THE Accomplished Seaman's DELIGHT, CONTAINING,  
1. The great Mystery of Nature demonstrated by Art, as the Flux and Reflux, Increase and Decrease, Access and Recess, Ebbing and Flowing of the Water of the Sea.  
2. The Closet of Magnetical Miracles unlocked, the properties and secrets of the Loadstone revealed, serving not only for Sea Affairs, but also for Travellers by Land.  
3. Directions for Seamen in distress of Wether, also the right use of the Magnitical Needle, and how to Manage the Sailing Compass, and the rest of the Instruments of Chiefest Use in the Art of Navigation.  
4. The Resolver of Curiossities, being a profitable Discourse of Local, as also of the swift Motion of the Art of Navigation. Of the due proportion to be observed in the Building of Ships, likewise rare Inventions of several Engons: With a perfect Discovery of other admirable Mathematical Secrets, and for their clearer Explaination, are Adorned with most significan and proper Figures.  
First Read, then after that despise  
Thy Prejudice, and be more wise.  
LONDON, Printed for Benj. Harris, at the Anchor and Marinor in Thredneedle Street, over against the Royal Exchange, 1686.   

Licenced,  
October the 10th, 1685. Rob. Midgley.   

THE Accomplished Seaman's DELIGHT, etc.  
THough the Psalmist tells us, that the Lord hath Founded the Earth upon the Seas, and Established it on the Floods, Psal. 24.2. Because for the more Commodious living of Man and Beasts, he hat● made a part of it higher than the Seas, or at least restrained their Incursion upon it, so as now they make but one entire Globe; yet because the Waters in the first Creation covered the Face of the Earth, I will begin with them. The mother of Waters, the great deep, hath undoubtedly lost nothing of her ancient bounds or depth, but what is impaired in one place, is again restored to her in another. The Rivers which the Earth sucked from her by secret Veins, it renders back again with a full Mouth; and the Vapours which the Sun draws up, empty themselves again into her Bosom, according to that Expression of Du, Bartas.  
The purest Humour in the Sea, the Sun  
Exhales in the Air: which there resolved, anon  
Returns to Water, and descends again,  
By sudry ways into his Mother main.  
Her motion of Ebbing and Flowing, and of high Springs and dead Neapes, are still as certain and constant as the Changes of the Moon and Courses of the Sun: Her native saltness, and by reason thereof her strength, for the better supporting of Navigable Vessels is still the same, so likewise the Rivers, the Daughters thereof, either hold on their wont Courses and Currents, or what they have diminished in one Age or place, they have again recompensed and repaid in another. Because things move and are changed (without which such and so great matters could not well be disposed) we are to think the Earth doth not always remain in the same state, without addition or diminution; neither yet the Water, as if they were always boudned within the same lists, especially seeing their mutual Change is natural and kindly, but rather that much Earth is turned into Water, and contrariwise no less Water into Earth; it is not then to be wondered at, if that part of the Earth which is now habitable was formerly overflowed with Water, and that again which now is Sea, was sometimes habitable; as amongst Fountains some are dried up and some spring forth afresh, which may also be varifyed of Rivers and Lakes, wherewith accords that of Ovid, Met. 15.  

Vidi Ego quod fuerat quondam seti disima tellus Esse Fretum.   

What was firm Land sometimes, that have I seen  
Made Sea, and what was Sea made Land again;  
On Mountain tops old Anchors found have been,  
And Sea-fish shells to lie far from the main.  
Plains turned to Vales by Waterfalls, the Down  
By overflows is changed to Champain Land;  
Dry ground  while, now moorish seen doth drown,  
And Fens again are turned to thirsty Sand.  
Her Fountains now hath Nature opened,  
Their shut up springs which first did flow amain,  
By Earthquakes Rivers of sin issued,  
Or dried up they have sunk down again.  
Nor in one place perpetually to tarry,  
All things in every Age for ever more do very,  
And Nature changeth still the course she once begun,  
And will herself undo what she of Old hath done.   
Which though it be true in many, yet those great ones of Indus and Ganges, and Danubius, Rhein's, and Nilus, are littie or nothing varied from the same courses and currents which they held Thousand of years since, as appears in their descriptions by the Ancient Geographers; but above all methinks the constant rising of Nilus continued for so many Ages, is one of the greatest wonders in the World, which is so precise in regard of time, that if you take of the Earth adjoining of the River and preserve it carefully, that it come neither to be wet nor wasted, and weigh it daily, you shall find it neither more nor less heavy till the seventeenth of June, at which day it beginneth to grow more ponderous, and Augmenteth with the Augmentation of the River, whereby they have an infallible Knowledge of the state of the Deluge. This Mr. George Sandys reports, and Alpinus a Physician names it as a common experiment. Whereas heretofore mention hath been made of the Sea and flowing of Waters, and divers other motions, it may be convenient to add hereunto the say and writings of the most expert Learned Person Fredericus Delphinus, Doctor of Arts and Physic, and public professor of the Mathematical Sciences in Milan, touching the flowing and reflowing, or increase or decrease (otherwise also named access and recess) that is, coming and going, or ebbing and flowing of the Water of the Sea. Which flowing and reflowing, some do also name, the false rest or quietness, or inordinate motion of the Water of the Sea. And albeit divers men have Treated of this Subject, yet forasmuch as some of their writings are somewhat too dark, and not easy of Men to be understood, I have thought necessary, partly out of their Writings, and partly by my own Industry, more clearly and largely to Treat thereof, that the same may be the better understood of all men.  
Therefore for the more easy understanding of these two manner of motions of the Water of the Sea, following the moving of the Sun and Moon, to the moving of the Primum Mobile. The first movable, is first to be known, that wheresoever a man is on the Earth, his Horizon ever cutteth or divideth the Heaven to him into two halfs, and the one half of Heaven is ever above his Horizon, and the other half beneath, and whereas in the half of a Sperical or round Body, are contained two quarters, two shall ever be above his Horizon, and two beneath; those that are above the Horizon, are called diurnal or day quarters: and they that are under the Horizon, are called the Nocturnal or Night quarters. Of these four quarters of Heaven, are two of which is made the flowing or increase of the Water of the Sea: and other two in which is made the flowing or increase of the Water of the Sea: and other two in which is made the flowing or decrease of the Sea. The quarters in the which is made the flowing, is the quarter which is from the East to the South above the Horizon, which is the quarter of the day access, or increase of the day: and the quarter opposite or contrary, which is from the West to midnight under the Horizon, which is the quarter of the night access. The quarters in which is made the reflowing or decrease, is the quarter which is from the South to the West above the Horizon, which is the quarter of the recess of the day: and the quarter opposite, which is from midnight to the East under the Horizon in the quarter of the recess of the night.  
Secondly, Is also to be known, that there are in Heaven eight points of the flowing and reflowing, or increase or decrease of the Sea: of the which, four are strong, and four are weak, two are weak for the flowing, and two for the reflowing; weak for flowing, are the points of the East and West, which are the beginning of the two quarters of flowing: weak for reflowing, is the point of the South or Midday, and the point of Midnight, which are the beginning of the quarters of reflowing: and these four are distant the one from the other, by a quarter of Heaven. Of the strong points, two are strong for flowing, and two for reflowing. Strong for the flowing, is the middle point between the East and the South, being distant from the East 45 degrees, and from the South likewise, and the middle point between the West and Midnight, in the night quarter of flowing, being distant from the West 45 degrees, and from Midnight in the same manner. Points strong for the reflowing, is the middle point between the South and West, in the day quarter of the reflowing, being distant from the South 45 degrees, and from the West likewise: And the Middle point, between Midnight and the East, in the quarter of the night reflowing, being distant from Midnight 45 degrees, and from the East likewise. And as the weak Points are distant one from the other by a quarter of the Heaven, so are also the strong Points distant the one from the other by a quarter of Heaven, to them that have a right Horizon.  
Thirdly, It is to be known, that besides the aforesaid eight Points, to such as have a right Horizon, there are many other Points equipolent or of equal virtue. And such are all the Points of Heaven, equally distant from the four principal Points of Heaven; which four principal Points are, the Point of the East, Point of the West, Point of the South, and Point of Midnight, or from the four strong Points of Heaven, which is all one, yet in quarters of contrary operation; for all such Points are equipolent or of equal virtue in moving of the Water of the Sea: but in a right Horizon it is otherwise, as shall appear hereafter.  
Fourthly, We are also to take notice, that the Sun and the Moon every month are together in one sign, degree, and minute. And this so being, is called the conjunction of the Moon with the Sun. From thence for the space of eight days, or thereabout, the Moon is departed from the Sun, by her proper motion by a fourth part of Heaven: and this departing is called the first quarter of the Moon with the Sun. From thence about fourteen days, or near upon, she is departed from the Sun another fourth part of Heaven, and so by the half of Heaven: and this distance is called the opposition of the Moon with the Sun, by the full Moon. From thence to 21 days, or thereabouts, she is departed from her opposition with the Sun or Full moon by another fourth part of the Heaven, coming toward the Sun: and this distance is called the second quadrature of the Moon with the Sun, and then the Moon is distant from the Sun by a fourth part of the Heaven, as it was distant in the first quarter, and so cometh near to conjunction with the Sun. From thence at 30 days, or thereabouts, the Moon is again in conjunction with the Sun as she was at the first.  
Fifthly, and lastly, We are to take notice that the Sun and the moon, both together every natural day (which is the time of 24 hours to the moving of the first movable) are the causes of flowing and reflowing, or the increase or decease of the Water of the Sea twice. The declarations premised, and well kept in memory, Let us declare how the sun and moon both together every natural day, to the moving of the first movable, are the causes of the flowing and reflowing of the Sea. For if all these declarations are well kept in memory, and especially the quarters of the Heaven in which is the flowing, and the quarters of Heaven in which is the reflowing, and which are the strongest Points for the flowing, and strong Points for the reflowing: These (I say) being kept in memory, all the narration of the moving, and false quietness of the Sea shall be clear & manifest. For the further Illusteration of what hath, or shall be said hereafter, I have thought fit to insert this following Figure.  
A Figure showing the beginning of the day increase at the Sun rising, and the beginning of the day decrease in the Midday, and the beginning of the Night increase at the Sun setting, and the beginning of the Night decrease at Midnight.   chart depicting the Sun and Moon's effect on water levels through a full day. 
THe Figure is so plainly demonstrated, that we need not to make any stop for it, but to proceed.  
First of all therefore (as touching the flowing and reflowing of the Sea, to the moving of the first movable, it is to be known, that when the sun and the moon, are joined together, which conjunction is called Novilunium (that is) the new moon, when they are moved to the moving of the first movable, from the East to the South, because the virtues both of the sun and moon are united together, and both these Luminaries are moved continually in the moving of the first movable by the quarters of the day flowing, which is from the East to the West; the day flowing or increase of the Sea is continued; and while they move from the South to the West, because they are moved continually by the day quarter of the reflowing, the reflowing still continueth; and while they are moved from the West to Midnight, because they are then moved by the quarter of the night flowing. The night flowing is again continual, and while they are moved from midnight to the East, because they are then moved by the night quarter of reflowing, the night reflowing is again continual: and thus twice in the natural day is the flowing or increase, and twice the reflowing or decrease of the Water of the Sea.  
It is again secondarily to he known, that when the moon after her conjunction with the sun, by her proper motion is departed from the sun towards the East, according to the order of the signs, going towards the first quadrature of sun (which the Italian Pilots call 41 quartirone) ever before the moon by her proper motion come to the first quarter, which is the distance of the moon from the sun towards the East, according to the order of the signs, by a quarter or fourth part of the Heaven; when the sun is so much above the Horizon of the East part in the quarter of the day flowing, how much the moon is under the Horizon in the same part of the East in the quarter of the night reflowing, because then the sun is so much distant from the strong point of the flowing above the Horizon, they are equipollent and of equal virtue, therefore then is neither flowing nor reflowing of the Water of the Sea, but the Water seemeth to stand: which the Venetians call L' aqua e ' stanca. But when the sun by the motion of the first movable, cometh near to the strong Point of flowing, which is above the Horizon in the day quarter of flowing, the moon by the same motion of the first movable, departeth so much from the south Point of the reflowing, which is under the Horizon in the night quarter of the reflowing, coming towards the weak Point of the East flowing, then is the moon in the strong point of reflowing, which is under the Horizon in the night quarter of the reflowing, the reflowing is weakened, and the flowing is fortified: And then the Water of the Sea beginneth to flow. And how much more the sun approacheth to the strong point of flowing, which is above the Horizon in the day quarter of flowing, so much more the moon is departed rome the strong Point of the reflowing, which is under the Horizon in the night quarter of the reflowing, approaching to the weak Point of the East flowing, and therefore the flowing continueth. But when the sun by the motion of the first movable, cometh to the strong point of the flowing, which is above the Horizon in the day quarter of the flowing; then the moon is departed from the strong Point of the reflowing, which is under the Horizon in the night quarter of reflowing, and is made near to the Point of the Eeast flowing, and therefore the flowing yet continueth. But when the moon shall come to the weak Point of the East flowing, she then to the moving of the first movable, is moved by the day quarter of flowing, approaching to the strong Point of flowing, which is above the Horizon: and the Sun, because it is distant from the moon less than a quarter, shall likewise be moved by the same day quarter of the flowing, and approaching to the weak Point of the south reflowing: and therefore because both are moved by the day quarter of flowing, approaching to the strong Point of flowing, which is about the Horizon: And the sun, because it is distant from the moon less than a quarter, shall likewise be moved by the same day quarter of flowing, approaching to the same weak Point of the south reflowing: and therefore because both are moved by the day quarter of the flowing, the flowing shall continue. And when the sun by the moving of the first movable, cometh to the weak Point of the reflowing, because then the moon is nearer the strong point of the flowing, which is above the Horizon, than the sun to the strong Point of the reflowing, which is above the Horizon in the day quarter of the reflowing, the flowing shall continue. And when that the moon shall come to the strong point of flowing in the day quarter of flowing, the sun shall not yet be in the strong Point of the reflowing in the day quarter of the reflowing, because the sun is distant from the moon less than a quarter, but will come to it: and then the moon shall departed from the strong point of the flowing, and shall be less distant from it then the sun from the strong Point of reflowing, and therefore the flowing shall yet continue, until the sun be so much beyond the South towards the West in the day quarter of reflowing, how much the moon is on this side the south towards the East in the day quarter of flowing: And then the sun shall be so much distant from the strong Point of flowing, which is above the Horizon, beyond the South in the day quarter of the reflowing; how much the moon is from the strong Point of the flowing, which is above the Horizon, before the South in the day quarter of flowing: and incontinently the sun and the moon shall be equipolent or of equal strength, and therefore shall be no flowing nor reflowing as we have said before.  
And when the sun by the motion of the first movable shall come to the strong Point of reflowing, in the day quarter of reflowing, the moon by the same motion of the first movable, shall be departed so much from the strong Point of flowing in the day quarter of flowing, coming towards the weak Point of the South reflowing: and then the moon shall be more distant from the strong Point of flowing, than the sun from the strong Point of reflowing. And so the sun shall be stronger than the moon, and therefore then shall begin the reflowing, and shall continue according aa the sun shall approach to the strong point of the reflowing, in the day quarter of the reflowing: and the moon shall be departed from the strong Point of the flowing, in the quarter of the day flowing. And when the sun shall come to the strong Point of the reflowing the moon shall be departed frem the strong Point of the flowing, in the quarter of the day flowing. And when the sun shall come to the strong Point of the reflowing, the moon shall be departed from the strong Point of the flowing, and therefore the reflowing shall continue, And when the moon shall come to the weak Point of the South reflowing, the sun shall be departed from the strong Point of the reflowing, in the day quarter of the reflowing, coming towards the weak Point of the West flowing: yet shall the sun be less distant from the strong Point of the reflowing, than the moon from the strong Point of the flowing, and therefore the reflowing shall yet continue. And when the sun shall come to the weak point of the West flowing: yet shall the sun be less distant from the strong Point of the reflowing, than the moon from the strong Point of the flowing, and therefore the reflowing shall yet continue. And when the sun shall come to the weak Point of the West flowing, the moon shall be near to the strong Point of reflowing, which is above the Horizon, in the day quarter of reflowing, and shall be less distant from it, than the sun from the strong Point of the flowing, which is under the Horizon in the night quarter of flowing, because she is distant from the Sun less than a quarter of the fourth part of Heaven: therefore the reflowing shall yet continue, until the Sun shall be so much on the Horizon on the W●st part in the quarter of the night flowing, how much the Moon is above the Horizon in the same part of the West in the day quarter of reflowing. And because then the Moon shall be so much distant from the strong Point of the flowing, which is under the Horizon in the West part, in the night quarter of the flowing, as the Moon from the strong Point of reflowing, which is above the Horizon in that part of the West in the day quarter of reflowing: then the Sun and the Moon shall be equipollent (that is) of equal strength and virtue, and so shall there be neither Floowing nor Refloowing.  
But when the sun, by the moving of the first movable, shall come to the strong Point of the Flowing, which is under the Horizon in the night quarter of the Flowing; the moon by the same moving of the first movable, shall be departed as much from the strong Point of reflowing, which is above the Horizon in the day quarter of Reflowing: and then the sun shall be less distant from the strong Point of Reflowing, which is above the Horizon in the day quarter of Reflowing, & then the sun shall be less distant from the strong point of flowing, in the night quarter of flowing, than the moon from the strong Point of reflowing, in the day quarter of reflowing, and therefore the sun shall be stronger than the moon: and then again shall begin the flowing, and shall continue (as is said before) until the sun be so much beyond midnight towards the East, in the night quarter of reflowing, how much the moon is on this side midnight, towards the West, in the night quarter of flowing, and the sun shall be so much distant from the strong Point of reflowing, as the moon from the strong Point of the flowing: and then incontinently the sun and the moon shall be of equal strength, and there shall be neither flowing nor reflowing.  
But when the Sun, by the moving of the first movable, cometh to the strong pont of the reflowing, in the Night quarter of reflowing, the Moon by the same moving of the first movable, goeth back and is departed as much from the strong point of the Flowing, in the Night quarter of the Flowing, coming to the weak point of Midnight reflowing: and then the Sun shall be less distant from the strong point of reflowing, in the Night quarter of the flowing, and then shall the flowing be weakened, and the reflowing strengthened, and the water of the Sea shall then begin again, the reflowing shall continue (as is said before) until the Sun be so much above the Horizon on the East part, how much the Moon is under the Horizon on the same part of the East: and then the Sun shall be so much distant from the strong point of the flowing, which is above the Horizon, in the day quarter of the flowing, how much the Moon is from the strong point of the reflowing, which is under the Horizon, in the Night quarter of the reflowing: and then the Sun and the Moon shall be again of equal strength, and there shall be neither flowing nor reflowing.  
Then daily (that is to say, in every natural day) shall return the like change to this aforesaid, until the Moon by her proper motion, shall come to her first quadrature with the Sun, which the Pilots and Venetian Mariners call it quartirone, (as I said before) and when the Moon shall come to her first quadrature with the Sun, then when the Sun shall be in the weak Point of the East for the flowing, the Moon shall be in the weak Point of Midnight for reflowing: and then the Sun shall be so much distant from the strong Point of the flowing, which is above the Horizon, on the East part, in the day quarter of the flowing, how much the Moon is from the strong Point of reflowing, which is under the Horizon of the same part of the East, in the Night quarter of the reflowing: and so the Sun and the Moon again shall be of equal force and power, and there shall be but small flowing, increase or diminishing. And when the Sun by the motion of the first movable, shall come to the strong Point of the flowing, which is above the Horizon, on the East part, in the day quarter of the flowing, the Moon by the same motion of the first movable, shall come likewise so much to the strong Point of the reflowing, which is under the Horizon on the same part of the East, in the Night quarter of the reflowing: and continually to the Diurnal or Day motion, the Sun shall be also much distant from the strong Point of flowing, which is above the Horizon, in the day quarter of the flowing, how much the Moon is from the strong Point of reflowing, and continently the Sun and Moon shall be again of equal power, until the Sun by the moving of the first movable, shall come to the strong Point of flowing, which is above the Horizon; and then likewise the Moon shall come to the strong Point of reflowing, which is under the Horizon, because these Points are distant one from another by a quarter of Heaven, as the Sun and the Moon are distant from themselves by a quarter of Heaven, and when the Sun by the motion of the first movable, shall departed as much from the strong point of the reflowing, which is under the Horizon, coming toward the weak point of the East flowing, and the Sun shall be continually distant so much from the strong point of flowing, which is above the Horizon, how much the Moon is from the strong point of reflowing, which is under the Horizon, until the same come to the weak point of the South reflowing: and then the Moon likewise shall come to the weak point of the East flowing. And the Sun and the Moon shall be all this while of equal strength, and incontinently there shall be neither flowing nor any notable reflowing, and shall be after the same manner while the Sun is in the motion of the first movable, be moved from the South to the West, because then the Moon by the motion of the first movable, shall be mo●ed from the East to the South: and likewise while the ●un shall be moved from the West, to Midnight, because then the Moon shall be moved from the West to Midnight. And so in all the time of one revolution of Heaven, which is one day natural of 24 hours, the Sea shall neither flow nor reflow sensibly, but shall seem to stand, because the Sun and the Moon in all the time of ●hat revolution of Heaven, shall be ever of equal power, without any notable difference. And this chanceth about the eight day after the conjunction ●f the Moon with the Sun. And the false quietness of the Water of the Sea, of which the Venetians use this manner of saying, Dam gliotto a Juove L' Acqua non si mo●e. From the eight day to the tenth the Water moveth not. When the Moon shall be departed from the Sun, beyond the first quadrature, going towards her opposition with the Sun, when the Sun shall be so much above the Horizon on the East part, in the day quarter of the flowing, how much the Moon is under the Horizon in the same part of the East, in the Night quarter of the reflowing, the Sun shall be so much distant from the strong point of the flowing, which is above the Horizon, in the day quarter of flowing, departing from it by the motion of the first movable, and coming to the weak point of the reflowing, how much the Moon is from the strong point of the reflowing, which is under the Horizon, in the Night quarter of the reflowing, coming to it by the same motion of the first movable: and then the Sun and the Moon shall be again of equal power, and there shall be neither flowing nor reflowing. And when the Sun by motion of the first movable, shall come to the weak point of the South reflowing, the Moon by the same motion of the first movable, shall approach or come near as much to the strong point of the reflowing, which is under the Horizon, in the Night quarter of the reflowing, than the Moon shall be nearer to the strong point of the reflowing, which is under the Horizon, in the Night quarter of the reflowing, than the Sun to the strong point of the flowing, which is above the Horizon, in the day quarter of flowing, because the Moon shall be stronger than the Sun: And according as the Sun by the motion of the first movable shall approach to the weak point of the South reflowing, the Moon by the same motion of the first movable, shall approach as much to the strong point of the reflowing, which is under the Horizon: and so the reflowing shall continue until the Sun come to the weak point of the South reflowing. And when the Sun by the motion of the first movable, shall departed from the weak point of the South reflowing, and shall be moved by the day quarter of the reflowing, approaching to the strong point of the reflowing, the Moon by the same motion of the first movable, shall departed as much from the strong point of the reflowing, which is under the Horizon, in the Night quarter of the reflowing, and she shall be also moved by the quarter of the reflowing, as the Sun coming to the weak point of the East flowing, because the Sun and the Moon are distant between themselves more then by a quarter of Heaven: and so both shall be moved by the quarters of reflowing, and therefore the reflowing shall continue, until the Sun shall be so much beyond the South, towards the West, in the day quarter of the reflowing, how much the Moon is on this side the South, towards the East, in the day quarter of flowing. And then the Sun shall be so much distant in the strong point of reflowing, in the day quarter of flowing, departing from it by the motion of the first movable, towards the West, how much the Moon is from the strong point of flowing, which is above the Horizon in the day quarter of the flowing, coming to it: and so the Sun and the Moon shall be of equal force, and then shall be neither flowing nor reflowing.  
And when the Sun by the motion of the first movable, shall be departed from the strong point of the reflowing, which is above the Horizon, in the day quarter of the flowing, coming to the weak point of the West-flowing, the Moon by the same moving of the first movable, shall approach as much to the strong point of flowing, which is above the Horizon in the day quarter of the flowing, than the Sun to the strong point of the reflowing, which is above the Horizon in the day quarter of flowing: and then the Moon shall be nearer to the strong point of flowing, than the Sun in the strong point of reflowing, in the day quarter of reflowing: and so the Moon shall be stronger than the Sun, and then shall begin the flowing. And as the Sun shall continually be departed from the strong point of reflowing, so the Moon continually shall approach the strong point of flowing, and the flowing shall continue. And when the Sun shall come to the weak point of the West flowing, the Moon shall yet move by the day quarter of the flowing, because the Sun and the Moon are distant one from the other more than by a quarter of the Heaven: and then the Moon shall be nearer the strong point of flowing, in the quarter of the day flowing, than the Sun in the strong point of flowing, in the quarter of the day flowing, than the Sun to the strong point of the flowing, which is under the Horizon, in the Night quarter of the flowing, and therefore the flowing shall continue. And when the Moon shall come to the weak point of the South reflowing, the Sun shall pass the weak point of the West flowing, approaching to the strong point of the flowing, which is under the Horizon, in the Night quarter of the flowing, and then the Sun shall be nearer the strong point of the flowing, which is under the Horizon, in the Night quarter of the flowing, than the Moon to the stronger point of the reflowing, which is above the Horizon, in the day quarter of the reflowing, and so the Sun shall be stronger than the Moon and therefore the flowing shall continue.  
And when the Sun shall come to the strong point of flowing, which is under the Horizon, in the Night quarter of the flowing, the Moon shall not yet be in the strong point of reflowing, which is above the Horizon, in the day quarter of reflowing, because the Moon is distant from the Sun more than by a quarter of the Heaven, and therefore the flowing shall yet continue, until the Sun be so much under the Horizon on the West part, in the Night quarter of the flowing, how much the Moon is above the Horizon on the same part of the West, in the day quarter of the reflowing: and then the Sun shall be so much distant from the strong point of the flowing, which is under the Horizon in the Night quarter of the flowing, coming to the weak point of the Midnight reflowing, how much the Moon is from the strong point of reflowing, which is above the Horizon, in the day quarter of the reflowing coming to it: and therefore the Sun and the Moon shall be of equal strength, and then shall be neither flowing nor reflowing.  
Afterwards when the Sun by the motion of the first movable, shall be distant from the point of the flowing, which is under the Horizon on the West part, in the Night quarter of the flowing, coming towards the weak point of Midnight reflowing, the Moon by the same motion of the first movable, shall approach much to the strong point of reflowing, which is above the Horizon, in the day quarter of the reflowing coming to it. And so the Moon shall be nearer the strong point of reflowing, than the Sun to the strong point of flowing, and therefore the flowing shall begin, and shall continue in manner (as is said) until the Sun be so much beyond Midnight, towards the East, in the Midnight quarter of reflowing, how much the Moon before Midnight towards the West, in the Night quarter of flowing: and the Sun shall be so much distant ●rom the strong point of reflowing, in the Night quar●er of reflowing, going backward from it towards the foresaid weak point of the East flowing, how much the Moon is from the point of the strong flowing, in the Night quarter of the flowing coming to it: and then the Sun and the Moon shall be of equal force, and there shall be neither flowing nor reflowing.  
And when the Sun by the motion of the first movable, shall be departed from the strong point of reflowing, under the Horizon, which is in the Night quarter of reflowing: then shall the flowing begin, and continue in like manner aforesaid, until the Sun be so much above the Horizon on the East part, in the day quarter of flowing, how much the Moon is under the Horizon, on the same part of the East, in the Night quarter of reflowing. And because the Sun shall be so much distant from the strong point of flowing, which is above the Horizon in the day quarter of flowing, coming by the motion of the first movable, towards the weak point of the South reflowing, how much the Moon is from the strong point of reflowing, which is under the Horizon, in the Night quarter of reflowing, coming by the same motion of the first movable towards it, they shall be of equal force, and so shall be neither flowing nor reflowing. And in this manner, the flowing and reflowing shall continue in every natural day, until the Moon shall come to her opposition with the Sun.  
And when the Moon shall come to her opposition with the Sun, than the Sun shall be in the weak point of the East flowing, the Moon shall likewise be in the weak point of the West flowing: and then shall the flowing begin, and shall continue as long as the Sun shall be moved to the moving of the first movable, from the weak point of the East flowing, by the day quarter of the flowing, to the weak point of the South reflowing. And the Moon then in all this time, shall be moved likewise to the moving of the first movable, from the weak point of the West flowing, by the Night quarter of flowing, to the weak point of the Midnight reflowing: and then the flowing shall cease, and the reflowing begin, and continue as long as the Sun is at the moving of the first movable, and shall be moved from the weak point of the South reflowing, by the day quarter of reflowing, unto the weak point of the West flowing, and the Moon also in all this time shall be moved likewise to the moving of the first movable, from the weak point of the Midnight reflowing, by the Night quarter of reflowing, unto the weak point of the East flowing: and then the reflowing shall cease, and the flowing shall begin again, and shall continue as long as the Sun shall be moved to the motion of the first movable, from the weak point of the West flowing, by the Night quarter of the flowing, unto the weak point of Midnight reflowing. And then the Moon in all that time, by the same moving of the first movable, shall likewise be moved form the weak point of the East flowing, by the day quarter of the flowing, unto the weak point of the reflowing: and then the flowing shall cease, and the reflowing begin, and shall continue as long as the Sun, by the moving of the first movable, shall be moved from the weak point of Midnight reflowing, by the Night quarter of the reflowing, unto the weak point of the East flowing. And then the Sun in all this time, by the same motion of the first movable, shall be moved likewise from the weak point of the South reflowing. And then the Moon in all this time by the same motion of the first movable, shall be moved likewise from the weak point of the South reflowing, by the day quarter of the reflowing, unto the weak point of the West flowing, and then the reflowing shall cease.  
And when the Moon shall pass her opposition with the Sun by her proper motiong, goin to her second quadrature with the Sun, then when the Moon shall be so much above the Horizon, on the East part, in ●he day quarter of flowing, how much the Sun is under ●●e Horizon on the same part of the East, in the Night quarter of the reflowing, because then the Moon shall be so much distant from the strong point of flowing, which is above the Horizon in the day quarter of flowing, how much the Sun is from the strong point of reflowing, which is under the Horizon, in the same part of the East, in the Night quarter of reflowing, than the Sun and the Moon shall be of equal power, and there shall be neither flowing nor reflowing. And when the Moon by the motion of the first movable, shall be departed from the strong point of flowing, which is about the Horizon, in the day quarter of flowing, coming towards the weak point of the South reflowing, the Sun by the same motion of the first movable, shall approach as much to the strong point of reflowing, which is under the Horizon, in the East part ●n the Night quarter of reflowing, than the Moon from the strong point of flowing, which is above the Horizon, to the South part of the East in the day quarter of flowing, and the reflowing shall begin and continue. And when the Moon by the motion of the first movable, shall come to the weak point of the South reflowing because the Sun and the Moon are distant from themselves more then by a quarter of the Heaven, and then the Moon to the moving of the Moon by the moving of the first movable, shall be moved by the day quarter of reflowing, coming to the strong point of reflowing, ●in the day quarter of reflowing, and so the reflowing shall continue.  
And when the Moon shall approach to the strong point of reflowing, in the day quarter of reflowing, the Sun shall approach to the weak point of the East slowing, in the Night quarter of reflowing, and shall be further distant from the strong point of flowing which is above the Horizon, in the day quarter of reflowing, than the Moon from the strong point of the reflowing, which is likewise above the Horizon, in the day quarter of reflowing: and so the flowing shall continue, until the Moon be so much beyond the South, towards the West, in the day quarter of the reflowing, the Sun before the South, towards the East, in the day quarter of flowing, and then the Moon shall be so far distant from the strong point of reflowing, in the day quarter of reflowing, how much the Sun from the strong point of flowing, in the day quarter of flowing: And so the Sun and the Moon shall be of equal force, and there shall be neither flowing nor reflowing. And when the Moon by the motion of the first movable shall approach as much to the strong point of flowing, in the day quarter of flowing; then because the Sun shall be near to the strong point of flowing, in the day quarter of flowing, than the Moon in the strong point of reflowing, which is in the day quarter of reflowing, the flowing shall begin and continue according to the Moon, to the moving of the first movable, shall be departed from the strong point of reflowing, in the day quarter of reflowing, coming towards the weak point of the West flowing: and the Sun shall also approach the strong point of the reflowing, in the day quarter of the flowing coming to it.  
And when the Moon to the moving of the first movable, shall come to the weak point of the West flowing, the Sun yet by the moving of the first movable, shall move by the day quarter of the flowing, because the Sun and the Moon are distant one from the other more than by a quarter of Heaven, and the Sun shall be more near to the strong point of the flowing, in the day quarter of flowing, than the Moon to the strong point of reflowing, in the day quarter of reflowing, and therefore the flowing shall continue.  
And when the Sun shall come to the weak point of the South reflowing, the Moon shall be under the Horizon, in the West part, in the Night quarter of the flowing, which is under the Horizon in the Night quarter of the flowing, than the Sun to the strong point of the reflowing, which is above the Horizon, in the day quarter of reflowing: and therefore the flowing shall yet continue, until the Moon shall be so much under the Horizon, on the West part, in the Night quarter of flowing, how much the Sun is above the Horizon, on the same part of the West, in the day quarter of reflowing. And then the Moon shall be so much distant from the strong point of flowing, under the Horizon, in the Night quarter of flowing, coming towards the weak point of the Midnight reflowing, how much the Sun from the strong point of reflowing is above the Horizon, in the day quarter of reflowing coming to it: and so the Sun and the Moon shall be of equal strength, and then shall be neither flowing nor reflowing.  
And when the Moon by the motion of the first movable, shall be departed from the strong point of reflowing which is under the Horizon, on the east part of the Night quarter of reflowing towards the weak point of the East fllowing, the Sun by the same moving of the first Movable, shall approach as much to the strong point of flowing, which is under the Horizon on the West part in the Night quarter of flowing coming to it: and then because the Moon shall be more distant from the strong point of reflowing, than the Sun from the strong point of flowing, then shall begin the flowing because the Sun shall be stronger than the Moon. And how much more the Moon shall be distant from the strong point of reflowing, in the Night quarter of reflowing, so much more the Sun shall approach the strong point of flowing, in the Night quarter of flowing, and so the flowing shall continue. And when the Moon shall come to the weak point of the East flowing, the Sun shall yet be in the Night quarter of flowing, because the Sun is distant from the Moon more than by a quarter of the Heaven, and the Sun shall be nearer to the strong point of flowing in the Night quarter of flowing, than the Moon to the strong point of reflowing,  is in the Night quarter of reflowing, and so the flowing shall continue until the Moon be so much above the Horizon on the East part: And then the Moon shall be so much distant from the strong point of flowing, which is above the Horizon in the day quarter of flowing, departing from it by the motion of the first Movable towards the weak point of the South reflowing, how much the Sun from the strong point of reflowing, which is under the Horizon in the Night quarter of reflowing, coming to it by the same motion of the first Movable. And then the Sun and the Moon shall be of equal force, and there shall be neither flowing nor reflowing, and the first disposition shall return again, and such flowing and reflowing, shall continue every natural day in this manner, until the Moon shall come to her Quadrature with the Sun.  
And when the Moon shall be in the second Quadrature, than the water of the Sea, shall neither flow nor reflow, but shall seem to be at rest, as it was in the first Quadrature, in the which, in the whole revolution of Heaven, the Sun and the Moon were ever of equal strength for the causes declared: for the same are the causes of the second Quadrature, which are also of the first, and is above 21 Days. And this quietness or stay of the water of the Sea (as is said before) the Venetians call it, Acqua de feel, and use this saying: Dam Vent' uno of Venti' de, L' acqua non vane su, ne giu, from the 21. to 22, the waters going neither up nor down.  
And when the Moon by her proper motion shall pass this second Quadrature, proceeding to her conjunction with the Sun, than the Moon shall be distant stom the Sun, less than the fourth part of Heaven, then when she shall be distant from the Sun, less than fourth part of the fourth part of Heaven. And then when she shall ●e so much above the Horizon the East part, in the day quarter flowing, as the Sun under the Horizon on the ●ame part of the East, in the Night quarter of reflow●st, than the Moon shall be so much distant from the strong point of flowing which is above the Horizon, in the Day quarter of flowing, coming to it by the first motion of the first movable, how much the Sun from the stronger point of flowing, which is under the Horizon in the Night quarter of reflowing, going from it by the same motion of the first movable toward the weak point of the East flowing: And then the Sun and the Moon shall be of equal power, and there shall ●e neither flowing nor reflowing. And when the Moon by motion of the first Movable, shall come to the strong point of flowing, which is above the Horizon in the Day quarter of flowing, the Sun by the same motion of the first Movable, shall departed as much from the strong point of reflowing, which is under the Horizon in the Night quarter of reflowing, toward the weak point of the East flowing, And then because the Moon shall be less distant from the strong point of flowing, which is above the Horizon, in the Day quarter of flowing, than the Sun from the strong point of reflowing, the Moon shall be stronger than the Sun, and therefore then shall begin the flowing: and how much more the Moon shall approach to the strong point of flowing, so much more the Sun shall be distant from the strong point of reflowing, approaching to the weak point of the East flowing, because the Moon shall yet be in the Day quarter of flowing, for that she is distant from the Sun less than a fourth part of Heaven, she shall be less distant from the strong point of flowing, which is above the Horizon, in the Day quarter of flowing then the Sun from the strong point of reflowing, which is under the Horizon in the Night quarter of reflowing, therefore the flowing shall yet continue.  
And when the Moon shall come to the weak point of the South reflowing, the Sun shall be above the Horizon in the Day quarter of flowing, and shall be nearer the strong point of flowing, than the moon to the strong point of reflowing, which is above the midday (or the South) in the Day quarter of reflowing, because the Sun is distant from the Moon less than the fourth part at Heaven, and therefore the flowing shall continue the Moon be so much beyond the South towards the west, in the Day quarter of reflowing, how much the Sun is before the South towards the East, in the Day quarter of flowing: and then the Moon shall be so much distant from the strong point of reflowing, in the Day quarter of reflowing coming to it by the motion of the first Movable: and so the Sun and the Moon shall be of Equal force, and there shall be neither flowing nor reflowing, And when the Moon shall by the Motion of the first movable, approach to the strong point of reflowing in the Day quarter of reflowing, the Sun by the same motion of the first Movable, shall go back and departed as much from the strong point of flowing, in the Day quarter of flowing; and then the Moon shall be nearer to the strong point of reflowing, in the Day quarter of reflowing, and so the Moon shall be stronger than the Sun, and therefore shall begin the reflowing, and the flowing and reflowing shall continue in the same manner as is said.  
When the Moon departeth from her Conjunction with the Sun, and is not come to her first Quadrature with the Sun, as is between the Conjunction and the first Quadrature, and when the Moon shall come to her Conjunction with the Sun, than again all the dispsition before declared, shall return in all points in like manner as is said, Therefore this motion of the water of the Sea, whereof we have spoken, is a motion following the motion of the Sun and Moon to the motion of the first movable, for if you shall well consider that we have said of the flowing and reflowing (that is) increase and decrease, for access and recess of the water of the Sea, you shall understand that the beginnings of such flow and reflowings, and likewise the rest and quietness, chance diversely in the hours of the Day and of the Night: for they come not always in the same hours of the day as is manifestly known to such as observe such flow and reflowings, or else false rest and quietness of the Water of the Sea. And therefore by what is written doth appear that the Water of the Sea hath motion of flowing, once in the Day and once in the Night: and likewise of reflowing once in the Day and once in the Night.  
It is manifest also that the flowing doth not always begin at the same hour of the Day or Night, but at divers hours: and likewise of the reflowing.  
Also the time of flowing or reflowing, proceedeth inordinately when the Moon is in her Quadratures with the Sun, that is, in the first or second.  
There chanceth sometimes great increase of Waters, sometimes less, that is, when the Moon shall be in any other place from the Sun besides these four that is in the Conjunction, or Opposition, or her first Quadrature or second with the Sun.  
And as are sometimes increases of Waters, greater or lesser, even so are the decreases in the like manner, the greatest concourses and Motions of Waters are when the Moon is in Conjunction with the Sun, and also the greatest flow and reflowings. Likewise in Opposition of the Moon with the Sun, and the greater than in the time of the Conjunction of the Moon with the Sun. For the superior bodies, by their motion and light, give their influence to these inferior bodies. And so much more as they have of Light, so much more and stronger they work: and because in opposition of the Moon with the Sun, the moon is full of Light, and her Light is toward us, therefore it is reasonable that then should be caused greater flow and reflowings, then in her Conjunction with the Sun. Nevertheless, because that in her Conjunction with the Sun and Moon are both unite together, and their virtues, therefore also are great decreasings and increasing of waters, because both their Virtues are Unite, as I have said, but yet greater is the Opposition then in the Conjunction, for causes before rehearsed.  
The Moon being in her Quadrature with the Sun, the Water of the Sea hath no determinate time of flowing or reflowing, and then are the less concourses of Waters, and least flowing and reflowing. Such motion of the Sea the Venetians, as we have said, call it de feel: and then the Water of the Sea hath no determinate beginning of flowing or reflowing, but is moved inordinately in a divers manner, sometimes coming, and sometimes going, the cause of this diversity is, because the Sun and the Moon, wheresoever they shall be in moving to the water equally, or as it were unequally, have contrariety in whatsoever point they shall be: For in whatsoever point the Sun shall be, the Moon shall be in the point of opposite Virtue, contrary to the place of the Sun, or near.  
And when the Moon shall be without the said four places, than the Water of the Sea shall begin to come or go. And when the Sun and the Moon shall be in equal points of Virtue of the quarters of contrary operation, the concourses of Waters shall be so much the greater, in how much the Moon shall be nearer to her Conjunction with the Sun, or to the Opposition: and so much the less in how much the moon shall be nearer to her quadratures, likewise the flow and the reflowings shall be so much the greater, for if the Moon shall be between the Conjunction with the Sun and the first Quadrature, than the Moon to the moving of the first movable doth follow the Sun in his rising, and then shall be the beginning of the day flowing, of the day after the rising of the Sun, about three of the Clock, or before, that is, when the Moon shall be so much above the Horizon on the part of the East, in the day quarter of flowing, how much the Moon is under the Horizon on the same part of the East, in the Night quarter of reflowing because then the Sun and Moon shall be of equal force, because they shall be in the points of equal Virtue in the quarters of contrary operation, and the beginning of the Night flowing shall be in the Night, after the setting of the Sun (that is) when the Sun shall be so much under the Horizon, on the same part of the West, in the Day quarter of flowing, how much the Moon is under the Horizon on the same part of the West, in the Day quarter of reflowing: and the beginning of the day reflowing shall be in the Day after noon when the Sun shall be so mu●h after noon and the Day quarter of reflowing, how much the Moon before Noon, in the day quarter of flowing: and the beginning of the day reflowing of the Night, shall be in the Day after Midnight (that is) when the Sun shall be so much after the point of Midnight, in the Night quarter of reflowing, how much the Moon shall be in the Night quarter of flowing. And if the Moon be in the first Quadrature and the opposition, the Moon yet in her rising followeth the Sun, and then shall be the beginning of the Day following, in the day nfter Noon, about evening (that is) a little before or after, that when the Sun shall be so much above the Horizon on the part of the West, in the Day quarter of reflowing, how much the Moon is above the Horizon on the part of the East, in the Day quarter of flowing, and the beginning of the Night flowing, shall be on the Day before Day (that is) about Morning, before or after (that is) when the Sun shall be so much under the Horizon on the part of the East, in the Night quarter of reflowing; how much the Moon is under the Horizon on the part of the West, in the Night quarter of flowing: and the beginning of the Day reflowing, shall be in the Day before Noon, when the Sun shall be so much before the point of Noon, how much the Moon after the point of Midnight, in the quarter of the Night-flowing, how much the Moon is after the point of Noon, or Mid day, in the day quarter of reflowing. And if the Moon shall be between the oppsition of the Sun, and her second quadrature with the Sun, than the Moon in her rising goeth before the Sun, and then the beginnings both of flow and reflowings, are in like manner as they were when the Moon was between the Conjunction and the first quadrature. For the beginning of the day flowing shall be in the day quarter about three of the Clock, before or after (that is to say) when the Sun shall be so much above the Horizon on the East part in the day quarter of flowing. And the beginning of the night flowing shall be in the Night, when the Sun shall be so much under the Horizon on the part of the West, in the Night quarter of reflowing, how much the Moon is under the Horizon on the part of the East, in the night quarter of reflowing: But the beginning of the day reflowing, shall be in the day, afternoon, when the Sun shall be so much after the point of the South, in the day quarter of reflowing, as the Moon before the point of Midnight, in the Night quarter of flowing. And the beginning of the Night reflowing, shall be in the day, when the Sun shall be so much after the point of Midnight, in the Night quarter of reflowing, how much the Moon is before the point of Noon, in the day quarter of flowing. And if the Moon shall be between the second quadrature, and her conjunction with the Sun, than the Moon also in her rising shall go before the Sun: and then shall be the beginning of flowing and reflowing, in the same hours, as they be when the Moon is in the first quadrature and opposition: because the beginning of the day of the day flowing, in the day after noon about evening, before or after, when the Sun shall be so much above the Horizon on the part of the West, in the day quarter of reflowing, how much the Moon is under the Horizon on the same part of the West, in the night quarter of flowing: and the beginning of the night flowing shall be in the night, about morning, before or after, when the Sun shall be so much under the Horizon on the part of the East, in the night quarter of reflowing, how much the Moon is above the Horizon in the same part of the East, in the day quarter of flowing. But the beginning of the day flowing, shall be on the day before noon, when the Moon shall be so much after the point of midday, or the South, in the day quarter of reflowing, how much the Sun is before it in the day quarter of flowing, and the beginning of the night reflowing, shall be in the night before midnight: that is, when the Moon shall be so much after the point of midnight, in the night quarter of reflowing, how much the Sun before the point of midnight, is in the night quarter of flowing. And hereby it appeareth, that as well the flowing as the reflowing of the Water of the Sea, begin (as we have said) not always in the same hours of the night, for the beginning of flowing is either in the beginning of the day, or the beginning of the night, which chanceth, the Moon being in conjunction or opposition to the Sun, or is before day, from the mornings towards the day, or from the day, until four of the Clock, or thereabouts; or is before evening, towards the evening Tide, and from thence to the Cock Crowing, or thereabouts: which chanceth when the Moon is between her conjunction or opposition with the Sun, or any of the quadratures. The beginning of the reflowing is either at noon, or at midnight, as when the Moon is in conjunction or opposition with the Sun, or is before noon, or after, or before midnight, or after, as when the Moon is between her conjunction or opposition with the Sun, and any of her quadratures. It is apparent also, that sometimes the Water of the Sea doth not determinate or certain beginning, neither order of flowing or reflowing, which chanceth, the Moon being in her quadratures with the Sun. It is manifest also, that all flowing of the Water of the Sea, is caused by respect to the Horizon, on the part of the East or West. And every reflowing by the respect to the meridian, or to the point of midday, or midnight. Here also is to be considered, that all that is said, are most certainly true in a right Horizon, but in an obliqne or side Horizon, they sometimes fail, as shall be said hereafter following.  
It happeneth (as I have said) that the Water of the Sea doth sometimes wander or decline from the order already prescribed, yet commonly, and for the most part keepeth the due order. Such manner of declining is after two sorts, for there is either disorder or error in the hour of the beginning of the motion of the flowing or reflowing, or in the midst of the motion: (that is) that they have greater or lesser courses then at other times, or otherwise greater or lesser increases or decreases: the error coming in the hour of motion, may proceed from the causes; as by reason of the situation of the Region, or by reason of the Bodies supercelestial, or by change of the Air.  
By reason of situation of Regions, chanceth diversity only in the hour of the beginning of the flowing, because the beginning thereof hath respect to the Horizon, or is by respect to the Horizon: for in the beginning of reflowing is no diversity or error, because the beginning of the reflowing, is by respect to the Meridian Circle. Again, by reason of the situation of the Region, diversity happeneth thus, that is, that either the Region is under the Equinoctial Circle, or without it. And if it be under the Circle, because they have a right Horizon, and the days there are always equal with nights, at all times of the year.  
That we have said of divers hours of the beginning of flowing is certainly true: But Regions distant from the Equinoctial, because they have a winding or slope Horizon, in them the beginnings of flow are, as in Regions under the Equinoctial, only in two times of the year: that is to say, in the Spring time, or Equinoctial Vernal, and in the time of Autumn, or Equinoctial Autumnal, that is to say, about the midst of the Month of March, and about the midst of the Month of September: But in other times of the year, or from the Vernal Equinoctial, by the whole Summer, until the Equinoctial Autumnal, it is otherwise, because the beginning of the day flowing, if the flowing be before noon, that is, about the morning, or shall be later than it ought to be: that is to say, more of the day than is in Regions under the Equinoctial, and that is, because that in such Regions the day beginneth sooner, or the Sun riseth sooner, than in the Regions which are under the Equinoctial: for the declining of the obliqe or side Horizon (although these Regions be under one and the same Meridian) and if the beginning of the day flowing be after noon, that is about evening, than such beginning shall be sooner than it is in Regions under the Equinoctial (that is to say) in fewer hours of the day, because that then the Sun fale later than in Regions which be under the Equinoctial; but the beginning of the night flowing, if it be before midnight, it is sooner in the said places or Regions (that is to say) in less time of the Night, or in less time after the setting of the Sun, then in the Regions under the Equinoctial: because that then the night beginneth to them afterwards. And if the beginning of the night flowing be after midnight (that is) towards the day, it shall be later (that is) of more hours, or more near the day, then is in Regions under the Equinoctial, because the Sun riseth sooner to them, then to those that are under the Equinoctial. And this diversity groweth so much, that sometimes it chanceth to see two flow in one day, and none in the night: which happeneth from the inequality of the days, with their nights. For in how much the Artificial day shall be longer than his night, so much diversity and error ariseth more evidently. Therefore in the longest days of the year, such diversity shall appear manifestly. But from the Equinoctial Autumnal, by all Winter, until the Equinoctial Vernal, it is contrary: because the beginning of the day flowing, if it be before noon (that is) about the morning, then shall it be sooner than it should be (that is to say) in fewer hours of the day, than it should be in a right Horizon: for then the day beginneth later, or the Sun riseth later to them that have a winding or crooked Horizon. And if such flowing shall be after noon (that is) about evening, than the beginning of such flowing shall be latelyer (that is) more towards the evening, or nearer to the setting of the Sun, then in Regions which are under the Horizon; for in a side or crooked Horizon the night is sooner, and the Sun falleth sooner than in a right Horizon. Also, the beginning of the night flowing, if it shall be before midnight, it shall be later and more in the night, then in Regions under the Equinoctial; because then the night shall sooner begin in the crooked Horizon then in the right, because the Sun first falleth in the crooked Horizon, then in the right. And if the beginning of the night flowing shall be after midnight, that is, towards the day, than such beginning of flowing in the crooked Horizon shall be sooner, (that is) more before the day, or before the rising of the Sun, then shall be in Regions which are under the Equinoctial. And such diversity groweth so much, that sometimes shall be two flow in the night, and none in the day. And this chanceth from the inequality and increase of the night above his day, for in how much the night shall be longer than his day, so much the more groweth such diversity, and therefore such diversity shall appear greatest in the longest night of the year; wherefore by the aforesaid, it is manifest, that how much the nearer we shall be to the Equinoctial, so much the less shall appear the diversity in the hour of the beginning of the flowing of the Water. And how much the Sun shall be nearer to the stand or stayings of the Sun (called Solititium) or the longest days, and longest nights, so much greater and more certain shall be the diversity, and shall appear more manifestly. Furthermore, diversity happeneth by reason of the Heavenly Bodies, and Error, not only in the beginning of flowing, but also of reflowing.  
For when any of the great and Luminous Stars (as are Venus and Jupiter) shall be above the Sun or Moon, they help them in moving of the Water of the Sea: and therefore by this means also, they leave their due order. Likewise (as we have said) by reason of the change of the Air, oftentimes chanceth diversity and error in the beginnings of flowing and reflowing: for the violent disposition of Winds vehemently blowing, as well near as far off, removeth the Courses of Water from their due order, sometimes hastening the flowing, and sometimes the reflowing, and sometimes staying and slacking them likewise.  
There chanceth also, error in the midst of the motion of Waters; for as well courses of Waters, as also flow and reflowings, sometimes keep not the due motion. For (as it is said) the disposition of Winds may either increase or diminish their Courses. Moreover, the straitness and narrowness of places, by reason of the Islands and Mountains, cause great Concourses and Diversities in many places. For when the Sea is straighter or narrower, there is the strongest course, as about the Island Euboes, Nigropontis, and between Cicilia and Calabria is greatly observed. Such straits hinder the increase of Waters, because less quantity passeth thereby, and therefore there the flow & reflowings are less. And hereupon it happeneth, that in the Ocean Sea are greatest flow and reflowings, because there are no straits which may hinder or stay the courses of the Waters; and by that means they have their full and free course, and in more certain order: But in the Mare Mediteraneum it is otherwise, for whatsoever Water of the Ocean entereth therein, or cometh forth, passeth from the West by one only narrow strait; and therefore it cannot in the flowing be greatly filled, neither in the reflowing be greatly emptied. And so consequently the motion of the motion of the Sea proceedeth not in certain order.  

The Closet of Magnetical Miracles Unlocked, or the properties and secrets of the Loadstone Revealed, serving not only for Sea Affairs, but also for Travelling by Land; for movable Dial's, for the more ready and exact Chorography in any Country; the Plotting of any Ground, the following of a Mineral Vein; as also useful for pioneers and Diggers of Mines, etc.  
NExt to the Inventions of Printing and Guns may be added the Mariners Compass, of which Bodin thus Confidently speaks, Cum Magnete nihil sit Admirabili us in tota rerum natura, usum tamen ejus plane divinum Antiqui ignorarunt: Though there be nothing more admirable than the Loadstone in the whole course of Nature, yet of the Divine use of it were the Ancients ignorant: and Bl●ndus, certum est Navigandi cuxilium Priscis omnino fuisse incognitum: It is certain that the help of Sailing was altogether unknown to the Ancients. And Cardan a Man much versed in the rarities of Nature, inter ceterum rerum inventa admiratione primum digna est ratio Nautica pyxidis: Amongst other rare Inventions, that of the Mariners Compass is most worthy of admiration. By means of it was Navigation perfected; the Lives and Goods of many thousands have been, and daily are preserved: it finds out a way thorough the vast Ocean, in the greatest Storms and darkest Nights, where there is neither Path to follow, nor Inhabitant or Passenger to inquire: it points out the way to the skilful Mariner when all other helps fail him, and that more certainly though it be without reason, sense and life, then without the help thereof all the Wizards and Learned Clerks in the World, using the united strength of their Wits and Cunning can possibly do: by means of it are the Commodities of all Countries discovered, Trade, Traffiqe, and Humane Society maintained; their several forms of Government and Religion observed, and the whole World as it were made one Commonwealth, and the most distant Nations fellow Citizens of the whole Body Politic.  
This wonderful Instrument we have described by several Authors, but for the reason thereof, I say with Acosta, Let others search but the causes of this so wonderful an Instrument, and pretend therein I know not what Sympathy, I for my part as oft as I look upon it, I cannot but exceedingly admire, and most willingly praise the Power and Providence of God.  
Whether it were known to the Ancients or no, some doubt is moved, as of all things else there is: but herein, in my Judgement, without any sufficient reason. For can we conceive that so rare a device and of so singular use could be known to Aristotle, Theophrastus, Fliny, Dioscorides, Galen, and that we should not where in any of their Works find the least mention of it. Surely, I for my part can never believe it, neither can I be persuaded that so precious and useful an Invention could possibly be entertained and commonly practised, and yet lost out of the World as if it had never been; but that indeed it was not practised, appears by this, that the Ancients, when by a Storm or Mist they had lost the sight of the Lights of Heaven, they had no remedy to fly unto; as Blondus saith; Nullum C●to Nullitus obscurato a Magnete aut alio instrumento petebatur auxilium, when the Heaven was darkened with Clouds, they had no assistance from the Loadstone or any other instrument. As Virgil hath it in his 5th Aeneid.  

— Clanumque affixus et haereus  
Nunquam amittebat oculisque sub astra tenebat.   

The Helm he held, and never it forsook,  
But on the Stars his Eyes did ever look.   
Saith the Poet, as long as the Stars appeared; but when they were Bemisted, they then wandered they knew not whether. As Virgil hath it again in his Third Aeneid.  

Tres adeo incertos caeca caligine soles,  
Erramus Pelago, totidem sine sidere Noctes.   

On Sea we roved three days, as dark as Night,  
Three Nights likewise, not seeing Starry Light.   
And in St. Paul's Coasting Voyage by Sea, when that they had lost the sight of the Sun and the Stars, all hope that they should be saved was taken away.  
A great doubt presents itself to us, which is about the time and Author of this Invention, when and by whom it should first be found out and set on foot. Doct. Gilbert our Countryman (who hath Written in Latin 〈◊〉 Large and Learned discourse of the properties of the Loadstone) seems to be of the Opinion that Paulus Venetus brought the Invention of the use thereof from the Chinese. Osorius in his discourse of the Acts of King Emanuel, refers it to Gama and his Countrymen ●he Portugal's, who as he pretends, took from certain Barbarous Pirates roving upon the Sea; about the Cape of good hope. Coropius Becanus likewise thinks he had great reason to Entitle it upon his Countrymen the Garmans', in as much as the 32 Winds upon the Compass borrow their Names from the Dutch in all Languages. But Blondus, who is therein followed by Pancerollus, both Italians, will not have Italy lose the praise thereof, telling us that about 300 years ago, it was found out at Malphis or Melphis, a City in the Kingdom of Naples, in the Province of Campania, now called Terrae di Lavoradoe; but the Author of it the one names him not, and the other assures us, he is not known: yet Salmuth out of Ciezus and Gomara confidently Christens him with the Name of Flavius, and so doth ●u Bartas in those excellent Verses touching this Subject.  
weare not to Ceres so much bound for Br●ad,  
Neither to Bacchus for his Clusters Red,  
As Signior Flavio to thy witty Trial,  
For inventing of the Seaman's Dyal;  
The use of the Needle turning in the same,  
Divine device, O! admirable frame,  
Whereby thorough the Ocean in the darkest Night  
Our huge Carracts are conducted right,  
Whereby we are stored with Trouchman, Guide & Lamp,  
To search all Corners in the watery Camp.  
Whereby a Ship that stormy Heavens have whorled,  
Near in one Night into another World,  
Knows where she is, and in the Card descries  
What degrees thence the Equinoctial lies.  
It may well be then that Flavius the Metuitan, was the first Inventor of guiding of a Ship by turning the Needle to the North: But some Germane afterwards added to the Compass, the 32 Points of the Wind in his own Language, whence other Nations have since borrowed it. But surely great pity it is that the Author of such an Invention, is not both more certainly known and more honourably esteemed. He is better in my judgement to be enrolled and ranked amongst the great Benefactors of the World, than many who for their supposed Merits of Mankind were Deified amongst the Heathens, So that it may be said of the Inventor, 
Exegit Monumentum aere pereunius  
Regalique sicu Pyramidulum aeltius.   
Questionless those of former Ages were for want of this knowledge so ignorant of the Art of Navigation that they ingraved non Vltra on Her●les Pillars, that the Nations about Po●tus, thought no Sea in the World like their own, and doubted whether there were any other Sea but that only, whereof it came that Pontus was a word used for the Sea in general, that the Egyptians, held otherwise a witty people, used to coas● the shores of the Red Sea upon Raffs, devised by King Erythrus: And in the time of the Romans, the Britain's our Ancestors had a kind of a Boat (with which they crossed the Seas) made all of twigs and covered with Leather, of which Lucan the Poet.  

Primam cuna salix madefacto nimine parvam  
Texitur in puppim, casoque iduta ivenco  
Vectoris patience, tumidam superenatat aumem.  
Sic Venetus stagnante pado fuscque Brittanus  
Navigat Oc●●no:   

The moistened Osyer of the hoatie Willow  
Is Woven first into a little Boat,  
Then clothed with Bullocks hid upon the Billow  
Of a proud River Lightly doth it Float,  
Under the Waterman.   

So on the Lakes of overswelling Poe,  
Sailes the Venetian, and the Britain's so  
On the outspread Ocean.   
And to the like purpose is that of Festus Aviennus.  

Navigia junct i● semper 〈◊〉 ●ellibus,  
Curioque vastum saepe percurrant salum.   

Of stiched hides they all their Vessels had,  
And oft through Sea, in Leather, Voyage made.   
But that which is more observable is, that the Jews were so unskilful in this Art, as they commonly called the Mediterranean Sea, the great Sea; not being in those times, as it seems, much acquainted with the Ocean. And though the Phoenicians and Carthaginians, the Tyrians and the Sydonians, are much renowned in Histories for great Navigators; yet it is thought by the Learned, that those Voyages they performed, was only by coasting, and not by crossing the Sea.  

— Haec aestas quod f●ta negarunt  
Antiquis totum p●●tuit sulcate carinis  
Id Pelugi immensam quod circuit Amphitrite   

This age what fates to former times denied  
Through the Vast Ocean now in Ships do ride.   
Saith Fracastorius, and Acosta, Equidem Navigationem altissimo Oceano commissam neque apud Veteres Lego, neque apud illis aliter Oceanum Navigntum puto quam a nostris Mediterraneum. That the Ancients adventured themselves into the Main Ocean; neither do I read it in any of their Waters, nor do I believe that they otherwise sailed over the Ocean, than we do now over the Meditterranean Sea, and it should seem they undertook not their longest Voyages without Oars, which the Scripture implies in that undertaken by Ionas, where the Mariners upon the rising of a Violent Tempest were constrained to use their Oars.  
The perfection then of this Art, seems by God's Providence to have been reserved to these later times, of which Pearo de Medona, and Baptista Ramusio have given excellent Precepts. But the Art itself hath been happily practised by the Portugals, the Spaniards, the Hollanders, and our own Nation, whose Voyages and Discoveries, Master Hacklait hath collected and reported in several Volumes, enlarged and perfected by Mr, Purchas, and it might be wished as well for the Honour of the English Name, as the benefit that might thereby redound to other Nations, that his Collections and Relations had been Written in Latin, or that some Learned Pen would be pleased to turn them into that Language. Among many others in this kind, the Noble spirited Drake may not be forgotten, who God being his Guide, Wit, Skill, Valour and Fortune his Attendants, was next after Magellanus that Sailed about the World. Whereupon one writ these Verses unto him.  

Drake Peregrati novit quem terminus Orbis  
Quemque semel Mundi vid it uterque Polus:  
Si tacean homines facient Te sidera notum  
Sol nescit commitis imemor esse sui.   

Sir Drake whom well the World's end knew,  
Which thou didst compass round:  
And whom both Poles of Heaven once saw,  
Which North and South do bound.  
The Stars above will make thee known  
If men here silent were:  
The Sun himself cannot forget  
His Fellow Traveller.   
P. Columbus, being in the company of some bragging prating fellows, amongst other of their fooleries they fell upon him, and said he had done nothing but they could do. After he had patiently heard them, he called for an Egg, and asked which of them could make it stand upon one of the ends, they said they could not do it; why then says he I can, and breaking one of the ends, he fixed it. Why said they this we can do, yes verily says he without doubt, this is but an easy enterprise, yet this you could not do till you have seen me first do it.  
For the better breeding, continuance, and increase of Pilots amongst us, it would doubtless be a good and a profitable work (according to Mr. Huckluits honest Motion in his Epistle Dedicatory to the Lord Admiral) if any Man who hath the means, had likewise the mind to give allowance for the reading of a Lecture o● Navigation in London, in imitation of the late Emperor Charles the Fifth, who wisely considering the rawness of the Seamen, and the manifold Shipwrecks which they sustained in passing betwixt Spain and the West Indies, established not only a Pilot Major for the examination of such as were to takes charge of Ships in that Voyage, but also founded a Lecture for the Art of Navigation, which to this day is read at the Construction-house at Sevil; the readers of which Lecture have not only carefully taught and instructed the Spanish Mariners by word of mouth, but have also published several exact and worthy Treatises concerning Marine causes, for the direction and encouragement of Posterity: and namely these three, Alonzo de Chanez, Hieronimo de Chanez, and Roderigo Zamerum, and to this purpose it was a commendable work of Mr. Gelibrand Reader of Gresham-Colledge for the improvement and advancement of the Art of Navigation published a most excellent Book of Logarithmes.  
But to return to the Sobject we have now in hand, concerning the nature, powerfulness, and strange properties of the Loadstone are such, that the more they ●re known, the more they are justly admired in their most Lively expressing that infinite power and goodness of God, who Created so precious a Jewel for the profitable use of Man, and for the enlarging and setting forth of his lory. Into the search of which admirable and secret Virtues, myself for the space of some years' ●ave made a strict Inquiry, partly by Reading of other men's Writings, and partly by my own Industry and practise: whereby what I have collected and found, his little Treatise will show.  
I do acknowledge that the wonderful property of ●he body of the whole Earth, called the Magnetical Virtue (is most admirably found out, and Learnedly discoursed by Doctor Gilbert, Physician to the renowned Queen Elizabeth, of happy Memory) Is the ●ery true Fountain of all Magnetical Knowledge, for ●ll our later Authors have but borrowed from this Countryman of ours. And though certain properties ●f the Loadstone were known before his time, yet all ●he reasons of those properties were altogether unknown, and never before revealed as I take it to the ●ons of men. And although as yet many do doubt and mistrust the Earth itself hath no such Virtue, I do nothing wonder at it, because before I read his Learned Works, and had tried many of his Experiments with my own hands, and had conferred with great Travellers, and perused the observations of our chiefest Navigators, both for the Variations and Declinations, I never believed it myself. But this I may truly affirm, that searching with diligence his first fine Books, and making Trial of those Propositions which I judged to be of Importance, I always found the main drift touching this point, constant and agreeable to the diligent Observations of many men of Experience; although in some other matters of the Loadstone his Experiments and mine did sometimes disagree. But concerning his sixth Book Entreating of the motion of the Earth; I think there is no Man living further from believing it then myself, being nothing at all persuaded thereunto, by reasons of other men, which he allegeth, and as little or less (if it were possible) by those his Inventions, endeavouring to prove the motion of the Earth by the Earth's Magnetical Force and Virtue. Amicus Socrates, Amicus Pla●o, sed Magis amica veritas is the only cause why I do embrace his judgement in the one, and refuse it in the other, in matters of this nature following this Rule.  Nullius addictus inrare in Verba Magistri. 
Reader be pleased to pass by this digressiion, we are to return hearty thanks to God, who hath revealed unto the weak Knowledge of Man, now towards the end of the World, this admirable Treasure, before unknown, of his powerful Creation, by effect so plain unto the meanest Capacity: and that out of a base contemptible and dead a Creature, as it seemeth to be, and yet filled with such excellent wonderful Virtue, that all the Gems of the World have not the like; neither if it were wanting, could they supply the want thereof, or countervail the Benefit that it brings to the Life of Man.  
Clandian (a Famous Poet) well near Twelve-hundred years since, saith as much commendations of the Magnet, when as yet the Sereditical or Iron drawing Properties was only known.  
— Lapis est cognomine M●gnes  
Decolor, Obscurus, nilis, etc.  
And again.  
Sed Novasi nigri videas miracula suxi,  
Tuno superat pulchros cultus, et quicquid E●i●  
Indus Littoribus rubra scrutatur in alga.  
But what would he not have said, had he seen the Closet indeed of all Magnetical Miracles Unlocked, and in so glorious a manner set wide open, as now it is at this day, had he had Loadstones of divers forms, but especially round ones: also such Versory Needles fitly framed, and Artificially placed upon their Pins and other Implements, as are prescribed; wherewith being furnished, he might still see the Truth of them in things themselves, for these skills must be Learned, ex rebus ipsis non solum ex Libris, and withal there are several Figures and Diagrams which cannot be understood, but by the help of the Mathematics, and good Travelling in the Magnetical Practice.  
To be short, of all that I have set down in this Treatise, my request is, that the Reader will admit nothing but that which shall be confirmed by good Reason or undoubted Experience. And I purpose God willing, to tie myself as strictly unto this Rule, as ever any Man did that hath Written of the like Argument, making it even a matter of Conscience to deliver any thing herein, for certainty, that myself shall not know to be sound. And so by this means I shall neither abuse the Reader with any untrue assertion, nor injure so certain and so excellent a Knowledge, with any doubtful or reprovable Conclusions.  
It is a common Proverb, that in Stones; Woods and Herbs, consisteth great Virtue: which saying is doubtless most manifest by the daily experience of the Loadstone, found in sundry parts of India; some will have it to be found in Spain, by one Named Heraeleon (as Hicander saith) where, in the time of his keeping of Cattle, the Iron Nails of his Shoes and Pike of his Staff cloven fast to the Stone. Of these Magnets are five sorts or kinds, as Soracus writeth: One of Aetheopi● another of Macedonia, a third in Echio of Boecia, the fourth at Troades of Alexandria, the fifth of Magnesi● Asiae. The difference of the stone is, whether it be Male or Female. The next difference is in Colour: for that which is found in Macedonia and Magnesiae, i● ruddish and black, and of Female kind, and therefore without Virtue. The worst of Magnesia Asiae is white, and attracteth not Iron, it is like unto a Pumice stone. Some approve those for the best which are Blue, of a Heavenly colour. That of Aethiope is most praised (and as Pliny saith) is sold for the weight in Silver. This is found in Zimri, a sandy Region of Aethiop● where is also found Haematites Magnes, of Bloody colour, appearing like Blood if it be ground, and also like Saffron, which in drawing of Iron is not of the like virtue to the Haematites Magnes. All these are reputed good Medicines for the Eyes, each of them according to their Portion, and do especially stay the Epiphorus (that is) the dropping and watering of the Eyes; and also being burnt and made in powder, they heal Burn. Not far from the same place in Aethiopia, is a Mountain which produceth the stone called Theamedes which putteth from it, and refuseth Iron. I have often proved the virtue and power of the Loadstone, by the Needle which is in some Dial's, by the attraction there of, moving itself from side to side, and round about. And as we shall hereafter more fully show, although the stone were under a Table, yet doth the Needle being above the Table, naturally follow the moving o● the stone. It is therefore (for this we only insert by the buy) if there be great virtue in Stones, Woods and Herbs. It hath also been proved that the Ships Compact with Iron Nailes, Sailing by the Sea of Aethiope and by a Tempest driven to Land, to certain Capes or Lands ends, have by these stonas either been drawn to the bottom of the Sea, or else the Nails being drawn out by the Virtue of the stone, the Ship hath fallen in a thousand pieces. And therefore the discreet and wary Cantabrians, expert Mariners Sailing by the Aethiopian Sea, frame their Ships with Pins and Hoops of wood, to prevent the danger that might chance on the same occasion.  
This stone is known by colour, virtue, weight and equality, the best colour is said to be like pure Iron, shining, mixed with Indian or Heavenly colour, and is in a manner like Iron Polished. This stone is also often times found in Norway and Elua, and in certain Regions of the North, and is brought from thence to certain Regions in Normandy and Flanders. The experience of the virtue of the stone, is easy, for it attracteth to it a great weight of Iron, It is judged to be strong, and the heavier also the better. By equality it is judged, if it be alike in one substance and colour: but if it be unequal with chapes (as we shall hereafter express) together with hollow places indented, having red spots here and there, it is unapt not so fit for the Art of Navigation, or of continual Motion. It representeth the similitude of Heaven, for like as in Heaven there are two points , ending in the Axletree of the Sphere, upon which the whole Frame of Heaven is turned (as may be experienced by the Art that Crystal and other stones are Polished) even so the Loadstone reduced into a Globious or round Form, laying thereon a Needle or any other like Iron, than which way soever the Needle turneth and resteth, thereby is showed the place of the Poles; and that this may be done more certainly, it must be often times attempted, and the Line shown by the Needle, must be observed, for such Lines shall cut the one, the other in two Points, as the Meridian Circles join together the Poles of the World: but of this also, more shall hereafter he said. This shall for the present be only instanced.   depiction of a stone that is used in a compass 
That if the round stone (as is said) be found in the place which often times draws Iron, if then the point do exactly appear, part of the broken Needle must be laid upon the sin, and be so often by little and little transposed, until the Style or ●in be Perpendicler, or Plummet do directly fall upon the stone, for there on the contrary part, by like manner shall be found the other Pole. A. shall be the true point, and B. the false.  
Loadstones, let them be of what parts soever of the World, have the self same general directive property. I mean, of showing the North and South, and also the self same Points respective, declining or dipping under the Horizon. They do likewise agree in their variations, and each one will draw Iron, and likewise one another. Every Loadstone, of what form soever it be, hath either actually or potentially two points, the one Northern, the other Southern. Actually, if either by casualty (if it so fall out) or by industry the stone be fashioned, that those two opposed points be eminent or perspicious therein: Potentially, if that either the stone be flat, and but thin in the dimension of the North and South though broad otherwise, for so shall the virtue of the stone be dispersed to the extreme parts thereof, in the Edges round about; or if fit have two opposite points in any concavity, then will the stone show in the eminent Border or Edge of that concavity only a confused dull force, and in the concavity very little or nothing at all. That stone is also well proportioned for touching which resembleth an Oval form, and hath his due points in his ends, and is void of any bunch or concavity; for the general form of a stone being good, every concavity is a diminishing of his force, and every bunch is a superfluous Burden; Insomuch that myself have had experience of a stone, that of substance was very good, and of weight was three and twenty ounces, but of disordered form, it therefore took away twelve ounces from him, and yet diminished not one jote of his force. And this I did in a stone that was all of like force, but if it be one that is intermixed of divers substances (as many such there are, and those easily discovered by their colour) you may sometimes take away three quarters or more of his substance without diminishing any thing at all of his virtue: we have already said the Iron colour is best: very black or white seldom proves good; grey indifferent: the mo●● white is in any stone, so much the ●●rse. Th●●e are certain that are of an Iron colour, m●●gl●● 〈…〉 of which 〈◊〉 are good and some bu● 〈…〉.  
〈◊〉 w●y you may prove whether a Magnet be go●●● 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 is by 〈◊〉 a● Iron with the bare st●●e; that other by giving more or less virtue to a Knife, on any thing to lift Iron the third is if it will with good strength move a Magnetical Needle a pretty good distance off, and readily alter the ends of the Needle without touching them, making the North South, and the South North: the two latter do never fail, but the first doth divers times. And very certain it is, that whatsoever stone doth most stronly impart his force to a Knife, or move a Needle with quickness, the power and lifting up of Iron is such a one, will mightily be increased with a Cap. For this is generally the nature of all Magnets, that if there be two of different quantities, and of equal strength in lifting up Iron, the greater will give the stronger touch, and move a Magnetical Needle farther off, although the lesser will take as much Iron, or something more than the greater. And again, suppose there be a Loadstone of a pound weight, that being fitly armed, will take up four pounds of Iron, and not above, if you divide him into very small pieces, you shall find of them, being orderly used, that will lift up twenty times his own weight and a great deal more, if they be very small, as of three or four Grains weight; and yet where the great one will give a touch unto a Knife for to take up four ounces of Iron, and will move a Magnetical Needle three Foot off; this little one will not give a touch to a Knife to take up a Needle, nor move a Magnetical Needle four Inches off; that as a Magnet is diminished in substance (I mean a Magnet of a regular for it) so doth he lose in his virtue and touching and increaseth in his small 〈◊〉 for lifting ●p Iron, ●hereby it is manifest that these two properties 〈…〉 jointly together in the 〈…〉. ●nd here hence it is that many 〈…〉 ally set in ●ings 〈…〉 a great piece 〈…〉 ●he great one (whose par●icie●● they are) 〈…〉 great one, should do the 〈◊〉, namely to take in so many times their own weights. Also very often it is seen, that Magnets being of like form and weight, but of divers kinds, the one will take up more Iron of himself without the Cap, and yet the other give a far stronger touch; but then, if you do fit both of them accordingly with Caps, he which gave the stronger touch, will take up more Iron than the other. The principal ●orce of the Loadstone well proportioned, passeth in 〈◊〉 direct Line from the middle of his substance, being (as it were) a centre, through his two ends or points, which are the imaginary likes of his chiefest force, from which centre, there isse infinite others also through all parts of the superficies of the stone on either side, between the two extreme points of the middle, all which on either side of the middle, being of one nature and property, in respect of their touch are exceedingly different in strength, for that still waxeth less and less as it approacheth, continually nearer and nearer the middle, where at length in the middle, between the two ends, it utterly fainteth and cometh to nothing. The Loadstone communicateth his property to the Iron or Steel that is touched with it, so far forth, as the Iron or Steel which is touched, hath the ability to receive, and so that good skill in the touching be observed, Steel is far better than Iron, and receiveth a far strongen touch, and much more effectual. The purer Steel, so much the better; and if it be Iron, the purer likewise the better, always regarding that both of them be very smooth and clean, and have their due temper. The principal property in common use, is the showing of North and South in the Horizon, with the appendants thereunto belonging, which is more apparent, more strong, and more commodious in the Iron and Steel, that is touched, than it is in the stone itself, because the substance of them may be filled and cut away, and drawn into any form that we like or approve of ourselves, which the substance of the stone will not permit, The Lood-stone is of such a nature, that every piece broken off and separated from the whole, hath all the properties of the whole, the same several points North and South, and ability also for the touch, like in kind, though not of equal power, according to the quantity and proportion of the Piece, and the part of the Stone that it is taken from, and this property in a meaner sort hath touched the Needle and the Wyar of a compass also.  
That one stone may draw another, lay the one upon a board or box in the Water, that it may freely float and hold another in your hand, If then the North part of the stone, which you hold in your hand, you turn towards the South part of that which floateth in the box, or otherwise the South part to the North, the floating stone shall turn towards your hand, and if contrariwise, you turn the like part to his like, that is to say, the South part to the south, etc. the floating Stone shall fly from you. By this experiment certain Physicians are confuted, who dispute on this manner, If Scemmonea draw unto it choler, by Similitude or Likeness of Nature, Ergo, much more should one Magnet draw another, rather than Iron: So that what they assume falsely we have now taught to be true. The like judgement is of the long slender Iron which is rubbed with the Stone; For if in the Water it be laid on a light piece of Wood, or a straw, or such like, so that it may freely float upon the Water, the one end of it shall turn to the North, and the other to the South. And if holding the Stone in your hand, you turn his North point to the South extremity or end, or contrariwise, the Stone shall then draw Iron, but contrarily, if you turn the like part to the like, (as is aforesaid) it shall fly from the Iron and drive it away.   polarized stones in water 
Impossible Impossible   polarized stones in water 
Natural:  
The reason is, that the agent doth not only endeavour to make the patiented like itself, but also in such a manner to unite it with himself, that of them two be made one, as may appear by this reason. Take the same Magnes A D. of which A. signifieth the North point, and D. the South. Divide the Stone into two parts, A B. and C. D, put A B. to the Water as is said, and by this means you shall see A. turn to the North, and B. to the South. For the breaking or dividing of the Stone (as we said) diminisheth not the Virtue thereof, so that it be homogeny, that is, all parts alike. Take therefore A B. for the patiented, and C D. for the agent, then whereas the agent, in the best manner it may, worketh to conserve the order of Nature, ●t is manifest that D. cannot draw C, the South: For although they could by that means be joined, yet should not so be made one of them two, the parts remaining in their Virtue: For if A. should remain North, then D. should be South, which is certain to have the powers of the North.   depiction of the earth's magnetic fields 
Neither contrariwise shall C. draw A. for both are Northly, and so should B. be the North which first was South, and D. in like manner: For so should the order of Nature be inverted. It remaineth therefore that A. shall naturally draw D. and B. shall draw C. for so every way shall remain of equal strength. Some ignorant Men were of opinion, that the Virtue of the Loadstone was not derived from Heaven, but rather of the nature of the place where it is engendered, saying that the Mines thereof are found in the North, and that therefore ever one part of the stone extendeth towards the North. But they surely are ignorant that this stone is found in other places whereof it should as well follow that it should extend itself to other and divers parts, as to the North; which thing is false, as is well known by common experience, For it ever Moveth to the North in whatsoever place ●it be. Neither is it to be believed, that the Northstar of the Mariners is the Pole: For as much as that Star is without the Meridian Line, and but twice within one revolution of the Firmament. But whereas the Marvellous Virtue of this Stone dependeth of Heaven, who would believe that only two points thereof should so turn themselves, and that rather every part of it should not incline to some like part in Heaven, as may thus be proved. Let the Stone be brought into a Spherical round form, as is said, and the Poles being found, let it be turned upon two pins, or Turner's instruments, and there be pullyshed, until it be on every part of equal heaviness, which you may well find by often proving: For that part that falleth down is heaviest, which done, frame in a Meridian Circle with the Horizon, wherein fasten two other pins on which it may easily move, and divide the Poles most exactly to the Poles of the World, the which if it come well to pass, rejoice that then you have found one of the greatest Miracles of Natural things. For you shall by this means see the Ascendent, the place of the Sun, and the like, etc. at every Moment. But if it fall not out according to your desire, you ought not to impute that to the Art, but to your own ignorance and negligence, For if you execute and perform all things duly and aright according to Art, you need not to doubt the success.  
How these Instruments by this Stone may be framed, by the which may be found the Azimuths of the Sun and Star (that is to say, Vertical Circles) it shall not here be necessary to show, forasmuch as the same is easily done by the Mariners Compass, or by the Box with the Magnes or Loadstone enclosed, and floating above the Water, with a pin erected, and in the uppermost part divided into 360 parts, after the manner of Astronomy.  
That you may easily find out the chief points of any Loadstone of what form soever, you must make a respective or declinatory Needle, of an Inch or thereabouts in length, and giving him his touch, fasten him by the Axis upon a little forked stick, or any thing like it, that the Needle may have free scope, then offer the Stone (as we said before) near the Needle, turning of it round about, and immediately you shall see the North of the Needle (as it is as yet commonly called, because it pointeth toward the North) point directly unto the true North end of the Stone as soon as it cometh near unto it, and as you turn away the end of the Stone, the Needle will point somewhat towards it, till the South end of the Stone approacheth (as we have in part declared) for then will the Needle wheel about the Axis, and point directly with his South, and to the South of the Stone. But if you hold the Needle near to the Stone, in such sort that it cannot turn about at liberty, than the force of the Stone may soon change the properties of the ends of the Needle, that the one point which was North shall become South, and that other which was South shall become North, yet the thing itself is easily discerned: for the Northerly end will always hang lower.   depiction of a compass with a needle curving under the pressure of magnetic force 
And wheresoever the Needle, being held nearer to the stone, doth stand parrallell unto it, not inclineing with either end towards the stone, there directly, under the middle of the Needle, the North and the South properties of the stone do divide and part themselves. This matter is much better performed with a small narrow Loadstone of half an Inch (more or less) in length, having in the ends his due points of North and South and wrought over with silk of two colours from the middle to each end; as for Example, Yellow and White; that part which pointeth over to the North let it, be wrought over with White, and the other with Yellow. Then if you hang that in the middle by a fine silk thread, and apply it to any other Loadstone, the South end of the one will readily find out the North end of the other; and contrariwise, In like manner, with this Magnetical Instrument you may see two pretty conclusions. The one if you touch a knife with the end of a forceable Loadstone, whether it be North or South, and hang this wrought on by a silk thread in the middle, that it may hang freely, the one end will crave towards the point of the knife, and the other will not abide it. The other is, if you hang it end long, with the true North end, right over the North end of a forcible Loadstone, or with the South end over the South end of the other, you shall see that it will in no wise (being let down) come unto the North point of the Loadstone, but will (contrary to Phylosophycal Principles, that heavy things should tend directly downwards) by the means of the Silk Thread, swim or wheel the end of the Loadstone in the Air: yea, and lift itself somewhat upwards, rather than perpendicularly light down upon it; yea, that it will do although you place a Plate of Silver or Brass, or any such thing, between the stone and itself.  
The second way is to take a Thread of a common Sowing Needle, and touch the point of it with the North end of a Loadstone whose points you would find out, holding the Needle about an Inch from it, and in turning the stone about, you shall presently see the Needle point to the North end, when by your turning it cometh near. The contrary effect ensueth, if you touch the point of the Needle with the other end of the stone, wherein you may behold that ancient conceived, and of late years maintained opinion of the contrariety of the Loadstone and the Theamedes to be no otherwise then a contrary property of one and the self same Magnes.  
The third way, is to break off the point of a Sowing Needle half an Inch or longer (if the stone be good) but not above a quarter of an Inch (if it be a base stone) lay it upon the stone, and move it to and fro upon the superficies thereof (being smooth) with the Needles point forwards, and as it cometh near any of the two points of force, it will raise itself more and more: but being brought unto the point itself, it will stand there straight upright; if the stone be ragged, this cannot be practised, otherwise of all other it is the most certain way. Now whether it be your North or South end the effect will soon declare.  
The fourth way is, that you having an ordinary Dyal, or a Sailing Compass, or any Magnetical Needle standing on a sharp point, hold near thereunto the stone ●●●ning it in your hand, then will the North end of the Needle (I mean the end that pointeth to the North) respect the true North point of the stone.  
The fifth way is also, if you touch a common so●ing Needle (the longer the better) and put it through a little piece of C●●k not bigger than may well bare it up, so that by the means thereof it may swim in a Basin of Water, the same if you offer the stone unto it, will show the like effect. And here it is to be remembered, that none other way whatsoever will more readily or truly define the Magnetical Meridian. And therefore as it is very requisite for many purposes, that every Traveller by Land, but more especially by Sea, should always have (if he may) an aequinoctial Dyal with him, so would I not with that any of them should be without some Sowing Needles, touched with a good stone, which will both serve the proper uses of Sowing without impairing their touch (for it is open Air and Rust that are the greatest Enemies thereof) and at any time with a piece of Cork or a dry Stick in the Water the Magnetical Meridian may be seen; a matter though mean and trivial in show, yet between while of so great importance, that it may serve to save many men's lives.  
A sixth way is also, if you prepare a little round Loadstone of a quarter of an Inch Diameter or thereabouts (but it must be a very good one) having his Poles marked and sitted in such manner, that it easily turn about in a little Frame according to the following Picture. The like also in his manner will come to pass, if you have a small declinatory Needle in a frame, in this manner,   depiction of two magnets 
Then by moving it in his Frame all over the stone the North Pole of this will find the South of the other and likewise will the South, the North of the great one; for it is not in outward show one Magnet and another, as is between a Magnet and a Magnetical Needle, the contrary ends of the Magnet will covet in their motion to meet together, but the end of the Needle which turneth North, will come unto the North of the stone: For in very truth it is the South point of the Needle, even as the Magnet itself being placed in a Wooden Dish in Water, will turn with his North end to the South, and with his South end Dish and all, towards the North. The like effect will also follow if you hang as aforesaid a small Loadstone in the middle of a small Silk Thread, and that it may freely turn without impediment, according to its nature; but this property it will show quicker or flower, according unto the goodness of the substance and fitness of the form. The best form for this purpose is the extended ●●all, having his Poles precisely in the ends. If his Poles be some pretty distance, the one end towards the East of the stone, and the other as much towards the West; this stone in his length will not point to the Magnetical North and South (as otherwise he would) but unto some other point of the Horizon yea, following this experiment in this manner, you may make him stand in any one Point of the Compass: only you ought to abridge the stone in his length that he may ●ome somewhat nearer to a circular form, so that is diameter of North and South (being through the Magnetisme of the Earth, the cause of this motion) ●ay be so much the longer in comparison of the Mass of ●he stone, and consequently more effectual. After the ●ke manner you may so touch the Wyars of a Com●ass, that the Flower de Luce of the fly, stand unto what point of the Horizon you please, although the ●iameter of the Wyars do still remain fixed under the Flower de Luce, and the South point of the Card.  
Finally to conclude this point with some Magnetical Delights, if you touch two Sowing Needles in a contra●y manner; that is, the point of the one Northrely, and ●he other Southerly, and set them with their Corks the one at the one side of a Basin of Water, and the other at the other, you shall see them, as quickened with Vital Spirit, even so to move the one end towards the other, at the first fair and softly, but when they draw near they will rush together (as it were) with a kind Violence, the point of the one striking precisely at the point of the other, you must place the Needle, whose point is ●ouched for the North on the South fide of the Basin otherwise the heads and not the points will run together; a thing far more worthy of admiration, than all the self movers of any Daedalus or Archita● Tarentinus, and more strange to behold then the Connexion of ●ron Rings combined by Virtue Magnetical, whereat St. Augustine so much, and that justly, did wonder.  
Another excellent and secret conclusion upon this stone, pretended to be found out in these latter times; ●s, that by touching two Needles with the same stone, they being severally set so as they may turn upon two round Tables, hanging on their Borders the Alphabet written Circular wise, if two Friends agreeing upon the time, the one at Paris, the other at London (having each of them their Table thus equally fitted) be disposed upon certain days and at certain hours to confer, it is to be done by turning the Needle in one of the Tables to the Alphabet, and the other by Sympathy will turn itself in the self same manner in the other Table, though never so far distant: Which conclusion if infallibly true, may likewise prove of good and great consequence: howsoever I will set it down as I find it described by Faminanus Arada, Lib 2. Prolus 6. in imitatton of the Style and Vain of Lucretius.  

Magnesi genus est Lapidis mirabile, cu●si  
Corpora ferrisue plura stilo admoveris, inde  
Non modo nim notumque tratiant que semper ad Vrsam,  
Quis lucet nicina polo se vertere tentent,  
Verum etiam mira inter se ratione, modoque  
Quotquot eum Lapidem tetigere stiti simul omnes  
Conspirare situm motumque vide bis in unum.  
 si forte ex ti● aliquis Romae moveatur  
Alter ad hunc motum quamvis sit disitus long,  
Arcano se naturai foedere vertat.  
Ergo age quid si scire notes qui distat amicum  
Ad quem nulla accedere possit Epistola, sum  
Plunum Orbem patulumque notas, Elementaque primo  
Ordine quo discunt pueri, describe per oras  
Extremas Orbis, medioque repone jacentem  
Qui tetigit Magneta stylum, ut versatilis inde  
Litterulam quumcunque velis co●ingere possit,  
Hujus ad exemplum simuli fabricaveris Orbem  
Margin descriptum, munitumque indice ferri,  
Ferri quod motum Magnete accipit ab illo,  
Hunc Orbem dissessurus sibi portet Amicus;  
Conveniatque prius quo tempere, quiesue diebus  
Exploret stylus an trepides quid ve indice signs.  
His ita compositi, si clam cupis alloqui amicum  
Quem procui a Te Te terrai distinet ora  
Orbi adjunge manum, ferrum versatile tracta,  
Hic disposta vides Elementa in Margin toto  
Queis opus est ad verba notis hunc dirige ferrum  
Litterulesque modo hanc modo et illam euspride tange  
Dum ferrum per eas iterumque ster●mque rotando  
Componas singulatim sensa omnia mentis.  
Mira fides longe qui distat credit amious  
Nullius impulsu trepidare volubile ferrum  
Nunc huc, nunc illuc discuere conscius tuaret  
Observatque stoti ductum sequiturque legendo  
Hinc atq hinc Elementa quibus in verba coactis  
Quid sit opus sentit ferroque interprete discit  
Quin etiam cum stare stylum vide●, ipse vicissim  
Si quae respondenda putat simili ratione  
Litterulis verie tactis rescribit amico,  
O utinam haec ratio scribendi prode●t asu  
Cautior et citior properat Epistola, nullas  
Latronum veritae insidias fluviosque Morantes  
Ipse suit princeps manibus conficeret rem  
Nos s●boies scribarum emersi●ex aequere Nigro  
Consecratemus calumum Magnetis ad arras   

Thus Englished.  
The Loadstone above all other Stones hath this strong property,  
If sundry steels thereto, or Needls ye apply,  
Such force and motion thence they draw, that they incline  
To turn them to the Bear which near the Pole doth shine.  
Nay more, as many steels as touch that Virtuous Stone,  
In strange and wondrous sort conspiring all in one,  
Together move themselves, and situate together:  
As if one of those steels at Rome bestirred, the other  
The self same way will stir though they fare distant be,  
And all through Nature's force and secret Sympathy:  
Well than if you of aught would fain advise your Friend  
That dwells far off, to whom no Letter you can send;  
A large smooth round Table make, writ down the Christ-Cross-Row.  
In order on the Verge thereof, and then bestow  
The Needle in the midst which touched the Load, that so  
What note soe'er you sift it strait may turn unto  
Then frame another Orb in all respects like this,  
Describe the Edge, and lay the steel thereon likewise  
The steel that from the self same Magness motion drew;  
This Orb send with thy Friend what time he bids adieu:  
But on the days agree first, when you mean to prove,  
If the steel stir, and to what Letters it doth move.  
This done, if with thy Friend thou closely wouldst advise,  
Who in a Country of far distant from thee lies,  
Take thou the Orb and Steel which on the Orb was set,  
The Christ-cross on the edge thou seest in order writ,  
What notes will frame thy words, to them direct thy steel,  
And it sometime to this, sometimes to that note wheel,  
Turning it round about so often till you find  
You have compounded all the meaning of your mind;  
Thy Friend that dwells far off, O strange! doth plainly see  
The Steel to stir, though it by no man stirred be,  
Running now here, now there: He conscious of the Plot,  
As the steel guides pursues; and Reads from note to note;  
Then gathering into words those notes, he clearly sees  
What's needful to be done, the Needle Truchman is:  
Now when the steel doth cease its motion; if thy Friend  
Think it convenient answer back to send,  
The same course he may take, and with his Needle write,  
Touching the several notes, what so he list indite.  
Would God, Men would be pleased to put this course in Ure,  
These Letters would arrive more speedily and sure:  
Nor Rivers would them stop, nor Thiefs them intercept;  
Princes with their own hands their business might effect:  
We Scribes from Black Sea scaped, at length with hearty Wills,  
At the Altar of the Load would consecrate our Quills.   
Of this devise, how two absent Friends might confer●at a great distance, Viginerius in his Annotations upon T. Livius, speaketh somewhat in the 1316 Column of ●his first Volume; as namely, that a Letter might be Read through a stone Wall of three Foot thick, by guiding and moving the Needle of a Compass over the Letters of an Alphabet, written in the Circumference. But the certainty of this conclusion I leave to the experiment of such as please to make trial of it; but to pursue our present design, There is not any one error that breedeth a greater confusion in Magnetical Knowledge, than the mistaking of the right understanding o● the true North and South ends, as well in Magnet themselves, as also in Magnetical Bodies; whosoever therefore will take a little pains to understand this well shall free himself from many intricate difficulties in th● argument, which otherwise must needs befall him wherein some having Limed themselves, have falle● into many errors, every one still begetting another worse than himself. All those which Writ befor● Doctor Gilbert did name that end of a Magnet whic● being placed in a Wooden Dish, and set to swi● in Water, would turn and settle itself (as we have said towards the North, the North end of the Magnet and the other the South end. And even so did they o● all Dyal Needles, Compasses and Magnetical Bodies. But Doctor Gilbert not for any new fangled innovation or self conceit, but upon good reason and firm demonstration, avoucheth and proveth the contrary, and clearly showeth, that the former vulgar assertion seriously defended, tendeth to the overthrow of all Magnetical Philosophy, by undermining of (as it were) the whole frame thereof; and yet in common speech the old Rule may hold Loquendum cum vulgo sentiendum cu● sapientib●●. For it would seem a strange speech to a Mariner to tell him that his Flower de Luce were become the South point of the Compass, and yet this assertion is most true and certainly that it is the North end of every Magnet and Magnetical Body, that being placed in a thin Wooden Dish in Water, or any Magnetical Needle upon his Pin, which seateth itself and pointeth to the South, and it is the South end which pointeth to the North. For proof hereof, take these words of North and South in whether of the two former significations you please, and make trial thereof in any two Magnets, or any two Magnetical Bodies, so placed that they may freely turn according to their natures, and you shall always see a natural inclination of the contrary ends of the one to the contrary ends of the ●ther, as of the South end of the one to the South end of the other, and reciprocated of the South of the one ●o the North of the other; but the ends of the one in the other will always fly from those of the like denomination, as the North end of the one from the North end of the other, and the South end of the one from the South end of the other.  
For as much then as all Magnets themselves, and all Magnetical Bodies (being so placed as that they have their free motion) compose themselves Magnetically towards the Poles of the Earth, it must needs be that it is the true natural South end of the Magnet or Magnetical Needle, that pointeth towards the North of the Earth: And it is the true natural North end of the Magnet or Magnetical Needle that ponteth towards the South of the Earth, because the contrary ends do affect one another, and each of them do naturally fly, the one end of the one, from the end of the other, which is of like denomination unto itself: for Example, in this following Diagram of the whole Magnet, E A. is supposed to note the true natural North end thereof, and B. the South end.   depiction of a magnet 
This Magnet being placed in a Wooden Dish, swimming in Water, freely must, and will, of Magnetical necessity, with his true North end, A. settle himself so, that A. must point towards the South of the Earth; and the South end, B. towards the North of the Earth, because all Magnets and Magnetical Bodies do naturally affect, the one the contrary end of the other, and do avoid and fly from their ends of denomination.  
Now for a further consideration of these properties, suppose that you will cut a piece of this Magnet Meridionally, viz. C D. manifest experience will show, that C. which did in nature participate with A. in the entire Magnet. E. as being both of the true North part thereof, now being separate will not abide it. In like manner D. of the other end of the little one, will not abide B. of the great one, with whom being entire in nature, he did participate, as being both the Southerly parts of thr entire Magnet, E, and that because the ends of like denomination of any two Magnets, do naturrlly fly the one from the other.   depiction of a magnet 
The stone being brought to his perfect form, you must have a mould made of Iron, of the same proportion in every respect, and equal in all his dimensions, then setting your stone aside, let your Workman frame and fashion his caps, and sit them upon his mould as if it were the stone; thus shall you be sure to preserve your Magnets from many dangers, very incident to rude handling; and having so done you may set them on the stone itself, amending any small faults without endangering the stone, either with bruisings or knocks; for the thickness and largeness of the caps, there can be no general rule prescribed, but it must be left to the trial and ingenious discretion and dexterity of the Workman; as also for the handsome fastening either by Soadering or Reveting of them with Latin plates to the caps, to keep them in their places fast and firm and steady, according as you see in the Tincture of a stone armed with single caps.   depiction of a magnet  depiction of a magnet  depiction of a magnet 
Now therefore in this position, both ends of the Magnet being applied unto the two ends of the Iron, these two contrary forces strive in this piece of Iron, the North to repel the South, and the South the North so that each force is driven nearer his own end, and becometh there so much the stronger than otherwise it would be. For proof whereof, take a little narrow square piece of Iron, of the length of the capped stone, and join it in the midst with Copper after this manner.   depiction of a magnets 
A. i● supposed to be a ●●ng square, on a square like piece of Iron, in length fitting the two double caps of a Loadstone.  
B. a long square piece, the ends Iron, the middle Copper, and D. least of all.  
If you apply the Loadstone unto A, he will hold A. very strongly; but if you put any of the other three pieces under A, that it may touch any of them, he will not by any means lift it up. If you apply the Loadstone unto B, he will take it up very weakly, and C. somewhat more strongly, but D. strongest of all these three, yet not comparable to the strength wherewith he taketh up A. Aagain, although the Loadstone take up B. but weakly, yet if you place B. upon A, he will take them up both very strongly; yea more, place B. upon C, the two upon D, all three upon A, apply the Loadstone upon B, being the uppermost, and he will lift them all up very easily.  
The cause thereof is, when a Loadstone with his double cap is placed upon A, the force of both ends striving in that piece of Iron paralellwise unto the Axis of the stone, the North and South forces are driven more closely unto their proper ends. But B. (because of the immediate Copper) there cannot be no such close driving of his forces unto their proper ends, as was in A: and therefore the Loadstone lifteth up B. but only as if his two ends were two little lose pieces of Iron, hanging in the Air, and the intermediate Copper a burden upon them. But by placing B. upon A, A. in the manner (as it were) of a Bridge, joineth the two ends together in their former combats, and the two ends of B. forasmuch as they are, but (as it were) two lose pieces of Iron hanging in the Air, the two forces of the Loadstone North and South, distinctly and severally pass through them downwards into A, which i● could not do if it had been one entire piece of Iron: and so all those four pieces, being placed one upon another, so that A. be undermost, whether directly or side-ways, the Loadstone will easily lift them all up, and not otherwise.  
When a Loadstone lifteth up Iron at one end only, the virtue of a stone is infused into the whole body downward of that Iron, if it be not very long.  
But when by means of the double caps, both ends do lift Iron jointly together, he infuseth very small force downwards into the body of the Iron that it lifteth up: for the forces of both ends are so striving in the Collateral Line of the Iron, parallel to the Axis of the stone, that whereas a good Magnet lifting up at one end, will intend his virtue downwards twelve or fourteen Inches, in applying both ends unto the Iron, by the means of the double caps, he will not extend his force downwards the distance of one Inch, nor with any strength the distance of half an Inch, as in this former Example.   base for magnets 
Pliny in his natural History writeth, that Dinocrates that Famous Architect Builder of Alexandria, at Ptolemy's command began to vault a Temple with Magnets, that there might seem to hang in the Air the Image of his Sister Arsinoe, made of Iron for that purpose: but both Dinocrates and Ptolemy dying in the mean space, that enterprise ceased. Neither indeed (if the both had lived) could it ever have come to pass by that means, by reason of two impossibilities: the one is, that by the force of the Loadstones, nothing can so hang in the Air, but that it either must touch the stone itself, or some other intermediate substance between it and the stone, that bareth it from coming to the stone itself. For Example, lay two or three Needles upon a smooth Table, put a Silver or Pewter Plate upon them, and upon that Plate a Loadstone, then lift up the Plate aloft with the Loadstone lying still upon it, and you shall see the Needles hanging indeed in the Air endlong, and if you move the stone about the Plate, following still underneath, but evermore touching the Plate, which is the intermediate body, which keepeth them from coming to touch the stone, which otherwise by their natural inclination very speedily they would do. But as for the Image of Arsinoe, how had it been possible for it to have touched at once, mediately or immediately, so great a number of Loadstones, whereof the pretended Vault must needs have consisted? the other is, that such a multitude of Magnets would nothing but confound the one the others forces, so that one of them alone being solitary and severed from his company, might show more force than all the insociable society could do each one hindering the efficacy of the other. Much like a Team of many Horses, where every one drawing his several way, might soon with disordered stretching tire himself and his fellows, but never move the Load one jote from the place. Insomuch as one (and possibly the worst) would do more good alone, where he might orderly and freely use his own strength, than he and all the many of them could do, being joined together in vicinity of bodies, but extremely distracted through contrarity of courses.  
The only way to perform such a design (if it were worth ●he doing) would be to prepare one mighty great Loadstone of excellent goodness, which having his due proportion, after an extended Oval form, should be fitted with double caps, and so placed in the Roof of a Building, that his Axis be parallel to the Horizon: in this manner (out of all doubt) a fair large Image might be held up very strongly by such a Magnet, let the stuff or substance thereof be whatsoever (howbeit the lighter the better) so that there be fastened to the uppermost part of the Image a small piece of Iron, according prepared and placed for the two prominent ends of the double caps of the stone, to lay hold thereon. But enough hereof.  
In the caping of the Magnets, this general rule is to be observed, that they ought to be made of the finest and softest Iron, and not of Steel: the weight also, which the Magnet taketh up, should be of the like Iron, and not of Steel (as aforesaid) for although Steel at the least retaineth Ten times as much virtue as Iron, when it is once separated from the stone, can do; yet as long as there is any contignity between the stone and them, he holdeth Iron more stronger than Steel. Both which differences in either of them, by manifest experience are certain, and seem to proceed from notable fastness and closeness in the Steel above the Iron; by means whereof the Magnetical Virtue doth longer and more forcibly continue in that than this: even as fire more mightily possesseth, and for a greater space abideth in stone, or any such firm or solid matter, then in Wood or Straw, or the like thin and hollow substance; and therefore those Compass makers, that make the Wires of their Flies for Sailing Compasses of mere Iron, ought not by any means to be suffered; for to gain Twopences in a Compass (and scarcely that) they intolerably abuse those that Travel by Sea, to their great danger and mischief.  
To cement and piece Loadstones, for your Simmon do thus: take the fine powder of Loadstone, half so much powder of New-brick made very small and subtle, one part of Burgundy-pitch, half so much of Rossen, a small portion of unwrought Wax: mingle all these together very well upon a soft Fire, and make the whole Mass in little Rolls. Now when you will cement a stone, do thus: heat the two pieces of the stone very hot, and likewise the Simmon, then strake the places as you will solder, over with the Simmon very thinly, and join them somewhat hard together, letting them so stand until they be cold, and you shall have it fully as strong, as if it were an entire stone itself, and not to be severed by great heat of Fire. In piecing of the Loadstones, there must be great care taken to the nature of the Loadstone in general, and also to those particular pieces which you would join together. The Loadstone in general (as it is showed before) that his force issueth (as it were) from a centre in the middle of the stone, to all the superficies whereof universally, but most strongly unto the Poles from the middle, one way the stone is all of a Northly nature, and all of it Southly the other way. For Example.   depiction of a magnet  depiction of a magnet  depiction of a magnet  depiction of a magnet  depiction of a magnet 
In Loadstones there is a part truly said to be divided from the whole, when the points of that part or ends, or Poles, and so, by necessary consequence, the Axis and Aequator, in which the universal frame of Magnetical power consisteth, have a position divers from the Poles or points of the World. For this cause, in the last example the one half A, B. being supposed to swarve from the other half B, A. at either end, must needs presently be divided from it, and now cannot be pars integri, but is of necessity totum integrali, a several and absolute Magnet of itself, and so by an essential property common to all Magnets, coveteth with his point A. the contrary B. of that which is under it. Wherefore like as exact agreement is between two Mathematical Figures, when being applied together, the extremes of the one, do precisely fall upon the extremes of the other, each upon his correspondent extreme, and it is made one therewith: even such is the perfect composition or setting together the parts of a Magnetical Body, and namely of those two equal parts before exemplifyed, you must so join one upon another, that the two extremes or ends be always of the same nature Northly or Southly, in both parts; and that by the due application of the parts, the two Northly ends being united and become one, as also the two Southly after the same manner. But if these parts, being of equal length, be joined longwise, the North of the one unto the South of the other; those two ends that were (being now no ends, but the just middle of one Magnet) have lost their properties which they had when they were ends. For those properties, by this Union are abolished, but their other ends still reserve their former and stronger virtues of North and South; and so according to Magnetical nature, one Magnet shall have but two Poles, the North and the South. Again, if you will piece two Loadstones together in thickness, the one of them being longer than the other; than you must either cut the longer that it may be fit in length unto the shorter, or else piece the shorter in such a manner as is before described, that he be equal in length to the longer, and whatsoever disorderly parts perhaps shall be in any of them, they may, even after they are cemented, very well be ground away. Also if there be holes or dents, with little pieces of Loadstones cemented (their points being observed) they may be filled up, without any manner of damage or deformity, no more than if there had not been any such at all. And after this Method you may (with labour and industry) of many Magnets, make one huge, and of what form you please. And although the Magnets of this body, Magnetically compact (as I have here showed) were never so many in number, yet the whole will have but two principal points, the one the North, the other the South, even as if it were one natural Loadstone, and all of them will contribute their forces unto these two points; so that if there were twenty of them, being after this order cemented together into one body, the whole would have but two points, but if you will place them in a Vault, according to a Mason's Trade, they will have 40 points, twenty North, and as many South, and will work the like effect in drawing Iron, as (to use the former gross similitude) if a Teeme of Horses were set in their Traces contrary the one to the other, the one to pull one way and the other anorher. As for the Turks Mahomet, hanging in the Air with his Iron Chest, it is a most gross untruth, and utterly impossible it is for any thing to hang so in the Air by any Magnetical power, but that either it must touch the stone itself, or else (as we have said) some intermediate hoby, that hindereth it from coming to the stone, or else some stay below to keep it from ascending, as some small Wire that can scarcely be seen or perceived.   depiction of a vessel 
Concerning the Magnetical force of the whole body of the Earth, I have selected these experiments to prove it.  
Take any piece of solid Earth that hath some toughness ●o hold together, and will abide the fire, as any sort of Clay or Brick (which sometimes was Clay) fashion it in such manner that it be uniformly extended towards both ends (the Oral or Long Figure is fittest for our purpose) put it into a Fire of Charcoals, increasing the heat by little and little, and at the length with often blowing, make it as throughly red hot as you can: let it remain so for the space of half an hour or more, that thereby all the superfluous moisture may be consumed, and adverse qualities separated from it, then take it forth, and let it cool itself, being first set North and South with either end answerable to the variation of the place, not parallel to the Horizon, but elevated answerable to the Latitude as near as you can. Certain it is that this piece of Earth thus ordered, will sensibly show you that it hath true Magnetical Virtue. But here before I proceed any farther, I must deliver unto you a necessary observation: There are two sorts of Attractions (as they are commonly called) the one Magnetical, the other Electrical. The Magnetical hath always a special respect to the North and South points (as we have often said) of the Magnet or Magnetical Body. The Electrical Body hath no manner of respect to any one point of the Electrical Body, more than another: and by this difference these two kinds of Attractions are easily discerned: as also by this look what end of the Magnetical Needle the one end of the Magnet doth draw, the other will chase away; but the Electrical Body draweth alike at all ends. And Thirdly after this manner, lap this Electrical Body in a Paper and it will draw nothing to it at all, but interposition of Brass or a stone Wall within the Orb of the Magnets virtue, doth nothing weaken the same, or hinder his effect towards his peculiar object. Notwithstanding (to speak properly) Attraction appertaineth only to Electrical Bodies, because the whole Attractive virtue is only in the Electrical Body itself, and nothing as in the thing that is attracted. The Attraction (commonly so called) of the Loadstone is rightly to be termed, Concursion, Confluence, or Coition, because it is the running or vigorous meeting together of two Magnetical Bodies, having a mutual Inclination the one with the other, or by any other name, bearing the like sense. For the true knowledge thereof, being but lately as a stranger arrived amongst us, for common use.  
(Quem penes arbitrium est, et jus et Norma Loquendi, hath as yet scant suited it, with a convenient Name to express this property; so that Magnetical conclusion is never but between two Bodies, such as both of them are Magnetical; as of one Loadstone with another, or of a Loadstone with Iron or Steel, or Iron Oare if it be prepared, or between two pieces of Iron or Steel thac are Revived with a Loadstone; for indeed the Loadstone can but revive and multiply Magnetical force in a Body that naturally hath it in some measure before: but cannot infuse it into any thing, that before is utterly void of it, as of Metals in Iron and Steel, and not in Gold, Silver, Brass, etc.  
Electrum in this Argument is named that which is either Amber in substance, or at least of the quality and that Amber being ●ubed, hath an attraction to take up Moats, Feathers, Straws, and other small things the which property is also in ●eate, Brimstone, Hard-wax (if it be smooth) and in infinite other things, both natural and compound; all which because of that quality in this Argument are termed Electrical Bodies, and their taking up of things is called Electrical Attraction, having only a slender resemblance, ●ut no truth of the Magnetical Quality.  
But that above mentioned piece of Earth, prepared in such a manner as is before prescribed, will by Magnetical Concursion show itself to be a true Magnetical Body. For the one end of the Magnetical Needle will covet towards the one of the prepared Mass, and fly from the other. And contrariwise also, though it will do both but weakly, not with power comparable to a natural Loadstone, yet as truly as that. That end which cooled towards the South, will draw the true North end of the Needle, and that end which cooled towards the North will draw the true South end of the Needle. If so be that as yet you will have another in fallible Argument, do thus; mark what end draweth the North end of the Needle, afterwards put the new made Magnet into the fire again, and when it hath been glowing for the space of half a quarter of an hour, take it out and cool it, being placed with that marked towards the North, most assuredly that end now will draw the South end of the Needle, and the North end of the Needle will shun it, which before approached unto it, the reason hereof is, because the first having abolished all the former. Magnetical quality of that Mass wherewith it was in a contrary position affected in the former cooling, now leaving it apt and fit to receive any new Impression: which presently it taketh again either regularly, if in the cooling it be placed with the ends to the North and South, or (if it be placed otherwise) confusedly, by the Magnetical force and virtue of the whole body of the Earth by regular and confused, this is the meaning. Take any lump of Earth, or any Brick-bat ordered in this manner, certain it is that this ●ump of Earth or Brick-bat hath some Magnetical virtue therein, yet so feeble and weak, that our sense cannot discern it, because of the unfitness of the form, and the confused dispersion of that weak force, through the whole body thereof. Then suppose you will bring either of these into an extended Oval form, which is apt (as before I have said) for any body Magnetical to show his force, yet this will help it nothing at all of itself, as you may easily make experience in every Loadstone. For if you take a Loadstone of a confused form, it is not enough to bring it into a convenient Oval, except with diligence you reserve the points of the North and South in the two ends thereof, for if you leave the points in the sides, you spoil it with this Oval form. For the stone will not lightly be of one quarter of the force, as it was before; for the Oval form giveth it no virtue, but it is the fittest for it to show the uttermost of that strength, which of itself it had before, if you observe the due points, and not otherwise. But in this Earth and Brick it is not possible to find the due points in such a manner as you may in a Loadstone, because of the weakness of the Magnetical force therein contained. And therefore you cannot bring that into a regular Oval form, and by the Fire take away the confused Magnetical force, and all other perverse qualities thereof, that being by nature a Magnetical body in his cooling before specified, receiving presently by that unresistable power of the Earth, his Magnetical virtue, according unto that form, and will regularly have his due points precisely in the ends, without any confusion. Johannes Babtista Porta writes, that he did make trial of the way that Paracelsus hath set down for to increase the virtue of a Magnet; Namely, to heat him red hot in the Fire, and to quench him in the Oil of Crocus Martis: and Babtista Porta saith, that he found it a detestable falsehood. But saith he, he is so far from increasing his virtue, as that (being once red hot) he looseth all his own, past all recovery. But for all this that he saith, I doubt whether Paracelsus be justly reproved or not, for by my own experience I know that the heating of a Loadstone until it be red hot, doth weaken a Loadstone, but taketh not away all its force; and in my trial hereof, I found a very manifest proof of the Magnetisme of the Earth, which I thought necessary to insert in this place. I have made this trial of fragments of Magnets in divers kinds, and likewise of divers kinds of Iron Mines which are next in degree to the Magnets; Namely, after this manner, Heat him in the Fire by little and little (for fear of breaking) until he be red hot, then take him out and let him cool, then mark (with Chalk or what you please) those parts that respect the North and South, and you shall find those marked places, the North and the South Poles of the Magnet. Put him into the fire again, until he be red hot, and cool him contrarily, and you shall have the contrary effect. Therefore if Babtsta Porta did make his trial with a Loadstone very long in form, and chanced (for Doctor Gilberts mystery of the Magnetisme was not then revealed) for to cool him in his Oil of Crocus Martis with his ends East and West, the Axis of the stone being then overthwart in the middle, it were no marvel, though it found no force in the ends. And I do not think it impossible, but that Paracelsus way may do some good rightly used. Doctor Gilbert writeth, that some Iron Mine will affect a Magnetical Needle, as it is of itself, being unprepared by fire: but as yet I never could find any such, but this I have often tried, that it being of no manner of Magnetical virtue of itself, no more than a Flint stone unprepared by fire, being made red hot and cooled, is presently impregnated with very apparent Magnetical virtue, according to the situation that he is cooled in, and although you heat and cool him often, and divers ways, he will still keep his virtues, according to the situation of his cooling. And some Iron Mines I have found, which being but in this sort prepared, have had as strong force as some natural Magnets have had; it is the goodness of the Loadstone joined with a fit form that will show great force: For as a very good form with a base substance can do but very little, so the substance of the Loadstone be it never so excellent, except it have some convenient form, is not available. For example, an excellent Loadstone of a pound weight and of a good fashion, being used artificially, may take up four pounds of Iron; beat it into small powder, and it shall be of no force to take up one ounce of Iron; yea I am very well assured, that half an ounce of a Loadstone of good fashion, an● of like virtue, will take up more than a pound will do being beaten in powder. Whence (to add to this by the way) it appeareth manifestly, that it is a great error of those Physicians and Surgeons, which to remedy Ruptures, do prescribe unto their Patients to take the powder of Loadstone inwardly, and the small filling of Iron inwardly: suppose here that the Magnetical drawing should do great wonders, whereas they consider not that the stone being dissolved into powder, every little particle of the dust hath two points contrary, the one drawing to, the other repelling and putting from; and so being thus confounded by a contrary working, doth much more harm then good with his Magnetical quality. As for the astringent and drying property of the Loadstone, I leave them to the diligent observation of those that are skilful in Physic: but to return to our purpose, and to allege this also, besides the manifest proof, if the Earth were not by Nature a Magnetical body, the aforesaid mentioned piece of Earth were not by Nature a Magnetical body, the afore mentioned piece of Earth could not receive from a Loadstone any Magnetical power: but most certain it is, and by many undoubted experiments confired, that it will evidently receive a Magnetical power from a Loadstone: therefore it is manifest that the Earth is by nature a Magnetical power: but most certain it is, and by many undoubted experiments confirmed, that it will evidently receive Magnetical power from a Loadstone therefore it is manifest that the Earth is by nature a Magnetical body. Farthermore, as amongst all the Metals, Iron doth imcomparably more resemble the Earth in substance then any other doth; it likewise doth participate more with the Earth in quality, and principally in the Magnetical peculiar property hereof, as notorious experience declareth; yea every piece of Iron Oare, being naturally (as Doctor Gilbert showeth) a Magnet, although of feeble force, and all Magnets being a kind of an Iron Oare, is the very cause, that only Iron or Steel, and no other Mettle is capable of that virtue, Namely, to have that revived and multiplied by the vicinity of a Magnet, which at the first in some measure was originally in itself, as it is aforesaid; it is also well known, that the Magnet is a stone most commonly of invincible hardness, nothing inferior to any Iron or Steel of the excellentest sort; notwithstanding sometimes we see of them that are nothing, but a dry lump of Earth, and yet of those also some are stronger in virtue, than divers of the hard stones are: which Earthly Magnets, if a man assay to bring them into fashion by grinding on a Grindingstone (according to the common use) they will consume into very Mud in the Water. Now (to draw towards an end of this matter) albeit that the Magnetical virtue be most eminent in the Magnet, as in the precise and perfect subject thereof: yet it is the self same quality, in a meaner degree, evidently to be perceived in every piece of Earth, prepared and ordered (as is aforesaid) yea, although it be not cooled with his ends North and South, that it may take its Magnetical force from the virtue of the Earth, for if you cool it with his ends but East and West, and set two Loadstones in the cooling, the one at one end and the other at the other end, it will receive a sensible and apparent Magnetical Virtue, according to those points of the Loadstone that were applied unto it; namely, that end which was next to the South point of the Loadstone will have a North property, and that end that was next the North point, will have a South property; yea, if you set the North part of two Loadstones to each end, both ends of this new made Magnets will have a South property; and contrariwise if you apply the South ends of two Magnets, both his ends will have a North property; and those properties before mentioned will show themselves Magnetical, because whether end of this new Magnet draweth any one end of a Magnetical Needle, the same will cause away the other: which is proper only to Magnets and Magnetical Bodies. After the like sort, only by application of two strong Loadstones by the force of twenty four hours you may alter the points of any base Loadstone, which you would, and make them both North and South as you please: so that the Loadstone that you would alter be but base in quality, and not great in substance, and that the other be of a reasonable bigness and good strength. And this virtue by such an application of two Loadstones I have often found effectual in new Brick lately taken from the Kill without any farther putting into the fire at all, and although it be against the nature of the Loadstone to have both his ends naturally of one virtue, that is to say both of them of a North property, or both of them of a South property: yet here is to be understood, that it is the forcible violence of the strong ones, being applied jointly to each end of the weak, that do chase the contrary property of the weak one into the middle thereof; and therefore if you divide this weak one in the middle, then both those ends which being joined together in the middle (where no Loadstone can show any virtue) being now disjointed and become both ends, will presently show a contrary property (according to the Magnetical Nature) unto the other two ends.   depiction of a compass 
The form of the stone is Represented in this following Figure.  
The Form of the Stone.  
I must have on the inner side certain little Nails and Denticles and small Teeth of Iron of one equal weight, to be fastened on the Border or Magnet, so that the one be no farther distant from the other, then is the thickness of a Bean. The said Wheel also must be in all parts of equal weight, then fasten the Axletree in the middle, upon the which the Wheel may turn, the Axletree remaining altogether . To the which Axletree again shall be joined a Pin of Silver fastened to the same, and placed between the two cases in the highest part, whereon place the Loadstone. Being thus prepared, let it be first brought to a round form, than (as is said) let the Poles be found: then the Poles untouched, the two contrary sides being between the two Poles, must be filed and polished, and the stone brought in a manner to the form of an Egg, and somewhat narrower on those two sides, lest the lower part thereof should possess the inferior place, that it may touch the Walls of the case like a little Wheel.   setting up the the lode-stone at sea  the lode-stone at sea  

The Seaman's Director, as well in distress of Wether, as also at his leisure times of Recreation, how to make a right use of the Magnetical Needle, how to manage the Sailing Compass, and the rest of the Instruments of chiefest concernment in the Art of Navigation.  
HAving already discoursed of the virtues of the Loadstone, as we are very unwilling (for to divide such dear friends, we next shall Treat of the Magnetical Needle.  
The variation of the Magnetical Needle, being aptly fitted and placed upon his pin, is nothing else, but the swarving of the pointing of the same in the Horizon, from the Meridian line there, the portion of the Horizon intercepted between the true Meridian line and this pointing, sheweth of what quantity the variation is, and giveth it his name, to wit, which way it lieth, either Easterly or Westerly, and it is observed by either end of the Needle as you please.  
In times past men observed only by the North end of the Needle, because they understood not that the Loadstone hath a South virtue, as well as a North; and therefore did touch their Needles and Wyars of their Compasses always for the North only, leaving those ends of the Wyars bare, that they might be refreshed with a new touch at any time afterwards: but the other ends they covered, not knowing that they were also apt to receive as forcible a virtue from the Loadstone for the South, as the other for the North. For the right understanding of the variation, which is necessary dependants, we must use the means of two circles, the one of them I will call the Magnetical Almicanter, the other is already known by the name of the Magnetical Meridian.  
This Magnetical Almicanter is a circle parallel unto the Horizon, whose centre is the Vertical point, and is described by the distance between the Vertical point, and the nearer Pole of the Earth; the Magnetical respective pole, or (which is all one) the Pole of the Magnetical Meridian, is a point in the Magnetical Almicanter, as the variation of that place containeth in the Horizon, but always it is the contrary part of the true Meridian; that is, if the variation of the South part of the Needle be Easterly, the respective Pole is Westerly: but if you observe with the North end of the Needle, the respective Pole and the variation are both one way in all our Northern Climates. If the variation of the South point of the Needle be Westerly, then is the respective pole so many degrees in the said Almicanter Easterly, and therefore always of the same height with the true Pole above the Horizon. For since all great circles of the Globe do necessarily cut one another in two points into two equal parts: these two therefore must even do so in the Zenith and Nadir, by the very definition; so that these two points (the Zenith and Nadir) are always alike common to them both, as well unto the true, as unto the Magnetical Meridian.  
Wherehence it followeth necessarily, that always the one half of the Magnetical Meridian is on the East side, and the other on the West side of the true Meridian, the common Zenith or Nadir evermore keeping their equal distances from the Poles of the one of them, as they do from the other. For Example, suppose the common Zenith to be in the Aequator, you Sailing East or West, as long as there is no variation, there is no Magnetical Meridian, there are no Megnetical Poles, but those of the World. But as soon as Sailing still under the line, you do find a variation, it is the Magnetical Meridian, that by his swarving from the true Meridian of the World, in the Horizon showeth the quantity of the variation, and giveth it also the denomination of Easterly or Westerly, and his Axis is the line of variation. But suppose the common Zenith, to be in any parallel, between the Equatour and the Pole, then is it not the Axis, but some other Diameter of the Magnetical Meridian, which showeth the variation of the Horizon; and the Magnetical Meridian ever more cutteth just so many degrees of the Magnetical Almicanter on the one side of the true Meridian, as the same Magnetical Pole is distant from the same Almicanter, on the other side of the true Meridian from the Pole of the World. And this is to be understood in correspondent manner, as well of the South Hemisphere, as of the North.  
The respective Magnetical M ridian (where any variation is) is a circle that pasteth by the Vertical point of the Nadir, and both the respective Poles, crossing the Horizon at right Angles in the points of variation, of which circle the line of Variation is a Diameter, but where there is no variation the true and Magnetical Meridian● are both one and the self same, and so in the like manner are there Diameters. Those circles and Poles are termed respective, because that in every place where any variation is, the Magnetical Needle doth respect them, as well in the property of direction, as of that of declination or inclination. For thus also very well it may be termed, by the property of direction, and I do mean with Doctor Gilbert, the Horizontical motion of the Magnetical Needle, by the declination or inclination. I mean the descending (and as it were) the sinking motion of the Needle under the Horizon, in his proper Azimuth or Magnetical Meridian; but if there be no variation, the Needle always pointeth to the true Meridian of the Earth, and towards the Poles thereof, in both those properties. The true Poles of the Earth, which are those two points equally distant from each part of the Equinoctial of the Earth, are always the self same. The respective Poles alter with every Horizon, where there is any variation, but never out of the forenamed Almicanter of that place. The cause of the differences of the respective Poles and Meridian's from the true Poles and Meridian's, and so of all Variations, are only two; the chief and most general is the vastness of the Ocean Sea, by moistness whereof the Magnetical collateral force of so much Earth as it covereth, is much hindered and dulled. And by what means the next great continent hath more power over the correspondent end of the Magnetical Needle, than otherwise it would have if all were alike, one entire continent; and therefore causeth the directive property of the Needle somewhat to swarve towards that way, which is that which we call variation; but yet the vastness of the Ocean doth not hinder the declination of the Magnetical Needle, because the hanging consisteth but in length and breadth, and not in the depth. For although in comparison of a Pond or River, the Sea is said to be of a wonderful depth, yet if this depth be compared with a Semidiameter of the Earth, it beareth a very exceeding small proportion, nothing at all to hinder the mighty magnetical declinatory force of the whole Earth; for the greatest depth that ever any man of skill esteemed it at, was not above two English ●iles, at the uttermost, when as daily experience maketh it manifest, that a great continent will show his Magnetical collateral force, by causing a variation, above 200 miles off from the place, and therefore Doctor Gilberts fear in that point I take to be needless, supposing a variation of declination. The second cause of variation is any great mountainous Region, Easterly or Westerly from you, it will cause the Needle sometimes to swarve that way. But variations of this kind are but of small continuance, and in Sailing subject to sudden alteration; yea many times quite contrary from Westerly to Easterly, and afterwards back again within short space, as our first Famous Pilot Stephen Burrough found by his experience in his discovery of the Scythian Sea Coast, between the North Cape of Finmarke and Vaygates; the reason whereof ought heedfully to be regarded, which is that the Magnetical force of the whole Earth, doth (as in all Magnets) show itself most strongly in the two poles thereof, and in the places which are under them: but always it must be remembered that all the force they have must issue out of the whole Terrestrial body, as it doth likewise in all Magnets out of the body of the Magnet: and therefore in any part of the superficies of the whole Terrestrial body. It is impossible that any variation be above 90 degrees, because the virtue of the whole can never be overswayed by the imperfection of a part, and especially of so small a part is any one portion of the Ocean is in his very superficies, in respect of the body of the whole Earth: yea I am verily persuaded, that there never was nor never will be any Variation, by any good observation found to be so much as 90, neither any show of so great variation any where, except it be very near unto either of the poles, where there is small credit to be given to the observing of any variation: for the variation being (as before said) the difference of the pointing of the Magnetical Needle in the Horizon, from the true Meridian, for as much as in places near the pole, there is no manner of certainty of either of these, it is not possible to find the variation if there be any. The reason whereof is this, no man may Travel in those Seas, but whilst the Sun abideth on that side of the Aequatour, whereby they have continual day, and by that means are secluded from any help of the Stars; neither if they might be seen, would they bring any great help. For the difference of height in many hours is so small, that by a large Instrument a diligent observer with great pains will hardly find the Meridian Line, all the Meridian's thereof coming so near one to another, and meeting in the Pole, and their Horizon being in a manner parallel to the Aequinoctial. As for the Horizontical Magnetical Needle, to show their pointing in the Horizon as they were wont to do, they coming into the Climate may say Fuimus Troes. Their direction is as it were giddy and uncertain, and when their centre cometh unto the pole itself, it is quite vanished away; for from thence all the points of the Horizon are only South, if it be at the South pole, and North from the South, and therefore in that place the Instrument of declination is far more sure than the Horizontical Compass. And as in the poles themselves there is no direction at all, so of necessity near unto them it must be a very confused direction. Those two places that are called the poles, have no strength of themselves (as aforesaid) but as it is contributed unto them of the whole. As in a Magnet, if you break off a piece of a contrary end, the end that is lest will be according to that proportion diminished in his strength, and the polar piece, and the polar piece that is broke off (be it never so little) will have two poles as well as the great, so that the two parts will have four poles, two of them North, and two of them South. Put this little piece that was broken off in his place again, and then each piece will lose one of his poles at the very same instant, and the whole will have but two poles, the one North and the other South, as at the first. Again, if you cut off of one side a piece of the Loadstone, that is brought into a round of an Oval form, having his poles marked in their due places at each end, presently both ends will be abridged of part of the force which they had, and the poles themselves will be removed unto the other side, from the places that were marked, and those marks will stand but for idle cyphers in comparison of that they were before. Again, take a Magnet of an old or an extended Oval form: I do still exemplify in these, because they are of all others, as I have often admonished, for all Magnetical proof the most excellent forms, and set marks on the two poles, take a fine Needle, or any straight small Wyar, and set it on the Equinoctial (mean thereby the middle, between the two ends of the stone) then will it point directly towards each pole, if the stone be sound without any flaws, or any other gross substance (as may be) intermingled with it: and if you thrust this Needle towards either end, according to his own direction, he will trace you a circle right over both of these marked poles, which is the true Meridian of the stone. But if this stone hath on either of the sides any imperfection, when the Needle cometh to the edge or brink thereof, it will swarve somewhat towards the sounder side, and will point to neither of the true poles. And if a circle be drawn according to his pointing, as he standeth still in that place, this shall be a respective Meridian of that stone, proper unto that place, and the poles. The respective poles differing from the true Meridian of the stone and his poles. Now if you thrust the Needle farther towards the end, upon the brink of this imperspection, it will not point (as before) but either further off, or nearer to the true poles, and will give his direction for a new respective Meridian, and new respective poles, and in such manner infinitely, if you place the Needle in the middle of this imperfection, equally distant from the sound parts, then will it indeed point towards the end of the stone, and the consequence hereof is the main reason, and that towards the midst of the Ocean; and likewise of any great continent there is no variation. Thus may you especially in a round Loadstone (as in a lively example) see the true causes of all the variations that are in the whole World, reckoning as much space as the Ocean covereth, to be some imperfection in the body of the whole, in respect of the Horizontical motion of the Compass. For the evidence of the truth hereof, let a man examine generally the variations of the most expert Navigators (although by reason of the diversities of the sets of their Compasses, and unfitness and unapt handling of their Instruments, they seldom times agree amongst themselves) observed in the Atlantic Ocean, from the Aequatour unto the parts of Norway, all along the East Coast, from the Meridian of the Azores, so as far North, as hereunto has been discovered, and he shall find the ordinary practice to testify the truth hereof, as also after the same sort from the Aequatour Southward, unto the straits of Magellan, and all along the back side of America in the South Sea: on the East Coast on the Cape of Bona Speranza, and he shall perceive the like agreement, but in Sailing from the cap of Bona Speranza, farther farther Eastward that sometimes they do find it otherwise, the cause is the different manner of the situation of the South, as yet undiscovered continent. And whereas in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean, about 30 League's West from the Azores, they find no variation at all, no marvel thereof; for it is about the middle distance between the two great Continents of America and Ours.  
Wherefore the round Loadstone is significantly termed by Doctor Gilbert Terrella, that is, a little, or rather a very little Earth; for it representeth in a little small model (as it were) the admirable properties Magnetical of the huge Globe of the Earth; herein also we may behold the reason why the Magnetical Needle varieth least in the Aequinoctial, and most towards the pole, and in the poles themselves giveth no direction at all: for proof hereof, take a Needle and place it on the Aequinoctial of the stone, there you shall see stand equally balanced and very strongly, so that if you turn him from the direction, as soon as you let him go, he will presently again turn to it. The reason is, because each pole doth equally strengthen his correspondent end of the Needle. Move this Needle towards either of the poles, then doth the nearer pole strengthen his end of the Needle; but the farther (because of the distance) cannot do the like unto his, but very weakly, and this Needle will not stand any more equally balanced (as it did in the Aequinoctial) but that end next to the pole will couch down, and the other will rise up, for on the North side of the Aequatour, the true South end is predominant, and on the other the North end hath the Mastery. And that this is also in the Earth itself, all our late Travellers confirm unto us by their daily experience, and all the very Artisans and Needle-makers must needs be daily witnesses of it. As for Example, let any Workman in our Climate make a Needle for a Dyal, when he hath fitted it and placed it on the pin, that it may stand thereon equally balanced and parallel to the Horizon, touch it with the Loadstone, then presently that which pointeth towards the North will hang down; yea (although you touch only with the South end) and will not stand as before, the touch equally balanced and parallel to the Horizon: except that you cut or file somewhat from that end that hangeth down, or else add a piece of Wax or some other thing to the other end of the Needle to counterpose it, and make it stand equidistant as it did at the first setting on: and this is a thing very certain, that is, the Northerly descent of the Needle, will be more or less in all places of Northerly Latitude: in the greater Latitude the more, and in the lesser Latitude the lesser. But if any Traveller carry this Needle beyond the Aequatour in the like Latitude Southerly, that end which is downwards in the Northerly, will rise Southerly, and the other sink down even as much: and the nearer you Travel towards either pole, the more that end which pointeth towards the pole will tend downwards: this is most certain in every Dyal Needle, but a great deal more appeareth in a long one then in a short one; we cannot find that the property of direction by the Magnetical Needle hath been unlargly practised (for Sailing) above 300 years. And as for the property of declination under the Horizon, thereby to show the Latitude by the Instrument thereunto belonging, it is as yet a very new come Guest into the World, born and bred with us in England, and except it had been in exceeding few men's hands, yet much used, much less come unto his perfection. But this is not to be marvailed at because it is not above 60 years old; neither is it to be wondered at if any Critical Fellows do contemn and deride it, forasmuch at either their want of knowledge, or of patience, will not give them leave truly to consider of it. But what Navigatour, or rather Nugatour whatsoever contemneth it, shall be sure to repent if ever he comes to his right wits to consider what it is that he hath contemned. And although the Needles for direction and declination do differ much in their shapes, each from the other, yet the properties are both one and the same. For the Needles for direction do decline (as aforesaid) as far as the unfitness of their form and place will permit them: and the declining Needle will not work, but only in his Magnetical Meridian, which himself will find out, if you turn the Instrument about, until the Needle show his least declination under the Horizon, and there do play up and down, and stop in the end of the same place again. But if you would have a Needle fitted to show both his properties, do thus, cause a Needle to be made about six Inches long, even and smooth, saving that he must be a little bigger in the middle, then instead of an Axis (which declinatory Needles have) let him have a small hole drilled precisely in the midst, and this hole being very small, let it be somewhat wider outwards on each side then in the midst (which our Workmen call Sinkboared) where it must be left very sharp, even almost as the edge of a Knife: put through this hole a small Virginal Latin Wire, and fit the Needle so that it hang precisely even upon this Wire, instead of an Axletree: then touch him with the Loadstone, and you shall presently see the end that should point towards the North, decline or bend down to his due point of declination, if it be placed in the Magnetical Meridian, and set a little piece of Wax or any other thing upon the contrary part for a counterpoise in that the Needle may stand parallel with the Horizon, then if you stand at right angles with that Virginal Wyer, it is certainly in the Magnetical Meridian, so that hanging in this counterpose, if you turn about the Wire until the Needle do make right Angles with it, then doth the Needle by his directive virtue point unto the Magnetical Meridian Line. Take off the counterpoise, than it showeth the declination; so that one and the self same Needle in the same place only, by taking off, and putting on a little piece of Wax, showeth plainly both those properties of directions and declinations, and in like manner every inclinatory Needle will do, if the points of his Axis be sharp, and held in his box parallel to the Horizon, he will show both those properties of direction and declination: a fine piece of Cork or Leather, or any Tough substance may serve this Needle for a counterpoise in all Latitudes by thrusting it towards the centre in the less Latitudes, and towards the end in the greater, and I think it not impossible, but that a skilful Geometrician may so graduate the one half of such a Needle, that it alone with its counterpoise, may be a means to give a probable conjecture for the Latitude of any place whatsoever.  
It will be very convenient in the next place to make a discovery of the Errors committed in making and touching Magnetical Needles and Wires of Sailing Compasses, and to give advise for the true and right making and touching of them.  
First, The Wires that are commonly made both with us, and in foreign Countries, are of so base and drossy Iron, not apt or sufficient to receive the tenth part of the virtue that fine steel Wyer could do.  
Secondly, The ends of the Wires are for the most part not filled smooth nor ●itted even together upon the Axis of the file; by means whereof the touch of the stone is more dully received, and the standing of the file more uncertain, the Magnetical force not being in the true Axis thereof.   depiction of a needle for a magnet 
Some, who would seem to be of great skill, have imagined that the best way to add strength to a Needle, is with a Hammer to give some strokes to the point of the stone, thereby causing Litrages (as it were) or Beard, to hang down from it, and that the Needle in his touching, taking some part of that with him, should have the stronger touch. But they that so suppose deceive themselves therein; for a Beard is nothing else, but ●he fine dust of the stone, hanging together by virtue ●hereof: which being separated from the stone (although it were a right good one) is not able any whit ●t all to turn a Needle of itself. The trial is soon made by this means, let them take off that beard from the stone with a stick, and lay it upon the end of a Needle not touched, and they shall find in it no force at all, ●ay it is hurtful to the Needle, for it giveth a superfluous burden for a small time, and cannot but encumber ●is action, by reason that every one of those little parcels of dust (though beaten out at one end) hath also ●or its small quantity both a North and a South virtue. And therefore marreth as much as it maketh at either ●nd of the Needle. The proof hereof is manifest, if ●ou put off that dust or beard upon a paper, and hold a ●oad-stone under it, for as you turn towards the paper ●he North or South of the Stone, so will every one of these particles in like manner turn itself, showing ●hereby a double nature.  
The Compass Needle, being the most admirable and useful Instrument in the World, is both amongst ●urs and other Nations for the most part so bungerly ●nd absurdly contrived, as nothing more. And therefore as I have treated of the nature and use of the Magnet, I have thought good also to employ my best endeavour, to advance this noble Instrument towards its highest perfection, being the principal thing by which the worthy effect of the Magnet is made most profitable unto Mankind, herein five things are to be considered, the substance that it is made of, the form, the weight, the capitle, the pin it standeth upon: the substance in any wise aught to be pure Steel and not ●ron; for most assuredly Steel will take at the least ten times more virtue than Iron can do, but especially if it hath its right temper. And that is this, heat it in the fire until it be passed red hot, that it be whitish hot, and quench it in cold Water suddenly, so is it Brick in a manner or Glass itself, and is at that time incapable of the virtue of the Loadstone. Then must you, laying it upon a plain Table, warily rub with fine Sand all the black colour from it, if before you put into the fire you anoint it with black Soap it will scale white itself, the● heat a Bar of Iron well near red hot, and holding one end of the Needle with a small pair of Tongues, lay the other end upon the hot Bar, and presently you shall see that end turn from a white to a yellowish, and afterwards to a bluish colour, then take that end with your Tongues, and do the like to the other, thrusting it forwards upon the Bar until the colour of the whole Needle become bluish; then throw it on a Table, and let it cool itself; and so is he of the excellent temper, and most capable to receive the greatest power from the Loadstone. If this seem too curious, especially for some fashions of Needles, then use but the Hammer hardening (as Workmen call it) which is well near as good. As concerning the form, divers men are of divers minds, some use a kind of a square one, others a Loop (I mean an extended Oval form) and this is most common; but now a days a narrow straight plate (being somewhat broader in the middle) is in great request: of these I hold the Loop or Oval form (if it be well made) to be the best, which is, that if it be Steel, his ends be wielded together, having a Latin narrow plate, issuing from the capitle unto the middle of the two sides of the Loop, and there riveted, and riviting, if it be handsomely shoulered in by the Workman, is better than soadering; because having fitted the Latin plate, bearing the capitle unto the Loop, you may first put your Loop into his temper, and then rivet this unto him afterwards, which otherwise would be spoiled in the fire, and the wide Loop is better than the narrow or the straight plate, and that for two reasons. The one is because, as in a Magnet itself, the force that is in the whole body, showeth itself most strongly in his two Poles, even so, this being a Magnetical Body, doth the like in his ends, which are his Poles: and the end of a wide compassed Loop, (being longer than of a narrower) of the same length, in the Axis, must needs contain so much the more Virtue; The other reason is, because it supposeth the Fly in his Circular Motion, more equally balanced then the other: and therefore were it not for some other Inconveniences, a true Circle were best of all, which that except you mark the two places, that you would have for the North and South, very curiously, you shall never give him the right touch; yea very exceeding hardly, although that you do mark them; and also the Latin Stay, that holdeth the Capital would be exceeding long, and a superfluous burden; but the best form of all (as I take it) in all respects is this, A true Circle, having his Axis going out beyond the Circle, at each end narrow and narrower, unto a reasonable sharp point, and being pure Steel as the Circle itself, having in the midst, a convenient Receptacle to place the Capital fitly in.  
This Circle must have four very small holes drilled through it, equally distant each from the other, for the four Cardinal Points; and in both the two Points, that issue without the Circle, being for North and South, of equal distance between the Circle and the end of the Point two more; if it be a large one, otherwise one is enough, according to the following Figure. And this Needle is most fit to be used for the Observation of the Variation without any Fly, as I will hereafter show.   base for compass 
base for compass Whensoever you will set this Needle unto the Fly, you must put the Capital through the Centre of the Fly very precisely, and placing the Points of the Diameter where you will have them, thrust little small pins through the upper place of the Fly, and those smal● holes in the Needle, the heads of the pins will show you (if the Fly be larger than your Needle) at wha● Point your Needle standeth, and bowing the body o● your pins, (being thrust through those little holes) close to the Card below, will keep it steady at that place, and from warping also. And so four pins at the four Cardinal Points will serve the turn.  
Again, If you please to place this Needle upon the upper end of the Card according to Stevinius through the Centre, in the bottom of the Fly, and the Needle placed and fastened on the top, or upper face of the Card.  
But if you will have a Magnetical Needle to serve only for one size of a Fly, the best way is, instead of the two pins in the end of the Axis, to have a couple of little half Staples, and a Flower-de-Luce on one of them, as you see in the Loop revitted there. That ●in turning about the Needle, they may still keep the Fly close unto it, and so fasten it upon a Skrew upon the Capital, wheresoever you please.  
As for his weight, it must be according to his largeness, and the weight is one principal cause, the very large Compasses are unprofitable. For the weight of the weight of the large Card, and the heavy Needle, pressing upon the pin, will cause the Motion of the Fly to be dull and uncertain; and therefore let the Pasteboard be no heavier than you must needs; and for the size of six Inches Diameter of your Paste-board, and a Needle of that length. I know that a Needle of half an Ounce weight, and half a quartern at the uttermost, (if a good Workman have it in hand) will be fully sufficient of what Form soever.  
The Capital aught to be Latin, and Hammer-hardned, well and truly boared, not too shallow, but of a good convenient depth and wideness at the bottom, fitting the pin it standeth upon at the top.  
The Pin ought to be either of Latin or Copper, and not of Steel or Iron, as some suppose, for they are very subject to rust; and the Steel, especially by long use, will wear a little hole in the top of the Capital, and ●y that means the Compass becometh dull, and they hardly if ever will find the reason of it; for the hole will be very small; and entering a very little way in, and yet disturbeth all. Moreover in any wise there must be always an especial diligent Care had of fitness between the Capital and the Pin, otherwise all things appertaining to the Compass are nothing worth. This Pin must be very firmly fixed in the just Centre of the Box, and the bottom marked, that whensoever you take it off to sharpen the Pin (which use will make blunt) you may set him in the same place again.  
As I have said, that in a Magnet itself, the Virtue is in the whole body, and showeth itself most forcible in its Poles; even so likewise our Compass Needle, being a Magnetical body, sheweth his force in his ends, which are his Poles, although that force doth proceed out of the whole body of the Needle; which I have now thought good to make apparent by an evident Demonstration: I caused my Workman to make a Needle of a Loop Fashion, eight Inches long, or Oval Form, in all respects fitted to be set to a Fly, saving that there was but one Inch or a little more at each end of the Steel, all the intermediate part between the two ends being of Brass: These two ends I did touch with the North and South ends of a very good Magnet: and whereas in a true Magnetical Needle, I should have had but two points, the one North, and the other South, this Mongrel yielded me six, the two ends adjoining to the brass of contrary natures unto the sharp Points, and would no more do the Office of a Magnetical Needle than a wooden stick, because the Virtue was not in the whole, and so communicated unto the two ends, but each end was a Total of himself, being separated, and as it were divorced, the one from all communication with the other, by that intermediate brass: the which being taken away, and the two Forks joined together for that length, presently he became one perfect true Magnetical Needle, and the Virtue of those four confused Points, which ere while was lost in the Forks, will presently be found in the two sharp ends, and now in his natural Seats.  
Both these ends of Steel were fastened to the Brass, and then that Needle had no Magnetical Motion; but being taken off and joined together, they presently (without any further touching of them) became a true Magnetical Needle.  
To conclude this discourse of the Compass of the Needle, the needle that is still working upon his Pin continually, will keep his force the better, then that which otherwise laid up, although there be no doubt of the other, for a man's whole Age, or longer, if it be of good Metal, and kept from open Air and Rust, but especially of any Loadstone. There is no better way of keeping from rust, then by varnishing him, although it be but with a drop or two of Linsed-Oyl alone, the Needle that is continually upon his Pin, is still strengthened by the Magnetical power of the Earth, setting himself always towards the Poles thereof (which the other cannot do) and needeth only to have his pin sharpened only now and then: the which of all the faults incident to the compass, is most easily and safely amended. And yet if it be not very well looked unto, it disturbeth all the operation of the Compass more than any other. And divers wrong themselves in being too busy in often touching their Compasses, the fault being in this which not touching can amend.  
I have thought good to conclude this short Treatise with a little additament to the ordinary Sailing Compass, fitting him thereby to be answerable to the several here prefixed, as also with a comparison of the several uses of the Horizontical and Inclinatory 〈◊〉 let the glass of the inner box of the Compass be of good thickness and strength, (but yet clear and even) the●e that come from Venice for Looking las●es before the Soil be set on are the best, if any Man may have them large enough. Let this Glass be very well fitted unto the box and simmoned underneath upon the should'ring of that beareth up the Glass, with a mixture of Wax, Turpentine, Salad-oil and Rosin mingled together: or with any other simmon as you shall think good; above upon the Glass ●et there be a Ring of thin Pasteboard, of the breadth of the Should'ring underneath, in like manner simmoned on: then must you have a circle of Latin about the breadth of the Pasteboard Ring, of convenient thickness for strength, which must be divided into degrees: this circle must have a plate of Latin, of half an Inch-broad or broader, according to the largeness of the circle for strength, that must cross over the midst of the circle, cut out of the same place with the circle, or else soadered with Silver soader: this must have a line all along the midst of it, and a little loop at each end cut through the two ends of the loops being precisely in that line. Lastly, you must have a movable Ruler with two long folding sights, of about the Semidiameter of the circle in the breadth above half an Inch: the one of them must have a flit through the length thereof, of about a quarter of an Inch broad, as you shall think convenient, and two little holes, the one in the top, and the other in the bottom, just in the middle of it, to fasten a string, having a very little bead to slide up and down upon it. And this sight must be of thicker stuff than the other; for otherwise because of that which is cut out it would be overpoised by the other, and so the box would swarve towards the other; and the sights must each of them have a little notch in the midst of the top of them: this Ruler must be fastened (but yet so that he may turn about) in the middle of the cross plate most precisely in the centre of the circle, his ends cut, that he may show the Fiducial Line in the divisions of the circle, the other sight needeth to be but a plain plate, having a line in the middle, from the top to the bottom, being the very same in substance with that which we call the compass of variation; although in all things easier performed with this, then with that.  
The Compass being thus fitted, place the circular Needle upon his pin alone, without any fly. For, being disburdened of the Card, he will show his virtue the more strongly, and being of the right form, he will balance himself sufficiently.  
Place the circle upon the Glass and Pasteboard; in such a manner that you may turn the circle round about, very close and even, within the brim of the box.  
When you will set the same unto the Compass, turn the circle about, until through the Loops of the middle stay or plate, you see the Axis of the Needle right under the Fiducial Line of the middle stay, then holding the circle so, turn the movable Ruler with the stringed sight towards the Sun, until the shadow of the string fall upon the Fiducial Line of the movable Ruler, for than doth the end of the Ruler, among the degrees, show the true place or azimath of the Sun from the Magnetical Meridian, so that two observations necessarily arise from hence, the one in the Forenoon, the other in the Afternoon, thus made, with the several heights of the Sun, being one and the very same, half the differances of those places of the Sun, from the Magnetical Needle is the variation.  
If a man have no exact Instrument to take the height of the Sun, he may make some reasonable shift, by setting the middle bead towards the top of the string, that it may in the Forenoon cast a shadow upon the Fiducial Line of the Ruler; and marking that place with Ink or Black-Lead, in the Afternoon attend, until the shadow of the bead (the bead remaining still where it was full upon the place) for then shall you have that same height, if you will take the amplitude of the Suns rising or setting, set the circle, and turn the Ruler as before, until the shadow of the string do fall upon the middle Line of the other sight. Then doth the end of the Ruler show how far the Sun riseth or setteth from the Magnetical Meridian.  
When you will take the Amplititude of the rising or setting of any Star, you must use the help of another, to hold the circle over the Needle (as before) and so you turning of the Ruler, until you see the Star in his rising or setting, through the two notches on the tops of the sights, then doth the end of the Ruler show your desire. The like is to be done in observing any cap, or the tending of any Land for the description of any Coast.  
The Horizontical and Inclinatory motions of Magnetical Needles are both of them but one and the same effect of the Magnet or Loadstone, the making of the Horizontical or Dial-Needle, it is amongst our Artificers very well known and trivial, only they are to be put in mind that they do always make them of pure Steel and not of Iron. But as for the making of Inclinatory Needles, it is a very curious piece of work: it must be of pure Steel, and in his right temper, the Needle and Axis must be as right Angles the one with the other, and must be so hanged on the two ends of his Axis, that he be very pliant for his motion, and that before (he have his touch) he be so equally balanced, that the one end be not one jot heavier than the other, for if it be, all the rest is in vain.  
When you will use the inclinatory Instrument, thus you must do, hanging by his little Ring, turn him about until he make his least declination (or inclination) under the Horizon of the Instrument: for than is he just in his Magnetical Meridian, and there showeth his due point, the which otherwise he can never do. But here I must forewarn you of two great errors published in the contriving of this Noble Instrument. The one is, that he would have a little box with a Horizontical Needle fastened unto the bottom of the Inclinatory Instrument: for to direct the Instrument unto the Magnetical Meridian; and by his picture of the Instrument his distance should be but a little more than an Inch, whereby it is impossible but that the one Needle must needs disturb the other, so that neither of them can show a right, yea, although they were six Inches asunder and more, where the little box will give little direction for that purpose: and besides that, it is altogether unnecessary, because the Instrument will find the Magnetical Meridian, by the least declination of the Needle (as is before shown) under the Horizon, without the help of any other. The other error is this, that he would have that end of the Needle prepared to hang towards the North, to be framed somewhat higher than the other, as it is usual in Horozontical needles; what Workman soever observeth this Direction, I will assure him, that he shall lose his labour, and as soon may he wash a Blackamoor white, as to make such a needle as that turn. The reason is, because it is only the Magnetical Virtue that worketh this effect, the which over-weight, in the either end of the needle (in this Motion) doth utterly overthrow.  
For Horozontical needles in our Northern Climates, it is necessary; but for inclinatory needles, it is utterly untrue in all Climates of the whole World wheresoever. The Motion of the Horozontical needle, is naturally stronger than the Inclinatory, for two causes, the one is, because his Motion is only side-ways, the which is the easier for the Magneaical Motion to work in, then that which is up and down, and there is no difference which way you place the Box wherein he standeth, so that it be parallel to the Horizon; whereas the Inclinatory Motion is in a Vertical Circle up and down, and must stand only in his Magnetical Meridian to perform his Office. The other cause, is because of the Diversity of their placing in their Boxes; for the Horizontical needle standeth more fit for his Motion, being placed with his Capital upon the point of a sharp Pin, than the Inclinatory can do, being placed upon the two ends of his Axis, although never so near the Points: But yet he will do very well if he be rightly fitted? and for Navigation under either Pole (if there be any passage that way) it is the only Instrument of the World, for where the Horozontical needle (or Compass) faileth, he is strongest, for the nearer the Pole, the stronger he is in his ●otion; contrariwise, it is with the Horozontical needle or compass, for he is strongest at the Equinoctial, and of no force under the Pole.  
The reason whereof is this, under the Equinoctial the Horozontical needle standeth parallel unto the Axis of the Earth, and is equally strengthened for his Motion with the two Poles of the Earth; but under the Poles, he standeth  at right Angles with the Axis, his Centre representing the very Pole of the Earth itself; so that the Equinoctial, and the Horizon being there all one, if the needle should have any Horozontical Motion there, it must needs be an East or West Motion parallel unto the Equinoctial, directly contrary to Nature, and to all Magnetical Doctrine.  
Yet at the Pole the Inclinatory needle is at his chiefest strength, framing himself to be in the same direct Line with the Axis of the Earth itself: so that the Vicinity of the nearest Pole of the Earth, holdeth his convenient end of the needle most strongly, being nothing at all hindered by the adverse Pole, to affect the upper (or other) end of the needle: The which all other Situations either more or less it doth, and especially under the Equinoctial, where each Pole affecting his convenient end of the Inclinatory needle, it must stand very untowardly and unsteadily for that Motion; although most strongly for the Horizontical if you place him accordingly.  
Where hence it followeth, that near the Equinoctial Large Compasses, and small Inclinatories are fittest; and near the Poles large Inclinatories, and small Compasses are best, for look unto what Motion the Magnetical force is weakest, the smaller Instrument ought to be applied.  
And moreover, forasmuch as the Magnetical Revolution of the Inclinatory needle, about the Globe of the Earth maketh his Motion for the difference of every alteration of Latitude to the Equinoctial, far more large and easier to be discerned, than it can be near the Poles; therefore (as we have said) a less Instrument will serve the turn there: and because that near the Pole, his Motion for differences of Latitudes are exceeding small, and hard to be discerned: Therefore very large Instruments Inclinatory are there to be used, especially because the Magnetical strength of the the Needle for that Motion, is there so strong and steady, that it maketh some Recompense for the slowness of his moving; and therefore I suppose that three in Diameter, will serve near the Equinoctial, and fifteen near the Pole.  
And because this great one may be the less cumbersome, you may cut off the Circle at forty and five Degrees of each side of the Zenith and Nadir of the Instruments, and yet leave the needle scope enough, for all the Latitudes between sixty Degrees and the Pole; and for the steady standing of the Inclinatory Instrument at Sea, you may do thus; about the middle of the Instrument (or rather somewhat above the middle) let there be two round Pins of Brass, about three quarters of an Inch long, issue out; and in a Box of a sailing Compass, the miner Circle being taken away, make of each side two half round notches in the outer Circle, and place the Instrument upon those two Pins, the which must have towards their ends, little Circles cut in; that they slip not out of their rings that they are placed in; then will this Instrument stand as steady even at Sea, as the sailing Compass will do; for the Motion of the miner Circle is performed by the turning of those two Pius in their notches, and the outer Circle is common unto them both, always remembering that you hang some pretty weight on the bottom of the Instrument, to make his Motion more certain: If the shadowing of the box hinder your sight from discerning of the Point that the needle standeth at, it is soon helped with the light of a little wax Candle put down unto it; and yet this you ought to understand as aforesaid, that the Horozontical and Inclinatory Motions are but one and the self same Effect of the touch of the Loadstone, and one and the self same needle will very well perform both Motions; namely, the Inclinatory needle, not the Horizontical, because his placing upon the Pin maketh him very unfit for the Inclinatory Motion. But the Inclinatory needle resting with one point of his Axis (the points of his Axis being very sharp) in his little hole, his box being placed parallel to the Horizon, will perform the Horizontical Motion very well. For being placed with the sharp point of the Axis in that hole, it is all one in effect, as the Horizontical is with his Capital on the sharp point of his Pin, but that the one is upward, and the other downward, and yet either of them being as fit for that Motion, as the other.  
Herein now appeareth the wonderful Wisdom of our God, in limiting his Times and Seasons, for the Revealing of these wonderful Properties for the use of Men, in the poor stone of the Magnes; namely, that (as some will have it) above 3000 years after that it was known and wondered at in the World, for lifting up Iron; (for it was said to be, I know not upon what account, esteemed as an Antiquity in Plato's time) the use of the Horizontical needle was not known in common use, much above 200 years since; and very few years after, (yea scarcely till of late) the Inclinatory hath been in any common use: And who is there that can behold and consider both these uses, viz. both to show the Quarters of the World (as East, West, North and South, etc.) And also the Latitude of place; to know both these in any place of the World, be the Heavens never so much overcast with Clouds; who is he I say, that can behold these two admirable and precious uses performed, even with the turning of an hand; the which, neither the Grecian Philosophers, nor the fine-witted Romans, nor the Persian Magis, nor the Indian Cymnosophists, could find out with all their skill and cunning, but he must needs say with that Kingly Prophet, O Lord, our Lord, How great is thy Name through all the Earth? Who hath set thy Glory above the Heavens? He hath made of one blood all Nations of men to dwell on the face of the Earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bound of their habitation that they should seek to him.  
If any shall have a mind to quarrel or write against that which I have so long studied, and spent my time in; chief to comfort my Mind, and to be refreshed in the Light of Truth, which is the food of the Soul, mixed with incredible Delight: I shall desire that they will deal so fairly with me, as not out of their fond Curiosity to nibble upon the Twigs and utmost Branches; but let them do their worst strike at the Root or Body of the Tree, or at leastwise some of the principal Limbs thereof: In the mean space, I have no more to say but this; Whosoever thou art that readest this Discourse, where thou art assured, go on with me; where thou art in doubt, search with me; where thou dost acknowledge thy Error, recall me. Some per chance will conceive, that in writing such secrets and wonderful Subjects, something may be amiss, some things may seem superstuous or impertinent, although the dreadfullest Cynic or Critic of them all, cannot call them unprofitable or unpleasant: The pains is mine, and if it be over done, done I am sure it is; If I have (in some men's Opinions) said more than enough, the wiser and experter sort of men will think that there is but enough said to serve the turn.   

The Resolver of Curiosities, a no less admirable than profitable Discourse of Local, as also of the Swift Motion of the Art of Navigation, of the due proportion to be Observed in Building of Ships, of the Artificial Inventions of several Engines; with a perfect discovery of other admirable Mathematical Secrets.  
AFTER the Art of Navigation was found, every man began to challenge to himself the Dominion of the Sea, and to make War as on the Land.  
Minos (as Strabo writes) first found out the Art of Navigation, and was thereof (as writeth Diodorus Siculus) appointed by Saturnus to be Admiral of the Navy: and therefore the posterity afterwards ascribed to him the government of the Sea, and named him the God thereof. But most bestow this honour upon Neptune. After whom the Cretenses were ever esteemed most expert in this Art. But (as Pliny writes) Boats were first Invented, and in them was the first Sailing in the Islands of the Red-Sea, under King Erythra. As also Quintilian witnesseth, saying, If none had proceeded further than our Predecessors, we had nothing in the Poets above Andronicus, and nothing in the Histories above some peculiar Chronicles of the Ancients, and we had yet have Sailed in Troughes or in Beats. Others have ascribed this Invention to divers of other Nations and Persons: as to the Troyans' and Myssans in Hellespo●: some writ that the Ancient Britain's made Boats of Leather or Hydes, and sailed with them in the Ocean. Pliny writes that Danus was the first that brought a Ship into Egypt out of Greece. Some also give this honour to Mineru●. But most rightfully, the Invention both of the Ship and the Art of Navigation, is ascribed to Noah, who (as writeth Eusebius) was long before Neptune or Danus. For doubtless (saith he) the Ark of Noah was none other than a Ship, and the first and only exemplar of the building of all other Ships or Vessels of Sailing. Aso the most Ancient writer Berosus the Chaldean (as writeth Josephus) calleth the Ark of Noah a Ship. The same Josephus also saith, that the Nephews of Noah, departing to Inhabit divers parts of the World, used many Ships, etc. Long after Noah the Tyrians were counted expert in the Art of Navigation: and after them, divers other Nations. For whereas no Art is so perfect, but may receive increase, therefore it follows that this Art hath been greatly augmented and brought to further perfection by the witty Inventions of Posterity, even unto our Age. And amongst all other curious Inventions pertaining to Ships, the Mariners Compass is most admirable. Some notwithstanding have been found, who have thought this Invention Ancient. Levinus Lemnius in his Third Book and fourth Chapter de occultis Naturae Miraculis seems to doubt of it. An hoc Instrumentum Nauticum Miraculis superioribus seculis extitit, an nostro id aevo excogitatum: whether this Instrument of Navigation were in being in former Ages, or found out in later times, I cannot certainly define. Now that which chief causeth them to make a doubt thereof, is those words of Plautus, Hic ventus nunc secundus est, cape modo versoriam: where, by Versoriam, Lemnius would have us to understand the Mariners Compass, and then adds, quanquam ut Opinor hoc pixidicula nostro jam tempore mages exculta sit, Elimata, Expolita, omni●que exactius demonstret, as in the same Chapter he speaks of Printing. But for Plantus I dare say he was never guilty of such a meaning: Turnebus by Versoriam understanding the Rope with the Sail, others the Rudder, with which the Ship is turned: neither of which are impertinent or improbable, so as there is no necessity of applying it to the Mrriners Compass. Stephen Pasquier in his 4th Book and 23th Chapter of his Recherches of France brings it up as high as the times of St. Lewis by the Verses of one Hugh de Bercy, who lived in his Reign, and as he pretends plainly describes it; but whether the words are so plain as he makes them, or whether they were published by some other since Bercy, but in his Name, is very uncertain, especially since no Poet or Historiographer contemporary with him, or more Ancient than he, are found to make mention thereof; and yet Lewis died not much above 300 years since. Pineda the Spaniard in his Lib. 4th de rebus Solomonis for the more commodious placing of Tharshes in Spain, is confident that it was in Solomon's time, making his universal wisdom and deep insight into the nature of all things, the principal ground of his opinion: But Solomon's wisdom though it were universal and deep, beyond all the Children of the East, insomuch, as God gave him Latitudinem cordis, a large Heart, as the Sand on the Sea shore, yet was it finite and limited as well in things natural as supernatural. I doubt not but Adam in the State of his Integrity knew more than Solomon, and yet I dare not pronounce him Omniscious, that being an attribute (as is likewise Omnipotency, Ubiquity, and Eternity) individually proper to the Godhead, and incommunicable to any created substance, though merely incorporeal, whether they be the damned or the blessed Spirits. If then the Holy Angles, if Adam in Paradise knew not all things; nay, if the Son of God himself, as he was Man, confesseth himself to be Ignorant of some things, why should we then think it strange to affirm, that Solomon knew not all things. If there be such a secret as the Artificial Transmutation of other Metals into Gold, (which by the experiments of many is confidently avouched) it is more than probable that he was Ignorant of it; for had he knew it, he needed not to have sent his Navy to Ophir or Tharshis' for Gold; as likewise had he known the secret of the Loadstone, his Navy needed not to have spent three years in going and coming, neither should his Mariners have needed to have craved the assistance of the Tyrians and Sydonians, as Pilots for the better conducting of them in their Voyage. I conclude then that either Solomon knew not this secret, or if he knew it he put it not into practice, or if he put it in practice, it was since lost and recovered again, which to me seemeth the strangest of all.  
Now to the Authority of these three, who plead for the Antiquity of this Invention, may be opposed thirteen, and those in Learning nothing inferiors, maintaining it to have been an Invention of latter Ages, unknown to the Ancients, as Acosta, Mariana, Maluenda, Gomara, Turnebus, Pancirollus, Salmuth, Lillius, Giraldus, Cardan, Bozius, Bodin, Ramus. And to these might be added many more, were I ambitious in mustering up of Names, or did the cause require it. For questionless this our Age may not only seem to contend with the Ancients, but also for many goodly Inventions of Art and Wit, do far exceed them, not to speak of all the marvellous Inventions of our times (as we have already discoursed of the Mariners Compass) much also might be said of the invention of Printing, and making of Guns, Fireworks, and of sundry Artificial Fires, of such marvellous force that Mountains of most hard Rocks and Stones are not able to resist their violence, that neither the Spirit of Demogorgon, or the Thunderbolt of Infernal Pluto can do the like. What should I here speak of the wonderful Inventions of Fattalio in his Book de Arte Majori: or of any other whereof Vanucius Peringocius writheth in his Book Entitled Pyrotechnie. As touching which terrible inventions, and the like, although men are of Opinion that they were Invented by the Instigation of the Devil, for the destruction of Mankind: yet others weiging the matter more indifferently, think that the Invention of Guns hath been the occasion of the saving of many men's Lives, because before the Invention and Use of them, men were wont to lie a long time a battering of Walls, Towns, Castles, but in short time it comes to hand, strokes, with which the Aries, Onagri, Catwpulta, or Balistae, Engines of the Ancients) which I know not very well how to English, they being grown for the most part out of use) are no way comparable, nec ulla ex parte, huic conferendus est antiquus Aries, veres inferiores habebat, et difficilus ad muros adigebat, saith Patricius, the Ram anciently for Battery, is in no sort to be compared with this Engine, it hath less strength, and more difficulty there was in bringing it, and applying of it to the Walls: And Bodin in the like purpose, (though herein perhaps he jump not with Lipseus in his Poliorcetica) omitto Catapulta Veterum et antiqua belli termenta, quae si cum nostris conferantur sanc pueritia quaedam Ludricra videri possint: I pass over the Engines of the Ancients, which being compared with ours, are rather Childish toys than Instruments for War. And Lipsius himself calls it, Geniorum, non hominum inventum, an Invention of Spirits and not of Men. Such is the force (as we have in part said) of these Modern Engines, that they not only destroy Men, but cast down Walls, Rampires, Towers, Castles, Cities, and shake the Tallest Ships into shivers, there being nothing that comes within their reach that can stand them. It was a piece almost of Incredible bigness, which by Mahomet's command was employed against Constantinople, ad quem trahendum adhibantur septuaginta juga boum, et his mille viri, as witnesseth Chalcondilus in his Eighth Book de Relus Turcicis, for the drawing of which were employed seventy Yoke of Oxen, and two Thousand Men. It is true there is nothing more mischievous to Besieged Cities, and so there is nothing that helps them more for the chase away of the Besiegers; it being so for the most part in all things, which either the Art or Wit of man, or God and Nature hath framed, that the more helpful they are being well used, the more hurtful are they being abused: then Fire and Water there are no things more commodious to the Life of Man, yet is the Proverb true, that when they are once enraged, and pass their bounds, they become Merciless, Good Servants, but bad Masters. The Tongue is said by Aesop to be the best and worst Meat that comes to the Market: for with it we both bless God and curse Men, saith St. James. And Iron by Pliny is rightly termed, Optimum, possimumque vitae instrumentum, the best and worst Instrument belonging to Man. But sure it is that God in his Providence hath reserved this Engine for these times, that by the cruel Force and terrible Roaring of it, Men might the rather be deterred from assaulting one another in Warlike and Hostile manner; I am of Opinion (as I have already expressed) that since the invention and use thereof, fewer have been slain in the Wars then before. Neither doth it serve (as is commonly objected) to make Men Cowards, but rather hardens them. For he that dares present himself to the Mouth of a Cannon, cannot fear the Face of Death in whatsoever shape it present itself.  
Howsoever some have not been wanting, who would bear us in hand that this Invention is not of Latter times, but Ancient; among whom Sir Walter Raleigh is one, who in his History of the World, Lib. 1. Sect. 7. refers not only the Invention of Printing, but of Guns too, and Ordinance of Battery to the Indians, grounding himself herein upon the report of the Portugals: and hereby, saith he, we are now made to understand, that the place of Philostratus in Vita Apolony Fianei, is no Fable, though expressed in Fabulous words, when he saith, that the Wisemen which dwell between Hypthesis and Ganges use not themselves to go forth to Battle, but that they drive away their Enemies with Thunder and Lightning. But herein I can say nothing, choosing with Camerarius, potius credere quam cum-molestia experiri, rather to believe it, then to endure the hazard and trouble of it to make the trial of it. Others refer it to Solmoneus, as witnesseth Levinius, induced thereunto by these Verses of Virgil Aneid. 5.  

Vidi & crudeles, dantem Salmonea paenos,  
Dum flammas Jovis, & sonitus imitatur Olympi.  
Quatuor hic invectus, equis ac Lampada quassans,  
Per Graium populos, mediaque per Elidis urbem  
Ibat Ovans; divum sibi poscebat Honours  
Demens qui Nimbos, & non imitabile fulmen,  
Aere & Cornipedum cursu simulabat equorum   

I saw Salmoneus there endure  
Most cruel Pains, and great;  
For that he dared the Flames of Jove,  
And Thunder counterfeit.  
In Chariot drawn with Horses four.  
Shaking a fiery brand  
Through midst of Elis Town he road,  
And through all Grecian Land  
Triumphing wise: and to himself  
Audaciously did take  
Honours Divine. Mad frantic man  
That did not inly quake;  
With Horn-foot-Horses, and brass Wheels  
Jove's Thunders emulate,  
And Lightnings impossible  
For man to imitate.   
But Servius in his Commentaries concieves, that this imitation of Thunder was by driving his Chariot over a brazen Bridge; and if he used an Engine, it seems to have been rather for Rattling and Terror, then for any real Effect. And whereas great Ordinance exceed Thunder, this was such that it came far short of it; And therefore as Rota hath well expressed, the Poet calls it.  — non imitabile fulmen. 
But this I leave as a very uncertain ground for the ancient Invention of this Engine. Petarch and Valturius upon better show of reason (as they conceive) refer it to Archimedes, found out (as they pretend) by him for the overthrow of Marcellos Ships at Syracuse Siege. But it were strange that both Plutarch and Livy, who have written largely of his admirable Wit and wonderful Engines; and particularly of the Siege of that City, should among the rest forget this rare Invention, and yet more strange, that the Romans upon the taking of the City, should not take it up and make use of it: Nay, as Magius (who hath written a Chapter to this purpose, to refute them who refer this Invention to the Ancients) hath observed; neither Heron, nor Pappus, nor Athenens, nor Biton in their Manuscripts of the Mechanics (for printed they are not) have described any such Engines, nor Aegidias Romanus, (who lived and wrote in the Reign of Philip the fair King of France) about the year 1285) where he treats purposely of Warlike Engines and Instruments: yet remembers not any such thing. Brightman in his Exposition on the Revelation of St. John, tells us that by the Fire, and Smoke, and Brimstone which in that place are said to have issued out of the Mouths of the Horses, are to be understood, our Powder and Guns now in use, and that of them St. John prophesied, But how these are said to issue out of the Mouths of Horses, he doth not well express, nor I think well understood.  
The Common Opinion than is, that this device was first found out by a Monk of Germany, whose name many Writers affirm to be deservedly lost; but Forcatulus in his fourth book of the Empire and Philosophy of France names him Berthold Swartes of Cullen, and Salmuch Constantine Anklitzen of Friburg: Howsoever they all agree that he was a Germane Monk, and that by chance a spark of Fire falling into a pot of Niter, which he had prepared for Physic or Alchemy, and causing it to fly up, he thereupon made a Composition of Powder, with an Instrument of Brass or Iron, and putting the fire to it found the Conclusion to answer his Expectation. The first public use of Guns that we read of, was thought to be about the year 1380. as Magius, or 1400 as Ramus, in a battle betwixt the Venetians and Genoese, fought at Clodia Fossa, in which the Venetians having from the Monk belike, gotten the use of Guns, so galled their Enemies, that they saw themselves wounded and slain; and yet knew not by what means, nor how to prevent it, as Platina witnesseth in the Life of Vrbane the sixth. And Levalla in his second Book and 34th chapter of his Ellegancies, (which as himself testifies) he wrote in the year 1438. says that the Gun grew in use not long before his time: his Words are, Nuper inventa est Machina quam Bombardum vocant, The Engine which they call the Gun was lately found out. And Petarch who lived some time before him to the like purpose in his 99th Dialogue of his Remedies of both Fortunes, though therein I confess he seem to cross himself, Erat hac pestis nuper rara, ut cum ingenti Miraculo cerneretur: This pestilent device was lately so rare, that it was beheld with marvellous great Astonishment. Yet 〈◊〉 have seen the Copy of a Record, that great Ordinance were brought by the French to the battery of a Castle or Fort called Outhwyke, near to calico, and then in the possession of the English, the first year of Richard the Second; of which Fort, one William Weston was Captain, and being questioned in Parliament for yielding up the Fort, he did in his excuse allege, that the Enemies brought to the Battery thereof, nine pieces des grosses Canons, par les quelles, les mures, & les Measons da dit Chastel, Junen rents, & percusses en plusiens Lieux. of great Canons, by means whereof the Walls and Houses of the said Castle were in divers places rend in sunder, & sorely battered; and in another place he termeth them huge most grievous, & admirable Ordinance; nay more than so, I am credibly informed, that a Commission is to be seen for making of Salt-Peter in Edward the thirds time, and another Record of Ordinance used at that time, some twenty years before his Death; by all which it should appear, that either the Invention of Guns was sooner than it was commonly conceived, or that our Nation and the French had the use of it with the first: Howsoever it is most clear, that at leastwise in these parts of the World, this Invention was not known till in latter Ages. But to continue our discourse of Engines and ingenious Inventions, used and invented for the Glory of God, against the Tyranny of Turks and Infidels, for the Defence of his People; we may rightly say of them, that they were the Gifts of God, as were the Inventions or Art of them that either builded the Temple of Jerusalem, or the Ark of God: And yet is it there written of these Artificers, that God gave them the Spirit of Knowledge and cunning in such Arts. And therefore I think it may be also said without offence, that the Knowledge of Archimedes, and other men of such commendable Inventions, are the Gifts of God free, and not bound to any Nation or Person.  
Besion, that excellent Geometrician of our late times, who was master of the Engines to the French King, Published a book in Print, concerning the Forms and Pour●raicture of sixty Engines of marvellous strange and profitable device, for divers commodious and necessary ●ses, of which forasmuch as three of them, that is to ●ay, the ' 54, 57, and 60. are Engines chief pertaining to Ships, I shall in their due place discourse of them. My next design shall be to treat of the Proportions of Local Motions, wherein to the most expert in Learning, I shall show the Errors of Aristotle by Words and Demonstrations, and that modestly, for I repute Aristotle for the chief of Philosophers. Yet for that it is human to err, he also might sometimes fail. In the handling of which Demonstrations, I shall not so apply ●y self to Philosophers, as not to descend, so as to inform the Mariner, that he may learn many proper Conclusions from thence most necessary for his Knowledge, and afterwards proceed to other rare Mathematical Secrets of other Engines, and of the most swift Motion by the Art of Navigation.   diagram showing center of mass for systems of objects of porportional sizes 
I will now make Demonstration how Bodies of the selfsame, or one kind and Figure, equal or unequal one to the other, in the same midst or mean, by equal spa●●, be moved in one or self-some-time; the which is against Aristotle, and all other Philosophers, that have not yet seen this Proposition. Aristotle first, in the 4th of his Physics Cap. de Vacuo, where he intendeth to show, that if Vacuum or Void be granted, Moving or Motion, is taken away, etc. He there saith thus, We see those Bodies which have more Heaviness or Lightness; So that they be one Figure, to be more swiftly moved by equal space, and by such proportion as they have the one to the other. And therefore they are so moved per Vacuum, etc. which is proved to be false. Furthermore, what St. Thomas Aquinas saith touching this; any man that will, may read; for no man better understood the mind of Aristotle. But for the Examples, that Simplicius and Averro give to the understanding of this (by two Spherical Bodies of equal Quantity, but of divers kinds, as one of Gold, and the other of Silver) we must not therefore say, that he understood this Proposition as I will demonstrate. For they should have said somewhat of the Equality of the Quantity of those Bodies; forasmuch as the Motion of Bodies, equal and unequal, is all one, so that they be all one Figure: As for Example, If there be three Spherical Bodies, of the which two are of Gold, and the third Silver, and they of the Gold are unequal, and the other of Silver equal to one of the Golden Bodies; then in the same Proportion of time, shall be moved the Golden Body equal to that of Silver, with Silver Body, with the Golden uneqal, as shall be declared hereafter. Furthermore, 6 Physic Cap. 1. in the end, and in a manner through all the Chapter of the same Book, he confirmeth the same: but in the fourth he saith thus, whereas every thing that moveth, moveth in some other, and in some time, and that movable is Motion of the whole, the same or all one shall be the Divisions of the time and the moving, and of to be moved, and of that which is moved as also of that in the which is moving. Afterward he giveth Demonstration after his manner, but Cap, 7. he willeth the same, where he intendeth, that infinite time, nothing may pass into infinite greatness, etc. Furthermore Aristotle in his first Book, de Calo, confirmeth the same, saying simply, that the Reason or Consideration of times, is contrary to the reason of weights; as if half a weight be moved in this time, the double is moved in the half of this, etc. And this Cap. 6. furthermore, Cap. 8. of the same Book he saith, the Fire in as much as it is greater than the Earth, so much the sooner and swiftlyer it cometh to its resting place, etc.  
Also in his Second Book, de Calo, Cap. 8. he saith thus: As in other things, the greater Body is the more swiftly moved by his proper course or motion, even so also in the Heavenly Circles, and again Cap. 13. he affirmeth the same in two places, saying that the greater Earth, is swiftlyer moved.  
Item, Lib. de Carlo Cap. 2. He saith thus, if according to the Proportion which hath the space of C D. the Body of B shall be divided, all B in the same time shal● be moved by C E, in the which time part of B by C D, of necessity: Wherefore it followeth that B be moved by swifter Motion than part of B. Afterwards he maketh a like Demonstration, saying thus, The swiftness of the less to the swiftness of the greater, hath such Proportions as the greater Body to the less, etc. Again in his 3d. Book de Carlo cap. 5. In the end of it he saith likewise, that so much the more every thing is moved, as it is the greater, as also the Fire, the greater it is, is so much of swifter Motion, etc. he confirmeth the same cap. 2. & 4th. of the same Book, where yet speaking more clearly, he faith, That the greater Fire riseth swiftlye● upwards than a less; and a greater piece of Gold or Lead, doth swiftlyer move downwards, and the like of heavyer Bodies; and more clearly can no man gather the meaning of Aristotle.  
Vitelio, in his second Book of Perspective, in the second Proposition, hath fallen into the same Error. I pretermit his Ignorance in that Proposition where he thinketh that there is no Quantity insensible: But let this pass with other Errors, the which at another time shall be showed in their place. He that will read other Philosophers, shall see that they all accord with the mind and Sentence of Aristotle, who also in divers other places confirmeth the same: but to have Rehearsed these principal places, may suffice, and therefore we shall now come to the Demonstration.  
This propounded Demonstration, I will show apparently, that it may the better be understood, and forasmuch as Aristotle in his work De insidentibus Aquae, hath spoken nothing of the Proportion of Motion of Elements, it is manifest that he hath not yet searched this Proposition; for there was the proper place of this matter. But it is not granted to any one man to know all things: and therefore it was very difficult to many to imagine the Supposition, whereas Archimedes maketh none other Demonstration, but that natural Motion is not caused of any other then of the Excess or proceeding of a Body in an Element, above or upon the said Element.  

The Demonstration   diagram depicting center of mass for a system of objects 
Let it be thus understood. Let us imagine (for example) two bodies of Water: of which, the one shall be equal to the body O, and the other to the body G, or to one of the bodies N L K H, which shall be all one: then sixteen of the fift, the proportion of O to G, or one of the aforesaid bodies, is the same which is of the watery equal O, to the watery equal G, by the proposition declared before. The proportion of the watery body equal O, the heaviness of the watery body equal G, is the same which is between the quantities of the self same bodies: but we must understand them to be sustained or weighed in a rarer or thinner Element. The proportion thereof shall be the same which shall be between the proportion of bodies D and G, by the eleventh of the fift; the aforesaid proportion being thereto. Furthermore let us imagine the heaviness of bodies, O and G, so the other gravities and heaviness, shall be those which shall be moved without impepiment, as appeareth by the 7 of Archimedes, de insidentibus Aquae.  
And whereas by the fifteenth of the fifth of Euclid, the proportion of these heaume bodies is the ●a●e which is beetween D and G, by the nineteenth of the fift aforesaid: the resistance of the mean or middle to D shall be quadruple to the resistance of G. The same also do I say to every one of the bodies N L K H. It appeareth by common Science, that resistance of the mean to the bodies N L K H, is equal to that which is to the body D, but is the same to which G by the first conception of Euclid. Furthermore, if there be two bodies all of one figure, but of divers homogeneite or substance, and of unequal corporality, and (for example) either of them heavier than the mean or the middle, in the which they are moved, and that also the lesser of them be heavier than the bigger, yet that the greater weigh more than the less, than I say, that the less shall be swifter in motion: and the same shall be the proportion of time to the less, which is to the greater, which is also the greater kind of heaviness to the kind of the less, taking away so much heaviness from both, as is the half of every of them. Let it be for Example, two bodies M and N of the same form, and divers homogeneite or substance, and the same also to be unequal (for of equals there is no doubt) of the which the greater shall be M, but of the kind of the body N, to be heavier than the kind of the body M; putting the case also, that the body M, be heavier than the body N, and each of them all heavier than the mean or middle body, by which they move, then will I show the proportion. Understand first A V J. to be equal and like figure to the body M, but of the kind of the body N. Let's imagine also that the body M in heaviness, to exceed the middle or mean in double proportion A V I, or in the eighth proportion: so than the moving of the body A V I, shall in the seveth proportion be swifter than the body M, because the resistance of the body M is subdupla, and to the body A V I is suboctupla, by the seventh of Archimedes de insidentibus Aquae. But by the aforesaid demonstration, the body M shall be moved in the same time which the body A V I. Wherefore by the the first conception of the mind added upon Euclid by Companus, the proposition is dear.   diagram demonstrating physics of interacting objects of various masses 
The like reason is also of violent motions, taking the proportion of the moving strengths, and taking away the proportion of the half or middle. Also, whereas are two equal Angles about the Horizon, or under, but in contrary motion of Nature, because violent motion is swifter in the beginning than in the end, and the contrary chanceth in the motion of Nature: for with violent motion, the motion of Nature is ever somewhat mixed, if Horizontically or Angulerly it shall be above or beneath the Horizon: and Nature worketh so much, until it bring violent motion to some end. But if the Perpendicularly Violence shall be made about the Horizon, and towards the place which that body naturally moveth unto, than Nature cannot strive against or withstand, but that Violence doth ever go with it, in respect of the end from whence. Furthermore, by the aforesaid, it is manifest, that to be false which Aristotle saith 7 Phisic. in the last Chapter, where he saith, if A be that which moveth B, and B that which is moved, and C the Longitude whereby, and D in which the motion is, that is to say, in equal time and power equal. A the half of B, shall move by the double of C, and C in the half of D, for so shall be the similitude of the reason, etc. That it is false I will thus demonstrate. Let us first imagine two bodies as before, in any mean or middle homogeny, etc. And let ns for example, M and N, and that M be double in quantity to the Body N, and that the weigt of N be with one of the weight of M; and also that the body A V I, be equal to the body M in quantity, and in likeness or kind of the body N; then by common Science, the body of A V I shall be double in heaviness to the body M. And granting that the body M by double in heaviness above the half, then shall the body A V I be quadruple in heaviness above the said half. Wherefore the resistance taken away, let be left the time in which the body A V I be quadruple in heaviness above the said half. Wherefore the resistance taken away, let be left the time in which the body A V I in the same time shall be moved the body N, by the aforesaid. Or if in the same time the body N, shall be moved with the body M, yet the space by which N shall be triple to that by which M. for the reasons are all one of violent motions. The same shall precisely come to pass, if instead of the excess of weight above the half, we shall take the virtue or power of moving, etc. as before.  
Arristotle likewise erreth in his 4 Physic. Chap. 8. Where he discourses the Vacue, saying that the same, or else all one, shall be the proportion of motions of any body by divers Elements. As if the Air be in subtlety double to the water, in double time B. The mean shall Pass to that time, in which by the mean D and C, the it me shall be double of the time E and C. Now to show the Error of Aristotle, let us first understand, a body to pass through Water by natural motion, as (for example) by a granted space, let us also imagine that body in double to exceed the water in the weight, and that the Water in heaviness exceed the Air in double proportion, than the granted body shall be quadruple to the Air. Wherefore in the haviness the resistance of time taken away, in the which the motion of that body in the Air, by equal space to that, by the which in Water to the time wherein by Water in the granted space is moved, the proportion shall be subtriple, and not subduple, as Aristotle affirmeth. Aristotle also erreth in the same Chapter, supposing that if motion should be granted in void, the same or all one, should be the reason of time to time, as is between moving bodies, which is impossible by the aforesaid. For those bodies should be moved is equal time, although they should be of divers kinds, forms and bigness. By which place also is easy to gather, that the mind of Aristotle was, that the proportion of motion to motion, is the same thing which greatnesses have between them, according to the heaviness and lightness simply. But that this also may the more clearly be understood, imagine the bodies M and N in void, and that the body N be of the same weight which A V I, but of divers kinds, and consequently of divers bigness: then whereas those bodies have no resistance, there is no doubt but that they shall be moved by equal time, by equal space. I will take therefore the body A V I, of the kind of the body N, but of quantity of the body M. Now then by the mean of the true method of the demonstration before shown A V I, and N shall be moved in equal time with the body, N by equal space. Wherefore, by the first conception in the same in the M, wherefore it followeth, etc.  
Furthermore also where Aristotle 7. Phific. speaketh of the comparison of motions, saying that a right Line is not comparable to a crooked Line, because there should be found some right Line equal of circular Line, either greater or less. For whereas by reason of the definition given by him in the 6 Phisic. to the swiftness and slowness of motion, it seemeth to him that it cannot be, that circular motion should be comparable to right motion. In the which he is manifestly deceived, and chief thinking that a right Line cannot be found equal, greater or lesser to the circular Line: Whereas Archimedes in his first proposition in Geometry, showeth the contrary, and that by Mathematical demonstration, and not by the opinion of Aristotle. For Archimedes showeth there, by what means we may find a right Line greater or less than any circular Line, constituting figures of right Lines, without or within the circle, etc. But some men may say, that though a right Line may be granted greater or less than any circular line, yet that the same cannot be found equal, whereas in the fifteenth of Euclid the third is showed, that a greater Angle may be found, then is the Angle of a Contingence, and that by the motion of the right Line of the greater. Angle, passage is made to the right Line contingent or touching the circle: yet that it cannot be that with the contigent Line it should make an Angle equal to the Angle of Contigence. To this I answer, that although a greater Angle be granted, yet not a less: for if the less should be granted as well as the greater, we should likewise have an equal.   geometric diagram 
For Example, consider the circle A C, with the Line A B, doth touch in the point A. The Angle of contingence shall be A B C, then let the circle inwardly described A E, touching the circle A C, in the point A, for to one only point it shall touch the circle A C, by twelve of the third. And so the Line A B, shall touch the circle A E, by common Science, by the which the Angle B A E shall be greater than the Angle B A C. Likewise also, if the circle A D shall be described outwardly, the Angle B A D should be less than the Angle B A C. And consequently by the same order whereby we make the greater or the less, we shall also constitute equal, which is the less.  
Wherefore it followeth, that it may be done contrary to that which Aristotle saith, and for the same sentence of Aristotle, some have thought that it is impossible for any of the figures of crooked Lines, should be frund equal to any figure of a right Line, or the contrary, the which to be impossible I will demonstrate. For Example, let be given a Trigon, I mean also of all figures of right Lines, for as much as they shall be divisible into Triangles, as appeareth by the thirty-second of the first. And of these Triangles we shall constitute a superficial Line of equidistant sides, by forty-four of the first. Taken as often as need shall be, which duplicate by the helps of thirty-six of the first, and afterwards a Diameter in it, than the healf of the superficies shall have an equal Triangle of the taken superficies of the forty-one of the first, or by the taken right Line by the first conception, I will constitute a superficial of two crooked Lines continued equal unto it. I will divide the first basis or ground A C by equal spaces into points H by ten of the first, and I draw B H, which also I draw forth until H K by double to B H by 3 of the first assumpted. Then to the half of H K. Thus is I, I direct C I and AI; I join thereto also AK and C K, by right Lines: then (by the first of the sixth) these Triangles shall be all equal to themselves. After this, I will constitute a superficial of equidistant sides, and of right Angles upon whatsoever Line, which superficies shall be equal to the Poligonie ABCK, by 44 of the first assumpted, as often as shall be needful, that superficies is made G D. But in the which I draw the Diameter F E, so that by 41 of the whole Trigon F G E, shall be the half of the whole superficies, and by common science equal to the Tigon B K C. and Triplus to the Trigon B H C. Now I divide F G by equal in the point M by 10 of the first. So do I also of the Line M L, dividing it by equal in the point N, by the aforesaid 10 of the first. Afterwards by 44 of the first twice assumpted of equidistant sides, I make a superficies of right Angles upon the Line M, N equal to the quadrature of the Line F M, traverse or overthwart, and N D right, I constitute a Parabol of a right Angle, that it may be of less labour: for this Example may suffice of by 52 of the first of Apolonius Pergeus, the Termining Line of which Parabol, shall pass by the points of F N, and G by the same and by 33 of the same F E shall touch the Parabol at the point F. And afterwards when the Trigon F E G shall be triplus, to the Trigon B H C, as we have showed before, but also the portion of F N G, Triplus by the 17 of Archimedes, de quadratura Parabolae. Wherefore the portion F N G shall be equal to the Trigon H B C, by the first conception in Euclid, added by Companus. Furthermore, I draw E G until by the third of the first G R. Equal G R. I draw forth also F R, and LMO, then by the fourth of the first Triangle, FGE shall be of equal sides, and also of equal Angles to the Triangle F G R. Furthermore, D M is equidistant G R, by common science, and by R G of the first, the Angle F D M equal to the Angle F R G, and the Angle of F R G equal to the Angle of F M D; and whereas the Angle of F R G is common to either of them, then by the four, of the fix, the same, or all one, shall be the proportion of R G, to DM, as is of G F, to M F. But as is G F, to M F, so is G F, to M L. Wherefore by N of the first, G F hath itself so to M F, as G R to DM. But by the 16 of the same ML to DM, hath itself, and GF to GR. Wherefore ML equal MQ; which MQ I divide by equal in the the point X, by 10 of the first, and will do as before. Then by the reasons aforesaid of the same, the portion of FXG, shall be equal to the Trigon ABH, and the whole superf●ices FGNX, shall be equal to the whole Trigon, ABC, which is proposed.   geometric diagrams 
The contrary appeareth thus, Let be grated a superficies, contained of two parallel lines, as FNG, and F X G, proposing (for Example) to find a superficial of right lines Trianguler equal to the granted superficies. I draw first F G. Then afterwards by 44 of the second of Apolonius Pergeus, I find the Diameter of the Parabol FNG, which is MN, which I draw to ML, to be equal MN. Then I draw F L, which shall touch the Parabol of F N G in the point F by 33 of the first of the same. then from the point G, I draw a line G E, equidistant from the Diameter M N L, by 31 of the first of Euclid: which I draw until it join together with F L, the which doubtless shall be done by the second of the first of Vitellio.  
The Point of the Concourse or joining together, is E, than I divide F, into three equal portions by the 11th of the sixth of Euclid, in the points S & T, which points I join with the point G. by the Lines of F G, and G R. Now shall there be three Angles all equal to themselves by the 38 of Euclid. After this, I constitute a Trigon, B H C, equal to the Trigon, F S G. by this means I draw forth H C, to the Equality of G S, by the Equality of the 4th of the first of Euclid. Then at the point H I design an Angle, B H C, equal to the Angle of F S G. by the 23d of the first of Euclid; and by 3. of the first of the same, I draw H B, until it be equal F S. Afterwards I join B C, by a Line, then by 4. of the first, the Triangle B H C, shall be equal to the Triangle F S G, and shall be equal to the Portion F N G, by the 17. of Archimedes, de Quadratura Parabolae, by the help of the first Conception of Euclid. I do the like of the Portion of F G X, to whom by an equal Triangle O P K, than I draw P Q, equally distant O K and R V equally distant O P, by 31 of the first of Euclid, then by 41. of the same O P R shall be half of the Superficies O V. Now then I somewhat portrait C H, then upon B H I constitute a Superficial of equidistant sides, having an Angle of B H A, by 44. of the first of Euclid, twice assumpt to the Diameter of the first Superficies, A P B, then by 41. of the same by the first conception of the Trigon A B C, shall be equal of the Superficies F G N X. granted which is the intent. Aristotle (to say the Truth) was an excellent searcher of things, yet I will not say as some say (which have never read the the Works of Aristotle, or understand them not) that every Word of Aristotle, is almost a Sentence; and that Aristotle was the God of Philosophers, and that he never erred in one Word, but was divine in all things. Such miserable men, if they knew what it were to speak with Demonstration, and what by Experience to the Sense, would never have said such things. For Sense simply, in those things which are not properly sensible, we are oftentimes deceived. And whereas we cannot perceive the Deception, by the Mean of that simple sense, than it seemeth to us that the thing cannot be, and that it is not in very Deed as it appeareth to the sense.  
As for Example, who is he that thinking not a Reflex Form on the Superficial Water immovable, to be seen of the same greatness, as is by a right Longitude, by the mean of a Diaphane, gathered of a Radical Line incident and Reflex; whereas this is false by G D, of the 6 of Vitellio. For the Superfities of the Water is Spherical, as showeth Aristotle, 2 de C●●lo, cap. 4. But better Archimedes in the second Proposition, De subsidentibus aquae. And therefore when any Star appeareth to us above the Horizon, yet is it not indeed as it appeareth by this Demonstration. Let the Star be I, the Horizon R A T, the Earth E A M. whose Centre is A, and the sight G, the Vapours O E; then whereas the radical Line passing from any rare thin, or transparent in any transparent of more thickness, maketh a Perpendicular, by the 45. of the Second of Vitellio, it is manifest therefore that the Star I, to be seen by the Line I D E, which Line shall be crooked, because that simple Air is thinner than Vapours, and Fire thinner than Air. Also the matter or substance of Heaven is thinner than Fire, by the 50. of the 10 of Vitellio.   atmospheric diagram 
Furthermore, the higher part of the Air is thinner than the lower part, the same I say also of Water and Fire (if we may call Fire the highest part of the body, and near unto the concavity of the Moon) and of every Superior part of Elements. And so the Star by the Line D E, seemeth to be above the Horizon, in the point V But Vitellio also in his 10 Book, in the Proposition 49. teacheth perspective, and how it may be instrumentally proved, how the Stars may be seen in the Horizon, without their proper places, by reason of Incurnation or crooking of the Beams, whereof it followeth that they do not Mathematically define the Horizon, which say it is the Terminer or ender of the sight, and of the greatest Circles of the Sphere, whereas by the Demonstration before, the Circle ending of the sight, is cutting the Sphere in two unequal Portions, and that the higher Portion be greater than the lower. For if the Horizon be the ender of the sight, and one of the greatest Circles, than the Earth is not equally about the Centre or middle of the World, or else the middle of the World is without the Earth. But if the Earth doth equally compass about the middle, ergo, the ender of the sight is not of the greatest Circles in the Sphere, or contrarity. Therefore if we shall see any Star above the ender of the sight, we should not therefore think it to be in the twelfth station of Heaven (this is to be understood by reasonable manner) for the Virtue of the Star appeareth chief in the great Circle (whose Pole is Zenith) passing by the 90 Degree of the Equinoctial, from the Intersection or dividing of the same with the Meridian toward the East. Furthermore, the difference between the ender of the sight, and the greater Circle, is not only one Diameter of the Star, but of Degrees, which if it were not, we could by no means use the Proposition 49 of Vitellio: and therefore it was no small Error of them that said that the Horizon is the ender of the fight. and one of the greatest Circles in the Sphere, and that ever the middle of Heaven appeareth unto us, for evermore then half appeareth unto us; for the Incurvation or crooking of the Beams. But he that will see more Examples of these things, let him read the 4th Book of Vitellio, and the Tenth, and in some parts the Second and 5th of the same, in all of which he shall see somewhat how easily we may be deceived by this sense, but the like of other Senses is not to be doubted. Therefore not without weak and slender judgement, they call Aristotle so Divine a Prince of Philosophy, and Divine Peter Arches, did very wisely give Commendation to Aristotle proportionally and no further, but only to God; forasmuch as it is humane to err, Aristotle also might sometime fail.  
We having thus throughly discoursed of Proportions Local, we shall now next fall upon the swift Motion by the Art of Navigation, which will occasion us to traverse many rare Mathematical Secrets.  
This most swift Motion to the common sort of men seemeth incredible, for that the same may be done by sailing in a Ship or other Vessel, against whatsoever course of any Outrageous Flood or River, and against the most furious Winds whatsoever they are, even also in the deepest Winter, and greatest Surges of Water. Neither is it strange, if it be incredible to the unexpert. For the common people count that for a Miracle, which the expert Mathematicians know to be natural and easy: for if it should be propounded to the ignorant people, that any man might in the midst of the Waters and Floods, descend to the bottom of the River Rhine, his Apparel remaining dry, and no part of Body wet, and also to bring with him burning fire from the bottom of the Water, it should seem to them to be ridiculous and an impossibility: Which nevertheless in the year 1538. in Toleto a City of Spain, in the most swift River Tagus (in which the Gold is said to be found) running through the course of the Sun, none otherwise then Danubus, and three other in the World, making their course from the West to the East, which strange fight twelve thousand Persons saw in the presence of Charles the Emperor, the fifth of that Name. Of such strange Experiments I shall not need here to speak much. Others there be that dare affirm, that a certain Ship was in such sort driven with violent Winds and furious Seas, with such a swift course, that the Pilot standing in the Keel of the Ship, near unto the Mast, shooting an Arrow out of a Cross-bow, the Arrow fell down before his Feet, and came not so far as the forepart or forecastle of the Ship. I have heard also of credible men, that a certain Pilot Cantabrian, lying at an Anchor at Antwerp, on a certain Sunday after morning Prayer, departed with full Sails and prosperous Winds until he came to the Coast of St. James of Compostella, and immediately returning with like prosperous Winds came again to Antwerp in the same Ship the Sunday next following. The which I deny not but may be done, yet not without great danger of Shipwreck, especially in the return, the wind being at the South. Also in the year 1551. there was Experience made of a most swift Motion; For, from Drepan of Sicilia and Trinacria, the Port of the Gales of Maltha (now being in the place of the Rhodes, otherwise called of St. John in Jerusalem) A certain Ship without ever striking Sail, in 37 hours arrived at Naples. And yet are these places distant in Latitude almost five degrees, besides some part of Longitude: which on the Earth correspondeth and amounteth to four hundred and five Miles. The motions are caused by violent Floods and outrageous Winds. The like also may be done against the fury of Winds and the violence of Floods, when need shall be for expedite carriage of Victuales by Sea, and even in places where it is hard to come to Land, and this with small labour, as hereafter I will plainly declare by Demonstration: but oftentimes, most expert Pilots and Seamen do marvel that Sailing in Ships of the self same making, weight, content, or capacity, framed also of the same Shipwright, furnished with equal Sails, and all other things appertaing, yet to be of such divers swiftness, that the one cannot keep equal course with the other, which admiration doubtless must proceed through some ignorance or want of knowledge of the due proportion of the frame of all sorts of Ships: that is the depth, breadth, height and length, (named by the Master Seamen, Latitude, Longitude, Altitude and Profundity) the which if they are unknown of the Master Carpenter or Shipwright, two Ships can never be so directed by equal course, but that one shall be swifter than another: and this doubtless only by reason of their different proportion in their framing, making, or architecture.   depiction of a ship 
I have oftentimes attempted by Mathematical reason, how and in what manner a commodious fashion of Ships may be Invented with small labour, and as little as may be of cost, which may in short time strive against the course of whatsoever strong Floods or Rivers, as Rhine, Danubie, Mosella, Scalda, and infinite others of our own and other Countries, boiling and overflowing through the abundance of great Showers, melted Snows and furious Winds, and this more especially for the commodity of speedy transporting of Victuals, and such other necessaries: in consideration whereof, the proportion first observed, and the said Ship or Vessel almost finished, then must be made three holes from the Keel, towards the forecastle or foremost part of the Ship, as appeareth in the figure by the Letters ABC. In which holes, in time of the course, certain Engines of strange and marvellous invention may be fastened. In the poop or hinder part of the Ship, may be prepared (after the manner of Germany) a little Stove or Hothouse, where Passengers may commodiously rest, now the Ship being thus prepared, the bottom thereof should be dressed with Tallow; and not with Tarr, that it may move the swiftlyer.  
Thus having considered of the proportion and frame of the said Ship, the rest of the Mechanical or Handicraft Work, we leave to the Carpenters and Shipwrights.  
It chanceth oftentimes, and that more especially in Winter, that certain Floods and Rivers overflown with too much abundance of waters, do through their violence refuse all Navigations that may be made against their course, to the great damage and hurt of the Inhabitants of many Towns and Cities, to the which they should carry Victuals and other Provisions, against the course of the Rivers: And therefore in savour of the Commonwealth, I have invented these kind of Ships, that I may hereby, as by my Seal, confirm the good will I bear to our posterity. Now therefore it may suffice to have said thus much of this swift motion which I have proved with my own strength of reason, and sufficiently declared the framing and use thereof: whereunto it may be easy for expert men to add more, according to the excellency of their Wits and Cunning. For in all Sciences it is easier to add to Inventions, then to Invent. Let us now not only consider what commodity this may bring to ourselves, but also to the Brabantines, Sailing from Antuerp to Brussels in the new River: for that which they attempt dangerously with great vexation and shogging in Wagons by foul and tedious Journeys, often wet to the Skin for the space of a whole day, may by Water be done more conveniently, in the space of four or five hours even against the River and Wind.  
And lest the Reader should seem to refute our say, while he thinks that those things which he esteemeth for Miracles, to exceed the Limits of Nature, I will show manifestly by one Demonstration of the forementioned Enterpriser, the manner how he descended to the bottom of the River, his body remaining dry as before I have affirmed. But here first let us consider, that naturally the Water or Sea (as other Elements) intendeth to a Sperical form, and with its globositie or rising, overpasseth most high Mountains. But hear again will arise another doubt to the inexpert. That is, If the Sea be higher than the Land, how is it then that it doth not drown and cover the Earth, whereunto I answer, that the dryness of the Earth may so long resist the moistness of the Water, until it receive or imbibe too much moistness, which may thus be naturally proved. Fill a Cup, a Glass, or other Vessel with Water or Wine to the brim, so that the fullness thereof may seem to swell as if it would overflow the brim of the Cup. Then may you yet put therein many pieces of Gold, without shedding one drop of Water. But if the extremity of the brim be once wet, immediately the Water overfloweth, because the dryness of the Vessel doth participate of the moistness of the Water: which is yet▪ better proved in the manner as followeth: Take a certain quantity of Water and sprinkle it by drops upno a dry (or dusty) Table: so shall the drops partly show a Sperical form remaining; but if the Table before be never so little wet with Water, the drops sprinkled thereon, shall float abroad, and keep no sperical or round form, by reason of the moisture that the Table hath received before of the Water. It hath oftentimes happened that certain Towns and Lands have been drowned by the River's overflowing near unto them. Nevertheless, how much soever such Waters increase or rise, there is no danger, until great Showers falling from Heaven, do thoroughly wet the Banks, Ramperts and Calseys of such Rivers. For when they (as we have said) are thoroughly imbibed with moistness, they cause the overflowing and breach, whereof followeth the overflowing and drowning of the Region: And this may suffice for Advertisement. Now I shall instance the aforesaid experiment showed at Toleto by two Gre ks: who taking a Chalderon of great Capacity, the Mouth turned downwards, and so hanging it in the Air by Ropes, they fastened certain Board's, Posts, or Shelves in the midst of the Cauldron, where they placed themselves with the fire. Then to make it hang steadfastly and equally, they compassed the Circumference, brim, or border thereof with Leaden Plummets, every side equally, and made of equal weight, lest any part of the circumference of the mouth of the Cauldron, except it were equally & softly let down into the water, should sooner touch the water then the whole circumference. For so should the water easily overcome the air enclosed in the cauldron, and resolve it into moisture. But if by due proportion the Cauldron thus prepared, be fair and softly let down into the water, the air enclosed in the cauldron (by resistance of the water) shall violently make itself place, not admitting the water to enter. So the men there enclosed, shall so long remain dry in the midst of the water, until success of time do by respiration debilitate and consume the enclosed Air, turning it into gross humidity, engrossed by the coldness and moistness of the water: but if in due time the cauldron be softly and equally drawn out of the water, the men shall remain dry and the fire not extinct, as it was then experimented, which also may be thus proved: take a Cup or Glass of a certain quantity: the circumference of the mouth whereof, shall be broader than the circumference of the bottom. In the mouth let be fastened a little stick, tying thereunto a thread: on the stick, fasten a little candle of wax, whose light may come only to the midst of the cup, least as much nearness of the water might suffocate the candle. Then proportionably (as in the former experiment) put the cup with a burning candle into a Vessel full of water, and in due time draw it out softly and equally, so that no part of the mouth of the circumference thereof be drawn out before the whole, or speedily, so shall the candle remain in extinct. Let not therefore the Ignorant condemn our writings, before they know what may be done by experience, it is now no miracle, when it is known to be natural: and thus it is in all other Sciences and Experiments, which the common people think to be impossible. As that the salt water of the Sea may be made fresh, and Potable to be drunk; which nevertheless may be done naturally, as hath been often proved divers ways. Some do this (as is written in Gemma Philosophica) putting the salt water in a Vessel plastered or crusted over with clean wax, which distilling through the straight or narrow pores thereof, leaveth the salt, which for its grossness cannot pass thereby. The same may be done better by a Canon or Pipe, filled with Gravel or little stones, that the salt water poured thereon may divers times pass through that Pipe into another Vessel.  
Furthermore, Let these ignorant People take notice that the Arts and Sciences have all of them in the latter Ages either been revived from decay, or reduced to use, or brought forward to perfection: so many secrets of nature and rare conclusions having been found out by and imparted to the World by Albertus Magnes, Levinus Lemnius, Fernelius, Fracostorius, Babtista Porta, Cornelius Agrippa, Cardanus, Trithemius, Delrio, and infinite others, besides our own Countrymen, such Inventions as have been singular and artificial, for the use, ease, delight, or ornament of Mankind, as a number of Mecanical. Mathematical and Musical Instruments, Chimneys, Stirrups, Paper, Spectacles, Parcellan, Perspective-Glasses, Fining of Sugars, Hand-mills, Glones, Hats, Bands, Watches, besides divers excellent Works in Stuffs and Silks, in Linens, in Hang, in Carpets, with many others, particularly set down by Polydore Virgil de Inventoribus rerum, and Pancirellus in his novo rep●rta, a●d Cardanus in his 17 Book de Artibus, artificiosisque r●bus, to whom notwithstanding much more might be easily added, for as truth is the Daughter of time, so are useful Inventions too, as rightly Manilius.  
Sed cum Longae dies acuit mortalia corda  
Et Labor ingenium miseris dedit, & sua quenque  
Advigilare sibi jussit fortuna premendo,  
Seducta in varias certarunt pectora curas,  
Et quodcunque sagax tentundo r●perit usus,  
In common bonum commentum L●ta tenere.  
But when the tract of time had whet men's wits,  
And Industry had moulded them by fits;  
Fortune pressing each Man to endeavour  
To free himself from misery, together  
They bend their Minds to search out sundry things,  
And what is found by observation sage,  
They cheerfully impart from age to age.  
I will only specify some other of the rarest Artificial Works of this latter Age, comparable for Workmanship with the best of the Ancients,  
Peter Ramas' tells us of a wooden Eagle, and an Iron Fly, made by Regiomontanus a famous Mathematician of Norimburgh, whereof the first in Imitation of Architas his Dove, met the Emperor a good way off coming towards it, and having saluted him returned again, waiting on him to the City Gates. The second at a Feast whereto he had invited his loving Friends, flew forth of his hand, and taking a round, returned thither again, to the great Astonishment of the Beholders; both which the Divine Pen of the Noble Du Bartas hath excellently expressed.  
Why should I not that wooden Eagle mention,  
A Learned Germans late admired Invention,  
Which mounting from his fist, that framed her;  
Flew far to meet an Almain Emperor:  
And having met him, with her Noble Train  
And weary Wings, turning about again,  
Followed him close unto the Castle-gate  
Of Norimburgh, whom all their shows of State,  
Streets hanged with Arms, Arches curious built;  
Greyheaded Senate, and Youths, gallantise,  
Graced not so much as only this devise.  
He goes on, and thus describes the Fly.  
Once as this Artist, more with Mirth than Meat  
Feasted some Friends whom he esteemed great;  
From under's hand an Iron Fly flew out;  
Which having flown a perfect round about,  
With wearied Wings returned unto her Master,  
And as judicious on his Arm he placed her.  
O Divine Wit! that in the narrow Womb  
Of a small Fly, couldst find sufficient room  
For all those Springs, Wheels, counterpoise and Chains,  
Which stood instead of Life, and Spur, and Rheins.  
Desimanus itaque Architas columbam mirari, cum muscam, cum aquilam Geometricis alis alatum Norsbergea exhibeat, saith Ramus, let us give over to wonder at Architus his Dove, f●ithence Norimburgh hath exhibited both a Fly and an Eagle winged with Geometrical Wings. Bartas likewise remembers the curious Dial and Clock at Stransburgh, myself have beheld not without Admiration.  
But who would think that mortal hands could mould,  
New Heavens, new Stars whose whirling courses should  
With constant wind, through contrary ways.  
Mark, the true monds of years, and months and days,  
Yet 'tis a story that hath oft been heard,  
And by a hundred witnesses averred.  
Neither doth he forget the most excellent Silver Sphere (matchable with Archimedes, or that of the Zapores King of Persia) which was sent as a present by the Emperor Ferdinand to Solyman the Great Turk; and is mentioned by Paulus Jovius and Sabellicus; it was carried as they writ by twelve men, unframed and reframed in the Grand-Seigniors Presence, by the maker, who likewise delivered him a Book containing the Mystery of using it.  
Nor may we smother, or forget ingrately  
The Heaven of Silver, that was sent but lately  
From Ferdinando, as a famous Work  
Unto Byzantium to the greatest Turk:  
Wherein a Spirit still moving to and fro,  
Made all the Engine orderly to go:  
And tho' the one Sphere did always slowly slide,  
and contrary the other swiftly glide;  
Yet still their Stars kept all their courses even  
With the true courses of the Stars of Heaven.  
The Sun there shifting in the Zodiac  
His shining houses, never did forsake  
His pointed Path, there in a Month his Sister  
Fulfilled her course, and changing of't her Lustre  
And form of Face (now larger, lesser soon)  
Followed the changes of the other Moon.  
So that which way soever we turn our Eyes, we may see that Posterity hath not riotously wasted the Inheritance of Arts and Sciences, left them by their Predecessors, but have greatly increased the same and invented others: for certainly the multitude of things incomprehensible, is infinite, and so therefore inventions must needs also be infinite, and without end, like tunes in the Art of Music.  
And forasmuch as I have made mention of sundry Inventions, it shall not be from the purpose, to describe the goodly Instrument whereof Angelus Politianus in his fourth Book of Epistles to Franciscus Caso, where he writeth in this manner, I have received your Epistle, wherein you signify to me, that you have heard of the strange Engine or Instrument Antomatan invented, and made of late by one Laurence a Florentine; in the which is expressed the course and motions of the Planets conformable and agreeable with the motions of Heaven, and forasmuch (saith he) as the report thereof is hardly believed, you greatly desire that I should write to you, what certain Knowledge I have of that thing, wherein I am ready to obey your Request. And altho' now it be long since I saw it, yet as far as I bear in memory, I will briefly express to you the Form, Reason, and Use thereof. And if the Description thereof shall seem to you to be somewhat obscure, you shall not ascribe it altogether to my Declaration, but partly to the subtlety and Novelty of the thing. It is in form of a square Pillar, sharp towards the top, in the manner of a Pyramidis, of height almost three Cubits: over and above it in manner of a banner, is a flat or plain round of guilded Copper, adorned with sundry Colours, on whose other part is expressed the whole course of the Planets, and whole Dimension or Measure is somewhat shorter than a Cubit, and is within turned and moved with certain little Denticle Wheels, an  Circle comprehending the highest Border or Margin, divided with the spaces of 24 hours within it, in the highest turning Roundel, the twelve signs are discerned by three Degrees. Further, within are seen eight Rundels, in manner of one greatness, of these two obtain the middle point, the one fastened in the other, so that the lowest being somewhat bigger, representeth the Sun, and the higher the Moon. From the Sun a beam coming to the circle, sheweth in it the hours: and in the Zodiac, the Months, days, and number of Degrees, and also the true and half Motion of the Sun. From the Moon also proceedeth a Pin, or ●●yer, which beneath or downward in the Border or Margin of the greatest Rundel, sheweth the hours: and passing by the Centre of the Epicide of the Moon, and extending to the Zodiac, showeth the half Motion of his Planet. Another also rising from thence, and cutting the border of the Centre of the Moon (that is of the Epicide) showeth her true place, whereby are seen the slowness, swiftness, all Motions and Courses, Conjunctions also and full Moons. About these are six other Rundels, of the which, one whom they call the Head and Tail of the Dragon, showeth the Eclipses both of the Sun and the Moon. The other are attributed to the Planets; from every one of which, proceed two points, assigning the Motions (as we have said) of the Moon, but they also go backward, which chanceth not in the Moon, whose Eclipse is moved contrariwise. And thus the reason of Conjunctions, Departing, and Latitudes is manifest in all. There is also another Border likewise to the Zodiac, cutting or dividing upward or above, those six little Rundels of the Planets, whereby appeareth the Degrees of the East signs, and the spaces of the days (that is to say) at what hour the Sun riseth, by the which, every one of the Planets are carried in their Rundels or Circles by course, in the daytime to the East, and in the Night to the West. Again contrariwise, the greatest Rundel of all, draweth with it all the Planets, in the Night to the East, and in the day to the West, in the space of 24 hours. All which to agree with the Motions of the Heavens, both Reason and Experience do confirm; and therefore we ought not to marvel if these things seem incredible to many. (For as saith the wise Proverb) Faith is slowly given to great things, for even we scarcely believe our own Eyes, when we see such things. And therefore, whereas in time passed I read, that such a like Instrument was made by Archimedes, my Faith yet failed to give Credit to so great an Author, which thing nevertheless this our Florentine hath performed. The work doubtless being of such an Excellence, that all praise is inferior to it, and cannot otherwise for the worthiness thereof, be otherwise praised, then to say that it is above all praise; insomuch that he may seem a man sent from Heaven, where he learned the making of this Heaven; Hitherto Politianus. Of the like Instrument, Roger Bacon maketh mention, affirming the same to be worth a Kingdom to a wise man. But forasmuch as the Subject I have discoursed of is chief touching Inventions appertaining to Ships, and the Art of Navigation, I shall here think it fit to say something of the Invention of a certain Italian Writer Leonardo Fioravanti, who in his Book Entitled, Specchio di Scientia Vniversale, doth greatly glory in the Invention of Ships, which cannot perish either on the Sea, or the Land, affirming the like was never invented since the Creation of the World. But I fear, lest his vain Glory of discoursing in the Italian Tongue, hath caused him more than needs, to commend his own invention. Therefore commiting the judgement hereof to men of greater Experience and Knowledge in these things, I will only translate his Words, whereby in the book beforenamed, he describeth the same Ship in this manner. Take Beams of Fur or Pinetree, which of their own nature can never sink or go down, or remain under the Water, and with these Beams frame an Engine or Machine, of the length of threescore foot, and of the height of six foot, and of the breadth of twenty foot, laying the first rank in length, fashioning the forepart like unto other Ships, and in like manner, bringing the poop or hinder part to good Form; then with such Irons as appertain bind it, and strengthen it in such manner as it cannot break. And upon this Frame or Foundation build your Ship, of such fashion as you think best, etc. But whether the Frame or Foundation should be builded upon the Keel or bottom of the Ship, or otherwise (as I have said) I must commit it to them of better judgement. But lest I should be unmindful of my Promise, concerning the rare Geometrician Beson, that caused a book to be Printed containing the Forms and Portracts of 60 Engines of marvellous strange and profitable Device, of which I only mentioned three forasmuch as they chief appertain to Ships, viz. the 54, 57, 60. I shall here make a brief Rehearsal of them, the 54 therefore (as he writeth) is an Engine not unlike to that which Archimedes in former time invented for the Syracusians, wherewith a man with the strength of only one hand, by help of the Instrument called Trispacton (which in our Tongue some call an endless screw) brought a Ship of marvellous greatness from the Land into the the Sea, in the sight of King Hieron, and an infinite Multitude which with all their force could not do the same, etc. Of which also our Countryman Roger Bacon, a great Philosopher seemed to have had some Knowledge: he making mention of an Instrument no bigger than a man's body, wherewith one man might draw to him the strength of three hundred men. And when I was in France I heard credibly reported that an Almain made an Engine, where with one at 15 years of Age lifted from the ground a weight, which the strongest man in the Court was not able to remove. Almost the same device we see in the bending of a Cross-bow. Also at my being in Germany in the City of Strasburgh, a worthy Gentleman, Monsieur de Saleno, told me that in that City one had invented an Engine of Iron, no bigger than a man's hand, whereunto fastening a Rope, with a hook of Iron, no bigger than a man's head, and casting the hook upon a Wall, Tree, or other place, where it might take hold, he could with that Engine lift himself up to the Wall, or other places. But to return to the other two Engines of Beson, pertaining to our purpose, The 60 Figure (as he there writeth) is the Invention of an Engine, scarcely credible, wherewith by Balance and easy Motion, beyond the order of Nature, a Ship ma be ordered and governed, that in the ●alm Sea it shall move forwards, and in little Wind hasten the course, and in too much Wind, temper and moderate the same; a Secret (as he saith) worth the Knowledge of a Prince. Of the third Engine which is the 57 of his Book, he writeth thus, an Artifice not yet divulged or set forth, which placed in the poop of a Ship, whither the Water hath Recourse, and moved by the Motion of the Ship with Wheels and Weights, doth exactly show what space the Ship hath gone, etc. by which Description, some do understand that the Knowledge of the Longitude might so be found a thing doubtless greatly to be desired, and hitherto not certainly known, altho' Sebastian Cabot on his Deathbed, told me he had the Knowledge of the same by Divine Revelation, yet so, that he might not teach any Man. But I think that the good old man, in his extreme Age, somewhat doted, and had not yet even in the Article of Death, utterly shaken off all worldly vain Glory. As touching which Knowledge of the Longitude, to speak a little more by occasion now given, it shall not be from the purpose, for to rehearse the Words of that Excellent Learned man, Joannes Fernelius, in his incomparable Book de abditis rerum causis, where in his Preface to King Henry of France, he writeth thus, we have put our helping hand to the Art of Navigation and Geography; for by the Observation of the hours of the Equinoctials, we have invented how in whatsoever Region or place of the World a man shall be, he may know in what Longitude it is; which certainly we have not taken from the Fountains of the Ancients, but first of all (as I think) have drawn it out of our own Rivers, as our own Invention. I shall conclude (as I said before) that which way soever we turn our Eyes, we may see that Posterity hath not riotously wasted the Inheritance of Arts and Sciences, left them by their Predecessors, but have greatly improved and increase the same, and also invented others.    
FINIS.