Chapter 23

11. And to evince, that they are mistaken in these Observations of theirs; he alledges, That they assure that the Spots, which they have seen in this Planet, (by an _Eustachian_ Telescope) the 20/30 of _March_, were small, very distant from one another, remote from the middle of the Disk, and the _Oriental_ Spot was less, than the _Occidental_ (as is represented by the Fig. O; like that of the first Face of _Mars_.) whereas, on the contrary, {244} He (_Cassini_) pretends to evidence by his Observations, made at the same time at _Bononia_, that, the same day and hour, those Spots were very large, neer one another, in the midst of the Disk, the Oriental bigger than the Occidental (as appears by _Fig._ P, which is that of the second Face of _Mars_.)

12. Besides, he declares, that those _Astronomers_ were too hasty, in determining, after 5 or 6 Observations only, in how much time _Mars_ finish's his Revolution; and denies it to be perform'd in 13 hours: adding, that, though Himself had observ'd for a much longer time, than they; yet he durst not for a great while define, Whether _Mars_ made but _one_ Turn in 24 hours 40 minuts or _two_; and that all, that he could, for a long time affirm, was onely this, that after 24 h. 40 m. this Planet appear'd in the same manner he did before.

13. But since those first Observations, He affirms to have found cause to determine, that the Period of this Conversion is made in the said space of 24 h. 40 m; and not oftner than once within that time; Alledging for proof;

1. That, whereas _Febr._ 6. (st.n.) he saw the Spots of the first Face of _Mars_, moving from eleven of the Clock in the night, until break of day, they appear'd not afterwards in the Evening after the rising of that Planet (witness several intelligent persons, which he names, that were present at the Observations) Whence he infers, that after 12 hours and 20 minuts, the same Spots did not come about; since that the same, which in the morning were seen in the middle, upon the rising of _Mars_; after 13 or 14 hours, might have appear'd neer the Occidental Limb. But, because he might be imposed upon by Vapors, whilst _Mars_ was yet so neer the _Horizon_, he gives this other determination, _vid._

2. Whereas he saw the first Face of _Mars_ the 6 of _February_ at 11 of the clock of the night following; he did not see the same after 18 daies at the same hour; as he ought to have done, if the Period were absolved in the space of 12 h. 20 m.

3. Again, whereas he saw _Febr._ 24. in the Evening, the other Face of _Mars_, he could not see the same, the 13. and 15. day of _March_, to wit after 17 and 19 days; as he should have done, if the Revolution were made in the newly mention'd time.

4. Again, whereas the 27. of _March_ in the Evening he saw {245} the second Face of _Mars_, he could not see it the 14. and 16. of _April_.

From all which Observations he Judges it to be evident, that the Period of this Planets Revolution is not perform'd in the space of 12. hours 20, minutes, but in about 24 hours 40 minutes; more exactly to be determin'd by comparing distant Observations: And that those who affirm the former, must have been deceived by not well distinguishing the two Faces, but that having seen the second, taken it for the first.

All which he concludes with this Advertisement, that, when he defines the time of the Revolution of _Mars_, he does not speak of its _Mean_ Revolution, but onely of that, which he observ'd, whilst _Mars_ was opposite to the Sun; which is the shortest of all.

_The Figures of the _Principal_ Observations, represented in the Book here discoursed of, may be seen in the annexed _Scheme_; _videl.__

K. _One of the Faces of _Mars_, as S. _Cassini_ observed it _March 3. (_st.n._) 1666_ in the Evening, with a Glass of 24 Palmes._

L. _The other Face, as he saw it _Febr. 14/24_ in the Evening._

M. _The first Face, as S. _Campani_ saw at Rome, _March 3. 1666_. in the Evening, with a Glass of 50 Palmes._

N. _The second Face, as the same _Campani_ observed it _March 18/28_. in the Evening._

O. _The figure of _Mars_ as it was seen at _Rome_ by a Telescope of _Divini_ of 45 Palmes, _March 20/30_._

P. _The Figure of the said Planet, as it was seen the same day and hour at Bononia by _Cassini_; being that of the second Face._

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_Some Observations lately made at _London_ concerning the Planet _Jupiter_._

These, as they were made, so they were imparted, by Mr. _Hook_, as follows:

A. 1666, _June_ 26. between 3. and 4. of the Clock in the morning, I observed the Body of _Jupiter_ through a 60 foot-glass, and found the apparent Diameter of it through the Tube, to be somewhat more than 2. degrees, that is, about four {246} times as big, as the Diameter of the _Moon_ appears to the _naked_ Eye. I saw the Limb pretty round, and very well defin'd without radiation. The parts of the _Phasis_ of it had various degrees of Light. About a and f, the _North_ and _South_ poles of it (in the _Fig Q._) 'twas somewhat darker, and by degrees it grew brighter towards b. and e, two Belts or Zones; the one of which (b) was a small dark _Belt_ crossing the Body Southward; Adjoyning to which was a smal Line of a somewhat lighter part; and below that again, Southwards, was the great black _Belt c_. Between that, and e, the other smaller black Belt, was a pretty large and bright _Zone_; but the middle d, was somewhat darker than the edges. I perceiv'd about 3^{h.} 15^{m.} near the middle of this, a very _dark round Spot_, like that represented at g, which was not to be perceiv'd about half an hour before: And I observed it, in about 10. minutes time to be gotten almost to d, keeping equal distance from the _Satelles h_, which moved also Westwardly, and was joyn'd to the Disk at i, at 3^{h.} 25^{m.} After which, the Air growing very hazy, and (as appeared by the _Baroscope_) very light also (in weight) I could not observe it: So that it was sufficiently evident, that this black Spot was nothing else, save the shadow of the _Satelles h_, Eclipsing a part of the Face of Jupiter. About two hours before, I had observed a large darker spot in the bigger _Belt_ about k, which in about an hour or little more (for I did not exactly observe the time, nor draw the _Figure_ of it) moving Westwards, disappear'd. About a week before, I discover'd also, together with a Spot in the _Belt c_, another Spot in the _Belt e_, which kept the same way and velocity with that of the _Belt c_. The other three _Satellites_ in the time of this Eclipse, made by the _Satelles_, were Westwards of the Body of _Jupiter_; appearing as bright through the Tube, as the Body of _Jupiter_ did to the naked Eye, and I was able to see them longer through the Tube, after the day-light came on, than I was able to see the Body of _Jupiter_ with my naked eye.

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_A late Observation about Saturn made by the same._

_June_ 29 1666. between 11. and 12. at night I observed the Body of _Saturn_ through a 60. foot Telescope, and found it {247} exactly of the shape represented in the _Figure_ R. The _Ring_ appear'd of a somewhat brighter Light than the _Body_; and the black lines a a, crossing the Ring, and b b crossing the Body (whether Shadows or not, I dispute not) were plainly visible: whence I could manifestly see, that the _Souther_-most part of the Ring was on _this_ side of the Body, and the _Northern_ part, behind, or covered by the Body.

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_A Relation of a sad effect of Thunder and Lightning:_

This Relation was written by that worthy Gentleman, _Thomas Neale_ Esquire, (the then _High Sheriff_ of the County of _Hampshire_, when this disaster hapned) to a Friend of his in _London_, as follows;

On the 24 of _January_ 1665/6, one Mr. _Brooks_ of _Hampshire_, going from _Winchester_ towards his house near _Andover_ in very bad Weather, was himself slain by Lightning, and the Horse, he rode on, under him. For about a mile from _Winchester_ he was found with his Face beaten into the ground, one leg in the stirrup, the other in the Horses mane; his Cloaths all burnt off his back, not a piece as big as a handkerchief left intire, and his hair and all his body singed. With the force, that struck him down, his nose was beaten into his face, and his Chin into his Breast; where was a wound cut almost as low, as to his Navil; and his cloaths being, as aforesaid, torn, the pieces were so scatter'd and consum'd, that not enough to fill the crown of a hat could be found. His gloves were whole, but his hands in them sing'd to the bone. The hip-bone and shoulder of his Horse burn't and bruised; and his saddle torn in little pieces. This was what appear'd to the Coroners inquest, and so is likely to be as near truth, as any is to be had.

_So far this Letter_: Which, if it had come soon enough to the hands of the _Publisher_, would have been joyned to a like _Relation_, inserted in the next foregoing Papers (_Num._ 13.) of an accident hapn'd at a later time. With both which may be compared the Account, formerly published in Latin by the Learned Dr. _Charleton_, concerning the Boy, that was {248} Thunder-struck near _Nantwich in Cheshire;_ the Title of the Book being _Anatome Pueride Cælo tacti_: such Relations, when truly made, well deserving to be carefully recorded for farther consideration.

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_Of some Books lately publish't._

_RELATIONS OF DIVERS CURIOUS VOYAGES_, by _Mons. Thevenot_, the third _Tome_, in _French_. This Book contains chiefly, the Ambassie of the _Dutch_ into _China_, translated out of the Dutch manuscript: A Geographical description of _China_, translated out of a Chinese Author by _Martinius_: And the Account, which the Directors of the Dutch East-India Company made to the States General, touching the state of affairs in the East-Indies, when their late Fleet parted from thence. To touch some things of a _Geographical_ and _Philosophical_ nature, contained therein, we shall take notice;

1. How the Kingdom of _China_ is peopled; there being according to the best computation (which is there made with singular care) above 58 millions of Men, not counting Magistrates, Soldiers, Priests, Eunuchs, Women and Children; so that it may not be altogether strange, if one should affirm, there were 200 millions of people, of all sorts, in that Kingdom.

2. That _Catay_ is nothing else, but the _Six_ Northern Provinces of _China_, separated from the other _Nine_, by the great River _KIANG_; and that the City _Cambalu_ is the same with that of _Peking_; the _Tartars_, who carry every three years their Tribute to the Emperor of _China_, constantly calling the said Provinces and City by those names of _Catay_, and _Cambalu_.

3. That _China_ is so well furnisht with Rivers, and cut Channels, that men may go from the most Southern to the most Northern part thereof by water, except one daies journey; as the Dutch Ambassadours did, embarking at _Canton_, which is 23d. 48m. Northern Latitude, and landing at _Peking_, which is about 40d; having only travell'd one daies journey over some Mountains of the Province _Kiamsi_.

4. That the people of _China_ are exceeding industrious {249} Husbandmen making, among other waies of improving their soile, great use of Flouding.

5. That the _Physicians_ of _China_ do cure Sicknesses with much ease, and in a short time: That they have very ancient Books of the nature and vertues of Herbs, Trees and Stones: That their Modern Physicians (as well as their Ancient ones did) write of the Prognosticks, Causes, Effects, &c. of Diseases. That their Remedies consist for the most part of _Simples_ and _Decoctions_, _Cauteries_, _Frictions_; without the use of _Bloud letting:_ That they have such an excellent skill and method in feeling the _Pulse_, that by the means thereof they discover even the most latent causes of Diseases; taking a good half hour, when they visit a Patient, in feeling and examining his Pulse: That they prescribe much the use of _The_; and the drinking alwayes warme, whatever they drink: To the custome of both which it's imputed, that the inhabitants of _China_ do spit very little, nor are subject to the Stone or Gout: That they prise highly the Root _Ginseng_, as an extraordinary Restorative and Cordiall, recovering frequently with it agonizing persons; one pound of it being paid with 3 pounds of silver. As for their _Chymists_, (of which they have also good store) they go beyond ours, promising not only to make Gold, but to give Immortality.

6. That their _Nobility_ is raised from Learning and Knowledge, without regard to Bloud or Parentage, excepting the Royall Family.

7. That in _CHEKIAN_, a maritime Province, whence is the shortest cut of _China_ to _Japan_, is the best and plentifullest _Silk-trade_ in the world: And that there every year the Mulberries are cutt, and kept down, that they grow not into Trees for the easier gathering of the Leaves, there being a _double_ Silk-harvest in that Country, as there is in severall other parts of the East-indies; (both which there is hope, will shortly be imitated in _Virginia_.)

8. That the way of making _Porcelane_ is this: (_Which is the rather inserted here, because it agrees so well with an Account, we received a while since from a very Curious and intelligent Person of Amsterdam._) There is in the Province of _Nankin_ a Town, call'd {250} _Goesifols_ whence they draw the Earth for _Porcelaine_, which is found between the Rocks of Mountains. This Earth they beat very small, and stamp it to a very fine Powder, and then put it into Tubs fill'd with water; where the finest part sinks to the bottom. Afterwards 'tis kneaded in the form of small Cubes, of the weight of about 3. _Catti_ (a _Catti_ being 20 Ounces.) These pieces thus wrought are sold to the people, that commonly in great numbers fetch them, coming from the Town _Sintesimo_ (otherwise _Jontiou_) in the Province of _Kiansy_, being about 50 miles distant from _Wotsing_, neer the City _KIANSY_; which people transport them to their homes, and there bake them in this manner: They heat their Ovens well, for the space of 15 daies successively, and then keep them so close, that no Air may get in; and after 15 _other_ daies are pass'd, they open the Oven in the presence of an Officer, who takes every fifth vessel of each fashion for the service of the Emperor: Which done, the rest is sold to those of _Ucienien_, whence it is transported all over the Country. So that the Earth is not prepared, in _Nankin_, where 'tis found, because the people of that Province have not the skill of working it, as the other above-mention'd; who also alone have the Art of coloring it, which they keep as a great Secret, not teaching it to any, but their Children and next Kindred.

9. That _Musk_ is nothing else, but the Testicles of a Beast like a Dear, found in the Province of _Honan_; and that, when tis good and unmixt, as it comes from the Animal, they sell it even in _Nankin_ and _Pekin_, for 30. or 35. _Teyls_ (that is, about so many Crowns) the _Catti_.

Many other curious informations might be borrow'd from this Author, concerning the Customs, Studies, Exercises of the _Chinese_; of the number of the people of each Province; of the Natural productions of the Earth and Rivers there; of the Structure and Antiquity of their Wall; of the Magnificence of their Porcelain Tower &c.; but, remitting for these things to the Book it self, we shal only add a piece of Oeconomy, used by the _Holland_-Merchants in their Commerce with _China_, which is, that they dry abundance of Sage-leaves, role them up, and {251} prepare them like _The_, and carrying it to _China_, as a rare drogue, get for one pound of it, fourtimes as much _The_.

_A DISCOURSE ABOUT THE CAUSES OF THE INUNDATION OF THE NILE_, in _French_. The Author of this Book is Monseiur _dela Chambre_, who being perswaded from several Circumstances, that accompany the Overflowing of this River, that it cannot proceed from Rain, ventures to assign for a Cause of _it_, and of all the other effects that happen at the time of its swelling, the _Niter_, wherewith that water abounds.

The discourse having six parts, the Author endeavours to shew in the

_First_, that the Waters of the _Nile_ are Nitrous, explicating the Nature of Salt, and Saltpeter, and imputing the fertility of the Earth, as well us the fecundity of Animals, to Salt. Where he shews, that all things, that serve to improve Land, are full of Salt; and that 'tis observ'd, that grain steep'd in Vrine, before sowing, rises sooner, and becomes fuller and stronger, than else. Adding, that that, which renders the Seed of Animals prolifick, is, that one of the _Spermatick_ veins hath its Origine from the _Emulgent_, through which the Nitrous and Saline Serosities, that discharge themselves into the Kidneys and Bladder, do pass.

In the _Second_, he examins, what is Fermentation, and how 'tis perform'd; affirming, that, what thrusts forth Plants in the Spring, is, that the Earth being fermented by the _Niter_, it harbours, the Nitrous spirits insinuate themselves into their Pores.

In the _Third_ he treats of all the Circumstances, observable in the Inundation of the Nile. 'Tis affirm'd, that 3 or 4 days before that River begins to overflow, all its water is troubled: that then there falls a certain Dew, which hath a fermenting vertue, and leavens a Paste exposed to the Air: that the Mud, which has been drawn out of the water, grows heavier, when the overflowing begins, then it was before, and that by the increase of the weight of that Mud, they judge of the greatness of the approaching inundation. The Author pretends, that {252} the Niter, which the _Nile_ is stored with, is the cause of all these strange effects, and of many others, by him alledged. For, _saith he_, when the Nitre is heated by the heat of the Sun, it ferments, and mingling with the water, troubles it, and swells it, and makes it pass beyond its banks; after the same manner, as the Spirits in new Wine render it troubled, and make it boyle in the vessel. And it seems not likely to him, that the Mud, found in the _Nile_, should come a far off; for then it would at last so raise the banks of this River, that it would not be able to overflow them any longer. Whereas 'tis more than 2000 years, that the banks thereof are not grown higher, there being now requisite but 16. cubits for overflowing the Land, no more than there was in the time of _Herodotus_. Which shews, _saith he_, that this Mud is nothing but a volatil _Niter_, which exhaling, doth not increase the Earth. As for the _Ægyptian_ Dew, and the increase of the weight of the Mud, he adscribes them to the same Cause. For the spirits of Nitre abounding in the _Nile_, when raised into the Air with the vapors, that exhale continually from this River, there is made out of their mixture, a Dew, that refreshes the Air, makes sickness to cease, and produces all those admirable effects, that make the _Ægyptians_ wish for it so passionately. And the same spirits of Niter, being joyned to the Paste, and to the Mud, raise the one, and augment the weight of the other. That, which Mr. _Buratini_ observes, that at the time of this inundation, the Niter-pits of the neighboring places vomit out liquid Niter, and that one may see issue out of the Earth abundance of Chrystals of Nitre, is alledged to fortify this conjecture; Which is yet more confirm'd by the Fertility, communicated to the Earth by the Mud of this River. For, plants do grow there in such abundance, that they would choak one another, if it were not remedied by throwing Sand upon the Fields; insomuch that the _Ægyptians_ must take as much pains to spread Sand to lessen the fatness of their Land, as other Nations do, to spread dung or other manure upon theirs to increase the fatness.

In the _Fourth_ and _Fifth_, the Author undertakes to prove, that all those strange effects cannot be attributed to Rain or Snow, {253} and that the overflowing of the _Nile_ always happens at a certain day.

In the _Last_, he alledges some Relations, serving to confirm his Opinion; Which are too long here to insist upon.

_DE PRINCIPIIS ET RATIOCINATIONE GEOMETRARUM, Contra Fastum Professorum Geometriæ;_ Authore _Thoma Hobbes_. It seems, that this Author is angry with all Geometricians, but himself; yea he plainly saith in the dedication of his Book, that _he invades the whole Nation of them_; and unwilling, it seems, to be call'd to an account for doing so; He will acknowledge no judge of _this_ Age; but is full of hopes, that posterity will pronounce for him. Mean while he ventures to advance this _Dilemma_; _Eorum qui de iisdem rebus mecum aliquid ediderunt, aut solus insanio Ego, aut solus non insanio; tertium enim non est, nisi (quod dicet forte aliquis) insaniamus omnes._ Doubtless, one of these will be granted him.

As to the Book it self, he professes, that he doth not write it against _Geometry_, but _Geometers_; and that his design in it is, to shew, That there is no less uncertainty and falsity in the writings of _Mathematicians_, than there is in those of _Naturalists_, _Moralists_, &c., though he judges, that _Physicks_, _Ethicks_, _Politicks_, if they were well demonstrated, would be as certain as the _Mathematicks_.

Attacking the Mathematical Principles as they are found in Books, and withall some Demonstrations, he takes to task _Euclid_ himself, instead of all, as the Master of all Geometricians, and with him his best interpreter, _Clavius_, examining in the _First_ place, the _Principles_ of _Euclid_: _Secondly_, Declaring false, what is superstructed upon them, whether by _Euclid_, or _Clavius_, or any _Geometer_ whatsoever that hath made use of those or other (as he is pleased to entitle them) _false_ Principles. _Thirdly_, Pretending, that he means so to combat all, both Principles and Demonstrations, undertaken by him, as that he will substitute better in their room, least he should seem to undermine the Science it selfe. {254}

The particulars, which he undertakes to reform, are,

_Punctum._ _Linea._ _Terminus._ _Linea Recta._ _Superficies._ _Superficiei Termini._ _Superficies Plana,_ _Angulus_ (Where he is large upon the _Angulus Contactus._) _Petitio prima Elem. 1. Euclidis._ _Ratio._ _Radix & Latus._ _Prop. 16. El. 3._ _Dimensio Circuli._ _Magnitudo Circuli Hugeniana._ _Sectio Anguli._ _Ratio, quam habet recta composita ex Radio & Tangente 30. grad, ad Radium ipsum._ _Propos. 47æ. Elem. 1. Demonstratio._ _Addita est Appendix de Mediis proportionalibus in genere._

_KING SALOMONS POUTRAITURE OF OLD AGE_; by _John Smith_, M.D. This Treatise being a _Philosophical_ Discourse, though upon a _Sacred_ Theme, may certainly claim a place among _Philosophical_ Transactions. Not here to mention the many other learned Notes, this Worthy Author gives upon that Hieroglyphical Description of Old Age, made by that Royal Pen-man of _Ecclesiastes_, cap. 12. We shall onely take notice of that surprizingly Ingenious one, there to be met with, concerning the Antiquity of the Doctrine of the _Blood's Circulation_: King _Salomon_, who lived neer 2700 years agoe, using such expressions, as may, to a considering Reader, very probably denote the same Doctrine, which the Sagacious Dr. _Harvey_ has of late years so happily brought to light, and introduced into all the most Ingenuous Societies of Learned men: The _Pitcher_, mention'd in the quoted place, being Interpreted for the _Veines_, and the _Fountain_ for the _Right Ventricle of the Heart_, as the _Cistern_ for the _Left_; the _Wheele_, there spoken off, manifestly importing a _Circulation_, made by the _Great Artery_ with its Branches, the principal Instrument thereof.

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