1pearing in Caſſiopeia, tell me, Simplicius, whether you believe that
it might be in the ſame time placed in divers places, that is,
mongſt the Elements, aud alſo amongſt the planetary Orbs, and
alſo above theſe amongſt the fixed Stars, and yet again infinitely
more high.
it might be in the ſame time placed in divers places, that is,
mongſt the Elements, aud alſo amongſt the planetary Orbs, and
alſo above theſe amongſt the fixed Stars, and yet again infinitely
more high.
The method
ſerved by Clar. in
confuting the
ſtronomers, and by
Salviatus in
ting him.
ſerved by Clar. in
confuting the
ſtronomers, and by
Salviatus in
ting him.
SIMP. There is no doubt, but that it ought to be confeſſed
that it is but in one only place, and at one ſole and determinate
diſtance from the Earth.
that it is but in one only place, and at one ſole and determinate
diſtance from the Earth.
SALV. Therefore if the obſervations made by the
mers were exact, and the calculations made by this Author were
not erroneous, it were eaſie from all thoſe and all theſe to
collect the ſame diſtances alwayes to an hair, is not this true?
mers were exact, and the calculations made by this Author were
not erroneous, it were eaſie from all thoſe and all theſe to
collect the ſame diſtances alwayes to an hair, is not this true?
SIMP. My reaſon hitherto tells me that ſo it muſt needs be;
nor do I believe that the Author would contradict it
nor do I believe that the Author would contradict it
SALV. But when of many and many computations that have
been made, there ſhould not be ſo much as two onely that prove
true, what would you think of them?
been made, there ſhould not be ſo much as two onely that prove
true, what would you think of them?
SIMP. I would think that they were all falſe, either through
the fault of the computiſt, or through the defect of the
vators, and at the moſt that could be ſaid, I would ſay, that but
onely one of them and no more was true; but as yet I know not
which to chooſe.
the fault of the computiſt, or through the defect of the
vators, and at the moſt that could be ſaid, I would ſay, that but
onely one of them and no more was true; but as yet I know not
which to chooſe.
SALV. Would you then from falſe fundamentals deduce and
eſtabliſh a doubtful concluſion for ttue? Certainly no. Now the
calculations of this Author are ſuch, that no one of them agrees
with another, you may ſee then what credit is to be given to
them.
eſtabliſh a doubtful concluſion for ttue? Certainly no. Now the
calculations of this Author are ſuch, that no one of them agrees
with another, you may ſee then what credit is to be given to
them.
SIMP. Indeed, if it be ſo, this is a notable failing.
SAGR. But by the way I have a mind to help Simplicius, and
the Author by telling Salviatus, that his arguments would hold
good if the Author had undertook to go about to find out
ly the diſtance of the Star from the Earth, which I do not think
to be his intention; but onely to demonſtrate that from thoſe
obſervations he collected that the Star was ſublunary. So
that if from thoſe obſervations, and from all the computations
made thereon, the height of the Star be alwayes collected to be
leſſe than that of the Moon, it ſerves the Authors turn to
vince all thoſe Aſtronomers of moſt impardonable ignorance,
that through the defect either of Geometry or Arithmetick, have
not known how to draw true concluſions from their own
tions themſelves.
the Author by telling Salviatus, that his arguments would hold
good if the Author had undertook to go about to find out
ly the diſtance of the Star from the Earth, which I do not think
to be his intention; but onely to demonſtrate that from thoſe
obſervations he collected that the Star was ſublunary. So
that if from thoſe obſervations, and from all the computations
made thereon, the height of the Star be alwayes collected to be
leſſe than that of the Moon, it ſerves the Authors turn to
vince all thoſe Aſtronomers of moſt impardonable ignorance,
that through the defect either of Geometry or Arithmetick, have
not known how to draw true concluſions from their own
tions themſelves.
SALV. It will be convenient therefore that I turn my ſelf to
you, Sagredus, who ſo cunningly aphold the Doctrine of this
Author. And to ſee whether I can make Simplicius, though not
very expert in calcnlations, and demonſtrations to apprehend the
you, Sagredus, who ſo cunningly aphold the Doctrine of this
Author. And to ſee whether I can make Simplicius, though not
very expert in calcnlations, and demonſtrations to apprehend the