853427r
[Commentary:
Unfortunately, the opening of this letter is now lost.
In it, Lower requests help with his reading of Kepler.
He also asks for help with understanding some problems from Viète. He has evidently already received some notes from Harriot on one or both of the Appendices to Viète'sApollonius Gallus (1600); see Add MS 6785, f. 64, f. 64v, f. 355, and Add MS 6784, f. 331. Here Lower asks in particular about Problem V from Appendix II:
Dato triangulo, invenire punctum, a quo ad apices dati trianguli actae tres lineae rectae imperatam teneant rationem.
Given a triangle, to find a point from which there may be drawn three straight lines to the apices of the given triangle, keeping a fixed ratio.]
In it, Lower requests help with his reading of Kepler.
He also asks for help with understanding some problems from Viète. He has evidently already received some notes from Harriot on one or both of the Appendices to Viète'sApollonius Gallus (1600); see Add MS 6785, f. 64, f. 64v, f. 355, and Add MS 6784, f. 331. Here Lower asks in particular about Problem V from Appendix II:
Dato triangulo, invenire punctum, a quo ad apices dati trianguli actae tres lineae rectae imperatam teneant rationem.
Given a triangle, to find a point from which there may be drawn three straight lines to the apices of the given triangle, keeping a fixed ratio.]
& in mars is too longe & in some of the other
planets may be longe againe so in thos commets that
did appeare fixed the ellipsis may be neere a right
planets may be longe againe so in thos commets that
did appeare fixed the ellipsis may be neere a right
3. his phansie of ecliptica media
or his via regia of the
sun. [???] such the walke of al the other planets is obliq
more or lesse; each ther ecliptica vera under which the
earth walkes his [???] [???]; by which he solves
handsomelie the [???] of the starres latitudes.
Indeed I am much delighted with his booke but he is
so tough in manie places as I cannot bite him. I
pray write me some instructions in your next,
how I may deale with him to once master him
for I am readie to take paines. te modo jura
dantem [???] indigeo, dictatorem exposco.
But on his booke I am much out of love with thes
particulars. 1. his manie and intollerable
atechnics. whence derive thos manie & uncertaine as-
sayes of calculation. 2. his finding fault with
Vieta for mending the like things in Ptol: Cop: etc.
but se the iustice Vieta speakes slightlie of Co-
pernicus a greater then Atlas. Kepler speakes as
slightlie of Vieta, a greater then Appollonius whom
Kepler [???] much admires. for whosoever can
doe thos things that Kepler cannot doe, shalbe
to him great Appollonius. but enough of Kepler
let me once againe entreate your counsel how
to read him with best profit, for I am wholie
possessed with Astronomical speculations & desires.
for your declaration of Vieta's appendicle it is so
full and plaine as you have aboundantlie satisfyed
my desire. for such I yield you the thankes
I ought. onlie in a worde tell me whether by it
he can solve Copernicus, 5 cap: of his 5
sun. [???] such the walke of al the other planets is obliq
more or lesse; each ther ecliptica vera under which the
earth walkes his [???] [???]; by which he solves
handsomelie the [???] of the starres latitudes.
Indeed I am much delighted with his booke but he is
so tough in manie places as I cannot bite him. I
pray write me some instructions in your next,
how I may deale with him to once master him
for I am readie to take paines. te modo jura
dantem [???] indigeo, dictatorem exposco.
But on his booke I am much out of love with thes
particulars. 1. his manie and intollerable
atechnics. whence derive thos manie & uncertaine as-
sayes of calculation. 2. his finding fault with
Vieta for mending the like things in Ptol: Cop: etc.
but se the iustice Vieta speakes slightlie of Co-
pernicus a greater then Atlas. Kepler speakes as
slightlie of Vieta, a greater then Appollonius whom
Kepler [???] much admires. for whosoever can
doe thos things that Kepler cannot doe, shalbe
to him great Appollonius. but enough of Kepler
let me once againe entreate your counsel how
to read him with best profit, for I am wholie
possessed with Astronomical speculations & desires.
for your declaration of Vieta's appendicle it is so
full and plaine as you have aboundantlie satisfyed
my desire. for such I yield you the thankes
I ought. onlie in a worde tell me whether by it
he can solve Copernicus, 5 cap: of his 5
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