1nation and elevation of the Sun in the Zodiack, by which it
duceth diverſity of Seaſons, and inequality of dayes and nights,
are finiſhed in the Moon in a moneth; and whereas the Sun to us
riſeth and declineth ſo much, that from the greateſt to the leaſt
titude, there is a difference of almoſt 47 degrees, for ſo much is
the diſtance from one to the other Tropick; this is in the Moon
but ten degrees only, or little more; namely, as much as the
teſt Latitudes of the Dragon on each ſide the Ecliptick. Now
conſider what effect the Sun would have in the torrid Zone, ſhould
it continually for fifteen dayes together beam forth its Rayes upon
it; which without all queſtion would deſtroy plants, herbs,
and living creatures: and if it ſhould chance that there were any
production, it would be of herbs, plants, and creatures very
rent from thoſe which are now there. Secondly, I verily believe
that in the Moon there are no rains, for if Clouds ſhould gather
in any part thereof, as they do about the Earth, they would
upon hide from our ſight ſome of thoſe things, which we with the
Teleſcope behold in the Moon, and in a word, would ſome way or
other change its Phœnomenon, an effect which I could never by long
and diligent obſervations diſcover; but alwayes beheld it in a
even and pure ſerenity.
duceth diverſity of Seaſons, and inequality of dayes and nights,
are finiſhed in the Moon in a moneth; and whereas the Sun to us
riſeth and declineth ſo much, that from the greateſt to the leaſt
titude, there is a difference of almoſt 47 degrees, for ſo much is
the diſtance from one to the other Tropick; this is in the Moon
but ten degrees only, or little more; namely, as much as the
teſt Latitudes of the Dragon on each ſide the Ecliptick. Now
conſider what effect the Sun would have in the torrid Zone, ſhould
it continually for fifteen dayes together beam forth its Rayes upon
it; which without all queſtion would deſtroy plants, herbs,
and living creatures: and if it ſhould chance that there were any
production, it would be of herbs, plants, and creatures very
rent from thoſe which are now there. Secondly, I verily believe
that in the Moon there are no rains, for if Clouds ſhould gather
in any part thereof, as they do about the Earth, they would
upon hide from our ſight ſome of thoſe things, which we with the
Teleſcope behold in the Moon, and in a word, would ſome way or
other change its Phœnomenon, an effect which I could never by long
and diligent obſervations diſcover; but alwayes beheld it in a
even and pure ſerenity.
The obſcurer
parts of the Moon
are plains, and the
more bright
tainous.
parts of the Moon
are plains, and the
more bright
tainous.
Long ledges of
mountaixs about
the ſpots of the
Moon.
mountaixs about
the ſpots of the
Moon.
There are not
generated in the
Moon things like
to ours, but if
there be any
ductions, they are
very different.
generated in the
Moon things like
to ours, but if
there be any
ductions, they are
very different.
The Moon not
compoſed of Water
and Earth.
compoſed of Water
and Earth.
Thoſe aſpects of
the Sun neceſſary
for our
ons, are not ſo in
the Moon.
the Sun neceſſary
for our
ons, are not ſo in
the Moon.
Natural dayas
in the Moon are of
a Moneth long.
in the Moon are of
a Moneth long.
To the Moon
the Sun aſeondeth
and declineth with
a difference of ten
degrees, and to the
Earth of forty
ven degrees.
the Sun aſeondeth
and declineth with
a difference of ten
degrees, and to the
Earth of forty
ven degrees.
There are no
rains in the Moon.
rains in the Moon.
SAGR. To this may be anſwered, either that there might be
great miſts, or that it might rain in the time of their night, that is,
when the Sun doth not illuminate it.
great miſts, or that it might rain in the time of their night, that is,
when the Sun doth not illuminate it.
SALV. If other paſſages did but aſſure us, that there were
nerations in it like to ours, and that there was onely wanting the
concourſe of rains, we might find out this, or ſome other
rament to ſerve inſtead thereof, as it happens in Egypt by the
undation of Nile: but not meeting with any accident, which
reſponds with ours, of many that have been ſought out for the
duction of the like effects, we need not trouble our ſelves to
duce one alone; and that alſo, not becauſe we have certain
vation of it, but for a bare non-repugnance that we find therein.
Moreover, if I was demanded what my firſt apprehenſion, and pure
natural reaſon dictated to me concerning the production of things
like or unlike there above, I would alwayes reply, that they are
moſt different, and to us altogether unimaginable, for ſo me thinks
the riches of Nature, and the omnipotence of our Creator and
Governour, do require.
nerations in it like to ours, and that there was onely wanting the
concourſe of rains, we might find out this, or ſome other
rament to ſerve inſtead thereof, as it happens in Egypt by the
undation of Nile: but not meeting with any accident, which
reſponds with ours, of many that have been ſought out for the
duction of the like effects, we need not trouble our ſelves to
duce one alone; and that alſo, not becauſe we have certain
vation of it, but for a bare non-repugnance that we find therein.
Moreover, if I was demanded what my firſt apprehenſion, and pure
natural reaſon dictated to me concerning the production of things
like or unlike there above, I would alwayes reply, that they are
moſt different, and to us altogether unimaginable, for ſo me thinks
the riches of Nature, and the omnipotence of our Creator and
Governour, do require.
SAGR. I ever accounted extraordinary madneſſe that of thoſe,
who would make humane comprehenſion the meaſure of what
ture hath a power or knowledge to effect; whereas on the
trary there is not any the leaſt effect in Nature, which can be fully
underſtood by the moſt ſpeculative wits in the world. This their
ſo vain preſumption of knowing all, can take beginning from
who would make humane comprehenſion the meaſure of what
ture hath a power or knowledge to effect; whereas on the
trary there is not any the leaſt effect in Nature, which can be fully
underſtood by the moſt ſpeculative wits in the world. This their
ſo vain preſumption of knowing all, can take beginning from