SALV. Rather how improper, for being by its tranſparence,
wholly inviſible, a man would not be able without ſtumbling at
the threſholds, and breaking his head againſt the Walls, to paſs
from room to room.
wholly inviſible, a man would not be able without ſtumbling at
the threſholds, and breaking his head againſt the Walls, to paſs
from room to room.
SAGR. This danger would not befall him, if it be true, as ſome
Peripateticks ſay, that it is intangible: and if one cannot
touch it, much leſs can it hurt him.
Peripateticks ſay, that it is intangible: and if one cannot
touch it, much leſs can it hurt him.
SALV. This would not ſerve the turn, for though the matter
of the Heavens cannot be toucht, as wanting tangible qualities:
yet may it eaſily touch the elementary bodies; and to offend us
it is as ſufficient that it ſtrike us, nay worſe, than if we ſhould
ſtrike it. But let us leave theſe Pallaces, or, to ſay better, theſe
Caſtles in the air, and not interrupt Simplicius.
of the Heavens cannot be toucht, as wanting tangible qualities:
yet may it eaſily touch the elementary bodies; and to offend us
it is as ſufficient that it ſtrike us, nay worſe, than if we ſhould
ſtrike it. But let us leave theſe Pallaces, or, to ſay better, theſe
Caſtles in the air, and not interrupt Simplicius.
SIMPL. The queſtion which you have ſo caſually ſtarted, is one
of the moſt difficulty that is diſputed in Philoſophy; and I have
on that ſubject moſt excellent conceits of a very learned Doctor
of Padoua, but it is not now time to enter upon them. Therefore
returning to our purpoſe, I ſay that the Moon, in my opinion, is
much more ſolid than the Earth, but do not infer the ſame, as you
do, from the craggineſs and montuoſity of its ſuperficies; but
rather from the contrary, namely, from its aptitude to receive (as
we ſee it experimented in the hardeſt ſtones) a poliſh and luſtre
exceeding that of the ſmootheſt glaſs, for ſuch neceſſarily muſt
its ſuperficies be, to render it apt to make ſo lively reflection of
the Suns rays. And for thoſe appearances which you mention,
of Mountains, Cliffs, Hills, Valleys, &c. they are all illuſions:
and I have been preſent at certain publick diſputes, where I have
heard it ſtrongly maintained againſt theſe introducers of novelties,
that ſuch appearances proceed from nothing elſe, but from the
equal diſtribution of the opacous and perſpicuous parts, of which
the Moon is inwardly and outwardly compoſed: as we ſee it
often fall out in chryſtal, amber, and many other precious ſtones
of perfect luſtre; in which by reaſon of the opacity of ſome parts,
and the tranſparency of others, there doth appear ſeveral
vities and prominencies. In the fourth reſemblance, I grant, that
the ſuperficies of Terreſtrial Globe beheld from afar, would make
two different appearances, namely, one more clear, the other more
dark; but I believe that ſuch diverſity would ſucceed quite
trary to what you ſay; that is, I hold that the ſurface of the
ter would appear lucid, becauſe that it is ſmooth and tranſparent;
and that of the Earth would appear obſcure, by reaſon of its
pacity and ſcabroſity, ill accommodated for reflecting the light of
the Sun. Concernïng the fifth compariſon, I grant it wholly, and
am able, in caſe the Earth did ſhine as the Moon, to ſhow the
ſame to any one that ſhould from thence above behold it,
of the moſt difficulty that is diſputed in Philoſophy; and I have
on that ſubject moſt excellent conceits of a very learned Doctor
of Padoua, but it is not now time to enter upon them. Therefore
returning to our purpoſe, I ſay that the Moon, in my opinion, is
much more ſolid than the Earth, but do not infer the ſame, as you
do, from the craggineſs and montuoſity of its ſuperficies; but
rather from the contrary, namely, from its aptitude to receive (as
we ſee it experimented in the hardeſt ſtones) a poliſh and luſtre
exceeding that of the ſmootheſt glaſs, for ſuch neceſſarily muſt
its ſuperficies be, to render it apt to make ſo lively reflection of
the Suns rays. And for thoſe appearances which you mention,
of Mountains, Cliffs, Hills, Valleys, &c. they are all illuſions:
and I have been preſent at certain publick diſputes, where I have
heard it ſtrongly maintained againſt theſe introducers of novelties,
that ſuch appearances proceed from nothing elſe, but from the
equal diſtribution of the opacous and perſpicuous parts, of which
the Moon is inwardly and outwardly compoſed: as we ſee it
often fall out in chryſtal, amber, and many other precious ſtones
of perfect luſtre; in which by reaſon of the opacity of ſome parts,
and the tranſparency of others, there doth appear ſeveral
vities and prominencies. In the fourth reſemblance, I grant, that
the ſuperficies of Terreſtrial Globe beheld from afar, would make
two different appearances, namely, one more clear, the other more
dark; but I believe that ſuch diverſity would ſucceed quite
trary to what you ſay; that is, I hold that the ſurface of the
ter would appear lucid, becauſe that it is ſmooth and tranſparent;
and that of the Earth would appear obſcure, by reaſon of its
pacity and ſcabroſity, ill accommodated for reflecting the light of
the Sun. Concernïng the fifth compariſon, I grant it wholly, and
am able, in caſe the Earth did ſhine as the Moon, to ſhow the
ſame to any one that ſhould from thence above behold it,