SIMP. In my opinion, it cannot be denied, but that your
courſe carrieth with it much of probability, arguing, as we ſay,
ex ſuppoſitione, namely, granting that the Earth moveth with
the two motions aſſigned it by Copernicus: but if that motion
be diſproved, all that you have ſaid is vain, and inſignificant:
and for the diſproval of that Hypotheſis, it is very manifeſtly
hinted by your Diſcourſe it ſelf. You, with the ſuppoſition of
the two Terreſtrial motions, give a reaſon of the ebbing and
flowing; and then again, arguing circularly, from the ebbing
and flowing, draw the reaſon and confirmation of thoſe very
motions; aud ſo proceeding to a more ſpecious Diſcourſe, you
ſay that the Water, as being a fluid body, and not tenaciouſly
annexed to the Earth, is not conſtrained punctually to obey
ry of its motions, from which you afterwards infer its ebbing
and flowing, Now I, according to your own method, argue
the quite contrary, and ſay; the Air is much more tenuous, and
fluid than the Water, and leſſe annexed to the Earths
es, to which the Water, if it be for nothing elſe, yet by reaſon
of its gravity that preſſeth down upon the ſame more than the
light Air, adhereth; therefore the Air is much obliged to
low the motions of the Earth: and therefore were it ſo, that the
Earth did move in that manner, we the inhabitants of it, and
carried round with like velocity by it, ought perpetually to feel
a Winde from the Eaſt that beateth upon us with intolerable
force. And that ſo it ought to fall out, quotidian experience
ſureth us: for if with onely riding poſt, at the ſpeed of eight or
ten miles an hour in the tranquil Air, the incountering of it with
our face ſeemeth to us a Winde that doth not lightly blow upon
us, what ſhould we expect from our rapid courſe of 800. or a
thouſand miles an hour, againſt the Air, that is, free from that
motion? And yet, notwithſtanding we cannot perceive any
thing of that nature.
courſe carrieth with it much of probability, arguing, as we ſay,
ex ſuppoſitione, namely, granting that the Earth moveth with
the two motions aſſigned it by Copernicus: but if that motion
be diſproved, all that you have ſaid is vain, and inſignificant:
and for the diſproval of that Hypotheſis, it is very manifeſtly
hinted by your Diſcourſe it ſelf. You, with the ſuppoſition of
the two Terreſtrial motions, give a reaſon of the ebbing and
flowing; and then again, arguing circularly, from the ebbing
and flowing, draw the reaſon and confirmation of thoſe very
motions; aud ſo proceeding to a more ſpecious Diſcourſe, you
ſay that the Water, as being a fluid body, and not tenaciouſly
annexed to the Earth, is not conſtrained punctually to obey
ry of its motions, from which you afterwards infer its ebbing
and flowing, Now I, according to your own method, argue
the quite contrary, and ſay; the Air is much more tenuous, and
fluid than the Water, and leſſe annexed to the Earths
es, to which the Water, if it be for nothing elſe, yet by reaſon
of its gravity that preſſeth down upon the ſame more than the
light Air, adhereth; therefore the Air is much obliged to
low the motions of the Earth: and therefore were it ſo, that the
Earth did move in that manner, we the inhabitants of it, and
carried round with like velocity by it, ought perpetually to feel
a Winde from the Eaſt that beateth upon us with intolerable
force. And that ſo it ought to fall out, quotidian experience
ſureth us: for if with onely riding poſt, at the ſpeed of eight or
ten miles an hour in the tranquil Air, the incountering of it with
our face ſeemeth to us a Winde that doth not lightly blow upon
us, what ſhould we expect from our rapid courſe of 800. or a
thouſand miles an hour, againſt the Air, that is, free from that
motion? And yet, notwithſtanding we cannot perceive any
thing of that nature.
SALV. To this objection that hath much of likelihood in it, I
reply, that its true, the Air is of greater tenuity and levity; and,
by reaſon of its levity, leſſe adherent to the Earth than Water ſo
much more grave and ^{*}bulky; but yet the conſequence is falſe
that you infer from theſe qualities; namely, that upon account
of that its levity, tenuity, and leſſe adherence to the Earth, it
ſhould be more exempt than the Water from following the
Terreſtrial Motions; ſo as that to us, who abſolutely pertake of
of them, the ſaid exemption ſhould be ſenſible and manifeſt;
nay, it happeneth quite contrary; for, if you well remember, the
cauſe of the ebbing and flowing of the Water aſſigned by us,
conſiſteth in the Waters not following the unevenneſſe of the
motion of its Veſſel, but retaining the impetus conceived before,
reply, that its true, the Air is of greater tenuity and levity; and,
by reaſon of its levity, leſſe adherent to the Earth than Water ſo
much more grave and ^{*}bulky; but yet the conſequence is falſe
that you infer from theſe qualities; namely, that upon account
of that its levity, tenuity, and leſſe adherence to the Earth, it
ſhould be more exempt than the Water from following the
Terreſtrial Motions; ſo as that to us, who abſolutely pertake of
of them, the ſaid exemption ſhould be ſenſible and manifeſt;
nay, it happeneth quite contrary; for, if you well remember, the
cauſe of the ebbing and flowing of the Water aſſigned by us,
conſiſteth in the Waters not following the unevenneſſe of the
motion of its Veſſel, but retaining the impetus conceived before,