SIMP. Becauſe that the air it ſelf is not moved
SALV. It is requiſite then, that the projicient do confer
tion on the Air, with which it afterward moveth the project. But
if ſuch a motion cannot be impreſſed [i. e. imparted] it being im
poſſible to make an accident paſſe out of one ſubject into another,
how can it paſſe from the arm into the Air? Will you ſay that the
Air is not a ſubject different from the arm?
tion on the Air, with which it afterward moveth the project. But
if ſuch a motion cannot be impreſſed [i. e. imparted] it being im
poſſible to make an accident paſſe out of one ſubject into another,
how can it paſſe from the arm into the Air? Will you ſay that the
Air is not a ſubject different from the arm?
SIMP. To this it is anſwered that the Air, in regard it is
ther heavy nor light in its own Region, is diſpoſed with facility to
receive every impulſe, and alſo to retain the ſame.
ther heavy nor light in its own Region, is diſpoſed with facility to
receive every impulſe, and alſo to retain the ſame.
SALV. But if thoſe penduli even now named, did prove
unto us, that the moveable, the leſſe it had of gravity, the leſſe
apt it was to conſerve its motion, how can it be that the Air
which in the Air hath no gravity at all, doth of it ſelf alone
tain the motion acquired? I believe, and know that you by this
time are of the ſame opinion, that the arm doth not ſooner
turn to reſt, than doth the circumambient Air. Let's go into the
Chamber, and with a towel let us agitate the Air as much as we
can, and then holding the cloth ſtill, let a little candle be
brought, that was lighted in the next room, or in the ſame place
let a leaf of beaten Gold be left at liberty to flie any wav, and you
ſhall by the calm vagation of them be aſſured that the Air is
diately reduced to tranquilty. I could alledg many other
ments to the ſame purpoſe, but if one of theſe ſhould not
fice, I ſhould think your folly altogether incurable.
unto us, that the moveable, the leſſe it had of gravity, the leſſe
apt it was to conſerve its motion, how can it be that the Air
which in the Air hath no gravity at all, doth of it ſelf alone
tain the motion acquired? I believe, and know that you by this
time are of the ſame opinion, that the arm doth not ſooner
turn to reſt, than doth the circumambient Air. Let's go into the
Chamber, and with a towel let us agitate the Air as much as we
can, and then holding the cloth ſtill, let a little candle be
brought, that was lighted in the next room, or in the ſame place
let a leaf of beaten Gold be left at liberty to flie any wav, and you
ſhall by the calm vagation of them be aſſured that the Air is
diately reduced to tranquilty. I could alledg many other
ments to the ſame purpoſe, but if one of theſe ſhould not
fice, I ſhould think your folly altogether incurable.
SAGR. When an arrow is ſhot againſt the Wind, how
ble a thing is it, that that ſame ſmall filament of air, impelled by
the bow-ſtring, ſhould in deſpite of fate go along with the arrow?
But I would willingly know another particular of Ariſtotle, to
which I intreat Simplicius would vouchſafe me an anſwer.
poſing that with the ſame Bow there were ſhot two arrows, one
juſt after the uſual manner, and the other ſide-wayes, placing it
long-wayes upon the Bow-ſtring, and then letting it flie, I would
know which of them would go fartheſt. Favour me, I pray you
with an anſwer, though the queſtion may ſeem to you rather
ridiculous than otherwiſe; and excuſe me, for that I, who am, as
you ſee, rather blockiſh, than not, can reach no higher with my
ſpeculative faculty.
ble a thing is it, that that ſame ſmall filament of air, impelled by
the bow-ſtring, ſhould in deſpite of fate go along with the arrow?
But I would willingly know another particular of Ariſtotle, to
which I intreat Simplicius would vouchſafe me an anſwer.
poſing that with the ſame Bow there were ſhot two arrows, one
juſt after the uſual manner, and the other ſide-wayes, placing it
long-wayes upon the Bow-ſtring, and then letting it flie, I would
know which of them would go fartheſt. Favour me, I pray you
with an anſwer, though the queſtion may ſeem to you rather
ridiculous than otherwiſe; and excuſe me, for that I, who am, as
you ſee, rather blockiſh, than not, can reach no higher with my
ſpeculative faculty.
SIMPL. I have never ſeen an arrow ſhot in that manner, yet
nevertheleſſe I believe, that it would not flie ſide-long, the
twentieth part of the ſpace that it goeth end-wayes.
nevertheleſſe I believe, that it would not flie ſide-long, the
twentieth part of the ſpace that it goeth end-wayes.
SAGR. And for that I am of the ſame opinion, hence it is, that
I have a doubt riſen in me, whether Aristotle doth not contradict
experience. For as to experience, if I lay two arrows upon this
Table, in a time when a ſtrong Wind bloweth, one towards
I have a doubt riſen in me, whether Aristotle doth not contradict
experience. For as to experience, if I lay two arrows upon this
Table, in a time when a ſtrong Wind bloweth, one towards