1ſented by figures anſwerable to thoſe which we ſee in the Moon:
I comprehend alſo, how the period of its illumination and
tion of figure, would be monthly, albeit the Sun revolves round
about it in twenty four hours: and laſtly, I do not ſcruple to
admit, that the half onely of the Moon ſeeth all the Earth, and
that all the Earth ſeeth but onely half of the Moon. For what
remains, I repute it moſt falſe, that the Moon can receive light
from the Earth, which is moſt obſcure, opacous, and utterly
apt to reflect the Suns light, as the Moon doth reflect it to us: and
as I have ſaid, I hold that that light which we ſee in the
der of the Moons face (the ſplendid creſcents ſubducted) by the
illumination, is the proper and natural light of the Moon, and no
eaſie matter would induce me to believe otherwiſe. The ſeventh,
touching the mutual Eclipſes, may be alſo admitted; howbeit
that is wont to be called the eclipſe of the Sun, which you are
pleaſed to phraſe the eclipſe of the Earth. And this is what I
have at this time to ſay in oppoſition to your ſeven congruities
or reſemblances, to which objections, if you are minded to make
any reply, I ſhall willingly hear you.
I comprehend alſo, how the period of its illumination and
tion of figure, would be monthly, albeit the Sun revolves round
about it in twenty four hours: and laſtly, I do not ſcruple to
admit, that the half onely of the Moon ſeeth all the Earth, and
that all the Earth ſeeth but onely half of the Moon. For what
remains, I repute it moſt falſe, that the Moon can receive light
from the Earth, which is moſt obſcure, opacous, and utterly
apt to reflect the Suns light, as the Moon doth reflect it to us: and
as I have ſaid, I hold that that light which we ſee in the
der of the Moons face (the ſplendid creſcents ſubducted) by the
illumination, is the proper and natural light of the Moon, and no
eaſie matter would induce me to believe otherwiſe. The ſeventh,
touching the mutual Eclipſes, may be alſo admitted; howbeit
that is wont to be called the eclipſe of the Sun, which you are
pleaſed to phraſe the eclipſe of the Earth. And this is what I
have at this time to ſay in oppoſition to your ſeven congruities
or reſemblances, to which objections, if you are minded to make
any reply, I ſhall willingly hear you.
The ſuperficies of
the Moon more
ſleek than any
Looking-glaß.
the Moon more
ſleek than any
Looking-glaß.
The eminencies
and cavities in the
Moon are illuſions
of its opacous and
perspicuous parts.
and cavities in the
Moon are illuſions
of its opacous and
perspicuous parts.
SALV. If I have well apprehended what you have anſwered, it
ſeems to me, that there ſtill remains in controverſie between us,
tain conditions, which I made common betwixt the Moon & Earth,
and they are theſe; You eſteem the Moon to be ſmooth and poliſht,
as a Looking-glaſs, and as ſuch, able to reflect the Suns light; and
contrarily, the Earth, by reaſon of its montuoſity, unable to make
ſuch reflection: You yield the Moon to be ſolid and hard, and that
you argue from its being ſmooth and polite, and not from its being
montuous; and for its appearing montuous, you aſſign as the
cauſe, that it conſiſts of parts more and leſs opacous and
cuous. And laſtly, you eſteem that ſecondary light, to be proper
to the Moon, and not reflected from the Earth; howbeit you
ſeem not to deny the ſea, as being of a ſmooth ſurface, ſome
kind of reflection. As to the convincing you of that error, that
the reflection of the Moon is made, as it were, like that of a
Looking-glaſs, I have ſmall hope, whilſt I ſee, that what hath
been read in the ^{*} Saggiator and in the Solar Letters of our
mon Friend, hath profited nothing in your judgment, if haply
you have attentively read what he hath there written on this
ject.
ſeems to me, that there ſtill remains in controverſie between us,
tain conditions, which I made common betwixt the Moon & Earth,
and they are theſe; You eſteem the Moon to be ſmooth and poliſht,
as a Looking-glaſs, and as ſuch, able to reflect the Suns light; and
contrarily, the Earth, by reaſon of its montuoſity, unable to make
ſuch reflection: You yield the Moon to be ſolid and hard, and that
you argue from its being ſmooth and polite, and not from its being
montuous; and for its appearing montuous, you aſſign as the
cauſe, that it conſiſts of parts more and leſs opacous and
cuous. And laſtly, you eſteem that ſecondary light, to be proper
to the Moon, and not reflected from the Earth; howbeit you
ſeem not to deny the ſea, as being of a ſmooth ſurface, ſome
kind of reflection. As to the convincing you of that error, that
the reflection of the Moon is made, as it were, like that of a
Looking-glaſs, I have ſmall hope, whilſt I ſee, that what hath
been read in the ^{*} Saggiator and in the Solar Letters of our
mon Friend, hath profited nothing in your judgment, if haply
you have attentively read what he hath there written on this
ject.
* Il Saggiatore, &
Lettere Solari,
two Treatiſes of
Galilæus.
Lettere Solari,
two Treatiſes of
Galilæus.
SIMPL. I have peruſed the ſame ſo ſuperficially, according to
the ſmall time of leaſure allowed me from more ſolid ſtudies;
therefore, if you think you can, either by repeating ſome of thoſe
reaſons, or by alledging others, reſolve me theſe doubts, I will
hearken to them attentively.
the ſmall time of leaſure allowed me from more ſolid ſtudies;
therefore, if you think you can, either by repeating ſome of thoſe
reaſons, or by alledging others, reſolve me theſe doubts, I will
hearken to them attentively.
SALV. I will tell you what comes into my mind upon the
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