1as to have received it for truth; but borrowing it from others, I
cannot find any reaſon ſufficient to excuſe him for not perceiving
its fallacies; and eſpecially after he had heard the true cauſe of
that effect, and had it in his power to ſatisfie himſelf by a thouſand
experiments, and manifeſt circumſtances, that the ſame proceeded
from the reflection of the Earth, and from nothing elſe: and the more
this ſpeculation makes ſomething to be deſired, in the judgment of
this Author, and of all thoſe who give no credit to it: ſo much the
more doth their not having underſtood and remembred it, excuſe
thoſe more receſs Antients, who, I am very certain, did they now
underſtand it, would without the leaſt repugnance admit thereof.
And if I may freely tell you what I think, I cannot believe but
that this Modern doth in his heart believe it; but I rather think,
that the conceit he ſhould not be the firſt Author thereof, did a
little move him to endeavour to ſuppreſſe it, or to diſparage it at
leaſt amongſt the ſimple, whoſe number we know to be very
great; and many there are, who much more affect the
rous applauds of the people, than the approbation of a few not
vulgar judgments.
cannot find any reaſon ſufficient to excuſe him for not perceiving
its fallacies; and eſpecially after he had heard the true cauſe of
that effect, and had it in his power to ſatisfie himſelf by a thouſand
experiments, and manifeſt circumſtances, that the ſame proceeded
from the reflection of the Earth, and from nothing elſe: and the more
this ſpeculation makes ſomething to be deſired, in the judgment of
this Author, and of all thoſe who give no credit to it: ſo much the
more doth their not having underſtood and remembred it, excuſe
thoſe more receſs Antients, who, I am very certain, did they now
underſtand it, would without the leaſt repugnance admit thereof.
And if I may freely tell you what I think, I cannot believe but
that this Modern doth in his heart believe it; but I rather think,
that the conceit he ſhould not be the firſt Author thereof, did a
little move him to endeavour to ſuppreſſe it, or to diſparage it at
leaſt amongſt the ſimple, whoſe number we know to be very
great; and many there are, who much more affect the
rous applauds of the people, than the approbation of a few not
vulgar judgments.
SAGR. Hold good Salviatus, for me thinks, I ſee that you
go not the way to hit the true mark in this your diſcourſe, for theſe
that ^{*} confound all propriety, know alſo how to make themſelves
Authors of others inventions, provided they be not ſo ſtale,
and publick in the Schools and Market-places, as that they are more
then notorious to every one.
go not the way to hit the true mark in this your diſcourſe, for theſe
that ^{*} confound all propriety, know alſo how to make themſelves
Authors of others inventions, provided they be not ſo ſtale,
and publick in the Schools and Market-places, as that they are more
then notorious to every one.
* Tendono le
te al commune.
te al commune.
SALV. Ha! well aimed, you blame me for roving from the
point in hand; but what have you to do with Schools and
kets? Is it not all one whether opinions and inventions be new to
men, or the men new to them? If you ^{*} contend about the
ſteem of the Founders of Sciences, which in all times do ſtart up,
you may make your ſelf their inventor, even to the Alphabet it
ſelf, and ſo gain admiration amongſt that illiterate rabble; and
though in proceſſe of time your craft ſhould be perceived, that
would but little prejudice your deſigne; for that others would
ſucceed them in maintaining the number of your fautors; but let
us return to prove to Simplicius the invalidity of the reaſons of his
modern Author, in which there are ſeveral falſities,
cies, and incredible Paradoxes. And firſt, it is falſe that this
condary light is clearer about the utmoſt limb than in the middle
parts, ſo as to form, as it were, a ring or circle more bright than
the reſt of its ſpace or contence. True it is, indeed, that looking
on the Moon at the time of twilight, at firſt ſight there is the
ſemblance of ſuch a circle, but by an illuſion ariſing from the
verſity of confines that bound the Moons Diſcus, which are
fuſed by means of this ſecondary light; foraſmuch as on the part
point in hand; but what have you to do with Schools and
kets? Is it not all one whether opinions and inventions be new to
men, or the men new to them? If you ^{*} contend about the
ſteem of the Founders of Sciences, which in all times do ſtart up,
you may make your ſelf their inventor, even to the Alphabet it
ſelf, and ſo gain admiration amongſt that illiterate rabble; and
though in proceſſe of time your craft ſhould be perceived, that
would but little prejudice your deſigne; for that others would
ſucceed them in maintaining the number of your fautors; but let
us return to prove to Simplicius the invalidity of the reaſons of his
modern Author, in which there are ſeveral falſities,
cies, and incredible Paradoxes. And firſt, it is falſe that this
condary light is clearer about the utmoſt limb than in the middle
parts, ſo as to form, as it were, a ring or circle more bright than
the reſt of its ſpace or contence. True it is, indeed, that looking
on the Moon at the time of twilight, at firſt ſight there is the
ſemblance of ſuch a circle, but by an illuſion ariſing from the
verſity of confines that bound the Moons Diſcus, which are
fuſed by means of this ſecondary light; foraſmuch as on the part