies immerst in shade , and vainly calls to feeble stars for aid : because the eyes that from the pole survey the bellying globe , scarce measure half the way , the orb still rising stops the sight from far , and whilst we forward look , we find a bar : for from the eyes the lines directly fall , and lines direct can ne'er surround the ball ; therefore the sun to those low signs confin'd bearing all day and leaving night behind , to those that from the pole survey denies his chearful face , and darkness fills their eyes : till having spent as many months , as past thro' signs , he turns , and riseth to the north at last : and thus , in this position of the sphere one only day , one only night appear on either side the line , and make the year . what different sorts of days and nights are known in all positions thus my muse hath shown ; her work goes on , and she must next comprise what signs appear , what times they claim to rise in all positions of the moving skies : that when you follow art , and boldly press to find the horoscope , a just success may meet thy search , and into knowledge raise thy guess . but who can all their various times reherse ? compute so much , and state accounts in verse ? therefore this part let general rules define , let those that follow my advanc'd design apply them right , but let the rules be mine . where-ever plac'd ; by these few rules proceed , by nature settled , and by art decreed ; first count how many 21 hours compleat the night or day , when cancer in the summer's height bears phoebus , and short darkness bounds the light . day 's hours by six divide , one sixth devise to following leo as his time to rise : night so divided too one sixth bestow on taurus , that his rising time will show : but then observe the difference of the time which leo takes , and which the bull to climb , that into three divide , and thence apply , beside the time which taurus takes to mount the sky , one single third to naked gemini . the like to cancer , and the like account to fiery leo as his time to mount ; then reckon all , you 'll find the sum the same which from the first division to leo came , when one sixth part of day was given to raise his flame . by the same method virgo's time define : but this condition runs thro' every sign , the following keeps those hours the sign before obtain'd to rise , and vulgarly adds more : as these an orderly encrease maintain , so signs from libra still decrease again ; but different order they observe in skies , the hours these claim to set , those take to rise . but if you count by stadia , change the name , but keep the method , for the rule 's the same : seven hundred twenty stadia fill the round , no more in day , no more in night are found : hence take as many as compleat the night , when glowing cancer in the summer's hight bears phoebus , and short darkness bounds the light . the rest by six divide , one sixth devise to fiery leo as his time to rise ; night 's stadia so divide , one sixth bestow on taurus : take the difference twixt the two , that sum divide by three , and thence apply , beside the stadia taurus takes to mount the sky , one single third to naked gemini . thus to the rest proceed , but still confine to following signs the stadia of the former sign , with one third part 's encrease ; till libra's ray this reckoning stops , and shews another way : for signs from libra different rules comprise , a different order they observe in skies , the stadia others claim to set they take to rise . those stadia too in which the rest ascend these winter signs in slowly setting spend . thus having fixt the stadia , now pursue the horoscope , 't is open to thy view ; from that degree in which the sun doth mount observe my method , and begin to count ; give proper hours to every sign to rise , and proper stadia to ascend the skies , work by those rules which i have shewn before , securely work , for you can err no more . by what advance the winter months encrease , ( for they advance not by the same degrees thro' every sign , till on the ram they light , which equals time , and day adjusts to night ) must next be shewn to all that press to learn , short are the rules , but yet of great concern . first take the measure of the shortest day and longest night , when with unequal ray thro' caper phoebus drives the narrow way . then count the 22 hours which day must yield to shade , and in three portions let the sum be laid ; one of these parts to th' middle sign apply'd shews the increase of day on either side : for as the first is by the midst surpass'd one half , so that 's exceeded by the last . thus thro' three signs the day 's increase is shown , the following takes what to the last was grown , and adds an equal portion of its own . for instance : to the conquest night assign full fifteen hours , and give the day but nine : three hours the difference . now the goat hath power to lengthen day the space of half an hour , one hour aquarius adds , the fishes joyn as much as both , and with the rest combine ; thus three hours fill'd , adjusted time they bring to aries ; and he equals day and night in spring . the sixth part of the time , or more or less , whate're it proves , is the first sign 's increase ; the second doubles what the first surpass'd , and gives it to be trebled by the last . but from the 23 equinoctial point the day receives increase , but in another way ; for aries takes as many hours from night , as pisces seiz'd before in their own right ; and to compleat the rapine taurus joins one hour , one half is added by the twins ; thus whilst these signs the time to day restore , night justly loses , as it gain'd before . from caper thus decreasing nights appear , and heaven turns up the right side of the year ; the day proceeds to lengthen all the way , till high in cancer rais'd it finds a stay ; the solstice then : when day and night are found equal to night and day that drove the winter round . then by the same degrees again the light decreasing , what it took returns to night . thus far advanc't in art my verse defines the proper years , months , hours , and days of signs : these must be shewn ; for signs have days & hours , and months , and years when they exert their powers . first then , that sign in which the sun appears , because the sun measures out the time in years , claims the first year : on following signs bestow the following years as they in order go . and so the moon , for as she rounds the skies , she measures months , to signs the months applies . of days and hours the horoscope possest of the first parts , to following . signs commits the rest . this nature orders , all her months and years , and days , and hours , she parcels out to stars ; that as they run their course they all may find the different signs , and vary in their kind . this nature orders too ; and hence there springs that various discord that is seen in things ; in one continued stream no fortune flows , joy mixes grief , and pleasures urg'd by woes : inconstancy in every part appears , which wisdom never trusts , but folly fears . thus years from years , and as they roul the round the months from months , and days from days are found to differ : no returning hours restore that sort of fortune which they brought before : because the times , as round their course they run , meet different signs , and are not bound to one ; the days and hours their ruling signs obey , the month 's the influence which they give convey and temper all things by their fatal ray. some author's write , ( for who can hope to see opinions join , or find the world agree ? ) that from the horoscope our art defines the days , the hours , the years , and months of signs ; from that alone let the account begin , and all the rest will orderly fall in : and whilst the others , as before 't was shown , three heads of reckoning ask , the moon , the sun , and horoscope , these still demand but one : yet still as great , their difference must appear , month disagrees with month , and year with year , and hours and days : for with uneven pace , tho' starting all together , they run the race , and never make returns in equal space : twice to the signs each 24 hour the days restore twice every month , brings round the days , and more : once every year the months to signs are born , and when twelve years are run , the years return . 't is hard to think , and nature's laws reject one single time , so differing in effect : that when one sign for years and months appears , bad fate should clog the months , good crown the years : or that the sign which thro' the months conveys bright fortune , should with black infest the days : or that the star , which with afflicting power , the day oppresseth , should exalt the hour . vain therefore their attempt , who fondly hope , the times to reckon from the horoscope , and think because with an unequal date , they come to signs , that these returns create their different , odd varieties of fate . absurd opinion ! which with fruitless pain , they strive to prop with mighty names in vain , it sinks , and falls with its own stupid weight again . this sung , and times to signs apply'd , the muse would beg release , and further task refuse ; but lo the subject grows : the next must show what length of times the several signs bestow : this must be known when in your search for fate you measure life , and fix the gloomy date . ten years and one , but one third part withdrawn , the 25 ram extends the wretched life of man ; poorly he gives , as frugal of his store , whilst taurus adds two years to these ; the twins two more . full sixteen years eight months , from cancer flow , but two years more the lion's rays bestow . from virgo twenty years , eight months convey'd , enlarge the birth : the scales give equal to the maid : scorpio's as much as leo's rays dispense , the centaur equals cancer's influence : of years , twice seven , eight months the goat conveys ; though young aquarius shines with feebler rays , four years he trebles , and doubles six score days . to the same space , with which the ram began , the fish plac't , next extend the age of man. but farther yet , 't is not enough to know the length of time which single signs bestow ; for you may err , when in your search for fate , you measure life , and fix the gloomy date ; because the heavenly stations claim their share , as planets intermix their force declare , in this contrivance , and make life their care. to single stations now what years belong , ( with planets join'd , they claim 26 another song ) in well wrought numbers let the muse impart , and teach the simplest elements of art ; this done , these things prepar'd and sitly join'd , with greater ease , she 'll raise the work design'd , if when the moon is in the hinge at east , the birth breaks forward from its native rest ; full eighty years , if you two years abate , this station gives , and long defers its fate : but if in heav'ns midst point , this large decree she shortens , giving fewer years by three : with eighty courses in the zodiack round , substracting four , the western hinge is crown'd . the lowest hinge on all its births , derives years sixty two , and then concludes their lives . the ninth , which makes upon the right the trine , gives sixty years , and bates but one of nine . the fifth o' th' left , as frugal of its store , gives sixty three , and can enlarge no more ; th' eleventh station , that which rises high , almost an equal of the middle skie , yields six score springs , and lest that gift should be too scanty , lengthens that vast summ by three . the third which lies at equal space below the eastern point , doth fifty years bestow , mean is the station , and its gift is so . the second forty courses of the sun , and two bestows , and when that term is done , the man goes off , e're half his race be run . the twelfth gives twenty three , then hasty death , comes on , and in his bloom , the youth resigns his breath . the eighth next o're the western hinge can bring but fourteen years , nor adds another spring . the sixth but twelve bestows , then death destroys the parents hopes , and crops the growing boys ; diseases following , from their birth create a feeble frame , and sit the prey for fate . now nicely view the tropick signs that lie oppos'd in the four quarters of the skie ; call'd tropick signs , because when these appear , the world then turns the seasons of the year : thus spring in cancer , in autumnal scales the summer turns , in caper autumn sails ; thence shivering winter creeps congeal'd with frost , yet melts again ; and in the ram is lost : these loose the seasons , to their full career , and make the course of the revolving year ; and these being hingers of the world , create new powers in stars ; and fix new rules for fate . in heavens high arch , and on the utmost line of summers progross , cancer seats his sign : there stretches out the greatest length of day , and then declines , and makes it soon decay ; but all the time which , as he bears the light he takes from day , he still conveys to night . then corn grows yellow on the fruitful soil , and lusty reapers bare their limbs for toil : then seas grow warm , the floods forbear to roar , and billows languish on the quiet shore . then mars goes forth , nor is the scythian coast from roman arms defended by her frost : and whilst their pools and marshy grounds are dry , fearing our force , the conquer'd germans fly : then nile o'reflows , and egypt's fruitful plain , rich harvests yields , nor needs the aid of rain . thus lies the world , when with exalted ray , i' th' summer solstice phoebus bears the day thro' cancer's sign , and drives the highest way . oppos'd the goat in narrowest rounds of light , wheels winter on , but long extends the night ; yet soon ascending , he contracts the shade , to day returning all the waste he made ; the fields unwrought , then lie , unplough'd the seas , and mars in quarters , lies consign'd to ease : rocks cleave with frost ; and by the cold , opprest , all nature's powers , are stiffned into rest . the next in power are those two signs that rise with equal revolutions of the skies ; which times of day and night adjust , and bring the autumn on , or else advance the spring . the sun returning in his yearly race , to cancer's sign meets aries midst the space , seated between the point , from whence he bends his upward course , and that in which he ends . there plac'd as umpire in the midst o th' way , contracted night , he well adjusts to day . and as thro' him the sun goes on to climb the heavenly steep , he makes a change in time ; for day , that shorten'd in the winter bend , the ram first lengthens ; and the next extend , 'till rais'd in cancer , to the utmost height of summer's pitch , he wheels the longest light. then seas lie husht : then earth grows bold to bear , and trusts young flowers to the serener air : then beasts in fields , and birds in every grove , press on with fury to consummate love. with joyful songs the vocal forests ring , and various leaves adorn the gawdy spring : with such brisk powers are nature's parts possest , when wak'd , she rouses from her winter's rest . oppos'd to aries , libra's stars appear with the like power to sway the rouling year , she equals day and night : but soon the scale o'repois'd by darkness , le ts the night prevail ; and day , that lengthned in the summer's height , shortens 'till winter , and is lost in night . then from the burthen'd elms , the generous vine descends , and presses over-flow with wine : then wheat is sown , whilst autumn's heats remain to loose the clods , and mollifie the grain . these have their powers , and as these signs create a turn in seasons , so they doe in fate : from tropick signs ( for by their name , we guess their turning natures ) who can hope for less ? but wide in their mistake , who think to see these powers spread equally in each degree ; not every portion of the tropick signs turns seasons , and the planets force confines , but one day only , in the blooming prime of spring , in autumn one adjusts the time , one day in aries doth to time restore equality , and libra boasts no more ; one longest day in cancer's sign is born , one night of equal length in capricorn : the other days roul on with different light , now gaining from , now losing time to night . thus one degree in tropick signs creates a change in heaven , and turns the rules of fates ; no fixt decree's secure , their boundless sway , extends to all , and makes the stars obey . but which that is that governs , fate 's decree , there authors differ , nor can art agree ; for some the eighth , and some the tenth assign , the first degree — is only thine , thine , but the muse with scorn , forbears the name ; unworthy mention , and too mean for fame . the end of the third book . notes . 1. this and the seven following verses relate to the several particulars of medea's story . 2. i use this interpretation rather than that of scaliger and others , because i think manilius speaks only of that famous siege of thebes , when the seven generals attackt it ; and as the story says , capaneus had almost ruin'd the town before he was struck with thunder . 3. oedipus married his own mother jocasta , and had children by her ; so that each son was brother to the father , and grand-child to the mother . 4. this respects the story of atreus and thyestes . 5. xerxes is said to have dug a channel round mount athos , and to have made a bridge over the hellespont . 6. thus , for instance , in whatever sign the lot of fortune is plac'd , the next that belongs to the next sign , is the lot of warfare : civil employments must be given to the third , &c. 7. for the lot of fortune being in all nativities that belong to day to be accounted for from the sun , and in all nativities that belong to night from the moon ; and those two planets not always possessing the same place in every nativity , and the other lots following the disposition of that of fortune ; it is very evident that the same lot is not to be always applyed to the same sign . 8. the poet never finisht this part , or it is now lost . 9. for instance , let the sun be in the 20th degree of aries , the moon in the 10th degree of libra ; from the 20th degree of aries ( counting thro' the following signs taurus , gemini , &c ) to the 10th degree of libra ; are 170 degrees : let the horoscope be the 10th degree of cancer ; from that 10th degree of cancer , count thro' the following signs , viz. leo , virgo , &c. and you will find the number 170 to end in the 10th degree of capricorn : therefore in the 10th degree of capricorn place the lot of fortune : this i take to be the meaning of manilius . 10. suppose the sun to be in the 21 , 49 ' ' ' ' ' of leo , the moon in the 26 , 31 ' ' ' ' ' of virgo ; the horoscope in the , 1 , 0 ' ' ' ' ' of leo ; the moon is distant from the sun 325 , 18 ' ' ' ' ' , which number being distributed amongst the antecedent signs , viz. cancer , gemini , taurus , &c. ends in the 5 , 42 ' ' ' ' ' of virgo , that there is the place of the lot of fortune . 11. to explain this method which the chaldeans us'd to find the horoscope , scaliger gives this instance : let the sun's place be the 13 , 25 ' of libra , let the birth be at the end of the seventh hour of the day : now because every sign hath thirty degrees , and fifteen degrees make one hour , these seven hours are three signs and an half , or one hundred and five degrees : now reckon those degrees thro' the following signs , viz. scorpius , centaurus , &c. the number ends in the 28125 ' ' ' ' ' of capricorn , and therefore that is the horoscope . 12. sic media extremis , &c. the middle signs here are aries and libra , and these are said to be opposite to the extremes , cancer and capricorn , because in them the days are equal , but in the others unequal to the nights : this i take to be the meaning of the poet , rather than what scaliger and other interpreters pretend . 13. thus in cancer the days are longest ; in capricorn , which is a sign adverse to cancer , the nights are of the same length , that the days were of in cancer : the like holds in leo , and aquarius , and so in the rest . 14. the italians divided all the time betwixt the rising and setting of the sun into twelve hours , and all the time between the setting and rising of the sun into twelve hours : and therefore , those times being various and unequal , the hours must likewise be unequal . 15. according to the opinion of some ancient astronomers , who plac'd the winter solstice in the eighth degree of capricorn , the summer solstice in the eighth degree of cancer , and the equinox in the eighth degrees of aries and libra : thus in the end of this book , has quidam vires octava in parte reponunt . 16. eudoxus wrote of the sphere at the 36th degree , elevation of the pole , and manilius follows him . 17. a stadium in manilius is half of a degree , and therefore in the whole zodiack there are 720 stadia . in the zodiack are 360 degrees , to every hour we reckon , 15 degrees , therefore every hour is equal to 30 stadia , and for the same reason , each hour containing 60 minutes , every stadium is equal to two minutes . 18. the rising and setting of the signs according to manilius . rising . signs . stadia . hours . minutes . degrees . aries . 40 1 20 ' ' ' ' ' 20 taurus . 48 1 36 ' 24 gem. 56 1 52 ' 28 cancer . 64 2 8 ' 32 leo. 72 2 24 ' 26 virgo . 80 2 40 ' 40 libra . 80 2 40 ' 40 scorp . 72 2 24 36 cent. 64 2 8 ' 32 capr. 56 1 52 ' 28 aquar . 48 1 36 ' 24 pisces . 40 1 20 ' 20 signs stadia . hours . min. deg. setting signs . stadia . hours . min. deg. aries . 80 2 40 ' ' ' ' ' 40 taur . 72 2 24 ' 36 gem. 64 2 8 ' 32 canc. 56 1 52 ' 28 leo. 48 1 36 ' 24 virg. 40 1 20 20 lib. 40 1 20 ' 20 scorp . 48 1 36 ' 24 cent. 56 1 52 ' 28 capr. 64 2 8 ' 32 aquar . 72 2 24 ' 36 pisces . 80 2 40 ' 40 signs . stadia . hours . min. deg. 19. let the child be born in the fourth hour of the day , add five to four , the sum is 9 , multiply 9 by 10 , the product is 90. let the sun be in the 10th degree of gemini , add 10 to 90 , the sum is 100 , of this 100 give 30 to gemini , the sign in which the sun is , 30 more to the following sign taurus : 30 to the next aries , 10 remain , therefore the 10th degree of pisces is the horoscope . 20. let the birth be in the seventh hour of night , add to that the twelve hours of the day , and that seventh hour will be the nineteenth , from the suns rising : then add , multiply , and work , as in the former method . 21. let the longest day in cancer be of 16 hours , the shortest night of 8 : divide those 16 hours into 6 parts , each part contains 2 hours 40 minutes : therefore allow leo 2 hours 40 min. for his rising time : divide likewise the 8 hours of night into 6 parts , each part will contain 1 hour 20. m. and that is the rising time of taurus . the difference between the rising times of these two signs is 1 hour 20 min. divide this difference into three equal parts , each part will contain 26 min. 40 sec. add these 26 min. and 40 sec. to the rising time of taurus , and the whole sum makes up the rising time of gemini , viz. 1 hour , 46 min. 40 sec. to this add another third part to make up the rising time of cancer , viz. 2 hours 13 min. 20 sec. and so of the rest , as in the following scheme . signs hours min. sec. signs aries . 0 53 20 pisces . taur . 1 20 0 aqua . gem. 1 46 40 capr. cancer 2 13 20 cent. leo. 2 40 0 scorp . virg. 3 6 40 libra . but it must always be observed , that the southern or winter signs are oppos'd to the northern or summer signs . the rising-time of the summer is the setting-time of the winter ; and the setting-time of the summer the rising-time of the winter signs . 22. the example which manilius himself gives , sets this doctrine in its true light. let the longest night in capricorn be of 15 hours , the day consequently must be of 9. thus the night exceeds the day by 3 hours . divide these 3 hours into 3 parts , give one part , that is , 1 hour to the middle sign , viz. aquarius , and thence conclude that in capricorn the day encreases half an hour , and in pisces an hour and half ; aquarius being the middle sign in which the days encrease one hour . 23. according to the doctrine of manilius ( let the example be the same with that in the preceding note ) in aries the day encreases one hour and half , in taurus one hour , in gemini half an hour . 24. there being 24 hours belonging to each day , and but 12 signs , more than 24 days in each month , and 12 months in every year . 25. a table of the years and months that belong to each sign . signs . years . months signs . aries . 10 8 pisces . taurus . 12 8 aquar . gemini . 14 8 capr. cancer . 16 8 sagit . leo. 18 8 scorp . virgo . 20 8 libra . 26. this was never finished by the poet , or is now lost . manilius . the fourth book . after a short reflection on the vain cares of mankind , he brings several arguments to prove fate : 1. several unaccountable passages in the roman and grecian histories : 2. sudden death , and unexpected recoveries , contrary to all the powers of art and physick : 3. the difference between the children of the same parents : 4. the fewness of worthy men , and the certainty of death : 5. the ill successes of wise and good men , and the prosperity of knaves and fools ▪ 6. monstrous births : 7. prophesy : and then endeavours , 8. to take off some objections that might be rationally propos'd against this doctrin : then. 9. he shews what tempers and inclinations the twelve signs singly consider'd do bestow , and to what arts they incline : 10. vnder the ram , are born all sorts of workers in wool , broakers , men of unsetled fortunes , fearful , inconstant , and covetous of praise : 11. vnder the bull , plowmen , aspiring , reserv'd , strong , and amorous : 12. vnder the twins , musicians , songsters , men of merry tempers , and astronomers : 13. vnder the crab , covetous fellows and vsurers : 14. vnder the lion , hunters , beast-keepers , plain , open-hearted , easily provok'd , and easily appeas'd : vnder the maid , philosophers , orators , notaries , shamefac'd and indifferently good : 16. vnder the scales , measurers , gagers , accountants , lawgivers , lawyers , and judges : 17. vnder the scorpion , hunters , gladiators , men of warlike and military dispositions : 18. vnder sagittarius , chariot-racers , horse-breakers , tamers of wild beasts , men of acute vnderstandings , and strong and nimble bodies : 19. vnder the goat , miners , coyners , goldsmiths , bakers , broakers , inconstant and lascivious in their youth : 20. vnder aquarius , men skill'd in making aqueducts , and water-works , and spheres , and globes , tractable and prodigal : 21. vnder pisces , mariners , pilots , shipwrights , rowers , fishers , fruitful but inconstant : 22. he discourses of the tenths of each sign , and what sign is lord of each third part of every sign : 23. he encourages his scholar to go on , tho the task seems to grow upon him , and to be very difficult , because 't is a noble study , and the object truly great : 24. he shews what degrees of each sign are hurtful , what not : 25. he teaches , that the tempers of those that are born when the sign riseth , are different from those that are born at other times : 26. he draws a map of the earth and seas , and teaches what signs govern particular countries : 27. he shews what signs are call'd eccliptick , and why : 28. he proposeth such objections as are made to deter men from this curious search , and answereth them . why should our time run out in useless years , of anxious troubles and tormenting fears ? why should deluding hopes disturb our ease , vain to pursue , yet eager to possess ? with no success , and no advantage crown'd , why should we still tread on th' unfinisht round ? grown gray in cares , pursue the senseless strife , and seeking how to live , consume a life ? the more we have , the meaner is our store ; the unenjoying craving wretch is poor : but heaven is kind , with bounteous hand it grants a fit supply for nature's sober wants : she asks not much , yet men press blindly on , and heap up more , to be the more undone : by luxury , they rapine's force maintain , what that scrapes up , flows out in luxury again ; and to be squander'd , or to raise debate , is the great only use of an estate . vain man forbear , of cares , unload thy mind , forget thy hopes , and give thy fears to wind ; for fate rules all , its stubborn laws must sway the lower world , and man confin'd obey . as we are born we dye , our lots are cast , and our first hour disposeth of our last . then as the influence of the stars ordains , to empires kings are doom'd , and slaves to chains . then poverty , that common fate comes down , ( few stars are regal , and design a crown ) what make a wit , a knave , a saint , or dunce , are hudled then together , and fixt at once . the ills that are ordain'd we must endure , from not decreed how fatally secure ? prayers are too weak to check fixt destinies , and vows too slow to catch the fate that flies . whether with glory rais'd , or clogg'd with scorn , the state , that then is setled , must be born . for did not fate preside , and fortune lead , had parting flames the good 1 aenaeas fled ? had troy's sunk fortune been sustain'd by 2 one ? and only conquer'd then , when overthrown ? and did not stars the rise of states dispose , had mighty rome from such beginnings rose ? had 3 shepherds built , or swains without controul advanc'd their 4 cottage to a capitol ? plac'd on whose heights , our caesars now survey the lower earth , and see the world obey ? from their 5 burnt nest , had conquering eagles flown , and the world yielded to a ruin'd town ? had jove been storm'd ; or 6 mutius safe return'd from baffled flames , or vanquish'd whilst he burn'd ? our towns and bridges guard , had 6 cocles stood , or the weak 6 virgin swam rough tiber's flood ? had one 6 horatius our sunk hopes restor'd , or three have fall'n beneath a single sword ? o glorious victory ! what arms before , e're won so much , none ever fought for more ; rome and her hopes of empire hung on one , his o're matcht lot was hers , a yoke or throne . why should i 8 cannae's bloody plains relate , and africk's ensigns threatning at our gate , how thrasymene drown'd flaminius's shame , and after fabius , wise retreats o'recame , the conquer'd carthage shone with roman flame ? how hannibal on the campanian plains , rome's terror once , then destin'd to our chains ; whilst waiting on his proud bithynian lord , stole a base death , and scap't our nobler sword ? but turn and view the 9 civil wars of rome , there opens wide a various scene of doom : see marcus ride with cimbrian lawrels crown'd , then in the dungeon stretcht upon the groun'd ; now slave , now consul , consul , slave again , his curule chair , succeeded by a chain ; now a mean ruin on the lybian sands despis'd he lies , and streight the world commands ; like thunder from low earth exhal'd , he rose from the minturnian pools , and scatter'd vengeance on his haughty foes . these wondrous changes fate and stars advance , o mighty turns , and much too great for chance ! who 10 pompey could ( that saw thy conquering fleet regain the seas , and kings beneath thy feet , proud pontus yield , fierce tyrants make thy train , and crowding monarchs beg thy leave to reign , that saw victorious lawrels crown thy head , and worlds in thy repeated triumphs lead ; and all that glory which thy sword had won , fixt and supported by as great a 11 son ) have thought that thou , upon a foreign sand , should'st steal a burial from a common hand ; that shatter'd planks , the sea 's dishonest spoil should hiz beneath thy trunk , and be thy pile ? that thou , the mighty thou , should'st want an urn , what power , but fate , could work so strange a turn ? e'en 12 caesar sprung from heaven , and now a star , tho' midst the dangers of the civil war , secure he stood , and careless of repose , was ne're surpriz'd by his most watchful foes ; yet crown'd with peace , in all his pomp and state he fell a victim to o're-ruling fate : no dark suspitions , but bright hints were brought , he knew what cassius spoke , and brutus thought ; how far advanc'd , how far they meant to go , and saw the minute of the fatal blow : yet dark oblivion did his memory blot , he all his warnings , and himself forgot ; and in the senate , whilst his right hand held the faithful bill , which all the plot reveal'd ; to prove that fate will sway , and stars controul , he fell , and with his blood defac'd the scroul : o mighty power of fate , and prov'd too well ! the best , the wisest , and the greatest fell . why should i mention kings 13 and empires falls , shew conquering 13 cyrus on the sardian walls ? or croesus shrinking at the rising flame ? or 13 priam's trunk , a thing without a name ? unhappy prince ! the beasts and vultur's spoil , his troy was burnt , but priam wants a pile . the wreck of 13 xerxes , who wou'd scourge the gods , a wreck , much greater than the threatned floods ? or 13 tullus's reign , who by the power of fate , was born a slave , yet rul'd the roman state ? or shew 13 metellus snatch the vestal fire , and as he pass'd , prophaner flames retire ? how oft do suddain deaths the healthy seize , without the formal warning of disease ? and yet how often from the piles retire , e'en 14 fly themselves , and wander thro' the fire ? thus some have from their graves return'd , and known two lives , whilst others , scarce enjoy but one. a small disease destroys , whilst greater spare , good methods fail , and men are lost by care. some temperate diet , with diseases fills , and poyson 's innocent , when physick kills . some children prove a mean degenerate race , some shew their father's mind , as well as face ; in one , their vertue , and their fortune rise to greater height , and in another dyes . one 15 mad in love , to troy will carry war , or swim the flood , and view the torch from far , the other is determin'd to the bar. a son his father , father kills the son on mutual wounds two headlong brothers run ; these combats prove the force of ruling powers , for they are too unnatural to be ours . that every age no new camilli's breath , the 16 decij dye , or 16 cato conquer death , 't is not but that the seed can still receive as noble stamps , but fates refuse to give . to fewer days they do not cramp the poor , nor brib'd by wealth , enlarg'd the rich with more ; there riches lose their force , the shining years of glorious tyrants must be turn'd in tears ; they dig a grave for kings , and fix the day ; how great must be that power which crowns obey ! successless vertue sinks whilst vice prevails , and folly wins the prize when prudence fails : he argues ill that from the fortune draws the goodness or the badness of a cause : success or merit do not always crown , midst good and bad men they are blindly thrown , without respect , sixt fatally on one. for some superior power 's impetuous force marks out our way , and still directs the course ; the years that we must run , the length , the pace , and all the various turnings of the race . besides , what monstrous births , the nurses fear and mother's shame , half man , half beast appear ? such wondrous creatures ne're from seed began , for what hath beast that 's common to a man ? and what mean soul would with his lust comply , and sin on purpose for a prodigy ? no ; stars dispose , they counterfeit a rape , and mix a monster of amazing shape . besides , were not events by fates enrol'd , how can their certain order be foretold ? how can the prophets sing of future doom , and in the present read the age to come ? to this there 's one objection ; fate denies rewards to vertue , and must plead for vice : absurd ; for who less hates a poysonous weed because 't is bred from necessary seed ? or who loves corn the less ; who hates the vine . because by nature rais'd , and not design ? thus virtuous minds deserve the greater love , since heaven consents , and all the stars approve ; and we should hate those more whom fates have sent to commit crimes and suffer punishment ; for how , or whence these noxious faults begin no matter , since each is certainly a sin. nay this opinion's settled by debate , 't is fate that we should thus dispute of fate . this settled , i must now attempt to climb celestial steps , and run the round of time , the zodiack travel , go through every sign , their powers rehearse , and sing how all incline . first aries shines , and as he oft doth lose his fleece , and then as frequently renews , 'twixt sudden ruin , and a fair estate he fixes the variety of fate ; he gets , then loseth , then returns to gain , then loss steals in , and empties all his pain ; he rears new lambs , he doth encrease the fold , and makes the rams to shine in native gold ; betters the wool , and whilst the subject grows he forms mens minds to use what he bestows ; to pick , to card , to spin , and weave , to deal in cloath with gain ; to buy , exchange , and sell : all useful arts , whose constant works supply mens real wants , not only luxury : this 17 pallas owns , nor doth disdain to claim arachne's conquest as her greatest fame . these are the manners , these the various arts which aries rays , and secret force imparts ; to anxious fears he troubled minds betrays and strong desires to venture all for praise . dull honest plowmen to manure the field strong taurus bears , by him the grounds are till'd : no gaudy things he breeds , no prize for worth , but blesseth earth , and brings her labour forth : he takes the yoke , nor doth the plough disdain , and teacheth farmers to manure the plain : he 's their example , when he bears the sun in his bright horns , the noble toyl's begun : the useful plowshare he retrieves from rust , nor lies at ease , and wants his strength in dust . to him the 18 curij , and to him we owe the brave serrani , he i' th' fields did rods bestow , and sent a great dictator from his plow . reserv'd , aspiring minds , limbs slow to move but strong in bulk his powerful rays improve , and on his 19 curled front sits wanton love. soft gemini to easier arts incline for softer studies fit an infant sign . they tune rough words , or they incline to sing , to stop the pipe , or strike the speaking string ; through reeds they blow the natural sound in measure , gay their delight , and e'en their pains are pleasure ; wars they avoid , old age they chace with song , and when late death o'retakes them they are young. sometimes to heaven they mount , and trace the stars , then fix in globes , or turn the signs in spheres : their wit reigns o're their nature , and refines its powers ; this is the influence of the twins . but glowing cancer ( where the summer sun with fiery chariots bounds the torrid zone , drives fiercely up , then with a bending rein sinks down , and runs in lower rounds again . ) as close in 's shell he lies , affords his aid to greedy merchants , and inclines to trade : his births shall sail , through seas and dangers tost to reap the riches of a foreign coast . what thrifty nature hath but thinly sown in many countries , they shall bring to one ; intent on gain ne're heed the poors complaint but thrive on scarcity , and live on want : for wealth undaunted gather every wind , out-sail good fame , and leave repute behind , and when their greedy hands have seiz'd the store of this , search other worlds , and seek for more . or else at home prove griping vsurers , complaining at the slowness of the years , wish swifter suns , and set too vast a rate on time it self , to raise a quick estate : their bodies shall be strong , inur'd to pain , their wits contriving , and intent on gain : what inclinations leo's rays dispense is quickly known , 't is plain to common sense , he gives his own ; for he the woods infests the mighty terror of the meaner beasts : he lives on rapine , ranges all the day , and sullenly at night groans o're his prey . hence he inclines mens minds to hunt , and fills our nobles spacious halls with grinning spoyls ; there skins and horns do spread a dismal grace , and stand as certain heraulds of their race ; this beast was mine , and that my father's game , they cry , these are the annals of their fame : that generous youth which france and spain did fear now prove the humble terror of a deer . nay some in 20 towns pursue this wild delight , there barbarous grow , and breed up beasts to fight ; then bring them out for sight in theaters , and feast their luxury with bruitish wars ; cruel in sport : their posts are grac't with spoyl , and they get shameful honour without toyl : he makes men warm , their passions quickly rais'd , like boys soon angry , and as soon appeas'd : but plain and honest all their thoughts sincere ; pure as the sun , and like the water clear . but modest virgo's rays give polisht parts , and fill mens breasts with honesty and arts ; no tricks for gain , nor love of wealth dispense , but piercing thoughts , and winning eloquence ; with words persuasive , and with rhetorick strong they rule , and are e'en monarchs by their tongue . through nature's secrets too , they boldly press , tho' deeply hid , and meet a just success ; in short-hand skill'd , where little marks comprise , whole words , a sentence in a letter lies ; and whilst obedient hands their aid afford , prevent the tongue , and fix the falling word . but bashful modesty , casts down their eyes , the best of vices , yet 't is still a vice , because it stifles , checks , or nips like frost a blooming vertue , and the fruit is lost . besides , though strange such influence should come from virgo's rays , she gives a fruitful womb. libra , whose scales , when autumn turns the signs , and ruddy bacchus treads the juicy vines ; in equal balance , poize the night and day , teach how to measure , and instruct to weigh : and rival 21 palamed , ( who numbers found , and into letters fram'd unpolisht sound ; to him the art of words , and speech we owe , till then men only spoak , but knew not how . ) besides , he 'll know the niceties of law ; what guard the good , and what the guilty awe , what vengeance wait on crimes , with skill declare , his private chamber , still shall be the bar. what he determines , that for right shall stand , as justice weigh'd her balance in his hand . this rul'd at 22 servius's birth , who first did give our laws a being , rather than revive ; the tables seem'd old , reverend senseless lines , meer waxen things , and fit to serve designs , as fools mistook , or crafty knaves would draw ; till he infus'd a soul , and made them law. bright scorpio arm'd , with poys'nous tail prepares , mens martial minds , for violence and wars ; his venom heats , and boyls their bloods to rage , and rapine spreads o're the unlucky age. yet , when the sun drives there , men tear the earth , and cast their seed to an increasing birth , as if he led mistaken men to toil , and sweat for matter for a future spoil . yet 't is not prey they seek , as much as blood , for e'en in peace they fiercely trace the wood , o're forests range , and every plain infest , now fight with man , and now engage with beast ; to please the crowd , they unprovok'd engage , and sell their lives , to the dishonest stage ; and when calm peace doth publick rest bestow , yet still to fight , each seeks himself a foe . they spend their leisure hours in fierce alarms , and all their recreation is in arms. the double centaur different tempers breeds , they break the horse , and tame the fiery steeds ; they love the sounding whip , the race , the rein , and whirl the chariot o're the dusty plain : nor is their humor to the fields confin'd , they range the woods , and tame the savage kind ; young bears they break , and tygers heats asswage , and hear young lions roaring without rage . discourse the 23 elephant , and teach the mass a mimick action , and a decent grace ; to act in plays , or raise th' unweildly load , to dance , and be the darling of the crowd . for in the frame , in double forms exprest , the man is uppermost , and rules the beast ; his bow full drawn implies , his rays impart , strength to the limbs , and vigor to the heart . quick active motions , full of warmth and heat , still pressing on , unknowing to retreat . but sacred vesta guards thy fatal fire , and thence 't is guess'd , what minds thy rays inspire , contracted goat ; by thee that art 's infus'd , which fire assists , and where a flame is us'd ; by thee the miners burn the womb of earth ; and see the place of metals fatal birth : by thee they melt ; by thee they work the mould , refine , and stamp it into mighty gold : by thee , the silver , iron , gold , and brass , the forge dissolves , and forms the easie mass : by thee , the ovens heat , and baths acquire , and happy 24 chymists blow enriching fire : thy cold ( for thou o're winter signs dost reign , pull'st back the sun , and send'st us day again ) makes brokers rich , for whilst you spread your ice , their wares go off , and they enhance the price : from thee our youth unconstant tempers prove , and eagerly pursue unlawful love , ' cause goat above ; but these the fish behind corrects in age , and fixes the soft mind . aquarius pouring out his urn , imparts an useful knowledge in resembling arts , to find out springs , and with new streams supply the barren countries , and refresh the dry ; to raise in pipes , or to extend in beams , and in high rooms imprison foreign streams ; affront the sea , for state , not use , restrain the waves with moles , and curb the raging main ; or engins raise , whence waters mount above , and mix the lower , with the higher jove . a thousand other arts , which waters sway , as channels lead , or else as pipes convey , depend upon the influence of his ray. and to his births the world oblig'd shall owe spheres , cycles , orbs , and turn new skies below . soft , easie tempers , loving coin for use , not sorbid , but inclin'd to be profuse ; not pincht , nor yet too swelling in estate ; thus flows the vrn , and fixes this for fate . last double pisces , from their shining scale , spread watry influence , and incline to sail ; to trust their lives to seas , to plow the deep , to make fit rigging , or to build a ship. in short , what e're can for a fleet be fram'd , a thousand arts , too numerous to be nam'd . beside to steer , observe the stars , and guide as they direct , and never lose the tide ; to know the coasts , the winds , the ports , and shores ; to turn the helm , or ply the bending oars ; to sweep smooth seas with nets , to drag the sand , and draw the leaping captives to the land , lay cheating wires , or with unfaithful bait , the hook conceal , and get by the deceit : to fight at sea , to stain the waves with blood , whilst war lies floating on th' unstable flood : fruitful their births , of pleasure fond , engage in love , are quick , but changing with their age. thus rule the twelve , these powers they singly own , and these would give if they could work alone . but none rules all its own degrees , they joyn their friendly forces with some other sign , as 't were compound , and equal parts receive from other signs , as they to others give : thus each hath thirty parts , and each resigns two thirds of those degrees to other signs : we call these portions ( art new words will frame , ) the tenths , 25 the number doth impose the name : so hid is truth , so many vails are spread coy nature's face , and hide her gloomy head , so many are the little niceties , so intricate , and puzling are the skies , not easie to be read by common eyes . for one appearance in another lies , conceals its powers , and acts in disguise ; and that which lurks , and subtly interferes hath different powers from that which then appears . not day , but piercing thought must clear this sky , the labour of thy mind , not of thy eye ; press bravely on , and pass the gloomy cloud , enter , and view the inside of the god ; the path is dark , and lest thy mind should stray i 'll boldly lead , and shew the nearest way ; i 'll sing what league the different parts combines , and shew how others rule in other signs . for instance , aries shakes his shining fleece , and governs the first ten of his degrees : but next the bull , and next the twins do claim the second , and third portions of the ram : thus three times ten degrees the ram divide , and he , as many others as preside in his degrees , so many fates affords his proper powers being temper'd by his lords . thus lies the ram , next view the threatning bull , his case is different , he hath none to rule : for in his first ten parts the crab's obey'd , i' th' second leo , and i' th' third the maid . yet he seems stubborn , and maintains his throne , and all their powers he mixeth with his own. the feeble twins just libra's scales possess , then scorpio , and the rest of their degrees bold sagittarius subjects to his flame , with bow full drawn , as to defend his claim . an equal share in empire all maintain , but keep not the same order in their reign . for cancer's sign , as in the goat he sways , resigns his first third portion to his rays : for when he bears the sun oppos'd in site , his day is equal to the others night : this is the reason why these two combine , and each hath the same portion in each sign . his second part the vrn with watry beams o're-flows , and pisces rule in the extreams . the lion minds his partner in the trine , and makes the ram first ruler in his sign ; and then the bull , with whom he makes a square , i' th' second reigns ; his sextile twins declare their third pretence , and rule the other share . the crab is chiefly honour'd by the maid , the first place his , and there his sway 's obey'd ; the next is leo's , and the last her own , she rules unenvy'd in her petty throne . the ram's example libra takes , and bears a likeness in this rule , as in the years ; for as he in the spring , her scales do weigh in autumn equal night with equal day : the first she rules her self , next scorpio's plac't , and sagittarius lords it o're the last : in scorpio's first degrees the goat presides , next young aquarius pours his flowing tides ; next pisces rules , for they in waves delight , the flood pursue , and claim an easie right . the grateful goat doth cancer's gift repay , his first third part resigning to his ray ; i' th' next the lion shakes his flaming manc , the last feels modest virgo's gentle rein. the young aquarius libra's scales command , restrain his youth , and check his turning hand ; the next ten parts bright scorpio's rays enjoy , then sagittarius rules the giddy boy : pisces comes last , and sheds a watry flame , its first degrees resigning to the ram : the bull 's the next , his own the last are found , content with the last portion of the round . this thing consider'd well thy mind prepares to know the secret guidance of the stars ; they interchange their powers , they mix their laws , and all agree to make one common cause ; for these divisions do unite the sky , the more they part the closer is the tye. but now , lest error should thy mind surprise , believe not the appearance of the skies ; they make a shew , they spread a glaring light to lead thee on , but never guide thee right ; let active thought assisting sense pursue goy truth 's retreat , and take an open view : what ever things are born , their minds receive the fatal temper which that sign can give that governs in the tenths , the foreign ray , tempers the mass , and forms the easie clay . a thousand reasons for this truth appear from different births belonging to one star ; of all those creatures , that at once do see the light , scarce two can perfectly agree ; but different tempers all the shapes adorn , as various as the bodies that are born : for though one chiefly rules , yet others joyn and change the proper influence of that sign : these interchanges all our thoughts distract , we think on other signs , whilst others act. thus neither singly will the ram bestow a love to cloathing , nor the bull to plough ; to hunt the lion , nor the crab to trade ; learning the twins , nor eloquence the maid ; the scales to weigh , to measure , and to gage , nor poys'nous scorpio arm unhappy rage ; the fish to sail , nor the youth's urn inspire to work in water , nor the goat in fire . but many joyn , and these mixt signs bestow mixt inclinations on the births below : a subtle and surprizing task is shown , much have i past , yet still you lead me on ; these things seem dark , whilst i the rest explore , enjoy my precepts , and complain no more . 't is god you search for , by my aid you trie to climb , and view the inside of the sky ; confin'd by fate , you search its boundless sway , and seek to know the laws you must obey : the narrow bounds of your own breast you pass , enjoy the world , and rove in the vast space : painful , but always noble things are hard , great is the task , but equal the reward : nor let the various maze thy thoughts repress , enter , and you are certain to possess . is gold thy aim ? what mighty pains attend ? mountains are level'd , and the mines descend through earth's deep center ; though she hides her store we tear her up , and reach the hidden oar : for shining gems we cut the burning zone , such dangers are the value of a stone : the fearful farmer makes his yearly vow , and pain still presseth the deceiving plow : in war no danger 's shun'd , we fight for spoyl , e'en lazy luxury leads us on to toyl ; for food● and cloaths from east to west we run , and spendchrists often sweat to be undone . are perishing goods worth so much pains and cost , hard to be got , and in injoyment lost ? then what must heaven deserve ? 26 that gold , that buys the rest , how disproportionate a price ! it asks a higher value , and to gain the god , lay out thy self , the price is man : thus fate 's dispos'd , but yet the work 's not done ; for though the powers of all the signs are known , and how they joyn , how each rules every part , the skill is small , and incompleat the art : observe the numerous parts of the degrees what heat doth scorch or what the cold doth freeze , ( unfruitful both ) where too much moisture flows , or drought doth drain , and various fates dispose : for different qualities in signs controul , there 's nought all-over-equal in the whole . for view the earth , the gliding streams , or flood , faults are on all sides , bad is mixt with good. thus barren seasons midst the best appear , and a small turn blasts all the blooming year . a port turns shelf , and the inglorious sand forfeits that praise which once its safety gain'd . now streams through plains in smooth meanders play , then roar o're rocks , and force a rugged way . such inequality above appears , and thus the sky is vary'd in the stars ; as sign from sign , so from it self the same doth disagree , and spread unequal flame ; and signs , whose sovereign influence births do find in one degree , are in the next unkind : those things these parts o're-rule , no joys shall know or little pleasure over-mixt with woe . these parts , if such can be to verse confin'd , my muse must sing , and ease my troubled mind ; for though 't is various , yet the subject's bound to words but few , and all of equal sound ; so that it must be mean , it must refuse the turn of verse , though fashion'd by a muse . and that , though labor'd , line must bald appear that brings ungrateful musick to the ear. but since i must the laws of fate rehearse the settled matter must direct my verse ; no room for fiction , i must things declare , not as they may be feign'd , but as they are . it is enough the god is barely shewn , rich in himself he shines , and great alone : nor should the world be so to words betray'd as to be thought ennobled by their aid : this spurs me on , and i forget my ease , the world must be oblig'd , and i must please ; i must , if plainly i these parts comprise ; then learn the noxious portions of the skies . the fourth , and the sixth portions of the ram are hurtful parts , and spread unlucky flame ; nor doth the seventeenth or the next display a kinder face , or shed a milder ray : the twenty first , fifth , seventh spread noxious beams the twelfth , and fourteenth leaning to extreams . the bull 's ninth portion , did the sign depend on me , should never shine upon a friend : add three to ten , or double ten and three , take two from thirty , all these parts agree ; twice twelve , and twice eleven count , and joyn the seventeenth part as noxious in this sign , nor is the thirtieth better than the rest . the twins first part doth hurtful rays dispense , nor doth their childhood prove their innocence ; they 're froward , pettish , and unus'd to smile , their third , and seventh degrees agree in ill : the fifteenth equals these , and twenty sees close on each side immoderate degrees : to twenty reckon seven , or five , or nine , and all are hurtful portions of this sign . should cancer boast a kind and gentle reign , the first , and third , and sixth would plead in vain ; the eleventh , fifteenth , and the eighth degrees , the twentieth too could hope no more success : the twenty fifth , seventh , ninth , severely sway , the seventeenth too with a malignant ray rules o're the birth , and stamps the easie clay . the flaming lion in the first we fear , nor doth the fourth a milder image bear ; the twenty second , the fifteenth , tenth presage with th' eight and twentieth an unhappy age. with hurtful powers the twenty fifth is curst , the thirtieth too as noxious as the first . the first , and the eleventh of the maid , the sixth , the fourteenth , eighteenth parts are bad : the twenty first , and fourth this sign disgrace , nor can the thirtieth shew a better face . next view the scales , the seventh , and fifth degree is bad , add eight to ten , or ten to three : to ten twice told add seven , or four , or nine , all like the thirtieth hurtful in this sign . i' th' first , third , sixth , and tenth black scorpio 's claws and in the fifteenth make malignant laws ; the twenty second , eighth , fifth , and ninth betray his poys'nous rage in an unhappy ray : would fate allow thee choice , forbear to choose the centaur's fourth degree , the eighth refuse ; the twelfth , the sixteenth , twentieth parts portend a wretched life , and an untimely end : the twenty fourth , sixth , eighth degrees molest , nor is the thirtieth better than the rest . the thirteenth of the goats contracted star , nor seventh , nor ninth shall be my earnest prayer ; nor that which twenty doth of one deprive , or three , or adding gives it six or five . to ten add one , or five , or nine , or three and you are sure to find a bad degree : add one , five , nine to twenty , hurtful streams flow from the vrn , and spread unlucky beams . the fishes close the signs , their parts confest as noxious , and as guilty as the rest ; for three , five , seven , or ten when joyn'd with seven , or one , mark hurtful portions of the heaven . five multiply'd by five is hardly clear'd , and seven to twenty added 's to be fear'd : all these are noxious portions of the sky , too hot , or cold , or else too moist , or dry. this known , the work is not compleatly done , the labours still increase as you go on ; the time makes difference , as they rise , new force they gain , and after lose it in their course . thus when the ram ascends , and proudly turns his bending backward neck before his horns to mortal eyes , the wretched births are curst with ravenous tempers , and inflam'd with lust : all modesty shall be to gold betray'd , nor parents care secure the easie maid : these tempers are his own ; as fancy leads he roves , and wantons o're the flowry meads : forward to push , and as the grass renews his wasted strength , he courts the willing ews . to travel he inclines through lands unknown , he ploughs new seas , and makes the world his own : this he prefigur'd when his back convey'd young phryxus safe , and lost the falling maid . the bulls bright part that first appears , creates vile pathicks scandals to the other fates . the cause , if it be fit to search for one when nature works , may easily be shewn ; his back-part first appears , in that he bears the narrow cloudy train of female stars : and thus the posture , and the sex combine to shew the influence of the rising sign : he bends to plow , and o're the fruitful plains the labouring ox grows fat upon his pains . but when their feet the rising twins do shew , and half appear above , half lye below , the births are happy , all their parts refind , and arts enrich the treasures of their mind ; ready their wit , persuasive is their tongue , in musick skill'd , and excellent in song : these are the powers their rising rays dispense , they wit bestow , and fix that wit with sense . when rouling cancer riseth vaild in clouds , i' th' skies as deeply hid as in the floods , the moon resembling when depriv'd of light ; the births are blind , and wish in vain for sight : by fates a verse condemn'd to double death , dead whilst alive , and buryed whilst they breath : but when the lion shews his ravenous jaws prepar'd for rapine , and unsheaths his paws , a spendthrift's born , who minds himself alone , he wrongs his father , and he cheats his son ; his race in vain with expectation wait , for in himself he buries his estate ; so vast his gluttony , his lust so wild that he devours himself , yet is not fill'd : and whilst his appetite proceeds to crave he eats his funeral , and he spends his grave . when virgo rises , ( who whilst right prevail'd rul'd here below , retreating when it fail'd ) to awful honors all the births must rise profoundly skill'd in sacred mysteries : good , pious , just , devout , unus'd to rage and great examples to the looser age : but when autumnal scales do first appear happy the birth , he shall be known from far , the glory of the bench , and of the bar ; he justest laws shall make , and life and death depend upon the issues of his breath ; him towns shall fear , the earth observe his nod , and after earth the heaven enjoy a god. thus act these signs , but scorpio's tayl displays a double influence from his forked rays ; for when that first appears , tho peaceful child shall cities raise , and be inclin'd to build ; the world shall see him with his 28 plow surround the place design'd , and mark the fatal bound ; or he shall wast what others pains did raise , where populous cities stood , there beasts shall graze , or harvests grow ; he leads to these extreams , and power agreeing waits upon his beams . bold sagittarius , when he first appears , heats the gay birth , and makes him fam'd for wars ; in triumphs great , the wonder of the crowd , by captives carry'd , he almost a god shall climb the capitol , bright fame pursue , old cities raze , or grace the earth with new : but ill succeess , ( his forehead 's wreath'd with frowns ) shall wast his fame , and blast his gather'd crowns . thus conquering hannibal , by this sign betray'd before his slight perceiv'd his wreaths to f●de , he paid for trebia's and for cannae's fame , and recompenc'd our losses by his shame . but when the narrow goat erects his tail he drives to sea , and much inclines to sail , ignoble trade then ploughs the dangerous main , and precious life is meanly stak'd for gain . the good , the pious , and the just are born when first aquarius pours out his vrn. but could i rule , could i the fates design , the rising fishes ne're should govern mine ; they give a hateful , pratling , railing tongue , still full of venom , always in the wrong ; that blows up jealousies , and heightens fears , by mutterring poys'nous whispers in mens ears . faithless the births , and full of wild desire ; their faith is treachery , and their love is fire . for when the skies grew weak , when giants strove , and snaky typhon shook the throne of jove ; fair venus fled , and in a fish's shape ( this syria knows ) secur'd her mean escape ; then did she through the scaly kind inspire new heats , and with the ocean mixt her fire . no single births , for when this sign begins , twins shall be born , or those that shall have twins . now learn what signs o're different lands controle , but first take this short figure of the whole : east , west , and north , and south , on either side , these quarters lie oppos'd , the world divide : as many winds from these four quarters flie , and fight and rattle , thro' the empty sky : rough boreas from the north , bears frost and snows , and from the east , the gentle eurus blows . wet auster from the torrid south is thrown , and pleasing zephyrus cools the setting sun. 'twixt these two other winds their seats do claim , alike in nature , different but in name . around the earth the liquid ocean plays , the ball enclosing with a soft embrace ; but yet on many parts , earth's bending sides , or open bays receive the flowing tides . the sea admitted from the western shores , doth on the right hand wash the swarthy moors ; and lybia's sands , where once great carthage stood , then o're the syrtes whirls the rapid flood ; and thence to egypt it directly flows , where what dry heaven denies , the nile bestows . the left hand sea by spain and france extends , and follows conquering italy as it bends ; till into streights the barking sylla draws , and whirls it round charybdis greedy jaws ; loos'd from these streights , the flouds spread wide again , and freely flow in the ionian main : then on the left they turn , and winding flow , fair italy surround , and drink the po. then make rough adria's gulph ; the other side illyrium washes with a gentle tide , sees epire's cliffs , and corinth's lofty towers , then winds round plain morea's open shores. thence northward into vast recesses tost the sea confines the learn'd achaia's coast : thence north and eastward the unwilling flood consin'd by streights , and stain'd with helle's blood to fam'd byzantium cuts its winding way , and joyns propontis to the euxine sea ; behind whose back the lake meotis lies receives full tanais , and the sea supplies . hence when the circling waves return again the weary sailer to the open main , he cuts th' icarian , and th' aegaean tide by asia's coasts , and wonders at their pride : and whilst the left hand course he still pursues as many trophies , as he places views ; a thousand nations , 29 taurus mount , that threats the floods , the bay that from the sea retreats parcht syria's plains , and the cilician seats , till he at last to egypt turns his oars and sees the waves dye on the swarthy shores. thus ruling nature draws her bounding lines , checks midland seas , and all their rage confines . yet midst this sea a thousand islands rise ; shap'd like a foot the low sardinia lies near lybia's shores ; trina●rid fill'd with fires , but just cut off from italy , retires , and adverse greece euboean cliffs admires . jove's birth-place crete appears , a goodly isle , and cyprus beaten by the adverse nile . a thousand lesser isles command these seas , rhodes , delos , and the equal cyclades , fam'd aulis , tenedos , and by sardinia's side lies corsica , and breaks the coming tide ; near the streight's mouth the baleares reign , and strong ebusus triumphs o're the main . ten thousand smaller rocks the waves disperse , too little to be nam'd , too mean for verse . nor doth the ocean but one single way attempt the earth , and force an open bay , it tries on every side , but mountains bound insulting billows , and preserve the ground ; for 'twixt the summer east and northern pole through narrow channels secret waters roul , till spread at last upon the open plain they make the caspian like the euxine main . southward encroaching waters doubly press , o'reflow the earth , and in a vast recess one part more east runs on , and breaks a way through persia's banks , and makes the persian bay : more west the other soft arabia beats where incense grows , and pleasing odor sweats , which sends us gums soft luxury to please , and reconcile the angry deities : strange that the same , when differently apply'd , should calm the rage of heaven , and serve our pride . this bay is call'd th' arabian gulph , the name the country gives it , and 't is great in fame . thus lie the seas ; earth midst this mighty flood contains , first africk , where proud carthage good ; once great in arms , and whose extended sway o're libya stretcht , and made the spains obey : when hannibal wrapt alban towns in flame , and eterniz'd the bloody trebia's name ; when led by fate he march'd to overcome , and pour'd his swarthy libya upon rome : when gasping consuls groan'd on every plain , and canna's fields were burd'ned with the slain . here nature angry with mankind prepares strange monsters , instruments 30 of future wars ; here snakes , those cells of poyson , take their birth , those living crimes and grievance of the earth ; fruitful in its own plagues , the desart shore hears elephants , and frightful lions roar ; serious it seems in all these monstrous shapes , but sports in the lewd limbs of mimick apes . the country's large , the barren plains extend a mighty space , and then in egypt end . thence asia spreads , a fruitful soil , the streams roul golden sand , the ocean shines with gems ; the trees drop balsom , and on all the boughs health sits , and makes it sovereign as it flows . thence india lies , a land more large than thought , the parthians oft , though not securely fought ; they flying still delude rome's firmer powers , and yet command a different world from ours . these taurus bounds , whose threatning mountains rise to awful hights , and wound the lower skies ; a thousand nations lie by tanais flood which cuts the scythia's , stain'd with humane blood ; by lake meotis , and the euxine tide which nature sets as bounds to asia's pride . europe remains , which first the beauteous load receiv'd , and where the bull confess'd the god ; hence came its name , in that the grateful jove hath eterniz'd the glory of his love : here greece is seen , with ruin'd antient troy , and shew'd what fates attend unlawful joy : a country rich in men of wondrous parts , the place of learning , and the seat of arts : here athens stands , which makes the best pretence to sovereignty in wit and eloquence : for courage sparta , and for deities fam'd thebes , whose heroes people half the skies : epirus , thessaly , whose lasting praise one single pyrrhus , and achilles raise . to these illyrium joyns , and warlike thrace , the seat of mars , and breeds a stubborn race . thence 31 germany , a mighty country runs , and wonders at the vastness of her yellow sons . thence south and westward in a fertile plain lies france , for tribute fam'd , for battels spain : but italy crowns all , whom rome hath given command of earth , and joyns 32 her self to heaven : these bounds the earth , and these the seas confine , and god allots to every part a sign ; no land is free , no stately town deny'd the kind protection of a starry guide : for as in man , the work of hands divine , each member lies allotted to a sign ; and as the body is the common care of all the signs , each limb enjoys a share : ( the ram defends the head , the neck the bull , the arms bright twins are subject to your rule ; i' th' shoulders leo , and the crab's obey'd i' th' breast , and in the guts the modest maid ; i' th' buttocks , libra , scorpio warms desires i' th' secret parts , and spreads unruly fires : the thighs , the centaur , and the goat commands the knees , and binds them up with double bands . the parted legs , in cold aquarius meet , and pisces gives protection to the feet . ) so in the greater world , the members share celestial rulers , and enjoy their care : hence different men , in different climes we view , they vary in their shape , or in their hue ; the matter 's common , and in all the same , but private stamps , distinctly mark the frame . vast yellow offsprings are the german's pride , whilst neighbouring france is not so deeply dy'd : but hotter climates narrower frames obtain , and low-built bodies are the growth of spain : hesperia mixeth sweet with many grace , and temper'd mars appears in every face : whilst active greece produceth finer parts , their looks betray their exercise and arts : short curl'd up hair the sons of syria grace , whilst ethiopia's blackness stains the face , with horrid shapes she does her sons expose , distends their swelling lips , and flats their nose : less india blackens , less it crusts the mass , and mixeth colours in the tawny face : but egypt's slimy plains affect the sight with brighter colours , and approach to white . parcht lybia burns her sons , the vilest shapes she shews , and scarce divides her men from apes : whilst mauritania doth disgust the eye , ( her name betrays it ) with the blackest dye . tho' each speech organs fram'd alike employs , how many languages confound the voice ? how different vertues reign , how different crimes ? mens manners are as various as the climes . like trees transplanted by the farmer 's toyl ; vice turns to vertue , in another soyl. tho' seed the same , yet different fruits are born , thus yellow ceres varies in her corn. nor doth the vine on every hill produce like grapes , nor bacchus press an equal juice . rich cinnamon , not every country bears , nor are all fields bedew'd with myrrha's tears . nor is this great variety exprest in man , and fruits alone , but it divides the beast : here lions roar , and there in dreadful wars the high-built elephant his castle rears ; looks down on man below , and strikes the stars as many parts , so many worlds appear , for every part is subject to a star ; they spread their influence , and the countreys pay a due compliance to the fatal ray. plac't midst the pleasing vernal signs , the ram commands the narrow streight o're which he swam ; when from the mothers rage , his fleece convey'd the brothers safe , and dropt the falling maid ; content he swam , and with his burthen pleas'd , he mourn'd his loss , and griev'd to be so eas'd : the near propontis too his beams obeys , and syria feels the influence of his rays : the loose garb'd persians , know his gentle rule , their garments bear relation to his wool : with nile that swells at fiery cancers beams , and egypt drown'd by its ore-flowing streams . cold scythia's rocks ; arabia's wealthy groves , and powerful asia , taurus empire proves , rich in their corn , and wanton in their loves . the boysterous euxine , bent like scythian bows . beneath the twins subjection gladly flows , and they of ganges infant streams dispose . the swarthy indians fiery cancer sways , his rule the blackness of their hue betrays , and ethiopia's heated with his ray. the phrygian plains the large bithynian woods the 33 servant of the mother of the gods , the lion own , the cappadocian shoar with fierce armenia , hear the lion roar. and macedon , that all the world subdu'd , submits to the great monarch of the wood. in happy rhodes the gentle maids ador'd , rhodes , the retirement of our future 34 lord : blest island truly sacred to the sun , e're since in thee the glorious coesar shone , the world 's great light , whom with expecting eyes ; mankind desires , and longs to see him rise . the dorick plains , the rich ionian towns , arcadia rival to the waining moons : with warlike caria high in antient fame owe all subjection to her modest flame . what sign , could you dispose the signs , should fall to latium's share , but that which poizeth all ; to which by nature , it must needs belong to value things , and separate right from wrong . in which the times are weigh'd , and day with night are met , the darkness equal to the light : the scales rule italy , where rome commands , and spreads its empire wide to foreign lands : they hang upon her nod , their fates are weigh'd by her , and laws are sent to be obey'd : and as her powerful favour turns the poize , how low some nation 's sink and others rise : thus guide the scales , and then to fix the doom , they gave us 35 caesar , founder of our rome . the following sign rules carthage conquer'd towers , subject they lie , to scorpio's scaly powers ; with lybia's sand , and egypt's fruitful soil , the slimy 36 gift of the o're-flowing nile . large bounds , but yet too narrow to confine the vast ambition of this craving sign ; he claims the isles of the italian main , and low sardinia's subject to his reign . to crete the centaur makes an hateful claim , and still keeps up the memory of its shame : it bore a centaur once , and that confines the isle to the same figure in the signs : to him their skill and darts , the cretans owe , and imitate the sureness of his bow. trinacria follows , crete's example draws her sister isle , and yields it to his laws ; and latium's shores , which narrow friths disjoyn , here baffle nature , and in him combine , nor would be differenc'd by another sign . the west , and northern parts , rich france and spain , contracted goat , are subject to thy reign , and germany , since 37 varus stain'd thy shore , a seat for beasts , and fit for man no more : this monstrous sign hath variously engrost , ( he rules at sea and land ) thy doubtful coast , now earth appearing , now in water lost . but young aquarius with his watry fires , from egypt to the clydae isles retires ; the stout cilicians , and the neighbouring plain with sailing tyre are subject to his reign . when heaven grew weak , and a successful fight the giants rais'd , and gods were sav'd by flight ; from snaky typhon's arms , a fishe's shape sav'd venus , and secur'd her from a rape : euphrates hid her , and from thence his streams owe all obedience to the fish's beams . wide parthia's plains confin'd by mighty rocks , the nations round , long bent unto its yokes with tigris streams , the red-sea's shining shores are subject to the heavenly fish's powers . thus earth's divided , these the signs that sway its portions , and the parts their beams obey ; these signs the tempers of their empires show , the parts above , directing those below , their powers infuse : and thus as ruling signs are now oppos'd , and now agree in trines , or other site maintain , which site directs their fatal influence , various in effects ; so towns with towns , and roaring seas with seas , and land with land , or differs or agrees . and as these signs direct , so men should choose this town , this country , or that seat refuse ; here hate expect , there surest friendship prove , as heaven directs , and stars decree above . but now attend , for signs eccliptick claim thy care , and learn the reason of the name : for some , as weary'd in their tedious race , grow restiff , dull , nor keep their usual pace . nor is this strange , for through the mighty frame there 's nothing that continues still the same : as years wheel round , a change must needs ensue , things lose their former state , and take a new . now tir'd with births , the fields refuse to bear , now unmanur'd , prevent the tiller's care . dilated vapours tear the solid earth , strong the convulsions at the fatal birth ; vast mountains sink : and now his large command ▪ neptune extends , and seas o're-spread the land , contemning shores : thus were the towns o're-flow'd when mankind's single heir deu●alion stood on steep parnassus , to repair the stock , the spacious world possessing in one rock . and when bold phaeton , with unequal force the chariot fill'd , and drove the flaming horse ; the earth took fire , heaven saw the stars recoil , and frighted nature fear'd one common pile . so much as years roul round , the mighty frame is chang'd , yet still returns to be the same : and so the stars , whilst they revolve their course , now lose their power , and now regain their force . the reason's plain , for when depriv'd of light , the moon ecclipst , lies vail'd in sudden night ; whilst hindring earth diverts her brother's ray , these signs eccliptick feel the same decay ; they feeble grow , they hang their bending head , and mourn , and pine , as if the moon were dead . now signs eccliptick ( see the name betray unusual languor , and a weak decay , ) grow weak by pavis , and those not neighbouring signs , but opposite ; for thus our art defines , because the moon then only feels decay , when opposite unto her brother's ray. nor is this languor , nor these times of grief alike to all , fome quickly find relief ; some languish long , and e're their mourning 's done , the sun goes round , and all the year is run . but when their grief is o're , the next in turn begin to languish , and prepare to mourn ; the next in turn , that are in order plac't on either side , the two that languish't last : to speak distinctly , 38 those two signs that view and leave the earth before the former two . not that the earth doth noxious powers dispense , or subject heaven to its dull influence ; but since the world turns round , the orb obeys , and signs abate the vigour of their rays , not by earth's influence , but by their place . but what avail my songs , if all refuse the profer'd aid of my obliging muse ? if puny fear forbids our hopes to rise , to enter boldly , and enjoy the skies ? what nature hides , ( for thus objections teach ) is deeply hid , too deep for man to reach . vast the recess ! though stubborn fate should reign , and we know this , yet all the search were vain , since none can find the links that make the chain . fond mortals ! why should we our selves abuse ? nor use those powers which god permits to use ? basely detract from the celestial mind , and close our eyes , endeavouring to be blind ? we see the skies , then why should we despair to know the fatal office of each star ? to open nature , to unvail her face , go in , and tread the order of the maze ? why should we not employ the gifts bestow'd by heaven , in knowing the kind author of the good ? our work grows short , we may surround the ball , make the whole world our own , and live in all : through what remains , we now with ease may pierce , take , and enjoy the captive universe : our parent nature we , her parts , descry , and heaven-born souls affect their father skie : for who can doubt that god resides in man , that souls from heaven descend , and when the chain of life is broke , return to heaven again ? as in the greater world aspiring flame , earth , water , air , make the material frame ; but through these members a commanding soul infus'd , directs the motions of the whole ; so 't is in man , the lesser world , the case is clay , unactive , and an earthly mass ; bloods circling streams the purple soul convey , the ruling mind uniting to the clay : then who can wonder that the world is known so well by man , since he himself is one ? the same composure in his form is shew'd , and man 's the little image of the god. now other creatures view , how mean their birth , the rubbish , and the burdens of the earth : some hang in air , some float upon the waves , born for our use , and bred to be our slaves . all their enjoyments are confin'd to sense , the easie works of wary providence . but since they reason want , their tongues are mute , how mean , how low a creature is a brute ? no mysteries disclos'd , commend their parts , nor are they subjects capable of arts ; how hard the labour , yet how often vain to bring them foolishly to ape a man ? but ruling man extends his larger sway beyond himself , and makes the world obey ; wild beasts are tam'd , the fields are forc't to bear , and recompence the labours of the share . in vain the sea disjoyns the distant shores , his sails the winds command , the floods his ores . alone erect his form doth nobly rise , up to the stars he lifts his starry eyes , and takes a nearer prospect of the skies : he searches jove , and whilst his thoughts do trace his kindred stars , in them he finds his race . no outside knowledge fills his vast desires , the more he riseth , he the more aspires . we think it reason that in augury we should on birds , and slaughter'd beasts rely ; and can the fates be less in stars exprest , than in a bird , or entrails of a beast ? when god his mind in meaner things declares , should he neglect the glory of the stars ? besides , the world is eager to be known , our search provoking still ; for rouling on it shews us all its parts , displays its light , and constantly intrudes upon our sight : his face unvail'd , god doth so plainly shew , that if we will but look , we needs must know : he draws our eyes , nor doth our search forbid ; what powers he hides not , he would not have hid : then who can think it impiously bold to search what we 're encourag'd to behold ? nor think thy force too small , too weak thy mind because to clay unequally confin'd ; its power is wondrous great ; how small a mass of gold or gems , exceeds vast heaps of brass ? how little is the apple of the eye ? and yet at once , he takes in half the sky : nor dreads the disproportion to the sense , the organ small , the object is immense : and from the narrow limits of the heart , the active soul doth vigorous life impart to all the limbs , its sway the members own , wide is its empire from its petty throne . man know thy powers , and not observe thy size , thy noble power in piercing reason lies , and reason conquers all , and rules the skies . nor must you vainly doubt that man 's allow'd to know heaven's mind , since man can make a god : a star 39 new rais'd , the skie enlarg'd contains , and heaven must still encrease whilst caesar reigns . the end of the fourth book . notes . 1 the poet did not think of the palladium as scaliger imagines , but only of the fire at troy , which parted to let aeneas go through with his father , and his household gods. 2 manilius makes only short reflections on history , and therefore is frequently obscure : he says here , that it was impossible one single aeneas should have rais'd the glory and reputation of ruin'd troy , and made it then conquer , when it was overthrown , by building rome which subdu'd the whole world ; for rome rose out of the ruins of troy ; unless some over-ruling power and fate had ordain'd it should be so . 3 romulus and remus , the founders of rome , were but shepherds . 4 i chuse to read auxissent culmina rather than vexissent , or duxissent fulmina , and render culmina a cottage . 5 if manilius be suppos'd to keep the order of time in his historical reflections , i must own i have not hit his meaning in this place ; for no doubt he had an eye upon the wars between the sabines and romulus : but then i cannot imagine what those words captus & à captis orbis foret mean : i cannot think with scaliger and huetius that he runs back to troy , which he had left several verses before , and therefore apply this passage to the taking and burning of rome , and the besieging the capitol by the gauls : and 't is certain the poet in his following reflections neglects the order of time very much . 6 the stories of mutius scaevola , horatius cocles , the virgin claelia , and the combat between the three horatij on the roman , and the three curiatij on the alban side , are well known . 8 short reflections on the great accidents in the second and third carthaginian wars , together with the death of hannibal . 9 he goes on with the roman history , the unaccountable fortunes of the great marius . 10 pompey the great , was a very notable example of the variety of fortune , being on a sudden rais'd to the highest , and as soon thrown down to the lowest condition in the world. 11 cum jam etiam posses alium cognoscere magnum : i hope i have given this verse a better sense , than the other interpreters have done . 12 caesar is said to be sprung from heaven , because he was descended from aeneas the son of venus : after his murther an unusual star appear'd , which the flatterers of augustus said was the soul of his father caesar . 13 the poet closeth his examples with reflections on the overthrow of croesus , the famous wealthy king of lydia , who was taken by cyrus ; on the wretched condition to which old priam was reduc't ; on the unaccountable overthrow of xerxes ; on the advancement of servius tullus , who was the son of a bond-woman , and yet came to be king of rome , and on the conduct of metellus , who broke into the temple of vesta when it was on fire , and brought out the image of the goddess . 14 — mortes seque ipsae rursus fugiunt , errantque per ignes . 15 to reconcile the different interpreters , i have hinted at both paris , ( or rather hercules ) and leander . 16 furius camillus was the restorer of rome , after it had been taken and burnt by the gauls : of the family of the decij there were three , who voluntarily devoted themselves to death , for the good and prosperity of their country : cato vticensis , who kill'd himself that he might not survive the liberty of rome . 17 alluding to the tryal of skill between pallas and arachne , describ'd by ovid , in the sixth book of his metamorphosis . 18 m. curius dentatus and serranus were both fetcht from the plough , to command the roman armies , fought bravely , and triumpht . 19 for this the poets fancy'd to be the bull that carry'd europa into crete . 20 scaliger thinks manilius means such as keep beasts for publick shews , and to fight in the theaters ; and this interpretation i rather follow than that of huetius , who fancies the poet means by this pompous description no more than innocent , honest butchers . 21 palamedes is said to be the first man amongst the greeks , who invented cyphers , and taught men to cast account : i have enlarg'd his character , and taken notice of his invention of letters . 22 servius sulpitius , the great lawyer , and acquaintance of cicero . 23 of the docility of elephants , we meet with numerous examples : seneca mentions one , that play'd at ball : another , that would dance on a rope , &c. the travellers in the east are full of strange stories concerning those animals ; and lipsius in his epistles , will furnish any man with more stories than he will readily believe . 24. if alchymy was more antient than manilius , as huetius himself grants , i see no reason why the poet might not speak of the alchymists : the interpretation i have given , i am sure , sounds better than that of huetius . 25 the tenths : this is a new word , but answers to decanica in manilius : decanica signifies ten degrees , and the decanus is lord of ten degrees : the several lords are these , in aries aries taurus gemini in taurus cancer leo virgo in gemini libra scorpius sagittar . in cancer capricor . aquarius pisces in leo aries taurus gemini in virgo cancer leo virgo in libra libra scorpius sagittar . in scorpius capricor . aquarius pisces in sagittar . aries taurus gemini in capricor . cancer leo virgo in aquarius libra scorpius sagittar . in pisces aries taurus pisces 26 quantum est quo veniat omne , i have follow'd the interpretation of scaliger ; but do not reject the opinion of huetius : though of less force than scaliger's . 27 the hurtful degrees . in aries 4. 6. 12. 14. 17. 18. 21. 25. 27. in taurus 9. 13. 17. 22. 24. 26. 28. 30. in gemini 1. 3. 7. 15. 19. 21. 25. 27. 29. in cancer 1. 3. 6. 8. 11. 15. 17. 20. 25. 27. 29. in leo 1. 4. 10. 15. 22. 25. 28. 30. in virgo 1. 6. 11. 14. 18. 21. 24. 30. in libra 5. 7. 13. 18. 24. 27. 29. 30. in scorpio 1. 3. 6. 10. 15. 22. 25. 28. 29. in sagittar . 4. 8. 12. 16. 20. 24. 26. 28. 30. in capric . 7. 9. 13. 17. 19. 25. 26. in aquarius 11. 13. 15. 19. 21. 25. 29. in pisces 3. 5. 17. 11. 17. 25. 27. 28 alluding to the custom of the romans , who , when they design'd to build a city , took a plow ▪ and made furrow a where the walls were to stand . 29 vossius , in his observations on catullus , p. 204. reads , — taurumque minantem fluctibus . — 30 pyrrhus made use both of elephants and snakes , in his wars against the romans . 31 germany , which comprehends all the northern tract of land beyond thrace . 32 rome had temples dedicated to her , and was look'd upon to be a goddess . 33 the poets feign'd that cybele , the mother of the gods , rode in a chariot drawn by two lions . 34 tiberius being under the displeasure of augustus , was sent to the island rhodes , and liv'd there some time . 35 vossius out of his ancient manuscript reads , qua genitus caesarque meus qui hanc condidit urbem . 36 i know donata regna may bear another sense , but this will do as well . 37 whom ▪ in the time of agustus , the germans destroy'd , and cut off all the legions he commanded . 38 thus when aries and libra are eccliptick , the two next eccliptick are pisces and virgo . 39 alluding to julius caesar , deify'd by augustus . manilius . the fifth book . having explain'd the general influence of the twelve signs of the zodiack , and given a particular account of their interchanges with one another , and how they incline when they rise ; after a short preface , in which he magnifies his own industry , and unweary'd diligence in this subject : he goes on , 1. to shew what constellations rise with the several degrees of the twelve signs , and then what tempers they bestow , and to what studies they incline : for instance , 2. the northern rudder of the ship , riseth with the fourth degree of aries , and those that are then born , shall be inclin'd to sail , and prove good pilots : 3. orion riseth with the same degree of aries , and those that are born under his influence , shall be men of busie , active tempers , solicitors , cringing parasites and flatterers : 4. heniochus or the driver , riseth with the fifteenth degree of aries , and makes charioteers , horse-racers , and men skill'd in all sorts of horseman-ship : 5. with the twentieth degree of aries , the hoedi or the kids rise , and those , being wanton stars , produce nothing that is vertuous or noble : their births are wanton , light , and lustful , and never couragious , but in pursuit of some shameful lewd pleasure ; some of their births , are peculiarly delighted in feeding and keeping goats : 7. with the twenty-seventh degree of aries , rise the hyades : and their births are always turbulent and seditious , prone to factions , restless phanaticks , or else , they give their minds to country affairs , feed cattle , or turn waggoners : 7. with the thirtieth degree of aries , the goat riseth ; and those that are born under that influence , shall be fearful , jealous , suspicious , and inconstant , or else inclin'd to travel : 8. he says the pleiades rise with the sixth degree of taurus ; and the men that are then born , shall be gay , and humorous , witty , but too effeminate and soft , minding nothing but dress , gate , and love : 9. the hare riseth with the seventh degree of gemini or the twins ; and her births are active and nimble , fit for all sports , all feats of activity , and slight of hand : 10. the asses rise with the first degree of cancer ; and those that are born under their influence , shall be employ'd in all sorts of hunting and fishing : 11. with the twenty-seventh degree of cancer , procyon or the little dog rises , and that produceth such as weave nets , make spears , and all other instruments of huntsmen : 12. the great dog riseth with leo , and being himself a constellation of excessive heat ; those that are born under his influence , shall be full of passion , hate , jealousie , and ungovernable suspicion , and given to excess in wine ; their heat shall lead them on to to dangers , and engage them to hunt wild beasts . 13. with the last degree of leo , the bowl appears , and inclines to plant and dress vines ; the births shall be somewhat intemperate , inclin'd to merchandise , and to trade in those commodities , which cannot be brought to perfection without moisture : 14. with the fifteenth degree of virgo , the crown of ariadne riseth , and then the births shall be florists ; they shall delight in making and perfuming garlands , be gay ; amorous , and affect neatness in their habit. 15. the sheaf riseth with the tenth degree of virgo , and inclines men to look after corn , to build barns , to grind and bake grain , and make it useful : 16. with the eighth degree of libra , the arrow rises , and then are born expert darters , and good bow-men , such as philoctetes , teucer , and alcon . 17. the goat or hoedus , riseth with some part of libra , and produceth tempers quick and active , fit for business , and covetous of employment : somewhat loose , but honest to their country , and enemies to knaves . 18. the harp rising with some part of libra , breeds songsters and musicians ; such as affect to sing in company , and are always humming to themselves . 19. the altar rising with the eighth degree of scorpio , breeds priests , servants in temples , and such as take care of and consult oracles . 20. the southern centaur rising with the twelfth degree of scorpio , breeds horse-men , charioteers , and farriers . 21. with the fifth degree of sagittarius , arcturus appears , and breeds collectors of customs , treasurers for kings , or stewards for private mens estates . 22. with the thirtieth degree of sagittarius , the swan rises ; and then are born all kinds of fowlers ▪ such as teach birds to speak , to sing , or to decoy , &c. all their employments shall be about birds . 23. with some part of capricon , ophieuchus , or the snake-holder riseth , and produceth such as are skill'd in during poison'd persons , and such as cannot be poison'd themselves . 24. with the last degrees of capricorn , the southern fish rising , breeds anglers , divers , fishers for pearls , &c. or at least , traders for fish and pearls . 25. with some part of capricorn the harp , ( or rather the strings of it , for of the shell manilius hath already spoken ) riseth , and produceth subtle accusers , justices that shall examine nicely , and determine justly ; or such as shall torture , and force the guilty to confession . 26. with some degree of capricon , the dolphin riseth , and breeds all sorts of swimmers , such as are nimble and active , and perform feats of activity , either in the water , or on land. 27. cepheus rising with some degree of aquarius , breeds men of morose tempers , such as are design'd for guardians , or tutors , tragick poets , and sometimes comedians , stage-players , pantomimes , and all sorts of actors . 28. with , the twelfth degree of aquarius , the eagle riseth , and breeds men of the most violent tempers , head-strong , and bloody , greedy of spoyl , and destroying every thing that opposeth them ; under-officers in an army , and ▪ armor-bearers to a general . 29. cassiopeia rising with the twentieth degree of aquarius , breeds founders in metals , goldsmiths , jewellers , &c. 30. with the twelfth degree of pisces , andromeda riseth , and breeds goalers , and all sorts of exceutioners , cruel , pitiless and bloody . 31. with the twenty-first degree of pisces , the horse riseth , and breeds strong , vigorous , active men , excellent horsemen , either for the race or war , farriers , and physitians 32. with the thirtieth degree of pisces , the kneeling constellation , or hercules appears ; and his births are lewd , treacherous villains , given to no useful arts , at best juglers and rope-dancers . 33. with the same degree of pisces , the whale riseth , and produceth fishers , fishmongers , makers of salt , &c. 34. the bears ( manilius tells us , what he means by their rising ) are joyn'd with leo and scorpio , and breed such as are employ'd in breeding beasts , and particularly bears . 35. there follows a fragment , in which the poet treats of the several magnitudes or sizes of the stars , that make up the several constellations . it is confess'd that manilius shews no great exactness in the astronomical part of this book ▪ but the astrology is perfect and , may for the most part be apply'd to the most correct astronomy . here at the signs , those paths of yearly light , weak minds would stop ; nor dare a farther flight : but through the planets orbs would take their course at one full stoop from heaven , and mark their force ; what mercury design'd , what mars did dare , or luna thought on in her gloomy care : what sol would work , how saturn look'd on jove , and venus manag'd her intriegue of love : no farther would their feeble thoughts aspire , and other stars had roul'd unheeded fire . but since i 'm once on wing , and rais'd on high , i 'll boldly soar , and compass all the sky ; i 'll visit every star , and strive to know their proper powers , and how they rule below : avoid no labour , and no toyl refuse , whilst constant industry can aid my muse . here vast orion heaven's great part , the streams , whose spacious windings mix agreeing beams ; the hero's ship which now midst stars doth sail , the frightful centaur , and the gaping whale , the dog , whose fires o're all the world are rould , the watchful keeper of the growing gold ; and heaven 's high altar grac't with gifts invite my eager muse to take a larger flight . there where the serpent twines betwixt the bears , where rouls the driver , and still minds his cares : where slow bootes drives his lingring teams , or ariadne's crown spreads heavenly beams : where perseus soars with gorgon's spoyls above , and weilds his fauchion to secure his love : where wretched cepheus and his wife beside the fair andromeda still curse their pride ; or where 1 oppos'd the scaly dolphin lies to the swift shaft , or where the eagle flies , or starry horse still runs , my muse must move , and boldly visit every star above . these i must sing , their proper powers explain , how when they rise , how when they set they reign : and what degrees they claim from every sign , and what extend their force , and what confine : for when the world was fram'd , the mighty cause these powers bestow'd , and did enact these laws ; how signs should singly work , how stars agree , and settled all things by a firm decree . first golden aries shines , ( who whilst he swam lost part of 's freight , and gave the sea a name : whose 2 skin destroy'd himself , whose golden spoyl forc't fierce medea , from her native soyl ; then magick arts to cholchis shores confin'd first sail'd abroad , and poyson swell'd the wind : ) and now as victor o're the conquer'd deep he keeps his power , and still commands the ship : for when the 3 northern rudder rears its flame , and in the fourth degree , first joyns the ram : who ever 's born , shall be to sail inclin'd , he 'll plow the ocean , and he 'll tempt the wind ; he o're the seas shall love , or fame pursue ; and other months , another 4 phasis view : fixt to the rudder , he shall boldly steer , and pass those rocks which 5 tiphys us'd to fear . had no such births been born troy's walls had stood , no 6 wind-bound navy , bought a gale with blood ; no 7 xerxes persia o're the ocean roul'd , dug a new sea , nor yet confin'd an old . no athens sunk by 8 syracusian shores , nor lybia's seas been choakt with punick oars , nor had the world in doubt at actium stood , nor 9 heaven 's great fortune floated on the flood : such births as these their hopes to seas resign , ships spread their sails , and distant nations joyn , the world divided , mutual wants invite to close again ; and friendly ships unite . but when orion on the left doth rise , orion 10 the large portion of the skies ; at whose appearance day the night invades , and frighted darkness folds her gloomy shades : one fit for business , quick of mind is wrought , of body nimble , and of active thought : as if he were the 11 people , all the town he shall inhabit , every house his own : and one salute , when 12 morning peeps , extend through every street , to all a common friend . but when the ram first shews thrice five degrees , the driver rears his chariot from the seas ; and climbs that steep , whence blustering boreas brings his north-east blasts , and shakes their freezing wings . he keeps his old concern , and thence bestows those various arts which here on earth he chose . to drive the 13 chariot , to direct the course , and hang with forward lashes on the horse ; now press directly , now wheel nimbly round , out-strip the wind , nor raise the dusty ground ; or cross athwart , and force the rest to yield , disperse the crowd , and clear the gapeing field : and tho' outstript , yet scorn to stoop to fear , but , drive on hope , and leave behind despair . or midst the race from 14 horse to horse to leap , sport o're their backs , and fix the dangerous step : or singly mounted break the foaming jaws , throw ▪ well the dart , and force a just applause . hence influenc't at his birth 15 salmoneus strove to vye with lightning , and to rival jove ; his brazen bridge , and chariots fiercely hurl'd must roar like thunder , and must shake the world. vain the attempt : but yet his pride was high , and now he thought he had brought down the sky : proudly he rode , but winged bolts pursue , and his feign'd thunder's noise provok'd the true ; he fell , and by his sad example shew'd 't was fate for man , to be esteem'd a god. the fam'd bellerophon first view'd the light when this appear'd , and took his aery flight : o're seas and land he fled , and first began through pathless skies , a way unknown to man. but when the ram twice ten degrees doth shew , where on the right rough boreas tempests blow ; the kids appear : but never hope to find severe in manners , nor correct in mind their births ; from them no censuring catos come to settle vertue , and adorn their rome . no temperate scipio's , whose obliging charms the spaniards conquer'd , and excell'd their arms : too great a work for them , their rays inspire soft love , then heat that love to fierce desire : still urging on , they boyl that lust to rage , and lust , not courage , make the youth engage : by death bafe pleasure is ignobly bought , and the misfortune hightned by the fault : by them are some to keeping goats inclin'd , the kids being always mindful of their kind : thence goatherds rise , whose pipes in every vale soft love inspire , and tell the moving tale. but when the ram hath doubled ten degrees , and joyn'd seven more , then rise the hyades ; whose births delight in tumults , hate soft peace , seditions seek , and live averse to ease : the desks the 17 gracchi , souldiers crowd the town they love to see , and scorn the peaceful gown . they seek contention , and when none appears they heighten jealousies , and nourish fears . or meanly bent , they o're the fruitful plain their cattel feed , or drive the lazy wain : such minds these give , such tempers these bestow , curst influence ! rais'd too high , or bent too low . but when the ram hath trebled ten degrees , shines all above , excluded all from seas ; the goat ( whose bruitish dugs did once improve the mighty babe , and nurst the growing jove ; who gave him strength to thunder ) first appears , breeds timorous births , and fills their breasts with fears . on slight occasions , they with doubts are curst , suspicious , jealous , fearing still the worst . or travellers bent on foreign lands they breed ; thus o're the rocks goats wander as they feed : now seek this plain , and then as fast pursue what tempts their sight , leave old , and seize the new . thus far the ram's concern'd , and next the bull joyns other stars , and varies in its rule : for mounting upward in his backward rise when six degrees appear , and grace the skies , he shews the pleiades : whose rays incline to joys of venus , and the charms of wine : feasts their delight , where witty biting drolls raise mirth , and health swims round in flowing bowls . such are these stars gay births ; their face , their dress they chiefly mind , and 't is their work to please : offended with their sex , their manly hair with pumice kill , and curse those limbs that bear . female they seem ; now borrow'd curls must raise their heads , and love must play in every maze : now gems must bind them up , now loose behind their locks must flow , and wanton in the wind : affected in their gate , grow fops by rule , and with great study , finish nature's fool. yet high ambition , and a thirst to please ( the name of vertue covers the disease : ) still fire their breasts , nor from their souls remove , they would not only love , but would be known to love. the twins succeed , and when their seventh degree swims rising o're the surface of the sea ; the hare appears , whose active rays supply a nimble force , and hardly wings deny : the whirlbats falling blow they nimbly shun ; and win the race , e're they begin to run . let feasts unbend the clowns , let labour yield to sport and mirth , and pastime crown the field ; none give so sure , and none avoid the fall so well ; or catch and turn the flying ball. to vigorous stroak their active arms command , or with their foot supply the place of hand . or when in sport they shall the 18 balls divide from hand to hand , and toss on every side ; now throw the flying globes , and now retain , or play them back upon themselves again : now back , now forward , round , and every way o're all their limbs the active balls shall play , as taught to know their meaning , and obey . whilst crowds admire , and think the constant cares of art effect what is the work of stars . wak't whilst asleep , they tame by active pleasure their growing troubles , and sports employ their leisure . thus those agree . and next my songs comprise stars near the crab , with whom the asses rise : then births appear , whose skill infests the woods , lay snares for beasts ; nor do they spare the floods : on all they prey , they boldly search the caves ; nor are the fish secure in deepest waves : then 19 meleager rose , whose fatal brand , and life too wasted in his mother's hand ; unhappy noble youth ! who must attone her wretched brothers slaughter by thy own ! half bury'd whilst alive ! whom love betray'd to give the hero's honors to the maid ; to rob thy jealous uncles of their fame , and by their death secure the beauty's claim . then atalante rose , who prest for fame through thickest woods , and saw and overcame ; her dart first reacht the boar , and wan the prize , she conquer'd with her arrow , and her eyes ; the monster groan'd , and meleager found as much disquiet , and as deep a wound . some pitch strong nets , and some the woods surround with 20 fear of death , or slip the faithful hound : some dig the treacherous pits , some spread the toyls , or hunt with spears , and grace their house with spoyls . another puts to sea , infests the lakes , draws monstrous fish , and starts at what he takes . whilst some through nets the wandring waters strein , their game they follow thro' the pathless main , where no scent lies , yet seldom hunt in vain . as if the earth were not profusely stor'd , they fly to seas , they search what floods afford , and nereus from his waves supplies the glutton's board : but when the crab hath doubled tèn degrees , and rear'd seven more , bright procyon leaves the seas : his influence mean ; but tho' his feeble flame no hunters breeds , yet it supports the game : inclines to weave strong nets , to train the hound , to know the breed , and to improve the sound . to shave the spear , and follow every trade , that love of sport , and hope of gain persuade . but when the lion's gaping jaws aspire , the dog appears , and foams unruly fire . in caves scorcht neptune mourns contracted floods , herbs dye , and beauteous greenness leaves the woods ; to other climates beasts and birds retire , and feverish nature burns in her own fire . so vast the heat , such flames increase the sun , as if all heaven 's great fires were joyn'd in one . air 's turn'd to dust , the earth's low entrails burn , and dying nature fears one common urn. when this appears , his rising beams presage ungovern'd fury , and unruly rage ; a flaming anger , universal hate with jealousie make up his births unhappy fate : each little cause doth scorching thoughts inspire , their soul 's inflam'd , and words break out in fire : yet crowd so fast , they justle as they rise , and part flies out in sparkles through their eyes . their tongue 's on foam , and with their teeth they break their words , and bark when they design to speak . besides , excess in wine inflames their fire , and bacchus makes their fury blaze the higher . they fear no rocks , nor woods , but love to gore the furious lion , and the foaming boar ; they dread no beasts , but with blind warmth engage , and to their natural strength infuse their rage : nor is it strange that from his beams should rise such tempers ; for above through yielding skies averse to peace , he cuts his furious way , and hunts the hare , intent upon his prey . the lion mounts , and with his last the bowl studded with stars comes up , and cheers the pole : and then who e're are born , their minds incline to water meadows , and to dress the vine . to hills , lakes ; rivers : to what e're produce the generous liquor , and improve the juice : now bridegroom elms they shall in order place , and bring the blushing brides to their embrace ; entwine their boughs : or when the stock 's display'd without support , nor needs a foreign aid , in branches lead it ; and uncurious grown trust reeling bacchus to himself alone . or from the stock , the hopeful tendrils tear , plant them anew , and teach the twigs to bear . use all improving ways that art hath sought , by long experience , or wise nature taught : when ripe their bowls the generous wine shall crown , soften their cares , and all their wishes drown ; they largely shall enjoy their fruits , nor spare the pleasing recompences of their care : happy this state ; but stars still force them on , and urge their greedy minds to be undone : for corn , and foreign stores which moisture yields , they 'll plow the ocean , and forsake their fields till tost by storms , they midst the waves resign their baffled hopes : and thus the bowl inclines . next shines the maid , and when the maid ascends thrice five degrees , the glorious crown attends . the crown , since theseus first his faith betray'd , the monument of the forsaken maid : they give soft arts , for here the virgin shines , and there the virgin 's crown , and each combines soft beams agreeing in the same designs . births influenc'd then shall raise fine beds of flowers , and twine their creeping jasmine round their bowers ; the lillies , violets in banks dispose , the purple poppy , and the blushing rose : for pleasure shades their rising mounts shall yield ▪ and real figures paint the gawdy field : or they shall wreath their flowers , their sweets entwine , to grace their mistress , or to crown their wine ▪ the odors fair arabia's groves dispense sovereign for health , or grateful to the sense , shall bath these wreaths ; for when the sweets unite , the new adultery heightens the delight . besides they 'll study neatness , learn to dress , affected grow , and think it art to please : the present pleasures court , and gay desires ; for this the virgin 's age ; and this the crown requires . when with her tenth degree , the sheaf appears , shews her full corn , and shakes her loaden ears : the fields may fear , for those that shall be born shall plough the ground , and be intent on corn : they 'll trust their seed to clods , whose large produce shall yield the sum , and give increase by vse . build barns for grain , for nature those contrives , and in the ear it self a pattern gives ; in that the corn lies safe , her laws ordain a proper different cell for every grain : how blest the world , had this been only known , had gold lain hid , and corn been born alone ! then men were rich , when they could want suffice , and knew no baits for lust , and avarice . yet had they still employ'd their cares on corn alone , those arts would have been slowly born , which make grain useful , and for common good grind , mould , and bake , and work it up to food . now southward bend , and see in southern skies with libra's eighth degree the arrow rise : their beams are strong : they curious arts bestow , to dart the javelin , and to draw the bow ; or sling the bullet ; from the lofty clouds swift birds shall drop , nor shall the deepest floods secure their fish : but both shall surely feel the fatal force of the unerring steel : what powerful stars but these drew here below brave 21 philoctete's and sure 22 teucer's bow ? one hector's flames repell'd , the angry fire did fear his shafts , and sullenly retire ; the other bore troy's fate , more dreadful far , he sate exil'd , than all the greeks in war. he own'd those stars , 23 who when the serpent lay twin'd round his child , and suckt the bleeding prey ; ventur'd to shoot : the pious arrow fled as sent by fate , and pierc'd the dragon's head : to be a father then was art , and love by stars unaided , had but vainly strove ; they drew the bow , restor'd the flying breath to the lost boy , and wak'd the youth from death . but when the heedless goat 24 exalts his beard , alone , as stragling from the other herd ; then tempers quick , and piercing minds are wrought , with cares unweary'd , and of active thought : they scorn that rest , which private minds enjoy , but fawn upon the crowd , and court employ ; that 's their delight , and they 're enlarg'd by fate to serve the many , and be slaves of state. whilst they survive , smooth knaves shall fear to cheat in hopes of scapeing , or of grownig great ; they shall espouse their injur'd country's cause , and be severe , yet not exceed the laws ; imprison cheats , or else with rigorous fines break their estates , and curb their lewd designs . happy this temper , would they still pursue these useful pleasures , and affect the true ; but they 'll from business , and from court retire , ( loose are their words , and looser their desire ; ) lewd love and wine indulge , and wast their age in mimick dancing , or affect the stage . next shines the harp , and through the liquid skies the shell as lightest , first begins to rise ; this when sweet orpheus struck , to listning rocks he senses gave , and ears to wither'd oaks ; parch'd pluto's 25 cheeks grew moist , and death resign'd her spoil , and unrelenting fates grew kind . these skill in musick , and in songs impart ; how sound is vary'd into notes by art their births shall know : their mouths shall pipes inspire with voice ; their hands shall strike the speaking lyre : at merry feasts they shall the guests delight , smooth wine with songs , and stay the flying night . nay e'en when troubles , and when cares oppress , their mournful lays , shall give their sorrows ease . low murmurs shall employ their warbling tongue , and their own ears shall always hear a song : below fierce scorpio , when his eighth degree appears , the altar riseth from the sea : no lightning arm'd jove's hand , no thunder roard till here as priest he stood , and first ador'd ; then powers unknown assisted , clouds did swell with fire , and the devoted giants fell : and who should then be born , but those that wait on sacred temples , and converse with fate ? that hymn in holy quires , know what 's to come , are almost gods , and can dispose of doom ? with twelve degrees the centaur's form appears , and gives a temper from the shape he bears ; for he that then is born , and feels his force , shall harness mules , or he shall drive the horse ; or he shall proudly mount the ratling car , or arm the steed , and lead him forth to war ; or he shall study what disease infests , and ease apply to uncomplaining beasts ; or he shall keep them sound , his art be shown in sure prevention , nor expect a groan . next sagittarius mounts with threatning bow , whose fifth degree doth bright arcturus show : and he that then is born shall ne're be poor , to him rich fortune shall entrust her store ; king's treasures he shall keep , and reign alone , whilst those sit only higher in the throne : or if a private house confine his care , blest he shall live , and see the thriving heir in wealth increast ; or he shall still defend the people's right , and be a common friend . but when this centaur hath advanc'd his fire thrice ten degrees , and shews his horse entire ; the swan displays his wings ; and then by fate the birds for an enployment , and estate are given to every birth : nor can the skies make better claim to every fowl that flies ; and hence to seize their own , they oft declare against the sky it self an open war ; they take them flying , or they set their toyls on boughs or fields , and catch the feather'd spoils . sometimes besiege their nestswith treach'rous reed , or draw the net , and take them whilst they feed : thus luxury toyls ; bold luxury ventures far to foreign lands , and travels more than war : numidia's plains , and cholcos woods afford delicious tribute to the glutton's board . or nature's stubborn laws their art shall break , enlarge converse , and teach the birds to speak . the 26 swan still shrouds a god , 't is more than fowl , the feather'd part confines a noble soul ; and when cold death comes on , the god dilates his powers , and softly murmurs o're his fates . or they on doves shall all their cares employ , to make them thrive , or teach them to decoy , or carry messages ; the birds convey their masters orders , nor mistake their way : they know this star , and they this influence own , who carry sportive birds about the town ; who with one sparrow wretched life maintain ; these are his powers , and thus inclines the swan . when ophieuchus mounts , and joyns the goat , those that are born shall live an antidote to strongest poyson ; they may safely take the frightful serpent , and the venom'd snake into their bosom : whilst the monster 's cling about their bodies kils their fiercest sting . when the south fish doth leave the floods , and rise to airy seats , and swims in liquid skies ; those that are born in every shore shall lay their lines and hooks , and catch the hanging prey ; no fish in their own shells shall safely live by nature fortify'd , whilst these can dive , all shall be dar'd ; and they immerst shall rove thro' depths , despair'd , and lost to those above ; till with their dancing prey they mount again ; so small is the reward of all this pain ! or fish for pearls , for avarice cheats the mind by valuing things not for their worth , but kind . vile shells , which nature midst the floods hath laid , asham'd of the mean work that she hath made ; when drawn up hither equal provinces ; nor can the land now bear the riches of the seas : such are the tempers , and success that waits on these stars influence , and compleats their fates . or free from danger they incline to gain by merchandise , what others get by pain . before i sung the harp's commanding powers , and taught the influence of its fatal hours ; back to the same my muse doth now retire , pleas'd with the sounding vertues of the lyre : for when its gay harmonious strings appear , let sin grow pale , and villains learn to fear : for subtle judges , whose demands shall draw pale sculking guilt within the reach of law , shall then be born ; or else the births shall dare to screw the rack , and make the wretch his sin declare ; steel'd against pity , and averse to spare . all pains inflict , be cruel without hate , and make stern justice wield the sword of fate : or if soft methods can prevail , the cause they gravely shall determine by the laws : as wisdom gave the sentence , strife shall cease , both sides be pleas'd , at least consent to peace . but when the dolphin's fires begin to rise with stars like scales , and swim in liquid skies ; it shall be doubtful which shall most command the inclination for the sea or land : both shall conspire , and in one mass combind , now this way draw , now that way force the mind : for as the dolphin mounts , now dives again , now turns , now leaps , and figures all the main : so those that shall be born shall now divide with wide stretcht arms , and beat the swelling tide ; now thrust them downward , and with secret oars their bodies row , and visit foreign shores ; now tread the water , with their feet maintain themselves erect , and wade the deepest main , as t' were a shallow ; like the firmest field , the floods shall bear them , and refuse to yield : now on their backs or sides securely keep one constant place , and lie upon the deep : no oar to boy them up ; but floods forget their natural yielding , and sustain the weight : or they shall dive , through boundless oceans go , and visit nereus , and the nymphs below ; or take up shipwracks , merchants spoils restore , and rob the greedy ocean of its oar. to these joyn those , who from an 27 engine tost pierce through the air , and in the clouds are lost ; or poize on timber , where by turns they rise and sink , and mount each other to the skies : or leap through fire , and fall on hardest ground as on soft seas , unhurt , and safe from wound : tho' void of wings , their bodies boldly rear , and imitate their dolphin in the air. or if they want the skill , yet nature's part perform'd , they shall be nimble without art : not run , but rather fly , be swiftly born o're fields of wheat , nor bend the standing corn. when with aquarius cepheus mounts , require no sportive tempers from so grave a fire : but stiff , morose , severe , affected fools , with looks as starcht , and heavy as their souls : whose guardian 's roughness , or an uncle's force praise , and in cato's sentences discourse : design'd for tutors , whom the noble heir , altho' he keeps them , shall be forc'd to fear ; shrink at their nods , and of their looks afraid , worship th' imperious idol he hath made . or tragick poets ; those whose style must slay in paper , and be barbarous in a play : who must kill heroes to delight the crowd , and seek to please with horror , and with blood : antigone 28 must fall the tyrant's spoil , and brothers disagree upon their pile : thyestes eat his babes , the sun retire , and jealous rage the mad medea fire ; her father , brother , sons must murder'd lie , whilst dragons bear her through the guilty sky : or she must youth renew ; such themes as these shall raise their thoughts , and make them strive to please . but then if softer themes their fancies move in comedy , the heated youth shall love ; the maid be stoln , the witty slave defeat the covetous father , and enjoy the cheat. thus fam'd 29 menander in immortal rhymes exposeth humour and instructs the times ; nature to him her parts might safely trust , his words expressive , and his thoughts were just ; and when he copy'd her , she hardly knew her own original ; he wrought so true . but if unequal to a poet's rage they cannot write , yet they shall serve the stage . their graceful action and their voice shall raise the native value of another's plays ; the school's simplicity , the court's address , the souldier's huff so decently express ; as if they acted not another's part ; and all was simple nature , and not art. in one short view they shall present to sight whole crowds , make kings engage , and armies fight : before the pleas'd spectators troy shall lye in ruins , and the wretched priam dye . but now the eagle must my songs employ , he shines upon the left hand of the boy , whom first from earth he did to skies convey , and now with wide stretcht wings hovers o're his prey . this bird , the armour-bearer of the skies , brings back thrown thunder , jove with arms supplies , and with the youth 's twelfth part begins to rise . and then shall spring a violent ravenous brood , eager to rob , and purchase spoil with blood : on men and beasts with equal lust they seize , nor make a difference between war and peace . their friends and enemies alike they awe , they every thing to wild contention draw , their will their ruler , and their sword their law. but if their violence aright they place , their vice turns vertue ; conquer'd spoils shall grace their happy country ; when in arms they dare , success shall wait , and victory crown their war. but since the eagle is employ'd above not to throw thunder , but to wait on jove , and bring him arms , they hope in vain to bear the highest office , and command in war ; they must be meaner , equal to their star : wait on a general , bear his ponderous shield , and serve him bravely in the dangerous field . when mourning cassiopeia , grac'd with stars , upon the left hand of the youth appears , and joins twice ten degrees , her beams impart in metals skill , and fill the births with art : the precious matter they shall nobly mold , and raise the native value of the gold ; hence shine our temples , and our roman jove fills here a heaven as bright as that above ; happy this art employ'd on things divine , to frame a statue , or adorn a shrine ; but now how low her head she strives to hide , whilst chain'd to luxury , and a slave to pride ! now precious metals common roofs enfold , rival the temples , and we feast in gold. but great augustus doth its state maintain , shews its old worth , and makes it rise again ; his temples shine , and now such works are wrought as mithridates lost when sylla fought ; the sun 's outshone , and caesar's glorious gems excel the native lustre of his beams : and hence with joy we view that wondrous prize , the monuments of 30 pompey's victories ; though those did first a lust for gems inspire , which still burns new , and spreads a growing fire ; the ornaments of kings now serve to grace a shape , and raise the value of a face ; now neck , feet , hands are deckt , and every dress shines with the spoils of groaning provinces ; yet 't is the ladies sign , their wants supply'd advance its worth , they love what decks their pride : lest want of matter should the work restrain , the art grow idle , and the sign be vain , by the same powers are wretched men decoy'd to dig for oar , and work to be employ'd ; to turn the globe to search where metals breed , and see young gold first blushing in its seed ; harmless it lies , 'till the mistaken worth deludes poor man , and brings the monster forth . and lest temptations too obscure should lye , too far remov'd from every common eye , mixt with the sands they shine on every shore , these he shall gather , and extract the oar , or dive for jewels , and , intent on gain , pierce thro the floods , and search the deepest main ; draw gold and silver from the waves embrace , and work them singly , and adorn the mass ; or in electrum both ignobly join : these are the powers and tempers of this sign . next shines andromeda ; she leaves the sea , and on the right joins pisces twelfth degree . bright she appears , and gay with sparkling fires , as when young perseus first felt warm desires . unhappy maid ! expos'd to rage divine , a faultless victim for her mother's sin : when seas let loose o'reflow'd the fruitful plain , and earth now fear'd its ruin from the main ; nought could appease , but to the injur'd flood the maid resign'd , to quench its rage with blood. this was her bridal , in her robes of state ; but not provided for so sad a fate , glorious she lookt , and like the setting sun , greater , tho not so sierce , her beauty shone . no joyful torch its ominous flames did spread , no vows were heard to crown her fruitful bed ; but groans and tears , e're death pronounc'd her doom the maid was born alive to her own tomb. hence fly my muse , and on the naked shore leave the poor maid , and dare to look no more ; 't will melt thy song to turn again to view , the weeping parents bid their last adieu ; to see her fetter'd , and expos'd to pain , design'd by nature for another chain : to see her hang on rocks , and by her side grim death appear , and point to the swoln tide . yet turn , and view how she her shape retains , how fair she looks , and glorious in her chains : with what becoming fear her flowing vest forsakes her limbs , and leaves her naked breast : what hidden beauties are expos'd to sight , like lightning glare , but must be lost in night . by her the halcyons mourn'd , and round the coast , that so much beauty should in vain be lost , the nymphs repin'd ; and nereis from the deep bewail'd her fate , and did consent to weep : the gentle breeze that fann'd her golden locks , turn'd into sighs , and murmur'd to the rocks : all nature seem'd concern'd , despairing grief was general , but too weak to yield relief . then perseus , glorious with the gorgon's spoil , by love directed to a nobler toil , kind fortune brought ; and at the wondrous sight he checkt his horse , and stopt his airy flight ; his hand scarce held his spoil , medusa's eyes he bore , but now grew stiff at this surprise ; the chains that held her , and the burth'ned stone he happy call'd , and envy'd joys unknown . amaz'd a while he hung , her form survey'd , then heard the story from the weeping maid ; streight in his breast high generous thoughts were bred , to spoil the ocean to adorn his bed : and should a thousand frightful gorgons rise ; he would oppose them for so vast a prize : fixt on these thoughts he leaves the mournful shore , her parents chears , and bids them weep no more , for aid was come : and their consent desir'd was granted soon , and nobler warmth inspir'd . back he returns : now teeming seas did roar , waves fled the monster , and o'reflow'd the shore ; high rais'd his head , he spouts the floods around , all nereus ecchoes , and the shores resound : wide gapes his mouth , and as on a vast rock dasht on each tooth the foaming billows broke : his winding tail o're half the main was spread , the ocean groan'd , rocks fear'd , and mountains fled : unhappy maid ! though such an aid was near , what was thy mind , and how surpris'd with fear ? how pale thy look ? and how thy spirit fled in a deep sigh , and hover'd round thy head ? how bloodless all thy limbs , when from deep caves the monster rush'd , and bore the foaming waves and fate along ? and all design'd for thee a prey how little , for so vast a sea ! but perseus nimble aid descends , and hides the gorgon's fauchion in his scaly sides ; he twists upon the wound , then strives to rear his head , and shoots up forward thro the air : perseus retires , and still deludes his foe , hangs in the sky , and aims a surer blow : he presses on , and casts his jaws around , bites at the air , but bites without a wound . then tosses seas to heaven , spouts purple floods at his high ●oe , and drowns him in the clouds . the maid beheld this fight , and , grateful grown , fear'd for his danger , but forgot her own ; doubtful which way the various fate inclin'd , in body less suspended than in mind : her doubt not long ; for now success did prove the great advantage , and the force of love ; the monster groan'd , and from his wounds there flow'd a mighty stream , and stain'd the seas with blood. down deep he sinks , but soon he floats again , and his vast carcass covers all the main ; breathless he lay , yet then his shape did fright ; tho dead , he was too dreadful for her sight . now big with conquest , from the cleansing flood bright perseus rose , and more august he stood ; then to the rocks with eager haste he flies , unbinds the virgin , and enjoys the prize . and thence andromeda now shines a star , the cause , and the reward of such a war , as freed the ocean , and restor'd the main to neptune's sway , and fixt him in his reign . and he that sees her rising beams , shall draw the sword of justice , and shall smite by law ; dungeons shall be , and whips and racks his care , steel'd against pity , and averse to spare . at his stern feet shall wretched wives complain , and weeping mothers tell their grief in vain : though late at night to kiss a parting son , and draw his flying soul into his own ; a father sues , in unrelenting ears his prayers are lost , nor shall he yield to tears . or lean pale hangmen shall her beams create , those solemn murderers and salves to fate : who on the curses of the pitying crowd ignobly thrive , and live on shedding blood. but he that sees her chain'd to rocks , shall find a meaner fortune , though as fierce a mind ; a goaler he shall be , secure for pains poor slaves , and be a 31 partner of their chains . with pisces twenty first degree to fly the horse begins , and beats the yielding sky ; his births shall health , and vigorous strength enjoy , for action quick , and nimble for employ . they in thick rounds shall rein the manag'd steed , or sweep the plain , deceiving with their speed : or proudly mounted they shall boldly dare heroick acts , and lead the crowd to war : or else be nimble messengers , and move with greater swiftness than a flying dove ; send both with like advice , the one shall bring returns , whilst t'other lags with lazy wing . or they shall study herbs , and strength impart to beasts , and e'en to man enlarge their art. but now go on ; with pisces last degrees , the humble constellation on his knees o' th' right appears : and those that then are born no vertuous powers , nor useful arts adorn , but they 're for treachery , mischief , spoil design'd , guilt 's in their looks and rapine in their mind . or if to arts he shall incline the breed , such , where the danger doth the skill exceed , they chiefly follow ; 't is their only scope to mount a precipice , or dance a rope ; tread 32. airy steps , and whilst thro clouds they reel , draw up the crowd , and hang them at their heel . but on the left is open'd to our view the whale , who now doth thro the skies pursue with eager haste , as thro' the injur'd flood the fair andromeda , and still thirsts for blood. and he that then is born shall be inclin'd to spoil the sea , and kill the scaly kind , no fish shall swim secure whilst nets can sweep the troubled ocean , and confine the deep : those that but now could wanton or'e the main shall lye fast bound , and wonder at their chain ; till with a touch he shall the cords command , and draw the dancing captives to the land. or whilst he shoals expects e'en midst the flood destroy , and stain the ocean with their blood. yet then his works not cease , or pains decay , his various arts encreasing with his prey : for on the shore he shall his spoil divide for different uses . this when lightly dry'd is better meat ; and that when moist is good , whilst other parts are hardned into food . could gluttons see , they would not bear the sight of preparations for their appetite , whilst blood and guts in a polluted mass lye mixt , and are corrupted into sauce ; till all in filthy gore distils to treat the fashionable palate of the great . or if to meaner arts his thoughts encline , then salt's his care ; he shall the floods confine in narrow pitts , and to the beams expose , till what was liquid now a solid grows , then lay the crusted froth with careful hand in heaps , and cleanse it , and divide the sand. and thus the brackish and unwholesom flood proves vital salt , and poyson 's turn'd to food . the great and lesser bear which still maintain one constant round , and never touch the main , scarce know a rise ; yet when each front appears , take that to be the rising of the bears . the first with leo , and the last is join'd with scorpio , and prove friendly to their kind . for those that then are born to beasts shall bear kind tempers , and oblige them by their care ; give law to lions , with a panther play , teach tigers peace , and make a wolf obey ; maintain converse , and give them arts unknown , and such as nature never thought her own . but yet their thoughts to bears shall most incline , and there improve the kindred of their sign . or ride the elephant , his bulk command , and make the monster tremble at their wand . base the submission , where such strength in vain possess 't must tamely yield to feeble man : the third siz'd stars the pleiad's form do grace , they shine with virgin blushes in their face : four in the dolphin are observ'd to rise , and in deltoton three of equal size : the same the eagle , and the bear display , nor can the draco boast a greater ray ; of size the fourth and fifth securely take a measure from the others of the snake . but yet the greatest part we spare to note , too small to be discern'd , or too remote : these lye obscure , and seldom spread their light , but when the moon 's withdrawn to lower night , when great orion from the skies retires , plunges in waves , and quenches his bright fires ; or when gay phoebus doth his sway resign to shades , then they have a short leave to shine , then heaven with little lights is spangled o're , that not the sand upon the crooked shore , that not the billows in tempestuous floods , that not the leaves when autumn shakes the woods , can equal the great train ; they all surmount , e'en number is too short for the account . and as in cities , where in ranks decreed first 33 nobels go , and then the knights succeed , the next in order may the people claim ; the rabble next , a croud without a name : so is the heaven by different ranks possest ; some like the nobles with more rays are drest , some shine with less , the numerous crowd with least : were these endow'd with a proportion'd heat , were they in power , as they 're in number great ; they long ago must have dissolv'd the frame , nor could the world have born so fierce a flame . the end of the fifth book . notes . 1. — celerique sagittaè delphinus certans — we may read , — celerique sagitta delphinus certans — and interpret the words , not as others do , the dolphin seated opposite to the arrow : but the dolphin of equal swiftness with the arrow . 2. the ram having a golden fleece , as the poets fancy'd , the king of jolcos kill'd him that he might enjoy the treasure , and jason being sent to fetch this golden fleece carried away medea the king's daughter . 3. the ship hath two rudders , a northern , and a southern rudder . 4. a river of jolchos , whither jason with the argonauts first sailed . 5. typhis , the pilot to the argonauts , who in his voyage steer'd thro' the dangerous moving rocks called the symplegadae . 6. the graecian navy lay wind-bound till iphigenia was sacrificed , and appeased the anger of diana . 7. vossius , in his observations on catullus , reads — invehet undis persida — the expression is bold , and therefore proper for the poet . that xerxes dug a new channel , and made a bridge over the hellespont , are known stories . 8. manilius mentions several notable defeats at sea , such was that of the athenians near syracuse , which brought the athenians very low : such were those of the carthaginians by the romans : and that of antony by augustus near actium . 9. heavens great fortune : because the conquerour was to be deify'd . 10. orion is a very large and bright constellation , and deserves this pompous description . 11. instar erit populi : this is one of manilius's bold expressions , which my english cannot reach . 12. alluding to the officious salutations , which the clients amongst the romans carried early every morning to their patrons . 13. manilius is very accurate in describing the particular niceties observ'd in the roman racing : those are not now observ'd amongst us , and therefore we must be content with such expressions as our language will afford . 14. an exercise much us'd amongst the romans ; the horse-man rode one horse , and led another , and in the midst of the race would throw himself on the led horse , and so back again as often as he was required ; or else would stand upon the horses back , and in that posture ride the course . 15. salmoneus built a bridge of brass , and driving chariots over it fancy'd he thundred : this he did to procure himself divine honours , but was kill'd by a thunder-bolt for his impious attempt . 16. the poets fancy'd bellerophon rode upon the flying horse pegasus . 17. a family amongst the romans , famous for their seditious harangues , which they made to the people of rome out of the desks , or rostra , standing in the market place . 18. amongst the romans one man would take several balls , and toss them , sometimes behind , and sometimes before , now on this hand , and now on the other , so that some of them should be always up in the air : and this feat of activity manilius describes . 19. the story of meleager runs thus : at his birth his mother heard one of the destinies say , the child should live till the stick that then lay in the fire was burnt : the mother snatch'd the stick out of the fire , and perserv'd it . when meleager was grown a man , he with a great many others went to hunt a wild bore ; at the same time atalante a nymph of extraordinary beauty came into the field , and had the good fortune to wound the bore first : meleager fell in love with atalante , and having kill'd the bore presented the head to her : his two uncles who were present at the hunting thought themselves injur'd , and would not suffer a woman to carry off their spoil . meleager in defence of atalante kills his two uncles : meleager's mother , to revenge the death of her two brothers , puts the stick into the fire , as that burnt meleager wasted . 20. formidine mortis : huetius reads formidine pennae : for when they hunted , they us'd to see stakes in the ground , to which they ty'd feathers which frighted the deer , and made them keep within that compass , or take that way the hunters thought most convenient for their sport . 21. philoctetes was servant to hercules , and when hercules burnt himself , he left his bow and arrows to philoctetes : without these arrows troy could not be taken : now it happened that philoctetes , either by a contrivance of vlysses , or because , being wounded by one of the poisoned arrows , he became offensive to the grecian camp , was sent away to lemnos : but the siege going on slowly , he was fetcht back again : with his arrows he killed the chiefest of the remaining commanders , and so troy was taken . 22. teucer was brother to ajax , and he with his bow beat back hector when he came to burn the grecian navy . 23. the following verses relate to alcon the cretan , who shot a snake that lay twisted round the head of his son , and did not touch the boy . 24. this goat or hoedus scaliger could not find , but huetius says , the single hoedus is put by manilius for those two haedi that are in the left hand of heniochus , or the driver . thus horace . — archeri cadentis impetus , aut orientis hoedi , and propertius purus & orion , purus & hoedus erit . 25. the poets fancy'd orpheus went down to hell , charm'd pluto and the destinies , and brought back his wife eurydice . 26. alluding to the fable , which says jupiter courted leda in the shape of a swan . 27. several feats of activity amongst the romans , in which they equall'd if not excell'd all the following ages . 28. the common subjects upon which sophocles , euripides , and other tragaedians amongst the ancients wrote their plays . 29. a fam'd comedian , who flourish'd in the hundred and fourteenth olympiad . 30. pompey having conquered mithridates , brought to rome more valuable jewels than ever had been seen there : and from that time , as pliny in the first chapter of his 37th . book complains , the romans began to value and admire jewels . 31. the romans did not only put notorious malefactors in chains , but likewise chained them to their keepers ; and this custom the poet hints at . 32. vossius out of his ancient manuscript reads , et coeli meditatus iter vestigia perdet , et perna pendens populum suspendet ab ipsa . 33. these were the several orders in the roman common-wealth . finis . index . a. astronomy , its rise and progress , part 1. p. 3. axis of the world , part 1. p. 13. plague of athens , part 1. p. 34. aspects , part 1. p. 60. aspects friendly and unfriendly , part 1. p. 74. aries's influence , part 2. p. 9. et 24. aquarius's influence , part 2. p. 15. et 27. astronomy to be studied , part 2. p. 39. aries's influence when join'd with other constellations , part 2. p. 56. aquarius's influence when joyn'd with other constellations , part 2. p. 72. the fable of andromeda , part 2. p. 76. c. northern constellations , part 1. p. 14. southern constellations , part 1. p. 17. figures of the constellations not real , part 1. p. 20. northern polar circle , part 1. p. 24. tropical circle of cancer , part 1. p. 24. equinoctial circle , part 1. p. 24. tropick of capricorn , part 1. p. 24. southern polar circle , part 1. p. 25. the colures , part 1. p. 25. comets presage , part 1. p. 34. chaldeans refuted , part 1. p. 106. and 110. cancer's influence , part 2. p. 11 et 25. capricorn's influence , part 2. p. 14. et 27. countries govern'd by particular signs , part 2. p. 36. the influence of cancer join'd with other constellations , part 2. p. 61. capricorn's influence when join'd with other constellations , part 2. p. 70. d dodecatemorion , part 1. p. 76. dodecatemoria of the planets , part 1. p. 77. day births , part 1. p. 104. bad and good degrees of signs , part 2. p. 21. e. earth the center of the vniverse , part 1. p. 9. earth round , part 1. p. 10. geographical description of the earth , part 2. p. 28. eccliptick signs , part 2. p. 38. f. friendship , part 1. p. 72. fortune's lot , part 1. p. 103. fate , part 2. p. 4. g. guardians of the signs , part 1. p. 66. gemini's influence , part 2. p. 10. et 25. the influence of gemini when join'd with other constellations , part 2. p. 60. h. horizon , part 1. p. 26. influence of the heavens , part 1. p. 51. signs hear and see , love and hate each other , part 1. p. 67. the celestial houses , part 1. p. 80. horoscope , part 1. p. 105. hours various , part 1. p. 106. l. twelve lots of the twelve signs , part 1. p. 99. leo's influence , part 2. p. 11. et 26. libra's influence , part 2. p. 13. et 26. leo's influence when join'd with other constellations , part 2. p. 63. libra's influence when join'd with other constellations , part 2. p. 66. m. meridian part 1. p. 26. milky way , part 1. p. 27. various opinions about the milky way , part 1. pag. 29. meteors , part 1. p. 32. the several magnitudes of the stars , p. 2. p. 82. n. night births , part 1. p. 104. p. southern pole like the northern , part 1. pag. 19. providence asserted against epicurus , part 1. pag. 21. planets , part 1. pag. 32. pisces's influence , part 2. p. 15. & 27. pisces influence joyn'd with other constellations , part 2. pag. 76. q. quadrates , part 1. pag. 61. s. soul of the world , part 1. p. 12. & 51. the several kinds or sorts of signs , part 1. p. 55. sextiles , part 1. p. 63. stadia , part 1. p. 108 , the several positions of the sphere , part 1. p. 110. scorpio's influence , part 2. p. 13. et 26. sagittarius influence , part 2. p. 14. et 27. sagittarius influence when join'd with other constellations , part 2. p. 69. scorpio's influence when join'd with other constellations , part 2. p. 68. t. trines part 1. p. 60. taurus's influence , part 2. p , 10. et 25. tenths , or lords of the signs , part 2. p. 16. the influence of taurus join'd with other constellations , part 2. p. 60. v. virgo's influence , part 2. p. 12. et 26. virgo's influence when join'd with other constellations , part 2. p. 65. w. different opinions about the beginning of the world , part 1. p. 7. the order of the world , part 1. p. 8. the bigness of the world , part 1. p. 23. the world animate , part 1. p. 51. winds cardinal and collateral , part . 2. p. 28. z. signs of the zodiack , part 1. p. 13. zodiack , part 1. p. 27. errata . part i. pag. 5. lin . 7. read lookt . pag. 12. l. 2. r. feet . p. 15. l. 27. r. stretch . p. 16. l. 33. r. the tempests . p. 19. l. 15. r. their starry . p. 24 l. 15. r. light. l. 18. r. summer's solstice . l. 22. r. sees . p. 46. l. 19. r. fayus . p. 47. last line r. world. p. 49. l. 6. r. preside . p. 51. l. 22. r. purle . p. 53. l. 2. r. draws . p. 59. l. 13. r. cretan . p. 65. l. 31. r. times . p. 66. l. 17. r. to more . p. 70. l. 16. r. then . p. 75. l. 26. r. which , and marks . p. 76. l. 21. r. which . p. 77. l. 10. r. twelfth . p. 82. l. 32. r. point . p. 83. l. 6. r. influence . p. 84. l. 6. read typhoeus . l. 16. r. t is . p. 86. l. 17. r. the. p. 97. l. 9. r. sells . p. 100. l. 27. r. speeds . p. 104. l. 4. r. unfold . p. 107. l. 23. r. carr. p. 109. l. 8. r. do equal . p. 110. l. 26. r. site . p. 114. in the margin blot out the trine . l. 24. r. regularly . p. 116. l. 13. r. longest . p. 119. l. 15. r. she . p. 121. l. 28. r. fails . p. 124. l. 8. r. is . part ii. pag. 4. lin . 24. read marius . p. 8. l. 10. r. enlarge . l. 19. r. successes . p. 10. l. 18. r. wasts . p. 16. l. 28. r. o're-spread . p. 17. l. 2. r. in a disguise . p. 26. l. 3. r. averse . p. 31. l. 2. r. stood . p. 32. l. 7. r. which . p. 33. l. 21. r. manly , l. 28. r. flats . p. 39. l. 7. r. pairs . p. 55. l. 9. r. carr. l. 30. r. carrs . p. 59. l. 6. r. makes . p. 67. l. 18. r. growing . p. 70. l. 18. r. kiss . p. 72. l. 33. r. who . p. 83. l. 22. r. nor . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a51767-e230 1 vid. not. ad lucianum . 2 by scaliger and huetius . 3 nat. hist . lib. 36. cap. 10. 4 gerbertus rhemensis bishop of ravenna , and afterward pope of rome , epist . 130. age verò , te solo conscio , ex tuis sumptibus fac mihi scribantur marcus manilius de astrologia , victorinus de rhetorica , &c. 5 de ponto , lib. 4. ep. 16. 6 this huetius affirms , but is undoubtedly mistaken . 7 ovid. ibid. 8 aptaque venanti gratius arma dedit . ovid. ibid. 9 instit . lib. 10. cap. 1. 1 instit . lib. 1. cap. 10. 2 praef. 3 lib. de poet. hist . dial . 4. 4 lib. 1. v. 7. 5 lib. 1. v. 10. 6 lib. 1. v. 906. 7 lib. 1. v. 918. 8 lib. 4. v. 763. 9 lib. 1. v. 896. 1 lib. 1. v. 912. 2 not. in lib. 6. lucretij . 3 de arte gram. lib. 2. cap. 26. 4 lib. de poet. lat. 5 phys . sect. 2. lib. 6. cap. 2. ptolomaeus , firmicus , manilius primarij hujus artis script●res . vid. etiam p. 717. & pag. 740. 6 vid. cambd. epist . p. 260. 7 vid. not. in statij . lib. 3. syl. carm. 3. 8 his electa were almost finisht a. d. 1618. vid. cambd. epist . p. 259. 9 de praestantia & vsu numismatum . pag. 643. 1 cod. theod. l. 38. t. 1. de decur . 2 not. ad manil. 3 sal. de an. climact . p. 560. 4 not. ad lib. 4. v. 298. 5 lib. de poet. 3. dial. 4. 6 scal. proleg . in manilium . p. 3. 7 praef. ad not. 8 not. ad aug. script . 9 vid. not. in manil. 1 de poet. lat. 2 the editor of manilius in usum delphini . 3 de mallii theod. consul . v. 251. 4 ibid. 274. 5 ibid. v. 126. 6 ibid. v. 332. 7 ibid ! v. 84. ibid. v. 65. 8 ibid. v. 253. 9 ibid. v. 101. 1 lib. 1. v. 7. 2 lib. 1. v. 9. et 924. 3 lib. 2. v. 509. 4 car. lib. 1. od. 2. hic ames dici pater atque princeps . 5 virg. ec. 1. et georg. 1. 6 〈…〉 aug. cap. 94. 7 de num. herod . p. 9. 8 proleg . in manil. p. 2. 9 vid. sir edward shirburn's preface to the sphere of manilius . 1 de poet. lat. 2 hist . com. tom. 1. 3 vid salmatium ad solinum , p. 4 vid plin. nat. hist . lib. 10. cap. 2. 5 de ling. lat. lib. 4. et 6. 6 sir edward shirburn's pref . 7 lib. 3. v. 22. 8 lib. 3. v. 21. 9 lib. 4. v. 761. 1 dion cassius , p. 634. 2 vell. paterculus , lib. 2. cap. 99. 3 lib. 1. v. 894. 4 dion cassius , lib. 56. 5 lib. 4. v. 40. 6 lib. 4. v. 764. 7 lib. 2. cap. 99. 8 lib. 4. v. 7●5 . 9 italia summà , quam rerum maxima roma imposuit terris , coeloque adjungitur ipsa . lib. 4. v. 692. 1 lib. 36. cap. 10. notes for div a51767-e7840 the subject of the poem . the invocation . the difficulty . i. the rise and progress of astronomy , ii. different opinions about the beginning of the world. iii. the order of the frame . iv. the earth lies in the midst of the world. v. the earth is round . first argument . second argument . vi. god the soul of the world. vii . the signs of the zodiack . viii . the axis . ix . the great bear. the little bear. the serpent . hercules . bootes . arcturus . the crown . the harp. ophiuchus . the swan . the arrow . the eagle . the dolphin . the horse . andromeda . perseus . the triangle . cepheus and cassiopcia . heniochus . the hoedi . the goat . the pleiades and hyades . x. orion . the dog-star . procyon . the hare . argo . the serpent . the crow . the cup. the altar . the whale . the southern fish . the flouds . the southern pole. xi . the figures of the constellations onely fansied . xii . providence against the epicureans . xiii . the bigness of the world. xiv . the northern polar circle . the tropical circle of cancer , or summer solstice . the equinoctial . the tropick of capricorn . the southern polar circle . the colure . the aequinoctial colure . the solsticial colure . the meridian . the horizon . the zodiack . xv. the milky way . various opinions about the milky way . xvi . the planets . xvii . meteors . several sorts of meteors . stella crinita . barbara ▪ trabs . pithetes . bostruchias . lampadias . stipulae ardentes . stella cadens . acontiae . different opinions about meteors . comets presage . the plague of athens . wars . notes for div a51767-e29170 homer . homer . hesiod . eratosthenes . theocritus . macer . nicander . some old poet who describ'd hell. 1. the world an animal , and god the soul of it . 2. the influence of the heavens . 3. 4. male and female signs . 5. humane and brute signs . 6. single and double signs . 7. pairs . 8. double signs of different species . 9. double signs by place . 10 signs of natural or unnatural postures . 11 day signs and night signs . 12 earth and water signs . 13 fruitful and barren signs . 14 signs of different postures . 15 maimed and intire signs . 16 season signs . 17 the various configurations or aspects . see fig. 1. 18 trines . 19 quadrates . see fig. 2. 20 cautions concerning squares and trines . 21. the intercourse of trines and squares . see fig. 3. 22. of sentiles see fig. 4. 23. of contiguous signs . 24. of vnequal signs . see fig. 4. 25. of opposites . see fig. 4. 26. the guardians of the signs . 27. signs for the several parts of the body . 28. signs that see , hear , love , or hate . see fig. 5. 6 , 7 , and 8. 29. a short digression concerning friendship . 30. the friendly and unfriendly aspects . see fig. 1. trines . see fig. 1. 31. dedecatemorion . 32. the dodecatemoria of the planets . xxxiii . the celestial houses . the hinges . see fig. 10. the medium coeli . the imum coeli . the horoscope . or eastern point . the western point . the intermediate spacers . see fig. 9. the twelfth and sixth houses . see fig 9th . the second and eighth houses . see fig. 9th . the eleventh house see fig. 9th . the fifth house . see fig. 9th . the third and ninth houses . see fig. 9. the ninth house . the third house . the tenth house . see fig. 9. the fourth house . see fig. 9. the first house . see fig. 9. the seventh house . notes for div a51767-e58300 1. 2. the twelve lots of the twelve signs . 3. first lot. vid. fig. 11 second lot. third lot. fourth lot. fifth lot. sixth lot. seventh lot. eighth lot. ninth lot. tenth lot. eleventh lot. twelfth lot. iv. how the lots are to be suited to the signs . when the birth belongs to day . when to night . v. how to find the horoscope vi. the chaldaeans refuted . the first argument against the chaldaeans . the second argument . vii . how to find the different lengths of days and nights , and to find the horoscope . the rising and setting of the signs first . by stadia : and hours . another method . viii . third argument against the chaldaeans . the length of days and nights in a direct sphere . in an oblique sphere . on this side the arctick circle . beyond the arctick circle . in an erect or parallel sphere . 9. another way to find the trine the signs rising and setting by hours . by stadia . 10. how days encrease from capricorn 〈◊〉 cancer . 11. the years , months , days , and hours of signs . some astrologers opinion . concerning the years , months and days of signs . refuted . 12. how many years belong to each sign and station . vid. fig. 9. 13. the tropick signs cancer . capricorn aries . libra . what degrees in the tropick signs are to be considered . notes for div a51767-e78140 short reflections on the cares of men. 1. the first argument for fate . ii. second argument . iii. third argument . iv. fourth argument . v. fifth argument . vi. sixth argument . vii . seventh argument . viii . an objection answer'd . ix . the influence of the signs . x. of aries . xi . of taurus . xii . of gemini . xiii . of cancer . xiv . of leo. xv. of virgo . xvi . of libra . xvii . of scorpio . xviii . of sagittarius . xix . of capricorn . xx. of aquarius . xxi . of pisces . xxii . the tenths and the lords of the third part of each sign . of aries . of taurus . of gemini . of cancer ▪ of leo. in cancer . in libra . in scorpio . in capricorn . in aquarius . in pisces . the usefulness of this doctrin of the lords . xxiii . encouragements to this study . xxiv . the good and bad degrees of each sign . the difficulty of putting this doctrin into verse . the hurtful degrees in aries . in taurus . in gemini . in cancer . in leo. in virgo . in libra . in scorpio . in sagittarius . in capricorn . in aquarius . in pisces . xxv . how the signs act when they rise . aries . taurus . gemini . cancer . leo. virgo . libra . scorpio . sagittarius . capricornus . aquarius . pisces . the winds call'd cardinal . the collateral winds . the mediterranean sea and and the several parts of it . the islands of the mediter-anean . the caspian sea. the persian gulph . the arabian gulph . africa . asia . europe . what signs govern each country . why different countreys bear men of different shapes and colours . what countreys are govern'd by aries . by taurus . by gemini . by cancer . by leo. by virgo . by libra . by scorpio . by sagittarius . by capricornus . by aquarius . by pisces . what influence these signs have in the seveveral countries subject to their rule . xxvii . what signs are eccliptick . why call'd eccliptick . in what order the eccliptick succeed one another . xxviii . this artho ' difficult , yet may be obtain'd . notes for div a51767-e105240 the design of the fifth book . the southern constellations . the northern constellations . ii. what constellations rise with aries . the ship. iii. orion . iv. heniochus , or the driver . v. the hoedi , or the kids . vi. the hyades . vii . the goat . viii . what constellations rise with taurus . the pleiades . ix . what constellations rise with the twins . the hare . x. what constellations rise with cancer . the asses . xi . procyon , or the little dog. xii . what constellations rise with the lion. the great dog. xiii . the bowl . xiv . what constellations rise with virgo . the crown● xv. the sheaf . xvi . what constellations rise with libra . xvii . the goat . xviii . the harp. xix . what constellations rise with scorpio . the altar . xx. the centaur . xxi . what constellations rise with sagittarius . arcturus . xxii . the swan . xxiii . with capricorn riseth ophieuchus . xxiv . the south fish . xxv . the strings of the harp. xxvi . the dolphin . xxvii . what constellations rise with aquarius . cepheus . xviii . ●he ea●●e . xxix . cassiopeia . xxx . what constellations rise with pisces . andromeda . xxxi . the horse . xxxii . hercules , or the kneeling constellation . xxxiii . the whale the rising of the two bears . the several magnitudes of the stars .