1ſtar from the centre of the Earth 4 ſemidiameters, which are theſe,
the fifth and ſixth, therefore it is more probable that the new ſtar
was elementary, than celeſtial.
the fifth and ſixth, therefore it is more probable that the new ſtar
was elementary, than celeſtial.
SALV. You miſtake the point; for if you note well it was not
written, that the diſtance was exactly 4 ſemidiameters, but about
4 ſemidiameters; and yet you ſhall ſee that thoſe two diſtances
differed from each other many hundreds of miles. Here they are;
you ſee that this fifth, which is 13389 Italian miles, exceeds the
ſixth, which is 13100 miles, by almoſt 300 miles.
written, that the diſtance was exactly 4 ſemidiameters, but about
4 ſemidiameters; and yet you ſhall ſee that thoſe two diſtances
differed from each other many hundreds of miles. Here they are;
you ſee that this fifth, which is 13389 Italian miles, exceeds the
ſixth, which is 13100 miles, by almoſt 300 miles.
SAGR. Which then are thoſe few that agree in placing the ſtar
in the ſame ſituation?
in the ſame ſituation?
SALV. They are, to the diſgrace of this Author five workings,
which all place it in the firmament, as you ſhall ſee in this note,
where I have ſet down many other combinations. But I will grant
the Author more than peradventure he would demand of me, which
is in ſum, that in each combination of the obſervations there is
ſome error; which I believe to be abſolutely neceſſary; for the
obſervations being four in number that ſerve for one working,
that is, two different altitudes of the Pole, and two different
tions of the ſtar, made by different obſervers, in different
ces, with different inſtruments, who ever hath any ſmall know
which all place it in the firmament, as you ſhall ſee in this note,
where I have ſet down many other combinations. But I will grant
the Author more than peradventure he would demand of me, which
is in ſum, that in each combination of the obſervations there is
ſome error; which I believe to be abſolutely neceſſary; for the
obſervations being four in number that ſerve for one working,
that is, two different altitudes of the Pole, and two different
tions of the ſtar, made by different obſervers, in different
ces, with different inſtruments, who ever hath any ſmall know
ledg of this art, will ſay, that amongſt all the four, it is impoſſible
but there will be ſome error; and eſpecially ſince we ſee that in
taking but one onely altitude of the Pole, with the ſame
ment, in the ſame place, by the ſame obſerver, that hath
peated the obſervation a thouſand times, there will ſtill be a
bation of one, or ſometimes of many minutes, as in this ſame
book you may ſee in ſeveral places. Theſe things preſuppoſed,
I ask you Simplicius whether you believe that this Authour held
theſe thirteen obſervators for wiſe, underſtanding and expert men
in uſing thoſe inſtruments, or elſe for inexpert, and bunglers?
Aſtronomical
struments are very
ſubject to errour.
struments are very
ſubject to errour.
SIMP. It muſt needs be that he eſteemed them very acute and
intelligent; for if he had thought them unskilful in the buſineſſe,
he might have omitted his ſixth book as inconcluſive, as being
founded upon ſuppoſitions very erroneous; and might take us for
exceſſively ſimple, if he ſhould think he could with their
pertneſſe perſwade us to believe a falſe poſition of his for truth.
intelligent; for if he had thought them unskilful in the buſineſſe,
he might have omitted his ſixth book as inconcluſive, as being
founded upon ſuppoſitions very erroneous; and might take us for
exceſſively ſimple, if he ſhould think he could with their
pertneſſe perſwade us to believe a falſe poſition of his for truth.
SALV. Therefore theſe obſervators being ſuch, and that yet
notwithſtanding they did erre, and ſo conſequently needed
rection, that ſo one might from their obſervations infer the
beſt hints that may be; it is convenient that we apply unto them
the leaſt and neereſt emendations and corrections that may be;
ſo that they do but ſuffice to reduce the obſervations from
ſibility to poſſibility; ſo as v. gr. if one may but correct a
feſt errour, and an apparent impoſſibility of one of their
notwithſtanding they did erre, and ſo conſequently needed
rection, that ſo one might from their obſervations infer the
beſt hints that may be; it is convenient that we apply unto them
the leaſt and neereſt emendations and corrections that may be;
ſo that they do but ſuffice to reduce the obſervations from
ſibility to poſſibility; ſo as v. gr. if one may but correct a
feſt errour, and an apparent impoſſibility of one of their